AN: It's a new week and a brand new short tale picking up where the last story left off. I hope you all enjoy it. A big thank you to all who reviewed the last fic. I enjoyed your reviews, they brought a bit of sunshine to my day and encourage me to continue writing. Thank you all.

- Yami

Mienai Mirai E (Towards the Unseen Future)
by Yami Yue

Prolouge

Kurama waited anxiously for the door that connected his room to Hiei's to open. The fire apparition had not been out of his room all day and it was beginning to both agitate and worry Kurama. On any ordinary day this would have been the case, but with the day marking their third year as a couple, Kurama was even more worried, if not a bit excited. He hoped that his beloved's absence meant that Hiei had something planned.

Kurama returned his attention to the book Tomoyo had given him. He hoped that doing some studying of medicinal herbs and plants would keep his mind off what his beloved might be doing. It did for a moment or two but his concentration wavered and he would once again look up and glance at the door. Makino chuckled at him. "Do relax dear," she said. "I swear, if you had your tail it would be twitching," she teased. Kurama's cheeks reddened a bit. The redhead stood from the desk and looked outside. The sun was setting.

The sound of a door opening caught Kurama's attention. Hiei calmly entered the room, closing the door behind him. The fire apparition crossed the room without a word and took Kurama by the hand. He led Kurama out onto the balcony where they could watch the sunset. Kurama put his arms around Hiei and held him close, savoring the scent of his beloved and the feel of his body pressed close to his own. Neither said a word, not wanting to break the spell of calm that the sunset had induced.

When the last of the sun's rays had vanished from the sky, Hiei turned his head so that he could look at Kurama. "Are you hungry Fox?" he asked. Kurama nodded. "Yes, shall we go get something to eat?" Kurama replied. Hiei nodded. Kurama released Hiei from his embrace and Hiei took his hand, leading him to the door that connected their bedchambers. "Aren't we going downstairs?" Kurama asked. "Why would we go downstairs tonight?" Hiei replied as they stopped in front of the doors. "Tonight, you are mine alone, I share your company with no one once we pass through this door," he continued in a deeper tone of voice that made Kurama shiver.

Hiei opened the door and Kurama looked in amazement at the beautiful scene that came into view. In the center of the room was a small table with a thick candle burning in its center. Two plates of delicious smelling food were already on the table accompanied by two golden goblets that Kurama suspected were filled with wine. He entered the room and Hiei followed, closing the door behind him.

Soft light illuminated the room from the hearth which was blazing merrily. Kurama smiled as he spotted the deep red rose lying beside one of the plates. He guessed that one was his. The room itself had been redecorated with new draperies and bed linens giving it a quiet and romantic feel. "Do you like it?" Hiei asked. "Yes, I see now why you've been in here all day," Kurama answered. Hiei smiled. "Oh, I've forgotten your gift in my room," Kurama said. "Let's eat first, we can exchange gifts later," Hiei suggested. Kurama agreed with a nod and the two of them sat down at the table and began to eat the delicious meal set before them.

Once the meal was over they danced slowly they way they once had when Kurama was teaching Hiei to dance, without music, enjoying the closeness of each others bodies. The dancing ended as the two joined their lips in a warm and loving kiss. When they at last broke apart for air Kurama nuzzled Hiei's neck affectionately. "I should give you your gift now," He murmured softly. Hiei made a soft noise of agreement. Kurama disentangled himself from his beloved and slipped into his room to retrieve the gift he had gotten for Hiei.

When he retuned the fire apparition was sitting on the rug near the hearth. Kurama sat down beside him and placed a small package in his lap. "Happy anniversary Darkfire," Kurama murmured. Hiei carefully opened the package. A pair of well crafted gauntlets lay inside. Hiei lifted one out gently and held it up to the light of the fire. Though it looked as if it were made from precious metals, silver and gold were much to fragile to be worn in battle. The dark haired apparition knew it was another metal by the weight alone. Engraved in the metal was a dragon, colored the richest ebony of night. Three eyes gleamed at him as he turned it over in his hand, admiring the design. Three blood red rubies had been cut and set into the eyes, making it seem as if the black dragon's eyes were glowing a deep red color. It was remarkable craftsmanship. Hiei was curious as to who had made them as he slipped the gauntlet in his hand onto his left wrist. Once properly secured he picked up the second of the pair to put it on as well.

