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Chapter Four


Three years Later…

I awoke to the feeling of the weight of the bed shifting. Slowly, I opened my eyes and blinked in surprise to see copper ones looking into mine. It was still fairly dark but the dim light of the room reflected off a small head of silver hair. "Ryou, what are you doing up at this hour?" I asked softly, not wanting to awaken my sleeping mate. "bad dweam," Ryou answered. I sat up, shivering as the covers slid down my bare chest, exposing me to the cool early morning air. I leaned over and picked up my three year old son. I grabbed my robe and pulled it around us, keeping us both warm.

I just held him quietly for a while, not speaking again until I heard his soft yawn. "Let's get you back to bed chibi Kurama," I murmured. "Can I sweep wit you?" Ryou asked sleepily. I debated whether or not to allow him to stay. In the end I decided to allow it this once and hoped it wouldn't backfire on me later. "Alright, just this once," I told him, then pulled back the covers some and laid the sleepy child down between me and his father. I hung the robe back on my side of headboard and once more slipped under the covers. My son had already fallen asleep, snuggled up to his father who I hoped wouldn't kill me for this in the morning. After all I don't think he wanted to explain to our three year old son why we were both sleeping in the nude. I was just thankful that we'd cleaned up after our …activities.

I awoke sometime later to find Kurama was awake and watching his sleeping son. He looked up at me "Hiei, why is Ryou in our bed?" he asked softly so he wouldn't wake our sleeping son. "He had a nightmare," I replied. "Poor white rose," he murmured softly as he gently stroked my silver haired son's hair.

For a while he just watched Ryou sleep, then he looked up at me, leaned over Ryou and kissed me gently. I returned the gesture.

"I suppose I should go get dressed," he murmured. "Why don't we have lunch in the garden today?" he suggested. I nodded in agreement. "It would give you an opportunity to teach the boys, " I agreed. Kurama nodded, then kissed his son's forehead and slipped out of bed. I watched as he padded to the bathroom, glad that Ryou hadn't chosen that moment to awaken. Modesty had completely left my mate's mind. Nevertheless I did enjoy the view.

That afternoon Kurama and I met in the garden for lunch as planned. Kenji, Kenshin and Ryou were gathered around their father using their powers to make seeds grow. I nodded to the guards at the entrance of the garden, then Jade and Sakuya. The moment I grew near my sons looked up from their lesson then barreled toward me. "Papa, look what daddy showed us," Kenji exclaimed excitedly as he focused his energy into the seed in his open palm. I watched as it began to spout into a small tea rose. I smiled. "That's good Kenji," I remarked. Kenshin also had also grown one of the little roses from the tiny seed in his hand, his being larger than his brother's. Ryou however had grown a small tea rose bush, blinking at it in awe.

I looked over at Kurama who approached with a proud smile on his face. "It seems Ryou will be quite the plant wielder," I commented telepathically. "Yes, perhaps he will grow to be stronger than me," Kurama responded. Kenji and Kenshin were also now staring at their brother's miniature rosebush in fascination. Kenshin looked up at Kurama. "Daddy, how come I growed only one?" Kenshin asked. Kurama smiled. "I think Ryou got more of my powers than you and Kenji, just like Kenji has more of your Papa's powers than you and Ryou," he explained. "I'm proud of all three of you though, you're all doing remarkably well," He ruffled Kenshin's hair, making the red haired toddler giggle. "Put your seeds away now, time to wash up for lunch," he instructed. I watched as the roses returned to seeds and the boys tucked them away in their long hair.

Kurama and I got them all cleaned up and returned to the garden just before Sachi arrived with our meal. Soon the food was gone and our sons curled up on the blanket for an afternoon nap. Kurama cuddled me to him. I leaned into the embrace, enjoying the feel of his strong arms around me. We said nothing, just content to be in one another's presence. It didn't last long though. A few minutes later Kurama and I were summoned inside to attend to a few matters, forcing us to leave our sons in the capable hands of Jake and Sakuya.

Commotion from the garden caught our attention. Kurama and I virtually leapt from our seats in our haste to discover what was going on. When we reached the garden we found several guards lying on the ground severely injured, among them Jade and Sakuya. My heart sank, and panic began to surface. I heard whimpering and crying and turned to the bamboo. I put my hands to it to part it but found it was hard as steel, refusing to budge. Kurama's outstretched hand appeared in my line of vision, and a moment later the bamboo parted to reveal Kenji and Kenshin huddled beneath a large rose bush.

