Captured!

I'm going to use this symbol (+) to indicate where there will be long, extended mental
conversations between characters. :o)

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Scene 17 ****************************************** Three Hours Later

* When Hiei begins to wake up he realizes that he is once again being held. At first
his waking brain thinks that it is Satjiyu and he begins to panic. The Toushin is
soon roused by the small demon squirming in his arms. His mind clearly recalls what
has happened so he remains calm as he raises up onto an elbow to look down at Hiei.
Yusuke quickly pulls Hiei's yukata shut so he'll find himself decent when he wakes up
fully. For now, Yusuke realizes that their fervor has abated so he doesn't stop Hiei
when he works away to sit up. Hiei moans and rubs his temples until the memories
return to him.

Hiei- Ahhh, d---... again...

* Yusuke sighs.

Yusuke- Sorry, Hiei. We were both kinda in the mood.

* Hiei ignores Yusuke's dry wit to raise a hand to feel his neck.

Hiei- Y-you... didn't...?
Yusuke- No. I didn't want to do that when you weren't... in your right mind.

* Hiei gets to his feet and moves away, but he's unable to hide his relief from the
unwarded Toushin. Yusuke rolls to lay completely on his back to stare up at the
cieling.

Yusuke- You have your honor,.. well, I have mine, too.
Kurama- (Quietly) He's going to be a good mate to you, Hiei.

* Hiei looks toward Kurama who is laying limply on his side facing them.

Kurama- Collar... Paralyzed... Again.

* Kurama then lets his eyes slide shut. Hiei feels the kitsune's sadness and knows
what's causing it.

Hiei- (Quietly) Fox,...
Kurama- You've won him, Hiei.
Yusuke- Nobody's winning anything here.

* Kurama and Hiei fall silent.

Yusuke- Especially not me, and I'm finally getting what I've... (swallows) wanted for
what seems like forever now...
Hiei- Hn. Victory over me?

* Yusuke half glances toward Hiei.

Kurama- That was uncalled for...
Yusuke- I meant both of you, d--- it.

* Yusuke says no more. The silence in the dungeon room is fractured soon enough as
Satjiyu returns. As usual he pauses to look in on Kuwabara, who is now curled into a
ball on his mattress, sleeping but still alive.

Satjiyu- (Murmur) Still some fight left in that one.

* Hiei hmphs.

Hiei- That human's like a cockroach.

* In spite of the situation, Kurama surprises even himself when he snorts at Hiei's
dry comment amusedly. Yusuke sits up as he and Hiei both glance toward Kurama, but
hold their peace. Satjiyu smirks toward the three of them as he moves on down the
aisle to check on Sabaktu. The young demon blurs from his mattress to the bars to
greet his master. Yusuke looks up to gage how Hiei reacts to seeing the boy's
familiar speed. Hiei chides the Toushin mentally, 'You heard him. His mother was a
cheetah'. Sabaktu glances toward Hiei who turns away from the sight of the boy
greeting their tormentor affectionately.

Sabaktu- May I make a request, Master?
Satjiyu- What is it that you need, son?

* Yusuke hears Hiei snarl quietly until the boy makes his request.

Sabaktu- I would like to spend some time with my Father... in here, please.

* Hiei keeps his back to them, but his eyes widen as they meet Yusuke's.

Sabaktu- Now that he's been bred I would like to prove to him who I really am.

* Satjiyu raises a paw to rub his chin thoughtfully.

Satjiyu- Hmm, I don't know, Sabie. Your sire's not really very sociable...

* Yusuke watches Hiei slowly raise a hand to touch his middle as he sniffs discreetly.

Sabaktu- Please, sir... I have to... taste him...

* Satjiyu's brows furl as he looks down at the short boy puzzled.

Satjiyu- What?

* Sabaktu drops his eyes, obviously just as confused. Hiei closes his eyes, knowing the
instinct that has caused the boy's request.

Sabaktu- I-I don't know... I just... I know that I really... need... to... taste him...

* Satjiyu scratches his head then turns to look toward Hiei.

Satjiyu- Uwakionna Hiei, tell me the meaning of this?

* Hiei turns to look at the tiger.

Hiei- It... is instinct... F-fire Demons... recognize family b-by... tasting their
blood.
Satjiyu- Ahhh.

* Yusuke scowls.

Yusuke- Again... ewww.

* Again Kurama snorts. Satjiyu looks back down at Sabaktu.

