Botan couldn't help but give him a pout when he mentioned how amusing it was to imagine her having an issue with being set up in a seedy location. [color=f6989d][b]"Hey, I'm not worried about myself."[/b][/color] She insisted. [color=f6989d][b]"I just can't intervene where I would feel morally obligated to...it's complicated and gross and not a place for a young lady such as myself."[/b][/color] She whined softly though she knew he was just pulling her leg a little. [color=f6989d][b]"Lord Koenma is being so stingy, after all the years I put in working for him."[/b][/color] Part of her was a little insulted that her boss could be so flippant about her accommodations but she knew arguing with him was an impossible battle. So Botan was sure her fox in shining armor would be willing to rescue her. 

When he lowered his small fist and smiled at her, she brightened up.

[color=f6989d][b]"Of course, of course!"[/b][/color] Botan nodded. She had met Kurama's mother once when working with Yusuke on his first case but it hadn't been a formal meeting, by any means. Kurama's mother had been in the hospital and Botan had only watched the sick woman from afar while events on the rooftop played out through the means of the Forlorn Hope as both Yusuke and Kurama tried to offer their lives in exchange for something far more important in their minds. Yusuke had been foolish and impulsive, despite his good intentions. But so had Kurama. In the end, his mother got better and both boys walked away from the clash surprisingly unharmed. Looking back, Botan knew if they had fought, Yusuke would not have been so fortunate. She knew luck had often been on his side, from his fight with Rando, to his fight with Chu in the Dark Tournament. 

Evidently, though Kurama didn't need luck to win. He had both skill and intellect to earn his victories and she had to commend him for that. She almost wished he would show Yusuke the merits of studying and applying one's self. When she was finished, the pair got up and continued towards Kurama's home. While they walked, they discussed a history for her to stick to which was easier said than done. She would do her best to remember the basics. The last thing her case needed was to be compromised by people getting suspicious and compromising her research. She decided she would be from Nagano and that her parents were getting a divorce and she was being sent to live with a her father but due to the stress, she wanted to live with a friend until things cooled down, which was where Kurama would come in. 

They soon arrived at his home and entered. Botan surveyed the entry and slipped off her shoes as Kurama's mother came to greet him, unaware he had someone with him. Botan kept her wide smile, it was quite sincere but then again, Botan was often happier than most humans in Tokyo it seemed, despite her grim profession. She gave a bow to Shiori as Kurama quickly tried to give a brief introduction as to who Botan was. When the woman complimented Botan, she gave a wave of her hand. [color=f6989d][b]"Oh, you're too kind!"[/b][/color] She blushed a little, not minding the compliment at all. At Kurama's embarrassment, Botan felt almost privileged to see him in such a state. Not long ago, he had been in a heated battle with Karasu and now he was trying to contend with his mother. If only the others could see him now! [color=f6989d][b]"It's really a pleasure to meet the woman who raised such a fine, upstanding gentleman."[/b][/color] She rested a hand on Kurama's shoulder briefly.

[color=a187be][b]"Please come in and sit down, make yourself at home, Botan."[/b][/color] Shiori gestured for them to move into the sitting room across from the kitchen. The three of them sat around the kotatsu with Botan sitting across from Kurama. [b][color=a187be]"Now...what is it you'd like to ask me?"[/color][/b]

Botan glanced to Kurama and then to the woman on her right. [color=f6989d][b]"I know this is an imposition...but...I was hoping I could stay here for a while."[/b][/color] She chewed on her lip, deciding to go with a more uncertain demeanor for her next move. [color=f6989d][b]"My parents are...going through a divorce and it's becoming too much for me...I was transferred to Meioh last week and when Shuichi saw me crying after my first day, he offered a shoulder to cry on and then suggested I talk to my father over the weekend about finding a friend's house to stay. The only person who I could think of is your son...and I'd really appreciate being able to come home to a quiet house, one that isn't filled with shouting over the phone."[/b][/color] She said quietly and gave a shaky sigh before collecting herself. [color=f6989d][b]"I would help out of course, I'd clean and cook and you'd never have to lift a finger!"[/b][/color]

By this point, Shiori was already planning what breakfast she would make for the poor girl in the morning.

Leaning over, she placed an arm around Botan and brought her close. [b][color=a187be]"I am so sorry, my dear. You are welcome to stay as long as you need."[/color][/b] The woman was close to tears herself and trusted Shuichi's judgement and could already tell the young girl was sweet and honest, much like her own son. Even though she wanted to ask a few more questions, she knew they had time for that later in the evening. [color=a187be][b]"Shuichi, you should go with her to get her things from her father's, by then dinner should be ready."[/b][/color] Shiori smiled to them and got to her feet. Botan rose as well and gave a look to Kurama as Shiori excused herself to return to the kitchen to make a meal fit for an emperor. Botan headed for the door and when Kurama joined her, they put their shoes back on and headed outside. Botan hoped she hadn't gone overboard with the story but thankfully, Shiori had taken the bait.

Like Kurama, she wasn't fond of lying but it had to be done.

And she hadn't meant to put him into a compromising position.

It was too late now though.

[color=f6989d][b]"We can pick up my stuff and then head to the school, I think it would be best to go there now, while it's still vacant. It'll allow me to take some readings and run some other tests before school starts up tomorrow."[/b][/color] Botan told Kurama as they headed down the sidewalk. They retrieved her things from the storage locker and continued back toward the school. [color=f6989d][b]"I've been given several devices to detect various things, I'll need to see where both Anabe and Meiko killed themselves and if you can tell me if they broke any habits in the days leading up to their passing, that would be a big help."[/b][/color] The woman was now back to being focused on the work ahead of her and the many reports she'd send to Lord Koenma. [color=f6989d][b]"I never thanked you."[/b][/color] It dawned on her that she just inserted herself into Kurama's life and he was being so nice about it. She was used to bossing Yusuke around because it was her job but she hoped she didn't step on Kurama's toes.

As they reached the iron gate and let themselves in, she glanced to the red haired boy and smiled. [color=f6989d][b]"You don't have to help me but I do understand you wanting to get to the bottom of this and wanting to protect your school. Thank you, either way."[/b][/color] She then continued to cross the large courtyard to the entrance of the large private school. [color=f6989d][b]"Yusuke was never the most competent when it came to investigating, it'll be great to have someone like you helping for a change!"[/b][/color] Her tone changed briefly as they let themselves in and glanced around the school. It was often left open for students to come and go as needed but with the Monday being canceled, it seemed pretty uninhabited, which was just the way the grim reaper preferred it. In her large duffle bag, she had a few devices she needed to use but for now, she was following Kurama's lead to where Anabe had been tragically found.