Life Goes On

I had to break up this scene. The paper version was just too long. Besides that, I feel that this 'emotional' scene needed to stand on its own.

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Scene 60 ------------------------------------------- Back In The Livingroom

* As Kasaba comes into the livingroom he finds Yusuke cuddling his mood-swinging kitsune mate. The boy stays near the archway watching them. Yukina comes out of the kitchen carrying two cups of tea. She notices Kasaba and pauses.

Yukina- Are you okay, Sabie?

Kasaba- (Quietly) Imiko.


* Yukina looks back at Kasaba a bit startled, almost dropping the cups. Kurama looks up at Yusuke, then sits up to look at Kasaba.


Yukina- What?

Kasaba- That's my real name.


* Yukina continues taking Yusuke and Kurama their tea, then sits in the armchair.


Yukina- Come here, Sabie.


* The red-headed boy goes over to face her.


Yukina- Why would you think that?

Kasaba- Uncle Hiei.. Well, he's really my Grandfather..


* Yukina sighs and nods.


Yukina- I know, but..

Kasaba- Well, he says that Imiko is my real name.


* Yukina hesitantly looks at Yusuke and Kurama. The two realize that maybe she's not as informed on some things as they thought.


Yusuke- Shishi told us.. It was the first thing Kichiro called Kasaba when he was born.

Kurama- Since he was Hiei's master at the time..


* Kasaba looks at them puzzled.


Kasaba- Shishi? Who is that? Grandfather says my.. mother.. was his son.. Sa-Sa..

Kurama- Sabaktu.

Kasaba- Hai.

Kurama- Yes. Shishiwakamaru was your Grandfather's previous mate..

Kasaba- Oh.. Then this Kichiro.. Who was he?

Yusuke- He was a very bad man that.. hurt your Grandfather.

Kasaba- Oh. The one that forced me to be here..

Yusuke- No. That scum's name was Satjiyu.


* Kasaba lowers his eyes and scratches an ear thoughtfully, then he looks back up at Yukina with tears sparkling in his eyes.


Kasaba- How many demons have hurt my Grandfather?

Kurama- Not many that are still alive.


* Yukina half glances at Kurama, then pulls Kasaba into an embrace. The kitsune shrugs.


Kurama- No sense in sugar-coating it.

Kasaba- Why is Grandfather always getting hurt?

Yukina- When you're a brave man like your Grandfather.. sometimes things just.. happen.. I think it's time we go home now, Sabie.


* Kasaba pulls back to look up at her.


Kasaba- Why don't you like my real name?


* Yukina fidgets as she glances toward Yusuke and Kurama.


Yusuke- Someday when you're older you'll understand.


* Yukina stands.


Yukina- Could you open the portal for us, please, Yusuke?

Kasaba- I want to stay here.

Yukina- Not right now, Sabie.. Come now.


* Yusuke glances at Kurama then looks up at Yukina.


Yusuke- Yukina,..

Kasaba- I need to be here with Grandfather. Please, Aunt Yukina.


* Yukina lowers her eyes sadly.


Yukina- If.. that's what you want..

Kasaba- Why can't you stay here, too? Don't you belong here?

Yukina- No.. Not anymore.

Kurama- Yukina,..

Yukina- Open the portal, please.. I have to return to the temple.


* Yusuke picks the remote up off of the coffeetable and clicks the button.


Yusuke- We'll see you tomorrow, Sis.


* Yukina glances at Yusuke, nods, then turns and goes through the portal. Kasaba wipes his eyes when the portal closes. He looks at Yusuke and Kurama again.


Kasaba- I do belong here.. don't I?

Kurama- I think you've done enough searching for today, Kasaba.

Kasaba- Imiko.

Yusuke- Go find the other kids and play, kid.


* Kasaba turns and hurries back toward the hallway and the playroom. Yusuke sighs deeply.


Yusuke- He gets that stubborn streak from Kuwabara.

Kurama- Compounded by Hiei's, as well.

Yusuke- Hn.. It almost scares me to think what he's going to be like when he gets older.

Kurama- Hn.


* Yusuke smirks at Kurama, then pulls him over to kiss his cheek. They then continue sipping at their tea.