Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Forbidden Love ❯ Forbidden Love ( Prologue )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Forbidden Love

Disclaimer: Neither this story nor the characters belong to me. I've
gotten this story of from somewhere. I want to find out its

author!

Hiei leapt from tree to tree. He landed on the tree next to Kurama's
room and sat down on his favorite branch deep in thought.

I can't believe she ask that of me, thought Hiei still shaken up from
the incident. He could still feel her hands on him, her lips on his.

"What do you want Mukuro?" Asked the Koorime boy from his place
standing in front of her. He was more then a little curious as to why
none of her private guards were present.

Mukuro stood up with a smile and traced the curve of his jaw with one
finger. "I think it's time we took our relationship a step forward,"
she all put purred in his ear.

"What? What do you mean Muk-" his words were stopped before he could
complete them by her lips as she leaned forward and capture his mouth
with hers; his first kiss.

Hiei pushed her away and backed up from her. "What are you doing?!"
shouted Hiei, eye wide with confusion.

"I see nothing wrong with giving you a little kiss, you are my heir,
my partner," she said moving closer to him.

"Mukuro, you don't understand. I could never think of you that way,
I'm different from most men," said Hiei in rushed words. How could he
explain to her just what he was? The forbidden were rare, no one knew
anything about them. He didn't know much himself, but.... a woman?!

"Hiei," she said cupping his cheek. "I have strong feelings for you, I
want to show them in a more physical way." She pressed up against him
to better show him what she meant. "Since the day I met you I've felt
a kinder spirit in you I had thought you felt the same."

"Mukuro, don't. If I could return those feelings I would, but I
can't," said Hiei desperate to get away. "I'm part Koorime, Mukuro,
please understand. I'm not attracted to you in that way."

Mukuro's face showed shock, then hurt, and last angry. We are of a
kinder spirit, though Hiei, angry is always the last thing we feel and
we hold on to it. Mukuro raised up a hand and slapped him hard across
the face. "Get out," she whispered.

"Mukuro-" started Hiei.

"Get out! You are no longer my heir!"

Hiei bowed his head and turned around. "I'm sorry," he said almost too
low for her to hear before flitting away.

Hiei shivered, not from the cold, he was half fire demon after all. He
glanced at Kurama's window and spotted the red head folding clothes
and putting them away. He could faintly hear a fast beat song playing
in the fox's room. The fox half danced, half walked about his room,
cleaning things up.

Hiei closed his eyes again and shivered: Kurama. He could never love
Mukuro because of what he was, but Kurama? Yes, he could love Kurama;
he already loved him. Not that he would ever tell the fox, he didn't
deserve him. He was Youko Kurama; no one could capture his heart. He
used a lover, then left them alone and yearning for him. Hiei already
yearned for him and he knew nothing of the physical pleasures of the
flesh. He remembered the kiss he'd shared with Mukuro and wished he'd
been better at explaining, he was just too terrible with words. Had he
lost one of the few friends he had because of it? Maybe he could try
and talk to her again in a month or two after she'd had more time to
think about it, to calm down. He needed to think of the right words to
explain to her.

His eyes drifted back to Kurama who had just changed the sheets of his
bed and was pulling the comforter back up, patting one of his pillows
to fluff it out.

Maybe Kurama can help me thought Hiei leaping over to the windowsill.
He raised up a small hand and knocked softly on the glasses.

Kurama stopped as he heard a faint knocking at his window and a wide
smile spread on his lips: Hiei! The little dark youkai was back. He
went to his window and let the cute demon in.

"Hiei, how have you been?"

"Hn," answered the fire demon.

Kurama only smiled wider. "Take off your shoes, I just vacuumed."

Hiei grunted again and pulled up a leg to tug his boot off. Kurama
watched him with hungry eyes.

Here's you're chance Kurama, said the youko in him. You have no
distractions, no school tomorrow, works all done, your mother is on a
trip with your stepfather, now is the perfect time to jump him.

Stop that! Shouted back his human half. I don't want to scare him
away, he probably only thinks of me as a friend.

Then do something to show him you want to be more then friends,
growled back the youko.

Kurama got a disappointed look in his eyes as Hiei stopped removing
his clothes after his feet were free. "So, what brings you to the
Ningenkai?" asked Kurama.

"Mukuro," said Hiei.

"Ah, you pissed her off again," teased the fox.

"This time maybe for good," said Hiei.

"Why? What happened?" asked Kurama sensing Hiei's troubles.

"She wanted more from me then I was willing to give her," said Hiei.

"Like what?"

Hiei was silent a long time and Kurama sighed, getting answers from
the little demon was like pulling teeth some times.

"She wanted me to sleep with her," said Hiei.

Kurama was completely blown away by his answer. "Why didn't you?"
asked Kurama. He'd seen Mukuro and Hiei together. Mukuro was among the
few that Hiei cared about. He'd thought they were already having a
physical relationship with each other.

Hiei looked uncomfortable. "I'm Koorime," said the demon.

"Huh?" said Kurama.

Hiei sighed in frustration. "I don't think Mukuro understood what I
was trying to say either."

"What does being a koorime have to do with not sleeping with Mukuro?"

Hiei chew his bottom lip in a cute way, the youko in him went wild
imagine up pictures of him doing the save thing to the little demon.
Kurama pushed it back, not now he growled at his youko half.

"Koorimes.... Koorimes are ice maidens." Said Hiei.

"Yes?" said Kurama not understanding.

"They're all female."

The fox gave Hiei a confused look.

Hiei sighed again. "How do you think a race of female reproduce?"

"Asexual?" said Kurama.

Hiei shook his head.

"You mean!"

Hiei nodded. "Almost all of them are lesbians, well all but my dead
mother and Yukina." Hiei face remained the same, but his eyes
reflected sadness at the thought of his deceased mother, Hina.

"Does that mean your-"

Hiei nodded.

"You're gay?"

"Kind of," said Hiei.

"What do you mean kind of? You are or you aren't, unless you're
bisexual, but if you were then you won't have any problems with being
Mukuro's lover."

"It's hard to explain. Kurama I am a Koorime with a fire ki. I don't
know how to explain it any better then that."

Kurama was still confused, but he nodded his head as if he understood
Hiei just fine.

Hey, hey! Nagged the youko in his head. He just told you he was gay!
Well, well surprise, surprise so are you! You have something in
common, one of your human requirements. Now can we jump him?

Shut up! Kurama mental yell at his horny youko half. "It's getting
late," said Kurama looking at the full moon out side. No wonder his
youko half was acting up, the silver youko always made his presents
more know on full moons.

"Hn, then I'll leave," said Hiei reaching down to grab his boots.

Stop him! Protested his youko half. Kurama's human half for once
agreed.

"Don't go," said Kurama grabbing Hiei's hand. An electric shock ran
through both at the feeling. Kurama looked up into Hiei's face as the
smaller demon shivered. He softly carcass the smaller hand as his
other hand reached into his hair and pulled out a red rose; he offered
it to the fire demon. "Please, stay with me tonight."

Hiei's eyes widened. "I-" said the demon, but couldn't seem to
complete the sentence. A light blush crossed his cheeks.

He's so cute like that thought the youko half.

Very, agreed the human.

Kurama leaned forward till their faces were inches apart, moving his
free hand up to caress the demon's pale cheek. "Hiei," he whispered
lips almost touching.

Hiei quivered, but didn't move away. "Kurama," he answered just as
softly.

The fox pressed his lips to the Koorime boy's and kissed him tenderly.
He ran his tongue over Hiei's bottom lip and was rewarded with the
demon opening his mouth slightly. He darted his tongue inside that hot
mouth and for once that night both halves of Kurama were one.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Kurama smiled down at the pale creature curled up at his side one hand
ran lazy through Hiei's soft black hair.

It was early morning, a few sang birds chirped happily outside his
window, mirroring the fox's own happiness. He and Hiei had been
together now for the past couple of months. Since he was on bad terms
with Mukuro Hiei had been staying in the Ningenkai with him the hold
time, it had been bliss for the fox. Of course, he had to sneak Hiei
around his mother. Lucky for him she'd been going on all kind of trips
over the last two months. Right now she was on a trip with one of her
friends, his stepfather and brother were also having some father son
bonding together out camping.

Kurama looked down at the bite marks on the koorime's pale throat and
smiled. He'd marked Hiei last night as his, his. He rather liked the
sound of that, Hiei, the Flying Shadow, his.

Final mine, thought Kurama.

So incredible, replied the youko. If I'd know the forbidden was so
pleasurable I would have forced you to bed him sooner.

Kurama closed his eyes and remember the flood of sensations he had
felt when taking Hiei. It had been a long times since he had slept
with another demon, but he couldn't remember anything that felt like
the Koorime boy. There was something different about him, not just
mental, but physical.

Maybe it has something to do with what he said that first night
suggested the youko.

"A koorime with a fire ki," whispered Kurama.

This one's a keeper, said the youko.

Kurama looked down at the red bit marks on Hiei's neck. Yes, a keeper
agreed the human half, pulling Hiei closer to him and burying his face
in that soft fine hair.

Think he'd mind playing his early in the morning? Asked the youko.

Let's find out, replied the human half. He was just about to wake the
little demon up when his peaceful morning was shattered by the phone
ringing on the hook.

Don't get that! Protested the youko.

I have too, said the part that was Shuuichi.

He patted Hiei's head as the little fire demon groaned and opened his
ruby red eyes. "Kurama?" he asked feeling drained and extremely tired.

"Shhh, go back to sleep," said Kurama getting up to get the phone.

"Hello, Shuuichi Minamino speaking," said Kurama into the phone. There
was a long pause. "What?! Is she okay?!"

Hiei was now wide-awake at Kurama's worried tone. "Fox?" he asked
uncertain.

"Yes, I understand. I'll be right there," said Kurama into the phone.
Kurama hung up and began to throw on his clothes.

"Kurama, what's wrong?" asked Hiei. For some reason he felt dizzy and
kind of sick. He shook it off and focused on the fox.

"I've got to go Hiei. My mother had a heart attack. You can use the
shower if you like." The red head finished putting on his shoes and
ran out of the room without a backward glance.

Hiei sat on the bed, a look of confusion and bewilderment on his
normally emotionless face. "His mother," whispered Hiei. He could
understand that, he knew how much Kurama loved her. It still hurt a
little that he'd left so soon. Hiei decided that he would take Kurama
up on that shower. He pushed his legs over the edge of the bed and
wobbly got to his feet, grabbing onto Kurama's desk as a dizzy spell
hit him hard. Gods! The fox most have over done it last night he
thought.

Hiei rubbed his head to clear it as he walked towards Kurama's
bathroom and started up a shower. As he waited for the water to heat
up he glanced at his reflection and couldn't help but grin a little at
the red bite marks.

Marked, he marked me, thought Hiei. Marking was a very territorial
thing in the Makai, it wasn't something to do to just any bed partner,
only the ones that you wished to claim as yours and yours alone. Even
though Kurama had permanently scarred him, Hiei was happy to see the
marks.

Happy... I kind of like this feeling thought the koorime. He glanced
at his reflect again and frowned at how pale he looked, whiter then
usual.

"Did he bleed me?" wondered Hiei looking around for any more bite
marks. No just the one on the neck; strange.

Hiei stepped into the shower and scrubbed at his skin, rinsing off all
the sweat and fluids from the night that had dried on his body. He
frowned and turned the water up hotter it felt like it was getting
colder on him. The Koorime continued to wash and turn up the
temperature of the water till all that was coming out of the shower
head was steaming hot water, but to Hiei it felt cold.

What's wrong with me? Wondered Hiei, it wasn't the water the whole
bathroom was fogged up with steam. He checked his youki and was
shocked to feel it was slowly going down. It should have been
returning back to normal, he had gotten some sleep last night. Hiei
suddenly lurched forward and cupped a hand over his mouth. He coughed
violently and sank down to the bottom of the shower blood seeped
through his fingers. Hiei pulled back his hand and looked at the blood
on it.

"No.... I can't be. I'm not!" shouted the demon. He mental when over
his symptoms, what little blood was still in his face drain out.

"Oh Gods...." whispered Hiei kneeling on the bottom of the shower,
water spraying down on him. He got up and turned off the water and
climbed out of the shower. He dried himself off with a towel and
quickly put on his cloths.

"I have to talk to Kurama," said Hiei jumping out the window.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Kurama passed restlessly back and forth in the waiting room. He paused
and lifted his head as he heard footsteps heading his way, but not the
direction he was hoping for.

"Kurama!" shouted Yusuke followed by Kuwabara.

"Yusuke, Kuwabara," greeted Kurama trying to smile for them, but
failing. "Thank you for coming."

"Hey no problem Kurama," said Yusuke. "You know we're always there for
you whenever you need us."

Kurama did manage a small smile.

"So have you heard any thing yet?" asked Kuwabara.

"No, her condition is still unstable," said Kurama sitting down and
folding his hands.

"I'm sure she'll be fine," said Yusuke patting him on the back. "She's
a strong lady, just like her son."

They waited for half an hour longer till the doctor came out.

"Doctor! How is she? Is she going to be alright?" asked Kurama jumping
up.

The doctor smiled. "She's pretty weak, but she's going to be okay.
We'd like to keep her here for a couple of days and I highly recommend
keeping a close eye on her when you take her home. Make sure she isn't
stressed out, no surprises."

"Of course!" said Kurama with a warm smile. "I'll take good care of
her. Can I see her? Is she awake?"

The doctor nodded. "Yes you can go see her, but not too long now. She
needs her rest."

"Thank you," said Kurama disappearing into the room.

He found his mother lying on a hospital bed wires and tubes stuck all
over her. Kurama forced himself to smile as he sat by her bedside.

"Shuuichi," smiled Shiori lifting her hand.

"Mother," said Kurama taking it between his. "How do you feel?"

"I imagine not as bad as I look," she said in a warm voice. "I'm sorry
to have worried you."

Kurama kissed her hand. "I'm just glad that you're okay."

"I won't leave you yet my Shuuichi. There's still so much I want to
see."

"What do you want to see," asked Kurama smiling down at her.

"Everything. I want to see you graduated from college, I want to see
you get your first job, I want to see you find a nice girl and get
married, and I want to see my grandchildren before I died," she smiled
up at him.

Kurama's heart sank, "girl, marriage, children?"

Shiori laughed, taking Kurama's uneasiness for being nervous. "Don't
worry Shuuichi. You don't need to worry about those things just yet. I
know you'll find the right person some day and have a big family. Just
don't make me wait too long," she smiled.

"H-hai, mother. I'll do whatever you want," whispered Kurama pressing
his face to her hand. A tear ran down his cheek and dropped on the
bed.

"Shuuichi? Why are you crying?"

Kurama gasped, he hadn't realized he was crying till she told him.
"I'm just happy that you're going to be okay," said Kurama. "That's
all."

* * * * * * * * * * *

Hiei walked down the white halls of the hospital trying to find Kurama
by his youki, but having a very difficult time since the hospital had
so many twists and turns to it.

Another wave of dizziness hit him and he leaned against the wall for
support, blood filled his mouth.

"Sir?" asked a woman in white.

Hiei looked up at her.

"Are you all right? Can I help you?"

Hiei shook his head and swallowed the blood in his mouth. He pushed
off the wall and walked away. "I'm fine."

He turned several more corners and almost smiled as he spotted Yusuke
and Kuwabara. Unless they were lost as well Kurama should be close by.

"Hiei?! What are you doing here?" asked Yusuke getting out of his
chair and greeting the demon, Kuwabara not far behind.

"I need to speak with Kurama," said Hiei.

"Can't, he's with his mother right now shrimp," said Kuwabara slapping
him on the back.

Hiei lurched forward and coughed into his hand.

"Woe! Hiei, are you all right? Did you get into another fight?" asked
Yusuke grabbing his hand. Yusuke's eyes widen as he saw the blood
straining it.

"I'm fine," said Hiei jerking his hand back. "I just need to speak
with Kurama."

"No you're not Hiei. You're bleeding," said Yusuke.

"I said I was fine."

"Hiei," said Yusuke. "Let me take you to see Botan she can heal you."

"No, Yusuke," said Hiei shaking his head. "This is natural for wasn't
happening to me, don't worry about me."

Yusuke frowned down at the fire demon.

"If it makes you feel any better I'm going to see Yukina after I talk
to Kurama."

Yusuke sighed. "Okay, I guess that's fine with me. I just wish you'd
take better care of yourself Hiei. Some times I don't think you care
if you live or die."

"Where is Kurama?" asked Hiei feeling weak and tired.

"Be patient shrimp, he'll be out soon," said Kuwabara.

To Yusuke and Kuwabara's surprise Hiei didn't yell at Kuwabara for
calling him a shrimp. Instead the demon nodded and sank into a chair,
like he was exhausted.

Kuwabara and Yusuke exchanged glances.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Kurama stayed with his mother till she was in a peaceful sleep. He was
glad she was going to be okay, he'd have to make sure she was
completely comfortable when they got home.

His mask dropped and Kurama's eyes filled with sadness.

No, growled the youko. He's mine! I refuse to let him go.

We have to, said the human half. The only way to make Shiori happy is
to live a normal human life. We can't do that with Hiei and it won't
be fair to make him be second to some human girl.

You care about her too much! Snapped the youko. What's more important
to you 20 years or less with your mother or a thousand or more with
Hiei?!

I owe her so much whispered the human side.

Do you really think she'd want you to live an unhappy life?

She won't know I'm unhappy, said Shuuichi.

Oh yes, mama's little angel. You're going to make us both miserable
for her sake? Well, to hell with you. If you breed with some pathetic
human girl, I'll be stuck in this shell with you till it dies from
natural causes. What if another demon wants him? We won't be there to
protect what's ours!

Shuuichi mind locked down on his youko side and pushed it back to the
farthest regions of his mind. I have to do this. I have to break off
all ties with him or I know he'll come back. I have to hurt him enough
to make him leave for good. Kurama's heart sank at the very idea of
hurting Hiei, but in the end it was best this way. I'm sorry Hiei.

He got up and slowly walked toward the door to leave. He was deep in
thought as he walked through the door and lifted his head to see
Kuwabara, Yusuke, and.... Hiei waiting for him.

"Kurama!" called Kuwabara. "How is she?"

"Huh? She's doing good," said the fox. His eyes locked on Hiei as the
fire demon slide out of his chair and walked up to him.

"Kurama. Can we talk?" asked Hiei in a low voice.

"Yes, I have something to say to you as well Hiei," said Kurama in an
emotionless voice.

He motioned for the demon to follow him as he walked into an empty
room. Kurama closed the door behind them. A long silence filled the
air.

"Kurama, I'm-" started Hiei.

"Hiei it's over," said Kurama cutting him off.

Hiei's eyes widened. "Kurama?"

"I never want to see you again."

"What?" whispered the demon.

Kurama fixed his face into a smug look and looked the demon right in
the face. "I've had my fun now it's over. You didn't really thing I'd
keep you as a lover did you Hiei?"

Hiei's face showed nothing but his eyes, his eye could drown you in
pain if you looked too long at them.

Kurama turned to the side and stuck his hands in his pockets. "After
all you're just a forbidden child; a kid really. Not even my type, I
was... curious. That's all, I've never bedded the forbidden before.
Know I have one more story to tell, don't I?"

Hiei bowed his head his hands fisted up tight at his side. "Do you
really mean that?" he asked.

"Of course," laughed Kurama. "I don't want another lovesick fool
following me around, so if I see your face again," he pause till Hiei
look him in the eyes. "I'll kill you."

Hiei took a step back as if stabbed, Kurama had never seem the short
demon so disoriented. Good, now go before he can recover, thought
Kurama. The red head turned and walked calmly out of the room.

"Kurama wait!" shouted Hiei run out after him. "I still have something
to say!"

Kurama turned on the Koorime boy and struck him across the face
without any warning. "Go away, Hiei."

Hiei raised a hand up to his face but didn't leave so Kurama turned
and began walking away again. He went back into his mother's room
without looking back.

"Hiei!" said Yusuke going up to the fire demon. "What was that about?"
Yusuke looked down as he heard a small sound, like a marble hitting
the floor. He watched as a flawless black gem rolled on the white
floor till it hit his foot. "Hiei?"

The fire demon caught the second tear gem on its way down and looked
at the precious stone, worth so much in the Ningenkai. He closed his
hand around it and burned it to nothing with his black fire.

"Hiei!" shouted Yusuke grabbing the demon by the shoulders. Hiei fell
forward. It had been a mistake to use his ki in his condition. He
tried to hide it as blood seeped through his fingers and down his
hand.

"Woe! Shrimp are you okay?" asked Kuwabara seeing the blood.

Hiei pushed them away and ran down the hall at a normal human speed
before flitting away in a blur of black.

Yusuke bent down and picked up the black tear gem. "Hiei.... Just
what's going on? Why did Kurama slap him?"

"The shrimp must have done something to him. I imagine Kurama's pretty
stressed out with his mother being ill and all."

"Maybe," said Yusuke. He looked down at the priceless gem. "But, I've
still got a bad feeling about all of his."

* * * * * * * * * * *

Kurama knelt down and lay his head on his mother's bed, looking at her
while she slept, she looked so delicate and gentle.

Are you happy now? Said his youko half in an angry growl. You know
he's gone for good. You made him thing we were just using him as a
quick screw.

"Shut up," Kurama whispered out loud. He was trying desperately not to
cry. What do you think she'd think if she found out that I was in love
with another guy? What do you think she'd say if she found out that he
wasn't even human? What do you thing she'd do if she found out we
weren't completely human?! She'd probably have another heart attack.

If she really loved us, she'd understand, growled the youko. You don't
give her enough credit, you're afraid.

That still doesn't change the fact that I can't have a family with
Hiei, I can't even marry him in the Ningenkai. I don't want to
disappoint her.

So it's better to hurt and disappoint Hiei? So much time effort to get
him to trust us, befriends us, return our affections. And you throw it
all away without a second thought.

What do you care, screamed back Shuuichi. You've bedded more youkias
then you can remember why is Hiei any different from them.

Because, I'm different, said the Youko, then went quite leaving
Shuuichi alone in his thoughts.

Kurama couldn't hold them back any more as tears slipped down his
cheeks.

"Hiei I'm sorry."

* * * * * * * * * * *

Hiei ran through the trees till he was exhausted, which didn't take
long in his condition. The fire demon leaned against a tree breathing
in ragged breaths.

"Kuso, kuso, kuso, kuso," he whispered punching the tree. "I'm such a
baka. If only I haven't come to the Ningenkai, if only I'd taken
Mukuro up on her offer, if only I hadn't let him kiss me, if only I
didn't love him." The Koorime boy sank to his knees, fingers tearing
down the tree's bark.

"Why Kurama? Why?" Did the kitsune know that a koorime's heart could
only melt once? Blood leaked down Hiei's chin, he didn't even bother
to wipe it off.

"I can't be weak, not now... not ever again." He pushed himself up and
began walking towards Genkai's temple. He was responsible now, he need
to see Yukina.

"Something's... wrong," said the fire demon wiping sweat off his
forehead. "Yukina," he whispered staggering weakly in the right
direction.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Yukina was outside sweeping the fallen leaves into a pile. She watched
as two small birds flew by. She giggled, "You two had better hurry,
you're late; the first day of winter is already here."

Yes, Yukina was happy, it was wintertime at last, the time of the
koorime. She was hoping it would snow in the Ningenkai, the temple
would look so beautiful in a blank of snow. Yukina smiled and looked
at her hand, where a small golden ring sat on her ring finger. "I want
it to snow like that day," she said leaning her cheek on the broom and
closing her eyes. She could remember it all in prefect detail. The
beautiful white roses that Kurama had grown her for her bouquet, the
pure white silk kimono that Genkai had helped her sew, the string of
clear tear gems she wore around her neck, shed by herself the night he
proposed: tears of joy. How handsome he looked wearing a matching tux
of white with a single blood red rose in his pocket. Everyone was
there to watch and wish them good luck together: Genkai, Keiko,
Yusuke, Botan, Koenma, George, Shizuru, Kazuma's parents, Kurama, and
Hiei; her secret twin brother.

She opened her eyes and looked forward with sadness. Why? Why couldn't
she tell him? Why was she such a coward? Because you're afraid he'll
hate you when he finds out your his sister, a member of the clan that
should have loved him, but hated and feared him instead. She had tried
to tell him of their kinship so many times, but her voice would always
stick in her throat and she could never stay it. She had thought that
perhaps if she asked him to look for her twin brother, he would find
out the truth: that he was her twin brother. Then he could decide her
fate: to kill her for the sins of her kind or to welcome her as a
sister as she had always dreamed. But, he never found out, when she
asked him if he'd found her brother, he would shake his and look at
her with apologetic eyes. She wondered if he even knew just what he
was. Surely he couldn't, abandoned and left to die less then a day
old; she almost hoped he didn't remember that dark day. If he did then
how could he stand to be near her? How could he bear to even look at
her without pain? How could he treat her so kindly? She ached to
called him onii-chan, to kiss his cheek, hug him, and tell him she was
sorry for what they'd done to him. Tell him she didn't care what he
was, that she would always love him no matter what happened. But, she
couldn't, she just couldn't. Her life would be complete if only she
could say it.

Yukina caught movement out of the corner of her eyes and looked off
into the bushes as a dark figure appeared: Hiei.

"Hiei-san!" she gasped dropping her broom and running over to him. He
looked tired and drained. He was sweating, that was a bad sign when
dealing with fire demons who could control their temperature
naturally. "Are you alright," she asked catching him as he fell
forward.

She felt his temperature and was surprised to feel him so cool. Fear
gripped her; he should have felt warm, almost feverish to the touch in
his natural state. Not wasting any more time she draped his arm over
her shoulder and half carried half dragged him inside the temple. She
lay him down in one of the spare rooms and pulled off his clothes,
checking him all over for injuries. She got her first clue as to what
had happening when she realized he'd had sex recently; she could still
smell it on him. The red bite marks marring his neck left little doubt
that it was a being of the demon world he'd been with.

