* * *

Takemi forced herself to walk calmly to the East Wing of the Reikai, searching out a Gate that would take her to the Ningenkai. Despite her cool, unruffled façade, the troubleshooter was severely shaken. She shuddered, recalling the icy feeling of dread that had crept up her spine as she had looked into Yuri’s malevolent gaze.

The Gate Takemi entered did not take her to Kurama or Sumireina; instead, she chose the one that would place her nearest to the Kuwabara residence.



That Kuwabara was surprised to see the slim brown-gold youkai on his doorstep was an understatement; Takemi rarely if ever went anywhere in the Ningenkai besides her brother’s house. Nevertheless, after a few moments of blustering, the orange-haired psychic invited her in.

Takemi smiled wanly at Kuwabara’s antics. “Genki ka, Kuwabara? Shizuru wa?” She took the offered seat, perching tensely on its edge.

“Aa,” Kuwabara answered. “I’ll call her. NEESAN!” the carrot-top hollered, the whole house shaking from the sheer volume of the summons. Turning to Takemi, he informed her, “Neesan should be right out. She never wastes an opportunity to pound me.”

Takemi winced and nodded, still trying to shake the ringing out of her ears as Shizuru strolled casually in, a lit cigarette dangling from her fingers. “Shizuru.”

“Ara, Takemi. What brings you here?” Shizuru greeted. “Kazuma, go get Takemi something to drink,” she ordered her brother. “She looks like she could use it.” The young woman took a seat facing the youkai. Pushing golden brown strands of hair away from her face, she took a long drag from her cigarette. “So,” she said, what can we do for you?”

Kuwabara returned, handing Takemi a can of Calpis and seating himself. The troubleshooter accepted the drink gratefully, rolling the icy can of soda between her palms. “Have you…noticed my brother and Koenma acting…differently?” she asked, getting to the point. She met two surprised stares. “Okay…maybe not.”

Kuwabara scratched his head in puzzlement. “Iya…I haven’t seen either one lately. We’ve all been busy doing our own things.” The young man shrugged. “Gomen.”

Shizuru exhaled a cloud of smoke, looking into the haze as if she could find the answers there. “What about the others?” she questioned her brother. “Hiei, Yuusuke, Genkai…”

“Yukiina-chaan!” Kuwabara shrieked, making the leap from Genkai to the beautiful young ice maiden that lived with her. Jumping up from his seat, the orange-haired psychic pirouetted about the room, oblivious to Takemi’s slack-jawed stare. His face turned a bright red and steadily mounted in color as he extolled the virtues of his beloved.

“Su-sugoi,” Takemi said weakly, consciously rehinging her jaw. “I still can’t believe your brother reacts like this.”

“Believe it,” Shizuru told the other woman dryly. As Kuwabara waltzed past her, she casually stuck out a long leg. She watched without a change in expression as her brother tripped and crashed face-first into the carpet. “Now, as you were saying…?”

“Hai. Ne, Kuwabara, what about Yuusuke? Hiei’s alright as far as I can tell.” Takemi considered the scene she had witnessed earlier and shook her head; well, Hiei *was* concerned about Kurama, so that was a plausible excuse.

“Why would I care about that little gaki!” Kuwabara shrieked, looking extremely offended as he sat down once more. He sobered quickly though, as he thought about Yuusuke. “Well…I ran into Urameshi not too long ago, and he seemed pissed. I think he and Keiko had a fight or something. Does that help?” he offered.

Shizuru nodded. “I heard about Yuusuke and Keiko’s fight. But since those two fight normally I didn’t think anything about it.” She lit another cigarette. “Though I *have* heard that this argument was particularly bad,” she said meditatively. “Something about another man. But everyone knows that Keiko’s faithful to Yuusuke, so I didn’t really pay attention.”

“Nani?!” Kuwabara hollered, eye bulging. “Urameshi yarou, Keiko would never do that! It must be his fault!” He made an impressive sight as his aura flared with the force of his convictions.

“Sit down, Kazuma,” Shizuru ordered the young man firmly. Reaching out, she dragged her carrot-topped brother back down to his seat.

“Well, *something’s* going on,” Takemi commented, watching Kuwabara warily as he reseated himself. “I just came from the Reikai, and before that, aniki’s place. The atmosphere in the Reikai is tense, and aniki looked like he was nearly at his breaking point. And that’s something that doesn’t happen.” She sipped her soda, letting the fruity carbonated drink slide down her throat. “I heard Hiei mention that aniki’s been having…dreams.”

Shizuru puffed contemplatively. “If Kurama is close to a breakdown, it’s more than dreams.”

Takemi nodded, rubbing her forehead and temple absently. “Okay, so aniki, Yuusuke, and Keiko are acting strangely here. There’s also Koenma and Botan…they’re all connected with the Reikai. But why them, and not us?” she murmured in frustration.

“Psychic abilities,” Shizuru said succinctly. Takemi and Kuwabara looked at her in surprise. “Think about it,” she told the other two.

Gold-flecked eyes wide, ‘Kemi nodded thoughtfully. “Sou…” she agreed. “Hiei’s protected from any psychic influence by his Jagan, and you’ve both got personal shields. Genkai’s temple is warded, and nothing can get past the kekkai surrounding my plane without my knowledge. Not many people know about me anyway. It makes sense.”

Kuwabara sighed dreamily. “Beautiful Yukina-chan!” He flushed with happiness as he thought of the delicate Koorime maiden. Beady eyes narrowed. “NO ONE shall harm you! Not while I, Kuwabara Kazuma the Man is still standing!” His face set in lines of determination as he struck a manly pose.

