Hiei's Harem - Pt. 16 - Attaining

Scene 20 ------------- Yomi’s Transportation Sphere


* When it gets closer Yomi senses both Hiei and Yusuke in close proximity. He wills the orb to pause just before making the final descent to the ground. He turns his face toward Kurama who can see through the sphere’s walls.


Yomi- You see them.. They’re ready for us.

Kurama- It goes without saying that they’d feel you coming, Yomi.

Yomi- Talk to me, Kurama.. What do you think has happened to Mukuro?


* Kurama looks at Yomi.


Kurama- If you’re asking me if I think one of them, or both, took her out..?

Yomi- You know that’s my suspecions.

Kurama- Hiei had no desire to take her place.

Yomi- Well, he obviously has. I can feel the increase in his power from here.

Kurama- Then it was because he had no other choice.


* Kurama looks away, deciding to keep the fact that Hiei denounced her Heirship not long ago to himself.


Yomi- Then that leads us to the Toushin.

Kurama- I have no way of knowing what Yusuke’s motives ever are, Yomi.. You know how unpredictable he can be.

Yomi- Indeed.


* Yomi looks back down toward the fortress. Kurama takes note that Hiei is several feet out in front of the others staring up at the orb. The only ones of those gathered that Kurama’s sharp eyes can make out are Yusuke, Kirin, and Koenma.


Kurama- Don’t jump to conclusions, Yomi.

Yomi- He has her orb.


* Kurama’s eyes widen, but he gives no comment. Yomi touches the energy wall and wills the orb to descend.


Yomi- You’re wise to stay neutral.. But if this dissolves into a battle it’ll put you in a very difficult place,.. General.


* Kurama glances slightly at Yomi, but still gives no comment. When the orb touches down Yomi dissipates it. Kurama stays back when Yomi moves forward to stand closer to Hiei. The Koorime keeps his posture relaxed, but Yomi knows that he is quite alert. Being blind, the fellow Supreme Lord can only go by his other senses of awareness, hearing, and scent. He can’t see Hiei look toward Kurama. Nor does he witness the Youko hold a steadying hand up quietly toward Hiei. The jaganshi fixes his eyes back up on Yomi.


Hiei- Lord Yomi.

Yomi- I believe we all know why I’m here.. Lord Urameshi.. Prince Koenma.. General Kirin.. These I know.. but the others..

Hiei- They belong to me.


* Kurama looks toward the small group of strange demons.


Yomi- Three Lynx demons,.. a Pantheress,.. and a Crow.. Interesting.. All species known to inhabit..

Hiei- Let’s stop the bulls---.. I know that you’re aware of my position in the Barren Lands.. You should thank me for sparing your spying son’s life.


* Yomi tilts his head with a chuckle.


Yomi- Interesting new talent he’s developed, wouldn’t you say?

Hiei- Let’s cut the smalltalk, Yomi.. Mukuro has passed on.. Her machinery finally malfunctioned. She lost her mobility, then the internal devices that aided her breathing and other functions.. Even though I told her to take her Heirship to h--- with her, she stubbornly refused to take my name out of her records.

Yomi- How fortunate for you.

Hiei- If I had my way I’d still be in the Barren Lands minding my own d--- business!

Yomi- Ahh, if only things could remain that simple, Lord Hiei.


* Yusuke scowls and moves forward. Yomi’s ears twitch.


Yomi- You have something to add, Lord Urameshi?

Yusuke- If you came here looking for a fight..

Hiei- I told you to back off, Detective!

Yusuke- Well you’re not the boss of me, are you?


* Now Hiei turns to fully look up at Yusuke, clearly annoyed.


Yusuke- As I was saying.. Yomi, if you came here to ruin the balance..

Yomi- Did I say that I came here to fight? Kurama, did I say that?


* Kurama mentally rolls his eyes, but keeps his stoic exterior as he keeps his eyes on his two friends.


Kurama- No, Yomi.

Yomi- Give me some credit, Urameshi. I know that I’d be outnumbered here by at least two to one.. Maybe more.


* Hiei looks toward Kurama. The Kitsune still remains outwardly neutral.


Hiei- I ask no allegiance of anyone else here.. That includes you, Fox.

Yomi- I came out of concern for a fellow ruler.. Not to be accosted by her upstart replacement.

Hiei- Upstart, hn? Where have I heard that one before? Or should I say, how many times?

Yomi- I understand that you’ve gathered yourself quite a large pack.


* Hiei puts his full focus back on the tall Goat demon. He feels his orb pulse within him, but he’s becoming more effiecient with controlling it.


Yomi- No doubt you think that you have them all hid well.

Yusuke- Yomi, you wouldn’t..

Hiei- What do you want, Yomi?

Yomi- Now we’re getting somewhere.


* Yomi clasps his hands behind his back to keep his posture non-hostile.


Yomi- I simply want to be assured that you’ll follow the same agreement Mukuro and I reached not long after the last Royal Tournament.


* Knowing of the document that Yomi’s referring to, the Koorime looks over his shoulder at Kirin.


Hiei- You know the document he’s talking about, correct, Kirin?

Kirin- Hai, M’Lord.

Hiei- Go get it and bring it to me.


* Kirin bows quickly and goes back into the fortress. Yusuke looks down at Hiei.


Yusuke- There was some kind of..?

Hiei- You were involved in that female at the time.

Yusuke- That..? You mean Keiko? The one.. she reminds me of?


