Shura had forgiven everything that happened days ago. 

Nevertheless, he took precautions not to bring Kinno back to Gandara, till he could trust his father again.

Yes, yes... He knew it was consequence of the high dose of whatever sex-inducing drugs were dripped in his tea, but Shura could not forget the trouble it caused.

In fact, he resolved his dates with Kinno would not be held anywhere near Gandara. They decided to return to that same small but extremely ameanable pond deep in the woods where they had made love for the first time.

Shura's eyes followed the soft-waving leaves from the trees's crows above his head, watching their dance on the morning wind. Somehow it was much better than making love indoors... But he knew his decision had made his father suffer. Kinno amused Yomi. His blissful presence brought happiness to the King's sour day, and beauty to his refined senses.

It had been too terrible to watch his father begging him for forgiveness, saying he did not intend any of it... Yomi looked so anguished, so ashamed of his frivolous behaviour towards Kinno, that Shura had to chew his lips and hold back his tongue not to confess it happened because the tea had been doped...

The prospective of having his fundament spanked for punishment made him hold on to his secret with energy and resolve - He already knew how hard and heavy his papa's hand could be.
 
Kinno tickled at his ribcage, and Shura giggled. The blond youko requested his attention, and Shura merrily let go of his worries for an instant.

Gandara's prince half-opened his lips, closing his eyes to receive his fiance's sweet kiss. Their mouths met slowly, briefly, while Shura stroked Kinno's hair.

Parting the kiss, the rosy-eyed youngster stared deeply at his partner, still stroking his silky hair. Shura was aware that episode had made Kinno suffer. He had been the one to take the second cup of tea mixed with aphrodisiacs. It was the only reason the golden fox had jumped on Yomi's lap with such solicitude.

The blond fox felt mortified about his slight infidelity with Yomi. He asked Shura for forgiveness on his knees...

Naturally, Shura conceded it without a second thought.

Somehow Gandara's heir knew there might always be an unspoken sexual tension between his father and Kinno. They had to succeed in making Hikaru part of the family, or Shura could say farewell to his peace of mind - one day distances and principles might not be enough to separate his papa and his sweet blondie...

Their matchmaking task was far from over.

Hikaru felt so embarrassed by what Shura and Kinno now referred to as the *Tea Incident* that decided to quit his tutorship for good. The grey youko also added, peremptorily, he would never set foot in Gandara's Palace again.

Instead of giving up Shura had decided they must attack the matter definitively and risk everything.

"We need to try it again, blondie." Shura commented, softly.

Kinno shook his head.

"Hikaru doesn't wanna meet your papa again. I tried to convince him, but it did not work at all."

"It has to happen by chance. It might be our last opportunity before they find out. My papa is already very, very suspicious..."

"What are we gonna do? Hikaru won't go to Gandara, and you said your papa doesn't want to see Hikaru ever again!"

"We have to fool them. We must lie to them again!"

Kinno became very unhappy. He had never in his whole life lied to Hikaru, and now he'd be doing it for the second time over a few weeks...

What eased his pain is that he was doing it all for the best!

"I can't think of anything, sugar."

Shura placed a brief, wet smooch on his blondie's brow, and smiled at him.

"Don't worry. I'm gonna find a way to bring them together.  A way which will not expose us in the process."

They just cuddled together, enjoying the tingling feel that ran along their bodies when they were close. Kinno breathed deeper, just enjoying his lollypop's warmth, while Shura was absent-mindely stroking his sweetheart's back...

It was then a solution appeared!

"It must be on neutral ground. We have to make it seem incidental." Shura sighed out. He was getting tired of all those vain efforts. Who would think both his father and Hikaru were such enthusiastic celibates? "I just don't know where they might meet..."

Kinno opened a large smile. His golden eyes twinkled with enthusiasm as he leaned on Shura, staring at him right in the eye.

"Do you think papa Yomi would come over my place, Shura?"

Gandara's prince seemed intrigued.

"Why, my jewel?"

"Hikaru comes here to visit me and the kids every week! It's easy to arrange a meeting there!"

Shura assented. Yes... It was neutral ground, assuming Kurama would not get on the way.

"Seems good, but what about your father?"

"Daddy?"

Shura nodded his head again slowly. Kurama would always be one of his main concerns whenever his papa was the matter. He did not want the King to suffer any more because of that haughty, heartless youko.

