Stand Still by Danielle Winters Chapter 7: Bridges

"The land of Tourin." Said by a man clad in a Shinto priest's uniform, a small and wicked smile graced his handsome features. Blending himself in his surroundings, the man was able to hid himself from the youkai patrol unit that passed him by. His so-called theatrics sent the Makai inhabitants into a frenzy. Fear is indeed powerful. Even the most feared creatures fled for their lives when his killing frenzy became known to the whole of Makai. Assured that no harm would come his way, the young man went out of his incognito mode and proceeded towards Tourin which was about a few miles away from his current spot. "I waited for centuries for this, Toushin Raizen."

The current leader of Makai was casually sitting in front of the grave marker of his longtime friend, Raizen. On his hand was a cup of sake and on the pavement was a bottle of sake. He knew that he should not be drinking especially on a time such as this, when the whole of Makai was placed in a state of emergency due to the attacks of the Sacred Guardians. Enki knew too well that the Sacred Guardians were plotting something that would put the blame on Makai just like what happened centuries ago. Enki remembered the events of the Great Subjugation as if it was yesterday. It was a bloody time of survival and despite being one of the powerful Youkai, he was driven into hiding in order to save himself. The goddess of death at that time, Haruko, defied the mandate of the deities on not to meddle with the affair of both ningen and youkai. Her bloodlust instigated the Great Subjugation. From then on, the boarders between Makai, Ningenkai and Reikai has been established. Ningenkai was put under the control of Reikai while Makai was cast in the shadows.

"He is coming you know…after all these years, he still wants to exact revenge on you." Enki said as if Raizen was just in front of him. "I hate disappoint him since you're no longer here." Enki added with a sigh. "But if it's a fight that he wants, a fight he will get." Enki stood from his spot as he felt a powerful seikou ki approached Tourin. "The idiot is not even making an effort to hide his ki. He really is looking for a bloody fight."

Quiet. The whole of Reikai was enveloped in an eerie silence. Satotsu, having been the oldest among the sacred guardians was awe-struck to see Reikai in a stand still. It was his first time to experience a total lock down. Though he already heard what could possibly happen during the lock down, was still struck in amazement. He walked towards the exit of the Reikai's special detention area and he was shortly accompanied by Enma Daiou. The former ruler looked around and sighed.

"Tell me Satotsu, do you know how to put the river back to its sleep?" Enma Daiou inquired.

"In all honesty sire, I don't have an idea." Satotsu answered. "Before, I believed that as long as we have Haruko with us, we can undo anything that the present goddess does."

"The river will only obey its present guardian. Once the river awakens, the goddess who serves as its guardian will be put into a deep, almost eternal slumber until awakened." Enma Daiou explained.

"Where does the goddess slumber then and who shall awaken her?" Satotsu asked.

"I'm afraid no one knows where and how." Enma Daiou answered. "However, if we get hold of her scythe, the scythe may give us leverage for the river spirit to follow us." Enma added as he walked ahead of Satotsu.

Satotsu had a wicked smile on his face, the blood bath will soon begin and he could feel every fiber of his being tingling with excitement. "Extermination…"

Genkai and Toguro sat on the huge stone along the shore of the river. The hooded figures called Sanzu Shidan were hovering around them and near the gates. One of the spirit masters who helped out in driving out Haruko's followers exchanged a few words with Genkai. It was this spirit master who told her and Toguro what the hooded figures are.

"It's the spirit of the river. They are called Sanzu Shidan because when the river is awakened, these beings restore order by putting the souls in its rightful place, paradise, punishment or judgment." The wise spirit master explained.

The spirits of the skilled fighters who were in sent in the different gates of paradise were guarding the locked gates of punishment alongside the Sanzu Shidan. Genkai held on to Botan's scythe as what the goddess had instructed her.

"Paradise…what is it like to be in paradise Genkai?" Toguro-otouto asked. He was looking up at the darkened skies, but some rays of sun have begun to slice through the dark clouds.

"It's like coming home after a very long fight." Genkai answered fondly.

"Are they in paradise?" He asked.

