Reapers
Enough
Written: 9-18-05
Every day Ayame waited. In the hall, his office, outside the door; it really didn't matter so long as she was able to engage him in conversation for at least a few minutes. One minute. A few seconds, even. She wasn't picky.
She didn't know when she had started this ritual, but the fact remained that once a day she would take time out of her busy and often depressing schedule and bring him paperwork, news, or even a favorite sweet in George's staid, just in order to see him. Botan was luckier than she knew, Ayame thought. She got to speak with him every day. Though she harbored no hostile feelings toward her cheerful friend, Ayame secretly wished that she was the one who had such a friendly relationship with her superior. Of course, Botan was affectionate towards almost everyone, but that wasn't the point. Ayame just longed for even an iota of her friend's good-natured bravado.
At least enough courage to talk to him without a convenient excuse, Ayame prayed from behind an ornate statue of the monster Cerberus as she watched the object of her affection stride down the hall in his adult form. She took a deep breath, preparing to step out from her hiding spot, but then suddenly he spoke.
"What are you doing there, Ayame?"
His tone was curious, nothing more, but Ayame was flustered nevertheless. She stumbled into view and apologized quietly.
"I'm sorry, Lord Koenma. I just had these papers for you to sign."
"I see. Did George put you up to delivering them to me?"
Again Ayame found herself taken aback, and opted for the truth over getting the ogre in trouble. "I-I did it by myself, sir."
"Hmm. Thanks."
The ferry girl's eyes widened just a fraction. She met her superior's eyes, stunned. "Thanks…?"
"Yeah. Thanks. You're always doing me favors, Ayame. I just wanted to let you know I appreciate it."
He looked uncomfortable too, she realized with no small degree of amazement. Maybe this sort of thing was difficult for him as well.
She handed him the papers, barely keeping the shakes from her hands. "The top document gives a report on our soldiers' current status in the southern quadrant of Demon World." She babbled.
He glanced the paper over. "Eight hundred troops…Do you think that's enough?"
Ayame looked at the ruler of the Spirit World and nodded, a slightly wistful smile on her thin lips. Yes. She thought. It's enough.