Yay, I updated, finally!
Disclaimer: We all know I don't own this masterpiece.
Chapter 10- A new face? The appearance of Roxas
It was the middle of the night in Reikai. Neko B woke up with a start, he had been having a nightmare of nothing but pain. There were five figures who were in the shadows. He felt as though he recognised them, he just coudn't pin-point them. One was more recognisable than the rest. It kind of looked liked, Botan? He looked to his left and saw her peaceful sleeping face. He decided to take a quiet late-night walk around the palace.
His favourite place to look at around the palace was the beautiful back gardens. 'The Reigen sure love their gardens.' He thought. He will never get used to how different Reikai and Makai were. One was tough, it was survival of the fittest. If one was weak, physically, then they would surely fall. The other was rich and fancy, to be expected of Reikai.
"The life of a Reigen was surely no life for a yokai." He was about to head back to Botan's room when he felt light-headed. 'W-what's going on?' He held his head. Wait. Why did his paws feel like hands? 'Botan!'
xxXxx
Botan woke up with a start. Sweat was forming on her brow and she quickly wiped them off. Something was off, way off. Where was Neko B? She bolted up and saw he was no where to be seen. She sighed. "Where is he? He knows Koenma-sama doesn't like him wondering around." She got on a jacket over her pajamas and went out her door. She knew of one place where the troublesome cat could be. The gardens.
She got there quickly and saw no one around. "Neko B!" She said, not too loudly as to wake anyone. He had good hearing so he'll hear her just fine. She walked around a little more, calling out his name. Her shoulders slacked when no answer came. He was nowhere to be found. 'Maybe he went to Genkai's.' It didn't matter where he went. She would just have to look somewhere else.
"Botan..." Said a voice from behind her. She squealed upon hearing it. Some lights turned on after that. She hesitantly peeked behind her and saw a boy who was a few inches taller. He had pure white hair and cat shaped ears, added with golden eyes and a cat's tail. He wore a samurai outfit, similar to Shishiwakamaru's except it was pure white with a few stars decorating it here and there. He even had a sword, which is what Botan was creeped out by the most.
'W-What's a demon doing here?' She asked herself. She looked up at him in confusion. "W-what's your name?" The demon was busy looking at himself, in shock no less. He blinked at her question.
"B-botan-san? It's me, Neko B." He said. He used one hand to lift up his long kimono sleeve and saw human flesh instead of fur. He still felt his cat ears and his tail was still there. He felt dizzy by being a different size. Botan put her hands on her sides.
"Really? W-what happened to you? Why are you like this now?" He shook his head.
"I don't know, I was hoping that you would. I was just taking a walk and then a bright light appeared then I felt like I was getting taller and now this." The two of them looked up when they heard Ayame walk quickly towards them.
"Botan-san, Koenma-sama wants to see you." Her eyes widened upon seeing Neko B. "And, who are you?"
"I'm Neko B. But, I think that name is inappropiate for me as I am." He said, scratching his head nervously. "Just call me Roxas, while I'm like this." Botan and Ayame nodded.
"Well, let's go see what Koenma-sama wants with us."
xxXxx
Koenma's office
"Come in!" Shouted Koenma as he heard someone rap on his door. In came Botan, Ayame and a strange demon he's never seen before. They stood in a row in front of him, anxious on what he had to say. "Um, "
"It's me Neko B, I just went through a transformation and I'm confused right now." He sighed. How many times would he have to explain himself anyway? He'd rather have everyone gathered then explain. Oh, why hasn't anything good happened to him? Koenma's eyes widened at that.
'That would explain that light we saw earlier.' He looked out his office window, in the direction of the Makai portals. 'Come to think of it, that light came from Makai.' He looked back to his employees who were just as confused as he was. "Tell me." He said. "How did it feel when you changed?" Neko B thought for a second, tying to find the right words.
"I don't know, it felt, fuzzy. Kind of warm. Not like the light shining from the sun, no. It felt solid. Does that make sense?" He wondered. That was the last thing on his mind. He was too preoccupied at the fact that his body was changing shape. But it did feel odd.
"I see. Ogre!" Koenma called. George came running in a moment later.
"You called, Koenma-sama?"
"I would like you to send these two to Genkai's." He indicated to Botan and Neko B.
"But why, Koenma-sama? Do you think it's serious enough to inform the new Detectives? I didn't sense anything amiss."
"And you still didn't say why you wanted Botan and Ayame back in Reikai earlier today." Shunsui spoke up from the doorway. He walked up beside Ayame and folded his arms in front of him.
