Vixen!

New chapter written on a brand new laptop computer Glad to hear you enjoyed the last chappie, lemme know what you think of this one. Warnings. . .major fluff towards the end.


Hiei left his room a bit reluctantly, he knew that there was a lot left for everyone to do before they could call it a night. Although he would never admit it to anyone other then possibly his mate, the Jaganshi was proud of Kurama, his vixen, his mate. He ignored the chatter that circulated around the living room as Kuwabara and Narumi relived the birth of the third and final kit for Koenma and the girls who were worried sick for their friend; the small demon moved to find the female kits, who were cuddled up together on the large recliner.
“Aren’t they darling, Hiei-san?” Yukina asked in a breathy whisper being cautious not to wake the sleeping sisters.
Darling? Hiei asked himself. He tilted his head to the side to fully size up the babies. Two newly cleaned newborn nestled together sporting matching thatches of silky ink black hair, misty blue eyes and tiny rosebud mouths. Incredibly small, yet perfectly sculpted hands closed into miniature fists rested beside their heads as they slept peacefully. Looking past the oddly shaped, abnormally large heads, they weren’t all that bad to look at. Wishing to humor his little sister, Hiei nodded, “I suppose.” He mumbled looking at her through the corner of his eye; hands clasped at her petite bosom, a delighted smile gracing her small lips.
“How is Kurama doing?” The maiden asked in the same hushed whisper.
“As well as someone could be after giving birth three time in a row.”
Yukina looked at her brother with a worried frown. “And the third kit?”
“He’s breathing.” Hiei really didn’t want to elaborate more then that but, his sister’s large worried eyes stared up at him pleading for more reassurance. “Narumi is making him something to get his energy up so that he might start nursing. Haven’t you been listening to your clown of a lover?”
Yukina cheeks colored lightly. Hiei was afraid that he may have hurt his beloved sister’s feelings, yet was relieved to see that she was smiling guiltily behind her tiny hand.
“No,” She admitted with a shake of her head, large eyes turned away bashfully. “I was looking at the babies. Aren’t they darling?”
Realizing that she had repeated herself, Yukina blushed again and turned her eyes to the ground, an embarrassed smile making its way to her slim lips. Hiei snorted softly, a tiny smile appearing momentarily appearing on his lips. Yukina caught that tiny thread of emotion and smiled delightedly back at him. They enjoyed each other’s company for a spilt second longer before one of the kits suddenly started wailing. Startled, Hiei jumped back staring at the baby as if it had exploded in front of him. Everyone in the room started chuckling or giggling until Hiei glared daggers at them. Narumi came up beside him still chuckling softly.
“What’s wrong with her?” Hiei hissed, his grumpy mood coming back.
“I’m willing to bet that she wants held.” The doctor replied, smiling fondly down at Hiei then the wailing baby.
“Willing to bet?” Hiei asked. “Isn’t it your job to know these things?”
“She can’t tell me what she wants. Soon you will be able to tell which cries mean what or become very good at guessing. Maybe if you pick her up she might stop crying.”
Finding himself trapped Hiei stepped closer to the recliner. He looked down at the wailing baby, her arms and legs were flailing in jerky movements as if she had no control over her tiny limbs. Hesitantly he reached down and lifted the baby from the recliner to cradle her in his strong arms.
“Hush now, what good is your wailing going to do for your mother, who is probably worried sick over your brother?” Hiei asked the newborn. The kit didn’t answer, she made a sort of content gurgling sound and closed her grayish blue eyes. Hiei held the kit a moment longer to take a closer look at her. She must have been the middle kit for Hiei clearly remembered that the first born had a pair of flopped ears on the top of her small head; this one had normally shaped ears. Feeling the babe’s bottom the Jaganshi soon discovered that she didn’t have a tail either. “You must take after your fa-” Hiei realized that he didn’t want to refer to the disgusting goat as the babe’s actual father. Not quite sure of these emotions he was feeling for his mate’s bastard children, Hiei placed the baby back down next to her sister. The instant she was laid on the recliner cushion the baby started wailing all over again. Sighing, Hiei picked the baby back up. “Now what do I do?” He asked realizing that she did NOT want to be put down again.
“You learn how to do everything one handed.” Narumi supplied with a smile.
Grumbling Hiei made his way into the kitchen. As soon as he was out of ear shot Shizuru waved everyone to her to show them the pictures she had taken of Hiei and the baby. The first was of Hiei and Yukina staring down at the babies, next Yukina had a blush coloring her cheeks her eyes turned bashfully away from her brother who sported an affectionate smirk on his lips. The third and final picture was of Hiei holding the baby, his mouth open as he was in the middle of asking her why she was crying, his slender eyebrows raised questioningly giving him an adorable expression.
“Kurama is going to love those.” Kuwabara whispered.
“Why don’t you go show her?” Shizuru asked.
“It couldn’t hurt.” Kuwabara took the camera from his sister and made his way back to Kurama’s bedroom. A minute or so later he came back and tossed the camera to his sister. “Kurama was sleeping, but I did get a good pic of Shura and his little brother.”
As the others crowded around to see the new picture and see the final baby Kuwabara went into the kitchen.
“Kurama’s out.” He said coming up to Narumi who was mixing his odd concoction at the table. Hiei, who was filling a small tub full of lukewarm water at the sink with his free hand, turned to the tall ningen. “Shura and Yusuke are having a hell of a time keeping the kit awake.”
“I shouldn’t be much longer.” Narumi replied turning around to face Hiei. “Cleaning him should help keep him awake, although he probably won’t like it much it will be better then letting him fall asleep to early. Kurama should feel better when she’s cleaned up a bit as well. Can you do that?”
Hiei nodded. Returning to the sink he tried to lift the tub of lukewarm water with his free hand resulting in his splashing the front of his shirt with the water. Grumbling again, Hiei spun around and approached Kuwabara with swift, determined steps. “Here,” He placed the baby in his lap. Startled by the Jaganshi’s actions Kuwabara gathered the baby in his muscular arms and gave Hiei a questioning look. “Keep her quiet.” He grunted, retrieving the tub from the sink he made his way to back to his mate’s side.
Hiei entered his room quietly, his footsteps only making the slightest sound. Yusuke looked up when he head the door click shut, he gave his short friend a smile and a nod that went ignored. Making his way to the side of the bed, Hiei placed the tub of warm water next to Kurama’s legs and looked at the kit Shura had cradled in his small arms. The young goat was alternating from rubbing his brother’s cheeks and toying with his silky ears, trying in vain to keep the kit awake.
“Here,” Hiei moved the tub of water in front of Shura. “Clean him off. He’ll hate it.” Once that was said, Hiei turned his attention to his slumbering mate. Her face was half buried in Yusuke’s neck, her bosom, now covered with her robe, was raising and falling steadily with her breaths. Honestly, Hiei wished he could let his mate sleep a bit longer, but he did know that Narumi was right in assuming that Kurama would feel much better when she was cleaned. Plus, he knew that his vixen wouldn’t want to miss Naumi giving her son his life saving concoction. Calling softly to his mate, Hiei brought up a small hand to rub her still slightly flushed cheek to gently rouse her from her exhausted slumber.
“Wake up, kitsune.” Kurama gave a breathy grunt yet, remained asleep. Giving his mate’s cheeks gentle taps, Hiei tried to gain her attention to no avail; Kurama was out like a light. After another few minutes Hiei still hadn’t gotten a response from the vixen, he then turned to Shura who was still rubbing his brother’s cheeks and ears gently. “Start washing him up, he need to be cleaned and fed even if we can’t get his mother awake.
