Chapter 4
Botan's Stalker
by Reiko
mosqamuerta@yahoo.com


Botan skipped happily as she made her way towards her room. She stopped momentarily only to look at her hand admiring the ring for the-- what-- two millionth time?! She let out a soft chuckle as it gleamed under the bright lights that illuminated the Rei Kai hall. She was about to continue on her way when she heard someone approaching from behind her.

"What time is it?"

She turned around to see Koenma beside her, his tall frame overshadowing her small build, his hands on his hips. Noticing the stern expression on his face, with one of his eyebrows raised, she smiled sheepishly.

"I- I didn't know that it was-- um this late." She replied. Koenma frowned and sighed tiredly. He let his arms fall to his sides, his right hand automatically raking through his brown hair.

"I thought you just went out to accompany Keiko."

"Well yes, it turned out that she has to do her shopping outside Kyoto." She answered back. To Botan's surprise, Koenma's face suddenly darkened. She was about to apologize when she heard faint footsteps coming towards her.

"Oh, Botan-chan! It's a good thing you're already here!"

Botan turned away from Koenma and found Sayuri walking towards them. She smiled and bowed slightly.

"Konbanwa!" She greeted.

"Konbanwa." Sayuri said, then she turned to Koenma. "I can't seem to find the ferry girl's quarters. Oh dear, now how will I give them the designs of the gowns and...?"

"They are just beside Botan's chamber, Sayuri." Koenma said frowning a little. "I'm sure you won't miss Botan's chamber considering that it's the only chamber having a bright pink door." He added tauntingly. He looked at Botan teasingly which earned him a slight scowl in return. Sayuri raised one delicate eyebrow upon noting the brief playful atmosphere between the two.

"Oh yes you're right." Sayuri said slowly. "I've been there and I saw the *bright pink* door." She added looking at Botan.

Botan rolled her eyes. "Can we just forget about the pink door already? And it's not bright pink, just light pink... It's my favorite color, so what about it?"

"Ooohhh... touché." Koenma let out a mischievous chuckle. He just loved it when Botan pouted like that. She looked so... so...

"Have you had dinner already?" Sayuri suddenly asked. Botan stopped pouting at Koenma and turned to meet Sayuri's expectant expression.

"No, not yet." She replied. Sayuri smiled.

"Oh good!" She brought her hands together in delight. "Then why don't you join us? We are about to have dinner." She said walking towards her fiancé. She stood beside him and purposely linked her arm with Koenma. The sight instantly brought a fresh wave of jealousy within Botan... Why?!

/Just what is this?/ Botan found herself asking. She felt like slapping herself. Why would she feel jealous anyway? Sayuri was his fiancé and they were getting married soon! And besides, Koenma-sama?! She must've been out of her mind! Why would she even get attracted to him? He was bossy and he yelled and ordered people around. He was grouchy every morning, he was moody, he was bratty sometimes, and he was... caring. Oftentimes he was considerate, and he was responsible...

/Argh! Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!/ Botan mentally screamed at herself.

Koenma studied Botan's reaction before him. If he was not mistaken, it was subtle jealousy he saw etched in her purple eyes. And to his absolute surprise he felt-- thrilled, flattered...? He shook his head trying his best to dismiss such foolish thoughts.

"If you're to join us for dinner then I suggest you freshen up first and change into something more comfortable." He said authoritatively. Then he granted her a smile. "We'll wait for you in the dining hall, wakatta?" And before Botan could utter another word, Koenma and Sayuri turned and walked away from her.

"Right." She murmured turning around and walking down the hall. Not long after she reached the door to her room. She went inside, closing it gently and locking it. It was semi-dark inside her room. The moon served as her only light.

Still too tired to change, she immediately slumped herself down on her bed without even bothering to turn the lights on. As she was lying on her stomach, she felt something unsual beneath her. Immediately she stood up and noticed a faint pungent smell in her room. There was also something wet on her arms, face, and body...

She stood up, her eyes finally adjusting to the dimness. She leaned towards her bed only to find...

She let out a piercing scream.

======

"What do you think of the invitations, dear? You think blue is all right or would you prefer a lighter shade?" Sayuri asked as she sat beside Koenma inside the splendid dining hall.

Silence.

"Koenma?" Sayuri gently called, putting her hand lightly on his arm. Koenma blinked in surprise.

"Huh? You were saying something?" He asked, looking at her.

"You're not paying attention." Sayuri said mildly.

"G-gomen, gomen." He said quickly. Then he frowned. "Sayuri, would you mind if you just decide on whatever you like? I- its-- its just--" He stopped and looked at her apologetically.

"Yes?" She asked raising her eyebrows. Koenma sighed.

"Well, it's just not my kind of thing... you know, planning weddings and such... I just don't know anything about planning weddings..." His voice trailed off.

Sayuri stared at him so long that Koenma feared that she would get angry and walk away, or worse, cry. He was about to take back everything he said and apologize when a smile lit Sayuri's face.

"Are you too busy even to plan our own wedding?" She asked quietly. When Koenma didn't answer, Sayuri sighed.

