Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Foxgloves ❯ Stained ( Chapter 4 )

Hiei eyed the crumpled girl contemptuously. This is what had Youko so distracted? Why, she hardly looked worth the effort his friend had gone through to get his hands on her.

He nudged her with his foot. No response. The youkai growled in annoyance and flopped down a distance away from the body. For the life of him he couldn't see what Youko found so appealing in her. Was it the blue hair? Hiei's sister had blue hair - it wasn't that exotic. Perhaps it was her eyes, which Hiei did remember were rather enticing. He'd never seen that particular shade of purple before. But they weren't enough to risk the fury of Reikai over.

"What is her condition?"

Hiei glanced up to see his kitsune friend stalk into the room. He had left Botan in Hiei's care earlier while he had gone to wash Casca's blood off of his skin. Now he had returned, his silver hair falling in soft, glimmering sheets around his face and shoulders, his alabaster skin looking smooth and soft, and his clean robes almost blindingly white.

"She's still unconscious." Hiei said tersely, looking his friend over from the corner of his eye. My, someone had gone through pains to make himself even more attractive than usual. Did this encounter mean so much?

Youko knelt next to Botan's prone form and gently lifted her into a reclining position against his left arm. With his free hand, he opened one of her eyelids and peered curiously at her dilated eye, jerking frantically in its socket. With a sigh, he lay her down once more, arranging her body more comfortably upon the mattress.

"The drug I used on her has only just begun to loosen its hold. She'll wake up in an hour or two." He moved to the opposite end of the room to stand in front of the fire, allowing its heat to dry his still slightly damp hair.

Hiei fingered the hilt of his katana impatiently during the silence between them, his eyes darting from the deity to the kitsune and back again. "What are you going to do with her once she wakes up?" He asked finally, his eyes narrowing as Youko shot him a smirk.

"A lot." Said the silver kitsune, his tail lashing excitedly behind him.

Hiei frowned and shook his head slightly. "This is a bad idea. I shouldn't have helped you get her. This is Koenma's favorite ferry girl Kurama, what do you think he'll do when he learns she is missing? Do you not expect retaliation? Do you not think he will want her back?"

Youko shrugged minutely, turning back to stare at the blue-hiaired girl. "What can he do? He does not know where our lair is."

"Perhaps not, but he can still make things difficult. So far, Reikai has not interfered with us, but that may change now that you have taken one of their kind. Realize how stupid this is. Return her to Reikai."

Kurama chuckled darkly, then began to laugh out loud. "What? After all the trouble I have gone through to get her? After all that time I waited? After being haunted by her image and her scent, by the dreams of what I would do once I finally caught her?" He approached the deity, settling down by her side and running his clawed hand softly down her cheek, neck, stopping at the collar of her kimono. He pulled it back slightly, placing a small, lingering kiss on the exposed flesh there before allowing the fabric to fall back into place. "I don't think so, Hiei. No. She stays with me until I tire of her. Then we can kill her, and her soul will find its way back to Reikai. If you want, I'll let you deal the death blow."

Hiei felt his shoulders shake with anger. "Don't be an imbecile, Youko! To kill her now would surely bring Koenma's wrath all the faster!" The koorime took a deep, calming breath. "Returning her would be the best thing you could do at the moment."

The kitsune turned viciously on his friend, his rose whip wrapping around the small demon's neck before Hiei had time to blink - he hadn't even seen Kurama form it. "I am not giving her back!" snarled the fox, his golden eyes unnaturally bright. "I've worked too hard for this, Hiei, I've waited too long! You shouldn't have helped me if you were only going to change your mind in the end."

Hiei swallowed nervously, feeling the vine constrict around his throat, the thorns making tiny pinpricks from which blood began to well and run in tiny rivulets down to drip onto his chest. "No, I shouldn't have helped you. This girl will bring nothing but trouble for us now." The rose whip was unrelenting, Hiei was finding it difficult to breath, but his garnet eyes were fixed upon the youkai before him. Youko was gazing down at the deity with an animalistic expression, his eyes full of a crazed lust… And something else.

