Disclaimer: I do not own any of the main characters used in this story. This story is rated M for violence, bad language, and graphic boy on boy love.

CHAPTER TWENTY: SILENT TEARS

A few years later…

Kurama applied the last bit of frosting from the large cake and stood back, admiring his work. The countertop was filled with all types of sweets, snacks, and other foods; the stove had been dominated by the finished cake. A scream echoed from the stairs and the younger two children came running downstairs.

Kurama watched the children run around the coffee table in the living room, admiring how much they looked just like Hiei. Nevaeh had short black hair that reached her shoulders and crimson eyes, just like her father. Her fraternal twin, Ayden, looked like the woman who'd given them both up, signed over all parental rights to Kurama. Ayden's hair was a light cinnamon with red highlights in the summer sun. His eyes were a deep blue like that of Nikita. Sage sat on the couch silently, watching his younger brother and sister fight back and forth.

"All demons under eight years of age, front and center," Kurama called.

The children all hurried in to the kitchen and gazed up at their mother.

"Alright, this is Sage's seventh birthday party, and I want you all on your best behavior. Ian and Hanna will be coming over with their parents. Sage, don't play rough with Ian. Nevaeh, if I see you shove Hanna's face in to the dirt, cake, or anything else, you're in big trouble. Shiori will also becoming over with her parents. Ayden, no pulling her hair, okay? Now, you're allowed to play with them, but that doesn't involve fighting, wrestling, arguing or hitting. Have I made myself clear?"

"Yes mama," Ayden and Nevaeh chimed.

"Yes mother," Sage whispered.

Kurama watched the two five-year old twins run towards their separate rooms to play. Though none of the children were really that old, all the children had grown at an irregular pace up until they were five and their hormones balanced out. That had also been the case with Yusuke's children: Ian and Hanna. Those two were now eight, and frequent visitors of Kurama's. Cian and Zane's two boys were ten, and had been placed in boarding school. The youngest child was Shiori, the little girl that Yukina had named in honor of Kurama's mother. She was five but delicate and frail like her mother.

Sage gazed up at Kurama with a sigh. "Where's father?"

"He's in Alaric," Kurama answered. "He said he'd be back in time for your party honey, so don't worry." Kurama kneeled down so he was at the same level as his son, gazing in to the golden orbs. "Are you going to tell me what's been bothering you these past few weeks?"

Sage gazed down at the kitchen floor and shook his head. "The party starts in ten minutes ma. Are you sure he's going to make it?"

Kurama gazed at the clock. "Baby, have faith in him." The doorbell rang and Kurama just planted a quick kiss on Sage's forehead before going to answer the front door. Ian and Hanna entered the house first, then came Yusuke and Keiko with presents. She set them on the kitchen table before standing next to Kurama and watching the kids.

Hanna and Nevaeh were comparing and trading doll clothes and accessories, as well as chatting away (in mostly half sentences) about the best way to torture their brothers. Ian had settled on the couch and pulled Sage on his lap to read a book, a fact that Sage didn't seem to mind at all. Though a year older than the silver haired little boy, the two were best friends, enrolled at the same elementary school and always near one another.

The doorbell rang again, and rather than break himself away from watching the children, he simply called, "Come in!"

Yukina and Kuwabara entered with their daughter, Shiori. The little girl looked exactly like Yukina except for her bright orange hair. She tugged on Yukina's sleeve and gazed up at her mother with a cute look. "Mommy, can I go play?"

Yukina nodded and put a hand on her daughter's head. "I don't want to hear one word about your medicine later though."

Kurama moved forward and kissed Yukina on the cheek. "How is little Shiori?"

Yukina managed a weak smile. "Better," she sighed. "She's been much better now that we've got her on the proper medication for it. That herbal tea you gave us worked wonders until we could travel to Makai and have her looked at."

"What did Inaya say?"

