Purple and orange rays of sunset sparkled off the surface of the lake as gentle ripples touched Kurama's hips, the coolness of the water surrounding the naked fox with a sensual caress. Kurama was resting his head on his hands as he leaned on Hiei's knees while the naked koorime sat above him on one of the smooth boulders that laced the perimeter of "their" lake. Kurama had found this secluded spot, and he loved to steal Hiei away to visit it whenever possible, the plants surrounding it with a natural, private canopy of leaves and flowers. Kurama's tail was swishing back and forth under the water attracting the attention of some Makai carp, but the kitsune only had eyes for his lover. The tip of his silver mane just touched the lake's surface, the moisture causing Kurama's hair to stick to his back. Hiei was gently massaging Kurama's ears and the fox was enjoying the sensation very much, deeply purring in response. Kurama licked his lips and smiled up at Hiei's face.
"Relaxed?"
"Hn," Hiei smiled as he inhaled deeply, smelling the evening air, then sighed. "Hai. Arigatou...but, doshite? To what do I owe this special 'treat'?" Hiei leaned his forehead down so he was nose to nose with his lover.
"I just wanted to make sure you were nice and relaxed before we got to Yukina's dinner party, that's all." Kurama nuzzled Hiei then turned so his back was pressed up against the koorime's body. Hiei wrapped his slender arms around Kurama's shoulders and kissed him on the neck. The youko leaned back further into the snuggle and rested his head on Hiei's shoulder with a contented sigh, gently rubbing the backs of Hiei's arms. Splashing and squealing could be heard off in the distance.
"We all didn't have to take a bath just to visit my sister, ya' know." Hiei whispered as he licked some of the water droplets that were trickling down the side of Kurama's jaw. "You fuss too much."
Kurama smiled mischievously as he turned to look at Hiei. "Then I couldn't have helped you...relax."
"Yeah, well, while I appreciate that, we could have waited 'til later." Hiei replied as he gave his lover a light kiss on the nose.
"Yeah, well, maybe I couldn't," Kurama answered, kissing him back and turning so he was again face to face with the damp fire demon. "I didn't want a repeat of our last visit." Kurama squinted his eyes and looked at Hiei somewhat accusingly.
"Hey, that wasn't my fault."
"Oh, and I suppose the garage just burst into flames by itself, hmm?"
"Kuwabara dared me. I accepted the challenge, as was my right." Hiei's voice snipped.
"See!" Kurama growled, raising himself out of the water and pressing himself against Hiei, trapping the smaller demon on the rock beneath his body. "That's what I mean. That's why I had to...'relax' you!" And Kurama captured Hiei's mouth in a wet, juicy kiss.
"Hey, you're dripping all over me!" Hiei argued, turning his face away as water began trickling all over his Jagan and hair.
"That's not what I'd like to do all over you..." Kurama leered as his eyes opened wide, a huge grin spreading across his face as he leaned in for another kiss.
"Baka!" Hiei grunted as he shoved the youko back into the lake with a huge splash, the wake causing Hiei to get just as wet as if he had jumped in.
Kurama popped back up to the surface and spit a mouthful of water at Hiei, which he dodged just in time.
"Baka!" grumbled the soaked koorime, attempting to brush water from his body. Kurama chuckled as he went to grab Hiei's feet, Hiei pulling them away just in time. Another huge splash could be heard and now some heated demon-children argument was underway, something about something not being fair and who was going to tell on who.
"I guess we'd better get back there before they drown each other," Kurama said with a chuckle as he began to swim in the children's direction. "I'll see you later," and with a wink he was off.
Hiei watched him swim away as he slowly rose to dry himself. With a small burst of ki, Hiei's skin was dry enough to dress comfortably, and he put back on his usual black outfit. As he adjusted the two thin white belts, he looked up and watched as Kurama shuttled the children back to shore and began drying and dressing them. As Hiei walked around the lake, he never took his eyes off the naked figure of his fox, marveling at his beauty. If Kurama was gorgeous dry, he was even more appealing wet. The water glistened off his sculptured body, showing off the athletic muscles and fine definition of his back, chest and arms. Kurama and the children were much more relaxed about their bodies and being naked in front of each other than Hiei was, the children still not minding bathing together, although Kurama made sure not to be quite so exposed in front of Rami-chan (he could maneuver his tail just so...). Hiei watched mesmerized as Kurama shook his silky mane and fluffed his tail before dressing himself. Kurama was totally aware of being studied by his lover and enjoyed taking his time putting on his clothing. When he was done, he looked at Hiei and smiled and gave his silver silk another shake. Hiei reached up and smoothed down a few stray strands with his palm, and looked up at Kurama. "Baka," he whispered softly under his breath, the corner of his mouth forming a slight smile. Kurama grinned back down at him, then called the children to come and get ready to go.
