Hey guys! It's been a while. I hope you've all been well. I just moved back to Canada for school and things here has been challenging. Sorry for keeping you all waiting. I hope you enjoy reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Big thanks to BananaPopoto and kit-kit for your reviews. I appreciate the support ^_^

-Telepathy-

Thoughts

CHAPTER 24: RED

Last Chapter

The Chief laughed again. "Come now, Youko." He said lightly. "I doubt your friend is going to chastise you for selling your body to me. Besides, I've also heard Kitsunes make excellent-"

"I am not for sale." Youko growled, pushing the Oni's hand aside and stepping back.

The Chief shrugged. "Well then, neither are my men." He said. "Take your pick, Kitsune - your pride or your friend's life."

000

The present

Back at Genkai's Temple

Hiei charged at the vampire, determined to end his life here and now. Edmund managed to dodge the swipe of Hiei's katana before it decapitated him. They flitted between the trees of the forest surrounding the temple at high speed.

Ishida and Yusuke looked on at the duo in awe.

"What the hell?!" Ishida yelled and then turned to Yusuke. "We try to help you and this is how you repays us?" He said in anger.

Trust me, bud. I'm as confused as you are. Yusuke thought to himself.

The Mazuko moved to grab the enraged fire demon but stopped when he heard the cock of a gun against his head.

Ishida pointed his handgun at Yusuke, daring him to take another step. "I don't know what type of rules you Reikai Tente follow," he hissed. "But here in the Ningenkai, we-"

It happened so quickly. The detective couldn't finish his sentence when Yusuke expertly disarmed the man and used his momentum to flip Ishida over his shoulder. Ishida blinked in awe and confusion at what had happened, he looked up to see Yusuke pointing his own gun at him. The detective narrowed his eyes and waited then Yusuke merely clicked the safety on and tossed the gun to the ningen.

"We're not your enemy, Detective," said Yusuke. "I don't know what's happening here but I'm going to get to the bottom of this." The Mazuko stepped around the fallen detective and moved quickly for his mate.

"Hiei, stop this!" He yelled and grabbed Hiei's arm before he could take another swing at Edmund.

Not that Edmund wasn't managing well on his own. The vampire easily dodged Hiei's jabs and attacks, moving just as quickly if not quicker than the fire demon.

The Englishman rushed for Ishida and helped him up on his feet. "You alright?" The vampire asked his comrade.

Ishida scoffed, patting the dust off his attire. "You try getting knocked on your ass and then tell me." He mumbled.

Yusuke turned Hiei around to face him. "What the hell?" He said incredulously.

The fire demon growled and pointed his katana at the vampire. "I saw that man in Shuichi's memories, it was just a glimpse but I saw him and I felt the fear." He said. "He…he used Shuichi just like the others at the Architect's castle."

The Mazuko's eyes widened in shock. "What?" He whispered and looked up at the other two men, hoping it wasn't true.

Ishida looked down in shame and Edmund held up his hands, "Please, I can explain..." he said.

At that moment, Yusuke saw red. His reiki rose and he pointed his makeshift gun at the Englishman. "Save it." He hissed and then fired three rapid rounds of his spirit gun.

The shots cleared an impressive amount of trees in their path, disintegrating them to dust and scattering birds in every corner. When the glare of the rei gun cleared up, no one was left where Ishida and Edmund had once stood.

It was a long pause.

Then there was a sudden snap to Hiei's left and the demon swiftly held up his katana to Ishida's throat. The fire demon frowned and wondered how the human moved so quickly. There was another swoosh behind Hiei and when he looked back, Yusuke was a few metres away from where he had originally stood.

The Mazuko blinked in confusion at how he had moved without even realising it. When Yusuke looked up, he met Edmund's sea blue eyes and was immediately entranced by the words spoken to him.

Hiei growled, he ignored the shocked looking Ishida and charged forward once again. "Get away from him!" He yelled.

Instantly, the vampire calmly stepped away from his mate and stood facing the fire demon. Hiei continued forward with his flaming katana ready to pierce the demon and end him.

Then Yusuke quickly stepped in front of Edmund, ready to shield him from Hiei's blow.

The fire demon skidded to a stop, his katana barely missing Yusuke's black lapel. He stared dumbfounded at his mate. "Move aside, Yusuke." He said.

