Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Mating ❯ A Visit and School ( Chapter 11 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

"The Mating"

Disclaimer: See chapter one

AN: Ladies and gentlemen, a word of warning, I have a lot going on in a very compressed time period. I will be doing several scene shifts. These will be marked by ***text***, if it says meanwhile, back at, means that it's happening more or less at the exact same time as the previous scene. I will also be going back and forth between Kurama, Keiko, Hiei and Shizuru. I hope Rose can help me prevent this from getting too confusing. Once more, many thanks to my beta-reader! And more thanks still for help with Yukina!

Chapter Eleven: A short visit and back to school

Hiei's wandering feet took him outside the Kuwabara household. He looked up and glared at the window that housed the baka. He walked around to the back of the house. He wondered why all the people whom he liked also had trees outside their windows. He shrugged the thought off and decided that there was no time like the present. Thoughts of Kurama's parents also brought to mind his parents and mates. Kurama had mated quite suddenly. He almost wanted to chuckle. Most thought that he would be the quick one for a love dance. Even Mukuro didn't know that someone had held his interest for years now. No one knew just how much patience he had when it came to things that were worth the wait.

She was not getting any younger, either. It was time to begin the process of informing her of who had been captured by her without her knowing of it. Her aura spoke of a pain never spoken of and combined with her beauty . . . He was completely captivated. He knew that she was wary of him because his aura was so dark and he had to take that away, but he knew that if he moved too quickly, he would only spook her.

He quickly flitted to an appropriate level tree branch and had the window open only a moment later. He silently climbed in, hearing her soft breathing that indicated she was asleep. Hiei walked over to her, ghosting his hand over her beautiful face. He saw a single tear leak out under her eyelid and wondered what she was dreaming about. It was not followed, though.

He went over to her dressing table. It was neat, tidy and almost barren. She had no flowers and only a couple of perfume bottles and a single jewelry box. He carefully picked it up to make sure that it wouldn't make music when opened as many of them did. He was not terribly surprised to find that this one didn't. He opened it, wondering what kind of jewelry she did own. Upon opening he discovered that it only held three peices. All three were obviously old and she also obviously didn't wear them. One was a necklace, he would gage a hundred years old at a guess with a matching pair of earings and a ring. All three had sapphires with tiny diamonds around them set in a circular pattern. He guessed they were family heirlooms. He carefully placed the jewelry box back where it was.

He looked back at Shizuru, thinking back on what had almost happened. He hadn't felt like crying in years, but suddenly talking of mates had him thinking about his parents. His tragic mother and father, killed just after their birth. He hoped that he could protect her. Even if he was S-class, there were ways to take him down. He was startled to feel a trail of wetness on his cheek and heard a soft *plink* against the carpet. He bent to pick up his tear-gem. He had not seen one of his own in years. Black, it was always black. He didn't know why he could cry them at all. His sister could, but then she was more Ice apparition than Fire apparition, not the other way around. He just shrugged. Another peculiarity for this Forbidden Child of the Makai.

He glanced back at Shizuru. He didn't often get a chance to look at her this freely. He placed his black Hiraseki stone in the middle of her dressing table and decided to try something. He brought out the bracelet and as carefully as he could, undid the clasp and clasped it around her wrist without waking her. In a way, he was disappointed to get away with that, but the flip side of it was a sign of trust. Her subconscious trusted him to not hurt her. He bent down and ghosted his lips over hers, never quite touching, but letting their aura's mingle. He felt a calm invade his soul as he felt the calmer aura of her. It was still sad, but there was a peace there, as well. He saw her show signs of waking up and quickly flitted outside the window, not quite ready for a face-to-face confrontation of his feelings.

Shizuru sleepily opened her eyes and started to brush some hair out of the way when her hand froze as her sleep muddled gaze caught a glimpse of gold. Where did I get this bracelet? She rubbed her eyes to get some of the sleep out of them so she could see it clearer. It was a mostly empty charm bracelet. The one charm that it did have was a dead giveaway as to whom she had received the unlikely gift from. Hiei, that dangerous shrimp, likes me? She had never been close enough to truly feel his aura, just stayed away because of how dangerous the little demon could be. That and his attack, the black dragon terrified her. Their auras had, meshed, was the only word for what she had felt just now. She had woken up to feeling a strange feeling. It was comforting and arousing at the same time. She got up and walked to the window, which was still open. She didn't know what to do with this new suitor yet, but decided to let the game play itself out for now. She didn't know what he wanted from her, and until she knew that much, she couldn't properly react to what he had given her.

