Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Mating ❯ Old Friends ( Chapter 30 )

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

"The Mating"

Disclaimer: I really don't own Yu Yu Hakusho or InuYasha. I have created a few characters, and please, give me credit if you'd like to borrow them? Thanks!

AN: Now, I owe everyone a massive apology on the length of time it has taken to get this chappy out. My RL has gone to massive Hell the last couple of months. My husband's grandmother passing away, nearly loosing one of my cats and now my own grandmother's suffering from cancer and not really expected to pull through. Fortunately in this, my cat IS getting better. If updates are not as often or some such, it's because my muse has run and hidden. I had this written, just had no enthusiasm for posting or being cheerful. My muse is starting to poke a head around the courner, so please be patient, I AM still writing, just very slowly. On with the twisted plot! Chapter 30, who'd a thunk it? Not I, that's for sure.

Chapter 30- Old Friends

***************In Alaric****************

Shizuru flitted after her mate, only a branch behind. She caught up with him, "I'm declaring a break, Hiei." She panted as she sat down on the tree branch.

Hiei just nodded and sat down next to his tired mate. "Am I pushing too hard?"

Shizuru shook her head, "I don't think so, just a little out of shape. I did spend the last week in bed and didn't get a whole lot of sleep last night."

"Hn, one week should not get you out of shape that quickly."

Shizuru sat back against the trunk of the tree and closed her eyes. "If you say so."

"Remember, youkai do not carry young as ningens do. Your body will react differently and most of all, it is quicker than a ningen pregnancy."

"Alright, mister know it all, how long am I going to be pregnant?"

"I think about five months. The fire seems more dominant in you than the ice, so it could be a little shorter."

Shizuru shook her head. "No wonder I'm tired."

"Hn." Hiei agreed, nodding his head. "With that in mind, I am going to set a slower pace from now on. You will inform me of when you are getting tired." He knelt in front of her and kissed her gently. "You are my mate, and that means that you are my world, as well. Do you understand?"

Shizuru felt her eyes getting damp and blinked furiously to chase away the tears as she nodded.

"Good, we'll leave in half an hour." The two rested quietly until Hiei estimated that it had been just that and stood. "Come, we need to make Alaric by dinner time."

Shizuru sighed and stood up as well. She was grateful to the slower pace that he set however, and found she didn't require another rest break, though she was happy to see the castle. "This is Mukuro's stronghold?" It was a rather large fortress.

"Hn." Hiei nodded. "Come."

The gate guards recognized Hiei on sight. "Greetings, my lord Hiei. Mukuro is in the conference chamber."

Hiei nodded curtly to the two. "This is my mate, Shizuru. You will accord her full honors and pass the word."

"Yes, my lord!" The one on the right said sharply.

"Hn." He walked past the two, bringing Shizuru with him. "After as long as I've trained them, they are still sloppy."

Shizuru chuckled. "Not everyone is perfect, Hiei."

Hiei sighed, "I guess not." He opened a door to his left. "Mukuro?"

"Ah, Hiei!" Mukuro said with a smile. "I assume this is your mate?"

"Hn." Hiei said with a shy smile, almost as if he was introducing his wife to his mother. "Shizuru, meet Mukuro, Mukuro, meet Shizuru."

Mukuro stood and went around the large round table. "It is a pleasure to meet Hiei's mate! I had no idea that anyone had even caught his eye!" She gave Shizuru a hug, which Shizuru awkwardly returned. "No need to be formal, not in this chamber. Now tell me everything!" She went back to her seat, bringing both of them with her and sitting them down. "I have a meeting in an hour, and dinner is in two. So, what news?"

Hiei proceeded to tell Mukuro about what they had surmised and guessed, as well as all the other information that he could think of.

"Sounds remarkably complex." Mukuro summarized. "I have that meeting now, so I'll leave you two to freshen up before dinner."

"Thank you." Shizuru murmured, finding herself more at ease with the warlord than she had been before their talk.

