Wow...I'm impressed as to how many people have replied so far...deeply impressed. You make me smile so happily. Finally, I am accepted. Now then, perhaps this would be a good time to reply to the readers. I will reply in no particular order, as I always do...

Mirror: I hadn't planned on other couples, but I could put KB together...so yes, I guess...I'm glad to see you so enthusiastic regarding my story...Trust me fellow reader, I wouldn't be so quick to predict a story, especially mine. I have been known to give twists just for the humor of it. Tee-hee...

aGreatPenName: Why thank you...I'm glad to have the attention of my up-stairs neighbors. I will continue to write in your favor. And also, a VERY belated Happy Holidays to you as well.

Indigo Eyes: Ah, my first reviewer. How I love thee...ahem, anyways. My apologies, I tend to turn into "Shakespearic Terms" when feeling dramatic, as I do now. I try my best to remain serious, while adding in a splash of humor. I may sound dull or dark online, but to be honest, in reality, I am nothing short of a prep. Surprise, surprise.

Yo-sama: Why thank you, my fellow fan-fic writer. You're making me blush. blushes You know, I also have had the pleasure to endure on some of your writing as well. I must say, you do have some great writing skills. Perhaps (When my schedule clears and I'm able to just read fanfiction again) I'll be able to read some more of your writing...I haven't had much time lately. What with debate tournaments and all. But I hope to read more of you as you read of me.

Sakura T: Hey girlfriend! (See what I mean when I say "nothing short of a prep"?) I'm glad you got to read my writing...as I did yours! So, are you going to update The Real Reason or not! I grow weary...ttyl!

Rin Lang: Hi there stranger! I'm glad to see you also enjoy the uncommon TouyaYukina pairing as well...good to see others take an interest in odd shipings...I hope you stick around, I have more for you to read...

I must warn you, this chapter may be a bit short...but then again, I'm typing this part now...so you get the idea. Anyways, it would probably be best if I continued this story, since so many people seem to enjoy it. I should stop stalling...but I love it so much...eh, who am I kidding? It gets old after a while. Anyway, enjoy.

Chapter 2

...I walk this lonely road...

...The only road that I have ever known...

Since the dawn of time, man has searched for answers regarding one enigma of our daily lives; Women. It should be no surprise to all of you that woman are a mystery all wrapped within themselves. To a man, it isn't sure how they function or the reasons behind our actions.

In Greek Mythology, women who were of either royal blood or of some holy descent were to be considered higher than the fighting man. A Queen, for example, was much higher than any soldier who took her orders. Athena, Greek Goddess of Wisdom, was said to be born from the head of Zeus. Sources say that Zeus suffered a great headache, which clouded his mind indefinantly. He went down to the stream to relax his mind when his headache ripped apart and out came a beautiful heiress. It was then that his newly founded daughter would be named Athena, Goddess of the Wisdom she had brought her father on that day. When the city of Athens was just a simple town, its said that Zeus went down to the people, and appeared to them, saying:

"My people, do not fear me! For my wishes are of good ones. Today, I command the people of this town to rejoice. For a newly founded Goddess whom is of my blood has been born. And this town is her gift, as she is mine. Today, and always, this town shall be built into a grand Empire known as Athens. And Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and Enlightenment, will watch over you, and protect you from all vile creatures that lurk. This city shall grow in her honor, as in yours. Do not fear her cunning mind-her purpose of protection is out of honor and love. As Apollo's sun arises, so do you in the name of Athens, your home. And Athena, your keeper."

In those times, women weren't considered to be 'Ignorant,' 'naive', or 'foolish'. No, they had the same opportunities of a man-if not, less. You see, Polytheism represented Gods and Goddesses in both genders, proving equal opportunity for both. If a man were to defy his wife, the wife could call upon Athena, Aphrodite or even Demeter for guidance. The man, believing in them, would fear a calling from him by them. His knees would buckle to the ground, raise his head to the sky, and beg for forgiveness from these Goddesses. Most men would believe that the reason behind their neglected punishment was that they were either spared, or the Gods didn't find concern in what the man did. This led to more violent attacks against woman, such as rape and murder. But many stopped once they were spared, assuming that the Gods had set them free. The Gods, who ironically, never existed.

