Chapter Two

Sata got over her astonishment first and ran to her brother embracing him with all the warmth she could. Kurama wrapped his arms about her tightly, happy to receive her hug. "Inari, how I've missed you," he murmured as he planted a kiss atop her head. "We've all missed you Kurama," Sata said. "The village hasn't been the same since you left," she added as they released each other from their warm embrace.

Kurama then turned to Tomoyo and bowed gracefully. "It pleases me to no end to see you again Tomoyo-dono," he said. "Since when did I become Tomoyo-dono to you?" the elder yoko asked as she and Sata both dropped their guises. "I had hoped that even after all this time I was still Tomoyo-sensei," she said. Kurama smiled brilliantly at her. "Of course, sensei, forgive my error," he replied. Tomoyo chuckled and warmly hugged him as well. "It will be wonderful having you back under my tutorage again," she said. "In all this time I've only found one among the young ones that would make a decent student," Kurama raised a delicate silver eyebrow. "Oh?" he asked. "Yes, Sata here was the only one of her yearmates I'd actually consider teaching. I guess it runs in the family doesn't it?" she stated proudly. Kurama proudly smiled at his sister. "Yes, I suppose it does," he agreed.

Kurama felt Hiei's arms slip around his waist. "It looks like you've gotten your wish Fox," he said softly. "Yes, now you can meet my family," Kurama replied as he turned in Hiei's embrace to face his fiancé. Hiei could hardly believe what he was hearing. The fox wasn't going to leave him. Hiei was not honestly expecting this, after all he had been torn from his mother as a baby and tossed off the frigid, frozen island her people lived on. He'd been rescued and raised by bandits who then abandoned him as well. Mukuro had taken him in after then, and she had been the closest thing to a mother he'd ever known. Still, he secretly feared that she too would wash her hands of him should he prove to be an unworthy heir. Lastly, there was Kurama, his first truly close friend and his first love. Hiei had come to believe that perhaps it was too good to be true and that the fox would leave him eventually. Now, it seemed that was not going to happen.

That realization made Hiei happier than ever. Forgetting that the two vixens were present he leaned up and captured Kurama's petal soft lips in a warm and loving kiss.

Kurama was stunned when Hiei had kissed him, in front of his sister and teacher no less. Nevertheless he got over his shock quickly and returned the kiss with a gentle one of his own. They shared another kiss before parting for air, one filled with the joy in both their hearts and hope for what the future would bring.

"Well, I see you've found someone better than Leiko to give your attention," Tomoyo commented. Kurama blushed. Hiei's cheeks reddened as well, having forgotten that the two were there. Kurama smiled and entwined his fingers with Hiei's. "Yes, in fact I am planning on becoming his mate. I have even made my vow of fidelity to him," Kurama answered. Sata's eyes grew wide with surprise and for a moment, Hiei was afraid she would disapprove. The vixen proved him wrong a heartbeat later when she beamed happily before wrapping her arms around her brother and future brother in law. "That's wonderful !" she exclaimed. Kurama laughed softly. "I take it you approve?" he said teasingly.

Sata giggled as she released them from her embrace. "Of course I do. It's obvious that Hiei-san cares a great deal for you, and you for him," she replied. Tomoyo smiled softly and nodded in agreement. "She's right Kurama-chan. The bond between the two of you is strong. Even if anyone did disapprove I doubt it would keep you from becoming his mate," Tomoyo commented. "Anyone who would disprove would be a fool to do so anyway, it's obvious that the two of you truly love each other," she added. Kurama smiled. "Thank you sensei," he said softly.

The four then seated themselves on the soft couches and made themselves comfortable. Kurama didn't hesitate to pull Hiei into his lap and hold him close. Hiei didn't protest. Truth be told he quite enjoyed being in the fox's arms. To him there was no more comfortable seat in the world. "You said Raijuta is no longer in power?" Kurama asked. Tomoyo nodded. "The village council was livid when they found out he'd banished you without a formal hearing. They banished him in punishment and questioned Leiko," she said. "She confessed that she had lied to her father in order to get you to marry her. They stripped her of her status as an adult," Kurama's eyes widened.

