Just the Two of Us
Chapter Three: Love Begins
More than a thousand years ago, in a place called Horizon...
As promised, Kurama had prepared something for their return. They were surprised to see him preparing pots of delicious-smelling food on the surface of a chopped log.
Kurama had prepared what he proudly introduced to them as "Makai Suimono".
Botan noticed a similarity of this to the Kakitama-Jiru that was one of her favorite dishes when she was in Ningenkai.
According to Kurama, the suimono is a common food in Makai. Majority of people in Makai live in the wilderness, and the best they could prepare for armies and their children is the suimono made of the few non-poisonous shrubs and Makai version of chicken. Other than this, there is not much of a variety when it comes to food.
"But of course," he adds, "it's up to you to make a delicious one. You just have to learn the different types of plants and flowers in the forests. I happen to be an expert in that."
"I bet you are. This is delicious, Kurama. Just look at them." They both looked at the children wolfing down their first taste of Makai cuisine. They laughed at how the children kept asking for more and more. It was a good thing Kurama had prepared enough to satisfy them all.
By the time they had to return to Reikai, the children begged Kurama to make more suimono the next day. "And the days after that, too," the youngest one did not forget to request.
Two months passed and Botan and her students made it a point to return every chance they get.
Most days they were playing, or trying to make new variations of suimono. Botan too, brought Reikai food so Kurama can try it.
Some days they would just lie down on the sand and stare at the sky, talking about the most random things, while the children are taking a short nap.
Sometimes they would talk about what they wanted to achieve. Botan wanted to make more friends and travel to different places. For Kurama, it's plain and simple. He wanted to be a part of Yomi's elite army.
"Next month, I will move to the training tower in Yomi's land. They said the training will only last for a month and we'll be placed in patrol. It will be a hard path, to progress from patrol to elite army, but I know I'll make it."
He said this in a confident tone, and Botan had no doubts that he can achieve it. There were times that she caught him training, though he would stop once he noticed them arrive.
"I know you'll make it Kurama. You're smart and strong and hard-working and fair. I'm sure Yomi will notice you easily."
He laughed. "You make me sound like I'm something great, Botan."
"Because you are," she gave him the look that said he wouldn't win if he claimed otherwise.
Sometimes, they would talk about the places they had been to, and the kind of living they have observed.
Kurama had been to almost every place a youkai is allowed to travel to. The farthest and most interesting he had found is the Horizon.
Botan, at first, talked about the places in Reikai. But later on she started to talk about her favorite places in Ningenkai.
"I can't believe it." He whistled.
She looked at him; he was staring at her thoughtfully. "What did you say?"
"I can't believe that you are a ningen."
She smiled. "I was."
"How did that happen? I thought you are a full-blooded reigen. Your hair, your clothes…"
"Remember when I said I was just recruited for the Spirit World Kindergarten?" she didn't wait for him to answer. "It's like this. When a ningen dies, the prince of the Spirit World, Koenma, judges the ningen and decides what he deserves in the afterlife. When I died, Koenma thought I'd make a good citizen of Reikai and assigned me to take care of these kids."
"You mean, all reigens were once ningens?" Kurama frowned. He had never heard about this before.
"No. The upper-class reigens are born and raised in Reikai. The working-class like me and the ogres and ferrygirls and other onis are from Ningenkai and Makai. Koenma-sama said that he thinks we are worthy of another chance to live, so, he gave us another start. Despite that the laws do not provide this kind of reward, he made it happen."
"What kind of reward is that?" Kurama raised his voice, but not intentionally. He just could not see why Botan seemed to admire Koenma's decision. "It doesn't seem fair at all. You were given a new life, but only as their servants."
Botan was taken aback, but only for a short time. "I know it doesn't sound sensible to you, but in time, you will understand. Koenma-sama is a fair judge. He's powerful, but he has laws to follow too. He is careful, but he has a kind heart."
"A kind heart," he repeated, almost gritting his teeth on the word 'kind'.
Botan frowned. "Hey… What is wrong?"
"Nothing." He couldn't figure out exactly what he disliked with Botan's attempt to defend Koenma. In truth, it's not about Koenma at all. It just didn't feel right to him, how she seems to look up to the prince so much.
Kurama stood up and walked away from her, but stopped when she started to follow. They were quiet for a while, watching the calm waves at the shore.
Kurama noticed that Botan became silent. When he looked at her, he caught her staring up at him.
They heard the wagon arrive, and the children calling them. But they didn't want to look away from each other just yet.
When they heard louder yells, Botan smiled. She figured out the reason for his actions. "Kurama?"
"What?"
"Don't worry. I trust you and believe in you, too."
It would take a tiny incident before Kurama will realize just how truthful those words are.
"I can't believe you said that, Toshi. You know that isn't true." Botan wanted to scream at the oni. Her face was flushed in anger.