Hiei led Shizuru around the twists and turns that were in Mukuro's stronghold, guiding her towards their rooms. He opened the door and let her enter first.

Shizuru just looked around. She never would have thought of Hiei as being refined, but in this room, silks and velvets were abundant. Everything was a darker shade, but they blended together beautifully. "You decorated the room?"

Hiei corrected her, "Rooms. We have a suite of three. This is the sitting room, made for those annoying moments when we are here and someone needs a private council." He nodded at a door off to the side. "There is our bedroom, a little more simple, but still good, and yes, fire proofed."

Shizuru took her bag from Hiei and went through the door that he indicated. She loved the four poster bed. She sat down on it and Hiei just watched her explore her new environs. "If I hadn't have made my mind up already, Hiei, these rooms show a completely different side to you."

Hiei smiled, "It was all empty opulence. Truth," He blushed, "I decorated this, hoping you'd come here to enjoy it."

She put down the rather large bag that had her new purchases in it next to the bed and went over to her blushing mate and put her arms around him. "I love it, Hiei. And I love you."

"I'm glad, because we're about to be thrown into the thick of this whole mess with dinner. In here, we can be together, and alone, but at any moment, some lacky, usually with a death wish, can knock on the door. They do not dare actually enter without my express permission."

Shizuru gave him a chagrined smile, "Killed a few?"

Hiei nodded, "Something like that."

Shizuru opened the bag. "How come nothing is all wrinkled?"

"Makai clothing. It's one reason why there are almost no closets, though I do have one, and it is used. I do," He rolled his eyes, "Have to be dressed for meetings and functions. Which, dinner will be. Any of the dresses that you got would be appropriate, no matter how much we might like our somewhat more simple attire."

"So, how does the closet work? I think the dresses really should be hung."

Hiei shrugged, and opened the closet, which had mostly shelves, with a few pegs designed to hold robes or cloaks.

Shizuru shook her head, chuckling. "Only in the Makai, would they take a closet, and turn it into a dresser." She quickly put away the clothing that she had gotten and asked, "And the third room?"

"Is a treat. Mukuro once visited the Ningenkai, don't ask me how, or why, but discovered she liked something called running water and came back and retrofit her fortress with it. The third is a bathroom."

Shizuru smiled. "A real one?"

Hiei nodded. "Hn. I do not know how she did it, I asked and only got one answer. Mages are wonderful things, are they not? So, my guess is that the entire system is magicked into working."

"I don't care how she did it," Shizuru's smile never quit, "One thing a girl never tires of, is running water."

Hiei shrugged. He'd never quite gotten used to the whole idea himself, but it made her happy. "The bathroom is through there." He pointed as a door off of the bedroom.

Shizuru eagerly went through the door, just to see what kind of a set up was through the door. She was just impressed with the idea of running water, especially as everything in the Makai seemed to predate technology, but in some other ways was far more advanced. It was a mass of contradictions to modern science alone, but then some things went far beyond the realm of where science ever wanted to go. The bathroom was a little on the functional side, but the size of the tub more than made up for any shortcomings about the fanciness of the furnishings. "Fire-proofed, but not water-proofed, eh?" She asked herself. She poked her head out the door as she thought of something, "It's almost dinnertime, how am I able to be in a different room than you?"

Hiei chuckled. "I was wondering when you'd think of that." He went over and kissed her gently. "You are where we will consider home and while this does not negate the effects, they are greatly minimized as we both consider this 'safe'. Once we go through the door at the front of the suite, I will once more be on my guard and you will again be unable to leave my sight."

Shizuru went over to the bed and sat down, "So, let me see if I've got this straight, as long as even one of us is on their guard, we're tied to each other's line of sight?" She asked.

Hiei only nodded. "For Kurama and Keiko, it will be their den outside Gandistra, and that is where they will go for Keiko to have her kits. For me, it is here, in these three rooms. My sister and your brother will have to determine their own 'safe place', but they have time."

