Fons et Origo
A/N: Hello, everyone! Here we are at another chapter, this one is going to be a bit dark, I hope you all can forgive me for dwelling into negative territory with some of our favorite YYH characters. On another note, my recently published story is filled with Kurama and Botan fluff and sexual tension and is a companion to this fic, please feel free to read it for some joy. I'm sorry for running so late with this chapter, life has been very hectic. Lots of therapies for my son, he's realizing he can walk but has yet to master crawling which is impressive for a 9-month-old. On top of that, I found out I'm expecting again! An enormous surprise but hubby and I are excited! Anyway, please enjoy the chapter.
Timeline/Ages: Since I failed to mention this before Chapter 1 took place 3yrs following the end of the manga or after the Terrorist Cult attack on Reikai. I think I wrote 2yrs at one point but will fix that for the sake of continuity. So for ages, in Chapter 1, Kurama was 22 going on 23, and Yusuke, Keiko/etc were 21.
Chapter 4: Venom
Botan sat in her private office within the Reikai palace, nursing a migraine as she continued to pour over a plethora of new officer and ferry girl profiles. She had already sorted nearly one hundred to be professionally examined by her and Captain Orochi the next morning. In the four months since the deity had returned to Reikai, her workload had mostly consisted of the same thing each day.
The mornings started with the conduction of interviews and compatibility tests alongside Captain Orochi, followed by lengthy meetings with the Captain, and very rarely Koenma, to make a decision upon each pairing. From there, she would head to her office and complete the paperwork for the matches they'd agreed upon. She would then conclude her workday by preparing the files for the next round of meetings. Finally, after work, she would head home to rest before beginning the cycle again when she awoke.
Each day left her more exhausted than the last. The migraines were steadily getting worse since they began on the first week of her return. Most evenings consisted of the ferry girl falling into bed and sleeping, without eating as the pain and fatigue made it nearly impossible to even want to do anything else except snooze.
A knock on the office door pulled her eyes from her work. "Come in," she called. Her newly appointed assistant, Ran, who was highly recommended by the Captain, came in carrying a tray of tea and sandwiches. Botan cleared a space on the desk for the young ferry girl to set the try down on. Botan sniffed at the tea and grimaced. "Red ginger again," she said flatly.
Ran looked apologetic, "I'm sorry." She bowed repeatedly making her platinum curls bounce, "This was sent by Captain Orochi. He said it will help with your headache." She handed Botan a small, dark blue envelope with a red seal.
"Miss Botan,
I know the red ginger is not your favorite…but hopefully it will ease your headache, even if only for a little while. Have a good night!
-Cap. Orochi"
"How considerate he is," Botan murmured, smiling at the sweet note. Since confiding in the Captain about her migraines he had started sending her numerous gifts to help cure them daily. Cookies, teas, crackers, snacks…it was almost too much. She always asked how she could ever repay him but he simply said her friendship was more than enough. It warmed her heart to have such a good friend.
'Even though Kurama warned me about Orochi he's been so wonderful to me,' she blanched at the thought of her fiancé. Glancing down at the emerald ring on her finger her heart ached. She missed him more than words could say.
Botan had kept her promise and had written a letter to him every day. Since Ran was her part-time assistant and remained active in ferrying the blonde was the designated mail carrier. But every day she returned empty-handed, stating that Kurama accepted the letter but did not have a response. It cut the blue-haired woman deeply. She knew there must be a reason and in each note, she asked for an explanation. The rejection she felt each time her letters were met with silence grew so agonizing that she'd finally halted writing to him every day and took to sending correspondences every other week.
"Is there anything else I can get you, Miss Botan?" Ran asked. The blue-haired deity shook her head and sipped the tea. It wasn't horrible but she'd grown tired of it and she had to admit it did ease some of the pain. Botan turned back to her work and began sifting through the remaining files, after a moment she noticed Ran still standing in front of her desk.
"Did you need something?"
The blonde fidgeted under Botan's gaze. "Well," she started, "It's just that it's getting late…and I wanted to see if I could go home. I have ferry duty early tomorrow morning."
