What could he do? What should he do?

He felt uneasy, constrained. The love he felt and the promise he had vowed to his father were tight around him, confining his soul and his heart; he felt like he was held in bondage. And it mattered not how much force he used to set himself free, the chains around his heart still bit him painfully.

He had no way out. He was bound to break his promises and hurt either his father or Kinno.

Perhaps destroying the Dream Flowers could be enough to heal his father.

As Shura walked back to Gandara, this last alternative was like a safe link he still had to sanity. Shura was still very young, and all that strain, all those emotions were piling up inside him dangerously. He was afraid he might suddenly let go of his careful control and start an aimless frenzy of destruction. He was tired. He was exhausted, nervous, scared, and confused with so many sudden changes in such a short time.

If he could he would do like his father. Lie down and sleep, waiting for the  nightmare of reality to be substituted by sweet, loving dreams. But he must be the one to act. He must be the one to put an end to so much illusion and insanity, although he felt truly disoriented.

How could he expect to become King of the Makai one day if he were not able to untangle that situation he and Kinno had been thrown inadvertently into?

It was already dark when he reached the city. Shura had detained his advance on purpose. He preferred to walk the avenues and halls as unnoticed as he could. The artificial illumination was not enough to clear the shadows night and the tall buildings cast upon the calm city. Shura took advantage of the shadows and corners, lifting up his coat's collar and letting his hair fall onto his face to not to be recognized by any passing youkai or guards.

When he reached the gates of the main Tower Shura had to make himself acknowledged by the guards. The disclosing of his identity caused all the quietness to cease at once around him. The Gatekeepers made a true scandal announcing his arrival. And just as he stepped inside, immediately an ensemble of guards and officers was assigned to accompany him.

Shura sighed in and continued on his way, too tired to utter the slightest complaint. He crossed the main hall, heading to the express elevator which would lead him to the upper floors. It was then Shura felt himself on the verge of losing his patience and his whole composure.

A whole retinue of young female youkai of all types surrounded him. They were daughters of high officers, ministers and generals, who rushed to block his way as soon as his arrival had been announced. They were all marriageable, firmly convinced Shura must give up his fancy-free state as soon as possible. They stayed his way, interrupting him for a while, wrapping him with kindness, courtship, gallantry and their unending idiotic babbling, high-pitched voices and their irritating giggling.

Shura could not stand them. They were so  predictable... How could he tolerate any of those false sugar-coated girls when he had found true naivete and sweetness in Kinno?

He sighed, filled with contentment when he recalled the good memories of their encounter. Nevertheless soon his head started to throb and ache, and he knew there were no new horns pointing out. It was just his stress reaching unbearable levels...

Fortunately Akso, his First Officer, arrived to graciously disband those females, before Shura caused a major diplomatic incident tin the palace - A lethal diplomatic incident in the matter...

"Is King Yomi in the palace?" He asked Akso, when the officer bowed  before him, awaiting orders.

"The King is in his private chambers, prince Shura. He arrived by midday. He let in some urgent messengers, and few officers. After that he headed straight to his quarters. The King still held a brief meeting with Counsellor Yoda for a while, but after that he withdrew to his private rooms. King Yomi requested that no one should disturb him."

Shura shut his eyes firmly for one instant. A sudden pain snatched him when he thought about his dear father. He would not allow Yomi to fall further down into his misery.

The young youkai stared deeply at Akso.

"Do not allow anyone to interrupt my conversation with my father. No one, do you understand?"

"Yes, Prince Shura."

"Not even if you think there is a war going on up there! Let me alone with the King! Do not invade!"

"Yes, Shura-Sama

"If King Yomi's Personal Guard try to enter his quarters, be prepared to block their advance!."

Akso's eyes grew wide in his bluish face.

"Block King Yomi's Personal Guard?" He asked again, startled. The King's personal guard were the elite of the Makai Army. How could he possibly try to detain them? What was going on? A coup d'état?

Anyway, the officer did not risk asking further. Prince Shura seemed very pissed; he would rather remain among the living kind...

"I am not used to repeating orders, Akso! Just do what I tell you, and do it well!"

Shura entered the exclusive elevator. He needed to enter the code only he, his father, very few officers, and Counsellor Yoda knew, to be taken to the King's level. The silent trip was fast and the doors soon slid open to reveal the highest floor of the Tower. Yomi's quarters occupied that whole level of the building, surrounded by terraces with dozens of blossoming Makai Dream Flower plants...

