Feeling the thrill of besting someone, of defeating them and coming out the victor, claiming life while you still remained standing...bloodying up someone wasn't a fond activity for the grim reaper. In her careful line of work, she had seen enough gore and the heartbreak it led to. Even if it meant saving someone she loved, she would never feel the same excitement or sense of accomplishment that someone like Hiei might feel after a fight. It would be a tough task to find a vengeful bone in Botan's body, in other words. The woman was glad to be out of the mild danger but also glad to have rid the world of a pesky demon. That was as far as her delight could go. 

When Kurama ascertained that his mother likely had her own suspicions, she felt her heart drop.

She didn't want to further lie to someone so kind as Shiori.

Botan felt rather guilty and couldn't help but voice her concerns, [b][color=f6989d]"I never intended to further deceive her."[/color][/b] While it was difficult to lie to the students, it was even more tough to lie to someone so close to Kurama, someone who was taking her into her home, feeding her. Botan wasn't sure how comfortable she was with fooling his mother and she wondered if it would be easier to explain the issue at school and need for the facade. But then Kurama spoke up and continued to voice his idea as they left the scene. Kurama continued to explain how his life as Kurama was different than his life as Shuichi and how her arrival had shaken things up. Again, she felt rather sorry for having to force herself upon his life. She hated to think she was intruding upon him and his mother.

But as they walked, she tried to consider things from Shuichi and Shiori's point of view. [i][color=f6989d]'I have a feeling Shuichi doesn't bring many girls home and yet I come barging it...I suppose it was only a matter of time before Shiori started thinking we were a couple.'[/color][/i] She thought. The grim reaper had to wonder if this would bring Shiori some kind of relief or at least some short lived happiness, to see her only son with someone. Botan still wasn't fully on board with the notion of giving Shiori false hope but since Kurama was proposing it, she knew to trust his judgement of the situation and his own mother. [i][color=f6989d]'Still, this feels wrong...to stretch to lie even further.'[/color][/i] She sighed to herself, trying to see the suggestion from more than one point of view.

As she tried to see the good in this lie, Kurama went on to admit that though he had pushed her into the lie, he was now presenting something more selfish than that. As the let out a long sigh, trying to figure out how to even approach the matter, the man beside her finally came out with his intentions: to formally ask her out. Her lips came together but no words came out. They settled on the doorstep and Botan had a feeling, a from watching teenagers from afar after work, this was where a normal boyfriend and girlfriend would embrace and kiss. Or in situations she had observed, a father would emerge and shoo the boyfriend away from his daughter. Botan knew neither of those things were happening. Instead, another choice was presented to her.

Raising her gaze from the ground, she looked to Kurama, unsure as to why she was suddenly feeling unwell.

He corrected himself and admitted that in normal circumstance, someone should mean what they say. Botan wasn't sure [i]how[/i] exactly he had meant the question to be perceived. [i][color=f6989d]'Surely he means this in a fake way.'[/color][/i] She told herself. Even so, her heart was beating slightly quicker than normal, taking her back to their moment during lunch. It wasn't just the false relationship that had thrown her off, it was the reminder that she hadn't had a [i]real[/i] relationship in a while and she missed the companionship. She missed sharing her life with someone.

Botan spent her days ferrying souls to another realm, listening to their pleas and stories. Ad yet at the end of the day, she went to her small apartment and collapsed in bed, completely drained of everything. And she was beginning to miss being able to have someone waiting for her, someone who could give part of himself to her, when she had nothing left at the end of a tough day of tears and sadness. She had to wonder if Kurama or even Shuichi, knew how that felt. His hands took hers in his as he looked into her eyes. Deep down, she was sure he knew how she felt but she would never wish that isolation on anyone, not even Hiei.

After Kurama's formal request, there was silence.

Botan honestly wasn't sure what to do. She say merits in declining but also accepting, the strange request. It wasn't sincere, even if Kurama meant it as such. Botan knew this would help them practice for the grueling school hours and the observant students. She also considered it might be something to repay Kurama with. But lying to Shiori? Botan wasn't comfortable with that. As much as she wished to give the man in front of her the answer he desired, she couldn't. At least not now. Time was needed to mull over the options. Botan gave him a slow smile and removed her hands from his. It was somewhat painful to have someone ask her out, it just reminded her of how much she had been focusing on work and less on her own needs, even the basic ones such as friendship and romance. 

[b][color=f6989d]"I'd...I'd like some time to think it over."[/color][/b] She said softly. There was a subtle warmth where his hands had once been around hers. Botan found herself missing it, yet another thing that was difficult to explain. Maybe it would be easier to just agree and continue to go along with it. But Botan couldn't help but think of the future, when the case was over, she and Kurama would break up and that wouldn't be well for his mother, to have her just vanish into thin air, after giving the mother so much happiness. 

Her smile became more firm though, more assured. Botan didn't want to leave this encounter on such a delicate note. [color=f6989d][b]"Of course I am flattered that you would ask, I'd be so lucky."[/b][/color] Regardless of the context, Botan had to admit the scene was intriguing, even if it needed to be treated with caution. [color=f6989d][b]"I'll have my answer tomorrow, I promise."[/b][/color] Botan assured him. It also gave her a window of time to think it over and make a decision, and not just fiddle with it for days on end. They had the investigation to deal with and they needed to be on the same side. Whether or not she agreed to carry the lie back home once school was over, she knew she could count on Kurama.

Glancing to the door beside them, the girl opened it and found the aroma of the seafood stirfry to be positively intoxicating. Botan felt more at ease but she couldn't shake Kurama's comments from the back of her head. [i][color=f6989d]'Kurama wouldn't ask me to do this if he didn't see the value in it.[/color][/i] She told herself as they removed their shoes and slipped on their house slippers. Botan decided to just keep things cute but casual for now. Botan reached behind and placed her hand on his back as they moved further into the house and into the kitchen to see Shiori was just pouring herself some tea. Upon seeing the two, she quickly took down two other cups for them to enjoy some along with their dinner.

Botan's gesture was one that could be seen as romantic or just friendly. She knew for now, she would need to walk the line between both labels, very carefully. She wanted things to look natural no matter which route she decided to walk. Shiori then served them a bowl of rice and a plate of toppings, ranging from carrots to shrimp to squid. It had been soaked in a rich deep miso based sauce and Botan let out a hum of joy after her first bite. Shiori really knew her way around the kitchen and Botan knew she'd miss the food almost as much as the company. Taking a sip of her tea, she looked to Kurama and tilted her head, [i][color=f6989d]'If I had to pretend with anyone, I'd love to pretend with him. He's been so understanding and accommodating. And we do get along fairly well...maybe this lie of ours doesn't need to be so dishonest...not if we already enjoy one another.[/color][/i] She couldn't help but consider as she resumed eating.