"Hai…they are eagerly awaiting for you there." Genkai answered as she looked her former partner and one-time nemesis in his eyes.

"Then, I want to finish this battle as soon as possible." Toguro-otouto remarked with renewed vigor. Genkai offered an assuring smile to him. The two shared a comfortable silence, each smiling at each other, conveying a new afterlife in paradise. This however, was cut short when Genkai noticed the scythe started glowing. She and Toguro exchanged looks and had become alert for any possible danger that may come. Upon seeing the scythe glow, the Sanzu Shidan formed its ranks in front of the gates of punishment and in front of the kekkai barrier that Botan created to protect Ningenkai.

"Koenma-sama…" Koenma heard his name being called. Stirring from his position, Koenma tried to grab the edge of his bed but his hand felt nothing. Koenma slowly opened his eyes but soon found himself covering it with his hand for the light was glaring in his vision. When his vision was able to adjust, he soon find himself floating. Beneath him was a crystal clear ocean, its waters was still and reflecting the blue sky above him.

"Where the heck am I?!" Koenma shouted to no one as soon as the realization that he was in the middle of nowhere hit him.

"Koenma-sama, don't you remember?" He heard a voice again. Koenma looked around him but saw no one.

"Remember what?" He asked. "And who the heck are you? Show yourself!" He commanded.

"I'm hurt! You don't even remember me." The voice said. It did sound hurt from what Koenma had just said. "What's important is that help is coming on its way; however Koenma-sama, there is one thing that you should do in order for them to rescue you."

"Rescue me?" Koenma repeated. Nothing was making sense to him.

"I'm deeply sorry I wasn't able to protect you Koenma-sama. None of this would have happened if only I acted soon." Koenma then realized as to who owns the voice he can hear.

"Botan! Botan, where are you?" He shouted as he began to float in the direction where he could hear the voice.

"I'm afraid Koenma-sama that I am not in this realm. There's no need for you to find me."

"Are you crazy? Of course I would look for you. You may be troublesome but you're one of the best ferry girls I have. And don't try scolding me for calling you a ferry girl even though I've promoted you as a the goddess of death." Koenma berated. He heard Botan giggle.

"Koenma-sama is still a brat. I wonder what Ayame-san sees in you." She teased. "And you have an odd way of showing that you care." She said fondly.

"Botan this isn't funny anymore!" Koenma complained. "Tell me, where are you and I'll go there."

"I am not here with you Koenma-sama." Botan answered. Koenma suddenly stopped and was at loss for words. Slowly, memories of the events that had transpired began to enter his mind. He looked at the clear waters of the ocean. Instead of reflecting the sky, it reflected what Koenma was remembering. Koenma watched quietly especially the events that had transpired after he fell. He saw how Ayame and George protected him, and how Botan tried to keep the chaos contained within Ningenkai. He witnessed how Hinageshi escaped, the release of the souls inside the gates of punishment, the retaliation of the souls in the gates of paradise; how Raizen carried his body and escaped to Ningenkai with Ayame and George. He felt his eyes moisten when he watched Botan summon the river and disappear while being held by Genkai and Toguro.

"Oh Botan you didn't…" Koenma uttered as he burst into tears. He tried to wipe his tears but it just kept on coming out.

"Koenma-sama please don't cry." Botan pleaded. "I did what I need to do and at that time, it was the proper action to make."

"But we don't know how to bring you back…" Koenma said in a disheartened tone.

"Do not worry about it. Reikai needs you now. You are the only one who can stop the others from their plans." Botan encouraged.

"This has to stop! I will not allow another massacre before my eyes." Koenma said with renewed determination.

"That's much better! That's the Koenma-sama I know…the slave driver with determined looks." Botan teased.

"I'm not a slave driver!" The Reikai leader countered. "I'll put them in their proper place and afterwards, I'll look for a solution to bring you back." He promised. "If I have to shout at the gods to bring you back, then so be it!" Koenma added. He heard a faint giggle and somehow, Koenma was relieved.

