Author's note: I'm so sorry I'm late! Like I said in my bulletin, I got sick this weekend and my whole fanfic schedule has been blown completely out of whack. I don't even have the next chapter done. So please bear with me since I need to get my bearings again as far as reworking my writing time with my knew college schedule and hopefully I won't get sick again. Well, here's the chapter and I even threw in a bit of a present (or two depending on how you look at it). I'm going to say it now, but there's a lime in here that's going to go unmarked in the fic itself. You have been warned and if such a thing makes you uncomfortable then...you've been warned. I hope you like it! RnR!
Botan sighed as a warm and sultry air rushed through her long blue tresses, caressing her cheeks and sending chills down her spine. The faint rhythm of jazz drifted along the air currents into her ears, lulling her heart and easing her body to relax. Relaxation was something she needed a whole lot of it seemed. Botan was sore all over and regardless of how much she slept she was still so tired and drained, and it was all Kurama's fault.
Never in all her life has Botan ever hated Kurama as much as she did now. The man was a ruthless slave driver that worked her to the bone, her and the others. When they started their training sessions nearly a week before, it all seemed easy at first. He went through the basics on how to punch and kick properly and effectively, then that was it. Beyond that, there was no warm up stretches: No easing into the regiment. It was sink or swim with Kurama and Botan could barely manage a doggy paddle. Sure the others were given basic excersises and forms to do, but not Botan. No. If Botan's reflexes weren't as fast as they were Botan would have gotten a bruise the size of China on her gut within the first five minutes on the first day of training.
Botan took the time to glare at Kurama, who was trying to keep his full attention on the road. He knew she was angry at him. Not enough to kick him out of her bed*, but angry enough to minimize just about all cuddling for the entirety of the previous week. She even minimized their flirting, which bothered him more than he wanted to admit.
"Are you still sore?" Kurama directed his question to the entire car, but his main concern lay with Botan. He had been hardest on her after all, and even though Botan did exceptionally well for her first training sessions, he could already see where several problem areas would arise.
"What do you think," Botan mumbled bitterly, stretching as best as she could before the shooting pain became too much for her to handle in her tired state. "I can barely walk." The very thought of walking made Botan's muscles scream their complaint, as if they had minds and teeth of their own.
"When we get to the hotel I'll try and make it better," Kurama offered simply, his voice thick with concern when in actuality he was feeling something else more. The thinly veiled promise sailed high over everyone's but Botan's head, or at least he thought.
Botan blushed and turned her gaze out towards traffic. She had no doubt in her mind that Kurama could make her feel better, and she thoroughly looked forward to it. However, when she peaked into the rear view mirror, Botan suddenly wasn't so sure.
Maya was glaring daggers at the back of her head. It was clear that she had caught Kurama's implication and that she was not pleased by it at all. Botan stared at Maya's reflection discreetly for several moments. There was an inky blackness of jealousy dripping from her eyes like tears of misery, slithering down her cheeks and painting her soul with its darkness. It wrapped Maya's body in chains, choking the light from her very being.
Remorse filled Botan's heart as realization set in. That light was love, her love for Kurama. All this time Botan had been focusing on her own miseries, she was blind to the poison that was corrupting the vibrant young woman that was once Maya. The oily blackness erupted from Maya's flesh, striking at Botan and filling her with such nausea and sapping her of her energy.
Botan struggled valiantly to keep her expression unchanged, even as the oily wickedness stabbed at her mind and coated her body in a thick, syrupy miasma. Botan's body screeched at her to flee, to protect itself from the unintended psychic attacks, but she did not move. She could not move. It was as if Maya's jealousy was wrapping her limbs in shackles, holding her prisoner even as her spirit fought to remove them.
Wild energy flared, engulfing Botan in its warmth and lifting the chains of envy from her body. The energy then shifted and formed a shell around her, ghosting over her flesh with its warmth. It was as if all the pain and tiredness just left, leaving Botan renewed if not a little bit weak. Botan panted, gulping down the air when she realized how shallow her breathing was. How long have I been affected like this? Botan questioned herself. Had the foreign substance not been removed, Botan would have remained oblivious to its presence.
"You okay?" Kurama scanned Maya's reflection and forced the darkness in her heart back with his youki before the energy could do anymore damage. He had noticed the darkness born from Maya's jealousy a long while ago, from even before she and Botan had met. He was shocked and almost fearful of its rapid development, and how the veil of blackness was beginning to show signs of life. Kurama knew that Maya cared for him; he even suspected that she believed she loved him. However, the fact of the matter was that he did not love her. He did not lust for her. Even his friendship with her was becoming feigned. Her jealousy was turning her into an ugly thing, tainting her once pure heart and distorting her loveliness. The cloying sweetness of rot was soaking into her flesh, merging with her scent of vanilla and spice and coating his tongue with its nauseating taste.
Kurama fortified his energy barrier around Botan, fearing for Botan's health in the presence of Maya. He knew that, even though Botan would never do anything to intentionally harm anyone unless she absolutely had too, she was to blame for the evil born within Maya. Light creates shadows, and Botan was pure light, regardless of what she was. The brighter Botan shined, the greater and darker the veil of shadows around Maya became.
There were demons that fed off of tainted souls like Maya's, encouraging the corruption to spread until all light was consumed before the demon devoured both the soul and its host. Maya was shining like a beacon, and already Kurama could see the various Makai insects flocking around them. They stayed far from Kurama and his powerful aura for the sake of their own lives, but the lure of the shadows was too big of a temptation. Soon, larger and smarter demons were going to find them, ones that Kurama knew were going to get to Maya regardless of his efforts. What was worse, Maya was going to lead those soul eaters to Botan. Though she was technically a soul eater herself, Botan's purity was every demon's dream. Even he found her light drug like and was growing increasingly greedy of it. She was his, and he would be damned before anyone took her away.
Kurama reached across the car's center console and pulled Botan's hand in his; pulling it onto the stick shift so he could maintain physical contact as he drove. He knew that his actions would increase the growth of the darkness within Maya's heart, but he didn't care. So long as Botan was safe with him, Kurama would gladly risk almost anything. Once it's safe to do so, it would be best to get rid of Maya and erase her memories, Kurama thought as he released more of his energy into the car and around Botan and his family.
"How much longer do you think?" Maya asked suddenly, her voice overlapping over the smooth jazz of the radio.
