A very stunned Shiori landed with Boton before Hiei, Yuusuke and Kuwabara. She climbed down from the oar and looked up to the mountain.
"My Suichi ran all this way in one day?" She asked, looking around at the darkening forest.
"Shiori, there is something you should know about Suichi." Hiei said quietly, and Shiori looked down at him. "He is a demon named Kurama with the power to manipulate plants."
"Hiei!" Boton scolded, but Hiei threw her a glare.
"She's going to find out anyway!" Hiei shouted, looking at Shiori. She simply smiled and shrugged.
"I had a feeling he wasn't as normal as I hoped. He's always disappearing with you guys and no normal boy has such perfect marks all the time. Still, he is and always will be my Shuichi. Now take me to him." Sharing impressed looks, the three fighters and Shiori made their way through the snow to the top of the mountain with Boton's help.
They all looked down into the deep hole and Hiei sat himself at the entrance. He looked back to Shiori and smiled encouragingly. She took a seat the other side of the hole from him.
"On the count of three, Shiori, let's go down together." She nodded to Hiei's words and as Hiei counted, they both disappeared down the hole. Yuusuke, Boton and Kuwabara leapt forward, but vines covered the hole to prevent them entering.
"Oh no you don't!" Kuwabara shouted, bringing out his spirit sword.
"No, Kuwabara!" Boton shouted, standing protectively in front of the vines. "If they don't manage, then we'll force our way in. Until then, let's wait and see." Kuwabara huffed, holding his arms.
Hiei landed on a net of vines the bottom of the cave this time, but on impact they wound themselves around him. To his surprise, however, Shiori got up unhindered. Apparently the vines hadn't registered her as a threat as she wasn't a demon. Her eyes were already set on the red-haired boy sitting in the corner, slumped against the wall.
"Why are you back? I told you to leave." He said in that same dull voice to Hiei.
"Sorry fox, I couldn't leave a lady to come in here on her own. Anyway, if I had and she'd got hurt by you, I know you'd never forgive yourself." Hiei said, struggling against the bonds. Kurama raised his gaze from the floor and regarded the woman before him. As soon as he saw her, Hiei noticed tears glittering in his eyes.
"Suichi." Shiori said, her voice shaking slightly at the sight of her son. "My perfect baby boy…" She stumbled forward, not even bothering to step over the stream. She knelt down before him, unhindered, and took his cheeks in her hands. He watched her, unmoving, his eyes glued to hers.
"Mother…" He muttered, and Shiori smiled.
"That's right, Suichi. It's me." She said softly, pulling his head over her shoulder and hugging him tightly. "I was so afraid for you…" She whispered, her voice cracking as she pulled his closer. Relief spread over her as his arms gripped around her waist in a tight hug.
"Mother!" He cried, pulling back for a moment and burying his face into her chest as tears fell from his eyes. She hugged him close, rocking back and forth.
"Hush now. Everything will be alright." She soothed, and Kurama sobbed into her shirt, clenching the fabric in his fists as he cried. Hiei felt the vines release him, and stood in silence. He didn't have a place in this moment.
"I'm so sorry, Mother…" Kurama choked, and she hushed his softly.
"Don't be, hush it's alright. Just let it out."
Hiei slowly approached as Kurama fell into silence, still being rocked in his mother's arms.
"Kurama?" He asked, and Kurama's head whipped up, giving Hiei a look and indicating at Shiori. Hiei sighed in relief to see him back to some degree of normality.
"Don't worry, Kurama. She knows of your… Heritage." Kurama looked in surprise at Shiori, who smiled and hugged him tightly before releasing him.
"Its okay, Suichi. You can tell me all about it later. I cleaned up your room and I'm sure you're tired, so let's go home." Kurama looked at his mother silently, and then up at Hiei, who was avoiding his gaze.
"Uh… Mother, would you mind waiting outside with the others for a small while?" He asked, releasing himself from Shiori's arms. She looked between the two awkward boys and smiled.
"Of course." She walked over to the entrance, and vines lifted her from beneath her feet, taking her slowly up the tunnel. As soon as she was out of sight, Kurama stepped forward. Hiei was wringing his hands before him.
"Kurama…" Hiei started, but Kurama wrapped him a tight embrace. Hiei's eyes widened, but he hugged back tightly, tears slipping from his closed eyes. "Kurama. I'm so sorry. I saw what I did… I don't know how I can even begin to…" He stopped as Kurama pulled back, emerald eyes dancing with life.
"Hiei." He said simply, pushing them closer together. "I forgive you. Please stop talking and kiss me." Hiei blinked in surprise, but obeyed without complaint. They each leant forward, and their lips joined in a passionate kiss that conveyed more than words ever could.
A few minutes later they emerged from the cave arm in arm, and each had a light blush over their cheeks. Yuusuke and Kuwabara bundled them, laughing, while Shiori and Boton smiled from the sidelines. Hiei's voice broke over the struggle.
"Buffoon, if you touch me again you'll loose your fingers!"
"Yeah?! What you gonna do, shrimp?"
"Fox, let me go! I'm going to kill him!" Hiei shouted, held back by the firm grip of Kurama's arms around his shoulders. Across from them, Yuusuke was also restraining Kuwabara. They all looked over to the two women as they laughed, and couldn't help but laugh themselves. The relief everyone felt was obvious, and together they headed back towards home.
Hiei looked across to Kurama, who was holding his hand, and smiled. He knew it would take time to build up the trust and confidence again, but he was sure it was more than possible. Kurama turned to look at him and smiled.
"I love you, Fox." Hiei said, not bothering to keep his voice down. The others listened for the answer, though none stopped their conversations.
"I love you too, Hiei."