Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho, never said I did.
Author's Note: Thank toDarkflameangel for reviewing my last chapter.
Episode 3: In a Flash of Light
Minamino Shiori was at home alone again, her son, Shuichi, had went on a field trip to a America today with his friends, Yusuke, Kuwabara, and another one, short spiky hair...Hiei, that one really liked to keep to himself. It was some sort of out reach program and they wanted her Shuichi to help because he was at the top of his class. She was in the back watering the garden, it always seem less vibrant when Shuichi was away. She guessed he just had the touch, but something had been bothering her lately about all the disappearing acts he'd been playing. God knows she was glad her boy finally got some friends, but they were a little rough. She'd noticed the cuts and bruises he'd come home with after his outings with them. She'd noticed the stiffness in his steps. She'd asked him about it, but he'd always assure her he was fine.
She had no dilutions about her son. She knew he'd been fighting. She remembered how cruel the other children were to him when he was younger. Teasing him about his looks, they use to call him the most awful things, until her calm and serene baby dealt one a fist to the face. She also knew it took a lot to get him to that point. He wasn't one to fight rashly, but those friends of his... Let's just say, she had the notion that her son kept on jumping into fights to bail them out. She'd heard some things about this Urameshi Yusuke and Kuwabara Kazuma, but she'd thought her Shuichi be a good influence on them. Anyway, his grades weren't slipping, and he hadn't come home in any real trouble, so she certainly wouldn't take away her son's only friends.
She worried about him, though. She loved him. She truly did, he was wonderful, loving, caring, she couldn't have asked for a better son, but she knew he wasn't perfect. In fact, that's what made her worry the most. His perfect act, she knew he did it for her. He was a great actor, but no child was that perfect. She could always tell when he was being real with her and when he was acting, there was something in his eyes...something she could never describe, but it was there. She couldn't tell by his voice, or his actions, only in his eyes, his beautiful emerald green eyes, his father's eyes. There was something in them that just wasn't there when he was acting with her. Call it motherly instinct, whatever you want, but when he looked her in the face, she always knew if he was being real or not. She had confronted him about this only once, but she knew there were just some things a teenage boy couldn't share with his mother. That was the main reason she didn't fuss about his chose in friends, anyway, if Shuichi like them, they couldn't be as bad as people said.
The day was going to be beautiful. The morning was still early and she loved being in the garden. A refreshing breeze blew across her back, making her mid length hair dance against her shoulders. She smiled to herself content.
"Greetings, Minamino Shiori," A serene female voice spoke from behind her, the sound breaking the peaceful quiet like a thunderclap. Shiori stiffened at the sound and whirled around, startled. Her hand flying to her chest to stop her heart's fluttering beat as she faced the new comer. Quietly, she quickly took in the sight of the woman standing a respectable distance away from her. She was a Latino woman, though she spoke flawless Japanese, about her age with a very dignified stature, and an elaborate dress like nothing she'd ever seen. It was laired, long, and flowing, colored with various shades of light blue. Around her neck and curving over each shoulder was a dark blue cloth trimmed with gold. Embroidered in white on the thick of the cloth were symbols, Shiori couldn't read. Atop her head, she wore a headdress. It was a small crown made of cloth and a golden rim framing her hairline, forged into a circle above her forehead. Underneath the crown, long flowing light blue silk fell down her back, covering her hair, and was tucked behind each ear. All in all, this woman didn't look like she should be standing in the middle of Shiori's backyard, and it took her back a bit. The aura about this woman put off an air of authority and power, though oddly it had a calming effect on her.
"Greetings, Minamino Shiori," The woman repeated as she stood with her hands tucked in her sleeves calmly waiting for Shiori's initial shock to wear off then bowed deeply as she introduced herself, "I am High Priestess Mother Esperanza Hermosa. I was sent to you from the Vanita Temple found in the City of Shradhdha of the Inner Earth. We are the Priestesses of The Ancient Goddess, Shyelle, blessed be Her name, The Watcher of the Ways in Between the Universes, The Keeper of the Gates. The Great Priestess Mother Tamasha Rashida, highest priestess of all Shyelle's sects, blessed be Her name, has requested to see you concerning your son." Shiori stood momentarily stunned. It was a lot to take in. She knew this woman wasn't joking, even though she couldn't feel people's spirits, she could feel hers. The woman was authority, it zinged crisply in the air, it was almost a tangible thing, and the woman had said the very head of her sect wished to speak with her concerning...
