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AN: Thank you everyone that reviewed. I am learning a LOT with every criticism I receive. Please continue teaching me more. If you would like to see my responses to your reviews, please visit my ReiJungJhang Xanga site.

This chapter is dedicated to the first four reviewers: JD-sama, Roses-sensei, Callispi-sensei, and Kudachi-san.

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Through the Looking Glass

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Chapter 7: Falling Through

"Kurama, we've been here for weeks now," a demonic Yusuke grumbled, leaning leisurely against a wooden post. He and Kurama stood outside staring into the palace's central garden.

"You can't complain. Keiko-san has been here for months, Yusuke," Youko Kurama calmly reminded, flicking his tail with sparse agitation. He felt like he was training one of his novice underlings back in days of thievery. "If she can bear staying here this long, I think you can tolerate our stay in the feudal era just for a little longer."

And while the fox spoke, he and Yusuke carefully watched Keiko attending to Princess Botan in the garden. The two Spirit Detectives could not get their eyes off the maidens for two reasons: they were hired to be bodyguards and they had "benefits."

The Spirit Detectives had discovered shortly after their discussion with Princess Botan, their Demon Energy was limitless in the past; therefore, there was no known way to revert them to their human forms: something Kurama and Yusuke did not mind, as they were more powerful as apparitions. Brushing back his normal length of hair (which Kurama and Keiko had promptly cut), Yusuke muttered quietly, "Kurama, that's not what I mean."

Glancing at Urameshi from the side of his eye and turning an ear, Kurama asked, "Then what do you mean, Yusuke?"

"Shouldn't we be trying to find the others right now?" the tattooed lad suggested, stressing a waving hand in the air. "Like what about Kuwabara, Shizuru, Hiei, and Yukina? We should be trying to find the others and see if they got stranded here too."

'We should see if we're not alone.'

"Well, three out of four have already been located," came an impassive reply, the fox never wavering his attention from Princess Botan. "I'm surprised you haven't found out already."

"Really?"

"A few messengers came in yesterday with news about our companions. Hiei, Kuwabara-kun, and Yukina-san are residing with a close friend of Botan-hime's right now. In fact, about the time we found Keiko-san is about the time Hiei and the others unknowingly joined forces with Botan-hime's allies," the Kurama informed casually. "They've promised to help this Taka-sama to defeat the Demon Army, which happens to be the force trying to assassinate Botan-hime."

'And they'll deeply regret for even trying to harm a hair on her head,' the animalistic apparition growled, his mouth nearly forming a snarl; but he caught himself before then. Confusion from his sudden action crawled through Kurama's mind. 'When have I been this possessive? And why over Botan-hime? She isn't even mine to--'

He did not dare finish his thought.

"Wow, that was really quick," Yusuke whistled, placing his arms behind his head. He had not noticed Kurama's sudden change or slight snarl. "This is a small world. At least we know that they're safe."

"Yes, they're safe, but I am quite sure," Kurama added darkly, his attention shifting, "Shizuru-san is captive in this time era as well. After all, if Keiko-san's kidnapper brought her here, he most likely brought Shizuru-san into the feudal era as well."

'They must have been after Botan-chan in the present as well.'

"It's too bad that the communicator doesn't work," Urameshi sighed, taking out the small compact from his pocket (the estate had offered Yusuke new clothing, but he had bluntly refused). Flipping open the device, the only thing the young delinquent saw was a scrambled screen. "Damn it, if only this thing worked. Then we could at least contact Koenma and have him help us."

A slight frown on his face, Kurama coolly responded, "Even if the communicator did work, Yusuke, I don't think it would be a good idea to contact Koenma-sama while we are in this time period."

"Huh? Why not?"

"The Spirit World's time flow is very much different than the Human World's, Yusuke. This is one reason why people in the Spirit seem to live so long," the fair-haired man informed placidly. "By making contact with us, who are presently stretches in the Human World's time flow, the Spirit World and Human World could become stuck in a paradox."

