Being like that was very much like the best of all possible worlds.

Hiei noticed a kiss on the top of his head, and smiled. They had just crawled out of their den, after a long morning session of love, and now stayed outside, too sated to do anything but enjoy the breeze, the ameanable sunlight and each other.

It was then they heard a loud, whiny scream reach them.

Kurama just closed his eyes, still relaxed. He was much more used to Kinno's presence; he was almost taking it as part of routine. Kurama squeezed Hiei's waist tighter while the youkai stirred against his belly and chest.

"It's the kids..." Kurama commented, in an indolent observation.

"They're just playing."

The scream was heard again, louder than before.

Kurama opened just one eye to observe the surroundings. He nudged Hiei then, right in between the ribs, tickling him, making him squirm in his lap.

"Hey, stop that..."

"Hmmm... If you rub your chubby bum against my lap this way again we'll have to hole up for a second session..."

"So don't tickle me!"

"But you're perfect to be tickled, Hiei!"

The youkai shuddered when he noticed Kurama's sharp teeth close around the edge of his ear, biting him gently. He sighed in, pleased with the attention. But he could not lean lean longer unto the youko, because he took a glimpse of a quick whitish cub running towards them...

Kurama smiled when he saw the pretty little youko hurrying to reach them; He seemed cuter every day! Some days have passed, and now Hyoko felt totally at ease with them and his new home. He still would not call either he or Hiei daddy, but then it might be ask too much, and too soon of that restless puppy.

The kid ran, wagging along a small wooden box in his hands. Hyoko jumped onto Hiei's lap, and stretched up to kiss Kurama's cheek with a flirtatious smooch.

"Hi baby! You're so happy today!" Kurama cheered the kid, patting his head.

Hiei smiled, rocking the baby. Hyoko rubbed his face agsint Hiei's and the youkai smiled, accepting the contented caress Hyoko gave him.

"What's this?" The youkai asked them, tapping one finger at the box.

The baby promptly shook the small wooden casket he held tight like a treasure. A loud twinking sound was heard. The baby smiled to the couple then.

"Mine?" The cub asked them, showing the small box with a child's teasing insistence.

Kurama faced Hyoko curiously.

"Well, baby... I don't know... What's it?" Kurama asked as he carefully opened the box.

"Toy? I want it!" Hyoko argued, while Hiei and Kurama looked at each other, ruffled about it.

The casket was filled with beads, of all colors, all shapes, made of plastic, glass or crystal. The trinkets clinked when Hyoko held the box tighter in his small hands.

"No, Hyoko, please, you don't need this... I can't stand another Kinno in my life..."

Hiei interfered, in a soft, but authoritative voice.

"They're your brother's. You should not have taken them from him."

"They are mine now!"

Kurama tried to speak, but then the loud voice of their other son interrupted them. Kinno came after Hyoko, determined to have his stuff back.

The baby immediately reacted, hiding behind Kurama's back. And he did not let go of the box at any moment. Kinno ran after Hyoko, and soon the two youko were running crazy circles around Kurama and Hiei.

Hiei covered his eyes with his bandaged hand, mumbling a low, ill humored protest. Kurama soon put an end to the madness reaching out to grab and pull Kinno's tail, forcing him to stop.

"Don't bother your little brother! Be quiet you two!" Kurama shouted, reprimanding his sons vigorously. Then he signalled the baby to give him the casket back. Hyoko aimed his very big red eyes at the silver youko. Then he just shook his head, childishily, refusing to obbey.

"I think you need some real toys, baby." The youko added, picturing in his mind how Hyoko would love one of those enourmous super monster toy stores of the Ningenkai. Wow! The baby would go nuts with all the stuffed animals and eletronic gizmos...

"Daddy, I need to make my hair to go to Gandara! I have to work! There are so many ripe cucumbers! I need to sell them in Gandara!" Kinno complained, kneeling down before his father and uncle, begging to have his beads back.

Hiei said nothing. The youkai conveniently sneaked a little away, letting more room to the youko to discuss their own problems. He had just noticed Kurama's expression changing...

"You are not going to Gandara! I forbid you to go!"

Kinno's ears turned down low, and he looked to the ground, in a very dejected manner. The golden youko twisted and tossed, fidgeting in place. He had to go to Gandara. How could he meet Shura if he stayed home?

Hyoko smiled. He stuck his tongue out at Kinno and hugged the casket tighter in his arms, showily.

"Bad Kinno! The toy is mine! You're too big to have toys!" Hyoko added, wih a very naughty little smile.

Kinno stuck out his tongue too. Then he pleaded his daddy again.

"Daddy... Please... I have very special customers; I can't disappoint them! And I need to go shopping!"

Kurama glared at Kinno, still unmoved. The golden youko tried his Ji-chan then.

"Ji-chan Hiei... Can I go to Gandara? Please, pretty please?"

"It's your father 's decision."

Kurama assested firmly, reassuring Hiei.

"That's it. I decide, and I say no."

Kinno sat down, totally disappointed, showing very sad puppy eyes. He tried to argue just a little more about how much he needed to go to Gandara, but Kurama noticed it. The youko just waved one finger in the air. It was enough to keep Kinno shut up.

Hiei lied down on the grass, stretching lazily. Kurama did the same, propping on one elbow as he observed Hyoko playing with those colored bubbles, sprawling them all over the ground.