But if it depended on prince Shura, those plants of evil would not live past that evening...

He left the elevator, walking some steps along the long metallic corridor. In no time a security officer appeared before Shura. And before the dedicated officer could argue that the King had requested not to be disturbed by anyone, Shura dismissed him with rude orders and eyes which sparkled anger and urgency.

"I must be left alone with my father!" He ordered. Then  Shura added he wanted everyone, from guards to servants and even counsellor Yoda, to leave that level. "Leave immediately before I decide to execute you for insubordination! Get out of my sight at once!" Shura insisted, as his nervousness stripped him of the remains of his patience and politeness.

There were not many guards. But they kept their posts with heavy weaponry and armor and communicators to call back up, if necessary. Most of the security was on the lower floors, completely blocking access to the King's private level. 

The head officer tried to protest, but Shura defied him so furiously, that he had to concede. They left the area then, resigned in silence and obedience,  as Shura entered the large suite of rooms.

It was then he met counsellor Yoda. The short and old adviser did not step out of Shura's way. He stood before the prince, blocking his access into the rooms.

"Leave. I must talk to my father."

It was the first time ever that Yoda disobeyed one direct command. He remained there, small and silent.

"You must try to understand and forgive your father, young prince. Yomi-sama is very strained about the latest events."

Shura raised one hand, indicating  to Yoda the corridor. An intense energy of fury flared in his pink eyes, and he shouted loud, almost losing his whole control.

"Get outta here! I want to see my father now!" He demanded, elbowing Yoda aside. He reached for the sensor panel on the wall, covering it with a light touch of the palm of his hand. The doors slid open then, and the prince stormed through them, at a breakneck pace, driven by anger and excitement.
 
Yoda still tried to say something, but the sliding door was shut. Shura touched the control panel by the side, locking the mechanism in the high-security mode.

He needed to talk to his father, he needed to free him from his tribulation in a conclusive fashion. He must not be bothered by anything or anyone.

The prince entered the place carefully. It was all dark inside. All curtains were shut, and not a single lamp was lit. He turned to the left, to wave his hand before the sensor switch. Immediately a very faint silver light appeared from the metallic ceiling, cold and agreeably diffuse.

He passed the vestibule, entered the sleeping quarters, and soon met his father.

Yomi was sleeping. He was naked, cuddling a dozen Dream Flowers.

Shura's feelings used to be of anger whenever he faced that scene. But not anymore; after knowing what was behind those flowers and dreams, the feeling which struck his demon heart was deep sorrowfulness.

The prince collected each of the flowers, softly, so as not to make his father wake. His fingers picked up one by one the flower buds. And while he did it, Shura looked at his father's calm, sleeping face. He seemed free and so at ease whenever he was lost to that world of dreams...

If he could, prince Shura would try his best to make his father happy in the waking world too. But then, it was not in his powers.

He collected a huge cluster of those reddish flowers. The scent was sweet and inebriating. Those blossoms actually carried the perfume of illusion.

For a little while, Shura imagined what visions he would experience if he tried that sweet perfume and closed his eyes to dream. He drew his face closer, bending over slightly to perceive better the bouquet of those beautiful flowers.

Love, sex, warmth, power, success, the redemption of his father... Every thing could be brought into his dreams by those reddish blossoms of  illusion. Nonetheless, the prince managed to draw himself backwards, breathe in fresh air again and shake those weird, dangerous ideas from his mind. He crushed a handful of flowers in a tightly closed fist and could not help murmuring an infuriated curse at Kurama.

The only good thing that demon carried out in his life must have been fathering sweet Kinno...

"I do not need dreams! I have a real youko who loves me!" Shura stated, in between gnashing teeth. He dropped the flowers to the floor, and started to crush them with his heavy boots, tearing their delicate petals, grinding their beauty with a silent but intense wrath.

He crushed the flowers viciously, till nothing but green and red crumpled, pulped rags remained on the floor.

Flowers of evil! He must put an end to all that insanity in no time!

His father was a King; he would not allow him to be subdued by his own passion in such a miserable way.

He trod over the stem stumps and mashed petals to reach the robe which rested across a chair's back. He brought it with him, and carefully covered his father's nakedness with it. He stared at Yomi then, directing towards him eyes filled with grief, but also a deep, loving respect.