"Well, to answer your question first, Shunsui. There was something odd in Makai earlier today, but it vanished soon after you left for Genkai's." He looked at Botan next. "Although we have no idea what happened to Neko B here, it's best you stay with the detectives for now, It's safer." She nodded as he picked up a communicator.
xxXxx
Genkai's Temple
For once, it was silent. What Genkai loved most of all. Ever since Yusuke first became the detective her life has been nothing but hectic. Now, with the new detectives, things became even more out of hand. Now, silence. She would have been asleep if it weren't for the communicator Koenma had given her not too long ago. It was giving off sound and she groaned in response.
"Hello?" She croaked tiredly, rubbing her eyes. "Koenma, do you realize how late it is?" She knew it had to be somewhat serious if he was calling at this time.
"Yes, I'm sorry for waking you, Genkai. But you don't happen to have room for two more people, do you?" At his question Genkai sighed.
"It depends on who it is."
"It's Botan and Neko B. Something strange has happened and I wanted the two of them to stay at yours for a while."
"Yes, those two won't cause any troube, fine. But what, should I ask, happened that should have your attention?" She heard Koenma sigh on the other end.
"You'll see."
She was surprised, to say the least. Neko B had grown since she last saw him. Everyone else had woken up thanks to her and they were just as surprised, except for Touya. He was wondering when he would transform into his demon form. Cat or no cat, he was still a demon. Neko B looked slightly nervous at all the stares he was getting. Weird, it's as if his personality had done a complete 180. Before he was not afraid to speak his mind, but now he's just nervous for being stared at.
"Um, hey guys. Like the new look?" He asked nervously. Rinku laughed at what he said, Jin giggling along with him. The others sweatdropped.
"Well, you're not as annoying as you once were." Suzuka said truthfully.
'Props for being honest.' Botan thought. At least now she won't be expecting him to appear on her shoulder so suddenly. Although, she doubt he would be doing it with his new personality, anyway.
"Yes, it is quite the predicament, isn't it?" Genkai spoke up. She was sitting cross-legged at the table in the middle of the room, sipping her late-night tea. She needed to be as awake as possible to deal with all this mess.
"What am I going to do now?! I wanna go back to being an adorable cat and to be pet on the head! I want to eat all of the fish I want! I want to nap all I want with no worries! Is that so much to ask?!" He wailed, unfortuneately, he wasn't finished. "But I can't do that now! No one will find it cute, just weird and maybe a little creepy!"
Shishiwakamaru had had enough. He went up to him and hit him on the head. "Would you shut up? You're giving me a headache! Like we don't have enough to worry about!" Suzuka pulled the angered Tengu back and shook his head.
"I agree that he's being annoying but hitting him won't do any good." Neko B nodded his head.
"Yeah, in fact, it'll only do the complete opposite!"
"I-I wouldn't say that..." Botan mumbled, mostly to herself.
"Now that that fiasco is over, we should give you a propa' name!" Jin said. "How about, Shiro?"
"Oh no, not this again..." Neko B grumbled. Last time they did this, he felt like these guys were trying to offend him. Except for Botan off course. "No, I already have a name I want to go by as."
"Yawn. Then spill it out." Chu yawned. He was too tired for this, as was everyone. Touya's eyes were beginning to close. He rubbed his eyes a little, it didn't help much. It made him want to rub more, and that was never a good sign.
"Fine! I want to be called Roxas! I feel that that's the name I should go by!" He shouted. He calmed down and looked down at his sandal clad feet. "I-I still don't remember my past, and that's the only clue I have." He then smiled at Botan. "Well, other than you of course, but you don't remember either, huh?" Botan shook her head.
"I don't understand at all. I never had a past like you did. I was created by Lord Enma himself." Jin looked taken aback. He hovered in the air.
"Really? I never knew he could do something like tha'."
"Mm-hm. He was running low on ferrygirls at the time. So, he created me and a few others. That's what Koenma-sama told me at least." She looked sad when she uttered those words. She so wanted to have a past. Something to reflect back on. She felt lonely, even Ayame had a life before she died and became a ferrygirl. It wasn't fair. But, she was also grateful to Enma for giving her life.
"Hm, a lot has surely happened. Why don't we talk more about it in the morning? No amount of tea will keep me awake for this." Genkai suggested. Everyone agreed and went to their respectable rooms saying goodnight in the process. All who were left were Botan, Genkai and Roxas. Genkai lead the way to their rooms.
