AN: Heh, this is something for the holiday that just came past. Yeah,
I know that this chapter is really late, but that's all right! At least
it's another addition to the story! Now I have to work on the next chapter
soon (and work on the next chapter of "What He Said, She Said")! I think
this is the longest chapter I've written yet (even longer than "One
Survivor, Sacred Jewel of Four Souls")!
Anichan: Thank you for reviewing and your ecstatic review. Hope you continue reading and give me helpful pointers.
JD Fielding: ::bows:: Thank you so much for continuing to read my story. And thank you so much more for enjoying it.
I'm satisfied to read that you liked the background information about the Five Villages and the Sacred Jewel history. While I was writing that part, I thought I got a little carried away with it because I enjoyed writing it so much! (I like writing explanations more than I like action, I guess.)
Each and every Kurama/Botan interaction scene took me at least thirty minutes each to write because I was trying to be rather particular with the scenes! I had them all planned out in my head, but I just could not write them out!
And about Soijiro, heh, you are just going to have to read bits and pieces of him to find out his identity. But, of course, his role will be revealed eventually in a chapter!
Sarah: Thank you for saying this is cute. =^_^= I appreciate cuteness! And thank you so much for loving this story! I hope that you enjoy this chapter!
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"This is speech."
'This is thought.'
//This is Youko or flashback.//
Special: All Hallows Eve
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The sky was ablaze, fire overcoming the city's skyline. Golden rays danced into orange hues, which then merged with crimson streaks; the heavens were on fire. Enjoying the wondrous sight of a Japanese sunset, four women were sitting peacefully on an apartment balcony.
"What a beautiful sky," Botan sighed dreamily as she snuggled deeper into the yellow woolen sweater Soijiro had bought for her (they have only been on three dates so far and already was the college boy getting serious). "I wish I could still fly, because then I would be soaring through it right about now."
"Yes, a sunset like this is rarely seen in Maikai," Yukina whispered, seated beside Botan.
"What should we do for Halloween tomorrow night?" Keiko thought out loud, placing her chin in her hand. She idly lifted her teacup with her other hand and drank from it.
"Well, I'm free for the night," Botan sighed a little down-heartedly. "Soijiro's family called him back home for all of tomorrow, so our date for that day is gone."
Shizuru smirked cunningly as she leaned back in her seat, her arms folded across her chest and her feet up against the rail. 'And I thought Botan felt an attraction towards Kurama. Heh, I guess I was wrong.' "Don't be so depressed about the date, Botan," the elder Kuwabara teased. "Besides, you're probably doing Kurama a favor by canceling the date; he's been getting a little paranoid about the time you spend with this Hatsume person."
"What do you mean by that, Shizuru?" Botan questioned.
As the brunette was about to reply, Keiko gave Shizuru a quick nudge with her elbow. 'Oh, ruin my fun,' Shizuru groaned. She quickly changed the subject. "Maybe we could tell fortunes or something and get some money for the holiday; with Little Bro and my sixth sense, with a little help from Botan and everyone else of course, we could actually cash in for Halloween."
Keiko sighed, "Shizuru, you're such a money person!" Botan giggled as Yukina stared at the three ladies, slightly confused. The four girls were currently at the Urameshi residence and were enjoying a cup of tea along with the view and deciding what to do on the upcoming holiday.
"What is Halloween?" Yukina asked curiously, still naïve to the Human World's customs. Botan smiled at Hiei's twin sister.
"Oh, you're just going to love it, Yukina! It's a human holiday where humans dress up as demons, ghosts, witches, and famous people--whatever they want! And then they go about each other's homes and get free candy!" Botan explained as she was practically jumping out of her seat.
"Dress up as demons?" Yukina wondered innocently. "Why would humans want to dress up as demons? I thought many of them feared and hated us."
"Well, a few humans who do know about demons don't look eye to eye with them, but that's not the point, Yukina. Halloween is supposed to be a scary holiday, so some people want to look scary," Keiko added. "To Yusuke and Kazuma, it's a day to goof off, but I think Halloween is a little more important than that; at least, that's what I've read about the States."
Botan nodded with Keiko. "You're exactly right, Keiko, there is a little more to Halloween. It's one of few selected days where the World of the Dead, or Spirit World, is closest to the World of the Living; on Halloween, the harmonics to both Worlds seem to synchronize almost perfectly. It's usually on one of these days that Lord Koenma allows well- behaved souls to come to the Human World and see their loved ones. We have a few ghost days here in Japan," Botan explained. "However, All Hallows Eve, the original name for Halloween, is the only day where souls that were unable to come to the Spirit World are given a second chance. Not a lot of souls have had bad reports in the past three years, so I think Lord Koenma might have quite a few souls checked out for a day. I also hope that we have even more check in at the end of the day."
"I knew it," Shizuru chuckled. "Finally someone tells me the reason for that day. There always seemed to be more spirits flying around these ghost days. Sometimes the wandering spirits got on my nerves, especially when the ghosts found out that I could see and hear them."
Botan clapped her hands excitedly. "And when Halloween comes around, the workers at Spirit World get a day off too, and some of us come to take part in the festivities. Maybe Hinageshi will come by to visit if she's not too busy at the Spirit World Party. Oh, I love this holiday so much!"
"You do?" Keiko asked.
"Yup!" Botan nodded ecstatically. "I've been part of Halloween for about two hundred years now; it's one of my most favorite holidays!"
"Hm, but can we say the same about Kurama?"
The room grew silent, and all heads right then turned to Shizuru. "What do you mean by that?" Botan demanded with a slight pout.
"Well, if you haven't noticed lately, Botan, he's been working you to the ground," Shizuru muttered. "For nearly every day now he's been dragging you back to Maikai to hunt down those Sacred Jewel shards. What makes you think that Halloween day is going to be any different? You barely have enough time to go out on dates with your new boyfriend. Maybe Kurama is even going to make you go back to Maikai today."
Botan reminisced about the last few weeks she had been training and searching for Sacred Jewel shards with Kurama and the other Spirit Detectives.
//"Can we stop now, Kurama, please? My legs are gone."//
//Youko Kurama landed delicately on his toes and turned to stare with disapproval in his golden eyes. "Botan, we have not even made it over this mountain and yet you are already tired?"//
//Botan's face twitched in agitation; she was staring at Satan, she was sure of it. "What do you mean by 'we have not even made it over this mountain'? Kurama, we've gone over three already!"//
//"And your point?" Kurama demanded a little coolly. "We need to reach this mountain's peak by sundown so the demon with the Sacred Jewel shard will be trapped between the five of us." The other three mountains earlier mentioned were the mountains Kazuma, Yusuke, and Hiei (in that order) were left behind.//
//"I'm tired--I have nothing left--I'm spent--I need a break, Kurama! Please?!" Botan begged. "Just for a little while at least?" Kurama sighed.//
//"Fine, you have five minutes, Botan."//
//"Thank you, Kurama!" Botan laughed as she gave Kurama a hug; her heart felt absolutely grateful to the human side of Kurama. She knew that it was Syuuichi who had convinced Youko for her moment of rest. The fox looked away, slightly blushing from Botan's gratitude.//
//"But we're going to go even faster once you've rested," Kurama put in quickly.//
"Kurama cannot be that heartless," Yukina giggled good-naturedly. "I believe he'll grant Botan this one night of fun. Besides, since ghosts will be all about the Human World, Botan can excuse herself to be a priestess here in the Human World for a night."
"Yeah! You are a genius! And you gave me a wonderful idea for a costume, Yukina!" Botan laughed as she pulled up the ice maiden with her. "Come on, and I have just the perfect idea for your costume too!"
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Halloween Night had arrived, and everyone had decided to meet at Genkai's temple before the festivities; the Spirit Detectives and company had decided to go out and trick-or-treat and perhaps afterwards just live the night away. The girls were to arrive at about five while the boys about four forty-five in the afternoon.
"Man, I don't see why we have to be here earlier," Yusuke grumbled as he kicked a stone across the temple's courtyard. He was dressed in a white t-shirt with a jean jacket and pants; Urameshi found it a little pointless to dress up for Halloween. The Detective looked at his watch in distaste; the time was five fifteen. "If the girls are going to be late, then what was the whole entire point for us to come early?"
"Urameshi, shut up. If the girls tell us to be here at a certain time, we should obediently listen and be here," Kazuma reprimanded, frowning at Yusuke's complaining.
Yusuke's fist twitched as he itched to punch his friend in the face; however, at the same time, Yusuke was fighting the urge to laugh at Kazuma in his face. Getting into the holiday, Kazuma had dressed in a kitty costume, designed after his much loved cat, Eikichi. "Kuwabara, you're only here on time because Yukina promised to be here." At the mention of the ice maiden, Kazuma went into a rosy haze.
"Ah, Yukina," Kazuma mumbled dreamily. "Just the sound of the name expresses your endless beauty."
"I don't know about the three of you, but I'm only here because I have nothing better to do," Hiei snorted, separated from Yusuke, Kazuma, and Kurama. He had barely caught himself in time from jumping Kazuma after his Yukina comment; Hiei swore he would kill the carrot top one day.
Kurama smirked at Hiei's complaint; the fox knew better than what his friend was letting on. "Or," Kurama questioned slyly, "are you here because Mukuro kicked you out of her castle today?" The little fire demon blushed at the mention of the demon lady.
"Shut up, Kurama, or else."
At the "pleasant" request, Kurama complied and held his tongue; he, of course, knew the real reason Hiei was in the Human World today was because Yukina had invited him for the group's little outing. And, obviously, Hiei could not turn down his twin sister and had agreed to be present at the escapade (somewhat to his regret). "Hn, as soon as this is over, I going," Hiei muttered to himself. He then gave a cold glare to Kurama. "No respectful demon would make his self do this; I would have never thought you could stoop so low, Kurama."
"What is wrong?" Kurama wondered.
"You look absolutely ridiculous."
Kurama examined his dress. He was wearing loose white robes and slippers, the outfit identical to what Youko would have worn five hundred years ago. Kurama had even made a white fox tail and ears to match his theme. "I do not see a problem," Kurama remarked as he grinned at Hiei.
"If you're going to dress up as Youko, why not just be him?" Hiei murmured.
"Because I am forbidden to transform unless I am in a battle or in Maikai. This is how Koenma has ruled," Kurama replied a matter-of-factly. "Unlike you, Hiei, my demonic form is a little more conspicuous than your own; the young prince believes that Youko would attract too much attention in the Human World."
"Are you guys fighting?" a feminine voice suddenly cut in from behind.
"What do you expect from these guys? They're never going to change, you know that," a deeper woman's voice sighed.
"Oh, I hope the four of you aren't arguing about something serious."
Yusuke, Hiei, Kazuma, and Kurama, turning around to face the arrivers, blinked at the sight they were presented. The girls' costumes were--
'Oh my God!' Yusuke's eyes grew wide.
