I want to tell you guys the truth, I was a little afraid of how that last chapter would go over with all you reviewers . . . but it did seem to go over very well. I'm glad all of you liked it! But now I have to throw another few twists at you! Be prepared!
Hiei was half asleep when Yusuke suddenly made an appearance in the door way, the small demon glared daggers at his taller 'friend'. Yusuke simply smiled at Hiei and presented him with a tray, on this tray there was a bowl of what looked to be milky chicken broth and a plate of some sort of food that, to the best of Hiei's knowledge, was not edible.
"Shizuru's not much of a cook," Yusuke whispered in an almost apologetic tone. "But, its better then what the rest of us could do."
"Where are the rest of the females?"
"Yukina's nerves were a bit shot, so Keiko took her to stay at our place for a little while."
Hiei looked down at his plate. He wasn't in any mood to cook.
"Damn." He took a tentative bite . . . it wasn't as bad as it looked.
"The broth is for Kurama. Narumi- sensei said it would be easier for her stomach to get back into a regular eating cycle if we got as much broth and possibly some soft food into her as soon as possible. Would you do the honors?"
"Yes, Get out." Hiei snapped, not even looking up from his plate of 'food'. After mere moments, the plate was all but licked clean. The small demon then turned his gaze back to Kurama, who he had been watching continuously for the past 12 hours. The psychics haven't made another move, but then again, Yomi was one smart bastard; he knows when to back down to lower suspicion and heighten confidence so that awareness levels went down giving him a chance to strike again. But, he also may have just given up completely with his little plan after Hiei make his presence known, OR this whole Night Terror scheme was just the beginning to the real plot. Hiei had just given himself a headache, again. He looked at the broth, now is a good a time as any, he supposed. Placing the bowl on the bedside table, Hiei crawled onto Kurama's bed to arrange the vixen in an upright position. Once she was in position Hiei sat down next to her and placed her head on his shoulder, with a small calloused hand he caressed her cheek, gently moving his way down under her jaw bone and chin. After a moment his caresses had the desired effect; Kurama's lips parted slightly in a relaxed sigh. Hiei grabbed the bowl from the table and lifted Kurama's head a bit; he then tilted the bowl a bit so that a trickle of broth poured into her open mouth. Fearful of Kurama chocking or vomiting Hiei only poured a tiny amount of the broth, but that little amount was enough to make Kurama blanch and swallow. Seconds passed and Hiei almost thought that he was in the clear, but Kurama's innards had other ideas. The vixen heaved and coughed, thinking fast, Hiei grabbed the small hand-towel that was folded in the corer, perhaps for that very reason, and held it under Kurama's head. Kurama coughed up the not only the broth but, also more liquid that Hiei guessed to be stomach acid, that wasn't a good sign.
The moment Kurama had started heaving she also started to panic. Which, Hiei supposed was going to happen a lot considering what she had been living through being plagued by Yomi's evil images all the time. Hiei tried not to enter Kurama's mind at this point, there was going to have to be a time where Kurama would have to face her own demon, sort of speak, because Hiei wasn't going to be there all the time to distract her with softer images. He did, however, start to murmur and coo softly into her ear, telling the vixen that she was alright, that there was nothing to be afraid of. After a moment it did seem to work, because Kurama had calmed down considerably.
There has to be around all this. Hiei thought to himself. Hiei wracked his brain for a long moment, after a while he came up with a solution. Perhaps staying out of Kurama's dreams was the wrong approach; the calmer she stays the more likely she is to accept food. . . HMMMMMMM . . . . Hiei thought for a long moment before it finally hit him. Staying out of the vixen's dreams was the wrong action to take.
The Jaganshi entered Kurama's mind once again. After a moment he produced the 'dream vixen', only this time he didn't have a memory to go on, so basically he was on his own.
The vixen churred and nuzzled the 'infant Kurama' toward her teat. Long repressed instincts flared inside Kurama's brain. He instantly latched on to the offered teat, somehow knowing, as only an infant could, that suckling would sate the uncomfortable hunger pains.
