Chapter Seven: And She was Gone
Standard Disclaimer: Nope, nope, nope… Nope, I don't own YYH. Too bad, imagine the possibilities…
There they were frozen in time smiling and happy and never to be disturbed. What did they have now? Keiko's eyes became misty as she subconsciously wiped away the tears that weren't there. Suddenly, the television went blank. The paused image of Botan and all of them sitting on the grass became just a black screen. Keiko closed her eyes, leaving her back facing to the person behind her.
"Shizuru, what are you doing?"
"I think the real question is what are you doing." Shizuru folded her arms across her chest waiting for Keiko to say something, waiting for her to respond. "You can't keep doing this, watching these tapes over and over again. They aren't helping you Keiko. They're just making you cry."
"I'm not crying." Keiko whispered as she buried her head in her hands. "…I'm not crying." Keiko shut her eyes tightly, forcing the tears to retreat. She wouldn't let them fall. Crying would mean that Botan was really gone; crying would mean that Yusuke might not come back.
"I think we're all crying, just on the inside is all." Yukina emerged from the guest room her sea green hair tied back in a low ponytail. "They're coming back Keiko, and I know that somehow Botan's going to come back to us too." Yukina sat next to her friend olding her hand reassuringly. "We can't give up hope."
Keiko didn't cry and she didn't smile. All she could do was just nod faithfully.
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Keitaru stopped short, causing the Rekai Tantei to stop at once. They stood dumbfounded, wondering why she had halted their journey, but did not even think of voicing their opinion. She knew their every thought just by watching them move, by hearing them breathe, by taking a brief glance into their eyes. Their gazes darted around the surrounding area, searching for the entrance to Keitaru's domain, but her gray eyes drew their attention back towards her. Those misty silver orbs held a soft innocence mixed with wisdom and dignity, they were no doubt the eyes of a goddess, one that had the right to control the fates of others.
She motioned to the area around them, her delicate pale hands guiding their eyes from place to place. "Nothing's as it seems." A small smile briefly graced her lips as she pointed down at the earth, making strange letters with the movements of her fingers. A bright white light sprung from the ground forming the foreign letters and the earth began to crack. As Keitaru backed away the rest followed suit.
Suddenly, a large crystalline structure erupted from the ground, pushing up the earth. It was slightly opaque, yet not enough to be able to see through completely, and owned a mysterious beauty.
"Welcome to my home." Keitaru remarked softly as she stepped inside. This magnificence of the temple was only a fracture of the power that the sisters possessed, this the Rekai Tantei were sure of. One by one they walked inside finding two other women whose presence were even more powerful than Keitaru's.
"I see Keitaru has seen fit to bring you to us." The taller of the two Fates began to circle the Rekai Tantei like a vulture, observing her 'prey'. "I am Miriatsu, the eldest of the Fates. This," She said as she pointed to a woman with dark green hair, "is my sister Ryseia." Miriatsu had the same mystifying gray eyes her sisters owned.
For a moment, they stood there in an uncomfortable silence before the Fates, not knowing what to say. They were still too humbled by Keitaru's all knowing presence. Ryseia looked at them, her eyes darting back and forth between the Rekai Tantei and her little sister. Her eyes narrowed, sparks seemed to glow from her gray orbs.
"Keitaru, turn it off."
The young Fate raised an eyebrow, "What ever do you mean dear Ryseia?" She smirked as she glanced briefly at the tongue-tied men standing before her.
"You know what I mean. Your aura is too powerful for any mortals to withstand. They have no thought, make no action, say no words that are not influenced by you. Now turn it off. They have made it this far and passed all of the tests. They deserve to be given a chance."
Keitaru gave a careless glance at Miriatsu and shrugged. "You're such a spoil sport Ryseia. We rarely have company and when we do I don't even get to have any fun." With a wave of her hand the mysterious presence was lifted and the Rekai Tantei could use their free will once more, no longer influenced by the overpowering and imposing presence.
"I've had enough of games and bickering. What is your purpose here? What has given you so much conviction and drive as to face us?" Miriatsu asked, her imperial eyes glowing like stars.
Kuwabara glanced fleetingly around, with the sudden change and their sudden arrival he was rather confused. "Huh? Oh you mean us? I don't know, who wants to talk you guys?"
Yusuke sighed, "Look, the moment you gain the power to use your own will you start acting like an idiot. What the hell is the matter with you?"
