I only own Moriko, Haruto, Isamu, Eiji, and Isao. All other characters belong to Yoshihiro Togashi. BTW, I honestly don't think Moriko's children are anything more than placeholders, but I listed them as characters I own anyway, because that might change.

If you did not figure out what I meant by the author's note at the end of the chapter, here it is, because it is somewhat crucial to understanding this chapter: Moriko's male children's names Haruto, Isamu, Eiji, and Isao. Her female children: Amaya and Izumi. Now look at the bolded letters. The first letters of the male children's names spell Hiei and the first letters of the females spell ai (Japanese for love). Make of it what you will. :)

When the group commenced its journey the next day, Moriko's children were behaving much better. Moriko glared at Kurama. In explanation to Yusuke, Kurama said, "I put herbs in their mouths last night. The herbs will make them… complacent for at least twelve hours."

"And she thinks that that is a bad thing?"

"Not really. More that I didn't ask her permission, but she isn't really surprised by that either."

"Ah, I see."

"Little Sister, come. I must tell you something." Kurama commanded. Sighing, she followed his instructions, and he continued, "We shall be going to my house. I live there with a human woman who is convinced I am her son. This coupled with my appearance and this aura has confused many of my enemies into thinking I am dead. She cannot know I'm a demon, however. Understand?"

Moriko nodded, before saying, "A human woman. Only you would stoop that low without feeling shame, Brother."

And with that, everyone lapsed into silence as they approached the place where Kurama lived with Shiori Minamino. Unlocking the door and walking in, Kurama called out, "Mom. I'm home."

"Okay." She called; she had recently become accustomed to her son disappearing for days—or weeks—at a time without telling her where he was going. She had grown to accept that he would leave but he always came back eventually.

Then Kurama said, "Yusuke is here, too. And a couple other people."

At this, Shiori rushed to where they were standing. "Oh my." She said upon catching sight of Moriko and her four children, standing there with cat ears and tails. Then she looked at Moriko and said, "You didn't say anything about having a girl come over. Especially one who wears those fake ears. Although, she is very pretty."

"Mom. She's not my girlfriend. She's just a friend. We haven't seen each other in years."

As Kurama claimed that Moriko was 'just a friend,' the cat demon in question muttered under her breath, "And we are not really even that." Shiori, however, didn't hear her, and continued her line of questioning.

"How long have you two known each other, then?"

This time it was Moriko who answered, in a completely serious voice, "Too long."

At this, Shiori backed off, somewhat shaken and surprised by the girl's honest answer. Finally, she said, "And are these her friends? Or brothers?" and she gestured to the other four.

At the same time Kurama answered, "Brothers." Moriko answered, "Children."

"Children?"

"No. Moriko was just kidding, Mom." Kurama said quickly, glaring threateningly at his sister. "We're going to go upstairs now."

"Oh. Okay."

They sat around in Kurama's room, talking for an hour or so. Moriko's children slept. Moriko herself continued trying to weasel out the name of Kurama's friend.

"Just tell me."

"No."

"Why not?"

"I can't."

"How come?"

Now Kurama switched things around on her. "It doesn't matter why I won't. If Ikano wasn't their father, then who is?"

"An old boyfriend. It does not really matter. I have not seen him in years. You would not know him anyway. He was way below your station."

And that's when Hiei walked in.

Haha! How'd you like the ending? Well, please review.

ForbiddenChildLover64