Shizuru went back over to the closet. "So, I have a short time to prepare for this dinner." She sniffed herself. "Why don't I smell like sweat?"

"Fire demons don't." Hiei told her simply.

"Do I still have to wash to remove road dust?"

Hiei shook his head. "Flitting as we did, the wind removes all particles from our skin. The only reason to wash with water is to add scent to the skin." He walked over to her, inhaled deeply and sighed. "Your scent is quite pleasing."

Shizuru chuckled. "Glad you think so. I like your scent too, piney."

Hiei blushed lightly, "Thanks, now we had best get ready, you will probably meet most of our warlords at dinner, if I know Mukuro. Between the three of us, she's warm and friendly, don't make the mistake of thinking she'll be so at dinner, she's also one of the most dangerous individuals I know."

Shizuru picked the dress in blues. "Of course, she's female, isn't she? We're inherently dangerous."

Hiei chuckled. "Very true." He picked an outfit similar to the one that he wore at the beginning of the Dark Tournament, Chinese style and very similar in style to those usually worn by Kurama, only this was in sky blue and navy over it.

Shizuru quickly brushed out her hair. "What do you think, loose or braided?"

Hiei took the brush from her, "May I?" He asked a bit shyly.

Shizuru blinked in surprise. "Sure."

Hiei brushed all her bangs back then braided the hair that he had gathered, tying the end off. "How about both?" He asked huskily.

Shizuru turned to look in the mirror as best she could. Her hair literally looked like three small flames playing with a larger flame underneath. She gasped in pleasure. "I think I like this one." She smiled back, meeting her mate's eyes through the mirror.

"Good, then let's get going, we don't wish to be late." Hiei replied, opening the door for her to precede him. Beyond the doors, his guard went back up, as Shizuru could tell from his more stiff posture.

Hiei led the way to the banquet hall and the guards on duty both came stiffly to attention, opening the doors for them.

"Greetings, Lord Hiei, Lady Shizuru! Lady Mukuro is inside and awaiting your presence." The one on the left said.

Hiei looked up at them. He nodded and led the way in. He inwardly groaned, he hated these social functions, it was really the only thing about his position that he did hate. He felt a flare of uncertainty from Shizuru at the amount of people in the banquet hall, there were easily a hundred youkai, all more or less humanoid in form, ranging from mid B-class to upper A-class. He put his hand on her elbow, giving her silent reassurance.

"Ho! Lord Hiei is here!" One particularly ugly and obnoxious, not to mention drunk, warlord said by the side.

"And mated, too!" His companion added.

The word spread like wildfire. Everyone was speculating on how Hiei had found a female fire demon, as they were exceedingly rare and usually cross breeds of one sort or another.

Hiei and Shizuru just made their way through the throng to the head table. Mukuro just nodded, then whispered, "I did not mention that Shizuru started human, it will not help your cause amoung these lords." The contempt that saturated her voice when she spoke the last word spoke whole volumes on what she thought of the assembled mass.

Shizuru spoke just as quietly, "This is a gathering of only the troublemakers, isn't it?"

Mukuro smiled nastily. "Now, whatever gave you that idea?" Her voice was dripping sarcasm so thick it could have been cut.

Shizuru nodded, "That's what I thought."

"Food will be served in fifteen minutes, after which socializing will begin until they either pass out drunk or go to bed, whichever comes first."

Hiei shook his head. "Hn, we'll see, I can't promise much, though, this group has no brains."

Mukuro nodded, "I know." She gestured to chairs, "Best not do that on an empty stomach, though."

Hiei took his place beside Mukuro, with Shizuru sitting on the other side of him. Shizuru found the food remarkably tasty.

"I like my comforts, they are few." Mukuro said when she saw the look of delight on Shizuru's face after she took a few bites. And the rest of dinner passed in companionable silence, just watching the lords at the lower tables.

