Author's Note: Here's the second chapter of this week, sorry I keep missing weeks, my social life comes and goes with the seasons. That and college gave me a couple kicks in the pants with all the essays I had to write and stuff. Gah!
Anyway, more info on my contest I have going on. The deadline is December 1. I know that doesn't give enough time, but the first dress pops up in the next/or next after next chapter. Entrees can still be sent in until... the end of the contest. I'll have that date set up closer to the time. I'd prefer to get your pictures via DeviantArt, but any art cite is fine by me. The only rule I have is that the artwork is yours.
Well, here's the last chapter for this week.
Botan convulsed within Kurama's arms, trying to keep the contents of her stomach from rising up to her throat. Her mouth was salivating and she could feel her esophagus widen. She took deep breaths in hopes of pushing it back down, if only to keep herself from making a mess on Kurama. But try as she might, and no matter how many times she swallowed, she felt it rising up as her throat grew wider and wider to accommodate the bile.
"Try to hold on a little longer," Kurama cooed, nuzzling Botan's cheek while Maya fiddled with the keys, panic making her clumsy.
Botan merely whimpered in response, clamping her hands over her mouth and squeezing her eyes shut. She could already taste the acids on her tongue and in her breath as she belched into her closed mouth. It was almost too late and Botan was starting to squirm in place.
Once the door was open, Kurama rushed her to the bathroom and help her to the toilette where she regurgitated everything she had eaten that day. Several more whimpers escaped her lips as Botan dry heaved into the porcelain bowl. She felt wretched and weak, as if everything that could go wrong was going to go wrong for her. Her body shook from the strain it placed onto itself as it tried to rid whatever abnormality that had entered her system. Botan tried to focus on her memories, searching for whatever it was that may have caused her current agony.
"It's the Midol," Botan coughed in realization once she was able to speak.
"Are you sure?" It would make sense, but why would she react to it? Surely there was nothing wrong with it that would cause her body to reject it so violently. Regardless, Kurama turned to look out into the hall where Maya stood worriedly.
Maya may not like Botan, at all, but she did not wish her any pain. "Is there anything I can do?"
"Can I see the pill bottle," Kurama asked with his voice thick with worry. Maya was quick to toss him the half empty bottle, too scared to enter the bathroom herself. With one hand on Botan's back to comfort her and scan her reiki, Kurama read the labels. He found that Botan was suffering from one of the side effects of the drug; vomiting. But with that being said, Botan's energy spiked and dropped at rapid, but irregular intervals.
"Why is everything happening to me," Botan whined before more bile spilt from her lips and into the toilette. Tears beaded up in her eyes and she struggled for breath, choking on the acids of her stomach.
Kurama didn't answer. He couldn't. Side effect or not, Botan was not supposed to react this way. Kurama pressed his hand against Botan's heaving stomach and tried to force her muscles to relax with his youki. After several moments, Botan stopped. But it was like her very skin was sucking away at the energy Kurama offered. Kurama didn't mind though, as long as Botan wasn't in pain any longer he would gladly give her anything she needed or wanted.
"Is she okay," Maya voiced from the doorway, her eyes wide with concern.
"It was just a side effect," Kurama replied, even though he really didn't believe that was the case.
Maya nodded in understanding before scanning Botan's form for any other signs of sickness or discomfort. Seeing something else that needed addressing, Maya walked down the hall into Botan's room. Not caring what she grabbed, Maya was quick to collect what she'd need before returning to the bathroom.
"Shuichii-kun," she began in hopes of acquiring his attention. Once she had it, her words died in her throat for several moments. He looked so scared and unsure, the event shaking Kurama's confidence and making him doubt his abilities. It was strange. This was the first time in all her years of knowing him that she could read him so clearly, and it was all for Botan. Were it not for the direness of their current situation, Maya would have stormed away the moment her envy reared its ugly head, but she couldn't. As much as she hated Botan, she could not leave her to suffer like this. "I need you to give Botan and me some privacy, please."
Instead of moving, Kurama tightened his hold around her. He eyed Maya with distrust for only a moment until he saw the bundle of clothing in her hands. Kurama nuzzled the back of Botan's neck before climbing onto his feet. "I'll be right by the door if you need me," he told her before stalking out of the bathroom. Once clear, Maya closed the door behind him and locked the door. Kurama fought down the panic, knowing that Botan would be fine. Even still, Kurama didn't want to be separated from her, at all, even if he did know it was a necessity at that point in time.
"Is she alright?" Hiei materialized by Kurama's side, sensing the fox's worry as well as the abnormality in Botan.
"I don't know," Kurama admitted. Pressing his back to the wall, Kurama slid to the ground in order to wait. He could hear Maya and Botan conversing through the door, but the words were muffled by the wood. Kurama tried to take deep calming breaths, but all Kurama could smell was Botan in her ailment and blood born from no wound.
"What do you know," Hiei sat across from Kurama with a strange look in his eye. Though there was worry, there was something else there that Kurama could not place.
"It's most likely a side effect from some medicine she took earlier this evening," Kurama explained tiredly.
"Most likely?" Hiei didn't like Kurama's choice of words. It usually meant that the problem, and thus the solution, was a result of something else entirely.
"Feel her energy," Kurama commanded instead. He leaned back in order to rest his head against the wall, turning slightly so he could hear what was going on inside the washroom more clearly. Not for the first time Kurama cursed his human ears and the dull hearing they gave him in comparison to his fox ears.
Hiei obliged Kurama's request hesitantly, as if afraid doing so would result in some form of negative consequence. Hiei cocked his head to the side curiously, unsure what to make of what he was sensing. Her fluctuating aura had calmed, revealing an increase in her reiki, that much was certain. But there was something else. There were three other energies coursing through her system. One felt like Kurama's and it was meshing and melding with Botan's reiki and another energy entirely. Then there was a black mass that interfered with it, attacking the other three energies like a scorpion would its prey.
"There's demon energy in her…why?" Hiei didn't like what Botan's energy signature was showing him. She should not have so many at war within her system or else the sickness would be the least of their worries.
"I gave her some of mine," Kurama replied, recalling that morning vividly. "She needs life energy to sustain her and her power since she is incapable of creating it for herself. My demon energy was drained in the process of feeding her."
"And the others?" Kurama leveled Hiei with a look, one that spoke volumes to the considerably younger fire demon.* Kurama didn't know, and it was eating him up inside.
