Yu Yu Hakusho: The line between the sky

Chapter 10: Mate

Youko and Botan found their shelter into the depth of west forest that was easily conquered by Yokai Fox since the place was occupied by the small and weak Yokais. Youko manage to make a little tree house. Idea of living into the depths of the cave was out of option since its not necessary anymore.

"Botan, I will temporarily leave you here." Youko prepared himself to leave.

"Where are you going, Youko??" Curiosity asked by Botan.

"I will go search for Noroikagami." Youko answered receive a sad face from Botan."Don't worry I don't have a plan to give it to my father. If I found it I will destroyed it. So he couldn't find the Jewel." Youko added.

Botan give him a force smile.

"Take care Youko, and come back sooner as possible." -Botan.

"I will." He gently kisses her forehead before leave.

It started to get dark when Youko returned from his long searching. Botan patiently waiting for him and give him a tight hug when he returned.

"Welcome home, Youko." – Botan.

"I'm home."

The night was so beautiful and the stars are shinning like a diamond in the sky. Botan in the window silently staring the stars with a little prayer, after a moment of silent Youko accompanied her.

"Did you miss the Ningenkai??" Youko catch up her attention.

"Yes, I did." Short responds from her.

"You wanted to go back?" He asks again.

"Of course" A short respond again.

Youko's eyebrows flick from her words.

"With you" Botan smiled warmly. Even though she knew that it's impossible for her to live with him in the Ningenkai anymore.

"When do you think I can become a human??" Another after one another questions.

"When the times comes that you truly understand your own desires and wish." Youko felt his heart melt from her beautiful and warm eyes and smile. He slowly touch her checks still couldn't believe that this fearless and courageous woman in front of him was the most special person that he wanted to own and protect till his last breath.

"Botan." Youko forwards his face to give his beloved blue haired a kiss.

"I love you, Youko." A smile draw to certain Yokai fox's lips before he completely claim the lips of his beloved.

"You are the one who always make a first move." Youko cannot hide his excitement.

"Because your too slow when it comes to words." Botan silently laugh.

"Yeah, because I don't know how to say it." Youko look up at the sky with curiosity in his eyes. Moment of silent past both of them enjoying the serene moment. Youko are the one who break the silent.

"Botan?? Can you be my mate??" Youko's eye didn't leave the sky.

"W-what did you say, Youko??" Botan was shock, assuming that she heard it unclear. This time Youko fix his eyes to the blue haired with full of sincerity and love.

"Botan?? Can you be my mate??"

Botan faces become red like a tomato and she started to gasping some air. Trying her best to find a perfect words to respond.

"I – I.." Botan only words manage to tell.

"I'm not asking you to become a Yokai or what, all I want to say is I wanted to be with you forever." Youko take her hand and kiss it. "Now I know completely what my desire is and wish Botan. It was my very own desire and my heart loudly screams it." Botan listen carefully, holding her pounding heart. "I wanted to be human in order to be with you for a rest of my life." Botan didn't expect to hear those words from him; it was so far from the Yokai she knew from the start, a violent and brutal Yokai who always curse her wanted to kill her. This Yokai Fox in front of her now was a gentle and sincere full of love Yokai. She believes that it was not her works that change him, but she believes in his natural kindness that she manages to reach out. Pain cannot hide from her conscience, realizing that in order to fulfill the Yokai fox wish and desire, she must trade her own life and leaving him behind. Part of her wanted to prove that she truly love him, giving herself completely.

"I know it was so sudden, but before I become a human. Can you please letting this Yokai fox grant his favor?? I know it's too much, but would you mind accepting this part of me as a Yokai??" Youko fidgety waiting for Botan's respond. Tears escapes from Botan's eyes. "I'm sorry Botan, I'm sorry for being selfish and careless I'm ------ ." Youko's word cut off when Botan hug him.

"Thank you Youko, for choosing me as your mate, thank you for giving yourself to me. Just please don't forget to smile whatever happened and always remember that I love you."

Youko returned a tight hug to her. Both of them now staring each other with full of love. The night full of love and passion, they were dancing in the rhythm of the sound of their hearts. The moon together with the start witnessing the most promising moment that they shared together, as the sound of wind and the ooze of the water in the lake breath with them. How the cold breeze of the wind touch them as they touch each other. The sweet scent of flowers can be savory from their passionate love make. From that day Youko give his beloved woman a mark in her shoulder, his kind of proof that she was only for him, and he himself was just only for her.

"I love you, Botan." As Youko drifted to his dreams he never forget to give her a sweet kiss.

"I love you too, Youko."

Another week go past and Youko still continuously looking for Noroikagami into a certain possible places. One morning, while Botan having her daily routine in the lair. Botan suddenly felt ache from the part of her shoulder where Youko make his mark, she fleet into the lake to take a better look at her shoulder. When she slide her dress to have a better view she saw a curse printed like a tattoo in it, she was not surprise she's expecting that sooner but not so quick as now.

"I don't want to leave him yet." Tears flowing from her eyes and a Sickening cough escape from her, when she remove her covering hand into her mouth she saw a blood from it. "Is this your curse Jewel??" Botan murmured to herself.

A strong wind alarmed Botan, it was not ordinary wind and her instinct told to her to run away, but when she tried to get up she cannot move her body.

"I found you." A mischievous and powerful man appeared in front of her, and that man was no other that Youko's father, Okami.

"O-okami!"

"I found the reason why Youko was so obsess with you, because you have the Jewel inside of you!!, That's why the barrier was stronger, because you're here to provide a lot of energy." Okami walks towards her.

"How dare you to deceive us with your innocent and conclusive words, you will regret it."

Botan sees him holding the Noroikagami under his possession.