Covered in rain
by: Pepita Moonwheeler
Author's notes: This is my first chaptered fic retrieved from a battered-looking diskette, dating way back to my grade school days (grade five to be precise), so please forgive any grammatical error, plot loophole or an insignificant detail made unnecessarily significant.:-) But despite the aforementioned, this story is very sentimental and dear to me.:-)
Shoutouts: This is for my dear friend Amai, who I built the kingdom of Rei kai with.:-) Despite the immense distance between us still, "we belong under the same sky" and I love you, forever.:-)
Disclaimer: None but the story is mine; all the characters and rights belong to Yoshihiro Togayashi and Toei animation, Japan.
CHAPTER ONE:
The light crept inside the Mahogany themed room. It touched everything with its still blossoming light; letting its magic spread forth on everything. It was a pretty sight to beheld, only if golden-eyes were able to see it. But as always, Koenma the crowned prince of Rei Kai, was too unfortunate enough to have his nose buried in paper work. His freedom was completely non-existent- it was the price to salvage the remaining functionality left in the underworld.
His fingers were already poised to flip the next page over, but the imminent blip in the back of his mind, halted him. He was bothered by something, though he cannot place what. He tugged his pacifier with his teeth (which became a therapeutic force of habit) and was quickly lost in his spinning thoughts. What could he have possibly forgotten?
The answer lay on the blue ferry girl who banged his door open.
"Ohayou! Koenma-sama!"
If koenma was startled, he successfully masked it. Because when he returned Botan's good morning he was sedate with just a soft smile curving his lips. "You are awfully cheery today." He noted. The pleasant faced girl beamed. "Why wouldn't I be? Something wonderful is up today."
Koenma did not want to admit that he had forgotten.
"I see."
A crease appeared on Botan's face. "Don't tell me you've forgotten!" she said in exasperation. Koenma need not respond to that because his face spared him the worry of doing so. She sighed. "Koenma-sama, I know things are pretty burdensome around here but you need to take a break from all the hub-bub you are drowning yourself with."
She moved towards him, her face wearing a pained and pensive expression. Her hands, she laid atop his shoulders, a practiced she was accustomed to doing, especially when Koenma was burdened with a plethora of paper work. The warmth from the pads of her hands quickly transferred to his tensed shoulders, soothing them and letting them droop into a relaxed state. Koenma sighed deeply.
"Come with me to the Rei kai festival," she begged silently.
He would've said no, had her charms not have a strangle hold on him. He sighed audibly and looked at her squarely in the eye. "Yes." He answered her, his voice albeit heavy. He quickly pushed his thoughts that speak of his insurmountable work aside. He had more time for them later.
He pressed his head against her stomach; blissfully unaware of the ting-tangly feel he was giving Botan. He loved the feel of them together like this-- it was as if nothing mattered to the both of them. It was as if she was the only thing he needed to get by. A melancholic feeling began to dawn upon him, as he realized that despite their apparent closeness, Koenma still had feelings he couldn't easily divulge to her.
"Koenma-sama?" His eyes were weary, and he wasn't in the mood for anything at all but everything else melted away at the sight of her smile. He conceded to her request, and her smile grew to a big grin.
All she ever did was ask, she never really had to beg me for anything… Koenma mused.
They stayed like so for minutes, both savoring the quiet moment they had to themselves. It's been years, they both thought. It was true. It's been years since they had time to themselves; to talk, to laugh, and to simply be with each other. The trials that Rei Kai underwent changed them both; Koenma who was once an energetic and spunky child is now a serious adult who was deprived of anything except his royal lineage and his sleep. Botan was his only source of happiness, and not many people know that they were inseparable as a needle is to its thread. She was the one that knew him best even if he had lost all his hair. She was the one who mastered all his moods and his actions that it was highly likely that they would end up together.
But time is still time, and with its passing, destroyed Koenma's life. He was a young adult, when the news of his mother's death shocked the kingdom of Rei Kai. Enma, the king of death, who was once a quiet person, changed dramatically when he had heard the news. He became erratic; one moment calm and focused and the other spent screaming at anyone who was unfortunate enough to cross his path. He also withdrew from the job and left it for Koenma to handle.
