“Is my brother still alive?”

Koenma was afraid this question would come up for months. He even thought up an answer if Botan were to ever find out the truth, but now, his mind was as lost as his words. He smacked himself mentally for practicing with Ogre and looked up from his desk to meet Botan’s angry eyes. He had to think of something fast, but what? He thought about it for a moment, that is, until something came to mind.

“Ohh...did I say Kano?” He said hastily, “I meant-”

Botan glared at him. “Answer my question, Koenma.”

Yusuke had never seen Botan this mad before. He could tell that it just wasn't from Koenma's lie. It also had to do with the fact that her brother was still alive. Was her brother that bad?

“Botan, let me explain-”

“There’s nothing to explain, Koenma,” Botan interrupted, “now answer my question.”

Yusuke was taken back by Botan’s new attitude toward her boss. But, as Yusuke averted his eyes to Koenma, he didn’t look a bit surprised by Botan’s actions. Yusuke was confused at the sudden turn of the tables. Usually Botan had the utmost respect for the chief of Spirit World.

“Mind your temper, girl,” Koenma said seriously, “remember who you are talking to.”

“Oh....and who am I talking to? The idiot that let my brother escape maybe?” Botan spat out.

Konema slammed his fist against his desk. “That’s enough! You know I have no authority over that matter! If your brother escaped, it was in the hands of the Bureau of Apparition! Not mine!”

Botan’s face fell, knowing that Koenma was right. The Bureau of Apparition was in charge of all misdemeanors committed by Spirit World criminals-including her brother, Kano. She shuddered at the thought of her twin brother. Why was he still alive? She couldn’t understand how he survived.

“I’m sorry, Koenma, I really don’t know what came over me.” Botan said as she put her face in her hands. “The thought of my brother just makes me feel a little uneasy.”

Koenma frowned. “I know you’re upset about Kano, but now is not the time to play the blame game. We need to figure out a way to track down your brother and make sure he doesn’t try to harm anyone again.”

Botan nodded slowly and glanced over to Yusuke, who was still appalled by Botan’s anger. He never thought Botan really had it in her to actually....get angry. She was the happiest person Yusuke had ever met. Why had the issue of her brother send Botan off the deep-end? He needed to know.

“Umm....Botan?” He asked as she nodded for him to continue. “Why is Kano so dangerous?”

“You see, Yusuke,” she paused, “along with his excellent skill in martial arts, Kano has the power of telepathy, which he acquired from my father’s side. It doesn’t seem like much, but over the past years, Kano grew fond of combining these two techniques to....steal.” Botan took a deep breath. “He would steal everything and anything that caught his eye, even if it meant killing someone in the process.”

Yusuke’s eyes widened at the last sentence. He couldn’t believe that someone related to Botan could actually kill someone. I mean, he thought that if he knew Botan, he would probably know everyone related to her. It wasn’t the case here. This guy was a thief and a murderer.

“Wait,” Yusuke asked curiously, “why was he exiled then?”

Botan turned to Yusuke. “Well Yusuke, there was a time when....”

*~*~**~*~*FLASHBACK*~*~**~*~*

“Hello sister.”

Botan looked at the man in front of her. He looked twenty years of age, even though he was into the triple digits now, and stood at about six feet. His hair was a dirty blonde, with a streak of blue on the sides, and put into a ponytail. He was a thin man, but his muscles gave him a brawny look. Finally, his arms were full of tattoos. Botan guessed that each tattoo had the name of one of his victims.

“Why....are you here?” Botan asked, knowing that her brother was wanted by the BOA.

He smiled. “I have a proposition for you.”

“Take it somewhere else,” Botan said as she turned away from him.

“EH! You won’t become the new chief of Spirit World’s assistant with that attitude.” He smiled.

“What?” Botan turned around and looked at him.

“I plan to steal Spirit World’s Imperial Seal tonight. Once I have that in my possession, everyone will name me the chief of Spirit World.....even you, sis.” He said as he put his hands on her shoulders.

“Why are you telling me this?” Botan asked inquiringly .“I can turn you in to the BOA, you know.”

“I’m trying to save you, Botan.” He smiled. “Why would I want to rule Spirit World anyway? I decided that I’m going to destroy Spirit World and make a new one on that planet over there.” He said as he pointed to Earth. “Now, I would hate to see my own blood killed by my two hands. Will you fall like the rest of them, or join me?”

Botan smiled to herself, waiting for this opportunity. “Fine. I’ll join you.”

“That’s my Botan,” he smiled, “but, before we begin....we need to go to Earth and bring back some of my other loyal servants. Can you distract the guards so I can pass without being seen?”

“It should be a simple task...” Botan said through clenched teeth.

“Lets begin the takeover.” Kano said as Botan nodded.

*~*~**~*~*

“Okay, the guards are taken care of.” Botan said, looking around conspicuously for a sign.

Kano smiled and directed her into a small arch. “Into the portal to Earth then.”

As they walked through the portal, Botan stopped halfway and looked at Kano. She finally saw the sign she was waiting for. She looked around and waited for Kano to stop and look at her.

“What’s wrong?”

Botan waited for him to step forward a little bit more before yelling, “NOW!”

