Disclaimer:

Kiyoshi: *stares sternly at a wall* …

Makoto: Come on, Kiyo. You have to do this one.

Kiyoshi: *shaking his head* …

Makoto: *hesitation* But it's really important.

Stormie: *gives the puppy face* Please, Kiyo? People need to know.

Kiyoshi: Oh, fine! Firestorm1991 started a Tumblr page and AO3 account. If you enjoy her work, please consider following her there and on DeviantArt as well to offer support. You can even ask her questions about her work! In addition, Firestorm1991 also declares that she does not own YYH or its characters. Just us OCs. Now, on with the story…

Stormie: *smiles* Thanks, Kiyo. I'm glad we could work together to spread awareness.

Kiyoshi: *glares hard at wall again* Whatever.

Stormie: Also…sorry it took so long to get to this chapter. It's been planned out for years.

Kiyoshi: -_- Yeah…four years. Like really…

Stormie: ^^'


There was always something Yukina loved about Genkai's temple. Even when she moved out to live with Kazuma, a part of the ice maiden always felt compelled to go back. Now that it was a safe house for other maidens, Yukina frequented there quite often, bringing the kids to play with the other children, taking care of some of upkeep, and talking with the women who left the glacial worlds behind. Some of them even had their mates with them, truly loving the fathers of their children. Yukina smiled. She could relate to all of these brave women. They chose love like she did, like her brother did.

She was thankful Kazuma brought her here so often.

One of the couples had a daughter, and even though the mother experienced her first hundred years, she still looked like a human teenager. She was holding her son, and her mate was holding their daughter. The children looked like they were around eight or nine in human years. Yukina and Kuwabara spoke with the family quite often. They were still in the process of integrating into society.

"So, Aeri," Yukina chimed, "how have you been?"

The woman, a tall, slender woman with dark blue hair, smiled at her friend. "Oh, you know," she remarked, "integration to the human realm has been challenging. There are so many laws about everything Mar and I are trying to master. We did find a school our children like, so now we're just looking for an apartment in the east district. We applied to a few buildings, but no apartments are available, so we were put on the waiting list."

"You know, you're in luck," Kuwabara declared. "One of my old middle school buddies, Okubo, and his family are moving from that area, and they haven't rented the apartment yet. I could get in touch with him and set up a time for you guys to take a look."

Mar, a rugged demon with dark hair and gold-colored eyes, grinned widely. "Thank you. We appreciate it." He looked down at his daughter and tickled her tummy. "Isn't that right, Trini."

The little girl giggled, expression beamed with happiness as she wrapped her arms around her father's neck. Yukina and Kuwabara exchanged knowing looks. They felt immense relief for this family, that they had chance at true peace, love, and joy instead of all the torment Yukina's family experienced at the hands of the ice maidens. The couple was so proud of Hiei for demanding this exchange, for saving others like them. The fire demon was truly selfless and brave, though they were certain he'd deny it. So, they would tell him through action instead of words.


Yoshezame sighed and put down the report she was reading. Her gaze wandered until she settled on looking out the window as the city passed by. It was a cloudy day, the threat of rain kept all the children inside for the day. Yoshezame decided to stop working on paperwork to go check on the kids and see how they were all getting along.

She left her office and made her way toward the common area. Some children happily played with toys while the older ones competed on video games and cheered their peers on. Yoshezame smiled until her attention was stolen away by some commotion.

"Leave me alone!" one of the teenaged boys cried out as another boy actively pursued him.

Yoshezame frowned. The teenager who was chasing down the other was new to the home. From day one, he seemed to pick on those who really tried to keep to themselves. The one he was following now, a youth named Rana, had been drawing in his sketchbook, as usual, and most likely minding his own business. The new boy, Kairen, was attempting to take the book.

"Come on, nerd," he teased, "let me see what you drew."

"It's none of your business!" Rana hissed. "Just go away!"

Yoshezame decided to interject herself before this escalated any further. She approached them; Rana appeared thankful for her appearance, yet Kairen seemed completely bewildered. She put on a smile and calmly said to Kairen, "This is not how we handle conflict here. Please let Rana be. His art is personal to him, and you shouldn't try to take his book away from him."

Kairen towered over and glared down at the woman. "Bitch, stay out of this."

