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The Past, The Present And The Future
The Past - Memories
Chapter 3 - Sweet, Sour, Then Bitter
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It was a bright day.
Misuko found herself standing in mid air. She was staring at
the bloody scene below her. She was there, lying on the ground. The
evil Crowned Prince was also dead, by her feet. Wait a second, she
was there, on the ground, a pair of scissors protruding from her
belly.
"Why am I here?" asked Misuko silently to herself. She closed
her eyes momentarily, trying to recall what had actually happened.
Recollections began to stream back into her mind. The prince...
lunged at her... a pair of scissors... killed the prince... killed
herself... The searing pain of the stab burned away the last few
seconds of her life. The pain was frightfully real, even now.
Misuko sat down in mid-air, wrapping her arms around her knees.
So I'm dead now. What am I going to do? Misuko bit her lower lips
while hot tears were starting to brim in her eyes.
"Yes, you are," said a voice behind her. Misuko quickly blinked
away her tears and turned her head to look at the owner of the voice.
A girl with an oar was standing behind her. The girl was dressed in a
traditional leaf green kimono with sparrows embroidered all over. Her
black eyes and equally black hair had a serene-like effect.
"What am I supposed to do now?" asked Misuko, getting up, tears
already forming in her eyes again. Being dead wasn't exactly a nice
thought nor dream, but it was true this time. Misuko had never
thought of death before this. It was so... frightening to her.
"I'm a ferry-girl assigned to you from Reikai, where you are
suppose to go for registration before going to your last destination.
Come, sit on my oar," said the ferry-girl gently.
For the first time, Misuko was addressed and comforted by
someone. Someone who treated her like a friend. Someone who was a
friend. That feeling was very special, a warm and happy feeling.
Someone who cared about her plight. A friend in need was a friend
indeed.
"I'm really dead," said Misuko softly, as she sat on the flat
part of the oar. The ferry-girl got onto the oar too and started
sailing through the air.
Misuko closed her eyes, feeling the cool breeze caressing her
face and whipping her hair all around. The wind somehow calmed down
her boiling and unhappy feelings. Misuko herself was never perfect,
although it may have seemed that way to some people. Misuko shoved
that thought aside. She would never want to think about that anymore.
It was simply too painful. An agonizing touch in her life. A black
spot there.
The ferry-girl put a comforting arm on her shoulder, assuring
her that nothing bad would happen.
What was done, was done.
At last, the pair reached the mist shrouded building. An air of
mystery surrounded it as Misuko lifted her head to look at majestic
architecture.
"That is the Reikai Imperial Palace. This is also where all the
souls of Ningenkai are judged and assigned to their last
destinations," explained the ferry-girl and took her hand.
"What's your name?" asked Misuko cautiously. All her life, she
had never been out of the palace. In a way, she had no idea how to
make a friend.
"Hanna," answered the ferry-girl simply as she led Misuko into
the vast building. "Because your case is a special one, our Enma
wants to meet you personally."
"A special case?" repeated Misuko curiously. A lump formed in
her throat... She had killed someone barely an hour ago and she was
going to be judged right now!
"Yes. Let's go," said Hanna and smiled a little. Such a lucky
girl... Usually, cases like this rarely get a second glance, sighed
Hanna softly.
Misuko nodded and ran into the division office with Hanna. The
extremely busy office was filled with running onis and other
unrecognizable creatures. Hanna knocked on the door of a room located
at one corner of the vast office. A voice answered, requesting them
to go in. Misuko stared at the wooden door, half afraid of what lay
beyond. Her first thought was of an evil-looking executioner waiting
to punish her for the crime she committed. Misuko couldn't hide from
herself anymore. She had to accept the truth.
Hanna cautiously opened the door and walked in. A boy in his
late teens, about 17 years old was sitting there, sucking his
pacifier; furiously signing documents away. Another huge blue oni was
standing beside him, passing him papers to sign.
"Good morning, Koenma-sama," said Hanna, bowing slightly. She
gave Misuko a small nudge, asking her to do the same.
"Good morning," said Misuko as politely as she could.
Koenma looked up at the sound of an unfamiliar voice. "Good
morning," he greeted back, fixing his gaze at Misuko. In fact, he
stared at Misuko for quite a long time, without paying any attention
to the puzzled glances his blue oni and Hanna were exchanging. Koenma
looked at her for such a long time that Misuko began blushing and
tugging at Hanna's sleeve.
"Um... Koenma-sama, this is the girl you wanted to see," began
Hanna cautiously seeing that Misuko was already tugging furiously.
"Oh! Your name is..." Koenma flipped through a few papers and
glanced at them. "... Misuko. You had committed suicide, right?"
"Well, I guess that was the only way to get myself out of this
mess," said Misuko dejectedly. Reminiscences began flooding back to
her head. The stab was still painful, though. Not only was it painful
physically, but mentally too.
"Your place should be in heaven since you didn't do anything
bad, but you committed suicide. Why? That is against the rules of
living," said Koenma, looking at Misuko straight in the eye.
"I had to. I had no choice. Think what would have happened
sooner or later. The death of the prince... King Shu wouldn't have
let me off that easy. I'd rather commit suicide than been executed in
public," explained Misuko, tears starting to well up in her eyes. She
had never felt so guilty in her life. Not only she had disappointed
her country, she had ended her own life herself. In all things, she
had failed miserably.
"Just because of this point, the Reikai division office has
decided to let you choose your own destination. You will have your
fair chance of reincarnation, but which do you prefer? The first is
to incarnate in three years time after a year of suffering in the
first floor of punishment or you can work here as a ferry-girl for one
hundred years," offered Koenma, giving her a choice.
"We are lacking workers here, you know," continued Koenma.
Misuko was dumbfound at the offers Koenma had made. To
reincarnate or work as a ferry-girl here? Misuko considered. The
world is in such a bleak state and I was just sitting in otousama's
palace without doing anything. Fifteen years of my life were wasted
just like that... I'm a girl. I can't do anything in the world of
feudalism...
But... she would have to wait for a long time to live again...
Misuko considered and reconsidered. Making decisions was very
difficult for her as her life in the palace was arranged beforehand.
This type of life didn't even give her the chance to decide when she
would have her bath.
It would take all her determination to do this. Misuko took a
deep breath and voiced out her choice.
"I think I would be a ferry-girl here. I'm tired of seeing all
these wars and fighting in the world. I suppose that would be better,
since I could help and comfort souls in despair rather than seeing
them suffer in silence," said Misuko, making her choice. She had
truly made up her mind this time. One hundred years may seem a long
time, but at least she could do something meaningful.
"Fine, than that it will be," said Koenma, smiling at her.
"Hanna, show her around and get her an official uniform of a
ferry-girl."
"Thank you," said Misuko as she smiled back. Koenma seems to
be a very friendly person, thought Misuko as Hanna led her out.
Misuko was thankful. Very thankful that she had been given a chance
to start a new life.
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"Hanna, is being a ferry-girl very hard?" asked Misuko as Hanna
showed her the ferry-girls' sleeping quarters.
"Well, it depends on how you divide your time. Sometimes, you
can suffer from an overload of work if you were to linger from job
to job," answered Hanna as she opened a closet full of uniforms of
many sizes and cloth patterns. "Choose a set you like."
Misuko went through the clothes and looked at them, hoping to
find something she would really like. Pairs after pairs of uniform,
but she still couldn't find one that caught her attention.
"Why do all these kimonos have some type of flower or bird
embroidered on them?" asked Misuko curiously as she fingered one of
the beautiful roses sewed on one of the kimonos.