She leaned out the window, hoping that he was still close enough to hear her, "Thank you, Hiei." She closed the window to keep out the cool night air, but did not lock it again. She laid back on her bed and wondered what new surprise the small fire demon had in store for her next.

Hiei gave one last silent look at the closed window and knew that she hadn't locked it. He heard her words and was glad that she had accepted his gift and promised silently to himself to bring her some flowers next time with a new charm. He quickly flitted back to his new family, wondering how he had ever gotten himself into this whole situation in the first place.

********The Next Morning*************

Kurama and Keiko prepared for school as they had each prepared for it most of their human lives, but with one difference, this time they did it together. The two of them had discussed where to put each others things for a combonation of easy access and coordination as well as to avoid confusion. Dinner and breakfast had both been crowded affairs. Kurama and Hiei had both contributed some of their savings, getting Makai currency changed to human currency was simplicity itself in Gandistra, which Hiei had made a midnight run to, towards purchasing a new table and chair set since there were now two more bodies to go around their previously small, but cozy set.

Durning breakfast, Shiori asked, "Hiei, what do you normally do during the day? I know you don't go to school."

Hiei replied, "Hn. No, I don't. Usually, I'm on guard duty. Today, I need to visit someone." He answered evasively.

Kurama looked up, his too-intelligent gaze taking in Hiei's demeanor. "Are you going to see Yukina?"

Hiei looked between Shiori and Kurama. "I'm going to try." He firmly told himself that he would not cry. "Your mother accepted who you were, I think it's time I told my sister who I am and hope it brings her joy."

Kurama was the only one who knew exactly how badly Hiei feared the rejection of Yukina. "Good luck, Hiei. Let me know how it turns out."

Shuuichi, Kurama and Keiko left to walk to school, easily talking about school and the revelations of the day before, carefully avoiding the nastier parts. Shuuichi turned to go to his middle school and Kurama and Keiko continued on to their High School. They were unsure of what their reception would be. Kurama still had his "Shuuichi fan club" that he despised. He hoped choosing a girl would cause them to find someone else to go bug, but knew that was a vain hope.

Keiko walked along with Kurama and knew that he was worried about their reception, not from the teachers, but their fellow students. Their uniforms did a good job of hiding their mating marks, but she still worried as well.

The pair came within sight of the school and Kurama took Keiko's arm, as their backpacks prevented him from putting his arm around her shoulders. "Get ready." He whispered to her. Keiko just nodded.

The first reaction the girls that were waiting for Shuuichi showed was shock. He had never escorted anyone onto the school grounds. They knew that the two were friends, but friends didn't walk that way. The crowd started looking at each other and the universal thought through everyone's head was, How dare she steal our Shuuichi!

Keiko could sense the hostile looks being sent her way. She didn't think that she was truly in any danger, but definately knew that she was in for a rough day.

Kurama gave a quelling glance, ensuring that no one said anything overtly hostile to his mate. His emotions were still riding pretty high and it had taken Keiko a very long time to calm him down from Koenma's visit. Going through the book had helped, too. He shook his head at the three A-class demons. He'd have to read through it again, now that he'd cracked the code, one thing was clear, though. No demon had given Koenma true information. He shoved the worries out of the way. They had to face school, and he couldn't let his preoccupation get in the way of his classes. He silently escourted Keiko to her first class and smiled. "Precalculus?"

Keiko smailed back at him. "I don't think I'll ever think of this subject the same way." She very lightly blushed. Next period she had study hall, along with Yusuke and Kuwabara. She'd tell them about herself and Kurama then.

Kurama lightly pecked her cheek and then went off to his first class, sighing at having to leave her unprotected for even a class period. He idly wondered how Hiei was doing with Yukina.

