The twins had both fallen asleep, as had Kurama. Everyone had vacated the room so as not to disturb him. Only Shiori and Yukina remained. Neither said a word to the other, each one lost in her own thoughts.

Yukina stared at Takara. The little girl could cry tear gems. How was that possible? Kurama was a Fox Demon, plants and other aspects of Nature were his field. She hadn't inherited it from him. And Hiei…

She froze when she realized that she didn't even know what type of demon he was. It'd never occurred to her before. She furrowed her brow and went over everything she did know about him….

Shiori sat next to Kurama's bed, watching him sleep. His appearance had grown wan; the slow, slight rise and fall of his chest was the only way she knew he was still alive.

How strange life could be. She remembered how, when she'd been sick, he'd sit at her bedside and give her words of encouragement, even when her condition had grown very bad. Somehow, she'd made a miraculous recovery. Now the tables were turned, but her son was doomed. It wasn't fair.

Kurama stirred in his sleep, turning in the bed slightly and stretching. Part of the covers fell away, revealing a bare thigh. The lump in Shiori's throat grew larger when she saw the scars there from the Butcher's blade and cigarettes. She remembered how she'd promised to keep him from harm. What a stupid, foolish thing to promise!

A muffled noise attracted Yukina's attention to Shiori. The older woman had turned her back to the sleeping Fox, her body shaking as she sobbed. "Mrs. Hatanaka?"

"I'm sorry," Shiori said in a thick voice. "I- I think I need some air." She headed for the door.

"Mrs. Hatanaka, wait." She knew she should probably leave her be, but her curiosity persisted. "Mrs. Hatanaka." Shiori turned around. "What do you know about Hiei?"

"What?" She wiped her eyes. "Only what Suichi has told me."

"What did he tell you?"

She was in no mood for such trivial questions, but something in Yukina's expression made her understand that this was important. "He told me that Hiei had been abandoned as a child and grew up as a criminal. He said Hiei learned martial arts and swordsmanship to get by, and that he had a third eye and some sort of 'Darkness Flame' or something along those lines…." Kurama had eventually told her many things about Hiei, but she didn't know what it was that Yukina wanted to hear.

Yukina chewed the inside of her cheek. "Did Kurama ever say anything about where Hiei came from? Anything about a family?"

"No… oh, wait." She remembered now. "He did say something about a mother. She was some sort of apparition… ice. Yes, I remember. Suichi said she was an ice apparition."

All the color drained out of Yukina's already fair face, and she could hear her heart skip a beat. "Oh," she said in a quiet voice, trying to keep her hands from shaking. "Th- Thank you, Mrs. Hatanaka." She quickly turned away. "I, um, I shouldn't be here right now. I'll leave you with him in peace." Not giving Shiori a chance to reply, Yukina quickly left the room.

A small noise made Shiori look at the ground. Yukina had dropped something. She bent down to pick it up. A Hiruseki stone.

She blinked, and for the first time really looked at her grandchildren. Earlier, she had heard Yusuke tell her son that Takara was crying tear gems. That's what ice apparitions did. She stared at the Hiruseki stone. Yukina had cried that. Her hair, the same color as the streaks in Takara's. Those eyes. Until now, she'd only seen eyes like that in the pictures Kurama had of Hiei…

She gasped when it dawned on her. Kurama had never mentioned Hiei having any siblings. Could it be, because no one was supposed to know that he did? If that were the case… "That poor girl," she said softly, forgetting her own problems for a moment. She looked down at the sleeping babies and gave them a sad little smile. The pair were beautiful, a given, she supposed, considering the appearances of their parents. Parents they'd grow up without. "You poor dears," she murmured.

"HOLY SHIT!" She frowned when she heard the rude outburst. It sounded like it came from outside. The owner of the voice, she was pretty sure, was Kuwabara.

The first shout was followed by a second one, just as loud as the first. She didn't recognize it. "Quit staring at me, baka!" it growled. "Where's Kurama?"

