Note: The mission takes much longer then six chapters; time span between each chapter is like a month or something.

Chapter six.

Dying is an experience that happens one time, and one time only, in a person's lifespan. It's the brink of where the person's soul rises from the body, sleeping. They drift; unsure of what has happened, having a dream of total tranquility. When awaken, they feel no pain of death, and no emotions. That is, until their oar-riding "grim reaper" brings forth the bad news, comforting and aiding the lost soul. Kindly, they are guided by these oar-riders, flying without the need of anything but their will. From then, they will be at peace.

"How do you feel?" Wiggling her toes, the aqua haired spirit stared at her lap. The bright room painted with warm colors seemed so wrong for such an occasion. It had been at least two weeks since Botan's fatal incident.

"I feel fine, just slightly hollow inside." She replied absentmindedly. "Plus, I'm kind of hungry."

"Only natural, that's how you felt when you died…again." Koenma pursed his lips behind his pacifier, powerful behind his desk, overlooking his visitors. "Maikai is turning out to be very dangerous…"

Behind Botan, two men stood by the door, one filled with guilt while the other one expressionless. "I caught the attacker," Tacky explained while Koenma fingered the arrow pulled from Botan's body. "It was one of the demons."

"So…am I getting another body?" asked Botan, watching Koenma's face. Koenma muttered bitter words, but he reluctantly nodded his head.

"With two more demons still out in both Ningenkai and Maikai, we'll need all the help we can get." He glanced at his files, shuffling papers in a manner to tell them to leave. Botan stood up, wobbly at first. She had been revived just minutes ago, and she felt emotionless. She felt dead. "By the way," He called as Botan headed for the door. "Kurama is awake now."

Tacky opened the door for her, and then followed right behind Hiei, closing the door softly behind him. His brown hair was cluttered and messy, somewhat due to the lack of sleep he had, waiting for news from Botan's terrifying experience. "So…" He said quietly. "Should we go see Kurama while we're here?"

"That sounds like a good idea." Botan answered, regaining some of her lively voice. Already she was looking better, a rosy color on her pale skin and a small bounce in her step. She touched Tacky's shoulder lightly, but he jumped back. Her hands were cold as ice. "Don't worry, I don't blame anyone for my death... well, except the one who shot the arrow…"

Tacky, cheered up by her words, hurried forward, leading them to the ward. Hiei and Botan were walking at the same pace, but there was more then enough space between them. There were some avoiding glances, but neither would talk. The more we stay this way, the more I feel eager to catch up with Tacky… Did such a fight bring out relationship to a stop? Botan thought, both of them turning a corner. Tacky wasn't in the hall, he wasn't to be found.

Hiei shuffled his feet; they were lingering by Kurama's door. "Hiei," Botan asked, glancing at him. "Are you okay?"

"Hn."

"That's good…. I'm glad you weren't hurt." Botan smiled. Hiei looked away from her, waiting for her to enter before he did. She turned, opening to door, just to be surprised. "Tacky, Kurama, what are you two-"

Kurama was rolled on one side of his bed, the side farther away from Tacky. A mere seed was on the floor, twisting and coming to life…growing into a horrible monster slowly. Tacky was backed up against the wall, startled. It was aiming towards Tacky, ready to wrap him to death. Botan jumped in between them, her cheeks red. "Botan?" Kurama's soft voice asked, still hoarse from his illness.

"Kurama, get a hold of yourself." Hiei said, glancing at the growing seed on the floor. It was retreating back; it looked like time was going backwards. "What's the matter with you?"

"It's merely something to protect me with." Kurama said, settling back into his bed, breathing raggedly. He still looked horrible, as bad as Botan did.

"From what," Tacky retorted, "the nurses?" He headed towards the door, as if freaked to even stay in the same room as Kurama anymore.

"No…" Kurama replied softly, closing his eyes. Botan grabbed a chair and took a seat next to Kurama.

"How are you?" She asked. "If you can still grow demonic plants, you must be getting better."

"To some degree yes… However I don't think I'm the one we should talk about. I've heard rumors about a death." He stared at Botan.

"Yes, well," She said slowly, nodding her head. "I'm fine now, though."

