CHAPTER THREE

"The mall?!" Botan gasped, pounding her hands on the table.

Kurama nodded. "Yes, that's what he said."

Botan dipped her head and narrowed her eyes at her red headed companion. "Really."

Amused, Kurama smiled, "Really. Hiei told me his present for Yukina-san was most easily obtained in the Human Realm and then alluded to shopping. So…" Kurama spread his arms wide, gesturing to the area surrounding them. The two of them sat at a table for two at a McDonald's located within one of the biggest shopping centers in Tokyo. "Here we are."

When Kurama invited her out to lunch, Botan hadn't known why. However, hearing about how this outing was related to Hiei… perhaps she should have expected there was an ulterior motive behind Kurama's invitation. Knowing he had been a thief when he lived in the Demon Realm, Botan wasn't surprised. Not surprised but… Botan cast her gaze down at the half eaten cheeseburger on her plate. "Oh," she deadpanned.

Kurama paused, gauging Botan's expression. Was she disappointed? Kurama tried to suppress a grin. Then maybe she really does… His internal thoughts faded when he witnessed Botan absentmindedly play with her French fries. Guilt accumulating in his heart, Kurama whispered, "Botan—"

"Do you see that there?" Botan hurriedly asked. She pointed with a French fry at the window to their right. The large glass window, while some distance away from Kurama and Botan, allowed them to see the storefront of the shop located across the hall. "In eleven days it'll be December, so Christmas is right around the corner. Pretty soon all the streets will be decorated and the stores will be having Santa-san greet the children. Massive trees at squares will be lit up in red and green and gold. People lay aside their differences, in the interest of spreading happiness."

Noting the faraway look in Botan's eyes, Kurama smiled, "You like Christmas, don't you?"

"Yup!" Botan beamed at Kurama. "It's one of my favorite holidays of the Human Realm."

"Oh, so you don't celebrate Christmas?"

Botan shook her head. "Nope. The Spirit Realm has its own customs and holidays."

Botan's answer should have been obvious to Kurama, but honestly he hadn't thought about it before. She had spent so much time with himself, Yusuke, and the others that Kurama hadn't taken the time to ponder what her life was like in Spirit Realm, other than her job ferrying souls. "What kind of cust—?" Frowning, Kurama tilted his head to the side, concentrating.

Her chest tightening, Botan leaned forward. "What's wrong?"

After a moment, Kurama grinned. "Hiei's here."

"Wait, what? You mean, you're helping him get the present today? Like right now?!"

"Actually…" Kurama's eyes strayed to a clock on the wall. "I was supposed to meet him 45 minutes ago, but I chose to have lunch with you instead." Smiling, Kurama slathered a couple of fries in ketchup and popped them into his mouth.

Botan could only gape in horror. "You, you made him wait?" Kurama nodded, not a trace of remorse in his face. "But he's going to be so mad!"

"Oh, no, he's not mad. He's absolutely furious. Why, I wouldn't be surprised if—"

In a blur of movement, Hiei appeared beside their table, glaring at Kurama. "You…"

Kurama didn't even look up from his meal. "Did you enjoy your interactions with humans in your pursuit to locate me?"

Venom dribbling off his words, Hiei hissed, "Do you have a death wish?"

"Now, now, how can you expect to obtain a present from the Human Realm if you can't interact properly with humans?"

"Since you're such a great communicator," Hiei snarled, "explain this." Hiei kicked Kurama's and Botan's table, causing their food to fly and the dishes to smash. Startled, everyone stared at Kurama and Botan and the gigantic mess that lay on the floor.

Getting up from his chair, Kurama turned to face the fire demon. "Hiei, you!"

But Hiei was gone.

Annoyed, Kurama strode towards Hiei, who was waiting outside the McDonald's, with Botan lagging behind him. "Because of you, I had to pay for both of our meals and all the dishes you broke. Botan-san was really looking forward to eating something atypical."

Hiei snorted, "That's what you get for acting chivalrous on your date."

Kurama and Botan both blushed scarlet, giving Hiei no end of satisfaction. And to finish it off… Hiei nodded at Kurama. "You have mustard down your front." His composure lost, Kurama scrambled to wipe it away. Hiei inwardly snickered. Such a fool.

Sighing, Kurama gave up riding himself of the yellow stain on his pale green shirt. To Hiei, he began, "What do you—?"

Jabbing his thumb backwards at Botan, Hiei asked, "What is she doing here?"

Kurama blinked at Hiei and didn't answer. When Hiei repeated his question, Kurama stated, "Of course she's here."

His temper fouled enough already, Hiei growled, "What do you mean 'of course she's here'? Are the two of your inseparable now? That wherever one goes the other follows and the both of you always—"

Leaning in close to Hiei's face, Kurama asked, "Do you really want the two of us, two males, to go through that section of the mall without a female in our party?"

