It had been a long while since he and Kinno had last met. He had spent just three days in his company after Kurama and his partner had brought him back from the late You-Know-Who's domains. He stayed there, helping Kurama and Kinno for a while, till that silver youko had suggested he should better look for his own place.

Well, it was not a real problem. Hikaru would not really enjoy living near Kurama Youko for much longer. There was something in that proud fox demon which Kinno's friend did not feel at ease with... In addition, that silvery old bastard insisted on calling him "Skunk", even after Hikaru had made it clear, dozens of times he abhorred such nickname.

Therefore, even though Kinno pleaded with him to stay, the striped youko preferred to leave than to allow the enmity to reach unbearable levels between him and Kurama.

After a short search Hikaru was lucky to find that unclaimed terrain - A gorge cut in between a beautiful vertical, sharp-edged cliff, far enough from Kurama, but not too far for Kinno to visit him once in a while. It was a locale still conveniently on the edge of one of the main routes to Gandara, so his business would not be bound to bankruptcy. The grey youko was very aware he must make some money, because his treasured jewels would not maintain him forever.

He warned Kinno about his new place, and started building what would be his new tavern.

All in all, almost 4 weeks had passed since Kinno had returned home. It seemed a very long interval for close friends such as they were. Hikaru really missed his brother at heart...

Seeing the blond fox meant Kurama had finally allowed Kinno to leave his territory boundaries for a visit.

He opened a large smile, immediately brushing his hands clean on his work-pants, and shaking off some dust from his front. The long braid he had tied his hair in lashed the air as he swerved a pile of sodalite and mica plates he was saving for interior decoration, and hurried along the pebbled path to meet Kinno.

The blond stormed in his friend's direction, shouting his name out while showing eager open arms. He sprang forward with such an impetus he almost threw Hikaru to the ground when their arms locked together, in a fierce, sweet embrace. Kinno kissed the other youko's face in an unstoppable, crazy succession of noisy wet smacks, making the striped youko twitch and shudder with the tickling.

"Hey, Kinno, it's alright, I'm happy to see you too!" Hikaru declared, being virtually smothered by that young youko's enthusiasm. "I'm muddy and dirty, Kinno, please..."

But nothing Hikaru would say could detain Kinno from cuddling to him with all his might and affection. The blond fox jumped, shook Hikaru in his arms, kissed him a little more, tickled at his ribcage, and in the end slipped a naughty wet lick at the tip of his nose.

Hikaru chuckled. His stern composure had surrendered totally to the vivacity Kinno always spread around.

"Daddy let me come over, Hikaru! I'm staying for three days!"

Hikaru lifted one eyebrow as he faced Kinno. Then he tilted his head to indicate the half-built house. To avoid much work, he was making it no more than a one floor large hut, anyway, there was still a lot to assemble. His own private quarters and the kitchen were finished. But the bar room was still very crude.

"I am sorry that I will not be able to offer you much comfort. I am still..." then Hikaru jumped and yelped in pain. "OUCH!"

Hikaru almost fell off his balance again, when he felt his braid being yanked vigorously. He looked round, carefully pulling back his long tress of hair and rolling it around one forearm. He had rescued his hair from the small hands of a white furred youko kit.

The child blinked one pair of big red eyes and smiled in a playful sympathy. It was then Hikaru noticed that cub was a brat; cute, but naughty.

"I'm sorry, Hikaru, they're my brothers..." Kinno intervened, a little embarrassed as he delicately plucked his brother away from his friend's hair. Hikaru was so proud of his knee-length mane...

The striped youko looked askance at the pair of little demons who observed he and Kinno most curiously. He became bewildered for a moment - It seemed he was staring at miniature versions of  Kurama and Hiei.

His blue eyes searched Kinno. Hikaru was a little puzzled yet.

"Who are they? What happened?"

"They're stray kids. Daddy and Ji-chan found them. We're all together now in a family," Kinno explained, introducing them.

Hyoko still tried to grab Hikaru's braid, but the youko stepped off, avoiding the baby. Ikki remained very calm, just the opposite of his younger brother. Ikki bowed before the other youko then, politely presenting himself before Hikaru. Then he reached out to hold Hyoko back. The albino kid was already running circles around Hikaru, fascinated by his striped tail...

"Oh, Gods... It must be very amusing to live with them..."

"It is, Hikaru! They're nice! And my brothers are staying with us!"