"I love you, my Father. I will help you fight your misery," Shura murmured, bearing kind regard and admiration for his father and King.

The young youkai hurried to draw all the curtains. The black skies were punctuated by distant starts, and the abrupt energy flashes slashed the horizons violently, filling the air with a constant but low, rumbling vibration. The multitude of lights coming from the other towers and buildings filled the windowpanes with infinite multicolored reflections. Shura could not help feeling proud inside about his father, who had managed to erect that astounding domain.

And yet, even being the bringer of all that progress and order, his father could not even gaze upon his own realm with his own eyes...

Shura felt a pain grow inside him, as a stabbing force, when he thought about his blind father's suffering and frustration.

Damn Youko Kurama for everything he had done against Yomi!

The prince walked to the glassy doors of the balcony, pushing them open to enter that platform Yomi had turned into rich, suspended gardens.
The faint light coming from the interior revealed the long succession of flower buds growing in the gardens around the suite.

Those plants had sprawled around the whole floor like evil weeds.

"Forgive me father. I just want to free you," the prince whispered to himself, sorrowfully. Then Shura started to summon his youki around his hands, gathering energy, heat, fire...

Darkness.

Cold.

Solitude.

The King sighed. He licked his own lips then, recalling the many warm kisses he had shared with his loving youko during his dream. Despite illusion, in the realm of reality his lips were cold and dry; just like his own heart and his existence.

He rolled in bed, very slowly. His hands tried to reach for another flower bud, sensing the pillows and cushions to find another of those dreambringers. It was then Yomi noticed the sudden heat, and the burning smell.

Instinctively Yomi disclosed his inner vision, directing it toward the whole room, scanning his chambers with his sharp perception.

The king sat up in bed, already very attentive to all which was occurring around him. He jumped off the bed, hastily donning the robe, when he noticed the flames. Yomi gaped in astonishment, when his many ears perceived the crackling sound of the flames.

He breathed in, scenting the air. The smoke filled the whole room.

It was his Garden! His flowers were on fire!

High flames swallowed his flowers, like a tormenting sun against the darkness of the night. The intense heat coming from the flames reached him, driven by the wind. Flames and an intense flow of heat surrounded the whole level, consuming his suspended gardens mercilessly.

Yomi knew there was not much he could do now.

The King walked towards the balcony, guided by the increasing heat and the flames. His pace was slow, languid, and he kept his face downcast. His long, flowing black hair and his horns concealed his paleness, and the despondency of his expression.

The King seemed defeated, bent... Shura could not even say anything; the grief which fell upon him on seeing his father in such a debilitated state was overwhelming.

For a short moment, Shura felt remorse for causing his father pain with the destruction he had spread upon this dear garden.

Yomi was standing there, right next to him, and both demons faced the flames which were starting to die now that most of the fresh green had been transformed into ashes.

Shura walked closer to his impotent father. He brought one very hesitant hand up, to touch him, to try to caress his arm, but he could not do it. Yomi's sorrowfulness was so flagrant and intense that Shura felt the weight of guilt paralyze him.

"Forgive me, papa..." The prince murmured, slowly grazing his fingers along the side of Yomi's arm. "It is the only way to heal you."

Yomi stepped forward, going till the entrance to the balcony. Flames still danced here and there, but the sudden fire which Shura had started with his you-ki was already fading fast into a pile of carbonized debris.

The King still tried to extend his senses and make his inner sight look for a small flower bed which had not been destroyed. In a corner, maybe... Or then, probably he could find seeds which would give birth to a new garden...

But there was nothing. It was plain destruction. Yomi bent one knee on the ground to touch the twisted, burned remnants of one of those Dream Flower shrubs.

"Why have you done this, my son? Those flowers were my memories and my solace. They were my..."

Shura hurried to his father. He crouched down to embrace him feverishly, forcing Yomi to direct his peaceful shut eyes towards him.

"They were your torment! Try to set yourself free, papa!" Shura held Yomi's face with strong, but caring hands, demanding his father to give attention to him, and to his desperate words.

Yomi caressed one of Shura's hands with his long, extremely pale fingers.

"What have you done to Kurama? Tell me..."

Shura felt a deep, dull anger rise into him once more. Not only because of Kurama, but because his father still showed much concern and consideration toward that villain...

"Kurama is still alive, and well. I have not confronted him."