Hiei returned to his own body, all the while willing his Jagan to continue with the new dream he had produced. He once again tipped the bowl of broth into Kurama's slightly opened mouth. The moment she swallowed that tiny amount of liquid two things happened simultaneously; Kurama's stomach instantly wanted to revolt and tried to expel the broth, yet the dream had its desired effect when it caused Kurama's brain to release calming endorphins. The vixen coughed once but soon quited. After a moment Hiei felt saft to give her more broth, before he knew it half the bowl was empty. It was the Kurama coughed and gagged once again; not wanting to undo all the work he had just done, Hiei was please that she had kept down as much as she did, so he left Kurama to her sleep.
: A few hours later:
It was now around seven o'clock in the evening, Yusuke had come in earlier to take away one tray and to bring in another with Hiei's dinner along with another bowl of broth and a replacement IV bag, he was ecstatic to find how much Kurama was able to keep down. After Hiei finished his dinner he once again summoned the 'dream vixen' to help him in his task of feeding Kurama. This time he was a little less successful. The dream vixen hadn't been able to calm Kurama as she did before, which ended with Kurama having a sudden panic attack out of the blue. Kurama took a huge gulp of air and caused the broth to go down wrong which made her go into a chocking fit. The whole bowl was dumped into both their laps. Hiei tilted Kurama forward so she wouldn't choke further if she coughed up the broth she was able to keep down; that gesture served it purpose when Kurama threw up all over the front of Hiei's shirt.
Half an hour later Hiei was pondering just how tired Kurama must still be for her not to have woken up at all during her choking fit AND the whole time Hiei and Yusuke cleaned her off and changed the sheets on her bed. They were about to pull on another tee-shirt for Kurama to sleep in when Genkai made an appearance to let them know that Narumi was going to arrive with Kuwabara in an hour or so, so they decided not to bother with the shirt since it would be removed the moment Narumi performed the exam.
That's where they were now, the boys all took their positions on or around the bed, and in case the psychics made an appearance OR Kurama did wake up and decided to attack the doctor. Hiei at the windowsill, Kuwabara sitting on the floor with his back resting against the bed and Yusuke reclining half propped against the headboard with his legs stretched out, he had sat through too many to be embarrassed as he once was. In fact he was, like Hiei at the windowsill, half asleep. He wasn't even paying attention to the conversation between Genkai and the doctor, nor did he notice when Narumi suddenly went silent in the middle of a sentence.
Kuwabara noticed as did Genkai. The carrot top twisted around with a worried gaze. When he saw the expression on the doctor's face he turned back around to meet Genkai's questioning stare.
"What's wrong, Sensei?"
When no answer came, Yusuke and Hiei both looked over instantly alert. The doctor was moving his stethoscope from one spot to another over the crest of Kurama's swollen abdomen with an increasingly intense look on his face. After another minute Narumi turned to Kuwabara.
"Will you be so kind as to go get my ultrasound machine, Kuwabara-kun?" The urgency in the doctor's gentle voice did not go unheeded by the carrot top who, upon leaving the room, broke into a run.
"What's up, Narumi-sensei?" Yusuke asked in a 'you-damn-well-better-answer-me-your-scaring-me' tone.
"It appears that I might have to go back to grade school for math lessons."
"What does that mean?"
Narumi opened his mouth to answer only to be interrupted by Kuwabara brining in his ultrasound machine. It took all of two seconds for Narumi to plug in the machine, whip out the attachment, apply the jelly and place it on Kurama's abdomen. He moved the remote to one spot before turning to the screen; a rapid heartbeat was quick to greet everyone's worried eyes. The doctor turned a knob, which must have been a volume control because a watery sounding pulse sounded through the room. The pulse died when Narumi moved the remote to another spot close to the vixen's pelvis. Seconds later another heartbeat, a beat off of the previous kit's, sounded through the room. A collective sigh of relies came from all the occupants of the room.
"Thank Kami." Yusuke said in a happy, breathy tone. "The way you were going I thought Kurama lost one of them, or both! Don't scare me like that!"
Narumi didn't reply he merely moved the remote once again to a spot directly below the vixen's left breast. Narumi's eyebrows furrowed together in the middle of his forehead. He moved the remote down a bit further; once again there was another outline on the screen. This one, however, had sluggish and slightly sporadic heartbeats, as if the tiny organ was struggling to stay beating.
