Okay, first off I need to explain a bit about Mukuro. I always make her come off way bitchier then I intend to. Basically, the relationship between her, the demon lord, and Hiei, her heir, is kind of like that in a feudal society. As her heir, Hiei has pledged his allegiance to her and given his word to come and fight for her whenever she calls upon him. Granted their relationship was quite a bit looser then this due to their being friends, she still expected him to honor the agreement and come when asked. Add to that the stress of having been under siege for months on end and you get her attitude. I guess I didn't quite get that point across but I hope you all understand now and know she's not just a bitch and I never intended to make her seem that way.

Also, I'm not trying to drag this story out on purpose or anything, but I don't feel comfortable skipping increments of time any larger than a month. It just makes me feel like I've missed too much. So bare with me, we will eventually get to the birth of the child, I promise. ON WITH THE FIC!

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Kurama sat on the couch, waiting for his mother to arrive. He had called her some time ago, wondering if she'd like to stop by for a visit. Unbeknownst to her, he had an ulterior motive. Put simply: Hiei. The half-Koorime had fallen into a mild depression and no matter what Kurama did he couldn't seem to bring him out of it.

After the incident with Mukuro, Kurama had grown worried about his mate and what consequences this depression could have on their child and so had been showering the fire demon in love and affection in an attempt to bring him out of it. Despite this, a month had passed and Hiei was gloomier than ever. Now deeply concerned, Kurama had decided he needed a new approach. Then, last night, it had dawned on him. Perhaps what Hiei needed was love of a different kind, a type of love Kurama couldn't give him.

The redhead sighed and reclined on the couch as the clock struck seven. Everyone else seemed so happy. Yusuke and Keiko were busy with marriage plans. Kuwabara was courting Yukina more and more and seemed to be finally making his feelings clear to the innocent Koorime, who returned his emotions full force. Even Kurama sometimes found himself in higher spirits then perhaps he should be with Hiei's current state.

He sometimes felt guilty when he caught himself feeling so happy and carefree when Hiei was sunken into what appeared to be a permanent despair. Still, the fox couldn't help but feel giddy at the thought that he would soon be a father. The smells that now surrounded Hiei, the scents of pregnancy and Hiei's smoke and pine, were intoxicating. He couldn't take a breath without his heart swelling up like a balloon. The child wasn't even born yet and already he was madly, fiercely in love with it. He was dragged from his thoughts by a knock on the door. Answering it he smiled at his mother.

"Kaasan," he greeted her, accepting the hug she offered as she stepped through the door. "How are Kazuya and Suichi?" he asked as he pulled away.

"Fine," she smiled as she removed their shoes. Kurama had not seen or spoken to either of them in some time, though his mother assured him she had informed them both about his past and Hiei and they both accepted it. Despite her reassurance, he felt it best to let them make the next move and keep his distance until then.

"Oh musuko-chan, you look so much better," she praised him, beaming at his once again healthy appearance. He laughed and agreed, guiding her to the couch. They talked aimlessly for a while. When all the light topics had been exhausted, she gave him a slightly more serious look.

"Come now, Shuichi. I know you didn't call me over here just to discuss my job and the weather. What's bothering you?" She laid a hand on his knee, staring deep into emerald orbs. He smiled somewhat sheepishly.

"Actually," he admitted, "I was hoping you might be willing to talk with Hiei."

(xxx)

Hiei stared at the ceiling moodily. He lay in the bed, the wrinkled blankets about his waist. He felt drained, more exhausted then he could ever remember being. It was a strange feeling really, being too tired even to sleep. It made him restless and irritable. That coupled with the already high level of irritability brought on by the pregnancy made him sometimes wonder how the fox could put up with him at all. Speaking of the fox…

That human mother of his had entered the apartment some time ago. Hiei knew better than to waste his energy using the Jagan to watch them, but he could smell her from here. It didn't take a fox's nose to sniff out a human, especially that human. Her scent was different from the polluted, metallic smell of industry most humans held. She was cleaner, more like a forest after a rain storm. It was no wonder the fox had picked her. Given the choice between her and the rest of the filthy humans, he probably would have chosen her as well.