Yomi gave out a very audible sigh of relief. Shura shuddered, shocked with his father's reaction. At least it proved his assumption was correct. If he had really sacrificed Kurama in behalf of vengeance, he would have made the youko a martyr of love; one which Yomi would never be able to extirpate from his demon heart.

"What made you change your mind? You seemed so determined..."

"I realized you have to kill him inside your own heart first, papa. His death would not make you stop dreaming and yearning for him."

Yomi acquiesced. He stood up then, bringing Shura with him as they exchanged a loose and yet sweet embrace.

"That is precisely the reason why I have never been able to demand my revenge upon Kurama. The love I still fell for him is far greater than my hatred, my frustration, my urge for vengeance, or my shame. That is why I let him be, and resign myself to my loneliness." The King patted his son's back then. "Shura. Today you have learned a great lesson. You have learned not to allow your rational mind to be suppressed and defeated by wrath and impetuosity. It is a very valuable lesson for a future King."

Shura turned his eyes downwards, as his father stroked his head. Even being sad for his father's terrible destiny, and for having broken his vow to him, Shura still could fell proud inside. Yomi was right; yes, he had indeed required too much strength and will in order to control and tame the ire which had invaded his spirit.

"I understand it, papa."

Yomi smiled against his son's straight black hair. He could feel the conflict between King and Prince, father and son, was being resolved into understanding. The affection and respect they shared had pacified their arguments.

"I understand your extreme act as well, son. Thank you for destroying the Garden. I know you have done it with the best intention." Yomi smiled then, to make clear to Shura he was very aware how harmful those flowers had been to him. "We will be able to overcome our passion and our downfall together, Shura. Together we will find new force and motivation to repudiate the passion for youko inside the two of us."

Shura did not say a word. His relationship with Kinno made his situation a very delicate one. He should, but he could not tell his father all which had happened between him and Kinno. And above all, he must not disclose the identity of Kinno's father. It was not a comfortable situation, but for a while, till he had resolved what to do, he must lie to Yomi.

"Yes, papa. No youko will ever let us down again!" Shura commented, with a cautious, feigned enthusiasm. His father smiled to him, but then, without warning, Yomi's face changed.

The King showed an angry scowl. He made his son face him, holding him firmly in place by his shoulders. The king held Shura so firmly, the boy protested, trying to fight the tight clasp. But Yomi did not let go.

His shut eyes and his eyebrows furrowed in anger. Yomi leaned on his son to smell his hair, and his neck. The sovereign had just noticed the strange perfume all over his son.

"Youko. You smell of youko."

Shura used all his will power to maintain a calm, unaffected expression. He faced his father with cold eyes and managed to answer him back in a very soft, controlled tone of voice.

"Father, You're mistaken. It must be the smell of the forest I have spent the day in. I have met no youko."

Yomi faced his son for a long, uncomfortable moment. His shut eyes fell with a harsh intensity upon the boy, as the king's inner sight scrutinized him, studying his behavior, his manners, his sudden tension and his change of temperature... Shura was lying. It was obvious for Yomi, who could not be fooled by sight or hearing. The King counted on his fine energy perception to apprehend the truth. Only very powerful demons could alter their auras enough not to give away their lies.

Shura was lying shamelessly to him.

"The smell of the forest? Oh, yes, it can be... There must be many exotic flowers, and plants there..." Yomi continued, deciding not to force the prince to confess anything. It was not his style; at least not with his own son. He would rather pay close attention to Shura, and follow every step he took, inside Gandara or beyond the city's borders, and check what was really happening. "I might be mistaken, after all. I have not sensed the perfume of a youko for a very long time..."

"Yes, papa. You are mistaken. I have met no youko whatsoever."

"Most naturally, my dear son..."

Silence fell between them. Yomi would not confess his thoughts, but inside he was restless. A very frightening thought would not leave his mind.

And if his son and Kurama had actually met, but the silver youko had managed to seduce Shura, fooling him with empty promises of love, luring him with his expert love-making? All of it to try to convince the boy not to take his revenge and kill him?

Yes... The Kurama he knew in the past would do that... He would entice Shura, take advantage of his naivete, and then he could even use his influence to command him to go against Yomi himself!

It was a wicked plan; very appropriate for an evil character like Kurama.