After brushing Yoji's and Ryu's hair one more time, and giving Rami and Hi another inspection, the Kurama-Hiei family were ready to visit Yukina's family for a much anticipated Father's Day dinner.
Evenings in the Ningenkai offered an excellent opportunity for the demons and humans to share in each other's company unnoticed, most of the demons and humans being happy about these arrangements. Only one or two protested, and they shall remain nameless. Koenma had given the Kurama-Hiei family permission to pass through the Makai gates for this special dinner and wished he and Botan could have joined them. But he was spending Father's Day with Enma now that he, too, was going to be a father very soon and didn't want Botan floating around unnecessarily. Besides, he was hoping for lots of time off when the baby arrived, so he felt he needed to butter up his touchan, if buttering up the King of the Afterworld was possible.
Yukina had planned a wonderful dinner, inviting not only her brother's family but Yusuke and Keiko with their new baby as well. Keiko had confided in Yukina that Yusuke had been acting a little "weird" since Nintai was born, even more weird than usual. Nintai was long in coming, Keiko having suffered a miscarriage early on, and then taking so long to get pregnant again. Perhaps Yusuke was just nervous around the little girl; at least that's what Keiko was going to assume. She hoped her husband would pick up a few parenting pointers from the other experienced touchans that were going to be here tonight.
"Niisan!" Yukina gleefully shouted as Hiei made his way up the step, the rest of the family following closely behind. Rami had gotten tired so Kurama was carrying her on his hip, as usual. The boys were running excitedly ahead to join Hiei and couldn't wait to see what their itoko's were up to and what cool human things they had to show their demon counterparts. Kori, Yukina and Kuwabara's eldest, was becoming quite a young lady at 12 (in human years) so she quietly stayed behind as the twins Fuyu and Yuki grabbed the K&H kids and pulled them upstairs for an evening of fire and fun.
"Behave yourselves until dinner!" Kurama shouted at the pack scrambling up the stairs in a feeble attempt to maintain some control of the children. "Kori? Would you supervise, dozo?" "Hai, Oji-san," Kori replied with a smile and followed the noisier children up the stairs.
"Ah, forget it, Kurama" Kuwabara said with a huge grin as he greeted his brother's-in-law. "We'll be lucky if we see them for the rest of the night." As Hiei passed by, with his hands shoved in his pockets, Kuwabara couldn't help but get the first barb in.
"Oi, Hiei. The garage is all put back together, so if you're in the mood, I'll contact the fire department now. Save a little time, ne?" Kuwabara chuckled. Hiei, of course, found no humor in the comment whatsoever and replied with a disgusted "Hn!"
Just as Kuwabara was about to close the door, Yusuke and Keiko rounded the walk, Keiko carrying their month-old baby girl swaddled in her arms. Yusuke held the door for the two and followed Keiko in. After making the usual greetings and salutations to the other guests, Yusuke came up to where Kurama and Hiei were talking, and Keiko headed towards the kitchen to help Yukina finish preparing the meal and show off their little bundle.
While the men were occupying themselves with "guy" talk - what demon was sighted and killed by whom, what Ningenkai sports team was slaughtering another - Yukina and Keiko were in the kitchen talking. Yusuke and Kuwabara went outside into the yard to look at some very human lawn mowing equipment that Kuwabara had just purchased, while Hiei was satisfied for the moment to sit quietly - and still somewhat relaxed - on the sill of the large bay window that overlooked the yard, shaking his head and wondering what could possibly be that fascinating about a big, clumsy machine that hacks down grass. Kurama, after checking on the children who were squealing and laughing and playing games upstairs with each other, made his way quietly into the kitchen to join the ladies.