"Do you even want to get married, Koenma?"

At that Koenma found himself unable to speak. All he could do was to look at her straight in the eye, just-- look at her...

Sayuri raised one delicate eyebrow, waiting for his answer. Finally he took an exasperated breath.

"What kind of a question is that?" He asked softly rubbing the bridge of his nose tiredly with his fingers. "You know very well that-- " He stopped when he heard a fearful scream coming from the hallway. Sayuri, too, felt her heart jump with surprise.

"W- what was that?" Sayuri asked, her hand on her chest. Koenma looked at her, puzzled. He heard another scream. Botan's scream! Without a word he bolted up from his seat.

"Botan!" He shouted running towards the hallway. "Botan! Botan!"

He ran towards Botan's room with Sayuri close behind him. Several ferry girls and onis, upon hearing the disturbance, ran too, all filled with worry and anxiety. When he reached Botan's door, he knocked furiously.

"Botan! What's wrong?" He shouted, pounding it with his fist. By now, a number of ferry girls and onis gathered behind him, some whispering, some calling Botan as well. When no answer came, Koenma swore under his breath.

"Damn it, Botan! Open the door!" He yelled.

No answer.

He stepped back, thinking furiously. Then he took three steps back.

"Everybody out of the way!" One oni shouted. Immediately they all parted to give way for Koenma. Sayuri's eyes darted from the room to Koenma, unable to speak. Then without a word, Koenma ran and slammed his right shoulder against the door breaking it with the force. He then immediately ran inside.

"Botan, what's going on?" He asked switching the light on. He stopped momentarily, his eyes widening.

"What the-- " He started as he saw blood all over the place! His eyes darted madly from the blood-covered carpet to the walls. He gasped when he saw the words:

"I'm gonna get you!" Completely written in blood.

Immediately he felt nauseated, a sudden bile rising up from his stomach. He covered his mouth and walked towards the bed only to find two or three dead animals resting on it, cold, dead eyes staring back at him, blood staining the sheets. There was a sob.

"Botan?" He asked as he saw something huddled on a corner. He walked towards her. "Botan, please..." He forcefully turned her towards him only to see more blood all over her. Her face, her clothes...

"Koenma-sama..." She cried, her body shaking with fright. "Koenma- sama-- "

"Are you hurt?" He asked frantically, upon seeing the blood. When Botan shook her head, he heaved a sigh of relief. She was so pale, her eyes clearly showing fear. She was trembling so violently that Koenma could do nothing but enclose her in his arms, an action to which Botan willingly submitted herself to. She cried against his chest with Koenma trying desperately to calm her down.

"Shh... Everything's going to be all right now, Botan. I'm here. I'm here." He repeated soothingly, while gently stroking her hair.

"I'm-- afraid..."

"I know, I know but I'll be here, always." He said kissing her hair.

"Don't go?"

"Yes... I won' t leave you. Shh... everything's fine now." He whispered. They stayed like that for about a few seconds and when Koenma finally felt her trembling subsiding, he looked up.

"You, you and you." He said looking at three ferry girls standing by the door. "Have this room cleaned immediately." He ordered. The three girls immediately bowed before scampering away to their errand. Koenma then turned towards the other three, lifting Botan into his arms, unmindful of the blood now clinging onto his body as well.

"You three prepare a bath for Botan. Use my chamber."

"Wakarimashita, Koenma-sama."

"And help her clean up!" He called out. "I need three onis!" Immediately three onis appeared from the crowd one of them was George.

"Hai, Koenma-sama?"

"You help clean this room. There is so much blood in here, the three girls won't be able to do it. And George, I need you to do something for me." He said as he carried Botan with him and made his way towards his chamber.

"Yes, Koenma-sama?" George immediately asked following close.

"Go to Nignenkai and have Yusuke and the rest informed. Tell them to be here tomorrow morning exactly at ten."

"Hai!" His loyal oni answered before seeing to his errand. Then Koenma looked at everybody.

"Everyone be alert! An intruder surely got past our security and I won't have another ferry girl or oni screaming and shouting all covered with blood, understood? Alert all security around the premises, and search the grounds!"

"Hai, Koenma-sama!" Came a chorus of voices. Koenma then turned towards Sayuri, apologetically. "Sayuri, I-- "

"Shh..." She said putting her finger on his lips to shush him. She just smiled at him understandingly. Her hand purposely fished out her white hankie from her yukata pocket and proceeded wiping the smudge of blood off his cheek. "We'll just talk about it some other time."

Koenma smiled at her gratefully. "Arigato Sayuri-chan." He said before going inside his chamber with the now sleeping Botan in his arms.

Miki smirked as she surveyed the mess inside Botan's room. Then she looked at now empty hall, shaking her head.

"Now let's see you laugh your way out of this, Botan." She whispered turning around. She silently made her way towards their own quarters, quite pleased with what just happened.

Webmaster's Notes:
Warning! Next chapter contains lemon (lemon as in, erotic fiction) scenes, so don't go on if you can't handle it, or if you're not old enough to read it. You've been WARNED!

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