Warning: for well, pretty much everything. Violence, cruelty to children, inappropriate relationships, rape... If you're sensitive, I would suggest giving this a miss. Definitely don't read if you're under 18.

I'm going to post a chapter every few days to avoid spamming people with notifications but the entire story is already up on Archive Of Our Own under the username 'ladyillusion' if you can't wait to read the rest.

The sound of voices roused the redheaded teenager from his light doze. The boy, who had been given the name Kurama by the dark-haired man now entering the room, blinked bleary emerald eyes as he took in the scene. He was afraid, but also relieved. His arms ached from being held above his head for a long period of time. He hoped that soon he would be allowed some freedom.

His legs were tucked beneath him on the wooden floor of the cage he was in. His wrists were cuffed and stretched above his head, kept in place by a chain attached to the apex of the cage. He was naked, skin glowing golden beneath the chandelier overhead. That gold was tarnished by bruises, burns and welts, however, marks of his owner's recent displeasure with him.

His face, though, was pristine. Not a single blemish marred his angelic features. His long ruby-red hair was soft and shining in the light. His lips were painted with red lipstick and some faint blush applied to his cheeks.

Kurama felt his owner's gaze sweep over him as the man gestured his guests into their seats. The room was a comfortable sitting room, furnished with black leather and colourful and tasteful paintings. Kurama's cage sat within view of the seats, meaning that all of his owner's guests noticed him. Kurama looked away shyly. He didn't want to catch anyone's eyes. He'd been punished for that behaviour in the past. His master had thought that he was being defiant. Kurama wasn't sure if his owner had forgiven him for his transgressions earlier in the week and he had no desire to rekindle the flame of his owner's anger by acting inappropriately. He'd do his best to show that he was sorry and hope that his owner was satisfied that he'd learned his lesson.

—

Karasu settled himself in his chair with a glass of red wine. He chatted with his guests, entirely ignoring his pet, who was a familiar sight to most of the men in the room. These men were long-time business associates, bar one, who was a recent addition to their group.

The small black-haired man sat in his armchair with a sour expression on his boyish face. His eyes were a curious colour, a dark red that resembled blood. Visible on his right hand, the hand currently holding his wine glass, was a large blue gem set in a gold band. The ring was eye-catching and it told the story of how the young man had gained his wealth. He owned a gem mine in a third-world country, which was the only place where this particular stone could be found. Because of the gems' rarity and their beauty, they were highly prized.

The man, whose name was Hiei Jaganshi, had a reputation as a ruthless businessman, which was a fact that appealed greatly to Karasu and his colleagues. Karasu had brushed aside rumours that the mines used unpaid child labour and that Jaganshi ran a child slave ring. His hands were hardly squeaky-clean, after all. The redhead in the cage was proof of that.

But Karasu strongly felt that his relationship with Kurama was hardly comparable. Kurama was looked after. He was fed, clean and cared for when he fell ill. If he had to be a little rough with the boy on occasion, well, the boy needed a firm hand.

And the sex? The boy wanted it. The boy liked it. Really, Karasu was doing him a favour. Kurama was too pretty for his own good. If Karasu hadn't found him and taken him in, then he would probably be out on the streets right now selling his body to anyone who would pay.

Besides, the boy had been raised in captivity. Like an exotic animal born in a zoo, he knew no different. Karasu wasn't the sort of person who would callously use a toy and then discard it like trash. He treasured Kurama. Losing him was a thought that Karasu could not bear.

"You've got quite a tan, Jaganshi," one of the other men said, addressing the sullen businessman. "Hawaii seems to have agreed with you."

Jaganshi stared at the man from beneath black eyebrows. "I like the hot weather," he said. "But the traffic was a nightmare."

"The girls are sluts, though," the second man said. "Not that you'd care, right, Karasu?" The question was directed towards the man with long black hair who was their host. It was rhetorical. The fact that Karasu preferred the company of males was well-known in this circle. Though, judging from the way Jaganshi eyed him, perhaps it was the first the young businessman was hearing of that.

