Captured!

thoth_moon, you're on the right track. ;o)

Isn't there a saying that goes something like, 'Oh, the tragedies that test men's souls'? Well, brace yourselves. There's a character death in this scene, but those of
you that have read this whole story, I'm sure you seen it coming. Sorry, but I'm not
going to apologize for it because, again, it is very necessary to the plot. :ox

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Scene 31 ****************************************** A Couple Hours Later

* When Yusuke can't take laying still any longer he sits up and rubs his eyes. Kurama
raises up beside him.

Kurama- Feeling better, Love?

* Yusuke looks at Kurama blankly a moment, then gets out of the bed. Kurama throws
his feet over the edge and sits up to watch Yusuke move to the closet. The kitsune
tilts his head curiously when his friend disappears inside. When Yusuke comes
back out he is wearing a fresh blue yukata and carrying a couple others. He moves
to hand one to Kurama, but can't bring himself to meet the kitsune's green eyes.
Kurama reaches one hand up to grasp Yusuke's arm as he touches his middle with
the other.

Kurama- I will repeat myself, Yusuke... You did that... for us... Me and my kits...

* Yusuke slowly nods.

Yusuke- (Quietly) I... Yeah... You, th-them,... and Kuwa.

* Now Yusuke turns away quickly.

Yusuke- Ahh, s---... I have to go check on Kuwa.
Kurama- What?
Yusuke- Come on. He's in another bedroom.

* Kurama stands and changes into the blue yukata as he follows Yusuke to the other
bedroom. When they enter they both pause, then glance at each other. Yusuke
swallows then goes over to sit on the edge of the bed. Kurama hangs back, not at all
liking the feeling that seems to permeate the room. Yusuke mentally shakes himself
from what Kurama is feeling to try to ignore it.

Yusuke- You're a... mess,... buddy... Shizuru would...

* Yusuke's voice catches and he raises a hand to cover his eyes. It isn't long until
he feels Kurama come over. He glances up at the Fox, but Kurama's eyes are focused on
the shell of what was once a robust, happy-go-lucky human boy. The Toushin reads
Kurama's thoughts and looks back down at Kuwabara.

Yusuke- (Quietly) D-do you.. smell it, too?

* Kurama doesn't answer at first. Then he suddenly decides to try to change the mood.

Kurama- He just needs to be cleaned up, Yusuke. Actually, the both of us reek as well.

* Yusuke closes his eyes.

Yusuke- Kurama,...

* Kurama lays a hand on Yusuke's shoulder.

Kurama- You talk to him. It'll bring him up out of this... You've done too much to
just give up on him now, Love.

* Yusuke half glances toward the kitsune when he turns and heads for the door.

Kurama- I'll go see what I can gather up to give our friend a good cleaning.
Yusuke- You know...

* Kurama pauses, then turns wide-eyed when they both hear a faint moan. Yusuke
leans to look down at Kuwabara, surprised to see that his eyes are open slightly.

Yusuke- Hey, Kuwa,...

* The human's eyes remain dull and unseeing.

Kuwabara- (Whisper) Y-Yu-suke,... where are... you?

* Yusuke touches Kuwabara's bare chest.

Yusuke- I'm here, Kuwa... Kurama and I... Even...

* Yusuke falls silent when Kuwabara's eyes slide shut again. He feels his friend's
breathing become more and more shallow. Yusuke taps Kuwabara's cheek gently.
Kurama looks away.

Yusuke- Kuwa?

* Yusuke shakes Kuwabara slightly and the Spirit Swordsman takes a deep breath.

Kuwabara- (Slurred Whisper) 'S'kay... They cou-couldn't... f-fin........

* When Kuwabara goes completely still Yusuke freezes a moment, then tries to shake
him again.

Yusuke- Kuwa? Kazuma?! -- Kuwabara?!!

* No response.