Seeing Kurama's smile gave her a sense of relief, it ensured there wasn't pressure for her to come to a conclusion on the matter. It allowed her to focus on the dinner set in front of them. It was very rich and flavorful. [color=f6989d][i]'I could get used to this.'[/i][/color] She thought to herself, becoming slightly saddened by the fact that in the near-future, she probably would have to walk away. She'd tell Shiori she could move back with one of her parents as their divorce had been finalized. Botan had quickly grown fond of the motherly woman and found the kindness radiating from the woman, to be very soothing and warming. 

So when Shiori spoke up, Botan was quick to turn her attention to the frail woman. Botan was sure the concern came from a sincere place in Shiori's heart. It was very kind of her to include her in the discussion, even if it was a solemn one. Botan stopped eating and focused on listening though Botan was fairly certain she and Kurama would be able to spare Shiori from such heartbreak. It still made the woman ache, to think Shiori could be kept up at night due to the two suicides at their school. It wasn't right. Death was able to reach so far and haunt anyone. Botan wished there was some peace of mind she could easily provide but for now, she could only listen and express empathy for the mother.

Ultimately, at the core of the woman's plea was that either them felt free enough to come to her, should they feel any inking of feeling hopeless or lost. Botan gave a slight understanding nod and looked to Kurama, now unsure if she and him were exempt from the demon's dark influence. For now, she looked back to Shiori Kurama promised to heed her warning and respect her wish about being honest. [color=f6989d][b]"Yes, of course."[/b][/color] Botan replied, hoping neither of them would have to put Shiori through any further pain. [b][color=f6989d]"Your concern really means a lot to me, thank you."[/color][/b] She added, reaching out to place her hand atop Shiori's for a brief moment before the woman apologized for the topic which cued Kurama to also comfort his mother.

Botan slowly resumed eating as the topic shifted to something lighter, thanks to Kurama's tactic.

Botan was happy to discuss school as well as Shuichi. She mentioned to Shiori that the teachers were nice but a little too intense with the lessons. But Botan assumed that was just due to the strict school itself. She said she enjoyed English and found Math to be the most challenging. Though for Botan, it was all pretty tough. If she was being tested on Spirit World lore and history, she would be just fine but sadly, humans were more detailed in their retelling of events, despite their short history. She was sure Kurama could relate to here in that regard but it went unspoken. And even though the school day had been tough, she mentioned she had indeed made friends, since to Shiori's knowledge, Botan had already started school a week ago. [color=f6989d][b]"Oh yes, Shuichi-kun is very good, he's patient and ensures I understand something before moving on. I wish the teachers were more like him!"[/b][/color] She said, realizing she was probably putting the praise on a bit thick, despite it being utterly honest.

Soon the pair were upstairs and up in Kurama's room, the closest one to the stairs. Botan was feeling rather drained but knew it would be wise to talk before they both turned in for the night. Though Kurama apologized for his mother's commentary, Botan knew it was well-founded and understandable. She waved a hand, dismissing his need to explain him or his mother. She understood where Shiori was coming from. He took a seat beside her on his bed and changed gears, bringing up a possible way for her to fight without needing to train too much. She thought for a moment and gave a small shake of her head, her ponytail wagging slightly. [color=f6989d][b]"Nothing comes to mind but maybe tomorrow I'll think of something I may have forgotten to mention."[/b][/color] She said. [b][color=f6989d]"I'm just so tired for all the excitement today, I may sleep for twenty years."[/color][/b] She laughed softly and stood up, struggling to stifle a yawn.

[color=f6989d][b]"Goodnight."[/b][/color] She then excused herself and went to her room, needing less than five minutes to fall asleep.

The next arrived and flew by with little interest. Botan stayed mostly conscious during classes and before she knew it, school was over. Through the day, she had time to think more about Kurama's idea. It was just an extension of their lie. And if Shiori did know it was lie, it could just add to the complication at school. It probably was better to just have her believe she and her son were in fact, going out. She also had to consider that it could be fun to play with the role throughout the day, instead of trying to flip a switch inside her head, on and off. She still didn't like deceiving Shiori but since it [i]was[/i] Kurama's idea, she had to trust that he knew his mother's judgement and that when they had to break up at the investigation, that Shiori would be alright with it.

As they entered the greenhouse which was located behind the academy, near the tennis courts, Botan found her train of thought shattered as the array of flowers and plants greeted them. Most were in good shape, considering Kurama's long absence but some of them lacked the necessary attention to sustain life. [b][color=f6989d]"Wow, this is like an oasis!"[/color][/b] She stepped inside and began to observe the plants. Some of them were clearly imported but others, she recognized. [color=f6989d][b]"This whole campus will light up with cherry blossoms soon."[/b][/color] She mentioned as she saw two cherry trees near the back of the rectangular greenhouse. Botan walked towards them but stopped when she came to a bush which had many dead roses sprouting from it.

Down by her feet, she saw shriveled up grey rose petals. 

[color=f6989d][b]"Aww..."[/b][/color] She knew something was bound to be neglected given the situation but she still felt bad for it. While Kurama watered some of plants, Botan crouched down and placed her fingers around the stem of a dead rose. Though she was a reaper of souls, she wondered if she would be able to give such a beautiful flower some new life. Concentrating, she felt her spirit energy flow from her fingers, into the rose she was grasping between her thumb, pointer and middle finger. Suddenly the rose began to lit up and soon enough it turned into a rich deep sapphire color with a faint shimmer. [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gSSX4Dl36s]It was unbelievable.[/url] 

[b][color=f6989d]"Hey, Kurama..."[/color][/b] Botan stood up, having plucked the blue rose from its cemetery. 

Glancing down at her creation, she then reached to another decaying rose with her left hand and it soon transformed into a glistening beautiful blue rose, full of life. She then touched the other roses and by the time Kurama turned his attention back to the grim reaper, she had revitalized all of the roses. She walked over to him with the first one in her right hand. She studied it carefully, able to feel her own energy nestled in the bundle of rose petals. The stem was no longer prickly and daunting to the touch. She brought the rose to her lips, the petals were soft to the touch and the smell was divine and delicate. [b][color=f6989d]"I never knew I could do this."[/color][/b] She said quietly, wondering if Kurama had seen anything like it before. Botan was excited and rather hopeful, rather glad she could [i]something[/i] interesting.

Perhaps the rose could help her channel her spirit energy. She had contacted Lord Koenma at lunch and asked him to manufacture a baseball bat which could have different channels for her to amplify her power behind it. He said it would be done over the weekend and until then, to stick close to Kurama to be safe. She still neglected to mention her new role at school but she still didn't think he needed to know. It was kind of thrilling to have a secret that was all hers. Well, hers and Kurama's. Botan's gaze continued to study the rose as she then handed it to Kurama, their fingers brushing together. She wondered if him holding it would make any difference. After about a minute, the color began to fade and once it was back in her soft hand, it was brimming with a vibrant blue glow once more. [color=f6989d][b]"It seems to require my actual energy...I do have some healing powers, they're not very powerful but this might be useful for using them. What do you think?"[/b][/color]