Yusuke frowned. "I don't get it."

"Pretend this is our time flow," Kurama said, stretching out a piece of cloth. "And this," he said, taking another piece of cloth, "is the Spirit World. They align almost perfectly, but you see the slight difference in between their flows."

"Okay," Yusuke nodded.

"Now, this is our group in the past." Kurama stretched the "Human World" sash and had the "present" overlap the "past". "And if we were to use the communicator and have contact with Koenma-sama," he said, twisting the "past" and "present" together and wrapping the "Human World" around the "Spirit World". "We would make a connection with the present Spirit World and the past Human World; and that result has three possibilities."

Kurama showed his model to Yusuke, where the "Spirit World" had both ends tied to the "Human World" past and left the "present" dangling. "Or we can create a paradox like this," Kurama said, showing Yusuke a continuous eight-figure between the two cloths. "Or even worse, we could possibly destroy our very existence or possibly the Human World's existence."

"Are you serious?!"

"As you now realize, Yusuke," the Kurama muttered, "we are in a very delicate situation." His voice slowly faded to silence as a single person captured all thought. Nothing else mattered to Kurama while someone remained in his sight. Botan playing joyously in the garden, Kurama continued protectively watching the princess from afar.

"Keiko-san, you must be tired for today," the Botan smiled, her face radiating with a certain glow. The contagious radiance was familiar to Yukimura, but she could not pinpoint where she had seen it before.

"Oh, no, not at all," Keiko blushed. "I'm quite fine, Botan-hime."

"Keiko-san, you are tired," Botan urged with her majestic grace. She placed a firm hand on Keiko's wrist, halting her in her actions. "And you must not overwork yourself. You should take the rest of the day off and spend it with Yusuke-san. I am sure he is lonely without your company."

Keiko began arguing. "But Botan-hime--"

"Keiko-san, I am not requesting from you; this is a command." A knowing look was in the princess' amethyst eyes, an expression full of mischief and bubbly anticipation. And Keiko then recognized where she had seen that face before.

It was Botan's look.

"Yes, Botan-hime." With a grateful bow, Keiko left the princess' presence and went to find Yusuke. As the search did not take long, the couple quickly scampered off to have some seclusion and peace. Yusuke waved thankfully to Princess Botan.

"Please, do not be intimidated by me, Kurama-san," Botan called, turning to see the animalistic apparition alone behind her. "Please come here into the sunlight and let us get to know one another."

Uneasily stepping out of the shadows, the Kurama cautiously questioned, "Are you sure you won't be needing Keiko-san for the rest of the day?"

Botan grinned a bright smile, a smile that even warmed the sun. Tender and unfamiliar emotions fluttered their way into the Kurama's heart, and the human inside him wished they would never leave. "Yes, I am quite sure, Kurama-san," Botan replied with a laugh.

"And how are you so sure, Botan-hime?"

Shooting her guest with another dazzling grin, the princess placed her hand on her chin and giggled perceptively, "I will be too busy getting to know you."

"Good point," Kurama chuckled, finally joining the princess in the sunlight. His suspicion (if there had been any) was gone with the wind. Botan sat beneath a tree within the garden; and although fragments of shade filtered through the tree's branches, Princess Botan's place was cheerier than Kurama's former location. The demonic thief noticed his heart growing lighter suddenly, like how it did when he was in Her presence at home. How was Botan doing back in their time? Was she safe?

'Is her existence being altered by this encounter?'

When he returned his attention to the princess, Kurama realized he never really looked at Princess Botan until now. He quickly made comparisons between the past Botan and the present Botan, unable to decide which was fairer. They were mirror images.

'But are they mirrored people?'

"Mm, over these last few weeks, Kurama-san, I've noticed that you are quite aware of our customs and rules. Even Keiko-san, who said she studied our era, was a little unfamiliar to our lifestyle when she first arrived. How is it you come from the future but know so much of the past?" Botan questioned curiously like a child. She gazed at Kurama with innocuous amethyst eyes as she spoke. "Are you that old of a demon?"

