Disclaimer: I don't own YYH or the characters

~First Mother's Day~

"So, what are you doing for Botan for Mother's Day?"

Yusuke's question came so abruptly, that Hiei was momentarily stumped. He'd decided to take Yoshio out for a walk in the city and stopped at the former detective's food cart for lunch. Hiei looked over at his son who was sitting in a wooden highchair his "uncle" procured for their visits. Yoshio smiled and babbled as he played with his dried cereal, one of his favorite snacks now that he was eating solid foods.

Hiei met his comrade's gaze, eyes indifferent as always, but curiosity running through him. "What is that?"

Yusuke's eyes narrowed playfully before he laughed. "Come on, it's just as it sounds. A day for mothers. It's a holiday here where families and friends celebrate mothers. She is one now, so I figured you'd be doing something for it."

Hiei sipped the broth from his soup bowl and set it down with a hard clack. "I was unaware such a thing existed. The woman hasn't mentioned anything about it either."

"Not surprising," Yusuke mused. "She probably wasn't thinking about it. I know it's been busy with you both going back and forth and taking care of this little guy."

Yusuke ruffled Yoshio's hair, and the child laughed happily. He smiled with abandon at his honorary uncle. "Gum boo."

"Gum boo to you too, little buddy," Yusuke replied fondly. He pulled back and returned his attention to Hiei. "Well?"

Hiei's expression grew conflicted. He was being completely honest when he said he had no idea about the holiday, so much so that he had absolutely nothing planned for it. Maybe he should have known about it already, but how was he supposed to when nothing like that existed in the Makai. How was he supposed to know there was a day to celebrate mothers when he had never truly known his own? He shook his head; he was not going to go down that rabbit hole right now.

"What day is it?" Hiei inquired, just to know.

"This Sunday," Yusuke informed him before he turned around to grill up something.

Hiei's regretful moue was unseen by the detective. It couldn't be that day. He was supposed to return to Mukuro's to assist with a raid, but he really should be there for the woman. Perhaps he could reconvene with his fellow soldiers a day later. Strangely enough, a day to celebrate Botan and what she'd given to him was more important to him than that.

"Hey guys!" a familiar, boisterous voice shouted. Kuwabara made his way over to the food cart and took a seat. "What are we talking about?"

"Bbbbbbbbbbpt," Yoshio answered before he giggled and reached out for the redhead.

Kuwabara chuckled and picked the child up. The human was always an emotional fool, and he was the more touchy-feely member of the group. He always let Yoshio climb all over him and pull on his hair and never complained once. In the past Hiei might have found him ridiculous, but since Yoshio was always so excited to be with the redhead, Hiei thought differently.

The fire demon turned to face the psychic. "Mother's Day. I don't know what to do for the ferry girl."

Kuwabara seemed surprised by the topic, but he grinned enthusiastically. "That's surprisingly sweet of you." Hiei growled warningly. "Heh, I mean, I didn't know you were interested."

"I know next to nothing about human holidays," Hiei retorted. "I'm not of this world."

"Yeah," Kuwabara murmured apologetically, "right. So, what do you want to know?"

Hiei shrugged. Other than the fact that Mother's Day was a day to celebrate the ferry girl, the fire demon had no idea what it all entailed. "Everything."

"Well," Kuwabara began. "It's customary to make mother's breakfast in bed and some take over the responsibilities for the day, but it's really just a day to spend time together as a family. You can give her a card, a gift, or flowers—I'm sure Kurama can help you with that. It's really up to you."

It sounded simple enough. In fact, it was reminiscent of that dating activity they did toward the end of Botan's pregnancy, except now it included a child. Hiei could do that.

It was Saturday evening, and Botan returned home around dinnertime. While they ate, Botan filled Hiei in on her week and all the changes occurring in Spirit World. It was part of the reason the two of them agreed to this shift business. Where Hiei was needed in Demon World to assist with border patrol and train the troops for battle to protect the balance, Botan's presence was necessary in Spirit World. Between hers and Koenma's progressive ideals, everything was changing for the better. There was still plenty of work to be done, plenty of ancient and prejudiced laws and regulations, but both Botan and Hiei were determined to create a better world for their child.

