The Aftermath

For this scene, I just began to wonder. How in the (Demon) World would three very Alpha-minded male demons, with brains, react to each other in the same room? :o)

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

Scene 15 ------------------------------------------------------- The Waiting Room

* The only occupants left are Koenma and Lord Yomi. Koenma pacing and Yomi sitting quietly. As soon as the pair enter the rather large waiting room the goat Lord raises his face toward them. Yusuke feels his youkai, as well as Kurama's, go on full alert. But they manage to keep control.

Yusuke- What the h--- are you two still doing here?

* Yomi stands to his full imposing height.

Yomi- Waiting for the two of you.

* Yusuke instinctually moves his left hand to grasp his right wrist. Kurama puts himself in a slightly defensive stance. Koenma just watches them carefully for now.

Yomi- I need to speak with both of you before I return to my territory...

* Yomi readily senses Yusuke's energy jump, but only lightly regards it outwardly. Koenma moves to place himself centrally between them, cautiously.

Koenma- I just hung around to keep a barrier up around this place for you two lovebirds.

* Yomi only barely regards Koenma, keeping his ears toward the two males across the room.

Yomi- I wish to speak with them privately, Lord Koenma.
Yusuke- Just say your piece. We have to go find Hiei and...
Yomi- You're going to drag.. your pregnant.. mate.. all over Demon World?
Yusuke- That's none of your d---ed business...

* Yomi shakes his head and takes a step forward, then moves again stepping out around Koenma.

Yomi- This is what we need to discuss...
Kurama- Yomi,...
Yomi/Yusuke- Shut up!

* Kurama's tail bushes and lashes, but he obeys Yusuke's order, as his instincts instruct him to. Yusuke catches himself and looks up at his mate.

Yusuke- I'm sorry...

* Koenma looks at Lord Yomi. He, too, feels the tension building between the three highly ranked Alphas.

Koenma- Lord Yomi, can't this wait?
Yomi- No. If he's going to take my... friend... out there he needs to know a few things...

* Yusuke sighs with annoyance.

Yusuke- If you mean about the demons out there that hunt babies... I already know. Why the h--- do you think we need to go find Hiei and Sabaktu?

Koenma- Yusuke,...
Yusuke- It's okay, Junior. You can go now...
Koenma- Like h--- I'm leaving you alone here with...
Yusuke- I'm not alone. Kurama's here.

* Yusuke looks toward Kurama when the kitsune turns and moves to sit in one of the larger lounge chairs. Yomi chuckles when he feels the Fox's display. Kurama becomes only interested in cleaning his claws.

Yusuke- Uh... Yeah... I see... Well, anywho...

* Yusuke turns his attention back to Yomi. They both bgin to move slowly, circling, feeling each other out.

Koenma- We don't need to start a war here, gentlemen. Yusuke, listen to me...
Yusuke- I'm listening. D---, how can we not hear that squeally voice of yours.

* Koenma briefly feels his own aura begin to raise, but he quickly pulls it back.

Koenma- Yusuke, there's no need for you and Kurama to go out...

* Yusuke tilts his head to look at the Teen incredulously.

Yusuke- Did you not just hear what I said?? There are baby-eatting demons out there...
Yomi- Yes. And they can be quite unconcerned about whether their meals have been.. born or not.

* Kurama now looks up to watch Yusuke freeze, then look toward him visibly shaken.

Yusuke- I... n-never... considered...
Yomi- I thought as much.

* The Toushin swallows and lowers his eyes from his mate's.

Yusuke- Th-then I.. I have to... I have to hide you, Kurama.

* When Kurama feels this new protective instinct awake in Yusuke full force, he blinks up to embrace him as he sways.

Kurama- Shhh... Easy, Love...

* Kurama glares at Yomi again, sensing what the goat's intentions are. Knowing his old friend's tactics all too well

Kurama- (Growls) You're trying to send him into another blackout!
Yomi- If that's what I have to do to keep him from dragging you out there...

