I'm so excited, someone new just read and reviewed all my stories. Reviews are why I write so for all those who review here is the next chapter and the long awaited birth of Hiei, Kurama and Kuronue's baby (well at least the beginning of the birth, this may take two chapters). Please don't kill me but I'm predicting a cliffhanger riiight about the time the baby comes.

Standard disclaimer: I do not own YuYu Hakusho.

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

Chapter 17

From a distance the activity around the demon's home compound appeared normal. Shina was at the stream bathing two week old Kuryn as Hiro played in the water. Yokuro was cleaning the meat Kurama had begun craving at every meal.

A craving for meat however wasn't the only thing Kurama was obsessing about. The Youko was nesting in preparation for the birth of her kit. This was not the intense one day that Shina had spent making her nest the day before she delivered. No, Kurama had been cleaning and organizing for over a week now.

It had started when she spent three days cleaning and rearranging the tree house. When Kurama had almost fallen going up and down from the tree house Shina had insisted her parents move back into the den. She and Yokuro moved back upstairs to Yokuro's old room.

Kurama's cleaning and organizing had continued and the one's to suffer for it were Hiei and Kuronue. At first they had tried to help her but she chased them off most of the time. She did allow them to help when things were too heavy for her before chasing them away again.

They were also having trouble keeping their mate to a regular schedule. She wanted to eat often, day or night, and would eat mostly meat. Yokuro helped by hunting, but several times Hiei had been forced to leave her to get things she was craving from the Ningenkai. When she looked ready to drop from exhaustion they forced her to bed only to have her sneakout of bedif they dozed off.

Much as Shina had done, Kurama turned the bedroom into a jungle of futons, blankets, pillows, plants and flowers. Currently she was grouping all ningen plants separate from the Makai plants.

/Kuro, didn't she just mix all those plants up yesterday? I wonder how much longer she can do this without collapsing./ Hiei sat in a tree outside the den watching his mate with the jagon.

/I don't know Hiei but she better have that kit soon. Yukina didn't think she'd carry to a nine month ningen due date but her demon due date was last week./ Kurama appeared to have finished with her plants and looked like she was in search of food again. Hiei replaced the ward over the jagon and flitted to the den.

Kurama gave Hiei a sleepy grin when she saw him. "Hello My Love. I was just thinking of a snack and then a nap. Care to join me?"

Hiei tried not to show his surprise. /Hiei, did she just say she wanted a nap? This is new. We've had to practically sit on her to get her in bed for over a week now./

/I don't care what caused it, I'm not going to argue./ Hiei returned a light kiss then took her hand. "Let's go see if that meat Yokuro was working on is done."

In the yard was a large fire pit with logs around it. With all the fresh meat they had been cooking it seemed to be the fastest, easiest way to keep the Youko's cravings satisfied. Kurama sat on one of he logs as Hiei tested a skewer in the fire before handing it to her. Hungrily she devoured it and Hiei handed her another. "Mmm, this is just perfect Yokuro, thank you."

Yokuro couldn't help but smile at her. "You're welcome Mom. I used those new spices you wanted to try. I'm glad you like them."

A slightly wet Hiro slipped onto the log next to Kurama. "Nana, when is our other baby going to get here? I'm tired of waiting."

Laughing Kurama cuddled him to her side. "Me too Fox Boy. I think it will be soon though. Now give me a kiss, I'm going to take a nap."

Shina and Yokuro looked at her in shock as she kissed Hiro. "You're going to take a nap Mama? Without Daddy dragging you by the scruff?"

Kurama laughed again and stood to hug Shina and kiss baby Kuryn's soft cheek. "Yeah, I'm a bit surprised myself but I'm exhausted. Night everyone. Take me to bed Fire-Fly."

"Your wish is always my pleasure my Foxie-Kitten." With their arms around each other they went into the den.

With bedding covering the entire room Hiei waited for Kurama's lead on where they would sleep. When she was settled Hiei snuggled in next to her and wrapped her in his arm. He barely had time to kiss her before she fell into a deep sleep. He smiled, tucked his face into her neck before whispering to her. "Sleep well Fox."

Shina and Yokuro sat on the sofa watching Kuronue pace, his eyes never leaving the door to the bedroom. "Daddy, please come sit down. I'm sure Mama's fine. Aunt Yukina will tell us what's going as soon as she knows anything."

Yokuro stood and went to Kuronue's side. "Dad, Shina's right. You don't want to wear yourself out just when Mom's about to really need you."

Kuronue stopped and looked briefly at his children. "Even if I wasn't worried about my Foxie-Kitten I still have Hiei pacing and worrying in my head. There's no way I'll rest till this is over."

Just then Yukina came out of the bedroom. Before Kuronue could even ask she hurried to reassure him. "Kurama's fine. She just exhausted herself over the past week. What she's been doing is not uncommon in animal spirits."

