Life Goes On

Ha! I bet you all thought this story was over, huh? Well, you should know me by now. I don't do very many of my stories in a short manner. Besides, we still have some issues to encounter, plus more angst (I know some of you drool over that, lol), A relationship to develop.. Lots of good stuff.. and bad.. yet to come.

Thoth, glad to hear from you. I really don't mind long reviews if they're good. :o)

Now, let's continue, shall we?

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Scene 43 ------------------------------------------- The Next Day

* Hiei is sitting in the middle of his big bed, clad only in the thin yukata that had been slipped back on him. The koorime has been awake for a couple hours now, but hasn't made any further move as yet. It didn't take him long, after waking up from his hibernation, to sense his 'condition'. Thus the reason for Hiei's current inactivity. When he hears his door creak he looks toward it to find Chiisai peeking in. For a moment, neither speaks. But Hiei finally breaks the silence when his youngest son lowers his eyes and begins to pull the door shut again.


Hiei- Chi,..

Chiisai- (Quietly) I'm sorry, Papa.. I didn't mean to disturb you.

Hiei- Nonsense, son. come here to me.


* Chiisai steps in and flaps up onto the modern-type bed. When he pauses on his knees near the edge Hiei motions.


Hiei- I'm not going to hurt you, Chiisai.


* Hiei gathers the boy onto his lap. For a few moments, Chiisai relaxes, leaning against Hiei's chest. Hiei then looks down at him.


Hiei- What's bothering you, boy?


* Chiisai's ruby-colored eyes glance up to meet Hiei's as he answers.


Chiisai- I was.. just worried.. that he'd hurt you.. You were out for so long..


* Hiei sighs. He then remembers why he was out for so long.


Hiei- He.. is now your Alpha Yusuke..

Chiisai- He's Ichy and Jiro's Father.


* Hiei nods with his usual 'Hn'.


Chiisai- And you're my Father..

Hiei- Yes.. Your Momma Shishi bore you to me.. I bore your brothers to Yusuke.


* The small boy tilts his head as he thinks about Hiei's words a moment.


Chiisai- (Quietly) Then.. you're really.. all I have left.


* Chiisai raises a hand to touch Hiei's partially bared chest.


Chiisai- You.. nursed me..

Hiei- Hn. Just like I did Ichy and Jiro.. You're my son, Chi. Nothing will change that.


* Chiisai leans to snuggle against Hiei. The koorime studies the feeling he senses from his son.


Hiei- You don't like it here?


* Chiisai shrugs.


Chiisai- It's okay here.. I just miss Uncle Koe.. sometimes.. And the classes..

Hiei- I see. You enjoy learning things.


* Chiisai looks up again smiling as he nods.


Chiisai- I feel better, though, now that you're awake again.. I'll be happy anywhere that you are, Papa.


* Hiei stares down at his son.

Chiisai- So.. if Alpha Yusuke didn't hurt you,.. why were you hibernating?


* Hiei looks away a moment to try to figure out the best words he can use to tell Chiisai the news.


Hiei- If I tell you.. it has to be our secret for now.. Nobody else can know until I announce it to my two Alphas.. when I'm ready to do so.

Chiisai- I promise, Papa.


* Chiisai concentrates on Hiei's face as his Papa takes a deep breath.


Hiei- You're going to have a baby brother.


* After a moment, Chiisai lowers his eyes to process what he was just told. Then it suddenly dawns on him and he looks back up at Hiei suddenly sad again.


Chiisai- What did I do? Why do I have to be replaced?

Hiei- I didn't say you were going to be replaced.

Chiisai- Then why are you having another?

Hiei- Because Alpha Yusuke desired that I do so..

Chiisai- W-will you still.. love all of us?

Hiei- Of course. Don't be silly, boy.. It didn't change how I felt about your brothers when you came along. This one won't change how I feel about you or them.


* Hiei embraces Chiisai again.


Hiei- All of my children.. are special to me..

Chiisai- But.. Alpha Yusuke wanted this one.. not you..


* Hiei realizes that his sensitive son is tapping into his emotions.


Hiei- Chi, I am now mated to Yusuke and Kurama.. Like your Momma Shishi was mated to me..


* Chiisai looks up, his eyes wide once more with fright, but Hiei cuts him off before he can voice his new apprehension.


Hiei- No, Chiisai. That doesn't mean that I'm going to die.. It just means that I.. belong to them.. you'll understand all of this better when you get older.


* Chiisai leans against Hiei's chest again. The koorime relaxes and strokes his young son until he soon squirms out of his arms.


Chiisai- I'm going to go back to the playroom now.. I promise not to tell our secret.

Hiei- Hn. Have fun, Chi.


* Hiei watches the boy leave. For a few moments, he remains where he is, lost in memories of watching his boys grow up over the past two years. Then he moves a hand to touch his middle, 'Now I'm going to have another'. Hiei closes his eyes again, then quietly climbs down off of the large bed. He moves to the closet and changes into his familiar black cloak, deciding not to worry about his black pants. He opens the bedroom door, looks both ways, then moves to the end of the short, wide hallway. Just before he steps out into the open he hears Yusuke and Kurama exchanging affectionate words in the livingroom. Hiei pauses, then peers around the corner. His two mates are snuggling on the couch. Hiei watches the kitsune's tail sway back and forth calmly as he straddles Yusuke's lap. They both sense Hiei's presence and Yusuke looks toward him.


