Life Goes On

Scene 61 ------------------------------------------- The Next Morning

* As Hiei wakes he becomes aware of another presence in the room. For a brief moment, he nearly panics. But then he realizes that it is Kasaba. When he finally opens his eyes he looks at the red-headed boy who is leaning on the bed watching him wake up. At first, Hiei is puzzled about the boy's presence.


Kasaba- Morning, Grandfather.


* Hiei blinks in response. His eakened condition won't allow him to wake up too quickly. When he can finally talk he looks at Kasaba again.


Hiei- Morning.. Aunt Yukina.. is here.. already?

Kasaba- No. I decided to stay here with you now.


* Hiei scrunches his brow a moment, then he sighs.


Hiei- Y-you.. decided..?

Kasaba- Hai.. This is where I belong.

Hiei- No.. You can't.. stay here..


* The boy frowns.


Kasaba- You don't want me/


* Hiei closes his eyes again.


Hiei- It's.. not.. that..

Kasaba- Then why?


* For a couple moments, Hiei mulls his answer over in his muddled mind. This does help his brain to become more alert and he looks at the boy again.


Hiei- Because.. your Aunt Yukina.. needs you.. I'm sure she's.. lonely in that temple.. by herself.


* Kasaba scrunches one of his eyebrows as he thinks. Hiei is too reminded of Kuwabara and looks away. It is now that he notices Kurama leaning in the doorway watching.


Kasaba- Well, I guess that's true.. But I like being near you. There's so much more I want to learn about who I am..

Hiei- You can come to visit me.. anytime you want..


* Kasaba now senses Kurama and glances toward him.


Kasaba- Okay. It looks like Uncle 'Rama is here to see you.. I'll go see if Uncle Yusuke can zap me back to the temple.

Kurama- I'm sure he will. He's in the kitchen. Imiko.

Hiei- You be good for your Aunt Yukina.

Kasaba- Yes, Sir.. Love you, Grandfather.


* Hiei closes his eyes as he tries not to flinch at the new title. Kasaba laughs and leaves. Kurama chuckles as he goes on in and sits on the bed beside Hiei.


Kurama- Grandfather.. Now there's something you beat me to.


* Hiei looks up at Kurama.


Hiei- If you're waiting.. for me to.. apologize.. you'll be a grandfather.. before I do.


* Kurama can see the weariness in Hiei's eyes even though he just woke up. The kitsune gets an idea as to why and he looks down at Hiei's already-slightly-bulging belly.


Hiei- What? - Why are you.. looking at me.. like that?

Kurama- As your baby developes it's going to demand more and more of your energy.

Hiei- Your point, Fox?


* Kurama looks away.


Kurama- Hiei,..

Hiei- Look at me.


* Kurama obeys.


Hiei- You think.. I should.. let you kill.. my baby..

Kurama- I understand your drive to preserve its life.. I'm carrying my own..

Hiei- Don't you.. dare.. sit there and.. tell me that you would.. do.. what you're wanting me.. to do..


* Kurama takes a deep breath.


Kurama- I honestly don't know.. But I do know what it'll do to Yusuke if we lose you..

Hiei- You and.. he.. will raise my children..


* Hiei closes his eyes.


Kurama- You're in this mess because you saved Yusuke's life.

Hiei- As you would have.

Kurama- Yes. As I should have..

Hiei- It's our duty.. to protect him..

Kurama- Does that mean just physically?


* Hiei scrunches his brow then opens his eyes to look at Kurama again.


Hiei- What are you.. trying to say?

Kurama- The decision your condition is causing him to make..

Hiei- It's not his to make! I've already made it for him.. (cough) I will give him.. this baby!


* Kurama reaches out to touch Hiei gently.


Kurama- Easy, love..

Yusuke- That's enough, Kurama.


* They both look toward Yusuke. He'd felt Hiei becoming upset and blurred in.


Yusuke- Out, Fox.


* Kurama stands and goes over to look down at Yusuke, but his Alpha avoids his gaze.


Yusuke- Don't you ever let me catch you trying that again.


* The tone in Yusuke's voice makes Kurama step back and fold his ears back. The kitsune then slinks around Yusuke and leaves. Yusuke gathers himself and moves to the bed.


Yusuke- Hey.


* Hiei looks up at Yusuke when he lays a hand on his belly.


Hiei- Don't.. stay angry at him..

Yusuke- I can't ever do that for long, anyway. He'll grovel a while, then we'll screw and make up..

Hiei- If.. things were.. reversed.. I would probably.. do the same..

Yusuke- What you need to do is concentrate on getting better.. You let me handle our fox.


* Yusuke watches Hiei's weary eyes struggle to stay open.


Yusuke- You just keep resting.. You need all of that you can get..

Hiei- I need.. to ask you.. not to worry about my.. decision..


* Yusuke sighs deeply.


Yusuke- I'm not going to lie to you, Hiei.. If it comes down to absolutely you or the baby..

Hiei- Choose.. the baby..

Yusuke- It's you that..

Hiei- It's me.. making this.. d---ed decision!


* Hiei attempts to sit up so he can glare at Yusuke. The Toushin makes him stay down easily. This convinces Yusuke of how weak Hiei actually is.


Yusuke- (Quietly) Please, calm down, Baby.

Hiei- Promise.. me (cough)!

Yusuke- Hiei,..

Hiei- Please.. don't kill.. your baby..


* Yusuke brings his hand up to place it over Hiei's mouth, not liking the sound of the koorime begging.


Yusuke- Rest now.. No more of this drama.


* Too weak and emotionally worn out, Hiei can't resist the authority that Yusuke purposely uses. The koorime's eyes slowly slide shut and his breathing slows to the normal pace of a hibernating demon. Yusuke strokes his spikes then leaves.