The Trials of Reikai
by ARaZhi
Chapter 6
At the council...
The seven councilors took their seat. They are the chosen seven to look after
Reikai.
Most of the job are done by the Reikai royal family. The job of the Council is
to make sure the Reikai family performs their job well and doesn't commit
treason of any kind. Like what Enma did.
Now, all eyes are on Koenma.
"Sakura-san has arrived," Jiro announced.
"Just in time," Yuguro added, "the camera shows that Koenma is
getting quite cozy with that ferrygirl," he finished sounding a bit
contemptuous.
"Ferrygirl?" Sei, the Chief Councilor, echoed.
"Imagine the horror and the disgrace if he's to end up with a
*ferrygirl*," Misa said, her face a picture of pure disdain.
"We should make sure that Koenma doesn't make the stupid mistake of
marrying a ferrygirl!" Tetsuya said.
"That's right! A marriage like that will be scandalous!" Misa added.
"What do you propose that we do?" Jiro asked.
"Send her away!" Misa exclaimed.
"What? Where?" Sei asked. She doesn't like this. Not one bit. She had
been against arranged marriages from the start. But she was always out voted.
"In the new training camp for ferry girls. Or give her a long vacation in
Ningenkai. Anything to take her away from the Reikai palace long enough for
Koenma to fall for Sakura." Tetsuya suggested.
"I think we should let them be..." Toshio began but Misa cut him off.
"No, Councilor. We will not 'let them be'," Misa's eyes narrowed,
"Let us vote about this."
Five against two.
Toshio and Sei exchanged glances.
Misa smirks. "Tomorrow Botan will take over Ayame's position as sensei in
the ferrygirl training camp."
~~~
Botan woke up the following day due to the insistent knocking on the door. She
groaned softly, her head pounding painfully. She glanced at herself in the
mirror. She barely slept last night because of the turmoil in her emotions.
She opened the door and found Ayame.
"Ayame-san! What brings you here?"
"I was going to ask you the same thing."
She looked at Ayame, cluelessly.
"They brought me back here and told me we're switching duties."
"NANI!?"
"That's what they said. I really don't know why..."
Her headache intensified. They're sending her away? The training camp is so far
away from the palace. She won't have the chance to go to Ningekai. She won't be
able to see Koenma. She shut her eyes as another wave of pain shot through her
head. Koenma...
"Botan, are you all right?"
"Yeah. Just a headache," she smiled weakly. "I guess I better
start packing."
~~~
Botan landed on her oar at the entrance to the training camp. She rubbed her
temples, greatful that she managed to grab on tightly to her oar to prevent
herself from falling. She nearly fell twice due to her headache.
A ferrygirl rushed to meet her, carrying a phone, "Botan-sensei!
Koenma-sama's been calling all day asking for you!"
Koenma. She sort of forgotten to say goodbye. Then again, that wasn't her fault.
He was busy showing Sakura around. Her eyes narrowed.
"Hello?" she snapped.
"Botan! I've been looking all day for you! Then I saw Ayame and she told me
you went to the training camp! What are you doing there?!"
"You tell me!" she snapped, more sharply than before.
"Hey! What did I do?"
Botan silently fumed.
"I didn't send you there! Believe me! Botan, say something!"
Silence.
"Botan? Don't be mad, onegai?"
"Hmpf," she glared at the phone.
"I'm sorry! Honest, I didn't know anything about this! I'll talk to them
and make them bring you back here!"
He sounds so sincere and the pleading tone in his voice is so rare that a smile
began to tug at Botan's lips.
"Botttttaaaaannnnnnnnn!!" Koenma pleaded.
"Ok. Ok. You're forgiven."
"I didn't do anything." Botan could *hear* his smile.
"Yeah. I know."
"I'll talk to them."
"No. It's okay. I'll stay here."
"Are you sure? You won't be able to--"
"I know. Don't worry about it. I have to go now..."
"Uh, of course. Ja ne."
"Bye..."
"Matte! Botan!"
"Hm?"
"Take care of yourself."
Koenma hung up before Botan could reply.