Ok, I tried. I really did. But everytime I finish a chapter I realize that there is no action. I'm going to promisse again. Next chapter I will put more action!
Now, there is a big focus on Botan x Yusuke friendship this time. But the pair is Botan x Kurama! Don't forget it!
One last thing: I'm so tired... that is why there is going to be more problems with my english this time. I read three times, but I'm almost goiung to bed... so, please, try to understand.
GIVE ME A REVIEW! PLEASE!
Make them proud
"What are you doing here again, Kurama?" Yusuke asked anxiously to his friend, once he opened the door for him for the second time that day. "I thought that you were going to Renkai!" He completed closing the door behind the red haired boy.
"I was definitely going to Renkai" Kurama said with incomprehensible expression on his countenance. Although he was smiling for inside, he kept his features as he gazed to Yusuke: he was really not going to believe. However, something caught his eyes first. The apartment was a little different from before, when Kurama appeared for the first time. It was all messed up; the television, books, and all the other belongings were on the ground, while the windows were entirely broken.
"What happened here!" Kurama asked fearfully. Yusuke took a deep breath and shook his head, while he looked in the direction of the corridor.
"Don't ask" Yusuke said. "Keiko can coming while I tell you, and I don't want her to be bothered"
"Why would she be bothered?" Kurama insisted giving him an eyebrow. He wouldn't persist with the subject if he weren't worried about what had happened some time ago. If both him and Yusuke had been "attacked" like Kurama assumed, they should give a little more of attention to the problem.
"Not now" Yusuke said facing Kurama. "I will tell you later" Kurama nodded, accepting that that kind of subject should be discussed more tranquilly, and not at that instant, while Botan was still waiting outside, keyed up to see her friends for the first time past two months.
"So… why didn't you go to Renkai, then?" Yusuke asked. When Kurama came for the first time that morning, he seemed very much determinate to bring Botan back, and that's why he couldn't imagine any good motive he didn't go to the Spirit World. Save for… "Do you got any important news about Botan? Where is she?"
"I didn't got any news about her" Kurama answered simply, and Yusuke's face frowned at his words. He couldn't say that he wasn't worried about the sapphire haired girl. Since the day he died in that car accident, to save the young boy, Botan had became his greatest fried, without any doubt. She became his assistant when he was nominated a Spirit detective, and they had faced the worst situations ever. Situations that Yusuke always thought a girl wouldn't be able to pass trough. On the other hand, Botan never gave up on their assignments. She had been an efficient helper, using her curative power, instruments from the spirit world, her incredible courage and her gift of cheering the gang up. More than that, she was been an incredible, comprehensible, and trustable friend every time Yusuke needed.
He had so much to thank Botan. She was always read to risk her life for the others, even if she put herself in danger. She did this when he fought against Gouki, and the blue haired ferry girl was almost murdered when she interrupted the fight, just to save him. She helped Keiko, the love of his life, in all the ways she could, even when Yusuke had lost all of his hope. Botan came after him, with no hesitation, when Kaito, Kido and Yanagizaua kidnapped him.
She has never failed him.
And he had failed her just two months ago. He hadn't been able to protect her twice, while she was suffering, vulnerable and week, because of the power sphere. He had to endure seeing his best friend falling into his arms, terribly injured, and moaning in agony in Genkai's temple. He had to endure the fact Yakumo kidnapped her in front of his eyes, and he hadn't been capable to do anything. He had to face Kurama's and Hinagheshi's despair when he told them where Botan was, and imagine every pain the ferry girl was suffering, as soon as he founded out she was using her own body and life to hold a power sphere that no being excluding Emma Dayo could hold, to save the whole world from destruction.
He watched Botan resist to all, and only after she had given everything she could from herself, she finally gave up for the first time in her life. She gave up in Yusuke's arms.
She was dying.
"I really don't have any news about Botan" Kurama said. "But I think you will like the reason I came here" Yusuke faced Kurama, but he wasn't paying attention to what he was speaking, or to what he wanted to mean by saying that. Kurama was still standing between him and the door, with the same incomprehensible expression that he had before. Just unlike two months ago. Yusuke always realized some hidden feelings of the Kitsune for Botan, and now, more than ever, he was sure the red hair suffered much more than him those days. But he didn't have to endure the guilty inside his heart. It wasn't his fault.
It was only Yusuke's.
The spirit detective thought that after Botan came back to life, and everything was ended, his guilty was going to fade away. But that really didn't happen. Not after he realize the blue haired girl was preserving scars inside her. Scars that wouldn't heal so easily. At the same time, Yusuke was doing the same, and those scars became just a few between many others that remembered him about old fights and failures evolving especially Keiko and Genkai.
During this last months, Keiko had tried to help him forgive himself. She had said to him that he shouldn't demand so much of himself. Keiko brought him serenity and Yusuke got rid of some of his guilty. But now, other ghosts, of the last fight with Yakumo, were coming back when he comprehended that his best friend wasn't between them for a long time.
"Yusuke?" Kurama called. Yusuke came out of his thoughts, as he realized that the red hair had been talking.