"This is not fair daddy."

Kurama looked up at Kinno.

"You can only go with a reliable person escorting you. And it counts that Skunk friend of yours out!"

"Hikaru? But daddy..."

"I don't like his looks. And I won't let you go out of my territory's limits on your own. I don't want you to get into trouble," the silver youko continued. It was then he realized that Kinno opened a wide grin, and a cynical sideways glance from Hiei followed it. He had said too much! "I mean, I don't want you to bring me and Hiei any more trouble! I could have died trying to rescue you from that psycho pimp of yours!" Kurama added, trying to fix his blunder. But it seemed it was to late...

Kinno became very happy all of a sudden.

"Daddy... I'm so happy to know you really worry about me... You love me too!"

Kurama tried to explain, and he pulled himself away, avoiding Kinno, but the young youko jumped forwards, always smiling, and kissed his daddy's brow with a noisy smack.

"Thanks daddy. I understand... I will not complain, I know you're doing this because you love me!" Kinno chanted, sweetly.

Kurama looked right to the other side, and he conveniently covered his face with one hand, concealing the his blushing cheeks. He patted Hyoko's head, and managed to collect some of the colorful beads, gathering them on the palm of his hand, as he did his best to ignore the sweet caring gaze Kinno aimed upon him, and Hiei's mocking snicker.

"You have to learn to share, baby. Here we are a family, ok?" He assured Hyoko.

The baby agreed, nodding softly. His red eyed moved, following Kurama's hands with interest. The silver fox gave Hyoko a handful of beads, and then handed the casket back to Kinno.

"Here. Doll up at will. But don't leave the area, do you understand?"

The youko acquiesced to Kurama's orders. But instead of being sad, he showed a very bright smile. He reached out to pat Hyoko's head. Then he got on his feet to leave.

"Yes, Daddy. I'm gonna obbey," Kinno told Kurama. Then he turned his face towards his Ji-chan Hiei, and whispered to him, very softly. "Daddy loves me, Ji-chan!"

Kurama gazed at both Kinno and Hiei, knowing they were sharing some kind of secret. However, he heard nothing. He just watched Hiei nod his head, agreeing to whatever Kinno had murmured. The Fire demon showed a very pranxish sideways smile.

Hn. Those two! They were two gossipers...

"Kinno, get outta here! Go sweep the orchard! That place is a mess!"

Kinno agreed, still exchanging a conspiratorial smile with Hiei, leaving the couple and their youngest son.

The baby played silently by his parents' side. He was smartly separating the beads in different colors, piling them in the middle of the grass, very focused. Kurama smiled; it was so easy to please kids...

It was then Kurama noticed. The poor baby boy was still barefoot, wearing the same ragged cotton pants as when he was found. The baby need not look like a beggar now that he had a family! He and Hiei were reckless fathers indeed!

"I think we also need to go shopping, Hiei..."

The youkai arched one eyebrow and fixed a puzzled stare at the youko. He gave his partner an ironical half smile then.

"You forgot your plastic money on the other side. I don't think your credit will be accepted in Gandara..."

Kurama winked one eye at Hiei.

"I can ask Yomi for a loan. I'm sure he won't deny me anything!"Youko Kurama declared in a jest.

Hiei looked back at Kurama, expresionless. If the youko's intention was to test Hiei's jealousy, it did not work.

"Hn. I know you won't do it. You're much too proud!" Hiei smiled softly then. "You should ask Kinno if he needs an assistant."

Now it was the youko who stuck the tongue out at Hiei, playfully.

"I would rather resume my criminal life!"

Hiei rolled over to his side to face the youko with a stern expression.

"I remember once you said you wanted to regenerate and start anew."

"But baby... We need a lot of stuff here, mainly now that we have children. All I know is stealing!"

"Then there's no other solution."

"I need new pants, and Hyoko needs sandals and clothes."

Hiei rubbed his bare toes on the fresh grass.

"I need new boots."

The silver youko opened one wide, contagiating grin. His fingers crawled up to Hiei's belly, and he started fondling and tickling him lightly.

"Well, baby... Your full strenght is back; I saw it in the way you busted that detestable Udo. Why don't you start working on the patrol again? Is the salary good?"

Hiei looked askance at his partner. He could not believe he had heard such stupid suggestion...

"What?"
 

Kurama carefully carried his albino baby in his arms. Hyoko looked all around with wide eyes, visibly fascinated with the tall buildings and the wide paved avenues. Indeed, it was much different from the woods and small villages the baby must be used to know.

That city seemed busier yet than the last time he had been there. Gandara streets just like any business or commercial street of the Ningenkai, even though there were no cars, bycicles or buses - transport was mostly by subway or small shuttles, moving tracks and escalators.

Yomi had build a city which was much too risky for thieves. There were guards and surveillance cameras everywhere. The youko sniffed the air, with displeasure; he knew Yomi must be somewhere, with his senses very alert of the fact he was around with Hiei... That damned voyeur! The dude seemed to have became more of a pain after he had been blinded!

Well, he must confess Yomi had been extremely generous and forgiving...

The youko gave a small, bitter smile to himself. In his past, his motto used to be - If you can't beat them, kill them. But now, after so much changes, it was most likely - If  you can't beat them, live with it.

