STAND STILL by Danielle Winters

Chapter 1: Landscape of Change

Reikai had changed in such a short period of time. After Koenma had exposed his father's transgressions, he eventually took his place as the leader of the Spirit Realm. Many of his father's former allies were punished together with Enma for their atrocities. There came a period when Koenma became depressed and guilty for what had happened but his assistant, Ayame and head ferry girl, Botan cheered him up. Even the usually annoying George the Ogre had tried to cheer the new Reikai leader.

Six years had passed and Reikai had managed to form a strong alliance with present Makai leader, Enki, who had won the tournament for the second time. Koenma and Enki ensured that no youkai would be treated as tools by humans while Reikai will ensure that no humans would be harmed by any youkai. The portal to Makai had been secured and had been under Reikai's strict surveillance. As always, Yusuke, Hiei and Kurama had special privileges as former spirit world detectives that allowed them to go back and forth in Makai and Ningenkai. For the second time, Yusuke lost in the tournament that he founded. He lost to Enki during the tournament's final match. Kurama was not really interested in winning the tournament, thus, he was appointed by Enki as the Tournament Chairman. Hiei joined the tournament not just for the chance of becoming Makai's supreme leader but also because of the strong opponents he get to fight. Hiei unfortunately lost to Yomi during the second tournament.

The third Makai Tournament has been scheduled as Enki prepares to step down from his post. Enki had announced that he would no longer competed in the tournament which made the whole Makai population erupt with anticipation for many wished to be hailed as Makai's supreme leader. Enki however, assured Koenma that the alliance between Makai and Reikai would remain as he plans to put up a special youkai unit in-charge of keeping the check and balance in Makai to assure that the three realms would co-exist peacefully. Koenma was more than pleased to hear what Enki said especially after the youkai announced that he would personally head the special unit. Enki had written Koenma a letter telling of his plans. Koenma, at present, had just finished reading the said letter.

"Isn't that good to hear Koenma-sama?" Ayame commented. Koenman nodded and looked at his side. There stood a beautiful shinigami with jet black hair neatly tied and alluring grey eyes. She was wearing a black kimono, Koenma smiled at her as he held her hand and softly kissed it.

"Yes. This is indeed great news." Koenma agreed.

"It has been a while since we last saw your former detectives."

"Six years to be exact." Koenma replied as he went back to stamping his paper works.

Over the river Styx, Botan was busy supervising the new ferry girls of reikai. After Koenma was appointed ruler of Reikai, his first order of business was to reward those who were faithful and loyal to him. Koenma had proposed to Ayame, he brought George with him to Reikai's main palace and made him his personal assistant while he appointed Botan as head of the shinigami.

And so, Botan had been busy ever since, training and supervising new ferry girls who would guide the souls of both ningen and youkai across the river Styx, to their judgment with Koenma until they are sent to their final destination. It has been six years since she last saw Yusuke and the gang. The last time she had seen them was when Genkai's will and testament had been read to them. Since then, she'd rarely leave her post in the river Styx. There were times that she missed her adventures with the reikai tantei group or hanging out with Keiko and the others. And today is one of those days when she would reminisce about her adventures and misadventures with Yusuke and his gang. "I wonder how the others are doing." She thought as she took a moment from writing down the list of souls that the ferry girls had to guide for the next few weeks. "I wonder what he has been doing…" Her thoughts then drifted to a certain red head spirit detective whom she had last seen six years ago. Upon realizing that her thoughts were led her to think about a certain man/youkai, Botan shook her head and pinched her cheeks. "Now is not the time to think about the past!" Botan said to no one as she grabbed her quill and began writing down again.

Somewhere in Tokyo, Japan

Keiko, Shizuru and Yukina were inside a dress shop fitting several gowns and cocktail dresses. After Genkai passed away, it was arranged that Yukina would be living with the Kuwabara household. Kuwabara was ecstatic and Hiei wanted to burn Kuwabara with his black dragon flame; however, there was nothing Hiei could do since Yukina appeared to have consented with the living arrangements for her. Keiko completed her senior high school and collegiate course. At present, she is working as a pre-school teacher. Shizuru on the other hand worked as a researcher and writer for a local TV station. Ever since Yukina had moved with the Kuwabara's, the three ladies became inseparable. However, the three of them knew that they were not complete and that they were missing someone…

…Botan.

"Keiko-san, why don't you convince Urameshi-san to invite Botan and Koenma-sama to your wedding?" Yukina inquired. Shizuru nodded in agreement.

"That's a great idea! We had not seen them for so long and I wonder how Botan is right now." Keiko cheerfully replied as she came out of the dressing room wearing a white kimono with cherry blossom patterns embroidered on it. Shizuru and Yukina gaped.

"It looks perfect on you!" Shizuru complimented.

"Urameshi-san will surely love what you are wearing." Yukina added. Keiko blushed at the compliments she received from her friends.

"Thank you." Keiko responded. She then returned the subject of their conversation which was about inviting Koenma and their friends from the Spirit Realm to her wedding with Yusuke Urameshi. It was in the middle of their conversation when Kuwabara came to the dress shop carrying some shopping bags. He blushed at the sight of Yukina wearing a beautiful kimono.

