Life Goes On

Well, here it is. The - hopefully - long awaited sequel to "Rescuing Hiei". Those who are familiar with my writings already know the deal. If you haven't read the previous three stories in my series, you probably should to get an understanding of where this story is going.

Now, with all that said, I'm going to place this sequel two years later. Why? Well, because I wanted to..lol.. But seriously, one of the reasons was because I wanted to give the kids some age. There will be a bit more interaction with as many of the kids that I can include. As for the other reason, well, you'll see... (evil grin).

Expect abundant doses of angst, a bit of Waffiness at times, some new characters, character deaths, and a tad bit of shocking sex. But don't forget, I'm not about writing hardcore smut for smut's sake, sorry, I try to concentrate on the story line. Luckily for you citrus-lovers the storyline will lead to some pretty sexy scenes.

My policy of not typing out complete curse words stands. Saying a certain character has sex with another guy or a sibling ( :oO ) is not the same, in my opinion, as cursing. If you're having trouble with figuring out the words take the first letter and count the dashes after it. That should usually give you some clue as to what has been said. I thank you for your patience with me on this matter. Just wanted to state that, as I've gotten a few comments about it. Just hope I said it in a friendly enough manner. I'm here to entertain, not offend.

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Scene 1 ------------------------------- Human World

* Shizuru Kuwabara and Yukina are sitting on a bench in a park near her house. Shizuru always brings her orange-haired nephew here on the weekends. She was a little surprised today when her late brother's former girlfriend had showed up. After exchanging pleasantries, the two sit in companionable silence a few moments before Yukina breaks it.


Yukina- So.. how has Kasaba been?

Shizuru- He's so much like Kazuma he.. scares me sometimes.


* Yukina smiles with a brief pleasant memory of Kuwabara.


Shizuru- He's a very smart child.

Yukina- He's certainly growing fast.. He's nearly as tall as me already.


* The two-year-old subject of their conversation hurries over with a flower for Shizuru.


Kasaba- Found this for you, Auntie 'Zuru.


* Shizuru smiles and takes the flower as she leans down to hug Kasaba, who looks to be about six years old.


Shizuru- Why thank you so much, Sabie. It's beautiful.


* The little boy laughs in such a familiar manner that it causes Yukina to catch her breath. Kasaba grins and waves at Yukina then hurries off to continue playing. Shizuru looks at the ice maiden with complete understanding of her actions.


Yukina- Kinda ironic that you should call him that.

Shizuru- (Shrugs) From what Koenma told me, his.. birthparent.. was someone who deserved to be honored.


* Yukina nods.


Yukina- So were his father and grandfather.. Kasaba is my great nephew, you know.

Shizuru- Yeah.. I'm actually surprised you haven't come around more often, Yukina.. You do know that I have no problems with you coming around to see Sabie, don't you?

Yukina- Of course. The issue wasn't anything concerning him.. or you.. It just took me a while to.. mourn.

Shizuru- Well, you're coming here has saved me a trip up all those stairs.. I was planning on bringing Sabie to see you.


* Yukina looks up at Shizuru. She has a passing thought about it being odd to see the brunette human without a smoking stick in her fingers.


Yukina- Is there a problem?

Shizuru- I quit smoking after I learned that a baby was coming to live with me.


* Shizuru looks back toward Kasaba who is swinging on a swingset not too far away.


Shizuru- The last couple weeks.. he's been asking.. questions.

Yukina- Normal child questions, or..

Shizuru- Or... He's asked about where his mom and dad are.. That one was pretty easy to answer.. But lately the questions have been getting more complicated...

Yukina- Such as...?


* As the two continue talking they are unaware right away of the unseen, dark shadows that have started to approach and scatter to surround the park.


Shizuru- A couple days ago he asked me some questions that I.. honestly don't know how to answer.

Yukina- Perhaps I can help.

Shizuru- He asked me.. if I could tell him about the.. other worlds...


* Yukina looks up at Shizuru and watches her glances around a moment.


Yukina- Other worlds?

Shizuru- Yes.. He told me that the.. Shadow People.. will be taking him to another world.


* Shizuru slowly stands to scan the park. Yukina stays calm as she begins to scan their surroundings in her own way.


Shizuru- (Quietly) Yukina,.. do you.. sense anything?

Yukina- Not yet..