After a brief study of Karasu, Jaganshi's eyes slid over to the cage where Kurama was currently sitting. Karasu thought that he presented a lovely picture, hair gleaming straight and lush. Eyes bright beneath long eyelashes. Legs tucked beneath him. He looked so delicious that Karasu felt his earlier displeasure with the boy melt away.

Jaganshi looked the boy up and down attentively as he sipped from his glass. Karasu knew that look well and it pleased him. Kurama was a jewel who deserved to be properly appreciated and Karasu suspected that Jaganshi would certainly be able to appreciate him.

Not all of Karasu's colleagues shared his tastes. Most preferred women or younger pets, though they did sometimes indulge in Kurama, particularly his skilled mouth.

Karasu rose and walked over to the cage. He unlocked it and unfastened the boy's wrists from the chain. The boy ducked his head and rubbed at his wrists as Karasu petted his hair. He coaxed Kurama out of the cage with soft murmurs and caresses to his head and shoulders. Kurama came, edging slowly out of the cage, blinking owlishly at the men staring at him.

He stood, shaky on aching legs, his eyes lowered to the floor. Karasu clipped a leash to his collar and guided him over to Jaganshi.

Jaganshi gave no reaction though his strange eyes drank Kurama in as the shy boy approached, keeping close to Karasu. His hands covered his private parts, hiding them from view. Karasu didn't bother reprimanding him. He found the gesture cute and endearing. Besides, he'd given no order to the boy so Kurama wasn't disobeying him.

"Kurama, would you like to sit on Mr. Jaganshi's lap?" Karasu asked, his voice sweet.

There was a brief moment of hesitation before Kurama gave the expected answer.

"Yes, sir," he whispered. He seemed to shrink into his skin.

Karasu offered the leash to Jaganshi, who took it in one small hand. He gave it a rough jerk. Kurama let out a small sound and scrambled onto the businessman's lap, straddling him awkwardly.

One of Karasu's other guests laughed as Karasu retook his seat. He admired Kurama's slender form, his hair flowing down to the small of his back, his legs spread as he squirmed on Jaganshi's lap. Jaganshi's hand moved to caress the boy's back, up and down beneath his hair.

The conversation continued and Karasu's attention eventually shifted back to it. Jaganshi continued to play with Kurama, who bore the attention in silence.

—

Hiei raised the wine glass to the boy's lips, offering him a taste.

"Go on," he murmured as the boy hesitated, clearly not sure what was expected of him.

The boy drank the dregs of the glass and Hiei set it aside. He returned to petting the boy, just running his hands over smooth skin. He couldn't believe how young the boy looked. He had to be fifteen, maybe sixteen. Certainly not eighteen.

Not that being eighteen would make this any better.

What had Karasu called him? Kurama?

Hiei could see the fear in those pretty green eyes. Kurama was frightened of him. Hiei could hardly tell him that he had no cause to be. Kurama might well have reason to be fearful.

His boss had warned him that it would be like this. That he would see people do monstrous things. That he, himself, would be expected to do monstrous things. He might well have to do those things to Kurama.

Hiei felt violet eyes on him. He pulled Kurama's head down, bending the young man until his forehead pressed into Hiei's shoulder. Kurama squirmed once more, sliding further back on Hiei's legs. Hiei was all-too-aware that the boy was naked, nothing but Hiei's own clothes between them. He rubbed his hand along one thigh.

Karasu's lips were tilted upwards in the corners. Hiei forced his own face to remain expressionless. He was getting hard. He didn't want to, but he was. The fact was that Kurama was an incredibly attractive young man. If circumstances were different, then Hiei would have probably asked him out.

But this was completely different and Hiei had no right to be enjoying Kurama's body in this way.

