This chapter's one of my faves! Hiei's such a complicated little demon... Anyhoo, I hope you all enjoy it! I know I do!

Disclaimer:: "I don' own it, not one bit; I don' wanna handle it!"

6

"I had a blast shopping for you, okaasan," Kurama said. "I hope you like it." Kurama and Shiori sat around the tree, each holding a gift from the other. Their favorite Christmas songs were playing on the stereo.

They'd just finished dinner, having eating their traditional ordered in pizza. They each had a cup of cocoa and sat in their pajamas. Kurama was anxious about Christmas morning. His talk with Hiei had soothed his jangled nerves. He was certain that he wouldn't have anything to worry about. Shiori smiled at Kurama, holding up her present.

"I wonder what it is..." she said. Kurama looked at his own gift.

"Can't wait," he said.

"Alright, Shuuichi. One...two...three!" Kurama opened his present quickly, while Shiori used a more tamed approach. Inside the wrapping paper was a thin photo album. Kurama opened it,

"Oh, wow..." he said, looking over the first page. They were family photos of Kurama, Shiori and his father. A lot of the pictures were of Kurama, and were put in order of his age.

"You have to put more in there...of you recently," she said, holding the box that the Christmas wrapping revealed in her hand.

"I don't have any," Kurama said.

"We can take some," she said. "I've got a camera for tomorrow. The rest is for your wife and kids." Her last statement came out sounding hopeful. Kurama smiled at her.

"Okaasan..." he said. She smiled.

"Not that I'm rushing you..." she said. "Just so that you can start off. You know...put little pictures of her in there and then of your babies." Kurama looked at her present.

"Open it," he said eagerly. Shiori popped open the lid and gasped.

"Oh, Shuuichi, it's beautiful!" she said, removing her bracelet from the box.

"I've been saving up for something special for you for the longest," Kurama said, smiling at her. "I had it engraved especially for you." The silver bracelet had a name plate on it with Shiori's name. On the back of the plate were the words For you, Mother. Shiori slipped it on, looking a little misty in the eyes. Kurama smiled wider.

"It's just beautiful," she said.

"I knew you'd like it," he said. She showed him her wrist and then held it to her chest protectively.

"You know, Shuuichi...? After Friday, this house will be so empty without you. Couldn't you wait until Sunday to leave and get back on Monday?"

"I can't mother...I need the weekend to get everything together again." He closed his photo album. "Be sure to take lots of pictures tomorrow...and don't forget to get doubles." Shiori nodded.

"Hai," she said. She yawned, and reached to take the bracelet off. "I don't want you to think I don't like it, Shuuichi," she began. "But I don't really wear jewelry unless it's a special occasion. Every time I wear these things constantly, they end up lost. This would be better off in here." She set it back inside its case. Kurama nodded.

"I understand," he said. He gathered the wrapping paper and balled it all up. As he stood up, he helped her up. She went over to the radio and turned it off.

"They should be by around seven, Shuuichi, but I'll be up to start cooking at eight in the morning. Do you want me to wake you up some time?"

"No, that's alright," Kurama said. "But if you see that I'm still asleep and you've almost finished cooking then wake me. I want to help out a little." Shiori nodded.

"I'll do that," she said. They headed for the hallway. "Goodnight, Shuuichi," Shiori said as she saw Kurama turning to enter the kitchen.

"Goodnight, okaasan," Kurama said to her. He threw the paper away and went to his room. Hiei was standing up near the bed, looking down at it when Kurama came in. "You're finally awake?" he asked.

"What happened?" Hiei asked. Kurama flipped on the light. Hiei looked well rested through his confusion.

"You look world's better," Kurama said, smiling at him. He held up his photo album. "Look what I got."

"How long was I sleep?" Hiei asked, reaching for the album. Kurama gave it to him.

"Since we talked...remember?"

"Well, what time is it now?" he asked, looking at the pictures. He raised an eyebrow. "What's this?"