Shura nodded, gathering up the smaller of the two sponges floating in the tub of warm water Hiei had brought in, the young goat placed his baby brother in his lap and opened up the blanket he was wrapped in. The moment the warm, wet sponge touched the kit’s skin, he started giving thin, angry whines.
At the sound of the male kit’s whines Kurama’s eyes fluttered open and her ears flicked in his direction. Her expression was dazed for a moment until her kit gave an extremely annoyed mewl she started to sit up, her eyes searching for the kit who was only a few feet away in his aniki’s lap. Shura froze when he felt Kurama’s eyes burrowing into his skull. He hesitantly brought his large purple eyes up to meet his adoptive mother’s gaze.
“Your son is fine.” Hiei assured her in a calm murmur. “Your daughters as well.” He added noticing the way she searched to room for them. “We’ll bring them in in a few minutes.”
Reluctantly Kurama nodded.
“How do you feel?” Yusuke asked in an equally soft voice.
“Empty, crampy, but mostly tired.” Kurama answered her eyes focused on her sons.
“You should ask Narumi to give you some pain killers.” Yusuke suggested. “Remember what he said about all your organs getting readjusted and your uterus shrinking back to its normal size.”
Kurama nodded.
“Think you can sit up for a while?” Hiei asked. “I’m under orders to give you a sponge bath.”
“That sounds nice.” Kurama yawned. With a little help from Yusuke and Hiei, the vixen was able to arrange herself at the edge of her bed.
Deciding to start at her neck and shoulders then move downward, Hiei removed the robe that covered his mate’s front half. The vixen’s tired eyes held a slight glare and she snorted in disgust at the now loose skin of her stomach and abdomen.
“You’ll get your figure back in no time.” Yusuke promised, trying to reassure his tired friend.
“Why don’t you help Shura with the runt and leave Kurama to me?” Hiei asked, giving his taller friend a nasty snarl.
“You’ll get your figure back, too, Hiei.” Yusuke chuckled, sticking his tongue out at the smaller demon causing Kurama to give a soft laugh. It was cute seeing Hiei being so protective of her. But what was even nicer then that was how wonderful the warm, softness of the damp sponge felt on the vixen’s neck and shoulders. Hiei took his time running the sponge over his mate’s skin, massaging the built up tension out of her tired muscles and almost succeeding multiple times in putting her to sleep. Kurama groaned so softly that it sounded like a sigh when Hiei proclaimed that he was done and wrapped her in a clean robe.
The small demon was about to suggest that the vixen lay back and rest until the doctor arrived when a thin wail passed the runts lips.
“You pitch a fit after your bath is completed?” Shura asked, perplexed.
Kurama chuckled softly reaching out for her son. Hiei caught her wrist restricting it gently to gain the his mate’s attention. “Let Shura calm him.,” He suggested softly. “You should rest a while.”
Kurama smiled gathering her son into her arms. “But, I really want to hold him. Besides, I should get used to it.”
“That’s why you should accept and cherish these moments of peace we are offering you.” Hiei argued.
“I can rest and hold my kit at the same time.” Kurama answered in soft tones her eyes locked onto her tiny son.
Grumbling, Hiei gave in and arranged the previously discarded pillows behind his mate’s lower back and shoulders. The three dark haired demons feeling that, for the moment there was nothing left to do, allowed themselves to relax. Hiei kept grumbling as he watched Kurama fuss over her son, smoothing his thatch of silky silver hair, soothing his cries and constantly pressed tender kisses all over his tiny face and forehead. Soon Hiei gave up on grumbling and decided to sit beside Kurama with his back pressed to the headboard of their bed.
A muffled cry sounded through the closed door to interrupted the quiet moment the small group was enjoying. Kurama’s ears twitched toward the door a split second before her head spun to stare down the door.. Her breasts ached as her body recognized and responded to the baby’s cries, they leaked droplets of milk from their swollen nipples.
“Can’t that buffoon keep her quiet?” Hiei growled.
“She’s hungry.” Kurama stated anxiously.
“She’s not the only one.” Yusuke replied, pushing himself off the bed. “Me and Shura will go get the rest of the litter ans see about getting you tow some grub, ne Shura-kun?”
Shura nodded, pushing himself off the bed and following the taller demon towards the kitchen. After a quick peek at the oldest kit, who was still sound asleep in the recliner, the tow dark haired demons entered the kitchen where they found Kuwabara where Hiei had left hiim with the fussy baby still cradled in his muscular arms. Yusuke had expected to find either a panicking Kuwabara desperately trying to shush the baby as best he could or find Narumi was given the job of holdiong her while she wailed. He was surprised to see that Kuwabara was calm as could be, as if he delt with a baby ever day. The carrottop was cooing softly to the baby in his arms, bouncing her slightly while patting her bottom with one large hand.
“Geeze, Kuwa ” Yusuke poked his friend’s shoulder. “You’re a natural.”
“A natural though he may be,” Narumi agreed from across the table where he was sitting, much to Yusuke and Shura’s surprise. “Nothing can calm a fussy baby better then filling her tummy.”
“Then why have you kept her away from Kurama for so long?” Asked Shura.
“I wanted Kurama to be able to relax a bit and let her have a chance to bond with her son, incase he doesn’t make it.” Narumi answered with a sad smile.
“I thought you said that he had a good chance, that you were prepared, that-“
”I stand by what I said,” Narumi interrupted calmly reassuring the young goat. “However, I won’t lie to you or Kurama, these first twenty-four hours are critical. He is very weak, he is half the size of his sisters, who, for sharing in the tight confines of their mother’s womb, are smaller then most newborns. I will know more in the morning when I fully examine him.”
“How come your not doing that tonight?” Yusuke then asked.
“Kurama deserves to spend the rest of the night in peace. As soon as we get the last two kits fed and settled, hopefully, she can do just that.”
“Hopefully?”
“Most newborns sleep through their first night outside of their mother. Although, no one can say for sure whither or not he or she might get hungry.”
The baby in Kuwabara’s arms let loose another loud wail as if to stress Narumi’s point causing him to chuckle.
“Then what are you waiting for?” Yusuke asked. “Get your ass in there ”
“Right away, Yusuke.” Narumi, still smiling, gathered his equipment and container of liquid that by now was lukewarm from sitting for as long as it did.
“Here,” Kuwabara held out the still crying baby for Yusuke to take, as Shura went retrieve his oldest little sister. Not expecting the gesture from his friend, the young demon jumped back as if shocked.
“Uh uh ” He explained, shaking his head vigorously. “I don’t do little babies.”
Kuwabara and Narumi stared at their friend with identical expressions of surprise written on their faces.
“What do you mean ‘uh uh’?” Kuwabara asked. “Don’t you wanna take her to Kurama?”
“I told you I don’t do babies.” Yusuke hissed is a softer tone once he noticed that everyone in the living room were also watching him curiously.
“And just what the hell does that mean?”
“Let Narumi take her.”
“I’m already carrying something.” Narumi smiled. He saw this sort of reaction to newborns often and knew that the only way to get past that fear of potentially hurting a tiny baby was being around and holding one as often as possible.
“Tough ” Before Narumi could blink, the equipment and container of the stuff he created for the runt was taken from his arms. A blink later Yusuke was walking through the living room full of silent onlookers.
“Since when are YOU afraid of babies?” Koenma asked with a smirk, it was so rare that the young god could tease his favorite former detective for anything other then his lack of intelligence.
