(Gapes at screen. Gapes some more. Is still gaping. Gurgles. Swirly eyes.)

EvilAlterEgo: (glares) perhaps I ought to inform you of the precise reason my dear hikari is acting like one of the rarer varieties of goldfish? First of all she was yelled at by several different people, then some nutcase coughpeekachancough came and duck-taped her to her chair although she did put up a forcefield around her so that a certain someone coughkilikxiaoliancough was unable to harm her was a pitchfork. She has received several death threats and then you all go and leave all those reviews, she's just not used to it! You've sent her into shock! SNAP OUT OF IT DAMMIT! smacks hikari over the head.

Ow… oh hey… OI! EAE! DELETE ALL THAT MEAN STUFF YOU WROTE ABOUT MY REVIEWERS!

EAE: (smirks) Make me.

(glares) I won't let you watch Naruto…

EAE: Hey I'M the evil one here! You can't do that!

Oh whatever. First of all SO MANY REVIEWS! TEN! AND ALL FROM DIFFERENT PEOPLE! (hugs all reviewers) Okay I'm going to stop acting like a sad person now. I'm so sorry I haven't updated in so long. If it's any excuse I had exams and writer's block at the same time -- which was NOT fun. Anyway, REPLIES.

Ani Mei: Don't worry, I know it seems confusing at the moment and I tell you now, ALL SHALL BE REVEALED. Just not right now. hugs THANK YOU for reviewing!

IwuvMyKenshyPoo: Y'know, I got curious as you obviously were enjoying my fic (did you review every single chapter? Wow…) and so I went and read your profile and… are you on a permanent sugar high or something? 'Cos you and your friend's conversations sound scarily similar to conversations I've had with my friends (e.g. "Fuzzy llama!" "Funny llama!" "Llama in a car!" "Noooo you got it wrong again!" "No I didn't!" "YES YOU DID!" "I HATE YOU!" conversation between me and my best friend when we randomly started singing the llama song --;) But some of those quotes had me choking, especially the "MY MOMMY SAYS I'M SPECIAL!" one. Anywho, don't fret about Hiei all shall be revealed (I'm saying that a lot) apologies for the delay.

KyoHana: I'm writing more fast I promise! Arigato for reviewing and being so nice to me! Aw I feel all fluffy and happy now. La la la. (EAE: smacks herself in the face)

Dragontamer103088: Eep! Calm down! Breathe! And sorry, you can't kill Koenma… yet. I need him for the story. Yes, everyone fears for Hiei, me too believe me glares at EAE (EAE: evil cackle) Thank you for reviewing and hope ya like this chapter. I'll explain about the whole Yusuke being dead but not, just not this chapter. Although some people might figure it out being the clever little buggers that they are.

Peeka-chan: (sees forcefield) Aw thank – hey! (struggles with duct tape) AHH! HELP! OKAY OKAY I'LL WRITE! HERE! LET ME OUT! No… not the puppy eyes! EVIL!

Uma Thermus: Here ya go, sorry it took so long. If you're still here that is. I'll try and keep Jin and Touya around for you and thank you for the review!

Kilikxiaolian: (cowers from pitchfork) Okay, now let's talk about this… I don't leave cliff hangers that often (checks end of chapter) um… DON'T KILL ME!

MikaSamu: Hm… it seems there is someone who may unravel the mysteries of the plot (evil eyes) maybe they should be silenced (EAE: This story has no plot you baka) SHUT UP! Ergh. Thank you for reviewing! I'm glad you're enjoying the mystery factor in this (EAE: But there isn't a - ) URUSAI! I must admit, I did enjoy writing that little scene between Jin, Touya and Kurama. Here's another chapter for you and review!

Nekokitkat: Will do!

Apparition7: Apparently I seem to enjoy leaving cliffhangers… ah well. Keeps it interesting doesn't it? (Reviewers: glare) Er… eheh heh… yeah. AH! Not you too Everyone is trying to kill me! IT'S ALL A CONSPIRACY! HELP!

Once again thank you all so much! And I'm sorry for leaving it for so long. I will NOT abandon this story, you have my word. That said, please enjoy! This chapter's fairly long. And calm down about Hiei, as I have said countless times ALL SHALL BE REVEALED. Just not yet. Oh and by the way, I dunno if I mentioned this before or not but if anyone wants to beta this it would be helpful as I have a memory like a sieve. My email should be available on my profile.

