The Aftermath

Hey, just a couple short notes.

If anyone out there would feel so inclined, I wouldn't be disagreeable to seeing some artwork that's related to any of my stories. If it's okay for me to ask. :o?

Also, not that anyone has asked yet, but most of my names for the OC characters are either made up by me or looked up in a nice online Japanese name site. If a certain name has a special meaning I will make a note of it. You all should know by now that I enjoy making notes when I deem it necessary. :o)

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Scene 2 ------------------------------------------------------------- Demon World

* In Gandera, Lord Yomi is having his lunch when one of his ears twitches. The sound
is distant, perhaps just on the edge of his territory, but he would recognize it anywhere. His chief servant comes over as he stands quickly.

Vitali- Is there a problem, M'Lord?

Yomi- No, Vitali. I'm just going to take a stroll. Keep track of things while I'm gone.

* Vitali bows respectfully. Yomi hurries to his balcony, listens again to get a better fix on the direction, then blinks away. The Goat Lord runs at a good steady pace as his ears guide him. Some focused on his surrounding, listening for danger, while a couple stay on the sound that has caught his attention. Even with his steady pace, though, it takes Yomi nearly half a day to reach his destination. Mostly, the territory ruler is recognized and left to pass unchallenged. The closer he gets to the sound, the more he is sure of who is making it. He also begins to realize that it is a sound of distress. When Lord Yomi finally comes to a stop behind a large tree he listens to a pair of gruff voices. The goat scowls when he recognizes them.

Gar- Hey, Gido, we sure got lucky today, didn't we! Look at him!

* A fat, grungy demon glances toward his brother/partner as he gnaws on a large chunk of wild Makai boar. The fat, grungy brother demon is over near a small cage poking a stick through the bars.

Gido- Leave it alone, ya moron.
Gar- I still can't believe we caught as a real live silver youko fox! Do you know how rare these are?
Gido- Yeah. I know I only ever heard of one being in this region.

* Gar tosses the stick over his shoulder as he straightens up and looks around.

Gar- This region?

* Gido hits his brain-challenged younger brother with another chunk of the boar. Gar catches it and begins to feast as well.

Gido- We're close to Yomi's territory, you idiot!

* As Gar scarfs down the meat he thinks. Then he scratches his ill-kempt head of moss-like hair.

Gar- Hey, Gido?
Gido- (Belches) What?
Gar- Isn't Lord Yomi's Second a silver youko?

* Yomi decides to step out and make his presence known now.

Yomi- Indeed he is... Imagine my surprise to find the two of you slithering back into my territory.

* The two brothers glance at each other nervously.

Yomi- I thought I had warned you before about doing this in my territory.

* Yomi half glances toward the small cage.

Yomi- I heard the distressed cries of this.. poor creature all the way from my castle tower.
Gido- We had no idea that we were in your territory...

* A couple of the goat's ears turn toward the cage when the weak fox inside whimpers pitifully.

Yomi- I'm sure you two have 'no idea' about a lot of things.

* Gido stands, but knows better than to try to attack Lord Yomi.

Gido- In our defense, we didn't catch that thing here in your...
Yomi- That 'thing', Dungpile, is a silver fox...

* Gar chortles greedily.

Gar- Yeah. Do you have any idea how valuable it is? Why, the pelt on him is worth...

* Gido looks down at his moronic brother annoyed.

Yomi- Perhaps the true question, here, is... How much value do you place on your own miserable lives?

* Now Gar scowls up at the tall goat.

Gar- Value? We aren't a rare species...

* With a mere wave of his hand the territory Lord sends a wave of energy toward the two demon poachers that obliterates them instantly.

Yomi- Good. I would have hesitated a moment if you were.

* Yomi shakes his head with a disdainful hmph. He then goes over to the cage calmly. Yomi studies the wards that are plastered all over it briefly, then easily dispatches them. He then yanks the door off of the cage and waits for the occupant to crawl out of it weakly. Yomi stands still as he waits for the fox to shift forms. The goat scowls when it takes longer than it should. When Kurama is finally in his kitsune form he starts to collapse but Yomi blurs forward to give his friend, and Second-In-Command, some support. Since Yomi is very spiritually sensitive, he hums thoughtfully when one of his hands touches Kurama's middle to brace him up. His other senses also telegraph the kitsune's physical condition to him.

