LOVE DEFIES ALL ODDS
By: Seiyo
seiyo@hotmail.com

CHAPTER 12          

Koenma reached the clearing just in time to see Kuwabara being thrown off by the force field that Akuma had created around her. 

“What’s happening? Where’s Botan?” Koenma shot at them. 

“Well, your friend here got very impatient, not to mention impulsive and attacked me. He doesn’t know how to treat women with respect, does he?” 

“Not when that woman is someone like you,” Kuwabara spat at her. 

Akuma raised an eyebrow at him, “Well, now he learned his lesson the hard way. And about your princess…” she said facing Koenma, “Let’s say she’s well kept by my followers someplace.” 

“I’m gonna finish you and get her back,” Yusuke uttered. 

“Uh, uh. If you kill me, you’ll never know where I hid her,” Akuma gave him a devilish smile, “You can’t do anything…” As she spoke, a dark ball radiated from her hand 

Not far away, Botan ran as fast as she can through the woods, the crystal glowing in her hand, scorching all the monsters that came into her path. She could hear the voices up ahead. 

Hiei suddenly turned, ”Someone’s coming,” he mumbled. 

The others felt it too and reverted their attention to the foliage at their side. Akuma took the chance and raised her hand, ready to throw the ball of energy she generated. 

Botan made her way through the dense bushes up front and came out into the clearing, stunning the five men. She saw Akuma throw the dark ball. 

“Nooo!” Botan yelled. Before anyone else could react, a flash of light coming from the crystal went straight for the ball of energy that Akuma hurled at them. Upon contact the dark ball exploded flinging them off their feet. 

“I won’t let you get away with this,” the incensed Akuma picked herself up and glared at Botan. As she did, she uttered a cry and a huge falcon came swooping down at them. It grabbed Botan with its claws and flew away with her. 

“What was that?” Yusuke rubbed his head as he recovered. His vision focused on the feathered creature, “Oh no, Botan!” 

He ran after the falcon, the others right behind him. 

“We won’t be able to catch up with it,” Kuwabara voiced. 

“And we can’t attack it either, it may drop Botan,” Hiei spoke 

Kurama transformed to his youkai form and quickly fashioned wings made out of plants. He lifted off, resolved to bring Botan back safely. But the falcon just flew faster, making it harder for Kurama to catch up. 

“You bitch! Give her back!” Koenma demanded angrily at Akuma. 

“I don’t think so,” with that, she gave another shrill cry. They watched in horror as the falcon increased the distance between him and Kurama and slowly let go of Botan. 
Botan’s eyes widened as she felt the creature’s claws move under her. 

“Oh God, please help me,” tears spilled from her eyes, ”please don’t let me die…” 

She clutched the crystal to her heart as she felt the last support give way as the falcon completely let her go. She closed her eyes tight as she waited for her body to hit the ground, ending her life, but it didn’t happen. Instead, a bright light enveloped her… A voice spoke in her mind… I am Suisho… For years, I have waited to find someone worthy to carry out my resolution once the right time comes. I have locked my soul in this crystal to make certain that my people and the generations after them would be taken care of. That time has come and I have chosen you to carry out my wish. I know that you have spoken to my beloved Shinichi… All that he had said is true. Please help us… Save your friends and all the other people from Akuma. I will guide you through all that you have to do… You may say yes…or no. I leave you to choose for yourself and for the fate of the people… 
“Noooo!” It was Koenma’s turn to yell as the gigantic creature released Botan from its hold. He ran faster, but was stopped from his tracks as a brilliant sphere surrounded Botan. The sphere went down slowly and Koenma, his eyes fixed on the orb, ran forward. Yusuke, Kuwabara and Hiei followed him. They arrived on a clearing surrounded by a cliff on its edge. Kurama had flown down and joined them. They watched, dazed as the sphere made its way down and settled slowly on land. In the center of it, Botan stood, her shirt and pants replaced by a white empire cut dress, flowing down to her feet. Her eyes were closed; her long blue hair, hung loose on her shoulders, was gently moving with the light breeze that surrounded her. As her feet touched the ground the crystal in her hand glowed, the sphere disappeared, and she opened her eyes. 

Akuma recovered from her shock upon seeing Botan and spoke angrily, ”Suisho… This is all her doing.” 

“Yes,” Botan affirmed, catching everyone’s attention, “She has chosen me to put a stop to all your lunacy.” 