Kuwabara stood there, eyes wide, mouth open, unable to conjure any words. Almost everyone else displayed similar reactions, completely bewildered.

Hiei glowered at them. "Are you deaf?" he snarled impatiently. "Where is he?" As he said this he became aware of a new, wailing sound.

"Well," Shizuru said, "he and the babies were sleeping. But I'm not sure if that's the case anymore."

"Hn." The fire demon stormed past them, following the sound of the infants. He passed Yukina, who'd come outside, on his way. He didn't even notice her, too wrapped up in the fact that he was about to see Kurama in person after all this time. Yukina stared after him, completely stunned.

Kazuya and Suichi watched everyone, confused by their behavior. "Who was that?" Kazuya asked. Neither he nor his son had ever seen the pictures of Hiei, so they had no idea of what he looked like.

"That was… Hiei," Yusuke managed.

He blinked. "Suichi's Hiei? The father? I thought he was dead?"

"He is, or was, or- this is weird. Botan, do you have any clue what's going on?"

She shook her head. "I don't. Yukina, what's wrong?" The ice maiden looked as though she may collapse. Her inquiry went without an answer.

Hiei quickly found the room. A woman, Kurama's human mother, was trying to console a pair of screaming children. His children. A strange feeling came over him….

Then he saw Kurama, and the feeling was gone. His stomach knotted up and his blood ran cold. He clenched his fists and walked to the bedside. Kurama looked so frail, as though he would shatter into pieces if Hiei moved wrong. The Jaganshi swallowed, feeling ill, and sank to his knees. Hand trembling, he reached out and stroked his Fox's face, brushing aside soft red locks. Warm. He was alive… for now.

Shiori stared, unsure of what was happening. She recognized the newcomer to be Hiei, but knew he shouldn't be there. "W-What are you doing?" she asked nervously. He paid her no attention. "Don't take him away," she begged. "Please don't take him away yet."

He looked at her, then at the doorway where an audience had assembled. "Hn. Why would I? I want him to stay here. Taking him away," he pointed at Botan, "is her job."

A soft groan drew his attention back to Kurama. The Fox was waking up. Emerald eyes opened wide when their owner recognized who was kneeling beside him. "Hiei?"

Hiei flinched; Kurama's voice was very faint. "Yes, Fox. Hiei. Koenma told me I could come. But I have to go back at dawn." Then he narrowed his eyes. "Hn, I assumed that when I pushed you out of the way it meant you'd live out a full life," he said reproachfully. "Yet you turn around and do something stupid like this!" He was vaguely aware of tears running down his face while he covered the redhead's face in kisses. "Damn you!" he swore. "Damn Kitsune!" Shoulders shaking, he hid his face in the crook of the other's neck, breathing in the scent of Kurama's hair- floral mixed with sweat. It'd always smelt this way after they made love. Before, it had been intoxicating. Now though, he didn't know what to think of it. "Children be damned," he said. "I don't want you to die."

Kurama gave a soft sigh and rubbed his head against Hiei's. "Too late for any objections," he murmured. "It's already done."

The Koorime gave a hollow laugh. "Yes, brilliant decision. Die for the children, so they may grow up alone."

"They won't be," he said, suspecting he knew where Hiei was getting at. "My family won't abandon them." At least, he hoped they wouldn't.

"They can't raise them," Hiei argued. "They're humans; they know nothing about raising demons."

"We'll see to it they learn to control their youki," Genkai said, overhearing their discussion.

Kurama smiled. "You see? They won't be alone."

"Hn." He supposed that he should be reassured by the fact his children would be accommodated for.

"Have you seen them yet?" He shook his head. "You should." Hiei didn't budge. He didn't want to leave Kurama. "Go see them," Kurama said insistently. "Please. For me."

He heaved a sigh. "Fine." Hiei tore himself from the Fox's side and followed Genkai to the babies. Shiori stared at him numbly for a moment, then collected her senses and stepped out of his way. He looked into the babies' bed. The twins had stopped crying, both gazing up at him, completely silent save for a coo or gurgle here and there.