Kurama eased his fingers between Botan's, both their hands shifting gears without prompting from the other, before he looked up into the rearview mirror. "We'll be arriving in a few minutes. You remember the rules, right?" Kurama figured that Maya and his family did, but it never hurt to be sure.
"Don't go anywhere alone and to let you or Botan know where we are going to be at all times," Shuichii answered in Maya's stead. He was oblivious to what was going on beyond his mortal vision, but he could tell that Kurama and Botan were getting closer with each passing day. He could also see that Maya didn't like that fact at all. He's so lucky, Shuichii thought with an edge of adoration. I can't wait to have hot chicks chasing after me like that.
"I'm serious about this," Kurama added in warning, giving his younger brother a look that left little room for nonsense. Kurama did not have much tolerance for the antics of a teenager and the minute little Shuichii stepped out of line, or disobeyed a rule, he was going to be sent away. Kurama could not protect him if little Shuichii did not do as he was told.
"What?" Shuichii knew exactly what Kurama was saying without saying it. Fortunately, Shuichii understood why Kurama seemed to single him out so he didn't get at all upset about it. He was a kid, and as such he was prone to acts of stupidity. He was man enough admit it. He was man enough to admit that he enjoyed doing stupid stuff too.
"I see the hotel," Botan announced as a sudden wave of nervousness struck. Her fingers clenched at Kurama's subconsciously even as the sweat began to accumulate along her palms and soaked into the leather of the gear shift.
Kurama gave Botan's fingers a comforting squeeze as he pulled up to the grand arched entrance of glass, marble, and gold (fake). Kurama stopped the car and pulled the keys from the ignition, killing the engine so he could exit the vehicle without worry. From the corner of his eye he could see a flurry of valets scurrying in his direction, eager to do his bidding in hopes of a decent tip and a chance to drive Botan's sports car.* Not that Kurama minded, he was actually thrilled to be rid of the keys, tossing them to the oldest of the valets present after popping open the trunk. He walked around the car, systematically opening the doors. Once he got to Botan's door, he bowed at the waist with a teasing flourish.
Botan giggled before accepting his offered hand and swinging her legs out from the car. Once her feet were firmly planted on the ground, Kurama's hold on her hand tightened before he gave her a sudden yank up and into his chest. The bewildered Botan stared up into Kurama's eyes curiously even as a blush crept up her neck and painted her cheeks. There wasn't a space between them and in that instant Botan felt dwarfed by Kurama's height. His breath fanned over her face, smelling of mint and giving rise to goose bumps. Slowly, his head descended towards hers until his lips found her cheek.
The touch was feather light, almost to the point of not even being there. Kurama's lips trailed outward, sending chills of anticipation down Botan's spine. She could feel his warm breath on her ear, igniting her nerve endings while making the rest of her feel cold. Botan's breath caught in her throat and her knees became weak. Even with her fingers digging into his shoulders, Botan felt her knees buckling as the heat from her ear began to spread. When Kurama looped his arm around Botan's waist, she surrendered her weight to him completely, eager for more of his touch. His powerful arms pulled her closer than Botan had ever been to anyone before, the solid wall of his chest pressed hard against her breasts.
"Don't go anywhere alone with Maya," Kurama whispered into Botan's ear in warning.
"What?" Botan stammered, trying to focus her attentions onto Kurama's words and not the feel of his body against hers.
"Don't go anywhere alone with Maya," He repeated, tucking her head into his neck and nuzzling her cheek as he did so. "Her darkness is growing and demons will not be able to help but flock to her."
"Then I have to stay with her," Botan gasped, speaking into Kurama's neck in what she hoped was a discrete manner.
"No," Kurama countered, pulling her closer and sparing a glance away from the woman in his arms. The hotel staff bustled about around him, wisely ignoring the two of them as they carted the luggage from the car. His human mother and little Shuichii had left to the hotel lobby to check them in while allowing them their moment of privacy. Then his eyes found Maya. Her rage was palpable and it set him on edge. "She's beginning to envy you, and her jealousy is going to lure demons and other entities that will be more than happy to exact her hatred on you."
Botan nodded her understanding, wrapping her arms around his neck and nestling herself into his chest. She did not dare argue against Kurama's words, knowing them to be fact. Maya did hate her. There was no shadow of a doubt about that now, and it hurt. Botan decided then that she needed to be more considerate of Maya's love for Kurama and put an end to the flirting that had picked up between Kurama and herself. Slowly pulling herself away from Kurama, she flashed him one of her bright smiles.
Kurama cocked his head to the side curiously, unsure how to proceed with Botan's withdrawal. Did she not like having him hold her in such a way? Several deep breaths of her scent assured him that that was not the case.
Seeing his confusion, Botan winked and reached up to Kurama's hairline. Her fingers worked their way through his thick mane of red, careful of his hidden arsenal as she massaged his scalp behind his ears. It was a soothing and comforting gesture that Kurama leaned into wholeheartedly, allowing his lids drop for a brief moment. Botan pulled away then with another smile before deciding that then would be the best time to walk away. So walk away she did, away from Kurama and into the grand hotel with the hopes that maybe things would all work out in the end.
Though she hated to admit it, Botan had forgotten about Maya's attachments to Kurama. She was not entirely sure what those attachments were, and for that very reason she felt guilty. Though she did not know completely what it was, Kurama's and Maya's relationship had become increasingly rocky since she had entered the picture. Botan did not intend to try and steal Kurama's affections, and though Botan did not want to give them up, she just might have to for the sake of their mission. She had no claim on Kurama, or at least no more than Maya did.
Maya had come first, and as such Maya deserved the chance to work out her relationship with Kurama without her getting in the way to confuse the situation. At least, Botan thought she did. Botan would wait for her turn. It was probably for the best regardless. Sure, Kurama and she had flirted before. It was never as heavy as it was now, but they had. As a kitsune, it was in Kurama's nature to flirt whenever the situation wasn't dire; and as a neko it was in hers too. Neither of them took it seriously before, but now it was different. Or maybe it wasn't. Maybe Botan was reading too far into his actions due to her own feelings for him.
Botan needed this time to take a step back and evaluate what was going on around her. She enjoyed the flirting. She enjoyed it a lot and she knew Kurama enjoyed it too since it gave them a sense of normalcy in their upturned world. Kurama made her feel like she had a purpose and like she was actually useful. He made her feel wanted and beautiful, something that she hasn't felt for as long as she remembered. Botan loved Kurama; he was becoming her best friend and she would do anything for him. But what kind of love was it that she was feeling? Was it the love of friendship, or was it another kind of love altogether; a stronger one? Botan needed to be sure before she allowed herself to become swept up in Kurama and his passions.
