Author's Notes: Hiya! Back from metro and I'm back to work on my fic! I had fun, not as much as usual due to a crap load of drama, but fun none the less. I lost my Katara top for my fire nation Katara cosplay so I was only able to do it for Friday, and was Grr on Saturday. Sunday I was twisted Princess Tiana. If you were at metrocon and saw me, send me a shout so I can give you a virtual hug. Didn't buy much save for Outlaw Star and a couple keychains (Curse you economy!) but I am digging my Inuyasha prayer beads. Hopefully my very own (preferably male, but will settle for female) Kagome won't come around and 'Sit' me when I'm a bad girl. Lolz!
Here are my shout outs!
The first is to Smexy Kitten for being the first (and possibly only) to catch my unmarked WTF moment from Chapter 16: Kurama's Surrender. Yukina is PREGNANT. HUZZAH! Unfortunately you didn't guess correctly for chapter 18's cameo. The creatures born from darkness are not from FMA: Brotherhood. Really good guess though. Think videogames ;-p.
And also that is 1 vote for the Dark Tournament and 0 for the Makai Tournament. Come on people, if you vote you get a part in deciding how the fic ends…
When the tantei arrived at the apartment Yukina shared with Shizuru and Mukuro, they were surprised to see Puu's gigantic body peeking from the building's roof. Botan rushed them up and over to the creature, thinking that something had happened only to discover that he had come on his own to be with everyone else who crowded around him. Keiko sat on his back, her arms wrapped around his neck. She and Puu were the first to see them and smiled.
"Is everyone alright?" Botan asked once she landed, her oar vanishing once its passengers had dismounted.
"We're fine dearest kit," Aigyou answered serenely. She made her way over to her son and protégé and pulled them both into hugs after checking them for any sign of injury.
Botan, Kurama, Hiei, and Mukuro had all forgotten to clean up before rushing to rejoin the group. Due to that lack of foresight, the image presented their friends was a terrifying one to be sure. Their clothes were drenched in the blood of demons and smears of it stained their skin. Several wounds dotted their limbs, incompletely healed due to the time constraints and lack of energy to do so. None were overly damaged and it came with the territory of fighting for ones life, but there was panic in the eyes of those unfamiliar with it. This was especially the case for the frozen mother Shiori.
"Shuichi?" Shiori exclaimed, snapping out of her daze. She rushed over to her son's side, and started to fret uncontrollably over her baby.
This distracted Kurama from his other mother's shift in form. While Shiori fretted, Aigyou reassumed her truest form and snaked her paw around both Kurama's and Botan's waists. Without pulling Kurama from his human mother's fretting hands, Aigyou pressed the two to her chest and started to lick them clean.
"Mother!" Kurama exclaimed, not knowing which of his mothers was worse. He squirmed for freedom, the sound of Hiei's and Mukuro's mocking laughter echoing in his ears and making him blush. A long swipe of Aigyou's tongue ran up his back, flicking his hair over his head and pitching his torso forward enough for Shiori to fuss over the demon remains that clung to his crimson mane. It was Botan's turn to laugh and Kurama's eyes darted to her so he could give her a scowl. She was trapped in his Reigen mother's hold as well so she had no room to criticize, but then it wasn't her turn to be cleaned yet.
"And here I thought you were the most adult of the group," Shizuru chuckled, moving closer so she could have a better view.
Kurama sent another glare out before he was forcefully rolled over in Aigyou's hold. He turned his face in time to avoid being smothered by Aigyou's lick only to have his chin caught by his ningen mother Shiori's fingers. She licked her thumb and scrubbed it across Kurama's cheek fervently to remove the large smudge of green blood from the skin. This revealed a shallow cut which she planted a motherly kiss on. "Mother!" Kurama groaned, bracing his hands against Aigyou's chest and pushing. This allowed him some wiggle room to get free, but his mother was done with him anyway and let go.
Collecting the last shreds of his dignity, Kurama sulked off into the shadows. He glared over his shoulder at his mothers who had turned their attentions onto the every happy Botan. She can't…she can't possibly be enjoying that? Kurama's brow twitched in both shock and irritation. The expression melted when the sound of Botan's merry laughter filled the air. He watched as Botan nuzzled into his reigen mother's fur while his ningen mother combed her fingers through Botan's blue tresses. Botan wasn't fussy about it, just mildly embarrassed due to the audience. If Kurama didn't know any better, he'd think Botan would pursue such acts of affection. While all of this happened, Yukina approached Kurama hesitantly.
"Is something the matter?" Kurama inquired of the koorime, turning to face her while still keeping Botan in his peripherals. There was no knowing when the falling shikigami would get fed up and call for a rescue.
"Did…did you find the last half of Kazuma's soul?" she asked nervously as her fingers twitched over her stomach.
"Yes, we did." Kurama nodded. "Once Botan's done with her…bath, we'll have her put it back in."
"Will Botan be able to do it without…" Yukina paused, unsure how to say the last bit without sounding fearful or in any way negative towards Botan. She adored the girl and Kurama was Botan's intended. If she said anything wrong she feared she would upset one or both of them.
"I'll see to it that she doesn't." Kurama promised, catching Yukina's meaning. "Go get Kuwabara and his other soul fragment. We'll do it here since Puu can't fit inside."
"Puu?" Yukina repeated with her head cocked to the side.
"He's the closest link to Yusuke that we have at present so there's a chance that he'll be needed to ground Kuwabara's spirit energy." Kurama explained. When he saw Yukina understood, he excused himself of her company. Botan had been freed from the overbearing and overprotective mothers.
"Ready to get Kuwabara back?" Botan asked, her question for all present. The chorus of positive answers served as her affirmative and she smiled. "Alright. I'm going to need Shizuru, Hiei, Kurama, Puu and Yukina for this." Those called separated themselves from the group, though Hiei was hesitant.
"Why would I be involved?" He demanded, crossing his arms and joining those called regardless of his own words.
"Whether you want to believe it or not, the two of you are very close. You share a rivalry and a brotherhood that is not unlike what you share with Yusuke and myself." Kurama explained in Botan's stead. "You two may fight a lot, but that doesn't take away from you closeness."
Hiei grunted at Kurama's response, unamused by how touchy-feely Kurama made it sound but understanding just the same. When Yukina arrived with Kuwabara's body in the cradle of her arms, Hiei forgot his usual mask and tone in favor of helping her. He lifted Kuwabara from Yukina's hold and slung him over his shoulder carefully. He then walked over to Puu and laid the redhead onto the ground at the bird's feet. Yukina and the others called followed suit, surrounding their fallen comrade and waiting patiently for the next task at hand.
For those who didn't know what was going on, they watched in awe of what was happening. They huddled close together and stayed as far as they were willing while still keeping a "safe" distance. It was then that Keiko who was among their ranks noticed something important; something missing.