But he had to, if he wanted to accomplish his goal. This was a perfect way to get close to Karasu. If Karasu thought that Hiei shared his perversions, then he might share other things with him.

Things like how Karasu and his associates trafficked their slaves. Who they were sold to. Where that money went.

"You're staying at the Hana Hotel, right, Jaganshi?" Karasu asked Hiei.

"That's right," Hiei said.

Karasu looked thoughtful. "That's an hour's drive from here," he said. "Why don't you spend the night?"

Hiei's eyes widened at the offer. He certainly hadn't expected that. How could he refuse? This was precisely the kind of opportunity he'd been waiting for.

But he couldn't seem too eager. He didn't want Karasu to become suspicious.

"That's a very kind offer," he hedged. "But I certainly don't want to inconvenience you in any way."

Kurama's hair felt like silk beneath his fingers. Hiei twined them in the locks, savouring the sensation.

"It would be no inconvenience," Karasu said. His smile was charming. Hiei was reminded of a shark circling it's prey. "I'm sure that Kurama would love the company."

Kurama trembled on Hiei's lap. Hiei returned to rubbing his back, feeling very sorry for him. How many men had Karasu made this veiled offer to? How many men had warmed themselves beside Kurama's young body? How old was he when this abuse had started? Thirteen? Eight? Even younger?

Hiei had to struggle to keep his voice even.

"I suppose I could stay," he said, trying to sound as if he didn't care either way. "But I have a meeting in Kikori in the morning. I'll have to leave early."

"That won't be a problem." Karasu's smile sickened Hiei. But it was a chance too good to pass up.

Kurama's breaths came shallowly as he hid his face in Hiei's shoulder. Hiei was certain that this night would be as uncomfortable for him as it would be for Kurama.

Karasu's smile was smug with satisfaction. One of the other men chuckled.

"You'll definitely sleep well," he said. "Though the boy does have a tendency to steal the blanket."

The men laughed. Karasu smiled along with them.

"That's true," he said. "He's always done that, even as a child."

Hiei brushed Kurama's hair to the side, exposing the column of his back. He could feel that Kurama was hard between them, though the boy made no complaint and no attempt to pleasure himself.

Hiei found it very confusing. Was Kurama attracted to him or not? The obvious answer, and the one Hiei badly wanted to be true, was that Kurama wasn't attracted to him. Then why was Kurama getting hard?

Hiei wished that he'd thought to ask that sort of question earlier. He hadn't considered the psychology of the people he might have to harm. He'd been more interested in Karasu's security arrangements and the contingency plans laid down for him by his employer in case anything went wrong. He'd been told that he might have to do things that he would normally find reprehensible, of course. He'd been told that he might have to hurt or kill people. Hiei hadn't been okay with that but he'd decided that it would be worth it.

But now that he was actually in this situation, with a vulnerable boy that he was no doubt expected to abuse, it suddenly didn't seem so easy.

Feeling like he wanted to be sick, Hiei urged Kurama down on to the floor. Kurama knelt, pressed against Hiei's leg, his face lowered and curtained by his hair. He hunched, hiding himself from the stares of the other four men in the room. Hiei let the leash drape over his lap, not bothering to hold it. Kurama wasn't going anywhere. That was very obvious.

Maybe he could pry a little. Surely Karasu would expect that?

"How long have you had him?" Hiei asked, gesturing to Kurama.

"Since he was two," Karasu informed him.

Hiei's eyes shot wide open in disbelief. "Two?" he asked incredulously. "Two years old?"

Karasu smirked, clearly amused. Around him, Hiei could see the other men smiling at some joke that he didn't get.

"Two months," Karasu said with satisfaction.

"Weaned him off his mother's tit and straight onto cock," one of the other guest laughed.

Karasu laughed too, looking at ease and pleased with himself. Hiei felt like vomiting. He didn't find anything funny about this situation at all. But he had to keep his face stoic. He did not, however, have to join in on their amusement. Luckily, he'd fostered a reputation for being surly. That would serve him well tonight.

