Botan's Stalker
by Reiko
Chapter 4
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Botan skipped happily as she made her way towards her room. She stopped momentarily only to look at her hand admiring the ring for
the-- what-- two millionth time?! She let out a soft chuckle as it gleamed under the bright lights illuminating the Rei Kai hall. She
was about to continue on her way, when she heard someone approaching from behind her.
"What time is it?"
She turned around only to see Koenma beside her, his tall frame overshadowing her small build, his hands on his hips. Noticing the
stern statement on his face, with one of his eyebrows up in a notch, she smiled sheepishly.
"I- I didn't know that it was-- um this late." She replied. Koenma frowned and sighed tiredly. He put his arms on his side, his right
hand automatically raking through his brown hair.
"I thought you just went out to accompany Keiko?" He asked.
"Well yes and it turned out that she has to do her shopping outside Kyoto." She answered back. Then to Botan's surprise, Koenma's face
suddenly darkened. She was about to apologize when she heard faint footsteps coming towards her.
"Oh, Botan-chan! It's a good thing you're already here!"
Botan turned away from Koenma and found Sayuri walking towards them. She smiled and bowed slightly.
"Konbanwa!" She greeted.
"Konbanwa." Sayuri said, then she turned to Koenma. "I can't seem
to find the ferry girl's quarters. Oh dear, now how will I give them the designs of the gowns and...?
"They are just beside Botan's chamber, Sayuri." Koenma said frowning a little. "I'm sure you won't miss Botan's chamber considering that
that's the only chamber having a bright pink door." He added tauntingly. He looked at Botan teasingly which earned him a slight
scowl in return. Sayuri raised one delicate eyebrow upon noting the
brief playful atmosphere between the two.
"Oh yes you're right." Sayuri said slowly. "I've been there and I
saw the * bright pink* door." She added looking at Botan.
Botan rolled her eyes. "Can we just forget about the pink door already? And it's not bright pink, just light pink... It's my
favorite color, so what about it?"
"Ooohhh... touché." Koenma let out a mischievous chuckle. He just loves it when Botan pouts like that. She looks so... so...
"Have you had dinner already?" Sayuri suddenly asked. Botan stopped pouting at Koenma and turned to Sayuri's awaiting statement.
"No, not yet." She replied. Sayuri smiled.
"Oh good!" She brought her hands together in delight. "Then why
don't you join us? We are about to have dinner." She said walking towards her fiancé. She stood beside him and purposely linked her arm with
Koenma. The sight instantly brought a fresh wave of jealousy within Botan... Why?!
/Just what is this?/ Botan found herself asking. She felt like slapping herself. Why would she feel jealous anyway? Sayuri is his
fiancé and they are getting married soon! And besides, Koenma-sama?! She must be out of her mind! Why would she even get attracted to him?
He's bossy and he yells and orders people around, he's grouchy every morning, he's moody, he's bratty, sometimes, he's... caring and
oftentimes he's considerate, he's responsible...
/Arg! Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!/ Botan mentally screamed at herself.
Koenma studied Botan's reaction before him. If he's not mistaken, it was subtle jealousy he saw etched on her purple eyes. And to his
absolute surprise he felt-- thrilled, flattered...? He shook his head trying his best to dismiss such foolish thoughts.
"If you're to join us for dinner then I suggest you freshen up first and change into something more comfortable." He said authoritatively.
Then he granted her a smile. "We'll wait for you in the dining hall, wakatta?" And before Botan can utter another word, Koenma and Sayuri
turned and walked away from her.
"Right." She murmured turning around and walking down the hall. Not long after she reached the door to her room. She went inside, closing
it gently and locking it. It was semi-dark inside her room with the moon serving as her only light.
Still too tired to change, she immediately slumped herself down on her bed without even bothering to turn the lights on. She was lying
on her stomach when she felt something pushing beneath her. Immediately she stood up only to notice the faint pungent smell on
her room. And something wet on her arms, face, and body...
She stood up, her eyes finally adjusting to the dimness. She leaned towards her bed only to find...
She let out a piercing scream.
==========
"What do you think of the invitations, dear? You think blue is all right or would you prefer a lighter shade?" Sayuri asked as she sat
beside Koenma inside the splendid dining hall.
Silence.
"Koenma?" Sayuri gently called, putting her hand lightly on his arm. Koenma blinked in surprise.
"Huh? You were saying something?" He asked looking at her.
"You're not paying attention." Sayuri said mildly.
"G-gomen, gomen." He said quickly. Then he frowned. "Sayuri,
would you mind if you just decide on whatever you like? I- its-- its just--" He stopped and looked at her apologetically.
"Yes?" She asked raising her eyebrows. Koenma sighed.
"Well, it's just not my kind of thing... you know, planning weddings and such... I just don't know anything about planning weddings..."
His voice trailed off.
Sayuri momentarily stared at him that Koenma feared that she would get angry and walk away or worse, cry. He was about to take
everything he said back and apologize when a smile lit Sayuri's face.
