Tricked

CS - This is the last chapter. Many KB moments already but we're going to add some more. And maybe a little more than that. Guess you'll have to read to find out! n.n

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Chapter 38 - The End

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Kurama pulled her with him up to the roof later that evening and sat with her. All was quiet and everyone seemed to be having some peace at last. That, of course, was only because Chuu fell asleep watching television and Rinku was coloring and Jin was playing cards with Touya and Yukina. Kurama held her in his arms, certain that the time had come. The moon was at its fullest, bathing them completely in silver light.

"Botan, I have great need to ask you a question." She leaned her back against his chest, content with the way they were sitting.

"What is it?" She asked softly, her eyes fastened on the fireflies that gracefully floated around. He didn't quite know how to say it. So he leaned down, his lips pressing against that certain spot. She stiffened. "Kurama.."

"Just relax." He whispered in her ear, subconsciously pulling her closer. "You have nothing to worry about." She shivered at the dead calm tone in his voice. He turned her around and kissed her softly. Her whole body tensed before she just completely relaxed and gave in. He deepened the kiss and felt his heart pound. He then stood up with her in his arms. He jumped gracefully down from the roof and went quickly to his home. His mother was not home, of that he knew. He found that he was correct and locked the door behind him then carried her up to his room. He set her down on the bed and stared down at her. "Do you wish to become my mate?" She looked up at him and nodded.

"Yes.. I do." He leaned forward, his lips pressed against hers as he sat down. She pulled away then found herself staring at Youko. She was shocked when her powers acted of their own accord and her wings sprouted from her back. "Uhm.." She swallowed the lump in her throat, knowing already what was going to happen and remembered Hiei's words.

"Are you certain?" She nodded, her mind made up. She was ready for this. She cared for no one else but him and she would do this so that they could be together.

"Yes." He smiled at her and pulled her into his arms, holding her.

"I promise that I will never hurt you again." She smiled and hugged him back. She didn't have that feeling in the pit of her stomach. It wasn't there at all. He gently pushed her away and gazed down at her, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

I know I'm doing the right thing. Kurama is so good to me and it was only because he was hurting that he hurt me. I want to share the rest of my life with him and I never want to be alone again.

She laughed when he licked the side of her face.

"What are you doing?"

"Tasting your skin." He said, as if it was the most natural thing in the world to do. "You taste wonderful, know that?" She gave him a light push and blushed. His eyes glinted green in the shadows. The only light in the room was that of a small lamp on the other side of the room.

"You're such an animal."

"Fox." He said with a grin. "And you are an angel." She felt her entire face grow hot.

"Stop teasing me, baka kitsune." He studied her, a small smile gracing his lips.

She is so perfect. Though, she does have those quirks.. But they are cute. Except for that temper. I know she will not betray me like those other fools. I should have listened. But it's done and gone now. And she will be my mate. My angel.

"You're staring." She said softly, reaching up and running her fingers through his silver locks.

"How can I help it?" He asked, grinning wickedly. "After this, I can stare all I want."

"After this, we may as well say you can do anything you want." She stated dryly. He snorted.

"Right."

"You can stare all you want now so I don't see any difference." He tensed and tackled her laughing when she let out a squeak. "Baka!" He snickered.

"Get used to it, angel." She stuck her tongue out at him. He did the same back to her.

"You're such a child."

"Me? You started it!"

"My point exactly." He frowned. Then he began to mercilessly tickle her. She managed to twist and get him off of her, resulting in him lying next to her instead.

"That's how we're playing, now, is it?" He leaned over and gave her a teasing kiss, pulling quickly away.

"You little-" He cut her off by doing it once more, only this time he didn't pull away.

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My head.. So dizzy. Is the room spinning or something?

Botan opened her eyes and instantly shut them again. The bright light of the sun nearly blinded her. Memories of last night flooded into her mind before giving her a chance to even wake up properly.

That's right.. He bit me when..

She blushed a moment before reaching up and tracing her finger over his mark. She had bitten him as well.. It was like an instinct. Now that she was basically a demon, it was only natural that she take to the instinct.

I wonder.. Is my mark still there?

She turned her head and found him still asleep, his lips parted slightly and his breathing slow and steady. He was turned toward her and she looked down to that certain spot on his neck. There it was. Her mark. She then gazed back at his face.

So beautiful.. I never really could grasp the reality of Youko's stunning beauty. Any human woman would be jealous of these locks. Those eyes.. so gorgeous. Amber. The purest gold I've ever seen are my mate's eyes.

