It Started With a Kiss

Yusuke was getting tired of Botan's attempts to join them on missions. She could handle herself (to an extent), but after that disaster of a mission a week ago where they all had a few close calls, he didn't want to take the risk. The entire team – sans Hiei – had congregated in front of Genkai's temple and they would have been on their way already, if the fire-demon had the decency to show up on time.

Botan was trailing after him in an outfit similar to the one she had donned back when they were fighting the Saint Beasts, ranting and raving about how unfair Yusuke was being in his decision to leave her behind.

"…and you're conveniently forgetting that I used to join you on missions all the time!"

Yusuke turned around to face her.

"That's because Spirit World was short handed and the big bads weren't that serious back then." He paused to regard Kurama. "No offense."

"None taken," Kurama responded, pausing to nod at them before he continued surveying the plants he had fixed around the perimeter of Genkai's temple.

"I've got enough on my plate worrying about this lovesick idiot," Yusuke said, cocking his thumb towards Kuwabara, who was too busy fawning over Yukina near the temple veranda to notice much else. "I can't afford to look out for you, too."

"You won't have to look out me!" Botan countered determinedly. "I've got my metal bat and the spirit detective tools. I can take care of myself!"

"Considering I had to save you three times during our last battle, I think it's safe to say that your little tricks aren't enough anymore."

"Ugh!" she stomped the heel of her white boot on the grass in frustration. "You're not being fair at all!"

"Sorry, but I don't make the rules," he said, his tone bordering on apologetic as he put his plan into action. He didn't like tricking her, but there wasn't any other way. "This is a job for four people and unless we enact a mission transfer, there's nothing we can do."

"A mission transfer?" she repeated, her curiosity peaked.

"Yeah, a mission transfer. Aren't you supposed to be up to date on all the practices and protocols of the Spirit World?" he asked, raising a brow at her suspiciously.

"O-of course I know what it is, Yusuke, don't be silly," she lied as she waved him off dismissively.

"Then you know that the only way to you can join this mission is if you switch out with a member of the team," he stated.

"...Yes."

"And the only way to transfer the responsibility is with a kiss," Yusuke finished slyly.

Amethyst eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"What now?"

"Don't look at me like that, it's your world that makes up all these stupid rules."

"Hey!" she countered defensively. "It's not exactly easy governing the souls of the dead while protecting those of the living. Maybe if you boys cooperated with us we wouldn't have to come up with something as puerile as a mission transfer to stop you all from skipping out on missions all the time!"

"So now you understand why you can't just barge in anymore. Pacifier breath made it clear that this was a four man team, and unless you're willing to follow the rules of a mission transfer, there's just nothing we can do about it."

Botan seemed to lose some of the fire of her argument and her brows furrowed as she silently weighed her options. Moments later, her gaze lifted and met his.

"All I have to do is kiss one of you to take your place?" she asked hesitantly.

"Not just anyone," Yusuke began. "Only one person has the chance to miss out on a mission. This time around, it's Mr. Short, Angry and Brooding himself."

"H-Hiei?" she stammered out nervously.

Yusuke confirmed with a nod of his head and Botan's expression fell hopelessly. There was no way she would go through with it; after all, it was common knowledge that Botan was still a little afraid of the fire-demon. She always avoided his gaze and rarely made contact if it was avoidable. Hell, she couldn't even stand directly beside him when they were together, so there was no way in hell that she would get close enough to actually lay one on him.

"Alright," she conceded with a nod.

"Glad we could settle this like adults," Yusuke smirked.

"If that's the only way," Botan resolved, as she extended her hand and summoned her oar.

Yusuke's smirk dropped immediately.

"What are you doing?" he asked as he took a step towards her.

"I'm going to kiss Hiei, obviously," she replied as she mounted her oar and hovered off of the ground. She regarded him with a grin and a quick wiggle of her fingers. "Toodles!"

"Wait!" he yelled as he reached a hand out to stop her, fingers barely brushing against the blade of her oar before she flew out of his reach completely. She was headed towards the direction of Hiei's favorite tree and Yusuke chased after her, cursing his shitty luck as he entered the forest.

She was going to get herself killed and it was going to be all his fault.

I hard originally planned for this to be a oneshot, but seeing as this document has been sitting on my computer for years, I figured it might be easier to upload it in smaller parts. The chapters will be very short and to the point and the entire story shouldn't take me too long to finish.

Anyway, hope you guys like the start! Let me know your thoughts~