Karasu received a surprise when he arrived home with Kurama. As one of his bodyguards passed out of sight up the stairs with the sleeping teenager in his arms, Karasu was informed by his butler that he had a guest waiting for him in the sitting room.
Sekyo was darkly elegant in his black suit. Lean, with sharp features, his shrewd eyes examined Karasu as he joined him.
"This is unusual," Karasu commented, sitting across from him. "I thought you were in France until next month."
"I came back early," Sekyo said.
Karasu waited for him to continue, knowing that there had to be a reason for Sekyo to call. He'd get to it soon enough.
"How is Kurama?"
The question irritated Karasu. It seemed that they wouldn't be getting to the point anytime soon.
"The usual," he said. "Physically, at least."
Sekyo raised one eyebrow. "What does that mean?" he asked curiously.
"He's been acting a little… strange lately," Karasu admitted. "He's become clingy. I've had to punish him more than usual during the past few months."
"Is that why you met with Tarukane?"
Sekyo's lips twisted into a disgusted scowl as the man's name left his lips.
"Partly," Karasu said. "I still intend to keep Kurama for some time, despite his behaviour issues."
"You still won't sell him?" Sekyo looked disappointed.
"No," Karasu said. Sekyo had made several offers for Kurama over the years. Karasu had refused every one. He knew that Sekyo just wanted the redhead as an investment, not out of any personal interest. He'd have to be satisfied with the photos and videos Karasu sent him.
"Keep him close," Sekyo advised. "I know that you think you've got him under your thumb, but he might not behave as you expect if he's acting abnormally."
Karasu laughed, supremely confident in his ability to keep the teenager quiet. Kurama knew what was good for him. He knew what Karasu would do to him if he tried to escape. Kurama was far too afraid of him to run.
"I have him in hand," he said.
Sekyo lit a cigarette, ignoring Karasu's frown. He smoked as Karasu simmered in displeasure. He'd never liked the smell of nicotine but he also didn't want to piss Sekyo off by saying something. Sekyo paid him well for photos of Kurama. He wouldn't get a deal that good from anyone else.
"Do you have Jaganshi in hand as well?" Sekyo asked.
From the way the man's voice dropped in tone and the way his eyes hardened, Karasu guessed that this was the true reason Sekyo had called on him.
"He is investing in a new project I'm starting," Karasu said carefully. "Is there something I should know?"
"I'm not sure if he's as trustworthy as you seem to find him," Sekyo said. "I have no proof but…"
Karasu considered Sekyo's words, mulling them over in his mind. He couldn't dismiss them out-of-hand. Sekyo had his fingers tangled up in a lot of webs. He was no fool. He never stepped into anything without thoroughly checking out the ground first. If he was concerned, then Jaganshi certainly warranted a closer look.
And who better to dig around in Jaganshi's life than his pet? Jaganshi seemed fond of Kurama. He could easily pawn Kurama off on the businessman under the guise of needing to tend to his new pet, the baby he was purchasing from Tarukane. Pretending to be losing interest in Kurama would also have the dual benefit of frightening the redhead into behaving himself.
Even if Kurama felt obligated to keep Jaganshi's secrets for some reason, Karasu could easily deal with that. With the right kind of pressure, Kurama could crack apart like a fresh egg. The teenager couldn't keep anything from him.
"What are you planning?" Sekyo asked suspiciously around his cigarette.
"I have the perfect tool to chip out Jaganshi's secrets," Karasu said, feeling smug. It wasn't like he had much to lose. Even if Kurama sang like a bird to Jaganshi, what could he tell him that Jaganshi didn't already know or suspect? He already knew that Karasu kept a slave and was involved in human trafficking. But if he'd been able to prove it, this whole charade of getting close to him wouldn't have ever been necessary.
Kurama himself wasn't proof. Karasu was confident that Kurama would never speak to authorities. Even if it ever got as far as a trial, Karasu's lawyers would rip the fragile redhead to pieces, if he lived long enough to take the stand.
"I hope you know that boy as well as you think you do," Sekyo told him, having correctly deduced Karasu's intentions.
"I do. We'll have answers soon enough," Karasu said.
Privately, he hoped that Sekyo was wrong. Finding another source of money wouldn't be easy.
Besides, he actually liked Jaganshi. The man knew when to keep his mouth shut. He was direct, but not pushy. Also, having another ally in the Black Black Club would certainly be beneficial to him.