But Gandara got on his nerves... Yuck!

With a glimpse of his eye, he saw his small and lovely demon leaving the building. He seemed peeved.

Hiei stopped before the youko, and crossed his arms in angry resolution.

"I don't believe it. Only you could make me do it! Imagine... I'm back to the Border Patrol, and King Yomi is my boss!"

"Look on the bright side, Hiei..."

The fire youkai aimed a very nasty sideways glance at his partner.

"Which bright side?"

Kurama smiled while he patted Hyoko's back, rocking him in his arms He was trying to calm the baby down; that city was making him excited.

"He makes a better boss than Mukuro anytime."

The short demon just snorted. He looked at the other side, convinced that stupid comments did not deserve not even stupid responses.

"Did you ask for some money in advance like I told you?"

Hiei reached down into one of his trousers's pockets, bringing a handful of shiny golden coins to view. Kurama quickly got it all form Hiei, counting them methodically.

"Not bad..."

"I have to start the patrol tomorrow morning."

"But I think you're going to enjoy it. You never apreciated being a domestic type of demon, right Hiei?"

The Fire demon said nothing. In fact, he might even apreciate being away from home for a while. With Hyoko, there were three youkos he lived with. Not to mention the occasional visits of Kinno's gray friend.

He needed a change, or soon he would start growing tails and pointed furry ears himself...

Kurama stuffed his pockets with Hiei's payment. Then he put Hyoko on the ground; the little youko had started to squirm and kick in order to free himself from his arms.  But he made the baby and Hiei hold hands, so the little youko would not walk away from there. He could feel Hyoko was eager to run around those streets and explore all that big new place he had been brought to. But a pretty kit like him had to be watched carefully. Gandara was a safe city, but Hyoko was just a baby!

Then the silver fox reached down for the chip of wood in his pocket. He had written down with blackberry juice a very urgent shopping list which they needed to follow strictly due to their limited resources.

The youko was interrupted when Hyoko pulled the hem of his tunic, demanding attention.

"I want candy! I want toys!" He yelled, jumping and giggling, very animated with all that was going on around him.

"Yes, baby...  It's alright, cutie..." Kurama agreed, a little distracted while reading his shopping list. "Hum... Let's see..  Shoes, new black pants, baby's sandals... I hope not to have forgotten anything..."

Hiei nudged at his lover's side.

"Get some KY, will ya?" The Fire demon whispered, very softly, when he got Kurama's attention.

Kurama looked askance at the small demon.

"Oh Hiei... You never complained of anything before..."

"Sometimes you get carried away and forget you're bigger in this aspect."

"Well, I thought you enjoyed it hard."

"I do; once in a while, not a dozen times a day!"

The youko was red in the face for a moment. He looked to the other side then, a bit ashamed of himself. Yes... Maybe he was demanding too much of his small youkai... 

"Oh... Sorry, Hiei..."

It was then a 10 foot tall tusked brownish monster came up from behind them and  bumped Hiei really hard as he passed...

"Hey! Look where you're going you ghoul!" Kurama roared, as he hurried to shelter Hiei against his own body, circling his shoulders with his arm and cuddling him possessively. As he did it, he checked his pockets for the money with his other hand - He was a thief, he knew how things were... "Hn... There's such a riff raff in Gandara these days! Yomi should have imigration laws established!" Kurama continued, looking at the huge and ugly youkai, wearing ragged, dirty trousers, that quickly stepped away from them, not even bothering to look back. The guy was obviously some low life beggar, and soon disappeared into the crowd and around a corner.

"If there were such laws you would be the first to be barred." Hiei proclaimed then. "It must be something really weird that happened between you. You never told me the details..."

"Details?" Kurama retorted, dryly. "Yomi is obssessed by me. He has some kinky fetishes involving youko tails." Kurama stopped then. He did not want to talk about Yomi. "Let's forget about it and go shopping..."

Hiei agreed. He was already resigned about the fact the youko would never tell him much about his own past.

"Don't go overboard! It's my pay in your pockets, so go easy with it! Let's keep to the basics!"

"Hiei you're being unfair to me! I am not such big spender!"

"Hn..."

A weird greenish youkai with a drawn face came closer to them, showing an inapropriate smile.

"Hey! Did you have your hair dyed, Hot Pants?"

Hiei looked up at the strange youkai with a growing irritation. How dare a vicious type like him talk to his youko like that? He promptly put himself between the newcomer and Kurama, almost drawing his katana when he realized the reason for it...

"Aren't you selling your fruit today?"

Hiei laughed at that. The guy must be mistaking Kurama for Kinno! Ha! Didn't he always say they were very similar one to the other?

Kurama gave that youkai a very intimidating, angry stare. He could not admit to be mistaken by that airheaded blond youko he seemed to have fathered.

"Who do you think I am? You better watch out! I am Youko Kurama!"

The guy lost all the color from his face, obviously mortified and very scared of the way Kurama opposed to him. He mumbled some excuse and left, not insisting any longer.

Hiei could not hide his smile when he looked up at his taller partner.

"If you had beaded your hair and brought cucumbers you could make money! See?"

Kurama glared at Hiei. He insisted in picking that same line...

"Let's not start it again."

