Eleventh Chapter

A Cinderella Story minus the Slipper

BOTAN'S HEART GALLOPED wildly as she stepped into the hall. Damn, she has never felt so nervous in her life. She straightened herself, smoothened her gown and sighed resignedly.

"Here goes nothing," she murmured and started walking towards the giant glass doors. However, before she reached even a foot away, Botan stopped and spun around, her fists and jaws clenched tight.

"I can't do it,"" she moaned. "I can't believe Miss Masago talked me into this."

Actually, Masago didn't just talk her into it. It happened a while ago, barely an hour before the start of the celebration. The make-up artist just finished giving Masago her makeover. She was still in her bathrobe though, so that her emerald studded forest green velvet dress won't be damaged.

Botan was summoned. The poor girl went up to her mistress's chamber unsuspectingly, expecting to help Masago into her fine raiment and to have the first look at the personification of heavenly beauty. 

"Good evening, Miss Masago." Botan greeted brightly as poked her head into the doorway. "What's next?"

"Come in, my pretty. Come in," Masago said mysteriously.

"So will I help you dress now?"  Botan had been excited then but Masago only smiled to herself ominously.

Botan should have known then that something bad was about to happen. She should have sensed trouble and should have bolted out the door. But noooo. She didn't catch on quickly enough and now she's languishing inside the char muse rose colored gown.

She managed to detach herself from Masago earlier when the guests started pouring in. She has been snooping around the hallways for the last hour, trying to find the perfect time to slip in. She thought, using her ever-unorthodox way of thinking, she wouldn’t be noticed if she went in late.

"Aurghh!" she groaned. "I don't care, I don’t care!"

She started walking away briskly. No, she wouldn't be blackmailed into going to a friend's party. The only reason she didn't try to escape was she didn't want to disrespect the hostess. Alright, also because Masago threatened to have her escorted (a.k.a. dragged) in with criers and bodyguards.

"I don't care," she repeated, stomping away.

"Miss?" asked a voice behind her.

Botan stifled a scream. She turned around slowly.

"Yes?" she squeaked.

"Miss Botan, I presume," said one of the tuxedo-garbed men.

She nodded.

"We are your entourage."

IT WAS A woman, that's for sure. Her tresses, light blue and long, was plaited and piled on her crown, the curling tendrils framing her beautiful face. The sheer chiffon gown, which had no sleeves, a deep neckline, and an a-line cut, reached the floor, pooling around her feet. From her back sprouted translucent white wings of some flimsy material, which glinted with every movement she made.

Koenma's jaw dropped to the ground.

"Who is that?" he asked.

"What are you doing?" hissed Masago in his ear. "Go escort the lady before someone else does."

"What?!?" Koenma demanded in confusion.

Masago gave him one last frown as she glided away, intercepting several young man as they rushed to escort the lady down the staircase, leading from the entrance. As a result, he got to her first.

"Well," he said gruffly, avoiding her eyes. He offered Botan his hand. "Shall we?"

Botan timidly took it, evading his look as well. Miss Masago, how can you do this to me, she ranted inwardly. I swear I'd get you for this!

Koenma felt his partner tense up. Well, he's tense, too. He looked at her as they descended the marble stairway, practically melting from the spectators' eyes glued on them.

"Hey," he said. "I bet Masago got you, too."

Botan glanced up, surprised. "Yeah," she said smiling. "It sure sucks."

"I resent that," said Koenma indignantly. "I'm not that bad looking."

They laughed. They grinned at each other as they mingled with the rest of the guests, now distracted by some scheme, probably planned by Yoshio Masago the matchmaker. Now that the ice has been broken, things seem back to normal.

"I'm hungry," announced Koenma.

"I'm hungry, too, I suppose," said Botan.

"Come then." He led her to his table, which he remembered clearly having three chairs and three places set on it.

"Um, where will Miss Masago stay?"

Koenma face faulted. "I think I've been tricked again. She's up front, I guess. Now, why didn't I noticed she picked a secluded place a while ago?"

They headed for the buffet table to get their food, some eyes still trailing them. They watch him, since he's quite a sight (and is the prince) and they watched her because she's stunning (and is with the prince). Then, they retreated to their seats and ate in silence.

Koenma broke that.

"Hey, are you mad at me, Botan?" he asked.

"Huh?" she answered. "Why should I be?"