Keiko was snuggling little Nintai in her arms, slowly rocking back and forth. But she seemed to be crying. Yukina was finishing the last minute touches to dinner and was trying to offer comfort and advice but wasn't being very successful at either. She finally stopped stirring the soup and sat down and faced Keiko, her face full of concern for the new mother. Kurama came and sat down on one of the other kitchen chairs and listened as he sipped some tea he had been given.
"I don't know what to do anymore," Keiko softly sobbed, dabbing her eyes, pulling the sleeping baby closer to her for a kiss on the forehead. "He's even worse now. He won't hold her, or change her, or feed her, or anything. And I'm so tired. I wish he would tell me what's wrong." Yukina reached forward and took Keiko's free hand into hers, gently rubbing the knuckles with her thumbs.
"Well, some new fathers are like that," she tried to sound reassuring. "Some are just naturals at handling babies, like Kuwabara, and others may be like Yusuke. Try to give him a little more time."
"It's not that," Keiko sniffed. "It's like he's mad at me and the baby. It's like after all the time it took trying to have a baby, now he's upset that we have one." Her tears began to flow in earnest. "Oh, Yukina," she sobbed. "I don't know what to do! I don't want to lose him. I love him so much...." Yukina, who was visibly upset by her friends situation, got up and gave Keiko a warm, sisterly hug.
"It'll be okay, Keiko" she tried to assure her softly as she rubbed her back in soothing circles.
"Is there anything I can do, Keiko" Kurama asked, his own voice full of concern. "I think Hiei and I have some experience in the parent department," he said with a gentle smile as he too came over to Keiko and knelt down so his tall frame was at eye level with her and the baby. Kurama reached out and gently caressed the sleeping human's tiny head in his larger, warm hands. He then reached up and brushed a tear off Keiko's cheek.
"Gods, I remember when our kits were this tiny," Kurama whispered, smiling as he tilted his head for a better look at the baby. "I remember being so scared I'd break them or something. You'd never believe how natural Hiei was with them." Then Kurama blushed a little, looking up at Keiko and Yukina, who were both grinning down at him, and he felt suddenly like "one of the girls." After rising and clearing his throat, he said - very deeply - "I think I'll go see what the GUYS are up to" and left, but not before pausing to give them both a wink, causing the women to giggle.
Keiko sighed deeply. "Do you think that's what it could be, Yukina? Do you think Kurama could be right? That Yusuke just doesn't know what to do?" her question seeming more like a hopeful answer.
"Maybe that's all it is," Yukina smiled as she resumed the dinner preparations. "Why don't you put the baby in Kori's old bassinet and come help me set the table. I don't think I could get the girls to come down and help at all!" hoping the distraction would cheer her friend.
As Kurama rounded the living room entrance, he saw Hiei staring out the bay window - actually chuckling!
"Baka's!" he snorted as he covered his mouth with his hand to suppress a laugh.
"What's so funny, Hiei?" Kurama asked as he came up behind Hiei and wrapped his arms around his lover, resting his head on Hiei's shoulder.
"Just those morons out there trying to dismember themselves with that stupid machine." Hiei shook his head and grinned. "Why don't they just hack the stuff down with their sword or rei gun. Save a hell of a lot of time and money."
"They're just not as macho as you, koibito," Kurama murmured into Hiei's ear as he nibbled on the lobe. Hiei was content to reply to that comment with a "Hn."
"What were you and my sister talking about in there with Keiko for so long? I thought I'd be bored to death out here if it weren't for the show outside."
"Oh, Yusuke's just being an ass hole, that all," Kurama commented.
"That's nothing new," Hiei grunted.
"No, this is different," Kurama shrugged as he and Hiei sat together on the windowsill watching Kuwabara kick the back end of the mower in frustration and Yusuke dissolve into a fit of laughter. "Yusuke seems to be upset about the new baby. He's acting so strange that its got Keiko's really upset."
"Hn. He acts strange to me all the time," Hiei grumbled as he watched Yusuke pretend to execute the mower between the eyes with his finger.
"Maybe I'll say something to him later. C'mon, let's round up the troops. I'm hungry!" And as Kurama went upstairs to sort through the toys and children, Yukina called for everyone to wash up and come to dinner.
Throughout dinner Kurama noticed that Yusuke said very little and ate even less. Keiko kept touching him on the hand and he seemed to be alright holding her fingers or putting his arm around the back of her chair and caressing her shoulder now and then. Kurama observed that when the conversation center around fathers and Father's Day Yusuke visibly stiffened.