* Hiei hesitates a couple beats before responding.


Hiei- I came to get you. But you were.. in bed with her.. I left.


* Yusuke half glances toward Yomi, remembering that night he was with Keiko for two reasons. First, because it was the only time he’d shared that kind of intimacy with her. Second, because he felt Hiei’s energy approach then disappear quickly leaving him puzzled. Yusuke rubs one of his ears nervously.


Yusuke- Uh.. yeah.. Th-that was the night b-before we.. broke up.. It was her last request of me when I told her I was coming back here indefinately.


* Hiei half glances up at Yusuke.


Hiei- I care nothing about your.. personal affairs, Detective.


* Yusuke scowls and puts his hands on his hips. Kurama sweatdrops then raises a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. Only Yusuke would have such a conversation as this at a time like this.


Yusuke- Will you stop calling me that, d--- it?! My name is Yusuke.. And for your information I had two reasons why I broke it off with Keiko.

Hiei- Should I care about them?

Yusuke- Yeah.

Koenma- Yusuke, not..

Yusuke- You and Kurama.


* With that, Yusuke turns and starts to move away. Yomi’s chuckle stops him. When he turns back around he sees that Hiei is staring at him and Kurama is looking away.


Yusuke- Glad somebody’s amused.

Koenma- You never quite got the hang of tact, Yusuke.


* Kirin returns with the scrolled up document. He pauses to glance around because of the strange atmosphere, then moves to hand the scroll to Hiei. The apparition shakes himself from his stupor.


Hiei- We’ll discuss that.. information later,.. Yusuke.


* Yomi half turns toward Kurama.


Yomi- Perhaps you’ll want to join that..?


* Kurama’s low growl quiets the Goat.


Hiei- Lord Yomi, if you’re through with your merriment let’s deal with this, shall we?


* Yomi turns his full attention back to Hiei. It surprises everyone when the Fire demon incinerates the scroll.


Hiei- My name isn’t Mukuro.. I’m Lord Hiei Jaganshi.. Mukuro was always so wrapped up in politics and paperwork.. I care nothing for either. I’ve lived my whole life to the best of my ability to honor my words if possible.. I promised the Fox I’d never interfere with his service to you. I haven’t and still won’t.. I promised Lord Urameshi that I would take my revenge on him..


* He casts an unreadable glance toward Yusuke.


Hiei- And I will.. Now, I promise you, Lord Yomi, that as long as you honor my borders I’ll honor both yours and Yusuke’s.. Break this agreement and I’ll consider it an act of war.. Is this good enough for you?


* Yomi raises a hand to rub his chin.


Yomi- I guess, basically, you just covered everything that was in that document.

Hiei- I don’t give no fancy speeches, nor do I mince words.. I have no reason, at present, to see you as an enemy. You’ve proved yourself honorable in your dealings with Mukuro.

Yomi- Then I suppose we have an agreement.. for now.

Hiei- Just for now?

Yomi- There’s another of Urameshi’s Tournaments coming up.

Hiei- Hn.. I have no interest in it.. I won’t be participating.

Yomi- Then I guess you’ll be my only competition, Yusuke.


* Hiei looks between the two.


Hiei- I would have no qualms against being ruled by either of you.


* Hiei looks toward Kurama.


Hiei- And what of you, Fox?


* Kurama returns his gaze to Hiei.


Kurama- I’ve declined as well.. I have my own.. responsibilities.

Yomi- One of Kurama’s mates has given him a daughter and he has another due soon.

Yusuke- Yeah, you should see her, Hiei. She’s a real dollbaby.

Hiei- Congratulations.

Kurama- Thank you. I’ve named her Shiori.

Hiei- Hn.

Yusuke- No big surprise there, really.


* Yomi glances around, suddenly feeling like the last flower on the wall between these three.


Yomi- Well, I have a Territory to return to.. Kurama, I insist that you stay and be my representative to help Lord Hiei celebrate his new position.

Hiei- As ever, Lord Kurama is always welcome in my Territory.. Same as you and Yusuke as long as you come in peace.


* With that Hiei turns and heads back inside, followed by his attending pack. He pauses to glance up at Kirin.


Hiei- Show Lords Kurama and Urameshi to my suite when they’re done gauking at each other, General.

Kirin- Hai, sir.

Koenma- What about me?

Hiei- You usually go anywhere you please, anyway.

Koenma(Quietly)- You could have taken them both out.

Hiei- Hn.. If I'd wanted to do so.


* Hiei continues on his way. Yusuke watches Yomi move to Kurama.


Yomi- It’s okay, Kurama.. I believe I made you a promise a while back that I wouldn’t interfere with your friendship with them.. Stay and renew that with them.

Kurama- very well.. We do have matters to discuss, it seems.


* Yomi places a hand on the Kitsune’s shoulder.


Yomi(Quietly)- Times have changed.. boundaries between our borders are not as defined as they used to be.


* Kurama nods with complete understanding.


Kurama- Inform my mates that I’ll return as soon as I can.


* Yomi nods and moves away. Kurama watches the Goat until his energy forms around him and shoots off. Yusuke waits until Kurama moves to him, then quietly past him to enter the fortress. Yusuke hesitantly turns to follow. Koenma considers following them, then his mind turns elsewhere. He forms his portal and steps through it.

************

The next sequel will be called “Breaking”. I hope I’ll see you there. :o)