She placed her hands over his stomach and did a full body scan with
her power, as she had thought she was correct.

"Hiei-san," she said pulling him up into a sitting position. "Hiei-san
you've got to wake up."

Hiei groaned and opened his eyes. "Yukina," he said in a groggy voice.

"Hiei-san, you're got to change forms, your body can't handle it as it
is right now."

"C-can't," whispered Hiei. "Not strong enough to hold my other form
for long," he whispered.

"You have too try, you'll loose it if you don't, it's dangerous for
you if you remain like this. Please try."

Hiei grounded his teeth, he sway, and would have fallen over if Yukina
hadn't caught him.

"Can't access that power," whispered Hiei. "No control," he panted.

Yukina pulled away and undid her obi, letting her pale blue kimono
hang loose on her small frame. She pulled the kimono off one shoulder
and hugged Hiei around the waist, bring his head to her bare shoulder.
"I'll help you. I'll find a balance to the fire and ice."

Hiei struggled weakly against her. "How could you....? You know?"

Yukina's grip on him tightened, her heart beat madly in her chest; she
knew! "Yes," she said petting his hair. "I know, onii-chan," she
whispered. "Please, let me help you."

Hiei hesitated a moment longer then leaned down to set his jaw against
her smooth skin, his sharp fangs scrapping her flesh. He bite down
quickly, Yukina teased, but forced her self to relax. Her fingers
wander up his bare back and to his arm as she searched for the right
place with her eyes. She lowered her head and kissed him on the
fleshly part of his shoulder before biting down into him.

A loud buzzing sounded throughout the room as both Koorime twins
started to purr deep in their throats.

Yukina closed her eyes and savored the moment. At different points in
a koorime's life they need blood and ki from another. Most koorimes
got it from other members of their clan. Yukina had been clan-less
since the day her mother killed herself. The times she needed blood
had been hard on her, a few friends had helped, but they didn't like
it. Bleeding was an imitate thing among the clans, each had their own
personal taste. Yukina was not a desired flavor, so to speak, with her
mixed heritage. She had not enjoyed the experience, as she should
have, because it had been nothing but a physical need at the time, but
now... Now every cell in her body hummed in a kind of inner bliss
she'd never felt before. So this is what it feel like to have a clan,
she thought hugging her brother tighter. She could feel their blood
and youkai mixing and flowing like an electric current in a loop. It
was an incredible mix of ice and fire, chilling her and warming her at
the same time. Both halves of her being were alive, were only the part
of her that was ice had lived before.

Yukina cleared her head from the wonderful sensation. She needed to
help her onii-chan right now. She concentrated on his youkai as it
flowed through her. Yes, he was too young and inexperience with his
ice aspect to change forms. He was completely dependent on his fire ki
at the moment to keep his heart beating and life force flowing. If she
forced him into his ice form he could go into shock, that would make
his situation worse. She needed to find some kind of balance between
fire and ice. A soft healing glow surrounded Yukina as she began the
delicate process.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Kurama ran a hand down his face and rubbed at his eyes, he hoped it
wasn't too obvious he'd been crying.

He had to forget about Hiei and move on, live a normal human life so
that Shiori would be happy. If she was happy that was all that really
mattered.

He stepped out of her room and closed the door behind him quietly.
Looking up he saw that Yusuke and Kuwabara were still there waiting
for him. He gave them a small smile. "I'm going to get some clothes
and stuff, my mother could probably use some things from home. The
doctor also said I could stay in the bed next to her tonight if I
wanted to."

"That's good Kurama, but... what's them matter with Hiei. Did you two
have a fight or something?" asked Yusuke.

"Hiei," said Kurama that name sent pain through him. "Nothings wrong.
We're simply no longer friends, I'm hoping he'll go back to the Makai
where he belongs," said Kurama moving to leave.

"Now just wait a minute, Kurama," said Yusuke grabbing him by the
shoulder. "I know Hiei can be a pain some times, but you are his best
friend. You can't just call off your friendship like that can you?"

Kurama looked away his hand brushed Yusuke's off. "I'm human, I belong
here. Hiei's a demon, he belongs in the Makai."

"Kurama," said Kuwabara. "Even I know that's not true. Yukina is
living just fine in the Ningenkai, she loves it here. There's more to
this then location isn't there?"

"That maybe true, but it's really none of your business," said Kurama.

"Kurama this isn't like you, not to care. Listen he came in here
looking for you, he really wanted to talk to you, and he was coughing
up blood before you even appeared," said Yusuke.

"Blood?" said Kurama turning to look at Yusuke. Had he injured Hiei
with their love making last night? True he'd been pretty rough with
the demon near the end, but he'd work him up slowly to it, and Hiei
hadn't complained at all. "He probably just hurt himself and wanted me
to look at it," said Kurama looking away. "He ways comes to me first
when he's hurt."

Not any more taunted the youko.

"You mean he didn't tell you want was wrong?" asked Yusuke. "I think
it must be serious Kurama. He didn't look so good when he come in
here."

"Yusuke, please don't talk about him any more," said Kurama. "I've got
things to do," he said excusing himself.

Yusuke and Kuwabara watched him go.

"I'm really starting to worry about them," said Yusuke.

"Yah, even I think there's something wrong with the shrimp. Maybe we
should try to find him. Problem is we don't know where he would go.
Kurama's the one that's always keeping track of him."

"I know.... Oh yah! Genkai's temple! He said he was going to see
Yukina after he talked to Kurama."

"My Yukina!" said Kuwabara.

"Calm down Kuwabara. He's probably wants her to heal him."

"Hmm, well let go check it out." The carrot-top smiled widely at the
idea of going to see his wife. Even after being married to the ice
maiden for a year he was still odd around her.

He'll probably still be jumping all over himself to please her when
he's an old man, thought Yusuke shaking his head and following his
taller friend.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Hiei groaned and slowly opened his eyes, blinking them several times
before they became adjusted to the light. He felt tired, but some how
refreshed at the same time. His body hummed as if he'd just
experienced something very pleasant. He turned his head and watched as
Yukina walked into the room with a tray of food and a bundle of black
and red cloth.

"Oh, you're a wake. Good," she smiled sitting down on a chair next to
his bed. "Here I made you some soup," she said putting the tray down
on his lap.

"Thanks you," said Hiei shy sitting up. The sheet fell off his chest
and pooled at his waist.

Hiei's eyes must have grown as big as saucers. "What in the-" said the
koorime lifting his hands and poking himself in the chest, his now
very feminine chest. "I'm got breasts!" Hiei's hand travel south and
under the sheet to run through the short curly hair there. The blood
drained out of her face as Hiei realized he was a *she*.

Yukina giggled at her reaction. "I hope you don't mind too much. I
couldn't get you to change to your female koorime aspect and you
couldn't have children in a male body so I had to compromise a
little."

"A little," squeaked Hiei, realizing even her voice was now several
tones higher.

"I had to settle on a female shape with a fire ki. In a couple more
years you should be able to switch between a female ice demoness and a
male fire demon body with ease."

"Is it okay?" asked Hiei touching her stomach.

Yukina nodded. "You shouldn't have too much trouble carrying it from
now. But, you should let me keep an eye on it."

"Just what do I need to know?"

Yukina thought for a while. "Well, your pregnancy will late six
months. You'll start developing carvings for different things, don't
ignore them. You're body will know what it needs. You'll go into a
kind of survival phase were you'll want to be far away from any one
that's not a koorime and near the end you'll only want to be around
those that are of blood relation to you; which would be me. Hiei,
there's something I need to know, who's the father?"

Hiei bite her lip and looked away.

"You should tell me Hiei. It'll make things easier for me to help
you."

Hiei shook her head.

She patted her hand. "I'm sorry. I'll let you think about it some
more."

An awkward silence fell on the two.

"Yukina, I'm sorry," whispered Hiei.

"What for?" asked the demon girl.

"I'm sorry you had to fine out I was your brother. You must be
disappointed."

"No!" said Yukina taking her hand. "No, I could never be disappointed
with you. You're so strong and brave, and you treat me so kindly even
though I am what I am," she whispered.

"What do you mean?" asked Hiei cupping her face in her hands.

Yukina looked up at her brother with tearful eyes. "Can you ever
forgive me?" she cried burying her face on Hiei's lap. "I'm so sorry,"
she cried. "I must cause you so much pain with my mer presents. I
don't know how you can even stand to look at me, one of the monsters
that abandoned you, left you to die. I'm so sorry," she cried.

Hiei reached down and petted her soft aqua blue hair. "Shhhh, Yukina.
You never did me any ill. I love you. Please don't think I could ever
hate you."

"You mean it?" asked Yukina looking up at her with watery eyes.

Hiei smiled down at her and nodded.

"Onii-chan!" cried Yukina hugging her tighter and crying harder. "I
love you too. I'm so happy I've final found you."

The two stay like that for a long time comforting each other.

Yukina final pulled away after a good cry, tear gems littered the bed
and floor. She wiped her eyes and smiled at him. "Please eat
Hiei-san," she said. "You'll need your strength."

"You don't need to call me that onee-chan," said Hiei a real smile on
her face for once. Her more female appearance only made her look more
friendly and pretty.

Another tear gem fell to the floor. "Thank you onii-chan," whispered
Yukina. She smiled just as pretty back and dabbed at her eyes. "I
brought you some clothes, you got blood all over your other ones,"
said Yukina holding up the bundle of cloth.

"What is it?" asked Hiei.

Yukina unfolded the bundle to reveal a black kimono with pink sakura
flowers embroider on it. The hem of the kimono was cut short to allow
freedom of movement. It had no sleeve also to allow more movement.
Yukina held up the crimson red obi, it was almost twice as tall as she
with black arches embroidered on its ends. The arches completely
covered the tips, but lessened out till there were no more as they
went up.

"That's a dress," said Hiei.

Yukina laughed. "It was Genkai's when she was younger, she gave it to
me. I never was much for black, but she thought I might be able to use
it some day, maybe for a future daughter. She was pretty sure any
children I had with Kazuma would have a fighting streak in them. I
think it'll look pretty on you."

"Pretty!" said Hiei, looking like Yukina had just slapped her across
the face.

Yukina laughed and put the clothes down beside her. "You haven't
looked at yourself have you? After you finish eating why don't you go
take a bath in the spring out back."

Hiei snifter her self. Yukina grinned and left Hiei to eat.

Once she'd finished eating Hiei got off the bed and looked at her
reflection in the glass window. Her hand traveled up her soft white
skin. She did look rather different from her male body, it felt
strange looking at her reflection and seeing a complete stranger
looking back. The body build was much like Yukina's: small perky
breasts, slender waist, softly curved hips. Her face was a little
different too: lips a bit more pouty, eyes larger and more feminine.
Hiei's hand wander up to her spiky hair, it was still the same,
strange since it changed color every time she'd been in a female
shape, which wasn't too often. This shape really was a hybrid of her
two forms, not count the transformation that came with her jagan, that
wasn't a natural form.

Hiei sighed and dropped her hand. It didn't matter what she looked
like. She would still be the same arrogant, stupid, cold, lonely demon
she'd always been. Of course, now she had Yukina, that warms her heart
a little; she wasn't completely alone. But, still Yukina wasn't
Kurama.

Kurama... how could she have trusted that beautiful creature? She knew
his nature, had heard the stories, had seen the fox's cold manner and
yet she'd walked blindly into his game. To awed and dazzled at the
fox's kindness and grace to see past to the laughing youko behind the
human mask.

Hiei shivered and wrapped her arms around her body. Just a game? Had
it all been just a game, their partnership, friendship, love? Just a
game? The look in the Kurama's eyes as they made love had all but
convinced Hiei that he really did love him, but... just a game?

For the first time in her life Hiei just wanted to curl up in a ball
and cry till she was unable to cry any more. Maybe it was the new
feminine side that made her want to show her emotions in some physical
way. Hiei glanced back at the bed and floor littered with Yukina's
tears.

"No, I won't cry," whispered Hiei. "Not for myself. I'm not worth my
own tears." Hiei went back to the bed and picked up the clothes Yukina
had left for her. She opened the window and climbed out to head for
the spring.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Yusuke and Kuwabara entered Genkai's temple, Genkai was out visiting
another temple master that lived in China, so she wasn't home. Yukina
was temple sitting for the elderly master while she was away.

"Yukina-chan!" called Kuwabara taking off his shoes and putting on a
pair of slippers. Yusuke did the same.

"Kazuma? Yusuke?" she said going over to greet them.

Both boys noticed that Yukina had one of the most beautiful smiles
they'd even seen on her face; all the sadness was gone from her ruby
eyes. "Kazuma," she said going over to him and kissing him on the
cheek then wrapping her arms around his waist.

The carrot top was puddy in her hands.

"Kazuma. I want to babies, lots and lots of baby," she said.

Kuwabara's head almost explodes.

Yusuke laughed. "What brought this about all of a sudden?"

"Yusuke, it wonderful. My brother, I've final found my brother."

"You did?!" shouted Kuwabara regaining some of his composer.

She nodded happy. "And, it gets better, I'm going to be an aunt."

"Wahhh! Yukina-chan I'm so happy for you," said Kuwabara picking her
up and spinning her around.

Yusuke on the other hand had an odd look on his face. Aunt?! Hiei
found himself a girlfriend?! When did this happen? Is this why Kurama
was mad? Yusuke had thought there was more then just friendship
between the two, they seem so close, so understood towards each other.
Poor Kurama thought Yusuke. No wonder he was so hurt.

"So where is he? Where's this brother of yours?"

"Oh, Hiei's out back taking a bath in the spring."

"Hiei? I want to know where you brother is, not Hiei," said Kuwabara.

Yukina giggled. "Silly, Hiei is my twin brother."

Kuwabara's face went blank, his mouth dropped to the ground. "The
shrimp!" said Kuwabara. "I don't believe it! That can't be true!"

"Oh, but it is Kazuma, he's my brother."

Kuwabara's legs began to wobble.

"Yukina why don't you take Kuwabara into the kitchen and get him so
tea. I think the news was more then he could handle," said Yusuke.

"All right. Do you want some?" asked Yukina.

"No thanks. There's something I need to find out."

Yukina dragged Kuwabara to the kitchen and Yusuke went out back to the
spring.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Hiei got out and shook her self off. She thought about using a burst
of her ki to dry off, but decided against it. She was going to need
her ki it wasn't a good idea to waste it. She needed to open a portal
before it all went to her unborn cub. Even though the Ningenkai was
safer Hiei would risk going back to the Makai; she'd survived worst
conditions there.

She did feel guilty about leaving, especially after confessing her
kinship to Yukina, but... it was easier then having to look Kurama in
the face again.

Hiei picked up the kimono Yukina had given her and slipped it on. She
debated a bit with the obi, wondering just how she was supposed to tie
it.

"Hey! Hiei!" shouted Yusuke.

Hiei pulled the kimono closed and stared at Yusuke as the raven-haired
teen walked into view.

Yusuke grinned as he spotted Hiei. The Koorime was all wet and wearing
some kind of fancy robe. Must be one Yukina gave him to wear while she
cleans his clothes, he thought. He couldn't put his finger on it, but
there was something different about Hiei, maybe it was the fact that
the demon's spiky hair was weighted down a bit by the water, or maybe
that he'd never seen Hiei wet before. Man, he's cute, no wonder Kurama
was up set about losing him.

"Hey Hiei. I heard the good news," said Yusuke going up and roughing
Hiei's wet hair. "So, who's the lucky girl?"

"Girl?"

"Oh come Hiei. So who is it, Mukuro?"

Hiei looked away. They didn't know. It was better if they didn't know
it was Kurama's. He didn't want to mess up the fox's life any more
then he already had.

"You don't need to know who's it is," said Hiei picking up the obi and
draping it over her shoulder. She was feeling really jumpy around
Yusuke, in fact she was getting scared just being so close to him.

"Oh come on Hiei, you can tell me," me said Yusuke grabbing the
Koorime around the waist. Hiei reacted violently, striking out and
popping Yusuke a good one on the nose. Yusuke dropped Hiei and the
koorime backed away a tremor running through her slender frame.

"Ow! Hiei that hurt." He looked up to see Hiei looking back at him
with big eyes, clucking the ends of his robes tightly, a slight tremor
shaking him. "Hiei? Are you okay?" asked Yusuke reaching out for the
demon.

Hiei's eyes got bigger as Yusuke's hand came closer. Without thinking
the demon turned and fled. The only thing on her mind was to get away,
far away from that powerful being, find some place safe and disserted.
The Ningenkai was too crowed, too full of people she had to find some
place where she could be alone.

"Hiei!" shouted Yusuke as the fire demon disappeared. "What just
happened, it was like he was scared of me."

Yusuke walked back to the temple a confused look on his face.

"Yusuke! So where's the shrimp-er I mean Hiei," said Kuwabara, trying
to be polite towards Yukina's only relative, at least while she was
around.

"He ran away from me."

Both boys turned their heads as a dish fell and shattered on the
ground. "Oh no...," said Yukina hands going up to her mouth. "Yusuke
did you go out back to see Hiei?"

"Yes," said Yusuke confused.

"Yusuke, of course you scared Hiei with a ki as large as yours. Kazuma
we've got to find my brother, Hiei doesn't know any thing about taking
care of babies," she said grabbing Kuwabara, shaking like a scared
rabbit against him.

"What do you mean Yukina, what about the other parent?" asked Yusuke.

"I don't think Hiei's lover wants anything to do with the baby.
Onii-chan's taking care of it alone."

"You mean, the other parent just abandoned them?" Gods thought Yusuke.
That must have been what Hiei wanted to talk to Kurama about and
Kurama won't listen to him. Things just keep getting more and more
messed up.

"We've got to go find him," said Yusuke.

"But, if you go looking for Hiei, onii-chan'll only run farther away
from you. Hiei will do anything to protect the baby, Yusuke, even hide
from allies, it's instinct," said Yukina. "I have to go look for
onii-chan."

"No! Yukina don't. Knowing Hiei, he's probably gone to the Makai to
hide. If you go by yourself, who will protect you?"

"I have to do some thing Kazuma, Hiei's my only brother," tears were
starting to make there way down her face.

"He's right Yukina, you don't even know where to start looking for
him," said Yusuke.

"But-" she buried her face in Kuwabara's chest. "I was so happy," she
whispered against him. "I should have thought ahead *sniff* I should
have been more careful to keep Hiei way from you. *Sniff* I wasn't
thinking."

"No, Yukina, it's not your fault," said Kuwabara crushing her against
him. "How could you have known."

Yusuke turned around feeling helpless. Damn it! How could this have
happened? Everything's falling apart! I have to talk to Kurama, he
know Hiei the best. Maybe he knows who the mother is.

"I'm going to go see Kurama," said Yusuke, turning and running out of
the temple before they could answer.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Kurama was packing a few things in a suitcase when he heard a knock on
the door. He was surprised to see Yusuke standing on his doorstep when
he opened it.

"Yusuke? What can I do for you? Come in."

Yusuke walked inside. "Kurama it's about Hiei."

Kurama closed his eyes: Hiei. "Yusuke, I told you, I didn't want to
talk about it."

"Kurama listen to me. I don't know what's going on between you two,
but Hiei needs you. I just got back from Genkai's temple where Yukina
told me that Hiei has a baby."

Kurama's eyes grew wide. No... Hiei couldn't have a kid. He'd been
Hiei's first hadn't he? Had the Koorime cheated on him, before they'd
broken up? No, Hiei won't do that would he? Kurama felt his heart
break into a million pieces. The Koorime hadn't been loyal to him.

What's wrong? Mocked the youko. Can't swallow your own medicine?

Kurama shook his head to clear it. "So what if he does. It's none of
my business who he screws."

"Kurama," said Yusuke grabbing him by the shoulders. "Don't you care
at all?! What does Hiei know about kids? We don't even think his lover
is going to take responsibly with him."

Kurama brushed Yusuke's hand off and went back to packing his
suitcase. "It's his own fault for sleeping with who ever the woman is
in the first place."

"Kurama...." said Yusuke. He couldn't believe the red head was taking
all this so easily, it was like he had washed his hands of Hiei
completely.

"Look Yusuke, I've got to think about my mother right now. She's sick
and she needs me," he closed his suitcase and picked it up. "I don't
have times right now to worried about them both."

Yusuke bit his lips. "I guess I understand.... I'll try and find Hiei,
you go take care of your mother."

"You won't find him if he doesn't want you to," said Kurama.

Yusuke looked down sadly. "You're probably right, but I'm going to
try." He reached into his pocket and grabbed Kurama's hand dropping
something small into it. "Hiei, left this. I think you should have
it." With that said the teen turned around and left.

Kurama watched him go he looked down at his hand: a black tear gem.
Kurama's hand trembled as he closed his fingers around the prefect
gem. Hiei, did you really have a kid with someone else? I thought I
was the only one you loved, thought the red hair wanting nothing more
then to just break down and cry.

Those human emotions of yours are so foolish. Here you are, whining
and sniffing over an old woman and an ex-lover. Whatever happened to
the great Kurama, have you reduced us to this pathetic creature? If it
was me in control we'd be hunting down the bitch that dare to touch
our demon right now and make her pay. He's still ours, we marked him.

But, he went to another, don't you care that he found pleasure in
someone else arms.

No, he's a demon and that was before we marked him. How many partners
did we keep at a time, hardly ever just one. We marked him as ours he
will always be ours now.

No, not any more thought back the half that was Shuuichi. He hates us
now he'll never be ours again.

Maybe not yours, said the youko in an icy voice. But, when we're Youko
Kurama again, he will be mine. I will hunt him down and reclaim him.

Why? Why, you are the heartless one, why?!

Because, if there's one thing our human mother taught us it was to
love. And now that I've had a taste of it, I feel incomplete without
it. No one will ever make me feel like Hiei did, so I will have him
back when I return to the Makai.

What if he still hates us? What if he doesn't want to be ours again?

The youko was silent, and Shuuichi could feel his fear. Then I will
forever remain incomplete, said the youko.

Kurama bowed his head, those very human emotions that had so enriched
his life, now made him hurt like nothing before. He could never go
back to being the cold hearted youko he once was, unfeeling, uncaring,
no joy, no pain, never again. He was now something not quite human and
not quite youko. It was hard for him to love, but what he did, he
loved for eternity. He would always love Shiori and he would always
love Hiei. No matter how many lovers he took, no matter how kind he
was treated, those two could never be replace: Shiori his mother and
Hiei his first and only love.

The fox slipped the gem into his pocket, picked up his suitcase, and
left for the hospital. He would take care of one of the two people
close to his heart for as long as time would allow it. And after, he
could only pray that the other could find it in his heart to forgive.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Fourteen years later

* * * * * * * * * * *

"Hurry up Tama! We were suppose to be at Genkai's temple half an hour
ago," said a teenage girl with long blond hair and soft blue eyes. She
absent-mindedly smoked a cigarette.

"What do they need us for anyway?" mutter a boy with shiny black hair
and soft brown eyes. "It's not like we can help Yukina-san."

"Yah, but we're suppose to be there anyway," said the girl casual and
started walking in the right direction.

The boy Tama jogged up to her side.

"So are you going to take that job?" asked the blond.

"Mom doesn't want me to. Dad says it's up to me, but he'd rather I
didn't take it unless I could found some people to work with me that I
trust. Hey! I know why don't you become a part of my team Raina. Yah,
the new Urameshi tantei, we'd sure kick some ass."

The pretty blond snorted. "I'm only here till I master my powers. I'll
probably be going back home to the city once I've finished my
spiritual quest."

"Oh come on Raina, can't you convince Shizuru to let you stay. I know
Kuwabara-san doesn't mind you staying with him and Yukina."

"I don't think my mother would really care, but I can't say I like
living in the same house with my Uncle, special now that they're going
to have their own baby," said the blond blowing a smoke ring. "It's
hard to sleep as it is with his snoring, add a baby crying at all
hours of the night and sleep during the day start to look pretty
inviting."

"How much longer till Yukina is due?" asked Tama.

"Two weeks," answered the blond. "She can hardly tolerate being in the
Ningenkai, that's why she moved back in with Genkai. Uncle Kuwabara is
afraid she'll try and run away to the Makai to have their baby. She's
absolutely terrified of men. She can barely stand woman right now.
When she gets down to her last week, no ones going to be able to get
near her without being frozen solid."

Tama whistled. "Those koorimes sure are protective when they're
pregnant. Who would have thought Yukina would turn so deadly, she's
the sweetest thing in the Ningenkai."

They had just entered the front gate of the temple when a man who was
an almost prefect copy of Tama walked to stand in front of them, or
was Tama a prefect copy of him? The only different was that the older
man wore his hair slicked back, while Tama left his as it was. If both
fixed their hair the same it would have made it hard to tell them
apart.

"Tama, Raina, you're late again," said Yusuke crossing his arms.

"Ahh, come on papas, we're not that late," said Tama shoving his hands
in his pockets.

"You know you're mother, she was driving me up the wall, nagging about
where you two were," snorted Yusuke.

"Baka," said Keiko coming up behind Yusuke to smack him on the back of
the head. "Raina-chan, Tama-chan, I've fixed you a snack. You can eat
it before you start your practice, okay."

"Hai!" said the two teens.

The two sat down on the porch where a dish of crackers and sodas where
waiting for them. Their eyes moved back and forth watching the passing
Kuwabara.

"Yo Kuwabara, calm down," said Yusuke going over to him and putting
his hand on his back. "You know she's not due for another two weeks."

"I know, but I haven't been able to see her for the last three Yusuke.
I'm worried about her," said the carrot-top bowing his head. "What if
some thing goes wrong?"

