Chapter 10
Chocolate eyes opened and blinked in confusion. 'What the…?' Focusing, Yusuke took in his surroundings and it immediately dawned on him that he wasn't in Hiei's apartment anymore. "Toto, it looks like I'm not in Kansas anymore." He muttered as he looked around the simple wood structured room. The place was lit by globed lamps, letting him make out the walls made of paper, the wood floor and the ceiling, which was made up of a series of wooden beams.
Rotating his neck in an attempt to loosen the aching feeling and ease a pounding headache, the raven haired noticed he was tied to a chair. His hands were bound in front of him, pulled between his knees and secured to the support railing of the chair, his ankles were also tied, one to each leg.
"So, you're finally awake." A nasally voice from behind him said.
Yusuke turned his head, trying to see who had spoken. A slim figure wearing a dark blue business suit with long, grey, waist length hair came into view. The older man had pale wrinkly skin and looked well 'creepy' would be the only way the raven haired could describe him, he still managed to smirk though. "Well, if it isn't the good old DA."
The man ignored the remark and proceeded across the room. Sliding open a piece of wall, he said. "He's awake." He then stepped back as Karasu came through the door, followed by Kurama.
"Kurama." Yusuke said. The red head walked in followed by Bui, who appeared to be holding a length of rope. Brown eyes followed it and noticed it led to Kurama's neck. He also noticed the red head's hands were tied in front of him and he was gagged with a bandana between his teeth. He tried to make eye contact, but the green eyes would not look at him. Bui placed a firm hand on a shoulder, pushing Kurama to his knees. The body builder held the rope taunt making the red head hold his neck still. Yusuke got the image of a dog wearing a choker collar that was being pulled taunt to enforce obedience.
Karasu approached Kurama and ran a hand along the side of his face. "We can get back to our fun soon my petite. This will only take a minute." He leaned over and licked the pale lips, grazing the exposed teeth. Kurama tensed and tried to turn away, but a firm hand on his shoulder and the tightening of the rope around his neck, left him unable to move much. He did however bring his bound hands up, pushing the figure back some.
SLAP
"Now that wasn't nice." Karasu said. Stepping back after he'd backhandedly slapped the boy. Kurama's head had turned to the side from the force causing him to choke as the rope dug into his skin, right across his Adam's apple.
"Back off." Yusuke yelled.
"Time to remove the thorn in my side." Karasu mused, giving one last look to Kurama before turning to address Yusuke.
"Look, I don't know what you think I know, but it isn't much. I was going to write a fiction book…" Yusuke tried to explain.
"Well, I have to admit, I wasn't too concern about a book being written, but when you got a hold of the police report and tried to get a copy of the autopsy. Let's just say…you were getting too warm." Karasu said, walking towards him.
Yusuke looked to the DA. "So why did you give Kuwabara a copy to give to me if you wanted to keep it your little secret." Yusuke asked.
"Toguro likes to play games." Karasu said, looking to the older gentleman.
"Yes, you see I found it quite amusing to see the tall handsome detective squirm when he thought he was in trouble." Toguro mused, chuckling.
"You find Kuwabara handsome…I think I'm going to be sick." Yusuke muttered, sticking his tongue out.
"You getting a copy of the report was fine, but someone left the list of suspects in it." Karasu said, looking to Toguro.
"It was not my fault the boy came to you needing a companion." The man said.
"All I know is that the suspects were students here at the temple." Yusuke said and realized they must be in the dojo of the temple.
"That's true." Karasu said, leaning over face to face with the raven haired. "But I wasn't to concern with that either, that is until you met my red head over there." He glanced back and acknowledged the figure still on his knees.
"I don't see you the type that kills, you make lousy threats and if you don't mind some advice…you need to be a little more creative. I mean come on, if you wanted me to back off, you should have thought of something better than paper notes. I mean…jeez you could have blown up my car….wait, I don't have a car…okay my apartment….if you would have blown up my apartment then maybe I would have gotten the message." Yusuke said with cockiness.
The raven haired was not too surprised when he was backhanded across the face. He was a former high school punk and had been in his share of fights, most started because of his big mouth.
Licking the blood from his lips, he pushed again. "You seem like a person who likes to boast, why don't you tell me what happened."
"I'll amuse you." Toguro said, stepping forward. "It was a cold chilly night."
Yusuke rolled his eyes. "Please…my first book started out better than that."
SLAP
The slap to the other side of his head left him a little woozy. Blinking, he tried to focus back on the DA.
"Well, it's true." He joked, but squeezed his eyes shut as the hand rose.
"Enough Karasu, the boy wants to know why he's going to die." Toguro said.
