Rescuing Hiei

This will seem like a lot of banter, but you know my style by now, I think. :o)

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Scene 21 ------------------------------------------- Shishi's Room

* When Yusuke enters he finds Kurama and Botan watching Shishi nurse Chiisai.

Yusuke- (Quietly) Well, this is homey...
Kurama- Don't, Yusuke.

* Yusuke glances at Kurama then sighs. Kurama can feel that Yusuke is more upset at himself for not knowing how to handle the situation. He reaches out and touches Yusuke's arm, 'Don't forget that Shishi was in the middle of that mess, too. We need to get him to talk somehow...' Yusuke glances up at Kurama, then he rubs his chin a moment.

Yusuke- Ya know... Sometimes, before you can help someone else, you gotta help yourself.

* Shishi glances up at them, then looks back down at his baby. Though Chiisai is growing stronger, he's still tiny.

Shishi- (Quietly) Do you have any idea... how hard it is.. to just have to stand by while... someone dies?
Yusuke- Yes. I do.

* Shishi looks back up at Yusuke.

Yusuke- His name was Kuwabara... Twice... Then there was Grandma... I couldn't stop Toguro from killing her... I was able to wish her back, though... I don't think we can wish this s--- away.
Shishi- No... I wanted to stop Hiei.. I could feel what it was doing to him inside... All the pain, guilt,.. helplessness... Sometimes I was actually glad for the drugs be-because they would... help him to forget... For a couple hours he was free sometimes... I was grateful for the ones that wouldn't let him remember some of the things he'd do while he was... buzzed...

* Shishi's voice catches in a sob. Yusuke watches Kurama slowly move to the bed. As the Banshee raises a hand to rub his forehead, Kurama gently embraces his head.

Kurama- You have to let it out, Shishi... I know that you have special empathic powers...
Shishi- Yes. I used them to help Hiei as much as I could the other night... His mind was so.. confused... But there's nothing I can do to help him with this... I'm a failure, Kurama...
Kurama- Can you use them to settle yourself?

* Shishi slowly shakes his head.

Shishi- I usually meditate to... center myself...
Kurama- Okay. Can you do that right now?
Shishi- No. I have to take care of the babies... That's my duty now.

* Yusuke and Kurama look around.

Yusuke- Um... So where are the little...?

* Kurama jumps back slightly when Ichiro and Jiro pop up from behind Shishi's back. Jiro moves up onto Shishi's head to sniff toward Kurama. Shishi can't help but chuckle.

Jiro- You smell like flowers.
Kurama- Uhh, well. Yes. Hello. I'm a kitsune...

* Jiro leans to look down at Shishi.

Jiro- What is a kit-a-sune, Momma Shishi?
Shishi- You'll.. find out someday, Sweetie... Can you get down on the bed now? I'm holding Chiisai...

* In a blink Jiro and Ichiro are huddled on the bed beside Shishi. Yusuke comes over to stand beside Kurama.

Yusuke- At least they seem happy and healthy enough.

* Shishi looks back down at Chiisai. The infant is now asleep, but still nursing lazily.

Shishi- Yes. As long as Hiei or.. I... Kept Ki... Him... busy he wouldn't bother them.
Ichiro- (Mumbled) Big, ugly sunab----.

* Shishi, Kurama, and Yusuke all look at Ichiro. Botan raises a hand to cover her dropped jaw as she blushes. Yusuke cracks up laughing. Koenma has entered just in time to hear the boy.

Yusuke- Now I'm positive he's mine and Hiei's son.
Koenma- Yes, well, they certainly weren't sheltered, were they?

* Shishi sighs, lays a hand on Ichiro's hand to ruffle his dark, shaggy hair. Then he looks up at Koenma.

Shishi- We were kept in a small one room apartment, Sir... The only thing sheltered was the bathroom... How is Hiei?
Koenma- I have to wait on the results of the bloodtest to get a more accurate assessment of what all kinds of drugs were in his system...

