Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Unexpected Consequences ❯ Chapter 2

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

Title: Unexpected Consequences Chapter Two
Author: Forbidden Interludes
Pairing: Hiei/Yukina
Fandom: Yu Yu Hakusho
Theme: 28. decision
Disclaimer: Rating: NC-17
Warnings:Â Incest, Language
Disclaimer: Yu Yu Hakusho belongs to Yoshihiro Togashi. I make no claims of ownership to this series, nor do I make any profit off of this fan fiction.

Authors Note: Any complaints as to the pairing will promptly be deleted so if you don't care for any of the above, please make use of your back button and find something more appropriate to read. No flames accepted.

"How long has she been like this?" Kurama gestured towards the small Koorime who refused to look at either of them. It had taken a few hours but he'd finally managed to make it to the temple and had been shocked to find Yukina in such a state. The woman refused to look at either of them, in truth she had yet to even speak a word since he had arrived. Instead she stared forlornly out the window, searching for something or someone. Turning from the despondent woman, Kurama regarded the only other person that was present that could possibly give him answers.

Genkai sighed heavily, unsure just what to make of Yukina's change of mood. "For the past four hours. Maybe you can figure out what happened since she won't say anything." It'd come as a surprise to find the Koorime half dressed and alone in her bedroom. She could only imagine what had happened since Hiei was nowhere to be found and the girl wasn't talking about it. Uneasily she shifted, trying to decide what to make of the situation, She was far too knowledgeable not to have realized that something of a physical nature had happened between the two demons but how far it had gotten and who instigated it remained a mystery. Yukina just didn't seem to be the type but then the thought that Hiei would willingly seduce his sister when she was ill was ludacris. "Mark my words, something happened between those two. Something big, I just hope that whatever it was doesn't cause either of them irreparable damage."

With those words the older woman turned away, leaving Kurama alone with the teal haired girl. Slowly he walked towards her, his green eyes soft and nonthreatening. Genkai had been right that something had happened, the scent of sex blanketed the room though he knew that the old psychic wouldn't have been able to pick it up. Kneeling next to the girl he placed his fingers beneath her chin and forced Yukina to look at him. "Are you okay Yukina?" The lingering sadness that she displayed so openly concerned him but he couldn't begin to help her until he knew exactly what happened.

"Kurama..." Yukina tried turning away from him, unsure just what to say. She didn't even understand why Hiei had left her, nor did she know why she continued to feel his anger and disgust. How could she possibly be okay in the face of the apparition's loathing? Unfortunately the kitsune wasn't going to let it go, he'd made that obvious by refusing to allow her to move. Cautiously she looked at him, wondering if he might be able to help her to understand what had gone wrong. "I always thought that when you cared for someone you were supposed to want to be close to them." At least that's what she'd always assumed from watching humans together, physical closeness seemed to be something that was desired. So why then did Hiei turn from her as if she were something disgusting? Why would he say what had happened was a mistake? He had cared, or at least she thought that he had. Could she have been wrong all along?

There was something so broken about the way she'd asked the question, the hurt that was in her voice that Kurama felt compelled to pull the woman close and embrace her. It wasn't much, but it was all the comfort that he could give to her. "In general yes, closeness is something that most people seek. Tell me what happened Yukina, I need to know what happened between you and Hiei." He didn't want to outright say that he knew that she'd slept with the apparition, she needed to tell him in her own words so he could get a better idea of just how it had come to pass. Though she relaxed slightly in his arms it was clear that comfort from him wasn't exactly what she needed. There was a good chance that the only one who could reassure her and make things right again was Hiei and most likely the apparition was watching silently from a distance.

A blush tinted Yukina's cheeks as she turned her head away. She didn't want to go into any details, what had happened between them was something private that she didn't want to discuss but at the same time she needed to know why it was so wrong. "We shared ourselves with each other but afterwards he was... so cold." Even now she could see the cold look in his eyes as he had redressed himself. "Was what happened so wrong Kurama? He called it a mistake, something that should have never happened and then he left." She barely realized when she began to cry once more, the small jewels fell into her lap and were ignored. Desperately she turned to stare into Kurama's eyes, pleading with him to give her an answer she could understand. "He hates me now! Why Kurama? Why did this happen?!"