**********Meanwhile, at the Kuwabara residence*********************

Shizuru woke up to her alarm going off. She finally found the right button and looked at her clock, groaning. It had taken her forever to go back to sleep after her late night visitor. She rolled over, grabbed her phone and dialed her work number. She had to find out answers to the multitude of questions that Hiei's visit last night had brought her. She called work, telling them that she had some serious family issues that came up late last night and wouldn't be in today. They were pretty understanding about some things and she rarely called in. After she got off the phone, she grabbed her throbbing head and stumbled over to her dressing table, hoping that brushing her hair would help.

She sat at her dressing table and briefly touched the jewelry chest and the perfume bottles. None of this was worn, and it was all from her mother who had passed away when her baby brother was born. She sighed, wondering what it would have been like if she could have had a normal childhood. Her hand brushed something round and felt like a pearl it was so smooth. She looked down at what her hand had brushed. "A black pearl?" She questioned aloud, not expecting anyone to answer her. She resolved to go see the one person who might be able to answer her questions. Genkai. She walked over to her wardrobe and got out some practical clothing. Who knew what would be on the day's agenda. She hadn't been able to predict anything about last night.

She looked down at the bracelet again. An empty charm bracelet implies someone filling it. She put the black pearl into her pocket, knowing that it was from the same demon who had invaded her bedroom last night. She sighed as she left the house, skipping breakfast entirely and only taking time to grab a glass of water and a couple of pain killers for her still throbbing head. She had entirely too many questions to have an appetite. She resolutely set her path to Genkai's temple.

***********Meanwhile, at the Hatanaka household*********************

Hiei looked at Shiori. The two were the only one's left in the house as Hatanaka had also left to go to work. "I must go. You offered me a home, which is more than any other has done for me, but I must face my sister."

"How did you know you had a sister?" Shiori asked.

"When you remember everything from the moment you were born, it is an easy thing, the memory of a twin. She knows I am alive, but does not know that I know who she is, or that I have been protecting her for years now. My defenses failed once, and she was captured. We also rescued her, the four of us and Botan." Hiei sat down quietly at the table. "Your son was not terribly involved in that mission and has been after me for years to tell her who I am." He grabbed a cup of coffee and sipped at it, the hot brew barely warmer than his body temperature. He grimaced at the flavor of what seemed like a luke-warm cup of something that was obviously supposed to be drunk much warmer. He concentrated slightly and warmed the liquid to just below boiling, taking another sip. "Much better."

Shiori shook her head as she saw what he had done from the eddies in the air above the cup. "Please don't melt the cup." He shook his head, dismissing her concerns. "What kind of demon are you?"

Hiei briefly explained about his parentage and how the koorime had dealt with his parents. How Yukina had been accepted into their society, but he, having been born male and having the Fire side dominant, was wrapped in wards to contain his already A-class youki and then dropped in the middle of nowhere. He had been aware and knew the birth of his sister and the death of his mother. He had taught himself how to feed and keep himself alive. He looked at the time. "I have to go see her. She's been staying at Genkai's and the Baka has a crush on her. I wouldn't mind if I knew he could protect her and wasn't such a complete moron." Hiei stood, having finished his cup of coffee. He cleared his throat, pushing words past a suddenly unresponsive tongue. "Thank you."

"Why are you thanking me?" Shiori was confused.

"For being the mother that I never had." Hiei turned toward her, knowing she would see just how much that had cost him to say. Hiei smiled wryly, "Even if it is over 500 years or so late."

Shiori's heart went out to the small demon. She knew that he was older, but hadn't quite known how much older he was. "You've been alone for the whole time?"

Hiei just nodded, knowing that she meant love-wise, not companion-type. "I will be back later." He flitted out the door before he did something that he was not at all sure of.

Shiori stared after the small demon, wondering why these two so trusted her when they obviously had so much reason not to.

Hiei quickly flitted to Genkai's to see his sister. He was terrified of how she would react to the knowledge that he was her brother. He fingered the gift that he had for her in his pocket and wondered how to approach her.

He arrived at the temple in a matter of minutes and arrived just in time for Yukina to be done with her morning routine. He smiled down at her from his perch in the tree branch. For so long this was the only one who had any hold on him at all and now he could count his attachments. He was still unsure about this whole situation, but he was there. He flitted down from his tree to stand in front of Yukina.