"Well, Reikai has a certain rule that the ferry-girls should
have an identity of their own by putting on a certain type of
insignia on their kimonos. Most of them were flowers or birds anyway.
Mine are sparrows," said Hanna, crossing her arms over her chest. It
was a long time already since Reikai had recruited any new
ferry-girls.
"I think I would like a crane as my insignia," said Misuko as
she picked up a pair of dark blue kimono with a pair of white cranes
embroidered at the front. She touched the head of one of the cranes
lovingly. Since the crane is graceful and slender, it will look good
on me... thought Misuko silently.
"I think you might be able to start work tomorrow," said Hanna.
"I'll leave you to settle down in your room." Hanna pointed towards a
room at the far end of the corridor.
"Thanks anyway," said Misuko as she clutched the kimono
tightly. What lay in store for her in this place? One might never
know.
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Misuko got up early next morning. I'm now a ferry-girl in
Reikai, said Misuko aloud as she hummed her favorite tune to the
rhythmic splashes of water around her in the bathtub.
Slowly, she washed herself thoroughly and got into the her new
kimono. I look good and refreshed. Misuko admired herself in the
full length mirror as she tied the peach colored sash around her trim
waist.
She combed her waist length hair and tied it up in a braid.
Misuko took one last look at her outfit, making sure that the kimono
was straight, and walked out of the room. As she expected, Hanna was
waiting for her outside.
"Come on, let's hurry or we will be late for work," said Hanna
as she took Misuko by the arm and ran in the direction of the
division office.
"Wow, are we supposed to ferry all these spirits before noon?"
asked Misuko as she was handed a sheet of paper about her assignment
today. "There are about twenty names on that list," said Misuko in
awe. This isn't going to be easy... groaned Misuko inwardly.
"I guess so..." said Hanna, looking at her own list.
"Where am I suppose to get my oar?" asked Misuko.
"Just reach out an open palm and say 'oar'," instructed Hanna.
Misuko did as Hanna instructed and an oar slowly materialized
in her palm.
"That oar is yours now and you can control it with your
thoughts. Just think. When you want it to fly, just think of it
flying the way you want. By the way, here's a map of routes to
Reikai," Hanna handed Misuko a piece of paper. "One more thing, if
you are ever lost, you can command the oar to get you back here."
"Okay, thanks," said Misuko as she set off with her oar,
looking at the first name on her list. For a while, she was at a loss
for what to do.
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"What a day!" said Misuko as she touched down to join Hanna in
the Imperial Reikai Palace.
"What took you so long?" asked Hanna, crumpling her list into a
ball and throwing it into a wastepaper basket nearby.
"I wasn't sure how to get to places and my oar was a little
disobedient," answered Misuko, also throwing her list into the
wastepaper basket. In fact, today was disastrous. Misuko was suppose
to ferry an old man's spirit but the oar flew her to some remote land
in Africa instead... A sweat drop formed on Misuko's temple as she
thought of that.
"Gods, I'm exhausted," said Hanna, stretching a little. "I
think I'm going to bed early today."
"I'm going to relax a little tonight," said Misuko, walking off
in an another direction.
"Goodnight," said Hanna, her hand stifling a yawn.
"You too," said Misuko from a quite far distance away. I'm
going to sit in the Imperial garden I have seen from my window - that
garden is actually quite nice, decided Misuko. Her head was
throbbing slightly as she had never really done hard work before.
Misuko sighed softly. She had never expected herself to end up
here...
Misuko strolled down the path winding through the beautiful
landscape. Flowers were blooming at their fullest and their sweet
scent filled the air. At last, she reached a secluded place in the
garden. She sat down on the soft green grass and drank in the sweet
scent of flowers around her. Misuko closed her eyes and listened to
the constant singing of a lone nightingale. Enjoying the soft sweet
music. Misuko wasn't quite sure now. She was tired, tired of life.
What had made her so pessimistic? She had negative traits in herself,
but she had never looked at them carefully. Never bothered to...
It felt so much like home. As Misuko thought of that, a
hollow feeling began to take its place in her heart. Home sickness.
Misuko missed her father and other people around her very much. Maybe
a week ago, leaving home was totally alien to a princess who had
lived all her life in a palace. Never going out of the forbidding
walls around her.
After a while, Misuko could feel someone sit down beside her.
"Is that you, Hanna?" asked Misuko with her eyes still closed.
"No. It's me." A squeaky voice answered. Misuko opened her eyes
look at Koenma, this time without his pacifier.
"I'm sorry... Koenma-sama," stammered Misuko as she got up
hastily and dusted the bottom of her kimono.
"Never mind, sit down again," answered Koenma, closing his
eyes and he inhaled sharply.
Misuko also sat down again, setting her mind into a peaceful
state.
"Why are you here? I thought I was the only one in Reikai who
actually enjoyed sitting in the garden during evenings," began
Koenma, his voice was in quite a low tone. Misuko looked at him in
surprise as that wasn't his normal high pitched voice.
"I love gardens, especially such a beautiful one like this. It
reminds me of home," said Misuko dreamily.
"Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?" asked Koenma,
plucking a stalk of grass and beginning to twirl it around his index
finger.
"No," answered Misuko simply, on other hand, Misuko was also
curious what Koenma wanted to ask. Could it be...
"How is Ningenkai? I have never been to Ningenkai before,
because I have just got this post from my otousama a few years ago,"
asked Koenma, his eyes shining full of hope to see Ningenkai one day.
"Ningenkai is fun, full of interesting things and beautiful
scenes like a typical sunset. Unluckily, the country my otousama is
ruling was jeopardized. I don't know whether the state of Shu will
attack my country after I stabbed their Crown Prince," said Misuko
with a plaintive sigh. Now, Misuko felt a tiny stab of regret. Maybe
she shouldn't have killed their crowned prince. Maybe she should just
stay being a concubine there.
"Why did you stab him?" asked Koenma, opening his eyes to look
at Misuko meaningfully.
"The state of Shu tricked my father into giving me as a 'so-
called' prize of harmony, but it was a conspiracy in order to get me.
I was so angry when I heard that from the Crowned Prince's mouth. He
even tried to rape me... I somehow got hold of a pair of scissors and
accidentally killed him. I didn't mean to end my life like that, but
I had no choice," said Misuko, two teardrops rolling down from her
eyes. Memories were so painful for her. Misuko shoved that thought
away as it was ripping her sanity apart.
"It's not so much your fault. Humans make mistakes," consoled
Koenma, patting her on the shoulder. Koenma felt true sympathy for
this girl, who came to Reikai yesterday. Koenma himself had seen such
cases before, but this had left him with a strong impression.
"Koenma-sama, do you think that I really did the wrong thing?"
asked Misuko. She was still confused now. She was guilty, guilty of
not bringing harmony to her people.
"No. You did the right thing to protect yourself," said Koenma.
"But what will my otousama think? I'm his only child," Misuko
said as she broke down into sobs.
"Don't worry, I think he would understand," said Koenma.
"I'm really unkind to my father. I brought disgrace to my
people. I heralded war cries..." cried out Misuko, burying her face
into Koenma's shoulder and sobbing her heart out.
Koenma cautiously put a hand to comfort her, hoping that she
would eventually calm down. Slowly, a few stars shone down at them.
At last, Misuko's sobs died down.
"I'm sorry to break down like that," apologized Misuko as she
wiped her tears away with her kimono sleeve.
"I hope that you have finally calmed a little," said Koenma,
smiling gently at her.
Misuko got up. "Thanks for listening to me." In her heart,
Koenma was already a friend. Someone she could lean on when she
needed a mere person to listen to her.