Besides, what about Kurama and his affections? She knew now that Kurama was attracted to her, but she didn't know how much. What of Maya? What was Maya to Kurama? Botan had never had the courage to truly ask, all she had was speculations. It was clear that Maya loved Kurama, and that they shared a history that may have been romantic. If they were together, would Kurama leave Maya for her? Would he want to? Would he want both of them? Botan wasn't so naïve as to think that she herself held an exclusive hold on Kurama's heart. Contrary to most kitsune, Kurama had been known for his polyamory.* In fact, Kurama had left behind four mistresses when he was mortally wounded that fateful day over twenty years ago. All of them knew of each other, two of them were even siblings living in the same home.
Would Kurama want to maintain his polyamorous ways? Would he be willing to devote himself to just one of them? If that were the case, and Kurama did want her in that way, would she be able to share? Never before had polyamory bothered her. It still didn't the more she thought about it. She was not human. She was a Reigen falling into demonium, and as such monogamy was something that normally wouldn't be considered by the likes of her. Such a thing was almost exclusive to the eternally bound lovers* and those mated. It was almost expected amongst non-humans to have many lovers.
Claiming her room key from Shiori, Botan walked the halls alone. Botan needed to think. First she needed to work out what she truly felt for Kurama beyond her infatuation. Then she needed figure out if she really should do anything about it since her curse barred her from being his lover, which was something she kind of wanted to be. Would she be willing to put herself through the torture of knowing that she if had Kurama's affections, she would not be able to experience it in the most carnal of ways. She would spend her life with him wanting, but never getting. Was sex really all that important? Will it be in their relationship?
Kurama watched Botan through the glass of the building until the marble walls obscured her from his view. He could almost hear the gears in her head turning, but why he could not know. Though he claimed himself an expert in reading people, Botan was a puzzle. Layers and layers of masks and insecurities, both known and unknown, kept him from seeing into her true being. Over the years of knowing her, Kurama had seen many of those masks disappear, some by his own doing, but they would always reveal more. She knew of his attraction to her. She knew of his lust. But there was something else pushing her away from him, something more than just her curse and Maya. It was something that even Botan was not entirely aware of.
"What is she to you?" Maya's voice questioned harshly, pulling Kurama from his contemplation. She did not intend to speak out or ask such a personal question. All she wanted to do was watch him without Botan there to spoil the imagery. The words just came out. It was like the moment she was alone with Shuichii her brain had made the decision without her consent to start talking. But now that she started, Maya wanted to know. She needed to know. The question had been plaguing her mind ever since Botan came into the picture, growing louder and louder within her mind.
"Excuse me?" Kurama turned to face Maya with a neutral expression, one that was not entirely unpleasant, but not happy or patient either. Whatever Maya had to say, judging by her tone, was going to be something Kurama was not going to like.
"That…Botan," Maya hissed out, spitting out her name as if it left a foul taste in her mouth. "What is Botan to you? Is she your girlfriend? Is she your lover? What? What is she? And more importantly, what am I?" Maya demanded, deciding that if she was going to ask then she was going to ask it all. She wasn't going to half ass it, not now with her heart on the line. She started this, so now she was going to finish it. Maya needed to know now, right then and there, what she meant to her Shuichii. Did he love her? Did he care for her? Was she a nuisance to him?
From the moment that she had laid eyes on him, Maya had been in love with Shuichii. She also knew ever since the beginning that he was special, that they were both special. If only she realized before all of this how special he was. Maybe then she could have made her move on him a lot sooner than now. Maybe if she had known, Maya and Shuichii might have been able to start something before that trollop could come and mess everything all up. Maybe if she told him now, Shuichii would stop looking at that blue haired witch and give Maya the love and attention she craved. Maybe there was still hope for her.
"Botan is my intended," Kurama answered simply, bluntly. He would no longer hold back anything for the sake of Maya's emotions. The sooner she knew of Kurama's feelings, the sooner she could start to get over him and find another to give her love to. It was strange. He was planning on having this conversation later down the line and yet it seemed the fates had another idea for him entirely.
"Intended? Like a fiancé?" Maya clarified, her heart clenching in her chest. No, that can't be right. Her Shuichii couldn't possibly want that devil woman in that way.
"Yes. She is like my fiancé, if she wants me." Kurama watched Maya with a cold and calculating gleam in his eyes. He did not know how Maya was going to take the news. He hoped his words would be enough to sway her from pursuing him any longer, or to give up. But when has he ever been that lucky with out extensive planning?
"What about me? What am I to you?" Maya found herself asking, even though in that moment she wasn't so sure if she wanted the answer. What if it was an answer she didn't like? What if Shuichi broke her heart with his words?
"You are my classmate, and my friend," but for how much longer is up to you. Kurama did not dare speak his thoughts on the matter, fearing it would push Maya in the wrong direction.
"But why? Why am I the friend and she's…?" Maya couldn't bring herself to say the word. To say it would make it real. "Is she prettier than me? Is she smarter than me? Does she put out? What does that trollop have that I don't? WHAT?" Maya did not mean to shout, but she needed to know. Tears welled up into her eyes as her bitterness finally bubbled to the surface and dripped from her lips. What was so great about that whore that Maya couldn't compete with? She needed to know what it was about Botan that made her so irresistible to him. "I could be a better lover than her. I can-"
"Enough," Kurama commanded, his voice low with barely hidden anger. How dare this pathetic human say such things about his Botan?
"What do I have to do to make you want me? You're a demon; you don't need to have just one of us. As long as I have you, I don't care if I have to share with her. Please, just give me a chance to make you love me, like when we were younger," Maya pleaded, reaching out to him and grasping his arms, not caring if she was making a scene or not.
"Stop it, Maya," Kurama ordered before gripping her arms in a none-too gentle manner and leading her to the nearest alleyway. This was not a conversation meant for strange ears, and Kurama refused to have their cover blown because Maya was throwing a tantrum. Once he was sure they were alone, he stilled his pace and turned to face Maya again.
"Tell me what I have to do, Shuichii?" Maya continued in hopes of swaying him.
"That's why!" Kurama snapped, losing his patience and wishing for long days past when he could kill his clingier lovers when he broke up with them.
