Life Goes On

I hope this isn't running too long. I promise, we are wrapping up.. (Beats this script into submission).. -nervous lol-

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Scene 91 ------------------------------------------- Alaric/The Next Day

* Just as Hiei, Jiro, and Chiisai come to a landing outside of the bug-shaped fortress an explosion roars from within the structure. In the next moment, they hear a shriek and look up. A Black Dragon, slightly smaller than the one Hiei controls, crashes out of the new hole that was made.


Hiei- D---, Ryu! That's coming out of your pocket!

Jiro- What's going on, Papa? What is that?

Hiei- No time to answer that now, Jiro. Here.


* Hiei quickly removes Tatsuya's sling and gives the baby to Jiro, keeping his eyes on the dragon.


Hiei- Take Tat and Chi and hide in that cave over there! Now! Don't come out until I tell you to!


* Hearing the authority in his his Papa's voice Jiro holds onto Tatsuya tightly, nods down at Chiisai, then they both blink away into the small cave that Hiei's opening jagan had located behind them. Hiei continues watching Ryuji's released dragon squirm around in the air until it looks down and notices him. Almost without effort Hiei's greater dragon surges forth to make itself known as it raises up into the air when Hiei raises his right arm. Ryuji's lesser dragon recognizes the stronger and decides against attacking it. With a slight screech the lesser dragon plummets downward to disappear into the ground several feet from the koorime. Hiei relaxes and recalls his own dragon just as easily as he'd called it out. When he gets his jagan closed he looks back toward the cave.


Hiei- Okay, boys! Come with me!


* Hiei blurs into the fortress, his boys not too far behind. When he enters the main councilroom he finds Ryuji and Kirin, standing back to back, surrounded by a group of angry, yet hesitant soldiers.


Hiei- What the h--- is going on here?!


* When the soldiers all turn to look toward the short, cloaked koorime several immediately drop their weapons.


Hiei- All of you stand down!


* A few more lower their weapons. Hiei turns his glare toward the remaining stubborn few.


Hiei- Don't make me hurt you.


* Slowly, these last few lower their weapons. Ryuji and Kirin stay alert, though.


Hiei- I'm here to claim my rightful place.


* Hiei raises his still loosely ward-raveled right arm and flexes his hand.


Hiei- Do I have any objections?


* When Hiei gets no response he smirks.


Hiei- Thought not.. Leave. Now.


* Jiro, shielding Tatsuya, and Chiisai move in closer to their Papa as the group of soldiers file out of the room on both sides of them. None of them dare to make any moves toward the youngsters, though, obviously knowing better. When they are all gone Hiei relaxes some and turns to slam the door shut behind them. He then takes Tatsuya from Jiro because he has started to fuss before turning back to Ryuji and Kirin.


Hiei- Now. I asked a question.

Ryuji- I arrived just in time to assist General Kirin in protecting the position you just claimed.

Kirin- I had a feeling you would return to claim it, M'Lord.


* Hiei moves to sit down at the large oval table. He is thankful that his reputation was all he needed to intimidate the soldiers away. He lays Tatsuya on the table and sniffs toward him discreetly, 'Hn.. Hungry again.. I swear you have your Sire's appetite, Tat'. Ryuji chuckles at Hiei's thought, which he catches through his still-alert jagan. He then bends down to gather up the small, metal box they were guarding. He tosses it to Kirin.


Ryuji- I'll let you do the honors, General.


* Kirin nods and takes the box over to the table. Hiei wastes no time in popping the secret button underneath it to open it. He shushes Tatsuya, who softens his crying to soft sobbing, as he removes the formal scroll. Ryuji comes over and leans to begin playing with Tatsuya as Hiei unrolls the scroll. Kirin stays alert toward the door, with his hand on his re-sheathed sword just in case. The general doesn't relax until Hiei nips his thumb and presses it onto the scroll making it official. The koorime then looks up at Kirin.


Hiei- Now go get the repair crews busy on that d---ed hole.


* Kirin bows.


Kirin- Hai, M'Lord.


* When Kirin leaves Hiei can finally completely relax. Ryuji watches his brother part his cloak, push up the tanktop underneath, and draw Tatsuya to him so he can nurse.


Ryuji- Your timing is impeccable, as always, Ani.

Hiei- Hn.


* Hiei looks up at Ryuji who's arm is still smoking.


Hiei- Was the situation that desperate?


* Ryuji raises his arm and flexes his hand with a shrug.


Ryuji- They were about to destroy that box.


* Hiei looks back down at the scroll.


Ryuji- You travelled across Makai alone with.. three kids.. Please tell me you didn't lose one.


* Now Hiei shrugs, then glances a scowl up at his younger half brother.


Hiei- No. Ichiro chose to stay with Yusuke since he's his proper heir.. You know of that tradition.

Ryuji- Hn.

Hiei- Besides, most demons these days get out of my way, anyhow.. My boys and I only had to take out about a dozen or so..

Ryuji- Ahh.. Well, Demon World's gene pool will benefit from your actions, I'm sure.


* Ryuji looks toward the boys when Jiro gives out an amused snort. The fire demon suddenly finds himself holding his drowsy nephew as Hiei stands to put the scroll back in the box. He then takes the box across the room to place it in the secret vault that only he, Ryuji, and Mukuro were privy to. Ryuji situates Tatsuya more comfortably in his arms. The tiny baby smiles with a purr as he looks up at his uncle then his eyes drift shut.


Ryuji- This baby is very aware.

Hiei- Moreso than any of my others were at that age.


* Hiei returns to reclaim his sleeping son.


Hiei- (Quietly) Come with me, Oto.


* Hiei tilts his head toward the hole in the wall.


Hiei- (Quietly) And you're reimbursing me for those repairs.

Ryuji- Hn.


* Ryuji glances toward the hole, a bit proud of the size of it a moment, before following Hiei and his boys out of the councilroom.