"Where is Kuwabara's other soul fragment?" she asked when she saw Botan remove one from her sleeve.
Her question was answered in the form of Yukina doubling over in dry heaves. Saliva dripped from parted lips that slowly stretched to their limit. Her mouth opened wide, almost unnaturally so to allow for a bright light to shine up from her throat. One hand held her stomach protectively while the other cradled her throat. Yukina coughed multiple times as the flesh of her neck became red with strain. Hiei rubbed circles over her back and would occasionally give it a pat, as if to dislodge something from inside her. This helped her enough so that the tip of Kuwabara's soul fragment could be seen rising from Yukina's throat. It took several more forced coughs and convulsions of her stomach before Yukina was able to spit out Kuwabara's soul fragment onto her lap. Yukina wiped her mouth with her sleeve and took several deep and calming breaths, her hand refusing to leave its place on her stomach.
"Did it hurt the baby?" Hiei asked, his voice low so as to not carry over to the others.
Yukina shook her head in the negative, a forlorn frown tugging at her lips. She lifted the fragment into her hands and placed it onto Kuwabara's chest with its pair. She waited by his side for Botan to approach with Shizuru and Kurama close behind.
As with Hiei before him, Botan wrote a spell into the air and Kuwabara's soul fragments reacted. They lifted from his chest and began to circle around Kuwabara in slow and even revolutions. A ring of energy linked the two crystals together with its shining flame. The pure and fiery energy that was so loving and comforting surged like lightning that bounced between the two gems. Botan didn't say a word as she and the others entered the ring, Kuwabara's energy opening as if in welcome.
Without any word of explanation needed, Yukina lowered her body to embrace Kuwabara's shoulders. Light encased her form until there was no distinguishing where Kuwabara ended and Yukina began. Around her, Puu wrapped draped his wing. He dipped his head low until his beak pressed against Kuwabara's forehead. The bird was also encased in light, glowing as spectacularly as Yukina. At Puu's center was a blue light that shone brightly with Yusuke's energy. Next to the two sat Hiei, who placed his hand on Kuwabara's bicep. The light that encased him was warm and soothing; it harbored no malice towards him, just the brotherly affection that remained hidden between them. Shizuru sat opposite of the siblings, draped under Puu's other wing. She rested one hand over her brother's cheek lovingly while the other was placed over his even heartbeat. She became encased with the light, losing shape and form against the glowing mass of light.
"They're reacting so strongly." Kurama breathed from behind Botan.
"That's the strength of Kuwabara's love." Botan smiled, gripping Kurama's hand and pulling him forward. She positioned herself to stand over Kuwabara, his waist trapped between her legs while Kurama remained at her side. When he knelt down and gripped Kuwabara's waist and lost his form to the light Botan sat down to straddle Kuwabara as she had done with Hiei before. She ignored the rise of fear that filled her; the fear of herself. She flinched when she felt Kurama's body move behind her, his body flush against hers. With his touch came his silent promise, his promise to protect Kuwabara and her.
The light solidified into binding chains that merged Kuwabara to all in the ring of Kuwabara's power. Kuwabara's energy surged through their bodies as he became grounded within the ring and that was all Botan needed to begin her task. Kuwabara would be faster to re-implant his soul, but not easier in comparison to Hiei. Kuwabara's soul was much larger and purer, and though his body and soul's wavelengths were in sync the process would be a little more time consuming in the soul's preservation. Kuwabara would repair himself with ease, but his soul might not be able to handle being touched.
Please be alright…Botan prayed before she placed her hands over Kuwabara's throat. Please be okay. When the energy around her stilled for a split second, Botan braced herself for what was to come next.
The energy surged upwards in a spiral before taking shape in the form of Kuwabara's soul's manifestation.* When plants shot up from beneath them, Botan was alerted to the two paws burning overhead. Mighty wing beats drew the eyes of all to the six wings of pure white that folded over to hide the body of a creature overhead, offering only a glimpse at its truest state. One pair folded to hide the creature's face with only a long pearl horn that spiraled from the creature's forehead visible. The lowest set of wings shielded the creature's feet, moving with each paw to guard them fully. The remaining larger wings flapped behind the creature to keep it aloft in the air. Behind him a lion's tail lazily swayed from side to side with its tip engulfed in flame. A long fiery red mane fell from the creature's scalp in wild waves and falls, dancing like flames in the wind. The flames that surrounded him were white in color, searing with the intensity of Kuwabara's heart.
Unfurling its wings, the creature revealed a lion's maw that opened wide to belt out a mighty roar. The clouds parted and purity surrounded the air and ground before the creature faced downwards. Its eyes landed on the glowing mass of friends that surrounded his body and that was all the creature needed. Joy and love filled his eyes and the lion's face turned gentle and kind. Rearing back, the creature dove into Botan's body and surged its way though her body and into Kuwabara's. It didn't need her guidance, just the link. With the friends that Kuwabara cherished most circling him, grounding him to that plane of existence; it was only a matter of seconds. But those seconds were agonizing for Botan.
A scream ripped itself from Botan's throat as the purity seared Botan with its radiating light. Black blood cleaved through the twisted and ruined skin of her scar and bled outward as Yuri's energy ripped and clawed into her very being as it fought to remain. Kuwabara's light burned it, repelled it, and purified it, but the bit of Yuri's consciousness that plagued Botan's spirit would not be pushed back or destroyed. Black marks took the shape of demonic seals over Botan's flesh, showing the physical truth of Botan's curse. Several of the marks were broken and ruined, the light of Kuwabara's soul eating away at the ruined and weakened seals and furthering their damage.
More cuts sliced over Botan's skin as Yuri's corruption fought to keep hold, tracing over the contours of her body and following around the remaining seals. The black force then ripped Botan's body from Kuwabara's form and pressed her against the wall of energy that was the circle. Kurama's solid body served as a cushion against the energy wall that surely would have felt like searing metal against her back. It was then that his powerful arms wrapped around her waist and shattered the circle just as Kuwabara's soul had finished entering Kuwabara's body. The tail end of Kuwabara's energy exploded outward as a result pushing all save for those bound to Kuwabara back several feet. Kurama used his body as a shield around Botan, pinning her to the ground so the energy would sail over them. His Reigen mother did the same for the others, increasing in size and acting like a barrier between the energy.
"Botan!" Kurama called once the energy had subsided, lifting himself to see the remaining seals of Yuri's curse over her shift over her skin to condense over her abdomen. Ripping the shirt from Botan's body, Kurama exposed the broken skin to his eyes and instantly started healing the wounds re-inflicted over her again. The cuts along her body vanished till only her cursed scar remained. The scar he had healed previously vanished altogether as well as if it never was and even more skin was made available to his healing. Once Kurama reached her naval however, the scar seized with Yuri's energy that charged against Kurama's hand. The impure energy coiled like a snake over her abdomen, healing the wounds inflicted on its own before burrowing as deep as the energy could.
