DISCLAIMER: I do not own YYH and its characters. Let us all thank Togashi-sensei for creating these well-remembered and loved anime characters.

STAND STILL by Danielle Winters

Chapter 6: Turning Tables

Yukina was surprised to see Hinageshi drop to her knees while sobbing uncontrollably. She and Hinageshi were assigned to put up charms around Genkai's table that will serve as the base of Ayame's barrier. Genkai's temple will be used as the reikai tantei and mazoku's headquarters for the looming battles. Yukina approached Hinageshi and gathered her into her arms. Upon embracing the ferry girl, she felt an unexplainable coldness envelope her and Hinageshi. She felt as if she had lost something very important to her but she kept her composure and comforted the sobbing ferry girl.

"Hinageshi-san…doushite?" She asked. Worry was evident on her voice.

"She's gone…she's gone!" Hinageshi sobbed. Yukina became nervous and at the back of her mind, she knew who Hinageshi was talking about. Tears were threatening to fall from her eyes but she tried to choke it back. "Botan's gone…" Hinageshi said in desperation and Yukina's worst fears were confirmed as she allowed her tears to flow out of her eyes. She embraced Hinageshi tightly as she allowed herself to wallow in grief for losing a friend and an ally.

Meanwhile, Ayame held Koenma's hand tightly as grief struck her. She felt it…she felt how Botan's life force disappeared. She was surprised by the fact that Botan would be even compelled to use that technique considering its consequences but thanks to her noble sacrifice, they have the upper hand as of the moment. "Oh Koenma-sama…you will be so proud of Botan." She whispered to her fallen fiancé as tears fell from her eyes. She gently stroked the cheek of Koenma and noticed that the symbol on his forehead and his pacifier glowed an angry shade of red; it's as if the body of Koenma's showing rage and unexplainable sadness.

Enma-daiou's eyes widened as the flame of Koenma's soul raged on his hands. He had to pull his hand away from the floating golden flame lest he'll burn from it. Satotsu had to step forward and protect Enma-daiou as the golden flame began to spew out its tongues and burning anything it touched. Both Enma and Satotsu knew that something had angered Koenma for his soul to react in such intense anger and rage. Satotsu summoned his trident and began chanting a spell to contain the soul of the young Reikai leader. But before Satotsu can even start saying the spell, he and Enma felt the ground shook and some debris from the ceiling fall on the floor. They then heard an eerie sound; the sound of souls in anguish as if being consumed by a burning furnace. It lasted for several minutes and they both needed to cover their ears from the shrill sound of the screams coming from the souls and then they heard a loud thud; the sound of heavy steal gates being closed forcefully. What followed was silence that enveloped the entirety of Reikai.

"What just happened?" Satotsu inquired to no one. Koenma's soul was still raging in anger before him.

"The guardian of the river Styx has exercised her power. She had awoken the spirit of the river and placed it under her command." Enma answered. Satotsu did not make the effort of hiding his shock.

"Haruko!" He billowed. "Why would she use her authority over the river's spirit when it counters our objectives? She's fully aware of the cost of using her authority over the river!"

"Have you forgotten that Haruko already lost her authority over the river the moment she was demoted from her goddess status." Enma reminded and then a realization hit Satotsu. His cold and calculating eyes gazed at the raging golden flame that was Koenma's soul.

Haruko shook in fear as she watched the river Styx awoke from its peaceful slumber. She did not anticipate that Botan would even dare to use her authority over the river that separated the dead from the living. As Botan recited the incantation to command the river, she watched the powerful tides push the souls that had escaped from the gates of punishment back from where they came from. She watched as the seven paths to the seven gates turned to streams connected to river Styx. She listened to the souls eerie cries and pleas for help as the Styx usually cool waters became extremely hot, as if the water turned to lava. Unable to move from the witnessing the power of the river and its present guardian, Haruko held on to her death scythe as she tried to control her shaking. Once the souls were pushed back inside the gates, steel door appeared in place of wooden temple arches. The sound of the steel gates shutting to close echoed all over Reikai and in front of the gates, apparitions wearing black cloaks and holding death scythes appeared.

