Alright, Christmas is over so I can back to my writing. I hope the holidays were good to all of you, as good as they where to me! Hehe…I got the Yu Yu Hakusho game for game boy advance. Lol…loads of fun. I also got two things that remind me so much of Hiei, a black porcelain dragon wrapped around katana and holding what appears to be a tear gem. I also got a hoodie that matches.
So here's the next chapter. This is the one where the torture actually starts. Poor Kurama, how much will he take for his love? And does Koenma know anything about what's going on? Will Yusuke and Kuwabara be able to do anything to save their demon friends? Better yet, will they even figure out where they are?!
Black Tears
CHAPTER FOUR: NO TEARS
Kurama slowly floated out of his pleasant dreams when something warm brushed against his lips. He cracked a green eye open and saw Hiei leaning over him, a rare but genuine smile pulling at his lips. For a quick second the fox thought he was still locked in his dreams. It wasn't until he saw the dank walls behind his lover's head that he knew he was not in a dream, but more a nightmare.
"So you're awake." Hiei chuckled and licked at the fox's neck. "It sounded like you were having some pretty nice dreams. Care to relive some?"
Kurama moaned lightly, loving the feeling of Hiei's smaller body on top of his. If it hadn't been for their current situation Kurama would have eagerly taken the fire demon up on his offer. Instead he swallowed another groan and pushed himself into a sitting position. Hiei pulled back and gave Kurama a startled look. It was unusual for the kitsune to pull away from advances like those. Then again, the fire demon couldn't blame him. Their situation wasn't the most sensual of ones.
"I wish we could love." Kurama spoke gently. "But at the moment I need to find a way to get us out of this dreary place. If we don't get out of here my dreams may never be fulfilled."
Kurama bent over and gave Hiei a quick peck on the lips. The fire demon grunted and pretended to glare. But the attempt was futile as Kurama already had his back to him and was examining the bars of their cage. Hiei felt his body tense. The fox wouldn't be foolish enough to touch them again. He remembered how frightened he had been when he woke up to see his love withering in pain, the cries blocked up just beyond his parted lips. Hiei shuddered and shook the image from his head.
"I wish I knew what kind of wards these were." Kurama muttered to himself. He raised a finger and slowly inched it closer and closer to the bars. He wanted to see how close he could get before the power whipped out and gripped his own spirit. Just as the tip of his finger was about to brush the bar Hiei leaped out of nowhere and tackled Kurama, sending them both slamming into the hard ground.
Kurama drew in a gasping breath as all the air fled his lungs. Panic was his first reaction as he fought against the body that pinned him to the moist ground. Hiei grunted when one of Kurama's hands broke loose and smacked him across the face. He gripped both the fox's wrists and pinned them to his sides.
"What the hell were you thinking?" Hiei hissed leaning down and glaring into Kurama's wide green eyes. "Did you want to see if the wards could kill you this time?!"
Kurama's mouth opened and closed a few times, the words seeming to fail him. Why had he gotten so close to the deadly bars again? There seemed to be some kind of pull on them. A pull that drew his mind from his body and left him a brainless fool, moving to close to something he knew could harm him. Drawing a deep breath he slowly pushed himself off the floor.
"I'm sorry." He whispered. "I have no idea what came over me. Thank you for stopping me."
Hiei went to respond when a large burst of energy slammed into his mind. His whole body went stiff as a quiet cry escaped his parted lips. Kurama rushed forward just in time to catch the collapsing fire demon.
"No." He gasped when he felt the familiar ki of Kakuzo. "Love, please wake up."
"There's no point in trying to rouse him." Kakuzo's voice reached Kurama's ears and set his blood boiling. "I knocked him out so I could come and retrieve you easier, Hiei."
Kurama bristled as a growl rumbled from his throat. He had had enough of these demons. They purposely wished harm on his love for their own greedy gain. He wanted to jump up and tear the youkai limb from limb, but he knew doing so would be foolish when he had a hold over Hiei's mind.
Moving quickly, Kurama scooped up Hiei and laid him gently on one of the soiled cots. He looked down and was relieved to see no pain on his lover's face. He appeared to be sleeping.