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[Koenma was leaning over her, whispering the magical three
words into her ears. Misuko smiled up at him, Koenma bent down and
kissed her lightly on the cheek...]
Oh no... This is the third time I've dreamt about him in a
night... thought Misuko in shock as she sat up on her bed, sweating
profusely. She shook her head, trying to clear the image before her
just seconds ago.
She took a glance outside the window. The sun was already
halfway up the horizon. She got up quickly and dressed.
"Hanna must be wondering what had happened to me." thought
Misuko as she brushed her hair hurriedly. She took her oar and ran
outside. Hanna was there pacing impatiently to and fro.
"What were you doing inside?" asked Hanna, wondering why Misuko
was late.
"Oh... I just had a dream," said Misuko quickly. She didn't
want Hanna or anyone else to know that she had a crush on their boss.
Besides, what would Hanna think if she knew about her crush?
"What dream? A nightmare?" asked Hanna. "You looked pretty
pale!"
"Um... no," said Misuko. "Let's get going."
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Koenma groaned for the 50th time as George brought in another
stack of papers. Work at Reikai was so demanding and tedious...
Koenma had never chosen to work in Reikai; but he had no choice. He
was the only heir to Reikai, so he had to do so; whether he liked it
or not.
"Koenma-sama, these documents have to be signed by 1.00pm
today," announced George, also obviously a little burned out from the
heavy workload.
Koenma nodded absent-mindedly as George set the pile down in
front of him. Koenma-sama seems to be quite distracted these past
few days. I wonder why... George pushed the thought away and went
out of the door. Koenma-sama never tells his problems to anybody,
not even to me.
On the other hand, Koenma was having trouble concentrating on
the office papers spread out before him. His mind was wandering
elsewhere, unable to make a comeback. He shrugged a little and forced
some work.
I love being in this form... thought Koenma on another of his
occasional stray periods of daydreaming. That is my actual form, but
otousama wants me to go back to that smaller form. Speaking of
pacifiers and Reiki...
She has a very special self within her... said Koenma aloud
this time, but he quickly clamped his hand over his mouth. He didn't
want to think of that anymore, work was more important to him now.
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Misuko sat in the garden again, for two consecutive weeks. The
night air seemed to calm her, but her mind was still confused. She
had even gone avoiding Koenma whenever she saw him. The dreams were
painful, especially when she woke up. It isn't reality, said Misuko
sadly to herself every time it happened; but she simply couldn't
control herself.
She breathed in sharply and leaned back on the tree. She closed
her eyes and began fantasizing about a night together with Koenma.
"Why are you here?" a voice asked suddenly.
Misuko's eyes flew open and looked straight into a pair of
brown eyes. "Hi, Koenma-sama." Misuko's face was already blushing
furiously when she said that.
"You are always here," said Koenma, sitting down beside her.
"How come I didn't see you the last few days?"
"Yeah. I have something to tell you," said Misuko suddenly. Her
mind had sub-consciously made a decision. Misuko never imagined that
she would say such a thing, but she did.
"Me too," said Koenma eagerly, getting up on his knees to be by
her side.
"Why don't you say it first," offered Misuko, also eager to
hear what Koenma had to say. Besides admitting first isn't normal
for a girl like me, Misuko added to her herself.
"Well, um... this is a problem between us. Are you ready to
hear it?" asked Koenma.
"Yes," answered Misuko as she took a deep breath.
"I have been dreaming about you these few days. At first, I
couldn't make any sense out of it since I was always er... kissing
you," said Koenma, pausing a while; half expecting Misuko to get up
and slap him. Instead, Misuko just looked at him with no obvious
facial expression.
"Finally, I came to a conclusion." Koenma breathed in before
blurting out the rest of the sentence. "I have fallen in love with
you secretly."
Misuko kept quiet, looking into Koenma's eyes. "It really hurts
to dream of you every night, but just to wake up and find that isn't
real," continued Koenma, watching closely for Misuko's facial
expression.
Misuko suddenly got up and hugged Koenma. Tears of joy already
streamed down from her eyes. She tried opening her mouth to say
something, but she only just managed to whisper the words: "Thank
you. Thank you for saying this to me."
Misuko let go of Koenma. "I had been thinking to tell you this
too, but since you said it out, I might as well tell you my own
personal experience," said Misuko, her pent-up emotions gushing out.
Misuko finished saying what she wanted to say. Koenma looked at
her, his face filled with new found delight. Koenma got up suddenly
and pinned her down on the grass.
"Since we are having fantasies of each other so frequently, why
don't we try this once for real?" suggested Koenma playfully.
"Hold on. What if some other people find out?" asked Misuko
worriedly. She was already mentally forming a scene where Hanna
accidentally walked in on them. Just try imagining her reaction.
"Don't worry," said Koenma as he kissed her gently on the neck.
"Great," said Misuko as she slowly kissed back...
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"Misuko!" yelled Hanna outside Misuko's assigned room. Five
minutes passed but still no sound.
Has something happened to her? thought Hanna anxiously and
began knocking on the wooden door with her fist.
Still nothing.
After a little while, she heard sounds of footsteps walking up
the corridor. It was Misuko. Her face and hands were smudged and bits
of grass were sticking to her hair and kimono. Her hair was
disheveled and her kimono was rather crumpled.
"What happened to you?" asked Hanna as she took Misuko's hand
and took a close look at her.
"Nothing. I just fell asleep in the Imperial garden." answered
Misuko happily.
Hanna rolled her eyes. "Get cleaned up and dress neatly. We are
already late for work!"
Misuko smiled and walked into her room. "Ah... I'm taking a day
off today. You don't need to wait for me."
"Okay," said Hanna, walking off with her oar.
My, my. She sure is acting strange today... thought Hanna and
shrugged.
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"Koenma-sama, how good it would be if we can live together like
this forever," whispered Misuko on the second night.
"Yeah, but we could only do this in the garden." joked Koenma,
putting an arm to caress her.
"How would your otousama react if he knew about this?" asked
Misuko, feeling his neck with her little finger.
"I really don't know," answered Koenma. That very thought
frightened him... Enma Daiou had a very notoriously hot temper.
"Don't care about that now. Let's continue."
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On the third night...
"I have something for you." said Koenma as he reached inside
his robe to produce something.
"What's that?" asked Misuko as she saw Koenma was grasping
something in his palm.
Koenma showed Misuko a pendant handing from a gold chain. "This
pendant is made from the best bloodstone I could find."
Misuko looked at it closely. The pendant was cut into an oval
shape. The texture of the stone itself was smooth, cut to perfection.
The color of the stone was a very deep brownish color. A line of
blood red was sprinkled across the main surface. Its tranquillity was
pleasing to look at and the glossy surface reflected the full moon
very well.
"Thank you. It's beautiful." said Misuko happily, leaning
against Koenma.
"Misuko, this is for you. This pendant shall represent my
eternal love for you. The speckles of red will forever remind you of
me," said Koenma as he handed out the pendant. "Do you want me to put
it on for you?" asked Koenma.
"Yes." Misuko smiled as Koenma slipped the chain around her
neck. The pleasantly cool stone excited her.
"Koenma-sama, I shall wear it everyday of my life and never
leave you," answered Misuko gratefully. She had never expected Koenma
would do something that nice for her.
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"Why is Koenma so careless over his work nowadays? He has
wrongly judged spirits and sent them to wrong places..." grumbled
Enma-Daiou to himself as he went through the monthly reports from the
Reikai information database.
"What could possibly make him that distracted from his work?
That day I saw him, he was even a little pale, like he was suffering
from lack of sleep," wondered Enma-Daiou.
"Lack of sleep... what is he doing? I'll find out," said Enma-
Daiou loudly, making his decision.
