Just the Two of Us
Chapter Five: The Village of Peace
Botan watched quietly as Koenma pulled a red scarf and wore it as a bandana, effectively hiding the mark on his forehead. Then they quietly walked, Kurama leading the way, towards a forest she does not recognize, but Koenma seemed familiar with.
She looked behind, to the wooden boat they used to get there… to wherever they are now. When they left the basement earlier, they were transported to the gates of Reikai, to that corner that Botan knew so well from those 'adventures' with the children, that corner which she knew is not visible to those old surveillance cameras.
From there, Toshi brought them to a small deserted island, which is just past the Horizon. They waited until Toshi left again, not wanting him to know exactly where they are going, before taking the boat to this larger island.
"Aren't you afraid he'll tell someone, Koenma-sama?" she had to ask. For some reason, he can't find it in herself to trust Toshi after everything. He does not like Kurama, why would he agree to help them?
"Don't worry about him," Koenma assured her. "He wouldn't dare do anything after I talked to him… and he's really the easiest to talk into bringing us, so we don't have to add another reigen to know about Kurama."
Botan let the matter drop. She believes in Koenma. He seems to know exactly what he's doing, and he's saving her, after all.
"Well… have you guessed where we are already?" Koenma asked.
"In Makai, I think."
"Right… how did you know?"
"When you told me what a portal is for, I wondered why we can't just use that to go directly where we're heading… I thought it's either we're just covering our tracks and we can't use a direct route, or your powers won't be safe to use where we're going… it wouldn't be safe if someone felt the aura coming from the portal and it made me think of Makai… And…" she looked forward, to Kurama who hasn't said anything since they left the basement.
Koenma glanced at Kurama as well, but did not say anything.
With a lower voice, she continued, "Whenever we leave the Horizon, I try to see where he'll go, what direction he'll take when he heads home."
Noticing that Koenma was now staring at her with increased interest, and that they have stopped walking, she looked away and continued to follow Kurama. Koenma followed too.
"I was just… I was just curious. It's this direction he always took, and I don't know this place, that's all… So… this is Makai…" she looked around in wonder. All she can see are tall trees, and darkness.
She must have looked worried.
Koenma smiled for her, and said, "Don't worry. They won't find you here… Where we're going, it's safe. That's why it's called the Village of Peace… and besides, I know the youkai family you will stay with."
Kurama looked at Koenma, but tried to hide his surprise and continued to walk.
"Alright!" she said, trying to sound cheerful and energetic. "Off we go to the Village of Peace! Off we meet… we meet—"
Koenma looked directly to her, as if watching for her reaction, and said, "Off we meet Kurama's family."
She stopped on her tracks. "Kurama's family?"
No one answered her. Koenma just went ahead of her and Kurama acted as if he didn't hear.
Suddenly, the questions she pushed to the back of her mind needed to be answered. "Koenma-sama… don't you think we're overdoing this? I mean, why are you taking all the risk to take me here and disturb others? And my offense was not that bad to need to hide, was it? I was only sentenced solitary confinement—"
The prince shrugged. "Yes, it was just solitary confinement. But with the way things were going when you were sent there, it looked to me like you're in for more trouble than I thought at first."
She frowned, worried at what the prince was implying. "What do you mean? Did something bad happen?"
"Well... remember that the chief said I should investigate your involvement with Kurama? He learned right away that all I did was banning him from leaving Makai, and he was discontented…"
Botan nodded, her frown deepening. "Did he do something to Kurama? Or to Kurama's family?" She cringed with the thought. "Is that why we're going there?"
"No, Botan. He didn't get to that point. It was just that, the chief was not content with just you. He wanted Kurama to be sentenced too. So I had someone report to him that Kurama was found dead from a demon war, complete with gruesome, fake details. Only when I stamped those evidence did he believe. Finally he was content." He paused for a while, and stopped walking.
"And then what happened?" Botan stopped too, but she wasn't happy about it. She wanted to go on walking, but Kurama had stopped too.