‘Whap!’

Shizuru pulled back her fist. “Now you’re sitting, so be quiet and stick to the subject,” she ordered her brother.

Kuwabara groaned, rubbing at the sore spot made by his sister’s knuckles. “Ite~, neesan!” he whined.

‘Kemi smiled slightly. “Ne Kuwabara, you’ve got more heart than people give you credit for.”

Kuwabara grinned. “I know.”

Shizuru rolled her eyes.



“I suggest we split up and warn aniki and the others,” Takemi said, getting to her feet. “It’ll save time.” Absently, she put a hand to her neck; it was knotted and tense. “Kuwabara, why don’t you tell Yuusuke and Keiko? They listen to you.” And Yuusuke is less likely to try to fry you for ‘interfering’ with his personal life, Takemi added silently. “Shizuru, can you tell Kurama and Hiei?” Shizuru gave her a knowing look.

“Where are you going?” Kuwabara asked curiously.

Takemi was already halfway out the door. “I’m going to the Reikai to talk to Koenma and Botan,” she replied. “And now that we know what to look for, I want to check on a hunch.”

* * *

Kuwabara puffed as he raced down the streets of Tokyo, wishing briefly that he’d kept up with his training after going to college. Before, a jog through the city would have been easy. Now, however…

The orange-haired psychic yelped as he was nearly smashed by a bike. Now was not the time to think about such things, he reminded himself. It was his sworn duty to make Urameshi see that he was being manipulated – even if he had to pound the message into his thick skull! Keiko was a sweet girl, and she didn’t deserve all the grief her (unofficial) fiancee was putting her through.

“Urameshi temee-!” Kuwabara shrieked, the other man’s name a battle cry. Other pedestrians gave him wide berth as the strange, carrot topped man dashed down the street, little puffs of dust the only thing to mark his passing.

* * *

Hiei stared at a spot on the far wall of the living room, his fingers absently playing with a scarlet lock of his lover’s hair. The kitsune stirred slightly and he shifted his grip on the slender body in his arms. Hiei’s youki encircled them both, and Kurama quieted.

A sudden thought came to mind as Hiei observed his lover’s features, clear now in sleep. The tension that had been etched on Kurama’s features even in slumber had smoothed away, leaving only the flawless expanse of skin. Slowly, as not to disturb his fox, Hiei pushed up his warded bandanna, letting it fall onto the couch. What he was about to do wasn’t very ethical, but Hiei had few – if any – scruples when it came to the well being of the youko in his arms.

The Jagan glowed green in the heavily curtained room as Hiei entered Kurama’s dreams. They would be extremely vulnerable to attack in this state, but it was a risk the fire demon was willing to take. Hiei held Kurama close as he set about finding the source of his lover’s insomnia.



The diminutive youkai found himself standing near a tavern in the Makai; while it wasn’t a total loss, it did have a seedy look and feel to it. As he was inspecting the outside of the building, a large commotion was heard from within. Hiei whirled in time to see a youkai burst through the tavern’s doors, a huge, vicious-looking plant hard on his heels.

The youkai scrambled away from the plant’s groping jaws, one that Hiei recognized as a certified Youko Kurama creation. A silver shadow appeared slightly behind the ojigisou, standing arrogantly in the doorway to the tavern. Behind the youko, Hiei could see two darker figures; Takemi and the youkai known as Kuronue.

Kuronue held a shaking, sobbing Takemi as he glared daggers at the offending youkai. The youkai shook dirty blonde hair out of his eyes and smirked at the chimera and sobbing girl. Hiei turned his attention to Kurama, whose eyes were harder than he’d ever seen them. The youko’s deep voice filled his ears as Kurama addressed the youkai before him. “Just what did you think you were doing?” he asked the youkai icily.

The drunken youkai attempted to meet burnished gold orbs. A sneering smirk appeared as he unwisely taunted, “I’m just sampling the wares. Of course, a plain slut like that could never compare to you.” The youkai gave Kurama a look that made Hiei’s blood boil, his hand going instinctively to the katana at his side. “And why do you care what happens to her? She’s not even your real sister.”

Kuronue snarled as Takemi sobbed harder, trying to burrow into the chimera’s chest; it was obvious to the watching fire demon that the youkai’s barbs had hit home. “Kurama…” Kuronue growled warningly.

The silver youko gave a slight staying motion with his hand; purposely, he started forward, advancing on the blond slowly. His features were hard and cold, giving no indication to his thoughts or feelings. But Hiei could see the blazing anger that raged just below the hard golden sheen of Kurama’s eyes and had an inkling of what would happen next.

Bending so that his face was slightly above the other youkai’s, Kurama lifted a pale hand to tilt the youkai’s chin upward, his gaze coldly assessing. “Disgusting,” he judged, watching the other’s feature’s distort and flush with anger. “I would never sleep with you,” Kurama informed him in a cool, mocking voice, “and Takemi is much too good for you.” His grip suddenly tightened, sharp nails digging viscously into the flesh of the youkai’s chin. The youkai yelped in pain as his eyes widened in fear; he’d finally realized through his alcohol-induced haze just how angry Youko Kurama was.

“Insults to myself I can tolerate,” Kurama told the other youkai in a dark, icy voice. “Insults to my family I will not. And make no mistake, Takemi *is* family.” Kurama released his grip on the youkai’s chin, running his bloody nails down a pale cheek. Kurama rose to his full height, towering above the terrified youkai.