—
Kurama fumbled his way up out of sleep. He opened his eyes to see a familiar sight. This wasn't his room, though. This was Karasu's room.
The bed was sheeted with black covers, the artwork was bland and uninspiring. The curtains were pulled across the window, blocking out any natural light. Kurama was laying on a blanket spread on the carpet. His leash was attached to the foot of the bed.
Kurama could remove it, of course. But he would get into trouble for doing that.
Sighing, Kurama shifted himself into a more comfortable position. There was plenty of slack in his leash, granting him access to most of the room but he was in no hurry to move.
Something he had overheard during a brief conversation between Karasu and his host over dinner bothered him. Karasu had mentioned something about a transaction. A delivery. Kurama had a bad feeling. He knew that Tarukane trafficked babies. If Karasu had purchased one…
A shudder went through Kurama. What would happen to him? Would Karasu kill him?
Kurama heard the door open and peered up over the bed to see his owner entering the room. Karasu loosened the collar of his shirt before stepping around to Kurama. He smiled down at him.
Kurama decided that he didn't like that smile. Karasu wanted something from him. He was certain of that. He was just as certain that whatever Karasu wanted was something that he would not like.
Karasu sat down on the edge of the mattress. Kurama brought his knees up to his chest and waited.
"While you were with Jaganshi, did he have any visitors?"
Kurama's heart stuttered. He felt the colour drain out of his face. Karasu's tone was searching. That was a very unusual question. Did Karasu suspect something?
"N-no," Kurama said nervously. That was true. No one had visited Jaganshi while he was there. Except that girl. But maybe she worked for Jaganshi. Except she'd given the impression that someone had sent her…
Kurama trembled beneath Karasu's gaze. Butterflies fluttered in his stomach, making him feel sick.
"Don't lie to me, Kurama," Karasu said darkly. "You won't like the consequences."
Kurama knew that well. He was very familiar with those 'consequences'. They were always painful.
Karasu tugged on Kurama's leash, forcing Kurama closer to him.
"There was a girl," Kurama said quietly.
"A girl?" Karasu asked. "A girlfriend? A prostitute?"
"J-just a girl," Kurama said desperately. "I don't know. Hiei never told me anything…"
"Hiei?"
The name had slipped out of Kurama's mouth before he thought. He was too terrified to moderate his speech. Of course, Karasu would notice. He noticed everything when it came to Kurama. Every mark left by his associates. Every extra piece of food Kurama managed to steal. Nothing escaped him.
Karasu frowned down at him, his eyes suspicious and hard.
Kurama lowered his head, hiding his face from his owner. His fingers clawed at his slacks as he tried to breathe. He was so close. So close to giving everything away. He just wanted Karasu to stop. To stop asking questions. To stop looking at him like that…
Kurama yelped as a sharp pain brought his face up. Karasu held a fistful of his hair and had yanked roughly on it.
"You know something," Karasu growled. "You're going to tell me. You're going to tell me everything."
Tears started to slide down Kurama's cheeks. He thought of that photograph, still tucked between the pages of the book in Jaganshi's house. Would he ever see it again?
—
Karasu was furious with Kurama. He couldn't believe that Kurama had kept such important information from him.
But, then again, was it that surprising? Kurama never volunteered information unless asked to. And Karasu hadn't asked the right questions. Not until tonight.
Kurama was still in his bonds. His hands were cuffed to a chain attached to the ceiling. His back was striped with fresh welts from his whipping. Karasu had wanted to make sure that the boy gave him every drop of information he had.
It wasn't much but it did confirm Sekyo's suspicions. Jaganshi was working for someone. Someone who was probably law enforcement. Someone whose name started with 'K'.
Karasu would have to start looking more closely into Jaganshi's business and associates. He could have just ended the relationship right there, but he didn't want to. Jaganshi wasn't aware that Karasu knew he was a spy. Karasu could use that to his advantage.
But could he trust Kurama to keep his mouth shut?
No, he certainly couldn't. Kurama was too easily bullied. He'd sing like a canary. That would ruin everything. How could Karasu ensure Kurama's silence without arousing Jaganshi's suspicions?
The mother. Karasu smiled to himself as Kurama began to come to, whining softly at the pain. He could use the mother to keep Kurama quiet. It was obvious that the teenager was still attached to her, though he didn't even remember her.
Karasu had to find her. Fast. He couldn't let Jaganshi near Kurama until he did.
Luckily, he had some excellent private investigators working for his corporation. If Jaganshi had been able to dig up those reports, then his people certainly could. Once they had the woman's name, it shouldn't be too difficult to locate her.
