This was supposed to be your Thanksgiving Day update, so Happy Thanksgiving a day late! I own Moriko and Ikano (although he is really nothing more than a place holder), and four other nameless characters in this chapter (that is, they have names but their names aren't mentioned yet). All others belong Yoshihiro Togashi.

In the lobby was a group of four demons. They were all rather young, in terms of the length of time demons could live, about one hundred years old. And they were all basically identical. Kurama didn't know why he found it so amusing, but Moriko had a litter of kittens. Obviously, Moriko had been lying when she told Kurama she and Ikano lived there alone. On top of that, one sniff of the air told Kurama that Ikano had never visited the warehouse. It also made him aware of another scent. One that he was fairly sure he knew the reason for, but kept to himself; it would be better if Yusuke didn't know.

Moriko shooed the younger demons away, them hissing with displeasure at having to leave, and her glaring at Kurama all the while. Once they had all run up the stairs, she turned to her unwelcome guests. "It would be best if you would hurry with your business. They have a tendency to eavesdrop. They are all also aspiring thieves. I guess it runs in the family." Her tone became bitter, "And, as thieves, they have the tendency to…idolize the fox demon who is supposedly the best thief in history, who is now standing in their living room, having a completely civilized conversation with their mother. Oh yeah, I forgot. That thief is also their fricking uncle." All Yusuke could think was that he was glad this wasn't his sister. But Kurama didn't seem to mind in the slightest. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying the conversation he was having with his little sister.

"Ahhh. I see. You don't want them to ever find out that their idol is the cruel older brother of their mother, and that she in fact hates his guts."

"Indeed."

"How old are they? I'm just curious."

"Almost one hundred and thirteen."

"Hmmm… that's what I thought. When did Ikano leave you?"

"He did not leave me."

"Then you left him?"

"No."

"Then what happened?"

"He still lives here with us."

Taking another drink from the flask, Kurama replied, "No he doesn't. He hasn't been to this place once."

"Fine. He left me about a month after we realized I was pregnant."

"How did you hide it all from me the three times I visited you after they were born?"

"I raised them in a different place. You were too arrogant to realize that you had been outsmarted, and you did not register that I had the scent of others on me. And you did not realize that I had not seen Ikano since shortly after you last saw him."

"Hmmm… that's genius. You are smarter than I ever gave you credit for, Little Sister."

"I do not know if that is a compliment or not. But let's move on. What is the reason you came to this place to begin with?"

"I thought it was about time I dropped by. I have been… occupied these last sixteen years in a way that did not allow me to check up on you."

The eyes narrowed yet again. "You lie. You already mentioned that this had something to do with a close friend of yours. Who is he?"

"Alas, you have struck upon the one of the few things I cannot tell you. He, like me, is famous among demons. Therefore, unless you choose to come back with us, I shan't reveal his name. We wish our partnership to remain… concealed from those who would… try and stop it."

"I see."

And so Yusuke watched as the two siblings went on like this, Moriko asking questions, Kurama revealing only enough to stymie his sister's interest. After ten minutes, Kurama took yet another sip from his flask.

"What's that?" Moriko asked, suddenly.

"Nothing. It helps my aura, is all."

"Not like you need it," Moriko muttered, before resuming her inquiries in regard to Hiei, although she was unaware that it was Hiei they were speaking of. They continued this for several more minutes, until Moriko finally agreed to come back with them, on the condition that she could bring her children with her. She was definitely playing the part of overprotective, mother cat to perfection. And throughout their entire conversation, Kurama was wondering whether or not he should ask her about the strange scent he had smelled when he first walked in, which had faded when the children ran out. The scent of smoke. The mark of a demon who had fire in their blood. The same scent that always followed Hiei.