The Trials and Tribulations of Parenthood

Parenthood Chapter 7

The Trials and Tribulations of Parenthood

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho. They are owned by their respective authors. I only claim ownership of the plot. Nor do I have any ownership or vested interest in the book “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus” written by John Gray.

Chapter 7

He was starting to work her nerves. Now that he had finally accepted that he was going to be a father and had also taken the step of claiming her as his mate, his hovering was becoming unbearable.

“Hiei, give me a break! I can’t even seem to be able to go to the bathroom by myself anymore without you trying to follow me. And if you try telling me I can’t go outside by myself one more time I’m gonna scream!”

“I don’t follow you into the bathroom, I only wait at the door so you’re exaggerating that. And everyone knows that any round female should be appreciative of so much attention from her mate.” A wicked gleam entered his eyes. “Perhaps I should go into the Makai and bring you back a helper so that you won’t be alone, even in the bathroom?”

“Aaaarrrrggghhhhhh.” She stalked around the room trying to work off her frustration and muttering under her breath about baka fire youkai and their misplaced senses of domestic responsibilities.

“And now you’re just being emotional. Feh, it must be one of those silly human traits. Maybe you could talk to Yukina about what is the proper way to be appreciative of a supportive mate?” His voice held a hopeful note even though he doubted she would take his helpful advice.

“Maybe I should go visit Yukina and stay there while you sleep alone! I’m sure they have an extra bed at their apartment.”

Hiei chuckled. “And you think I’m possessive and controlling? Oh yeah, that would be a good one. A kitsune is one of the most possessive youkai that exists. On second thought, yes, go and visit, let’s see how soon you want to come home. Should I call and tell them that you’re on your way?”

“Just let me go for a walk Hiei. Maybe I’ve been cooped up in this apartment too long and need some fresh air.”

“That’s a good idea. I’ll get our coats and we can go. Being outside will probably do wonders for your attitude anyway.”

“I don’t have an attitude!”

Hiei merely arched an eyebrow at her and decided to let that little remark slide in favor of trying to have her see his way of thinking once again. “You know that from time to time stray youkai make it across from the Makai. I simply want to keep you and the young ones safe from any further attempts at abduction. And I thought you liked being indoors. Aren’t your nesting instincts supposed to start kicking in soon?” A frown crossed Hiei’s face as that new thought crossed his mind.

“My nesting instincts as you so eloquently put it are just fine, thank you very much!”

“I see there is no reasoning with you today.” Hiei turned his back on her willing his temper to calm before he ended up breaking half of the apartment furnishings. Again. The last time that had happened Kagome had ended up in tears and hadn’t spoken to him for a week. ‘And if there’s one thing I can’t stand it’s a crying round female.’

He turned back to her as another thought occurred to him that might help the situation. “Let’s go to bed. You keep saying you feel big and ugly, I’ll prove to you that you’re still desirable to me.” He reached out to knead one of her breasts and jumped in startlement when tears came to her eyes. “Now what?”

“That hurts you jerk!” Kagome slapped his hand away. “It isn’t like they get big just for your enjoyment.”

“Hn. You say you feel big and ugly, then you get offended when I find your roundness exciting. Make up your mind and let me know what you want. I have no desire to play these kinds of games with you.”

Her eyes welled up with tears and she collapsed onto the couch. “Game? What makes you think this is a game? Do you think so little of me that you'd think I'd be reduced to playing games with you? It hurts you jerk! And you think I'll just lay down for you after you say something about my size! I don't need your pity! Just leave me alone Hiei. Just please, leave me alone.”

He jumped out the window and into the branch of the tree facing the apartment where he could keep an eye on her and still give her a sense of privacy. The screen of leaves kept anyone from seeing that he was there but he was sure that somehow she would know. And for probably the hundredth time he wondered what possessed breeding females to behave so strangely.

His eyes narrowed as he noticed a figure walking along the sidewalk and turn into the entrance of the apartment building. "What the hell is Houjo doing here?" Hiei was well aware of the relationship the human had attempted with his mate while they both attended school and he wasn't happy about it. Kagome had told him in no uncertain terms however that she was going to remain friends with the human regardless of his feelings on the matter. Still, it didn't mean that he would tolerate the male's presence, especially unannounced like this. Whether Houjo liked it or not Kagome belonged to him now and he'd be damned if the human was going to come anywhere near her without his approval.
He came back in the window at the same time that there was a knock at the door. Kagome gave him a look and opened the door.

“Hi Houjo, it was nice of you to come over when I called.”

“Hi Kagome. I brought over those books you asked me for, but I really had to look for the one called Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus. That book is hard to find. What's so interesting about it?”

Kagome wrinkled her nose and smiled. “I just thought it would be interesting reading. And maybe it would help me to understand how men feel about impending fatherhood.”

Houjo looked over at her in surprise and his eyes opened wider. “You’re pregnant? Gosh, I couldn’t tell. Congratulations!” How far along are you? It can’t be very long.”

She smiled even bigger feeling so much better. “Only three months Houjo. But I’m already starting to feel big. I promise when I lift my shirt you can tell.”

"What do you mean when you lift your shirt?" Hiei took a step towards her, there was no way in hell that he was going to stand there and watch as she exposed herself to another man no matter what the reason was.