"Is she alright?" someone asked, but Kurama didn't care to place the owner of the voice. He just nodded and lifted Botan into his arms. It was only then he turned to see his reigen mother hovering nearby, anxiety dropping from her very being. It was only her knowledge of the scar and her son's protectiveness of Botan that kept her at bay, but it wouldn't be long before her own need to protect outweighed everything else. She held her arm out to keep Shiori back, not wanting for the woman to suffer at the hands of Botan's curse which was exceedingly volatile in that moment. It would lash out at any form of love given to Botan and Shiori would not survive it unprotected. Aigyou had seen the souls of regular mortals burst into flames simply for offering Botan a hand of friendship. It was why it took so long for Botan to be ready to begin her job as a grim reaper.
"I should have known that Kuwabara's soul was too pure for Botan to handle as she was," Kurama hissed to himself. He should have expected as much. Even though Yuri's hold over Botan had weakened when Yuri left, the cursed mark was still present over her. Yuri was pure malice and corruption, it should have been expected that it would react violently to Kuwabara who was her complete opposite.
"Don't go worrying too much again." Botan panted, blinking up at Kurama and giving one of his fox ears a gentle tweak. His fox features had surged to the forefront and blended with his human features. "It couldn't be helped."
"So you knew this would happen?" Kurama asked gently, pulling Botan into a loose hug.
"I had a hunch, but I didn't think it would be this bad." Botan grimaced when she tried to turn into Kurama's hold, the lower half of her torso searing with unimaginable pain in that moment. "Is Kuwabara okay?" she asked after a brief pause. She tried to find the boisterous teen from where she was, but the faces of concern that surrounded her blocked her view.
"He's fine. He should be coming too about now," Kurama replied. He laid Botan back onto the ground before unbuttoning his shirt and pulling it from his body. He wrapped it around Botan to preserve her modesty, not wanting for the others to see her blood stained skin or the scar peaking from the top of her jeans. He then hooked his arms under her knees and neck before standing. He walked around his two mothers and carried Botan over to see Kuwabara just as the chains that bound the others to him faded away. Kuwabara blinked his eyes open and yawned. When he stretched, the arms of both his sister and love wrapped around him in tight hugs and Hiei was quick to move away to Kurama's side.
Kuwabara reveled in the hugs he was receiving and a happy shriek from Puu echoed his merry guffaws. Information was slow to return to Kuwabara's mind and all he could feel was the joy of having a body back, to have his lovely Yukina hugging him, and to not have Shizuru wailing on him because he was stupid enough to get his soul stolen in the first place. Everything else would come later, at its own pace.
"Is she…Are you alright?" At first Hiei intended to ask Kurama, but felt such a thing would be wrong. Turning to the young woman in the yoko's arms, Hiei marveled at how much pain she was able to endure. He doubted if the others were able to see what had happened to her due to the blinding light, but Hiei had his Jagan activated. While Hiei had lost himself to Kuwabara's warmth, his Jagan kept him informed of everything that was happening.
"I'm fine." Botan assured him, holding her hands up as if they were paws. "Nothing can keep this kitty down." Botan meowed and gave Hiei a wink.
Though the expression was appreciated, Hiei couldn't help but ponder something of great importance to him. "When you reimplanted my soul into me…did it hurt you?"
Botan blinked several times as she recalled the time she helped Hiei. "No. You're light was protected and the demon within me blinded me to the sensation of your care. Since I couldn't acknowledge your feelings for me and my sister's energy wasn't threatened of being purified, she didn't react."
"So what do you plan when you help Yusuke? Even though he is a demon, his energy will react to Yuri's and the result would be…."
"I don't want to think about it." Botan interrupted. "Let me live in my delusions and believe that the scar will be gone by then." Botan's response was overly cheerful and did little to lift the spirits of both demons. Botan wasn't oblivious to the lack of affect she had on the two, but it couldn't be helped. Snaking her arms around Kurama's shoulders, Botan rested her cheek over his heart so she could somewhat hide her falling expression. When Yuri had left earlier that day her hold over Botan had faded, as she had hoped, but the hold that remained was a lot stronger then what she expected.
The sound of a phone ringing pierced the silence that ensued, the sound startling all and drawing all attention to one point; Maya. The said girl blushed and looked as if she wanted to shrink into the floor. Pulling her cell from some unseen pocket in her dress, sown in for practical reasons, she flipped it open and whispered a terse hello. That was about the time attention left her to refocus on Kuwabara and Puu. The giant bird had begun to cough violently while helping lift Kuwabara onto his feet. When Kuwabara was finally standing with the help of Shizuru and Yukina, Puu looked Kuwabara in the face before hacking up a large gem that pegged him in the face. Kuwabara was at a loss for words, staring at the bird blankly. It was as if he had forgotten how to speak. Puu seemed to smile apologetically, but it took a while longer for Kuwabara to realize that he had been hit and what by.
It couldn't be helped. Kuwabara's senses were slow to recover since he was without outside aid*. Bits and pieces returned in fractured segments. His memories came in scattered figments, the oldest and most important events clambering forward and paving the way for insignificant moments in time. Nothing of his time without a soul had returned, but they would come soon once Kuwabara's body had finished its reboot.
Kuwabara opened his mouth to speak but his words were hoarse and breathy; not coming out right to be anything remotely understandable. He knew in his head what he wanted to say, but his brain had yet to reconfigure itself for proper speech. He grew frustrated for a moment at his own weakness, but relaxed when the love and comfort of his sister and Yukina reached him. They understood what he wanted to communicate.
Surrendering his weight to Shizuru, Yukina scooped up the crystal from the ground. She turned to face Keiko and Atsuko, who hovered by Puu's flank, and held it out to them. "It's Urameshi-san's soul fragment." She explained.
Keiko was the first to react, accepting the fragment and holding it to her heart. "How did Puu get it though?" Keiko asked, turning to face Botan who didn't look overly surprised. She was happy, but not surprised.
"Didn't you say that one of the fragments shattered during your escape? Since Puu is linked to Yusuke's soul, when it broke the bit of Yusuke's soul trapped inside must have escaped into Puu instead of disintegrating." Botan explained. She wiggled a bit in Kurama's hold, silently requesting to be put down. However, when she was her ankles seized and she collapsed onto the floor. Botan stared ahead and blinked several times in confusion, unsure of exactly what had happened.
"Are you alright? What happened?" Kurama fussed, dropping to the ground so he could cradle her to his chest.