"Will, can you please call George over?" said Enma as he
flipped on the intercom.
The voice acknowledged and minutes later, a blue oni stumbled
into the office room.
"Yes, Enma-Daiou. May I be of service?" said George politely.
"Do you know why Koenma is acting so strange these few days?"
asked Enma-Daiou.
"He seems very distracted and kept looking at the time. He
seems impatient waiting for night time," answered George truthfully.
"Night time," repeated Enma-Daiou slowly.
"Yes, night time," said George.
"Thank you, George. You may go now," said Enma-Daiou.
George gave a little bow and walked out of the room. Enma-Daiou
stopped writing to ponder on this for a moment. Then, he summoned a
detective he had just appointed a few days ago into his office.
"I want you to spy on my son. I suspect he has something behind
him," said Enma-Daiou to a figure clad in a trench coat. The
mysterious figure gave a sound of acknowledgment and went out.
"That will teach that fellow not to slacken in his work,"
smirked Enma-Daiou, continuing his paperwork.
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"Koenma-sama! Lord Enma wants to see you now!" yelled George as
he slammed the door with his fist.
"Yeah! I'm coming!" said Koenma opening the door. "Do you know
why otousama wants to see me?" he asked George. George shrugged and
Koenma ran off towards the direction of the throne room.
"Otousama, is there anything?" asked Koenma innocently as he
walked into the throne room.
"Ask yourself," said Enma-Daiou coldly as he threw an envelope
at Koenma. Koenma caught it deftly and tore open the cover. His eyes
widened in shock as he looked at the pile of photos.
"Explain these photos," said Enma-Daiou. Koenma rubbed his eyes
and looked at the photos again. Sure enough, there were photos of him
and Misuko during their late night meetings. One photo showed him
and Misuko engaged in a really passionate kiss. Beads of cold sweat
began to form on his palms and forehead.
"Who is that girl?" asked Enma angrily.
"Enma-Daiou, she is Misuko, a ferry girl," answered Koenma
weakly.
"Tell me now! What have you done wrong?" roared Enma-Daiou.
"I... I fell in love with her. Please, otousama, I really love
her with all my heart and soul. We are bonded physically and
mentally. I can't live without her. Let us be together..." pleaded
Koenma.
"You know the rules of Reikai," answered Enma. "You must never
ignore them. You are Prince of Reikai and you are my successor,"
continued Enma.
"I know..." said Koenma.
"Since you know, why did you break the rules?" demanded Enma.
"Please... otousama. Please change the rules for once," pleaded
Koenma again. He knew the consequences of this act, but he had never
brought it to light... To the light of reality.
"No. You are suspended from work today onwards and your
sweetheart will be thrown into prison until further orders," said
Enma. Two guards turned up and took Koenma by his arms and dragged
him away.
"No! Please!" shouted Koenma. Enma-Daiou just looked away,
refusing a grant.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Enma-Daiou had locked up Koenma in a room and had Misuko thrown
into prison for having secret affairs. Koenma was depressed.
Everyday, he tried to think out a way to get out of this room and
see Misuko. Finally, he found a hairpin (goodness knows where he
found it) and he pried open the lock with it.
"Come on... You can do it!" mumbled Koenma to himself as he dug
around the keyhole. Suddenly, the locked responded with a soft click.
"Eureka!" shouted Koenma but quickly clamped his hand over his mouth.
Koenma peeped out from his room. "Good, coast's clear." He
tiptoed out silently and looked around. Blast! I forgot which
direction dungeons are in! cursed Koenma mentally.
Koenma was at a loss for a way to get to the dungeon. At last,
he found a maid walking nearby and he forced her to tell him where
the prison was located. Quickly, he rushed to the prisons and began
looking for Misuko. Cell by cell, he went through all of them but he
still couldn't find where Misuko was.
"Where is she?" thought Koenma frantically. At last, he reached
the last cell and he looked into it, and saw a weak Misuko lying
there.
Koenma hugged her and heard her groan. When he reached down to
carry her out of the cell, he felt a warm and sticky liquid on her
clothes. He looked down and saw it was blood. He looked at Misuko
wide-eyed and he was devastated when he saw a dagger sticking out of
her belly. His eyes widened in shock and he quickly placed the girl
down on the cold stone floor.
"Koenma-sama. Thank you for all the love and care you have
given me all the time. I couldn't repay it all. Here, I want to give
you back the bloodstone that you gave me on that memorable day," said
a dying Misuko in his arms.
"No!!! You are not going to die!!! I will find the best doctor
in Reikai to heal you!" screamed Koenma, Misuko's hand already
pressing the chain into his palm.
"No, Koenma-sama, I'm going to die soon, so let me finish my
last words. You know that our love could never be together again. Why
don't I end my life as to end your love? And to end our suffering?
When I die, forget about me and continue your life normally..." As
Misuko said that, blood spluttered out of her mouth and her eyelids
closed.
"Why! Why must this happen to me? I'm the one who dragged you
into this mess..." Then, Koenma's voice lowered to a soft tone. "I'll
never leave you. You will be the only girl that I will ever love and
I'll wait for you forever..." After saying these, Koenma broke into
heart wrenching sobs. The bloodstone chain slipped from his hands and
fell onto the stone floor with a clink.
A sound of an everlasting flame dying...
The next day, Enma-Daiou had asked for Koenma again and there,
they had their negotiations again.
"Koenma, my son, I express condolence on the death of Misuko;
now, I feel that maybe I have been too harsh on both of you. Let me
give both of you a chance..."
"What chances or possibilities are there? Misuko is already
dead, no one could change that!" said Koenma bitterly.
"No, you're wrong, my son. Misuko still has a chance to
incarnate. If you could find her ever again, I'll give you my
approval."
"Otousama, Misuko's chances of reincarnation are very slim,
people that died once mustn't die again, or they will simply cease to
exist. Even though she could have escaped that fate, but chances are
very slim. I doubt I'll ever find her again..."
"A chance is still a chance, but you must promise me one thing,
that is to keep this incident a secret for the sake of me, you,
Misuko and Reikai."
"Alright, anything..." As Koenma said that, he burst into tears
and ran out of the throne room. Tears didn't come easily for him, but
tears of grief streamed down uncontrollably... Devastated and broken,
Koenma hid in a dark and secluded world of his own.
Ever since that incident, Koenma had buried himself in work and
refused to give himself anytime to relax. He had even begun turning
back into his toddler form to avoid any more girls being attracted by
him. Deep down inside his heart, Misuko would be an eternal flame
burning inside him.
He would never be the same again. Never ever.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The pain inside him was still fresh; even now. Koenma had never
told these things to anybody else, not even to Botan. Until now, he
had nothing that belonged to Misuko except the pendant and her prized
kimono. The dreams of Misuko still haunted him. Misuko would belong
in a secret part of him. In his darkest and most hidden corner in
him. He had never thought of her for a long time. Was he too scared
to face the truth and reality set before him? It was sweet, then
sour. At last, it turned bitter.
When he heard that familiar voice, he was dumbfound. Koenma
turned around towards that voice's direction. There, he saw a teenage
girl with big beautiful brown eyes and perfect complexion. She was
dressed in a typical schoolgirl uniform. She was there, chatting and
laughing away with her friends.
A raw recognition overcame him. Sentimental feelings
overwhelmed him in waves at once. Koenma stood there as if he was
struck by lightning. A hoarse word escaped his throat and he cried
out:
"Misuko..."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright reserved 1998, 1999 W. Siew Lee
All standard Yu Yu Hakusho disclaimers apply to this fanfic.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The Past, The Present And The Future
The Past - Memories
Chapter 3 - Sweet, Sour, Then Bitter
---------------------------------------------------------------------
It was a bright day.