She thought it weird that Kurama hasn't talked all that much since they left Reikai. Later, she thought. Later I'll have the chance to talk to him… when it's just the two of us. She realized that it would not be comfortable talking to him with someone else around. They are so used to having their conversations private…
With a louder voice, as if knowing that her mind was already wandering away, Koenma said, "Everything was going as I planned. Until your friend here," he gave a pointed look at Kurama, "suddenly rose from the dead and appointed himself as this story's knight in shining armor, leading his pack on a mission to ambush the evil prince who locked away the princess…" he continued wryly.
Her mouth fell open, not knowing what to say. She was careful not to look at Kurama, for her face was now flustered, he'll probably laugh at her…
"Well, we're almost there, so let's make the story short," Koenma said, and turned his back on her. He continued to walk, and distantly Botan saw the end of the road. "After a heated argument, the prince and the knight agreed that they both have the best intention for the princess… and agreed that she needed to escape the watchful eyes of the castle dragon. And that they must take the princess to a place where she and the knight can live happily ever after…"
Finally, Kurama inched closer to her, partly to take her mind off Koenma's last line, partly to assure her that things will turn out right. His hand on her shoulder, urging her to move, Kurama smiled at her and said, "Come on, we'll talk about this later."
She smiled back, honestly this time. Whatever nervousness she felt earlier seemed to disappear with his assurance. With one short line, at that.
Not hearing them, Koenma went on with his summary, "And the still-doubtful knight had to enter the castle too, to save the princess himself, just in case the prince has another plan. And now that their little mission is carried out successfully… the prince can only hope that this is the happy ending…"
If you were a traveler, you would not even guess that the small rocky hill surrounded by tall trees could hide a whole village behind it. When they stopped walking, Botan thought that they encountered a dead end.
In front of them, the foot of the rocky hills. At the left, more and more trees leading to the dark forest. At the right side there were lesser trees, and she could oversee (and smell) the swamps where it leads. You would think that you are at an end of the island, and would walk to the left without doubting that it's the only way.
Botan tried to suppress a groan when Kurama turned right. He headed to the side of the hill, where tall trees hide a one-man trail that goes halfway around the hill. The trail was muddy because of the waters, but Koenma didn't seem to mind. They walked until they're on the other side where the muddy trail ends, and a simple wooden gate opened for them.
Inside, the village of Peace was much like the villages in Ningenkai, except that the inhabitants are demons and not humans, and is very far from the picture she had in mind of a place that is supposed to be a part of Makai. The brick houses, dirt paths, high trees, quiet surroundings, anyone could feel at home here… if it remains like this forever.
It was only when they reached Kurama's house that she realized how dark it was already. She could only make out the silhouette of the flowers and plants outside, and she immediately wished it was morning so she could see them.
They were welcomed by Kurama's parents – his father who looks like an older version of him, manlier and a gruff in nature, with darker hair but similar clothing; and his mother who Botan thought could easily be mistaken for a goddess with her wavy silver hair that cascades lovingly on her back. Seemingly shy, the demoness left right away, telling them that she had prepared the food for them and will just call Kurama's younger brothers.
Botan was surprised when Koenma bowed to greet Kiyo – Kurama's father. For a prince, she knew that Koenma treats almost everyone an equal, but she has never seen him bow to anyone. She saw that Kurama was surprised too.
"It's a pleasure to have you here once again, Koenma." Kiyo smiled, truly pleased with the prince's presence.
"Well, it is my pleasure to have this chance for a short visit, Master. But I have to apologize for bringing trouble once again."
Botan blinked. Kurama's eyes narrowed, definitely clueless of the two's connection and not liking it.
Kiyo's smile did not fade, "You know that I would not mind. Like Sayako said the last time you were here, we're always here to help you whenever you need us. Kurama here has mentioned that your friend needs a safe haven."
"Yes. Unfortunately there is trouble, and she needs a place where she can't be found easily. Your son and I joined forces to bring her here."