"I…I don't know," Botan admitted. She leaned forward so she could roll up her pant legs, revealing the scars on her ankles from her first reunion with her sister. The vicious marks twisted her once flawless skin and glared angrily back at her as if to verbally tirade and blame her for the pain they suffered.
"I thought they had healed already…" Kurama stated blankly, his face an emotionless mask.
"…I didn't want you to worry…" Botan said after a long pause.
"How long have you known they weren't healing?" Kurama pressed, but what he really wanted to ask was how long she had been hiding the extent of her wounds from him. He knew that every now and again her ankles would cause her pain depending on her emotional state, but he thought it was because her body wasn't allowing itself to heal as fast as usual. Looking at the wound now, Kurama realized that the wound hadn't changed from the day she'd gotten it.
"Yuri inflicted it, so of course it's not going to heal." Botan smiled, trying to make light of the scars. "I'm fine." Botan insisted upon seeing kurama's expression remain unchanging. Turning inward, Botan redirected her spirit energy to her ankles and forced them to work. It took more consentration then the first time, but that was to be expected with the constant flux and shift of her energies. She popped onto her feet once finished, pulling Kurama up along with her in an effort to soothe him. When the plan failed, Botan sighed and hugged him, burrowing her face into his neck. "You worry about me enough as is. I didn't want to add yet another worry onto you. Please don't be mad."
Dropping his shoulders in a sign of temporary surrender, Kurama looped his arms around Botan's shoulders and tucked her head under his chin. They would discuss Botan's secrets later, but now was a time to celebrate. Kuwabara had been returned to them and two more of Yusuke's soul fragments were theirs.
"Absolutely not!" Kurama exclaimed adamantly, shaking his head in the negative as he backed farther into the kitchen of his temporary home.
"But why?" Maya practically whined. She had been at it for nearly an hour it seemed. She only wanted him to go with her to a party, but he was acting as if she was demanding the life of his first born. She'd brought it up during the drive home; she and Shuichi had been invited to a huge party by one of their classmates. It was to celebrate the summer and her victory in the pageant.
"We don't have time to waste on a party." Kurama argued. "I have a job to complete."
"But all you've been doing is work!" Maya countered.
"She does have a point Shuichi," Shiori voiced from the dining room. Aigyou nodded in agreement next to her, nursing a cup of tea between her palms.
"You don't want to overwork yourself," the vixen added, finding the entire event rather comical.
"I'm far from reaching my limit." Kurama retorted hotly. "I don't want to leave Botan either."
"Then take her as your date." Aigyou quipped. "I'm sure she could use the break too, isn't that right Dearest Kit?"
Botan blushed and nodded shyly, dipping her head when Kurama turned to her incredulously. She adjusted herself on her perch over the counter, kicking her legs nervously. Botan had never been to a party like that before and thought it would be fun. She didn't give voice to her thoughts though, fearing how Kurama would react to another taking an opposing side to him.
Kurama glared at his reigen mother, angered that she would use such a powerful weapon as Botan against him. "I don't want her to strain her ankles."
"I'll be fine." Botan insisted before clamping her mouth shut. She immediately started to chug down the last of her tea after that with the hopes that it'll keep her mouth shut.
"There you have it," Shiori beamed. "You should take this opportunity to be social for once."
"But I am social mother." Kurama's shoulders drooped as defeat began to loom over him. He didn't want to go to some party. He could barely stand his classmates on his best days, why would he want to deal with them now or any other time with such a heavy burden weighing him down? Kurama didn't like the idea one bit, but he was running out of excuses now that the hope that shone in his Botan's eyes was chipping away at his defenses. Surely there was some way to get the idea out of everyone's heads.
"Please Shuichi, for me? I worry about you and I fear that you won't have anyone to connect with outside of fighting." Shiori allowed her legitimate worries for her son shine through her eyes. It had been something that had bothered her for a while now. All of Shuichi's friends, even the sweet and loving Botan, were met through combative situations. She didn't want fighting to be the only place for her son to have a life. She didn't want that in the slightest.
Kurama's human mother did present a point, but it did little to sway him. What did prove his downfall however was when both his mother's directed his attention to the crestfallen Maya and the solemn Botan. The two of them seamed rather keen on attending the party. They knew he didn't want to go, and his say was the final word on the matter, but that didn't change the fact that the want was there.
"There'll be other parties." Botan voiced with a sweet smile.
I lose… "When is this party? Kurama sighed.
Boy did Kurama regret asking that question. The previous night's discussion still played out in Kurama's head and all he wanted was to go back home and sleep for a week. He wanted to sleep in Botan's room too, but he had been denied that comfort the previous night since his human mother made her disapproval known. Driving down the long driveway to one of his pretentious classmate's homes, Kurama couldn't help but feel as if he should have said no. I need to practice saying 'no' to Botan before any more of these…fiascos can occur. Kurama parked the car off to the side where space was available before killing the engine. Looking into the rear view mirror, he could see Maya primping in the back seat.
Her hair had been curled into flawless ringlets that framed her cherubic face to bring out the innocence of her eyes. A yellow ribbon was tied into her hair to form a headband, the bow skewed slightly to the side. A matching choker wrapped around her neck, adding color to the large expanse of exposed skin. A black tube mini dress encased her body in a sheath of fabric, accentuating her curves and allowing the view to see just how innocent she was. Shear red tights encased her legs to preserve a small shred of modesty since her skirt was so short. Black ankle boots adorned her feet to give her an extra few inches of height and flashes of gold appeared here and there around her body in the form of accessories. Her eyes were heavily coaled and her lips were painted petal pink. She looked good, but Kurama had the sinking suspicion that she had intentionally chosen her clothes to match his.
Kurama's eyes narrowed at the thought. He himself was wearing black jeans that hugged his legs that vanished into knee high yellow boots with buckles along the sides. A deep red sleeveless turtleneck shirt encased his torso, hinting at his exceedingly fit physique while being loose enough to hide the true extent of it. He wore shoulder length white gloves on his arms, using them to hide his additional arsenal of plant based weapons. Around his waist looped his belt, holding a plethora of pouches that held other necessities.* The hoop of the tracker earring still hung from his ear lobe, never to be removed from place, adding a flash of silver to his otherwise dark attire.
Looking over to his sweet Botan, who had dozed off during the drive, Kurama smiled. Her long blue hair, which had been left loose for the occasion was deliciously tussled by the wind, framing her face and shoulders in waves and falls. Her pink silk Chinese crop top offered a tantalizing glimpse of cleavage through the heart shaped hole in the front. The back was completely laced, exposing the smooth skin of her back. She wore white slacks that hung low on her hips, a silver chain looping around her waist several times with heart shaped links. The access chain dangled from her hip to follow along her thigh, but now the end was hooked around Botan's finger. Silver armbands circled both her biceps and matching spiral earrings hung from her ears, one hanging lower then the other due to the hoop that matched Kurama's. The clip that Kurama had given her held some of Botan's bangs off to the side, allowing for people to have full view of her sweet face. White pumps adorned her feet, borrowed from Shizuru where as the top was given.
