The Aftermath

Scene 7 ------------------------------------------------------- Two Days Later

* After having spoken to Lord Mukuro concerning her conversation with Koenma, Lord Yomi has been busy sending troops out to the various regions of his territory. It is nearly time for the midday meal when Yomi decides to return to his personal quarters. As soon as he enters, his Chief Servant, Vitali, stands from the couch where he was reading a book.

Yomi- Get our lunch started, Vitali.

* The demon nods and hurries into the kitchen. Yomi's mind turns toward his kitsune friend. When he allows his aura to spread out to find Kurama, it echoes the fox's location back to him like sonar. The blind goat makes his way unhampered to his bedroom. Inside, Kurama is laying on the bed with his back to the door. He is awake, but so buried in mulling over his own thoughts that he's missed his Lord's aura. Any other time he would have felt it and been prepared for Yomi's arrival. But when the door opens Kurama stiffens, then closes his eyes, and hopes that Yomi will think he's asleep and go away. Yomi hesitates, feeling out Kurama's feelings, then he decides to continue over to the bed.

Yomi- Do you mistrust me this much, Kurama?

* Realizing that he can't elude the goat's "awareness", Kurama rolls onto his back to glance up at him.

Kurama- It's... not really mistrust...
Yomi- I understand, Kurama. Believe me. Trust was very hard for me to regain, as well.

* Kurama rolls his head to look away as a spike of guilt washes over him concerning "that" event of their history.

Yomi- I didn't say that to cause you guilt, Kurama.
Kurama- I'm sorry, Yomi. I'm pregnant.
Yomi- I know. That is why I am in here... Will you allow me to evaluate your condition?

* For a couple tense moments neither speaks. Then finally Kurama nods cautiously.

Kurama- (Quietly) Do you sense a problem?
Yomi- You mean other than the fact that you're over a month along and not showing yet?

* Kurama glances hesitantly up at the unhandicapped, blind goat. He lays completely still, forcing himself to relax. Yomi leans to hover his hand down the length of the kitsune's body, pausing briefly over his midsection. Kurama watches his expression as Yomi straightens up. It remains blank.

Kurama- Your diagnosis, Dr. Yomi?

* Yomi wiggles an ear.

Yomi- Well, you have no broken bones, but your left ankle is healing slowly from a bad sprain. I sense pain from many bruises and contusions all over. As I suspected, the kits are a bit undernourished...

* Kurama sighs and sits up facing away from the goat Lord.

Yomi- Some good nutrition... And spirit sharing will remedy that... Another bath would not hurt, either...

* Kurama flinches slightly, but Yomi catches it.

Yomi- We need to go to this Memorial Service...
Kurama- I...
Yomi- You have two options if you wish to keep these...

* Kurama growls quietly as he half turns to look over his shoulder.

Kurama- If you call them mutts...
Yomi- Kits.

* Kurama quiets and looks back away.

Yomi- You either return back to Yusuke... Or mate with someone as equally powerful.

* Now Kurama stands to leave the bed angrily.

Kurama- Referring to yourself?!

* Yomi quietly goes on guard, but remains calm on the outside.

Yomi- You know what I'm saying is true... You until this Memorial Service to decide what is best for your kits...
Kurama- You would love to raise Mozaku babies!

* Yomi decides not to answer. Kurama settles himself and glances nervously at his old partner.

Kurama- (Quietly) I had been running... hard... for weeks.. to get back here... Fighting off hungry, scavenging demons too hungry to care about my Class.
Yomi- I'm glad that you felt that you could come here... This is your home, Kurama.

* Both demons notice Vitali when he steps in and bows respectfully.

Vitali- Midday meal is prepared, M'Lords.
Yomi- Very well, Vitali. We are coming.

* The younger goat demon backs out and disappears. Yomi looks back at Kurama.

Yomi- Will you be joining me, Kurama?
Kurama- You did say I had to eat.
Yomi- Kurama,... I have been told that there was a wolf demon working with Satjiyu.

* Kurama answers as he falls into step behind Yomi, following him to the kitchen.

Kurama- (Quietly) Yes. Honshin.
Yomi- Does Lord Urameshi really understand what he spared you from, when he kept you from the wolf?

* When Kurama doesn't answer Yomi turns toward him at the kitchen doorway.

Kurama- If I hadn't been.. warded.. I would have fed Honshin to as many carnivorous plants as I could have summoned.
Yomi- Being warded is one of the worst feelings a demon can encounter.

* They continue on into the large room. Yomi dismisses Vitali with a wave of his hand. Yomi stands still until he realizes that Kurama is waiting for him to be seated. For a moment this slightly disturbs the ruler. But then he begins to understand what is happening between them. Yomi moves to his regular place at the head of the table, deciding to test out his theory.

