Rose
The sun began to set behind the horizon, shifting its position to its sister, the moon. At Genkai's temple, Botan kicked off her shoes and slid open the wooden door, racing to the kitchen to make tea for her guests.
Yukina appeared from out of her room, and seeing all her friends, immediately greeted them, inquiring about their arrival, to which she received a short answer, or rather, none of them really knew what was going on.
Kurama looked outside one more time before closing the door, smiling to himself. He could sense Hiei was outside and obviously was curious.
He was always curious.
But so was everyone else.
The rest of the gang greeted Genkai politely, taking their seats in her temple, where they would talk. Hiei silently landed on the patio, his feet almost making no sound upon the floorboards as he positioned himself on the wall.
Botan came back soon enough, with a tray of cups filled with green tea, smiling with pride. As each cup was taken, she, too, took her seat, all eyes laid upon her in suspense, making her squirm in her seat.
Composing herself, she looked towards the ice apparition and the Reikai master.
"I'm supposing I should start from the top with everything I know for a recap, ne?" The two nodded in agreement.
"Back in the Spirit World, Koenma-sama states that I'm being followed by a familiar yet dangerous demon. No source has been traced back to the demon and we don't even know what he looks like or his name! But we do know that his objective lays dormant with me so in order to protect me, Koenma-sama gave me a human form and told me to stay here, living a normal life. Before he left, he gave me this," Botan said, taking off her locket and laying it in front of her.
"What is it?" Yukina inquired quietly.
"Koenma-sama said it was my mother's. He also thinks that this demon is looking for revenge upon my mother."
The room fell silent, the trees rusting softly outside. Genkai, who was in deep thought, looked up expectantly at the young deity.
"Who was your mother?" the Spirit Wave Master asked.
"My mother was a powerful goddess, the goddess of fate and life. She decided who lived and who died and protected Reikai from evil. Her power source was this locket, and only she knew how the read its riddle and knew how to solve it. My mother was also known as The Ivory Iris, Sakura, which was taken from her transformation with the iris and the rose. You see, even though I don't know how to read the locket's inscriptions, I had seen my mother use the locket's power in combat." Botan stopped, almost afraid to continue.
"I've seen it only twice but those two times were enough..."
FLASHBACK
A young deity with pale, pink hair stood next to two young men, arguing passionately, her eyes ablaze with disagreement and horror.
"You can't do this! Everyone will suffer! All demons, all spirits, all gods, and all humans will share the same pain! Please reconsider!" Sakura pleaded her voice almost cracking.
Five-year old Botan stood behind a door, hidden from the three adults, watching with wide eyes at the scene, afraid to make a single sound.
"I'm sorry, Sakura, we can't do anything about it. It's for the better. Even if everyone feels pain, there is the chance of hope!" Enma-sama argued softly.
Sakura drew back, surprised at the comment.
"How can there be hope and a better chance if so much blood will be taken and lives lost in this war?" Sakura screamed.
Botan almost cowered; her mother was a goddess but she hated war and always tried to avoid it.
Another young man stood up from his seat; his hair was short and black and even though his eyes were black, the shone with vigor and pride.
"There must be another way, Enma. Think about the consequences. Thousand will die and millions will suffer." He said.
Enma shook his head. "No, I'm sorry, but think Sora, if we do avoid war, billions will die, more than if we take up the cry of war."
Sakura bowed her head, her long bangs covering her emerald mournful eyes. Sora approached his wife's side, trying to comfort her as best as he could.
But he could do nothing to fill the pain in her soul.
Sakura looked up again, with a disappointed expression. "Sora and I will join the fight and lead it; we will stop the rebellion."
Enma bowed in thanks. "We will need all the help we can get. Please consider bringing Kyouji and Botan."
Sakura and Sora didn't say a word as Enma left. In fury, Sakura powered up, her locket glowing; her hair tinted blue and her aura glowing gold. With a swift movement, she created an energy ball in her left hand and shot it carelessly into the air, crushing the front door.
As Sakura collapsed in tears, with Sora by her side, Botan ran back to her room, her faced streamed with tears.
War was about to commence and she was going to be part of it.
END
"That was the first time I saw mother use her powers. It was also during the war where I saw her use her full power."
"War? What war?" Kuwabara voiced.
"You've probably never knew of it. King Enma purposely erased all human memories of it so it was not exposed in the Human World. But all of Reikai and all of Demon World know of it." Botan informed them.
FLASHBACK
It had been seven long years; the time Enma had postponed the war until he could no long control the enemy forces. They had become too chaotic to hold back.
Botan had grown into a mature young lady and had prepared for this day every minute of her life as soon as she heard the news.
Minute by minute and hour by hour, she trained with hard determination, knowing she would become important in the fight.
Kyouji, her brother, was six years older, and had much more experience with Sora in fighting than his little sister.
But Botan wouldn't give up; she would become strong. Even if she died, she would die trying, and would die fighting beside her family.
And now it was time...
It was time to fight for victory in the greatest battle of all...
That was good, ne?
I left you on a good cliffhanger and I'll expand on Botan's past and situation soon!
Don't worry. I'll post soon!
Ja!