Life Goes On

Scene 68 ------------------------------------------- The Next Day

* Kurama is serving the kids lunch when he notices that Chiisai isn't there with the others.


Kurama- Where is Chi?


* Ichiro and Jiro glance at each other, then look up at Kurama.


Jiro- He said he wasn't hungry today.

Roze- He hasn't been playing with us or anything, either, Hogie.


* Ichiro scowls at her.


Ichiro- Well, you wouldn't be very playful, either, if it was your Father dying.

Kurama- Ichy, don't be so harsh.


* Yusuke looks up at Kurama.


Yusuke- You want me to..?

Kurama- No. You watch these ones. I'll go check on our missing lamb.

Yurama- He's a half imp, not a.. Oww!


* Yurama scowls at his Father who had jackslapped the back of his head.


Yusuke- Shove food in your mouth before the twins roast you, Yuie.


* Kurama chuckles when his oldest looks toward Ichiro and Jiro who are both scowling at him. Yurama lowers his eyes, knowing what Ichiro can do.


Yurama- Sorry. That wasn't meant to be an insult, Ichy.


* Kurama leaves the kitchen as Yusuke instructs them all to eat. When Kurama enters the bedroom where Hiei's boys have been sleeping he finds the small boy curled up on his futon.


Kurama- (Quietly) Chi, lunch is ready.


* No response. Kurama twitches an ear and goes over to kneel beside the futon. He becomes more alarmed when he touches the tiny form and still gets no response.


Kurama- Chiisai?


* Kurama rolls him onto his back and jostles him until he finally gives a sobbing squeak and wakes up out of his hibernation. Kurama relaxes some and smiles when Chiisai opens his eyes.


Kurama- Hello, son.. Why were you hibernating?


* Chiisai recognizes Kurama and rolls away from him to curl up again.


Chiisai- Go away!

Kurama- Here now.. Don't be like this..

Chiisai- I don't want to be bothered.

Kurama- Chi, why are you doing this? Talk to me..


* Chiisai sobs.


Chiisai- Why should you care what I do?

Kurama- Because I love you..

Chiisai- Nobody loves me.. but Papa.. and he-he's.. dying..


* Chiisai hides his face against his pillow and sobs harder.


Chiisai- Why did you have to wake me up?!

Kurama- Do you think your Papa would want you to be like this? - We told you, we're not going to let him..


* Chiisai glares over his shoulder at Kurama.


Chiisai- I'm not deaf! I heard you and Yusuke talking the other day! When this new baby comes.. Papa will.. will..

Kurama- How did you hear that?


* Chiisai swallows and turns his face toward the wall again.


Chiisai- We were.. all playing hide and seek.. I was hiding under the bed in your room..


* Chiisai closes his eyes.


Chiisai- Papa's going to go an'.. leave me.. all alone..


* Kurama sighs. He keeps himself calm, though, and gathers the small boy up to embrace him.


Kurama- You won't ever be alone here, Chi.. Your brothers and sister Rozeme are here.. I know you love Ichy and Jiro..

Chiisai- I do..


* Kurama nods.


Kurama- They're worried about you, too.

Chiisai- But I just.. don't fit in here.. They all laugh at my wings.. I don't have all those.. powers that they do..

Kurama- Now you listen to me, son.. I can feel how strong you are.. You're just too young to realize everything that you have the potential to do..


* Chiisai slowly looks up at Kurama. The kitsune's size makes the boy feel even smaller.


Chiisai- But.. I'm so.. puny.. I'm not big and strong like.. your kids.. or you..

Kurama- Size isn't everything.. Your Papa's not as big as me, but I know for a fact that he's stronger than me..


* Chiisai hides his face against Kurama's chest.


Chiisai- Not anymore.. I can feel how.. weak he's getting.. But that.. thing inside him is getting stronger!

Kurama- Chi,..

Chiisai- It's going to kill him!

Kurama- That.. thing.. is his baby, Chiisai.


* Chiisai nods.


Chiisai- I know.. I shouldn't.. hate it..

Kurama- No, you shouldn't.. Don't you think your Papa would do the same if that were you?


* The boy grows quiet. After a couple moments, he raises tear-filled eyes to look at Kurama. The kitsune uses his bushy tailtip to wipe the boy's eyes.


Kurama- All of these.. emotions.. you have are quite normal, son..

Chiisai- I'm not your..

Kurama- Alpha Yusuke and I have accepted your Papa as our mate.. That means that everything that is his is ours.

Chiisai- That's why you'll raise that.. baby?

Kurama- Yes.. Shouldn't we? - Alpha Yusuke and your Papa created this new life because they love each other.. The same way that your Papa and Momma Shishi cared for each other.


* Chiisai just lowers his eyes. Before Kurama can speak again Hiei's voice breaks into his mind.


(#) Hiei- Bring Chi to me.. now!


* Kurama sighs and stands.


Chiisai- No, put me down.. I can't go in there..!


* Kurama looks down at the struggling boy a little surprised.


Kurama- You heard that?

Chiisai- He's angry at me.. I can't..

Kurama- Chiisai, you haven't been in to visit him for a few days.. I'll bet he just misses you.


* Chiisai closes his eyes and stops struggling as Kurama carries him out of the room.