Author's Note: I'm sorry it took so long. If you go into my bulletin board you'll know why I was so late with updating. I'm going to get started on the next chapter now and will post it as soon as I can. I'm at my father's now, house sitting, but at my other home I don't have internet so bear with me. I hope you like this chapter. I missed my quota of a minimum of 9000 words by a couple hundred. Sorry. There's going to be a point in here where I don't like the transition, but it might be just me. If there's any point in here (you'll know soon) where it bugs you, please send your suggestions since I want to fix it if it needs fixing. Now, onto the chapter. R&R
Botan lifted her head when a sudden feeling of darkness came to be. It was familiar and she paled as the malice tried to encase her with its vile corruption and seep into her skin. Standing up, Botan wiped her eyes of their tears and started to look around herself and the darkened corridor, praying that she was wrong and it was her paranoia playing tricks on her. Botan searched her surroundings, suddenly terrified of the many shadows that seemed completely harmless several minutes ago. She didn't understand it. Why was she so scared all of a sudden? Botan moved until her back was against the wall, her eyes alert and watching. A sickly sweet smell soon wafted its way into her nostrils, filling her lungs with its sticky miasma. The smell was so familiar, stilling her heart and numbing her with fear. Somehow she new what it was, but she didn't remember. It was as if the memory were being blocked from her.
She felt it before she saw it, a pair of glowing eyes leering at her from the darkness down the hall. Inky blackness soon oozed up from the ground, the blob taking shape into a large humanoid like figure. Long antennae extended from atop its head before curling around its frame. A spider web of veins traced around its body, glowing with light and forcing the shadows to grow and writhe. The creature twitched its head from side to side, slowly slinking its way towards her. Then suddenly, it launched itself at Botan's form.*
Botan didn't think; she couldn't. Jumping to the side in time to dodge the blow, she then kicked with her heel and dug the stiletto into its side. However, when she saw the inky blackness start to absorb it, Botan struggled to pull away. The fabric of her dress made freeing herself difficult, twisting around her legs and dropping her onto the ground. She was free however, and in that moment of freedom Botan gathered her skirts and ran down the hall and up the side stairs she had been sitting on several moments prior.
She dug into the front of her bodice, searching for her communications device, but when another creature reached for her from the shadows Botan was forced to stop in order to knock him away. She turned down another hallway, using her senses to guide her in the least dangerous direction. Lesser demons were still spawning from the shadows, but not to the extent of the darkened halls behind her. She could hear the slithering and crawling mass of legs and arms, making a shiver run down her spin as if it was her they were crawling over her own body.
A clawed hand reached up from the ground and gripped Botan's dress, shredding the fabric as it tripped her. She kicked at it however, angling the blow to snap the bone of the creatures arm. Botan kicked again, knocking the skirt of her dress upwards so she could utilize the tears made. With a silent apology to Shizuru and the dress itself, Botan ripped it so her legs would have more room to run. The tear wasn't even, but the skirt was now considerably short which was what Botan was aiming for. Tossing the removed fabric over her shoulder with the hope that it'll trip up her attackers, Botan turned to face the hall to see the dark masses twist into solid forms.
Crawling onto her feet, Botan started to run again, her mind racing a mile a minute. She knew she could fight the demons, even without Kurama's training, but to do so would draw attention to herself and possibly damage the hotel. Both were things they couldn't afford. Should she be noticed, or if the hotel was damaged, locating Yusuke's and Kuwabara's soul fragments would be made near impossible. They would be moved before Botan would even have the chance to catch a hint of them.
She turned down another sharp corner and braced herself against the wall, waiting for some of the lesser demons to come into her sights. She ignored the Makai insects, batting them away with her free hand while the other worked the clasps of her shoes. Collecting them both in hand, she turned them so that the heels faced outwards. A head of green and yellow reached the hallway and came into Botan's line of sight. With the heels as her weapon of choice, she brought them down with a powerful force, burying the heels into the demon's cranium. A high pitched squeal ripped itself from the creature's throat before he collapsed onto the ground, clawing at the shoes in hopes of removing them.
Botan took off running again, her movements swifter now that she didn't have to compensate for the thin heels. This time she was able to pull the communicator and with it she called Hiei's face to the screen. He hummed his standard greetings, but his expression was considerably kinder towards her in comparison to all other times she had to call him. For this, Botan was grateful. "Hiei, I'm in trouble."
"What's going on?" he demanded, worry barely visible in his gaze.
"A bunch of lesser demons have started to spawn an I'm on the menu." She answered, turning sharply and downing one in a flurry of movements. She hopped over the demon's body and climbed another staircase to the next floor above. Before she reached the exit, she turned and kicked one of the demons back, creating a domino affect over all the demons behind it. Metal bent and the sounds of shrieks filled the hall and reverberated in her ears. The sound and pitch made Botan flinch and slap her free hand to one of her ears. She turned and started her sprint again, closing the door behind her and blockading it with a nearby potted plant as she went.
"We'll be there as soon as we can," Hiei informed her, his face turned and his eyes focused on something to his right.