"I'm sorry, Kurama" Yusuke said. "I have to admit that I wasn't really paying attention to what you were saying, buddy"
"Always like that" Kurama said smiling and shaking his head. "Well, I was saying that after I came out from here, I walk into the park and something happened that I really did not expected"
"What do you mean?" Yusuke inquired apprehensively, his thoughts flying again over the earthquake that could have injured Keiko. Was that the reason Kurama insisted on the visual of his apartment? Could have something similar happened to him too? The last thing Yusuke need was another motive to worry him now. "Did anything bad happen to you?"
"Not really" Kurama said, avoiding the problems now. There wasn't really any motive to talk about that. Not now at least. Kurama gave Yusuke a small smirk and turned around, starting to open the door.
"Well… I said that I didn't bring any news of Botan…. But I think this will be OK" Kurama finished, before finally opening the door entirely.
Yusuke was taken aback.
Yusuke's eyes grew wide right after he saw what was behind the door. Who was behind the door. There, on the entrance, a cerulean haired girl was standing, facing him with familiar smile.
"Botan?" Yusuke asked, and the girl's smile grew huger.
"YUSUKE!" Botan shouted, just before she ran up to the Spirit Detective, threw herself against his neck and embraced him laughing. All Yusuke did was strongly embrace her back, because he knew that laugh, he knew that voice, and he missed it. Yusuke embraced Botan harder, now smiling because he knew who she was. He knew she was his best friend.
"Gee, Botan!" Yusuke finally got to exclaim, his voice laughing as they still hugged each other. "I missed you, girl!"
"I missed you too, Yusuke!" Botan had to make a huge enforcement to not cry. First, she had met Kurama in the park, and now, she was there, with Yusuke . Kurama looked at the both them, as they broke their hug apart, and although he was glad, he couldn't stop himself but felling a little of jealousy.
Everyone always knew how strong was Botan's and Yusuke's friendship. Yusuke never had many friends, except for Keiko, and Botan always had the same problems. Being a ferry guide, she had passed trough the years without anyone but Hinagheshi and Ayame. When she met Yusuke, she found on him the beginning of a family she never had. When Kurama saw Botan for the first time, while he was trying to explain his true intentions with the Mirror of Darkness, he thought they had feelings for each other. But as the time passed, Kurama realized that it would never happen. Yusuke loved Keiko more than anything and the brow haired girl loved him back in the same. Also, Botan was Keiko's best friend.
Even so, he still got a little of jealousy of her sometimes.
"Hey, Kurama!" Yusuke exclaimed looking to red hair. "I believe you liked making fun of me, right?"
"Who doesn't like making fun of you, Yusuke?" Kurama said smiling.
"Kurama is right, Yusuke" Botan said laughing. "You should have seen your face!"
"Oh, yeah?" Yusuke asked Botan, before turning to face Kurama, with a dangerous smirk on his face. The red haired boy knew what was coming. The spirit detective always did that, at least since he realized that Kurama had some secret feelings for the Deity of Death. He always teased them.
Well, Botan… I think the old fox isn't afraid of Death anymore… He seems to like it a lot!
Kurama! I know you like chatting with Botan, but we have to go now!
The red hair looked seriously to Yusuke, who saw a small flash of gold inside Kurama's green eyes. But the detective wasn't going to intimidate himself so easily. He never did.
"Why are you facing each other like this?" Botan asked confusedly. It looked like the both of them were having a silent discussion.
"Don't you think Kurama was pretty fast?" Yusuke asked with a fake innocent face. He knew Kurama didn't tell Botan about his visit earlier that day. If he did, he didn't tell her the motive.
"What do mean?" Botan asked, as she saw Kurama roll his eyes still with a serious expression. At the same time, she could see that his cheeks were getting a shade of red. Then she realized what Yusuke was doing, and somehow, she wanted to listen what he was going to say.
"He only took sometime to bring you back as he said he would" Yusuke said smiling to Botan's surprised face. "You know, that was the only reason he came here before. He said he needed to know where you were"
Botan felt her face burn. She glanced from Yusuke, who was now grinning openly, to Kurama, who had his usual incomprehensible expression, facing her without showing any sing of reaction. The blue haired girl looked to her own feet, trying to believe on what Yusuke had just said. Kurama had visited Yusuke and Keiko just to ask about her. What did that mean?
"Yusuke!" A mad voice called, coming from the corridor of the apartment and taking Botan away from her thoughts. Away from Kurama. "I asked your help half hour ago! Our room is a mess! Keiko entered the room trying to glue a ceramic jar, without looking around. "Are you going to ignore me?" Keiko said and finally looked up.
The jar broke in million of pieces when it hit the floor.
"Oh my good!" Keiko exclaimed as she looked to her best friend standing there. "Botan!"
"Keiko!" Botan cried out before she walked on to hug her friend. "I missed you!"
"I missed you too!" Keiko said smiling as the two girls broke their hug apart. "How did this happen! How are you? When did you come back?"
"Hey, Keiko" Yusuke said, looking to his girlfriend. "One question each time"
"Well, Yusuke" Kurama said shaking his head. "I know you didn't changed even a little, but I though you could be more well-mannered" he finished pointing the sofas near them.
"Yusuke!" Keiko screamed. "You didn't ask them to come in!
"Don't start bugging me, Keiko!" Yusuke replied. "I didn't have time! Botan just surprised me!"