Yomi tried not to think about it, but even against his own will, his mind had been flooded immediately by sounds, images, perceptions, memories, and suppositions. Kurama and his son... Yes... Why not? What other event would justify Shura arriving home smelling of youko so much? Hn. One thing Yomi would never forget was the aroma of a youko; sweet, musky, warm... And Shura's was spread with youko's musk, as if the boy had been entangled in the arms of a fox demon for the whole day...

"Papa... I..."

Yomi did not allow his son to say the rest of the sentence. He was possessed by an infuriated sentiment. The King struggled earnestly to keep himself cold and collected, as he tried to order and grasp all the facts.

Shura had told him the youko he loved, Kinno, had abandoned that part of the Makai. So, it must be Kurama's scent which cloaked his son's body...

Yomi assumed immediately that if  Kurama had dared to lay a hand on his son, seduce him with his cold beauty, his sweet talk and then... then...

If Kurama had done anything to his son, then he must die. And it would be he, Yomi himself, who would gather all his strength and spirit in order to be able to execute that licentious foxy demon!

"Are you sure you have not met Kurama?" Yomi questioned Shura again.

Shura blushed immediately, shocked with his father's assumption.

"No! No papa! Forget Kurama! Forget him! I have met no youko! I tell you the truth! "

But Yomi nodded his horned head. He released the prince and turned his back to him. His ears twitched when he tried to catch the rustling sound of the shrubs agonizing in the flames. Now he had no dreams, no consolation, and it hurt inside. It was a pain he would never want his son to experience. Shura must be preserved, and Yomi would do his best to assure his son's sanity and integrity of body, mind and spirit. Nothing mattered more to him than his son. Yomi would defend his son's honor, even if he had to follow the cruellest course and condemn Kurama to death.

Yomi acquiesced.

"Hum...Yes... I believe you, Shura," Yomi murmured. But actually, he was not convinced of anything at all...
 
 
 

Hyoko spat the bit of food away. He started to cry and kick then, protesting he wanted candy. Ikki was still polite enough to chew and swallow it. But he pushed the plate away from him, saying it had been more than enough.

Hiei was paralyzed, with a mouthful of food he could not, would not dare to swallow for a long while. Then he discretely spat it all back into the plate, murmuring Kurama an excuse.

"This is terrible; the worst thing I've ever eaten... "

Kurama poked at the cooked beets and potatoes, rice and fish, and the green salad on his plate. He smelled it, and dared to try a little bit...

"Ugh..." Was all Kurama said, after chewing a small portion. In no time he spat his bit away. He immediately called the youko one in charge of their meals, very angered.  Kinno had said he was not feeling well and that he did not want to have dinner. But it was no justifiable excuse for the bad tasting meal he had prepared for his family!

"Kinno! How could you make such a disgusting meal?"

The blond looked at all of them, vaguely puzzled. Kinno had just spent the whole time playing with a small portion of mashed potatoes on his plate, totally unaware of whatever was  going on around him.

"I'm sorry daddy. Do you want some more?"

And Kinno reached out for the salad tray, in a gentle attempt to serve his father another portion.

The youko held Kinno's hand firmly, detaining his gesture. He held the blond's hand firmly, shaking and pulling it, to call the youngster's attention.

"Kinno! Wake up! I did not eat. No one ate anything! It is horrible!"

Kinno glanced at the table, the plates and trays he had arranged so neatly, and could not avoid a long, deep sigh. It was not good? The blond youko looked at Hiei then, seeking for confirmation.

"Ji-chan? And you? Don't you like my food?"

Hiei still offered his adopted son a tender smile. He put his plate back on the low stone table they always gathered around for their meals, and picked one peach from the pile of fruit at its center.

"You always cook very well, Kinno. But you must have done something wrong today; no one can eat this stuff."

Hyoko had started to whimper, complaining he wanted yummy food. Kurama collected one particularly big and juicy strawberry from the fruit tray, and offered it to his younger son. The baby quietened with the sweet treat and Kurama snapped the plate from him and Ikki. He could not risk the kids eating that garbage.

Kinno looked at all that with a very absent-minded expression. He seemed lost in a world apart. He did not even care much about the complaints; and Kinno was always so eager to please and to serve...  The blond youko's response to Kurama's complaint was to nod his head quietly, and start playing with his food like before.

Hiei and Kurama looked one at the other, unable to understand. It was not Kinno's usual frame of spirit...

"He must be sick..." Hiei supposed, reaching out for another peach.

