Chapter 2

When the gang arrived at Genkai's, they found that Hiei was already there, speaking with her.

"Good," Genkai croaked, "you are all here. As Botan probably already informed you, there are a couple of people I want you to meet."

"What's the hurry Grandma?" Yusuke asked. "We just got here and already you want us to jump through the hoop."

"Shut up, slacker, you know damn well I don't like to waist time. Now, lets go."

"Yeah, yeah, we better go quick, before this hag drops dead from old age," Yusuke said as he walked passed her.

"Hey, dimwit," Genkai said raising her voice, "Do you even know where they are?"

Yusuke stopped in his tracks.

"You are such a simpleton," Hiei said with a smirk.

"Shut up, Hiei," Yusuke yelled.

"This way," Genkai said, leading them in a different direction then where Yusuke was headed. She stopped at a door and paused. She turned to face everyone.

"I have known these men for a while now. They are masters of their skills." She turned and looked straight at Yusuke. "If you can just shut your mouth and open your ears, you might actually learn something."

"Why don't you just show us these guys already?" Yusuke said with his fists clenched. He obviously was tired of being lectured by Genkai, even if she was right.

Genkai muttered 'idiot' to herself before opening the door. Inside the room stood two men. The first of which was a very passive and handsome man. He was tall and well built. He had long black hair that was back in a ponytail and golden eyes. The second man seemed more elderly. He had short silver hair and blue eyes. He looked at the group of fighters before him as if he was not impressed.

"This," Genkai pointed to the dark-haired man, "is Master Shigure. He is an expert at deciphering an opponent's thoughts and predicting their every move. And this is Hikitsu," she pointed to the light-haired man. "His speed, strength, and patience make him hard to defeat."

Out of the corner of his eye, Kurama saw Botan stiffen suddenly. 'She must have blacked out again,' he thought as he looked at her to confirm her current state. Yes, she was out of it.

Hikitsu looked at Yusuke, his face hard and not showing emotion. "He is the dark tournament champion . . . pathetic."

"Hey pal," Yusuke said through clenched teeth, "I wouldn't underestimate me if I were you. Every time someone does that, bad things always happen to them."

"Yes, Yusuke surprises us all," said Genkai. "With his strategies, you never expect anything to work out, but it usually does, somehow."

Botan quietly giggled, obviously back to herself again. Hikitsu turned to her and gave her a nasty look.

"And what is she doing here? She is not a fighter. I didn't know spirit energy could go so low," he said coldly.

Botan was dumbstruck, and Kurama tensed with anger.

"She is a massager from spirit world," Genkai answered.

Hikitsu snickered. "I thought even they had standards."

Kurama stood up at this and Botan finally spoke out. "Now listen you," she screamed, "I'll have you know . . ."

"Lets take our leave, Botan," Kurama said, extending his hand for her. Hikitsu looked at him with a little interest. Kurama ignored his gaze and helped Botan up, then left the room pulling Botan along with him. There was something about Hikitsu that Kurama couldn't stand, and it wasn't just his attitude, it was something much deeper than that.

When they were outside the temple, Kurama stopped.

"Why did you leave like that, Kurama?" Botan asked, confused.

"That Hikitsu, he gave me a bad feeling," he answered. "Besides," he turned and smiled at her, "the room wasn't getting any more cheerful."

"I'll agree with that," she said with a frown. "Who does that Hikitsu guy think he is?" Botan thought back to how he looked at her when he saw her, and began to feel cold. She couldn't move as her head started to spin and her vision blurred. She began to hear a faint screaming of a woman from a distance. As it got closer and closer to her, she heard the woman scream out a name in pain and anger. Botan recognized this. Lately she has been having this recurring dream where she is stuck in darkness with nothing but distant screams to keep her company. In her struggles, Botan fought hard trying to figure out the name the woman was calling. Though she couldn't make it out, it sounded familiar to her, and yet distant. It was . . . it was the name of . . .

"Botan," she heard someone calling. Botan lost concentration and the woman's voice faded away, back to where it had come from. She jerked awake to find herself in Kurama's arms with him staring down at her with concern. She realized she must have fainted again. She panicked. She knew that Kurama would want to know what was going on, but she still did not want to tell him. She wanted to speak to Genkai first. She needed Genkai's wisdom to help her clear her mind, and find out what was happening to her. Fortunately for her, Kurama thought she needed rest more than anything at the moment. He picked her up and carried her to one of Genkai's guest rooms. He laid her down gently on a bed.

"Rest for a bit, Botan. I am going to talk to Genkai and find out what her plans for us are." Kurama squeezed her hand and left her alone in the room. Botan turned to face the wall. She couldn't get the woman's screaming out of her head. It made her sick to her stomach thinking about it, but she couldn't stop. She was still dizzy from that dream. Why? She had blacked out before, and afterwards she felt perfectly normal. Why not now? She decided the first thing she was going to do was talk to Genkai. She couldn't wait anymore. She wanted answers now. The more she thought about it, the more exhausted she became. She finally drifted into sleep where her darkness was waiting for her.

Kurama stood outside the door for a moment. When he was ready to go back to the group, he headed down the hallway. He turned around the first corner and found Genkai standing there; waiting for him.

"How is she?" She asked.

"I believe she just needs some rest," Kurama answered.

"Then why are you so worried about her?" Genkai looked at him questioningly.

Kurama looked down. "Something just feels strange to me, that's all."

"Hm," Genkai agreed. "About Hikitsu, Kurama, never mind him. He is just one of those tight-ass people who think everyone should be a fighter."

"Of course, Genkai. Whatever you say."

Genkai could tell that Kurama wasn't convinced. "Oh," she sighed, "this is going to be a difficult three months."

"Three months, is that how long you want us to train here?"

"Yes, Kurama. Of course, you can do your regular schedule of going to school and such, but most of your free hours will be spent here."

Kurama smiled to himself. He really didn't mind at all. He knew that Botan will most likely be around while they were training and he would be able to spend more time with her.

"Yes, Botan will be here helping me," Genkai said with a smirk, knowing what he was thinking.

"You know me well, Genkai."

Kurama went to find Yusuke and everyone else when he ran into Masters Shigure and Hikitsu.

"So, you are the one who is love sick with that girl," said Hikitsu. "Heed my advice, Kurama, and stay away from her." As Hikitsu walked passed Kurama, he whispered in his ear, "You don't know what you are getting into."

Kurama just glared at him.

"Don't mind Hikitsu," Shigure said.

Kurama faced him. It had been the first time he heard Shigure speak.

"I suspect he has had bad experiences with women in the past, and holds grudges toward anyone who is happier than he is."

Kurama bowed his head. "I'll keep that in mind," Kurama said.

"Our past makes us who we are. In it, you can find all answers to why we are the way we are." With that, Shigure turned and walked away.

'What was that about?' Kurama wondered.

Meanwhile, Botan's stalker watched her, with a smile on his lips, as she tossed and turned in her sleep; lost in the shadows of her mind.

'Trying to awaken are we . . . Haruko?'

Wow, this is frustrating. I have many surprises I want to put in this story, but I have to lead into them. It will get better. I am just taking it slow. My thanks to those who have reviewed my story so far. I really appreciate it, and it helps a lot! Again, thank you all! In the next chapter, Botan will finally talk to Genkai. She begins to understand what is happening, but is it time to tell Kurama the truth? The training begins, and Botan isn't looking too great. Even the rest of the Urameshi team notices a change in Botan. She is struggling to remain sane, but it isn't enough.