Yuu Yuu Hakusho / Souryuden crossover
Glass: Shards

	- by Melissa Koh [safyre@jade-court.darkgod.net] -
	- website: http://safyre.tsx.org -


Version 1.0: Botan


They were the Dragon Kings. They were going to be the cause of 
great destruction. How many times did I have to remind myself not 
to get into trouble? Why did every oath that I take seem to fade 
away into dust each time I hoped for something different?

I sighed inwardly and gazed distractedly at my bare feet. 
Standing in the rain was not an idea worth having, particularly 
if you weren't prepared in the first place. I learnt my lesson 
the hard way, and I was paying the price. Dressed in oversized 
clothes, without shoes and completely at the mercy of the Dragon 
Kings. 

<Or at least two of them,> I thought wryly, and looked up, only 
to lock gazes with the Red Dragon King. He smiled, almost 
predatory, eyes narrowing but focused on one person: me. Had it 
been in any other situation, I would have been flattered to the 
extent of blushing, maybe even amused by his attentions. But I 
wasn't, not in the least bit, because I *knew*. Knew the reason 
behind this scrutiny.

When was I going to learn never to look for trouble in the face? 
I had been drifting in and out of trouble ever since I became a 
Reikai Investigator Assistant, not that I didn't just by being a 
Reikai Guide. But this was ridiculous. I didn't ask to be trapped 
with the Dragon Kings, no matter how alluring or seductive they 
were. I had enough problems as it was and the prospect of facing 
Koenma-sama's wrath was not particularly desirable. Even if he 
said nothing about conversing with them.

I sighed again, hoping that this minute conversation would not 
turn ugly. Then again, they were dragons. Eastern Dragons were 
notorious for their temper. As long as I did not provoke them, I 
should be safe, though how safe was another question entirely.

I knew I should have gone to China with Yuusuke and the rest. 
Koenma-sama was right. I deserved a long vacation. China would be 
a nice place to spend the entire month's vacation; picturesque 
scenery, cool country air, peace from the chaos that was taking 
over Japan, and unlimited shopping. Buy a souvenir or two when I 
get home. Maybe I'd even find something suitable for Hinageshi's 
birthday.

But it was too late, as usual. There was nothing new about it. 
The ingenious Botan had once again made a complete ass of herself 
by forsaking a free trip to China just to remain in Tokyo, to 
look after things, she said. Well, look what sort of trouble she 
got herself into?

I wondered how I was going to pull myself out of this 
interrogation unscathed. Fake a breakdown? Crying wouldn't solve 
my problems, not with them as deep as they were. I wasn't 
entirely innocent either. The Dragon Kings need not have to know 
who I was. Just by reading my body language was enough to 
convince them that I knew too much to be harmless.

I knew I should have gone to China.

The Blue Dragon King said something I couldn't quite catch. I 
guessed my expression said as much when he frowned, and repeated 
himself.

"Who are you?"

I stifled an exasperated cry. This was the fifth time he had 
asked since he first laid eyes on me. And I was getting pretty 
tired of answering the same question for the fifth time. Never 
mind I hadn't provided much except my name, but he did not have 
to repeat the question like he had never asked them before.

I privately swore, at the back of my mind, that if he asked me 
the exact same question again, I would smack him on the head with 
my oar, even if he was a Dragon King. Forget about Dragon Kings! 
I wasn't even a subject of Tenkai, even if my parents were, and I 
definitely did not have to put up with this.

Plastering a forced---not to mention very fake---smile, I replied 
coolly, "Botan. I am Botan." 

Hajime---the Blue Dragon King---exchanged a look with his 
brother---Tsuzuku. 

"Botan-san," began Tsuzuku.

"Botan, if you please," I smiled as warmly as I could, which was 
about the temperature outside. The rain continued to fall, a 
gentle, rhythmic strumming against the roof and the window panes. 
It was a pleasant enough distraction from the Dragon Kings, but 
not enough. Not when they sat in front of me, scrutinising at me 
as though I was some sort of strange experiment.

<Should have gone to China,> I reminded myself again, lifting my 
head to gaze straight at the auburn-haired youth.

Tsuzuku coughed, politeness on his part. 

"Botan," he stressed on my name, particularly the last syllable. 
An ominous feeling washed over me like a tsunami. 

<Not good. Definitely. Not. Good.>

He smiled dangerously, nevertheless, seductively against the soft 
light. Just like Kurama when he was in a youko-ish mood. In a 
*bad* youko-ish mood. My stomach churned. Next chance I had, 
China would be my destination.

"Who---are you working for? The Four Sisters? Gozen? Who?"

Breathing in deeply, I counted to ten, not trusting myself to 
speak. I wondered if they ever interrogated someone who wouldn't 
speak. Probably not. They knew little of their heritage as it 
was. Gozen professed to Koenma-sama that he, the great, 
invincible Gozen---I wondered how great and invincible he was 
when he died---revealed the legend of the Dragon Kings to the 
Eldest Son. Hajime didn't take notes, and only believed as much 
when the Black Dragon King awakened.