"You two will be down in this corridor, your rooms are also opposite. The other's rooms are down a different corridor so you won't hear them lot snoring." Botan giggled at that.
"I can imagine." Roxas grinned.
"Yeah, you didn't hear them in that shack?" She shook her head.
"I was already out like a light before we went back, luckily." They turned towards Genkai when she coughed to get their attention.
"My room is a little further down." She smiled at the two of them then. "I hope you two have a good sleep, I'll see you in the morning." At that, Genkai vanished down the corridor, hoping to get a good night's sleep. Botan was about to go into her room when Roxas put a hand on her shoulder. She turned, giving him a questioning glance.
"I-I just wanted to say goodnight. Was all..." He said that last bit more quietly.
"Oh, how rude of me, I'm sorry Roxas! Yes, goodnight." She said rather quickly. 'How embarrassing! And it was totally rude too.' She was blushing quite a lot. Roxas grinned down at her.
"It's fine. I'll be seeing you then!" He waved goodnight and went into his room. She stood out there a few moments longer, trying to figure out what had just happened that night. She shrugged and let out a huge yawn.
"I'm so tired! Maybe a good night's sleep will be good for me, afterall."
xxXxx
Makai
A head of deep blue hair jumped from tree to tree. It was pitch black and there was no noise other than the sound of the mysterious person's feet hitting treebranch after treebranch. He abruptly stopped and looked around himself. "Is this the place?" He asked himself. There was a huge crumpled Temple in the middle of practically nowhere. Vines and such were growing through the walls and bricks were crumbling, even as he stood there.
"Yes, off course. Tsukasa has aready done her part, now, do yours." Spoke a demom from behind the blunette. The boy eyed the newcomer but had a questioning look. "Speak, Shouju. I know you have a question for me."
"Shiro, who or what, is buried in there? Why is it so important that we wake them up?" Shiro let out a chuckle.
"Ha ha, such a naive and innocent question. Don't you know anything?" Shouju growled but let the older demon talk. "Ever heard of the legendary feline gang? They were the most infamous bandits of their time. Well, other than Youko Kurama of course. But anyway, there were only six of them but were very deadly. Their leader was a female cat demon named Shizuye. She was a beauty, I saw her once myself."
"H-how, did they, die?"
"They got cocky and got caught and tortured in Reikai. The end!" Shouju sweat dropped at the abrupt ending.
'That can't be all.' He shook his head and looked at the Temple once again. "So they're all buried here, yes?"
"Well, most of them. Shizuye and her most trusted sub-ordinate are elsewhere. Kuronue's on his way there as we speak." When that was said, Shouju sprung up and jumped into the Temple. He kept running and dodged all of the booby-traps.
"This place is so secure. But why? Why does Lord Miki want these bodies so badly?" He stopped in front of a huge pair of double doors. "This must be it." He took a closer look at the rather intricate design and rubbed some of the dust from it. "He never did say what I should do once I'm there, hm." He was a smart youkai and he knew he could figure this out. Once he took his finger off of the door the design started to glow and the doors opened. He blinked, confused.
"That's all it took? Geeze, too easy!" He sauntered in and the doors closed quickly and loudly behind him. He cursed under his breathe but wasn't too worried. He eyed four tombstones that were in the centre of the room and stood in the middle of them. The same design that was on the door was underneathe his feet. "Hm, I wonder if I do the same thing, only with my feet?" He shrugged and tried it anyway. It worked. Shouju was irritated that it was too easy to figure out.
The ground shook and the four tombs opened. Four glowing spheres, that were green, brown, purple and blue rose up. He looked into the tomb that held the green sphere and saw the skeletal corpse of a rather large cat youkai. The tomb had the name Shuukei. The one with the brown sphere had Zenbu written on it as it says Sheeba on the purple and Akiko on the blue. "So, these are the names of the other four, huh?" He grabbed the green sphere first. It simply felt like air was floating about, no substance at all. "So, this is what a soul looks like. I bet these are what Lord Miki wants." He grabbed the remaining three and sprung back to the door.
"So, if I put my finger here..." He did the same thing as he did to get in. Off course, it worked. He smiled this time, thankful for the easy puzzle. Shiro clapped his hands in excitement upon seeing his comrade with the souls.
"Ah! I knew you'd be able to do it! Lord Miki was right to recruit you." Shouju grimaced, but handed the souls to Shiro's outstretched hand.
"What now? Why do you need the souls?"
