Warnings for this chapter: Meh, one curse word. Hiei's temper flares up, so...you get the picture...O_O;
Usual disclaimers apply.
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Hiei was the first to awaken that morning. The very first thing he saw was his wife. She was now almost seven months along, and not liking it very well. She could hardly turn over in her sleep, had extreme difficulty walking, and suffered terribly in this heat. The fire demon felt such pity for her, but kept reminding her that soon it would be over and she'd have a little baby in her arms. That usually calmed her down.
The demon climbed out of bed and decided to fetch some breakfast. Just as he opened the door, he almost crashed into someone. A guard.
Hiei blinked. "What?"
The guard bowed deeply. "I'm terribly sorry-"
Hiei hushed him with a finger and pointed to Mukuro.
The guard caught on and immediately lowered his voice. "I'm sorry for disturbing you this early, sir, but you have a visitor."
That caught the fire youkai by surprise. "Really? Who is it?"
"He didn't give his name, sir."
"Hm." Hiei nodded. "I'll take care of it." He swept past the guard and started downstairs.
Once down there, he saw the visitor and smiled a bit. "Kurama."
Sure enough, the fox was standing in the main hallway, observing a strange painting. He turned when he felt Hiei's presence. "Hello, Hiei." The redhead pasted on a smile.
To Hiei, something about that smile was fake. He shrugged it off, however, and walked over to a table where drinks were standing.
"Drink?" The fire demon offered Kurama a bottle.
The fox could have sworn something in that bottle moved, and he grimaced slightly. "No...thank you..."
Hiei put the bottle back down, shrugging and put his hands in his pockets. "What brings you all the way down here?"
Kurama shifted for a second and bit his lip. "I've got something to tell you."
"Haven't I had enough surprises lately?"
The boy chuckled. "Well, this is...sort of good news..."
Hiei didn't like the 'sort of'. "What kind of news?"
"Uh..." Kurama stuttered for a second. "I think you'll want to sit down, Hiei."
Now Hiei was really suspicious. "I'll stand, thanks."
Kurama bit his lower lip again. He cursed his rotten luck. He and Yusuke had a brawl over who would tell Hiei about Yukina. Finally, it came down to a game of Janken. Kurama didn't lose very often, so he was confident that he would win. Of course, he was too arrogant, and lost pathetically. So, here he was.
The redhead sighed. "Okay. Uh...now, Hiei, I need you to promise me you won't be angry."
Hiei nodded slowly, eyebrow raised. "Okay. I promise."
Oh, get it over with! "Hiei, Yukina is pregnant! Kuwabara is the father and both of them are very happy about it!" He blurted out. There was a second of silence before Kurama sighed in relief. "There, I feel so much better."
Hiei, however, didn't feel as well. His eyes were the size of saucers and his mouth was open slightly. "...What?"
"Y-you heard me, Hiei. Yukina is expecting a baby. Kuwabara's so happy-"
"WHAT?!" Hiei yelled at the top of his lungs.
Kurama winced. "Now, Hiei, you said you wouldn't get angry."
"THAT WAS BEFORE YOU TOLD ME! HOW COULD HE?! THAT ASSHOLE RUINED HER INNOCENCE AND PURITY! HE PROBABLY RAPED HER!"
"Hiei, just take a deep breath..."
"I'LL RIP HIS ARMS AND LEGS OFF, THEN HIS GENITALS, AND THEN I'LL KILL HIM!"
"You'll be leaving Yukina's child without a father..."
Hiei seethed, his face red and fists trembling. He flopped down in a chair and put his head in his hands. "Why me?"
Kurama had to stop himself from laughing. "That's only half the surprise."
Hiei threw his hands in the air. "Oh, there's more good news?"
The fox nodded. "They're getting married next week."
The fire demon sighed, frowning. "Wonderful..."
"Now, let me finish. This is going to be a traditional ningen wedding. And in a traditional wedding such as this, the father of the bride leads the bride down the aisle to her husband, and they will be joined in matrimony. Since Yukina's father doesn't appear to be around..." He trailed off, waiting for Hiei to look up at him, which he did.
"She wants you to lead her down the aisle, Hiei."
The tiny youkai blinked in surprise. "Me?"
"You."
Hiei looked flabbergasted. "Why?"
"Well, we asked her that, too. She said that if it couldn't be her father, she wanted her brother, and since it couldn't be her brother, she wants the next best thing: You. So, will you come?"