Botan glanced at her desk clock and realized it was nearly 11pm. "Oh, my. It is late," she stood. "Terribly sorry, I didn't realize the time. Let's head out." Botan and Ran began making their way towards the complex of apartments designated exclusively ferry girls. They walked in relative silence as the blue-haired woman's mind was swimming in concern for Kurama.
She knew he would be busy with work as he'd finally convinced his stepfather to build a second branch. The business had picked up and Kurama was well on his way to someday taking over for Kazuya, he'd also mentioned buying a house for them. Her heart beat painfully and she longed to hear even just a short sentence from him.
The two ferry women bid each other goodnight and split off in the direction of their apartments. Once safely settled into bed Botan realized she had forgotten to give Ran her latest letter for Kurama. A momentary thought of paying a visit to her assistant's apartment struck her, but a nagging sense of abandonment gave her pause. With an agitated groan, she answered slumber's call with her thoughts on her kitsune.
The weeks continued to pass by slowly but surely. Late in April, while Botan and Orochi stood upon the raised platform observing the marching officers as they all made their exit, the Captain turned to her with eyes full of concern. "Are you feeling alright?" He said softly. She did her best to force a bubbly smile and nod her head. Seemingly unconvinced Orochi grimaced, "I'm sorry to say this…but you are looking rather pale. Perhaps you should pay a visit to the infirmary?"
She shook her head of blue tresses, "I'll be okay. I felt much better yesterday after drinking the new tea you sent over." The Captain had replaced the red ginseng tea with another type that she was unfamiliar with, he said it was from Demon World and would help her with virtually any ailment. Truthfully it had taken the pain away and gave her a great deal of energy. But drinking it in the evening had proven to be a mistake as she had not slept at all the night before. Botan decided it was best to drink the tea in the afternoon around lunch to help her last through the day.
"I'm glad to hear it," Orochi responded, gifting her with a warm smile. The soldiers had cleared the field and the Captain took the moment of privacy to grasp Botan's hand in his. "I worry about you," he said. "I consider you my good friend and feel we have grown quite close in these past few months."
Her eyes fell to his scarred hand holding hers. She could not deny it, they had grown closer. He had become a source of comfort in the past five months. He was kind enough to listen to her worries about the lack of reply from Kurama, he was there when she didn't feel well and would stick up for her when Koenma was on a tirade. But still, her fiancé's words were a constant at the back of her mind urging her to be wary of the Captain.
"I consider you a good friend as well, Orochi," she said after a short moment. "As for now, we should move along to the next process." The black-haired man nodded and led the way to her office.
They bumped into Ayame as she exited Koenma's office, the iris-eyed deity smiled serenely at Botan. "Good morning," she greeted. "How are you feeling today? Any better?"
"Yes," Botan replied. "Captain Orochi sent a tea from Makai and it worked like a miracle!" Ayame cast her eyes over the tall man all warmth dissipating as she surveyed him. Orochi shifted uncomfortably under her gaze but remained silent.
"I suppose we ought to thank you then, Captain," Ayame said flatly. "I will inform King Koenma of your charitable friendliness to his head ferry girl." She turned away from him again to face Botan head-on. The blue-haired woman frowned slightly at the action but did not address it. "Have you heard from your fiancé?"
Botan sighed heavily, "I haven't."
"I see."
"I won't give up, though! He must have a good reason." They spoke in hushed tones though were well aware that the Captain was listening intently.
Ayame's gaze softened, "I am certain he does, please try not to stress over it too much. Would you like to go to the baths tonight after work? You deserve the relaxation."
Botan agreed eagerly and they bid farewell, departing into opposite directions. As the older deity passed Orochi she cast him a viperous stare. Botan caught it and wondered why her dear friend held such abhorrence for the captain. "I will have to ask her about it later," she thought to herself.
The rest of her day passed by quite quickly and was blissfully migraine-free, thanks to a cup of Veneno tea during her meeting with Orochi, which also gave her extra pep and made the workload tolerable. Ran even seemed to notice the pick-up in her boss's mood. As they were exiting the palace the blonde woman smiled slyly, "You've been in good spirits all day today." Botan chuckled.
"I suppose I have," she said coyly.
Ran stepped in front of her, one hand on her hip and the other wagging a finger, winking and grinning teasingly. "Does it have anything to do with a very handsome Captain? You two were all smiles during your meeting today. You both have such chemistry, it's clear you're in love with each other!"
