CHAPTER EIGHT

Yukina sucked in a deep breath, summoning up her courage. "Um, Kazuma-san?"

Kuwabara turned around. "Yes, Yukina-san? What can I do for you?"

Her heart raced and her face flushed upon seeing him smile. "I was wondering if it was possible that I could talk to you."

"Of course!" A grin lit up his face. "What's up?"

Yukina glanced behind Kuwabara. Hiei leaned against the wall, his eyes closed while Keiko and Botan swept up the last bits of Kurama's cookies. Yukina meet Kuwabara's eyes. "I think it would be best if we were alone…"

Kuwabara blinked. His own face tinting red, Kuwabara placed a hand behind his head and laughed a little too loudly. "R-Right! Sure, whatever you want."

After they slid closed the doors behind them, Yukina entreated, "Please wait here a moment," and disappeared down the hall.

Shuffling his feet, Kuwabara stuck his hands in the pockets of his jeans. Should I give her my present for her now? No, the shrimp and I promised that we would exchange our gifts to her in front of everyone so they could be the judges. Plus I don't have mine on me right now. I stuck it with the rest of Genkai's presents so Yukina-san wouldn't notice. Still… Knowing the stakes, Kuwabara felt he was bathed in a sauna of pressure. He certainly was sweating as much.

"Kazuma-san." Kuwabara looked up to see Yukina walking towards him, a blue wrapped present in her hands. It was slightly larger than a Rubik's cube. She stopped in front of Kuwabara. Blushing, she held out the present with both hands. Ducking her head, she muttered, "Um, here. This is for you."

"F-For me?" Kuwabara gasped. The thought of her getting him a gift never occurred to him. Yukina nodded. Gently claiming the wrapped box, Kuwabara blinked several times. "Thank you," he said quietly, meaning it. "Thank you." Kuwabara lifted a corner of the wrapped paper with his finger.

"I bought it last minute!" Yukina blurted. Then she covered her mouth with a hand.

Kuwabara froze. Then he reassured, "It's all right—"

"I thought and I thought and I thought about what I could give you but I couldn't come up with anything," continued Yukina, unable to stop herself. "At least not until after we parted last night. But then because it was so late, all the stores were closed. But what I saw in the windows were a lot more money than I had. I searched everywhere and I couldn't find it. Just when I was about to give up I bought it…" Yukina buried her faces behind her hands. "…there," she whimpered.

"Yukina-san, it doesn't matter to me where—"

"I got it at a yard sale!" Yukina blurted. "A yard sale! The boss of the yard sale was putting away all of his things because it was so late, but I saw what I wanted to get you and I could actually afford it! But I also saw all the other things he had out for sale and, well, I mean, I'm probably not a very good judge, but they all looked to be in bad shape so I don't know if what I got you will work or if it's broken entirely so I'm sorry!" Yukina sniffed, her voice trailing off like the wind. "I'm sorry…"

Once again a slow smile grew on his face. If Kuwabara could love her anymore, he thought his heart world burst. "Yukina-san," Kuwabara began, ensuring that his tone was gentle, so not as to upset her any further. "It doesn't matter to me that you got this present last minute." In fact, Kuwabara thought, I bought Yukina-san's present earlier this morning. "Or where you bought it. Or if it doesn't work." His eyes staring deep into Yukina's red orbs, Kuwabara said, "No matter what this present is, I know I'm going to love it."

"Why?" Yukina asked, incredulity lining her voice. "You haven't even opened it yet."

"Because it's from you."

Yukina's eyes flew open and her mouth parted. Then her eyebrows scrunched together in disbelief and she began to shake her head. "No. No. How could… How could something from me be worth that much?"

"How?" Kuwabara laughed. "That's simple."

It's not simple! Yukina wanted to scream. You don't understand!

"You're my treasure."

The answer was so unexpected, Yukina jerked. W-W-What?! She may not have known the meaning and nuances of dating, but she understood that. Blinking rapidly, Yukina covered her mouth with a hand and turned her head away.

Kuwabara glanced between the present in his hands and Yukina's face. Did I upset her? Did I come on too strong? He despaired at the thought.

