THANKS SO MUCH TO DESTINY852! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! THANKS SOOOOO MUCH FOR THE SUPPORT! Its soooooo great that I have support for this story, even though I am a beginner at writing! Thanks again! Please continue to review! I LOVE YOU ALL!

Ch.19 So Close and Yet So Far

Kurama had given Minagi her clothes from the washroom, and now they were waiting in the living room waiting for her.

" Man," Kuwabara complained. " Why does it take girls so long to get changed."

" You have to remember Kuwabara," Kurama said," She IS injured, and she is probably going as fast as she can."

Kuwabara gave a "hmph", hateing to be corrected all the time. Kurama smiled, but then it faded. He lowered his eyes, thinking about what was about to take place. If Kowenma did have the potion, then Yoko would be released. He wasn't as gentle as Suichi and he was worried about what would happen when he sees Minagi. Would he tell her more than he should about how he felt about her? And how would she react if he did? She was still so in love with Kuronue, and he didn't want to take that from her. Whatever made Minagi happy, Kurama was glad to do it. That was why he was doing this, he would do anything for her...anything. A knot was forming in Kurama's stomach as he thought more on the matter. He tightend his fist in nervousness and then released. Part of him hoped that Kowenma didn't have the potion, but Minagi needed closure and he would fufill that.

His train of thought was broken when he sensed Minagi walk in the room. He turned to see her in her old clothes. A black,long sleeved, leather top which fell off her shoulders, stopping just under her breasts and stichted in the front with a ribbon. Her long skirt was open on the sides going all the way up to her waist, with a silver chain belt around her waist. She woar her old, leather knee-high boots, which had incriptions on the sides. She rubbed her bandaged shoulder and walked to where everyone was seated. Kurama looked her over, you could still see the bandages on her legs,shoulders, and face. The one thing that caught his eye was Kuronue's pendant, saftly around her neck. He smiled, Kuronue never ever let anyone touch his pendant, and now it was around the neck of a elf demon who NOW would not let anyone else have it as well. ' Ironic' he thought.

" Well," she said, her hands on her hips, " Are we going anytime soon?"

They all stood, Kuwabara storming past her. " It was your falt were so late in the first place," he mumbled.

Minagi frowned, hearing this with her large ears, and stuck her foot out in his path, tripping him as he past. She turned to the door, stepping on his back as she went. Everyone followed, trying to keep their laughes to themselves. Kuwabara growled and mumbled things under his breath as he got up off the floor and following the others. Kurama's mother rounded the corner from the kitched and stood in the doorway waving to them.

" Have fun at the arcade!" she yelled, believing what they had told her. 'Minagi sure dressed very...uniqely. I hope Suichi and the others will be alright.'

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Minagi walked behind Kurama with her eyes faceing the ground. Kurama glanced back at her every now and then, but once she looked up, he turned away. She was probably just as scared as he was, but was doing her best not to show it. They had to go to Genkai's temple in order to meet Botan, the Grim Reaper of the Spirit World. Minagi had never been to the Spirit World, and was a little nervous to meet the Grim Reaper! What would this " Grim Reaper" look like? Was he a dark figure in robes who carried a sharp staff at his side? He couldn't be that bad if he was a friend of Kurama and his friends. But then again, he would have to be strong to hang around with this bunch! What if he was like Hiei but worse! What if he would not take her to the Spirit World because of what she did to Kurama! What if!

" Minagi," Kurama said takeing a step onto the staircase leading up to the shrine and holding her hand out to her," Are you alright?"

Minagi blinked, pushing the thoughts out of her mind. She waved her hand infront of her face. " Oh, yeah! Of course, don't worry about little ole' me."

Kurama smiled and walked back up the stairs. Minagi sighed and followed after him. They walked up the steep stairs, Yueske in front, Kuwabara beside, Hiei following, and Kurama and Minagi dragging up the rear. Minagi glanced up at the top of the stairs, watching the arch get closer and closer. She gulped and continued to follow Kurama.

