Hiei's Harem - Pt. 4 - Recovering

Scene 5 --------------- Later That Day


* When Hiei wakes up, he finds himself with his arms wrapped more securely around Staci. His first thought is to jolt loose from her. But instead he does so as gently as he can so he won't disturb her, raising up on one elbow. The Koorime glances upward to check the sun and is a bit surprised to find that it is nearly halfway to the Western rim. He looks back at Staci when he feels her stretch beside him as she wakes.


Hiei- It's late.

Staci- No s---.. But, man, that was the best nap I've had in days.


* In spite of himself Hiei smirks as he watches the young human wiggle in the lush grass.


Staci- Oh, don't tell me you're afraid of the dark.

Hiei- I am the dark, Girl.


* Staci snorts with amusement, then raises one of her hands to begin caressing his well-muscled bare chest. With Hiei still so close, she feels the immediate reaction against her hip. This seems to jolt both of them out of their current path. They both sit up fully and Staci casts a nervous glance toward him.


Staci- We're supposed to be taking it slow..

Hiei- Hn.


* Despite the suddenly awkward situation, Hiei doesn't miss the appearance of a familiar presence. Staci watches him growl with aggitation and look away. When she leans and notices the dark-haired, human-looking stranger clad in regal attire she shrieks.


Staci- How did he get in here?!


* Hiei holds a hand out to calm her down, not caring about where it lands against her chest. Staci blushes but cowers more against him.


Hiei- Calm down, Staci.


* She pulls her dress shut tighter around her as Hiei reaches for his cloak.


Hiei- What the h--- are you doing here?!


* Hiei glances a snarl toward Koenma as he throws the garment on. When the teen Prince doesn't answer Hiei looks back up at him. He sees that Koenma's eyes are fastened on Staci. The girl continues to cower behind Hiei as much as she can.


Staci- He wants to eat me.

Hiei- No, trust me.. He wouldn't know how.

Koenma- I think you need to explain yourself, Hiei..

Hiei- I don't owe anybody anything! Not Yukina, not Mukuro, not Yusuke.. And least of all, not you!

Koenma- She's a..

Hiei- I know what she is! My probation ended at the end of the Dark Tournament.. I only went on your stupid missions because I was bored.


* Staci glances curiously back and forth between the two.


Koenma- Still lying to yourself?


* Now Hiei glares up at Koenma.


Staci- (Quietly) Should I go alert the others about this..?


* Hiei calms himself down and looks at her again.


Hiei- Return to the camp, but this guy's no threat.. I'll return as soon as I get rid of him.


* Koenma tilts his head and removes his pacifier when she allows Hiei to give her a deep, parting kiss. Then Staci stands to leave.


Koenma- Hold on, Miss.. You're a human..


* Hiei senses where Koenma is going and stands to face him, snatching up his katana that had been laid aside.


Koenma- I need to return you to..

Hiei- No.. You need to keep your f---ing hands to yourself.


* Koenma steps back when he feels Hiei's aura rise, instinctually reacting to his 'intrusion'. Hiei half glances toward Staci.


Hiei- Go.. I'll explain later, Whitey.


* Staci turns and hurries away. Hiei levels his angry red eyes back on the godling.


Hiei- As for you..

Koenma- Perhaps you should explain this to me.. Others?

Hiei- (Sneers) Hn.. I've got a nice new gang together.. We're collecting humans to fuel our bloodlust, then we're going to storm Enki's castle..


* Koenma sighs and studies Hiei as he relaxes.


Koenma- If I didn't know you better, I'd tend to believe that.. Will you put that thing away?


* Hiei raises up to his full height and lowers the sword, but keeps it in hand.


Koenma- Yusuke called me and asked me to look for you after he learned what happened between you and Mukuro..

Hiei- That doesn't concern anyone.. It was my decision, I made it.. I have more important.. obligations now.

Koenma- More important than being Mukuro's heir?


* Hiei now sheathes his katana and sits back down to begin putting his boots on. Perhaps if he ignores this 'intruder' he'll go away.