If only he had taken Gozen's words seriously. Then maybe, just 
maybe, less deaths would have occurred. 

But Destiny was something not to be trifled with. Taking destiny 
into one's hands did not make things any better, only worse. 
Well, at least 'destiny' showed Yuusuke the way to become one of 
the greatest Reikai Investigators of all time. Even if he were 
the second generation of investigators, all his contributions 
would go down in history. I think. 

After all, it wasn't everyday when a mazoku was both a Makai Lord 
and a Reikai Investigator, much less a good friend of Koenma-
sama.

"No one whom you should be concerned about," I said. I wasn't 
lying; Koenma-sama certainly wasn't going to bother them, and 
neither should I, until they cornered me. Gripping the mug 
tightly, I brought it to my lips, barely tasting the warm liquid. 
Distantly, I noted that someone had added a little too much 
sugar. I rolled the taste in my mouth. A bitter tinge, but milky. 
And aromatic. Not bad for coffee but Kurama's rose tea was 
better. Refreshing to boot.

Tsuzuku smiled forcefully. "Oh, but everyone who wants us is 
worth our concern. After all, we can't afford to disappoint them, 
ne?"

"Want you?" I heard myself repeat blankly. The mug was warm to 
touch. Certainly better than the cold that awaited outside. 

They did not respond, only observing me in that unnerving manner. 
How many people had broken-down just because of those stares? 
Cold, calculating. Most unnerving. I didn't like it at all. Then 
again, there was nothing about the Dragon Kings that I liked.

<Prejudiced, eh?> whispered an inner voice. Or rather, the saner 
side of myself. The one I tried to smother half the time. Not 
always, but being sane all the time would drive me nuts, sooner 
or later. Handling the Urameshi Team was even worse. They could 
drive even the best psychiatrist insane in just one session. 

<There was a time when you actually liked one of them...> 

<Oh, be quiet!> I hissed fiercely. It was a long time ago, an 
affair that should be forgotten. 

Especially now that I had a duty to protect the people whom I 
cared about. Yuusuke, Kurama, Kuwa-kun, *Hiei* and the others. 
Hinageshi. She was so young...she didn't deserve to be thrown 
into this sort of chaos. Not until she was older.

<Your meaning of 'older' is when she's a millennia older than she 
is now, and even then, you'll still think of her as a child. Will 
she ever grow up?> mocked the inner voice.

I created imaginary doors and slammed the voice out, before it 
drove the last shards of my sanity into insanity.

"Anou...I think you have it all wrong..." I said, attempting to 
clear the confusion. Koenma-sama would never forgive me for 
misleading them.

They levelled me cool gazes.

"What do we have wrong?"

"You see, I'm actually a Reikai Ferry Guide." Looks of disbelief 
stole across their faces. I sighed to myself. This was going to 
be a long, long evening. I stared beyond the horizon. Though 
clouds blocked out most of the sun, it was evident that dusk had 
yet to come. I turned to look at the Dragon Kings. Stony faces 
greeted me.

The urge to summon my oar and whack them over the heads with it 
was hard to repress. Instead, I buried my face in my hands, 
whispering:

"I don't believe this. Even Yuusuke understands better than these 
people..."

Then again, they weren't people, were they?


*		*		*		*		*	


Version 1.1: Tsuzuku


We remained silent, even after she finished her speech. She 
stared at us expectantly, hands folded primly on her lap.

"Do you understand now?"

Niisan took in a deep breath. I could almost hear him count to 
three, before letting out his breath. He didn't believe her 
words, but he couldn't very well call her a liar. Not when she 
wore that serious look on her face. Besides, he had demanded the 
truth from her, and in her eyes, this was the truth.

Once upon a time, I would have called her delusional and laughed 
in her face. But so much had happened within such a short span of 
time: hunted down by unknown enemies, wanted for our dragon 
blood, and finding out that we were the reincarnations of the 
Four Dragon Kings weren't jokes or make-believe. I no longer knew 
what was truth and what was fantasy.

I stared at her, noting that her fists were clenched, so tightly 
that the veins throbbed violently against her fair skin. Yet, her 
face was an expressionless mask, robbed of emotions and thoughts, 
almost as though she had locked herself up inside, awaiting 
judgement before stepping out. 

Niisan was right. There was something familiar about her. If only 
I could remember what it was, then perhaps, the mystery would be 
solved. Was she a friend or a foe? Or was she neither? She seemed 
harmless enough, but even at this distance, I could see that she 
knew more than she was telling. A Reikai Ferry Guide? Goddess of 
Death? Spirit World? Did they exist at all? Or was she spinning a 
fantasy tale out of dreams?