"Hey, man are you sure you can say that word in front of them?" Kuwabara asked tentatively. His expression was that of a child who had just gotten caught stealing cookies from the jar.
"What are you talking about?" Hiei asked as he rolled his eyes.
Kuwabara began to spell the letters out in the air with his finger. First, there was an H, then an E, then two L's. Yusuke erupted in annoyance. "You made all of that fuss because I said hell?! Dammit Kuwabara these Fates probably know more cuss words than any of us ever will and you're freaked out about me saying hell?"
Hiei snorted, "If you ask me hearing this ridiculous argument qualifies as hell…" Hiei turned away and cast his eyes down muttering.
Kurama groaned, "I think that's enough for now. Let's just get to the point." Kurama paused a moment waiting for his friends to calm down. Yusuke and Kuwabara cast their eyes towards the ground. Kurama eyed the defiant fire demon. "Hiei?"
He rolled his eyes reluctantly. "Hn. Carry on."
The Fates watched this episode with a slight tinge of amusement. It had been a while since anyone had entertained them so. They were actually having a little fun. Kurama stared into Miriatsu's eyes, and it was like staring into the misty gray world of the three Sisters, confusing but almost exhilarating all the same.
"We came here because a friend died. It wasn't supposed to happen. It wasn't planned. We need to know why, and if there's anyway to bring her back."
"People die everyday Kurama, of course it's unexpected, but you work for Koenma right? So, you thought he would give you some advanced notice?" Keitaru gave a short laugh. "Sometimes those in power can be so easily distracted that they forget such 'important' things"
"Now hold on one minute! Koenma had no idea. It was you guys who forgot the important things. She wasn't on the list to be reincarnated. No one knew." Yusuke argued, his eyes lighting up with his fist clenched to his side.
Miriatsu waved her hand as if she were swatting flies, "I'd hardly call any death important. Being a Fate we cause death and reincarnation perpetually. It's our reason for existing. This girl who you came here for, whether it be you sister, your friend, or your lover is lost to you. We do not bring anyone back by request."
"Wait." Ryseia spoke suddenly. "This girl, is her name Botan?" She studied Kurama's eyes and the answer was written there as plain as day. "Her thread it was—"
"Lost. Her thread was lost." Keitaru interrupted as she stared menacingly at her sister. "And don't get so hopeful as to think we can create a new one for her. Once the thread is lost, it cannot be replaced. Therefore, her soul cannot be replaced." Keitaru eyes stared them down with a feeling that almost bordered on regret and pity.
"Lost? But that's not possible! I heard all this stuff about you guys being so mighty and powerful and you lost her soul? Are you sure you're completely qualified for this?" Kuwabara shouted in panic.
"So you're saying she can't come back, that she more or less disappeared?" Hiei asked as he took a quick glance at Kurama.
"I'm afraid that is exactly what happens. I'm also sorry that we can be of so little help. We Fates can only do so much." Miriatsu pulled out four small pebbles. "Go just outside of our home and put these in your mouths. These stones are enchanted and will take you back from whence you came. You'll have a safe and uneventful journey. I suppose it's the least we can do."
The four young men walked out slowly, a pebble gripped in each hand. Kurama through a backwards glance towards the sisters and found an apologetic smile from Keitaru. Her mischievous nature had suddenly evaporated. Finally, they were out of sight.
"There's something about them Miriatsu…" Keitaru whispered gently. "They are really quite interesting. I have a feeling that even through what we said, they will find a way."
*Author's Note*
Dun! Dun!! Dun!!!
Hey Everyone!
Finally I've joined you all back in the writing world! And I'm so awfully sorry for taking FOREVER! Geez, teachers don't let up, coaches don't let up, parents don't let up, and Life does not let up! Well, at least I've got the creative juices flowing now! I think I may be on a roll… ^_^ I'll try and update as fast as I can like perhaps….two weeks tops…. But I may need some major pestering from you guys so that means: Review! -lol- Thanks, you guys are the people that keep me going!
Reika
*~Teaser~*
So all seems lost right? Botan's gone and never to return? Kurama's completely devastated as everyone else is and not even the Fates can do anything about it? …Hmmm…maybe not… It seems that the middle sister Ryseia is willing to share some information that contradicts what was told before. It shines a thin ray of hope but will it be enough?