"My son? What about my son? I've never even heard of this temple or this goddess before. What does this have to do with my son?" Shiori asked her voice slightly confused and a tad bit on the defensive side. She didn't feel threaten by this woman, but wondered what she could possibly say about her son.
"Yes, but we have heard about you, Mrs. Minamino. It is not my place to say what The Great Priestess Mother has to speak about. Though, I will tell you this, you aren't the only parent I will come to visit today. I have four more stops to make before my work here is done, but what she has to say to you will take the longest, so I stopped here first. Will you go speak with her? You, yourself, have questions about him. What The Great Priestess Mother has to say will make many things clear." High Mother Priestess Esperanza replied with a gentle smile.
Shiori was unsure of what she wanted to do. She didn't know this woman. She didn't know about this temple or goddess. She had no idea where this city, Shradhdha, was or what the woman meant by saying it was of the Inner Earth, but what she did know for sure is she wanted to hear what this Great Priestess Mother Tamasha Rashida, had to say, and she knew how she felt. Everything inside her told her to trust this woman, to listen to what she had to say that this person was a voice of authority and so she trusted that.
"I will go with you. How far is this city, Shradhdha? How long will it take us to get there? Will I need to bring many things?" Shiori answered sitting down her watering can and walking up to the woman.
"The city is very far away, but it won't take long at all to get there. You will need to bring nothing all will be provided for you. I brought this for you." High Mother Priestess Esperanza exclaimed leaning close to Shiori and clipping a pendant to her shirt. It was shaped like a shield with the same circle emblem, as the one on the priestess's forehead, and across the top was a katana blade up. Shiori looked down to the small charm pinned to the breast of her shirt and touched it a little then looked back to Esperanza, intending to thank her for it, but before she could speak the priestess did. The High Priestess Mother smile gently and said, "Don't be afraid they'll take good care of you on the other side." With that said, Shiori suddenly began to feel strange. She lifted her hands to see that they were glowing.
Startled and afraid she looked back to the priestess and screamed, "What is..." She never finished, because in a flash of light, she was gone. High Mother Priestess Esperanza tucked her hands in her sleeves and walked away.
Today was a slow morning, hardly any customers had come by, and Yukimura Hoshiko looked to her husband, Yasuo with concern. A new Western restaurant had opened up across the street from them about seven weeks ago, and was slowly starting to put 'Yukimura's Raman' out of business. Hoshiko and Yasuo had started this business together shortly after they were married. They'd put there sweat and blood into the place and it sadden them both to see its downfall coming. One thing that kept them smiling though was there daughter, Keiko. She was a smart girl, smarter than both her parents combined. She would do great things, they thought, go places they never could. She would do better than they did. True, they were proud of what they accomplished. Starting your own business from scratch was no easy task, but just look at how easily it could crumble. They were pleased she could do better. However, there was the problem of the Urameshi boy, but deep down they knew he was an all right kid. For the most part, they blamed Atsuko for his shortcomings, and thought that Keiko was good for him.
They were sitting behind the counter talking when the bell on the front door rang, signaling they had a customer. They both stood and looked to the sound.
"Greetings Yukimura Hoshiko and Yasuo," A dignified Latino woman spoke serenely in the strangest clothes Hoshiko or her husband had ever seen. They too felt the same thing in her presence that Shiori did, and they both straightened up. The woman bowed, "I am High Priestess Mother Esperanza Hermosa. I was sent to you as a show of courtesy from the Vanita Temple found in the City of Shradhdha of the Inner Earth. A month from today your daughter will be given a great opportunity to shape her future, and the future of this world. It would be her decision weather or not she excepts it, but the Great Priestess Mother Tamasha Rashida, highest priestess of all Shyelle's sects, blessed be Her name, has requested to see you both concerning this opportunity. She has many things she wishes to explain to you, and it would be very wise to see her. Will you come?"