If Jaganshi's people didn't beat him to it. And if she were even still alive. If she wasn't, then everything would be ruined. He just have to cut all ties with Jaganshi and find his money elsewhere.
Or have the man killed. But he'd certainly be the first person suspected if Jaganshi were murdered. That really wasn't an option.
Kurama's feet scrabbled on the carpet. Blood dripped down the back of his legs, splattering on the floor. Those streaks were as red as Kurama's hair.
Karasu stepped around the teenager to get a look at his face. Kurama's eyelids were fluttering. His face was as white as milk and tears still slid down his cheeks. He looked so broken that it was hard for Karasu to stay angry with him.
Yet Kurama had held back important information from him. Karasu couldn't let that go unpunished. He already had something in mind. Kurama was terrified of the dark. He could certainly use that.
It would also serve to send a message to Jaganshi that he was the one with all the power over Kurama. The more Karasu considered the idea, the more he liked it. It would be of little inconvenience to him but Kurama would find it devastating.
He'd need some assistance with it, however. Tarukane should have everything that was required.
"P-please…"
Kurama's voice was a mere whisper slipping out between parted lips. There was a raw desperation there.
"Quiet," Karasu told him as he loosed Kurama's wrists from the chain. Kurama crumpled limply to the floor, sobbing in pain. Karasu nudged his ankle with his foot. Kurama didn't look so beautiful anymore. The only emotion Karasu could muster now was annoyance. He wanted Kurama out of his sight.
Karasu threw a sheet over the teenager and left the room. Kurama wouldn't be getting up anytime soon. The teenager was far too shaken. Karasu needed a drink to settle his emotions before he called Tarukane.
—
Kurama slept fitfully on the floor. The pain radiating from his back ensured that he was never able to get anywhere near anything approaching comfortable. He supposed that he should have been concerned about Karasu's return, but he couldn't bring himself to care right now.
He was certain that any chance he ever had of getting free of Karasu was now gone. If Kurama disappeared for any reason, Karasu would know that Jaganshi was involved.
Precisely what Karasu would do to Jaganshi, he wasn't sure. Karasu had to do something. There was no way Karasu could let the situation continue as it was.
Hands pulled on Kurama, making him groan in pain. He writhed weakly, getting himself tangled up in the sheet. He felt a sharp pain in his arm before darkness swallowed him.
—
"Did you give him the proper dose?"
Kurama lay on a steel table beneath the harsh glare of a florescent light. His skin looked pale and washed out. The doctor clamped one of Kurama's eyelids open as Karasu and Tarukane stood by as observers.
"Of course," Karasu said, a bit snippily.
The doctor did the same to Kurama's other eye. The teenager's stare was completely blank, though his eyes reacted to the bright light, the pupil contracting.
The doctor picked up a tiny bottle and shook it.
Karasu couldn't help but feel doubtful. "I thought this would be more complicated," he admitted to Tarukane.
Tarukane smirked. "We've done this before," he said. "It's a very simple procedure and it keeps the subjects more docile and dependant. The eyes will still look entirely normal afterwards."
Karasu nodded as the doctor held the bottle poised over one of Kurama's eyes. Two drops fell squarely into Kurama's eye. The doctor quickly moved on to the other one, doing the same. Once that was done, the doctor removed the clamps holding Kurama's eyes open and taped them shut. He turned to Karasu.
"That's it," he said. "If you did give him the proper dose of sedation, he won't wake for a few hours. Wash his eyes out when he does wake."
Karasu nodded.
"There's something I'd like to discuss with you before you leave," Tarukane said as the doctor left the room.
Karasu's attention remained focused on the oblivious Kurama as Tarukane spoke but he tilted his head to indicate that he was listening. There was no sign from the teenager that he had any awareness of what was happening, though Karasu had noticed that his facial muscles had tensed. A reflexive reaction to the pain, Karasu supposed.
"I was approached by Jaganshi about the babies," Tarukane said. "I told him that he'd have to wait two months. Are you sure he can be trusted? I know his money is good but…"
Caution from Tarukane was unusual. The man was greedy and eager to jump on any chance to make a profit. But Karasu was sure that Sekyo hadn't shared his suspicions with his rival.
Karasu could, of course. But why? Nothing was going to happen for two months. Information was power, even in the Black Black Club. They might be united by their… interests, but that didn't mean that they were all friends. Karasu would keep the information up his sleeve for now, just in case it became useful as a bargaining chip later on.
