Recap: Kuronue explains the "in-between" to Hiei... Hiei decides he'd rather remain in the "in-between" than "abandon" Kurama and the children... And now comes the chapter where the state of said children are revealed... do enjoy, and please review if you have the chance
Genkai came out of the bedroom. "He may have a headache for a few days," she told Kazuya and Shiori, "but he'll be fine otherwise." She looked over to the couch. "Now it's your turn."
The Yoko nodded, not batting an eye. He had insisted the psychic tend to his family first before worrying about him. Thankfully, no one had been seriously hurt. "Perhaps we should go upstairs," he said, glancing at his mother. He didn't want her to see his injuries, at least not until after they were addressed to.
"Whatever suits you."
"But Genkai will need someone to help her," Kuwabara said.
"Fine," the Fox said dejectedly. He would allow Yusuke and Kuwabara to watch. Botan had left to report to Koenma about the Mushiyori Butcher. Kurama put his foot down, however, when Shiori tried to follow. "No. You've been through too much tonight. Go rest."
She eyed him reluctantly. "Suichi, I want to be with you if- if anything happens…."
Kurama smiled and brushed his tail against her, a sign of affection displayed among Fox Spirits. "I'll be fine. Don't lose sleep over it. Good night." He gave another reassuring smile, then went upstairs to his room. "Shut the door," he said after his companions came in. Yusuke obeyed.
It took a moment, but his hair rapidly darkened from silver to red, his eyes from amber to green, while his height decreased. When the transformation was completed, and the Yoko's essence exchanged for Suichi's, he collapsed onto the floor.
They recoiled at the sight. Kurama's body was covered in ugly bruises, cuts, and dried blood. When they moved him to the bed Yusuke nearly dropped him upon seeing the wounds on the redhead's belly. "What the! What did he do to you! Are you okay?" Kurama groaned an inaudible reply.
Genkai furrowed her brow. "Lie on your back," she told him. Kurama lay still while she felt about his belly, afraid of what she may tell him. He himself was too tired to sense anything right now.
"How are they?" he muttered worriedly.
Silence for a moment. Then, "I sense them. They're fine." He sighed and nodded. They were fine. Good. It was still worth it. After hearing that piece of news, he let his mind zone out while they washed and tended his injuries. Genkai had to shake him to rouse him enough so he could comprehend her directions on how to care for the wounds. Once he'd proven to her that he understood by repeating the directions three times, she was satisfied and let him go to sleep.
No one was surprised to see Shiori still awake, waiting nervously downstairs. "The babies are okay," Genkai said before she could ask. "Kurama, on the other hand, will need some looking after. I'd suggest keeping him in bed until the twins are born. He'll need his bandages changed regularly and his wounds kept clean, and he'll be sore for awhile."
"O-Okay," she stammered. "May I see him?" The psychic nodded, and Shiori went upstairs while the other three showed themselves out.
Kurama was sleeping soundly when Shiori came in. She hesitated, not wanting to disturb him in any way. Concern for him won though, and she carefully lifted the bedcovers, revealing her son's naked, beaten body. Numb, she took a step back, feeling as though she may cry. Biting her lip, she knelt down and kissed his forehead. "I'll never let anything bad ever happen to you again," she whispered to him. Knowing Kazuya would be missing her soon, she checked him over one more time, and then returned downstairs.
When he heard her leave, Kurama sat up and stared at the door. He sighed and shook his head. 'Don't make promises that are impossible to keep, Mother,' he thought sadly.