"I…I don't understand," Maya admitted, backing into a wall out of sudden fear. Her Shuichii stood before her with glowing, angry gold eyes and an almost savage aura around him. His very energy cackled with barely contained anger and menace.
"What is my name?" Kurama barked.
"Minamino Shuichii," she replied dutifully, if not fearfully.
"No. My name is Kurama. Ever since you learned of my true existence you've been in a constant state of denial of what and who I am unless it's convenient for you. You fail to acknowledge the demon within me and live in this fairytale world in which you are the star. You have this ideal image of me being your perfect and ideal hero, but I am not. I am demon, there is no human in me to tame my evil ways. I'm no prince charming and I don't have the time or the patience to deal with such childish frivolity."
"But you're still my Shuichii," Maya argued.
"No, I'm not. I am the legendary thief, the Yoko Kurama. I am the boogieman of boogiemen. Even the gods fear me, so how dare you take ownership of me when you don't even know who I am, let alone have power over me? I am owned by no one." He did not mean to snap at Maya, but her words angered him. Kurama had no intention of losing his cool, but now that he could finally put an end to the foolish drama that seemed to follow Maya, everything was coming out to do so.
"If you'd just give me a chance I will know you. I love you," Maya insisted.
"You're living in a fantasy. You don't love me. You love the idea of me! Don't you get it? I'm a demon. I steal. I maim. I torture. I kill. And I love it. Does that fit into your fantasy image of me?" Some of the red of Kurama's hair bled from his scalp, paling until they were strands of silver and white. His canines lengthened, as did his claws. His clothes were stretched tautly around his frame before some of the seams ripped from the stress of their occupant's sudden expansion. Three red tipped tails of silver stretched out behind Kurama, twitching in agitation.
"I'm not scared of you," Maya lied even as her body shook with terror. Even though the transformation wasn't complete, Maya could not help but cower. This was the demon, not her Shuichii. She refused to believe that her Shuichii and the creature towering before her were one and the same. She refused. She didn't care what he, or anyone else said. Her Shuichii was perfect and she loved him.
"Don't lie to me," Kurama hissed, slamming his palm against the wall near Maya's head. "You're terrified of me and the monster that I am."
"You're not a monster! I know you're trying to scare me away but it won't work. I love you, and I'll prove to you that I'm worthy of your love too. I will prove to you that I'm better than Botan!" Maya cried before pivoting on her heel and running from the alleyway. She didn't care about what the demon wanted. She didn't care to know why he was saying such horrible things. All Maya cared about was proving to Shuichii that she was better than Botan. Maybe then he'll start loving her instead.
Kurama watched Maya leave, angry that she refused to acknowledge the fact that he did not care for her in that way. Barking a particularly foul expletive, Kurama scaled the side of the hotel and broke in through one of the upper floor windows in search of either his mother or Botan. Hopefully one of them would have a change of clothes and a way to make him feel better.
Botan had contented herself to stare at the ceiling of the hotel's indoor artificial hot spring. She had been soaking for hours, her mind running in circles in an attempt to figure out what to do with her earlier and current dilemmas. She knew she should be exploring the hotel in search of Yusuke's and Kuwabara's soul fragments and the box that contained them, especially since she was the most sensitive to the presence of souls, but she really couldn't focus right then and there.
All she could think about was Kurama. What does he truly feel for her? Does he care for in a way more than friendship? Did he want more than her body? Did he like more than her body? She just wished Kurama would just open up and tell her in plain black and white. Botan was tired of waiting for answers to just fall from the sky, she didn't have time for that. The sooner her feelings for Kurama were sorted and the sooner she knew what he felt for her, then she could focus on the mission. She needed to focus on the mission. Why did Kurama have to be such a perfect distraction?
What's more, why did he have to make her mind such a mess? She had work to do; work that didn't involve Kurama yet. Oooh! I just wish everything was like before when my exposure to Kurama was in smaller doses. At least then my immunity to him would actually be working. But no! He has to go and be perfect! Botan whined in frustrated. I need to stay away from him and focus. No more distractions. Tonight I have to be ready for the first day of this contest – which was a terrible idea to join – but that's not the point. I need to focus. Botan fidgeted.
After she had left Kurama, she had met up with the coordinators for that night's event to explain the process of their unique pageant. During the pageant, the twenty six contestants had to show to the judges that they were princess Serenity material through randomly selected categories. All the young women were given a list of the possible categories so that they were prepared, but none knew which was going to happen and when. To add to that stress, each night after the main event, they would go and change into princess worthy dresses and wait, on stage, to be eliminated. Botan and many of her other fellow pageant runners couldn't help but think that those in charge were sadists, feeding off their fears and worries like a leech.
Before the contest for the day was chosen, the contestants were organized into a line and were told to remember their own placement because that's the order they were going to go on stage in. Then what was expected for them to do was broken down, and explained in detail with several practice rounds. They did not stop until they all got it right, which was something Botan was very grateful for. With repetition Botan could commit her actions to memory so she could clock out while doing the real thing. Botan knew herself well enough to know that if she was completely aware of what she was doing, she was going to trip, fall flat on her face, and/or do something else incredibly embarrassing.
When that night's competition was chosen, Botan's fear and nervousness increased triple fold. Tonight was the night of the swimsuit competition and already Botan could feel the butterflies swarming within her belly. It wasn't the first time Botan regretted her decision in joining the pageant. She had even had everyone wait until the last possible moment to get to the hotel just so she could reign in her nerves. It didn't work, but there wasn't much else that could be done. She was so scared though.
What if I mess up? What if I embarrass myself? What if I'm eliminated? What if I'm not eliminated? Can I really do this? What about Yusuke? And Kuwabara? Questions. There were so many questions. They were filling her mind and causing her body to shake even though the water was hot. She couldn't do this. Botan wasn't ready for such a mission. She wasn't ready to take on so much responsibility, not yet. It was all too much and Botan knew she was going to fail. She was going to fail everyone. She just knew it. Panic flooded Botan's system, as more doubts entered her mind. I can't do this…
Botan's head shot up suddenly when a familiar aura entered her field of energy, triggering her senses and alerting her. She knew what she told herself before, but she needed him right now, consequences be damned. She uncurled her legs and shifted from her lounged position before Botan swam across to the thin wall that separated the women's half from the men's half. She could feel Kurama's energy from the other side of it, filling her with a longing for his company. "Kurama?" Botan called curiously in case she was wrong once she reached the wall. It wouldn't have been the first mistake she'd made.