'I can't believe her!' Kazuma looked carrot dyed red.
'Hn.'
'Creative vixens,' Kurama chuckled bemusedly.
Keiko, her brown hair slicked back with half-a-bottle of gel, winked at her boyfriend, "What do you think Yusuke? Do I look close enough to the junior-high-school you?" The high school student was wearing a green junior high uniform and put up a gunning pose. "Spirit Gun!"
The twitch in Yusuke's brow was noticeable.
"What do you think you're doing, Sis?!" Kazuma demanded from Shizuru.
Shizuru was standing beside Keiko with her hand on her hip. The older Kuwabara was dressed in a blue uniform and her brown hair was gelled and fashioned as a mullet; the mullet had a similarity to Kazuma's carrot top. "What do you think, dummy? I'm going off to scare little kids," Shizuru smartly replied, making everyone but Kazuma laugh.
"I think Halloween is fun holiday to celebrate," Yukina giggled as she twirled in her borrowed black cloak. A white scarf around her neck nearly muffled her voice. "I always wondered why Hiei liked to wear this all of time; and now I see the reason why. It's so comfortable!" Yukina smiled cheerily at Hiei as she tied a white band across her forehead.
Hiei, who was currently NOT wearing his black cloak, glared at Yusuke and Kurama. "Damn you--Which one of you two got that out of my room?!" The fire demon had been looking all day for his cloak, but could not find it; therefore, Hiei had to settle wearing one of his more colorful outfits, like the blue Chinese style tunic he had. And since only Yusuke and Kurama knew exactly where he stayed in Maikai, Hiei was set on torturing the one who had pilfered his favorite cloak.
Botan, smiling slyly and just arriving to join the group, raised her hand in guilt. "Actually, Hiei, I'm the one who got that from Mukuro. I went to Maikai yesterday and today to ask her myself if we could borrow your cloak for the day."
"You what?!" Hiei hollered, a vein in his head bulging.
"Well," Botan laughed nervously, edging behind Kurama for safety, "Yukina did want to be you for Halloween, and I was in the neighborhood anyways, so I thought why not? Besides, Mukuro didn't have any arguments when I told her reason."
"Who the hell cares about this damn human holiday?" Hiei snorted. However, as angry as Hiei was, he could not remain infuriated when he laid eyes on Yukina. "I guess for only today it'll be all right, but--" Hiei glared at Botan. "You do this again, woman, and I'll cut your throat, Sacred Jewel or no Sacred Jewel; I don't care if you're the only one who can control that damn crystal."
Shizuru and Yusuke chuckled as they realized Hiei was not placing any blame upon Yukina; their fiery tempered friend had more than one way to show his brotherly nature, slightly surprising to say.
"Why were you in Maikai? I thought you didn't want to search for Sacred Jewel shards today? And why are you just arriving, Botan?" Kurama wondered, turning to face Botan. His eyes grew wide when he saw how she was dressed. "Botan, why are you--"
'//Barako--// No, Botan.'
"Well, I had to go to Maikai to get these clothes from Mimiru. I thought it would make a nice costume," Botan answered, looking down at her outfit. She was dressed in the ceremonial priestess dress: a plain white top with a red bottom, and a red braided cord hanging on her neck to mark her priesthood.
"Take that off, Botan," Kurama slightly snapped when he recovered from the initial shock of the sight. '//Damn, what does she think she is doing, wearing that? The nerve of this woman!// Youko, calm down before--'
"Whoa, Kurama, get a room if you two want to do that," Yusuke teased, only to receive a slap from Keiko. "Ow! What was that for, Keiko?" Urameshi whined as he rubbed his sudden swelling cheek.
Kurama ignored Yusuke entirely and grabbed Botan by her arm to speak with her privately. The two walked off a little into the Dark Forest. "Kurama, we shouldn't go in here, there are a lot of spirits and--"
Without a hint of emotion, Kurama flared his Demon Energy to a great level, frightening off any evil sprites within the wood for a one-mile radius. Botan shivered at the immense display of energy; she was rather sure that the others could sense it from where they were. 'I guess he means business.' Botan cringed at the thought of a serious Kurama. 'He's always a little frightening when he's cold and serious.'
"What's wrong, Kurama?" Botan asked when the two were a distance away from the others. "You're not acting yourself right now! What's going on?"
The couple suddenly halted in a dark clearing. Botan nearly collided into Kurama's back, but she forced herself back; the last thing she wanted was unwanted contact between her and the angry fox. Botan and Kurama found themselves silent for a while before someone spoke. "I do not want you wearing that, Botan," Kurama said tonelessly.
"And why not?" Botan demanded. "Why can't I wear this? Why can't I wear what I want, Kurama?"
"Because you--" Kurama could not find his words in his mouth; he did not want to sound too harsh, but he wanted Botan to realize his frustration. '//Does she not understand your pain? Does she not understand the cruelty she is placing upon you?//'
"Is it because I look more like Barako when I wear this? Is that what this is about?"
Kurama turned his eyes away from Botan as he replied, "It is not like that, Botan. It is really not like that at all."
"I don't believe you, Kurama. You can't even look me and say that," Botan answered. Frowning, she crossed her arms irritably. She was silent for a moment before she said anything else. "Why can't you look at me as I am, Kurama? Why can't you see me as myself and not Barako? Am I as myself not my own person?"
"You will always be yourself, Botan," Kurama muttered in answer.
By the dead tone the demon was using, Botan could tell Kurama had forced himself to say that. "Kurama, tell me. Do you still love Barako so much that I am only her reincarnation? Am I just someone's replacement?"
Kurama had no answer for her.
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"Why did you decide to change, Botan?" Yusuke asked as Botan reemerged from the temple. Instead of the Japanese priestess dress from before, Botan was dressed in an elegant, crimson Chinese robes. "Your costume was just fine before."
Botan's face was flushed, and the atmosphere surrounding the girl was fuming. "Is something the matter, Botan?" Keiko pondered as she put a hand on Botan's shoulder.
"Are you feeling sick, Botan?" Yukina questioned.
Yusuke frowned. "Hey, Botan, now that you changed, who are you supposed to be now?"
Huffing indignantly, Botan pointed at Kurama and answered, "Ask that jerk over there!" And with that and a swoosh of her new dress, Botan stomped off into the city, her candy bag in tow.
The Detectives and girls slowly turned and stared at Kurama, their eyes slightly twitching. "What's wrong with Botan, Kurama?" Kazuma questioned in a low whisper. "She seems really mad."
"What gave you a clue, you ape?" Hiei quietly snapped.
Kurama made no reply to Kazuma's inquiry, the fox unresponsively staring at the ground; he appeared to be pained and ashamed simultaneously. 'Something big happened in there,' Hiei muttered thoughtfully. 'What did the fox say to that girl now? Probably mentioned that Barako woman again.'
"Damn, she's never gotten this mad at me," Yusuke whistled. "And I've done some pretty dumb things to Botan that would get any sane person mad. You must have done something really uncalled for to get her like that, Kurama. You should probably go apologize."
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"Kuwabara, would you get off of me! You're embarrassing everyone!" Yusuke growled as Kazuma grabbed his arm for the fifth time. "You're such a woos!"
Keiko giggled, "Kuwabara, you're taking my spot!"
"Damn it, Urameshi, I'm getting the tickle feeling from everywhere," Kazuma shivered, the fur on his costume rippling with his tremors. "I don't think we should have gone out tonight."
"Hn, pathetic human," Hiei muttered as he strolled with his companions through the city's sidewalks. 'He can't even stand up to a few petty ghosts. It's a wonder how he survived the Dark Tournament.'
"Shut up, shorty!" Kazuma yelled. "I heard that!"
"What's wrong with Kazuma, Shizuru?" Yukina wondered as she looked up to Shizuru. "Is he feeling ill? Should I try healing him?"
The elder Kuwabara shook her head and replied, "Don't worry about it, Yukina. He's just suffering from the continuous sensations the ghosts nearby are giving him. He's always been like this on Halloween or any other ghost day. I would have expected him by now to learn to ignore them. Feh, what a baby."
"Sh-Shut up!" Kazuma whined as he precariously examined his surroundings and continued to walk with the party. "It's not my fault I always get the tickle feeling when ghosts are around."
"But," Shizuru growled irritably, "it is your fault that you can't see them or didn't learn how to ignore their presence! I can't believe you're my little brother. I can't believe I'm supposed to be you tonight. Ugh, how embarrassing."
"Um," Yukina quietly whispered, the ice maiden slightly wrapping Hiei's cloak around her, "where did Botan go? Wasn't she with us earlier?"
The party stopped, and everyone looked around. "Where did she run off to?" Yusuke wondered.
Hiei looked quickly around with his Jagan Eye (it was Halloween, so the other humans do not know the difference). "Well, the woman is nowhere near here to us. Her Spirit Energy marker is nearly undetectable from here."
Kurama frowned at the sudden predicament. 'She must have wandered off alone when no one was paying attention. She must be still angry with you for earlier, Youko. And I would not blame Botan, either. You lost your temper.'
'//Try keeping a calm disposition, Syuuichi, when she dresses as Maya one day.//'
'She did not mean anything by dressing as a priestess, Youko. She meant no disrespect to you or to Barako.'
'//She knows how much she resembles Barako!//'
'Is it her fault that she is Barako's reincarnation?!'
Yusuke sighed tiredly, "So how should we try finding her? Knowing Botan, she won't even know where she is herself."
"I will search in this direction," Kurama directed. "And we will meet at the Lunar Shrine in about two hours; it is about five minutes east from here."
The rest of the group nodded, split into groups: Yusuke and Keiko, Kazuma and--Shizuru (Shizuru automatically volunteered herself knowing that Hiei would probably kill her little brother), and Yukina and Hiei. After that, they began their search for Botan. Kurama ran off alone.
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"Oh, that Kurama!" Botan huffed as she tossed a rock into a stream. She was currently at a temple bridge, trying to relieve her stress by throwing pebbles into the water. Botan did not notice, but she had separated herself from the rest of the group. Botan glared at her moonlit reflection in the metallic-appearing rippling water.
"All because I look like Barako. It's not my fault that I'm her reincarnation. What am I supposed to do about how I naturally look? Argh, and this is my favorite holiday too," Botan sulked as she rested her head on the bridge's rail. "What happened to us, Kurama? We were just friends, but now--Now you act as if I'm a pain, someone or something you wish to forget."
About then, Botan noticed another reflection in the water: it was a young girl's face that appeared to be about the same age as Botan. The sky blue locked girl quickly turned around to face her company.
"Who--Who are you?" Botan inquired when the ghostly girl stared at her in wonder. The stranger was illuminated as if she were a child of the moon.
"You can see me?" the girl demanded lightly.
Botan nodded dumbly as she tried to catch her breath. There was a certain depressed aura surrounding this strange girl, and it was nearly overwhelming Botan in its wintriness. "Am I not supposed to?"