Hiei did not argue. The youkai looked around them, with very concerned red eyes. Then he stared at the youko, and his long, thin eyebrows curved in a line of angry disapproval.

"Where's the baby?"

The youko opened a very confused, shocked expression. He grew pale, and swallowed hard. The baby! Hyoko was not around!

"I made you hold his hand! Why did you let go of him?"

"You were supposed to carry him in your arms!"

"Hiei, he wanted to go down! I can't force the baby! It's not the way a good father acts!"

"Good father? Hn! Why didn't you keep an eye on the baby?"

"Why didn't you?"

Hiei huffed. But he answered back nothing. Somehow the youkai managed yet to collect himself.

"Damn! I can't see any trace of him!"

"He must be far! Do you think someone carried him away?" The youko asked, very worried.

Hiei looked around. The many streets, corners and buildings blocked part of  his Jagan view, but only if he stayed on the ground. He just needed to reach one high point of observation.

"Don't worry."

"That big tusked monster! it must be him who stole our baby!"

Hiei acquiesced calmly.

"Come. We're gonna find him."

"I'm Hyoko!"

The youkai pressed his large back against the wall. His big clawed hands squeezed tight to himself a noisy cellopane pack

"You have candy, don't you? I saw you steal the sweets! I'm hungry!"

The hideous brownish demon showed a smile in his large tusked mouth. In the begining it was just a very shy attempt but when Hyoko stepped forward, without any fear, waving happily, the strange youkai's beam widened. It must be a very clever baby to perceive him snapping that candy package from the special offer stand at the entrance of a big grocery store he passed by.

The monster crouched a little more, to be as much at eye level with the small Hyoko he could. He gave a heartwarming smile which softened much of his rude features.

"You are not afraid of me, little fox?"

Hyoko shook his head. Then he reached out for the colorful candy pack the giant held.

"Bad youkai don't like candy! If you like candy you're good!"

"Where are your parents?"

"They talk too much! I want candy!" The fox pointed at the candy package, with insistence. His happy face changed into a frown, as if he were about to cry...

"Don't cry! Let's share it!" The big youkai spoke, in a low however soft voice, as he dropped more than half the jujubes into Hyoko's small begging hands. "I'm Ikki! Do you live here in the city?"

"Thanks!" Hyoko stuffed his mouth with a lot of those chewy sweets and smiled, contently.

Ikki started eating some also, but in a very slow fashion. He seemed puzzled, and much more interested in observing Hyoko.

"Little fox, how come you're not afraid of me? Every kid is afraid of me... "

I know you're a good boy! I feel it!" Hyoko smiled while he chewed the candy. "I can be your friend! You can come live with me!"

The brownish youkai shook his big head, very slowly. His voice was deep and revealed a very intense sadness when disagreed with Hyoko.

"No. I prefer to be alone."

Hyoko stuffed his mouth with more candy. He took one wide-eyed, curious stare at Ikki.

"Why? No one likes to be alone! I was alone because I ran away from home!"

Ikki smiled softly. As gently as his rude features allowed him to. He noticed the baby had already eaten all his share, and cut the portion he had left in two again, offering it another half to the small youko.

"I live here, around the city. I have no family. My tribe is nomad. I got lost from my people, and now I can't find anyone."

Hyoko came very close to that youkai. That demon was totally frightening, big and awe-inspiring, and yet the small youko leaned against his huge bent knee, very relaxed, eating his candy.

"Good! Come to live with me then! I like you! Together we can steal a lot of yummy candy! We can make a gang and rob candy stores!"

The other kid laughed aloud, very amused with the sudden and joyful invitation.

"Oh... And your parents? Are they those two guys? One in black the other in white?"
 
Hyoko agreed, nodding his head joyfully.

"My youko father is a bit crazy, but he's nice. And my Jaganshi father is super! Poor them..."

"Why?"

"No one told them males can't have babies togeher. They try to make babies every day, a lot of times..."

Ikki laughed. His laugher was loud and wild, and his strong voice, echoed all over the small alley.

"They like kids! And the food is very good! That's why I stay with them. I know they're gonna love to have you there!"

"I don't think so. Look at me! I'm not cute and tiny and fluffy like you..."

"But I like you! You gave me candy!" Hyoko exclaimed, speaking and chewing the sweets at the same time.

Ikki kept silence. He would love to go, yes.. He had to admit to himself he was tired of roaming alone... After all, he did not look like a child, because of his appearance and size, but he missed home, he missed his brothers, he missed a family... Perhaps, if he tried his trick...

The cute albino youko got on his feet all of a sudden then. He jumped, very animatedly, indicating the entrance of the alley. He could easily recognize the you-ki which was closing by...
 
"It's my two daddys! I'm gonna tell them about you! They're gonna bring you home with me! Wait! Wait and I'll get them here!"

The baby ran back, going to the entrance of the alley for a moment to go after Hiei and Kurama. He hopped and waved, calling his youko father's name very loud, not leaving that place. He didn't want Ikki to run away.

It took only one second, and Hiei appeared before Hyoko, as fast as if he had came out of nowhere. He grabbed the baby in his arms, very possessively, squeezing him in his embrace.

The baby kicked and twisted a bit, but Hiei did not let him go. He held him firmly by his waist, kneeling down to be eye to eye with him.

"Don't run from us like this again, baby! We were worried!"

