So sorry for the long wait on the update. I've had so much homework this week. One good thing though, we're starting our unit on Japan in Geography. Finally, a unit I care about! Although, I must say that if my teacher keeps butchering the names of the islands I might just have to go have a talk with her. :P Oh well, anyway, this chapter is just some more cuteness for everyone. I know you're all wondering about Anei, but remember: this is a series and he said he could wait for revenge (hint hint). But don't worry, you won't have to wait THAT long, I promise. He'll be back, far too soon.
This is just a cute Hiei/Yukina centered chapter. (And now a short word from our sponsor.) And for more cute little Hiei/Yukina –ness check out my new fic "Harmful Hiccups." It's just a short, slightly funny little thing I wrote up last weekend about Yukina and the hiccups and yeah, just go read it and tell me what you think. Okay, enough of me blowing my own horn. ON WITH THE FIC!
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Hiei's eyes widened slightly as he took in the quantity of food his mate had set on the breakfast table. Two stacks of pancakes, a tower of French Toast, row upon row of breakfast sausages, a mountain of bacon, more eggs than a hen could lay in a year, and a multitude of rivers, lakes, and oceans of syrup decorated the table. He shot the redhead a suspiciously look as he sat down.
"Now you're just fattening me up," he muttered. Then he added, "Though for what I don't know." Kurama laughed.
"Why, to eat you of course," he said easily. Hiei gave him a blank stare which only caused the fox to laugh once more.
"I just wanted to make sure you have a good breakfast," Kurama said when the laughter had subsided. Hiei continued to stare at him for a moment before turning to the food and beginning to load his plate. Kurama smiled as he watched the half-Koorime.
It was true; he had wanted to make sure Hiei ate well this morning. Today marked six months and the last month of Hiei's second trimester. They had agreed to, from this month onward, have monthly checkups by Genkai until the pregnancy was up. Today was the first of these appointments and Kurama was anxious that everything go smoothly. After all they had been through he didn't know if he or his mate could handle it if anything was wrong.
Kurama couldn't suppress a giggle as a fat drop of syrup glided down Hiei's chin, making the demon look very much like a child. Hiei glared at him and dragged the back of his hand across the spot.
"Hiei," Kurama scolded, holding back more laughter. Taking the fire demon's syrup covered hand he wiped it with a napkin. Hiei continued to glare, though perhaps not as harshly.
"I don't need to be babied, Kurama," he said through a mouthful of sausage. "Save that for our child."
"But I need to practice on someone," Kurama smiled at him. Hiei growled slightly. Kurama only smiled wider but didn't bother Hiei again about his table manners for the remainder of the meal. When Hiei had finally sated his nearly insatiable appetite, Kurama cleared the dishes before joining his mate once more at the table.
"Hiei, there's something I want to discuss with you before we go to Genkai's," Kurama said seriously. Hiei blinked.
"Anything, fox," he said, sitting up a little straighter in his chair.
"It's about Yukina," Kurama began. Hiei narrowed his eyes but Kurama continued before the fire demon could interrupt. "Just listen for a minute. Hiei, it's been six months. She'll already be upset we waited this long to tell her. We can't keep it from her much longer. We were lucky to have avoided her last time, but I doubt we'll be so lucky again. If she sees you there's no hiding it," Kurama extended a hand to rest against Hiei's prominent belly. "As Genkai said, she's a smart girl. She's bound to figure it out. Besides," he gave Hiei a sly smile, "you know you still haven't returned her teargem."
Hiei glared at the redhead for a moment before pushing his chair back from the table, sliding out of Kurama's reach. Kurama sighed.
"Hiei don't be mad," he tried to consol the angry half-Koorime.
"I've told you before not to push me to tell her," Hiei muttered darkly, not looking at the fox.
"I wasn't pushing," Kurama objected. "I was just stating the facts." Kurama tried to reach for the fire demon again but he stood up, turning his back on the fox. Kurama sighed again. Fighting with the normally stubborn demon was hard enough. He didn't need these damned hormones to make it harder.
"Hiei, why are you so insecure when it comes to her?" Kurama stood but stayed where he was, not approaching Hiei.
"I'm not the brother she imagines or deserves." The half-Koorime's voice was so quiet Kurama almost didn't hear it. "She should have a brother who can love her and take care of her, not a criminal and a murderer. She could never be happy with me."
"Don't say that," Kurama took a few steps forward, gently draping his arms around Hiei in a light hug. He was relieved when the fire demon didn't pull away. "You do love her and you do take care of her. Isn't that way you had the Jagan implanted in the first place? To watch over her and protect her?" Hiei didn't answer. Kurama tightened his hold slightly.
"As for her not being happy with you…" Kurama dropped his head to rest on his mate's shoulder, his hands roaming his swollen abdomen. "I'm more than happy with you, Quickfire. And you know Shiori feels the same." Kurama laughed lightly as he felt a light tap against his palm. "And if that's any indication I think our child is perfectly happy with you as well." He kissed Hiei's cheek, drawing the half-Koorime as close to him as possible.