"It's too bad my old man couldn't have lasted to see my family" Kuwabara was stating proudly as he patted the sides of his very full stomach. "He would have loved Yukina and the kids. He always made up these great games we'd play, like who could throw up more or who could fart the loudest," causing all the children at the table to bust up laughing. Hiei rolled his eyes and Kurama covered his mouth trying not to laugh as well.
"Kuwabara-kun! Please! Don't embarrass our guests." Yukina blushed, turning several shades of red at her husband's crude, but true, comments.
"Yeah, he was great for 'pull my finger'!" Kuwabara grinned. "I'll have to teach the girls that one."
"No you won't!" Yukina scolded him with a grin. "There are some human customs you do not have to pass on to your children." Yukina began clearing the table as Keiko rose to help, but the sounds of Nintai crying caused her to stop and retrieve the fussing child. The children were excused to continue whatever mischief they had begun and the herd scrambled noisily back upstairs to Fuyu and Yuki's room, this time "teams" being chosen.
"So, Yusuke, what's it like to now be in the 'club'? Got any new 'dad' stories you want to share with us old experts?" Kuwabara asked, reaching for the last drumstick that he would attempt to stuff into himself before Yukina took it away.
"No," Yusuke mumbled softly, his arms folded tightly across his chest very defensively. Keiko returned to her seat with Nintai, who was starting to fuss quite loudly now. Yusuke's entire demeanor seemed to change when Nintai was in his presence. He seemed terribly uncomfortable and Kurama noticed he wouldn't look at the baby.
"I think I'll go feed Nintai in the other room," Keiko looked at Kurama with pleading in her eyes as she got up to find a secluded corner of the living room to nurse.
"That's so beautiful," Kuwabara said wistfully, as he chomped on the chicken leg. "Seeing a mother with her baby." Then wiping his hands on his lap, he said to Kurama and Hiei "I guess you guys are done with babies, huh?"
"Probably," Kurama said with a wink to Hiei, as he secretly reached for his knee under the table. "We've got our hands full with four; I can't think of adding to the litter just now" and smiled as he listened to the tumult overhead.
"How's about you, Yusuke? It took a long time to have Nintai. Now that she's here, isn't Fatherhood everything you thought it would be, and more?" Kuwabara teased.
"I don't know what all the fuss is about babies, and I don't know why we had to come to this stupid Father's Day dinner. What's the big fuckin' deal about Father's Day anyhow." Yusuke's sour comments stopped the conversation right in its tracks.
Kuwabara raised an eyebrow and looked at Yusuke, then glanced at Kurama and Hiei confused. "Baka, Yusuke. Father's Day is when we celebrate being dads. I, for one, think it's cool."
"Well, I don't," Yusuke told him flatly. "Gods, Kuwabara. You're father isn't even here to enjoy it so what's so fun about that. And Kurama and Hiei's fathers both abandoned them, so what the hell do they have to celebrate. I think the whole thing is ridiculous." And he got up in a huff, shoving his chair under the table and stormed out of the house, slamming the sliding door that led to the back yard.
Kuwabara put his hand on his chest and stared at Kurama and Hiei. "What the hell was that all about?" Hiei looked over at Kurama, who was frowning as he looked in the direction in which Yusuke had just stormed off and shook his head.
"Keiko was telling Yukina and me that Yusuke's been acting strange since the baby was born and she can't figure out what's wrong."
"Well, something sure as hell is bothering him," Kuwabara said with a sigh as he pushed himself away from the table. "He's missing the whole point to this dinner. Yukina wanted to get us together because she knew all of us didn't have our fathers with us today. She figured we were entitled to this day 'cause now we all are dads. We were just waiting for Yusuke and Keiko."
"I'll go talk to him," Kurama said as he got up. "Maybe he'll tell me what's bothering him."
"Oi, Hiei. Come on out to the garage with me. Let me show you all the 'improvements' I was able to make thanks to your arson attempt a few months ago," Kuwabara said with a sly smile as he, too, rose from the table. "Hn" was all Hiei replied as he shoved his hands into his pockets, looking back over his shoulder as Kurama quietly opened the sliding door to the back yard.
Yusuke was sitting on the incapacitated mower, still fuming. Kurama could feel the tension in his ki as he approached. The yard was now lit by a full moon that caste a silver glow over everything, throwing long shadows against the ground. Kurama approached Yusuke quietly though he knew Yusuke was aware of his presence.