"Nowadays, I'm not sure anymore," the teenager muttered wistfully. She then pointed to a small stone maker a little ways from the bridge. "I've been waiting there for him for so long, it's hard to remember anything else but this place. You are the first person who has seen me for a long time. I don't remember another person who has been able to see me."
With pity and sadness, Botan recognized the symptoms of a wandering soul. 'Oh, poor girl. She hasn't been able to let go of this World to move on to the next. Well, I guess even if I'm not a ferry girl anymore, I can still help souls move on; it's my duty as a priestess.' "I understand how you must have felt. I know how it feels to be lonely and unseen; I remember those days when I was only able to watch people and wait for their souls to leave their bodies. But now, I'm a priestess. I'm supposed to see ghosts and restless spirits like you."
The ghost stared at Botan thoughtfully. "So? There are many other priests and priestess, but they have never spotted me. And what do you mean by 'ghosts and restless spirits like you'?"
"The other holy people must have thought you were a guardian spirit that did not want to be disturbed," Botan replied. "The way you pace about this bridge and that marker makes it look like you are protecting this place."
"Tell me your name, priestess," the ghost whispered.
"My name is Botan, Urameshi Botan."
"And my name is Elena, Hiroyuki Elena," the ghost replied with a kind, heartrending smile.
"Please, tell me, Elena," Botan pleaded. "Why are you so sad? What ties you to the Living World that leaves you unable to move on to the World of the Dead?"
Elena, her fair hair rippling behind her, looked at Botan through crystalline eyes. "I am waiting for someone, Miss Botan, someone who was supposed to meet me here long ago. I think he has forgotten, but I don't dare move from this spot. If I do, then he might come and miss me."
"What if I helped you find out what happened to your friend?" Botan offered, giving the ghost an encouraging smile. "What if you use me to help you find him? You could use my body to search the Living World with convenience."
"Would you do that for me?" Elena whispered in awe. "Would you do that for me, priestess?"
Botan nodded, "Yes, I would because it is my duty as a priestess to help uneasy souls as yourself. And besides, even if I weren't a priestess, I would have to help you anyway. I once was the Head Ferry Girl of the Spirit World."
"Ferry girl? Do you mean those escorts that were here earlier on oars?" Elena questioned.
"Yes, have you met them?" Elena looked away for a moment and frowned.
"They told me that he had gone and was waiting for me somewhere else, but I couldn't make myself believe them. I thought it was odd for them to say he was waiting for me someplace else."
"Well," Botan smiled, "that doesn't matter now. We must hurry before midnight, so let's hurry and find your friend, Elena. You shouldn't have to wait any more for your friend."
"No, I shouldn't," Elena muttered darkly as she went inside Botan. As Elena's soul entered Botan's body, flashes of images rushed through Botan's mind. An entirely new lifetime was accessing itself into Botan, and her mind could not maintain the sudden surge.
'Faces, all of these faces! Who are these people? Why does it hurt so much?' Botan gripped at her heart. People who Botan had never seen before began to pass through her vision. The first and constant image that appeared was an unfamiliar young man with unruly brown hair, blue eyes, and a continuous jovial expression; however, visions of people that seemed familiar began to take over suddenly. A young man with slicked back greenish-black hair, a tall one with carrot-orange hair, a girl with short brunette hair, and a young girl with icy sea-green hair were all flashing quickly through Botan's mind. A short man with black hair and a white starburst and a young, taller chocolate-haired boy then made their appearance before Botan. And at last, a young man with crimson locks and a gentle smile melted away into a vision of silver, a cold man with tender golden orbs and animalistic features.
"STOP IT!!!"
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"Botan?" Kurama turned around and realized that no one was behind him. There was only the darkness of the park around him. "What was that I just sensed? Someone in pain?" An uneasy sensation had just passed through Kurama, a feeling as if something was terribly wrong with a person close to him.
'Something must have happened to Botan. Can you sense it? You will have to hurry, Youko, and quickly locate her before it is too late.'
'//You will not be able to forgive yourself if something happens to her, Syuuichi.//'
'Are you sure it is not the other way around as well?'
Another voice then cut of Kurama's train of thought. "Elena! Elena, where are you? Elena!"
Kurama turned and spotted a young man a little off. He was a little bit shorter than Kurama and had dark brown hair instead of red. Even though there was poor lighting in the area, Kurama could easily see the young man had bright blue eyes, much like Soijiro. Kurama frowned at the remembrance of his colleague. As much as he liked Soijiro and enjoyed his friendship, Kurama could not stand the precious attention Botan was giving her "boyfriend".
'None of that, Youko. Botan deserves to have a life while she is human. You agreed to that after the entire incident of Botan's third day as human. Besides, Hatsume is a nice boy, and he would not ever hurt Botan.'
'//Feh, he better not, Syuuichi, or else he will have Hell to deal with. Hn, she should not be wasting all of her time on that Hatsume character. I do not even see what she sees in him.//'
After a groan of exasperation, the Spirit Detective ran up to the stranger. "Excuse me, have you seen a blue haired girl dressed in a Chinese costume anywhere near here?" Kurama questioned.
The young man abruptly froze in his place and stared at Kurama as if he had seen a ghost. "You--you can see me?!"
"Uh, yes, I can," Kurama muttered, slightly perturbed.
The stranger's eyes grew wider. "But how? You are not a man of the Dead. And aren't you cold?"
Kurama, after looking at his Youko costume, then realized what this person was. "So, I guess Koenma has already allowed the spirits loose for tonight; Kazuma's senses were correct. You must be one of the behaved spirits."
"How do you know about the Spirit World?" the young man inquired. "What are you?"
Staring at the boy impassively, Kurama replied, "I am a Spirit Detective commissioned by Koenma. My name is Kurama."
"Oh, yes, I've heard of you in Spirit World. I've heard that you are the smartest of the Spirit Detectives and part fox demon; that must be what you are for Halloween. I'm Ryudo." The boy offered his translucent hand at Kurama, which the Detective on stared at. Once Ryudo realized his simple mistake, he quickly withdrew his hand. Although he was just a ghost, Ryudo's cheeks were tinted with a blush.
"I'm sorry, Kurama. I forgot in the Human World I don't actually have a physical form."
"It is fine," Kurama coolly answered. "Well, I must be going now--"
"Wait!" Ryudo shouted out. "Didn't you say you were looking for someone, Kurama? Would you like some help?"
"No," Kurama replied, giving Ryudo a quickly glance. "It is all right. I can manage my problem on my own."
"But--"
Kurama sighed. "Is there something you would like me to do for you?"
The young man blushed again, feeling a little embarrassed; however, his will, his resolution was stronger. "Do--Do you think you can do me a favor, Kurama?" Ryudo sputtered hurriedly.
"Like?" the fox questioned cautiously.
"Do you think you can allow me to possess your body for this night?" Ryudo wondered.
'//Feh, he wishes. What kind of idiotic request is that?//'
"Why do you request such a thing?" Kurama pondered in answer.
The ghost gave Kurama a small, shy smile. "I've forgotten my way through the Living World, Kurama, and I need to reach someplace before midnight tonight. This year I promised myself that I would complete a task that I have been unable to complete all these other years. I need the help of a living man, Kurama," Ryudo explained.
'//The boy, even while dead, is delirious. Ignore him, Syuuichi. This just might be a ploy to find a body to possess and to gain life once again.//'
"What is this task you are trying to complete?"
Ryudo grinned. "I'm trying to find a girl, Elena, before midnight tonight, before everything is too late." He noticed Kurama's reluctant expression. "Kurama, I know it sounds farfetched, but after helping me, I'll be sure to help you in return."
'His reasons are honorable enough, and he did offer to help you in return.'
'//Syuuichi, you could find Botan WITHOUT his help. Besides, your compassion for human life will be the end of you!//'
"All right," Kurama agreed. "I'll help you and take your help in return."
.:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:.
"Hey, where do you think he could be?" Kazuma shivered as he looked around. The members of the group who had not gotten lost had regrouped at the Lunar Temple, just as Kurama had suggested; however, forty minutes had passed since the rendezvous, and Kurama had yet to show.
Yusuke shrugged carelessly. "What's to worry, Kuwabara? Kurama can take care of himself. Besides, he probably found Botan, and they're more likely having a little chat about this morning."
"Shouldn't we be heading home?" Keiko chattered. "It's getting late and colder." Seeing Keiko shiver, Yusuke quick took of his jacket and placed it on Keiko's shoulders. The brunette smiled at her boyfriend in thanks but a worried expression suddenly clouded her face.
"Don't worry about it, I'm fine," Yusuke answered before Keiko could ask. "And you're right, it's getting late. We should head back towards Genkai's."
"What should we do if Kurama comes by?" Yukina questioned.
"He'll probably figure it out," Shizuru assured as she blew smoke out of her mouth; waiting had aggrivated her and spurred her need for a cigarette. "Kurama's a smart boy."
Hiei jerked his head in one direction; something was amiss. "Go. I'll find Kurama and that girl," Hiei ordered as he disappeared into the night.
.:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:.
"Your past is quite intriguing, Kurama. Are all Spirit Detectives like you?" Ryudo questioned innocently as Kurama ran through the park.
'No, but they do have more or slightly less dramatic histories,' Kurama chuckled bemusedly. 'And MUCH more complicated, if I might add, than my own.'
"You don't mind if I look through your memories, do you, Kurama?" Ryudo laughed nervously, the lost soul feeling at little uncomfortable suddenly. "I wouldn't want to be looking through something that you would rather keep secret."
'It is all right, as long as they are not repeated anywhere,' Syuuichi calmly replied. 'After all, your memories are being read as well.'
'//No, it is NOT all right, Syuuichi! You, human boy, stay out of THESE memories,//' Youko spat back crossly.
Kurama's body suddenly halted in shock. Ryudo was frozen in fear. "Who--who is that, Kurama? Why are there three souls in this body? Are you harboring more ghosts in here?"
Syuuichi sighed in apology. 'Sorry, Ryudo, forgot to mention about the other half within this body. No, there are not three within this vessel, Ryudo, there are only two, you and Youko. It is only that Youko finds it difficult to follow his human compassion.'
'//Feh, human compassion. Where did that get you during the Dark Tournament, Syuuichi? Nowhere, only closer to death.//'
Ryudo, after looking through more of Kurama's memories, chuckled with amusement. "But according to your thoughts, Kurama, Death is not such a bad person to have gotten closer to. She's really cute."
'//BACK OFF!//' Youko snarled, causing Ryudo to retreat further in Kurama's subconscious.
'And who exactly are you searching for, Ryudo?' Syuuichi, quickly changing the subject, wondered as his body continued the search. 'Youko has been reading your thoughts, and he has not found the name of your friend.'
"I'm looking for--" Ryudo then came to a halt once more. The Detective found himself standing in front of a bridge, and on that bridge was a collapsed figure. "Who is that, Kurama? Looks like a girl in trouble."