"It appears that we have a third kit; A runt which turns Kurama-san's pair of twins into a full blown litter."
"What the hell are you talking about? How could you not have found this out before! " Hiei snapped. "Can't you keep your story straight? You're supposed to be a doctor dammit!"
"It is very common with for a fetus to be hiding behind its sibling. If I had been able to x-ray Kurama-san's abdomen I could have known of one from the start. I may be a doctor but I am working with limited equipment here. The only portable x-ray machines are for veterinarians that specialize in large animals."
Hiei grumbled under his breath and turned to look out the window. Yusuke shot the Jaganshi a nasty look.
"Don't mind Hiei, Sensei. He's just a very tired ikkle boy." Yusuke adopted his baby voice. "Hims just need some sleep."
Hiei turned to Yusuke with a nasty snarl.
"No one doubts your skills, sensei." Genkai assured the doctor. The old woman left her place in the corner of the room to stand at the headboard so she could get a better look at the monitor. "But, tell me how much of a chance does this kit stand?"
Narumi sighed sadly.
"Truthfully, a seventy/thirty chance that it will not survive. Multiple pregnancies are always risky for the weaker fetuses. In Kurama-san's case, her pregnancy so much more complicated because of all she has been through. Although, it appears that she is on her way to a full recovery. That is a good sign for this kit."
"So it may be alright?" Kuwabara asked.
"The longer theses kits stay inside Kurama-san's womb, the better chance they all have to survive. But, right now, it doesn't look good."
This time it was Genkai's turn to sigh.
"After all theses years I thought the dimwit would be the death of me," She mused in a soft whisper, reaching out a small, wrinkled hand to smooth a wisp of blood red bangs out of Kurama's face. "Yet, here you are giving him a run for his money."
"I wonder how Kurama is going to take the news." Kuwabara thought out loud.
"Not as bad as you would expect." Yusuke replied with full confidence. Narumi stilled his movements from where he was wiping the jell off of the vixen's tummy.
"Why is that?" The doctor asked.
"She will be surprised, but in a good way. Any amount under three is abnormal. So that was what Kurama was expecting before . . ."
"Before what?"
"Kurama told me a while ago that she didn't really remember much of the last few weeks that she had spent with Yomi. Because of the spells and aphrodisiacs potions he was pouring down her throat those last few weeks were basically a cloudy mix of pain and . . .um . . well for lack of better words pleasure. But, she did remember on night in particular, the way Kurama described it to me she was with that bastard in his room and suddenly she felt sharp pains in her stomach. That seemed to cause some of the smoke to clear from her brain. The pain, from what Kurama could remember was really intense, she kept blacking out for short periods of time, but she remembers Yomi calling for a doctor and the smell of blood mixed with a bleach like smell."
"Amniotic fluid . . ." Narumi supplied. "But that would mean-"
"Yea, Kurama found out when she awoke that she had miscarried that night, Kurama had mixed feelings about that because she knew what Yomi wanted her children for but, she never wanted them to die. And when she woke up here and found out that she was sill pregnant Kurama was happy but still didn't know if she wanted Yomi's offspring."
"I wonder just how many eggs were fertilized to begin with."
"Kurama said that anywhere from three to six kits is a normal size for a litter, though up to ten have been reported."
"My dear," Narumi told the sleeping Kurama. "You are literally full of surprises."
:fifteen minutes later:
"Before you go, there is something I would like to discuss with all of you." Narumi was all done with Kurama's exam and was ready to be on his way when Genkai stopped him and all the boys from leaving the vixen's room. All of them turned to the old woman who was still standing beside the headboard of Kurama's bed.
"What's up, Baa-san?" Yusuke asked.
"I think it would be best for Kurama if we didn't inform of her ailing kit until she has made a full recovery." Genkai had expected the surprised looks she got. "Use your brains! If you tell Kurama that she has a third kit that is not faring well it will only add to the already high level of stress she is under right now. What I propose is, for us to wait until she has recovered so that there is less of a chance that she will relapse."