Kano didn’t know what was going on until Botan moved through the Spirit World portal and sealed it, as did some officers at the portal toward Earth. Botan tricked him and now he was stuck between Earth and Spirit World without a way to get out. No. He had to get out of here. He tried to use the Spirit Wave technique to break the seal, but it had no effect on the seal. That’s when he felt something hit his chest. It was the Spirit Wave technique that he used on the seal. But how? Wait, the portal must be using his energy against him. He fell to his knees in pain. As he felt the rest of his energy being drained, he had enough to send a telepathic message to his sister-the traitor.

Botan swallowed hard and ignored his chilling message. The deed was done. Her brother would now find himself in the wasteland of Siberia. She couldn’t believe what she just did, but the Bureau of Apparition had told her of Kano’s plans to rule Earth as another Spirit World. She wouldn’t let that happen. So, she joined forces with the Bureau and tricked her own brother into thinking she would actually help him destroy Spirit World.

*~*~**~*~*END FLASHBACK*~*~**~*~*

Botan sighed and ran a hand through her pale blue hair. “I don’t know how he escaped Siberia, you see Yusuke, once you are trapped between two worlds....your energy is used against you. Once all your energy is drained the ancient seal (that the BOA used) between the two worlds is broken....and in most cases you are either dead or the BOA exiles the criminal.”

“So, Kano was exiled......” Yusuke said to himself.

Botan nodded. “We thought that he would never escape from the inner depths of Siberia.”

Botan’s statement was followed by a long silence between the three, that is, until they started hearing a constant munching coming from the side of the room. They looked over to see Ogre indulging in a bowl of beef stew. When he realized that everyone had their eyes on him, he quietly put his chopsticks down and waved at the three. “Oh sorry, long stories always make me hungry.”

“OGRE!” Koenma yelled as Ogre ran over to Koenma’s side.

“Yes Koenma, sir?” He said softly as Koenma looked up at him.

“Tell me something,” he paused and grunted slightly.

Ogre looked at the serious-looking Koenma. “Sir?”

Koenma shook his head disapprovingly as if he was upset about Ogre eating at a time like this. Ogre put his head down and waited for Koenma to give him the paddle. But instead, Ogre got an earful of.........

“WHY DIDN’T YOU MAKE ANY FOR ME!?” Koenma yelled as he bonked him with the bowl.

Yusuke and Botan both sweat-dropped at the situation before them.

*~*~**~*~*

“Koenma!”

Koenma looked up from his desk to see one of his assistants wave a paper in the air. He put it down on Koenma’s desk and said that it was from the Bureau of Apparition. Yusuke and Botan watched as Koenma read the letter carefully. After reading, Koenma looked up and said, “the BOA just got word that there was a robbery in one of the antique shops in lower Japan. There not sure what he stole, but they are sure that it was Kano.”

Yusuke frowned. “Why would he want to rob an antique store? Talk about desperate.”

“Don’t be too sure, Yusuke.” Koenma said as Botan looked at him. “He could be up to something.”

“An antique store....” Botan whispered as she stroked her chin.

Koenma shrugged his shoulders, “well, at least we got a lead.”

“So, should I be on my way?” Yusuke asked as he stood up.

“No,” Koenma said as he reached in his drawer for a ring. “Even though Kano is in his human form, he can sense your spirit energy if you get too close to him while you are on your journey. This ring has the power to conceal your spirit energy, that is, while you are wearing it.”

“Oh, I always wanted one of these,” Yusuke said as he took the ring and slipped it on his finger.

Koenma glared at him until Ogre walked into the room with a small phone in hand.

“Don’t forget this, Koenma,” Ogre said as he gave the phone to Koenma.

“Oh yes. You can use this phone to contact me or the BOA.”

“Alright, I think I am ready.” Yusuke said as Koenma let out a laugh.

“What? Are you going to walk down there?”

“Oh yeah.....how am I getting down there?” Yusuke asked as Koenma jumped off his chair and walked toward a small room next door. He pointed toward a small mirror.

“What do I do?” Yusuke asked touching the mirror.

Koenma sighed. “Think about the place you want to go, then walk through.”

“Hmm....and all this time I was using it for seeing my reflection.” Yusuke smirked.

Koenma smacked him upside the head.

“WHAT DID YOU DO THAT FOR!?” Yusuke yelled.

“For being an idiot.” Koenma smiled.

“You little-”

“Alright, lets go!” Botan interrupted as she glanced at the mirror.

“Where do you think you are going?” Koenma asked curiously.

Botan cleared her throat. “I’m going with Yusuke.”

“No, it’s too risky.” Koenma folded his arms. “What if Kano recognizes you?”

“I can disguise myself.” Botan said as Yusuke looked at her.

“Maybe Koenma is right......” Yusuke added.

Botan gawked at Yusuke. “Since when do you agree with Koenma!”

“Hmm....you actually have a point there....”

Koenma glared at the two of them. “Botan, as your boss and the chief of Spirit World, I forbid you to go with Yusuke. It’s too dangerous. Remember, he’s out for revenge.”

Botan sighed and walked out of the room.

“Eh! What are you looking at, Yusuke? Get your lazy butt to Japan!”

“Whatever you say, Koenma,” Yusuke said as he closed his eyes and said ‘lower Japan’ three times to himself. That’s when he walked through the mirror to find himself.......