Lowering her hand from her mouth, Yukina licked her lips and swallowed. "Open it," she said in a decidedly neutral tone.

Disheartened, Kuwabara tore open the wrapping paper and opened the cardboard box. "A… camera?" Kuwabara lifted the camera out of its packaging, to examine it further. It was an antique instant camera, the kind that spat out the picture on the bottom and took a moment for the captured image to appear on the black film. The same type of camera Botan liked using. Speaking of… "Aren't you afraid of cameras?"

"O-Oh, no. Afraid is, um, a strong word. I just thought they stole your soul." Yukina fiddled with her kimono as she explained, "Botan-san showed me all the pictures she has taken since everyone's met. And well, since you're all here and okay, and Botan-san as a ferry girl knows souls, I guess cameras don't, uh, take people's lives. Plus," A faint smile appeared on her lips. "Everyone looked so happy in the pictures. Like they were having fun."

Kuwabara played with the camera, turning it so he could view it from every angle. But still, why a camera? If she was scared of them before there must be an important reason she chose to give me this.

"Tarukane."

Kuwabara's head shot up. Yukina meet his stare with an even gaze. "He always impressed in me that if he wasn't trying to take my crystal tear gems, then someone else would. While you call Tarukane a torturer, he wasn't that… bad. He stopped once I cried. Once he had what he wanted. However, someone else may not be so kind. Might want… more. You told me my ability to smile after the darkness I experienced inspires you. But what if," Yukina's voice faltered. "What if I couldn't be able to smile at you again? That's, that's my greatest fear."

His eyes welling up, Kuwabara breathed, "Yukina-san…"

"But our conversation last night made me realize something. I faced Tarukane before I met all of you. I was alone. I was convinced no one would miss me if I died. That's why I gave into Tarukane. But if I was kidnapped now, then I'd know that there are people out there who will rescue me. My memories are proof that I have friends who care about me. I could endure the pain; I wouldn't cry, not if I remembered all the fun times I had with everyone."

Kuwabara's throat closed up, a lump blocking the intake of air. His vision became blurry.

"And that way I'll know. I'll know…" Yukina's intense red eyes bored into Kuwabara, plunging deep into his soul. Kuwabara froze, lost within the power of her gaze.

I should take my own advice and forge a new path and leave a trail of memories behind. A new path …with him at my side. After all, there is no person in all the three realms…

Like a ray of sunshine after a storm, Yukina smiled. "I'll know that I'll smile when I'll see you again."

…whose wife I want to be more!

From head to toe, Kuwabara trembled. The box and wrapped paper were mercilessly crushed and the camera in his other hand was next. He hung his head, his hair covering his eyes in shadows. But Yukina could still spy the tear tracks running down his cheeks. "I swear…" he spoke at last, his voice raw and throaty. "I swear I'll protect—!"

"Don't." Yukina cut in like a knife. Her eyes burned, despite the chill emanating from her body. This was the ice demon who left her homeland behind, who never forgave them for abandoning her brother. "Don't make promises you can't keep."

Just as Kuwabara was about to object, images flooded his mind. His losses at the Dark Tournament. Being kidnapped by Sensui. Saying goodbye to Yusuke as he left to train in the Demon Realm. All times he wanted to be strong, but had failed. Wasn't good enough. Was pushed aside. "But my desire to protect you is all I have. Without that, I'm nothing."

"You're not nothing!" Yukina happily cried. "You're honest, loyal, and noble. A man among men, right?"

Kuwabara's words echoed in his head. "Why wouldn't anyone not want to be close to you? You're the kindest, sweetest person I ever met!"

Despite the tears falling down his face, Kuwabara smiled. She may not understand what going out or dating is. But I pierced through her barriers and was able to speak to her heart. A low chuckle escaped his lips. His shoulders began to shake.

Maybe that's the greatest gift.

"Kazuma-san?" Yukina asked, eyeing him with worry.

Time.

"Yoshi!" Placing his hands under Yukina's arms, Kuwabara hoisted her up into the air. Yukina gasped. Pivoting on his heel, He spun her around. "We're going to have a great life together, Yukina-san! This camera will bear the proof of all our best memories and—"

Crunch.