"Are they? For three days?"

"Yes!" Kinno exclaimed, displaying a big smile.

Hikaru just sighed out. He still kept a warm-hearted smile, even starting to suspect why Kurama had been so generous allowing Kinno the indulgence of visiting him...

He crouched gracefully before the two kids, still keeping his hair around his arm, and his tail conveniently concealed beneath his thigh. He smiled to them.

"Welcome to my home, kids! I hope you like it here," Hikaru spoke, softly, while trying to guess whether those kids would behave. He enjoyed children, but he had never been so close to any. He imagined sometimes he would not know how to deal with children.

"Is he your boyfriend, Kinno?"

Hikaru and Kinno exchanged glances. Then they laughed. The grey youko patted that cute whitish youko's head, and Kinno nudged his baby brother's back.

"No, baby! Hikaru is just a friend!" Kinno retorted then. It was very funny. Everyone always imagined he and Hikaru shared more than friendship...

Being at eyes' height with the pretty youko baby, Hikaru felt a little perturbed when he stared deeper at that kid's joyful expression. Even being just a child, his eyes were very intense. He seemed careless and easy-going, and there was that spiky, haystack-like white hair... These were mere details, even so, they reminded Hikaru of someone from his past; someone very dear to him...

Hikaru closed his eyes for a short moment, focusing his senses. He placed the palm of his hand on the little youko's head to try to determine the nature of that kid's you-ki. It took him just a moment to practice that art, which was not taught to many. Yes... The baby's you-ki was not developed yet, but Hikaru had been trained and educated finely to be capable of sensing a youko's powers; even a kit's.

He saw it after short seconds; that pretty albino youko carried healing powers...

For an instant, Hikaru remained very still, lost in a world of his own reminiscences. Nevertheless, the loud childish voice of the baby interrupted his pondering, and the grey fox looked up at them all, a little confused.

"Excuse me? What do you want, baby?"

"I want cake!" Hyoko burst out, escaping Hikaru's arms to hug Kinno's thighs, holding tight to his bigger brother.

Even Ikki, who was always so quiet and calm nagged his brother for the cake, holding one of his arms and pulling, to call his attention.

"Kinno, Kinno! Can we have that cake now?" the black-haired child urged.

"Cake?"

"Oh, I promised I'd bake them a cake if they were good..."

The striped youko acquiesced. He had the impression even being older, his sweet friend Kinno was the most childish of the kids. He got on his feet and caressed the other fox's golden head. It was good to have someone to talk to again. He had been alone amongst all those stones and rocks for very long; he needed a break.

"I hope I have all the ingredients."

"I want a strawberry pie!"

"No! Orange cake!"

"Lemon Pie!"

Hikaru and Kinno stole themselves away from the arguing kids. The two of them were already walking off to explore the place, guided by their natural curiosity.

The grey fox circled Kinno's shoulders with one arm. Even being so different, Hikaru always had the most fraternal tenderness towards Kinno. That golden youko was much more loyal and caring than any blood brother he might have had... But it was past... He'd better forget it.

"You're much welcome, Kinno. I missed you."

Kinno cuddled to his friend once more.

"I need you, Hikaru. I need your advice..."

The kids stormed into Hikaru's yard, inspecting everything, and rushed into the half-finished lodge. Hikaru had to restrain himself from running after them, a little bothered about the intrusion. He hoped those kids did not poke where they should not. He had some stuff kept inside he would not enjoy others finding.

The skeletons he kept in the closet, for example...

"Kinno, come inside. It's good to be like in the old times."

Kinno's brothers were ecstatic.

They also watched Hikaru drill a well. They stood around him, very quiet, observing the grey fox softly lay the palm of his hand on the soil. He started to sense the underground stream, and thus slowly made all rocks and earth give way to the flow of the water. His deep concentration was not interrupted, not even by Kinno, who sat by his brothers' side, accompanying his friend's effort, fascinated just like the little ones. They kept a marvelled silence as they felt a low rumbling vibration shake the ground around them. The bright you-ki aura grew more intense around the grey youko, till the moment when a sudden roar burst out from the ground. The youko took his hand off, and as he did it, a spring of clear water appeared, like a fountain, soaking them all.

They played a lot in the water till the strong spring turned into a calm pond, when the jet pressure decreased. Then everyone helped Hikaru circle the outpour of fresh water with granite plates.