The Mazuko blinked blankly at the fire demon, as if confused by the words he was saying. Yusuke then raised his arm, formed his hand into its Spirit Gun position and then pointed it at Hiei. His features were devoid of emotion albeit his arm trembling visibly.

Hiei's eyes narrowed at his mate. Something wasn't right. -Yusuke, what's wrong?!- He asked his mate through their bond.

No answer.

Hiei didn't sense any injury on the Mazuko, just his reiki slowly weakening. He quickly did a reading of Yusuke's reiki and gasped when he saw that Edmund now seemed to be sharing the Mazuko's spirit energy. Tendrils of Yusuke's energy wrapped itself around the vampire like a shroud of smoke.

The fire demon growled at the vampire. "What did you do to him?"

"It's called Compulsion," said Ishida from his spot behind Hiei.

Edmund nodded. "Basically, mind control." He said smoothly. "Right now, your mate will do anything and everything I tell him to do without question. In fact, as of ten seconds ago, he became my personal bodyguard."

Hiei growled. "You're manipulating his reiki, it's all around you." He stated. "How are you doing that?"

Edmund shrugged. "I have no bloody clue. It came with 'Vampire Starter Pack'… and this edition doesn't have a manual." He said, cynically. "I just needed a chance to talk to you and clear my name."

Hiei raised a brow. "Are you denying taking advantage of Shuichi?"

Edmund shook his head. "No, I admit I did," he said, soberly. "But it was beyond my control, I was tricked into it! It was either that or Shuichi would have been dead."

There was a pregnant pause and Hiei deliberated if he should believe the vampire. He didn't want to risk Yusuke's safety and submit him to Edmund's puppetry. Hiei reasoned that the foreigner must have been willing to do anything to explain himself, even if it means inciting the ire of a fire demon.

"Release him." Hiei said, the flames around his katana dying down.

Edmund nodded and placed his hand on Yusuke's raised arm, slowly lowering it down. The vampire then spoke, "You're free to go".

Almost immediately, the Mazuko slumped down to his knees, breathing deeply and his body shaking.

The fire demon rushed forward and kneeled by his mate, checking him all over. Besides his weakened reiki, the Mazuko seemed to be fine.

"Hiei," Yusuke whispered shakily. "How…how did he-" the Mazuko spoke slowly, his mind trying to understand what just happened.

Hiei squeezed his mate's shoulders and said. "Don't worry about it."

Though the fire demon couldn't help but worry about his mate. He knew Yusuke deliberately distanced himself from Hiei but he also noticed the Mazuko seem to be tired all the time. His pace was slower than usual and his workout sessions were getting shorter.

Ishida cleared his throat and the others looked up. There was obvious guilt in the detective's eyes. "We didn't mean to put you through all this but you left us no choice."

Edmund was beside the ningen once again, pain and regret shone in his own eyes. "As you said, Yusuke - we're not your enemy." He said.

Hiei growled lowly at the men and then helped his exhausted mate sit on top of a tree stump. He then turned to Ishida and Edmund. "Tell us everything." He said to both of them.

The vampire nodded and began. "When I first met Shuichi, it was under strained circumstances…"

*FLASHBACK*

Edmund's POV

I made my way back to my quarters, determined to get some sleep after a long and fruitless mission for a stupid mystical medallion. That demon witch sent me on a wild goose chase all because I resisted her advances.

Petty bitch, she can shove the medallion up her royal arse. I cursed mentally.

I stopped when I heard quick footsteps and heavy breathing. Shortly after, a red-haired woman appeared running down the hall as fast as her limp would allow her. She would look back once and again, as if checking if she was being followed.

Odd. I thought to myself. I wonder what's wrong.

I swiftly went to her aid and calmly placed my hands on her shoulders, stopping her in her tracks without much effort. When the redhead looked up, a pair of beautiful green eyes stared at me in shock.

I could feel a current run up my spine and my heart thump a bit harder. My mouth was suddenly dry and a strange feeling of relief came upon me. I've read of this happening with my kind, an unexplainable feeling of warmth and breathlessness that overcomes us when we find our mate.

Could this be her? I asked myself.

I then notice the cut on her cheek and the bruise on her shoulder and ankle. Her tunic was partially ripped and tears stood in her determined eyes.

"Are you alright?" I asked as calmly as possible, hoping to soothe her.

Instead she blinked as if shaking out of a stupor and pulled on my arms. "Let me go!" She yelled.