“Shaddup ” He snapped looking over his shoulder at the doctor in the kitchen he added, “Unless you want to have your throat handed to you by Kurama, you’s best bring that baby to her now ”
Watching the young demon stalk down the hall, Narumi couldn’t help but chuckle again. He was still chuckling while he took the wailing baby out of Kuwabara’s arms and followed Yusuke to her waiting mother. He had to stop, however, just inside the living room when he passed Shura, who was staring down at the kit still sleeping in the recliner.
“How do I pick her up?” He asked in a hushed whisper, noticing that Narumi was standing next to him.
“Cup your hands, slide your fingers under her arms to support her shoulders and neck as you lift her up.”
Shura carefully did as he was told; succeeding in his task, he beamed at Narumi once he had his baby sister cradled in his slender arms. Once he gathered one of the diaper-leaf and a some clothing that the girls had picked out for the last kit, the young goat followed Narumi into his adoptive mother’s bedroom. When he entered he saw Yusuke standing at the head of the bed next to Kurama, Hiei was still seated on the vixen’s other side, and Narumi had just settled himself on the edge of the bed at Kurama’s knees. Seeing that the bed was close to being crowded, Shura decided to seat himself in the corner of the room so that he wasn’t in the way but he could still see everything that was going on in the room and he was still in Kurama’s line of sight so that she could see that he was holding the first kit incase she got worried about her.
“Shall we switch?” Naurmi asked.
Not wanting to let go of her son, Kurama was tempted to reject his offer and hold both of the kits while they were fed. Seeing that was impossible, Kurama reluctantly handed over her son and accepted her youngest daughter. The first two kits, once placed in their mother’s arms quieted almost instantly; this one, however, continued to wail . Kurama, soothing her cries as only a mother could, with soft kisses and churrs, soon had the baby calm down enough to allow herself to be fed. As soon as the kit was happily suckling at Kurama’s breast, Narumi started to feed her brother.
Kurama’s ears flicked forward curiously at the mixture Yusuke was holding. Noticing this, Yusuke held the bowl so that she could get a better look at it. The vixen gave the mixture a tentative sniff, she then dipped the tip of a finger into the pinkish liquid and gave it a lick. The instant that little drop touched her tongue Kurama blanched; at almost the same moment Narumi used a dropper to give the male kit a tiny stream of the liquid causing the kits face to mimic his mother’s blanch.
“That good, huh?” Yusuke laughed.
“Perhaps I added a bit too much sugar. . .” Narumi pondered aloud.
“A bit too much?” Kurama echoed. “That is the most ungodly sweet creation I have ever tasted.”
Narumi chuckled, yet when he offered the kit another stream of his mixture he was able to swallow all of it. The doctor continued to feed the kit until more liquid seemed to be dribbling out of the corner of his mouth getting all over his chin and the blanket he was wrapped in then actually being swallowed.
“I think you’ve had enough, chibi.” Narumi chuckled. “We wouldn’t want to get you drunk on your first night outside your momma, now do we?”
The tiny baby yawned in response, his meal had tired him out and now he was ready to go to sleep. He didn’t so much as whimper as Narumi cleaned off the remains of his supper and changed him into the clothes that Shura had brought in. Once he was done dressing the kit, he laid him down in between his parents. Kurama watched her kit softly at her sleeping son, she reached out a hand to stroke the top of his head gently. Distracted as she was by her kit, Kurama didn’t notice that Yusuke had once again left the room nor that Narumi was once again digging into his black bag. She was broken out of her trace when Shura came up beside the doctor to ask about the syringe in his hand.
“Pain killer,” Narumi answered, showing the a small bottle of clear liquid to the goatling. “Your mother is going to be feeling a lot of pain for the next few days as her uterus retracts back to its normal size.”
“Oh.” Shura watched with morbid fascination as the doctor loaded the syringe and administered the shot into the vein inside of Kurama’s inner elbow that wasn’t occupied by a nursing newborn.
“Now I bid you all a goodnight.” Narumi smiled, “And once again congratulations. I will be . . . where ever it is that there is some extra space for me to sleep for the next few nights, so feel free to wake me at any hour incase you need help.”
“All the beds are taken,” Said Hiei, “Just where were they planning to let you sleep?”
“I’m not sure, that’s what everyone is deciding as we speak.”
“You can sleep in Shura’s room.” Kurama offered. “He can sleep in here.”
“Are you sure?” Shura asked, his gaze flicking from his adoptive mother to Hiei then back again.
“I want you close incase something happens and we need you quickly. You don’t mind do you?”
Shura shook his head.
“Good, now go get your pillow and a blanket.” The young goat nodded and left, still holding his little sister as there wasn’t any where to put her since none of the basinets were set up yet.
“I’m sure I would have been fine on the couch,” Narumi argued gently.
Kurama shook her head firmly, not hearing a word of it.
“Then all I can do is thank your son for willing giving up his bed.” He bowed and left with one last instruction, “Get some rest.”
Just as Narumi’s form exited the doorway, Yusuke’s head popped in. “This is the last time I promise.” He gave them all a broad smile. “Here is the banquet Yukina-chan made for you.” Yusuke offered two plates up for inspection. “I’ll be right back with yours,” He added looking over his shoulder at Shura who just walked back into the room.
“I’m not hungry, thank you.”
“Are you sure?” Kurama asked concerned.
Shura gave her a small smile and nodded. Yusuke shrugged, he handed the first plate to Hiei then waited patiently, his eyes properly diverted, while Kurama disengaged her now sleeping daughter’s lips from her nipple. The kit remained sound asleep, until Kurama placed her down on the mattress beside her brother. The moment she was laid on the bed she started to squirm and soon started wailing her displeasure. Her mother barely had a second to accept her plate from Yusuke, she instantly started lowering it into her lap to free up her arms; only, Hiei beat her too it. He gathered the baby carefully and laid her against his shoulder with her forehead pressing lightly to his neck. The small Jaganshi then continued with he meal, a bit awkwardly of course. Once he realized that his mate was beaming at him , his awkwardness turned into down right clumsiness.
Although she hadn’t eaten in almost two full days, Kurama found that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop her head from drooping. The pain killers had already started working, the pain in her abdomen was slowing dissipating into a dull ache and she felt a bit light headed.
“My arms feel as though their made of lead.” She murmured.
“You can sleep after you eat.” Hiei replied. Kurama raised her eyebrows at him, mildly surprised by the order and prompting him to continue. “You’ll kill yourself if you don’t take care of your body, these three kits are going to suck you dry. And you had better ignore that pun, or else.”
“Yes, dear.” Kurama smiled softly. It was weird to see all the changes in her mate after such a short period of time; although she wasn’t about to jinx it. Come tomorrow, Hiei would most likely be back to his ornery self.
Once they were both done, Shura offered to take the plates into the kitchen so his exhausted parents could finally settle themselves down for the night. He handed his little sister back to her mother and gathered the plates. Kurama was out cold by the time he returned. She was on her side, facing Hiei and her kits with the runt gathered close to her bosom, cradled in her long arms. Hiei was dozing lightly, he was flat on his back with the second female centered on his small chest. A few minutes later when he was situated in an out of the way corner, wrapped in a fluffy blanket one of the girls had supplied him with, Hiei’s breathing had evened out enough to tell Shura that he, too, was in a deep sleep.

