Chapter Text
Kurama stood before room 434, his hand hovering over the door knob, hesitation filling him. How long had he dreamed of coming here, entering the room to find the deity asleep upon the bed? Of sliding into bed beside her in the moonlit hours? To rest beside her and dream with her? To love her slowly, tenderly until the sun rose?
The sudden longing for Botan was clouding his senses and he shook his head, forcing his emotions violent aside.
I cannot lose my focus. I must find Botan.
Steeling his will, Kurama turned the knob and slowly opened the door. Reaching in to his right, his hand slid on the wall until he found the switch and flicked it on.
A soft light filled the room and he entered, closing the door gently behind him.
His gaze roamed, falling upon the vanity to his right and he moved slowly towards it, eyes focused on the rather large stuffed white fox that sat between two framed photos.
The first was of the all his friends, posing for a group photo on the beach upon the return of Yusuke from Makai. The second image was of Botan and himself, posing in a shutter booth, dressed in traditional clothing for the Sumida River Fireworks festival.
Kurama reached out, lifting the framed photo and studied it, not surprised at the open display of affection upon both their faces.
His features softened as his mind flashed back to that moment of time. The moment he first realized he loved Botan.
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Dressed in a dark grey leaf patterned silk Yukata, Kurama weaved through the crowd of people lining the streets near the Sumida river, mildly anxious for the start of the fireworks festival to begin. The sun was slowly fading, bringing a little bit of relief from the oppressive heat that had built up throughout the late July day. A faint sheen of sweat glistened upon his unmarred forehead as the fox spirit focused his gaze some distance ahead, catching a flash of blue hair and a vibrantly colored kimono. He smiled, making his way forward, coming to a stop just beyond the game stall where Botan stood, her features a mask of concentration.
Content to watch for the moment, Kurama followed the motion of her hand flicking a metallic ring at some unseen object, tilting his head as he witnessed her features fall and her shoulders slump. His sensitive ears picked up on her words, "Not again," detecting frustration and he frowned.
He stepped around a group of giggling school girls, ignoring their open stares as he made his way to her side.
"Is something wrong, Botan?" he asked, blinking at her sudden jump as she whirled to face him.
"Kurama!" she cried in surprise then pouted. "Don't scare me like that!"
The fox spirit flashed her an apologetic look though part of him found her pout rather cute. "I am sorry. It wasn't my intention to startle you," he began. "You seemed to be in some sort of distress and I thought I might help you out. So what is vexing you?"
"It's this stupid game!" the deity growled, letting out a puff of air as she crossed her arms. "No matter what I do, I can't get the ring to go around the prize I want and it's driving me crazy!"
Kurama shifted his gaze to the inner game stall, studying the various stuffed animals. "Which prize is it you are trying to win?"
The deity shifted, pointing to a large stuffed white fox in the far right corner and the spirit detective focused on the object of her desire.
The fox was larger than the others, and he looked down, finding a minefield of metal rings lining the floor around it and he quirked an eyebrow, turning back to her. "How much have you spent on this game, Botan, if I may ask?"
"About 4600 Yen."
Kurama blinked in surprise. That's a lot for one game. Flashing a soft smile, he walked past her, coming to a stop in front of the vendor and he handed the man some more money, ignoring the snicker as three rings were given to him.
"Good luck, buddy."
Returning to Botan's side, the fox spirit handed the deity the rings, a confident smile on his face as the girl looked up at him in surprise. "Try again, Botan."
"Are you sure?"
"I know you can do it, Botan. Just relax and focus on the fox."
"Well.. okay.." she murmured and flicked the metal ring forward, a look of hope on her face as it sailed through the air, shoulders dropping as it missed the intended target, slamming into the back wall with a soft "clank!"
"See what I mean?!"
Kurama watched the arc of the ring, noting a slight wobbly motion as it crashed into the back and he came up behind her, surprising them both as his right hand rested over hers, his voice soft as he leaned in to whisper in her ear. "You need to change the angle of your throw, Botan."
His left hand rested on the deity's hip, his body nearly pressed against hers as he moved their right arms in unison, releasing a slight bit of energy down his arm, feeding it through the girl's hand. He concentrated, forcing it to circle around the ring, balancing out the uneven weight meant to cause it to sail off.
He felt Botan lean back against him as the ring flew out, zooming towards the stuffed fox, twirling around its body as the ring sunk down over it. "Like that…" he murmured, turning his gaze back to her, noting her heated cheeks. There was something in her look that woke up a long dormant desire and he felt himself lean his head closer to hers. "Seems the fox has been ensnared now. The prize is yours."
A sudden roar of the gathered crowd brought Kurama to his senses and he cleared his throat, backing away, slowly releasing his hold on Botan's hand and hip. The flicker of less than pure emotion faded from his features, replaced with a friendly smile. "Good job, Botan."
His ears picked up the sound of disbelief from the vendor.
"There's no way.."
