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Kurama tipped his head back to embrace the crisp, rolling autumn breeze carrying the sound of the city and all its trappings from the long-gone main roads. Cold nipped at his cheeks and the tip of his nose but he felt warm with the heat exuding on either side of him. A quick glance to his right revealed Hiei, soundlessly keeping step with him while adjusting the length of his scarf around the squirming girl in his arms. Tsubaki poked her little head out of the white muffler wrapped around her shoulders; bright golden eyes flickering to a verdant green as her gaze met Kurama's.
His heart warmed with pride at the restraint in her transformation and he leant forward to adjust the bow on her red beanie. The thick mop of curls spilling from underneath brushed away from her eyes with a careful hand. Tsubaki's nose scrunched at the attempt. She wiggled away from his touch, holding her hands against the top of her head with a look of dismay.
"We must keep your ears covered for now, Tsubaki," Kurama gently reminded. "Once we've gotten to your grandmother's, you can take it off."
Tsubaki's expression softened with understanding as she let Kurama finish adjusting her hat. Once he was done, Tsubaki kicked her heels at Hiei's sides and waited until he unwound her from his person enough to set her down.
When Hiei withdrew, Kurama leaned closer to him and watched as Tsubaki started to debate which leaves were the crunchiest and pounced on them. His heart skipped a beat out of fear in a way only his children could bring about when a wet leaf nearly sent Tsubaki tumbling onto her backside.
"I'm okay," Tsubaki called over her shoulder, launching back into playing without a second thought.
Hiei sighed and hastened his steps to keep pace with her. Kurama hooked a finger at his lips to stifle a chuckle of his own, turning his gaze to the boy tucked in his shadow with a pensive gaze.
Before Kurama could ask what was on his mind, Kagerou looked up and asked, "Is it a new book?"
Kurama raised a brow, then his lips curved into a smile as he said, "No."
Kagerou's brows furrowed, and his mouth thinned into a line as he gave it another thought. "Is it gardening gloves?" He asked, wiggling his fingers for emphasis.
"No," Kurama chuckled, poking the tip of his son's nose as emphasis of his own.
Bewildered for a split second, Kagerou blinked up at him then harrumphed. He folded his arms against his chest and glanced away, hesitantly meeting Kurama's eyes again as he responded, "What about a toy?"
Incredulity and curiosity crept into Kurama's voice as he ruffled Kagerou's hair, the six points of the red ribbon keeping it half-tied up bobbing in time with Kagerou's laughter. "Why would your grandmother want a toy for Christmas?"
Kagerou ducked from beneath Kurama's hand, running a short ways ahead of him to escape his reach before turning around into a backwards stroll. "I dunno," he drawled, flashing a big grin. "But I do."
Reminded of the presents carefully hidden away from the children's search, a mischievous hint tinged Kurama's smile. "I'll keep that in mind," he lied coolly, looking off while Kagerou huffed and pouted at him.
"Maybe it's nothing, Tsu," Kagerou called out to his sister, stopping her merrymaking as she stared back at him in horror.
"Wha—?! Why would Papa not get Granny a present?!"
Kagerou shrugged again, shaking his head for good measure. "Well, everything I said was really good and Papa said no to all of it," his eyes slid to Kurama, peeking at him as he hedged challengingly, "Maybe he doesn't have anything."
Tsubaki stamped her foot down, glaring in Kurama's direction obstinately. "That's mean," she said, setting her fists against her hips. "We can't go to Granny's without a present!"
Under the children's shared ire, Kurama laughed and gestured ahead with open hands. "Don't fret, I have a present for her right here."
Kagerou and Tsubaki shared a look, then walked closer to their father. Kurama bent down to allow the twins to examine his empty hands with wonder. A wordless exchange passing between them as Kagerou peeked at his sister and raised a brow, earning the shake of Tsubaki's head and a dismayed sigh. The boy's face crumpled disappointedly, and he brushed Kurama's hands aside before marching ahead. Tsubaki folded her arms, giving Kurama a disapproving look before following after her brother likely to cheer him up.
Kurama stood, brushing the cold grit of dirt from his trousers as a warm shadow sidled up beside him. His heart skipped a beat at his partner's barely-there smile when he stood.
"You've confused them," Hiei said absently.
Kurama chuckled, dusting off his hands before slipping his fingers into Hiei's palm. With a sigh, Kurama leant into him and said, "Good, a bit of mental exercise is needed at such a young age."
Hiei snorted, but said nothing else. In return, Kurama mused, "Are you wondering whether or not they're right?"
"Hmph, no," Hiei said, rolling his eyes. "I've no interest in playing your mind games today."
"What a shame," Kurama joked, nipping at the scarlet-tipped curve of his partner's ear. "You've always been quite good at them."
Hiei abandoned him next, giving him a flustered glare before catching up to the children with Kurama's laughter trailing after him.
Shiori answered the door with a happy titter. She hugged her son first and exchanged kind words with Hiei. Then she glanced down at the twins and crossed her hands over her heart with an adoring smile.
"Oh Shuuichi," she sighed, crouching down in front of the twins. "This is a lovely present."
The twins' confusion was swept away by their grandmother lifting them up with kisses and promises of sweets. Kurama glanced sideways at Hiei, snickering at his partner's affectionate eye roll.
"Well played, fox."
"Thank you."