Suddenly, the ground beneath the youkai rolled; with an unearthly roar, a carnivorous plant – one thought long extinct – burst through the soil, ripping off the youkai’s limbs in it’s initial attack. Kurama moved slightly to avoid the blood that gushed from the blond youkai’s wounds. “And I never give second chances,” the youko tossed over his shoulder; the youkai’s agonized screams accompanied Kurama back to the tavern, along with the ghastly sounds of feeding.

Hiei watched silently, mildly shaken from what he’d just witnessed; while he’d heard tales of what Youko Kurama had been – was – capable of, he’d never seen it firsthand. He suppressed the urge to shiver; he hoped never to be on the receiving end of that anger. Still… Hiei’s eyes narrowed slightly. What did this scene have to do with Kurama’s disturbed sleep? It was hardly enough to keep the kitsune awake brooding.

The fire demon watched as Kurama’s rigid posture softened, the youko hugging his sister in a gesture of comfort and protection. The silver kitsune’s thoughts echoed through the dreamscape, startling Hiei. /It’s my fault. It’s my fault she’s hurting. Oh kit, I’m so sorry…/

Hiei blinked – and found himself watching a familiar scene, one that had occurred not too long ago; Kurama’s refusal to give him up [1]. He relived the acute sense of helplessness and entrapment he had felt in Pele’s clutches, shifting uncomfortably at the memories. He saw again Kurama’s fierce determination to fight for him, and the youko’s teasing attempts to lighten the mood after their final confrontation with the goddess.

Hiei’s eyes widened slightly at the sight he beheld. After they had watched Pele and her lover return to their homes, they had held each other on the beach until they’d fallen asleep, desperate for the assurance the contact had provided. He watched as his lover stirred beside his dream self.

Kurama raised himself up to gaze lovingly down at Hiei’s sleeping form, tenderly tracing the curve of the fire demon’s cheek. The redhead’s expression crumpled into a mixture of sorrow and anger, guilt written on his maskless face. Sighing, the kitsune levered himself into a sitting position, drawing his knees to his chest and resting his chin on them. He stared pensively out over the darkening sea, a slight breeze rustling tendrils of hair.

“I shouldn’t have said anything,” Kurama murmured to himself. “It’s my fault you suffered.” The kistune wrapped his arms tightly around his drawn- up legs. “How long?” he asked the sleeping Hiei beside him.

“How long before I hurt you so much that you leave?”



With a gasp, Hiei tore himself from Kurama’s dream-memories. Gently, he ran a callused finger down the smooth curve of his lover’s cheek, contemplating the implications of what he’d just witnessed. The kitsune’s last pain-riddled question still rang in his ears, haunting him. Was that it? Kurama was afraid of driving him away?

“Kitsune no baka,” he muttered, tangling his fingers in silky red hair. That they would hurt each other at times was a given; Hiei was a realist, and understood that both of them were often too stubborn for their own good. Occasionally hurting each other was an unpleasant inevitability; it was a fact of life and the risk they took by being together. But Hiei also knew that nothing but Kurama’s own desire to end their relationship would make him leave the youko’s side. He’d made a commitment, and he was going to stick with it.

Hiei scowled blackly. Had he been so cold as to make Kurama doubt? The youko hadn’t complained, though the fire demon was well aware that he was somewhat lacking in social skills.

Kurama sighed and snuggled closer, Hiei’s expression softening as he did so. Who would have guessed that this beautiful creature of power and grace wasn’t nearly as assured as he made himself out to be? Hiei snorted; what a fine pair they were. If it took him the rest of forever, Hiei would make Kurama understand that he would never be the one to leave.

* * *

“Botan?”

The blue-haired ferrygirl didn’t look up from her contemplation of the River Styx as Takemi seated herself beside her. The pale features and puffy, red-rimmed eyes spoke more eloquently to the troubleshooter than any words. Takemi simply sat, offering silent comfort; asking if Botan was alright would be futile, as it was glaringly obvious that she was not.

The two sat quietly, watching the lazy current of the River; soothing, liquid sounds of water washed over them, creating the illusion of peace. Botan hugged her knees, the crisp folds of her kimono wrinkled from the strength of her white-knuckled grasp.

“I thought he felt the same way I did,” Botan said finally, her voice hoarse from the crying she had done earlier. “I thought…he loved me. I guess…I guess I was wrong, ne?” Botan tried to smile, but the attempt fell woefully flat; the full lips trembled and the edges turned downward as the ferrygirl struggled to maintain her composure. The huge rose eyes filled with tears as the kimono-clad form shook with barely suppressed sobs. “She – she was right…I’m such a fool, ne? I should’ve known better…I’m just a ferrygirl. N-not good enough for him…” Botan covered her face with her hands.

Unsure of what to do, Takemi tentatively put an arm around Botan’s heaving shoulders, drawing her into a comforting embrace. Botan turned into the other woman, crying helplessly into her shoulder. “It – it hurts so m- much,” she whispered, sniffling. “Kami-sama, I didn’t know it would hurt s- so much!”

Letting her instincts guide her, Takemi gently rocked her friend, making soft, soothing noises as she did so. Haunted, her gold-flecked brown eyes stared blankly ahead, remembering a time when she had comforted another in a similar manner, and who’s death she still had nightmares about. [2]

Takemi squeezed her eyes shut, determinedly shoving those particular memories away. Botan needed her now; there would be time to brood over her own demons later. She let the blue-haired Spirit Guide cry herself out, Botan’s sobs gradually quieting to the occasional hitching breath.

“Better?” Takemi asked softly as Botan finally pulled away. Her concerned gaze took in her friend’s pale countenance; Botan looked that part of Death at the moment.

