The Aftermath

Ahh, there's a couple reviews!! lol. I was starting to get worried, friends. :o)

This will be a tad long, but you know the drill. :o/

###########################

Scene 11 ------------------------------------- The Memorial Service/Two Days Later

* Toddler Koenma enters the room Yusuke's been staying in. He finds the detective sitting in a chair still only half-dressed.

Koenma- We won't start this service without you, Yusuke.

* Yusuke doesn't move until Koenma floats over and touches his shoulder.

Yusuke- Yo.
Koenma- Time to go.
Yusuke- Yeah... I... I was just.. lost in some memories...

* Yusuke stands and moves away to throw his white shirt on. He then throws his old green school uniform jacket on, completeing the slightly size-altered ensemble. He'd brought the outfit, that he had stored away, back with him from Tourin.

Koenma- Is that the best...?
Yusuke- It's what I'm wearing. Don't start. I wore green, he wore blue...

* Koenma shrugs, backing off.

Koenma- Okay, Yusuke. We have to get going.
Yusuke- I'm coming, already. Geesh!

* Koenma watches Yusuke leave, then follows.

Yusuke- So where the h--- is this thing going to be? You haven't told me nothing...
Koenma- King Enki and I decided on a central location to all three territories. You'll recognize it as soon as we get there.

* When they find Botan and George in the hallway waiting Koenma takes out a portal remote.

Koenma- I have the co-ordinates preset in this remote control right here...
Yusuke- Stop playing with your toys. Grow up and push the d--- button, already, Junior.

* The Toushin murmurs as he checks his jacket sleeve nervously. Koenma half glances toward Botan and George, poofs into his Teen form, then opens the portal. Yusuke hesitantly follows the three through the swirling colors. When they step out on the side of a large stage Yusuke looks around the familiar stadium.

Yusuke- This is where we held the Royal Tournament.. stuff...
Koenma- Yes. I felt that it...

* Before Koenma can finish Yusuke walks off.

Botan- Yusuke?

* Koenma holds a hand up, quieting her. They watch Yusuke approach the large picture of Kuwabara that is set up on the steps at the front of the stage. Not far away, another important 'dignitary' notices Yusuke. Yomi looks toward Kurama when he stands.

Yomi- Kurama?

* Kurama lays a hand on Yomi's shoulder.

Kurama- (Quietly) He's arrived.

* Kurama looks down at Yomi.

Kurama- Yomi, I...
Yomi- (Nodding) Go talk to him.

* Kurama takes a deep breath then starts over. A few feet away from Yusuke he pauses. The Toushin senses him, lowers his eyes a moment, then looks toward him. Yusuke's eyes quietly examine the tall kitsune. Both seem to feel the pull to move closer to each other and meet eyes once more.

Yusuke- K-Kurama,...

* At the sound of his voice Kurama moves over closer. He looks toward Kuwabara's picture, tearing his golden eyes from Yusuke's chocolate ones.

Kurama- They caught his good side...

* Yusuke can't take his eyes off of Kurama. He swallows at how strongly he feels the connection to Kurama. Kurama looks back at Yusuke, feeling the connection as well.

Kurama- (Whisper) They... recognize you... Your youkai...

* Yusuke trembles as he restrains himself from embracing the silver kitsune tightly.

Yusuke- (Quietly) H-How many...?
Kurama- (Quietly) Yomi says he hears four heartbeats.

* At the mention of the goat Lord's name, Yusuke looks around. He finds Yomi who is now greeting Mukuro.

Yusuke- I... hear that he's taking good care of you.

* Kurama glances around. Before they can say anymore, Hokushin leads a deligation of Toushin monks over. They all bow to Yusuke.

Hokushin- Lord Urameshi. It is good to see you again.
Yusuke- Hokushin. Guys.
Hokushin- Your people join you in mourning the loss of your friend, M'Lord.

* Yusuke watches Hokushin look toward Kurama, a puzzled expression growing on his face. Yusuke had decided not to tell them about either Kurama's or Hiei's pregnancies.

Yusuke- Something wrong, Hokushin?
Hokushin- Lord Kurama,... you smell.. different.

* A couple of the monks murmur to each other.

Yusuke- I'll explain later, guys.

* Hokushin and the other monks bow, then turn to go back to their seats. When Yusuke starts over toward Yomi and Mukuro Kurama halts him.