"It's simple really. We're going to revive the Feline Gang. Then they'll join our forces. We'll be unstoppable. It's so easy, the souls are the only ingredients we need to revive a person, off course, you can't do it without the right spell either, I suppose." The two youkai fled the Temple, deeper into the depths of the forest.
xxXxx
Genkai's Temple
Loud sounds could be heard and Botan groaned. She slept rather well but it still felt rather early. Who would be up at this time? On the contrary, it was bright outside so it wasn't as bad as she had first thought. She tied the dressing gown Genkai had given her and she stepped outside. The birds were singing a nice tune, so that was pleasant. What wasn't pleasant, however, was a very angry imp chasing a now humanoid Neko B, or Roxas.
"Wh-what on earth happened?" She squeaked. Actually, hasn't she seen a scene like this before? Suzuka walked up beside her and shook his head.
"It would appear that Roxas had sleepwalked into our room. Let's just say that Shishi opened his eyes at the wrong time." Botan blinked then looked at the two once again.
"O-oh." She simply said.
"G'mornin, Botan-chan!" Jin yelled as he enveloped her in a hug. "Ain't it funny, seein' those two fight like tha'?" He laughed. Botan had to smile and agree. It was funny seeing their forms change and yet Shishiwakamaru was still the one chasing.
"I bet he's just restless because of the lack of missions lately. I have to admit it, i wouldn't mind a good fight right about now." Touya said. Jin chuckled while gently letting go of Botan.
"Ya! I totally agree! I need a fight me'self!" He crossed his legs while in mid-air and folded his arms. "Hm, if we did go on a mission, I wonder wha kind it would be?" By now, Shishiwakamaru had gave up his chase and joined them. Roxas was still cautious around him so he kept to the side.
"Good question. It could probably be in Makai. Remember, we know some of the faces of our enemies so we could be told to go on a searching mission." Suzuka stated after thinking about it for a long period of time. Firstly, there was that bat youkai that Shishiwakamaru had said he saw, then off course Shouju. There's the mind-controller too, but it would help immensely if they had a face and a name.
"It's likely, unless something unexpected comes up." Touya added. Botan grimaced at the serious air that was forming around them all. A lot has happened since they became detectives and so it was a little tiring being serious all the time. Speaking of events, she wondered how long it would be until she would have to tell Kurama about Kuronue. He thought his old partner had died, she wondered what his reaction would be if he found out. She was so deep in thought that she failed to realize Suzuka was right in her face. She shrieked and stood back in surprise.
"Hey, glad to see you back with us." He smiled and stood back also. She frowned then glared up at him.
"Why'd you do that?!" He grinned in response while shrugging.
"You were spacing out, I just wonder what you were thinking about?"
"Um, it was nothing! Don't be concerned, you guys already have enough on your plate!" The guys nodded hesitantly, not believing a single word she uttered. Shishiwakamaru growled in boredom. All they were doing was standing around and discussing bothersome things that had nothing to do with him. That was when Suzuka clapped his hands together.
"Ok guys, I have an idea to stop our boredom. How about we walk around Tokyo for a day? There's a Temple I heard that can actually grant wishes and so I would like to check it out. How does that sound to everyone?"
"But, all we see is a Temple everyday anyway! How boring!" Rinku complained from on top of Chu's shoulder. Suzuka grew a stretchmark.
"Then you can go somewhere else! I'm going to it!"
"Alright! I want to go to a park. Hey, Botan-san do you know of any parks? I heard they were fun, especially for kids!" Rinku asked excitedly. Botan smiled at the young demon and thought for a minute.
"Yes, there is quite a good one near where Yusuke goes to school. We could go there." Rinku nodded his head excitely.
"Yeeha, I can't wait! Let's go, let's go!"
"Wait Rinku, it's only 8 o'clock. Wait until we at least have breakfast." Chu reprimanded. Rinku held a frown but agreed. "The park ain't gonna disappear, so don't panic."
"Oh alright, I'll have breakfast. But let's have it now, okay?!" Rinku yelled as he ran into the temple almost bumping into Genkai on the way in. She looked behind at Rinku's back, heaving a deep sigh.
'That kid...' She then turned to the other occupants of her Temple. "Alright, time for breakfast."
Touya- Interesting, Chu finds love? And Rinku finally goes to a park. But who is she really? And what about his love for Koto, where did that disappear to? Find out next time Yu Yu Hakusho: Demon Detectives, True Love? Chu's heartbreak.
When I gained a new follower, I got more inspiration to do this chapter. Next is a filler of sorts and character development, of sorts. Hope you'll read anyway.