Koenma- Whatever this is.. It does concern that human girl..


* Hiei scowls, but doesn't answer.


Koenma- Look, I can understand that you were upset about Yukina..


* Now Hiei glares down at his boots. So much for the 'ignoring' theory. After a moment, he calms himself down, then shakes his head.


Hiei- No.. Not really.. I've told all of you all along how she'd react.


* The Koorime sighs and looks up to find Koenma glancing to either side of him, then over his shoulder. Troiyoku, Gamaru, and Minoro have him surrounded. Hiei can sense Silis not too far away watching, also. He stands back up.


Hiei- Back off, boys.


* The apparition smirks when Troiyoku speaks without taking his eyes off of the 'stranger'.


Troiyoku- Are you sure, Master?

Minoro- His energy's strange..


* Koenma looks back at Hiei.


Koenma- Members of this new gang?

Hiei- My subordinates.


* He indicates each of them as he introduces them.


Hiei- Troiyoku.. Gamaru.. Minoro.. And Silis is behind one of those trees over there.


* Hiei tilts his head to his right. Silis steps out to lean against the tree with his arms crossed.


Hiei- I told you all to back off. Come here to me.. Now!


* Koenma stays put and watches the younger males hurry over to kneel on one knee before him. An ancient custom niggles the Prince's memories as he watches Hiei place his hands on each one of their heads in turn as he speaks to them.


Hiei- This one isn't an attacker.. He's an acquaintance of mine.. He's not here to cause trouble, but if he does.. I can handle him.

Troiyoku- Why is his energy so strange?

Gamaru- He doesn't smell like a demon.

Minoro- Is he a human, Master?

Hiei- No.. He's not a demon, either.. I'll explain when I return to camp.. I want you to get back there and keep watch.

Troiyoku- Please, let me stay..

Hiei- No. Just do as I told you.. No more arguing. Go.


* They all take a last look toward Koenma then hurry away. Hiei watches them go until he's sure they're on their way back to the main cave. Once more he looks back up at Koenma.


Hiei- If you trust me enough to believe me, I'll tell you..

Koenma- You're an Alpha.


* Hiei hesitates then motions, as he sits back down, for Koenma to join him. Without hesitation, Koenma oblidges.


Hiei- So you're familiar with that?

Koenma- It's my job to be familiar with all kinds of demon.. rituals.. But I thought this practice was pretty much done away with.

Hiei- Apparently it still thrives in.. some regions.

Koenma- Tell me how this happened.. It has to be a fairly recent thing..

Hiei- Only if you swear to me that it goes no further than your ears.


* Koenma scowls a moment.


Koenma- Hiei, I'm starting to recall what all being an Alpha entails..

Hiei- Then you understand my reason for secrecy.

Koenma- You won't be able to continue working with..

Hiei- No s---.. Look, if you'd rather not know then I suggest you leave and forget you ever knew me.. I can't.. won't shirk this.


* Hiei stands to leave.


Koenma- Hiei, please.. Sit down and let's discuss this.


* The Koorime hesitantly returns to his place in front of Koenma.


Koenma- As.. distasteful.. as I find this.. I'm afraid I need to hear your statement.


* Hiei meets Koenma's eyes. The stern expression on the Prince's face tells him the gravity of the situation. The Koorime then drops his eyes and keeps his tone steady as he explains everything that has transpired. Then he finally reveals how some of the females think they're already 'bred' by him and Koenma almost swallows his pacifier.


Koenma- What? But how..?

Hiei- How the h--- should I know!? D--- it, they're getting.. big.. Exhibiting all the signs..

Koenma- It's been a long time since I've looked into your file..

Hiei- Then maybe you can look and figure this s--- out.. I'm supposed to be sterile, d--- it!

Koenma- Please don't tell me that human girl is..

Hiei- No.. She's not.. Relax, I have no plans..

Koenma- Then let me take her..


* Hiei's eyes flare as he meets Koenma's again.


Hiei- No!