I stood beside my brother motionlessly, waiting for his final 
judgement. He was my eldest brother, and I would abide his 
decisions, even if they were flawed. All because he was the 
eldest. Besides, he rarely made a wrong choice and I saw no 
reason in rebelling. 

"Spirit World...Botan-san, have you seen a psychiatrist about 
your problem?" asked Niisan casually, reaching for the mug of 
coffee. 

Botan half-rose in her seat, her over-sized clothes making her 
seem smaller than she really was. She reminded me of a waif in my 
T-shirt, lost and completely alone. We had thought of using 
Owaru's, but he rarely kept his things in order. And no matter 
what, Botan was still a guest of the family. For one thing, she 
hadn't harmed any of us yet. Instead, we were doing everything 
possible to make her life difficult.

Her peony-pink eyes flashed angrily.

"I don't have a problem. You do. You wanted the truth, so here it 
is. Nothing but the truth. You are a Dragon King, so why can't 
you accept it?"

I stiffened. So she did know about us. How was she connected to 
the attempts on our lives? Was she the enemy now? Niisan remained 
impassive, unresponsive to her outburst.

"Because I don't believe in Reikai." Simple and straight. Niisan 
didn't believe in beating about the bush. 

"Whether you believe in Reikai or not is your choice entirely, 
Hajime-san. My main priority is to ensure that you keep a clear 
line between your friends and your foes."

Niisan arched a questioning eyebrow. "So which side are you on, 
Botan-san? Friends or foes?"

She hesitated, before falling back on her seat resignedly. 
"Neither. The Reikai will not interfere with your activities. 
Koenma-sama has decreed that we do not interfere, except to guide 
souls to Reikai."

"...I see. So even if we're in danger, you will not assist us," 
he concluded, eyes still trained on her.

Botan smiled ruefully. "No Reikai Guide is to be in the presence 
of the Ryudo kyodai unless one of them awakens. Only then will 
the Reikai Guides be mobilised into action. As you can see," she 
spread her palms expansively, "I seem to have broken this law."

A distant look overwhelmed her eyes. She seemed to be remembering 
her past. I wondered if it concerned any of us. Niisan continued 
to keep an eye on her. Either he held her in high suspicion, or 
there was something about her that was crucial to us. It could be 
both, but it would only place her in a precarious situation. Not 
that it wasn't already.

For a long while, there was only the pitter-pattering of 
raindrops drumming against the roof. Water vapour condensed, 
coating the window panes with silver water droplets, trickling 
down in unsteady lines. Niisan divided his attention between his 
coffee and Botan, while I observed all of us in the room. Owaru 
and Amaru were out with Matsuri-chan, possibly having their 
dinner. I hoped they brought their umbrellas. Niisan didn't seem 
to be in the mood to go out carrying umbrellas and searching for 
them.

Botan folded her knees, tucking them beneath her, and centred her 
undivided attention on the window panes. Perhaps the freedom 
beyond the glass, away from us, fascinated her, hypnotised her. I 
couldn't find fault in that. I knew the feeling of being trapped; 
I was trapped in this body, while my dragon self wanted out. It 
didn't matter if I wrecked the city. It wanted release, just as I 
did. A release from all the hunting, the running and the chase. 
Just a chance at normal life, without unknown people making 
threats at Matsuri-chan or Uncle to force us to comply.

What did Botan know? Would her knowledge help us find peace? I 
couldn't help thinking. Peace. A five-lettered word that used to 
be taken for granted, was now shattered. Piecing it back together 
would be difficult; every time when we were near completion, it 
would fall, and shatter into even smaller fragments. When would 
it end? When would it be pieced together into one whole again? 
I'd like to know the answer.

Would there be a missing piece somewhere? Lost fragments were 
prone to be missed, lost forever. Would the peace we sought be 
paid at a price that would cost us dearly? 

The main door creaked open. Botan sat up, eyes bright and alert, 
as my younger brothers poured into the house with our cousin, 
their hair limp and clothes dripping. 

"We're back!" chirped Matsuri-chan, ponytail bouncing as she 
skipped into the living room. And stopped short when her eyes 
fell on Botan. Her eyes travelled up and down the blue-haired 
girl, speculating heavily.

I didn't want to imagine the thoughts running through Matsuri-
chan's head at that moment. Somehow, I had the feeling that it 
wouldn't be complimentary, not when Botan was dressed in *my* 
clothes.

I was right. Matsuri-chan turned to me, placing both hands on her 
hips, her expression set in a stern manner.

"Tsuzuku, what have you been doing outside?"


*		*		*		*		*	


Version 1.2: Botan


He gave her a charming smile.

"Nothing really, Matsuri-chan."

I hiccuped with laughter. This was amusing; a Dragon King towered 
by his own cousin. Toba Matsuri, I think. It would make the 
perfect candid shot. 