"That would make sense." Yusuke murmured. "She already blames herself for almost giving birth prematurely. If she finds out that there is a third that is a hairs breath away from dying it would crush her."
"Do you think this is a wise choice, Sensei?" The old woman turned her gaze to the doctor.
"I agree that it wouldn't be a good idea to let her know that her surprise kit is struggling to stay alive, but I also believe that she should be informed as soon as possible. She has to have enough time to come to terms with herself about the third kit."
Everyone nodded.
:Ten o'clock that night:
Hiei bristled. Someone was outside and that someone was defiantly if demonic origin. The demon hadn't yet reached the door, it was taking its time but, its movements weren't cautious as one would be if he were trying to surprise someone with its presence. Hiei figured that the others must have felt that demon by now as well. His thoughts were proven correct when the dark shadow of Puu appeared suddenly outside of Kurama's window. Yusuke must have summoned him there to protect the only unprotected spot in the room. Feeling secure in his knowledge that Puu would watch over Kurama, Hiei took off for the front door, which Genkai was just sliding open.
The demon was tall and slender, when he moved his body swayed like the branches of a willow tree. When the door opened he froze and lowered his overly large eyes to the ground in front of him. A wide, sheepish smile spread on his boyish face. His looks we not deceiving either, there was not an ounce of ki coming off this boy-demon.
"What business do you have here?" Genkai called to the young male.
"I have been sent by my Mistress, Lady Mukuro." The boy giggles, his voice just as high and famine as Hiei had expected. "She sends a message through me. She says that the son of the goat is awakened and awaiting your judgment."
Genkai thanked the boy and sent him on his way. He giggled for a moment before disappearing into the night.
"Kuwabara, will you fox-sit for a little while?" Yusuke asked his best friend.
"Sure thing . . . but what did he mean when he said 'waiting your judgment'?"
"Mukuro doesn't want Shura in her domain; in fact it was Hiei who insisted on reviving him. I was hoping to bring him here to be with Kurama, if they both want it. I'm pretty sure that Kurama would be happy to see him safe."
"I may not have let him die," Hiei said as he started down the walkway, not even waiting for Yusuke. "But that doesn't mean that I trust him enough to allow him here."
"Well that complicates matters!" Yusuke said around an exasperated sigh.
:In Mukuro's room of healing pods-thingies:
Shura was sitting cross-legged on the cold floor outside of the tank he was in for the past few weeks. Mukuro had supplied him with some warm towels and clothes then told him to sit down and stay put until he was told other wise. The young goat dried and dressed himself; all the while he could feel the two guards standing outside the room. He shivered. Was he revived just so he could become a prisoner?
The young goat started rubbing his hair dry, as always he was mindful of his horn Shura was ran over his forehead, what he felt was not his smooth skin, it was swollen and papery to the touch and . . . His horn was GONE. Trembling, frantic hands were started running all over his face, the familiar shapes of Shura's face suddenly felt foreign to his small hands. The small goat twisted around to look upon his face in the well polished metal of the rim of the tank. A large scar ran from the middle of the forehead over the spot where his horn once resided and followed a path to his left ear, the tip of which was gone. Shura gaped at himself, he had seen other scars all over much of his body, but he was too nervous in the haughty Mukuro's presence to take a moment to exam them. Papa did all this to him . . . that much he remembered.
The young goat was jolted from his thought when Mukuro's distorted image appeared behind him in the shining metal rim of the tank.
"If you so desire, young goat you may reside here for the time being."
"With all due respect, ma'am, I don't wish to reside here. Thought I do thank you for saving me and I will do whatever you wish of me to repay this kindness. I don't want to be an open target for my sire and I'm not sure if Kurama-san would ever wish to see me again."
"Then, what is it you plan to do?" Mukuro asked patiently.
"I'm not sure. I know how my sire operated and I know he will forever be a threat to my life as well as Kurama-san and her kit, my sibling. I merely wish to disappear until I am stronger, then I am going to find Kurama-san again and offer my services in helping her in whatever way I can. She is the only on I am loyal to as of this moment."
