Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Barriers That Shatter ❯ Chapter Three ( Chapter 3 )

Barriers that Shatter

 

Chapter Three

By: calikocat/LemonKitty

Word Count: 3,439

 

*Disclaimer* I own nothing YuYu Related, but Zakura and Soukie are mine. I'm Just amusing myself with things that could happen.

 

XXX

 

Outside the village of the Rurousha Tribe was a cemetery. As cemeteries went it was well kept, the villager's care and affection for some of their ancestors widely apparent by the polished stones. Farther away from the village were several mass graves that needed no marking.

 

In the midst of this scene of stone and graves was a splash of color and life. In her pink kimono she stood out like a flamingo among penguins.

 

As he approached her he wondered how Mukuro knew that Botan would be here. He had thought it rather odd that the bionic woman would know the whereabouts of Reikai's number one Ferry Girl. Out of the blue she'd walked up to him and told him he'd find Botan in the cemetery outside the Rurousha Village, near the edge of territory. She had never lied to him before, nor had she a reason too. Curious as to why she would even mention Botan's presence in Makai he went to see for himself. And Botan was indeed there, knelt in front of one of the better kept graves.

 

Before he could get close though another demon made his presence known, and his appearance stopped Hiei in his tracks.

 

By his clothing with it's crests and symbols he was easily recognizable as a member of the Rurousha tribe. But his likeness to that of Rekai's top Ferry Girl could not be explained away by mere coincidence.

 

As the newcomer approached Botan's kneeling form, the woman yet to acknowledge him, the master of the Jagan looked on in wonder.

 

The Rurousha's hair was a darker shade of blue than the woman's, with a few lighter strands here and there. But his eyes, though filled with malice, were the same tint as Botan's.

 

“Back again I see.” He snarled at her, eyes narrowing viciously.

 

“I am.” She made no move to look at him, keeping her eyes closed, her head bowed and her hands together in prayer as she continued to kneel in front of the grave.

 

“You're not welcome here.”

 

“I know.” Still she made no move to rise.

 

He growled and bared his teeth at her. “Then why do you keep coming back?”

 

“I have a right to visit our Mother.”

 

With a roar he reached for her, about to grab her and more than likely harm her. Before he could though he was more than a little shocked to find a sword at his throat, and his pink eyes widened in fear. He'd been so lost in his hate that he'd never even noticed Hiei, though he'd been standing in plain sight. The fool only had his eyes on Botan.

 

“Hiei!”

 

Regaining some of his composure the unknown demon sneered at her. “Is this your mate bitch? He looks like the kind of dog you'd go for, someone without honor, who disregards tradition.”

 

“One more word and it will be your last.” Hiei growled.

 

Botan sighed and threw her hands up in the air in defeat. “I swear, every year it's the same thing. I can't come see Mother in peace, someone always has to bother me.” She glared at both demons. “Let him go Hiei. He won't kill me. Last time he tried I knocked him unconscious with my Oar.” She rolled her eyes. “You'd think he'd learn by now.”

 

“Who is he?” His glare never wavered at the newcomer.

 

“My older brother.”

 

Hiei jerked in surprise and nearly sent the demon's head rolling, said demon squawked in fear and managed to back away. The fire demon turned a stunned face to her. “What?”

 

“Certainly you can see the resemblance Hiei, with us having the same eyes and everything.”

 

“You are a Ferry Girl, you are from Reikai…how are you related to him?”

 

“She is not related to me! That bitch is nothing but a worthless murderer!” The demon screamed in frustration.

 

Hiei looked at him, how stupid was this fool, Botan wasn't strong enough to kill anyone, and she'd never have the drive to do something like that. He wondered if he should just go ahead and put the idiot out of his misery.

 

“Oh shut up Shitate.”

 

“How dare you speak to me that way! You-“ The demon now known as Shitate never had a chance to finish his words, for Botan had summoned her handy-dandy-whacking device and whapped him over the head.

 

She huffed at him. “Go back to the village Shitate.”

 

Shitate looked up at his younger sister, at the determined set of her shoulders, and more importantly the oar she rested across them. “I don't understand why.” He finally managed to murmur.

 

“Why what?” She looked down at him; completely unafraid, gone was the sniffling girl he remembered.

 

“Why do you come back here? If the elders knew they would…you know what would happen.” He glared at her.

