Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Akambo ❯ Connection ( Chapter 10 )

Since Yukina's announcement that the couple wanted twins, Hiei had been acting weird. Already two weeks had passed, and the hiyoukai had become very clingy with Kurama. He wanted to touch his mate, to hear him speak. Kurama was very patient with his diminutive lover, and made extra time to sit together, playing with the short, black hair, or sharing a bath in their Jacuzzi.

 

Hiei did not know why he needed the constant contact. He felt like a hole had opened inside of him and nothing could fill it. Kurama eased his loneliness, but he had no clue how to banish the feeling. He thought he had concealed his emotional turmoil well, but Kurama knew.

 

As his birthday approached, Hiei began to act even more strangely. He was still clingy, but also moody. In truth, he was sick of feeling so hollow. Every time he thought of his upcoming birthday he thought of his twin sister. This led to thoughts of her upcoming pregnancy, and to thoughts of her efforts to conceive twins. At the end of this train of thought was an irritable, grumpy fire demon who began swearing loudly about "The Oaf" and making meticulous plans to end said Oaf's life. Kurama only hoped this roller coaster between melancholy and ire would end once Yukina had conceived. He missed his old Hiei.

 

The morning before the twins' birthday dawned cool and clear. Although it was still winter, the air held the promise of an early spring. When Kurama arose, the other half of the bed was already empty. Unsurprised, the kitsune climbed out of the bed and wrapped his robe around his slim form. Making his way downstairs, Kurama entered the kitchen and found Hiei. The hiyoukai was sitting at the kitchen table, staring at his hands and biting his lower lip. Something weighed on his mind; it was obvious in his expression.

 

“Good morning, Love,” Kurama said cheerfully, crossing the room to embrace his mate from behind.

 

Hiei sat back and leaned into Kurama's arms. Tilting his head he looked up at Kurama and smiled. Kurama leaned in and kissed the smaller demon's cheek.

 

“What would you like for breakfast?” Kurama asked, turning from Hiei to prepare food.

 

Strong arms wrapped around the red head's slim waist before he could reach the counter. “I want fox,” Hiei practically purred behind Kurama.

 

Smiling, Kurama murmured, “That can be arranged.” as he turned to hug his mate. Together, they ascended back to their bedroom. Starting the day could wait; they had things to do.

 

Two hours later, the mates lay in bed together. Kurama lay on his back as Hiei curled tightly to his left side and rested his head on the fox's chest. Kurama sighed as he reached out to idly stroke Hiei's arm, enjoying their post-coital bliss. Both treasured the time they spent cuddling after making love.

 

Hiei nuzzled into Kurama's chest before he spoke, “Kurama?”

 

“Yes, Love?” the kitsune responded.

 

“Wanna go again?” the youkai asked as he looked up to meet his lover's gaze, a lusty haze clouding his crimson eyes. Smiling, Kurama rolled over on top of the smaller demon and began to kiss him deeply.

 

Around ten in the morning, Kurama lay on his left side, spooned up behind Hiei. The fox was sleepy. Hiei had a lot of energy to burn off this morning, and Kurama was looking forward to spending the rest of the morning cuddled to his mate before lunch.

 

Hiei tilted his head backwards, brushing his spiky hair under Kurama's chin. The fox smiled at this small gesture, wrapping his arms more tightly around his beloved. Turning a little, Hiei gave his lover a hungry stare. “Kurama...”

 

By noon Kurama wanted to forget lunch and sleep. He was wearing out. Hiei seemed insatiable today. When Hiei turned to him again and whispered his name, the kitsune closed his eyes tiredly.

 

“Love, right now?” he asked. One look into the hazy red eyes answered him. With a sigh, Kurama pushed Hiei's shoulders down onto the bed. Sliding downwards, he began to kiss and lick at Hiei's chest, his hands wandering even lower.

 

"Kurama," Hiei all but whined, a tone that was highly unusual for him. "I need you in me."