Botan scowled, "What?" Her sharp hiss startled the assistant. "I am far from in love with Captain Orochi. Have you forgotten that I am engaged?" Ran turned scarlet and bowed in apology.
"Please excuse me," she pleaded. "I was reading into things and am very sorry!"
"What 'things?'" Botan's voice rose a great degree and, for a moment, she could feel her hair nearly stand on end. Ran cowered beneath her superior's flare. "What things are you referring to?"
"I-I just noticed that you and the Captain have grown so close, he cares for you so much!" Ran pleaded, "I didn't mean to make you angry, I'm so sorry!"
A cold sense of exhaustion washed over Botan as she stared numbly at her assistant. She could only summon the energy to heave a sigh and step around the other ferry girl. "Forget it. See you tomorrow," Botan mumbled with a wave, leaving the blonde staring in timorous guilt. As she continued to walk towards her apartment she felt the Veneno tea's effects fade, leaving her achy and tired, as if she'd been running marathons all day.
Later, when she slipped into the steaming hot water of the baths some of the muscle strain was eased. Settling against the back wall she laid her head against the rocks lining the outside of the pool, she let her eyes drift close and her brows scrunch together. Though the water was pleasant on her limbs it did not alleviate her knotted stomach.
Botan's pained expression did not go unnoticed by Ayame, who had met her friend before heading to the baths. "Is it your stomach, again?" Ayame asked. Botan nodded and did not open her eyes. "You should really see Cho. I think he may be able to help."
Botan giggled at the mention of Reikai's greatest physician. She had visited him upon her return as he performed the yearly check-ups for all the ferry girls. He was an unusual character, but genius and surprisingly kind, if there was ever a physical problem Cho was the Reigen to see. "Maybe," Botan murmured after a moment. "It's really not so bad right now; I'd like to see how that new tea continues to work."
"Hm," Ayame pursed her lips. "You're referring to the Makai tea that snake man gave you?"
"Please don't call him that," Amethyst eyes fluttered open. "Orochi is a nice person, he's reliable."
"Is he now?" The dark-haired woman let out a mirthless laugh. "I have my doubts."
The blue-haired deity surveyed Ayame carefully, her shoulders were squared and her nose was scrunched slightly in distaste. "Kurama said something similar," she said. "But Lord Koenma trusts Orochi and I do as well."
Ayame's normally sylphlike expression turned waspish, "Trust can be rescinded."
Botan frowned thoughtfully; what was it she could not see that everyone else seemed to? Orochi was beautiful, and she was well aware that looks could be deceiving, but his gentlemanly demeanor seemed genuine. The way he tenderly inquired about her health every day, the little notes he would leave her sometimes, the gifts he would bestow upon her, and the affection just behind his lovely eyes spoke of such kindness and devotion. Could those qualities be hiding a devil? Or did she not see his true nature because she was using Orochi as a crutch to bear the pain of being separated from Kurama?
Guilt bubbled inside of her at the thought as Kurama's words ran through her mind about Orochi having feelings for the deity. She did not harbor anything more than a feeling of friendship for the Captain, but she did not wish to lead him on and possibly hurt him. She parted her lips to speak but was silenced by Ayame with a finger to the lips, her iris-colored eyes shifted toward newcomers to the bath. Looking over, Botan was mildly surprised to see Ran, accompanied by her roommates Himawari and Tsubaki. The assistant cast a furtive peek at her boss but quickly looked away with a flushed face.
The two older deities waited until the girls waded into the opposite side of the pool before speaking again. "I don't trust that little blonde one, either," Ayame said quietly. "She's always with the Captain. Following him around like a puppy. Maybe she's in love with him?"
Botan threw her head back and choked out a dry laugh, "She accused me of harboring feelings for him just this evening!" Ayame chuckled, the idea of anyone but Kurama occupying her friend's heart seemed ridiculous, she knew Botan was as loyal as they come.
They ceased their conversation as more ladies entered and the bath grew crowded. It was then that Ayame suggested they turn in for the night, Botan agreed and they took their exit. As Botan dried herself in the locker room the dark-haired woman took in her friend's scraggy physique. The older deity was in constant worry over her friend as she seemed to become sicklier as the months went by.