My heart began to pound wildly in my chest. Ryou wasn't with them. Kenji and Kenshin ran to us, my mate and I each taking one of the crying toddlers and began trying to calm them. Movement caught my eye and I turned my head to see Sakuya slowly sitting up. Her flame colored hair fell about her face and shoulders as she sat up, her eyes were burning with anger. An animalistic growl emanated from her throat. "Where's Ryou?" I demanded. "He was taken before he could reach safety with his brothers," Sakuya replied as she turned to face me. "Taken?" I responded. "by whom?"

For the first time since I'd met her, Sakuya lowered her eyes completely. "I do not know Your Highness." She said in answer to my question. "Foul creatures, the likes of which I've never seen emerged from the forest. They surrounded us, outnumbering us ten to one," "As soon as they neared, Jade and I grabbed the princes, but they were swift and were upon us before we could get them to safety ourselves. Still, we fought trough them and I managed to get Kenji and Kenshin to safety, but Jade was attacked before I could get Ryou from her," she continued. "I fought to get him back, but in the end I was unsuccessful," "There was an explosion, and when the smoke cleared, every one of those foul creatures had vanished along with the prince,"

It was then I noticed blood tricking from the side of Sakuya's head and I knew that she must have sustained most of her injuries from the blast. Kurama gently took Kenji from me, as he shouted orders for the lands to be searched and healers for the injured. "I'm sorry I failed you, Your highness," Sakuya murmured as she began to waver. I shook my head. "You did not fail me Sakuya," I assured her. "You protected my sons as best you could. You know that is all I ask from you," Gently, I helped her back down to the ground. A moment later she was unconscious.

In the chaos of activity that followed I slipped away from the palace, perching myself in a high pine in the forest just beyond the palace walls. I removed the bandanna covering my third eye as I closed my two natural ones. I scanned the land for my missing son's energy. Though the kits were strong, they were still young, their energy infinitely harder to trace than any adult's due to the simple fact that it was still undeveloped. An immature energy signature was near impossible to trace if one was never taught how. I just hoped the jagon would be of some help.

I felt my heart skip a beat as I thought I felt it. I concentrated harder, and realized with a start that I had indeed felt my son's energy. I recovered my jagon and masked my energy. Like the wind, I raced toward my son's faint energy signal, hoping that I would soon have him back and that whoever had him had not yet brought him to any harm.

When I finally zeroed in on Ryou's energy it was well into the night. The dim moonlight was of little help illuminating the dense darkness and I found myself wishing for a full moon to light my path. I soon came upon a large castle, deep within the mountains that surrounded the forest. I approached it cautiously, expecting it to be heavily guarded. There wasn't a soul in sight and I was beginning to suspect a trap. Still I continued on, wanting desperately to rescue my son and bring him home.

I made my way to the ground and walked toward the large castle. The gates opened as I approached, but I wasn't the least bit surprised. I continued up the path to the door, which opened as well, shutting behind me with a groan once I had entered. A scream pierced the all encompassing silence and I froze. It was the scream of a child. "Ryou," I whispered, unaware that I had even spoken until his name had left my lips. Another scream filled the air and I sped off at full speed toward the sound.

I scowled when I came to the end of the hallway to find that it split into three different directions. I undid the bandanna covering my third eye once more, trying to hone in on Ryou's energy. This time I wasn't able to find it and I cursed softly. I wished I had brought Kurama with me. With his keen sense of hearing and smell he would have a better time and finding our son than I. With a frown, I quickly decided upon the center passageway.

I raised my palm and used my fire wielding ability to create a ball of fire to light my way. The air was stale here and I imagined that no one had used this place in many years. The cobweb covered walls confirmed my theory, and even they were full of dust. Obviously, even the spiders had abandoned this place.

The hallway seemed to go on forever, there were no doors or stairs to explore to distract from the monotony. I began to wonder if I should turn back and choose another hallway, when a light ahead caught my attention. As I made my way towards it I heard a faint whispering. It became louder as I drew nearer. "He deceives you," someone whispered into my ear. "He used you," whispered another. "He held you captive and made you believe he was the one being held prisoner," "He fooled you into thinking you loved him, then seduced you into his bed so that you would bear him an heir," I turned, increasing the light of my flame so that I could see the one whispering lies about my mate. No one was there.