"You and your games." Karasu said.
"As I was saying……"
He only needed one more item. Then he would stop, he swore, no more. Deciding to take one item from each building was a good idea. It was less likely to be noticed missing. He doubted the master spent much time outside the dojo room and her private quarters. The rest of the temple's buildings were closed off. He hoped Hiei came through, he said he'd talked to a few people who were interested in the items, willing to pay top dollar if they were authentic. The items he was taking had to be decades old, for the temple was over a hundred years in itself, wouldn't that make the items in it the same age?
It had been so easy that first time, now it was like an addiction. Stealing one thing had led to another and so on. Since he didn't attend but ever other week, who would suspect him of taking the items, it was also easy to explain to his mother why he was late on the nights he did attend. "Mother, one student stays to help clean the dojo, since I am not attending all the classes, it is only fair when I do, that I be the one to stay and help Master Genkai." She had been pleased to know her son was helpful and responsible, though she worried about him coming home so late. Little did she know her son was staying to rob the joint, waiting until Genkai went to her rooms before making his way to a building to case it out, then meeting Hiei so he could take the item and hide it for him.
Mother's bills were getting out of hand, once Hiei sold the items, the black haired was going to take the money and make an anonymous donation to the hospital in Shori's name.
Staying in the evening shadows, the red head stopped outside a small building. Wanting to take a quick peek, for he had found himself wasting minutes picking a lock, only to find out the building was a storage shed for the gardener. He poked a hole in the paper wall, trying to see what was inside. It was kind of stupid to have a lock on a building made of paper, but the honor system was strong here and besides it would look to obvious if he made a hole big enough to allow his small frame in. Being discrete was the only way to not get caught.
He was surprise to see a man along with master Genkai inside and found himself watching as the two exchanged words in a heated discussion.
"I know what you are doing and I will no longer turn my back." Genkai said.
"I'm the new DA so you better watch what you say old hag." The man said.
"You are taking my students and whoring them out. I don't know what you did to get them to do it, but you're sick and so is that friend of yours." She said.
"Karasu is a business partner, in exchange for campaign money. I made a deal to let him open his escort service." The man said.
"Prostitution ring's more like it." She grumbled.
"Now it was only fair, after what you did to my brother. I needed to get Karasu some prime flesh and I couldn't help but notice you have some very attractive students." He mused.
"You're the one who believes your brother committed suicide…that's not my fault." She said softly.
"Oh no, of course not, just because he loved you with all his heart, even helped you get this school going and 'even' gave you his life savings to help fund it, only to be turned down time and time again, breaking his heart over and over. When you turned down his marriage proposal and told him you no longer thought it wise to be his partner, what did you expect him to do, be on his marry way and let bygones be bygones."
"The police said it was a tragic accident…that the road was icy." She said.
"Yes, blame anything but yourself." He muttered.
"I will stop you." She said.
Shuiichi heard someone and turned to see two men standing right behind him. "My, my, what do we have here?" The man who was tall, lean and had long black hair said.
The large man who standing just behind and to the side crossed his big arms and just glared.
Shuiichi's eyes widen and he went to run, but the large man grabbed him by the back of the shirt, lifting him like he was lifting a cat by the scruff.
"Bring him." The black haired man said, sliding the door open and stepping in.
"Karasu, how nice of you to…" The man stopped as he saw the red headed boy hanging by the second man's arm.
"You had an eavesdropper." The man now known as Karasu said.
"Shuiichi, what are you still doing here." Genkai asked, seeing the fear in the large green eyes.
"I….I was." Shuiichi didn't know what to say, should he admit he was there to steal. He was let go, dropping hard to his knees on the wood floor.
"Hehehe, you probably didn't know did you, you're becoming more senile everyday." The man said.
"What?" She asked.
"The boy's been stealing from you." The man chuckled.
"Is this true?" She asked, turning to look at the red head.
"I'm afraid so." Karasu answered. "Just small things, like daggers and small figurines, I'm sure it's for a good cause….like his poor, sick mother's hospital bills."
"Shuiichi." She said, shaking her head. "You should have come to me."
"Wait, you telling me Kurama got involved because he'd been caught stealing. Give me a break. I spent time in juve for petty thief and vandalism…no big deal." Yusuke boasted.
SLAP
"Let the man finish." Karasu said.
The blows to his head were making it throb, but the raven haired composed himself and listened.
"How much do you think he heard?" The older man said.
"Enough I'm afraid." Karasu said.
"I won't say anything, I swear, my mother…she's very sick, I need to get home." Shuiichi started rambling.
"Let the boy go." Genkai said threateningly.
