Ayame-san has somehow found me in the huge crowd.

"Botan-chan," She begins. Her eyes, I can barely seem to look at them, they seem so joyful.

"I need to thank you." I manage a mega-watt smile.

"Thank me? For what? No, no, you just go on and enjoy yourself now. Look, the others are waiting to congradulate you." I begin to push her off towards the other ferrygirls chattering in a corner.

I just don't feel like talking to her right now. She gives me one last, grateful look, before she heads off into the crowd. I still can't look at her. There's something wet on my face. Is it raining? Oh, it's just the spray from the fountain, how silly of me!

"Botan-san, isn't it great? Koenma-sama is finally happy!" George cries, tears streaming down his face. He grabs me in a huge hug, while I stiffly stand there, not knowing what else to do.

"I know you did it, and I have to say that you are the BEST friend Koenma-sama could have."

"You don't know what you're saying, George. I didn't do anything." I insist. But what he said strikes a nerve in me. BEST friend? Could I still be considered that after what I've really done?

"Go on, deny it, but *I* know." George sniffles, then goes to bawl some more with his fellow onis.

I need to get out of this crowd. My heart seems to be pounding faster than normal and I feel so tense. I just need to go someplace quiet and relax. I make my way out of the party, but as I'm walking through the corridors, a voice stops me from going any further.

"Where are you going, Botan-chan?" I turn slowly, dreading to face the person.

"Koenma-sama! I- ah- I just need to-" Arrrgh, my "airheadedness" is kicking in again. If only I didn't feel so wired!

"You need to go?" He looks disappointed and slightly hurt. I sigh, and unable to think of anything else, say,

"Yes." Koenma-sama floats towards me. I know he just likes to levitate himself so he can feel taller than me while he's in that cute babyform. I used to tease him about that before. But now was not a time for teasing.

"I see." He looks grim.

"I- I haven't seen you very much lately." I shift awkwardly.

"I've, er, been busy. Ah, ferrygirl duties, you know how it is. I've had to settle in the new Reikei Tantei recruits and, ah..." I'm babbling, I know, but what else can I do?

"I've missed you."

I stop, my mouth slightly agape. That took me by surprise. So Koenma-sama wasn't totally wrapped up with Ayame-san? I know I should be worried because if he's had the time to think about me, he's also had the time to think about Enma-sama. But, strangely, I'm not worried. I actually feel like a huge weight has been lifted from me, from my heart.

"Koenma-sama..." I whisper, feeling touched.

"Koenma-sama! Koenma-sama!" George's usually panicked voice interrupts the moment. He stumbles to a stop beside us.

"Ayame-san is looking for you. She's concerned about-" Koenma-sama waves George off.

"All right, I'll be there shortly."

George bows, then makes to walk away. He stops, frozen in a moment of hesitation, before he becomes overcome with emotion. He grabs Koenma-sama in a hug.

"I'm so happy for you, Koenma-sama!" I smile as Koenma-sama tries frantically to pry George away.

"George! GEOOOORRRGE!!! GET - OFF - OF - ME!!"

It reminds me of how things used to be, when Kurama and Hiei were still Reikai Tantei. George only lets go when Koenma-sama threatens to send him on a three-week vacation leave. Even then, he's reluctant.

"But Koenma-sama..."

"Please, George!" Koenma-sama says exasperatedly. "Tell Ayame-san for me that I'll be right there. You're my head oni. I know you can fulfill your duty to me."

That does it. Honored, and no longer crying, George sets out for his errand. Koenma-sama scratches his head as he watches George go.

"That George..." He turns to me. "I should be going now."

"Yes, you should be with Ayame-san." I say softly to him. I want to get this over with as quickly as possible. This is one situation where my cheerfulness can't help me. He looks out towards the direction of the party.

"I'd better turn into my Ningen form. Ayame-san seems to like me better that way."

There's a pop, and now, he's standing in front of me in his teenaged form, looking devastatingly handsome in his suit.

"How do I look?"

"Great." I involuntarily reach out to fix his collar. "But I've always preferred your Reikai form." I murmur absently.

He looks at me strangely, and I suddenly realize he has heard me. I turn red with embarrassment and try to apologize but I stop when I see the expression he has on.

"I do too." Koenma-sama says quietly. There's a look in his eyes, something like wist.

"I won't stop you any longer. You can be on your way." He turns and walks towards the party.

"Yes, Koenma-sama." I reply automatically, but it's so soft I'm sure he hasn't heard me.

A few moments later, I hear a roar of approval from the crowd. He has probably found his way to Ayame-san already. So now Koenma-sama and Ayame-san are officially and happily in each others company, all thanks to me. I've really outdone myself.

What's this on my face? More fountain spray? But I'm in the corridor and the fountain is in the courtyard... Oh no, it can't be. Not tears?! No, no! I'm stronger than that. I've flubbed a lot of things these past few years, but I'm not messing *this* up. Enma-sama is counting on me. Now that Koenma-sama is out of the way, I can finally be on my way to becoming the top ferrygirl of, not the prince, but the KING of Reikai, ENMA-sama himself. No, these aren't tears of some love-struck ditz. These are tears of triumph! Yes, they are. Really

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