"Shhh.. He doesn't hate you Yukina, don't think that." Slowly he ran his fingers through the distressed girl's hair, his tone one of conviction. Kurama knew that there was no way that Hiei would ever come to hate the girl he held at the moment. If anything he'd hate himself for what had happened but never his sister. "He is most likely upset with himself and probably thinks he took advantage of you somehow." He paused when she gave him a disbelieving look, clearly he was missing something here and the only way to find out what was to ask. "What makes you think he hates you?"

"I can feel it." Yukina took a deep breath and fought off another wave of despair, one that she was sure Hiei could feel as well. "I feel what he's feeling, both physically and mentally. I felt his emotions when he pushed me away Kurama." Could the kitsune possibly be right about what Hiei was thinking? Yukina wasn't so certain, if that was the case Hiei should have returned by now. He could sense what she was feeling as well and if he truly cared about her wouldn't he have come back to make it right? Uneasily she looked towards the window, hoping to see a glimpse of the man in the growing darkness but as before there was no sign of him. Wearily she closed her eyes, wishing that she could sleep and forget about everything, at least for a little while.

The small Koorime's words stunned Kurama, there were very few instances where two people could share such a bond on both a physical and emotional level. To his knowledge Yukina shared none of the characteristics of someone who would have a natural inclination towards such abilities. Hiei on the other hand did with his ability to project but Kurama knew that as sadistic as the apparition tended to be, he wouldn't subject his sister to such agony. It left him with only one conclusion, one that he had to be sure of. "Yukina, I need you to be sure of this. You were sick earlier right?" At her curious nod he pushed onwards, "Have you experienced any of those symptoms since Hiei left this afternoon?" Pieces began to fall into place, the small bits of information he'd gotten on the Koorime's earlier illness through Hiei, the way he had mentioned she had began to cling to him in her sleep. It all made perfect sense even though he wished there was some other possible explanation for it all.

"Not since I woke up and we did....." Yukina stopped and stared at the kitsune who was looking at her in shock. Obviously he had figured something out, something that she had missed. "Kurama you know what happened. You must tell me!" Perhaps if she had all the facts she could begin to attempt salvaging her broken relationship with Hiei, assuming he was even willing to listen to her. Hiroseki stones clattered to the ground as she pulled herself out of the redhead's arms and turned to face him fully. The sounds of a door opening behind her didn't even warrant a glance in that direction, she knew that it wasn't Hiei and he was the only one who mattered to her at the moment. "Tell me Kurama, I have a right to know!"

"You took a mate Yukina. That is what happened." Botan closed the door quietly behind her as Yukina turned to stare at her in shock. There was no stunned look of disbelief on Kurama's face, not that she'd expected one. With what information he'd been given it was no wonder that the man had already figured it out. It had been a shock to her when she'd found Koenma staring at the folder on his desk without blinking, the same folder she now held in her hands. Normally such files would remain in the Reikai but Koenma had felt it necessary that Yukina see it in order to make an informed decision. Unfortunately for all of them the bond she'd entered into with Hiei could not be broken and periodically they would be facing this decision. Carefully she knelt beside the girl and placed the file upon the floor in front of her. "I know this is tough but there is a decision that must be made and soon. Most are not given this choice but Koenma is making this a special case."

"She's pregnant isn't she?" Kurama wasn't stupid, there was one reason and one reason only that Yukina would take a mate unknowingly and that was if her body insisted she do so. Obviously she had no idea at the time that was what she was doing and there had been no way to prevent it. When Botan nodded slightly he sighed deeply, wondering just what was to happen now. What choice was it that Koenma was offering to the girl exactly? Somehow he wasn't sure that he wanted to know anymore.

