Chapter 30: A New Rival! Or Perhaps Two!

"W-O-W!" Botan's mouth fell open as her mahogany eyes took in the scene: soft sand, blue, clear sky and soft, turquoise waves. Next, her eyes found a small mansion planted on the beach.
"Is that your cousin's place?" She pointed to the house, but looked at Tashi.

"That's it," He smiled, cheeks warm, "Shall we get moved in?"

"Can't wait to!" She grabbed Kurama's wrist.

"Whoa!" He gasped, but allowed her to lead him down the hill and onto the sand.

"Hey ladies," Tashi called, "Wait up!"

Yusuke just laughed. As Hiei all but glared in Tashi's direction.

"This place is amazing!" Botan squealed, reaching the deck.

"Isn't it?" Tashi laughed after catching up to the 'girls', "c'mon, I'll introduce you to my cousin."

"Kay!" Botan stood back as he opened the side door.

"Shinji?" He called, leading the girls in, "We're here, Shinji!"

"Maybe he's on the waves?" Botan giggled.

"Hmm," Kurama nodded involuntarily, eyes studying the place---until his head was yanked back, "Ye-ouch!"

Both Botan and Tashi gasped, spinning back to look at Kurumi

"You're pretty cute!" A man—no, demon, about Tashi's height grinned down at Kurama, his face upside-down to Kurama, who squawked.

"Shinji!" Tashi growled.

"Huh?" The hair-pulling apparition let Kurama's pony-tail braid go, "These your friends Tashi?"

Tashi pulled Kurama to his arms, "well, yes and no. This one's mine!"

"Mine"! Kurama choked, wha' do ya' mean, mine!

"Yours?" Shinji looked taken aback.

"Yep, this is my Kuru-chan." Tashi said in a confirming manner.

Kurama smiled, escaping his hunter's grasp, "so this is your cousin?"

Kurama didn't deny it! What's he thinking? Botan pouted inwardly.

Tashi nodded and the royal-blue haired demon grinned, "That's me. And who's this piece of pie?"

"Piece of PIE!" Both Kurama and Botan exclaimed mentally.

"I'm Botan," the blue-haired girl bowed lightly, "thanks for inviting us here."

"I should thank you for coming!" Shinji laughed, making both the 'girls' cringe.

"There you all are!" Yusuke shouted, running into the house, "Huh? Is this your cuz, Tash?"

"Tash?" Tashi hesitated, "uhh, yes, meet Shinji."

The very lanky demon winked, "yo."

"I'm Yusuke, uhh, where can I put my stuff?"

Hiei didn't bother introducing himself.

"Tashi, how about you show them to their rooms and," Shinji slid between Kurama and Botan, sleekly putting a hand on their shoulders, "I'll show these lovely ladies where we keep the liqui—I mean, where the kitchen is!"

"Shin—" Tashi had begun, but Hiei quickly grabbed Kurama's wrist, who was red in face, and dragged him further down the hall, "I think we'd all like to see our rooms."

Yusuke had grabbed Botan's wrist and followed the scurrying Hiei.

Shinji looked offended and Tashi looked puzzled.

"Sure she's your girl?" Shinji half-grinned at his cousin.

Tashi glared after Hiei, who disappeared behind the corner, dragging Kurama along with him.

TBC Tsuzuku

Tashi just gained two rivals in love!… or so he thinks…