"So my pitiful delinquent brother is here." Shizuru commented. "And pray do tell me where is Urameshi-san?"

"Stop taunting me nee-san!" Kuwabara scolded. "And Urameshi left to go to Reikai to give the wedding invitation to the lord brat and Botan."

"It's as if Yusuke read our minds. We were just talking about inviting Botan and the rest of our friends in Reikai." Keiko explained which earned a nod of agreement from her two female friends.

"He has been planning about it since you two got engaged. He wanted to surprise you because he knows that you miss Botan." Kuwabara mentioned. "And besides, he owes that shinigami a lot for keeping you safe almost all the time." He added. Keiko smiled at Kuwabara. What he said was true and to add to that, she owes Botan a lot as well for always keeping an eye on Yusuke when he was still a detective for the spirit world.

"Your wedding will be like a meeting of the three realms. You will also have guests from Makai. It's a good thing you will be holding the ceremony in Genkai's temple." Shizuru said.

"I guess Genkai would've wanted that as well." Yukina added.

O-o-O-o-O-o- O-o-O-o-O-o- O-o-O-o-O

Kurama, or rather Minamino Shuichi, released a sigh of relief. He had a long day in the office especially now that he has been named successor by his step-father. He was casually sitting in a café while waiting for someone. Kurama may have been a youkai-incarnate but he could not help but admit that he was enjoying the peace that had settled among the three realms. "If only…" His chain of thoughts were interrupted by a cheerful voice whose owner was coming towards him.

"Shuichi-kun!" Maya cheerfully called out. Kurama waved his wand to her. She quickly walked towards where Kurama was seated. Upon reaching him, she gave him a peck on his cheek and took the seat beside him. "Maaa it was a long day in the office. How was yours?" She asked.

"It was a long day for me as well." Kurama politely responded.

"Saa what gift shall we buy for Urameshi-san and Yukimura-san's wedding?" She asked as she leaned her head on Kurama's shoulder.

It has been six years since he and Kitajima Maya started dating. They met again during Keiko's graduation. It so happened that Keiko and Maya were attending the same school and that they knew each other through common club activities. Maya still had no memories of what had happened in the past though as Kurama made sure that she would not remember it; however, Maya retained her ability to see and sense ghosts and youkai. A few months after they have met again, Maya confessed her feelings; that all those years that they had not seen each other, she had not stopped thinking about him. Kurama, always the gentleman told Maya that he does not feel the same but Maya insisted that they give it a try. They have been dating ever since. Not that Kurama mind but no matter how hard he told Maya to look for another man, she appeared to have been stuck to him.

In fact, Kurama already had someone in mind. He had planned on pursuing this lady when everything had settled in; however, on the day he had asked her to see him, it was Maya who showed up. "I guess it was her form of rejection." He thought to himself as Maya went on suggesting various items they could buy as a present for the soon to be married couple.

"Nee Shuichi-kun are you even listening to me?" Maya inquired while pouting. Kurama just smiled at her as she pressed herself closer to him but his thoughts were somewhere in the deep recesses of his memory.

Six Years Ago…

I need to talk to you about something very important. It has been troubling me for some time already. Do you think you can spare some of your time for me? Let's meet 6PM at the park.

~ Kurama

I'll see you. You better tell me what's troubling you!

Kurama smiled as he read the message he received. He'll see her tonight and he'll tell her how he feels towards her. To hell with their so many differences, to hell with distance, he'll think of something about it but right now, what matters is that he would be able to tell her. It is 15 minutes before six o'clock. Anticipation slowly rising in his gut, he could smell her coming his way already.

"Minamino-san!"

Kurama looked at the direction where the voice came from. His heart sank when he saw Kitajima Maya approaching him.

"Kitajima-san, what a coincidence!" He said not letting her know that he was in a hurry. At any moment, she will come.

"I came to your house actually because there is something important that I need to tell you. Your brother said that you were here in the park so I decided to come here." Maya explained.

"I see. Is it a matter of urgency?" He inquired but deep down, he wanted to tell her that they could talk some other day. Kurama was surprised when Maya brushed her lips against his. It was just for a brief moment and then Maya withdrew, she was blushing profusely.

"Minamino-san I have always been in love with you. I never stopped loving you from the moment we parted years ago. Will you go out with me?"

Unbeknownst to Kurama, the person he was meeting was already there and she had witnessed what has transpired. She smiled at the sight before her. She didn't stay long. She summoned her oar and flew away, not wanting to hear what Kurama would say. "I guess, Kurama no longer need to talk to her for he has managed to resolve his concern". She did not understand though why her heart felt like it shattered into pieces and why tears were coming out from her eyes.

"Back so soon Botan?" Koenma said as the ferry girl stood in front of him. "I thought you had a meeting with the kitsune."

"It has been cancelled. I believe Kurama has a date." Botan cheerfully replied. Her awkward expression did not go unnoticed by Koenma but he decided not to say anything.

"And pray do tell why you've decided to see me?" Koenma asked again. "I'm already engaged." He teased.

"Oh please!" Botan rolled her eyes in annoyance. "I came to tell you that I am accepting the post you are offering me."

"Are you serious? You won't get to see them anymore. Being the Head Shinigami means more responsibility Botan." Koenma explained.

"I am sure of it."

To be continued