Yukina's ankle slammed into the wall of the narrow hallway.

"Shit!" cussed Kuwabara. "I-I mean, crap. Damn it—No! Uh, are you all right?!" He went to place her on her feet, before recalling to be wary of her ankle. He gently sat her down instead. "Yukina-san?" He searched her face, but her bangs overshadowed her eyes. Her shoulders shook. Horror settled deep within the pit of his stomach. "Yukina-san, I'm sorry. Please don't cry—"

Yukina threw her head back and laughed. She laughed so hard, she cried; purple orbs fell from her eyes.

"Eh?" Kuwabara looked at her ankle. There was no damage, or if there had been, Yukina had already healed it. Amazed, Kuwabara glanced back at Yukina. She was holding her side as though there was a stitch in it. He cracked a smile. He opened his mouth. Then he let himself go and laughed, too. Their happy peals of laughter echoed throughout the temple.

Kurama's warm breath on her ear sent a shiver down Botan's spine as he murmured, "A minute. That's how long it'll be until Hiei snaps. What do you think?"

Botan swallowed. "I'm not sure." Kurama, Yusuke, and Genkai had returned a few moments earlier to find Kuwabara and Yukina, the stars of the show, had gone missing. However, their location was quickly given away by their loud laughter just beyond the sliding doors. Hiei, who had been resting against a wall, immediately stirred, his eyes snapping wide open. He stared at the doors with a vengeance as though he could make them spontaneously combust. "But if I had to guess it would be sooner than that. Thirty seconds."

Botan hid her trembling fingers by clutching her obi, the sash worn at the waist of a kimono. The thought of Hiei snapping put her on edge. It doesn't seem like too much of a stretch for him to turn on us after he's finished tearing into Kuwa-chan. After all, Botan glowered at Kurama, at the mall Hiei didn't have as much fun as Kurama-kun was having at our expense.

They hadn't spoken since the incident. As if he expected their friendship wouldn't change after he asked her to go to what could have been a date and then used her to make himself look good.

Seeing her tightlipped frown, Kurama sighed. He ran a hand through his blond streaked red hair. "Botan-san, we need to talk. I—"

The sliding doors slammed opened, Kuwabara leading Yukina behind him by the hand. "As I was saying, that camera will be proof of the memories we make. And the present I got for you will go with it perfectly!"

Kurama and Botan glanced at each other. Camera? Memories? Present? Uh oh.

Hiei pushed himself off the wall with a foot, glaring at Kuwabara and Yukina standing by the pile of presents. Even Keiko and Yusuke stopped bickering to pay attention. Although Genkai extruded an air of indifference as she sipped her tea by the food table, Botan could see her eyes trailing Hiei. The fire demon marched over to them, his muscles bulging from under the cloak and emitting heat waves. The tension in the room skyrocketed. But Kuwabara continued chatting in Yukina's ear, blissfully unaware.

"See my present, Yukina-san, is—"

"Oh? What's this?" Yukina lifted up a thin, long rectangle present wrapped in tissue paper. "It has my name on it."

Hiei stopped dead in his tracks. His breathing becoming slightly heavier, he swayed on his feet, as though unsure if he should continue forward or retreat.

Kurama gasped in Botan's ear. "That's Hiei's present!"

Botan turned to him. "What?!"

"I saw Hiei add it to the pile earlier," he explained.

"Uh, Yukina-san," Kuwabara started, confusion written on his face. "That's not from—" But it was too late. Yukina had already tore through the paper. She sucked in a breath.

"What is it?" Yusuke asked, his impatience rearing its ugly head.

At a loss for words, Yukina turned around, fabric spilling from her fingers. At once everyone gasped. As Kurama had guessed, Hiei's present for Yukina was indeed a kimono. But it was a kimono the like of which no one else had seen. A subdued neon green seamlessly blended into teal into artic blue into indigo into the lightest of lavender. The changing hues arced and dipped all around the front, back, and sleeves, caught in a mesmerizing dance of color. The obi was a muted red, although hints of pink helped it match the kimono. A large bow, deep navy blue as the twilight, was attached to the back of obi, its twin ends nearly ankle length. When worn, the ends of the bow would float behind her, emanating an air of demure grace. The greens of the kimono complimented her seafoam green hair and the red obi brought out her eyes and matched the red hair ribbons she so often favored. It was a kimono made for Yukina.