Yukina widened her eyes. "Hiei-san?" She wondered if he finally came with information about her brother. "Come inside and have some tea." She offered him. She had often wished that he was her brother, she felt like a sister around him. The one who was protected.

Hiei entered the temple behind her and felt like praying to any diety that would listen that she would not be sad about this. He knew his past was just as ugly as Kurama's. Hiei sat down and took the proferred cup of tea from his sister. He took a sip and wondered where to start.

"It is kind of you to visit, Hiei-san," Yukina spoke softly as she took up her own cup of tea. "Was there anything in particular that you needed?"

Hiei looked at her and wondered if he would break her heart. He wordlessly put down his cup of tea and told her, "I found your brother. He sends you this." He brought out the necklace that he had bought that had a bluebird on it. It functioned the same way that Shiori's did that it would take on color when it was initially put on.

Yukina gasped, her heart swelling with hope of at last being united with her long lost twin. She had been waiting for so long. Her eyes shimmered in her happiness as she tentatively reached out a hand to receive the precious gift. Drawing it to her, she smiled while fingering the delicate chain and ornament.

"It is beautiful," She whispered, glancing up to meet Hiei's expectant gaze. "Did he say anything else? Please tell me."

Hiei felt his voice catch in his throat, looking at the hope on her face. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

The twins heard the front door open and Shizuru say, "Master Genkai! I need to talk to you."

Yukina gave Hiei an apologetic smile before rising quickly to her feet. She hurridly made her way to the door just as Shizuru appeared.

Hiei saw his sister's smile and felt the relief well up within him, but then got even more nervous about this. Shizuru and Yukina in the same room could be a dangerous thing for him.

"Ah, Shizuru-san, welcome." Yukina greeted the tall, brunette. She guided their friend into the room where Hiei was seated and joined him. "Please, come and join us. I'm sure Master Genkai will be here shortly. Would you like some tea?"

Genkai came from the temple upon hearing Shizuru's voice. "What do you need Shizuru?" She stopped seeing the twins sitting down next to each other and then took in Shizuru's manner.

Shizuru followed Yukina into the chamber with the tea, only to freeze upon seeing Hiei. Then she shrugged, Might as well have this all out in the open. If he's here, maybe . . . "I need advice, Master Genkai." She finally pulled her hands from her pockets, revealing the bracelet, and the black Hiraseki stone. "On these." The charm dangled down on the bracelet, showing everyone who had presented her with the gift, but the twins, due to their short stature and seated positions, could not see the stone she held quite as clearly, though Hiei knew what the glimpse of black was and paled, knowing that once Yukina saw it more clearly, she would not only identify it, but be able to tell exactly who it had to come from.

Genkai took a close look at the bracelet and just gave a quizzical glance at Hiei, who just looked back at her, not really glaring, but not giving way, either. She then looked at the perfectly round, smooth black gem, carefully picking it up and holding it between the thumb and forefinger. "But what is this?"

Yukina got her first glimpse of the black tear-gem and gasped. "That's a-" She broke off, and looked at Hiei.

Hiei just looked down at the floor and nodded. He did not want to see the dissappointment on his sister's face. "Yes, one of mine, sister."

Yukina's eyes teared up and she threw herself into a startled Hiei, hugging him ferociously. "Brother."

Shizuru still didn't know what the stone was, but was starting to get an idea of it when she saw Yukina's tears turn to gems. She almost smiled when she saw Hiei tentatively put his arms around Yukina, tenderly holding her. She briefly wondered what it would be like to have those arms around her. He was so short, and she was so tall. He was also clearly one of the strongest men that she knew. She would wait, and see what happened between them though this display of tenderness was so far removed from every other time that she'd seen him that she was curious. She met his eyes, who happened to be looking straight at her. The intensity of his gaze left her feeling breathless.

Hiei was shocked, Yukina was very obviously happy and he held her as she fiercely embraced him. He looked over at Shizuru and held her gaze when he saw her softened eyes watching the two of them.

Genkai wasn't sure exactly what the stone was, but also put it together when she picked up one of Yukina's tear-gems. The only difference was the color. Yukina's were a crystalline color and Hiei's was a color to match the sky on a moonless night. She handed it back to Shizuru. "Might as well have a seat, looks like we'll be here a while."