 

Kurama paused his descent. "Hiei, Love, I can't right now. My body isn't quite ready. Let me pleasure you this way, or you can take me if you wish." The only response Kurama got was baleful, desperate red eyes staring at him. Quickly the fox resumed his task. Hiei did not last nearly as long as usual, and he reached his climax with a lusty moan, tangling his hands in Kurama's hair, bending his knees and digging his heels into the bed. Spent, the hiyoukai fell backwards onto the bed, half asleep. Kurama practically dragged himself up the bed to nuzzle his mate. Satisfied that Hiei was sleeping, albeit lightly, Kurama laid his head on the pillow and closed his eyes.

 

The kitsune's respite was interrupted, however, about a half hour later when he felt someone shaking him slightly. Burying his head in the pillow, Kurama tried desperately to feign sleep. But he knew it was hopeless. The shaking became more urgent and Kurama finally looked at his lover.

 

Hiei had no idea why he was so insatiable right now. He wanted Kurama to touch him, to hold him, to make love to him. He needed to join with his mate. His curiosity about this need fled his mind, however, replaced with burning lust. Looking into Kurama's sleepy eyes, he felt the flames burn hotter. Wordlessly, he leaned in and pressed his lips to those of his lover in a rough, almost obscene kiss. Kurama pulled back.

 

"Hiei, I, I can't," he whispered. His body was tired and not quite ready to make love once more. Despite his own impressive abilities and the legendary endurance of Youko Kurama he was only human. His body was not meant to have sex for so many hours on end. As Hiei pressed up to him, Kurama felt Hiei's immediate need protruding. With a sigh, Kurama turned onto his back. "You'll have to be seme, Hiei," he mumbled.

 

In an instant, the fire demon was on top of him. Kisses littered his face and neck as small hands caressed his chest and shoulders. One hand drifted away, only to return a little later and a lot lower, covered with a gooey gel, to begin to prepare him. Kurama smiled. He had no idea why his mate was so eager today, but even in a lust-soaked haze, Hiei still took his time and prepared his mate gently, knowing the fox was unused to being penetrated.

 

The next time Kurama looked at the clock, it was almost ten pm. He wanted a shower, but his body was screaming its exhaustion. Their tryst had not ended when Hiei made love to him. After Hiei had taken him, he found his energy renewed. When Hiei next looked at him with a wonton expression, he was able to claim his mate's body once more. But Hiei's satisfaction was short lived. Lying spooned up behind the smaller form, Kurama felt Hiei stir and begin to roll over. Preempting a request, the fox slid his hand down his mate's body and began to massage Hiei's groin and thighs, taking his time and teasing the sensitive skin between his mate's legs. With deft strokes and skillful manipulation, he kept Hiei on the brink of climax for quite some time before letting him succumb to pleasure. Exhausted, the fire demon fell asleep, and relieve the fox spirit followed suit. They woke up one more time, around seven pm, but Kurama was too tired, still. Hiei was disappointed when he found he would have to be seme again; he had really wanted Kurama to take him. But his lust would not wait, and he mounted his mate, slightly less gently than before, and sought his release.

 

Glaring at the clock, Kurama wondered what had awakened him. A soft kiss on his shoulder gave him the answer. Closing his eyes, the kitsune sighed. "Hiei," he asked softly. "Why are you so horny today?"

 

"Don't know," Hiei breathed between kisses. "Need you." Kurama sighed again. As Hiei seemed satisfied for the moment with sucking hard on Kurama's shoulder, by his collarbone, the fox reflected for a moment on his mate's "condition."

 

Demons did not go into heat. This was not the same lustful drive that possessed cats and deer and other animals present in Ningenkai. Hiei was usually affectionate with his mate, something they shared in private, as he was very cold and aloof with the rest of the world and not prone to public displays of affection. But this height of lust, this burning and insatiable need was not normal for the smaller demon. They had literally spent the day in bed and done nothing but have sex.

 

Kurama wondered about this and hoped nothing was seriously wrong with his mate. Hiei had been acting very oddly lately, in general, and this was another oddity. Biting his lip, Kurama suddenly realized something. Smiling, he understood Hiei's desperation. It was only a small part physical lust. Hiei was suffering emotional lust; he needed to be close to someone right now. Being mated, he sought out his mate for comfort. Had he not been mated, he may not even have experienced this need for contact. But since Kurama was linked to him, the fox wanted to calm his lover's emotional storm. A sharp pain in his shoulder drew the kitsune from his thoughts.