And Botan was there all the way. She never left him, believing that once in her life, Koenma was there and he was a fuel for her to pull through.
The moment was put to an abrupt halt when a knock disturbed them out of their reverie.
"Koenma-sama?" Came George's voice. Koenma sighed.
"Waking up?" Botan asked "Not quite." He whispered; his eyes still closed.
"Koenma-sama? I have the reply of the council here"
The two shared a light laughter upon hearing George's coaxing tone. "He's such a persuasive devil isn't he? Excuse the pun"
"Yes. So"
"Hmm"
"I'll see you in your quarters, Koenma-sama"
He nodded.
"Ja"
"Hmm, ja."
Botan waved goodbye and with a brief smile opened the door for George who had a grin on his face. "I knew that would get your attention. What were you two discussing in there"
"We were planning to set fire to this office." Koenma sardonically replied. "What did the council say…?"
Botan closed the door and headed towards her quarters. She was quite proud of herself, she was able to pull Koenma from his desk and a few people were rarely able to do so. Sometimes, when her schedule allowed her a little solitude, she wondered if Koenma would ever give up his work for somebody. She must be lucky, she thought with a twinge of envy.
She knew that something far more than friendship was impossible between them. It was odd, since she had no justification for this feeling; only an empty hollow bitterness that they were never meant to be. Or maybe it was born from the fact that she had unexplained fears?
She pushed the door open, and her tidy albeit small room greeted her. She sighed and pulled the ribbon that tied her hair in a ponytail and released her soft blue tresses. She combed a hand through them and in a minute began undressing.
She piled all her folded garments in an armchair in the corner, and proceeded to open a cabinet that was just beside it. She pushed her pink kimonos away and found the pieces she was looking for. With one hand she pulled out a pink long sleeved sweater that was a little off shoulder and exposed a small portion of her back and a white bohemian skirt that went two inches past her knees. She placed them carefully on the bed and resumed fixing herself. In under a quarter of 60 minutes, Botan was dressed and refreshed for the Rei Kai festival.
She checked her reflection in the mirror for the last time then she locked her room before proceeding to Koenma's quarters.
The trip to Koenma's room took a lot of time. It was located south of the Imperial palace, and to get there one must have to cross a multitude of corridors and a few staircases. It takes precious energy and causes sweat. Admirably though, Botan was as cool as a cucumber when she arrived in front of the gigantic twin oak doors.
"Hello!" she cheerily greeted the two guards guarding Koenma's room.
They grunted in response.
"May I come in?"
Albeit apprehensive, they still opened the door for the charming ferry girl. She thanked them with a wave and a smile, but they only closed the door behind her in response. Yes, they were particularly dull and uninviting, but she was used to them anyway.
She walked the majestic length of Koenma's room, stopping once in awhile to admire the paintings on his room's walls. They seemed like they were from the Victorian era, reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci and Vincent van Gogh's work. She smiled mentally applauding Koenma's taste. He really is a prince. She giggled. "Koenma-sama?"
Koenma heard her voice ring through his chambers. He quickly ran a hand through his hair, combing it to its shaggy perfection. "I'm here Botan," he called out.
The air was so dense with a nameless emotion that you could wrap it around your finger. Koenma stared at Botan; unashamed that he was betraying his awe for her. Botan, on the other hand was blissfully unaware of him gawking at her for she too was greatly admiring him. He was dressed in Ningen clothes, but he still managed to put a stamp of royalty to it. He was breath taking; his outfit resembling that of an oxford student's. A deep blue vest over a crisp short-sleeved polo and khaki pants, he was worthy of being drooled over.
"Oh," they both said at the same time. Botan turned away to hide her now crimson face.
Koenma cleared his throat, amazingly cool and collected. "You're quite a sight Botan-chan." He said, mentally kicking himself afterwards, realizing how sappy he sounded. "Arigato," she stammered. "You look, um," she hitched a breath. "Fascinating." Koenma laughed. "Am I leaving you speechless"
The other pouted. "You know what I really was right to assume you were vain"
"Aww," Koenma placed a hand over his chest, and mocking a scandalized expression. "Touché"
"Hah, serves you right." She stuck her tongue out at him. "Egotistic twit," she added affectionately.