I wondered if Koenma-sama was viewing all the events in the 
privacy of his office. Reikai had a wonderful set of spy systems, 
one that could rival US spy satellites. Definitely. Koenma-sama 
used to keep track of the Urameshi Team through the spy systems, 
but he did less nowadays. Bombarded by his work, I guess. He 
barely survived through the documents pertaining nearly the 
entire day. If it weren't for George and Hiei, Koenma-sama would 
have to be admitted into the Reikai Asylum on a regular basis. 
Then Reikai would be thrown into chaos, pure and simple.

Hiei...I barely hid a smile. He was the perfect cure to Koenma-
sama's impending madness. Maybe I should organise a runaway plan 
for the two. Let them enjoy lovers' paradise for a while. Then 
they wouldn't be that secretive about their romance. Though I 
wondered how Enma-Daioh would take it. He'd probably have a heart 
attack over it.

I grinned at the thought. I'd love to see the look on his face 
when he found out about his son's little romance. Then again, if 
he was going to throw a fit, maybe it would be best if I kept out 
of his way along with everyone else. Being the target of his 
anger would not be amusing. No siree. I'd rather be guiding souls 
till I fall off my oar dead with exhaustion.

I rose to my feet and displayed my most dazzling smile. It wasn't 
hard. She had an infectious cheer that could drive away any 
gloom. And I liked her on first sight. She was in control of 
herself...like Keiko.

"Botan desu. Dozo yoroshiku!"

Matsuri stared at me strangely for a long moment. Then, a smile 
broke across her face as she returned the greeting. The other 
two---the Black Dragon King and the White Dragon King---stood 
stiffly, flanking her on both sides.

I observed them, bemused by their protectiveness. Reasonable, no 
less. She was as precious to them as Keiko was to Yuusuke. Love 
had given Yuusuke strength in the worst of times, and so would 
Matsuri to her cousins. They were going to need every bit of 
their strength more than they knew it. 

My face darkened a little at the thought. Destruction...not only 
to their adversaries, but also to innocent lives. Once again, I 
had to be thankful that the Urameshi Team were not in Japan.

"Niisan, what's going on?" said the Black Dragon King tightly, 
turning to look at his eldest brother. The innocence in his eyes 
startled me; many died when he awakened. One of my fellow Guides 
had been near the point of crying at the loss. She screamed that 
they were mass murderers and Heaven-bless-them if she were to 
guide them when they died. What would she say if she saw the 
youngest dragon now? Would she continue to blame him?

I had the answers, and I shuddered. Not from the cold or fear, 
but more at the consequences. 

Something tugged my chest. Urgent and potentially deadly. I 
frowned. There was something distinctly familiar about that 
youki...I knew it from somewhere, a long time ago...

Then, as quickly as it registered on my senses, the youki faded 
away, as though it never existed. But I couldn't shake the 
familiarity of it. My sixth sense told me that it wasn't just 
another everyday occurrence. Something bigger was up. 

<But what?> I asked myself. <What could possibly happen?>

The White Dragon King caught my eye and smiled mischievously.

"Aniki, we shall charm Botan-neechan to be on our side, ne?" He 
winked in my direction. I stared at him, stunned by his audacity. 
Charm me? It wouldn't be of any use if Reikai had a say in it.

Matsuri beamed. "That's right. Botan-chan will be on our side," 
she gazed determinedly in my direction, "won't you?"

I smiled. Did I have any other choice?


*		*		*		*		*	


Version 1.3: Tsuzuku


My eyes narrowed a trifle bit. She might have fooled the others, 
but not me. Glass. That was what she was to me. I saw through her 
as easily as I would see through a glass pane.

Matsuri was quite taken by her. Even Amaru and Owaru. 

"Botan-neechan, where are you from?" asked Amaru innocently. I 
glanced at her. A haunted look passed over her eyes. For a while 
only, then cleared to the bright peony-pink. She smiled, almost 
sadly.

"Never mind where I come from. It's just somewhere faraway."

My youngest brother gazed at her thoughtfully, then nodded his 
head, as though he understood what she meant. He probably did. 
Among the four of us, he was the most sensitive and saw much 
deeper than the rest of us. Of course, it would make Owaru the 
most insensitive one then, but I always suspected that the joker 
was just a façade.

"How far? As far as America?" said Owaru in jest. 

She shook her head. "Further than that."

<Yeah, as in an entire world.>

Niisan glanced warningly at her. She smiled reassuringly, then 
studied Matsuri, Owaru and Amaru critically.

"Maybe you'd like to change first. I mean, you're soaking wet." 
She gave them a pointed look. "Pneumonia is no joke."

Amaru tilted his head slightly, a puzzled look forming. "But we 
never get sick."

"You will, if you don't change into something dry soon," Niisan 
added, hands on Amaru's shoulders, gently pushing him in the 
direction of the stairs. "Up you go, and change into something 
dry."

