Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Akambo ❯ Schism ( Chapter 13 )

Hiei was showered and dressed and had a full bottle in his hand when a knock sounded at the door. When he answered it, he was hardly surprised to see Shiori standing there with bags in her grasp. Nodding, he wordlessly invited her into the house and closed the door. Shiori put her bags down and began to remove her shoes.

 

"Breakfast time, I see," she commented, gesturing to the bottle in the hiyoukai's hand. "May I join you?" Hiei shrugged and ascended the stairs.

 

Shiori was a bit disconcerted to note that her son was not joining them to feed the baby. "Where is Shuuichi? Won't he be joining us?" she asked.

 

"He's still asleep; I didn't wake him," Hiei replied, taking the infant into his arms and holding the bottle to the tiny lips. Without hesitation, the baby latched on and began suckling.

 

"I think he would want to help feed his son," Shiori persisted, eager to involve her son in the baby's first few feedings.

 

"He's better off asleep," Hiei replied, not looking up from the feasting child he held. "He's been bitten by the spider demon before. Last time he was lucky enough to sleep through the worst of the venom's effects. This time he will not be so lucky."

 

Shiori was a more than a little concerned by this. "Do you mind if I check on him?" she asked.

 

"Go on. But I suggest letting him sleep as long as he can," Hiei replied. Shiori slipped out of the room to go see her son.

 

When she opened the door and peeked in, Kurama was lying on his back, covered to his waist with the blanket. He appeared to be asleep, but Shiori noticed that his left hand, which was sitting on top of the blanket, was clutching the material slightly. Fully entering the room, she walked over to the bed. "Shuuichi?" she called gently.

 

Kurama did not open his eyes. He was still sleeping, but his sleep was fitful and disturbed. Standing next to the bed, Shiori reached down and gently brushed the hair back from his forehead.

 

At her light touch, Kurama's eyes flew open. At first he seemed almost fearful, but within seconds his gaze landed on his mother and he relaxed. "Hey, Sweetheart," Shiori said smiling. "How do you feel?"

 

"I'm fine," Kurama said softly. Realizing where he was, he turned away from his mother to look beside him, only to find an empty bed. "Hiei?" he asked to the room in general. As he turned, he noticed his neck and shoulder were still very stiff and tender.

 

"He let you sleep in while he got up to tend the baby," Shiori said. "Are you ready to join us?"

 

"Sure," Kurama responded. Starting to sit up, he drew a sharp breath. Apparently his body was not as ready to join the others as he had thought; a sharp pain lanced from his bite wound down his arm and back. "Or perhaps not," he concluded, relaxing back into the pillow. Shiori had seen her son's eyes narrow and his lips press together. She knew he hurt, but she wasn't sure how much. When he laid back and did not attempt to rise again, she knew it was serious. She also knew that only time would let the wound heal.

 

"I'll let Hiei know you're awake," she said softly and left the room.

 

In a few moments, Hiei entered. "I hoped you would sleep until you healed more, Fox," he said gently. Kurama did not respond. The hiyoukai climbed onto his side of their bed and sat next to his mate. "Are you hungry?"

 

Kurama shook his head as much as his stiff neck would allow. "Where's the baby?" he asked.

 

"Your mother is holding him. She's still asking what we're going to name him. Maybe we should talk about that," the fire demon replied, tracing his fingers gently down Kurama's arm. Although the kitsune would usually enjoy the tender caress, he felt restless right now and it only served to agitate him. Fighting the urge to pull his arm away, he just laid still and turned his gaze out the window.

 

"Fox?" Hiei began again. The smaller demon waited until his mate looked at him before continuing. "You should eat."

 

"I'm fine, Hiei."

 

"You're a good liar, Kurama, but it doesn't work with me. Let me get you situated and I'll make breakfast," Hiei countered, rising from the bed. Kurama did not reply, but he did not protest as Hiei gathered some clothing and extra pillows and returned to his side.

 

The fire demon carefully helped his mate into a sitting position and pushed the pillows behind the kitsune's back to support him. Once the fox was upright, Hiei began to dress him. Kurama did not resist; he liked when Hiei paid special attention to him by dressing him, bathing him, or even feeding him, as Hiei was wont to do. Soon, the red head was sitting up and wearing and oversize tee shirt as a nightshirt. With a rare smile reserved for his mate, Hiei left the room to get some food.

 

Hiei returned a short time later with a tray of food for Kurama, and he sat in the bed beside his taller lover, feeding him breakfast. Kurama enjoyed being tended by his mate, and did not complain. They had finished the food and were just sitting together when the sound of the doorbell caught their attention. "I'll get it," Hiei whispered, stealing a quick kiss and leaving the room.

 

The deliverymen had rung the doorbell, and in no time they were carrying the baby furniture that would not fit into Hatanaka's van up the stairs and into the new nursery. They also carried one piece of furniture Hiei did not recognize. In his usual, abrasive manner, Hiei stepped in front of the man carrying the strangely shaped chair and said in a low voice, "I did not order that."

 

"It's okay, Hiei," Shiori called from her observation point at the top of the stairs. "I ordered it this morning and told them to deliver it at the same time." Scowling, the hiyoukai stepped aside and allowed the human to pass, chair and all. He hated having his house overrun with strange ningen and he knew it would take at least a day for the human scent to dissipate. When the men finally left, he bolted the front door and glared at it, as if he were angry at it for being the portal through which the humans had entered. He forgot his displeasure when he went upstairs and entered the new nursery, though.

 

The furniture, as predicted, did fit the room perfectly. Shiori was still holding the baby, as Hiei had allowed her to keep him in her arms so the hiyoukai was free to fight should any of the deliverymen prove aggressive. Of course they did not, but Hiei's demon instincts had not dimmed during his stay in Ningenkai. He consciously dampened them when around the few humans that had earned his trust, but he was still the surly demon with the power to kill anyone who objected to his attitude.

 

Now that the intruders had left, though, he allowed his guard to drop a bit and he began to explore the new furniture, opening every cabinet and drawer and checking the outside finish for dents or scrapes. After a thorough inspection, he accepted the new furniture he had ordered and turned his attention to the chair Shiori had gotten for the room.

 

Hiei had not seen a chair like this before. It was wooden, stained a medium dark color, and quite plainly constructed. It was appropriately proportioned for a petite person to sit in comfortably but could easily accommodate a taller person, as well. Its simple design and elegant finish appealed to him. But the legs of the chair confused him. The four legs rested on two curved pieces of wood, making the chair unstable and able to lean forwards and backwards.