"It's going on ten," Kurama said, leaning over his shoulder.

"What?!" Hiei exclaimed. Kurama jumped.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

"I slept that long?!" Hiei looked around the room. "Damnit."

"Well, look at it this way..." Kurama said. "You just got a very good rest and you look years younger."

"I don't care about what I look like," Hiei said. "Well, what did I miss?"

"Mother and I talked for such a long time," Kurama said, sitting down on his bed. He patted the spot next him. Hiei sat down. "We ordered pizza and opened our gifts."

"Oh." Hiei rubbed his nose and looked back down at the pictures. He chuckled. "So this is what you looked like huh?" he asked. "Scary." Kurama playfully nudged him.

"Shut up," he said. "I was a very adorable little boy."

"I think she wanted you to be a girl. Heard Kuwabara and Nao talking about it when they had the twins. Girls wear pink...and you're wearing an awful lot of pink." Kurama laughed.

"Mother just likes the color on me, that's all," he said. Hiei shook his head. Kurama looked at him again. He did look much younger than before. "The bed's pretty comfortable, ne?"

"Yeah," Hiei said, shifting a little. "Pretty good."

"Good. You fell right out almost as soon as you laid down."

"I didn't mean to..." Hiei said, still into the pictures. He chuckled again. "You had a really big head when you were a baby," he said.

"And I'm sure you didn't," Kurama teased.

"Oh, I had a really big head," Hiei said, nodding. "Really big. Kept tipping over." Kurama laughed a little. Hiei shifted again. "Shiori looks pretty happy with this guy." Hiei tapped the man who stood next to her in most of the pictures.

"She loved him," Kurama said. "You know...when I was younger, there were many things I didn't understand. Sometimes I wonder what things would have been like if he were still here."

"Weird," Hiei answered.

"You think so?" Hiei flipped the page again as he nodded.

"It's empty," he said.

"Yeah..." Kurama said, sounding a little disappointed. "Mother wants me to fill it with pictures of my wife and kids."

"You don't have a wife and kids," Hiei said.

"I know."

"You don't sound too happy about the prospect of it either." Kurama shrugged.

"What will happen will happen," he said. Hiei closed the album.

"You still trying to please that woman at the expense of your happiness?" he asked.

"I'm sure I'll find someone special," Kurama said. "I know I'll find a very lovely woman." Hiei nearly dropped the album.

"You're so full of lies," he said.

"What are you talking about?" Kurama asked defensively.

"You just lied through your teeth..." Hiei said. "And not even good either."

"I did not!"

"You're acting so guilty," Hiei said with a chuckle. "This was you, 'I'm sure I'll find a nice lovely lady'." Hiei cringed and scrunched up his face when he said lady.

"I didn't do that!" Kurama said.

"The hell you didn't," Hiei said, still chuckling. "Suck it up, kitsune. We all know Shuuichi's a queer."

"Watch your language!" Kurama said.

"Oh, suck it up!" Hiei said. "It's not an insult unless you take it that way." Kurama sighed heavily. "Okay, queer boy, why won't you tell your mother?"

"Because I don't know yet," Kurama said. "Sure it's safe to assume these things...there's no harm there. But...maybe it won't be so bad...being with a woman." Hiei looked at him blankly.

"You're horribly full of shit," he said, beginning to chuckle again. "Just admit it and cut your losses. There's no way you should still be a virgin." Kurama slanted his eyes.

"There's plenty of reason," he said semi-seriously, pointing a finger at Hiei.

"Plenty of people want to screw you. I know it."

"Well, I've upped my standards."

"You know what you're doing though," Hiei said. "So it's not like you can't give it a try. Maybe then you'll loosen up."

"Why are you trying to get me to "loosen up", anyway?" Kurama asked. Hiei scooted back on the bed, turning towards Kurama.

"After Yusuke and Kuwabara lost theirs, they weren't so uptight anymore. So if you do it, you won't be so uptight. And lonely."

"Do you know why ningens mate, Hiei?" Kurama asked.