*******************************Yusuke's Castle***************************

Yusuke looked at the assembled collection of individuals. Save for the ears and the slightly different posture, Lord Sesshomeru would have easily been mistaken for a Kurama look-alike contest, if he could hide the markings on his face. "Well, it'll have to wait until morning before we get underway, hopefully Kurama and Keiko have learned something by now."

"He should have," Kazuma added, "I mean, Kurama said he had all kinds a contacts, that's why Yomi was turning it over to Kurama in the first place, right?"

"Yes, indeed!" Botan added firmly.

"So, Grandma, when'd you get back?" Yusuke asked, "I mean finding these people alone was a miracle, not to mention bringing them here."

Genkai shook her head of pink hair, "Now, look, Dimwit, I would appreciate you not calling me that. And as for the question, we returned just last night. Lord Sesshomeru was kind enough to supply us with a banner for him."

"How fast do you people travel? Puu can carry alot, but this would be pushing it, even for him."

"We can travel really fast, why? How far is it to this place where your friends are?"

"It's a couple of hours travel as Puu flies." Yusuke said. "I don't know the exact distance."

"I think we can all travel easily that fast." InuYasha replied.

Sesshomeru nodded. "Rin and I can fly and InuYasha and Kagome can travel on the ground. We make excellent time. We were forced to a slower pace by Toguro and Genkai."

"Gee, thanks." Genkai replied, hearing this.

"It is nothing against you," Rin hurriedly told the offended woman, "It is just that you two travel much slower than we are accustomed to. We have often made trips just for the market in Gandistra for some needed supplies and only had to stay overnight in town, leaving in the morning, and returning by nightfall."

Yusuke and company face-faulted.

Toguro added with his poker face, the only one who didn't join the rest of them. "Impressive, isn't that where Kurama and Keiko are?"

Yusuke replied, "Yes, it is, but I don't know if they could get in the palace without me along, not to mention that Kurama wouldn't trust any of them."

"He is a little wary, isn't he?" Yukina asked in her soft voice.

"Yeah, but it's nothing compared to your brother." Kazuma replied, earning himself a giggle for his efforts from his mate.

"Okay, if you guys can really travel that fast, lets get going, cause I don't know how long Kurama was going to be in Gandistra, Yomi was saying something about touring towns." Yusuke replied, "And we'd better catch him before he leaves."

Botan added with worry, "Don't forget, Keiko's pregnant, so they will be forced to a slower pace."

Genkai asked sharply, "Keiko's pregnant? Why don't you people ever tell me these things!"

"Well, gee, we did, but maybe because we got sidetracked you didn’t notice!" Yusuke shot back at her.

Botan sighed, "Oh, dear."

Rin went over to Botan and took her hand, "They really only do it because they actually feel affection for each other, you know that, right?" When Botan shook her head, she smiled and went on, "When I was young, Sesshomeru and InuYasha would do the same thing. Only then they tried to kill each other."

"Is that how you are so calm?" Botan asked.

"Partly. Partly also because Kagome was the closest thing that I had to a mother, as well. And she's something else again." Rin chuckled, remembering more carefree times.

"Yeah, dealing with InuYasha for this many years should qualify me for sainthood." Kagome added, coming over to Rin and Botan. It was almost as it without a word being said, the women were gathering on one side of the room, and the men gathering on the other, as Yukina came over and joined them.

"So both of you mated with S-class youkai?" Yukina asked. "My sister-in-law is one such as you. Shizuru is my mate's, Kazuma's, sister."

"You're a koorime, aren't you?" Kagome asked. "How did you end up in this territory? Normally, your people don't leave the Glacier."

"Hai, but my brother and I are part fire demon and part ice apparition and I once tried to fit in as best I could, but I could not forget my twin brother, who had taken after our father and the fire side was dominant. They were willing to accept me, but my brother was thrown off the Glacier as soon as he was born." Yukina told them. "After many years I was reunited with him, but this was already upon us and everyone is needed to deal with that."

