Part 7
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Kurama placed the pink plastic sphere on the floor. Summoning up a bit of his youki, he began to feed it to the transporter, activating it. It began to glow a happy blue. He gave a fastidious shudder. He stared down at the small figure by his side. "Are you ready Hiei?"

Hiei-chan placed his hand into Kurama's. "Hai!"

Giving Hiei-chan's hand a slight squeeze, Kurama stepped forward. "Then let's go."

* * * * *

Hiei-chan's grip on Kurama's hand tightened. He was feeling Very Nervous. He wanted to get bigger again but...he vaguely remembered being a lot lonelier before. He didn't want to grow up if it meant losing everything he now had, especially... He looked up at the redheaded half-youko. He suddenly remembered Kurama-chan's reply to his proposal last night, and a queasy feeling began roiling in his chest.

* * * * *

"Hiei," Kurama had said, staring deep into his eyes. "I would be honored to have you with me forever. But..." A shadowed expression darkened his emerald gaze. "Ask me again when you get back to normal."

"Demo-"

"Shh." Kurama placed a finger on his lips, silencing him. "It's all right, Hiei. There's no need to rush things." Standing up, he brushed off his clothes and held out a hand to Hiei-chan. "Let's go inside."

* * * * *

Hiei-chan's lips firmed in resolve. Hiei-chan stepped through the gateway.

* * * * *

Kurama groaned. He ached all over. He gave the countryside around them an aggrieved look.

Hiei-chan plopped himself down on the ground beside Kurama, panting heavily. "Mou, I'm tired, Kurama-chan. Where are we anyway?"

Kurama pulled a face. "I have no idea."

"Eh?" Hiei-chan looked at him with wide eyes.

"I don't recognize this place at all..."

"Demo...wasn't Koenma's gate supposed to take us to the Makai?"

Kurama sighed. "Supposed to yes, actually brought us there...No."

Hiei-chan blinked. "So what're we gonna do?"

Kurama rubbed the back of his neck. "I think we'd better keep on moving until we meet somebody who can tell us where we are."

"But I'm tired," Hiei-chan complained. He sat back on his heels and refused to budge.

Kurama sighed and rolled his eyes. Sometimes, he really wished he had the old, MATURE, Hiei back. Turning around, he bent down and crouched before Hiei-chan. "Come on, I'll carry you."

Hiei-chan's eyes brightened. With a squeal, he clambered up onto Kurama's back.

"Ooomph!" Kurama glared balefully at his small passenger. "Take it easy back there, will you?"

Hiei-chan just giggled and wrapped his arms around Kurama's neck. Now that he had him in this position, he wasn't about to let the opportunity go to waste. With a contented sigh, he snuggled closer and let the young ningen do all the walking. Sometimes being a child DID have its uses.