The Aftermath

Originally, these two parts were seperate in my notebooks. But for the sake of space on AFF, and since I've already said that there would only be three (Maybe.. just maybe, if this isn't boring you, a fourth part in the future) I decided to merge these two smaller parts.

I will warn you, some things coming up in the remainder of this story will NOT be pretty. So if you like dark... if you like unexpected twists... stay with me. There will be at least one character death that I can recall. But I'm not saying who.

Now, let's turn the hourglass over a couple times, take a deep breath, and begin.

######################

Segway - Two Months

* After returning home to Tourin, with his new, pregnant mate in tow, Yusuke's announcement was very well received. So well, in fact, that the celebration around Yusuke's Tower had continued on for a couple weeks. While Yusuke outwardly enjoyed all the festivities, inwardly he was constantly alert. Kurama never mentioned anything, but he would feel Yusuke's mane of hair bristle everytime new guests or delegations arrived to congratulate them. He would notice Yusuke sniff each gift after it was presented.

At night, when they would return to the privacy of Yusuke's well-guarded quarters, Kurama would snuggle into their very large bed. Yusuke, though, would patrol every room, pausing at every window to scan the grounds. Kurama would wait patiently, never complaining of his Alpha's instinctual protectiveness. Only when the Toushin Lord was completely satisfied of their security would he undress and join his kitsune mate.

Most nights, they would enjoy their own celebration of their union. Yusuke always being gentle and ever conscious of Kurama's developing kits. Afterwards, they would drift off together in sleep. In these moments, Kurama would always feel Yusuke's thoughts when they dwelled on the only thing missing from their lives: Hiei.

(The group of Shinobi split up and continue to scour Demon World, fruitlessly as of yet.)

Then, one night, not more than a couple days after all the celebrating ended, on one of Yusuke's nightly patrols, he caught a snake demon attempting to sneak stealthily over the balcony wall. Of course, he quickly made short work of the unlucky demon with a quick blast of his Spirit Gun. But this demon's destruction made the rest of his party, who'd been hidden on the ground, squeal and scatter. Yusuke took out several more with his Shotgun, while Toushin guards showed up to chase the rest unsuccessfully.

When the immediate investigation of this breach revealed several dead guards along a secluded section of the outer wall, Yusuke had had enough. He quickly placed Hokushin in charge once more, told him how they could be contacted, and moved his then-two-month pregnant mate to Spirit World.

He decided to take Lord Koenma up on his open invitation of a temporary apartment for them. This is where they have spent the past month peacefully together. Wanting for nothing. Except one thing: Hiei.

For the koorime, it has not quite been such a peaceful two months. Even though he has the barrier in place, it is mostly directed upward to keep from being detected by Koenma. Or more precisely, the SDF troops that, in his mind, are searching for his Alpha.

For this fact, the walls of the barrier that reach the ground are weaker. This serves to keep out most of the lesser demon scavengers. But once in a while a stronger demon or two will get through to cause havoc. While Sabaktu continues to rest and regain his strength it is Hiei that is left mostly with the task of defending their hiding place.

The koorime feels how the exertion of battle, not to mention his developing twins, are depleting his energy. But he never shows it to his son. He must keep the boy as calm and comfortable as possible. Hiei tends to Sabaktu's every need without complaint. But he begins to notice that, while his own pregnancy is progressing, (Fire Demons only carry for Three months) Sabaktu's is doing so much slower. Hiei begins to realize that it is because of their human sire. Along with this, comes another realization: He will deliver before Sabaktu.

Then, sure enough, not many nights later the koorime wakes in the middle of the night. Instinct tells him the cause of the immense pains that come in waves. Fortunately, while he delivers his twins, with the help of Sabaktu, his jagan is able to keep the barrier functioning with very little problems. This is a double-edged sword in a way. Because, while the jagan is concentrating on the barrier, it can offer little comfort to it's en-laboured host. Thankfully, though it takes several hours, both twins are delivered successfully. The youngest arriving just before the full light of Demon World's sunrise. Then, after seeing to their cleaning and first meal wearily, Hiei slips away into hibernation. Leaving Sabaktu to take his turn at watching over the newborns and his Father. Though Sabaktu is still recovering, as much as possible considering, the boy is no slouch when it comes to stepping up to do his share of the protecting.

#####################

I'm not an expert in childbirth, having never had any myself. I just know that it hurts a really whole lot. :o/ So I hope that this much of a description of the birth of Hiei's twins will suffice. Hey, at least they are here, now, and safe... so far... :o?