Kuronue moved to the open bedroom door where he could watch Kurama sleep. "Yukina, she's been sleeping for three days. How much longer can this go on? Will she and the baby be okay? She hasn't eaten since she fell asleep."

Yukina tried to calm his fears. "She and the baby will be fine. Her body knew what to do. From what I hear she ate around the clock for over a week. She got the bedroom ready for the birth and now her body is resting in preparation for the delivery. From what I can tell it won't be much longer. All we can do now is wait."

Worried eye's turned to her. "Yukina… Hiei and I want to ask if you'll stay here until the baby's born? We want you close should our Fox need you."

Yukina put her hand on Kuronue's arm. "Oh Kuro of course I'll stay. When my brothers need me, I will always be here for you both."

Touched by her comment Kuronue knelt down to hug her. "Thank you Yukina."

Kurama slowly opened her eyes taking in her surroundings. Hiei was sleeping against a large pile of pillows, her head was resting in his lap. He had one hand in her hair absently rubbing her ear. The other had a hold of her tail as if he was afraid she would slip away. She smiled at how adorable he looked. Before she could decide if she should wake him, his eyes opened.

Hiei nearly jumped when he realized Kurama was awake. Before she could blink he had pulled her into his arms. "Kurama, are you alright?"

She squirmed a bit trying to breath in his tight embrace. "Koibito, I'm fine. I just took a little nap."

Kurama giggled at his shocked expression. "A little nap? Baby, you were asleep for four days."

It took her a moment to absorb what he had just said. When she did she blushed and looked sheepishly at him, realizing he must have been worried. "I guess I was a little tired. Fire-Fly, I'm sorry if I upset you."

He sighed and gave her a lingering kiss before answering. "As long as you and the baby are alright you can sleep as long as you like. I just wish you would have warned me. Are you hungry?"

With a sly grin she licked his chest. "Only for fire demon."

Playfully she nibbled up to his neck before she bit over the mark there. Hiei growled in pleasure before taking her by the arms. "Kurama, I don't think that's such a good idea this far along in your pregnancy."

There was a pretty pout on her lips as she looked at him from under her lashes. What ever she was about to say though was cut off by a gasp as her eyes opened wide in shock and she grabbed her stomach with one hand and clutched Hiei's arm with the other. Suddenly breathing hard, she turned startled eyes to him. "Hiei-Koi, I think it's time to send for Yukina."

Kurama was even more surprised when he didn't move, just turned his head to the door and shouted. "Yukina!"

Kurama couldn't help but laugh through her discomfort as four heads, one over the other, peeked into the room. From top to bottom were Yokuro, Shina, Yukina and Hiro's anxious faces. Yukina smiled when she saw Kurama's stressed condition. "See Brother, I told you the baby would be ready to come by the time she woke up."

Suddenly everyone was moving as if to a script. Yokuro checked on a sleeping baby Kuryn before taking off to inform the family. Hiro began bringing supplies into the room for Yukina. Shina went to boil fresh water. Even Hiei had a part, get Kurama changed and comfortable.

Helping her change was easy. Getting her settled and comfortable was a different matter. She changed the futons and pillows around three times before she was satisfied then spent several minutes deciding which sheet was softest and prettiest for her baby's birth. In the end what she made her the most comfortable was Hiei. Kurama snuggled with her back to his chest and his arms around her.

Kurama leaned back for a quick kiss. "Thank you Hiei-Koi, this is right where I want to be when our kit is born."

Within two hours Kurama's contractions began to come in regular and frequent intervals. Hiei tried everything to keep her happy but as things progressed it became harder. /Hiei, I know you want to be there when our kit is born, we both do, but maybe you should give me a turn. I think both you and Kurama could use a break. In a little while she'll get tired of me and we'll switch back./

Hiei reluctantly agreed and Kurama found herself in Kuronue's embrace. "Kiss me Foxie-Kitten, I missed you."

Kuronue got a quick kiss before her next contraction then Kurama turned tear filled eyes to him. "Hiei hates me doesn't he? All I've done is complain and he was being so sweet and patient with me."

"No Sweetheart, Hiei loves you, we both do. We just both want to be with you right now so we're taking turns. We've agreed that when the baby is actually born Hiei will be with you. Till then you just tell us what you want and we'll both take care of you." He barely finished before the next pain hit.

No one knew if the next few hours were rougher on Kurama or Hiei and Kuronue. No matter what she wanted one minute, the next minute she wanted the exact opposite. She got cold and wanted Hiei, then got hot and wanted Kuronue. She liked it when Hiei rubbed her neck then pushed him away because her back hurt and Kuronue rubbed her back better.

This went on until early evening when suddenly Yukina smiled at them. "This is it Kurama, I can see the head and lots of black hair."

Kuronue gave her a kiss. "I love you, Kurama. I'll see you and our kit in a little while."

"I love you too Kuro-Darling. I wish you could both be here with me." A kiss later she was in Hiei's arms.

Hiei looked determined as he kissed her. "I love you too Fox, now let's have a baby."