 

Hiei was still sucking the one spot over Kurama's collarbone. He had given a sharp nip with his teeth, thus the pain, and had returned to sucking once more. Kurama turned, depriving Hiei of that skin and replacing it with his lips. Hiei pressed crushingly into them, desperate for the contact Kurama offered.

 

Kurama realized that Hiei would receive more satisfaction as uke, but his human body simply refused to cooperate just now. He did not have to say a word. Hiei groped him eagerly, only to find no arousal. Red eyes looking into his green ones, a question burning unsaid in their depths. "Go on," Kurama replied. Hiei did not wait any longer.

 

This time was different. Hiei was much rougher. It was not intentional, but he really seemed to have no control of his urges. The fire demon had actually been awake quite a while before waking his partner. He had tried to quell the rising heat in his body, to allow his exhausted mate to sleep, but the driving urge to be in Kurama's arms and to have Kurama inside of him practically ripped its way out of him. Hiei had awakened his mate, only to find that Kurama would have to be uke again, a role Hiei craved. Although he did not intend to rush their joining or cause his lover discomfort, he quickly lost control.

 

Kurama did feel discomfort. He bit his lip and wrapped his arms and legs around the fire demon as the smaller form thrust into him repeatedly. The fox did not mind, though. He enjoyed some pain, and he knew Hiei needed the release. He threw his head back with a cry as Hiei hit his prostate, sending tendrils of ecstasy through his whole body. When Hiei reached his end, he drove forward hard, pushing Kurama up the bed and almost slamming him into the headboard. Hiei released a feral growl as his climaxed, and Kurama felt the rush of fluid inside of him as his own body shuddered and shivered with pleasure. When Hiei relaxed onto him, Kurama just held the youkai, still joined. The tension slipped out of Hiei's body and the fire demon finally fond some rest.

 

Kurama was not surprised. Hiei had been very "energetic," for lack of a better term, during this round of lovemaking, and in a way, the fox was relieved that he had worn himself out. Shifting and sliding down the bed to a more comfortable position, Kurama turned and allowed his unconscious mate to slip out of his body. Cradling the smaller form close, Kurama closed his eyes, and reopened them about ten minutes later.

 

Something was tickling the back of his thigh. Looking at the figure in his arms, Kurama saw that Hiei was quite asleep. Reaching back with one hand, Kurama touched the back of his leg, right near his butt, where the tickling sensation was. When he looked at his hand he was a little surprised. There was blood on his fingers. The tickling sensation returned. Carefully, Kurama extricated himself from his sleeping partner's embrace, managed to get out of bed without soiling the sheets, and stood up. He was surprised to find he was very dizzy. Staggering slightly, he made his way to the bathroom.

 

Kurama cleaned himself up quickly and used a poultice he kept in the medicine cabinet, one he had made for any type of wound, to stop the bleeding. Making his way back to the bedroom, he saw that Hiei had rolled over and sprawled out. How such a small body could claim the entire bed was beyond his comprehension at the moment, but rather than risk waking up a lustful hiyoukai, Kurama stumbled the bedroom and got a blanket and pillow from a spare bedroom. He needed sleep, but he was also terribly thirsty. Without thinking, Kurama dragged the bedding downstairs with him to the kitchen to get a drink.

 

It was only when he put his empty glass in the sink that Kurama realized he should have left the bedding upstairs. Not caring anymore, only wanting to rest, he took the bedding to the couch and flopped down on his stomach. He dragged the blanket partway over himself, but was quite asleep before he ever got it up to his chin.

 

Kurama was floating in a soft, warm darkness. His body felt light and so relaxed. The darkness was quiet and peaceful, except for some strange, recurring noise. But the fox brushed that sound away. Smiling to himself, he allowed the darkness to embrace him and floated peacefully, relaxed, in its depths.