"Please hurry, I don't know how much longer I can hold them off before I have no choice but to use spirit energy…Hang on; we?" Botan blurted, skidding to a halt to give Hiei her undivided attention. Please no. I don't want to deal with him right now!
"Kurama heard," was all Hiei said before the screen went dark. Botan stared at the compact incredulously, her feelings mixed. Kurama was coming. He was coming. Why did it have to be him? She didn't want to see him. A cold hand on her shoulder made Botan turn, fist at the ready. The strike landed and Botan was unnerved to discover that the creature was with a definite shape, a sign that he was of a higher level in comparison to the demons behind him.* Botan didn't wait to see if the demon would get up or not, needing to keep moving if only to distract herself that Kurama was probably just around the corner.
Maybe that's why when she turned down another hall she reached a dead end. Botan cursed her stupidity and braced her back against the sealed window and wall. She brought her arms up into an offensive stance, preparing to engage the lesser demons that spilled into her hallway. Okay, focus your spirit energy into your entire body, Botan told herself, going over her lessons with Kurama in her head. Gauge your enemy and search for all weaknesses. Botan scanned the writhing mass of blacks and browns, sensing their low energy levels. Exploit it!
A smaller demon broke away from the indistinguishable mass, its many legs likening it to a centipede. Its face was a flat surface of black with two pairs of crimson eyes glaring down at Botan. She was not deterred though. Botan waited for the creature to reach her before she sliced her hand through it, her energy working like a blade and decapitating the creature. It writhed in pain and shock before it stilled and melted back into the shadows from whence it came. More came and Botan did the same, ducking and dodging as necessary.
So focused was she to what was in front of her, Botan failed to notice the limbs behind her didn't dissolve into shadow. A sharp slicing pain to her back made Botan cry out and drop to the floor. She lashed out with her leg before she scooted to another wall, pushing her back flush against the surface. She could feel her blood smearing against the wall and dress, making the wound sting and her dress cling to her back uncomfortably. Slowly, Botan forced herself to stand to continue the fight, forcing her mind to go blank. She had suffered pains far worse than this. She was not going to let it stop her.
If the guys can do this then so can I, Botan thought, backhanding one demon so she could kick another. Besides, this isn't the first time I've dealt with lesser demons. What's the difference between now and then? Kicking off the wall, Botan sailed high over head and landed behind a large cluster of lesser demons. From their, she released a large burst of reiki through her palm. The demons were disintegrated and only a dent was created on the wall beyond them. I've dealt with lesser demons all the time while I was a ferry girl. All of us have. Botan ran back down the hall now that there was room for her to maneuver. She avoided limbs that wished to harm her and opened the door to another stairwell. She climbed the stairs in twos and threes, turning at the landing to release another burst of Reiki. This should be easy…this is easy… Botan needed to believe that. She was more then capable of handling the likes of the lesser demons. She didn't know for how long since she wasn't an experience fighters like her friends, but she could do it. Besides, though she could do without one, both Hiei and Kurama were coming. She only had to hold out long enough for them to get to her. That was easy. Botan wasn't going to think anything different. She wouldn't allow herself to.
Botan rammed the door open and charged full speed through a poorly lit hall. She didn't pay the blinking lights any attention however, instead focused on the few doors the hall had. The malice was thick in the air and it made the hair on Botan's arms and neck stand on end. Something dark and evil was there, making the fear she had experienced several floors below freeze her heart again with its familiarity. Then there was the burning.
It was as if an inferno had ignited within her body, making Botan shriek as it seared its way into her scar. She dropped to the ground, clutching at the pain in her chest. From the corner of her eye she could see the lesser demons amassing around her. She braced herself for the attack soon to come, prepared for the additional pain while nearly blinded by what she was currently experiencing. A demonic howl reached her ears and in a burst of youki the lesser demons were obliterated. Red and silver filled her vision as the first creature seeped up from the ground.
"Kurama…" Botan gasped, curling into a ball even as she stared up at his form.
Kurama didn't register Botan's voice; his attentions were focused completely on the creature. A deep and vicious sound reverberated through his chest, filling the hallway with his anger. He was furious, and that fury was palpable. He didn't wait for the creature to engage him. He didn't summon his whip. He didn't gauge his opponent. Kurama just attacked, his mind filled with violent need. He clawed at the inky blackness that made up the demon, uncaring of the mess he made. He stabbed the creature with his claws, digging his fingers into the demon's body, before he pulled at the limbs.
Kurama tossed the arms away as if the meant nothing, for they did mean nothing. An inhuman shriek was ripped from its mouth, filling the hall with its high pitch. Again, Kurama didn't care, he charged the creature and wrapped his fingers around its neck, squeezing until a black ooze dripped from all orifices in its head. There was a crunching sound and the creature stopped screaming. Kurama tossed the creature away and turned to face Botan. His eyes were red
Botan backed herself against the wall, dropping her hands with her palms facing towards him so she would appear as less of a threat. She did not know how much of Kurama was inside of him and she feared he would come to the wrong conclusions. She could handle a fight against the lesser demons. She couldn't handle one against a frenzied Kurama.