"Hello Botan," Kurama replied. There was some movement from his side of the wall that Botan could hear before the water settled. There was a knocking on the wall a short distance away to her left, letting her know exactly where her companion was. "Are you feeling any better? I didn't push you too hard these past few days, did I?"
"No, I'm fine," Botan smiled even though he couldn't see it. Her voice shook with barely contained emotions even as the small dose of relief embraced her heart. She made her way over to the spot where Kurama was and claimed a seat against the wall. She could picture in her mind's eye Kurama doing the same on the opposite side of the wall. The thought soothed her more than she could ever believe possible. How did Kurama do that to her? How did he make her feel like everything was going to be all right? "I'm just a bit nervous about this whole thing." An underestimation to be sure, but Botan didn't want to admit to the severity of her growing terror.
"I don't doubt it," Kurama chuckled. "What's this evening's contest anyway?" He could hear the fear in Botan's voice and his heart sang with worry. Everything about her likened her to a scared and cornered animal, one that lacked the defenses to protect itself.
"The swimsuit competition…" Botan muttered while she slouched. She brought her knees up and began to rock back in forth in an attempt to lull herself into a sense of security. Closer, farther, closer, farther the water went. It wasn't working thought.
"Really?" Kurama sounded a little too pleased by this fact, making Botan blush even more. He had hoped that the way that he spoke would bring a smile into Botan's voice. He hated the fear he heard and wanted to do something to bring her confidence and self-security out into the open. Botan was under enough stress as it was and didn't need the added drama of this…contest.
"Yeah, it's in three hours, so I probably should be getting out soon in order to get ready." Even though she said it, Botan made no move to stand and exit the deliciously warm and relaxing waters. She feared that if she stood, her knees would buckle and send her plummeting down into the water again. Such a thing would worry Kurama and Botan did not want him to worry more than he already did.
"You've got another twenty or so minutes before Shizuru and the others get here, so relax while you still can. I've heard that Shizuru can be quite the drill sergeant when it comes to glamour." Kurama shifted around a bit in order to quickly scan his surroundings. Seeing that no one was around and scenting that it was only Botan on the other side, Kurama swam to his right where he found a grating in the wall. Grinning mischievously, he channeled his youki through his hands and coaxed the algae that grew within the water to loosen the screws.
"What are you doing?" Botan inquired when she heard the sound of straining metal from beneath the water. She didn't get an answer. Instead, she heard a louder sound before all was quiet again. Suddenly, Botan was nervous for another reason entirely. "Kurama…?" Kurama's head burst from the waters, catching Botan off guard. Botan, in her shock, pitched herself backwards, barely catching herself on the ground with only her head bobbing out of the water.
Kurama reached out and grabbed her before pulling her up. He didn't pull her as close as he'd like, but he kind of got the feeling she needed a bit of space, for now. "Do you always wear your glamour?" Kurama asked suddenly, noticing the faint shimmer of energy in his peripheral vision. Something in him shifted the more he focused on it. He hated the fact that Botan had to live under an illusion. He wanted it gone. It was as if the charm Botan cast over herself was an affront to him and an insult to both him and her.
"I'm never without it, why?" Botan cocked her head to the side as she righted herself. Immediately afterwards she dunked herself up to her chin in water when the realization hit; she was naked. And so was Kurama. "You do realize this is the women's side, right? And that you can get into a lot of trouble for being here." Something in his tone had changed as the look in his eyes shifted, becoming more narrowed and almost predatory. It sent a chill down her spine, but it wasn't fear she felt. What was he doing?
"I figured that, but I'd rather speak to you than to a wall," Kurama grinned. He could see the confusion in Botan's eyes, but there was no mistrust. Good. Kurama needed her trust for what he was about to do. Was he pushing his luck? Most definitely. Did he really care? Most definitely not. Maybe, if he played his cards right he could solve multiple problems at once. Botan needed to feel desirable. Botan needed to feel as if her scar didn't matter. She needed to feel as if she was wanted, if only to rid her of some of the insecurities that plagued her.
Claiming the spot Botan once had, Kurama lounged back and made himself a bit more comfortable. He may be a gentleman most days, but as autumn slowly approached with his mating time the thought of being alone with a very naked Botan was becoming too much of a lure to deny. He may have had his plan, but it was concocted in a way that would further push his own agenda. It would only be a matter of time before Kurama was going to need to take measures to ensure Botan's safety should her curse not be removed in time. It was a sobering thought, to say the least. "Can I see it?"
"My scar? I…I don't…" Botan crossed her arms over her chest and brought her knees up to form a shield herself from Kurama's gaze. He had seen it before, but the circumstances were dire. Now that they weren't, the very thought of exposing herself in such a way was appalling. It was disgusting. She was disgusting. Kurama did not need to see it.
"It's alright, I just want to check and see if…if I can heal it some more." Kurama waited for Botan to come to a decision, and as he did so he couldn't help but wonder if her shyness would ever lose its charm. Her innocence was absolutely delicious. Kurama's gaze turned even more predatory for a split second before he could school his features into a less frightening one.
Botan watched Kurama, unsure what to do. He had seen her naked before. He had seen her naked many times. Yet, now Botan felt as if such a thing was not appropriate. Kurama was looking at her so intently, so hungrily. She feared that his hunger would consume her. What was worse, she feared that she wouldn't mind. Dropping her knees, Botan allowed for Kurama to drift closer to her, but she could not bring herself to lower her arms. "I really don't know if I should," Botan admitted.
"Do you trust me?" Kurama asked, caressing her cheek with one hand while the other gently clasped Botan's wrist.
"With my soul," Botan found herself answering without any conscious thought. What's Kurama planning?
"Then you know I won't hurt you." Kurama eased one of Botan's arms away and slowly guided her hand to his hair. He gently coaxed her fingers into massaging his scalp, moaning lightly when her nails scraped against the base of his human ear. His eyes turned gold and his ears pulled to the top of his head to form his fox ears. Still Botan's hands followed, working along the base without any further prompting.
"Something has upset you recently, are you alright?" Botan shifted closer to Kurama's body in concern, lifting her other arm from her chest and rising slightly so she could have easy access to both of his ears while minimizing the strain on her arms. She didn't even realize that she had completely exposed herself to him by rising out of the water. But then Kurama's tongue darted out, catching a droplet of water from atop her breast.