At the suggestion, Kurama felt his feathers (or really his fur) ruffled. His pride, as much as he did not want to admit, was flustered by Botan's innocent inquiry. "And what is it you're trying to say to me, Botan-hime?" the fox muttered with a twitch in his brow.

Botan giggled, blushing a little from Kurama's haughty retort. She felt like she had just teased a young boy of five. "I really meant nothing by it. I was just curious because you just look so young and beautiful, Kurama-san. It is very much hard to believe you are centuries older than that of your friend."

"Well, it is quite possible," the fox demon sniffed, feeling a little offended being called old (although he was; he was far older than Genkai and Hiei put together). He crossed his arms in mock anger, not really angry with Botan; but he was a bit upset.

With a gentle voice and concerned eyes, the blue haired maiden quietly said, "I did not mean to insult you, Kurama-san."

"Well, you managed it." He jerked his dazzling head to the side, expressing his frustration with his hostess and her insinuation about his old age. Of course, the foxy lad was only teasing the princess.

"I am sorry," Botan quietly apologized. She sighed at her misfortune and comprised her graceful posture; she now looked like an average high school teenager (stressed out and broken from homework and evil exams). Her personality now was more familiar to the Detective. "I am sorry if I offended you, Kurama-san. I truly am. Sometimes I just forget my place and go too far."

"Ah." Turning around and seeing Botan's weary atmosphere, Kurama realized it was he who had gone too far. White fox ears somewhat drooped in guilt. "No, Botan-hime, it is not your fault. I'm sorry, I'm not really angry. It is just sometimes--sometimes my demonic side gets the better of me; and he has the tendency to be teasing and a little vain."

'Says the boy that looks like a girl.'

'Hush you.'

By the look on Botan's face, it was apparent Kurama had already been forgiven; and by the look in her smiling eyes, Kurama knew it would take a lot for Princess Botan to ever hate him. "Vain, eh? How about if we move on to something else then?" the princess suggested with a small giggle.

Kurama nodded with easy agreement.

"Oh, Kurama-san," Botan smiled, "Keiko-san has told me you have a human form, but in your former life you were a demon, the state which you are in now. Could you explain to me what you did in your past life?"

'But you already know.'

For some reason, Kurama felt embarrassed telling Botan who and what he had been in his days of Youko Kurama. Then again, he also felt some sense of relief. "I was a thief, the best thief in all the Demon World. I have never been matched with my skill; and even today no demon thief is as famous as I."

'I don't care about that anymore.'

"Impressive," the princess giggled, clapping her hands merrily. "It sounds like you achieved quiet a lot in your past life, Kurama-san. So do you plan to achieve more now that you have another life?"

'I want to know more about you.'

Fishing himself from his thoughts, Kurama smoothly replied, "I don't know if there is anything more I can accomplish, Botan-hime."

"Is that true, Kurama-san?" The young lady placed a finger thoughtfully on her chin, a pondering expression on her cheery face. To Kurama, she was a doll, a perfect and innocent figurine of femininity. "Do you have nothing more to gain or learn in life?'

'I have yet to conquer love.'

A blush spread across the demon's face, his own realization flustering him. And when Kurama gazed at Botan, a thousand notions bombarded his imagination. Desperately he shooed away the darker thoughts he associated with love; they were obviously Youko Kurama's memories and subtle suggestions. The human inside was greatly appalled but slightly intrigued.

"Kurama-san, do you have a lover back in your time?" Botan abruptly inquired.

Kurama, knocked away from his thinking, fought back the urge to blush further. But then again, he was too shocked by the princess' impeccable insight. Could she possibly be reading his mind? "Ah, why is it you ask?"

"Well," Botan laughed as she admired a pale pink flower. "I would like to know what she is like. I want to see how women in your time behave or tend to like, what kind of new freedom women have in your era."

"Then what of Keiko-san? Couldn't you have asked her?"