"I am beyond caring, Hiei." The koorime shuddered, in his opinion; Kurama was beyond anything at this point. He should have recognized this obsession earlier and done something to quell it. Too late now. He truly felt sorry for the girl, when she woke up she was going to be subject to an almost feral youkai, which was worse even than a homicidal one.

As if on cue, Botan began to stir very lightly.

"She's waking!" Youko hissed, kneeling beside her. The youkai reached down and felt her pulse; it was beginning to quicken. "She's early… I'd thought it would be at least another hour yet." He summoned several plants, calling upon their vines to hold his prize down. He was expecting her struggle, and knew he wouldn't be disappointed. Standing, he turned to the incapacitated demon and picked up his Katana. "You'll have to leave now Hiei. We'll want some privacy for our… activities." He smirked wickedly, twirling the sword in his hand. "In your current state of mind, I don't want you to interrupt us, so I'll be hanging onto this. Don't worry, my lovely plants will keep you well occupied." So saying, he flicked his rose whip, sending Hiei flying from the room by his neck - only to be caught by a gigantic thorny flowering plant that immediately wrapped around the little demon, holding him in a vice like grip. Try as he might, Hiei was stuck.

Youko laughed darkly, shutting the door in the koorimes face, then turning back to Botan, his eyes glinting maliciously.

~*~

"Where is she?! Botan!" Yusuke called again, moving quickly through the forested area where he had seen her disappear earlier.

"Are you sure this is the right place?" Genkai asked, keeping perfect pace with him, her eyes scanning the forest as her frown deepened.

"Yeah, I'm sure!" Yusuke replied, kicking a rock and scowling at the ground. "She went all weird and wandered off in here, saying she'd catch up to me."

Genkai paused for moment, her eyes still moving rapidly, taking in everything. "I cannot feel her presence -"

"Yeah, grandma, I know! I've been telling you that for the last half hour!"

"Let me finish!" She snapped, Yusuke rolled his eyes. "She isn't here," Genkai continued, her eyes finally closing in concentration. "But, someone is."

"What?!" Cried Yusuke, shocked. "You gotta be kidding, I can't sense a thing. Who?! Where?!"

"It is very weak, but coming from…" She paused, her brow furrowing, "That direction." She pointed to their right. Yusuke's gaze followed her finger. They stared into the darkness for a silent moment.

"Are you sure?" His voice was quiet, his deep brown eyes hardening.

"Positive."

They moved toward the life force steadily, coming upon a clearing. Yusuke was the first to see the crumpled body of the demon.

"Hey! Hey, Genkai, look!" He raced toward the youkai, kneeling beside it. He could hear it breathing, but the demon didn't respond when he touched it. Gently, Yusuke rolled the demon onto its back, wincing as blood began to pour from the youkai's wounds, covering his hands and shirt. Genkai stood beside him, examining the demon.

"His injuries are too advanced." She said. "I cannot heal him."

Yusuke examined the face of the barely conciouse male. "It's Casca! He works for Koenma. I think he's Botan's body guard or somethin', he's always following her around."

The demon began to choke out a wet, rattling cough, a black substance flecking his lips. "Ah… Botan…"

"What?" Asked Yusuke, leaning closer to Casca's ruined body. "Whadja say?"

Again, Casca gave that wet cough, and gasped for breath.

"Botan." He said. "She was… Taken…"

"Taken? By who?!"

"Youko Kurama."

~*~

Hiei struggled uselessly against the plant that held him. It was to powerful, feeding off the strength of Youko's desires for his ferry girl.

This was a dangerous situation. Hiei had never seen Youko like this… Irrational. It just wasn't something that came naturally to the kitsune's nature.

It was all because of that stupid girl, who should have died from the wound Yakumo had dealt her! If she had just given up… Youko wouldn't have become intrigued, that intrigue wouldn't have lead to curiosity, and that curiosity wouldn't have lead to this… obsession.

In his current state of mind, Youko was now more dangerous than he ever had been.

Hiei had to break to free.

~*~

Botan's eyes felt as if they had lead weights attached to the lids. She tried, weakly, to move her limbs, but they were too heavy. Her mind felt sluggish and uncooperative - she knew she'd been drugged. Blearily, she opened her eyes, blinking slowly until the image before her cleared.

