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Chapter 4: Feelings

It's one rainy Friday afternoon. Everybody in the group was out for school and work, except for Shizuru who doesn't have any business to do for this day. She volunteered in taking care of Hibime who was still a little traumatized from the horrible incident that happened in Makai. Botan was also there to help, for there is no work for now in Reikai. Botan decided to have a one-week vacation in Ningenkai and also to accompany Shizuru and Hibime.

They were in Shizuru's room. Hibime was lying on the bed with the pink blanket, which covers her little body while Botan was cross-seated on the bed, too. Shizuru was fixing Botan's clothes on top of hers at the same time listening closely to the two girls' conversation.

Hibime was enjoying Botan's company. Shizuru was just quiet at that time for she was really busy fixing clothes, but of course she does break in their discussion to show that she is also paying attention. On the other hand, Botan became so curious about Hibime so she asked her with welcoming questions.

"Oh! So you're 15?! You're so young Hibime! It's not obvious, though!" Botan lightheartedly exclaimed.

Hibime giggled. "You're talking as if you're not young. How old are you anyway??" She asked, still giggling at that point in time.

Botan mulled over. GREAT! Hmm... Yes, I'm talking as if I'm old. Definitely I'm old. How should I tell her that I'm already over 500 years old? Haha very well then I'll say the human age! Oh I'm so slow today!

"Uh... eh... I'm... 18! Hehe!" Botan scratched her head.

Hibime looked at her doubtingly. "Really?"

Background became blue.

"Uh... Of course! Why would I lie to you?! Hehehe, Kuwabara's right, you're really one funny girl Hibime!" Botan slouched on the bed.

"Okay, it's just a joke." Hibime sniggered shyly.

"Good joke Hibime." Shizuru butted in, then winked at Botan.

Botan snickered at that statement.

Just then...

TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!

Hibime covered her ears.

Shizuru dropped some of the clothes.

Obviously they were stunned to hear that sound.

"What's that shrieking sound? Hibime, still stunned, asked to the one beside her... "Eh? Where's Botan-chan?" She looked everywhere.

"Actually, she's down here." Shizuru pointed beneath the bed. Hibime peeped down.

Botan fell off the bed.

"Are you all right Botan-chan?" Hibime asked worriedly.

Botan cried out. "Oh definitely star, I mean! oh stop, there are stars around my head! Oh... wait... there's more! Um... OMIGAWD! The stars are talking?!"

Hibime and Shizuru sweat dropped.

"Botan, that's one great spoof! I liked it!" Shizuru tributed.

"Haha, funny Shizuru-san!" Botan said while holding her head bu still smiling and it seems she came back to the world.

"Botan-chan, what's that sound a while ago?" Hibime asked pryingly.

"Oh! Speaking of that! That's one of my gadgets, the special beeper!" Botan spoke up. She got that so-called special beeper then looked at the screen enough to see a zoomed out face of a person. And was surprised to see... WHO?

"KURAMA?!" Botan was amazed. "Just what made you call?"

Hibime was a little jumpy at that name's mention.

"HIEI?! You too?! Haha! Really best of friends huh?! Fine, answer me just what made you call me? Is there something wrong?"

Hiei... The strange guy...

Shizuru cut her thoughts off. "You choose between the two, Hibime." Shizuru meaningfully said.

Hibime blushed more. Does she know what I'm thinking of? Is that really obvious?

"Sorry about that, guess you're not used to hearing such a statement." Shizuru smiled sweetly at her. "Whew! At last. I'm done fixing." Shizuru gleefully said then closed the closet. The two girls were interrupted by Botan's piercing voice.

"OKAY OKAY I'M COMING! You guys really can't do anything without me, ne?!" Botan stated in jest. Kurama's voice could be heard over the "special beeper" "How's Hibime? Is she doing fine now?" Hibime heard that and to her ears it seemed to be in a VERY concerned tone.

But Kurama's voice is not enough.

Do I really want to hear Hiei's voice? Does a sweet tone suit him? I don't think so...

"She's definitely fine! Okay Bye for now Kurama and Hiei see ya later!" Botan put the beeper on her pocket. "Gotta go girls, those guys said THEY badly need me. But I really don't know why, they wouldn't tell!" Botan grumbled.

