===

Kurama frowned, looking out the window of his refurnished rooms. For some reason, he didn't feel like staying inside the palace today. He didn't want Kuwabara hanging off him as though he were going to pass out again. And he definitely didn't want the female portion of the staff following him around and offering him favors.

The red head sighed, looking up at the sky. Through the bright light of the sun he could almost see the moon. His father had told him that he had hired some Gypsies for the celebration the next day - of which Kurama was suspicious. Why hire Gypsies when it had been a Gypsy that had cursed him in the first place? Maybe the King hoped that one of these new performers could undo the curse that had been placed upon him.

The Prince heaved another sigh before looking down towards his garden. Maybe he could tend his flowers a bit, perhaps that would keep his mind off of curses and Gypsies. But - Kurama suddenly remembered - Kuwabara had stationed himself outside his door and vowed to accompany him wherever he went. How could he get out alone?

His emerald gaze landed on the window. Well, he reasoned, it's only a three-story jump. With that in mind, he pushed himself onto the ledge and let himself drop into the bushes below his window. He used some of his regained Youki to soften the landing. In fact, he managed to land without ruining his clothing or alerting the guards.

"Score for training with Mukuro Oba-sama," he whispered to himself before exiting the bushes and making his way towards his gardens. What surprised him was the fact that there was already somebody there.

"Mik." A baby's voice cried out. "Mik, Kaa-chan!"

Kurama sighed. Why would some woman go into his garden to feed her child? Weren't there other places to do such a thing? He turned to give the woman her privacy, but froze when laughter - male laughter - rang out instead of a soft feminine voice. He turned around again and moved a little closer, carefully concealing his ki to avoid being detected.

"You certainly do learn quickly." The man-woman said, that deep voice sounding almost like the lazy purring of a cat. "Demanding brat... that's what his genetics have done to you."

Kurama blinked as the small figure in black took off a midnight black cloak and pushed open an equally black shirt, presumably to feed the infant. The red head decided to announce himself. "You can't blame the child for being hungry." He chided, watching with amusement as the figure tensed.

"Who are you?" The demon demanded, obviously not moving for fear of disturbing the child. "What do you want?"

Kurama laughed, and began walking towards the demon resting on the grass. "I was curious." He said, watching as the other tensed even more. "By your voice you are male - but you nourish the child as though you are female."

He sat down next to the other and looked the currently genderless one over carefully. Strange red eyes, the trait of a fire demon, and spiky black hair. This demon was small, and though having traits of fire, the demon smelled of Koorime. Curious. He also noticed that this fire-ice demon was looking him over as well. Most of that attention was being placed upon his hair. That knowledge sent shivers down his back, and suddenly, Kurama didn't hate his red hair quite as much.

"So, which are you?" Kurama repeated himself. "Male or female?"

"Hn. I could ask the same of you. And you still haven't answered my question." The contradictory demon retorted, moving that ruby-eyed gaze back to the tiny child sucking on the half hidden chest. Then, the strangest thing happened. This demon moved one hand up to touch faintly blemished skin on his-her neck, a motion that made no sense to Kurama.

But the red head shook it off; laughing at the reply he was given. "Oh, excuse me. My name is Shuuichi, but my official name is Prince Kurama, I am King Yomi's heir. And I hope that clears up the question of my gender." He smiled again at the curiosity next to him. "Who are you, and why are you in my personal garden?"

The red-eyed mystery actually looked surprised.

"Well..?" Kurama asked, feeling his smile start to fall.

"Hiei." Pink suddenly painted itself across unusually pale cheeks as the other, Hiei, looked back at Kurama. "I'm male." Hiei turned his head away again. "And I didn't know this was your garden."

Kurama's smile brightened, glad to have the gender mystery solved. "It's alright. I personally think that it's too lonely in this spot, it's nice to have a new face."

Hiei frowned, and returned his gaze back to his child. "Hn."

Kurama held in a sigh, wishing Hiei were a little more sociable. Kuwabara was nice, but he was just a human. Most humans didn't know how to hold a decent conversation.

He's poor. Youko suddenly spoke up in the back of his mind. Look at his clothes, they are all hand made. His hands, they're covered in calluses. He has more muscles than even Kuwabara likes to brag about - he probably has to hunt just to survive.

Kurama rolled his eyes at himself. =I'm still trying to figure out how he's breast-feeding the baby while he claims to be male.=

We're in the Makai, kid. Youko snorted. Did you expect foreign demons to be normal? Smell him, he's some kind of hybrid.

Kurama twitched his nose before shuffling closer to Hiei and sniffing.

"Matte!" Hiei cried, leaning away and blushing bright red again. "What are you doing?!"

The child in his arms broke away from his meal with a startled cry.

Kurama blinked, settling back into his original spot. "I merely wanted to know what type of demon you are." He explained, as though sniffing demons you've just met was the most natural thing in the world. "But it's hard to tell. You have the general appearance of a Hi-youkai, yet you smell like a Koorime. You claim to be male but you're mothering a child. You, Hiei-san, are a puzzle. I was merely trying to solve it."