She let out a light giggle, knowing it sounded silly. How was it that he had managed to turn her life around? Such a strange thing love was. She bit her lip. Everything had happened so fast in the beginning. It seemed like one big blur, just as last night had. But it was real. All of it was real and yet seemed too good to be true.

I am finally his mate and he is mine. How strange. I was afraid of nothing. I love Kurama and trust him with my life. Some things are just meant to happen, I guess. Even though we're mates now, I have a feeling nothing is going to change. And it is a good feeling.

She forced herself to remember everything so that it would never fade away.

But I remember.. Those nightmares..

They were vivid. Even more so than the real events. They made her want to cry. But then she smiled. They made her realize something. Especially one specific thing.

"I am here to help you. In any way I can. Stay strong through this and do not give up or you will never see the true world once more."

Hiei.. He helped me through this. He made us both realize how much we care for each other and sometimes how stupid we could really be. I may have died in those nightmares if not for him.

The koorime had done so much for them. Botan felt that helping him in his trouble with that demon did not repay him enough. She let out a sigh. She needed to get up. Then it dawned on her. It felt so wonderful to sleep in. She smiled and let out another giggle.

"They won't mind.." She whispered as she closed her eyes and snuggled next to Kurama, falling asleep once more.

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"Well I'll be." Chuu grinned. They were all gathered around two specific demons, smiling knowingly and giving their blessings. "It's about time, mate." The Aussie put his arm around Kurama's shoulders and gave the kitsune a grin. Botan looked around until her eyes fell on him. She pushed her way through the crowd. She walked over to him and smiled serenely.

"Congratulations." He stated shortly. She let her arms slip around him and pull him to her.

"I want to thank you for all that you did for us, for me." He gave her a brief hug then pulled away.

"It is good to see you happy." She gazed at him and her eyes briefly filled with tears.

"I only wish you were happier."

"Do not worry for me, onna. I couldn't be happier than I am here with you and those morons." He paused, looking over at them. "Yukina is happier than I've ever seen her so.." She nodded. "And you seem to have a brighter aura. You will be happy with him. If he upsets you, just tell me and I'll beat some sense into him."

"All right, Hiei." She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "And thank you helping me through my nightmares, though I've probably already said it." He frowned.

"Why bring those up on your day of happiness?"

"Because you helped guide me through with those words. If not for you, I might not be standing here." Neither of them voiced knew might have happened, though they both knew.

I would have fallen victim to despair and then allowed myself to fall deeper into death.

"I owed you for battling for me." She blinked before realizing what he meant. "We're even now."

"But you helped me with Kurama and cut me free from that woman.."

"That is because you are like a sister to me. I will never forgive myself if you are pained in any way and I am not there to help." She smiled.

"Thank you, Hiei. And know that you always have a guardian angel.. just like they do." Their gazes met then fell on their friends. Hiei then watched her from the corner of his eyes.

You are that light of hope in everyone, Botan. You are the guardian angel, the protector of hope itself. Stay strong. I will always be here.

Hiei looked at Kurama as the kitsune ran up to join them. The koorime noticed a joy that had never been there before in all his years in knowing the kitsune.

You two have my utmost respect and blessings. You will always be there for me and I for you. My family. My friends.

The others soon joined them and they all celebrated. Even Genkai had shown up.

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Chuu sighed and looked around. This party was losing his interest quickly. His gaze fell on one girl in particular.

Now, then, what was that Sheila's name?

She was looking back at him, some pink tingeing her cheeks. Her brown eyes widened when he got up and walked over to her.

"Hey there, little Sheila." She flushed and coughed, looking away.

"Chuu, was it?" She asked and he mumbled a yes, still wondering what her name was. She looked back at him and smirked. "And my name is Shizuru."

"Yeah, that's what it was." He grinned childishly. Touya nudged Kuwabara and pointed.

"Looks like those two are getting along wonderfully." The girl's younger sibling nearly burst out laughing. He had gotten over the loss of Yukina, knowing grieving wouldn't make her like him any more than she already did. And Touya was a good demon so he offered them his blessings and was done with it.

"Yeah." He agreed, grinning. "Something to pick on her about later."

"I don't think you should.." The ice master cautioned softly. "Picking on her is bad for your health and all you need is to get anything broken."

"Aww.." Kuwabara frowned. "It doesn't matter, though. I'll heal." Touya sweat-dropped and smiled, trying not to twitch. So, of course, the party went on into the night. Shizuru and Chuu were chatting together, liking the sound of a relationship. Rinku was playing with Jin outside, trying to catch fireflies in jars that Botan gave them. Touya was talking with Yukina and Kuwabara. Keiko and Yuusuke were talking in the front of the temple, of course speaking about problems with Yuusuke's behavior. Hiei was sitting in a tree in the back, watching Jin and Rinku play and the two sitting together on the roof, Kurama and Botan.