Before Botan could jerk back and sink back into the water, Kurama snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her body against his. "Don't stop," Kurama rumbled, pushing Botan back against the edge of the artificial spring. The movement forced her legs to straddle his lap, but Kurama did nothing more to increase their closeness. Not yet. Botan still was not ready for his lust, not to its full extent at least. He did not wish to scare her away.
"Kurama, I…" Botan gasped, her fingers working on autopilot. What's he doing? Botan asked herself again, unsure if she should allow this to continue. Why was Kurama doing this? Wasn't her scar disgusting? He may not be able to see it, but he could definitely feel it.
"Shh, let me heal you," Kurama whispered into her ear before trailing his lips down Botan's neck. Slowly Botan's glamour began to melt away, shedding from her skin like a second layer. Kurama followed in its wake, tracing his lips over the memory of Botan's mark even though the flesh had been smoothed. When he found the rough, unevenness below her clavicle his tongue darted out to taste the skin there.
Kurama could taste Yuri's wickedness on Botan's skin. It twisted and writhed beneath the flesh, coiled in place and ready to strike at the slightest provocation. Kurama nipped at it and laved his tongue around the mark of his bite. The skin healed, but the scar spider webbed outward, tracing along Botan's ribcage about an inch. Kurama kissed Botan's torso apologetically before he returned his attentions to her scar in search of weaknesses in Yuri's energy.
Botan yelped when Kurama suddenly lifted her from the water and sat her on the water's edge, exposing the rest of her body to both the cold and his gaze. Instantly she snapped her knees shut, making a move to bring them up to shield herself from view. But Kurama would not allow for her to do such a thing. He placed his hands on her lower thighs and gently eased her legs apart, his eyes never leaving hers as he searched for any form of refusal. She didn't have any, though the uncertainty was there.
Easing her legs apart, Kurama moved forward, placing his torso between them. Slowly, he allowed his hands to travel. They followed over the smoothness of the tops of her thighs, ghosting over her scar without actually touching it. With his thumbs tracing lazy circles, Kurama's hands slid over Botan's hips until they found her waist where they stilled. Lowering his head, Kurama trailed kisses over her stomach, following a swirling path that only he could see towards her naval. That's where he found it. Low on her abdomen, Kurama found the weakness he was looking for.
"Kurama," Botan whimpered, arching her back eagerly for more of his touch without her consent. It was like a surge of heat and electricity raced through her system from where Kurama was kissing her only to pool in her belly, taking control of her body and forcing it to comply to Botan's more carnal wishes. Her nerve endings were set ablaze with each caress of his lips and swipe of his tongue. Her muscles tensed and warmed. Her toes curled as she dug her heels into Kurama's back, desperate for more of his attentions.
The scent of Botan's arousal hit him hard, the musky sweetness filling his lungs and coating his tongue. Opening his mouth, Kurama took more of her aroma in as he tasted her skin. But it wasn't enough. He needed more. Plan forgotten, Kurama needed to claim Botan as his in some way: in any way. He needed her. Removing on of his hands from Botan's waist, Kurama guided it upwards while slowly easing her onto her back.
Botan was more than happy to obey Kurama's silent request as her lust began to consume her, filling her with need. She tangled one of her hands in Kurama's strands of crimson, pulling him closer even as she tried to maintain the rhythm of her hands against his ears. There was no more thought, no more doubt. It was as if Kurama was chasing them away with each press of his lips.
Once on her back, Kurama's hand rested between her breasts with his fingertips tracing the hollow of her throat. His hand then slipped lower, following the slope of her breast until it filled the palm of his hand. Kurama began to need the perky mound gently, careful of his claws as he allowed his thumb to tweak her nipple. All the while, Kurama's lips traveled lower, having already healed as much of Botan's abdomen as he possibly could. However, healing was far from his lust clouded mind.
Botan's scent was drug-like, filling Kurama's mind with a haze that made it impossible to think. He didn't want to think. He wanted her. Now. Even if it was just a taste. With his tongue alone, Kurama trailed downwards until he came to the outer lips of Botan's scarred sex. He paused there, having enough control to see if Botan would allow him to continue.
One of Botan's hands had left Kurama's mane and had joined Kurama's in fondling her breast. Her hooded amethyst eyes were now a dark shade of purple and her pupils had dilated and the slit shape had become more pronounced. Her lips were parted as she took deep gulps of air, her fangs gleaming as they lengthened. She was as far gone as he was, and Kurama loved it. He reveled in it.
Without taking his eyes from her visage, Kurama flicked his tongue outwards to graze over her slit. That simple taste was enough to set him on edge, but it was Botan's mew that pushed him over. Kurama removed his free hand from Botan's waist and brought it to join the rest of him between her legs. Using his index and middle finger, Kurama spread her nether lips apart to expose her sex to his hungry eyes. He then allowed himself a long swipe of his tongue from her entrance to her clitoris and savored the husky flavor of Botan's femininity. Her taste was divine.
Botan bit back a loud groan when she felt Kurama's talented tongue over her, desperate for more. Her mind was in a jumble and she didn't care. It felt so good. Lifting the other of her hands from Kurama's head, Botan took her knuckle to her mouth in an attempt to keep silent. She knew she couldn't make too much noise, but in the jumbled mess that was her mind she couldn't really figure out why. She whimpered when her fangs broke the through the flesh of her finger, but the sound was born completely from pleasure.
The heat in her body was intensifying and the coil in her belly tightened with each lick, suck, and kiss Kurama gave her core. Then his tongue was inside her. Wrenching her finger from her mouth, Botan's back arched off the stone ground beneath her back and moaned her pleasure. Rocking her hips forward, she silently demanded for more. What she got was the removal of Kurama's hand from her breast, leaving her skin cold and allowing for shivers to trail down her spine. But before she could make a sound of complaint, two of Kurama's fingers entered her mouth. Botan began to suckle on them instinctively, claiming his wrist in her hand so she could withdraw his fingers from her mouth enough to bite into the tip of his middle finger.
Kurama made a sound of approval, pressing his now bleeding finger onto the pad of her tongue and working his fingers in an in-out motion. She sucked on his fingers greedily, bucking her hips wantonly against his mouth as the last of all thoughts were chased from her mind. Fisting his hair, Botan pulled Kurama closer, needing him to be deeper as the entirety of her body began to tense.
Kurama could almost feel Botan's fast approaching release. With her heels digging into his back and her tongue working over his fingers, Kurama needed for Botan to reach her pique. He needed to taste it. Kurama curled his tongue against Botan's inner walls before he withdrew from her almost completely. He then spearheaded back into her to repeat the process. As he did so, Kurama began to fondle Botan's clit with his fingers. At first the pace was slow, his fingers spiraling around the bundle of nerves while his tongue thrust into Botan. But then his speed began to increase, pushing her closer and closer to her climax.
