Last time on The Courtship
Both Koenma and Botan prove that it's never too late to have 'The Talk'. Botan seeks out Shizuru (and Keiko) and Shizuru has them watch an 'educational video'. Koenma turns to none other than the legendary Master of Seduction: Kurama; who recommends a book. They learn three new vocabulary words: orgasm, fellatio, and cunnilingus.
"So what the hell is your problem?" Hiei demanded of his mate. Hiei had 'requested' some time to come and talk with Kuwabara. They had parted on bad terms, and he wanted to straighten things out. Kuwabara had met him at Koenma's castle, and he had only one hour.
"This rebellion," Kuwabara said simply.
"What does that have to do with us?"
"It's your reaction to it."
"Damnit, would you get to the fucking point?" Hiei hated when Kuwabara acted like this. There was something bothering him and it was like pulling teeth to get it out of him.
"Hiei, I wish you wouldn't use that language with me. And I don't like your tone either."
"Kazuma," Hiei managed through gritted teeth, forcing himself to try and calm down, "what…is…the problem?"
"I don't like your stance in this rebellion."
"What the hell do you mean? You don't even know my stance."
"Seems to me like your sidin' with 'em." Hiei didn't have to ask 'who'. He already knew that Kuwabara was referring to the rebels.
"I never said that," Hiei stated.
"And you never said you were against it either," Kuwabara eyed him with those same accusing eyes from earlier. "So, Hiei what is you view on this? What did you mean when you said 'I don't see the need'?"
"I meant that the practice has been going on for thousands of years," Hiei said. "And what's the point of trying to end it now?"
"So you are on their side then? Have you forgotten that I'm human? I suppose you think it would be OK if one of them tries to-"
"Of course not! If any demon dared to lay a hand on you I'd-"
"Oh, that's very noble of you Hiei," Kuwabara sneered. Hiei glared at Kuwabara. He had never heard him use such a tone. He look at his face, he was wearing that same expression he had earlier: anger and…disgust. "So that's one human out of the whole population. I guess you have to protect your interests."
"What the hell do you mean by that Kazuma? Why don't you make you point? All this dodging around is starting to fucking annoy me."
Kuwabara didn't bother to admonish him for his profanity. "My point is, that if you feel the human population is nothing more than a food supply to your demon friends then-"
"I never said that!" Hiei shouted.
"Well say something!" Kuwabara shouted back. "How do you feel about demons feasting on humans? You have yet to answer my question!"
"I don't know!" Hiei blurted out. He hadn't meant to say that. The truth was that he really didn't know. He had always been for allowing demons to express their natural instincts but since he was mated to a human he was torn…conflicted as Mukuro helpfully pointed out last night.
"Well until you do," Kuwabara narrowed his eyes at Hiei "I'm afraid we have nothing else to talk about." Kuwabara's voice had grown chilly. Hiei felt something fluttering in his stomach.
"Kazuma," Hiei started. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" The fluttering in his stomach increased. He now recognized it. It was something that he had buried deep down within himself and refused to acknowledge, except in his nightmares…fear. His worst fear; Kazuma not being able to accept his demon identity-was finally being realized.
"Exactly what you think it means, Hiei. Going to spend some time apart."
"You can just leave me," Hiei could feel, and hear, the panic in his voice. "We are mated. You can't just back out!"
"We will always be mates Hiei," Kuwabara reassured him. "But I think that we need some time to reevaluate whether we can continue to live together or not."
"Why the hell for?" Hiei was near hysteria. "Are you going to let this become between us? I told you before that demons will be demons!"
"I am not referring to every demon. I'm referring to one demon, which can't seem to make up his mind whether it's OK that his friends want to turn me and my family into dinner."
"You sister is Kurama's mate. There is little chance of that happening."
"Oh, so as long as it's not me, or Keiko, or Shizuru it's OK huh?" Kuwabara was growing angrier by the minute.