“And you’re thinking that I’d let you do that easily?” Akuma retorted indignantly as she sent a blast of dark power towards Botan. 

“Botan, move away!” Yusuke alerted her. 

Botan quickly raised a hand, a barrier formed in front of her, shielding her from Akuma’s blast. 

Enraged, Akuma mumbled with spite in her voice, “I’m going to make you suffer; after that, I will destroy all of you. Then I will proceed to rule the whole world.” She clenched her fist then hurled a powerful ball at the five men. Botan hurled an orb to counter it, but the explosion threw them off their feet. 

Hiei recovered fast and faced Akuma, sending dagger-like glares at her, “Jaou… ensatsu…” Hiei’s bandages were shed off and a dark fire formed on his palm, “KOKORYUHAAA!!!” 

The black dragon headed for Akuma, who built a dark sphere around her. The dragon hit the barrier. Akuma then sent a powerful ball that tore it in half. 

Yusuke stepped forward and aimed his index finger at Akuma, “REI GAANNN!!!” the powerful spirit ball collided with the sphere then exploded. 

“Fools! Nothing can penetrate my powerful shield!” Inside the sphere, Akuma raised her arms and started concentrating her power into another dark ball. 
“You were just envious of Queen Suisho plus you wanted to prove to everyone that you’re just as good as she can be,” Kurama cried out, hoping to distract Akuma, “But she’s not here anymore and neither does her empire exist. Why are you still doing this?” 

“You don’t quite understand. Queen Suisho may not be alive, and neither does her empire exist but there is still the whole world. Even though I wouldn’t be able to laugh to her face once I have conquered Ningenkai, I’d still be able to prove that I’m just as good as her. Besides, that’s not just what I want. I want to be the queen, to have the power that she once had in her hands, to be served by all, to rule above all else,” she paused and looked at them, ”But you’ve ruined all my plans and I could never forgive that.” 

“I pity you Akuma!” Botan cried out, “Not only are you a lunatic, but all your ideas and beliefs are twisted as well,” she took a deep breath and continued, “You do not deserve to be a leader! And even if you become one, you will never experience how it is to rule just as Queen Suisho had because you do not have the qualities she has! Can’t you see? Her reign had been a glorious one because she had always thought of her people and not herself. Because of her service, she gave up her happiness with the one she loved most. Even in her death, she thought of her people, that’s why she sealed her soul in this crystal instead of letting herself have her peace,” as Botan spoke, the crystal glowed brighter and floated above her hands, ”She was even kind to you. Why do you think didn’t she end your life when you have tried to get rid of her? She had cared for you, that even if you had brought her so much heartache, she decided to give you another chance, hoping that you’ll change. She was so unselfish, that’s why the people loved her and served her. Even as she died, most of them carried her memories in their hearts. While you, you don’t even think about anything but yourself. How can you be a good leader when you’re so greedy? You may be as intelligent and brilliant as her, but you can never surpass the love she had in her heart… and I can never let you rule the world,” Botan said with determination. 

“Botan…” Koenma softly whispered his eyes shining with respect and admiration. 

A softness momentarily passed Akuma’s eyes but, after a fleeting second, her expression hardened once more, “You have no right to say those words to me! I will never let you stop me!” her eyes blazed with fierce anger as she cast the ball to Botan. 

As the ball traveled the distance between them, Botan surrounded Koenma and the others with a sphere. Then, Botan stretched her arms. 

A sudden realization hit Koenma, “No Botan, You can’t! You might die!” 

Botan looked at them, tears were spilling from her eyes, “You have been great friends… thank you for everything…” 

“No Botan, please don’t,” Koenma gazed at her pleadingly, but as he looked in her eyes, prodded to the depths of her soul, he knew that there was nothing more he could do, “I love you…” 

“I’m sorry Koenma, but I must do this,” Botan gave her a sad smile, “I love you too…” she whispered then faced Akuma. 

A powerful stream of light burst forth her hands, sending gusts of wind around her. The dark ball of power collided with the brilliant stream. For a while, the two forces battled in the center. 
Botan gave a heartbreaking scream as she used all her strength, power and energy until the steady stream of light pushed the ball towards Akuma. 

“BOTAAANNN!!!” Koenma cried out, seeing Botan’s pain. 

Their cries were dissolved in the air as Akuma was thrown off and a blinding flash of light surrounded all of them…

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