Hiei huffed, and stood up, closing his shirt and retrieving his cloak. But not before Kurama caught a glimpse of the small rounded breasts under his shirt. The red head grinned and looked up towards Hiei's face again. "If you'll excuse me, Prince Shuuichi, I have things I need to do." He bowed shortly, hoisting his child against his shoulder and began walking away.

"Bye-bye!" The baby called, waving. "Shuu-shuu."

Kurama waved back with an amused smile.

===

"Hiei-san!"

Hiei tensed minutely before continuing with his walk, pretending not to have heard the prince calling his name. He had managed to avoid any more conversation with Kurama by keeping a sharp eye out. But this afternoon, with Ryuu in his arms, he couldn't flit away for fear of dropping the steadily growing child. He couldn't keep pretending either, when Ryuu - who was once again peeking over his shoulder - laughed and waved.

Silently grumbling, the Hi-youkai finally stopped walking and turned around. He bowed shortly when Kurama jogged up to his side.

"Hai, Shuuichi-sama?" He asked, straightening up again.

"Shuu-shuu!" Ryuu laughed, bouncing slightly in his mothers grasp.

Kurama laughed at the baby, reaching forward with one hand to fluff the already fluffy hair. "You can call me Kurama, if you wish." The red head said with a smile. "It's apparently my real name anyway."

"Hn."

"Would you mind if I walked with you, Hiei-san?" Kurama asked, in his happy and polite way. It was obvious that saying "no" wasn't an option.

"Do as you wish, Prince. It's your palace."

"Kaa-chan! Down!" Ryuu laughed, wiggling so that he would be put down. The second Hiei placed his baby on the grass, the child took a few tottering steps before falling over onto his backside.

Kurama dropped to his knees, intent on picking up the baby and carrying him for the rest of the walk. But Hiei stopped him, getting down onto his own knees. After a moment of confusion, Ryuu looked around and struggled back to his feet. "Kaa-chan?"

"Come here, Ryuu-chan," Hiei called, beaconing with open arms. After another moment, Ryuu took one step forward, his arms thrust out for balance. "That's it..." Hiei encouraged. A few steps more and Ryuu fell into his mother's warm embrace. His cheeks were immediately smothered with kisses of praise.

"You're quite a puzzle, Hiei-san." Kurama finally said, watching as this strange demon helped his child take a few more steps. "When you're alone you are sad and thoughtful, when you're with those you're traveling with you have a hard and dark personality. But when you're with that blue haired girl or with your baby - you are the warmest person that can be found." The red head laughed. "It makes me wonder what kind of life you've led to have so many masks. It makes me wonder which one is the real you."

Hiei frowned, lifting Ryuu into his lap and sitting back onto the grass. "You're awfully curious about somebody you just met." He said finally. "It makes me wonder if you, too, wear more than one mask."

"A question for a question?" Kurama grinned, settling down. "Alright."

Hiei blinked, confused. When did he agree to that?

"I do have many masks," Kurama admitted. "Before, when I was still Youko Kurama - my real personality was rather cold. Only with my father and Kuwabara and Mukuro-sama did I slightly warm up. But now, as Shuuichi my strongest mask is that of a kind human boy. But inside my head, it's quite different." The red head hid his face a little with his long hair. "Such thoughts go through my head that are remnants of my old self - they frighten me."

"Why are you telling me this?" Hiei asked harshly. "I'm sure that there are others who would be better company than some stray demon and his child."

"You intrigue me. If I have to talk about myself to get you to talk, that's fine." Kurama winked. "Tell me about your masks?"

"Hn."

"I could always ask you about your past." Kurama prodded him. "Come on, tell me."

"You talk as though we are friends."

"Aren't we?"

"I don't trust people as a general rule. Especially Kitsune."

Kurama scowled. "Is there any way to earn your trust?"

Hiei swallowed a sudden lump of emotion that had risen in his throat and stood up, holding Ryuu tightly. "Only one person has ever earned my trust." He whispered, turning away. "And in order to do that he had to win my heart."

With that, Hiei walked quickly away, trying to hold in his tears.

Still on the grass, Kurama frowned, his heart thumping wildly in his chest like it never had when he was Youko. What was that feeling of disappointment in his heart about? Disappointed that Hiei had said they weren't friends, that Hiei had such high stakes for wining his trust... or the fact that somebody had already taken his heart?

Kurama didn't know - but he was certain that that wasn't the last he would see of the Hi-youkai.

And he would earn his trust - even if it meant winning his heart.

Especially if it meant winning his heart.

===

"Hiei-san! Matte!"

Said demon sighed, turning towards his new tail with a less the pleased expression. "Are you going to make a habit of following me, Kurama-sama?"

The red haired Kitsune laughed, catching up with the fire demon and falling into step with him. "Perhaps. It seems as though your company is better than that of my bodyguard."

"If I thought that was a good thing, I'd be proud." Hiei commented dryly, not looking at the red head. That hair, he thought, it just screams Rando. Is he trying to torture me?

"It's a good thing, don't worry." Kurama assured him with a laugh. "Ne, Hiei-san, I wanted to ask you something."

The small one grunted to show he was listening.