Yusuke slapped him on the back. "Oh! Don't worry Yukina's a healer,
she knows what she's doing."

The two turned to watch as a beautiful red head walked up the temple
steps with a pretty woman with long wavy black hair and dark blue eyes
behind a thin pair of silver frames. Lita Suteken, Kurama's soon to be
wife. The two had been dating for close to two years now and Kurama
had finally asked her to marry him. She was a very pretty, tall woman,
quite intelligent, most people considered them an idle match for each
other.

Yusuke couldn't stand her. She was a scientist, therefore if something
couldn't be scientifically proven it wasn't real. He wanted so much to
Rei Gun something in front of her and asked what she thought of that.
She annoyed him.

Kuwabara liked her just fine. Believe it or not, he'd become a doctor!
A children's doctor, but a doctor no less! Yukina had been his
nurse/assistant before she got pregnant and paranoid of everyone one.
The carrot-top ran a hand over his fine trimmed orange beard. "Lita,
Kurama! It's nice to see you two," he greeted.

Kurama hadn't changed much over the years. He was older looking, face
a bit more narrow, eyes a little more slanted. He'd cut his bright red
hair short after Lita and Shiori had convinced him to. It was obvious
that he missed the longer hair, but was keeping quite about it. Kurama
was now the owner of his own business, he worked as a landscape
designer, drawing out rock gardens, designing parks, and people's
backyards who could afford it. He was quite successful and famous in
his area of expertise. Of course, with his green thumb how could he
not? Even with the shorter haircut, he was still breath taking and
naturally stuck out, like a wild rose in a desert.

"Yusuke, Kuwabara," greeted Kurama smiled at them. "I brought you some
more of those fruits Yukina likes," he said handing him a basket with
several dark purple fruits in it that looked strangely like apples.

"Kurama you never did tell me just what kind of fruits those are,"
said Lita. "I've never seen anything like them."

"They're kind of like plums," said Kurama. "The skins bitter, but the
flesh is very sweet."

"Thanks, Kurama," said Kuwabara taking the basket. "I'm sure Yukina
will like them."

Genkai walked out to the temple then.

"How is she Genkai?" asked Kuwabara nervously.

"She is fine, Kuwabara."

Yusuke patted his friend on the back wishing there were something he
could do.

"Just what is wrong with your wife any way?" asked Lita, she had no
idea Yukina was an ice maiden, or that any of the people gathered were
less then normal. "Why don't you take her to a hospital instead of
locking her up?"

"Lita," said Kurama going over to her. "Yukina comes from a different
up bringing, it's traditional for her to only be around her family
during the last couple weeks of her pregnancy."

Lita gave him an odd look. "That seems like a stupid tradition. I
still think you should take her to a hospital."

Genkai shook her head. "It is better for Yukina to stay where she is,
a hospital would only frighten her."

"I still think it's stupid," said Lita.

Kurama bit the inside of his cheek. He knew he shouldn't have brought
Lita with him, but she had insisted on going. He'd thought about
explaining Yukina's condition and just what she was, but Lita was more
likely to try and study Yukina then leave her alone.

Raina was drinking a soda and Tama was munching on some crackers. They
eyed Lita in an untrustworthy way. Once they'd been sparring when
she'd walked up the steps with Kurama, they'd almost been caught
red-handed using their reiki. They knew better then to let people who
didn't know anything about the Makai see them using their powers. To
them she was an outsider.

Tama sighed. "It's so boring today.

"We could always spar out back," said Raina.

"Nah, we always do that," said Tama. "I know all you're moves now."

"You're just afraid I'll beat you," said Raina smiling against her can
of soda.

"What?! No I'm not! I can beat you with one hand tied behind my back."

Raina snorted. "I'd like to see that."

"Man, I wish something would happen. I'm really starting to think
about the tantei job Koenma keeps offering me. So do you want to join
me?"

Raina snorted. "With you as the leader? You'll get us both killed."

Tama ignored her answer. "I guess I'd need more people to have a team,
if it was just you and me we'd be partners not a team."

"Hey, I never said I'd join you're stupid team!" said Raina bouncing
the soda can off his head.

"Hey!" shouted Tama. He blinked in shock and looked over Raina's
shoulder at the temple.

"What are you looking at?" asked Raina looking in the direction he
was. "Aunt Yukina? What are you doing out?"

Yukina had a distant look in her eyes.

"Yukina-chan!" shouted Kuwabara both delighted to see his wife after
so long and concerned. "What's wrong honey?"

She didn't even looked down at him, there was a longing in her eyes.
"Another koorime is near," she said softly.

"What?!" shouted everyone.

"Koorime?" said Lita. "What does she mean by that?" she said turning
to look at Kurama.

"Um Lita-chan," interrupted Keiko going over to the other woman and
grabbing her arms. "Why don't we go make some more tea and snacks for
everyone."

"But-" protested Lita as Keiko all but dragged her into the temple.

"Thank you Keiko," said Kurama softly.

"A Koorime? Really?" said Tama jumping up. "Want me to go beat it up
for you dad so you can hand it over to Koenma?"

"Baka!" said Raina hitting him on the head. "You'd probably be the one
to get beaten up."

"Shhhh! You two," said Yusuke. "You feel that Kuwabara?"

"Yah, there's two of them, only one's an ice maiden."

"Could one of the koorimes from the glacier have come to help Yukina?
A friend?" asked Kurama turning to look at Yukina.

She shook her head and took a step back from him, fighting her
instincts to run from any males. "No, they won't send someone to help
me."

"Would they send someone to hurt you?" asked Kuwabara getting a hard
look in his eyes.

"All the way to the Ningenkai?" asked Yusuke. "That's highly
unlikely."

"Calm down you guys," said Genkai. "Whoever they are, they haven't
done anything threatening yet. We'll see what they want first."

"Yukina-chan, maybe you should go inside," said Kuwabara.

"No," said Yukina her eyes fixed in the direction of the two demons'
youki.

"Look there they are," said Raina point to some trees. Perched up in
their branches were two female demons. They jumped down and walked
towards the group.

"Woe..." said Tama eyes landing on the taller of the two, she was a
little shorter then six feet, probably around 5'9". She had long shiny
black hair that went to the small of her back; her skin was porcelain
white and flawless. Her figure was fuller then her companies, curving
in all the right places a woman should. She wore a blue ninja style,
sleeve-less, kimono, with pink Sakura trees on it, the pelts scatter
all over the short dress in fine embroidery. Her obi was rich red, the
ends hung down to the back of her knees. Over her long slender legs
she wore black thigh-high boots of a soft flexible material, matching
black armbands on her forearms. She appeared to be in her early teens,
but one can never tell with demons. Tama froze as she looked at him
with liquid gold eyes briefly, before scanning the rest of the group.

The other demoness was obviously a koorime; she had the same aqua blue
hair as Yukina. Around five feet, with skin just as pale as the tall
demoness, her eyes were larger and almond shaped, her lips smaller.
Her hair brushed back in a wild, spiky, riot on her head. The spiky
were too long to stick straight up so they curved down, and tapered
into a thin tail going to the demoness's butt. She wore a red headband
over her forehead, the ends hanging off to one side of her face and a
plain black choker around her neck. She had on a white kimono short at
the knees and sleeve-less like the other demoness's, only her's had a
red Chinese style dragon embroidered on it. On her arms were
finger-less, black, gloves that went up past her elbows and black
thigh-high boots like her company on her legs. Around her waist was a
black Obi that went past her knees since she was shorter.

Kurama's eyes widened, she looked a lot like Yukina. He looked closely
at her face... red eyes!

"Oh!" cried Yukina running past them to embrace the shorter demoness.
"You came!" she cried against the woman's breast. The Koorime in white
smiled and petted Yukina's head as she cried against her chest.

"Of course, I came," said the woman hugging her.

"Wait a minute! Yukina do you know those two?" asked Yusuke taking a
step forward. Yukina cowered back hugging the woman tighter. Yusuke
stepped back, not wanting to frighten the pregnant koorime.

"Yes," said the new koorime. "My name is Yukki, I'm Yukina's cousin,"
said the Koorime in white. "This is my daughter, Sakura," she said
motioning to the taller demoness with golden eyes.

"It is a pleasure to meet you," said Sakura bowing to them.

"You're not a koorime," said Kurama feeling the demoness's youki.

"That is correct, I'm only part koorime. I am a plant wielder."

"I didn't know you had a cousin, Yukina," said Kuwabara in confusion.

Yukina looked nervously up at Yukki.

"She didn't know I was still alive. I was exiled," she said not
looking them in the eyes.

Kurama looked hard at the two, the shorter one could very well be
related to Yukina, hell they could be twins. Kurama mental slapped
himself, as that though lead to thoughts of Hiei. Damn it! It's been
so long, stop thinking of him, Hiei's gone. He refocused his attention
on the demoness with golden eyes. She was breath taking. There was a
sensual grace in her every move, she looked familiar, could he have
met her before? She was Yukki's daughter, but she had a longer face
then Yukki, eyes were more round, not almond-shaped. Maybe I know her
father, he thought. He couldn't shake off the feeling that he should
know her.

"Yukki," said Genkai. "Can I talk to you and Yukina alone?"

The two Koorimes nodded and followed Genkai into the temple.

Tama jumped up to go meet the other demoness, Raina behind him.

Sakura tensed and narrowed her eyes at Tama as he approached. "What do
you want?"

"Hey baby, don't be cold. My name is Tama, this is my friend Raina."

"Baby?" said the demoness in confusion.

Raina smacked Tama. "Don't mind him, he's a moron," she said rolling
her eyes. "It's nice to meet you," she said holding out her hand.

Sakura study her hand as if to make sure it was safe before taking it
and shaking hands with Raina. "It is nice to meet as well."

"Hmmm.... good gripe. Do you know how to fight?" asked Raina.

"Or course," replied Sakura.

"You want to spar?"

The demoness smiled warmly, a new bond developed between the two
women. "Yes, I would."

"Hey! What about me, I want to spar with you too, baby," said Tama.

"My name is Sakura."

"Sure, what ever you say baby," said Tama wrapping his arms around the
two girl's shoulders.

Both girls exchanged looks. Raina jabbed a finger in his side, causing
the dark haired teen to jump.

"Follow me," said the Raina motioning with her hand. "There's a dojo
out back we can use to spar in." The two walked away leaving Tama
behind.

"Oh she's pretty," said Tama in a low voice. "Hey wait for me Raina!
Baby!" he shouted running after them.

Yusuke grinned as he watched his son. "That's my boy."

Next to him Keiko, who had come back out with Lita, snorted. "He's
just as bad at flirting as you."

"What?! I thought I was great at charming the ladies." He wrapped his
arms around her. "I got you didn't I?"

Keiko snorted and kissed him on the cheek. "That you did, but your
pick up lines still need some work."

"Ah, come on baby," teased Yusuke pinching her rear.

'Slap'

Kuwabara laughed as Yusuke rubbed the red hand print on his face.

Kurama watched as the tall demoness walked away with Raina and Tama.
He couldn't take his eyes off of her. Sakura, I must know her from
some where? But, for the life of me I can't remember ever seeing her
before.

"Shuuichi," said Lita tugging on his arm. "If we don't leave now,
we'll be late meeting your mother for lunch."

Kurama glanced at his watch. He really didn't want to go, but she was
right. Kuwabara and Yusuke could handle a plant wielder and a little
koorime if something went wrong.

"Yusuke! I need to go now."

"Oh, okay Kurama," said Yusuke. "Will you stop by tomorrow?"

"Sure," nodded the red head.

"Okay! I'll see you then."

Kurama walked down the steps of the temple with Lita hugging one of
his arms.

"Shuuichi, why do your friends call you Kurama?" she asked.

"Um...." said Kurama thinking quickly. "Oh it's just a nickname they
call me. You know my little stepbrother has the same name."

"Oh I see," she said. "You have some really strange friends."

Kurama didn't answer as his thoughts returned to the demoness, Sakura.
Just who is she?

* * * * * * * * * * *

Genkai turned around and looked at the two koorimes. "Okay, Hiei. Just
what are you trying to pull?"

"Hn, I have my reasons. I don't want any more trouble then necessary.
I'm here for Yukina, that's it, I'll leaving once she no longer needs
me."

"And that girl. Who is she Hiei?"

"She really is my daughter," said the demoness with a look of pride in
her eyes.

The corner of Genkai's mouth twitched up a bit for a second. "You've
changed Hiei, in more ways then one," said eyeing the koorime's
outfit.

"Don't look at me like that," growled Hiei. "Sakura made me wear it,
she's always trying to get me to wear white." Hiei frowned cutely.

"I see, well I won't ask you any more. You do what you feel you must,"
with that said she left the two alone.

"So you had a girl," said Yukina. "She's very beautiful."

"She gets that from her father," said Hiei smiling.

"You never did tell me who it was," said Yukina.

Hiei frowned and looked away. "I'm sorry. It's better no one knows. I
haven't even told Sakura. She doesn't even know my real name is Hiei."

Yukina patted Hiei's shoulder. "You still love her father don't you?"

"I-no- no I don't," said Hiei a bit too quite.

"You can't lie to me onii-chan, not any more. I know, we can only love
in that way once," she took Hiei's hand and pressed her face to it.

Hiei smiled at her and took her hand from Yukina's to place it on her
sister's stomach. "Have you had any problems?"

Yukina shook her head. "As far as I can tell the baby is healthy."

"You don't know what it is?"

"No, it has reiki, not Youki, I'm having trouble reading it. As far as
I can tell it's like Yusuke, its demon blood is dormant. It may live
its whole life as a human or some day that demon blood will awake
inside. But, I don't mind," she said running a hand over her round
belly. "Girl or boy, demon or human, I don't care, I'll still love
it."

"They do kind of grow on you," said Hiei.

Yukina laughed. "In more ways then one. Come tell me every thing, what
you've been doing, what Sakura is like, everything. I'll make you some
hot cocoa."

Hiei licked her lips. "I never turn down chocolate."

* * * * * * * * * * *

Sakura held out her hand and helped Raina up. "You're not half bad for
a human," commented the demoness.

"Yah, you're pretty good your self," said Raina taking Sakura's hand
and getting up.

"My turn!" chirped Tama. "Come on baby, I'll show you a real fight."

Sakura smiled in amusement and began circling Tama. The teen blushed
as the curious, focused look she was giving him as she ran her eyes up
and down his body.

Gods, I'm wearing clothes right? Thought Tama suddenly feeling naked.
He checked just to make sure.

"Weapons or fists?" asked Sakura.

"What ever you wish baby."

"Okay then," said the demoness reacting into her hair, she pulled out
a long reed like blade of grass. Raina's eyes narrowed as she felt
Sakura's youki increase.

"Eh? What's the matter baby, you got grass in your hair?"

"Are we going to fight or not?" asked Sakura.

Tama shrugged and dropped down. "Okay, have it your way." He leapt
forward at the demoness, fists flying almost too fast for the eye to
see. Sakura was poetry in motion, dancing way from Tama's every
strike.

Her style it looks like Kurama-san's, thought Raina watching at the
girl jumped and flipped. She could almost see the black haired
demoness swinging a rose whip. So far all Sakura had done was dodged.

Sakura smiled as the boy in front of her tried to catch her. Oh he was
good! Inexperienced, but good. Let's take this a step higher. She
focused her youki to the grass blade in her hand it became a real
blade.

"Woe!" said Tama jerking his body out of the way as she struck out at
his ribs. She's playing for real! It was Tama's turn to back off as
Sakura's blade thrust at him she nicked his arm and shoulder cutting
his white shirt.

"All right how about this!" shouted Sakura her blade moved in blur and
Tama moved with it. His shirt was reduced to rags, but she never cut
him.

"Yah!" yelled Tama, the fight ended dead as both froze in their track.

"You're suppose to good easy when doing a friendly spar, baby," winked
Tama.

Sakura blinked at the fist that was an inch way from her face. She
drew back, the blade in her hand shrunk back to a blade of simple
grass, and she stuck it back in her hair.

"Why didn't you follow through?" she asked?

"And bruise that lovely face!" said Tama patting her cheek. "No way
baby."

Sakura looked at him oddly. "You are a strange one." His reiki
increased as he fought. Just how strong is he?

"You think so?" said Tama rubbing the back of his head. "Yah, you're
probably right. I'm not completely human, must be the demon side." He
laughed at that.

"Very strange," repeated Sakura as Raina giggled in the background.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Kurama walked up the temple steps, one hand holding the thin delicate
hand of his mother, Shiori.

"Are you tired mother? Do you want to stop and rest?" asked Kurama.

"No," smiled Shiori. "We're almost there and I want to see this temple
you always visit. It must be very beautiful."

Kurama smiled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders as they walked
up the last couple steps to the temple.

Kurama eyes widened as they landed on a figure sleeping in a tree.

"Hiei!" shouted Kurama running over to the tree.

The figure stirred and a pair of golden eyes looked down at him.
"Kurama-san?" said Sakura.

"S-Sakura!," said Kurama in shock. "I'm sorry if I woke you up. I
thought you were someone else," he said looking at his feet one hand
went up to his chest to touch a black gem on a tong hidden under his
clothes.

Even after so much time you still want him, mocked the youko. Did you
really think he'd come back after what you did to him?

Shut up, shouted back the human half. I did what I had to.

"Shuuichi?" said Shiori walking up behind him and putting a hand on
his shoulders. "Shuuichi, who is this girl? Why did she call you
Kurama?"

"Eh?!... it's kind of a nickname mother," said Kurama a sweat drop ran
down the side of his face.

"Hmm, Kurama. I kind of like it," she smiled at him.

"Sakura!" shouted a voice. Kurama turned his head and watched as the
ice maiden, Yukki, walked around the corner. This breath caught in his
throat as he looked at her. She was wearing one of Yukina's kimonos, a
pale purple with white cranes on it and an aqua blue obi. She still
wore gloves and a headband, but now they were white.

She's pretty, just like he was, said the youko.

"Sak-" Yukki turned and spotted them. Her eyes widened as they did,
then went back to a neutral look.

"I'm here mother," said Sakura jumping down from the tall tree to land
lightly on the ground.

Shiori's eyes widened in shock. "I didn't know people could land so
easy from so high a height," she said.

Sakura reached her mother and turned around looking kind of
embarrassed. "I um.... I'm in martial arts. It's part of my training,"
said the girl. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"That's quite alright," smiled Shiori. "Kurama-kun, aren't you going
to introduce me to your two friends," said Shiori teasingly using his
'nickname.'

"Um, sorry for being rude mother. This is Yukki, Yukina's cousin. And,
this is Sakura her daughter. Yukki, Sakura, this is my mother Shiori."

Both demonesses bowed politely and Shiori smiled and did like wise.

"I can see now why Shuuichi-kun comes here," said Shiori walking over
to them. "So many pretty girls."

Sakura blushed, but Yukki looked away almost as if Shiori's words had
hurt her.

"How is Yukina?" asked Kurama.

"She's nearing the end of her term, so she's sleeping a lot," said
Yukki. She hesitated, almost like she wasn't sure what to do, "would
you like some tea?"

"Yes, I would like that very much," said Shiori taking Yukki's hand.
The ice demoness looked more then a little uncomfortable with the warm
contact, but lead Shiori into the temple. Sakura and Kurama followed.
As they walked Kurama snuck looks at the demoness with long black
hair, Sakura. Who could her father be? It must have been someone
important for her face to keep haunting him. It was on the edge of his
memory, annoying him to no extent. Hmm, black hair. Yomi perhaps? No
her face is more narrow then Yukki's but not narrow enough to be
Yomi's daughter. Kuronue? No, he wasn't a plant wielder. Karasu? Hell
no! She's too polite and nice. If she was Karasu's daughter then Yukki
would never have lived through being something the crow 'loved.'
Kurama shivered remembering the Dark Combat tournament, Kurasu's cold
fingers brushing his hair, those dark purple eyes looking at him with
lust and desire.

"Shuuichi? Are you cold?" asked Shiori.

"Eh, no mother. I'm fine," smiled Kurama. A small hand covered in a
white glove pushed a teacup his way, and Kurama looked up at the
pretty ice koorime who won't look him in the eyes.

"So tell me," said Shiori taking a small sip from her tea. "Do you
live in the area?"

"Um," said the koorime glancing at her, Kurama could tell she was
uncomfortable. "No, we live far away. We're just here to help Yukina."

"Ah, that's nice of you. Is your husband here with you?" asked Shiori.

Yukki looked down at her teacup. "I don't have a husband."

"But-" said Shiori looking at Sakura. She smiled softly and leaned
over to clasp a hand over the ice demon's smaller one. Shocked Yukki
looked up and the older woman. "It's okay. I know how it is being a
single parent. I raise my Shuuichi alone for a good many years." She
took both of Yukki's hands and the Koorime blinked confused eyes at
her. "Did he die recently?"

Yukki's mouth worked, but she couldn't seem to speak, she looked away.
"He's still alive. He just didn't want me any more," whispered the
demoness. "Excuse me," she said getting up, running away.

"I'm sorry," said Shiori. "I shouldn't have asked something so
personal. Poor thing, she seemed like such a sweet girl."

"My mother doesn't like to talk about my father," said Sakura serving
her some more tea. "It's alright she'll be fine in a little bit."

"Thanks you," said Shiori. "I really hope I haven't offended her."

"Don't worry, my mother is strong," smiled Sakura. "I want to be just
like her."

Shiori smiled and patted her hand. "You seem like such a nice young
girl, you remind me of my Shuuichi when he was younger."

Kurama looked in the direction that Yukki had run off, drowning out
the two girls as they talked. Used and thrown away, thought Kurama.
How many did I do that to?

We probably have two dozen brats all over the Makai, laughed the
youko.

That's not funny, snapped the human half; not any more.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Hiei ran as best she could in the long kimono into the forest and
leaned against a tree.

Kuso, kuso, repeated in her mind over and over again. I can not be
weak; never again! But it was so hard not to be, talking to Kurama's
human mother having the fox sit across from her. It hurt to have him
so close and yet so far away.

You want him to hold like he use too, to speak sweet words of love in
your ear. He never will. He's already forgotten you while you're still
in love with him. He's even taken a human mate, why would he even
touch you again. He doesn't even need you for a quick screw any more.

Hiei made a small noise in her throat and sank to the ground. Her eyes
stung with unshed tears. I won't cry, I promised myself I won't cry,
not for myself.

The koorime breathed in deeply and calmed her self. Gods, how pathetic
she'd become. Once nothing could hurt her, nothing mattered. Of course
her life had been so empty then, but now she knew what it felt to feel
for others. She had a sister she loved, a daughter that was prefect to
her eyes, and a lover that even if he didn't want her made her fell
love and pain. No she could no longer go back to being the
cold-hearted fire demon she'd once been. She didn't know how not to
feel any more.

Hiei stood up and brushed off her kimono. She slowly walked out to sit
on one of the garden benches, it felt good to be just be along... some
times. Hiei frowned right now wasn't one of those times.

"Onii-chan," said a soft voice.

Hiei turned around to see Yukina. The pregnant Koorime smiled sweetly
at her and waddled over to sit beside her.

The two sat in silence together.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Tama was jogging to the temple a big smile on his face. Sakura was
sure to be there and he wanted to take her out and show her around
town. Oh she was pretty; the other guys would be steamed with
jealously if they saw them together.

"What am I thinking. I'm acting like she's my girlfriend," Tama
grinned and rubbed the back of his head as he ran. He jogged up the
steps to the temple.

"Hey! Baby! Where are you!" he shouted cupping his mouth with his
hands.

Sakura almost spit out her tea as she heard a deep male voice calling
out 'baby.'

"Who could that be?" asked Shiori putting down her tea.

"I wonder," muttered Sakura. "Please, excuse me," she said in a polite
voice then went out side to see Tama waving his arms at her. Kurama
and Shiori walked out behind her to see what was going on.

"Baby!" shouted Tama running up the steps and grabbing her arm. "Come
baby! I'm going to show you around town, all the best places!" he
grinned pulling her down the steps.

"But-but-but" stammered Sakura not knowing what to do.

Kurama grinned remember all the fun he'd had with Yusuke so many years
ago. "Have fun you two! Tama don't get into any trouble," he warned
the raven-haired teen.

"Ah! I won't, let's go baby," smiled Tama dragging her down the steps.

"What do you want?" demanded Sakura trying to twist her hand out of
his grip; boy did he have a good grip!

"Let's have some fun baby. It's not every night I've got a pretty girl
to take out on the town."

"Eh?" said Sakura lost.

Many people were staring at them either from the commotion they were
making or because Sakura natural stood out they couldn't be sure.

Tama stopped and turned to look at her.

"What?" asked Sakura rubbing her wrist now that it was free.

"That outfit won't do. I know!" he grabbed her and dragged her to a
shop with loud rock music playing.

"What do you want?" asked the cashier blowing a bubble. Sakura looked
on curiously, she had no idea what the pink stuff was in her mouth.

"My friend here is indeed of some fashion assistance," he smiled at
her. "Where's Kino?"

"Tama-chan, darling!" called a boy running up to them with sandy blond
hair hanging over one eye, dressed in a purple shirt opened in the
front, and tight black pants. "Are you finally going to let me play
dress up with you?" asked the boy nearly pressing up against Tama's
side.

Tama laughed and leaned over to whisper in Sakura's ear. "This is
Kino, don't worry he won't make any moves on you, he's gay."

Sakura looked on in confusion.

"Hey Kino, I've got a new model for you, play with her will you?" said
Tama pushing the demoness toward the blond boy.

"OOHH! Tama-chan," cried Kino circling Sakura. "She's a beauty. We'll
have fun together sister," he said looping an arm around her
shoulders.

Tama handed him some cash. "I'm going to get some thing for us to eat.
I'll be back in a little bit," waved Tama running out of the building.

