Author's Corner: Sorry it took me some time to update this story. My chaotic schedule is finally over. I have submitted my requirements for the completion of my practicum but I'm still on the fringes of insanity waiting for my grade. I also had my exit interview with my practicum coordinator last week and I could not help but cry. Having my practicum in a hospital is a constant reminder of the grief and loss that had struck our family over the past few months. Come to think of it, it's been five months already since my dad passed away.
On the other hand, my full-time work is a bit lighter so there's more room for me to update this story every once in a while. I might not be able to update the following weeks though since I'll be sent out of town for an HR Conference.
I'd like to personally thank everyone who took time to read and review this story.
Smexy Kitten, Kinishira22, Kurama M. Kitsune and heartluv: Thank you so much for supporting me from my very first multi-chapter YYH fic, Come Home up to this present fic that I am working on. Your reviews always serve as an inspiration to me. Rest assured that I will keep the updates coming and see through this story until its completion.
AimAnnieBuddy: Hello kababayan! It's nice to know that I have a kababayan reading this story. Thank you as well for sticking up with the fics I made. I always check as well for updates of my favorite fanfics.
Twisted Musalih, darkangel, mojo18, sweetcanines, Miaka Urameshi and jv: I am so happy that you've enjoyed the chapters I posted. I hope you keep on reading and your reviews are very much welcome. Thank you much for taking time to read this story.
To the anonymous reader tagged as "Guest" who posted a review on 9/4/12: Thank you for leaving your comments. It's the first criticism I received. I was quite offended by your choice of words nonetheless; I understand that my writing style, chosen pairing and plot does not appeal to your taste. I agree that KxB can never be together…they are actually a non-canon couple but isn't that what fanfictions are for? In any case, I still thank you for reading until chapter 3. You did spare your precious time reading this "utterly atrocious" story. "Words cannot possibly explain how utterly" happy I am that you even took the effort of leaving a review of this story considering how "utterly" repulsed you are about the plot and pairing.
And to those who read Stand Still whom I have failed to acknowledge, my sincerest gratitude are with you for noticing this story of mine. I hope you will also leave your reviews (please be gentle with your words as well. Criticisms are very much welcome as long as they're constructive and at least humane with your choice of words); nonetheless, reading this fic means a lot to me already.
KxB fans, please take time to read Finding by neon-elixir. I'm a huge fan of this fanfic and I believe it's still an on-going story.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own YYH and its characters. Let us all thank Togashi-sensei for creating these well-remembered and loved anime characters. 90's anime really rocks ^^v
PS: Oh have I mentioned that I am also a huge fan of Sailor Moon? My first fanfics were Sailor Moon fanfiction. Coincidentally, Togashi-sensei's wife, Takeuchi-sensei is the author of Sailor Moon ^^v. Even though I'm already 25, I am still an avid and die-hard fan of Sailor Moon. I even search every nook and cranny of the bookstores here in Manila just so I can grab the limited edition re-printed Sailor Moon tankobons. I just hope YYH will also be re-printed and will get an anime reboot like Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon reboot will be set for airing 2013 and I am hoping in every fiber of my being that they'll follow the manga-plot instead of just re-mastering the 1990's anime.
STAND STILL by Danielle Winters
Chapter 4: Gravity
"O..Oyaji!?" Yusuke screams as Raizen puts down the lifeless body of Koenma on the floor. Kurama and Kuwabara stood still but prepared in case anything happens.
"Ayame-sama!" Hinageshi called out.
"Aren't you happy to see me? You could fight with me again if you want too." Raizen teased as he crouched in front of Koenma's body. His gaze fell on Keiko who was embracing Hinageshi. "And this must be the pretty lass you're gonna marry? I got to hand it to you son, you have great taste." He added.
"Bbbuutt you're dead?!" Yusuke shrieked. "How come you're hear?"
"A pesky rat of the guardians dared disturb my peaceful sleep in paradise. They keep saying something about purification; all demons should be cast out of paradise and sent to the gates of punishment." Raizen answered.
"Raizen has been sent to one of the gates of paradise. Reikai rewarded Raizen's advocacy of not consuming human flesh and for keeping the other two Mazoku at bay. Unbeknownst to many, Raizen had guarded the boarder of Ningenkai and Makai, preventing any powerful Makai from crossing over the then, small portal to Ningenkai." Ayame explained. "The reason he appeared here with a body was because I gave his soul a temporary container." She added.
"Where's Botan?" Kurama asked. He had stepped out of his corner and was looking at Raizen coldly. Ayame bowed her head while George had a sad look on his blue face.