* The two sit in complete silence, staring at each other for several moments. Finally Hiei regains his composure, lowers his eyes, and begins to rub his neck weaarily.


Hiei- Look.. If I could release her without the risk of her death..


* Hiei looks away and considers his words before finishing the sentence.


Hiei- In the beginning.. I would have..

Koenma- But not now?


* Hiei looks back up at Koenma, then stands.


Hiei- She belongs here.. To me.. She is my responsibility, they all are.. You have your own responsibilities to return to.

Koenma- It's not that simple, Hiei.. I can look past the others, I have no say in how demons run their lives here.. But the human..

Hiei- Her name is Staci! I told you, she is mine!


* Now Hiei looks to the side slightly. Sarista decides to make her presence known when she steps into the meadow. Koenma watches her stop again and keep her eyes lowered as she waits for Hiei to recognize her. When Hiei sighs quietly and holds his hand out to her he half glances back at Koenma.


Hiei- (Quietly) See the evidence for yourself..


* The Prince studies Sarista's swollen middle as the Fire demoness moves to Hiei's side.


Sarista- It's getting late.. They're all worried..


* Hiei nuzzles her cheek a moment, then motions toward Koenma. The godling tries to contain his surprise at Hiei's show of affection.


Hiei- This is Prince Koenma, son of King Enma.


* Sarista's eyes widen. Hiei senses her spike of fear when she looks toward the stranger.


Sarista- No..


* It surprises them both when she moves to kneel in front of Hiei, placing herself between them.


Sarista- Please, M'Lord.. The plot was mine to draw him here.. Spare him and punish me, if you must.. He had no idea Staci was..

Hiei- Sarista,..


* Sarista drops her face close to the ground. Hiei rolls his eyes.


Sarista- Please, you must not take him.. They will all die.. Let your wrath fall on only me..


* Koenma quirks an eyebrow at Hiei. The Koorime sighs and motions toward her.


Hiei- This is Sarista, my Alpha mate.. Woman,..

Sarista- Please, Hiei.. I know what he has the power to do..

Hiei- Come here to me and stop this grovelling s---!


* Sarista reluctantly obeys. Koenma quirks an eyebrow again when Hiei pulls her mouth to his. The kiss he delivers is a clear show of both his authority and his possession of her. Hiei then levels his eyes back at Koenma. The Prince recognizes the near-challenge that radiates from Hiei until he manages to rein it in. He looks back down at Sarista, a new idea brewing in his shielded thoughts.


Hiei- You're right, though.. He is powerful.. If he can find a way to break my bond that won't cause harm to any of you. I'll turn myself in without a fight..

Sarista- No.


* Hiei holds up a hand silencing her.


Hiei- I won't let him harm any of you..

Koenma- I have no intentions of interferring with them.. The only one that concerns me is.. Staci.. But it'll take me a few days to sort this out and figure out how I can do that.


* Hiei looks back up at Koenma.


Hiei- You would have to wipe her memories completely because she's been here for so long.. She would go back into Human World knowing nothing.. We both know what they do with ones like her then.. I worked the border, remember? I know the procedure..


* Koenma crosses his arms.


Koenma- This puts me in a very tough spot with not a whole lot of other options, Hiei.

Hiei- Hn. I jumped through every hoop you placed in front of me.. I gave you names and locations of demons that helped you reach the status you enjoy today, the level of fear you incite in this world..


* He half glances down toward Sarista.


Hiei- I've personally helped that team of yours to save your a-- more times than I can tick off right now.


* Koenma sighs, then nods his ascent to all these things.


Koenma- I will give you that.. Very well, I will consider all of these points in my decision.


* Hiei starts to turn, guiding Sarista back toward the treeline.


Koenma- Hiei,..


* The Koorime pauses.


Koenma- If I agree to.. look the other way on this.. Allow you to keep her.. I would be taking a very big risk of being reprimanded by my Father.


* Hiei gives no response, he just continues off into the shadows. Koenma sighs and steps back into his portal.