Youko knelt over her, his silver hair hanging around her face like a liquid curtain, a triumphant smile on his lips.

Instantly she attempted to move away from him, but found (not entirely to her surprise) that she had been restrained.

"You certainly are a resilient little thing." He cooed, patting her cheek. "Most people would have been out for hours after inhaling that pollen."

Botan tried to speak, but her tongue felt thick and she couldn't seem to form any words. Youko watched her curiously, his head cocked slightly to one side as he stroked her cheek. "What was that?"

Botan tried again, slightly more successful this time. "Where are we?"

Youko bent his head closer to hers, his hot breath brushing over her face. "Guess."

She was in no mood for games. "Someplace no one can hear me scream?" She asked sarcastically. Youko laughed.

"Close enough, little deity. We are in my lair." He leaned in closer. "But don't let that deter you… I can hear you scream - and am much looking forward to it."

She shivered, though she'd thought as much. "And what… are you going to do with me?" Immediately, she regretted the question. Youko didn't speak, but the look he gave her was answer enough. His eyes roamed slowly down her body, then back up, meeting her own gaze. He gave her a devious smirk.

Resigning herself to the worse, Botan gulped nervously. Her throat was dry, she was so thirsty…

"If you're going to be horrible to me, at least give me a glass of water." She said crossly.

He arched an eyebrow at her. "Horrible? What makes you think the things I have planned for us are horrible?" He leered at her; "You might enjoy it." He slipped a hand under her head and another under her back, lifting her upper body. He maneuvered himself behind her, and stretched his legs out on either side of her, finally releasing her so that she leaned comfortably against his chest. Botan tried weakly to move away, but he wrapped one hand around her waist, keeping her close. Botan was too drained to struggle any more against him and sagged tiredly in his arms, her head falling back against his shoulder.

Youko laughed softly and she shot him an ineffectual glare. He took hold of a wooden bowl that was sitting next to the mattress and handed it to Botan, who took it from him gingerly. She stared down into the bowl; it was filled with a fragrant, red tinted liquid. She eyed it, then the kitsune suspiciously.

"What's this?" She asked, her brow furrowed. "Poison? Or maybe some more drugs?"

Kurama snorted. "I've drugged you enough for one day - and why would I go through all that trouble to find if you if I was only going to poison you in the end? No, it's rose wine."

Botan stared at the bowl warily. Youko watched her, amused.

"I think you'll find it quite revitalizing. It will replenish the strength you lost from the pollen."

Botan looked doubtful, but - using Youko's body as a support to lean against - took a careful swig.

Then another…

And another until the contents were drained.

"Feel better?" Youko smirked.

"Somewhat." Botan admitted. Youko's arm tightened around her and she began to hear him saying something over and over again under his breath.

"Mine." He hissed lightly. Botan froze.

Suddenly something fell away from her kimono - her obi. Kurama had untied it one-handed while she'd been distracted by the wine.

Instantly the front of her kimono began to drift open, and she dropped the wooden bowl to clench it shut tightly with both hands. Vividly green vines snaked down from the ceiling, wrapping around her wrists and tugging them forcefully away from their stations at the neck of her kimono, steadily pulling them upward. Without its restraints, the kimono began to slide open again.

"Youko!" Botan screeched quietly. He laughed, running his tongue over the shell of her ear. The vines pulled Botan's arms back and around the youkai's neck - forcing her to embrace him.

"Cozy, ne?" He asked teasingly, his free hand brushing lightly over her collarbone. Botan's eyes widened with fright.

"So, what now?" She choked out, "Are you going to rape me, then? And I bet that wine really was drugged!" She couldn't keep the bitterness from her voice, and though she tried to sound angry, it came out small and frightened.

Youko paused - though only for a second. "It doesn't have to be rape, Botan." He whispered. "And I didn't drug that wine. It really will help you regain your strength - it'll just take a while."

She could feel him grinning into her hair. "I want you to regain your vitality. It would only be fair: me at my best, you at yours."

"Fair?" Botan's voice was a soft sob. "What about this is fair?" Her amethyst eyes filled with tears, which threatened to spill down her cheeks.

"You kidnapped me, you have me restrained with vines -! You're bigger than I am, stronger than I am… Where does fair come into play?!"