"Good. After all, experiencing death twice is…terrible." He coughed while Botan glanced at Hiei, then at the floor. "Do you mind if I talk to Hiei alone?" Botan stood up, exiting without a glance at Hiei. Hiei took her spot next to Kurama. "You would think that when someone dies and lives, their lover would be overjoyed." He propped himself up with his pillows, a grimace on his face as he took the whole bed again.

"Tacky wasn't there when she was attacked." Hiei said, ignoring him. "He wasn't there when you were either. He finds his way back through Maikai forests without a scratch and without getting lost."

"I've been getting late night visits. The shadow watches me sleep, inching closer each night to my life support system." Kurama replied, his eyes narrow, staring at the seed on the floor. "I assume he's working for these demons."

"He stays for Botan." Hiei gritted his teeth, rubbing his thumb against the hilt of his katana. "She doesn't see it, stupid onna."

"Hiei, he's winning this war." Kurama turned to him, a regretful look on his face. "I think Botan will be in serious danger if he is working for them. He's their human pawn." He settled back, a thoughtful look replacing his regret. "However…there might be a way to show him for who he is…"

"Hn."

Botan knocked softly on the door, after having an examination with one of the nurses, orders of Koenma, so they can see if she was up for the job. She twisted the door knob and peered in. Hiei and Kurama were both in the same spot as when she left. "Hiei, we'll be leaving now. For safety issues, Koenma wants to transport us to the location you're heading for."

Hiei stood up, nodding to Kurama in good-bye, and follow Botan outside, where Koenma was waiting for him. "Take us to the cave that leads to the underground lake."

Tacky looked confused. "Why are we going there?"

"Because that's where we'll find something." Hiei replied, a devious smirk on his face. Tacky frowned, and Botan looked lost.

Koenma glanced up at Hiei. "Are you sure? That place has been dead for years; the water down there is horrible as well."

Hiei nodded, and Koenma extended his chubby arm out, creating a portal leading towards their destination. "Now, are you sure you can go, Botan?" Koenma asked cautiously. "I can't keep handing our human lives for you, I'm running out."

"I'm sure, Koenma," Botan said.

"I'll look after her." Hiei said, a smile suddenly replacing his smirk. Botan, Koenma, and Tacky looked at him. Never had they seen a smile on his face, well, with the exception of Botan. She just never saw it in public. "Let's go." He said, entering the portal first.

"Is he okay?" Tacky asked, slightly jealous. "I think he's gone crazy."

"No," Botan said, shaking her head. "He's on to something."

Tacky nudged Botan slightly. "By the way," He flashed his own smile at her. "Thanks for protecting me in Kurama's room. That was…really brave of you."

Botan smiled back. "I know Kurama won't hurt me, I just don't understand why he was going for you."

Tacky shrugged. "Oh, I don't know…maybe because I barged in when he was sleeping. It was my fault."

Koenma clicked his tongue, ending the bonding relationship the two had. "I can't keep this portal up forever."

Botan walked through, leaving Tacky to follow. "By the way, Koenma," He said a smirk on his face. "It's been fun being a Reikai Tantei."

"Oh?" Koenma said, not understanding the idea. "Well, I'm glad you like it."

That cave with an underground lake (Couldn't find a cooler name).

Once Tacky walked out of the portal, Botan was waiting for him. "I don't know where Hiei went." She said, frowning. She was standing in front of the mouth of the cave.

"Maybe we should just wait here." Tacky said, glancing at the trees, searching for any signal. "It's dangerous in there."

"I thought this cave has been abandoned."

"Yeah, there are odd critters, you know."

"Oh." Tacky glanced down at her, placing a large hand on her head.

"You've gone beautiful, bursting with new life, you know that?" Botan turned pink. "No, I'm serious. You're pretty."

"Thanks."

"So… How did you and Hiei ever end up together?" Tacky asked, seating himself on a rock. He patted the one right next to him for Botan. Botan sat down, feeling slightly tired. Her body was in the process of adapting to sharing a human and spirit form.

"Well," She said slowly, absentmindedly. "Koenma assigned me to be his assistant. We were living together…" She frowned. "He destroyed my bathroom, ate all my ketchup, and he kind of wrecked my vacuum."

