This is part 3 of my Saga. If you haven't read the first two parts, Captured! & The Aftermath, please do. It will help you to better understand what is going on here. I promised you a twisting, turning roller coaster ride. I hope that I have delivered so far. But the ride isn't over, yet. As the title states, this story will be centered around the recovery of our beloved little demon. But sometimes rescuing is not the end of the dilema.

I think I have put enough warnings on this story to cover whatever may arise, so consider yourselves warned from this point, please. Now, let's go. Please keep all appendages inside the vehicle at all times. Mature audiences, permitted. Crying, permitted. Laughing, definately permitted. Underagers... will be fed to the fugaki!!

Two months have passed just as Yomi stated, in a blink. But in that blink much has taken place.

Yusuke and Kurama's bond has strengthened. Their litter of four, Yurama, Raienma, Kazuma, and Rozeme, have grown "like bad weeds". Although a demon child's mind and skills develop quickly to assure survival, physical attributes age much slower. Now at two months of age, they've become quite the handful for their loving parents. But they are still in their toddler stage physically.

Lords Yomi and Mukuro continue to keep their territories in order, which for territory rulers oftentimes demands much of their time. Mukuro's missing officer is never truly far from her thoughts, though. Upon learning that Hiei is somewhere within the Shikyo Valley region, Mukuro has been busily stationing troops along the rim of the region that falls in her territory. Yomi, on the other hand, has been doing systematic investigations of the various rogue gangs and their leaders. With his portion of the Shikyo Valley region being the largest, the task hasn't been easy.

For the three remaining Shinobi, life has been filled with waiting and regrouping. Coping with the loss of their teammate, Rinku. Finally, the grief over his "little buddy" had taken it's toll on Chu. After a month of serious deliberation and a couple close calls due to being "distracted", the largest member had called it quits. Touya expressed his complete understanding, and dismissed Chu from duty on honorable terms. Jin, the Wind Master, has taken it upon himself to keep his friend and leader, Touya, preoccupied by taking on as many missions as he can find. In the process, though Touya remains heartbroken over the loss of his "chosen" Shishiwakamaru, the last two Shinobi have grown to become closer friends than ever.

Lord Koenma gets Spirit World's backlog of paperwork in order as he waits daily for anything to come up concerning the main keys to truly pinpointing Hiei's exact location. He also places a special mandate in order to have Sabaktu's spirit gathered by Botan in the case of his impending death.

For Hiei, his sense of honor and duty in the protection of his "family" have sometimes been the only things keeping him from falling apart completely. But the rough schedule he imposes on himself, not to mention being Kichiro's most popular worker, is starting to take it's toll, both mentally and physically.

This is where we begin...

Scene 1 ------------------------------------------- Little Saurijo

Hiei is laying on the bed in his servicing room, staring wearily at the cieling mirror after lighting a cigarette, laced with a different kind of drug. Called "greenies" among Kichiro's "employees", the drug simply serves to temporarily "numb" a demon's body and mind. These are used most often after a particularly rough "servicing". His fifth customer, since the start of his shift at sundown, has just moved off of him to get dressed.

Lynstro- See yous nex' week, Onniboy. (1)

Hiei just grunts as the flabby, green demon shuffles out. Hiei feels every ache in his body that he usually feels after servicing the large, heavy creature that is one of his weekly regulars. Since Hiei's body is in rather poor condition, in addition to the various foreign "substances" he's been consuming, his usual replenishing technique of hibernation has been rendered ineffective. Since Lynstro was his last scheduled john for tonight Hiei remains on the bed. He drapes his scarred left arm over his eyes as he continues smoking, hoping that the joint's effects will kick in soon. He is a little surprised when the room door opens again and lifts his arm. When he sees that it's his master, though, he lets the arm fall over onto the bed and smirks. Kichiro flips the main light on to get a better look at Hiei, making the koorime squint with a slurred curse.

Hiei- (Slurred) Wha' th' h---?! Cut th' d--- lights, 'Chiro!

