Author: Now it is time for the real fun to begin!

Hilu: You always seem to want to give away your plans. Why?

Author: I am not giving away anything! Just the fact that this chapter will be fun! Well enjoy!

Hiei's thoughts

"Hiei's Jagan"

"Hiei's telepathy"

"Kirana's telepathy"

singing

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Chapter 17

Kirana went back to the temple. She had things to do. She began to train. She drew her sword and fought with an imaginary sparring partner. She knew Hiei would do the right thing. She knew he would tell Yukina who he was. So now she could play matchmaker. She grinned to herself. She would love to have Botan for a sister. She knew how much her brother loved the ferry girl and she knew how much Botan loved her brother. She just wasn't sure how she was going to do this.

"Watch it onna. You could kill someone by not paying attention!"

"Oops sorry, Hiei. I was thinking."

"I could see that much. What were you thinking about? I heard Youko and Botan, but that is all. Do you have some sort of evil plan to make the fox see how much he loves the ferry onna."

"And vice versa. They are in love, but neither one will tell the other, so they both believe that their feelings are not returned. Did you tell Yukina?"

"Yes."

"And? What did she say?"

"She said she knew you would find her brother for her. And she also said for me to thank you for both of us. You were right. I'm not sure how you know Yukina so well, but you did. So thank you. I'm not sure how I will make it up to you but I will."

"I know how you could make it up to me."

"How?"

"Help me with Botan and my brother. And spar with me."

"I will spar with you, but matchmaking is beneath me."

"But if you help me it will be done faster. Please? I will help you train to my voice and won't tell anyone you are struggling with it."

"If you do not mention this conversation again I will help. I don't know why your voice gets to me, but it does. That is not the point. What is your plan?"

"Well they need to spend some time just the two of them. But I'm not sure how to manage that."

"You get Botan to the pond and I will get Kurama."

"Perfect! And we can set up a romantic picnic…this is so exciting!"

"I just want the fox to do something."

"When?"

"Tomorrow. Noon."

"Done! See you later. Oh and your training will be at midnight… at the pond… don't be late!"

"Hn."

Kirana went inside to help Yukina with dinner, but the second she walked into the kitchen Yukina threw herself at the younger girl and was crying. Kirana knowing what was going on simply wrapped her arms around her friend and endured the profuse thanks.

"How can I make it up to you?" Yukina asked.

"Can you keep a secret?"

"Yes," she said confused.

"Come with me."

The two girls went far enough to be out of earshot of the fox demon and the ferry girl.

"I need you to make a picnic lunch for me tomorrow. It has to be romantic. Strawberries finger sandwiches roses, stuff like that. Can you do that for me?"

"Sure, but why?"

"Well I have a plan to get two of our friends to admit how they feel about each other."

"Okay, what time do you want it ready?"

"Noon, and make sure there is only enough for two people."

"Okay," she said.

Then both girls walked back to the temple and fixed dinner. They all sat around the table eating and Kirana had never felt so much a part of a family. She was so happy. She had plans to make her brother and her best friend happy and she was getting to become closer to the handsome fire demon. She could not wait for that night. She would be at the pond early, and she would wait for the fire demon to make his appearance. Then she would train him. She could not wait.

That night at eleven thirty Kirana snuck out of her window. She had gotten about three feet away from the temple when she heard a voice.

"You should not go wandering around at night by yourself, Kirana. Take someone with you," Genkai said from the shadows of the temple.

"I will be fine Genkai. I can't sleep so I thought I would go for a walk," she said hoping that the woman wouldn't ask questions.

"Call Hiei and make him walk with you. I can sense him near here, and he is up. He will walk with you. I do not need my pupil wandering off on her own and getting hurt," Genkai said firmly.

"Of course. I will call him now," Kirana said trying to appease the old woman.

"I will stay until he arrives," Genkai said.

Kirana smiled and called for Hiei.

"What are you afraid you will get lost on the way to the pond?"

"No, Genkai saw me leaving and told me that I can't leave without an escort, so unless you would like an audience you should come here and walk with me."

"How did you get caught? I'm coming."

"Thank you."

"Hn."

Hiei came to the temple and Genkai left. Then the two demons left to go to the pond. When they got there Kirana asked if he knew why it was so hard for him to resist the pull of her voice.

"If I knew don't you think I would have done something by now Onna?"

"I was just asking."

"Hn. Let's just get started.

They spent the next few hours with Kirana singing quietly and Hiei approaching her until she stopped singing. She had been singing for about three hours, and she finally lost track of Hiei.

Every night in my dreams

I see you

I feel you

That is how I know you

Go on

Far across the distance

And spaces between us

You have come to show you

Go on

Near far

Wherever you are

I believe that

The heart does go on

Once more

You open the door

And you're here in my heart and

My heart will go on and on

Suddenly Kirana felt Hiei he was close, but she couldn't see him. She had no idea where he was, and while she did not want to take the chance of Hiei doing something he would regret she did want to make sure he was getting used to her voice. So she decided that damn the consequences she was going to keep singing. She was hoping that he would touch her. She wanted him to touch her. She knew how she felt, and she wanted him to touch her. So she kept singing.

