A/N:

Sorry I haven’t updated this one in a while. Been too busy with my other two…I just have so many ideas for them and if I don’t write them down, I forget.

So, I finally decided to put them in the side (they don’t belong in back and I don’t think I could keep them there anyway) of my mind and have decided to take a break and finally get this one updated…so, sorry for making you guys wait!!

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Chapter 6: New Rumors

A month went by and Shikonei had started showing.

She continues to go to school with the boys like normal, but things aren’t always as they seem.

Word is floating around the school that Shikonei is pregnant and everyone is highly suspicious.

“What are you going to tell everyone?” Yusuke asks as he confronts her about the rumors.

She walks quickly, avoiding the mob in the hallway during the passing period, “Nothing. It’s not their business. They can say whatever they want, I don’t care.”

Yusuke gapes at her, “But rumors can turn nasty.”

Shikonei rolls her eyes, “I’m pregnant, everyone knows, so what? What could that possibly turn into?”

“People will want to know who the father is.” Kurama says, coming up from the side.

Shikonei stops dead in her tracks, “They’re all going to assume Hiei, aren’t they?” she barely whispers.

Kuwabara joins them, “Well, you did tell everyone you were dating.”

Shikonei sighs exasperatedly, “I’ve only been here a month and a half! The way I’m showing, I should be at least three months pregnant!”

Kurama hums thoughtfully, “This is true. That makes me wonder just how bad these rumors could get. If you were to tell them you knew Hiei before you arrived to the school, then we could solve that problem easily.”

Shikonei catches her brother’s eye with a sharp glare. He winces.

“Of course, that’s if you decide to tell them that Hiei’s the father.”

Shikonei lets out an annoyed growl, “I don’t know why we’re even still talking about this! It doesn’t matter! I don’t care what they think! They’re not my friends, …family, co-workers – whatever!”

By her tone, the others could tell they, and the subject, were dismissed.

Yusuke shrugs lazily and decides to skip the rest of the day.

As he’s walking out the front gates, a couple in the trees catches his eye. When he takes a second look, he recognizes them to be Hiei and Shikonei.

They seem to be talking. Yusuke is surprised to see Hiei actually smile as Shikonei laughs lightly. He tries to hear the conversation, but the wind is blowing away from them.

When the wind stops blowing, Yusuke manages to catch a word from Hiei. Daisuki.

No way. Yusuke is stunned motionless. He shakes his head and figures that standing around is just asking to get caught by them. He can’t seem to get the image of Hiei smiling out of his head as his thoughts reel.

I knew they were a couple! And this whole time they’ve been denying it! I would bet my Rei Gun that Hiei is the father, too. But, why wouldn’t they tell anyone?

Yusuke asks himself that question over and over as he saunters to his house. He decides that he will confront them alone.

For the next couple of weeks, Yusuke can find no openings in which to confront them. They were never alone with him.

A month goes by and the team decides that it’s time for another get together. As they plan, there is a sudden knock on the door. Kuwabara goes to answer the door while everyone else continues to plan.

Kuwabara comes back a minute later looking slightly uncomfortable.

“Uh, guys?” Kuwabara says tentatively, looking paler than usual.

No one looks up as they plan on.

“Guys!” he says a little louder.

“Geez, Kuwabara, yell a little louder. I don’t think my eardrums have ruptured yet.” Yusuke complains.

Laughter runs through the group, but Shikonei notices how different Kuwabara seems.

“What’s wrong, Kuwabara?” she asks, standing and walking to him.

“Well, nothing, it’s just…does anyone know this chick at the door?”

Shikonei looks past him, confused. Her eyes widen as she sees the girl at the door.

She moves quickly to the door, ripping it open to reveal a fiery-haired woman.

“Kyramei.” Shikonei says almost acidly, “What are you doing here?”

She immediately bursts into tears. Shikonei blinks rapidly in surprise and reaches for the girl, pulling her inside.

“What’s going on? What’s happened?” Shikonei inquires almost angrily.

“I – I can’t do it! I can’t take it anymore! Nothing has been going right!”

By this point, everyone has gathered around.

“I’ll go make some tea,” Botan says.

“What is she talking about?” Yusuke asks.

“I don’t know. Kyramei, what is going on?”

Kyramei bursts into fresh sobs, “We’ve had three fires – just this week! Filing is down by 65 percent! Two rooms flooded yesterday! I don’t’ know what to do! I’m not trained for all of this!”

Shikonei pays her on the back sympathetically as Botan hands her a cup of tea.

Yusuke looks between Kyramei and Shikonei, completely confused, “Shikonei, what is she talking about?”

Shikonei sighs heavily, “My job is to judge demons to see if they are fit to go into the human plane judge them beyond their record. I look into their intent. I’m also a peacekeeper and problem solver. I didn’t really want to tell you all of this until a much more suitable situation, but shit happens.”

Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Keiko gawk at her.