"Oh, it's beautiful, no breathtaking!" Yukina cooed. "Oh, thank you! Thank you, Kazuma-san!" She hugged Kuwabara, squeezing for all she was worth.

The doors to the temple's entrance opened, sending a blast of chilly November air into the temple, causing everyone to shiver. When Botan turned to look, Hiei was gone. "Kurama-kun, Hiei left—" Kurama, too, had disappeared.

Biting her lip, Botan gazed at the scene before her. Yukina happily raved over her kimono, while Kuwabara appeared to be stunned, fumbling for a proper explanation to give. The familiar feeling of dread curled up in her stomach.

I knew this bet was going to end with a broken heart.

"Hiei, wait!"

Hiei didn't bother with turning around. He leaped into the branch of a nearby tree. Bending his knees, Hiei braced his legs to jump again. But his feet didn't budge. Confused, Hiei looked down. The tree branches grew shoots that wrapped around his ankles. Damn that kitsune! His love for hanging out in trees had proven to be a weakness.

A smirk on his face, Kurama took his sweet time climbing the tree. With an "upsy daisy" Kurama hauled himself onto tree branch and sat down heavily next to Hiei. "Why don't you take a seat?" he offered, the branches retracting from Hiei's ankles. A dangerous gleam in his eye, Kurama smiled. "I guarantee you'll be more comfortable that way."

Damn that kitsune! Suppressing a growl, Hiei sat.

"Wow! What an amazing view!" Swinging his dangling legs, Kurama placed a hand to shield his eyes as he gazed out at the expanse before them. "The moon looks so large up here. And the forest! It goes on for miles. The wind is fraught with the scent of pine trees and dirt. The stirring of the tree tops, why, one could say it's like a lullaby."

Hiei crossed his arms. Stop trying to tick me off and get to the point.

Kurama watched Hiei tense out of the corner of his eyes. The kitsune let out a small sigh. Scanning the horizon, Kurama asked, "If you were aiming for something with that high of quality, why bother scouring the Human Realm at all?"

"…I wanted to avoid extortion, if possible."

"And did you?"

"Aa, some old woman tailor in the Demon Realm was so grateful I scared off this perverted old man that she did the job for free."

Kurama laughed. "I wish I was there."

Standing up, Hiei declared, "My time is wasted here. I'm leaving."

Raising an eyebrow, Kurama crossed his arms. "So you're going to go off on your own to sulk because of an honest mistake?"

Veins popping on his temple, Hiei whipped around, his hand on his sheath. He snarled, "Don't speak of matters that you don't understand!"

Kurama's green eyes widened in alarm. Then he dropped all pretenses and stated quietly, "Then enlighten me."

After a moment, Hiei relaxed his stance. His face twisted with disgust, as he stared over the forest. "He won. That stupid oaf won. He's made Yukina happier than I have."

"Tell me why you think so."

Hiei glanced back at Kurama. He placed his elbows on his knees and rested his chin on his interlocked fingers. He was listening. Still, Hiei hesitated. "I'd like to go home sometime this week."

Stupid kitsune! Are you going to be serious or not? Fueled by his frustration, Hiei plopped down onto the branch. He rested his elbow on his bent knee, letting his hand dangle. "I overheard a conversation between Yukina and the moron last night." Kurama nodded. "She was crying about something, and I was about to approach her when that idiot just happened across her. He took her to a park they've apparently been to before, where he told her that she's the strongest of all of us. Because she smiled after being that bastard Tarukane tortured her. And then they… they…"

"Made out? Had s—"

"NO!"

"Then I don't see what you're so worked up about," Kurama replied, pushing away Hiei's fist that was in his face. "From what you've told me, I've concluded Yukina-san spoke very little during their conversation. It was Kuwabara-kun supporting her, not the other way around."