Kurama turned to Kinno, bluntly. "What's going on with you?"

The pretty golden fox blinked a pair of very concerned eyes to his father. His fingers fidgeted impatiently on his lap, and his tail would not stop, waggling like crazy. The blond was very anxious; it was very clear by the frenzied way he bumped his tail against the soil..

"Nothing daddy... "

Hiei looked deeply at the blond youko. He even smiled at him, gently, to try to reassure him.

"You can speak the truth, whatever it is, Kinno. Was it something Kurama did or said to you?"

"Hiei!" Kurama yelled, indignant with his partner's assumption. He had promised he would not be mean to Kinno anymore. It was a vow he would not break!

The youkai snorted, unaffected by Kurama's protest. He knew his youko lover... He repeated his question to Kinno then.

The golden youko hesitated. Then he looked at Kurama and Hiei, unable to hide his apprehension. He breathed very deeply, and always avoided looking straight at Kurama when he started to speak...

"You were mean in the past, daddy... I heard lots of things about you, and if I did not love you so much, I'd be very ashamed of being your son..."

Kurama stared at his son open mouthed. His furry ears pricked out, and his eyes became wide and wild with the shock. His fair eyebrows furrowed showing the extreme disgust which  started in him. How dare Kinno say such things, after being sheltered in like they were family?

"What? How dare you, stupid bastard? You should..."

Hiei extended one hand to pat his youko's shoulder, recommending him to keep himself calm. His smaller hand covered the youko's larger one, as an affectionate reminder that he should keep himself collected.

"Kurama... You say yourself  that you were a really bad guy..." Hiei murmured to his youko, in a tone a voice that only Kurama could grasp. "Don't be angry with Kinno..."

Kinno enveloped his own body with his arms, cuddling to himself. He lowered his head even more, and he shivered. But he continued his whiny, shy admonition.

"Many demons suffered because of your wrong doings. You were such a villain, daddy... How could you be so bad?"

Hyoko stopped his whimpering. He and Ikki stayed a little aside, watching the whole scene with surprised, wide eyes.

Hiei sighed in. His eyes darted from Kinno to Kurama, and then back, in a very concerned succession. He said nothing; but he still held Kurama's hand tighter now. He knew the contact he shared with Kurama helped him keep his control.

Kurama's voice sounded firm and calm. Even his eyes did not show anger. It seemed the youko was much more chagrined and shocked than angry.

"Who told you about my past? Was it the skunk?"

"Skunk?"

Kurama looked up at the skies, a little impatient with all that. How could Kinno not know his friend was the notorious skunk?

"Your friend! The one with the stripe!"

"Ahn... No daddy... No... It was not Hikaru..."

Kurama sighed out, visibly relieved.

"So who did tell you that crap?" Kurama demanded, with energy. "Who have you been talking to?"

Hiei interfered, holding Kurama's hand tighter now.

"Youko. Easy with the kid." Then Hiei leaned closer to Kurama, adding in a soft whisper, "It may be something he overheard around. Don't bother about it."

"But Hiei! He can't talk to me like that!"

Hiei argued with his partner. Kurama was too radical some times.

"He must be resentful of you because you won't let him go anywhere. You should at least let Kinno visit his friend or take a walk in the city..."

The youko assented. He breathed deeply in, and managed to calm down. He smiled back to Hiei. Then he looked up at Kinno, struggling to keep a smile and show everything was fine between them.

"Kinno, I forgive you for your words. You must be tired of staying here and just doing the housework. If you want you can spend some days with your striped friend. But you have to promise me you won't go to Gandara, right?"

Everyone expected Kinno to jump and shout, and open the widest smile he could. But the youko just nodded, very quietly. It seemed Kurama was sentencing him to death and not telling him to visit his friend's place...

It took Kinno a moment to realize instead of punishing, Kurama was being nice to him. He was truly stupefied. Kinno faced his father intensely, keeping a deep silence, and a thoughtful expression. But then he smiled contently, when he finally grasped he could be away for a while. It had been weeks since he last saw his grey friend...

"Thanks daddy. I miss my friend," Kinno whispered, truly grateful but still showing a serious, concerned expression which was very uncommon to him. It was as if he had a real problem torturing him, afflicting him... He played with his food a little more, not noticing everyone's attention was locked at him. Hiei, Kurama, even the kids, were astonished because of his odd behavior. "Can I stay there for three days, daddy? I think Hikaru is building his place, and I wanted to help if possible..."