* Shishi lowers his eyes.

Shishi- I'm sorry I couldn't be more help with.. anything...
Koenma- Shishi, you've got your own self to consider as well.
Shishi- You just get Hiei well. Don't worry about me...
Koenma- With you and he being properly mated now...

* Yusuke and Kurama both look at the Prince.

Koenma- Your health is as important to his well-being as his own. You know this.

* Shishi looks up at Koenma, half noticing the looks they're getting from Yusuke and Kurama. Although neither of them speak a word, Shishi can 'feel' their hurt and sadness. So does Koenma. He looks at them.

Koenma- If you two can't help this situation objectively... you both need to step away.

* Kurama looks back down at Shishi. Yusuke moves to stare into Koenma's eyes seriously.

Koenma- I'm not backing down on that.
Yusuke- I'm not going to lie to you... There's no sense in it.. Everyone in this room knows how I feel about that little... runt...

* Shishi closes his eyes. Kurama moves to touch Yusuke's arms.

Yusuke- But above everything else, he is my friend... If you think that I'm just going to 'step away' from him now...
Shishi- (Quietly) I don't want you to do that.

* Hesitantly Yusuke lowers his eyes. Kurama turns to look at Shishi.

Shishi- He's going to need all of us when he wakes up... He'll need to know that he has friends.. people he can trust... I won't destroy the closeness he has with you two.

* Kurama and Yusuke look at each other. Finally Yusuke shakes his head.

Yusuke- He's been more than loyal to us... It's time we repay that.

* Yusuke looks back at Koenma.

Yusuke- As far as him being mated to Shishi... I'll deal with that.

* Koenma nods.

Koenma- Okay. All we can do now is wait on the bloodtest results.

* Shishi returns Chiisai to the incubator. Kurama looks at Koenma.

Kurama- So, after you find out what all these drugs were... Then what? Yusuke has told me through our bond about doing the chemical reversal... What I mean is, how will you get the drugs you need to make this cocktail?
Koenma- That's why I needed to come up here and speak with you, Kurama. Most drugs in Demon World are plant-based.
Yusuke- I see. So you plan to use my mate as a drug factory.

* Koenma glances toward Botan.

Koenma- Yes. But we would have to do it in private... If your people learn that your Second has taken part in the creation of questionable substances...
Yusuke- Oh... Yeah... I keep forgetting that I rule a bunch of monks.
Koenma- If they learn that you have condoned his participation...
Yusuke- Uh huh...
Koenma- Of course, I would never mandate that you be placed in such a compromising position.

* Shishi half turns to glance toward Yusuke.

Koenma- I will leave that decision up to you.
Yusuke- What decision?

* Yusuke glances toward Botan.

Botan- Why do you all keep looking at me?! I'm not going to spill any beans.

* Yusuke next glances toward Shishi, then looks at Kurama.

Yusuke- So I have to choose between helping Hiei and keeping my throne?
Kurama- Yusuke, if you would leave and let the decision up to me it would not fall back on you.. should it be discovered.

* Yusuke considers Kurama's words all of about a minute.

Yusuke- The decision is a no-brainer. I'll do whatever I can to help Hiei. And no, Kurama, you're not going to be a fall guy. If it gets out, then I'll deal with their d---morals. End of discussion.

* As Yusuke leaves Shishi lowers his eyes.

Shishi- (Quietly) Kurama,... tell Yusuke I said.. thank you.

* Kurama nods and leaves to join his mate. Koenma looks back at Shishi.

Koenma- I still suggest that we have a couple counselling sessions, Mr. Wakamaru.

* Shishi sighs.

Shishi- I'll think about it.
Koenma- Don't leave Spirit World.

* Shishi looks at Koenma.

Shishi- As long as my mate is here where he's safe my place is here to take care of the kids. That's my duty as his beta.

* Koenma nods. Beckons to Botan, then the two of them leave. Shishi looks back down at his sleeping son.