'Botan!' Syuuichi exclaimed as he made his way to the unconscious girl. "Botan, are you all right?" Kurama gently shook the priestess, holding her delicately in his arms. "Come on, Botan, wake up." For some odd reason, Kurama noted, she was icy cold, almost as if she were--
"Uh--Kurama?" Botan opened her periwinkle eyes; there was a glazed look over them.
"Botan where have you been?" Kurama demanded. "Everyone is currently looking for you right now."
"You came," Botan whispered sadly, a tear forming in her eye. "You actually came after so long. I was waiting for you for so long. I was afraid that you were never going to come." She cupped Kurama's cheek in her freezing hand.
'//She is acting strangely, Syuuichi. Beware.//'
"Botan are you--"
'Kurama, watch out!' Ryudo's demands hastily kicked in to bodily commands, causing Kurama to barely miss the shot of Spirit Energy Botan had just released. A shiver ran down Kurama's spine when he saw a malicious glint in Botan's usual gentle eyes.
"What's wrong with her, Kurama? I thought your friend was against violence," Ryudo whimpered as Kurama continued dodging Botan's attacks. "Does this have something to do with what happened this morning and five hundred years ago, Kurama?"
'Botan does not hold grudges, not for long anyway. And she IS against violence,' Syuuichi replied. 'This person right now is not Botan, only her body. Another soul must have possessed Botan's body.'
"Can't you recognize me, Ryudo?" Botan suddenly snapped as she continued to attack. "For a soul like yourself, it can't have been that long for you not to recognize me." Ryudo gasped as Kurama had bits of his hair sliced away.
"E-Elena? Elena, is it you?"
'//Who is this Elena?//' Youko demanded with an annoyed tone.
'She must be the soul that has possession over Botan's body right now,' Syuuichi grumbled. 'Botan's own soul must be being suppressed right now. Its signal is rather weak.'
"Why do you sound so shocked, Ryudo? I would think you wouldn't be surprised that I'm still here, waiting for you," Elena screeched furiously, charging after Kurama. "After all, it was YOU who abandoned ME. You were the one who abandoned me here on this cold night five years ago."
"I-I didn't abandon, you, Elena!" Ryudo argued, gracefully dodging Botan's attack. "The same night you died, I died as well!"
"Lies!" Botan stretched out her arm and began forming Spirit Energy within her hand; the Energy took a sword-form. "You left me here to be murdered." Botan then took a fighting stance, one unfamiliar to Kurama.
"What?!" Ryudo could not believe what he was hearing.
"That's right, Ryudo, I was raped, murdered, and then abandoned by this bridge right here," Elena spat. A certain fury could be seen in Botan's eyes. She ran like wind and began her merciless strikes on Kurama.
At that exact moment, Hiei appeared at the scene. "Kurama there you-- What the hell are you doing, fox?!" the fire demon fumed. The Jagan was glowing a dangerous hue. "Damn it, we leave you and that girl alone for one hour, and the two of you get possessed by wandering spirits!"
"Hiei! Watch out for Botan!" Kurama warned as he continued to dodge the girl's attacks. He had brought out his Rose Whip now to help him defend his self.
"Do you have any idea how cold and lonely this world is without anyone at all, Ryudo?" Elena queried, Botan's face was so near to Kurama's. "Do you think you can understand the pain I've felt while waiting for you here?"
"I tried, Elena," Ryudo muttered through clenched teeth as Kurama tried to hold Botan's attack off. "I tried to get there on time, but my mother was dying and--"
Tears were cascading anew down Botan's pale cheeks. "More excuses for your failure!"
"I never meant to break my promise to you, Elena!" Ryudo shouted, tears rolling down Kurama's own cheeks. "I never wanted to lose you! I wanted nothing more in the world to have been able to be by your side. I wanted to stay here until I found you." Kurama was nearly overcome with Ryudo's sadness, understanding very well how the young man was feeling.
Hiei huffed as he read Ryudo and Kurama's thoughts. "Feh, this boy is in a worse emotional state than Kurama is. This isn't good; the boy is probably going to merge with Kurama if they continue their mental link like this. And if the ferry girl doesn't force that other girl out of her body-- "
The fire demon took a mental measurement of Botan. "Those two will probably merge soon if that ferry girl doesn't get her act together and kick that ghost out of body."
"How can you speak such lies to me, Ryudo?" Elena cried. "How can you do this to me even after all these years?!" Botan's swings were beginning to slow down; soon, Hiei would be able to safely disarm her or at least stun her.
About then, Botan's soul awoke and quickly absorbed current events from Elena's soul. 'Elena, it's pointless fight Ryudo because he's not lying, to you. Can't you see it? Can't you see the truth in his eyes, Elena?' Botan replied. 'Can't you see the pain in his eyes? Ryudo must feel terrible, feeling all of the guilt from his loved one's death.'
Elena read Botan's thoughts. 'What about Kurama, Botan? You and I are the same; they were wrong for denying us.'
'Denying us?'
'Did he not reject you this morning?'
"He did no such thing!" Botan yelled out. Kurama and Hiei let out small smiles, recognizing Botan's soul marker at last.
"For a second, I thought she was already gone," Hiei muttered in relief, his Jagan's glow slightly fading.
"Listen to me, Elena! Ryudo did not purposely leave you behind in this World. The day you died, he died as well trying to reach you. He desperately wanted to reach you, just as much you wanted to see him that night," Botan reasoned. "Stop this senseless fighting, Elena. Stop and please move on."
"NO!" Botan screamed in agony as her body was unexpectedly enveloped in a mass of Spirit Energy erupting from her. A demonic look cast over Botan's amethyst eyes. "I REFUSE TO FORGIVE HIM!"
"Botan!" Kurama and Hiei yelled out; the two demons fought the urge to run to the girl, knowing if they did they would be made useless if not killed. Kurama looked around the bridge area frantically.
"Hiei, search for something, ANYTHING!" Kurama ordered. Hiei's Jagan quickly opened and scanned the area around the streambed. The smaller fire demon pointed at a marker near the stream's edge.
"There, Kurama! There's a Sacred Jewel shard!"
Kurama made a quick sprint towards the marker. Ryudo's soul was in panic currently, from both Elena and Kurama's hasty actions. 'What's going on, Kurama? What is wrong with Elena and Botan? What does a shard have to do with--"
"Elena is being controlled right now by a Sacred Jewel shard. Once we remove it from her marker, she should be fine," Kurama responded, trying his best to reach the stone mark before Botan noticed.
"I won't let you help him!" Elena screamed as she charged in the same direction as Kurama.
"And I won't let you take Botan!" Kurama barked back, swinging his Rose Whip towards the stone marker.
.:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:.
"Botan! Botan, are you all right?"
Botan fluttered her eyes open, looked up, and saw Hinageshi floating on her oar above Botan's head. "Oh, Hinageshi! What are you doing here right now? I thought you would be at the Spirit World and enjoying your break."
"Well, I was," Hinageshi sighed, jumping off of her oar, "but I came to help you as soon as Prince Koenma found out about your situation. You're not hurt, are you?"
Botan looked around and realized that Kurama and Hiei were right beside her, looking at her expectantly. Behind the two Detectives, the sun was beginning to slowly rise over the horizon. "No, I'm fine, Hinageshi, thanks to Kurama and Hiei--" Botan stopped in mid-sentence. "Where are Ryudo and Elena?"
"Hinageshi, Ayame, and a few other ferry girls arrived earlier to escort the two back to the Spirit World," Kurama explained. "After the stone marker was destroyed and the Sacred Jewel shard removed, Elena returned to a more calmer state."
"She isn't going to be punished, is she?" Botan gasped. "After all, none of this was her fault."
"Don't worry, Botan," Hinageshi giggled. "Kurama explained everything to Lord Koenma. Everyone knows that Elena was under the negative influence of the Jewel shard, so she was let off."
"Hn, the question is how the hell that shard reached the Human World," Hiei frowned. "The Sacred Jewel was shattered in Maikai, so it's a little odd that we would find a shard here."
"Did someone plant it here?" Botan pondered.
Climbing it back onto her oar, Hinageshi shrugged. "I don't know, Botan, but I'll be sure to mention it to Prince Koenma to check on. And right now, its time to round up all of the wandering souls in the Human World and take them back. Oi, Botan, there are a lot more souls coming in than that originally left. I wish you were still Head Ferry Girl, Botan, because you were always fastest on Halloween."
"I wish I could help you too, Hinageshi," Botan whispered as she gave the younger ferry girl a hug.
"Be careful about Kurama and your boyfriend, Soijiro, Botan," Hinageshi quietly warned in Botan's ear. "You never know when someone is trying to get close to you just to get closer to the Sacred Jewel of Four Souls. I don't want what happened to you five hundred years ago to happen again."
"Don't worry, Hinageshi," Botan assured. "History won't repeat."
.:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:.
Autumn leaves were showering the stone courtyard as multicolor clouds against a sunset flew overhead. Botan was sitting in her room and admiring nature with a cup of tea. Botan softly began to cry as she stared at the first star of the night far off in the distant space; even if it had been a day after the encounter with the spirits, Botan's soul and heart were still in turmoil.
Watching the girl from a distance, Kurama noiselessly made his way towards her. A chilly autumn wind blew, a cool sensation running through Kurama's slim body. The Detective only ignored it and told himself not to wear his black jacket during the winter. 'She is beginning to remember last night, Youko. She must feel terribly sadness.'
'//It is a pity her soul will not block out that memory just as it has her past ones.//'
When Kurama reached Botan, the young man asked, "Will you be all right, Botan?" He put a tender hand on top of her head, slightly petting her with his thumb. Botan looked up at Kurama, clung to him, and cried into his shoulder.
Kurama lowered his body to her level and could only hold the poor girl as she relieved herself. "I'm so sorry, Kurama," Botan apologized through her sobs.
"About what?" Kurama questioned, slightly bewildered.
"I'm sorry about being insensitive to your feelings when I wore those clothes yesterday night," Botan answered. "I was so selfish thinking about myself and not considering how you would feel. And when you asked me to change, I should have just done it instead of arguing. I should have understood."
"No," Kurama softly muttered, holding Botan closer. "No, you do not have to apologize about that, Botan."
"Kurama, I was so scared," Botan confessed as she cried into his costume. " I got scared when I couldn't control myself anymore. I was so scared that Ryudo would merge with you. I felt so scared when I thought about losing you forever."
"Botan," Kurama whispered, "if I ever broke any of my promises to you, would you hate me for all eternity?"
"Of course not!" Botan exclaimed, staring at Kurama with wide amethyst eyes. Her tears had suddenly ceased. "Kurama, I could never hate you for all eternity, and I know you never break any of your promises to anyone."
"How are you so sure about that?" Kurama muttered.