"Well, about the relocation thingy."

"Are you kidding? If I wasn't fired, I wouldn't have met Miss Masago. " She punctuated the "fired" meaningfully.

"Hey!" sputtered Koenma. "I thought…"

"I was just kidding. You're too jumpy."

Somewhere in their vicinity, something fell and broke. As Botan flinched, she accidentally knocked her spoon against the vase of flowers, which tottered but regained its balance. However, the vase hit Koenma's wine glass filled with sparkling white wine. The wine glass tipped over, spraying its contents all over. The glass itself hit Koenma's fork, embedded deep in the mass of mashed potato overflowing with gravy. The mash was catapulted by the force and landed smack on Koenma's face!

"Holy cow!" exclaimed Botan. "I'm sorry, Koenma-sama! I'm so sorry. I'll get it off."

Koenma pouted indignantly as Botan rose to wipe the food of his face.

"If you ask me," he muttered. "You're the jumpy one."

Botan plunked down her seat. "Even though you're in your adult form, you're still a baby."

"Humph." Koenma plunged his fork unto a piece of steak and stuffed it in his mouth.

Botan almost grinned in disbelief. "You're still eating that?"

The slab of meat was practically an island in an ocean of wine.

"Wis wor foth memiway."

Botan chuckled as she watched her old boss eat maniacally like old times. The familiarity was bittersweet. It's going to become a mere nostalgic memory soon.

"Hey, your cheek's eating," Botan said presently.

"Huh?" asked Koenma almost irritated.

She reached over and rubbed the remnants of the potato off his face.

"Oh." Koenma's voice was soft and warm, just like the fingers touching his face.

Her hand lingered in place for a while, she being unsure of what to do next. Koenma gently took it as Botan blushed crimson. As he lowered it slowly, their eyes collided. Her round surprised ones were held spellbound by his penetrating ones.

Click!

Both were dazzled by the sudden flash of white light. There was Masago grinning devilishly, brandishing a camera. She held up a thumbs up sign to them, making them both blush even more.

"Yah!" Koenma cried, making a horrible face at her while Botan stuck her tongue out. Masago only tittered heartily. Then she was whisked away to the dance floor by some gentleman. She did, however, leave a meaningful wink.

Koenma redirected his attention to Botan, who fidgeted with the tablecloth to hide her embarrassment.

"Hey," he said. "Why don't we go out into the veranda? It's way more quiet out there. And no Masago with loony pranks."

"Ok," she replied.

They went to the balcony where Masago and Koenma had been staying a while ago. Presently, Botan spoke.

"I see," she remarked. "So Miss Masago did blackmail you."

Koenma frowned. "She did the same to you."

Botan grimaced. "She tied me up and forced me into this attire. Honestly, I didn't expect her to be that strong. Maybe she could become spiritual detective. You know, to replace the old Tantei since they all retired."

"No, thanks." Koenma shuddered. "She'll probably be harder to manage than Yusuke. And Mr. Yoshio would kill me. Besides, what will be her weapon? Her insufferable wit?"

Botan giggled.

"I must say she did a great job, though." He touched her wings. "It's a perfect touch."

"Yeah, right." Botan's voice was sarcastic but the rosiness that crept up her cheeks, imperceptible in the dark, suggested otherwise.

"Really." He took her hand. "You're absolutely gorgeous."

"Wow… Thanks… I think."

"You doubt me? Never mind. Since your get-up is too nice to go to waste, we should do what everybody else is doing."   

"Dance? I don't know how. And neither do you."

"I know that already." Koenma glared at her. "That's why we went out here. So nobody would see us in our foolishness."

Botan rolled her eyes. "Dare I defy his Majesty?"

"'Afraid not." Koenma started twirling her around the balcony. "You're refusal may cost you your life."

"Would it matter if I refuse?" Botan quipped. "We started without my agreement."

"It's one of the few wonderful things about royalty."

in a place that won't let us feel

in a life where nothing seems real

I have found you

I have found you

in a world that's moving too fast

in a world where nothing can last

I will hold you

I will hold you

They continued to dance with out another word, more or less in time with the music trickling from the mighty orchestra of the ball within. However, the tall stately walls of the ballroom had been replaced by the open air of the veranda. Instead of the brilliant light of the chandeliers, scattered into intricate patterns by the elaborate cuts of the crystals, there was the full moon upon the couple. And the rich paintings in the ceilings were replaced by the equally marvelous simplicity of the roofless sky filled with stars.

our lives will change, when tomorrow come

tonight our hearts drown the distant drums

and we have music all right

tearing the night

Koenma broke the silence.