Yomi- You're in very bad shape, Kurama.

* With a quiet growl Kurama pulls away from Yomi and manages to barely keep himself upright. Yomi tilts his head.

Yomi- Kurama? Talk to me... What has happened to you, my friend?

* Kurama's eyes dart around nervously as he lifts his face slightly to sniff around for anymore danger. Yomi scowls when he feels the kitsune's apprehension.

Yomi- Okay, Kurama... You don't have to tell me... Do you recognize who I am?

* The fox looks back at the tall goat. After studying Yomi for several minutes he slowly relaxes. Yomi's ears twitch when he hears Kurama's tail begin to sway gently.

Yomi- Youko...?
Kurama- (Raspy) Yes, of course I know you,... Lord Yomi...
Yomi- You've been gone for quite a while this time. I was starting to consider contacting Lord Urameshi...

* Kurama looks away with a whimper at the mention of the name. Yomi is puzzled
when he hears his friend turn to begin staggering away. When he feels the fox stumble he blinks forward to brace him up once more. Kurama jerks away from his touch this time and nearly loses his balance.

Kurama- Don't touch me!

* Yomi remains calm and lowers his hands.

Yomi- You need to return to the castle with me... You're in no condition to be wandering around out here... I sense your wariness, but you know that you can trust me...

* Kurama bows his head and turns away as he raises a hand to touch his belly. A hand with worn, bloody claws. From trying to escape that cage since he had been caught in the poachers' trap a couple days ago. Yomi hears the kitsune purr quietly as he attempts to settle his unborn litter that's developing inside him.

Yomi- Will you return with me?

* Before Kurama can answer he collapses to one knee. He uses one of his hands to try to brace himself.

Yomi- Kurama?

* Yomi hears the kitsune's body hit the forest floor with a moan. Without any further hesitation, he hurries forward, gathers the barely conscious fox up, then begins the trip back to the main city. During the journey Kurama rouses briefly and raises one of his hands to grasp Yomi's tunic.

Kurama- (Weakly) N-No... doc-tor... Just need... rest...
Yomi- (Quietly) You're hurt, Kurama.
Kurama- (Weakly) I will... heal... But I-I'm... preg-nant...

* All of Yomi's ears pitch forward as he looks down at Kurama. He feels the kitsune pass out again. But now his knowledge of Kurama's species tells him why his friend desires to be left alone. He gives his energy an extra boost to teleport them even quicker back to his balcony and enters his empty personal quarters. As he gently situates Kurama down onto his large couch the fox comes to again. He raises his dull, gold eyes to look up at the blind goat. Yomi senses his awareness.

Yomi- (Quietly) How long...?
Kurama- (Weak Rasp) I'm... only a month... and... t-two days...
Yomi- Okay. You can rest here... You are safe now.

* Kurama relaxes and stretches out on the couch. A couple of Yomi's ears twitch as he hears the kitsune begin to purr again. Yomi sighs then moves to press a security button that immediately locks up all the entrances into his personal living area. He then touches the intercom when Vitali's voice questions the purpose.

Intercom- Is something wrong, Lord Yomi?
Yomi- No problem, Vitali. I just don't wish to be disturbed until further notice.
Intercom- Very well, sir. But Prince Shura's Sensei called while you were gone.
Yomi- Noted, Vitali. I'll deal with whatever that boy did later.
Intercom- Yes, M'Lord.

* Yomi releases the button and moves to a comfortable armchair to continue evaluating his second's condition as the fox sleeps. Curiosity overcomes the goat soon enough. He stands and moves quietly back over to the couch. Carefully, he reaches down to touch Kurama's still-flat midsection. After a moment, Yomi can sense them better. Tiny, faint heartbeats. Four of them. With another mental hum, Yomi lifts his hand. When his thoughts turn to Yusuke Urameshi, he turns to move away with a quiet growl. He considers hurrying to his communication console to contact the Toushin, but then he calms himself and decides to wait until his friend has rested. He needs to get more facts before he can make any decision toward a war with his fellow territory ruler.