"Who is your brother? I can possibly give a message if I run across him." Rin asked.

"Hiei, Mukuro's heir, is my brother." Yukina said, with a small bow.

"Things can turn upside down, can't they?" Kagome asked. "I remember hearing about him, saying he was a threat to the Ningenkai."

"Not anymore, he's not." Botan said firmly.

"Yeah, the shrimp's not that bad anymore." Kazuma added.

Kagome looked up at the tall red-head with no small amount of humor on her face.

"What?!?" He asked.

"Oh, nothing, just contemplating something." Kagome replied.

"So, it's decided then?" Yusuke asked Sesshomeru and InuYasha. "We all go to Gandistra and I'll leave you guys with Kurama and Keiko, neither of which are the strongest amoung the group, but handle it well through tactics and unconventional weapons."

Sesshomeru kept his face impassive, but wondered if this was indeed his old friend that this boy was talking about. It sounded like him, but he reserved judgement until he could meet this person face-to-face.

"Yes, Yusuke, you might want to remember that." Genkai added, asking, "Would you want to fight Kurama?"

Yusuke only shuddered, remembering some of the fox's fights. "Hell, no."

"Good, seems you're not totally suicidal yet." She retorted. "I've had to wonder about you from time to time."

"Break it up!" InuYasha said forcefully, "And I thought that my brother and I were bad trying to kill each other on sight! Yeesh!"

Kagome chuckled, "You know, he does have a point. Those two really are bad, aren't they?"

Botan groaned, "You have no idea."

Toguro grumbled, "But the relationship they have is more than simply master and apprentice, too. I'm not sure how to describe it, either."

Sesshomeru removed himself from the quarrel zone, "It would seem that my brother is well able to divert the two of them, however." He idly put an arm around Rin. "Lord Yusuke says that Gandistra is no more than a few hours flying."

The door to the room flew open and a tall red-head with a horn on the top of his head came in, "Oy, Urameshi!"

"Hey, Jin!" Yusuke replied.

"D'y'know where m' partner is bein'?"

Genkai just shook her head, "I don't suppose you can slow down? We don't have Touya to interpret for you any more."

"Well, that's who I be lookin' fer!"

"Well, hold your horses, most of these people are heading that way anyway." Genkai told him. "Yusuke, go on, Toguro and I can hold the fort ‘til you get back, Yukina can probably use the rest."

Yukina nodded.

"Okay, something has me kinda concerned," Yusuke asked, "Why is Yukina so much more vulnerable then Keiko?"

"Because Ice apparitions are primarily passive, they don't have a lot of offensive capabilities. That and koorime pregnancies utilize much of the parents ki until the children are born."

Kazuma blinked, "So I'm weaker too?"

Genkai and Yukina both nodded. "Kazuma, it is the way of the koorime." She laid a gentle hand on his arm. "We will persevere through it. Though I do need a rest."

Yusuke nodded. "Well, looks like you two are out of the running, from what Kurama said, they will be out in three months, dang the whole team is getting domesticated!"

Botan, Genkai and Yukina all laughed at that. Yukina told them, "I think my brother is joining the domestication process as well."

Yusuke turned to her, "You're not telepathic with him, are you?"

Yukina shook her head, "But I've always had a link with my twin, letting me know that he's alive and what condition he's in. That's just the feeling that I'm getting from him."

"Guess the whole twin link thing is true, then?" Kazuma asked.

"I don't know about ningens, but with youkai, very definitely." Yukina nodded.

Rin, Sesshomeru, Kagome and InuYasha all listened quietly, getting a feel for their new allies. Kagome said, "After this many years, I'm a good midwife, if anyone's interested."

Rin nodded. "As am I."

Genkai looked at the two, "I'm sure you are, especially with miko training, I am not experienced in the matter personally. We'll see what happens."

"Well, if I want to get back by dark, we'd best get going." Yusuke said. "Tell my mom that I'd like to see her when I get back, if you would, Genkai?"