Yasuo was the first to speak, the power he could feel from this woman made him nervous and unsure of himself, but this weird lady had mentioned his daughter. Therefore, he was a bit worried and defensive. He didn't like the way she said courtesy like it didn't matter what he or his wife had to say on the matter, and that thought was confirmed when the woman said it was his daughter's decision to except it or not. His daughter wasn't going to do anything without his permission and that of his wife, he'd make sure that lady understood that.
"Just wait one minute, Ms. Hermosa." He started out in a defensive tone, but was cut off by High Mother Priestess Esperanza, "Please, at the very least, refer to me as Priestess Hermosa, its part of my title, and I worked many years to earn it."
"Pardon me, Priestess," Yasuo found himself saying apologetically despite the fact he had decided to be firm with this lady. Even though he tried, he simply couldn't shake the feelings of authority he got from her, but authority or not she was talking about his daughter, and he had to be firm for her sake, he had to make sure this lady was safe, even though he felt she was he needed something more to go on than feelings. His voice became stern as he continued, "I've never heard of your goddess or temple. How did you learn of my daughter, and what's this opportunity you speak of?"
"It is not my place to explain, only to offer you the invitation to meet with the Great Priestess Mother. If you leave now, you should be back before your daughter is released from school. Will you come?" Esperanza replied calmly, her hands tucked inside her sleeves.
"We just can't up and leave now. We have a business to run." Yasuo replied firmly, though within himself, he did truly want to go, and see what this was about. He didn't like the feeling that someone was controlling him, and right now, this quiet lady with her unspoken authority was unnerving him.
"Perhaps, we should go, Yasuo, business has been slow, and this is about Keiko, nothings more important than she is. I want to know more about this opportunity. I want to meet with this Great Priestess Mother Tamasha Rashida." Hoshiko exclaimed with a tone that her husband knew all to well. It was the tone that told him, if he resisted she'd walk out that door without him, she rarely used it, and Yasuo knew his wife could feel the strange power the woman was giving off as well.
"Alright Hoshiko we'll go, but first we got to close down the shop." Yasuo answered in a voice that said he clearly surrendered.
"I will wait here. Tell me when you're ready." Esperanza said as she walked over to a booth and sat down.
Fifteen minutes later and a clothes change, Yausuo with his wife return to Esperanza. They were dressed in the best clothes they had, it just seemed like the proper thing to do, and Esperanza stood looking them over.
She smiled and removed her hands from her sleeves. In her right hand, she held two pendants that looked exactly like the one she gave Shiori. "I brought this for you." The High Priestess Mother exclaimed leaning close to Yausuo and clipping a pendant to his shirt. She turned to Hoshiko, pinning one on her also, "And I have one for you as well." She stepped back from them a little and smile gently as she said, "Don't be afraid they'll take good care of you on the other side."
"What are you...?" Yausuo started to ask, but cut himself off when he began to feel strange. He lifted his hands to see that they were glowing, and then he heard his wife's frightened scream. "What's happening?" Hoshiko got out the question Shiori never finished, but she didn't get her answer, because in a flash of light they were both gone. High Priestess Mother Esperanza tucked her hands in her sleeves and walked out the door, pausing shortly at the door. There were several audible clicks as all the locks on the door turn, securing the shop from all intruders, then she walked away. She had two more people to visit today.
Urameshi Atsuko was drunk. She hadn't really been home for the last two days, but had called Sarayashiki Junior High to make sure her boy had gone to school. Surprisingly, he did, but not today, no today her boy was out doing God knows what. She frowned in her drunken stupor. She tried, she really did, but Yusuke was such a stubborn boy. She was at a bar, it was 10: 30 a.m., but she knew the guy, who owned the place, they had fucked a few times; however, it was nothing serious, so he'd let her come in some times before hours as long as she could pay. She took a shot of tequila. No matter how much she drunk she never could get numb enough, drunk enough to forget...to forget what happen...what happen that night…she shook her head to banish the thoughts, she wouldn't start thinking about that now.
