Chapter Nine: Ryne, the Water Dragoness.

((A/N: After this there is only one more chapter...so enjoy the last bits of the story.))

The dragoness growled low, trying to kick Hiei with her black flat shoe clad feet. "My name is Rynaki, but you may call me Ryne. You have something of mine." she stated, clearly annoyed. Youko looked coldly at her, "Get that smug look off your face Dragon. You're going to be plastered to my wall if you continue to be hostile in my house, in front of my mate and our daughters." he said very visciously. "I just want my jewel back, Kitsune." the dragon replied, pouting. "For th' las' time, 'twas not stolen! Koenma is goin' ta put it in a vault for protection purposes~!" Jin stated, drawing the dragon's attention. "Fine. Tell Koenma, Ryne is only giving him her gem for safe keeping. If he lets harm come to it, I will be mad." the dragon said as Hiei released her and she slipped out the window, shifting to dragon form and flying off into the night. Youko sighed, and they all went back to bed, finally. Early the next morning, at Kurama's house, a bird chirped and then it was singing. One of the kits opened her eyes.

"Pretty, pretty birdie..." Lyana said softly, her light gold eyes full of sparkling wonder. Her soft black tail wagged, it's silver tip brushing across her twin's nose. "Achoo~!" Kyna sneezed, sitting up and opening her dark gold eyes. "Lyana, that tickled..." she complained to her excited twin. "Sorry Kyna..." Lyana responded, grinning. They were identical except for their hair and fur, and already had a connection with each other. "I know, you're excited about the bird." Kyna replied, yawning. "And we're a day old~! We get christened or something like that today after school." Lyana added. "You learned more words..." Merina's soft voice spoke up. "Mommy, you're up~!" Kyna said, quirking her little ears happily. "I heard the bird-song..." Merina replied, yawning. Youko padded into the room and up to the cradle in his youko form, gold eyes sparkling in the sunlight. Lyana giggled at him, "Daddy, I know that's you." she said softly to him, smiling. Youko shifted to demon form, saying, "Drat! I've been found out~!" and quirking his ears happily.

In the corner, crimson eyes watched calmly, a hint of sleep still present in them. Hiei suppressed a yawn, not wanting to be seen yet. Too bad fate was against him at the moment, as a squealing Kyna threw herself upon him yelling, "Hiei~! Hiei~!" and burying her tiny face in his chest. He sweatdropped and awkwardly wrapped his arms around her small form. "Hn. morning..." he said, giving in. Jin was still sound asleep despite all this noise. But suddenly Jin sneezed, opening his eyes and yawning, "Wha' time is it? I dunno if ah'm supposed ta get up yet or not, but being tickled by a tail isn't fun, Youko." Jin said thickly in his irish accent, yawning again. Youko smirked and picked up Lyana, showing her to him. "Maybe you should tell Lyana that, Jin." he said, while everyone but Hiei and Jin laughed, and Hiei smirked at Jin. "Wha's so funny?" Jin asked, rubbing sleep from his eyes and frowning slightly. Now even Hiei was laughing, and Jin just shook his head, not quite awake yet. A little while later, in the kitchen, Youko, Hiei, and Jin were talking quietly as they waited for Merina and the kits to get ready for the day.

"So," Jin said, "How long do you think it will take them ta realise tha' Urameshi's bound ta bring his girl ta school?" Youko glanced out the window as he replied, "Probably not too long." Hiei sipped his tea, "Hn. This is good, Youko." he said in surprise, staring at his cup. "New recipie..." Youko said with a smile as he walked towards the livingroom. "Youko, I need your help~!" Merina's voice called through the now open door to the kits's room. Youko was there in less than a second, "What is it?" he asked quietly, going in and closing the door behind him. "They wont sit still, they insist something is wrong..." Merina said, looking worried. Youko concentrated, then shook his head. "The dragon is back, that's all." he told her, "Here, I'll help you get them dressed for later today, then you can have them choose which form to go to school with us in." he added. Merina sighed, handing him the tiny outfits. Once they were dressed, she fed them and they calmed down a bit. Then the family of youkos shifted to their human forms. They walked to the kitchen, where Hiei and Jin were ready and waiting. After a look at everyone's faces, Kurama nodded, saying, "Right, so we all know? Lets go then." with that, they all headed out, Kurama locking the door behind them as usual before picking up Lyana, while Skye held Kyna.