"But there are more  horrible things noble birth brings," he started in a low voice. "Fixed marriages for example."

Botan cringed. Of all the topics, why that, she thought. Unknown to her, the wily prince stirred the conversation to that topic on purpose.

"You and Miss Masago has been very naughty, Koenma-sama," she admonished. "I'd get into trouble because of you two."

"Well, they can't forced us to get married." We have the right to refuse. It's our life. Besides, we don't love each other."

"Miss Masago is a perfect angel." Botan was indignant.

"Masago is a perfect sly angel." Koenma grinned. "And I love her as a friend, but no more than that. She's like a sister."

"At least, you'd get along when you're married."

"I can’t marry a sister. It would be like an incest. Besides, I already found the one I wish to marry. Knowing Masago, she's probably told you, right?"

She didn't answer. She only evaded his eyes, which peered at her persistently.

a song

played on a solo saxophone

a crazy sound

a lonely sound

a cry that tells us love goes on and on

played on a solo saxophone

it's telling me

to hold you tight

and dance like it's the last night of the world

"What about you? You love Masago, right? So does that mean you love me, too?" Botan practically melted at his straightforwardness.

on the other side of the earth

there's a place where life still has worth

I will take you

"I'm getting kind of dizzy. Maybe we should stop."

"We have stopped, silly."

"Oh." Their eyes met. Again, Koenma's mysterious peepers overpowered her and held her charmed.

I'll go with you

"Now," he said slowly and softly as if weighing his words with as much care. "Do you?"

He watched her hopefully, expectantly. His eyes focused specifically on her lips as they opened and shut undecidedly.

you won't believe all the things you'll see

I know 'cause you'll see them all with me

"No… yes." Botan's eyes darted everywhere in near desperation.

if we're together that's when

we'll hear it again

"More than a friend?"

a song

played on a solo saxophone

"No… um, I suppose so." She bit her lower lip.

a crazy sound

a lonely sound

"As a man?"

a cry that tells us love goes on and on

played on a solo saxophone

"Well, I can't love you as a woman, now can I?"

it's telling me

to hold you tight

and dance like it's the last night of the world

"Like the way I do?"

dreams

were all I ever knew

Botan said nothing but her eyes betrayed her. Tears overflowed from her beautiful pink eyes that reflected the splendor of the night. The liquid pearls glistened on her face, making her a wonder herself. Koenma brushed them off so subtly, she barely felt his touch.

dreams

you won't need when I'm through

"That's not fair," he whispered. "You're spending too much time with Masago you're learning to blackmail, too. Stop crying."

Botan tried to smile, but still the tears kept falling.

"I'll take that as a yes?" he breathed into her ear pulling her close.

anywhere

we may be

I will sing with you

our song. . .

"It's best left unanswered," she replied, voice light as a feather. "For both of us." Nonetheless, she laid her head on his chest, letting his presence send courage and fortitude coursing through her. As they resumed their slow dance, she wept freely. 

. . .played on a solo saxophone

so stay with me

and hold me tight

and dance

like it's the last night of the world

         

FROM A HIDDEN window, Masago watched, her elation replaced by infinite sadness. She slid in her haunches, crying in bitter silence.

No, her spirit raged inside of her. This isn't the way it's suppose to be.

It was all too sad. She expected to witness a joyful sweet scene of love's confession, a love that crept in like a thief when they least expected, love that fed on friendship and developed into something deeper. She tried desperately to help her friends but all she accomplished it seems was to establish an opportunity for this doomed love affair to end, an affair they had long ago unconsciously began but discovered too late.

The fiery protective wrath swelled in her heart as she watched the two lovers hold each other for the first, and perhaps last, time in their lives.

SOMETIME LATER, MASAGO reappeared among her guests without any trace of her breaking down earlier. She had secretly retreated to her chamber earlier and managed to succeed on patching up the mascara stains on her face. At least the rest of the make up on her face wasn't damaged.

She was quite surprised when she saw Botan and Koenma on their table, apparently snacking. They were talking as usual, snickering heartily. There was no trace of what happened to them earlier either.