Mantalus smirked as he watched his prey walk past the window of the café, his table conveniently positioned so he could watch the man as he crossed the street. He had been tracking him all day ever since he had caught sight of the rich jade eyes, no trace of brown or dull grey marring their surface. They were the best in his opinion: very deep, pure colours: tasted like chocolate. He had thought briefly of making a collection of the finest colours but he had always ended up being unable to resist the gorgeous gems.

He looked back at his newspaper as two teenagers strolled past, so completely absorbed in arguing that they barely noticed him. That was the beauty of the whole thing, he thought with another barely noticeable smirk. Ningens were so helpful when it came to concealing himself among them because they just fitted him into the scenery. They were so gormless and wrapped up in their own silly lives that it was a veritable all-you-can-eat buffet out here.

Back in the Makai, it had been a whole different story. He had been lucky to get so much as a scrap of iris back with his tribe where he had been considered a weakling because of his sneaky methods of hunting and comparative lack of power. When he had got through to Ningenkai he had been completely overwhelmed by how easy it was to simply pick out a meal and… well… pick it out as it were. His smirk became more noticeable now, slightly-too-long canines pressing into his bottom lip. If only his idiotic 'tribe' could see him now.

He had been wary at first of being hounded by that blasted toddler's spirit detectives. However, after his little 'confrontation' with that group of bungling idiots who supposedly worked for Koenma, he had been feeling perfectly relaxed.

The new Reikai Tantei were no match for him and in any case, he hadn't seen them for at least a week. While they had been hunting him, he had seen them looking desperately for him. He had sat for an entire morning on a park bench shaking with suppressed laughter, watching the imbeciles looking high and low for him.

Now he got casually to his feet, not bothering to leave a tip for the waitress who threw him a dirty look as he sauntered past. He ignored her and pushed his way out of the ningen café, grimacing slightly at the amount of people crowding left and right. That was one thing he still despised about Ningenkai: it was far too crowded to be comfortable to a demon. However it was a necessary evil. It made it effortlessly easy to blend in and stalk his prey, following the scent of his chosen prey, slipping through the crowds with the practised ease that comes from experience.

There, his prey had turned the corner down a dark alley to a group of dingy apartments, not so much as glancing around him. Mantalus sent another prayer of thanks to whatever unholy spirit had cast this great luck on him. Humans were so densely oblivious it was almost pitiable. He preferred to look at it as advantageous.

Slipping discreetly out of the stream of humans, he blended back into the shadows, clinging to the sides of the alley as he followed soundlessly. The young human stopped and fumbled in his pockets, muttering under his breath. Mantalus moved closer, long serrated claws breaking through the skin of his hands. There was a clink of a set of keys hitting the ground and the man cursed, bending down to pick them up, completely unaware of the danger he was in. Mantalus smirked and stepped out into the light, claws clearly visible even in the dim light.

The youth, seeming to sense someone behind him, turned, glanced at him and then froze. Those delicious green eyes widened as they settled on the sharpened, deadly limbs. The keys fell from nerveless fingers and the youth backed away, eyes filled with horror.

"What… what the hell are you!"

Mantalus grinned, closing in on his defenceless victim, running his eyes up and down the youth's figure, feeling another feeling start in him. Lower than his stomach. Maybe he would have a little 'fun' with this one before he devoured him. His claws clicked in excited anticipation.

"Me? I'm a demon." He held up his fearsome claws, the dull light glinting off the serrated edges. "Surprised?"

The youth's eyes left his face to look past him, blinked once or twice and then the emerald orbs trailed lazily back to the demon's face, a startling change occurring in the deep jade gems. To Mantalus's consternation, there was some sort of mild surprise there, but all the fear seemed to have vanished as surely as if it had never been there.

"Well… yes as a matter of fact I am."

The slurred, terrified voice had gone to be replaced with a clear, cultured tone that held such calm geniality that Mantalus halted in his tracks. There was something weird about this guy's energy signature now he came to think about it. Why was it so subdued? Even ningen auras, as pathetic as they were, would show some sort of alarm at the impending attack. The youth's faint smile gave his face an expression of eerie serenity as Mantalus stared, confused at his intended victim.

