Rescuing Hiei

thoth_moon, in my imagination, Oblivion is an eternity of empty nothingness. No activity. The worse form of punishment for a "sentient" demon, like Satjiyu, that went out with his full mental capacities, if you will. I hope that explains your inquiry.
As far as the second half of your review, it's not so much that Hiei has given up completely, more like kind of resigned. But there's a whole lot more to this story.. as always. We're just getting started, my friends. :o|

###########################

Scene 7 ------------------------------------------- Downstairs

* Dasan serves a couple of his fellow employees who are playing cards at one of the tables. When the mage starts back to the bar he is surprised to see Ginsen enter again today.

Dasan- Hey, Gin...

* The canine demon glances around the room. Dasan shakes his head.

Dasan- He's not coming down again today, I don't think.

* Ginsen follows the mage over to the bar. When he beckons, Dasan leans closer.

Dasan- You know I don't do...

* The wealthy demon startles Dasan to silence when he reaches up to grasp ahold of his left earlobe. The double punch comes when the powerful canine uses a portion of his power to temporarily short out the earring that connects him to Kichiro.

Ginsen- (Quietly) Stay calm and just nod your answer to me, Dassie..

* Ginsen glances toward the barroom behind him. None of the few patrons are paying them any mind. He meets Dasan's reptilian eyes again.

Ginsen- (Quietly) Our little doll, Shiyounin, is really this Lord Hiei that nearly all of Demon World is looking for. Correct?

* Dasan hesitates a moment, then stiffly nods.

Ginsen- (Quietly) He's not upstairs alone, is he?

* Dasan refuses to answer and Ginsen growls quietly.

Ginsen- (Quietly) Dasan, I know for a fact that Lord Yomi is on his way here to take Kichiro out. He's coming to arrest our little friend for some kind of violation against King Enma... Do you have any idea what Yomi and Kichiro are going to do to this place?!

* Dasan's slitted eyes widen.

Dasan- How close is Yomi?
Ginsen- If you get them out of here now, you might just miss the fireworks. The ring will be out of commission long enough to keep your Boss in the dark...
Dasan- But... where will I take...?
Ginsen- There's a lot of caves in the mountain range east of here... You can hide out there until everything settles. I'll come to get you as soon as it's safe.

* When Dasan nods Ginsen releases him. The canine demon smirks slightly to himself as the mage hurries up the stairs. Ginsen then looks around again as he leaves quickly. Upstairs, Hiei and Shishi look up from the bed when Dasan bursts in. Quickly he motions them both to be quiet. Since the last Dasan felt from Kichiro was that he was napping in his office, the mage speaks quietly.

Dasan- (Quietly) Keep your minds blank, but listen to me.

* Hiei and Shishi glance at each other, then nod, and return to nurturing their babies.

Dasan- (Quietly) I was just tipped off that there's... a very powerful demon on his way here... He's coming to take out Kichiro. We have to get out of here.. Now!

* Without a moment's hesitation, Hiei nods to Shishi. They gather the kids up and hurry down the stairs after the older demon. In the bar, Hiei halts to look toward the Master's office. Dasan hurries back, gets the koorime by the arm, and guides him out of the building. Hiei looks up at Dasan as they hurry toward the gate leading out of the village toward the mountains.

Dasan- It's Lord Yomi. The informer told me that he's coming to arrest you for something you did against King Enma...

* Hiei's mind flashes back to Satjiyu's office so quickly that it staggers him. Shishi grabs him to keep him steady.

Shishi- What you did to...?
Hiei- I remember now... They thought Sabie and I took out all those SDF troopers in Satjiyu's office...
Shishi- But, Shi...
Dasan- We have to go now. I was told that Yomi's going to take out Kichiro, then arrest you...
Hiei- There won't be nothing left of this place...
Shishi- Shiyounin, listen to me.

* Hiei growls up at Shishi silencing him by asserting his dominant aura toward him. Hiei then looks up toward Dasan.