"Botan," Kurama called gently, giving Botan's shoulder a light shake. When she blinked her eyes open she flashed him an apologetic smile.
"Sorry," she said. It was not her intention to fall asleep. She was just exhausted from all that was going on. Opening the car door, Botan stood and stretched her arms over her head. She gave her cheeks a couple of rough pats before the sleep left her body.
Kurama gave Botan a once over and grinned hungrily at her smooth stomach. Though he would never admit it out loud just yet, he definitely hated clothing on his Botan. The less she wore the happier he was. When Botan turned to face him, Kurama gave her a playful wink. "Ready to go?"
"Yup!" Botan beamed. With that, Kurama walked around the car and offered her his arm. Botan couldn't help but blush as a girlish giggle escaped her lips. She looped her arm around his and allowed him to take the lead since she was increasingly nervous.
Kurama turned to face Maya, who had fortunately missed their interaction. She was conversing with someone on her phone, chatting happily with what sounded like another girl. From the sounds of it, Maya was hoping to meet up with some friends there that had yet to arrive. He didn't really care. The phone call did provide him with some light in the situation; he would only have to deal with the girl for only part of the night. Kurama really only wanted to spend time with Botan and was only present at the party for the said girl's sake. Maya snapped the phone shut, giving Kurama the silent cue to lead his two companions towards the small manor. As a courtesy, Kurama offered Maya his arm as they walked, but it was Botan he kept close to him.*
The three just allowed themselves in since the door was wide open, allowing for the blaring music to pulse through the air. Several young adults conversed around the house while others could be seen through the door either dancing on the makeshift dance floor or eating finger foods from small paper plates.
The home was spacious and large, with little in the form of walls to separate the rooms from one another. Once the door to the home was open everything on the first floor was exposed. The entire right and left walls were made up of glass, the windows encompassing both stories of the home before reaching the high ceiling above. The dining room table had been pushed flush against the actual wall to the right to form a make shift buffet, its chairs nowhere to be seen. Far ahead of them, against the wall, was a plasma screen television that monopolized on the space. Framing it were two faux plants and tall lamps intended to fill in the space. A black leather couch and love seat circled a glass coffee table that was now littered with plates, red plastic cups, and bear bottles. A hand full of students claimed the couches as their seating, all of which were laughing and making all sorts of noise over a game being played by two guys.
Near where the entertainment system ended on the left hand side was one of the few actual walls the home held, attached to which was a staircases that lead to the second floor. It was a loft style floor with a short glass wall that served as its protective barrier between the second floor and a painful fall. On it was a pool table and a few arcade style games. There were three doors beyond, one glass and leading to a wrap around balcony while the other two were wood and lead to what could only be assumed to be bedrooms. Both bedroom doors were closed and judging by the sounds that fortunately only Kurama could hear that was a good thing.
Behind the stairs was a hall that led to a large kitchen and beyond the glass wall was a pool. The three sliding doors that followed along the wall were all open and many of Kurama's and Maya's classmates were swimming and dancing by the pool in various states of dress. Some wore bathing suites, others did not. A fire was going in the grill not to far away, being tended to by one of the many graduates in attendance.*
A cluster of wet and nearly naked girls flew into the house a few seconds later, their voices high as they exclaimed their excitement. They surrounded Kurama in moments, making him nervous for a split second. He pulled Botan closer to his side as if to use her as his shield. Maya tightened her hold around his other arm, tugging at him awkwardly but further aiding to get his point across. He was currently off limits and so long as his arms were in use the fact would remain as such.
"Friends of yours?" Botan chuckled, wrapping Kurama's arm around her waist and looping her own around his.
"They're in my class," Kurama replied simply, fighting to recall their names but failing in the effort. He gave the group of girls flattering yet dismissive greetings before leading Botan and Maya to the buffet table. None of them had eaten much before hand and Kurama knew that food was first on the agenda if the growling stomachs were anything to go by. They narrowly avoided being sucked in by the cluster of writhing bodies that were the dancers, their waving hands and summoning words calling to both Maya and Kurama with the hopes of gaining their company. Kurama acted as a human buffer for the sake of Botan, who was still unused to such social scenes even with the past missions aiding her experience. Scooping down to the cooler, Kurama pulled out a wine coolers for himself and his companions since there were little other options to choose from. That was around the time a familiar voice called out in greeting.
"I never thought I'd see you here Kurama." Kaito approached the three with a hearty smile on his face. His loose tongue and flushed cheeks alerted Kurama to the fact that he was on his way to getting drunk. "And Botan, it's nice to see you again."
"Hello Kaito," Botan smiled, sipping at the drink Kurama had given her daintily. She fought back a yawn while Kurama and Kaito began catching up with one another. She leaned into Kurama's side tiredly as a wave of dizziness washed over her.
"Are you alright?" Kurama asked, turning his attention from Kaito instantly to focus on Botan.
"It's nothing." Botan assured him, giving Kurama one of her smiles. "Can we go sit down though?"
Kurama looked at her suspiciously for a moment before nodding in understanding. He walked Botan over to an empty spot on the couch, dislodging Maya from his arm in the process. Once he was sure she was comfortable, Kurama returned to the buffet to fix Botan a plate of food, focusing on the meats available. Botan's energy was running low and Kurama suspected it was because she needed to feed again. She did use up a lot of energy during the fight the previous day, and with her spirit merging with her body there was barely any energy left to keep her going. Kurama hoped that the small trace amounts of life energy that remained in the food available would be enough to keep Botan up. He wanted her to enjoy herself and she couldn't do that if she fell asleep. Kaito hovered around him as he moved, but Kurama didn't mind all that much since he was one of the few humans he liked. When he returned to Botan's side Kurama sat on the couch's arm and handed the plate to her before allowing himself to reengage in the conversation.
Botan smiled at Kurama's sweetness and began eating, using Kurama's lap as her make-shift table while listening in on the conversation. She piped in a couple of times, contributing a small part to the talk, but for the most part she remained silent. She couldn't do much else since she was either too busy laughing or eating. Kaito was rather entertaining with alcohol in his system. More and more of Kurama's classmates filtered into the discussion, pulling it farther and farther away from topics that Botan could partake in. She kind of felt put out by it, but the soothing hand on her shoulder let her know that Kurama was just as bored by the talk as she was. He was only participating out of politeness, but she could see that he was looking for a way out. Unfortunately he was still the center of attention.
"So, who's your friend?" one of the female students asked, putting a particular stress on the word friend when she gestured to Botan.
