Hiei's Harem: Pt. 6 - Expanding

Thanks to all my reviewers, new and old!

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Scene 3 ----------- Inside The Guest Hut


* Hiei used the opportunity to look around the moderately-sized village as he followed Coutaro. 'It's not such a bad place.' Is really the only thought he has concerning the village as they walk, but he doesn't miss the smirking glance that his cloaked guide casts toward him. When they enter his shelter for the night Hiei glances around the small, but comfortably furnished hut.


Hiei- I have a few questions.


* Coutaro bows respectfully.


Coutaro- That is why I'm here.


* Hiei studies the Cat as he moves to light the two large lamps in the room. Coutaro then turns to face Hiei again.


Hiei- Not a bad set-up you have here.

Coutaro- Our Father was a great leader.

Hiei- Hn.

Coutaro- He was also an S Class.. Our Mother was an A.


* Hiei moves to sit in one of the armchairs.


Hiei- So the three.. There is only three?

Coutaro- Hai.

Hiei- The three of you are young so you all have the potential to become at least upper A's.

Coutaro- Kumataro is already Mid-A.

Hiei- Hn.. You know that you shouldn't have told me that, don't you?


* Coutaro notices the soft glow of Hiei's jagan.


Coutaro- You have a jagan.


* Hiei pushes his bandana up briefly to confirm Coutaro's discovery.


Hiei- Are you bright enough to understand what it can do?

Coutaro- A jagan.. on a demon of your class.. would wipe out this village with just a mere thought.

Hiei- Hn.. And you just told me something that could make this mid-A brother of yours a future threat to me.

Coutaro- I didn't tell you anything that you didn't already know.


* Coutaro lowers his eyes nervously.


Hiei- How long has your Father been.. gone?

Coutaro- Only five years.

Hiei- So, even though both you and your brother are stronger than Habataro..

Coutaro- He was the Eldest son.

Hiei- But still, either one of you could have..

Coutaro- Two of his mates were very pregnant at the time.. Besides that, Hab is our brother.. We refused to harm him.

Hiei- Then you understand that our instincts don't always have to rule us like animals?


* Coutaro looks at Hiei again.


Coutaro- Perhaps not entirely.. But some instincts are necessary.

Hiei- Hn.. Let me tell you a little about myself.. Your name again?

Coutaro- Coutaro, Master.. I was once one of Lord Mukuro's lower soldiers.. When my Superior told her of my Father's death she.. released me from her service.

Hiei- Then you've known all along who I am?

Coutaro- Not to serve under you, of course.. But I've kept up with the changes that have taken place over the past couple of years.. One of my cousins is still serving her.


* Hiei motions for Coutaro to sit on the couch across from him.


Hiei- Tell me more.

Coutaro- Well, when I first recognized you I thought perhaps Mukuro had sent you to come get me..

Hiei- I no longer serve her.. Not long ago I was on patrol in this region.. I caught a mixture of scents that.. overwhelmed my common sense.


* Coutaro gives a purring chuckle of understanding.


Hiei- The next thing I knew I found myself in a life threatening situation with an ugly, old Hyena demon..


* Coutaro's eyes widen.


Coutaro- Gamock..

Hiei- Hn.

Coutaro- That old b------ tried a few times to invade our village since he showed up around here about three years ago.. He and Habataro always fought to a draw and he finally gave up.. He lived in that canyon not far from here.

Hiei- Hn.. Lived.. I had to kill him to survive.


* Coutaro nods.


Hiei- Now I find myself in the position of Alpha over the small pack he ruled.

Coutaro- We had heard rumors of a new, stronger male.. That was about the time these night raids on the local packs started.. Hab became nervous when none of the other alphas could neither detect nor deter this son of a b----.. Hab nearly went crazy when our village was raided and our only sister was taken.

Hiei- Your brother mentioned something about that when we met.. He called me a rogue and challenged me until I flared.

Coutaro- Hab hasn't been sleeping well.. He was unable to stop our pack from being hit a second time.. This time it was Kuma's mate that was taken..

Hiei- And both of them were pregnant?

Coutaro- Hai.. We searched, but only found what was left of them..

Hiei- A rogue baby-eater then.. It was not me, Coutaro. I've been busy with my own d--- b----es. They all seemed to want to come into heat at the same time.


* Coutaro nods with another chuckle.


Coutaro- It is springtime.. Well, I'm sure Lord Mukuro was thrilled to learn that her heir has sired so many..

Hiei- I told you. I no longer have anything to do with her. I chose my new responsibilities over her overbearing a--.


* Both are quiet for a couple moments. Then Coutaro shrugs.


Coutaro- I guess that makes. She could be a bit of a.. umm..

Hiei- B----. Hn.

Coutaro- But it'll be kind of hard for her without you doing her job for her.


* Hiei grunts, then levels his eyes at the Lynx.


Hiei- I don't care for grovelling, Lynx.

Coutaro- I'm just surprised that she let you go so easily.

Hiei- I didn't give her any other options.


* Coutaro lifts a hand to rub his chin.


Coutaro- You could have just walked away from Gamock's pack.

Hiei- You could stop reading my mind.


* Coutaro reddens at being caught and lowers his eyes.


Coutaro- Forgive me, Master. It's a bad habit.


* Hiei snorts.


Hiei- So is lying.. Why don't you show me your level now.. You seem to also possess the ability to block my jagan.


* After a moment Coutaro flares his energy. Hiei remains unmoved except to nod.


Hiei- Hn. Same as Kuma-whatever's.

Coutaro- He and I are twins.

Hiei- So both of you can put up barriers and shields like the one around this village?

Coutaro- No. Only Kuma was blessed with that ability.. I can only put up a personal barrier and do the mind-reading.. Only one with a strength such as yours could see this village.


* Hiei thinks a moment.


Hiei- But the rogue could see it?

Coutaro- Perhaps he has a third eye, also.

Hiei- Hn.. That could be one reason.. Your brother made an honest mistake. So you can go tell him that I have no intention of continuing this farce of taking anything from him.. I'll be out of here by first light.


* Hiei stands and moves to the refrigerator, aware of Coutaro's eyes following him.


Coutaro- You don't get it.. If you leave Hab would take it as a worse insult than being defeated in battle.


* Hiei returns with two cans of beer and offers Cou one.


Hiei- Explain.

Coutaro- It would be the same as telling him that he's not worthy to be claimed by one such as you.. It would be a blow to Hab's honor that I don't think he could handle right now.


* Hiei stares down at Coutaro a couple moments.


Hiei- Then what would this honor-bound brother of yours do?


* Coutaro lowers his eyes.


Coutaro- Probably the same thing Father did when he realized he was becoming too weak to protect us.


* Hiei sits down on the couch beside Coutaro and takes a deep swig of the beer.


Hiei- D---.. It looks like we're all screwed then.


* Coutaro casts a suggestive grin towards him.


Coutaro- At least one of us wouldn't find that such a bad thing.


* Hiei looks at him.


Hiei- Only one?


* Coutaro shrugs.


Coutaro- My brothers are.. sorta.. straight.. I'm the only one that's..

Hiei- Figures. I'm not in the mood for such s--- tonight, boy.


* Hiei looks away. Coutaro stands and bows again.


Coutaro- Please reconsider your decision. That's all I ask, sir.. A pleasant evening to you. You won't be disturbed tonight.


* Hiei watches the Cat demon leave then raises his can to take another swig.


Hiei- D--- it, how do I get myself involved in such s--- as this?


* Hiei tosses the empty can away then moves toward the thick mattress on the other side of the small hut. But sleep doesn't come quickly to him this night.