"Koenma-sama, help is on its way but in order for them to rescue you, they need to know where they are hiding you." Botan explained. "A fragment of your soul is still in your container that Ayame-san is taking care as we speak. The other was carried by the sacred guardian who attacked you in the palace and he hid it somewhere in Reikai."

"Help huh?" Koenma snorted. "Albeit it's Yusuke and the others. I know what to do Botan." He said. Koenma then looked at the ocean again. This time, he saw his reflection on it. The ocean's still waters started to move. From a small wave to another; wave after wave, its height increased as the blue sky turned dark and lighting rolled from the heavy clouds. Koenma smirked as he saw the effects his power made to his surroundings.

"You may not see me Koenma-sama but know that I will always be here for you."

"Don't be so cheesy Botan." Koenma confidently remarked. He closed his eyes and started to summon his powers. "And besides, you should be telling that to Kurama, not to me." He teased. He could just imagine the blue-haired deity blushing profusely and this brought a bittersweet smile to the Reikai leader's face.

Enma and Satotsu were on their way to the Judgment Palace, Enma's former residence, when a blinding pillar of light rose from the eastern part of Reikai, where the cave of Iwadayo was located. Satotsu froze on his spot while Enma was shell shocked at the scene before them. The new and young deities of Reikai definitely have tricks on their sleeves and will fight till the bitter end.

Youko Kurama stopped on his tracks as he felt a strong ki. Yusuke, Kuwabara, Hiei, Yomi, Raizen and Mukuro also stopped when they felt the ki. The ki was definitely miles away from their current spot but it was powerful enough to make its presence known despite its distance. Soon, a pillar of light rose from the direction where the reikai tantei and mazoku could strongly feel the ki.

"What the hell is happening!" Yusuke exclaimed. "Don't tell me that they are still fighting in there. We're barely at the entrance to Ningenkai." He added.

"I daresay this is a bold move." Kurama coolly remarked. It caught the attention of the impatient Yusuke.

"Hey, kitsune, I know you can explain what is happening right now." Yusuke mocked. Kurama gave the latter a smoldering look.

"I think this isn't the best time to act friendly around him." Kuwabara whispered to Yusuke as if telling his friend to mind his manners and language.

"At least we won't be wandering Reikai trying to look for the soul. This saves us time if I must say." Yomi commented. The kitsune-incarnate just gave a small nod of agreement to what Yomi said.

"Let's get this over and done with so I can go back to sleep." Raizen said as he braced himself to double up his speed. He inwardly commented how light he felt when he didn't have a physical container.

"Ah, the dead misses paradise." Yusuke taunted his ancestor in which the latter took the remark in good humor.

"We should proceed carefully. I don't think they'd just allow anyone near that area without putting up a desperate fight; however, I doubt it if they can even stand a chance to us." Kurama observed.

"You can leave the fighting to us in the event we ran-up with the sacred guardians' followers." Mukuro suggested. "You and Yomi are the experienced thieves here. Our fighting can serve as a distraction while you both go ahead to get Koenma's soul."

"I agree to that idea." Kuwabara said.

"I'm just wondering…" Yusuke started in a serious tone. "How can we pass the boarder of Ningenkai to Reikai of Botan placed a Kekkai between our worlds?" Yusuke inquired. His inquiry was met with silence…a long and uncomfortable silence. The question threw the kitsune-incarnate in frustration. While he hid it perfectly with his usual stoic expression, it didn't go unnoticed to Hiei how Kurama clenched his fist.

The reikai tantei and mazoku then felt another presence. Though the ki was much weaker, they sensed that it was much nearer to them. Soon, they heard the bushes rustle and the sound of a geta echoing closer and closer. Second later, a woman, whose stunning beauty could make any man's knee weak appeared before them; however, she was no damsel in distress for her eyes reflected a sharp look of intent to retaliate should any harm come to her. Her long and silky hair was fell gracefully on her back and it was as black as the night sky. Kuwabara then noticed Raizen frozen on his spot. His face, while intimidating, showed hints of surprise and unbelieving.