"I don't want that ferry girl to know—"

Kurama crossed his arms. "Think about it."

Steamed, Hiei paused and mulled the situation over, getting an image in his mind. Then he scoffed, "I always knew you were a bit perverted, but don't drag me into it—"

"No, not me, Hiei! The other shoppers will think that!"

"Hn." Hiei, abruptly turned away from Kurama, stuck his hands in his pockets, and walked deeper into the mall. "Fine. She can accompany us. But she breathes a word of this to anyone, I'll personally ensure that she'll never speak again. The last thing I need is for the idiot to learn what I'm getting for—"

"Hiei."

Barely able to keep his temper in check, Hiei whipped around. "What now?!"

Kurama pointed a finger in the opposite direction of Hiei. "We need to go this way." Behind him, Botan shook her head.

Hiei paused. Fuming, Hiei marched down the right path, muttering obscenities.

Watching the exchange between the two men, Botan could only sigh. This is going to be one really long day.

"So…" Raising an eyebrow, Botan ran a hand through a clothing rack at the mall. "Hiei wants to get Yukina-chan a kimono?"

Turning around, Kurama saw the confused expression on Botan's face. Before answering, Kurama glanced over his shoulder at Hiei, who plowed ahead through the racks of kimonos on display. "When I finally forced Hiei to confess what the present was, that's what he admitted."

Oh, Botan thought, frowning. So the only reason I'm here is to prevent the two of them from looking awkward as they search for a woman's kimono. Kurama had told her during their lunch that she had been invited to the mall because of Hiei, but even though, Botan had at least hoped they needed her for her skills or talents or something. In fact, judging by the fact Hiei hadn't asked Botan for advice on the kimonos, she wasn't even here to offer her opinion as a woman! Botan swallowed back her disappointment and frustration.

But I suppose it's just as well. If I picked out a gift that was too good, Hiei would win the bet, and Kuwa-chan would never see Yukina-chan again. That would break both of their hearts. But if Kuwa-chan beat Hiei, then Hiei would have to tell Kuwa-cahn that he's Yukina's sister! Kuwa-chan would either try to kill Hiei or die from shock. And the chances of Yukina-chan learning Hiei's identity would skyrocket. I want Hiei to confess his secret, too, but he should tell her on his own terms. What to do?

Shaking her head, Botan refocused on her surroundings. She lifted a purple kimono of the rack, and pressed it to herself, checking the size. It was a bit too long for her. "But why a kimono? That's not a very earthshattering idea."

Kurama shrugged. "Agreed. But knowing how much is on the line, I'm sure Hiei has something in mind."

Botan nodded and then returned the kimono to the rack. Hearing the clinking noise of the metal hanger against the rack, Hiei whirled around. "What was that?" Spying a surprised Botan by the rack, Hiei marched towards her. "Move," he ordered. Botan sidestepped. Too short to reach for the hanger, Hiei ripped the kimono off the hanger and studied in his hands. After a moment he threw it to the ground, turned around, and continued walking deeper into the clothing section, making sure to step on the kimono first. "Too stupid."

Kurama and Botan thought at the same time, It's not even her size.

Together the two watched Hiei forward, passing by various racks. He paused here and there to pick a kimono and then, unsatisfied, throw them to the ground. "Too cutesy. Too gaudy. Too flashy. Too ugly…"

Kurama and Botan shared a look. Then they sighed.

"My feet hurt."

"I'm sick of picking up after Hiei's messes."

"I'm fed up with Hiei ordering me around."

"I'm tired of Hiei always coming to me with his problems."

"Men and women both wear kimonos. So why am I even here?"

Tense, Kurama sidelong glanced at Botan for a long moment before returning his gaze forward. "I'm hungry."

"I wanted to finish my cheeseburger."

"I could be finishing my homework."

"I didn't want to spend my day off like this."

For the second time, Kurama glanced at Botan standing beside him, wondering what she meant. Did she not want to help Hiei find a present for Yukina-san or… did she not want to spend time with me? Did it really matter? Either way, Kurama had rudely dragged her into his and Hiei's problems without her consent. Pushing off the wall he had been leaning on, Kurama started forward. Very well. It's time I ended this.

Confused, Botan uncrossed her arms and straightened. "Where are you going?"

Kurama didn't answer. Instead he walked forward until he was standing behind Hiei. In his hands Hiei held a blue and green kimono with a purple sash. The blue and green melted into each other, giving it a strange glow in the light. He had been looking at the kimono for the past five minutes.

"Hiei."

His eyes contemplating, Hiei turned the kimono over in his hands.

"We've been here for hours, Hiei."

