Hakusho: Parenthood

Chapter 4: U stands for Understanding

November 17, 2000

A pinkish hue heated Yukina's cheeks as Botan and Keiko fawned over her state of dress. A lavender sundress, a white waist length jacket, and white wedges. She believed it to be normal attire, but that didn't make the praises she received any less flattering. She sat down with the rest of her friends and next to a flustered Kazuma. He rubbed the back of his head and complimented her through stutters. How cute, she thought. She was left to her own devices after Kazuma was put into a headlock by his proud father and teased relentlessly by three of his friends from Junior High.

Yukina observed everyone in the room.

Suzuki was trying to convince an agitated Shishiwakamaru to join the festivities.

Touya was awkwardly holding a giggling Yosuke by the armpits while Rinku was showing the joyous infant a few of his yo-yo skills. Chu attempted to hold the child himself only for Keiko to haul him back by the ear. She must still be irritated by the time he held Kensuke and nearly dropped him.

Jin grinned as he allowed Kensuke, who appeared torn between curiosity and unease, to tug on one of his pointy ears. Yusuke held onto the curious infant with a grin of his own while Atsuko swooned at the adorable sight.

Shizuru sent Yukina a friendly wink from across the room while rocking her fussy infant. Shiori, Kazuya Hatanaka, and Kurama's step-brother, Shuuichi, stood in place close to the psychic mother. Shiori and Kazuya still were a somewhat uneasy around the demons, Kazuya more so than Shiori, while Shuuichi stared at them in awe. The few humans (not counting Keiko, Atsuko, and the Kuwabara family) here were making an effort to get involved with demon kind, but, as expected, they were a bit wary of this new experience especially around the less human-looking demons. So far, neither side started conversation, but there wasn't any hostility between them which was good enough for now.

Botan was speaking with Koenma through the communication device. Seems like she was, again, trying to convince him to visit. She listened in on the conversation. Yukina's lips quirked up in amusement when she heard the toddler god complain about his over-abundance of paperwork. When Botan started to speak in a low whisper, Yukina strained her ears to listen in. Her sight blurred from unshed tears when she heard Botan ask if it was possible Genkai's spirit over for at least one important event. Yukina slowly shook her head before giving thanks to a few demons of the Halfway House who congratulated her.

To think that they all came to congratulate her and Kazuma on their engagement. Such warmth wouldn't have been seen back in the Ice Village. Though...This gathering would have been even better if just one more person were here.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Kurama trudged back into the temple with resignation written all over his face. She hurried up to him and voiced the question echoing all over her mind, her hands clasped together over her chest and brows creased.

"Does he still refuse to come in?" The ice maiden peered over Kurama's shoulder to see if anyone followed the redheaded fox despite knowing fully well that she was having false hopes.

Kurama nodded with an exasperated sigh. "Unfortunately, yes."

"I see..." Yukina disappointedly muttered, eyes dropping to the floor. She looked back at Kurama. "I will speak to him then."

Kurama gave her a knowing look as she went out to search for Hiei before heading straight to his family. Yukina trailed after Hiei's energy signature in the dead of night, the joyous noise from the temple faded the farther she got. The signature led her straight to a nearby tree. Her face brightened when she saw a dark figure resting on a branch. "Hiei, I know you do not like crowds very much, but it would be nice if you joined us. Even for a few minutes."

"I'm fine where I am." Hiei's answer was gruff yet there was a hint of softness to it.

Yukina quietly hummed. She expected this answer from Hiei, but she had yet to be deterred. "Thank you, anyway, for coming. I really appreciate it. This small event wouldn't have been the same without you."

Hiei was silent for a brief moment. "...I still find it hard to believe that you want to marry that buffoon." He sneered as if the mere sentence sickened him. "You are setting yourself up for failure."

Yukina giggled behind her hand and leaned against the tree. "I know you don't truly mean that. You and Kazuma may appear distasteful of one another, but I can tell otherwise. There's a great level of trust between you two. Trust that many would envy."

"That is a naive way of thinking."

"I'm not as oblivious as you believe me to be."

Hiei glanced down at her. Yukina glanced up at him. Judging by the slight widening of his eyes, he was shocked by her words. Shock quickly smoothed back into indifference as he averted his attention from the ice maiden to nowhere in particular.

Yukina's smile grew, ruby eyes shining with fond amusement. "There's food and drinks inside. Come in anytime." She pushed herself off from the tree and walked back to the temple. She was welcomed back with a hug by an affectionate Kazuma who then took a moment to stare at the temple's entrance with a look of shock and a hint of joy. She followed his gaze and this gathering finally became even better.

Hiei sauntered into the temple and took his place in a corner, ignoring everyone's greetings. He spared the couple an unreadable glance before looking away. It had disappeared in a millisecond so there was a chance it was imagined, but Yukina could've sworn she saw a small content smile appear on the perpetually grumpy man's face.