The Aftermath

Wow, talk about a scene re-writing itself.... I will warn you that this one is long, but I won't apologize ;o)

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Scene 6 ------------------------------------------------------------- Spirit World

* As Yusuke had promised he returned, was placed in the MEM, then joined Koenma in one of the Palace's many counselling rooms. After a couple hours of patiently hearing Yusuke's vocal account of everything that had happened, the Death Prince taps a button that stops all recording of the session.

Koenma- Okay, Yusuke. I think I've got enough from you to...

* The teen ruler looks up a little annoyed when the large viewing screen blinks on to show George's blue face.

George- Sorry to interrupt, sir. But we're receiving a priority call from Demon World.
Koenma- Who...?
George- Lord Mukuro, sir.

* Koenma sighs.

Koenma- Well, this was inevitable sooner or later... Patch her through to this screen, Ogre.

* Yusuke smirks.

Yusuke- Well, this should be fun...

* Koenma looks at Yusuke when he stands.

Koenma- Please don't leave me alone with her.

* The detective looks at Koenma a moment, then shrugs.

Yusuke- Who said I was? I'm going to get a cup of coffee. You?
Koenma- Yes. I'll need it... Black.

* The godling looks back up at the screen when the blue ogre's face changes to Lord Mukuro's. Yusuke glances toward the screen as he gets the coffees at the refreshment table quietly.

Koenma- Lord Mukuro. It's a pleasure to...
Mukuro- I don't mince words, Lord Koenma. I demand to know what has happened to my Second.
Koenma- I'm still gathering much of the information, myself...
Mukuro- When I gave you permission to call on Lord Hiei's services, I did so under the impression that you would see to his safety...
Koenma- The incident that took place was not one of my missions...

* Yusuke returns to the table with the coffees. Koenma watches the stern woman's good eye swing to scrutinize the Toushin who is in his human form. Her manner niggles suspecion, in his mind, that she knows more than he's comfortable with.

Mukuro- I see that you are none the less for wear,... Lord Urameshi.

* The sound of her words grates Yusuke's already frazzled nerves a little the wrong way. When he turns his dark eyes up to glare at her Koenma raises a hand to halt anything he's preparing to spew at her. Koenma turns his stern gaze back up at her.

Koenma- I won't allow you to attack him, Mukuro. The whole team suffered horribly... They've lost one of their teammates, as well.

* Mukuro re-focuses on the Prince.

Mukuro- Only one? Then am I to assume that my Second is there with you...?
Koenma- At this time I have no idea where Lord Hiei is. All I do know, for sure, is that he is somewhere down there in Demon World.

* Koenma chews on his pacifier, wondering if he should inform her about Sabaktu.

Mukuro- So you just released Hiei loose down here after being in the hands of that...!?

* Suddenly Yusuke flies up from the table. But not in anger as Koenma was expecting. The Prince looks at his friend when he cries out in anguish.

Yusuke- I'm sorry...! I couldn't bring myself to confine him any longer! I...!
Koenma- Yusuke,..

* Koenma raises one of his hands when Yusuke stumbles backward to place himself in a corner.

Koenma- Sleep, Yusuke Urameshi.

* The seldom-used power that Koenma uses catches Yusuke off guard. He soon slides down the walls to the floor as he succombs to the spell. Mukuro quietly watches the powerful teen go over to situate her fellow territory leader into a more comfortable position. The teen godling then turns to look back up at the viewscreen.

Koenma- Do you still think that Yusuke hasn't suffered as well? He was warded just like the others. That rendered him completely helpless to stop what was happening.

* Mukuro's visage softens.

Mukuro- Lord Koenma, I know what helplessness feels like.

* Koenma gathers himself as he moves back to his chair.

Koenma- Yes, Lord Mukuro. I know you do.

* Koenma takes a deep breath and looks back up at her.

Koenma- So you haven't heard anything from Hiei?
Mukuro- No. When Lord Yomi informed me of what had happened I assumed that he had stayed there with... him...
Koenma- Lord Yomi.. informed you...?

* Mukuro nods once.

Mukuro- His Second, Lord Kurama, showed up at his castle in... terrible condition.. From what I gather, so far.

* Koenma releases a sigh of relief briefly, then nods.

Koenma- It would make sense that Kurama would go there.

* The teen looks back up at Mukuro.