The kids were marvelled, and always wanted to see more. The rest of the time they were allowed to wander around and play hide and other games.

It was all very different from his own childhood. Hikaru recalled being locked in Libraries, or kept busy with unending lessons of all kinds. Politics, good manners, Makai history. It felt much better now that his only commitment was to himself.

On the other side, he could not complain much. Kinno had had such a terrible childhood, and yet he was so easy going and optimistic... Nevertheless, Kinno had been acting weird all day; it was not his normal spirit. Hikaru knew him long enough to grasp he was hiding something serious.

Poor Kinno, he hoped to be able to actually help, although that young golden kid was most likely to bring him trouble. He could have died last time, when You-Know-Who caught him.

However he could not resist helping Kinno, Hikaru was very aware of that only instant of agreement he shared with Kurama - 'Trouble' was indeed Kinno's middle name...

The evening had just started. Hikaru sat quietly at a table in a corner of the room, observing the darkening sky through the wide gaps in the ceiling. The room was lit by a few candles put here and there, which created an eerie atmosphere.

The striped fox relaxed, sinking into the cushioned chair, and reached out for a bottle on the table to pour himself some sake. He could hear Kinno's voice comimg from the other room. Hikaru had allowed the kids to sleep in his bed, while he could share a futon with the golden fox in the unfinished bar room. As long as there was no rain it would even be somehow pleasing to sleep without a roof over their heads.

Kinno was singing the kids a lullaby, in a very soft tone. But the blond's song was in fact a debauched honky-tonk song... The striped youko let out a muffled laughter. At least Kinno was doing it with good intention...

He drank then, in slow sips, soon emptying the cup and already serving himself another.

The grey youko breathed in deeply, finishing the second cup in one single draw. He hit the cup back on the table, and reached for another dose.

He heard a rustling sound, and checked it with a quick glimpse over one shoulder. It was Kinno who closed the bedroom door behind him with lots of care.

Hikaru felt a warm hand on his head, caressing his hair down along the black stripe.

"Are you feeling fine, Hikaru?"

The grey youko remained very still, in complete silence. Only the slight flowing sound of the sake being poured was heard.

The golden youko sat by his friend's side. He propped his elbows on the tabletop and rested his face on his cupped hands. His clear, golden eyes rolled, following Hikaru's slow, tired movements, as he drew from he cup again. Kinno knew his friend always became depressed everyday during that same hour - a little past the sunset. He was dying to know why, but even being the closest friends possible, Hikaru had never told him a thing.

"You are so lonely, friend. I must find you company..."

The youko's blue eyes were raised towards Kinno. Hikaru's face was doleful, and his paleness only stressed the painful sense of loss which echoed in his every feature. He poured himself another dose.

"I think I'd better go off and hang myself by my own hair..."

Kinno got on his feet at once. He threw himself onto his friend, cuddling dearly to him, wrapping his shoulders with one arm, as with the other he struggled to get the cup out of his grip. Hikaru offered no resistance. By the way he seemed sad, he must have already been drinking for a very long time.  Hikaru became too depressed whenever he drank more than three cups, which made him start sulking about some hidden secret in his past.

"Hikaru, you can't drink! I told you! It is not good for you!"

The grey fox gave Kinno a very sarcastic sideways glance.

"What's the use of running a tavern if I can't drink?"

"But you can't be depressed this way!" Kinno smiled then, trying to cheer his friend up. He caressed his face, and played with his furry, black tufted ears.

The grey youko could not hold it back, starting to giggle madly. He tried to escape Kinno's hug, but the golden youko did not let his friend go.

"I'll be here more often, Hikaru. We're gonna talk, and go out, and go shopping like before, don't be sad... To be alone here in this desert with no one around is not good for anyone!" Kinno forward a very serious, very concerned stare at his friend. He held him by his chin, so he could not avoid keeping eye to eye with him. "I don't wanna see you sad..."

Hikaru's face turned red and he fought a little, but Kinno's arms around him forced the youko to give in. Kinno's warm affection prevailed, and Hikaru ended up presenting a wide smile.

He looked up at Kinno.

"Yes... I'm gonna try to cheer up... Thank you...."

"You're gonna stop drinking now, right?"

"Yes..."

Hikaru's reward was a bright, heart-warming smile from the golden youko. He was also given a wet, warm kiss on his brow.

"I'm gonna find you a boyfriend and you'll be just as happy as I am now!"