Breathing heavily, Kurama approached Botan, slamming his palms on either side of her head and caging her in. Kurama panted as he struggled for control, dropping his head and curling his fingers into fists. His claws scratched along the wall, chipping the paint and filling the now silent hall with the sound. Botan flinched. Kurama's ears twitched.
"Kurama…" she breathed, hesitantly reaching a hand up to caress his cheek. She lifted his face to her, and tried not to react when red and black circled his eyes and a crimson ring circled his irises. He had not completely entered a frenzy, but Kurama was too far gone either way. He dropped his hands onto her shoulders, his clawed fingers wrapping around Botan's neck loosely.
Freezing, Botan sealed her eyes shut and waited. For what, she did not know, but she waited. Nothing came. Blinking her eyes open, Kurama's face was mere centimeters from her face, his eyes leering into hers hungrily. His thumbs stroked her throat in what she assumed was an attempt at a soothing fashion. He nuzzled her face and brought his body closer to hers before he forced his body back. The strain of such a simple act chorded in his arms before one snapped to the side to caress Botan's neck again.
"Are…are you alright…" Kurama panted, fighting to remain in control even as his hands slipped beyond his will. His hands roved over Botan's body hungrily, checking for wounds all the while.
"…No, I'm not fine!" Botan exclaimed, pushing Kurama back just as a new onslaught of tears entered her eyes. "Why are you here? Where's Hiei?" Botan turned her back to Kurama so he wouldn't see the emotional pain he had put her through. In doing so, she missed Kurama flinch and an angry hurt enter his eyes.
Clenching his hands into fists, Kurama focused on the woman in front of him. He deserved her anger and her sorrow; he deserved that and worse, but he didn't want it. "I'm sorry. I know it's not me you want, but Hiei is currently detained."
"Why?" Botan spat, fists clenching as her anger shook through her.
"More lesser demons have spawned along the lower floors. They were too weak for the humans to notice, but the fact of the matter remained that they started attacking the contestants. Hiei's speed was required to deal with them." Kurama took a step forward, scenting that something was physically wrong with Botan. The way she held herself, how she favored her torso, showed him as much. "Botan…?"
"Go away…I'm fine now." Botan lied through her teeth, her palm pressing firmly over her heart and pumping reiki into the searing pain along her flesh. The pain wouldn't go away, try as she might, and she was absolutely terrified to look down and see what had happened to cause it.
"Botan…" Kurama took another step, then another, moving closer to Botan's shaking form and trapping her against the wall and window. "What is it?"
"It's nothing!" Botan cried, turning sharply before attempting to shove her way passed Kurama's hulking form. She didn't make it very far however. A firm grip shackled her arm and pulled her back in front of Kurama. Her back was pressed against the wall and her arms were spread outwards, revealing the thing that neither of them wanted to see. Botan's scar had returned. Her scar had returned. Yuri's mark over her body had returned full force and there would be no ignoring it anymore. Tears filled Botan's eyes and a pathetic sob ripped itself from her throat and stabbed Kurama's heart with the sound.
Reaching down, he tried to press his fingers to the wound so he could soothe and heal it only to have black energy charge from the wound and slice through his fingertips. He pulled back suddenly, marveling at the new development. "Did that…did that hurt you?" Kurama breathed, looking up to see Botan shake her head in the negative. Kurama tried to touch it again to receive the same result. He tried to ignore the pain brought, but the charge grew in intensity, traveling up his arm and searing the skin of his hand. His eyes traveled from his reddening arm to the other that still held Botan's arm pinned. Pulling back again, Kurama rested his now injured hand onto Botan's shoulder. He knew the energy that attacked him. He knew it rather well.
"Botan, let's go," Kurama kept his voice smooth and even, not wishing to alarm Botan to his discovery.
"I don't want to go anywhere with you right now. I don't want to be with you at all. Go away." Botan commanded again, yanking her arm free and shrugging Kurama's hand from her shoulder. She stormed passed him. She stopped however when the grotesque remains of the newly spawned lesser demons entered her field of view. She should have been able to handle this. She knew she could handle this. Why didn't she? Why was she suddenly so scared? Pressing her palm to her heart and the dimming pain of her newly formed scar, she fought desperately to figure out why.
"Don't think about it. Just go," Kurama commanded solemnly. He deserved her anger and contempt. He deserved her acid coated barbs. He deserved that and so much more. But he wanted her. He wanted her and he wanted control. For the sake of the mission and his beloved Botan he chose control. As things stood, he could not have both so he chose to sacrifice the heart that beat for Botan and Botan alone and the love she so willingly gave him. He would sacrifice it all to keep her and his friends safe. Clutching at his heart, he stared at the broken remains of the demon he had so ruthlessly destroyed. He had lost control again, even with his lust marginally slaked and even though he had the knowledge that Botan was more then capable of dealing with it. Why did I lose control again? Was it because of…
Botan didn't need to be told twice. She side stepped the mangled corpse and marched over to the stairwell. Yanking open the door, Botan let out a startled gasp as she jumped back, her back coming into contact with the wall behind her. Kurama was in front of her within milliseconds, his body chorded and ready to strike. He saw nothing however and eased into a less imposing stance. He took several deep breaths and closed his eyes to reach out with his senses. He paled with realization before turning to face her.