“Well hello Hiei. I guess you’re the lucky father. Congratulations.” Houjo reached out to clasp him by the shoulder but Hiei sidestepped out of the way and glared at the man.

“You will not touch me, nor will you lay your hands on Kagome.”

Kagome sighed. “Now you understand part of the reason I asked for that book Houjo.”

Houjo’s eyes widened and then he smiled. “Ah, yes, now I do understand.” He turned and looked at Hiei again. “Don’t worry. I will always love Kagome but it’s you she chose to have children with.”

Hiei very nearly lost his temper when Houjo stepped forward and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Stay well Kagome, I’m looking forward to seeing the baby when it’s born. But now I must be going.”

“It’s twins and I will Houjo. And thanks again.” She opened the door for him and watched as he walked away down the sidewalk. And turned around and looked at Hiei. “Thank you for behaving yourself while he was here.”

“First of all, let me tell you. You will not be lifting your shirt or showing off any part of your body for any male other then me. You belong to me now Kagome and if you think of doing this, you will be bringing a quick death to your friend. That is my promise to you here and now.”

She looked at him and sighed. “Hiei, it’s just a saying. A human saying you know? Like I am still a human here. And I wasn’t really going to lift my shirt for him.”

He growled out of sheer exasperation. “And what was so damned important about that book that you had to ask him to get it and bring it into our home? This book is about human mates, it has nothing at all to do with me.”

“It might actually though Hiei. Among other things demons and human males do have some things in common. I can think of one right off the top of my head. It’s called jealousy.”

“Don’t you even think to compare me to a mere human, woman. Everyone knows we are far superior to them.”

“Uh huh. That’s why you’re mated to one.”

There was a knock at the door and they both turned towards it. “Now what?”

The door opened to show Kurama and Yukina standing there. Kurama arched an eyebrow and looked at Hiei questioningly. “Are we interrupting something important?”

“Not unless you call Kagome going off the deep end, daring to compare me to mere humans and offering to lift her shirt to another male.” Hiei was still pissed about what he perceived to be insults.

‘Maybe she finally realizes that you’re gonna be her third child?’ Youko saw a grand opportunity to have some fun. ‘Of course, if you ever grow to even the level of a kit she would never make such a mistake.’

‘And if you ever lost that pretty face, you’d die from lack of admiration.’

‘You’re just jealous cause all you’ve got for looks is a creepy eye in the middle of your head. Of course maybe if you had pointy ears your looks could be improved on.’

Kurama rubbed his temples and groaned. ‘Both of you need to stop before I split my own head open just to shut you both up.’

‘Actually I think it’s time I explained some things to the both of you. Since our mates seem to be enjoying each others company without us why don’t we go out to the woods and enjoy some free time.’

Kurama and Hiei looked at each other quizzically. What exactly Youko had in mind to explain to them was a mystery but it promised to be interesting. With their curiosity piqued they both made their way outdoors.

Once they were comfortably settled, Youko sat up elegantly in his corner of Kurama’s mind and gracefully crossed his legs. ‘I am going to explain the mysteries of breeding females to the both of you.’

‘Just what experience do you have with breeding females Youko?’ Kurama was searching his mind frantically, he couldn’t recall of any kits that Youko had fathered and he wondered if he had missed some important events that he should have known about.

Youko snorted, secure from his position in Kurama’s mind. ‘Just because I’ve always been smart enough to never have fathered kits personally doesn’t mean I don’t know anything about breeding females. You don’t live to be over a thousand years old without learning a thing or two you know.’

"If you know how to deal with pregnant women and their mood swings from hell then speak quickly."

‘The first thing you need to understand is that females enjoy breeding and being round. That’s what makes them the happiest. They tend to be very grumpy for some reason if they think you don’t want to breed with them. So even if they tell you that they’re not interested, they’re lying, so don’t believe it.’

“In other words no means yes?” Hiei couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “This is so confusing. So when Kagome told me earlier to leave her alone it was an invitation?”

‘Exactly so.’ Youko nodded sagely. ‘But you also have to remember that their skin is very sensitive so you can’t use a lot of pressure. And using a lot of nice warm lotion helps too.’

“That makes sense I guess. Kagome was griping about how her breasts hurt.”

“So was Yukina. Damn this isn’t fair when they become so enticing and begging to be fondled.”

‘They’re gonna try to hand you some nonsense about they aren’t getting bigger for your enjoyment. Well, that’s nonsense and we all know it. And so do they, they just don’t like to admit it. But be persistent, they love us all the more when we know what they’re really wanting.’

‘And when they’re bellies get really big their back will hurt a lot. Give them lots of those nice back rubs, that’s important. Lots of warm baths will help too. Of course Hiei could just use himself as a back pillow.’ Youko couldn’t help chuckling at that remark.

“Very funny fox.”

“Oh, have a little sense of humor Hiei.”

“Hn.”

‘The last thing to remember is they’re gonna eat all kinds of strange things. Don’t be surprised by anything they ask for. Humor them and it will mean more sex. So, it’s all a circle. Do you see?’

The shadows had begun to lengthen and in silent agreement they both stood and made their way back to the apartment where Kagome and Yukina awaited their return.

Thank you for the kind reviews. I can’t believe all the advise that Youko gave and that Hiei and Kurama actually listened (laughing). Anyway, it’s going to be interesting to see how the girls react. If you want to know, please review.