Hiei's Harem - PT. 17 - Breaking

Scene 23 ----------- Two Days Later


* After spending the past couple days internally struggling with his decision, losing sleep and not eating Hiei finally realizes what he’s doing. Not just to himself, but to his mates and children. For two days his turmoil has kept him from interacting with any of them. This is brought to full light today when he finds himself sitting alone in his new throneroom, on the chair that has been sized down to fit him more properly. As he looks around he spots a familiar face peering through the doorway toward him. When River realizes that she’s been spotted she vanishes. Hiei sits still puzzled for a couple moments about her reaction until he recalls growling at her yesterday for trying to crawl up into his lap while he was in this same chair. It hits him that he has isolated himself in this room for the past couple days. Not doing anything, not seeing anyone, trying his best not to even feel. The Koorime lowers his eyes. Although he never had a proper upbringing like most demon children, with parents that would have taught him how to handle certain aspects of his nature, Hiei’s education about life had come a bit harsher. He raises a hand and rubs his chin as he dwells on memories of a childhood he long-ago tried to forget. About being raised by thieves that taught him only how to steal, to kill, that the only things that mattered were riches and power. To do whatever it took to abtain these two things. In his retrospection he recalls how they horded their riches only until a stronger came and claimed it all for themselves in a never-ending vicious cycle. Then his memories relive how he was shown many times what their strength could do to him. He remembers in brutal detail, for perhaps the first time in many, many years, all the rapings, beatings, and torture that was done to him until he began to get stronger. Then he looks toward the doorway again. In his youth, these experiences were all he had to help him survive. They were what it took for him to desire to get stronger. Hiei stands and leaves the throneroom to stand on the railed balcony that overlooks the lower level. He watches several of his new workers scurrying around doing all the adjustments that he’d ordered to be done to convert this fortress from Ooshama’s abode to his own. Workers that aren’t here because of their fear of him, at least not the same type that kept him cowering amongst that gang of thieves. But servants that willingly offered him their servitude. As he’s watching Pterrayu comes from another room, notices Hiei, and goes over to bow to him.


Pterrayu- Master, is there a problem?

Hiei- No.

Pterrayu- If there’s anything you desire..

Hiei- There is.. An answer.


* The Bat hybrid tilts his head curiously.


Pterrayu- Sir?

Hiei- Why do you stay here?

Pterrayu- To serve you..

Hiei- But I never asked you to!


* Pterrayu steps back some. Hiei catches his irritation and reins it in.


Pterrayu- My clan deemed you worthy of our service, M’Lord.. Do we not please you, Master?


* Hiei sighs.


Hiei- Your clan has been very helpful. Please continue on with your duties.


* Pterrayu bows again and opens his wings to coast down to the lower level. Hiei turns away and closes his eyes. He opens his jagan to check on his pack. He watches his mates carrying on their various normal activities. Cleaning their rooms, caring for their children. His children. Another realization dawns on him as he monitors them. These children, whether they’re his by nature or by claiming, will never know the hardships that he had. At least they’ll have their loving, caring Mothers that will teach them the basics that he, himself, only had instincts to teach him. Slowly his thoughts turn toward the one child that won’t have this same protection and nurturing. As soon as this one returns to his thoughts he feels the deep twinge of guilt that had caused him to close himself off in his throneroom a couple days ago. Hiei scrunches his brows and attempts to shut himself off once again.


Sylk- It’s the worst thing a parent can do to their child.


* Hiei had been too distracted to notice the black Panther demoness lurking in the shadows a bit further down the hall. He growls and looks toward her when she speaks.


Sylk- There’s many reasons in this world why a parent will abandon their own child. Sometimes it’s just the nature of the demon species, sometimes it’s because of the life or death struggle that takes place in most of it out there. But us, you and me..


* Hiei looks up at her as she makes her way over closer.


Sylk- We chose to do it. While I’m not completely sure of how Elementals deal with this, personally.. I’ll regret my stupidity for the rest of my life. Sure, I’m able to be near my twins, I’ll be able to even help watch them grow.. But I gave up my right to be their proper mother. They’ll still have the nurturing here that’ll help them to know who they are, though. It’ll curb the instinct to hunt their missing father down and try to kill him.


* Hiei turns away.


Hiei- Enough, Sylk.. You know too much.

Sylk- I know that you’re not like most males I’ve encountered in my lifetime. I know that you think you’re an evil b------ that could care less.. But I’ve learned that you do care for us.

Hiei- It’s my duty..!

Sylk- Oh can that s---.. You’re only trying to fool yourself.


* Hiei glares back up at her.


Hiei- If you know so much, then you know.. what’s going to happen.. to her.


* Sylk nods.


Sylk- Even during the brief time that I was exposed to that unborn child I felt its energy.. He proves all the rumors that I’ve heard about why Enma made it so difficult for Human/demon hybrids to be produced.


* Hiei looks away again.


Hiei- He’s already at level B.

Sylk- It won’t take him half as long to reach your own level. Without proper training.. he’ll be deadly.. When she’s.. gone you would be the only one capable of giving him that training and nurturing.. Maybe you think you can live with the consequences of your decision..

Hiei- That’s not true, Sylk.. I won’t live. That will be the proper end that I can deal with.


* Hiei turns and starts to walk away.


Sylk- Hiei,.. have you ever witnessed a demon that had truly gone insane?


* He pauses, then slowly turns to look back up at her.


Hiei- I have.

Sylk- You’ve witnessed their end?

Hiei- Numerous times. What’s your..?

Sylk- Is that what you truly want for your son? Because it is what’ll happen when he gives you this so-called ‘proper end’ you think you deserve.


* With these words Sylk turns and disappears back into the shadows of the hallway. For several minutes Hiei stands frozen, considering her last words. Slowly he removes the portal device that he’d kept in the pocket of his cloak and fingers it thoughtfully before closing his eyes, ‘D--- it, sometimes my own selfishness and stupidity still cripples my brain’.