Rana flinched at hearing that. The teenager had come from a very abusive home. His father always called his mother such derogatory names. His mother was no longer with him, the reason he was at this home in the first place. Yoshezame was always kind to him. To hear Kairen degrade her the same way his father degraded his mother…

It triggered him, and he immediately spung into action. He dropped his sketchbook, the pages splayed on the ground, and pushed past Yoshezame to punch Kairen.

Yoshezame sensed the action before she saw it and interceded. She got in-between the two boys and ended up getting hit in the head by Kairen accidentally. Yoshezame's hands immediately went to hold her head; the woman could practically hear ringing. Kairen and Rana both stared at the woman in shock. The former looked down at his shaking fist, his eyes widened in horror.

Very slowly, he approached Yoshezame. Other workers flocked to the scene to help their coworker. "Yoshezame, are you all right?" one of the women asked.

"I…I'm sorry," Kairen whispered, horrified. His voice cracked as he broke down into tears. "I-I-I'm sorry!"

Yoshezame was still in a daze and couldn't reply. She saw how broken Kairen looked in that moment. It reminded her of her own son, and she wanted to reach out to him and tell him everything would be all right. But she couldn't speak, couldn't move, so her coworkers called for an ambulance to send her to the hospital and took Kairen back to his room.


Hintai and Kiyoshi were still in shock over the pregnancy. They could hardly believe that they would be parents. As exciting as it was, the couple decided to keep it between them for a little bit. Only a little bit. When they returned home, Kiyoshi couldn't keep his hands off his mate and led her to their room.

"You're going to be an amazing mother," Kiyoshi murmured in her ear as he dusted her face in kisses.

Hintai sighed happily as Kiyoshi ran his hands all over her as he focused on worshipping her body and treating her like she was the most priceless treasure. It wasn't much different from how he usually treated her. The woman knew how much Kiyoshi adored her and how truly blessed he felt to be awarded her heart. Her husband had been through much in his young existence and made sure she knew all the time they he cherished what they had.

The only difference with how he treated her now that he knew about the pregnancy and before was that he was more concerned, sometimes overly so. Any time he touched her, he asked if she was okay, not wanting to accidentally hurt her sensitive body or their child.

"I'm fine, love," Hintai reassured Kiyoshi.

Kioyshi kissed her and gently nipped her lips between their kisses. "When do you want to tell our parents?" he asked.

Hintai pulled away for a moment. "I want to give it a little time to sink in. We can have a big gathering with all our family and friends when my parents return from their trip. We'll tell them then."

Kiyoshi gave his wife a loving but sensuous peck. Hintai sighed and leaned into the kiss, and energy fluttered in her tummy. Both she and Kiyoshi felt it, and the fire demon shickered with mirth. "You voyeur," he joked to tease their unborn child.

Hintai laughed fondly and pulled Kiyoshi back into her embrace. He guided her to their bed and lied her down before he covered her form with his own. Hintai enjoyed the careful way he sheltered her with his body. His warmth and strength always made her feel so cozy and safe. No matter what, Hintai knew Kiyoshi would always protect her and their family.


Hiei went to the hospital after he received a call from one of Yoshezame's coworkers. He was very worried when the man told him that his wife had been in the middle of some fight between two of the kids at the home. The fire demon could relate to some of the kids there, but right now he was furious. Yoshezame was trying to help these kids. There was no reason they should even lay a hand on her.

Once he arrived at the ER, he was immediately led to the cubicle where his wife waited. He could hear her attempt to dissuade the doctor from running tests. "I'm fine, I swear. I was just a little dazed."

"Still, we'd like to keep you for a few more tests and for observation," the doctor countered. "You were hit in the head. We need to make sure you don't have a concussion."

Yoshezame sighed. She'd already healed herself from the incredibly minor damage. The woman shook her head and said, "Then let me sign a paper to say I'm going against medical advice. Like I said, I am fine, and I don't need any tests."

The doctor sighed and left her, and then Hiei went inside. Yoshezame noticed him and her eyes lit up. She sat up straight and reached out for him. Hiei was at her side in an instant.