They were at the Horizon, and Toshi, the guard of Reikai gates had just dropped them off. But unlike the previous days, he didn't leave once the wagon had been emptied. Botan was surprised when he said she better not have brought anything valuable with her, especially because she was meeting a thief.
"I said what I said, Botan. He is a thief. Who else would have stolen Eina's necklace? It was only you and the students, and that demon."
"She just misplaced it, I'm sure. Kurama did not—would not—steal anything."
"Kami, what has gotten into you?" Toshi shook his head. "I shouldn't have agreed to bring you here from the beginning. He's just using you for his plans!"
"Plans?" Botan knew she must sound so mad now. It was just a good thing that the children had already run off to play. "What plans are you talking about? He's my friend, Toshi. You don't have the right to accuse him of such things."
"I'm not accusing him, Botan. I know he has something evil up his sleeve the moment I saw him," he argued.
"You don't know him. I do. He is trustworthy and—"
"He is a demon. There is nothing to be trusted about him. You don't know his kind; they are ruthless, cunning, cold-blooded—"
"Just stop!" She's not going to listen to this. She was about to turn and leave him there, but he suddenly grabbed her shoulder.
"Can't you see? He's only using you to have access to Reikai's treasures! And now he's started with Eina's necklace!"
"What's with you, Toshi?" she tried to be calm, though she was worried the children might see them. "You know better than accusing those things with someone I trust. I assure you, he is not using me for anything. We are good friends. I know he's not going to do those things."
She tried to pry herself away from him before anyone sees them, but it was too late. Kurama had arrived, and from the murderous look on his face Botan could only hope that he hadn't heard what Toshi had said earlier.
"Get your hands off her."
Toshi did as Kurama said, releasing Botan, who was rendered speechless by Kurama's appearance.
Botan held her breath, fearing the worst. She didn't know what Kurama had in mind.
Toshi turned to Kurama, and Botan noticed then that Toshi looked caught off guard. He has seen Kurama during the times they dropped them off, but there wasn't a time then that he looked like this.
His usual smile was gone, his lips forming a thin, grim line. His eyes fierce, he didn't turn away from Toshi's face as he said, "Leave."
Botan released her breath. She had feared a fight was about to break, and was relieved with Kurama's words. She prayed Toshi would just leave them alone. But he didn't.
Toshi raised his chin, and taunted, "Make me."
Her eyes widened, realizing what Toshi was doing. She was about to warn Kurama but found that she didn't need to. She looked at her friend's eyes and knew he could handle it perfectly on his own. She relaxed.
"What makes you think I would fall for your little trap?" the spirit fox said, not breaking his gaze with the oni. "I know what you're planning. Make me hurt you, so Reikai will have a reason to punish me, send me somewhere far from Botan."
Toshi flinched, a confirmation that Kurama was right.
"You know my kind, haven't you just said that?" he said slowly, taking his time. It's fun to see the fear starting to build on the opponent's eyes. "I am ruthless, cunning, and cold-blooded. You seem to know a lot of things about me. How about this place, Toshi? You know something about this place?"
As expected, the oni looked confused.
"This place is located exactly between the three worlds. It is not directly a part of any of the three. It is undetermined which law should be followed here—and you know that my kind do not follow rules from your kind, don't you? It wouldn't have mattered which law would prevail. If I beat you up here, I am sure none of my kin would object. So if you are still up to it, I don't think I have the heart to turn down your offer."
"Did you see how scared he was?" Botan cannot stop herself from laughing.
Toshi was so scared that he left right away. The only words that he managed to say were 'Of course' when Kurama warned him not to be late when it's time to pick them up.
Kurama raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you supposed to defend him, just a little? He was your friend too."
She nodded. "It was wrong of him to be judgmental. I know you're not what he said you are."
Kurama is glad that Botan is not as naïve as she first seemed to him. At least she knew when to stand up for what she believes. If Botan would be too nice, she might not survive in Makai.
Now, where did that thought come from? It is not like Botan would ever be in Makai. He shook his head from the thought.
Botan is still laughing, and he can't help but smile.
It felt so good to have her trust.
They didn't let that incident ruin their day.
Hours afterward, the children were peacefully sleeping on the flower bed that Kurama had prepared. They were so tired from playing tag all day long.
Botan and Kurama were on the leftmost side of the flower bed.
Her eyes closed, as she was trying to take a nap but for some reason she couldn't.
She heard Kurama say, "You haven't told me about your family. Do you have siblings?"
"I don't know if I do," she said, still not opening her eyes.
"Eh? Why don't you know?" He asked curiously. He turned to his side face her, one hand supporting his head. "You don't remember?"
"I do remember my life before I was brought to Reikai. But I didn't find out if I have relatives… I grew up in an orphanage." She thought that there's probably no such place in Makai, so she explained, "it's a place where children who don't have a family are taken care of."