Hyoko embraced his Fire demon father, very tenderly. He kissed his face then.

"Sorry, daddy..."

Hiei pulled himself back to stare at the baby's chubby face, fascinated. A very wide smile changed his usual stern features. It was then Kurama arrived, letting go a deep sigh out of relief when his eyes met the baby, safe, in his lover's arms. He snatched Hyoko from Hiei's arms, bringing him up to his lap.

"He called me daddy!" Hiei confirmed to Kurama, showing a proud, satisfying smile to his youko.

Kurama cuddled to the small youko tightly. Hyoko immediately clutched Kurama's silvery hair as he rested his face on the curve of his neck.

"Did he? Oh..." Kurama murmured, unable to avoid a jealous, disappointed tone to veil his face.

Hyoko smiled quietly to himself. Then he spoke very softly, looking at Kurama  with his wide red eyes...

"Daddy Kurama..." He murmured. Then, he stretched up in Kurama's arms, enough to place a smack on his cheek also.

Kurama opened a smile the size of the world. And he winked one eye to Hiei while he squeezed the baby tenderly in his arms.

"Ah! See? Now I'm a daddy too..."

Hiei snorted, good-humored. Kurama made Hyoko face him. He squeezed his rosy chubby cheeks with his fingers, to make their eyes meet.

"Baby. Makai is dangerous! Don't run away like this! There are many villains who would eat you for breakfast, right?

Hyoko nodded, very contently, but he pointed to the alley.  He struggled to set himself free, kicking and complaining aloud. He tried to push himself away from Kurama, trying to escape his grip.

"I want a brother! I found a new brother! Take him home, daddy Kurama!" The baby started to ask, twisting and tossing in Kurama's arms. "There daddy! He's Ikki! He gave me candy! We're friends!"

Hiei was the first one to follow the baby's indication. He stepped into the alley, a little cautiously, but Kurama preceded Hiei, very curious about what Hyoko was saying.

As the silver youko stepped into the narrow lane, he froze. Immediately he looked over his shoulder at Hiei, and he furrowed his brow. Then he looked at the boy who stood in the middle of the alley, with tattered clothes and a very scared wide look.

Hyoko was also surprised. His big puppy eyes locked at the boy, so different from the big horned, tusked youkai with harsh skin he had left there...

The baby blinked, a little confused. He was about to cry and tell his daddy Kurama to get him out of there, when he saw the boy wave one small colored thing in his right hand...

The sweet's celophane pack! Then it was Ikki! He must have made some kind of magic trick!"

Both youko and Jaganshi looked down the path at the same time, at a black haired, slim kid, with one patch of white hair amidst the long bangles which covered his almond-shaped red eyes. His pointed ears twitched and he seemed very embarrassed with their presence there...

Hyoko tugged at Kurama's hair, and the youko already knew the drill. He calmly bent over to put the kid back on the ground, and turned his whole attention to Hiei, skipping his eyes from the strange boy to the fire youkai, and then back, in a very suspicious observation.

Hyoko hurried to Ikki, smiling, and he hurried to embrace him with his chubby arms.

"It's you! But you're different!"

The kid, looked up at the two adult youkai. They were too busy talking one to the other to pay attention to his words. Anyway, he leaned forward to whisper at Hyoko's ear.

"I am a shape-shifter! But don't tell anyone! It's a secret!"

"Secret? Why?"

Ikki stopped and mused for a while. He had always been told by his people to keep it a secret, and he got used to it, but had never wondered why. Anyway, now, lost in that part of the Makai, away form anyone he knew, he guessed it mattered not.

"I don't know. My family always told me not to say anyone. Maybe youkai won't trust me when they know I can change into any aspect I want."

Hyoko smiled widly. A secret! Yes, of course he would keep it!

"I want to have a secret too! I don't have any secret!"

Ikki chuckled at the baby's demand.

"We're gonna find you one! Till there, you hide the candy that's left!"
 
Kurama looked at Hiei all along, and he arched one eyebrow, fidgeting his index finger against his lips in a thoughtful mood.

"Youko, what's on your mind? I don't like the way you're looking at me..." Hiei complained. 

"Hiei... Are you sure you have no brothers?"

"Of course not! Only a sister! What's going on this sick mind of yours?"

The youko looked back at the boy, who talked to Hyoko.... A boy with black, spiked hair with a white thatch on it, red eyes, big eyes and a delicate chin... Hummmmmm...

"Are you sure you have never been with any female? Or any type of androginous youkai who could have given you a son?"

Hiei became exasparated.

"Of course not! Why do you ask, you stupid youko?"

"Are you sure Mukuro did not engendered a clone out of you when she locked you in that healing chamber?"

"No! What's going on with you? Do you have a fever?"

"Look at that boy... Pay attention to him..."

"You're gonna like my place! I have a crazy big brother that loks like a sister, but he's very kind! And the place is crowded with fruit!"

Ikki took one careful look towards Hiei and Kurama. They were so busy discussing something they seemed not to care to the kid at all. Good parents? Well, he was not so sure, but anyway it seemed better than roaming those streets on his own...

"How can you be sure they are gonna take me in?"

'They love me because I'm cute! They do everything I want!"
 
Hiei's eyes followed Kurama's finger as he pointed to the strange kid. His own eyes widened, and he gaped at the sight. The boy was just like him!