Botan sniffled and managed a watery smile. “Hai…either that or my stuffy nose is making me too lightheaded to care,” she joked, her naturally bubbly personality trying desperately to reassert itself.

‘Kemi had to smile; Botan had an inner strength that was a rare find. Koenma was lucky to have her. “He does, you know.” Botan looked at her quizzically. “Love you, I mean. Very much.”

Botan shook her head. “Iie…he doesn’t. He just sees me as a fr-friend and employee. Yuri was right.”

“Yuri?” Takemi asked sharply. “She’s talked to you about Koenma?” Things were starting to fall into place, and it looked like her hunch was correct.

“Un…she wanted to warn me so I wouldn’t get hurt,” she smiled grimly, “Demo, I did anyway.”

‘Kemi muttered something unintelligible.

“Nani?”

“Botan, you and Koenma are being manipulated,” Takemi told her friend seriously. “Kurama, Yuusuke, and Keiko were affected too…Shizuru thinks that a telepath is behind this. I think it’s Yuri.” The troubleshooter waited for her friend’s reaction.

She wasn’t disappointed. Botan’s eyes widened to almost comical proportions. “N-nani?” the ferrygirl asked, a quaver in her voice. “What do you mean?” She shook her head. “You don’t mean the *ferrygirl* Yuri, do you?”

“No? Right now I wouldn’t put it past her,” Takemi replied darkly. "I ran into her once before all this started. I should have listened to my instincts then." She shook her brown head in self-disgust.

"Iie…Takemi-san, Yuri's not a telepath," Botan told her friend. "All Spirit Guides are tested when they enter training. Yuri's never been a telepath."

"Then she's working with one," Takemi said grimly.

"We have to warn Koenma-sama!" Botan exclaimed, getting to her feet.

"Matte." Takemi held out a staying hand. "If we go charging in, Yuri's bound to realize that we know." Her eyes widened as a sudden thought occurred to her. "Oh no…I told Kazuma and Shizuru to go and warn aniki and the others about the telepath. As soon as they're shielded, that's it." Takemi rubbed her forehead. "Chikusho…I guess we've got no choice but to move now. Hopefully we can get to Koenma before Yuri and her partner realize it. C'mon!" She took off at a dead run toward the structure in the distance that was at the heart of the Reikai.

Botan summoned her oar and raced to catch up, her features set. She would never forgive herself if something happened to Koenma-sama.

* * *

"Keiko-san!"

Keiko looked up from the dishes she was clearing as Kuwabara's shrill summons reached her ears. The orange-haired youth appeared in the doorway of the restaurant, slightly stooped and panting from his exertions. "I have to talk to you…" he trailed off as he gasped for air. "But first…let me catch…my breath…"

Despite her depression, Keiko couldn't help but smile. "Kuwabara-kun, why don't you sit down?" she suggested, gesturing to a seat. The brown-haired girl turned towards the kitchen as the psychic did just that, collapsing gratefully into a chair. "What's so important that you raced all the way here?" she asked as she reemerged, wiping her hands on a towel.

"It's about you and Urameshi," Kuwabara said bluntly.

Keiko stiffened. "What about us?" she asked warily. She was still hurting from Yuusuke's words, and the last thing she needed was a reminder of that baka.

"Takemi thinks that the both of you are being controlled by a telepath." Kuwabara was serious, Keiko realized, her expressive brown eyes widening. "Na, think about it Keiko-san," Kuwabara urged. "When has Yuusuke ever done something so strange? He trusts you, everybody *knows* that!"

Keiko paused, thinking it over, some of her hurt and anger fading as she did so. It made sense. Yes, Yuusuke knew he could trust her; wasn't she the one he'd asked to help take care of his body when -

Keiko's mind shied away from the direction her thoughts were taking. Instead, she focused on Yuusuke's best friend as he fixed her with an earnest look. "I believe you," she said. "Demo…does Yuusuke know what's happening?"

Kuwabara shook his head. "Iie - I figured that I should tell you first before trying to explain anything to him." The young man grinned. "That, and I can shield you both at the same time…though it might take the two of us to get it through that thick skull of his."

Keiko laughed helplessly. "Hai," she agreed. "Yuusuke can be incredibly stubborn when he wants to be, ne?"

Kuwabara rose, motioning for Keiko to precede him out the door in a gentlemanly gesture. "That's an understatement if I ever heard one, Keiko- san."



Yuusuke opened the door to his apartment, his normally warm brown eyes giving nothing away as he looked from Kuwabara to Keiko. He noted the determined expression on Kuwabara’s face, and the nervous one on Keiko’s. Great, now his best friend had decided to get involved in his love life? Kuwabara couldn't even manage his own.

"May…may we come in, Yuusuke?" Keiko asked softly, almost shyly.

"Yeah…sure," Yuusuke replied automatically, thrown by Keiko's complete change of attitude and stunned by her softly shining eyes. He stepped back, holding the door wide open as he allowed Kazuma and Keiko to enter. The door swung closed behind him with a firm 'click'.

Minutes later, an enraged "Nani?!" rang through the apartment complex.

* * *

Unlike her brother, Shizuru decided to use the more direct method to inform Kurama and Hiei of their situation; she picked up the phone and dialed the couple’s number. The phone rang twice before Hiei’s deep voice answered. “Moshi moshi, Hiei…”



Kurama brushed mussed hair out of his face as he watched his lover’s face through eyes still slightly bleary from sleep. The other youkai’s dark tones rolled over him as Hiei responded to the caller with his usual monosyllabic answers. The lanky redhead yawned and rubbed at his eyes, resting his head on his arms and letting his gaze rove possessively over Hiei’s form from his place on the couch.