"That's true" Botan asked smiling, and as she they walked to the two sofas, she glanced Kurama with look that clearly wanted to say, "Nothing changed at all". "Yusuke was taken aback"
The two "couples" made their way trough the apartment, and Botan sat next Kurama on the smaller sofa, as Keiko and Yusuke sat on the other one. The cerulean haired girl looked around and saw that the place wasn't too big, and not too fancy. It was very simple, but at the same time it was very beautiful. Also, this apartment was built with love, dedication and happiness. That was the most important. However, something was very strange. Knowing Keiko very well, she was sure the brown haired girl wouldn't let the apartment so disorganized. Some things were on the ground and broken. She looked more around, until she saw the windows and her eyes wide.
"Ahh…Did… happen anything here?" Botan asked, seeing the pieces of glass covering the floor.
"Earthquake" Keiko said, before Yusuke could say anything. "My room is a complete mess! Specially because Yusuke didn't help me when I asked!"
"I was busy! I was watching TV!" Yusuke said indignantly to Keiko, and the brow haired girl sighed irritably. Kurama and Botan smiled, as Yusuke murmured something like "Crazy" and turned to face Botan. However, this time he didn't have his usual smirk stamped on his face. His features were concerned, and Botan somehow avoided his brown eyes. "What happened to you all this time?"
Botan looked up and faced her two best friend's concerned faces. It was time to tell them. The ferry girl took a deep breath, as she prepared herself to talk about her nightmares, her fear, and her memories. She stood in silence for one second, before she felt a warm, strong and at the same time, gentle hand on top of her own hand. Her heart jumped and she looked to her right side and saw Kurama's face smiling to her. Suddenly, she felt more straight, more security inside her, and she nodded, telling him that she was read.
"I'm sorry I didn't come" she started looking to her feet "But I was so afraid… I was having nightmares… I kept blaming myself"
Yusuke felt a small pain inside his heart. Botan was still suffering because of Yakumo.
His fault.
"Look, Botan… You don't need to blame yourself" Yusuke said, and Kurama realized that the Spirit detective was acting a little weird. "Nothing this was your fault, and…"
"I know, Yusuke" Botan cut him off. "That's why I decided to come back. Yakumo is dead and there is nothing to be afraid." Yusuke nodded to his blue haired friend, trying to believe on what she had said.
"You are completely right, Botan" Kurama said, smiling gently, making Botan heart come to her mouth "Everything that happened was Yakumo's fault. His fault only" Kurama finished giving an emphasis to the last word, as he faced Yusuke determinate. He had just realized that the Spirit detective was still blaming himself for Botan's kidnap two months ago.
I'm sorry, Kurama… couldn't do anything for her.
The fact that Yusuke blamed himself was ridiculous. Yakumo was too much strong. Kurama felt misery when Botan was kidnap, and all that he could do was cry for her. Even so, he knew that blame himself wouldn't help. However, that wasn't what Yusuke did, especially seeing how much Hinagheshi was afraid to loose the person she loved as an older sister.
"Keiko, why don't you bring us some snacks, baby?" Yusuke said. He really wanted to talk to Kurama, and since Botan was back, there would be no other chance to talk about the strange earthquake that had happened earlier in that morning.
"You never make the tea yourself, Yusuke!" Keiko complained, but she got up even so.
"I will help you, Keiko!" Botan said. That was exactly what Yusuke anticipated. He didn't want to worry neither of the girls with new problems, especially Botan, who had just come back from the Spirit World. The blue haired girl stood up and followed Keiko to kitchen, as Kurama and Yusuke watched. The red haired boy glanced one last time, and when he started hearing the two girls' voices beginning a conversation, he faced Yusuke.
"What do want to tell me?" he asked.
"How do you know I want to tell you something?" Yusuke asked sweet dropping.
"Well, it obvious that something bad happened here" Kurama said, looking around the apartment. "I know you are a disorganized person, but I don't think Keiko is" He finished saying, with a smirk on his mouth.
"Fine! But stop making fun of me, fox boy!" Yusuke said. He looked once more in the direction of the kitchen, as he took a deep breath. "It was an earthquake… but it wasn't a normal one. I felt a dark energy near the apartment. I believe someone cause it"
"That it was what I feared" Kurama said sighing. Something was not right. Eventually, something was wrong. "Something similar happened to me and Botan."
"While you were coming to tell me the good news?" Yusuke asked stunned. "Botan didn't seemed much disturbed"
"I think she didn't realized what really happened" Kurama said. "We were passing by a building that was being reformed… and a part of the structure fell on our heads"
"What!"
"We didn't get hurt because I realized what was happening, and jumped aside with Botan" Kurama said seriously. "The real trouble is the reason that made me recognize that something was wrong"
"You felt an energy similar to the one I describe you?" Yusuke asked, and now the black haired boy had his eyes narrow. He didn't need to ask; he already knew they had a new problem.
"Exactly"
"Shit" Yusuke shouted, getting up from the sofa and starting to walk around the room. He looked once more to the kitchen, as they still could hear voices talking, and faced Kurama in eyes. "You said that Botan didn't realized anything, right?"
"Right" Kurama nodded. "She had a suspicion first, but I think she so excited because she back that she forget about it"
"Keiko didn't realized anything either" The spirit detective said, sitting on the sofa again. "Although I shoot my Leigan, there was so much noise that I think she didn't notice it"
"So, you want to pretend that anything happened?" Kurama asked giving Yusuke an eyebrow. He didn't want to say anything either, after all, it was the first day Botan was back. He didn't want to disturb her. She looked so happy. However, at the same time, he didn't want to give such a small importance to the subject. Not that kind of subject.
