Life Goes On

Loving all the reviews. Thoth, your last review confused me, lol. Blue, as far as all the boy babies I heard somewhere, not sure if it's 'fact' or not, that all Toushins are males.. So with Yusuke being Toushin I figure it only makes sense that most of his offspring would be males.. But if I ever do anymore sequels, Rozeme is proof that Kurama's kitsune genes will crop up now and then. I figure that since Hiei comes from a race of females it would only be natural that he would produce a female at some point. LOL, could you just imagine Hiei raising a daughter? Hmm... :oD

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Scene 88 ------------------------------------------- A Couple Hours Later

* After seperating himself from Ryuji only long enough to go feed Tatsuya, Hiei had returned to snuggle into his brother's arms and fallen back to sleep. Ryuji had remained awake. It doesn't surprise him when Yusuke enters because he'd felt the Mazoku's strong aura approaching. To protect Hiei, Ryuji used his jagan to hopefully convince Hiei's third eye to keep its host asleep. When Yusuke sees the two laying together on the bed it startles him a moment. He stands still awkwardly, then starts to turn to leave. Ryuji sits up away from Hiei carefully.


Ryuji- Lord Urameshi.


* Yusuke stops a moment, then gathers himself and looks back at Ryuji.


Ryuji- He's hibernating.. It's been a long day for him.


* Yusuke nods, still not sure how to react. Strangely, he realizes that jealousy isn't even remotely in his mix of emotions.


Ryuji- We need to talk about this.

Yusuke- Look, I'm not.. jealous or.. anything.. like that, I..

Ryuji- There's no reason for jealousy.. It really wasn't as it appears.


* Now Yusuke sighs and forces himself to relax as he moves to check Tatsuya. When he sees that his son is sleeping peacefully he turns and moves to the foot of the bed. Ryuji watches him look down at Hiei a couple moments before speaking again.


Ryuji- I know that you care very much for my brother.

Yusuke- Yeah. I love him.. I just wish he.. felt as comfortable with me.. as he obviously does with you.

Ryuji- There's something you must understand, Lord Urameshi.. You know, to a degree, what my Ani's life has been like..

Yusuke- Hard.. abused, enslaved..

Ryuji- Hn.. As I said, you know.. to a degree.. My little brother never truly knew friendship.. Not until he met a certain kitsune.. which led to his meeting.. you..


* Yusuke looks at Ryuji and watches the full fire demon smile down at Hiei softly.


Ryuji- If you would have seen him ranting as he told me about you for the first time.. Well, let's just say he reacted more in describing you to me than anyone else he'd ever met.. That was a few days after you'd defeated those Saint Beasts..

Yusuke- Reacted?

Ryuji- Hn.. I could tell by the way he was all worked up that he'd found somebody that he truly respected.. He and I have developed a connection to where neither of us can hide much from each other.

Yusuke- I can dig that, I guess.. I've never had a brother of my own.. But Kurama and I have developed a very tight bond.. Is Hiei bothered by that?


* Ryuji shakes his head.


Ryuji- No. He completely respects the ranking between he and Kurama.

Yusuke- (Sighs) Then give me a clue, Ryuji.. What am I doing wrong?


* Ryuji raises his eyes again to meet Yusuke's. He studies the anxious Toushin as he considers how to answer. He finally shrugs and waves a hand toward Yusuke.


Ryuji- This.


* Ryuji crosses his arms. Yusuke is left puzzled and tilts his head.


Yusuke- Talk to me in plain english, will ya please?!

Ryuji- You're trying too hard.


* Yusuke scowls slightly at Ryuji.


Ryuji- You see, all through Hiei's young life he was.. forced.. into belonging to others. Do you really think Satjiyu was his first.. master, so to speak?


* Slowly, Yusuke looks back down at the hibernating koorime.


Ryuji- Once he and I.. found each other.. we formed the bond you know of now through mutual respect.. Since I am the only brother he has, it was up to me to teach him everything he now knows about his fire heritage.

Yusuke- Understandable.

Ryuji- The first decision Hiei was ever truly allowed to make on his own resulted in the death of our Father.


* Yusuke looks back up at Ryuji silently.


Ryuji- Not all demon customs are pleasant.


* Ryuji looks down at Hiei and strokes his ebony spikes.