 

"Go on, try it," Shiori urged him. Glancing at her with a suspicious expression, Hiei decided to humor her. Within a second he had slipped into the chair with such precise balance it stayed perfectly still and did not lean at all. Shiori smiled.

 

"It's supposed to rock, Hiei. It's a rocking chair," she said.

 

Hiei had seen ningen rocking chairs in stores before while he shopped for furniture with his fox. The ones he had seen, though, were upholstered and sat on a solid base, not the bowed slats that supported this one. He and Kurama had declined to purchase one because neither saw the attraction in rocking back and forth endlessly and going nowhere. The activity seemed more suited to older ningen than to active demons, anyway. The demon looked at Shiori with an expression that clearly said he thought she was crazy for buying the contraption. Shiori laughed out loud.

 

"I am not crazy; trust me on this one. It's an old fashioned rocking chair, and I think you'll learn to enjoy it once you find out how to use it properly," she said with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. Hiei's mind naturally began searching for a "proper" use for a moving chair. The only use he could come up with, though, would be far better suited for the demons' master bedroom, not the bedroom of their infant child. Shiori just kept smiling and said, "You'll see."

 

The quiet sound of the toilet flushing in the master bathroom next door distracted them, and Hiei immediately got up to check on his mate. Shiori looked at her watch and realized they had spent over two and a half hours setting up and inspecting the nursery and trying out the new chair.

 

Kurama was sliding slowly back into bed when Hiei entered the room. Wordlessly, the kitsune moved some of the extra pillows out of the way and lay down fully. "Kurama?" Hiei asked.

 

"I'm tired," the fox responded, punctuating his words with a wide yawn. Hiei walked over to tuck the covers up around his mate, but Kurama had already nestled down under the blankets up to his chin.

 

"Relax, Fox. Call if you need anything," Hiei said softly and left the room. Kurama lay under the blankets for a few minutes before sleep claimed him.

 

When Hiei returned to the hallway, Shiori was waiting and holding the baby. Hiei told her Kurama was napping and they went downstairs. Within minutes, Hiei had reclaimed his son and was sitting in the chair, cradling the infant in his arms, and Shiori was opening the bags she had brought along.

 

After a few moments of rummaging through the bags, Shiori triumphantly pulled out a book and went to sit on the sofa opposite Hiei. "Okay, now to get down to business," she said, opening the book. Hiei watched her with only slight interest; ningen had the strangest habits. Her motives became clear as soon as she spoke, though.

 

"What do you think about 'Ichiro'?" she asked, her eyes never leaving the page of the book. "It means 'first son.'" Hiei just looked at her with a confused expression.

 

"What about 'Katsuro'? It means 'victorious son". Or 'Ryo,' which means 'excellent,'" she continued, flipping through the pages quickly.

 

"What?" Hiei asked when she finally stopped to draw a breath. Shiori looked up at him.

 

"Names. He needs a name. We can't just refer to him as 'him' all the time, and 'it' simply won't do. You need to name him," Shiori replied.

 

"But the meanings for these names are strange. That's a strange way of naming something," Hiei responded.

 

"Well, that's how humans name their children," Shiori responded, and then asked without thinking, "How did your parents pick your name?" As soon as the words were out of her mouth she realized how inappropriate the question was.

 

Before she could speak, Hiei answered, "I have no idea how I was named. The bandits just called me this, so I began to respond to it. I never thought about it." He was not angry about the question, but rather it made him think. He had no idea how normal demon parents named their young.

 

"I'm sorry," Shiori said softly. When Hiei looked at her with a questioning expression, she continued, "I had no business to ask you such a question." The hiyoukai just shrugged; it really did not bother him.

 

"I will wait for Kurama to wake up before I discuss names," Hiei said, effectively ending the conversation on the matter. Shiori just nodded and put the book on the coffee table.

 

After a few minutes of silence, Shiori got back up and brought the bags over to the sofa. "Don't worry; it's not more books. Well, not all more books. Okay, it's books, but there's other stuff, too," she said as Hiei watched her.

 

The first few items to emerge from the bag were, in fact, books. Shiori had stopped by the bookstore early that morning and gotten a few books on infant care and child rearing. "I know you are demons, and so is the baby, but I thought that since you are in the human world, you may want to know more about what is expected and required of parents here," the woman explained. Hiei nodded. The process of naming the baby sparked his interest, and he liked knowledge, so he was not against the idea of reading the ningen manuals. He would, of course, raise his child however he felt was appropriate for a demon, but if there were petty human standards to which he was expected to conform... He felt that it was always important to know your enemy and your enemy's expectations of you.

 

The next two books Shiori withdrew were different. They were more decorative and thicker. Shiori held them up and began to explain them to the fire demon. "This one is a photo album. We can take pictures of the baby and keep them in here, and in the future you can look back and see how he grew over time." Hiei just looked at the book blankly. "You'll thank me later," Shiori said with a smile.

 

"Like with the chair?" Hiei asked.

 

"Like with the chair," she responded. "The other book is a book of firsts. There are some places for pictures, but you also write in it. You can write his first word, his first favorite food, his first favorite color, and many other things. You can also put keepsakes in here, like his first lock of hair..."

 

"No," Hiei said flatly.

 

"What?" Shiori asked, confused by his sudden tone.

 

"No hair," Hiei said, almost forcefully. When Shiori did not respond, he realized she did not know why he was so adamant about this. Humans were so uninformed; it was a wonder their race had not been conquered. "Do you remember when Kurama was so sick after Yukina's wedding? Do you recall why he was ill?" he asked patiently.

 

"Yes. You said it had something to do with a spell, something about blood?" Shiori asked, trying to recall.

 

"It was a bloodspell; someone had taken his blood and was manipulating the ki in it. It affected him because it was a part of his body. While hair usually works poorly in such a spell, for a young, immature demon, even that is enough to gain control. No body parts will ever be stored in this book," Hiei said with a firm but calm tone.

 

"Fair enough," Shiori responded, amazed that such simple treasures could be put to so vile a use. "But there is much more in the book that you can do, and someday you will want to look back on it. I know I treasure Shuuichi's book of firsts." Hiei nodded, but then the words sank in.

 

"Kurama has one of these books?" he asked.

 

Shiori nodded. "Yes, but for some reason he always used to open it and pull things out. He was barely able to walk, but he managed to pull out all his keepsakes: his hair; his first tooth; everything." Hiei smiled. Even as an infant, a mature demon soul resided within Kurama's human body, and so he had taken everything that could be used against him and removed from his parents' grasp. Clever fox. As Shiori spoke, the same thought occurred to her. Shaking her head a little, she marveled at her son.

