Rescuing Hiei

Scene 19 ------------------------------------------- The Cafeteria

* When they finally manage to find the cafeteria, Hiei's mood is only a few shades darker. As they reach the doorway an orange ogre nearly bumps into them as he exits. Hiei uses his speed to set Shishi aside before they're plowed over.

Orange Ogre- Watch where you're goin', already.

* As the ogre continues on his way his loin cloth begins to smoke under Hiei's glare. Shishi notices when he's done smoothing out his robe. He chuckles with amusement, then taps Hiei's shoulder.

Shishi- We survived that close call, you can relax, Hun.

* Hiei glances back up at Shishi.

Hiei- We found the d--- place, let's just eat and get back to our room.

* They pause in the large entryway, looking into the vast room. It is filled mostly with ogres in an array of various colors and sizes. But then they notice Koenma and Yusuke together at a table in a far corner. Sensing them, Yusuke looks toward them. Shishi lowers his eyes to look down at Hiei.

Shishi- (Quietly) We can come back...
Hiei- After searching all over this ogre paradise to get here? H---, no. You need to eat... Just follow me.

* Koenma looks up at Yusuke when he hasn't spoken for a couple moments. He then looks to see what has the Toushin's attention. Koenma sighs when he sees Hiei and Shishi moving toward the food counter.

Koenma- (Mumbled) Well, there goes my remodeling budget. (Louder) Yusuke,..
Yusuke- Yeah, I heard you.

* Yusuke looks back at the paper he and Koenma were studying.

Yusuke- I told you before, I'm not handling any cases right now.

* Yusuke looks back toward Hiei. He watches the koorime placing all the food he's handed on Shishi's tray. Shishi pauses and obviously motions for Hiei to get his own tray until his Alpha glares up at him. The Banshee raises a hand and lowers his eyes relenting. When they reach the end a White ogre holds his hand out. As Hiei stares at it Koenma goes over.

Koenma- No charge for these two, Felix.

* Hiei looks up at the Toddler.

Koenma- You don't have any money on you anyway, do you?
Hiei- No. That goat blew it all to h---...
Shishi- I have a couple bank accounts down in Demon World... But I lost my access chips when I was...

* Hiei looks up at Shishi silencing him.

Koenma- Of course. I meant no offense.
Hiei- Let's go find a table, already.
Koenma- You're both welcome to...

* Hiei walks off after taking the loaded down tray from Shishi. The Banshee glances sheepishly at Koenma then hurries off after his Alpha. Koenma goes back to his own table and sits.

Yusuke- Why do you always manage to tick him off?
Koenma- There's something more bothering him than just me... I just can't put my finger on it.

* Yusuke looks back toward the two demons. Shishi offers Hiei a carrot. Not really paying attention, Hiei lights the tip of it, with a flick of his finger, and tries to smoke it. As soon as the koorime sticks the carrot in his mouth though he scowls and actually looks at it. He promptly drops it in the Banshee's glass of water.

Hiei- I told you, I don't need anything...
Shishi- Oh, I think I'm starting to see what you need.

* Hiei hmphs and looks away.

Hiei- I'll get over it. Eat, Banshee.
Shishi- Do you even know how long it's been since you ate something?

* Hiei looks up at Shishi smirking.

Hiei- Last night. I ate your...
Shishi- I mean food, Hiei!

* Hiei watches his mate blush and glance around timidly.

Hiei- When I am hungry, I will eat... D---, they don't even have a beer up here...

* Shishi removes the burnt carrot from his water and stubbornly offers it to Hiei again.

Shishi- Please, Baby. For me... Just eat a little bit...

* They both look up when Yusuke appears at the table. He sets a small bowl of ice cream down in front of Hiei.

Yusuke- Little guy's a sucker for sweet stuff, Wakamaru.

* Shishi hesitates, then looks back at Hiei. The koorime is staring at the ice cream. Yusuke sits down.

Yusuke- I don't mean to barge in here. But I've never seen you look so skinny, Hiei... We're still friends, right?

* Hiei growls slightly. But then grows quiet when he feels Yusuke's power instinctually.

Yusuke- Don't make me shove some food down your throat... You know I could do that right now.

* Shishi scowls at Yusuke until he notices that Hiei has picked up his spoon. The Banshee forgets Yusuke and leans to place an arm across Hiei's shoulders.

Shishi- (Quietly) Just eat slow... Your system will adjust to food again... Please, Hun.

Koenma comes over as Hiei lifts a spoonful of ice cream to his mouth. He laps out at it with his tongue. The cold, sweetness grabs his attention and he continues licking it off the spoon as if it's the first time he'd ever eatten it.

Koenma- (Quietly) How long has it been since he's had real food, Shishi?

* Shishi tries to think as he encourages Hiei to continue eatting more.

Shishi- I.. can't really recall... That's it, Hun... You're doing so well...
Hiei- I brought you here to eat.
Shishi- I will...

* Hiei glances timidly up at Yusuke and Koenma again as he continues lapping at the current spoonful. Shishi looks up at them.

Shishi- Thank you. I can handle my mate now.
Koenma- If he hasn't been eatting food...
Shishi- Go away. Please.

* Koenma feels Yusuke's anger growing and touches his shoulder.

Koenma- Come over here with me, Yusuke... I need to tell you something.
Yusuke- Go away, Diaper Breath... I'm as concerned about my friend as you are, you...
Koenma- Both of you, stop. This isn't the time or the place. Don't make me go Teenager on you, Yusuke.
Shishi- I appreciate that you want to help, Urameshi. But Hiei is my responsibility. I'm not telling you how to take care of your mate. Don't tell me how to take care of mine.

* Yusuke watches the Banshee turn his full attention back to Hiei.

Shishi- (Quietly) You're doing very good, Hun... Just a little more... How about trying a cookie now? I'm so proud of you...

* Hiei looks at the cookie that Shishi offers him.

Koenma- Easy, Shishi. Don't force too much...

* Shishi looks back up at the Toddler until Hiei takes the cookie.

Koenma- Hiei, I would really like for you to have a full medical...
Hiei- Go away or you're going to have a full dragon on your a--... My Banshee wants me to eat, I'm eatting.. So go away.
Shishi- Don't irritate my Alpha!
Koenma- I'm not trying to. We all just need to calm down...
Hiei- Give me another cookie! You all want me to eat so d--- much, I'll do it... Now leave me alone!!

* Shishi quickly complies, handing Hiei another cookie. Koenma sinks down closer to Yusuke's ear to whisper something in it as Shishi gives Hiei another cookie. Yusuke pulls away from Koenma to look at him.

Yusuke- what the h--- do you mean...?!

* Shishi notices Hiei begin to tremble.

Shishi- Hiei?

* Hiei closes his eyes to try to quell the sudden dizziness that swirls his vision. Koenma sighs.

Koenma- That, I'm afraid...

* Koenma calls for a couple ogres as Shishi embraces Hiei. The koorime's shaking becomes worse.

Shishi- What's wrong with him??!
Koenma- He's going into food shock...

* Hiei growls and tries to struggle away from whatever is restricting his movement. His mind goes completely out of focus as the seizure continues to build momentum. The voices all around him just become garbled noise. By the time a couple ogres arrive with a stretcher, Hiei has passed out in Shishi's arms.