"This is fair." Youko told her, his clawed hands now running through her hair. "I caught you, so you forfeit. You belong to me."

"I do not 'belong' to you!" Botan moaned. "Let me go!" Even as she had woken up to find the thief looking down upon her, she knew that nothing she said was going to stop the inevitable. But no one could blame her for trying.

"You are mine! I spent months tracking you down! I found you, and now you are mine." Youko spat harshly, his golden eyes glinting insanely for a moment before he shook his head slowly, clearing it. "Now," he said soothingly, his hands one again stroking her hair, "I suggest you relax."

But Botan wasn't going to comply with the veiled command. She couldn't. She was beginning to shake uncontrollably, her hands - where they met behind Youko's neck - clenching and unclenching.

"Can't…" She panted, trying one last time. "You… Can't." It wasn't very comprehensible, but Kurama wasn't listening anyway. Instead, his attention was focused upon his clawed fingertips, and the sensation of running them Botan's neck, slowly, and then down her sides. His eyes closed and he leaned in to bury his face in her unbound blue hair. He was breathing quietly, they rhythm almost calming.

Almost.

Botan sat rigid with anxious anticipation. Youko's hands were gripping her hips loosely, but the vines around her wrists and ankles were tightening. Botan knew the thief was about to spring.

Suddenly, Youko's pale, moist lips found their way to the pulse point on her neck - they lingered there, in a languid kiss.

He pulled away slowly, his piercing eyes opening once more.

"You know," he said quietly, conversationally. "I've fucked a lot of women. A lot of women. Demon. Ningen… Even a few Reikai girls. But never a ferry girl."

Botan lowered her head, feeling her shoulders shaking. She wanted to close her eyes and imagine herself away. But something held her here. Something beyond Youko's poison green vines, or his clawed hands.

"At first, that's what I thought drew me to you," he continued, one hand now twisting a lock of her hair around a few of his fingers. "But when I was searching for you, I came across several of your colleagues, and I knew that being a ferry girl wasn't what I had found so captivating about you." He paused thoughtfully, bringing the hand with her blue hair twined around his fingers to his mouth. "I'm still not quite sure." He told her. "But I do know," his hand on her waist fingered the loosened kimono, "that you affect me like no other woman has before. I haven't even seen you naked yet and I'm already hard."

He pulled her close against him, so she could feel his length pressing against her lower back.

"I've hardly touched you," he moaned softly, " but you already have me on the edge. That is something no one has ever accomplished."

Botan felt her teeth clench as Youko toyed with the edge of her kimono again. One slight pull and he'd have it open.

His lips were pressed against her neck once more, and he was holding her tightly. She raised her eyes to the ceiling as Kurama's sharp canines suddenly sank into her flesh. The pain was quick, and Botan was too surprised to even yelp. His hot tongue lapped at the welling blood.

"Sweet." He told her. "I knew it would be. So unlike the worthless youkai we kill every day, their blood tastes like garbage - which is what they are. But not you… Your blood is sweet. Clean. Untainted." His tongue went back to the wound, lingering there.

The vines tightened painfully and Botan cried out. Youko's silver fox ears swiveled forward and he moaned against her neck. His hand clenched her pink kimono and he tore the material aside, at last exposing the deities slender form. He raised his head, panting, looking hungrily down at Botan. His brows knitted together at the sight of her strange undergarments. Hindrances, hindrances. He'd take them off slowly when he needed too. For now he was content to stare at what the removal of Botan's clothes did expose. His eyes traveled up the ferry girls long, slender legs to her slightly rounded hips - still covered in a soft white material - continuing up her flat stomach, over her plump breasts - also still covered - up to her rounded shoulders, graceful neck, and her lovely face, which was bent forward, out of sight.

Botan was embarrassed, angry, and frightened all once. She had been stripped down to her underwear now, and there was nothing she could do about it. She couldn't even attempt to cover herself with her hands, because they were still being held behind Youko's neck.

Youko desperately needed to touch her. He ran his hands down, slowly from her neck, over her upper chest and between her breasts, over the plains her stomach before brushing his fingers lightly over her covered sex. Botan hissed at him, and reflexively the vines tightened once more. Her back arched in pain as this time, the vines drew blood.