"I realize not much time has passed but the paperwork came across Koenma's desk an hour ago. Two souls were processed for reincarnation. You're carrying twins Yukina." Botan opened the file and allowed her fingertips to slid across the page that contained information on the souls that had been chosen. Two children who had their lives ended prematurely in their last lives were to be given another chance at a mortal existence but how long they were to remain was uncertain. What would Yukina choose? Botan wasn't certain, especially considering the circumstances in which they were conceived. The Koorime didn't even know that Hiei was her brother but it was an oversight that would soon be rectified. Yukina couldn't make an informed decision unless she knew. Botan took a deep breath and steeled herself for the storm to come. "There's more Yukina. You should have been told this long before now but none of us had a choice in the matter. Now you have to know." Botan glanced out into the darkness, just knowing that Hiei was somewhere nearby listening. He might try and carry through with his threat to kill her but he had no one to blame but himself. "Your children were created in the same method as you and your brother as you know. Normally this would not be a problem, especially in this world but there is an added problem. Koenma has given me permission, that if you wish to terminate this pregnancy I can use my powers to do so. It's not normally something that we would interfere in but in this case an exception has to be made." Yukina looked as if she were ready to protest but Botan held up her hand, her expression one of sadness. "He's making it an option because Hiei is your brother Yukina. Your brother is the father of the children you carry."

Yukina sat stunned for a moment before pushing herself up off the floor. She could hear her name called out as she rushed to the doorway, throwing it open without care as she raced out into the hallway. 'Why? Why didn't he tell me?' Her heart felt as if it were being torn in two with the knowledge and she couldn't begin to discern whether it was just her emotions or Hiei's on top of it. She couldn't even begin to consider the fate of the two children she now carried, she didn't even want to think about the possibility of ending their lives so soon after learning about them. Tears blurred her vision as she ran away from them, needing time to accept what she'd just been told. Abruptly she slammed into a hard chest, nearly going to the floor but strong arms wrapped around her to keep her from falling. Blackness blurred her vision as the small Koorime sobbed into the cloak she had her face buried in but she knew who it was that held her. "Why? Why didn't you tell me! You knew how much I needed you and you left me thinking that you were dead!" Before she could consider what had happened between them she needed to understand his reasoning for keeping things a secret from her. "Was I not good enough for you? Is that it?"

Reluctantly Hiei sank to the floor with the woman in his arms and held her to his chest. Two observers stopped just a few feet outside of the room Yukina had run from, not daring to come any closer and with good reason. Murderously he glared at the ferry girl, letting her know that her indiscretion would not go unpunished but for the moment he had to tend to Yukina. As much as he wished he could run and avoid the situation entirely he couldn't allow Yukina to face this alone. "Never think that. My reasons are my own, I believed it to be for the best." The anguish that was ripping through the girl stabbed straight into his heart and it was difficult for him to keep his own raging emotions in check. He'd heard everything that had been said and had known the very instant the small woman in his arms was going to bolt. Now she had to deal with the aftermath of their actions but he wouldn't force her to do it alone.

His answer was only slightly reassuring though it left Yukina even more confused than before. How could keeping the secret possibly have been for the best? One look into his solemn face told her that the apparition wasn't going to answer that particular question, at least not yet. Perhaps in time he would feel comfortable enough with revealing the secret. But that brought even more questions to her mind and her hands tightened in his cloak as she considered them. Kurama had realized what had happened easily enough and she was certain that Hiei was at least as intelligent as the kitsune. Quietly she asked him, needing to know the answer to this particular question, "Did you know this was going to happen to us? Did you know that was what was wrong with me?"

"No," Hiei breathed into her hair, thankful that at least this question he could answer without a problem. Had he realized that this was what was going on he would have dragged Kuwabara to the temple. Hell, he would have also dragged Yusuke and Kurama while he was at it on the chance that she didn't wish to bond with the human. Any of them would have been a better choice than him at that point but he had the sinking suspicion that it wouldn't have made a difference. Yukina had said this had been going on for a long time now, it was doubtful they could have caught it in time to stop this from happening. Where they went from here though Hiei had no ideas. Slowly he looked up once more, seeing that Kurama and the idiot girl from the Reikai were still watching them with concern. Sighing heavily he looked down at his sister, wondering how she would take what he had to say next. "You should accept Botan's offer." He couldn't in good conscience ask Yukina to carry his children, he couldn't imagine how they would be accepted should they be allowed to be brought into the world.

