Valentine Angel

by Reiko-chan

Koenma gave out a dejected sigh as he kicked another pebble lying on the ground. He stopped and looked at the sinking sun, his face contorted in irritation and loneliness.

"So much for having friends." he muttered under his breath as his thoughts flew to the gang.

Actually it was a very fine day - a very fine day to sneak out of Rei Kai for a little bit and hang out with Yusuke and the gang. He thought about hanging out inside Kurama's or Yusuke's bedroom, playing computer games or watching movies, perhaps having a drink or two, and even getting into a little male bonding...

"And what do I get?" he asked himself aloud. " 'Oh, sorry Koenma, Feb. 14,you know...' " he answered himself, mimicking Yusuke's voice exaggeratedly.

He sighed again as his hands flew to his hair, his fingers raking through his shiny mane. February 14.  Valentines Day. One of those Ningen festivities that required two people to celebrate. Two people, like Yusuke and Keiko who were currently out on a date. Two people, like Kuwabara and Yukina (although the girl wasn't human...) who were currently on a date too. Two people, like Kurama and some lucky girl from his college. (she probably won the Get-A-Date-With-Shuuichi-Lottery.)

Heck, everybody had somebody to celebrate that day with.

"Well not exactly everybody." he thought thinking about Hiei. But then, Hiei had Mukuro to be with. At least he had some female company at that time... "Face it Koenma, everybody has somebody, except you!" he said to himself quite sadly.

 He continued walking till he reached the city park. He and took a seat on a bench near the fountain to think.  If he could choose whom to spend that special day with, he would've liked to spend it with none other than...

"Hey mister!" Koenma blinked in surprise as he felt someone tugging his shirt. He looked down to find a young girl of about seven or eight, smiling up to him. "Why do you look so sad?" the girl asked. Koenma frowned. Then he smiled weakly.

 "Would it help if I told you?" he replied.

The girl then sat next to him. "You don't have a date?" she asked.

Koenma turned to her, quite surprised.

 "What do you know about dating? You're just a kid." he answered.

 "Well, everybody knows what people do on Valentines Day mister, even little kids like me." the girl replied. Koenma just shrugged and looked away.  

 "If you want, *I* could be your date, just for today." she offered.  

With that, Koenma turned to her, his eyes alight in amusement. "Are you feeling sorry for me?"

 "Yes." she answered simply. "You are quite cute, mister, and it is a wonder why you can't find a date." she added.

 Koenma chuckled. So that little girl thought him cute.  But what about the other girl that... he shook his head as he remembered just what happened the Christmas before...

Just like previous Christmas occassions, he and Botan were invited by  the gang to celebrate that Ningen festivity in Genkai's place. Now, he didn't know *who* had put that stupid mistletoe under the door but he and Botan had somehow got caught right under it. At the sight of that,everybody laughed and guffawed urging for him and Botan to kiss.

With everybody shouting and laughing, they finally obliged with defeated sighs.

 At first, he didn't particularly like the idea of kissing a mere ferry girl, but, after feeling her lips against his gently moving in accordance with his own, and tasting how sweet they were... He found his eyes not leaving her all throughout that night. Although Botan reacted rather coolly about the kiss,  he couldn't help but notice the cute, pink tints that appeared on her cheeks every time her eyes met his.

After that crazy Christmas, he thought that the spell would be over, just like the so-called Christmas spirit that usually went away after the festive season. But he was wrong. Somehow Botan just became prettier, lovelier, and more beautiful. He suddenly found himself completely sleepless those past few weeks. He wondered if that kiss was in actuality a wake-up call for him to finally notice her.  He even wondered if *she* was also having sleepless nights thinking about it.

 "Are you listening to me, mister?" Koenma turned to Chiyo, surprised, his reverie shattered.

"Huh?" he asked absent-mindedly. The girl pouted.

 "You are thinking of somebody." she mused.

He sighed. "Hai." he answered softly. "Gomen."

"Is it a girl?" she asked.

"Actually, yes." he replied.

"Is she prettier than me?" Koenma chuckled.

"No, you are both pretty." he replied.

"Do you like her?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Because I think she will like you too." she replied. Koenma laughed.

"What is your name little girl?" he asked.

"Chiyo." she answered.

"Well, Chiyo-chan, what do you know about those things? You are just a kid."

 "No, *you* are the kid." Chiyo replied. "So is she your girlfriend?" she asked.

"No."

 "But you like her?"

His thoughts flew to Botan... her shiny, exotic blue hair, her pink lips, her lovely purplish eyes, her beautiful smile, her cheerful laughter, her bubbly nature...

  "Who wouldn't like her?" he murmured.

"Did you tell her?" Koenma shook his head.

"How could I?" he replied. <And after the way I yelled and snapped at her yesterday?> he silently added, thinking about how busy it had been the day before.

