" . . . you could stay as long as you like . . . I-I l-leave now . . .um . ."
The woman choked back a sob as she hurriedly stepped out of the room, closing the door with a heavy heart.
Leaving a young woman alone in the dark room.
She could almost feel her sorrow as her cries echoed throughout the house, shivering at the thought of the grieving woman. A picture she had seen before. A portrait of a mother suffering at the loss of her son.
Adjusting to the dimness of the room, she squinted.
Faint moonbeams slipped through the partially closed window, casting eerie shadows on the opposite wall. From her viewpoint, she could make out a mother and son photo poised on a bedside table. She then shifted her gaze to a still form on the bed beside the window.
With her heart hammering against her chest, she approached it. She drew in a long breath and with trembling fingers, lifted the white sheet covering.
As the still human form now in full view, hot tears pooled on her purple eyes, blurring her vision of a handsome young man lying before her.
His long red hair flowed neatly ‘round his face.
His eyes firmly shut. Lips a shade of purple.
Hesitantly, she reached out to caress his pale cheek, remembering how smooth it was against her palm.
She uttered a cry and collapsed on a hump beside him, her arms gripping his cold body.
She remembered how warm it was against her own.
A strong cool breeze wafted through the window, filling the entire room with a scent of freshly-cut roses.
Eyes closed, she took a moment to savor their happy memories together as good friends.
" Why are your crying?’, a deep male voice suddenly asked from behind her.
She opened her moist eyes then stood up. But she didn’t face him nor did she reply.
A pair of golden eyes narrowed at her silence. " Look at me."
She forced herself to oblige.
A young man stepped from the shadows, revealing his tall stature and long silver hair gracing his handsome face.
Without wasting any more second, she drew her oar. " It’s time. Are you ready?"
The young man didn’t budge, his expression remained passive. " You didn’t answer my question."
" Um . . y’know . . h-how emotional I am.", she stammered, then faked a short laugh.
He didn’t join in. His golden sight still searching her face.
He glanced at the cadaver she was crying for. Suuichi Minamino the corpse was.
A sense of jealousy washed over him. Suuichi was a lucky young man.
Sensitive. Compassionate. Loving.
Elements he himself wasn’t known for.
He took a step towards her, taking one last look at his own human body. " Let’s go.", he said firmly.
Instantly she hopped on her oar. He jumped in behind her and together they flew out of the window and into the sky.
The scenery passed by quickly. Their altitude rose until the plains and green mountains were nothing but mere dots below them. Clouds replaced what was once an earthly surrounding. There was a momentary void as they passed by the border. Seconds past and a beautiful garden of wildflowers and trees appeared. A huge majestic castle stood at the background.
" This is a world opposite of the place where I came from.", he remarked, eyeing the colorful butterflies. " I don’t know why should I be here."
" Don’t say that.", she said, not taking her eyes off their path. " You have done so much for Ningenkai. You’re a good person that’s why you’re allowed to be here."
He frowned. " If that’s true then why are you afraid of me?"
She inhaled sharply, shocked at his straight forward manner. Before she knew it, her hands started shaking. She scrambled to keep the oar steady.
No matter how much she denies it, her fear wouldn’t go away. No matter how many times she tried to convince herself that he was the same person she knew, doubts kept on filling her head.
She was confused. But how could she explain it to him?
" I thought we were good friends. Have gone through a lot of battles and all sorts of trials.", he said, his voice thick with emotion. " I don’t understand why are you treating me as if I am a different person."
She shifted her position, her eyes still fixed ahead, refusing to say anything.
" We’ll both feel much better if you’ll speak up.", he voiced out.
She heard him sigh heavily behind her. Making her lose every bit of courage and energy she had to think of a good reply.
After that nobody spoke anymore. They flew to the Reikai palace in an uneasy silence.
But his questions rang in her head.
" Why are you crying?"
" . . then why are you afraid of me?"
She gritted her teeth, trying to shut them off. But she couldn’t.
" . . why are you afraid of me?"
" . . why . .?"
" . . why . . .?"
" Botan?"
" Ungh . . ."
" Botan!! Wake up!"
A frantic female voice called out to her.
Grumping, she opened her eyes and saw a small woman peering down at her worriedly. " Isami?"