"Oh, how rude of me. Please, take a look for yourself."

His eyes snapped wide as the ki suddenly flared around the youth, exposing him for what he truly was. It was youki! Not only that but… bloody hell! He was hunting a freaking super A class!

Unfortunately for the parasite, he was so wrapped up in being petrified that he didn't register the faint noise until it was too late. He spun around just in time for the enormous glittering ice spear to run him through. A pair of impassive, pupiless eyes looked back at him with a faint expression of disdain at the lack of resistance. The tall redhead stepped forward, masking his youki once more as the eye-eater fell to the floor of the alleyway, his own eyes wide, filled with confusion and fear.

"I was surprised," Kurama continued, "because most demons of your class had at least some sense of self preservation. Dear me, I have been away for a while."

Kurama watched the demon die dispassionately, mind already back to Koenma's cryptic words. Jin flitted down, alighting beside the ice master who was regarding his handiwork with a pensive air.

"You know, that's another advantage of using ice. You can't get fingerprints from puddle of water." Touya shrugged, "Not that it actually matters, but still."

The ice master looked back at Kurama who was lost in thought, his emerald eyes distant and clouded.

"Back to his lordship then Kurama? Or would you prefer for me and Jin to go and murder him just for letting imbeciles like this into Ningenkai?"

The fox demon looked pensively down at the corspe.

"It is a little depressing isn't it?"

Botan gazed at the young man standing in the open doorway. Shocked chocolate brown eyes stared at her, their owner completely paralysed in utter disbelief. Dark hair that had always been slicked back with large amounts of hair gel (she had once speculated if it was in fact axle grease) was longer and lighter, tied back in a loose ponytail that just reached his shoulders. Delicate wisps fell gracefully into his deep brown eyes, ruffled across a weather beaten brow. Strong muscles were visible in his bare arms, the short sleeved shirt hiding broad shoulders and a slender but lithe body.

Botan simply stood and looked at her old friend, remembering. Everything had happened so quickly, so soon… too soon. They had been too young for so much pain. She felt her vision begin to blur in a watery haze and hurriedly blinked her tears back. She wondered vaguely if this was a dream as she watched his face, his expression. A jumble of emotions was racing across the young man's face, snapping at each others heels, each as indiscernible as the last. Botan's hands had unconsciously twined together tightly behind her back, her palms sweaty and her fingers trembling.

You came this far, she told herself sternly, trying valiantly to ignore the churning feeling in her stomach, you can't just run away. You have to do something before it's too late. He'll hear you out. It's just Yusuke anyway…

"Yusuke…"

The youth stiffened at the sound of her voice and he seemed to snap out of his shock. To her dismay his features hardened like stone and his eyes darkened.

"Leave."

The one word was spoken with such quiet, convicted menace that she took as step back, her eyes widening in shock.

"Yusuke – "

"I won't ask again ferry girl."

She jerked back as though stung, her mind numb at the coldness in the young man's face. Never before had Yusuke spoken to her with such uncaring harshness, addressing her with such detached indifference. Not a single gleam of his mischievous spirit that she had grown so fond of over the years she had known him remained in those deep chocolate eyes, only a shadow of pain that masked their former vibrant aura.

"Yusuke… please…"

"Are you deaf?"

Tears blurred the outline of the figure before her as he glared, nothing but anger and distaste in his expression. It burned her heart and she hung her head, unable to look at that expression on her dear friend's face, unable to face the sorrow and anger still reflected in his eyes.

"Yusuke!"

A clear, familiar voice, changed a little with age but still easily recognisable, floated down the hall to where the two were standing.

"Yusuke, who is it?"

"Nothing for you to worry about koibito," Yusuke called back, his angry gaze still fixed on Botan. There was the sound of something metal clanking against a hard surface, as though a pan had just been put on a stove.

"Well hurry up, dinner's ready!"

"I'm coming!"

Yusuke turned and gave Botan a look which clearly said 'leave now'. Botan bit her lip and silently shook her head and, just for a moment, Yusuke saw the look of desperation in her eyes and hesitated.

"Yusuke?"