"Only for today" Yusuke said. "We have to talk to Koenma about this and today we won't have time to go to the Spirit world without Keiko and Botan realizing it. We will do it tomorrow"
"I just hope nothing happens until then" Kurama said, and Yusuke nodded. The spirit detective just wished that they were wrong about everything. However, the same problem had happened with two members of the Urameshi Team. What about Hiei and Kuwabara? Where were they now?
"We need to be a little more careful" Yusuke said, then he sighed. "If we want to hope that"
"Get the coffee and put in the cafetiere, please, Botan" Keiko said pointing to cupboard on the other side of the kitchen. The room, as the entire apartment, wasn't big. However, in Botan's opinion, it was very cute. It was partly white and had some details in timber.
"Ok" Botan said, and went in the direction of the cupboard. "This is such a nice place, Keiko! I'm so happy for you!"
"Yeah" Keiko said smiling, as she got a small cake, already cut in slices, that was on the freezer. "Although I know I'm still a teenager, and that I'm still going to start college, it's great to live just with Yusuke. My mother gave me some of the furniture of the apartment and my father is paying me now to work at the restaurant. He said that I'm still a teenager, but I'm not a kid anymore"
"And Yusuke?" Botan asked curiously. She couldn't imagine the spirit detective doing anything, but fighting. "What is he doing?"
"He is working with me at the restaurant, of course" Keiko answered, now putting the milk inside the microwave and four slices of bread inside the toaster. "He is going to finish school first, so we decided that it was best thing for him. I talked to my father and he accepted"
Botan sighed, as she put the coffee inside the cafetiere and turned it on. She wished that her life with Kurama could be like that. She wanted to be always together with him, but, for now, she couldn't. He didn't know about her feelings for him, and she knew that if he did, that wouldn't mean anything to the red haired. He always treated her very tenderly, but he was like that with all the girls around him.
"What about you and Kurama?" Keiko asked suddenly. Botan eyes grew wide. She was that so obvious? How could Keiko know about this? And what would Botan say now? She really wanted to tell Keiko about her feelings over Kurama, but she would end up saying everything to Yusuke. There was nothing wrong about that, after all they lived together. However, she didn't want everyone to know about this.
"I… well… what did you said?" Botan asked turning her face away. "What do you mean?"
"Botan!" Keiko exclaimed with and indignant tone on her voice, but at the same time, she was smiling. "You can tell me about it! I know you like Kurama! I always did!"
"Keiko! Don't speak so loudly!" Botan said frenetically, looking the direction of the living room. The two girls stood in silence for while, listening to the sound of the boys' voices. Botan took a deep breath. If Keiko already knew, there would no sense of hiding it from her. She trusted Keiko. Botan just needed to ask and she wouldn1t tell anything to Yusuke. "Fine, I like him"
"I knew it!" Keiko shouted, celebrating.
"Do you think… that I have a chance?" Botan asked, watching her best friend take the slices of bread that were inside the toaster and put them on a cookie sheet, together with the cake and with some butter that the brow haired girl had already taken out of the freezer.
"Come on, Botan" Keiko said smiling, as she rolled her eyes. "It is so obvious that he likes you too. The way he looks at you, the way he talks to you! He does exactly what Yusuke and Kuwabara do when they are near me or Yukina!"
"Are you sure?" Botan asked, but she couldn't stop doubting. Keiko was only trying to be nice. "Don't you think he is always like that with everyone? I'm not stupid, Keiko"
"Botan! Stop imagining things!" Keiko said. "You need to tell him!"
"No! I don't need to tell him, Keiko!" Botan said gnashing her teeth. Keiko crossed her arms, and faced the blue haired friend. Botan was being so stupid! Of course Kurama liked her!
"Botan, I can't believe you are doing the same mistakes I did!" Keiko said, taking the milk off the microwave, and also putting it on cookie sheet. "How many times Yusuke almost died, and I didn't said that I loved him? You can let that happen with you two!"
"Keiko, there is no two!" Botan said showing two fingers in front of Keiko's face. "I don't know how he feels. There is no proof, alright?"
"You know I'm right, Botan" Keiko said, but Botan didn't answered. Yes, she knew Keiko was right. It wasn't a good thing hid her feelings for Kurama. But she just couldn't tell him. She didn't want to be rejected. If Kurama liked her, he would tell, right? Or… he wouldn't?
That was so confusing!
"Keiko, please, I know what is better, OK?" Botan said, almost pleading to her best friend. "Don't tell about this to Kurama, or Yusuke or anyone else"
"Fine" Keiko said, as she sighed. The cafetiere make a small noise, announcing that the coffee was read. Keiko got the coffee jug and put it in cookie sheet, as Botan got the sugar, spoons, knives and cups. "I wouldn't tell them anyway"
"Thanks, Keiko" Botan said. "I knew you would understand"
"You can say that I accept… but I don't understand" Keiko said, taking a deep breath. "And you have to confess that the fact he came here just to ask where you were, is a good signal"
"Well…I guess you are right" Botan said smiling, trying not to be too much optimistic. Why would Kurama be interested in someone like her? She was completely opposed to him! He was always serious, calm, and rational, while she was bustling and irrational. Even loving him, she always thought it would never work!