 

Botan sighed. “The elders can't touch me. I am Reikai's number one Ferry Girl, and Koenma-sama's personal assistant. Any attack on me is seen as an attack on Koenma, and the Rurousha tribe is too small and weak to attract that kind of trouble. The elders know this; they know I come here once a year. By our ancestors Shitate, why do you think I became a Ferry Girl?”

 

Shitate continued to glare at her. “How the hell should I know what goes on in your head?!”

 

Botan glared back. “Being a Ferry Girl gives me some security and leeway. I can come here whenever I want and I'm safe. Being on good terms with Mukuro is a bonus.” She looked at him sadly. “I'm sorry things turned out as they did. But you can't hate me forever. Someday you will find a mate, and when the time comes the two of you will be faced with the same situation that Mother faced. Now go, we'll talk again when you stop acting like such a child.”

 

He scrambled up, his eyes never leaving her. “You're still a bitch.”

 

“Sometimes.”

 

“I still hate you.”

 

“That's fine.”

 

He turned his back on her, but his whispered words were still heard. “But you are my sister…and our Mother loved you.” Then he walked away slowly, never looking back.

 

Hiei blinked, what the hell had that been about he wondered as Botan put away her oar and sank to her knees. Her shoulders slumped and she seemed weary, as if the weight of the three worlds rested on her slim frame.

 

“Will you sit with me a while Hiei?”

 

“Hn.” In a second his sword was sheathed and he was beside her on the ground, his legs crossed. He waited in silence for her to say something else. Though after a while he grew impatient and grunted at her to get her attention, Mukuro wasn't expecting him back any time soon, but he'd rather not stay there all day.

 

“Feel like a story?”

 

He frowned. “I'd rather have an explanation.”

 

“That's part of the story.”

 

“Whatever, do as you like.”

 

“What do you know about the Rurousha tribe?” She asked; her loose hair hung down, hiding her face.

 

“Not much. Mukuro would know more than me, it's her territory after all…why?”

 

“I guess in a way they're like the Koorime, some children aren't wanted.” Crimson eyes narrowed at her words, what did the woman know about unwanted children. But when she lifted her head up, there were tears in her eyes, those tears kept him from leaving. “I'm one of those children.” She managed to maintain eye contact as she spoke. “Among the Rurousha tribe, only the first born are kept. Any other children are abandoned or killed, this is an ancient practice from times when the tribe was nomadic and food was sometimes scarce. It's a practice that should have been dropped centuries ago, but they've done it for so long they simply can't imagine not doing it.” A few tears slid down her cheeks. “My parents already had a child, Shitate…but Mother became pregnant again and was happy. She missed having a baby to hold, and she'd heard that human women often had many children around them. The idea struck her as a nice one and that's what she wanted, a home full of children.”

 

“But when she told Father he became enraged; he tried to feed her some herbs that would abort the pregnancy. But she refused, and he tied her up and went to the elders to report her crime. Shitate was still very small at the time, but he managed to loosen Mother's bonds. He didn't know what was going on, and was scared at Father's actions. Mother, seeing no other choice grabbed him and fled from the village, she had always been known for her speed and the warriors had trouble keeping up with her. Her only hope was to leave the territory as soon as possible, and the closest exit was a small portal into Rekai.”

 

“The portal was in sight and she was running for all she was worth, Shitate still in her arms. But running like that for days wears on a person, especially a woman who is expecting, and traveling with a small child. She was only a dash away from entering the portal, only two ogres were standing guard. But the next thing she knew Shitate wasn't in her grasp and she had already run passed the guards. When she tried to turn back the guards inside the portal had already grabbed her, placing her under arrest for entering Rekai illegally. When she looked through the portal, Father stood on the other side of the, Shitate in his arms, and he looked at her with hate in his eyes. Then he simply walked away, ignoring Shitate's cries for Mother.”

 

Hiei stared at the woman who was still meeting his gaze, Rekai's top Ferry Girl was a demon, it was a lot to take in. But he knew there was more. Gently he put his hand on her shoulder and nodded, encouraging her to go on.

 

“King Enma pardoned her illegal entry into Reikai, I still don't know why and Mother never told me. He made her an employ, but had her abilities sealed away, when I was born I received the same seal. But she was so happy to keep me that she was okay with it. She did her best and worked hard as an aide in the palace, slowly working her way to that of a lower ranking Ferry Girl.” Botan's breath hitched and her voice wavered.