"I don't know…he's awful sweet, delicate, like a rose that's yet to bloom. He's what….no older than 13, still a virgin." Karasu caressed the pale, young face before fingering the short red hair. "So innocent."
Shuiichi turned his head in disgust.
"Let this gorgeous hair grow long and you could pass as a young woman." Karasu mused, continuing to play with the hair.
"Take him then." The man said.
"I will, he'll bring top dollar for his virginity, but then again, I might just take it myself." Karasu smiled, running a finger across the pale lips. Shuiichi opened his mouth and bit the finger.
Jerking his hand back, Karasu smirked. "Well, it seems this sly little fox has some fire in him."
WACK
Tears came to the green eyes as his hands came up in defense.
"That's some fire I'm willing to play with." The black haired mused, placing the finger in his mouth and sucking.
"And you say I play games." The older man grumbled.
"Oh, there there, little one." Karasu cooed pulling Shuiichi's arms down. "Look at me." He placed a hand on the boy's chin, making him look up. "Here, let me help wipe those tears away." He leaned over and proceeded to lick the wetness off the boy's cheek. "You're going…(lick)…to be…(lick)…so tight." He whispered. Letting go of the red head's chin, he smiled at the confused look on the boy's face.
"Get your filthy hands off him." Genkai said in disgust.
"Watch your mouth old woman." Karasu snarled, turning. "Maybe I need to teach you a lesson." He went towards her.
"Shuiichi RUN!" Genkai yelled and hit the older man in the stomach. She then went after the man named Karasu. He tried to grab her, but she hit him in the face.
Shuiichi didn't hesitate as he rolled and scrambled to his feet. Feeling the large man right behind him, he fumbled towards the door. He turned as he heard Genkai let out a cry, hitting the large man in the back with a double fisted blow. The man barely acknowledged the blow as he turned and backhanded the small old woman in the head, sending her across the room. She landed with a crash, hitting a display table before landing in a heap on the floor.
"Bui!" Karasu yelled.
The large man, Bui, grabbed Shuiichi, who was frozen in shock, by his shirt again and turned back. Bui raised an eyebrow when he saw the older man leaning over the master.
"It looks like her neck's broken, she's dead." The older man said, looking to Karasu with worry.
"Old hag, you should have kept your mouth shut." Karasu said.
The older man stressed. "I can not be linked to this."
"Don't panic Toguro. You're the new DA. Surely you can cover this up. I can handle the students, they won't talk." Karasu said.
"What about him?" Toguro asked, seeing the red head crying.
"I'll take care of him." Karasu said turning to run a hand over the boy's face, wiping the tears away. "I'm sure I'll think of something."
"Then let's get out of here, her students can find her."
"You see now what your new friend did." Karasu said looking at the red head, who lowered his eyes.
"I see a frightened boy who was in the wrong place at the wrong time." Yusuke said, still trying to make eye contact with the green eyes.
"Funny." Karasu said, tapping a finger, hard, on the raven haired's head. "She died trying to protect him and he returned the favor by giving himself to me willingly. You see with the other's, I had to blackmail and some, I got addicted to drugs, but my red head here." He looked over fondly. "He was willing to do anything for dear old mom, including letting me take his sweet, young body and doing anything I asked." He looked back at Yusuke. "Would you like to hear what he's willing to do to get money for the hospital bills…like crawl on his knees to take a dick in his mouth…"
"Shut up." Yusuke said through clenched teeth.
"Or dressing himself up as a naughty little school girl." Karasu continued.
"I said SHUT UP!!" Yusuke yelled, pulling on his bound hands and rubbing the skin raw.
"He's even done some bondage." Karasu mused, walking over to pull the red head's head back by the hair. "Seeing the way he looks at the moment, I think I'll give it a try sometime. I got worried when I noticed a change in him, for you see, he had a lot of fire in him and I was slowly putting it out, that is, until he met you. I noticed the way he acted after spending time with you, why…you seemed to have re-sparked his fire. I couldn't have that, he was liable to break and spill his guts." Caressing the pale face, he added. "But after this, I'll get you hooked on something and then I won't have to worry, will I my pet, as long as dear 'mommy' is taken care of, you'll do anything I ask."
"What are you going to do with me? Are you willing to let another death be on your conscious?" Yusuke asked. He didn't want to see it anymore. He wanted to get the sick bastard away from the red head.
"I don't see a problem handling you. A wannabe author found washed up on the shores of the temple grounds. Came to do research and fell off the cliff. I don't even think it would make front page news." Karasu said. He had let go of Kurama and had walked back over to Yusuke, which is what the raven haired wanted. "Toguro managed to keep Genkai's unfortunate death under lock and key, so I'm sure he can do the same with yours."