That wasn't to say that all humans were so dirty. Yusuke, though only half human, did carry a few human scents. His smells of industrialization, however, were dulled by sweat and hair gel. Kuwabara held the scent of sweat too, but also a much stronger perfume of something unidentifiable, yet undoubtedly pure and strong. And Kurama, well…Hiei was well acquainted with his unique smell.

Crimson orbs flew to the door as the human woman's scent grew stronger, followed shortly by a soft knock.

"Hiei?" she called tentatively. "May I come in?" He frowned, wondering why she wanted to see him. Kurama wasn't with her. Judging by his energy signal he had remained in the living room.

"Hiei?" her voice came again. He sat up, glaring at the door. He didn't wish to talk to her, but no doubt his fox was behind her desire to see him and he wouldn't disappoint Kurama.

"Come in," he grunted gruffly, glaring off to the side as she entered. He heard her gasp as she took him in fully and suddenly felt his face flush with embarrassment. The child had grown significantly in the last month, his swollen abdomen now painfully obvious and difficult to hide. He hunched over slightly, wrapping his arms around his stomach in an attempt to make it less noticeable. His head jerked around when he heard light laughter. He glared at the woman who dared find his current situation funny.

"I'm sorry," she waved a hand in apology when she saw his look, her laughter dissolving to a simple smile. "It's just…cute how modest you are." He grunted, narrowing his eyes slightly. She only continued to smile, walking forward until she stood by the bed. He watched her wearily, as though he expected her to attack at any moment.

"So distrustful," she mused, once again catching his look. "What have I done to earn such a hateful look? If you tell me, I'd be glad to correct it." Hiei hastily looked away, suddenly feeling ashamed for treating Kurama's mother with such hostility.

"You've done nothing," he muttered. 'But that doesn't mean you won't,' he thought bitterly, thinking of Mukuro. Shiori picked up on his sudden mood change and thought it best to change the subject. Casting about for something to say she didn't miss it when Hiei suddenly flinched.

"Are you alright?" she asked, worried. He merely grunted, wincing again.

"Settle down," he growled in a low tone and it took Shiori a moment to realize he wasn't talking to her. She smiled warmly. Her grandchild was kicking.

"May I?" she asked hesitantly, sitting on the bed and extending a hand halfway to the bulge in the half-Koorime's middle. Hiei eyed her in surprise, at first not sure of what she was asking. He seemed reluctant to let her touch him and she began to withdraw her hand fearing she had crossed some unspoken line. She couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. It was her grandchild after all. She would have liked to feel it.

This time it was Hiei who recognized her emotions. He caught her retreating wrist, careful to be gentle and not harm her. She looked up but he refused to meet her gaze, ruby orbs focused on his stomach. Resting her palm against his inflated midriff, he guided her hand until he reached the right spot. Nothing happened for a moment, and then she felt a light tap against her palm. Thrilled at the sensation she couldn't help but laugh, several more taps hitting her palm. Hiei removed his hand from her wrist, trying to suppress a smile. How could such a small thing have made her so happy? And why did her happiness make him feel better as well?

When a few long moments had passed and the kicks ceased she removed her hand, knowing he wouldn't want to be touched any longer than he had to be. Turning, she beamed at him and managed to catch his eye before he could look away. A look of confusion crossed his features at the ecstatic look on her face and the tears brimming in her eyes.

"Thank you," she whispered. He wasn't sure how to respond. Thank you for what? For letting her feel the kicks, or was it for something more? Before he could ponder the question any further, however, he was suddenly caught in her embrace. It was the same as when Rui had held him. He was uncomfortable, yet could not push her away.

"You truly are amazing," she whispered softly, never loosening her hold. "You've been through so much and still are so innocent, so untainted. You bring my son such joy. I don't think you even realize the full extent of it. And now you're to give me a grandchild too. Don't ever think you're not good enough for anyone. You're more than good enough, I promise." Suddenly she was shoved away, nearly toppling off the bed.