Koenma- I trust that Lord Yomi is seeing to his care well.
Mukuro- As much as possible. The old goat vaguely indicated that the kitsune was nearly mad...
Koenma- (Quietly) D---...
Mukuro- How long did that b------ Satjiyu have them?
Koenma- Only a little over a week... But it was long enough to cause considerable...
Mukuro- I know all about what Satjiyu's capable of doing, Koenma... I won't bore you with the reason of how I know...

* Koenma watches a brief shadow pass over the woman's face. Given the history that the godling does know of her, he doesn't have to try too hard to assume why. In the next thought, it also gives him a better insight on the relationship between her and their small koorime friend.

Mukuro- I also am well-aware of the monster's more recent business of breeding half humans for food.
Koenma- Has Lord Yomi also informed you of Satjiyu's.. other.. plans?

* Mukuro doesn't answer.

Koenma- My investigation of Satjiyu's records turned up evidence that he was ultimately planning on using Hiei and Kurama to overthrow you and Lord Yomi. He was already sure of having Yusuke's territory since he believed that he had him under control. He was using some kind of a drug in his attempt at breaking Hiei...
Mukuro- S---... Not Euphoria...

* Koenma nods.

Koenma- There was also... someone else that Satjiyu was using... I won't go into all the details. But when the tiger had Hiei before he used him... to breed what he termed 'mutts'.

* Mukuro keeps her face blank so Koenma continues.

Koenma- Most of them were, of course, females... because they were born from... lesser demon females.
Mukuro- Lesser?
Koenma- Hiei was born a B-Class, you know that.
Mukuro- Of course. I know everything... that Hiei himself knows...
Koenma- Well, Hiei didn't find out about his only son until he was re-captured.

* Again Mukuro remains silent.

Koenma- The female that bore Hiei's son was a clan princess that was sold to Satjiyu by her own father. It was a common practice to do so if the Leader's eldest child was a female.
Mukuro- Yes. I know of this.. "practice" well, Lord Koenma.

* The teen pauses again briefly.

Koenma- This son's name is Sabaktu... Satjiyu had him bred to Kuwabara.

* Mukuro scowls.

Mukuro- The human you're holding the Memorial Service for?
Koenma- Yes.

* Mukuro looks away a moment, then leans forward on her desk, her anger once again evident.

Mukuro- So my Second and his pregnant son are somewhere down here...?!

* Koenma sighs deeply, then continues reluctantly.

Koenma- Hiei is pregnant, as well... To Yusuke. So is Kurama.

* Before she can comment on this Koenma raises his hand again to cut her off.

Koenma- Before you criticize Yusuke about this I want you to think it over very carefully, Lord Mukuro.

* Mukuro hears the Death Prince's serious warning loud and clear. She straightens back up in her chair.

Mukuro- Anything else I need to know, M'Lord?
Koenma- Yes. Satjiyu had Hiei's son, Sabaktu, in a Claim-Bond... You know of this?

* Mukuro nods.

Mukuro- Has Satjiyu been dealt with?
Koenma- Yes. After reviewing the history of Satjiyu's capture in his office, I discovered that Sabaktu and Hiei stormed into the tiger's office just as Satjiyu and his associate, a wolf named Honshin, was wiping out the SDF troopers I left in charge of them. Upon seeing that Satjiyu would be free once more... Sabaktu... went into a full demon rage that rivaled anything I have ever seen Hiei do.
Mukuro- So Satjiyu is dead.

* Koenma nods.

Koenma- I sentenced him to oblivion as soon as I processed him.

* Mukuro lowers her eyes for a couple long, somber moments. She keeps her gaze downward as she finally responds.

Mukuro- (Quietly) You, of course,.. know.. what this means for... the boy...
Koenma- Yes. From my vantage point, Sabaktu sacrificed himself to save a Father that he... barely knew...

* Mukuro looks back up at Koenma again, nodding.

Mukuro- They are of Fire Demon heritage... Fire Demons are inherently, fiercely loyal to family... in most cases... As well as those they deem worthy of loyalty.

* Koenma nods. Mukuro looks back toward the sleeping Toushin softly.

Mukuro- You do what you can for Lord Urameshi. It won't be good for any of the three open realms, perhaps not even the netherworld, to have a crazed Mazoku on the loose.
Koenma- I intend to, Lord Mukuro.
Mukuro- I'll talk with Lord Yomi... We'll do what we can to find Hiei and his son down here. We will also both be attending the Memorial for the human.
Koenma- Thank you.

* When Mukuro cuts her connection Koenma sighs deeply again and looks back toward Yusuke. He then goes over, gathers the sleeping Toushin up, and carries him out of that room to place him in another where he can rest on a soft futon.