Title: Distance
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Author's Notes: A bit of spoilers about the end of Yu Yu Hakusho.
(So that's it? I'm road kill.)
When Botan had first met Yusuke, they sat at quite a distance from each other. She would sit on her oar, chatting mindlessly about his new mission. He would sit with his back against a wall, ignoring her completely. He'd fumble in his pocket and pull out a lighter, lighting up a cigarette and taking a drag, letting the smoke burn his lungs. In response, she'd wrinkle her nose in disgust and wave her hands to get the smoke out of her face. She'd glare at him, asking if he was paying attention and her reply came in snores from his sleeping face.
(And you expect me to fight him and become the hero?)
After surviving a battle Yusuke was not prepared for, Botan flew down from Spirit World, landing on the roof of his school. This time with her feet planted firmly on the ground.
"Another mission." He groaned, finishing his cigarette and flicking it to the ground. Botan put her hands on hips and began yelling that smoking kills and she would know because it's her job. Sprawled out on his back, he smirked and just to spite her, he grabbed another one. This time intentionally blowing the smoke in her face before turning to his side and announcing he was going to take a nap.
Later that day he saved her life, slowly closing the gap between them.
(Since I started this tournament, I learned the value of what you gave away, and I won't let it go, even if I have to give up my life.)
She came because she was worried about him this time. Yusuke had sought refuge sitting at the window, halfway done with his cigarette with everyone else asleep. But the Grim Reaper never sleeps, not when people die every day, not when people whom she cares about dies. She fell to her knees, sitting across from him and wondered. He stared out the window, drumming his fingers before he spoke, startling Botan.
"Do you think I'll win?" He asked. She smiled at him, but said nothing for a moment.
"Not if smoking kills you first." She answered, scolding him while grabbing the stick and putting it out. The smoke evaporated in the air, leaving them with silence. He yawned, getting up and left to try and sleep. He'll win, Botan whispered to her self, he always does.
(Even if you killed me, I would come back from the dead and drop kick your ass.)
Feeling Yusuke's soul leave his body was something Botan was not prepared for and will never be. She sat next to him on a bench in an empty park, making sure that he was not an illusion. But she knew better, it was an illusion in her head in thinking that things would stay the same forever. Everything changes and only she is forever. In a fit of anger, she snatched his pack of cigarettes and threw it in the fountain. How many times, she began yelling, how many times did she have to tell him . . . ?
"You only live once." He grumbled, rubbing the back of his head where she had smacked him. His eyes drooped down, his weariness at life had finally caught up to him and fell asleep against Botan as she watched the rain fall. She in twinned her fingers around his, praying that this would not be the last time she would see him.
(I will win the Demon World Tournament.)
And so she waited.
Besides, she had forever.
