Disclaimer: I don't own, nor am I affiliated with the makers of Yuu Yuu Hakusho. Also as I couldn't find Kurama, human Step-fathers name on any Yuu Yuu Hakusho sites I have borrowed shiorifoxiesmom's one Kazuya.
Chapter Two-You can Stay, My Forbidden-
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Unknown POV~*~
Recap: Hiei; my little, unwanted Forbidden.
My precious little Firefly.
I'll teach you, I'll teach you all I know I thought slipping out of the car as my mother sat in stunned silence.
"YOU IDIOT!" I screeched at the tall demon before me, his long black hair falling forward to cover my eyes, "You were meant send him running home! He was meant to believe that the human world was too dangerous for him to stay in any longer!" my voice rose as I spoke and I watched with apathetic eyes as my minion flinched.
"I am most sorry, my lady, I believe the difference in energy leaves there compared with here, my lady, changed the nature of my magic," he said in an obvious attempt to appease me.
"Not good enough! He will stay there now, with that fox of his and the child detective! How long am I to wait until your spell turns back?" I hiss and I think he knew that if I had to wait a long time his life was forfeit.
"Until his birthday, my lady,"
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Odd man Out POV
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"Shuichi?" Shiori called opening her sons door, poking her head in only to smile at the sight before her, he and Hiei were curled on her sons bed, a book upon her sons chest fast asleep. Hiei's head resting upon Shuichi's shoulder with his small arm wrapped around his waist as if he was afraid Shuichi would disappear into the night. Walking in as quietly as she could Shiori grabbed the spear blanket at the end of the small futon they'd set up earlier for Hiei and draped it over the sleeping pair.
Sneaking back over to the door she couldn't help but look back, her inter face softening only to be marred by a frown when her husbands voice came from behind her. "If Hiei was older I'd be a little worried," Kazuya said as she turned, his dark eyes locked on the two boys in the bed.
"Why do you say that, love?" Shiroi asked pulling his gaze away from the boys and to her, his lips tipping up in a small smile. "Honey, I think Shuichi is gay, I mean for one he has long hair he obsesses about. Two, he wears tight clothing most of them more feminine in style than masculine, designed to attract male attention more than female. Also, has he ever brought a girl home? Or mentioned one he's interested in?" Kazuya asked softly pulling her from the room where the pair rested, letting the door shut with a soft click.
"Well, no. Now that I think about it, though there have been a few he has mentioned I'm under the impression that they are just friends or something," Shiori replied following him down the stairs, into the lounge. Her small, delicate hand coming up to push back her thick, heavy raven locks as she curled up onto the couch beside the man she loved.
Silence fell comfortably upon the pair before a soft "Mother?" came and startled them out of their contemplations, turning their heads to the owner of the voice Shiori's hand coming up to press against her chest. Covering her heart, which beat out a frantic rhythm inside her. "Shuichi! You scared me! I thought you where sleeping," she gasped out gaining a small sheepish smile from her son.
Nodding he said, "I was reading to Hiei and I guess I just drifted off. Mother I was wondering if it would be alright if we went to get him some clothing tomorrow, I don't really want him running around in boxers and that bunny top."
"Sure, sweety, that's a great idea. We can go to Erins, she has the latest in child fashions out! What did you have in mind?"
"Jeans, track pants, singlets, tops and a jacket or two, so he doesn't catch a chill," Kurama said and her smile turned to a grin as she thought, 'My responsible baby. Already ready to take on a child of his own. A troubled one at that.'
--
"Oh, hi Shiori!" Erin said with a smile as the beautiful middle aged woman walked into her small store which catered for children under 6. Behind her was her equally stunning son, who her own child, Cynthia had a massive crush on, ever since she was small. "Hello Erin, I need to pick up so clothes for the newest addition to my family," Shiori said gesturing at the small pale child whose thick black hair shot up, his bangs framing his face. His large eyes were an unusual colour, crimson, deep and beautiful, reminding Erin of her sisters garnet engagement ring.
The expression in them tainted that beauty though, the wary, disappointed and disillusioned, his thin rosy lips tipped down in a frown as he held Shuichi's hand. Walking forward Erin squatted down with a smile and spoke in the voice she used for all children, sweet and bright and happy.
"Hello, little one, why don't you tell me your name? I'm Erin," she said her smile faltering at the shock then anger in the child's eyes, that narrowed into a glare, his hand tightening on Shuichi's. "Erin this is Hiei, he's had a…rough life so far," Shuichi said before dropping down onto his knees, drawing the child's attention to him.
"Its not just you Erin, my dear," Shiori said patting her shoulder as she wondered what she'd done wrong. "Even I have a hard time getting a word out of him, he talks to Shuichi though," she murmured as they watched Kurama whisper to the little boy.