The tension within Botan became paramount as everything within her tightened until she couldn't take it. The pleasure. The heat. Everything. It was all becoming too much. Yet faster Kurama went, sending Botan careening into euphoria as her release finally took her. She arched completely from the ground as a long, drawn out mewl rushed passed her lips. Instantly her body relaxed as the warmth in her body coated her limps. Botan slumped limply onto the ground and panted, her center pulsing from her orgasm.
Kurama didn't let a single drop slip past his lips, lapping up every ounce of Botan's juices. He gave her one last kiss before rising from the water and bracing his hands against the edge of the water. He looked down over Botan's form hungrily, his erection twitching with the need for fulfillment. Slowly, Kurama crawled from the waters until he hovered over Botan's body, low enough that he could feel the heat radiate from her form. As he went, Kurama dropped feather light kisses along Botan's body until he reached her chin. Cocking his head to the side with his ears twitching in agitation, Kurama stilled completely as if stalled by some outside force. Kurama barked a foul expletive that had no translation before he quickly grabbed Botan in his arms and pulled them both back into the water just as the door to the indoor spring opened.
"There you are Botan, I was wondering where you- Oh!" Shizuru entered with several bags thrown over her shoulder and an unlit cigarette hanging from her lips. She stared at the couple before her; the bewildered Botan who seemed to glow and the clearly irritated half transformed Kurama. Shizuru blinked several times as if unsure of what to make of the scene before her. She then turned on her heel and left. "I'm at the door," she threw over her shoulder as she made a hasty retreat.
Botan watched Shizuru leave with increasing upset. That was the second time she had been denied her kiss and she wasn't happy. She was not happy at all. "Don't people knock anymore?" she found herself saying bitterly.
"I'm thinking not," Kurama replied bitterly. "It's probably for the best. I detained you much longer than intended and I don't want you to be penalized for my…actions." Kurama really hated his luck. If he had known his time with Botan would have been cut short, he would have worked a lot quicker. Now, because of their interruption he was left with something that he was going to have to deal with on his own. What was worse, Botan was coming to her senses, so she was most likely going to start pushing him away again or go back to doubting herself. Kurama didn't know which was worse.
"I…I should be going then," Botan stammered as the realization set in. She was supposed to be taking a step back from Kurama, not taking ten strides forward. Ooooh! Why did he have to go and do…that to me? The 'that' Botan referred to was not necessarily the…healing session as he called it, though the thought painted Botan red with embarrassment. Truth be told, she didn't really know what it was that Kurama did, but she knew that this was going to make things really difficult on her decision. "I've got to go get ready now," she announced, her voice coming out gaspy due to their earlier activities.
"I know. Break a leg," Kurama smiled, caressing Botan's cheek and pulling her closer instead of letting her walk away. He rested his forehead against Botan's, looking into her deep purple eyes and allowing his breath to mingle with hers. Their noses brushed and their lips slowly inched towards one another.
"Botan!" Shizuru called. "I'm sorry to interrupt you again but we're running out of time. You two can fool around after the contest."
"Coming!" Botan replied, turning from Kurama so her voice would carry farther. She then flashed Kurama an apologetic look before backing away from Kurama completely. She then turned and left.
Kurama watched her go with longing, enjoying the way Botan's hips swayed with each step she took. He then sighed angrily before leaping from the hot water and stomping over to the darkest corner. "A little bit of warning would have been greatly appreciated," Kurama glowered as he yanked Hiei out from the shadows.
"And miss you get caught by a human? Not a chance," Hiei smirked impishly.
Kurama just glared at him for a moment. It was about time for Hiei to learn that Kurama was not the person to tease when he's sexually unsatisfied.
"So," Shizuru began as she worked her brush through Botan's hair. "You and Kurama, huh?"
"Um, what?" Botan jolted back into alertness, focusing on the mirror in front of her to see Shizuru's reflection. She tightened the robe around her subconsciously, knowing that her glamour would not work on the mirror. She did not want for Shizuru to see her scar since she knew that Shizuru would ask questions about it. That was something she did not want to go through surrounded by so many strangers.
"You and Kurama: You two an item now?" Shizuru inquired with a quirk of her brow. She twisted a thick curling iron into Botan's hair before brushing the curls out, giving Botan waves.
"I…I don't know," Botan answered honestly.
"Don't know? He goes down on you in a public bath house and you don't know?" Shizuru exclaimed a little too loudly, almost dropping her tools as she stared at Botan's reflection incredulously.
"It's complicated," Botan sighed, silently hoping for Shizuru to drop the topic since the other contestants were starting to grow curious. Botan ducked her head as a warm blush painted her cheeks.
"Okay," Shizuru relented. She would let Botan figure her feelings out on her own, simply because she could already tell that it was something that had been bugging Botan a lot.
Is she right? Botan asked herself. Are Kurama and I an item? I guess by human standards we kind of are, or… I can't believe I did that! What was it about Kurama that made her act without thinking? What was it about him that turned everything upside down for her? She had just told herself that morning she was going to take a step back from Kurama in consideration for his and Maya's relationship. Yet the moment he asked, her legs were open and they… Botan knew she should be ashamed of her actions, but all she really felt was slight embarrassment and frustration which was probably worse. I feel like one of those evil boyfriend stealers from Shizuru's soap operas.
It felt so good though, Botan reminisced with a blush and a pout. She wanted more, not less. Why do I have to sacrifice my place in Kurama's attentions? It's not like I owe Maya anything. She's hated me from the beginning! Besides, Kurama has had plenty of lovers at the same time and they were all okay until the mating seasons.*If it meant experiencing more of what happened in the baths then I can share… But did Botan really want to share? More importantly, did she want to share with Maya, who had claim over Kurama way before she did? Then again, Maya really wasn't Kurama's girlfriend. Or, if she was, Maya and Kurama were in the outs.
It was all so confusing! She wanted Kurama so much that it hurt. She ached inside, and the thought of Maya and Kurama together sent a knife through her heart. She didn't want for Kurama to be with Maya. She wanted Kurama to be with her; her and her alone. I want Kurama, Botan realized suddenly as if by some great epiphany. She lusted for Kurama. She cared for Kurama. Her infatuation with Kurama grew more and more with each passing day. He was her friend. He made her smile. He made her feel safe. He made her loneliness go away. He didn't have to do anything, and he would make her happy. He infuriated her. He made her sad sometimes. He made her feel. I don't want to give that up, not for a second.
