This chapter is rated M

Chapter 10

About a month later……

Kurama and Hiei were walking to their favorite spot in the park. They had just visited with the Urameshi's newest member and after an hour of Kurama making funny faces at the baby, they headed home, via a stop thru the park.

Keiko had given birth to an 8 pound baby girl, about a week after they had returned, Yusuke seeming to be just a little relieved that it was not a boy. They named her Rosalina.

After the family hype had slowed down, Kurama started to visit almost every day. He was the child's godfather after all, though there would be no formal ceremony to announce it, he still took his role seriously. The red head would visit just long enough to let Keiko take a shower, or to go down to the restaurant and socialize. She wouldn't leave for long, for she felt the baby needed to be breast fed and would not leave a bottle for Kurama to feed her, though he tried to get her to do so. It was not that she didn't trust him. She was just a big believer in breast feeding and the bond that came with it. She did want him to visit and though Yusuke had not told her much, Keiko felt this was good for the red head and it was the only way she knew to help.

The two made it to their bench in the secluded part of the park.

"Beautiful day." Kurama said taking a seat.

"Hn." Hiei grunted, sitting next to the red head.

"I hope the weather holds for Kuwabara's and Yukina's wedding." Kurama added, watching the light clouds float across the bright blue sky. The wedding was still two weeks away.

Hiei didn't say anything as he tried to study the fox, without looking obvious.

Kurama still looked pale, though he kept saying he was alright. It had been a rough few weeks after their returned. Kurama would wake in a cold sweat and Hiei knew he was having nightmares, but the stubborn fox would not admit it. Sometimes Hiei would wake with the red head clinging to him for dear life and sometimes he would wake to an empty bed, only to go searching and find him on the porch swinging.

He tried not to push, but the fox needed to talk and it was driving him crazy. He'd tried a few times to get the red head to talk, only to have his head bitten off and an argument would ensue. He thought several times about leaving, to let the fox have space, but he would change his mind when he woke to the red head clinging to him.

The fire demon thus bit his tongue and watched as each day blended into the next. Kurama's house was becoming a home, the red head working everyday on something, obvious to the fire demon that he was trying to stay busy so as to not have time to think. The spare bedroom was done, painted a soft smoke blue/grey, the book selves built and almost full of books, the guest bed was made, ready for company and the computer, on a new computer desk, was up and running. The master bedroom was painted a dark charcoal grey and shoji screens covered the sliding glass doors, the bed had been turned on an angle, accessories added. The living room had yet to be painted, but the entertainment system was up and running. The kitchen too, had yet to receive any color, but everything was looking nice and homey.

Seeming to be done inside for now, the fox had started making flower beds. Hiei would watch from the swing as the red head took his frustrations out on the dirt and rocks, finishing hours later, to look like he had been buried alive.

Hiei would return sometimes, from visiting Yukina, to find the fox on the phone talking with his mother. The red head would call about once a week, letting her know he was alive and healthy. She kept saying she would come and visit, but never seemed to find the time. Hiei had mixed feelings about that relationship, he knew the fox dearly loved his mother and wanted her there for him, but it was easier with her not around, for she would not understand and only add to the tension.

He was brought out of his thoughts.

"Hiei…I have been thinking." Kurama said.

"That could be a dangerous thing you know." He said lightly.

"Hiei." Kurama wet his lips, nervously, seeming to ignore the comment.

Hiei turned at the tone in the soft voice. He didn't say anything, just grabbed a hand, noticing how sweaty it was.

"Could you do something for me?" Kurama asked, he was staring at the ground and seemed to be having an internal struggle with himself.

"Anything….you know that." He said, wondering what it could be.

Kurama didn't say anything as he stood and then got down on his knees. He seemed to be shaking and his sweating had gotten worse. Hiei's eyes went wide as the red head moved to be in front of him, still on his knees. Kurama then pulled his hair around his shoulder, exposing the back of his neck. Leaning forward, the red head placed his head in the fire demon's lap, making sure his neck was seen.

Hiei bared his fangs, his demon instincts kicking in as to what the fox was suggesting. Shaking his head, he pushed the red head harder then needed, making him fall back on his side.

"What the hell are you thinking?" He growled.

Kurama sat up and looked at the fire demon, who was now balancing on the back of the bench, his red eyes glowing as his ki flared.

"I want you to mark me." Kurama said calmly.

"You're crazy." Hiei scoffed.

"I am not." Kurama stated with mockery.

"You need to rethink that." Hiei said and disappeared.

Kurama sighed and got up. "Well that did not go as planned." He heard in his head.

