Kurama felt strange—free, more weightless than he'd been in ages. It was the feeling of finished business, of a still, small calm after chaos reigning in his world for weeks, when the struggle of life and death hanging in the balance was finally over. It wasn't a cognizant recognition, more of a feeling, but it was there nonetheless.

When he looked down, he saw that he was no longer confined by his human body; although he had given up the form of the youko several years ago, it seemed to be the form he had taken on. And not only that, all of his battle scars, any sore muscles or headaches, all of it was gone. But where was he? And how had this happened to him?

Looking up from the tall body, his tail swishing slightly behind him, Kurama noticed that he was in Spirit World. But not the kind that could be accessed by the living. It was as he had explained to Yusuke after Genkai's death at the Dark Tournament; this area was sort of a train platform of sorts, after which he will have gone "on."

It must have been time for ME to go on. Kurama sighed. This form certainly wouldn't help his case. After all the horrible crimes he'd committed, there was no way he'd be sent somewhere nice. And he shouldn't, anyway.

But as he headed towards the temple, ready to accept his fate, whatever that was, he noticed that there was someone waiting outside, someone he never thought he would see again. He stopped in his tracks.

"Kuronue!" he gasped.

"In the living flesh!" Kuronue laughed, then looked down exaggeratedly. "Well, not exactly. My living flesh was destroyed by bamboo shoots. But here I am!"

Kurama felt his stomach tangle up with guilt. "Listen, about that day—"

"It's not a big deal." Kuronue smiled. "I told you to go on without me, remember? Please just tell me you didn't throw out that artifact."

"I thought about it," Kurama admitted, "but I finally decided that wasn't what you'd want. I'm sure it's still in Makai somewhere." He paused. "Am I dead?"

"Sort of," said Kuronue. "Your soul's gone to Spirit World, as you can see, a bit like a ghost. That's why you look like your old self. Your human body is still back in Ningenkai. They're dispatching a reaper right now."

Kurama looked at Kuronue, noticing that he had no injuries from the bamboo shoots, or, in fact, any scars or injuries at all. It was like he said: he and Kurama weren't in their bodies, only souls.

"Where did they send you?" Kurama asked, knowing that whatever Kuronue's punishment was, his was bound to be worse.

"Well, at first they sent me to limbo," Kuronue replied. "And that stunk, I can tell you…but then the rules changed and they decided to go easier on bandits, under the pretense that a lot of us didn't really have much of a choice. Any bandits who died after the ruling were given lighter punishments, and those who had been in limbo had their sentences lowered to time served. We got to choose where we wanted to go…" Kuronue smiled. "I live on a nice sunny beach with plenty of shiny things in the sand, and fruits and mixed drinks whenever I want. It's the best. And see? They even found my pendant for me." Kuronue gestured to the pendant around his neck. "I never take it off."

"I'm glad to hear that, Kuronue," Kurama said with a sigh. "Whatever they give me, I will take."

"Hold on a minute." Kuronue raised his eyebrows. "Haven't you been wondering why I came out here to greet you?"

"I suppose," said Kurama. "Why is that?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Kuronue stepped a little closer to Kurama and set both hands on his shoulders. "You need to go back. It's not your 'time' yet."

Kurama shook his head. "I can't."

"There are too many people who love you in the world of the living for you to stay here," Kuronue said firmly. "What about your new partner? Right now, he's crying over your dead body. Is that how you want to leave him?"

"I can't come back," Kurama insisted. He knew he wasn't strong enough. And although he did not know quite what happened, he did seem to remember that it was Hiei who had been with him when he died. "At least I got to see him one last time."

"Here, I'll prove it to you," said Kuronue. "Lift your pinky finger into the air, like this—" (he raised his hand, pinky finger in the air)—"and see what happens."

Kurama copied Kuronue's movements, and when he lifted his pinky finger in the air, he was surprised to feel a tug. There was a red string on his finger, and when he followed it with his eyes, down the road going away from the temple, he noticed none other than Hiei, wearing a beautiful red kimono that shimmered with black and gold flowers. In his arms was a little bundle, and although Kurama couldn't see what was in it, he didn't need to. He knew that it must have been the baby. The other end of the long red string was looped around Hiei's pinky finger. Kurama's breath caught in his throat.