"He couldn't be older than three, he'd tiny!" Erin said as Hiei nodded at something Kurama said, "He'd five, at least that's what Shuichi's told me," Shiori replied and Erin gasped, looking up at her with wide eyes.
"Truly? But he's so small!"
"Erin, I'm sorry, Hiei can be a little temperamental at times," Shuichi said standing, Hiei at his side still clutching his hand, though the grip looked like it might be starting to hurt the red head.
"That's alright, do you know what size he is?"
"Extra small?" he said with a laugh even as Hiei pouted, obviously upset at the mention of his petite stature. "I'll see what I can do!" Erin laughed leading them over to the boys section, Hiei still very silent, too silent in both Erin and Shiori's opinions, both used to happy, talkative children. Even moody spoilt ones spoke more than Hiei did.
"Now, what were you looking for? Erin asked looking at Shuichi again, figuring he would know what the child would be most comfortable in.
"Boots, jeans, cargoes, singlets, t-shirts, and jackets," the red headed teen said and the child tugged on his hand drawing all the attention to himself, though he obviously hadn't meant to.
'Kneel, damn it!' Hiei hissed in the foxes mead and Kurama did letting Hiei whisper in his ear, "I don't need t-this s-stuff K-Kurama!"
"Indulge me?" Kurama asked a look in his green eyes saying that even if Hiei threw a tantrum, Kurama would get his way, the red-head nearly always did, and Hiei sighed, "F-fine."
After about two hours of fittings and trying to find something Hiei would wear, since Hiei refused to wear anything with cartoons or childish writing or images. No cloths that clung and refused to wear anything but dark colours. He also always read the tags, something he had picked up every time he was forced to go shopping with the group, making sure that the prices where cheap, so that all clothing bought was the cheapest choice.
"It was nice to see you again, Shiori, Shuichi and a pleasure to meet you, young man," Erin said with a beaming smile as the group collected their bags. The still silent child took the bags from Shiori, leaving the dark haired mother with her hands empty except for her hand-bag and followed Shuichi making an adorable vision as he toddled away in his new cloths. The dark red top accenting his eyes, adorned by his black pants, gum boots and hooded jacket.
"Later Erin, say hello to Cynthia for me!" Shiori said with a gentle wave following the two boys.
--
"Are you sure it's alright Mother?" Kurama asked the next morning, having gotten ready for school, "Yes, Hiei will be fine here, I could use the company, now shoo, you'll be late other wise!" Shiori said placing a blow of cereal in front of the quiet child.
"Alright, thank you Mother," Kurama asked kissing her check before whispering in Hiei's mind, 'Be good, don't run off and do what ever she asks. Please.'
'Hn, what ever fox,' Hiei muttered back having been with drawn ever since the day before, when they went shopping. Hours passed quietly, Hiei happy to sit in the couch by the window, still and silent as Shiori when about her tasks. Though he often got up to help her, even making a mug of tea for her when she had sat down to read for a while and had been thinking about grabbing a drink.
It was odd to him, he could still do all the things he could with the Jagan Eye, yet it along with his dragon had disappeared when he'd been turned a child. Bored and needing to get rid of some pent up energy he slipped up into Kurama's bathroom and curled up into the bathtub, knowing that the only flammable thing near when he was in it was his clothing and he could protect that.
As a child he, since he'd had no toys and had often had to protect himself, had learnt early on how to make small balls of fire which he could 'play' with, and he sat in silence rolling it back and forth, sometimes manipulating its form into animals.
Foxes chasing each other happily.
A battle between two dragons.
He was in the middle of a scene where 'flame-Hiei' killed 'ashes-kuwabaka' when Shiori burst in the room and he, too stunned to do anything as the flame turned back into a ball and rolled towards him, stared back at the shocked woman. His small hands clutching the hot, flickering ball as she shrieked, the scent of her fear flooding him.
"You monster! Get out!" she cried and grabbing the broom, which had been left in the room before lunch attacked the small half Koorime who quickly darted away, though not before she had landed two hits, one across his face and the other across his back. The latter one sending him tumbling down the stairs.
Not even giving himself time to get over the shock of the fall, Hiei darted out the front door, not looking back at his new boots beat the pavement, heading to one of the few places he felt safe.
Stopping he gave a bitter laugh as he crossed the road, ignoring the odd glances he was attracting, before muttering, "S-since when d-did I e-ever h-have a s-safe place. I s-should have k-know that it-t was t-to g-good to be t-true when I f-found o-one at K-Kurama's. G-ood thi-ings n-never h-happen to m-me."
'I should know better by now.'