Hikaru just agreed; it was the easiest course. He was used to Kinno willing to act the matchmaker towards him. It never worked out, but he would not complain much because his golden friend was always so good intentioned... How could he scold Kinno for trying?

But Hikaru was amazed when he grasped the last part of Kinno's sentence. A boyfriend? Happy as he was?

Oh, Gods... Could it be that some youkai had fooled Kinno? Had the blond naively found himself a new pimp? Damn! Where was almighty Youko Kurama at times like these? He was supposed to watch the kid, was he not?

"Keep sober, Hikaru, you need to help me! You're my only friend!" Kinno insisted, trying to rescue his friend from all that hopelessness.

Kinno's urgent request made Hikaru liven up at once. The soothing haze of stupor which was starting to take over him had been hastily swept away.  Hikaru would do anything to help his golden brother, yes, no doubt about it!

The grey fox signaled Kinno to sit back, and try to keep himself calm. His hand pushed the cup and the sake bottle away, and he propped himself on the table, facing his friend.

"Is there any youkai forcing you to do things you don't want? Is anyone threatening you again?"

Kinno shook his head, denying it all. By the relief and light revealed in his eyes, it seemed it was not the case at all.

"No... I'm not into this kind of trouble..." He reached over the table to pat one of Hikaru's hands. "I really found a boyfriend. He's nice, and he really loves me. I met him in Gandara..."

"Oh..."

"We made love and it was so good...  I could not believe it would ever be so good, Hikaru! My lollypop is so loveable and kind!"

Hikaru started to tap his fingertips against the table top, restlessly. He took a fleeting glimpse at the bottle and at the empty cup, but he still managed to resist.

"Who is he? Have you presented him to your father?"

It was then Kinno's face changed, stricken by a sudden grief.

"This is the problem! His father doesn't like youko! He says every youko is... ahn..." The blond thought for a while, trying to remember the exact word. Shura spoke so beautifully that he wanted to keep in his mind every word, very little pretty thing he had said... "Ah! Pernicious!"

"Pernicious? Oh... What arrogance! He can't judge every youko this way! There are wicked youko indeed, but there are some very nice, good-hearted foxes also!" Hikaru's oblique eyes were focused for a little while on the bottle again. Well... He could return to his drinking after Kinno had gone to bed...

"No, Hikaru! My sweetheart is nice! It is his father that thinks this way..."

"And who is his father anyway to bear such a haughty opinion on our race?"

Kinno felt suddenly uneasy with Hikaru's question, He fidgeted on his chair, and shuddered. He crossed his arms at his chest, and avoided staring directly at the other youko.

"His father and my daddy are enemies," was all he explained.

"Kinno, I need a name."

"I should not tell you because it is a secret. My sugar made me promise I would keep quiet  about it and would tell no one we were dating."

Hikaru felt the impulse to challenge Kinno, telling him nothing good could come of a relationship which must be concealed and kept in secrecy. But he recalled his own past, and thought it better not to criticize him before getting to know further details.

It could even be a real loving relationship...

"I'm afraid I will not be able to help much if I do not know all the details." Then he directed his clear blue eyes towards his friend. His stare was sweet but also demanding, pushing Kinno to reveal to him the truth. It was Hikaru's turn to reach for his friend, tenderly stroking his arm. "A secret date is something very dangerous. Remember what you promised your father after he rescued you from You-Know-Who's hands? You said you would never ever lie to him again..."

"I love him and he loves me! But we have to keep it a secret... His father is powerful, rich, and he would never let my sugar date a poor youko like me! Oh, Hikaru, what should I do..."

"Oh... Been there..."

"What?"

Hikaru gestured Kinno to forget it. He had talked too much... And anyway, how could he give his friend advice on a matter which had brought him so much happiness, and at the same time so much grief?

"Even when all odds favor us sometimes love ends up in mourning and loss.  Kinno, you and your lover are already starting it the wrong way, forced to keep it a secret, pressed by your fathers and family... It can be very bad for you."

"I can't live without him, Hikaru. I love him, I love him too much!" Kinno drew air in deeply, before continuing. He put his hands together and begged, "Can we meet here, Hikaru?"

The grey youko opened a pair of wide, flabbergasted blue eyes.

"Pardon?"

"Oh, please, Hikaru... It can't be at my place, and it can't be at his... We can't  keep on meeting in the bushes like animals. He's so educated, so refined... You will love him also!"