"Keiko-san is too polite and humble to say anything about herself," the young lady sighed, somewhat rolling her candy eyes: of course, in good humor. "She is not one to point out her greater attributes and casually speak of them."

Kurama could not argue, for that was true about Yukimura: she was a very humble girl, and she did not have a problem humbling her boyfriend. And naturally, no one minded that either. "Then I guess you will be disappointed to hear, Botan-hime, that I have no lover."

"Oh, no one at all?" Sky brows rose at such a thought. "I do not believe you, Kurama-san. Someone such as yourself is sure to have a loved one waiting for you. There has to be someone within your heart."

With that comment, the luminous thief admitted, "Well, I have someone I am in love with; however, I do not know if she feels quite the same. In fact, I do not know much about her at all, although I am quite sure she knows much of me."

Botan accepted that answer, but her curiosity still desired fulfillment. "Well, could you please tell me what you do know of her?"

"She is a kind, hardworking soul who happens to be silly at times," Kurama started, pacing to recall every little detail. "Some say she is somewhat strange, but no one really minds; that is what makes her special. She is very much attached to all of her friends, and has a certain fondness for everyone in good terms with her. I don't believe there is anyone that doesn't have some sort of attraction to her."

"She sounds wonderful," the cheery princess commented. "I hope I meet her one day."

Kurama noted the irony in those words.

"How selfish of me to ask you everything while you yet know so little about me," Botan pinked. "If you wish, you may ask something of me, Kurama-san."

"What should I ask first?" Kurama pondered of his possibilities, but he could not decide on one. There was so much he wanted to know about Botan, and Kurama knew he could not learn everything about her at once. To know that much about someone required much time, the amount of time couples possessed. 'And I don't have that option.'

A silent passed by before anyone said anything else. The beautiful pair just enjoyed the gentle breeze and sighed at the fragrant smell of sweet blossoms. The day was glorious, and the atmosphere was one of anticipation; something momentous would happen.

Kurama decided to break the silence, finally settling what question to ask Botan first. "Why are so many demons after your life, Botan-hime?"

Botan smiled with masked remorse. "I wondered when that question would come. Well, to simply state, Kurama-san, that is the curse of the women from the Hanagami Clan."

Curse? "What do you mean?"

"For many centuries, Kurama-san, the Hanagami women have been granted extraordinary abilities through their bloodline," the princess explained darkly, her voice taking a mystical, frightening tone. By that point, Kurama barely recognized Botan. "And with these extraordinary abilities comes the power to grant wishes."

A furry silver ear swiveled in curiosity. "Wishes?"

Botan bit her lip apprehensively. "Through our blood, wishes can be granted."

"Your blood?"

"Yes." The maiden felt like she could cry. "With every drop of blood in my veins, Kurama-san, is the power to grant someone's deepest desires; however, there are limits."

"Such as your life?" Kurama suggested as he was beginning to form the picture of Botan's cursed ancestry. In fact, he was seeing a side of the lady he never imagined was hidden beneath her jubilant visage. 'Has Botan held these scars deep inside herself as well? Has she wallowed in her pain alone for this long?'

"Alas," Botan wearily sighed, "usually a wisher does not hold the maiden's life in high esteem. And after her life, the wisher also forgets that the grander his desire is, the more blood it will cost the Hangami maiden."

"So these demons are not really after your life but in truth your abilities to grant wishes," Kurama figured. The tricky thief was beginning his collection of clues and connecting them together. Slowly but surely the Spirit Detective would see the bigger picture.

"But in a sense, they are after my life with the wish they lust to be granted."

"And what wish is that?" The moment the questioned popped out of his mouth, Kurama regretted it. He knew the obvious answer. "They desire to rule the Human World, through you."

"Such is the curse," came a whisper.

"I see," Kurama sighed, staring at the princess sympathetically. "And this 'curse' only affects the women within your family?"

"Yes," Botan muttered desolately. "My mother was abducted for her powers as was my grandmother. They lost their lives all because of this damned blood!"

