Part 20
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A highly annoyed voice cried out.

Kurama snarled back.

Golden eyes gleamed in the darkness.

Kurama rolled his eyes.

An exasperated sigh.

Kurama crossed his arms and scowled. <*We* fell in love with a Forbidden Child.>

The sound of someone repeatedly banging his head against a wall. <*That* has got to be *the* most idiotic thing we have ever done.>

Kurama snorted.

Silence, then--

* * * * *

With a start, Kurama jerked awake, shaking his head slightly to clear off the last vestiges of a half-remembered dream. There had been this really annoying voice...

"Oh, you're awake!" the ningen carrying him exclaimed, arms tightening reflexively.

"Hmm?" He blinked up at the spiky-haired youth.

"You kinda fell asleep for a while there." Sano grinned down at him.

He blushed. How embarrasing. "Gomen."

"'Sall right," the dark-eyed boy replied. "I didn't mind. Anyway," he continued. "we're almost there."

"We are?" Kurama turned to glance at their surroundings. "Where's Himura-san?"

"Oh," he shrugged. "Kenshin went on ahead to tell 'jousan that we're coming."

"I see. That was...very considerate of him."

"Yeah, he's weird that way," Sano said, smirking. "Before I forget, he told me to tell you that if anyone asks, you've been living and training in China, all right?" A faintly worried look crossed his face. "Ne, Kurama-san, you *do* know something about the Art, right?"

Kurama smiled faintly. "Hai. I'm...acquainted with it."

The other boy looked relieved. "Good. Then we're all set. Oh, Kenshin's briefed the little guy too."

Kurama involuntarily looked down at the small fire demon strutting along beside the taller human. Hiei-chan looked way too pleased with himself, he thought darkly.

With a satisfying mental cackle, he settled down deeper into Sanosuke's arms and began to plot.

Oh yes, Hiei was going to get it...

* * * * *

Sanosuke felt Kurama snuggle closer to him and nearly expired on the spot. Gods, having her in his arms felt so good--!

With a blissful smile on his face, the ex-gangster walked on. The gods must really be smiling on him today....

* * * * *

He was doing it again!

Hiei-chan lost his smug grin, eyeing the tall ningen with barely suppressed anger. He was cuddling Kurama-chan closer, and, and---well, just *touching* him! It wasn't fair! Kurama-chan was *his* best friend!

Scowling, he contented himself with visions of how he'd get even with the presumptuous ningen later on. Just as soon as they reached the dojo....

Hiei-chan's red eyes began to gleam. Oh yes, just as soon as they reached the dojo...