Shizuru took it and wondered. This was an additional mystery added to the existing one of the bracelet, though they appeared to be part of the same mystery. She sat next to Hiei purposefully, trying not to flinch at the dark feeling to his aura. She wondered how he had gotten close enough while she was sleeping to put it on without waking her.

Hiei was pleased that she sat next to him, even though he saw the reigned in flinch, this was still progress. He loosened his arms when he felt Yukina push back against his chest and looked down into her face that was radiating the most joy he'd ever seen. He smiled down into her face, "You don't mind?"

Yukina sat back into her own spot. "No. I was hoping it was you. I always felt close to you, as if I could sense that you were my brother. Why did you never say anything?"

Genkai looked at the scene and decided she wasn't needed. She went back into the temple, trying to comprehend what was going on with the fire demon.

*****************Back at the High School*****************

Keiko got done with class and smiled. Kurama's explanation made a lot more sense than the teacher's had. She gathered up her books and looked around. Half the girls in class were glaring at her. She sighed, wondering why had had to fall in love with the most popular guy in the school, course he had fallen in love with her, too. She was still pondering that one. She walked out into the hallway, hoping that she would see Kurama waiting for her. They had a ten minute break between classes and no Kurama in sight.

She started walking towards Study hall when she was suddenly mobbed by a group of girls. She had one good note, At least none of them look like they really want to beat me up! Having hung around with Yusuke and Kuwabara usually deterred physical violence. No one in the school knew just how dangerous "Shuuichi" was but the mere fact that he could occaisionally be seen with them was enough for most to tread cautiously around him.

She couldn't even remember the name of the girl who stood right in front of her and glared. "How do you think you're good enough for Shuuichi?" Another came from the side with, "Yeah, keep away from our Shuuichi, or you'll be sorry!" The other girls crowded around her, trying to swamp her with negative attitudes. Keiko started growling low in her throat, surprising even herself. Stepping back suddenly, the girls parted. She looked up, hoping to see Kurama, but was equally relieved to see Yusuke and Kuwabara, who stood on each side, giving their best 'I'm a war vet' glare.

"Come on, Keiko." Yusuke said quietly. He hated seeing her harrassed like this. He and Kuwabara could not help but hear the gossip that was all over the school before the first bell even rang.

Keiko nodded. She never had liked to fight and she didn't want to have to physically defend herself until she could have a few training sessions on controlling her new strength. "Thanks, Yusuke."

"Don't mention it. You'll have questions to answer for this, though." Yusuke replied as they reached their study hall.

Keiko only nodded again. The three took their seats. Normally this was a tutoring session between the three of them, today they would be discussing something totally unrelated to school.

Kuwabara asked, "So, what'er you doing with Kurama?"

Yusuke nodded. "I didn't know you liked him that way."

Keiko knew that the best way to say this would be to just tell them. "I don't just like him. I love him."

Yusuke blinked, taken aback by that answer. "What the hell?" He looked down, just now noticing the ring. "Is that-?"

"Yes, an engagement ring, of sorts, anyway." Keiko looked at the two of them and blushed at what she was about to say. "Kurama and I are mated." She tilted her head and showed Yusuke the beginning of the marking tatoo.

Yusuke looked as though that answered a whole host of questions and nodded. "You have a good mate, there, Keiko. But what's going to happen to you?"

Kuwabara looked confused. "What's mated mean exactly?"

Yusuke just looked at him and told him, "It's when two demons exchange blood and ki during sex, or in Kurama and Keiko's case, demon and human. Same thing applies though. It was something I had to learn when I was in the Makai."

Kuwabara just blushed bright red at the matter of fact tone that Yusuke had used. "But, but-"

"But nothing." Yusuke said. "This can't be undone, ever. I am kind of grateful that Keiko and I broke up. Demonic emotions aren't easy to control and if Kurama was interested in her and I was interested too... Well, let's just say Tokyo would never be the same again." He went on, "That still doesn't answer the question of what's going to happen to you though?"

Keiko smiled. "Kurama found out yesterday evening. We think I'll be turning into a kitsune."

They continued to discuss their other findings remarkably quietly considering who was involved.

To be continued . . .