"Passage will be granted to anyone the deity of death treats as friends." The woman said. Kurama looked at her sharply. He was unnerved by the fact that this woman was eavesdropping on their conversation. The woman took notice of the kitsune's unwelcoming behavior but paid no attention to it. She was looking at Raizen.

"It's been a while. Have you come to hide and steal water again?" She said to him.

"Indeed it has been a while. I actually came back because I'm supposed to be enjoying afterlife in Reikai. So did the poison you had in your body kept you alive for almost an eternity, Yukinaya?" Raizen answered.

Yusuke looked at Raizen and then looked back at the woman and the back at Raizen again. Kuwabara did the same until a realization hit the both. Yusuke's eyes widened while Kuwabara shrieked…

…the woman called Yukinaya was the human female Raizen mated with thousands of years ago…she is Yusuke's ancestor as well.

Enki opened one of his eyes as he heard the sound of footsteps coming his way. He snorted loud when he felt the ki of the being approaching him. The powerful Makai leader was not intimidated at all by the display of power his opponent made. Enki rose from his seat and tapped the gravestone of his longtime friend.

"I didn't come for you." The owner of the intimidating ki said in disappointment.

"If you came here looking for revenge, you should have stayed in Reikai. Raizen is definitely feasting in whatever afterlife the Reikai judge gave him." Enki answered.

"Raizen's dead?" he remarked sounding incredulous at what he heard. Enki laughed heartily as he faced his opponent. Wearing a reiso and eboshi, Enki slightly marveled at what little changed happened in the physical appearance of his opponent. "I guess afterlife truly provides agelessness." He mentally commented.

"You've become a sacred guardian right? Surely you would know that the demon that tainted your fiancé is enjoying afterlife already." Enki taunted. He smirked upon seeing the irked expression of his opponent.

"The likes of him should not even be allowed to step foot in Reikai!" He shouted. "I, Masayoshi, one of three sacred guardians shall purify and rid Ningenkai and Reikai of your kind."

"If you can leave here unscathed, I think what you intend to do is possible." Enki remarked as he took a fighting stance. "However, I do not intend to allow you to walk out of Makai after all the chaos you put us through."

"Youkai are the scum of this world. They should be eliminated." Masayoshi said with malicious intent.

"And you should know how to let go and forget. Yukinaya chose to give herself up to Raizen. It was her own choice and she was not coerced to do so." Enki countered.

"She cursed her bloodline with youkai blood and allowed herself to give birth to damned half-breeds! She allowed her purity to be soiled with evil. She could have had me instead, a powerful reiki master and priest!" Masayoshi shouted as he lunged himself to attack the giant Enki. The Makai leader however was not in the mood to lose on this battle especially when it's the balance of the three worlds were on the stakes.

Speed and agility; Enki noted these few observable strengths on his opponent. If Hiei was being his usual cocky self, he would definitely fall prey to his opponent's abilities. While speed and agility were the notable strengths of Masayoshi's true abilities can only be seen with a clear mind. Enki closed his eyes and swiftly evaded the attack of his opponent. Masayoshi smirked upon realizing that Enki had figured out his abilities.

"Illusion." Masayoshi said as he swung his sword as if trying to clean invisible blood that had covered its blade. "Such an ability has fooled so many of powerful youkai who were too arrogant about their own powers." He said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"You must agree with me though that the young are truly impulsive and proud." Enki mentioned.

"The young? All youkai are impulsive and proud." Masayoshi pointed. "You think that men fear you because of your hideous looks and powers and you toy with this very fear."

"Men use youkai to toy with their fellow men." Enki countered. "Your kind hurt our kind, drive us into despair, torture and humiliate us until we can no longer bare it. You drive us to the brink of insanity just so we can bend to what you desire…to bring havoc to Ningenkai. In the end, the blame is put on us."

"LIAR!" Masayoshi shouted angrily as he launched another attack. He was trying to catch Enki's line of vision but the Makai leader had closed his eyes and moved to dodge his attack by just listening to his movements.

"Ningen are easily driven by their emotion and useless sentiment. Sadly, you are no different. You may be a sacred guardian but your fellow guardians had just used your wanton need for revenge. You are just a tool." Enki said coolly.