"What did you see?" Kurama asked, even though he already knew the answer. The scent of death and blood did little to hide the hints of wild flowers and fruit, a scent that matched Botan's but was twisted into something that made his stomach churn.
"It was nothing." Botan replied, turning her face from Kurama's concern in favor of glaring out the window. "It was just a shadow."
"I see…" Scoop Botan up into the cradle of his arms, Kurama walked back towards the window and pushed it open once the lock was unfastened. Bracing his feet against the sill, Kurama did a quick scan for witnesses before jumping.
Botan gasped as she fell, clinging to Kurama's body desperately. She was not used to falling like this, and the lack of control caused her panic to surge through her. She squeaked again when Kurama's arms shifted around her to pull her closer, chasing away all empty space between them. She wanted to struggle; wanted to push him away, but she couldn't. Though his face was its perfect mask of indifference, she could feel his emotions coiling through his body and beating rapidly in his heart. She braced her palm against his pectoral, counting the beats as they became faster and faster. Her fingers curled into the fabric of Kurama's dress shirt, finally realizing that the buttons of his shirt had popped off and his chest was now exposed to the elements. Her cheeks colored and she turned to face elsewhere just as they landed.
Kurama didn't allow for her to walk on her own though, trapping her in his arms as he leapt onto another balcony. He quickly made his way around the hotel, careful of those that would see them. When he found the balcony to Botan's room, he slid the unlocked door open and carried her inside. Only then did he allow Botan her freedom which she was quick to claim. He watched her with a bleeding heart, but said nothing. Instead he dropped his gaze onto the ground. The smell of his righteous crime still hung in the air, teasing him with the reminder.
"Why her?"
"Come again?" Kurama inquired when Botan's voice reached his ears.
"Why her? Why at all?" Botan demanded, her nose filled with the musk of Kurama's betrayal. The scent was cloying. It twisted her stomach in knots and coated her palms in a cold sweat.
"She was the most convenient." Kurama answered simply. Fabric entered his field of vision, prompting his eyes to follow the perfectly folded corners onto the bed Botan had claimed as hers. The smell of sex, though tainted by that other woman's scent, and the image of the crisp folded linens of the bed heated his blood and brought rise to another reminder. Turning sharply, Kurama braced his palms against the open sliding door and the wall. The cool air did little to cool his heating skin, but the scent of polluted air and ozone overpowered the other scents that came from the room.
"Most convenient?" Botan repeated incredulously. Her fingers curled into fists and she marched over to Kurama. Ducking under his arm, she placed herself in front of him and snapped her arm out.
The sound of skin hitting skin echoed in the night, so loud to the two that it was deafening. Kurama's head was snapped to the side as the tell tail red of the strike painted his cheek. His emerald and gold eyes were wide with shock and his lips parted with an unspoken question. Slowly, he retracted his hand from the sliding door's edge to prod at the near painful sting. He blinked several times before his expression darkened and an icy mask settled in place. He turned to face his heaving Botan, angry with her and yet absolutely livid with himself. The pain in her eyes, accented with her absolute fury and shock, distorted her once angelic face into something he had never seen. Her eyes glowed with an inner fire and her lips were caught between her teeth, her lengthened double canines threatening to break the skin. Angry tears beaded in her eyes and a slight flush painted her cheeks. She was absolutely beautiful.
Getting over her initial shock and unfazed by Kurama's frigid expression, Botan made a move to hit him again. Kurama caught her wrist in a vice like grip, but it did not stop her angry tirade. "How could you say that?" she cried, wrenching her arm free of Kurama's hold. "Most convenient.' She's not some pawn on a chess board! You can't use her and throw her away like that."
"And what would you prefer!" Kurama snapped, startling both Botan and himself with the ferocity of his voice. "What do you want from me? Do you want for me to lose all control of myself; to become a monster?"
"No that's not what I-" Botan countered, backing from Kurama's imposing form.
"Do you want me to claim her as my mate then? I already fucked her, so I might as well!" Red rimmed his eyes and the heat of anger coursed through his veins. Why would she not submit? Why was she fighting him? Kurama had her trapped against the balcony's railing, her body was flush against his and yet she still glared up at him, refusing to back down. Her palms braced against his chest and shoved him back with her inhuman strength.
"No!" Botan cried, a tear escaping from the trap of her lashes. It cascaded down her cheek and paved the way for more to follow in its wake. She moved away from Kurama and filled the entryway to the hotel room she shared with Kurama's bedmate. Why was he doing this? Did he not see the pain he was causing her; the pain he was causing them? He was ripping them apart.
"Then what?" Kurama barked, turning to face Botan's shaking from.