* Yusuke gathers himself, then looks up at Kurama.

Yusuke- I want you to go upstairs with Koenma.
Kurama- Yusuke,...
Yusuke- Hiei's out there... He may be hurt... We know that his son...
Koenma- Yusuke, slow down and listen to me, please! Don't make me put you to sleep again!

* Yusuke and Kurama, both, turn their eyes slowly to look at the Spirit World Executive. Koenma lowers his raised hand quickly to hide it behind his back.

Koenma- I've already dispatched an ample search party... The five Shinobi. They are very capable demons, as you both know... In fact, they ardently insisted on being sent...
Yomi- Yes. They seemed familiar. A very interesting group of friends you've acquired, Urameshi.

* Kurama feels Yusuke relax in his arms.

Yusuke- Yeah... Those guys'll find them...

* Yusuke glances back up at Kurama, suddenly embarrassed.

Yusuke- (Quietly) You could've been.. killed after you took off from... D--- it... I could've got you...
Yomi- If it weren't for me, Kurama would've been...

* Kurama turns his eyes to glare at Yomi, somewhat surprised that he would pull this maneuver.

Kurama- Yomi...
Yomi- I don't need to go into the details... I heard Kurama yelping in his fox form from the edge of my territory... I went to him...
Kurama- You said this decision was mine, Yomi!

* Yusuke looks from Kurama to Yomi and back, bringing his guard back up.

Yusuke- What am I missing here?
Koenma- More demon law that you need to know, I'm afraid.

* Kurama quickly, mentally explains to Yusuke as he keeps his eyes on the goat. 'When a demon rescues another, saving the demon's life, the rescued demon becomes the property of the rescuer... If they so wish to ...'

Yusuke- What the...?!

* Yusuke steps toward Yomi again, in full challenge mode now.

Yomi- I didn't enforce it before because I thought I could trust my friend with a powerful demon, such as yourself... But your inexperience, that you've just shown, makes me seriously doubt for Kurama's safety.
Yusuke- I know you're blind, so let me explain something to you, Goat...

* They all feel Yusuke's energy surge back to life. Kurama steps back respectfully.

Yusuke- There's only one way in h--- that you're invoking that...
Koenma- Yusuke, we can't have a territorial dispute right now!
Yusuke- This has nothing to do with territories, Junior... But once I take this goat out there'll be only two territories left.

* Yomi raises his own aura as Yusuke's energy begins to build. Koenma discreetly begins to raise his hand again.

Yusuke- Try it, Koenma.
Yomi- You would risk your life and territory for him?
Yusuke- Gladly. I'll take you out. No risk actually... It's good that we just so happen to have an arena nearby.

* Koenma looks worriedly at Kurama as Yusuke turns to leave. The kitsune returns the junior god's look then looks back at the blind Lord. Kurama's instincts tell him that he can't interfere and his ears droop.

Yusuke- I'll meet you there, Yomi. Koenma, stay here and guard my mate.
Kurama- But... I can't stay here, Yusuke... I have to be there.

* Yusuke stops.

Yomi- Yes. My fox is the prize.

* Kurama glares at Yomi for using his intimidating tactic.

Koenma- Let me guess... I can't be there...
Yomi- Somebody has studied their manuel. No, Lord Koenma. No outsiders are permitted to attend because of possible interference.
Koenma- Then I won't be able to place a barrier up around...?
Kurama- No.
Koenma- Kurama, while these two alpha idiots fight, you'll be vulnerable out there!

* Yusuke looks over his shoulder to watch Kurama nod slightly.

Kurama- I'm not weakened at this stage...
Yomi- But you will be focused on our battle, Kurama.

* Yusuke looks away again and swallows hard. For several minutes nobody moves or makes a sound. Then, finally Yusuke shakes out his right hand.

Yusuke- Then I guess we have to settle this right here.