Hiei was at a loss for words. He had to admit, on his way to the Temple he'd half a mind to hate them, holding them responsible for Kurama's death. Now he looked at them and knew he couldn't. Two harmless, helpless infants- they'd done nothing wrong. Absently, he reached down and stroked the hair that already covered their heads in thick, fluffy tufts.

A hand came up and grasped one of his fingers. Emerald eyes stared into his, and he couldn't help but smile. This one had a good grip. He squeezed back a little.

Something came in contact with his arm; the other one had kicked him. Blood-red eyes glared at him, as though to say: 'I refuse to be ignored'. His smile grew a little wider.

"What are their names?" he asked softly.

"Takara." Genkai pointed to the girl. "Takashi." This time she pointed to the boy.

The Jaganshi nodded. "Hn." He was unsure of what names he would have chosen, but trusted Kurama's judgment.

That strange feeling came back again- a combination of grief and joy. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and if he did, which should he do for what?

"Guys," Shizuru said, "we should probably go. I don't think they feel like being an exhibit."

Yusuke and Kuwabara hesitated. Here they were, all four of the Reikai Tantei, in the same room… for probably the last time. "Go on," Kurama encouraged. "Go home and sleep. I'll be here when you come back." They nodded uncertainly. Then the two looked at Hiei. The Koorime stared back, unblinking, then gave a slight nod- his good-bye. They nodded in return, and then left the room without looking back.

Kazuya watched his step-son's friends leave, and then noticed Suichi yawn. "Perhaps we should go home too and sleep- only for a little while" he added, seeing the expression on Shiori's face. "It's been a trying night." She made an inaudible noise and went outside. "It's still sinking in, I think," he said to Kurama. "I'll talk to her." The Fox nodded, looking troubled. "We'll come back later tom- well, later today technically, I promise." He gripped Kurama's shoulder, and then he and Suichi left.

"We're still taking care of the babies, aren't we?" Suichi asked worriedly.

"Of course. They're a part of our family."

Shiori was already in the car. The drive home was dead silent until they were almost all the way home. "It's sad," Kazuya said thoughtfully. "He's too young. But maybe we're looking at this the wrong way."

"What?" He cringed at his wife's icy tone.

"I didn't mean it that way," he said quickly. "I was just thinking... remember how he was those few weeks before we found out the truth? He was fading away, and wouldn't let anyone near him. But then he got all excited over those babies, and we really got to know him." Shiori didn't comment, but he could tell she was listening.

"But think what would have happened if he had aborted them. You heard him in there, what he said he was planning. This is just my opinion, but I think that, had he aborted them, we would have lost him before we even knew what was wrong."

She stared at him, and then focused her gaze on the passing objects outside the window. Kazuya sighed and pulled into the driveway.

Everyone went their separate ways. Suichi to his room, Kazuya to the room he shard with Shiori, and Shiori herself to Kurama's room. He debated whether or not to follow her, but decided it vest to leave her alone right now.

He looked at the clock. They'd been up for nearly twenty-four hours. And he doubted they'd be sleeping anytime soon either.

Hiei rolled over, turning his head to one side. Still the annoying light shone through his closed eyelids, making his see red.

Light? He opened his eyes, immediately squinting them due to the glare. Dawn… he was late. "Damn," he muttered.

The one next to him sighed and curled against him. He looked down and frowned. Death was wasting no time settling into Kurama's body. The Fox had grown wan and very still. He leaned down, resting his head against his lover's chest. There was a faint heartbeat. He forced a half-smile and kissed Kurama's lips. "I'll see you again very soon," he said sadly.

The Jaganshi got off the bed and covered up Kurama so he wouldn't get cold. He was about to leave when a soft noise sidetracked him. 'Oh no,' he thought. 'Please don't. He'll wake up.' Hiei trudged over to the babies and tried to shush them. It didn't work. They continued to cry, nearing to point of wailing. "Shh…" he tired, though they didn't appear to be listening.