"Shimatta! What the hell!"

"Language, Hiei, it's just a kid..."
 
"You look like my Jaganshi father now! How did you do it?"

Ikki walked closer yet to Hyoko, whispering to him again.

"I can only change into an aspect equal or similar to a youkai I had touched. I bumped your black-haired father in the street, and I thought it was better to become someone a little like him, than to try the four-eyed, scaled big thud I had bumped into days ago..."

Hyoko acquiesced.

"Oh... Good idea! You're cute too! Daddy Kurama is going to love you because you look like daddy Hiei!"

It was then the youko hastily stepped towards the pair of kids, interrupting them. He crouched before the children and smiled to them, mainly to Ikki. Then he nudged at Hyoko's tummy, prompting him to present his new small friend.

Hiei walked closer. His eyes rolled from Kurama to the kid, and then back. He could see the youko was fascinated with the similarity he somehow shared with that young youkai. He would not give away of a fascinated, sweet smile, and it was what made Hiei sure that their family would grow once again...

Hyoko smiled at Kurama, and relaxed in his holding arms. Smart, the kid cajoled Kurama placing a slow, wet, noisy smack on his cheek. Then, he tugged slowly at his hair.

"That is my friend, Ikki. He is alone... Can we take him home? Can I have a new brother?"

Kurama looked at Hiei, and Hiei looked back at him with the corner of his eye. They said nothing though. Hyoko insisted, pulling one tress of Kurama's silvery hair with evil energy, so hard that the adult youko gave out a cry of pain.

He carefully rescued his hair from the baby's clutching fingers.

Then he looked up at Ikki. He reached out to pat the boy's shoulder, reassuring him.

"Do you have a story, boy?" The youko asked then, smiling sweetly to that pretty youkai that looked like a Hiei-miniature.

The boy was very shy. Kurama felt attracted by the kid even more. Those shy manners made him look even more like Hiei. It was as if he had found a clone made out of his youkai.

"No, mister. I am lost from my people, that's it."

"Did they leave you behind? Oh... What a terrible family..."

Hiei interfered.

"It happens a lot in the Makai, Kurama. When people are on the run, they don't stop for whatever is left behind." Hiei explained, staring very inquisitively at that boy. There was something wrong in him, but he would rather wait to see with his real eyes, and not his Jagan. His demonic Eye might hurt the kid somehow.

Hiei smiled then, when he looked at the twinkling golden eyes of the youko. Whatever he said, he would never be able to stop Kurama from taking that kid home. He was stubborn, unmoving like a rock.

"Don't worry now, Ikki. You can stay with us. I know we're going to get along fine!" Kurama exclaimed, and Hyoko nodded his head vigorously, agreeing with his bigger father.

The youko reached out, bringing Ikki to his embrace, envolving his shoulders with his other arm. Then, he affectionately stared at the small, fluffy Hyoko, and then to Ikki, who still seemed a little frightened with all that enthusiasm.

"You're too sweet, Ikki! You look like a chibbi-Hiei! Are you a Fire Youkai, by any chance?"

Hiei hit the youko in the head with a playful, but hard blow.

"Hn! I'll show you the "chibbi" when we get home!"

Kurama chuckled, and he was to answer his partner back, but he turned his attention to Ikki.

"No mister. I'm just a stray kid, a very ordinary type of youkai..."

Hyoko grabbed one of Kurama's arms twisted and yanking at it with all his energy to make sure he was heard.

"He is very sad! He is hungry! He is alone! We have to keep him!"

The adults exchanged a glance.

"We started with it; now, you have to keep it up..."
 
"Where are you from, kid?" Hiei asked, coming closer to them. "No kid should be living alone in a city like this." Hiei looked down at the kid's bare feet, his ragged clothes and his careless appearance. "
 
"I'm from very far away. I don't know where. All I know is that my people had always travelled across the Makai, with no right destination. I am stuck here because I don't want to travel on my own, and here in the city I can find food and a place to sleep at easily."

Kurama assented. He was a kind, polite boy! It was perfect - he would not stand another grumpy youkai in his life...

"You're a polite boy! I like that! But you can call me Kurama." The youko gestured towards Hiei then. "This is my partner, Hiei. We live together and Hyoko is our son. Since you've become such great friends, would you like to spend some time in our place?"
 
Ikki seemed a little discomfitted. Hyoko was indeed a nice fox, a little crazy, but he really needed a friend, but he had always leaned not to go around trusting strangers so easily... And if those two were some kind of perverts? Kid-eating youkai? If they ...

Well. If he were stuck into trouble, all he needed is to go back to his original form. That would surely impose respect upon those two...

"I'm not going to stay forever with you... Just a while... And if I don't like it I can leave, alright?"

The youko showed the widest beam. He nodded euphorically.

"Sure Ikki! Whatever you say! But we know you're gonna love it there!" Then, the youko squeezed the kid against his chest, in one avid clinch.

Hiei just offered his youko a sideways glance. Hn... Talk about youko hormones... It was a good thing that youko could not get pregnant or have kids on his own, or they would be surrounded by dozens of little youko brats by then...

He took a look around. Everything was clean and perfect. He had spent the whole morning tidying the place so his daddy and his Ji-chan would have no compaints.

