One More's A Crowd
by Riisha
Chapter 2
The Trial
Botan looked back at the girl. The one leaning against the wall.
She was wiping a tear from her eye as she looked at herself on the bed.
“Makes you wonder huh? I mean … What would have happened if I didn’t save that woman? If I didn’t push her away from the edge? I wouldn’t be watching this … I’d probably be in my room, getting scolded for skipping school again today.”
Botan stared at her.
“My teachers getting all pissed at me … My classmates getting all scared of me … One would think that people would appreciate you out of the way … And all that …
“And then … you realize just how much some people valued you. My best friend was here an hour ago. She was bawling her eyes out, asking me why I had to leave her. Not only that … some guy who liked to fight me … he suddenly arrived, saying sorry for always fighting with me. And he was also crying. I couldn’t believe it! I never thought I’d see Tetsuya cry.
“It starts to make you wonder, huh? Makes you think, was it actually worth it? Was it worth it that I saved that woman, if all those people I knew were crying?”
Botan didn’t know how to answer. But then, she realized the girl didn’t want an answer. She just wanted someone to listen to what she had to say.
“But then, the woman I saved arrived. You know what? She had two kids. And she thanked my parents. And she thanked me. Then after that, her kids thanked me. They thanked me for not letting kami-sama their mom away. They were so young! It made me wonder how they’d survive without their mom.
“That’s when you realize … it really was all worth it …
“I’ve been here the whole afternoon, I saw it all.”
She wiped one last tear and looked at Botan with a smirk, “So … tell me. Why can you see and hear me? Have you come to take me away?”
Botan finally composed herself. “Yes.” She made the biggest grin she could muster, “I’m your local Reikai ferry girl! I’ve come to take your soul to Reikai!”
“So, I heard.” She straightened, looking as if she had stopped crying. Botan realized for the first time that the girl was actually quite beautiful. Not to mention … *ahem* … gifted.
“Name’s Mina. Onishi Mina. You’d be …?”
“Botan,” and Botan smiled. “Will you come with me to the roof? We can talk better there.”
“Here. Up there. Not much difference. You’ll be taking me to the World of the Dead anyway.”
“Mina-san … what would you say if I told you that you had a chance to come back to the World of the Living?”
-----*-----
Botan smiled as she felt the wind in her hair again.
“So …” Mina said, also enjoying the wind. “Tell me about this chance.”
“It’s not that simple,” Botan waved a finger back in front of her face. “You’ll have to prove yourself worthy enough to be brought back to life. And other than that … we need your … services.”
“Services?” Mina raised an eyebrow. “Who does?”
“Reikai. That’s where I’m bringing you. Koenma-sama is going to tell you how the test goes.”
“Who’s ‘Koenma’?”
“My boss,” Botan began to hope that he will be pleased with her job. “I guess you can pretty much say he’s the prince of the dead. Son to Enma Daiou-sama.”
“Wow,” Mina said, looked to the skies, her green eyes twinkling in thought. “But you still haven’t told me about these services.”
“Hm. I don’t really know how to explain it. That’s why I need to bring you to Koenma-sama. I’m sure he can tell you better than I can. And you’ll see…”
“Then, what are we waiting for?!!” she jumped up, pumping a fist. “Let’s go right now!!”
Botan smiled then frowned as she tried to remember if Yusuke had the same enthusiasm. She shrugged it off as she conjured up her oar. She mounted it and grinned, “Hop on.”
“W-wait a minute!!” Mina suddenly began to wave her hands in front of her. “We’re riding that?!”
“Well … yes …”
“Is it stable?!!”
Botan sweatdropped, remembering how it would sometimes go out of control as she rode it with a passenger. But she just tried to laugh it off, “Don’t worry about a thing!! You’ll see!! It’s going to be fine!!”
Mina was still skeptical, “Are you sure?”
“Positive!!”
-----*-----
Yusuke groaned as he leaned back against the wall, “It’s a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live here …”
Kuwabara was dozing off, “Why the hell did they have to call us here so late at night?!”
Kurama shook his head, half-smiling, “Koenma said that he wanted us to be at this new recruit’s briefing. We’ll receive our own briefing as well.”
Hiei just yawned.
The Reikai Tantei were all standing outside Koenma’s office, waiting for Botan to return with the new recruit. Botan had told them that they would be needed here, tonight.
Kurama and Yusuke looked at Hiei, who was just standing there, not looking as if he wanted to be there.
“I guess the Yukina angle really did work …” Yusuke whispered.
Kurama nodded.
“Eh??” Kuwabara came closer, trying to listen in, “Did you say anything about my Yukina-san?!”
At the sound of his sister’s name, Hiei suddenly shot them a threatening look that said, ‘Say anything else and you will be Kokuryuuha’s next meal.’
Yusuke and Kurama facefaulted, quieting themselves.
“INCOMING!!!!!!!”
