This is a shorter chapter, but it's just the wrapping up of the first arc! I hope you all enjoy!
"So, I imagine this isn't how you thought we'd be reunited after so long," Koenma stated. He was in his adult form, sitting at his desk.
Yato was bound in magical cuffs that ate at his spirit energy, it kept him from being a threat. On top of that, Botan was in the room with them, she had insisted. Yato wouldn't try anything dangerous with her there.
"Drop the formalities. I want to know why you refused to believe me all those years ago," Yato demanded.
"I was young, and you'd accused my father of horrible atrocities. I disbelieved you because I didn't want to imagine my father being capable of such evil. I was wrong and both humans and demons died because of it," Koenma replied.
"And you expect me to believe that you really didn't know anything about this until recently?" Yato pointed out.
"I had never looked into it, it wasn't until I accidentally found some of my father's files that I began to suspect anything," Koenma admitted.
"You didn't even bother to look into it after I went to you?" Yato accused.
"Well… my father deemed it illegal to interact with you at all, he said you were a traitor trying to use him as a scapegoat," Koenma sighed
"And he's still alive?" Yato clenched his fists, and Botan looked over at him, trying to think of a way to calm him down.
When Yato noticed Botan looking at him all concerned, it was enough to get him to calm down a bit.
"He is in prison, and won't be getting out anytime soon," Koenma answered.
"He should be executed by the king of the Demon World," Yato insisted.
"Public executions are barbaric," Koenma argued.
"So is brainwashing demons into killing humans," Yato responded, "and allowing humans who brutalize demons to go without punishment."
"Yes, I agree with you. That's why my father is in jail," Koenma replied.
"And you won't go any further with the punishment?" Yato scowled as he spoke.
"Not without a fair trial," Koenma stated.
"And we both know that will never happen," Yato scoffed, "So, what happens to me now? Do I get to be executed? Or perhaps you'll just throw me in prison."
"Originally I was just going to not worry about it. I assumed that you'd be killed when Botan was rescued, most likely by Hiei. I never expected Botan to be the one to rescue you, so now I have to figure out what to do with you," Koenma sighed.
"Ooh, I know! Why don't we have him do what Hiei did? Some community service to make up for what he's done!" Botan suggested.
"This is an entirely different situation! Someone who hates us and everything we stand for! It would never work out like Hiei," Koenma blurted out, shocked.
"Hiei also hated us, and humans," Botan pointed out.
"But he was also a D-class demon at the time, he could be trusted because we knew he wouldn't outright attack us thanks to his sense of self preservation. With Yato…" Koenma looked over at the former spirit detective.
"You will get no help from me, I would rather be executed," Yato spoke angrily at Koenma.
"Don't be like that Yato," Botan pleaded, "You can just do simple stuff, like helping out with my duties and stuff! Besides, just think of how sad Hoku would be if you were put in prison, or even worse, executed!"
Yato blinked in shock at Botan's words.
"C'mon Koenma, if I keep an eye on him then I'm sure we can trust him. I'll take full responsibility for any actions he takes," Botan offered.
"Are you really willing to put that much trust in him?" Koenma cautioned.
"Yes," Botan spoke with immense resolve.
Yato felt something strange in his chest. Seeing Botan putting this much trust in him… he didn't know what to think. He decided right then and there that if Koenma did agree to this, he would do nothing that could possibly get Botan in trouble.
"...So be it. Yato, are you willing to take Botan's offer?" Koenma turned to Yato.
Yato looked at Botan, and saw her all but begging him to say yes. He could not find it in him to refuse.
"I am," Yato decided.
"Very well," Koenma replied.
Yato stood behind Botan as she gave her friends the news. Hiei, Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama, Genkai, and Yukina were all there. Every single one of them seemed shocked. Botan was standing beside Hoku and Ash, who seemed to be far better received by the group.
"What the hell Botan? So this guy just kidnaps you and now you're sticking up for him?" Yusuke yelled.
"I'll have you know that if he hadn't decided to kidnap me, I'd have just been killed," Botan yelled back, "And he saved my life several times throughout my captivity."