The youko frowned as Hiei’s body took on rigid lines, the fingers holding the receiver to his ear tightening in reaction to something the caller said. What would make the normally stoic fire demon respond like that?

Whatever it was, it must have been important, Kurama surmised as Hiei hung up and turned back to him, his expression grim. “Hiei?” he asked quietly.

“That was Shizuru,” he growled. The fire demon tilted Kurama’s face up, searching his gaze with his own fiery one.

“Hiei?”

The smaller youkai looked deeply into Kurama’s eyes. “Do you trust me fox?” he asked softly, the question carrying puzzling undertones.

“Of course,” Kurama replied, surprised.

Hiei nodded, and reached up to remove his headband. The Jagan’s light cast strange shadows on his lover’s features, highlighting the startled widening of Kurama’s eyes as the fire demon gently entered his mind. Careful not to hurt the fox, Hiei tracked down the oh-so-subtle link the telepath had forged with Kurama and dissolved it with a quick thrust of power.

Eyes blinking in bemused relief, Kurama smiled at his lover; he’d realized what was happening the moment Hiei had released him from the mental bond. “Arigatou, Hiei.”

“Hn.” Hiei looked searchingly into deep pools of green, trying to decipher their secrets. Satisfied that his lover would be fine for the moment he said, “C’mon, fox. We’re needed in the Reikai.”

“Hmm?” Kurama asked, swinging his long legs off the couch. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to put his unruly locks into some semblance of order.

“Takemi went to warn Koenma and Botan.” Hiei’s features darkened. “Now that we know that a telepath’s been behind this, he’ll go for the weakest link.”

Kurama nodded in understanding. “Koenma and Botan.”

“’Kemi won’t be able to defend them both for long on her own.”

Kurama frowned, rising. “Let’s go.”

A breeze from a now-open window was the youko’s only answer. Kurama left by the more conventional route no less swiftly, knowing that Hiei would be waiting for him at their usual Gating spot, far away from any prying eyes.

* * *

Hokori bit back a snarl of frustration as it felt its influence over its prey in the Ningenkai falter as the Kuwabaras began shielding Yuusuke and Keiko, while Hiei cut the links binding Kurama. The Tantei had discovered its doings too soon; it hadn’t had the opportunity to exert more direct control over the prince-brat of this dump Reikai. Hokori smirked; it would just have to kill Koenma now – a pity, really. There were various techniques it’d been eager to try on the prince to insure his slow, painful demise.

In a small corner of its mind, Hokori could hear the consciousness that was Yuri screaming in denial, trying desperately to resist. It – she, now that the youkai was wearing Yuri’s body – laughed coldly. “What’s wrong, Yuri?” she mocked. “Isn’t this what you wanted; to be with Koenma? Don’t worry…this face is the last one he’ll see.”

Yuri’s response was to beat helplessly against the mental cage she was imprisoned in, trying to regain control of her body. She couldn’t let Hokori kill Koenma-sama, she couldn’t!

“Oh no, my little ferrygirl,” Hokori murmured. “You wanted me to help you, and so I shall. Just sit back and relax. You’ll be joining Koenma shortly.” Yellow-black eyes filled with hate. “Koenma will regret the day he had me imprisoned.”

Smoothing down the folds of her kimono, Hokori noted how convenient the guise of a ferrygirl was; perhaps she’d keep this body afterwards. Her clothing arranged to her liking, Hokori smiled maliciously. /Let the show begin,/ she thought as she knocked softly on Koenma’s office door.

“Koenma-sama?” she called sweetly. “It’s Yuri.” Slowly, she opened the door. The prince’s toddler form greeted the youkai’s eyes, the godling chewing absently on his pacifier as he stared at something in his hands. “Koenma…sama?” Hokori repeated, angrily reminding herself that she had to act the part of a ferrygirl, a *underling* of Koenma’s.

The prince started guiltily, hastily putting the object face down on his desk. “Ah - hai! Nanda, Yuri-san,” Koenma asked, his voice remarkably even despite his initial surprise.

‘Yuri’ stepped forward, hands clasped demurely before her. “Koenma-sama, you look like you could use a break. The paperwork’s all caught up with at the moment, so…would you like to take a walk in the garden?”

Hokori watched in satisfaction as pain flashed briefly through Koenma’s eyes, visible even in his toddler form. It was obvious to anyone who bothered to look that the fool prince was smitten with the blue-haired bubblehead of a ferrygirl. From sifting through Koenma’s memories whilst the godling was asleep, Hokori knew of Koenma’s wish – she had based her manipulations on that memory and the insecurities attached. How ironic that the best place for ending this little soap opera was the place where it’d begun.

Putting on her best pleading expression, the shade-youkai turned beseeching eyes on Koenma. “Onegai? It’s such a beautiful day, and you do look like you could use some fresh air, Koenma-sama.” Hokori was deliberately trying to repeat how the prince had become involved with Botan, driving the knife edge of memory deeper with every word she spoke, then methodically twisting it in the wound. She loved every moment of it, especially how Koenma’s bronze eyes darkened with the bittersweet pain of memory. Mind games were so entertaining.

Koenma frowned, shaking his head. He couldn’t do it. The wound was too fresh, too raw. Maybe later, when time had healed it a bit, or maybe dulled the pain, at least, maybe then he’d be able to walk in the garden again. But not now. He opened his mouth to refuse.