Satjiyu- Do you doubt my word that that slut is your sire??!

* Sabaktu steps back cowering at his master's angry tone.

Sabaktu- No, I would never doubt you word, Master... Forgive me... It is he that...
doubts.
Hiei- I told you, you b------... It's instinct...!

* The cat looks back at Hiei.

Kurama- The boy ob-viously has never been taught to resist them.
Satjiyu- I see... So do you hide your desire to taste the boy, Shi?

* Hiei looks away, grinds his teeth a moment, then growls his answer.

Hiei- Hn.

* Satjiyu thinks some more as he rubs his chin, then he looks back down at Sabaktu.

Satjiyu- Fine, I'll grant your request, Sabie.

* Satjiyu motions toward Hiei.

Satjiyu- Those bars were deactivated while you two coupled, so you can come to me, Shiyounin... Yusuke's collar, seal your host.

* Before Yusuke can scramble to his feet he feels that same draining sensation. Hiei
hesitates as he glances back toward Yusuke.

Hiei- (Quietly) I do have to know.

* Yusuke nods.

Yusuke- Yeah. It's okay, Hiei. Go spend some time with the boy. Do what you have to do.

* Hiei leaves Yusuke's cell. Satjiyu moves to touch the Toushin's cell bars.

Satjiyu- Bars, activate.

* Hiei steps further away from the sudden irritation that prickles against him since he
was standing too close to the bars. He then goes across the aisle to Sabaktu's cell.

Satjiyu- Go on in, they're not activated.

* Hiei raises his red eyes to examine the plain iron-looking bars. They waver like a
disturbed holographic image as the koorime passes through them cautiously. He then
looks toward the boy whose eyes are locked on him as well.

Satjiyu- I'll return in an hour. Enjoy your visit, Sabie.
Sabaktu- Thank you, Master Satji.

* Satjiyu touches the bars.

Satjiyu- Bars, activate but just contain.

* Satjiyu looks back in at Hiei.

Satjiyu- Just remember, Shi. I don't have to be in this room to activate your collars.

* Hiei only hmphs slightly, keeping his eyes on the boy. He feels their youkais already
beginning to connect. Satjiyu moves to look in at Kurama briefly before he leaves.

Satjiyu- Kurama's collar, release.

* Sabaktu stays in his half-crouched position as he waits to see how Hiei will react.

Hiei- Get up and stop that cowering, Boy.

* Sabaktu slowly rises and he moves forward. He and Hiei keep their communication
mental as they begin to circle each other warily, but not as aggressively as Hiei
and Yusuke had earlier.

+++ Hiei- So you've let that b------ make a coward out of you...?
+++ Sabaktu- How dare you speak to me like that,... Father... You escaped this h---.

* Hiei hears the fiery resentment that Sabaktu has buried deep inside him as the boy
continues.

+++ Sabaktu- You've enjoyed freedom all these years while I've been here... Trapped in this h---!!
+++ Hiei- Do you dare to think that if I'd known... if I'd even had the slightest... inkling... of knowing I had any offspring here that I would have left them??!

* Sabaktu now stops moving to study Hiei. He instinctually stays put, but bows his
head to the elder demon as Hiei moves up to assert his status as they continue.

+++ Sabaktu- Perhaps not... If I am indeed your son...
+++ Hiei- What? You don't trust your master's words?
+++ Sabaktu- H--- no... S---, I only cower to him to survive... You know, yourself, that this d--- collar reduces us to nothing better than... them...

* Sabaktu flicks his red eyes disdainfully toward Kuwabara. Now Hiei remembers
the "situation" that this boy is in. Sabaktu senses Hiei's agitation about it.

+++ Sabaktu- Do you... think that I'm going to enjoy carrying that human's spawn?!

* Hiei calms down some as he gets ahold of the boy's right hand and lifts it. Sabaktu
hisses reflexively, but shows no signs of protest or agression.

+++ Hiei- That... idiot... might be a human, but he's... not the worst the race has to
offer,...

* Hiei nips Sabaktu's palm as carefully as he can with his sharp, demon fang. His
upper lip curls just as reflexively as he tastes the younger demon's blood. It only
takes a couple laps for Hiei to know everything he needs to know about the boy, his...

+++ Hiei- Son.

* Hiei meets Sabaktu's red eyes again a couple moments, then calmly offers the boy his
right hand.

+++ Hiei- I have failed you as a father... You have the right to kill me...