Yusuke- So I'm learning.

Ryuji- He made the decision to act on his rights after hearing my Father's confession of how he.. raped Hina.. then abandoned her.. My Father was a young rogue demon at that time.. Before he became the leader of our clan.. When Hiei acted on his rights I was powerless to stop him.. or so he thought..


* Yusuke watches Ryuji smirk in a manner that would make Hiei proud.


Ryuji- It was then my choice on how I was to reciprocate.

Yusuke- What?


* Ryuji sighs and looks back up at Yusuke.


Ryuji- Up until I met Hiei, which is totally another long story, I was Ryushikon's (1) only son and next to be the leader of our clan.. As soon as the clan saw Hiei, though, they knew he was Ryu's son without much doubt.

Yusuke- Let me guess, you both look like your Father.

Ryuji- Spitting images.. with a couple obvious differences..


* Yusuke watches Ryuji's hand stroke the white crest in Hiei's bangs.


Ryuji- Fire traits always breed true.

Yusuke- Yeah. I see that.

Ryuji- Well, I gave Hiei his next choice. He could accept his place as the Clan's new leader.. or refuse it and.. place himself beneath me..


* Yusuke now folds his arms and scowls.


Yusuke- You mean become your.. toy..?


* Ryuji shrugs, deciding not to reveal everything to his brother's Alpha.


Ryuji- I was just coming into my heat cycle at the time.. So you know where my brain was.

Yusuke- Uh huh.. So you were no better than Satjiyu..


* Ryuji scowls briefly up at Yusuke, then considers his words and looks back down at Hiei a long moment before he speaks again.


Ryuji- Well, it's all ancient history now.. Hiei refused to be the clan's leader.. for whatever reason.. And he and I forged a brother's bond that night that will hold solid between the two of us for the rest of our existence.. We've renewed that bond from time to time ever since.. But not all of our times spent together result in sex.. Like today, for instance.


* Ryuji smiles down at Hiei again.


Ryuji- What you.. and everyone else sees.. is the tough outer shell.. What I know.. is both sides.. (chuckles) There's been fights between us that would have killed lesser demons.. But I've also had times with Ani when.. my arms were the only things holding him together.

Yusuke- If you two are so close, how is it we never knew about you until you showed up in that park?


* Ryuji shrugs.


Ryuji- That was the first time I'd ever been in Human World.. It's a nice place to visit, but I can see why Hiei hated living there.

Yusuke- Hey! It's not all that bad!


* Ryuji grins up at Yusuke.


Ryuji- Of course you'd say that.


* Yusuke waves a hand dismissively.


Yusuke- Don't get me offtrack here.. You scanned me, so you know how much I care about this little.. About him..


* Now Yusuke smirks when he sees Ryuji's expression change to nervous surprise.


Yusuke- Do you really think I'm some wimpy-a--ed demon that doesn't know what a jagan feels like?


* Both Yusuke and Ryuji look down at Hiei when he snorts. The koorime rolls to lay on his back and looks from Yusuke to Ryuji.


Hiei- I could ask the same thing.

Ryuji- You were awake the whole d--- time?!


* Hiei sits up and clunks Ryuji on the head.


Hiei- When will you ever learn, Oto? My jagan don't take suggestions.


* Hiei then 'hmphs' and leaves the bed to check Tatsuya as Ryuji rubs the new bump on his head. Yusuke turns to watch Hiei lift his obviously happy son gently to cradle him affectionately.


Hiei- And what do you have to be so happy about, Little Dragon?

Yusuke- Hiei,..


* Hiei glares at Yusuke over his shoulder.


Hiei- If you weren't my Alpha you'd have a new protuberance on your head as well!


* Tatsuya giggles and Hiei jostles him some as he looks back down at the baby with a smirk.


Hiei- Hn.. So you like it when I talk to your Father like that, hmm?

Yusuke- Yeah. Real smart kid we have there.


* Hiei glances at Yusuke again, then moves to sit in the rocking chair that Yukina had brought for him.


Hiei- Hn.. All of our boys are pistols.


* Hiei begins to nurse Tatsuya, completely unashamed to be doing so in front of his mate and brother. For a couple moments they are all quiet, sharing the tender moment. Hiei briefly reminisces about when he'd nursed his other sons and grandson. He realizes how naturally he has slipped into the role of being a bearer. He finally looks back up at Ryuji and Yusuke.


