Confinement
Epilogue: Conclusion
It was finally over. After the Ryuujin and Shinju departed, Koenma entered the cave, followed by an anxious Botan. She used her healing powers to stop Kurama's bleeding and heal some of his most serious wounds. Then, they all left the cavern, tired but relieved. Though they were only trapped for a total of three days, it seemed like an eternity. The four members of the Reikai Tantei were glad to see the sun and breath fresh air once again. They flew back to Japan and spent a week recuperating from the mission, and afterwards, everything went back to normal.
Well, as normal as it could get.
A month after they returned from China, Koenma called upon his four detectives again for a meeting. Yusuke and Kuwabara were grumbling as usual when they walked into the baby lord's office. Kurama and Hiei followed closely after them, the redhead smirking and shaking his head at their familiar antics, and the fire demon displaying his trademark scowl at their complaining.
Koenma greeted them in his teenager form. "You're all probably wondering why I've called you here," he said.
"If it's another mission," Yusuke replied with a careless wave of his hand, "just get on with it so we can get it over with."
Koenma smiled at the raven-haired adolescent. "Relax, Yusuke," he said, "I'm not sending you on another mission yet. You're here because someone requested an audience with all of you."
"Oh yeah? Who?" Yusuke asked.
"Me," a voice behind them answered.
The four turned to face the speaker and were shocked at what they saw. There, standing at the doorway, was Shinju. She was no longer in her goddess garments but that did not make her look any less regal. She had an ethereal glow around her as that fitting of a divine immortal.
Kuwabara, ever being the blunt one, spun around and looked back at Koenma. "What's she doing here?" he screeched while pointing a finger at Shinju.
"To apologize," the girl answered before Koenma could speak. She took a few steps forward, stopped a few feet before the group and lowered her head in a humbling bow. "I wished to apologize to all of you in person for my atrocious behavior inside that cavern. I let my hatred and lust revenge overtake my emotions and acted in ways unbefitting of a goddess." Shinju then transferred her gaze specifically to Kurama. "I also wanted to offer you my eternal gratitude for freeing me from the seal; I know I did not deserve that kindness from the way I treated you."
Kurama's speechlessness slowly dissipated during Shinju's earnest apology. Now he smiled at the girl in front of him and saw her in a different light. She was no longer the hysterical being he met in the cave. "I accept your apology and thanks," he said with a little bow of his own.
Shinju smiled at the redhead and then glanced over at the others, waiting for their answers. Yusuke and Kuwabara followed Kurama's example and received her apology gracefully. Hiei snorted and said nothing else. Shinju then glanced to Koenma and nodded.
The Reikai lord took the cue. "Now, Shinju and I need to discuss some things in private so you may all go now," he announced.
"What sort of things are you gonna discuss?" Kuwabara asked, curiosity and nosiness getting the better of him.
"Not that it's any of your business," Koenma retorted, "but we need to decide on a suitable punishment for Shinju, as she did hold thousands of souls captive during her confinement."
"Oh."
"So if the four of you will excuse us, we'll get started with that."
As the group of detectives exited the office, they heard something that made them stop in mid-step and chuckle.
"Shinju, how would you like to work as a Reikai Tantei?"
Done! It only took me forever 'cause of my laziness. Hope you all enjoyed it. I'm done with writing for now. My mind's blank of ideas and college is starting to strangle my free time. Please review 'cause it really helps me with my confidence. For anyone who cares, I drew a picture of Shinju in goddess garb. For some reason, won't let me put a link in here so if you wanna see the pic, click on the link in my profile.
