"Botan?" he asked as he drew near the blue-haired girl. The girl was startled as she turned her head towards him. She was wearing a pink blouse that vividly showed the wonderful shape of her upper body and a pair of dark blue shorts that enhanced the beauty of her thighs, not to mention the cute blue sandals she had on. She also had her hair down, not on its usual cute pony-tailed state. They both stared at each other for a moment until the girl actually shook herself to the real world. "Kurama! I wouldn't think anyone would recognize me" she said, never leaving her eyes off him as he walked closer to her. He smiled and leaned on the sides of the stone railing, appreciating the nice view of the place. They were in a high place, a place only a few people goes to, the kind of place where you go to when you want to be alone. She was quite lucky to have the place all to herself...that was, until he came.

    She really didn't expect anyone to see her or recognize her. Its been years, and this was the first time after five long years that Koenma actually gave in to her and let her go for just a two-day vacation. She wanted to see everyone, but she realized she wanted to have the whole day to herself, leaving the meeting with the guys for the next day. She stared at the guy beside her as he looked straight ahead.

    "What brings you here?" he asked, finally turning to her for a good, closer view of his face. He didn't look quite different, only he looked more mature this time. Botan smiled to herself for being with someone as good looking as this one for a companion, not to mention he's not too loud like the others. Maybe she might enjoy herself in his company. "Nothing" she replied, looking at the view again, admiring the striking colors the mountain gave as the sun slowly sets in the horizons. It was getting cold and windy, her hair playing in the soft breeze. Kurama's was too, for even after the long years he had kept his hair the same as before, as beautiful as before. Botan relaxed and closed her eyes. "I was actually going to see you guys tomorrow. I wanted this day for myself, a day's rest" she said, opening her eyes to look at her company with a thoughtful face. Kurama frowned at her reply. "Am I bothering you? 'Cause if I am I'll just---"
    "No, not at all" she quickly interrupted, holding on to his arm to keep him from going away. "You're not as loud as the others anyway. And I really am not used to being alone. Maybe all I'm looking for is a bit of silence, you won't make a racket, would you?"
    Kurama chuckled. "No, of course not" he replied with a smile. Botan returned back the small gesture and looked away.

    Kurama watched her every move, not leaving his eyes off her. He couldn't help the little curiosity building up in his mind. He knew he promised he'll be quiet, but he couldn't help it. "Uhm, Botan?"
    Botan quickly pulled her head back as she turned to him, avoiding the strands to go on her face. "Hai?"
    "I'm sorry, just a little curious, would you mind?" he paused. Botan nodded for him to continue. "I was just wondering, how come you have your hair down?"
    Botan smiled. "Well, I just thought nobody would recognize me if I did, only...well, you did recognize me though" she replied with a small pout. "Do I look the same?"
    "Not actually. No, you don't. I just thought that it was you, lucky for me it really is" he said with a slight chuckle. "The hair color gave way though"
    "I see, so it's the color" she said and sighed. "Oh well, did I answer you're question?" A nod was her answer. She smiled and looked away again.

    Every time she looked away, he can't seem to notice the little game her hair played with each other. It was actually...SHE was actually...attracting him? She was beautiful, he admitted to himself. Really beautiful. Though he did find her cute on her usual fashion, he found her quite...mature-looking in that style.

    The wind was really giving in. Kurama couldn't help but notice the few strands of hair on Botan's face as she repeatedly tried to shove them off, they just keep returning back. As if doing it on reflex, he held up her hand to tuck the little strands behind her ear. This made Botan jump off a bit as she looked at him in surprise. His smile didn't leave his face though, nor did his hands on her cheek. He stroke her cheeks with his knuckles, sliding them down to her neck as his thumb gently carressed the space left by his hand. A slight blush crept on Botan's face as she noticed the look of calmness Kurama had on his face. "Ku---Kurama?"

    "Kireii" he whispered as he brought his other hand on the other side of her face, slowly pulling her to him. Out of shock and confusion, Botan didn't have the thought of pulling away. She was only shaken from space when she felt his lips on hers, a light kiss. It was so light it was as if she was kissing thin air. She closed her eyes as the kiss deepened a bit, but only slightly, this time, letting her feel he was really there. Her heart skipped a beat as his thumb began stroking her cheek. She was lacking air, and she needed it or she'll faint from suffocating and shock. She tried to pull away, but only an inch before he'd stop her, claiming her lips in his again. Her eyebroews met in her forehead as she tried to push him off, gently, just so he'd know she wasn't rejecting him. "Iie!" he whispered huskily, resting her forehead in his. He had a slight pain-stricken face, his eyes shut. "Onegai"
    "Sshh...daijoubu" Botan assured him, bringing her hand to rest on his shoulders. "I just needed to breathe"

    Kurama pulled her to him on a tight hug. He hugged her so tightly she coudn't even move. He kissed the sides of her cheek, down her neck and ascends to her ear. "Aishiteru" he whispered as he brought the tiny lobe into his mouth.