They reached the top, revieling a large temple. Minagi searched the perimeter with her eyes, viewing the beautiful landscape and this perfect temple right in the middle of it. Only then did she notice an old woman standing in the large, screen doorway of the temple. The group walked down the stone path to stand infront of the old one. Her face was stern and worn, and she kept her hands behind her back.

This must be the Grim Reaper. She didn't look all that scary, she looked...rinkley. Minagi blinked turning her head to the side and then moving closer. The old woman looked at her, blinking.

" Whats your problem?" she asked, her body bending back as Minagi got closer.

Minagi backed up and crossed her arms. " Sorry, I just...nevermind. It's nice to meet you Botan, the Grim Reaper."

Genkai blinked, looking Minagi over. Then she walked down the steps and got infront of her, her head only comeing up to Minagi's chest.

" Young lady," she said, almost sounding offended. " Do I look like the Grim Reaper?"

' Do I need to answer that question?' Minagi thought.

Kurama stepped in, takeing hold of Minagi's arm, and smiling at Genkai. " Uh, Genkai this is Minagi. Minagi this is Genkai, the keeper of this temple."

Minagi laughed nervously. " Forgive me," she said smiling, feeling like a complete idiot. " I'm still new to all this."

Genkai smiled and nodded. " No offense taken. So, your the one who beat the crap out of our Kurama." Minag smiled wyrly. Then Genkai grapped her arm and yanked her down to whisper in her ear. " Good work. It's about time a girl taught these dim wits a lesson."

Genkai released Minagi and they both laughed under their breaths. The guys stood, confused at the joke.

" So when is Botan gonna get here, Grandma?" Yueske asked sitting on the steps.

" Any minute now," she replied. Kurama leaned agains a post, Minagi sitting on the ground below him. Genkai called to Kurama, asking him to come over to her. He walked over, obedently.

" So," she asked. " What is this all about anyway? Kowenma wouldn't give me any details after telling me about your history with the girl and what happend."

Kurama sighed and looked up at the sky. " Well," he said. " Minagi still needs closure. She needs to feel complete. And in order to do that, she feels that she needs to ...see Yoko."

Genkai made no emotional change, she just looked up at Kurama. " Is that wise?"

" I want Minagi to be happy. After what we have went through, I think we both need this."

Genkai nodded and then looked up at the sky. There was someting comeing, and getting closer. " She's here."

Everyone turned to Genkai and stood by her. Minagi looked around and noticed everyone looking at the sky, so she glanced up herself. Indeed there was something getting closer to them. Now her stomach felt like it was forming into a knot. As the person got closer, it looked as if she was riding on an ore, seemed strange but who was she to criticize? She gulped as the person flew close and landed on the ground, holding the ore to their side. Minagi blinked at the figure, her eyebrows raised.

It was a girl. A cheerful looking girl! She was wearing a pink kimono, her turquois hair pulled back into a high pony tail. She smiled sweetly and looked at Minagi. Minagi was still in shock, her mouth half open.

" Why hello there!" The girl greeted cheerfully, walking over to Minagi, grabbing her hand and shakeing it. " My names Botan, it's a pleasure to meet you!"

" Like wise." Minagi said, still confused. When Botan released her hand, Minagi put both hands on her hips and studied Botan over. Botan blinked and held her hands together.

" Is there something wrong?" Botan asked.

" Forgive me but," Minagi shook her head and raised her eyebrows," you don't look like a Grim Reaper."

Yueske put a hand over his mouth to try to hide his laughs, seeing as how he had thought the same thing when he first met Botan. Botan shot him and evil look, makeing him straighten up right away.

" Let me guess," Botan said cheerfully," you pictured a large,dark figure with glowing red eyes and a bad temper?"

Minagi nodded. Botan chuckled smiled at her. " It's alright, your not the first."

Minagi smiled, still shocked at this.

" So your Kuronue's girl huh?" Botan said. " He would never shut up about you."

Minagi lowered her gaze. " Yeah, " she said sadly.

" Hmmm," Botan said, takeing out a large booklet and flipping through it's pages. " Let's see, I think your in here."

Minagi blinked as Botan flipped. Then she stopped on a page and looked up.