"I didn't say-"
"STOP SAYIN' THAT!" Kuwabara exploded. "You sure are doing a heckuva lot of not sayin'. Come see me when you do have something to say, why don't ya'?"
"FUCK YOU!" Hiei screamed, and stormed out of the room. He ran into Kurama, literally.
"Oh, Hiei" Kurama said, struggling to catch himself before he fell. "I was just coming to find you. We have to get back-"
"Let just go!"
"Is there something the matter, Hiei?" Kurama asked, knowing the answer. He had guessed that from the other night Kuwabara was uneasy about the cause of the rebellion, and Hiei's indifference towards it.
"It's none of your business, fox." Hiei snapped.
"Of course. However, if it is going to affect your judgment-"
"Drop it, fox!"
"I will not. We need you to be focused; and if you are distracted about a disagreement with Kuwabara then your judgment might be affected."
"It won't be. I am perfectly capable of performing my duties, Kurama. Now if you'll drop the subject, I would greatly appreciate it."
"Fine." They walked towards the portal in silence. Then Hiei spoke up.
"Kazuma wants to separate."
"Oh? Did he say why?"
"He's upset about my position on the cause of the rebellion."
"Which is?"
"I have no position."
"I see."
"Don't use that patronizing tone with me, Kurama. All I'm saying is that the desire to eat humans is a natural demon instinct that cannot be quelled."
"But there are alternatives to eating humans, Hiei."
"I know that!"
"Sounds to me like you're conflicted."
"You sound like Mukuro."
"Who sounds like Yomi." He had a similar conversation with Yomi. He had questioned whether Kurama could be partial since his companion was human.
"Hn. It's rare for those two to agree."
"Indeed."
They stepped through the portal. "Well Hiei, this is where we part. I think things with you and Kuwabara will work itself out, after this rebellion is over."
"You didn't see the look he gave me. It was…disgust."
"Well, Kuwabara has always been uneasy around demons, even though you are his mate and Yusuke and I are his friends. Perhaps he just needs time to understand us better. I think his view on demons and your view on humans are one in the same."
Before Hiei could reply, Kurama was gone.
Botan stood nervously in front of the other reapers. She was about to make her official announcement (although most of them already knew) about being their superintendent. She did a head count. All twenty, including Ayame and herself, were present.
She cleared her throat. "As many of you may know, Lord Koenma has appointed me as Superintendent of the Shinigami."
A few whispers among the crowd. She continued "My responsibilities, as head reaper, will be to assign and keep track of all of you. Ayame will be my assistant. I will compile a weekly report and present it to Lord Koenma. Are there any questions?"
"Yes," came a voice in the back. It was Choko, Botan's least favorite colleague. "Lord Koenma used to be directly responsible for the reapers. Why does he need to appoint a superintendent?"
"Exactly the same question I asked Choko," Botan forced her tone to remain cheerful. "He explained that since he has additional responsibilities he felt the need to delegate this one to me. Anything else?"
"Yes. Why you?"
"Excuse me?" An expectant hush fell over the crowd. Evidently, some of the reapers were expecting this.
"I mean, that we all know of your close personal relationship with Koenma. My question is has he appointed the right person for the job?"
"You will address him as Lord Koenma," Botan's tone was hardening. "And I trust his judgment. Do you not?"
"Of course I trust Lord Koenma's judgment. However, I am just wondering if there is a conflict of interest."
"How so?" Botan was starting to get a more than a little annoyed. Just what was she trying to say?
"We all know about the two of you, Botan. I see you are wearing a royal courtship bracelet. I am wondering if he was impartial in his decision or simply-"
"Choko," Ayame warned, "that is enough. I'm afraid you are out of line."
"No, I am not out of line," she countered. "I have a right to know whether he appointed my new boss for personal reasons and did not consider her qualifications-"
"First of all," Botan said through clenched teeth. "Whether Lord Koenma and I have a relationship or not is none of your business. And second of all, what makes you think I am not qualified for the position?"