He giggled while watching them walk up. Ji-chan carried a huge pile of packages and bags which was bigger tham him! Kinno hurried to help him, and also to poke into what they had bought.

Kinno attacked them with eager grabbing hands, snatching lots of packages to imslef, while standing on Kurama's way, unable to conceal an enthusiastic, childish grin.

"Daddy! Did you bring me that hairbrush I told you about? And those golden high-heeled boots? And that pretty embroidered vest in that store near the park?

Hiei smiled behind the pile of packages, and shook his head, amused with Kinno's frantic mood. If he were to buy all the stuff Kinno had asked he would need to work many extra hours; providing to that crazy and squandering family would be too hard!

Kurama placed Hyoko on the ground, and hurried to detain Kinno, that was about to rip open all the box and packages and bags.

"We've purchased just urgent items, Kinno... No luxury..." Kurama warned, tossing a small package to his blond son. "Here's the hairbrush you asked."

Hiei smiled to his older son.

"Maybe next week we'll get you the rest of your list. But I bet you will be able to buy everything you want when you go back to your cucumber business."

Kinno's eyes widened. It was all he wanted. He was dying to go to Gandara and try to meet his lovely Shura again...

"I'm ready to go back to business, Ji-chan! I want to help you; I can make a lot of money!"

Kurama looked up to the sky... He knew he could not hold Kinno back home for much longer. Anyway, he hoped he did not get them into trouble again.

It was then Hyoko that jumped on Kinno, grabbing his golden tail and tugging at for attention, showing the small colored paper bag he carried.

"I've got candy! I've got lots of toys!"

Kinno sat in the grass, with Hyoko on his lap, inspecting his brother's presents and candy packs with interest. Kurama looked at his partner from the corner of his eye, with a heartwarming little smile.

Babies... They were all sweet babies, even Kinno...

The youko then turned around to the kid who concealed himself cautiously on his back. Ikki seemed very uncomfortable, and all the while he stayed behind Kurama, hiding from view. But the silver youko placed one hand on his shoulders, and pushed him forward.

Ikki looked at Kinno in between the packs he was also carrying. He fidgeted from one foot to the other, impatient, and his red eyes flitted nervously as he stayed before Kurama, who presented him to the blond demon.

"This is your new brother, Kinno. His name is Ikki. We've found him in Gandara."

The boy placed the pile of packages on the ground at his feet, very carefully. Then he bowed before the blond youko, shyly refusing eye contact. He also found a polite way to skip the hand Kinno offered him.

The blond kid did not seem to care. He just looked at the black-haired boy with inquisitive eyes, and even bent over and sniff, sensing the boy's smell, keeping distance from him, though.

"Pleased to meet you, miss."

Kinno giggled, while Hiei muffled his laughter with his bandaged hand and Kurama stared back at his golden son reproaching him.

"Don't I always say you dress up like a girl? You look like a street hooker, to say the least! You have to learn better manners!" Kurama protested.

But Kinno did not mind. He was used to those type of short, tight-fitting clothes...

"I'm pretty like a doll but I'm a male youko, kid! I'm Kinno!"

"I'm sorry, I..."

An appeasing gesture from Kinno was enough to calm the kid's nervousness.

"Don't worry, it happens all the time. In my former profession I was trained to act either like a male or a female when I..."

Kurama cleared his throat loudly.

"There is no need of such details, Kinno! He's a kid!" The youko reinforced, with a very severe tone of voice.

Hiei just smiled finding all that very amusing and Hyoko giggled too as he clinched to Kinno's thighs. The golden youko patted his younger brother's head, and then his eyes flitted from Kurama to Hiei.

"Was it a sale? A new brother was not on the list, daddy! I preferred if you had bought me the boots I asked!"

Kurama almost hit Kinno in the head for pulling that one. But he preferred to crouch down to be at eye level with Ikki and smile indulgently.

"Don't mind Kinno, please; he's not good in the head..."

Hiei shook his head, hopeless but still smiling. He was already used to Kinno's stupidities; so much used in fact he even thought they were funny. Now he could not live without that brainless kid around...

"It was a free sample, Kinno." Hiei commented, with an unusual dose of good-humour.
 
Ikki just looked around, a little confused but... Well, at least it was a nice territory, no doubt about it. Even though he was starting to suspect everyone there had loose screws in their heads, he could stay... They did not seem to be loonies of the dangerous type...
 

It was Hyoko crying his name and yelling he was hungry. he was their innescapable alarm clock of every morning.

Definitively he must build another tree-house, or else force Kinno to share his with his brothers. After one night of wild sex they had crawled into their den too needy of rest and of a good night's sleep, and crying kids damaged the whole design of what could be considered a perfect awakening...

He tried to cover his head with his new pillow, squeezing it against his ears to try to muffle the sound but he knew there was just one way -  To wake up and take food to that spoiled but cute kid.

The youko stirred slowly on his new futon, enjoying the smell of  the brand new fabric, reaching out for the small spiky-haired youkai sleeping close to him.

"Hiei... Baby... Hyoko is hungry... Go feed him, please, let me sleep a little more, will ya?"

Hyoko yelled louder. From his dark corner in the den, the baby sat up and screamed loudly while rubbing his eyes, crying and crying...