"I don't know!" Botan turned in time to see Kurama approach her, his eyes glowing a flurry of colors that fought for dominance in his gaze. Grabbing her wrists, he pushed her back onto the room and onto the bed with her arms pinned overhead.
"Is this what you want?" he hissed as his face descended onto hers, stopping a hair's breath from their noses touching and glaring down at his Botan as his hunger began to take hold. He wedged one of his legs between hers, forcing the torn skirt higher up her thighs to reveal the clasps of her garter belt. His expression remained unchanged, his face cold and his gaze an inferno of emotions even as Botan struggled beneath him. Her impressive strength proved useless against him, her arms locked in place. She jerked the leg trapped between Kurama's legs upwards but the effort was as futile as the first, it merely added fuel to the fire within him.
"Let go of me!" Botan commanded, struggling even though she knew it was a wasted effort. Why is he doing this? Why does he insist on tearing us apart?
"Isn't this what you want?" He breathed, lowering his face to claim her lips. Botan turned just before Kurama could make contact, the feel of his skin ghosting over lips before pressing against the corner of her mouth. Kurama continued undeterred, his tongue darting from between his lips to lap up her tears. He trailed his tongue downwards along the tracks left by her tears, leaving feather soft kisses and nips that increased in pressure as he made his way to her throat.
"Stop it. I know you're trying to scare me bit it's not going to work." Botan's voice wavered and her conviction was shaky. Something was different. Something was wrong. Kurama was wrong. Why wouldn't he stop?
"How sure are you?" Kurama growled. Why won't I stop? Why can't I stop? He brought Botan's wrists together so he could hold them with one hand, freeing the other so it could grab a fist full of Botan's hair and lift her head from the bed slightly. This exposed her neck more fully to him and his hungry eyes, his control slowly chipping away. The heady aroma of her fear and anger mixed with the musk of the room and pushed him further into his insanity. He bit down on her neck, not hard enough to break skin, but enough to hurt and bring out the most delicious sounding whimper from his Botan. He dropped his body onto hers, the searing jolts of black energy dancing over his skin and shredding at the clothing the both of them wore. I have to stop. I made my point.
"Kurama, stop!" Botan pleaded, her confidence in her Kurama wavering. The smell of burning flesh and blood added into the spice of the room, turning her stomach into an empty and burning pit. Something was wrong. Something was very wrong. Kurama, please…
Stop it! I have to stop! I need to stop! Kurama's hand released Botan's hair in favor of squeezing between their bodies, his head lowering from Botan's neck so he could kiss and bite at her skin. Clawed fingers fisted the shredded front of Botan's gown before ripping it from her body to expose the scarred beauty of her flesh. He laved at her scar's edge, ignoring the pain born from the black energy that cut into his mouth and tongue. His blood smeared over her porcelain skin, mixing with his saliva and bleeding into the wounds that had reawakened in Botan's skin. Stop!
"Kurama, you have to stop." Botan began to squirm again. She bucked her hips against Kurama's in her attempt to remove him from her body, needing to be free not only for her own sake but for Kurama's as well. He continued to ignore her and the scent of blood and his arousal became stronger in the room. The smell was intoxicating. She managed to rip on of her arms free in her increasingly desperate bid for freedom, grabbing Kurama's hair and forcing his head back from her body. This revealed to her red sclera* and the plethora of cuts and gashes that lashed over his torso, dripping with crimson. "Kurama…"
I…I want this. I truly want this. I have to take it. I have to take it now! We won't survive if I don't. This has to be done.
Instead of answering her, Kurama lifted claw tipped fingers to the side of his neck and sliced the skin open. He swept his silver and crimson hair over his shoulder to expose the wound more fully, his actions instinctual and his mind now completely blank. He coated his fingers with crimson and carried his blood to Botan's lips. He painted them red before easing her lips apart to allow him entry. Kurama coated her tongue liberally with the substance. When the fight left Botan's form Kurama started to pull free of her mouth, his ears twitching and a shiver trailing down his spine at her delicious whimper.
Her mind blank and her hunger realized, Botan followed Kurama's retreating hand to his neck where she latched on. Lengthened canines broke the skin of Kurama's neck and the musky taste of his blood washed into her mouth. She gulped it down greedily, draining him of blood and energy. It filled her completely and warmed her aching heart. She wanted more of it. An ache formed in the pit of her stomach, growing with each swallow even as everything else in her was slowly being sated. Something hard pressed between her legs, shooting spikes of both pain of pleasure up her spine and making her toes curl. Botan ground her hips against the hardness, adjusting her legs to feel it more fully against her ache.
The next thing she was vaguely aware of was the heavy weight settling over her and the soft mattress against her back. She needed more of it. Locking her ankles around the form over her, Botan tried to get more of it. She purred and mewled when friction was added, spiking her temperature and making her slowing heartbeat race. She bucked her hips and ground against the hardness eagerly, the pain she felt dimming as her pleasure grew.
"Botan…" murmured a deliciously deep and breathy voice above her. Recognition slowly filled her and slowly she eased her lips from Kurama's neck. Botan looked up to him with an apology already forming on her lips. What she saw silenced her.
