Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Question of Intimacy ❯ Chapter 4, Consideration ( Chapter 4 )

A/N: I corrected all the spelling errors and typos I could find in the last three chapters. This story is not plotted out in advance so while I'm trying to make certain that everything is internally consistent, please let me know if I screw up. This one is short because the next chapter will be long. It just worked out better that way.

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Yukina watched as her brother reclined on his futon after the miko had left. Despite Hiei's continuous refusal to come clean about it, she had long ago figured out the truth. Hiei's refusal to father children saddened her, she would have loved to dote on some nieces and nephews. His quiet resignation made her think that it wasn't really that he didn't want children, but rather that he didn't believe he would be allowed to be a father to them. Perhaps he did not believe he would find a true mate either.

It wasn't the first time she had wondered at the wounds on her brother's heart that he could honestly believe such a thing. Her mother had committed a cruelty worthy of a demoness when she allowed her only son to be sent to make his way on his own complete with an attempt on his life. Yukina knew his survival in the Mekai could not have been easy. She heard the names: Forbidden One, Unholy Child, Evil Bastard; they were the names of the shunned. It was no surprise to her that he had been a criminal. What ever it took, he survived to spite his nay sayers. In that respect, she was very proud of him.

"So, what now?" Kuwabara asked.

"Now, we go raid Koenma's files," Yuuske answered. "When Boton gets back we can see if we can't find out exactly who she really is. This Kagome person really doesn't seem like she is out for something, but her answers just seem a little too weird. I don't like the classified information excuse."

"Good idea. Do you want to be left to the tender mercies of the miko, Hiei?" Kumura asked sardonically.

"I have a choice?" Hiei shot back sarcastically with a snort of disdain.

"Not really, shrimp," Kuwabara responded. "We much prefer you alive and on our side."

"True," Yuuske sighed. "Kumura would be lost without you at the very least," he teased.

"Hn," Hiei rolled his eyes. "Do fill me in on your findings."

"Of course," Kumura reassured him quickly.

"Where do you wish to stay, " Genkai inquired judiciously. " You are welcome to remain here, though I do like my quiet."

"Stay," Yukina quietly commanded. "I will look after you both for the duration."

Hiei nodded his silent assent to the command, grateful for their concern and consideration.

"The rest of you: OUT!" Genkai commanded. "Go to sleep boy, you need it," she directed at the young male youkai. Hiei growled at the command, but laid back down and shut his eyes.

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"Higarashi-sensei, may I speak with you?" Kuwabara, the tallest of the Spirit Detectives, asked the miko on her return.

"Hai, but should Hiei destabilize at all, I will have to leave without warning, " she replied.

"I understand. He is resting, but not sleeping. There is far too much activity going on around here for that. I wanted to talk to you about that." Kuwabara stated gently.

"Oh," Kagome said to let him know she was listening to him.

"Hiei is very sensitive. He has difficulty filtering out the noises, scents, and so forth of the human world. It will take some extra work to really make him comfortable. He has adapted, but it is like an itch he can't scratch." Kuwabara said with a sigh. "I know you are attempting to do something that is nearly impossible. Hiei and his twin are a fascinating mixture of passion and dispassion, violent emotions and cold, hard, reason. They are beautiful, delicate and youthful. At the same time they are also impossibly strong, cruel, and wise. Just be careful with him."

"Of course, " she replied in all seriousness. "You love him, don't you?"

"Hai, as a brother," Kuwabara replied, "Despite everything, he is my brother at arms and my brother-in-law. There are few people I'd rather have at my back when everything goes down the toilet."

"High praise indeed," Kagome smile. "I must go, his auras are starting to fluxuate again."

"Of course, miko-sensei," Kuwabara nodded and left to join the others on their way to Koenma's office.