"And what happens if his father finds out? I can't be put into more trouble! I don't want to be thrown off of a high bridge again!" Hikaru hurried to get his cup and fill it agsin. After such a proposal he surely needed to drink more! "Do you intend to get laid in my bed, Kinno?"

The golden youko offered his friend an embarrassed grin. He twisted his hands one around the other, in a nervous fit.

"I promise I will make the bed and wash the sheets afterwards..."

"Kinno..."

"He's such a nice youkai... Please... I need your help. I can't talk to my daddy, and he can't ask his father for any help. We are alone in our love... Help us, pretty please..."

Hikaru pressed the back of one hand against his mouth, to supress a laugh. Oh... Only Kinno could make him smile at such! Only Kinno, his dearest brother at heart, could convince him to do such stupidity! How could he say no to such a sweet child?

"First I must know him. Bring him in, and I shall decide. If I think he is a nice, respectable youkai, I will shelter you in my house. But if I find he is just another slimy lounge lizard, I'll shove him out of here in a landslide! Agreed?"

Kinno jumped up, and shot himself onto Hikaru, kissing and hugging him, in a sudden hurl of affection. He sat on the other youko's lap to squeeze him tighter yet.

"Oh Hikaru, you're gonna love him! He is a prince!"

Hikaru wiggled, protesting, struggling, but he could not set himself free...

"Oh yeah, I know.. A prince..." Hikaru showed a bitter and yet amused smile. Kinno had such vivid imagination...

"Oh, my friend you make me so happy! I love you!"

"Alright... I love you too, my golden-eyed brother..."

Hyoko thought it was all a bore. They were not making babies like he thought they would be. Kinno and Hikaru were just talking! He handed his brother Ikki the last piece of the cake Kinno had made them, which he kept in his pocket. He had lost the bet - Kinno and Hikaru oji-san were just friends...

"I told you. Kinno must be going out with someone else..." The older boy said, kindly sharing the cake with his youko brother.

"I like Hikaru oji-san! He's nice! I wanted to stay more with him!"

"Ah, daddy Kurama will not let you stay, Hyoko. I heard daddy doesn't like Hikaru oji-san very much..."

"Why?"

"Maybe it is because he's got more beautiful hair."

"Yes! I like his hair! When I grow up I want to have hair as long as his!" The little youko reached into the large pockets of his pajama trousers, in which he used to stick tons of stuff - Now the toys and candies had been replaced by a lot of the colored crystals Hikaru had made him, transforming those ugly pebbles of the pathway into beautiful shiny gems. Those crystals were so beautiful! And he had been told all the names! Rose quartz, amethyst, citrine, green quartz... He wanted a lot more of them!

They chewed the cake, finishing it and brushing the crumbles off their clothes.

"What do you think Kinno's boyfriend is like?"

"Kinno says he is a prince, but I don't think Daddy Kurama is going to accept him anyway..."

"I don't like spying on Kinno. He's such a good brother..."

"And the cake was good!"

The small youko jumped back into the bed. It felt funny not to sleep on the ground like he was used to.

"I think we should do like Hikaru Oji-san. If we don't like Kinno's boyfriend, then we inform daddy."

"If he is a prince he has a lot of money! He can give us a whole candy store in Gandara!" Hyoko exclaimed, joyfully.

Ikki shook his head. He walked to the big bed, carved out of one giant rock, with a very comfortable mattress on its center. He slipped into the covers then.

"He is not a real prince, Hyoko! It is just a way of speaking!"

"But I want a candy store!"

The black-haired boy made an pacifying gesture.

"Listen; if we like Kinno's boyfriend we keep our mouths shut. But if the guy is a bore we tell daddy. What do you think?"

The cute albino youko nodded quickly, agreeing with his brother's plan lively. Then he slipped into the covers, laying his head on the soft pillow.

"Yes, Ikki. But I want a candy store!"

It was Ikki's turn to assent. Candy store... Hn.

"Who knows? You can ask Kinno's boyfriend for a candy store..." The boy murmured, resting onto the pillows, and starting to relax. They had walked a long distance from home to Hikaru's place, and they had played a lot during the day. He was tired. And Hyoko must be much more tired then. "Good night, little youko brother."

Hyoko yawned, while stirring in bed. Then he sunk against the pillows, cuddling tight to it.

"Good night, Ikki."

To be Continued...