Like Botan had thought, Kurama doesn't know any place like that. Families of spirit foxes are usually big, and they cared for their own.
"But I treat the others like they are my own siblings. There's one of them I really miss. She was like Eina. Her height, her naughtiness… they are very much alike." She was smiling at fond memories.
"And she's still in Ningenkai," Kurama guessed as much.
"Yes," and she laughed.
Kurama didn't know exactly what was funny. "And what is the lady so happy about?"
"She's still in Ningenkai. She's safe."
Kurama made no reply.
So she explained, "We had this once-a-year excursion… we went to the beach. I just turned my back one minute and the next she was in the deep part of the waters, screaming for help. She almost drowned. That kid is really naughty she tires me out."
Kurama waited for her to continue, but she didn't.
"You saved her… is that how you died?" Kurama asked, but he didn't really need an answer. He already knew what her answer would be. "And this child you saved… you were not really related?"
"Yes to both questions," she said nonchalantly, as if there was no reason for Kurama to be surprised.
For him, it is rare to meet someone who is willing to risk their life for others. He would do anything to ensure his siblings' safety, but he's also aware that there are a few youkai who would do the same. He had seen a lot of demon that killed each other for the slightest reasons, regardless of who the other demon is, even if it is from its own.
"Extraordinary."
Botan thought Kurama had fallen asleep, when he did not say anything else for a while. Now she wondered what it is he found extraordinary.
She didn't expect that when she opened her eyes, she will find him watching her, leaning to her side. His face too close to hers it was a little bit uncomfortable.
"What do you… mean, Kurama?" she said his name so softly, because she couldn't help but stammer. He was so close. She didn't know if it was him, or the flower bed that smelled so sweet. It was intoxicating.
"You are extraordinary," he said, his free hand brushing her bangs out of the way. "I love everything about you."
Botan did not hear this; she could only hear her heart hammering on her chest. His shoulder-length, silver hair was down, cascading on the sides of his face, creating a veil of shadow over them, making her feel like it was just him and her that existed in all worlds. He was covering her view fully now, she could not see anything other than his handsome face.
She held her breath when he kissed her.
It was gentle at first, but deepened when he felt her respond.
It was her first, and it was special. Not because of the ambience, but because she was sharing it with someone special to her. Yes, she had realized long before that he was starting to fill in a special place in her heart.
She didn't want it to end yet, and it was an effort to keep herself from complaining when he pulled back.
Once he had straightened himself away, she forced herself to stand. It wasn't that easy, not less than a minute after an earth-shattering kiss.
She couldn't look at him right away; her mind was now filled with insecurities. Did he stop because he didn't like it?
But when she followed where he's looking, she realized why he stopped.
It wasn't because he didn't like the kiss. It was because Eina had woken up, and by stroke of luck she was still in a daze from sleepiness that she did not seem to know what had just happened.
The first thing Eina did when her sleepiness wore off was to wake the others so they can watch the sunset. The children ran towards the shore, where, they said, the sun seemed nearest to them.
Botan and Kurama stayed where they were, contently looking on.
It was during this moment when Kurama had realized what Botan was talking about the first time he saw her, when she said that she loved the sky.
The view of the sky at the Horizon is the best he had seen all his life.
Botan said that even the ferry girls she knew claimed so.
"The ferry girls would know, because they are probably the only ones who have seen the sky from all possible places. That is why I thought of going to this place. I wanted to see what it's like."
Both were looking up at the sky. It was almost dawn, and the colors that reign on the sky made the place seem so peaceful.
"And what is it like?"
Botan looked up at him, aware of his hand holding hers, and then looked away. Softly, she answered, "Like heaven."
They both knew they weren't talking about the sky anymore.
Kurama couldn't help but agree. "Yes, like heaven."
"Hellooo!"
Tina snapped her fingers to catch Botan's attention.
Botan blinked several times, and tried to remember what the messenger was telling her.
"You are NOT paying attention. I could tell your mind is off somewhere far."
It has time-and-space traveled back to Horizon, reliving my first kiss, Botan thought.
It's been a month since then, and Botan felt that something has changed between her and Kurama.
They started to spend more time with each other; just the two of them.
Horizon is not a huge place, and she could keep track of the children while still keeping distance from them.
More and more, they wanted time alone.
"Botan, please listen!"
"S-sorry, Tina. You were saying…?"
"I was saying Lord Koenma is asking for your audience and you better hurry, he looks like he's in a bad mood right now."
That, finally, had Botan's head cleared.
She ran to the ruler's office, careful not to bump into the ogres carrying stacks of papers newly stamped.
She realized how right Tina is to say that the prince is in a bad mood. As soon as Botan was inside, Koenma gave her a hard stare that was enough to make her shiver.
Before she even started to bow and show respect, Koenma fired his question.
"When, where, and how did you learn to cook Makai Suimono?"
To be continued. Thank you for reading :)