“Koenma.” ‘Yuri’s’ strange yellow-black eyes snared his bronze ones, and Koenma found that he couldn’t say no. With a strange sense of detachment, he transformed into his older guise, allowing Yuri to lead him out of his office towards the garden. Muzzily, Koenma wondered why he was letting the violet-haired ferrygirl take him to a place that he didn’t want to go, but decided that it didn’t really matter. Yuri was trustworthy, wasn’t she? Demo…Koenma could have sworn that Yuri had had *blue* eyes.

* * *

Takemi sprinted through the hallway, Botan flying above her. Oni scrambled to get out of their way; if they couldn’t, Takemi went through them. There was no time to apologize.

Pushing rudely past a startled George, Takemi threw open the door to Koenma’s office, the wood connecting with the wall with a loud crack. She walked to the middle of the room and stopped, staring grimly at the empty desk before her. Beside her, Botan made a small noise of distress as she also took in the scene.

“Koenma-sama,” the ferrygirl whispered. “We’re too late…he never leaves his office at this hour.” Botan went to the prince’s desk, scanning its cluttered surface for a clue to Koenma’s whereabouts. Rose eyes alit on a picture frame lying face-down and partially hidden under the pile of papers. “Nani…?” Gingerly, the ferrygirl picked up the frame and turned it over. A startled gasp escaped her parted lips.

It was a picture of Botan, taken unawares. Captured in a moment of joyful relaxation, her wide rose eyes sparkled with laughter and life. A gentle breeze had caused her hair, for once not in its customary tail, to waft around her shoulders. Tendrils framed her face as she smiled at someone out of the picture. It was a picture that had been taken with a loving hand.

Takemi’s words on the riverbank came back to her. /He loves you, you know. Very much./ A tiny seed of hope began to unfurl in Botan’s breast; even though ‘Kemi had told her of Yuri’s hand in the destruction of their…relationship, Botan had still been unable to believe that Koenma truly cared for her in *that* way. Maybe…what Takemi said was true?

Botan cradled the framed picture to her breast, lifting shining rose eyes to meet understanding gold-flecked brown. Takemi’s expression was gentle. “He’s loved you for a long time now, Botan. He’s just very good at hiding his feelings.”

“Takemi-chan…” Botan murmured. She felt lightheaded and giddy, letting the seed of hope grow.

“C’mon,” Takemi said softly. “We have to find Koenma before it’s too late. She ran a hand through her hair. “Any ideas where they could be?”

“I – I don’t know…the Reikai’s a big place,” Botan said wearily, setting the picture back onto Koenma’s desk.

“Yuri’ll probably have lured Koenma to a secluded place. The Library, maybe?”

Botan shook her head. “Iie, the Library is used all the time, despite how empty it looks.”

Takemi sighed in frustration. “We don’t have time to search everywhere.” Her gaze fell on Koenma’s chair. “His video system.” Leaning over, she punched a few buttons, turning awkwardly to watch the screen on the far wall.

“Nothing,” Botan said. “Keep going.” She scanned the different angles and rooms as they changed until she spotted an achingly familiar form. “There!” she pointed to one of the scenes, recognizing the place. “They’re in the gardens,” she said, watching Koenma and Yuri walk through the lush greenery.

“Let’s go,” Takemi said firmly, pulling Botan towards the door. “The other’s will probably check here first, and they’ll be able to track us down after watching the screen.”

“Un!” Summoning her oar, the ferrygirl flew alongside her youkai friend, her knuckles white with tension. /Please,/ she prayed, /Let us get there in time./

* * *

In a daze, Koenma followed Yuri’s lead as she took the trail that passed the fountain and led to more secluded parts of the garden. Vaguely, he wondered why he was obeying her order to wait near the bubbling creation. The prince watched with a curious sense of detachment as the violet-haired ferrygirl held out her hands, chanting a – spell, he realized.

Koenma blinked, his head clearing as Yuri’s attention shifted to focus more on completing her spell. What was wrong with him? He concentrated on Yuri as her voice rose in a crescendo as she reached the climax of the spell. “Na – nani?” he managed to gasp out as the ground heaved beneath him, throwing him off his feet.

A huge, gaping chasm split the ground, widening so that Koenma could feel the bone-chilling drafts that came from the inky depths of the rift. With horror, the prince tried to edge farther away from the sharp drop into nothingness; it was just like the one in his dream… But no one knew of the Abyss, right? And yet…the proof was staring back at him. Koenma shook his head, brown hair falling into his face.

“Masaka…how did you call the Abyss? That knowledge was locked away!”

Yuri, free to concentrate on her prey once more, smiled slowly. “It’s amazing what sort of information one can find in unused parts of the Library, ne?” Reptilian yellow eyes glowed with an unholy light.

Koenma narrowed his bronze eyes. “Who are you?” he demanded.

‘Yuri’ laughed. “I really didn’t think you’d forget me that fast, Koenma,” she mocked, “Even if the guise is different.” The ferrygirl turned slowly, modeling. “Don’t you remember me yet? I’m wounded.” Yuri widened her yellow-black eyes in mock hurt. “After all, I only cost you a team of Reikai Elite. It’s a pity their Final Strike didn’t work.”

Staring into the icy orbs, Koenma knew. “Hokori,” he whispered. “How?”

Hokori gave a mocking half-bow. “Very good, Koenma.” It – she – looked at her hands thoughtfully. “This foolish girl set me free. You see, she let love blind her.” She saw the prince’s start of surprise. “Aa…you didn’t know?” she taunted. Hokori made at tsking noise. “You always were rather unobservant. How did you ever manage to catch me all those centuries ago?”