"Because you're Kurama," Botan smiled, wiping her cold tears off of her face. "I know in my heart you would never break a promise and never had, even at the near cost of your life. You're too honorable to do anything else, Kurama. And this is why I was afraid of losing you."
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Anichan: Thank you for reviewing and your ecstatic review. Hope you continue reading and give me helpful pointers.
JD Fielding: ::bows:: Thank you so much for continuing to read my story. And thank you so much more for enjoying it.
I'm satisfied to read that you liked the background information about the Five Villages and the Sacred Jewel history. While I was writing that part, I thought I got a little carried away with it because I enjoyed writing it so much! (I like writing explanations more than I like action, I guess.)
Each and every Kurama/Botan interaction scene took me at least thirty minutes each to write because I was trying to be rather particular with the scenes! I had them all planned out in my head, but I just could not write them out!
And about Soijiro, heh, you are just going to have to read bits and pieces of him to find out his identity. But, of course, his role will be revealed eventually in a chapter!
Sarah: Thank you for saying this is cute. =^_^= I appreciate cuteness! And thank you so much for loving this story! I hope that you enjoy this chapter!
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"This is speech."
'This is thought.'
//This is Youko or flashback.//
Special: All Hallows Eve
.:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:.
The sky was ablaze, fire overcoming the city's skyline. Golden rays danced into orange hues, which then merged with crimson streaks; the heavens were on fire. Enjoying the wondrous sight of a Japanese sunset, four women were sitting peacefully on an apartment balcony.
"What a beautiful sky," Botan sighed dreamily as she snuggled deeper into the yellow woolen sweater Soijiro had bought for her (they have only been on three dates so far and already was the college boy getting serious). "I wish I could still fly, because then I would be soaring through it right about now."
"Yes, a sunset like this is rarely seen in Maikai," Yukina whispered, seated beside Botan.
"What should we do for Halloween tomorrow night?" Keiko thought out loud, placing her chin in her hand. She idly lifted her teacup with her other hand and drank from it.
"Well, I'm free for the night," Botan sighed a little down-heartedly. "Soijiro's family called him back home for all of tomorrow, so our date for that day is gone."
Shizuru smirked cunningly as she leaned back in her seat, her arms folded across her chest and her feet up against the rail. 'And I thought Botan felt an attraction towards Kurama. Heh, I guess I was wrong.' "Don't be so depressed about the date, Botan," the elder Kuwabara teased. "Besides, you're probably doing Kurama a favor by canceling the date; he's been getting a little paranoid about the time you spend with this Hatsume person."
"What do you mean by that, Shizuru?" Botan questioned.
As the brunette was about to reply, Keiko gave Shizuru a quick nudge with her elbow. 'Oh, ruin my fun,' Shizuru groaned. She quickly changed the subject. "Maybe we could tell fortunes or something and get some money for the holiday; with Little Bro and my sixth sense, with a little help from Botan and everyone else of course, we could actually cash in for Halloween."
Keiko sighed, "Shizuru, you're such a money person!" Botan giggled as Yukina stared at the three ladies, slightly confused. The four girls were currently at the Urameshi residence and were enjoying a cup of tea along with the view and deciding what to do on the upcoming holiday.
"What is Halloween?" Yukina asked curiously, still naïve to the Human World's customs. Botan smiled at Hiei's twin sister.
"Oh, you're just going to love it, Yukina! It's a human holiday where humans dress up as demons, ghosts, witches, and famous people--whatever they want! And then they go about each other's homes and get free candy!" Botan explained as she was practically jumping out of her seat.
"Dress up as demons?" Yukina wondered innocently. "Why would humans want to dress up as demons? I thought many of them feared and hated us."
"Well, a few humans who do know about demons don't look eye to eye with them, but that's not the point, Yukina. Halloween is supposed to be a scary holiday, so some people want to look scary," Keiko added. "To Yusuke and Kazuma, it's a day to goof off, but I think Halloween is a little more important than that; at least, that's what I've read about the States."
Botan nodded with Keiko. "You're exactly right, Keiko, there is a little more to Halloween. It's one of few selected days where the World of the Dead, or Spirit World, is closest to the World of the Living; on Halloween, the harmonics to both Worlds seem to synchronize almost perfectly. It's usually on one of these days that Lord Koenma allows well- behaved souls to come to the Human World and see their loved ones. We have a few ghost days here in Japan," Botan explained. "However, All Hallows Eve, the original name for Halloween, is the only day where souls that were unable to come to the Spirit World are given a second chance. Not a lot of souls have had bad reports in the past three years, so I think Lord Koenma might have quite a few souls checked out for a day. I also hope that we have even more check in at the end of the day."
"I knew it," Shizuru chuckled. "Finally someone tells me the reason for that day. There always seemed to be more spirits flying around these ghost days. Sometimes the wandering spirits got on my nerves, especially when the ghosts found out that I could see and hear them."
Botan clapped her hands excitedly. "And when Halloween comes around, the workers at Spirit World get a day off too, and some of us come to take part in the festivities. Maybe Hinageshi will come by to visit if she's not too busy at the Spirit World Party. Oh, I love this holiday so much!"
"You do?" Keiko asked.
"Yup!" Botan nodded ecstatically. "I've been part of Halloween for about two hundred years now; it's one of my most favorite holidays!"
"Hm, but can we say the same about Kurama?"
The room grew silent, and all heads right then turned to Shizuru. "What do you mean by that?" Botan demanded with a slight pout.
"Well, if you haven't noticed lately, Botan, he's been working you to the ground," Shizuru muttered. "For nearly every day now he's been dragging you back to Maikai to hunt down those Sacred Jewel shards. What makes you think that Halloween day is going to be any different? You barely have enough time to go out on dates with your new boyfriend. Maybe Kurama is even going to make you go back to Maikai today."
Botan reminisced about the last few weeks she had been training and searching for Sacred Jewel shards with Kurama and the other Spirit Detectives.
//"Can we stop now, Kurama, please? My legs are gone."//
//Youko Kurama landed delicately on his toes and turned to stare with disapproval in his golden eyes. "Botan, we have not even made it over this mountain and yet you are already tired?"//
//Botan's face twitched in agitation; she was staring at Satan, she was sure of it. "What do you mean by 'we have not even made it over this mountain'? Kurama, we've gone over three already!"//
//"And your point?" Kurama demanded a little coolly. "We need to reach this mountain's peak by sundown so the demon with the Sacred Jewel shard will be trapped between the five of us." The other three mountains earlier mentioned were the mountains Kazuma, Yusuke, and Hiei (in that order) were left behind.//
//"I'm tired--I have nothing left--I'm spent--I need a break, Kurama! Please?!" Botan begged. "Just for a little while at least?" Kurama sighed.//
//"Fine, you have five minutes, Botan."//
//"Thank you, Kurama!" Botan laughed as she gave Kurama a hug; her heart felt absolutely grateful to the human side of Kurama. She knew that it was Syuuichi who had convinced Youko for her moment of rest. The fox looked away, slightly blushing from Botan's gratitude.//
//"But we're going to go even faster once you've rested," Kurama put in quickly.//
"Kurama cannot be that heartless," Yukina giggled good-naturedly. "I believe he'll grant Botan this one night of fun. Besides, since ghosts will be all about the Human World, Botan can excuse herself to be a priestess here in the Human World for a night."
"Yeah! You are a genius! And you gave me a wonderful idea for a costume, Yukina!" Botan laughed as she pulled up the ice maiden with her. "Come on, and I have just the perfect idea for your costume too!"
.:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:.
Halloween Night had arrived, and everyone had decided to meet at Genkai's temple before the festivities; the Spirit Detectives and company had decided to go out and trick-or-treat and perhaps afterwards just live the night away. The girls were to arrive at about five while the boys about four forty-five in the afternoon.
"Man, I don't see why we have to be here earlier," Yusuke grumbled as he kicked a stone across the temple's courtyard. He was dressed in a white t-shirt with a jean jacket and pants; Urameshi found it a little pointless to dress up for Halloween. The Detective looked at his watch in distaste; the time was five fifteen. "If the girls are going to be late, then what was the whole entire point for us to come early?"
"Urameshi, shut up. If the girls tell us to be here at a certain time, we should obediently listen and be here," Kazuma reprimanded, frowning at Yusuke's complaining.
Yusuke's fist twitched as he itched to punch his friend in the face; however, at the same time, Yusuke was fighting the urge to laugh at Kazuma in his face. Getting into the holiday, Kazuma had dressed in a kitty costume, designed after his much loved cat, Eikichi. "Kuwabara, you're only here on time because Yukina promised to be here." At the mention of the ice maiden, Kazuma went into a rosy haze.
"Ah, Yukina," Kazuma mumbled dreamily. "Just the sound of the name expresses your endless beauty."
"I don't know about the three of you, but I'm only here because I have nothing better to do," Hiei snorted, separated from Yusuke, Kazuma, and Kurama. He had barely caught himself in time from jumping Kazuma after his Yukina comment; Hiei swore he would kill the carrot top one day.
Kurama smirked at Hiei's complaint; the fox knew better than what his friend was letting on. "Or," Kurama questioned slyly, "are you here because Mukuro kicked you out of her castle today?" The little fire demon blushed at the mention of the demon lady.
"Shut up, Kurama, or else."
At the "pleasant" request, Kurama complied and held his tongue; he, of course, knew the real reason Hiei was in the Human World today was because Yukina had invited him for the group's little outing. And, obviously, Hiei could not turn down his twin sister and had agreed to be present at the escapade (somewhat to his regret). "Hn, as soon as this is over, I going," Hiei muttered to himself. He then gave a cold glare to Kurama. "No respectful demon would make his self do this; I would have never thought you could stoop so low, Kurama."
"What is wrong?" Kurama wondered.
"You look absolutely ridiculous."
Kurama examined his dress. He was wearing loose white robes and slippers, the outfit identical to what Youko would have worn five hundred years ago. Kurama had even made a white fox tail and ears to match his theme. "I do not see a problem," Kurama remarked as he grinned at Hiei.
"If you're going to dress up as Youko, why not just be him?" Hiei murmured.
"Because I am forbidden to transform unless I am in a battle or in Maikai. This is how Koenma has ruled," Kurama replied a matter-of-factly. "Unlike you, Hiei, my demonic form is a little more conspicuous than your own; the young prince believes that Youko would attract too much attention in the Human World."
"Are you guys fighting?" a feminine voice suddenly cut in from behind.
"What do you expect from these guys? They're never going to change, you know that," a deeper woman's voice sighed.
"Oh, I hope the four of you aren't arguing about something serious."
Yusuke, Hiei, Kazuma, and Kurama, turning around to face the arrivers, blinked at the sight they were presented. The girls' costumes were--
'Oh my God!' Yusuke's eyes grew wide.
'I can't believe her!' Kazuma looked carrot dyed red.
'Hn.'
'Creative vixens,' Kurama chuckled bemusedly.