Misuko found herself standing in mid air. She was staring at
the bloody scene below her. She was there, lying on the ground. The
evil Crowned Prince was also dead, by her feet. Wait a second, she
was there, on the ground, a pair of scissors protruding from her
belly.
"Why am I here?" asked Misuko silently to herself. She closed
her eyes momentarily, trying to recall what had actually happened.
Recollections began to stream back into her mind. The prince...
lunged at her... a pair of scissors... killed the prince... killed
herself... The searing pain of the stab burned away the last few
seconds of her life. The pain was frightfully real, even now.
Misuko sat down in mid-air, wrapping her arms around her knees.
So I'm dead now. What am I going to do? Misuko bit her lower lips
while hot tears were starting to brim in her eyes.
"Yes, you are," said a voice behind her. Misuko quickly blinked
away her tears and turned her head to look at the owner of the voice.
A girl with an oar was standing behind her. The girl was dressed in a
traditional leaf green kimono with sparrows embroidered all over. Her
black eyes and equally black hair had a serene-like effect.
"What am I supposed to do now?" asked Misuko, getting up, tears
already forming in her eyes again. Being dead wasn't exactly a nice
thought nor dream, but it was true this time. Misuko had never
thought of death before this. It was so... frightening to her.
"I'm a ferry-girl assigned to you from Reikai, where you are
suppose to go for registration before going to your last destination.
Come, sit on my oar," said the ferry-girl gently.
For the first time, Misuko was addressed and comforted by
someone. Someone who treated her like a friend. Someone who was a
friend. That feeling was very special, a warm and happy feeling.
Someone who cared about her plight. A friend in need was a friend
indeed.
"I'm really dead," said Misuko softly, as she sat on the flat
part of the oar. The ferry-girl got onto the oar too and started
sailing through the air.
Misuko closed her eyes, feeling the cool breeze caressing her
face and whipping her hair all around. The wind somehow calmed down
her boiling and unhappy feelings. Misuko herself was never perfect,
although it may have seemed that way to some people. Misuko shoved
that thought aside. She would never want to think about that anymore.
It was simply too painful. An agonizing touch in her life. A black
spot there.
The ferry-girl put a comforting arm on her shoulder, assuring
her that nothing bad would happen.
What was done, was done.
At last, the pair reached the mist shrouded building. An air of
mystery surrounded it as Misuko lifted her head to look at majestic
architecture.
"That is the Reikai Imperial Palace. This is also where all the
souls of Ningenkai are judged and assigned to their last
destinations," explained the ferry-girl and took her hand.
"What's your name?" asked Misuko cautiously. All her life, she
had never been out of the palace. In a way, she had no idea how to
make a friend.
"Hanna," answered the ferry-girl simply as she led Misuko into
the vast building. "Because your case is a special one, our Enma
wants to meet you personally."
"A special case?" repeated Misuko curiously. A lump formed in
her throat... She had killed someone barely an hour ago and she was
going to be judged right now!
"Yes. Let's go," said Hanna and smiled a little. Such a lucky
girl... Usually, cases like this rarely get a second glance, sighed
Hanna softly.
Misuko nodded and ran into the division office with Hanna. The
extremely busy office was filled with running onis and other
unrecognizable creatures. Hanna knocked on the door of a room located
at one corner of the vast office. A voice answered, requesting them
to go in. Misuko stared at the wooden door, half afraid of what lay
beyond. Her first thought was of an evil-looking executioner waiting
to punish her for the crime she committed. Misuko couldn't hide from
herself anymore. She had to accept the truth.
Hanna cautiously opened the door and walked in. A boy in his
late teens, about 17 years old was sitting there, sucking his
pacifier; furiously signing documents away. Another huge blue oni was
standing beside him, passing him papers to sign.
"Good morning, Koenma-sama," said Hanna, bowing slightly. She
gave Misuko a small nudge, asking her to do the same.
"Good morning," said Misuko as politely as she could.
Koenma looked up at the sound of an unfamiliar voice. "Good
morning," he greeted back, fixing his gaze at Misuko. In fact, he
stared at Misuko for quite a long time, without paying any attention
to the puzzled glances his blue oni and Hanna were exchanging. Koenma
looked at her for such a long time that Misuko began blushing and
tugging at Hanna's sleeve.
"Um... Koenma-sama, this is the girl you wanted to see," began
Hanna cautiously seeing that Misuko was already tugging furiously.
"Oh! Your name is..." Koenma flipped through a few papers and
glanced at them. "... Misuko. You had committed suicide, right?"
"Well, I guess that was the only way to get myself out of this
mess," said Misuko dejectedly. Reminiscences began flooding back to
her head. The stab was still painful, though. Not only was it painful
physically, but mentally too.
"Your place should be in heaven since you didn't do anything
bad, but you committed suicide. Why? That is against the rules of
living," said Koenma, looking at Misuko straight in the eye.
"I had to. I had no choice. Think what would have happened
sooner or later. The death of the prince... King Shu wouldn't have
let me off that easy. I'd rather commit suicide than been executed in
public," explained Misuko, tears starting to well up in her eyes. She
had never felt so guilty in her life. Not only she had disappointed
her country, she had ended her own life herself. In all things, she
had failed miserably.
"Just because of this point, the Reikai division office has
decided to let you choose your own destination. You will have your
fair chance of reincarnation, but which do you prefer? The first is
to incarnate in three years time after a year of suffering in the
first floor of punishment or you can work here as a ferry-girl for one
hundred years," offered Koenma, giving her a choice.
"We are lacking workers here, you know," continued Koenma.
Misuko was dumbfound at the offers Koenma had made. To
reincarnate or work as a ferry-girl here? Misuko considered. The
world is in such a bleak state and I was just sitting in otousama's
palace without doing anything. Fifteen years of my life were wasted
just like that... I'm a girl. I can't do anything in the world of
feudalism...
But... she would have to wait for a long time to live again...
Misuko considered and reconsidered. Making decisions was very
difficult for her as her life in the palace was arranged beforehand.
This type of life didn't even give her the chance to decide when she
would have her bath.
It would take all her determination to do this. Misuko took a
deep breath and voiced out her choice.
"I think I would be a ferry-girl here. I'm tired of seeing all
these wars and fighting in the world. I suppose that would be better,
since I could help and comfort souls in despair rather than seeing
them suffer in silence," said Misuko, making her choice. She had
truly made up her mind this time. One hundred years may seem a long
time, but at least she could do something meaningful.
"Fine, than that it will be," said Koenma, smiling at her.
"Hanna, show her around and get her an official uniform of a
ferry-girl."
"Thank you," said Misuko as she smiled back. Koenma seems to
be a very friendly person, thought Misuko as Hanna led her out.
Misuko was thankful. Very thankful that she had been given a chance
to start a new life.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"Hanna, is being a ferry-girl very hard?" asked Misuko as Hanna
showed her the ferry-girls' sleeping quarters.
"Well, it depends on how you divide your time. Sometimes, you
can suffer from an overload of work if you were to linger from job
to job," answered Hanna as she opened a closet full of uniforms of
many sizes and cloth patterns. "Choose a set you like."
Misuko went through the clothes and looked at them, hoping to
find something she would really like. Pairs after pairs of uniform,
but she still couldn't find one that caught her attention.
"Why do all these kimonos have some type of flower or bird
embroidered on them?" asked Misuko curiously as she fingered one of
the beautiful roses sewed on one of the kimonos.