Yusuke, who had calmly been listening with Hiei off in the shadows walked slowly up to his fellow former Makai lord and gave her a questioning look. She gave thegave the taller demon a level, calculating stare then nodded. Yusuke smiled his thanks to her and sat himself down next to the young goat, who hadn't raised his eyes from the ground.
"Hey, kiddo." He greeted.
"Please refrain from calling me that, Urameshi-sama."
"Sure thing." Yusuke smiled warmly at the trace amount of fear he heard in Shura's voice. "I just wanted to make a little bargain with you."
Shura slowly turned his hesitant, violet gaze to meet Yusuke's chocolate pools, showing without words that he was up to considering whatever it was Yusuke had to ask.
"See, it looks to me that you care about Kurama just as much as we do. I think that you and Kurama both are worried about each other and want to be together. Now, I'll gladly take you to her, but I'm not the one you have to convince that you aren't still under your father's rule. You see, Hiei is Kurama's mate, (as much as he denies and fights it you know he is) and he is a bit protective of her. Which after all that she had been thought isn't surprising. The best way to convince Hiei that you do any harm to Kurama is to prove yourself to Mukuro. So here's the deal. You stay here, with Mukuro, for a short while and do your best to gain her trust. Then, I promise you that I will take you to Kurama, okay?"
"Did her baby survive the attack from my sire?"
"Yea, but she has been sick lately. Some psychic was torturing Kurama through her Nightmares. That was after she and Hiei fought and he stomach started rejecting food. Thankfully, thought, she and her kits survived."
"Kits?" Shura's eyes went wide.
"Yea, the day we got Kurama back we found out that she was carrying twins and just today the doctor found another smaller and very weak kit. That kit may not survive for much longer. We are waiting for Kurama to recover a bit more before we tell her of that third child. Though, wither or not it survives, Kurama is going to need all the help she can get. Do we have a deal?"
"Hai! I will do as you ask." Shura's eyes, despite his best efforts were brimming with thankful tears.
Yusuke stood and started to leave. He was stopped when a small hand grabbed his arm. He turned to find Shura staring up with wide violet eyes.
"Thank you, Urameshi-sama."
"Call me Yusuke. And it's the least I could do for you after all you did to help Kurama. You earned this chance to be with her.
Yusuke ruffled the young goat's raven black hair and left with Hiei, both of them anxious to return to Kurama's side.
:one day and three hours later:
Kurama slowly opened her tired eyes. She stared at the digital clock in the corner of her bedside table; it read three in the morning. She slowly pushed herself up into a sitting position, draping her legs over the bed with her back to the moonlight shining through the window, her stomach was growling something fierce and her mouth tasted faintly of chicken. Plus she had to pee like a racehorse. Kurama pushed herself up onto her unsteady legs and swayed for a moment before gaining her equilibrium, snatching her robe Kurama rushed as fast as she dared to the bathroom. Once she was done in the bathroom Kurama made her way to the kitchen.
Now, what do I feel like tonight? Kurama thought to herself as she scanned over the contents of the fridge. After making up her mind she gathered the ingredients needed for her newest concoction. Just as she was finishing her new recipe, Kurama heard rapid footsteps rushing down the hall. The vixen smiled warmly as Yusuke all but ran into the kitchen. He stood in the doorway for a long moment, just staring until his trance was, for some reason, broken. He flew to Kurama's side to wrap his arms around her. Kurama returned the hug and let her head rest on the half-demon's strong shoulder.
"Feel better?" He asked in a hushed voice. Nodding as she pulled from his tender embrace, Kurama snagged her bowl of . . . stuff and sat down to finally enjoy the feeling of a full stomach, though she was mindful not to start out with too much at once, that wouldn't help her stomach at all.
Yusuke blinded at the odd assortment of containers on the counter.
"Do I even want to know what you made this time?"
"Most likely not." Kurama whispered her voice still a bit hoarse from not being used for a few days for anything other than screaming. She had only made a small amount for herself, though she felt as though she could eat a five whole chickens.
The two were silent for a few moments, before, Kurama's head shot up to stare her friend in the eye.
"Why is Hiei here?" Kurama rasped out suddenly.