I continued on down the hall, finally reaching the light I had been moving toward. I stepped through the open door into a large, splendidly furnished room. As I looked around I realized that it was a bedchamber. The large bed looked as though it had been recently slept in. The sound of splashing water came from the other side of a closed door across the room. Suddenly the door opened and Kurama emerged. His long silver hair was in disarray, his body clothed only with a towel around his waist.

I didn't bother disguising my shock at seeing him. "Surprised?" he questioned. "I can see why you would be, seeing as how you didn't even tell me that you were leaving," "How did you get here so quickly?" I responded. "Leiko brought me," he answered. "She found Ryou here and used an ability of hers to bring me here to him," "That doesn't explain why the only thing you're wearing at the moment is a towel," I pointed out. Kurama ran a hand through his long silver hair, smoothing it back to its normal state. "She did have her price," he said. "Judging by the way I found you, I can guess what it was," I responded. "Still, I'd like you to tell me, just to see if I'm correct in my assumption," Kurama sighed heavily. "Fine, I admit it, In order to get our son back I slept with her,"

Without a word he turned his back to me and began to dress. "You know it was interesting having another partner," he murmured softly. "Perhaps my father was actually on to something," I narrowed my eyes. "So you want to sleep around like he did, is that it?" I demanded. He turned as he finished dressing and looked at me. "…and what if I do?" he responded, his golden eyes glittering dangerously. "You plan on stopping me?" "No, I plan on leaving with my sons," I replied. "…and just how far do you think you'd get with my sons?" Kurama questioned as he stalked toward me. "You would stick out like a sore thumb with three youko kits, and since few know that you bore them I could easily have you arrested and killed for taking them from me," An evil smirk spread upon his lips. "Face it Hiei, If you wish to be with our sons you cannot leave. You're mine,"

I stared at him in shock as he passed me and headed into the hallway I had come from just a short while ago. I didn't understand what had just happened. Kurama would not forsake our vows, he had told me so himself. Had he lied? Had he faked it all, or had something changed in him over these past three years? Did he even still love me?

I heard footsteps racing toward the bedchamber and I realized with a start that I recognized the sound. A moment later, a red faced, out of breath Sata was at the doorway. She ran toward me virtually collapsing at my feet. Her bare arms were bruised, as well as her legs. I knelt and helped her stand. "What happened to you?" I questioned. "It was my mistress, Your Majesty that did this to me," she whispered. "I refused to help her kidnap the young prince and this is the price I paid," She shakily got to her feet and turned her back to me. Slowly, she slid the shoulders of her dress down over her shoulders, exposing her back. Red angry, welts marred her beautifully suntanned skin. She straitened her clothing and turned to me. "Please help me Your Majesty, grant me sanctuary. I wish to help you recover the prince, but I fear what my mistress will do to me once she discovers what I have done,"

"You're too late, my mate has already recovered our son," I responded. Sata shook her head. "I'm afraid you have been deceived Your Highness," she said. "My m'lady is a mistress of illusion, and I believe that whatever it is you just witnessed was exactly that, an illusion and nothing more," Her theory did make sense, after all would Kurama really risk loosing me just so he could sate his desire? Especially when he knew I was always more than willing to help him.

Until he had spoken those words to me, I had believed without a doubt that he truly loved me. What had occurred before Sata's arrival had shaken that belief, and I was willing to give anything to have that unshakable faith once more.

"I will grant you sanctuary within the palace as long as you help me rescue Ryou," I agreed. Sata breathed a sigh of relief and dropped to the ground, bowing at my feet, her face actually touching the cold stone floor. "Thank you Your Highness," she said. "Come," I responded. "Lead me to my son," She rose to her feet with a nod.

I followed her down the hallway back to where I had entered it. This time we went down the passage on the right. I followed her in silence, frowning when the whispering began again. "You see, he has deceived you," someone whispered in my ear. "He does not really love you. Now that he's gotten he heir he's wanted, he desires other lovers," "She deceives you as well," another whispered in my ear. "She leads you to her mistress in hopes you will destroy Leiko so she will be free to pursue your mate,"

A heartbroken wail cut through the air like a knife, silencing the whispering. I ran in that direction and stopped dead in my tracks when I reached the source. Kurama was kneeling over my silver haired son. His shoulders shook as he wept, his mournful cry chilling me to my soul. I stood frozen in horror at the sight before me. Blood was pooled beneath my little boy's body, staining his silver hair and tail. His little face forever frozen in terror.