 

"Everything else in here is for the baby," Shiori said, gesturing to the bag on the floor. "There's a fuzzy blanket, some pajamas, and some toys and clothing. My husband will be coming by a little later with one more item."

 

"Thank you," Hiei said. He rarely thanked anyone, but he had no trouble expressing his gratitude to Shiori; she truly was his mother in his eyes. Knowing this, she nodded her response.

 

It was about two hours later when Hatanaka rang the doorbell to the demons' home. Shiori had checked on Kurama, who was still sleeping. The baby had been fed and changed a few more times, and the wakeful adults had eaten lunch. When the human entered, he carried a large, flat package. Hiei looked on with a blank expression as the man entered and placed the parcel on the kitchen table. There had been far too many ningen in his home that day.

 

The humans said nothing about the package, but instead turned their attention to the infant in Hiei's arms. "Have you named him yet?" Hatanaka asked, a warm smile on his lips.

 

"No," Hiei replied stiffly. Although the human had come a long way in accepting his union with Kurama, Hiei did not easily forgive him for his past behavior. The human seemed oblivious to this, though, as he approached to greet the baby. Hiei narrowed his eyes, and Shiori placed a hand on her husband's arm.

 

"Hiei, my husband would like to hold the baby," she said. The hiyoukai narrowed his eyes more. "Please? It's his grandson, too." Hiei stood still.

 

A noise from upstairs distracted the group; Kurama had awakened and was getting out of bed uncharacteristically noisily. After a moment of hesitation, Hiei handed the child to Shiori so he could tend his mate. With a glare at Hatanaka, he said only one thing, "You may hold him, but be warned." He then flitted up the stairs to the master bedroom. Hatanaka paled visibly, but accepted the child from his wife. He knew that despite the warning, even allowing him to hold the infant was a sign of trust, although he suspected it was trust in Shiori to monitor him than in him to handle the baby. But even this thought fled his mind as he held his new grandson for the first time.

 

When Hiei entered the bedroom, Kurama was trying to get dressed. His stiff arm refused to cooperate, so the kitsune was somewhat lost in his shirt. Quickly Hiei approached and helped his mate find the opening. Kurama smiled a bit and reached for his pants. Within minutes he was dressed and Hiei was brushing his long, red hair. Kurama relaxed into Hiei's touch and closed his eyes.

 

"Mmm. That feels good. What time is it, Love?" Kurama murmured.

 

"It's almost three; you've slept most of the day," Hiei replied. "Are you feeling better?"

 

"Much. My right arm still feels weak and sore, but it will pass," Kurama replied, opening his eyes to look out the window. Sure enough, although it was still high in the sky, the sun had passed its zenith and begun its descent towards the horizon.

 

"Fox," Hiei said. "Shiori and the human are downstairs with the child."

 

"You mean my stepfather?" Kurama asked, turning to face his mate. "He has a name." Hiei just shrugged. Kurama sighed. "I guess we should join them." Getting up, he made his way to the door and opened it awkwardly with his left hand. Hiei accompanied him and they went downstairs together.

 

When Hatanaka and Shiori looked up at the approaching demons, both human faces had a happy glow to them. Like many adults their ages, they lit up when small children were around, and even more so when it was their own grandson. Hatanaka was reluctant to surrender the infant, but knew he couldn't argue. Carefully he handed the bundle back to Hiei as Kurama sat on the sofa. Hiei took a seat beside Kurama and leaned into his mate; they were the picture of a perfect family. Almost.

 

"Should I go get it?" Hatanaka asked his wife. Shiori nodded, and the man went to retrieve the package from the table.

 

When he returned, Shiori spoke first. "We got a present for you two."

 

Hatanaka nodded. "It might not make much sense now, but in a few weeks it will," he said, removing the paper from the flat object. The demons watched as the content of the package was revealed.

 

It was a large portrait of the demons made from one of the pictures Shiori had taken on the day Hiei had asked Kurama to "marry" him and they had exchanged their rings. In it, Kurama and Hiei were standing, facing slightly to their right. Hiei was in front of the fox. Kurama's arms were around the hiyoukai. Hiei's left hand was raised, resting on Kurama's left forearm. The picture showed both demons, together, smiling, and presented a beautiful view of both the sparkling rings. Hiei recalled being embarrassed as the human woman was taking the pictures, but he had to admit that he and his mate looked good in this one. But the purpose of the gift was still a mystery. Looking at Kurama, he could tell the fox demon had no idea about it, either.

 

Kurama spoke first. "Mother, Hatanaka-san, this is very generous of you. Thank you." Shiori smiled. She knew he had not figured out the meaning of the portrait yet, but she knew he would in time. Since Kurama was effectively pinned by Hiei and the child leaning against him, she walked over and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

 

"You'll see," she whispered before giving Hiei and the baby each a small kiss as well. Hiei tolerated it, but with that, the picture, and Hatanaka, he was embarrassed, yet again, by these strange human customs.

 

In response to the movement of Shiori's kiss, the baby chose that moment to let out a loud wail. Hiei looked down and sniffed to see if the diaper needed changing. It did not. Kurama looked down with an expression of alarm; he had no idea what to do when the baby cried. Hiei got up and walked to the kitchen to get a bottle. With Shiori's assistance, the formula was prepared in a few minutes, and Hiei presented the bottle to his son. The baby, however, declined to suck and instead bawled around the nipple. Hiei tried to entice him to eat once more, but again he refused to suckle. Confused, Hiei tried to offer the bottle once more, but Shiori placed a hand on his arm.

 

"Perhaps now is a good time to try your new chair," she suggested. Baffled, Hiei just looked at her. Kurama, having never seen the chair, had no idea what she was talking about. "Come on; I'll show you," she said, beckoning the demons and her husband towards the stairs.

 

Once they entered the nursery, Kurama saw the chair in question. Still unsure what his mother meant, he just watched. Shiori motioned for Hiei to come over. "Have a seat."

 

With perfect balance, Hiei once again slipped into the chair without causing it to rock. He felt awkward, ridiculous, and a bit cornered as his mate and the two humans looked at him. He was not used to sitting in the presence of ningen, and if he did choose to sit, it was always by a window or similar escape route. Kurama saw his mate's discomfort, took his stepfather's arm, and stepped back, pulling the taller man with him. With the only potential threat now under his fox's control, Hiei looked at Shiori. The wailing of the child in his arms was really getting to him and he wanted to make it stop, not so much to quell the noise as to comfort the small being whose life, literally, rested in his grasp.