"Will you come willing or will I have to knock you out as well?" Kakuzo chuckled.
Kurama snarled and turned to face the shadow demon. "I'm coming, you bastard."
Kakuzo jerked back at the comment, his lips pulling back over his fangs. But suddenly his anger lifted and he laughed lightly. Unlocking the door, he held it open for Kurama. The fox demon carefully stepped out and observed his surroundings. The walls were thick. If he took Kakuzo out at that moment nobody would hear his final screams.
"I wouldn't try anything foolish if I were you." The shadow demon approached Kurama from behind. "I still have a hold on your love's mind."
As if to prove his point, Kakuzo let out a small amount of energy. Hiei tossed on the coat and let out a pained groan. The fire demon's features tightened in pain and his lips parted to draw in raspy, labored breaths. Kurama felt his heart lock up in cold terror and backed slowly away from Kakuzo, bowing his head to show his submission. The shadow demon grinned and released the tight hold on Hiei's mind. The fire demon instantly relaxed and returned to his more peaceful sleep.
"You aren't as brash as I thought you'd be." Kakuzo taunted. "Shall we?"
He tilted his head towards a thick metal door that lead out of the dungeon. Kurama eyes it warily. So this was the way out of the initial prison? With that information stored in his mind, the fox demon knew that all he really needed to worry about at the moment was trying to get past the heavily warded bars of their cage.
Kakuzo sauntered ahead of him, having no fear of being attacked from behind. He knew Kurama would follow him with out any problems because of the hold he had on the little demon. The fox growled, disgust worming its way into his stomach. How could he allow himself to be so easily manipulated? He was Youko, the greatest thief in Makai and here he was being dragged around like kit at the end of a leash. It was appalling!
But Kurama kept all these thoughts in a corner of his mind guarded by many mental defenses. No one, not even Hiei and his jagan would be able to penetrate the shields and delve into his private musings. After all, he had to protect his little dragon from whatever these demons wanted to do to him. He would take all the pain in the three worlds if it meant that Hiei would forever be safe.
Lost in his thoughts, Kurama wasn't prepared for the hand that shoved him roughly to the ground. He gasped in shock and quickly brought his hands up to protect his face from slamming into the hard floor. Kakuzo stood over him, two other onis flanking his sides. They all grinned at him, fangs bared in sadistic smiles. The fox demon felt a cold fear wash over him as the green oni on Kakuzo's left stalked forward and grabbed a hold of his arm, hoisting him up off the ground.
"What do you want to do to him first boss?" The green oni leaned in close to Kurama's face. The kitsune chocked on the sickening smell that rested on the oni's breath. It was of stale flesh, obviously from the last meal he had partaken in.
"Something simple." Kakuzo instructed. "I want to test his pain tolerance first. From there I can think of the best way to go about what I need to do."
Kurama felt a shudder run up his spine. No matter what these demons did to him he had to remember not to shed a tear. If he did, he would be killed and the real Hiei would be drug into torture. He growled lightly, deciding to put a façade like Hiei would do.
"Do whatever you want." He snarled at Kakuzo. "I already told you I don't cry, and I meant that. You won't get a single tear out of me!"
Kakuzo laughed and leaned in close to Kurama's face. His yellow eyes glinted in amusement.
"You are wrong." He whispered. "I found one of your tear gems while I was wandering in Makai. And to find one means you shed one. So you do cry Forbidden Child. I just have to find what kind of torture will hurt you the most."
Kurama felt his whole body go numb. Hiei had shed that tear over him! Which meant that harm coming to the one he loved would be his weakness. But he couldn't allow them to harm the real Forbidden Child. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if he allowed pain to come to the only person he ever truly loved.
"Let's try a good whip first." Kakuzo sauntered over to a thick wooden cabinet that rested in the corner of the room. Pulling open the door, an entire selection of torture devices was revealed to the kitsune.
The shadow demon reached in and pulled out a long thin whip. The thick leather handle turned into a large strip of thick leather. The last four inches separated into thousands of thinner leather strips. Kakuzo waved it from side to side, as if testing its ability. He flicked his wrist and adored the sharp crack it made as snapped through air.
