"Telepathic communication"

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho!

Chapter 8: Who's in the Shadow?

Kurama's POV

It's been two weeks since Botan's injury, and things appear normal. Right after Botan's wound healed, she continued her ferrying assignment. We didn't get a chance to ask her about the identity of the mysterious person, who tried to kill her. After that night, Botan haven't visited Genkai's temple. It seems that she's attempting to avoid us. 'But why? Perhaps she needs time to heal.' Since Botan's revelation of her past, the group seems more depressed than usual. Yusuke and Kuwabara don't argue as much. Keiko and Yukina's thoughts seem occupied. Even Hiei appears exceptionally quiet and distant. Our group is crumbling without Botan. 'If only she was here right now.'

"Kurama, watch out!" 'Huh? Botan?' I turned my head toward the direction of the shout, but something flew in and knocked me to the ground. I felt a weight on my chest, and when I glanced down, I saw an azure head of hair. My lips itched to form a smile, but I kept a neutral expression and mused to myself, 'So wishes do come true.'

"Uh, I don't feel so good." I heard her mumble. She rubbed her head. She slowly gaze upward, blushed and instantly leapt up, only to trip and fall backward. "Ouch, just my luck." I couldn't suppress my amusement and let out a chuckle. "Here let me give you a hand."

"Oh thanks, and sorry about the crash Kurama. I was in a hurry and tried to dodge a tree branch, then a bird flew out of nowhere, so I swerved to the left and saw you, but couldn't stop, and I'm just very sorry." Botan had given a hasty explanation, then puts on her puppy dog face, pleading for forgiveness. A smile spread on my face. 'Who could stay angry at that face?"

"Nothing to worry about Botan, I'm fine. I was just a bit startled."

Botan smiled brilliantly at me and said, "Of course, one collision can't defeat the Great Youko Kurama."

I began to chuckle again. "Thank you for acknowledging the Great Youko Kurama." I mocked and folded my right arm at my stomach and gave her a bow. With such action, I earned a giggle from Botan. Another smile crawled on my face. 'I haven't heard that sweet giggle in a while.' It appears as if Botan's presence alone can make me smile.

"What brings you here Botan?"

Botan stopped giggling when she heard my question. A partial frown played on her lips and her expression was troubled. Her gaze shifted to her feet, attempting to avoid eye contact.

"W-we have a mission." 'Why is she stuttering?' She took a deep breath and lifted her head; her eyes turned serious. "We have a new mission. I'll contact the others to meet at Genkai's temple, so I can explain."

My expression became neutral as well.

"Kurama, could you try to get in touch with Hiei? I could never find him and if I was lucky enough to, I could never convince him to come with me."

"I understand. I will contact Hiei and meet you at Genkai's temple."

"Thanks, see you soon." With that, Botan summoned her oar and flew off toward the sky. 'Why had her expression suddenly changed by the mention of the mission? Well, I will find out at the meeting. Now to find Hiei.'

As expected, Hiei was resting on a tree in, what is now nicknamed, Hiei's park. "Conserving energy, I see. What happened to precious training time?"

"Mind your own business kitsune. What do you want?"

"We have a new mission and Botan's meeting us at Genkai's temple."

"So the ferry onna decided to show up to give us another mission."

"Come Hiei, we should meet up with the others." Hiei fazed out of the tree and dashed off toward Genkai's temple.

"Hn. Too slow kitsune."

"I'm just warming up."

Botan's POV

I had contacted everyone, including the girls. Since this mission came up, I have had a bad feeling. When I arrived at Genkai's temple everyone was disturbingly quiet, especially Yusuke and Kuwabara. 'Those two are always arguing, but…' I attempted to lighten the mood. "Hi guys! We have a new mission." I said probably too happy even for me.

"Hey Botan." Keiko had weakly attempted. 'I knew this would happen.'

Then Kurama came in followed by Hiei. "Too slow Hiei."

"Shut up kitsune."

"Hi guys! Join the group." Even with Kurama and Hiei's entrance, the room was still dead silent. I could hear everyone's breathing and heartbeat. I grew irritated, and decided to speak.. "Okay guys, why do you all look like your father just died?"

Yusuke stood up with a hard look on his face. He had never looked this serious since the Dark Tournament. He stared into my eyes with his chocolate orbs, looking annoyed. "Why do you act as if nothing happened Botan." Yusuke nearly spat in my face.