"She's still in river Styx holding the kekkai barrier. Believe it or not, the kekkai barrier cast by a goddess is more powerful compared to the ones put up by the spirit guards. Unlike living beings, souls can pass through any barrier easily for they do not have any physical container. They can manifest in whatever form they want. Botan's kekkai barrier has the ability to stop the souls from leaving the river Styx and the spirit guards are putting up the same type of barrier between the realms. The barriers between Ningenkai and Reikai will take time to be reinforced to at least reach the level of barriers cast by any divinity. At this moment, the barriers between your realm, Makai and Reikai are still being strengthened." Ayame explained.
"So she's still there?" Kurama coldly surmised which made Ayame winced. Maya notice the deadly tone in Kurama's voice and she could not help but wonder who Botan is to elicit such emotions from the usually calm and controlled Kurama.
"The old hag and the muscle man from one of the gates of punishment is with her. The deity allowed us to pass while the hag and muscle man fight off the sacred guardian." Raizen said.
"Old hag? Do you mean Genkai?" Kuwabara clarified.
"Oh is that what she's called?" Raizen scoffed.
"Yes, Genkai and Toguro otouto are presently engaged in a fierce battle with the former deity of death, Haruko." Ayame answered. "I'll explain everything to all of you but first we need to hide Koenma's body." She implored. Yusuke nodded as Keiko let go of Hinageshi. Keiko signaled George to follow her as the ogre took the body of Koenma while Hinageshi assisted Ayame. She guided Ayame to one of the stools in the ramen shop. Yukina offered water to her and Raizen as Yusuke and the others took some chairs and placed it in front of Ayame. Yukina and Shizuru then joined Keiko in tending to George the Ogre's wounds and Koenma.
Maya's thoughts on the other hand were speeding fast, like a race car during formula 1 tournaments. She could see ghosts and demons but she could not help but feel a horrified upon seeing the blue ogre and the Mazoku. She has been hearing about the goddess of death, realms and kekkai barriers. She was clearly at a loss as she tried to make sense how her supposed boyfriend and his friends fit in the story. She took a sit beside Kurama whose stone cold silence was hard to penetrate. She wanted to take hold of his hand and assure him that she'll be there for him no matter what happens but something deep inside her that her presence was not what he needed.
"Spill it out Ayame. As much as we want you to rest, it appears like the situation has gotten out of hand." Yusuke said haughtily.
"Six years ago, Koenman took over the leadership of Reikai after Enma was proven guilty of his atrocities. The black tape was destroyed at that time as well and all files concerning to demon tortures committed by the humans were destroyed. The gods were pleased with Koenma's leadership reforms; however, the sacred guardians were not very impressed. The sacred guardians were beings from Ningenkai, Reikai and Makai who were able to harness the seikouki, the sacred ki. They were neither gods nor mere inhabitants of Reikai. We can compare them to the demi-gods of Greek mythology to simply put." Ayame explained.
"So what's the deal with these sacred guardians?" Kuwabara asked.
"The sacred guardians are purists. They have always believed Reikai should control Ningenkai and Makai. They are also extremely loyal to Enma. During the Great Subjugation, the one's chronicled in the black tape that Sensui got, it was the sacred guardians who tortured those demons. They guised themselves as humans; Upon learning of the tortures, many demons attacked the humans and it was then Reikai subdued these demons, set up the kekkai barrier between Makai and Ningenkai and got the control over Ningenkai."
"Simply put, these sacred guardians are against the co-existence and had siege Reikai and Makai simultaneously. Reikai will provoke Makai to attack Ningenkai…they'll repeat the Great Subjugation." Kurama surmised and Ayame nodded.
"In one of our meetings a year ago, Botan had already reported the unusually high rate of demon souls ferried in river Styx. Koenman ordered Botan to monitor the number while Koenma relayed Botan's findings to Enki. Enki and Koenma had a joint investigation and it involved Yomi, Mukuro and Hiei. Unfortunately, they were one step ahead of us and they launched an attack in Reikai. We were caught unprepared and Koenma-sama's spirit has been severed from his body. We had to protect his body lest his will not have a container to return to and he'll eventually cease to exist. His spirit will turn into spirit particles." Ayame further explained.
"Hiei was injured and Mukuro had to bring him here in Ningenkai." Yusuke commented
"They'll unleash chaos in Ningenkai and Reikai will play the role of the savior…but why do they need to…well…kill Koenma?" Kuwabara inquired.