The blue-eyed demon ignores Hiei's irritation as he goes over to the bed. Hiei lays still, showing his submission, as Kichiro's eyes scan his battered, scarred, skinny body. Hiei begins to take quicker, deeper drags, knowing that his Boss will make it put it out.

Kichiro- I thought I'd come in and check up on you, koi.
Hiei- (Slurred) Been 'while since you... checked me out, Boss.
Kichiro- Yeah, yeah. I been busy...

He reaches down and helps Hiei to sit up. He lifts the ashtray over from the side table.

Kichiro- Put that thing out now. How many times I gotta tell you sluts about smoking in the d--- beds?!

Hiei sighs, but obeys, then brings the hand over to begin stroking Kichiro's thigh.

Hiei- May I pleasure you, Boss?
Kichiro- You look like s---, Shi.

Hiei shrugs.

Hiei- I'm still alive... Lyn likes to get a little rough, but I can handle it... They pay me to lay, not to be pretty... Half the
b------s could care less as long as they get to shove their...
Kichiro- Well, I do care, Shi.

Hiei raises the trembling hand to rub his eyes. Kichiro gently lifts his face to examine his bruised cheek. Hiei drops the hand and relaxes habitually.

Kichiro- You're supposed to tell me if they get too rough, koi.
Hiei- S-some of them... give me extra... if I..

Kichiro cuffs Hiei hard enough to quiet him.

Kichiro- You're getting too free on that... I let it slide for a while because you were new. The rules are that you only pocket the money that you make during the day...
Hiei- I can give the tips back to you if you want...

Kichiro sighs.

Kichiro- No, Shi... Just don't do that no more...

When Hiei nods the pimp bends and kisses him unresisted and deep for several moments. Then he pulls back and ruffles his dingy white, disshevelled spikes.

Kichiro- You're my biggest moneymaker right now. I don't want to lose you.

Hiei's mind returns back to a night almost a month ago. Kichiro put him on hold for a couple days. The inactivity soon drove him to smoke a couple Euphoria joints. With no way out of the warded-shut apartment Hiei's lust had turned on Shishi. The Banshee, however, gave no objection and had allowed Hiei to claim him during the frenzied act that ensued. Yet another cause of nearly-constant guilt that he deals with daily.

Hiei- Don't take me off again, Boss... You know I need to keep working... You know what happened last time...
Kichiro- Shut up... I'll figure out what to do with you tomorrow... For now, get your a-- upstairs... That Blueboy of yours wasn't doing too well when I went up to see your b---- earlier today.

Kichiro helps Hiei to his feet and holds him until he's steady. Having not smoked enough of the "greenie", Hiei still feels the pain in his body as he moves. The master helps Hiei get his cloak on as Hiei answers.

Hiei- Yeah. He's been uncomfortable for the past couple days... Not able to sleep well at night.. Or so Shishi tells me.
Kichiro- Get on up there, then... You're off for at least tomorrow.

Hiei looks up at Kichiro.

Hiei- I got to meet Gin..
Kichiro- Don't make me ward your door, b-----... I'll tell Ginsen you were injured. Now go on.

Kichiro waves. Hiei drops his eyes and limps out the door. As he routinely does now, Dasan meets Hiei at the landing to the stairs to help him get up them. When Dasan releases Hiei outside his apartment door the koorime turns to lean against the wall and look up at the mage. Dasan raises a hand to check Hiei's bruised cheek, also.

Dasan- (Quietly) Why do you let them pound on you?

Hiei closes his eyes.

Hiei- (Whisper) You know why, Das...

The older demon shakes his head.

Dasan- Get a good shower and eat something, Baby. Please.
Hiei- Not been hungry lately... I'll live, Old Man.

Hiei grins in the certain way that he's learned will draw the mage into a deep kissing session. It works, but not for long as they hear Kichiro warning Dasan not to get carried away through their rings. Dasan pulls his flat tongue back out slowly. Hiei moans quietly.