"You shouldn't have a problem," Karasu told Tarukane.
The businessman looked reassured to hear that. "Good," he said.
Karasu gathered Kurama up, politely refusing Tarukane's offer of a drink. He wanted to get Kurama back home before he awoke from his sedation. He was looking forward to the redhead's reaction. It would be interesting to see how this altered his behaviour.
—
Kurama was severely disorientated when he woke. He didn't know where he was, only that he was laying on a mattress. A wet cloth wiped across his face.
"Kurama?"
It was Karasu's voice, coming from very close to him, but Kurama's vision was still in darkness. He'd opened his eyes, hadn't he? Was he blindfolded? No. He could feel the washcloth on his face. There was no blindfold.
Kurama blinked deliberately. It was only then that he became aware of a burning sensation in his eyes. He raised his hands towards his face to rub his eyes but they were pushed back down.
"Relax," Karasu told him. "The pain will go away."
Kurama tried to speak but his mouth felt like it was full of cotton wool. Panic was starting to set in.
"Wha-wha' did you do?" he finally managed to get out.
He could hear the smile in Karasu's voice as he answered. "You didn't think that I could let you get away with keeping such crucial information from me, did you?"
The chill started in Kurama's extremities and slowly crawled along his veins. He blinked again, as if he could somehow clear away the darkness clouding his vision.
"No," he whispered.
"Next time you think of keeping secrets from me or aiding my enemies, remember this, Kurama. You may think you have nothing to lose, but I assure you, I can take more than you think possible."
Kurama had never thought that Karasu would ever go this far. Never.
"Now get up. Your eyes need to be washed out."
Feeling thoroughly chilled, Kurama allowed Karasu to drag him up and into what he presumed was Karasu's ensuite. His eyes were washed out and the rest of him scrubbed as well. Many of the scabbed-over cuts on his back re-opened, causing him fresh pain. Karasu showed no sign that he cared, rubbing harshly at Kurama's back with the sponge.
The monster from his nightmares had a face now. And a voice. It was Karasu's.
Kurama trembled as he was settled on what he was sure now was Karasu's bed. He didn't want to be anywhere near Karasu right now, but at the same time, he didn't want to be alone. Even Karasu's company would be preferable to being left to face the darkness alone.
Karasu's fingers crawled across his skin, leaving goosebumps behind. Kurama tried to breathe. Tried to tell himself that he shouldn't be afraid of the shadows. That there were things that should frighten him far more.
It didn't work.
Karasu whispered to him. Told him that this was where he belonged. That Jaganshi was just using him. That there was nothing out there for him but this. Kurama felt wet tears slide down his cheeks.
It didn't matter. Not anymore. What was the point of even fighting it? Karasu always won. He won because he was willing to do whatever it took to accomplish his goals. Jaganshi had no idea what he was up against.
Karasu licked his tears away. The action only made Kurama cry harder. Did Karasu truly understand just how much he'd taken away when he'd stolen Kurama's sight? His precious books, his one escape from this nightmare, were gone. The vibrant colours of the flowers that soothed his dreams were gone.
Karasu's weight left Kurama. He heard the sound of rustling cloth and guessed that Karasu was removing his clothing. His back hurt. His eyes burned. If there wasn't blood on the sheets already, there would be soon. Karasu would not be as gentle with him as Jaganshi had been.
Everything that had happened during the weekend spent at Jaganshi's house felt like a far-off dream. Kurama silently hoped that it would stay that way. If he dwelled on it, on the unfairness of his situation, then it would only give rise to emotions that would not serve him.
He thought back to the hunt instead. That was the mentality that he needed now. Survival. Nothing else mattered. No one was going to help him. Jaganshi would learn soon enough that Karasu and his associates were untouchable. He would realise that Kurama wasn't worth risking everything for and he'd back off.
Probably.
If he didn't, then he'd disappear, just like all of Karasu's other obstacles had.
Despair settled over Kurama, as oppressive as Karasu's weight as he pressed his body over Kurama's once again. He mouthed at Kurama's lips, coaxing them open. Kurama didn't bother resisting. It was pointless and would only lead to further pain. Karasu's tongue probed his mouth eagerly as his hands pawed all over Kurama's exposed skin.
The shadows leered at him, sharp teeth bared in an evil snarl. Kurama cowered from them, feeling as though he were a small child again. Small and powerless.
