Sorry I ended the last chapter like I did. Hehe. I hope I left people wondering. Well, here is the next installment. There will, maybe, be 2-4 more chapters.

Enjoy!

"Who?"

"Who what Hiei?"

"Who is the father?"

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"I mean that I am not sure who the father is."

He stared at her in disbelief.

"How many men have you slept with?"

"Only two, you and, against my will, your father."

"I don't believe you."

"You don't have to."

"Might I ask a question?"

"Did you just not?"

"Baka. In your whole life, how many men have you slept with?"

"That is none of your concern."

"It is because I am your boss."

"Then I quit."

"By all means, and don't come back."

"Not planning on it...and to answer your question."

Hiei, having started to head to the door, stopped and looked at her.

"You were my first."


Hiei shook his head to rid himself of the memory. Shortly after that fight, Zyrin left Makai and went to Kurama's. She left him a note, asking for him and Botan to care for Koka while she went on a vacation. No one has seen her in the past 2 months and everyone, including Hiei, was worried. She was 7 months pregnant and alone somewhere. Jin had gone in search of her 2 weeks ago and has yet to return.

Hiei stood from his seat on the balcony of his room and went inside. Down in the dining hall, his servants were preparing for a special festival, the Pagan holiday Ostara (to some, Easter), the holiday of Life and Rebirth. It is fitting in the fact that Makai was starting fresh (Rebirth) and it was the emergence of spring (Life).

Upon entering the hall, it fell silent. Everyone was wondering if the room met his satisfaction. The cream walls had no decorations on them, but the windows were shrouded in pastel linens. Rabbits and snakes were kept in cages along the wall. Crocus, Daffodil, Jasmine, Irish Moss, Snowdrop, and Ginger sat as centerpieces on the 50 tables that were in the room. There was to be a party that night with guests from Makai, Ningenkai, and Reikai attending.

As he looked around the room, Hiei nodded his head in approval. Those there were happy that the king liked it. Kori walked across the room and stood at the king's side. He knew why she was beside him and turned, leaving the room. She followed behind and, when they were a distance from prying ears, she stopped him.

"Hiei-sama, we just received word from Jin. He has found Zyrin."

"Where was she?"

"Near the Floating Isle, sir."

"Will he bring her tonight?"

"Yes." She turned to leave, but thought twice.

"Kori?"

"Hiei," she faced her friend. "Please, stop this. You are tearing yourself apart. She will forgive you, she already has, I'm sure. This child could perhaps be a blessing in disguise. Is it not strange that she is pregnant and returning to us on Ostara?"
"I could care less."

"What if the child is yours?"

"It isn't."

"How are you so sure?"

"I...I just am. That bastard child is my father's."

"Hiei...she did not want to sleep with him. She told me everything. He forced a collar on her that drained her energy. It was impossible for her to fight back. During the whole thing, during the rape, she thought of only you. She wished that she could be back at the temple with you."

"That is a lie."

"I would not lie to a friend, even one as thick headed as you. Think it over. She will be attending the party tonight."

She turned and walked away from him, heading upstairs to her room. Hiei stood there, silent and thinking. She would be there tonight. How will act when he sees her? He has spited her name several times a day since she left. Do the others know? Curious, he walks outside to where Yusuke, Kurama, and Kazuma are training Koka with Rinku's help. The girl was very strong and kept her tanto tight in her hand, fending off Kurama's vines. When Koka saw Hiei, she stopped, dropped the tanto, and ran at him. Leaping into his arms, she hugged him tightly.

"Hiei-san! Mommy is coming to the party tonight. Aunt Kori just told us. I'm so excited! Aren't you?"

"Yes, Neko-chan, I am." he told her, using the pet name she loved, the one he only used.

Kurama took the child from Hiei's arms and sent her off to find Botan so she could have help getting ready. The party was to start in 3 hours. The men walked back into the castle to prepare.

Candles lit the room and people danced to the soothing Wind Orchestra's music. Hiei entered the room and the noise stilled. As he walked to the stage, everyone bowed in respect. He saw all of his friends huddled together nearby and Koka was running around the ones there. She seemed to be looking for something. Upon reaching the stage, he signalled for the music to start back up. It did and the ones dancing originally continued to do so. Kurama walked over to him.

"Keep an eye out Jin. He'll have Zyrin with him."

Hiei looked around the room and saw the Wind Master near the far entrance. A woman with long white hair stood beside him in a Robin's Egg Blue gown the covered her arms and was low cut. It flowed down her body and was tight, showing that she had a rather round tummy. As she turned around, he saw that it was Zyrin. Light blush was on her pale cheeks and the gown matched her eyes. Jin placed an arm out for her and she took it. Together, they made their way through the crowd.

"Jin, I am so nervous."

"Don't be, lass. Nothin' to worry 'bout."

"I just cannot help it. What will Hiei think of me?"

"He will think you look beautiful 'cause you do."

She smiled shyly at him and leaned her head on his shoulder. Hiei watched this from the distance and a slight wave of sadness washed over him. Touya and Kori came over to him.

"Oh, don't look so down." Touya said when he noticed Hiei's face.

"She is just tired, Hiei-sama. Being seven months pregnant does that to a woman. Jin is just a friend and nothing more." Kori soothed.

"I wasn't thinking that." he lied.

"On the contrary."

Jin noticed them and walked over with Zyrin. She kept her head bowed so as not to meet Hiei's ever mysterious crimson eyes. He made sure to wipe away all emotion as she stood before him. He felt guilty at the way he reacted 2 months before. Zyrin played with the hem of her sleeve until she heard a screech behind her. Whipping around, she saw Koka running towards her, arms wide. She wrapped her arms around her 'mother', careful to not hit her stomach.

"Mommy's back!" she cheered, causing everyone to chuckle at her.

"Yes, I am, that is, if everyone will have me."

She looked at her friends. All of them were smiling at her. Yukina moved away from Kazuma and wrapped her arms around Zyrin. She accepted the Koormie instantly and, one by one, the others hugged her as well. Yusuke gave her the largest hug. He was close to her in many ways. She was his great-great-great-great-great-great-great grand aunt and his former babysitter.

"That damn well better be Hiei's kid in there." he whispered in her ear.

A blush came to her face as she side-glanced at Hiei. He was watching her and noticed her look. Turning away, he looked out at the ones enjoying the party. She frowned slightly and excused herself, saying it was slightly hot. Walking out of the room, she went to get fresh air and pay her brother's grave a visit. It was a little less then half-a-mile away so the walk was not far. Hiei followed after so no harm would come to her. Coming to the grave, she knelt in front of it, running her hand along the plaque baring Raizen's name.

"Oh brother, I miss you so much. I wish that you could be here by my side. I feel so alone here. The others might be by my side, but still I feel empty. Hiei hates me, throughly. That I still do not understand. What happened with his father was not suppose to. There were many possibilities as to the outcome of the war, but what did happen, I did not See. I am just happy that Hiei is alive. It is impossible for me to resurrect you and that I am so sad about. I need you here to help me. How am I to tell Hiei the truth." The Kajihenge in tree behind her listened closely. "How am I to tell Hiei that I wanted him to rescue me that dreadful night? How am I to tell him that I love him so very much? How am I to tell him that...the child...I wish it is his?"

Hope you liked it! I should have the next chapter out tonight.

-UtsukushiiCho