She nodded, with a softer look on her face. "She might have some choice words for you, though. Chuu was about the only one who could handle your mother when she was drunk."

Yusuke just cocked his head, "Why do you think I gave the assignment to him?" He turned to the four inu youkai. "Shall we get going?" And led the way out the door, calling back, "Jin, come on, I don't want to be lonely on this trip!"

"Aye, Urameshi!"

Yusuke paused before he got on Puu, turning back to the ex-ferry girl, "Botan, you'd better stay here, Genkai and Toguro can protect you, I don't want you to be subjected to that kind of ridicule again."

Botan, who had followed him out, nodded. "Okay, Yusuke, I'll stay here, but you'd better give me a full report when you get back!"

Yusuke smiled at her. "Of course, would I dare to leave you out of the loop?" He bent down to brush his lips against hers before turning and mounting on Puu.

Botan watched him go from the steps as Genkai came out. "That boy really does care about you, you know that, right?" Genkai asked. Botan could only nod, turning when Yusuke was nothing more than a blue speck in the sky and following Genkai inside.

Puu had a difficult time keeping up with Sesshomeru's flying cloud trick and InuYasha was travelling on foot, but could almost rival Hiei's flitting. Yusuke was quite impressed, though he wasn't sure just how much help the girls would be, he hadn't seen them in action.

They quickly landed on the rooftop of the Palace at Gandistra. "I can't say that I've ever landed here." Sesshomeru commented as his half-brother caught up with them.

A guard was posted at the door leading within the palace, "Oh, Lord Yusuke! Shall I send word to Lord Kurama?"

"Yeah, tell him that Genkai and Toguro did a little recruiting and found us some allies." Yusuke stood in front of Puu.

He bowed and disappeared within as Jin landed, more than a bit winded. "Whoooo, ya set some speed records, I'm sure!"

The guard came out, followed by Kurama and Keiko. Kurama did a double take, "Fluffy!"

Sesshomeru's eyebrow quirked, "Youko, I see you are doing well for yourself."

Yusuke blinked at Kurama, "Wait you know this arrogant SOB?"

Kurama laughed. "Indeed. Many, many years ago. Before the barrier sealed off the Makai and the Ningenkai."

"So, you go by your true name these days?" Sesshomeru asked.

Kurama nodded, "For the most part. Let me guess, only one's who dare to call you Fluffy have a death wish?"

"As always."

"Don't let my mate fool you," Rin stepped up, "He is pleased to see you."

"Fluffy mated?" Kurama asked, with a grin and raising a brow in Sesshomeru's direction.

"Would you please not use that name?"

"I suppose." Kurama grinned, "Sesshomeru, now would you introduce me to the people that you brought with you?"

Sesshomeru shook his head, "Now I remember why I put up with that name from you. Very well, this is my mate, Rin. You might remember my half-brother, InuYasha."

Kurama looked at InuYasha. "Well, last time I saw him he was only a half-demon and he barely came up to my knee. You've grown up well."

"Thanks. I remember you, too. Always snuck me candy."

Kurama chuckled. "And the last of your party?"

InuYasha said, "This is Kagome, my mate."

"Congratulations." Kurama looked around, "Pleased to meet you two, and this," He brought her forward, held her close, "Is my mate, Keiko."

Yusuke looked around, "Jin, go find Touya."

"So, I gather they will be required to work together?"

"It might be best. Genkai let it slip that Kuwabara, sorry, Kazuma, will also be out of commission until Yukina delivers." Yusuke said. "How did Hiei and Shizuru get off?"

"They are well too, though Shizuru conceived, seems that she was koorime enough to have that effect." Kurama added dryly.

"Oh, great. Are they going to be out of commission too?"

Kurama shook his head, "Shouldn't be, the fire side is dominant there, and fire's carry much easier than ice demons."

"How do you know so much?" Yusuke asked.