* Yomi and Kurama, both, feel Yusuke release his built up energy. The Toushin then turns and moves to face Kurama, purposely putting his back to Yomi. Chocolate eyes raise to meet golden again.

Yusuke- I take it he has to kill me... to claim you now... Right?

* Kurama furrows his eyebrows.

Kurama- Y-yes, but...
Yusuke- Then do it, Lord Yomi.

* Yomi's eyebrows scrunch quickly at this new development.

Kurama- Yusuke,...?
Yusuke- Just.. let me go... looking into your beautiful eyes, Kurama.

* Again the atmosphere in the room is tense, yet nervous. Koenma looks away closing his eyes when Yomi finally moves toward Yusuke. This time Kurama refuses to obey his instincts to move back. Instead, he leaps forward to place himself between his Alpha and the threat to his life. In an instant Yomi recognizes the energy of the kitsune's brandished Rose Whip and stops. Kurama snarls at Yomi.

Kurama- I will finish you with one more step... You told me that this decision was mine... Well, I have decided.

* Koenma looks back to watch anxiously. Yomi knows that Kurama is serious as he's ever been.

Kurama- He is the Father of my kits. He's powerful enough to protect us... And I will teach him everything he'll need to know... Step back now, Yomi!

* Slowly Yomi obeys.

Yomi- You realize that I can no longer allow you to be my Second-In-Command.
Kurama- I care nothing for status, anyway.

* Now Yusuke spins to face Yomi.

Yusuke- Hey, hold on, wait... We could merge our territories, Yomi.
Yomi- (Scowls) You can't be serious.
Yusuke- Do I look like I'm... err... I am serious, Yomi.
Yomi- This would bring us right back to square one, you idiot. Who would be the dominant ruler?
Kurama- Yusuke, no... you don't...
Yusuke- I'll gladly be your Second.

* All the goat's ears stand up.

Yusuke- You stay in Gandera and handle that side, I'll stay in Tourin and...
Yomi- Is he serious, Kurama?

* The kitsune crosses his arms and sighs deeply.

Kurama- It would seem so.

* Yomi chuckles.

Yomi- That would truly have Mukuro blowing her top.
Yusuke- You draw up the paperwork and I'll...

* Yomi raises a hand to interrupt Yusuke before he can continue any further.

Yomi- You would do this.. just so Kurama could keep his status?
Yusuke- Yes, Sir. I know, firsthand, how loyal Kurama has been to me. I know he values your friendship... How about it, Yomi?

* Yomi looks away.

Yomi- It always amazes me how blind people who have their sight can be.
Yusuke- What?
Yomi- My answer is no, Lord Urameshi. We will always be allies, but I will not take your territory. I'm going home now. Kurama, you will explain this to him, I'm sure.

* Yusuke stands stunned as Yomi moves toward the door. Kurama raises a hand to hide his amusement.

Yomi- Feel free to drop by anytime. Bring the kits by, I'm sure they will enjoy playing with Prince Shura... Take good care of.. your fox, Lord Urameshi.

* When Yomi goes through the double doors, his amused chuckle echoing back to them, Yusuke turns to look back up at Kurama puzzled.

Yusuke- What the h--- just happened?

* Kurama leans forward to nuzzle Yusuke's ear.

Kurama- Yusuke, Love, you are the Lord of the Tourin Territory.
Yusuke- I know that much...
Kurama- Since I am now your mate...
Yusuke- Yeah...
Kurama- Then I automatically become your Second-In-Command.

* For several moments Yusuke tilts his head staring at Kurama. Then, suddenly, it seems to sink in and Yusuke nearly facedrops. He leans forward with a hand on one knee to slap himself in the forehead. Koenma now begins to laugh. Kurama straightens back up and swings his tail around to tickle Yusuke's chin. For the second time in a month, Yusuke slowly erupts into laughter until he has to move to embrace Kurama to keep from falling over. Koenma quiets as he watches the kitsune wrap his arms around his chosen Alpha, the pure affection very clear as he purrs quietly.