Kurama smiled down at her tiredly, his eyes shining emerald and gold. His hair spilled over his shoulder to form a partial curtain of red laced with streaks of silver. His skin was pale due to the loss of blood, and sweat clung to his brow, but the way the moonlight danced over him did nothing to detract from his beauty. The angry wound on his neck glared at her viciously, painting the skin with its violent shade. The wounds that marred Kurama's perfection slowly knit themselves shut, the process slow in comparison to his norm, but now he was no longer bleeding.
"I'm sorry for scaring you like that," he panted. Dropping his head to rest against Botan's forehead, he took several shaky breaths in his search for more of his calm. He was completely and totally drained of energy, no longer able to maintain his mating frenzy and for that he was exceedingly grateful. He was finally able to think and be himself again. Snaking his arms around Botan's shoulders, Kurama enveloped her in a hug.
Not knowing what else to do, Botan returned the hug and blinked up at Kurama. Her mind scrambled for what to do and what to think. Questions danced within her mind but no answers came into light. "What…? Why did you…?" The flavor of Kurama's blood and energy still danced over her tongue and her lust for it clung to her consciousness. It was only through her will that she was able to deny herself the want to feed. She no longer needed the blood and Kurama had been drained more then she realized.
"I…I wanted for you to lose control of yourself…I wanted…" With shame in his heart, Kurama made the attempt to pull away from Botan when the truth of his actions filled him. He was stopped however by Botan's legs wrapped securely around his waist, holding him in place and allowing for Botan to wrap her arms more securely around Kurama's torso. She pulled him back down onto her body, her actions clearly born from instinct and calming Kurama only slightly. Though the action was done without her conscious thought, she showed him that she wanted him.
"You wanted me to give into you…since I would be to far gone to feel the pain…" Botan finished for him. She held Kurama's head to her neck, running her fingers through his hair as she tried to work the puzzle pieces into their proper placement. "Were you…conscious of this plan?" she found herself asking. Botan felt her heart break as worry filled her. In most cases, Botan would be scared and angry, but she knew Kurama. She knew him better then most. For him to lose to his frenzy like that, to even think about giving in…it was becoming too much for him.
Kurama turned away from her and again tried to remove himself from her hold. "I was, in part. You were right to say that I only wanted to scare you, but…I lost control." If I hadn't been weakened as I have been…I would have…
Botan squirmed a bit at Kurama's movement, unhooking her legs and shifting slightly to keep the pain born from the movement from happening to her again. The dull ache of arousal faded away to a dull painful throbbing. She shrugged it off since her scar had returned. It wasn't as painful as it used to be, but it was still enough to want to bring her knees shut.
"Sorry," Kurama apologized, rolling over so that he and Botan would be side by side. He had forgotten about the pain the scar caused. Even though Botan has proved to him many times before that she had a high pain tolerance and maybe even enjoyed it in part, he feared that she wouldn't be able to handle it then. If his time with her was anything to go by, before her scar's reawakening she had been almost completely without pain. Now wasn't the case.
"It's okay…besides, you're calm now. You're actually calmer then you'd been in a while." Botan breathed. Now that the excitement had dimmed, her energy began to seep from her body. She became increasingly tired and was losing the fight to stay awake. She still had so many questions she needed to ask.
"I am calm now. But for how much longer?" Kurama inquired. He sat up in the bed so he could shrug off the shirt and jacket he wore, frowning at the damage inflicted onto it during his shift in form. He tossed the two articles of clothing onto the floor without a care for where they landed before settling himself back down onto the bed. "How are you feeling? You drank a lot of blood before either of us came to."
"I should be asking you that." Botan chuckled nervously. She held her hands up for inspection, flexing each finger individually and marveling at the length of her pointed nails. They were more claw like then anything, but Botan refused to label them as such. Pulling off her stalkings, Botan kicked her feet up and scanned her toes as well. Each little digit had a sharp pointed nail in need of repainting, the cracked and chipped pink flaking off to expose the peach of her nails. She dropped her legs after that and sat up, shifting to accommodate her tender lower spine.
"It'll only be a matter of time before your form is completely changed." Kurama deduced, laying on his stomach and bracing his elbows against the mattress to hold his torso up. Kurama stared at the cheap headboard as guilt gripped his heart in a vice-like grip. How many more feedings will it take before she loses all humanity? How many feedings before Botan could no longer remain in Ningenkai safely? How many feedings before the risk of loosing her became too great?
"So it seems." Botan couldn't explain it. She couldn't even begin to try. But, for reasons she could not fathom, she didn't really care. She didn't care that she was slowly falling farther down. She didn't mind in the least. It was as if the worry had been erased from her mind. She had so many other worries that the loss of one was appreciated, but regardless. Why didn't she care? It's probably because I have so many other worries as is… "Why did you choose Mayura? Was it really a matter of convenience?" The question had been plaguing her all night and it was probably the reason that all other worries were erased.