The youkai seemed to consider it for a moment before shrugging. "I can't really say no, can I?"
Kurama smiled happily. "Great! I'll come by next week to get you, okay? How's Mukuro, by the way?"
"I'm fine, Kurama. Thank you for asking."
Both demons turned to see the woman standing at the bottom of the stairwell, looking at them.
Hiei rose. "Mukuro, go back bed. Everything's fine."
Mukuro laughed sharply. "Hah. You were screaming awfully loud. I thought it best to come and check things out. So, your sister's getting married. That's wonderful. She'll be very pleased that you're going to attend."
Hiei looked at the floor. "You heard?"
"I think the whole Makai heard, Hiei."
Kurama smiled. "Thanks a lot, Hiei. She'll be very excited to hear that you're coming. I'll see you both later." With a wave, the fox left.
Mukuro smiled. "That was nice of him to stop by." She walked over to Hiei. "Are you angry?"
Hiei shrugged. "If Yukina's happy, that's all I care about. There's really no need for me to come, but I can't disappoint her, can I?"
She laughed. "I suppose not. Oh, my goodness...this heat is unbearable..." She wearily struggled to sit down in the chair.
Hiei helped her sit comfortably. "Just a few more months. You're almost on the home stretch."
Mukuro put a hand to her head. "Che. I hope it goes by quickly."
"I hope so, too." Hiei sat down on the floor between her legs, leaning back.
The woman smiled and stroked the back of his neck, laughing softly when he started purring. She stopped when she felt kicking and discomfort in her stomach. That caused her to smile wider. "Hiei."
"What is it?" He rose to his knees.
She gently took his head and leaned it against her stomach. "You hear it moving?"
Hiei closed his eyes and listened to the sound of his child's movements. "That's why you can't sleep at night?"
Mukuro sighed. "Exactly. It doesn't move much during the daytime, but at night it's definitely not tired and that just makes my job more difficult."
The fire demon nuzzled closer to her stomach and listened some more. He heard a sound like a tiny cry. "I think it's hungry..."
"I would imagine so. I haven't eaten anything since last night."
"Then we'd better do something about that." Hiei said, kissing her abdomen and rising to go to the kitchen.
"Uh, Hiei?"
"Hm?" He turned and saw her still sitting, looking a little embarrassed. That made him chuckle. He had forgotten that she now needed help standing up. Taking her hands, he pulled her to a standing position and helped her regain her balance.
"Thank you." She said, and started to the kitchen.
"What would you do without me?" Hiei said smugly.
"Don't ask."
~*~
The following week arrived quickly, and before Hiei knew it, he was dragged to the Ningenkai and ended up in Kurama's house with people and flowers everywhere. It annoyed him to a great extent, needless to say. The wedding was being held in Kurama's backyard. Now Hiei was sitting on Kurama's bed, waiting for the fox to return with the outfit he was supposed to wear. He detested human clothes, normally, but this was a special occasion.
"Here we are." Kurama said in a singsong voice, floating into the room. He was already dressed in his tuxedo (Kuwabara had chosen Kurama for best man. Botan was the bridesmaid.) and was holding one on a hanger for Hiei. "This is what you're going to wear. I'm pretty sure it's the right size." He winked and handed it to Hiei, who frowned and went to go change.
Ten minutes later, Hiei emerged from the bathroom wearing the tux. Kurama had been dead right about the measurements. It was a perfect fit. However, he did not like the fact that he looked like a pathetic human in it.
Kurama clapped. "You look stunning, Hiei."
The fire demon scowled. "Don't make me regret this."
The redhead only laughed. "I wish Mukuro could see you."
Hiei shrugged. "She doesn't like Ningenkai. Besides, it's better for her to stay home."
Botan burst into the room, looking radient in her lavender gown that fit every curve of her body. "We're almost ready." She caught sight of Hiei and squealed, clapping her hands together excitedly, and jumping up and down.
"You look adorable, Hiei!" She gushed.
Hiei simply rolled his eyes.
Botan turned back to Kurama. "Does Hiei know what to do?"
The fox nodded. "Yes. My, you look wonderful, Botan."
She spun around for effect. "Thank you, thank you. Ready to go?"
Kurama held out his arm to her, and she curled her arm around his. "Yes. Come on, Hiei."