"Could it be because she's falling," Hiei inquired.
"If that were the case, her reiki would be weakening and her youki would be increasing. But her reiki is increasing and there are three demon energies inside her. Mine, Yuri's, and the third; Yuri's energy is the black corruption and the third is mixing mine and Botan's together. The thing is that third energy isn't hers." Kurama ran his fingers through his hair in agitation. There wasn't enough information. There weren't enough clues. Something was wrong with Botan and Kurama didn't know how to figure out what it was.
The door to the bathroom opened and out stepped both Maya and Botan. Botan had been changed into a completely knew set of cloths, her old ones soaking in the sink. Kurama's shirt dwarfed Botan's frame and made her look fragile in comparison to her usual hardiness. Long purple pajama pants encased her legs, the access fabric pooling around her bare feet. Her hair was loose from its usual ponytail and Botan looked pale and sickly.
"Would you like for me to get you anything," Kurama asked, on his feet in seconds. His hands were on her cheeks and he scanned her face for any other signs of discomfort. Finding nothing new, Kurama sighed with relief. He wrapped his arms around Botan and contented himself to just hold her for a while.
"I am a little hungry," Botan admitted shyly. She didn't know why, but now that she was feeling better she was completely ravenous.
"What would you like," Kurama smiled, stepping back from her so he could look down into her eyes. Something about them seemed exceptionally bright, as if they were freshly shined gems gleaming with a light of their own. Kurama found that he couldn't look away, allowing himself to be trapped within her shining amethyst orbs.
"I feel for meat," she smiled sweetly before she yawned. Her tongue curled and tired tears beaded up at the corners of her eyes. She reached up to wipe them away with her sleeve before stifling another yawn.
"Coming right up," Kurama nodded, breaking away from the spell Botan's actions had cast on him so he could lead her by the hand into the kitchen. Kurama then lifted Botan up and sat her on the counter before rummaging through the fridge in hopes of finding something edible. From what he could tell, the soup was still good and there was a package of steaks that needed to be cooked for dinner the next night. Beyond that, the fridge was only stocked with fruits and some vegetables. Looks like grocery shopping is a must, Kurama deduced, removing the package and setting it on the counter next to Botan.
Behind him, Botan eyed the red meat with a predatory gleam in her eye. Her stomach growled its desires, but Botan forced herself to remain still. Pain shot up her spine, gripping her stomach and compelling her to scoot to her left. Her body was telling her to eat, loudly, but could she eat it? Her hand twitched, inching towards the plastic wrapped steaks at a sluggish and almost unnoticeable pace. Botan's eyes followed Kurama's movements, watching him walk around the kitchen to prepare for the night's late meal.
Before Botan could claim the beef for herself, Kurama took it and broke through the clear plastic that preserved it. He dumped the meat onto a chopping board and started to slice the meat into even strips. The blood stained his hands and coated the blade he held. It pooled beneath the meat, slowly easing towards the edge.
Botan felt her pulse quicken and her breath deepen. She wanted it. The moment Kurama turned his back to oil the skillet, Botan reached out and laid claim to one of the bleeding pieces of beef. She held the piece over her open mouth and let the blood drip into her mouth before dropping the piece in. She didn't chew it, Botan just sucked on it. It didn't taste as good as he'd hoped, but it was good enough for her.
"You won't get anything from that," Kurama enlightened, turning to face Botan knowingly. "There isn't any life energy to nourish yourself with, just the memory of it."
Botan swallowed the piece and turned away from Kurama in shame. But when Kurama started to lick her fingers clean of the gore, Botan turned to face him again. "What's wrong with me?"
"You're body craves life energy which is easily acquired through blood," Kurama explained calmly once he seasoned the meat and dumped it into the pan to brown.
"Why? I've never needed blood before," Botan pressed, unwilling to accept her hunger.
"I don't know. I suppose Koenma has been able to sustain you and all the other shikigami under his employ with his own life energy. Now that he's not around, and with the stress you've suffered, you've used all the life energy you've fed off of up. Even though the body you reside in is human, it lacks a life force of its own so it can't sustain you for long periods of time since you are a shikigami."
Botan leaned back and scowled at no one in particular. She should have realized what was wrong with her the moment she started getting dizzy. She wasn't that stupid. "And since I'm stuck in this body I have to feed off of life energy."
"Only until the merger between you and that body is complete, then you should be able to develop your own life force," Kurama assured. He opened one of the cupboards and removed a large mug from one of the higher shelves. He set it down on the counter and rinsed the knife he was using of blood. Holding his hand over the cup, Kurama sliced open his palm and allowed himself to bleed into it.
Botan gasped in surprise and reached out in order to heal him, but a look from Kurama held her steady. "Why are you…?"
"You need life energy. I need you at your best. If this is what I have to do in order to keep you in pique condition then I'll gladly do it." Kurama healed his palm and licked it clean while handing her the mug, knowing that this temporary compromise won't last long. He didn't have limitless energy for her to feed off of, and though his youki would be just as beneficial to Botan's health, he couldn't risk it without further analyzing Botan's current condition. As it stood, Kurama didn't know what the long term affects of his youki would be.
Botan downed the cup within moments, gulping down the still-warm substance and feeling so much better for it. Her tongue traced along the interior of the ceramic mug in hopes of getting all that remained and when her tongue could no longer reach she scraped her fingers along the sides.
Kurama watched her with a critical eye. She no longer slouched from the pain of cramps and the sickly pallor left her features almost completely. She actually seemed to glow with life, brighter than he'd ever seen her before. It was as if the Botan he and the other's new was in actuality a pale imitation of who she really was. Pity this closeness to her true self came with such a steep and dark price.
The shrill sound of a phone ringing startled both of the kitchen's occupants back into reality. Kurama was the first to react to it, quickly scanning the stir-fry and the boiling rice cooker before lifting the simple white phone from its cradle.
"Um…Kurama?" Yukina's voice filled Kurama's ear, prompting an expression of curiosity from him.
"Yukina? Is something the matter?" Kurama was quick to put the phone on speaker, wrapping an arm around Botan's waist to pull her closer to the device. He let her go immediately afterwards so he could check the cooking food again and lower the temperature of the stove.
"I found Kazuma-kun," she said, her voice becoming surer with each word.