Genkai and Toguro-otouto were frozen on their spot as they saw what had happened. Genkai was both proud and afraid of Botan's powers which had grown so much in years. Toguro on the other hand was surprised that he was not carried back inside the gates of punishment where he originally came from. He looked at Genkai who was still awe-struck from what they had witnessed. He then looked at the deity they were protecting and it was then when he noticed that she was falling from her spot, her eyes shutting close and her body slowly disappearing.

"Deity!" Toguro called he tried to catch the deity. Genkai was awoken from her stupor and saw Togruo trying to catch Botan. She rushed to help her old partner only to catch the death scythe that Botan was holding. She crouched near the disappearing body of Botan as Toguro held her.

"Hey you've done it! Hang in there." Genkai said as she looked at Botan. The blue haired goddess had her eyes close but a smile could be seen on her slowly fading face.

"It's far from over Genkai-san but at least, we have minimized the possible impact of this chaos in Ningenkai." Botan said softly. "Hold on to my scythe, it will help the others to pass the barrier from Ningenkai to Reikai and back. I'm sorry Genkai but I must go now." Botan said.

"What are you saying? Don't you dare leave this place!" Genkai threatened but Botan just smiled at her.

"I'm sorry Genkai-san. Thank you Toguro-san. Oh I just wish I could have seen him one more time but I really should get going…" Botan said and then her fading body glowed and she burst into tiny blue orbs that spread across Reikai. Some of the blue orbs entered the apparitions and then the apparitions took a stance as if they were ready to attack anyone who would approach the gates of punishment. Genkai felt tears come out from her eyes while Toguro bowed his head, his hands remained in position as if he was still holding the goddess.

Haruko bowed her head. She held onto her scythe. She was the former goddess of death and she knew she can undo what the present goddess had enforced. She may have been demoted to a guardian status but she still held on to her powers as the goddess of death. She had absolute confidence that she can counter the command Botan had given. Haruko then threw her scythe on one of the gates of punishment only to be blocked by the apparition standing guard on the gates. She was unnerved by how her attack was quickly cancelled out by the apparition. Her scythe flew back to her hands and she threw it again only to be blocked again by the apparitions. Extremely frustrated and angry, Haruko threw her scythe against the barrier only to have it caught by an apparition who quickly appeared on the barrier.

"This is absurd!" Haruko screamed. Genkai and Toguro looked at the angry guardian.

"Whatever it is that Botan did, I guarantee you that this should spell the downfall of your plans." Genkai remarked.

"Confident aren't we? Reikai may have been placed in a state of lockdown but I assure you that Ningenkai is far from safe." Haruko snorted.

"And I assure you that you will have a hard time succeeding. There are powerful beings in Ningenkai that can stop you." Genkai said cockily.

"I'm sure there are a lot of spirit masters here in Reikai whose peaceful afterlife in the gates of paradise have been disturbed and are pretty much willing to get their hands dirty one last time to stop you and your comrades." Toguro added.

"What can spirit masters and the two of you do against us spirit guardians? We are much powerful than you and only gods and goddesses can defeat us. Unfortunately, two of them have fallen down while the others refuse to have their hands soiled by this chaos." Haruko commented icily as she prepared herself to attack Genkai and Toguro.

"We may not have the powers to defeat you but we are certainly stronger than your vassals." Genkai answered while smirking. As if on cue, hundreds of No masks started raining down on river Styx and Haruko could only stare in shock. Extremely angry, Haruko's patience has been pushed to its limits. Screaming as if it was her battle cry, she summoned all of her powers and charged towards Genkai and Toguro.

What happened next was beyond comprehension of both spirit masters. As the former goddess of death charged towards them, the river Styx spewed a geyser but instead of boiling water, the geyser was made out of lava. Genkai and Toguro listened to Haruko's cries of pain. She was trapped inside the geyser. One of the cloaked apparitions flew towards the trapped Haruko and swung the scythe it was holding. The spirit masters then witnessed how the apparition forcefully severed Haruko's soul from her Reikai body. They saw how the body turned into ash as the geyser from the river disappeared. The apparition then held a blue flame on its hand. The apparition crushed the flame until it disintegrated to mere particles and vanished into thin air.