She grabbed the bottle to pore another drink when she heard it, a stern commanding voice, say, "You've had enough." The sound and the sternness of the words made her jump in her seat, and being as drunk as she was she landed hard on the floor, flat on her back. She pushed herself up on her elbows and squinted her eyes to see who had spoken to her. She had a weird feeling in her stomach and it had nothing to do with being inebriated.
"Whose is you? What you want?" Atsuko asked in a drunken slur. Then her eyes focused on the person she was speaking to. It was a scary Latino woman in some strange clothes. Atsuko sucked in her breath and scurried back on her hands, knocking down a bar stool in the process, until her head slammed into the wall of the bar, and she pressed her back against it. The woman's presence standing over her made Atsuko feel like she was being judged. Like the woman was looking straight through her and knew all her dirty secrets. She held her hands over her face as if it would stop the woman from looking through her as she screamed, "Stop looking at me!! Stop looking at me!! Stop looking at me!! Stop looking at me!!" She took another peek at the woman. She was frowning at her and Atsuko knew that the woman was going to make her pay, that she was here to punish her, punish her for all the bad things she ever did, and she knew, she knew that the woman knew everything.
Atsuko was afraid, and she started to scream for the bar tender in hopes that he could save her, "Saburo!!!! Saburo!!!! Saburo!!!! Saburo!!!! Saburo!!!! Help me!!!! Help me!!!! Help me!!!! Saburo!!!!" She was too hysterical to notice that the woman was trying to speak to her, and just kept screaming, "Saburo!!!! Saburo!!!! Sabu..."
In the blink of an eye, the Latino woman was kneeling down in front of Atsuko, swiftly she pulled back her hand and slapped Atsuko firmly across the face as she spoke, "Be silent, calm yourself, he can not help you now." Atsuko shrieked lightly at the blow, but quickly silenced her screaming.
She looked down, closed her eyes, and started to mumble, "Please, please, don't hurt me. Please, don't hurt me. Don't hurt me. Don't hurt me. Don't hurt me. Don't hurt me."
The Latino woman frown, hearing every word, she grabbed Atsuko by both her arms and shook her slightly, "I said be silent." Instantly, Atsuko was quiet. The Latino woman reached into her left sleeve, and pulled out a tiny bottle. She removed its cork, and placed the bottle to Atsuko's lips, "Drink this, it will clear your head." Atsuko firmly closed her mouth biting down on her lips. The Latino woman sighed, lowering the bottle, and stroked the red mark forming on Atsuko's cheek gently. She gave her a soft smile, as one would do a frightened child who knew they were caught in the wrong. She ran her hand tenderly through Atsuko's messy hair as a mother would do a child to comfort them then she forced Atsuko's head up to look at her. Atsuko's eyes popped open as her head was gently forced up and there eyes met. There was no denying the authority she saw there. "Drink," The woman ordered holding the bottle back to Atsuko's lips.
This time Atsuko opened her mouth and allowed the bitter liquid to be pored down her throat. She coughed harshly from the burn of the strong spicy liquid, and her eyes watered. She hardly felt the Latino woman pick her up and place her on a barstool. Her chest was burning.
"Don't be afraid, the burn will pass soon, and when it does you will be of a clear mind." The woman spoke, Atsuko barely heard her, but then suddenly the burn was gone, and her thoughts came clearly. It was almost like waking up from a bad dream. She hadn't been this sober in years. She blink, and looked over up at the woman standing across from her. She needed another drink.
"Greetings, Urameshi Atsuko," The woman said with a deep bow, "I see the sobering tonic has taken effect that is good. I am High Priestess Mother Esperanza Hermosa. I was sent to you from the Vanita Temple found in the City of Shradhdha of the Inner Earth. We are the Priestesses of The Ancient Goddess, Shyelle, blessed be Her name. The Great Priestess Mother Tamasha Rashida, highest priestess of all Shyelle's sects, blessed be Her name, has requested to see you concerning your son."
Atsuko fished around in her back pocket, while the woman, now known to her as High Mother Priestess Esperanza Hermosa, spoke, and she pulled out a wrinkled pack of cigarettes. She tapped the bottom of it on the bar, and pulled one out, lighting it, despite the look of displeasure that came across the priestess's face. Atsuko was never one to quite care for authority figures, she knew her boy got that from her, and this woman screamed authority. There was a power about this lady, that just seemed unnatural, and she needed the nicotine to calm her nerves. Like it was said, she hadn't been this sober in years, and she didn't like it.