"I AM NO TOOL!" Masayoshi shouted. His attacks had become clumsier as per Enki's sense. "I see that time has not tempered your sensitivity. This was the very reason why Raizen easily defeated you thousands of years ago despite being more powerful than him". Enki mentally said.

"So tell me Masayoshi, why didn't your fellow guardians inform you that Raizen's dead? That he may either be in one of the gates of punishment or paradise?" Enki questioned. "Tell me why they made you believe that Raizen is still here in Makai?" Enki asked. Sensing an opening, the giant Makai leader threw a punch hitting the gut of Masayoshi. The sacred guardian grunted and was sent flying a few meters away from Raizen's grave site. Trying to regain control of his numb body, Masayoshi was able to do a quick somersault and was able to land with ease on a trunk of a huge tree. He was shaken by the barrage of questions Enki had thrown on him. He had one of his hands cover his face as memories from the past flood through his mind.

"Why? Why have you given your purity to that…that creature?" He questioned. She had her back on him.

"I never agreed to become your wife Masayoshi-sama." She answered simply. "I do not have to explain myself to you."

"Yukinaya, I can give you everything you want. Your abilities will be of great use-"

"That's the only reason you wanted to marry me Masayoshi-sama. It's my abilities to create healing potions and poisons that you want and not me." Yukinaya pointed out.

"Do you doubt my feelings for your Yukinaya?" He questioned.

"Yes for I never believe that any man who proposed to me had genuine feelings for me. They were only after my abilities or my physical appearance." Yukinaya answered.

"That vile creature was after your physical appearance as well! He will discard you once you've become wrinkly and old." Masayoshi pointed.

"At least no other man would take interest on me and I can leave in peace." She countered.

"I shall avenge your purity and my pride for he has taken you away from me." Masayoshi declared.

"I doubt that you'd win against him." Yukinaya coolly remarked.

The next few months were agonizing on the high priest's end. Each night, he would see the vile creature he detested enter the small garden of Yukinaya's house. He watched them and cursed Yukinaya for sullying herself with vile blood. One summer evening, Masayoshi heard Yukinaya cry out in pain as she was delivering her child, the fruit of her and that vile creature's nightly escapade. Upon hearing the cries of the newly born child, only one thought entered his mind.

"Purification…rid this world of all the impure ones."

And a surge of unknown energy flowed through him. He felt his blood boil and rush all over his body. He felt a burning sensation in his eyes, clouding his vision. Drawing his holy sword from its hilt, Masayoshi came out of the bushes he was hiding and attacked Yukinaya and her newborn child; however, his sword was blocked and he felt blood spurt on his reiso. The vile creature was blocking him.

"Be gone vile creature!" He shouted. "All impurities must be purified. That woman, her child and you should be eliminated permanently."

"You're in a hurry to die young priest." The creature remarked. "You maybe a priest but I am not afraid of you."

"Hmmm?" A smile crossed the face of the vile creature as he pushed Masayoshi with very little effort. He then licked the wound inflicted by the holy sword on his arm. "You may call your sword holy but its blade doesn't taste like it." The creature mocked.

"How dare you?!" Masayoshi billowed. Anger was sifting through every fiber of his being. Blinded by his hatred for the creature standing before him and fueled by the new found powers within him, Masayoshi attacked the youkai who dared to steal his intended from him. The youkai easily dodged Masayoshi's aimless swinging and smirked at the high priest's frustration of being unable to land one fatal blow on him.

"You are not very bright at all. Aren't you a high priest?" The youkai taunted. "If I were in your position, I would have used some sort of majutsu or genjutsu. You aren't a good in kenjutsu afterall." He added. His taunt only added to the increasing hatred and anger of Masayoshi. Shivering with uncontrollable emotions, Masayoshi's gaze again fell on Yukinaya and her newborn child. Yukinaya just stared at him with confidence and utter distaste for what he had become as she cuddled the child closer to her.

"That child should not exist. That child should be killed!" Masayoshi announced as he launched an attack towards the temporarily helpless Yukinaya. The youkai however was not about to allow any harm to fall on his child and its mother. Using his godspeed, the youkai appeared before Masayoshi, his hand turned to sharp claws and easily penetrated Masayoshi's body.