"Youko...shut up."

a)a)a)a

Hiei ran, ran as far as he could, leaping tree to tree, until he found himself at Genkai's temple. Landing on his favorite tree, he stopped as he saw Yukina swinging in her swing.

Sitting with his back to the trunk, the fire demon tried to calm himself. 'The fox had finally lost it.' He thought. 'Did he have any idea of what he'd just suggested and what being marked entailed?'

Demons could mark lower class demons, making them slaves, servants, sex toys or what ever they could think of. It was seen as a power ploy, the more demons you marked the more powerful you looked. The mark was placed on the back of the neck, so it could not be openly seen. The mark would be presented when the one marked bowed to his master or told to bow to someone to show they had been claimed.

After being marked, the demon would have no choice but to obey the marker. Most demons abused this feature by making the person torture themselves, kill without mercy and many other horrid things.

Hiei sat there and thought, then decided he needed to figure out what had gotten into the red head. He had questions and wanted answers. Taking one last look at his sister, the fire demon took off, hoping to find the red head already home.

Finding the red head sitting on the porch, the fire demon walked calmly to him.

Kurama looked up as he approached.

"I have one question." He said.

The red head only nodded.

"Whose idea was it?" He asked.

"You mean was it my idea or Youko's? Kurama asked.

Hiei nodded.

"You may not believe it, but it was both of ours." Kurama stated.

Hiei raised an eyebrow.

"We've talked about it and let us just say, 'I had the final say.'" The red head stated.

"I can't mark you, Youko is stronger than me." Hiei stated.

"You will not be marking Youko, you would be marking me and in this form, you are way stronger than me." Kurama shot back.

"Why."

"Why what?" The red head said cocking his head to the side. "Why do I want this, why did I agree when Youko suggested it. There are a lot of 'whys' Hiei." He stated.

"Just tell me." He growled.

"I think Youko needs to be contained." Kurama said. "It is not that I do not trust him, I do, yet I do not, but I feel that if I was marked, he could not try to take over again. None of this might make sense to you, but I have my reasons." Some of those reasons had to do with Yomi and the fear of being claimed against his will, though he would not tell that part to the fire demon.

"Your right, it doesn't make sense." Hiei said, moving to the porch to sit next to him.

There was silence as the clouds started to thicken, rain moving in.

"I can't do it, I'm sorry. I won't put you through it." Hiei finally said.

Knowing that was going to be the answer, Kurama was still not prepared to hear it.

"Damn it Hiei." He growled. "Do you not think I have been thinking about this for awhile?" The red head stood up and turned to face him. "I am not an idiot." He said.

"I didn't say you were fox." Hiei said, trying to control his rage. Kurama rarely cursed and it was making him mad, seeing the fox mad.

"Then why can you not do this for me." Kurama pleaded, there were tears in his eyes. "I can accept it if you find someone else. I can just be your slave…I'm sure I….." He tried to say.

"Can you not listen to my fears?" Hiei growled.

Kurama cut him off, not wanting to hear and trying to prove his point.

"Do you not think I know everything there is to know about a mark? Give me some credit Hiei, I do have access to a thousand plus years worth of information here." He retorted, taping the side of his head.

"I will not have you as my servant or slave or whatever you want to call it." Hiei said his ki rising as his anger grew.

"Fine…so be it." Kurama told him. "But I want to have Youko contained and this is the only way I can think to do it." He straightened and went to leave. "I will just ask someone else to do it." He huffed. The red head had no idea who in all three worlds he could ask and didn't want to think of the idea of having to stay in the Makai if he found someone there, but he had thought about this for weeks and wanted it done.

"Okay." He heard as he went to step off the porch, it was starting to sprinkle.

"What?" Kurama turned and saw the fire demon looking at the floor, defeat on his face. Hiei knew the fox would find someone to do it, who wouldn't want to mark a gorgeous red head and Kurama was just stubborn enough to let someone do it, just to prove the point.

"Thank you." Kurama sighed.

"I have my own conditions to state first." Hiei said making eye contact.

Kurama nodded.

"We are still equal, I will not abuse my control over you and….." Hiei paused making sure he had the red heads complete attention. "You will mark me as well. That way we are one and if one of us goes, so does the other. We belong to each other and no one else…is that understood."

"Yes, but I will wait to mark you. I need to feel it for awhile and then I will think about it." Kurama said, walking back to the smaller demon and placing a hard deep kiss on the red lips.

Hiei pulled the red head's head back by the hair and placed a soft bite on his neck. Kurama's breath hitched and he gasped as the demon suckled along his neck.