Mildly surprised, Hiei glanced up at Kurama and then out towards the mall. The sun's dying rays shimmered through the large windows. A clock on the wall showed 4:31. Grunting, Hiei returned his gaze back to the kimono. "If you need to return to your dwelling place, then go. But tell me other places I can get a kimono first."

Exasperated, Kurama asked, "And just how are you going to pay for your purchase? You're going to exhort me for my money, that's what. And I refuse to go on another wild goose chase."

Hiei shrugged, "So I'll steal it."

Kurama crossed his arms. "And have Koenma-sama put you on probation again?"

"For a little theft? You've got to be joking."

"Any crime, Hiei, any crime." Hiei growled in annoyance, making a face. Exhaling, Kurama reasoned, "Look, you only have days to get Yukina-san a present."

"I have nine days, twenty one hours, and 29 minutes until I have to give Yukina her present."

Kurama blinked. Why does—?

"Nine days, twenty one hours, and 29 minutes until I see that stupid moron cry." Hiei grinned. "I can't wait."

…I should have known. Kurama sighed. Turning his gaze to the side, Kurama said, "Well, unless you enjoy loitering in the children's section of clothes, I would suggest you hurry."

"What?!" Hiei cried, whipping towards Kurama.

The kitsune pointed a thumb to the side where a little girl was picking out a rainbow T-shirt. "Look, mommy! Isn't this cute?"

Her mother laughed, "It sure is, sweetheart." Rubbing the top of her head, the mother smiled, "It sure is."

Hiei's eye twitched. Snarling, Hiei demanded, "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"Because the larger children sizes are the most likely to fit Yukina-san."

"Yukina's not a child," Hiei glowered.

"Yes, but women's clothes won't fit her because she doesn't have a womanly bod—" Kurama clamped his mouth shut just in time. Visions of him being skewered by Hiei's sword and left bleeding on the ground came to mind.

Thankfully, Hiei hadn't been paying attention; he was too preoccupied with the pigtailed girl from earlier. She pointed him out to her mother. "Momma, look! That kid is really weird. What's he doing here?"

"I'm not a kid," hissed Hiei, reaching for the sword hilt hidden behind his black cloak. Say good-bye to your mother, brat.

Kurama jumped in between Hiei and the girl and her mother, blocking the two from Hiei's view. "Hiei, I'm not visiting another store with you. We've searched every clothing section of all the stores in the biggest mall in Tokyo. So this is it. Either it's this kimono…" Kurama said, grabbing the kimono and successfully diverting Hiei's attention away from the child. "Or it's nothing at all. Unless, of course, you want to get Yukina-san another gift?"

Hiei opened his mouth to yell at Kurama for touching the kimono when Kurama's words stopped him. Frowning, Hiei gazed down at the kimono gripped between them. This is the closest to what I'm looking for…

Kurama studied Hiei's expression, reading the hesitation in his red eyes. Just as I thought. There is a special significance behind buying a kimono.

"If you're not pursuing a different option, then you must ensure that kimono will fit her."

Hiei yanked the kimono out of Kurama's hand and held it up in the air. It seemed to the right length, but all clothes fit differently when actually worn. Knowing this, Hiei exhaled, frustrated. This is taking far too long.

"There's only one way to guarantee that the kimono will fit Yukina-san."

Listening, Hiei glanced up at Kurama.

"You try it on in a changing station."

"Bakana! I'm not wearing a girl's clothes!"

"Think about it, Hiei," Kurama insisted, leaning in closer to Hiei. "It's the only course of action that makes sense. Just imagine how upset Yukina-san will be if you got her a gift that she couldn't accept."

Well… Hiei thought.

"If it's too big, it'll be an insult to her height. You might as well be calling her a child to her face. If it's too small, it'll be tight—"

Hiei fisted the kimono, growling, "And I'll kill that carrot topped bastard for looking!"

…No comment. Turning serious, he asked, "Do you want to lose to Kuwabara-kun?"

Hiei, still furious at the thought of Kuwabara looking at Yukina, thought, It'll be a cold day in hell before I lose to that piece of filth. Hiei glanced at the balled up kimono in his hand. But… wear a woman's clothing? The clothing of a child?

Kurama said quietly, "Hiei… this is for Yukina-san's happiness."

Hiei stared at the kimono. Then he made a decision.

Seeing the change in Hiei's demeanor, Kurama had to swallow a grin. Yes, I can't believe— Kurama just happened to blink and in that instant, Hiei and the kimono had vanished. Wheeling around, Kurama thought, Where did he—? Not seeing him anywhere, Kurama ran back to Botan. She was leaning against a wall with accessories were on display, the same location Kurama and Botan had been previously. Her arms crossed, she drummed her fingers against her arm, meeting with Kurama with narrowed eyes.