"My," Youko chuckled, continuing to run his fingers over her panties, "I've never had such an unwilling partner. Why won't you just relax and give in to me? Stop fighting the inevitable, once you do, I'll release you from my plants."

He moved from behind her, drawing her hands up and over his head as he crawled away. Without Youko's lean form supporting her, Botan's weak body flopped backward onto the mattress. She could feel his hands running up her legs. He leaned in and placed a kiss just above her right breast. She could see now that he was naked - he must have removed his clothes just a moment ago when he had come out from behind her. His face moved over hers, his hot breath caressing her cheeks gently. He moved one hand up to cup her face and kept the other pressed lightly at the juncture of her thighs.

"Ready to give in yet?" He cooed.

Botan spat in his face.

Immediately, Youko's cocky smile disappeared as he bared his teeth at her. He raised his hand to hit her, but stopped, his fist clenching. He pounded it into the ground beside her head, delighted as he watched her flinch.

"I can see foreplay would be wasted on you." He snarled. "So why don't we just get down to business?"

He grabbed her bra, ripping it away and scratching her in the process. He didn't waste any time admiring her breast however, and spared them only a brief caress before he moved onto his main goal.

He gripped her panties, shredding them almost on contact. He gazed hungrily down at Botan's pink slit - normally, he'd start off with oral sex, but she'd offended him. He yanked her knees apart, positioning his rock hard length at her entrance, his furious golden eyes searched out Botan's terrified lavender ones. She was watching him, stricken. It was all happening so fast; she hadn't had time to even struggle. Their eyes locked. Youko rocked his hips forward with bruising force.

Botan screamed as he plunged into her, ripping through her hymen and pushing past her resisting muscles. Something felt like it tore open, and she screamed again, her back arching as she yanked frantically against the vines holding her down.

She was completely dry, Youko noticed as he pushed further into her, until he was completely up to the hilt. Completely dry. He'd never had a partner who he'd been unable to arouse. All his partners, even those who had resisted at first - eventually gave in. All the women had been wet for him. But not this one. He watched her face - she'd gotten so pale suddenly - she bit her lip so hard it bled, she'd shut her eyes tightly, but tears managed to leak out down her cheeks. Her head flopped back against the mattress, her body going limp.

He pulled slowly out, noting that his hips and manhood were smeared lightly with blood. This was terribly painful for her, he realized as he pushed - hard - back into her. He wanted to stop, suddenly, to try and coax her into enjoying this.

But he couldn't.

She was so tight! So perfect… Youko groaned, his ears going flat against his head, his silver hair tangling with Botan's blue locks as she shuddered beneath him. He had his vines pull her ankles together, locking her legs around his waist.

He couldn't stop now. He'd waited to long for this moment, hadn't he? Besides, he could try and make her participate later; she was his forever now. They had plenty of time to perfect her bedroom behavior. She needed this pain. It was a lesson.

He pounded mercilessly into her, his sensitive ears picking up her muffled sobs. His tail lashed aggressively behind him as his claws began to break the skin where he held her hips so tightly. The scent of her blood was all around him -!

Heavenly.

Botan cried out as he made his vines tighten again. The sound sent him over the edge. With one final thrust, he came, panting against her neck as his seed filled her. Pressing his lips fiercely to her own blood stained ones; he withdrew slowly, ignoring Botan's moan of pain.

Spent, he collapsed onto his newest possession, his eyes closing as he drew his arms around her. Under his heated body, Botan trembled, her vision darkening. She didn't fight as blessed unconsciousness dragged her under.

~*~

"Casca is dead, and Botan has been kidnapped?"

Yusuke studied the pale visage of Koenma as the young ruler tried to digest the information. Genkai nodded slightly, her constant frown deeper than usual.

"When we found him, he was almost gone. Youko attacked him quite viscously, his entire stomach was ripped open."

Koenma seemed to flounder; he looked over both shoulders, then down at his desk, his light brown eyes mirroring confusion. "I… I'll need to collect his soul, and… Send someone…" He turned to the door, suddenly animated by panic. "Hinageshi! Ayame!"

