Standard Disclaimer Applies

warnings: this story is HK until the last chapter, then it could be either way

Chapter One: Nightmare Prologue

A loud wailing reverberated through the night, the sudden noise waking Hiei from his slumber. He groaned as Kurama sat up still half asleep.

"For once can't you ignore the brat?" Hiei asked angry.

Kurama shook his head no as he stood up. He sighed as he left the room to retrieve the crying child.

'Three years. It's been three years since that child had been born. And every night it has woken up screaming.' Hiei thought refusing to think of the child as more than an it. He still refused to speak her name. 'Little more than three years ago Kurama had sacrificed himself for our son Kiba. He traded Kiba's life for his freedom. To Karasu.' Hiei shuddered at the name of the crow demon who had held Kurama captive for months. Barely two weeks after the exchange a messenger had arrived with the kit that they had been expecting. Horrified the others thought this meant that the kit was dead. They somberly took the small bundle and breathed a sigh of relief as a faint cry could be heard. Hiei questioned the demon about Kurama but it would not divulge the well being of the kitsune.

"I can not tell my masters secrets!" it cackled as it disappeared from sight. Five months later his friends had been there with him when the nightmare ended. There had been a knock on the door and Yukina had gone to answer. Her excited yelling could be heard throughout the apartment.

"Hiei! Hiei come quick!" frightened for his sisters safety Hiei rushed to her side. Only to stop dead in the doorway at the sight of what lay on the doorstep. It was Kurama lying curled on his side appearing to have just fallen asleep. Hiei choked back a cry of remorse as he surged forward to kneel by Kurama. Tears stinging in his eyes Hiei cradled Kurama's head in his lap.

His breath! Hiei could remember that sound. It was the most wonderful thing he had ever heard. Barely daring to hope Hiei lifted Kurama in his arms. Whispering his name softly Hiei had carried Kurama inside. He laid the unconscious redhead on the couch and was attempting to rouse him. Yukina had been the first to notice Kurama's condition.

Hiei's reminiscing was cut short by the approach of Kurama. The kit in question in his arms calm once more. Hiei glared at the sight of this kit.

"Miyuki had another nightmare." Kurama explained simply.

"She's too old to be coddled like that. Time to make her grow up." Hiei said irritated.

Kurama gave an apologetic smile before laying down, his back to Hiei. His slow breathing a signal that he had fallen asleep once again the kit cradled in his arms. Still fuming Hiei lay back down and tried to go back to sleep. Except that his thoughts came unbidden to the front of his mind.

'A dirty trick to play coming from a foul bird. To do that with Kurama and then let him come home. For what? Some twisted form of sadistic behavior? Now his brat is here to stay and remind us of that time. How can Kurama accept it? Why didn't he just kill it? Because of it I haven't been alone with him in three years. More than half of that time he stayed in with it instead of coming back.' Hiei growled softly in the back of his throat. He was positive beyond the shadow of a doubt that the kit will bring nothing but trouble.

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