"What about Yukina?" Keiko asked getting the cookie sheet and going in the direction of living room, as Botan followed her, holding the silverware and the tea cups. "Won't will tell her?"
"I will call her latter, telling that I came back" the blue haired girl said, as them entered inside the living room. Kurama instantly got up, and helped Botan with the things she was holding, as Yusuke already started attacking the snacks, eating a slice of the cake.
"Call who?" Yusuke asked, his voice muffled since his mouth was full of cake.
"Yukina and Genkai" Botan said, looking to Kurama, both trying to hold their laugh at Keiko's disgusted face at Yusuke. "I need tell them that I came back"
"Why don't we pay them a visit, Botan?" Kurama asked to his lovely blue haired girl, drinking some coffee of his cup.
"Today?" Botan replied surprised, gasping. "Don't you think we will disturb them?"
"Disturb? They will be glad to see you!" Keiko said
"Besides, Kuwabara disturb them almost every time" Yusuke said.
"I will call them" Keiko said getting up from the sofa and walking in the direction of the corridor. "I will say that Yusuke and I only want to pay them a visit"
"I bet Kuwabara is already there" Yusuke said, when Keiko disappeared through the corridor. The spirit detective glance to Kurama, who knew what Yusuke was thinking. If they were going to visit the temple and Kuwabara was going to be there, they would be able to ask if something bad had happened to him.
Botan looked to Kurama, who was still looking to Yusuke. They both were acting very weird since she and Keiko came back from the kitchen bring the snacks. And the blue haired could imagine on what they were thinking. When Keiko said about he earthquake, she saw Yusuke avoiding her eyes. Something was telling her that Yusuke had and different opinion about the tremor. Botan wouldn't realize that, of course, if she weren't worried about the incident with the building, while she was coming to visit Keiko and Yusuke.
Were they hiding anything?
"I already talked to Yukina" Keiko said, coming back to the living room and taking Yusuke, Kurama and Botan away from their thoughts. "She didn't asked why we were going there, and said that she will be glad to see us"
"And?" Yusuke asked, giving Keiko an eyebrow.
"Oh! Yeah… Kuwabara is already there" Keiko answered giggling. "Yukina said that he is visiting her a lot lately!"
"That moron doesn't have anything to do, right?" Yusuke said, making everyone laugh.
Kurama glanced to Botan as she was laughing. Now she was happy. That was the most important thing to him. And all he wanted at that moment was enjoy that time with her. She completed him. She brought him love. She was perfect. And Kurama only hoped that there would be no reason to destroy everyone's happiness. Not now.
I will protect you, my deity.
First, they were all dead. A shadow moved above their bodies. There was no blood. There were only pale and cold faces. An expression of horror covered their features.
Kurama. Yusuke. Kuwabara. Himself.
Under their lifeless bodies, protected by their arms, legs, chest and hearts, three beautiful faces gave their last breath for life. A silent scream was dead inside their sweet mouths. A river of pale blue hair was mixed with the red hair of her protector. Brown hair was spread on Yusuke's face, which rested on his lover's chest. At least, a girl with short light green had one of her hands inside Kuwabara's. The other hand, almost imperceptible, held five burned fingers that leaded to a burned arm of her brother.
But she didn't know that.
Botan. Keiko. Yukina.
Then, there was just screams. The fire was spreading around the cities. Humans were being murdered without pity: girls, boys, men, and women. Houses and buildings were being invaded by shadows.
There was just despair.
And for what he could see, the same thing was happening inside a forest. A forest that he knew very well.
Some demons were fighting against the assassin shadows, trying to protect their home, and were commanded by a strong woman, hide by bandages around her body. Lights exploded around, blinding everyone. When the lights faded away, all the resistance was over. The woman was on the ground, and all the fighters were dead around her. Her breath was slow.
He could see her face.
Mukuro.
In that moment all that she could say during her last breath was a small name, as the shadows started to take over. She called his name.
"Hiei…"
The fire demon opened his eyes and looked around his own body. Hiei was sitting on a branch of a tall tree, from where he could see clearly the Genkai's shire, for the last entire hours. Since he had asked permission to Mukuro to come back, two days ago.
Hiei jumped to another tree to stay closer to the two people that were sitting on some rocks in the temples garden. One, he knew very well. It was a tall and strong man, with orange hair and an idiot face. Of all the members of the Urameshi team, that guy was the one he disliked the most. Everyone knew their antipathy, but it had become worse and worse because of the girl he was sitting with. The girl looked like and angel, with light green hair and crimson eyes.
Just like Hiei's eyes.
"Yukina…" Hiei murmured sitting on the tree again. She was the one he cared the most. All the time he had been looking for his sister, and now he couldn't tell her. He wouldn't tell her. She was better without knowing about their bloody relation. Moreover, Hiei had already told her that her brother was dead.
Such a lie.
Yukina should know she couldn't expect more of her brother. He was the forbidden child, murder and thief. He was cursed with the demon eye, which he had put during his search around the Demon world. However, he couldn't stop caring about her. Watching over her like he did since he rescued her from Tarukane's house.
And that was one of the reasons he had came back.
Yes, one of the reasons.
Because he knew something was wrong. Since the last fight was over, images of a war and of dead always appeared inside Hiei's mind. Images o Yukina's death. And the fire demon couldn't pretend they were nothing. He knew they were everything.