 

"It's supposed to rock, Hiei," Shiori said, placing her hand on the arm of the chair to tip it forward. When she saw Hiei tense, as if to flit away, she withdrew her arm. "Just lean front and back," she whispered, finally realizing Hiei felt like a caged animal.

 

After a few moments of staring at the woman before him, Hiei allowed the chair to tip forward slightly and used his feet to push it back. The rocking was very subtle, almost imperceptible at first, but slowly it gained momentum. Hiei's keen ears noticed the difference in his son's wails immediately. Looking down, he saw the child was still crying, but the cries were softer and less distressed.

 

"Now try the bottle; just keep it very steady," Shiori coached. Hiei held the nipple to his son's lips once more, and to his surprise, the baby quieted and began to drink. The demon was careful to keep the baby and the bottle steady so the infant did not swallow extra air.

 

The soft smile that graced Hiei's lips surprised Hatanaka; only once had he ever seen the surly little demon so genuinely happy, and that was the night he had asked Kurama to accept his promise of fidelity, the night the picture that became their portrait had been taken. Hatanaka knew that he and his wife had chosen their gift wisely. His own father had given the same gift to Hatanaka and his late, first wife when Shuu-kun was born. He knew the demons did not yet understand the significance of the gesture, but like he had discovered those years ago, they would appreciate it in time.

 

With a smile of his own, the human slipped forward and placed his arms around Shiori. "We should go," he whispered. Shiori nodded and softly said goodbye to Hiei and her grandson. When she turned to bid her son farewell, she saw he was walking them to the door.

 

At the front door she stopped and looked at Kurama. "Have you had a chance to feed the baby yet, Shuuichi?" she asked. Kurama shook his head. "You should," she replied.

 

"I know, Mother. Hiei just enjoys doing it so much, I don't want to interfere," Kurama replied softly.

 

Shiori fixed him with a serious look. "He's your son, too, Shuuichi. You need to bond with him. It's unfair not to, for both of you," she said, but did not press the issue further. "Call if you need anything, Sweetheart," she whispered as she hugged him goodbye. Hatanaka gave him a good-natured pat on the shoulder and then followed Shiori out the door. Kurama waved as they left and closed the door with a sigh.

 

Slowly the fox made his way back up the stairs to check on his mate and child. Hiei was still enthralled with rocking and feeding his son. Kurama smiled, but did not interrupt. When the bottle was empty, the fire demon set it aside and turned the baby to burp him; he never slowed his rocking motion, and the baby leaned contentedly over his shoulder.

 

"Hiei, Love, do you need anything else for the baby?" Kurama asked quietly.

 

"A name," Hiei replied.

 

With a sigh, Kurama entered the room and leaned back against the doorframe. "I suppose we should pick a name for him," the kitsune agreed. "Any ideas?"

 

"Your mother brought us a book about names and what they mean in Ningenkai," Hiei responded, looking up at his mate. "But this child is a demon. How do demons name their young?"

 

Kurama shrugged. "It's different for each type of demon. I have no idea how Koorime or fire demons name their children. Kitsune usually adopt their own name once they gain enough power. Other demons name their young after places they have been or in honor of family or comrades, or in same cases they give names that reflect strength or ingenuity. I think for each demon it's a personal choice." Hiei just nodded.

 

"I believe some demons use a combination of the names of the parents," Kurama mused. His green eyes met Hiei's red ones for a moment.

 

Without expression and in a flat tone, Hiei said, "Like Kurahiei or Hieirama?"

 

Kurama stifled a chuckle. "Hieirama? Sounds like a strange carnival attraction; the Hiei-A-Rama. I think not."

 

Hiei smiled. "Shuuhiei?" he suggested jokingly.

 

"No, I think we'd all go crazy with anymore names that begin with 'Shuu-.' As it is, between my stepbrother and me, there are too many," Kurama said, also smiling.

 

"Quite right. I would like to give him a more substantive name than a mere combination of our names, anyway. Something that has a meaning of its own that he can carry with him in his own lifetime, but that still connects him to us," Hiei said.

 

"I didn't realize you had given it so much thought, Love," Kurama said softly.

 

"Whatever it is, he will carry it for his whole life. Let's not make it his first burden," Hiei said softly. Kurama nodded. Silently he went downstairs and retrieved the book Shiori had left for them. When he returned, he was paging through it.

 

"Well, let's start there. He's a combination of our blood and our energy, but he is his own being. He's also our first son, and he defies any laws of natural reproduction, so I guess we can consider him lucky and victorious. Ichigo? Ken'ichi? What about Ryuu?" Kurama suggested. Hiei shook his head.

 

"I'd rather not rely on ningen meaning for his name and select a name based on what kanji we wish to use," Hiei said.

 

Kurama closed the book and nodded. "That's a common human practice, too," he said. "Let's start with what we want to name to symbolize."

 

"It should symbolize a connection between us and a combination of us. Not just our blood and energy, but the bond we have and the feelings we share. He's a product of us, of our spirits," Hiei mused.

 

"Hm,. What about name derived from honshitsu or seizui?" Kurama suggested. "Or perhaps something that contains ai? Of course, it should probably be something simple; easy to call out as a warning in battle."

 

"I agree. We can think about it for a while. He needs a name, but it can wait a bit," Hiei said, his voice falling lower as the baby slipped into slumber. "I think now is time to rest."

 

Kurama smiled. Without a sound he mouthed the words, "I'm going to go then." Hiei nodded and Kurama left his mate and son alone. The kitsune went to his bedroom, changed, and climbed into bed. He was a little surprised when Hiei did not follow, and he fell asleep before the hiyoukai joined him.

 

Hiei finally laid the baby in its bassinet in the wee hours of the morning. Silently he left to go to his own bed. He was surprised at first to find Kurama sound asleep when he entered, but one look at the clock revealed that he had lost track of time again last night. Without disturbing his sleeping mate, Hiei slid under the covers and fell asleep, keeping himself just alert enough to hear any sounds from the nursery.

 

When Hiei woke up the next morning, he was surprised to see green eyes staring at him. Kurama was awake, but had not moved from under the blankets. The fox watched his mate lovingly as the demon awakened. Although Hiei was usually up first, the youkai had not slept the previous night and Kurama was careful not to wake him. Smiling, Hiei whispered, "Good morning, Fox."