"Niisan is being biased again," crowed Owaru, earning himself a 
stern look. He gulped visibly and made a hundred-and-eighty 
degrees turn, marching towards the stairs. 

"I think I'd better change as well. Don't wanna get sick, you 
know." And dashed up the stairs at a neck-breaking speed.

Grinning, I glanced at Matsuri-chan. "Maybe you should as well."

She contemplated for awhile, eyes shifting alternately to Niisan, 
then to her wet clothes before inclining her head. Halfway up the 
stairs, she paused, staring thoughtfully at Niisan and Botan, 
then shook her head and continued her trek up.

"Why didn't you tell them?" asked Niisan casually when we were 
alone.

"There wasn't a need to," answered Botan, a forced smile firmly 
fixed on her lips.

I couldn't have agreed with her more. She stroked back her bangs 
distractedly and stared at Niisan without really seeing him. And 
all the while, I wondered what she was thinking. That we were 
psychopaths? Detaining her and demanding the truth from her 
without really seeing from her point of view?

What were we doing, really?

I couldn't find the answer to that.


*		*		*		*		*	


Glass: Shards - Version 1 ~ End


Disclaimers and author's notes:
Standard disclaimers apply here. 

This would qualify as Glass: Third Pane. The first two panes were 
to establish the characters, whereas this moves on, picking up 
from where I last left off. Technically speaking, it would be 
considered a continuation ^_^' Also, I'll be focusing mostly on 
Tsuzuku & Botan.


- End Part -


There's something missing in this and for all that I'm worth, I 
can't see it. Tasukete, anyone?

==
Hypertia Tsuyu

-----

Yuu Yuu Hakusho / Souryuden crossover
Glass: Shards

	- by Melissa Koh [safyre@jade-court.darkgod.net] -
	- website: http://safyre.tsx.org -


