Necessity and Convenience:

Summary: "Koenma-sama, I understand the need for a new spirit detective, and I know a detective team tends to work well, but- They've already been trained by Genkai! What do they need me for?!" A new team of spirit detectives has been chosen, and it's Botan's job, once again, to guide them. ? x Botan x ? Um... Spoilers? I guess... Rarepair

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A/N: Don't feel like revealing the pairings quite yet (In fact, only one of the "?" is set in stone. The second could be one of two different people)... But it's quite a departure from my typical ideas (Which are normally KB and HB)... So that should give you an idea. Rarepair indeed.

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Necessity and Convenience:

Chapter one:

New recruits

"Koenma-sama!"

"I'm a bit busy right now, George." Koenma said, stamping paper, after paper, after paper... after paper. Suffice to say, he was indeed busy. "Unless it concerns the end of one of the worlds, I'm sure it can wait."

"But sir!" The blue ogre actually looked a bit frightened. This sparked Koenma's curiosity. What ever could be the problem? "This is important!"

Koenma sighed, dropping his stamp and resting his chubby cheek in his palm. "Well go on then. What is it?"

"It's Botan-" George's eyes were darting, a bit panicked. "She found out about-"

"Koenma-sama!"

"About the new spirit detective team..." George mumbled, trailing off.

The usually bubbly ferry girl stormed through the doors of Koenma's office with an aura of fury. Ogres left and right were fleeing from her path. She slammed her hands down on Koenma's desk. "Would you mind explaining this to me?!" She growled, shoving a sheet of paper in her boss' toddler-like face.

Koenma had seen this paper before. He himself had written it, and had already stamped and signed it. Along with the various bits of Spirit World legal babble, seven names were written on the paper. Jin, Chu, Touya, Rinku, Suzuki, Shishiwakamaru, and Botan.

"I don't see what the problem is, Botan. You had no issues with helping the previous spirit detective team."

"That was different!" Botan said. "We- we were like a family! If you were simply reforming the old one, it wouldn't be a problem!"

"Do you have a problem with the new recruits?"

"As a matter of fact, I do! I know they aren't all bad guys, and I have no problem with Jin, Rinku, Touya, or Chu, but- Suzuki and Shishiwakamaru? For one thing, Suzuki is a complete freakshow! You saw him at the dark tournament! He's insane! And Shishiwakamaru? He has anger issues, he's bloodthirsty, he's wicked, and he's so full of himself! Really Koenma-sama, what were you thinking?! And to top it all off..."

Botan sighed, resting her head in her hand. "Koenma-sama, I understand the need for a new spirit detective, and I know a detective team tends to work well, but- They've already been trained by Genkai! What do they need me for?!"

Koenma waited a few moments, and when Botan did not continue he simply asked, "Are you done?" Botan nodded, still irritated. Koenma sighed, rubbing his temples. "Botan, you've proven quite useful in the past. Though one of them may never acknowledge it, you were very helpful to the former spirit detective team." Botan and George exchanged glances, knowing just who that "one" was. Hiei would rather eat his sword than admit Botan's competence.

"We need a new detective team, and these guys are the most qualified. However, they each have rather... strong personalities, we aren't sure how well they'll be able to work together. And the problems you have brought up will likely cause some conflicts... This new team needs your guidance."

Botan stared at the young ruler for a few moments... "So... So you're saying you want me to babysit them?"

"Well-"

"I can't believe this!" Botan burst out, "I cannot believe this!"

"Well, you'd best believe it. You're to meet them at Genkai's tomorrow."

Botan groaned. "You really do intend to go through with this, don't you sir?"

---

"Hello there, Genkai."

"Hmph. Judging from the grimace, I'd say you've heard the news."

"Yes... So they're in here?" Botan asked, a bit scared to glance past the reiki master.

"Mm-hmm. And I'm counting on you to get them out of my house for a while."

"Everyone's counting on me, aren't they?" Botan mumbled. "Well then, please excuse my intrusion."

Genkai smirked. "Good luck Botan."

"Thanks..."

The room appeared as thus: Rinku was trying to explain to a very uninterested Suzuki the "around the world" technique. Jin was making quite a show of spinning an expensive looking vase on the tip of his pinkie finger as Touya looked on, amused. Chu was close to passing out in the corner, now on his fourth bottle. Shishiwakamaru was levelling a disgusted glare upon Chu's drunken form as he brushed his long blue hair.

