What If? -a YYH/RK crossover Part 19 --------------------------------------- Kurama gave the redheaded samurai an incredulous look. "Anou ne, you *do* realize that I'm--" "*That* doesn't matter," Kenshin said, quickly shushing him with one hand. It wouldn't do for the boy to blurt out his gender before he got to have any fun. "It'll be easier this way. Really." He did his best to look convincing. "Demo...your *sister*?!?" Kurama's expression was a interesting mixture of disgust, annoyance and exasperation. The thought was a particularly deflating one. "Hai, de gozaru yo!" Kenshin said, responding to his exclamation. "Demo, Kenshin, how are you gonna explain about that explosion?" Yahiko asked. "It's not like nobody saw *him*," indicating Hiei-chan, "create those flames. Not to mention that kick-ass dragon he released," he continued in a half-resentful, half-jealous tone of voice. "You *saw* them?" Kurama asked in surprise. He stared at them in wonder. "You guys must have really strong ki." "What do you mean?" Yahiko gave him a confused look. "Black flames *are* rather hard to miss." "Well..." Kurama glanced briefly at Hiei-chan. "That fire was created from Hiei-chan's ki. While the Kokuryuu would've been visible to everyone, the other flames used too little of his energy. Only people with strong spiritual powers would have been able to see them." "That makes my plan even better!" Kenshin smiled happily. "Then we can blame the explosion on...etou...," he paused to think for a moment. "Assasins!" he stated triumphantly. "Assassins out to get to me through you!" Kenshin looked thrilled with his idea. "It'll be easier for people to accept that than the actual truth anyway," he finished brightly. "Assassins?" Kurama asked skeptically. "Isn't that a bit far-fetched?" "Not really," Sanosuke said, joining in on the conversation. "Kenshin's got a lot of powerful enemies." "Honto?" Wide green eyes stared in bemusement at the slender redhead. "Aa," Kenshin rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "I was kind of notorious in my youth." "Your youth?" Kurama blinked. He gave Kenshin a thorough inspection, from the top of his slightly tousled hair to his sandalled feet. "Anou...aren't you the same age I am?" Kenshin blushed as Sanosuke and Yahiko laughed. "Sessha wa nijyuuhassai de gozaru," he said, sighing gustily. "I've aged rather well, don't you think?" "..." Kurama stared. Twenty-eight years old?!? He gave him a considering look. * * * * * Hiei-chan yawned sleepily as the grown-ups began to talk. His brain was just beginning to fizz over in boredom when he heard Kurama's startled exclamation. He perked up. Kurama-chan pretending to be that ningen's sister? He wasn't sure he liked that idea. Then an image of Kurama with his hair neatly arranged and wearing a nice kimono popped into his mind. He considered it for a long moment. Maybe the idea wasn't so bad after all. * * * * * Hiei-chan walked up to Kenshin and tugged on his hakama. The redhead blinked down at him. "Ne, if Kurama-chan is going to be your sister, who am I gonna be?" The expression on his face told the ex-hitokiri that his answer had better be good, or else. Kenshin sweatdropped. He hadn't planned that far ahead yet. Thinking quickly, he asked, "Do you know how to use a sword?" "Of course I do!" Hiei-chan gave the taller man a look that said he was an idiot for asking such a stupid question. Kenshin prudently took a step back. It never hurt one to be careful, especially when one was dealing with temperamental fire demons. "Saa, then I'll introduce you as a cousin who's come over to train with me." At the little youkai's considering look, he added, "I'm rather good with the sword myself, you know." "Hn." "I take it you agree with my idea?" Kenshin asked carefully. "...Hai." Hiei-chan said, a small smile appearing on his face. There was this look in his eyes that Kurama did *not* like. The young man gasped in outrage. "Oi, you two! I haven't agreed yet, you know." The two of them turned to look at him. "Demo, there really is no other way, Kurama-dono." Kenshin said solemnly. Too bad the mad sparkle in his eyes ruined the effect. "Hai, don't you worry about it, Kurama-chan. We'll take care of everything," Hiei-chan beamed. Leaving the young man sputtering in Sanosuke's arms, the two happily sauntered off. A little further down the road, the age-retrogressed youkai grinned and pulled Kenshin closer. "I just wanna see Kurama-chan wearing a kimono," he whispered conspiratorially. Kenshin's eyes widened briefly before he smirked back. "So do I." The two grinned at each other in perfect understanding, identical looks of mischief in their eyes. From his helpless position, all the hapless kitsune could do was watch in horror as the two began plotting out his entire wardrobe.