Thanks to every one who is reading this and especially the awesome few that review. I'm so glad everyone likes Yokuro. I did have a fight seen planned for this story then never wrote it. If I can figure out how to work it in I may add one.

Standard disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.


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

Chapter 13

Hiei was perched on a wall watching the festivities below. The entire family was gathered to celebrate Shina's birthday. Yusuke and Keiko threw her a traditional ningen barbeque in the courtyard of the fortress.

Fondly, Hiei watched the kit he found eighteen years ago today. Shina had grown into a beautiful creature. The braids of her childhood were gone, replaced by glorious long silver hair, the last few inches tipped in black. Her large green eyes had darkened to the exact shade of her Mama-Kitten's. Unlike her Foxie-Mama, Shina preferred color in her wardrobe, complimenting her pale feminine features by wearing soft pastels in green, blue and lavender.

/Don't forget to appreciate that sexy, curvy figure Hiei. You can't help but admire those breasts…/

/Shut up Kuro! That's our daughter you're ogling./

/I'm not the only one. It's getting harder for our boy to continue treating her like a sister./

/Hn. Shina's having the same problem./

Even though Shina and Yokuro lived and acted like siblings, it was obvious to everyone where their hearts lie. As Shina laughed with Kina and Zima, her eyes were constantly seeking out Yokuro. Similarly he kept her in sight as he talked fighting technique with Yusuke and Kenji.

Yokuro too had grown up. When he first came to live with them, his slender build made him look like Kuronue's twin. He was tall like Kuronue with the same long black hair but he was more muscular now and his features more rugged. He had great strength and rivaled Hiei's skill with a sword, though due to his height and long arms, Yokuro preferred a long sword over Hiei's katana. Like his fathers he preferred dark clothes but leaned toward blues over black.

As he watched his beautiful redhead approach Hiei knew he would be lured from his solitude. When he felt a tug on his pant leg he looked down into the loving green eyes of his mate. "Hiei-Koi, the foods almost ready, won't you come down and join me?"

Hiei hopped down and kissed Kurama. "If you had said us instead of me Kurama, you would be eating alone."

Kurama took his hand so he wouldn't get away. "Unfortunately Beloved you'll have to socialize a little. Even though she knows Kuro usually handles social functions for you, Shina did make a special request for you to be here today. Maybe, if you're good, we'll sneak away later and I'll let you have me for desert."

Hiei pouted just a bit. "For this Kitten, my desert better be covered in frosting."

"I'm sure I can take care of that for you Koibito." Kurama replied with a wicked grin.


Shina was having a wonderful time. She loved having the whole family together and the barbeque was exactly what she wanted. She missed the times they would go to the Ningenkai, even though she had been restricted to the temple she still enjoyed it. Since the last of the family had moved to Makai she had not been back. Only the parents with human forms went occasionally for missions or to shop. Yusuke, Keiko and Kurama had been there yesterday to get the food for her party.

She laughed now as she joined Yokuro to get their food. He was looking at everything like it was poison. Of course living with Kurama he was used to some ningen food but he had never seen most of the food served today. "It's called a hamburger Dragon-Fly. Just do what I do, I'll show you how to prepare it."

He looked doubtful but copied everything she did as he watched her open the bun and pile it full of all kinds of strange things. He sniffed suspiciously at a large spoon full of something lumpy and pasty she put on his plate. "That's potato salad and Aunt Keiko makes the best."

"If I die of food poisoning it will be on your conscious Sissy." He was tempted to go hungry when he saw his Dad greedily eating a plate full of the same strange food.

He watched to see how Shina was going to eat the huge hamburger she had created. When she moaned in pleasure after the first bite he decided it must be safe and began to eat. "Hey, this isn't bad. We should have these more often."

Before she was half finished he had cleaned his plate and gone back for seconds. "Honey, what's this red stuff I found? Dad was trying to take it all so I grabbed us some."

She tried to hide her blush at the endearment. "It's a ningen fruit called watermelon and it's one of Daddy's favorites. Don't eat the little black things though, those are the seeds."

They both laughed then as they saw Hiei spitting his seeds like bullets at Kuwabara. "Hey Shrimp cut that out!"

Before Hiei could voice his comeback Kurama stepped between them. "Oh no, not today boys. This is Shina's special day."

Just then Yuki came out with the cake and everyone sang happy birthday. When Hiei would have gone to get cake Kurama stopped him handing him a plastic container then turned away. "Fox, what the hell is this?"

With one word the cake was forgotten and Hiei followed Kurama out of the courtyard. "Frosting."


The next morning Hiei was brushing Kurama's silver hair. "Fox are you sure about this? I still think she's too young and Yokuro may have something to say about it."

The Youko smiled as he enjoyed one of their favorite morning rituals. "That's why we have to do it now. He hasn't claimed her yet. If we wait much longer he'll have the right to stop us. It's the one part of her training we have neglected and I've been looking forward to it. I know you don't fully approve but you can't protect her forever. Besides it wouldn't be fair to her if we denied her this experience."

When Kurama turned to face Hiei he realized his mate's reluctance was not entirely due to Shina. "Oh Hiei-Koi, it's only for a couple of weeks and you and Kuro will so be busy with Yokuro you might not even miss me."

Hiei slipped his hand under the sheet in Kurama's lap. "I will most definitely miss you Foxie, so you had better give me something really special to remember you by."

Pushing Hiei down on the bed Kurama crawled over him. "When I'm done with you Koibito I guarantee you will never forget me."


Shina was entering the den after her morning chores when Kurama threw a bag at her and pushed her toward her room. "Go pack, we're going on a little trip. Pack carefully, we'll be gone a couple of weeks and you have to carry that bag yourself."

Half an hour later Shina met her family outside. Yokuro seemed angry. "You can't be serious! She doesn't need to go there! I won't let her go alone! I'm going with her!"

Shina ran to Yokuro's side and he put an arm around her. "I won't let you take her without me."

Shina turned to her parents confused. "Foxie-Mama, what's going on? I thought we were all going."

Kurama addressed her before turning to his son. "Shina, you and I are going to spent time in Youko territory, alone. Yokuro, she is going. She won't be alone, I'll be with her and I don't intend let her out of my sight. I may be your 'Mom' but in case you've forgotten I am also one of the most powerful demons in Makai. I am quite capable of protecting my daughter. You can't deny her the right to learn about her heritage but you can't go with her. Youko don't allow outsiders into their territory."

Yokuro turned to what he thought was his only ally. "Dad…"

"Son, say good-bye to Kurama and Shina. You won't see them for a while." Hiei then took Kurama in his arms to kiss him good-bye.

Shina was torn, she wanted to go but didn't want to leave Yokuro. "Mama said it would only be for a couple of weeks Dragon-Fly. We'll be back before you know it."

Yokuro glared over her head at their parents before looking into her eyes. "Remember one thing while you're gone Shina, when you return, you will belong to me."

Then he captured her lips in passionate kiss, their first in almost two years.