Botan turned her head to see a pale, brown-haired figure walking carefully towards them, her finger tips trailing lightly along the white walls. Botan felt another wave of grief shudder through her. The woman was taller than she remembered and wore a long cream-coloured dress with a loose swishy skirt, her bare feet making no noise on the tatami mats. Her movements were measured and graceful, as though she was someone who put far more thought into the way she moved than others did. She wore a pretty red headscarf that not only held back her long chestnut hair but also reached down to cover her eyes.

Yusuke swiftly left the door to gather the woman into his arms in a tender embrace, an act of affection that he would never show to anyone else in the memories Botan still had of him. He had been Urameshi Yusuke, terror of Sarayasaki high school, badass punk and spirit detective, not to mention powerful demon lord, ruler of Makai... and so the list goes on.

"Yusuke," murmered the woman against his shoulder, "why is the door still open?"

"I'll close it now," said Yusuke firmly, turning away from his wife and putting one hand on the sliding door.

"Keiko-chan!"

The words burst from Botan's lips before she could stop herself and she watched as both Keiko and Yusuke froze. Keiko turned her head towards the sound, her voice hoarse and faint.

"B-Botan-chan?"

Botan felt tears welling up in her eyes again as they wandered over her old friend's unseeing face. She found herself surprised that Keiko had called her by the name that she was so used to and it felt even stranger that she was surprised by it in the first place.

"Keiko… hai it's me."

The brunette seemed incapable of speech as she just stood there, motionless. Yusuke looked helplessly from the ferry girl to his wife, unsure of what to do. Slowly, hesitantly, Keiko moved forward, her arm rising up in front of her. Botan caught her questing hand gently in her own, tears running down her face. Keiko's other hand reached up, brushing Botan's arm and coming to rest against her wet cheek. Botan fought to stay still as the cool, smooth fingers ran with light, practised ease over her features.

"K-Keiko-chan… I…"

Botan found herself unable to speak. It wasn't that she didn't know what she wanted to say, she just didn't know how to say it. Keiko reached gently across her cheek and brushed her tears carefully away.

"Why are you here?"

The question wasn't harsh or full of bitter anger but was simply concerned curiosity. In some ways that was worse than Yusuke's anger.

"I… I need your help…"

She wondered how many times she had said that today, how weak they had truly become without these people. How much they needed them back… Yusuke moved forward as though he was about to say something, but Keiko, as though able to sense his movements, reached out a hand and caught his arm.

"Yusuke, it wasn't her fault. Don't blame her for things long past."

The former spirit detective glowered for a moment before dropping his gaze.

"Fine."

Keiko smiled gratefully at her husband and the two shared a brief kiss before Yusuke moved away into the kitchen, leaving Keiko to guide Botan, amazing the ferry girl with the way she moved so confidently and with such assured grace, as though she could in fact see everything around her with perfect clarity.

Botan carefully toed off her shoes before stepping on to the woven reed mats, looking appreciatively around the couple's home. The house was a mix of modern and old traditional design. The walls were painted a light mint green, a few pictures of rivers or trees pinned hung up here and there, adding a more personal feel. A clear crystal vase in the centre of a low glass table held a long elegant sprig of sakura blossoms, a few stray petals scattered around the base. Botan smiled.

"This place looks absolutely gorgeous Keiko."

The young woman beside her smiled wistfully.

"So Yusuke tells me all the time."

Botan immediately kicked herself but didn't apologise, knowing that Keiko hated to make anyone else feel uncomfortable. In some ways it was better to just treat her as though nothing had changed. But she made a firm mental note not to, as it had been described before by certain individuals, "open her big mouth and then proceed to put her foot in it and chew."

The soft sound of bare feet against the tatami heralded Yusuke's return from the kitchen. He was carrying a laden tray in his hands, three steaming cups and three bowls of rice and a pile of napkins, along with a dish of what looked like fish yosenabe. The delicious aromas washed over her and although she was a ferry girl and therefore not really susceptible to weaknesses such as hunger or tiredness… well… old habits were hard to shake.

Keiko reached out and Yusuke passed her a serving ladle and then a bowl. The girl filled it expertly and placed it directly in front of Botan. Yusuke silently laid a pair of chopsticks and a napkin beside it. Botan kept her eyes down, knowing that only Keiko's presence was holding back the anger and pain the former tantei must have been feeling. Keiko served the food, every inch the gracious hostess. Replacing the ladle she pressed her hands together and Botan and Yusuke followed suit, each murmuring a quiet 'Itadakimasu' before beginning to eat.