"Varies from person to person. I watched that one show on TV."

"Of course you did," Kurama said. He bent his legs up to his chest and rested his chin on his knees. "But for me...it's something different."

"How's that?"

"You know..." Kurama said. "...how long I've lived throwing so many things away...?"

"Throwing things away?" Hiei asked.

"Yes..." Kurama said. "Not taking things serious...just wasting time and emotions."

"Oh."

"Things are different now," Kurama looked up at Hiei. "Being Shuuichi means getting another chance. And this time, I'm not throwing anything away."

"Emotions and things...?" Hiei asked, picking at the sheets.

"Yes. I've learned to appreciate these things. I had to learn that." Hiei nodded.

"I just do things," he said. Kurama looked at him closely.

"You don't ever think about things you've done in the past...things you regret?"

"I don't have time for that," Hiei said. "What's done is done." Kurama nodded.

"I guess that's a way to think about it."

"Well, yeah," Hiei said. "It takes too much effort to do things like that. Sit around thinking about all these things that took place in the past. Letting them haunt you...making you feel like you haven't lived a good life or whatever." Hiei shook his head. "It's not worth my time. Really...I only look forward to the future while still living in the present. Things that happened before...unless they are good memories...I stash away."

"You ever get nightmares?" Kurama asked. Hiei nodded.

"Who doesn't?" Kurama looked down.

"I have nightmares of ruining my chances in this life." Hiei flicked the photo album, looked down at it, and flicked it again.

"But it's not like you don't do things you want to," Hiei said. "You became a detective because you like risk and all, and you know that even though it's dangerous, you still like the rush you get when the cases end. You know...there's that danger, and that risk, and you still like it. So I don't get it."

"I don't understand that part of me either," Kurama said. "It satisfies some otherwise stagnant need in me. But...when it comes to these newer emotions...I don't want to screw up. I'd rather die never experiencing it than die after living with knowing that I didn't like that part of my life."

"So why on earth would you marry a ningen female, then?" Hiei asked. "It doesn't make sense."

"Well...it would please mother and I'm sure whoever it is that I marry. I would give her the world, Hiei. And we'd make beauty babies for mother."

"That's miserable," Hiei said, shaking his head. "You don't even sound credible." Kurama lowered his shoulders. "Stop trying to convince yourself that that's what you want. If you don't think about it, you know, drop the subject entirely, whatever you really want's gonna bite you on the ass and then....you'll go for it and then you'll be happy. And I want my fox happy." Kurama looked up at Hiei quickly. Hiei looked at him. "What?" he asked.

"Nothing," Kurama said, shaking his head. He rested his chin on his knees again. Hiei's jagan lit up. Kurama gasped.

"Is something wrong?" he asked. Hiei shook his head.

"Must want to go back home," he said with a shrug. He looked thoughtful for a moment. "So...how does this work. I've been wondering what's going on with you...like...how's Youko there, or whatever."

"As in..." Kurama began.

"Like...am I talking to Youko right now?" Hiei asked.

"Well, it's not like having two personalities," Kurama said.

"I always wonder what it's like," Hiei said, looking off into space.

"It's as if...it's..." Kurama looked up, trying to see how to explain it. "It's like...Shuuichi was there...you know...in the womb and when I merged with him...it's just like...he got ...some of my qualities and...my brain....kind of." Hiei raised an eyebrow.

"Really?" he asked, looking interested. "So Shuuichi knows all that stuff...all about the makai and where you used to live and languages and all?"

"Of course," Kurama said. "It was weird because...I remember my entire life. When you ask people about what they did when they were one, they can't recall...but I can." Hiei nodded. "I remember it all. I was so frustrated coming up because I was very weak. I couldn't do much. It was like...I knew what to do, but I didn't have control over myself. I couldn't work my limbs right, because I wasn't used to it. And people would talk to me...and I wouldn't understand what they were talking about, and I would try...and then I'd understand. So then I'd try to talk...but my voice wouldn't work right. I was only a baby, you see." Hiei nodded.