Sakura sweat dropped.

"I'm going to make you a modern beauty baby doll, not that his ninja
look isn't cute," said Kino pulling on her snort kimono.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," smiled Kino.

"What does gay mean?"

* * * * * * * * * * *

Tama came back with two ice cream cones in his hand. He licked his own
and walked into the store. His eyes looked around for Sakura and Kino.
The two must be in one of the dressing rooms, thought Tama taking a
bite of his cone.

"I feel silly," protested a female voice.

"But, you look good enough to make a boy straight baby doll," teased
another voice.

"Straight?"

Tama watched as the two stepped out from behind a curtain, his eyes
widened. Sakura was dressed in a short black rubber dress, with a
white scarf tied around her neck, the ends trailing down her back. Her
hair was tied up kind of messy like. She wore red lipstick, and white
eye shadow. She kept her long black boots.

"Do I do good work or what?" asked Kino smoothing down the dress.

Tama nodded dumbly, she looked smashing.

"Now off you two, to have a fairy tale romance and live happy ever
after!" said Kino shoeing them out the door.

"Um... here," said Tama handing her an ice cream. He was having a hard
time not looking at her.

"What is it? Snow?" she asked taking it.

"Kind of," said Tama.

She stuck out her tongue and licked it. "Hmm! Good!" she said lapping
at it.

Tama's knees felt weak.

"So aren't you going to 'show me around town'?" she asked.

Tama snapped himself out of his stupor. "Baby, I'll show you just how
much fun the human world can be."

Sakura grinned and licked her cone again. "Lead the way."

Tama shivered.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Kurama was walking his mother around the temple pointing out different
types of flowers and naming them for her.

"This is a fire bloom," he said kneeling down and picking one of the
bright red flowers up. "They only bloom for a few short weeks then
died," he said.

Shiori sniffed the bloom. "It's such a pretty color of red," said
Shiori. "Darker then your hair even."

"Same color as his eyes," said Kurama staring at the delicate flower.

"Who's eyes?" asked Shiori.

Kurama jumped he hadn't realized he'd said that out loud. "Um.... no
one. Just someone I knew a long time ago."

"Sakura!" Yukki walked around the temple muttering to her self. "Where
is that girl?"

"Oh, Yukki-san," said Shiori getting Yukki's attention. She walked up
to the ice maiden and took her hands. "I'm sorry about what I said
earlier. I didn't mean to upset you."

Yukki blinked her eyes in shook, she blushed feeling uncomfortable
once again around the warm caring woman. "Um... that's okay, I'm
fine," said Yukki lowering her gaze.

Kurama walked over to stand in front of them he smiled charmingly at
the ice maiden and reached out to stick the blood red flower in her
aqua colored hair. A look of shook crossed his face. The flower and
Yukki's eyes were the same blood red color, the same color as Hiei's
eyes.

Yukki turned her gaze away from Kurama. "Have you seen my daughter,
Sakura? I've been looking for her," said the woman quietly.

"She's with Yusuke's son, Tama. He was going to show her around town,"
said Kurama.

"Yusuke's son! If he's any thing like his father he'll only get her in
trouble," snorted Yukki.

Kurama smiled and giggled, remembering Yusuke in his youth, how the
teen had gotten them in all sorts of trouble. The smile vanished and
he looked harder at the ice maiden. "You knew Yusuke?"

The ice demon's eyes widened. "No! I've just heard people talking
about him around here. He is well know... at home."

"Oh," said Kurama. Yah, Yusuke was well known in the Makai and no
doubt Kuwabara and Yusuke had been telling old tales to the new
demonesses. But, still... there was some thing about Yukki that Kurama
just couldn't put his finger on.

"It's getting pretty late, where do you thing those two went?" asked
Shiori breaking up Kurama's thoughts. He was going to say something
when he heard laughing heading up the temple steps. Apparently Yukki
heard it too, because she turned and looked in the direction.

The three watched as Tama and Sakura watched up the step talking
happily.

Kurama's breath caught in his throat as Sakura turned and looked at
him. That white skin, black hair, dressed in black with a white scarf!
Once again he replaced the tall demoness with his short lover.

"Mother!" shouted Sakura. She ran over to the smaller woman. "Oh
mother, it's so exciting here! Tama got me new clothes, he took me to
this strange place you play machines in, we even got to beat up some
thugs on the way home, and he bought me this favored snow, it was so
yummy!"

"Sweet snow?" asked Yukki.

Kurama snapped his head over to stare at Yukki, but the ice demoness
didn't seem to notice.

"Its called ice cream," laughed Tama. "I'm glad you had fun."

Sakura nodded. "Oh yah, it was lots of fun. I'd like to do it again
some day."

Tama blushed a little and fidgeted. Kurama smiled to himself, hook,
line, and sinker, Tama was now puddy in Sakura's hands.

"Sakura, you missed practice today," said Yukki.

Sakura got a shocked look on her face and looked up at the sky, it was
getting dark. She laughed nervously. "Sorry, mother."

Yukki sighed. "You'll work twice as long tomorrow, I want you to have
mastered your ki before we leave here. You might want to ask Genkai to
help you, she'd be a better teacher then me."

"You should ask Kurama-san!" said Tama. The red head looked shocked at
Yusuke's son. "Well you both are..." he glanced at Kurama's mother.
"Um.... you both have the same kind of fighting style."

"You shouldn't bother Kurama, he's probably busy," said Yukki.

"No," said Kurama starling the ice demon. "I'd love to help." He
locked eyes with Yukki. He had to figure those two out before they
left, there was something about them that nagged his senses.

Yukki looked away again. "Thank you." She bowed to them and turned to
leave. "Good night."

"Thank you Kurama-san," said Sakura bowing. "I will try and be a good
student to you." She turned to Tama. "Thank you for showing me around
town," she leaned forward and gave him a peck on the check. "Next time
let's bring Raina."

"Okay," said Tama looking like he didn't hear what she's say after the
kiss.

"Good night," she bowed and walked after her mother.

"Such a nice young lady," smiled Shiori. "I hope you have a daughter
just like that some day, Shuuichi-kun."

Kurama smiled, took Shiori's hand, and started walking towards the
temple's steps. "I hope so too mother, I hope so too."

* * * * * * * * * * *

Kurama straightened his tie while looking at his reflection in the
mirror.

"Lita," said Kurama.

"Hmm," said Lita sticking her head through the door while putting on
an earring.

"I'm not coming straight home from work today, I'm going to Genkai's
temple again to meet Sakura."

"That tall girl with long black hair and golden eyes?" asked Lita
stepping into the bathroom.

"Yah, that's her," said Kurama turning around to look at her.

"You're not planning to cheat on me with a younger girl now are you?"
she teased poking him in the chest.

Kurama laughed and caught her hand. "You have nothing to fear from
Sakura. She's a nice girl, but a bit too young for my tastes."

"Will you be home for dinner?" asked Lita. "We still need to go over
our wedding plans. I want every thing to be prefect."

"I'm not sure when I'll be home, but if not we can go over them
tomorrow night," smiled Kurama.

Lita sighed and hugged herself. "It won't be long now till I'm Mrs.
Minamino."

Kurama caught her around the waist and pulled her against him. "Won't
that make my mother happy."

"I'm not marrying you to please you mother," said Lita tugging on some
of his long bangs. "I think you'll need a haircut, it's starting to
grow out again."

Kurama looked at her a bit sadly. "No, it'll take a couple years to
grow back to the length before I cut it," he said softly.

She pulled away from him and went to the mirror to put on some
lipstick.

"Lita, what do you thing about having children?" asked Kurama.

Lita jumped and looked at him. "What?"

"I mean any children we have together would be beautiful and smart.
Plus, my mother's been hinting to me again. So what do you think?"

Lita looked away and finished her lips. "It's a bit early to ask that
isn't it? We can talk about it another day," she said. She gave him a
quick kiss and left the room. "I'm going now," she called.

"Have a nice day," said Kurama. Once she was gone Kurama frowned. He
really wanted children himself now, he'd helped Keiko and Yusuke raise
Tama, then there was Shizuru's daughter, Raina, and now Kuwabara and
Yukina were going to have a baby, even.... even Hiei had a kid with
someone in the Makai. Kurama bite his lip, wondering how the fire
demon was doing. Was he happy with his lover? Was he even with her?
What did the baby look like? It probably wasn't a baby any more.

Kurama sighed. He felt so alone, even though he had Lita living with
him. Truthfully they didn't see each other that much during the day,
they both had work, and lived pretty demanding lives. He wanted a
partner that would stay home and be there to greet him when he came
home from a long day at work, one that would be there for him always.
It was highly unlikely he'd have that with Lita, she loved to work too
much to give it up. He briefly wondered why Lita wasn't interested in
talking about children.

He shrugged and walked out of the bathroom, like she said they'd talk
about it later. Right now he need to get going to work.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Kurama walked up the stone steps to Genkai's temple, his blazer jacket
and brief case causally thrown over one shoulder. He smiled and
watched as a pair of butterfly chased each other across his path. It
was a very pretty day, the sky was a deep blue with big fluffy clouds
lazy floating by.

As he neared the entrances to the temple he heard the sounds of
combat. Instincts kicked in and he ran up the rest of the steps,
reaching up into his hair. He froze as he realized he didn't have long
hair any more and therefore, no seeds in his hair. He breathed a sigh
of relief when he realized that there wasn't a fight going on, but a
practice session; a very intense practice session.

Sakura moved in a blur retreating from the lighting quick trusts of
Yukki's steel blade. Both demonesses moved almost too fast for the
human eye as they jumped and leapt about the temple grounds, blades
singing through the air.

Kurama shook his head and tried to shake that odd feeling that his
scene was familiar. His eyes narrowed as he watched the fight,
focusing mostly on Sakura.

The tall demoness was pure grace. Her movements were full of turns,
jumps, flips, and twists. Kurama realized she fought much like him
self only on a faster level. Where could she have picked up his style?
He had thought his technique was unusually, more like a dance then a
set of battle stances. The way she moved, she would have been better
suited with a long-range weapon: a bow, spear, or whip. Yes with those
circles and turns she made with her attacks she'd get a lot of
momentum and power with a longer weapon.

He turned his attention to Yukki and almost bit his tongue, her
strikes and movements were so fast! Nothing more than a blur....

Yukki advanced on the younger demon and struck with a powerful slash
at the midsection. Sakura moved her blade down as was proper, but to
Kurama's horror the Koorime's steel blade broke Sakura's grass one.
Time stood still as both combatants froze.

All three sighed in relief as Yukki pulled her blade away from where
it had only been centimeters away from the taller demoness's side.

"Sakura, I thought you'd gained better control of you ki. Why did it
break? That sword should have been just as strong as my steel blade."

Sakura looked somewhat embarrassed. "I'm sorry. I find it hard to
continue channeling so much ki into my weapon and fighting a skilled
opponent at the same time. I can't seem to do one with out taking some
of my concentration away from the other."

Yukki snorted. "Sloppy, you'll get killed if you don't master that
soon."

"Maybe I can help," smiled Kurama walking up to them.

"Kurama-san," bowed Sakura.

Yukki looked a bit worried.

Kurama walked over to Sakura and took the grass blade from her hand to
look at it. "You haven't been trained to use your ki properly have you
Sakura."

"No," said the girl looking embarrassed.

"That would be my fault," said Yukki getting their attention. "I'm a
koorime, I can control ice and- I mean, I don't know anything about
controlling plants," said the koorime.

Kurama raised an eyebrow curiously at her. It sounded like she was
going to say something else but had changed her mind mid why through
the sentence. He decided not to press her.

"Well, then I can defiantly help. I'm a pretty powerful plant wielder,
so I can show you a few things." He bent down and plucked a blade of
grass from the ground. "You see the way you're using the grass blade,
you're only using part of the plant, the leaves. Therefore, the plant
dies once you stop channeling ki to it." Kurama allowed some of his ki
to follow from his hand into the grass blade, small roots began to
sprout from the base of the blade and crawled up his hand. "You see,
now this plant can survive with out my aid, meaning it has it's own
power that is strengthened by mine."

"I see," nodded Sakura eyeing the plant, attention focused on
everything he was saying and doing. She's a good student, thought
Kurama.

"When you develop this skill more effectively you can keep a plant
alive completely on your ki longer and stronger then it would be on
it's own. He reached to his breast pocket and pulled out the rose that
was perched there. "See this rose? I've had it for several years now
and it's still as beautiful and young as it was when I first picked it
because I have foraged a powerful link with it were I share in its
power it shares in mine."

Sakura's golden eyes widen and she reached out a slender hand to touch
the red petals. "So soft.... what kind of flower is this?" she asked
taking her gaze off his hands for the first time and looking him in
the face.

Kurama breath nearly froze in his throat as he looked into her liquid
gold eyes. There it was the answer teetering on the very edge of his
memory just about to fall.

"A rose."

Sakura and Kurama snapped their gazes over to look at Yukki.

"It's called a rose, a flower that only grows in the Ningenkai. Very
fragrant scent, soft smooth pelts, sharp thorns. They come in a
rainbow of colors that mean many different things. Red is suppose to
be the color of romance and love," the koorime bowed her head and
whispered the next part. "You're suppose to give a rose of that color
to the one you love." Yukki turned and gave them her back. "Kurama I
will trust my daughter to you for lessons. Please, excuse me," she
said and began to walk away.

"Wait!" shouted Kurama. That bit about roses! He'd once told that to
Hiei, she must have met the short fire demon! She had to know
something about him. "Tell me have you ever met a short demon with
wild spiky black hair, and a white starburst in middle? He's a blood
kin to you, a forbidden child by the name of Hiei?"

Yukki stopped. "Of my clan I know of only myself, Sakura, Yukina, and
her unborn offspring. That is all," said Yukki and continued walking
away.

Kurama watched her go in confusion. Here was no doubt in Kurama's mind
that Yukki was related to Hiei. The koorime was constantly reminding
him of the forbidden child, things she said, the way she moved, even
the how she stood perfectly still; they all remind him of his short
lover.

Ex-lover snared the Youko inside.

Kurama pushed the youko back down he didn't want to deal with his
taunts right now.

Why did Yukki act so ashamed, worried, and embraced around him? If
she'd never met Hiei, then was cause did she have to be uncomfortable
around him? He sighed still confused, they were so much alike; they
even smelt alike!

Won't it have been great if we'd met Yukki instead of Hiei? whispered
the youko. Then we could have screwed her silly and our human mother
would only be happy we'd finally found a nice 'girl.'

Shut up! screamed back Shuuichi.

Why don't you get rid of Lita and claim Yukki if she's so much like
Hiei? You know that human woman doesn't make you happy.

Shut up! Shut up! screamed back Shuuichi. Even if she is like Hiei,
she'll never replace him! No one can ever replace him!

"Kurama-san?"

Kurama looked over at Sakura who looked back with concern.

"Are you all right, Kurama-san?"

"Um- yes Sakura. I'm fine. Let's get started."

"Hai!"

* * * * * * * * * * *

In a park full of young trees a portal opened. Out of it stepped a
handsome male with long purple hair all the way to his knees pulled up
into a ponytail. His eyes were a light sky blue, his skin pale cream,
features long and narrow. He wore long white temple pants and a blue
robe top. His arms were taped and a sash around his waist held his
extremely long sword. He looked around the park a smile spread on his
lips.

"So, this is the Ningenkai. Pretty, but I'll make it prettier," he
said in a deep voice. He glowed softly with a faint blue aura and the
air around him grew colder. Soon little snowflakes began to fall from
the sky.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Kurama held up this hand, signaling for Sakura to halt. He watched as
first one then dozen of snowflakes slowly drifted out of the sky.

"Snow? At this time of year?" said Kurama in confusion.

Sakura and Kurama turned as Yukina came out of the temple her red eyes
alight with a kind of joy.

"It's snowing," said the koorime. She hopped down the steps and onto
the ground. Laughing she turned circles dance with the delicate flakes
as the snowfall grew thicker.

"What's going on?" said a familiar voice: Yukki.

Yukina smiled in delight and ran over to the other ice maiden. "Dance
with me!"

"What?" said Yukki in shock as Yukina dragged her out into the center
of the yard. "No, wait!" she protested as the pregnant ice maiden
pulled her around in a dance.

Sakura giggle. "I don't know why but I fell like dancing too." She
walked over to the other two koorime and helped Yukina force Yukki to
give in and join.

Kurama forgot his shock over the snow and was soon hypnotized by the
three's snow dancers. Some where along the line they'd stripped down
to their thin white under-slips and now danced with bare feet. Kurama
shivered it was getting really cold.

"Kurama!"

The red head some how managed to tear his gaze away from the dancing
three and saw Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Botan coming his way.

They all stopped and looked at the dancing three. The snow was heavier
around them, because of the extra cold Yukina and Yukki were
generating.

"Wow," whispered Kuwabara.

"What's going on?" asked Kurama.

"Bad news, Kurama. An ice demon has entered the Ningenkai that's why
it started snowing. His name is Yukiken, he's only suppose to be B
class, but he's more known for his sword skills then ice powers," said
Botan.

"Yah, let's go kick this demon's tail like old times," said Yusuke
with a grin.

"But, we're retired," said Kurama.

Botan looked down at her fingers. "I'm sorry Kurama, but we don't have
any one else to do the job at the moment and your right in the area."

Kurama frowned. "Botan, I gave up fighting a long time ago. I want to
live a normal human life now. You do what you want, but I'm not coming
with you." He turned back to watch the three who were still dancing.
No where in the Ningenkai could any one dance like those three, the
dance of the koorime is said to be one of the most enchanting. Kurama
wasn't disappointed. Once a koorime gives into the dance they say the
spirits of ice guide their steps and movements, the dance its self is
suppose to be a kind of tribute to winter and snow. It was holy and
beautiful.

You want to be a normal human, and yet you ache to see things like
this, said the youko. What a hypocrite you are. You're just lying to
yourself.

"Kurama," said Yusuke. There was a long pause as the two-made eye
contact. "I understand," said Yusuke at last. "Me and Kuwabara should
be able to handle one ice demon," he smiled.

Do you? Do you really understand? thought Kurama. He wasn't so sure,
but then again Yusuke did live two lives: one as a human and one as a
demon. He envied the raven-haired youth for having friends and family
that excepted both his human and demon sides.

"Thank you Yusuke," said Kurama.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Yukiken watched from the treetops as the three demonesses danced. What
an unexpected surprises two ice maidens in the Ningenkai. He scanned
the others gathered and frowned at the one with raven black hair. That
one was powerful, extremely powerful. The carrot-top and the red head
also had great power. He looked at the non-koorime that danced with
the others. Probably a hybrid of some kind he thought.

Yukiken grinned to himself, they thought he would be an easy target
for them, he'd have to show them just how powerful he could get. He
grinned at the two dancing koorimes. Yes, they didn't know whom they
were up against.

* * * * * * * * * * *

The dance stopped as a loud voice called out, "Baby!"

Sakura practically fell over with shock as she looked over her
shoulder to see Tama and Raina walking up the steps.

"Baby?" said Yukki next to Sakura giving her daughter an odd look.

Sakura laughed nervously and waved a hand to calm her mother. "He's
Yusuke-san son, for some reason he won't leave me alone and keeps
calling me 'Baby'."

"Baby!" shouted Tama again and ran up to the demoness. "Come on, you
said we could go out again tonight, looking I even brought Raina like
you asked," he said holding up the arm of the said girl.

"More like dragged then brought," said Raina twisting her arm out of
Tama's grip.

"Yah, whatever, come on!" shouted Tama. He got behind the two girls
and began pushing them towards the steps.

"B-but!" stammered both girls before they had to concentrate on where
they put their feet on the steps.

"Yusuke," smiled Yukki. Of course, that was Yusuke's son, the boy
looked just like Yusuke only with his hair down. She hadn't noticed
the first time she saw him, she'd been too distracted by Kurama. She
grinned to herself no doubt the boy was trouble just like Yusuke.
Yukki laughed low to herself. I pity whomever that boy picks to be his
comrades, she thought. "Hey wait!" said Yukki just realizing that Tama
had dragged her daughter off to be one of those comrades. "You didn't
even finish your practice!" shouted Yukki, but too late as Sakura was
already long gone.

Yusuke laughed and walked up to her. "Sorry, I think my son likes your
daughter, if you know what I mean."

Yukki's eye widened. A daughter of her's with a son of Yusuke! Ah! She
was going to get gray hairs! Oh well, at least if he was anything like
Yusuke, then she could count on the boy to be there for Sakura. Yes,
Yusuke had always been a strange one, but in the end, Yukki would do
anything for the raven-haired man to repay him for all that he had
done for her as Hiei. Even in a full Koorime form it still warmed her
heart to think about him, a leader, comrade, and a very precious
friend. If his son had any of those qualities then Sakura was lucky.
Yukki, glanced at Kurama, yes Sakura was lucky indeed.

Yukina shifted closer to Yukina no doubt her fear of men was kicking
back in with so many around. She bowed to the three. "Please excuse
us." Yukki took Yukina's arm and lean the demoness away. "Why don't we
go take a bath? The spring out back, is rather cold right now, it'll
make you feel better," said Yukki.

Yukina smiled and nodded her head. She had only a week left now till
she had the baby no doubt she was very uncomfortable.

The two walked to the spring behind the temple and removed their
remaining robes to slip into the icy water. Yukina sighed in content,
even though the water was cold enough to give a human hypothermia to a
koorime it was like soaking in a hot spring: soothing and relaxing.

Yukki sat in the freezing water and couldn't help but shiver a little
before becoming use to it. Even after so much time... she still
remember how it felt to be warm. She didn't really feel the ice of the
water, just remember how very different it was to be embraced by ice
instead of fire. Yukki leaned her head back and looked up at the still
living tree now covered in a soft lever of white.

Why? Why, it's been 14 years... 14 years since the day I declared Hiei
dead and took the name Yukki, became an ice maiden like I should have
been to being with. Why does the cold still affect me so? Hiei was a
mistake everything he ever done in his life was a mistake, thought the
koorime hanging her head. Murder, killer, thief, cold-hearted,
unliked, ...unloved. There was nothing of that former life that was
worth living, nothing she wanted to remember. That's not true
whispered a deep male voice in her head, one that used to belong to
her. Images followed before her eyes like sand in an hourglass, images
of Yusuke and Kuwabara, of the battles they had fought and won
together. Images of Yukina sitting at the temple steps making little
birds fat with scraps of bread. Images of Kurama looking at him with
tenderness and something else.

"That was a lie," whispered Hiei too low for Yukina to hear.

Do you really wish you'd never been me? Asked the dark figure in
black. What about Sakura do you regret having her as well, since you
were I when you made her?

No! I'll never regret that. She's all I have now....

Then don't deny what you are, you're not a koorime, any more then you
are a fire demon.

"That's enough," whispered Yukki. I'm so tired of the pain, I want to
forget it all! If that means never being Hiei again, then he is dead.
I killed him with my own two hands the day I left for the Makai.

The figure in black went silence and faded from her mind's eye. Just
remember you're just as much apart of me as I am you. Some day you
won't be able to pretend any more.

Yukki snapped her head up.

"Onii-chan?" asked Yukina.

"Look out!" shouted Yukki pushing Yukina out of the water and on to
the bank as a figure with long purple hair jumped down from the
treetops at them. Yukina screamed.

Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Kurama heard the scream coming from behind the
temple.

"Yukina!" shouted Kuwabara running toward the scream.

"Shit!" cursed Yusuke running in the direction the scream had come as
well, Kurama right at his heels.

Yukiken laughed as he grabbed Yukki from behind and pulled the naked
koorime back against him, holding his long katana up to her white
throat.

"Well, well," said Yukiken in Yukki's ear. "Ice maidens in the
Ningenkai, it must be my lucky day."

Yukki growled low in her throat. "Who are you? What do you want?!"

Yukiken's free hand caressed Yukki's flat stomach. "I am Yukiken,
master swordsman and ice demon. As for what I want, well for starters
your ki," whispered Yukiken in her ear.

"Yukina!"

The two turned to see Kuwabara stumble into view, his eyes landed on
the Yukina who had managed to pull on her white robe. He quickly
looked her over to see if she was hurt, satisfied she wasn't he turned
his glare to Yukiken. "You bastard how dare you hurt-" Kuwabara's
mouth dropped his face turned bright red as he stared at the naked,
expect for a white headband and pair of gloves, Yukki being held by
Yukiken.

Yusuke and Kurama came running around the corner.

"Kuwabara! Woe!" said Yusuke stopping short, mouth dropping at the
site as well.

Kurama pulled up short and blushed, his eyes moved up Yukki's lean
form and to her face to lock eyes with the koorime.

Koorime looked ashamed, a blush crossed her cheeks, and she turned her
head to the side ignoring the line of blood Yukiken's blade drew on
her white throat as she did so.

"Oh, company. How nice," said Yukiken reaching up with his free hand
to play with a few wild strands of Yukki's hair. "I don't suppose
you're Reikai tanteis now are you?"

"Bastard! You let her go right now! What kind of man are you or do you
need a woman for a shield?!" shouted Yusuke in rage.

"Tsk, tsk," said Yukiken still petting Yukki's hair. He spotted
something out of the corner of his eyes on the demoness's neck and
roughly yanked her hair out of the way. He started laughing. "A
youko's bitch are you?" he laughed looking at a faint pair of bite
marks on her smooth neck. Yukki's eyes widened in shock. She slowly
turned her head back to look at Kurama with fear full eyes.

"No... could she..." whispered Kurama, eyes locked on Yukki's.

"What?" asked Yusuke hearing Kurama speak but not what he said.

"That's enough!" shouted Kuwabara. "Yukina, get out of here," he said.

"Hai!" said the koorime picking her self up and running away as fast
as she could with such a round belly.