The next couple days passed quickly, but not without compilations. Kurama was hardly seen outside her room, the only reason she allowed herself to leave was when nature called. The kits slept in two to four hour spurts, completely random and different from each other. It seemed to Kurama that one of them always wanted fed. The runt, even after two days, still wouldn’t nurse, the second youngest never wanted to be put down even for a second, and the oldest was content to sleep . . . constantly . . . during the day, waking up four or five times a night to be fed.
Narumi suggested that, considering the number of kits, she allow them to be bottle fed every so often to lessen the strain on her body. She instantly refused. He brought it up again some time later and Kurama nearly took off his head. When the kits third day outside their mother was almost over and the runt sill hadn’t nursed Narumi brought up the issue of putting him on a feeding tube. Again Kurama refused, ‘If Inari is going to claim my child, I won’t have his only days alive being attached to a tube.’ She had said.
That was currently the topic of the conversation everyone was having out on the front porch..
“How come you just said ‘Okay’?” Yusuke asked. “From what you, Hiei and Shura have been telling us he’s not getting any better.”
“Kurama has to come to this decision on her own, nothing good can ever come from forcing a mother to do something she didn’t agree with to her child. That, and if I pursue the matter any more at the moment I might not live to see my next birthday.”
“So Kurama is going to jeopardize her kit’s life,” Shizuru mused, staring off into the gathering storm clouds that had been approaching all evening with the promise of a fierce thunderstorm. “That’s not like her.”
“She isn’t allowing herself to focus on the obvious.” Genkai replied, sipping the tea Yukina had made for all of them. “Its not surprising. Kurama hasn’t had a moment’s rest since there kits were born. She’s exhausted mentally and physically.”
“Hiei-san has been trying to ‘talk some sense into her’.” Shura spoke up from his place on the temple steps. Puu was nestled down next to him, his neck wrapped around the goatling’s slender hips and his head in his lap so Shura could stroke his head like a dog’s. “Although, I don’t really blame her for not wanting to put the runt on a feeding tube. I was attached to them unsure if I was going to survive not too long ago. I resented the tubes keeping me alive when my body wanted to die. Kurama doesn’t want her son to go through that.”
“Why don’t you try to convince her that it’s a good idea too?” Yukina asked brightly. “Kurama-san will listen to you.”
“You really think so?” Shura asked, turning his head toward her just enough for them to get a glimpse of one purple eye.
“You and Hiei are the only ones who are allowed in the room, other then Narumi for short periods of time,” Yusuke reasoned.
“Your confidence in me is astounding.” Shura retorted with a slight sneer at the young demon’s choice of words.
“You know what I mean.”
“Do I?” Shura didn’t wait for a reply. He simply stood to enter the temple. He stopped in the kitchen for a minute to get Narumi’s special recipe and eyedropper so the runt could be fed. He knocked softly on the door and entered a movement later. Neither Hiei nor Kurama looked up when he entered. Shura wasn’t surprised, Hiei never really gave him much attention unless he had to, whatever was outside the window must have been more fascinating then the young goat and Kurama was half asleep even though she was propped up against the headboard of the bed with the younger female attached to her breast.
“I, ano, I brought the stuff for the runt.”
Kurama turned her head to him, she looked as though she fighting not to scream or cry. Although she must have seen how worried her adopted son was for she gave him a tired smile that made the bags under her eyes look much larger.
“Would you mind feeding him this time?” She asked.
Shura blinked in surprise, usually Kurama wouldn’t let anyone other the herself feed her precious son. Not even Hiei had ever done it.
“Uh, sure.”
He situated himself and his tiny brother on the floor, which got him a strange glace from Kurama, and started feeding him. The kit didn’t seem interested at all, usually he would accept two and a half droppers full, this time, however, he barely finished the first one. When Shura tried to give him a second, the kit refused forcefully with a angered mewl.
“I guess that means your done.”
“How much did he take?” Kurama asked, putting the baby she had been nursing on her shoulder and patted her back gently.
“One dropper full.”
“He’s taking less and less every time, yet won’t nurse.” The vixen sighed hugely. She put down her sleeping daughter and held out her hands to take her son. “Thank you for helping, darling.”
“No problem.”
Shura handed his brother back to Kurama and left the room feeling just as worried and tired as both of the demons he considered to be his adoptive parents. Wishing that there was something, anything, he could do to ease the stress his mother was feeling. Maybe tonight he would set himself up on the couch or recliner so that the bedroom would feel less crowded. At the moment, the temple was empty because everyone was still outside. They wanted to keep everything calm and quiet for Kurama.
“Leave.”
Kurama’s pointed ears twitched in her mate’s direction.
“Excuse me?”
“You’re going to go mad if you don’t take a few minutes for yourself.” Hiei said matter-of-factly, carefully removing the male from the vixen’s tired arms. “All the kits are fed and contently sleeping off their full stomachs. I’m going to stay right here. I’m capable of handling them while you take a much needed break.”
Kurama shook her head and reached for her son. “Hiei, I don’t-”
“I don’t care if you want to leave or not. I’m not giving you an option. Go.”
Kurama gave her mate a half hearted glare. She knew that he was only thinking of her sanity but, she really didn’t want to be away from her children.
“Hiei, I really don’t want-”
“Your so worried about there three even after their fed and asleep, yet you leave your other child alone?” Kurama gave her mate a confused look. “I’ll bet Shura would enjoy a few minutes of your undivided attention with me or the kits or anyone else interrupting.”
Although surprised by her mate’s sudden interest in Shura’s feelings, Kurama had to admit that Hiei was right. Yomi wasn’t one to show much affection especially toward the son he create to be a mirror image of himself in every way. After Shura had gotten used to his mother’s affection , Kurama realized that he could be feeling pushed aside. Just because he’s a demon raised without much affection doesn’t mean he wouldn’t feel the same emotions as any child would.
The vixen eyed her mate while he made himself comfortable on the bed, reclining against the pillows pressed behind his back with the male kit laid on his chest.
“Since when do you care so much about Shura’s feelings?” She asked, receiving a baleful glare out of the corner of Hiei’s large, almond shaped eyes.
Rolling her own eyes with an affectionate shake of her head, Kurama stood to locate her robe and slipped it on. She turned back to Hiei to find his eyes trailing up and down the her body. Instantly she wrapped her robe securely around her front, disgusted and self-conscious over the remaining fat and stretched skin.
“I think its sweet that you care about Shura enough to see that his feeling’s aren’t hurt.”
Hiei twitched, sending a tiny, though not unnoticeable, jolt through the sleeping kit on his chest causing him to start whimpering, angered by his rude awakening. The Jaganshi sent a momentarily glare at her before he set about calming the kit down, rubbing his back in gentle circles while murmuring in deep, low, almost purring tones. Kurama smiled at the scene of her mate and son finally bonding.
“I don’t give a rat’s ass about the goatling’s feelings.” Hiei said, his deep purring tones an octave louder. “That was the only way I could get you out of my hair and away from the kits for a while. Now leave.”
“Liar,” Kurama, realizing that the free time gifted to her from her mate was becoming shorter and shorter with every passing minute. She turned and slipped out the door not giving her mate a chance to retaliate.
Hiei watched his mate leave, then stared for a moment longer at the closed door. Kurama wasn’t fooling him for a moment; although she put on a food show of trying to keep a smile on her face for everyone’s benefit, she was worried sick and close to a break down.