"I believe the lady has won her prize," Kurama said, gazing down coolly at the smaller man. "Unless of course, you want the good people here to know you rigged the rings to be unbalanced."
"Okay, okay.." the vendor said quickly, voice low and conspiratorial. "No need to be so hasty." Racing over, he grabbed the fox and went over to the deity, handing it to her.
Kurama smiled at the look of delight and happiness on the blue haired girl's pretty features, trying to control the pang in his heart as he watched Botan hug the fox then come over to him.
'Isn't he cute?" she asked, her amethyst eyes twinkling as she looked up at the kitsune. "I think I'll call him Kurama. What do you think?"
The red head gave a small chuckle. "It's a fitting name," he replied, surprised when the deity slid her arm with his but did not pull away, features softening when she asked,
"Where to next?"
They spent the next hour playing a few more games and enjoying the variety of food stalls, and Kurama found himself content to spend time with the ferry girl. It did not bother him to hold her hand or talk to her. She was full of a life and light that soothed his darker nature and her smile… Her smile made his heart flutter and he felt indulgent. Even when she stopped and grabbed his hand, voice excited.
"Ohh! A shutter booth! Let's get our picture taken!"
"Picture?"
"Yeah!" Botan replied, beaming up at him. "Doesn't it sound like fun?"
"Well.." he started, blinking when she tugged him forward and inside, causing him to stumble into her. He felt heat on his cheeks as the girl giggled and untangled herself from him, slipping some money into the slot then hopped into the kitsune's lap, posing before Kurama could murmur any protest. The rapid flash made him blink but he managed to smile and lean his head into hers when she motioned him to, the control of his emotions slipping a bit, something akin to love taking hold of his heart. He didn't fight it but let it flow, studying her with open adoration as the final picture snapped.
"Botan.." he murmured, drawing her attention to him, watching a flicker of emotion similar to his own play out along her features.
"Hmm?"
Her voice was soft, alluring, and he felt spellbound. "I.." he started then stopped, unused to declaring such soft emotions to anyone, especially someone he was developing strong feelings for. "That is.." he continued, brow furrowed at the sudden giggling outside.
"Hey you in there! Let other people have a turn at the booth, would you?"
Kurama sighed, feeling Botan shift off his lap, the spell broken and he pulled the black curtain back, letting the deity exit first then followed close behind.
The sky was darkening, the crowds heading towards the river bank, signaling that the fireworks show was be starting soon.
"Shall we go find the others?" he asked, regaining some control on the warring emotions in his mind, heart, and body. He could sense her disappointment but smiled as she nodded and took his outstretched arm. The kitsune escorted her through the crowd, using his ability to sense particular ki to find the rest of the gang.
They settled down in a prime spot to view the fireworks, Kurama looking up as the sky exploded in a fantastical array of colors and designs, his heart fluttering as he felt Botan take his hand, her laughter and cheering infectious and the fox spirit let his mask fall, open emotion on his face as he enjoyed the closeness of her and the perfect moment in time.
##############
Kurama lowered the photo back onto the dresser, a sad smile upon his lips. He had never finished telling he what he had wanted to say that night.
The words, "I love you" were not something he took lightly. But he loved her. He had always loved her. He wanted to tell her, to show her. But that chance was rapidly slipping away. He felt an ache in his heart and it was becoming harder to ignore. He could hide it well but if something happened to the deity.. if he was too late..
No, he thought. Failure is not an option. I will find her.
Filled with a sense of urgency, he renewed his search of her room, heading over towards the ferry girl's bed. Sitting down on the edge, he laid back, instinctively turning his head and nuzzling the pillow, inhaling her scent. He felt an intense longing for her then but he managed to push it back, turning his gaze up towards the ceiling, clearing his lustful thoughts, reason coming back as he tried to put himself in the ferry girl's shoes.
If I had information that I wanted to keep personal, where would I put it so I had easy access but only I could find it?
Under the mattress was too easy. Drawers would have been rifled through. Hidden panels required too much work. His gaze shifted to the small book case just beyond the night stand and he rose, pushing off the bed.
Strolling over, the kitsune closed his eyes, searching out for any traces of Botan's energy. Reaching out, his hand clasped a book and he pulled gently, opening his eyes, staring down at a book cover labeled, "Fashions for the Modern Woman." He was about to put it back when a sudden impulse hit him and he removed the book cover, smiling at the light purple hardcover. It was unlabeled and he opened it, recognizing the deity's handwriting.
Clever girl.
Kurama began to read, color flooding his face when he came upon some particularly.. intimate writings.. in regards to the deity's feelings for him. His ears picked up the sounds of footsteps and he quickly wrapped the journal back in the fake book cover and slid it back on the bookshelf, slipping his mask of reserve on as he turned to watch the door open. The kitsune's gaze fell upon Yusuke who strolled inside, followed by Kuwabara and Hiei.
"Hey, fox boy. Find anything useful?" the head spirit detective asked, making his way over towards the kitsune.
