The plants of the vast grassland swayed back and forth in rhythm to the passing breeze. Amongst the scenery sat a young man. His hair was red, eyes a brilliant green, and a smile grew upon his face. Sitting beneath a great oak, he basked in the shade his arms resting by his side, legs crossed.
"Hello, Kurama." A blue haired girl flew over to the sitting person, riding what seemed to be an oar. Her legs dangled over the side and her bright pink kimono seemed to glow.
Kurama looked up from the horizon and smiled at the new comer. "Good to see you, Botan."
Botan's shoulders sank and she held to the oar. "I wish I could say the same but I am only visiting you here under serious manners. You see, Koenma sent me."
"I see." He nodded his head.
"Lord Koenma is sending you back to the Ningenkai. He said something about your time not being up and that you still had a few more tasks to complete, but...I really wasn't listening..." She blissfully stuck a hand behind her head and sweatdropped.
He smiled again, and with a small laugh bowed his head. "You see, Botan...the only problem with that is that...I am unsure of whether or not I wish to return. Should I not have a say in on this?" Kurama looked at the Guide to the Spirit World with sparkling eyes.
"But..." Botan stammered. "Why wouldn't you want to return back, to your home?"
"I don't know, Botan. It's just that there's this peacefulness to this place, something I couldn't feel down there. I actually feel safe for once. No cares, nothing to worry about..." The words poured out of his mouth although, his heart sank as he thought of Hiei. He had not been informed that the Youkai also died along with him and he continued to believe that Hiei was still down there.
"Oh...well I do hope you reconsider that, Kurama... There's a lot of people down there who are still counting on you... Like dear Shoiri Minamino..." She turned and began to fly away slowly.
The Youko's eyes widened and his heart sank with the mentioning of his human mother. He had just left, without telling her where he was going. She never knew the truth, although...it was probably better that way. Stumbling to his feet, Kurama looked at the oar's girl. "Botan, wait! ...I will go back."
Botan smiled. "Thank you, Kurama... Just go and find Koenma, and he'll straighten everything out!" And with that, she flew off away from the grasslands.
Kurama placed a hand upon the tree's trunk he stood next to and sighed. "So, I'm going back..."
**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**
Flying through a dense forest, Botan had to be wary of the trees that covered almost every square inch of the environment.
"Where could he have gotten himself to? He's only been here for less than a day, and he already has me lost."
"Hn. Looking for me?" Hiei appeared behind Botan, his arms crossed and a frown planted upon his face.
"Irk!" Botan froze, not expecting this sudden response and spun around to face Hiei. Her voice squeaked, "Heey! I just came to tell you...that you need to head back down the Ningenkai!" It was all Botan could do but to keep herself from fainting on the spot.
"Whatever..." He didn't mind returning or not. All he knew was that he let Kurama down, and he could never forgive himself.
"Alright then! I'll send you down myself, you'll have
to explain things to the others, Yukina got quite a shock last night..."
Hiei's eyes narrowed as Yukina's name was mentioned and only grunted.
Waving her hand in a circular motion, a small hole appeared. It was a swirl of silver and black waves of light and Hiei calmly walked in.
**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**
Yukina collapsed beside the two bodies and sat in the pool of blood, oblivious to it. She quivered all over and tears fell from her eyes freely, turning into the gems that the Koorimes were so famous for.
Earlier, Kuwabara had also found out what happened and ran around the town searching for Yusuke. He'd want to know.
Placing a light hand upon her brother's cheek, Yukina continued to sob quietly.
**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**
Kurama walked through the grass looking for Koenma's office castle. It was good to be back in Spirit World, though it was sad he would be leaving it so soon.
"Oi, Kurama." The familiar voice brushed past Kurama's ears, and his smile grew.
"Kuronue." Yes, finally...he'd be able to speak with the real Kuronue. His old friend. He truly was happy up here, everything was almost perfect.
