The Search For A Mate

Chapter 66

Epilogue

Keiko was sitting comfortably in the shade watching Yusuke and Koshi spar. Koshi looked even more like his father now that he had grown. He had let his hair grow out once he left the Ningenkai for good. It now cascaded past his knees. The Mazoku markings on his skin were a normal sight now. He was well respected as the heir to Tourin, although no one expected Yusuke to step down for a very long time, if ever. She smiled as she thought that he had inherited her intelligence and patience instead of his father's hotheaded impetuosity.

Yusuke had begun to let Koshi handle a lot of Tourin's business. At least anything that required more than a minor amount of diplomacy. He claimed it was good experience for Koshi, but Keiko knew her mate too well. It was really his way of hiding out on the roof to skip classes he didn't like. Some things never changed. But if the advisors could corner either the ruler or the heir, they were content. So Yusuke made sure the advisors found Koshi first.

She sensed his presence before she saw him. "What is it, Hokushin?" He bowed to her. "Greetings Lady Keiko. I bring a message from the winemaker." She waved him to a seat. Hokushin accepted her offer before continuing. "He says that the drought has been particularly long this season. He cannot afford to wait any longer for the rains. He asks for your assistance before this season's crop dries on the vines." She smiled at him. "Tell him I will visit him this afternoon. It is close to lunch now." Hokushin bowed again. "Thank you, my lady." He then returned the way he had come.

She thought back to when she had chosen her demon form. The decision had been a difficult one. There were so many to choose from. She had finally decided that she needed to choose something that would benefit her mate's territory. From there the choice had been easy. What would benefit a desert region more than a weather elemental? And so Rayna had been the one to assist in Keiko's transformation.

It had been twenty years since then and she had no regrets. Well, only one. She intended to address that with Yusuke tonight. Her sons were all grown. Her youngest, Akira, was now twenty-one. They would be returning to the Ningenkai next week to attend his college graduation. None of her sons had mated yet, but it still wasn't the same. She knew that Yusuke had agreed that Akira would be their last child, but it had been at her insistence. And so much had changed since that promise was made. Perhaps if she let him know that she had changed her mind…

In the forests of Alaric, a hunter stalked his prey. His crimson eyes scanned the forest floor from his perch in the treetops. His senses stretched out, alert to any movement. His long black hair was pulled high on his head in a ponytail. Forelocks hung to his collarbones and his bangs were fringed across his forehead, the red starburst pattern prominent in the low light of the forest. His black tank top and pants emphasized his lean muscled frame. His katana strapped to his back was augmented by a pair of sais secured at his hips

A short distance away, another hunter was determined to be the one to take down the hunted. His hair hung in the same messy style as his brother's. The only difference being the light blue starburst in his bangs, instead of red. His clothes were similar but dark blue instead of black. Subtle differences, but differences none the less. He had a katana on his belt and a bow slung over a muscular shoulder. He carried no quiver as his arrow of choice was ice. And he was quite adept at forming them from the moisture in the air around him.

The brothers had made the good-natured bet over three hours ago. Never considering 'if' the hunt would be successful, only which one of them would claim the victory. Both brothers were closing in on their chosen prey. It would only be a matter of time and opportunity now. Unknown to the brothers, assessing eyes watched their every movement.

A faint sound had Tatsuo dropping down to the forest floor. He cautiously moved toward the area where it had come from. Coming upon a small clearing her stopped to listen for another sound. His approach had been silent. He looked to the other side of the clearing to see that Tatsuya had also followed the sound. His approach was also silent. The only indication of his arrival was a slight tingle in the senses. A bond they shared as twins.

Both listening and stretching out their senses, they walked toward each other. The attack happened in an instant and came with only a feral roar as a warning. Tatsuya hit the ground with the weight of his attacker on his back. He managed to get off one blast of ice shards at the large tiger now snarling ominously. They bounced harmlessly off of a strong ki shield. Tatsuo made a grab to draw his katana, but was too slow. He was knocked backward by a powerful blow from a huge paw.