"What is your problem Yusuke?" I could feel my emotions rushing at me. Anger and at the same moment hurt. 'Yusuke never yelled at me like this before.' I could feel warm tears trapped behind my eyes, ready to slide down any second now.

"What is my problem" You are Botan! You were attacked and nearly died, then you told us your past and ran off, working without contacting us for two weeks. Now you just waltz in here all happy and tell us we have a new mission. What the hell is your problem Botan?"

I clinched my fist and grinded my teeth at his statement. I glared solidly at Yusuke, "How dare you! Have you ever thought why I left, and why I didn't contact any of you for two weeks? Have you ever thought that maybe I needed some time alone. I don't want to face any one of you. I don't want sympathy nor do I want to be treated like fragile glass that would breath with one touch. I've known you longer than anyone on this team, yet you don't understand me at all. So back off Yusuke!" I was breathing hard now. I was frustrated, but I will not break down now, not when everyone thinks I'm weak. I had to stand strong and prove them wrong.

"Apparently, I'm not welcome here." I took out a manila folder and slammed it on the table. "Here is your new mission. Accept it or not, you don't have to tell me. Just inform Koenma. Goodbye!" I slowly walked toward the door with my fists cliched tight, but then I stopped. "I wanted to trust you guys, but maybe I shouldn't have." I had uttered without turning around. With that said I walked out the door, immediately summoned my oar, and shot off toward the sky. 'Why…why does life have to be so hard?

Kurama's POV

The room was awkwardly silent after Botan left. Then Keiko spoke up, "Why?…Why did you have to go and make Botan leave when she finally came? You were very depressed and worried when she left and you made her leave again. Why Yusuke?"

"Yeah man, why'd you do that Uremeshi?"

Yusuke's face fell, his eyebrows wrinkled, he held one hand to his face, and spoke up without making eye contact. "I-I didn't mean to. I had been worried ever since she left and now that she showed up, I became angry that she had made us worry about her without thinking how we felt. I-I…my emotions just exploded. I'm such an idiot! What have I done?"

"Oh, Yusuke." Keiko had embraced him in a hug to console him.

"Why don't we examine the file Botan had left?" I had suggested.

I opened the file to reveal pictures of humans with their intestines, lingering outside of their bodies and some with their chest sliced open and their hearts missing. 'This seems familiar.' Then I realized those pictures resemble how Botan's parents died. Hiei seemed to have noticed as well with that frown etched on his face. "That's how Botan's parents died!" Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Keiko shouted in unison.

"Urgh, that is sick man!" Kuwabara exclaimed.

"Kitsune." Hiei said with a pinch of warning in his voice.

I nodded, my eyes shone with determination, and I stood up. "I know Hiei. We must search for Botan at once. Keiko, you and the girls should remain at the temple."

"I-I understand." Keiko knew something was wrong, but she didn't question any further. Yusuke, Kuwabara, Hiei and I stood and raced toward the door. 'Botan.'

Once we descended the flight of stairs, I asked Hiei to search for Botan with his jagan. Hiei started to sprint toward the forest that led to the beach, not far from the temple. When we reached Botan, we saw a figure, standing behind her with his hands on her shoulder. Botan's body was stiff, and her eyes were wide like a deer's eyes caught in headlights. Her mouth was slightly open, but no words came out. Upon closer inspection, the shadowed figure seems to have a smirk, playing on his lips. However a cloud was shielding the sun's rays, shadowing his figure.

"Ah, now we could get the party started," I heard a deep, yet teasing voice say.

Suddenly, Hiei drew his katana and leapt forward, attempting to slice the figure's left arm, but in that instant he moved Botan and used her as a shield. Hiei barely withdrew his blade and reappeared on the ground "Tsk, tsk, tsk, I wouldn't do that if I were you."

'Hiei usually isn't impulsive. What's wrong with him?'

"Hiei, don't be reckless."

"State your intention stranger."

"Straightforward, I like that. Well, as you can probably guess, I already have what I came here for."

"Who the hell do you think you are?" Yusuke had shouted out of frustration.

"You might have your prize in hand, but I assure you that you won't be able to escape."

"Oh, and why wouldn't I?"

I could feel my body temperature rising and I fixed my glare toward the shadowed figure. "Because you would be dead before you can even take one step."

"Hahahahaha! Such confidence." The cloud had past over and the sun shone brightly over the shadowed figure, revealing a head of navy blue hair that stopped at the base of his neck. His bangs covered the side of his face, stopping at mid-ear, and his eyes were sky blue, almost the color of Botan's hair. His face turned cold and his piercing glare was directed toward me, but I did not flinch. "I'm afraid you won't be able to fulfill such a threat."

