Chapter Four- Relation

As the pair passed the gates, they noticed other demons moving about the area either tending to the grounds or training with one another. Some nodded to Kurama but stared at Hiei with admiration as they didn't seem to recognize her. Hiei ignored the stares as they went into the house.

They found Yukina in her room where she had been meditating. She smiled at Kurama as she rose to her feet. "Kurama, hi and…Mr. Hiei? Is that you?" Yukina blinked in surprise at Hiei's appearance.

Hiei nodded and Kurama spoke up. "We attended a magic show last night with a real witch who was a pre-teen girl. I assisted her with the levitation act which was real magic. I was really floating. After the show, I complimented her on it and she revealed that she had the gift to sense demons in addition to having powerful magic.

"Hiei dismissed her claim of being a witch and the girl, Blair, warned her to retract that opinion or she would cast a permanent curse. Hiei obviously refused and Blair cast a two-part curse. When morning came, Hiei became female and part cat. We came here to ask if Hiei could borrow some clothes."

"Oh, yes, she can. I'm sure I have some that will fit and she can keep them." Yukina went over to Hiei and her eyes looked her up and down, noticing the whiskers and the ears. She started to reach up but paused. "May I feel your ears?" she asked.

Hiei nodded and Yukina put her hand behind one. She felt the fur before she began to scratch it. Hiei closed her eyes in pleasure and then began to purr again. She did not stop the sound as she knew it was pointless; after all, she would be this way forever.

Yukina smiled as Hiei began to purr. It was a little surprising when she first heard it but then she loved the sound of it. That's a sweet purr she has, Yukina thought. She stopped scratching but the purr continued. "Kurama," she said. "Please leave so I can help Hiei with clothes."

"All right," Kurama said and left as Hiei opened her eyes, the purr stopping.

"I think I have some black clothes you can have," Yukina said as she opened her closet. "I also have some shirts in colors I think you'll like." She stepped back to let Hiei look before going to a dresser for undergarments and socks.

"Will you be able to put holes in my pants for my tail?" she asked.

Yukina looked back to finally notice the tail wrapped around a leg. "I think so. I can use what you're wearing as a guide."

"Good." She turned to see Yukina with an unusual smirk; one that was similar to her own. "Yukina?" she asked.

"Hiei, I've been waiting for you to tell me, but I guess you won't so I'll do it. I know you're my twin. Don't deny it. Our similarities right now are too much to be a coincidence."

"How long did you suspect it?" Hiei finally asked after a short period of silence.

"When you left for Demon World and I asked you to use my stone to find my brother."

"You knew and didn't tell me?"

"I…I wanted to let you tell me when you were ready. I find it curious that you could face down dangerous, lethal demons without fear but you were afraid to tell me that you're my twin."

Hiei flinched a little from Yukina's somewhat sharp tone. "You're right. I was afraid. I didn't think you needed to know. I thought I was not the sibling you deserved. I'm…I'm sorry." She felt a lump in her throat and swallowed it.

Yukina heard the regret in Hiei's voice and saw the ears droop. Her face softened as she went over and hugged her. "I forgive you," she said.

"Thank you."

"So, Hiei. Can you still use fire?"

"Yes and ice as well now."

"Of course. You are female now and have access to your ice apparition side. Can you…you know?" Yukina drew a finger from her eye and down a cheek.

"Yes. I shed one just to see if I could and I gave it to Kurama to keep. It's different from yours and the others. It's a deep ruby red with a black shimmer."

"Oh," Yukina breathed at the mental image. "That would make it rare. Anyone, human or demon, would pay richly for them."

"Well, they won't get any as I don't cry."

"And not many know you're female and half ice apparition now."

"Or part cat," Hiei added.

"Yes, but why a cat?"

"I learned that cats are associated with witches and this would be a remainder f my dismissal of her powers."

"And now?"

"She is a witch and a powerful one for her age. Her kind have a code of their own and insulting one results in a permanent curse which would…would…" Hiei trailed off, having run out of words and steam.

"Humble the person and teach him or her a lesson?" Yukina suggested.

"Uh…yeah, that's it."

"Okay. Now, about those clothes…"

Kurama stepped away from the door and headed outside. Yukina had managed to get Hiei to see that she sort of deserved to be cursed. Hiei understood the importance of an honor code and not violating it lest it resulted in some kind of consequence one could not live with.

They hadn't intended to tell Yukina that Hiei was related to her and it turns out that she had figured it out herself at least a year before the Demon World Tournament. Her tone had been a bit sharp when speaking of how Hiei could kill with no hesitation but could not tell Yukina the truth. Hiei admitted that she had been afraid to tell her and that she was sorry. Yukina forgave her and asked how much of an ice apparition she had become.

I would say half ice apparition as she can use fire attacks, still has her Jagan, and is part cat. She is expressing emotions which is what the curse intended to do. She's admitted fear and expressed regret in not being honest with Yukina.

Unknown to all three, a demon had been eavesdropping at another door to the room. He worked for a powerful demon who had given him time off and he chose to spend it in Human World at the compound where demons could visit or live. He, like the others, had noticed Kurama and the part cat girl with him. He was curious about the girl and decided to spy on the pair. Spying for his boss was his job and he did it well.

So, he listened at the door, his sharp ears picking up every word and was astonished as well as excited with what he heard.

So, Hiei is half-ice apparition. She has the gender, powers, and Hiruseki stones of one. She still has fire powers and a curse has made her part cat in addition to being female. Surely Master Tebo would be interested in this bit of information. The demon, Clarence, left the building and went to the isolated hill where he used a charm to open a portal to Demon World, eager to tell his master what he had learned.