Chapter Four

It had been forty two (42) days since she'd met Kurama. Almost all of her demon plants were gone. She found herself liking the man very much. After ten days, he'd deducted that she hated meat and had her meal plan changed. He ate dinner with her every evening, and talked to her about things varying from work to his friends. He had a sad look, sometimes, because she would never reply.

At first he said it was because of her incident. That he had to watch her closely to make sure she wouldn't "pull that kind of stunt" ever again.

She loved wearing clothes, though. Kurama had done a good job on picking out the kimonos. They were all various greys, purples, and whites that went well with her hair. She would cut out holes for her tail so that she wouldn't be uncomfortable. Sometimes she would pile her hair atop her head with the hairpins, too. Kurama always blushed when she did that. He must like girls with their hair up.

Her kimono was black this evening, and her hair was down. She was growing impatient. He was late. In forty two days, he'd never been late. Her stomach was growling. No one had even brought her food yet.

She nearly jumped to her feet when the door opened, but it was only Koenma bringing her a tray of food. In his free hand there was a piece of paper. What the hell did he want now?

"Ahem. Sorry, but Kurama has some family things to take care of. He won't be able to make it."

He set the tray down, and the note, before walking away. He was all business, with nothing else to say.

Family things? She supposed that made sense. She couldn't be his only priority. He had a human mother, and friends. So naturally, he had other things to worry about.

So why was she so frustrated? She snatched the note up and unfolded it. She almost felt stupid, thinking he'd be able to come every single night.

I'm sorry that I can't make it tonight. I know you were probably expecting me. I'll try my best to make it up to you tomorrow.

You remember me talking about Hiei, right? My comrade for years? His mate, Tamara (who I have also mentioned) just went into labor with their third child and first son. I'm all the children's godfather; I've got to be there.

Again, I'll make it up to you somehow. I'm not sure how I will, but I'll find a way.

I'd also like to let you know that you've made amazing progress. The Demon World plants are almost completely gone. And once I finish, all you have to do is tell Koenma who you are and where you came from, as well as what happened to you. After that, you can leave.

But I've got to run. I'll see you tomorrow.

Kurama

His handwriting was small and precise. He'd apologized, at least.

But he'd also said that soon she could "go home." Where would she go? she didn't have a home to go to.

That's fine, though, she thought. Not like I will last long, anyway.

The fox sat down at the table, dropping the note to the floor. Alone again. And to think that for once she'd actually looked forward to something.

"Aaaagh!" Tamara's screams were heard all the way in the waiting room. She was not happy, and everyone in the building knew it. "I'll kill you, Hiei! Don't fucking touch me!"

"Holy shit," said Yusuke Urameshi. "Now, she's never threatened to kill him before."

Kurama couldn't help but laugh. Yusuke and Keiko had a child of their own as well. And even with his age, and even a little facial hair, the Spirit Detective still slicked back his hair and fought with Kuwabara like he was fourteen again.

Hina, the oldest of Hiei's daughters, was playing with a doll she'd brought along the way. Both she and her sister Akane were in Kurama's lap, the latter napping against his chest. They'd all been at the hospital for two hours at least. Kuwabara had left to pick up some food. The girls had to miss supper, as their mother had went into labor.

Hiei had called Kurama while frantic. Apparently, this wasn't like anything Tamara had ever experienced. The child wanted out then and there.

Naturally, Kurama said he'd be there. It almost bummed him out that he ws going to miss dinner with his blue-silver haired friend. He really did enjoy spending time with her, even if she never talked back to him. He swore she'd smiled at least twice in the past few weeks. He was making progress. Even if his friends did say he was just a shrink for the insane demon. He appreciated her, even if she never spoke. He just wanted to know what Yoko had meant…

Keiko snapped a picture, bringing Kurama out of his trance. He smirked slightly. "Taking Tamara's place as our personal photographer?" h asked.

"Of course," she giggled in response. "You know both the girls have pictures of us in the waiting room. Have you seen their albums?"

"Yeah, you know how Tamara is," Yusuke said, leaning back in his chair. "Always trying to preserve the past."

"Mommy says she takes pictures to preserve life," Hina said absently, eyes focused on her toy. "The past is a silly thing to focus on. Right, Uncle Rama?"

He smiled at his nickname. Hina couldn't pronounce the "K" sound until she was nearly four, so "Rama" was the name he'd gotten stuck with two years ago. "That's right," he replied. "The past is called that for a reason."

"Try telling your nameless friend that," Yusuke chimed. "Koenma filled me in on why you haven't been helping in cases. I know she might be traumatized, but she needs to get over it before she really gets hurt."

"First off, Yusuke-" He was cut off by Keiko taking a picture of Kuwabara walking in with armfuls of junk food. Well, at least that had ended quickly.

He really did hope she wasn't upset, though.

"Is it over?" the redheaded idiot asked. "I don't hear her screami-"

"What the fuck do you mean, it's not over!?" Right on cue. "Get him out of me, right now!"

Thank the gods Rin, Tamara's mother, had her husband pick up the girls. They had all been in and out all night and day. It was way past lunch time. Kurama would have to be leaving soon. But at least he'd went to Hiei's and borrowed something. He had an idea.

"God, how long has it been?" shouted Tamara's younger half-brother, Mikoto. "This is taking forever!"

"Relax, Mikoto," Yusuke said. "Surely it's almost over. Giving birth to apparitioins is no picnic."

For once, Yusuke was right. Demon birth wasn't easy. Even though Tamara was now a demon herself, she still had a lot of trouble.

"Oh, thank god!" they heard her shout in the background. "There he is!"

"Ew," Kuwabara muttered.

A few hours later, everyone was taking turns holding baby Ryuu, who had his mother's face and eyes but Hiei's spikey hair. A crimson tear gem hung from his neck, just like the ones the girls and Tamara wore. What a miracle he was.

"Hn," Hiei said. "No more of this for awhile."

"Agreed," Tamara sighed in response.