"Who is the sire of your child? He resembles you so much that it would almost seem the conception was asexual - but he bears tribal marks that I've never seen before." Kurama smiled, hoping his question hadn't been too personal.

Hiei gulped. Kurama had told him so much of himself already, it would be cruel not to speak a little of himself. But such a question - that was cruel to ask.

"You wouldn't know of him. He was a Bounty Hunter, nothing more. He died not even a year ago."

Kurama's heart jumped, his green eyes taking on a new glow. The puzzle grows larger, but it would seem his chance to win Hiei's heart was an option. "Honto ni? I'm sorry to hear that."

A chance. Youko whispered from the furthest recesses of his mind. That's all I ask for.

"I don't mean to be too forward," Kurama said, pushing Youko's voice away. "But... I would like to court you, Hiei-san. If you wouldn't mind, of course. But, you're everything that one could want in a mate."

Hiei blinked, his cheeks flushing nearly as bright as Kurama's hair. And Kurama took that moment, that perfect moment, to lean in a press a chaste kiss to Hiei's lips. It was over in seconds, and Kurama didn't wait around for Hiei's reaction. While Hiei was still dazed, he hurried away.

===

It rained the next day.

The entire time that rain fell from the sky, Hiei sat in the doorway of Jin and Touya's caravan, watching the droplets splatter on the ground. He had left Ryuu with Yukina, and had asked the others not to bother him. He had a lot to think about.

Kurama, for one thing - but to tell the truth, Kurama was one of the smallest thoughts that the small Hi-youkai was plagued with. The rain, as it was, brought back many memories that he really didn't want to remember.

##Hiei sighed, sitting in a small cave and staring out into the rainy night outside him. He hated the rain. It was a natural hatred though, with no reason behind it. He was a fire demon, and fire and water do not mix. He snorted but didn't turn away his gaze. There was something mesmerizing about the falling drops of liquid. The smell that followed in its wake, and the hiss of liquid hitting the previously baked ground.

Next to him, Yusuke, the Toushin that had somehow wormed his way into Hiei's heart, chuckled softly. A little further back in the cave, Hiei's little sister, Yukina, was sleeping peacefully.

"Let's go outside." Yusuke whispered, his breath ghosting over Hiei's small ear. "I love the rain."

A shiver raced down Hiei's spine at the contact, but he did his best to keep it from showing. "Hn."

"Aww, come on, Baby, it will be fun!"

That stupid nickname that Yusuke had given him was really starting to get on Hiei's nerves. "Don't call me Baby!" Hiei snarled, not really meaning it.

Yusuke ignored his words, focusing his attention on the earlier grunt. Sometimes his ability to translate Hiei's grunts was a little frightening. "And don't give me any of that, "it's not my element" crap, either." The Toushin continued, standing up and stretching.

He conveniently forgot that his height was more than that of the small cave and slammed his head on the solid rock of the roof. He muttered a few obscenities under his breath before sweeping his ankle length hair back and scooping Hiei into his arms.

"Come along," he said, apparently having forgotten the pain from his head crack already, and as though Hiei had a choice in the matter. "And don't yell, you'll wake up Yukina."

Hiei cursed silently. Only Yusuke would use such a cheap trick to keep him quiet! "That was a low blow, Yuu-chan." He muttered. "Using my sister against me."

He cringed as Yusuke stepped out of the cave and into the rain. Little splatters of cold began falling on his warm skin, and he shivered involuntarily.

"Don't pout because you lost, Baby." Yusuke grinned, not loosening his grip in the least. "And besides, the rain isn't that bad."

Hiei obviously didn't agree, because even though he didn't struggle, he did burrow into the warmth that Yusuke unknowingly gave him. This refuge was lost when he was dropped on the cold, wet grassy ground. The main factor being that it was wet.

"Bastard," the Hi-youkai grumbled, moving back onto his feet.

His partner ignored his words and, instead, took a gentle hold of his hand. "Look at the sky, Baby," the Toushin said softly. "Isn't it beautiful?" Yusuke already had his head tipped back, his chocolate gaze was trained up at the cloud covered sky and the crystal droplets that were falling onto his body. He didn't seem to mind the cold at all.

Hiei sighed, and looked up. Rain splattered on his face, dripping onto his already drenched clothing. He gave the clouded sky and falling rain a courteous look, just to please his partner, before transferring his gaze back to Yusuke. "It's alright." He muttered, hiding his amusement at Yusuke's indignant expression.

"I don't know why I bother!" The Toushin sighed, reaching behind himself and wringing out his hair, even if it would only be drenched again in a few moments.

"Neither do I." Hiei murmured, looking out towards the river. From their spot on the hill, he could see the river and the village next to it. All of the Ningens were in their homes, he noticed, only Yusuke was stupid enough to drag somebody out into the rain. And, of course, while his attention was still on the empty village, he completely missed the sudden mischievous glimmer in Yusuke's eyes.

"Gah!" Splat!

The reason for his shocked cry was due to the fact that Yusuke had just tackled him into the mud. The cry was cut off because said demon's mouth had just captured his own in a kiss. The first time that Yusuke had tackled him and kissed him, Hiei had nearly bit out his tongue. Now, not only was the move accepted, but it was welcomed. And kissing was probably the only battle between them that Hiei would always lose. He dominated fighting and verbal sparing - but kissing and touching was something that Yusuke beat him at every time.

