Chapter Two

"All too soon the time came for your father to leave for his mission," I said to Kenji and Ryou as that memory also came vividly to the surface. Even after all these years, the memory still saddened me. I woke first that morning and looked down at my sleeping mate. He looked so peaceful lying there with his head lying on my chest. I closed my eyes and gently placed my arms around him. I couldn't help but think "What if this is the last time I hold him?" Hiei stirred, rousing me from my somber thoughts. I opened my eyes and looked down at him. Hiei soon opened his eyes and looked at me. Neither of us said a word, not wanting to break the silence that had settled over us. Instead, we bid each other good morning with loving kisses and lay intertwined until the sound of the twins' voices told us they were awake.

We reluctantly broke our embrace and began getting ready for the day ahead. While I started breakfast, Hiei went to get the twins bathed and dressed. By the time he entered with our sons in tow the food was ready and set out on the table. The twins ran to me and held their arms out for me to pick them up. I smiled and scooped Kenji up first, kissing his cheek as I hugged him gently then set him in his high chair. Ryou giggled as I lifted him up in my arms and grasped my crimson forelocks in his chubby little hands. I freed my hair from my son's grasp as I kissed his cheek and set him in his high chair. I glanced over at my mate as he helped me set up the children's plates. He smiled warmly, his ruby eyes shining with inner laughter. Once the children were set. Hiei and I sat down at the table and began eating our breakfast.

After breakfast it was time for my mate to leave us. As he said good bye to the twins I hoped that he would return from this mission soon. He looked at me and without a word I leaned down and lovingly claimed his lips with mine. He returned the kiss with the same emotion and from our bond I could tell he really didn't want to leave. He reached into his pocket and held out a communication mirror to me. "Yusuke thought these would come in handy," he said as I took the device. "Botan rigged them so that we could use them," I nodded then kissed his cheek. "Good luck Love," I said softly. My mate smirked. "I'll return as soon as I can," he replied. With that he was gone.

"Was that the same communication mirror we had when we took Aunt Sata to the Hibikme Plains?" Ryou asked. I shook my head. "No. That was a new one," I answered. " That first communication mirror was one of the most thoughtful gifts Yusuke's ever given us," I said. "It helped a lot to know that I could use it to get in touch with your father." I continued. "Especially that first night…"

As I headed off to Yusuke's palace to begin my day's work, I felt strange knowing I didn't have my mate's presence that night to look forward to. Until he returned, my sons would be my only company once I arrived home. However, each night after they had been put to bed I would be alone. It had been a long time since I'd felt loneliness, but I knew with certainty that I would.

To my surprise the day went by swiftly. It seemed I had just gotten there and in an instant it was time to pack up and leave. I sighed tiredly and turned toward the door. With a frown, I realized I still needed to get the groceries from the market. "You know, you could stay here if you want," Yusuke suggested as he accompanied me to the nursery. I smiled at him. "That's kind of you Yusuke," I responded. "I'll consider your offer,"

The moment I opened the nursery door Ryou and Kenji barreled out chattering excitedly about their day. I chuckled as their tails whipped to and fro and their gestures became even more animated. "Slow down you two," I said. "I can't understand a word you're saying when you talk so fast," I took a hold of each twin by the hand. "Say goodbye to Uncle Yusuke and then you can tell me what you were trying to say earlier," I instructed. "Bye Unka Yusuke," the twins chorused as they waved with their free hands. "Bye guys," Yusuke responded as he headed into the nursery. "Be good for your Papa ok?" The twins grinned cutely. "Otay," they chorused.

As we made our way to the marketplace Kenji and Ryou talked excitedly about they toys they'd played with, the games they'd played, and the other activities that had taken place during the day. They finally quieted down once we reached the marketplace, taking in their surroundings with wide eyes. I stopped at one of the stands and looked over what the merchant had to offer. Suddenly, I felt Kenji's hand slip from mine and immediately looked down. Ryou was looking at one of the bright red apples at the edge of the stand, but Kenji was missing.

