Chapter XIX: Bittersweet Reunion...
Christmas was right around the corner and Yusuke didn't have a clue on what to get Botan. He wanted to get her something special that showed his love, devotion, and appreciation for her but so far he hadn't found anything that come close. He has been looking around days now and he hasn't found anything. With a sight, he dropped down on his bed and turned on the TV. A program was playing on the Discovery Channel called Xtreme Martial Arts. He soon became fascinated.
Not too far away, in a tree branch, our favorite fire demon was lounging. He was bore beyond belief. He laid there and contemplated his options. He could hand out with Kurama, but he knew that his friend was with his girlfriend and he didn't want to disturb them. He could go visit his sister but she was with that buffoon Kuwabara. Hinageshi? No, she was ferrying souls. Ummm…what about the spirit detective? With Botan gone, Yusuke was bound to be sitting around his apartment. With that thought in mind, he jumped from tree to tree until he got to Yusuke's house. To his immense surprise, the house was cleaned. Even with his heighten sense of smell; he couldn't detect the faintest smell of alcohol or any offensive odor for that matter. He jumped into the window to find Yusuke sitting on his bed watching TV.
"What are you doing?" he said.
"Watching TV."
"I can see that, you moron. But why are you sitting here when you need to go training with Genkai."
"Genkai is taking a day off before she goes on vacation."
"Whatever. I'm angry. Do you have any food that eatable?"
"Why don't you look in the fridge?"
The fridge was full with all sorts of food and drinks but nothing appealed the fire demon's taste. That is until he opened the fridge. There, amid the frozen food, was his favorite ningen treat. Sweet snow. He took the ice cream out of the freezer and looked around for a spoon. He went back to Yusuke and sat down on the windowsill.
"Would you mind if I eat this?" he asked.
"Knock yourself out."
Hiei started eating his favorite treat. He loved sweet snow as much as he hated Kuwabara and that was a lot and the fact that his sister decided to go out with the carrot-haired buffoon didn't help either. Last time he saw her, she was going Christmas shopping with him.
"Hey, Yusuke, what's the deal about Christmas?"
"It's just a ningen holiday where you give the people you love presents and spent time with them."
"So are you going to buy Botan a present?"
"Of course. If only I knew what she wanted."
"Why don't you ask her?"
"You're not supposed too."
"Why not?"
"It supposed to be a surprise."
"So you're just going to guess?"
"Yeah, and see if I can find something that would please her."
They felt into silence. Yusuke hadn't seen his lover for over three weeks now. Even though, they talked on the phone every night, he still missed her.
"Yusuke?"
"What?"
"What does it feel like to be so in love?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, why do you try to please Botan so much."
"Because I love her and I want her to be happy."
"Doesn't that make you feel weak?"
"Not at all. If anything it makes feel stronger. Knowing that I have someone to love and that someone loves back. And I have to protect her no matter what."
"I'll never understand human emotions."
"We're guys. We're not supposed to."
Hiei rolled his eyes.
"If you're finished eating, you wanna go shopping with me. I still have a few things to get."
"Why would I want to do that?"
"You're not going to get us any presents?"
"I thought you said you only buy presents for people you love."
"Yeah"
"And I don't love you, guys."
Yusuke sweat-dropped.
"Oh, well, suit yourself. I'm going out."
Botan sat on her bed totally oblivious to her world around her. Her mind and concentration were totally focused on her boyfriend. She missed him so much. It has been three weeks since she last saw him. She wanted to see him so bad. She had asked Koenma if she could go to Ningenkai just for a weekend but he had said no. Well he said he'll think about it. It's been two days and he still hasn't said anything about it. She had giving up hope on seeing her beloved anytime soon. She was almost hoping they would have a new mission for the Rekai Tentai but no such luck. Everything around here was pretty quiet. They hadn't found the culprit yet but they were security everywhere. The ferry girls couldn't around as they please anymore. They have to sign out whenever they were leaving the realm. And Botan was not allowed to go to Ningenkai. A new ferry girl was assigned to her her job.
As for Koenma's future bribe, Botan saw around a lot but she never took the time to know her very well. Her name was Miyuki. She was fairly pretty. She had long brown hair and honey-colored eyes. She was as tall as Botan. She seemed friendly enough but no one really approached and tried to make friends with her. She knew she didn't. She didn't want to betray Ayame's friendship. And besides, she felt a genuine dislike toward the girl. She wasn't even sure why.
Botan watched as night settled over Rekai. With a sigh, she got from her bed, hoping to go to the bathroom and changed into her sleeping wear. She got as far as the door before her communicator rang. She took from its place on top of her dresser. She flipped it open to see Koenma's face.
"Hello, Botan."
"Hi, Koenma-sama. Did you want something?"
"No, I was calling to tell you that I have considered your request to go to Ningenkai."
"And…"
"You can go."
"Really?"
"Yes, you can a stay for a week."
"That's awesome. I can't wait to tell Yusuke and the…"
"Hold it. You can go but at one condition."