It's because he's so damn good at it. Hiei grumbled internally, though he secretly enjoyed being pinned and kissed breathless by the Toushin.

Yusuke finally released him. "Ne," he said with a smile, his brown eyes twinkling. "Now I remember - that's why I bother."

"To attack my mouth?" Hiei retorted, narrowing his eyes at his koibito and wiggling uncomfortably in the mud.

He was answered when Yusuke bent down again and captured his lips in another battle. Hiei finally gave up his tough guy act and allowed himself to enjoy the affection being bestowed upon him. What's more, he reached up and wrapped his arms around Yusuke's neck, pulling him closer. Before he knew what was happening, Yusuke's hands joined in the attack of his body, and he was left helpless in a haze of pleasure.

"Why me?" He panted, when his mouth was freed.

"I told you," Yusuke said, in between kissing his face and running one hand through his hair. "You stole something from me, and I want my compensation."

"But," Hiei protested with a soft moan. "What-" he stifled a cry of pleasure, "what did I steal?"

Suddenly, the hands and mouth left his body and Hiei was left staring into Yusuke's serious eyes. "My heart." He whispered softly. "When I first saw you, you stole my heart with your burning eyes and angry scowl. When I followed you, I saw your outer shell crumble as you talked to your sister." Yusuke smiled, and laid his head against Hiei's shoulder, kissing the perfect skin there. "I had no idea that you were a criminal. I just saw a demon who had found responsibility in taking care of the one person he could trust. I realized then, that I wanted to have your trust. I wanted to be able to protect you."

His head shot up when he heard the broken sob from his tiny lover.

"Baka." Hiei whispered, suddenly glad for the rain that was dripping down his cheeks and hiding whatever tears may fall. "I'm not-"

His words were cut off with another kiss. "Of course you are." Yusuke murmured. "Why else would I follow you with no reason for four months? I was courting you - you are everything that I could want in a mate."

Hiei turned his head away, for once not wanting to drown in his lovers chocolate gaze. "When you asked me about love-" He whispered.

Yusuke chuckled. "I wanted to see you with your barriers down."

"And the time you managed to get me to fight with you-"

"You dance when you fight. I wanted to dance with you."

"When you helped me care for Yuki-"

"So that I could sit next to you and not get yelled at."

"And when you-"

"Everything I did was so that I could be with you." Yusuke finally told him. "I thought you knew that." He turned Hiei's face to look into his own. "Being with you has brought me more happiness than you could know." He said.

"I-" Hiei whispered, trying to gather his thoughts again. "...You make me happy too."

It was probably the closest he would get to an admission of love.

Yusuke grinned. "Well, it certainly took long enough!" He said with a laugh before bending down and taking Hiei's mouth in another kiss. "Let me mark you," he pleaded, turning playful to serious in the blink of an eye.

Hiei gasped, pulling away.

"Please!" Yusuke whispered, "I want you to be my mate. I want to stay by your side forever... I need to stay by your side forever."

The world was silent while Hiei hesitated. It seemed that even the rain had stopped hissing and splattering, in anticipation for his answer.

"My mother," Hiei whispered after a moment, not looking at Yusuke, his gaze was, instead, trained up at the falling crystals of water. "She took a mate when she was two hundred and four years old." Ruby colored eyes locked onto chocolate. "I turn two hundred and four in two days."

Yusuke said nothing, not quite knowing what Hiei's answer was.

"The mark of a Koorime is rare and very distinct." Hiei continued in his soft and serious voice. "If I bear your mark... would you bear mine?"

Yusuke blinked, complete joy lighting up his face. "Would I?" He asked, hugging Hiei close. "Of course I will!"

Hiei laughed with pure happiness, a sound that was nearly as rare as a Koorime's mark. The sound was, naturally, cut off when Yusuke took a firm hold of his lips and proceeded to kiss him breathless.

The rest of the night was spent in a haze of passion and a whirlwind of emotions as the two made love for the first time. The rain continued to fall on and around them as Yusuke moved within Hiei's body. The moon continued its unseen journey across the sky as Hiei's eyes let out the second tear he had ever cried in his life. And the sun continued creeping towards the horizon as they both reached their completion.

Hiei groped desperately for the ruby jewel that had fallen from his eye. His fingers found the tiny treasure and clutched it tightly. An ancient magic worked its way through the gem, the unbreakable metalwork of the Koorime bondings attaching itself to the tear. At the exact moment that Yusuke bit his shoulder, Hiei reached up and pushed the earring attached to his tear through Yusuke's left earlobe. They reached their completions at that same instant.

"Mine." Hiei whispered, completely sated. His vision suddenly went fuzzy, and his body went limp as Yusuke removed his teeth from his shoulder. A pleasant sensation erupted as what could only be the bonding magic of the Toushin worked its way through his body. The fact that Yusuke was now licking the bite mark soothingly helped too. "My Yuu-chan..."

Yusuke chuckled, though he continued licking the already healing wound. He reached up with one hand to touch his new earring with a perfect smile. "I must be the luckiest demon in the Makai," He said finally. "To have won a mate like you."