Maya be damned, I'm not giving Kurama up! He's mine!
"Finally," Shizuru beamed, taking a step back from Botan so she could look at her genius. "If you don't win this contest then I'll know this thing's rigged."
"What?" Botan cocked her head to the side curiously.
"I'm done with your hair and make-up; and just in time by the looks of it. It's almost time to go on stage and the other girls are lining up already." Shizuru explained while putting her stuff away.
"Oh, thank you Shizuru. I'd be lost without you," Botan grinned. She then turned from the mirror and shed her bathrobe from her shoulders.
"Go knock 'em dead," and blow Maya out of the water Shizuru smirked, holding out an ornate blue paper parasol with a marsh painted onto the panels. There were several woodland creatures dotting the scene, including one lone silver fox.
"Here I go." Botan slung the umbrella over her shoulder and waved Shizuru good-bye before walking away. There was an extra spring in her step as a confidence born from her decision took hold of her. Peeking over her shoulder before leaving the dressing room, Botan checked her reflection, and for the first time in a long while she was going to do something for herself. It was no longer about the contest or protecting Maya, to some extent it wasn't even about finding Yusuke's and Kuwabara's missing soul fragments. At that point it was about Botan. It was about her and what she wanted, and Botan wanted Kurama.
Botan left the dressing room and joined with the other pageant's contestants. She could see Maya off to the side with her own umbrella at her feet while she primped her curled hair, courtesy of Shizuru. She really did look adorable with her little ringlets and her purple one piece. The bathing suit was a designer, or at least Botan thought it was with its lack of straps and back. The gold jewelry Maya wore was simple in that there were only a few articles. A few gold bracelets and hoop earrings that made the purple and gold strappy sandals match the suit. Maya's eyes were made to look exceptionally wide and bright due to Shizuru's god-like skills with make-up. There wasn't even a lot of it to be truly distinguishable, but the look of innocence was made flawless by it. But if the make-up didn't do the trick, the ribbon in her hair did.
"Ladies, places," one of the coordinators commanded as she walked the hall with her clipboard in hand. "You all remember what to do, correct?" Seeing the collective nods, the woman smiled before returning to the entrance to the backstage and holding the door open. "Now strut your stuff and work that floor." Following her words, the contestants instantly picked up their umbrellas and formed a line in the order they were assigned hours before. One by one they walked onto the backstage and waited patiently for the music to start and for the staff to give the signal.
Botan waited anxiously in the middle of the line, her heart beating a mile a minute as the nervousness kicked back in. The music started and a thunder of voices cheered, letting Botan know that far more people were there then she assumed there would be. Botan's grip on her parasol tightened as her palms began to sweat. Suddenly, she felt unsteady in her heels and the thought of falling and making a fool of herself was slowly becoming more and more of a reality. A hush fell over the crowd and the line in front of her started to move.
Soon it was Maya's turn, who was a few people in front of her and Botan watched her like a hawk. Botan could hear the applause and wolf whistles and howls for her, making Botan wonder if she could compete with that. The beauty she had and the beauty Maya had was completely different, or at least Botan thought they were. What if Botan wasn't what the contest's judges were looking for?
Soon it was Botan's turn to walk onto the stage, where she waited near the curtain for the young woman in front of her to finish her strut before starting her own. Botan could hear the wood of her parasol straining under her vice-like grip and all Botan could do to stay standing was search the crowd for the face of someone, anyone she knew. Then she saw red. Her eyes met Kurama's across the crowd, and the butterflies went away. Or maybe they didn't and Botan was just too distracted from them to feel their affect. Either way, Botan began to walk.
Kurama's jaw about hit the floor when he saw Botan on that stage. With only the clip that he had given her in Botan's long hair, it fell down her back cascades of curls and waves, bouncing with every step taken. Her body, scantily clad in a white halter bikini, moved with an air of sexuality and grace even with the impossibly high white stilettos. The closer she got to the front of the stage she began to swing her parasol dangerously. Alluringly, and keeping time to both the music and Botan's deliciously wide hips.
When she struck her pose, the lights hit her in such a way that her skin glowed, giving her a celestial radiance. Botan's luminous eyes, heavily lined in black with her lids dusted with shimmering blue, leered across into Kurama's eyes. The look was hungry. The look was predatory. The look was possessive. Kurama loved it and in that instant what he felt for her then in that moment made all other times and feelings pale in comparison. There, looking back at him with such intensity was the true Botan, and he loved her.
*1 – Kurama slept in Botan's room since he refused to have his mother and little Shuichii sleep on the couch. He gave his room to his mother and little Shuichii took the remaining room that fortunately had furniture as well. Nothing happened between Kurama and Botan though, just sleep. When something juicy does happen, I'll show it. ;-p
*2 – Though she lets Kurama drive it, the convertible, and all other vehicles are hers. Just thought I'd remind you.
*3 – Polyamory is the practice, desire, or acceptance of having more than one intimate relationship at a time with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved. Contrary to popular belief, most foxes are monogamous, or rather have only one mate at a time. They don't necessarily mate for life, but they are known to spend their whole lives with one mate. With that being said, I found a statement somewhere online that fox demons (Yoko) were known for their infidelity. In my fic, I'm going to blend both the fact about foxes and that little tidbit from that site. Just an FYI for the future.
*4 – To be eternally bound is the same as mating for life, except the two lovers are bound for not only as long as they live, but for every life afterwards. More on this as the fic progresses.
*5 – During the mating season is when monogamy is more common and males and females often fight and kill each other for the exclusive rights to who ever holds their fancy for the time. If Kurama has multiple lovers during his mating time, then his lovers would compete and sometimes kill each other for the chance to be his one and only. The same happens in the reverse every now and again where Kurama kills for the exclusive rights to a female, but that wasn't very often in comparison.
Author's Note: I absolutely loved writing this chapter from Kurama's and Maya's fight to the end of the lime. I SO ENJOYED THAT! The rest of the fic was a bit, eh, but I actually like this chapter since Botan finally decided to say "To Hell with Maya" and do for herself for once. And if you're wondering, there's a reason I'm holding off on your kiss ;-p. I love you all! Hope you liked this chapter as much as I did. RnR!
Ja ne!