"Are you too busy even to plan our own wedding?" She asked silently. When Koenma didn't answer, Sayuri sighed.
"Do you even want to get married, Koenma?"
With that Koenma found himself unable to speak. All he could do was
to look at her straight in the eye, just-- look at her...
Sayuri raised one delicate eyebrow, waiting for his answer. Finally he took an exasperated breath.
"What kind of a question is that?" He asked softly rubbing the bridge of his nose tiredly with his fingers. "You know very well that-- " He
stopped when he heard a fearful scream coming from the hallway. Sayuri too felt heart jump with surprise.
"W- what was that?" Sayuri asked her hand on her chest. Koenma looked at her, puzzled. He heard another scream. Botan's scream! Without a
word he bolted up from his seat.
"Botan!" He shouted running towards the hallway. "Botan!
Botan!"
He ran towards Botan's room with Sayuri close behind him. Several ferry girls and onis, upon hearing the
disturbance, ran too all filled with worry and anxiety. When he reached her door, he knocked
furiously.
"Botan! What's wrong?" He shouted, pounding it with his fist. By now, a number of ferry girls and onis gathered behind him, some
whispering, some calling Botan as well. When no answer came, Koenma swore under his breath.
"Damn it, Botan! Open the door!" He yelled.
No answer.
He stepped back, thinking furiously. Then he took three steps back.
"Everybody out of the way!" One oni shouted. Immediately they all parted to give way for Koenma. Sayuri's eyes darted from the room to
Koenma, unable to speak. Then without a word, Koenma ran and slammed
his right shoulder against the door breaking it with the force. He then immediately ran inside.
"Botan, what's going on?" He asked switching the light on. He stopped momentarily, his eyes widening.
"What the-- " He started as he saw blood all over the place! His eyes darted madly from the blood-covered carpet to the walls. He gasped
when he saw the words:
"I'm gonna get you!" Completely written in blood.
Immediately he felt nauseated, a sudden bile rising up from his stomach. He covered his mouth and walked towards the bed only to find
two or three dead animals resting on it, cold, dead eyes staring back at him, blood staining the sheets, then a sob.
"Botan?" He asked as he saw something huddled on a corner. He walked towards her. "Botan, please..." He forcefully turned her towards him
only to see blood all over her. Her face, her clothes...
"Koenma-sama..." She cried, her body shaking with fright.
"Koenma-sama-- "
"Are you hurt?" He asked frantically upon seeing the blood. When Botan shook her head, he heaved a sigh of relief. She was so pale,
her eyes clearly showing fear. She was trembling violently that Koenma couldn't do anything but to enclose her in his arms to which
Botan willingly submitted. She cried against his chest with Koenma trying desperately to calm her down.
"Shh... Everything's going to be all right now, Botan. I'm here. I'm here." He repeated soothingly while gently stroking her hair.
"I'm-- afraid..."
"I know, I know but I'll be here, always." He said kissing her hair.
"Don't go?"
"Yes... I won' t leave you. Shh... everything's fine now." He whispered. They stayed like that for about 10 seconds and when Koenma
finally felt her trembling subsiding, he looked up.
"You, you and you." He said looking at three ferry girls standing by the door. "Have this room cleaned immediately." He ordered. The three
girls immediately bowed before scampering away to their errand. Koenma then turned towards the other three, lifting Botan onto his
arms, unmindful of the blood now clinging onto his body as well.
"You three prepare a bath for Botan. Use my chamber."
"Wakarimashita, Koenma-sama."
"And help her clean up!" He called out. "I need three onis!"
Immediately three onis appeared from the crowd one of them was George.
"Hai, Koenma-sama?"
"You help clean this room. There is so much blood in here, the three girls won't be able to do it. And George, I need you to do something
for me." He said as he carried Botan with him and made his way towards his chamber.
"Yes, Koenma-sama?" George immediately asked following close.
"Go to Nignenkai and have Yusuke and the rest informed. Tell them to be here tomorrow morning exactly at ten."
"Hai!" His loyal oni answered before seeing to his errand. Then he looked at everybody.
"Everyone be alert! An intruder surely got past our security and I won't have another ferry girl or oni screaming and shouting all
covered with blood, understood? Alert all securities around the premises, search the grounds!"
"Hai, Koenma-sama!" Came a chorus of voices. Koenma then turned towards Sayuri, apologetically. "Sayuri, I-- "
"Shh..." She said putting her finger on his lips to shush him. She just smiled at him understandingly. Her hand purposely fished out her
white hankie from her yukata pocket and proceeded wiping the smudge
of blood off his cheek. "We'll just talk about it some other time."
With that, Koenma smiled at her gratefully. "Arigato Sayuri-chan." He said before going inside his chamber with the now sleeping Botan in
his arms.
Miki smirked as she surveyed the mess inside Botan's room. Then she looked at now empty hall, shaking her head.
"Now let's see you laugh your way out of this, Botan." She whispered turning around. She silently made her way towards their own quarters,
quite pleased with what just happened.