Botan opened her eyes, her eyes adjusting to the darkness around her. She blinked, once, twice, until she finally realized where she was.
"I'm in Kurama's bedroom" she told herself. She looked down at the man beside her, his lean sleeping form resting soundly, his arm around her. She tried to recall what just happened that night. All her life, she hasn't experienced anything like it. The warmth of his skin against hers, the trail of kisses he gave her, oh it was all so...so...wonderful. But she knew they can't change her fate. She was destined to live by Koenma's side, and she can't do anything to protest against it. Botan felt tears sting her eyes again. She had to go. She gently held his hand and placed it on his chest. She kissed his forehead one last time, and a gentle light kiss on his lips. Kurama stirred a bit, but he was still sleeping. With a heavy heart, Botan put on her clothes back and produced her oar.
"Kurama...gomennasai...I have to go, demo..." she looked deeply at him again, as tears raced against her cheeks, "Aishiteru"
With that, she rode her oar and headed towards Reikai.
Koenma couldn't sleep, knowing Botan is with another man. He pound his table a million times, but who cares about the darn thing. Somehow, he wasn't angry at Botan, but only on the man who took her away from him. Kurama. The name sent shivers down his spine. And to think he once thought Kurama was a perfect tantei...and a friend. But things are different now. They were like dogs fighting over one bone. Koenma's lossing, he know that. But he swore to himself he'll take back what is really his.
"Kurama...curse you!" Koenma muttered with gritted teeth. His fists clenched and unclenched by themselves. Koenma stared at the door, then turned on his monitor.
Botan rode her oar towards the Reikai palace. She wasn't sure if she could still show herself to the Reikai prince nor the Reikai king. She hasn't stopped crying since she left Kurama's house. It was like a stab on the heart when she saw his face twitch when she placed his hand away from her. It was worse when she left without telling him. It was torture. Botan stared down into the clouds, looking down the Makai forests. With another sob, she finally reached the barrier that would send her to Reikai. Some more to go, she'll enter those gates that signifies her goodbye for the man she loves.
Koenma turned off the monitor. The last thing he saw was Botan entering the door towards Reikai. He sighed, waiting for her to enter the door in front of him. Any minute now...Botan would enter his office, without anything to say. He knows what he'll do then...
Botan walked slowly into the hallways of Reikai. She couldn't help thinking of what she'll say to koenma. She was scared that he probably know what happened last night. After all, the Reikai prince can see anything he wants with that stupid monitor of his. With a last sigh, Botan confronted the door that was the only thing that was between her and the prince.
The door slowly opened, revealing something pink behind it. It was her kimono. Her face was down, her hands clasped with each other. Koenma felt his anger rise again as he saw her face. Botan walked towards his table and bowed to him. Koenma's eyes narrowed as she stood in front of him, face down. Koenma stood up, in his teenaged form and walked towards Botan. He held her chin up and smiled slightly at her.
"You're hiding something, aren't you" he asked her. Botan looked at him sadly and looked away.
"You know about it, don't you?" she asked in reply. Koenma's brows furrowed as he nodded. Botan couldn't look at him straight in the eye. "Koenma-sama---"
She was cut off by a kiss from Koenma. A firm possessive kiss. Botan eyes turned watery, her heart leaping off as if it saw a ghost. Botan felt numb within Koenma's hold, she couldn't move. Koenma's arms tightne against her as he pulled away.
"I forgive you this once, but I will tell you..." he said, his voice firm and certain as he held her face to look at him. "I won't give you up on anyone"
Kurama sat up from bed. Something had just happened, he just knows it. He looked beside him. Botan was gone. The pillows were neatly tucked, the covers were around him warmly. He thought if last night was just a dream. he looked around. his clothes were still lying on the floor, meaning he was all bare and naked on his bed. Last night wasn't a dream, he was sure of it. Everything was still clear to him. All the moments they've shared, all the kisses he gave her, they weren't illusions from a dream. They were real. But she was gone now, and will never come back. He clutched the bed beside him angrily...but sadly. He buried his face on his hands, gasping for air as he cried and cried, muttering her name once in a while. The air was cold, the skies were dark. Rain was probably on its way. The atmosphere reflected Kurama's feeling now...cold...and alone...
"Kurama" the name just suddenly escaped her lips. Though another one was holding her, she couldn't help thinking of him. Koenma heard the name again, anger bursting his nerve by the minute. He couldn't do anything, his body was still. With a drop of tear, his hand slowly raised, instantly slapping the girl in his arms. Botan fell on the floor like a limp doll, holding her face on her hand. She looked at Koenma with tears.
"Koenma-sama I----"
"Dammit Botan, for once please stop thinking about him!" Koenma said with a raised voice, his hand that slapped her on his side, clenching itslef on a tight ball. Botan's brows furrowed in an angry glare as she looked into Koenma's eyes. Anger reflected against them, but there was still something else. There was love in them. Love for her. Shame flooded through her, but she can't deny the fact that she loves Kurama and not Koenma. She stood up and ran out of the room.
"Gomennasai Koenma-sama" she exclaimed and ran to her room.
Botan buried herslef into her bed, crying like she'd never had before. How could Koenma be so hard on her? He probably hasn't known love when he sees it. He should be turned off from her by now! After all that happened, especially when she spent the night on Kurama's room. No matter what they say, she'll never regret what she did with him. Kurama...Kurama...Kurama...she couldn't think of anything else, only the face of her loving bishounen. Her pillow is getting soaked with tears as more of them came down to it.
Koenma dropped to his knees, crying for what he did. Somehow he actually regretted he did that, thinking of something else to say to her to keep her away from that youko kitsune's grasp. He won't give her up, he swore he won't. That Kurama would never be able to take her from him! Never! No matter how drastic it may take, he'll be able to keep her as his own. But Botan...she's against all this. She loves Kurama...and not...him. The pain of truth never really overcame him yet. he should've taken her when he had the chance. She did like him once, but he never really paid attention to her. He swore he felt she was trying to get his attention all the time, but he kept ignoring her. The time she asked him to take her out, he would always say he was busy, much to busy to give time for her. He probably have broken her heart a thousand times, but he was just to dumb to realize how she feels for him. It was ll clear to him now, all her coaxing and her kindness towards him, it all changed now that she found someone else that can love her even more than he could have. But giving up is not yet in Koenma's list. He could start all over again. All he could think of is to take her, take her all for himself. Koenma stared at the door, hot tears streaming down his cheeks. Botan is giving him a hard time. How can he marry someone who doesn't even have feelings for him? How? The question kept bugging him, not giving him the chance to let sleep take over him. This is going no where. Botan must be crying her heart out by now, but he has to be firm to be able to get what he wants. But first, he have to get rid of the thorn between him and Botan. Anything is alright when it comes to love. Evil plans flooded Koenma's mind. He could ask the Reikai senshis to capture Kurama and lock him up until his wedding with Botan...probably not, being a thief, he'll easily get out even if he was in one of Reikai's ultimate cell. No matter what it would take, he'll risk anything. Anything's fair with love. Even...death...death...for his rival...
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