They looked up …
… and hit the wall, sprawling, as Botan suddenly came flying through a window, circling dangerously around the hallway.
“B-Botan!!” Kurama called, “L-look ou-!!”
[crash!!!]
They all (minus Hiei) winced as Botan hit the wall, crumbling it into pieces.
“Botan!!”
“Botan! Are you all right?!”
Botan shook her head to get the spirals out of her eyes. She looked up, “Hey!! You guys made it!!” she looked over their shoulders to see Hiei behind them. “Even Hiei too!!”
“Hn.”
Botan facefaulted, suddenly remembering how scared of Hiei she was. She looked at the debris around her and gasped. “MINA-SAN!!” And she started digging through.
The Reikai Tantei were clueless.
“Mina? Who the hell is Mina?” Yusuke asked.
“Mina-san?!” Botan cried, ignoring the question. “Mina-san?!”
“Botan-san …” someone suddenly called.
Botan sprang back up to her feet, “Mina-san!! You’re all right!!”
A figure came out of the shadows. And came over to Botan knelt beside her …… and started strangling her.
“You!! You told me it was stable!!!”
“Waaah!! Mina-san!! I’m sorry! I said that because I knew you wouldn’t get on if I told you it wasn’t!!”
“I don’t appreciate people lying to me!!! Lucky for you I jumped off at the last minute or I would’ve died crashing into that wall with you!!”
“B-but Mina-san!!”
“What?!!”
“Y-you’re already dead!”
Mina finally let go of her, sighing. “I guess you’re right.” She looked up and noticed the four men standing over them. And among them were three quite good-looking men.
[BOING!!]
She stood up immediately, “Hi!! Onishi Mina! At your service!! And you’d all be?” She grabbed Botan’s arm, hauling her to her feet, “Well come on, Botan-san!! Introduce us already!!”
Botan facefaulted. The Reikai Tantei still appeared confused.
“Botan?” Kurama asked as calmly as he could. “Who’s this?”
“Um … guys!” Botan didn’t know exactly what to say. “Like she said … Onishi Mina … She’s … the new recruit for Reikai Tantei …”
“Yep! That’s me!!” Mina grinned, flashing them a v-sign. She looked quizzically at Botan, “What’s a Reikai Tantei?”
Jaws dropped.
Hiei’s eyes widened.
Kurama rubbed his chin, “Perhaps … This is not as bad as you all thought.”
Yusuke wasn’t so subtle, “Y-YOU?! B-but y-you’re a girl!! A-and … n-not … mention … to … very … maybe … girl … I-I … we … train … YOU?!”
Kuwabara was the same, “Sh-she’s so pretty!! B-but Yukina-san is prettier by far!! B-but she’s also beautiful!! But no one’s more beautiful than Yukina-san!! A-and …”
Botan gaped at them. What’s more is that Mina seemed to be enjoying the attention. Feeling hot to the head, Botan cleared her throat, “As you already know, if she passes Koenma-sama’s tests, you will be training her to be the next Tantei. So you should introduce yourselves!”
Yusuke shook his head, then stepped closer to extend a hand, “H-hajimemashite! Uhh … Name’s Yusume Urakeshi … a-ah! I mean Urameshi Yusuke … A-ano … W-we b-believe you’ll make a fine addition to the group!!” he gulped, eying her closely, “V-very, very fine …”
Botan whacked him on the side of his head with her oar, “Yusuke!! You have a girlfriend!! A fiancée?!!”
“But she has nice hair!! A-and Yukina-san definitely has nicer hair … Oh no! No one is prettier than Yukina-san!!” Kuwabara wailed, “B-but …”
“Hn. Baka.” Hiei stepped close this time, also extending a hand. “The baka’s name is Kuwabara Kazuma.”
Mina eyed him curiously, but not without interest in the youkai in front of her, “And you would be?”
“Hiei …” he answered simply, taking away his hand when he realized she wouldn’t accept it. Not that he cared. “Don’t think that I’ll take it easy on you, just because you are a female ningen. Nor because you are new at this.”
Mina facefaulted, looking slightly worried. “H-hai …”
“Pleased to meet you, Mina-san,” Kurama came forward, extending a hand as well. “My ningen name is Minamino Shuichi. But with my closest friends, I am better known by my true name, Kurama.”
This time Mina took it, but before she could shake it, Kurama brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. He smiled up at her, “I’m sure that your looks hide much of your abilities and potential to be part of the Reikai Tantei.”
Mina actually blushed. “A-arigatou …”
“K-Kurama-san!” Botan couldn’t help blushing, too.
“Oh my god, it’s finally happened!” Yusuke exclaimed. “Kurama’s become so gay he’s looped around and become straight again!” ()
A foot came out of nowhere and hit Yusuke in the face. He slammed into the wall and slithered to the floor. Kurama calmly turned back toward Botan. “So, Botan. Will we be needed?”