"You have a mate, a child, and a now a mother too. Why won't you let yourself have a sister?" the redhead whispered quietly. Hiei's reply was so low Kurama wondered if he hadn't merely imagined the words.
"Perhaps it's time I did."
(xxx)
"Everything seems normal," Genkai announced when she had finished her examination. Kurama smiled, obviously relieved. Hiei said nothing but couldn't help but feel as though a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
"Do you want to know the gender?" Genkai asked as she stepped back, allowing the half-Koorime to close the white kimono he had been given to wear. It was almost strange, seeing the normally gothic demon in pure white. It made his skin look much more tan than usual and his eyes stood out like twin burning embers against a snow backdrop.
"We want to wait," Kurama answered simply. Genkai nodded in understanding.
"Thought of any names yet?" she wondered, the conversation merging from business to idle chit chat. Not that either demon minded.
"No, not yet," Kurama shook his head. In truth, he had considered a few names but had ultimately disregarded them. They hadn't seemed...right somehow. When they found the right name, they would know.
"What about the apartment? I thought you were looking for a house," Genkai sat down, reaching for the tea she had prepaired earlier. Tea, both demons had learned, was an almost omnipresent item around the old psychic.
"We are," Kurama nodded. "They're all just…" he trailed off, trying to find the right words.
"Not far enough from the city?" she supplied, a knowing glint in her eye. Kurama smiled back.
"That's one way to put it, yes." Both he and Hiei had agreed that a house in the woods surrounding the city, away from prying eyes, would be ideal. Even Hiei, however, realized it would become inconvenient if they strayed too far from the metropolis. A house within those criteria was hard to find. The few that were for sale were outlandishly priced. It wasn't that the demons couldn't afford it. But for Kurama, who had been raised to learn the value of money, it was almost painful to pay that much for a house. So, they were still in the market, as the saying goes.
"So then, you've decided to stay with us here in the Ningenkai? What about Mukuro?" Genkai turned her gaze on Hiei. Hiei's face was an emotionless blank slate.
"A child is safer here in Ningenkai than in Makai," Hiei said. He paused. "Mukuro knows of my choice."
Kurama eyed his mate with something akin to nervousness in his eyes. Turning to Genkai he stood and bowed, politely excusing them. He paused at the door, Hiei waiting just outside.
"Genkai, do you know where we might find Yukina?" the redhead asked. Genkai looked up, surprised by the question. Then she smiled gently and addressed Hiei, though it was the fox who had asked.
"She's with Kuwabara. They're walking in the woods. I'm sure you can find them easily enough."
Kurama thanked her before he closed the door. Hiei started for the woods, Kurama close behind. He watched his raven haired mate silently, trying to gage his mood. After a few moments he decided a more direct method was in order.
"Quickfire, are you alright?" Kurama laid his hand gently on the smaller demon's shoulder.
"I'm fine, fox," Hiei replied curtly, though he didn't shrug the hand off.
"You know," Kurama began softly, "it's been two months. I'm sure if you contacted her—" Kurama cut himself off as Hiei shot him a warning glare. The fox sighed and lapsed into silence, letting his mate lead him to where he sensed his sister's energy.
Soon they could hear Kuwabara talking rather loudly and not long after caught a glimpse through the trees of the much taller man gesticulating to the petite Koorime. Making eye contact for barely a moment, both demons understood what was expected of the other. In a flash Hiei was gone. Once the half-Koorime was out of sight, Kurama stepped through the trees.
"Oh, Kurama," Yukina saw him first, smiling brightly. Kurama returned the smile.
"Hey Kurama," Kuwabara greeted the redhead. "What are you doing out here?"
"Genkai sent me to find you," Kurama lied smoothly. "She wishes to speak with you, Kuwabara." Kuwabara groaned before turning to the girl beside him.
"Don't go anywhere. I'll be right back, alright?" He took both her small hands in his massive ones.
"Of course, Kazuma, I'll wait for you," she assured him. He smiled then released her and started through the forest back towards the temple, mumbling under his breath.
"How are you, Kurama?" Yukina asked politely, turning to the fox.
"Fine," he replied, noting mentally that it was one of the few times that answer was true. "I was hoping I could talk with you."
"Oh? About what?" she tilted her head to the side slightly in curiosity.
"Just some things we felt you should know," Kurama replied casually. The Koorime looked confused for a moment.
"We?" she asked, tilting her head a little farther.
"Hiei and I," Kurama smiled even wider.
"Hiei?" Yukina's face immediately brightened. "I haven't seen him in so long. How is he?"
"Why don't you ask him yourself?"
Emerald eyes gazed over the shorter maiden's head. Following his gaze she turned slowly and for a moment couldn't move. There, shifting uneasily was Hiei. He looked much different from when she had last seen him. He wore a snow white kimono that seemed so out of place on him compared to his normal dark attire. His build wasn't the same either. He wasn't as thin as before. In fact, he almost looked…
"Hiei?" she approached him slowly, pushing away her last though. It was absurd. He couldn't be. He didn't answer, just watched her come closer. His wide crimson eyes studied her every move. He seemed like a deer in the woods, ready to take flight at any sign of danger.
