Hiei's Harem - Pt. 18 - Ending

First of all, let me thank all of you for the great reviews on the last scene. I have to admit, it’s hard to write these kinds of scenes and keep Hiei “in character”. I hoped I was able to portray that struggle for him as accurately as possible. Ah, but in the face of such stress will he keep his stoic, ‘cold’ demeanor? Or will it crack his shell a little more? :oX You just gotta keep reading, lol.

Secondly, to Kyokohina. Concerning Shura’s Quest, I guess I’ve been so emersed in this monster that I’ve lost my momentum on that story. Once this one is done and in the books, though, I’m going to take some time to go back and read SQ. Maybe that’ll get my muse back with it. I’m not crazy about just leaving a project hanging if it has any kind of audience. So I’ll do what I can. Thanks.

**************

Scene 4 --------------- The Next Day


* Hiei stands in the middle of the courtyard. He remains stiff and staring away at nothing as he listens to the footsteps of the six demons approaching. When they get closer Hiei finally turns his attention to the wrapped up body that Habataro, Kumataro, Coutaro, Dagon, Minoro, and Troiyoku are carrying solemnly. As they lay Staci’s body in front of him they all feel the displacement as a portal is opened behind them. Hiei senses the new arrivals, Koenma, Yusuke, and Kurama. But he keeps his eyes fastened on the wrapped body. Yusuke starts forward, but Koenma and Kurama stop him. Finally, the heaviness seems to break when a single baby begins to cry. Hiei looks to his right where his mates are all gathered. To Sarista who is carrying Ninhan. Without any further delay, Hiei raises his right hand, summons his black flames, and sends them over to the corpse.


Hiei(Quietly)- You’re free now,.. my mate.


* He watches the flames for several moments, then turns and moves to take Ninhan from Sarista. Yusuke gathers himself, then works loose from Koenma and Kurama. He goes over beside Hiei who is comforting his blonde-tufted, newborn son.


Yusuke- Hiei,..


* The Koorime half glances toward him. Koenma comes closer clearing his throat.


Koenma- I’m sorry, Hiei. I couldn’t keep them away any longer.

Hiei- Don’t even.. tell me I made the wrong decision, Detective..

Yusuke- Did you? Or was it your d--- pride..?

Kurama- Yusuke!


* The Toushin swallows and looks back toward the pyre. After a moment, Hiei turns to look toward it again, also.


Hiei- Death.. was the only true way out.. for both of us.. It was her last request that I allow her to.. go.

Yusuke- Then you knew..? Why didn’t you come to Koenma?!

Koenma(Softly)- He did, Yusuke.


* Yusuke looks at Koenma.


Koenma- It was her fate. My hands were..

Yusuke- Shut the..

Hiei- I felt this little one’s strength and.. I knew I’d lose her.. Just like I did Klarice.. and Gamaru.


* When Hiei’s voice wavers just a bit Yusuke looks back at him. The blank look on his short friend’s face finally silences the Toushin’s anger. He finally allows himself to feel the tidal wave the jaganshi’s half-open jagan is trying to hold back.


Hiei- She wanted my son to live.. She w-wouldn’t let me..


* Hiei’s voice catches again and the Koorime closes his true eyes.


Hiei- Now.. now I know why I.. kept to myself all those years.


* Several of his mates exchange sad glances. Hiei decides to drop that path of thought.


Hiei- But her suffering is over now.

Yusuke(Quietly)- Yours isn’t, though.


* When the quiet statement registers Hiei looks back up at Yusuke hollowly.


Hiei- I’m a demon.. The Forbidden One.. My suffering will never end.


* Ninhan starts to fuss again. Hiei looks down at him then nods.


Hiei- Hn. You’re ready to take a nap, Ninhan.


* He moves off toward the fortress. Chevaux breaks away from the others and hurries off to follow, knowing that Ninhan will need to be fed. Yusuke moves back over to Koenma and Kurama.


Yusuke- I’ve never seen that look in his eyes before.

Koenma- She was the hardest one for him to lose.. He knew she never deserved the life she was forced to live.. Unlike himself.

Yusuke- Why can’t he realize that he didn’t deserve the harsh life he was forced to live, either?

Kurama- Some impressions we grow up with.. never go away.


* They watch the rest of Hiei’s mates, except Dagon, all file past the flames to return to the fortress, also.


Koenma- I hope they can keep him together.. But I doubt if he’ll ever be the same.


* Yusuke looks back at Koenma.


Yusuke- I’m going to hang around a couple days to make sure he’ll be okay.

Kurama- I think I will, as well.. My pack is safe and Yomi will contact me if I’m needed there.. Hiei’s going to need to be assured that we support his decision, though, Yusuke.

Koenma- She’s already confirmed to me that she made him promise to let her go.. She hopes that he’ll raise their son well.


* Koenma clears his throat again.


Koenma- Speaking of business, I do need to go wrap some paperwork up concerning this.


* Dagon comes over as Koenma heads back into his portal.


Dagon- I’ll show you two to your quarters.


* Yusuke looks back toward the dimenishing flames, that will continue to burn, a moment then nods and they follow the Crow into the fortress.