Disclaimer:
Kiyoshi: …*looks over to Firestorm* What's your excuse this time?
Firestorm: *twiddles thumbs* I had senior year of college to get through, and knee surgery recovery, food poisoning, and life drama…and I graduated Saturday (5/11/2013!).
Makoto: Really? That's great Stormie!
Kiyoshi: Did you just change her nickname?
Stormie: Not really. It's been the usual nickname for me for a while. Anyways, I'm going to run away now and write this chapter…before I piss Kiyoshi off more for my absence. Also…I only own my OCs. Yes, that's right. I did the disclaimer myself ;)
Life became as normal as could be for demons. With Hiei and Yoshezame mate, the two teenage demons felt like they had more of a complete family unit. Public outings were more common for them, and many internal issues had been resolved. Even Hiei had gone through more of a change. He used to think the way human males fell at the feet of their women were weak and spineless. Now, he would do anything to make Yoshezame happy. He no longer felt that love was a weakness. Seeing the smiles on his mate's and children's features made him feel stronger than anything.
Hiei was not really a sentimental demon, save for his mother's tear gem and his sword which he had broken on more than one occasion. He would never admit to having a sentimental side. So he would have lied if someone saw what he was doing now.
The fire demon was looking at pictures of his children as, well, children. He could not believe that they were graduating from the human school in a couple of weeks. How could it be that the two little children he raised were already so grown up with mates and going to college? They were making lives for themselves and he couldn't be more proud of the both of them.
"Hiei," he heard Yoshezame calling for him. "Where are you?" He closed the scrapbook and set it on his nightstand before Yoshezame entered their room. "Oh, there you are. What are you doing up here?"
"Reminiscing," Hiei replied curtly as he eyed his mate. She was wearing regular human clothes, a new style for her as of late. Yukina, Keiko, and Botan had taken her and Rui out shopping. It was time for the two ice maidens to become permanent residents of human world. Kurama and Julia were already working on getting the information together for them to be citizens of their town. It was now an easier process since demons were always working to integrate themselves peacefully into the human world. "You look nice."
Yoshezame smiled, not really blushing as much when Hiei complimented her. Occasionally he would make a remark for her ears only that would make her blush, but these small compliments just made her happy. If someone had asked her a year ago if she thought she'd ever be living this life, she would have scolded them for teasing her in such a matter. This was the life she had dreamed of living since listening to Hina's tales of love. This was what she was fighting to keep.
"Are you listening to me?" Hiei asked, snapping Yoshezame from her thoughts. She looked over to him and blinked a few times. He knew she hadn't heard a word. "Tonight we're going over to the dojo. Dad and Pyre wanted to set something up for the kids. I seriously think we're having a party every week up until they graduate."
"Are Hintai and Makoto coming?" Yoshezame asked.
Hiei shook his head. "Makoto and his father are going on a father/son hunting trip. Hintai told Emiko that her mother wanted to take her on a spa weekend before debates and finals started up to enhance her studying capabilities."
"Does that actually work?" the ice maiden questioned, still not completely aware of every human tradition and concept.
Hiei shrugged. "I don't know. I never had to worry about it. Kiyoshi and Emiko never really obsessed about grades. They just did well naturally."
Yoshezame nodded. Seeing as she didn't understand about "grades" and Hiei seemed not to care as much other than they were learning and doing okay in their studies, she could understand that other demons probably wouldn't care about such things. Obviously their kids cared as they did so well, but maybe by not panicking over what grades they had gotten, they were able to absorb more information and perform better. "So," she started, "what time are we leaving tonight?"
Hiei smirked. "As soon as the kids get home."
With the school finally repaired from Kiyoshi's attack, the students were all back into their regular classrooms and their usual schedules. Kiyoshi and Emiko hadn't minded. They had both been incredibly happy and energetic as of late. It wasn't just the fact that they now had mates, finally expressed their love for them, or even that graduation was coming soon. No, they were thrilled by these things, but now they were officially a family. Now that their parents were mated, and now their teachers knew Hiei and Yoshezame as a couple, things were so much better and easier. Sure, they were still teased by other students who knew nothing about them because their family was unconventional, but they didn't care. In a few weeks, they'd never see half those people again, and the ones that truly mattered would continue to stay in their lives.