“But, how can you have that much power? Over the lands, I mean.” Keiko asks.

“Shikonei hasn’t told you this either, but she’s in a class all by herself.” Hiei says from the door. He had just entered to see the scene before him.

“She’s that powerful?” Yusuke is awestruck.

“She’s that powerful.” Kurama whispers.

A glint of great sadness enters the twins’ eyes, stirring curiosity in the others.

“That still doesn’t explain everything,” Kuwabara says.

Botan cuts in, “Koenma made her an empress when she stepped down as Spirit Detective. Because she’s so powerful, if she doesn’t have something to do with her power, it could wreak havoc and destruction beyond her control. She’s very good at controlling it, however, and we’re lucky she’s not evil. Koenma gave her the first position he thought was the most fit.”

Shikonei nods solemnly in affirmation. Hiei walks over and sits across from Shikonei and Kyramei.

“What’s going on?”

“Apparently, there’s trouble at the office.”

Hiei nods.

“I – I think we might have a jinx jaki hiding somewhere.” Kyramei sniffles, “But I’m just a healer. I don’t know how to handle these kinds of things!”

Shikonei rolls her eyes, “Kyramei, you’re being ridiculous. You know how to handle simple paper work.”

“But if it’s really a jinx jaki – we should go take a look.” Shikonei glances at Hiei.

“Alright. It won’t hurt.” They rise and head for the door, Kyramei following close behind.

“Oh, no, you don’t.” Shikonei pushes her apprentice back towards the couch; “You’ve had enough stress for today. Take the rest of the week off.”

Kyramei stutters out protests futilely.

“Kurama? Take care of her for me, would you? Get to know her, take her out or something.” She smiles sweetly at her brother, who gapes at her half-believing.

Kurama finally sighs, “Alright, but you better call Koenma first. And, you owe me.”

Shikonei nods and hurries to the next room. She comes back a minute later, “Yusuke, you’re coming with us.”

Yusuke is shocked, “Us? Who’s us?”

“Hiei and me. Now, get off your ass and let’s go.”

Hiei takes a hold of Shikonei’s waist as he anticipates what’s going to happen. Shikonei grasps one hand on Yusuke’s wrist and the other on Hiei’s shoulder.

Hiei smirks as the ground swallows them into shadows and at Yusuke’s startled yelp.

They arrive at a large castle in a matter of seconds. Yusuke drops to the ground in a heap.

“Land! I love land!” Shikonei and Hiei roll their eyes and approach the doors.

“Geez, just how high do those doors go? Where are we, anyway?” Yusuke ponders out loud.

Shikonei gives him a sidelong glance, “They are a mile of three feet thick oak. We are at my ‘office’ or my ‘castle’. Whatever you wish to call it.”

Shikonei gently pushes the door open with one hand. Yusuke’s jaw nearly drops to the ground.

Hiei smirks and follows her in, Yusuke lagging slightly behind.

“Would you close the door, Yusuke?”

Yusuke looks back at the open door, “Sure. No sweat.” He mutters.

He grips the edge of the door and pushes on it. The door doesn’t budge. Yusuke quickly becomes frustrated and puts his spirit energy into his arms and hands to make him stronger.

After much huffing and puffing, Yusuke finally slumps against the door without success.

Hiei chuckles darkly as he comes up behind Yusuke and shuts the door with both hands and a small grunt.

“Let’s go, Detective,” Hiei says with humor.

“Shut up, Hiei,” Yusuke snarls back.

Ahead of them, Shikonei smirks, slightly entertained by the boyish teasing.

“Keep up, you two. There’s not time to waste.” She yells back at them.

They fall into step on each side of her as they walk down the longest hallway Yusuke’s ever seen.

Yusuke feels the pressure of the silence weighing own on him and he decides to strike up a conversation.

“So…” he starts rather awkwardly, “Been making out much lately?” he smirks. This is such perfect timing!

A sharp pain erupts from the top of his head, “Ow!” Hiei stands over him angrily with his fist raised.

“It’s just a question! Geez!” he complains.

“An inappropriate one, at that.” Shikonei growls.

Yusuke straightens his face, “Look, I just thought that you should know that I know about you guys.”

Shikonei watches him carefully from th3e corner of her eye, standing still as a statue.

Hiei speaks first, “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Daisuke.” Yusuke says.

Hiei pales and Yusuke knows that he’s got him.

“Yeah. I decided to skip school that day and I happened to overhear that little piece.”

Shikonei sighs, “Might as well tell him the truth,” she mutters.

Hiei glares angrily at Yusuke, “What makes you think you can listen in on other people’s conversations?”

Yusuke gapes, “You were smiling! I was curious!”

Shikonei places a calming hand on Hiei’s shoulder.