Botan let out a quiet groan. This did not go unnoticed by the demons in the room.

"Botan-chan!" Jin shouted. The vase was suddenly forgotten as the wind user rushed toward Botan to envelop her in a bone crushing hug. (The vase was saved by Touya, much to Genkai's relief) "It's good t'see ya! How've ya been?"

"I've been fine Jin-kun." Botan said, a reluctant smile spreading across her face as Jin placed her back on the ground. "It's nice to see you, too."

"Hey ane-san!" Said Rinku. "It's been a long time."

"It certainly has." Botan's smile grew wider.

"It's nice to see you again, Botan-san." Touya said, placing the vase back on the shelf it had come from.

"Sheila! Uuurp- How's life in the afterlife?" Chu belched. Botan giggled. Well, maybe this wouldn't be so bad-

"You're the one Koenma sent?"

Botan bit back yet another groan, remembering why she was dreading this little meet and greet. Well, at least Suzuki wasn't wearing his clown costume...

"You don't look that impressive." Shishiwakamaru observed, looking down his nose at Botan (who was beginning to get irritated). "I don't see why the ruler of Spirit World puts so much faith in you."

Botan was about to retort when Suzuki smacked Shishiwakamaru upside the head. "There has to be a reason, Shishiwakamaru. I'm sure Botan-kun is very capable."

"Yeah. So don' go badmouthin' her Shishi." Jin added.

Shishiwakamaru glared at him. "I told you not to call me that!"

"Gots a problem with it- buuuuurp- pretty boy?" Chu jeered.

"Chu... You're going to start his temper." Touya warned.

"Well he needs to get over his temper!" Rinku retorted. "And he needs to get over himself, too!"

The conversation began to dissolve into an argument, and Botan doubted they even remembered what they were fighting about. Genkai had lit a cigarette and was walking out of the room. She obviously had no intention of breaking up this fight. Botan counted to ten about fifteen times as the volume of the fight grew higher. It was just about to get violent when-

"SHUT UP! I swear you are all just like children! How do you expect to be successful spirit detectives if you spend more time fighting each other than fighting your enemies?! If you don't shape up, you won't last a week! This is pathetic! I don't care how strong you are- if you can't work together you're doomed to fail!"

Silence fell upon the room as Botan caught her breath. This silence was broken by sudden laughter. Jin was cluching his stomach in mirth. Chu and Rinku were joining in, and Touya was letting out a light chuckle. (Suzuki was apparently above such things, and Shishi looked slightly offended.)

"Wow Botan-chan! That's some set of lungs ya got there!" Jin said, grinning ear to ear. "I didn't think anyone could get louder than Chu!"

Botan blushed a little, embarrassed by her own outburst. "Um... Thanks?"

"So Botan-kun, are you here to inform us of our first mission?" Suzuki asked, ignoring the previous excitement.

"Well," Botan began, "In truth, you don't have a mission yet. However, Koenma-sama said I should come here today so the six of you could... get to know me, or something. I'm not sure I see the point myself, but it was an order, so..."

"Well, whatever the reason, it's a pleasure to have you here." Said Touya. "So, how has everyone been?"

Botan laughed. "Oh come now, I was about to ask you all that! How have things been with all of you? Chu-chan? I've heard some rumors about you and a certain little announcer..." Botan raised an eyebrow, her cat-like curiosity evident on her face. (A/N: Yes, she calls him Chu-chan. It's Botan, c'mon. Plus, "-kun" doesn't fit him.)

A goofy grin spread across Chu's face. "It's all true! Me and me sheila Koto have been goin' -uuurp- steady for a long time now!" (A/N:Reni-chan's secret OTP!)

"We should know, he never shuts up about her." Shishiwakamaru commented, looking irritated.

"Jus' 'cause you ain't got a special- belch- lady, don' mean ya gotta be jealous, pretty boy." Chu retorted.

"I'm not jealous, and I don't need a 'special lady'." Shishiwakamaru replied. "I've got a whole fan club of demonesses at my beck and call."

Botan rolled her eyes at how proud of himself Shishiwakamaru sounded. "Anyway... Rinku-chan, Jin-kun, Touya-kun? How have things been with you three?"

"Hey, wait a sec!" Rinku said. "You're changing the subject ane-san! If you're gonna ask about our personal lives, we get to ask about yours!"