Seconds later a dark haired ferry girl burst into the room, followed by a younger red head, both panted as they dashed toward the desk, bowing swiftly. "Yes, Koenma-sama?" They asked in unison.

"Hinageshi, I need you to gather Casca's soul. Ayame, did Botan have her communicator with her today?"

Hinageshi clutched Ayame's arm, her red eyes widening in fright. "Casca is dead?" Her voice was quiet, fearful. Her dark haired companion's eyebrows knitted together with worry. "Did something happen to Botan-chan, sir?"

"Yes, something fucking happened!" Yusuke snapped, his hands balling into fists. "She was fucking kidnapped! And Casca was killed when he got in Youko's way!" His chocolate eyes were dark with passion, he was angrier than he could ever remember. And frightened. Terribly, terribly frightened.

The ferry girls gasped.

"Youko Kurama…?" Hinageshi and Ayame exchanged anguished looks before the younger girl burst into tears. "He got her, Ayame-san, just like his friend told me he would!"

Yusuke blinked. "What?"

Ayame held the smaller girl to her, trying to quiet her. "Oh," She looked up at Yusuke, her violet eyes wet with tears. "Youko's been after Botan for months, stalking her through Makai. That's why she was transferred to Ningenkai to work with you, Yusuke." Her eyes darkened with worry. "Didn't she tell you?"

Shadows obscured Yusuke's face. "No… No one told me…" He suddenly turned upon Koenma, shaking with fury. "You knew?! You fucking knew she was in danger, and you never told me?! What the hell were you thinking?! I could have protected her, Koenma!"

Koenma cowered behind his desk, his eyes growing to the size of dinner plates. Yusuke's youkai was raising drastically by the second, his normally dark brown eyes beginning to take on a hellish red hue.

"I thought she'd be safe in Ningenkai!" He squeaked. "I didn't think Youko could get to earth!"

"What kind of excuse is that?!" Yusuke raged, "You still should have warned me!" He turned and paced toward the windows, his fists and teeth clenched. Genkai's calm eyes followed him. "As far as I'm concerned, this is partially your fault!" Yusuke hissed at the godling.

"Did Botan have her communicator, Ayame?" Genkai's cool voice cut into Yusuke's wrathful spieling.

Ayame nodded quietly. "Yes, I called her earlier on it."

Genkai frowned thoughtfully at the ground. "If this Youko was indeed so desperate to get a hold of her, it is doubtful that he remembered to check her for such items, let alone get rid of them."

"Great." Yusuke spat, "Botan may have been kidnapped by someone who murders and robs people for fun, but at least she has her communicator! What do you want to do, call her?!"

"I doubt she's in any position to answer right now, Yusuke." Genkai said coldly, watching as the dark haired young man paled drastically at her implications. She nodded to herself, her suspicion all but confirmed. She turned toward Koenma. "The communicator, it can be used as a tracking device, can't it?"

The ruler cleared his throat. "Yes, we can pinpoint her location as long as she has it."

Yusuke snapped to immediate attention, his gaze fixed fiercely on the child god.

"Excellent," Genkai nodded, "Draw us a map."

~*~

Botan opened her eyes slowly, greeted by a throbbing pain that permeated her whole body. She groaned lightly as memories of Youko's rough treatment flashed through her mind. She opened her dry mouth to try and moisten her lips, but found them to be caked shut with her own blood. She wrenched her jaw open and winced as the wound began to bleed again.

She was on her side, her hands still bound over her head, and her ankles still tethered together. Botan groaned again.

She couldn't remember the last time she'd been so sore, all over… But she felt stronger, too. Apparently, that wine Youko had given her earlier had at last decided to kick in. Not that it was going to do her much good, she was still at his mercy as long as his vines bound her.

At least she was alone, she realized, scanning the room. A small blessing.

Something glinted coldly in the firelight, Botan lifted her head slightly to look. It was a katana. The one the small, dark haired demon had threatened her with on Yakumo's battlefield. She remembered the way he had tossed it up in the air and caught it, her eyes had followed the hypnotic motion. What was it doing here, an arms reach away?

And what a cruel irony.

To be presented such a marvelous opportunity, only without the means to grasp it. Tears of frustration and anger welled up in the deity's eyes. It was all so unfair!