"Please Hiei." He moaned as they fumbled their way into the house and then to the bedroom.

Pushing Kurama towards the bed, Hiei said. "Strip."

"You are not even my master yet and already giving orders." Kurama purred, but started to undress.

When he was naked and sitting on the bed, Hiei pounced. "Maybe being your master will have its advantages." He said, attacking the red head with kisses and petting.

Kurama tried to keep Youko's demon instincts contained, even though he had asked for it, the back of his mind was screaming at him to fight.

Hiei seemed to think the same thing and didn't waste anytime. He rolled Kurama onto his knees and pushed his head down between his legs. The marking was usually done during sex, the sex being used as a distraction and a way to humiliate. Most demons rode their victim and then right at the point of their release, made the mark. But the fire demon's height would not allow him to do that, if he was behind Kurama and leaning over, he would only be between the shoulder blades and that would not work, so he improvised. He used his fingers to prepare the fox and then right when the fox was about to release his own pleasure, for the fire demon made sure to hit that sweet spot over and over, he bit down and claimed the fox. Again most demons would wait until the victim was close to their release and then deny them, again a control and humiliation thing. The marker would release and deny the victim. But, Hiei allowed it, though from the fox's point of view it was not very enjoyable.

Kurama tried to move, but Hiei held, for which he was glad the fire demon was not having regrets, yet. He felt fingers penetrate and moaned in the sheets as his sweet spot was found. He knew the shorter demon was improvising and was surprised at how he was doing it. He held still as he was brought to his peak, knowing Hiei had the right to deny him release, he was surprised when a hand starting pumping him and he came, Hiei biting his neck at his peak. The pain was sharp and he froze like a cat being held by the scruff of the neck. His whole body ached as the feeling of power and ki flowed in and around him, the hand still pulling his release. Hiei was absorbing him, making him his. At this point Kurama had that one second of doubt, but it quickly passed as he told himself this felt right and 'yes' this is what he wanted.

Before his body regained sensation, he felt movement and then pressure as Hiei sheathed himself deep inside him. Moaning, he tried to stay on his hand and knees as the fire demon rode him hard. He knew Hiei's desires would kick in and so be it, he knew what he was getting himself into and was ready to accept it.

Hiei growled as he rode the red head, the back of his mind telling him to claim what was his, show the red head who was master and who owned him. He rode to his climax, not carrying if the red head found anymore pleasure.

Pulling out, the fire demon fell to his side, panting, riding the emotional roller coaster back down. He turned his head to see the red head passed out on his stomach, the pale face facing him, his eyes were closed and soft breathing could be heard. Hiei was not done. He would claim him and deepen the mark several more times tonight and even take him everyday for as long as it took to make the bond permanent.

Sometime later, green eyes opened to see crimsons ones looking at him, studying him.

"There is still time to back out." Hiei said.

"No." Kurama said and even shook his head, tossing the sweaty wet red stands from his face.

"Then I continue to claim what is now mine." Hiei growled, rolling over to pin the taller frame to the bed. Kurama didn't move as the weight settled on his back and his hair pulled out away from his neck. The pain was not as bad as the first time, but it still stung and made him gasp. When Hiei was done, he slid back down the lean figure and pushed the pale legs apart. The red head went to get back on his knees, but the fire demon stop him by placing his hand firmly on his lower back. Grabbing a pillow and shoving it under the red head's hips he then pushed himself back in, in one swift move. Kurama bucked at the feeling, he was still stretched from before, but this was a dry penetration and it burned.

Hiei collapsed his weight down and taking his hands, pulled the fox's arms behind his back, pinning them. Leaning forward, while pulling the taller frame towards him, he whispered near the fox's ear. "Who do you belong to fox?"

Kurama gasped at the pull on his arms, if he didn't know better, he would think the fire demon was trying to pull his arms out of their sockets. When he heard the question, he smirked. "Only you Amai, only you." Gasping as the pace was increased.

Thrusting hard a few more times, Hiei reached his peak and climax. He lay for awhile on the red head, before rolling off and sleeping.

Kurama didn't know how many more times he was taken. It seemed he would just be fallen asleep, listening to the heavy rain pelting the roof, when the fire demon took him again. He remembered being turned over and even being made to sit on top, but it all blended and he could not tell where one began and one ended.

The red head woke to an empty bed, his body aching all over. Trying to stretch, his breath hitched at the knots in his muscles. His neck hurt and his rear, of course.

Hearing the door open, he watched as Hiei came in with a tray. "I hoped you'd be awake." He said, placing the tray on the red head's lap.