"I think it would be wisest to just kill him," Hiei threatened.
"I do agree with Hiei here. There is nothing smart about this," Kurama added.
"First of all, absolutely not. He's going to be helping me now, and that means helping all of you. Deal with it," Botan crossed her arms defiantly.
"And where will he be staying? I hope you don't intend to just drop him off at my temple?" Genkai asked.
"Uh… well I uh-" Botan stammered.
"You were planning to do that weren't you?" Genkai asked.
"...Maybe," Botan admitted.
"Absolutely not!" Both Hiei and Kuwabara voiced their complaint at the same time.
"You guys can trust him! I promised that I'd take responsibility for all his actions, and he wouldn't do anything to get me in trouble!" Botan argued.
"Yeah! You guys are just meanies!" Hoku stuck his tongue out at the group, and Yusuke stuck his out in return.
"Yusuke! I'd expect that gesture from Hoku, but you're an adult!" Botan admonished Yusuke.
"He can stay in the temple, as long as Yukina doesn't mind. But it will be up to you to keep an eye on him, Botan. The same goes for the child and the dog," Genkai said.
"I'm ok with that," Yukina confirmed.
"Yukina! You can't be serious! This guy is dangerous!" Kuwabara exclaimed.
"I know, but… I can't feel any malice from him. Not directed at me at least," Yukina admitted.
"You think too kindly of people," Hiei stated, "If he is staying here then so will I. I do not trust him to be left unchecked, and neither does Mukuro."
"Yeah, and the rest of us aren't done training yet! So we'll all be here to keep an eye on you," Yusuke warned Yato.
"Fine by me. Just stay out of my way and I'll stay out of yours," Yato turned to Botan, "where will we be staying? The temple seems quite spacious."
"We can use one of the guest rooms!" Botan replied.
"Just one? You sure you won't need two?" Kurama pointed out.
Botan's face flushed at that, "oh uh. I just figured it'd be nicer to only use one! There are already other people staying here after all…"
"Fine by me," Yato replied.
"Yeah! We shared that cave for a couple of days! This'll be great compared to that," Hoku added.
"Well, then it's settled! Come on, let's go find a guest room and see what we have to work with!" Botan decided, taking Yato by the arm and using her free arm to grab a hold of Hoku's hand, leading them away from the group.
They arrived at a suitable room quickly enough. There was a bed and a couch, and enough space to set up a mattress or something for extra sleeping space.
"This is awesome!" Hoku exclaimed. Ash leaped onto the couch and Hoku followed, Ash sprawling across his lap.
"This'll be perfect!" Botan agreed.
"This is better than I expected, I will admit," Yato smiled as he spoke.
"So I'm thinking that we can get a second bed in here, then between two beds and a couch there should be plenty of space!" Botan suggested.
"That's a good idea," Yato agreed.
"It's a pretty big bed, can't you and Botan just share it?" Hoku asked innocently.
"That's-" Botan began, face flushing a bit.
"It's improper for people to share beds outside of specific circumstances, you'll understand when you're older," Yato answered Hoku.
"Weird," Hoku replied.
"You'll understand in time," Yato repeated, "regardless. I want you both to realize something. The demons who used to be my comrades, they won't forget this. Most of them already wanted me dead when I was their ally. They're going to hunt me down, and they may come for you two as well, or you may be caught in the crossfire."
"So what? I knew that would be the case when I decided to vouch for you. I'm not scared," Botan said.
"Me neither! Those stupid demons don't scare me! They were all lame, except Helio I guess," Hoku added.
"Are you two sure?" Yato asked, "There's no turning back. You can change your mind, send me back and live in relative peace."
"We would never. Whatever comes next, we'll all get through it together. Besides, it isn't just us. My friends may not like you, but they won't abandon me, and they're reliable," Botan said with a grin.
"Yeah! We three will always be together!" Hoku excitedly shouted. Ash barked and Hoku laughed, "sorry, we four!"
Yato smiled, "You three… thank you."
Botan blushed and Hoku smiled. Ash wagged his tail. Yato just watched them all, and strangely enough, he found himself perfectly okay with how things had ended up so far.