Life Goes On

Scene 71 ------------------------------------------- The Next Morning

* Everyone looks up from the table when Chiisai floats into the kitchen. Kurama then quickly motions to the empty chair between him and Yusuke.


Kurama- We saved you a special seat this morning, Chi.


* Chiisai goes over and settles into the chair. When he looks timidly at the twins, both of them nod with slight smiles.


Rozeme- It's about time you come join us for family time.

Kurama- Roze, please be nice.


* The little kitsune girl looks up at her Hogasha with an ear tilted to show her confusion.


Rozeme- I thought I was bein' nice, Hogie.

Kurama- (Sighs) Eat, Rozie.


* For several moments they all eat in silence. Chiisai nibbles thoughtfully at the food Yusuke has placed on his plate. He then looks up at Yusuke.


Chiisai- Uncle Yusuke?

Yusuke- What?

Chiisai- Can you.. tell me..? Is there any way that we can.. save Papa?


* The question once more makes everyone else look toward Chiisai. Kurama half-notices his son Kazuma glance up at him with concern. Yusuke takes a deep breath, then looks down at Chiisai.


Yusuke- You know that your Papa was hurt bad.. That he lost a lot of blood..


* Chiisai nods.


Kurama- Yu-,..

Yusuke- Quiet, koi.. The boy asked me a question, I'm going to answer it honestly.

Chiisai- Yes, please do.. I can take it.. So then he needs more blood to get better?

Yusuke- Basically, yes..

Chiisai- And that.. Mururo person Uncle 'Rama mentioned yesterday..

Kurama- Lord Mukuro.

Chiisai- Yeah.. She can help Papa?

Yusuke- It's a bit too complicated for you to understand about that, Chi.. To put it short, your Papa is a fire demon..


* Ichiro rolls his eyes.


Ichiro- No s---.


* Kurama glares at the oldest twin incredulously as the other kids at the table giggle. Jiro elbows his brother as he tries to hide his own snickering.


Chiisai- We know what our Papa is, Uncle Yusuke.

Yusuke- Well, that means that he can only take blood from another related fire demon..


* Chiisai looks back up at Yusuke.


Chiisai- You mean like Aunt Yukina?

Yusuke- Yes.. But your Aunt Yukina has her own baby in her that she needs to be concerned about..

Kurama- Your Papa doesn't want her to risk that life, either.

Jiro- So what does this Mukuro have to do with Papa?

Ichiro- Is she related to him?

Yusuke- No.. She's the boss of your Papa's only brother..

Kurama- She's an evil b----..


* Kurama catches himself too late. He growls when the kids all giggle again.


Ichiro- Papa's brother.. You mean that taller guy that looks like Papa?

Jiro- The one we met upstairs?

Yusuke- Yeah. Your Uncle Ryuji.


* Chiisai rolls his eyes and slumps his forehead onto a hand.


Chiisai- D---, we have more uncles than I can keep track of.


* Yusuke and Kurama both can't help but look down at the small boy in amusement at his exasperation. For a while everyone returns to eating until Chiisai suddenly looks up at his brothers.


Chiisai- Hey! We're related to Papa!


* He looks back up at Yusuke excitedly. Ichiro and Jiro glance at each other, they'd both already been through this with Kurama several days ago.


Chiisai- The three of us could..

Kurama- No, you couldn't.


* Chiisai glares up at his kitsune uncle.


Chiisai- Why not?

Kurama- I've already been through this with both your brothers, Chi.. For one, the three of you aren't pure fire demons or koorimes..

Yusuke- But most importantly, it's because you're all too young..

Chiisai- We're almost three..

Kurama- Your Papa would need more blood than the three of you boys can supply right now.

Yusuke- It would most definately.. kill at least one of you, possibly even all three..


* Chiisai lowers his eyes.


Chiisai- (Quietly) If I knew for certain.. that it would save him.. I would..


* Yusuke sighs and clamps a hand down on Chiisai's head gently, but firmly enough to quiet him. Ichiro and Jiro lower their eyes.


Yusuke- Now I know you're Hiei's son.. Your Papa would skin me alive if I let you even attempt it.


* Chiisai looks back up at Yusuke.


Chiisai- You doubted that I was Papa's..?


* Yusuke makes Chiisai look back down at his plate.


Yusuke- That was a joke, Chi-boy.. Now stop this worrying and eat.

Chiisai- (Sighs) Hn.


* Yusuke ruffles his spikes. He and Kurama chuckle when the boy scowls and shakes them back into order in the very same manner that Hiei would. Then they both somber and look at each other sadly before returning to their own meals.