Women have been stereo-typed as the greedy, too innocent, too caring/concerning, no emotion type. The image of a woman most of the time doesn't extend out beyond the home or even, in worst cases, the kitchen. They are symbolized as robots; workers of the man and left with no emotion afterward. Is our only goal to keep the house tidy, cook the food for our husband and children, and to degrade ourselves by forcing our bodies into sexual acts for our husbands? Is life really nothing but a game we as a gender is forced to play? Though times have changed since the B.C era, the Middle Ages, and even the Era of Exploration, the fact of the matter still stands. Women's rights in the Spirit world, and the Demon World, are no different than those of the Human world. Women in the Spirit and Demon World may have more power at their fingertips, but power is irrelevant. It's all about control. Men, especially Demon Men, are much more harsher in these two worlds than of our own.

But nevertheless, there still lies the women who aren't afraid to fight. Ones who have the soul of Aphrodite, and the mind of Athena. Though their personalities may tell a different tale, their courage to beat all obstacles with love a friendship, rather than swords and shields is much greater than any S-Class demon to ever exist...

...''Trust me, Yukina, this box is going to help," Botan said heavily, as she carried a large cardboard box down the stairs of the mansion where they lived. Botan had both her arms wrapped around the large box, which appeared to be too much for her to handle. But as this writer wrote before, some women are just too courageous and hard-headed to know when to quit. Botan's biggest worry wasn't the box, but more rather about not tripping down the stairs and letting the box fall down with her. The box covered her sight, which left her to be a blind man walking. Slowly but surely, she took each step carefully.

When Botan reached the final step, she took a soft sigh of relief. It was then that she was able to get a firmer grip on the box, and the box was no longer in her way.

She looked back and forth, unaware of where to set the seemingly large box. She looked to her right...then her left...then her right again. Her headed nodded approvingly, as a tiny smile crept upon her face. She adjusted the box one more time and turned to her right.

When Botan began to walk down to the livingroom, a clear view sight of Yukina formed. There Yukina stood, paused, puzzled about the events occurring right in front of her crimson eyes. Her feet were placed firmly on the last step. Her head tilted upward to enjoy the sights she had seen since she arrived a while back. A soft rose-ish glow was casted from the high window onto her. She blossomed like an angel. An angel meant not to be touched by any man or any woman. Her eye lids closed softly, feeling the soft warmth on her face.

"Yukina!" called Botan from the next room down. "I don't hear your footsteps! Are you coming?"

Yukina jumped back from her dreamy fantasy. She then cleared her voice, nodded approvingly to herself and followed. Clearly, Yukina, could hear Botan going on, even though they were in separate rooms. Yukina assumed that Botan assumed Yukina could hear her. Alas, she could and did. As Yukina approached, Botan's soft voice came in much clearer.

"I'm telling you, this will make your life easier," Botan replied, once again as though she were lifting something heavy. The sound of an empty box had come into play, just as Yukina stepped in and noticed Botan had disapeared.

Yukina's eyes turned to a more confused expression. "Botan?"

"I'm down here," Botan's muttered voice from below the desk. Yukina looked to notice only Botan's feet were down. She was obviously on her belly since Yukina could clearly see the back of her soles. She sounded aggravated, as the sound of rustling wires and equipment left Yukina mystified. "Arg...I hate human by-products..."

"Can I be of some help?" Yukina asked with a smile.

"No, no, I promised the guys I would do this for you. After all, I'm the closest one to knowing how this works-well, besides Yusuke and Kurama, but they aren't here right now."

The ice maiden's eyes drifted to the items above the desk. A flat screen monitor laid atop its stand, shining gloriously. Beside it laid a matching keyboard, and a small black mouse to the right. Yukina stared at these strange objects for whom she had never seen. They left her bewildered. In all her days, never had she seen something so suspicious and beautiful at the same time. This machine was not one she had ever encountered. And yet, it left her with a calm feeling of connection...and confusion, let's not forget confusion.

"I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to do," Yukina confessed with a sigh.

"Ah ha!" Botan said joyfully, just as this machine flashing a few green lights, indicating its power start. "I did it..." Botan pushed herself out from under the desk, and up on her feet. When she arrived, she gently brushed herself off with her feminine fingers, and gently laying them on her hips. She turned to the "machine" with a smile, and then back at Yukina.

"Ta-da!" Botan said cheery, motioning her hands to the "machine".

"Ta-da?" Yukina asked, confused.

"Oh, Yukina," Botan wrapped her arm around her, leading her to the desk chair. "Today's your lucky day. Because I am giving you an opportunity to see the worlds without leaving this chair."