Despite the firm tone the suggestion had been spoken in Yukina could feel his hesitation and echoed it back at him. Was Hiei genuinely concerned about them or was it because he didn't wish to be tied down in such a fashion. Cautiously she pulled away from him, giving him a skeptical look. This wasn't something she really wanted to deal with at this particular moment but it would seem he had forced her to confront it. "Why? Is it because you do not wish to be a father?" Seeing his eyes widen in surprise, Yukina pushed on, "If that's the case you don't have to worry. We Koorime have been raising children on our own for centuries, I don't need your help if you do not wish to give it." They were harsh words to give to him but they were nothing less than the truth. If he was so willing to kill off his own children just so he didn't have to deal with them then Yukina would consider him no better than the elder who had sentence him to death. Perhaps worse than the old woman, at least she'd given him the opportunity to be born even if she didn't believe he would survive the fall. What he was offering to them was no chance at life.

"Dammit!" Hiei snarled at her, stunned that she would be so bold as to say something like that to him. "That's not it at all you foolish girl! Have you given any thought to what they will go through?" He was angry, so very angry that she would think so lowly of him. His life had been hard enough as it was, he couldn't imagine how difficult it would be for the twins that she now carried inside of her. "If anyone realizes our relationship how do you think the children will be treated?" He had to make her see reason, now that his secret was out others were sure to learn of it and react. Sooner or later they'd be targeted and their lives would be in danger.

"Do you think so poorly of me that I would allow my own children to be treated as you were?" Yukina's anger flared brightly, mimicking the apparition's in front of her. It wasn't as if his life had been the only one fraught with difficulty? She'd been shunned throughout her life on the Koorime Island, a backlash from the actions her own mother had taken and she considered herself all the stronger for it. "Make no mistake brother, regardless of what you desire I will make this decision without worrying about how others with judge me or these children!" It wasn't that she didn't care what he thought but rather Yukina believed he was using their pasts as an excuse to rid himself of a burden. Roughly she pushed away from him and turned towards Botan, angry with them all that they would keep such a secret from her. "Tell me, will these babies suffer any genetic problems?" The ferry girl was her best bet in getting a straight answer and her answer was likely to be the only thing that swayed her decision.

Botan fidgeted uncomfortably under Hiei's piercing gaze before gesturing towards Yukina weakly. Slowly she walked back into the bedroom knowing that the others were following closely behind her. Carefully she picked up the folder, flipping through the pages before coming to the basics that the two lives would be granted. Sighing heavily she looked into Yukina's eyes, knowing the girl was about to make the most crucial decision of her life. "They'll be born healthy if that's what you decide to do. There's no diseases listed in the file so that's nothing for you to worry about. But Hiei is right, life won't be easy for any of you especially if you do this alone." At that Botan glared at the man standing behind the smaller woman. Regardless of what she thought Yukina's decision should be, in her opinion Hiei had gone about doing things all wrong. If the demon decided to leave the girl on her own there was no doubt in her mind that one of the others would step up to the plate and take care of Yukina and her children. Hell, Kuwabara would do it gladly though there was a good chance the man would be out for Hiei's blood when he learned of what had happened and that the apparition shirked his duty to them. "I can't tell you what to do Yukina, but I'll respect whatever decision you decide to make."

It wasn't such a difficult decision to make after all. She had an assurance from the Reikai now that her children would be healthy and Genkai had already told her in the past that the temple would open to her for as long as she needed. "Thank you Botan, please tell Koenma as much as I appreciate his concern the offer is not needed." Coolly she gazed at each and every one of them with her eyes eventually coming to rest on Hiei. "I will raise my children here, with or without your help. Slowly she walked up to the man she'd been with only a few hours before, her hand cupping his cheek gently. "I will understand if you have no desire to see them brother, I will not force you into doing anything you do not wish to but you will not change my mind. Think of what you want and when you make up your mind, you know where to find me." Dropping her hand Yukina walked out of the room, leaving the three of them to talk amongst themselves. She was exhausted and the next six months would be particularly trying on her she knew. Though Hiei and the others remained in her bedroom there were others available for her use. Later she would speak with Genkai and arrangements would be made to prepare for the coming birth of her children, but for now she would sleep.

