Hiei's Harem - Pt. 18 - Ending

Scene 3 ---------- Five Hours Later


* Hiei remains seated beside Staci’s bed holding her hand and using a cool, damp washcloth in vain to try to ease the heat that he knows is consuming her insides. More than once over the course of these long hours the Koorime had been tempted to push his bandana up to end the struggle. But somehow, each time his dying mate sensed his intentions and stopped him. Sarista, Tachimaru, and Trinka figured out quickly what was going on between the two during these moments and kept to their own tasks. Finally, with the last bit of strength Staci can muster, she feels her baby leave her body. Hiei raises his eyes to look toward her when the room suddenly goes silent and her grasp relaxes in his. Staci opens her blue eyes to stare at the ceiling. When they both hear the sudden cry break the silence a weak, weary smile touches her lips. She rolls her head to look at him.


Staci(Strained)- Nin-han.. re-remem-ber?


* Hiei swallows and nods. He continues staring at her face as it grimaces once more then goes completely lax. Only the baby’s louder cries lurch Hiei’s eyes from hers. Tachimaru carefully hands the now-swaddled bundle to Sarista. She brings the baby up to where Hiei remains seated.


Sarista(Quietly)- There was.. nothing I could do to.. prevent..


* Hiei reaches up to grasp her arm quieting her.


Hiei- We knew..


* He forces himself to stand and carefully accepts his crying son. He won’t dishonor his mate’s sacrifice with a show of such ‘weak’ emotions as sadness or pain. He must hide these things away from his new son. Sarista feels all these thoughts through their bond and decides to distract him before they can overwhelm him too much.


Sarista- Ninhan?


* Hiei glances at her then nods.


Hiei- Hn.

Sarista- It’s an odd name.. What does it mean?

Hiei- It’s his name.. It’s what he is.. A ningen hanyou.


* Sarista falls silent and watches Hiei move away to an armchair. He holds his son out so that he can look down at him. Ninhan continues sobbing but meets his Father’s eyes for the first time. Their mental connection is instant and Hiei feels everything that his newborn son can’t utter the words to express.


Hiei- No, son.. Don’t blame yourself.. It was her desire to.. bring you into this world.. above all else.


* Hiei closes his eyes.


Hiei- I.. I knew at the shrine that day.. remember? As soon as I felt how strong you were.. I knew that she wouldn’t.. survive this.


* Hiei swallows the thick lump that begins to form in his throat. Brave. He must be brave for his new son. He must show him that he can handle this. He remains silent for several moments as he concentrates on retaining his usual demeanor. He knows that Ninhan is concentrating on him.


Hiei- This is why I was so tempted to.. end your existance that day.. But I.. couldn’t.


* He focuses back down on the tiny boy. Looks into eyes that are the same color as his own.


Hiei- I remembered the anguish my own Mother went through.. Seen the results that losing a child brought when I later faced her grave.. I knew then that.. either way.. I would lose your Human Mother.. It was her last request that I allow her to bring you here. I couldn’t refuse her.. So if you must be angry and blame someone.. Put it on me, son.. But now she’s free.. the only way she truly could have been released.


* He draws Ninhan up to cradle him against his chest as he feels a light touch on his shoulder. He doesn’t have to look up. He felt Botan as soon as she’d entered the room a couple moments ago. He simply waves her off to go do her job. The ferry girl fights her own tears as she moves to the bed. Koenma had ordered her to just come and collect Staci’s soul as quickly and quietly as possible. For once, she obeys his orders to the letter. Hiei feels Ninhan curl his tiny fists up in his black cloak as he hides his face and slowly grows quiet. The Koorime looks back toward the bed. The covers are now drawn up to cover Staci completely. He stands to leave.


Hiei- I’ll see to her.. properly.. tomorrow.. My son is tired and will need to eat.


* Sarista moves to him.


Sarista- So are you..

Hiei- Don’t worry about me.

Sarista- Hiei,..

Hiei- Just another thing I had no control over.


* The Fire demoness sighs.


Sarista- The only one still nursing is Chevaux.


* Hiei nods and leaves. Trinka comes over to glance at her Mother with clear concern.


Sarista- All we can do is support him as best we can, Trinnie.


* Trinka nods sadly. The three females then bow toward the bed respectfully before leaving also.