"Well, Reikai has a certain rule that the ferry-girls should
have an identity of their own by putting on a certain type of
insignia on their kimonos. Most of them were flowers or birds anyway.
Mine are sparrows," said Hanna, crossing her arms over her chest. It
was a long time already since Reikai had recruited any new
ferry-girls.
"I think I would like a crane as my insignia," said Misuko as
she picked up a pair of dark blue kimono with a pair of white cranes
embroidered at the front. She touched the head of one of the cranes
lovingly. Since the crane is graceful and slender, it will look good
on me... thought Misuko silently.
"I think you might be able to start work tomorrow," said Hanna.
"I'll leave you to settle down in your room." Hanna pointed towards a
room at the far end of the corridor.
"Thanks anyway," said Misuko as she clutched the kimono
tightly. What lay in store for her in this place? One might never
know.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Misuko got up early next morning. I'm now a ferry-girl in
Reikai, said Misuko aloud as she hummed her favorite tune to the
rhythmic splashes of water around her in the bathtub.
Slowly, she washed herself thoroughly and got into the her new
kimono. I look good and refreshed. Misuko admired herself in the
full length mirror as she tied the peach colored sash around her trim
waist.
She combed her waist length hair and tied it up in a braid.
Misuko took one last look at her outfit, making sure that the kimono
was straight, and walked out of the room. As she expected, Hanna was
waiting for her outside.
"Come on, let's hurry or we will be late for work," said Hanna
as she took Misuko by the arm and ran in the direction of the
division office.
"Wow, are we supposed to ferry all these spirits before noon?"
asked Misuko as she was handed a sheet of paper about her assignment
today. "There are about twenty names on that list," said Misuko in
awe. This isn't going to be easy... groaned Misuko inwardly.
"I guess so..." said Hanna, looking at her own list.
"Where am I suppose to get my oar?" asked Misuko.
"Just reach out an open palm and say 'oar'," instructed Hanna.
Misuko did as Hanna instructed and an oar slowly materialized
in her palm.
"That oar is yours now and you can control it with your
thoughts. Just think. When you want it to fly, just think of it
flying the way you want. By the way, here's a map of routes to
Reikai," Hanna handed Misuko a piece of paper. "One more thing, if
you are ever lost, you can command the oar to get you back here."
"Okay, thanks," said Misuko as she set off with her oar,
looking at the first name on her list. For a while, she was at a loss
for what to do.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"What a day!" said Misuko as she touched down to join Hanna in
the Imperial Reikai Palace.
"What took you so long?" asked Hanna, crumpling her list into a
ball and throwing it into a wastepaper basket nearby.
"I wasn't sure how to get to places and my oar was a little
disobedient," answered Misuko, also throwing her list into the
wastepaper basket. In fact, today was disastrous. Misuko was suppose
to ferry an old man's spirit but the oar flew her to some remote land
in Africa instead... A sweat drop formed on Misuko's temple as she
thought of that.
"Gods, I'm exhausted," said Hanna, stretching a little. "I
think I'm going to bed early today."
"I'm going to relax a little tonight," said Misuko, walking off
in an another direction.
"Goodnight," said Hanna, her hand stifling a yawn.
"You too," said Misuko from a quite far distance away. I'm
going to sit in the Imperial garden I have seen from my window - that
garden is actually quite nice, decided Misuko. Her head was
throbbing slightly as she had never really done hard work before.
Misuko sighed softly. She had never expected herself to end up
here...
Misuko strolled down the path winding through the beautiful
landscape. Flowers were blooming at their fullest and their sweet
scent filled the air. At last, she reached a secluded place in the
garden. She sat down on the soft green grass and drank in the sweet
scent of flowers around her. Misuko closed her eyes and listened to
the constant singing of a lone nightingale. Enjoying the soft sweet
music. Misuko wasn't quite sure now. She was tired, tired of life.
What had made her so pessimistic? She had negative traits in herself,
but she had never looked at them carefully. Never bothered to...
It felt so much like home. As Misuko thought of that, a
hollow feeling began to take its place in her heart. Home sickness.
Misuko missed her father and other people around her very much. Maybe
a week ago, leaving home was totally alien to a princess who had
lived all her life in a palace. Never going out of the forbidding
walls around her.
After a while, Misuko could feel someone sit down beside her.
"Is that you, Hanna?" asked Misuko with her eyes still closed.
"No. It's me." A squeaky voice answered. Misuko opened her eyes
look at Koenma, this time without his pacifier.
"I'm sorry... Koenma-sama," stammered Misuko as she got up
hastily and dusted the bottom of her kimono.
"Never mind, sit down again," answered Koenma, closing his
eyes and he inhaled sharply.
Misuko also sat down again, setting her mind into a peaceful
state.
"Why are you here? I thought I was the only one in Reikai who
actually enjoyed sitting in the garden during evenings," began
Koenma, his voice was in quite a low tone. Misuko looked at him in
surprise as that wasn't his normal high pitched voice.
"I love gardens, especially such a beautiful one like this. It
reminds me of home," said Misuko dreamily.
"Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?" asked Koenma,
plucking a stalk of grass and beginning to twirl it around his index
finger.
"No," answered Misuko simply, on other hand, Misuko was also
curious what Koenma wanted to ask. Could it be...
"How is Ningenkai? I have never been to Ningenkai before,
because I have just got this post from my otousama a few years ago,"
asked Koenma, his eyes shining full of hope to see Ningenkai one day.
"Ningenkai is fun, full of interesting things and beautiful
scenes like a typical sunset. Unluckily, the country my otousama is
ruling was jeopardized. I don't know whether the state of Shu will
attack my country after I stabbed their Crown Prince," said Misuko
with a plaintive sigh. Now, Misuko felt a tiny stab of regret. Maybe
she shouldn't have killed their crowned prince. Maybe she should just
stay being a concubine there.
"Why did you stab him?" asked Koenma, opening his eyes to look
at Misuko meaningfully.
"The state of Shu tricked my father into giving me as a 'so-
called' prize of harmony, but it was a conspiracy in order to get me.
I was so angry when I heard that from the Crowned Prince's mouth. He
even tried to rape me... I somehow got hold of a pair of scissors and
accidentally killed him. I didn't mean to end my life like that, but
I had no choice," said Misuko, two teardrops rolling down from her
eyes. Memories were so painful for her. Misuko shoved that thought
away as it was ripping her sanity apart.
"It's not so much your fault. Humans make mistakes," consoled
Koenma, patting her on the shoulder. Koenma felt true sympathy for
this girl, who came to Reikai yesterday. Koenma himself had seen such
cases before, but this had left him with a strong impression.
"Koenma-sama, do you think that I really did the wrong thing?"
asked Misuko. She was still confused now. She was guilty, guilty of
not bringing harmony to her people.
"No. You did the right thing to protect yourself," said Koenma.
"But what will my otousama think? I'm his only child," Misuko
said as she broke down into sobs.
"Don't worry, I think he would understand," said Koenma.
"I'm really unkind to my father. I brought disgrace to my
people. I heralded war cries..." cried out Misuko, burying her face
into Koenma's shoulder and sobbing her heart out.
Koenma cautiously put a hand to comfort her, hoping that she
would eventually calm down. Slowly, a few stars shone down at them.
At last, Misuko's sobs died down.
"I'm sorry to break down like that," apologized Misuko as she
wiped her tears away with her kimono sleeve.
"I hope that you have finally calmed a little," said Koenma,
smiling gently at her.
Misuko got up. "Thanks for listening to me." In her heart,
Koenma was already a friend. Someone she could lean on when she
needed a mere person to listen to her.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
[Koenma was leaning over her, whispering the magical three
words into her ears. Misuko smiled up at him, Koenma bent down and
kissed her lightly on the cheek...]