Kurama agreed. Yes, of course... It would be a blessing... Three days without bearing Kinno around? The youko directed a very playful sideways glance at his partner. Now he just needed to convince Hiei to take a three day break from his patrol job, and he would have his paradise of love back completely...

"Yes, sure! Go! Have fun with the skunk! And take the kids with you!"

Hyoko and Ikki looked one at the other, with surprise. They did not complain anyway...

And Kinno did not utter the slightest protest also. He stood up elegantly, and bowed before his father and his uncle. Then he smiled softly, waving goodbye to his little brothers.

"Yes, daddy. We're leaving early tomorrow. I'm going to sleep now. Good night."

Kinno left then, walking slowly towards his den, always keeping his eyes turned downwards. He was visibly hurt and sad with something although he seemed a little better now that Kurama had allowed him the small indulgence of spending some days in his friend's company.

"What happened to him?" Hiei asked the youko.

Kurama shook his head, very slowly. He was not sure, but he had some weird suspicious about what was going on with Kinno. The golden youko seemed infected by a very specific disease; an ailment very common among adolescents, either human, youkai or youko...

Kinno was infatuated with some youkai.

"I suspect he's meeting someone," Kurama decreed, very sure about his impressions on the case.

"Meeting someone? Where? Here?" Hiei showed a genuine concern. He grew pale, at once. "I worry about him, Kurama. The kid is very kind and loving, but he's an airhead. We have to watch him!"

Kurama agreed. Yes. Kinno was under his and Hiei's responsibility.

"He's hiding something from me. I am sure he's banging some youkai around. He smells of sex all over him..."

"But who could it be? There's no one but us for miles around! Youko, keep an eye on him, but don't be hard on the boy, right?"

"Sure, baby... I'm just gonna start watching him very close..." The silver youko faced his two adopted sons then. They really looked like he and Hiei; it was so amusing to see them all together. They really looked like a real family, as if bound by actual blood ties. "You are gonna help your daddy, aren't you? We have to watch Kinno very attentively, to make sure he is not going out with evil youkai..."

Ikki arched one eyebrow, facing the silver youko with an amused curiosity.

"You want us to spy Kinno and find who he's going out with, father Kurama?"

The youko nodded. Ikki did not seem to appreciate his proposal much, but he had not protested; it was a good sign that he might cooperate. On the other hand, Hyoko jumped and clapped, smiling happily, taken by a joyful enthusiasm. It seemed he really enjoyed the idea.

"Yeah! Yeah! Daddy Kurama, we're gonna tell you everything!"

Kurama's eyes glinted with a sudden contentment. He knew he could count on his babies... But Hiei had to discourage his enjoyment, as always...

"Kurama. Don't you think you should talk to Kinno, instead of spying him?"

Naturally Kurama did not agree.

"Kinno is very outspoken. If he wanted to talk to me he would already have done so. " The youko stood up too, but for other reasons. He needed to hunt something for them. After patrolling the frontier for the whole day, his youkai must be hungry. "I'm gonna hunt you some real food. Don't go nowhere, and don't let the kids eat that crap!"

Hiei snorted to himself as he watched Kurama going away, merging into the night's darkness. 

Youko... Oh... He would end up having a nervous breakdown because of them...

His two sons looked up at Hiei, worried to see their youkai father so strained. Hyoko smiled, and Ikki shifted closer to Hiei, to rest his head on his shoulder.

"What's wrong with Kinno? Is he sick?" Hyoko asked.

"Why is Father Kurama so angry? Isn't Kinno old enough to have a boyfriend or girlfriend?" Ikki questioned, tenderly. He had been there with this new family for merely two weeks. There was still much he did not understand, even though he had already learned to love his new parents and brothers dearly.

Hiei smiled calmly, waving one bandaged finger in a negative.

"Don't worry, kids. But you better keep some distance from Kinno and Kurama for a while; who knows what they are up into..." He declared then. He only hoped Kurama would not start to hassle Kinno again. "I'll keep an eye on them; mainly that deranged youko father of yours..." And on saying this, Hiei tapped the tip of his index finger on his brow, indicating his Jagan.

After all, sometimes it seemed he was the only sane demon in that family. If Kurama was watching Kinno, then somebody had better be watching Kurama...

Hn...
 

To be Continued...