Both brothers lay on the ground with a spirit sword to each of their throats as the tiger changed back to his human form. Both brothers groaned as they saw their father drop down from his place of concealment in the trees. Hiei smirked. "Here kitty, kitty." Kuwabara retracted his swords. "Very funny shrimp. Your brats are getting better. Last time it took them most of the day just to find me." "Hn. I agree their tracking skills are improving. If only I could say the same for their teamwork."

Kuwabara laughed as he helped the twins to their feet. "They're still young shrimp. How long did it take you to even figure out what teamwork was?" Hiei glared. "Bite me oaf." Kuwabara smirked remembering something from very long ago. "Nah. You'd only beg for more. And you know I'm faithful to Yukina." Hiei clenched his fists and growled. Kuwabara grinned and saluted the twins before changing back to his tiger form and exercising the better part of valor.

He didn't stop until he reached the gates of the castle. He took great pleasure in being able to run through the forest. When the time had come for his change, it had been an easy choice. He'd always loved cats. Being a tiger meant that his curly mop of orange hair wouldn't look out of place on his demon form. It also gave him freedom. He'd always been a little envious of Kurama and his family. Being able to take on an animal form and enjoy the exhilaration of a run was an experience that couldn't be described by any words. His choice was actually kind of symbolic too in that the first demon of any power that Kuwabara had defeated was the Saint Beast Byakko, the tiger.

Hiei chuckled as he watched Kuwabara's furry orange ass disappear into the forest. He was sure the oaf expected him to give chase, but he had other things he needed to do right now. Tatsuo and Tatsuya apologized for their less than stellar performance. Hiei nodded. "I want the both of you to think about why you failed. We will discuss it during the extra training sessions you will now be attending in the afternoons." Both brothers groaned. Their father already worked their asses off every day. Then he split them up and he took Tatsuo while Tatsuya trained with Touya. It was a toss up as to who was a harder taskmaster. Both were relentless and almost impossible to please.

Hiei was not through with his lecture. "A little competition is healthy. But the two of you have got to learn to work together. You are my joint heirs. You will one day rule Alaric together. If I died today, Alaric would be in chaos. You have to set aside your need to outdo each other at every little thing." Tatsuo sighed. "Yeah. Uncle Kazuma told us the same thing this morning." Hiei smirked. "This is one time you should have listened to the oaf." Tatsuya shook his head. "Father, have you ever called Uncle Kazuma by his name?" Hiei stroked his chin in thought. "Hn. Possibly. But no more than once or twice I'm sure." Hiei joined in his sons' laughter as they headed back to the castle.

The twins went immediately to their rooms to clean up after their unsuccessful hunt. Hiei went in search of his mate. Finding her in her office he took a chair across from her and propped his feet on her desk. She looked up from her work. "Have you seen the morning reports?" He shook his head. "Left before they came in. Why?" She frowned. "We have a request for aid from one of the southern villages. Seems they have been plagued with a group of bandits. Minor raids for the most part, but if they aren't stopped, the village elder is afraid they will not have enough supplies for the winter."

He sighed. "Hand it over. I'll take care of it." She smiled. "Thank you. Since you did not get the reports, I will assume you did not get the invitation to Yomi's celebration." Hiei smirked. "You mean the one he's holding to rub everyone's faces in the fact that he won the tournament? Don't know why he's so proud. Took him over twenty years to finally win. And he just barely defeated Kaishou in the semi finals." Rayna laughed. "That wasn't nice. Besides his winning the tournament did allow your niece to become the lady of Gendar." He crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. "Hn. Don't think that Shura will be content to run Gendar for any length of time. The boy grows stronger every day. He will challenge his father. Eventually he will win."

Rayna nodded. "Of that I have no doubt. Our niece will then be a queen. I can't see you bowing to a girl you held as a baby." He let out a laugh. "Not happening." Rayna giggled. "Did I tell you she is pregnant?" Hiei closed his eyes. "Again? She's as bad as her parents. Mated twelve years and this makes six." "Yes. When Tara told me the news she confided that rabbits were fascinating creatures. She says that she's grown quite fond of them." Hiei shook his head as he recalled her many complaints about her parents being rabbits.

