The Aftermath

Well, I hope this sequel is living up to your expectations, so far. A lot of hits and 1 vote, but no reviews. Trust me, it will get better... and worse ;o(

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Scene 10 -------------------------------------------------------- The Next Day

* Koenma is in his office, back at his usual paperwork, when Yusuke enters. The Toddler looks up. He watches Yusuke avoid looking at him as he goes over to George, who is at the monitoring station.

Yusuke- Hey, George.
George- Mr. Urameshi.
Yusuke- Any sign of.. Hiei, yet?

* The blue ogre looks up at Yusuke.

George- No, sorry, Yusuke... Hey, would you like a cup of coffee? Or tea?
Yusuke- Coffee would be okay... Black.

* George stands with a nod and heads over to the refreshment counter.

Koenma- Get me a cup as well, ogre.

* Koenma decides to shift into his teenaged form. Yusuke senses the shift, but stays put studying the monitor. Although he's stayed up here in Spirit World, the Toushin hasn't spoken a word to the Prince since the "incident" in the counselling room. Yusuke watches the screen flip quickly through different views of Demon World. As Yusuke continues keeping his back to Koenma, the godling reads his thoughts briefly.

Koenma- I have both of their names tagged. So I'll be alerted as soon as anything happens with either Hiei or Sabaktu.

* George takes Koenma his coffee, then returns to hand Yusuke his cup. Yusuke barely acknowledges the Teen's information. Koenma sighs.

Koenma- Would you prefer that I had allowed you to continue? You were losing control, Yusuke.

* Yusuke considers Koenma's words, then slowly glances toward the junior god of death.

Yusuke- (Quietly) Well... No... I guess not.
Koenma- Yusuke, come sit down. Please.

* After a moment, Yusuke turns and goes over to sit in the plush armchair facing the desk.

Yusuke- I'm just... I'm tired of feeling helpless... I got two of my best friends pregnant.. and I can't do anything to help either of them... I'm sick of being so Enma
d--- helpless!

* Koenma flinches slightly, but decides to ignore the "reference" to his Father.

Koenma- We know, now, where Kurama is... Yomi will keep him...

* Yusuke glares up at Koenma coldly.

Yusuke- But it should be me!

* Yusuke quickly lowers his eyes and sips the coffee, willing his right hand to stop shaking.

Koenma- Perhaps he'll come to the Memorial...
Yusuke- What if he don't?

* The godling watches the expression on Yusuke's face sadden.

Koenma- Don't depress yourself further over 'what-ifs', Yusuke.

* The detective looks up at Koenma. He decides to change the subject slightly.

Koenma- You did say that Sabaktu is pregnant to Kuwabara, correct?

* Yusuke nods.

Yusuke- Yeah. That b------ had a surveilllance camera in that dungeon room... H---, he had them all over that f----ing place...
Koenma- Yes, I know.
Yusuke- Well, he knew that Hiei... disliked Kuwabara... He b-bred... D---, I hate even saying that...
Koenma- Go on, Yusuke. Please.

* Yusuke hesitates, looking down into his half empty coffee cup.

Yusuke- So S-Satjiyu... told the boy to...

* Yusuke pauses again, then looks up at Koenma.

Yusuke- Well, s---... You and the big, blue guy have probably seen...

* The Teen's face reddens and George's face begins to glow a bright shade of neon orange.

Yusuke- So why the h--- did you ask me that?

* Koenma clears his throat.

Koenma- W-Well,.. I've already explained why Sabaktu's death will be delayed. Remember?

* Yusuke nods, eyeing the godling. Not even wanting to think of everything they must have seen.

Koenma- Then you know that as soon as Sabaktu gives birth he'll die...
Yusuke- Yes, d--- it... Isn't there anything...?
Koenma- No. I can't alter demon nature.

* Yusuke lowers his eyes.

Yusuke- Sabaktu was... b-bred... before Hiei...
Koenma- Perhaps, but since he was... Since he is pregnant to a human...
Yusuke- To Kuwabara.
Koenma- Yes. Demons bear half breed offspring a little longer than normal... Sometimes up to two months longer. While human females carry shorter..
Yusuke- Sounds like this halfbreed s--- goes on all the time.
Koenma- Obviously more than you realize.

* The Toushin thinks a few moments as he finishes the coffee.

Yusuke- That guy has been doing this s--- for a very long time... He really was a heartless b------...
Koenma- I know. I've gone through a good bit of Satjiyu's records. I'm still processing... everything...

* Again, both are quiet for a few moments.

Koenma- Yusuke, I've shown you everything I've seen... Even the birth papers that will be processed...

* Yusuke nods and quietly crushes the paper cup.

Yusuke- (Quietly) Yeah... Twins...
Koenma- Hiei will give birth to them first... This is his first pregnancy... I have no way of knowing what all the variables will be...
Yusuke- Will Sabaktu be well enough to help him... give birth.. if we don't find them before that?
Koenma- I have no way of knowing how incapacitated Sabaktu may be. So I have no answer for that.

* Yusuke stands.

Yusuke- Thanks for setting my mind at ease, Junior.

* Yusuke turns to leave.

Koenma- It wasn't meant to upset you... I need you to be prepared...

* Yusuke freezes. He then turns back slowly. Koenma melts back into his baby form.

Yusuke- (Quietly) You mean... Hiei might...?

* Koenma lowers his eyes with a whine.

Koenma- There's no guarantee either way...

* Yusuke's mind whirs briefly, staggering at this news.

Yusuke- I can't... I won't accept that.

* Yusuke shakes his head. He then starts to leave again. After a few steps he turns back around quickly.

Yusuke- Hey, when Sabaktu dies... Will you send Botan after him?

* Koenma shakes his head.

Koenma- No. It's a different process up here when demons die. They show up over on the west wing in holding units. I will notify you, though, if... or as soon as... either of them show up.

* Yusuke turns away again.

Yusuke- I'm going back to Genkai's...
Koenma- I would prefer that you stay up here...
Yusuke- Are you detaining me?
Koenma- I will if I have to... I'm still concerned about your control issues... At least stay until the Memorial.. Then we'll go from there.
Yusuke- I need to go check in on Hon... Hokushin.
Koenma- Very well. I will allow you to do that. But just for a couple hours.

* Yusuke turns to look back at the Toddler a moment.

Yusuke- Am I on probation?
Koenma- Of course not. You're on observation. There is a difference.
Yusuke- Riiight.

* Yusuke turns and leaves grumbling under his breath. George looks toward his boss.

George- Will he survive it if Hiei doesn't, sir?
Koenma- (Quietly) I don't know, George... I'd rather not think that way... Keep scanning!
George- I am, sir. But Hiei must be using his jagan to put up a barrier. I'm not getting anything. And since we don't really have a reading on Sabaktu's signature...
Koenma- George, if Sabaktu is still with Hiei... and Hiei has a barrier up...

* The blue ogre drops his head with a sad nod. Koenma shakes his head and goes back to his paperwork.