"What? How," Botan demanded, leaning into the phone as if it could give her the clarification she needed.
"I don't know. I just feel him. He's somewhere nearby and he's getting weaker." Yukina's words were urgent and laced with a foreign emotion that neither of her listeners could place.
"The club that Hiei's last soul fragment is at is near them, maybe that's the shard she feels," Kurama explained to Botan when she turned to him for answers.
Botan nodded in understanding before turning her attention back to the phone. "Yukina, I want you to do me a favor; take the soul fragment that you have and lay it on Hiei's chest. We'll be there in the morning with the other fragments."
"Okay…" Botan reached over to hang up the phone, but Kurama stopped her before she could. Even though she couldn't, Kurama heard Yukina breathing on the other line still. She may not have much knowledge of human technologies, but Kurama knew she at least understood the concept of the phone. There was something else on the ice apparition's mind that she was trying to put into words.
"Is something wrong?" Kurama was suddenly worried when her breathing pattern shifted.
"…nothing." Yukina hung up then, and Kurama was more worried for her than he ever thought possible.
"She's angry," he stated bluntly.
"How much like Hiei is she…really?" Kurama couldn't answer Botan's question because he really didn't know.
That morning Kurama, Botan and Maya left the house with barely a word spoken between them. Though tired, none would dare voice a complaint and the three piled into the convertible and drove the sixty minute trip in fewer than thirty. Maya didn't complain about the speed and Botan didn't bother with the glamour. Both trusted Kurama to get them to the other safe house with out incident.
"So what's the plan," Maya asked finally once Kurama pulled into the apartment's garage.
"Botan and I are going into the club and we're going to find the shards of Hiei's and Kuwabara's souls," Kurama answered plainly, eyes searching for available parking. He found it three floors up and hidden in shadows at the far corner.
"I'm not going?" Maya didn't know how she felt about being left behind in this case. Granted, she was left behind all other times, but something about now was different: Something that had to do with Kurama. He was hiding something from her, something she knew she wouldn't like and really didn't want to know.
"It would be best for you to stay here with the others until we get back." Kurama waited till the top of the car was completely in place before killing the engine and unlocking the doors so Botan and Maya could get out.
"But why? You let me go with you last time," Maya reminded Kurama, trying to get him to let her go with him as well.
Kurama didn't answer her, instead he checked to see if there were any threats looming nearby. Finding none, he took the lead and led his companions up to the apartment Yukina shared with Mukuro and Shizuru. When they got there, they were greeted with a burst of cold. Yukina stood in the hallway, waiting patiently for their arrival. Everything about her seemed off and her eyes were glowing as she stared off into the distance.
"Yukina," Botan called in greeting. The cold diminished slightly and the angry glow in her eyes dimmed when Yukina turned to face them. Her lips were pulled into a semblance of a smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. Without a single word spoken, she led the three into the freezing cold apartment and to the room where Hiei and Kuwabara rested. There is where they found both Mukuro and Shizuru, both wearing morose expressions.
On Mukuro's lap was Hiei's head and her fingers were working their way through his wild mane of ebony. In her other hand was a book of Ningenkai's history, it was a large and thick book and she was only a quarter of the way through it. Out of the three, hers was the brightest of the faces present. But that was probably due to the scribbles of ink that she had painted onto his face for reasons no one knew about, or cared to find out.
Shizuru was sifting through clothes, tossing them onto Kuwabara's chest absentmindedly in her search for…something. Every now and again she'd toss a look over her shoulder at her baby brother, but then she'd go back to looking through the closet, altering her trajectory in favor of piling the tossed clothing onto his legs.
Yukina was by Kuwabara's side within moments of entering, claiming one of his hands in her own. "When do you leave?"
"Come again?" Kurama wasn't sure he heard right given Yukina's soft spoken nature and his lack of attention.
"When are you going to get the soul fragments of my brother and Hiei," Shizuru reiterated, stilling her motions to face Kurama.
"Tonight," Kurama replied. "The club will be reopening so the crowds will be thick with people. We'll be able to blend in and find the one who holds them."
"I see… You'll need to look the part, correct?" Shizuru tossed a few select clothes over her shoulder as she said this, giving Botan a once over.
"We will, but that's not a priority," Kurama acknowledged.
"Yes it is," Shizuru countered simply. "I know of this club and I've gone often. Of the two of you, Botan would blend in the most, and even she would stick out with how tame her usual attire is. In order to even get passed the bouncer you both need to be as outlandishly dressed as the others that attend."
"So you're saying we need to stick out if we want to blend in," Kurama sighed. He had hoped to just sneak in, but growing suspicions prompted a change in plans. "Unfortunately I don't own anything that would prove useful to that end."
"I know. I already took the liberty of finding you clothes." Shizuru pointed to a cluster of bags in a far off corner. "They should be your size, and if not they're easy fixes."
"You really didn't have to," Kurama offered, grateful for Shizuru's forethought in the matter.
"It's the least I can do since I won't be able to go myself." Something about the way Shizuru spoke set off warning bells inside Kurama's head and he was instantly distrustful of Shizuru and her intentions.
"Thank you," Kurama said, walking over to the bags to sift through the purchases. He found a few pairs of pants and shirts, each promising a night of constricted movement and grabby hands. I can already tell how my night's going to end. Kurama stood and turned in time to see Shizuru hold up an interestingly small tube top up against Botan. "Absolutely not," he blurted within seconds of seeing it.
"What's wrong with it?" Both Botan and Shizuru questioned in unison, not seeing anything wrong with the chosen article of clothing.
"We're trying to blend in," Kurama clarified. "We're NOT trying to get Botan kidnapped…" or worse.
"…I see your point," Shizuru relented. "She already has 'rape me' stamped onto her ass, we don't want to add 'now' to the sentence."
"Hey," Botan complained. "I have no such thing stamped anywhere on my body, thank you very much."
"She also has 'sucker' on her forehead." Shizuru tossed the tube to the side and lifted another top up for inspection.
Botan just stood there with an angry pout on her face, one that did not go unnoticed by her tormenters. Why was it that everyone always saw fit to tease her? Botan knew she wasn't the smartest or the strongest, but that didn't warrant the constant mockery of her friends. Suddenly, Botan wasn't so sure. They teased Kuwabara too, simply because of the four of her tantei, he was the weakest. Was her weakness the reason for the jokes made at her expense?