That's true, but… The images of Yukina burying her head in Kuwabara's chest at the park and the joyful embrace she gave Kuwabara after opening the kimono flashed before his eyes. "She's never hugged me."

Kurama smirked. "You're not exactly a cuddly teddy bear, you know. Although, I'm sure most girls find you cute."

"Shut up, Barbie." Scowling, Kurama ran through a hand through his blond-red hair, muttering about Yusuke and revenge.

"The point is it should have been me. Not that stupid oaf."

"More opportunities to console her will arise in the future. Yesterday was hardly—"

"No, there won't be. Because I'm leaving." Annoyed, Kurama opened his mouth to protest. "For good."

"W-What?" Kurama sounded devastated. "Why?"

Hiei gazed coolly towards the horizon. Standing up, he shoved his hands in his pockets. He looked over the forest, because he couldn't meet Kurama's eyes. He stood up straight because he didn't want Kurama to witness his shoulders slouching in defeat. He hid his hands in his pockets to conceal their slight tremble. "I already told you. That idiot won the bet. He didn't even have to give Yukina his present to prove that he can make her happier than I can. I've searched Yukina for all these years not to tell her that I was her brother, but to make sure that she was happy without me. And it seems my mission is complete."

"Hiei, wait. Listen to me. You're making a mistake." Desperation crept into his voice as he reasoned, "You're being too hasty. Stay here awhile and think things through."

Sorry, Kurama, Hiei smiled. But I already have. I knew that the moment I made the bet that I would do this if I lost. He turned away.

A hand fisted the front of Hiei's cloak and spun him around face to face with Kurama. Hiei was surprised to see tears pricking the corner of eyes as he fiercely whispered, "Is that what Yukina-san would want?"

Hiei stared deep into Kurama's furious green eyes. He covered Kurama's hand with his own, about to remove it. He opened his mouth to speak.

"Hiei-saaaan! Hiei-saaaaaaan!"

Kurama's eyes narrowed in challenge. Exhaling in disgust, Hiei threw Kurama's hand away and jumped down from the tree.

"Oh, there you are!" A startled Yukina exclaimed, as she stepped backwards.

Hiei exercised a skill he excelled at: looking bored. "What do you want?"

Yukina lowered her eyes in shame. "I'm sorry, but it seems I made a mistake. You see, Kazuma-san explained everything to me. Apparently both you and Kazuma-san had gotten gifts for me and I'm very grateful. But I mistook your present for his." Bowing deeply at the waist, Yukina cried, "I'm so sorry!"

Uncomfortable, Hiei shifted his weight over his feet. He didn't want Yukina to bow to him, but he wasn't supposed to care. What a conundrum.

Thankfully, Yukina rose quickly. "So, to apologize, I want to give you something."

"Huh?"

Pointing to Hiei's waist, Yukina asked, "Can I have that?"

"My sword? What do you need that for?"

"Do you trust me?"

In a heartbeat, Hiei unsheathed his sword and offered it, hilt first, to her. Yukina smiled. "Actually, I just need the sheath, please."

"O-Oh." Hiei fumbled to unbuckled the sheath from his waist and give it to her. Yukina stared at the black sheath in her hand for a long moment. Then she raised her free hand a few inches above the sheath. Ice blasted from her palm, coating the scabbard.

Amazed, Hiei watched Yukina work her magic. Her brows frowned in concentration, she first palmed the entire sheath, front and back, before going over her work with an ice emitting finger. She seemed to move in a predetermined pattern, but from his position Hiei couldn't see.

"There," Yukina smiled, a bit of pride in her voice. "It's finished."

With quiet awe, Hiei accepted his sheath. He gasped. Emblazoned on it was a black dragon made of ice. The dragon's skinny body wrapped around the sheath ending in an opened mouth breathing fire at the sheath's open end. The ice was see through, allowing the scabbard to retain its black color (as opposed to the ice being white or blue). And yet—Hiei tilted the sheath this way and that—it didn't reflect any light, all so the scabbard could be hidden in darkness. The fierce determination in the dragon's eyes, the power with which the claws appeared to rip the sheath open, the camouflaged scabbard concealing an opponent's death… it was beautiful. It was deadly. It was a gift from his sister.