"He sounds like a jerk."

"Well, kind of…" Botan admitted. She blinked, suddenly become aware of how Tacky's arm had snaked around her waist. "What are you doing?"

"Botan…" He placed his eyes on her, his face serious. "I don't think he deserves you." His grip grew tighter. "He's a pyromaniac."

"Well, you're a H2O crazy." Botan pointed out, her face a flame. No one had ever been so close to her, none except Hiei.

"Botan, I'm serious. He's a horrible person; he couldn't save you when you…died."

Botan glanced down at her feet. "That's…that's true. We have been arguing when I was shot…"

"See." He said softly, hugging her.

"Maybe he didn't want to save me… He was so cold me in Reikai, and I spent more then enough yen on ketchup bottles. The bill for all the supplies for my bathroom was so expensive; I had to beg Koenma to pay it…"

Tacky was holding her by the waist, his head rested on her shoulder. Her heart was beating like a drum line. "Botan," He said, his voice muffled. "I love you. Leave Hiei, and we'll be happy. Forever."

But...Hiei did it all for her. She never did run out of ketchup, he always left her some if she needed it. Her vacuum was old anyways, and her bathroom is always the best part of the house.

Oh god, Botan, look at how you are right now! This is horrible; Tacky is not the one you love!

"Tacky!" Botan yelled, pushing him off of her. "Get off of me, I'm sorry, but I don't love you!" She jumped up, stumbling to get away from him. He didn't pressure her to stay, but the reaction on his face said enough. He was angry.

Botan wrung her hands together, bowing in apology. Whoever's human body she took, she was a really proper lady. "I'm sorry, I don't love you."

"Why not," Tacky demanded. "Is it because of Hiei?"

"I-I don't know."

"Stupid Jaganshi," He growled. He advanced towards her, Botan walked backwards. Tacky suddenly stopped, and Botan crashed into someone. It was Hiei; he had appeared out of no where.

"Let's go." He said the smile on his face gone.

His hand had been on Botan's waist and she quickly wiggled out of both of their grasp. She hurried towards the mouth of the cave. Hiei's eyes flickered for a moment, but returned to normal, allowing her to go ahead. Tacky was lingering for a moment, waiting for Hiei to go first. Hiei, however, wouldn't move. "Let's go, Tacky. We can walk together." Tacky hesitated, but Hiei didn't seem affected by it. "After all, I just don't want you to get hurt. I'm looking out for the team."

"Right," Tacky said slowly, walking with him. Botan was waiting for them, walking by them, but farther apart from them both. It was a heavy tension, the cave was dank and dark, and Hiei created a fire for light. They were nothing in the cave, not even critters. "There's nothing here."

"We're not at the lake." Hiei replied, urging him on. "We'll stay together, we've gone too far."

"But I can still see the light from the start." Tacky argued.

"As a team," Hiei said, gritting his teeth. He was starting to get really pestering, and although that's what Hiei was aiming for, it was so damn annoying! "We're staying together."

Botan glanced at her socks, they were soaked. "I thought the water here was supposed to be dirty and murky, that's why nothing lives down here."

"It's supposed to be." Hiei replied, turning to Tacky as he talked.

"It looks clean." She said.

"Who knows, maybe it's getting better by the moment." Tacky replied, glaring at Hiei. Silence settled between the three of them, Tacky taking longer strides then both of them. Hiei would walk faster, keeping up with him, and Botan would follow in pursuit, sometimes running to follow them. The cave ended up at the fork, one path leading towards the lake, while the other leading to a dead end. Hiei began taking the left, but Tacky called after him.

"The lake's to the right." He said absentmindedly, heading towards the right. Hiei returned to where the fork started, where Botan was standing.

"And how would you know that," Hiei said, smirking, "if you've never been in Maikai before?"

Botan turned to Tacky. "Hey, that's true. How do you know where the lake is anyways?"

Tacky gave a pleasing smile. "Caught on quickly… I can detect H2O."

"Both ends have a lake, one bigger then the other." Hiei said, nodding his head. "Your senses would be thrown off."