Keiko, her brown hair slicked back with half-a-bottle of gel, winked at her boyfriend, "What do you think Yusuke? Do I look close enough to the junior-high-school you?" The high school student was wearing a green junior high uniform and put up a gunning pose. "Spirit Gun!"
The twitch in Yusuke's brow was noticeable.
"What do you think you're doing, Sis?!" Kazuma demanded from Shizuru.
Shizuru was standing beside Keiko with her hand on her hip. The older Kuwabara was dressed in a blue uniform and her brown hair was gelled and fashioned as a mullet; the mullet had a similarity to Kazuma's carrot top. "What do you think, dummy? I'm going off to scare little kids," Shizuru smartly replied, making everyone but Kazuma laugh.
"I think Halloween is fun holiday to celebrate," Yukina giggled as she twirled in her borrowed black cloak. A white scarf around her neck nearly muffled her voice. "I always wondered why Hiei liked to wear this all of time; and now I see the reason why. It's so comfortable!" Yukina smiled cheerily at Hiei as she tied a white band across her forehead.
Hiei, who was currently NOT wearing his black cloak, glared at Yusuke and Kurama. "Damn you--Which one of you two got that out of my room?!" The fire demon had been looking all day for his cloak, but could not find it; therefore, Hiei had to settle wearing one of his more colorful outfits, like the blue Chinese style tunic he had. And since only Yusuke and Kurama knew exactly where he stayed in Maikai, Hiei was set on torturing the one who had pilfered his favorite cloak.
Botan, smiling slyly and just arriving to join the group, raised her hand in guilt. "Actually, Hiei, I'm the one who got that from Mukuro. I went to Maikai yesterday and today to ask her myself if we could borrow your cloak for the day."
"You what?!" Hiei hollered, a vein in his head bulging.
"Well," Botan laughed nervously, edging behind Kurama for safety, "Yukina did want to be you for Halloween, and I was in the neighborhood anyways, so I thought why not? Besides, Mukuro didn't have any arguments when I told her reason."
"Who the hell cares about this damn human holiday?" Hiei snorted. However, as angry as Hiei was, he could not remain infuriated when he laid eyes on Yukina. "I guess for only today it'll be all right, but--" Hiei glared at Botan. "You do this again, woman, and I'll cut your throat, Sacred Jewel or no Sacred Jewel; I don't care if you're the only one who can control that damn crystal."
Shizuru and Yusuke chuckled as they realized Hiei was not placing any blame upon Yukina; their fiery tempered friend had more than one way to show his brotherly nature, slightly surprising to say.
"Why were you in Maikai? I thought you didn't want to search for Sacred Jewel shards today? And why are you just arriving, Botan?" Kurama wondered, turning to face Botan. His eyes grew wide when he saw how she was dressed. "Botan, why are you--"
'//Barako--// No, Botan.'
"Well, I had to go to Maikai to get these clothes from Mimiru. I thought it would make a nice costume," Botan answered, looking down at her outfit. She was dressed in the ceremonial priestess dress: a plain white top with a red bottom, and a red braided cord hanging on her neck to mark her priesthood.
"Take that off, Botan," Kurama slightly snapped when he recovered from the initial shock of the sight. '//Damn, what does she think she is doing, wearing that? The nerve of this woman!// Youko, calm down before--'
"Whoa, Kurama, get a room if you two want to do that," Yusuke teased, only to receive a slap from Keiko. "Ow! What was that for, Keiko?" Urameshi whined as he rubbed his sudden swelling cheek.
Kurama ignored Yusuke entirely and grabbed Botan by her arm to speak with her privately. The two walked off a little into the Dark Forest. "Kurama, we shouldn't go in here, there are a lot of spirits and--"
Without a hint of emotion, Kurama flared his Demon Energy to a great level, frightening off any evil sprites within the wood for a one-mile radius. Botan shivered at the immense display of energy; she was rather sure that the others could sense it from where they were. 'I guess he means business.' Botan cringed at the thought of a serious Kurama. 'He's always a little frightening when he's cold and serious.'
"What's wrong, Kurama?" Botan asked when the two were a distance away from the others. "You're not acting yourself right now! What's going on?"
The couple suddenly halted in a dark clearing. Botan nearly collided into Kurama's back, but she forced herself back; the last thing she wanted was unwanted contact between her and the angry fox. Botan and Kurama found themselves silent for a while before someone spoke. "I do not want you wearing that, Botan," Kurama said tonelessly.
"And why not?" Botan demanded. "Why can't I wear this? Why can't I wear what I want, Kurama?"
"Because you--" Kurama could not find his words in his mouth; he did not want to sound too harsh, but he wanted Botan to realize his frustration. '//Does she not understand your pain? Does she not understand the cruelty she is placing upon you?//'
"Is it because I look more like Barako when I wear this? Is that what this is about?"
Kurama turned his eyes away from Botan as he replied, "It is not like that, Botan. It is really not like that at all."
"I don't believe you, Kurama. You can't even look me and say that," Botan answered. Frowning, she crossed her arms irritably. She was silent for a moment before she said anything else. "Why can't you look at me as I am, Kurama? Why can't you see me as myself and not Barako? Am I as myself not my own person?"
"You will always be yourself, Botan," Kurama muttered in answer.
By the dead tone the demon was using, Botan could tell Kurama had forced himself to say that. "Kurama, tell me. Do you still love Barako so much that I am only her reincarnation? Am I just someone's replacement?"
Kurama had no answer for her.
.:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:.
"Why did you decide to change, Botan?" Yusuke asked as Botan reemerged from the temple. Instead of the Japanese priestess dress from before, Botan was dressed in an elegant, crimson Chinese robes. "Your costume was just fine before."
Botan's face was flushed, and the atmosphere surrounding the girl was fuming. "Is something the matter, Botan?" Keiko pondered as she put a hand on Botan's shoulder.
"Are you feeling sick, Botan?" Yukina questioned.
Yusuke frowned. "Hey, Botan, now that you changed, who are you supposed to be now?"
Huffing indignantly, Botan pointed at Kurama and answered, "Ask that jerk over there!" And with that and a swoosh of her new dress, Botan stomped off into the city, her candy bag in tow.
The Detectives and girls slowly turned and stared at Kurama, their eyes slightly twitching. "What's wrong with Botan, Kurama?" Kazuma questioned in a low whisper. "She seems really mad."
"What gave you a clue, you ape?" Hiei quietly snapped.
Kurama made no reply to Kazuma's inquiry, the fox unresponsively staring at the ground; he appeared to be pained and ashamed simultaneously. 'Something big happened in there,' Hiei muttered thoughtfully. 'What did the fox say to that girl now? Probably mentioned that Barako woman again.'
"Damn, she's never gotten this mad at me," Yusuke whistled. "And I've done some pretty dumb things to Botan that would get any sane person mad. You must have done something really uncalled for to get her like that, Kurama. You should probably go apologize."
.:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:.
"Kuwabara, would you get off of me! You're embarrassing everyone!" Yusuke growled as Kazuma grabbed his arm for the fifth time. "You're such a woos!"
Keiko giggled, "Kuwabara, you're taking my spot!"
"Damn it, Urameshi, I'm getting the tickle feeling from everywhere," Kazuma shivered, the fur on his costume rippling with his tremors. "I don't think we should have gone out tonight."
"Hn, pathetic human," Hiei muttered as he strolled with his companions through the city's sidewalks. 'He can't even stand up to a few petty ghosts. It's a wonder how he survived the Dark Tournament.'
"Shut up, shorty!" Kazuma yelled. "I heard that!"
"What's wrong with Kazuma, Shizuru?" Yukina wondered as she looked up to Shizuru. "Is he feeling ill? Should I try healing him?"
The elder Kuwabara shook her head and replied, "Don't worry about it, Yukina. He's just suffering from the continuous sensations the ghosts nearby are giving him. He's always been like this on Halloween or any other ghost day. I would have expected him by now to learn to ignore them. Feh, what a baby."
"Sh-Shut up!" Kazuma whined as he precariously examined his surroundings and continued to walk with the party. "It's not my fault I always get the tickle feeling when ghosts are around."
"But," Shizuru growled irritably, "it is your fault that you can't see them or didn't learn how to ignore their presence! I can't believe you're my little brother. I can't believe I'm supposed to be you tonight. Ugh, how embarrassing."
"Um," Yukina quietly whispered, the ice maiden slightly wrapping Hiei's cloak around her, "where did Botan go? Wasn't she with us earlier?"
The party stopped, and everyone looked around. "Where did she run off to?" Yusuke wondered.
Hiei looked quickly around with his Jagan Eye (it was Halloween, so the other humans do not know the difference). "Well, the woman is nowhere near here to us. Her Spirit Energy marker is nearly undetectable from here."
Kurama frowned at the sudden predicament. 'She must have wandered off alone when no one was paying attention. She must be still angry with you for earlier, Youko. And I would not blame Botan, either. You lost your temper.'
'//Try keeping a calm disposition, Syuuichi, when she dresses as Maya one day.//'
'She did not mean anything by dressing as a priestess, Youko. She meant no disrespect to you or to Barako.'
'//She knows how much she resembles Barako!//'
'Is it her fault that she is Barako's reincarnation?!'
Yusuke sighed tiredly, "So how should we try finding her? Knowing Botan, she won't even know where she is herself."
"I will search in this direction," Kurama directed. "And we will meet at the Lunar Shrine in about two hours; it is about five minutes east from here."
The rest of the group nodded, split into groups: Yusuke and Keiko, Kazuma and--Shizuru (Shizuru automatically volunteered herself knowing that Hiei would probably kill her little brother), and Yukina and Hiei. After that, they began their search for Botan. Kurama ran off alone.
.:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:.
"Oh, that Kurama!" Botan huffed as she tossed a rock into a stream. She was currently at a temple bridge, trying to relieve her stress by throwing pebbles into the water. Botan did not notice, but she had separated herself from the rest of the group. Botan glared at her moonlit reflection in the metallic-appearing rippling water.
"All because I look like Barako. It's not my fault that I'm her reincarnation. What am I supposed to do about how I naturally look? Argh, and this is my favorite holiday too," Botan sulked as she rested her head on the bridge's rail. "What happened to us, Kurama? We were just friends, but now--Now you act as if I'm a pain, someone or something you wish to forget."
About then, Botan noticed another reflection in the water: it was a young girl's face that appeared to be about the same age as Botan. The sky blue locked girl quickly turned around to face her company.
"Who--Who are you?" Botan inquired when the ghostly girl stared at her in wonder. The stranger was illuminated as if she were a child of the moon.
"You can see me?" the girl demanded lightly.
Botan nodded dumbly as she tried to catch her breath. There was a certain depressed aura surrounding this strange girl, and it was nearly overwhelming Botan in its wintriness. "Am I not supposed to?"