Kurama stepped out of her room with a sigh. She wanted to go back into her room and be with her kits, mainly her son whom might not survive much longer. As she debated ignoring her mate’s orders and returning to her kits, she failed to notice that Shura was watching her from half way down the hall. He watched her turn back to the door, reaching for the doorknob. Figuring that she just wanted to stretch her legs for a moment, the young goat turned and continued his way down the hall.
His movements caught Kurama’s eye. She studied her son’s retreating back intently, his head was tilted down, eyes undoubtedly fixed on the floor as he walked and shoulder were hunched forward. Kurama’s hand dropped to her side, Hiei was right, she was so wrapped up in her kits that she took her adopted son’s presence for granted.
Swiftly with silent footsteps, Kurama followed her son, quickly catching up to him and succeeding in catching him by surprise as she wrapped her long arms around his torso. Sitting back on her heels she pulled Shura across her lap and buried her face in his soft, raven black hair.
Although initially startled by the unexpected embrace, Shura soon relaxed enough to rest his forehead against his mother’s smooth neck.
“You have been so wonderful through all this.” Kurama told him, not lifting her face from his hair. “I’m sorry that I haven’t had much time to spend with you.”
“Don’t be. You have three newborns to worry about, they need you more then I do.”
“But, still, you deserve attention, too.”
Not sure how to reply to that, Shura gave in and allowed himself to enjoy the attention his mother was giving him.
“Kurama,” Shura said after a few minutes of comfortable silence. “Why won’t you let Narumi put the runt on a feeding tube?”
The vixen sighed. “I told you, if Inari wants my son he is going to take him. I don’t want his few days of life to be hooked up to tubes.”
“But, he has already survived three days on his own,” Shura argued, bringing up the very topic noone wanted to force on her. “He’s proving that he wants to live and that he can survive.”
“He’s right you know.” Neither Shura nor Kurama had noticed that while they were talking Narumi had silently approached the pair. “I am confident that, if placed on a feeding tube, your son will gain weight and energy enough for him to start nursing in less then a week.”
Kurama still seemed torn between emotions.
“How about I show you exactly what will be done?” Narumi suggested. “Will that help?”
Kurama nodded slowly, placing Shura back on his feet so they could follow the doctor to his room.