* Sabaktu's eyes widen with ill-concealed surprise.

+++ Sabaktu- What?!
+++ Hiei- Slit my wrist. I'll bleed out before they can reach us.
+++ Sabaktu- I don't understand...
+++ Hiei- It is a Fire Demon custom... The... male that spawned me was a Fire Demon.
He was a clan leader... But the only thing he ever done for me was tell me of this same custom... If a Fire Demon father abandons or neglects his oldest son,.. his heir,... The son has the right to kill his father.

* Sabaktu swallows and looks back down at Hiei's hand.

+++ Sabaktu- And were you... his oldest?
+++ Hiei- Hn.

* For a long moment there is silence between them. Then Sabaktu raises his hands to
grasp Hiei's gently. In the same manner that he'd greeted Satjiyu, Sabaktu nuzzles
his face against his Father's hand. Hiei closes his eyes when he feels the boy's fang
graze his palm, instead of his wrist, so he can taste his Father's blood. As with
Hiei, it doesn't take Sabaktu long to learn the same truth. Not as skilled in
restraining his emotions as Hiei has become over the years, Sabaktu suddenly sobs and
throws himself against Hiei. At first the koorime stiffens, then he slowly looks down
at his son. The boy speaks to him outloud now.

Sabaktu- F-Father,... your blood... tastes the same as my own... Y-you are my father!
Hiei- You owe me no such... respect... or affection, Boy.

* Sabaktu looks up at Hiei, tears sparkling in his eyes. Hiei momentarily wonders
if he cries Hireusecki (Sp?) gems as well.

Sabaktu- I have had this longing deep inside me... for as long as I can remember...
This desire to know the one who sired me... My true Father, n-not that...

* Sabaktu catches himself then hides his face against Hiei's chest again.

Sabaktu- I always dreamed of talking to you... learning about my real people, where I... really belong...

* Hiei sighs.

Hiei- All of these things... these desires... are the base instincts that any child desires of its... parents...

* Sabaktu steps back again, wipes his cheeks, and looks back up at Hiei. He is now
smiling excitedly.

Sabaktu- Then let's talk, Father! We have a whole hour... There's so many questions
that I...

* Hiei looks away.

Hiei- I have nothing to offer you.

* Sabaktu's excitement melts away to sadness. He then lowers his eyes and moves away
from Hiei to sit scrunched up on the mattress.

Sabaktu- (Quietly) I shame you... I understand... I'm sorry, Father.

* Hiei stares through the bars at Kuwabara a long moment, then he glances back toward
Sabaktu. The boy looks suddenly so small and frail to Hiei.

Hiei- (Quietly) It's not you,... Sabaktu...

* Hiei lowers his eyes.

Hiei- (Quietly) I'm the disgrace... I was born from a forbidden union... My mother was
a Koorime, an Ice Demon...

* Sabaktu looks up, but just continues to listen quietly as Hiei recounts the
circumstances of his life up until the time that he was sold to Satjiyu. When Hiei
goes quiet once more Sabaktu swallows.

Sabaktu- How old were you?

* Hiei looks at Sabaktu.

Hiei- When I was sold to this b------?
Sabaktu- Yes, sir.

* Hiei pauses a moment before sighing and answering.

Hiei- I was barely 12 seasons old.
Sabaktu- How long were you kept here?
Hiei- Five years... nearly six... I killed Satjiyu's brother to escape then...
Sabaktu- How did you kill him?

* Hiei watches the boy sideglance toward the camera.

Hiei- (Quietly) I got Majou to remove my collar while... pleasuring him... As soon as
the idiot did so I tore out his throat, then used my speed to get the h--- away from here... They thought they had broken me...

* Sabaktu lowers his eyes. Hiei feels the young demon's thoughts turn to the child
he's going to carry.

Hiei- So, this will be your third child?

* Sabaktu looks back up at Hiei hesitantly.

Sabaktu- Fourth... actually. I... lost my first one before it was ready to be born... The doctor said I was too young at that time to carry.

* Hiei moves closer, carefully positioning himself between Sabaktu and the camera.
The boy senses what he's done, but just answers.

Sabaktu- I was only 10 seasons when M-Master Satji first... bred me... They waited a couple years then he tried again...

* Sabaktu glances up when Hiei growls quietly.

Sabaktu- That time I carried, but it was born early... Didn't matter, though... I'm only good for breeding feeders... since I'm a mutt...