Tacky frowned, Botan looked mildly confused, and Hiei seemed triumphant. "You've been in Maikai before, and this cave. You're a spy, working for these demons. The only reason you lingered upon killing us was because Botan has caught your interest. When I came into the picture, you tried killing me right away. You didn't expect Kurama to get in the way. Each night, you would return back to Reikai and tried to turn off his life support while he was still out." Hiei explained, pacing back and forth excitedly. He was particular fond of ruining Tacky's life, it was like winning chess. Botan was holding on to his every word, glancing at Tacky occasionally. All Tacky could do was watch and listen, his eyes flashing with rage and guilt, but also entertainment at times.

"And then Botan took his place. You couldn't do much then, in fear of hurting Botan." Hiei continued. "But you could deceive her, making me look like a fool, so she could run to you at times."

"Don't listen to him, Botan." Tacky suddenly called. Hiei swiveled around to look at Botan, who looked torn with what to do. "He tired to kill you, he just deceiving you!"

"Botan," Hiei said firmly. "Come here." He extended out his hand. She was confused; her nature was seeking an explanation from Tacky. She didn't want to believe it.

"No!" Tacky snapped, his voice growing louder. "Botan, come to me!"

Botan stood in her place, so Hiei continued his rant. "The more I kept things to myself and the more I left you two alone, the closer Botan got to you. She was almost yours, but I was still there. While we were fighting, you ordered one of the demons minions to shoot me down. However, the orders were mixed up; the demon got confused, and shot Botan instead. Traitors cannot fool me, which was why I never told you where we were going. And now that Botan is weak, still repairing her double body, you're confusing her."

Tacky turned to Botan, who was listening quietly, the color in her face back. "He's lying, come to me."

Botan was fully recovered now. She no longer felt weak or confused, the warmth of blood pumping in her body felt so right, and she could think straight. She shook her head. She reached out her hand, touching Hiei's own. Smirking, Hiei turned to Tacky, who looked crestfallen. "Well." Tacky said quietly, accepting Botan's decision. "There's no reason for me to linger on killing you now, Hiei. I'm pleased you caught on, yet you still haven't caught on to who I truly am." He smiled, and Hiei touched his katana lightly.

"You're a demon?" Botan asked flabbergasted. "But, wouldn't it say so on your files? How come Koenma didn't know?"

"Because, my files were manipulated just the way I wanted it. My human features make me seem like I really am a human. My knowledge of the human culture backed up my plan, and the rest was up to acting." Tacky said, walking towards them. Hiei pushed Botan behind him, grasping the hilt of his katana, scowling darkly. "I'm the fourth demon, right under your noses for nearly two years now."

"Why..?"

"Why didn't I just kill of Koenma and be finished with it? Because you came into the picture, stopped me right in my tracks, you did." He chuckled, making his way to the path that led to the lake. "Well, if you want to kill me, catch me!" He backed away, and then broke into a run.

Hiei began to pursue him, but stopped when Botan just stood there, lost in translation. "Botan," Hiei said, staring at her.

"Hiei, I'm so sorry." Botan finally busted out, stamping her foot and biting her lip. "I…I almost thought I loved him." She shook her head. "But then I realized how he was just manipulating me, I feel horrible…"

"I know."

Botan glanced at him, shocked. "What?"

"I'm not stupid, I sense your feelings, and you doubted me through this whole mission." Hiei tucked his hands in his coat pocket, glaring at the pathway. "You distanced yourself."

Botan shook her head, covering her hands with her face. "…I'm a horrible person."

A hand rested on her head, it was Hiei's. He sighed, looking aggravated, staring at a rock to his left. "Shut up, Onna," He said bitterly. "If I didn't forgive you, I wouldn't have fought for you. You're naive enough to believe that pigs fly if Koenma told you so, it's not surprise he could change your feelings."

"Hey!" Botan exclaimed, her face red. "I know pigs can't fly!" Nonetheless, she smiled at him. "Thank you."

"Hn." Hiei replied, turning back to the path. "We wasted time. Let's go."

Botan hurried to his side, clasping his hand, feeling much better. "Alright then," She called. "Let's go."

End.