"What nonsense are you babbling?" he spat, a look torn between anger and despair in his crimson eyes. "Innocent. Untainted. Good enough. You have no idea what you're talking about!"

"I know what others have led you to believe, and I know it isn't true," she replied calmly, not at all upset at having been treated so roughly.

"You know nothing about me!" he cried. She didn't flinch, didn't look angry or scared as so many before her had. She merely regarded him as calmly as Kurama ever could.

"Shuichi has told me enough," she replied. "You are innocent, Hiei. You wouldn't have grasped my hand so gently or allowed me to touch you like that if you weren't. That's the beauty about you. You seem to live up to everyone's expectations of you on the surface, but you're really nothing like that at all." She reached out to touch his cheek and he growled and leaned back out of reach.

"Again, you know nothing about it," he replied. His voice had lost its volume but none of its venom.

"Again, I have heard enough from Shuichi." She smiled at him, eyes locking with his red wine gaze. "He adores you, you know. I've never heard him go on about anyone the way he talks about you. He was an absolute mess when you were gone. You're his world, Hiei. Anyone who means so much to my son can't be all bad." She touched his hand and this time he didn't move away. He stared back at her silently, his gaze so soft with the barest hint of confusion that he truly did resemble a lost child.

"Why are you telling me all this?" he asked quietly, his voice barely a whisper. Again she smiled.

"That mark on your neck," she pointed and automatically Hiei's free hand came up to touch it. "Shuichi told me about it, about what it means."

"So?" Hiei wondered aloud, unsure what his being mated with Kurama had to do with anything.

"The way Shuichi explained it, mating is like human marriage. Correct?"

"Yes," Hiei answered hesitantly, still unsure as to where this was leading.

"We have a custom here it the Ningenkai, Hiei. When a person marries another, they become part of that other person's family. They're usually referred to by this other person's family as 'daughter-in-law' or 'son-in-law'. Since there is no 'law' binding you two together, at least not in the human sense, I was hoping I could just call you 'son'."

Hiei blinked, stunned. Had she just…asked to be…his mother? He opened his mouth, but closed it again. His eyes dropped to the hand she still rested on his, then back up to her warm, caring eyes. He took several deep breaths before he found any semblance of his voice again.

"How do I know….you won't…" he couldn't bring himself to finish the thought. His eyes dropped to the sheets between them, his heart racing in uncertainty. He felt a gentle pressure on his cheek as she laid her hand there. Understanding her unspoken request he obediently looked up. He was stunned to find tears in her eyes.

"Hiei, I will never abandon you the way you have been before, I promise you. You may not think a promise means much, but it's all I can give you. I can tell you, however, that I never break a promise."

He felt so unsure. He wanted so badly to trust her, but still a part of him didn't want to take the chance. Then again, she had never left Kurama. Even after he had told her the truth, an event that even the fox had feared would cause her to leave, she had stayed by his side. Perhaps she was trustworthy. He looked into her shimmering eyes, his own eyes stinging with moisture that he refused to let fall. This feeling, this need to trust her and love her as a mother, he had felt it before. Rui had gotten this reaction out of him, but she had been too blinded by her guilt. Mukuro had been granted this affection, but she was too preoccupied with her duties and her kingdom. Shiori…Shiori had no regrets towards him…no other responsibilities strong enough to come between them. Three times's the charm. That was the human saying right?

"So," she pulled him from his thoughts. "Will you accept? Will you be my musuko-chan?" He swallowed, still unsure. It was such a risk, but then love always involved risks, didn't it? Meeting her gaze a final time, he tried to keep his voice from shaking as he spoke.

"Only if…that's what you want……Kaasan," he whispered almost too low to be heard. Half crying, half laughing Shiori drew him into her arms, and this time he returned the hug.

Kurama smiled from the doorway where he had silently watched the scene unfold. Sometimes a person needed the love and reassurance only a mother could give, and Hiei was no exception.