Another multi-chapter story. That makes two! Yay! Enjoy!

Disclaimer : I Do Not Own Yu Yu Hakusho

Every Rose Has It's Thorns

Chapter One : I Am Who I Am

Death is beautiful,
No matter what you see.
It could be a skeleton with a black cloak,
Or a breath-taking maiden.
No matter what form death is in,
It will steal your soul,
Leading you where ever you're meant to go.
No matter what you say,
It will not answer,
It will steal you away.
Anyway you look at it, death is truly beautiful...

Botan's POV

I sat up in my bed and winced at the bright colors that greeted me. I hated those colors, but I needed to be convincing if they had to believe in 'bubbly' ferry girl. My mask was off rarely, it was only off when I was sure it was ok. I got up and went to dress in my usual clothes. I wrinkled my nose in disgust. A pink kimono. It was a wonder I haven't gone blind from these brightening colors. But I slid it on without fuss. No one has ever seen through my mask. I've spent too many years perfecting it. They could never know that I was truly a grim reaper. This is my real self, never noticed by anyone... At least I thought I was unnoticed...

I stepped into Koenma's office and saw Ayame and Koenma happily chatting. I felt like gagging, for those two always acted so lovey-dovey when they were together.

"Hello Koenma-sama, Ayame-chan!" My perky mask was on again.

"Oh, hello Botan!" Koenma smiled at me and I smiled back. My fake smiles seemed so real to them. How foolish. "There's not much today, why don't you take a break?" I knew he was just trying to get rid of me so he could be alone with Ayame. But I didn't press the matter.

"That's sounds great! Thank you Koenma-sama!" I pretended to be happy. They think I love vacations, but in truth I simply loathe them. It gives me time to think about them. All those souls that corrupted me in the first place. Breaking me down in small pieces. I broke long ago, maybe a week after I had first receive my, well, reward. Though I saw it as a punishment. No one noticed because I hid it from the world. My saddness, fear, misanthropic feelings are all pent up inside me, skillfully sealed beyond the door of my mind. And it was because of them. I had seen it all. Pride, envy, wrath, sloth, greed, gluttony, and lust. I have seen at least one soul that had died from one of these sins. I, myself am dead. I have a human body that can die, but in truth I myself cannot. It is a gift, as well as a curse for being the Deity of Death. To guide lost souls is my one and only purpose. Many say I'm like an angel. An angel of hope and happiness. But in truth... They don't know how wrong they are. "Botan?"

"Hmm?" I lost my train of thought.

"Are you ok?" She asked worriedly.

"Of course! Why wouldn't I be?" Ayame smiled.

"That's the ferry girl we know and love." I mentally frowned. 'That shows how much you know me.'

"Well, I'm off!" I flew away on my oar. I sat above the palace for a moment. No one may never know me. The true me. For I am the Deity of Death, the Grim Reaper, the Ferrier of Souls.

Am I... Botan.

A short chapter, I know. I had short of a writer's block P Please tell me if I should continue or not!