The Aftermath

Scene 28 ------------------------------------------- The Next Morning

* When Hiei stirs awake he lays still until he recalls where he is and what has happened. He bolts upright to look at Shishiwakamaru, who is still out. The koorime raises a hand to run it through his dissheveled ebony spikes. When he forces him self to calm down he gives them the usual quick shake to snap them back into the normal shape. He looks back down at the Banshee and sees the evidence of their recent activity in the form of scratches and some bruising, as well as some blood soaked into the mattress beneath Shishi's rear. Hiei closes his eyes and turns away to hug his knees. He remains this way for several minutes, trying to figure out what to do next. Finally, his inability to fully settle on any action frustrates him and he growls a curse at himself. Slowly, he remembers what he did for Yusuke when they were in Satjiyu's cell. The koorime looks back down at Shishi. Although most of the scratches are minor, there are a couple deep ones that he can see. Hiei sighs, moves around to lean over the Samurai's stretched out body, then begins to lick at the worst one first. Unlike Yusuke's blood, Hiei finds that Shishi's is not very bad tasting. He pulls back a moment to shake his head to clear it, 'No, I won't go feral, again... D--- it!' When he has himself recollected he returns to his task. He is nearly done with the last deep scratch when he hears Shishi moan. Hiei pulls back to watch alertly. First, the Banshee sniffs the air with his twitching nose. Then his dark, red eyes pop open. Slowly they roll around scanning his surroundings until they find Hiei. Hiei just stays put, not sure how the blue-haired Shinobi is going to react. When Shishi is finally able to move some he rolls onto his side, placing his back to Hiei. The koorime lowers his eyes briefly to inspect Shishi's rear. Since it seems to be okay, Hiei continues waiting. Shishi's mind slowly settles to do his own recall on what has happened. Then he raises up slightly to inspect himself and sniff as discreetly as he can. The Samurai finally sighs.

Shishi- (Quietly) Well, I'm... not in.. heat.. anymore...

* The full impact of why makes Shishi nearly pass back out. When Shishi lays back down to curl up Hiei quietly leaves the bed. Shishi hears the koorime throwing his black cloak back on, from where it was tossed to last night. The Banshee swallows when he feels how upset Hiei is.

Shishi- (Quietly) Why...?

* Hiei moves away to sit in the armchair. He doesn't answer the question. Shishi carefully sits up, ignoring his still-aching body.

Shishi- Why would he... make us do... this?

* Hiei draws his knees back up to his chest.

Hiei- More... leverage... Another life to... use against... us...
Shishi- Against...?

* Shishi looks away. He's jolted by yet another realization. The safety of his unborn baby, this instinct ingrained in most of the more sentient demon species.

Shishi- Oh.. s---...

* Shishi jerks around, but Hiei just looks up blankly, when the room door opens. When Kichiro enters Shishi hisses and tries to take his Imp form. Hiei looks back at Shishi puzzled a half a moment when the Shinobi cries out and begins to claw at the collar. The koorime blurs to stand between his master and Shishi.

Hiei- Stop...

* Kichiro scowls at the smaller male.

Kichiro- Excuse me?
Hiei- Not you,.. Master... Shishi, stop struggling... Lay back down and relax...

* When Hiei's words finally make their way into the Banshee's pained mind, he obeys. Not long after, the burning under the collar stops.

Kichiro- Birdie must have tried to change forms... He has much to learn.

* Kichiro looks back down at Hiei.

Kichiro- You've done your job, Shi. I can (Sniffs) tell... Very thoroughly.

* Hiei just looks away from the demon's leering face. Kichiro moves forward and ruffles Hiei's black flame.

Kichiro- You may return back upstairs to nurse your twins... They both miss you.

* Hiei glances toward Shishi.

Hiei- What about...?
Kichiro- I need to speak with my new slut...

* Shishi looks up through narrowed eyes.

Kichiro- You do as I told you, Shiyounin, and I'll bring him up to your room when I'm done with him.
Shishi- D--- you to h---, you ...!! Ahhh!!

* Again the collar reacts when Shishi tries to send a hostile energy attack at Kichiro. Hiei hisses.

Hiei- Stop it, Banshee! You'll harm the baby!
Kichiro- I guess it is his decision if he wants to keep it.

* Shishi looks back up at Kichiro as he forces himself to lay still. As before, the collar stops burning him.

Kichiro- I gave you an order, Mutt... Birdie seems to be somewhat smart. I don't think he'll give too much of a protest to what I have to tell him.
Shishi- (Quietly) Go, Hiei... I'll be.. okay...

* Hiei turns to look at Shishi fully.

Hiei- You can't fight him, Wakamaru...

* Shishi sighs and closes his eyes.

Shishi- (Quietly) I know... Go take care of your babies... I'll take care of mine.

* Hiei glances back up toward Kichiro then starts toward the door.

Kichiro- I'll know if you try to leave the village, Shi.

* Hiei pauses at the door.

Kichiro- Nod, slut.

* Hiei does so, then leaves the room. Once the door is shut Hiei uses his unwarded speed to blur up the stairs. Even before he enters his apartment, he hears his twins fussing. When he suddenly appears at the bedside, Sabaktu looks up relieved.

Sabaktu- Father,...

* Out of habit, Hiei leans and catches his son with a brief kiss. He then joins him on the bed to begin inspecting his crying babies.

Sabaktu- They don't like you being away so long...
Hiei- Hn... Little monsters... Come get your breakfast.

* Hiei settles back against the wall, opening his cloak. The hungry boys scramble over to him rather enthusiastically to begin nursing.

Sabaktu- What happened...?
Hiei- I don't want to talk about it right now.

* Sabaktu sniffs toward Hiei until the dark koorime glares at him. The younger demon then sighs and leaves the bed to go to the bathroom.