Hiei- What about Pehjo?
Dasan- I warned him mentally to get out as I was coming up the stairs... I hope he'll be smart enough to get his a-- out of there... I'll look for him when we're safe.

* Hiei looks up at Dasan, the only one that's truly been his friend outside of his family, away from the village. Shishi attempts once more to speak with Hiei mentally, 'Shi, Hun, please...' Hiei glares up at the Banshee.

Hiei- Don't you understand what will happen to you? To our babies if I let them take me in?!

* Dasan glances off to the north, as do Hiei and Shishi. All three of them feel the angry, wrathful goat Lord approaching. Dasan immediately throws his hands up chanting, to put a barrier bubble around them. Hiei gets Shishi by the hand and goes along with the older demon.

Shishi- But Koenma's the one who sent... us down here to...
Hiei- Of course he would! D--- it, I can't let him catch me, Shishi. now shut up and come on!!

* Shishi sighs. He realizes that there's no reasoning with Hiei right now in his paniced state. The Banshee can understand, to a point, his Alpha's concern for their lives, more than his own at present. So he gives no further argument, but goes along as they hurry up the narrow dirt path that leads toward the mountain range toward the east. All of them pause when they are nearly halfway up the first mountain they come to, and look back when they hear a loud explosion. At almost the same instant that Little Saurijo goes up in flames and smoke, their earrings all fall out of their ears. Hiei and Shishi look up at Dasan puzzled.

Dasan- S---... He's dead.
Hiei- What?!

* As Dasan explains quickly, Shishi looks back at the massive destruction they've just witnessed.

Dasan- Let's just say that we're all free again.

* Dasan then begins to look around. Hiei looks back up at his stunned mate.

Hiei- Shishi?
Shishi- (Quietly) We would have all... been destroyed in that...
Dasan- Come on, we need to hide before my barrier gives out. Yomi's no demon to mess with when he's angry.

* The group continues their hasty escape on up the mountain, as fast as Shishi can travel. The now-frightened Banshee continues until he suddenly stops and leans against a tree, heaving. Hiei hurries to him. The koorime has begun to slip into full feral instinct mode, overcome with fear and concern for his family.

Hiei- Shishi?!
Shishi- (Heaving) I'm.. o-kay... I just need... to rest a... minute...

* Dasan looks around. He has to release his barrier to search with his senses for shelter. He hurries over to them motioning.

Dasan- There's a nice size cave a couple more yards up this path.

* Hiei looks back toward the direction of the village.

Hiei- Are we far enough away?
Dasan- I believe so.

* Hiei nods.

Hiei- Okay. Lead the way. I'll help Shishi... Boys, go with Dasan!

* Without questioning their Father's authority, the twins hurry over onto Dasan's shoulders. The mage nods, turns, and goes on ahead toward the cave. Hiei helps Shishi along at a slightly slower pace. When the pair finally reach the cave Dasan motions them inside.

Dasan- You... go ahead in... Get the babies settled... I'll make sure everything's okay.. out here...

* Hiei glances up at the older demon, then hurries Shishi on into the cave. He helps him over to a dry area against the farthest back wall.

Hiei- Shishi?
Shishi- I'm.. okay... Where's the boys?

* Hiei gives a couple clicks of his tongue as he looks around. The twins fly over to them from where they were hidden behind a small boulder. They climb up into Hiei's arms and he settles down to sit facing Shishi. The two demons stare at each other as Hiei allows his twins to nurse so they'll calm down. Shishi cuddles Imiko when he begins to whimper.

Shishi- Okay, Shi... Now what?

* Hiei takes a deep breath.

Hiei- I-I don't.. know... I just need to think... But at least we're safe for now...

* Dasan enters, bringing them a couple melons that he's found.

Dasan- This is all I could find right now... I'll search for more, though.

* When Dasan leaves again, Hiei hands his melon to Shishi. Without any arguments left in his exhausted mind, Shishi just takes it. The two demon's thoughts now turn toward settling and bedding down the kids.

###########################

Stay with me, folks. It's all a part of the wild ride. It'll help if you try to understand the state of mind our poor demon pair is in here. :o?