"Don't worry my honey-bun! We're almost family. Daddy and your papa have to learn to get along fine..."

Shura acquiesced vaguely. He was not very convinced about it, but...

"We have to start organizing the plans for our marriage, blondie! The Makai Tournament is close! It is a good reason for my papa to come talk to Kurama and Hiei!"

Kinno nodded his head vigorously. He was delighted with his lover's wits. Shura was so clever! It was an excellent plan! No one would suspect anything!

"And I want Hikaru to be Best Man!" Kinno giggled, already antecipating the whole ceremony in his mind.

Shura's face showed a smile as radiant and wide as Kinno's. Yes! The Makai Matchmakers were back into business!
 

Hyoko was always the first to notice him, but it was Kinno who hurried in his direction, to squeeze him in his arms, kiss and lick his face, wiggle his tail with joy, and welcome him in his hearty, peculiar way..

If it were not for Kinno, and for that sweet albino kid, Hikaru would never submit himself to Kurama's silent, but very perceptible criticism...

As the grey youko headed towards the main yard, a garden surrounded by three tall and bloosoming tree houses, he spared an instant to exchange a brief greeting with Hiei. The small fire youkai was resting on a maple branch by the path, lazily.

Hiei was obviously the lord of the manor; the king of the castle. He had witnessed more than once the proud youko abide by Hiei's decisions.

Hiei just snorted in acknowledgment, without moving a single muscle, and Hikaru looked askance to the other side. Kurama's silvery figure was tense and very attentive, as if he were some type of menace surrounding Hiei...

What a paranoiac behavior! Nevertheless, Hikaru imagined the silver youko acted in such a distrusting and edgy fashion towards him for much more than mere envy or jealousy...

Perhaps he should do a little investigation on Kurama's past.

As he followed the path, Kurama's golden eyes were on him all the while. He was peeved at the silver fox's conduct, although he did not complain in the slightest.

On the contrary, he accepted Kurama's imposing superiority calmly. Hikaru bowed his head a little, in a slight and quick motion, as he passed by the other youko, always careful to keep his ears and tail down.

Kurama grunted an ill-humored "How do you do" before giving his back to him and calling Hiei forth with a loud, bossy shout. Then, he entered his den, slamming the door behind him.

It was obvious Kurama did not want to interact.

Well, Hikaru could not say he was dying to make company to Kurama. He had come over for Kinno and the kids, only.

Kinno reached Hikaru then, jumping on him for a heart-warming clinch, giggling effusively, very happy to see him.

Hikaru let Kinno circle his waist with one arm, unable to hide a smile. The golden fox murmured in his ear, stating he had tons of gossips and rumors he needed badly to share with someone... He had news about anything he could imagine...

"Just spare me from any news about Gandara's King. He is an individual I prefer knowing nothing about."

Before Kinno could protest, a whitish blur crossed their way, throwing itself onto Hikaru, clinching around his thighs.

"Hikaru oji-san! I want more shiny stones!"

The grey fox fumbled for the cute kit's present inside the pockets of  his leather coat. Like always, he had brought Hyoko more rounded crystals to his collection.

"Here, kit..." Hikaru bent one knee, so he could be at eye's height with Hyoko for a moment. He passed the twinkling round gems to his chubby hands. The baby-youko needed to cup both hands together to be able to grasp all of them.

Hyoko smiled. He locked his red eyes on Hikaru' for a while. His stare was so intense and warm that Hikaru became embarrassed. He blushed and averted his eyes.

The grey youko looked down at the lustering gems the boy held in his cupped hands, pointing at them.

"I'll go teach you the names of each one later, alright?"

The boy assented, after stuffing his pockets and tunic with the gems. He blew the grey youko a kiss, and hurried back home, probably to hide his treasure form his older brothers.

Eiko walked closer, silent and slowly, like a shadow. She said nothing, merely tilted his head a little, while a subtle smile curved his lips. It was almost imperceptible. The elfin-girl remained so still she looked almost like part of the scenery.

Hikaru found another object in his pockets. A pouch, which he handed the girl as they walked closer to her.

"Here, Eiko. The sulfur you asked me." He handed her the pouch but halted his gesture halfway, staring at her very seriously. "But you have to promise me it's not for any type of love-potion."