"Didn't you want to go back to the makai when you were younger?"

"Of course!" Kurama said. "I remember when I was twelve...I had to go home, I just had to. But I couldn't. I didn't know how. I'm not quite sure how I ended up here, though. Good thing I did. I couldn't have picked a better couple...or body... I know Shuuichi would have been bright on his own. Shiori and father were very intelligent people...well...are." Hiei smiled.

"Oh, I see," he said. "So...how come you never go home?" Kurama thought about it for a moment and then shrugged.

"I guess I could..." he said. "There just hasn't been much time." Hiei nodded.

"Ok," he said. "I just wondered what your place looked like. Is it big?"

"Big enough," Kurama said. "It's um...it's pretty spacious. I'm actually starting to think that it's too big."

"Your place here is too small for you," Hiei said. "I'm always bumping into stuff."

"It's too small for you," Kurama said, chuckling. "It's just right for me."

"So...do you have like one of those really big brothel type bedrooms?" Hiei asked. Kurama lowered his eyebrows, his expression almost comical.

"What kind of question is that?" he asked.

"You're acting all scared of sex," Hiei said. "Youko can't possibly be scared of it."

"I am not scared," Kurama said, getting defensive again. "I'm just being cautious. And if you must know...I do have a very large bordello-like chamber."

"Chamber?" Hiei said with a chuckle. He nodded. "So then it shouldn't be hard. You should go ahead and do it then."

"No," Kurama said. "Besides...I...I kinda lied."

"About what?" Hiei asked.

"About what I want..."

"Well, tell me."

"I...I do have high standards and I don't want to settle for less. I do have one person in mind that I want and I don't want anyone else."

"Really?" Hiei asked. "Well, good." He nodded. "So now you can do it." Kurama almost rolled his eyes.

"No, it's not that simple."

"Why not?" Hiei almost exclaimed. "You don't mean to tell me this guy wouldn't want you."

"Possibly...and how do you know it's a guy?" Hiei looked at Kurama blankly.

"Don't bullshit me," he said.

"Fine," Kurama said, slouching. "I...I...it's like...you want a car, right. A Mercedes...one of the finest cars in the market and it's decked out, you know? The best car in the world to you. And then someone offers you a...a pinto, some substandard hunk of junk. You know you need a car and that you should take what you can get, but you don't want anything but that one car. Nothing else really matters and you stick to it. That's how I feel."

"Well, who's this guy?" Hiei asked. "I can get him to like you." Kurama leaned back on his pillows.

"You're nuts," he said.

"No, really...I need this for you." Hiei had an eager glint in his eye. "Who is it?"

"Guess," Kurama said closing his eyes.

"Um...well...you don't really know anybody."

"Got that right."

"Is it someone I know?"

"Yes, very well."

"A human?" Hiei asked.

"Perhaps."

"Don't' tell me it's Yusuke," Hiei said, sounding disappointed.

"No," Kurama said, opening his eyes. He got up from the bed and began to prepare to go to sleep.

"Hmm...oh, man, Kurama! Not Kuwabara!" Kurama looked at him like he was crazy.

"They both have partners, Hiei, what sense would me lusting after either of them make?" Hiei looked down, concentrating hard.

"Is it a client of yours?" he asked. Kurama shook his head.

"No."

"Oh, man..." Hiei said, dropping his head in shame.

"Who do you have in mind?" Kurama asked. He slid into his pajama shirt quickly.

"Not that French freak, Kurama...tell me it's not him."

"Hiei!" Kurama exclaimed. "Olivier is not a freak!"

"He's freakier than any other ningen I've ever followed around."

"What are you following him around for?" Kurama asked.

"Making sure he's not trying to plot against you or anything." Kurama frowned.

"That is such an invasion of privacy!" he said.

"It's not like I stay there and watch!" Hiei said. "I don't like watching it...it's weird." Kurama sighed.