Two eyes appeared above the leering mouth. Two green, glowing emeralds. How appropriate, Kurama thought dully as Karasu's mouth moved to his throat. The darkness had stolen his eyes, hadn't it?
—
Karasu settled beneath the covers beside Kurama. The boy was breathing slowly and shallowly, his cheeks still wet. Karasu felt both exhausted and satisfied. Kurama had reacted better than he'd expected. There had been no tantrums or fits. Merely resignation. That was just what he'd been hoping for. Kurama understood the true futility of resistance now. Finding the mother might not even be necessary.
But what if Jaganshi's people were looking for her as well? Why let a possible pawn land in the enemy's hands?
No. He'd still look for the mother and he'd make sure that Jaganshi's people couldn't get to her.
With that taken care of, Kurama would be entirely his, in every way. There would be no chance of anyone luring him away.
Kurama's hair glowed beautifully crimson in the soft lamplight of the room. It smelled of Karasu's shampoo, as it always did. Karasu let his fingertips dance along Kurama's flat stomach. Kurama jolted awake, letting out a startled and terrified cry.
"Hush," Karasu told him, flattening his palm over the teenager's abdomen.
Leaf-green eyes stared blankly up at the ceiling, seeing nothing. But everything showed in those eyes. Karasu could see the boy's terror in those pretty irises.
This had been an excellent idea. He should have done it far sooner. It was strangely freeing to know that he could see all of Kurama but the boy could not see him. It made Karasu feel powerful and in control.
Kurama shivered, pulling on the blanket in an attempt to cover himself. Karasu let him, though he continued to touch Kurama beneath the sheets.
"I'm going to let Jaganshi take you again," he murmured into Kurama's ear. "And you're not going to tell him anything, are you?"
Kurama didn't say anything, but a low whimper came out from between his swollen lips.
"If you do, I'll know about it. Your death won't be quick, Kurama."
Kurama shook like a terrified kitten, his breaths short and panicked.
"I already have another pet on the way. I was planning on keeping you while the little one grows, but if I can't trust you to behave…"
Karasu let the threat trail off. He waited for some kind of response from the redhead.
It came, but not quickly. "I-I won't tell him anything," Kurama whispered.
Karasu smiled. "Good," he said. "You're going to help me work out who Jaganshi is working for, Kurama. You're going to keep your mouth shut and your ears open until I have the information I need. If you're good, I might let you meet your mother."
Kurama's eyes shot wide open. "M-my mother?" he asked hoarsely.
"Yes. You said that Jaganshi had a picture of her, correct?"
If Jaganshi was going to use the mother to get Kurama to betray Karasu, then the same currency ought to work for him. Of course, he didn't know where the mother was. But he would, soon enough.
"H-he did."
Kurama's eyes were wet, glistening with tears.
"I know where she is," Karasu informed him. "But I won't let you meet her unless you behave."
Kurama would never meet the woman, but it didn't matter. If it became necessary, Karasu would hire someone to play the role. After sixteen years, she would probably look quite different from her photograph. Kurama would be devastated if his 'mother' told him that she actually had never wanted him.
Nothing was further from the truth. From Karasu's observations of the woman during the days before he'd kidnapped the baby, he'd learned that she doted on the boy. For a while Karasu had been concerned that he would not even have an opportunity to snatch the boy, as the woman was always with him. She never let her precious baby out of her sight.
Until a shopping trip where she'd been putting the baby in the car when she'd been hailed by an acquaintance. Her friend needed a hand with her own baby. While the womens' backs were both turned, Karasu had taken the opportunity to steal the baby. Luckily for him, the baby had been busy sucking on his pacifier and had not kicked up a fuss as Karasu whisked him off to his own car. It had only taken mere seconds. By the time the mother noticed that her baby was gone, the boy was safely out of sight.
He'd probably been seen by passerbys, but as no one had ever identified him, that was of no concern. As long as the authorities never found the baby, he could just deny it. With no proof, the authorities would be forced to drop any charges.
Now Kurama was much older and the risk of being connected to the kidnapping was low. At least, it was until that fool Jaganshi had dug up that file. But, with the mother out of the way, no one would be able to prove that Kurama was the kidnapped baby. Karasu was still in the clear.
"You know how things work, Kurama. If you're a good boy, then good things happen. If you're not, then bad things happen. It's very simple."
Kurama nodded weakly.
"I'm glad you understand, Kurama."
Karasu tucked strands of the boy's hair behind his ear. Kurama closed his eyes, his expression as bleak as a starless sky.