"He's been with you for his whole life?" Hiei asked.

"Yes. He's spent most of that time right here in this house, though I have taken him overseas on occasion. He doesn't respond well to changes in his routine, however, so I've had to cut back on those trips."

A thought popped into Hiei's head. Kurama had been with Karasu practically his whole life. What had he seen during that time? What had he heard? Was this boy a potential source of information? A potential witness?

Hope stirred in Hiei's veins. The prospect of spending the night in Kurama's company now looked a lot more like an opportunity rather than a trial to be endured. Could he test the waters a little, prod Kurama a bit? Would the boy be willing to reveal his captor's secrets or would he continue to huddle beneath Karasu's dark wing?

Hiei would have to find out. But it would be like stepping across a nightingale floor. He knew nothing of Kurama or how loyal he was to his abuser. Hiei had heard of Stockholm syndrome. Even if he handed Kurama the chance to gain his freedom, Kurama might be too tangled up in Karasu's web to take it.

"That's such a shame," Hiei said, in response to Karasu's statement. "I don't know how you could bear to leave him at all."

"I delegate most of my overseas business to my employees," Karasu said. "I've already visited most of the places worth seeing, anyway. I prefer to stay here and let the younger people do the running around."

"I do most of my overseas business online," one of the other men said. "It's very convenient."

"You can do just about anything online these days," one of the remaining two men said. "Including getting a new pet." Just in case the others didn't understand his meaning, he gestured towards the kneeling Kurama. "But I suppose Karasu wouldn't need to bother with that." He smirked at their host over the rim of his wine glass. "This one's hair will be turning grey before you finally get rid of him."

"Not all of us replace our pets as often as we change our socks, Mr. Tarukane," Karasu said, a mild note of annoyance creeping into his voice. "I will keep Kurama as long as it pleases me. Besides, he does earn his keep."

Hiei wondered at that. Precisely how did Kurama 'earn his keep'? He voiced the question to Karasu, who turned his attention to him.

"I sell photos of him to a pornography website," Karasu said. "He's proven to be a popular attraction."

"Sekyo calls him the flowerboy," laughed the other man.

"Sekyo?"

Hiei had heard the man's name but hadn't realised that he was involved in this crowd. Sekyo was a very wealthy businessman but it was rumoured that he was embroiled in gambling. These men worked to maintain a squeaky-clean image and Sekyo wasn't quite squeaky-clean. Shouldn't these men distance themselves from him? Sekyo's dubious reputation might cast them all in an unpleasant light.

"Sekyo runs the pornography website," Karasu said. "He knows Kurama sells well and he pays accordingly. Kurama's earned a nice little stack of money."

Hiei felt sure that Kurama would never see a cent of that money.

"If you sold his ass instead of giving it away for free, you'd make a lot more," Tarukane said.

Kurama's face pressed into Hiei's leg. Hiei lowered his hand to rest on the boy's head. Disturbed by the callous mention of a part of Kurama's anatomy that he hoped he wouldn't be getting too familiar with tonight, Hiei cleared his throat.

"If I'm spending the night, I'll need a change of clothes," he said.

"I'll have something you can wear for the night," Karasu said. "My staff will have your suit washed and dry before tomorrow morning."

Eventually the other three men stood and made their farewells. Karasu saw them out, leaving Hiei alone in the room with Kurama.

For more than a minute, Hiei sat in silence. He didn't know what to say. He played idly with the leash, his mind blank.

Finally, he settled for the boy's name.

"Kurama?" he asked. "That's your name, isn't it?"

Kurama looked up at him, leaf-green eyes apprehensive. "Yes, sir," he said quietly. "But you may call me whatever you wish."

"Kurama," Hiei repeated, cementing the name in his mind. He wouldn't be calling the boy anything else. "Who is Karasu to you?"