Kurama flinched despite himself. With a mental growl he let his features go stone cold as he glared at the whip wielder. He had been given lashes before, when he had been Koenma's prisoner, and he knew he could easily adjust to the pain and numb it before it gripped his mind. With a snarl he turned his full attention to Kakuzo.
"Do your worst." He hissed. "I will not be dominated by you and your dirty ways."
Kakuzo arched a brow and glanced at Kurama questioningly. He tightened his hold on the handle and motioned to the green oni with a flick of his head. The other oni, a blue oni much like Koenma's assistant, joined his partner. They stripped Kurama of his shirt and spun him so his bare back was facing his soon to be tormentor. The fox heard Kakuzo chuckle behind him and felt a shudder race up his spine.
"It's best not to antagonize the one whom holds the whip Hiei." He spoke in a velvety voice. "Now let's see how much you can take before you scream."
The whip came down with a crack and the burning flashed brightly across Kurama's back. He drew in a hissing breath, but kept all other sounds to himself. He would not give Kakuzo the pleasure of his scream. His pain was something that the insane shadow demon would never take joy in seeing or hearing. The kitsune blocked off his thoughts and allowed his mind to go blank. He could no longer feel the blows that Kakuzo rained down on him.
Soon, Kakuzo tossed the original whip aside with an angry snarl. Kurama had to laugh, though the sound came out weaker then he wished. His captor hadn't felt the pleasure of his pain, but Kurama felt the joy of his frustration.
But the kitsune soon realized that this whole thing was far from over. Kakuzo walked back over to the weapon cabinet and reached into pull out another whip. This whip was made of long thin strips of leather. On the tip of each strip was a metal barb. The tips glimmered weakly in dull light. Kurama gasped at the sight of the offending weapon and felt a brief nausea work through his stomach.
"This weapon is my personal favorite." Kakuzo grinned and ran his finger over one of the metal tips. "I don't believe you are familiar with it, seeing as you avoid Ningenkai as often as you can. This whip comes from a country known as the United States. It's called a Negro Whip(1). It was used a long while ago on unruly slaves. The pain it causes it great and I highly doubt even you can go up against the agony it will bring upon you."
Kurama knew he was right. He may be able to stand against the pain for a bit, but after a while, his screams would break loose. But the pain didn't matter. All he had to do was make sure he didn't shed a tear. Kakuzo chuckled behind him and raised his arm slowly.
"Cry for me." He hissed before snapping down with a flick of his wrist.
The metal barbs dug into his flesh, ripping the skin and bruising the marred flesh. Kurama's head jerked up, a tiny sound escaping him. Pain flooded through his body. His vision wavered for a second, causing the kitsune to see four onis holding him rather then two. The green oni chuckled and ran a finger through the blood that trickled down the fox's back. He licked at the sticky substance and then grinned at Kakuzo.
"That's a great whip." The oni drawled. "Maybe you should further test its abilities."
Kakuzo chuckled again. "That's just what I was thinking."
The whip came down again and this time the scream ripped its way from Kurama's throat. Kakuzo let out a joyous laugh at the sound and continued with his beating. Through out the whole thing Kurama screamed, whimpered and begged. But he didn't once let himself cry. Just one tear would ruin everything, put his love in danger. And that was something he couldn't live knowing he allowed to happen. He'd take all the pain in the world if it meant the true Hiei would stay safe.
Kakuzo brought the whip down one last time and a tremendous scream burst from Kurama. Black dotted his vision as his whole body slumped forward. His head dropped forward as he struggled to remain conscious. But the fight was a loosing struggle. The green oni caught his slumping form and slung it over his shoulder. Kakuzo sauntered over and brought his face close to Kurama's.
"You are a strong one Hiei." The shadow demon hissed. "But there will be more pain in your future. You can not last forever Forbidden Child."
Kurama kept his eyes opened a crack. Their green was dulled as he tried desperately to glare daggers at his captor. But the black crept up again and Kurama moaned as his vision faded. He managed to force out a very Hiei-like phrase before allow himself to go limp.
