Shura's Quest - Reuniting, Regrouping, Recruiting

See? I haven't forgotten this story. :o) Decided to put a little twist of lime in to jazz things up just a bit. Maybe a touch of angst. Little splash of intrigue, perhaps.

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Scene 8 ------------------------------------------- Later That Night


* When Hiei's branch vibrates the apparition opens his eyes. Though he knew the Mazoku was approaching his tree it still surprises him somewhat to see Yusuke now making himself more comfortable on the wide branch. Yusuke half glances toward Hiei.


Yusuke- It's too quiet.. Don't you think?

Hiei- You're not up here in my tree on this branch to discuss the environment.


* After lowering his eyes for a moment Yusuke shakes his head then looks fully toward Hiei. The Koorime is still cradling Hiyuku. The scene makes Yusuke smile softly.


Hiei- You find it amusing that I'm holding my son?

Yusuke- D---, you haven't changed much.

Hiei- What.. change.. were you expecting?


* Yusuke looks away again. After considering how to proceed for several moments he finally shrugs.


Yusuke- To be honest.. I really don't know.. I don't know where we go from here.. I don't even know why the h--- I'm actually here in this god-forsaken place.

Hiei- Same reasons as all the other times.. You're here to save the day, to be the hero, to make another attempt at improving this h--- we call home.


* Yusuke looks back at Hiei. His eyes once more fall on the sleeping boy.


Yusuke- Doesn't our son deserve a better place than the one you grew up in?


* Hiei looks down at Hiyuku. In a gentle fashion that is completely opposite of the demeanor he's projecting, the Koorime adjusts his cloak around the small boy.


Hiei- (Quietly) Our son.. will not have such an easy life.. The sooner you realize that..

Yusuke- Why shouldn't he have it better than us? You know, as well as I do, that he's going to be way stronger..


* This statement goads the Fire demon the wrong way, for a reason that he can't even really grasp, and he glares at Yusuke.


Hiei- My son is not going to fight like I had to! He's not going to be abused in this place..

Yusuke- So there's one thing we agree on.. As for where he's going to grow up.. Do you plan on raising him on the Moon?


* Hiei growls at Yusuke until he feels Hiyuku stir.


Hiei- I won't speak of this now.

Yusuke- Fine. Then let's discuss what I came up here to discuss.

Hiei- I have nothing to say to you.

Yusuke- Good. Then you'll have no problem listening to me without interrupting me.. Hiei, I need you to know that I.. I have no intention of taking him off of you.


* Even though it's dark, Yusuke can tell he's hit a nerve by the way Hiei's eyes flare a bit brighter.


Hiei- Who said I ever had any intention of letting you?!


* Hiei looks at the boy when he sits up, rubs his eyes, then glances between his two "Fathers".


Hiyuku- Sir, may I go find Father Kurama?


* Hiei considers refusing, then reconsiders and finally grunts his ascent. Both of then watch Hiyuku flit down to the ground, glance around cautiously, then blur into the cave.


Yusuke- Neither of us are going to dispute the fact that he is your son, Hiei.. We're both prepared to defend that claim to our deaths against any that would seek to shun or harm him.


* Hiei looks back at Yusuke when his open jagan tells him that Hiyuku is safely in Kurama's embrace.


Yusuke- But neither of us can deny our ties to him, either.. He has my blood and the blood of Kurama's dead brother flowing through him..

Hiei- I never said I planned on denying that.. The proof has shown itself in his abilities that he's already displayed.


* Yusuke looks back at Hiei. He notices briefly that the jagan is still glowing behind the apparition's bandana.


Yusuke- Kurama and I were talking in the cave.. Maybe our connection to Yukie isn't as strong as yours, but both of us would like very much to be.. a part of his life..


* When Hiei gives no reaction to these words Yusuke lowers his eyes again.


Yusuke- But we won't go against your wishes.. If you don't want us to have anything to do with him.. we'll honor that.


* Hiei watches the Toushin stand and prepare to leap back down to the ground.


Hiei- Yusuke,.. sit your a-- down.


* Yusuke looks at Hiei. The apparition pats the branch in front of him.


Hiei- Sit down here.. I want your full attention for what I have to say to you.


* Yusuke calmly moves to the indicated spot and sits.


Hiei- Now, first of all.. Why would the two of you think I would even consider keeping Yukie away from you both?

Yusuke- You have all three eyes open.. You know the answer to that..

Hiei- Tell me.


* Yusuke meets Hiei's eyes.


Yusuke- It would mean being in constant.. contact..

Hiei- And you both think this would be an intolerable thing for me?


* Yusuke shakes his head slowly.


Yusuke- No.. It would be nearly unbearable.. for us.. To be near you so often.. But continue to be.. spurned by you.


* For several moments the two keep their eyes locked. Finally Hiei breaks the silence.


Hiei- You.. and Kurama deserve each other..


* Yusuke starts to stand again, but Hiei's hand flashes out to grasp his arm and prevent him from leaving.


Hiei- I'm the one who deserves none of this.. I didn't deserve being given a son, I didn't deserve to be introduced to my blood father after all these years,.. And I sure as h--- don't deserve.. either of you.. Don't you understand, Yusuke? I don't deserve to be happy..