  "Just say you like her." Chiyo replied. Koenma sighed.  

"When I was in school, sensei wrote exercises on the board for us to answer. There was actually a prize for the one who could answer it correctly. I tried."

"Did you get the prize?"

"No." Koenma gulped. "But at least I tried." Chiyo added, looking meaningfully at him.

He shook his head. "This is different." he said.

"No." Chiyo said, shaking her own head. "The prize was a lovely doll. I wanted it so badly so I tried answering the difficult question on the blackboard. But even though I didn't get it, it kinda makes me feel happy knowing that I tried." she added.

Koenma looked away feeling the soft blow of her words. "Although it hurt me not to get the doll, it would've made me feel worse if I just decided to let the chance to have it pass me by. Who knows, I could've gotten the correct answer, but then I would've never known without trying, ne?"

  Again, Koenma turned to her. She was right! He would regret it much more if he just let his chance pass him by! It would be too hard to let her go without even trying! It would be more painful for him if he didn't tell her what he felt than it would have been to be rejected... At least telling her would give him some peace of mind. It would give him some of the answers to his questions.

 "You are aware that I am taking a risk here, aren't you Chiyo-chan?" He said.

"Well, its worth it, isn't it? If you really want it." With that, he leaned over and gave the girl a light kiss on her cheek.

 "You are right." he said. "I am the kid here and not you."

She smiled as they both stood up.

"Well, you have been a wonderful date, Chiyo-chan."

"You too mister, although you have been thinking of someone else." He chuckled.  The girl laughed.

"I think I'll be heading home now." she said.

"Yes you should."

"Happy Valentines Day." she said.

 "You too." The girl then gave him one final smile before turning around and walking away.

"Kids today sure are different." he thought smiling. After several moments of thinking, he finally decided to go back, complete determination on his face.

"Um, Botan?"

The blue-haired ferry girl looked up from her magazine. Upon seeing Koenma before her, she hurriedly cast her eyes down.

It was funny to think that just a while ago, she had been thinking of the sweet kiss they had shared the last Christmas.

It was also funny to think that earlier, she had been wishing to be with this handsome demigod for Valentines Day and now that her wish had been answered, she could do nothing but stare at the marble floor of the office.

<After the way he snapped at me yesterday...> she thought. "Koenma-sama?"

 Koenma took a deep breath. "Botan, I'm-I'm..." he handed her a rose. Botan's eyes widened with surprise as her hands reached out to take it."I'm sorry for being such a jerk yesterday. It really wasn't your fault that one of the documents got lost."

 "Oh." she murmured, slightly disappointed. "Apology accepted." she added. She then waited for Koenma to shrug and walk away but when he didn't, she looked up at him, her face showing confusion.

Koenma bit his lip, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.  Then he shoved his hands in his pockets nervously, his face flushing.  "Um, Botan?"

 "Yes?" she answered quickly.

  He took a deep breath.  "I- I have to tell you something."

 "What is it?" she asked.

He looked at her, his golden brown eyes capturing her lavender ones. Botan nearly felt herself melting from the intensity of his gaze. "I-I just-"

"Yes?"

"I- I just want to tell you that I- I like you." he said.  Botan's eyes grew even larger with surprise. Koenma gulped nervously.

"I-it doesn't really matter if you like me or not, but I just really want you to know that I really care for you. You mean so much to me."

"Koenma-sama..."

 "I know this sounds stupid, but I really like you. And don't worry I'm not expecting anything in return... I just wanted to let you know-"

"Koenma-sama..."

He finally stopped babbling upon hearing her soft voice. He looked down shyly. "I know this sounds stupid, but it is just a matter of trying, Botan." he said softly.  "Whether you are feeling the same way or not, I just couldn't let this day pass me by without trying."

  "Koenma-sama?" she called softly. He looked up only to find her blushing, making her prettier. "How could you say that this is stupid when I'm also feeling the same way about you?"

It was Koenma's turn for his eyes to widen with surprise. He couldn't believe what he had just heard! Without thinking he blurted out, "I love you, Botan."

Upon hearing the words, Botan threw herself against him. Koenma's arms wrapped around her as she pressed her face against his chest. "I love you too." she said softly, tears of happiness rolling down her cheeks.  "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" she asked, looking up at him.

"I didn't know how to back then." he replied. "It scared me."

  Botan smiled through her tears. Koenma gently wiped them away. "Would you ever forgive me for treating you rather shabbily this past few decades?" Botan laughed softly.

"Well, that made you adorable and lovable, ne?" she replied. He smiled, his face getting closer to hers.

  "Happy Valentines Day Botan-chan." he greeted her, his voice heavy with emotion.

"Happy Valentines Day to you too." she murmured as his lips went down on hers, while he silently thanked the little angel who opened his eyes.

Now he completely believed that, indeed, angels do come from the strangest places...

owari... :p