The Aftermath

thoth_moon, sometimes we think so much alike, it scares me. Are you somewhat psychic? lol. You are so usually on the money, even though all of these stories were written weeks ago. Keep reading, please. :o)

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Scene 30 ------------------------------------------- Two Days Later

* Sabaktu is tussling with the twins, who are in a playful mood today, on the floor beside the bed. He glances up at Hiei who stands from the couch where he was watching them. When Sabaktu sees Hiei staring toward the door he sighs, knowing that Kichiro is coming. Sure enough, a moment later the door opens. Kichiro leads a still-naked, unkempt Shishi in by his arm. Sabaktu sits up as the twins scramble up and over his shoulder to hide, both emitting tiny growls and hisses at the large "stranger". When Hiei sees the black markings all over Shishi's body and the earring in his left ear he knows pretty well what has been taking place the past couple days. When Kichiro shoves him toward Hiei, the once fiesty Banshee cowers.

Kichiro- There he is. I told you I'd bring him up when we were done.

* Shishi shies slightly then allows Hiei to help him over to sit on the couch.

Kichiro- Now come here, Shi.

* Shishi flinches and looks up to watch Hiei go over to face Kichiro. The pimp looks at Shishi.

Kichiro- You, I call Birdie... Got that? Nod.

* Hiei looks to watch Shishi lower his eyes and nod. Kichiro now turns his attention back down to Hiei.

Kichiro- And you...

* Hiei looks up at him again.

Kichiro- You got your first two customers tonight. I'm starting you out slow. You'll meet the first one at table 8 just after sunset. The second will be at table 12 when you're done with the first one. Nod.

* Hiei rolls his eyes, but nods. Kichiro tilts his face up, gives him a quick, deep kiss, then leaves. Hiei curls his lips in a silent snarl then turns to look toward Shishi.

Hiei- Shishi?

* The Banshee flinches and looks at him with a frightened, bewildered look that makes the koorime move closer cautiously.

Hiei- Easy, it's just me... Do you.. remember me?
Shishi- Y-yes... Just.. s-stay away from me...

* Hiei nods, knowing how Shishi feels.

Hiei- Okay. We're not going to bother you... Just relax there on the couch... You need to get some rest... You're safe here...

* Now Shishi looks all around nervously, shaking his head vigorously.

Shishi- N-no... Not s-safe here! Not here!!

* Hiei and Sabaktu watch the frightened Samurai leap away from the couch, then move to scrunch down into a corner. Sabaktu sends the twins over onto the bed mentally, then stands and goes over to Hiei.

Sabaktu- (Quietly) He's the one?

* Hiei glances at his oldest son and nods.

Sabaktu- (Quietly) He's been marked, too.
Hiei- (Quietly) Hn... We just need to let him calm down... I think... D---, if I had my jagan I could help him deal with this...

* Shishi glances up at Hiei, then draws his knees up to try to cover himself from their gazes.

Sabaktu- (Quietly) I don't know, Father. After being with that b------ for two days, he's probably as messed up as you are...

* Hiei looks at Sabaktu darkly. The boy shrugs apologetically.

Sabaktu- Sorry. I was just trying to ease the tension.

* Sabaktu turns and moves toward the kitchen area.

Sabaktu- I'll make him a cup of tea.
Hiei- Hn.

* Hiei looks back toward Shishi.

Hiei- Is.. your baby okay?

* The Banshee slowly nods, then begins to tremble some.

Shishi- I.. I couldn't... fight... H-he threatened...

* Shishi's eyes well up with tears, then he hides his face on his knees. Hiei nods.

Hiei- Hn. I know how he works, Shishi.

* Both Hiei and Shishi look toward the bed where Ichiro and Jiro have resumed their playful wrestling. Just as the two roll toward the edge of the bed, Hiei blinks over to keep them from falling off of it. Jiro growls "menacingly" and swipes a tiny, clawed hand at his 'Papa'. Sabaktu glances toward the bed as he pours the cup of tea.

Sabaktu- That one has your temper.
Hiei- He's just exhibiting his Fire heritage. The younger twin always takes after the mother.
Sabaktu- That's a comforting thought.

* Sabaktu chuckles as he takes the cup of tea over toward Shishi but stops when the Banshee shies some.

Sabaktu- Woah, easy now... I just made you a cup of tea. See?
Hiei- Set it down and move away, Sabie. He'll drink it when he's ready. We don't need to make him any more nervous than he already is.