Hiei snorted. "You didn't win me, you persistent bastard. You stalked me until I couldn't exist without your presence."

"Same thing."

"Hn."##

"Onii-sama?" Yukina's hesitant voice asked, bringing Hiei out of his internal remembrance. "The celebrations start soon, will you come out of the rain?"

Hiei bent his head over his folded knees. "It hurts, Yuki. I miss him."

His sister was silent. It was at moments like these that even she couldn't find something comforting to say. "Ryuu-chan needs you." She finally whispered, "He's been crying all afternoon. Won't you go comfort him?"

Hiei sighed. Now he knew how his mother must have felt, when she admitted to them that it hurt to hold her children. Hina might have suffered physical pain, but she must also have felt the emotional pain. Knowing the demon that sired her children didn't know of them - couldn't know of them - was very painful. Sometimes, it hurt Hiei just to look at his sleeping son.

And the pain was coming back with Kurama, though he was sure that the kitsune didn't know it. The warmth in his eyes, the kindness of his soul - it was so similar to Yusuke that Hiei didn't know how long it would be until he fell for the red head as well.

"I'm coming, Yuki." He finally said, standing up and moving back under the overhang of the caravan. With a burst of his Youki, he dried himself instantly and hurried into the single roomed house to comfort Ryuu.

Jin and Touya glanced nervously at him, not knowing if they should ask him if he always sat in the rain, even though he was a fire demon. They decided against it, and continued arguing about something senseless.

It was probably just a ruse to get Hiei's mind off whatever he had been brooding about - and it was a distraction that Hiei welcomed.

===

Kurama stifled a yawn as he made his way down to the kitchens for a snack. Kuwabara was following him determinedly - still angry that Kurama had snuck out his window, multiple times, to avoid him.

It was just one of those days, the red head decided, passing a window and staring out into the rain. Rainy days were always lazy days. Especially on the Celebration of the Full Moon. He would have liked to go see Hiei again, but a fire demon wasn't likely to be walking around in the rain. And besides, it would be better not to bother him too soon after asking to court him.

With another yawn, the humanized-Kitsune began walking through the main hall.

"Kurama!" He heard Yomi call from the other side of the room. "Come here for a moment, won't you? I'd like for you to meet someone."

"You go on without me, Kuwabara. I'll meet you at the celebrations later."

His bodyguard nodded, bowed and left.

The prince then obediently changed his course, and padded silently over to his father's side. "Hai? Otou-sama?" He asked politely, though his eyes were locked on the two demons standing next to the six-eared King.

Yomi smiled proudly at his son's perfect manners. "You remember Lord Raizen, don't you?" He asked, gesturing towards said King. "This is his new heir, Yusuke-sama."

Kurama bowed respectfully to the new Prince. "It is nice to meet you." He said. His gaze took in the tribal markings indifferently, not thinking anything of them - though he probably should have.

Yusuke bowed as well, and some of his long - even longer than Kurama's - hair fell forward into his face. The boy pushed it back impatiently to reveal a beautiful earring in his left ear.

"That's a curious trinket." Kurama said, catching sight of it right away, his interest showing plainly. "Where did you acquire such a jewel?"

Yusuke blinked slowly before a very blank expression took over his face. "You mean this?" He asked, touching the earring with one hand. "I have no idea."

"Prince Yusuke doesn't remember anything before the day my men found him nearly dead in a river in the south of my lands." Lord Raizen explained to the red head. "And none of my scholars can discern what kind of jewel in is the earring."

"It's very beautiful." Kurama smiled, already falling in love with the way light bounced off the jewel, much like the way light of a fire would dance on a wall. It reminded him of a certain Hi-youkai that he had promised to court the day before. "I've never seen a jewel that sparkles quite like it."

Yusuke smiled. "I've been told it's very valuable - the only one of its kind."

Kurama's laugh was cut off when his stomach grumbled loudly. "Oh, excuse me." He said, flushing. "I was on my way to grab a quick snack..."

"Why don't you take Yusuke-sama with you?" Yomi suggested. "And then perhaps you two can head down to the training hall for a little sparring."

Yusuke grinned and followed his new red haired friend. Neither of them noticed the small black-clad figure hidden in a small room just off of main hall. Only Yomi noticed, but even his abilities weren't quick enough to follow it, as the powerful figure suddenly vanished.

"Curious." He murmured to himself, looking around for that burst of emotion and power.

"Hm?" Raizen asked, looking at his old friend in well-concealed confusion.

"Ah, nothing." Yomi decided. "It was just one of tonight's performers."

===

Hiei gasped for breath, hugging Ryuu as close to his chest as he could bear. He hadn't meant to eavesdrop on a royal conversation, but that energy signature - he couldn't resist. It was his Yusuke, he knew it was.

And he was right. It was Yusuke, physically. A Yusuke that didn't remember anything about his life. A Yusuke that didn't remember he had given his life to save his mate. A Yusuke that wasn't really his Yusuke.

Before Hiei knew what was happening, tears began streaming down his cheeks to clatter on the cold stone floor of a dark palace hallway. Beautiful red jewels sparkled up at him and Ryuu whimpered, not knowing why his mother was so upset.