Koenma stared at the youkai, too stunned for words. Hokori was free and working with Yuri, who…loved him. A part of him that was still detached was screaming ‘wrong’.

“You know, I really think I’m going to keep this body after I’ve gotten rid of you. Nobody really suspects sweet innocent girls. The Tantei and that blue-haired bitch of yours will be easily dealt with.” Hokori licked her lips and smiled unpleasantly, her features distorted with evil.

“Matte!” Koenma said desperately, his mind racing to find a way out of the situation. “What have you done with Yuri?” He knew that she hadn’t been killed, so to speak. If she was still alive…

Yellow-black eyes glittered. “I wouldn’t pin your hopes too high, Koenma- *sama*,” Hokori sneered. “Yuri’s not going anywhere.” A slender finger tapped Hokori’s violet-topped head. “After all, I can’t have her running around, can I?” Hokori took a few steps in the prince’s direction before pausing, her stance one of a person who was listening.

“Hmm…it seems that Yuri’s doesn’t like my plans for you,” the youkai shrugged. “You can’t seem to please women. I *am* holding up my end of the bargain, though not quite how she had planned.” Clawlike fingers obtained a steel grip on Koenma’s arm, forcing him to move slowly toward the nothingness of the Abyss. “I told her I’d get you away from Botan.”

Koenma dug his heels in and resisted the telepath with all his strength. The youkai’s statement took him by surprise. “Nani?!” he exclaimed, his startlement enough to allow Hokori to push him a little closer to the edge.

“Don’t worry,” Hokori assured him, misunderstanding the shaken query. “Yuri will follow you soon after. I’m simply killing two birds with one stone.” Hokori moved to shove the prince forward, but this time, Koenma was ready.

Takemi's words from long ago fluttered at the edges of his memory. /Try to use your opponent's momentum against him. It's the easiest way to defend yourself./ Ducking under Hokori's arms, Koenma dove to the side, lashing out with his leg and tripping the youkai. He scrambled away, throwing dignity to the winds as he concentrated on putting some distance between himself and Hokori. He kept a wary eye on the youkai as she got to her feet.

Hokori snarled, her features twisting. "Fool," she spat, "You're only delaying the inevitable. There's no one to help you out of this." She advanced, hands reaching for him, her fingers curled like claws.

Koenma scuttled back a few more feet. Suddenly, Hokori froze in midmotion. "N-nani?" she choked out, her expression shocked.

Though he knew that he should be using this opportunity to escape, Koenma found himself staring at the youkai with a twisted sort of fascination. Hokori seemed to be fighting a war within herself, the struggle mirrored on Yuri's features. The youkai looked like it - she - was losing to the unseen force.

Hokori had pressed both palms to her ears as if trying to block out her foe. She shuddered, groaning as if in agony. Belatedly, Koenma began a cautious retreat, unsure of what was happening.

"Koenma-sama?" the piteous query startled him, and the prince raised his eyes to meet wet cornflower blue. Yuri stared back at him, her gaze haunted. She held up her hands in supplication. "Yurushite onegai[3]…I can't control it! Hokori's too powerful!" she sobbed.

"Koenma-sama!"

Koenma turned slightly as Botan and Takemi rushed into view. "Get away from Yuri!" Botan cried in warning.

"Botan…" Yuri whispered, her gaze fixing on the head ferrygirl as she and Takemi came to a halt beside the prince. She noted the way Koenma shifted minutely, trying to move in front of the bluehaired death. Trying to protect the on who had captured the only thing she'd ever wanted - and could never have. In a single moment of clarity, Yuri made her decision.

Slowly, she began to back away from the trio, feeling Hokori battering at her psyche as the youkai strove to regain control of her body. /No,/ she said silently. /I won't let you hurt him./ Hokori roared in anger, its renewed struggles causing Yuri's slow retreat to falter. She stumbled and regained her balance, wavering on her feet. Just a little farther…

Her eyes flickered and bled to yellow-black, Hokori's desperation allowed it to wrest control of Yuri's body from the ferrygirl. With a feral hiss, the youkai flung a mental bolt at Botan and Takemi. It would take Koenma down, at least! It just had to get the two females out of the way.

"Botan!" Koenma shouted as the ferrygirl cried out in pain. Beside her, Takemi was on her knees, cringing under the onslaught. Koenma clutched at his beloved's shoulders as Botan collapsed, sobbing.

Wincing through the blinding agony shooting through her skull, Takemi looked up to see Hokori readying another mental attack. Acting purely on instinct she erected a kekkai around Botan just in time, pouring as much youki as she could into the shield. The attack rebounded, striking her squarely. As she succumbed to unconsciousness, Takemi reflected that she was just as prone to foolish acts of self-sacrifice as ever. Then the pain overwhelmed her and she slipped into darkness.

Yuri beat at Hokori with mental 'hands', screaming helplessly. /No! Yamete!/ She saw that the youkai had turned its attention back to Koenma. From deep within herself, Yuri found hereto unknown reserves of strength. /I. Won't. Let. You./ She threw Hokori's personality back, barricading it behind layer upon layer of walls and shields. Hokori roared with anger, making Yuri fight for each step backwards. Just a little farther…

Koenma looked up from where he cradled Botan, meeting her blue gaze and realizing what Yuri intended to do. “Yuri, dame!” He lowered Botan to the ground and started forward, his hand coming up to stop her.