The tray held scrambled eggs, bacon, toast and juice. Kurama just stared at the demon with wide eyes.

"Don't get use to it, you will be doing this for me soon enough." Hiei said, crossing his arms.

'Was Hiei serious?' He said he would not abuse the power, but he is a demon and he had every right.

The fire demon sat on the edge of the bed. "I expect you to make it from scratch and not go to Yusuke's restaurant to get it." He smirked and placed a soft kiss on the shocked red head's forehead. Before he pulled back, he whispered. "It's a joke."

Kurama smiled and relaxed muscles he didn't know he was tensing.

"So what do you want to do today?" He said, starting to eat and trying to make things seem normal.

"What if I want you to walk around naked, wearing only a collar?" Hiei said, looking at his nails.

Kurama froze as he felt the mark flare, the pull to say 'as you wish' whispering in the back of his head.

"Please do not make me regret this." He said softly, placing his fork down, losing his appetite.

"I want you to. Do you know how stupid this was?" Hiei said, studying the red head.

Kurama only nodded and stared at the tray.

"I'm a demon and I have demon instincts just like every other demon out there. I have better control over them, at least I think I have better control than most, but do you really know the control I have over you right now."

Again Kurama only nodded.

"Every thought you have, I hear, every memory you have, I can look at, at my own free will. You can not and will not be able to keep anything hidden from me, you're completely open." Hiei said.

"I know." Kurama whispered.

"And I hope you realized that I would never do that to you." Hiei said and removed the tray, sitting it on the floor. He then got under the covers and snuggled into the lean figure.

Kurama held him and said. "I know…I trust you."

"I will help you maintain your walls and." Hiei paused.

Kurama moved to look at him raising an eyebrow.

"How is Youko taking this?" Hiei asked.

"He is content and happy, I think. He is there when I need him, but mostly keeps to himself. He is just happy to be alive and I know that if I ever need to call on his strength, he would not hesitate to appear." Kurama answered.

"Good." Hiei said, giving him a kiss.

Kurama got a blank look on his face. "Something wrong?" Hiei asked as he saw the red head turn pale.

"My memories." He whispered. "Did you look at them when…you know…when…?" Kurama pushed away from the fire demon and moved to the other side of the bed.

"I tried not to, but I loss some control and…I'm sorry." Hiei admitted, wanting to hold the red head and make it better.

"So you know about….?" Kurama started to tremble. He finally broke and began to cry. Weeks of build up anger, frustration and humiliation poured out at what had been done to him.

Hiei had not wanted to, but he relived the scene as Kurama lived it. The feelings of pain and some pleasure, the smells, he'd wondered why he saw several flower packets in the trash, those flowers must be what the fox smelled when…he let the thought go.

"Come here." Hiei said, opening his arms.

"No." Kurama hissed and felt the mark flare, the pull to go to him strong.

"Why?" Hiei looked hurt.

"You have every right to despise me for what I have done." Kurama said, getting his crying under control and letting anger drive him.

"You did nothing." Hiei stated firmly.

"I….." Kurama paused as he felt something in the back of his mind. The way Hiei said it made him believe it, the mark telling him he did nothing wrong.

Seeing the red head accept his statement, Hiei pushed the order. "Now…come here."

Kurama whimpered and moved so he was curled on Hiei's lap. To which the fire demon held tight and ran his hand through red hair. "Now let it out fox, you've needed to do this for awhile now and I give you permission to let it go."

The green eyes squeezed shut and he grabbed the fire demons arm so tight, it formed a bruise. Lowering his head in the demon's lap, he cried and sobbed, shook and dry heaved, until he passed out and slept, Hiei never letting go.

Kurama woke still in Hiei's lap, sitting up he noticed the fire demon had fallen asleep and he studied the face of the one he loved, still feeling glad he agreed to claim him. He would make sure his Amai would have no regrets, doing whatever it took and then some.

Red velvet eyes blinked open and landed on his emerald ones.

"Thank you." He whispered.

"Hn." Hiei said softly with a smirk and noticed how Kurama looked a little sad at that remark, here the fox was truly grateful for what he had done and here he was acting like a…

Seeing Kurama's face, he pulled the red head to him, by the back of the neck, making him hiss at the still opened mark.

"Listen to me and listen well." He said, right in the red head's face, making him gulp.

"I 'love you.' We already did this and can't undo it until one of us is dead. I expect you to claim me soon, understand?" He paused as Kurama tried to nod and then whispered 'Yes' when he couldn't.

Hiei continued. "I know your fears, no one and I mean 'no one' will take what is mine. Even if Yomi is alive, I will see him burn in hell if he tries to do anything to you. Block those memories and thoughts, let them go."

