#22: How to Be A Messenger- Botan & Kurama, friends
Taking several deep breaths, Botan hesitated at the home in front of her. The doors were locked, the windows tight. She would appear in the bedroom of the deceased to retrieve the soul, explain it all calmly, reassure them it would be okay. Just like every other time.
Except, no other job had been at Kurama's home. She bit her lip, knowing he wouldn't sense her, knowing his heart was broken from the loss of his beloved mother. Slowly, she slipped into the home, pausing before the body of Shiori Minamino, covered with a blue sheet.
"You're early," Kurama's voice was rough with emotion, his form curled tightly around his mother's corpse. "...I figured it would take you another hour or so..."
"It was..." Botan swallowed the unfamiliar lump in her throat, "Sir Koenma put her on top priority...we're all so grateful for what you've done for us...she deserves a quick and comfortable journey."
"And she will be happy?" the fox sighed, stroking her hair and staring at the floating form by the window, "She will be somewhere...perfect, I hope."
"The best" Botan nodded, holding her oar tightly and fighting the tears that nearly fell, "Kurama, Shiori was a kind, generous soul. Nothing she has done would condemn her to unhappiness."
"It's okay, Suichi," came a gentle voice, the shimmering soul of Shiori emerging from a dim corner, "It'll be alright...I promise you this, my son." Gently, her ghostly lips caressed his brow, "Go to sleep now, baby...it's time..." As if commanded, Kurama's head fell back against the wall, his tear-stained face expressionless. Slumped, he held his mother in his arms, dreaming of her shrouded in gentle light...