Panic swept through me as I looked around. My raven haired son was no where to be seen. "Ryou, did you see where your brother went?" I asked. "No Papa," the silver haired kit replied. "Kenji !" I called loudly "Kenji !" "Excuse me sir, does this child belong to you?" a feminine voice asked. I turned to face a feline apparition holding Kenji in her arms. Relief flooded through me. "Yes," I answered. The girl giggled as she lowered Kenji to the ground and I took his hand. "I turned around and saw this little guy following me," she explained. "When I heard you calling out, I hoped I'd found his parents," "Thank you," I said as an elder version of the girl ran up behind her. "Oh, good evening m'lord, I hope Sachi wasn't bothering you," she said. I recognized the older woman immediately as Yusuke's cook. I smiled brightly and shook my head. "Actually, she just helped me," I replied. "My son was separated from me while I was shopping and she brought him back to me,"

"Forgive me for speaking out of my place, m'lord but isn't there anyone who can do the shopping for you?" the cook asked. "I have two little ones of my own and I know how difficult it is trying to buy food with them underfoot," "Unfortunately, I don't," I replied, deciding not to reveal that Hiei was gone on another mission. The cook frowned slightly. "Oh dear," Sachi murmured. "You're Lord Hiei's mate aren't you?" I nodded. "Forgive me m'lord," She said sheepishly. "My friend and I were asked to gather supplies for you, but my friend fell ill and I had to see her home," "That was scarcely an hour ago, and I didn't make it back in time to ask you what you needed," I smiled kindly at her. "That's quite alright," I assured her. "What is it that you require?" The cook asked. I named off all the items I would need for the dish I was planning to make that night. They nodded at each other, then politely asked for me to wait by the fountain in the square. They soon returned carrying a rather large basket. "Here you are m'lord," Sachi chirped. "Everything you asked for," I smiled thinking that she and Boton would get along famously. "Thank you," I said once again. Both females smiled. "There is no need to thank us," the cook said. "We're only helping where it was needed,"

"You never told me that Kenji ran off," Hiei said. "I didn't want you to worry," I replied. "Were you angry?" Kenji asked. "I was too relieved to be angry," I answered. "It's a good thing Dad asked them to do the shopping for you," Ryou commented. I chuckled. "Yes, they were a great help. Every evening they'd have a basket of food ready for me, and I saw to it that Yusuke gave them a small raise," I said. "Where was Aunt Sata?" Ryou asked. "Surely, she would have come to help," "Training with Genkai," I answered. "Although, I could have used the help, I didn't want to disrupt her training," "Besides," I added. "With Sachi and Tsubaume doing the marketing, I found I could handle the rest fairly well on my own…"

That first night was the hardest. As the evening wore on the absence of my mate's presence fueled my longing for him. Once the twins were asleep I climbed into bed, exhausted. Despite my fatigue, I couldn't sleep. I was so used to having my mate beside me that it felt strange to be sleeping alone. The room felt empty without him, and the bed felt cold. I sighed as I turned onto my side. Idly, I wondered if my mate was thinking of me.

The communication mirror suddenly chirped, shattering the silence of the night. I hastily snatched it from the nightstand and opened it. I was overjoyed to see my mate's face on the little screen. "You weren't waiting up for me to call were you?" Hiei asked. "I can tell I didn't wake you," "No, I couldn't sleep," I confessed. "How are things going so far?" I asked. "I haven't found anything yet, but the rumors are running rampant here," he answered. "I'm hoping to find out who the leader of this rebellion is so I can make my report and get home," "How are things there?" "Fine," I responded. "…Even though I'm missing you like crazy right now," Hiei smiled. "I miss you too Fox," he confessed. "Hopefully, I won't be here too much longer," "Are you and the twins ok?" he asked. "We're fine Fire baby," I assured him. "Good," he said. "Get some rest, I'll contact you again as soon as I can," I smiled. "I look forward to it," I said. "I love you," "Love you too Fox," he responded, then hung up. I sighed as I closed the small compact and set it back on the nightstand. "This is going to be a long night," I thought glumly as I closed my eyes and tried once more to get to sleep.

True to his word Hiei contacted me a few days later to check on us, and every few days after that. One week quickly became two and two was soon three, before I knew it a month had passed. Hiei grew ever closer to finding out who the leader of the rumored resistance was with each passing week, and more eager to return home. Soon, I realized that nearly six months had passed. The underground resistance was finally beginning to show itself and Hiei had already found out who several of the members were. I was glad to hear the news since it meant that soon my mate would be coming back to me. My joy soon turned to anxiety when his communications suddenly stopped. A week passed without word from him and then two. I became fretful; sure that something had gone wrong. Inari, I wished I hadn't been right.