"Hiei?" he whispered.

The fire demon looked up, his crimson-red eyes looking stony cold. Kurama strained his neck for a sight of the baby, but Hiei turned the bundle up against his chest.

"Yes," he said. "Right. That's me. Hiei."

Kurama was happy to see Hiei, and he looked so nice in that kimono. And he wanted to see what the baby looked like. But Hiei was so far away.

"Hiei," said Kurama, reaching out his hand. "Come closer."

"I can't." Hiei turned away.

"Don't leave me," said Kurama. "Please stay."

"I won't leave you." Hiei's voice was quiet; it sounded almost like he was crying. "Not ever. I love you."

"What?"

"I love you." Hiei turned his head up to look at Kurama, a determined expression on his face, although he still shielded the baby from view. "No matter what, I love you, and I'll never leave you."

"Then why…?"

But that was all Kurama had time to say before the connection was lost. The red string faded away, taking Hiei along with it.

"His soul's gone back to the living world," Kuronue observed. "He wanted you to go to him."

"But if he loved me, why didn't he come to me?" said Kurama. "That's what I was going to ask."

"Because it's not his time to go, either," Kuronue replied. "You have to go to him. Don't you see? If you do go back to your human body, you're going to need a lot of help. You won't be able to access your youko form, even if you wanted to. But does that really matter?"

"Well…" It had been so wonderful to see Hiei again. And those words, I love you, were still ringing in Kurama's ears.

"Listen to me, Kurama." Kuronue gave him a soft smile. "You spent so many years making me happy. Now it's time to make your new partner happy."

"Kuronue…" Kurama was surprised to find himself near tears. There was nothing more to say; before he knew it, he had reached out and embraced Kuronue, and Kuronue hugged back. When the hug separated, Kurama held Kuronue's hand for a minute, and then it was over.

"Good to see you made the right choice." Kuronue grinned. "I've gotta go; somewhere, there's a hot naked waiter with some sliced pineapple calling my name!"

Kuronue laughed, snapped his fingers, and he was gone. Kurama shook his head, smiling in spite of himself. Same old Kuronue.

It had all seemed too short, but Kurama knew his old partner was right. Hiei needed him, and so did the baby. And then there was his human mother, his stepdad and stepbrother, the rest of his friends…Yes. He wanted to go back. He needed to go back. Hiei and Kuronue had helped him to find the strength.

I'm coming, Hiei, he thought.

As soon as he started the walk down the path, Kurama felt a pull, something he was struggling against…bright lights, far-off voices, a strange beeping…the smell of a hospital…

And then he was gasping for breath, eyes open, the beeping sound growing faster—but most of all, he found himself staring into a pair of tear-filled red eyes, the same ones he had been staring into a few minutes earlier, now back in Living World.

Hiei!

For a moment, the pregnant demon froze, and then he screamed, lost his balance, and fell off his chair.

"DOCTOR! NURSE! SOMEONE!" Hiei kept calling, obviously unable to get up from his place on the floor. Kurama wanted to get up and help him, but he couldn't even seem to speak, much less move. Then the medical team flooded in with their equipment and scrubs and masks, and they interrogated Hiei about what had happened. Kurama was still trying to speak or move but it all seemed so foggy. He wanted to let Hiei know he was okay. The urgent voices of the doctors, Hiei's breathless responses, it was all mixing together in his blurry mind.

"What happened, sir?"

"He…he died…he flatlined…and now…"

"You realize sometimes this happens…dying patients may return to life for a few moments…"

"No, no," said another doctor to his colleague. "His heart rate's not slowing down. It's speeding up!"

"Cardiac arrest?"

"No…closer to normal…"

One of the nurses picked Hiei up, then, and "escorted" him out of the room; Kurama could hear shouts of, "LET ME GO! I'M HIS HUSBAND!" all the way out the door and down the hall. What was going on?

The only thing Kurama wanted was to see Hiei. That was what had given him the strength to come back in the first place. So he did his best to fight the doctors when they swarmed him, until he felt a sharp pinch in his arm. Then everything slowly faded out, and the world went black again.