Hiei was sleeping at more than arm's lenght from him and Kurama had to creep to reach him. Then he embraced Hiei quietly from behind. The youkai squirmed, and twisted in his arms, apparently trying to set himself free, but he remained asleep.

"Hmmm... My cutie-bum... Go see what he wants... Let your big-bad youko rest a little more, alright, sweetie?"

It was then the youko heard Hiei's voice, coming from the opposite side of the room.

"Kurama! What are you doing to that kid?"

Kurama sat up at once, scared. It was Ikki he was cuddling to, not Hiei! Oh, Inari!

He mumbled and stammered dozens of excuses, so apalled that he pulled himself from the boy the furthest he could...

Happily for Kurama, Ikki just rolled over his other side and continued to sleep.

"You're such an irresponsible! You could have caused a big trauma on that kid! It's his first night here and you squeeze him this way?"

Kurama agreed humbly, lowering his eyes before his partner. And even though he was speaking in a low tone not to awake Ikki, his voice was infuriated.

"I'm gonna build the kids their own tree-house today!" The youko decided then, still making apeasing gestures to Hiei, trying to justify himself. "I thought the kid was you Hiei! You are so alike each other! It will never happen again, I promise!"

Kurama was interrupted by Hyoko, who jumped out from his cushions into the youko's arms. He tugged hard at his silvery hair.

"I'm hungry! I want to go out! I want daddy Kurama to play with me!"

So many demands at once confused Kurama a little, but he patted the baby's back, and managed to hush him a little with a smile. The silver youko turned his eyes to Hiei. The youkai was wearing his cloak and even carried his sword across his back, and seemed ready to leave.

"Hiei! Where are you going so early? I need help here with these kids..."

Hiei gazed at his partner with a serious expression for a moment. But then he showed a sneer, which turned into a wide, satisfied beam. Hiei snorted, and tilted his head towards the exit of their den.

"I need to work, did you forget?"

Kurama was baffled. He gave Hiei a flabbergasted stare, while he squeezed Hyoko tighter, trying to make the kid stop tossing and twsiting in his lap.

"But... Isn't it too early?"

"Patrols start working at daybreak! I will come back home only by sunset. Till there I know you will have lots of fun with Kinno and the kids.."

"But Hiei..."

"You said one of us had to work. You don't want to give the kids bad example with your stealing, do you?"

The silver fox lowered his eyes. All his enthusiasm faded, and he sighed in, but he was forced to agree with Hiei. They had decided it together, he must abide...

"Have a good day's work, honey...

"You two, Kurama. Take good care of the kids..."

Saying this, both waved a little farewell, and blew a kiss one to the other. Then Hiei sneaked out of the den, fast and nimble, like a blast of black wind.

Kurama sighed in again and then he stared deeply at the baby he kept in his arms. He even smiled when he thought about all that which was happening around him. A family, household duties, his partner going out to work? Oh, if his former gang thuds knew that would be the future of the infamous Kurama Youko, they would have died laughing...

"Hungry, baby?"

Hyoko just nodded vigorously, stuffing one finger up his mouth.

Kurama smiled, and got on his feet. He took a furtive glance at the other boy, still amazed at how much he looked like Hiei. Funny, but he was actually enjoying gathering those lost kids together in a family... In the past if he met one of those brats alone in the Makai most probably he would just catch them and sell them as slaves, or let his gang rape them.

Things changed...

He crawled back to the corner where Ikki was sleeping, and stroked his black hair. Then he gently squeezed his shoulder, insisting that it was time to wake up.

"Good morning, Ikki! I hope you have slept well!" Kurama greeted the boy, with a wide, luminous smile."

The kid yawned, sitting up. He seemed still a little puzzked about time and placenm and for a moemnt he gazed at Kurama in amidst doubt and fear, as if he head not recognized him; but the impression lasted only one second.

"Yes, Kurama-san! It is very comfortable here in your den! Thanks you!"

The youko patted the boy's head, right on the white thatch of hair which recalled Hiei so much.

"Just Kurama, Ikki. Or you can call me daddy, when you feel ready. I'd love it." The smile widened even more, and Kurama bent over to kiss the young youkai's brow, very tenderly. "After all, we're all a family here, right?"

Hyoko jumped in between them, grabbing Kurama with an embrace.

"I'm hungry, daddy!" The albino fox insisted.

"I'm gonna call Kinno up. You two can help me picking fruit while Kinno bakes some bread."

Hyoko agreed, and Ikki got on his feet, acquiescing.

"After eating we're gonna play all day, Ikki! And Kinno is going to bake honeybuns!" The small fox exclaimed, hopping happily in Kurama's arms, twisting and kicking so much that the youko had to laugh - It tickled him!

Ikki smiled animetedly, and hurried to follow their pace out of the tree-house. Kurama enveloped the kid's shoulders with his left arm, while he carried Hyoko with his right one. He smiled as he left the den after Kinno. Of course he would have to keep an eye on the kids all day, not to let them get into any kind of trouble.

His family was bigger, and their daily routine changed so much...

But it did not matter much. He could make adaptations. It was then Kurama showed an evil little smile in the corner of his lips. Hn... Wait till Hiei was back to him in the evening. He would make up for the whole day spent on household chores and taking care of the kids!

It would be better if Hiei did not arrive home too tired after one day's work, because even if  he did... Well... Nothing would stop Kurama then...