* Hiei looks away, but controls his growing anger. In their cells, Yusuke and Kurama
exchange glances.

Hiei- (Whisper) I'll kill this f---ing son of a b----!
Sabaktu- (Quietly) You can't kill him, Father.

* Hiei glares back down at the boy. Sabaktu looks up at him sadly.

Sabaktu- (Quietly) If Satji dies... I die.

* Sabaktu lowers his eyes and slowly parts the upper half of his blue yukata to reveal
Satjiyu's claiming mark of possession on his right breast just above the nipple. Hiei
freezes as his anger drains away.

Sabaktu- I'm not his mate... I'm worse than that... But I am still... bound to him.

* Hiei silently turns away then moves to the front of the cell until the bars tingle his
face. He looks blankly through them toward Yusuke and Kurama. He realizes, by their
expressions, that they both have heard everything. When Hiei hears a sob behind him
he turns to find Sabaktu bowed forward with his face to the floor.

Sabaktu- (Sobbing) I'm sorry, Father... I was so young... powerless t-to... stop him...
I'm so-so... sorry...

* Hiei blurs back to Sabaktu and pulls the boy up to embrace him.

Sabaktu- (Sobbing) He-he can... kill me... Do whatever he... wants... to me...
Hiei- (Quietly) Silence... I... I know all about this kind of claim, son... I-I understand.

* Hiei closes his eyes and just continues holding the boy until he cries himself to
sleep. Although Hiei remains calm and soothing on the outside, on the inside his
anger seethes and boils. Until it slowly, completely sinks in that there is nothing
he could do that wouldn't result in the death of his only living son. When Satjiyu
finally returns Hiei just looks up at him blankly.

Satjiyu- Times up, Shi.

* Sabaktu stirs awake, glances up at Satjiyu, then sits up to look at Hiei. Satjiyu
raises a paw as the boy sends Hiei a final, quick mental message, 'Father, do what
you must to be...'

Satjiyu- Hiei's collar, seal your host.

* Immediately their mental connection is severed. Hiei lays his warded hand on
Sabaktu's aqua-colored spikes a moment.

Satjiyu- Get back in with your Toushin now, Shi.

* Hiei stands reluctantly and leaves the cell to stand beside the tiger. When Hiei
refuses to meet his eyes Satjiyu smirks and offers the koorime another joint. Hiei
stares at it a moment, then silently takes it. When Satjiyu lights it Hiei takes a
slow drag.

Satjiyu- Good boy... Now, back in with your stud.

* Hiei goes along with Satjiyu, waits till he touches the bars, then steps through
them. Yusuke looks up and Kurama watches Hiei just move to sit down against the back
wall beside Yusuke. Satjiyu nods and leaves. Yusuke glances toward Kurama then looks
at Hiei.

Yusuke- (Quietly) Hiei,...
Hiei- Like Kurama said... You'll be a good sire.

* Hiei lifts the joint to take another drag, but Yusuke stops him.

Yusuke- Then I'm starting right now... No more of these things.

* Hiei hesitates, then allows Yusuke to take the joint from him. As the Toushin crushes
it out against the stone wall Hiei lays down to curl up at the foot of the mattress.
Yusuke sighs but decides to let the koorime get the rest that he needs.

Hiei- (Quietly) You and Kurama do what you must,... Yusuke... My options are all
exhausted.

* Yusuke looks toward Hiei again but decides not to rattle off into a rant this time.

Kurama- If you've given up, Hiei... Then so have I.

* Yusuke glances at Kurama.

Yusuke- We, Fox.

* Yusuke then looks toward Kuwabara. He quietly begins to wonder how much longer his
human friend can hold on.

Hiei- You're both idiots.

* Hiei now feels his exhaustion, both physically and mentally, dragging him into
hibernation. He doesn't resist the pull. Yusuke leans his head back against the
wall as his thoughts turn to Koenma. Will the Prince of death even be able to save
them? Will he be able to get through the barrier that Kurama mentioned? Then he
sadly realizes, that even if he does, it'll be too late for Hiei, possibly even
Kuwabara, perhaps too late for any of them.

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Was anyone just waiting for this Father/Son confrontation? Was it good? Any of you out
there with calculating minds wanna give me an idea about Sabaktu's age? Just curious. I
picture him at around 50, myself, which is still pretty young for a demon.

Another long one but, again, necessary to the plot. :o)