"Kaa-chan?"

"Doshite?!" Hiei cried, falling to his knees and gripping Ryuu tighter, as though the child could answer his pleas. "Why I was given the most precious gift - so that it could be taken away? Now he's back but he doesn't remember... doshite!? Doshite!"

"Hiei-san?" A voice gasped, from the end of the dim hallway. Quick, light footsteps started running towards him, and Hiei gulped, scrambling to gather up his tears. With the priceless jewels in one hand, and his baby still clutched in the other, the Hi-youkai attempted to bolt, not wanting the Prince of Gandara to see him at his weakest.

He wasn't quick enough. Soft hands latched onto his biceps.

"Hiei-san? What's wrong?" Kurama asked. He quickly let go of the fire demon as his hands started to burn under intense heat. "Hiei-san?"

Hiei, now free, continued down the hallway - only to run smack into the person who had caused his tears in the first place. The grip that Hiei had on his baby slipped, and in order to keep Ryuu from falling onto the ground, he had to drop his handful of tears. Even still, his balance wasn't sure enough, and he fell backwards, Ryuu crushed against his chest.

The red jewels clattered to the ground, right at a very surprised Yusuke's feet.

"Red Hiruiseki?" The Toushin whispered, staring down at the sparkling jewels. He bent down and picked up one jewel, before raising one hand to touch his earring. He then bent over Hiei, staring into the red eyes that produced the strange tears. "Male Koorime?"

"Yuu-chan." Hiei whispered, staring into the chocolate eyes that had haunted his dreams ever since he had lost them. With one arm cradling Ryuu, he reached up to touch the jewel still hanging from his mate's left earlobe. "My Yuu-chan..."

And then, he couldn't help it. He flung himself into Yusuke's surprised arms and began crying anew, tears clattering onto the ground once more. "Yuu-chan! I missed you! Why did you fight Rando for me? Why did you forget? Doshite!?" He slumped over, beginning to lose his strength from the emotional mess he had become.

"...doshite..."

Kurama, still a few steps behind the two on the floor, could only stare in shock. An unseen cut appeared on his heart as doubt and hurt struck him.

"...doshite..."

===

Yukina was worried. Hiei had gone for another walk, hoping that it would help calm down his child, and he hadn't returned.

"The celebration begins at sundown," Hiei had said, smiling a little and bouncing his baby on his hip. "I'll be back before then, I promise."

It was sundown now, and her brother still hadn't come back. Hiei never broke his promises.

A cool hand landed on her shoulder, and Yukina jumped in surprise. "Oh!" The Koorime gasped, turning around. "Touya-san, I didn't hear you approach."

The Ice Master Gypsy smiled at her. "Are you coming?" He asked, "Maybe Hiei is waiting for you inside."

Yukina worried her lip a little before nodding. "Yes, my onii-sama doesn't like the rain very much. He's probably waiting inside." She smiled at Touya. "Thank you for waiting with me."

The blue haired boy smiled, his face becoming younger as his muscles relaxed.

The two ice demons began walking towards the palace.

===

"Ryuu..." Hiei whispered, even before he woke up completely.

His son's happy laughter greeted him, as he made the transition into the land of the conscious.

"Kaa-chan?"

The first thing that Hiei became aware of was that he wasn't lying in a cave somewhere, or in a stiff caravan bed. He was lying on a very comfortable, very warm and soft bed. An actual bed - something he had never had the luxury of, but something that Yusuke had once promised him.

##"Someday, Baby, I'll have enough money to pay off your bounty. And then you, Yukina, and I will live in a real house. And we'll have real beds, with sheets and pillows. You deserve it."

"Yuu-chan, you'll never be able to do that."

"I'll do it." Yusuke swore, placing one hand over his heart. "I promise."

"That's wonderful, but for now - get me out of this rain. ...I don't think I can walk."##

The second thing that Hiei noticed, was the fact that his son wasn't anywhere on the bed. "Ryuu!" He gasped, sitting up faster than an eye could blink.

"Kaa-chan!" The childish voice sang. "Mik!"

Hiei's ruby gaze landed across the room, where his baby was standing in a crib lined with stuffed animals and toys. The small child was wearing pajamas; the clothes Yukina had made him were folded in a clean pile on a table not a foot away from the crib. Hiei glanced down at himself, not really surprised to notice that he was wearing proper nightclothes as well. He was, however, slightly taken aback that his shirt seemed to be skin-tight. Obviously, whoever dressed him had a cruel sense of humor.

At a second glance around the room, Hiei realized that he must still be in the palace - probably in a nursery of some kind. The walls were all colored a very soft yellow, and small pictures of dancing foxes were placed here and there. The floor was covered by a pale green carpet, and the bed was covered in even more dancing foxes. Next to the bed was a night-table, which contained a very simple glass dish. Inside the dish were all the tears that Hiei had shed earlier that night. There was a window as well, which indicated that it was still night time, and a fantastic window seat. But besides that, the room was rather bare.

The continued demands of his child influenced Hiei's decision to crawl out of the amazingly large bed, and retrieve his son, hugging him carefully.