Evil was disturbing the tree worlds again.
He wasn't the only one who had sensed the wrong atmosphere that was closing every single person around. Dark energy could be felt sometimes while he was waking around the Demon world, and he knew something was wrong. And so did Mukuro.
"What are you thinking about?" He hears a voice ask while he was standing on a rock that was in front of an abysm, near the place where the palace had stopped moving.
"You shouldn't have to ask" Hiei answered looking around and facing the red haired woman." I know you felt that too"
Mukuro didn't replied instantly. The woman walked in Hiei's direction before stopping next to him. She took a deep breath, while she crossed her arms. "I have been feeling it a lot lately"
"I don't know why this dark energy is different from the others" Hiei said. To live in Demon world wanted to mean that dark energies were felt almost every time. But there was some strange about that one. It was dominating… it wasn't only dark. It was evil.
"Something is about to happen" Mukuro addict.
"The energy is difficult to notice" Hiei said, avoiding Mukuro's eyes. He didn't wanted to look like he was worried about the Human World or the Spirit World, but the if wasn't everyone that could sense the energy, they would be without no warn. He had to talk to Kurama. "The Human world and Spirit World will be aware of the problem"
"Worried about your sister?" Mukuro asked.
"That's is none of your business" Hiei answered looking away.
"Don't worry" The red haired female said smirking. "That human you told me will be there to protect her"
"He would probably try" Hiei replied. "Even though I doubt he would make it. He had the same mind of an vermin"
"Then you should go" The woman said. "You don't want an creature like that watching over your sister, right? Besides, you should warn your friends… The Spirit Detectives. If we are right, they you need you there"
Hiei waked away, coming out of the rock they were standing, as Mukuro followed him. The fire demon new Mukuro was right. He couldn't stay there just waiting something happens. "I honestly hope we are wrong about this. But if were not… If something different happens, you should be ready for another war"
"Let everyone come" Mukuro said proudly. "I will send any beast into the abysm"
"These last years are becoming the end of the Three Worlds as we know it" He said, turning around and facing her. "If we need to fight, your defenses here will have to hold"
"Are you worried about me, Hiei?" Mukuro asked looking inside his eyes, but the fire demon didn't answered. He turned around again and gave just a simple reply before disappearing in the air.
"Yes"
And so he came back. He needed to warn Yusuke and Kurama about his new suspicion. If the fight were upon them, they would have to do something. However, he couldn't stop himself of coming to watch Yukina for a while, and see if she was alright.
"I wish I'm wrong about everything." Hiei thought. Then, everything happened very fast. Just after Hiei's last thought formed inside his mind, he felt very quickly, exactly the thing he had been feeling for the very last days. What he feared to feel.
Instantly, the fire demon took the bandana off his forehead and released the power of his Jagan. Down there, near Yukina and Kuwabara, between the smallest trees next the Temple's house, he could feel a weak but familiar energy. Hiei, who fastest between the Spirit Detectives jumped from tree to tree until he got to the ground. Like a shadow he run closer and closer to the place the dark energy was coming from. He could see the tree where he knew the creature that was manipulating that energy was hidden behind. He could feel it! And why wasn't that idiot Kuwabara realizing anything?
Hiei pulled out his sword as he came, almost invisible, nearer to his sister, who was still talking happily to that stupid carrot haired boy. The black haired demon jumped one last time, against the tree, and cut in pieces the branches of the tree that were in his way with just on movement. However, as the parts fell down on the ground he realized his attack had been useless. The energy was already gone.
Whatever it was there, it had realized Hiei's presence even before he had jumped against the tree. The fire demon looked around, his heart jumping and his breathe fast, looking for something. There was no noise. No movement. No energy.
Hiei guarded his sword and walked in the direction of the place where Yukina and Kuwabara were now sitting, as the carrot haired boy held her hands in his. The demon felt annoyed. That stupid didn't realize anything. He was right to think that the guy wasn't capable to protect his sister. What if that "thing" had attacked them in that moment?
"Shit" Hiei murmured, closing his fists. He was right, as he feared. Something was disturbing the tree worlds. But what was that energy watching over the temple? What did it wanted? Was he looking for his sister or Kuwabara?
There were to many questions. All the fire demon knew now was that he needed to warn Kurama and Yusuke. They should be prepared to anything. If this energy were haunting Kuwabara, it could be doing the same with the others detectives.
What the hell was happening?
"Yukina…" Hiei murmured looking to the light green haired maiden. He couldn't let anything happen to her,like during the other fight against Yakumo. He needed to protect her.
And that was what he was going to do.
He was feeling that thing again. He was tired of trying to avoid that sentiment of loss everyday. Since she was gone. Of course he knew she was going to come back as soon as she get the master degree at The United States done. Yes, United States. She had won a scholarship right after their fight against Yakumo was over, and without even thinking, she had left. And because of that, Kuwabara was living alone at his apartment.
Kuwabara looked around him. The atmosphere of Genkai's sanctuary was perfect. He felt so calm there and so peaceful. He always visited that place every time he could, especially because of Yukina, the ice maiden of his dreams. However, now that he was so lonely, he had to admit that his need for that place had grown bigger than before.