He smiled. "I know you love me"
"You wish"
"No need. I'm pretty assured you do." He said proudly as Botan giggled shaking her head. "We really ought to go you know"
"Uh-huh."
She pulled him by the hand and dragged him towards the door. They passed the two guards who looked perplexed as to why Botan was dragging their prince. Their royal highness merely grinned.
Along the way they met several people, George included. He didn't bother too much on them though because he was currently concentrating on a piece of grain. "He made a bet with me," Koenma said flashing a smile. "If he could make that grain stand I'd give him a week long holiday. We know whose winning." He finished with a grin. Botan laughed.
Every corner of Rei kai was covered with people by the time Koenma and Botan arrived. "Well, where are they?" Botan wondered.
"Probably in the nearest food stall they could find." Replied Koenma; distracted by a booth that sold dancing mice. "Well we won't find them just by standing here. Let's go take a walk." They weaved through the crowd hand in hand, and it took an enormous effort not to get deluged by the pressing crowd. It seems that everybody in Rei kai was too caught up in the entire bustle to give any importance to the astral prince. Too bad, Botan thought. We could've spared ourselves some trouble.
It took them an inordinate amount of time to find the former tanteis. Yusuke and the others were sitting on a park bench near a beverage stand ("I told you we'd find them near a food stall!" claimed Koenma triumphantly.), casually observing the roaming oni's, ferry girls and spirits enjoy themselves like they used to when they were still alive. Botan smiled to herself as she realizes how much three years since the Rei kai trials had changed them all.
Yusuke and Keiko were now seniors and were about to enter a university of their preference. The same was also true for Kuwabara and it was quiet a shock to everyone when he finally admitted his feelings to Yukina. That was the only major change for the delicate girl, though; as she was still unaware that Hiei was her brother. Although she probably didn't fiddle much with the idea since she was busy maintaining Genkai-sensei's dojo. Hiei on the other hand was also busy with the Makai; him being the second-hand of Mukoro. Shizuru is now engaged and Kurama is still a bachelor; preoccupied and intent on his doctorate in economics degree.
"Oy! Yusuke-kun!" Botan screamed making everyone's attention turn to focus on her. The pair happily waved ar them and they waved back, each happy to see their former spirit guide and boss. "Hey!" Yusuke yelled back, energetically beckoning the two towards them. They quickly walked over to them and after a brief sharing of friendly pecks on the cheek, hugs, compliments, handshakes and everything in between, lapse into what was an hour of pure talk mainly about their lives and future endeavors.
"College is draining me," Kurama confided as he sipped his glass of lemonade; his poise unwavering. "All the tests and the paper works are really something to reckon with. I wonder how you manage to survive a plethora of them Koenma-sama"
Koenma chuckled. "Force of habit I guess. You get used to it after sometime"
"I guess that means you're still a bachelor, huh?" Shizuru interjected.
Kurama smiled "I guess so"
He threw a sideways look at Hiei who merely grunted. "The same is true for you I presume"
"If you mean the Makai; yes"
Kurama laughed.
"Ooh look, a candy cart!" Botan squealed. "I'm gonna get those jujube things; will that be alright with you guys?" the group nodded, and without another backwards glance, Botan sped towards the direction of the jujube cart, blissfully unaware of anything else that was in between her and her goal.
She didn't notice a black haired man standing in her way, and by the time she did, it was already late.
"Oh gosh I'm so sorry!" Botan apologized profusely, after colliding horribly with the slender built man. He gave her a friendly smile. "Oh no, it's alright." He said. "I should be the one who's apologizing right now. I really should've been more aware not to stand idly here." Botan merely scrunched her face at what he said. "Oh," he said, upon realizing that Botan was struggling to get up. "I'm terribly sorry."
His soft strong hands, comparable to those of a painter, took hers in a tight grip. He pulled her to her feet in a graceful swift movement and for a moment the distance between them was close-quartered. "Thanks," she mumbled, aware of how near his body was to hers. "It's nothing," he replied as he placed a hand to rub his nape.
It was pure accident that in that moment, that second he had looked into her eyes. It took that one phrase, to change the whole of her life.
"I think I've seen you before…"