Shizuru- (Quietly) Is there anyway that some other.. demons would find out about Sabie?


* Shizuru forces herself to stay calm. Yukina strengthens her aura and now feels it touch something. The ice maid stands, but she keeps herself calm also as they begin to move toward Kasaba.


Yukina- (Quietly) As far as I know, Koenma has locked his papers away in his vault..


* When all the dark shadows are in position behind several trees they disguise themselves in human forms. Yukina feels the brief bursts of energy and looks up at Shizuru.


Shizuru- Yukina, I think Sabie has inherited the family curse from his Father.

Yukina- Curse? - Oh, you mean the special psychic abilities?


* Shizuru feels the dark auras coming closer and glances around at the sudden crowd of encroaching 'people'.


Shizuru- Kasaba, come here to me now, Honey.


* The leader of the small horde of demons raises a hand to wave it slightly at his comrades. As Kasaba hops off the swing and starts toward his aunt, the human-looking demons reveal their true selves and continue to close in around the three. Almost immediately Kasaba recognizes that there is something different about these 'people'.


Kasaba- Auntie 'Zuru, run! It's the Shadow People!


* Shizuru scoops up Kasaba, but they are already surrounded with no escape. The group of demons continue closing in steadily. Yukina's first reaction is to raise a barrier.


Yukina- Shizuru, there's a portal remote...


* Before Yukina can finish, the more powerful demons of the group shatter her barrier. With speed too fast for Shizuru to dodge, a flash of light comes from somewhere behind the leader of the rogues and his second-in-command. The two demons leap aside in time, then look at each momentarily surprised. Yukina watches in horror as Shizuru screams and collapses to the ground. Before the group can fully recover from their own surprise Yukina feels Shizuru's life energy weaken and makes a quick decision. In a flurry of her own speed, Yukina scoops Kasaba up and blurs away between a couple of the more bewildered demons.


Leader- Get her! We'll all die if she gets away!


* Using their own blazing speed the group gives chase to Yukina, forgetting all about the unimportant human laying on the ground. Shizuru tries to cry out, but she's too wounded. All she can do is watch the chase as her vision fades to darkness. The chase continues through the thick woods that stretch from the park. The leader looks at a couple of his companions racing along beside him.


Leader- Gustus, Mikyo, use the energy net! We can't let her get away! She's far enough away from the humans now!


* The two demons burst ahead, doing handsigns that begin to call up their powerful spell. Yukina notices them catch up on either side of her. She continues to try to calm her upset, struggling cargo as she tries to fish the portal remote out of her pocket. Kasaba kicks his feet as she pulls it out, knocking the small device out of her hand. Yukina comes to a stop, heaving, on a branch, then attempts to zip down to retrieve the remote. This is the opening that Gustus and Mikyo need to activate the energy net. They both yell and stretch their hands toward Yukina and the net immediately descends on her as she reaches the ground. It pins her and Kasaba to the ground inescapably only a couple feet from the remote. Desperately, Yukina tries to struggle to reach it but jerks her hand back when a black boot crushes the small device. The net is so tight around them that neither can squirm much.


Leader- Looky what we caught, boys..

Gustus- Is she the one he wanted, Kurai?


* Kurai, the leader of the group, nods. His second-in-command glances around nervously as his leader moves forward to knock Yukina and the boy out with a mild burst of his own energy.


Kurai- Interesting.. She looks like an ice apparition.


* The second officer looks away until Kurai straightens up and turns to look toward him.


Kurai- A good catch, wouldn't you say, Ryuji?

Ryuji- Are you sure that she's the one your contact pinpointed?

Kurai- He said the portal he arranged would set us down within feet of our target.. She was the only demon I sensed anywhere close.


* Ryuji sighs and sniffs toward the pair.


Ryuji- I wonder what her connection is to this halfbreed boy..

Mikyo- Halfbreed?!

Gustus- We can't take a halfbreed back to Demon World! You know the new penalties that King Enki has in place..


* Kurai waves a hand dismissively.


Kurai- We have to take him for now. He's in the net.. Besides, maybe we can use him to keep this ice maiden in line.. She was obviously protecting the kid... Let's get them back to the compound before anymore humans happen along.


* Gustus and Mikyo use their powers to levitate the net between them. Ryuji follows the group through the black portal that Kurai opens with his own remote device. The black hole closes after the entire group passes through.