“Yusuke you must swear that you will not tell anyone about this. Kurama and Botan know, but that is it. If I am correct, Touya has his suspicions and Kyramei, being my apprentice, has been around us enough that she also knows. Don’t make me erase your memory, Yusuke. It’s not fun – for you or me.”

Yusuke gulps and nods slowly in agreement.

“And no snide remarks or teasing. I’ll rip out your precious vocal chords.” Hiei glares wickedly at Yusuke before turning and taking Shikonei’s waist with his arm. Thy continue walking down the hall.

“So, Hiei is the father?

Hiei glances at his lover from the cornier of his eye as she smiles.

“Yes, he is.”

An ogre suddenly crashes through the door on their right, making Yusuke jump.

“Oh! Milady! You’re here! We have a crisis!” the ogre pauses briefly to bow to her. A shallower bow is addressed towards Hiei, “Master Hiei.”

Yusuke’s mouth drops, “The ogre knows?”

Shikonei glances sharply at Yusuke, glaring daggers.

“I have asked that everyone direct the same respect to Hiei as they would to me. He has been here quite often and holds a position almost equivalent to mine.” She explains.

Yusuke folds his arms across his chest with a dissatisfied grunt and mumbles to himself.

“Yusuke! Pay attention!” Shikonei snaps.

The ogre has just continued reporting the damages done in the past month. Shikonei rubs her temples in aggravation.

“Okay. Let’s start with this room, then.”

They enter the room that the ogre had come from.

“Aww, man. I’m wearing my nice shoes,” Yusuke complains as they step into water almost ankle deep.

Shikonei frowns, “Where does all of this water even come from? Think you can evaporate the water without burning the files?”

Hiei smirks, “You say that like it would be a challenge.”

Shikonei smirks back as Hiei manipulates the heat in the air and increases it over the water.

The water turns into a vapor, creating a thick mist in the room. Shikonei places a “net” of energy around the mist and hands it over to the ogre.

“Take it outside. Don’t worry, my energy knows what to do.”

The ogre nods and does what he is told.

They continue this task in room after room. Finally, the ogre stops them.

“That is all for the flooding. The rest is fire and collapses.”

Shikonei nods, “I think we’ll stop for today and instead search for the cause of these misfortunes.”

Hiei leans over and whispers in her ear, making her smirk.

“I’ll search the entire building for a jinx jaki. Kyramei seems to think that is the cause. If it truly is the case, then I shall kill the creature upon sight.” Hiei tells the ogre, “You are dismissed.”

The ogre bows to each of the demons and gives a curt nod to Yusuke whose lip curls in disgust.

“Why am I even here if I’m not even helping?”

“Koenma wanted me to show you how things work here, and to give you an idea as to what hard work – real hard work, without fighting – is.” Shikonei informed him, “You will partake of some of the daily jobs that are performed in the different rooms. Filing, copying, printing, deleting, research, the list goes on and you will have the privilege to experience them all.” Shikonei smiles almost mockingly at him.

Yusuke groans, “Why is it always me?”

Hiei disappears in a blur and Shikonei turns to walk up a staircase. Yusuke follows Shikonei, “Where are we going?”

She turns to him, annoyed, “I’m showing you to your chambers. Quit asking me so many questions lest I beat you to a pulp.”

“Wow, you sound a lot like Hiei.” He mutters.

Shikonei continues up the stairs without another word. Once at the top, she points to a door, “That’s the washroom. Two more doors down is your room. Good night, Yusuke.”

Yusuke watches her as shadows envelope her as she transports herself somewhere else in the building. Yusuke shudders and proceeds to wash up and go to bed.

Shikonei appears in her bedroom as Hiei softly shuts the door behind him. He smiles when he sees her and pulls her into his arms.

She sighs contentedly as she rests her head on Hiei’s chest.

“We’re going to be parents.” Shikonei whispers in apparent awe.

“I can’t believe you never told me. I can’t even believe it’s happening.” Hiei says into her hair.

He lifts Shikonei up into his arms and carries her into bed and lies down next to her. Shikonei stares up at the ceiling as Hiei nuzzles into her neck. He places his hand on Shikonei’s slightly bulging belly and rubs it gently, amazed by the building intensity of life growing inside of her.

Shikonei smiles at him and begins humming his lullaby. Hiei brings his hand around so that his arm encircles her waist. He half hums along with her, slowly falling asleep.

“Shikonei.”

“Hmm.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too, Hiei.”

They fall asleep in each other’s arms.

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A/N:

Wow…that was really fluffy in the end…I’ll try not to do that unless you guys want me to?? I don’t know…if you guys don’t like the fluff, then let me know and I’ll try my best not to put it in there…

Yeah…this chapter was pretty much a filler…and Yusuke finding them out…yeah…not much to say…lol

Oh yeah!! Daisuke is Japanese for “I like you” or “I really like you” or “I love you”….obviously in this case it was “I love you”…so, there ya go!!

Review or give cookies please!! Or both!! Or just cookies!! YUM!! XD