Last time on The Courtship
Botan and Koenma make up. Yusuke and the boys go have a 'talk' with Lord what's-his-name. He promises to tell the truth at the spiritual council meeting.
"That was easy," Kuwabara said as they stepped back through the portal to spirit world.
"Yeah, I didn't think that he would cave so easily," Yusuke added.
Hiei and Kurama said nothing; they just exchanged knowing glances.
"So what happened?" Koenma asked as they stood in his office before them.
"Lord what's-his-name said he would tell the truth," Yusuke answered.
"Let's hope so," Koenma finished.
Later that evening, Botan asked how negotiations with Lord Takahiro were progressing.
"Well, Yusuke and his team went to talk to him, and he promised to tell the truth, but it may not be as easy as that," Koenma informed her.
"So if he doesn't tell the truth, does that mean we can't get married?" Botan asked.
"No, my love. I will marry you whether he tells the truth or not. It just means that some may not recognize you as my true wife," he answered.
"Like whom?" she asked.
"Some of the nobles. No one I care about. I will marry whom I please, and when I please."
Botan was silent for a long moment.
Koenma peered down at his love. "What's going through that pretty blue head of yours, my love?"
"I was thinking that since it doesn't matter…then why wait for their approval?"
Koenma sat up. They had been lounging on one of his oversized pillows in his living room. "What do you mean by that?"
"I mean let's get married now…tonight!" She exclaimed.
"What? Are- are you sure?" His heart thumped wildly in his chest.
"Yes!" Botan said, growing more and more excited with the idea.
"But what about the ceremony? I wanted to give you a proper wedding with attendants and-"
She put her finger to his lips. "I don't need all of that. I just need you. I'm not really a fancy girl anyway. And I couldn't sit still during the hours and hours of boring ceremony!"
Koenma chuckled. "Well, you are right about that. But I don't want to deny you the rights to a proper wedding."
"A proper wedding is a wedding where you and I are united forever."
Koenma paused to gather his emotions.
"Well, if you're serious we need three things: a priest and two witnesses. I know of a priest who may do it. That just leaves witnesses. And I know of two who will maintain absolute discretion."
"I'll bet we are thinking of the same people."
"Hello, Botan. And Koenma, nice to see you. It's rare for you to make a trip here to the ningenkai. What's the occasion?" Kurama asked, as he opened the door.
"I'm sorry Kurama. Are we disturbing you?"
"Shizuru and I were just about to have dinner," he said. "You are welcome to join us."
At the table, Shizuru cut straight to the point. "So what do you want, prince? And it better not be another mission. He's completed two missions for you in the past week."
"The second was at your suggestion dear," Kurama added.
"That's not the point. So what is it?"
"Well, it's kind of a secret mission. But we need your help too, Shizuru," Botan said.
"OK, now you two aren't making any sense. What exactly is it that you want?"
"We want you to witness our union."
Kurama raised one of his perfectly arched red eyebrows. "So you are not going to wait for the decision from the council?" he asked.
"Whether or not a few of my father's noble friends choose to recognize the marriage or not no longer concerns me," Koenma said. "Besides, it was Botan's idea."
Shizuru was surprised. "Really, Blue? No fancy wedding with a fifteen foot train and ten bridesmaids?"
"So you want to be a bridesmaid? I can't wait to pick out a dress for you-"
"OK, there will be none of that." Shizuru looked at Kurama. She knew this would all depend on him. An impulsive action such as this was really not up his alley.
"You don't have to do it if you don't want to," Koenma assured them. "We came to you because we knew you two could keep it quiet. The council will want to question you when they find out," Koenma warned.
"What do you think fox?" Shizuru asked. Kurama thought for a long moment.
"I have no objections."
"Oh thank you!" Botan exclaimed, jumping up and squeezing them both in a bear hug.
"What would you have us do, Koenma?" Kurama asked.
