Disclaimer: I do not claim any of the YYH characters although I wished I do.
Change of Plan
Senses heightened as three presence were detected nearing the temple. Yusuke bolted up and nodded upon seeing Hiei's opened eyes with arms crossed. A silent affirmation of exchange that they both sensed the same. Yusuke's eyes traveled to Kuwabara who at the moment is grasping firmly the blanket and is quite chilling. He also looked at Kurama whose eyes are opened but not moving. He also noticed their other companion. "Way too nice Kurama to remove Botan's hand in your chest which shouldn't matter because she seems to be sleeping peacefully," Yusuke noted to himself.
The three of them were aware that one of them is no other than Koenma while the two were perhaps just like Yuuhei, from SDF whose reiki is masked. Light footsteps were heard from the left side of the sliding door and followed later on from the right. Their footsteps stopped in front of the door where they are sleeping.
"Tsk, took you long enough, Yuuhei," a quite irritated voice came in.
"Nah, it's too early. Here I am wondering what are you three doing here?" Yuuhei asked them.
A smooth voice replied, "Came to send her off, yes you could say that..."
"Figures," Yuuhei cut in.
"Well in actuality, your ability is needed in Reikai," the first voice spoke with no more trace of irritation. "Saito and I shall open and then close the portal to preserve your reiki although I am really against the idea that none of us will accompany her for the trip going to the designated location of her new assignment with you."
"How many times should I tell you that she will be fine? You know, you could have at least trust her."
"My apology but don't get me wrong Koenma - sama. I trust Botan. I know what she is capable of resolving the matter when left alone to her hand. It's the idea of her companion... I do not trust."
The smooth voice spoke up, "Captain, this has already been settled. Koenma - sama will not want any harm nor danger to come her way. Besides, all of them which includes him have proven more than enough that they are trustworthy for they too wanted peace and order in Ningenkai and even in Reikai regardless if not employed anymore as Reikai Tantei."
"I know," came the defeated reply. He abruptly yet silently opened the door.
Koenma said, "You know Captain Shunjun, we can just knock before opening..."
Shunjun retorted, "What's the point if they are already awake?"
"Truth to be told, you were not very good masking your presence," Yusuke said nonchalantly placing his hands at the back of his head. Then he immediately flopped down upon his futon and smirked.
"Hush, you're too loud Yusuke. I doubt that because," Kuwabara yawned and sat up rubbing his eyes. He saw Koenma together with the three men clad in SDF uniform. He saw the present SDF captain - with blue hair and wearing earings is Shunjun, the person they met yesterday - Yuuhei and the familiar SDF member with long black hair and eyes. He continued, "They are doing it on purpose." He looked at the clock, 3:30am.
"I know right. It's just that, it's not everyday we see a pissed off SDF captain."
Kuwabara asked addressing the three, "Are you this much punctual?" He moved his head to the left and stated as a matter of fact, "You see, Botan is still sleeping."
All eyes followed the movement of the head of Kuwabara. Disbelief in the eyes of Shunjun didn't pass unnotice as they heard him hissed. Botan is sleeping comfortably. Her legs and arms are in opened position. The blanket which she obviously supposed to be using is crumpled under her feet. Thankfully, she is wearing pajamas. Her one hand is out of the futon while the other is on top of Kurama's chest.
"What the," Shunjun stopped short his expression when he felt the hand of Saito on his shoulder. Saito lightly squeezed his shoulder and he turned to him with questioning gaze.
Saito spoke smoothly, "I'll wake her up." He approached and sat down on Botan's side and noted the keen observations from Hiei and Kurama. He thought to himself, "Silent one's are mostly the deadly one's." Then he leaned down to the face of Botan.
"Hey! She's not Sleeping Beauty for you to do that." Yusuke's remark with silent warning was obviously relayed.
