Roses and Regrets

A/N: As my regular readers know, I don't usually do author's notes. Only lemon warnings. As I post my last chapter of this story, I find I have to post a note to my readers.

First, I would like to thank all my readers and reviewers.

To my reviewers: I have treasured each and every review you have given me. That said, what I think I have treasured most, is that I have shamelessly plundered your profile pages. I have found the most wonderful stories by reading your fics, perusing your favorite fics, and your favorite author's fics. I never would have stumbled over some of the older fics without your help. There are just way too many. If I have received a review, an alert notice, or a favorite notice from you, then I have been to your profile page. There are some amazing people on this site.

To my readers: I now have to present the main reason for my author's note. I have not been on this site very long. When I got up the nerve to post my first story, I went for it, before I chickened out. Unfortunately, I didn't spend enough time checking out the features of the site itself. I have now begun to do that. I profusely apologize to my readers who for whatever reason do not have an account. I just realized that the feature allowing anonymous reviews had to be enabled. I have now done this so that everyone may voice their opinion. Once again, I am very sorry I did not do this sooner. I would love to hear from everyone who chooses to review, not just those who are signed in.

On with the final chapter.

Roses and Regrets

Chapter 102 Epilogue

Beth sat on the back porch swing enjoying a little peace and quiet. The breeze was cool and it ruffled her fur. Her legs were curled underneath her and her red tail curled over them. She had been hoping for silver fur like her mate, but they reasoned that since he had been in his human form when his energy had been used for her change that the red was logical.

She was still working on taking her animal form. Tara was already ahead of her on that. Kurama would take his daughter on frequent runs once it got dark. She longed to join them, but her training was going to have to be interrupted. She smiled and changed back to her human form when she felt the familiar energy approaching.

Without opening her eyes she patted the space beside her. "Hello Hiei. When did you get back?" He gave a half smile. "Hn. You're getting better at that. Genkai's training seems to be improving your senses." He sat down next to her. "To answer your question, this morning. I stopped by the temple. Yukina's pregnant again." Beth smiled at the disgust in his tone. "You know you love your niece and nephew. You'll love this one just as much." "Hn. I think the oaf is trying to keep up with you and the fox."

Beth smiled and unconsciously rubbed her abdomen. Hiei laid his head back. "Does the fox know yet?" Beth smirked. "No. I planned on telling him tonight." Beth heard a commotion in the kitchen and mumbling. Then Tara called out, "Mom! Kaishou still refuses to do his homework!" Beth called back calmly. "Your father will be home in a few minutes. He will deal with it." Kaishou was their little rebel. Kurama was much better at dealing with him.

"Deal with what?" Beth looked up to see her mate standing there looking down with a smile on his face. Beth frowned. "No fair. You were masking your energy." He chuckled. "Part of your training." He leaned down to kiss her just as Tara came out onto the porch. "Ewww. Get a room. Now my dinner is ruined."

She walked around them to throw her arms around Hiei's neck. "Uncle Hiei! How long can you stay this time? Father says I've mastered enough of my plant skills to start learning a new weapon. I want you to teach me how to fight with a sword." Hiei looked to Kurama. Tara squealed. "Please! Please. Please." Kurama nodded. Hiei unwrapped her arms. "Hn. Only if you cease that caterwauling in my ear." "Yay! When can we start?" "I'll expect your ass out here at 5AM. Don't be late." "I won't. I promise."

Kurama looked down fondly at his mate. "I don't want you training with Hiei this trip." Beth looked up. "How long have you known?" He stroked her hair. "A couple of days. I was waiting for you to get around to telling me." She smiled and shook her head. "I really can't keep anything from you anymore can I."

Tara looked from her mother to her father in disgust. "Again? You two remind me of rabbits instead of foxes." She walked to the back door. She opened the door and threw over her shoulder. "Can we have a girl this time. I feel like I'm the minority here. Six little brothers are a pain in the butt. I really don't need another one." She slammed the door behind her.

Kurama and Beth laughed. Tara was ten now, but more like sixteen. Foxes developed and matured quickly. Her looks had only matched her father's more as she grew. There was almost nothing of Beth in her looks. Her silver hair reached her hips now, and her green eyes shone with fire and intelligence. She was almost as tall as Beth.

Hiei smirked. "Mutiny in the ranks already? You haven't let your little soldiers in on the plan?" Beth looked from one man to the other. "Soldiers? Plan?" Kurama threw his head back and laughed, recalling Hiei's words of years ago. Ten years ago to be precise. Beth was pregnant with their eighth kit. It really did seem as if they planned a fox army. He kissed his mate's temple. "I'll tell you later."

Beth got up to go start dinner. Kurama took the seat she had vacated. "How is Mukuro?" Hiei was staring off into the distance. "She is contemplating stepping down." "Really? What are your feelings?" "I don't know. I've trained for this, but I don't know if I'm ready."

