DISCLAIMER: We don't own Yu Yu Hakusho. Never did. Never Will. 'Nuff said.

Chapter 8. Meeting Boton

The three exchanged blank stares for a moment. Boton was the first to collect herself and speak.
"OH Hi. My Name's Boton. It's nice to meet you." She said, trying to sound as cheerful as ever. Even holding out her hand for a friendly handshake.
Shadow smiled and shook Boton's hand.
"My name is Shadow. And this is Mirae."
"How very nice to meet you." Boton said with a grin as she took Mirae's hand and shook it. Mirae's trench coati sleeves came up a bit revealing her tattoos. Boton noticed them at once, something running in the back of her memory upon seeing the marks. She absentmindedly slid the sleeve up to get a better look. She blinked, realizing what they were.
"I haven't seen symbols like these in, quite some time."
Mirae, gently pulled her arm away. Both she and Shadow gazed at her with looks of confusion and concern.
"I, guess I should explain. You see, I'm the Grim Reaper. Well, one of them. Anyway."
"Ohh." Said Shadow.
Mirae still seemed concerned, or, maybe it was the blank and semi threatening stare she was giving. At any rate, Boton felt that she should probably explain further.
"You see, when people die, I take their Spirit, or Soul, to spirit world, and from there, they go to the appropriate after life."
Mirae's attitude took a sudden change. It was like she suddenly recognized her, actually, that's exactly what it was.
"Wait, you're THE Boton?"
Now it was Boton's turn to be surprised.
"Uh, Yes, I, didn't realize I was so, uh, famous."
Mirae bowed in respect.
"It is an honor to meet the one who guided my clan to the after life."
Boton was quite flattered, or embarrassed. Probably both.
"Oh, come now, I'm not the only one who brought them to the after life. I'm sure some of the other fairy girls did too."
"Yes, I realize that. But still, I'm eternally grateful for what you have done."
"Right, Well, it was no problem really, I was just doing my job. Hey tell you what, The next time I go to spirit world, why don't I just give them the message that you love them and miss them?"
Mirae was almost speechless, the news that she might actually be able to get a message to her family was, well, it was almost too good to be true. Tears where actually starting to form in her eyes.
"That, would mean, so much to me. I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you so much."
While Boton turned red with embarrassment, Shadow was amazed at her friend's behavior. In all the time she's known her, she couldn't recall her ever being this happy. She knew how much she loved her family, of course. Who didn't. But Mirae was close to tears of joy. It was, well, words couldn't describe it.
"Oh, it's no big deal really." 'I'm goanna have to file a lot of paper work. Now if you'll excuse me, I have things that I need to do. It was nice meeting you. Bye!" said Boton in a cheerful tone as she walked past the two and went down the hall to the door leading out side.
Shadow smiled as she watched her leave. She then turned to Mirae.
"I think you scared her a bit, Mirae."
A quiet chuckle could be heard then Mirae started walking again. Shadow followed.
"Hey Mirae, when we heard the name Kurama, you seemed to recognize it. Do you know him?" she asked.
By his time Shadow was now walking alongside Mirae. Mirae glanced at Shadow then returned her gaze forward.
"Yes, I know him."
Shadow frowned. Not really satisfied with Mirae's answer.
"Ok, care to tell me how you know him?"
Mirae grins lightly yet bitterly, knowing it was inevitable, and averts her eyes upward, continuing to walk.
"We were acquainted back when I was an assassin, and I knew him before that without realizing it. Him befriending one of my relatives in the Clan. Kato. Kurama was sort of like an unconditional acquaintance, having known me since I was a small child." She then averted her eyes to the floor. "Kato was my... brother..." She continued walking. "They were good friends, and, he seemed to always check up on me, after it... happened..." she continues to hold her grin, and talked in a low monotone voice. "Soon enough, as I grew though the decades and decades, as an Immortal Mage, My skills as a warrior along with a Mage in general equaled his, this I noticed, and I haven't seen him for about 30 years now…."
Shadow listened carefully to her friends words. How deep they where, yet almost evasive.
'Wow, in all the time I have known her, she has never told me any of this before. They way she talks about him, it's almost like…'
"So, do you think Kurama is the one we're looking for?" asked Shadow.
"I don't know." replied Mirae.
"If the two of you are done talking, then I think it's time we started."
Shadow and Mirae turned around to see Hiei wearing a blue sleeveless shirt, along with a new pair of crisp clean black pants and a new head band. Made sense since Mirae's acid attack just about destroyed his other clothing. Mirae looked at Hiei's new clothes and shrugged.
"Yea, we're ready to go."
Shadow nodded in agreement.
With that, the trio left the temple. But Hiei stopped while they were still on the temple grounds and removed his head band. It glowed, as he stood there. Mirae and Shadow, just waited there patiently. He only stood there for a few minuets, then he retied his head band and started walking.
"He's in this direction."
"Are you sure? And is this the fastest route?" Asked Mirae.
Hiei snarled quietly.
'Apparently he doesn't like to be questioned…' thought Shadow.
"Yes to both questions." He said shortly. (Short tempered that is.)
There was a moment of quiet walking before anything else was said.
"It is Kurama we're looking for, and I'm already aware that you are acquainted with him Mirae." Hiei said suddenly, answering the questions that have been going through the Missionary and traveler's mind for some time now. Hiei's gaze remained forward, his Jagan glowing dimly and briefly.
"So you heard." said Mirae.
Hiei looked back at her.
"Only the end of your discussion. But yes, I did. Thirty years is a long time. It might be fair to tell you, that when you see him, you may not recognize him right away." Hiei returned his gaze forward and continued to walk.
'Or maybe I already know what to expect.' thought Mirae.

ShadowFox777: And there you have it. We have returned, and with a new chapter. Sorry it took so long.

Mirae: Yes we had a Little but of trouble. But, that's all taken care of now.

ShadowFox777: We hope you enjoyed it very much. More reviews = fast updates. More than 5 = two days at the latest if I can manage. SO, R&R!