"Yes." Kurama whispered and actually felt relief.

"I almost forgot. I have something for you." Hiei smiled and reached into his pocket.

Kurama had a flash of Hiei pulling out a collar, but was surprised to see it was a tear gem necklace.

"I had another one made for you." The fire demon said, placing it around the slender neck.

Kurama held it and just stared, not believing he would ever have another one.

"Is it yours?" He whispered and wondering if it was, just when had it been shed.

"Yes, my second one that I know of." Hiei said, watching as the red head felt and studied it.

"So when did you make this one." Kurama wondered.

"I'll tell you later, as for now…I think I have some reconditioning to do." Hiei smirked and pulled the red head into a kiss. Kurama moaned and let the hot tongue enter his mouth. "But first I think I want my fox to have his way with me." He said as he pulled back from the kiss.

"Is that an order?" Kurama smiled.

"Yes, and I expect you to obey it."

a)a)a)a

In a den, in the Mori no Hitei forest…some months later.

"Push!" He yelled, placing his hands down between two bent legs.

"I can't…please no more." She cried, for she hurt and was tired. She had already pushed one kit out and now it would seem she was having another.

"Taiga…listen to me. I need you to concentrate. You have to bare this child. You already have a daughter, now let's see what this one is." Yasekoketa tried to reassure her. She had held up so well the last few months, accepting her pregnancy.

The doctor thought back to how they ended up here in this den, that just happened to be somewhat furnished. When the silver yoko had left, they both decided it was time to leave and that the timing could not have been better. They left in the confusion, waiting on the outskirts of the palace and watched as the place crumbled to almost nothing. After everyone had left, Taiga had wanted to go and see if she could find Yomi. He refused to go and started to walk away. She begged and he still doesn't know why he let her go and why he waited for her to return. She only nodded her thanks upon her returned and they began walking. Trying to avoid Mukuro's army, for fear they might be killed for having something to do with the red head, they secretly made their way somewhere, anywhere, just to get away. Weeks past and they seem to be doing fine, when he realized Taiga was pregnant. She wouldn't talk about it and he just stayed by her side as her tummy grew with child, well children, he had managed to pack a bag of essential items and a stethoscope helped him hear two heart beats.

Nothing was talked about and they just seemed to move as one, continuing their journey, neither one seeming to care to where. The sun was just starting to set when they came upon the remains of a bat creature. It had been dead for a long time and was just bones. Moving on they came to an abandon den. It was a nice size, with many smaller rooms off the main opening. The doctor checked all the areas he could and was glad to realize they had shelter, at least until the babies were born. They had been here ever since, living off the abundant land and fresh water was just over the ridge. Weeks past and now it was time.

Taiga screamed one last scream and pushed, the kit finally arrived. The doctor wrapped it in a clean piece of fabric. The fabric had been stained with something brown, the doctor knew it was blood, but he wasn't going to tell her that. He had taken all the fabric to the stream and had washed it clean, using a cleaner he had in his bag, they needed every piece of fabric for the delivery.

"Congratulations, Mistress Taiga you have a son." He said holding the now semi-clean child up for her to see.

"Drop the Mist….." She breathed, collapsing on the pile of furs they had found in one of the rooms.

"Of course…bad habit." He said with a smile, handing her the boy when she was settled. He turned and picked up the girl, placing her in the other arm.

"I'll let you all get acquainted. I'm going to get this mess cleaned and then check you. See if you can get them to nurse." He told her and then gathered a bunch of bloody and used items, heading out to wash them.

Taiga looked at her kits after she got them to latch on and nurse. The female was pretty. She had her dark cat eyes, dark hair, with cat ears and some of her distinguished spots. The male confirmed her suspensions or fear, you might say. He had red hair and furrier ears, and light green eyes almost a yellow/green, Taiga didn't have a tail, unlike most cats, and neither did her daughter, her son however, had a red and silver tail. She could feel it tapping against her as he fed and saw the tip of it around the sparse covering. He had only a few dark spots on his tiny frame.

She had no idea what she was going to do with her life, her children now took control of that life and she would risk heaven and hell to protect them. Mother instincts are hard to fight. For now, though, she was just content to stay put and be with the doctor, if he was willing to stay with her. She laughed as they suckled. It was hard to believe in all of Makai that she would end up in the Forest of Denial., for there was no denying her kits and the fact that she was now a mother. She watched as the male's little hand pulled at the necklace around her neck, his small hand fitting perfectly around the tear gem.

End Chapter 10

The End

Continues in: Regretting Expectations