Despite her determination to keep her eyes locked with his, she found her gaze slipping downward. They fell on the bulge in his middle and it took several moments before she realized she was openly staring. Blushing, she shook her head and began to apologize, but Hiei stopped her.
"I should have told you earlier," he said almost regretfully. She blinked, straightening and meeting ruby orbs with her garnet eyes.
"Told me what?"
'So many things,' he thought but what he said was precise, to the point, and perhaps a little blunt.
"I'm pregnant." Her eyes widened and she blinked several times. It was obvious she was trying her utmost to keep her reaction within the confines of propriety.
"How?" she finally managed to squeak.
"Hiei's is a very special heritage that has granted us this miracle," Kurama spoke, startling Yukina slightly. She had forgotten he was there. Slowly, what he had said began to work through her shocked mind.
"Your…heritage?" she turned back to Hiei. He tried to read her expression, see if she was angry. But all he could discern was confusion.
"Yes," he acknowledged. His mouth suddenly went dry and he could hear his heart beating, thundering in his ears. He took a deep breath and dropped his gaze to the earth at his feet. He couldn't look at her. He couldn't bear to see what horrible reaction she would have to his next words.
"My…my father was a hiyoukai," he said slowly to the ground. "But my mother…was a Koorime." He heard her gasp but didn't look up. He didn't want to see that look in her eyes. That look of disgust and hate that all the Koorime always looked upon him with. And worst of all, the underlying fear that was the root cause of the other two emotions.
"But…that means…you're…" Her words were so soft they were barely a whisper. They were too neutral with shock for Hiei to detect what emotions lay behind them, but then he already knew exactly what emotions lay hidden there. He heard her feather light steps slowly coming nearer and soon he could see her small feet on the patch of ground he had been staring at.
"Hiei," he felt her reach out and touch his shoulder gently. "Look at me, please." Never one to deny his sister anything, he complied. His heart sank as he wasn't surprised to see tears in her eyes. He clenched his fists; hating himself for making her cry, for existing and thus marring her existence as well.
But as he watched, a smile slowly grew on her angelic face. The tears splashed down, hitting the ground as hard gems. Laughing and crying simultaneously, she suddenly through her arms around him. Hiei stiffened, but as had become his custom when a woman showed such affection, he didn't push her away.
"Oniisan," she said quietly at first, and then louder, "Oniisan! All this time, you were here all along!" Slowly she pulled back and Hiei felt sick with apprehension once more. He wasn't out of the woods yet, so to speak.
"Why didn't you ever tell me?" she asked. He swallowed.
"I…I didn't think you'd…be happy…with me," the last few words were so quiet she had to strain to hear them. When she did she only smiled again, laying one cool hand on his cheek.
"Hiei, you're my brother. I love you, and no matter what happens I'll always love you. I could never be unhappy with you." She smiled at him sweetly, and then the full meaning of her words hit her. "My brother," she repeated, almost awestruck. "I finally found you."
"You never lost me. I was always watching you," Hiei confessed quietly. Yukina hugged him again and he returned the hug, wrapping his arms around his little sister for the first time. Both of them felt utterly content like that, secure in their sibling's arms. They could have stayed like that for an eternity, had the child between them not suddenly kicked.
Yukina pulled back, almost surprised. When she realized what had happened she began to laugh. Hiei, on the other hand, was not at all amused. He shot a glare at his stomach, which only fueled Yukina's laughter and caused the fox still standing serenely behind her to chuckle as well.
"I almost forgot. I'm going to be an aunt." Yukina smiled, reaching out to touch Hiei's swollen midriff. She looked up for approval and Hiei, used to the gesture by now, nodded. She laid her hand flat against his rounding abdomen, giggling when she felt the child kick once more. Suddenly it hit her that Hiei had not yet reveled the identity of the child's other parent, though Yukina had a good guess.
"Oniisan, does this mean you and Kurama…?"
"We're mated," Hiei answered shortly, turning his head slightly so his sister could see the mark on his neck.
"Oh, how wonderful!" she exclaimed, hugging him a third time. Hiei allowed a smile to slip onto his face as he returned the hug more enthusiastically then the others before it. Not so long ago he had been alone. He had what could be considered friends, but was always weary that they would one day turn on him as everyone had in the past. Now, in just a few months, he had gained so much he felt as though those years of solitude hadn't really been his life at all. That it had been some prelude to this, his true life, with his family. He was no longer forbidden and he was no longer alone. His smile widened, a truly rare sight, and he tightened his hold on his sister.
"Hey, Genkai didn't want to—" Kuwabara trailed off as he emerged from the trees to find the Koorime siblings embracing each other tightly. Blinking for a moment, he realized his presence had gone unnoticed and took the opportunity to turn and retreat back through the trees. Some moments just shouldn't be interrupted.