Hiei- I still got some of your healing powder... Hey, could you come in and check on Sabie?
Dasan- Sure, Shi.

Hiei leads Dasan into the apartment. A slightly rotund Shishi stands from the couch and moves to check Hiei.

Shishi- It's about time, Shi. Rough night?
Hiei- Just the usual h---... I'm fine, Banshee.

Hiei pulls away from his "claimed" mate to follow Dasan to the bed. Shishi follows quietly to watch. Ichiro and Jiro raise up from where they were laying on the other side of Sabaktu. Used to seeing Dasan, now, neither make a sound as the healer checks their older brother. Sabaktu opens unfocused eyes slightly as the mage probes his large belly. Dasan catches a faint scent and knows that Hiei has detected it, too. The koorime quickly kneels on the bed to stroke Sabaktu's blue spikes. The boy moans quietly.

Hiei- (Quietly) Shhh, Sabie. It's just me.. It's okay...

Dasan straightens up with a sigh.

Dasan- It won't be much longer, Shi.

Hiei nods slowly and watches Sabaktu's eyes drift shut again. Jiro crawls over to Shishi and he gathers the sensitive little boy up.

Jiro- Sabie's hurting, Momma Shishi..

He hides his face against Shishi's chest and sobs. Hiei glances up at them.

Dasan- You know to call us when it's time, Baby.
Hiei- Hn.

Dasan slips out quietly. Ichiro moves up to the other side of Sabaktu's head to get his Papa's attention.

Ichiro- Where's he going, Papa?

Hiei sighs and lifts his small son over into his lap. Shishi watches Hiei grit his teeth, but feels his pain, when Ichiro hugs his neck.

Hiei- That's nothing for you... to be concerned about, Ichi... Are you and Jiro hungry?
Shishi- No. I just nursed them a few minutes ago...

Ichiro still pulls back and begins to scritch timidly at Hiei's cloak.

Shishi- Shi, you're in no condition to...
Hiei- Shut up, Shishi.

The Banshee obeys reluctantly. Hiei opens his cloak and his oldest son latches onto one of his nipples quickly. Before Shishi can stop him, Jiro blurs to join his brother. The impact knocks the weakened koorime back against the headboard. Hiei stiffles his moans as best he can as his twins nurse enthusiastically. The samurai sees that both of Hiei's breasts are bruised from being fondled roughly. Hiei looks up when the Banshee swallows. Due to the claim mark, Hiei can feel his sorrow.

Hiei- (Quietly) I'll be.. fine... I'll never refuse my boys, Shishi... Besides, they won't be.. nursing much longer...

Knowing that there's really nothing he can do about the situation they've had to endure, Shishi finds a place on the slightly larger bed that Hiei was able to acquire. When Hiei's breasts are soon dry the twins leave him to curl up together in their usual place. Hiei moves down to lay facing Shishi. For a few moments he studies the samurai's face. Due to the one-sided bond, the koorime knows that he is feigning sleep. Gently Hiei moves his hand to lay it on the scarred mark on Shishi's shoulder. It isn't long until Shishi opens sad eyes to meet his Alpha's.

Shishi- (Quietly) Stop.. killing yourself...
Hiei- I deserve to die for.. dishonoring you...
Shishi- You didn't... You know that I let you...
Hiei- Then mark me in return.

Shishi moves one of his hands to caress through Hiei's hair.

Shishi- (Quietly) I can't... How can I be your proper mate.. when I have to let that...?

Hiei pulls Shishi's mouth to his, distracting him from the breakdown he felt coming. Shishi then pulls back, closes his eyes, and snuggles closer to Hiei. Soon enough they both slip off to sleep in each other's arms.

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(1) Used by some demons as a slang for male prostitutes.

Nope, I won't apologize for this opening scene being a bit long. Faithful readers know that I do nothing unnecessarily, anyhow. Please review my stories if you haven't read them from AFF. I put them in here to get some fresh opinions.