Saito stopped his movement and briefly glance at Yusuke who is now standing and pointing his finger at him. He spared a glance at Kurama who is sitting up while lifting up Botan's hand in the process before placing it to her side. He sighed and continued leaning down missing her face and reach for her ear. He whispered, "Better wake up or else you will be late."
Botan bolted up almost colliding her head with Saito because he dodged it. She lazily opened her eyes and widen in surprise upon seeing them in the room. She can't decide if she should be happy for the newcomers' unexpected visit or be mad for intruding her sleep. Nevertheless, the moment made her feel warm within her heart. She muffled, "I don't think so Saito." She looked at the clock and scowled at them. She said, "As usual, you're way too early." She mused to herself, "Some things and routine haven't been totally out of my system. Good old days..." Then she heard Saito stifling his chuckle. She asked him, "What's so funny?"
Saito replied, "Good morning to you too Sunflower! Nothing really serious, just nostalgia kicking in during good old days."
She pouted, "Stop calling me that. I'm Botan, B-O-T-A-N, BOTAN, PEONY." Then she repeatedly told to herself, "I won't be irritated by his irritating endearment. I won't be irritated. I shouldn't be irritated."
To Yusuke, Kuwabara, Hiei and Kurama, this is new to know that Botan is seemingly more than acquainted with these two from SDF. Remembering their first encounter with the SDF, she didn't really give much information about them. She was serious and silent relating with them and even formal. The changes brought by the transition of SDF captain could be the reason for this.
Koenma spoke, "Anyway Botan, the reason of these two being here is the change of plan. They will open and then close the portal for your departure although Yuuhei can do it alone which will not happen. Yuuhei will just follow after you because his ability is needed in Reikai."
"Sorry about that Sunflo..," Yuuhei almost sincere apology was cut in by Botan. "Not you too, hmp! You have no permission to call me that." Botan's immediate voice warned him with irritation.
Shinjun cleared his throat bringing one's attention to the subject. Botan crossed her arms and sighed in defeat while Yuuhei smirked. "I won't let you get into me again," Botan encouraged herself.
Koenma continued, "As calculated, the trip up to the location might take seven days at maximum. I'm very positive if with Yuuhei, it will only take four days. But given not and assuming you can take all the time and travel comfortably with more than rest you need everyday because your companion will so allow it, I will give you nine days maximum."
Botan triumphantly declared, "Alright, I get it that Yuuhei is imposing braincuffs here and my companion is one of the Reikai Tantei or if you ever will be so kind, two companions."
"Only one," Koenma replied in deep voice.
"Alright," she said cheerfully, "I guess I will be preparing coffee and tea for everyone and a little bit of snacks." She smiled and gave them two fingers salute before heading for the kitchen. "Heaven is on my side," Botan gratefully declared to herself upon leaving the door half opened.
There was a deafening silence after she left. They were observing one another before Shunjun began again the conversation with a serious tone, "If only it's possible, it will be you Yusu..."
Yusuke cut in an apology, "Sorry 'bout that captain, I am full of my hands by tomorrow and following days."
"If there is someone who is best to accompany her, I think it's way better if it is Kurama or Hiei," Kuwabara butted in drawing all their attention to him. "But I doubt Hiei, because most probably he will leave her behind if she cannot catch up."
"Almost but not accurate," Hiei interrupted, "Hn".
"That's right," Koenma said, "because I checked all of your plans or schedules. Hiei here is needed to finish his pending work. I contacted Mukuro and asked if it is possible for you to escort Botan in the designated location. She disagreed and told me about that. Besides, it's the opposite direction to Mukuro's which will took you longer to return than she expected you to be."
"Should you really look at our private priorities?" Kurama asked.
"Yes, so long as it is necessary. Rest assured, they are not really sort of private but settled schedule or engagements agreed upon with, err, company, establishments... nothing personal."
"So you know that I also needed to attend a meeting in the company of stepfather in substitute for him?"