"Oh?" said Yukiken. "You think I won't be able to find her? I will,"
promised Yukiken. "You see I need her to get stronger," he stroked the
side of Yukki's face as he said it. Without warning his hand grabbed
Yukki by the throat tightly and lifted her off the ground. The petite
ice demoness gagged and clawed at the hand, unable to breathe.

"Stop it!" screamed Kurama.

Yukiken laughed as a blue aura surrounded his body, a white one around
Yukki. The Koorime's aura grew smaller as Yukiken's grew bigger.

"Kurama get ready to catch her," said Yusuke in a low voice to the
fox. He ran at the ice demon and fired a Rei Gun.

"Where do you think you're aiming?" laughed Yukiken easily moving his
head out of the way. He grasped in shock as Yusuke was now right in
front of him.

"Right here!" shouted the raven-haired man as he nailed Yukiken right
in the face with one good solid punch.

The ice demon's grip on Yukki's throat lessened and the Koorime fell.
Kurama ran, leapt catching the small white body before she could hit
the ground, and leapt away.

"Damn you!" roared Yukiken an aura of blue mixed with white blazed
around the demon and Yusuke was thrown back by the sudden increase.
Yukiken laughed and looked at his hand. "What a very powerful koorime!
Oh, I'll be back from some more of her," he promised before leaping up
into a tree and jumping away.

"Come back here!" shouted Kuwabara and started running after the ice
demon.

"Kuwabara don't! You need to find Yukina and make sure he doesn't go
after her!" yelled Yusuke.

Kuwabara stopped dead in his tracks and slowly turned to look at
Yusuke.

"You don't want the same thing to happen to her do you?!" shouted
Yusuke.

Without another word Kuwabara ran off to look for his wife.

With a sigh Yusuke turned to look at Kurama who still held Yukki in
his arms. "I guess Kuwabara didn't feel him disappear through a
portal. I don't want him fighting that guy alone. B class my ass, he
powered up to at least an A. Koenma's got his information screwed up
again!" growled Yusuke kicking the ground. "How is she Kurama? Is she
okay?" he asked moving over to look at the white figure curled up
against Kurama's chest. "Kurama?" said Yusuke. "What's wrong you look
like you've seen a ghost," said Yusuke.

Kurama turned to face him eyes looking down at Yukki's neck. He
snapped them up to look Yusuke in the face, a wild look in his eye. "I
just might have Yusuke," said the red hair.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Kurama yawned as he got up from his chair and felt the cloth lying
across Yukki's brow. He picked it up and dunked it in the basin of
water that sat on the small table by the koorime's bedside. He was
squeezing the water out replacing it on Yukki's forehead.

He looked down at the sleeping koorime for a long time. Tenderly he
reached up a hand and brushed a few strands of aqua hair out of the
koorime's face.

"Hiei, is that really you?" whispered Kurama.

He remember all the similarities between the two, she had to be. What
had happened to the little fire demon, why was he now a female koorime
with an ice ki? He was more then a little concerned that she hadn't
woken up yet. Genkai had looked at her last night and told them that
she'd lost a large portion of her ki, which was why she was so
exhausted. They'd have to wait for Yukki to replenish her ki before
she'd wake up.

Kurama had spent the night by her bedside hoping she would wake up.
There was so much he wanted to say, so much he wanted to ask.

"So, Sakura is Hiei's daughter... the one Yusuke told me about so long
ago...." That was why she seemed so familiar, Hiei's daughter....
"She's so beautiful," whispered Kurama.

Could she be Hiei's and Mukuro's? Hiei had said she asked too much
from him, had asked him to sleep with her. Had they been together? Was
Sakura the product? No that couldn't be, just wishful thinking that
Hiei hadn't cheated on him during their relationship. Obviously the
koorime had something to hide, since she hadn't reveled her true
identify to them.

Or maybe she just didn't want us to know it was he, said the youko.
You hurt him, even threaten to kill him, don't you remember sneered
the youko.

Kurama closed his eyes. It still doesn't change the fact that Hiei had
a kid with someone! He screamed back mental.

A low moan snapped Kurama out of his thoughts as he opened his eyes
and looked down at Yukki's ruby red ones.

"K-Kurama," whispered Yukki in shock eyes growing wide. She sat up and
looked away from the red head.

"Hiei," said Kurama. "Is that really you?"

Kurama watched as Yukki's back stiffened. "No."

"Don't lie to me!" yelled Kurama roughly turning her around to look at
him. "I know it's you, Hiei!"

Yukki slapped his hands away. "Hiei is dead! I'm Yukki now!"

"You will always be Hiei, no matter what you look like!" shouted
Kurama grabbing her by the shoulders.

"You're a fine one to say that, Shuuichi!" she screamed back.

Kurama was taken aback by her words. That was the first time Hiei had
ever called him by his human name.

"I'm not your whore any more, leave me alone!" cried the koorime.

"Whore?" growled Kurama. "You were a whose! A cheating, lying whore!"
shouted Kurama at the koorime. "All that time, when we were together.
I thought you loved me and only me. But, you didn't, did you?! You
were with someone else! Having sex with someone else! Who was she,
Hiei!"

"I don't know what the hell your talking about!" shouted back Yukki in
his face.

"Don't play dumb with me! What about Sakura?! How do you explain her?!
Who had her, Hiei?!"

"You asshole I did! I carried her and gave birth to her all myself, no
one helped me!" screamed back Yukki.

"Then what guy did you sleep with?!" yelled Kurama.

"You bastard! The only one I've ever let touch me like that was you!"
Yukki drew in a sharp breath and slide away from Kurama on the bed.
Her eyes wide as if she'd said some thing terrible wrong.

Still angry Kurama didn't understand her reaction. Who was Sakura's
father? Then it hit him! That taller frame, narrower features, those
golden eyes!

"Hiei..." said Kurama leaning closer to the koorime. "Am I Sakura's
father?"

The koorime slide off the bed and backed away from Kurama as far as
she could in the room.

"Am I?!" shouted Kurama.

Yukki turned and ran out of the room.

"Hiei!" shouted Kurama running after the fleeing Koorime.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Sakura sat with a worried look on her face next to Tama and Raina.

"I shouldn't have left her," said Sakura. "It's my fault for leaving
her alone," she whispered.

"No it's not," said Raina putting a hand on her shoulder.

"That's right baby, even if your were here when your mom was attack,
it doesn't mean you could have done anything," said Tama.

"But.... I-I could have tried," she said.

Without a word Tama pulled her against his chest and stroked her long
black hair. "Shhh, it's okay, everything will be okay. I promise."

"She's the only family I have," whispered Sakura against his chest.

Their touching moment was interrupted as Lita entered the room.
"What's the matter?" she asked looking at the miserable girl.

"Family problems," answered Raina.

"Why are you there?" asked Tama in a not too civil voice.

"I'm looking for Shuuichi," said Lita. "Or as you call him Kurama,
have you seen him? He didn't come home last night?"

"He's here," said Tama looking away.

"He's been helping us," said Raina shooting Tama a behave look.

"Why didn't he call?" asked Lita. "That's not like him."

Kuwabara walked into the room then along with Yusuke. "Lita," said
Kuwabara going over to her. "When did you get here? Let me take your
coat."

"Oh, thank you," said Lita handing him her coat. "I'm looking for
Shuuichi, do you know where I can find him? This place is so big."

"Oh sure. Yusuke, why don't you show her to Kurama," said Kuwabara
going to hang up her coat.

"If I have to," grumbled Yusuke. That woman drove him insane, he
didn't know how Kurama could put up with her!

Before the two could even take a step they heard running and shouting
down the hall.

"Oh no. Is it that Yukiken guy again?" said Yusuke looking down the
hall. Sakura jumped right up ready to fight the demon that had hurt
her mother.

"Wah!" shouted Yusuke as he was nearly run over by Yukki who nimbly
jumped over him. Kurama came running out hot on her heels.

"Hiei! Stop running from me and tell me the truth!" demanded Kurama.

"Hiei?" said Kuwabara wondering if Kurama had lost his mind.

The red head knelt down and slapped his hand down on the wood floor.
Lita gasped and backed up into Kuwabara as plants magically sprouted
from the floor and snapped at the nimble koorime.

Yusuke would have laughed at the look on Lita's face if he weren't so
concerned for the fox and koorime. Yukki cried out as a vine snagged
her dragging her back into a mess of more vines.

"Kurama!" shouted Yusuke grabbing him from behind. "What the hell are
you doing?! Let her go right now!"

"No! Answer me Hiei! Am I!"

The koorime hung silently in the mass of vines. With a growl she froze
several of them and snapped them off herself.

Lita practically jumped into Kuwabara's arms in fright.

Kurama growled and the vines still holding Yukki tightened so she
couldn't escape. Yukki gasped as the vines also made it hard to
breathe with so tight a hold on her whole delicate frame.

"Stop it right now!" shouted Sakura her hair whipping around her as a
green aura blazed up around her.

Kurama gasped as his control over the plant was ripped from him
completely and taken over by Sakura. Gods! And not long ago she could
hardly use her powers! Screamed Kurama's mind.

On Sakura's command the plant released Yukki who fell to her knees
coughing.

"Gee!" said Kuwabara prying Lita off of him and going over to the
gasping koorime. Once he found no injuries he snapped his head up at
Kurama who was still trying to get out of Yusuke's hold. "Kurama, what
the hell were you trying to do?! Kill her?!" he shouted. "You could
have crushed Yukki's ribs!"

"Her name isn't Yukki! It's Hiei!" shouted Kurama.

"You leave my mother alone!" screamed Sakura green aura increasing in
size. "I won't let you hurt her."

"God, girl calm down!" said Yusuke. "You're going to loose control of
your powers if you keep doing that!" warned Yusuke.

"Baby, come on she's okay," said Tama stepping towards the demoness.

"Tama! Don't going any closer!" shouted Yusuke. Too late Sakura's ki
blazed around her even bright, Tama was picked up by the shear force
of it and slammed against the wall flying right through it.

Sakura gasped and turned to see what she'd done. "Tama!" she cried.

"Power down!" shouted Kuwabara right before he was slammed back with
Yukki in his arms.

"Mom! No! I can't make it stop!" cried Sakura in a panic. Plants began
to grow all over the room.

"Kuso!" cursed Yusuke throwing Kurama down. He raised up his finger
and leveled it at Sakura the tip glowed a fiery white.

"Yusuke NO!" shouted Kurama.

"Rei Gun!" shouted Yusuke. A beam of ki shot out at the crying
demoness and struck her. Sakura only manage one short cry before she
fell backwards onto the floor.

Kurama's eyes widened as he looked at her lying still on the ground.

"NO!" what he thought had been his cry turned out to be Yukki's as she
pulled out of Kuwabara's arms and ran toward the fallen girl, gently
lifting her head and putting it in her lap. "Sakura! Sakura?! Can you
hear me?!"

"Ouch!" said Tama walking back into the room. "Baby you pack one hell
of a pun-" he stopped dead and looked at the girl on the floor.

"Don't worry," said Yusuke. "I only KOed her. If she'd kept that up
she would have killed herself and possible the rest of us. She's damn
powerful," said Yusuke with a bit of awe in his voice.

Yukki sighed in relief, then her pretty features harden. She snapped
up her ruby red gaze and locked it with Kurama's gem green. "Yes,
Kurama you did father her, but she's my daughter," growled Yukki. She
pulled Sakura into her arms and lifted her up, a seemingly impossible
feature for one so delicate, but Yukki didn't seemed strained at all.
Without another word she left with the unconscious girl.

"Hiei..." said Kurama watching the koorime leave. All this time he had
blamed the koorime for their break up, blamed it on the koorimes
disloyalty, but Hiei had never cheated on him. It had all been his
doing.

Funny, laughed the youko in his head. You dumped Hiei so you could
fine a nice girl, marry her, and have a dozen kids to make mother
happy. And then Hiei shows back up, as a girl no less, with a child
that just happens to be yours.

Kurama found it hard to breathe. 14 years! He'd missed 14 years with
Hiei, 14 years raising a daughter that was his! 14 years that he had
no one else but him self to blame for!

"Shuuichi!" cried Lita grabbing onto his arms. "What's going on!
First, that weird woman comes running in like an acrobat, then you
touch the ground and plants grown at impossible speeds, then that
girls uses ice, and that other strange girl glows green, and your
friend shot light out of his hand! What's going on, tell me!"

Kurama frowned, he didn't want to deal with Lita right now, all he
want to do was chase after Hiei, see if Sakura was really okay.

"Shuuichi!" shouted Lita.

Kurama sighed he might as well tell her, it's not like he could wiggle
his way out of it. "Lita the reason those people can do what you've
seen is because they aren't human, at least not completely human," he
told with a very serious look on his face.

"What are you saying, not human?! If they're not human what are
they?!"

"Demons," said Yusuke leaning against the wall. "From the Makai."

Lita's eyes widened and she stepped back from Kurama. She smirked, "Oh
I see you're play a prank. Very funny Shuuichi, but I know there's no
such thing as demons. That would be impossible."

"This isn't a joke Lita," said Kuwabara. "The reason I can't take my
wife to a hospital is because she is a koorime, an ice maiden, a type
of demon where there are no males. Also the reason she doesn't trust
us in her condition, because of demon instincts."

Lita stared at them. "I don't believe it. There's no way what you say
could be true. Demons, koorimes, the Makai, it's all just a bunch of
fairy tales! They're not real!"

A cloud of white smoke surround Kurama and Lita stepped back from him.
Once the smoke had cleared before her stood Youko Kurama, silver youko
of legends.

"What-" said Lita stepping back from him.

"Lita it's me Shuuichi, or should I say Kurama, that is my real name.
I'm a youko, a fox spirit, in a human shell." He held out his hand.
"You can touch me, I'm real."

Lita slowly reached out her hand and touch Kurama much larger one.
"This can't be my Shuuichi," she whispered looking up into his golden
eyes. "How can you change into this creature?"

"This is my true form," said Kurama. "I am neither demon now nor
human, I don't know just what I've become."

Lita lost her frighten look and took on a serious one. She began to
circle Kurama poking and prodding him.

"Lita, please," said Kurama turning around to face. "I'm not an animal
to study."

"Can you change back?"

"Yes," said the silver youko and was covered in the same white smoke.
Once it cleared he was once again a red head human.

"What a discovery!" said Lita going over and touching him. "You have
to let me do some test on you. Kurama, this is amazing! I can get
doctors and scientist from all around the world down here to see
this."

"No, Lita!" said Kurama grabbing her hand. "You can't tell any one,
that's the last thing any of us want. I'm trying to live a normal
human life, so I can please you and mother. I've given up so much,
please don't tell any one," he said looking her straight in the eyes.

"But, it's such a waste to hide such a new discovery."

"It's not a new discovery Lita," said Yusuke. "Demons have been coming
and going in the Ningenkai for centuries. I myself have demon roots.
The Reikai also won't allow you to get far in your research."

"The Reikai?" said Lita. "What's that?"

"The place our souls go to be judged when we die," said Kuwabara.
"Believe it or not we work for them, or use to. Our job was to keep
the human world safe and from knowing about the other two worlds.
There's some things that humans aren't ready for Lita, this is one."

"Lita promise me, you won't tell any one about us," said Kurama.

Lita frowned.

"Promise!" said Kurama.

"I-I promise," said Lita.

"Thank you," said Kurama with a smile hugging her. "I've wanted for so
long to tell you."

Lita hugged him back a bit awkwardly.

"I should go see if Sakura's okay," said Kuwabara. "You did give her a
good whack, Yusuke."

"Better then her turning the place into a garden from hell," said
Yusuke.

"Yah, but she's still a kid, I'm going to make sure nothing's broken,"
said Kuwabara getting up and leaving the room.

"That girl, Sakura, just what is she to you?" asked Lita to Kurama.

Kurama got a sad look on his face. "I'm not sure. But, she is my
biological child, Lita."

Lita's eyes grew big and she stepped out of his arms.

"Don't worry it was many years before we meet Lita," said Kurama. "I
didn't find out till recently.

Lita narrowed her eyes at Kurama. "So you had a relationship with that
woman? That koorime girl?" she said.

Kurama's eyes looked even sadder. "Yes, we had a relationship once."

"What about know?" asked Lita.

Kurama shook his head. "We have nothing now," he whispered.

"Does she think that?" asked Lita.

Kurama snapped his green eyes up to look into her blue ones. "Yes, she
has more reason to hate me then anything else, Lita."

Lita stared him the eyes a long time, till she nodded her head as if
satisfied he was telling the truth. "Good, I hope it stays that way,"
she said.

"Lita," said Yusuke with a frown. "Kurama and Hiei use to be best
friends, they shouldn't hate each other even if they've made some
mistakes."

"I don't care, Shuuichi's mine now, she had her chance. I hope she
goes back to what ever part of hell she came from soon."

"Lita," said Kurama in shock.

"Shuuichi, lets go home, please," she said pulling on his arm. "I
don't want you near her, please, let's go."

"But she might- I need to- Sakura," said Kurama.

"Please Shuuichi," said Lita. "You said you want a normal life right,
how can you have one when you hang out with these kind of people,
there's nothing normal about them."

Yusuke frowned at her and turned his head to the side, cursing low
under his breath.

Kurama hesitated a moment longer and bowed his head. Yes, he did want
a normal human life, maybe she was right? "Hai, Lita. Let's go home."

"Kurama, you're not just going to leave are you? Not after what you
just found out?! Yukki is Hiei and Sakura is you daughter!"

Kurama stood frozen looking Yusuke in the eyes. He was snapped away
from those intense brown eyes as Lita gave him a hard tug on the arm.

"Let's just go," said Lita. "Back home."

Kurama was too numb and confused to resist as she pulled him out the
door and down the steps.

"Hiei," said Kurama looking back over his shoulder.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Yukki brushed the hair out of Sakura's face and studied her features.
Gods, she reminded her of him! Even though Sakura had her white skin
and black hair, the demoness looked far too much like Kurama. Her eyes
are the same shape as his human form, but were the color of Youko
Kurama's, liquid gold.

"Shrimp," called a familiar voice from the doorway.

Yukki managed a small smiled at the nickname Kuwabara had always
stamped on her. Funny? Why didn't it annoy her like it used to?
"Baka," whispered Yukki under her breath.

"It really is you, isn't it Hiei," said Kuwabara moving to stand next
to the koorime. He reached out and began feeling along Sakura's form.

"What are you doing," said Yukki trying to sound strong, but just
ending up with miserable.

"I'm checking for injuries, you know I'm a doctor now."

Yukki snorted and shook her head. "I pity the poor fool that hires you
to heal them."

"Very funny," said Kuwabara in good humor. He finished his
examination, but didn't leave. "Thank you," said Kuwabara in a low
tone.

Yukki turned her red eyes to look at him.

"For coming. I imagine it wasn't an easy choose, special considering
who Sakura's father is. So thank you for come back to help Yukina."

"Hn, she's my sister, of course I came back," Yukki turned and walked
towards the door. She stopped at the doorframe. "I suppose I should
also thank you."

"Why?" asked Kuwabara turning around to see her framed in lights and
shadows.

"Because, you make her happy," said Yukki. Without another word she
left the room.

"Hiei..." said Kuwabara. "You've changed haven't you."

* * * * * * * * * * *

The next morning the temple was covered in a thick layer of snow. The
snowfall hadn't stopped all night and was still falling. If it wasn't
stopped soon people would all be buried in their homes. Everyone meet
at Genkai's temple to discuss farther actions, including an adult
Koenma.

Kurama glanced at Yukki who stood off to the side with Sakura and
Yukina. Was she doing that to help calm Yukina or to stay away from
him he wondered. Sakura and Yukki were both dressed in black today,
baggy black pants and back-less shirts that wrapped around their neck
and waists. The outfits reminded Kurama of Hiei 14 years ago, always
dressed in black. He looked with a kind of longing at Sakura. Gods,
how could he not have seen the resemblance?! He wanted so much just to
talk to her, learn every thing about her? Do I even have a right to?
He wonders to himself.

"Okay, Koenma spill it!" barked Yusuke breaking Kurama from his
thoughts. "You said that demon was B class, he was defiantly not when
he showed up last night."

Koenma sighed and ran a hand through his fine brown hair. "That's
Yukiken's power," said the Prince of Death. "He can take ki from any
kind of ice demon and transfer it to himself. He was B class before he
came to the Ningenkai, but he obviously found a powerful energy
source," said Koenma glancing at Yukki. "He can also take on some of
his victims abilities and attacks if he drains enough ki from them."

"Great!" growled Yusuke. "Hiei- er, Yukki," said Yusuke turning to
look at he koorime. "Do you still have the black dragon?"

"Of course," said Yukki.

"Mother, why does he call you Hiei?" asked Sakura.

"I'll tell you later," said the koorime. She reached up and pulled off
her white gloves to revel the black dragon.

"Great, we better make sure he doesn't take any more ki from you,"
said Kuwabara.

"Wait," said Raina. "How can you have a fire dragon on your arm when
you're an ice demoness?"

"I have a counter balance," said Yukki.

"Counter balance," said Yusuke in confusion.

Yukki reached up and pulled off the other glove on her arm revealing a
match to the black dragon on her other arm only this one was white.

"Holy-" said Tama. "If that chick's Hiei, the guy you've been telling
me about for so many years. Does this mean he's twice as strong?"

"Iie," said Yukki putting back on her gloves. "The white dragon had to
be mastered like the black, it was much easier since I knew how. But,
if I use one, I won't be able to use the other without hurting
myself."

"I see, just another form of the same attack," said Raina.

Yukki nodded. "If Yukiken is able to take my powers, he won't be able
to use the black dragon, but he might be able to use the white."

"Gods," said Kuwabara envisioning a giant dragon of ice tearing
through the Ningenkai. "You stay away from that guy."

"I plan to help you kill him," said Yukki in an emotionless voice.

"No, Hiei. You shouldn't go any where near that guy," said Kurama
taking a step towards the demoness.

"And why not? I can take care of myself," she said red eyes seeming to
stare right through him as if he wasn't there. "Don't call me, Hiei,"
said Yukki turning her head to the side and breaking eye contact.

An uncomfortable silence filled the air.

"So-" said Yusuke breaking the silence. "Yukiken can't use any of your
other abilities?"

"I don't know, I assume he can't use my fire powers because he's an
ice demon, but that doesn't mean he can't tape into other kinds of ki,
like my jagan or a plant wielder's ki."

"What?" asked Kuwabara. "You can't wield plants."

"I can't, but Sakura can," said Yukki. Everyone turned their attention
to the taller demoness.

"What?" she asked confused.

"Sakura, you're 1/4 koorime, which means you at least part ice demon.
I don't know if Yukiken can tap your ki or not, but I don't want to
find out. I think you should stick close to Kuwabara and Yusuke till
he is caught."

"But, I'm not even that strong," protested Sakura.

"No, you're a lot stronger then you know. Yesterday you tapped into
some of that hidden power, it was too much for you to control. I don't
want you to loose control again, you'll stay close to Yusuke, do you
understand?"

"H-hai," said Sakura.

"Don't worry baby! I'll be your body guard," said Tama running over to
her and hugging her around the waist.

"Hey!" protested Sakura slapping at his hands that had 'accidentally'
grabbed her butt.

"I think Sakura needs a body guard from you," said Raina. They all
watched as the tall demoness pounded Tama to the ground calling him a
pervert. "Or maybe not."

"Ouch, baby that really hurts," said Tama from the ground.

"Good!" roared the demoness down at him.

* * * * * * * * * * *

From his perch on a tree Yukiken heard all of their conversation. So
that black haired demoness was part koorime. Good, then he could take
her ki that would make him much more powerful; it sounded like she had
quite a large aura. He glanced at the other koorime that he'd managed
to steal some ki from yesterday. She was powerful he'd known that
after taking ki from her, but he never expected she'd be that
powerful. He eyed her gloved arms, wanting the power of the white
dragon underneath. With that kind of attack, he'd be unstoppable!

He was going to have to keep an eye on those two and wait for a good
chance to grab them.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Sakura grumbled to her self as she looked at Tama over her shoulder.
"Stop following me! Pervert," she grumbled.

"Oh come on baby. You can't stay mad at a face like this can you?" he
asked smiling charmingly to her.

"Hn!" snorted Sakura walking away faster.

Tama jumped over her and landed in front of her. "Oh come on, you
shouldn't go too far. I don't want anyone harassing you."

"Yah, that's your job," she grumbled.

"Right O!" said Tama snapping his fingers in her face. "I won't tell
him hurt you baby, not while I'm still standing," he said in a very
serious voice.

Sakura didn't know why but she blushed.

"What to see something?" asked Tama.

"What?" she asked.

The teen fell back on the thick snow and began moving his arms and
legs up and down.

"What are you doing?" she asked staring down at him.

Tama jumped up and pointed down at the impression he made. "See a snow
angel," he smiled.

Sakura blinked her golden eyes and looked down a smile spread on her
lips. Without a word she fell backwards on the snow and began making
her own. "Is this what you human's think angels are make of ice and
snow?" she asked sitting up, snow in her hair.

Tama's breath caught in his throat. "No, some times... some times
angels are make of flesh and bone," he breathed looking down at her.

Sakura looked up at him not understanding. "You're very strange you
know."

"Yah, I guess I am," laughed Tama pulling her up.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Hiei looked up at a Sakura tree cover in pink blooms and snow, it was
pretty in a way, but the snow was going to kill the blooms if it
wasn't melted soon.

"Hiei," called a voice behind the koorime. Hiei closed her eyes, she
didn't need to turn to know who it was. She'd never forget that voice.

"I asked you not to call me that any more," she said eyes still shut.

"You'll always be Hiei to me," said Kurama moving up behind her. "I
know he's still inside you some where."

"Maybe he is, but it doesn't matter," said Yukki.