Yoshezame should have expected that Hiei would be called regarding the incident at the home. He was her emergency contact. Concerned ember eyes checked her over for injuries, and Hiei's tensed shoulders dropped from their squared position when he realized she was okay.

"What the hell happened?" Hiei asked demandingly. His eyes were hard and judgmental.

Yoshezame sighed and pulled Hiei closer to her. She wrapped her arms around his, and he acted as her pillar.

"There is this new boy at the home, Kairen," Yoshezame explained. "He's been having trouble adjusting and bothers some of the other kids. I stepped in to stop one of the other boys from hitting Kairen, but I didn't realize Kairen was going to throw a punch too. He hit me by accident. It wasn't all that painful, just startling. I healed myself before I even left the home, and I told everyone I was fine, but they didn't want to hear it."

Hiei grumbled under his breath. "Hn, I still don't like that you got hit by some kid."

"It was an accident, Hiei," Yoshezame argued. "He was more traumatized by it than I was. Besides, it was a wake-up call. Now Kairen will learn violence isn't the answer." The maiden took Hiei's hand. "But I am sorry they made you come down here to get me."

Hiei squeezed his wife's hand and laced their fingers together. "There is no place else I'd rather be."


Lightning crackled in the distance, flashing through the black clouds of the red sky. Yomi stood at his large, casement window. He opened the door and stood outside, soaking in the chaos of the world he adored so much. He could hear all of his followers going about their daily lives, lives that involved vengeance and mischief. It felt like home.

Jirou left earlier to return to his encampment. Yomi had no idea where Jirou's camp was, but he didn't truly care. He trusted that the thief was invested in wreaking havoc on their shared enemies. No, Yomi was not concerned about his informant.

"Yomi."

Now, his old friend, however, was another story.

Yomi turned to face his redheaded former thieving partner. It was so off-putting how familiar yet strange this visage of Kurama was. Yet this human body was simply a shell. Inside, the true Youko Kurama lived, but he and Yomi were no longer shared the same ideals. Kurama was just another obstacle in Yomi's grand scheme.

"Kurama," Yomi cordially greeted. "To what do I owe this visit? It's been ages since we last spoke."

Kurama smiled wryly. "A few years is nothing compared to the millennia in which we didn't speak."

And who's fault is that? Yomi thought, though with amusement instead of bitterness. Youko was ruthless and cutthroat, and Yomi had been a liability back then. It didn't surprise him that his former friend arranged to have him assaulted.

"Very true," Yomi chuckled. "So, what can I do for you today, Kurama? Knowing you, this isn't a social call."

"It depends on how you look at it," Kurama coolly stated. "I'm looking for information."

"Information on what?" Yomi asked, although he was certain he could guess.

"You hear everything in your territory," Kurama pointed out. "Have you heard anything about a man named Jirou?"

"Jirou?" Yomi repeated in a tone that suggested the name sounded foreign. "Is he the demon you told me about, the one after Mukuro's general?"

"Yes," Kurama replied. "I have reason to believe he is camping out close to your territory. Do you know if he's entered?"

Yomi didn't even break a sweat. He wasn't worried at all about Kurama's questioning. "I'm sorry, old friend, but no," the demon king lied easily. "Believe me; if he ever did enter, I'd know."

A sigh escaped the former bandit, and he nodded. Of course, it appeared to Yomi that Kurama felt defeated. In truth, Kurama was playing a part, too. He sensed something off about his friend, something very slight that he couldn't put his finger on. Kurama had plenty of reasons to trust and not trust Yomi, and right now his senses told him not to take what the king told him at face value.

"Understood," Kurama muttered. "So, how have you faired with your own problems?"

"I haven't been under attack in a while," Yomi answered. "You?"

"Not recently, thankfully," Kurama returned. "I'm more worried about Hiei's family than my own right now."

"I wouldn't worry too much, Kurama," Yomi reassured. "No matter what, you will always be Youko in my eyes. No one can overcome you."

Kurama laughed weakly and shook his head. "Flattery, Yomi? That doesn't sound much like you."

"What can I say? I've changed."

Their banter lasted only moments more, and then Kurama took his leave. Yomi promised the fox that he would send word if he heard anything about this thief. Kurama seemed to believe him.

Once Kurama left, Yomi summoned his vizier. "Youda, it's time to enact my plan."