"Yes Kurama," Koenma replied, "but since his other meeting is cancelled so you will not be needing to attend in place of him. I will be backing you out with the reason that my employee Botan is in need of your help for a week."
"I guess, I have no choice then."
"It's obviously settled, man." Yusuke said and grinned at him.
The half opened sliding door left by Botan was opened fully by Genkai. Genkai raised her brows on them with her usual calm expression. Koenma nodded at her in acknowledgement.
"Can't sleep? Morning grandma," Yusuke greeted her.
"Dimwit," Genkai remarked directly at Yusuke. "Why don't we settle ourselves in the tea room gentlemen? Let us leave Yusuke here to deal with fixing the futons and everything."
"Hey," Yusuke answered back but paused when he saw her deadly stare. "Sure thing grandma," he muttered his thoughts having had no choice.
Shunjun went out of the room heading to the right side which is opposite of the rest of them to head for except for Yusuke, to the tea room. It was Yusuke who bothered to ask, "Where is he going?"
Koenma answered, "To Botan".
Kurama didn't enter the tea room and instead, excused himself. "I needed to at least notify my mother," he said raising up his phone. The best signal was no other than near the kitchen where his feet have lead him. From the outside, with the opened door of the kitchen, he paused. He can make out of the shadows what is happening inside together with the low voices of the present occupants of the kitchen. "This is a good position. But why is curiosity getting into me?" He thought to himself.
Shunjun is sitting with arms crossed while watching Botan searched in the cabinets.
"So far, I'm good." Botan said in a firm voice.
"I get it okay," Shunjun admitted in a low voice. "Just don't be caught up for more years in Ningenkai after your assignment in Makai."
"If duty calls, then duty calls." She replied while getting tea and coffee cups.
"But you're giving too much of what should be and up to what extent only," he added sarcastically, "You might want do the same with your new post."
"Still the same best SDF standard procedure follower, aren't we?" She remarked at him jokingly and continued placing tea and coffee cups on the tray.
He panned his head to the left and reminded again, "Just know the limit."
"And if I don't?" She asked turning her back to him to get the box of tea bags.
Shunjun instantly was at the back of her. He cornered her in his arms with enough space for her if she will turn around. Turning around, she straightened herself up and looked at him. "Just make sure you will take care of yourself," he said in a concerned voice.
She giggled and replied, "I know and there's nothing to worry about me."
"Promise me, after your post, reconsider accepting your pending proposal. It is not everyday that a girl gets to marry a high profiled man plus a handsome one indeed."
She raised her brows at him and didn't reply. She thought to herself, "When will he even give up at that? I have left that proposal for good."
It so happen that the coincidence of events lead out into this. Honestly, he missed her. Maintaining his concern look at her, he leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Just take care," he repeated.
"Still protective as ever," she muttered and hugged him in response. "Of course! I will!" She said and he released her. "How do you think I was able to hold up and almost merge myself with the Meikai power sphere before?"
Thankfully, this side of her where humor and seriousness goes together is still not lost. He can only reply in approval, "I know, I trust you." The message in the exchange of words between them is clear to her. He missed him, they actually. Even if she is long gone not part of them, they are still checking up on her and as always, wish her well. He went beside her and helped her prepare what other things are needed to be placed on the trays.
In the meantime, Kurama knows that he should have left after his intended message sending. It made him confused as to why he is curious and dying to know how come the two SDF members are acting too familiar with Botan. With the reconsideration of the proposal he heard from Shunjun, he can only conclude of Botan's runaway engagement with the SDF is the possible reason. "Fiance... a hint... She is more than acquainted with them... with him," he pinched his nose to halt his thoughts and unsettling feeling. He then decided to join the others in the other room.
A/N:
New Year - New Beginning! This new beginning is nagging me to finish what have been started. Sorry for the long chapter though. I didn't intend to have this much long. Being carried away with my flow of thought goes kind of out of control; and I guess, it's a good thing!
...n_n...