Part Thirty-two: Of New And Blossoming Relationships

The next morning finds all the members of the household downstairs in the living room. The house was definitely full but no one seemed to mind that or the three wailing infants waiting to be fed. Ryan looks around shyly from the safety of his mother's lap. "There's lots of people here," he announces.

"Yes, there are but they all live here."

"Whys weren't they here when I gots here?"

Ani pauses for a moment wondering how to phrase it for a three-year-old child. He isn't sure whether he should tell him the truth or embellish it a little bit. Thankfully, though, Genkai helps him out. "We ran into a delay in returning home," she tells him. Ani gives her a grateful smile. She smiles back.

"Oh. Who was that mean guy?" he asks.

Kuwabara rolls his eyes. "That was Yusuke. He's supposedly a friend of mine but he doesn't like Ani much."

"Then I don't like him!" Ryan declares. Kazuma and Ani both laugh.

"This is still strange," Bui comments staring at the child, "I am not sure what to think about this."

"When we figure it out ourselves, we'll let you know," Ani responds.

"You don't know, either?"

"Bui, I'm pregnant with triplets and I wasn't aware of Ryan until Botan comes to the door and brings him to me. The only thing I do know is that I love him and anyone who tries to hurt him will die a very slow and very painful death by my hands."

Kuwabara smiles softly. "That's all that really matters at the moment.

Everything else can come in time. It's a lot for all of us to get used to."

"Well, at least he's cute," Genkai comments, "He obviously takes after his mother."

Kazuma laughs at the blush that appears on Ani's face. The mood lightens as the others join in with the carrot-top. Ryan cuddles closer to his mom who rolls his eyes. "You are still as vexing as ever," he grumbles to Genkai.

"That is not something I am changing very soon, Aniki," she responds.

"Don't call me Aniki," he growls at her. This only serves to amuse Ryan who starts giggling and then laughing helplessly. Ani looks down at the child doubled over laughing and smiles fondly. For all the pain his birth entailed, Ani wouldn't change anything for the world.

"You know you're not terrifying when a three-year-old laughs at you when you growl, brother-dearest," Oto teases.

Ani glowers at his brother. "No one asked for your opinion, Otouto!"

"Of course not but that doesn't mean I won't give it when I want to."

Ani looks at Kazuma. "Do you see what I have to deal with? He's constantly harassing me!"

"Hey, don't look at me for sympathy. YOU'RE the older brother, you deal with him," the carrot-top responds.

"He's four times my size!"

"You're resorting to whining?"

"YES!"

Kuwabara smiles and shakes his head. "Poor Ani, he has to deal with his cruel

YOUNGER brother because he can't tell him to be quiet and behave himself!"

"Do you want to sleep on the couch?" Ani asks.

"Are you threatening me?"

"No, I am asking you for your opinion."

"Oto leave my boyfriend alone!"

Oto laughs at this.

In the kitchen, Karasu finishes preparing the children's bottles. He's still unaware that Bui has told Kuronue or Kurama about his feelings or the impending conversation about to take place. He hears the kitchen door open and close but thinks nothing of it until a voice says, "Karasu, we need to talk."

Recognizing Kurama's voice startles him though he shows no outward sign of shock. "What about?" he asks.

"Bui told Kuronue and me something while we were captured by Corben. He said that we could relax and not worry about the children because you would protect them. He clarified it by saying the reason nothing would happen to our children is because you were in love with me and would do anything to protect them."

Karasu feels the color drain from his face. This was not a conversation he wanted to have with the fox-demon. "Whatever my feelings may be happen to be none of your business, Kurama," he says shortly. He picks up the bottles and checks them. They were done. "The bottles are prepared," he remarks before making his way to the door. Kuronue doesn't let him pass.

"You aren't going anywhere until we've spoken with you," the bat-demon tells him.

"I have nothing to say to you…either of you so leave me alone and let me go elsewhere." He suddenly feels claustrophobic and feels the deep-seated need to flee...fast.

"You might have nothing to say to us but that doesn't mean the same isn't true. You don't have to say anything. We just want you to hear US out," Kurama tells him in a soothing voice, "You need to relax, we aren't angry with you."

"Far from it actually," Kuronue responds grinning. Kurama gives him a warning look which is promptly ignored by the bat-demon. He doesn't see how it would help to be coy with the dark haired bomb-wielder. Getting a good look at him, he doesn't see how Kurama kept his hands off such a jewel. 'Maybe his being evil had something to do with it,' his mind suggests. Kuronue shakes off such needless information. He'd heard all about how they had met and Karasu's less than decent actions towards his lover. However, he also knows that it was merely one side to the violet-eyed demon's many faceted personality.

Karasu is still sure he should get as far away from both demons as he can…however, the fact that they are standing between him and the door makes it almost impossible to do so. His shoulders drop. "Say what you need," he tells them, "but be quick about it."

"You need to relax, violet-eyes. You're tenser than a spring," Kuronue comments.

"Violet-eyes?" Karasu inquires.

Kuronue grins at him. "It works as a pet-name. I highly doubt you want us to call you crow-baby now do you?"

Karasu can only stare at the sapphire-eyed male while his thoughts go chaotic. Kurama rolls his eyes. "Kuronue, it's called tact," the redhead tells him.

"No, your version is called beating around the bush…or the damned Makai for that matter," Kuronue responds, "This is the best method for him; straight and upfront.

I highly doubt he likes to get strung along."

Karasu snaps himself out of it. "Did you just say pet-name?" he asks.

Kuronue laughs. "And he finally returns to us. Yes, violet-eyed lovely, I said pet-name. You know what lovers call each other as a term of endearment."

Again, Karasu is stricken to silence. Kurama sighs and decides that he might as well just do as his lover was. He steps up to the shocked demon before tilting his face down and kissing him.

Karasu decides that there is no greater pleasure in the world than kissing Kurama…well, until Kuronue decides to help the redhead. Karasu is soon breathless and leaning against the counter for support. He stares at the two males who are watching him. "I think I should thank Bui…right after I smack him around for telling you," he murmurs gently touching his lips.

"Or we could go give the bottles to someone else, have them watch the children, and go enjoy ourselves," Kuronue suggests. He waits for Kurama's rejection of the idea and when it doesn't come, he turns to look at his lover. Kurama gives a grin that can only be described as predatory.

"I definitely like the second choice," he states looking at Karasu, "I definitely like that second choice."

"Well, suffice to say, you are going to pay for the Dark Tournament," Kuronue comments wrapping his hands around the bomb-wielder's waist, "and as good of a fighter as he is, it's nothing compared to how he is in bed."

Karasu raises an eyebrow before murmuring, "Strangely enough, I'm not all that afraid."

"You should be, violet-eyes, you should be," Kuronue cautions, "He IS a real demon in bed."