"Haruko, sacred guardian and former goddess of death, our former guardian, you are unworthy of crossing my stream. You are being punished for your atrocities against Ningenkai and for your participation on the great subjugation." A voice said that echoed all throughout the vicinity of the Styx. "I am Styx, the river of life and death and I have been commanded by my guardian Botan to pass judgment to anyone who dares cross my streams."

"The…the river spoke…" Genkai uttered in bewilderment.

"Toguro-otouto" said by the voice. "Protecting our present guardian atones for the crimes of your past when you were still alive. You have atoned enough when you spent years in the gate of unending suffering. Once this is over, you may be with Genkai in one of the gates of paradise." The cloaked apparition that served the punishment to Haruko and approached Toguro. The apparition placed the tip of its scythe on Toguro's head and a warm light enveloped him.

"Master Genkai, our guardian entrusted her scythe to you. Our guardian has been put to slumber in the deepest part of my stream and her soul serves as my life force in exchange for awakening me. That scythe can break the kekkai she placed to hold off the guardians here in Reikai. Hold on to it. My streams will protect the both of you." The voice explained. The waters of the river Styx calmed down and it resumed its peaceful and serene state. The apparitions resumed their stance and guarded the gates of punishment with absolute vigilance. Genkai and Toguro-otouto could only stare at the scythe that the female spirit held in her hand. Her eyes became glassy with unshed tears and this did not go unnoticed by her former partner and friend.

"You did well Botan…you outdid yourself in fact and I am very proud of you." Genkai whispered sincerely as held the scythe tightly. "Rest assured that your noble sacrifice will not go in vain. We'll stand guard here with the river Styx as our protector." She said, this time with much more determination.

Yusuke, being the hot-headed leader as he always was, grabbed the collar of George's trench coat. He, no, everyone present in that very place heard what he said and they felt it as well. It was the same eerie yet sad feeling when Genkai passed away in the hands of Toguro-otouto. Kurama on the other hand could not stop himself from trembling. He knew that something horribly wrong had happened and he was afraid to admit the fact it may have something to do with Botan. Maya watched the love of her life with worry and wanton jealousy for the woman whose name the blue-ogre called out.

"It means that she's gone…" It was Hiei who broke the silence. His voice was somber. Everyone's attention was directed to him. Hiei closed his eyes and tried to keep whatever emotion he was feeling. Mukuro also closed her eyes and had a hand on her chest as if in deep prayer.

"EXPLAIN!" Yusuke billowed. George did not even flinch but he kept on crying.

"Botan's gone." Was all George could offer as he pushed Yusuke away from him. He turned his back away from them and started to walk away.

Kuwabara slammed his fist against one of the wooden tables while Yomi looked away and Raizen bowed his head. Yusuke balled his fist and punched the wall nearest to him. One of their comrades, their friend, had fallen down in battle. It was unacceptable for any of them. Botan had always looked after their well-being. She was too kind for her own good and now that the world was faced with probably its biggest threat, it was still she who sacrificed for everyone's safety and well-being. Yusuke felt utterly worthless for being unable to even help the being who was responsible for his second existence to Ningenkai.

"Shuichi-kun where are you going?" Maya called out. The others saw that Kurama has turned his back and walked towards the door. His hands were tucked inside the pockets of his pants. He didn't look back when his supposed "girlfriend" called him out. Maya was going to run after him but Kuwabara held her shoulder. She looked at him and saw that he shook his head as if telling her to leave Kurama alone. Unnerved by the signal Kuwabara was giving her, Maya slapped Kuwabara hard on the cheek.

"He needs me now!" She shouted. "How can you say that I should leave him alone?" She questioned in anger.

"I'll look past the fact that you slapped me but I need you to understand that Kurama needs time to be alone." Kuwabara explained in a solemn yet deadly tone. Maya was unfazed though.

"Who is this Botan anyway? I keep on hearing and hearing her name. She may be important to you but I do not see any reason why she should be important to Shuichi-kun when he have me already!" Maya argued but she already knew who Botan is in Shuichi Minamino's life.