"Koenma-sama is not dead…we, inhabitants of Reikai are immortals. We live for thousands of years and we will only cease to exist if our spirits are crushed or devoured. Some demons achieve their seikouki by devouring inhabitants of Reikai." Ayame said. "Koenma-sama had gained a great deal of influence among the gods. His strong ties with Makai had created a semblance of co-existence that the gods had allowed the barriers between the realms to be removed. Probably…they wanted to eradicate his existence to instigate this chaos." A sobbed escaped Ayame's lips as the thought of losing her fiancé dawned on her.
"You're wrong." Kurama interjected. "If the sacred guardians are loyal to Enma as you say, extinguishing the existence of Koenma would mean that Enma can take charge again and prove that he is a much stronger leader compared to his son; that his ideals are stronger. My theory is that the sacred guardians will make it look like a demon killed Koenma and the rest of you to show the gods that Enma's ideals and principles were the correct one all along."
Ayame's eyes widened upon hearing Kurama's theory. At the back of her mind, she knew that the kitsune-incarnate was probably spot on with his analysis. Yusuke and Kuwabara exchange serious looks. Their situation is far more worse than they had expected. If the demons in Makai cross over to Ningenkai and the souls that were freed from the gates of punishment in Reikai cross the river Styx to go back to either Makai or Ningenkai, Ningenkai will be put in great danger. There will be unnecessary casualties just so someone has a bad case of superiority complex.
"We just have to do whatever we can to fight them off. We, the Mazokus, are comparable to these sacred guardians in terms of power level. Our only difference is that they have seikouki which can purify and kill us eventually." Raizen said. "I hate to say this but you need Yomi here.
If Mukuro is already here, I believe we can hold off any attack of these sacred guardians for a while. Let us hope that the deity holding off the souls in Reikai will not lose her own battle or else we'll have to fight off not just the sacred guardians but the souls as well."
Kurama clenched her fist. The fate of Ningenkai as of the moment rests on the shoulders of Botan. He desperately wanted to do something for her. Six years and his only chance of probably ever seeing her again is either she gets out of Reikai alive or is brought to Ningenkai as a lifeless body like Koenma. 'I have to trust Genkai and Toguro otouto that they'll protect her no matter what.' He thought. "Shuichi-kun…" Maya whispered worriedly as she noticed how Kurama clenched his fist.
"Botan's kekkai barrier can hold off the sacred beings in Reikai as well. When Botan was assigned as head of the ferry girls, she was eventually given a divinity status. She's a goddess and like Koenma, they are the only ones who can hold off the sacred guardians since their power reserves and ki are almost at par with the sacred guardians." Ayame added. "I can create a barrier similar to Botan's in Genkai's temple so we can use her temple as our stronghold. As of the moment, the chaos in Reikai can only be felt as storms here in Ningenkai. We need to prepare for the worst."
"But if these sacred guardians as you say are like the demi-gods of Greek Mythology, how come Genkai and Toguro-otouto are fighting the former deity of death?" Kurama inquired. "Technically, gods and goddesses should also have the seikouki and in terms of status, are higher than the demi-gods."
"Haruko-sama was demoted." Ayame answered. "Botan and I were just trainees at that time. Haruko-sama used the death scythe in a killing spree thousands of years ago. The death scythe can only be used as the ultimate way of severing the soul from the physical body of any living being who had committed atrocities. It pulls the soul out of the physical container. As a god or goddess, they are prevented from meddling in the affairs of both humans and demons, however, Haruko-sama engaged in a killing spree, leaving her post on the night of the new moon. As the goddess of death, she is not even allowed to leave her post by the river Styx." Ayame explained. "She was stripped off her goddess status and was assigned under Satotsu-sama, the head of the sacred guardians. It was only recently that the post was filled by Botan. Before, Enma temporarily assigned it to Koenma that was why we were reporting to him."
"Wow, gods and goddesses can be demoted as well? That's something new." Kuwabara commented. "But how did this Haruko-sama of yours used the death scythe in a killing spree?" He wondered.
"Every night of the new moon, she would descend from Reikai and wield the death scythe to anyone who crosses her path. As I said, her scythe has the capacity to pull out anyone's soul from its physical container." Ayame answered.
"So Botan will also wield a death scythe?" Kuwabara asked out of curiousity.
"She has one but knowing Botan, she's too kind to even use it unless she's left with no choice." Ayame said fondly.
"Ayame-san, you did mention earlier that the sacred guardians are comprised of beings from Makai, Ningenkai and Reikai who possess seikouki." Kurama interjected.
"Yes."