"That her lungs are underdeveloped, but that she'll grow out of it as a teenager. Inaya said her lungs will develop fully when she's thirteen and gets another growth spurt." Yukina folded her hands in front of her. "Until then, we just have to be careful that she doesn't strain herself."

"That's good," Kurama smiled at the lovely couple. "We were all so worried, especially Hiei."

Yukina glanced around the room. "Where is my brother?"

"His meeting must have run long. He was meeting with his advisors this afternoon, but he promised Sage that he'd be home in time for the party." Kurama's eyes darkened.

Kuwabara and Yukina exchanged glances and then Yukina retired to a chair in the living room while Kuwabara cleared his throat. "Hiei's been spending a lot of time in Alaric since Nevaeh and Ayden were born."

Kurama nodded and bit his lower lip to shroud the doubt that gripped his heart. "Yes, every weekend."

Just then, Hiei walked through the door. Kurama strode over to him and pressed his lips against his in a fervent need to know that his doubts were foolish. Hiei slipped his tongue in to the fox's mouth, his hands falling at the lithe hips. The taste of Hiei, the fox realized, wasn't right. Usually, his fire demon tasted of subtle spices, but today he tasted like something so sweet it almost made Kurama choke on the tongue that was begging for a reaction. Kurama closed his eyes and pressed his body harder against Hiei's.

Hiei was the first to pull away. "Did you really miss me that much baby?"

Kurama watched him hang his cloak. "You're late."

"I'm sorry. My meeting ran late." Hiei knelt down as the twins tackled him. He took Nevaeh in to his arms first, throwing her in to the air and catching her. "Does daddy get a kiss?"

Nevaeh placed a quick kiss on his cheek before being released to the ground.

Hiei lifted Ayden in to his arms next and pretended the little boy weighed a ton, letting him drop to the floor before swinging him back up again. "You're getting so big and strong! It's like you grow an inch every time I go away on one of my trips."

Kurama shivered and crossed his arms, hugging them to his body.

Hiei glanced from the fox to Sage. "Has your mother been eating?"

Sage looked from the book to his father with eyes of pure gold. "Ask mother."

Hiei turned to Kurama and examined him up and down. "I'm guessing not." He swept past Kurama to greet the rest of his guests, particularly his niece and his sister, leaving Kurama alone gazing at the scene before him. Hiei, acting like the perfect husband, the perfect father, the perfect mate.

Kurama turned away from the scene to make sure all the food was ready. He didn't utter a word the rest of the night and cleaned up silently after the party was over. Kurama put away the last dish and then grabbed a book from the shelf. "Kids, story time!" he called.

All three children came downstairs and sat around Kurama's favorite chair. Kurama opened the book and began to read, his voice smooth in most places, rough as the character's voice called for it. After the book was over, he stood up.

"All of you have fifteen minutes to get changed in to pajamas, get those teeth brushed, and be in bed waiting to be tucked in." Kurama watched them rush off to do his bidding before returning to the kitchen and finishing cleaning.

From upstairs, he heard the master bathroom shower shut off. A few minutes later, strong arms looped around the fox's waist. Kurama ignored the display of affection and wiped down the counter.

Hiei placed a line of soft kisses along Kurama's neck. "The kids didn't give you any trouble during the weekend, did they?"

"No, they were as pleasant as always," Kurama answered, rinsing out the rag. "Friday, I was required to pay the principal of the elementary a visit. Apparently, Sage and Ian have been holding hands through the hallways and telling anyone who asked that they were going to get married when they grew up. Today, Sage had to give a small speech to his class about what he wanted to do when he was older. He said that he wanted to be Ian's husband when he grew up." Kurama folded the rag carefully. "Then, a bully attempted to pick on Ian during recess and Sage hit him. He's suspended for Monday."

"Is he being punished?"

"Standing up for a friend isn't worthy of a punishment," Kurama stated, turning to Hiei and leaning back against the counter. "I told him violence wasn't a valid option during school hours and he said he understood. Ian also stated that he didn't need Sage's protection."