"Yukina… I…"

And not just any gift. A sword was a man's soul. And his soul was now protected by a dragon, his symbol, created by his sister. It was an outward symbol that Hiei always fought for Yukina. It was a treasure.

Yukina looked away. "I've made the ice as hard as possible, but if it does happen to melt, please bring it back to me. I'll fix it. I could even change the pattern if you want."

Hiei returned the sheath to his waist and slid his sword into it. He met her eyes. "Thank you."

Yukina blushed with happiness. "I should thank you as well. I love the kimono. It's supposed to be like the aurora borealis, right?"

"But you said that you didn't need the aurora borealis anymore."

"I said that I didn't need anything," Yukina corrected, surprising Hiei. "I don't need anything because," Yukina smiled, "I have everything I need already."

Then she raised her arms to the side and waited expectantly.

"What?" Hiei asked.

Yukina's smile faltered. "T-To thank you properly. If you don't mind, that is."

"She's never hugged me."

Blushing furiously, Hiei looked away, rocking back on his heels. "I-I-I don't know what you're talking about."

Yukina's arms lowered slightly. The light in her eyes dimmed. Hiei had crushed her.

…Maybe because you're an asshole to her? Yeah, probably.

"Tsk! D-Do whatever you want; I don't give a damn."

Unable to suppress a squeal of joy, Yukina wrapped her arms around Hiei's neck and squeezed for all she was worth. Hiei stiffened like a board. Beaming a mile wide, Yukina pressed her cheek against Hiei's cheek. Despite himself, Hiei felt his lips curling upwards. He closed his eyes. How ironic. He raised his arms and pressed his hands on her back. The warmth of the ice maiden's heart is melting the coldness of the fire demon's heart.

When they released each other, Hiei strangely felt compelled to offer, "Do you want to see the aurora borealis? We should try the Human Realm. Might be different."

Yukina's eyes widened so much, Hiei thought they would fall out. "It's always been my dream to watch the aurora borealis with my b—Yes! Yes, I would love to go!"

Hiei wasn't sure if he should have spoken; after all he could still be leaving. But the pure elation on Yukina's face… Hiei knew it was time to let go of his own fears. Let go of his fear that pure, innocent Yukina would hate Hiei for his bloody past and instead face a new fear: that pure, innocent Yukina loved Hiei for who he was.

"I don't know how to thank you."

"…You could wear the kimono I got you."

"Right, of course! Come with me!"

Laughing merrily, Yukina lead Hiei by the wrist into the temple.

They're taking way too long. So long in fact that even Yukina-san followed them! I don't want that shrimp to be pulling anything funny while no one's watching, not when so much is riding on— Kuwabara slid open the temple doors. He gasped.

Yukina and Hiei were hugging.

Kuwabara felt as though someone had sucker punched him in the gut. Why would, why would Yukina-san hug him?! She likes me, doesn't she? Not… He happened to glance down at the camera in his hand.

"My memories are proof that I have friends who care about me."

Kuwabara closed his eyes. I know we betted that I would learn what Hiei's relationship to Yukina-san was, but I don't need to know. All I need to know is that he's important to her. He hesitated. Then he made a decision.

Snap!

With a whirling noise, the camera spat out a picture. Kuwabara pulled it out. After a few moments, the image of Yukina and Hiei hugging appeared. Kuwabara smiled.

Unforgettable memory #1.

A smile on his lips, Kurama watched Hiei and Yukina enter the temple. Just before Yukina stepped over the threshold, she threw a worried glance over her shoulder at the tree Kurama was perching on. Then she slid the doors closed.