Yomi- You may sit and eat when you are ready, Kurama.

* Kurama cautiously moves to the closest chair on Yomi's left and sits. Yomi scowls. Again, Kurama waits.

Kurama- You asked... if Yusuke knew...?
Yomi- Did he?

* The kitsune shakes his head, still watching Yomi and waiting.

Kurama- No... I didn't tell him, either... It would have.. obligated him.. even more.

* Yomi nods.

Yomi- Yes. He's.. obligated.. enough as it is...

* Kurama closes his eyes and fights a sob. All of Yomi's ears on his left side swing then he turns his blind face toward his friend.

Yomi- Kurama,...
Kurama- (Quietly) I apologize...

* Yomi sighs deeply.

Yomi- There's no need for apologies. You are pregnant. But, there is something else at work here...

* Yomi shakes his head and waves a hand dismissively.

Yomi- Enough talk for now. Time to eat. We will discuss this further when we're done.

* Yomi reaches deftly for the various bowls and dishes of food, knowing the contents by the different smells. Kurama gathers himself, wipes a cheek discreetly, then begins to serve himself and eat, as well. Yomi listens quietly and processes his searching aura as they eat. Kurama starts by nibbling slowly, but soon enough his appetite returns full force and he finishes off nearly everything on the table. When he is finally full he blushes and lowers his eyes.

Kurama- I-I'm...

* The goat raises a hand.

Yomi- Do not apologize again, Kurama... Timidity does not suit you.

* After a moment Kurama slowly stands away from the table.

Kurama- I need to go bathe again.

* Kurama stays put, though, waiting to be dismissed. Yomi stands.

Yomi- Answer me truly, Fox... Is it because you want to...? Or because I told you...?

* Kurama now knows that Yomi has picked up on his instincts. He raises his gold eyes and growls slightly.

Kurama- What does it matter?! I do need one, do I not?
Yomi- Indeed...

* Before Yomi can finish he feels the displacement of air as the kitsune spins and darts out the doorway. Yomi lowers his eyes a moment, then looks up when he senses a new presence. The leader relaxes, though, because he's recognized the footsteps and the familiar scent.

Shura- Father, was that...?
Yomi- Yes, Shura.

* Shura looks back up at his Father.

Shura- Is he in trouble?
Yomi- It's none of your concern, Son. Why are you here? What have you done now?

* The young demon, who is in his early "teenage" years, shrugs. The boy has never regarded his Father as being blind since he has been raised knowing full well of the elder's powers and abilities.

Shura- I just thought I'd drop in to say hello... I see you've already had lunch.
Yomi- Yes.

* Shura looks up at the tall goat hesitantly. He has learned to respect these abilities, also.

Shura- If you don't want me to be here I'll go, Father.

* Yomi now looks down at the boy and softens. He moves to him and lays a hand on Shura's shoulder.

Yomi- Your manners are improving greatly, Son. But you know that you are always welcome here.
Shura- Is it just a bad time, then?
Yomi- Somewhat... A.. situation.. has come up with Kurama...
Shura- He looked upset. Is it a very bad situation?

* Yomi tilts his head affirmatively.

Yomi- Yes. But as I said, we prefer that it stay quiet for now... When he's settled down and we've decided what to do about this.. situation, then I'll tell you more.

* Shura rubs his chin a moment, sorting out what he's felt so far.

Shura- Am I going to be a big brother, Father?

* At first Yomi is taken aback, but then he sighs. Sometimes he forgets that the boy's senses can be as sharp, if not more so, as his.

Yomi- No, Shura.
Shura- But Kurama is...

* Yomi quickly places his hand on Shura's head to silence him.

Yomi- (Quietly) The kits are not mine. You need not know any more right now. Understood?

* When Yomi drops his hand from Shura's head he answers.

Shura- Yes, Sir.
Yomi- It's very important that we protect Lord Kurama from any future attacks. Therefore, nobody must know that he is either hurt,.. nor pregnant.

* The boy nods.

Shura- Of course, Father. I respect Lord Kurama. You know you can trust me.

* Yomi nods, relaxing his posture, then motions.

Yomi- Come, let us visit a while then, since you are here. You can tell me how your schooling has been going.

* They move into the livingroom as Shura answers excitedly.

Shura- Master Lohsama says that I am his quickest student!

* Yomi nods with a proud chuckle.

Yomi- Well, of course you are. You were created to learn quickly.

* Yomi pulls the rope that summons the servants to clear the kitchen as they leave it. He then leads the boy over to sit on his large couch. All ears listening to Shura chatter away about his schooling.