Yusuke- No, Hiei. I don't understand how you can say any of that! Okay, so you were abandoned, so you have a past.. You know d--- well that Kurama and I both do, too.. But you've risen so far above all that stuff.. What I don't understand is how you can see so much with those three eyes of yours, but you can't see how much we.. care about you. Why can't you allow yourself to accept that?

Hiei- The last time I accepted such.. affection.. She ended up dead, murdered because she dared to carry my..

Yusuke- Mukuro was murdered by an insane little s--- with ears bigger than his brain.. Because the brat wants to rule this world..


* Yusuke looks away as a synical smirk touches his lips.


Yusuke- H---, I'm almost tempted to call this mission off, go back home, and let him deal with this hellhole.. It would serve his a-- right, I say.

Hiei- But we can't do that.


* Yusuke looks back at Hiei. For a couple moments his mind dwells on the conversation he had with Banashima back on the Okunenju plateau. He remembers the words he spoke, that he would support Hiei in the destiny that's in store for him. Yusuke is almost tempted to tell him what he learned, completely forgetting for the moment about the jagan being open. Hiei looks away from Yusuke quickly and wills the third eye to close. He's 'seen' enough.


Hiei- We have to go rescue the Royal brat first.. Then Shura can have what's left of this place.. I have no desire for any of it.


* Yusuke looks back at Hiei.


Yusuke- Then where would you live?


* Hiei doesn't answer. Yusuke reaches out and lays a hand on his warded arm.


Yusuke- It's not your.. destiny.. to die on this mission.. That much I know.

Hiei- Destinies are only what we make for ourselves..

Yusuke- If you really believe that, then how can you say all that other stuff? You have the chance to be happy.. It's staring you right in the face, Hiei.


* Hiei meets Yusuke's eyes again. The apparition starts to shake his head, but Yusuke raises the hand to stop him. The Toushin's caress on his cheek sends a jolt of sensations tingling through him. Sensations that he was so sure were murdered along with Mukuro and his child.


Hiei- Yu-,..

Yusuke- What are you afraid of? Tell me? I seriously want to know what would make the mighty Jaganshi tremble in such fear.


* Hiei slowly allows his lips to curl into his most typical smirk.


Hiei- Who says my trembling is caused by fear?


* Very carefully Yusuke leans forward. Hiei pulls back slightly. When their lips finally brush lightly they both jolt apart by the brief surge of energy that had started to swell between them. As the two stare at each other in contemplation of what they just felt neither notices a shadowed form slip out of the cave. Their concentration is held so fast on each other that Jin can glance up at them, see that they're so preoccupied, and slip away completely unnoticed. When Yusuke finally starts to lean toward him again Hiei lifts a hand and stops him.


Hiei- Hn.. We can't do this right now.. We need our heads to be clear until we can get Koenma away from Shura.


* After a moment, Yusuke sighs and nods reluctantly. He then turns away to drape his legs off the branch.


Hiei- We'll settle things with that little b------.. Then we'll settle this between us.


* Yusuke looks back at Hiei.


Yusuke- Shura belongs to Kurama.

Hiei- Shura's Territory belongs to Kurama.. Pieces of that son of a b----'s hide belongs to me.

Yusuke- But you can't kill him..

Hiei- Hn.. But I can make him beg Kurama to do so.. Don't act so sanctimonious, Yusuke.. You're brewing the same plan in your own head.


* Yusuke chuckles darkly.


Yusuke- You and me.. We're brothers from a different mother, my man.


* Hiei scowls.


Hiei- D---, if we are related.. I really don't swing that way..


* Yusuke looks at Hiei until the Koorime smirks again. Yusuke then sombers.


Yusuke- No matter what happens.. I don't want us to turn into Yomi, Mukuro, and my Father.

Hiei- It's not possible for that to happen.. Not between us, Yusuke.. I've already told you.. I have no desire to the Ruler.. You better go get some rest. We got a long day tomorrow.

Yusuke- Yeah.. First priority is getting out of those d--- munchkins' territory before they decide to come at us again.

Hiei- Hn. Finally you're using your brain.


* Yusuke stands with a grunt. He then looks back down at Hiei a long moment before leaping easily to the ground. The Koorime watches him go back into the cave then leans his head back against the trunk of the tree. Memories of his past, his harsh upbringing flash through his thoughts, renewing his belief that no good has ever befallen anyone who'd been close to him. Then he recalls the connection he felt with Yusuke just a few moments ago. Could this be the reason the Toushin has been involved in his life for so long? Had he really been too blind to see this? Or is he doomed to have history repeat itself? Would this only bring division amongst them? After several moments of such cumbersome thinking the dark Koorime finally gives his head a shake with a growl. He is really starting to detest his coming of age. Hiei closes his true eyes and reopens his jagan to continue his sentry duty. Yes, this is an activity that he is more comfortable with. Though not as comfortable as Yusuke and his son are in that cave with the Kitsune. The tree shudders with the resounding thunk of a warded fist meeting it's trunk. Then silence reclaims the night.