" You’re moaning, shaking your head and . .", she flicked on the lamp then gasped at the sight of Botan’s pale face. " . .gosh! are you alright!"
The still dazed deity rubbed her eyes then sat up.
" Are you feeling okay?", Isami asked again.
Botan hugged her pillows, everything were still fresh in her memory. " Just a bad dream."
" Are you sure?’
She nodded.
Isami shrugged her shoulders. " Okay." She paused. " Oh by the way. Koenma needs you in his office as soon as you’re ready."
" Sure. Please tell him, I’ll be there in fifteen minutes."
" I will.", Isami said, then she was out.
Botan lay back on her bed for a moment, her eyes fixed on the ceiling.
Later in the afternoon, Botan flew towards the distant mountain range in Reikai.
Her feet touched the lush bermuda as she dismounted her oar. She took a moment to inhale the fresh country air around her as an exquisite craft of nature greeted her sight.
Another deity passed by above the mountain not far from where she stood.
She suddenly remembered her mission.
Quickly, she dug in her pocket and unfolded a slip of paper Koenma handed to her.
SN409 – Eastern Valley was scrawled in bold letters.
She raised her gaze to the rich wilderness on the valley written on the note.
" Spirit number 409.", she murmured, surveying the place for an unspecified soul.
Koenma asked her to fetch a spirit from the said valley and escort him back to Reikai Palace.
Him. It is a male. At least she knew what gender the spirit was or else she might be escorting the wrong one thus wasting a lot of time.
Botan walked a few distance from the plain, carefully shinning up a small boulder to get a more wider view of the valley. From there, she noticed a tall person standing at the edge of the cliff right below her.
Isami told her that Koenma has planned to recruit new male employees to work in the palace. Her fellow spirit guide had excitedly conveyed that the guys would function in aid of the deities. Personally, she didn’t mind having a partner unless of course, he proved to be a nuisance more than a helper.
Cautiously, Botan approached the place, closer to the person.
His features was much defined now, seeing his well-built torso and short ash blonde hair.
Sensing her presence, he turned slowly to face her.
Botan inhaled sharply, almost losing her balance. His face was so . . handsome.
" You must have been the deity, Koenma sent for me.", he said, his deep blue eyes wrinkling slightly as he gave her a heart-stopping smile.
Botan was tongue-tied. The person before her almost look like a perfect angel!
" What’s your name?", he asked gently.
Botan snapped back to reality. " Um, Botan."
He smiled. " That’s a very nice name."
Instantly, she turned crimson. " Thank you."
" Shall we go now?"
" Yeah, sure." Botan drew her oar. But as soon as she hopped on it, the oar vanished into thin air. She wrinkled her brow.
Once more she drew her oar. This time nothing appeared.
She was about to summon it again when the spirit lightly touched her arm.
" We have to go the hard way. Didn’t Koenma tell you that you will be my instructor?", he asked.
" Instructor?", Botan echoed. Koenma DID tell her she was supposed to train at least one new helper but she wasn’t informed that it would be him. Moreover, it wasn’t given to her knowledge that she should teach him on a rough and dangerous terrain.
That and the fact that she would have to spend three days alone with a total stranger.
He might be an absolutely handsome stranger but sometimes looks can be deceiving . .
" . . . be there in time for dinner.", his voice filtered through her.
" Huh?", she uttered, unable to caught what he was saying.
" I said, we should be heading for that mountain now. It’s getting dark and we should find a camp site soon.", he patiently said.
Botan felt embarrassed. " Uh, yeah."
Together, they trekked a long path through the thick forest on the mountain. Not just once that she slipped and lost her balance on the steep walkway. Hadn’t her ‘trainee’ caught her, she would have been in pieces down below the mountain.
" Easy.", he whispered, bringing his arms around her for support.
She blushed, realizing that her face was just inches from his.
" Um, I’m sorry.", he apologized, his cheeks a little flushed as well.
Botan felt his arms rippling around her torso, his hands gripping her waist firmly. Her skin burned at each touch as he carefully lifted her from the rocks.
" Its my fault . . so clumsy of me.", she mumbled.
" This part of the mountains tend to be very slippery.", he said, his right arm still cradling her waist.
" I know but I should be more careful or I might drag you with me."
" Don’t worry. Just stick close.", he suggested.
Botan blushed again. He’s so manly, she thought, smelling his cologne from a short distance.