She took a long drag, and blew the smoke to the side as she asked in a calm drawl that she didn't feel, "So what's my boy done now? That brat's always up to no good." To Atsuko's slight surprise and discomfort, the priestess frowned at the statement.
"He has done nothing wrong." The High Mother replied strongly, then pause to let the fact sink in. Atsuko's eyes widen a little at the force in which the statement was said and shifted in her seat slightly. Have I just offended the woman? She thought to herself, despite her relaxed manner, she hoped not. She felt faintly threaten by this woman, but she couldn't place what kind of threat. She did not feel that the woman would strike her again, so it wasn't fear for her person. Somehow, the woman just made her feel small by standing before her with her disapproving frowns, and her strong words. The priestess went on, her voice firm, "This is about his future and your own. Will you go meet with the Great Priestess Mother Tamasha Rashida? She has many things she must say to you."
"And if I say no," Atsuko asked flippantly as she took another long drag from her cigarette. She didn't like the way this woman made her feel and she just wanted her to leave. At the same time though, something deep with in herself was telling her to go, but she firmly ignored it.
"If you say no, I will go, but the matter will not rest. I have no idea what the Great Priestess Mother will do, but I know this, the matter will not rest until she speaks with you." The High Priestess Mother replied in a calm firm tone.
"Then go," Atsuko answered, just wanting to be out of this woman's presence. Something inside her screamed for her to take back those words to go with this strange woman, and hear what the Great Priestess Mother had to say, but she ruthlessly fought it back, she wasn't going. She just didn't want to. She had better things to do. Esperanza frowned at the reply and Atsuko shifted in her seat.
Then the priestess sighed, and bowed as she said, "Very well. Good day to you, Ms. Urameshi." She turned around to leave, but then paused and said, "Don't drink anymore alcohol. It won't sit well with you any longer." In utter defiance, despite the knot that formed in her stomach at the words, Atsuko pored another shot of tequila, and tossed it down her throat. Before it even hit her stomach, her body rebelled and she through up all over the counter. When she was finished, she looked up to the priestess, but she was gone then she hurled again, and Saburo, the bar tender came out from a back room.
"Fuck!! Atsuko!!! I told you, if you hurled on my bar one more time, you were out!!! Now clean up this fuckin' mess and get the hell out of my bar!!" Saburo snapped angrily.
Atsuko pulled her hair from her face, and replied, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, I know, just give me a fuckin' second okay."
Kuwabara Shizuru was waiting. She was supposed to go to work today, but she called off. Her senses were telling her to expect a very important visitor today. She had on her best out fit, and had made tea and cookies. She was glad for the distraction from worrying about her brother. She'd never seen him, so depressed in all his life. When there parents died he was only eight, he was depressed for six weeks after there death, but then he started to bounce back. Even when they had to live with there Aunt Kaori and her kids from Hell, he'd never gotten this depressed, and that was saying something. The place was a hellhole, and the woman treated them like indentured servants. She even tried to dish out a beating or two, but Shizuru wasn't having that, and they ran away three years later when Shizuru was fourteen, and Kazuma was eleven. Ever since there parents died, Shizuru was a mother to Kazuma. They had some hard times on the streets, until she landed her hairdressing job, which paid real good money, but she'd never seen him this down.
After Yukina left all he did was mope, he didn't hang out with his friends, he didn't fight with Yusuke, he didn't really do anything, but mope, and miss her, to him it was as if she'd died. Shizuru even caught him crying once, but he had said he got something in his eye, normally she wouldn't let it slide, but that time she did. She'd never seen him so upset, and she hoped he'd shake out of it soon. It was 11:00 a.m. and Shizuru was hoping her unknown visitor would arrive soon. She was a bit nervous; not knowing what all of this was about, but her senses would have alerted her if this visitor was going to be dangerous. There was a knock on the front door and she rose from her seat to answer it. The person behind the door was very powerful, and Shizuru was a bit surprise she hadn't sense the person coming until they were already there. She opened the door, and stood stock-still. This Latino woman was very powerful. She hardly saw or thought about how oddly the woman was dressed. Her senses said this woman's power was suppressed, yet she could still feel it tingling in the air. She knew the Latino woman was allowing this to happen on purpose, but to accomplish what she didn't know.