"You know I'm teasing you, right?" Shizuru truly hoped that she didn't push her little joke too far. With everything going on around them, Shizuru was off her game by a lot. She sent another sorrowful glance at her lifeless baby brother. If only he would wake up, then she could tease him to her heart's content. If only she could hear his voice.
"We'll get him back Shizuru," Botan promised in hopes of comforting her dear friend. I don't have time to feel sorry for myself, Botan chided. Shizuru's hurting and if making fun of me will make her feel better than I won't complain.
"I know you will, it's just…he's my baby brother, you know? I'm supposed to look after him and keep him safe. I guess I can't even do that right." Tears began to well up in her eyes and Shizuru would do nothing to stop them. She should have been able to do something, anything to protect him. What was the use of having a heightened spiritual awareness when she couldn't use it to protect the one person she loved with all her heart? She was Kuwabara's older sister; it was her responsibility to make sure nothing bad happened to him.
"We'll get him back," Botan repeated, wrapping her arms around Shizuru in time to catch her. Her sobs shook Botan to her very core and Botan didn't know what to do, so she just held Shizuru and let her cry.
Was it wrong for Kurama to want to lock Botan away in the car? Was it wrong that he wanted to lock himself away with her? Was it wrong that Kurama was entertaining the idea of nixing the mission for the night so he could have Botan all to himself? Kurama sent another vicious leer in the direction of another man that had to audacity to blatantly stare at Botan's derrière before deciding that no, it wasn't wrong for him to feel such a way.
Botan clung to Kurama's arm and cast several nervous glances around her. She'd never been to a club before and she really didn't know what to expect. Botan thought she looked cute in the clothes Shizuru had picked out for her, but with each step her security in her appearance dwindled. She really hoped she looked okay, but she was too nervous to ask Kurama for his opinion. Besides, he had this angry look in his eye ever since they left the apartment and she feared that she was in some way responsible. It only came about when she came out dressed the way she was.
Botan reached up to play with the cat ears that were strapped onto her head. They were made of a hard material and one ear had an "earring" with a bell hanging from it. They were painted bright neon pink, only one shade lighter than the halter top she wore. The top was something that needed getting used to since Botan wasn't used to wearing such tight clothes. She was surprised she was still able to breath with the vinyl constricting her chest. It was probably because her stomach was exposed, allowing Botan to breath through her diaphragm. Tugging at the hem of her plaid pink and black miniskirt down, Botan wondered for the umpteenth time if her garb was a little too revealing.
At least the shoes are nice, Botan sighed. Because of the extra inches in height the stiletto heels Shizuru had lent her, Botan almost matched Kurama in height. Still, the adorable boots could barely be distinguished from her thigh highs because of the poor lighting.
Suddenly, Kurama grabbed one of the links of Botan's ringed belt and yanked her closer to him. He maneuvered her to his other side in time to avoid having Botan's rear grabbed by some passing thug. Murder was clear in his eyes and the man was smart enough to scurry away without a parting glance. Kurama silently cursed everyone he considered responsible for his current hell. Botan's naïveté strikes again and served as a lure for any and every unscrupulous character in the near vicinity.
Damn her pig tails! Damn her sweetness! Damn her… Kurama couldn't finish the sentence even in his mind as he tried to still the swaying of Botan's hips. The moment the found the end of the line, Kurama placed Botan in front of him and pulled her close. This is one of the reasons why I always had male partners! Kurama glowered at couple of young women that thought to "invite" Botan to join them and cut the line, but their intentions were quite clear. The moment she would leave his side was going to be the last moment he saw her.
"Are you sure," Botan inquired as the two walked away to the front.
"Quite sure," Kurama nodded, adjusting the black elbow length gloves that covered his arms. He flexed his bare fingers to make sure the seeds he had placed under the fabric were secure and didn't dig into his knuckles uncomfortably. Once finished, Kurama pulled the edge of the red turtle neck he wore. The fabric was so thin it was sheer, clinging to his torso like a second skin and riding up to expose his abdomen with every move he made. His pants hung low on his hips and were tight enough to create a silhouette of his legs, while loose enough for the plethora of pockets that adorned them to function. Even with the pockets, Kurama's belt secured a small pouch to his side that could easily be removed by him only. It was an addition added after a conversation with Shizuru, dealing with Botan's current needs. Since Kurama didn't want to risk Botan getting pick pocketed, he offered to carry her things in her stead. Kurama's pants were tucked into knee high boots that buckled along the side. They were such a dark red that they may as well have been considered black and they were accented with spiked metal plates.
They may not have suited his current tastes, but Kurama would give Shizuru credit to her sense of style. Contrary to his first impressions, the clothes allowed for ample movement and offered him multiple places to hide his arsenal of plant weapons.
"Okay…are you alright?" Botan turned in Kurama's hold to face him, wanting to read his features in case he planned to withhold information.
"I'm fine," Kurama lied effortlessly, smiling down at Botan with pure affection. He reached back into his ponytail to make sure the rosebud was still secured, suddenly feeling the need to check his weapons again…for the fifth time that night.
"Liar," Botan pouted.
"I'm just a bit stressed is all," Kurama admitted apologetically. "Not only do we have to find Hiei and Kuwabara, but I have to make sure I don't lose you either. There are a lot of people and I fear we'll get separated."
"You worry too much," Botan offered with a smile.
"And you don't worry enough," Kurama countered, flicking the bell that hung from her "ear" and offering her a comforting smile.
"Someone has to balance you out," Botan giggled, turning in time to move with the line. They made it all the way to the front with little difficulty; save for the little issue with Botan's fake ID that Shizuru had given her. Botan's baby face warranted multiple look-overs, but her sweet smile won the bouncer over and both she and Kurama were allowed entry.
The minute they entered, Kurama reached into one of his many pockets and pulled out a pair of special ear plugs that were designed to tone down his sensitive hearing. He then led Botan to the farthest unclaimed table he could find. The club had two floors open to the public. The floor on which they walked was more of a balcony that clung to the walls and looked down onto the packed dance floor below. There were stairwells at each corner that took dancers down to the floor bellow and along the entirety of the farthest was a fully stocked bar.