Masago gulped in air and released it slowly, letting the fresh supply of oxygen condition her mind.

Alright, she thought. If they can deal with this, so can I. So instead of sulking, she accepted another dance from one of her numerous admirers.

Later Kumagai approached her.

"Masago," he said. "Get yourself up there and get ready. The king is to speak on the videophone publicly. Perhaps, he'll announce your wedding as well."

"Wedding?" Masago's voice rose sharply in disbelief. A number of people turned to stare at them so she lowered her voice. "I thought we made it clear we're not ready yet."

"The time is ripe according to his Majesty. Now, go get the prince."

"But Atsumori isn't here yet."

"It doesn’t matter. Hurry up, child."

Masago cut across the cramped dance floor, dodging the dancers. She dabbed her face repeatedly as cold sweat slithered on her skin profusely.

"Koenma we have a problem," She said urgently.

"A problem? What is it?" he knew from her tone she wasn't fooling around anymore.

"It is a situation, person or matter that presents perplexity or difficulty but that's not important right now. You're father's going to announce the wedding."

"WHAT?!?"

"Keep it down." Masago waved away the concerned looks her other guests bestowed upon them.

"I told him not yet."

"What do we do?"

"We wait." He rose. "Excuse us, Botan."

AFTER THE TYPICAL exchange of formalities, Kumagai began his speech. He stood proudly among the collection of Reikai's aristocrats, his daughter and future son-in-law beside him.

"Friends and allies," he said, gesturing with gusto. "The long awaited moment has finally arrived. And it's such a blessed day, isn't it? It commemorates the birth of my beloved daughter, who ranks among the fairest maiden in the land. And of course this is the day when the illustrious Koenma-sama, crown prince and heir to the throne of Reikai announces the-"

BOOM!

The doors swung open with a bang. In entered Yoshio Atsumori with Reikai soldiers trailing behind him. A clamor rose in the crowd as the people exchanged guesses and opinions.

"Perhaps, the king himself has come," they said.

"You've come, niisan!" said Masago, melting half in relief, half in dread. "You're late. I-"

"We will talk later, Masago," he answered. "For now, I have work to do. Your Majesty." He saluted Koenma.

"At ease."

"May I have the permission to address the public?"

"By all means."

"Will the spirit guide Botan please step forward."

Everybody glanced around, searching for the said Botan. Koenma looked at Masago questioningly, who shook her head in bewilderment. From the extreme end of the ballroom, a voice called out.

"Here I am."

The rabble parted to make way for her. She walked towards her mistress's brother.

"I am Botan, former spirit guide."

"Very well," said Atsumori. "You are under arrest for high treason. You have a right to remain silent. Anything you say or do can be and will be charged against you. Please cooperate and no one will get hurt. Guards, escort the lady to the palace."

"Yes, sir!"

The tension and unease that had built up earlier came crashing down like dammed up water. Pandemonium broke out. Everybody wanted to know what was really happening. Kumagai hastened to calm the guests down. Masago and Koenma rushed to Atsumori to bombard him with questions.

"What are you doing, brother?" she demanded. "This is my party. I'll forgive you for being late but you didn't have to ruin it!"

"I'm sorry, imouto," he said almost sadly. "I'm just doing my job."

"Atsumori, Botan is my lady-in-waiting. I assure you she's innocent whatever you claim her crime is."

"What is she being accused of specifically?" asked Koenma as a matter-of-factly, his supervisor-self taking over.

"She's innocent," insisted Masago. "I'll vouch for her!"

Atsumori shook head. "I can't say I'm not sorry for your friend, though, Masago," he said. "She'll be vituperated, knowing their methods. Don't worry, sister. It's just circumstantial evidence."

"You can't keep her long in those grounds," said Koenma.

"I'm sorry, your Highness." Atsumori bowed respectfully. "You'll have to take the matter up with the king."

"Believe me, I will."

Notes: Ahhh! No more! I'm dead sleepy. Ever After is such a good movie. Hey! I didn't pattern this after that (except for the wings :P)

Wah! I blew it again. Was that awful or was that terrible? Anyway, that song is entitled The Last Night of the World from Miss Saigon. I forgot all the other details but I'm sure that song isn't mine. So don't bother suing. I only borrowed it, 'kay?