…

Hiei had to be carried out of Kurama's room literally kicking and screaming; no matter how hard he fought, he was held fast by a very large and powerful nurse. He didn't like what he was seeing, all the doctors frantically rushing around in Kurama's room. What if he had died again? Shiori, too, was standing in the hallway, looking confused.

"What's going on?" she asked Hiei, worried.

"I don't know!" Hiei said honestly, still trying unsuccessfully to break free.

"Has he died?" said Shiori.

"We're not sure," the nurse replied. "Sir, please stay still."

"No!" Hiei shouted. "Let me go!"

It seemed like forever until finally, all the noise calmed and the doctors and nurses surged out into the hallway. No one was rushing anymore. Hiei's heart sunk to the floor and he stopped fighting. As the other doctors headed away with their equipment, one of them approached Hiei and Shiori with a clipboard and removed his mask. Hiei recognized him as one of the doctors speaking to him on the day of Kurama's accident. That had only been a few weeks ago, but it felt like a lifetime.

"Doctor," Shiori said tearfully. "Please tell me, how is my son?"

And finally, the doctor's face broke into a tired smile.

"It was nothing short of a miracle, ma'am," he said. "He's going to be all right. They're running some tests now so that we can give you a prognosis for him—that is, a more in-depth analysis of the damage and the outlook of recovery…"

But neither Shiori nor Hiei were listening at that point. There was no way to prepare them; by the time the doctor's speech trailed off, they were crying in each other's arms. Hiei had never been so relieved, and for the first time in weeks, the baby was kicking and kicking, as if he was doing a little cheer routine of his own. Hiei's heart was already up off the floor and soaring away into the clouds, passing a rainbow and hovering in the sunny sky, yet still tethered securely to Kurama on the ground. Shiori pulled away from Hiei and hugged the doctor, too, sobbing her thanks.

"Give yourself some credit," the doctor said kindly. "If it weren't for you two visiting him, he may not have woken up. The fact that you talked to him may have helped more than you think."

"Can we see him?" Shiori pleaded.

"Absolutely," said the doctor, his smile wider. "We gave him something to help him sleep, and he's heavily medicated. But he's out of danger."

Shiori and Hiei followed the doctor to Kurama's room, still scarcely daring to believe that Kurama was okay and this horrible nightmare was finally coming to an end. When they got inside, he was sleeping, just as the doctor said.

"And you're certain he'll wake up this time?" asked Hiei worriedly.

"Positive," said the doctor. "I'll be back in with his prognosis after we've ran some X-rays and tests."

"Thank you," Shiori said again. "This truly is a miracle, just as you said."

After the doctor left, Shiori and Hiei decided to talk to Kurama a little bit more.

"We heard you're okay, Kurama," Hiei said to him, adjusting his blankets surprisingly lovingly. "I hope you wake up soon. And I hope the doctor has good news. But no matter what happens, I'll always love you."

Hiei glanced over at Shiori. She was wiping tears.

"You took care of me the whole pregnancy long, and even before that," Hiei continued. "You took care of everyone. And now I'll do the same for you. Because I want to."

Time seemed to pass too slowly before Hiei and Shiori could get the prognosis, but finally, his doctor walked into the room, carrying a clipboard.

"How is it, doctor?" Shiori asked, looking just as worried as Hiei felt. Kurama was going to survive, but how much would his lifestyle have to change? And would it be permanent?

"Well, he certainly didn't come off unscathed, but it's not nearly as bad as we initially thought," said the doctor. "As you know, he took a hit to the spinal cord in the accident, and our scans show us that this has resulted in an incomplete injury at the T-12. What this means is that he's going to have a loss of function below the waist area, at least for now, but as he'll likely have full control of everything above the waist, he'll be able to do lots on his own, even drive an adaptable vehicle—"

"He's never driving again!" Hiei interrupted tearfully.

"Is this permanent?" Shiori asked.

"With physical therapy and determination, it's possible he can learn to walk again, and even fully recover," the doctor replied, "especially since the injury was incomplete. He might have retained some feeling in the legs and feet, even if it's faint, and some areas were spared. The outlook for him is certainly hopeful."