"While sentiments and emotions are considered as strengths of ningen, those two are like double-edge blades. Too much or too little of it is too fatal and a perfect example of it is you." The youkai whispered to Masayoshi as he effortlessly tossed him. Darkness soon followed and Masayoshi felt a numbing cold cover his body.

Enki watched his opponent as he stood still on the tree he had landed after receiving one of his power punches. He was quite disappointed that despite the number of years the former high priest and now sacred guardian had, it did too little to develop his wisdom. Masayoshi could still be easily swayed by his emotions. His abilities may have improved but his sensibilities clouds his logic most of the time.

Kuwabara was willing to bet on his pride that he almost saw Yusuke faint upon realizing that the woman who appeared before them is his ancestor, Raizen's "unofficial" mate. While the rest shared in the utter surprise of Yusuke, Kurama was increasingly becoming impatient. Every second they spend standing in idle is a second wasted in accomplishing their task. He was able to make his impatience under his usual stoic facial expression but he could feel every fiber of his being seeping with irritation.

"It's alright…everything will work out for the best." Kurama looked around him. He swore he just heard someone talk with him but it seems like the others did not hear what he had just heard.

"It's alright Kurama." Said by the voice; a soft, sweet and gentle sounding voice. The kitsune-incarnate could not explain what he was feeling but he somehow felt a certain degree of calmness took over him.

"I'm afraid my mortal body no longer exists. This is merely a vessel provided by Reikai to its ferry girls." Yukinaya explained. "However, I am not the same as the other ferry girls, for my assignment is at the entrance of the river. I guide the wandering souls." Yukinaya explained. "Since my mistress, the goddess of death Botan, had awakened the river, you cannot go inside Reikai taking your usual route whenever Koenma-sama summons you or whenever you just want to visit." She added.

"You've become a shinigami…" Raizen uttered. Yukinaya nodded.

"So where the hell are we supposed to enter?!" Yusuke billowed in frustration. Upon hearing Yukinaya's explanation, Kurama deduced the real role of Yukinaya.

"Woman, you're the one who ferries the souls of those who had already been judged prior to their demise. You show them the bridge they need to cross in order to enter the place they have been rewarded to spend their afterlife." Kurama deduced.

"Indeed I am kitsune." Yukinaya affirmed with a smile on her beautiful face. "The river may be popularly known as the Styx but it has another name, Sanzu. Those who have been judged prior to their death, their souls are allowed to roam around until they find the entrance to the river. My work is to give them directions towards the bridge they are to cross in order to arrive at the gates of paradise or punishment." Yukinaya explained.

"Sanzu? Doesn't it mean three? But there's only paradise and punishment?" Mukuro pointed out.

"There are souls that are rewarded greatly, those who are offered positions to be part of the Reikai either as sacred guardians, ferry girls or guards." Yukinaya explained. "Those who showed kindness, served their fellow ningen/youkai or made sacrifices for the well-being of others are always being rewarded greatly by Reikai. On the other hand, those who have committed grave atrocities in their life are sent straight to the deepest recesses of the gates of punishment; however, there are those who choose or allowed to wander first and at the end of their wandering, the come to the entrance of Reikai."

"Woman…" Kurama narrowed his eyes as if trying to decipher whether to believe the explanation of Yukinaya or not. Yukinaya looked at her, challenging the smoldering look he was giving her.

"You can trust her. She'll lead the way." Kurama heard the voice again. He wondered if he was the only one who heard it but he noticed Yukinaya smiling at him.

"You can hear her don't you?" Yukinaya stated as she walked ahead of the group. "Follow me, I'll show you the way to Reikai. Your friend awaits you at the other side of the river. The Sanzu Shidan will not attack you as long as all of you are recognized by your friend. She temporarily holds my goddess' scythe."

"What does she mean by 'you can hear her' eh?" Yusuke nudged the kitsune-incarnate unafraid of the deadly aura around Kurama.