"Experience."

Sesshomeru said, "I understand you are expecting your own litter soon?"

"In four months." Kurama confirmed.

"Congratulations. And may I offer the services of our mates as midwives?" Sesshomeru asked.

"Thank you, if you trust them, then I will as well. I lost touch with you completely after the barrier went up." Kurama said. "We were just on our way to another city, trying to figure out what is going on here in the Makai, and trying to undo whatever we can."

"I understand. When we were all penned up here in the Makai to begin with, I was afraid we'd get to this point, sooner or later. I think the whole issue with Naraku brought the situation to a head."

"I don't remember that."

Sesshomeru shook his head, "You wouldn't, you were busy mourning your partner, Kuronue at the time."

Kurama hung his head. Keiko embraced him from behind. "If you'll refrain from that subject, it would be appreciated." Keiko said softly.

Sesshomeru bowed, "I am sorry, I never realized the scars went that deep."

Kurama nodded. "I never really did recover from Kuronue's death, Sesshomeru." He said sadly.

Sesshomeru went over and clasped his friend on the shoulder by way of apology. "I'm sorry to hear that. The glee has gone from most of your voice."

InuYasha gave him a sharp look, "Okay, what did you do with the friend who always braved my father's wrath to sneak me candy?"

Kurama smiled ruefully, "Thanks, Fluffy." He gave a small grin at InuYasha, "He's still here, just a little sadder and treasuring the moments, and friends that I have."

Yusuke quirked a brow, "Sneaking candy?"

"Indeed. He was a child not treated by life well, and I'm glad to see these two have put aside their hatred of one another." Kurama nodded.

"That came when my contempt of humans was cured." Sesshomeru quietly explained. "First was Rin, a human child, and the first to ever show me kindness, then there was Kagome who was stubbornly loyal to my brother. I grew accustomed to the fact that I would never be able to wield my father's fang that was left for InuYasha. Then there was my own fang," he put a hand on one of the sword hilts, "The fang of life. Father was determined to teach me compassion, even in death."

"Your father was a bit of a tyrant, but I envied you for knowing him, and InuYasha, for knowing his mother." Kurama said, "But come, let's go in, and Keiko and I can finish preparing." He paused, "Do I remember right that you were missing one of your arms for a while there?"

Sesshomeru nodded, "InuYasha took one of them, it only took twenty years to grow back."

InuYasha flushed. "I told ya sorry, too!"

Kurama shook his head. "Yusuke, are you coming in, or are you just going to head back?"

"I was thinking about just turning around, only wanted to make sure that these four had immediate entrance to the palace."

"Okay, let Yukina and Kazuma know that they will be an aunt and uncle in about five months or so. Hiei wasn't sure exactly how long the pregnancy would last."

"Are we sure that Yukina conceived first?" Yusuke asked.

Kurama laughed. "Welcome to youkai pregnancies, Toushin."

"I give up" Yusuke climbed back on Puu, "Tell Jin to report when he can."

"Will do-" Kurama started.

"Urameshi! Wait up!"

Jin, Touya and Moya came up, Touya bowed to Kurama.

"Okay, now what's up?"

"My lords," Touya began, "We are going to go do some investigation of our own." He caught the expression in Kurama's eyes and before the question could be asked, he answered, "Yes, Moya will be with us and we shall ensure that she is safe, and protected."

"It will be on your head if you fail, Touya." Kurama told him seriously. "She is here of her own volition, true, but she wouldn't be here if not for you."

Touya looked steadily back into the inscrutable gold eyes. "I know. We will report back when possible."

Yusuke looked over, "Jin, you goin' with 'em?"

"Aye! I know I kinda stick out like a sore thumb at times, but I'm still needed." Jin replied. "Tell Rinku that I'm sorry I couldn't finish his education in fun!'

Yusuke shook his head. "I should be grateful for that. Anyway, let me know what you find out when you can!"

Jin nodded.