"You are making this so much harder than it is," he said. "Don't think so hard."

"Well, who else is left?" he asked, hanging his head. "There's no other guys left, really. It's gotta be a demon." Kurama touched his pointer finger to his nose. "Aha!" Hiei said, looking down again. Kurama smiled as he sat next to him.

"Thinking waaaay too hard," he said. He climbed into bed behind him and laid down. Hiei scooted forward so that he was sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Is it that Inuyasha jerk?" Hiei asked.

"No."

"Miroku?"

"I already told you that it's not a client, and that it's a demon," Kurama said. "And I also told you that you know him very well."

"Then there's someone I'm missing...but who is it..." Hiei furrowed his brows in concentration. "I need more clues."

"Why would I give you more clues if you're not even paying attention to the ones I've already given you?"

"Tell me about him..."

"Well...he's...sweet and fierce and short-tempered...he's very adorable."

"What are you giving me qualities for?" Hiei said. "I don't need qualities, I need characteristics." Kurama chuckled.

"You stink at this," he said.

"Dark hair?" Hiei asked.

"Yes," Kurama said.

"Dark eyes?" Kurama sighed.

"Dark enough."

"Short-tempered...fierce...adorable?" Hiei's eyes shot around the room as if the guy Kurama described was in there and he was looking for him. "Dark eyes...dark hair?" Hiei stood up. "I can only be one person and one person only!" Hiei said. He turned to Kurama sharply. Kurama sat up quickly, smiling.

"Who?"

"It's gotta be Yusuke!" Kurama's entire face dropped. He scrunched his face in anger, grabbed his pillow and picked it up. Quickly, he scooted closer to the edge of the bed and smacked Hiei with it.

"I said it wasn't him, you dork!" he said, and hit him again. Hiei grabbed the pillow and yanked it away.

"Then who can it be? It can't be anyone else but him." Kurama groaned and grabbed another pillow. He swung it at Hiei and hit him in the face. Hiei snatched it from him. "One more clue?" he said. Kurama stared at him in disbelief.

"No way. You are just too much. I'm going to bed." Kurama reached for the lamp, but Hiei grabbed his wrist. Kurama looked at him, but Hiei's eyes were on the ground.

"I can do this..." Kurama sighed again and shook his wrist free. He turned around. "Can't you sleep on it?" he asked with a pretend yawn. Hiei sat back down, putting the pillows at the head of the bed. "Why is it so important to you anyway...?"

"So that you can hurry and get laid," Hiei said. Kurama laughed.

"I'll do it when I feel like it."

"Then you won't be so anal and all. Maybe you'll get stronger. Yusuke got stronger." Kurama chuckled.

"You are so weird," he said. "Incredibly weird."

"I give up..." Hiei said, turning to look at Kurama. "You gotta tell me who it is." Kurama covered his head with his sheets and groaned out of exasperation.

"Come here," he said, getting up quickly. He grabbed Hiei by the wrist and pulled him towards the bathroom. He closed the door behind them. "Do you really want to know?" he asked, hands on hips, looking exhausted.

"Yes!" Hiei exclaimed. Kurama grabbed him by the shoulders and turned him towards the mirror.

"You're looking at him!" Kurama said. Hiei looked at the mirror.

"That's the vainest thing I've ever heard!" Hiei said. "Damn, you're full of lies. Your hair is not dark and neither are your eyes." Kurama nearly fainted.

"You have got to be kidding me," he complained. Hiei chuckled.

"Alright, kitsune...it's obvious that I'm not going to get you to curse..." he said. He dusted his shoulders, making a satisfied face. "I know it's me." Kurama sighed, folding his arms.

"I was seriously beginning to worry. I mean seriously." Hiei chuckled.

"You goin' to bed now?" he asked. Kurama nodded.

"Yeah...I should. Tomorrow's Christmas." His face lit up a little. Hiei nodded. "I got you a present."

"A what?" Hiei asked. "Are you nuts?"

