Rescuing Hiei

Scene 31 ------------------------------------------- Eight Days Later

* Koenma, Yusuke, and Kurama are all in Hiei's room. The feeding tubes were removed from the koorime the previous evening after two days of taking pure nutrient through the IV, without any complications. Still, Hiei has remained in a light hibernative state throughout the night. The three friends' vigil finally ends when Hiei moans. Koenma notices that the jagan opens slowly first and he waves toward it until he notices Yusuke and Kurama looking toward him. The godling swallows, then poofs into his Teen form. Yusuke rolls his eyes and moves forward. When true red eyes finally open, they stare into deep chocolate until their owner's mind catches up with his senses. Hiei jerks upright to look around.

Hiei- What the... h---.. are you all staring at?!

* Kurama chuckles as he and Koenma exchange glances. Yusuke lays a hand on Hiei's shoulder.

Yusuke- Hey. Glad to see you, too, Shorty.

* Hiei glares up at Yusuke a moment, then looks around.

Hiei- Where is Shishi? My boys...?

* The atmosphere in the room falls a few degrees. When Koenma and Kurama look toward Yusuke, the koorime looks up at him as well.

Hiei- What did you do with Shishi? You will tell me or I'll...!

* Yusuke holds up a hand.

Yusuke- Woah, Hiei... I didn't do anything to him...
Hiei- Where's my little monsters? Where am I, d---- it?

* Hiei hops out of bed and Yusuke promptly braces him up.

Yusuke- Your brats are fine, Buddy. Take it easy. You've been out of commission for a couple weeks.
Hiei- A couple weeks?!

* Yusuke notes that the koorime keeps ahold of him as he gets his legs back under him.

Koenma- Your body was hooked on drugs, Hiei. We had to put you under sedation to clean...
Hiei- Yes, I know all of that... Just because I was out doesn't mean my jagan was!

* Hiei glances pointedly at Koenma who nods with slight acknowledgement. Hiei then looks up at Yusuke.

Hiei- Where is my mate, Detective?

* Yusuke takes a deep breath. Hiei pushes himself fully away to finally stand on his own two feet. Kurama hands him a fresh cloak that he'd brought along. Yusuke explains as Hiei throws the black garment on.

Yusuke- Shishi is in the room next door... He had a few.. issues of his own...

* Hiei raises his hand to his headwrap.

Hiei- We don't have time for all this trifling... I can feel an urgency... Will you allow me to take a quick tour?

* When Yusuke nods Hiei motions to a chair. Yusuke sits in it then relaxes. Hiei faces him, lifts the ward, and Yusuke allows him to delve out the information he needs quickly, but gently. When Hiei closes his jagan he turns to look at Koenma lowering the ward once more.

Hiei- You will take me to him. Now.
Koenma- Of course.

* As Hiei follows after Koenma Kurama moves to check Yusuke. Hiei pauses at the door to glance back at them as they kiss affectionately. Hiei mentally 'Hns', then turns and leaves. In the hall he momentarily blurs to the room to check on his kids. Finding them all well and asleep he returns to where Koenma is waiting. The Teen Prince nods and opens the door to show Hiei into Shishi's room. Hiei stops at the foot of the bed to examine his mate. The blue-haired Banshee lays in the half-propped medical bed, his eyes just staring blankly at the wall behind them.

Koenma- (Quietly) Some demons can't handle mental stress.. as well as.. others...
Hiei- I've already ascertained everything I need to know from Yusuke.
Koenma- We're hoping that maybe you can help him...

* Hiei glances up at Koenma. He then moves around to stand at Shishi's side.

Hiei- You mean to use my jagan to try to find him in there?
Koenma- Yes... His body is still alive. His mind is just shut down... Like it's in a shell. If you can break through maybe you can bring him around... We're hoping his mind's not gone completely.

* Hiei looks back toward Koenma. The godling sighs.

Koenma- Do what you can.

* Hiei looks back at Shishi.

Hiei- He looks so... peaceful... Touya was just.. the last straw... you know.
Koenma- (Quietly) Yes. I've done everything I could.. for both of you.
Hiei- Hn.