"He came because we figured that he would be able to get rid of those Night Terrors, which we found out were created by a psychic that we figured Yomi hired." Kurama stared, wide-eyed at her dark haired friend. "He barely left your side for the past three days."
Kurama was silent; she tilted her head down causing her bangs to cover her tired eyes. Better change the subject . . . Yusuke thought desperately.
"Rice Krispies covered with . . . a mashed banana, catsup and ewwwww pickle juice." Yusuke made a face.
"I told you that you didn't want to know."
"Yea well its hard not to notice, the smell is enough to make a normal person sick."
"Define 'normal' and I will give you a sick individual." Kurama whispered to herself.
"Eh?"
"Oh," Kurama blushed. "Sorry, that was a quote my mother told me once, she got it from her favorite teacher."
" . . . Kay . . ." Yusuke sweatdropped, that was a bit too much to ponder at three in the morning. "Um, well I saved you a piece of cheesecake! Kuwabara brought the whole thing over for Yukina, but she's staying with Keiko for the time being. Its pretty good, you want?"
"I'm not sure if I have room for cheesecake just yet."
"Aw, you sure? You can always have half now and save the rest for later! Its realllllly reallllly good!"
"Okay, you convinced me. I'll have some."
Yusuke smiled as he rummaged through the fridge.
"You know, speaking of cheesecake, did you ever realize in that ultra-smart brain of yours that our little team makes up the whole 'Golden Girls' cast."
Kurama blinked at Yusuke's odd train of thought. Yusuke took her silence as a prompt to continue. He placed the plate of cheesecake in front of his friend and continued.
"Just think of it, you're the tall smart one,"
"Kuwabara is taller than me, as I am now." Kurama put forth.
"Not when you turn all Foxy, plus your hair is silver just like hers is. Kuwabara is the dumb one, Hiei is the short, smart-mouthed one, and Me, I'm the sexy one!"
"The hussy?" Kurama laughed.
"Damn straight!" Yusuke puffed out his chest. "I'm a sexy beast who-"
"Men flock to for an cheap romp under the covers." Kurama supplied.
"Ewwwwwwwwwwww."
Kurama couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. That laugh soon turned into a yawn. Before that first yawn was fully past her lips, Kurama found herself standing in Yusuke's arms and half way down out of the kitchen.
"Yusuke," Kurama whispered in a distressed tone. "I can't go back in there. Not again, I can't bear to see him again, not when he will be gone in the morning. . ." Kurama's eyes darted nervously in the direction of her room. Yusuke could tell, from prior experience that when Kurama started that uncharacteristic babbling that she was soon to be sobbing. The half demon hugged his friend, once again comforting her and trying to sooth her fears. This problem, however, Yusuke couldn't solve, nor could he make it go away. This was between Kurama and Hiei, Yusuke could only offer advice."
"Talk to him." He urged, gently rubbing large circles over Kurama's back. "He could have left days ago or hours ago to sleep in a tree or to return to the Makai. But, he didn't, he stayed. Go talk to him."
Large tear rimmed eyes stared peered though blood red bangs. Kurama was desperately scared, she didn't want to be hurt again, that was understandable, but Yusuke was certain that Hiei wouldn't run out on her again. At least he'd had better not, if he knew what was good for him. Yusuke prayed that Yusuke wouldn't make a liar out of him.
"Yusuke," Kurama dug her feet into the ground when the young demon tired to coax her toward the door. "I don't know how I can ever thank you for all that you have done for me. For some reason I know it was you who brought Hiei back, wither or not he stays still doesn't change the fact that you cared enough to try. Some day I will return the favor for all you did for me."
Yusuke smiled. "You don't owe me a thing, Kura-chan. I think he was looking for a reason to come back any ways."
Kurama smiled at her friend before planting a sweet peck on his lips and winked into his baffled gaze. "You've earned that much at least."
Yusuke licked his lips. "Heh, you taste like cheesecake."
Kurama looked down to her bedroom door, she felt a little more confident now thanks, once again, to Yusuke.
Kurama entered her room slowly, with hesitant footsteps. She looked up at the windowsill and straight into the steady, crimson gaze that only Hiei could possess. They stared at each other until Kurama broke her gaze by moving to her bed, where she sat down with her back to Hiei.
