This chapter I find rather cute and, as a warning, OOCness on Hiei's part. You shall see what I mean. Enjoy this chapter and keep an eye out for the next one.

"Zyrin, what about this one?" shouted Botan while holding up a blue crawler with little pictures of baby Eeyore on it.

Zyrin, with blonde hair now, made her way to the other side of the baby store. She, after being convinced by Kurama and Keiko, went to the doctor and found out it was a boy. That was all she wanted to know. When she gives birth, then she will find out who the father is. Everyone knows that she wishes it is Hiei, but he doesn't. He keeps telling them it is his father's.

Making it to Botan's side, she saw the selection of outfits she found; everything from crawlers to baby suits. She smiled. Her friends were all very excited. They loved having a child to spoil, aside from Koka. Said child walked over to Zyrin and tugged at her sleeve.

"Mommy, can I have this dress? It's so pretty." she asked while holding up a knee-length, short-sleeved yellow sun dress.

Zyrin took the dress and gazed at the price. It was a little expensive because it was make of pure silk, but she nodded at Koka. She was happy and began bouncing up and down. Zyrin laughed at this and swooped down to Koka, planting a big kiss on her cheek. Both went into a fit of giggles. An old couple walked by and smiled at this.

"Isn't that so adorable?" said the old lady.

Koka turned and faced them. A look of pure enjoyment was on her face.

"Hello." she said to them.

"Well aren't you cute, little one. How old are you?" the old man asked.

"I'm six." she announced proudly, displaying the numbers on her fingers.

They smiled at her and looked up at Zyrin.

"You have a wonderful child." they both said to her.

"Thank you very much." she replied, an accent still slightly noticeable.

"And you have another on the way?"

"Yes...this one is a boy, though."

"Oh, where is your husband?"

Zyrin bit her lip and her face faltered slightly, but she caught herself. The old couple didn't notice.

"He works quite a bit. With another coming, he extended his shift at the office. He is a manager at a record company." she thought up quickly.

"Oh I'm sorry."

"It is perfectly fine. When he is not around, I have my friends to help with things." she signals to Botan, Keiko, and Yukina behind her. "I do not mind entirely. It brings money into the house."

"That is true...Look at the time, dear. We're going to be late to the baby shower." said the old man, pushing his wife towards the door slightly.

"Good bye!" the old lady called as she hurried out with her husband.

Zyrin smiled after them and, as soon as they were out of view, dropped her calm face. She felt terrible lying, but even worse at the fact that she does not know who the father is and that she has no husband or mate...well, kind of. Botan came up behind her.

"How about we finish up here, then go out for sushi? How does that sound?"

"Perfect. I am rather hungry. Only half a month more of incessant hunger."

They all laughed and paid for baby clothes, a crib, stroller, and Koka's dress. Keiko pushed the cart that had the stuff in it. Loading into a car, they drove to a nearby sushi hut.

Hiei sat in the library of his castle, reviewing a new treaty for land sanctioning in the northern regions. Kurama came into the room and sat in the chair in front of the desk. Hiei noticed but did not look up from the paper in his hands.

"I just spoke to Botan."

"Hm?"

"It's a boy."

"So?"

"What? You don't want to know you're having a son?"

"He is not mine."

"And how are you so certain?"

"I just know."

"Well when we find out that he is yours, you will have to accept it."

He stood from his seat, buy was stopped by Hiei.
"Why do you stick up for her?"

"She is my friend and deserves to be defended."

"No she doesn't. She is a whore. When my father took her, I know she enjoyed it. That is his bastard child in her womb. I hope..."

He was silenced as Kurama punched him across the face. The kitsune was very mad at the things Hiei said. He had no right speaking like that about Zyrin. Kurama knew that it was Hiei's son. The child had started to give off energy signals and it was a mix; Koormie, Dark fire, and Mazuku. No matter how many times his friends tell him it is his, Hiei never listens. Kurama was throughly fed up, as was Yusuke and Kazuma. The two men came into the room to find Kurama towering above Hiei who sat on the floor, holding a bloodied nose.

"What the hell happened here?" Yusuke asked, walking towards the two.

"How dare you speak about her like that Hiei. She is your friend and carries your son. Are you that thick-headed? She loves you and yet you still say those things. How can you be that cold-hearted?"

Kazuma and Yusuke caught up on what was going on an stood by Kurama. Hiei's eyes bore into the floor. He knew he was going to pay for what he said. Yusuke's foot met the side of his head and he went flying across the room, colliding with a bookshelf.