They walked in silence for over an hour, concentrating on obscured trails. Botan looked straight ahead, trying to forget how close they were.
He’s making me nervous, she thought.
A few minutes lapsed.
Her shoes squeaked as they finally stepped on solid ground. A wild garden of flowers filled her view.
Oblivious to her companion, she rushed to the shrubs and marveled at the wonderful variety of flowers in the garden. There were two-colored tulips, crysanthemums, carnations, hyacinths and a lot more.
Excitedly, she reached out to pluck a single white rose.
A scratchy noise sounded behind her. Botan realized she had completely forgotten about the spirit.
She turned and gasped at the sight of a dozen banana leaves spread on the clearing. An assorted of fruits was lain at the center.
The male spirit looked up. " C’mon let’s eat."
Botan couldn’t help but smile. She sat down on the leaves and reached for an apple.
They ate in silence. It was a bit uncomfortable for Botan since she was supposed to orient him about the job in the palace. But before that she has to know about him first.
" Um . .", she stopped herself. She suddenly realized she hadn’t asked for his name yet. " Uh, you’re spirit no. 409. Do you have a name . .?"
" That was the name I remembered ever since.", he replied. " Just call me 409."
" You mean, that’s how people called you? Even before you . . ?"
He nodded slowly. " Yeah."
He didn’t offer any more explanation. Maybe he was subjected to the roughest journey in Reikai were the path was so hard, he probably lost his own memory. Which isn’t really an isolated case since that path was meant to end up that way. But then how could he qualify to work for the royalty if he was a crook when he was still alive?
Botan stole a glance at her companion.
A dashing knight tinged with mystery. Isami would surely fall dead with jealousy.
Suddenly a chirp sounded. Botan turned her head just in time to see a small bird perched itself on a branch of the tree right beside her.
" How does it feel to fly, Botan?", 409 suddenly asked.
She smiled. " The first time it was scary. I was just a mere passenger to my oar. And before, I was afraid it would vanish and be thrown a hundred feet below."
" But it’s wonderful isn’t it?"
" Yes, it was. Some of my friends in Ningenkai even wanted to ride it."
" Did you let them?"
" On emergencies, yes.", she replied. " Why do you ask? Do you want to fly?"
" I already know that, do I? I’m a spirit remember?", he laughed. " But the reason I wanted to fly was to be able to see nature from a bird’s eyeview."
He paused as he took a deep breath.
" Those clear streams and lakes. Trees on mountains and hills. Flowers blooming. It’s so . . ."
" Gorgeous.", she finished.
He flashed a big grin. " Exactly."
" I feel the same way, too.", she said. " You seemed to have a good eye for nature."
" Maybe. Is it unusual?"
Botan shook his head. " Oh, no! Um, its just that I only met a handful of men who talks about nature like this."
" Do you like flowers?", he suddenly asked.
" Huh?", she uttered, surprised.
409 laughed at her reaction. " I saw you were really excited the moment you saw the garden. And I see you prefer roses.", he observed, indicating a single white rose tucked behind her left ear.
Botan smiled. " You’re right. I love them."
" Why?"
" Because they’re so beautiful and fresh and . ." He raised his eyebrows urging her to continue. " . . they kind of remind me of . . someone.", she finished.
409 suddenly appeared interested. " Boyfriend?"
Botan gasped. Her cheeks turning a shade of deep pink.
He laughed. " Did I said something?"
Botan lowered her gaze. " No. I mean, no he wasn’t my boyfriend."
" Really, then who is he? What’s his name?"
" He was a friend. One of the powerful Reikai Tantei decades ago. He has the power to command all plant life. Especially flowers.", she answered.
" Hmm, a dangerous guy.", he commented.
" Yes, he was. But he was a very gentle young man, I must say."
" Where is he now?"
" He’s gone."
" I’m sorry.", he apologized. " But if he worked for Koenma then he would be allowed to be here, would he?"
" Um, yeah. He was here."
" And?"
" You see, he wasn’t the same. He was actually a demon from Makai who possessed a human body to recover from injuries."
" Then?"
Botan fell into silence.
" Oh, I’m sorry, I-I didn’t mean to intrude into your personal life. I-I won’t ask anything about the guy anymore, promise."
The blue-haired deity raised her eyes to him, seeing him grin sheepishly.