Sesshomeru followed when Kurama and Keiko entered the building, along with Rin, InuYasha and Kagome. "Kurama, Kagome had a favor to ask of you, it was the original reason why Yusuke brought us here."

Kurama led the way to the room that they had the previous night. "Do go on."

Kagome looked up at the fox demon. "I am from this time period originally, though a very complex twist of fate, I was the reincarnation of the priestess who was the guardian of the Shikon-no-Tama."

"Great Inari!" Kurama breathed. "The miko from the future who shattered it?"

"I have that distinction, yes." Kagome replied ruefully. "Word really gets around, doesn't it?"

"Only when one is a thief of ancient treasures such as myself. Word that the Shikon-no-Tama was shattered spread faster than a wildfire throughout the entire thieving community." Kurama looked at her. "So you were a human who mated with InuYasha? And Rin was human before she mated with Fluffy?"

Kagome chuckled. She had never quite gotten up the nerve to call Sesshomeru Fluffy. "Yes, but I would like to visit my mother, brother and grandfather before all hell, or would that be Reikai? breaks loose."

Keiko chuckled at that. "Knowing them as I do, it should be Reikai."

Kurama sat down. "It would be possible, Rin and yourself both border on S-class, as does my own mate."

"You do seem more powerful, Yo-Kurama." Sesshomeru offered.

"Don't worry over my name, in some of these towns, I must go by Youko, so either is acceptable." Kurama told his old friend.

"So, can we visit the Ningenkai?" Kagome asked.

"Yes, we can, but it'll have to be carefully, there are prices out on my mate and my own, heads.” Kurama waved it off as he added, “Something about bonds between youkai and ningens getting too close."

Sesshomeru just looked out the window. "That's why they erected the kekkai in the first place, but after my brother mated with Kagome and she became a youkai, I began to question my own beliefs about the humans, it is almost as if we are meant to live together. I mated with Rin when she was actually old enough to."

Rin laughed, "I had been old enough since fifteen, Sesshomeru, we mated when I was twenty-two."

Sesshomeru gave a small smile over at his mate. "But after that I knew that Reikai was not correct to keep us apart from each other. Yes, both sides have gone to war with each other, and we have killed each other as well, but I would never have been able to mate with another demon. InuYasha would have had the same problem. I imagine yourself and this Hiei would have had similar problems. The more I contemplate the situation, the more I am convinced that we are supposed to be together."

Kurama nodded. "I know what you mean. My body was killed about twenty years ago and my soul took refuge in the Ningenkai. I was born into a human body to regain my power. It took a little longer than I thought it would, but my power did eventually all come back."

"Including your original body?" Sesshomeru asked.

Kurama nodded. "That didn't happen until I regained my original power level, though, otherwise I was stuck in a human form."

Keiko chuckled. "But it was a cute human form."

InuYasha just absorbed the news of what had happened. His brother had always been more open around Youko. "I hate to break this up, but Kagome has waited two and a half centuries to see her mother again."

Keiko wordlessly embraced the woman. "We'll help you." She whispered.

Kurama's lips quirked up, watching his mate. She made him proud. "Okay, that's settled, I need to make a contact at the marketplace then, asking a few associates to start some work before we get on site."

Sesshomeru nodded. "Your contacts within the thieves guild?"

"How did you guess?"

"I didn't, I remembered."

"Shall we get going? This group'll be hard to keep under cover in the Ningenkai." Kurama asked, "Where about's are we going?"

Kagome looked up, "Higurashi Shrine."

Kurama's eyebrows lifted, "You are Kagome Higurashi? You disappeared three months ago."

Kagome blinked, "Is that all? I'd still be eighteen!"

Keiko chuckled. "Same age as me. Come on, let's go, I know Higurashi Shrine, and I'm sure Kurama does as well."

"I do indeed." Kurama replied and led the way out the door, both Kurama and Keiko grabbing bags that contained their belongings.

To be continued . . .