I was sitting on the couch trying to read, hoping to take my mind off my fears. Kenji and Ryou were busily playing on the floor. Suddenly, I felt as though I'd been struck from behind. I cried out in pain as the blows continued, fast and furious. I could see or hear nothing after that. I could only feel pain. Blow after blow was rained upon me, and my body was afire with pain. Then, just as suddenly as they had began, the blows stopped and my senses returned.

I had fallen to the floor at some point, my face was wet with shed tears, and my throat was raw, most likely from screaming. The wailing cries of my sons reached my ears and I quickly moved to pick myself up. Surprisingly I felt no pain at all as I shakily got to my feet. As I scooped up my sons and sat down on the couch to soothe them, I myself felt no comfort. I had the sinking feeling that what I'd felt meant that my mate was in deep trouble.

Ryou and Kenji shuddered simultaneously. "We remember that," Kenji said. "You were screaming, …" Ryou added. "Inari, it sounded like someone was murdering you…" "…and crying…and then you fell to the floor and for a long time you were silent…" Kenji said. " We've never heard such cries before…" Hiei's eyes widened. "You never told me about that either…" he said. "…what else are you hiding from me Fox?" "There's only one other thing, " I answered. "…but I'll get to that later…"

I didn't sleep at all that night. I was worried that my experience had meant my mate's doom and yet hoping that it did not. Over and over again I kept thinking What if he really is dead?, What if he was killed? By the time the sun rose, I'd ended up crying myself to sleep only to rise soon after. I'd never felt so tired and drained in my life. Still I rose, bathed and dressed the twins, then fed them their breakfast.

Yusuke's eyes widened when he saw me that morning. "What the hell happened to you?" He exclaimed. "I had a bad night," I replied, wincing at the rough sound of my voice. "I'll say," Yusuke responded. Suddenly, a messenger rushed into the throne room, nearly collapsing at Yusuke's feet. "Sire, Lady Mukuro has sent word she wishes to speak with Lord Kurama," the messenger said. I felt the blood drain from my face. "Patch her through," Yusuke said "Inari, please don't let him be dead," I thought desperately as a screen much like the one in Koenma's office flickered to life.

"Kurama, I've got bad news," Mukuro said. "He isn't dead is he?" I asked. The ruler shook her head. " Hiei's been captured," she corrected. "Those damnable rebels are holding him hostage and are demanding that I turn my realm over to their leader in exchange for his safe return," I scowled, feeling my anger begin to grow. "Do you know his exact location?" A map flickered onto the screen showing my mate's location in the northern part of the Makai. "How long do you think you can stall them?" I asked. Mukuro's face appeared in the corner of the screen. "You aren't seriously thinking of going after him are you?" she asked. "He is my mate," I growled. "I can't just stay here and do nothing. They could kill him," "You have Ryou and Kenji to think of as well Kurama," she said. "Your sons shouldn't have to loose both their parents," I met her gaze defiantly. My mate was in danger and all I wanted was to get him out of it and bring him back home. Seeing that I wasn't going to back down, the ruler's expression softened a bit. She wanted Hiei back as well. Mukuro sighed. "We're going to need a plan," she said. "I don't want you going off and getting yourself captured or killed," "Agreed," I assented.

It took some time but we managed to come up with a decent plan of attack and rescue. There was only one problem, the rebels had given Mukuro only three days to give them her decision. I was not as swift as my mate and I had no idea how I was going to get to my mate in time. I was feeling the effects of the lack of sleep and it wasn't helping matters at all. "Kurama, why don't you go and rest?" Yusuke suggested. "It'll take a while to get some things ready for you," I nodded in agreement. It would be unwise to go on such a journey without provisions and more rest than I'd already gotten. "Yusuke, would you be willing to look after the twins while I'm gone?" I asked. The raven haired detective nodded. "You'll have to have Keiko retrieve their things from the house," I said. "The plants that guard our territory won't let anyone outside of the family in," Again he nodded knowing "the family" was the members of team Urameshi, our friends, and family.

Despite the fact I was worried out of my mind for my mate, I managed to fall asleep for a short while. When I awoke, I found a small bag packed and waiting beside the bed. I opened it and found some food, bandages, medicine, and several packets of useful seeds. I headed to the nursery where I found my sons fast asleep. I gave each one a gentle kiss on the forehead and whispered an "I love you," before turning and heading back out the door. Yusuke was waiting outside the door when I left the nursery. "You're leaving now?" he asked. I nodded. "Be careful," he said. I nodded. I left Yusuke's palace and headed for the north, racing against the clock to save my mate.