 

That noise got louder. Turning, Kurama tried to ignore it. But soon the darkness began to roll, like it was being shaken. The noise grew more insistent. Finally the kitsune gave up and opened his eyes. He had no reaction at all when he saw Hiei kneeling on the floor before him, shaking his shoulder and calling to him. The fire demon had awakened from his slumber and, to no one's surprise, wanted Kurama. Again. The fox looked around. Outside the window, the sky was still dark, but the horizon had the lighter semi-glow of impending dawn. With a yawn, Kurama decided that enough was enough. As he turned to the side and sat up, his body reminded him that it was not quite ready to sit fully on his behind. Leaning on one hip, Kurama held up the covers for his mate. Eagerly, Hiei joined him.

 

Hiei did not have a chance to get comfortable in his mate's embrace. The fox's lips crushed his own, stealing his breath and driving the heat in his body to an even hotter level. Turning and rolling, Kurama effectively cocooned them in the fluffy blanket. Hiei could barely focus on the sensations he was being given. Kurama's wandering hands seemed to be everywhere on his body at once and the kitsune's kiss, which logic dictated had to be limited to his lips, was inside him, consuming him, devouring him, and washing away the emptiness he had been feeling for so long now. He tried to wrap his arms around Kurama, but the kitsune was too mobile, too wriggly. Kurama was everywhere on his body at the same time. When he felt the kitsune begin to enter him, Hiei's blood sang. His world was the fox, inside and out.

 

Kurama called upon his centuries of experience. His poor, human body was tired, but he found that he had gotten enough sleep to be aroused by his mate's insistent touch. Taking control of the situation, he was determined to exhaust the smaller demon and finally get some rest. Besides, he enjoyed joining his mate and despite his exhaustion, the fire demon excited him, body and soul.

 

Kurama set a slower pace than Hiei had during their last encounter. If he were right, the fire demon would enjoy the prolonged encounter much more than a faster one. Slowing his movement further, Kurama concentrated on driving deeper, pushing into his mate and extending their contact as much as he could. He knew he had figured correctly when a deep, more satisfied moan escaped his mate's throat. Smiling almost possessively, Kurama changed his angle to achieve even deeper penetration.

 

Hiei felt nothing but Kurama. In him, around him, on top of him, the fox was touching every inch of him at the same time, physically stroking every bit of skin and emotionally cradling every bit of Hiei's burning desire. The fire demon felt their connection, more in this moment than he had in months. He could almost feel their souls intertwining, reaching into each other and touching on a level that most beings never even knew existed. His release began to build inside of him, boiling rapidly and coming to head.

 

Just as he was about to scream his completion, Hiei felt a tight grip on him, a grip that blocked his climax. The fire demon screamed anyway when the crashing wave of pleasure overtook his body. Shaking and spasming, he grabbed the body above his in desperation, needing more. Kurama did not disappoint him.

 

The fox changed his pace again, slowing down further and allowing Hiei to come down from his peak. Kurama knew his own end was near, but he was determined to exhaust his mate, as well, to allow the small demon to find some rest. Pushing deeply into his mate, he felt Hiei's muscles clench. Looking at his mate's face, he saw glistening wetness in the crimson eyes. It was not tears, just satisfaction, and the wetness never fell to form tear gems, but it did speak of Hiei's feelings. Smiling, Kurama knew he was the only one who could elicit such a response from the demon, and it drove him further. He quickly, without warning, increased his pace to an almost dizzying speed.

 

Hiei felt the change, but all he could do was hold on for dear life and his fox penetrated him over and over. Pulling his legs up, he wrapped them as high around Kurama's torso as he could. If this were a purely physical encounter, Kurama would have grabbed those legs and threw them over his shoulders. But Hiei needed their closeness, as well, not just a good lay, so Kurama kept his arms wrapped tightly around his petite lover.

 

As Hiei's climax approached again, Kurama felt the muscles around him pull taut. As he felt Hiei's back begin to arch, he covered Hiei's mouth with his own. Pressing down, he sealed the hiyoukai's lips and slid one hand over the small nose, pinching it shut. Hiei had no idea the hand was even on his face; he was only focused on the feelings within his body. He felt Kurama reach his peak as hot fluid shot into him. Instead of pushing or arching, his body shifted, pulling his legs even higher, trying to envelope more of his fox. For that one instant he wanted all of Kurama in him. His muscles pulled and strained, trying to draw the kitsune in deeper. As his body jerked and tightened, Hiei saw the world get darker and white spots burst before his eyes. The sensations in his body multiplied as he tried to draw a breath, not even realizing he could not.