Immediately he noticed that the design was different. In the place of the black dragon was a stunning silver colored fox with a red rose in its mouth. There were no precious gems set in the eyes but the rose itself was made of chips of rubies set closely together to form the petals, he wasn't sure how the stem and leaves had been created, but the effect was stunning. Hiei also noticed there was something different about this gauntlet, it felt lighter than the other one.

Kurama smiled at him as he gently took the gauntlet from Hiei and slid it onto his right wrist. "I had this one made with an extra feature," Kurama said as he gently pressed on a slight indentation on the gauntlet's surface. A tiny door opened in it. Inside was a small bottle. "This bottle contains a healing salve that will do just about any wound good," Kurama said. "Only use a drop or two, it's very potent," he instructed as he pressed the little door shut. Hiei marveled at the fact that the door seemed to melt seamlessly into the rest of the gauntlet. Whoever had crafted them was a master at his art. "Thank you, your gift is quite clever," Hiei said as he presented Kurama with his gift.

Kurama opened the small package presented to him. His eyes widened when he saw what was inside. It was a necklace, simple in design a white gold chain and a small round pendant. Kurama knew immediately that it was a tear gem. He lifted it from the package. Hiei placed his hands gently over Kurama's. "I give this to you for a special reason," he said softly. "I present this to you and humbly ask if you would honor me by becoming my mate," he continued. Kurama's eyes widened in surprise. "You really wish to marry me Hiei?" Kurama asked in shock. "I wouldn't have asked if I didn't," Hiei replied. Kurama smiled gently at his beloved. "Of course I'll be your mate," he said. Hiei smiled back and released Kurama's hands from his. He slipped the necklace from his fiancé's hands. Kurama shifted his body so that his back was to Hiei and swept his long red hair off his neck. Hiei secured the necklace around the fox's neck then wrapped his arms around Kurama's shoulders, resting his chin upon his fiancé's head.

Kurama fell quiet, staring moodily into the flames. "Hiei, do you think Mukuro will object?" He asked softly. "Why would she?" Hiei replied. "I cannot bear you an heir Darkfire and although it's not an issue now it will be once you take the throne," Kurama said softly. Hiei gently kissed Kurama's temple. "Mukuro has no objections. I discussed this matter with her when I decided that I wanted you to be my mate," he informed his beloved. "As for me not having an heir, we can find a solution to that problem in time. After all I am not of Mukuro's blood and that never mattered to her," Hiei pointed out. Kurama smiled and leaned so he could look into Hiei's eyes. "I'm glad. I was always afraid that would be the one thing that would stand in our way," Kurama said. "I never let anything get in the way of what I truly want Fox," Hiei said softly. "I have never wanted anything more than for you to be at my side as my mate," Kurama smiled. "…and you shall have me," Kurama purred as he claimed Hiei's lips. Hiei smiled into the kiss, vowing at that moment that he would do everything he could to make the fox happy. It was a vow he would be sure never to break.

Kurama closed his eyes as he leaned into Hiei's embrace. "When shall we have the ceremony, or will we do without one and simply mark one another?" Kurama asked. Hiei did not like the idea of just marking his fox. Kurama deserved a lavish ceremony and all the festivities that came with a marriage ceremony. Hiei would not deny him that.

"We can have the ceremony whenever you like Fox, even tomorrow morning if that pleases you," Hiei replied. Kurama chuckled. "Are you so eager to have me as your mate that you would marry me that soon?" he teased. "Would you be cruel enough to make me wait if I were?" Hiei replied. "I'd have to. The last thing I want is rumors flying around that I seduced you into marrying me overnight," Kurama replied. "It doesn't matter, we'll have the ceremony whenever you like no matter how soon," Hiei said. "Let's have it in the spring when all the Sakura trees are in bloom," Kurama suggested. "That's fine with me Fox," Hiei replied.

Though Kurama was happier than he had ever been, he wished his family would be there to witness their union. Still, he knew the wish was a foolish one. There was no going home for Kurama. "What's wrong?" Hiei asked, seeing the somber expression that had crossed the redhead's face. "Nothing, it's just that I wish you could meet my family. I'm sure they would love you," Kurama said. "Be careful what you wish Fox, they have an odd way of coming true when you least expect it," Hiei warned. Kurama had to admit Hiei was right about that. Even so, he saw no way of that wish coming true. Besides, Kurama had more than he could have ever wished for. He would be happy with Hiei, and in turn he would strive to make Hiei happy as well.