 

"Kisuke," Kurama said.

 

"What?" Hiei asked, perplexed.

 

"Ki. Suke," Kurama repeated slowly. "Simple, short, and formed from 'ki,' meaning 'heart, mind, spirit, or feelings.'"

 

Hiei pondered a moment. "Kisuke," he said, trying out the potential name. "It might work."

 

Kurama leaned in and kissed him. "We can keep thinking about it; it's just an idea," the fox said before rolling over to get out of bed. A hiss caught Hiei's attention.

 

"Your shoulder still hurts?" the fire demon asked as Kurama sat up.

 

"Yes. It will be weak for a little bit yet, but it's better than it was yesterday," Kurama responded. Hiei arose and got his mate's robe for him. He was about to hold it out for Kurama to slip it on when a cry from the nursery caught his attention. Without hesitation, he laid Kurama's robe next to the fox and left to check the baby. Kurama smiled as he slowly put on his robe, forcing his stiff arm to cooperate.

 

By the time the kitsune went downstairs, Hiei had already prepared the child's breakfast and was feeding him in the kitchen. The baby decided he was more hungry than fussy and took the bottle with no argument. Wandering past his mate, Hiei entered the living room and sat in the chair. Left behind, Kurama followed and sat on the sofa, opposite his family.

 

"I like it," Hiei said.

 

"What?" Kurama replied.

 

"Kisuke. I think it's a good name for him." Looking down, Hiei addressed the baby, "Kisuke. Do you want that for a name?" The baby released the nipple in his mouth to coo and give Hiei a wide, toothless grin. "He likes it," Hiei said.

 

"Mother will be thrilled that her grandson has a name now," Kurama said, watching the two in the chair.

 

"Minamino Kisuke," Hiei said softly, watching the child resume its breakfast.

 

Shiori was, as Kurama predicted, ecstatic to hear that her grandbaby had his own name now. When Kurama called her and told her the name and how they had decided on it, she was enchanted. She insisted on coming over immediately, but Kurama suggested she waited until dinnertime. He pointed out that they needed to develop their own schedule with the baby, and constant company made that impossible. Shiori understood immediately; she had almost had to kick her own mother out on several occasions when Kurama was born, so she said she would see them another day and to call if they needed anything. Grateful that his mother understood and was not offended, Kurama thanked her and hung up the phone.

 

It was midafternoon when Kurama was reading a book on the sofa and Hiei was feeding the baby once more. For such a tiny creature, he ate quite a bit. Hiei had fed and changed him several times already. When Hiei looked up to say something to his mate, he realized Kurama had not yet held the infant since first picking it up in the laboratory, and not at all since he had found out it truly was his son.

 

"You should hold him," Hiei said.

 

Kurama looked up from his book. "What?" he asked. In response, Hiei arose and brought the baby to the sofa. Placing the now empty bottle on the coffee table, he leaned over and placed the child on the fox's lap. Kurama reached to support the baby that suddenly appeared in his grasp, but his stiff, weak right arm throbbed and began to shake.

 

"No, Hiei, don't let go!" Kurama said quickly. Hearing the tension in his mate's voice, Hiei kept his grip on the baby. "My arm isn't steady enough yet; it won't support him."

 

Hiei kept his position with the child in Kurama's lap as the fox tried to adjust the hold with his left arm, but the baby, feeling unheld and unburped, began to wail.

 

"What's wrong?" Kurama asked in a rush, getting flustered.

 

"He wants to be held and burped," Hiei replied softly.

 

"I can't, Hiei. Not with my arm like this. Please," Kurama said, a frantic note creeping into his usually even voice. Slowly Hiei took the child from his mate's lap and began to pat the baby's back. In a few minutes a loud belch was heard and the baby settled immediately.

 

"Do you not wish to hold our son?" Hiei asked, looking at Kurama as he resumed hi seat in the chair.

 

"When my arm has healed, Hiei," Kurama replied, not meeting the fire demon's gaze. Hiei nodded and kept any other comments to himself. After all, Kurama had not quite recovered from the bite and the venom yet.

 

When Shiori came to visit two days later, she was amazed at how much the infant had grown. Human babies grew incredibly fast at first, but this child dwarfed them. Already he was trying to sit and roll over, although he was not quite coordinated enough to do so yet. He still wriggled much more forcefully than a human infant of the same age. Shiori immediately took him into her arms and began speaking to him in a high pitched, almost comical tone, and repeating his name over and over to him. Every time her voice rose higher the baby would grin and gurgle his enjoyment. Hiei just watched as this normally pleasant woman dissolved into baby-speak and funny noises. He didn't mind, though. His son enjoyed it.

 

After playing with the baby for a while, Shiori noticed something was missing. "Where's Shuuichi?" she asked, looking around the living room.

 

"He's asleep," Hiei responded softly.

 

Shiori frowned. Her son was sleeping in the middle of the afternoon? Hiei saw her questioning expression. "He has been sleeping a lot. I think he's still suffering some effects from the spider venom. His arm is still shaky, too," the fire demon said.

 

"May I see him?" Shiori asked. Hiei nodded and grabbed the closest baby toy. When Shiori handed the infant to him, he began to move the toy in front of the child. Instantly a pudgy hand reached out to grab the toy. Hiei moved it away a few times before letting the baby finally catch it. While the game was also popular among humans, it served a purpose other than just enjoyment among demons. The child was learning hand-eye coordination and developing an instinct to hunt. But all that aside, whether he would admit it or not, Hiei just loved playing with his son.

 

Shiori knocked gently on the door to the master bedroom. When she received no answer, she opened it and stepped in. The curtains were drawn and the lights were off. Sticking out of a large bundle of blankets was a shock of red hair. She went to the side of the bed and gently shook the bundle. She was very surprised that it took a few tries to rouse her son. When he finally emerged from the blanket, Shiori was concerned to see that Kurama had bloodshot eyes and seemed dazed. "Shuuichi, are you alright?" she asked, kneeling to be at eye level with him.

 

"Mother?" Kurama asked groggily. "Mm fine," he mumbled and tried to slide back under the covers. Shiori would not let him, though.

 

"You are not fine. Get up," she said, her voice laden with concern. When she got only an incomprehensible mumble from under the covers in response, she stood and pulled back the blankets to expose her son's head. "Get up now or I am taking you to the hospital."