"I caught one!" Rinku said with a cheery grin.

"I've got six." Jin stuck his tongue out. The little demon boy really wanted to hit him with a yo-yo but he didn't feel like causing trouble on a fun night like this.

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"Not so loud!" Chuu complained when Jin and Rinku began arguing early the next morning. "Bloody hell, shut up!" He separated the two of them and glared sharply at both of them.

"I think you could use these." Shizuru said quietly as she held out two white tablets and a glass of water. "Swallow them. They'll help with the headache." He frowned and took them, draining the glass of water.

"Thanks." He mumbled and lay back down on the couch, covering his head with the pillow.

"Hang-over.." Shizuru sighed and resisted the urge to slap the two silly. She glared at both of them. "They're really not pleasant and your fighting doesn't help." They both gave her pouts and she rolled her eyes, knowing she couldn't resist it. "Just keep it down and let them all sleep."

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Kurama opened his eyes, gazing at the ceiling for a minute to allow himself to wake up. He propped himself up on his elbows and looked to the sleeping girl at his side. He grinned.

She looks so peaceful. Blissfully unaware of the sun's appearance.

He smirked and leaned down, kissing her softly. Then he got up. She opened her eyes and smiled up at him drowsily, stretching out.

"Good morning." She said in a soft, cheerful voice. "What time is it?"

"8:30." She nodded and sat up. "We should go and see how much damage is done to the living room." She laughed quietly and pushed the covers away.

"I need a shower." She leaned up and kissed him. "I'll see you in a little bit." She grabbed some clothes and walked out. He dressed himself in some clean clothes and went out after her, only going to the living room.

"Great." He sighed. It wasn't a huge mess.. No. It was just littered with cans, ashes, courtesy to Shizuru, sleeping bodies, blankets, and articles of clothing. He cupped his hands around his mouth and gave a shout. "Wake up!" Several of them jumped up in surprise and some just rolled over and groaned. Touya and Yukina came up next to him, rubbing their eyes and yawning.

"What the hell happened?" Touya asked, his eyes widening. Yukina looked around in disbelief.

"We have to clean all this up." She said, frowning. Several groans were heard at this comment.

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An hour later, Botan came out, toweling her hair and sighing happily. How lovely it felt to have a nice relaxing shower.

"Boy, you guys must have really made a mess." She giggled when she saw them cleaning up. Yukina was cleaning the kitchen, mostly doing the dishes. "Can I help?" She asked the koorime kindly as she draped the towel around her shoulders, smiling.

"Sure." Yukina said with a smile. "Could you mop the floor?"

"Of course!"

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"What!?" Botan screeched. She hit Yuusuke over the head with the mop and continued to do so until Kurama interfered. "You little pervert!"

"Keep her away!" Yuusuke was beaten beyond repair, it seemed. Keiko sighed.

"I told you not to ask her."

"But.." Yuusuke let out a cry of fright when Botan got free from Kurama and came after him. "HELP!"

"What in the world did he say to get her so upset?" Kurama asked, raising a brow.

"He asked something very inappropriate. He asked her if you've ever.." She trailed off, blushing. Kurama sighed.

"Why am I cursed? He should know after last time that he shouldn't ask questions like that." The kitsune slapped his forehead.

"He was curious." The girl shrugged. "Curiosity didn't kill the cat, it killed my boyfriend." This made Kurama chuckle.

"Well, I suppose she wouldn't get angry if you asked her."

"No, that's girl talk." She stated blandly.

"In this case, curiosity and Botan are in league against your boyfriend." Botan didn't notice anyone else as she continued to hit Yuusuke with her mop. She had gotten a lot stronger since her training with Hiei so the Spirit Detective was in much more pain than when she used to hit him with her oar. Kurama and Keiko sweat-dropped and shook their heads.

Some things just never change.

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In the years to come, some will pass on and leave this realm, some will come forth into creation, filling others with the concept of hopes and dreams of things to come, and some will move on and find someone. Wise words are often the prospect of knowledge and peace. Soothing rivers of trust and love flow stronger with each day of choice.

I am not so lonely anymore. I never thought that I would get to feel life again and this time through, live it to its fullest. All thanks to people who really care for me.

And also to my mate.

-- Botan

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This is the end of Tricked. Hope you enjoyed the last chapter and thank you all for your kindness and encouragement. =) I am so happy to have such dedicated reviewers who stuck with me.

Hope this ending was worth the wait!

-Jess a.k.a MysticBluAngel