"This is my girlfriend Botan," Kurama answered smoothly, sending Botan a smile and a wink. Botan returned the gesture and gave one of Kurama's forelocks a flick before he caught her wrist and gave the pad of her finger a light nip and lick. The act was intended to be a teasing one, but the hoots and hollers born from their audience hampered Kurama's enjoyment even though Botan blushed just the same.
"You're…girlfriend…" the girl clarified as if the word was something hard to swallow. Her face paled and she looked as if her knees were going to buckle from her weight. "Since when did you have a girlfriend?"
Botan and Kurama exchanged glances, unsure how to answer the question. Botan shrugged and Kurama scratched the back of his head. They could lie. It would be easier if they did, but first Kurama was going to have to recall all his other lies about his personal life. Deciding with a half truth, Kurama turned back to the girl and answered simply, "Since the start of this summer actually."
"I see, so it's a new development." The girl was clearly displeased by the answer, but the two other girls present were made curious. Though jealousy was still evident in their eyes, these two girls decided that this was their chance to get some info on their beloved Shuichi. That way, when the relationship went south like they really hoped it would, they would have the opportunity to use what they learned and try to get Shuichi for themselves.
"Let's dance!" the two girls said in unison, gripping both of Botan's arms and pulling her from the couch.
"I'll join you in a bit," Kurama offered when Botan turned to face him in askance. He didn't want for Botan to leave his side, but he wanted her to have fun more. The conversation was a bore and Botan's attention was waning and with it took her energy. Kurama sighed to himself, wishing he hadn't given in to the idea of the party. He was rather tired and bored and would have been more then happy to spend the night curled up with Botan and watching a movie or something. Well, she would watch the movie; I would be doing the something… Kurama's wayward thoughts were interrupted by the classmates that remained around him, all of which were male and clearly appreciated his choice in Botan.
Allowing herself to be swept away to the dance floor, Botan was bombarded with a flurry of questions pertaining to the "perfect Shuichi." Surrendering herself to the fast beat of the music around them, Botan tried to focus on putting a face to a question before she even thought of answering.
"So, what's he like when he cuts loose?" One girl asked, her long brown hair falling behind her in a wet curtain of dark brown curls. She was one of the few dressed in an actual bathing suit, a pale blue strapless one piece that flattered her figure with the allure of innocence. A white sarong was tied around her waist that writhed around her body like a sensuous skirt. The water had made the sheer fabric even more transparent, leaving the view of her thighs unobstructed. A flush of color painted her cheeks, born from her youthful exuberance.
"Well…he is a bit of a tease," Botan replied absentmindedly, lifting her arms and undulating her hips in time with the increasingly sultry beat of the music. "…and he's very relaxed when we're alone. Though he still worries more then he should." Botan smiled at how different Kurama was now in comparison to when they'd first met. In the past he hid behind the façade of Minamino Shuichi, hiding everything of who he really was for the sake of what he believed were his human mother's wishes. He rarely showed true emotion and his every movement was calculated to the slightest detail. Now, especially with her, he no longer hides. He didn't have to. Kurama can laugh, tease, shout, fight, and do whatever else his heart demanded. He didn't have to hide from his past anymore either. He was able to be the him who truly was, one that embraced his past, present, and looked forward to the future.
"What do you mean by tease?" The other girl asked, her black hair cut into a stylish asymmetrical bob that framed her heart shaped face in a way that brought out the light in her deep blue doe eyes. She wore a simple white dress that clung to her skin from the dampness of her past activities. Her dress was no longer shear from the water, but that did not hide what was underneath, or rather, what wasn't.
Botan blushed and dropped the subject, taking a swig of the wine cooler that was still in her hand. Another wave of dizziness struck her, making her sway more then intended. Her body became flush with a decidedly male body behind her, his body heat making her shiver before Botan forced herself upright. "I'm so sorry," Botan apologized, turning to face the young man as she did so.
"It's alright. Though you might want to lay off the wine coolers." A boy that was most likely a graduate from the previous year said, waving her words away as if they were nothing. His shoulder length brown hair was slicked back, exposing his face completely. His thick lashes were the most eye catching feature, almost keeping Botan from noticing his dripping wet body that was mostly bare save for the black and red swim trunks he wore low on his hips. His deep green eyes that could almost rival Kurama's leered down at Botan, but there was something in them that Botan didn't like. They were dark with hunger and filled with a sinister feeling.
"I'll do that," Botan nodded, even though she was far from drunk. It took far more then a few sips of alcohol to even make her tipsy due to her body's high tolerance because of her own personal physiology. No, it was something else entirely that was causing Botan to waver in her footing, but nothing that she would allude to in the presence of such a youth. Giving him a hesitant smile, Botan turned back to her two partners, who were looking at her with eyes full of worry. The smile she gave them was genuine in comparison and Botan started to dance again, moving away from the male as she writhed with the music.
The two girls fell for the mask Botan offered, continuing their dance with her and dropping the topic of Kurama in favor of picking up more frivolous chitchat. Their eyes never left the guy Botan bumped into however. He had a reputation around the school of being a merciless thug. Unfortunately, it was no rumor. The entire school knew of his gang related activities, but since his parents were so rich none of the school staff did anything about it.
"I'm Takahiro Yutaka*," the young man declared, cutting into the dance between Botan and the two other girls. His large body, built and refined to the best of mortal capabilities formed a wall that blocked them from view. "Might I ask what your name is?"
"Meibo," she answered smoothly, stilling her dancing to a simple two step as she backed away and around him. She moved closer to the other two, noting their nervous glances and their urgent waves for her to go over to them. They gripped her hands and tried to guide her farther into the mass of writhing bodies with the hope of pulling her away. Botan was grateful for their concern, feeling that it was genuine in their hearts. Their efforts were in vain when a powerful arm snaked around her waist and pulled Botan back. Botan made a sound of complaint, turning sharply with a glare.
"Why are you running away? Did I do something wrong?" Yutaka asked, his lips pulled into a cheeky grin.
"Let me go please," Botan requested, curbing her tongue to keep her hostility down but not hidden. She worked her hands free from the two girls and gripped them around his wrists before prying them away easily. Botan then turned so that her back was no longer turned to Takahiro Yutaka and eased herself in front of the girls that had tried to help her. She backed them out of the mass of dancers so there would be more room to move. She also did this to make sure they would be easily seen by the other party goers. With many eyes watching the chances of an incident were lessened. That was the theory anyway.
"You're pretty strong for such a pretty little thing," Yutaka continued as he followed Botan, his long legs eating up the distance as he drew closer to her. "I like that."