"How long do you plan on staying this time, Hiei?" Kurama asked slowly. Bracing herself for when he'd reply with 'I'm only here to make sure you don't kill yourself'. Kurama wasn't about to get her hopes up.
"What's with that tone, kitsune?"
"Why did you stay?"
"Because," Hiei snorted. He couldn't stand it when Kurama answered his questions with another question, despite the fact he just did it to her. "You needed me. I was the only one who could help." He paused. "And . . . I . . . "
Kurama bit down harshly on her bottom lip, this was it he was defiantly leaving now. Though Kurama was surprised when the bed shifted under her as Hiei joined her on the bed and wrapped his arms hesitantly around her waist, one above and one below the vixen's bulging abdomen.
"Because I was miserable," Hiei squeezed his arms tighter around the vixen. His head coming to rest between her shoulder blades. "I've always stayed away from women, kitsune. For more reasons then one, but mainly because I didn't want to burden her with the weight of bearing another mutt, a child that was unwanted and would go unloved. I've never had a family, I've never even held a babe before and I've never wanted to. I can't even begin to understand how you are feeling right now, but after seeing your nightmares it all became a little clearer to me. Those kits are a part of you; you care for them and are willing to die protecting them. They are special to you in ways I, an abandoned Koorime bastard, couldn't comprehend. I know you want me to be a father to your kits, but I'm not sure that I could be capable of that even if I wanted to be." Hiei pulled back from the vixen. He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him. His crimson gaze met Kurama's tear filled eyes. With small, calloused hands Hiei cupped Kurama's cheeks, drawing them closer and closer then coxing her into a tender kiss. He drew back sharply when a tear hit his fingers. Hiei searched Kurama's bright, emerald orbs, what he found in their unfathomable depths was fear and tears.
"What I can promise you is that I will protect you and your kits with my life. I love you, your happiness means everything to me and if your kits make you happy then they're worth it. I'm not sure what I'm getting myself into but, you're worth every bit of it."
Hiei watched as Kurama's crying eyes slowly lit up more and more until she sobbed happily, while tears of happiness started flowing down her already tear stained cheeks. Hiei's gently caressing thumbs wiped those tears dry before he murmured, "No more tears, Kurama. We still have two more months until we'll be up to out ears in crying baby tears."
Kurama had to laugh at that. When that laugh turned into a deep yawn Hiei coxed her to lay back on the bed then pulled the blankets over them both and gathered Kurama into his arms. She responded by pressing her forehead up under his chin much like a cat.
Drowsy and warm, wrapped in Hiei's arms with his fingers running tenderly through her hair, Kurama found herself asleep in no time. Hiei, however, found himself content to lay awake just holding his lover.
After a few lazy minutes Hiei found himself nodding off as well. He was half asleep when a stirring sensation started up against the spot where Kurama's belly was pressed against his. Apparently, the kits decided it was time to wake up.
"Hush up in there." Hieis deep voice rumbled softly. "You're . . . parents need some more sleep."
Hiei was surprised when they actually did quiet down. That damn Yusuke much have been telling the truth when he said they could hear what was going on around them. The fire demon shrugged, he was thinking too much. He yawned again and in moments he was sleeping soundly with the rest of his new family.
WOW I got that up quick! I have had this chapter outlined for a while so it was easy to get my thoughts in order! Hope you liked it! As always, please review!
:Random funny stuff you don't have to read if you don wanna:
With the last batch of reviews I had a bit of a Yu yu Titanic going on. . .picture it. A disgruntled Jicky kicks Yomi off a cliff. then suddenly out of the bushes jumps luvyuyu. "Yomi I still love you!" she screams as she grabs his hands, holding him for a certain death of SPLAT! "Yomi, I'll never let go!"
. . .please understand that I have been slammed with hours at work, I haven't slept in 24 hours and got hit by a random brainstorm, I understand that that was totally random, but thats what was running through my mind when I got inspired to write more, so I thought I had to add it in. I hoped it brightened your lives. . .otay im done now. see you soon.