Kurama flashed her a smile, a weak nonverbal apology for making her wait. "Have you seen Hiei?"

Botan drummed her fingers for a long moment. "No."

Oh boy. Maybe I should have been keeping an eye on her instead of Hiei. Kurama sighed, biting back a wave of disappointment. Looks like he fled. Damn, getting Hiei to wear a little girl's kimono would have beaten whatever Yusuke could have thought of for Kuwabara-kun. And it would have been hilarious—

"Watch out!" Botan cried, stepping forward.

Confused, Kurama turned around just in time for something to slam into his face. Kurama heard a sickening crack followed by a sudden, blinding pain. The force of whatever hit him, knocked him flat on his bottom.

"Are you all right?" Botan rushed to Kurama's side and kneeling down.

A hand covering his face, Kurama answered, "I'm all right, but…" he removed his hand and blood spurted from his nose. "I think my nose is broken."

"Here," Botan said, extending a hand towards Kurama's nose. "Let me heal—"

"What was that?" Kurama looked beyond Botan to see something the size of a basketball roll on the ground until it hit a wall. It was a decapitated head of a store mannequin. With a bloody neck, its soulless eyes stared right at Kurama.

A woman's shrill voice cried, "Sir! There they are!"

Kurama and Botan looked up to see the mother talking to a security guard while pointing at them. "They have a knife or a sword on them! I saw it! They just went berserk and cut that mannequin!"

The beefy security guard reached for his hostler. "Oh, did they…?"

The pigtailed daughter held up the shredded remains of a T-shirt and bawled, "They ruined my rainbow shiiiirt!"

"They attacked a little girl?!"

"Wait, matte!" Kurama raised a hand. He stood up and began to walk towards the officer. "I can explain—"

"Don't move!" The officer shouted, gaining the attention of all the shoppers in a 50 meter radius. He whipped out a gun and pointed at them. "Hands in the air! Now!"

"K-Kurama-kun…" Botan stammered, backing up slightly.

"D… Do as he says, Botan-san," Kurama whispered out of the corner of his mouth. "I'll think of something."

"…this is Officer Koguchi in sector five, I have two individuals suspected of carrying unidentified weapons and using them on merchandise. Requesting backup…"

A speaker crackled, "Roger that. I see you. I'm heading your way now." In the distance, Kurama and Botan could make out several officers heading towards them, weapons in hand.

"Kurama-kun." Botan said more urgently.

"I'm thinking!" Kurama hissed under his breath, a bit harsher than he intended. All right, Kurama, how do we rectify this misunderstanding without causing more of a ruckus—?

"That's them! Those are the thugs who ruined my restaurant!"

Everyone turned their heads to see a man wearing a McDonald's uniform frantically waving his hand and pointing at Kurama and Botan. "They destroyed my restaurant! I'm gonna kill 'em!"

"What are you talking about?!" The words burst out of Botan before she could stop them. "Kurama-kun paid for everything that Hiei destroyed! And I'm sure you may him pay far more than it was worth!"

"Botan-san, no—"

"They admit it! They admit they did it!"

The officer in front of them stepped forward, his finger on the trigger. "Oops," Botan muttered.

Fantastic. Now how are we going to get out of this? I would prefer to not use a demon plant, but that's seeming less and less likely with every passing sec— Out of the corner of his eye, Kurama saw a bit a black. He froze in horror. No. Please, no.

Hiei stood on a tall shelf, the blue and green kimono from earlier in his hand. Unisex or not, Hiei was not wearing something intended for his sister. And that was a message he wanted to make loud and clear. As for the crafty kitsune who planned to humiliate him… Hiei had a present of his own. A wicked grin on his face, he raised the kimono to a ceiling smoke detector.

Stepping forward, Kurama cried, "Hiei, don't—!"

Fire bursting from his palm, Hiei set the kimono on fire. Loud, blaring sirens pierced throughout the store. A moment later, the store, the merchandise, and the customers became soaked in a relentless downpour. Screams throughout the store were heard. The officer stopped and turned to look behind them, searching for the source of the commotion.

Kurama took a step backward. "Kurama-kun," Botan asked, frightened, "What do we do?"

"Unless you enjoy the idea of being arrested…" Kurama took Botan's arm and dragged her deeper into the mall. "We run!" Pouring on the speed, the two fled through the mall's departments.

"Hey!" The officer snarled. "After them!"

Minamino Shiori was washing dishes in the kitchen when she heard the front door opening. "Shuichi? Is that you?"

"…Yes, mother."

As she stepped out of the kitchen, Shiori asked, "How was shopping with your friends?" To her surprise, Kurama looked completely soaked and traces of blood were on his face.

His voice dripping with sarcasm, Kurama muttered, "Fun."

He stomped up the stairs and slammed his bedroom door closed.