The Trials of Reikai
by ARaZhi

Chapter 8

Botan stared outside the window of Genkai's temple. The sky is dark, reminding her of that night when Koenma nearly kissed her...

The gang is in Genkai's temple celebrating Yusuke's birthday. The usual silence is broken by loud music and laughter. Everyone is here, except for Koenma and Hiei.

"OI, BOTAN!" Yusuke suddenly shouted.

"Huh?" Yusuke is holding a phone out to her.

"It's Koenma!" Yusuke shot her a wide smile, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

She quickly grabbed the phone, "Hello?"

"Botan, hi... Um, are you busy right now?"

"Uh--" she looked at Kuwabara and Yusuke standing in front of her, grinning like Cheshire cats.

Kuwabara let out a loud, "Yiiihhheeee!!"

Botan blushed hotly. Looks like Koenma haven't told them about the engagement yet.

"Botan? Hello?" Koenma called loudly from the receiver.

Botan stomped out the temple.

"Uh, sorry. It's too noisy in there."

"I understand." Pause. "Can---do you have time? I just want to talk to someone..."

"Um-hm. Is something wrong?"

"No...nothing's wrong."

"Then what is it?"

"Sakura told me she loves me..."

Botan's heart froze.

"...I--I love her too, Botan."

Botan swallowed, "A--and?"

"I haven't told her yet. I don't know why. Maybe I'm scared. Maybe I still have my doubts. I just don't know..."

"Does she have the qualities you're looking for in a wife?"

"Yeah, she loves me, accepts me for who am I, and somehow understands me..."

"What's stopping you then?"

"I don't know," Koenma let out a sigh of frustration.

Silence.

"I feel like I haven't talked to you for such a long time, Botan," he paused. "I missed you."

Botan stare at the phone, shocked.

"You're my best friend and not being able to talk to you about all these lately makes it even harder."

Best friend? Koenma never once told her he considers her his best friend...

"I know I've been busy lately. I felt like I've neglected you. I'm really sorry. Forgive me, onegai?"

"You don't have to apologize," surprisingly she could still speak even though her whole body is still half-frozen with shock. "I--I've been busy, too."

Silence.

"I'm really sorry, Koenma. I wish I could give you some advice but I've never been in a situation like the one you're in now before. Per--perhaps you should just follow your heart?"

"I guess you're right."

Silence.

"Hm, how are things between you and Saicho?" Koenma asked, trying to bridge the gap.

"We're friends. Just that."

"Oh. That reminds me, you never told me who your new crush is...?"

"Why are you so curious?"

"Well," he paused, dramatically, "I'm thinking of putting some surveillance on him. Just to make sure he's not some raving psychotic who'll only hurt my best friend."

Botan laughed.

Koenma chuckled, "It's nice to hear your laughter. I haven't heard much of it these days. So...who is he?"

"You won't stop asking till I tell you, huh?"

"Nope."

"I thought you said he's Kurama-kun?"

"I changed my mind. So...who it he already!?"

Botan paused to think.

"C'mon, give me a clue!"

"Uh---" Botan suddenly felt giddy. A part of her mind seems to be screaming at her to get a grip while another part of her mind is pushing her to just tell him.

"--he's a friend of Kurama-kun."

"Hm, that narrows down the list to about a hundred ningens and youkais. Give me a week and I'll probably figure it out!" Pause. "Botan, give me a better clue!"

"Um.. he's a friend of Yusuke-kun and Kuwabara-kun."

"A common friend of Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Kurama, hm? That's easier. Several youkais and severals ningens." Pause. "Rinku... too young..."

Botan giggled, "Be more realistic!"

"Jin?"

"No."

"Touya?"

"No.

"Err...Suzuki?"

"No."

"CHUU!??"

"NO! And why do you keep suggesting them?"

"Err...Wakamaru?"

"Iie..."

Koenma let out a small sigh of frustration, "Is he Hiei?"

"Do you want me to die?"

"Of course not," he let out a defeated sigh, "I give up. How about another clue?"

"In a way, he's not one of your friends..."

"That cancels out everyone I just mentioned! Except maybe for Hiei."

"Un-huh."

"Are you gonna tell me or not!?"

"Who's a friend of Kurama, Kuwabara, and Yusuke but isn't yours?"

"Did your trainees taught you how to give questions like that?"

"Well... c'mon, guess!"

"I don't know!"

"You."

Back in Reikai, Koenma stare at the phone in shock. The word 'you' ringing over and over inside his head. His heart was picking up more speed with each passing moment. Botan liked him!??! How come he never had a clue about that?! Yusuke and Kuwabara dropped hints but he never believed it, yet it's true...

"Koenma...say something!" Botan exclaimed. "That was months ago!" Botan spoke in a rushed tone. "It was just a small, tiny crush. Nothing big like love or anything like that... Koenma? Are you there?"

It was before. Not now. A small, tiny crush. <Why do I feel so disappointed?>

"Koemaaaaaaa!!"

"I'm here."

Botan sighed in relief, "That was a long time ago, okay? I just wanted you to know so that it'll all be over. Best friends right? No secrets."

He could almost hear Botan's smile.

"We're okay right? Nothing's changed?"

"Yeah. Nothing's changed," he said, softly trying not to let the turmoil in his emotions become evident in his voice.

"Great! So..."

A somewhat uncomfortable silence followed.

"Change topic?" Botan asked.

"H--hai," he took a deep breath.

"Umm, when's the wedding?"

"Wedding?" he asked, blankly.

"Your wedding to Sakura!"

"Oh.. uh.. I don't know yet." <My wedding to Sakura. Of course she's asking about your wedding to Sakura, baka! Who else are you gonna marry!?> he silently chided himself.

~~~

After several hours later of nearly burning the phone line, Botan finally hung up. Her ear feels hot after having the phone pressed to it for about... She glanced at the clock. Five hours?!

She sighed. No secrets. That's what she told him. <You lied Botan> she chided herself. <You don't have a "small, tiny crush" on him. You've fallen in love with him and you're *still* in love with him.> "I'm just going to have to do something that will make me forget my feelings for him," she said outloud in a determined voice.

There's only one way to do that. She's going to have to move away, as far away from the Reikai palace as possible.

 

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