Botan recovered from her shock and answered, “Yes. After Koenma-sama talks to Mina-san, if she accepts, you will be called into his office next for your briefing.”
Mina looked at them, “So why don’t we go already, Botan-san?”
“Ahahaha …” Botan facefaulted. “Um … let me check if Koenma-sama is ready!”
She tiptoed to the door and opened it slightly.
There were some oni inside and someone that looked to be on trial. One of the oni was walking back and forth in front of the human. Finally he stopped and pointed toward him.
“Did you SAW the accused?!!” he demanded.
Another oni suddenly stood, raising a hand, “I object, Koenma-sama!” he glanced at the other oni with narrowed eyes “The witness is not a carpenter!”
Koenma slammed a gavel onto his desk, “Sustained!”
(that whole scene was the challenge)
Botan closed the door, bewildered a bit, not knowing that there was a new system in performing trials. “I think we should wait a bit first.”
-----*-----
Later on, the Reikai Tantei, Botan and Mina watched the two oni step out of the office, escorting the young man they were questioning. “I guess that means that we’re up next,” Botan grinned. “Come on Mina-san. You guys stay out here. You’re probably going to be called next.”
Yusuke and Kuwabara had already slipped to the floor, looking as if they were falling asleep.
Botan took Mina’s arm and led her into the office. “Koenma-sama?”
“Botan! Good. You’ve arrived? Is Mina-san with you?”
Mina was looking around for the source of the voice. All she saw at the desk was the tall back of chair. It was facing away from them. Then, she stopped and looked, befuddled at the chair, “How’d you know my name?”
“I was the one who chose you, Onishi Mina.” The chair spun around to reveal Koenma, in his Reikai form, with his arms crossed. He eyed Mina carefully, “Welcome to Reikai, Onishi Mina.”
Mina’s eyes turned into saucers. “Y-you … you’re this Koenma-sama?!”
“Correct.”
And suddenly, she burst out laughing.
Botan facefaulted, “H-hey! Don’t laugh at Koenma-sama!!”
“I-I’m sorry!” Mina managed between her guffaws. “B-but … This Koenma … I-I thought … it sounded so … intimidating!! A-and … i-it’s … I-I … y-you’re just …”
Koenma sighed, “I hope she doesn’t turn into another Yusuke …” he looked up. “Botan. If you may? I shall speak with Mina-san alone.”
“Hai, Koenma-sama.” Botan bowed before exiting.
-----*-----
The door opened again not too long later.
Mina looked out, “Koenma-sama wishes to speak to you guys now.”
Kurama leaned down to shake Yusuke and Kuwabara awake. Botan straightened up, “Well, good luck guys.”
“Um, Botan-san? You too.”
Botan was shocked for a few seconds, but then she nodded.
“Ah!! NO!!” Yusuke suddenly yelled, “The Helmacrons are heading for Marco’s nose!” ()
“Yusuke …” Kurama sighed as continued to shake Yusuke awake.
“Ungh … Eh? Huh?” Yusuke’s eyes finally opened. “Are we there yet?”
“Yusuke!!” Botan called, finally whacking him with her oar again. “Koenma-sama is to talk to you now!!”
“Ow!!” Yusuke yelled, standing. “You didn’t have to hit me that hard!!”
“You too!!” Botan hit Kuwabara this time.
Kuwabara suddenly straightened, “Hello Peter Pan, I’m Michael!” ()
Botan facefaulted.
“Baka,” Hiei mumbled.
-----*-----
“As the present Reikai Tantei, you know better than any other how being one goes.”
Yusuke nodded.
Koenma looked up thoughtfully, “If she does become our next Reikai Tantei, you all are to help her in any way that you can until you are certain that she can work on her own. You are also to help her develop her skills and abilities so as to be able to eliminate any threats to herself if she ever encounters any.”
“Fine …” Yusuke said. “It doesn’t sound to hard.”
“However, under any circumstances, you shall not aid her in her test. You should understand the importance of that.”
They all nodded.
“What is your test anyway, Mina-san?” Botan asked in a whisper. Yusuke leaned closer to listen too.
“I don’t really know,” she shrugged, bewildered. “I’m supposed to take care of this …”
She showed them …………. an egg.
Both Botan and Yusuke sweatdropped.
“Damn it… It’s the exact same test!” Yusuke said, bewildered.
“Botan,” Koenma called.
“Hai, Koenma-sama!”
“You on the other hand, are to aid her in any way you can, in the same way that you aided Yusuke, here. If and when she joins our ranks of Reikai Tantei, you will aid her in the same manner that you aided our present Reikai Tantei. You will give her information, you will relay orders, and the like.”
“Hai, Koenma-sama.”
“If you don’t have anymore questions, you are all dismissed.”
-----*-----
WAHAHA!! I got rid of two of the hardest challenge in the second chapter!! TAKE THAT SISTER OF MINE!!!