::Outside::
“Oh my I forgot ” All eyes turned to Yukina. The petite maiden jumped up from where she had been sitting with Kuwabara, he had one arm wrapped about her shoulders and she was leaning into the embrace.
“What’s wrong?” They all asked.
“I forgot that the laundry was left out to dry The storm will ruin everyone’s clothes ”
“Don’t worry, Yukina-chan.” Kuwabara soothed. “I’ll help, we can get it in before the storm.”
“We’ll all help.” Genkai offered. “It’ll give us something to do other then sitting around staring at each other’s ugly mugs all evening.”
“The only ugly mug other then your’s is Kuwabara’s and we don’t look at him much any ways.” Yusuke quipped, dodging the fist swung at his head.
With all of them working together it took less then fifteen minutes for all the laundry to be gathered and put into baskets to be folded and returned to their rightful owners. Yusuke had three of them piled on top of each other towering over his head. Once he had reached the temple’s front door he tried to find the steps by feeling for them with his feet. Thinking he found them when he stepped off a rock, he stepped up and nearly fell right on his face. A soft chuckle answered his string of cusses. Someone standing on the porch lifted the top basket off the top of his tower.
“That was beautiful, Yusuke. You managed not to drop a single sock.” Kurama taunted, placing the basket on her hip and patting his head with her free hand.
“Yea, I’m skilled.”
“Oh course you are.”
“How are you feeling?” Yusuke asked, sitting down on the steps and patting the spot beside him.
“Better.” Kurama replied, taking a seat next to her friend.
“And the little guys? How are they?”
“The girls are wonderful. They nurse constantly, and that is a good sign. The boy, however, still isn’t nursing at all and seems not to like what he is eating. If he doesn’t nurse by tomorrow Narumi is going to put him on the feeding tube.”
“Your okay with that?”
“As okay as I can be. Its not as bad as I first feared.”
“He’s a fighter like his mama.” Yusuke smiled at his friend. “You haven’t told anyone their names yet Why are you keeping us in suspense?”
“They don’t have names yet.”
“Your kidding ”
“I do have my favorites but nothing is permanent yet.”
Yusuke pouted slightly. “So I guess its still kit one, kit two and the runt.”
Kurama chuckled softly, she seemed as though she were about to say something else when a cry sounded through the almost empty temple.
“Kit two calls.” She sighed softly as she stood. “Good night, Yusuke.”
“Night, Kura-chan.”