"Hiei, we need to talk," said Kurama. "About us."

"There is no us, you made that perfectly clear 14 years ago," said the
koorime opening her eyes and watching as pink petals fell loose from
the tree mixing with the gentle snowfall.

"Hiei what I said to you all those years ago, was a lie, you were
never a game to me."

"Don't- don't say that... I know you don't mean it."

"But I do!" said Kurama grabbing her and turning her around. "Hiei,
you're the only person I've ever loved, don't you see. All these
years, I've been miserable without you."

The koorime held his gaze for a few seconds before turning her head to
the side.

"Don't look away, please," said Kurama pulling her against him. "When
I'll most lost Shiori that day, she told me she wanted to see me grow
up, married, and have children. I wanted so much to make her happy,
Hiei. And, I didn't think that was possible with you."

"But now you know, that I'm both male and female, that not only can I
have children, but I've already given you one," said Hiei in a low
tone still not looking at him.

"Yes," said Kurama, hope grasping his heart.

"So," said the koorime lowering her head and moving out of Kurama's
arms.

"What do you mean so?" said Kurama reaching out a hand to her
shoulder. "We can be together, Hiei. Like we should have been. I... I
love you Hiei."

"So, what makes me any different from the others that you've said that
to?" said the koorime turning around to face him looking him straight
in the eyes. "Where are they? Where are the others that you spoke
words of love to?"

"Hiei...." said Kurama unable to answer.

"You left them," she said turning around again. "Just like you'll do
to me."

"No, Hiei. We're different," said Kurama embarrassing her from behind.
"We love each other, we've make a child together."

"How many?"

"What?"

"How many children do you have Kurama? One? Two? Ten?"

Once again Kurama couldn't answer.

"You don't know. My having a child by you makes me no special then any
of the others. You'll get tired of me again and leave."

"No, I won't!" said Kurama grabbing her by the chin and forcing her to
look him in the eyes. "Hiei, don't you see. There is nothing that
makes you different from the others, I'm what's different. I never
loved any of them, they were companions, playthings, a ways to pass
time, and you were never that. I swear you were never that," whispered
the fox gem green eyes misting up with unshed tears. "You are the only
creature I have ever loved Hiei, I don't think it's possible for me to
ever feel this way about any one but you."

"What about Lita, your human mate?"

"...I'm with her only to make my mother happy Hiei. Shiori is just as
important to me as you, she's my mother Hiei. Please understand."

"Once... once I won't have, but now... when Sakura looks at me. I
think I might understand what it is you feel towards her," Hiei smiled
softly. "It's a very warm feeling isn't it?"

"Yes, very warm," said Kurama leaning forward.

"It makes your heart ache."

"Yes, like it's being squeezed in your chest."

"It makes you blind to other things," whispered Hiei almost nose to
nose with Kurama.

"The one you love is all you can see," said Kurama before leaning down
and tenderly kissing her on the lips.

Hiei leaned into the kiss and returned it with a passion born on many
nights of loneliness and longing. In that moment Kurama knew: she
still loved him.

Yukki pulled away and slapped Kurama across the face before turning
and running away.

"Hiei!" shouted Kurama.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Baka, baka, baka! Screamed Hiei mentally. Why did I let him do that?!
Why did I let him get so close?! Why?!

She ran through the trees, wanting nothing more to be alone, her eyes
stung with unshed tears. She stopped and leaned her back against a
tall pine tree, breathing in ragged breaths. She raised up a gloved
hand to her face and fisted it her hair, trembling with pure emotions.
With a small sob she sank down to the snow covered grown and buried
her face in her hands, finally allowing the dam of tears she'd held
back for 14 years to break in a flood of priceless black tear gems.

She never noticed the shadow that fell across her till it was too
late.

* * * * * * * * * * *

"Hiei! Hiei! Come back!" shouted Kurama looking for the koorime. God,
he shouldn't have been so bold! Now she'd run off. Fear gripped him as
he remember the ice demon, Yukiken, was still out there.

"Hiei!" shouted Kurama running around the corner of the temple and
right into someone. Both fell backwards onto the ground.

"Ouch!" said a familiar voice.

Kurama opened his eyes to see Lita sitting on the ground in front of
him. "Lita, what are you doing here, I thought you'd be at work!"

"I could ask you the same thing," said Lita. "Why are you here?!"

"I-"

"You came to see that whore didn't you?!"

"She's not a whore!" shouted Kurama.

"I knew it! You did come here to see her!"

"Lita this isn't a good time," said Kurama. "It's not safe here, you
need to leave now!"

"Ha! I'm not going anywhere. I'm stay right with you. I won't let that
demon bitch near you!"

"Lita! I'm serious, there's a demon loose in the Ningenkai."

"I don't care! I'm staying with you!" shouted Lita.

"What's going on?" shouted Yusuke as he and Kuwabara ran over to them.
"Kurama? Where's Hiei- er Yukki- er who ever she is!"

"I don't know she ran off!" said Kurama.

"She what!" shouted Kuwabara.

"We've got to find her," said Yusuke.

A scream rang through the cold morning air.

"Oh God! Hiei!" shouted Kurama.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Sakura snapped her head over to look in the direction she'd heard the
scream.

"Mother? Mother!" she shouted. Before she could run off in the
direction she felt Tama grab her from behind and hold her in place.

"Let go, he's got her.... I need to help her!" she said thrashing in
his grip.

"Sakura don't!" shouted Tama. "You can't got near him by yourself,
that's the last thing your mother would want," he said desperately
trying to keep a hold on her.

"That's the first time you've called me by my real name," she said a
green aura blazed to life around her. She broke free of Tama's hold
and spun on him, vines grew out of the snow covered ground and wrapped
around his lean form.

"Baby!" shouted Tama struggling to free himself.

Sakura had a deadly calm look on her face as she reached into her hair
and pulled out a small seed. She placed it in her mouth and leaned
into Tama.

Tama gasped once before her mouth closed over his, he was too shock to
even notice the seed she forced him to swallow.

"Sakura...." whispered Tama once she pulled away.

"Thanks you Tama, but I'm going. You take a nap for a little while,
okay," she said brushing some of his bangs out of his face.

"What?" said Tama eyelids feeling heavy. "Sakura...." he said before
the world grew black.

"Gomen, Tama," said Sakura running off.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Yukiken laughed as he lifted Yukki off the ground by her throat. "Ah,
there you are my little ice maiden. Nice of you to leave the company
of your friends to come visit me."

"Go to hell," growled Yukki gasping for breath.

"You'll be there before me," said Yukiken. His aura blazed around him
as did Yukki's. "I'm going to enjoy releasing my new white dragon on
the Ningenkai," he laughed sapping her ki.

"I won't... let you," gasped Yukki. The bandana around her forehead
froze and shattered. The third eye underneath blazed a bright purple.

"You're only slowing me down," said Yukiken. "Hmmm, you're friends
will be here soon. I don't have time to play." His grip on her throat
tightened completely cutting off her air. "Too bad, you were kind of
cute," he laughed even louder.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Sakura ran till she spotted Yukiken holding her mother off the ground
by her neck, the koorime wasn't moving.

"Iie! Rose Sword!" shouted Sakura pulling out a blood red rose from
her black hair and shaping it into a wick sharp sword. "Let her go!"
she screamed charging the ice demon.

Yukiken spun and tossed Yukki aside to pull his blade out and block
Sakura. "This must be my lucky day," grinned Yukiken. "Two for the
price of one."

"I'll kill you!" shouted Sakura raining down blows with her sword at
incredible speeds.

Yukiken had to admit the girl was good, she was damn good! He could
barely keep up with her speed. But speed wasn't every thing. Yukiken
knocked Sakura's blade high and slashed down low cutting a thin line
across the demoness's flat stomach.

Sakura hissed through her teeth, but didn't relent, she didn't even
slow down. The angry snarl that was on her face slowly was replaced
with an emotionless mask, her strikes become more calculated and less
wild. She scored a hit on his right shoulder also his sword arm.

Cursing Yukiken jumped back. He spotted the rest of the Reikai tanteis
heading towards them. He smirked.

"You're good brat, but not good enough," said Yukiken raising his
sword above his head. The blade glowed an icy blue. With a yell he
brought it down and wave of energy struck Sakura ripping up her
clothes, slashing her skin, and causing her to loose her grip on her
sword. She fell back and lay on the soft snow, biting her teeth
together in pain.

There was a groan from the crumpled form of Yukki as the ice maiden
opened her eyes a crack. "Sak...ura," she said barely above a whisper
looking at her daughter.

"Sakura!" shouted Kurama leading the rest of the team.

Laughing Yukiken bent and picked up the fallen demoness by the remains
of her shirt. He leveled his long Katana at her throat.

Yusuke and everyone pulled up short.

"That's right you just stay right there while I finish with this
little lady," said Yukiken. As he said that his aura blazed much
larger then it had been yesterday. In his grip Sakura gasped as her
green aura did like wise. Yukiken's eyes widened at the shear size of
Sakura's aura, he laughed. "You're almost an S class demon," he told
the girl. "To bad you're going to died."

"Like hell she is!" shouted Yusuke firing a Rei Gun at him. It hit his
hand and he dropped Sakura who was caught by Kurama.

"Damn you!" shouted Yukiken. "This is the second time you've
interfered!" He grinned in a way that sent chills up everyone's spine.
"This looks like a good time to test out my new abilities." He held up
his free hand and made a fist, a spiky white aura blazed around it.
"Yes!" shouted Yukiken. "I've never felt a technique so powerful
before! Try this on for size! Ja-Ou-En-Satsu-Shiro-Ryu-Ha!"

"No!" shouted Yusuke as a pure white dragon made of ice lifted from
Yukiken's arm and screamed.

"Oh Gods! We're dooooomed!" shouted Kuwabara beside him.

The dragon roared again and rose into the sky the light hit it and
reflected back a rainbow of colors from his glassy surface. The dragon
ripped through the tree and towards the group.

"Run!" shouted Kurama Sakura still in his arms.

"Shuuichi!" screamed Lita clinging to him in fear.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Tama groaned as he was rudely awaken by a deafening scream.

"Just, ten more minutes, mom," grumbled Tama trying to roll over and
go back to sleep. His eyes snapped opened when he felt that he was
tied up.

"What the-" said Tama looking at the mess of vines that held him. "Oh,
no!" shouted Tama struggling in the vines. He cursed and a steel blue
glow surrounded him. The vines holding him snapped and he was free.

"I said I'd protect you baby, I don't lie," said Tama running toward
the looping white dragon in the sky.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Kurama cursed and grabbed Lita managing to put up a shield that
bounced the Shiroryuha attack off, but broke once it did so.

"Get out of here, Kurama!" shouted Kuwabara, yipping and barely
managing to evade the white dragon's gapping maws.

"How do we get rid of this dragon?!" shouted Yusuke aiming a Rei Gun
at it with no success.

"How should I know?!" yelled back Kuwabara.

Kurama's breath caught in this throat as the Shiroryuha turned towards
him again with open mouth.

"Shuuichi!" cried Lita nearly choking him.

They were all knocked out of the dragon's path as a lean figure rammed
into them. Kurama opened his eyes to see Tama. In his arms Sakura
stirred and did like wise.

"Tama...." she said in shock.

"Hey, baby. Did you miss me?" he asked taking her from Kurama. "I'll
take care of her, you watch out for Lita!" he yelled jumped away.

"What is that thing?!" shouted Lita pointing at the looping white
dragon that chased Yusuke.

"Ice, pure ice," said Kurama.

"How do you get ride of it?!" she cried in panic.

"We can't the only way if for Yukiken to summon it back and it doesn't
look like he's going to!"

"Or if the dragon is countered by an equal force," said a voice from
behind them.

"Hiei!" shouted Kurama looking over to see the koorime supporting her
self against a tree.

"Everyone get back!" shouted Yukki. "I'm going to stop this!"

Kurama's eyes widened as Hiei removed the glove covering her black
dragon.

"No, Hiei! You don't know what will happen!" shouted Kurama reaching
for the koorime. She gave him a quick look before leaping out of his
reach and landing several yards away.

"Hiei, don't do it!"

Yukiken turned his gaze on Yukki as she landed in front of him several
feet away.

"You're still alive?" he said. A grin crossed his lips. "Well, then
you can be eaten by your own attack!"

The white dragon screamed and reared in the air, turning around to
face the standing koorime.

Yukiken noticed the other dragon circling Yukki's arm. He laughed. "If
you turn lose another ice dragon you'll only make me stronger," he
mocked.

"Who said this one was make of ice?" she said narrowing her eyes.

"You're a koorime! Of course, it's made of ice!" yelled back Yukiken.

"Iie," said Yukki calmly. "I am no more ice demoness then I am fire
demon." She smiled to herself. "I think I understand that now," she
said more to herself then the others.

Everyone watched as a blazing black aura of dancing fire surrounded
Yukki, her top ripped off her slender form, hair darkened to black,
shape change to more muscular and male. Yukki took on her male form,
Hiei had returned.

"Ja-Ou-En-Satsu-!" shouted Hiei raising his arm.

"Shit!" cursed Yukiken commanding his white dragon to strike the
demon.

"Koku-Ryu-Ha!" finished Hiei a black dragon of pure flames lifted from
his arm with a scream and clashed with the white one.

Everyone shield them selves as the two dragons ripped and tore at each
other, screaming in rage and pain. The black bit down on the white's
neck, the white bit down on the black's stomach. The two dragons
melted together in a bright flash of ki that blew them all back as the
two exploded.

The air cleared to reveal the only two standing were Hiei, who
breathed in ragged breaths, and Yukiken who looked far better. Hiei
gasped as if in pain and leaned forward.

"You bastard," said Yukiken leaving his blade at Hiei. "I should have
killed you when I have the chance, I won't make the same mistake!" He
pulled out a short blade and threw it at the Koorime boy. It struck
Hiei in the chest and koorime fell back onto the snow.

"Hiei!" shouted Kurama not able to believe his eyes as the snow was
slowly dyed red. "Hiei!" he shouted pushing Lita away and running
towards the fallen koorime. He skidded to a halt on his knees and
embraced the koorime. "Hiei, hold on!"

"Mother!" shouted Sakura shoving Tama away and joining Kurama as the
red head pulled the dagger out and flung it away.

"Sakura.... I need to tell you... something," said Hiei.

"Don't speak you can tell me later," said Sakura taking up Hiei's
hands in between her shaky ones.

"No.... I need to tell you... just in case- in case. I don't get
another chance... to," said the demon.

The demoness shook her head tears rimming her eyes.

"Sakura... your father- your father is... Kurama," whispered the demon
closing his eyes.

A few green tear gems fell from Sakura's eyes as she looked up at the
red head.

"Did you forget that we're in the middle of a battle!" shouted
Yukiken, raising up his sword above his head and bringing it down. As
before an icy blue wave of ki flew from it at the three. Yusuke jumped
in front of it and knocked it aside with a fist charged with his own
blazing ki.

"Kurama! Get Hiei out of here!" shouted Yusuke. "I'll handle this
guy!"

"Right!" shouted the red head lifting up the bloody demon and running
towards the temple with him. Sakura followed them and after a moment
of hesitation so did Lita.

"I'm going to make you pay for hurting my friend!" growled Yusuke
exploding with ki.

"Bring it on!" shouted Yukiken raising his sword.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Kurama ran into the temple and put Hiei down in one of the guestroom's
futons, ignoring the blood that soaked the mat.

"Will he be okay?!" asked Sakura by his side.

Kurama didn't answer her as he felt for a pulse and found a very weak
one. He pulled back and tore off his shirt, ripping off the sleeves.
He bunched the main part of the shirt up against the bleeding wound,
and tore the sleeves into strips with his hands and teeth.

"Hold this here!" said Kurama taking Sakura's hand and placing it over
the cloth on Hiei's chest. "Hold it as tightly as you can, we've got
to stop the bleeding," he said before returning to ripping up his
shirt. He finished and began wrapping up the wound.

"What about Yukina?" asked Sakura. "I can go get her."

"No, Yukina can't spare any ki. She's too far along in her pregnancy."

In the doorway Lita watched, giving worried glances out the window.

Kurama finished wrapping the wound and place a hand over it. Slowly he
began channeling ki into it, trying to close the wound or stop the
bleeding. He wasn't a healer it was difficult for him.

"Sakura, can you grow some Makai ijutsu plant?"

"Hai!" said the demoness reaching into her hair and finding the seed.
She quickly channeled some of her ki into it and it began to grow.

"Missed his heart barely," said Kurama. He couldn't get it to stop
bleeding!

"Done," said Sakura.

"Good, grind it up. Get a bowl and something to mash it with from the
kitchen."

"Hai!" shouted Sakura running past Lita and out of the room.

"Come on Hiei," said Kurama closing his eyes to better concentrate.
"Don't die on me."

* * * * * * * * * * *

Yusuke dodged to the side as Yukiken's blade buzzed past him.

Damn he's fast, too fast! I can't get a good strike in! Yusuke had
already tried to use his Shot Gun attack on him, but the demon had
been fast enough to get behind Yusuke before he'd finished it. He
needed some way to slow Yukiken down!

Yusuke leapt back as Tama jumped in to rain down blow after blow on
Yukiken. He was amazed at the sure furry of the boy.

"You hurt my girl! I'll kill you!" shouted Tama.

"Since when was Sakura your girl!" shouted Raina off to the side.

"That's besides the point!" yelled back Tama. "I'm still going to kill
him!" He dodged one high sweep of Yukiken's blade but was too slow to
dodge to the side as he whipped the katana around for another pass.
Tama closed his eyes and waited for the feel of steal to cut him in
half. He snapped open his eyes in shock as when he wasn't cut in two.

"Baka!" growled Raina, voice strained. She was holding Yukiken's blade
with her own golden Rei Ken. "Learn to watch your back."

"Got you for that," smiled Tama.

Both teens were smacked away as Yukiken raised up his free hand and
knocked them over.

Yusuke was next to Kuwabara trying to think of a plan. "Kuwabara just
how much punishment can you take?" asked Yusuke eyes following the
moves of the ice demon and two teenager.

"As much as you can dish out," said the carrot-top running a hand over
his beard, also watching the two.

"Good, I've got a plan then," said Yusuke. He leaned forward and
whispered it into Kuwabara's ear.

Kuwabara frowned. "I really don't like this plan."

"Can't handle it?" asked Yusuke with a small smirk.

"Hell no. Let's just do!" growled Kuwabara.

"Alright!" said Yusuke running over to the two teens. "Raina! Tama!
Keep him busy for a few minutes!"

"That's easier said then done!" shouted Raina trying desperately to
keep Yukiken from chopping her into pieces. She would have been cut
down long ago if it weren't for Tama's help. The raven-haired teen was
covered in fine cuts, his clothes ruined.

The two continued to face Yukiken, sweat rolling down their faces.
Raina's ken was hit hard and she was flung back to skid on the ground.

"Raina!" cried Tama looking back at her. Yukiken took the moment to
slash a nasty cut across Tama's arm. The teen cried out and took a few
steps back.

"Foolish brats!" shouted Yukiken ready to run Tama through.

He was stopped as a pair of powerful arms grasped him under the arms
and locked behind his head.

"Do it now Yusuke!" shouted Kuwabara from behind Yukiken.

"Tama! Out of the way!" shouted Yusuke finger glowing with ki.

"Right!" shouted the teen grabbing Raina and pulling her out of the
range of fire.

"Rei Gun!" shouted Yusuke.

The beam of light hit Yukiken full in the chest and picked up both he
and Kuwabara slamming them through three trees before Kuwabara lost
his grip and they went flying separate directions.

"Wow," said Raina leaning on Tama's arm.

The three ran into the tree and found an unconscious Yukiken lying on
the ground. For once since yesterday it stopped snowing.

"Ouch!" said Kuwabara slowly pulling himself up from up his landing
site. "I feel like someone shot a cannon ball at me," he said.

Yusuke laughed. "A cannon ball wouldn't have done nothing to a freak
like you Kuwabara."

"Freak!" shouted Kuwabara magically recovering and jumping up to
grabbing Yusuke by the front of his shirt.

"You're the freak! At least I'm human!"

"Where's the fun in being human," grinned Yusuke patting his shoulder.

"You're hope less." Said Kuwabara crossing his arms. He glanced down
at Yukiken and kicked him in the side. "Let's get this guy to the
Reikai. I'm tried of looking at him."

"I'll take him," said Yusuke reaching down to grab the ice demon by
his torn shirt. "You'd better go see if you can help Kurama with
Hiei."

"Shit! I forgot about the shrimp!" said Kuwabara turning and running
for the temple. Raina and Tama ran after him.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Sakura ran back into the room were Kurama was tending Hiei.

"Here," she said handing him the bowl.

"Thanks," said Kurama lifting up the make shift bandages enough to
smear some on the wound.

"That plant will work as a kind of scab, but it won't heal a wound
like that," said Sakura to his side. "What are you going to do?"

"It'll have to do till we can get a healer. I'm more concerned with
him loosing more blood at the moment."

They heard the thundering of steps and then Kuwabara shoved his way
into the room.

"How is he?" he asked moving down next to Kurama's other side.

"I can't get him to stop bleeding, I've put some Ijutsu on him, but
that's not going to work long," said Kurama.

"Kuwabara leaned forward and inspected the wound. "Damn, where's Botan
when you need her? We're going to have to stitch it shut. I can't do
it here though."

"What about your office?" asked Kurama.

"No good, we're sure to get noticed there and with Hiei's demon
anatomy we're just asking for trouble."

"You can use my lab," said a voice behind them.

They turned to see Lita was the one that spoke. "I have an operating
room and supplies at my lab, no ones is there today."

"That'll do great. How far away is it?" asked Kuwabara picking up
Hiei.

"Not far, a 15 minutes drive."

"Good, let's go," said Kuwabara carrying the koorime out of the room.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Tama, Raina, Lita, Sakura, and Kurama sat in Lita's lab outside of the
operating room. Kurama and Tama watched as Sakura petted a fluffy dog
in a cage, a lab test. The girl was obviously worried, but trying not
to show it.

"Lita," said Raina. "What kind of research do you do?"

The blue eyed woman turned to look at the blond. "Lots of different
things, I share this lab with some coworkers. Most of my experiments
are structured around the human immune system and how we can strength
it."

"I see," said Raina looking around the room. "Is that why you've got
so many different kinds of animals in here?"

Lita nodded. "Test subjects, different animal have different kinds of
immune systems, some are a lot stronger then a human's, others are a
lot weaker."

"Have you ever used a human subject in your experiments?" she asked.

"No, it's against the law to use human subjects without a permit."

"What's taking so long?" whispered Sakura hugging the dog to her
front. "Just what kind of healer is Uncle Kuwabara?"

Kurama got up and patted her shoulders. "Don't worry. Kuwabara knows
what he's doing. He's a human healer, he has to use his hands to
physical close the wound."

Sakura glanced over her shoulder at him. Kurama could tell she wanted
to ask him something.

"Lita, Tama, and Raina, would you please leave the room, for a little
while. I'd like to speak with Sakura alone, please," said Kurama.

Lita frowned. "I'll be in my work cubical," she said before turning
and leaving.

"Come on," said Raina grabbing Tama's arm and pulling him away.

Silence filled the room as Sakura and Kurama were left alone.

"Kurama-san... are you really my father?" she asked not looking at
him.

"You don't need to address me so formerly Sakura," he took a deep
breath. "Yes, I am your father."

She turned around to face him. "Why? Why did you wait 14 years to tell
me?"

"I didn't even know you existed till a few days ago," said Kurama
stepping towards her and touching her white cheek. "I wish with all my
heart I'd known sooner."

Sakura looked away uncomfortable. "Why did you and my mother break
up?"

Kurama's eyes took on a sad look. "We lived in two separate worlds,
Hiei and I. I still love him very much, I've never stopped loving
him."

"Then why?!" asked Sakura. "All my life I've wondered about you, what
kind of man you were. My mother would only tell me so much, but what
she did... I wanted to meet so much...." She whispered. "She told me
you were kind and beautiful, that you'd been fighting partners before
you were lovers. She said she carried about you very much. But...
there was always something dark in her eyes when she spoke of you. I
got the feeling that her feelings weren't returned and that I was a
mistake."

"No!" said Kurama grabbing hold of her shoulders and turning her to
face him. "You weren't a mistake Sakura! You weren't planned, but you
weren't a mistake." He cupped her face and smiled at her. "You're
prefect. I would give anything to have a daughter like you."

"Then why didn't you stay with my mother?"

Kurama lowered his gaze. "I was afraid.... In the human world same sex
couples aren't looked at very kindly. I thought your mother was male
in every way, back when he was Hiei."

"Hiei... that's what you all call her."

"That's his real name," said Kurama. "Another reason for our
separation was that I believed we could never have children together,
children are very important in the Ningenkai, family is very
important." He hugged Sakura resting his cheek against her silky black
hair. "I was going to try and find Hiei again when my human life was
over, when those things won't matter any more. God, I was such a fool.
I'm so sorry, Sakura." His body shook with soft sobs as he held her,
as he'd wanted to hold her since he'd found out.

He felt a tug and looked down at her smiling face. "Can I... can I
call you father?" she asked a blush spreading on her cheeks.

Kurama's knees shook, taking her down to the floor with him, crushing
her against his chest as he sank down to his knees. "Yes, please. I've
always wanted to hear that from you, my Sakura, my daughter."

* * * * * * * * * * *

Lita stare forward looking at nothing in particular, she'd heard
everything Kurama had said.

"Shuuichi," she whispered. Was she going to lose him?! No, she
couldn't lose him! Not to some half-pint demon spawn! Could she? He
couldn't really love that thing? Could he? Kurama wanted to have
children... but she....