"Please save Koenma-sama. This will end when we seize Koenma-sama's soul and fuse it with what remains in his container. I have complete trust in you…in all of you." The voice said again. Kurama halted for a second which made the others confused.

"Botan…" He said fondly. Yukinaya just smiled which didn't go unnoticed by Hiei. Yukinaya however was perceptive enough to know that she was being closely watched by Hiei. She smirked at the fire demon.

"Your friend there can hear my mistress." Yukinaya simply stated as she resumed walking. All of them need not to be told twice. While confused at what Yukinaya said, they decided to follow her and allowed a question to be left unanswered.

Somewhere in a place where the ocean and the sky seemed to meet, a small island lies isolated in the vast bodies of water that surrounded it. In the middle of the island, is a hill with a tree on its peak and its surrounding is filled with flowers of every kind and green grass. Under the shade of the tree, a young woman with blue hair and amethyst eyes sat contently. She was approached by a handsome young man with jet black hair and eyes as clear as the skies.

"My lady, are you well?" The young man asked as he knelt down beside her.

"Sanzu, you worry too much. I'm fine. I'm sorry to have awakened you though." She answered wistfully.

"It is my duty to answer to my mistress' call. It should be me who should apologize for I have to keep your soul hear and your body hidden in the deepest part of my stream." Sanzu said in a melancholic tone.

"It's worth it Sanzu. I believe in them. I believe in Kurama. He…they will be able to save Koenma-sama." The young woman turned to Sanzu and held one of his hands with reverence. "Thank you for still allowing me to converse with them Sanzu. I know it will cost me more of my soul's energy and will truly dim my chances of waking up, but I need to do something to help them."

Sanzu smiled at his lady as he took the hand that held his and kissed the back of it. "My lady is truly selfless. You would gladly throw away your existence for the sake of others; however, I cannot bear to see them sad in the event that you can't be brought back so please my lady, save your energy as well lest the energy in your vessel will be exhausted and it will truly disappear. You have used so much already when you created the kekkai and summoned me."

"Sanzu, don't let our enemies pass your stream ok?" Botan pleaded. Sanzu was taken aback for she appeared to have disregarded his plea to save her energy. "Don't harm Kurama and the others ok?"

"This Kurama is truly important to you my lady." Sanzu pointed out which made the young woman blush. "I've watched you countless of times weeping for this being. My streams have cradled your tears." Sanzu gently touched the young woman's face. "If my lady wishes for their protection, then my stream and the shidan will not harm them."

"Thank you." She said with a smile. "Ne, Sanzu, in the event that my vessel disappears, will you stay here with me?"

Sanzu nodded "Yes my lady Botan. I will not leave you alone."

Three Years Ago…

There was an old saying that it was lonely to be on top. Most of the time, you are alone while you look down and watch everything unfold before your eyes. Botan could not help but agree to that old saying. Being the goddess of death, it allowed her to see everything in Ningenkai and Makai. However, every time she watched a certain red-head in Ningenkai, she could not help but feel a pang of pain grip her heart as if squeezing it until it can no longer beat. She felt robbed of the happiness that was supposed to be hers whenever she sees the radiant smile on the face of the red-head's companion.

"Your chose this you idiot!" Botan berated herself. "You should be happy for them. You and Kurama were just friends. Nothing more and nothing less." She told herself. She was sitting on the river bank, trying to calm her nerves from the increasing amount of work before her. She forced herself to smile. But no matter how hard she stretched her facial muscles to show her usual smile, she couldn't because she could feel her heart being constricted.

"Oh who am I kidding!" She shouted to no one. "I give up! I won't deny it anymore. I am in love with Kurama." She declared as she shut her eyes tightly and allowed the tears to flow out. Wishing that by the time she finished crying, she'll be numbed of the pain that gripped her at that moment. Her tears fell on the serene river, creating ripples to its calm waters.