~*~

As soon as Yukina had left the room Botan unleashed her full fury upon the apparition. While she might not have known the specific details as to how Hiei took his sister for a mate the fact remained that he had done so and now she was pregnant. "What were you thinking?!" Her voice came out as a low hiss, not wanting to bring the girl in question running back into the room.. Forgotten was the look of death that the man had given her only minutes before. "How could you? Yukina might not have understood what was happening but you have no excuse! " The apparition bristled beneath her questioning but Botan didn't let up on her attack. What possible explanation could he give for his actions? So help her if Hiei tried to tell her it was an accident and he 'slipped' she was going to attempt to cave his head in with her oar. While she might not succeed at least she'd feel better. She couldn't imagine how Yukina was possibly feeling right now.

"You can't possibly think I did this on purpose." Hiei narrowed his eyes at the irate woman, watching her carefully for any sign she was going to attack. Secretly he hoped that she would, it would be the perfect excuse to punish her for opening her mouth about his secret. Of course with what had happened Yukina had needed to know but he would have preferred to be the one to break the news to her at that point. Instead this foolish woman had done it instead and Yukina had damned near turned hysterical learning the truth. He took an aggressive step towards the ferry girl, glaring maliciously at her. "You've done your job and you have your answer. Now get the fuck out before I decide to exact my revenge upon you."

Knowing the apparition was deadly serious in his threat had Botan taking a step back but to her relief Kurama had put a restraining hand on Hiei's shoulder. If nothing else Kurama wouldn't allow the demon to harm her for speaking the truth. Her courage bolstered again seeing Hiei's anger turn towards the man holding him. "So it was an accident then? Well I'd say that's pretty damned convenient all things considering. Did your clothes just magically disappear and then you tripped or something? Tell me how this works Hiei!" She snorted at that particular mental image, she wasn't stupid and she'd seen the torn underwear that had been tossed to the side. If the man was going to make up a lie he'd have to at least put some effort into making it believable.

It was clear just what Botan thought of him now and Hiei wasn't about to put up with anymore of her abuse. Roughly he shrugged off Kurama's hand and closed the distance between him and the ferry girl before she had a chance to move. Her pink eyes widened in terror as he grabbed her throat, fingers closing tightly before shaking the woman violently. He might not be able to kill her but before he was finished he'd make damed sure she was afraid of him. "Is it genuine concern that has you desiring to know or are you trying to get information to fuel some perverted desire to fantasize about someone you can never have?" Already Kurama was moving towards him, determined to pry him off of the girl who was struggling to breath in his grasp. Roughly he tossed her to the floor, ignoring the glare that she gave him. Really he didn't give a damn if she was pissed off at him or not. "Since you seem so anxious to know, she was the one to instigate the whole encounter so keep your opinions to yourself."

"Do you really expect us to believe that?!" Botan gasped out as she pulled herself up off the floor. Once she was on her feet she summoned her oar, knowing it would be a poor defense against the demon but she wasn't going to stand there and allow him to manhandle her again. What she couldn't understand was why Kurama hadn't said anything yet. In fact the man looked rather resigned and was now looking at the apparition with what appeared to be sympathy. "Kurama you don't really think that's what happened do you? Yukina didn't even know what was going on when Kuwabara asked to kiss her!" There was no way that Yukina would strip the both of them and proceed to molest the man standing in front of her.

"Actually Botan, I believe him." Both Hiei and the ferry girl turned to look at him then, one look of something that bordered on relief and another expression of startlement. He'd felt the confusion and shock through the mental bond when Hiei had contacted him earlier in the day. Kurama also knew that there was no way the apparition would intentionally do something of this nature to his sister, he just didn't have it in him. "Think for a moment Botan, with the lengths Hiei has gone to protect her why would he do this now?" Seeing the ferry girl calming slightly had him breathing a sigh of relief, one less volatile temper in the room was a blessing. "Hiei came here today because Yukina was feeling ill and no one could explain it. If I were to wager a guess it was the bond between them trying to form and backlashing because it was denied. When he found her and stayed to make sure she was alright it took hold. There was no preventing this."