" Oh,"she said, reading off from the book. " Here you are. Minagi: Upper B class elf demon. Partner of Yoko Kurama and Kuronue, theif for many years. Stubborn, strong, a good fighter, and one of the last ones of the elf demon race. We had collected your old partner, Kuronue it was. My goodness he was a fighter. He wouldn't take orders from anyone! Then, he recently asked to come to you. Lord Kowenma said no at first, but after Kuronue threatend him and went on about how he NEEDED to see you he was finally able to-"

" Minagi." Kurama interupted.

Minagi said nothing and looked at him.

" When did this happen?" he asked walking over to stand beside her.

" When I was unconcious in your bedroom," she answered avoiding his gaze. " He came to me in my dreams."

Kurama looked at her. " Why didn't you tell me?"

" Because there was nothing to tell."

Botan waved her hands infront of them. " I didn't mean to get her in trouble. Let's continue with this shall we."

Everyone started to walk towards Botan when she suddenly stopped them," Hold on! I can't take all of you! The most I can take is two!"

Genkai put her hands behind her back and closed her eyes. " Then it will be Kurama and Minagi, this is their business."

Kurama looked at Minagi, then at Botan. " It only makes sense. Let's go then."

Botan clapped her hands together. " Good, now just let me adjust my sick."

Botan held her hand over her floating ore and suddenly, the spoon end expanded until it was like a basket. Botan turned back to them and hopped on the stick. " Alrightly then, get on and we can go."

Kurama helped Minagi into the basket-like spoon and then climbed in himself. He turned back to the others and caught the stern look of Hiei's eyes. He avoided his gaze and turned back to Botan who was looking back at them, her turquoise hair blowing in her face.

" Alright," she said. " Hold on tight."

Suddenly, the ore took off, causing Kurama and Minagi to grab onto the sides of the spoon. They soared high into the sky, and as Minagi looked back she could see that the others were becomeing smaller. Until finally she could no longer see them. Kurama felt her suddenly become tense and grip the ore tighter. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him, trying to make her feel calm. Minagi felt her stomach tighten as she was pulled closer to him, releasing her grip on the ore and putting her hands on his lap. She glanced up at him, his attention was straight ahead and his eyes looked deep in thought. She looked back down at her hands, noticeing the cuts on her arms. Yoko wouldn't like that, definitly not. Her thoughts then traveled to what Kuronue had said, about someone else loveing her. Was it Kurama? And if so, then did Yoko feel the same way. True she had loved both Kuronue and Yoko in their time together, but could she truley move on with her life and love Yoko? No, she could never forget Kuronue. He was the one that she loved, how could he expect her to forget him? She couldn't love Kurama, she couldn't!

Suddenly, a bright light shone, blinding Kurama and Minagi's eyes. Kurama raised his arm infront of his own eyes and Minagi's, shelding both their eyes. Suddenly, the light was gone and Kurama removed his arm. They opened their eyes to a beautiful sight, rolling hills, tall mountains, all surrounded by pink clouds. Minagi looked over the edge and saw a river running through the plains. She followed the river with her eyes, until it led her to a enormous, grand palace. It glittered in the sunshine and exceded the clouds.

" What is that?" Minagi yelled to Kurama over the rushing wind past her ears.

" It's the palace of the Spirit World," he said loudly," That is where Kowenma dwells."

Botan looked back at them and smiled, noticing that Kurama still had ahold of Minagi's waist despite the fact that she wasn't going fast anymore.

" Prepare for landing!" she yelled, tickeled that she sounded like a flight attendent.

She dipped the ore and they started to desend to the ground fast. In surprise, Minagi wrapped her arms around Kurama's neck, her face buried in his neck. He sat there, slightly shocked, but then he smiled and wrapped his free arm around her shoulders as he gripped the ore tightly. They flew through a wiffs of clouds, until they were only a few feet away from the huge doorstep of the palace. Botan slowly pulled up on the ore slowly and eased it to the ground. Finally, they were hovering saftley above the ground. Minagi still had ahold of Kurama's neck, her face still buried into his neck. He smiled and gently took her arms and released her. She looked up at him, realizing what she had done she blushed and looked away from him. Uneasily, she hopped off the ore and onto the ground. Kurama jumped off after her. Finally, Botan jumped off and in a puff of smoke, her ore disappeared. She walked over to the huge doors that seemed to go a mile high, and stopped infront of a voicebox. She pressed the small button on the bottom and talked into the small voice piece.

