Life Goes On

Scene 87 ------------------------------------------- Three Days Later

* When Ryuji enters Hiei's room today he is surprised to find that he is sitting up on the bed holding a fuzzy, blue-headed baby. Yukina smiles up at him as he comes over closer. He sees that Hiei is allowing this strange baby to nibble on one of his fingers.


Ryuji- Hmm.. Not that I don't mind Tattie's new look, but..

Yukina- Oh, this isn't Tatsuya, silly..


* Hiei glances a smirk up at Ryuji.


Hiei- Baka.

Yukina- This is.. our son, Kenkaku.


* Hiei bobs his head toward Ryuji as he speaks to the baby he's cradling.


Hiei- See that one? He's your crazy Uncle Ryuji.

Ryuji- Crazy, hmm?


* Ryuji reaches his hands out toward the baby, who is slightly bigger than Tatsuya.


Ryuji- May I?


* Hiei grunts, then helps Ryuji gather Kenkaku up into his arms. Yukina, not as familiar with this half brother as Hiei, watches carefully as Ryuji jostles him carefully.


Ryuji- Well, hello there, new nephew Kenkaku.

Hiei- I'm gathering enough offspring to start my own clan.


* Yukina becomes puzzled at the look Ryuji gives Hiei. An odd mixture of amusement, hurt, and shame. The fire demon quickly realizes that Yukina is watching and lowers his eyes back down to the baby boy in his arms. When Yukina reaches for her son Ryuji calmly allows her to take him back.


Yukina- I have to be getting back to the temple.. I won't bother you no more, Hiei, unless you really need me..

Hiei- You know you're welcome here anytime.. I'm stuck here in this desert for the rest of my existence, I suppose.


* Ryuji studies Hiei, but Yukina sighs.


Yukina- Oh, Hiei..


* Hiei crosses his arms and looks toward the crib where Tatsuya is still asleep. Yukina shakes her head then bows her head toward Ryuji as she turns and leaves. Ryuji watches her go. When he turns his attention back to Hiei the koorime leaves the bed to go over to the crib.


Hiei- Don't you have your own brats to get back to?


* When Ryuji doesn't answer Hiei half glances toward him.


Ryuji- I was just upstairs visiting Lord Urameshi.


* The smaller fire demon looks back down at his son with a huff. Ryuji goes over to join Hiei in looking down at his other nephew.


Ryuji- He told me that you tried to bite him this morning when he came down to see you..

Hiei- Hn.. He deserved it.. Coochie-cooing my son like he's some.. ningen brat..

Ryuji- Hmm.. I thought Yusuke was Tattie's..

Hiei- He is.. You can tell that just by looking at him.


* Hiei opens Tatsuya's blanket, careful not to wake him, to show Ryuji the tattoos. Ryuji shakes his head sadly.


Ryuji- Umm.. Despicable..


* Hiei doesn't respond. Ryuji lays a hand on Hiei's shoulder.


Ryuji- I do hope those will fade..

Hiei- They disappeared on the twins when they were around three months old.. But don't patronize me.


* Hiei swipes Ryuji's hand off his shoulder with a quiet growl, then moves back toward the bed. Ryuji turns to watch him go.


Ryuji- Your Alpha exhausted himself taking care of both you and Lord Kurama. He slept nearly the whole two days of your seperation.. That tall bald guy has been running things..


* Hiei sits on the bed indian-style with his arms crossed again, avoiding Ryuji's eyes and repelling his jagan's probing.


Hiei- Why should I care?

Ryuji- You two seriously need to talk.. And don't bother denying that you care.


* After a moment Hiei raises one of his knees to hug it and rest his chin on it. He finally closes his jagan behind the ward and allows Ryuji to probe his thoughts. The full fire demon does so carefully for only a couple moments.


Ryuji- (Quietly) You're not happy here.

Hiei- I have everything I need here.

Ryuji- And that bothers you.


* Hiei lowers his eyes to avoid looking at Ryuji. He speaks as if he's trying to convince his own self of the words, moreso than Ryuji.


Hiei- If I didn't want to be here I wouldn't have..

Ryuji- Do you?


* After a couple silent moments Hiei glances up at Ryuji, then he begins to pick nervously at the blanket on the bed beneath him thoughtfully. Ryuji moves to lean on the footboard.


Ryuji- Is it because you're the second mate?

Hiei- H--- no..! I could care less about that! I should consider myself lucky to.. have all of this..


* Ryuji nods.


Ryuji- Indeed.. But you're not.


* Hiei growls again.


Hiei- Enough reading, Ryu!

Ryuji- Ani,..


* Ryuji moves around and sits on the bed in front of Hiei, pulling his jagan back some.


Ryuji- Do you not know how to accept love?


* Hiei grunts and looks away.


Hiei- Love.

Ryuji- Hn.. Look at me.


* Hiei bares his fangs but still avoids looking at Ryuji.


Hiei- You're not my boss!


* Ryuji reaches over and gently turns Hiei's face toward his. Almost immediately, their eyes lock. The next thing they know they are kissing each other hungrily. When Hiei's senses return he shoves his brother back.


Hiei- It's not love between us!

Ryuji- No.. Between us it's just.. lust,.. release,.. and satisfaction.


* Ryuji wiggles his eyebrows in an attempt to lighten Hiei's mood.


Ryuji- Lots.. of satisfaction..


* Hiei swallows, whimpers slightly, then blurs to tackle Ryuji. For a couple moments the two of them roll and tumble in a playful struggle for dominance that finally ends with Hiei hovering over top of his younger brother. They both heave to catch their breath a moment before Hiei speaks again.


Hiei- (Quietly) He.. knows about.. us..


* Ryuji nods as he raises a hand to begin stroking Hiei's side, inside the thin, black yukata that's worked open during the struggle.


Ryuji- I know.. I scanned him.. Just after he fell asleep.. That Toushin really loves you, Ani.


* Slowly, Hiei nods and allows Ryuji to pull him down closer, realizing that the koorime has exhausted himself.


Ryuji- Why can't you just.. accept that?


* The koorime closes his eyes and sinks down to snuggle into his brother's familiar embrace.


Ryuji- What are you afraid of?


* Hiei scowls.

Hiei- I told you to stop scanning me..

Ryuji- I'm not trying to intrude, Hiei.. I want to help you..


* Hiei yawns and hides his face against Ryuji's side. The fire demon lays still, continuing to scan Hiei's thoughts. Even though Hiei has protested outwardly, he still doesn't repell Ryuji. Slowly, they both slip off to sleep, feeling safe and comfortable in each other's arms.