"You can be assured we will take good care of her."
"I know, I know. I found out he's your son when this started. So when he showed interest in taking her in, I agreed with his plans. I knew my friend here is on safe hands. "
By now, Kurama and Botan are staring at each other. Kurama's eyes were empty, not letting her know what he's thinking. Hers were full of question. But it was silently agreed that they will not fire questions for now.
Sayako reentered the room at that moment, inviting them to the kitchen. There, Botan met the cutest little fox demons she has ever seen. If Kiyo is an elder version of Kurama, his brothers were smaller versions of him.
"Is that her?" one said, staring wide-eyed at Botan.
"Of course it's her, idiot. Definitely not the boy. Now quit staring." When the first little fox kid didn't, the second nudged him.
Botan was so fascinated by the two that she didn't notice right away that Koenma and Kiyo are ready to sit and waiting for them.
Sayaka introduced her sons. "This is Amu," she pointed to the first fox kid, who smiled shyly at her, "And that is Ryo," she pointed at the other who is now starting towards the table.
"Hello, nice to meet you…" They shook hands and afterwards she was led to the table. Amu made sure that she sat beside him. They ate, and no one tried to disrupt Kiyo and Koenma's discussion about politics and the way of life in the demon world.
She wanted to ask Koenma what his connection to Kurama's father was. She wanted him to tell her again why it's best that she's here, and for how long this will last. Because she suddenly felt like everything was unclear.
But Koenma left after the meal, not giving her any chance to talk to him other than to say good bye. After Sayaka made sure that Amu and Ryo are sleeping in their rooms, she showed Botan a room for her indefinite stay.
As soon as she left, Botan opened the window to her room. The window was huge and a bit low, it was easy for her to sit on the windowsill. Leaning at the wall, she felt Kurama inch closer to her side – knowing from the start that he was there outside her window, she was not surprised.
They didn't talk about their situation. For reasons unknown to even her, it did not feel right to question anything about that at all.
For the rest of the night Kurama seems to make up for his silence for the whole day. In a simple way he acquainted her to her new home.
By the time they said goodnight, there was a different set of questions on her mind. How can Kurama soothe away her worries and fears without even trying hard? How can he make her stop questioning things even with just a glance? Why does his actions affect her this much, when there are more important things to think about?
Before she slept, she thought of the things Kurama told her about the village.
He explained that the Village of Peace, though part of Makai, is independent and protected from the wilderness. Yue, father of Yomi, is the elderly leader of the land. The demons of Makai respect him so, for the elder has been very effective in ruling them. The Village of Peace, though small in territory, is known as the most (and probably only) progressive area in Makai.
Master Yue, however, is very old, and somehow felt that his time is near. Now he has decided to entrust his throne to his only son, Yomi. Knowing that demons from outside the village may plan to take the land from his inexperienced son, he decided to start intense training for him. In line of this, they wanted a stronger army to support him, and believed it necessary to have a patrol group to watch out for anyone spying the land. This is when they started to accept trainees for patrolling the village, also in hope that thru this they would find strong fighters for their elite army.
Unlike Kurama and the younger demons in the village, the other elders are not as impressed with Yomi. Yomi was reckless and proud, and it earned him a lot of enemy in the nearby villages.
An example of this is his recent fight against Hideki, leader of a pack of demons whose primary joy in life is terrorizing the weaker demons in the wilderness. Yomi had boasted of his father's village, telling the pack that they are no match for him.
This earned him more doubts from the peace-loving villagers. It seems that their new leader has a penchant for chaos. Kurama told her that Kiyo was one of those who doubted Yomi. For some reason, he always wondered what trouble their young leader would bring them.
Botan wouldn't know, but this information lingered on her mind. It seems that this small village is a whole new world for her.
To be continued. Thank you for reading :)
Hello Dhanlibotan-chan. Hope to bump to you again on this year's conventions! ^_^
~Justine- 1st of February 2010