“Stay back!” Yuri ordered. “Please…stay back.” A few more steps… It was getting harder to keep moving toward the edge of the Abyss; Hokori’s will to live was strong. Her eyes flickered between blue and yellow-black as the youkai fought for its survival. One more step…

Yuri gave Koenma a wobbly smile, her eyes drinking in a final glimpse of the man she loved. “Yurushite onegai,” she choked out. Cornflower blue looked over his shoulder to meet rose.

“Yuri!” Koenma yelled, rushing forward. He barely registered Botan’s own cry as he tried to stop the violet-haired ferrygirl.

She stepped over the edge.

“Yuri!” Heedless of the danger, Koenma dove forward. He skidded on his stomach to hang over the edge of the Abyss, managing to grab Yuri’s hand in a desperate bid. Bracing himself as best he could, he gritted his teeth and hung on. “Come on,” he bit out. He could feel his tenuous grip on Yuri slipping. Then Botan was there, her own hand outstretched.

“Yuri-san!” she lay on her stomach next to Koenma, her eyes filled with fear. “Grab my hand!”

Yuri hung there limply, her eyes glimmering as tears slid down her cheeks. It was getting too painful to hold Hokori back for much longer. “I’m so sorry…be happy together…please…” She looked up at Botan and gave her a wavering smile. “Take care of Koenma-sama.”

Latching on to Koenma’s forearm with her free hand, Yuri yanked as hard as she could. With a grunt, the prince slid further over the edge. Botan gasped and instinctively moved to anchor him, diverting her attention from Yuri. Using her grip on Koenma’s forearm for leverage, Yuri pulled hard, wrenching her other hand from the prince’s hold. She batted away Koenma’s grasping hand, swaying slightly.

“Yuri no!”

The violet-haired ferrygirl felt a strange calm descend upon her as she hung suspended; it silenced Hokori’s howls of desperation with it’s strength. Yuri closed her eyes…and let go.

Koenma lunged forward, trusting Botan to anchor him as his hands scrabbled at air, trying to save Yuri. He felt himself start to slide over the edge as he stared numbly into the darkness of the chasm below. From within its depths, he heard a despairing howl and knew that it had come from Hokori. Dimly, he heard Botan’s panicked cry to Takemi, and felt two pairs of hands hauling him back out of the chill of the Abyss.

Slim arms were thrown about his neck as Botan held him tightly, her body shaking. Automatically Koenma brought his hands up to return the embrace, noting dazedly that he was trembling as well. Botan was whispering something in his ear; it took him several moments for the words to register through his shock.

“…suki…dai suki, Koenma-sama,” Botan repeated, the words a mantra and a soothing balm to his frayed emotions.

Koenma closed his eyes and held her, determinedly pushing aside everything else; reality would rear its ugly head all too soon. For now, he wanted to forget.

He heard the pounding of footsteps on the path and Takemi’s query, her normally smooth alto shaky. Koenma opened his eyes and saw Kurama and Hiei behind her. Their expressions bore varying degrees of surprise…and approval. He stroked Botan’s silky blue hair. “Daijoubu?” he whispered. Botan nodded slightly, her tremors having stopped. Koenma smiled; Botan was stronger than she looked. “C’mon.”

As he pulled Botan to her feet, he felt an icy chill hit his back. He glanced over his shoulder, frowning at the Abyss. He would have to take care of that; maybe he should burn the book containing the summoning spell. He could hear Takemi as she briefly related to her brother and Hiei what she knew. Holding Botan, he walked away, his two Tantei following after a moment’s pause.





Kurama threw his sister a worried look, Takemi catching it. She smiled stiffly. “Tell Koenma I’ll take care of the Abyss,” she told her brother hollowly. Her eyes said all she needed to say.

Understanding that she wanted to be alone, Kurama nodded and left with Hiei.

Staring at the Abyss, Takemi clenched her hands into fists as memories of another loss assailed her. Her stomach heaved, and she stumbled over to a bush, barely making it before it emptied its contents. She knelt there gasping, trying to compose herself.

After she had regained a measure of control, she rose and went to the cheerfully bubbling fountain, the thing ignorant of what it had been witness to. Dipping a handkerchief into the water, Takemi wiped her mouth, grimacing. Reluctantly she turned to face the Abyss, suppressing a shudder. She had, after all, promised Koenma that she would take care of it.

The eerie sound of wind where there shouldn’t have been sent shivers up and down her spine; it was a sound that haunted her dreams. Gritting her teeth, Takemi forced herself to walk stiffly to the yawning darkness, tossing in her handkerchief with a flick of her wrist. Grimly, she chanted the words to the spell she wished she’d never had the misfortune to learn.

Once more the earth shuddered, sealing the rift and returning the Abyss to its not-place in the universe. Takemi looked away as the ground rejoined, the sound resounding in her ears and through the quiet of the garden. She sighed, running a hand over her face before turning away. Haunted. That’s what she was. No matter how hard she tried, she still hadn’t gotten over the events that had turned her from counselor to troubleshooter. She couldn’t fully get on with her life.

Takemi shoved her hands into her pockets as she trudged away. Maybe it was good that she hadn’t forgotten the pain of loss. After all, she was still doing penance – would do it for the rest of her life. Self-destructive yes, but she couldn’t stop it.

Pausing at the exit to the garden, Takemi took a steadying breath. The real world awaited beyond the ornately wrought gate, and she had to put her best foot forward. Plastering a slight smile on her face, Takemi went to congratulate her two friends on their happiness. It was the least she could do.




In a far corner of the garden, a shadow moved.

 

****

Author's Notes:

[1] takes place in Where Fire Walked the Earth

[2] from Takemi’s intro fic (unwritten)

[3] ‘Yurushite onegai’ – please forgive me