"Did you kill Dr. Shigure?" Yusuke asked, looking to the DA.
"No… the poor man…he killed himself…seems he had regrets after taking the money." Toguro answered.
"You'll be found out. It's only a matter of time." Yusuke said.
"Well, it won't be because of you." Karasu whispered and walked around the raven haired. "I think a good lesson is in order here, how about I take my red head in front of you, hmm. Then you can see why he's my most requested pet."
"You sick son of a bitch." Yusuke growled, he had managed to get one hand free and grabbed the black haired by the pants. He didn't know what he could do, but he was pissed and letting anger drive him.
Karasu was taken off guard and staggered into Yusuke. Pushing to get away, he knocked the chair off balance, causing it to fall back with a 'thud'. The raven haired's head hit the floor, making him see spots.
"How dare you!" Karasu growled. "I'll enjoy choking the life out of you instead." He went to bend over Yusuke.
Yusuke, trying not to panic, frantically pulled on the rope to get his other hand free, while his free hand was pushing Karasu, trying to keep the man off him. He looked up when he saw something hit the angry figure, hearing an 'oaf' at the same time. In a blink, Karasu was no longer above him.
When Kurama saw the chair fall and had heard Karasu's words, he was on his feet and in an instant he'd stepped on Bui's foot while slamming an elbow into the rib cage. The large man was taken off guard just enough to let go of the rope. The red head then ran over and slammed his body into Karasu's, knocking the breath out of both of them as they landed hard on the floor. They were just starting to wrestle when…
BANG
Everything froze as dead silence filled the room. Nothing seemed to move as the sound echoed away.
After a moment, Yusuke rolled over, having untied the remaining ropes. His eyes went wide as he saw Kurama on top of Karasu, neither moving. His eyes then looked to the figure of Toguro standing above them with a gun in his hand. He heart skipped a beat at the thought of the man shooting the red head, but then he noticed the man's face paling and at the same time, his eyes rolled back into his head. Toguro fell over, face first, barely missing the two on the floor.
"POLICE…EVERYBODY…FREEZE!" A loud gruff voice was heard.
Looking over to the voice, Yusuke saw Kuwabara on one knee with a gun held firmly in his hands and Hiei standing right behind him.
"Took you two long enough." He said, getting on hands and knees, his head throbbing at the move.
Other cops, along with a couple of paramedics, came running in, one going to Toguro, while one went to Kurama, who hadn't moved off Karasu.
"Shut up Urameshi…it took…awhile to find…out…where you were." Kuwabara huffed, taking deep breaths.
"Well, I wasn't at the donut shop." He quirked, trying to see Kurama, but his view was blocked by a half dozen officers in uniform.
The orange haired came over to help him up. Yusuke could tell he was fatigued.
"What's wrong with you? Too many powdered this morning?" He said jokingly, after he was on his feet.
"Shut up…about my donuts…have you ever…climbed those stairs…their murder?" Kuwabara panted, pointing to the outside and the stairway that was now visible.
"No, I was probably carried up." Yusuke said softly, looking towards the stairs and wondering how long he'd been 'dead to the world.'
Kuwabara rolled his eyes and went to handle Karasu, the other officers had gotten him up and handcuffed. "Where's the big guy?" He asked, noticing Bui was gone.
"He made a run for it, there's men already on his tail…he won't get far." One officer said.
Yusuke saw Kurama sitting on the floor with his head down, though he appeared to be shaking it to questions being asked by a paramedic.
Walking over, he heard the red head say. "I'm fine." The man pressed lightly on his neck and asked something. "No, it doesn't hurt." Was the replay. The man then said something else, to which Kurama replied. "Thank you, I'll do that."
Standing above the red head, Yusuke waited until the paramedic stood. The man moved to address him, but he said. "Give me a minute, will yeah." At that, Kurama looked up, but avoided looking directly at him. Instead, he looked beyond him at something else.
"Kurama I…" Yusuke didn't know what to say.
"Now you know." Kurama said with indifference, shrugging. He gave a slight nod and Yusuke heard someone move behind him.
Hiei came up behind and around the raven haired. He got on his knees beside the red head and green eyes, with tears forming, looked to crimson ones.
"Let's go." Hiei whispered.
Kurama nodded and with some help, managed to get to his feet. Supporting the red head, Hiei looked backed and gave Yusuke a curt nod before leading the red head to the door. Yusuke stood there with the paramedic trying to ask him questions as he watched the two disappear down the steps.
End Chapter 10