"But," Botan began, her shoulders slumping as Kurama's words sank in. "Even with the bond there that didn't mean they had to do that. Even with the bond in place she could have reproduced on her own like the Koorime are meant to!" She had to believe that it was the truth even though reality was now staring them all in the face. Yukina was going to force herself into carrying two children that by all rights shouldn't exist.

Sighing heavily, Hiei turned away from the woman not really wanting to discuss this any longer. What was done was done, what possible good could come from speaking of this now? It would have been better if someone had realized this was what was happening some time ago, not after the fact. Footsteps were heard behind him as Kurama came to stand beside him. Wearily he turned to look at his old friend and partner, wondering just what the man wanted.

"I know you are wishing this was not an issue that must be dealt with but it has to be addressed Hiei. What is it that you plan to do? Even though Yukina said she would do this on her own you have to realize the toll this will take on her." Unspoken was Kurama's worry that the girl would choose her mother's path, taking suicide as the only way out when the weight of the responsibility became too much to bear. It wasn't a strong possibility but the practical side of him had to consider that it might actually come to pass and he'd be damned if he stood by and watch it happen. The tired look on his friend's face had him wishing there was a way he could change what had happened but it just wasn't in his power. "She needs you Hiei."

"Don't you think I know this Kurama?" Never in his wildest dreams had Hiei considered the possibility of having a family and one with his sister at that. But Kurama was right, even though the Koorime race tended to their children on their own he couldn't leave it all to her to deal with. But how the hell was he supposed to cope? Even though he hadn't had much of a choice in taking her as a mate the fact remained that he had. It wasn't in him to go against what his instinct and honor demanded, providing for her as a proper mate should. Slowly he shifted, looking from Kurama who was gazing at him in concern to Botan who was regarding him with a coldness he was unaccustomed to seeing from the woman. "I will handle this as I must. Yukina and her children will be provided for, anything more is her decision." He wasn't about to suggest to her that she cater to his more intimate desires, if it came down to it he'd just have to handle those himself. He wouldn't look for relief elsewhere.

Botan stared after the apparition as he walked out of the room, her emotions turbulent. On one hand she was relieved that he was at least going to do the right thing and care for the children since they hadn't had a choice in being conceived. But on the other she couldn't help but wonder what he meant by anything more. Would he seriously consider the idea of allowing Yukina to take her proper place as his mate? The idea was slightly sickening to her, knowing what all that would entail which was just as intimate as a human marriage. "You don't think he actually means...." Botan struggled to put it into words and failed miserably, staring at the empty doorway. What would the others think of this? She knew it was one thing, keeping the children's father a secret from both Yusuke and Kuwabara if the apparition wasn't going to treat Yukina as his mate but it was quite another if his full possessiveness was going to come into play.

"I think he does Botan," Kurama said as he turned to look at the ferry girl. Beyond making sure the children were well taken care of it really wasn't their concern just what path Hiei and Yukina's relationship took. Of course that didn't mean that the others would quite see it the same way that he did but one way or another they would have to accept it. "You have to understand Botan, what Yukina has done isn't something that can be changed now. Do you think that it is fair to either of them to demand that they remain alone for the rest of their lives?" One of the side effects of bonding was a need to reassure a mate with physical proximity. To ask the two of them to try and deny what they needed was in his mind cruel. Given what the siblings had suffered through already in Kurama's mind what Botan wanted was just too much to ask.

"That still doesn't make it right," Botan sighed as she dematerialized her oar, no longer needing it with the apparition out of the room. If only there had been some way to prevent this but Botan knew better than anyone that there wasn't any predicting something like this. Reincarnation orders only came through once the child was conceived and the very basics of the child's life was predicted. Even then it wasn't set in stone, events could be altered depending on the choices that were made but they still had a basic blueprint of what kind of person the child would grow up to be.

Turning to face the ferry girl, Kurama frowned. While he could understand her position it didn't change things. "Regardless of whether you think it's right or not is immaterial. What matters is that you accept it for what it is, a major development in our friends live." His emerald eyes hardened for a few moments, causing her to stare at him in concern. "From here on out you have to make a decision and I suggest you choose wisely. Your disgust is evident and believe me when I say that both Hiei and Yukina will pick up on it easily. If they believe that their children will suffer for your beliefs they will make sure you will have nothing to do with them. Is your distaste for the situation enough for you to give up their friendship? Or can you put your beliefs aside in order to maintain the relationships that you have built with them in the past?"