"You really are clueless. If it wasn't for you, he might have had his happy ever after six years ago." Hiei said in a mocking tone. This struck a chord in Maya as she remembered what she overheard from Shuichi and Ayame's conversation earlier. "Human girls are really feeble and simple-minded. You don't even know who your precious Shuichi is. Albeit all the talk you have heard so far confuses you already." Hiei added in a mocking tone.

"Hiei that is enough." Mukuro ordered. "This is not the time for us to even delve into such things." Mukuro then looked at Maya. "Young lady, I suggest you stay with the rest of ningen women and leave Kurama be. If you truly care about him, you'd understand why he needs to be alone." Mukuro explained. Maya sighed in defeat as she walked out of the room, he feet were trembling because of fear (she was around youkais after all) and unbridled jealousy over that Botan.

Sometime during the Dark Tournament

He felt it. He felt Genkai's ki disappear until he can no longer detect it. Something happened. As he was about to leave his training spot, his eyes caught site of a pink kimono and flowing blue hair. He looked up the night sky and saw Botan in her oar ascending towards the vast sky. Hanging at the end of her oar was Genkai's soul. His eyes widened in shock. Genkai's dead.

The next day, Kurama noticed that Botan was not her usual cheery self. How can she be when she just guided the soul of one of her trusted friends to Reikai? He found her staring off the vast sea. The sunset's light casted an ephemeral glow in the deity's features. Despite the obvious sadness etched on Botan's face, Kurama found the site of her, leaning on the window of their hotel room and staring off the sea, captivating. He was so enamored by the site of her that he accidentally dropped the book and bottled drink he was carrying. The 'thud' it made shook Botan out of her trance and she was surprised to see Kurama there. She tried to act cheerful as always but Kurama had already saw under her mask.

"You don't have to force yourself to smile Botan. I'd understand if you want to cry. If I were in your situation, I'd probably be depressed." Kurama advised as he gave her one of his rarest and most genuine smile. Botan was caught off-guard by what she heard from the kitsune. The next thing Kurama knew was that he stumbled back on the floor as Botan threw herself to him and started crying her eyes out. Unsure at first of what to do, Kurama placed an arm around Botan and placed the other over her head as he carefully pulled her closer to him and allowed her to use him as a shoulder to cry on. Botan sobbed and cried for who knows how long but for Kurama, it didn't matter. He wanted to be with her and he felt the need to comfort her in her time of mourning. After all, he also grieved the loss of a mentor and a friend.

Kurama knew from that single, life-altering event several years ago triggered the start of his undying feelings for Botan.

Probably, at that time, he was not aware of his feelings for her but as they continued to do assignments together, continued to see each other outside of "official business", along the way, he realized how important Botan is in his life. "She's gone…" The words uttered by George echoed in his mind. He shook his head and clenched his fist trying to calm the storm brewing in him. He refused to believe that Botan is gone and even if it was indeed true, he would search every nook and cranny of the three worlds, drag the beings responsible for her untimely demise, kill him (or her) and would find a way to resurrect him (or her) just so he could repeat the process to his heart's content. Kurama felt the rage in him brewing and rising to uncontrollable levels and he knew that any moment, his youkai form would emerge. Kurama shut eyes as tightly as possible as if willing his mind and soul to control the unspeakable rage, sadness, guilt and frustration boiling at the pit of his persona; however, his mind was filled with thoughts and images of a cheerful blue-haired deity whose smile is as radiant as the sun; whose hair is as blue as the clearest sky and whose disposition in life is the very embodiment of hope…the very contradiction of her title as the deity, no, goddess of death. He could her voice in the wind…

"I don't want to see another important person die!"

"Kurama won't lose!"

"Be careful."

"Kurama…"

And as the image of a heartbroken Botan flashed on his mind upon seeing him being kissed by Maya that fateful day six years ago, Kurama was unable to hold on to the little calm and sanity in his being. When he opened his eyes, the wind blew and the leaves from the trees were blown away violently.

Kuwabara shivered and he could not help but wrap his arms around himself. Yusuke felt cold sweat trickle down his brow as he felt an unnerving aura around them. Hiei just smirked and turned his back from Maya who fell off her chair upon feeling the dangerous and deadly aura. Maya felt like she was suffocating and she found it hard to breath. Everyone's attention was caught by a soft sound of the main door sliding open revealing an unearthly being clad in pristine white robes. His silver main, shiny and silky, fell gracefully on his back and his golden eyes illuminated a wanton need for bloodshed.