" Botan here," she said formally, " I have Kurama and Minagi with me, here to see Lord Kowenma."

Suddenly, the large doors slowly opened, revealing a long hallway that appeared as a throat. Minagi looked up at the high ceiling with awe. She was snapped back to reality when Kurama touched the small of her back and followed Botan down the long hallway. They found themselves at another set of huge doors, but this time a voice came on the speaker and echoed throughout the hall.

" State your busness." It said in a low growl.

" It's Botan again with Kurama and Minagi."

Then the doors slid open, letting a bright light shine in. Minagi blinked and then opened her eyes, revealing a busy work room full of...ogres? They were all hussel and bussel: fileing papers, answering telephones, and typeing on machines. Minagi found this all rather bizzare as they walked through all of the offices. They stopped at another pair of huge doors.

" Geez," Minagi said. " This place has alot of doors."

Botan ignored her comment and opened the doors. It revealed a huge office with a desk, full of paperwork, infront of a huge chair. They stepped in as the doors closed behind them. They walked infront of the desk and Botan and Kurama bowed. Minagi watched them and then bowed herself. The chair was turned around, so that the person sitting in it was out of view.

" I have brought Kurama and Minagi Kowenma, Sir." Botan said.

There was silence, then a voice came from behind the chair.

" Ah, yes." It said." I have heard alot about you Minagi. We have had alot of trouble up here because of you."

Minagi rolled her eyes, not seeing how it was her fault but remained respectful. " Yes sir."

" Well," the voice said, the chair slowly starting to turn around." At least your polite."

As the chair turned, Minagi suddenly became nervous. But then, the Mightly Kowenma came into full view and Minagi felt herself want to laugh. It was a small child, almost like a child. He woar a huge hat and royal attire, but in his mouth was a round pasiphire which drew her attention.

Minagi tried to hold in her laugh as she turned to Kurama. " This," she said, feeling the laugh comeing through her teeth. " Is the Lord Kowenma?"

Kurama gave her a stern look and nodded. " Yes. Don't laugh Minagi, he might not help us if you show him any disrespect."

" I can hear you Kurama," the toddler said." And if she's anything like her lover, she will probably threaten me with my life."

Minagi suddenly became very silent when he mentioned Kuronue. Seeing this, Kowenma hopped out of his chair and walked over to them.

" I see that Kuronue ment alot to you," he said, trying to read her expression.

She didn't look at him and turned her head away. " Yes," she said flatly." He did."

Kowenma nodded, and turned to Kurama. " Now," he said. " Botan tells me that you need a favor. What favor would that be?"

Kurama looked at Minagi, who looked back at him sadly. He walked over to her, put his hand on her shoulder and then looked down at Kowenma.

" Kowenma," he said. " Do you remember the potion that the demon, Suzuka, gave me?"

Kowenma looked up, trying to recall the object. Then his eyebrows raised and he looked back at the two. " Oh, yes! I remember! The potion you had used to become Yoko Kurama in the Dark Tournament. What about it?"

" Do you still have it?"

Kowenma frowned and tilted his head slightly, almost as if thinking. Then he walked back over to his desk, climbed in his chair and sat down. He swivelled in his chair for a few moments and then rested his head in his hands. He then gave a loud sigh, and looked up at the anxious demons.

" Kurama," he sighed," Why do you want to know?"

"Because," he said giveing Minagi's shoulder a squeeze," Minagi and I...we...because of what has happend...Minagi wants to bring Yoko back. She has...unresolved problems to speak with him about. And I must admit I want this, too."

Kowenma then sighed again and buried his face in his small hands. He then looked up and a look of sorrow was in his childesh eyes.

" Kurama," he said sadly," I don't have the potion anymore."