Rescuing Hiei

Scene 4 ------------------------------------------- Later That Day/Tourin

* Teen Koenma steps out of a portal into Yusuke's personal living quarters. He finds the Toushin ruler on the floor giving Yurama belly raspberries. The two-month-old toddler laughs and flails his arms and legs. Kurama, in his kitsune form is laying on the couch nursing his other three kits, who are in their slightly larger foxy forms. Yusuke glances up toward the new arrival.

Yusuke- Hey, Junior. Long time, no see.

* Before Koenma can answer the three kits leave their meal to hurry over, changing into their more humanoid kitsune forms.

Koenma- Well, hey! Look at you three!

* Kurama stands from the couch and shifts into his red-headed form as he wraps his robe shut. Yurama rolls away from his Father and crawls quickly over to join his brothers and sister. Koenma gathers the tattooed toddler up with a short toss. Even though the Prince appears happy on the outside, both Yusuke and Kurama sense his inner sadness. They exchange glances, but wait until Koenma is done greeting their children.

Koenma- You all are growing up so fast... Oh, you did miss me, huh?

* Koenma looks at his friends.

Koenma- They can mindspeak already...
Kurama- Yes. And the kits can change forms as you noticed.
Koenma- I did see that. Have I been away that long?
Yusuke- Yes.

* Koenma glances toward them as Kurama smacks Yusuke's arm because of the short answer. The kitsune then moves to take Yurama from Koenma.

Kurama- You were probably very busy.
Koenma- I have brought news.
Kurama- We were just about to put them down for their midday nap.

* Kurama looks down at his young kitsunes.

Kurama- Off to the den, Little Ones.

* Kurama glances back at Koenma as Yusuke comes over.

Kurama- This won't take long. They go to sleep easily.

* Koenma reaches out to ruffle Yurama's shaggy head once more, then watches Kurama take his litter toward the bedroom. He watches Yusuke reach out to brush his red-headed mate's side as Kurama passes him. Yusuke then motions toward the couch.

Yusuke- Let's sit down, sir... Care for something...?
Koenma- No, thank you.

* They move toward the couch.

Koenma- Yusuke, I may be here on business, but I am still your friend... I hope.

* They sit down as Yusuke chuckles thickly.

Yusuke- Depends on the news you've brought.

* Koenma looks at Yusuke and senses how internally weary the Toushin is. Yusuke raises a hand to wave it dismissively.

Yusuke- I'm sorry. Don't mind me...
Koenma- You've not been sleeping well.

* Yusuke looks away, but doesn't answer.

Koenma- You're doing a great job raising your kids, Yusuke.
Yusuke- (Shrugs) I'm not really doing much. They still depend mostly on 'Rama.

* Kurama comes out of the bedroom in time to hear Yusuke's statement. He goes over and sits himself on Yusuke's lap.

Kurama- You'll be training them soon enough, Love.

* Koenma watches Kurama nuzzle against Yusuke's neck as his Alpha embraces him. The Prince knows that they are mentally bracing each other for his 'news'. Yusuke then looks at Koenma.

Yusuke- Okay... Give it to us.

* Koenma sighs and takes the two folders out of his chest pocket. He hands them to Yusuke and sits quietly as the detective opens the first one so he and Kurama can read it. Sabaktu's death certificate.

Kurama- Sabaktu.

* Yusuke looks at Koenma.

Yusuke- You have him in holding?

* The Teen hesitates a half a moment before answering.

Koenma- No. I sent him on because we wouldn't have learned anything from him...
Yusuke- You mean... Like Rinku?
Koenma- Yes. Probably done just before he passed.
Kurama- You had him tagged for Botan to retrieve...
Koenma- Yes. All she could tell me was that he was in an empty cave.. all alone... with his midsection cut open... Thus the second folder...

* Yusuke tosses the first back to Koenma and quickly opens the second. The birth certificate.

Yusuke- A baby boy... Named.. Imiko...
Kurama- It means 'Forbidden Child'.

* Yusuke nods.

Yusuke- Yeah... Kuwabara's son... Soundds like something Hiei would...
Kurama- Why are there so many... blanks...?
Koenma- The same reason the certificate didn't originally trigger my alarm... He was born under a powerful barrier.

* Yusuke closes the folder angrily.

Yusuke- D--- it!!
Koenma- I do have a little bit of good news.

* The couple looks at him.

Koenma- I have an idea now of where they are. According to the GPS reading in Botan's oar, the cave she found Sabaktu's body in only has one small village within range.

* Yusuke and Kurama wait a couple moments for the Teen to give them the village name before Kurama catches on to the Prince's continued silence.

Kurama- You're not going to tell us...

* Yusuke scowls up at Kurama then glares back at Koenma.

Yusuke- Like h--- you aren't...
Koenma- You made me a promise, Yu..
Yusuke- I haven't forgotten the d--- promise!!
Koenma- There's no reason for you to know at this time. I already know who to contact... Someone who can handle a demon with a jagan this powerful...
Kurama- Touya and Jin?
Koenma- No... I can't say... You two will just have to trust me...

* Koenma feels Yusuke's aura rising and stands away from the couch calmly. Kurama looks at his Alpha.

Yusuke- I'm tired of all this waiting crap!! That baby is a halfbreed... What if your.. contact.. don't get there in time...?

* Koenma's own patience finally snaps and he surges his own aura up to quickly drown Yusuke's out.

Koenma- I wish I could just snap my fingers and make this whole mess just go away period, Yusuke!!

* Kurama stands quietly off of Yusuke's lap.

Kurama- If you could do that our kits would disappear, as well.

* When Kurama's words sink into Yusuke's mind he glances up at his mate, then slowly calms down and shakes his head.

Yusuke- (Quietly) No, I... I would never want that...

* Yusuke leans forward to hide his face in his hands. Kurama moves back to him and embraces his head. Koenma feels the Toushin release his energy and relaxes his own.

Koenma- (Quietly) Please, you two have your own babies to raise. Just like you told Touya, Yusuke, I'm tired of sending demons to oblivion because of this prick...

* Kurama looks at Koenma.

Kurama- This area of the Shikyo Valley... It's in Yomi's territory... isn't it?

* Koenma nods.

Koenma- Lord Yomi has assured me of his full co-operation... I have to get back upstairs...

* The godling moves to lay a hand on Yusuke's shoulder.

Koenma- I give you my word, both of you... As soon as we get them seperated from this jagan-wielder, I will send you in.

* Yusuke nods and pulls Kurama back down onto his lap as Koenma steps back through the portal again. After a few minutes of consoling doesn't work for Yusuke he stands and moves toward the door.

Kurama- Yusuke,...?
Yusuke- I don't know about you, but I need to blow something up... or train...

* Yusuke turns at the door.

Yusuke- The kids'll be out for a couple hours... You coming?

* Kurama sighs, then follows Yusuke out fingering through his hair to check his seed supply.