 

Kurama quickly released Hiei's mouth and nose. He had only covered them for a few seconds as the demon began to climax; any longer would have been dangerous. He did not cause the hiyoukai to pass out, but merely intensified Hiei's climax. Breathlessly, Hiei tried to scream his release, but he only had enough breath for a mild squeak. Finally, his body still in the throes of pleasure, Hiei gasped and let out a moan of completion. Within a few moments, the tension left him and he began to relax into the blanket cocoon, his arms still around his mate.

 

After several long minutes, when Hiei could think again, he looked up into the tired green eyes above him. "Wow," he breathed. Kurama smiled.

 

"Glad you liked it, Love," the kitsune puffed, still out of breath. Hiei could only nod. He felt his body sinking, relaxing as he drifted to sleep. As Kurama shifted to lie beside him, Hiei felt them separate. But instead of the bereft, lonely feeling, he found solace in his mate's embrace, and the two demons slept peacefully, still wrapped in their blanket. Cleanup could wait until they awoke.

 

The sun had nearly reached its zenith when Hiei awoke, still cradled in Kurama's embrace. Looking at his mate, Hiei felt a calm that he had not experienced in a very long time. The aching hollowness inside of him was gone, and he felt more loved and accepted in that moment than he had in his entire life. He placed a soft kiss on Kurama's lips. The kitsune, however, did not stir.

 

Hiei shifted his position to look more closely at his lover. Kurama was fine; there was no visible injury and he was breathing quite deeply. He was also quite deeply asleep. Smiling, Hiei managed to escape the cocoon of blanket and fox without disturbing the kitsune so he could shower and dress. As he stood, the fire demon's body protested. Looking down at himself, Hiei chuckled. They had been very active the day before, and there was a good chance both would be stiff today. He was also filthy. Smiling at the fox, he went upstairs to shower and dress.

 

When Hiei returned to the living room, Kurama was still asleep in the blanket. Shaking his head, the hiyoukai began to prepare lunch. It wasn't long, though, before he was interrupted by a knock at the door. Wiping his hands on the legs of his pants, he answered the knock, only to find Shiori and her family on his doorstep. The woman stepped inside quickly, wrapping her arms around her son-in-law.

 

"Happy Birthday, Hiei!" Shiori said brightly. Hiei tolerated the hug, but his lips did squeeze into a very thin line. When Shiori released him, he saw the rest of her family standing on the doorstep still. With a wary eye, he looked at the mother of his fox.

 

"Shuuichi mentioned your birthday was today, so we wanted to drop this off," Shiori said brightly, taking a small parcel from her husband and handing it to the fire demon. Hiei remained composed, but made a mental note to find a suitable revenge for Kurama. Before he could give it too much thought, however, Shiori was looking past him. "Where is Shuuichi?"

 

"Couch," Hiei replied. He put his present on the coffee table and approached the blanket cocoon. Shiori just looked at the sofa with a confused expression. Why were they not sharing their bed? She hoped she had not come by at a bad time, during an argument, for example. As she moved farther into the house, her husband and stepson entered as well to see where the hiyoukai had gone.

 

Hiei knelt by the couch. "Fox," he called to Kurama, shaking the bundle of blanket gently. "Kurama, wake up." The bundle shifted and red hair became visible at the end to which Hiei was speaking, but Kurama did not stir. "Fox, get up," Hiei called again, shaking Kurama's shoulder more insistently.

 

"MMmmmmMmMMm," mumbled the blanket, but the kitsune did not awaken.

 

Hiei sighed. Trying again to rouse Kurama, he called out rather loudly, "Fox, Wake up."

 

The blanket shifted again and Kurama's sleepy, half-awake voice came from the cocoon. "Not now Hiei; we just had sex. I'm tired. Let me sleep and I'll make love to you again later." The blanket began moving again as Kurama tried to roll over and find a more comfortable position.