Oh no... This is the third time I've dreamt about him in a
night... thought Misuko in shock as she sat up on her bed, sweating
profusely. She shook her head, trying to clear the image before her
just seconds ago.
She took a glance outside the window. The sun was already
halfway up the horizon. She got up quickly and dressed.
"Hanna must be wondering what had happened to me." thought
Misuko as she brushed her hair hurriedly. She took her oar and ran
outside. Hanna was there pacing impatiently to and fro.
"What were you doing inside?" asked Hanna, wondering why Misuko
was late.
"Oh... I just had a dream," said Misuko quickly. She didn't
want Hanna or anyone else to know that she had a crush on their boss.
Besides, what would Hanna think if she knew about her crush?
"What dream? A nightmare?" asked Hanna. "You looked pretty
pale!"
"Um... no," said Misuko. "Let's get going."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Koenma groaned for the 50th time as George brought in another
stack of papers. Work at Reikai was so demanding and tedious...
Koenma had never chosen to work in Reikai; but he had no choice. He
was the only heir to Reikai, so he had to do so; whether he liked it
or not.
"Koenma-sama, these documents have to be signed by 1.00pm
today," announced George, also obviously a little burned out from the
heavy workload.
Koenma nodded absent-mindedly as George set the pile down in
front of him. Koenma-sama seems to be quite distracted these past
few days. I wonder why... George pushed the thought away and went
out of the door. Koenma-sama never tells his problems to anybody,
not even to me.
On the other hand, Koenma was having trouble concentrating on
the office papers spread out before him. His mind was wandering
elsewhere, unable to make a comeback. He shrugged a little and forced
some work.
I love being in this form... thought Koenma on another of his
occasional stray periods of daydreaming. That is my actual form, but
otousama wants me to go back to that smaller form. Speaking of
pacifiers and Reiki...
She has a very special self within her... said Koenma aloud
this time, but he quickly clamped his hand over his mouth. He didn't
want to think of that anymore, work was more important to him now.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Misuko sat in the garden again, for two consecutive weeks. The
night air seemed to calm her, but her mind was still confused. She
had even gone avoiding Koenma whenever she saw him. The dreams were
painful, especially when she woke up. It isn't reality, said Misuko
sadly to herself every time it happened; but she simply couldn't
control herself.
She breathed in sharply and leaned back on the tree. She closed
her eyes and began fantasizing about a night together with Koenma.
"Why are you here?" a voice asked suddenly.
Misuko's eyes flew open and looked straight into a pair of
brown eyes. "Hi, Koenma-sama." Misuko's face was already blushing
furiously when she said that.
"You are always here," said Koenma, sitting down beside her.
"How come I didn't see you the last few days?"
"Yeah. I have something to tell you," said Misuko suddenly. Her
mind had sub-consciously made a decision. Misuko never imagined that
she would say such a thing, but she did.
"Me too," said Koenma eagerly, getting up on his knees to be by
her side.
"Why don't you say it first," offered Misuko, also eager to
hear what Koenma had to say. Besides admitting first isn't normal
for a girl like me, Misuko added to her herself.
"Well, um... this is a problem between us. Are you ready to
hear it?" asked Koenma.
"Yes," answered Misuko as she took a deep breath.
"I have been dreaming about you these few days. At first, I
couldn't make any sense out of it since I was always er... kissing
you," said Koenma, pausing a while; half expecting Misuko to get up
and slap him. Instead, Misuko just looked at him with no obvious
facial expression.
"Finally, I came to a conclusion." Koenma breathed in before
blurting out the rest of the sentence. "I have fallen in love with
you secretly."
Misuko kept quiet, looking into Koenma's eyes. "It really hurts
to dream of you every night, but just to wake up and find that isn't
real," continued Koenma, watching closely for Misuko's facial
expression.
Misuko suddenly got up and hugged Koenma. Tears of joy already
streamed down from her eyes. She tried opening her mouth to say
something, but she only just managed to whisper the words: "Thank
you. Thank you for saying this to me."
Misuko let go of Koenma. "I had been thinking to tell you this
too, but since you said it out, I might as well tell you my own
personal experience," said Misuko, her pent-up emotions gushing out.
Misuko finished saying what she wanted to say. Koenma looked at
her, his face filled with new found delight. Koenma got up suddenly
and pinned her down on the grass.
"Since we are having fantasies of each other so frequently, why
don't we try this once for real?" suggested Koenma playfully.
"Hold on. What if some other people find out?" asked Misuko
worriedly. She was already mentally forming a scene where Hanna
accidentally walked in on them. Just try imagining her reaction.
"Don't worry," said Koenma as he kissed her gently on the neck.
"Great," said Misuko as she slowly kissed back...
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"Misuko!" yelled Hanna outside Misuko's assigned room. Five
minutes passed but still no sound.
Has something happened to her? thought Hanna anxiously and
began knocking on the wooden door with her fist.
Still nothing.
After a little while, she heard sounds of footsteps walking up
the corridor. It was Misuko. Her face and hands were smudged and bits
of grass were sticking to her hair and kimono. Her hair was
disheveled and her kimono was rather crumpled.
"What happened to you?" asked Hanna as she took Misuko's hand
and took a close look at her.
"Nothing. I just fell asleep in the Imperial garden." answered
Misuko happily.
Hanna rolled her eyes. "Get cleaned up and dress neatly. We are
already late for work!"
Misuko smiled and walked into her room. "Ah... I'm taking a day
off today. You don't need to wait for me."
"Okay," said Hanna, walking off with her oar.
My, my. She sure is acting strange today... thought Hanna and
shrugged.
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"Koenma-sama, how good it would be if we can live together like
this forever," whispered Misuko on the second night.
"Yeah, but we could only do this in the garden." joked Koenma,
putting an arm to caress her.
"How would your otousama react if he knew about this?" asked
Misuko, feeling his neck with her little finger.
"I really don't know," answered Koenma. That very thought
frightened him... Enma Daiou had a very notoriously hot temper.
"Don't care about that now. Let's continue."
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On the third night...
"I have something for you." said Koenma as he reached inside
his robe to produce something.
"What's that?" asked Misuko as she saw Koenma was grasping
something in his palm.
Koenma showed Misuko a pendant handing from a gold chain. "This
pendant is made from the best bloodstone I could find."
Misuko looked at it closely. The pendant was cut into an oval
shape. The texture of the stone itself was smooth, cut to perfection.
The color of the stone was a very deep brownish color. A line of
blood red was sprinkled across the main surface. Its tranquillity was
pleasing to look at and the glossy surface reflected the full moon
very well.
"Thank you. It's beautiful." said Misuko happily, leaning
against Koenma.
"Misuko, this is for you. This pendant shall represent my
eternal love for you. The speckles of red will forever remind you of
me," said Koenma as he handed out the pendant. "Do you want me to put
it on for you?" asked Koenma.
"Yes." Misuko smiled as Koenma slipped the chain around her
neck. The pleasantly cool stone excited her.
"Koenma-sama, I shall wear it everyday of my life and never
leave you," answered Misuko gratefully. She had never expected Koenma
would do something that nice for her.
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"Why is Koenma so careless over his work nowadays? He has
wrongly judged spirits and sent them to wrong places..." grumbled
Enma-Daiou to himself as he went through the monthly reports from the
Reikai information database.
"What could possibly make him that distracted from his work?
That day I saw him, he was even a little pale, like he was suffering
from lack of sleep," wondered Enma-Daiou.
"Lack of sleep... what is he doing? I'll find out," said Enma-
Daiou loudly, making his decision.