"It's one of the reason's I'm dating her." Kurama interrupted, drawing his former classmate's attention onto himself. Malice and youki seeped from his pours and flared out, filling the house within moments. Kurama did nothing to hide it either, his possessiveness and anger provoked. Kurama's eyes settled into a vicious glare that made more then a few of the onlookers take a terrified and shocked step back.
"Minamino, I never expected to see you here." Yutaka growled, not knowing how to deal with such a blatant show of fierceness from someone such as Minamino Shuichi. It was true that when he attended Meiou high school, Minamino Shuichi was one he could not intimidate. Yutaka learned quickly that messing with the school's resident perfect student was a pointless effort. That what he told many when asked, but in truth it was because Yutaka was unnerved by the redhead. There was something off about him that unsettled Yutaka to no end, something he never wanted to deal with. Now he caught a glimpse as to why that was. What is he?
"It was a last minute development." Kurama offered simply as he walked around the "older" male. Kurama pulled Botan into his arms when he reached her, sending Takahiro a silent warning to back away. Botan relaxed her metaphorical hackles in his hold, leaning against him and sighing her relief. She was still clearly agitated by the boy's actions and the twitch in her hand let Kurama know how far that irritation went. It looks like I'll be feeding her soon. Her patience is growing short. Kurama concluded, contributing Botan's short fuse to her hunger. I'll get her to feed from me when we get home. He decided, turning from the boy and leading Botan and his two female classmates back into the thick of the dance floor. "You okay?" Kurama whispered into Botan's ear as he guided her body back into the grove of the music.
Botan nodded, pressing her body against Kurama's and surrendering to his lead. "I really don't like him," she pouted angrily, trying to deny to herself how much she really wanted to hit him.
"I don't either," Kurama chuckled. He slid his hands down the slope of her back until they settled dangerously close to Botan's rear, shooting another possessive glare over to Takahiro who was still watching them. The two males locked eyes for a moment in time and Kurama made a deep sound of disapproval when Takahiro countered the look with one of his own. Now that his friends were easing around him, Kurama feared that Takahiro would try to make another pass at his Botan. For now the small group was content with drinking some of the harder liquor present, but for how long Kurama could only guess. He had no knowledge of how alcohol affected the small cluster of gang members.
The music slowed down to a more sultry beat, allowing for the fast movements to slow into smoother and more sinuous movements. Kurama pulled Botan close and allowed for her dictate the dance, following her body's slow and sinful undulations. Botan turned in his arms so that her back pressed against his, rocking her hips against him. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to surrender to the music. Kurama pulled her closer to his body, one hand splayed low on her stomach as if to increase the friction between their bodies. Dipping his head, Kurama breathed the lyrics of the arousing song into Botan's neck. As with times before, Kurama allowed his hands to roam. His fingertips trailed over Botan's curves, following the contours of her body with their feather light touch.
Botan was wise to Kurama's game, well aware of his teasing nature and prepared to give as she received. Undulating her hips in slow smooth circles, Botan writhed her hips from side to side and worked her fingers through her hair so that her blue waves could cascade down one shoulder. She leaned forward slightly so Kurama could see her exposed neck and back. She peeked back at Kurama, a mischievous smirk tugging at her lips. It was her turn to tease.
Gripping Botan's hips almost violently, he practically slammed Botan's rear against him. He could see the hunger in Botan's eyes, the lust that filled her in different levels. He felt it rivaled his own and loved it. Kurama bit his lip to keep his hunger for Botan in check, marveling in her teasing. When she rocked her hips against him, Kurama ground back against her in time with the music playing around them. When she purred deep in her throat, Kurama pulled her body against his completely and growled hungrily. When Botan turned to face him, her pupils dilated and her breath shallow, Kurama cocked his head to the side and exposed his neck.
Kurama's leg became trapped between Botan's and she began to rock her hips against it wantonly. Red bled into her gaze and her canines lengthened until they peeked from parted lips. Her needs and wants bled together, filling her belly with an empty heat that demanded to be sated. Botan wrapped her arms around Kurama's neck just as his encased her waist. There wasn't a space between them and Botan arched against his chest in her attempt to reach him. Her tongue darted out to trace against his jaw, followed by little kisses. She hooked a finger into the collar of Kurama's shirt and tugged it down so she could trail her lips and tongue along the column of his throat tantalizingly slow. Little nips were soon added into the pattern as her teeth scraped against Kurama's skin. It wouldn't take much more pressure to slice through flesh.
"I see why you like her so much?"
Kurama's face warped into an expression of pure malice, lifting his golden eyes to take in the visage of a far from sober Takahiro Yutaka. "Takahiro," Kurama hissed out, trying to keep his demonic nature from lashing out. In his arms Kurama could feel Botan snap out of her lustful daze, the sound of her heartbeat changing as realization sank into her being. She ducked her head and tried to shrink in Kurama's hold, angering Kurama even more. Takahiro was far from Kurama's good graces to begin with, but now Kurama's tolerance of the youth was no longer existent.
"What's with the look? I'm paying you a compliment. I never knew the weak and spineless Minamino Shuichi could handle such a dirty little girl."* The loud drunken guffaws of a few of Yutaka's posse echoed his words. "Though why she chose you is beyond me. Hey, Meibo-chan, why not move that ass of yours over here? I could give you far more then that wuss ever could." Yutaka sneered lecherously, gesturing to his genitals lewdly.
A hand gripped the youth's throat and hoisted him into the air within moments of his actions. Yutaka stared down into the eyes of absolute viciousness, frozen and numb with fear and shock. His mind raced as his fingers clawed at the "weak, spineless wuss" that was Minamino Shuichi. Air raced from his lungs as the struggle for breath and freedom became increasingly desperate.
"If you ever speak to her that way again I'll make sure you suffer a fate worse then death," Kurama vowed, his voice deep and menacing. "She is mine." Malice seeped from Kurama's pours and coated his very being with its unforgiving hatred. With eyes glowing gold and claws pointing to break the delicate skin of Yutaka's neck. It would be so easy to end his existence right then. It would please him greatly to paint his skin red with the pathetic mortal's blood.
"Kurama," Botan breathed, clutching at Kurama's chest and forcing his attention onto her. Her words were urgent as she looked into his eyes imploringly. She was offended and wanted the young man to suffer, but not like this. She didn't want Kurama's hands to be sullied any more for her sake.
Somehow, in the heat of his rage, Kurama understood Botan's wants and dropped the boy onto the ground in a heap of limbs. Kurama backed away from him then, trying to keep his control even as his instincts raged within him. He looped one arm around Botan's waist while the other cupped her cheek. Looking into her eyes, Kurama calmed only a fraction. She was worried about him, as she always was, and Kurama felt bad for bringing the emotion into her heart. Relinquishing control to her lead, Kurama allowed for Botan to guide him up the stairs and away from the gawking onlookers. He really didn't want to deal with them then, he was tired and angry, and therefore his emotional control was chipping away at his mind.
