Well, here's the final chapter and I want to thank everyone who stuck with it to the end.

Chapter Nine- Escape

Kurama and Hiei discussed various tactics, thanks to Hiei's telepathy. Their discussions proved fruitless, seeing as how Karasu was a sorcerer.

Their captor made sure that neither of them had contact with the other. He was successful physically, but not mentally. He set Hiei to making the cave clean and presentable while he had Kurama keep him entertained

It was those times that Kurama was grateful for the telepathy. While Karasu was kissing him or running his hands along his body, Hiei would "talk" to Kurama. Neither one risked angering Karasu for the sorcerer might separate them further than the length and width of the cave. For example, making Hiei a permanent human.

Hiei hated seeing Kurama being used as Karasu's love toy. Kurama was showing the effects of Karasu's demands: His hair laid flat against neck and back instead of floating, his eyes were dull, and his spirit seemed to be broken.

Karasu didn't appear to notice Kurama's condition. He continued to have his way with the redhead and Hiei felt powerless to stop him. Karasu didn't deserve someone like Kurama.

When he first saw Kurama as a merman, he had been shocked. How did Kurama change? He soon got his answer when Karasu revealed his true intentions. Once the shock wore off, he admired Kurama's new tail. It was gorgeous and seemed to glow with a silver light…or maybe it looked that way because it was next to a black tail. Either way, it drew attention to Kurama's red hair and the hair drew attention to the tail in turn.

Two Weeks Later

Hiei was re-organizing Karasu's potions and thought longingly of his home. Surely, Yusuke must have realized that Hiei had failed by now. If so, he was wisely staying away from the sorcerer. A deal was a deal and it would be wrong to try and break it even though Hiei had tried that a couple of weeks ago.

Suddenly, Kurama darted into the room. The prince had become a fast swimmer since his change. The matter of his speed left Hiei's mind when he saw the stricken, yet exhausted look on the redhead's face.

"Kurama? What's wrong?" Hiei asked, ignoring the taboo since their captor wasn't around.

That soon changed when Karasu swam in, an angry look on his face. "Kurama, get your tail back to my chambers," he demanded.

Kurama fell to his tail's "knees." "Please," he pleaded. "Please, Karasu. No more. At least for today."

"I don't think so. I am far from done today."

"Leave him alone!" Hiei hissed. "He's had enough today!"

"Silence, you sea urchin!" Karasu swung his tail and knocked Hiei to the ground. Karasu then grabbed Hiei by the throat and slammed him up against the wall. Hiei grunted from the impact.

"I'll teach you to mind your place. I'm your master and you will show me respect and you will hold your tongue in my presence." Karasu continued to apply pressure to Hiei's throat as he spoke.

"I'll speak as I please," Hiei rasped. His retort earned him a fiercely slapped cheek.

"I told you silence!" Karasu slammed Hiei's head against the wall again.

Kurama watched in horror as Karasu abused Hiei. If this kept up, Karasu was going to kill him!

I have to do something, he thought. He looked around desperately before spying a scraggly vine hanging from the ceiling. He swam up to it and put both hands firmly on the plant.

The vine instantly became healthy and grew in length. It snaked its way down and wrapped itself around Karasu's entire body, forcing him to release Hiei. The merboy slid to the floor, gasping for breath.

Karasu struggled as the vine tightened its grip. Immense pressure was applied to his throat and gills. Within minutes, Karasu had been strangled to death.

"Hiei, are you all right?" Kurama swam up to him, concerned.

"I'm fine now." He looked at Karasu's body. "I guess I'm not a slave anymore, seeing as he's dead now."

"I-I didn't mean to kill him," Kurama said, horrified. "I just wanted him to stop hurting you."

"I think he wouldn't have stopped until he killed me. You saved my life."

"You're welcome." Kurama brought his lips to Hiei's. "Now, shall we leave this place?"

"Yes. My place is in a nicer part of the sea. I have a large cave with a collection of human things. You could tell me about them."

"I'd like that."

"I'll also introduce you to my friend, Yusuke. You'll like him."

"I'm sure I will."

The two mermen swam out of the cave, through the murky water, and into the clear blue water where their future together awaited them.

The End