Hiei watched Botan as she put Yoshio to bed that night, her movements as graceful and motherly as he knew she'd be. She still had yet to broach the subject of Mother's Day. It was probably as Yusuke said, that she wasn't thinking about it. She looked incredibly exhausted, too, so Hiei figured it was a good thing he was sticking around for an extra day.

In their own room, the two settled in, and Botan was surprised when Hiei grabbed only one pair of clothes—instead of the amount he'd need for the week—and then headed to the bathroom to shower. The ferry girl expected that Hiei would have left by now. He hadn't said anything about staying longer.

A short while later, Hiei returned to the room, hair a bit damp from his shower. He climbed into bed, ignoring the feeling of the ferry girl's eyes on his. He knew she was curious, but he planned to wait for her to broach the subject.

It didn't take long for Botan to break the silence between them. "So when do you have to go back?"

"Monday," he replied stoically. Botan seemed surprised but otherwise said nothing. "You look haggard."

"Heh," Botan chuckled wryly. "Well, it's that time again, so I had to stay in my human body the last few days. I have to say I feel drained."

Hiei had no idea what Botan was talking about or what 'that time' meant, but she didn't seem ill so he knew overall she must be fine. "Just rest, then," he told her.

Botan smiled and was about to lie down when the baby monitor sounded. Yoshio fussed and cooed, his voice becoming more unsettled.

"Sounds like rest will have to wait. Someone needs me."

The woman was about to get up, but Hiei stopped her, his hand on her arm. "I'll take care of him."

Fatigue hit Botan hard, and she flashed Hiei a sleepy smile. "Thanks, hun."

Hiei responded with a nod and headed to Yoshio's room. The baby was awake and looked mildly agitated. To calm him, Hiei placed his hand on his head, and Yoshio met his eyes, a curious glint to his candy-colored eyes.

So much like his mother…

Yoshio stopped his fussing and started to drift off. Perhaps the baby was just looking for attention, or maybe he sensed Hiei's anticipation for the next day. He'd never really done this holiday thing before, the closest things being the short-lived Halloween festival, procuring a turkey on Thanksgiving, and recuperating at home after Yoshio's birth on Christmas. He never participated in the art of gift-giving save Botan's favorite sweater. Knowing the woman, she would appreciate his efforts no matter what, but there was very little he could give to the woman to convey even a fraction of his thankfulness to and for her.

Get some sleep, Hiei thought toward the child although his son could not hear him. Tomorrow is an important day.

In the morning, Botan stirred. The smell of breakfast infiltrated her nostrils and targeted her stomach. Without opening her eyes, she pressed her head into her fluffy pillows. She wanted to open her eyes, but each time she tried, her vision was bleary no matter how much she wiped the sleep from them.

Wow, I really must be tired.

Botan started to push herself up, bunching up her pillows behind her back. She leaned against the headboard and blinked her bleary eyes open in time to see Hiei. It was one of the most surprising sites Botan ever witnessed. Hiei entered their room with a tray decorated with a small vase of deep pink peonies. The ferry girl was completely surprised as Hiei brought the tray to her and served her breakfast in bed.

Yoshio's soft voice fussed over the baby monitor signaling her little boy was up. Botan was about to get up, but Hiei's voice stopped her before she could. "Stay in bed and eat." He set the tray on her lap, and Botan's brow furrowed. She was unsure as to why Hiei was acting this way, the emotions plainly written on her face. Hiei kept his expression tempered, but he found amusement that she was really this clueless about these holidays she put so much importance on.

Hiei left the room, and moments later returned with Yoshio in his arms. Botan's face lit up with joy. She reached for the baby, but Hiei shook his head once. "Finish eating," he encouraged. "He can wait."