With his dashing looks, many would have immediately judge him as obnoxious and conceited. But he merely shared a short conversation with her and he proved to be very likable.
He’s sensitive. Eager. And has the initiative to prepare their supper even she didn’t offer any help.
A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as he started clearing the spread from apple cores and banana peelings.
The next days would definitely be interesting, she thought.
Two days past, Botan and spirit 409 arrived at the palace a few hours earlier than expected.
" You didn’t tell me on the communicator that you have such wonderful deities.", 409 said the moment they entered the prince’s office.
Koenma raised an eyebrow, looking really suspicious. " Did she threatened you or anything?"
The new spirit laughed. " Oh, no. She didn’t have to. Botan was very lovely."
The deity right then found herself blushing wildly, not only because of his explicit comments but also due to the envious stares her fellow deities give her.
Koenma gave them both a lopsided grin. A twinkle in his golden eyes became evident to Botan.
" Alright! Since you looked okay with each other then I guess I don’t see a problem you working together."
Botan appeared confused. " What do you mean?"
" He’ll be your male partner, Botan. Like a said the other day, the palace had changed the system. You will need a buddy for better efficiency and protection."
Before she could even protest, 409 bowed regally before Koenma and said. " Thank you. I’m honored to be paired with such a gorgeous lady."
Every piece of bone seemed to rattle within her. Doesn’t he ever run out of praises to say? She thought.
Koenma quickly dismissed them after that and side by side , they walked out of the office.
Botan could hear her co-workers drool as they passed by the hall.
" Oh, boy! I guess I should get use to it from now on.", she mumbled.
409 suddenly turned. " You’re saying something?"
Uh, I said I’ll introduce you to the other employees."
" Yeah, that would be great.", he said enthusiastically.
Botan dropped on her bed, taking a moment to rest her tired eyes. She has been reading a book Isami had given her the other day.
With eyes closed, she felt herself slowly drifting off to sleep.
A few minutes passed when she suddenly stirred, hearing a soft tap on the door.
" Who’s there?", she called.
The door opened and a tall blonde young man entered the room.
Botan sat up. " Oh, its you."
" I hope I’m not bothering you or anything . . ."
" Oh no! I was just reading a book.", she said quickly. " What can I do for you?"
" This may sound so stupid but . . nothing really. I just wanted to talk to someone."
" About what?"
" Nothing in particular. Just casual conversation, I guess. Unless you have a better plan . . ."
" Um, actually I haven’t eaten lunch.", she said, making a short trip to the other side of the room. She came back carrying a large food basket. " Isami and I planned to eat at the Sato gardens a few kilometers from here. But she had to tend to an emergency so . . ."
" Can I fill in Isami’s place?"
Botan smiled.
409 instantly took the basket from her and together they walked to the park.
After finding a perfect spot beneath an apple tree, they carefully arranged the spread and laid all sorts of fruits and delicacies Botan prepared.
Within a few minutes, the entire spread was almost empty.
Botan sat comfortably on the blanket, rubbing her stomach as she stole a glance at her companion.
Its been a week since they formally became partners. But 409 became tight lipped and reserved which was unexpected judging his cheerful attitude when she first met him at the valley. Usually he would sit at the back of the room every time there’s a conference or a brief meeting. And during work, he would merely say two sentences --- saying what’s the mission for the day and ‘see you afterwards’. She thought that maybe he was adjusting to the hectic schedules and emotional stress of being an employee in the palace.
This is the first time her new partner ever called her in her room. A move she considered a major improvement.
" Botan . ."
She looked surprised as he handed her a single white rose.
" Oh, thank you.", she said. " It’s beautiful."
" It’s your favorite flower isn’t it? It tastes good, too."
Botan looked at him, puzzled.
" It’s a candy. Look." He took a similar white rose and bit into it. " Mmm."
Botan eyed her rose carefully, lifting the flower to take a sniff. " You’re not kidding are you?"
409 stared at her. " Trust me."
There’s something in his tone that was so convincing that she bit a small portion of the white petal.
Botan instantly broke into a smile. " Uhmm, Its sweet! Where did you get this?"
" I made it."
" Really? How?"
" Well, I was in the kitchen looking for something to eat when I saw some confectionery’s , eggs and other baking stuff on the fridge so I thought of making the candies."