Kuwabara took a deep breath. He was sitting on the stairs of the temple's garden, the sound of nature penetrating his ears. Yukina had gone inside, when she heard the telephone calling, and Genkai was somewhere training, as usual. He really wanted to tell Yukina what he was feeling, but he didn't want her to think that he was complaining.
Because he wasn't complaining, of course. After all, Shizuka took care of him all this time, from the moment when their mother died. Their father didn't lived with them, since Kuwabara was a kid, and Shizuka didn't vacillate to say that they both didn't need him, only his money. Even so, Shizuka had gotten a job, while she was starting to do college. She watched over Kuwabara, and helped him every time he needed. But now it was the time when she should live her own life.
And Kuwabara accepted it. He was going to start college next month and got his own job, trying to live by himself. Shizuka was sending him letters every month, telling him that she was happy and hoped him to be happy too. And he was. He was happy for his sister. But he would be lying if he said that he wasn't missing her a lot. He missed her so much.
"It was Keiko on the phone" a sweet voice said, making Kuwabara jump. Lost between his thoughts he didn't realize that Yukina was back to side, her blue Kimono touching the floor. "She said that she and Yusuke are going to come here today"
"Today?" Kuwabara asked surprised.
"Yes" Yukina said happily. "Keiko said that they have a good surprise for us. Do you have any idea of what is that, Kazuma?"
"No idea" Kuwabara said. He looked down to Yukina's smiling face and her beautiful crimson eyes, and he felt his face getting hot. He wanted to tell her again what he said her everyday: that they were blessed with the power of the love. But at the same time he wanted to confess her that he missed Shizuka a lot. Kuwabara looked away and faced the sky, as Yukina's smile faded, leaving a worried expression o her features.
"What is it, Kazuma?" Yukina asked with a sad tone in her voice. She didn't like to see Kazuma troubled around her. Most of the time he smiling and saying nice things to her, about how he liked her, how he felt good around her. Consequently, when he was worried about something, Yukina could sense that immediately. "What is worrying you?"
"Me!" Kazuma said smiling nervously. He wanted to relief himself, but he truly didn't want to let Yukina concerned, and he knew he would. Her heart was the purest he knew, and she was always trying to help everyone she could. "Nothing is worrying me, my dear Yukina!" He finished, holding her hands, and giving her a huge fake smile, trying to imitate the smile he first one he gave her that morning.
Yukina smiled softly, holding his hands back. She looked deep at him, because she knew he was lying. Behind his eyes, shadows of uncertainty were getting bigger and bigger. He wanted to tell her something.
"Kazuma… you can tell me" Yukina said gently. "You know you can"
Her tone of voice was so sweet and at the same time so secure, that Kuwabara's hesitation vanished completely. He let Yukina's hands go and got up, his own hands now inside his pockets, as he faced the sky.
"I…" Kuwabara started. "I miss Shizuka" the carrot haired boy blurted out, without looking to Yukina. "But the worst thing, is that I know that missing her is not fair"
"Kazuma?" Yukina called him slowly, getting p and standing on his side. She touched his arm, making the tall boy look at her. "She will be back as soon as she finish her master degree… it's a great chance. And I know that you want the best for her. And I also know that she misses you too"
"I suppose that I was a burden for her all these years"
"Don't say that" Yukina said, shaking her head. "Shizuka loves you, Kazuma. She always said that to me. She cares a lot about you. And all these years she never blamed you for anything. Never." She held his hands and smiled. "Believe me, Kazuma"
"But-"
"Do you believe me?" Yukina said. "I would never lie to you. Especially about that"
"I… I… believe you" Kuwabara said, and he finally smiled. "Did she really tell you these things you said?"
"Yes"
Yukina touched his cheek with the palm of her hand and Kuwabara felt the warm of her skin. Although she was an ice maiden she was like the sun for him. And she was right. He loved his sister and Shizuka knew that. And she loved him back. Her letters were full of affection and cheering. It was the chance of her life this scholarship, and he was happy about it. Kuwabara wanted the best for her.
"Thanks" Kuwabara said, and for the third time that day he held her hands, his time his temperature going up, up, and up. He loved her. "My beloved Yukina, you are the light of my life!"
Yukina giggled, blushing a sight of red, as she remembered that Keiko and Yusuke were coming to visit them. "I need your help, Kazuma. Keiko and Yusuke are coming, as I told you"
"Sure!" He took a deep breath before going up the stairs of the temple again. "The man has to be Kuwabara, right!" she exclaimed, facing Yukina as he smiled to her.
"Right" Yukina said giggling, as she followed him.
The man has really to be you, Kazuma.
He was just stunned.
Koenma didn't know what to think while he was there looking to Ayame, who also had a worried face. What she had told him was very strange. He couldn't understand how that was happening after all the things the Renkai had been doing?
The commander of Renkai was on his teenager form, sitting behind his desk, inside of his office. Everyday he waited for Ayame, one of his most dedicate ferry girls, to tell him what was happening in the Makai, the Demon World, and in the Ningenkai, the Human World. Since the new king of Makai made the treat saying that no demon should disturb the Human World, and since the barrier had been destroyed, it had became a constant worry the protection of the humans. Evidently, Koenma still could count with the Urameshi Team's help, but Yusuke had let clear that the he should always be paying attention to the Three Worlds' situation, since he want prevent dangerous missions, in order to protect Keiko's life.
