Life Goes On

I was considering cutting this story off with the last scene and making another sequel, but then I figured I'd just go straight through and keep this last one together. I am passing the time, though, to move the story along. Think this story still has some life left? I'm continuing to enjoy all your wonderful reviews. I'd like to hear from some different readers, though to get some more variety of thoughts on my work. :o)

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Scene 72 ------------------------------------------- One Month Later

* As the weeks pass, nothing much changes except that Yusuke and Kurama both do their best to spend time with all three of Hiei's boys. Their skills increase, as does their knowledge since their uncles have agreed to let them continue their classes up in Spirit World. All of this activity does manage to keep them occupied, but Chiisai still makes it a point to be with his Papa as much as possible. Since Imiko, as he's repeatedly insisted on being called now, has made the same decision he and Chiisai have quickly become fast friends. Imiko even begins to take part in the kids' sparring and training sessions. As Hiei's pregnancy progresses, his waking hours become less and less. When the koorime opens his eyes lazily today, he finds Chiisai and Imiko sitting on the bed, on each side of him, playing a game of cards that Yusuke has taught them called Uno. Hiei soon realizes, though, why he's woke up when he feels the familiar sensation of his sister's energy. Yukina smiles down at him gently when she notices his attention. Hiei can see that she is just as rotund as he, himself, is.


Yukina- Morning, brother.

Hiei- (Weakly) What the.. h---.. are you..?


* Chiisai and Imiko forget the card game and hurry up to embrace Hiei before he can finish his question.


Chiisai- We asked Aunt Yukina to wake you for a little bit..

Imiko- Yeah. We have a question, Grandpa.

Yukina- Easy, boys..


* They both raise up and Chiisai rubs Hiei's growing belly.


Chiisai- Oh, sorry, little brother.


* Hiei turns his attention to the boys.


Hiei- (Weakly) What.. do you.. want to know?

Imiko- Chi and I can't decide..

Chiisai- Are Imiko and I cousins or are we brothers?


* Hiei blinks a couple times. Yukina lifts a hand to hide her giggle as she watches him struggle to figure out what they've asked him.


Hiei- (Weakly) C-Chi,.. you.. and Imiko's.. father.. are half-brothers.


* Chiisai lifts a hand to rub his chin thoughtfully. The weak koorime watches the boys puzzle quietly over what he has just told them. Yukina continues watching her brother who's eyes have slid shut once more. Imiko soon 'eeps'.


Imiko- Oh, man! Chi-Chi.. You're my.. half uncle!

Chiisai- Wow! Cool! - Hey, that means Ichy and Jiro are your half-uncles, too!


* Imiko scowls and crosses his arms. Chiisai gathers up the Uno cards.


Imiko- Man, this family is messed up.


* Hiei opens his eyes again to look at Imiko sadly. The red-headed boy catches the feeling and looks down at Hiei. He grins goofily as he rubs the back of his head nervously.


Imiko- Aww, gee, Grandpa.. I was just joking.


* Yukina looks at the boys.


Yukina- Why don't you two go tell Ichy and Jiro the good news.


* Chiisai moves up to hug Hiei gently, then he and Imiko leave. The ice maiden pats Hiei's belly wearily.


Yukina- Don't be.. upset with them,.. brother..

Hiei- (Quietly) It's.. not them.. I.. I just.. realized how much.. they'll never know.. How much my.. (Wheeze) new baby.. will never..

Yukina- Not that's enough, Hiei.. You'll be around to see Imiko's grand-..

Hiei- Stop.. lying to.. yourself!


* The outburst quickly has Hiei struggling to keep his eyes open again.


Hiei- (Weakly) My baby.. is keeping me.. from.. recovering.. He's taking.. all of my.. strength..

Yukina- (Quietly) Yusuke's becoming very tempted to.. accept Mukuro's offer..

Hiei- No.. (Wheeze) She can't.. have him..


* Hiei rolls his face away from Yukina and tries to bat her hand away from him.


Hiei- (Weakly) E-nough..

Yukina- I'm fine..

Hiei- (Weakly) Please,.. Yukina.. I can see how.. it is wearing you out.. Your own baby..

Yukina- (Quietly) Our baby.


* Hiei closes his eyes.


Yukina- You're not the only one that can make sacrifices around here.. I'm perfectly healthy.. I'm able to recover my strength much more easily than you.

Hiei- (Quietly) Please.. honor my.. re-quest, sister.. No more.. sh-shar-ing..


* Yukina watches Hiei lose the battle to stay awake as soon as she reluctantly withdraws her hand from him. She reaches over to stroke his spikes, then turns and leaves the room sadly. She isn't surprised to find Yusuke leaning against the opposite wall, his arms crossed.


Yusuke- What upset him this time?

Yukina- Same as.. before.. He's worried that my sharing w-will.. harm..


* Before she can finish she swoons. Yusuke blinks over to catch her before she can hit the floor. The Toushin sighs when he realizes that she's just passed out from exhaustion. He carries her over to the spare bedroom and settles her onto the bed. He's not too surprised when Imiko hurries in and climbs up onto the bed beside her.


Imiko- Aunt Yukina?!

Yusuke- She'll be okay, Imiko.. You know the sharing wears her out.


* Imiko nods as he relaxes. He then looks up at Yusuke.


Imiko- I wish I could help somehow.


* Yusuke looks at the boy, then reaches over and touches his shoulder.


Yusuke- I know.. You're a good boy, kid.

Imiko- Aww, gee, Uncle Yusuke. No reason to get so mushy.


* Yusuke chuckles and turns to leave. Imiko checks Yukina one more time, then hurries after Yusuke.


Imiko- Can I ask you something, Sir?

Yusuke- You always do, 'Miko.


* Imiko follows along as they go down the hall and back out into the livingroom.


Imiko- Did you know my Father? - My real Father?

Yusuke- I sure did, kid.. He was big, goofy, and had red hair just like you do.


* Yusuke flops onto the couch and looks back up at Imiko.


Imiko- Big and goofy?

Yusuke- Yeah.. But he was also the bravest.. most honorable human I ever knew.. And he would be very proud of you, 'Miko.


* Now Imiko smiles.


Yusuke- Your Uncle Koe probably has a lot of video history of your Dad in action.. He was one of my teammates.. along with your Uncle 'Rama and your Grandpa.. When you're older, I'll take you up to watch some stuff..

Imiko- I'd like that, Uncle Yusuke.. I'm going back to the playroom now.


* Yusuke watches the boy turn and hurry back toward the hallway, 'You really would be proud as a peacock, Buddy'. The Toushin then lets his head fall back against the couch as some memories begin to run through his mind. Kurama pokes his head out of the den that has been put back together in the far corner of the livingroom.


Kurama- Are you okay?


* Yusuke raises his head to smile at his half-awake mate.


Yusuke- Yeah, Babe. I'm fine.. Go back to your nap, Hun.


* Kurama studies Yusuke a moment more, then retreats back into the den. Yusuke returns to his memories.