Hiei- Ryu,..


* Ryuji nods and leaves the bed.


Ryuji- Right.. I'm going to go back home to check on things there.. Holler if you need me.. And don't be a stranger, little brother.


* Ryuji moves to face Yusuke and bows respectfully to the Toushin. Yusuke offers Ryuji a hand. The fire demon hesitates, then accepts the token of trust and friendship.


Yusuke- Same to you, brother.. Bring the kids next time you visit.


* Ryuji nods his thanks and blinks away. After a moment, Yusuke moves to sit on the bed. Hiei looks down at Tatsuya to avoid his searching eyes.


Hiei- (Quietly) So.. Now you know more of my wonderful life history.


* Tatsuya picks this moment to laugh and reach up to grab Hiei's nose. Yusuke grins a couple moments as he watches Hiei pry the tiny hand loose.


Yusuke- Do you really think it changes how I feel..?

Hiei- It should.

Yusuke- It don't. You're still mine.


* Hiei looks back up at Yusuke. Suddenly, the Toushin gets the whole point that Ryuji was trying to make. Hiei watches Yusuke lower his eyes, then stand and move away. For several moments, Yusuke stands beside the empty crib looking down into it. Hiei feels his emotions through their bond and quickly nips them in the bud.


Hiei- I've never regretted creating any of my boys.. except Sabaktu..

Yusuke- You had.. no choice..


* Yusuke swallows and looks back at Hiei.


Hiei- It doesn't mean that I love them any less.. Or that I wouldn't hesitate to risk my life for any of them..


* Hiei looks back down at Tatsuya and lets the boy grip his index finger so he can nibble on it.


Hiei- (Quietly) Thank you for allowing me to have this one.

Yusuke- You were right.. I couldn't deny that it was your choice to carry him.

Hiei- Hn.


* Yusuke watches Hiei genuinely smile down at Tatsuya and begin to rock the chair gently.


Yusuke- I guess the next decision is also yours.


* Hesitantly, Hiei looks back up at Yusuke. His smile fades when he sees and feels the sadness eminating from his Alpha.


Yusuke- I won't force you to stay here.. Just because we're mated doesn't mean that my home has to become your prison..

Hiei- Yusuke,..

Yusuke- Listen to me.. Ryuji told me Mukuro told him that she never took your name off the official papers.. You are still her heir.. Right now, she's suffering from a brain tumor of some sort that she's refusing to be treated for.. If she doesn't survive.. And her doctor has informed me that it's a good possibility..

Hiei- (Mumbled) Shikoku never could keep his mouth shut.


* Yusuke hesitates a moment, then continues.


Yusuke- You'll inherit that third of Demon World.. I won't stand in your way of claiming it.


* Yusuke takes a deep breath and nods, reassuring himself of his decision.


Yusuke- We both know that I can even release you now and no harm will come to you..

Hiei- Do you want..?

Yusuke- You know I don't! You know how I feel about you..!


* Hiei slowly nods. Yusuke looks away.


Yusuke- So the choices are yours.. You decide where we go from here.. Your boys are outside and they want to meet their new brother.


* Yusuke moves toward the door when Hiei just nods again. The Toushin pauses before opening the door and sends his last statement to the koorime telepathically.


(#) Yusuke- But no matter what you decide.. The three of us will always be friends and allies.. You'll be welcome here anytime.


* Yusuke then opens the door.


Yusuke- Okay. You three can come in now.


* Ichiro, Jiro, and Chiisai step in a bit cautiously, sensing the tension that was building in the room. Yusuke looks back to meet Hiei's eyes once more, then leaves. Hiei is lost in thought a moment, then focuses on his three older sons.


Hiei- Hn. Come meet your new little brother, boys.


* The three now hurry over asking about his name.


Hiei- His name is Tatsuya.


* As the boys greet their new little brother Hiei glances toward the closed door, then gives his full attention to his sons and their many questions.

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(1) Name roughly translates to Dragon Fang.

Also, the last couple days we've had some really rough weather here and my phone line has been nothing but solid static, so it's been real hit and miss as to me being able to connect. Please bear with me. I will get these last few chapters finished, I promise.