And that was what Koenma had been doing for the last two months. He was doing all he could to prevent dreadful situations, especially after the problem with Lord Yakumo, when Koenma realized that everything he was doing to keep the security and peace of the Three Worlds wasn't working. Subsequently, Koenma put four squads spread around the Human World, and five squads spread around the Demon World. They were constantly passing reports about every different movement and transition that was happening around the worlds, as Koenma regularly waited information about the new sensors the he had shared out between many places, and were capable to perceive powerful, dark, and evil energy.
And all had become more difficult since he had become king.
Yes. King.
The ex-prince couldn't get used to his new post, even after two months. This enormous change had taken him by surprise. Right after the fight against Yakumo, his father had called him urgently, all because he needed to talk about the future of Renkai. Nevertheless, Koenma never imagined what he truly wanted to mean.
Koenma remembered that he could barely breath or think when his father told him what he pretended to do. The worlds that came out of King Emma's mouth and penetrated his ears were clear and complete determined.
My rule's time is ending. My time here is ending.
The old King wanted to rest. He told Koenma that he had lived too many ages, and that he was tired now, especially after the fight against Yakumo. King Emma Dayo wanted to rest in peace, and there was nothing Koenma could say to would make him change his mind.
And so it was, that King Koenma assumed the throne.
Normally, the new King should make an official announcement, but the ex-prince didn't do that. Although he had many conflicts with his father during the years, their last talk was sad. Also, Koenma didn't feel like he was ready to be the new King of Renkai.
Even so, King Emma left and trusted his son the rule of the Spirit World, and enormous responsibilities. He had left thousands of instructions. He had left his principal treasure.
He gave Koenma all his power.
Because of that, he felt even more insecure. King Emma's power was tremendous, the most terrific power around the three worlds, the power that defeated Lord Yakumo. And he wouldn't risk that so easily. Not so soon, at least. And that was why he hadn't told anyone about his father's left. Nobody, except for one person.
And she was standing there in front of Koenma.
The new King had trusted Ayame his new secret. The ferry guide had been helping him with all his decisions and with all his problems. And because of that, he had been able to use his power for the right things. Doing everything he could to keep the peace around the Spirit World.
Fortunately, until yesterday, nothing strange had been noticed. However, now Ayame was telling him the bad news. The sensors were showing small elevations at the quantity of dark energy. And he kept asking himself. How could that happen with all the patrolling he had been doing?
"Koenma-sama, what are you going to do?" Ayame asked, her dark eyes studying the Prince's worried face.
"I really don't know" Koenma answered frustrated. "I don't know anything since I became King"
Ayame had never seen Koenma taking like this, or acting like this. Certainly, he was much more insecure lately, but he never burled out tings like this. And now she could see how much he was lost.
"Koenma-sama… What-"
"He shouldn't have left!" Koenma said, cutting Ayame off, as he punched the table. "He was the King! He was responsible for this!"
Ayame approached the ex-prince's desk slowly. She knew the burden he was carrying. He had told no one about his new post. He didn't told Botan, or George. He only told her.
Koenma sighed heavily, as he passed his hands trough his brown hair. When the dark haired ferry guide stopped in front of him, he faced her with a pleading face that instantly disappeared when he saw that Ayame was smiling gently.
"King Emma is gone, Koenma-sama" Ayame said. "You are our king now. Make your people proud"
Koenma didn't know what to say. Ayame believed him, just as he believed her his new secret. And she was right. It was done. He was the king, and stay tormenting himself wasn't a King's attitude.
"Thanks, Ayame" The ex-prince replied, a little more relived.
"Your welcome, Koenma-same" Ayame said, looking again the reposts that she was holding. "Well… what are you going to do, sir? Are you going to warn the Detectives?"
He didn't answered. Yes, the Spirit Detectives always helped and collaborated with him, but he never wished or wanted to control them. He trusted Yusuke, and he couldn't ask more and more of him, Kurama, Kuwabara and Hiei. The black haired boy had let clear that Koenma should pay more attention at the Three Worlds' security. And now, what was he going to say?
"Oh! Hi, Yusuke! Guess what? I just found out that there is dark energy near the humans! Great, isn't it?"
No. Definitely no.
"Koenma-sama?" Ayame asked again.
"We should wait the next report, don't you think?" The new king asked.
"I don't know, Sir"
"Maybe it was only a small imperfection with the sensors" Koenma said, trying to believe his own words. "I will talk to the detectives tomorrow, if the problem continue"
"And for now?" Ayame asked.
"Warn the squads" Koenma said answered. "They need to double the security"
"Yes, Koenma-sama" Ayame nodded and took her way to leave. She moved away and in a instance, she disappeared. Koenma stoop up and walked around the office, thinking on what was going on. Some hours ago he had given permission to Botan, in order to let her have sometime with her friends. And now, that was happening. He didn't want to disturb them with such bad news. Not now.
He would wait until tomorrow.
Well: I know it's horrible... I'm sorry!
I want to thanks to: yume-chan29; Crimson Breeze; Infatuated-Simplicity; Maverick48; rainy-misty; Ame no Kodomo; Meiko M; Lady Kurama; JDFielding; crescentmoon-cat, Kudachi; Madam Spooky; Lady of Roses; AerisTifaYuffie.
Thanks you guys for liking my story and reviewing it!
BYE!