"Okay Botan take care." The two said in unison. Botan picked up the umbrella near the desk, walked out the door, closed it, then altered into the deity form with her oar at that moment flew away.

"The lively girl's out. What shall we do now Shizuru-san?" Hibime asked.

"Just fine then let's do something interesting. You ask questions about anything you want to know then I'll answer it IF I CAN, deal?" Shizuru suggested.

"That's cool Shizuru-san! Deal!" Hibime agreed.

"Okay, Start now." Shizuru commanded.

Hibime started to think of a good question. Something popped out of her mind but she's really shy to ask it. She's aware that Shizuru knows everything about her circle of friends... But...

"C'mon Hibime, is that about a guy or guys? Don't hesitate to ask. Worry not 'coz we're the ones left here." Shizuru assured her.

"Um... Can you please... Uh... Describe what kind of friends you have and please say some things about them..." Hibime said hesitantly.

"Is that all? Haha. You really don't want straightforward questions, ne? But you know, it's okay 'coz you would know many things about them!" Shizuru uttered.

"Um... Kinda." Hibime smiled amiably to Shizuru.

"All right... Starting off with Kurama..." Shizuru looked at Hibime's face, she's totally blushing.

"obvious reaction Hibime." Shizuru commented then started on.

"Kurama is really popular in their school. As you can see he's such a gorgeous guy. He's 19 and currently studying in Tokyo University. He's such an intelligent person, but not just intelligent, he can add wit to conversations. And he's very talented." Shizuru noted.

Shizuru knows that Hibime is still yearning for more details on Kurama... Of course she wouldn't want to spoil her day so...

"And mind you, he still doesn't have a girlfriend." Shizuru finally retorted.

Hibime was astounded. "Oh... I see..." She tensely replied, face reddened. She's remembering those facts about Kurama. Todai... He's truly a good student ...and he has so many admirers that's for sure.

"How about... Um..."

Shizuru guessed. "Hiei?"

Hibime blushed for the nth time.

"Silence means yes... well sorry but I really can't say anything about Hiei 'coz we're not that close... and we don't see each other that often. All I know is that my brother Kuwabara and Hiei really can't relate to each other that's why they frequently quarrel and quarrel over many things. And... he's somewhat anti-social... AND I KNOW he doesn't have a GIRLFRIEND, TOO." Shizuru clarified.

Hibime was really silent at that time... As if she's memorizing what Shizuru have said. And she's to some extent daydreaming.

"If you ask about Keiko... Her attitude is very unpredictable nowadays. In high spirit now, temperamental later. But we've been friends for almost 5 years now, but generally, as far as I know, Keiko is really a sweet girl. She's studying in Shinzoku University, and Yusuke as well. Keiko is working at Daikoku ramen shop. Her father also owns a ramen shop."

Hibime is just silent. Shizuru chattered while folding the cerulean curtains she bought lately.

"On the other hand, her husband Yusuke and also one of my friends who I have actually known for a long time, is a very strong man, He stands for what he believes is right. He's great. Two of his best friends are my brother Kuwabara and Botan. Botan must be Kuwabara's woman version. Amusing ne?! As for my brother, he is really a boisterous individual I can say. He's studying in Bijomaku University just a few kilometers away from the..." She stopped talking.

"Hey, are you okay?" Shizuru waved her hand in front of Hibime's charming face. Hibime's just quiet.

After a few seconds of talking and blabbering...

"Excuse me, are you still interested of the others that you haven't met yet? I'm like talking here to a statue." Shizuru complained vaguely.

"Oh! Sorry about that Shizuru-san!" Hibime was startled then composed herself afterwards. "You were saying...?"

Shizuru heavily sighed.

After a few moments again...

"Yukina, what a cute name!"

"Yes, and she's such a cute girl. She's also somewhat reserved like you."

"Oh can't wait to meet her! Um... Shizuru-san, how about you? Don't you want to tell something about yourself?"

Shizuru heaved a moan. Such grief...

"Okay, you ask questions, what do you want to know about me?"

"How old are you Shizuru-san?" Hibime curiously asked.

Shizuru coughed. "EHERMM! You really want to know, hmm... Okay I'm 24 ohmygawd!" Shizuru exclaimed.

"Nothing's wrong, you're still young. And very kind, too. Your boyfriend must be very lucky to have you." Hibime flattery said.

Boyfriend?! Oh no, not this topic again...