Entangled Pasts
by Reiko-chan
Chapter 4
November of 1872
"Itadakemasu!" Yuki cried out cheerfully before digging into the bowl of ramen before her.
Seeing that, Koenma laughed. "What is so funny?" she asked pouting at him.
"No, nothing." He replied as helped himself with the ramen. Although he didn't particularly like the taste of Ningen food, he found it tasting as much as good when he is eating it with her.
"Just wondering how your simple laughter makes me laugh as well." He continued poking his food as if he had said nothing of importance. Upon hearing her silence, he looked up and gazed at her. Yuki instantly blushed. She cast her eyes down and shyly busied herself with her ramen, unable to bring her eyes back on his handsome face once again.
Koenma chuckled as he picked on his food. Remembering the decision he made four months ago nearly made him laugh. He should've known that, when he came to her the day after that, the self-made promise of not seeing her again would eventually end up in smokes. Actually he waited for her that day, rehearsing his lines, thinking the most acceptable reason he must utter… but then, upon seeing her emerging from the school house, smiling up at him, made him lost for words!
Before he knew it, he and Yuki kept seeing each other almost everyday, their friendship blossoming into something sweet and beautiful that he couldn't tear himself away from it. He even got the chance to meet her mother when he was finally allowed to walk her home.
Now they share something they had never shared with anybody else, special things like when the time Yuki told him about her family, her father, how he died (which he, of course, already knows) and almost all of her dreams and aspirations. Whereas, he told her his loneliness, his unexplainable fears, then as if by magic, Yuki would do something outrageous to make him forget…
"And she was the one who made me laugh." He thought with wonder.
"All done!" she cried out suddenly, forgetting her shyness. "Last one to the door is a rotten sushi!" she called out bolting from her seat, laughing.
"Yuki-chan! Matte!" he called out after her disappearing figure. Then chuckling, he stood up as well and walked towards the door only to find her patiently waiting for him outside, grinning.
"Not fair, Yuki-dono." He said walking towards her; his eyes alight with pleasure. Yuki smiled up at him quietly as she started walking.
Koenma frowned as he followed her. "Where are we going, Yuki-dono?" he asked.
She turned to him with a mysterious smile. "Shh… it's a secret." She whispered bringing her forefinger to her lips. She then gave him a sweet smile before winking.
Koenma's eyes widened then it narrowed as he felt something tug at the strings of his heart. Then he stopped. At that moment he knew what he is really feeling! With that realization, he suppressed his laughter.
Yuki trudged on past the market and the town square completely unaware of what was going on inside Koenma's heart. She walked calmly till she reached the outskirts of Kyoto. She then made her way towards a huge tree, which was secluded from the noisy bustling of the city.
"It is so peaceful here." Koenma said as he shoved his hands inside his pockets, inhaling the fresh air.
Yuki, in turn, gingerly sat down on its shade, gracefully tucking her legs. "This is my secret place, Koenma-san." She said staring dreamily at the pink sky.
"Not even Mineko-san knew about this." She added. Then she turned to him, their eyes meeting. Koenma only smiled as his reply.
"I often come here to think." She began looking once again at the setting sun. "Sometimes I would imagine my father staring down at me, makes me wonder if I'm making him proud just now."
With that, Koenma turned to her, his mind and heart battling whether to tell her, or not that he is part of some conspiracy that actually took her father away from her. But just seeing her beautiful face, her eyes shiny and misty, made him refrain himself from saying it. Doing so would only ruin the beautiful picture before him.
"Of course he would have been proud." Koenma said instead, his heart now hammering loudly against his chest. "H-having a beautiful daughter would make any father so proud, Yuki-dono."
Yuki blushed furiously upon hearing those words. So far this was the first time Koenma told her she is beautiful and it made her wonder how good it had felt. She turned to him once again only to find him gazing at her with so much intensity, his eyes heavy with emotions. She took a deep breath as she absorbed the beauty of his face, the sparkle in his eyes, the bridge of his nose, his sensual lips…
"As- as I've told you before, this is my secret place." She began, standing up. "I-I won't bring you here unless- unless--"
"I'm falling in love with you Yuki." He suddenly blurted out Yuki instantly froze.