 

“We were happy, though sometimes her eyes became sad, mostly when she told me about my brother. Then, when she was on a mission to find a soul that had wandered away she ran into a few warriors from the tribe. They recognized her and attacked, she never had a chance with her abilities sealed away, and they killed her.” Botan looked over her shoulder, breaking eye contact for the first time since beginning her story. Her gazed landed on the polished stone of her Mother's grave.

 

“The first time I came here to mourn they nearly killed me too; I was still a child and didn't really understand why they hated me so. But a member of Enma's elite forces had followed me and got me away in time. Later I learned that the villagers blamed me for Mother's death. If she had just given me up, or taken those herbs she'd still be alive. That's why Shitate hates me so much. But what hurts the most, is that deep inside those eyes that are like mine, I can see the sweet little boy that she always talked about.” She turned back to look at Hiei. “After hearing about him I always wanted to meet my brother. Foolish of me wasn't it.”

 

She was shaking now. “I had to work harder than any other Ferry Girl, a worthless sealed demon drudging through the ranks. But once I got to the top, as Koenma's assistant no less, I was free to travel across the worlds. I was able to come back here and visit Mother's grave.”

 

“The only reason you became a Ferry Girl was so that you could come here? Where you know they hate you.” Hiei was dumbfounded.

 

“Mother is here…and when I come to see her I can count on Shitate coming to yell at me.” She smiled sadly. “When I'm here, it's the only time I get to see my brother that Mother loved so much.”

 

Hiei gave her the barest of smiles and pulled her into his lap, just in time too as the dam had broken and her tears were flowing freely, completely unchecked. “You're stronger than I gave you credit for.”

 

Botan snorted and nearly choked; when she could speak again her voice was strained. “Some strength, I can't even drag up the courage to tell Koenma all this.”

 

“The infant doesn't know?”

 

She shook her head. “No…I want to tell him, but…”

 

Hiei rolled his eyes and tapped her on the forehead lightly. “A woman who can beat her own brother with an oar, and pour her heart out to the Forbidden Child has trouble telling her employer about her past?”

 

Botan whapped the top of his head with her hand, he was somewhat thankful she hadn't summoned her oar. “Idiots, all men are idiots. I've been in love with Koenma for years, that's why it's so hard to tell him. I'm not sure if Enma would want him to know…since I'm a sealed demon.” She sighed and buried her face in his cloak.

 

“Will you ever tell him?”

 

“Maybe.”

 

“Idiot.”

 

“Shut up Hiei.”

 

xxx

 

Botan shook her head, as if to rid it of her memory of that day, the day she'd told Hiei about her past. He'd truly surprised her by sitting still long enough to listen to her, and had only surprised her further by holding her when she cried. She figured it was because of his own rough beginning that he could sympathize with her at all.

 

Since then he would appear from time to time to sit with her, the two of them sharing long moments of silence or talking a little. Once Hiei had even confided in her a secret, knowing she'd keep it. And for years she had, until only recently. But she still knew she was right in her decision to share what she knew with Koenma.

 

She looked up, shaken to the here and now as three familiar aura's entered the building, they had arrived safely, with relief she stood and waited for them to enter the room. Koenma stood beside her, a worried look on his face.

 

“Are you alright Botan?”

 

“I'm fine.”

 

The Junior Lord of the Dead didn't believe her for a minute. While she'd been lost in thought her face had contorted to something that could only be old grief. The old pain washing over her features worried him. But before he could question her further their visitors walked into the room and Koenma made them the priority of the moment.

 

“We weren't expecting you to be so fast.”

 

Hiei shrugged. “Shizuru knew I was coming, they had already started packing.”

 

Koenma nodded, the scene before him looking bizarre yet at the same time normal. Kuwabara and Hiei were both laden down with back packs more than likely filled with what was deemed necessary, they looked like they going on a camping trip. A pair of blue eyes peeked around Kuwabara's leg at him, Koenma smiled.

 

“You must be Soukie; Botan just finished telling me about you. I'm Koenma.”

 

Soukie nodded at him and slowly ventured further out from behind her father. However, once Botan smiled at her the little girl grew braver and practically bounced across the room to the Grim Reaper so that she could hug her.

 

“Hey there Soukie-chan, have you been good?” Botan lifted the child up as she embraced her.