"Yes, you have the necessary experience," Choko admitted. "Especially since you started working with that Spirit Detective, but I am wondering if he should not have chosen someone who would take this job a little more seriously."
"How dare you!" Botan exploded, shaking with anger. "How dare you question Lord Koenma's judgment!"
"Well I see he certainly chose the most loyal of his reapers," she commented with a smirk. "But fear not, I do not question your boyfriend's judgment. I question his choice. Perhaps he should have gone with someone a little more professional, no?"
"I fail to see the difference!" Botan exclaimed. "By questioning me you are questioning his judgment."
"I fear you misunderstand me, Botan."
"I fear I do not. And how many of you are of the opinion of Choko? You may speak freely without fear of reprisal from me." Botan needed to know who was in her corner and more importantly; who was not.
"You can count on my loyalty and service Botan," Kaya said. Choko rolled her eyes.
"Thank you," Botan replied, grateful.
As it turned out, three others were of the opinion of Choko. But Botan knew that some of the others were neutral and may be subject to bullying from Choko.
"As you see Botan, it's not just me that questions this decision," Choko said smugly.
Ayame had had enough. "If you are so concerned then why not go to the source himself? Why don't you take these concerns up with Lord Koenma?"
"An excellent idea Ayame," Botan said. "Would you go ask him to join us please?" Botan would have considered going herself, but she didn't want to be accused of trying to manipulate the situation.
When Ayame returned with Koenma; he appeared to be wearing a neutral expression. However, Botan knew her man. He was seething inwardly over the fact that someone was questioning her qualifications and more importantly; questioning his judgment.
"Good afternoon Botan," he greeted in his most professional air. "Am I to understand that there is an issue?"
"Yes Lord Koenma," she replied, trying her best to sound professional. "Some of the reapers question as to whether I am qualified for this assignment, and whether you judgment was impartial. They fear a conflict of interest."
He raised his eyebrow. "Oh? On what grounds?"
"I will let her explain. Choko?"
Choko stood and bowed slightly. "Greetings, Lord Koenma."
"Choko," he acknowledged in a clipped tone. "What is your issue?"
"Well sir, I understand that your responsibilities have increased and you felt the need to appoint a superintendent-"
"I'll kindly ask you to state your point," he interrupted. "I have pressing matters to attend to."
"Of course sir. I am aware of your personal relationship with Botan and was wondering if that had anything to do with your appointment of her."
"I see. So you are questioning my judgment?"
"No sir, merely your appointment of Botan."
"A mere technicality." His expression was one of indifference, but there was that tone. Botan froze, willing her body to control itself. "What specifically is you issue Choko, pray tell?"
"I feel that Botan may not be qualified to handle such a position of authority."
"How so?"
"She has the experience but does not take her job seriously."
"Is there a specific instance to which you are referring?"
There was a long silence.
"Please speak up, Choko. I have already stated that my time runs short."
"I just feel that she is not serious-"
"So you have already stated. I have come to the conclusion that you do not care for Botan's affability. However your personal feelings for your superiors; and yes, Botan is your superior, concern me not. And as to the reference to my personal relationship with Botan…" he paused for emphasis "It is my pleasure that you never mention it again, lest you risk my displeasure. You have overreached yourself in this matter, and this issue is closed for discussion. Do you have any more questions?"
It took all of Botan's self control not to jump him right there.
"N-no, sir."
"Good. Does anyone else have an issue that they wish to address at this time?"
Silence.
"Then I bid you good day. Botan, I will meet with you at one as scheduled."
"Yes, sir."
What's this? Haters in the mist? And what about Hiei and Kuwabara? Can they kiss and make up, or will more drama ensue? Find out as The Courtship continues!
A/N: I know this is about Botan and Koenma, but since Hiei and Kuwabara are my favorite couple in the world, I chose to have a side story on them in here, so deal with it!
Love and Stuff,
NG714