Kurama- Yusuke,...
Yusuke- I have something to say to them...
Kurama- Please, not now.. Not here...
Yusuke- Relax, Fox.

* When Koenma sees where Yusuke is headed he looks at Botan and George.

Koenma- Let's get this started before he can start something else.

* Koenma hurries up onto the stage as Yusuke reaches the other two territory Lords.

Koenma- Alright, Everyone! Let's get settled so we can start, please.

* Yusuke glances back at Koenma with a quiet curse, then looks back at Yomi and Mukuro. Kurama's tail twitches at the tension in the air. Then Yusuke startles Kurama when he gently guides him over to stand beside Yomi. Only the kitsune and Mukuro can see the tears that Yusuke is struggling to hold back before he turns away to go join his delegation.

Yomi- What? - What did he do?
Koenma- Please be seated, Everyone.

* Mukuro leans over to answer Yomi as they sit.

Mukuro- (Whisper) I believe that Lord Urameshi just gave the kitsune to you, Lord Yomi.
Yomi- What?

* Yomi looks toward Kurama on his other side as Koenma begins his opening speech.

Yomi- (Quietly) Kurama?

* Kurama closes his eyes.

Kurama- (Quietly) I... think... that he thinks you've claimed me... Or that I've...
Yomi- (Quietly) I told you the decision is yours...
Kurama- (Quietly) I know... We know that, but he don't.
Yomi- (Quietly) We'll settle this after the Service.

* Mukuro watches Kurama begin to scan the crowd of demons as Koenma begins to explain the ordeal that Kuwabara and his team went through. Many in the crowd boo and hiss at the mention of Satjiyu's name. A couple that cheer are soon dispatched by a blast of wind, then a storm of ice daggers.

Mukuro- He's not here, Kurama.

* The kitsune looks at Mukuro.

Mukuro- Unlike you, my Second hasn't returned to me.

* Yomi looks toward Mukuro disapprovingly.

Yomi- I was withholding that information from my Second to keep him from.. stressing.
Kurama- You mean Hiei didn't stay with...?
Koenma- At this time, I would ask for Kazuma's two attending teammates to come up, please.

* Yusuke and Kurama both hesitate, until they are urged by their companies and the cheering crowd to go up. George quickly offers Kurama a plush chair. The kitsune glares at the blue ogre a moment, then sits. Koenma hands Yusuke the microphone.

Koenma- The team leader, Lord Urameshi!

* Yusuke watches Koenma move back to sit in his larger chair beside King Enki. Then Yusuke looks back out toward the gathered demons who grow quiet. Yusuke recognizes a few familiar faces like Jin, Chu, Rinku, Shishiwakamaru, Touya, and others. He clears his throat to find his voice.

Yusuke- Uh... W-well, I... really didn't plan on... saying anything...

* Yusuke looks around to notice various other pictures that show Kuwabara laughing, yelling, with his Spirit Sword drawn, with Yusuke in a headlock. The Toushin has to tear his eyes away from that one.

Yusuke- Kazuma Kuwabara... was a human... A full human... Not a.. broken down, useless,... halfbreed like me...

* Kurama looks up at Yusuke, ears swivelling forward.

Yusuke- Th-the truth is... We're all here to... honor him today... b-because I wasn't able to... to...

* Kurama hurries up and quickly gathers Yusuke in an embrace. When Yusuke sobs, Kurama takes the microphone and hands it back to Koenma who has joined them.

Koenma- (Quietly) Yusuke,...
Yusuke- I failed him... I failed all of you, Kurama...
Kurama- Shhh... Come sit down, Yusuke.

* Kurama starts to steer Yusuke back to a chair. But then he has to catch the overwhelmed Mazoku when he passes out. Several demons in the crowd begin to hurry forward until Koenma holds up his hands.

Koenma- Please stay calm. He's been having these.. episodes.. ever since his ordeal... It's his youkai kicking in to keep him calm.

* Kurama gathers Yusuke up into his arms.

Kurama- I'll take him to one of the medical rooms.

* As Kurama leaves the stage, a short, blue kimono-clad demoness steps forward.

Yukina- May I accompany you, Kurama?

* Kurama smiles at her and nods. Yukina follows them through a pair of double doors to the side of the stadium, away from the silent crowd.