 

Soukie smiled and soaked in the embrace. “Yup.”

 

As Koenma watched; something in his heart lurched at the sight of Botan embracing a child. He'd never seen her like this before, and decided the look of a mother suited her.

 

“Koenma?”

 

The Prince blinked and looked toward Kuwabara. “Sorry, what is it?”

 

“How long will this arrangement last? I'm not exactly worried about it, but a time frame would be nice.”

 

Koenma looked thoughtful for a moment. “I'm not sure. The cult leader is exceptionally crafty and has hid their base of operations well. Our information on them is extremely limited. I've yet to discover how they're slipping passed our radar.”

 

“However they're doing it, they're doing it well. He was attacked again today.” Hiei tilted his head to the side. “They're good.”

 

Koenma nodded. “I know.”

 

Kuwabara emitted a weary sigh. “You'll keep us posted?”

 

“Yes, Botan will act as messenger to keep you updated on any changes in the investigation.”

 

“Just who will be investigating?” Hiei asked.

 

Botan smiled, Soukie now balanced on her hip. “Touya has been our main investigator. But word has been sent to Kurama and Yusuke, so we'll have a three-man team.”

 

Koenma ran a hand through his hair. “We've also contacted Chu and Rinku. Once we know more about the cult we hope to infiltrate.”

 

“That'll be dangerous.” Kuwabara frowned, blue eyes taking on a worried air.

 

“That's where Chu and Rinku come in. They're strong, but not as well known in the human realm.”

 

“As long as everyone is careful, those guys don't like taking no for an answer.” Kuwabara grimaced, laying a hand on his sore ribs.

 

Botan looked at him with worry as she swayed back and forth rocking Soukie to sleep. “Are you hurt Kuwa-chan?”

 

“Not too bad, if Hiei hadn't shown up when he did, it would have gotten ugly.” He smiled. “I'll be okay; I heal pretty quick you know.”

 

She nodded, but turned her gaze to Hiei. “Take good care of them.”

 

Hiei met her eyes and returned the nod, and in that moment of eye contact he knew she'd told Koenma, but he wasn't overly bothered by it. Botan walked towards him and deposited a dozing Soukie into the fire demon's arms.

 

“Hiei-“ But before she could apologize for breaking her word Hiei smirked.

 

“Everything will be fine; you have nothing to worry over.”

 

She sighed and leaned over to kiss his cheek, whispering something into his ear. He nodded.

 

“Good luck.”

 

“You too.”

 

Koenma and Kuwabara looked at one another in surprise and confusion, with a bit of jealousy on Koenma's part. Seeing the barest hint of possessiveness in the immortal's gaze Kuwabara cleared his throat.

 

“So, you can open a portal to Mukuro's castle?”

 

Botan straightened and smiled at Kuwabara as she brushed some of Soukie's hair away from the sleeping girl's face. “Yes.” She sighed. “I suppose I should get to it, since Soukie-chan is already asleep.” The Ferry Girl stepped away from them and closed her eyes. She stood straight, her feet planted firmly on the tiled floor, with her arms stretched out; the palms of her hands facing away from her. Suddenly a large circle of energy appeared a short distance from her. It was like looking through a window with a view of Mukuro's throne room.

 

“Take care.” Botan smiled as Hiei nodded before stepping through, Soukie still sleeping in his arms. Kuwabara waved at them and followed his comrade to the Makai. A second later the Portal was gone and the Grim Reaper let out a sigh.

 

“Thank you for you help Botan, I'll be in my office if you need me.” Koenma's voice was brisk as he tried to make a hurried exit. He was still upset by the tender moment between Reikai's top Ferry Girl and the Forbidden Child that he wasn't thinking properly. It would be best to make a hasty retreat before he did something stupid and make a fool of himself.

 

“Koenma.”

 

He slowed and eventually stopped when he reached the doorway. “You don't have to explain anything.”

 

Though the Prince of Reikai couldn't see it Botan was rolling her eyes at him. “Actually, I have some things I need to tell you…Hiei and I aren't involved, he's practically a brother. We're only kindred spirits.

 

Koenma looked over his shoulder at her in confusion. “What?”

 

She motioned for him to come closer. “I've already told you Hiei's secrets. It's only fair I tell you some of mine.” Botan gave him a sad smile and took hold of his hands once he was in front of her. “I'm not just a Ferry Girl.”

 

XXX