Standard disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.

'Thoughts'
/Current aspect speaking to dormant aspect./
/Dormant aspect speaking to current aspect./

Chapter 12

Yokuro held Shina close as he flew her home. He circled once intending to land at the den. Seeing this Shina stopped him. "No, not the den, take me to the garden where Mama and Daddy won't see us."

When they landed in the garden Yokuro quickly checked Shina over. "Did they hurt you Honey?"

She smiled as he touched her, enjoying the attention. "No Sweetie, I'm fine. I told you I could take care of myself."

Standing to his full height Yokuro glared down at her, he was almost as tall as Kuronue and Shina was about Shuuichi's height. Neither had seen their parents enter the garden the moment they landed. "You little brat! Don't you dare give me that 'I can take care of myself' crap! If you had been with me where you belonged they never would have had the chance to grab you! If you think you're safe from Mom and Dad finding out you're wrong, but it's not them you should be afraid of right now! I meant what I said Shina, if Dad doesn't punish you for this, I will!"

Under different circumstances Hiei and Kurama would have been amused at Yokuro's anger and Shina's attempt to soothe him. She leaned her head on his chest and ran her hand up and down his arm as she pouted. "Dragon-Fly, please don't be angry. You wouldn't really spank your Little Fox now would you? Everything turned out all right. We don't need to upset Daddy and Mama."

Kurama would have stepped forward but Hiei's hand in his silver hair stopped him. Hiei wanted to see how their son would handle the pouting Youko. "You're wrong Shina. You disobeyed Dad and you disobeyed me when I told you not to leave my side. As a result you were almost taken by those demons. Furthermore you shouldn't have used Mom and Dad's name to scare them away. It was my right to kill them for touching you."

There was hurt in her voice as she pulled back and snapped at him. "No! I couldn't let you fight them! You could have gotten hurt!"

Yokuro was still mad but the protective tone in her voice made him lower his. "Damn it Sissy, you act as if I've never been hurt before. I was beaten almost daily until I was fifteen years old and Mom found me. What do you think we do when our parents take me out to train? Honey, we fight demons and yes, sometimes we get hurt. Mom treats our wounds in the tree house because we know it would upset you. Shina, we're just trying to protect you."

With a nod from Hiei, Kurama finally rushed to his kit to see for himself that she was really all right. Yokuro's words combined with their parents obviously having heard what happened brought tears to Shina's eyes. "Daddy, Mama, Yokuro… I'm sorry I disappointed you."

Seeing the look on Hiei's face Kurama spoke before anyone could respond to Shina. "Wait, let's go home so we can talk about this."

Not waiting for an answer Kurama put an arm around Shina and they left the garden. He hoped Hiei would calm down before they got to the den. When they entered the den he settled Shina on the sofa indicating Yokuro should sit by her.

Hiei however refused to sit, interrupting Kurama before he could speak. "Fox, shut up. Shina the rules in this family are very simple, no lies, no secrets, we keep our promises, I make the decisions that keep us safe and if anyone disrespects a member of this family they die. Today you broke those rules and your brother is right, you will be punished."

Shina was crying, she had never seen Hiei's anger directed at her before. One glare from Hiei silenced Kurama's attempt to intercede. "Yokuro, she was in your care today, it was you she disobeyed, it was you she put in danger as well as herself, it was you she denied revenge and it was you that promised her a spanking. Her punishment is yours."

Stunned, Kurama didn't protest as Hiei led him out of the den. Before he left, Hiei turned to his bewildered daughter. "Shina, if you use your powers or your influence over him to get out of this, my punishment will be twice as severe."

Shina and Yokuro sat not looking at one another. Earlier when he was angry he could have willingly throttled her. Now that their parents knew what happened he wasn't mad any more and the thought of having to punish her nearly made him ill.

She hung her head and didn't speak as he took her hand and led her into her room. Yokuro sat on the bed intending to pull her into his arms. When she tried to pull away crying out his name he quickly forced her down and firmly swatted her twice on the behind before pulling her into his arms as she cried softly. "Shhh. It's over Sweetheart. I'm so sorry my Little Fox. Please, promise you'll never do anything to make me have to do that ever again."

He held her trying to comfort her. One hand stroked her hair as the other massaged her tender behind. Slowly she quieted and she looked at him with tears in her eyes. "Yokuro, I'm sorry I didn't listen this morning. I thought you were just being overprotective. I was so scared but not for myself. I was afraid they were going to hurt you. I guess you just wanted to protect me the same way I wanted to protect you. I promise I'll never do anything like that again."

Shyly she licked and kissed his face in apology as she cuddled in his arms. The fist in her hair clenched as he tried to remain calm but her kisses were intoxicating. Not knowing exactly how it happened he turned his face and captured her lips with his.

Both were lost in pleasure as they enjoyed their first kiss. Yokuro recovered first, slowly pulling back, smiling at the dreamy expression on Shina's face. When her eyes met his they looked at each other confused. Setting her gently on the bed he rose to leave. He looked at her nervously. "Um, I uh, guess I should uh, let Mom and Dad know everything's okay. Everything is okay, isn't it Shina?"

Her fingers fluttering to her lips. Slowly Shina nodded as she stared at him wide eyed. "Uh huh."

"Good, um, great, I'll uh see you later."


Shina could hear Kurama setting dinner out. Hunger overriding her embarrassment she left her room.

Kurama saw Shina standing in the doorway watching him shyly, her ears back. When he smiled and held out his arms she threw herself into them. "Mama…"

"Shhh. I love you Little Fox. Now help me with dinner. Hiei and Yokuro will be in soon." Shina smiled knowing she had been forgiven and hurried to help with the meal.

A few minutes later Shina didn't realize Hiei had entered the den until she felt his finger tighten in her hair. She yelped as he pulled her around to look at him. "Never put us through that again Little Fox."

Shina whimpered. "No Daddy, I promise I'll never, ever disappoint you again."

With a nod the hand in her hair relaxed as Hiei folded her into his arms. "You could never disappoint me Shina. I love you no matter what."

She snuggled tighter into his embrace knowing she had been forgiven again. "I love you too Daddy."

Yokuro came up behind Shina and pulled her tail, then hid behind Kurama when she yelped and chased him. "Hey Sissy, don't blame me. Your mushy moment could have lasted all night and I'm starving. In case you forgot you were supposed to buy me lunch in town after you went shopping, so feed me."

Shina grabbed a bowl of cooked vegetables from the table and held it threateningly. "Oh I'll feed you all right."

Before she could attack Kurama calmly grabbed the vegetables and replaced them with a bowl of rice. "Those are for Hiei but I have more rice."

"Mom!" Yokuro started running around the table.

Hiei just shook his head. "You were warned boy. One of the first lessons we gave you in living with Youkos, never pull their tails."


The storm started just before midnight. Yokuro saw a frightened Shina hesitate at his door. "Dragon-Fly, am I still welcome?"

He just pulled back the covers and she dove under them and into his arms. "We might as well get some sleep Sweetheart, this storm sounds like it's settling in for the night."

As they fell asleep the lid closed again over the purple glow of the Jagon.