"Hey Chibi, nobody hurt you, did they?" The Hi-youkai whispered, walking back towards the bed and settling himself against the mountain of pillows there. The shirt he had been given, though beautiful and comfortable, wasn't appropriate for feeding his child, so Hiei removed the silk garment and tossed it to the floor.

A few minutes after the baby had finished feasting on his mother's milk, a knock sounded at the door. Before Hiei could answer, it opened to reveal first Kurama, and then Yusuke. They seemed to be arguing.

"Stay here until I call you for you, Kuwabara," Kurama said, before the two demons entered the room and continued their conversation.

"It's not that I don't want to remember! It's that I can't! Raizen told me it was some kind of spell - not some stupid mind block!" The Toushin was saying, in a low, angry voice.

"But how does Hiei know you? How did one of his tears come to mark your ear? And that baby! It has the same tribal markings as you! And an identical tear gem!"

"I don't- oh... you're awake... and, um - shirtless."

Hiei flushed and looked down. "I'm... sorry." He whispered finally. "For the scene I caused earlier."

It was clear that he hadn't heard the last part of Yusuke's surprised mumble.

"Eh... Hiei-san, why don't you cover up with a blanket or something..." Kurama suggested, unable to remove his eyes from Hiei's bare chest. It seemed that Yusuke was having a similar reaction.

Hiei turned bright red and dove under the covers, Ryuu letting out a surprised cry as he did so. He could understand Yusuke being curious about his chest - he was his mate after all - but he had no idea why Kurama was so fascinated. Then again, the kitsune prince had decided to court him, so maybe there was something about him that was attractive after all.

"You don't have to hide under them," Kurama said, sounding rather disappointed that Hiei had taken his advice. "We'd like to talk to you."

Two suspicious red eyes peeked out from under the blanket. "Would one of you get me my shirt... please?" Hiei muttered, nearly forcing out the last word. He did not want to be stared at again.

Yusuke blinked and moved forward, retrieving Hiei's shirt and holding it out for the Hi-youkai to take.

There seemed to be an underlying reason for the Toushin's action; because when Hiei reached out for the garment, Yusuke grabbed his arm and pulled. However, he didn't pull hard enough to fling Hiei out of the bed, but just enough to reveal said demon's bare left shoulder. The shoulder that Yusuke himself had marked.

And Hiei, having had enough of being an emotional, blushing wreck, scowled and tugged his arm back. "I understand that you don't remember me." He snapped, pulling on the silk, too-tight shirt. "But please do not humiliate me."

In his lap, Ryuu cooed, still hidden by the blanket. "Kaa-chan." The little bulge under the blankets wiggled. "Kina!"

Hiei pulled Ryuu out of his lap and into his arms. "Kina?" The Hi-youkai asked curiously. His eyes suddenly widened. "Yukina! I forgot to go back!"

Kurama, from his spot next to the door, smiled. "I'll go fetch her, if you'd like... Hiei-san." He attempted a smile, though it was tinged with sadness. "I think that you and Yusuke-sama have some things to discuss."

Both Hiei and Yusuke stared blankly as the red head left the room.

Silence.

"You said you knew why I lost my memory?" Yusuke asked finally.

Hiei sighed, watching distractedly as Ryuu began to crawl clumsily across the bed. "I know some of the reason," He admitted finally. "Not all of it."

The bed bounced slightly as Yusuke sat down. "Was I trying to protect you?"

Hiei stiffened.

"It would seem that protecting my mate would be my first priority." Yusuke smiled at Hiei. "That's what we were, right?" The Toushin didn't wait for Hiei to answer before continuing. "Listen, Hiei, I can't remember anything before I was found that day - but I'll try. There's something in your eyes that tells me I have to remember. And you don't seem the type to cry over nothing less than a broken heart."

Hiei sniffed. "You always did suck at romantic talk." He muttered with a wry smile and another sniffle. "Alright, first things first..." The Hi-youkai reached over and snagged Ryuu. "This is your son, Ryuu."

The baby was deposited in Yusuke unprepared arms, and the new father just sort of stared.

"Kaa-chan!" Ryuu whined, wiggling to get free. The baby started whimpering to be returned to his mother's arms.

"Bounce him or something." Hiei encouraged his mate. "He wants to be played with."

Finally getting the idea Yusuke did as instructed, his expression turning amazed when the baby laughed and wiggled excitedly.

"Say: "Tou-chan", Chibi," Hiei instructed the baby.

"Kaa-chan!"

The two sweatdropped.

===

Yukina sat up straight in her borrowed bed, staring at the door. Across the caravan, Jin continued to snore, not hearing - or not giving any attention to - the light knocking. On the floor, Touya muttered something and got up, shuffling towards the entrance to the caravan.

"Wha- ...oh... Prince Kurama." The ice demon bowed hastily. "My apologies. What can I do for you?"

"I'd like to speak to Miss Yukina, please." The red haired prince said calmly.

Touya blinked. "Just a moment, Kurama-sama."

The ice apparition turned to look at Yukina, who was already up and putting on her shoes. "Don't worry, Touya-san." The pretty Koorime said softly. "I think it has something to do with Hiei."