When urged to pay a visit to Cho again Botan merely waved Ayame off and insisted she would be fine. "If you start to feel worse promise me that you'll see him," The black-haired woman insisted. Botan relented but still maintained that she would be fine.
However, despite Botan's assurance, she spent the following year in a vicious cycle of short-lived good health and severe sickness. She would get a few blissful weeks free of pain, and the color would return to her cheeks, only to relapse into worse illness and agony than the previous time. It became difficult to finish a workday, even with the help of the Veneno tea. She found herself drinking an unhealthy amount to feel even a modicum of relief daily.
It was well into April again when she was finally dragged to see Cho by Ayame, whose normally tidy black hair whipped wildly as she raced her oar toward the hospital, with Botan holding onto her waist. She cast her iris-colored eyes worriedly ahead, silently pleading for the life of her friend. Botan's usually milky skin was jaundiced; her eyes held dark circles beneath them, and her cheeks were gaunt. Days of vomiting blood left her lips caked in dried gore and her hair was dry and brittle. She barely had the energy to hold onto her friend and struggled to keep her eyes open. She could not remember when it had gotten so bad and did not remember even calling for help. Her mind was hazy but filled with thoughts of Kurama.
"Am I dying?" she asked, her small voice barely audible over the sound of the Reikai wind blowing past them. Would she ever hear back from her kitsune? Did he know how sick she was? She'd sent him numerous letters but still did not hear from him. A tear slid down her pale face at the thought of never seeing him again.
If Ayame had answered Botan's unhappy question she was deaf to it as darkness overtook her and she slipped into unconsciousness.
She was underwater, sinking further and further into the abyss. The light above her was steadily disappearing until she was completely enveloped in darkness. The brightness of her roseate eyes dimmed as hopelessness overtook her. Her blue brows knit together and she wept with loneliness. Would she ever feel warmth again or was she forever lost to the overwhelming pain?
She wished the feelings away, "I don't want to feel anymore. I don't want to feel anymore. I don't want to feel anymore!" Silently she pleaded, repeating the words to herself like a mantra, begging the emptiness surrounding her to permeate her every cell. If pain was all she had left she sought to feel nothing at all.
At some point when she was completely surrounded by black her prayers were answered. Hollowness filled her, leaving no sadness or happiness, no comfort or anxiety. As she became numb she started to forget. The green eyes and red hair began to fade away quickly, the sound of his voice became a distant echo until it grew silent, she forgot the taste of his tongue, she forgot the warmth of his embrace, and finally, the scent of earth and roses that clung to his very essence soon vanished from her consciousness.
Reduced to an inexplicable blank slate the only thing she could recall was her name, "Botan."
Her eyes snapped open.
She blinked rapidly to adjust to the bright light, finding herself in a sterile, white room. Her eyes locked with a pair of olive green ones and a caring smile. "Good Morning," the man greeted congenially as he stood over her. "I'm glad to see you're awake. Do you know where you are?"
Botan racked her brain but ultimately could not place where she was, "I'm sorry, no." Her voice was small, almost ashamed.
"Do you know who you are?"
She nodded, "My name is Botan…"
"Very good. Do you know who I am?" She surveyed the man at his question. He was tall and thin, with narrow, handsome features, his olive eyes shined behind glasses, and had shaggy, shoulder-length, brown hair. He was clad in tan slacks and a pea-green button-up over which was an ankle-length lab coat. While his smile was familiar she could not identify him and shook her head. "That's okay, I expected you would not. My name is Cho and I'm your doctor."
Blue brows knit together, "Why do I need a doctor?"
Cho sat upon a chair next to her bed and leaned his elbows on his long legs, "You've been asleep for quite a while, four months to be exact."
She blinked in surprise, "Why?"
His smile grew chary, "Because you were poisoned."
Sorry for being so very late with this and for ending on a cliffhanger. I hope y'all enjoyed it and I will try my best to put out the next chapter a little quicker. This pregnancy is kicking my ass, I've been so nauseated and tired, not to mention all of my son's needs! He has been extra needy lately, which I don't mind because the snuggles are pure serotonin, however, it leaves less time for me to be on my laptop. Thank you all for your patience!