* Hiei moves up onto the bed to straddle his unresponsive mate. For several moments he just stares into the Banshee's dull, blank red eyes, moves a hand up to caress a pale, warm cheek. He realizes the truth in Koenma's words. Shishi's body is very much alive. With a desperate hope for success, the koorime wills his jagan to open once more. Koenma stays to wait and watch quietly as Hiei works silently. It doesn't take long, though, for Hiei to learn the truth. His jagan can find nothing lucid, beyond pure bodily functioning. Slowly he pulls his jagan back out of the void and closes it. Koenma lowers his eyes when Hiei pulls the ward back down into place. He knows his answer without having to be told when Shishi shows no reactions. Hiei moves the hand back down to caress Shishi's cheek again. Koenma takes a deep, silent breath, then moves up to start to touch Shishi's forehead. Hiei growls at him.

Hiei- What are you doing?!
Koenma- (Quietly) I'm going to release him...
Hiei- The h--- you are!

* Koenma looks at Hiei surprised.

Koenma- Hiei, look at him...
Hiei- Hn.. I have been... He is still breathing.

* Hiei leans to place an ear to Shishi's chest.

Hiei- His heart is still..

* Hiei waits until his mate's demon heart takes its usual slow beat and sits up nodding.

Hiei- Hn, it is still beating...
Koenma- But his mind is...

* Hiei glares up at Koenma.

Hiei- Touch my mate and die.

* Koenma slowly drops his hand.

Koenma- You do know that he'll remain in this state until the functional side of his brain gives out as well?
Hiei- Hn. He is my mate. I will not put him down like some... Ningen dog... Not after everything that we have.. survived together...
Koenma- If you're worried about your own existance, there is always Yusuke...

* Hiei looks back up at the Teen. When Koenma sees the set determination in his eyes he sighs.

Koenma- He is your mate... It is your right to continue his life.
Hiei- He's not in any pain.
Koenma- No. He's not feeling anything.
Hiei- Then I will give him what he deserves... The same care that you all felt I deserved... I will take care of my mate until his existance ends... That's my duty as his Alpha.
Koenma- (Quietly) Very well. I will respect your decision.

* Hiei looks back into Shishi's calm face.

Hiei- (Quietly) He chose to place himself under me.. twice... First to keep me alive in that h---... Then to prove his loyalty when we properly mated... I am a Fire Demon. You should know how fiercely loyal we are to.. those we deem worthy of it.
Koenma- Yes. You have friends here who have been as equally loyal to you.

* Hiei nods.

Hiei- I have learned.. to depend on them.
Koenma- You're going to leave him here, of course.

* Hiei notes that this is a statement and not a question. He looks up at Koenma. His expression softens as he nods.

Hiei- Yes. Could you leave us now? I wish to spend a few moments with him.

* Koenma steps back. He pauses a moment to watch Hiei move his hands up to gently brush his fingers up the length of both of Shishi's antennae. Koenma quietly bows to show them his own respect, then leaves the room. Out in the hall, Yusuke and Kurama are waiting.

Yusuke- Well?
Koenma- (Quietly) He shows no cognisance... Only.. functionality.

* Kurama lowers his eyes and Yusuke looks away.

Koenma- But Hiei has refused to allow me to send him on.

* The two mates look back up at the Prince.

Koenma- He has invoked his right of decision. Since he is the Alpha of the pair, all I can do is honor that...
Yusuke- What? -- So you mean he's just gonna...?

* Yusuke shuts up when Hiei comes out of the room. The koorime moves up to face Yusuke.

Hiei- You have a problem because I won't abandon my mate, Detective?

* Kurama moves up to quietly touch Yusuke's arm. The Toushin's expression softens, then he slowly shakes his head.

Yusuke- No.

* Hiei starts back toward his kids' room, then pauses.

Hiei- I would do the same.. if it were you or Kurama...

* Yusuke looks at Kurama a moment, then nods.

Yusuke- Yeah.. So would I... For my mate.. or a very close friend.

* Hiei nods and turns to look over his shoulder at them.

Hiei- Hn... Now, I have little ones to see to. I can hear Chiisai squeaking from here.

* Hiei starts on down the hall again.

Yusuke- Hey, Hiei.

* Hiei pauses at the door to his room, then looks back.

Yusuke- If you need anything... We'll always be here.

* Hiei's red eyes study Yusuke and Kurama a long moment, then he finally nods.

Hiei- Hn.

* When Hiei disappears into the room Yusuke turns to fully face Kurama. Koenma moves off as they embrace, consoling each other.

Koenma- This palace will never be the same with those kids of his running my halls.

* The godling pauses to look at the closed door of Room twelve.

Koenma- (Quietly) And I wouldn't have it any other way.

* Yusuke and Kurama smile as they watch Koenma hurry off again complaining about his stacks of backed-up paperwork.

The End? (Hmmm....)