The door at the end of the room opened, drawing her attention away from the glittering steel.

Youko stalked into the room, his clothes back on and in flawless order. He carried two small wooden bowls and dark rag. He paused at the threshold, his eyes sweeping over the naked deity who lay upon his bed in awkward fetal position, eyeing him back. The smell of fresh tears reached his sensitive nose. He frowned before making his way over and kneeling before her once more, setting the bowls down.

"Awake I see." He murmured, running a hand through her hair. Botan decided that he neither needed nor expected an answer, and busied herself instead with studying the bowls. They both appeared to contain water, though one was steaming. Youko followed her gaze and smirked.

"Thirsty?" He asked, lifting the non-steaming bowl. Botan's eyes followed him.

"Yes," She managed to croak. She succeeded in pulling herself up slightly, eagerly awaiting the sensation of cool water pouring down her throat. Youko held the bowl to her swollen, blood smeared lips and watched her drink, setting the bowl down when she was done. He dipped the rag into the steaming water, and wiped the blood gently away from Botan's lips. He then proceeded to do the same to the rest of her body, gently cleaning the blood from her many small wounds. Botan let him, her eyes glazed over as she tried to imagine herself away, to a place where she was alone, where no one touched her.

When he was finished, Kurama ran a hand through his hair and sighed, his ears swiveling slowly back and forth. Botan watched him, refusing to look at the katana again. If he caught her staring at it, he might move it away, out of her reach. And she so desperately wanted to reach it! If only he would release her from the binding vines. But he'd only do that if…

Botan gasped sharply.

"What?" Youko asked, alert. Botan stared up at him, opening her mouth. She couldn't believe what she was about to do… But it was the only chance she had.

"I want… To do that again." She said slowly, watching the kitsune's face. He frowned at her, puzzled.

"Do what again?"

She took a deep breath. "What we did… Earlier."

Youko arched a delicate silver eyebrow at her. "What, fuck?"

Botan shivered almost involuntarily. Why did he have to make it so difficult, referring to his actions in that manner? She nodded meekly and Youko eyed her suspiciously.

"Really?" He sneered, sensing her hesitation. Botan recognized his disbelief and tried quickly to dispel it.

"Yes, only…" She paused, her voice becoming quieter. "Only, not as rough, this time." She shook inwardly as he stared stoically down at her. She had to rely on the knowledge that he wanted to touch her. If she was wrong…

But she needn't have worried. Youko's wounded pride was satiated by her request.

"My, changing our tune aren't we?" He asked, leaning over her, a triumphant grin on his lips. "Decided to accept the inevitable, then?"

Botan almost sighed in relief when she felt his hands run down her sides. He nuzzled her neck, nipping at the wound he had made earlier and lapping up the small amount of blood that began to trickle out. He rested one hand on her right thigh, trailing kisses down her neck and across her chest, taking one pink nipple into his mouth. Botan arched her back and moaned.

Youko was thrilled. He cleared his mind of any suspicion that he may have held toward Botan's sudden change in behavior. He was irresistible, after all, and obviously she had finally realized that - redeeming herself, in Youko's eyes, from her actions earlier. He smirked against her skin, his tail lashing excitedly behind him.

He had time to do things right this time.

"Ah…" Botan sighed, moving against him. He felt her legs tremble as she strained against her bonds. "Youko…" She moaned softly, the kitsune's ears perked forward. "I want to touch you… It's not fair…"

His golden eyes rose up to look into the deities face, she pouted, her lower lip jutting forward.

The vines unwrapped themselves from around her wrists, retreating to opposite corners of the room. Immediately, Botan's hands buried themselves in the thief's hair, running her fingers through the silky silver strands.

Youko moaned, pressing himself closer… He wanted - needed to be touched by her… He'd waited so long…

Her hands ran down his back, the smooth fabric doing little to hinder the feeling of his muscles rippling under his skin.

One hand caressed the youkai's cheek, bringing his face close to her own. His lustful golden stare locked onto Botan's inquisitive eyes.

"This time will be different." He promised, suddenly regretting his brutal methods of earlier. He rested his forehead against hers.

Behind his back, Botan's free hand clutched the hilt of the katana.