 

"I'm fine, Mother," Kurama replied, pulling the blankets back up, but Shiori was not ready to admit defeat. With a sharp tug, she pulled the blankets off her son completely. Luckily, he was wearing pajamas.

 

"Mother! It's cold!" Kurama said, sitting up to grab for the blankets with his left hand. Shiori stopped him.

 

"You'll warm up if you get out of bed and move around, Shuuichi. Now come downstairs and I'll make some lunch."

 

"I'm not hungry," Kurama replied, but he sat up anyway. Shiori couldn't help but notice he had lost weight.

 

"When did you eat last?" she asked, feeling his forehead with her wrist to see if he had a fever. He just shrugged. Sighing, Shiori took his hands and pulled him into a standing position. Kurama winced as his right arm moved, but he did not complain. The pain was barely noticeable anymore; it had healed quite well. He just chose not to admit it was well yet.

 

When Shiori and Kurama came down the stairs and went into the kitchen, Hiei watched from the living room. He knew Kurama was taking an exceptionally long time to heal, but he did not push his mate. Kurama seemed lethargic over the past two days and he wanted to let the fox sleep and regain his energy. When he saw Shiori start making lunch he suddenly had a thought. When had Kurama eaten last? Hiei had forgotten a few meals as he tended the baby, but he didn't know if Kurama had eaten or not. Getting up, he gathered up his son and entered the kitchen.

 

Shiori quickly finished making lunch and placed a plate in front of each demon. Kurama began to toy with his food, taking only small nibbles from time to time. Hiei, on the other hand, began to eat right away, only to find his meal interrupted as the squirming child in his lap began to twist around. Shiori smiled when she saw him constantly abandoning his food to adjust the infant, only to have to repeat the procedure as soon as he tried to eat again.

 

"You need a high chair," Shiori said, taking the infant into her own arms. "He's much more advanced than a human baby his age, so you'll need to get one earlier than I had thought. We can go get it today if you want." Hiei nodded as he ate, but Kurama just shrugged. "Shuuichi? Are you alright?" Shiori asked again.

 

"I'm fine. I'm just sleeping off the venom," Kurama responded softly. "I'm afraid it leaves me with little appetite."

 

"Well, just eat a few more bites, Sweetheart," Shiori asked and watched as her son complied.

 

After their meal, Kurama got up and went into the living room. Sitting down on the sofa, he soon leaned to the side, sound asleep once more. Shiori looked at him, concerned at his tiredness, but Hiei assured her it was a reaction to the venom's lingering effects. He reminded her that last time it took four days for Kurama to wake up at all, and she was somewhat mollified with his response. Tucking a blanket around his mate, Hiei got his son ready to go and waited by the door for Shiori. When she looked at him with a questioning gaze, he simply stated, "You said we needed a high chair, whatever that is."

 

"But Shuuichi?" Shiori asked.

 

"He'll still be asleep when we get back," Hiei said and left. Shiori was uncomfortable leaving her son asleep on the sofa like that, so she took a moment to fish a paper and pen out of her purse. Leaving a note on the table in front of him, Shiori kissed Kurama's forehead and slipped out the door.

 

When they returned with the high chair, and a few other things, Kurama was still sleeping on the sofa. Settling the baby with Shiori, Hiei roused his mate and led him to the bedroom to finish his nap. By the time Shiori went home, Kurama had not yet awakened.

 

The next day the fox was awake with the morning's first light. He had more energy than he had in days, and when he rolled over to greet his mate, he was a little surprised that the fire demon was not in the bed. That half of the bed looked completely undisturbed. Getting up and slipping on his robe, Kurama walked down the hallway.

 

He paused in the doorway to the nursery. Kisuke was in his bassinet, cooing and gurgling happily. The baby had his feet in the air, pointing to the ceiling and was happily pursuing his own toes with his small hands. Kurama smiled as he watched, but when his gaze shifted to the rocking chair, his smile faltered. Hiei was sitting upright, his head leaned to the side, asleep in the chair. He had never gone to bed the night before. With a soft sigh, Kurama left the nursery and went downstairs to make breakfast.

 

As he placed the food on the table, the kitsune realized he wasn't hungry. He heard no new noise from upstairs, so he knew Hiei was still asleep. Pulling some foil out of the drawer, he covered the food to keep it warm and went into the backyard to stretch and do some exercise. After four days of mostly sleeping, he felt that he just needed to move and get some life back into his body. He was still outside when Hiei woke up.

 

Hiei had quickly gathered Kisuke and descended to the kitchen, intent upon preparing a bottle for his son. He was surprised to find breakfast made and waiting for him. He mixed the formula and fed the baby first, then set the child in the high chair to eat his own food. Looking out the window, he saw Kurama finish stretching and begin his exercises, jumping onto the boughs of the trees above him and taking out his rose. The rest of his activities took him higher into the treetops and out of Hiei's line of vision. Hiei would have gone out to join his mate, but a new and unpleasant aroma from the high chair indicated that Kisuke needed to be changed. After changing the diaper, Hiei got sidetracked playing with his son and never did join Kurama in the yard.

 

Several days passed in this manner. Kurama would awaken, make breakfast and go outside, leaving the food untouched and covered for Hiei. Hiei would tend the baby and spend most of his time with Kisuke. The mates tried to speak and interact, but even a whimper from the child claimed Hiei's undivided attention and left Kurama talking to himself. Although deep down Kurama loved his new son, he couldn't help but feel his joy dampened by a growing resentment.

 

Kurama's frustration was compounded by his lack of interaction with the baby. He wasn't sure he was ready to be a parent, or even if he wanted to be a parent. But he had already decided he had no choice. If he offered to take the infant from Hiei, the fire demon would refuse and insist he was fine holding the baby. On the rare occasion Kurama tried to pick up the baby from his high chair or bassinet, Hiei would intervene and either tell the fox it was naptime or mealtime or learningtime, which usually meant playtime. When Hiei was holding the child or playing with him, he tended to ignore Kurama completely. Being uncertain, Kurama allowed Hiei to dictate the child's schedule and faded into the background, alone.

 

After five days of this, Kurama had enough. He felt selfish, but he wanted his mate all to himself once more, if only for an evening. Carefully he constructed his plan. When he finished making breakfast, he went out to the grocery store instead of the back yard and began preparing for his grand scheme.

 

As usual Hiei played with the baby and continued to teach him to reach and grasp things. Although he could not yet sit up, the precocious infant could follow every movement of the toys Hiei held with his keen eyes. Kisuke still grabbed for the toys when they were far out of his reach; he had no sense of depth perception yet, but his coordination was improving greatly. When Hiei took the baby into the backyard to look at things farther away, like birds, trees, and clouds, Kurama slipped in the front door and began preparing dinner.