The woman bowed deeply as she said, "Greetings, Kuwabara Shizuru." Then she stood up right again, and met Shizuru's gaze.
That snapped Shizuru out of her shock stupor, and she returned the bow as she replied, "Hello to you as well. Miss, please, come inside, so that we may talk." The Latino woman accepted her offer with a nod of her head and Shizuru led her into the small sitting room of her apartment. "Please, sit down while I warm some tea. When I return, you can introduce yourself, and explain the reason for your visit." Shizuru picked up the small kettle off the table and walked briskly into the kitchen. This woman was authority. Shizuru could feel it very strongly from her, even in the kitchen, she could pick up on the woman's power, and she knew it had nothing to do with her special talent. It was the kind of feeling she expected to get from Koenma. He was the Prince of Death, Ruler of Spirit World, but she didn't, she didn't feel anything like this, nothing this strong. The feeling was almost tangible as if she could pick it up and hold it in her hands, but it wasn't smothering, no it had a comforting quality in it that she'd never felt emitted from anyone's ki. The oddest thing yet was that the energy that she sensed from the woman in her sitting room was human. She didn't think humans had those types of kis... The whistle of the kettle blew, jarring her from her thoughts, and she quickly removed it, returning to her guest.
She poured the woman some tea, before poring herself some as well then sat down. The woman took a courteous sip of her tea then placed the cup back on the table.
"It is an honor to meet with you, Ms. Kuwabara. I wonder...two plates...two cups, and you're dressed very finely, am I intruding?" The Latino woman asked kindly. Shizuru gazed at the woman oddly for a moment and thought, Is this some kind of test? I know she knows I've been waiting for her, but I better just answer.
"No ma'am, you're not intruding at all. I was waiting for you." Shizuru answered hoping it was the right response, because it was an honest one.
The woman smiled, and replied, "Your senses are very sharp. I would expect nothing less from you. Do you know why I'm here?" The woman's tone was gentle and pleasant.
"No, only that what you've come to say is very important," Shizuru answered.
"Your senses have not failed you, Ms. Kuwabara, and indeed I have come to discuss something of great importance with you. I am High Priestess Mother Esperanza Hermosa. I was sent to you from the Vanita Temple found in the City of Shradhdha of the Inner Earth. We are the Priestesses of The Ancient Goddess, Shyelle, blessed be Her name. The Great Priestess Mother Tamasha Rashida, highest priestess of all Shyelle's sects, blessed be Her name, has requested to see you concerning your brother and yourself. Will you come?" The High Priestess Mother explained.
Shizuru took a sip of her tea to delay giving her answer. She had some questions first and she wasn't going anywhere unless they were answered to her satisfaction.
"You spoke of a city called Shradhdha found in the Inner Earth, what is the Inner Earth? Where is it?" Shizuru asked daring to look the woman firmly in the eyes. A gentle gaze met her questioning one. The priestess seemed to pause in thought.
Then she sighed and said, "I believe your mind is experienced enough to hear and believe what I am going to say, so please hold your questions until I'm finished. You know of the three worlds, The Human World, The Spirit World, and The Makai. All these worlds exist on Earth, only on different planes of existence, in separate dimensions. The Inner Earth is a part of the Human World. We live beneath the surface deep with in the Earth's natural caverns, and around the Earth's core. We are technologically and physically more advance then TopWorlders. Our people along with creatures that you would call demons moved into the Earth over a thousand millennia go. There are virtually no natural roots from the surface to any of our cities and vice versa.
In all that time, it was strictly forbidden for us to involve ourselves with the TopWorld, on pain of death. Because for one the TopWorlders hated us, so our separation maintain peace between our peoples, and for the other most of us were naturally peaceful, odd for a warrior race, but true, if we were to stay on the Topside we would have with no doubt wiped out the Topworlders. We didn't want that, so we stayed hidden beneath the Earth. A very special shield, part technological, part supernatural, surrounds our world, shielding our kis, and any energy levels we might give off from all outsiders. Only Enma Daioh knows of us, but that is all, our souls don't answer to his judgment, and no other people are aware of our existence."