"What the hell do you want?"
"Oh, nothing. Just want to know what makes a seemingly reasonable person act like such a jerk." Kurama looked directly at Yusuke and folded his hands across his chest. His fox ears were aware that Yusuke's breathing was very tense.
"Nani. Just because I don't think we need to celebrate a stupid made up holiday, that makes me a jerk?" Yusuke wouldn't look at Kurama.
"What the hell's bothering you, Yusuke? You have a delightful new baby in there with a wonderful wife who's going crazy trying to figure out why you're acting so mean." Yusuke got up off the mower and walked slowly over to the swing set nestled amongst the trees. He sat down on a swing and began to absent-mindedly sway back and forth. It seemed to Kurama he wanted to say something but the words were stuck. Kurama walked over and leaned against the frame of the set, looking down at his troubled friend. There was a long, awkward silence between them as the cool evening breeze touched the leaves of the trees over head, playing with their shadows on the ground.
"Are you a good father?" Yusuke finally whispered, just barely loud enough for even Kurama's sensitive ears to hear. Kurama tilted his head with a frown.
"Hai, I think Hiei and I are very good fathers, in spite of our own upbringing."
Yusuke raised his head to the night sky, closed his eyes, and sighed deeply, his breath ragged.
"What does it mean to be a good father, Kurama? I need to know."
"Well," Kurama began softly, toeing the ground in front of him, "I think it means that you love your child or children with everything you are; that you want more for them than you ever had; and that they'll be there to continue what you've started in your life. But, Yusuke, nobody had to teach me or Hiei or Kuwabara this. It just seemed to come naturally. I'm sure it will to you, too."
"You're not afraid that your children will repeat the mistakes that you made?" Yusuke looked up at Kurama, sadness etched across his face.
"I don't think so." Kurama replied, a little confused as Yusuke's questions. Then with a smile Kurama continued. "It's almost like you're given a clean slate. It's like you get to do all the things right you should have done with your kids that perhaps your parents didn't or couldn't do with you. Doshite?"
"I never really knew my father, Kurama. That bastard left me and my mom when I was just a baby." Yusuke's voice was shaking as he continued. "I know he hurt my mother, because of what she became. And I know he hurt me, because of what I became."
"Is that what's bothering you, that you'll treat Nintai the way your father treated you and your mom?" Kurama moved closer to Yusuke and knelt down in front of him.
Yusuke's grip on the swing's chains was so tight Kurama could see his knuckles turning white even in the moonlight. Yusuke's face flushed with fear and embarrassment as he looked down at his feet. His chin quivered slightly as he tried to retain his composure in front of his demon friend.
"I have no memories of my father. Shit, I can't even remember what he looked like," Yusuke began to sniffle as tears filled his eyes. "I only remember all the pain he caused me and my mother." Kurama reached up and put his hands on Yusuke's knees to stop his swaying, and looked into his face. "I'm so afraid, Kurama." Yusuke choked back a sob. "I'm so afraid I'm gonna' turn out like him that I can't even touch my little girl. If I do, I'll fall in love with her and it'll make it even worse. I couldn't bear to hurt Nintai or Keiko that way..." Tears began to roll down Yusuke's cheeks and off his chin, as he began to softly whimper.
"Oh, Yusuke," Kurama sighed sadly, leaning back onto his heels, knowing too well the pain of abandonment. Seeing his human friend suffer so was heart-wrenching for him because he understood just how he felt. "Is that it? Do you really believe that just because your father left you and your mother that you'll end up just like him and leave Keiko and Nintai?" Kurama shook his head sadly and rubbed Yusuke's legs. "I think I understand....you never got to experience and see all the joys that really being a good parent can have. You only know the sorrow of never having had a father there for you, and how much he hurt your 'kaasan. You never got to feel what it was like to hold your father's bigger hand, or maybe play with his stuff and pretend you were him." Kurama moved to take hold of the swing chains, forcing Yusuke to be very close to his body. "You were never held in your father's arms and told how much you were loved...." Yusuke began to tremble and his breath was coming in choked sobs. "Yusuke..." Kurama whispered, his voice deep. "....Son..."