"W-what did you say?"
"I'm falling for you, Yuki." He repeated. "I'm so in love with you."
Before she knew it, she blurted out, "I'm so in love with you."
Without a word, Koenma pulled her to him, enclosing her in his arms. Yuki pressed her face against his chest, snuggling up to his warmth.
"You just don't know how happy you make me feel." He murmured as he buried his head in her sweet-smelling hair. Then he slowly lifted her face up to his. He gazed softly at her eyes, drinking her very soul that Yuki nearly melted with love and longing at the same time.
"I love you, Yuki." He whispered.
She closed her eyes as she felt his warm breath against her cheek, teasing her senses.
"And I love you." She replied as Koenma captured her lips with his.
Yuki, for a moment, froze. She hasn't been kissed before and it sure surprised her to feel different sensations crashing at her all at once. But upon feeling his soft lips against her, she relaxed; kissing him back with equal passion, unlocking the hidden longings buried deep inside her from the time she had met him.
Koenma kissed her fervently, demanding gently, letting himself out, and pouring himself over her.
After the sweet kiss, Yuki buried her face in his chest. "I am afraid Koenma." She murmured. "I am afraid of getting hurt."
Upon hearing that, Koenma could do nothing but to kiss her hair and tighten his arms around her even more. As of now he couldn't give promises. He had fallen into a bond, which could hurt both of them but for this moment-- nothing could be more right.
"Yes." He thought gazing at the setting sun. "Nothing could be more right, nothing could be more right…"
=======
Second week of January, 1873
"Koenma-sama, your father wishes to see you." Koenma, now in his toddler form, looked up from the pile of papers in front him. Upon seeing George fidgeting nervously before his desk, he smiled sweetly.
"All right." He answered cheerfully as he slid down from his chair and walked towards the heavy doors.
George looked after his boss with surprise and confusion. He noticed that for the past three months Koenma suddenly became cheerful, mild-tempered, and tolerable for his own good.
"Too cheerful." George muttered as he exited the office. He couldn't shake the nagging feeling that somehow something is up with the prince. Whatever it is though, he sure was glad about it.
Koenma hummed a happy tune as he made his way towards his father's office. When he reached the hallway lined with glass, he stopped momentarily to admire the view of Rei Kai's woodland.
He took a deep breath as his eyes absorbed the beauty before him. It really was a wonder why he hadn't noticed this before. Somehow, having Yuki made everything around him beautiful. The air became crisper and fresher, the tress became greener, and at night, the stars above became brighter. He then shook his head and started on his way.
"What took you so long, boy?" Enma Daiou boomed upon seeing the heavy oak doors of his office opening.
"You wish to see me, father?" Koenma asked instead, feeling too good to be irritated with his father's gruff voice. He bowed lowly before him.
"Yes." He answered in his big, booming voice. "Just wondering how much power you have already stored in the pacifier."
Koenma fidgeted nervously. He has no idea since he often takes it out whenever he sees Yuki. He lost track!
Clearing his throat, he then looked up only to meet his father's hard, penetrating eyes. "Just enough, great father," he answered in the humblest voice he could muster. "After all I had this on for centuries now." he added quickly.
Enma gave a satisfied grunt, accepting his son's reply.
When he did not saying anything, Koenma frowned. "Is that all?" he asked. Enma shook his head.
"No." he replied. He then stood up and walked towards the huge window. "I sent Ayame and four other deities to the Makai."
"I know father." Koenma replied knowingly though greatly intrigued by the sudden decision.
"There-- has been a series of plague in Ningenkai and I'm afraid we are short of deities right now." he continued.
Koenma instantly brightened at the thought of leaving Rei Kai earlier than usual.
Without turning to face him, Enma Daiou added, "And since you did a good job of bringing souls here and then for the past four months, I would like you to go down there and ferry souls in here."
Silence.
"Koenma?"
Silence.
Enma Daiou frowned upon hearing the silent answer of his son. He turned around, quite furious, only to find Koenma already gone.