Lita silently walked away from the two sobbing people and over to a
window looking into the operating room. She looked down as Kuwabara
worked to stitch a very deep and nasty looking gash on the pale
demon's front. That kind of wound should have killed someone so small,
she thought. Why was that bastard still alive? He must be really
strong. She remembered Sakura saying that Yukina, Hiei's sister, was a
healer. Just what was a healer? And the bit about closing wounds with
you hands?! What was that about? Of course, the wound would have to be
closed by hand! How else could it be done? Or could it be done another
way? Those demons seemed to have some incredible powers, powers that
made no sense at all scientifically. The things you could do with
power like that. If she could figure out how it worked, then maybe she
could figure out a way to reproduce it. Magic powers that could
instantly heal a person, the number of lives it would save! Why? Why
was that Reikai, or what ever it was called, keeping that kind of
information from the human world? Were they that selfish? Then again
they probably wanted everyone to drop dead so they'd have more souls
going to them.

She looked at the child like face of Shuuichi's lover. Ex-lover! She
told herself. Just because he's had a child with whatever that thing
is, doesn't mean he's going to leave me for it! It wasn't fair...
she'd waited so long for someone like Shuuichi to come alone! Why did
this have to happen? What did that demon have that she didn't?

It can have children, whispered a part of her mind. And, you can't.

Lita turned around leaning her back against the glass. What was so
great about having children?! Her research was far more important then
raising a child. She should be helping those that were already alive
instead of making more children that needed people like her to help
them.

Just how did that creature have children any way?! One minutes it's a
girl, the next it's a boy! How did it do that?! How could she compete
with something like that?! That demon had to go! That was all there
was too it!

Lita pushed off from the glass and walked over to her cubical. She
picked up the phone and dialed a number.

"Hello," she said into the phone. "Yes, I'd like to talk to Doctor
Toukei. Tell him I've come across something new that could jump our
research ahead by years."

* * * * * * * * * * *

Kuwabara frowned as he looked down at Hiei. "This isn't good," he said
looking at the Koorime boy's arms. The two dragons had yet to
reappear. They'd always reappeared after he'd used them before, so why
hadn't they now. Could it have something to do with using both at
once? Hiei had said he couldn't do that without hurting himself. As
far as Kuwabara could tell the only wound Hiei had was the stab to the
front. Of course, he couldn't really expect for Hiei to receive
physical wounds from that. From what Kuwabara knew the dragon wave
attacks came from Hiei's jagan, which was link directly to the
koorime's mind. If anything Hiei's wounds would be mental not
physical. He couldn't help with much if that was so.

At least he knew Hiei won't die from the stab wound, his natural
healing abilities were already kicking in. Much slower due to his
depleted ki, but nothing bad. Hopefully Hiei would wake up on his own
once he'd finished healing and restoring his youki.

"You'd better hurry, shrimp," said Kuwabara. "Yukina can't wait
forever."

With a sigh he turned around and pulled the gloves off his hands.
"Damn that Yukiken," he said walking out of the room.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Everyone looked up as Kuwabara stepped out of the operating room.

"Well, how is he- er she-er shim?" asked Tama.

"Hiei's a guy right now, you can use the male term. I've closed up the
cut, but I'm still concerned. The white and black dragons on his arms
haven't returned. Physically he'll be okay, but I don't know what's
going on up stairs if you know what I mean. I'm hoping he's just gone
into a deep hibernation stage to regain his energy."

Next to Kurama Sakura bit her lip lightly, Kurama pulled her closer to
him.

"I'm sure he'll be fine. Hiei's not one to give up easily," said
Kurama. "He'll be fine," he said looking at Sakura.

She smiled and nodded her head.

"Well, lets get him out of here and back to the temple," said Tama.

"Why don't you leave him here," said Lita. Everyone turned to look at
her. "If something happens to him, anything you could need is right
here," she said calmly. "As for my coworkers, I can keep them out of
here if I like."

"I don't know," said Kuwabara.

"You don't want to stress out your wife any more then you have to do
you Kuwabara? It might be better to leave him here so she can't worry
and fuss over him."

"Yes, that's true. Yukina would probably go out of her way for him,
she's so very close to her due date," said Kuwabara with a worried
look on his face.

"Well, Sakura can help her," said Raina speaking up. "She's part
koorime, blood kin, and Yukina doesn't seen to have any problems with
her."

"But-" said Sakura glancing in the direction of the room that held her
mother.

Kurama squeezed her shoulder. "Don't worry, Lita and I will take good
care of Hiei. It would mean a lot to us if you could be there for
Yukina, I'm sure that's what Hiei would want."

Sakura looked like she wanted to say something more, but just nodded
her head.

"Thank you," said Kurama kissing her forehead.

"You guys can leave, I'll clean up in here," said Lita.

"Alright, come on kids," said Kuwabara.

"I'm not a kid," said Tama.

"You're the biggest kid here," said Raina pushing him along.

"Hey! Baby come on!" said Tama his sneakers making squeaky noises as
he tried to slow down Raina's progress.

Sakura looked between them and Kurama, she didn't look like she wanted
to leave.

"You'd better go," said Kurama giving her a warm smile.

"Hai, father," said Sakura leaning forward to give him a kiss before
walking over to the others.

Kurama sighed loudly as they left. He turned to look over his shoulder
as Lita nudged him. "Thank you," said Kurama taking the hot mug of
coffee she offered him.

They sat and drank silently together.

"So," said Lita. "Sakura really is your daughter, will she stay here
with you?"

Kurama looked at her through the corner of his eye. "I... I don't
know. I'm not sure just what's going to happen now," he said looking
down at the mug of brown liquid. "I've gotten myself in pretty deep
haven't I?"

"Kurama, do you still want to have children, now that you have your
own?" she asked not looking at him.

"You mean with you?" asked Kurama glancing at her.

Lita didn't answer.

"I still want more children, Lita. I didn't get to help raise Sakura,
I'd like to know what it's like," he said leaning back.

"And, what would you say if I told you I didn't want any children,"
said Lita.

"What?" said Kurama snapping his head around to look at her. "Why
not?"

Lita shook her head and finished her coffee. "Never mind. It's getting
kind of late, why don't you go out and get us something to eat."

Kurama frowned she was changing the subject. He glanced at his watch,
god! The whole day had already passed. Maybe they should have a bite
to eat. "I'll stay, you can go get the food," said Kurama.

"No, as I said I've got some stuff to clean up. It's more efficient if
you go get it," she said still not looking at him.

With a sigh Kurama got up. "All right, I'll be back in a little bit.
What do you want?"

"There's a noodle place on maple street, it's pretty good," she said.

"Maple street? That's a half an hour drive from here," said Kurama.

"I know, but the food in this area isn't very good."

"Well, okay. You give me a call on my cell phone is anything happens.
I can get in touch with the others."

"Fine," said Lita getting up and putting away the lose equipment.

Kurama got up and left the building. Once he was gone Lita ran over to
the back door and opened it to see Dr. Toukei standing outside it.

"God Lita what took you so long? I've been standing out here for 20
minutes. If you hadn't said to wait, I'd have left. It's freezing out
here."

"Never mind that come in here. I want to show you what I've found,"
she said grabbing his arm and pulling him into the building.

"So what's this all about? It's kind of late, couldn't you have show
it to me tomorrow?" said Toukei taking off his coat.

"No, and we don't have much time as it is," said Lita. "Come look at
his," she said dragging him to the operating room.

Toukei adjusted his glasses as he looked at the small boy lying on the
table.

"Lita? What are you doing with a boy in here? You can't work on human
subjects. We don't have a permit."

"Oh, it's okay. Believe me, this guy is anything but human," said
Lita.

"What?" said Toukei studying Hiei closer.

"From what I've learned he's half koorime half fire demon, there isn't
a drop of human blood in him," said Lita.

Toukei burst out laughing. "Oh come on Lita, you're the last person
I'd thought believe in that kind of thing."

"I'm serious Doctor," said Lita in a very serious voice.

Toukei stopped laughing. "You are, aren't you?"

Lita nodded. She went over to the machines and turned them on. "If we
go over his anatomy I bet we find something," she said.

Toukei shrugged. "I'll play your game Lita," he said going over to
help her.

45 minutes later.

"My god! Look at all this!" said Toukei. Before him was a mess of
print out ranging from x-rays, cat scans, vital reading, brain
activity, and more. "Lita I don't know what you've found, but it's
defiantly not human," said Toukei going over the readouts. "Body
temper 123 degrees, brain activity is off the scales, hell even his
canines are unusually large!"

"I told you I've found something amazing," said Lita leaning back.

"I can't believe the rate his wound is healing at," said Toukei
looking at the stab wound again. "You sure he got it today?"

"Yes, I was there," said Lita.

"Were did you find this guy, Lita? I mean after looking at these
reading I'm really to believe you went to hell its self and dragged
him back."

"No, I found him in our world," said Lita. "Want to hear something
interesting? He was a she when I first met it. It can change sexes."

"I believe it," said Toukei looking at an abdominal scan they'd taken.
"According to this, this guy isn't a he or a she, but a hermaphrodite.
There also seem to be organs missing and a few added that don't belong
to an average person. Wow, with this we might be able to figure out
just what the appendix use to do!"

"Lita, we've got to get this guy out of here and into a high tech lab,
there's no telling what we could learn from him."

"Yes, I know, but it'll have to be soon. I expect his friends will
want him back and I don't know when he'll wake up."

"Friends?" asked Toukei. "Do you mean there's more of him some where?"

"I imagine there are lost of different types of demon's all over the
world," said Lita. "How else would you explain that ever culture has
some kind of legend about demons."

"Gods, I wonder how many of them are true," he said going over and
looking at Hiei. "I wonder how old he is? He looks like a child, but
his immune system works at least ten times faster then ours, for all
we now he could be ten times older!"

Lita glanced at her watch. "You'd better get going."

"What? Why? I want to stay and do some more tests, I'm too excited to
quite now."

"You have to, his friends are coming back. I can't let them know I let
you in here to see him or that we ran these tests. Trust me good
doctor, we need to be careful about this. Here you take all the
readouts and set up for him to be transferred. It has to be soon,
tomorrow."

"Are his friends like him?" asked Toukei.

Lita hesitated. "Some of them."

"Then we should run some test on them as well!"

"No!" shouted Lita. "I mean, we'd never convince them to let us do
tests on them, nor could we capture them ourselves. They're too...
powerful." She shivered remembering the battle she'd seen earlier
today.

"You mean, this boy isn't here by his choice? What if he wakes up, he
could run away."

Lita frowned and went over to one of the cabinets. She pulled out a
needle and bottle. Quickly she drew up some of the solution and went
over to Hiei.

"What are you doing? Lita you don't know if that stuff will work on
him or not. It could kill him for all we know," said Toukei.

Lita administered the shot. "I don't think anything will happen. He is
similar to us in some ways. I'll keep an eye on him. This is enough to
knock a person his size out till noon tomorrow. Make sure we get him
out of here before then," said Lita. She glanced at the clock again.
"Shit! Look at the time, Shuuichi will be back any minute now." She
grabbed all the papers and messily shoved them in a brief case.

"Lita be careful with those!" shouted Toukei.

"We can always make more," said Lita. She shoved the chase into his
hands and pulled him toward the back door. "Hurry up," she hissed.

"Lita!" called a familiar voice from back in the lab.

Lita cursed as she pushed Toukei out the door. "Remember, by
tomorrow," she said before slamming the door in his face.

"Lita where are you?" asked Kurama.

"I'm here," said Lita running back into the lab.

"Oh, here I got you chicken ramen is that okay?"

"Oh, yes. That's fine," said Lita taking the hot foam cup from him.

"So how is Hiei? Any change?" he asked.

"No, he's the same," said Lita.

"Really," said Kurama sounding disappointed. "I think I'll go check on
him."

"You don't have to, I just did," said Lita running after him.

"Lita are you okay. You seem kind of jumpy," said Kurama turning to
look at her.

"No, I'm fine. It must just be all the excitement I've seen to day."

Kurama smiled at her. "Yah, that would shack up a normal person pretty
badly." He opened the operating room door and walked in. Lita
nervously followed him, hoping she'd cleaned up everything and put it
away the way it was before he'd left.

Kurama walked over to Hiei and tenderly brushed some of his black
bangs out of his face. "Hiei... when are you going to wake up," he
whispered to the Koorime boy. Kurama sighed. "I think he'll be up by
tomorrow," he said looking over his shoulder at Lita who was quickly
putting away the needle and bottle she'd used. She snapped around to
face him one he'd addressed her.

"You think so?" she chirped.

Kurama nodded. "Every time I've seen Hiei use the Kokuryuha before he
slept for a couple hours in a kind of hibernation phase to regain his
youki. But, he used both the Kokuryuha and the Shiroryuha at the same
time. I'm worried it might have been too much strain on him," said
Kurama turning back to pet Hiei's hair. "I'm not sure how long he'll
be out his time," he said worry lacing his voice. Kurama glanced down
to see a large sheet of paper lying on the floor. "What's this?" asked
Kurama bending over to pick it up.

"Nothing!" said Lita running over and trying to take the sheet from
him.

Kurama held on to it and frowned down at it. "Lita did you take a scan
of the inside of Hiei's stomach?" asked Kurama looking down at her.

"I-um- I. I was just curious," she said.

"Lita, you shouldn't have done that," said Kurama tearing up the
sheet. "No one must know what Hiei is, they'll try and take him away
and do tests on him," said Kurama. "The Reikai has a tape that shows
demons that have been tortured by humans. I don't want Hiei to be
added to it." He threw the pieces of paper into the trashcan.

"You mean human's have studied demon's before?" she asked.

"Yes," said Kurama. "Some human's have done unthinkable things to
demons. Tests, experiments, even dissected them alive. Please, Lita
don't run any more of these tests. This is one of the reasons the
human world and the demon world weren't meant to communicate with each
other. Hiei's own sister was kidnapped and beaten by human because her
kind cry gems instead of salt water."

Lita inhaled sharply. "You mean Kuwabara's wife, that sweet little
thing?"

Kurama nodded. "Please, don't run any more of these tests Lita."

Lita hesitated. "I promised I won't run any more test," said Lita.
Which was true, she planned to wash her hands of Hiei once he was gone
and forget about him. But... was it right?

"Thank you Lita. Just why did you take a picture of Hiei's guts?" he
asked out of curiosity.

Lita quickly thought of something to say. "Well I- I was curious as to
how a guy could have a kid," she said quickly.

Kurama laughed. "Find anything interesting?"

"You're friends a hermaphrodite, even in this form he's got female
equipment," she said.

"Kurama laughed again. "That would explain Sakura. I was only with
Hiei when he was a man."

Lita scrunched up her face. "I didn't need to hear that, are you
telling me your gay?"

"Bi," said Kurama.

"I thought you were straight," said Lita.

Kurama grinned. "I'm really a 600 hundred year-old fox spirit, Lita.
Same sex relationships are far more common in the Makai."

Lita blushed. "I guess that means you've had a lot of experience."

"You could say that," said Kurama.

Lita yawned. "I'm going to get some sleep on the couch. There's
another one across the room if you want to join me," she said.

Kurama shock his head. "I'm going to stay up a little longer. Maybe
Hiei will wake up."

"I doubt he will," said Lita under her breath. She left the operating
room.

Kurama sighed and looked down at Hiei. "Hiei... wake up soon, love,"
said the fox and kissed the koorime softly on the lips. "There's so
much we need to talk about."

* * * * * * * * * * *

Kurama yawned and sat up rubbing his eye. His short red hair stuck up
in all direction; Kurama had a major case of bed-head. He smiled down
at Hiei he'd fallen asleep in a chair, his head pillow on his arm next
to the koorime's face. Hiei had curled up some time in the night and
was now on his side, face buried in his arm. What a cute picture he
made.

"Morning, love," said Kurama leaning over and kissing his cheek. His
eyes widened as he looked at Hiei's arms, one was covered in a black
serpent dragon the other in a matching white one. "Hiei," called
Kurama with a big smile on his face. "Wake up," he called shaking the
little koorime. "Wakey, wakey," said Kurama poking him in the side. He
frowned when Hiei didn't stir the Koorime boy was in one the deepest
sleeps he'd ever seen him in. Kurama didn't understand it. If Hiei's
dragons were back didn't that mean he'd regain control of both? Maybe
he was still sleeping it off?

"Hiei..." said Kurama sadly. "Why won't you wake up? Are you
pretending?" he said pulling the koorime's mouth into weird shapes. "I
guess not." If Kurama had his fox ears and tail they would have
drooped.

The door opened and in walked Lita. "Good morning, Shuuichi."

"Morning, Lita," replied Kurama taking the cup she offered him.

"No sign of change?" asked Lita.

"No," said Kurama shaking his head. "Well, his dragons did come back
to him, but I can't seem to wake him up," said Kurama.

"Maybe he's just tired," said Lita. "You look pretty tired yourself."
He reached over and patted some of his sticking up hair.

"Yah, I bet I do. I should cover these up," said Kurama getting up and
finding some white bandage tape.

"Do you really need to cover them up?" asked Lita. "I mean, only you
and me are here to see them, what harm could it do?"

"A lot of harm," said Kurama picking up on of Hiei's arm wrapping it.
"Hiei can barely control this technique Lita, it's extremely dangerous
for him and us."

"You mean those dragons can come off on their own?"

"Possibly, that's why Hiei has to keep them covered all the time. He
has to put wards on them to keep them in check." Kurama pulled out an
ink pen from his coat pocket and began writing some ruins on the
bandages. He finished and went to work on the other arm.

"What does it say?" asked Lita picking up Hiei's arm and looking at
the ruins.

"Basically bad dragon, bad dragon, stay," laughed Kurama.

"Ha, ha, very funny," said Lita dropping Hiei's arm. "So where do you
want to go for breakfast today?"

"Go?" said Kurama glancing at Hiei. "I don't want to leave him here
alone."

"Oh, he'll be fine," said Lita. "What can he do? He's asleep."

"Right now he is, but what if he wakes up?"

"Then he can wait for us, we can always bring him something to eat,"
said Lita.

Kurama frowned. "You go ahead, I think I'll stay here."

"No, Shuuichi, come with me," said Lita pulling on his arm.

"No, I'm going to stay with Hiei, I'm not that hungry."

"But-"

"No buts, I'm stay here. I'm not going to leave him alone and that's
final," said Kurama.

Lita chewed her lower lip. Great, how was she going to get Shuuichi
away from him so Toukei could get him? He won't budge!

"Hey! Any one in here?!" called a voice from the lab. Lita's heart all
but leapt out of her chest.

"I'll get that," said Lita. She ran out of the lab and found Yusuke
and Kuwabara waiting. "Oh, no.... What are you two doing here," she
asked.

"Well, hello to you to," said Yusuke.

"How's Hiei? We were hoping he'd be awake by now," said Kuwabara.

"Um, he's fine," said Lita. "You can leave now, I'm sure Shuuichi will
take him home as soon as he wakes up."

"Hold on," said Yusuke. "I'd like to see Hiei and `Shuuichi' if it's
all right with you," said Yusuke walking past her to the operating
room.

"We did come to check on him," said Kuwabara moving to follow.

Oh no! She had to get them out of the lab, special Kuwabara. "Me and
Kurama have already looked at him, Kuwabara. He's doing fine, just
sleeping," she said.

"Probably," said Kuwabara. "But, I'd like to take a look myself. You
know second opinion."

Lita was helpless to stop them as they opened the door and walked into
the operating room.

"Kurama," greeted Yusuke. "You look like you're been trampled,"
laughed Yusuke looking at his hair.

"Really?" said Kurama trying to smooth down his hair. "Should have
brought a hair brush."

"Kurama, you're not even wearing a shirt, a brush is at the end of the
list of things you need," laughed Kuwabara.

"Hey, I was kind of in a hurry," protested Kurama.

Kuwabara walked over to Hiei and noted the wrapped arms. "Did the
dragons come back?"

"Yes," said Kurama. "But, he still hasn't woken up yet."

"I see, well leave it to me!" said Kuwabara clamping Hiei's mouth shut
and plugging his noise. "Yusuke, tickling him, that'll wake him up."

Yusuke grinned evil like and moved over to the Koorime boy.

Oh no! thought Lita. He's not going to wake up! He's drugged! They're
going to suffocate him!

"I don't think Hiei's ticklish," said Yusuke getting no reaction from
the koorime. Kuwabara was getting a reaction though not the one he
wanted: Hiei was turning blue.

"Knock it off you two!" said Kurama pushing them away from the small
demon. "What are you trying to do kill him?"

"He should have woken up," said Kuwabara. He went over to Hiei. "YO,
shrimp! Wake up!" he shouted slapping Hiei across the face.

"Kuwabara, be a little more gentle!" shouted Kurama moving to shield
the snoozing demon.

"God! How can he sleep through that?" asked Yusuke noting Hiei's calm
even breaths.

"That's really strange," said Kuwabara pulling out a small penlight.
"Let me take a look."

"He's probably still hibernating," said Lita grabbing his hand. "Maybe
you should just let him get some more sleep."

"Probably," agree Kuwabara. Lita sighed. "But, I'm still going to take
a look at him." Lita freaked. Kuwabara lifted up Hiei's eyelids and
shown the small light in him. His eyes widened. "What did you two give
him?"

"What? We didn't give him anything," said Kurama in concern.

"Someone gave him something, his eyes aren't dilating. He's been
drugged with something really powerful," said Kuwabara.

"What?!" shouted Yusuke. "Who would do that?!"

They all turned their head as they heard people entering the lab.

"Lita, I thought you said you'd keep your coworkers out of the lab,"
said Kurama.

"I-" said Lita.

The door to the operating room was opened and in walked Toukei with a
bunch of assistance. "That's the one on the table there, go get him,"
said Toukei.

"What's the meaning of this?!" shouted Yusuke moving to block them.

"We're transferring the demon boy to a different research lab," said
Toukei. "Who are you? What are you doing in here?"

"I'm Hiei's friend and there's no way I'm going to let you take him
anywhere," said Yusuke.

"Are you a demon too?" asked Toukei.

"It doesn't matter, you're not taking Hiei anywhere," said Kuwabara
moving beside Yusuke.

"Lita, what's going on? Why are they here to transfer Hiei?" said
Kurama looking at her.

Lita backed away from him with guilty eyes.

"Lita?" said Kurama.

"I don't care who you people are, but we're taking that subject," said
Toukei. "I've already got several tests scheduled for him. Get them
out of here," said Toukei to several guards that had entered the lab
with them. The guards pulled out pistols from their halters and aimed
them at Kuwabara and Yusuke.

"Lita, please tell me you didn't call them here to get Hiei?" said
Kurama stepping towards her.

Lita backed up away from him till her back was to the wall. "No, it
wasn't suppose to happen like this," she whispered shaking her head.

"Lita?" said Kurama with betrayed eyes.

Lita burst into tears and ran out of the room and lab altogether.

"Lita..." said Kurama looking the direction she's fled.

"Good riddance," said Yusuke lifting up his hand and pointing his
finger at one of the guards.

"Hey, kid this isn't a pretend gun," said one of the guards.

"Come on, just give up and no one has to get hurt," said another.

"You're the ones that are going to get hurt if you don't leave right
now," said Kuwabara pulling up his sleeve.

Behind them Hiei groaned and stirred.

"Hiei!" called Kurama running over to him.

One of the guards fired a shot at them as Yusuke and Kuwabara turned
to look at Hiei.

"Woe!" said Yusuke titling his head to the side just in time to dodge.
"That's not very nice. Shooting a man in the back!" He held up his
finger again. "I like to look my opponent in the eye before I shoot."

"This kid's nut!" said one of the guards.

"Let's get him!"

"Rei Gun!"

They fired off several more shoots before one of them went flying
back, the front of his shirt scorched. Smoke drifted off of Yusuke's
pointer finger.

"I don't believe it!" said one of the guards looking at his KOed
friend.

"Well now," said Kuwabara cracking his knuckles. "Who want to be the
first to face Kazuma Kuwabara?! I promise not to use any of my powers
on you."

The guards raised their guns and fired at him. Kuwabara dodged with a
mix of clumsiness and dumb luck. He worked his way up to the first
guard and uppercut him into the ceiling where he stuck.

"No way!" shouted one of the two remaining guards looking up at his
comrade. Kuwabara was right in his face the next second. He went
flying to land next to his friend on the ground, out cold.

The last guard looked around in terror realizing he was the only one
left. He backed up right into Yusuke who had gotten behind him when
he'd been watching Kuwabara.

"Going some where? Let me give you a lift!" said Yusuke picking him up
by the back of his pants and collar and tossing him threw one of the
room's viewing windows. "Done," said Yusuke dusting off his hands.

"Oh my God!" shouted Toukei backing up from them. "You have to be
demons! No ones that strong!"

"Actually, I'm human," said Kuwabara. "Yusuke's mostly human, but he
does have a little devil in him."

"Hey, Kurama you got any of the memory erasing plant on you?" asked
Yusuke.

"I can get you some," said he red head. He'd grown a lot more powerful
over the last 14 years and could just summon plants right from the
Makai like he'd done at the Dark Combat Tournament so many years ago.
He concentrated and thought about what the plant looked like. He
pictured it in his mind and the plant appeared in a soft green glow.
"Here," he said snapping off a few leaves and tossing them to Yusuke.
"One leaf each should do it."

"Gotcha," said Yusuke moving over to the doctors and assistance.

There was another groan from the Koorime boy and slowly Hiei blinked
open ruby red eyes.

"Kurama?" said Hiei still looking tired and weak, also a little
drugged. "Is that you?"

"Yes, it's me Hiei," said Kurama leaning over the demon.

"What happened to your hair?"

"What?" asked Kurama.

"You cut it," said Hiei. "You look like when we first met."

Kurama smiled softly down at him. "Do I?"

"Yes, only a lot older," frowned Hiei.