They met Yusuke, Keiko and Kuwabara on the corner, and Skye held her daughter protectively. "Good morning, guys...Skye..." Keiko said, then seeing the babies Skye and Kurama held, "Oh my. Is that why you two were home schooled?!?" she exclaimed, shocked. Skye nodded solemnly, standing closer to Kurama. "But, you're both so young~! Are you sure you can handle being parents? It's a big responsibility, you know..." Keiko started in, but Yusuke shushed her, saying, "It's their choice and their right. Besides, Kurama's smart, he knows what to do and what not to do...right Kurama?" Kurama nodded, with a look that said clearly, 'thank you.' Keiko seemed to accept this, then said meekly, "Can I ask their names? Skye?" Skye smiled softly, pointing at each in turn as she said, "This is Minamino, Kyna...and this is Minamino, Lyana. They're a day old today." Keiko smiled wide, as she said, "You must be so happy and proud, huh, Kurama? A loving wife, two beautiful young daughters and a steady job at a detective agency after school...do you need a babysitter? I have friends that are good with babies..." Kurama chuckled, then motioned towards Hiei and Jin.

"They have a God-father and two uncles, an aunt, and Kuwabara could babysit when he isn't busy...if he proves to be good with kids. Tell your friends we'll consider it if the arrangement we have is not enough." Keiko, bright human girl that she is, looked at Hiei and said, "He's the God-father? Really? I didn't think Hiei would ever commit himself to anything but his work!" Hiei shifted uncomfortably, then glanced at the others, "Hn. well...they're the children of my first 'partner-in-crime', why wouldn't I protect them?" he said, his way of saying, 'but I love them, really.' Kyna and Lyana squirmed, looking away from Keiko when she got too close. 'She smells too much like a human...' Kyna thought. 'She is human.' Lyana thought back. 'We don't like humans...they're weird!' the kits thought together. 'Don't worry, that human is annoying but harmless.' Hiei assured them telepathically, mentally hugging them.

They calmed down, but they didn't look at Keiko again. From that point on the walk to school was almost uneventful but as they passed the arcade, they spotted Ryne. Kyna and Lyana began to cry and squirm as Ryne walked slowly towards the gang. Kurama, Skye and the other Spirit Detectives tensed and Keiko looked at Ryne apprehensively. Ryne was in her human looking form, wearing a black mini skirt over purple and green striped leggings, a blood-red tee shirt and blood red socks with black flats for shoes. Her blue hair with natural green and purple streaks fell free to the middle of her back. Her dragon eyes were still neon green, and she smiled lightly, her eyes lighting up with glee. She spoke softly, "Hello again, my friends. How happy I am to see you all again. I trust that you've all been well?" she seemed genuinely concerned.

Ryne was short, not quite as tall as Hiei, even, but they had failed to notice it the night before. Hiei smirked at Ryne, hiding his true thoughts. "I just thought I'd tell you all that I've been thinking, and I've taken a liking to you all." Ryne said, "So I've brought a gift for each of you and I ask nothing in return." she added, pulling a small cloth sack from around her waist. She tossed it to Hiei, saying, "Each gift is marked, and will be able to be given to the appropriate person." she turned to walk away. "Wait!" Keiko called out, and Ryne turned back around, raising an eyebrow. "Yes?" she asked, "How old are you?" Keiko asked her curiously. "No one knows." Ryne replied, a tear trailing down her face. Quicker than the blink of an eye, Hiei caught it and then disappeared. No one saw him do it, except Kyna and Lyana, who were too young to understand the action. "Come to school with us, please?" Keiko implored, pouting. Ryne smiled, "Why not? I would be honored to do so." she said. The rest of the walk to school passed uneventfully.

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