The storm hit at nine o’clock that night bringing heavy rain and some thunder. However, by the time everyone had fallen asleep around midnight, the true storm slammed the mountains. It brought strong winds that made the rain feel like millions of tiny bullets, lightening that lit every room for a few moments as if it were noon and thunder that you would have sworn shook the very ground you were standing on..
Not at all bothered by the storm, Hiei and Kurama could sleep right through it from all the years of sleeping out doors or in trees during such storms. That is, they could sleep through them as long as the kits did as well. The two females, once fed, slept as though nothing was happening. At the first flash of lightening the tiny runt startled and began wailing. Kurama was able to sooth his frightened wail until the next clap of thunder or brilliant flash of lightening.
Not wanting to wake her daughters, Kurama decided to walk the kit around for a bet. She stood as gently as she could, even though she felt Hiei’s crimson gaze following her every move.
“Why don’t you let me deal with him?” Hiei asked, his voice no louder then a soft murmur so he wouldn’t wake the baby peacefully sleeping on his chest. “You need sleep more then I do.”
“Lets not chance waking them.” Kurama replied. “Besides, he has made it clear on many occasions that he prefers me over you.”
Hiei shrugged as gently as he could, it was true that the male kit preferred his mother over him. “Suit yourself.” He half grunted and closed his large, crimson eyes.
Kurama slipped into her robe and quickly picked up her squalling son. She was almost to the door when a sudden thought hit her and she went to one of the dressers to retrieve a sling that she had made a few weeks before the kits, seeing as she judged that human made ones to be inferior. It was created by a leaf that was strong as leather yet felt like velvet against one’s skin. As she fixed it about her shoulder, with some difficulty due to the kit fussing in her arms, Kurama noticed that Shura wasn’t in his usual spot, his pillow and blanket were folded nicely and placed on top of the dresser.
“Where’s Shura?” She asked, turning to face her mate.
“How should I know?” Came his soft answer.
“He never came to bed.”
“I can sense him close.” Hiei added slightly exasperated. “Why don’t you go find him.”
Kurama rolled her eyes at him. Sometimes he was so infuriating. Without another word she settled her son in the sling, tucked a soft blanket around him and left her room. The vixen cooed to her son, trying to calm his fears as she walked through the dark hallway. Once in the living room, she looked for Shura. He wasn’t there. In the kitchen, perhaps, she thought making her way towards it. Another clap of thunder sounded, causing the kit to jump and start crying. The vixen stopped to comfort him and was surprised to feel a cool draft; the front door was ajar. Suddenly over come with a overwhelming fear, Kurama held her kit close to her chest and stepped out the door.
Puu was on the porch to get out of the storm, he chirped happily at the sight of her. A second later Shura’s head poked out from behind the Spirit Beast’s shoulder. Kurama let out the breath she didn’t realized that she was holding.
“What are you doing out here?” She asked.
“Watching the storm.” Shura answered, coming to stand in front of his mother. “I’m sorry I scared you.”
Kurama stroked her son’s raven black hair.
“Its not your fault, darling. I’m jumpy, that’s all.”
Shura nodded.
“Your soaked.” She stated. “I’ll get your robe and a towel for when your ready to come to bed. I’ll leave them right inside the door.”
“Thank you.”
Kurama bent slightly to give her adopted son a kiss on the forehead. Once she turned to go back inside, Puu squawked, when she turned to him he lowered his head and made a sort of whimpering sound in his throat.
“Oh, Puu I’m so sorry. Of course I’ll give you a kiss goodnight.”
“PUU ” He chirped. Kurama cupped both his cheeks and kissed his feathered forehead.
“Feel better?” She asked, stroking his hair. Just as Puu nodded vigorously, another clap of thunder boomed followed by a flash of lightening. When it ended, the runt was crying again.
“Is he okay?” Shura asked recognizing his brother’s thin wails.
“He’s spooked by the storm, that’s all. Don’t worry.”
Shura nodded, when Kurama disappeared into the temple once again he returned to his spot at Puu’s side. Together they watched to storm for a while longer, just how much time passed since Kurama had left them, Shura wasn’t sure, his mind was else where. This was the first thunderstorm that he hadn’t spent sitting at his father’s side. Yomi had loved thunderstorms just as much as his son; once he had found out that his son shared his love of the harsh nature Yomi would seek out his son’s presence so they could sit together. Once, his father blindfolded him to show him what a storm could feel like when sight was taken away. Shura was overwhelmed by the way his senses were bombarded with the very essence of the storm. Ever since he loved the storms so much more. Even now, he couldn’t say that he truly hated his father, he could never truly hate him, he was disgusted and scared out of his mind by the thought of the demon who sired him, but in a way he still admired him the same way he did when his every thought was of how he could please him.

