Chapter 4

“Finally, my room,” Botan mumbled to herself as she held the doorknob to her room. She had crept away from the others after deciding to leave the five alone to themselves while discussing the new mission.

“Rest at last,” she closed her eyes. However, sleep wouldn’t come to her. She kept remembering Koenma and the new mission. So that’s why he’s been busy lately. That mission has occupied his mind completely. She stood up, walked to her dresser and looked at the mirror. If there wasn’t so much to do, Koenma would have walked with me around the garden during afternoons, she thought as she remembered when she and Koenma would stroll around the palace grounds, talking of different topics. She remembered how her heart soared at the simple gesture of Koenma handing a single flower to her. She missed those long walks, those hearty conversations. I wonder when will I be able to spend some time with him again.

A glint in the shadows caught her eye. She looked down to see whatever it was. Oh, it’s only the crystal. She got the piece of crystal about the size of a golf ball, only slightly flattened. It was cut into a heart-shaped form and glimmered in the faint lighting like a diamond. She sat down in front of the dresser and sighed. She remembered how she got hold of the thing…

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Botan was taking a walk in the forest near the palace to soothe her nerves. She was weary from her day’s work, ushering all those poor souls and all. Not only that. Koenma was also angry with her after she had accidentally bumped into his table and all the documents he was arranging ended up on the floor. He was almost done and was only getting ready to attend to some business in Ningenkai.

“Uhmm…” Botan hastily opened her eyes upon feeling a drop of water falling on her forehead. It was already dark. I didn’t know that I had fallen asleep. Must have been because I was so tired. She picked herself up from the ground and walked away. Hours passed but she remained inside the forest. She looked around hoping to see any sign that would lead her home, but there was nothing. Oh my, I did I lose my way. If only I didn’t fall asleep, I’d still be able to find a way out of here. She continued walking, the rain and winds were getting stronger every minute. Worse, she was feeling tired, cold, wet and hungry. She hugged herself and leaned on the trunk of a huge tree. Botan was on the verge of tears. I don’t know what to do anymore. Thunder struck. The lightning made the trees look sinister demons ready to get her. Botan cringed inwardly. Calm down Botan. You can do it. She took a deep breath, I have to keep on walking, then stepped forward. The storm raged as she walked until her eye caught a flash of light. What was that? She followed the direction from where she saw the tiny glint then bent down. Her eyes widened. There, partially covered with soil was a piece of exquisite crystal. Botan took it raised it so she can get a better look. At the same moment, lightning came once more. She held the crystal tighter, her eyes widening a little more. The lightning illuminated the path in front of her; a path she recognized immediately as the one she always took when heading towards the forest. She felt a surge of energy run though her veins. I found it! I found my way home. She began taking the path. She was nearing the clearing towards the garden when she felt her knees give way. No! I’m almost there. She forced herself to take a step but she felt so weak, she fell on the ground. As tears fell on her cheeks she heard a faint rustle up front.

Botan raised her head. Someone was calling her name. They’re looking for me!

“Botan!” A shout came from in front of her and then she saw Koenma rushing to her side.

He gently touched her cheeks to wipe away her tears then carried her in his arms towards the palace. There they met George Saotome.

“George, call on one of the servants to dress her in dry clothes and order some food to be brought up to her room.”

“Everything will be all right now,” he whispered to her ear as he held her hand and sat beside her.

One of the palace servants came to change her clothes, he nodded at the servant and told her, ”I’ll be back in a little while.”

She sighed and knitted her eyebrows upon noticing that she was still holding something in her hand. She opened her palm and gazed at the crystal. Her eyes became tender and a smile formed on her lips. This crystal had led me back home. Thank you…

She closed her eyes and clutched the crystal closer to her heart. After that night, she had kept the crystal as one of her most precious possessions. It had kept her feeling safer and assured. Now something new is bugging her. I feel something bad is about to come. There’s something about this new mission that makes me feel anxious. Remembering that night woke something in her senses.

“Oh Koenma,” she whispered his name in the darkness. She loved him. She had known that in her heart even before that stormy night and had kept it there for so long. “Why does it seem to me that something is about to happen and that it will change the course of our lives? Why?”