"How were the twins?" Hiei leaned close to Kurama, brushing a strand of hair from his face with a small smile.

"They got in to a paint war during kindergarten class again, so I finally gave in to their teacher's pleas and set them in separate classes. They both still have class in the afternoon rather than the morning."

"That's not fair to them."

"I don't think it was fair to the teacher's diminishing wardrobe to give them another chance." Kurama moved past Hiei. "I'll be to bed in a minute."

Kurama made his way to Nevaeh's room first, kissed her on the cheek, tucked the covers around her form, and handed her a stuffed animal. Next, Ayden was given a kiss on the forehead, tucked in, and handed his favorite action figure. Last of all, Kurama entered Sage's room. He sat beside the bed with a small smile and smoothed the hair from his son's face.

"Mom?" Sage questioned.

"Yes honey?"

"Does dad not love us anymore?"

"Why would you say something like that? He loves all of us; we're his family." Kurama pressed a kiss to Sage's head. "He's gone all the time because he has to be."

"I love you mom."

"I love you too." Kurama closed the door softly as he left the room and made his way to the bedroom.

Hiei was sitting on the bed, waiting for him. When the fox approached, he pulled him in a fiery kiss and growled when his advances were met with very little enthusiasm. Hiei pulled the fox down on the bed, crawling over him. Kurama kissed back softly, never letting his gaze fall from Hiei.

As Kurama expected, the brief make-out was the only foreplay he received. Hiei stripped them both and wrenched the fox from the bed, pushing him against the wall. Kurama wrapped his long legs around Hiei's waist and cried out softly as he was pierced without any preparation or lubricant to ease the intrusion.

"Shh," Hiei whispered in the fox's ear. "Quiet or you'll wake the kids."

Kurama clenched his teeth together and placed a hand over his mouth to muffle any cries. Hiei pinned Kurama's hands above his head as he took his lover. He pounded in to the body that was at his mercy, not caring whether his mate received pleasure or pain. He came with a groan and pulled away, releasing Kurama.

Kurama slid down the wall with a gasp. He, on the other hand, hadn't achieved any form of release. Hiei didn't seem to notice.

"I'm going to take a quick shower," Kurama murmured and fled to the bathroom, bloodied once again by his love's roughness. The hot water chased away the red liquid as well as the tears that decorated his face. In the privacy of the shower, he found his own release. That, too, was washed down the drain and Kurama sank down to the shower floor, silent sobs escaping him as he held himself closer.

When he crawled in to bed, he gazed in to crimson orbs. The two mates remained silent for a few minutes, just looking within the depths of the other's eyes.

Finally, Kurama let out a deep sigh. "Are you as rough with her?"

Hiei's eyes darkened. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Yes, you do," Kurama insisted. "Hiei, I'm not an idiot. You've been having an affair with that woman for the last year. At first, I told myself it was just a string of circumstances, but we both know the truth."

"Drop it."

"No."

Hiei's hand flew out and struck the fox across the face, bloodying his lip. "I said drop it!"

"Hiei…" Kurama's voice was full of sadness. "Don't you love me anymore Dragonfly? Am I not enough?" He reached out and ran his fingertips along Hiei's jaw.

Hiei's jaw tightened. "No, you aren't," came the hissed response. "You aren't enough."

The tears streamed down Kurama's face. "Then I'm sorry."

Hiei's eyes widened. "What?"

Kurama moved closer, his forehead touching Hiei's. "I'm sorry that I'm not enough." He closed his eyes as he choked out the words between a sob. "I'm sorry… that I can't be everything you wished for."

AUTHOR'S CORNER:

Such a sad ending to a sad chapter. A little side note, it's been about two years since Nikita agreed to have dinner with Hiei and Kurama. So yes, that's the timeline. Anyways, review and tell me what you think!