Author's Note: Hey everyone! Here is the second chapter of the three-shot. Once again, I've made some changes (hopefully for the better) so check them out if you want. This is not an update really; it's just that I've cut this fic into three parts so that it'll be shorter and easier to read. I've more or less explained that in the first chapter so go there and read it! Anyways, enjoy the new and improved second chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho. All characters are owned by the talented Yoshihiro Togashi.

My Desperate Plea

"Koenma needs to speak to you it's very important. It concerns my new idea. You must be back-"

I had snapped the communicator closed. Although I knew that it had infuriated her and that I would be punished for it later, I felt that it was satisfyingly well worth it. As for the important matter with Koenma, I felt a little uneasy. Lately, whenever Koenma called me, it was usually to deliver papers or to send messages to other people in Reikai. I had seen very little of my friends in Ningenkai. For reasons I did not know, Koenma and Ayame had been discussing a lot about the matters between the three worlds. However, I did know that Koenma adores his new bride and would hang onto her every word…

I looked wistfully to the portal that led into the human world before I turned my oar around to go back to the palace. When I arrived, I noticed that no one was around. Usually, the place was very busy and full of colorful ogres running about, doing their business and the hall would look, as Yusuke would put it, "like a stock market". But now, the place was empty and the silence was foreboding. I tried to push aside the thought but with no use. Of the hundreds of years I worked here, this had never happened. I decided to have a look around and try to find someone who could fill me in. I poked my head around the corner to the usual spot where George would be. No one was there. So then I proceeded to open the door to the Koenma's office. Empty.

That's not a good sign. He is always there.

"Botan!" I spun around at the call of my name. It was Hinageshi coming around the corner.

"Hey. Where is everybody?" I asked, glad to have found someone.

"They are all in the Great Hall. Come on. Ayame said it's urgent," She stopped and rolled her eyes. "Oh right. Lady Ayame. How could I have forgotten?" Hinageshi grumbled.

We both made our way to the Great Hall where everyone was standing around the podium where Koenma and Ayame were apparently about to give some kind of announcement. After us, came a couple more of ogres and then finally George who closed the door behind him.

"That's it then, let's get started." Koenma was in his teenage form. From what I could see he looked very tired and even a little sad. I looked at Hinageshi who shrugged and we both turned our attention back to the podium.

"The reason why I called all of you here is to tell you that I uh, we," He indicated toward Ayame. "Have decided to permanently seal the three worlds. We've been planning this for a long time and it is time to put it in action." I stood frozen to my spot. What did he say? Everyone began murmuring and discussing the new proposal. "Everyone please listen-" But no one paid attention to him.

"Listen up!" The murmuring ceased. I looked up and saw Ayame pushing Koenma aside and taking her spot at the podium. "The reason we are doing this is because there will be no more trouble caused by people or creatures being in the wrong places. Everyone will belong to his or her own worlds. Problems have called for a new improvement. Yes?" A red ogre just raised his hand.

"But what about the souls? How will they be delivered to Reikai?"

"As I have said before, this is a new system where the souls will be transported here themselves. There will be no need for a ferry girl. We must look to the future!" Ayame glanced over to me and gave me a triumphant smirk. I gaped at her and felt my eyes stinging. My heart began to beat faster and faster. My heart's racing caused me to become irrational and I searched for someone to blame.

Was I even being unreasonable though? I couldn't believe Koenma had let her take over! He let her overrun his life. This was his fault! Their fault! My friends. How will I see them? How will I ever see him? Will I ever see him again? Is it already too late for anything?

It was all I could think about.

The argument rose to an incredible level but I couldn't hear any of it. All I could think about was that I would not see my friends anymore, not being able to see Kurama... My chance of finally being with someone was gone. I couldn't stand it anymore, so I quietly opened the door and slipped out. With this insane declaration I had come to realize that I had always loved him. A desperate situation finally overthrew my anxieties yet with an ironic twist: it was too late.

My doubts and worries had covered up my true feelings. The silence outside made me feel even lonelier. A tear escaped and fell down my cheek and suddenly I felt I couldn't hold it back any longer, the tears streamed down my face as I ran down the corridor. The once shining palace that held such fond memories on that night seemed nothing more than the bittersweet effect of a dream come true, and the hard reality to face when the mind was once again awoken.

The golden lights, sweet music, tinkling of glass, swirls of dresses, my hand in his, the caring gaze and dance we shared, all the things I remembered so vividly and kept dear in my heart were quickly losing their details as I rushed out to the front steps. They were becoming blurred and messy like my reflection on the water that night and this time, there would be no surprise to lift me from this reality.

I finally burst out of that accursed place. I whipped out my oar and jumped on. The hot air had died down and was replaced by a cold breeze that did nothing to ease the burning anger inside my chest as I flew on.

It was only a short while ago that I realized I finally had the chance to feel affection for someone, to feel that I wasn't alone in this world. Since then, I had formed a little picture in my heart that Kurama was the one. No, I wasn't just being desperate, my true feelings had surfaced and by the time I had discovered them, the hopes of me being with him were dashed away.

But I was kidding myself.

How could I have even dreamed of us being together? I didn't even know how he felt about me. He was probably just being a gentleman like he always was. How could he even love me? I knew there was his youko side. The side of the cold, heartless kitsune thief forever filled with the desire of the thrill of the hunt and the call of Makai. I wasn't sure how I would ever affect his feelings…No matter how I thought of it, everything seemed to be against me. Even in my life before I was a ferry girl, I didn't find love. Though my life had been short, I lived long enough to see and want someone to be with and I've carried that feeling with me till now. Centuries later. It has always been a part of me that I could never have gotten rid of. And just when I had given up my fantasy, Kurama came and showed me that there was still hope.