Yusuke looked up at Kurama with tears brimming in his eyes and whispered a choked "Kurama...". The youko reached forward and held Yusuke in his large arms tightly as Yusuke slid off the swing. The sobbing human reached out and held the youko just as tightly around the waist, burying his face on Kurama's chest, the fox's silver hair gently falling around his shoulders. Kurama began to slowly rock Yusuke back and forth as if comforting a little boy, Yusuke's heart-broken sobs filling the night air. Yusuke wept for the loss of his childhood, for the loss of innocence, for the loss of a father he never knew. Kurama brought one hand up and caressed the back of Yusuke's head. The fox closed his eyes in an effort to control his own emotions and kissed Yusuke on the forehead, rubbing his neck and shoulders.
"Yusuke," Kurama said gently, wiping a few dark brown strands of hair from his friends damp forehead. "I can't give you any guarantees about the kind of father you're gonna' be for Nintai." Yusuke was still trembling but his tears had finally slowed, his breathing less ragged as he looked up into Kurama's golden eyes, sniffling. "All I know is that only you can decide the type of father you want to be." Kurama looked deeply into Yusuke's sad brown eyes. "Just love her, Yusuke. Love her with all your heart and soul." Kurama's kind words were softening the pain Yusuke had kept in his heart for so long, and he felt his eyes fill with tears again.
"Hai," Yusuke choked. "I will."
"I think now you should go inside and find your beautiful wife and daughter and tell them, too." Kurama whispered, wiping away a new tear from Yusuke's cheek.
"Arigatou gozaimas, Kurama-kun", Yusuke whispered back, and they broke their embrace. Yusuke got to his feet wiping his sleeve across his face as Kurama brushed the soil off the knees of his trousers. Yusuke inhaled deeply and then sighed as if the night air was cleansing his entire body. With one last glance to Kurama, he made his way back inside, passing Hiei at the door. Hiei had taken all he could take looking at the new garage and had stumbled upon the events in the back yard only a few moments before.
Kurama smiled at Hiei as he leaned back against the swing's support bar, rather drained himself. Hiei walked up to his life partner and stared into his eyes, looking very solemn.
"That was very nice, what you did, kitsune," Hiei said very softly, as he gently tugged on Kurama's sleeve. "You're a good friend."
"Yeah, well, I think we both know what he's going through," Kurama sighed looking at the swings. "It's just that we went through it so long ago, that maybe we forgot a little about how much it hurt." As the demon couple made their way back to the house, Hiei stopped and took Kurama's hands into his. Kurama looked down at the fire demon with a questioning frown.
"And you're a good father, too." Hiei whispered as he stood on tiptoe, and in the quiet seclusion of the back yard kissed Kurama on the cheek. Kurama smiled, bringing Hiei's hands up to his lips for a kiss. Kurama then reached his arm around Hiei's shoulders and walked with him back into the house.
"Keiko, I..." Yusuke attempted to speak but found his voice still cracked with emotion. "Gomen" was all he managed to whisper. "I...I really want to tell you...."
"Do you love me, Yusuke?" Keiko said softly, not wanting to wake the baby but searching her husband's face, needing to know the answer.
"Hai," Yusuke nodded. "Ai shiteru, so much..." he choked.
"Do you love our daughter?" she whispered, her own voice cracking. Yusuke looked down at his sleeping angel and brought his trembling fingers up to touch her tiny hands. "Ai shiteru....more than I can say in words. It's...it's just that..." As tears rolled down his cheeks he leaned forward and kissed the baby on the top of her head, inhaling the wonderful smell the month-old child had about her. He stroked her hair gently as he looked back into his wife's eyes.
"You'll tell me when you're ready, Yusuke." Keiko's soft, loving words melted into Yusuke's heart. "Ai shiteru, Keiko," he whispered and he laid his head in her lap and wept.
Keiko looked up at Kurama and mouthed "Arigatou gozaimas" and with her free hand, gently stroked her husband's hair.
Kurama smiled a soft smile back to Keiko, then took Hiei by the hand and led him to the staircase.
"I think it's time to take the children home. It's getting very late and we should be going." As he climbed the stairs, he added "Tell Yukina arigatou but we gotta' go."
Kuwabara had just finished helping Yukina with the dishes when Hiei walked into the kitchen. "Arigatou. Gotta' go" was all he said as he shoved his hands into his pockets.