Love can touch us one time

And last for a life time

And never let go till

We're gone

Love was when I loved you

One true time I hold to

In my live will always go on

Near far

Wherever you are

I believe that the heart does

Go on

Once more

You open the door

And you're here in my heart and

My heart will go on and on.

Suddenly she felt Hiei wrap his arms around her waist. She stopped singing abruptly. She could barely breathe. It just felt so… right.

Hiei's arms tightened for a second, then were gone. She almost stumbled backwards, but didn't. She turned around getting ready to apologize, when she saw his eyes. They were glowing.

"Why did you sing that song?"

"I don't know… it just came to my head so I sang it. I'm sorry I couldn't tell where you were…I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry?"

"I…I didn't mean to lose track of where you were…I …"

"How do you do this to me… I have known a few sirens, and they have never had this effect on me… how is that you do?"

"I…I don't know…I am so sorry I lost track of where you were."

"I have always been able to force the Jagan to block out the sound of the voice, but I can't block yours. Is it the Jagan? We're done for now… go back to the temple."

"Okay."

Once Kirana was gone, Hiei started thinking about how she could have caused him to react the way he did. He wanted her, but he knew that it would not be a good idea… he was best friends with Kurama, and didn't want to screw it up. But he couldn't get her out of his mind especially since he had come out of that last daze with her in his arms. It had just felt… right.

"Do you care for her?"

No, that is stupid. She is just a baka onna. I barely know her.

"But she helped you tell Yukina… and that song… and the feel of her in your arms."

No, I won't think like this. I don't need a baka onna.

"But she isn't stupid I mean look at her plan with Kurama and Botan. It was hard for you to tell that the fox loved the ferry onna."

No! It is just her damn voice… I don't need anyone.

"But she is so pretty."

No she isn't she is just an onna.

"What no baka this time?"

Shut up I don't need you! And I don't need her.

"Suit yourself, but you care for her. You may even love her… look into it."

The next day Kirana and Hiei acted like nothing had happened. They went about with the plan for Kurama and Botan. Kirana asked Yukina to put the basket over by the pond. She did and Kirana convinced Botan to go for a walk with her, while Hiei convinced Kurama to spar with him.

When both groups made it to the pond Kirana and Hiei had the other two talking about each other. When they saw each other they blushed.

"Look it's a picnic! Looks like someone was planning a lunch. And lookie it's lunch time!" Kirana said, looking at the food and flowers spread out on the blanket. "Looks like there is only enough for two. Good thing I have already eaten!"

"Me, too. I guess we will let you two eat. I will spar with Kirana. I need to be able to beat her soon anyway. Enjoy!" Hiei said as him and Kirana slipped out of the clearing towards another one where they could train.

"Well, maybe we should check and make sure nothing is wrong with it," Botan said nervously.

"Nothing is wrong with it Botan. Kirana and Hiei planned this. This basket belongs to Genkai. I am hungry, perhaps you will share this lunch with me?" Kurama asked her.

"Okay. I am kind of hungry too," Botan said blushing.

Kurama fixed them each a plate impressed at the effort Hiei and Kirana had made to make the lunch very romantic. The roses were all the brightest red possible and the food was all finger foods and there were strawberries dipped in chocolate and whipped cream.

The two sat there eating enjoying the others company. Finally the romantic environment got the better of the fox demon. He looked over to Botan and realized for about the hundredth time how beautiful she was.

Finally he gathered his courage to him, "Botan?"

"Yes," she answered.

"There is something I want to tell you," Kurama said.

"What is it Kurama. You know you can tell me anything," Botan said smiling.

"Botan, I have fallen in love with you. You don't have to say anything if you don't want to, but I thought you had a right to know that I love you," Kurama finished blushing.

"You... what?" Botan asked not believing her ears.

"I love you," Kurama said again looking into her eyes.

"Oh Kurama, I love you too," Botan said throwing herself in the fox demons arms.

Kurama wrapped his arms around Botan, not believing his good fortune. She loved him too. She had said that she loved him too. Gently he tipped her head back and kissed her softly.

"We will have to thank Kirana and Hiei for this," Botan said looking up at the love of her life.

"And I have the perfect way how to thank my little sister," Kurama said grinning mischievously.

"And how is that?" Botan asked.

"Give her a sister-in-law and a niece or nephew soon," Kurama said green eyes flashing gold for a minute.

Botan blushed, "Are you asking what I think you are asking?"

"Youko and I are asking you to be our mate. Please say yes. We both love you so much. Will you be our mate?" Kurama asked.

"Yes," Botan said laughing.

Suddenly Kurama's red hair turned silver and his beautiful green eyes were gold. Youko kissed Botan passionately. Then he moved his mouth to her neck and after kissing her gently bit her neck, sinking his fangs into her soft skin. Carefully he licked up the blood and grinned at Botan.

"I love you Botan. And I will never leave you," Youko said before capturing her mouth once more in a passionate kiss.

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Author: YAY! I love happy endings…

Hilu: This is not the end though.

Author: I know but it's the end of the chapter… and it is so happy… I love it!

Hilu: Just don't start crying.

Author: I won't… this time. Well Ja ne!