A/N: Hello people! I'm back already! Seeing as how I got such a good response to the first chapter, I suppose I shall continue it. Just for the record, I'm pissed off at our country's judicial system. Whoever thought it smart to acquit Michael Jackson should burn in hell! .:cough:. Sorry. I just had to get that out of my system. I apologize if that offended anyone. Here are responses to reviews and then on with the second chapter.

Bowserjr: Thanx! I'm glad people like this story. I wasn't sure how well it would go over. I saw one like this once but it was a CYOA and those aren't allowed anymore. .:sigh:. Well, I hope you like this chapter!

SamiKismet: Hey! Thanx for reviewing this one too! You're right, it is a challenge, but with all this feedback I'm getting, I'll gladly work it out! xD I hope you enjoy this chappy and I've got the next one in Dangerous Secrets coming soon! See you next time!

Lin: Glad you enjoy it! The new chapter comes as soon as I write one more response! P

Jessica: Whoa, kind of eerie. I swear I came up with this all on my own! My mind works in mysterious ways. Maybe our minds are connected! LOL. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Ok, On with the fic! Once again, it's wicked hot and I have ice cream! WOOT!

Chapter 2: Bad News

"What!" Takara screamed in hysterics as King Enma delivered the message that her mother had died. "It can't be! She was perfectly healthy!" Her tears soaked her father's business suit.

The king of the Reikai held his trembling daughter and spoke in a low voice to her. "Dearest, she was growing sicker by the day. She is in her rightful place now." He was doing his best to soothe her, but he did not know how well he was doing.

"May I say goodbye to her?"

Takara's voice was determined. King Enma looked into her violet eyes, unsure of how to respond. "Well, erm, that is, I…"

She narrowed her eyes. "Why can't I say goodbye? If she only just died you can't have already sent her away? She should still be here, so why can't I say goodbye!" By the time she said her last statement her voice was raised to an almost yelling tone. Her father looked sternly down at her and she immediately calmed down.

"Takara, things don't exactly work that way." She turned to her brother. "If you'd only pay attention during lessons, you would now that. I've been trying to tell you that all week." Takara could tell that Koenma was disappointed in her and realized her father must be disappointed too. She sighed and cast her eyes down to the floor.

"Well, there might be a way," King Enma stated. "Takara is right. We haven't sent Gina to the afterlife yet. It would be ok for her to say good-bye to her mother."

"But father-" Koenma started.

"Nonsense. Come Takara, I shall allow you to say your final good-byes." He took her hand and led her out of the room, leaving one very confused Koenma. He almost seemed heartbroken. When Mother died, he did not permit me to see her. Now Gina is dead and he's changed the rules? Sure, I was much younger at that time, but I was still old enough to miss her. Why does Takara get to say goodbye? He silently followed them out and down to the room where newly-departed spirits were held.

"Mother!" Takara ran to the phantasmal figure of her mother. The specter turned and frowned at the sight of her daughter. "Why do you look so sullen, mother? Are you not happy to see me? I only wish to say I am sorry. I did not know of your failing health. Now, I am too late. I just had to see you one more time and say my goodbyes. I promise I will work hard and make you proud."

Like her daughter who stood in front of her, the Gina's spirit had a trace of tears in her transparent eyes. She nodded approvingly and Takara smiled, a single tear rolled down her cheek and her father led her away.

Koenma had waited for them outside and took Takara to her room, as their father had asked. "Will you be ok?" he asked before leaving her.

She sighed. "Yes, I think so. I just needed to say goodbye. She was my mother, after all." The young princess lay down on her bed and rested for a while. Koenma left her and went to speak with his father.

The king received his son with some indignation, but disguised it well as delight. "Ah, to what do I owe the honor? You wish to speak to me, do you not?"

Koenma nodded. "Yes sir. About what happened today with Gina and Takara, I don't think-"

"Come now Koenma," the senior interrupted, "there's no need for you to question my politics."

"But father, you know better than I why we do not permit such behavior." The king shrugged. "It delays the paperwork and causes disruption when we let someone, even one of our own, speak with the spirit of a deceased relative. You did not let me say good-bye to my own mother, your wife, when she died. Why were Takara and Gina special?"

This declaration unsettled the ruler as he shifted uneasily in his throne. He cleared his throat and looked his son straight in the eyes. "That is something you will not understand for a long time." He stood and led Koenma to the door. "Now, I believe you are slacking in your duties."

Koenma shut the door behind him as he returned to his own office. She was the last person he wanted to see at that moment but when he entered his office, Takara was sitting patiently waiting with Botan. Looking at her, he felt a slight resentment. "Oh, Koenma. You're back already!" She smiled and his animosity subsided. They were siblings, stuck together for all eternity. "What's wrong?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I just had another argument with father." He sighed. They'd been arguing a lot lately and it was beginning to worry Takara.

"It was about me again, wasn't it?" He attempted to say something but she stopped him. "No need to hide it from me. I know. He shouldn't have let me see her if he wouldn't let you see your mother. It's not fair."

Koenma was surprised. "How did you know about that?"

She smiled. "I have my sources." When he glanced reproachfully at Botan, Takara giggled. "No, not her. You've obviously been keeping a close watch on father, since you left the TV on with the surveillance camera in his throne room." She pointed to the screen before her and Koenma smacked his forehead.

"I'm such an idiot," he grumbled. Takara smiled and turned to leave. "Wait, did you want to see me?" Koenma asked, remembering that she had been waiting for him.

She paused, thoughtful for a moment, but then looked at him with smiling eyes. "It's nothing. I just didn't want you to be mad at Daddy. He has a lot to do, but I'll be sure to speak to him about this incident." Before Koenma could protest, she had left.

Botan chuckled. "What's so funny?" Koenma demanded.

"It's nothing," she assured him. "She just looked so determined to take this up with King Enma, I found it funny. She won't do it though."

"I wouldn't be so sure," Koenma replied and Botan was taken aback. "She's stubborn, and if she wants something, father gives it to her. 'Daddy's little girl' is no fallacy. She is the very essence of that maxim."

"Sir?" Botan could sense his apprehension returning.

He quickly caught and resigned himself. "I'm sorry," he apologized. "These arguments with my father seem to keep gravitating back towards her and cause me to resent her sometimes." He sighed. "We have a new mission ahead of us. Go tell Yusuke to be prepared."

"Yes sir," Botan replied and went off to her duties. Koenma sat down at his desk and began to file through papers, his thoughts running wild the entire time. Something is not right. I'm sure of it. This new mission my father needs taken care of will have a great affect on Takara and I doubt she'll like it very much. He heaved a sigh. And I'm not looking forward to having to inform her. He contemplated his announcement countless times over in his mind as he continued his paperwork.

A/N: Ok, I think that's a good place to leave it for now. I'm not so sure I like this chapter very much. I wanted this story to center on Takara and her issues, but it's gone over to Koenma. Soon enough, though, we'll see more of her feelings. I'm just getting some ideas for this story. I know some things I want to do later on, but I have to get there first. Baby steps! I'm not sure if these chapters will get longer. Since I'm only doing them like this, I don't ever know how they'll end up and if I get to a spot I like for a cliffy, I'll leave it at that. .:sigh:. Finals this week. Math, English, and Spanish. Wish me luck! I'll update ASAP! Ja ne!