"So, when are we going to tell mommy and daddy?" Emiko asked. "They still think we're planning on staying in the dorms."
"Yeah, well," Kiyoshi started, "it's their surprise. I'm sure they'll be happy and think like we are. We have so much time to make up for. This is the first time we actually get to be a family."
"What do we do about Koto and Tai?" Emiko pressed. "Shouldn't we live with our mates?"
Kiyoshi blushed slightly as he thought of Tai. Yeah, he didn't like being apart from her for too long, but the thing was her parents knew nothing of their mating. Even though they had been around their family long enough to know they were demons and Makoto's father knew about them being demons, things would still be a little trying for them. They were teenagers and not married in human terms. Kiyoshi and Hintai had spoken about it the last time they were at the studio. They agreed to allow for a conventional human relationship until she found a way to delicately explain it to her parents without them freaking out about the extent of their relationship. They'd continue to live with their parents and then arrange for time to spend together in his side of the studio. He was planning on talking to Makoto later to see what his solution would be.
"We will at some point," he assured her. "But for now, we need to make up for the lost years with our parents. Mom still hasn't learned all of the human customs yet, and I KNOW she's going to need help understanding the significance of certain things around graduation, if dad hasn't explained it to her already."
Emiko smiled at the fact that their mother was going to be there to see them graduate. Where high school was just another milestone for the twins, the imminent family time made everything seem better. Knowing their family, there was going to be plenty of parties for weeks. That was usually how it was, anyway.
"Come on," Kiyoshi said when the first bell rang, gently tapping her shoulder while grabbing his backpack. "We have to get to class."
"So, is everything ready?" one of the ice maiden elders questioned.
"Yes," another replied. "I managed to find a route, a safer route than normal Demon World travel; however, it will take much longer for us to arrive."
"How much longer?" an elder who entered the tent asked. "I want to get this done as soon as possible."
"Well, we all do," the second one scoffed, "but I'd rather make it there alive than dealing with vicious male demons. This route goes out of the way, but we should still be there around the time of this human graduation ceremony."
"How long?" the first one interrupted in attempts to silence the bickering of the other two.
"Three weeks."
"I didn't expect you to come in today," Kurama stated as Hiei walked through the flower shop door. "The schedule says that you are off today. Are you picking up flowers for the party later?"
Hiei stared blankly at Kurama while mentally arguing with himself on what he was about to do. If he went along with his plan, then Kurama would never let him live it down. There had been many times where Hiei expressed his firm dislike of the spineless humans attempting to shower their mates in floral gifts.
"No," he answered.
Kurama smiled knowingly before walking out from behind the cashier's spot. "Then I assume you're here for Yoshezame," he stated. "I have a few suggestions for you."
"Oh goodie," Hiei muttered. He followed Kurama around the store as he started pointing out flowers and their meanings.
"I would suggest daisies," Kurama started, "since they represent purity and loyal love."
"She knows that I love her and that I am loyal to her," Hiei pointed out. "This whole situation is far from pure."
"True," Kurama admitted before eyeing the other plants. "What about forget-me-nots? It represents true love and memories."
"Our memories are not necessarily good ones," Hiei reminded him. "We're trying to make new ones."
"Then I think I might have the perfect thing," Kurama replied with a smile. "Come into the back."
Hiei quirked his brow in interest before following his friend into the back room. He figured that with graduation coming up, the stock would already be displayed, so he didn't know what Kurama could possibly have to show him. When he saw a large pot of something, he understood. Kurama had been working with his plant concoctions again.
"Ivy is a dangerous plant, Hiei," Kurama explained to him. "I figured I could use its properties to create a weapon in case it was needed."