"Um..great," Yukina replied, trying her best to sound both enthused and informed. But truth be told, since it was quite hard to understand a piece of technology that remained unfamiliar to her. Botan gently placed her hands on Yukina's shoulders, guiding her into the chair. It was then that Botan turned the chair, facing to the monitor, causing Yukina to hesitantly look up. "This is very sweet, Botan-um...what is it?"

"It's a piece of technology quite common in the Human World," Botan explained optimistically. "The Humans call it a Computer."

Yukina turned back to the computer, taking observation of the screen changes, as it prepares its warm-up. "Uh-huh...and what would demons call it?"

"A computer," Botan replied, matter-of-factly, then smiling sweetly. "It's a computer everywhere, Yukina, let's try not to make this more complicated." Yukina frowned to herself, now realizing how naive it made her appear.

"Here, place your right hand on this oval-shaped object," Botan explained, gently leaning in, taking Yukina's hand and placing it on the mouse. The ice maiden was quite hesitant, perhaps expecting an electric shock of some kind. "This is called the mouse. It's an electronic

device that controls the coordinates of a cursor on your computer screen as you move it around on a pad." Botan grinned proudly.

"Cursor?"

"Yeah, it's the little arrow on the screen, see? When you move the mouse, you also move the arrow."

"Oh...that's very creative," Yukina commented, nodding approvingly. The room had grew a thick cloud of silence, as Botan the Teacher tried her best patiently to educate young Yukina at the mouse. The crimson eyes drifted downward to the mouse, and there, she noticed to buttons where her index and middle finger laid still. "What are these buttons?"

"Oh, I forgot," Botan's eyes widened at her mistake. Then leaning in, gently over Yukina's left shoulder. "The right button helps you correct spelling errors, retrieve pages and helps you go back. And the left button helps you click on pages, icons, and any other program available."

"What are programs, pages and icons?" Yukina asked, curiously.

"Arggg," Botan sighed in frustration. She placed her fingers through her hair, almost as though she was going to eventually rip it out. Her eyes closed, as her heart mellowed and her breathing returned to normal. She opened her eyes to find Yukina with a devastated expression.

"I'm sorry, Botan," Yukina frowned.

Botan appeared to be taken back. "Wha? No! No-no-no-no, Yukina. It's not you at all. I'm just...not much of a teacher. I never took school, and its so hard to teach someone who's currently in Demon School."

Botan quickly began cocking her head, almost as though she were in search for something. "Uhh..." She gladly made her way to the other side of the desk, where small boxes lay untouched. Many scattered papers of instructions as to how to connect the computer together laid upon the surface, and Botan pushed them aside without hesitation. Under them was a small soft-back book with many grey pages inside. Botan, now pleased, turned around to face Yukina again, this time with a smile. "Here...this is the instruction book. It will have all the information on how to use this. It's much better of a teacher than I am. And it'll even give you pictures to explain in further detail. I know you can be an innocent bookworm, so this should be no problem. This computer will help you with any information you need for your studies. And its plugged into demon internet so it will have be easier to access. I promise."

"Internet?"

Before the blue-haired wonder could reply, the sound of a softly creaking door echoed into the living room where the girls were located. Footsteps and soft voice fluttered in from the doorway.

"That must be the boys, now," Botan told her kindly. "Let's see if we can get one of the guys to help you." Botan turned to the doorway and began walking, leaving Yukina in the other room. Yukina sat by and flipped through the booklet. Botan hummed softly through the hallways, now entering the grand ballroom, where the front door was located. She heard male voices which soon interrupted her hum.

"...And we could be gone for weeks, months, and even..." Yusuke's voice flew into Botan's ears, just as she entered the room. Her purple eyes could clearly see Yusuke and Kuwabara having a conversation as they began walking (no surprise) into the kitchen. Hiei took a different route and decided to walk up the stairs to his room. This leaving Kurama being the least person to walk through, just as Botan approached the door. Normally, Kurama would see Botan's face and smile. However, the news Koenma had given the boys was far more serious than any fake smile that could've been played.

Botan's optimistic smile faded. "What did he say? What's the task?"

Kurama leaned in close to Botan's face, his eyes looking around carefully for anyone uninviting. His voice was soft, but stern. He appeared calm, but saddened. "Itsuki's back."

