"Yo, Botan, where's Kurama?" Yusuke asked the ferrygirl across the table just beside Keiko. Botan drank down her whole glass in one gulp.
"How should I know?!" she asked, frustrated. Yusuke sighed.
"Poor guy, Shiori Minamino is the only person in the world he really cared about the most. He's probably still mourning her death" Kuwabara said with a drifted gaze.

Botan lowered her head. It happened two weeks ago. She went into her hospital room...and Kurama wasn't there, which was good. He'd probably try to stop her from getting Shiori. Shiori was also surprised that one of Shuuichi's friends is really the deity of death...so that's why Shuuichi was always asking if Botan has come yet whenever he's with her in the hospital. It was just a quick ride to reikai, but even in death, Shiori still has the usual smile she always wore and tells Botan to tell their friends to watch over Shuuichi from now on. Her kindness broke Botan's heart like a car crushing into a hard post. She's probably the person who hurts everyone else the most, especially Kurama.

"I'll try looking for him" Botan offered and stood up.
"Botan-chan, tell him that we're always here for him no matter what, okay?" Keiko asked her with a smile. Botan smiled back and nodded.

Botan got on her oar and flew around the city, hoping to see Kurama. Nothing. She can't find him. She flew some more until it was almost dark. Finally, she arrived at the beach near Genkai's temple. At last, she spotted him. He was sitting near the waters, letting the waves touch his toes. He has his head rested on his arms on his knees. He looked really upset. Botan flew down and made her oar disappear. She stood there behind him, taking small, tentative steps towards him. Kurama changed positions and just sat down n his legs, looking up with eyes closed. Botan knew he needed some time alone. He seems to be fine so she decided to leave him alone. She turned around slowly and walked away.

"Botan?" Kurama's soft voice called from behind. It was so soft, more as if in pain, like he was crying. It slid through Botan's heart, breaking it into tiny pieces, blaming herself for doing this to him. She turned around to face him. He still has his eyes closed.
"Hai?" she asked. Silence followed with only the harmonious songs of the waves and the wind to break the ear-crushing silence. Kurama then opened his eyes and gestured Botan to sit beside him. She nodded and started walking towards him.
"How are you feeling?" she asked first. Kurama just stared ahead at the calm sea at first.
"Fine" he replied. He sighed and brought up his knees again. Botan looked down.
"I'm glad you still want to talk to me" she said with eyes plastered on the sand below her. Kurama sat up and looked at her.
"Why won't I?" he asked her, the sadness in his voice evident. Botan still refused to meet his gaze, scared that his eyes would just break her even more.
"I'm the one who took her from you...I'm sorry" she apologized, almost like wanting to cry. Kurama looked away. "That's okay, it's not your fault anyway...it's fate"

Silence again. Neither of them wanted to talk. Cold waves splashes on their feet...only to be accompanied by the coldness of the wind.
"You know, Botan? I never felt so helpless in my whole life" Kurama said, breaking the silence around them. Botan looked at him in tears...can't help but feel sorry for her friend. "Okaasan's the first person who entered my life. After that, I learned how to love and care for others, namely my friends...I wanted to pay her back with everything. Everything she offered. She even tried saving my life when I was a kid...no hesitation in her eyes too. She was so brave, much more than I am. She was so strong,” he continued. Kurama's words pierced through her heart. It just showed how much those two love each other.
"Kurama..."
"She's the kindest person I ever knew" Kurama said. He chuckled. "Funny when I recall the times I was in Makai until that very fateful day I knew Shiori" his face twisted this time. "How ironic to know that it's also fate that took her away from me"
Botan couldn't say anything. Kurama was really in pain, but he does a great job in hiding it. Botan was so hurt deep within; she couldn't say anything about what Kurama had just said.
"Botan?" he called her. Botan looked up at him immediately in surprised. "How about you? Have you ever felt this way?" he asked her.
"No...not that I can think of. But the most painful thing that ever happened to me is to see the people left by the person I brought in Reikai...Shiori-san also asked me to tell you she will always love you, Kurama. You're lucky to have someone like her" Botan told him, hoping it would cheer him up. Kurama smiled.
"What else did she say?" he asked her, expecting to hear more. Botan smiled.
"She also said that you should go on with your life now without her. No matter what, she'll still be looking down on you and watch your every move. Even when the two of you are apart, you'll always be together in her heart" These words burst inside Kurama's heart. A tear fell on his eye with those words. He breathed deeply and looked up at the sky. "How is she?" he asked again.
"She's fine, she's in the best place Reikai can offer" Botan replied. Kurama smiled. At least he knew Shiori's happy.

"Kurama...Keiko-chan also said that we're always here for you, so if you want someone to talk to, we're always here" Botan said. This cheered Kurama up a bit. He thanked the gods for having friends like his, especially someone like Botan. It must have been painful for her to bring loved one apart from each other.
"Thanks, Botan. And also, I don't want you to blame yourself for what happened. For me, it's not your fault...actually, I'm thanking you for being here. Thank you for letting me tell my feelings to you. I'm feeling better now,” Kurama said with a smile. Botan looked at him, expecting to see at least a little bit of loneliness in him. There wasn't. He was wearing a genuine smile...which was good. "I think I can go on without Shiori from now on. Promise me you'll always be here beside me" he told her sweetly...softly...
"Me?" Botan asked, surprised at what he said. Kurama just looked at her. Suddenly, out of Botan's expectations, Kurama kissed her! It was a light, soft and a bit long kiss, lasting for a few seconds. Botan could feel the electricity flooding through her, the softness of the kiss haunting her every sense. At last, it ended. Kurama pulled away with a smile and contentment on his face.
"Thank you, Botan, for giving me a new reason to live" he said. "You know? Before she died, 'Kaasan asked me if I ever have any feelings for the opposite sex. I never really thought I would, but after tonight, I think I already have an answer for her" he told her. Botan was still in shock after what he said. She stared at Kurama. Tears were falling in his eyes. "No matter how I try to deny it, I miss her so much"

Botan smiled and pulled his head to rest on her lap. Kurama succumbed into her warmth, feeling her hands caressing him. She whispered soothing words to him, making him feel better by the minute. She was a nice friend, but now he wanted more of her. Shiori has a knack for these things. She once told him that Botan looked good on him. He would always jerk the thought of it off, but he couldn't help but feel she was right. The times Shiori teased him with her, it just made him like Botan even more. Come to think of it, it was like Shiori set this up by herself. Kurama chuckled inwardly, thanking his mother with everything, especially this. He finally had a much greater goal in his life. Making someone happy. Someone....like Botan. He promised himself he'll protect with everything. Botan's hands were still caressing his head. She then twined her arms around him, resting her head in his. Both relaxed at each other's hold, sharing the warmth with the cold wind and waves flowing thought them...but now, it didn't bother them, they felt warm all over...in each other's arms...

Unknown to the two, a sweet angel flew across the sky, watching the two with all her love and with tears in her eyes.
"Goodbye, Shuuichi...I hope you'll be happy now...without me" ~owari~

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