The priestess stopped, and Shizuru just looked at her. She knew the woman was telling the truth, but there was something the woman said that didn't quite make cense.
"If there are no natural roots to the surface from the Inner Earth, how did your people get there in the first place, and how did you get out? Also if interaction with the TopWorld as you call it is forbidden on pain of death, why are you here?" Shizuru asked cautiously, watching the woman carefully for any signs of lying.
"To answer your second question first, you and a few others have been deemed a special case. If you wish to know more, you will have to speak with the Great Priestess Mother on that. Now to answer your first question, there are only two ways to get from the Inner Earth to the Topworld, and vice versa. The first is an Interdimensional Portal. We have a technology based on interdimensional physics and science that can open up a slipstream of space, which allows us to travel long distances almost instantaneously. To use this way, you first need clearance from The Bureau of Portal Control. You need two portals, one to enter, and one to exit. The Portal System is one of our oldest technologies. There is also a ki technique, but it would only get one to the surface, our shield would prevent anyone from using that technique to get into the Inner Earth. The second way is the Tranceporter, also a technology we developed. To use this way we break your body down into thousands of molecules and trance port you on a beam of light, an energy stream, then reassemble you on the other side. That is the way I used, and the way you'll go if you chose to go meet the Great Priestess Mother." The High Mother explained.
It was a lot to take in, but Shizuru understood what Esperanza was saying, and surprisingly enough, believed her.
"Will it hurt?" Shizuru asked, her mind all ready made up to go.
"No, you'll feel a slight tingling that's all." The High Mother replied.
"I'll do it. When do I go?" Shizuru answered.
"Now, I've brought something for you." The priestess exclaimed, reaching into her left sleeve, and pulled out a pendant. She held it out to Shizuru, and Shizuru took it. "Put it on." The priestess instructed, Shizuru did, and the High Priestess Mother went on, "It will allow them to lock on to your signal. In only a few moments, you'll be taken. Don't be afraid they'll take good care of you on the other side."
"You're not..." Shizuru started too ask, but then she felt the tingling the priestess spoke of and in a flash of light, she was gone.
Esperanza picked up her cup and took another sip of her tea. She stood, cleared off the table, put up the food, then walked out the door, making sure it was locked securely behind her.
Genkai knew something big was going to happen to her today. She hadn't had such a feeling like this since…well, it didn't matter. It could mean only one thing. She didn't want to get her hopes up, but it was to late though. Her hopes were up, and in her hand, she held a picture. She was forty-something in the image standing next to a young woman with gorgeous pink hair, high cheekbones, and strong blue eyes that were so dark they looked black. Next to her stood a tall young man about 6 '2, largely built, black hair, and dark eyes a shade or two brighter than the woman's. In his arms, he held a little girl, no older than one with long black hair, and bright honey brown eyes. She hadn't seen the child since she was two, but always knew she was safe, and with her father in The Safe Haven.
Her family, her reason for not following Toguro step-by-step straight into hell, gods knows she had loved that man more than her own life, but that was a different time. Her daughter Nozomi, her hope, she was the best thing Toguro ever gave to her, but she was dead now, and her only remaining family were in The Safe Haven. Nozomi died to get her husband and daughter there. Thinking of that time pain Genkai's heart, but she knew once they were there it was very likely that she would never see her son-in-law or granddaughter again. She had accepted that along time ago, but for some reason today, that feeling had changed. Before she could think more on it, there was a knock on her temple door. She answered it and saw a very powerful Latino woman dressed in a long flowing dress. She was slightly surprised that she hadn't sensed the woman, until she was at her doorstep, but had no time to think of it as the woman bowed deeply.