I quickly complied, afraid I was hurting her. Damnit, Edmund learn to control your strength. I berated myself.

"I'm sorry if I was holding you too-" the redhead was darting down the hallway once again before I could finish.

I stared at the woman in wonder. Why is she afraid of me? I was only trying to help.

"Stop him!" Some called from behind me and I turned to see Jack the Whipper running towards me. "Don't let him escape!"

Him? I was confused. The only person I've seen in these halls was that woman. Unless…

I was behind the man in seconds and grabbed him once again. The redhead struggled and threw a punch at me but I caught it easily. Those green eyes looked back at me and filled with confusion. I could practically hear him wondering how I got to him so quickly.

"Sorry, Jack." I said to the demon. "I didn't know he was a prisoner."

Jack only grunted. "It's alright," He said. "A pretty face like that can fool anyone, that's Shuichi's talent." He growled leering at the man.

Shuichi. I said to myself, committing the name to memory.

I admit I'm still confused at how a man could look so much like a woman. But that's easy to get over, the hard part would be trying to get close to my potential mate when he sees me as an enemy.

"No!" Shuichi yelled in despair, his struggles renewed with vigour.

"Oh hush, little one." Jack said, running a hand down his cut cheek. "I'm not angry; in fact, I love it when my toys play hard to get."

Shuichi flinched back from Jack's hand like it burned him.

I felt a bubble of protectiveness for the man swell up within me and I pulled the sobbing Shuichi towards me slightly. Just enough to keep Jack at bay.

I quickly spoke when the demon raised an inquisitive brow at me. "It seems that I've missed a lot during my absence."

Jack, however, gave a wide, knowing smile. "My, my Edmund," He said snidely. "Chivalry might be alive and well with your out-dated sensibilities but this ningen is a special prisoner of her highness."

I almost growled in anger when Jack practically ripped Shuichi from my grasp but I stood still.

The demon merely winked at me and said, "Don't worry, leech. You'll get your turn soon enough."

I could do nothing as Shuichi was forced down the hallway. It didn't take long for Jack to backhand him when he continued to struggle. The demon then tossed the unconscious redhead over his shoulder and headed back to the dungeons below.

Nothing would have pleased me more than ripping Jack's head off and whisking the frightened human to safety. But I knew I needed to think clearly, I wouldn't know where to go or how to combat the Architect's army when she would eventually find me. And chances are Shuichi wouldn't follow a man that got him locked back up.

I rubbed the bridge of my nose in frustration. Damn it, I need a plan!

*END FLASHBACK*

"…I visited him frequently after that," Edmund said. "I tried to protect him from the others. I'd pay them off to leave him alone, tended to his wounds, made sure he was clothed." He continued. "We slowly became friends…but that only lasted for a little while."

The vampire faded into silence and the others waited for him to continue. Instead, the Englishman looked down and swallowed a lump in his throat.

Ishida then spoke, knowing Edmund couldn't continue. "Please, all we want to do is help." He said. "We can keep an eye on Shuichi as you plan with your people in the Makai on your next course of action."

Yusuke scoffed and got up from the tree stump. "I don't fucking think so," he spat. "You think we'll let Casanova here anywhere near Shuichi?"

Edmund looked up at that. "I swear to you, I'll never make contact with him." He vowed. "Unless I have to."

"Hell no." Yusuke said.

Ishida made an exasperated sound. "What part of 'the Architect is out to take back Shuichi' didn't you understand?" He said.

Yusuke spoke calmly this. "We have enough people here to look out for Shuichi." He said.

It was Ishida's turn to scoff. "No offence, but I wouldn't say that so confidently knowing it took you three years to find one human." He said snidely.

The Mazuko growled at that and walked purposefully into Ishida's space. "Watch it, pal." He growled, his reiki rising at an alarming level. "You don't want to piss me off."

Ishida narrowed his eyes, not backing away from the other brunet. "Please, I deal with punks like you on a daily basis."

Hiei and Edmund watch their respective partners go back and forth with threats of arrest and "ass-whooping". They both rolled their eyes, knowing neither one would attack.

The vampire turned to the fire demon. "I understand your reluctance to let me help," he said. "But you have to realise the severity of this. The Architect will spare no expense to get Shuichi back and eliminate you.

