Author: Konichiwa! I love being able to have another chapter for you all so soon… especially since I left you where I did! I am sooo happy!

Hilu: Why don't you just get started so they can read what is going to happen.

Author: Good idea Hilu… Enjoy!

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Chapter 18

Kirana was training Hiei and had been for about two hours when they heard someone approaching. Kirana scanned the area and sensed Botan and Kurama. Quickly she drew her katana and Hiei followed her example beginning to spar with her.

"Hey, you two take a break… Botan and I need to thank you," Kurama said.

"Thank us for what?" Kirana said feigning innocence.

"Nice try, Sis, but that wont work. Hiei, thank you so much for the hand you played in my sister's escapade. If you don't mind though, Botan and I would like to speak to her alone. Don't worry your turn is soon," Kurama said, before changing into Youko.

"Hn," then he took off.

Kirana re-sheathed her sword and looked at the two. That's when she saw it. Youko had marked Botan!

"OH MY GODS! I never thought you would mark her so soon!" Kirana exclaimed running over to her brother and her new sister. "I am so happy for you two!"

Botan wrapped her arms around her friend whispering, "Thank you so much. You know I love your brother, and you know I love you right?"

"Well duh… I wouldn't have played cupid if I didn't know you two loved each other," Kirana said laughing.

"Kirana, I want to thank you for convincing us to admit how we feel towards Botan. I'm not sure if we would have done it if you hadn't done what you did," Youko said pulling his sister into a hug.

Kirana leaned into her brother, "Youko, you are a huge baby, and I know it. I knew if I could get roses and a few other things in that basket you would be forced to tell Botan how you felt."

Youko gently kissed his little sister's forehead. Then he changed back to Kurama. Kurama looked at the little girl in his arms and realized she wasn't as little as she had been.

"Kurama, you know that no matter how old I get I will always be you little sister. Don't worry about it. I always look up to you no matter how much stronger I am than you. I mean you are pratically a giant to me," Kirana said giggling.

Kurama laughed and followed Youko's example and hugged Kirana to him. Then he pulled back and kissed her forehead. Smiling he walked over to Botan and put his arm around her.

"You are too smart for your own good sometimes," Kurama said to his sister.

"You had better go tell Hiei. He is probably wondering. Oh and I'm not sure if I can keep this a secret so I will stay here. Once you tell everyone send Hiei after me!" Kirana said honestly.

Kurama laughed and agreed. Then he went to tell his best friend of the development between himself and the love of his life. He knew that his sister had a big mouth especially when she was excited. They told Hiei and got many congratulations and then they went back to the temple and made the announcement. Then Hiei disappeared. Youko was curious about how much time his friend was spending with his sister, but thought nothing of it, he was too busy enjoying his beautiful mate.

Hiei found Kirana in the clearing they had been in earlier. She hadn't noticed him and he took his time watching her. She was fighting with an imaginary partner again. She moved so fluidly. He was amazed with the strength her small frame contained. For a while he just watched her.

Kirana finally got sick of fighting imaginary foes and decided she would sing, after all she did love it. There was something so soothing about it. So she began to sing. She sang the same song she had been singing the night beforewhen she had lost track of the fire demon. She remembered how he had wrapped his arms around her and she tried not to sigh. Then she felt it again. Strong arms wrapped around her waist.

She stopped singing again and the arms didn't move. She looked down. It was Hiei. There was no mistaking the rightness of being in his arms. When he still did not move his arms from around her she was worried.

"Hiei?"

"Yes?"

"Are you ok?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

"Why?"

"Because you are still holding me."

Suddenly the warmth at her back was gone. This time she did stumble backwards. Again two strong arms wrapped around her preventing her from falling. Then he slowly removed his arms from around her.

"Why did you almost fall?"

"I…I don't know."

"Why not?"

"I'm not sure."

"How do you do this to me?"

"I don't mean to."

"I know… I'm not sure how I know but I do."

"Hiei?"

"Yes?"

"Never mind."

"What is it Onna?"

"It's nothing important."

"Onna?"

"Yes, Hiei?"

"What were you going to ask me?"

"Nothing."

Kirana looked up at the fire demon standing a few inches from her. His eyes were beautiful. She knew she did not stand a chance with him, but in her dreams she could see him lowering his mouth to hers… or maybe it wasn't a dream. Was he going to kiss her?

Slowly Hiei lowered his mouth to hers. She was so beautiful. Maybe if he just kissed her once he would be ok. Maybe if he could just kiss her once he would be able to tune out her voice.

Softly Hiei's lips touched Kirana's. He gently put his arms around her waist and her arms wrapped around his neck pulling him closer. He groaned running his tongue along her bottom lip. Her mouth opened to his and he thrust his tongue into her mouth.

He tasted so good. She pulled down on his head just a little. She ran her fingers through his hair. It was so silky. She didn't ever want this kiss to end.

Suddenly Hiei pulled away and backed up. Blinking he touched his lips. What had he done? He had just kissed his best friend's little sister, only he couldn't think of her like that anymore. She wasn't Kurama's sister. She was Kirana. His Kirana. No he couldn't think like that.

Kirana blinked. Why had he pulled away? Then he was looking at her. He stepped closer to her again and lowered his lips to hers. This time the kiss was more passionate. Finally he pulled away when neither one could breathe anymore.

"Kirana, I think I know why I cannot resist your voice."

"Why are you worried about that Hiei?"

"I think I can't ignore your voice because I want to hear it. I want to feel that pull."

"What do you mean Hiei?"

"Kirana I… I think I…"

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Author: ok that's all for now –ducks flying objects– hey now don't break me or I will not be able to write again.

Hilu: You keep leaving them with cliffhangers.

Author: Oh! Heh heh… review please. Ja ne!