    Botan's eyes widened as she slightly pulled away, looking into his eyes. There wasn't any hint of joke in it, only sincerity and understanding. His eyes shined a bright emerald, seeing herself reflect into the brightness of his eyes. "Kurama?"
    "I have always grew to like you. I liked you a lot, I don't know why so don't ask. That was when we were always together, I thought it was just some teenage crush. But when you left I realized that I love you, for I always had sleepless nights thinking about you. It's been years, and I have never forgotten you. And now that you're here, I can't help but to want you, and I can't help but say all these to you" he said, all the time hugging her to him, close to him but avoiding her gaze. "Please...don't ask me to leave because I will never have the courage to do that, I need you" he added, shaking in anticipation of what her answer would be. He was scared, for now that his secret had been revealed to the one the secret was revolving around on. There were a lot of risks, risk of her not wanting him, her rejecting him...risk of hurting himself if ever she did. And off things, he never want her to say she didn't want to see him anymore. He had his share of pains after she left. After all the years he had waited just to see her again.

    He couldn't help but notice that there was no reply to what he just said. His face filled with worry as he looked at her at the corner of his eyes. She still let him hold her, and she still had her head rested on his shoulder, what could be wrong? "Bo...tan?"

    "Mmm?" she moaned in question, not moving from her position.
    "Botan, did you here what I just said?" Kurama asked, nervous about everything. What if she thinks he was telling a joke. "Botan?"
    "Hai, I heard it" she answered, bringing her arms up on the small of his back and held him as well. "Loud and clear"
    "So...what do you say?" he asked, pulling slightly away to look at her face. It didn't change a bit. Botan looked at him and smiled.
    "...I guess it's okay...I ...I love you too, Kurama" she said, bringing her arms up to wrap around his neck. She stood on her tiptoes as she gave him a kiss. "Thanks Kurama. Aishiteru" she kissed him again.

    The kiss lasted a few seconds on.
    "Botan? When---"
    "I'll be back a few weeks from now I guess, I have to tell Koenma-sama a good reason to let him give me a few more days of"
    "Why can't---"
    "I can't tell him yet, he'll be so furious about it I'll never set foot in Ningenkai again. I'll get him to talk to you, please say you'll be the one to talk him into it, please?"
    Kurama nodded his head. "But are we---"
    "Don't tell the other just yet, let Koenma-sama himself know it first and wait for his answer. I can't do anything unless he lets me, afterall, he's my boss and all that"
    There was a slight pause after that. Kurama brought himself closer to her for another kiss. "Botan I--"
    "Sssh...I love you too, Kurama" she said, silencing him with another kiss. The kiss ended a little while later.
    "Botan---how come---"
    "Know what you're about to say?" she asked. He nodded twice as an answer. "I don't know, I just do. I guess we had a litte mental understanding after a little while"
    Kurama smirked. He pulled her closer and kissed the tip of her nose. Botan closed her eyes. "Kurama---"
    "Sssshh...I know. I love you too" he said, grinning at her with a glint in his eyes. Botan smirked at him with a slight giggle. Kurama chuckled as he held her by the waist and helped her up the railings where they admired the view of the surroundings together. He held her hand the whole time. Botan smiled, leaned on one hand as she pressed the other's index and middle finger on her lips. She then pressed it into Kurama's lips with a slight pressure, making sure he felt it. She was assured he did when both his eyes half-closed, to pause a bit then close fully. Kurama opened his mouth slightly as his tongue pulled both fingers into his mouth. The warmth of his mouth ironically gave a chill down her spine. She closed her eyes as well as he licked and sucked on her fingers inside his mouth. "Kurama" she sighed, opening her eyes slightly to look at him. He sucked her fingers one more time as he let them go, holding onto her hand as he kissed the center of her palm. He looked up at her and pulled her head down as he kissed her again, deeper this time. Botan cupped his cheeks in her palms, savoring the kiss and the moment.

    And she thought being alone was what she wanted.