"So he'll be in a wheelchair…right?" said Hiei, remembering what he'd seen on TV.

"At first, but ideally, he can learn to walk again, even if it's with the assistance of braces or a cane," said the doctor. "Or he might just need help getting over rough terrain, or need the chair for long distances…it's hard to say this early in the recovery process."

"Well, I know he'll do everything he can." Hiei set one hand on Kurama's forehead, stroking his bangs back. "And I'm going to help him."

Although he obviously couldn't say this to the doctor, Hiei was hoping Kurama's demon powers would allow him to heal better and faster. This wouldn't even have scratched Youko Kurama, and according to the doctors, it would have instantly killed most ordinary humans. Kurama was somewhere in between. It was also likely that Yukina's healing powers had helped; Hiei hadn't forgotten how on the night of the accident, she had gone into his room and done what she could to heal him, even if she didn't have the power to heal him all the way. But maybe, as Kurama was a demon, the healing process could be expedited, at least a little. Hiei also had another question, something that concerned their intimate life, but there wasn't a snowball's chance in hell that he was asking it. He could probably ask Kurama, once he'd been briefed on the prognosis himself.

"Is there anything else we need to know?" asked Shiori.

"Well, it's recommended that if you live in a house with floors, you may consider moving to an apartment or ranch house," the doctor replied. "It will be easier for him that way. There's been no lasting brain trauma, but since he's on a lot of medication and, you know, he just got out of a coma, he might be groggy for a few days. Speak to him simply and directly for now, and try to minimize distractions." The doctor paused to look at his clipboard. "He'll be in the hospital for a few weeks, and if he wants, we can get him started on physical therapy after he's recovered a little. After he's discharged, we can work on the details of a more extensive treatment plan."

Shiori thanked the doctor again, and he left the room, giving Shiori and Hiei more time to spend with Kurama.

"I know it's your decision, but I think it's a good idea to move into a one-story home," Shiori put in. "It's what I would do."

"Maybe we can find an apartment in Yukina's building," Hiei said thoughtfully. "There's a nature park nearby that I know Kurama will love, and there's a playground, too. Maybe we could practice walking there, and take the baby once he's born…Of course, we'll need a portal to Makai set up there. And we'll have to sell our old house."

"We'll help all we can," Shiori promised. "And like you said, I'm sure he'll work his hardest too. I just hope this won't be too rough on him."

"He's strong," Hiei replied, and added in a whisper to Kurama, "I know you can do it."

…

As the week went on, Hiei visited Kurama in the hospital every day and spoke to him. He wasn't allowed to stay for very long, and Kurama was always sleeping or barely conscious. But on Saturday he heard that Kurama was awake, and that he had been asking for Hiei to visit. The doctors also said he was allowed to bring one guest, and since Shiori had already come along so many times, and on her own as well, Hiei invited Yusuke, who hadn't seen Kurama since the night of the accident.

Hiei couldn't help but think, as they entered the hospital, that he needed help at this point just as much as Kurama did, if not more. Yusuke was helping him walk, and the baby was slowing him down so much. Hiei already had to pee as soon as they entered the hospital, and again just before they entered Kurama's room. His doctor was waiting outside.

"So…did you tell him yet?" Hiei asked. "Now that he's awake?"

"Yes, of course," the doctor replied, nodding.

"What'd he say?" said Yusuke.

"You might not believe this, but…" Kurama's doctor gave a bemused laugh. "He wouldn't stop asking if you were in the car."

Hiei found that very easy to believe, in fact; he could feel his eyes filling with tears as he did his best to push past the doctor into Kurama's room. That self-sacrificing idiot! Yusuke gave him a hand, and they headed in.

Kurama was lying down in bed, but he was awake. Even now, he looked sleepy, but his eyes still focused on Hiei and Yusuke when they arrived in the room.

"Yusuke, Hiei," he said, as he looked at them. His voice sounded tired, but happy.

"Hey there, Kurama," said Yusuke as he helped Hiei sit down in the chair by the bed. At any other time, he would probably be bitching about how uncomfortable it was to be this heavily pregnant (which, as everyone he knew agreed, he had every right to do). But he was focused on Kurama, and the way the baby kicked so much whenever Kurama was near.