In the end Botan knew what she would choose. While she'd never been that close to Hiei she had become good friends with Yukina and to that end alone she would attempt to accept what had happened. She might not like it but she would try to ignore the relationship that they'd found them in for the sake of her friendship with Yukina. "I'll do my best Kurama," Botan murmured before kneeling down to pick up the folder for a final time. It wouldn't do for anyone else to run across the information, it would be up to the two of them to determine who should learn of the children's father, if it was revealed at all. "You'll tell me if anything else happens?" Seeing the kitsune's nod of agreement the ferry girl materialized her oar once again, needing to return to the Reikai. "Alright, I'll be in to check on Yukina from time to time."

~*~

Slowly Hiei slid the bedroom door open without knocking, knowing that he needed to speak with Yukina before he knew what they were going to do. He could see by the way she tensed that she'd heard him enter though she didn't demand that he leave, that at least was a good sign. He didn't say a word as he crossed the room and then knelt beside her on the floor. Tear stains were evident on her cheeks and carefully he brushed them away with his thumb, knowing that he was the one that had caused them. "No more tears." There was a wariness in her gaze as Yukina opened her eyes but Hiei didn't take offense at seeing it. He was feeling rather uncertain as well, she had every right to worry. "You spoke of raising the children alone," Hiei started and she immediately tensed, certain of what was coming. "It will not be necessary. I will be here for them, and you if you will have me."

Yukina turned from him, unable to look the apparition in the face. Her arms hugged her abdomen protectively as she thought about what Hiei had said. Slowly she exhaled, knowing that one way or another they were going to have to talk about this sooner or later. "You don't mean that Hiei. You might think you do now but what of six months from now when they are born? Or even two years from now?" Yukina tried to keep her voice strong but failed miserably. It didn't help that she could feel the hurt in him that her words had caused but they had to be spoken. If she were to accept his offer now and then he changed his mind it would kill her. "You have to be certain of what you want. If you're going to be there for a while only to decide you don't want the responsibility later on then just go now. The children don't deserve that," Yukina's voice was now barely above a whisper, "and neither do I."

"Your worries are groundless." Hiei shifted closer to the girl, ignoring the anger that he felt. It was easy to understand why Yukina thought he would cast them all aside, after all hadn't that been what he'd done in a fashion by denying their relationship for so many years? While he had meant to spare her the disappointment of just who he was in the long run it created a far greater insecurity that would take a very long time to overcome. "Six months, six years, the amount of time will make no difference since my decision has been made. Or will you turn me away and deny me the right to see my children?" He wasn't about to broach the subject of the relationship between them, he'd rather deal with one problem at a time.

"Of course not!" Yukina turned to face him, shock evident on her face. There was no way she would even suggest such a thing, it was unthinkable. She stopped when she felt the slightest bit of relief coming from him. There was no way she'd be so foolish as to believe that he was actually looking forward to this though and had only said what she had to give him a way out if that's what he really wanted. Thankfully though it looked as if it wouldn't be necessary, he seemed to be willing to commit to the family that he hadn't asked for. "I just need to be sure, if this is what you want I will not try to stop you." To be honest she was slightly relieved. Yukina had always known that eventually she would become a mother but now that the time had arrived she was more than a little bit afraid and knowing that he would be there to help worked to counter part of her concerns though it by no means banished them all.

Hiei merely nodded, unsure of what more to say. There was still much to be settled between them but it had been a stressful enough day as it was. For several long moments he watched her before reaching out and pulling her closer to him. Hiei held his breath as he waited for her to protest his actions, wondering if he was crossing the line but to his surprise the action seemed to reassure her even further. While he had never been one to relish physical contact the apparition knew that his needs were no longer his main priority and if this made her feel even the slightest bit better then he was willing to push aside his preference for solitude. Gently his fingers ran through her hair and watched her eyes drift closed, the need for sleep beginning to claim her. "Sleep for now, I have no intention of leaving you Yukina."