Version 2.0: Koenma

	"There wasn't a need to." Botan's words kept replaying in 
my head, like a tape recorder set on continuous repeat. But she 
wasn't a tape recorder. She was a Reikai Ferry Guide, one whom I 
trusted whole-heartedly. No, not only that. She was a very close 
friend, one whom could never be replaced by another. Unique in 
her own way, just like the Urameshi Team. Just like Yuusuke, 
Kurama, Kuwabara and...Hiei.
	I stared at the screen, my mind a total blank. Not really 
blank, just a maelstrom of thoughts, all swirling in a jumbled 
order. Still, it was as good as going blank. Or maybe blanking 
out was better. It would mean less headaches in a way, along with 
a bit of peace. 
	I almost laughed aloud. Peace? While I was still the Lord 
of Reikai? I didn't think so. It was as good as wishing for Botan 
to leave the Ryudo kyodai alone. Or getting them to leave her 
alone. Not possible, not when Botan knew so much. 
	Maybe we ruined her. Otousama and me. Maybe we destroyed 
everything she stood for, lived for. We placed so much hopes on 
her, knowing that one day, she would be among the most valuable 
assets to Reikai. She was, an irreplaceable asset not only to 
Reikai, but to me as well.
	Botan. I always wondered if she bore any grudges against 
Reikai. After all, we took her from the Tenkai---where she truly 
belonged. She was not always a Reikai Ferry Guide. She wasn't 
born as one. Once, a long time ago, she was a subject of Tenkai, 
a messenger of the Gods. A Tenshi. Widely respected, and known to 
all in Tenkai. Even the Four Dragon Kings heard of her. Why 
shouldn't they? She was the one who delivered the last message, 
decreeing that the Dragon Kings be exiled to Ningenkai.
	And then, we whisked her away. Took her into Reikai and 
compelled her to become a Guide. She didn't become one by choice. 
It was d.e.s.t.i.n.y that made it necessary. But she never 
complained, even when she handled the Urameshi case. She took it 
all in stride, as though she was just another messenger, another 
Tenshi, except that she was working for Reikai, not Tenkai.
	Her cheerful front hid so much from me; from her friends. 
Her cheerfulness never allowed me to read her mind. Only the 
basic, like whether she was nervous, excited, overjoyed, or just 
plain angry. But she knew all of us better than we knew her. I 
guessed that was why Otousama refused to transfer her to other 
departments. She was born with the gift of empathy, and it made 
her a wonderful Reikai Guide.
	I only wished that she wasn't trapped in this. This issue 
with the Dragon Kings. But it was because of them that she was 
taken away from the Tenkai.
	"What's wrong?" Hiei's breath tickled my ear, effectively 
snapping me out of my trance. "You've been staring at the screen 
for the past few minutes."
	Had I? I hadn't realised it until he told me. I looked up, 
and saw a flash of worry crossing his scarlet eyes. Then it was 
gone, replaced by his usual indifference. A cover-up, no less, to 
hide the other side of him. The side he thought was weak, but in 
my eyes, it was beautiful. Fragile as a glass figurine, and as 
exquisite. *He* was exquisite. 
	I felt my face break into a smile. A genuine one, not the 
false smile I set aside for certain people, my father in 
particular. I hadn't forgiven him for lying to me for so long, 
over so many issues, especially when he ordered Yuusuke's 
execution. Red-hot anger rose within me again as I remembered 
what he did. What he *attempted* to do. He failed, fortunately, 
but I couldn't bring myself to forgive and forget.
	"No. Nothing's wrong, not with you around," I said 
teasingly, wrapping my arms around his waist. It wasn't exactly a 
lie; there was *nothing* wrong with him. Not with Hiei. He was 
perfect. The world wasn't perfect.
	He remained still, much to my surprise. Normally, he hated 
any show of affection. Probably thought that it was weakness. I 
had been frustrated by his rejection many a time, until in 
desperation, I sought advice from Botan. I still smarted from the 
confession she pried from me, but grateful nonetheless. She 
solved the mystery behind Hiei's rejection, at least. And more 
than that. She wasn't upset that I favoured him, despite the fact 
that we were engaged.
	Our engagement was real. Furthermore, it was official. 
Otousama had made certain of it. It was in black and white, 
signed and sealed by both parties---Botan and me---and approved 
by the Tenkai and the Reikai. With Otousama reigning over Reikai, 
there was no contest, obviously.
	"You're not telling everything," he said, after a long 
moment of silence.
	I smiled and kissed him lightly on the cheek. "What makes 
you say so?"
	"Your distraction." He stated matter-of-factly. That was 
what I loved about him. His uncomplicated way of looking at 
things was charming, to the point of seductive.
	He gazed at me sternly. "Tell me."
	I blinked. "Tell you what?" I hated having to lie to him, 
but this issue with the Dragon Kings did not concern him. I had 
dragged Botan down already, and I wasn't quite prepared to take 
Hiei down as well. Who knew what Otousama might do if Hiei knew? 
No one else must know of them, not even the Urameshi Team. 
Especially the Urameshi Team. Botan didn't count, because she was 
first a Reikai Ferry Guide and everything else was secondary. It 
didn't matter she was their assistant; she was part of this big 
screw-up anyway.
	Hiei grunted impatiently. "What's bothering you?" Or in 
other words, why was I staring at the screen? Botan stood frozen 
with the two eldest of the Ryudo kyodai, her face solemn. No more 
of that happy-go-lucky mask was left intact. It had disintegrated 
to match her state of mind.
	I hoped that Hinageshi would be able to reach her in time, 
to warn her about Masei. I shouldn't have granted her a vacation 
this early. It would have been better had I held back and waited 
until the worst was over.
	But when would the worst be over? Not soon, or so it seemed 
to me. 
	Smiling, I pulled Hiei closer to me. His warmth soothed my 
taut muscles. I gazed fondly at him.
	"Nothing really. Just the youkai and Botan."
	He snorted, still unconvinced.
	"Really," I insisted as he pried himself loose from my 
grip. Before I could even blink, he was already at the doorway, 
hand on the door knob. I wondered if I had angered him by my 
refusal to answer. Most likely. Hiei didn't like it when I kept 
secrets from him, and I usually chose not to. But this was a 
different case. It wasn't solely Reikai's and Ningenkai's 
business. It had something to do with another world he most 
likely didn't even know existed. And I dared not risk him by 
telling him that.
	The door swung open. I stared at his back thoughtfully, 
silently apologising to him. He must have had heard my thoughts, 
when he spun around and flashed a rare smile. My eyes flew up. So 
he wasn't angry, but what brought on that smile?
	"Hinageshi probably hasn't found Botan yet. I'm going to 
look for her," he announced calmly. I fell forward, finding it 
hard to believe my ears. Him, concerned about Botan? That *was* 
rare. I always had the impression that he didn't like her much 
and thought of her as an airhead. There were times when I 
actually agreed with him.
	But then, everything about Hiei never ceased to surprise 
me.
	Hiei grinned wickedly, fangs flashing brilliantly under the 
white light, before flitting off. 
	Leaving me seated in my armchair, sinking deeper into the 
plush in bewilderment.


