------------
Disclaimers: The usual, YYH doesn't belong to me, I make
no money from this, don't sue me etc.
Title: Fountain Spray [1/1]
Author: Allisana
Email: allisana@angelfire.com
Rating: G
Type: one-shot, Botan POV fic
Warnings/Spoilers: Botan is OOC, but not without reason.
Teaser: Koenma and Ayame are getting married and Botan
couldn't be happier. Really.
Last Revised: May 11, 2001
Notes: This is my first ever fanfic of any type. C&C
would be appreciated, especially regarding canon errors.
Timeframe is after the series ends.
Acknowledgements: Thanks to AraZhi for pre-reading!
Keywords: KoBo, Koenma, Botan, Ayame
=======================
I'm happy right now.
Really happy.
Ayame-san has accepted his proposal. She will become
Koenma-sama's number one ferry girl - and his wife.
I don't mind at all that I'm losing the position I'd
worked so hard to get as the number one ferry girl. I'm
thrilled in fact.
I haven't known Koenma-sama for very long. I was just
appointed as his top ferry girl a year before Yusuuke
Urameshi became a Reikai Tantei; six years after I had
begun training as a ferry girl. Ayame-san has been
around *much* longer than that.
Even though me and Koenma-sama don't have much history
together, we have become somewhat close - like best
friends. That's why, as my duty as a best friend to
bring him happiness, I started setting him and Ayame up.
Well, that's not the reason entirely.
I have much respect for Koenma-sama. There *are* times
when I want to kill him, but that's a part of my job
description. I instruct Reikai Tantei, guide spirits to
Reikai, and besides all that, I offer my counsel and
support to Koenma-sama, even if it means bopping him on
the head because of his tactlessness.
He is someone you can't help but respect (and sometimes
laugh at). He devotes himself wholly to his work while
knowing he has his limitations (though he does admit
them in the absurdest ways). His leadership skills are
questionable, and he tends to get distracted from his
"real" duties from time to time, but he makes up for it
with his most admirable trait: his strong sense of right
and wrong. There's no other person more fit to be the
judge of the dead than him.
Koenma-sama's sense of morality, coupled with his
infuriating stubbornness, is partly why I'm doing what I
am now.
The truth is, I'm not working for Koenma-sama.
I'm working for his father.
My job was to keep an eye on Koenma-sama. Enma-sama knew
that his son was the type who nosed into everything,
even if it wasn't his business. And he knew that his son
could be very hard-headed at times, to the point that he
wouldn't even listen to some of Enma-sama's orders.
Therefore, Koenma-sama was, without a doubt, capable of
turning anyone into the authorities if they deserved it,
even if that someone was his own father. That's why
Enma-sama didn't want Koenma-sama meddling in his
affairs; they weren't all "clean", so to speak.
Enma-sama had hired previous ferry girls and onis to spy
for him, but they all seemed to be too far from the
action to obtain any substantial information. He needed
someone close to Koenma-sama, close enough so that
Koenma-sama would confide with that person. George the
Oni wasn't a feasible choice - he was dead loyal to the
prince.
So Enma-sama got me.
I was a new recruit at the time, but Enma-sama could
already see my ability to pick up things quickly, and my
zeal for my ferry girl training. He saw right through my
bubbly cheerfulness, the mask that hid the deep ambition
I was always ashamed to have -girls just weren't
supposed to be that way, or so my parents ingrained in
me- the mask that I now find hard to take off.
He knew what I wanted, and offered it to me - the
highest honor of assisting the King of Reikai. That
wasn't all, of course, but I wanted that honor, badly,
and that time, I could finally go after what I wanted,
without the constant lecturing of my parents and
relatives who I'd left behind. So I did.
Because of the amiable personality I had developed, it
was easy for me to befriend the other ferry girls, and
gain their favor. Ayame-san, in particular, stood out,
because she seemed to be tighter with Koenma-sama than
the others. I didn't think anything of it at the time
though.
I was never very good at covering things up and I always
tended (even now) to freeze up whenever things get a bit
tense, so of course, there were a couple of close calls
where I almost gave myself away. Luckily, everyone
always thought my flub-ups were caused because I was a
complete airhead. It wasn't such a bad reputation to
cultivate, if it meant I could easily cover for myself
and the absences I incurred whenever I had to report to
Enma-sama.
But despite everything, I managed to use my influence,
as well as Enma-sama's, and got myself promoted past
Ayame-san, and all the ferry girls, until, after five
years, I reached the top position - Koenma-sama's number
one.
It was hard, at first, to work with such a pigheaded
boss, but I just reminded myself of my mission, and
somehow, through the weeks, my charms worked on Koenma-
sama and he became more manageable. But I think he
worked his charms on me too, because I became more
content with my work as a regular ferry girl. Sometimes,
as I got more involved with my work, especially during
the time I was assisting Yuusuke and his team, I would
completely forget what I was there for, and think of
myself as a true friend of Koenma-sama and the most
reliable ferry girl there was.
I would always remember my purpose in the end, though.
I was to report everything that Koenma-sama did or
discovered straight to Enma-sama. This, I did.
Everything seemed to be going fine, until Koenma-sama
started becoming more engrossed in his work. I thought
it was just another one of his attempts to get rid of
the backlog in his files, but then I noticed that his
work was piling up too. It hit me then that he was up to
something besides work, something that could get us into
trouble. I mentally kicked myself for getting soft, then
reported my suspicion to Enma-sama, but by then, it was
too late to do anything.
Koenma-sama had already discovered some details about
Enma-sama's plan on keeping control of Reikai and
Ningenkai. Fortunately, he never discovered the plans
about Maikai and Meikai, but the evidence was still
strong enough for him to report his father to the
authorities.
Enma-sama was put on trial, but, surprisingly, I still
wasn't out of the job. In fact, he offered me a top
position in his Cabinet if I could find a way to
distract Koenma-sama long enough for him to do some
dealing to get out of jail as easily as possible without
Koenma-sama's interference.
I did better, though. I distracted Koenma-sama for life.
I remembered Ayame-san, and quickly discovered that she
and him had some chemistry going on. I played on it. I
encouraged Ayame-san to give Koenma-sama support through
his father's trial, while I avoided Koenma-sama so he
would *have* to talk to her. He took the bait, and
finally began to open up to Ayame-san, who also became
more and more enraptured in him.
All I had to do was sit back and watch their love take
its course. It was hard to adjust to not being able to
speak to Koenma-sama like before, but I knew, and I know
still, that I have to make sacrifices. I just wish it
didn't have to hurt so much to let that brat go. But I'm
not in love with him, like that poor Ayame-san. It's
just different without him, that's all.
Koenma-sama does remember me, though. I almost thought
he had forgotten, but just today, he told me about his
plan to propose to Ayame-san. My heart seemed to freeze
at the news, but I attributed it to just being stunned.
I couldn't feel anything for Koenma-sama, I had bigger
plans. So I went on and wholeheartedly supported him in
his decision.
Now, he has proposed, and Ayame-san has accepted.
They've announced it to the Palace, and everyone is
celebrating, onis included. I'm gracefully stepping
aside for the new number one ferry girl.
========================
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 congratulate you." I begin to push her
off towards the other ferry girls 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 "air
headedness" is kicking in again. If only I didn't feel
so tense!
"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 baby form. 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, ferry girl
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, before the present
Reikai Tantei were recruited, way back when Kurama and
Hiei were still a part of the team.
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 other's 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 my hair, I can finally be on my way to becoming the
top ferry girl 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.
The End.
Really.
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