:I bring you a song
and I sing as I go
For I want you to know
that im looking for romance:

Shura’s ears perked at the sound carrying softly over the howling wind. Kurama must have been singing to his brother. The goatling realized that he was striving to please his new mother just as much as he did his sire. Only Kurama was much easier to please, she was content in his happy presence the way Yomi would be content to see how far his son had progressed at whatever he decided his son should excel in. Kurama would give hug and kisses freely, where Yomi would pat him on the head and say ‘I’m proud of your achievements son.’

:I bring you a song
in a hope that you’ll see
When your looking at me
that I’m looking for love:

Here he seemed a part of a family; even when he snapped at Yusuke earlier that night, all the young demon understood that he was upset and offered a supportive smile to his retreating back. In Gandara he was a young lord, destined to take over one day and rule over all who he lived with; when he snapped there, most would cower as if they expected to be punished or killed. He may miss his sire every now and then but did he ever want to return to Gandara? No, not ever. He wanted to stay with Kurama, and his sisters and brother, and yes even Hiei wasn’t all that bad once you get past his nasty attitude and condescending presence. Suddenly, he craved to be close to his mother. He stood and patted Puu on the head, the bird understood his goodnight gesture and rubbed his cheek against the young goat’s shoulder.

:I’m seeking that glow
that only comes when your young and its May
Only found on that wonderful day
when all longing is through:

Shura stepped into the doorway, stripped himself of his soggy clothes and pulled on the warm robe Kurama had brought him. When he entered the living room, he found the vixen curled in the corner of the couch wrapped in a blanket with her son cradled against her bosom. She was humming softly what must have been an instramental part of the song she was singing, it took her only a moment to notice his presence.
“That’s a nice song.” He told her when she looked up at him.
“Its more of a love song then a lullaby, but it my mother’s favorite and she used to sing it to me when I was young.” Kurama smiled and pulled down the corner of the blanket she was wrapped in and motioned for Shura to join her. He readily accepted the offer, crawling onto the couch and curling up against her. “Your freezing ” She wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
“How does the rest of the song go?” Shura asked, his eyes closing as he enjoyed the heat and sent of the vixen.

“I’m seeking that glow
Only found when a thrill is complete
Only found when two hearts gently beat
To the strains of a waltz that’s so tender and new”

Shura was silent when Kurama finished, so she kept humming softly rubbing his shoulder every so often. The storm seemed to be over for the most part, except for a still heavy rain and a random rumble of thunder that still upset the kit. After one particularly loud rumble, not nearly as loud as they were before, yet enough to startle him. Kurama cooed again, rubbing his cheeks gently, she was surprised when, for the first time ever, the kit rooted toward her fingers. Kurama’s heart leapt, afraid that if she said a single word, she would wake up as if the whole night was a dream, the vixen gently opened her robe as quickly as she could and, holding her breath, offered her tiny runt her nipple. Her sigh almost became a sob as his rosebud mother opened wide and latched on, suckling rapidly.
“Shura, Shrua look ” Kurama nudged her son gently. He lifted his head from against her ribs and followed her gaze to his brother, who was nursing contently, his eyes closeing and tiny fisted hand rested above his cheeks on her breast.
“Finally, that’s a relief” He whispered. His mother beamed at him.
“Yes it is ”
Shura returned his head to where it rested on her side, a short while later he was out, lulled to sleep not by the storm as he usually would but, by a mix of his mother’s humming and the smack of his brother’s lips against her breast.

Wow, sorry that took so long to get up, school has been hell. Anyways, hope you enjoyed and as always please review. PS i dont own the song used in this chapter
In the next chapter Kurama will announce all the names, it will be up soon, I promise