"Nowadays, I'm not sure anymore," the teenager muttered wistfully. She then pointed to a small stone maker a little ways from the bridge. "I've been waiting there for him for so long, it's hard to remember anything else but this place. You are the first person who has seen me for a long time. I don't remember another person who has been able to see me."
With pity and sadness, Botan recognized the symptoms of a wandering soul. 'Oh, poor girl. She hasn't been able to let go of this World to move on to the next. Well, I guess even if I'm not a ferry girl anymore, I can still help souls move on; it's my duty as a priestess.' "I understand how you must have felt. I know how it feels to be lonely and unseen; I remember those days when I was only able to watch people and wait for their souls to leave their bodies. But now, I'm a priestess. I'm supposed to see ghosts and restless spirits like you."
The ghost stared at Botan thoughtfully. "So? There are many other priests and priestess, but they have never spotted me. And what do you mean by 'ghosts and restless spirits like you'?"
"The other holy people must have thought you were a guardian spirit that did not want to be disturbed," Botan replied. "The way you pace about this bridge and that marker makes it look like you are protecting this place."
"Tell me your name, priestess," the ghost whispered.
"My name is Botan, Urameshi Botan."
"And my name is Elena, Hiroyuki Elena," the ghost replied with a kind, heartrending smile.
"Please, tell me, Elena," Botan pleaded. "Why are you so sad? What ties you to the Living World that leaves you unable to move on to the World of the Dead?"
Elena, her fair hair rippling behind her, looked at Botan through crystalline eyes. "I am waiting for someone, Miss Botan, someone who was supposed to meet me here long ago. I think he has forgotten, but I don't dare move from this spot. If I do, then he might come and miss me."
"What if I helped you find out what happened to your friend?" Botan offered, giving the ghost an encouraging smile. "What if you use me to help you find him? You could use my body to search the Living World with convenience."
"Would you do that for me?" Elena whispered in awe. "Would you do that for me, priestess?"
Botan nodded, "Yes, I would because it is my duty as a priestess to help uneasy souls as yourself. And besides, even if I weren't a priestess, I would have to help you anyway. I once was the Head Ferry Girl of the Spirit World."
"Ferry girl? Do you mean those escorts that were here earlier on oars?" Elena questioned.
"Yes, have you met them?" Elena looked away for a moment and frowned.
"They told me that he had gone and was waiting for me somewhere else, but I couldn't make myself believe them. I thought it was odd for them to say he was waiting for me someplace else."
"Well," Botan smiled, "that doesn't matter now. We must hurry before midnight, so let's hurry and find your friend, Elena. You shouldn't have to wait any more for your friend."
"No, I shouldn't," Elena muttered darkly as she went inside Botan. As Elena's soul entered Botan's body, flashes of images rushed through Botan's mind. An entirely new lifetime was accessing itself into Botan, and her mind could not maintain the sudden surge.
'Faces, all of these faces! Who are these people? Why does it hurt so much?' Botan gripped at her heart. People who Botan had never seen before began to pass through her vision. The first and constant image that appeared was an unfamiliar young man with unruly brown hair, blue eyes, and a continuous jovial expression; however, visions of people that seemed familiar began to take over suddenly. A young man with slicked back greenish-black hair, a tall one with carrot-orange hair, a girl with short brunette hair, and a young girl with icy sea-green hair were all flashing quickly through Botan's mind. A short man with black hair and a white starburst and a young, taller chocolate-haired boy then made their appearance before Botan. And at last, a young man with crimson locks and a gentle smile melted away into a vision of silver, a cold man with tender golden orbs and animalistic features.
"STOP IT!!!"
.:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:.
"Botan?" Kurama turned around and realized that no one was behind him. There was only the darkness of the park around him. "What was that I just sensed? Someone in pain?" An uneasy sensation had just passed through Kurama, a feeling as if something was terribly wrong with a person close to him.
'Something must have happened to Botan. Can you sense it? You will have to hurry, Youko, and quickly locate her before it is too late.'
'//You will not be able to forgive yourself if something happens to her, Syuuichi.//'
'Are you sure it is not the other way around as well?'
Another voice then cut of Kurama's train of thought. "Elena! Elena, where are you? Elena!"
Kurama turned and spotted a young man a little off. He was a little bit shorter than Kurama and had dark brown hair instead of red. Even though there was poor lighting in the area, Kurama could easily see the young man had bright blue eyes, much like Soijiro. Kurama frowned at the remembrance of his colleague. As much as he liked Soijiro and enjoyed his friendship, Kurama could not stand the precious attention Botan was giving her "boyfriend".
'None of that, Youko. Botan deserves to have a life while she is human. You agreed to that after the entire incident of Botan's third day as human. Besides, Hatsume is a nice boy, and he would not ever hurt Botan.'
'//Feh, he better not, Syuuichi, or else he will have Hell to deal with. Hn, she should not be wasting all of her time on that Hatsume character. I do not even see what she sees in him.//'
After a groan of exasperation, the Spirit Detective ran up to the stranger. "Excuse me, have you seen a blue haired girl dressed in a Chinese costume anywhere near here?" Kurama questioned.
The young man abruptly froze in his place and stared at Kurama as if he had seen a ghost. "You--you can see me?!"
"Uh, yes, I can," Kurama muttered, slightly perturbed.
The stranger's eyes grew wider. "But how? You are not a man of the Dead. And aren't you cold?"
Kurama, after looking at his Youko costume, then realized what this person was. "So, I guess Koenma has already allowed the spirits loose for tonight; Kazuma's senses were correct. You must be one of the behaved spirits."
"How do you know about the Spirit World?" the young man inquired. "What are you?"
Staring at the boy impassively, Kurama replied, "I am a Spirit Detective commissioned by Koenma. My name is Kurama."
"Oh, yes, I've heard of you in Spirit World. I've heard that you are the smartest of the Spirit Detectives and part fox demon; that must be what you are for Halloween. I'm Ryudo." The boy offered his translucent hand at Kurama, which the Detective on stared at. Once Ryudo realized his simple mistake, he quickly withdrew his hand. Although he was just a ghost, Ryudo's cheeks were tinted with a blush.
"I'm sorry, Kurama. I forgot in the Human World I don't actually have a physical form."
"It is fine," Kurama coolly answered. "Well, I must be going now--"
"Wait!" Ryudo shouted out. "Didn't you say you were looking for someone, Kurama? Would you like some help?"
"No," Kurama replied, giving Ryudo a quickly glance. "It is all right. I can manage my problem on my own."
"But--"
Kurama sighed. "Is there something you would like me to do for you?"
The young man blushed again, feeling a little embarrassed; however, his will, his resolution was stronger. "Do--Do you think you can do me a favor, Kurama?" Ryudo sputtered hurriedly.
"Like?" the fox questioned cautiously.
"Do you think you can allow me to possess your body for this night?" Ryudo wondered.
'//Feh, he wishes. What kind of idiotic request is that?//'
"Why do you request such a thing?" Kurama pondered in answer.
The ghost gave Kurama a small, shy smile. "I've forgotten my way through the Living World, Kurama, and I need to reach someplace before midnight tonight. This year I promised myself that I would complete a task that I have been unable to complete all these other years. I need the help of a living man, Kurama," Ryudo explained.
'//The boy, even while dead, is delirious. Ignore him, Syuuichi. This just might be a ploy to find a body to possess and to gain life once again.//'
"What is this task you are trying to complete?"
Ryudo grinned. "I'm trying to find a girl, Elena, before midnight tonight, before everything is too late." He noticed Kurama's reluctant expression. "Kurama, I know it sounds farfetched, but after helping me, I'll be sure to help you in return."
'His reasons are honorable enough, and he did offer to help you in return.'
'//Syuuichi, you could find Botan WITHOUT his help. Besides, your compassion for human life will be the end of you!//'
"All right," Kurama agreed. "I'll help you and take your help in return."
.:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:.
"Hey, where do you think he could be?" Kazuma shivered as he looked around. The members of the group who had not gotten lost had regrouped at the Lunar Temple, just as Kurama had suggested; however, forty minutes had passed since the rendezvous, and Kurama had yet to show.
Yusuke shrugged carelessly. "What's to worry, Kuwabara? Kurama can take care of himself. Besides, he probably found Botan, and they're more likely having a little chat about this morning."
"Shouldn't we be heading home?" Keiko chattered. "It's getting late and colder." Seeing Keiko shiver, Yusuke quick took of his jacket and placed it on Keiko's shoulders. The brunette smiled at her boyfriend in thanks but a worried expression suddenly clouded her face.
"Don't worry about it, I'm fine," Yusuke answered before Keiko could ask. "And you're right, it's getting late. We should head back towards Genkai's."
"What should we do if Kurama comes by?" Yukina questioned.
"He'll probably figure it out," Shizuru assured as she blew smoke out of her mouth; waiting had aggrivated her and spurred her need for a cigarette. "Kurama's a smart boy."
Hiei jerked his head in one direction; something was amiss. "Go. I'll find Kurama and that girl," Hiei ordered as he disappeared into the night.
.:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:.
"Your past is quite intriguing, Kurama. Are all Spirit Detectives like you?" Ryudo questioned innocently as Kurama ran through the park.
'No, but they do have more or slightly less dramatic histories,' Kurama chuckled bemusedly. 'And MUCH more complicated, if I might add, than my own.'
"You don't mind if I look through your memories, do you, Kurama?" Ryudo laughed nervously, the lost soul feeling at little uncomfortable suddenly. "I wouldn't want to be looking through something that you would rather keep secret."
'It is all right, as long as they are not repeated anywhere,' Syuuichi calmly replied. 'After all, your memories are being read as well.'
'//No, it is NOT all right, Syuuichi! You, human boy, stay out of THESE memories,//' Youko spat back crossly.
Kurama's body suddenly halted in shock. Ryudo was frozen in fear. "Who--who is that, Kurama? Why are there three souls in this body? Are you harboring more ghosts in here?"
Syuuichi sighed in apology. 'Sorry, Ryudo, forgot to mention about the other half within this body. No, there are not three within this vessel, Ryudo, there are only two, you and Youko. It is only that Youko finds it difficult to follow his human compassion.'
'//Feh, human compassion. Where did that get you during the Dark Tournament, Syuuichi? Nowhere, only closer to death.//'
Ryudo, after looking through more of Kurama's memories, chuckled with amusement. "But according to your thoughts, Kurama, Death is not such a bad person to have gotten closer to. She's really cute."
'//BACK OFF!//' Youko snarled, causing Ryudo to retreat further in Kurama's subconscious.
'And who exactly are you searching for, Ryudo?' Syuuichi, quickly changing the subject, wondered as his body continued the search. 'Youko has been reading your thoughts, and he has not found the name of your friend.'
"I'm looking for--" Ryudo then came to a halt once more. The Detective found himself standing in front of a bridge, and on that bridge was a collapsed figure. "Who is that, Kurama? Looks like a girl in trouble."
