Seasons don't fear the reaper.
Nor do the winds, the sun, or the rain—
"Don't Fear the Reaper"—The Blue Oyster Cult

An End to Bliss

Chapter VI

"Please go and keep Chu company," Yusuke said to Kayko. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

Yusuke departed from the kitchen and entered the master bedroom. For his dresser drawer he removed a compact that served as a communicator to Botan.

"Botan."

The grim reaper's image appeared in the glass, but she was not her usual perky self.

"Hello, Yusuke," she said sadly.

"I guess you know why I've contacted you?"

"Yeah…I know. But…would it be all right if I visited you? I think it'd be better if I could tell you what I can while I'm with you."

"…Sure. Just try to come here in a few hours. Kosuke should be asleep by then."

"Sure thing."

Botan arrived at the Urameshi home three hours later, long after Kosuke was asleep in his crib. In the master room she gathered with Yusuke, Kayko, and Chu. Each of them had a glass of brandy.

"So Botan," began Yusuke, "what can you tell us about Genkai?"

Botan took a sip of brandy and replied, "Well, I didn't need to take her to Spirit World. She went by her own will. But I did see her when she arrived.

I cried, of course. That part of my job has never been easy, especially when it involves someone I love.

But she told me not to cry. She said that it was simply her time to go. She added that she had no regrets, but that she honestly wouldn't mind seeing Toguro again."

Kayko wiped a tear, but Yusuke and Chu never changed their expressions.

"Did she say if she knew what happened to her?" asked Yusuke.

"No."

Yusuke sighed. "Well that doesn't help."

"Well damn it, Yusuke; I wasn't exactly in the mood to ask questions like that!"

Yusuke breathed another sigh. "Calm down, Botan; it's all right. Women often can't keep their emotions in check."

"What!" exclaimed Kayko and Botan.

"What's that supposed to me, Yusuke!" added Kayko. "I understand that you cried like a baby a few times during the Dark Tournament!"

Yusuke was stunned, but Chu and Botan roared in laughter at something they knew to be true.

"Uh…" the embarrassed Yusuke began; "speaking of babies; we shouldn't talk so loud otherwise we'll wake Kosuke."

Kayko gave Yusuke a look. "Convenient excuse, Yusuke."

"Well," began Chu, as he took a large gulp of his brandy; "I guess that we just have your theory to go on."

"And what's that?" asked Botan.

"Well…last night I had a dream…It was more of a nightmare actually. Kayko knows what I'm talking about." Yusuke said, as he turned to his wife.

Kayko nodded.

"It was about the elder Toguro."

"Huh?" replied Kayko and Botan.

Yusuke proceeded to tell Kayko and Botan what he had told Chu, Kuwabara, Kurama, and Shizuru earlier.

"So…you think there's something more to this dream than just a dream?" asked Botan.
"I don't know. But the fact that Kuwabara and Kurama had the same dream that I had is pretty much unusual…We're going to find out tomorrow though. Chu, Kuwabara, Kurama, and I're going to visit the Demon's Door Cave where I battled with Sensui and Kurama fought Elder Toguro. That's why we didn't call the authorities about Genkai's body."

"Perhaps we should ask Koenma about it as well?"

"Yeah…I guess it wouldn't hurt."

Botan opened a small communicator, and in the glass appeared the King of Spirit World in his toddler form—pacifier and all.

"Greetings everyone," replied the king; "I'm only sorry that we're talking under these circumstances."

"The feeling's mutual, Koenma," responded Yusuke; "but I've got something serious to ask you."

"And that is?"

"Is Elder Toguro still alive?"

"Huh?"

"Is he still alive?"

"Well…I don't know. From the last time I checked he was still ensnared to Kurama's Sinning Tree, apparently unable to die. His condition's honestly not a priority on our list."

"What! I thought you people were supposed to know the greatest secrets of the universe, and yet you can't even answer a simple question?"

"We're not omnipotent, Yusuke. If you want somebody who knows the answer to anything, at any moment, ask a god."

Yusuke gritted his teeth.

"Is there anything else you'd like to ask me?"

"…No."

"Very well then. When I'm not busy, I'll make sure to drop by and see you."

"I guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out."