"And why not?" I had tauntingly asked.

"Let me show you a little trick and we'll see if it won't change your mind." His face shone with complete confidence and a wide smile was engraved on his lips.

He removed his left hand from Botan's shoulder, who was just mute and stiff, never uttering a word or scream for help. He made an incision on his palm and used his right hand to lift Botan's body up by her right wrist. A gray aura outlined his body while a pink aura outlined Botan's body. I felt the intensity of his spirit energy overpowering Botan's. Then Botan's face turned sour, sweat trickling down the side of her face. The pink flowed from Botan's body toward her right wrist, traveling up to the opponent's right arm, which seemed to intermix with his gray aura. An ear piercing scream came from Botan and she fainted. The wound on his palm had completely sealed up without leaving behind any type of scar.

"You see, whatever injury you inflict upon my body, dear Botan here will suffer worse pains."

I grind my teeth together and a growl rumbled within my throat. 'Grr…how dare he use Botan as a shield? The enemy's capabilities are a mystery, and any wrong moves will only hurt Botan? Think! How can we safely rescue Botan?

"You asshole, let her go now!" shouted Yusuke. "Let her go or I'll blast your brains out." He lifted a finger and stood in his spirit gun stance, a blue glow of light, flickering on the tip of his finger.

The stranger lifted Botan's limp body in front of him. "Does that mean you would even sacrifice Botan here? Hah, some friends you have."

"Quit talking crap and fight like a man. Only wimps hide behind girls." shouted Kuwabara as he gripped his spirit sword in hand.

"Heh. Fine, you can have her." With that said, his eyes glittered with mischief, and a smirk clearly displayed on his lips. He tossed Botan's body high up in the air. "That is if you can catch her." If Botan falls from that height, she will most likely die. 'No Botan!' "Hiei, locate the guy." I had sent Hiei a telepathice message and immediately sprinted toward Botan. I leapt to catch her. However, when I caught her, the guy appeared behind me and punched me in the back, sending me flying toward a tree. I reacted by thrusting my body around so that I'd crash into the tree instead of Botan. I hazily notice Hiei appearing behind the enemy in mid-air, but the enemy disappeared and reappeared underneath Hiei. He caught his leg and swung Hiei with one swift motion toward a nearby tree. Hiei crashed into it with a scowl traced on his face.

"The fun has just begun. I'm not done with her yet. Until we meet again." His eyes glowed with malice as he disappeared into the darkness of the forest.

"Hiei!" Both Yusuke and Kuwabara shouted.

"Humph, rather than worrying about me, you should go check on that ferry onna, detective."

"Botan! Kurama! Are you two okay?"

"Yeah man, that must be painful."

"It's nothing I can't handle, but we better take Botan to Yukina right away."

"Right, here let me carry her Kurama, since you're injured too."

"Alright Yusuke, you better hurry."

"Got it." Yusuke immediately dashed toward the temple with Botan securely in his arms and Kuwabara running beside him.

"Hiei, what do you think?"

"He doesn't have any trace of demonic energy, but he isn't human either."

"Would we have a chance of defeating him in battle?"

"His power is unknown. His speed is comparable to mine, but he's also clever with suppressing his spirit energy. I couldn't track him with my jagan. Since his target is the ferry onna, you should keep an eye on her. Also, she's probably acquainted with the enemy.

"Why would you say that?"

"Her eyes. If it was just a newly found enemy, then she wouldn't have feared him to such an extent."

"I see. I believe we should head back before the others worry."

"Hn. You're just concern about the ferry onna."

"I could say the same to you. You were unusaully rash tonight. Care to explain Hiei?" By this time I was smiling at Hiei's failed attempt to embarrass me.

"Shut up kitsune before your injury worsens."

"Is that a threat?"

"Whatever." Hiei grumbled, and ran off.

My smile faltered as I thought, 'Whatever is happening Botan, I will always protect you.'

Sorry for the delay, apparently I was given extra work hours for my part-time job, I had volunteer work and haven't been feeling well lately. Poor Yusuke, he always says the wrong things at the wrong time. And he always seems to be part of the cause whenever Botan gets hurt, but he was the perfect candidate for this job. I think Hiei is un-Hiei-like in this chapter, so sorry if he's out of character. Anyways, it's here. Identity revealed next chapter! Review and make me happy, so I'd update sooner! Thanks for reading!

MiaHime