"Itsuki?" Botan asked, confused. "I'm-going-to-kill-team-Urameshi Itsuki?"

"The same," Kurama whispered softly, nodding slowly. He closed his eyes, not wanting to live in a reality where the past keeps returning to haunt him. And as he looked down, Botan could easily see that there was more to know than meets his pale green eyes.

"Okay, Itsuki's back. Yusuke's defeated him before. He can easily do it again-"

"-No," Kurama shook his head, still lowered. "It's much worse this time..." Kurama looked up at her, taking a deep breath.

"Um, okay, care to explain?"

"Itsuki's got the Juro Gem."

"Juro Gem? That legendary emerald piece?"

Kurama gave one of those expression that can be translated into 'Oh you gotta be kidding me'. "It's not just an emerald piece. It's one of the most rarest jewels ever in existence!"

"So's finding a good man," Botan rolled her eyes accordingly.

Kurama narrowed his eyes at her. "Botan, focus. The Juro Gem is a legend, alright? A LEGEND. Mytholcal scholars would tell stories of it, but would never find it. Thousands of men, much like myself would go on hunts to only come up empty. There is so much applied when you not only find the legend, but are fully able to prove the legend false. I cannot tell you what sacrifices are to be made when you do find it, but I can tell you that Itsuki has it."

"Is he working alone or does he have a group?"

"What do you think?" He replied, matter-of-factly.

"You're right," Botan agreed. "Who's working with him? Do we know?"

Kurama shrugged, shaking his head. "Koenma isn't sure either. But there are five of them, and they go by the name The Juro Five."

Botan sighed. "Alright, so we have one very skilled demon, most likely the leader of this group. Four other possible A-class and possibly S-class demons working with him. And worst of all, they have a Gem that has the ultimate power of immortality and so much more. Tell me, what did Koenma-sama say?"

"What else?" Kurama sighed deeply, rolling his eyes, taking a step back from here. "We have got to find them."

"We? What do you mean we? You don't mean..." Her fingers pointed to her chest, indicating herself. Kurama nodded, trying to smile. "Me? You guys need me?"

"Yes. Your knowledge would be helpful."

Botan didn't know how to react. Truth be told, it wasn't the first time the guys had asked for her help. She's usually on those missions with them anyway. But somehow she knew that this would be a mission unlike no other.

"Okay, I'll go," Botan grumbled, once again dragged into a situation thanks to her good friend, Kurama. "But I'm not happy about it."

Kurama's lips shortened, as he slowly put them together. Hoping that Botan wouldn't hear him under his breath, he replied "Then you aren't going to enjoy what I have to say next..."

Botan's ear perked up. "Hmm? What's that?"

Kurama tried his best to smile and act coyly, but perhaps it was the nervous laughter through his teeth that gave him away. He took his right hand and gently brushed it through his hair, as his left arm went behind his back. Those emerald eyes slowly closed, and Botan meerly glared at the sight of his improvisation.

"Kurama," She folded her arms patiently but not before narrowing her eyes.

"Um...I believe I have some matters to attend to-" Kurama slowly backed away from her, into the dining room.

"-Kurama," Botan took every step forward that Kurama took backward, leaving both with nothing lost, nor gained.

"It was lovely chatting with yo-"

"-Kurama!"

Kurama took his leap of faith and made a run for it up the stairs, leaving Botan in the dust. He could hear her shouts growing faint with every passing step. Aristotle could teach many flights of children and never once set high in the air, much like Kurama. Though it wasn't truly known why Kurama felt the need to be so melodramatic as to literally runaway from Botan. But then again, perhaps it was their connection and how well he knew her and the reaction which he knew would be given that led him to run. Those are just a few options given. I'm just the narrator, it's not like I know.

"Kurama!" Botan grumbled, her fist rolling into balls of furry. To herself, she muttered. "I need to get new friends..."

As silence returned to the room which Botan occupied, it was quickly interrupted by a soft voice-well, a voice that's usually soft, but calling.

"Botan?" Yukina called. "I think the computer's sick."

"Hmm?" Botan asked, not moving from her spot.

"I was reading and a small box appeared on the screen with naked light demons, so I clicked the small X button in the corner like the book says-and it now says I have a computer virus. Can computers get sick?"

"Oh no!"She took off to Yukina, faster than even her ore can travel.

(Sorry, I know its been a while. And I may have rushed it...you probably don't want to read this much anymore. I understand. :( )