 

Shiori blushed a deep maroon color. Hatanaka smiled, raising his hand to cover his mouth. Shuuichi-kun couldn't hold in his laughter, which escaped in a loud guffaw before his father shot him a look. He tried to control himself better, realizing what an awkward situation this was, but a chuckle or two still slipped out. Hatanaka just smiled at that. He had come a long way in accepting his stepson's choices, and found the situation funny rather than repulsive. He still wanted his teenage son to behave with more tact, though.

 

Hiei controlled his own blush nicely and simply leaned in towards the blanket. "Fox," he said smoothly. "Your family is here."

 

The blanket stilled for a moment. The top of the fabric cocoon parted and Kurama's face could finally be seen. "What?" he asked softly, blinking his eyes. Hiei just pointed to the doorway. Turning his head, Kurama was suitably mortified to find his mother, stepfather, and stepbrother looking at him with expressions that clearly said they had heard his response. Within a second, Kurama was gone from view, curled back into his blanket, his face as red as his hair.

 

"Well, Shuuichi," Shiori giggled. "Looks like you gave Hiei his present early."

 

"Mother!" came a soft, embarrassed voice from the blanket.

 

"Many times," replied Hiei.

 

"Hiei!" came the same voice, much louder and clearly shocked. The Hatanaka family chuckled a bit.

 

"Take your time, Sweetheart. We'll wait for you to get up," Shiori said. The blanket moved again, as if Kurama were going to get off the sofa, but it stopped before he emerged.

 

"Could you go into the kitchen?" the voice asked from the blanket. With a chuckle, the Hatanaka family complied.

 

Smiling broadly, Hiei peeled back a few layers of cloth to find his hidden fox. Kurama was curled up tightly. He was quite the predicament; he was naked, stiff, and sore, curled in a blanket, in full view of his family. He cast a baleful look at his partner.

 

"They're in the kitchen," Hiei said. "But it may be better if I carry you, anyway." Without another word, Hiei scooped up the bundle of blanket and flitted up the stairs to their bedroom.

 

It took longer for Kurama to make himself presentable than usual. His stiff, still tired body refused to cooperate. Hiei helped him clean up a bit, promising him a shower and a long soak when the humans were gone, and helped him to get dressed. Finally the two demons emerged downstairs. The Hatanaka family was already making conversation and made no more mention of that morning.

 

"So, Hiei, are you going to open your present?" Shiori asked as Kurama prepared some tea. Intrigued, Hiei retrieved the parcel from the table and tore off the brightly colored paper. Inside was a katana cleaning kit. It contained everything that Hiei would need for routine katana care: oil, a soft cotton cloth, cleaning paper, uchiko, and a mekugi-nuki. All components were the highest quality. Hiei smirked when he saw them.

 

"Thank you," he said softly, an oddity for him and the highest compliment he could give their gift. Perhaps this birthday thing wasn't as awful as he had thought for all those years.

 

Kurama smiled at the gift and at his mate's response as he poured the tea for his family. When all the cups were full, he pulled over a spare chair and sat down. Immediately he rose about an inch and shifted his weight to one side. Hatanaka and his son did not notice the small movement; they were too wrapped up asking Hiei what each piece of the sword care kit did. Shiori noticed but did not say a word. Hiei noticed and smirked slightly, but the expression was lost as he tried to answer the human's question with the least possible number of words. He was saved the trouble, however, when there was a second knock at the door. He looked at Kurama.

 

The kitsune just shrugged and arose to answer the door. They hadn't been expecting anyone at all today. He was very surprised when he opened the door to find Yukina and Kuwabara standing there. With a small bow, Yukina asked in a rushed voice, "Is my brother available?" Kurama nodded and moved, gesturing the couple into the house.

 

When Hiei saw his sister he stood. Yukina, trying unsuccessfully to hold in her happiness, ran to him. "Brother, I need to ask a favor of you. I believe I conceived last week. I've been waiting to ask because I knew it was too soon, but could you use your skills and look? Is there one or two?" she asked rapidly.

 

Kurama was slightly confused. "Last week?" he asked. "But your birthday is today."

 

Yukina turned to face the fox. "Yes, but reproduction is not that perfect, not even for Koorime. Around the beginning of our one-hundredth year we conceive, but if can be as early or as late as a full month." Kurama just nodded. His family just stared. Coming from a world of asexual ice maidens, Yukina found no embarrassment in discussing reproduction in front of all these people. Turning to her brother, she awaited his response eagerly.