-----


Version 2.1: Botan

	Dragon Kings. I knew them once, when I delivered the final 
messagethat brought them here. It was a long time ago, back in 
the past. Long before I even began my career as a Reikai Ferry 
Guide.
	I stood by the window, absently noting that if I were 
smaller, like Hiei, I could have propped myself on the window 
ledge instead of just standing. I gazed beyond, contemplatively 
watching water droplets trail down the glass.
	Most people didn't know, but I wasn't born in Reikai. I was 
born in the Tenkai, amidst the war between the Dragon Kings and 
the Gyuushu. Initially, the Tenshi were left alone; they were 
messengers, responsible only to the Taishi. Then the Taishi 
disappeared. No one knew his whereabouts, except rumours that the 
Dragon Kings were behind it. The peaceful lives of the Tenshi 
were disrupted, and the Dragon Kings, blamed for the 
disappearance, were exiled.
	Only to reincarnate three thousand years later, to resume 
the war in Ningenkai. But first, they had to awaken. They had to 
remember their past among other things. Their powers, for 
instance. How to control them, how to harness them to their 
fullest potential. It added a whole new meaning to the words, 
"sleeping dragon".
	"Botan?"
	Tsuzuku's voice. I remembered it from the past. He hadn't 
changed much, still as charismatic as ever and just as beautiful. 
The other Tenshi used to joke that he was far more beautiful than 
the most graceful one among them. All the Tenshi were beautiful 
anyway, be it male or female. It was in the blood, to remain 
young-looking and beautiful beyond all words. But even this 
beauty faded when compared to the fiery passion of the Red Dragon 
King.
	"Yes?" I murmured distractedly, slipping back into reality 
and turning around. His eyes held mine, as if searching for 
something. Searching for what? My thoughts? Maybe, but he 
wouldn't find them anyhow. I learnt to mask them a long time ago, 
during the time when I was still a Tenshi.
	I closed my eyes.
	A Tenshi. It was what had landed me in Reikai as a Ferry 
Guide. The Tenshi who delivered the last message. The one cursed 
to *know*. The awakening of the Dragon Kings, the implications 
and them. Human *and* dragon.
	"Daijoubu ka?"
	I arranged my face into a smile and looked up again. His 
blue eyes peered at me anxiously. Yet his face was set in an 
inscrutable mask. 
	I shook my head. "Daijoubu," my voice barely an audible 
whisper. He threw me a questioning glance, an eyebrow raised in 
scepticism.
	"Daijoubu," I assured him. This time, I projected my voice 
with more confidence. I smiled wryly. I seem to be doing 
contradicting things all at the same time. Guess it was what 
ningen called stress.
	<Koenma-sama would be over-stressed then,> I thought, 
remembering the stacks of endless documents in his office. For 
some reason, mirth bubbled within me. I leaned against the wall, 
and slid a hand over my forehead, feeling the coolness penetrate 
through the feverish skin. I started. Was it that cold outside? 
My hand could have been ice.
	"Cold?" His voice was warm. Then again, fire was in his 
blood. And he smiled.
	I held my breath and goggled. Light caught his eyes, 
seemingly dancing across them. Kami-sama, he had to inflict his 
devastating charm *now*.
	He stared down at me, amusement lighting up like stars in 
his eyes. I choked, flushing a deep crimson, wishing that there 
was a hole somewhere I could hide. Even being toasted by Hiei's 
Kokuryuuha seemed better than this embarrassment.
	Completely mortified, I shifted my focus to my feet, 
fiercely concentrating on them. Thankfully, Tsuzuku didn't pursue 
the subject. 
	He stared at me patiently. "Well?"
	I gave him a blank look, my mortification momentarily 
forgotten. "Well what?"
	"Are you cold?"
	"...No, not really."
	"Botan?"
	"Yes?"
	He held my gaze steadily. "What exactly do you know of us?"
	I hesitated and averted my eyes. His gaze was getting to 
me.
	"Just the usual. That you're the reincarnation of the 
Dragon Kings."
	"Ah, I see. That's all?" It was statement, not a question.
	I forced a smile and threw back a look of equal measure, 
deliberately ignoring the butterflies in my stomach. Or at least, 
tried to.
	"What makes you say that?"
	His sharp look never faltered. "Your expression says 
otherwise," he noted casually.
	I paused. Damn, I was too easy to read. And I thought I was 
better. Obviously, I had overestimated my abilities.
	Maybe I should take up acting lessons. Or even ballet.
	On second thoughts, I didn't like to see myself prancing 
about and end up falling flat on my face with a loud smack 
against the parquet floor. 
	I winced just thinking about it.


-----


Version 2.2: Tsuzuku


	I studied her figure, frail and delicate set against the 
full moon arising beyond the horizon. She glowed the silver of 
moonlight, the striking image of a fairy descending from heaven.
	She stopped smiling, probably because I just blew away the 
last of her mask, and looked up at me. "It has always been 
impossible to hide secrets from the Dragon Kings."
	"Then why don't you just tell us everything?" I suggested.
	Shaking her head, she replied, "If it was as easy as 
that,Tsuzuku-san, I would still be in Tenkai instead of being 
here talking to you."
	I gave her a triumph look. "You're related to us then."
	A slight smile touched her lips. "No, not entirely. Do you 
know what's a tenshi?"
	"An angel. They're messengers of the Gods." I replied, 
wondering where it was leading.
	"In Tenkai, there were...are Tenshi. We served the Gods, 
but we were only responsible to the Taishi."
	I drank in her relevation, slowly realising that she said 
'we'. She was one of them. One of the Tenshi. The messengers of 
the Gods.
	"Then, you..."
	"Hai. I'm a Tenshi. Or rather, *was* until I joined the 
Reikai." She laughed self-consciously. "I was there when the 
Dragon Kings were banished. That's why I know so much."
	It still did not explain why I found her familiar. There 
was something else, much deeper than this surface truth. She had 
to know more than she was telling, but how was I going to pry 
more out of her?
	"Why did you join the Reikai?" I asked.
	"For someone."
	"Who?"
	"That would be under the classified files, Tsuzuku-san."
	I paused. It would be unfair to pry further into her life. 
Then it hit me.
	"You delivered the last message."
	"Perhaps I did. Perhaps I didn't," she replied flippantly.
	"You did," I informed her blandly. "You were there."