"Well you will travel to spirit world with us and witness the ceremony. Then you would sign an official document."
"And what about this council?" Shizuru asked.
"Well, when they find out they will ask if it's true. They will want to verify your signature."
"Is there a chance that they will question our credibility?" Kurama asked.
"That's the other thing I wanted to mention. Kurama, they will no doubt bring up the incident with you and Hiei. And Shizuru, you being the sister of one of my team members and the partner of another will also come up. I understand if you do not wish to do this."
"We have already given our word Koenma," Kurama spoke for the pair.
"Well let's go."
The trip to spirit world was a silent one. Everyone was left to his or her own thoughts. When they reached the temple in sprit world that they were looking for, they hit a small snag. Yoshi, the priest he had counted on to do the ceremony, refused.
"I will not participate in such an undertaking without the permission of King Enma and the blessing of the spiritual council."
"Yoshi," Koenma began calmly, "you always supported me when I wanted to declare my independence from my father. What's the problem now?"
"I have already stated my concern," the priest said. "Even if I were willing, I would not do such a thing without the permission of the head priest." The head priest was Enma's man through and through. There was no chance of a blessing from him.
"You do not need his permission," Koenma said. "But I see you are not willing. But you will remain quiet on this matter. If it gets out, I will hold you responsible and take action accordingly. Good evening to you."
They left the temple in silence. "Koenma, what now?" Botan asked.
"I know of one other priest who might do it," he said. "But it's a long way from here. So let's-"
"Lord Koenma! Lord Koenma!" a junior priest sprinted towards them.
"What is it?" They all turned to face him.
"The head priest wishes to see you."
Koenma sighed. "I am in a hurry. We will have to speak later."
"Please sir, he…insists."
"Fine," he reluctantly agreed.
When they reached the chapel, the aged priest was already waiting for them.
"Koenma," he started. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with Yoshi," he said. "What is the problem?"
"I asked him for a favor, and he does not wish to grant it," Koenma said in a clipped tone.
"I am the head priest. Why did you not ask me?"
"I didn't think that you would grant it. We rarely see eye to eye."
"True enough," he admitted. "But I am an old man, and have seen many pure and false characters. And none seems purer than this lady here," he indicated Botan.
Botan's face lit up with a smile. "Really?"
"Yes. And no character is more false than Takahiro," the priest said, an ugly expression marring his already wrinkled face. "He would sell his own mother if the price were right. Just as he's trying to do with that poor daughter of his…." he trailed off. "Anyway, Koenma I would have done the ceremony if you had asked. But since you didn't…" the old man shrugged.
"Tetsuo? Are you serious?" Koenma asked.
"I am," he said. "I have performed many ceremonies, Koenma. And many people looked like they were being dragged to their execution. It will be a pleasure to marry two people who actually want to be married."
"You know the council will want to question you," he warned.
"Who me? An old priest? Loyal to the king? What would they say?" he asked innocently.
"Tetsuo," Koenma said. "It would be an honor for Botan and me if you would perform our union ceremony," Koenma said, slightly disbelieving his ears.
"Right this way. I assume these are your witnesses?" he asked, indicating Kurama and Shizuru.
"Yes we are," Kurama answered.
"Looks like you're prepared. Right this way." He led them into a small intimate chapel, illuminated with hundreds of candles. This was Enma's personal chapel.
"Now I am sure you want this done quickly to be on your way," the priest said. "But some parts of the marriage ritual that must be observed. Botan, if you and the young lady will step this way and change into the proper wedding attire. Prince Koenma, if you and the gentleman with step this way and change into black robes."
Shizuru noticed that Botan was trembling as she struggled to lace her in the white kimono. "Never cared much for these things," Shizuru muttered.
"Oh, you just have to get used to them!" Botan answered.
"You OK, Blue? You seem to be a bit nervous."
"I am," she admitted. "Although this was my idea."
"What made you decide to elope?"