Kurama put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "You'll make a good ruler." "Hn. That's not the problem." "Then what is?" Hiei looked over at Kurama and took a breath. "I now find myself in need of an heir. That requires a mate since I want my heir to be of my blood." Kurama smiled. "I don't see the problem. There are any number of candidates who would be pleased to be your mate, if only for the power it would afford them."

Crimson eyes returned to staring out at the landscape. "That is the problem. I want what you and the others have. I want a mate who loves me. Someone who will stand beside me as Beth has you. I've always shunned humans as an inferior species. But I see the happiness and support that Beth has given you. It is the same with Yusuke and Keiko. Even, I have to admit, with the oaf. He loves Yukina and would do anything for her."

Kurama couldn't believe his ears. "Are you saying you want a human mate?" "I don't know. I'm not sure I can find what I want with a demon mate." He gave a self-deprecating laugh. "I've gone soft over the years. All the exposure to humans and children." Kurama laughed. "Soft? You? That's the best joke I've heard in a while. Perhaps it just took a few years of observation to learn that all the things you believed made one weak, actually makes one stronger." "Hn."

Kurama was thoughtful. "How long will you be here this time?" "Mukuro has given me indefinite leave. I discussed this with her when she informed me of her decision. It was her insistence that I name an heir that started this." "Your room is as you left it, and you are welcome as long as you wish to stay. You might want to think long and hard before mentioning this to Beth. She will tell Keiko, Mother, and Aoki. I'm sure you remember my mother in matchmaking mode. It isn't pretty." Hiei groaned, remembering all too well. "Multiply that by four with you as their target."

Hiei pinched the bridge of his nose. "I had hoped this would be easy." Kurama laughed. "Love is never easy, my friend. You've had more than enough examples to tell you it's sometimes a long and difficult road. But the destination is more than worth the journey." "Hn." Kurama had an idea. "There is that young ferry woman that Botan is training to take her place as Koenma's assistant. Since she and Koenma married, she hasn't had a great deal of time for her old job. Especially now that she is pregnant." Hiei shook his head. "I'm not interested in anyone I'd have to share. My mate will need to take an active part in the running of Alaric. I doubt Koenma would be willing to release any of his people."

They were interrupted when Beth called them for dinner. Kurama silently wished his friend luck, and secretly looked forward to being entertained. Hiei had received more than his share of amusement from Kurama's relationship with Beth. It was true that Hiei knew what he wanted and had examples of the results, but he was clueless about how to initiate a relationship. Kurama smirked. This was going to be better than any paid entertainment.

Beth waited until Kurama and Hiei were seated to call the children. The boys came running in. "Slow down." Beth admonished. "I made plenty. No one will starve. Now go properly greet your Uncle Hiei before you sit down. And if any of you forgot to wash your hands, go do that first." There was grumbling as two of the boys turned around and left the dining room. It was no surprise that one of them was Kaishou.

Kurama smiled to himself. "I'll talk to him after dinner. I think he knows. He got like this when you got pregnant with Kiran." There were excited yelps around the table. "Mom's pregnant again?" Kurama gave them a stern look. "Yes. So you will have to be on your best behavior and help her out as much as you can. Can I trust you to do that?" He got four nods. "Yes, Father." Tara only rolled her eyes, more than familiar with the routine.

Kaishou and Kiran came back in from washing their hands. Kiran, the youngest of the kits climbed into Hiei's lap and gave him a hug. Kaishou, their second eldest shook Hiei's hand. "Can I train with you while you're here this time Uncle Hiei?" Hiei ruffled the boy's hair. "If you promise to stop being a dick to your parents." "Hiei! Your language." Beth exclaimed. Hiei smirked as Kaishou looked down and shuffled his feet. "Yes sir." Kiran turned innocent eyes to his uncle. "What's a dick?" Kurama choked on his laughter while Beth glared at Hiei and her mate.

Later that evening, Beth was snuggled into Kurama's arms on the porch swing. All the children had gone to bed. Even Tara and Kaishou, since they would be up early to train with Hiei. Beth looked up at the stars. "You know we will have to expand the house again. Especially if it's a girl. Tara's a little old to start sharing her room after all this time." Kurama nuzzled her hair. "It's a good thing we got land with the house. I already called our architect. He suggested going up this time instead of out."

He reached into his hair and drew out a red rose, handing it to his mate. "What would you like this time?" "Tara wants a girl, but it doesn't matter to me. Do you have a preference?" He shook his head. "I will love every kit you give me. Do you regret having so many?" "No. I don't. I love them all. I will never regret any of our kits." She laughed. He smoothed her hair back. "What's funny?" "Tara. Comparing us to rabbits."

He had to admit, it had been funny. "She spends entirely too much time with Hiei." Beth turned around to face him. "That reminds me. What plan was he talking about? Why did he call our children soldiers?" Kurama kissed her before pulling her back into his arms. He was really hoping she had forgotten about that.

End