Disclaimer: I don't own YYH…

Spirit Child

Reiko was pregnant. That had to be the problem, because I had ruthlessly questioned her about her medical history and her allergies before she pleaded for sleep. I held her now, my back braced against the headboard. She had no idea, and I was afraid to tell her. Her body had healed enough in the past couple of weeks to allow the pregnancy to continue, so she was in little danger of a miscarriage. But I was more worried about the blow to her self-esteem. Carrying the baby of the man who had raped her could very well unravel all the progress she had made, and could drive her to the very ends that ended in her rape in the first place. But all I could do was hold her and stroke her, and pray that I could find a way to tell her…

We sat like that for a long time, until Hiei poked his head in to check on us. He motioned to me, and I lay Rei down, gently tucking the quilted comforter around her prone form. I slunk out to the hall way, and Hiei led me silently downstairs, where everyone, including Botan, Koenma, and Genkai were seated, looking solemn. I swallowed, knowing that this was for punishing those punks. I stood alongside Hiei.

"So, what is my punishment this time?" I asked carefully. Koenma sighed.

"Nothing. We decided that you were acting in self defense, and since they had nothing more than a scratch or two, assault does not apply. But who we really came here to talk about is asleep upstairs. What is wrong with Reiko?" I felt a burning in the pit of my stomach. I can't tell them, at least not until she knows! But I knew I had to.

"When I tell you this, I want everyone here to understand that this information is not to be discussed until Rei herself knows. Am I clear?" I replied, my voice protective. They all nodded, slow and silent. I took a breath and steeled myself. "She's pregnant."

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I awoke, terrified by the feel of a body next to mine. I didn't move, until a soft voice bade me to look up. Kurama's eyes were shadowed, showing only a deep green tinge from the starlight outside. His body was curled around mine, his arms and head caging me from the elements. When I looked up, he had pulled away just enough to avoid kissing me as my head and neck unfolded. He sighed.

"Rei, I have something important to tell you. It may make you feel awful, but I want you to know that I'll help you at every step." I was confused, and that confusion must have shown in my face, for he smiled and his lips moved to my ear.

"You're going to be a mother." He whispered, and every fear in my body evaporated.

"You're, you're sure?" I asked, stunned. Then I realized whose child it was. "It's Dai's child."

"Yes."

"But, blood doesn't mean that it will be just like him, does it?"

"Not at all. Your child will be whomever it chooses. The way you raise it will be your way, no one else's. And when those jerks go to court, telling him that you have the greatest treasure in the world will totally ruin him."

"And you'll help me…?"

"I'll do all I can." He finished, and wrapped me up tight in his warm arms. My heart pounded, and I clasped his neck.

"Thank you, oh, thank you, Kurama."

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All that night, I stayed next to Rei. She was so beautiful fast asleep, her skin creamy in the starlight. Holding her was like clinging to a lifeline, because her gentleness, long masked by loneliness, soothed me. Even though I had sworn to remain as vigilant as a hawk, even I could not stand before the waves of sleep, and in a short time, there were two dreamers in that starry night.

The next morning, I awoke to an emptiness next to me. Sunlight streamed through my balcony door, and came close to blinding me when I realized Reiko was gone.

"Owww…" I moaned, sat up, shading my eyes. I heard the door open, and a welcome voice chuckle.

"About time you got up, sleepy head. Here's breakfast, courtesy of Botan." Reiko laid a platter loaded with Botan's pancakes across my knees, giggling.

"What's so funny?" I asked, pulling her by the arm down beside me. She grinned at me.

"Now the patient is the caretaker, and the caretaker the patient!" She laughed, a clear, ringing laugh of joy. I just chuckled.

"Why all the bells and whistles, my dear?"

"Well, for one, you saved my life. Two, you went to all ends to find my attackers. Three, you wore yourself out taking care of me. And four, you caught those jerks. I'd say that makes you a prime candidate for a little bit of TLC." She sat back, facing me. I just shook my head, and hungrily dug into my cooling breakfast.

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When Kurama was done, he leaned back against the headboard. I was somewhat embarrassed at first, because he wasn't wearing a shirt, and he had a really, really nice set of abs. I smiled at him and started to stand up, intending to take his tray back down stairs. He caught my arm again, though, and pulled me close.

"There's really only one thing I want as payment, Reiko." He said softly, his hands firm on my waist, and his face close to mine.

"Wha…What would that be?" I stammered, terrified that I already knew.

"It's not what you're thinking of, exactly. All I want is a kiss." I froze, and peered at him.

"That's all?"

"That's all." He replied, then he kissed me.

His lips were so gentle, so sweet. If I hadn't known better, I would have sworn I was kissing a rose. He backed away as quickly as he came, a butterfly kiss if ever there was one. We both were breathing hard, and he let me go. But I didn't want to leave him, not now. I kissed him again, taking him by surprise. He caught me again, but gently pushed me away.

"One is enough, love. You don't want to get involved with me."

"But I do! Please, Kurama! I didn't know before, but I love you! Please, please, Kurama, let yourself be loved for once! Botan told me all about how the other women you loved betrayed you, left you, hurt you. I won't." I turned away, tears brimming.

"I know you won't. What I'm worried about is that my line of work will hurt you." He spoke gently, as though I were a child. "To tell you those same things, Reiko, and then you get hurt from my enemies, that would destroy me. And those I fight know it well. They've tried killing my friends, several times, and if they found out that I loved you, God only knows what they'd do.." He rested his hands on my shoulders, and whispered into my ear. "I truly do love you, but for the sake of you and your child, I dare not tell another soul…" I choked back tears.

"Then hold me." I twirled and buried my head in his neck, my arms tight around his neck. His arms held me once more, and I wept for us both into his shoulder.

The sadness seemed to settle in the atmosphere when I came down alone, and everyone seemed to find an inanimate object to study. They all knew, and I hated them for an instant for knowing. They all had loved ones, all of whom were in danger. But unlike Hiei, Kuwabara, and Yusuke, to lose Reiko would do more than devastate me. Every hatred I'd kept locked away for so many years would explode, and the old demon I shared souls with would emerge, and heaven help the ones in our way. Youko, interestingly enough, seemed to at least like Reiko, which was strange. But I ignored those thoughts, and went outside.

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As soon as the door out back slammed, Botan, Keiko, Yukina, and Shizuru raced upstairs in an attempt to comfort me. I had slipped out the window, and down Kurama's wisteria trellis, heading to an old haven. Deep in the wood of Kai's and my's favorite park is a waterfall, beneath which is a cave lined with glowing geodes. I slipped in under the overhang after a ten minute walk, and curled up in our little nest. A simple, smooth hollow at the point of wall and floor, the nest felt too big without Kai. But I laid down nonetheless, and watched the silver-green falls until sleep claimed me…

Complications suck, don't they?

KD