He looked worriedly over at Kurama. The Fox was still asleep. Hiei chewed on his lip, and then got an idea. He scooped up both children, gently rocking them in an attempt to soothe them, and went out into the hall. "Genkai?" he called uncertainly. "Yukina?" Was either of them even up?

"What?" The psychic appeared, still in her robe. "You're still here?" Her gaze rested on the crying infants Hiei had.

"Help me!" he pleaded.

Genkai smirked. "Follow me, Dad."

Several minutes later Hiei found himself with a bottle in one hand and a ravenous child in the other. Takashi quickly accepted the offer, suckling at the nipple greedily. "You should support his head more," Genkai told him, demonstrating with Takara. He nodded, feeling stupid. She and Kurama had both told him that last night. The Fox would breastfeed one twin- an interesting sight, but obviously embarrassing for him- while he sat next to him and bottle fed the other. Hiei had felt so clumsy, cursing himself for not knowing how to properly handle his own children.

"He claims he doesn't feel a thing," he said solemnly, "but is he in any pain at all?"

"I doubt it. I think he's too tired to fell pain."

"Hn." He hoped that was true.

Takashi drained his bottle. "Here." Genkai handed him a rag. "Put that over your shoulder." He did, curious as to why. After performing the instructions that followed, however, he did. He clumsily wiped his son's mouth free of all spit-up.

The Sun already hung above the trees when the children had finally fallen back asleep. Hiei replaced them in their bed, and checked on Kurama one more time. Still as he'd left him. He kissed the Kitsune again, and then placed a kiss on the foreheads of both his children. "Don't let the Ningens get to you," he said softly. Then he left.

He was halfway down the steps when it happened. "WAIT!" someone shouted form behind him. Hiei turned. Yukina was running down the steps toward him.

She tripped, and would have landed face-flat on the ground had Hiei not caught her.

"Are you okay?" he asked, wondering at her behavior.

She pulled away and glared at him, lip quivering. "Why didn't you ever tell me?" she demanded.

Hiei widened his eyes. "What?"

"All that time I was looking, why didn't you tell me that you were my brother!"

He tensed, and then looked away. "Some has misinformed you," he said quietly. "I'm not who you're searching for."

"Quit lying!" she exclaimed. "Kurama's mother told me that he told her that your mother was an apparition. I only know of one male born from an ice apparition. My brother."

Damn Fox. "She must be mistaken."

"Then how come your baby cries tear gems?" she asked in a thick voice.

"What?"

"Your baby girl cries tear gems. She has to be part Koorime. How can that be, unless you're my brother?"

Only now did it occur to him that though Rikou had made a lot of noise when wanting attention, he'd never seen her shed any actual tears. "What do you want from me?"

"I WANT YOU TO TELL ME THE TRUTH!" Yukina screamed. "All I wanted was to find my brother! To get to know him! You knew I was looking for my brother, why didn't you tell me I'd already found him!" She broke into sobs. Hiei flinched when he heard the clatter of Hiruseki stones hitting the ground. Why did he have to make her cry?

The fire demon took a deep breath. "I'm not who you want."

"Stop it! Stop lying! I know you're my brother!"

"It's not that," he said quickly. "No, not that. I am a criminal. I couldn't be there for you, at least not up close." He shrugged and turned away. "Due to the life I led, I couldn't be your brother."

"But you wanted to be?" she asked hopefully.

He pursed his lips together, then closed his eyes and nodded. "Yes. But it didn't work out that way. I had to be content just knowing you were safe and happy." He lifted his head and stared into her eyes. "But you can end your search now. Your brother is dead." He hesitated, and then wrapped her in an awkward embrace. "Good-bye, sister."

Yukina just stood there, paralyzed with shock. She wasn't even aware of her brother letting go and walking away.

By the time she managed to snap out of it, Hiei was long gone.