Main / Fics / 02.24.01
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Remember Me This Way
by Mitz
mitz_@edsamail.com.ph
Koenma sat dejectedly in his enormous bedroom, his toddler form overwhelmed by the massive piles of paperwork he chose to take home with him. He sighed and looked outside, unseeing. Even the beautiful Reikai cloud formations failed to catch his attention.
She is going away tomorrow, and there can be no telling when she'll be back. This mission shall take her to the ends of space - the ninth world - for an indefinite amount of time.
Koenma sighed again. He will miss her terribly.
A knock is heard on the gargantuan door.
"Son?"
The door opened to reveal a slightly overweight man about six-foot tall, sporting an expensive set of glasses. Koenma looked at his father with a bit of apprehension. He rarely visits him in his bedroom, and rarer still that Enma-Diaoh would let his son see his normal form. Enma sat on the bed.
"Is there any problem, son?"
Koenma chewed nervously at his fuukuman. He looked up at his father, and marveled at how his eyes looked so much like his own.
"You are sending Botan away. You know she is my most trusted ferry-girl. I don't know what I'd do without her."
Enma-sama's face softened, and he looked at his son with a knowing glint in his eyes.
"You are a man now. You can take care of yourself. Besides, George can take care of you as well as she does."
"That's not it. I feel as if I might not be able to function well without her, as if..." He shrugged helplessly.
"As if you're in love with her?" Enma-sama suggested helpfully. Koenma made a face, but this did not mask the embarrassed confusion in his eyes.
"I don't even know how I could say goodbye to her," he said instead.
Enma-sama thought for a while, then his face lit up. "Why not hold a farewell ball for her? It would make her think nicely of you while she's away."
"But I..." he looked down at his body, and looked helplessly at his father. Koenma shook his head good-naturedly.
"Until midnight, son. You know you're not supposed to use your ningen form here in Reikai."
Koenma bowed gratefully before him. "Oh, thank you, father!"
As his son ran out of the room to prepare, a wistful smile graced Enma-sama's lips.
"Ganbatte, my son."
======
Botan looked at the teary-eyed Yukina and smiled cheerfully at her. "I will come back, I promise."
"Soon? Tomorrow?"
She laughed instead. Turning back to the others, she offered a smile that would very soon break into a sob. She looked at their faces one by one, studying them intently as if committing them to her memory forever. Shizuru and Keiko, holding the weeping Yukina between them, their sweet faces tinged with sadness. Yusuke, looking at her and smiling encouragingly; Kurama and Hiei, their confident faces lending her strength; Kuwabara, looking as if heaven had crashed down upon him... They were all her friends, and she would miss them terribly.
But there is one person she would miss the most. Summoning her oar, she took one last look at her friends whom she won't see in a long time.
*Sayonara. Farewell, my friends.*
======
Botan blinked.
Twice.
What is going on here?
The grand Reikai palace was draped in glittering silk banners and streamers with sayings ranging from "Farewell Botan-san!" to "Go kick some youkai butt!" She looked around, and was even more surprised to see everyone gathered, dressed in their best tuxedos and evening gown, and wearing strange ornate masks.
In unison, they cried out: "There you are!"
Botan blinked again.
Suddenly, the crowd parted as a tall young man stepped forth, dressed impeccably in an elegant black suit and silk cape. He wore an elaborate mask that hid only his eyes, and the young man's lips were curved into a smile.
"May I have this dance?"
As if on cue, a sweet ningen song began playing in the background. Botan felt her heart pound mercilessly as she accepted the hand that was offered to her. Instantly, her kimono was transformed into a beautiful blue gown that exactly matched the shade of her eyes.
Every now and then
We find a special friend
Who never lets us down
She looked up at her tall companion, and noticed how delicately his soft chestnut locks fell over his eyes. She looked up into his warm hazel eyes, and smiled secretly inside.
Who understands it all
Reaches out each time we fall
You're the best friend that I found
Somehow, it didn't surprise her when she realized whom she was dancing with.
I know you can't stay
But part of you will never ever go away
Your heart will stay
"Koenma-sama," she whispered, carefully removing his mask. Koenma smiled back at her, and gently brushed the stray strands of her cerulean hair away from her face.
"Shhh," he said. "Say no more."
I'll make a wish for you
And hope it will come true
That life would just be kind
To such a gentle mind
If you lose your way
Think back on yesterday
Remember me this way
Remember me this way
They danced for some time, and Botan found herself drawing closer and closer to Koenma's embrace. His arms gradually tightened around her, and the touch of his palm against her back was sweetly protective. She felt so content within his embrace, and she wished to stay like this forever. Every now and then, she would look up and gaze upon his gentle face, and they would both smile at the same time.
I don't need eyes to see
The love you bring to me
No matter where I go
And I know that you'll be there
Forever more a part of me
You're everywhere
I'll always care
"Koenma-sama..."
"Koenma," he corrected softly.
"Gomen, Koenma-sa..." His mock-glare stopped her short, and she giggled in response. Placing her palm against his cheek, she continued, "I want to thank you... for everything."
"What for?"
Gesturing at the celebration around her, she smiled. "I have never felt more appreciated in my entire life. Or are you just really glad to get rid of me?"
She meant it as a joke, but the hurt on Koenma's eyes made her regret what she said.
"I would never want to get rid of you. You're the best thing that ever happened to me, Botan, and I would like you to know that."
Her heart absolutely refused to beat.
I'll make a wish for you
And hope it will come true
That life would just be kind
To such a gentle mind
If you lose your way
Think back on yesterday
Remember me this way
Remember me this way
"What do you mean, Koenma-sama?"
Koenma cupped her face and looked intently into her eyes. "I should have said this to you before, but I was afraid you'd think of me as an unprofessional brat. But since I won't be able to see you for a long time..."
His intense hazel eyes bored into her soul. He opened his mouth to say something, changed his mind, and kissed her instead.
And I'll be right behind your shoulders watching you
I'll be standing by your side in all you do
And I will never leave
As long as you believe
You just believe
Botan was shocked into immobility. The sensation of Koenma's lips against hers, the warmth of his mouth moving against her own almost drove her to insanity. Could this be real? Is this really happening or am I dreaming or could this possibly is this really real?
She touched his face with trembling fingers and no longer doubted. She kissed him back, gently, lovingly. She ventured to slide her hand down his neck and feel the warmth of him mingling with her own warmth. His lips then whispered into her mouth, so softly, yet so very distinctly.
"I love you."
I'll make a wish for you
And hope it will come true
That life would just be kind
To such a gentle mind
If you lose your way
Think back on yesterday
Remember me this way
Remember me this way
"I love you, too."
Somewhere in the palace, the bells began to toll.
Remember me... This way...
"Remember me this way, Botan. Always and forever."
This way...Remember me this way
Botan opened her eyes, and toddler Koenma gave her one final look before vanishing into thin air.
"I will always remember you."
~ Owari ~
^top^