The table Kurama chose was hidden in shadow and a far enough distance from both the stairs and the bar. He would have preferred one of the private booths, but all were occupied so Kurama was forced to make due. He grabbed Botan's fake ID and stashed it with his own (real) in his pocket.* Kurama then took the time to watch Botan who sat adjacent to him. Her eyes were closed and she was moving in time to the music that pulsed around them.
Kurama bit his lip and scowled. She had no knowledge of what was and wasn't appropriate, so when she writhed around in her seat she had no idea how…risqué her movements were. She was oblivious to the hungry eyes on her and the whispers that circled around them. Even with his ear plugs, Kurama could hear the hungry slurs used in reference to the 'sex kitten' at his side and he wanted so desperately to voice his claim on her. Why could they not be at a demon club? She was obviously his and demons would know to leave her be. Humans had no such qualms about stealing away companions and lovers in the heat of the night. She's mine damnit!
"Botan," Kurama called over the exhilarating base.
Botan opened her eyes and hummed in response, showing Kurama that he had her attention even though she didn't speak. The very air hummed with energy, beating like a heart in time with the deafening music. There was so much of it, entering her body and caressing her like a long lost lover. She was high with it; the energy, the music, the life, all of it. She wanted to move, needed to dance.
"Let's go to the dance floor," Kurama suggested, offering her his hand which she happily accepted. Kurama led her down the stairs once he was sure his ear plugs wouldn't be loosened, when there he guided Botan into the mass of grinding bodies into the middle of the dance floor. He pulled Botan's body flush against his own and let her decide the steps he'd take. From there, Kurama could let loose his senses, searching for any and all threats that would prove useful in their mission.
The air was thick with the invigorating scent of arousal and the heat born from all the bodies. Raw energy surged around them in waves, lulling the dancers into a trance. Kurama and Botan were no different. Botan was already lost to the rhythm of the night and Kurama was losing the battle to the spell the music cast over him. Sensual musk filled his lungs and coated his taste buds, warming Kurama form the inside out and filling his belly with heat. The music was boisterous, deafening Kurama's ears and shrinking his world to the dancers immediately against him. The flashing lights and spiraling lasers reflected off of everything, giving everything a demonic appearance as white turned blue and neon shades glowed vibrantly.
Kurama could feel his control slip as he slowly lost himself to the powerful beat that pulsated around and within him. The feel of the bodies against his, the way Botan fit in his arms and ground against him, forced so close to him by the dancers behind her, it was almost too much for Kurama to take. All he wanted was to surrender to the ecstasy the club promised him, to give up all his controls and succumb to his awakening carnal desires. Lights flashed and Kurama could do nothing but stare at the affect they had on the nymph in his arms, forcing his senses to cooperate through sheer force of will.
His senses were shot however when his leg became trapped between Botan's and he felt the moist heat of her arousal soaking into his pant leg. In that instant he was lost. His hands dropped low on her back and worked her hips forward before dropping one lower, lifting her thigh and wrapping it around his waist. His golden eyes leered down at Botan's flushed face hungrily, undulating his body in a pale mimicry to what he really wanted to do to her in that moment. The dancers behind pressed against her back, crushing Botan's body onto Kurama's much to his delight. Still she danced, lost in her own euphoria born from the sultry heat and arousing musk that filled the air.
Botan was drunk with the energy that spiraled around her in its own chaotic choreography. She fed off of it, gorging herself on the heady elixir of life that sparked over and under her skin. Her entire body was on fire, soaking in the power around her and giving all of herself over to it. She allowed her body to be manipulated, rolling her hips and tossing her head back in absolute enjoyment. Raw hunger filled her being and Botan could do nothing to fight it. Pressing her body flush against Kurama's chest, she started to trail kisses along the column of her throat, purring with delight when he tightened his hold on her and tilted his head back.
Botan panted, nipping at his exposed neck extended canines without breaking through. She ground her hips against Kurama's, needing more of his hardness between her legs. Darting her tongue, Botan traced along the trail a bead of sweat left behind on its descent down Kurama's throat
"Stop doing the dirty and get me out of here!" Kuwabara's voice echoed within Botan's skull, startling her back into awareness and forcing her to realize what she was doing. Botan's face radiated heat as the blood rushed to her cheeks.
"What's wrong?" Kurama inquired, his voice deep with arousal. He was so ready for her to bite him, eager for the pleasure her bite would instill within him. The very thought of sustaining her in such a way drove him to incredible heights of excitement and need. He didn't understand it. For once he didn't want to understand it. He just wanted to experience it.
"Didn't you hear him?" Forcing his mind to the present, Kurama cocked his head to the side curiously at Botan's words before shaking his head in the negative.
"Hear who," Kurama asked, lifting his hands to more appropriate places on Botan's back. Now was not the time for fun, regardless of how much he wanted it to be.
"Kuwabara," Botan clarified once she grabbed Kurama's arm and started to pull him from the crowd. Botan forced her mind to focus on the task at hand, searching for the familiar purity and warmth that could only be found within Kuwabara's beautiful soul. Botan led Kurama to a fifth stairwell that was unnoticeable due to the mirrors that blended it in with the surrounding walls. The stairs led to a dimly lit landing and a door that was just opening.
The woman that exited the room was a true vision to behold. Her long golden hair could rival the sun in its luminosity, spilling over the woman's bare shoulders in wild curls and waves. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail and yet it still brushed against the ground. She wore little in the form of make-up and yet she seemed to shine with an ethereal light that radiated from within. Encasing her body in genuine leather was a mini tube dress that left little to the imagination and showed off her hour glass figure. Black stiletto heel pumps adorned her feet and clacked against the metal of the stairs. From her neck hung a glowing stone that radiated with Kuwabara's familiar energy and from her ear hung the last of Hiei's soul fragments.
The woman also had another soul fragment in her hand, which she tossed into the air repeatedly as if bored with her entire situation. With one last toss, she tucked it into her cleavage and pulled a hand held mirror from her purse. She glossed her lips and pinched her cheeks before snapping the gold shell shut and replacing it in her bag.
"What is she," Kurama breathed, filling his lungs with as much of her scent as he could. She was spring personified, if only through her scent alone. The scent was so familiar, but he couldn't place it. He was suddenly filled with the need to know, but he would have to push things on the back burner. He had his priorities, claiming the soul fragments and ensuring Botan's safety taking priority over all others.
