A family discussion did indeed follow that revelation. Shuuichi-kun kept absolutely silent as Shiori and Hatanaka filled him in on the family's little secrets; Kurama was a demon, Hiei was as well. The two were mates. They went on strange missions for the ruler of Spirit World. No one was anxious to admit that the demons' boss was actually the infant son of said ruler. Throughout the discussion, the only one not participating was the one who had the most answers. Hiei remained silent as he cared for his fox.

After about twenty minutes of holding the ice pack to Kurama's swollen cheek, Hiei took the bowl of cool water to the kitsune's feet. Gently, he peeled off the first reddened sock. The sole of the foot was cut up pretty badly. Some small slivers of plate were still stuck in the wounds. Carefully, Hiei moved Kurama's leg so that the foot dangled over the edge of the couch, and submerged it into the cool water. With delicate precision, the hiyoukai cleaned every slice on the youko's foot. Using a spare towel that Shiori had fetched for him, along with the first aid kit, Hiei dried Kurama's foot and began to apply ointment to the injuries. Finally, he layered gauze on the bottom, and wrapped the foot up to the ankle. Gently switching the fox's legs, he began the same task on the other foot.

When both feet were cleaned and bandaged, Hiei took the ice pack and water bowl to the kitchen. Refreshing each, he returned to again ice the bruised cheek. When he was satisfied that he had done all for his fox that he could at the moment, he turned to the family before him. Shiori had moved to sit off to his side, watching fondly as he tended her son. The two others were still talking loudly and discussing demons. By their conversation, it was obvious that they were completely without a clue about the true nature of youkai. When they finally stopped their chatter long enough to draw a breath, a deep voice silenced any further blabbering.

"You will listen to me now," Hiei said. His voice was not raised. There was no evident anger. It was actually quite even, and soft in volume. But it had the effect of stilling everything within earshot. "There are some rules that must be established immediately." Shuuichi-kun opened his mouth to ask Hiei a question, but a single glance from the burning red eyes evaporated his question before he uttered a sound. "You have been guests in this house for four days now. During that time, Kurama has done everything in his power to be a gracious host. This is how he is repaid. This is our house. While it may be a ningen custom for the entire household to be disrupted to accommodate guests, that is not the way in Makai. I do not care to live by your ningen mores. While you are in this house, you will all follow our lifestyle, and live by our rules. First of all, our bedroom is off limits. I do not care what seems to be so important, if you want to speak to one of us, you will knock on the door, and wait for one of us to answer it.

"Secondly, loud, obnoxious conversations regarding youkai nature are not tolerable. If you have a question I will attempt to answer it. If it's about Kurama, save it for him.

"Thirdly, no more teenage parties.

"Fourthly, if you make a mess, you will clean it up.

"And finally, if anyone strikes my fox again, I will kill him. This behavior is not acceptable. You may be his family, but you will treat him with the same respect he demonstrates towards you." With this, Hiei turned his back to the ningen, and brushed Kurama's bangs back off his pale face.

"I'm sorry, Hiei," Shiori said meekly. She had known the small demon long enough to realize that he was livid. Hiei did not respond.

After a slight pause (and a LOOK from his wife) Hatanaka also spoke. "Please accept my apologies, Hiei."

Hiei did respond without even turning. "Save it. You should be apologizing to your stepson."

After a tense silence, Shiori spoke. "Hiei is right, this is not acceptable. Kazuya, you know I love you, but this has crossed a line that should always be preserved. It is my wish that you seek anger management assistance." Hatanaka looked at his wife, and saw the love and fear in her eyes. With a sheepish smile, he nodded. Shiori seemed to accept that, even if she was far from pleased.

"Hiei?" she asked softly. "Would you mind if I sleep in the downstairs guest room?" Hiei just shook his head. Silently, Shiori went to the bedroom she and her husband shared, and gathered her things. Hatanaka stood quietly. He was upset, but he realized that he had brought this onto himself. Regretful of his rash behavior, he approached the still form on the couch.

"How is he?" he asked the hiyoukai.

"He'll be alright physically, but emotionally he's a wreck. I trust you will not do anything to aggravate this condition," Hiei replied without looking at the human.

"I never realized, I mean, I knew he was upset with me, but I didn't think..." Hatanaka trailed off.

"That's correct, you did not think. Go to bed now, and leave us alone. I do not expect to be disturbed in the morning," Hiei snapped. Cringing at the hiyoukai's harsh words, Hatanaka retired to his bedroom, alone.

Shiori came out again once she had placed her things in the downstairs guest room. "Is there anything I can do, Hiei?" she asked, looking at her son.

"No. I will take him upstairs now. As I just told your husband, I do not expect to be disturbed in the morning." With that, Hiei picked up his comatose lover and went to bed. Shiori sighed. She never dreamed her family would fall apart like this. It was the traditional role of the wife to quietly support her husband. She had tried to do this, against her better judgment, and now she regretted that decision. Dejectedly, she went to bed, alone. Shuu-kun had heard Hiei's order to not be disturbed. Quietly, he also went to bed, hoping that everything would be fine in the morning.

