Sandstorms  II



Kurama opened his eyes and groaned. He had the worst headache. He swung 
his legs over the side of the bed and stood up unsteadily.< What time is 
it? > He reached for the clock and blinked,< 1 o'clock PM! >He rushed for 
the closet, throwing clothes around in his wake.< I promised I'd meet
 with Shiori ! > 


********************************************

She hummed anxiously as she glanced around the resturant.< Where was 
Shuuichi? It wasn't like him to be this late. I wonder if he's alright. >
 

"Miss, may I borrow that chair?" 

Shiori looked up at the young man before her.< He looks so much like my 
Shuuichi. > 

"I'm sorry, but I'm expecting my son any minute now." 

"Oh, okay." 

Shiori sighed and turned her attention back to the glass of water sitting
before her.< Where is Shuuichi? > 


**********************************************
Kurama slowed down and took a couple of deep breaths as he round the 
corner to the resturant. He hadn't run that fast in his life.< I must 
look awful. > He straightened his shirt and walked into the resturant. 

" Excuse me, miss. Can I help you? " 

Kurama looked down to see a small man staring up at him expectantly." 
Well, I'm looking for a Shiori Minamino." 

"Ah, right this way." 

" By the way, I'm a mister." 

Kurama smiled as he saw the man's face blanch, as he made a quick exit. 

"Shuuichi!" 

Kurama turned to see Shiori looking at him with a pleased expression on
her face." I knew you didn't forget. You even suggested this luncheon 
yourself." 

Kurama winced,< Acutally I did forget. > He sat down at the table and 
looked at Shiori hesitantly. 

"So, how have you been?" 

"Oh, fine, fine. But enough about me, what about you? What did you want
to tell me? " She took a sip of her water and crossed her hands in her 
lap, waiting. 

" Well, kaasan ," < What should I say? > He looked at her and nervously 
licked his lips< I can still taste Hiei! Or was that a dream? >," I have 
to go to the United States for a, um, a business trip, and I may not be 
back for quite a while." He looked up at Shiori to see her staring at 
him with a puzzled expression on her face. 

"Does that mean you'll miss New Year's?" 

Kurama looked down at the floor and sighed,< I hadn't even thought of 
that! >" Probably so, kaasan. I'm sorry." 

" Oh that's alright Shuuichi-kun.I guess I can't have my little baby 
forever. Just come back in one piece, okay?" Shiori fiddled with the 
napkin in her lap and then up at Kurama with a smile. 

" Alright, kaasan." < I'll try. > 


********************************************

Later that day....

Hiei stood in the brush, the trees above him providing good cover.
< I wonder where that kitsune is? > He looked across the field to see 
Botan standing in the clearing, anxiously hoping from foot to foot. 
He snorted,< standing in plan sight, idiot. > On impulse, he fingered 
his mouth, still slightly bruised from that night.< I can still taste 
him! > He shook his head angrily,< He probably doesn't even remember 
me. > Frowning, he shook the bottle he held in his hand experimentally.
< How is this going to end? > 


*********************************************

Kurama walked into the woods, shouldering the bookbag on his shoulders. 
He had brought everything Botan had told him to and more. Suddenly the 
trees opened out to a clearing and he could see Botan pacing back and 
forth anxiously.He smiled," Hey, Botan!" 

Botan turned to look at him and then wave him over frantically." Hurry 
up! We only have a few moments that the portal can be activated!" She 
rushed over to Kurama and pulled him into a circle that she had drawn on 
the ground. 

"Where's Hiei?" 

A gust of wind ruffled Kurama's hair and he turned to see Hiei staring 
at him, his eyes questioning.Kurama frowned,< I guess last night was a 
dream. > He didn't hear Hiei's angry 'Hn' or see him turn his back to 
the kitsune. 

" Well, I guess everything is ready except...Ah!" Botan rushed over to 
Hiei and snatched the bottled he was holding in his hand."Here Kurama. 
You have to drink this sparingly because this is all we have. This will 
prevent you from getting heat stroke in this hot country." 

Kurama took the bottle and looked it over. It was about the size of his 
palm and was filled with thick, reddish liquid." Okay, no problem." 

" Of course," Botan giggled,"the heat will be no problem for Hiei." 
Hiei snorted and fingered his katana. 

"Okay now!" Botan said nervously."Let's go!" 

The wind picked up and the ground beneath them started to glow a 
brillant red. Kurama looked over to Hiei to see him staring at the 
ground, his jagan open.< It's so hot!" Kurama unplugged the bottle and 
tentatively taste some,as he felt the ground give way and they plunged 
into nothingness. 


To Be Continued...