"I'm just not a fancy girl," Botan replied. "I can't stand all that royal stuff, which I know must be weird because Koenma's a prince and all."
"Not at all. Sounds just like you."
"Shizuru?"
"Yeah, Blue?"
"Thanks for doing this for me. And the talk, and the advice!"
"Anytime. But let's try to keep it before ten pm."
"OK. I wonder how Keiko will react when she find out I'm married."
"She'll have a fit. But it's her own fault. Both she and her husband are blabbermouths. You too, no offense."
Botan giggled. "None taken. But I think I can keep this one!"
"Ten to one says the prince tells everyone at that little meeting."
"That would be interesting. But then again, Koenma is a lot different now. It's like he's Koenma, but not Koenma."
"He's a man now, truly his own man. And love will do that to you. He's fighting for his woman." She fitted the headpiece in place. "There. All set."
Koenma had no problem changing into his ceremonial robes. He had worn them often enough. But Kurama had never worn such attire and a frown donned his face as he adjusted them.
"Here, let me." Koenma adjusted the belt.
"Thank you. This fabric is rather stiff." Kurama shifted uncomfortably.
"Well this is formal attire so it's supposed to be. And since this belongs to the temple it will be even more so. They are not worn often."
"I see. So what made you decide to go through with this?"
"It was her idea. She asked what might happen if Takahiro didn't tell the truth. I told her that some of the nobles might not recognize our marriage and she didn't seem too concerned about it."
"Interesting. What do you think your father will have to say about this?"
"He will either be furious that I did this behind his back or proud that I snubbed both Takahiro and the council. I'm fine with either."
Kurama smiled. "Well I guess it's settled then. Do you have a ring?"
Koenma's face fell. "I knew I forgot something…"
Botan was waiting for her husband-to-be at the altar. He couldn't help but marvel at her beauty in the white Kimono, with the candle flames throwing dancing shadows off of it. Her pink eyes were sparkling, and her whole face seemed to be glowing. He mentally took a picture of her at this moment; in the years to come he would revisit it over and over.
Botan gazed at her bridegroom as he approached the altar. He looked so handsome with his black robes on, so manly, so regal. She couldn't believe that in a few short moments he would be hers. The moment she had dreamed about for so long was happening in secret, in a small temple and in front a few people. Some people may not even accept it but she didn't care. She had her Koenma and that's all that mattered.
"Now before we begin I will announce that I have communed with the kami and they have verified your chastity. So we are pleased to offer this gift." He handed the couple a small box.
Koenma opened the box. Inside was a pair of platinum traditional style rings, with gold overlay and the words true love lasts forever etched in.
"This union has been blessed by the kami, so we give you this gift. This is all the validation you need, but we will go through the documentation anyway."
The couple was at a loss for words. Koenma spoke first.
"We thank you," he said softly.
Botan's eyes were brimming with tears, threatening to spill over.
"Now let us begin. I will recite the ritual vows and you will drink the sake as I direct. Your witnesses will drink as well. Then you will exchange rings and make your offerings to the kami. Then you are wed. Are we ready to begin?"
They all nodded.
The ritual was short and simple. Koenma wondered how anyone could sit through those long, drawn out ceremonies when this was much more meaningful in his opinion. All he could think was that he had her, he finally had her, the love of his life and it was sealed forever. If he only knew Botan was thinking the same thing.
"Now we will exchange the rings," the priest was saying. Koenma placed the ring on Botan's delicate finger, gazing in her eyes. Botan did the same. After that, they made their offerings and it was done.
They turned around to face their friends and the priest as husband and wife.
Awwww, now wasn't that romantic? I know, go dab your eyes! But it's the wedding night and the marriage must be consummated! Are you ready? And just what will Lord's what's-his-name have to say? Find out as The Courtship progresses!
Note: I'm no expert on Japanese culture, but I tried to borrow a few Shinto traditions. The rest was just my own improvising. Hope you enjoyed!
NG714