Botan huffed and began to eat her breakfast. She had to admit this was very unlike Hiei, to keep their kid away from her. It was nice of him to make breakfast for her though. Still, what was the reason? It's not like she was feeling weak or anything, and her exhaustion was not a big deal. Why wouldn't he let her handle her responsibilities? This was technically supposed to be her time with her son. She tried not to be irritated, but her hormones probably hit her harder than she thought.

The room had a tense atmosphere, but Hiei could not figure out why. He waited patiently for Botan to finish eating. When she did finish the meal, she put the vase of flowers on her night table and set the tray on the floor at the side of their bed. She held out her hands again and wore an unamused expression.

"Now can I hold my son?" she asked. A bit of frustration shone through in her tone.

Hiei flinched, taken aback by her words. Did she think he was trying to keep their child away from her? Even with his actions for the morning, could she really not understand what today was? A sigh escaped the demon as he stood up and made his way to her side. Hiei handed Yoshio to Botan, and her expression softened, all irritation gone.

Yoshio was just as eager to be in Botan's arms and babbled at her. Botan smiled and spoke to the baby with such care and ease. "Good morning, Yoshi. Mommy loves you so much."

Hiei sat at the edge of the bed near her feet and earned the woman's attention. "It's fitting that Yoshio wants to be with you on Mother's Day," he cut in.

Botan froze, her expression shifted from bewildered to pale. "M-Mother's Day?"

Hiei nodded. "Yes, the holiday… It was just brought to my attention a few days ago. I assumed you knew and just forgot."

"I know of the day," Botan admitted, her expression pensive, "but it's… I never even considered…" She looked up into Hiei's crimson eyes. "You did all this for me to celebrate?"

Hiei leaned over her, mindful of their son, and used his arm to hold himself up. He cupped the ferry girl's face and traced her cheek with his thumb. "You brought an amazing gift into this world. Of course I'd want to celebrate it."

Tears pricked the corners of Botan's eyes, the woman feeling a little overemotional. She smiled at Hiei, now feeling more thankful and silly for her earlier, misplaced thoughts. The fire demon kissed her, his lips warm and inviting. Botan's lips curved as did Hiei's when he smirked as he continued to peck her lips a few more times.

Yoshio made more noises to get attention and beamed up at his parents as they looked down at him. Hiei took this moment to maneuver himself to his side of the bed and cuddled Botan and the baby close to him. Botan leaned her head on Hiei's shoulder and gave her finger to her Little Yoshi while Hiei used his opposite hand to support Yoshio with Botan's. The joy Botan felt from this moment alone was just the medicine she needed after a particularly hectic and draining week.

"What do you want to do today? I only had this much planned, but we can do whatever you want."

"I'm good right now," Botan chimed. "I just want to spend the whole day with my two boys."

"Heh," Hiei breathed with a grin. "That can be arranged."

Yoshio eventually got bored sitting still, so the parents allowed him to settle on their mattress, their legs acting as barriers to the bedsides. The baby rolled around, so far his only mode of transport, and was mindful not to go near the last remaining edge of the bed.

Hiei kissed Botan's forehead and let her snuggle against him. The fire demon knew he'd grown soft over the course of the year, but it always startled him how different he felt when he was away from the outside world and concerns for the future. It was these peaceful moments at home where he felt truly happy, a concept so foreign to him. He knew this was where he was meant to be, supporting his woman any way he could and spending time with his son. For this moment, nothing else mattered. Everything else could wait.

A/N: I hope everyone liked this nice, fluffy Mother's Day chapter. And now for a little side request. Please do me a favor and keep my mother in your prayers. We've been dealing with some health challenges with her lately, one after another. She is in good spirits and we know ultimately she will be okay, but please keep us in your thoughts as we deal with some challenges.

And now for a little flower explanation.

Peonies: represent a variety of things, from honor and good fortune to happy marriages

Deep Pink: represents gratitude and appreciation and is considered a symbol of love from mother to child—or in the case of Mother's Day flowers, child to mother

Review Responses

SaiyanWarrior200: Aw, thank you. I have a lot of fun developing Baby Yoshio's personality :)