Yusuke- Hey, Hiei.. Glad to see that you're awake.. Would you like to come join us?


* For several moments, Hiei makes no move. Not wanting to pressure him, Yusuke just goes back to accepting Kurama's explorative kissing. Hiei watches how Yusuke raises a hand to stroke Kurama's arm lovingly as they continue. The two of them move so perfectly together that it is easy for Hiei to see the affection they have for each other. Yusuke feels Hiei's reluctance to intrude on their 'private' time and looks toward the koorime again.


Yusuke- It's okay, Hiei.. You can come over.


* Hiei sighs and finally obeys his Alpha. Kurama meets Yusuke's eyes when Hiei sinks to his knees on the floor beside Yusuke's legs.


Kurama- (Quietly) This is what I told you to be prepared for, love.


* Hiei lowers his eyes to look at Yusuke's bare feet.


Yusuke- Hiei, if you kiss my feet I'm going to shove my foot down your throat.


* The koorime hesitantly looks up at Yusuke.


Hiei- You reprimand me for knowing my place and accepting..?

Yusuke- Your place.. is up here on this couch beside us..

Hiei- Not while you're with your First mate..

Yusuke- You're my mate, too.


* Hiei lowers his eyes again.


Hiei- No.. I'm your Second.. That makes me nothing more than your concu-..

Yusuke- Shut up! Either take your place up here beside us.. or return to your..


* In a blink, Hiei disappears. Kurama sighs and slips to the side, just leaving one of his legs across Yusuke's lap to keep him seated.


Yusuke- D--- it! Why is this so difficult?!

Kurama- Because Hiei and I have been demons longer than you have.. I explained all of this to you a few days ago..

Yusuke- Yeah, but with Hiei being who he is..

Kurama- Exactly.


* Yusuke looks at Kurama puzzled.


Kurama- This is what you're either failing.. or refusing to see.. The sacrifice it's taking on Hiei's part to do what he knows he must.. The pride he gave up to attempt to give you the respect that he was attempting to do until you stopped him.


* Yusuke lowers his eyes. He caresses Kurama's leg as he thinks.


Yusuke- So.. there's no way.. that we can all be equals.. No way to fix this..? I want Hiei back the way he was..

Kurama- Yusuke, sweetie, he is still Hiei.. He's the same devoted, honorable, tough demon he's always been.

Yusuke- Honorable.


* Kurama nods.


Yusuke- You think it's honorable for him to be groveling at my feet?

Kurama- I know your views have always been a bit.. human.. It's easy for me to understand because I was raised as one, also.

Yusuke- Then.. it is honorable for a demon to.. demean himself..?

Kurama- We don't consider it demeaning to accept our place.. It's called respect, Yusuke.. It turns you on whenever I use my tongue to lathe your beautiful, perfect toes..


* Kurama chuckles when Yusuke's cheeks actually pink, but he senses that it's not from embarrassment. Yusuke takes a deep breath and looks at Kurama again. The kitsune nods.


Kurama- Hiei was attempting to show you that he respects you.. Your position as his Alpha.. But you..

Yusuke- I rejected his..


* When Kurama nods Yusuke swallows and looks back toward the hallway with a quiet curse. Kurama removes his leg now and watches Yusuke explore his deeper feelings.


Yusuke- (Quietly) Can this be fixed?

Kurama- (Quietly) As much as Hiei is ready to accept his place in our union.. you have to be willing to accept his decision.


* Yusuke slowly stands.


Yusuke- Yeah. I hear what you're saying, Foxy.


* The Toushin takes a deep breath and heads toward the hallway.


Kurama- Yusuke,..


* Yusuke turns back.


Kurama- You're eager to make us a family.. but try not to show it too much.. (Quietly) He won't respond well to force.


* After brief consideration of Kurama's words Yusuke nods and continues on his way. Just as he enters the hallway he hears a small explosion and a yelp. He diverts to the playroom as Kurama streaks to follow. When they enter they find Raienma laying on his back with little puffs of smoke coming off of him. All the other kids point to Ichiro. Yusuke's small, spikey-haired double crosses his arms and half-turns away with a huff.


Kurama- What happened this time?


* Kurama moves to scowl down at his sometimes overly-assertive son.


Yusuke- Another roasting, obviously.

Ichiro- Hn.. That kit needs to stop cheating when he plays.


* Kurama sighs. Yusuke raises a hand to hide his smirk behind it.


Ichiro- The idiot's lucky I didn't use my full energy.


* Kurama looks toward Yusuke.


Kurama- You go, love.. I'll handle it this time.


* Yusuke nods and leaves as Kurama reaches down to pick Raienma up by the scruff of his neck. The other kids all begin explaining what took place. Kurama folds his ears back as he tries to make sense of their yammering.