"How many sacred guardians as of the moment?" He asked.
"Three and under them, they have an army of reikai soldiers under their command." Ayame answered."
After their meeting, Yusuke quickly instructed Keiko and the other to pack some of their things for they'll be staying at Genkai's temple. Mukuro was surprised to see Raizen but Kuwabara filled her in the details of the recent event. She just nodded at her former rival for this time, they have to work side by side to stop the chaos in Reikai and Makai from spilling in Ningenkai. Kurama instructed Maya to stay with Keiko and the others for he and Yusuke had to come up with plans with Ayame before they leave for Genkai's temple. Hinageshi was asked to go ahead to the temple with Yukina to prepare the place and set-up charms that will form the base of Ayame's kekkai barrier.
Maya was still feeling overwhelmed from what she heard during Ayame's explanation. She held her hand to her chest as she watched her reflection in the mirror. She had excused herself and went to the washroom to freshen up. Pinching her cheeks, Maya decided to be by Kurama's side no matter what happens. "I'll show you how much I love you Shuichi-kun". She said to her reflection. She was about to step out the washroom when she heard footsteps and voices coming. She recognized that the owner of the voice was Kurama and the other one was Ayame-san. Maya decided to stay in the washroom as she leaned closer to the door trying to listen to what they were saying.
"Kurama-san I just wanted to tell you that Botan's strong and she won't easily give up." Ayame said. 'Why do they keep calling him Kurama anyway?' Maya thought.
"What made you think that I am concerned about her?" Kurama said back.
"I know you're worried about her. The coldness of your voice and the way you clench your fist whenever I mention Botan makes me think you are worried about her. I am not as naïve as Botan. I know you have feelings for her." Ayame concluded. Maya just felt her heart stop. 'Is that the reason why he keeps telling me to look for somebody else…' Kurama on the other hand did not say anything and he kept a placid expression.
"Just so you know Kurama-san, she came to see you the day you asked to meet her six years ago." Ayame said as she walked ahead of Kurama to go to the room where they placed Koenma. Kurama's eyes widened in surprised and disbelief. 'She came? How come she didn't show herself?' He asked. Maya on the other hand held her hands to her mouth as she remembered the day she confessed to her Shuichi. She vividly remembered how Shuichi looked as if he was looking for someone; how she boldly kissed him on his lips just to catch his attention. 'Was he waiting for that Botan to come at that time?' She asked herself.
"Ayame-san!" Kurama called back.
"Hai?"
"Did she say anything?" He asked
"According to Koenma-sama, she said that your meeting was cancelled and that you have a date." Ayame answered. "The day she came to see you and went back to Reikai sooner than expected was also the day she accepted her promotion and thus prevented to leave her post for as long as she serves as the goddess of death. Koenma-sama didn't bother to pry some more details as to why she returned so soon although if it was their usual bantering, he would've done so." Ayame added. "Koenma-sama is not blind. He may be bratty at times but my beloved fiancé knows you have feelings for her and she to you; Botan's just naïve and dense to know that. Albeit up to this point, she has not recognized her feelings for you are more than friendship."
"What made you say that?" Kurama questioned. His tone was angry but he was trying to keep his feelings at bay.
"Because she kept crying to me the night she was stationed to her office in river Styx. She was trying to figure out why it hurt so much seeing you with someone else." Ayame answered sadly.
Maya tried to choke back a sob coming from her lips. She was afraid to be discovered listening in with the conversation. 'Oh kami-sama…he was never mine to begin with and he'll never be…' she thought as she slowly felt herself sliding down until her buttocks hit the cold tiles of the washroom.
Six Years Ago River Styx, Reikai
"Botan…" Ayame cooed as she held her longtime friend. "You don't have to accept this job if you don't want to."
"I want this job Ayame-san! I don't really understand myself why I am crying." Botan sobbed. "Imagine, I'll be a goddess. I know I have a lot of responsibilities and I can't be as carefree as I want to be anymore but I want this job…it's just…"
"Botan you will not be allowed to visit Ningenkai anymore. You will not be able to see Yusuke and the others…you can't visit Kurama anymore. Is that what makes you said?" Ayame inquired.
"This is our rightful place Ayame-san. Peace has settled among our realms and there's no need for us to be in Ningenkai frequently. Kurama does not need my company anymore for he already found his special someone and I am happy for him." Botan answered.
"Then why the tears?"
"I don't know…" Botan answered. "My chest hurts at the thought that I can no longer be of assistance to others…to Kurama anymore for they have people around them to do that already." Botan answered.
TO BE CONTINUED