Blood trickled down the side of his head as he just laid there on the floor. He was not going to bother fighting back. He had gone to far. Kazuma pulled him up by the collar of his ever-familiar black shirt and kneed him in the gut. Hiei spit up some blood and held his stomach in pain. Dropped rather harshly to the flood, he moved away from them. Kurama stalked up to him, but stopped when he heard a gasp. Facing the door, he saw Zyrin standing there. She ran to Hiei's side.

"Hiei-sama, are you alight?" she asked as she knelt down beside him, shakily.

"Yes...I deserved it."

"What...?" Zyrin asked, questioningly, gazing up at the three boys.

"He keeps talking shit about you. He's trash Zyrin. Find someone better and let him run this damn world alone." Yusuke spat.

Zyrin looked at Hiei who couldn't meet her gaze. Taking his head in her hands, she forced him to look at her.

"Let us get you cleaned up."

She tried to stand up, but was having difficulty. Hiei rose quickly and offered his hand to her. She smiled and accepted it. Yusuke made to follow her but she stopped him by shaking her head. They made their way down the hall to her room. Making him sit on the bed, she collected a first-aid kit and began tending to the cut he got on his head. The whole time, he looked away from her. He felt guilty for one of the few times in his life. He knew that he messed up. Zyrin noticed.

"It is alright, Hiei-sama. Do not worry yourself. I forgive you."

She made sure the wrapping was tight. The cut was larger then she thought. Rising from her seat beside him, she walked over to the window and drew back the curtains. The sun was setting over the horizon. She leaned against the frame and pushed the window open. Hiei watched from the bed. She looked like an angel with the light framing her body. He was truly regretting the things that he said. He was still questionable as to if he is the father of the child Zyrin bore. Thoughts pounded in his head. All of the memories they shared came flying before his eyes. He had kissed her many times, held her hand, spoke to her for hours, and shared a bond, of sorts. He thought about her a lot now-a-days. Then it dawned on him...maybe...he did love her. Looking back up at her, he moved off the bed and went to stand beside her.

"I'm sorry for how I have been acting lately."

"It is alright."

She never looked away from the window. Taking his hand, Hiei brushed the hair out of her face so he could get a better look at her. The sun reflected off of her soft, pale skin. Her lips were slightly puffed, along with her cheeks, but still she dazzled him. Turning her head towards him, he bent down (he is currently 5'6" and she is 5'3") and lightly kissed her lips. She was shocked at this, but, as he pulled away, she moved in and kissed him again. One of his arms went around her waist and the other rested on her stomach. He pulled away from her.

"I really am sorry, Zyrin."

"I know."

"Please, tell me. Why is everyone so determined about the child?"

"We all believe that he is yours, me personally. The way I figure, it happened the morning you and I fought in the Dreamscape. Do you still believe it is your father's?"

"My mind is changing." he replied as he kissed her again.

Yusuke had followed them to the room and was listening outside, along with his wife and friends. They were interested in the conversation.
"We are being eavesdropped on." Zyrin said aloud.

The sound of scurrying was heard outside the door and she chuckled with Hiei. She looked back out the window as the sun sunk into the horizon entirely. Hiei kept his arms around her and she rested her head on his shoulder.

"The girls and I got things for the baby today. There is a crib, stroller, some cute little outfits."

"Where will you be staying?"

"I was hoping...we could stay here, that is, Koka, the baby, and myself."

"It is perfectly alright with me. There is a room, connected to mine, that he could have."

"But I want to be close to him."

"You can be."

She caught his hint and looked up at him. He had changed so much over the past few years (more like 15, since he joined the Reikai Tantei) it was mind boggling. A long time ago, she saved him from certain death and here she is, in his arms and in love, his child in her womb. Things were only getting better.

"Are you saying something, Hiei?"

"Will you stay with me?"

Gazing into his ever beautiful and mysterious crimson eyes, she kissed him.
"You are so very different, so changed. I am not complaining in any way. Quite the contrary, I love it...and you."

His eyes bore into hers as he held her to him tighter.

"Zyrin...It has taken me until now to realize it. I have been oblivious to it for so long. When we first met, I felt a connection to you at first sight. I couldn't explain it and over the years, while getting close to you, it got even more confusing. I just came to the conclusion that..." He lifted up her chin and pressed his lips to her forehead. "...I love you...so much."

Awwww! Sorry, I kind of got into this part of the story. Only 1 more chapter left. I know this story is shorter then the other ones, but the chapters were more detailed. I also want to get a jump start on my new story. I will give a preview as an additional 'chapter' for this story.

-UtsukushiiCho