ok, sorry it took me so long to update. I'm going to try to update my stories every Monday, so this one is a day early. Not too much Hiei, but this is needed to resolve something else. DOn't worry, you'll see Hiei next chapter.

Note: single quotes(' ') or italics are thinking or telepathy. Double quotes( " ") are speech

Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the YYH universe. Just my character Lorin.

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"Well, I hope they don't get into too much trouble." Lorin muttered to herself as she slid her cell phone back into her pocket. "With those boys, who knows what their doing. At least Hiei and SK have some sense. She smiled, imagining the boys in the middle of some stupid contest or something. It was a little interesting to try to figure out what Yusuke and Kuwabara said to convince Hiei to along with it.

Especially when he was on a date with you. The thought popped into her head. Even though there was no one around, she felt her face grow hot.

That's nice and arrogant sounding. It would be your luck if Hiei was back already and was listening in on your thoughts. He could be having a good laugh at your expense. Her more rational side scolded.

If Hiei was back, he'd be down here finishing that kiss outside the restaurant. Her blush deepened. Ok we are now changing the topic. Like who is still up at 11pm." She dug in another pocket for her house key and unlocked the door. A light in the living room told her that her parents were home from their shopping trip and still awake. Dana, her older sister would be up in her room if she was still up and if Steph was still up, Lorin would be very surprised. After quietly closing and relocking the front door and removing her shoes she walked to the living room and poked her head in briefly.

"Hey, I'm back, and I'll be in my room." She said, quickly. Lorin had been avoiding her parents since the day Hiei had shown up at her door. She didn't know what to make of her parents knowledge of youkai and certainly didn't know how to deal with their new knowledge that she knew about youkai.

"Wait, Lorin, we need to talk." Her mother called as Lorin tried to duck out.

K'so. So close and yet so far. Hiei, where are you when I need you? Lorin groaned silently as she entered the room and flopped down in one of the armchairs, propping her feet up and resolving to make this as short as possible. She didn't want to get into a long drawn out argument.

"Sweetheart, we need to talk about what happened the other day. With you and….Hiei? Was that his name?" Her father started. Yup, she had been right about what her parents had wanted.

"Hai. His name is Hiei Jaganshi." She answered politely. Her parents exchanged significant looks and nodded. Lorin hated it when her parents did that. If they had a comment, they should just say it. How old did they think she was? Four?

"Honey, how do you know about youkai?" her mother asked.

How did she know about youkai? That was a long answer, and one Lorin didn't feel like really getting into. So she did a timeless teenage reaction…she turned the question right back around. "How do you know about youkai?"

"We know because we have to," dad said, picking up the conversation again. He seemed to understand that Lorin didn't want to share. "We were commissioned to protect you. King Yama knew you had a lot of potential when you were born. He had us trained in defense against youkai." There was a long silence.

"You were trained to protect me? Cause I had potential?" she repeated, "Potential of what?"

"There was something about your energy that was different from everyone else's. The King wanted to protect that. We were informed of the nearby Reikai Tentai and taught how to detect and shield against youkai." Her father leaned back, waiting for Lorin to share.

"Well, that makes my job easier. I am Reikai Tentai." While not entirely accurate, Lorin figured the term 'spirit detective' would be the best way to explain what she was to her parents. "Hiei is a good friend and a member of the team. I know about them because it's my job to defend against them. Hiei is no threat to any of you or to me."

"And you want us to just believe that?" Her mother protested. Youkai are not trustworthy."

"Hiei is. I have several that I trust. Two of the team are youkai and there are others that we've met during missions that I know to be trustworthy." Lorin insisted, Chuu, Rinku, Yukina, Touya, Jin. "Gomen if you can't handle that, but it's my choice." She kicked the footrest away from her chair and stood. Lorin gave her parents a long, disgusted look and stormed out.

-

Lorin stared out over the windowsill in her bedroom, thinking about what her parents had said.

They were trained to defend against youkai. That meant King Yama had been aware of her and her powers way before she had been introduced to Hiei and the rest. So, why had Hiei shown up at school for that drawing? She couldn't see him entering the contest for any reason, not for money, out of boredom or just for fun. It just wasn't his way of doing things.

"Lori?" A small voice pulled her from her thoughts. "Lori?" the voice repeated, "Are you asleep?"

Lorin grinned and turned toward the door where her little sister was standing. Steph was wearing a pink nightgown with lace and pink slippers. She had a teddy bear in her arms.

"No, babe, I'm not asleep. Come here." Lorin invited, moving to sit on her bed and patting the spot next to her. With permission given, Steph broke out in a gap-toothed grin and leapt for the bed. Landing, she hugged Lorin.

"Why are you sad? Why are you and mommy and daddy fighting?" she asked, snuggling with both her older sister and Teddy. Lorin sighed and smiled down at her.

"I'm not sad. I'm just a little tired. And mommy, daddy, and I were just having a talk. We aren't really fighting. They knew something that I didn't know they knew and it surprised me. I just needed to think about it. Don't worry, ok, Little One?"

Steph nodded, her eyes drifting closed again. Her older sister chuckled and scooped her up. Walking down the hall, Lorin quickly deposited Steph into her bed.

"Good night, baby." She whispered, pulling the blankets up.

"Night, Lori." Steph whispered back, almost asleep. Lorin retreated to her own room and began to get ready for bed herself. It was close to midnight, but she wasn't worried. She could sleep in tomorrow. Lorin retuned to the window and stared at the moon, wondering if Hiei and the others had finished their contest and were sleeping. Hopefully there would be no broken bones or major cuts for her to heal.

Lorin smiled indulgently at the thought. She would blister their ears, but would take care of her boys. It seemed that she was the only one who did most of the time. At least she wasn't mad at her parents anymore. She'd have to remember to tell them that in the morning.

-

youkai- demon

Reikai Tentai- Spirit Detectives

Baka- idiot

K'so- damn

Hai- yes

Gomen- sorry