"No, not at all."

"Well, I didn't get you anything." Kurama frowned playfully.

"I know..." he said.

"So where is this present you speak of?"

"You can't get it now," Kurama said. "You can open it with the rest of us tomorrow."

"Huh?" Hiei looked confused for a moment and then laughed. "You're funny."

"I'm not joking...not in the least," Kurama said. He grinned. "Your first Christmas!" Hiei laughed again.

"Man, you're hilarious," he said, hitting his thigh. Kurama rubbed his head.

"You'll love it."

"I'm telling you...you'd be better off giving it to me now."

"I don't think so."

"Hmm...I hope you're not expecting anything in return."

"Well...maybe one thing..." Kurama said with a smile. Hiei folded his arms.

"And what's that?"

"Just a hug."

"That's easy," Hiei said. "Then can we get out of here. I don't like it in here."

"I'd prefer one in the room anyway," Kurama said, opening the door. The draft that breezed over them was cold. Kurama saw that the window was open. "Not again," he said.

"Whoever it was, it isn't Karasu."

"How do you know?" Kurama asked, stepping out into his bedroom. He looked at his bed. There was another rose and another note.

"I would have known if he was near. Trust me." Kurama sat down on his bed and picked up the rose and the card. He read it as he opened the drawer.

"Koori no naifu wo daite..." he said slowly. He looked at Hiei. "That's one of my favorite songs," he said.

"It sounds familiar," Hiei said. Kurama picked up the rose.

"If it's not Karasu, then who is it?" The rose began to freeze over in his hand. Kurama sat it inside his drawer quickly and closed it. "My goodness," he said. Hiei frowned.

"Let's just go to sleep," he said, closing the window quickly. He hesitated there, staring out of it into the night.

"Come here, Hiei." Hiei turned to him, going over to him slowly. Kurama scooted back on the bed and patted it. "I'd feel safer if you were closer to me," he said. "I watch you sometimes...when you're near me...and watching me sometimes. I'd prefer it if you were closer to me..." Hiei nodded, but then paused when he reached the bedside.

"Wait...all that stuff you said earlier...about wanting it to be with the "Mercedes," as you put it...You're not gonna try any funny stuff, are you?"

"Oh, definitely not. Not in mother's house anyway. I would want it to be when the time is right." Hiei nodded and climbed in the bed.

"I'm nervous."

"Don't be. Just lay down like you did earlier." Kurama slid down on the bed, fixing the pillows. "Nice and comfy." Hiei laid down on his back and placed his hands behind his head.

"I'm not tired," he said.

"I know." Kurama scooted over to him, slowly lowering his head onto his chest. He breathed in deep and let it out. Hiei was warm, but tense. Kurama reached and turned out the light, laying back down on Hiei. He ran his fingers along Hiei's shoulder, and then gripped it tightly. Hiei slowly reached an arm over and placed it around Kurama's back. He let out a heavy breath, causing Kurama to shiver.

Hiei's space was so much warmer than it was in the room; Kurama felt comfortable laying so close to him. Hiei relaxed after a while, but Kurama could still feel the rigid lines of Hiei's chest. His breathing slowed down, and Kurama could feel and hear his heart beating. Demon hearts beat much faster than human hearts did, and listening to it reminded Kurama of being back in the makai again. He let out another sigh and snuggled into Hiei. Hiei held him a little tighter.

"You like this?" he asked Kurama. Kurama nodded. "Really?" Hiei seemed unsure.

"Of course I do," Kurama said. "It feels so nice." Hiei smiled, closing his eyes.

"Good."

Um...Inuyasha and Miroku were mentioned in this story because Kurama worked for Kagome and Miroku in the first story. Olivier is Kurama's homie from college and he was also mentioned in the first story.

Yeah, this chapter was just for relief of some sort. I always like to do a "calm before the storm" type chapter before the real action starts! Uh...uh-oh...did I just give something away?? ::claps hands over mouth and mumbles:: Please review!

J3