Hiei sat up as he prepared to leave when a servant knocked on the door. "I am sorry to disturb you but you have a visitor of some importance." Hiei snickered as the newly crowned King Yomi came in looking none too pleased. "I have been trying to reach that damn fox all day. He is not answering my calls. He had the nerve to refuse to take the apartments in the palace that I reserved for his family. He says he is not taking up the advisory post I have offered him. Do either of you know where I can find him?" Hiei snorted. "Sorry. Not my day to be babysitter." Rayna giggled. "He and Beth are celebrating their thirtieth mating anniversary tonight. To ensure they aren't bothered, Kurama took her to one of his dens. He said if anyone even thought to disturb them it better be a catastrophe of three worlds importance. And then you better stop and think again to make absolutely sure before you call him."

Hiei smirked at the disgust written plainly on Yomi's face. "If you want him to agree to anything you propose, then I wouldn't suggest broaching the subject until late tomorrow at the earliest." Yomi sighed. "He has always been stubborn. I suppose I will have to be subtle and persuasive to get what I want." He turned to leave. "Do you by any chance know the location of the den? Perhaps I could…" Hiei laughed outright. "I wouldn't suggest it. Not if you wish to live long enough to enjoy your new title." Yomi's shoulders slumped in defeat. "It was worth a try." The door closed behind him and Rayna's laughter joined Hiei's. You just didn't interrupt two horny foxes. Not if you valued your continued health. Even Koenma had better sense.

Koenma had called earlier also looking for Kurama. It seems that the fox's youngest daughter Miyu has become the object of affection for the Reikai heir. Knowing that his heir will not be ready to mate for several hundred years, Koenma is desperate for some help in discouraging the crush. Besides the obvious that is. Miyu, being a fox is already mature enough to mate and will probably wish to do so in the near future. Koenma was quite distressed as he explained that his heir won't even be able to take his teenage form for another five hundred years. But once he had been informed of Kurama's whereabouts and the significance of the date, he had quickly said his concerns could be addressed at a later time.

A servant announced lunch and Hiei escorted Rayna to the dining room. Tatsuo and Tatsuya were already there. Hiei seated Rayna and took the chair beside her. He looked to his sons. "Where's your sister?" Both boys shrugged. Yukina heard the question as she and Kuwabara came in for lunch. "No need to worry brother. She and Isahina have gone shopping. They will be back in time for dinner. Shoujo is with them." Hiei relaxed. His daughter was in good hands. Shoujo would be able to keep her out of trouble.

He smiled thinking of his little Sayomi. Her name meant night-born beauty and she was certainly that. Born three years into his mating, she was just now reaching her maturity. She had her mother's hair and his eyes. Her body was slender, but well muscled. A result of her father's training. She had not inherited her mother's elemental powers. She had only the powers of a fire demon and Hiei's skills with a sword. Unfortunately she had also inherited her father's temper. And she absolutely despised demons hitting on her because of her status as the lord's daughter. She was relatively unaware that there were as many demons hitting on her because of her beauty as her status. Hiei was content for it to remain that way. At least for a while longer.

Hiei had a lot of work to do after lunch so he left his mate at her office door with a kiss. Rayna smiled as she went in to finish her own work. She had just finished the calculations for next months household budget when Tatsuo came bursting in, the door hitting the wall behind it. "Mom! Come quick. It's Father!" She was out the door on his heels in seconds.

She followed him to Hiei's office. There was smoke coming through the door. She had to stifle the giggle when she took in the scene before her. Tatsuya was doubled over laughing so hard tears were streaming from his eyes. Hiei's computer was scattered across his office in pieces. Hiei still had the katana clutched in his hand, his expression one of frustration and supreme annoyance.

Rayna sighed. "Hiei… Do you not remember me telling you that you can't kill a computer virus with your sword?"

End