Kurama's eyes widened at the princess' angry tongue. In all his time knowing Botan, Kurama had never heard the ferry girl curse or swear; in fact, the Detective could not recollect a time where Botan ever had used foul language.

"Oh, forgive me again for my outburst," the maiden blushed, hiding her face behind her silken sleeves. "Oh, I am so ashamed for speaking out like that. You must think me a fool, Kurama-san."

"No, by all means, please continue," Kurama encouraged, slightly amused by the Botan's past. Even in her past, she was as bashful as ever. "I've found it healthier, not to mention safer, for a person to vent verbally than to find some other way to release their frustrations: in most cases, anyway."

A small smile escaped Princess Botan's lips. "You are a wise demon."

"Wiser than most at least."

"I wish then my ancestors had been as wise as yourself," Botan sighed, looking at the ground. She mindlessly played with the grass. "If only they had chosen a better wish than the ability to grant their own wishes."

"Was that how you came to posses this blood?"

Nodding, Botan further explained, "Many generations ago, my ancestors were blessed by the reigning spirits and demons; and the divine beings sought to reward my clan for their good deeds. The gods asked the clan what wish they desired to be granted, and the clan leader demanded for the ability to grant others' wishes. Although they found it unwise, the gods agreed and bestowed the powers upon my kinswomen."

"And here you are today," Kurama murmured forlornly, "carrying on the foolish wish to grant wishes. How sad for you, Botan-hime."

More silence passed between the couple, the two ever growing closer with each minute. Without words their hearts came nearer. Strong emotions surrounded the couple, but Kurama and Botan did not know how to translate them.

"Actually, Botan-hime," Kurama muttered, gently taking the princess' hand in his own, "the one I love is very much like yourself."

'You're exactly same, even through time.'

"But she sounded nothing like me," Botan blushed sheepishly, staring down at her captured hand. She was nearly too flustered to speak. "The way you described her, she is a maiden that does not fear the world, Kurama-san, whereas I do."

"She is like you in so many ways, Botan-hime," Kurama assured with confidence. "She, like you, carries her burdens and heartaches within her, relieving burden from her loved ones. The two of you are exactly alike."

'You still hide your soul to protect the ones you love.'

"She and I are not the same, Kurama-san," Botan argued, taking back her hand.

Kurama allowed Botan back her hand, but he continued gazing at her intently. "But you are."

Botan's lavender eyes blinked curiously. Very confused, the princess could not make heads or tails of Kurama's words. Why was he saying such things? "How is that, Kurama-san?"

'Because you're the same person.' The words were at the tip of Kurama's tongue; however, the fox demon stopped the urge, unsure what might happen if he revealed his emotions to Princess Botan.

When Botan saw Kurama fight back his reply, she decided it was her turn to speak. "I think I am falling in love with you, Kurama-san," the princess smiled cheerily, as if her words were some casual conversation. "Even though you have only been with us a few weeks, and I barely know you even now, I feel like I could spend eternity by your side. Strange, is it not? Especially since you are a demon."

Kurama's attention focused on Botan's every word. 'She's falling in love with me?'

"Actually, I lied to you, Kurama-san. I am in love with you," Botan admitted with a crimson face. "And I can last forever with you by my side."

'Now he will truly think I am a fool.'

"I also know I can spend all of my existence with you," Kurama fondly muttered, tracing Botan's cheek tenderly.

And by the shock in the lady's eyes, she apparently had not been expecting Kurama's response; in fact, she had expected an opposite reaction. "But Kurama-san--"

"I'm in love with you, Botan. Even if we never really meet in this time, your time, later on we do. And in our time, I love you. And even now, I love you all the more. You're the same, the same beautiful woman with a lovely gentle heart."

"Kurama-san--"

Kurama silenced Botan with a kiss.

And if anyone had entered the garden at that moment, they would have met a mystical sight: A luminous white demon tenderly embracing a lovely flower princess.

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