Botan stared at Kurama incredulously, unable to believe that he would find someone like her attractive. But then again, she was perfect. Botan spotted her reflection in the mirror wall and couldn't help but feel hideous in comparison to the glamorous and beautiful woman before them.
Where that woman glowed, Botan was pale and pasty by comparison. Where the woman had hair of gold that bounced with each movement she made, Botan's own cerulean locks fell flat and lifeless. Where that woman had a body for sin, Botan was deformed and marred. Even without her flaws, Botan would never be able to compare to the goddess walking amongst them. The woman had long legs, shapely curves, and skin that was truly kissed by the sun. Botan, though tall in contrast to most, was lanky in some places and pudgy in others. Botan could never compete with someone like that.
"You know, it's rude to stare," the woman reprimanded with her husky voice. She turned her sapphire doe eyes onto Kurama, ignoring the rather plain and boring Botan.
"Do forgive us then, I assure you it won't happen again," Kurama grinned, removing himself from behind the corner and entering the hall. He could see the attraction ignite within her sapphire gaze and deep down he felt a stir for the woman. She truly was a beauty, and Kurama couldn't help but appreciate that. Beauty and power, when combined, had always been a weakness of his when it came to selecting his past lovers. But even though she was absolutely delectable, Kurama found his tastes had shifted. I wonder why that is?
"So what do I owe the pleasure of your…" the woman paused to take in Kurama's sultry appearance, licking her full lips hungrily as she searched for the appropriate words to describe him. "…delicious company?"
"I'm afraid you have something of mine," Kurama explained, matching her tone lilt for lilt. She is my ideal…so why don't I feel like I usually would? Beyond the desire to surround myself in her scent, I feel nothing for this creature. What's wrong with me? I should feel the need to pursue her, especially now.
Botan watched with envy eating away at her heart. Why was it so easy for Kurama to forget about her? Why was it so easy for Kurama to find people that were her betters in every way? First it was the smart and well read Maya, and then it was the strong vixen, and now the gorgeous woman before them. Did he like making her feel this way? Did he not realize the affect he had on her? Botan knew that Kurama didn't feel anything for her in that way, but to have him be so oblivious to her feelings and growing insecurities… It wasn't fair. Botan turned away from Kurama and that woman in favor of watching the dancing bodies on the floor.
Kurama only seemed to react to her when instinct was involved and thinking wasn't. He only cared for her when he didn't think about it. Botan's eyes widened with realization; maybe that was it entirely. Kurama didn't care for her in that way, at all. Wasn't he complaining about his approaching mating time? Could it be that his behaviors towards her were only a result of his biology? The thought hurt more than any physical blow ever could and it brought her to her knees. She was just the best biological choice for him, nothing more, and even that wouldn't be true for much longer. He may not consciously know what he was doing, but subconsciously she was just a womb to him.
A flash of sea foam hair and glowing white feathers caught Botan's eye, reminding her of the task at hand. She wasn't there for Kurama. She was there for Yukina and Shizuru, who were suffering the losses of their loved ones. Once Hiei was restored, she would take her rightful place as messenger girl and medic. Then she wouldn't have to watch women throw themselves at Kurama, all of which would be perfect for him and ensure his happiness in many fields.
Botan tried to stand, but the muscles in her ankles spasmed, dropping her onto the ground. Botan cried out in pain and cursed how pathetic she was. The others were counting on her and all she could do was cry and wallow in self pity. She was letting them down, but did it really matter? Kurama was doing all the work anyway.
"You want these soul fragments, come and get them," the woman dared seductively, writhing in time to the music.
Quick as a flash, Kurama's whip sliced through part of her dress, loosening her breasts and allowing the amber soul fragment to fall free. Kurama was in front of her in seconds, catching the gem and making a show of tossing it into the air before tucking it into one of his pockets. "That's one." Why do I not feel anything? Earlier I was so ready to take a lover and put an end to my growing lust, and yet now that I've found the perfect candidate I don't want her. What's so different about now? The need is still here. So is the hunger, and yet I find myself…turned off…
"Impressive," she canted before vanishing in a gust of flower petals. "Let's see you do that again," she cooed, the flower trail following her body as she crawled on the ceiling. She was forced to drop however when shards of ice embedded themselves where she once was.
Both the woman and Kurama turned in shock to see a current of snow spiraling after the woman. Yukina stepped forward just as the fire alarm sounded over the din of music and cries of disdain and fear.
"I didn't know you had friends," she sneered, leaping high into the air and catching the railing of the above balcony to avoid the razor sharp snowflakes. Kicking the edge of the ground, she back flipped over the wrought iron rail and landed onto the second floor. She stayed there, her eyes only on Kurama while ignoring the rest.
"What are you doing here," Kurama hissed, keeping his eyes glued to the woman's form.
"She has my Kazuma," she whispered, "and Hiei. I'm getting them back." A dome of frigid winds grew around her, freezing the ground and frosting everything it touched.
"Well isn't that too bad," the woman barked from above, clearly not taking kindly to her little fight with Kurama being interrupted. "I have no interest in you so be a good girl and stay out of my way." The woman swung her arm to the side and flower petals formed from nothing and flew like darts in Yukina's direction.
Kurama was quick to grab the young koorime and get her out of the way of the would-be fatal attack, but Yukina did nothing to thank him. Instead, she sent more daggers of ice flying in the woman's direction. Yukina watched with glowing angry eyes as the blonde dodged the attack effortlessly.
"You should really go back home and train a little longer," the woman taunted.
"So should you!" the blond stumbled forward when a body collided with hers. Not caring to look and see who would dare touch her, the woman reached back and threw the human over the edge. Shizuru sent a smirk over her shoulder as she fell, holding in her hands the chain that held part of her brother's soul. She reached another hand out and caught the shaft of Botan's oar. Botan hefted the young woman up and the two sent the blonde a frosty glare.
"You okay Shizuru?" Botan didn't look away from the other woman, checking with her hands Shizuru's condition.
"Better than I've been in a long time," Shizuru chortled, clutching her brother's soul fragment to her heart. She had her brother back, even if it was only a piece, and that alone invigorated her and reignited her inner fire. "Now let's give that bitch what's coming to her."
"No, you're not," the woman growled. "This bitch is going to kill you and use you for fertilizer." The woman ripped the dress from her body, unashamed of her nudity, and leaped from the second floor. Before she could even get half way down to the ground, gossamer wings burst from her back and she charged after Botan and Shizuru.