"This time I'll be gentle…" He continued, his clawed hands now cradling her head.

Botan lifted the sword silently from the floor.

He leaned down to kiss her, gratified when Botan met him halfway. He poured himself into the greedy kiss, all the passion he possessed, all the emotion, all the obsession…

As she plunged the katana through his back and into his heart.

Youko's death was instant - he collapsed onto her, his life blood coursing out of him, covering the deity below him.

Dazed, Botan pushed the body of the silver youkai off of her, staring into the vacant gold eyes.

It had happened so quickly… She clutched the sword to her, rocking back and forth as Youko's blood dripped from her body onto the mattress, soaking through the material until she was sitting on red rose petal, lost in a sea of white.

~*~

Genkai draped the remains of Botan's kimono over her shoulders, tying it shut with Youko's own sash.

Yusuke watched as the old woman helped her to her feet, his dark eyes following them as she lead the blue haired deity to the door.

"She's not taking that with her, is she?" He turned to look upon the koorime who he had released from the plants moments ago. His red gaze was fixed upon the sword Botan still clutched to her shaking body.

"You want to take it from her?" The detective snapped, his teeth bared aggressively. Hiei shrugged.

"I have others, but it's rather inconvenient-"

"Shut up!" Yusuke hissed, his nerves worn thin from the events of the day. "Just… Shut up." The demon stared up at him, then looked back toward the retreating deity.

"I understand Youko's obsession now," Hiei said quietly. It took all of Yusuke's remaining strength not to hit him. "She really is quite remarkable. Imagine, catching Youko off his guard long enough to drive my katana through him. Amazing."

"I thought," Yusuke ground out, shaking, "I told you to shut up." His chest hurt, he just wanted go… To go to Botan.

The fire demon cocked his head to the side. "You know, the fact that she survived the rape-" he suddenly found himself on the ground, in quite a bit of pain. The brown eyed ningen stared down at him, cracking his knuckles. Hiei blinked in surprise - how had the boy moved so quickly?

"Leave." Yusuke told him, suddenly tired. "Just go. I don't want to deal with you." Hiei needed no further prompting - he wanted to go. To get away from the stench of his partners blood. He darted silently away.

Yusuke turned to follow Genkai and Botan out of the well concealed cave. Something cold hit him square in the chest - he sagged against the wall for a moment, gagging. The feeling passed and stood up dizzily.

"Yusuke…" He heard Botan call him and he looked up immediately. She stood at the entrance of the cave, moonlight softening her features. She held her hand out to him, lost. Genkai stood back a few paces, watching her protégé approach the deity.

He wrapped her tightly in his arms, pressing his warm lips against her temple.

"It's okay." He whispered to her, stroking her hair. "It's okay, Botan. I'll protect you."

She buried her head in his shoulder, embracing him in return. A dry sob shook her.

Yusuke lifted her into his arms and carried her home.

~Fin~

AN: Thank you to the following people:

Killthetoademon: Well, I'm glad you liked it. What did you think of the last chapter?

AineSironaTsuki: Hee-hee. Thanks. Well, I hope you are now spiffy with joy!

Death's angel: I'm glad you like it!

Tailchaser: Thanks for all the excellent ratings! They make me so happy… Sorry about the spelling though, I'm definitely not thee worlds best speller. K/B forever! (Seriously, this is a K/B, just wait for the epilogue!)

TsumeIshida: ::Blushes at all the great ratings:: Thank you, I'm glad you like it! But really, it's not all THAT vonderful.

Mala Darkling: Yeah, I just supposed since it was darker I'd slip it into the horror section. And hey, it's GOOD to be criticized - you have no idea how many but kissers tell me my stuff is perfect. It's annoying. Please, criticize all you want, I need it!

Animegirl007: Nah, it's still around! Though, what happened to Aff.net? They seem to experiencing some difficulties… And thanks for your support!

Sweetlilbabydoll: Thank you! I'm glad you are enjoying it so far.

Thnhorse: Okay, here's an update!

Midnight Wolf: Heh, yes, he IS pretty, isn't he?

And before anyone jumps me, there IS going to be a epilogue! Just be patient! Despite the Y/B hints, this IS a K/B - albeit a twisted one. I PROMISE.