"Greetings Master Genkai, Mother of Nozomi, Grandmother to the First Hope of Earth," The woman exclaimed as she bowed. She rose and continued, "I am High Priestess Mother Esperanza Hermosa. I was sent to you from the Vanita Temple found in the City of Shradhdha of the Inner Earth, the place you knew as The Safe Haven. We are the Priestesses of The Ancient Goddess, Shyelle, blessed be Her name. Mr. Seijuro and Nariko have been wanting to see you for a time now. Upon learning you survived the attack that robbed him of his wife, Mr. Seijuro went to speak to the Empress, herself, about granting you permission to be in the realm, which is virtually unheard of for a male to do in our world. The Empress granted his request with the stipulation that The Great Priestess Mother Tamasha Rashida, agreed. The Great Priestess Mother, highest priestess of all Shyelle's sects, blessed be Her name, did not agree at that time, saying that you still have work to complete on the TopWorld. However, she has now granted your son and granddaughter's request to see you, and if you are willing, I will send you there now."
Genkai blinked she was not expecting such a greeting, but knew without hesitation that she wanted to go, "Please come inside, and I will be ready to leave shortly." Esperanza stepped inside and Genkai led her to a sitting room before she went off to gather her things. She was ready in ten minutes. Esperanza stood when Genkai entered the room carrying several bags.
"Good then, I've brought this for you." The priestess announced, reaching into her left sleeve, and pulled out a pendant. She held it out to Genkai, and the old master took it. "Put it on. It will allow them to lock on to your life signal." The priestess instructed, after a moments thought Genkai did, and Esperanza went on, "In only a few moments, you'll be taken. Don't be afraid they'll take good care of you on the other side." Then in a flash of light Genkai, and her bags were gone.
The High Priestess Mother took a deep breath, and sighed as she sat back down.
"Now what to do about that foolish Atsuko," She said to herself as she reached in to her sleeve and pulled out a small circular compact with several buttons on it. She touched several of the keys in sequence, and a large holographic image the size of a computer screen, only it was circular, popped up. On it was a close up view of a young black woman, who looked to be around her mid-twenties, with long white hair. Esperanza bowed her head as a sign of respect.
The woman in the hologram spoke, "What disturbs you my sister?"
"Great Mother, Atsuko, has refused to come as you've requested. What should be done?" High Priestess Mother Esperanza answered not looking the woman in the face.
"Then take away her choice. I only asked as a courtesy, the illusion of choice gives those with no faith, comfort, but I must speak with her. Bring her directly to me when you come. Wait at least a half hour then take her." The Great Priestess Mother replied, firmly.
"As you have said, it will be done." Esperanza answered, and then the hologram of the other woman blinked out, shrinking back into the small circular compact from which it came. High Priestess Mother Esperanza stood and walked out the door.
A half hour later...
Atsuko was in her futon trying to sleep. She hadn't changed her clothes from last night and she reeked of booze. She was very distressed to find out after that priestess lady left, she couldn't drink another drop of liquor, even a beer, without hurling her guts out. She wondered what the witch had done to her. It had to be something in the tonic. No matter how hard she thought on it, Atsuko couldn't fathom what could have made her drink the shit, but man was she pissed. She needed her liquor, how'd that old bag expect her to make it through the day without a little booze. She tossed and turned, but she just couldn't sleep.
Then she jumped three feet in to the air when a familiar voice boomed from her doorway, "Urameshi Atsuko," it was the priestess from before.
"How the hell did you get in my apartment?" Atsuko yelled in anger, hopping up to her feet.
"By order of the Great Priestess Mother Tamasha Rashida..." The priestess continued.
"I'm calling the cops!!" Atsuko yelled starting for the phone.
"You will not." The priestess answered calmly.
"The hell I won't!! What gives you...?" Atsuko started, but then trailed off when she realized she couldn't move, "What did you do to me!"
"Silence!" The priestess boomed and Atsuko shut her mouth, "By order of the Great Priestess Mother Tamasha Rashida, you have been summoned to meet with her, willing or not. You will come with me now."
The priestess walked up to the struggling Atsuko, while the woman screamed frantically, "Get away from me!!! Get away from me!!! Help!!! Help!! Get away from me!!! Help me!! Get away from me!!! Help!!! Help!! Get away from me!!!"
Esperanza pinned a pendant on Atsuko's chest, and said her voice calm, "Don't be afraid they'll take good care of you on the other side."
"What is..!" Atsuko started, but they both disappeared in a flash of light.
End Episode 3