"And what's that?"
"You took Miyuki with you."
"Do I have too?"
"Yes. She was the one who wanted to Ningenkai and I thought you might want to go too."
"But I want to go along."
"I thought you wanted to see Yusuke."
"I do."
"Well that's my offer. Take it or leave it. I'm sure I can find someone else to do it."
"Alright, I'll do it."
"Good, you two can leave as soon as you're ready."
"Doesn't she need time to pack?"
"She already did. I knew you wouldn't refuse an opportunity to see your boyfriend."
Botan blushed.
"Just give a few minutes." She said.
"Okay. Miyuki will be waiting for you at the gate."
"Alright."
Botan didn't have much to pack. Most of her clothes were in her apartment in Ningenkai. She only packed her hand bag with her cell phone and wallet. True enough, Miyuki was waiting for her at the gate.
"Ready to go?" she said.
"Yes. Thank you for taking me."
"Don't mention it."
She summoned her oar. Somehow the managed to sit on it with Miyuki's bag. The flight to Ningenkai was short. They went to her apartment. The place was cold. Lie no one had been there in days. She turned on the lights and looked for the thermometer. Within minutes, the apartment started to warm up.
"Where do I sleep?" Miyuki asked.
"You can choose any room except for the one down the hall on the right."
"What's in there?"
"That's my bedroom."
"Okay."
While Miyuki went looking for her room, Botan decided to call her boyfriend. She called his cell phone first but he didn't answer. She then called his house but she only found the answering machine. She called his cell phone back and left a message. "Hopefully he'll call me back soon." She thought.
Meanwhile, Yusuke was at the movies with Kuwabara and Yukina. While he was out looking for a present for his girlfriend, he met with the two and they invited him to go see a movie with them. So here he is, watching what got to be the sappiest, chic movie ever. Yukina's idea, no doubt. He couldn't believe Kuwabara let Yukina talk him into seeing this movie. Thank God, Botan would never do something like that to him. Like him, she liked action and fictional movies where there's plenty of blood shed and violence. God he loved her and right now he was missing her like crazy. He got up and left for the bathroom. On his way out, he told Kuwabara where he was going but he doubted that the latter heard him. Since hen was busy trying to get a kiss from Yukina. "Botan would have kissed me." He thought with a smirk.
He didn't go to the bathroom like he said. He went straight outside. Outside, it was chilly. He shivered and pulled his jacket closer, seeking warmth. He leaned against the wall, praying that the movie end soon and he could go home. He couldn't to talk to Botan tonight. He called him every night since she left. With that thought he pulled put his cell phone and check for any missed called. He only had one. Thinking that it might be his mother calling, he put the phone back in his pocket without checking it. Instead he put it on vibration. For the next ten minutes, he stood outside watching people went by. Bored with himself, he decided to get a soda. He took only two steps when he felt his phone vibrate. He fished it out of his pocket. His face lit up when he read the number.
"Where the hell are you?" Botan said.
"Hi, Botan. And yes I really missed you too." He said.
"Sorry, love. But I'm in apartment and I really want to see you right now."
"You're in Ningenkai."
"Yes and I've calling you but your phone was off."
"So that was you calling."
"Yes."
"Oops."
"So where are you?"
"I'm at the movies with Kuwabara and Yukina."
"When do you think you might be home?"
"The movie should be over soon."
"Alright."
"Then I'll see you."
"Yeah! Oh, the way Miyuki is here."
"What? How come?"
"I'll tell you all about it later."
"Okay."
"Bye."
"Bye.
He hung up his phone. He was more impatient than ever now. He really hoped this stupid movie ended soon or he'll left both Kuwabara and Yukina stranded. Like an answer to his prayers, his friends came out five minutes later. He told them about Botan. He dropped them both at Kuwabara's place before he drove to Botan's apartment. He couldn't wait to see her. To his surprise, he found Botan waiting for her outside. He got out of his car and walked toward him.
'What are you doing outside. Aren't you cold?"
"I was waiting fro you and I'm not really cold."
She then hugged him and gave him a kiss.
"So why are you outside?"
"I told Miyuki we were going out?"
"We are?"
"No, I just wanted to be alone with you."
"Oh, then wanna go to my house. My mom is not there."
"Sure."
His room was freezing cold when they got there. Apparently, Yusuke had left his window opened.
"It's freezing in here."
"Hold on. I'll turn up the heat."
He closed the window then disappeared downstairs and returned minutes later with a blanket.
"Here." He said, handing the blanket to her. "This should keep you warm until this place heat it."
"Thanks but I was hoping you'll keep me warm."