My legs gave out, refusing to support my weight any longer. I fell to the floor as grief washed over me in a tidal wave of pain and despair. I did not know when my eyes began to well with tears, but I felt them, warm and wet as they slid down my cheeks. I heard the soft clink of the gems they became as they cooled and hit the hard stone floor. Kurama turned at the sound, his golden eyes reddened and swollen from weeping. "Look what they did to him!" he cried. "Look how they murdered our baby," I did, and immediately whished I hadn't. Without Kurama partially blocking my view. I could see exactly how my poor baby's life had been ended. My baby, my youngest son taken from me in a gruesome death that he could not have deserved.

Suddenly, I felt hands upon my shoulders." What you see is not real Your Majesty," Sata said softly into my ear. I turned my head to look at her. She gently untied the bandanna covering my jagon. "Open your eyes and see the truth," she said. I felt my third eye open and turned my head. In an instant, my mourning mate vanished along with the corpse of my son. The only thing was the empty hallway ahead of me.

I shivered as I got to my feet, feeling shaken not only by what I had seen but the fact that it hadn't been real, just an illusion. Sata had gathered the tear gems I had shed and without a word placed them in my hands. "You see, her illusions are strong," she said. "You must keep your eyes open if you do not wish to be fooled once more," "How did you know it was an illusion?" I asked. Sata smiled. "As a Yoko my primary abilities are shape shifting and creating illusions, however I have also been gifted with the ability to see through illusions," she explained. "Excepting of course those cast by someone who is stronger than I in creating them,"

"Come," she said. "I fear my mistress desires the young prince's death, and that is something I greatly wish to prevent," I continued following her without a word. The vixen had been a mystery from the very start and though Kurama and I had sought to find out more about her, we had only been able to learn that she had been taken in by Leiko's family as an infant,. Kurama had become more certain that she was the baby sister his mother had died giving birth to, but still desired proof for without it, he could not claim her as family. At least now he could take her in, away from Leiko. Perhaps by helping me recover Ryou she could also earn herself a title and thus be safe from Leiko's wrath.

Downward into the very bowels of the castle we went. I suddenly felt my son's energy and nearly sighed with relief that he was still alive. A scream pierced the air and I tensed, knowing it was Ryou's. Sata took my hand and we began racing toward the sound. After what seemed an eternity we the room he was being kept in. I slipped in stealthily, the way I had learned from my mate. "You should have been my son," Leiko snarled. "Instead your father chose someone else over me," I heard a soft whimper. "Stop sniveling, you little brat," she snapped. I felt a burst of energy and a moment later there was a small explosion. Ryou screamed in terror. "Inari, I don't know how Kurama sired such a sniveling, puny little thing,"

Anger boiled within me. I had to get my son away from that stupid whore before she seriously hurt him. If she hadn't already. I leapt into action, drawing my sword, ready to attack. Leiko was ready for me however, holding a glowing ball of energy near the small cage she had imprisoned Ryou in. "One more step Your Majesty and I blow the royal brat to bits," she said. I scowled, but stood still. Leiko smirked. "Good boy," she said. "Now toss the sword to the ground, and kick it toward me," I did as I was instructed. Leiko kicked it further away from the both of us.

"Papa," Ryou cried desperately. "Let my son go Leiko," I said. "Take me instead," The vixen raised her eyebrows. "He really is your son isn't he?" she questioned. "Yes," I answered. "He looks too much like Kurama not to be his son as well, so tell me, how is it you were able to give Kurama an heir?" she continued. I mentally cursed, of all things she would have to ask the one question I didn't know how to answer. "Let Ryou go and you will have your answer," I replied, hoping she wouldn't see through my lie.

She gave me an agitated glare, but stepped over to the cage and opened it, releasing my son. Ryou ran strait to me and I knelt to pick him up. He whimpered and cried as I held him. After a moment I used one hand to remove my scarf and wrap it around my shivering son. "It's time for the little one to go," Leiko said. "So say your goodbyes now," "What do you mean it's time for him to go," I demanded. "I need to take him to his father," Leiko shook her head. "The brat goes, but you stay," she responded. "That was our agreement. You for him," I glared at her. "…and just how do you suppose he'll find his way home, he's only three years old," I growled. Leiko shrugged. "Not my problem," she responded. "Time's up Your Majesty," she said, as she raised her palm toward me. "Deflagrate muri intervallia," A bright light surrounded my son and almost immediately I felt him vanish from my arms. When the light faded, Ryou was gone.