"Will, can you please call George over?" said Enma as he
flipped on the intercom.
The voice acknowledged and minutes later, a blue oni stumbled
into the office room.
"Yes, Enma-Daiou. May I be of service?" said George politely.
"Do you know why Koenma is acting so strange these few days?"
asked Enma-Daiou.
"He seems very distracted and kept looking at the time. He
seems impatient waiting for night time," answered George truthfully.
"Night time," repeated Enma-Daiou slowly.
"Yes, night time," said George.
"Thank you, George. You may go now," said Enma-Daiou.
George gave a little bow and walked out of the room. Enma-Daiou
stopped writing to ponder on this for a moment. Then, he summoned a
detective he had just appointed a few days ago into his office.
"I want you to spy on my son. I suspect he has something behind
him," said Enma-Daiou to a figure clad in a trench coat. The
mysterious figure gave a sound of acknowledgment and went out.
"That will teach that fellow not to slacken in his work,"
smirked Enma-Daiou, continuing his paperwork.
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"Koenma-sama! Lord Enma wants to see you now!" yelled George as
he slammed the door with his fist.
"Yeah! I'm coming!" said Koenma opening the door. "Do you know
why otousama wants to see me?" he asked George. George shrugged and
Koenma ran off towards the direction of the throne room.
"Otousama, is there anything?" asked Koenma innocently as he
walked into the throne room.
"Ask yourself," said Enma-Daiou coldly as he threw an envelope
at Koenma. Koenma caught it deftly and tore open the cover. His eyes
widened in shock as he looked at the pile of photos.
"Explain these photos," said Enma-Daiou. Koenma rubbed his eyes
and looked at the photos again. Sure enough, there were photos of him
and Misuko during their late night meetings. One photo showed him
and Misuko engaged in a really passionate kiss. Beads of cold sweat
began to form on his palms and forehead.
"Who is that girl?" asked Enma angrily.
"Enma-Daiou, she is Misuko, a ferry girl," answered Koenma
weakly.
"Tell me now! What have you done wrong?" roared Enma-Daiou.
"I... I fell in love with her. Please, otousama, I really love
her with all my heart and soul. We are bonded physically and
mentally. I can't live without her. Let us be together..." pleaded
Koenma.
"You know the rules of Reikai," answered Enma. "You must never
ignore them. You are Prince of Reikai and you are my successor,"
continued Enma.
"I know..." said Koenma.
"Since you know, why did you break the rules?" demanded Enma.
"Please... otousama. Please change the rules for once," pleaded
Koenma again. He knew the consequences of this act, but he had never
brought it to light... To the light of reality.
"No. You are suspended from work today onwards and your
sweetheart will be thrown into prison until further orders," said
Enma. Two guards turned up and took Koenma by his arms and dragged
him away.
"No! Please!" shouted Koenma. Enma-Daiou just looked away,
refusing a grant.
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Enma-Daiou had locked up Koenma in a room and had Misuko thrown
into prison for having secret affairs. Koenma was depressed.
Everyday, he tried to think out a way to get out of this room and
see Misuko. Finally, he found a hairpin (goodness knows where he
found it) and he pried open the lock with it.
"Come on... You can do it!" mumbled Koenma to himself as he dug
around the keyhole. Suddenly, the locked responded with a soft click.
"Eureka!" shouted Koenma but quickly clamped his hand over his mouth.
Koenma peeped out from his room. "Good, coast's clear." He
tiptoed out silently and looked around. Blast! I forgot which
direction dungeons are in! cursed Koenma mentally.
Koenma was at a loss for a way to get to the dungeon. At last,
he found a maid walking nearby and he forced her to tell him where
the prison was located. Quickly, he rushed to the prisons and began
looking for Misuko. Cell by cell, he went through all of them but he
still couldn't find where Misuko was.
"Where is she?" thought Koenma frantically. At last, he reached
the last cell and he looked into it, and saw a weak Misuko lying
there.
Koenma hugged her and heard her groan. When he reached down to
carry her out of the cell, he felt a warm and sticky liquid on her
clothes. He looked down and saw it was blood. He looked at Misuko
wide-eyed and he was devastated when he saw a dagger sticking out of
her belly. His eyes widened in shock and he quickly placed the girl
down on the cold stone floor.
"Koenma-sama. Thank you for all the love and care you have
given me all the time. I couldn't repay it all. Here, I want to give
you back the bloodstone that you gave me on that memorable day," said
a dying Misuko in his arms.
"No!!! You are not going to die!!! I will find the best doctor
in Reikai to heal you!" screamed Koenma, Misuko's hand already
pressing the chain into his palm.
"No, Koenma-sama, I'm going to die soon, so let me finish my
last words. You know that our love could never be together again. Why
don't I end my life as to end your love? And to end our suffering?
When I die, forget about me and continue your life normally..." As
Misuko said that, blood spluttered out of her mouth and her eyelids
closed.
"Why! Why must this happen to me? I'm the one who dragged you
into this mess..." Then, Koenma's voice lowered to a soft tone. "I'll
never leave you. You will be the only girl that I will ever love and
I'll wait for you forever..." After saying these, Koenma broke into
heart wrenching sobs. The bloodstone chain slipped from his hands and
fell onto the stone floor with a clink.
A sound of an everlasting flame dying...
The next day, Enma-Daiou had asked for Koenma again and there,
they had their negotiations again.
"Koenma, my son, I express condolence on the death of Misuko;
now, I feel that maybe I have been too harsh on both of you. Let me
give both of you a chance..."
"What chances or possibilities are there? Misuko is already
dead, no one could change that!" said Koenma bitterly.
"No, you're wrong, my son. Misuko still has a chance to
incarnate. If you could find her ever again, I'll give you my
approval."
"Otousama, Misuko's chances of reincarnation are very slim,
people that died once mustn't die again, or they will simply cease to
exist. Even though she could have escaped that fate, but chances are
very slim. I doubt I'll ever find her again..."
"A chance is still a chance, but you must promise me one thing,
that is to keep this incident a secret for the sake of me, you,
Misuko and Reikai."
"Alright, anything..." As Koenma said that, he burst into tears
and ran out of the throne room. Tears didn't come easily for him, but
tears of grief streamed down uncontrollably... Devastated and broken,
Koenma hid in a dark and secluded world of his own.
Ever since that incident, Koenma had buried himself in work and
refused to give himself anytime to relax. He had even begun turning
back into his toddler form to avoid any more girls being attracted by
him. Deep down inside his heart, Misuko would be an eternal flame
burning inside him.
He would never be the same again. Never ever.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The pain inside him was still fresh; even now. Koenma had never
told these things to anybody else, not even to Botan. Until now, he
had nothing that belonged to Misuko except the pendant and her prized
kimono. The dreams of Misuko still haunted him. Misuko would belong
in a secret part of him. In his darkest and most hidden corner in
him. He had never thought of her for a long time. Was he too scared
to face the truth and reality set before him? It was sweet, then
sour. At last, it turned bitter.
When he heard that familiar voice, he was dumbfound. Koenma
turned around towards that voice's direction. There, he saw a teenage
girl with big beautiful brown eyes and perfect complexion. She was
dressed in a typical schoolgirl uniform. She was there, chatting and
laughing away with her friends.
A raw recognition overcame him. Sentimental feelings
overwhelmed him in waves at once. Koenma stood there as if he was
struck by lightning. A hoarse word escaped his throat and he cried
out:
"Misuko..."
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Copyright reserved 1998, 1999 W. Siew Lee
All standard Yu Yu Hakusho disclaimers apply to this fanfic.
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