"You wouldn't believe how much the baby is kicking," Hiei said in shock, setting his hands on his belly and rubbing it where he felt the kicks. "He's just so happy to see you."

"I'm sure he can sense you're excited," Kurama said rationally.

"No, it's because his daddy is back," Hiei told him firmly. "I know it is."

"Can I feel?" Kurama weakly reached one of his hands towards Hiei's belly, but he couldn't reach; not without some difficulty, Hiei scooted his chair as close as he could get. When he felt Kurama rubbing his belly, he felt instantly soothed. How good it felt to have that hand there again.

"Listen, guys, I'm going to get some food from the vending machine," Yusuke cut in, but he had a knowing smile on his face, and Hiei was quite sure he wasn't leaving for the vending machine food at all. "I'll be back."

"Yes, thank you, Yusuke," said Kurama, and their friend exited the room, leaving the expectant parents alone.

"You didn't miss the birth," Hiei murmured, his eyes closed as he sunk into Kurama's touch.

"I can see that," Kurama said with a weak smile. "How many weeks left?"

"Just a little less than three." Hiei added the Just to make himself feel better, but three more weeks sounded like a lot.

"Well, he's certainly grown while I was out," Kurama observed, rubbing the baby bump one last time before he let his hand drop. Hiei wouldn't normally have enjoyed being told that he was getting bigger, but when Kurama said it, somehow it seemed okay, especially since Kurama said the baby was growing, not Hiei.

"Tell me about it." Hiei nodded. "So, did the doctors give you the prognosis?"

"Yes," Kurama said, his smile fading. "I'll live, but…I just wish I could help out more with the baby when he's born. I don't know how well I can do that while being disabled."

"That's nonsense." In truth, Hiei could never think of Kurama as "disabled," and he didn't really like the sound of the word in general. "You'll still be able to do a lot of things, the doctor said. And you really have to start thinking about yourself. That's what got you into this mess in the first place, remember?"

"I think…" Kurama's eyelids fluttered a little. Throughout their meeting, he had seemed a little hazy. His speech was a little slow, as were his reaction times. "I think I was coming to see you."

"I'm really sorry, Kurama." Hiei felt tears coming once more. "I shouldn't have hit you…and I shouldn't have yelled at you or taken you for granted…" Clack, clack. Several tear gems made their way to the ground. Kurama had a confused look on his face, but then he seemed to remember, and Hiei regretted mentioning the fight. It would probably be better if Kurama forgot it.

"Not to worry, Hiei, I'm sorry, too." Kurama reached out one shaking hand and patted Hiei's knee, barely visible under his belly. "I shouldn't have yelled, either. We can forget it ever happened."

"O-Okay…" Hiei was trying so hard not to start full-on crying, but he couldn't help it. These whole past few weeks had just been such a whirlwind of emotions, and it was too much for Hiei's already-raging hormones to handle. "I'm s-sorry…"

"Hiei…You don't have to be sorry for crying…" Kurama rubbed Hiei's knee again and closed his eyes. "I-I just wish I could…hug you…"

"I'll hug you." Hiei was still crying, but he managed to hoist himself up, bend down to the very best of his ability, and spread his arms over Kurama. It felt so good to lean his head on Kurama's chest, even if he was in a hospital gown; Kurama smelled like body fluids and hand sanitizer on the top, but underneath, the flowery rose scent was still there. So comforting. Hiei set one hand on Kurama's chest and felt his heartbeat.

"Thank you, Hiei." Kurama's eyes were still closed when Hiei finally got off of him, and he let out a big yawn, but he was smiling all the same. "It's so good to hear from you, Hiei…"

"It's time for your nap, Kurama, I think." Hiei sniffled and tucked Kurama in, just as Kurama had done to him so many times before. Once he was done, he wanted to give Kurama a kiss, but he couldn't bend that far over, so he eventually gripped the side of the bed and sort of bent his knees so that his lips were on the same level as Kurama's forehead, and gave him the kiss that way. "I love you."

Kurama seemed asleep, so he didn't answer at first. But just as Hiei turned to leave the room and find Yusuke, he heard Kurama mumble, "I love you too."