"I know the way she thinks, I know her weaknesses," The vampire continued. "I'm also certain that he's my mate and I'd never harm him, the same way you wouldn't let harm befall your mate."

Ishida and Yusuke stopped bickering when they heard that last part.

"I don't mind Ishida," Yusuke said to Hiei and then pointed at Edmund. "But I don't want him near Shuichi."

Hiei looked at his mate pensively. As much as he hated to admit it, an extra set of eyes watching Shuichi would be wise but he was not going to take any chances with the vampire.

The fire demon then looked at Detective Ishida and Edmund. "We shall accept your offer," Hiei said. "But only from Ishida."

The human detective sputtered in anger. "But-"

Ishida was interrupted by a firm hand on his shoulder. The vampire shook his head at his comrade and spoke to Hiei.

"I won't let you keep me from Shuichi." Edmund said, calmly. "We should let him decide rather than plan behind his back."

"Not so fast." Yusuke chimed in. "You aren't doing jack-shit until you tell us everything that happened with Shuichi."

The vampire stayed silent for a long time and looked at Hiei blankly. The fire demon stared back with the same empty, expectant look.

The Englishman couldn't blame them for their protectiveness. Kurama was their mate too so they have every right to want to know. He thought to himself.

Edmund then sighed and nodded. "Very well."

000

Six days later

Somewhere in the Makai

Youko's POV

My eyes slowly open as I hear the birds chirp a few metres away; the breeze carried reminiscences of the harsh winter before but now, no snow fell. I sit up slowly and moan in pain when my sides hurt; it's been ten days since I left Yusuke alone in the woods. Large indents started appearing on my body leaving an impression of old scars. It started on the side of my right feet and then spread up to my shoulder. Now even yawning causes me to wince in pain.

At the moment, I'm in one of my cave of treasures with little food and a spring of water just outside. My tongue is incredibly dry and I groan knowing that I would have to endure much pain to get just a sip of water. But I bite my trembling lips, picked up the walking stick I had conjured and used it to aid my movement.

I want to go back but my heart only breaks again knowing that the people I love only see me as a substitute. And to Shuichi, I'm Judas. Selfishly leaving him to suffer as I escaped my fate. However, the fates caught up with me.

I had accepted the Iro Chief's proposal to bear him an heir. I didn't mind it. It was a business transaction, nothing more. I was recovering my strength, treated kindly and showered with gifts. Then the day arrived to finally lie with the Chief. It sickened me that my first child wouldn't be Hiei or Yusuke's but I didn't have enough strength to fight his men. I needed more time to heal and escape…

…but the Chief is not known for his patience.

So I did what I had to.

I grunt in pain when I lose my balance and fall to the ground, halting my thoughts. My walking stick breaks in my attempt to stay standing. I sigh and conjured another, using it to get on my knees and then back on my feet. The spring is right before me now and I gently lower myself down on a nearby boulder.

In Iro, I grew a Gourd of Sterility over the weeks, reassuring my lady in waiting that it was my favourite snack. The oil from the gourd can make anyone who ingests it infertile and I need to get it into his bloodstream quickly without being caught. I decided the best way to do so is orally.

Though it risked me never having children again, I didn't mind that sacrifice.

Not for Shuichi…. not after I put him there.

I laugh bitterly; remembering how I flirted with the idea of not having kids after that Iro child pulled my tail. It was such an ironic twist of fate.

Nonetheless, I did what I had to. I slowly slipped the oil into his mouth as he kissed me and distracted him with foreplay as the oil's toxins worked its way through his system. I only closed my eyes in relief and wince in disgust as the tribe leader pounded into me.

That was the first and last time he or his men touched me.

I make a cup out of leaves and scooped up some water to drink from the stream. It hurt to move but I was severely dehydrated. At the rate I was burning, I knew it was only a matter of time before I perished. I drank some more and slowly stood up.

I think it's best to return to the Ningenkai for a little bit to heal. Though I don't wish to see my mates right now, I needed to stay alive until I was sure the Architect was dead.

I slowly hobble back into the cave to finish the remaining rabbit meat I caught the day before. That should give me enough strength to get back without much trouble.

A/N: Aaah it feels so much better to write again! I'm going be honest, I'm not sure when the next chapter is going to be posted up. I've got three workshops and an interview to juggle. But please leave a review and be assured that I'm going to finish this story, come hell or high water. Bye! :)