Somewhere in an unseen land, a young man watched Botan cry on the reflection on the crystal clear ocean. He was standing by the beach as he heard his mistress voice. He was fond of his present mistress and admired her greatly for her gentleness. He thought it ironical that she was called the goddess of death when she was the very opposite of it. She was warm, caring and friendly. He witnessed how she treated her ferry girls with utmost respect. He listened eagerly whenever she dropped by his river banks and talked endlessly of what had happened. Oh, if only he could touch her and comfort her in her great time of sadness.

The pain of unrequited love, he was no stranger to that feeling.

To be Continued

Author's Notes:

First and foremost, HAPPY NEW YEAR! I'm so sorry if took me so long to update. I was just so lazy over the holidays and then when work resumed, I was swamped by pending work and new tasks T_T Sorry, I am very very very sorry!

Your reviews are one of the best gifts I received during Christmas!

Cherry1129: Wow, thank you! Hope this update gave you the goosebumps again

Sweetcanines: I'm afraid I left another cliff hanger ^^

Skrom and Carol: Thank you for leaving your comments! My readers' comments are my number one source of motivation.

Butsuhika-san: Finally! I was able to use Sanzu Thank you so much and your review means so much. My heart swells with joy and appreciation from your observations. I'm humbled at the same time because of the wonderful things you have mentioned. I cannot thank you enough. I look forward for your reviews.

Smexy Kitten: I actually browsed your profile page one time and read the fanfictions you published I hope you keep on writing.

Jiejie galunggong: Kababayan, sana di ka nainip sa pag-aantay ng update. Sorry, busy talaga nung mga nakaraang buwana. Hay alam mo naman kapag end of the year and start of the year, ga-bundok ang trabaho. Hope you'll enjoy this newest chapter and I apologize for the cliffie ^^!

Thornspike: Kababayan! Don't worry, nagtu-tumbling din ako every time I meet a kababayan here in . Hope you'll enjoy this newest chapter.

Kinishira, heartluv, Kurama M. Kitsune, Ryuukoshi, Blindhuntress, Twisted Musalih: Thank you, thank you so much! Please, I hope you will not get tired of waiting for an update. I'll try to update as often as I can. I really hate it when I leave a project unfinished. I owe so much to the readers and the least I can do is to see this project until its completion. I hope I did not disappoint you (and everyone) with this chapter.

Guests and readers whom I was not able to mention: Please know that my utmost appreciation and sincerest gratitude are always with you! You truly motivate and encourage me to continue to write. I'll keep the updates coming and I apologize if it takes me sometime before I can post anything.

Please pray for me as well dear readers. Our written comprehensive examinations in the graduate school will be next month, for two Saturdays. We have review sessions every weekend. Likewise, I have several training sessions to facilitate as well so as you can guess, I'm in for another hectic schedule. I don't mind though cause I enjoy being busy. It's just sad though for it will take me time before I can update again. But please, I hope you will not get tired of reading this fanfiction. I'll really see this project of mine until its completion.

Oooh has anyone here reads Rin x Sesshomaru fanfictions? I've been addicted with fanfics of these Inuyasha characters. I highly recommend "Promise" by Eun Jung. I got hooked with Aoshi x Misao fanfiction as well after watching Rurouni Kenshin live-action last December 2012. Man! That was the best movie adaptation of an anime I had ever seen! (Fan girl mode and squealing in delight). Sato Takeru just nailed his portrayal of Kenshin and I soooooo love him! I was just disappointed Aoshi wasn't there T_T. I hope that if there's a sequel, Hayami Mokomichi could play Aoshi Shinomori. I'll truly be in anime paradise if that happens. I'm a huge Hayami Mokomichi fan ever since I watched him in Absolute Boyfriend, Oh My Girl and Hammer Session. If you are a fan of Aoshi x Misao pairing, please try reading "Those Who Goes Overseas" by Lapiz Lazuli Luna and "You Who Never Arrived" by AnnabelleG. If you are a Misao x Soujiro Seta pairing fan, I recommend "Two Silent Feet" by Linhlea and "Crimson Skies" by chibi-angel3.

Falling for the First Time by Princess Animeiija has been updated! Yehey! Switching to reader mode See you next time everyone. Your comments are very much appreciated so please, leave one after reading this newest chapter

Yours truly,

Danielle Winters