Botan spent most of the night with her boyfriend. She came back to the apartment early. Miyuki was still sleeping when she got in. She made breakfast for the both of them and after they were done eating, Miyuki said that she wanted to go shopping. So Botan took her to the mall. By the time they got out, Miyuki had purchased a whole wardrobe, complete with make up and accessories. After that she decided that she wanted to visit museums. So naturally, Botan went with her. She spent the whole week showing her around. She didn't want to but she knew she had to do it. Truthfully she rather spent her time with Yusuke and the other Tentai. Botan couldn't believe the whole week was already over. She had spent some time with the Tentai but not as much as she wanted. And every time she was with them, the other girls were complaining, saying that Miyuki was flirting with their boyfriends. Truthfully, she had notice how close Miyuki was with the guys. She told herself that she was just overfriendly. But day after day, the girl told her the same thing.
They went to the zoo the day before they left. By five in the evening, Botan was exhausted. She and Miyuki went back her apartment. She help Miyuki bring her stuff upstairs. She checked her answering machine for any massages. She had three. The first one was from Kira saying that she wanted to hang out with her while. The second one was from Shizuru, telling what a hypocrite she was for not spending time with her. The third one was from Kurama inviting her and Miyuki to dinner at his house. He said everybody would be there. She told Miyuki about it and the latter was positively ecstatic.
"Dinner is at six-thirty, so we might as well get ready."
"Okay."
She was surprise when the door bell rang. It was only ten past six. It was Kuwabara and Yukina. They each gave her a hug and told her how much they had missed her.
"Hi guys, what are you two doing here."
"We come to pick you guys up. Yusuke said he'll meet you there."
"Where he is. I haven't seen him all day."
"He was at Genkai's temple. She's leaving to visit a relative and Yusuke had get Puu because she wouldn't take it with her."
"Oh."
"If you guys are ready, we can go." He said.
"Yeah, we're ready." Miyuki said
Botan introduced Miyuki to Yukina while they were going to the car. The drive to Kurama's house didn't take long. And like Kurama said in his message, all the Tentai were there, including Kira and Adrian. Botan did the introduction. Miyuki was quick to adjust. Soon she was engaged in conversation with everyone. And then she began to turn on the charm. Botan watched as Miyuki shamelessly flirt with every guy in the room, except Yusuke since the later had been sitting with her on his laps all night. But soon, she had to move because dinner was ready. Dinner went by pretty fast. They returned back to the living room where Miyuki once again began to flirt t with everyone. Botan wondered what Koenma would say if he saw his "betrothed" acting like that. He would probably have a fit.
Botan was sitting with her boyfriend when Kira and Shizuru came up to her.
"Hey, Botan can we talk to you for a second?"
"Sure."
She got form the couch and let Kira led her to the kitchen.
"So what's up, guys?" she said.
"Botan, I don't know if you have notice but your friend is flirting with our boyfriends. She's been doing it all week." Said Shizuru.
"Oh! Come on guys, she's just being friendly."
"You called that friendly. Look at her, she's all over Yusuke." Kira said
Botan turned her and sure enough, Miyuki was all over her boyfriend. To make matters worse, her boyfriend seemed to be enjoying it. That definitely didn't settle well with the Deity of Death. She was going to that bitch a piece of her mind. She stormed in the living room with a speed that would Hiei to shame.
"What the hell do you think you're doing." She yelled.
"Oh, nothing just getting acquainted with your boyfriend." Miyuki said, silkily.
"I would definitely appreciate it if you could do far away from him."
"Why?"
"Why? You're freaking on his lap." She said to Miyuki. She then turned to face Yusuke. "How could you let her sit on you?"
"Oh come on, Botan. Live a little. It's like she's doing anything harmful."
"Excuse me?"
"Yeah, Botan. Live a little."
Botan was fuming. How could she do this to her and how could Yusuke sat there so calmly as if noting is happening. Her world was shattering right in front of her eyes but she wasn't going down without a fight. Something was going here and she definitely had a right to know what it was.
"Yusuke, what the hell is going on?"
"Sorry, Botan but Yusuke is unable to answer you." Miyuki said.
"What do you mean he can't answer? He's sitting right here."
"Yes, but his mind belongs to me."
"What?" they all said.
Botan had forgotten that the other girls were right behind her.
"You're controlling their minds?" Shizuru asked.
"Yes. They belong to me. All of them."
"I'll be dammed if I let you have my boyfriend." Kira said.
"Ditto." Yukina added.
"It's not like you have any say in that matter." Miyuki said.
Miyuki turned to Yusuke and cupped his face in her hand. She was so closed to him; they were practically breathing each other's air.
"Yusuke, darling. Kill them."
Botan and the other girls watched in horror as her boyfriend stood up and summoned his spirit gun.
"Yusuke, what are doing?" she asked.
She was scared. Not for her life, but her lover and everyone else in the room.
"We're dead." Kira said.
They actually believed but it must not have been their time to die because Yusuke was soon wrapped in green vines. They turned around to see Kurama. He looked in pain. He was fighting and his hair was silver.
"Don't just stand there, run."
Like dumb idiots, Botan and the others scrambled on their feet and ran as far away as they could. Minutes later, they heard an explosion.
Author's note: Sorry I took so long to update. Moving into college is not an easy task but now that I'm getting the hang of it. I'll try to update more often. Please review and let me know what you think.