Kurama frowned. "Hiei, you're drugged," said Kurama.

"I had a weird dream," said the koorime.

"Really? What was it about?"

"We got into a fight, you left me, and I was pregnant with your cub,"
said Hiei yawning loudly. "I had a daughter in the Makai, named
Sakura," Hiei closed his eyes. "She was just like you..." Hiei's small
fingers fisted against Kurama's coat. "Kurama, don't ever leave me,"
whispered the Koorime boy before falling back into a drugged sleep.

Kurama smiled and picked up the petit demon. "Don't worry, Hiei. I
promise, I'll never leave you again."

* * * * * * * * * * *

Kurama gently lay Hiei down on a Futon in one of the guestrooms at
Genkai's temple. Sakura was hovering over his shoulder as he did so.

"There," said Kurama. "Now all there is to do is wait for him to wake
up."

Sakura smiled and knelt down beside her mother. "It's so strange to
see mother like this," said Sakura tracing the white start burst in
Hiei's hair. "I always knew there was some white in her hair, but I
didn't know it make this shape."

"Just different coloring and shape, still the same person," said
Kurama smiling down at her.

"I guess your right." She glanced nervously at him. "Father, what will
you do once Aunt Yukina has her baby?"

There was a long silence from Kurama. "There's a lot I have to do
first before that time comes."

"Like what?" asked Sakura.

"Like telling the truth," whispered Kurama. "But first I want you to
have this," said Kurama reaching into his shirt and pulling out Hiei's
black tear gem. "It's your mom's, he made it the day he found out
about you." He pulled up her hair and tied it around her neck. "For
some reason I like it better on you," he smiled.

"Thank you, father," said Sakura touching the gem.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Kurama smiled warmly as he saw Shiori slowly walking up the steps to
Genkai's temple. She was getting old her hair was more gray now then
black, her faces not so smooth, but she still had a young look in her
eyes.

Kurama walked down to her and took the package she held with one arm
and her hand with the other.

"Shuuichi," smiled Shiori. "I'm glad you invited me back here. This
really is a beautiful temple."

"Yes," agreed Kurama. "You must see it before the snow melts, it's
even more lovely."

They finished the climb and began a slow walk around the temple.
Shiori stopped once she spotted a familiar bloom. She knelt down next
to it. "Look Shuuichi, it's a Fire bloom, like the one you showed me,"
she said petting the soft petals. "It didn't wilt from the snowfall."

Kurama looked down at her a long time as she sniffed the flower,
breathing in its aroma. "Mother," he called.

She looked up at him with a smile. "Yes, Shuuichi? What is it?"

For a moment Kurama's words stuck in this throat and he was unable to
speak. "Mother I've..."

"Yes? What do you want to say Shuuichi?"

"Mother, I've been lying to you for a very long time," said Kurama
softly.

Shiori blinked her eyes up at him. "About what dear?"

"Everything," said Kurama kneeling down next to her. "I'm- I'm not
really Shuuichi. My name really is Kurama. I'm a- a fox spirit, a
youko."

"Youko?" said Shiori. "Are you saying you're not my Shuuichi?"

"No, I am. You gave birth to me, raised me, and taught me so much,
mother," said Kurama taking her hands in his. He looked at the scars
crossing over her wrinkled hands, the ones she'd gotten protection him
so many years ago, when he'd accidentally knocked over a stake of
plates. "I should have told you sooner, but I was afraid that you'd
reject me. If you knew what I truly am." He looked up to see her
smiling at him, not the disgust and horror he'd imagined to see.

"I always knew you were different from other little boys, that there
was something very special about you. What is it like? Being a fox
spirit?"

"It's exciting, to run wild, your senses are heightened, your spirit
free. To feel the wind through your hair, the grass brushing your
tails."

"Tails?" asked Shiori glancing at her son's waist.

Kurama laughed softly. "Would you like to see it? I don't want to
frighten you, but I'll show you my youko shape if you think you can
take it?"

"Oh, yes. Please, show me?" said Shiori.

Kurama nodded his head and closed his eyes. In a few seconds smoke
covered him and his size shrank down.

"Shuuichi?" asked Shiori waving her hand to clear the smoke. Once it
cleared she gasped as she spotted a six-tailed silver fox sitting in
front of her. Timidly the fox inched closer to her and nuzzled her
hand with its wet snout. "Is that really you, Shuuichi?" asked Shiori
lifting her hand and touching the soft fur on his neck.

The fox wagged his bushy tails and moved closer to the woman to lay
his head down in her lap.

"You're so beautiful," said Shiori stroking his silver fur.

The fox seemed to smile at her then backed up and was once again cover
in white smoke. This time the smoke grew bigger and when it cleared
not Shuuichi but Youko Kurama was sitting in front of her. He took her
small hands in one of his larger ones and kissed them. "Mother," he
whispered in a deeper voice than her Shuuichi looking at her with
pleading, scared eyes.

Shiori's eyes widened as she looked at the silvery creature in front
of her. "Shuuichi?" she said raising her hand to touch the side of his
face.

"Yes, mother. It's me," said Kurama cupping the hand and leaning his
face into it.

"This is what you really look like?" she asked touching the soft
silver mane.

"Yes, this is the real me, the silver youko, Kurama."

"How?" she whispered. "How did you become my son?"

"28 years ago, I was in a Makai forest."

"Demon world?" whispered Shiori.

"Yes, that's where I came from, it was my home." He waited for her to
get use to the idea then continued. "I must confess that before I met
you, mother, I wasn't a very good person. I stole and lied for a
living, it was the way I was taught to survive. Because of this a
hunter was sent after me. I was shot and my body was injured." He
looked her in the eyes, "I was dying," he said.

"Oh, Shuuichi," whispered Shiori cupping his other cheek with her
other hand.

"To save myself I slipped into the human world and looked for a
woman's womb to heal myself in. That woman was you," said Kurama
looking her in the face.

"Does that mean you killed my real baby?" she asked.

"No!" said Kurama gently grabbing her hands. "No, I didn't possess you
son's body. I merged with it. We became one. Shuuichi is me and I am
Kurama."

Shiori smiled. "So all these years it's been you who treated me so
kindly and has been a wonderful son to me?"

"Mother," said Kurama leaning in to her and hugging her with his
strong arm.

"Shhh, it's okay. I understand why you didn't tell me. It's okay,"
said Shiori stroking his long silver hair.

"There's more... more I haven't told you," said Kurama looking up at
her.

"What is it dear?" asked Shiori with a comforting smile.

"I-I..." he looked at her smiling face and knew it'd be all right. "I
have a daughter."

"You do?" asked Shiori sounding excited. "Where is she? How old is
she? What does she look like?"

Kurama smiled warmly at her. "It's Sakura, she's my daughter."

Shiori breathed in amazed. "Yukki's girl? The pretty one, with long
black hair?" She reached up and traced his check bone. "She has your
eyes, Shuuichi's shape, but your color."

Kurama trembled as he kissed her hand again.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner about her?" asked Shiori. "I would have
loved to have her as a grandchild."

"I didn't know about her till recently. Do- do you remember my friend
from so long ago, 14 years, Hiei. The snort one, with spiky hair, a
white star burst in its center, and red eyes?"

"Yes, I remember him," nodded Shiori. "He's too unique looking to
forget."

"Hiei is Sakura's mother," said Kurama.

Shiori got a confused look on her face. "But... isn't he a boy?"

Kurama smiled. "Yes and no. Hiei is both male and female. He's a demon
like me, a half ice maiden half fire demon mix. I didn't know about
his female side till a few days ago when he came back to the Ningenkai
with Sakura."

"So Hiei is Yukki?"

Kurama nodded his head.

"Why didn't he tell you sooner about Sakura?"

Kurama got a sad look in his face. "That day when you had a heart
attack, do you remember?"

"Yes," said Shiori.

"That was the day Hiei found out he was pregnant. When I saw you after
the doctors, you told me you wanted to see me married with children.
Do you remember?"

"Yes, I think I do," said Shiori. She gasped. "You gave him up for
me?" she asked with concerned eyes. "You didn't think I'd expect you
loving another man so you gave him up. For me...." She whispered.

Kurama nodded. "You taught me how to love, mother. I wanted you to be
happy, for the rest of your life. I... I'd do anything for you."

Shiori embraced Kurama tightly. "Don't ever do that again."

"Mother?"

"Don't ever put me in front of your happiness, Shuuichi. I'll be happy
if you are," she whispered into his silver hair.

"Mother," said Kurama embracing her back.

They stayed like that a long time just holding one another.

"Are they here?" she asked.

"Who?" said Kurama pulling back to look at her.

"Sakura and Hiei? Are they here? Can I see them?"

Kurama smiled. "Yes, they are here. Come lets see them together," said
Kurama getting up and holding a hand out to help her up.

Smiling Shiori took it.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Sakura was kneeling down by her mother's futon, just watching as her
mother breathed in gentle breaths, when the door opened. She looked
over her shoulder to see a silver youko standing in the doorway.

"Who are you?! What do you want?!" shouted Sakura jumping up and
reaching into her hair.

"Calm down, Sakura," said Kurama waving is hands at her. "It's me!"

Sakura paused, hand in her hair, eyes narrowed looking at him.
"Father?" she asked.

Kurama smiled and nodded his head.

"You're a fox spirit?" she said in surprise.

More head nodding. "Where do you think you got your plant powers
from?" smiled Kurama. "Certainly not from Hiei."

"I- well I never knew," she said embarrassed.

"It's okay," said Kurama stepping through the door, followed by
Shiori.

Shiori immediately went over to the shocked demoness and hugged her.
"Now that I know who you are, you must call me grandma. Okay?"

"O-okay, grandma," said Sakura. The older woman squeezed her even
tighter.

Kurama smiled at how happy she was.

See, said the youko. She's a lot stronger then you gave her credit
for.

Maybe you're right, said Shuuichi.

Of course, I'm right. I'm always right.

Modest aren't we? Said the human in amusement.

I have every right to be, said the youko. In fact, you can just sit
back and watch while I reclaim Hiei as a mate.

What?! Shouted the human inside. Now wait just a minute!

Too late, I'm in control now.

Kurama!

La, la, la, I can't hear you, said the youko. Kurama pushed down his
human side. There was a gleam in his golden eyes.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Hiei groaned and slowly opened his eyes to stare up at the ceiling.
"Where am I?" he whispered tugging on one arm. Eyes snapped wide as he
realized he was tied down and not by ropes but strong vines. His eyes
darted around the room and landed on the silvery creature standing in
the corner. "Kurama?" breathed Hiei in shock, why was he in his Youko
form?
"Hiei," grinned Kurama moving to stand over the trapped koorime.

"What are you doing?! Untie me at once!"

"Shhhh!" purred Kurama moving down to kneel beside the Koorime boy's
futon. "You don't want any one to hear you yelling and come running in
here, do you?"

"Maybe I do," said Hiei narrowing his eyes.

Kurama grinned and moved over to Hiei's feet. He grabbed hold up the
koorime's pant and yanked them off. Hiei's face turned a lovely shade
of red.

"Still want them to come in?" asked Kurama in a teasing voice.

"Baka kitsune," said Hiei turning his head to the side as the sensual
creature crawled over his body to cover it with his own.

"I don't want you running away like last time," said Kurama cupping
his cheek and making him turn his head back to look him in the eyes.
"I have something important to say."

"What is it," whispered Hiei.

"This," smiled Kurama. He leaned down and passionately kissed the
petit demon, thrusting his tongue deep into Hiei's mouth, making the
demon moan against him. They parted with Hiei gasping for breath.
Kurama's hands began to journey over Hiei's finely toned body.

"Kurama, don't," gasped Hiei. "You know how I feel... I don't... want
to be your plaything."

"Yes, Hiei I know how you feel, maybe better then you do," said Kurama
looking him in the eyes. "I'm never letting you go again, Hiei,"
whispered Kurama into his ear. "Never," he whispered before moving
down and biting the Koorime boy on the neck right at the already faint
scars there.

* * * * * * * * * * *

"I wonder what's taking them so long?" said Sakura slowly eating a
piece of the blackberry cobbler pie Shiori had brought with her.

"They've got a lot to talk about," smiled Shiori.

"Yah, probably," agreed Sakura taking another bite.

Both turned when they heard soft footsteps enter the kitchen.
"Shuuichi, Hiei," smiled Shiori in greeting.

Sakura looked at her parents, Hiei's face was slightly flushed.
Kurama, back in his human body, looked unusually pleased about
something.

"So did you two get all caught up?" asked Shiori.

"Yes, mom. All caught up," said Kurama putting a hand on Hiei's
shoulder a wide grin on his lips. Hiei blushed a deep red.

Shiori motioned for them to come joined them at the table and cut them
a slice of cobbler.

"Tell me Hiei. Do you plan on stay after you're sister has her baby?"
asked Shiori.

"Stay?" whispered Hiei glancing at her.

"In the Ningenkai," she said with a smile.

Hiei glanced at Kurama then looked down at his plate. "I'm not sure,"
said the koorime.

Shiori reached over and grabbed one of the koorime's hands, causing
him to jump. "You're always welcomed here," she said. "No matter what
you and Shuuichi decide to do."

"Um... thank you," said Hiei nervously. "But, I might not stay, I
don't exactly belong here....," Hiei's voice trailed off.

Shiori looked a little disappointed, but nodded her head. "Whatever
you decide," she said patting his hand and moving back to sit proper
in her chair.

There was a long pause.

"No!" said Sakura slamming her fork down, causing everyone to snap
their heads up to look at her.

"Sakura" said Hiei a bewildered look on his face.

"No! I don't want to go! I like it here! Everyone's so nice, I have a
family and people I care about here!," she shouted standing up in her
chair.

"Sakura sit down!" said Hiei.

"No! Don't you see that father loves you!" shouted Sakura before
running out of the room.

"Sakura..." said Hiei looking in the direction she'd run off. "Excuse
me," said Hiei getting up and leaving the room.

"Hiei," said Kurama getting up and going after him. He found the
little koorime outside sitting under a large tree.

"Kurama, why do you always do this to me?" asked Hiei in a low voice.
"I- I never planned to stay in the human world... I never planned for
you to find out Yukki was me."

"Hiei," said Kurama sitting down next to the demon. "Some times you
need to not have a plan. I tried to plan my life and ended up missing
some very important parts of it," said the fox pulling the koorime
against him.

"Kurama... I can't just forget," whispered Hiei. "I feel like any
minute now you'll push me away and laugh, say it was a big joke," said
the demon a tremor running down his small frame.

Kurama hugged him tighter, one hand moved up his shirt to his collar,
his fingers finding the buttons and undoing them.

"Stop it! Is that all you ever think about!" said Hiei with a hurt
look on his face.

"Shhh," said Kurama. "It's not what you think." He pulled the shirt
down to expose his creamy colored shoulder and neck. "Hiei," he said
wrapping his arms around the koorime's middle and burying his face in
the curve of his shoulder. "Please, mark me back."

Hiei's eyes widened as he looked down at the fox in his arms.

"I want to be yours. I want you to be mine," said the fox looking up
at him with gem green eyes.

"How long?" whispered Hiei.

"For this life and all that follow," said Kurama.

"I-" said Hiei, but was unable to say anything. Kurama moved his face
down to nuzzle Hiei's throat, breathing in his scent, waiting to see
if Hiei would except him or not. He waited a long time for the koorime
to move, but Hiei seemed frozen. His heart ached: Hiei didn't want
him... Kurama inhaled sharply as he felt soft lips on his neck move
down in a light butterfly kiss, then a quick pain as sharp fangs
pieced his fresh and tore up, a soft purr filled the air. Kurama
exhaled softly and smiled into Hiei's neck. Briefly the two were
covered in a layer of white smoke. The body that held Hiei grew larger
and taller. Hiei drew back and looked into the eyes of a silver youko,
he looked down at the small bite marks marring the youko's neck.

"It wouldn't be fair, if I got to have Yukki and Hiei and you only got
Shuuichi," smiled Kurama down at him.

Hiei's features softened.

"By the way, when do I get to have Yukki?" asked Kurama

Hiei face faulted. "Baka Kitsune."

* * * * * * * * * * *

Sakura kept running till she was standing under the same Cherry tree
that her mother had been standing under the day before. She looked up
at the tree still covered in white patches of snow; it was pretty.

"Every things so pretty in this world," whispered Sakura. She sat down
under the tree and watched as the pink petals lazy drifted around her.

She's always been happy living with her mother alone, but now.... Now
that she'd see this world, seen that there was so much more out there,
she didn't want to leave it. She wanted to get to know her father
better, and her grandmother, Raina, Yukina, the other's, Tama....
Everyone was so kind here. She felt like she belonged.

"Hey! Baby!" called out a familiar voice.

Sakura smiled and turned her head to see Tama jogging over to her.
"Tama," she said softly.

The raven-haired teen grinned at her before flopping down beside her.
"What's the matter baby? You look blue."

"Blue?" asked Sakura looking at her hand.

"No, I mean sad," said Tama.

"Just thinking," said Sakura. "About the Makai and the Ningenkai....
How they're so different," she said catching a petal in her hand.

Tama leaned back and looked up at the sky. "You're lucky," said Tama.

"What?" said Sakura looking over at him.

"You've lived in the Makai, you've gotten to see all kinds of great
things. I wish I could go, but my father won't take me. He thinks I'll
get myself in trouble and start a war or something."

Sakura smiled at him. "The Makai isn't that great."

"Sure it is," said Tama rolling over on his stomach. "Demons, castles,
treasure, adventure, excitement," said Tama. "That's all in the Makai,
there's nothing to do here."

"I don't think so," said Sakura. "At least not when I with you."

Tama looked to the side and Sakura could have sworn she saw him blush.
"Yah, this place isn't so bad when you've got a hot babe like you to
hang around with."

"Hot babe? Is that like a fire demon cub?"

Tama cracked up laughing.

"What?"

He rolled around on the grass.

"What? What'd I say?" asked Sakura confused.

"Sakura!"

Both snapped their heads up to see Hiei and Kurama heading their way.

"Sakura," smiled Kurama putting his hands on both of Hiei's shoulders
from behind. "Welcome home."

Sakura blinked her golden eyes in confusion and looked at her mother.

"I decided to stay," said Hiei.

Sakura's eyes light up, she got up and embraced her two parents. "I
love you two," she said burying her face against Hiei's neck and
wrapping her arms around them both.

"And, we love you too, Sakura," said Kurama stroking her head.

"You're staying in the Ningenkai?" asked Tama jumping up. "Yatta!" he
shouted running over and grabbing her from her parents to swing her
around. He set her down on the ground all smiles.

Sakura shook her head. "You're very strange, Tama."

The teen only rubbed the back of his head and laughed.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

A few days of awkwardness passed. Hiei completely healed from his
wound, he seemed to have over come some kind of barrier that had
limited his use of the dragons before, at least Hiei could be seen
walking around with his arms bare and ward-less. The koorime often
switched between being Hiei and Yukki, not comfortable with holding
either form all day for some reason. Hiei seemed to come to a kind of
balance with himself, to tell the truth he'd been Yukki almost as long
he'd been Hiei, he didn't think of them as separate individuals any
more.

Kurama had meet with Lita again and they broke up and called off their
future plans together far less messy then Kurama had thought it would
have been. He could see it in her eyes that she'd given up on him
after that morning in the lab. He felt sorry for her, but she told him
not to be. She also promised not to tell any one about their demon
heritage. She was final starting to understand way there were three
worlds instead of one. She also agreed to be the one to move out of
their apartment together, saying she'd already been looking at a place
closer to where she worked. Needless to say Kurama was still sad to
see her go, he'd been with her for close to two years.

Sakura was having a hard time finding some alone time for herself, the
closes she got was when she was sitting with Yukina while Kurama and
Hiei were together, doing god knows what. She thought that her new
father dragged her mother off far too often, she'd probably have a
little brother of sister in a couple mouths at the rate they were
going. She wasn't too upset about the idea. Tama was her main reason
for the lack of privacy. She didn't know what was wrong with him, but
he seemed to have some kind of strange illness that required he spend
as much time around her as possible. When she'd asked Yukina about it,
she'd giggled, and said he had a crush on her. Crush huh, strange name
for an illness.

Yukina on the other hand was ready to pop. The poor koorime was having
the hardest times moving around. Hiei usually stayed in his female
form around her since she enjoyed the extra cold. Either Hiei or
Sakura were always with her. Everyone was counting the days till she'd
have her baby, she was already late two days.

Sakura yawned and fanned her mouth, next to her Yukki sharpened her
katana and checked its balance. Yukina was reading a book about human
medicine, catching up whiles she was absent from her work with
Kuwabara.

"Uw!" said Yukina looking down at her belly.

"What?" said Sakura jumping up.

"I think my water broke."

Yukki was beside her in an instance. She helped the koorime up. "Let's
get you settled in your nest," said Yukki referring to the guestroom
that had been completely iced down for the occasion. "Sakura, go tell
Kuwabara, but don't let him go barging into the room."

"Hai!" shouted Sakura running around the temple to the other side
where Kuwabara and the others where.

* * * * * * * * * * *

"Uncle Kuwabara!" shouted Sakura running at the big man who caught her
ask easily as he would a basketball.

"What? What is it Sakura?" asked Kuwabara.

"Yukina's having the baby," beamed the girl.
"YUKINA!" said Kuwabara heading toward the temple.

"Wait, uncle! Mom said not to let you go in," said Sakura holding on
to his waist and being dragged along.

The carrot-top was stopped from getting too far by a lasso make of
vines looping over him. "Woe, there Kuwabara!," said Yusuke dragging
the over excited man back by the lasso, a smiling Kurama stood beside
him.

"Kuwabara, you know you can't go in there," said Kurama.

"Ahh!" said the carrot-top pulling on his short hair. "The wait will
kill me!"

"Oh you'll relax soon enough," said Yusuke. "It took Keiko 13 hours of
labor before she had Tama."

"That long?!" shouted Kuwabara.

"We'll you're the doctor you tell me how long it's going to take?"
said Yusuke.

"How should I know," said Kuwabara. "I've near helped a koorime
deliver before."

"Patients, you two," said Kurama. "These things take time you know."

"What do you want Kuwabara? A boy or a girl."

Kurama shock his head. "Doesn't matter."

"Oh come on, all men want their first born to be a son," said Yusuke
nudging Kuwabara.

"I said it doesn't matter," said Kuwabara getting Yusuke into a
headlock.

Sakura smiled at them and turned to Kurama. "I'm going to see if they
need my help," said Sakura.

Kurama nodded his head and watched as she ran back into the temple.
Behind him Yusuke and Kuwabara could be heard making all kinds of
noise as they wrestled.

Three hours later, Kuwabara was wearing a trench in the ground with
his passing back and forth. Everyone had gathered at the temple to
wait for the new baby.

"So Tama," said Koenma talking to him. "I hear you helped Yusuke
defeat Yukiken."

"Actual he only held him off so Kuwabara could get behind him," said
Raina butting it to the conversation.

"Hey! I didn't see you doing anything else," said Tama.

"Hey, hey, it's okay," said Koenma waving his hand in front of the
two. "So have you considered the tantei job?"

"Well," said Tama. "I'll do it if...."

"If what?" said Koenma eagerly. He'd been kind of short handed on
tanteis since Yusuke's team retired.

"If Raina and Sakura agree to work with me as my team," said Tama a
big grin on his face.

"Ha, like I'd ever follow you," said Raina.

"Come on Raina," said Koenma putting on his best I'm a stud look.
"You'll work for me right? I can get your mom to let you live down
here."

"What's in it for me?" asked Raina. "I'm not staying unless I get
paid."

"Paid!" said Koenma.

"Shrimp!" shouted Kuwabara silencing everyone. They turned to see
Yukki standing in the temple doorway.

"Well, what is it?!" shouted Yusuke.

"A boy," said Yukki. "Yukina has him, she wants to see you," she said
pointing at Kuwabara.

"You mean I can finally see her?"

Yukki nodded.

"Yahoo!" shouted Kuwabara running past the koorime.

Ten minutes later Kuwabara came out with small baby in his arms. The
kid had spiky orange hair, white skin, and blood red eyes. Kuwabara
must have been the proudest man alive.

"Hope he doesn't turnout like you," joked Yusuke rubbing him in he
ribs.

"Hey! He will be like me, a great man!" said Kuwabara. The kid laughed
in his arms and patted the side of Kuwabara's face with his cubby baby
hands.

"So what are you going to name him?" asked Kurama going over to
embrace Yukki from behind.

"Me and Yukina where thinking Yajin if it was a boy."

"A good name for a fighter," said Kurama.

"I think it suits him," smiled Sakura only to have Koenma pop up right
in front of her.

"Speaking of fighting, Sakura! You want to be one of my tanteis
right?"

"Eh?" said the demoness eyes wide from his sudden appearance.

"Better watch out Kuwabara," said Yusuke. "Koenma's liable to snatch
your kid out of his cradle and put him to work fighting demons,"
laughed the raven-haired man.

"Are you calling me a cradle robber?!" shouted Koenma.

The adults started talking all at once. Tama pulled Raina and Sakura
aside.

"Well, what do you two think?"

"I still think I'd have to have a death wish to follow orders from
you," said Raina.

"Come on Raina, it'll be fun. What about you baby? Adventures together
in the Makai, can't go wrong with that."

Sakura smiled. "You really are a strange one Tama."

"But you like me, because I'm strange, right?" smiled the teen.

Sakura shook her head. "Maybe I do. Sure, why not, I'll do it."

"Alright! Come on Raina, say yes."

Raina frowned. "I know I'm going to regret this, but you'll probably
get killed without me. Fine, I'll be part of your team. But, I still
want to be paid!"

"Yatta!" shouted Tama hugging the two girls. "This could be the start
of a beautiful friendship."