" Wow! It look so real! Where did you learn to make these?"
" From a lady who owns a sweet shop with loads of cool goodies."
Botan raised her eyebrows in question. " A lady? Does she have name?"
" I-I . . don’t remember . . ."
Botan looked at him sideways. Doesn’t remember?
" Do you remember where exactly her shop was?", she asked.
" I don’t either."
There he goes again. That’s what he usually says every time he wanted to close the subject. It’s time to change the topic, she thought.
" Do you have a lot of friends when you were still alive?", she asked.
" I don’t know."
Botan was disappointed. Another curt reply. Their conversations always end up this way. But they have a lot of free time to spend together and she doesn’t want to spoil it. She knew that he is a good guy. She just wish he would open up more.
Its clear he doesn’t want to talk about his past so maybe she should avoid that subject from hereon. But then again he looked confused and lost. She wanted to ask him straight out if he had any memory about his past but she couldn’t bring herself to it.
" Um, do you want to talk about something . .?" She grinned sheepishly. Her cheeks turning pink. What a stupid question!
But 409 seemed unaware of her embarrassment. He lay on the blanket and lifted his face to the clear blue sky.
The deity dropped down next to him as well.
" Have you ever been in love?", he asked.
She started. That’s not her idea of a good topic! " I-I’m not sure.", she stammered.
" Not sure?", he echoed.
" Well, I’ve gone out many times but I couldn’t say I love them. How ‘bout you?", she asked then added quickly. " . . . uh, its okay if you don’t want to answer."
" Its alright I can answer that.", he said laughing. " Me? I haven’t. But I do love women."
" What do you mean? That you love ALL women?"
" It’s a different kind of love. Or maybe it was just my fancy.", he explained. " It just amazes me how women walk, move and talk as if every gestures were perfectly rehearsed and calculated."
" That’s common to all. Its grace y’know.", she said knowingly.
" Absolutely. The problem is . . . most of them are too girly. Too delicate for me handle."
" Too delicate?"
He nodded. " Too delicate for a harsh lad like me. My roughness was one major reason why the best women would stay away from me."
She turned her head and gave him a puzzled look. Didn’t he realize that ninety-nine point nine percent of the ladies of all shapes and ages working in the palace were drooling over him? Oh boy! She thought. Somebody’s ought to inform him about that!
" What are you saying? I’ve never seen you do anything harsh!", she burst out. " Who told you that anyway?"
409 shrugged his shoulders. " I don’t know I just had that feeling, that’s all."
" Just a feeling?!", she said, unbelievingly. " Then get over that feeling because its not true!"
" How did you know? We haven’t been together long enough."
" Yes, you’re right but I don’t see any trace of roughness on you. And honestly I can’t imagine you being one.", Botan said sincerely.
" Really?"
" Trust me."
There was a momentary silence as they raised their eyes, soaking up the beauty of the clear sky. All of a sudden, things became so beautiful. What was once an irritating sound of the birds, the howling of the winds and the glaring sunshine. All of it turned out so pleasant. Maybe it’s the weather. Maybe because of the sumptuous meal they just had. And maybe . . . they shared good company.
" I’m sorry if I’ve been distant for the past week. I shouldn’t feel uncomfortable at all.", 409 finally spoke.
Botan smiled, not taking her eyes off the clouds. " I understand. That’s the way I felt, too, the first time I worked here. But some people made me feel very much at home."
" Like whom?"
" Some deities. Isami, Koenma, even George . . .", she said. " I know you’ll have a lot of friends, too."
" I have one already.", he murmured.
Botan turned her head. " Hm?"
Silence.
409 didn’t offer to repeat his statement, smiling at the thought of sharing a lot of time with her.
" You know . .", he said, breaking the silence. " I like you."
Botan appeared stunned.
" You’re pretty. Kind. Thoughtful. Always happy.", he continued. " I think we’ll get on really well, Botan."
" You’re nice too.", she said then add in jokingly. " If you’ll keep on making these candies, that is."
409 laughed. " I’ll make tons just for you."
Botan couldn’t help but blush. Boy! Does he really know how to please a woman!
From that wonderful day, 409 seemed to have felt at ease with working in the palace. He and Botan would often fetch spirits, converse, and work together for hours in the library, helping Koenma with his paperwork. He had been a very good partner, making the already cheery deity much more lively.