Kurama looked confused by the question. "Sir, I don't understand," he said, shrinking into himself as if he were afraid that Hiei might hit him in punishment for the unsatisfactory answer.

"Is he your father, your carer, what?" Hiei asked.

"He is…" Kurama looked as though he were actually thinking about the answer, though Hiei thought that it should have been obvious. How could Kurama not know?

"He owns me," Kurama said eventually.

That didn't answer Hiei's question. He was left feeling frustrated. Did Kurama have a clear view of his situation? Did he know that this wasn't normal? That people weren't property?

Time for a change of subject.

"Do you have any hobbies, Kurama?"

How much freedom was the boy allowed? Did Karasu let him engage in any activities outside of the abuse he suffered?

Kurama's face brightened.

"I like to read, sir," he said. "And I like to spend time in the gardens."

Kurama's answer was reassuring to Hiei. "What do you like to read?" he asked.

Kurama was still listing his favourite books when Karasu returned. Hiei felt a flash of fear run through him. Would Kurama find himself in trouble for his brashness? Kurama hadn't noticed Karasu yet. The man stood leaning against the doorframe, observing Kurama, who was still kneeling but had his head tipped up to Hiei. His face was animated. He'd lost his shyness as soon as he'd realised that Hiei was receptive to his answer. Hiei had been listening with an attentive air until Karasu had stepped in. Now the dark-haired man held most of his attention.

After half a minute, Kurama seemed to realise that he no longer had Hiei's full attention. Partway through a listing of his favourite classic novels, his voice stammered into silence, his face going as pale as a snowflake.

"Kurama." Karasu said quietly.

Kurama didn't move but Hiei noticed a tremor go through him at the sound of Karasu's voice.

"I'm sure that Mr. Jaganshi isn't interested in your prattle, though he has been kind enough to entertain you. Show Mr. Jaganshi to his room and help him bathe. Then, perhaps you could put that mouth to better uses."

Kurama flinched, but his reply was obedient. "Yes, sir," he said. He stood. His hands fluttered. Hiei's heart ached as he realised that Kurama was considering whether or not it would be wise to hide himself behind his hands. He seemed to decide that it wasn't, because he curled them into fists by his sides. Hiei couldn't help but notice that the boy was soft now. He looked incredibly young and vulnerable. And scared.

Karasu smiled in approval and fussed with Kurama's collar. "Behave yourself, pet," he said. "Mind your manners."

"Yes, sir," Kurama said.

Karasu's violet gaze turned to Hiei. "I have only one stipulation for your evening's… activities," he said. "Keep his face clean. I don't want it marked in any way. Beyond that, you may do what you like."

Hiei nodded in understanding. The truth was that he had no intention of marking any part of Kurama's body, let alone his pretty face. But Karasu didn't know that. No doubt he believed all of the horrible rumours surrounding Hiei and his business.

The business was real. Hiei did own a gem mine, but he didn't employ slave labour. Nor did he employ children. All of his employees were paid fairly. The rumours had been circulated to make it easier for him to slip into this group.

It had worked. The men believed the rumours. Now, all Hiei had to do was keep his cover — and keep his eyes and ears open.

"I trust you can handle him if he proves obstinate," Karasu said. "But I would suggest blindfolding him if he acts up. He becomes quite docile in the dark."

Karasu's eyes held a sinister delight as Kurama stared down at his bare toes. Hiei sensed that he was missing something in Karasu's words. If he knew more of Kurama's history, then he might have understood. But he knew nothing of Kurama so Karasu's words remained undeciphered.

Blindfolding the boy wasn't a stupid idea, though. Particularly if it would keep him calm. Hiei tucked that little nugget away into a safe place as he gathered Kurama's leash, twining the leather length around his hands.

Karasu slapped Kurama's backside. Kurama jumped in shock, letting out a startled squawk. Karasu laughed.

"Run along, now, boy," he said. "It's getting late."