When they got downstairs, Keiko flounced out of the living room. "Yukina's ready. Where's Yusuke? He didn't disappear again, did he?"
Kurama shook his head. "He's in the kitchen with Kuwabara, trying to calm him down. The poor guy's a nervous wreck."
Botan giggled. "That's to be expected."
Keiko shrugged. "Guess so. Hang on, I'll get Yukina. She went back to the living room and came out a second later holding Yukina's arm gently. Hiei's breathing and heart promptly stopped.
His fragile little sister looked absolutely gorgeous. She wore a short-sleeved, V-neck, white wedding gown that extended just long enough that you could see her white high heels sticking out from under the dress. The dress made her waist look very tiny, but her stomach was bulging slightly. Her hair was up in a high ponytail and secured with pins. She was wearing make-up, even though she didn't need it. Her lips were rosy red, her cheeks blushed, and she was wearing clip-on earrings that dangled down almost to her shoulders. She was indescribably lovely.
Hiei finally remembered to breathe, but could not take his eyes off Yukina.
The ice maiden smiled so brightly that Hiei almost melted into a puddle. "Hello, Hiei-san. I'm very glad to see you." She managed a tiny bow.
"Hn." Hiei couldn't bring himself to say anything more, for fear he would let something that he didn't want to say slip out.
Kurama noticed that and smiled. "Ready?"
Botan nodded eagerly. "Yes! Yusuke, we're ready!" She hollered into the kitchen.
"Okay, Kuwabara! Show her what you're made of!" Came the yell. A whine followed.
Yusuke came out of the kitchen pulling Kuwabara behind him. The "Warrior of Love" was decked out in a tuxedo, as was Yusuke, and looking quite pale. It didn't help his nerves when he saw Yukina.
"H-hey, Yukina!" He rushed over to her and practically drooled. "You look beautiful, Tulip." Unbeknownst to Kuwabara, Hiei was shooting the dirtiest of looks directly at him.
Yukina giggled. "Thank you, Kazuma."
"Okay, Romeo, let's get you in place." Yusuke said, dragging Kuwabara away.
Kurama nodded at Botan. "We should also get outside."
~*~
Kuwabara stood next to the priest, sweating like crazy. As the organ player began The Wedding March, Botan and Kurama came down the aisle, arms linked together. Then it was Hiei and Yukina's turn.
Yukina softly placed her arm around Hiei's and blushed.
Hiei was breathing deeply and trying not to show that he was very nervous.
As they strode slowly down the aisle, Yukina whispered to Hiei. "I'm glad you came."
"Hm. It was nothing."
She blushed deeper and looked at the ground. "You didn't have to come. I'm sure it's a long way from the Makai to Ningenkai."
Hiei looked over at her. "Hey, keep your head up." He said softly. "You have to be confident. If you're ready to marry him, you need to be brave. Don't bow your head to anyone. That won't get you anywhere."
She took a deep breath and nodded, jerking her head upward and smiling confidently. "Yes. Thank you, Hiei."
"Hn."
Finally, they reached Kuwabara. Before his brain could analyze the action, Hiei bent forward and gave his sister a tiny kiss on the cheek. She smiled at him and nodded her thanks. Hiei nodded back and then walked over next to Kurama, sweating bullets by this time.
Kurama smiled at Hiei. "Very good."
"Shut up."
The ceremony went very gracefully and then it came to the vows. Both said, "I do.", of course. When the priest asked if anyone objected to the marriage, Kurama cast a thoughtful glance at Hiei, who had his eyes closed and shrugged. Finally, the priest announced the man and wife, and when he said, "You may kiss the bride.", Hiei snapped his eyes open fiercely. Kurama put a hand on his shoulder to calm him. As expected, Kuwabara swept Yukina into his arms and kissed her deeply. Hiei could barely stand to watch, but was glad to see his sister happy. The two fled to a waiting car, people throwing rice at them the whole way.
As they drove off, Hiei smiled knowing he had a wife back home who loved him just as much. He had found love, and so had his sister. Such a funny world, isn't it?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ^____^ WHEE! I LOVE weddings! I've only been to one in my life, but I LOVE them! It's so beautiful and touching! *blows nose into tissue* Well, next chapter...it's time...Mukuro will go into labor at the end, and the chapter after that will just concern the birth. I'll have to find something to fill up the rest of the chapter. x_X E-mail the opinions, please!!