The black-haired girl showed a grimace of sheer repulse. She shuddered with terror at such idea.

"Love-potion? Ugh! I don't do this kind of silly spells! Why would I make a love potion?"

The youko's blue eyes aimed at the golden figure next to him.

"Your brother wants to find me a lover at any cost!" He complained.

Both Hikaru and Eiko gave Kinno a straightforward, reproaching gaze, and Kinno's eyes widened in shock. He had not yet grasped why his friend refused company with such stubbornness.

"But Hikaru! It would be so good if you had a lover!"

The grey fox showed Kinno a scowl. He prayed to Inari that Kinno put an end to that frenzy of trying to find him company, but the Divinity somehow refused to attend him... He had always been such a loyal servant - It was not fair at all...

"I wouldn't do it, Hikaru oji-san. Trust me! I would never be an accomplice to such idiotic plot!"

Hikaru was relieved. He handed her the small pouch, and turned to the other side. Ikki had arrived to join them.

"Oji-san! It's good to see you! I found a new cave down by the river! We can visit it later!" He invited, as he gently bowed his head before the grey youko.

Hikaru agreed, but before he could make any apart, Takeshi appeared, pushing Eiko and Ikki apart to face Hikaru.

"Cave? It's sissy's talk! I wanna go hunting!" He demanded, making a scowl at Ikki and his proposal.

Hikaru smiled. He hoped they could find time during that afternoon to all that...

"We can do it too. I like hunting. I'm gonna teach you to how to gut and skin a victim while it is still alive..."

Everyone halted, facing Hikaru with baffled looks.

"Hikaru!

Kinno's loud scream seemed to make Hikaru realize he had said too much.

"Sorry! I mean... a prey..." His blue eyes searched for the kids, watching their reaction. They were a little unsure yet... "I was just rambling aloud, I'm really sorry, I didn't mean it..."

"I think it's cool! I want to learn that!" Takeshi added "I wanna know how to gut and skin a victim!"

Kinno tried to smack his brother in the head, but Takeshi dodged him, hiding behind Hikaru, who became a little startled and confused. He was not used to kids. Sometimes he thought those children would leave him crazy one of these days...

Taking the opportunity, Kinno grabbed Hikaru by one arm, dragging him with him to his own den, dismissing the kids with the excuse they must speak in private.

Hyoko, who had just returned, protested, grabbing handfuls of Hikaru's hair and holding them tightly, saying he wanted to stay with them.

There was no way to fight back the small youko's arguments.

They walked together to Kinno's place. He had decorated the trees which formed his dwelling place with wide pink ribbons tied around the trunks and main branches, and several twinkling bric-a-brac and baubles he had collected over the months.  The white flowers that bloomed exuberantly all over the trees's crowns added to the effect, making it Kinno-style decoration without a shadow of a doubt. That festive tree-house could be detected from miles away...

They sat at the entrance, among the daisies and dandelions. Hyoko made absolute question to sit on Hikaru's lap, observing the two adult youko's talk with a very focused attention, while munching at a pear Kinno had given him.

"I prepared a very special meal, Hikaru! I wanted you to come so much!"

"Why? What are you planning, Kinno?"

"Nothing..."

The striped youko waved his head. Of course he could not believe that... He had learned over the years that particular twinkling in the corner of Kinno's eyes, and his flushing cheeks meant trouble, at least for him.

"What are your plans for me? I don't want to be caught off guard."

Kinno jumped forward to clinch his friend with a hug. Hikaru did not react; in fact, he halted, surprised as always by Kinno's effusive need for contact. But he had learned to enjoy his brother at heart's ways.

He returned the gesture squeezing Kinno warmly in his arms.

"I want you to be my best man at the wedding, Hikaru!"
 
Hikaru seemed very surprised by the invitation. His mouth gaped, and he pulled back, to stare at Kinno. He felt honored to be invited but..."

"Kinno... Are you sure?"

The golden fox's eyes widened in shock.

"You don't like it?"

Hikaru lowered his eyes. As he did it, he found Hyoko staring at him inquisitively, chewing his fruit.

"You don't like it?" The kid asked, in the same tone, like an echo.

"I like it. I'm honored, but..."

"Good! You have to help me with the arrangements, Hikaru! I know nothing about weddings! I have never been married before!"