"I have not," Kurama lied, though inside he was both frustrated and delighted at the realization that Botan had feelings for him as much as he had for her. "How did your search go?" he asked, walking towards the group, hoping to corral them outside before the picture was spotted. He stopped halfway when Yusuke began to look around and wandered over towards the vanity, growling inwardly as the smaller man lifted the framed photo, features and voice teasing.
"Oh hoh.. what do we have here?" He waved the frame around. "I don't remember ever seeing this picture before. No wonder you never date any women. You're seeing Botan, aren't you?"
Kuwabara saw the flash of anger in Kurama's eyes and he moved over to his best friend. "Stop acting like a stupid kid, Urameshi, and put the picture down," he chided, blinking as Yusuke stuck his tongue out.
"Make me, carrot top."
"Why you punk!" Kazuma growled, reaching out to grab at the photo, the two of them playing tug of war, both gasping as the frame flew out of their hands, spiraling through the air, about to hit the ground when Kurama darted forward, catching it.
Yusuke raised his arms upright, shouting out, "Touchdown!"
Kurama sighed and rose, a flicker of gold in his eyes as he growled. "I am not amused, Yusuke."
The younger man blinked, lowering his arms then cleared his throat. "Sorry about that."
"Idiots.." Hiei murmured, smirking at the glare the head detective and Kuwabara through his way.
Kurama ignored them all, placing the photo carefully back onto the dresser, then turned, eyes narrowed and brimming with anger as he spoke. "Let us head out into the hall."
"Uh.. sure thing, Kurama," Yusuke replied, feeling a bit sheepish at his own antics.
The other men followed him outside, watching as the red head closed Botan's door carefully then turned to face them. "Did you have any luck with your searches?" he asked, all business now.
Yusuke quirked an eyebrow at the shift in his friend's features and emotions. a few minutes ago he was angry and now he was calm and collected. You sure are scary when you let that mask of yours slip, Kurama, the head detective thought as he cleared his throat. "Yeah, we found quite a bit, actually," he started, pulling out a couple of pictures from his back jean pocket. "Check these out."
Kurama looked down at the two photos, taking them from Yusuke's outstretched hand.
He recognized the woman in each photo as one of the missing ferry girls. The one called Ran stood with her arms around a man with dark hair, while the second depicted Kiko with a man just as tall as the first but fair of hair. Dark and light.. features identical and yet.. different hair and eyes.. what did it mean?
"I think these two creeps are the guys that took Botan and the other girls," Yusuke said, verbalizing what the kitsune already believed.
Nodding, Kurama lowered the pics, handing them back to his friend. "What else did you find out?"
"Well, it looks like these rooms were already thoroughly searched," Yusuke answered. "We were lucky to find those two photos and the one journal in Ran's room," he added, grumbling. "Looked like a group of Ogres went on a panty raid the way stuff was shuffled in the drawers."
"I was the one who found all that stuff, Urameshi!" Kuwabara interjected. "You couldn't even figure out where girls would hide things. Luckily for us, I have a sister so I know all about hiding things."
"More like you know how to snoop through your sister's things," Yusuke snorted under his breath.
"You're such a jerk, Urameshi!" the taller orange hair man snapped. "Why can't you give credit where credit is due!"
"What the hell does it matter who found it, jackass?!" Yusuke growled. "It's not like you get a bonus for finding it first!"
Kurama processed the information, suspicion growing as he asked, "Was there anything of relevance in the journal that would help our case?"
"Since time is of the essence and these two dolts will only continue their ceaseless bickering, I'll answer," Hiei replied, ignoring the protests of the two younger men. "The names of one man surfaces repeatedly in the journal. Yukio Kuromoto." The other three men listened as the fire youkai continued. "Seems this Yukio character was quite the lover boy. She went into rather explicit detail of their couplings. Each time she was away from him, her longing grew stronger until every thought was of him and whatever he asked of her she would do."
"Whatever he asked of her?" Kurama murmured, taking the journal from his best friend's outstretched hand.
"The last entry is the most bizarre rambling I've ever read."
The kitsune flipped to the last page, frowning as he read aloud the contents:
I have done it! The plan has been set into motion and he will reward me with the promise he made. The others will understand in time but this is the way it must be. For the good of the three realms, cosmic dissonance must hold sway. Like a great fire it will consume, burning the old and renewing life to that which was once dead. I cannot wait for Yukio to take me to the paradise beyond the pale! What fun it shall be!
Closing the journal, his features grew troubled and his eyes narrowed. "Cosmic Dissonance…"
"What does that mean, exactly?" Yusuke asked.
"Well.. on the surface it would appear to be some kind of plot to cause discord. Across the three realms.." Kurama shook his head. "But there could be more to it.. there has to be.." he murmured to himself, a faint recollection growing in his mind as he walked swiftly towards the stairwell.
"Hey, Kurama!" Yusuke called out. "Where are you going?!"
"To speak with Koenma," the fox spirit called out over his shoulder, throwing the door open as he raced down the stairs, his friends close behind.