Chapter Neun

She woke to the sound of whispers, soft ones that hugged her ears. It was soothing and yet urgent. Botan Hesitantly opened her eyes in search of the voiced whisper.

Kurama's emerald Eyes glistened in the candlelight, the only light that could be found save for the underground street lamps. Botan leisurely sat up letting her thin cover fall to the bed.

"MMM, Kurama?" She Yawned, "What's wrong?"

"This." Kurama held up a small flyer with her picture on it. "It seems someone is putting these posters everywhere in the hopes that someone will turn you in. In exchange for bringing you to them, the reward is freedom. The Whole city is looking for you." Kurama said, "we have to get out of here before someone finds you."

Botan shivered in fear of is words," But Why? Why would they be after me? I have done nothing wrong."

"I am not sure why they are after you but we have to leave." Kurama said pulling her to her feet. She staggered into his arms, not yet used to the feel of the ground. Kurama thought nothing of it as he led Botan out the door where she saw the faces of Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Hiei. Yusuke And Kuwabara looked very tired while Hiei stood off to the side, his face showing no expression.

"It is clear?" Kurama asked anyone who happened to know.

"Yeah, But we have to hurry I think the mod will be back." Yusuke answered the open question that hung in the air.

"Hey Guys, where will we go?" Kuwabara asked

"To the surface, The temple Botan mentioned earlier. Correct?" Kurama looked down at her and she nodded.

"Y-yes," She smiled and pulled away from Kurama and walked to the door. " Well what are we waiting for everybody?" Botan beamed and exited the house. The boys felt a little refreshed by her bubbly air and followed her out.

It was raining again, the sun hadn't been out in days and the sky was still the same depression blue with just a blush of fire. Botan began to wonder if she would ever see the baby blues or whites of the ski she once knew.

Sighing and groaning most of the way to the temple as she led them, avoiding the army when needed, "Okay not much farther now, just right around this corner." She spoke and they rounded the corner to see the many, Many, Steps to the top. Yusuke frowned upon seeing them but climbed with the others. Something in his mind flinched as they made there way past two large trees with ward stickers on them and a long banner across the top.

"Man, this place is creepy." Kuwabara said, felling the need to talk; then stopped as Botan did, "what is it?" he asked her

"When we get to the top you may not like what you see, it may be painful. And when you remember yourself that pain will increase tenfold. " She warned.

Kurama places a reassuring hand on her shoulder and edged her forward. She nodded and walked on, leading them to the top.

There, beneath the cherry trees were there lonely graves. The blossoms danced to the ground twirling like little girls in fluffy dresses.

The boys looked at the makeshift graves and read the names that where chucked into the wood-made, headstones" Yukina, Keiko, Shizuru.

"Botan? Who were they?" Yusuke asked and her mouth dropped to a low frown.

"They were the girls in my story…after I went to warn you…I walked back here and I found…" She paused and sobbed lightly, "I buried them as best I could."

"Yes, But…" Yusuke wanted to ask who they were to him, to them but paused as she hugged him." Hey, it's okay," said as he held her.

"Yes," she lied knowing they would feel differently when they found out whom they girls were and how important they were to them. "You deserve to know who they are… I just can't right now." She said.

"Nah, it's okay, Botan." Kuwabara flashed a stupid grin in an attempt to cheer her up. It wasn't a wasted attempt as she snickered.

Yusuke walked up to the Grave that read Keiko and traced the name lightly.

"Oh Yusuke." Botan uttered, "I'm sorry."

"Hmm? For what?" he asked looking back at her. "Okay, you brought us here to show us something that might help us remember."

"Oh yes, follow me." Botan lead them in and watched as a slight recognition returned to their eyes,

"There is something about this place that…" Kurama spoke and paused as he came to a stop before a room. In the middle of the room, in a glass case, was a red rose.

"Yes I found your Rose, Kurama, and Your sword, Hiei. I put them each in your rooms. I figured that bringing in your rooms might help you remember. Maybe looking at some of your own stuff…would jog something." Kurama nodded and walked in closing the door behind him.

"Hn. Onna if this doesn't work and we cant remember then I will not be helping your cause." Hiei said walking to the door that Botan Pointed at.

Hours had past as the sky turned from one dark blue to the next. Botan Busied herself with making dinner for the boys. She found herself wondering if her plan would work and hoped to god they would not be discovered.