"Da…dare ka?" Maya asked fearfully.

"You do know that I am quite impatient." He said in a deadly tone. "I thought we're stealing a treasure in Reikai? I don't have a penchant for waiting. If you lot prefers to cower in this filthy room, I better be on my way and finish the job at hand."

"Oi Kurama wait up!" Yusuke yelled. He was grinning from ear to ear as he stretched his arms. "I thought we need a plan?" He teased. Kurama shot him a cold, smoldering look. Yomi may be blind but he can feel Kurama's aura and on his mind, he somehow pictured what his old friend's expression is. Yomi smiled. He stood from his seat and tapped Yusuke on the shoulder which caught the former tantei's attention.

"Plan you say. Albeit his giving you a smoldering look at this very instant." Yomi commented. "That means he already has a plan and making him wait will spell the huge difference if he'll treat us a comrades or mere hindrances." He added. "He already has a plan." Yomi notified as he walked past Yusuke and towards his old friend and comrade.

"Glad to hear you still know my mood." Kurama observed as he watched Yomi walk towards him.

"Oh after you tried to kill me, your mood of impatience and intolerance for your utter dislikes is something imprinted in my mind." Yomi retorted. Kurama gave him a smirk as he turned his back and began walking. Yomi followed him and then Hiei, soon, the rest followed suit. Maya was stunned beyond words to even react or make a coherent remark.

From the window, Ayame watched the former Urameshi team and the powerful Mazoku of Makai ran towards the direction of the passage towards Reikai. She helf Koenma's hand and closed her eyes as she placed all her hopes to these brave souls

TO BE CONTINUED

Author's Corner:

GOMENASAI T_T I'm sorry for the long wait. I was very busy with work for a bunch of year-end activities. I had to do a series of lectures and trainings for our managers and supervisors and spent most of my time writing down modules and worksheets. Hontou ni gomenasai! I will try to post my next update the soonest as I can. I cannot thank you enough for your patience with me.

Thornspike: Thank you so much for the wonderful review! I will do my best to see this fanfiction until its completion. I am an avid KxB fanfic reader as well and I know the feeling whenever I encounter good KxB stories left unfinished. I look forward for your reviews in the succeeding chapters.

Butsuhika: Thank you! I've been ransacking my brain ever since I started writing this fic for the term the Japanese Mythology use for their mythological river. I will keep that in mind and will use Sanzu no Kawa in the future. I still feel iffy using "River Styx" actually knowing that this is actually from Greek Mythology but my brain cannot remember (haha too much diagnostic criterions for mental illness that I tried to memorize for my internship a few months ago) the proper Japanese reference so I got stuck using this. I will keep this in mind. Your review was amazing and it really motivated me. Arigato gozaimasu! I agree with you, VIZ/Funimation's dub/translation of YYH is very disappointing. I'd prefer reading scanlations and watching the anime in original Japanese (although I have forgotten most my Nihongo lessons already -_-). I look forward to read more of your reviews. I hope you do will not get tired of waiting for updates.

Jiejiegalunggon: As always, thank you for your continuous support and patience in waiting for my update. Sorry, I was (still am) very busy with work lately. Okay naman ako, salamat ng marami ^^v

Suilon434, Carol, darkangel, Guest 1 and Guest 2: I cannot thank you enough for leaving your reviews. I will do my very best to continuously update this fanfiction. Please do not get tired of waiting for updates. As always, your reviews brings so much joy and motivation. I look forward for more of your reviews.

Smexy Kitten, sweetcanines, Kurama M. Kitsune, Soldier of the Past, Twisted Musalih and Kinishira22: Your continuous support and reviews are very much appreciated. Thank you very much and please, do not get tired of reading this fanfiction. I truly appreciate that you showed ever since I wrote Come Home and Thousand Years. Thank you very much and I look forward to seeing your reviews. Likewise, I also look forward to read your written fanfiction/s as well.

Everyone, see you again in the next chapter! As always, your reviews are very much welcomed and appreciated.