 

As the sun was setting, Kurama heard Hiei enter the kitchen through the back door behind him. The fire demon was surprised to find the fox cooking; usually he missed Kurama in the kitchen. Kurama also seemed to be cooking a lot of food; the smells made Hiei's stomach grumble.

 

"Hiei, Love, could you feed Kisuke and put him to bed a little early tonight?" Kurama asked.

 

"Sure, Fox. Why?" Hiei countered.

 

"I just thought we could spend some time together," Kurama replied, looking over his shoulder and throwing Hiei a wanton, feral look. The fire demon smiled and began to prepare a bottle right away. Within an hour the baby was fed, changed, and tucked into his bassinet for the night. Within an hour and ten minutes, the demons were sitting down to a fancy dinner and feeding each other the steak and vegetables Kurama had prepared.

 

After dinner, both demons left the kitchen to go to their bedroom. The plates could wait; they'd clean them in the morning. Passing by their bed, they made their way to the bathroom. Hiei stripped his mate slowly, revealing the fox's pale flesh inch by inch. After turning on the shower, Kurama returned the favor, peeling Hiei's clothing off his petite frame to reveal the treasure beneath. Completely naked, the demons entered the shower together.

 

Hiei sighed as Kurama lathered up the bath pouf and began to run it over his skin gently, in small, circular motions. The heat of the water and the soft, repetitive rubbing relaxed him and he unconsciously leaned into his mate's touch. When the fire demon was clean, he took the pouf from his lover, poured more soap onto it, and began to bathe the fox. Kurama closed his eyes, allowing Hiei's touch to transport him to another level of contentment, one he had missed sorely over the past week and a half. When both demons were washed, they exited the shower and wrapped towels around each other, pausing only to kiss a few times. The towels did not last long however; both fell to the floor, forgotten, en route to the bed.

 

Kurama laid his mate back onto the mattress gently, one hand behind Hiei's lower back, and the other cupping the fire demon's cheek. Leaning in, the kitsune claimed Hiei's lips as his hands began to massage and explore. The hand on the fire demon's cheek slid lower, caressing his neck and then crept upwards, reaching behind his head as the hand behind his back slipped down to squeeze his tush, pulling his whole body closer to that of his taller mate. Kurama pressed his body down onto Hiei's, rubbing their still moist skin together and causing both to break their kiss to moan in pleasure.

 

Hiei reached out and wrapped his arms around his mate, trying to draw him even closer, even though they were already pressed tightly together. The fire demon wanted this, and badly. He had been taking care of a new baby alone while his mate recovered. He had felt as if Kurama no longer desired him over the past few days, but now, in this heated moment, his mate's unwavering love and lust crashed over him, igniting his own passion and bringing him a pleasure he only found in their joining; a pleasure not only of the body, but of the mind and spirit as well. Pulling harder, he tried to press into Kurama more.

 

Kurama felt his mate's urgent need and quickly answered it with kisses and licks, sampling the skin on Hiei's neck as he trailed his tongue down to the junction of Hiei's neck and shoulder, to the place he had bitten to claim Hiei as his mate. The hiyoukai gasped as he felt hot breath on the delicate skin there; only the touch of one's mate on the site of the bite would ignite such lust and pleasure. Licking his lips, Kurama began to suckle the area gently, wanting to prolong their bliss.

 

Hiei bit his lip to prevent himself from crying out. Deep in his chest a rumbling started; he was beginning to purr. Kurama smiled, recalling Hiei's vehement denial, his insistence he made no such noise. The fox loved to hear his mate purr, though. He knew he was the only one who could draw this sound from the taciturn demon, and he reveled in it as if it were a victory hymn.

 

Pressing his lips to Hiei's once more, Kurama reached under the pillow to find the lube he had hidden there earlier in the day. He had purchased it at the store that afternoon, but he had added several plant extracts to it that would increase both of their pleasure. After the long abstinence, he wanted their night together to be amazing.

 

Hiei moaned aloud when he felt the first finger groping and prodding at his entrance. He wriggled and squirmed trying to prolong the contact, but Kurama teased him, flickering his long finger against Hiei's sensitive skin and then withdrawing it. Although the fox only tormented his mate with this pleasure for a few minutes, Hiei let out a deep whine that signaled to Kurama he needed more. Adding a second finger, Kurama quickly gave him what he needed.

 

The lubricant Kurama was using had a fresh scent to it. Hiei noticed it the moment the kitsune had opened the tube. The grassy, earthy aroma told the hiyoukai that his mate had added something and Hiei trusted that the extra ingredients would heighten their passion. As soon as Kurama's finger entered him, he knew this was the case. His body was tingling, begging for more. He wanted Kurama inside of him. It wasn't merely a physical joining he craved; he wanted all of Kurama inside him, the fox's breath, the fox's body, his spirit, his very essence. Writhing in pleasure, the sweaty fire demon gasped, "Kurama, please!"

 

Kurama smirked. He wanted his mate to beg a little, to demand his attention and his touch. He had planned to hold out longer, but Hiei, in desperation, took drastic measures. Sitting up suddenly, the demon crushed his lips against the base of Kurama's neck, over his mating bite. Kurama cried out in sheer ecstasy and leaned forward, allowing Hiei to draw him down and melding against his mate. When Kurama could see straight again, he heard Hiei panting heavily in his ear, the hot, moist breath titillating the skin of his neck. "Please, Fox," came the raggedly gasped words. Kurama had no desire to delay any longer.

 

In one swift movement, the kitsune encased himself in his lover's body. Both mates froze as a wave of pleasure, both physical and spiritual crashed over them. Slowly the fox began to move, grinding his hips into Hiei's before pulling back and thrusting forward once more.

 

Hiei gasped and clutched at his mate's strong back, leaving trails of glistening red in the wake of his fingernails. They were not open wounds; they were just damaged enough to well up with little red dots and they would be healed within an hour. Their sting, however, aroused Kurama to new heights, and his pace quickly changed to bring them both more pleasure. Hiei could barely draw a breath as his mate slammed into him, growling ferally and thoroughly claiming his small body.

 

Both demons had impressive endurance, but after their time without loving each other, both wanted to climax, so they did not prolong their lovemaking anymore. Stepping up the pace, Kurama drove forward, pushing them both towards the edge of their physical limits, towards the blissful release both needed so badly. They were so close to their peak as their breaths became one and their bodies yielded to each other.