"Botan," Keiko said quietly, lifting her cup briefly to her lips, inhaling the fragrant steam, "I don't know how you found us if Koenma didn't send you," she seemed not to notice the way Yusuke tensed at that name, his chopsticks creaking warningly in his grasp, "but if you want Yusuke to fight again then you will be disappointed."

"Koenma didn't send me," Botan replied quietly, her spirits sinking further at the conviction in the blind woman's voice at that last sentence, "I… I had to come. I asked Shizuru…"

She trailed off, hanging her head, not sure what effect her confession would have on the two. Yusuke seemed to be deep in thought about something, his head lowered, long dark hair hanging over his eyes.

"Listen to me Botan-chan," said Keiko seriously, still using the familiar way of saying the ferry girl's name, "we cannot get involved in Reikai or Makai business ever again." Botan said nothing but stared down at the floor, wisps of bright blue hair curling into her eyes. This… this was not she had expected she realised with a start. For some reason she had harboured some sort of deep rooted assurance that if only she could find Yusuke again… then somehow, everything would be okay again. She understood at last that, although she had had doubts on the surface, she had never truly believed that Yusuke would not help them. He wouldn't… surely…

She raised her eyes to the Toushin's face, so much older than that reckless young spirit she had met when she had first taken him to Reikai. She remembered clearly, his indignant scowl, his mocking grin, his flat eyed 'whaaaat?' look… Now, as she searched that familiar face before her as he stared down at his half-finished food, she thought for a split second, that had they passed each other in the street, she would not have recognised him.

"Yusuke…"

The man looked up, meeting her gaze. Botan saw there a sort of hollow determination, so unlike that flair of burning spirit he had been so well known and loved for.

"Reikai needs to fight its own wars Botan."

Tears welled up in her eyes, at the calm tone. He had said her name then… he had said her name as he abandoned them… The droplets welled up and spilled down her cheeks but the ferry girl stared on regardless, looking for any scrap of the old Yusuke, the one she used to know so well. She couldn't let this go, she could not walk away. She wouldn't.

"You're not Yusuke."

The words were spoken so quietly that no normal ningen would have been able to understand them. But Yusuke did not have human hearing. A bitter smile spread across his face. He slowly got up, gathering up the dishes.

"No. I'm not."

With that, he walked away towards the kitchen. Botan sat as still as stone, tears trickling down her frozen features, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, eyes fixed on the empty space of that smile, the smile she had seen all too often. When ferrying spirits to the next world she was often the silent witness of many last stands. That smile she had seen too often, lingering around the eyes if those who had accepted their fate, who had resigned themselves to what they believed was the inevitable. Who had given up.

"NO!"

Yusuke started and half turned at the shout, filled with such intense emotion that it froze him on the spot. Botan got slowly to her feet, her wide, tear-filled eyes fixed on him, her mouth set.

"No," she repeated quietly, "You can't do this to yourself. I won't let you."

Yusuke's dark, shadowed eyes met her shining amethyst ones.

"What?" The word was flat, no emotion or spirit animating it. It was as though he was reading his words from a giant invisible script of melancholy. Botan's fists clenched.

"This isn't going to bring him back Yusuke."

The Toushin's face froze, his eyes widening, neck tensing.

"Urusai."

"You're killing yourself here," tears were running down her face once again, "and you can't even see it. Don't do this to yourself."

"I said shut up ferry girl."

She flinched at the harsh command but continued, trying desperately to find some way of making him see, making him understand how much they needed him. Her eyes widened as an idea came to her mind. She had promised not to tell anyone but, it was Yusuke…

"Do you think you can just come and – "

"Yusuke," Botan interjected, her eyes glittering, "Hiei's missing."

Yusuke stopped in mid tirade, staring at her.

"What?"

Kurama was unable to speak, unable to breathe. He stared, stunned at the Lord of Reikai, his wide emerald eyes frozen, unable to comprehend the information he had just ben given. Jin was open-mouth, incredulous. Touya's fists had clenched, his eyes just as wide as Kurama's. Koenma, unable to meet their eyes, stared down at his hands, waiting.

Finally, Kurama managed to speak, to whisper.

"You. Did. What?"

I left another cliffie didn't I? Ah well (sees angry readers) now now, patience is a virtue – EEP!