Z is for Zinnia

'They're not in our league,' Hiei observed, eyeing the other youkai as he leaned nonchalantly against the ship's railing.

'Others will be.'

'Maybe,' Hiei agreed. 'The Dark Tournament attracts powerful youkai.'

'Hiei. If I don't–'

'I'll see to it.'

'And you?'

'It doesn't matter.' Hiei shrugged.

'I'd avenge you if you died,' Kurama admitted quietly. 'You're sort of a friend, you know.'

'Friends?' Hiei mused.

'Friends,' Kurama confirmed, smiling despite everything. 'I guess we're friends.'

'Hn. Fox……don't take this to mean I like you or anything.'

'Of course not,' Kurama agreed demurely. His eyes twinkled. 'Wouldn't dream of it.'

A/N: Set right before the battiness on board the ship to Hanging Neck Island. And the significance of zinnia is 'thoughts about friends' or 'friendship'. I think. Don't quote me. Anyway, I was out of ideas.

So, this is it. The end. Fin. It's been fun. Thanks to all my reviewers (in no particular order) greenmeat, Leikaru, BlueUtopiah, rayne (sorry about the reviews, ffnet is stupid occasionally), Anna Jaganshi, Xiassen, LeFoxy, BrokenRedWings, Thunder Ring, Annoying Little Twit, Zodiac Eclipse, LoversPastForgotten, Tsuki no Wish, Painted Walls, suzy, Everqueen, Clow Angel, Red Kitsune Flames, Kyohana, Sweet G, Kuramarulez, Aiieke……as well as anyone else who may have been accidentally missed. Phew, quite a list. Once again, thank you for reading; so long, and thanks for all the fish!