Hiei was about to ask him what his point was when Kurama controlled a flowered portion to enter a smaller, white flower pot and then added some soil before handing the pot to Hiei. "But the flower…that part is safer provided one does not have allergies to it. I have not yet met a demon that did, so that is not a concern. It symbolizes wedded love, as well as fidelity, friendship, and affection. I think that is was you're looking for."
Hiei stared at the pot of purple blossoms before taking it from Kurama. What his friend was describing was perfect for the couple. They had had a rocky start, but their strained relationship had progressed through stages of trust, friendship, and love. "How much?" he asked Kurama.
"Nothing," Kurama answered with a grin. "It's not part of the store's stock. It's something I got ahold of on my own."
Hiei nodded his thanks before disappearing from the store. Kurama chuckled slightly before returning to his post. His stubborn friend had come a long way since they had first met. At least Hiei had changed for the better. It was still shocking, though, that he had chosen to do something he hated just to put a smile on his mate's face. It was actually something sweet and romantic. Kurama planned to keep quiet about that.
Hiei returned home just in time for his children to arrive at the apartment. Yoshezame had already set up a few snacks for the twins who were happily munching and telling their mother about their day. Emiko had nothing much to report except for the fact that her concert was coming up soon and her art teacher complimented her work. Kiyoshi just mentioned some more trouble with Mr. Akashi and how he respectfully told him off during class, shocking the majority of his classmates and his teacher. He wouldn't be having much trouble with him for a while.
"Mom said we were going to the dojo tonight," Kiyoshi said when he saw Hiei. "What's going on?"
"Party," Hiei responded with a smirk before ruffling Kiyoshi's hair. His son chuckled and moved his head away from his hand.
"Cool," Kiyoshi replied. "It'll be great to see everyone."
"Yeah," Emiko agreed. "I miss them during the school week."
"Go get ready, sweetie," Yoshezame suggested to Emiko. Then she looked up over to Kiyoshi. "You too, Kiyo."
"Okay mom," the twins replied simultaneously before running up the stairs to their rooms.
Hiei attempted to cover up a smile, but couldn't, as he watched Yoshezame taking on the mundane task of clearing the table. She looked like she belonged their completely. There was no tenseness in her motions like when she had first arrived. Where the adjustment had taken a long time, almost the entire year, everything was clear now. Yoshezame belonged with them. She always belonged with them.
Yoshezame felt Hiei's eyes on her and smiled while trying to ignore her mate's scrutiny. She stood up strait after cleaning off the table with a dish towel before the white flower pot was set on the table next to her. The pot caught her eyes and she paused in her chore, gazing upon Hiei's gift to her. Her eyes lit up, her expression becoming more enthused. Hiei didn't know, but Julia had been teaching Yoshezame flowers and their meanings. This one just happened to be her favorite.
"Oh, Hiei," she cooed lightly. "It's so beautiful."
"It made me think of you," Hiei said while blushing. He just uttered the corniest line ever, so much so that it made Kuwabara seem smooth. "I mean, I hope you like it."
"I do," Yoshezame replied with a chuckle. She never knew Hiei to be nervous, so seeing him act that way enchanted her even more. Dropping the dish towel, she moved to embrace the fire demon and nestled her head against his. "I love it, Hiei."
Hiei grinned at his success and returned Yoshezame's embrace. When he heard the footsteps of their children, he released her. When Kiyoshi reached the table first, Hiei said, "Are you two ready?"
"Yeah dad," he heard them both reply.
"Good," Hiei replied. He took Yoshezame's hand, and the two of them led the twins out with their free hands on the twins' shoulders. "Then let's go."
The family of four left the apartment building and began their stroll to the dojo for the pre-graduation celebration. They felt many pairs of eyes on them as they walked, but they didn't perceive any of the beings. However, the many eyes perceived nothing but a happy family enjoying their time together. It made some of them want to return home and spend time with their own families and also give silent blessings to the family. They all hoped that the happiness would continue to radiate from them.