Kurama turned to face Botan and sighed, wishing she had dropped the subject but not holding it against her just the same. "The convenience wasn't entirely the reason. She was also the easiest. You may not want to hear this, but she was nothing more then a pawn as you said. I knew that she wanted me and would not care in what capacity. I merely gave in to her wishes so that my own needs would be met." Kurama rolled onto his side and sat up, leaning against his arm while resting the other on his bent knee. "I needed to gain control of my lust before my frenzy could no longer be stopped. Unfortunately that plan failed if the night's events are anything to go by." All I want is you. No one else will do. Not for the first time, Kurama cursed the love he felt for Botan. A demon's love…* Kurama exhaled.
"How can you use people like that?" Botan asked, bringing her knees to her chest. She couldn't understand it. Mayura had a life, had a heart and friends. She existed. How could Kurama treat her in such a way and justify those actions for his own gain. She knew his reasons and understood them, but surely there were other ways that didn't result in the toying of another's heart.
"I do whatever is necessary. You know that. What I did with Mayura was the choice with the least amount of risks and consequences. Besides, what would you have had me do? I'm too old to wait and see if anything happens.*"
"You could talk to me about it for one thing. You could involve me in your plots instead of leaving me to find out." Botan murmured. She peeked through her lashes to lock eyes with Kurama, her lips pressed into a thin line. "You're not the only one this decision affected."
"The result would have been the same; You would have been angered and hurt, maybe even pushed into hating me." Kurama explained.
"How can you be so sure? I'm not stupid. What makes you think I wouldn't understand?" What can I do to make you trust me? Am I really that weak? Pain became the dominant emotion in her eyes; pain of the heart that sang. Botan dropped her eyes from Kurama's and turned to face the room's door. She didn't want to see the truth in his gaze. She couldn't handle it. He had absolutely no faith in her and her strength, and she didn't want to see it.
"It has nothing to do with your intelligence," Kurama argued. Seeing her logic and understanding it for what it was. He had lived so long without people in that capacity however that such a thing was near impossible for him to do, regardless of reasons and excuses. "I just…every time I'm alone with you…ever time we're together I lose my resolve. If I consulted you I wouldn't have been able to go through with it. I knew it would hurt you and I wouldn't be able to bear it." You're mine to protect and I couldn't afford to give in. You have enough to worry about as is anyway.
"But you're calm now. You and I are completely alone and practically naked and you're calm." Botan pressed, twisting to face Kurama completely. She dropped her knees from her chest to rest on the mattress of her bed, her feet tucking in beneath her. There was a chance right there in front of them, right within their grasps. You have to see it too.
"That's because you drained so much of my energy when you drank from me," Kurama yawned. He tried to remain seated, but his body's needs soon won out and he was on his back again. Botan hovered over him, her face entering his field of vision. Her eyes were bright with worry, regret, and thought. He could see the wheels turning in her head and deeply wished he knew what she was thinking. Was she regretting her actions? Was she afraid? Was she curious? What was going through her head in that moment?
"When I drink from you…does it hurt?" Vaguely Botan recalled asking the question once before, but the need to voice the question once more filled her. It was one thing to drink from his wrist, but another to lay claim to his neck. To do such a thing, to a canine demon no less, was something that she shouldn't have been allowed to do. She found herself staring at the wound again with dark and hooded eyes. Blood no longer bled from it, but the skin was still an angry and abused red. Two sets of puncture marks, born from her two sets of canines framed an even slice along his neck. While the cut had already scabbed over but the teeth marks had a will of their own and were adamant to remain.
Kurama blinked up at Botan, his heart racing. She's not… "You're not suggesting that…Are you sure? If I allow you to drink from me regularly the affects on you…"
"Can be managed. I'm an expert with glamour, remember." Botan interrupted, her words carrying a bite even though she tried to hold it back. "Kurama, I need you to be normal and if it means falling farther then that's the least I could do. I'm just worried that…that I'll hurt you." Falling is the least of my worries. We're going to have to be careful with how many times I feed from him though…Botan thought, dropping her hand onto Kurama's chest to rest over his slowing heartbeat. She'll be angry with him some other time since he really did have their best interest at heart.
"You could never hurt me." Kurama admitted. He reached up to caress Botan's cheek, his eyes warm and his heart filled with calm. He had her to thank for this moment of clarity. To think, the answer was right under his nose and he was none the wiser to it. "But I nearly hurt you. Could you ever forgive me?" Kurama's eyes shown with sorrow and eagerness. How he wished for her forgiveness. But he was no fool. It would be a long time before the thought of forgiveness crossed her mind. He knew Botan. He knew her very well. He could see the mask falling into place; the fake smile he loathed so much tugging at her lips and blinding him with its false light.
"I can. But you deserve to be punished for all the crap you put me through these past few days." Botan teased. "You did cheat on me after all."