"So who leads our clan now?" Kurama asked. "Father," Sata answered. Kurama stared at his little sister in disbelief. "Our father leads the clan?" he asked in shock. "Yes, and he's a good one at that," Tomoyo said. "So it seems the brute and his brat finally got what he deserved," Makino said as she entered the room. "Raijuta should have never been leader of the clan," she added. " Now that he's gone, I believe that it's time you returned home dearheart. Your parents have worried over you long enough," she added Kurama looked to his fiancé. "Come with me," he pleaded.

Hiei closed his eyes looking deep in thought. In reality he was telepathically communicating with Mukuro. "Shuichi wants me to go with him to meet his family," he informed her. "When?" Mukuro inquired. "In the morning, he's received word from his family and wishes to go to them right away," Hiei answered. "there isn't anything around here I need you to do. I can handle the troops myself for a while. Go with him, but don't be too long," Mukuro responded. Hiei send a wordless thanks to Mukuro and opened his eyes.

"Alright Fox, I'll go with you," Hiei said at last. Kurama kissed him in thanks. "We'd better start packing if we're going to leave in the morning," He said. "It's a good thing you keep a supply of clothes here or you'd have to go all the way back to the palace," Kurama replied. "I still have to go back to get a few things. Is there anything you want me to bring back?" Hiei asked. Kurama was going to shake his head "No" but remembered that the book Tomoyo had given him was still in his room at the palace. "There's a book I'd like to take with me," Kurama informed him. "I know which one you mean, I'll go with him to make sure he gets the right one," Makino volunteered. "Thank you Makino," Kurama said. Hiei gave his fiancé a quick peck on the lips and was out the door in a blur of black, followed by Makino.

"Well, you have certainly met interesting people during your exile Kurama-chan," Tomoyo said. Kurama nodded. "I'll tell you my story now if you still wish to hear it," He said. Tomoyo gave him a silent nod and Sata sat down next to him on the couch, her eyes watchful and curious. Kurama relaxed and told them his tale of what had happened to him since he'd left home. They listened attentively to Kurama's story, none of them noticing that Makino and Hiei had returned until the fox had completed his tale.

Sata looked at Makino in awe. She had been too surprised at first to ask questions when the white fox had entered the room earlier. Most of the questions she might have asked if she had not been so shocked were answered by her brother's story. Still, she wondered why Makino had remained with her brother this long. Was she still looking after him even after all this time?

The white fox padded up to her as if sensing her curiosity. "You are very curious about me aren't you sweet child?" Makino asked. "Yes, I am," Sata confessed, remembering from her brother's story that the white fox could read minds. "All your questions will be answered in due time child , but the hour is late and you have a long journey ahead of you. You should get some sleep," Makino responded.

Everyone decided it wise to heed Makino's advice. Kurama led Tomoyo and Sata to their rooms and after ensuring that they needed nothing further bid them good night and climbed into his own bed with Hiei. "Thank you for coming with me," Kurama said softly as they snuggled up together under the bedcovers. "There's no need to thank me Fox," Hiei replied. Kurama smiled. "I know," Kurama said as he closed the minute distance between their lips and kissed his fiancé long and hard. "…but I wanted to," he said as he broke the kiss and pulled Hiei close. Hiei smiled softly and made himself comfortable in his fiancés arms. "In that case you're more than welcome," Hiei responded as he rested his head upon Kurama's broad chest and closed his eyes.

Hiei was glad his fox was happy. He just hoped the rest of Kurama's family would like him as much as Sata seemed to. The young vixen seemed to have taken to him right away. He liked her as well. She reminded him a bit of his own sister. As Hiei drifted off to sleep he wondered what the rest of Kurama's family was like and prayed to whoever was listening that they would accept him just as Sata and Tomoyo had.

AN: a big thank you to all who read and reviewed. Your reviews brighten my day!