-----


Version 2.3: Botan

	I winced, regretting my words. Then again, there was 
nothing I could do to reclaim those words back.
	"That fact isn't going to change anything, Tsuzuku-san. 
Nothing's going to change the fact that you're a Dragon King. 
That your brothers are Dragon Kings."
	"That's not our intention. We just want the attempts on our 
lives to stop," he replied, walking over the armchair and sitting 
down. He gazed at me expectantly, indicating that I should follow 
his example.
	I shook my head and leaned on the window ledge, feeling the 
coldness pressed against my palms. I caught a whiff of the 
metallic scent of the rain, despite being in the shelter.
	"Then I guess I'm no longer your foe then. Neither is the 
Reikai."
	"Do you know what they want with us?"
	To awaken the Dragon within you, what else? I was tempted 
to tell him, but if he knew, he would try his best to stop the 
natural order. His brothers would break the flow of the 
preordained, causing not only mass destruction, but the fall of 
Tenkai and all the worlds.
	Along with the lives of my friends.
	I forced a smile and shook my head. He gazed at me 
thoughtfully and said, "I thought as much." I almost sighed in 
relief. For a moment there, I thought my cover was blown. 
	Hajime came downstairs with Matsuri, smiling. He grinned at 
his brother but steeled as his eyes locked with mine. I gave him 
a slight bow and a quick smile. He did not respond, except to 
walk Matsuri to the door.
	I stiffened. There was too much energy concentrated in the 
air to be natural. It wasn't mine; nor was it theirs.
	Youki.
	Concentrated to a single point. Danger.
	"Botan?" Tsuzuku's voice was softer than the wind.
	Hajime placed his hand on the doorknob, turning it.
	The concentration of youki heightened, preparing for one 
final strike.
	Matsuri was laughing and telling Hajime something, 
completely unaware of the danger they were about to face. The 
first flare of youki washed over me...why didn't they sense it? 
	No, they couldn't. They were from Tenkai, not Reikai. They 
wouldn't be able to sense it. Either that, or the energy was 
tuned to my senses only. I didn't know that if it was possible, 
and even if it was, how could any youkai know? Other than the 
Urameshi Team, no one knew me to that extent.
	No one that I could remember in such a short time.
	The door swung open. I closed my eyes, sensing a 'wall' of 
sorts. I wasn't far from wrong. A kekkai stood at the doorway, 
the blue energy lines interlacing one another to form a web. Made 
out of a life-force. A human's life-force, integrated with youki.
	I was chilled to the bone. Who had been sacrificed for this 
kekkai? His soul was trapped, but not helpless. To touch the 
kekkai was to infuriate the soul, infuriating it to absorb the 
life-force of another, bringing another into the world of the 
kekkai. Forever souls of wrath until the kekkai was destroyed 
without a strand left unscathed.
	Tsuzuku's hand was on my shoulder. He shook me gently. 
"Botan?"
	Matsuri bent down, slipping on her shoes before heading for 
the exit. The web glowed a sickening blue, preparing itself for a 
blood bath the moment Matsuri touched it.
	I knew this kekkai. I saw it a long time ago, before I met 
Yuusuke and the rest. I remembered the youkai who used this as a 
game to tease Reikai Ferry Guides, either trapping them into it 
or sending them on a wild goose chase for their missing charges. 
	Few returned, and when the kekkai was finally destroyed, 
even fewer souls were sane. Guides writhed on the ground, crying 
for someone to end their misery. Souls had to be sent to the 
Reikai Asylum to be treated before being scheduled for 
reincarnation.
	The youkai was never given the justice it deserved. Because 
there wasn't a Reikai Investigator strong enough to take it down.
	Masei.
	"Matsuri! Yamette!" I yelled. She hesitated, her eyes 
confused. She paused in her steps and gazed at me blankly. 
	"Doushite, Botan-chan?"
	I ran to the door and grimly, proceeded to show them by 
throwing a vase at the kekkai.


-----


Glass: Shards - Version 2 ~ End


Completed on: 25.12.1998

Edited on: 27.1.1999


- End Fic -