"Eh heh... You say that as if I have a personal life... I spend most of my time working!"

"Eh? Really? I was sure you were with that Hiei guy." Jin said.

Touya raised an eyebrow. "You really thought that? I always figured Kurama was more Botan-san's type..."

"How do you figure that?" Suzuki asked.

"Well, Hiei's pretty cold. Botan-san is so bright and bubbly- they don't match."

"Opposites attract don't they?" Jin asked. "But what makes you think she liked Kurama?"

And they're talking about me as if I'm not here. Lovely. And where did they get these ideas about the kind of guys I like- and- since when do guys ever concern themselves with that kind of thing, anyway? Botan thought to herself as the conversation continued on without her. They must get really bored around here to start thinking about that stuff.

Botan caught Shishiwakamaru's gaze for a moment. He seemed to be the only one not involved in the conversation. The demon shrugged. "They gossip like elderly women when they're bored." He said under his breath. "I've heard this conversation fifteen times. You'd better stop them soon or you'll be dating Urameshi behind his girlfriend's back."

Botan's eyes widened. They must get bored around here if they're making up rumors like that!

"S-so! Who's hungry!" Botan interrupted. She wasn't sure, but she thought she'd heard Rinku bring Kuwabara's name into the conversation. (A/N: Love the guy, just not with Botan.)

"I sure am!" Jin said. "Chu's on cooking duty this week, so I haven't been eating much-" He was interrupted as Chu put him in a headlock. "An' wot's wrong with my cookin', hmm?" Chu asked, grinding Jin's head with his knuckles.

"OW! Ya drench everything with alcohol, Chu! Even breakfast! There's a limit, ya know!"

"For once we agree." Shishiwakamaru said. "Dinner's one thing, I prefer for my breakfast to not inebriate me."

"Only cuz you're a goofy drunk." Rinku said with a smirk.

"Why you little-"

"Ooookay then! I'll- uh- just get started on lunch! Let's not kill each other while I'm in the kitchen, okay?"

"I'll help!" Jin volunteered from his headlocked position.

"Oh no you don't!" Suzuki protested. "You're a terrible cook!"

"B-but..."

"He has a point Jin." Touya commented. "You can't boil water."

Jin pouted. "Well if yer so good, you help her Suzuki!"

"Nah. I don't feel like it. Shishi-"

"No."

"Well, then- urrp- I guess I'll-"

"We just got done telling you how much you suck at cooking!" Rinku complained.

"You do it then!"

"You know I can't cook!"

Botan sighed as the group once again dissolved into an argument. "I really don't need any help, guys..."

"Don't worry, I'll help you." Touya said, standing. "You don't need to be making lunch for seven people all by yourself."

"Why thank you Touya-kun!" Botan said, pleased. "I'm sure it will be nice to have some help."

Touya smiled. "No problem."

---

"Quite a team, huh?"

"Eh heh... Yeah. You guys certainly... Yeah."

Touya laughed, chopping up some celery. "Well, it'll probably get better once we get out of the temple for a while. We've been stuck here since Koenma assigned us this position."

"Must've been fun." Botan said as she stirred the broth boiling on the stove.

"Is that sarcasm I detect?"

"A little." Botan replied. "There are some strong personalities in this little group. I don't see how you guys managed to live together for so long without killing each other!"

"Well, every now and then Genkai-sensei gets irritated and breaks up the fights. But they actually don't happen all that often. We spend most of our time training."

And gossipping...

"I'm not sure if I can handle this..." Botan stared at the broth, which was beginning to boil angrilly. Better reduce the heat.

"You can do it, Botan-san. It may take a while to get used to it, but..." Touya smiled. "I'm sure you'll be fine."

Botan couldn't help but smile back. "Thank you Touya-kun."

"No problem- Uh, hey- you'd better reduce the heat..."

"Hm? AHH!"

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A/N: I was thinking of having Shishi help her cook, but... C'mon, it's Shishi. Could've been Jin, but he seems like he wouldn't be able to cook well... Anwyay, I want to do a little more research before they go on a mission. I haven't seen them in the second tournament, so I don't know how their fighting styles and weapons might've changed. I'm reluctant to have them fighting until I know a bit more. Wow. Four and a half pages.... That's quite a bit for me.

Also, writing Shishi's full name gets tiring... Might be a problem.