Hiei laid Kurama on the bed, and adjusted the pillow beneath the red hair. The small demon drew the covers up to Kurama's waist, and sat beside him, gently stroking back the crimson tresses. As he watched the still form he thought of everything his fox had gone through this week. Hiei had never had a true family. Sure, there was his sister, but he had always observed her from afar. She had only found out about their relationship through a mistake. Hiei had made the mistake of letting a single tear slip in front of her. He pondered this, and everything that he would do to protect her and keep her happy. This is what the fox was doing for his own family. A soft noise drew Hiei from his thoughts, as he looked down and smiled at the source of the sound.

Kurama's eyes squeezed shut a few times before they finally opened; at least, the right one opened. The left was swollen shut. "Welcome back, Fox," Hiei murmured softly.

"What happened?" Kurama asked very softly, as if his voice was not quite awake yet. As he spoke, the kitsune noticed the left side of his face felt heavy, and his left eye would not open. He lifted his hand to feel his face, but Hiei took that hand in his own.

"Shh. Relax. And don't touch," he whispered, kissing Kurama on the forehead. Hiei slowly got up to get his own robe. When his back was turned he heard a sharp gasp. He spun around to see Kurama wincing, his hand only a few centimeters from his swollen cheek. Shaking his head, Hiei returned to the bed. "I told you not to touch; it's very swollen."

"What happened?" Kurama repeated, clearly confused.

"You collapsed at the top of the stairs. I didn't catch you until you had already tumbled over once. I'm sorry," Hiei summarized.

Kurama smiled a lopsided grin. "You warned me," he said. "The last thing I recall is...Shuuichi-kun...demon...Oh great. He knows. Something else to blame me for."

Hiei placed his finger gently over Kurama's lips to still them. "It's alright. He knows everything now. He knows about you, about me, and about us. His father finally stopped trying to hide it all. No one blames you. Hatanaka, himself, slipped about my being a demon."

"Hatanaka. I need to speak to him. And to Mother. She won't be happy if she knows he hit me..." Kurama stopped speaking as Hiei shook his head.

"She knows, Fox. He told her himself. She is very unhappy with him. I would have preferred to disembowel him, but she settled for demanding he attend some anger therapy. It must be a ningen thing." Kurama nodded to confirm this. "She's also sleeping downstairs now." At this Kurama sat up.

"No. I didn't want to come between them. I need to go talk to her."

Hiei took his arms, and kept him still. "Fox, you did not come between them. He made his choice to be an ass this week, and she made her choice to sleep separately. Besides, you can't walk right now." Kurama stopped trying to get up, and looked at Hiei with a strange expression.

"Why not?" he asked.

"You cut up the soles of your feet pretty badly. I dressed them, but if you walk on them, you'll reopen the wounds. I think you should stay off your feet for the next few days." Kurama nodded his assent. After a few moments silence, Hiei continued, "Kurama? Are you okay?" The fire demon again stroked Kurama's hair gently as he asked.

"Of course," the fox answered quickly, his trademark smile in place.

"When did you decide to start lying to me, Fox?" Hiei pressed.

Kurama's smile faded instantly. "I...don't know, Hiei. My family is falling apart, my stepfather hates me, my mother has to choose between us, my stepbrother thinks I'm a freak..."

"Fox, slow down! Your stepfather is a jerk, but I don't think he hates you. Shuuichi-kun looked at you more like a hero than a freak when he found out, and Shiori hasn't chosen between you, she is just setting some ground rules for you all to coexist. Don't get worked up again. You need to calm down." As Hiei said this, he leaned closer. "I think I may be able to help you relax...Fox? Do I smell...minty freshness?"

"Of course, Hiei. I brushed my teeth after I got...um, before I came downstairs," Kurama said.

"That's my fox. No matter what the circumstances, you are clean to a fault." he whispered, pressing his lips to Kurama's. The kitsune instantly melted into the touch. Both demons wrapped their arms around each other, deepening their kiss. Hiei leaned forward, laying Kurama down on his back.

Kurama broke the kiss. "But, Hiei, what if they walk in?"

"No one is going to walk in, Fox. We had a little...chat while you were asleep," Hiei assured him.

Kurama looked at Hiei. "No bloodshed?" he asked. Hiei shook his head. "No one is tied up anywhere?" Hiei shook again. "No death threats?" No response. Taking a deep breath, Kurama simply said, "Well, two out of three isn't too bad." and pulled his lover closer to him for another kiss.

(scene cut for fanfiction(dot)net)

Settling into bed beside the fox, Hiei began to close his eyes. A soft voice broke the silence.

"Hiei?"

"Yes, Fox?"

"Somehow you always know."

Hiei sat up, and shifted onto his right side to look at his lover. "Know what?"

"Exactly what I need, and how to make me feel loved. Thank you," the exhausted kitsune elaborated.

"I love you, Fox," Hiei said, smiling.

"I love you, too," Kurama returned. After a small pause. "Hiei?"

"Yes, Fox?"

"Well, it's a little embarrassing. I want to turn and cuddle up to you, but I can't lay on the left side of my face," the fox admitted.

With a smile and a chuckle, Hiei sat up in the bed. Slipping one arm under Kurama's knees, and another under his neck, he easily lifted and shifted the fox to his side of the bed. He quickly slid over the fox to rest to Kurama's right. The kitsune immediately turned, and nuzzled closely into his small lover. "Thank you, Hiei. Good night, my love," he whispered.

"Good night, my fox," Hiei whispered back as sleep claimed them both.