Curiosity aroused, Kurama pondered her actions. Why does she appeared to be troubled? Why it's almost as if she was afraid of being caught of something. Kurama's eyes widened. Of course! She mistook Hiei's present for Kuwabara-kun's gift on purpose! But why? To see Hiei's reaction? If she knew it was from Hiei from the beginning, then surely she should have assumed such a mistake would upset him. Then again, Hiei always gives off an indifferent air towards her. But that's only because Hiei wishes to hide his identity as her brother… Kurama gasped. Could Yukina-san suspect that Hiei is her brother? That would make perfect sense. She mistook the gift's owner on purpose to gauge Hiei's reaction. A friend would have shrugged the mistake off, but if it belonged to a long lost brother… Shaking his head, Kurama grinned. Yukina-san, you're a genius. If only you had more confidence in yourself that you didn't look backwards. You would have fooled everyone. Just how much do you know?

Then again, what did it matter? Yukina had convinced Hiei to stay, and, judging by all their laughter from earlier, Yukina and Kuwabara had grown closer these past two weeks as well. Kurama smirked. Guess this gift exchange idea of mine was a good thing, after all.

"Congratulating yourself?"

Kurama whipped around to see Botan sitting on her oar, floating even with the branch he was sitting on. Tilting his head, Kurama coyly smiled. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Botan raised an eyebrow as if to say "Sure" but she didn't contradict him. Instead she folded her hands across her obi and fixed him an even gaze. "You said we needed to talk."

"Yes, I did." Then Kurama jumped out of the tree.

He landed neatly on the cold ground. Botan landed as well, and, though confused, she followed him to the temple wraparound porch. Reaching for something underneath the porch, Kurama said, "I hide my secrets better than Hiei and Kuwabara-kun." Standing up, Kurama turned around, holding something in his hands.

A fifteen inch tall potted tree waved slightly in the breeze. Gold and silver balls hung from the branches, gleaming in the moonlight. The scent of the Douglas Fir's pine and fertilizer tickled Botan's nose. Atop the highest bough was a miniature angel, suspiciously dressed in pink robes, not white. Accepting the tree, Botan breathed, "Oh, Kurama, it's beautiful."

Kurama's face lit up with a smile and his eyes twinkled with pride, but he tried to hide with an off handed tone. "I recall you mentioning you enjoyed Christmas and how the Spirit Realm does not partake in its celebration." Then he chuckled. "I almost bought Christmas tree lights, but I stopped when I realized the Spirit Realm mostly likely does not have outlets.

"If you are not too busy, I would like to take you out for another lunch. I was hoping that we could resume our conversation we had during our previous engagement."

"Which was?" Botan asked, raising her guard. She recalled discussing how she was the reason why Kurama had put off meeting Hiei.

Kurama's deep bottle green eyes met hers unflinchingly as he answered, "Before Hiei interrupted us, I was about to inquire into the Spirit Realm's customs and festivities."

Botan's breath was robbed from her. In all the years she had spent assisting the Spirit Detectives in their missions, not once had they inquired into her life in the Spirit Realm. They didn't care; they had more important things to do. And she was just the messenger girl. He, he really does care about me. And where I come from.

Unable to speak, Botan fingered the end of a branch. He's offering an apology and a chance to get to know each other better. A chance for more. Just what I wanted. And, Botan cut a glance at Kurama, who shoulders were tense but had a small hopeful smile on his lips. Just what he wanted. This wasn't happening. But it was. He's given me a lovely gift, and I have no present for him in return. And I have yet to thank him for this gift. An idea slowly formed in her mind and she smiled at the thought. Well, as the humans say, I know of a way to kill two birds with one stone.

Moving quicker than Kurama could react, Botan kissed his cheek. Kurama stiffened, and she could feel the heat coming off his cheek. Smiling, Botan whispered in his ear, "Thank you. I'd be happy to go."

Pouring on the perkiness, Botan materialized her oar and slid onto it, giving Kurama a winning smile. "I just love this cute little thing, but I don't want the cold air to ruin it! That would be awful. So I'm just going to head up to the Spirit Realm for a bit to put my Christmas tree in my room for safekeeping. I'll be back in a jiffy! Buh-bye!" Without waiting for a reply, Botan soared off into the night sky.

Gingerly, Kurama pressed two fingers to his cheek. Then he grinned. Next time I'm giving her mistletoe.

Not quite what some of you were expecting, huh? Next chapter is Kuwabara giving Yukina his present and the conclusion of the bet, as well as the conclusion of this story. Please read until the end! Thanks!