 

A wailing cry cut through the air. Kurama barely noticed it in his heated passion, but Hiei jumped. Kisuke was bawling in the nursery. Without warning, Hiei pushed Kurama away. In his lusty state, he pushed harder than he realized and the kitsune slid out of his mate and tumbled to the side and off the bed. Without hesitation, Hiei grabbed his robe and hurried from the room to check on his son.

 

Kurama slid back into the bed slowly. His body ached, screamed for release. He needed his mate under him, loving him now. His heart pounded in his chest as he drew a few ragged breaths. Pulling up the blankets, he realized his whole body was shaking, quivering just this side of paradise. Covering himself, he closed his eyes to wait. Hiei would be back soon and they could continue. Perhaps they would be able to even start again and rebuild the fire that had been burning in them not thirty seconds before. Breathing deeply, the fox pressed the side of his face into the pillow and tried to ignore the demands of his groin. 'Breathe,' he thought to himself. 'Just breathe deeply until Hiei comes back.' Deeper in his mind another voice spoke with a sultry, sensual voice, 'And then make him pay for that in screamed pleas for raw pleasure.' Kurama had to silence that part of himself, though. The voice alone was enough to make him start shaking again. Taking deep breaths, Kurama forced himself to calm down as he waited.

 

Hiei entered the nursery to find Kisuke awake and grinning at him. He checked the baby's diaper and found it clean. Apparently the infant just wanted attention. Perhaps he had felt his fathers' energy flaring and wanted to be noticed. Shaking his head, Hiei turned to leave, but the baby cried out again. Kisuke would not be ignored. "Fine," Hiei said. "Just for a few minutes." He picked up the baby and sat in the rocking chair. His body had calmed almost immediately upon entering the nursery, so he had far less trouble than his mate was experiencing. But once again, he lost track of time.

 

Kurama lay in the bed willing Hiei to return until finally, somehow, his body began to relax. As the pain and tension seeped from him, sleep crept up and claimed him. He didn't realize he was falling asleep; he just kept wondering where his mate was.

 

When Kurama woke up the next morning, Hiei was still missing. Getting out of bed slowly, the fox made his way to the bathroom to bathe alone. He felt abandoned. The events of the previous night grated on him, enraging his anger as the feeling of resentment flared in his heart. He missed the way it was.

 

When Kurama got out of the shower he got dressed for the day. He doubted he and his mate would be going back to bed any time soon. Leaving the bedroom he walked down the hallway towards the nursery.

 

Hiei was still rocking in the chair with Kisuke asleep in his arms when Kurama stopped in the door. Looking up, the hiyoukai was surprised to see his mate dressed. "Kurama?" he asked quietly.

 

"I'll make breakfast," the kitsune said dourly as he turned and left. Hiei arose and followed him downstairs.

 

"I didn't realize it was so late; I'm sorry, Fox," Hiei said softly, careful not wake the baby.

 

"Go shower, Hiei," Kurama said coldly, not looking at his lover as he pulled out a pan and began to melt butter in it.

 

"What?" Hiei said, confused by Kurama's response.

 

"Shower. You smell like our joining. Do you want the baby associating that scent with you?" Kurama replied, cracking eggs and dropping them into the pan.

 

"Fox, what's the matter with you?" Hiei hissed, keeping his voice down to avoid disturbing his son.

 

"The matter?" Kurama asked, turning to face his mote. "Nothing is the matter, Hiei. Everything's great as long as the baby doesn't cry. I just think you should try to not smell like sweat and sex when you hold him," Kurama spat.

 

"Fox, keep your voice down," Hiei said as Kisuke started to stir. Bouncing his arms, he tried to soothe the child. Kurama turned away.

 

"Why are you acting like this?" Hiei asked when the baby had finally settled.

 

Kurama turned to his mate, his green eyes narrowed. "Why? Why am I outside alone every day working out? Why do I start speaking to my mate and end up talking to myself? Why do I prepare a special night for us only to have you push me off the bed in the middle of making love because that," he gestured at the infant, "Decided to throw a tantrum?"

 

"Kurama, we shouldn't discuss our love life in front of our..." Hiei began.

 

"What love life? We used to make love all the time. We could run around naked and take each other anywhere and any way we wanted. I used to be able to claim your full attention and you would beg me for more. Did I ever disappoint you?" Kurama began.

 

"Fox, we have a child now," Hiei said.

 

"No, Hiei. YOU have a child! I have a hole where my mate used to be!" Kurama said vehemently. The kitsune had raised his voice in anger, something he had never done to his mate before. Hiei was hurt and defensive, and responded the only way he knew how.

 

"If you bothered to try, you'd have a son, too," he seethed.

 

"Like you could bear to let him out of your arms for one minute. You've let my mother hold him. You've let Hatanaka hold him. Me? Hell no. Every time I reach for him you just whisk him away. You've taken him, and you, right out of my life! I'm lonely, Hiei! I miss you!" Kurama said in a much louder voice.

 

"Miss me? I'm right here. Maybe the three of us could spend time together, but no! You've got to hold onto your damn kitsune pride. You can't share anything that you value. I'm not some trinket you can lock away from the rest of the world, Kurama. If you can't handle the fact that I want to spend my time with my son, then just get out of my way!" Hiei shouted. Kurama just stared at him for a moment.

 

Kisuke had awakened to the rising voices of his fathers and chose that moment to let out a bellow of his own. Hiei turned to the side and looked down to check on his son. Looking at his child, he felt his anger melt away, and guilt rise to take its place. He was out of line and he knew it. "Fox, I..." he began softly, looking up. When he raised his gaze, the kitchen was empty.

 

Shiori was cleaning up after breakfast when there was a knock on her door. She answered it to find the last person she expected.

 

"Can I come in?" Kurama asked in a broken voice. His eyes were red-rimmed and bloodshot and his expression was utterly dejected. Shiori nodded and stepped aside.

 

"Shuuichi? What happened?" she asked gingerly.

 

Kurama looked at the floor. "We, Hiei and I, we're... not getting along right now. Can I... perhaps... stay..."

 

Shiori gathered him into a hug. She felt him shudder as she wrapped her arms around him. "Stay as long as you need to, my son," she crooned as she stroked his red hair.

 

--

 

A/N - Yes, I am a total geek who went looking up real names for this story. The meanings I used in the chapter come from www(dot)behindthename(dot)com(slash)nmc(slash)jap(dot)html