I despised Ayame along with Koenma and finally with myself for not being able to seize the opportunities that passed me by. How ironic that my idea of spawning a relationship would end the chance of my own.

I didn't know how long I cried but by the time I came back the palace was back to how it was though it was quiet. Much more quiet.

As I stepped in, Hinageshi tapped me on the shoulder and told me I was to see Koenma in his office. She looked angry and frustrated but she realized I was hurt. "Are you alright Botan?" I didn't say anything and looked at the floor, swearing that I was not going to shed a single tear. I made my way around her forced the door open to reveal Koenma.

"Botan, please come here." Koenma said motioning his hand. Up close I could see the dark circles under his eyes. "Botan I know this must be hard for you. But I need you to tell Yusuke and the others the news. I plan to complete the seal tonight at midnight. And you won't be able to have a human form anymore. You'll just be the spirit you were before."

I couldn't hold it back my seething questions any longer. "Koenma, why are you doing this? Isn't there any other way? What's wrong with keeping the things the way they are now?" I couldn't bring myself to tell him my true feelings. I knew he would just dismiss them as a silly girl's dream.

Koenma sat down and sighed as if he had expected this to happen. "Botan, listen. I know you care for your friends-"

"They're your friends too!" I protested.

"But think of it this way." He continued, looking thoughtful. "They can all live a peaceful life this way. No more fights with demons and protecting the world-"

"Where did you find the power to do this? I thought it was impossible to keep all three worlds completely separated!" I interrupted, not caring for my usual manners. Koenma sighed and sat back in his chair.

"I asked my father if he would use the forbidden spell." Truth be told, I was completely surprised at the news. I had never heard of this forbidden spell before and wondered why Koenma didn't use it before in some of the dire cases.

"I know what you're thinking about Botan." He said as he read my expression. "Only my father could have done this because it required a huge amount of power….and sacrifice."

"Sacrifice?"

"Yes, my father had to relinquish most of his power as the lord of the underworld. His existence will end soon…" Koenma stood up and turned away so that his features were hidden from me. "This is why I am now the King of Reikai."

I couldn't believe what I'd just heard. Standing there in Koenma's office, I felt that the floor had liquefied and turned into lead. Trapping me there. Trapping me in Reikai.

"And you're doing all of this because of Ayame?" I asked. My body began to tremble as I averted my gaze to the floor. The tiles seemed malleable and unfocused as tears clouded my vision but I willed myself not to let even one escape.

"I'm doing this for all of us!" Koenma turned around. His haggard appearance was clearer than ever as he stood there with his clenched fists. "My father is going to die, disappear and I'm agreeing with this because this is the only path to true peace that I know. This is for every single being in this world's existence. Every single world's existence for that matter!"

Despite his sudden outburst and truthful explanation, I remained steadfast in what I felt. "And what would you know about true peace?" There was a sickening silence as I glared at the once proud prince I had looked up to and believed in.

"Really Botan, you are being selfish." A voice spoke up behind me. It was Ayame. She wore a smug look on her face.

Knowing that this was my last chance, I succumbed to this last and desperate plan. I had to ask her. I had to try every option. "Lady Ayame, please reconsider this. You're taking away my job…"

"I know what you're trying to do. That is just an excuse to socialize with those friends of yours and some of them demons."

I suddenly felt another surge of anger swell up within me. "You don't know anything about them! They helped save the world many times and they did their best in service to everyone, to Koenma and to you!"

"I know that they are a bunch of thugs, and two ex convicts; one a dangerous fire demon and another a notorious fox thief. Well, what's done is done. They did their task and I will do what I have to, in order to make things go smoother around here."

Koenma stood up and went between us. "Stop please. I'll explain it to her. Your idea is fine and I completely agree with you."

At that moment I felt hatred toward the both of them that I'd never felt before. "YOU! I thought you had more sense than to let her take advantage of you like that!" I shouted. My rage had finally reached it peak and my head felt dizzy. "The three worlds have existed all of these millennia together and when things were out of control, there were those who would step up and take on the role of hero for Ningenkai and Reikai. To look for the proof, all you have to is look at the Urameshi Team; a team that's comprised of beings from both the human and demon world! There is no doubt how strong their bond is! And you," I pointed a finger at Ayame "Don't you dare talk about my friends like that."

I turned around and stormed out of the office. Not caring who I was in my way, I shakily ran toward the front steps. A moment later, I noticed someone behind me. Turning around, I saw Ayame standing with her arms crossed. I had to ask her why she had to do this.

"Ayame, how come you're doing this? What do you want?" I asked facing her.

"I told you before, this whole idea will benefit everyone. I'm not going to change it just for you to be able to meet with your friends. This isn't a matter of simply you, Botan. This is for the best." With a note of finality she averted her gaze.

"But-" I started but Ayame had turned back to the palace. I could have sworn I heard her mutter,

"And besides, those Reikai Tantei will leave my Koenma alone." I shook my head in disbelief. She was being selfish herself, wanting Koenma devoted only to her. I turned away.

Once again, I mounted my oar and rode straight to the portal. I didn't want to waste any more time. I needed to go to Ningenkai; needed to go for the last time. As I passed through the familiar portal that connected our worlds, I saw the yellow sky change into a beautiful sapphire.

It was clearly nighttime. I glanced at a clock, eleven forty. Only twenty minutes to midnight.

E/N: Well, it's safe to say that the next chapter will be the finale! Thanks for reading and I hoped you enjoyed it!