"Arigatou to you, niisan, for coming tonight. I hope you enjoyed the dinner," Yukina said as she dried her hands. As she went to walk her brother to the door Kurama came down the stairs with a sleeping twin on each shoulder. Yogi and Ryu were trying to hide yawns as Kurama slipped Rami from his shoulder onto Hiei's. Her protests were muffled by her thumb and she immediately fell back into a deep sleep. Both twins had worn themselves out playing and were as limp as rag dolls as Kurama repositioned Hi to drape over him. In his sleep, Hi snuggled into Kurama and his little fist held onto some silver hair.
"We gotta' get these aka-chans home and into bed," Kurama softly commented as he smiled at Yukina, lightly kissing the side of Hi's cheek, the sleeping youngster not even stirring.
"Whatever you said to Yusuke seems to have worked, Kurama," Yukina said sweetly, placing her hand on Hi's back and giving him a kiss as well. She did the same to Rami, then kissed her other nephews who were still able to stand despite all the yawning and eye-rubbing. She then gave her brother a light kiss on the cheek, which he accepted without fuss.
"Sayonara, Kuwabara-kun," Kurama said to his brother-in-law. "Arigatou for dinner." "Anytime," Kuwabara replied as he watched his demon relatives leave the Ningenkai for their trip back to the Makai.
Hiei had remained rather quiet as the shimmering glow of the Makai gates welcomed home the sleepy demon family. As they made their way to their tree-house dwelling Kurama noticed that Hiei would frown or chew on his lip in thought.
"Now right into bed and no talking," Kurama whispered to Yoji and the yawning Ryu as they lay down on their futons. A mumbled response was all Yoji could muster and both boys fell deep asleep in moments. Hiei had just placed Rami on her side of the twin's futon as Kurama lay Hi down gently. Rami rolled over and snuggled into Hi's back as she usually did, the twins not stirring once in bed. Hiei titled his head and looked down at his sleeping offspring and sighed. Kurama put his hand on Hiei's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"I don't think I could image not having children, Hiei," Kurama said softly as the touchans tiptoed out of the children's bedchamber. "I just figured it was a natural part of life." They made their way to their own bedchamber and began to quietly undress.
"I guess I never really thought about it...until I met you," Hiei replied as he placed his belts over his trousers and cloak that were neatly stacked on the floor, and stretched out next to Kurama who was already waiting for him on the futon. They each lay on their sides facing each other.
Kurama, supporting his head with his right hand, traced the outline of Hiei's jaw with his left index finger looking at his mouth as he softly spoke.
"Yusuke had it pretty rough as a kid. He may be all talk and bravado, but inside he was really hurting." Kurama leaned forward and gently kissed Hiei on the lips.
Hiei reached up and lightly touched Kurama on the mouth, tracing his lips with his fingers.
"I never appreciated it until tonight that other people in the worlds experience the same kind of parenting problems. Gods, there's so much responsibility in bring up kids."
"Hiei," Kurama murmured with a sly smile, "you almost sound wistful," and snuggled in close for a hug.
"I'm just saying that with all our history of lousy parents you'd think we'd be totally screwed up with our kids," Hiei pointed out as he started nibbling on Kurama's neck.
"Well, we don't have to worry because we have the sweetest, kindest, nicest, most well-behaved kits in the entire Makai," Kurama purred as Hiei rolled over on top of him, pinning him for a very passionate kiss.
***CRASH***
"TOUCHAN!!!"
"Give it back! It's MINE!!"
"I stole it FIRST!"
"Get over on your OWN side!!"
"TOOOO-CHAAAAAN!!!!"
"Shee-MAH-ta!" Hiei growled as he rolled off Kurama, shaking his head as he closed his eyes and rested his hand on his forehead. Kurama started to laugh hysterically, holding his sides, as he looked over at the grumbling Hiei.
Hiei looked back over at the giggling kitsune and sighed with a smile. He gently stroked Kurama's smooth cheek that was flushed from laughter with the knuckles of his left hand.
"Happy Father's Day, fox."
Kurama looked lovingly into his life-partners ruby eyes, and chuckled.
"Happy Father's Day, koibito."
The End
Copyright 1998 Julie Farel
Yu Yu Hakusho Disclaimer
This story is dedicated to my father. While his life ended too suddenly and he was not able to comfortably share his emotions, I know that he would have done anything for me and my family, and that he loved all of us more than anything in the whole world.