"Yes, but..."

It was at this point, Hikaru looked back over his shoulder. He had noticed a strong presence moving up the hill, heading straight to that area. In fact, there were two you-ki signatures he sensed. Both were so extremely powerful, vibrating in such a similar pattern they could be mistaken for a single one.

He felt a creeping sensation up his spine. Could it be Kinno had managed to frame him again into another of those literal, at the same time figurative "blind dates"? He could not believe his dear friend had willingly lured him to another trap date...

His ears pricked up, and he furrowed his brow aiming an angry stare at the two horned figures coming up the way.

"Kinno! I told you I did not want to meet this despicable youkai again!"

Kinno's face lost color. His friend's angry reaction scared him. Hyoko jumped and crawled off Hikaru's lap, equally frightened by his loud, peeved tone of voice.

Kinno got on his feet at once, to step out of Hikaru's reach. He had barely seen his friend so altered before...

"But Papa Yomi's is the father of the groom! He had to come! We're gonna talk about the wedding!"

"You framed me again!"

"No! Hikaru! Please! Don't be so bad to me, I didn't mean it... I only want you to be my Best man!" Kinno whined, sobbed, and moaned, affected by a sudden sorrow. "I need you there, Hikaru! You're my best friend! You're a brother to me! Please!"

The grey fox fixed a furious stare at his golden friend. He had to take a deep breath in to try to calm down. However, unable to help, he cursed something in between his gritted teeth, in such a low and guttural fashion neither Kinno nor Hyoko could grasp it.

"This is sexual harassment, Kinno! Why don't you understand? Stop trying to push me to Yomi! I don't like him!"

Hikaru was definitively screaming. He seemed to have lost all his usual prudence and calm by then. His eyes sparkled with anger. His shoulders were tense, and his hands clutched tightly on his lap.

"Hikaru... Please.. I love you and Papa Yomi. I don't wanna lose any of you. I don't do it on purpose. It happens..."

Saying that, Kinno imagined it was better to sneak away before Hikaru smacked his head really hard for good. He excused himself, saying he must speak to Shura and Papa Yomi, and begged Hikaru to stay.

He left then, without waiting for an answer. If there was something he took for granted is that Hikaru was too polite to leave without saying goodbye first. It was why he decided to risk it. Not to mention Hyoko was a guarantee his favorite oji-san would not leave before sunset...

Hikaru quietened on watching Kinno leave him with Hyoko.

He conceded, sighing in, aware he should prepare himself psychologically to what would surely be one of the worse days in his whole life. He was bound to stand not only Kurama's arrogance, but also King Yomi's inappropriateness!

He knew it would be too rude to reject Kinno's invitation to represent such an important figure at the wedding, but e was starting to consider letting him down...

"You're angry, oji-san?"

Hikaru faced the kid, and made an effort to smile. He did not want to upset that cute brat.

"It's nothing. It's just Kinno. He wants me to find a boyfriend."

The kid came closer. He tugged at Hikaru, insisting to be given his full attention, and perched on his lap again.

"You don't want Kinno to help?"

It seemed absurd to discuss his love-life with such a small kid, but Hikaru was caught into the argument without noticing it...

"No. I don't want any boyfriend."

"Why?"

"I don't need one."

"Why?"

"I prefer to keep my privacy."

"Why?"

"I like to live on my own."

"Why?"

Hikaru's eyes locked on the kid's red ones. He was exaspareated with the small youko's insistence. And, in fact, he did not even know how to answer that question. He just patted his white hair with affection.

"I don't know..."

It was then Hyoko added.

"Oji-san needs company."

Hikaru smiled. What did that kid know? Poor baby...

"Why?" He asked back, giving the brat as good as he had been given.

"Because you're not happy."

Hikaru became pale. He had forgotten Hyoko's incubated healing powers made him more sensitive than any average kit...

The grey youko shook his head in a vigorous negative, but kid merely smiled back at him, in a blend of innocence and love.

"I don't think I'll ever love again, little one..." Hikaru murmured, almost as if thinking aloud, as his eyes met the tall, horned figure of Gandara's king. Yomi stood a little way away, talking to an annoyed Kurama, and at the same time being introduced to the children. He had not yet noticed the stripped youko's presence.

Hikaru was sure about one thing; it would be a very long afternoon...