The Trials of Reikai
by ARaZhi
Chapter 4
Koenma fought to keep his eyes open. These past few days he haven't been
sleeping well. The trial is coming to its end and the pressure is getting to
him. A phone call he received several days ago from Yusuke and Kuwabara in which
the two went on and on about Botan and him didn't help, either. Knowing Botan
has another secret crush was disturbing him. And seeing Saicho, a member of the
Special Defense team, giving Botan flowers yesterday... He groaned softly, he
barely got a wink of sleep last night.
Beside him is Botan looking at him worriedly.
He gave her a quick, reassuring smile. <Why am I so bothered by Saicho's
interest in Botan?>
His thoughts were interrupted by the entrance of the council members.
"The High Council calls this session into order!"
The sound of the gavel cut through the noisy room.
"Enma Daioh, you are charged with using low class youkais to further your
treacherous acts against the three worlds."
Silence.
The air is thick with tension.
An hour passed by and the verdict is about to be announced...
"The accused, Enma Daioh, Lord of Reikai, is found guilty!"
The room erupted in chaos.
Koenma shut his eyes. He could feel Botan's comforting hand on his shoulder.
The Chief Councilor began to speak. "Silence!" she thundered. *BANG!*
Silence.
"Enma will be stripped off of his title as Lord of Reikai. His powers and
duties will be transfered to his son for the time being."
"For the time being?" he echoed, suddenly feeling sick.
"Koenma, you are to meet with the council in a week."
The room began to buzz again with noise.
"A *closed* door meeting."
The disappointment and curiosity is evident in the crowd.
"This session is adjourned."
The councilors left.
Some of the audience pushed themselves upfront to talk to him.
"Let's get out of here!" Botan hissed. Her oar appeared. She jumped on
it, grabbed his arm, and they flew off leaving the others behind.
~~~
A week later...
Koenma stood outside the High Council's conference room. He swallowed nervously
and silently prayed that he won't get replaced. He was about to push open the
door when he remembered his Fuumakan. He quickly took it off his mouth and stuck
it in his pocket. He took a deep breath and pushed the door open.
The moment he stepped in the room, he felt like some sort of scientific specimen
under a microscope as the seven Councilors look at him. <And I thought
tousama was scary> Sweat began to form at the back of his head.
The Chief Councilor, a woman, smiled at him placatingly.
"Good morning, Councilors," his voice, to his relief, is still steady.
"Good morning, Koenma."
Silence.
"We have talked it over and," the Chief Councilor pause, "we
decided that taking away your power and position from you because of your
father's crimes will be unjust. You have proven through time your dedication to
your work and have prevented chaos from spreading throughout Ningenkai, Reikai,
and Makai several times. Therefore, you are now the new Lord of Reikai."
"Th--thank you, Councilors," he managed to say after several seconds
of speechlessness. He was expecting the worst.
The Chief Councilor smiled again, sharper this time.
"However..."
Koenma sweatdropped. He knows there was going to be a catch to all these.
"...your arranged marriage to Sakura-san will be earlier than planned.
Reikai will no longer wait till you reach your 1000th year for you to be wed.
With the added responsibilities, you will need the help of a wife who has been
trained her whole life for this."
He stared at them, more speechless than before. He opened his mouth to speak but
all that came out is a pathetic sounding squeak.
"We have already sent for Sakura-san. She will arrive tommorow."
He was still speechless.
He noticed one of the Councilors smirk a bit. While another one shot him a small
sympathetic smile.
"That is all," the Chief Councilor said when it became obvious that he
seem to have lost the ability to speak.
He turned to leave, wondering if his knees won't give underneath him before he
reach his room.
"One more thing..."
He turned back.
"I suggest you find something else that can store your reiki. I think the
Fuumakan will no longer be appropriate."
"Ha--hai."
As quickly as he can, he left the room.