Touya nodded and watched as the prince escorted Yukina into the night. Then, with a shrug, he closed the door and curled back up in his now vacated bed.

The ice demon smiled. His bed smelled like fire. It smelled nice.

===

"It is about Hiei-san," Yukina asked softly. "Isn't it, Kurama-sama? He's not in trouble or anything, is he?"

"No, nothing like that." The red head assured her with a smile. "Your brother and his son are inside the palace in one of our nurseries. He collapsed earlier because of an emotional shock. He just woke up and began asking for you." Kurama smiled again. "I hope he didn't worry you too much."

Yukina blushed.

"Does your brother get into trouble often?" Kurama asked, looking at her curiously.

"Ano... sometimes he doesn't know how to vent his anger properly. His bounty goes up every time that happens." Yukina's hands flew to cover her mouth. "Oh! I didn't mean to say that!"

Kurama was quiet for a moment. Yukina walked beside him, with her head lowered in shame. She had no idea why she had said that - she had lived two hundred years not telling anybody that her brother was a criminal. What was it about this prince that made her say it now?

"Kurama-sama," Yukina finally whispered. "You're not going to arrest him, are you?"

The red haired prince blinked, as though coming out of his thoughts, and shook his head. "No, I-"

"Kurama-sama!" A voice broke into their conversation. "Why do you keep sneaking off like that?! It's dangerous!"

The humanized-Youko winced. "Kuwabara, it isn't your place to chastise me. I asked you to stand guard outside the nursery, why did you leave? Hiei-san and-"

A carrot topped human glared at his prince, stepping into the light spilling out of the main doors. "I'm here for your safety, not for the safety of that visiting prince and his bitch and baby."

Yukina bristled, and darted forward with speed that matched her brothers.

Slap!

"Don't you ever speak about my onii-sama like that!" She cried, glaring up at the tall human.

Kuwabara just stared in shock at the girl that had smacked him. He lifted one trembling hand to his cheek before smiling slightly. "My apologies, Miss, I didn't mean to offend you."

The human bowed lowly to her, taking one of her small hands, and bringing it up for a chaste kiss.

Yukina blushed, pulling her hand back. Kurama sighed. "Yes, well, Hiei-san is waiting for your arrival, Yukina-chan. It'd be best if we hurry."

The prince held out one arm so that he might properly escort Yukina, and they hurried off, Kuwabara sulking along behind them.

Not ten minutes later, the small group containing the prince, his bodyguard and the small Koorime reached the nursery containing Hiei and let themselves in. Kuwabara once again stationed himself outside the door.

"Onii-sama!" Yukina cried, seeing her brother on the large bed. She began to hurry towards the bed, before realizing that there was somebody else on the bed with her brother. "Yusuke-kun..."

"Yuki!" Hiei beamed, looking happier than he had in months.

"Kina!" Little Ryuu laughed from his mothers lap. "Shuu-shuu!"

The final being on the bed, who was indeed her brother's mate, gave her a suspicious once-over before moving slightly to the side. It was as though he were giving the girl permission to come closer but not too close.

However, it wasn't Hiei that Yukina was now concerned with, but Yusuke. "Yusuke-kun," the girl whispered, taking a few steps closer to the Toushin. "...it really is you!"

She flung herself at the demon, tears of relief and joy streaming down her cheeks.

Yusuke awkwardly patted her on the back, while behind him Hiei tried to smother his laughter. Having guaranteed that Yusuke was indeed, still Yusuke, Yukina hurried to her brother's side.

"You gave me such a scare, Hiei!" The girl scolded. "Do you have any idea how strange it is to have a prince show up at your doorstep asking for you?! But not because of you, but your brother?! Even Touya-san was worried about you!"

Yusuke sent a strange look at Kurama, who flushed slightly.

Hiei flushed and look down, his gaze coincidentally meeting that of his child's. "Gomen ne, Imouto-chan. I didn't mean to worry you." His red eyes suddenly met hers again. "But can you blame me?"

The Koorime sighed, looking back at Yusuke. "I guess not."

A silence blanketed the room. Finally, feeling slightly foolish, Yukina stood. "I need to head back to the caravan; no doubt that Touya-san is worried."

"You're free to stay in the palace, Yukina-chan." Kurama spoke up from his spot against the wall. "I'll have Kuwabara escort you to your caravan to retrieve your things. You can stay here as long as you wish, as special guests of the Prince." His green eyes twinkled. "I'll even allow your friends to stay as guests as well. I'm sure they'd like a break from traveling."

The girl glanced over at Hiei and her decision was made. Hiei needed time to settle down with Yusuke in order to mend his heart. And Yusuke obviously had new obligations here in the palace. She would stay as long as needed. The Koorime stood up and nodded.

Kurama and Kuwabara escorted her back, while Hiei and Yusuke stayed behind in the nursery.

"That was your sister?" Yusuke asked, settling back down on the bed and pulling Hiei into a hug. "She seems very protective of you."

Hiei smiled, snuggling closer to his mate. Sitting here like this, with his baby sleeping in his lap, and his mate holding him - life couldn't be better.

His life was perfect now.

===