Tide Between Two Worlds

Just Another School Day

       As morning approached the eastern world, Hiei confirmed with Mukuro one last time about her actions. He wanted to know for certain that Kurama would meet his end.

       "Yes, Hiei," she said. "I left the baby in an area where no one would find him. He'll die soon enough."

       "Really? Then why did I hear him crying?"

       "Babies cry, Hiei. Obviously, since he's out of his element, he can't do anything but cry. I'm willing to bet he's suffocating right now from the lack of water going through his gills."

       "Hmph. Very well." Satisfied, Hiei went in a different direction.

       "Where are you going?"

       "To watch an emperor suffer. Who knows? Maybe his entire world will crumble and fall. It's what he deserves after stealing my world from me."

       As Mukuro watched, a smirk creased her face. If only Hiei knew of Mukuro's tricky ways. She glanced up at the surface satisfied over what she did, thinking something entertaining will come of it.

       "This should be fun," she declared before swimming away.

Meanwhile, news of Kurama's disappearance brushed over the kingdom in waves. Traces of Hiei's ink were still left behind debilitating and sickening those who got in the way. However, once the news reached home in Emperor Yoko, depression had developed a tighter grip on the widower.

       "GO AWAY," he roared to his court. "LEAVE ME BE! I WILL NO LONGER HEAR THIS NONSENSE!"

       Yomi, being the trusted advisor that he was, directed traffic, "Please. Our emperor is obviously in distress. Please go now."

       Alone, Yoko sat on his throne distraught once again, "What have I done? What have I done...to deserve this? First, my empress. Now, our son? Great goddess...what have I done?"

       "My lord?"

       "Construct a search team. Immediately," Yoko commanded, his waist-length, platinum blonde hair swirling around him in regal fashion. "I will not rest until my son is found. In Botan's honor, our son will be found."

       "My lord, given the growing perimeter of the affected areas, your son couldn't have gone that far. He could be found within hours."

       "Consider what you just said, Yomi. You clearly stated a growing perimeter which means until we get a definitive distance, we don't know how far my son may have traveled or how long it will take to find him. Now is not the time to be absent-minded. Scale every sea there is. Oceans as well. Send word to the other kingdoms if you have to ask for clearance. That includes my sister to the north. I want no stone unturned, no wave unchecked, no reef ignored. My son will be found even if I have to raise every drop of water off this earth to do it. By the word of our goddess and in honor of our empress, our son will be found."

       Yomi bowed, "Yes, my lord. I will get right on it."

       "Don't just sit there! That's an order! Go!"

       "Yes, my lord," Yomi swam away. "As you wish."

Completely alone, Yoko sat in his thoughts. Out of desperation, he swam up to the altar of the sea goddess to say a prayer. The deity of the waters was positioned with open arms draped in shells and pearls and a ningyo's tail adorned in a tentacle skirt. Her head displayed the crown of multiple styles, lengths, and textures of the children she created and was plastered on a wall watching over the empire Yoko and Botan have made their home.