* Sabaktu nods, sets the cup down, then goes over to climb onto the bed. Hiei watches Sabaktu lay down with a weary yawn. He sits down to begin rubbing Sabaktu's belly.

Hiei- This kid's draining you more and more every day.
Sabaktu- So did yours.

* Hiei nods. Sabaktu looks back toward Shishi.

Sabaktu- So... He's pregnant to you now... Do you plan on mating with him?

* Hiei sees how Shishi's eyes go wide just before he looks away.

Hiei- You know there's no sense in that here, Sabie... But I do plan on.. taking care of him... As much as I can.
Sabaktu- Hn.

* Hiei glances down at the boy until Ichiro crawls over Sabaktu and into his Papa's lap. Hiei moves one of his hands to scritch his fuzzy head. Shishi looks back up toward them.

Sabaktu- So he'll be staying in here permanently?
Hiei- You got a problem with that?

* Sabaktu thinks a moment, then shrugs. He looks up at Hiei and smiles when he sees that Jiro is making his way up onto his shoulder.

Sabaktu- Jiro loves to explore, too.
Hiei- Hn... So did I.. at his age...

* Hiei reaches up quickly to steady the small boy when he wobbles.

Hiei- Easy, son...

* Shishi slowly calms down as he continues to watch the family quietly. Jiro fastens one of his clawed hands in some of Hiei's hair to help steady himself. When he feels secure he gurgles and waves his other arm happily. Hiei smirks.

Hiei- Yeah, yeah. You've conquered your Papa's big, bad shoulder... I know what you're doing, Jiro.
Sabaktu- Fighting his naptime.
Hiei- Yeah... It's okay. When he's ready to sleep he'll sleep.

* Hiei looks back down at Ichiro who is already out, curled up in his lap.

Sabaktu- (Quietly) They'll miss you tonight...

* Hiei sighs and glances toward Shishi to check him. The Banshee is now sipping at the cup of tea.

Hiei- I know, but it can't be helped. They'll just have to get used to it, Sabie... I have no choice...

* Sabaktu feels how hard it is for Hiei to say that through their familial bond. Shishi feels it empathically, also. Sabaktu looks back toward Shishi.

Sabaktu- So... What's our new roommate's name?
Hiei- Shishiwakamaru. He's a Banshee.
Sabaktu- Okay.. so... What do Banshees eat?

* Hiei looks back down at Sabaktu again.

Hiei- How the h--- should I know?

* Shishi glances toward them.

Shishi- (Quietly) I eat... organic things...

* Hiei and Sabaktu look blankly at him.

Shishi- (Quietly) Vegetables,... bugs, worms... But the last two are only when I'm in my Imp form... Which I currently can't change into...

* Shishi looks back up in time to watch Jiro attempt to continue on up onto Hiei's head. The boy loses his balance, though, and Hiei's quick reflexes catch him as he tumbles down his chest. Hiei carefully settles Jiro down into his lap where he curls up with his brother. Finally ready to sleep. Hiei glances toward Shishi when he giggles, in spite of his nervousness.

Hiei- Don't laugh, you'll have your own soon enough.

* Hiei sighs when Shishi quiets and lowers his eyes.

Hiei- Shishi,...
Shishi- Just leave me alone.
Hiei- You're tired. Come over here on the bed...
Shishi- No!
Sabaktu- Then you can have the couch.
Shishi- I'll stay right here thank you very much...!

* Hiei touches Sabaktu's arm.

Hiei- Don't irritate him... Go to sleep yourself, son.

* Sabaktu closes his eyes obediently. 'He's got to learn to trust us, Sabie'. Sabaktu nods at his Father's mental message. Hiei reaches over to stroke Sabaktu's aqua spikes to soothe him to sleep. Shishi glances back up toward them. He then sets the teacup aside and moves cautiously back onto the couch. Hiei looks to watch the naked Banshee curl up, places his twins over behind Sabaktu gently, then moves to the closet. Shishi starts slightly when Hiei places a black yukata over him, then relaxes to clutch it. He watches Hiei move over to the armchair to sit and keep watch over his family, which now includes himself. With this thought Shishi closes his eyes and finally slips off to the hibernation his body and spirit needs.

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I hope all this 'bantering' didn't bore you. But it was necessary. I hope you get the reasoning behind it. :o?