"Hang on," Botan commanded before repositioning herself to straddle her oar and flying high, bursting through the skylight and showering the faery with glass. Botan looked over her shoulder in time to see the woman burst through, surrounded by a shield composed of wind. Plants dotted along the entirety of the ceiling and Botan was instantly regretful to bring the fight there.
"Bye-bye," she sang, plants rising to her call. Vines and branches shot up, sharp as swords and tipped with poison, chased after Botan and Shizuru.
Botan sped as fast as she could through the air, dodging around the serpentine branches. The wind howled in Botan's ears as she raced through the growing death trap that weaved around her in hopes of impaling her and her current passenger. Glancing over her shoulder, Botan flinched. A writhing black vortex of thorny vines was hot at her heels, prompting her to increase the speed at which her oar travelled.
"It's gaining on us," Shizuru declared fretfully. She scooted forward, pressing herself as close to Botan as she could when the vine's almost found purchase on the paddle of Botan's oar.
"I know that," Botan replied hastily, before making a sharp upward turn. She ascended vertically at impossible speeds before tilting her oar to form an arc backwards. The sudden change had her barreling towards the funnel in a dive.
"Are you crazy," Shizuru demanded, self preservation prompting Shizuru to cling tighter to Botan's back.
Botan chose to ignore her companion's words in favor of veering her oar to the right, narrowly missing the funnel as she sped back to the roof of the club and the fae that hovered above it. Mere seconds before the collision, Botan hopped over the faery and tried to dive back into the club through the shattered skylight in an attempt to skewer her with her own attack. It failed however, the vines twisted around the fae and barred Botan's attempted path before turning towards her and coiling to strike.
Frost froze the plants in place before they could deliver the final blow. They were broken soon after by Kurama, who had cleaved through them with a crack of his whip. The wood splintered under the sheer force of Kurama's blow, forcing Botan and Shizuru to close their eyes to keep the slivers of wood from entering them.
"Are you okay," Kurama questioned, landing on the oar in a crouch. He shifted his weight for a nanosecond to ensure that he wouldn't fall before checking Botan's form for any sign of injury. Finding none, he dropped his hands and visually scanned Shizuru for any damage.
"You're new girlfriend's an evil bitch," Shizuru grimaced as she tried to shimmy back from Botan and even out her own breathing. Neither her, nor Kurama noticed Botan flinch at Shizuru's choice of words.
"Look out!" Yukina's voice rang like a warning knell. As fast as she could, Yukina formed a bubble of ice around the three in time to protect them from several more branches that wished to end their lives. The blow knocked them out of the air and sent them crashing down to the rooftop. The ice shattered, but Shizuru and Botan came out unscathed, whereas Kurama was only nicked on his bicep by one of the fragments.
"Are you alright," Botan asked, fretting over Kurama's arm.
"I'm fine," Kurama shrugged, rising from the slowly melting rubble and stepping forward to reengage the fae in battle.
"Shall we continue where we left off? We were so rudely interrupted," the faery purred as she glided from the air and claimed one of the frozen branches that remained as her perch. Once grounded, she made a show of reaching up and untying her golden mane. Instead of falling, it began to slither and undulate about her form like snakes. Her wings fluttered and a mist began to seep from them and her curls. The shimmering mist spilt downwards and crept towards her opponents slowly, engulfing everything in its path in a shroud of mystery.
"Get away from the mist," Shizuru shouted suddenly, grabbing Botan and Yukina in an attempt to drag them to safety. Her efforts were blocked however when the potted plants became a living wall of thorns. They were trapped and the mist was creeping ever closer to the young adults that struggled to survive the night.
Kurama forced his youki to flare, creating a wind that forced the mysterious fog back and revealing the rooftop had aged and the vegetation had mutated. The scent that the mist emitted camouflaged the odor of decay, but with it forced back the smell struck his nose full force. The cloying smell of rot assaulted Kurama's nose and he had to take several steps back and cover his nose to keep from gagging. The smell was palpable, coating Kurama's tongue in its sickeningly sweet flavor. Kurama dropped to his knees, a powerful dizzy spell rendering him weak for a moment in time.
He was down long enough for the fae to approach him. Vines slinked over the ground before wrapping around his wrists and ankles, hoisting him into the air and splaying him out for inspection. The closer she came, the easier it became for Kurama to breath and he was grateful for it. He lifted his head to leer down at the woman that held him captive, plans forming a mile a minute now that his mind was cleared. Hiei's soul fragment was right there, hanging from her earlobe with little protection. Now if only he could gain control of her plants.
"So, Kurama, was it? The rumors and caricatures of your face around demon world do you no justice," she droned on, tracing a perfectly manicured claw from his chin, down his neck, and over his chest. Her nail followed every dip and curve of his muscles, slicing open the flimsy mesh that served as his shirt. She could feel his pulse quicken under her touch and the heat of his arousal flare around them. Their eyes met and a mutual lust was shared between them, lined by a black viciousness that could only be found within the souls of truly wicked beings. "I can't tell if you want to kill me, or fuck me."
"What do you mean 'or," Kurama smirked, feeling her control over some of the vines slip. He seized the opportunity and eased his youki into them, overpowering the waning control she had over them. As he did this, Kurama replayed his dance with Botan in his mind. What he wouldn't give for it to be Botan that held him captive. To have Botan trail her fingers over his body…Kurama shivered with delight at the thought.
"I see why so many want you," she laughed, knowing fully well what Kurama was planning. "You are truly an evil fox," she continued, stepping forward and pressing her body against his. "I can't wait to see what you'll do to me once you've gotten free."
"For one, I'm going to tie you up, torture you until you squeal, and then I'm going to slit your pretty little throat." Just a little longer and Kurama would have seized full control over the plants that held him prisoner.
"I can't wait," she moaned, wrapping her arms around Kurama's neck craning her neck. Their breaths mingled and their noses brushed.
"What's your name?" Kurama breathed. The vines from his ankle loosened and twitched, unnoticed by all save for the Youko that controlled them.
"Kimiko," she murmured, brushing her lips against Kurama's.
"Kimiko," Kurama repeated. "I like that."