"It's not cheating if the relationship's not established." Kurama chuckled, accepting the lie. I belong to only you and that will never change, regardless of who I take to my bed. Kurama knew Botan too well. Even though he wished otherwise, the forgiveness he sought would truly be a long time coming. She was pretending to forgive him for the sake of peace between them. There was a mission to be dealt with and in that moment Kurama felt the weight of his own weakness. It should be him hiding behind the mask. It should be him lying for her sake. That's how it's always been before and yet now it was Botan protecting him. It's not supposed to be this way…
"Then as of now it is." Botan huffed. "For as long as that mark is on your neck you have 'property of Botan' stamped on your forehead." Botan gave Kurama's nose a tap and wink. You hurt me Kurama, and I won't forgive you for that. You didn't trust me. But even so, you're mine and I won't share you with anyone. Not now. She didn't forgive him completely, but her needs and the needs of her friends outweighed her upset over the entire thing. As she said, she wasn't stupid. Had they not discovered the calming affect she had over him when she fed, she would have been willing to step aside for the duration of their mission for his sake. She didn't want too, and she was glad she didn't have too, but Botan was no fool. This arrangement will keep Kurama calm and as he should be, but even she could see how weak he was. If they were attacked in that very moment, Kurama would be unable to fight to his fullest. As it was, Kurama only had the strength of a low C class demon. True it was strong, but for Kurama who is an S class demon* that was exceptionally weak.
"Then I'll be sure to ensure its permanence." Kurama smiled; his heart beating at the sound of her claim over him. She still wants me? Even after… The love he held for his beloved Botan grew within his heart and he vowed to himself in that moment that he would protect her no matter what life may throw at them. "Might I ask what my punishment shall be?" What can I do to make you see that I love and want you? You and only you… Kurama wanted to be punished. He wanted to be made to suffer for his stupidity and weakness. He wanted it. He deserved it. Regardless of reason and logic, Kurama needed it.
"I'll think of something," Botan promised with a mischievous expression on her face. Her expression fell soon after to give way to a yawn. She could see his eagerness to please her shining in his eyes. She could see his protectiveness and want, and it touched her. She loved the sight in his eyes and cherished it. She just wished that Kurama would trust her more. That's all she wanted. It's all she'd ever want. If only the situation wasn't as it was. She was grateful for the Fate's designs, and felt blessed with the opportunity to fall for Kurama and experience his care. But she was angry as well.
If the fallen hadn't meddled the way they did, Kurama wouldn't be suffering the way he was. If the Fallen weren't involved, Kurama would have been allowed the time to make the necessary precautions for his mating time. He would have been able to hide himself away in Makai without the risk of hurting anyone. When I get my hands on the fallen so help me…
"Kurama…"
"Yes Botan?" Kurama didn't realize he had drifted off, blinking his eyes open to see the fear and worry in Botan's eyes.
"Yuri's here." She said simply.
"I know my love. I know." Pulling Botan down into his arms, Kurama stared at the ceiling and allowed the hopelessness of their situation settle over him. With glowing eyes, Kurama pulled his youki into himself and disguised Botan's to the best of his capabilities. It may have been too late, but at least Kurama could give Botan one night of peace. Even if it means killing everyone here, I will keep you safe.
"Do you mean that?" Botan twisted so her back rested against Kurama's torso, keeping her scar from his skin to protect him from the pain of Yuri's energy. Kurama's words echoed in her ears and she felt her heart race. She looked up into Kurama's eyes with hope in her own.
"Mean what?" Kurama requested, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her closer.
"You called me your love." Botan repeated, nibbling on her lower lip.
Kurama watched her for a moment and smiled, lowering his lips to her forehead. "Yes."
*1 – Cameo alert! Can you guess who/what this cameo is?
*2 – lesser demons are those that have no class ranking because they are so weak. They are born from strong emotions and without anything to possess (usually objects like combs and umbrellas and such) they are usually shapeless creatures. They're very stupid, functioning only on instincts like the need for food (usually energy and/or meat). Eventually they do reach a level of sentience, which allows them the opportunity to possess stronger beings like animals or take a shape of their own, most don't make it that far. Lesser demons include creatures like the Makai insects and the serpentine demon hoards as seen on Inuyasha.
*3 – Sclera is the white part of the eye
*4 – When a demon falls in love, it's a permanent thing. If a demon truly loves someone then they will love that person eternally. It's one of the reasons they hate the emotion so much. Love is crippling on its own, but when a demon experiences it they lose themselves completely. They lose their hearts to those they fall in love with. A demon's love is what makes mating for life and such possible.
*5 – The older a demon gets and the longer they go without offspring makes each mating time worse and worse for the individual due to instincts call. Since Kurama is really old and has not kits to his name, his mating time is increasingly brutal.
*6 – I'm probably exaggerating a bit as far as Kurama's ranking, but go with me on this. He, Yusuke, and Hiei are all in the lower S class as far as strength is concerned in this point of my fic. Though who's the strongest shall not be revealed as of yet. ;-p
Author's Note: I just realized something...I think this is the first chapter I've posted with no breaks in the chapter itself...I'm so proud of myself =3. Anywho. I hope you liked the chapter. Fear not, you will get your kiss soon ;p.