The two found themselves alone on the upstairs balcony soon after that. The cool night air ghosted over their skin and the loud echo of the music and joyous ruckus could almost be ignored.
"I'm sorry for my behavior," Kurama breathed after a short while. He watched Botan walk away from him so she could lean against the only solid wall the balcony offered. Pink painted her cheeks and her eyes were downcast with a nervousness that he was unfamiliar with as far as the shikigami went. He took a step forward, but kept his distance to give Botan her space. He didn't want to however and the need to hold her was almost to great to deny.
"It's alright." Botan smiled, her heart racing because of the incident. "I really don't mind. I just…I'm just worried about you. You have an image to uphold and…"
"That doesn't matter!" Kurama interrupted, startling Botan. He took several more steps forward until he was within arm's reach of her. He reached out and grasped Botan's shoulders, leaning forward so he was at eye level. "My classmates mean nothing to me and their opinions mean even less. What matters to me is you."
"But because of me your life as a human has been turned upside down." Botan turned from the intensity of Kurama's gaze. She couldn't help but feel guilty for her part in his life's upheaval. His human life and demon life were separate until the start of everything.
"It was bound to happen eventually." Kurama soothed, stepping closer to Botan's shivering form. He eased his arm around her shoulders to hold her close. He lifted his other hand so he could crook his finger under Botan's chin. "You are not to blame. I just wish I had control enough to keep from embarrassing you. I apologize for letting my demon instincts to take control."
"You could never embarrass me." Botan smiled. Her expression fell when she realized the closeness she held with Kurama. "I…" She caught her lower lip between her teeth nervously, made mute by the emerald, gold, and small traces of ruby that swirled in Kurama's eyes in a storm of emotions that fought desperately to be expressed. "I…"
"You…?" Kurama's gaze dropped to Botan's lips, mesmerized by the act of her biting at her own lips. Her smooth pink lips deepened in their shade, glistening with what remained of Botan's lip gloss. It was his turn to bite his lip as uncertainty filled him for the briefest of moments.
"I…" Botan trembled nervously as her fingers curled into the fabric of Kurama's shirt. She leaned on Kurama heavily as her knees buckled, delivering her closer to the nearly overpowering emotion in Kurama's eyes.
Kurama smiled. He couldn't help it, she was so beautiful. She was so innocent. All he wanted was a taste. Tilting her chin so that Botan was facing him more fully, Kurama leaned forward until their noses were only a hair's breadth apart. He licked his lips and marveled as Botan mimicked the action subconsciously. She was so…The feel of her lips against his was the most pleasurable experience Kurama had ever experienced. The kiss was soft and chaste, a mere pressure of the lips. Her lips were petal soft against his and there sweetness could be compared to no flavor. Kurama was reluctant to let the kiss end. He licked his lips again as Kurama pulled away, looking down at his beloved Botan with such an open expression of love.
Botan blushed and blinked up at Kurama with a fetching blush painting her cheeks. Licking her lips, Botan smiled nervously before closing her eyes. Kurama didn't need any other sign before sealing their lips again in another kiss. Kurama caught Botan's bottom lip between his and lightly suckled on the smooth flesh of it, allowing his tongue to graze against the offering gently. He pulled back to look down into Botan's eyes, needing to be sure that everything was okay. She smiled and Kurama leaned forward for another kiss. Then he gave her another, and another.
Botan's arms snaked around Kurama's shoulders so her fingers could tangle themselves in his hair while Kurama's wrapped low around her waist. The kisses became increasingly heated and feverish as their holds tightened around each other. Kurama nipped at Botan's lower lip, making her gasp in shock and allowing him the opportunity to slip his tongue between her parted lips. He allowed himself to explore Botan's mouth eagerly, committing her taste to memory and eliciting a low moan from her throat. He then began tracing slow and sensual figure eights over the pad of her tongue, coaxing her into engaging him. Her tongue writhed against his deliciously, which drew out many more delicious sounds from her throat and even some from his own. She was absolutely delectable. He wanted more.
*1 – Remember that really cool thing that popped up in the prologue when Kuwabara's soul was stolen? That's his soul's manifestation. Cool, ne?
*2 – When Hiei got his soul back, he was completely aware and it was as if he had only been asleep for a moment. That was because he had his jagan eye to help him from being separated from his body.
*3 – I basically just wrote down what I saw in a picture of Kurama in what looks like club/concert wear.
*4 – for those who don't know, it is both courteous and chivalrous for a man to offer a lady companion his arm, regardless of relation. So guys, if a girl's hanging out with you, be they relative, friend, or girlfriend, and you're going to something like a party or something fancy, offer an arm…especially if she's wearing heels!
*5 – to avoid confusion, by graduates I mean people that have graduated the previous year. In Japan, you continue to the next grade level and/or graduate during the spring, not the summer like most others (myself included)
*6 – Last name first, then his first. Just so you know. I don't know if I did a good job in naming this prick, so if I didn't let me know so I can fix it .
*7 – To my knowledge, in Japan tolerable PDA is very different then it is in America. The most the Japanese typically (note the typical) will accept is hand holding. Kissing in public is like having sex on the street and since Botan is currently doing most of the PDA she's getting the insulting title.
Fun fact – Kurama still has some issue with adopting some of normal human modes of decorum as far as intimate relationships are concerned. PDA is common and he's an active participant in it. Public Hugs, kisses, gropes, making out, sometimes even full out screwing is okay in the demon world and is actually encouraged. In showing affection to those you're intimate with, the bond is reinforced and it also lets others know the extent of the relationship. For example, if Kurama were to kiss and coddle Botan in the demon world, he's basically telling other demons to back off because she is his. He is also telling her that he loves her and is not ashamed of that love; in PDA he is declaring his love and lust for her for all to see which is a major compliment in Makai.
For Botan and other Reigen, this is also the case up to the sex bit. Public sex is looked down on by the higher echelon of spirit world, but to the lower beings it's okay. Botan's in the middle of the ranking system due to her work and what she is. She wasn't born a Reigen, she was made one, which would normally make her a lesser Reigen, but her position under Koenma's employ and her favor with multiple gods increases her rank. More on that later if at all (but most definitely in another fic that I'm working on that isn't to be posted for a while…spoiler alert ;p)
Author's Note: I had so much trouble with that damned kiss then you wouldn't believe! I must be out of practice or something because I spent at least two days on it. Sheesh! I had to look up tutorials and everything! So yeah, Kurama and Botan finally kiss and in the next chapter you'll know why I decided to take so long ;p. Hope you liked the chapter and review. Love you guys. Ciao! I'm off to the next chapters of my Avatar: the Last Airbender fanfics.