"Good." Kimiko pressed her lips against Kurama's, coaxing his mouth open for her tongue to slip into his. Their tongues slid against one another, engaging in a fight for dominance. Kurama forced her tongue back into the moist cavern of her mouth, ravaging her with his lips alone. Their lips separated only long enough for Kurama to deliver a bite of his own, catching Kimiko's lower lip between his canines before lapping at the wound he'd inflicted. Botan…
"No!" Kimiko shrieked and jumped back in time to avoid the would-be fatal blow from Botan's kusarigama. She then leapt to the side in time to dodge the plants under Kurama's control that wished to impale her from behind. Kimiko glared at Botan viciously for what she had done. Blood seeped from the open wound that made up her ravaged eye and cheek and a clump of her golden hair lay in a heap on the floor at Botan's feet. Some of the stained red strands were tangled around the handle of the sickle.
"You little cunt," she panted, crouching low to the ground and holding a hand over her face.
Botan made no reply, standing her ground between the incensed faery and Kurama. Angry tears beaded up in the corner of her eyes and Botan panted as all her negative emotions; the fear, anger, loathing, sorrow, and jealousy, built up within her heart. The paramount of emotion shook her body racked her nerves.
"What are you doing," Kurama barked out of fear when the faery's true strength became unmasked. That woman was too much for even him to take as he was, especially with Botan there to serve as his distraction. "Get behind me and stay out of the way."
"No! You're not yourself," Botan argued, resolute in keeping her back to Kurama. She knew that if she saw him now, saw his anger at her and the truth of the situation, she would break. She didn't want to believe that Kurama would fall for the blond devil woman, in any form of the word. But it was happening right in front of her eyes. She couldn't believe it.
"What do you mean, 'not myself?" Kurama couldn't believe what was coming from Botan's mouth. He was completely himself. He didn't know what was going on inside her head, but if it weren't for Botan's interference he would have Hiei's final soul fragment. What could she possibly be thinking? …Does she honestly believe I would…? "Get behind me," Kurama commanded when he saw no answer was forthcoming from Botan's lips. Those questions had a time and place, and now was not it.
"I won't!" Instead, Botan started to swing the stinger that served as her chain and sickle's weight.
"You should do as he says," Kimiko howled with rage, regaining complete control over her plants and sending them charging at Botan.
"Get behind me Botan," Kurama repeated, panic becoming thick in his voice when he realized that he no longer had any sway over the plants that barreled towards her stationary form. "Please, Botan."
Botan stopped swinging the chain and caught the stinger before she sliced through the vines at Kurama's wrists. She didn't get to do much else when Kurama forced her onto the ground and covered it with his. The vines whizzed by overhead, taking with it Kurama's hair band and narrowly missing both Shizuru and Yukina.
"Are you alright?" Kurama hovered over Botan and saw that she wasn't alright, far from it. Even if she was physically unharmed, her eyes sang her hurt. Kurama didn't understand why, ore maybe he did but he wasn't allowing himself to find the answer. All that he did know was that he was responsible for the pain in Botan's amethyst orbs.
"I'm fine," she lied.
"You won't be for long," Kimiko hissed, approaching the two on the ground with a predatory gait. As she walked she claimed one of the vines in her hand and it became rigid, forming a sword of sorts. "You took an eye from me; allow me to do the same."
Kurama reacted before he had time to think, grasping the nearest object to his hand, a root, and lashing out at the fae. The tip sliced through the flesh over her breast, adding to Kimiko's wound and shattering the chain that hung from her ear. But before Hiei's soul fragment could drop into Kurama's expectant hand, Kimiko caught it and jumped into the air. Her wings flapped, stabilizing her before she lifted higher into the air and began to fly away.
"Onii-san," Yukina cried, running passed Botan and Kurama and stopping short of the ledge. She threw one last shard of ice at the fae, catching her off guard and tearing through her wing. Both the fae and the final soul fragment were sent plummeting to the ground and all Yukina could do was watch in horror as Hiei's soul was sent plummeting to the earth below. "Onii-san!"
Hearing Yukina's shrill screams of anguish, Botan summoned her oar and had it drag her from out from under Kurama. She chased after the falling fragment with Kurama close behind her, hopping form building to building.
A bolt of energy shot passed Kurama, striking Botan's oar and destroying it on contact. Though it gave her the boost of speed she needed to catch the crystal, Botan could do nothing but await the inevitable as she was sent hurtling towards the concrete. She rolled her body as she fell, curling herself around the crystal and bracing herself for impact. But it never came. Her landing was considerably softened by a familiar fleshy cushion.
"Kurama," Botan gasped, twisting around to find Kurama on his back and wincing in pain. In his haste to catch her he had allowed himself to skid on his bare back. The roadway tore into his skin and shredded his back.
"Are you alright," he grunted, wincing when Botan shifted over him in her attempt to get off.
"I'm fine," Botan nodded.
Kurama smiled at her, glad to know that he hadn't failed their mission completely. Looking up, Kurama watched Kimiko get flown away in the arms of another faery. Who he was, Kurama couldn't tell, but the power that he radiated could rival Yusuke before he re-awoke as a demon. We got lucky this time, Kurama thought. But how much longer before that luck runs out?
*1 – Hiei is less than one hundred years old while, at least in my fic, Kurama just turned four thousand the previous spring.
*2 – I just learned that Kurama's human birthday is June 22nd, and since this fic started five days before the start of their summer break (summer break starts June 20th), Kurama is now twenty years old and is of legal drinking/clubbing age.
*fun fact – Chapter 6: Botan's Tragic Past takes place on Kurama's birthday. What a way to start his twentieth year of life as a human, ne?
Author's Note: Man I'm tired... Anywho, this chapter was mainly to develope Kurama's side of the budding relationship between him and Botan. Up until this chapter, Kurama's instincts (and his mating time) have only been reacting towards Botan, and they've been getting stronger and stronger. I've also developed his lust, but now, we're finally getting into the emotions. Kurama is finally realising that he's developing legitimate feelings for Botan.
Unfortunately, Botan's insecurities are blinding her to the fact that she's more than just a baby maker to him. She doesn't realise that Kurama is just as turned on by her as she is by him.
Neither of them realise how deep their emotions go, yet, but that will be further explained by later chapters. Anywho, please review. I really, really, REALLY like reviews... Did I mention I like reviews? Because I do. I live off of them and I break a little inside each time I look at my inbox and see that I don't have any...
Sumimosen, I'm so tired.