odds7

A/N: So what happens to Botan and Koenma? Some mush right ahead. Character's thoughts are italicized.

Disclaimer: Yuyu Hakusho does not belong to me nor any of its characters. I just own Akuma, Suisho and Shinichi.

LOVE DEFIES ALL ODDS

by Seiyo

Chapter 7

Koenma's senses awakened to the sound of birds chirping. When he opened his eyes, he was greeted by a soft drizzle in the early dawn, bringing back memories of what happened earlier.

Botan… He sat up abruptly, his eyes wandering around, looking for something. Then he caught a glimpse of the white dress. It was not far away from where he was sitting. He hurried towards it.

His heart ached at what he saw. There, lying on the ground was Botan, her dress soiled and tattered, her hair was a mess, and on her arms and legs, bruises were beginning to darken.

He dropped to his knees at her side and cradled her in his arms. He stroked her hair and her cheeks.

"Botan..." he whispered to her ear, "Botan it's me, Koenma… wake up…"

Nothing.

"Botan… please open your eyes," he rocked her gently. Still nothing.

Koenma bent his head, laying it on her chest. He listened, then his eyes lit up. There it was, the faint beating of her heart… he could hear it.

"Botan, come on!" he rocked her harder, "Wake up will you." But her eyes won't open and neither did she move. There was only the sound of her even breathing.

A hand touched Koenma's shoulder. He looked over, his eyes filling with tears "Kurama…"

Kurama, Hiei, Yusuke and Kuwabara gathered around.

"She's done what she had to do…" It was Hiei who spoke first.

"She's still alive," Koenma informed them.

"But she has used up all her energy to fight Akuma," with sad eyes Kurama continued, "it's a miracle that she's even alive, but she may never wake up…"

"I admire her courage," Kuwabara mumbled.

"Yes, she has given everything she had… even if it might mean her life," Yusuke sighed, his eyes also beginning to water.

There was deafening silence as moments passed. Around them, the parched soil and the fallen trees lay as the only proof of the great power unleashed hours ago.

"What will you do now?" the question came from Kurama.

Koenma looked down at Botan. What do I do now? His eyes widened as a glint of light caught his eye. Botan was clutching something in her hand. He reached out, opened her palm, and was surprised to see the crystal right there on her hand. He closed his eyes. Is this a sign? He looked up to the heavens. The rain has stopped and the first rays of the sun, peeking out of the clouds stung his eyes. Across the skies a colorful bow appeared. A sign of hope.

When Koenma moved his gaze back to Botan's face, faith and determination can be detected in his eyes. He gathered up Botan in his arms and stood up.

"Our mission is over. I will bring her back to Reikai"

He walked back to the forest, the four men following right behind him.

@@@

The man opened the door to the room. His eyes focused on the woman lying on the bed, peacefully asleep. It has been a good eight months now, yet Botan still hasn't moved a single budge.

Koenma walked in and settled on the side of the bed, his hand brushed a few stray hairs from Botan's face then grasped her hand. He just arrived from Ningenkai taking care of business for his father, the great Enma Daiou, then he dropped off to see Yusuke and the others, informing them of Botan's condition. It has been like that for quite some time. Whenever he arrived from his trips or after he had finished all his work, he would drop by her room, stay there until it's time to sleep, sometimes even spendthe whole night there, hoping to see some progress in her condition. Akuma's case had been rendered finished.

He remembered the day when they came back. George came out to meet them and seeing Botan, gasped and panicked. Everyone was shocked by what had happened, even his father. Since then, Botan had laid motionless in this room. Nevertheless, they took care of her.

Time passed steadily. Koenma gazed at Botan. She looks so calm and serene in her sleep. Stroking her cheek, he sighed. He sorely missed Botan's smiles and cheerful laughter.

"Botan… I don't know if you can hear me," he paused to bring her hand to his lips, "I just want to say that I believe that someday, you'll wake up and come back to me, and that I'll be here waiting for that day to come... Even if it might mean a lifetime of waiting, I'll always be with you. I will always love you…" Koenma whispered softly to her ear, his voice soothing and earnest. For months, he hadn't spoken of what he felt, even though most people had known of it. He had only stared at her sleeping figure silently. Now, being able to talk to her. Telling her how much he loved her, even if she doesn't respond is like a release from all pain and burden inside his heart.

He bent down to kiss her and was ready to leave when he felt a gentle press on his hand. Surprised, he looked down. He was still holding Botan's hand in his. Wide eyed, he moved his gaze to her face. His eyes lit up as he saw Botan's eyes flutter and open.

"Botan…" he uttered her name.

"Koenma?" Botan was looking at him, staring at his hazel eyes.

Overcome with joy, Koenma quickly hugged her, "Botan… you're awake…"

Botan's eyes softened at Koenma's reaction and hugged him back, tears coming to her eyes, "I'm back… I-I was dreaming. Suisho, she was there in my dream. Her and Shinichi. And then... I heard you," she sighed and hugged him tighter, "I love you too Koenma. And I promise, no matter what happens, I'll never leave your side again…"

Koenma pulled away, gazed into the depths of her eyes then took her face between his hands, "I will never let anyone take you away from me. I love you…"

"I love you too…" Botan answered back.

Their lips met in a kiss, full of passion as they poured into it their pent up emotions. A kiss,a seal to their promise of love, surrounding them with a force more powerful than anything in the universe.

A/N: This fic's almost finished. One final chapter remaining.