Days and months past, Botan slowly learned a lot about him.
One thing she found out that he was also a guy full of surprises. There isn’t a moment when he would show up with a candy white rose. Then he would start joking about how she might get fat from all the sweets he’s been giving.
He would give her a box of heart-shaped chocolates. There was even a time when he barged into her room with strings of colorful balloons of all shapes and sizes.
One thing that hasn’t change though, was his being strangely distant to the others. For that, he was oftentimes regarded as anti-social. Botan tried to explain as much as she could that maybe 409 wasn’t used to hanging out with a lot of people. Some were very understanding while most would keep their distance.
Still she didn’t let that sort of issue bother her, fearing it would just ruin their bright moments together. And there are surely a lot of bright moments together.
One autumn day, Botan was tasked to fetch another spirit. 409 rushed breathlessly to her side carrying a number of bundled document.
" All guys would be having a seminar this noon and I was assigned for preparations. Are you sure you can handle this alone?"
Botan smiled. " Are you kidding? I’ve been doing this for hundreds of years even before you arrived!"
" Yeah, but . . is this spirit . . a male?", he asked.
Botan appeared surprised, puzzled over the significance of the spirit’s gender. She had a thought nagging at the back of her mind but she quickly dismissed it.
" Its an old woman named Shiori. Don’t worry I know her. I’ll be fine.", she assured.
" Okay. Be careful." He quickly gave her a peck on the cheek before dashing out into the lawn.
Botan was left frozen on her spot. " Didn’t he just kissed me?", she murmured.
She brought her fingers on the spot where his lips touched. It was just a second yet a burning sensation was left. Botan felt herself warming again.
409 was always full of surprises.
It was lunchtime when she finally managed to get Shiori Minamino’s spirit. They had just crossed the border when suddenly, the spirit spoke. " Haven’t I seen you somewhere?"
Shiori stared at her back for a minute. " Oh where did I . . . ah! . . you’re Kurama’s female friend!"
Botan refused to look straight at her. Sweat beaded on her forehead. " Oh no, ma’am. Maybe it was just another girl."
Shiori wrinkled her brow for a while. " Yeah, could be. But she really looked a lot like you . . ."
" Eheh. You’re not the only one who mistook me for someone. Seems like a have a lot twins out there!"" she quipped, hoping she would just drop the subject.
Botan glanced briefly at her passenger. She noticed disappointment crossed her kind face. " What’s wrong Mrs. Minamino?"
" Uh, its just that I was hoping to see my son."
" Uh, oh.", Botan said to herself.
" You know during my last moments of my life, I wasn’t at all in remorse.", Shiori said. " Probably a bit since I would be leaving my husband and stepson but I know that I’ll see my own son, Kurama, in the next life."
Her heart started hammering against her chest at the mention of her son’s name. Botan gripped the handle of her oar tightly, thoughts whirling through her head. She pretty much have the idea on what the old woman’s going to say.
Or ask.
" He’s tall, red-haired with green eyes. He’s very good-looking.", she hurriedly described. " H-he died twenty years ago. Do you by any chance fetched him?"
" Um . .", she stalled for a few seconds. What’s she gonna say? " T-there are . . a lot . . of spirits I aided every day and . . even if I came across your son . . I wouldn’t still remember."
" Oh." Shiori looked downcast then suddenly her face lit up. " Um, but you could look for him? "
" I-I don’t know . ."
" Please! All I want is to see him happy and well. That’s all I ask. Then I’ll do anything the spirit world tells me to do."
" Mrs. Minamino . . ." Botan bit her lip. How is she gonna get over this one? And how would she react once she saw Kurama’s true soul? She would definitely freak out. She might not believe it at all!
The deity jerked as the elderly woman lightly touched her shoulder. She turned slightly to face her.
Shiori flashed her with such a tender smile which has probably, in more ways, shaped Kurama’s gentle human characteristics. " I can see you’re a lovely lady and I know you could help me.", she said sincerely. " Please?"
If there’s weak spot in Botan, its definitely those people who plead in this manner. And not just once did she gave in. She couldn’t find a clear solution to Shiori’s wish but she just couldn’t say no either.
Finally, she stared at the woman and smiled faintly. " Okay. I won’t promise anything but I’ll try."
" I’m willing to wait."