 

With a sigh Hiei removed the ward over his Jagan. It was probably futile; it was probably too early. But for his sister, he would try. Closing his visual eyes he focused on her energy.

 

Hiei could see an outline of Yukina, her aura, in light, pulsing purple. The currents through her aura were rapid and bright, reflecting her excitement and anticipation. They also effectively blocked his perception of anything else within her. "Calm down," he said softly. Yukina took a few breaths and closed her eyes, trying to relax.

 

Hiei kept looking. The currents had subdued somewhat and he was trying to peer past the outer aura to see the energy within. Sure enough, there was a small flare of light green within - her child. Trying to focus, Hiei searched for anything else, but Yukina's energy was growing again as her anticipation built. He was about to stop, to tell her it was too soon, when he saw it. It was small, but there, a tiny flash of blue almost camouflaged among the swirling purple and muted green. There were twins. Before opening his eyes, Hiei replaced the ward over his Jagan and gave himself a moment to reorient himself to the physical world. When he did open them, his first sight was a worried, anxious ice maiden. With a deep sigh, he simply replied, "There are two."

 

Yukina jumped into the air and spun to hug her husband. Kuwabara didn't quite hear Hiei's words. Yukina was saying something, but it didn't sink in. Finally, after about the fourth time she said it, he heard it, "Twins, Kazuma! We're having twins!" He looked at his wife, then at his brother-in-law. Hiei nodded once. With a great, goofy grin, he picked up his wife and spun in a circle.

 

Kurama was the first to shake his hand and to bow to Yukina. Since she was another man's mate and with child he did not attempt to hug her, even though Kuwabara, being human, would not have minded. As Kurama's family began to congratulate the couple, the fox noticed his mate had turned away. Hiei had gone to the sink and was holding onto the counter. Kurama wondered at this. Hiei had been acting strangely for a while, and last night the demon was emotionally desperate for his contact. Kurama smiled sadly when he realized what was going on. Walking over, he wrapped Hiei in a hug from behind.

 

"Congratulations, Uncle Hiei," he whispered softly. "It's nice they're having twins. As for us, I'm glad I get to keep you to myself." Hiei turned and wrapped his arms around Kurama, the loneliness banished. His mate was all he needed.

 

The Kuwabaras left soon after they learned of their twins. They wanted to share the news with family and friends. Within minutes of their departure, the Hatanakas arose to leave as well. Shiori's husband and stepson left first as she took her time to hug the birthday boy, as she called him. But when Kurama approached for a hug she took his arm. "Walk me out?" With a glance at Hiei, Kurama complied.

 

"What's the matter with Hiei? Is he ill?" Shiori asked when they were out of earshot.

 

"No," Kurama replied.

 

"He got so quiet after his sister showed up, and he hugged you in front of everyone. Is something wrong?" Shiori persisted.

 

"Mother," Kurama began. "You have to understand something about Hiei. He is a child of the Koorime. He's just feeling the weight of his hundred years. It will pass." Shiori didn't quite understand what her son was saying, but she let the subject drop. Kurama knew he could not be more forthcoming with his mother without compromising Hiei's trust. Hiei had felt the urge to have a child. Since his body could not conceive, he had sought out the closeness of his mate's touch. It was simple, but not the type of information to be spread around. With a hug, Shiori left, knowing better than to pursue the subject.

 

When Kurama returned tot he kitchen, he found Hiei had already cleared away the dishes. The hiyoukai approached him and wrapped his arms around the fox's hips. "About that bath we were going to take?" Hiei murmured, leaning into his mate's chest.

 

"Mmm. That sounds nice," Kurama replied. "And Hiei?"

 

"Yes, Fox?"

 

"Happy Birthday, old man."

 

Hiei just grinned at his far older mate. "You'll pay for that, Fox, and for telling Shiori about my birthday," he threatened.

 

Kurama just grinned, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I'm looking forward to it."

 

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A/N - What lies in store for our demons and their friends? Only time will tell. I hope you enjoyed this chapter; please review.