'Botan!' Syuuichi exclaimed as he made his way to the unconscious girl. "Botan, are you all right?" Kurama gently shook the priestess, holding her delicately in his arms. "Come on, Botan, wake up." For some odd reason, Kurama noted, she was icy cold, almost as if she were--
"Uh--Kurama?" Botan opened her periwinkle eyes; there was a glazed look over them.
"Botan where have you been?" Kurama demanded. "Everyone is currently looking for you right now."
"You came," Botan whispered sadly, a tear forming in her eye. "You actually came after so long. I was waiting for you for so long. I was afraid that you were never going to come." She cupped Kurama's cheek in her freezing hand.
'//She is acting strangely, Syuuichi. Beware.//'
"Botan are you--"
'Kurama, watch out!' Ryudo's demands hastily kicked in to bodily commands, causing Kurama to barely miss the shot of Spirit Energy Botan had just released. A shiver ran down Kurama's spine when he saw a malicious glint in Botan's usual gentle eyes.
"What's wrong with her, Kurama? I thought your friend was against violence," Ryudo whimpered as Kurama continued dodging Botan's attacks. "Does this have something to do with what happened this morning and five hundred years ago, Kurama?"
'Botan does not hold grudges, not for long anyway. And she IS against violence,' Syuuichi replied. 'This person right now is not Botan, only her body. Another soul must have possessed Botan's body.'
"Can't you recognize me, Ryudo?" Botan suddenly snapped as she continued to attack. "For a soul like yourself, it can't have been that long for you not to recognize me." Ryudo gasped as Kurama had bits of his hair sliced away.
"E-Elena? Elena, is it you?"
'//Who is this Elena?//' Youko demanded with an annoyed tone.
'She must be the soul that has possession over Botan's body right now,' Syuuichi grumbled. 'Botan's own soul must be being suppressed right now. Its signal is rather weak.'
"Why do you sound so shocked, Ryudo? I would think you wouldn't be surprised that I'm still here, waiting for you," Elena screeched furiously, charging after Kurama. "After all, it was YOU who abandoned ME. You were the one who abandoned me here on this cold night five years ago."
"I-I didn't abandon, you, Elena!" Ryudo argued, gracefully dodging Botan's attack. "The same night you died, I died as well!"
"Lies!" Botan stretched out her arm and began forming Spirit Energy within her hand; the Energy took a sword-form. "You left me here to be murdered." Botan then took a fighting stance, one unfamiliar to Kurama.
"What?!" Ryudo could not believe what he was hearing.
"That's right, Ryudo, I was raped, murdered, and then abandoned by this bridge right here," Elena spat. A certain fury could be seen in Botan's eyes. She ran like wind and began her merciless strikes on Kurama.
At that exact moment, Hiei appeared at the scene. "Kurama there you-- What the hell are you doing, fox?!" the fire demon fumed. The Jagan was glowing a dangerous hue. "Damn it, we leave you and that girl alone for one hour, and the two of you get possessed by wandering spirits!"
"Hiei! Watch out for Botan!" Kurama warned as he continued to dodge the girl's attacks. He had brought out his Rose Whip now to help him defend his self.
"Do you have any idea how cold and lonely this world is without anyone at all, Ryudo?" Elena queried, Botan's face was so near to Kurama's. "Do you think you can understand the pain I've felt while waiting for you here?"
"I tried, Elena," Ryudo muttered through clenched teeth as Kurama tried to hold Botan's attack off. "I tried to get there on time, but my mother was dying and--"
Tears were cascading anew down Botan's pale cheeks. "More excuses for your failure!"
"I never meant to break my promise to you, Elena!" Ryudo shouted, tears rolling down Kurama's own cheeks. "I never wanted to lose you! I wanted nothing more in the world to have been able to be by your side. I wanted to stay here until I found you." Kurama was nearly overcome with Ryudo's sadness, understanding very well how the young man was feeling.
Hiei huffed as he read Ryudo and Kurama's thoughts. "Feh, this boy is in a worse emotional state than Kurama is. This isn't good; the boy is probably going to merge with Kurama if they continue their mental link like this. And if the ferry girl doesn't force that other girl out of her body-- "
The fire demon took a mental measurement of Botan. "Those two will probably merge soon if that ferry girl doesn't get her act together and kick that ghost out of body."
"How can you speak such lies to me, Ryudo?" Elena cried. "How can you do this to me even after all these years?!" Botan's swings were beginning to slow down; soon, Hiei would be able to safely disarm her or at least stun her.
About then, Botan's soul awoke and quickly absorbed current events from Elena's soul. 'Elena, it's pointless fight Ryudo because he's not lying, to you. Can't you see it? Can't you see the truth in his eyes, Elena?' Botan replied. 'Can't you see the pain in his eyes? Ryudo must feel terrible, feeling all of the guilt from his loved one's death.'
Elena read Botan's thoughts. 'What about Kurama, Botan? You and I are the same; they were wrong for denying us.'
'Denying us?'
'Did he not reject you this morning?'
"He did no such thing!" Botan yelled out. Kurama and Hiei let out small smiles, recognizing Botan's soul marker at last.
"For a second, I thought she was already gone," Hiei muttered in relief, his Jagan's glow slightly fading.
"Listen to me, Elena! Ryudo did not purposely leave you behind in this World. The day you died, he died as well trying to reach you. He desperately wanted to reach you, just as much you wanted to see him that night," Botan reasoned. "Stop this senseless fighting, Elena. Stop and please move on."
"NO!" Botan screamed in agony as her body was unexpectedly enveloped in a mass of Spirit Energy erupting from her. A demonic look cast over Botan's amethyst eyes. "I REFUSE TO FORGIVE HIM!"
"Botan!" Kurama and Hiei yelled out; the two demons fought the urge to run to the girl, knowing if they did they would be made useless if not killed. Kurama looked around the bridge area frantically.
"Hiei, search for something, ANYTHING!" Kurama ordered. Hiei's Jagan quickly opened and scanned the area around the streambed. The smaller fire demon pointed at a marker near the stream's edge.
"There, Kurama! There's a Sacred Jewel shard!"
Kurama made a quick sprint towards the marker. Ryudo's soul was in panic currently, from both Elena and Kurama's hasty actions. 'What's going on, Kurama? What is wrong with Elena and Botan? What does a shard have to do with--"
"Elena is being controlled right now by a Sacred Jewel shard. Once we remove it from her marker, she should be fine," Kurama responded, trying his best to reach the stone mark before Botan noticed.
"I won't let you help him!" Elena screamed as she charged in the same direction as Kurama.
"And I won't let you take Botan!" Kurama barked back, swinging his Rose Whip towards the stone marker.
.:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:. .:*:.
"Botan! Botan, are you all right?"
Botan fluttered her eyes open, looked up, and saw Hinageshi floating on her oar above Botan's head. "Oh, Hinageshi! What are you doing here right now? I thought you would be at the Spirit World and enjoying your break."
"Well, I was," Hinageshi sighed, jumping off of her oar, "but I came to help you as soon as Prince Koenma found out about your situation. You're not hurt, are you?"
Botan looked around and realized that Kurama and Hiei were right beside her, looking at her expectantly. Behind the two Detectives, the sun was beginning to slowly rise over the horizon. "No, I'm fine, Hinageshi, thanks to Kurama and Hiei--" Botan stopped in mid-sentence. "Where are Ryudo and Elena?"
"Hinageshi, Ayame, and a few other ferry girls arrived earlier to escort the two back to the Spirit World," Kurama explained. "After the stone marker was destroyed and the Sacred Jewel shard removed, Elena returned to a more calmer state."
"She isn't going to be punished, is she?" Botan gasped. "After all, none of this was her fault."
"Don't worry, Botan," Hinageshi giggled. "Kurama explained everything to Lord Koenma. Everyone knows that Elena was under the negative influence of the Jewel shard, so she was let off."
"Hn, the question is how the hell that shard reached the Human World," Hiei frowned. "The Sacred Jewel was shattered in Maikai, so it's a little odd that we would find a shard here."
"Did someone plant it here?" Botan pondered.
Climbing it back onto her oar, Hinageshi shrugged. "I don't know, Botan, but I'll be sure to mention it to Prince Koenma to check on. And right now, its time to round up all of the wandering souls in the Human World and take them back. Oi, Botan, there are a lot more souls coming in than that originally left. I wish you were still Head Ferry Girl, Botan, because you were always fastest on Halloween."
"I wish I could help you too, Hinageshi," Botan whispered as she gave the younger ferry girl a hug.
"Be careful about Kurama and your boyfriend, Soijiro, Botan," Hinageshi quietly warned in Botan's ear. "You never know when someone is trying to get close to you just to get closer to the Sacred Jewel of Four Souls. I don't want what happened to you five hundred years ago to happen again."
"Don't worry, Hinageshi," Botan assured. "History won't repeat."
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Autumn leaves were showering the stone courtyard as multicolor clouds against a sunset flew overhead. Botan was sitting in her room and admiring nature with a cup of tea. Botan softly began to cry as she stared at the first star of the night far off in the distant space; even if it had been a day after the encounter with the spirits, Botan's soul and heart were still in turmoil.
Watching the girl from a distance, Kurama noiselessly made his way towards her. A chilly autumn wind blew, a cool sensation running through Kurama's slim body. The Detective only ignored it and told himself not to wear his black jacket during the winter. 'She is beginning to remember last night, Youko. She must feel terribly sadness.'
'//It is a pity her soul will not block out that memory just as it has her past ones.//'
When Kurama reached Botan, the young man asked, "Will you be all right, Botan?" He put a tender hand on top of her head, slightly petting her with his thumb. Botan looked up at Kurama, clung to him, and cried into his shoulder.
Kurama lowered his body to her level and could only hold the poor girl as she relieved herself. "I'm so sorry, Kurama," Botan apologized through her sobs.
"About what?" Kurama questioned, slightly bewildered.
"I'm sorry about being insensitive to your feelings when I wore those clothes yesterday night," Botan answered. "I was so selfish thinking about myself and not considering how you would feel. And when you asked me to change, I should have just done it instead of arguing. I should have understood."
"No," Kurama softly muttered, holding Botan closer. "No, you do not have to apologize about that, Botan."
"Kurama, I was so scared," Botan confessed as she cried into his costume. " I got scared when I couldn't control myself anymore. I was so scared that Ryudo would merge with you. I felt so scared when I thought about losing you forever."
"Botan," Kurama whispered, "if I ever broke any of my promises to you, would you hate me for all eternity?"
"Of course not!" Botan exclaimed, staring at Kurama with wide amethyst eyes. Her tears had suddenly ceased. "Kurama, I could never hate you for all eternity, and I know you never break any of your promises to anyone."
"How are you so sure about that?" Kurama muttered.
"Because you're Kurama," Botan smiled, wiping her cold tears off of her face. "I know in my heart you would never break a promise and never had, even at the near cost of your life. You're too honorable to do anything else, Kurama. And this is why I was afraid of losing you."
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