"Fuck you."
~*~
"Yusuke I don't know what to tell you."
The leader of the spirit detectives leaned heavily on Koenma's desk glaring death at the toddle ruler. Actually Koenma was in his teenage form. When he got a message from Botan saying the irate detective was coming he decided he'd be better off in this deal. Who ever said good things came in small packages never tried to defend themselves while in a toddlers body.
"We have to do something!" The raging Yusuke screamed. "That demon was after them specially. We can't just abandon them! They've given so much to us."
Koenma sighed. He knew that Yusuke was right. If that demon had a reason to escape Makai to grab the two demon detectives then he had plans for them. And he knew they weren't good ones. After Yusuke had described what the creature looked like Koenma had dubbed him a shadow demon, and they were no fun to mess with. The only help he had been able to offer was where in Makai shadow demons lived. But quickly after that he had forbade Yusuke and Kuwabara from going there.
"Yusuke you know I wish I could help them but I can't." The ruler spoke in a sad voice. "Shadow demons are ruthless creatures and they'd tear you apart the second they realized you're humans. Kurama and Hiei probably don't stand a chance and I don't want my best spirit detectives going out there and getting themselves killed so they can bring back the bodies of two once-thieving demons!"
Yusuke pulled back away from the desk, shock registering on his features. Botan gasped in the far corner of the room where she had been quietly listening. Even Kuwabara made a tiny noise of surprise. This couldn't be real. Koenma couldn't expect them to just shrug and forget about their demon friends.
"Koenma, you were at the tournament." Yusuke's voice was low, sadness evident in them. "Every time Hiei and Kurama set foot in the ring they would be taunted, called a traitor against their own kind because they were helping us humans. Though neither of them showed it, it hurt them badly, dented their pride and trust for their own kind.
"But they still continued fighting for us because we're their friends." Yusuke continued. "And when the Saint Beasts were trying to take over Ningenkai, Hiei and Kurama were there. They risked their lives to help us when they didn't have to."
"Yusuke," Koenma frowned, "You know that particular case was different. They did have too. I told them if they didn't help then they'd spend the next few centuries in jail. If it weren't for that, then they wouldn't have been there. At least I know Hiei wouldn't have been."
"Shut up!" Yusuke slammed his fists on the desk. "After all the times they risked it all for us I'm not going to sit here and wait for words of their deaths from some pathetic youkai we happen by! Now I can go on my own, or you can help me by pointing out the portal that opens closest to my destination, or I can waste time by searching myself. It's up to you Koenma."
Botan suddenly stepped forward, oar swung easily over her shoulder. She glared at Koenma as joined Yusuke at his side. The spirit detective gave her a confused glance before smiling lightly.
"He's not going alone." She fixed her purple on eyes on the toddler ruler. "If you won't help him, I will. Kurama…and Hiei…have always been there to help and I won't just sit around while they're slowly killed in some far corner of Makai."
"B-Botan?" Koenma was going pale. What was this, a damn mutiny?
"I'm going too." Kuwabara stepped up on Yusuke's other side. "I can't let Urameshi have all the youkai ass kicking friend. Besides things would be a lot less interesting around here with out that half pint."
Koenma sighed and allowed his head to droop. The pacifier that he always held whether in teenage form or not bounced off the oak wood of his desk's surface. There was no point in fighting anymore. No matter what he did the three of them were going. The least he could do was offer his help. The more he helped them the safer the journey would be for them.
"All right." He looked at his three helpers and friends. "I will show you where to find the first portal. But after that I'm afraid I can be no more help. I know little nothing of that area of Makai."
Yusuke grinned and flipped Koenma a thumbs up.
"Thank you Koenma." His voice was thick with appreciation. "Thank you so much."
"You're welcome Yusuke." Koenma fixed him with a deadly glare. "But don't you dare do anything to make me regret this decision."
Yusuke grinned.
"Now would I ever do something like that?"
Koenma fell out of his chair.
~*~
Hiei slowly came to. His body was tired, aches throbbing in his joints. Even the dragon that wrapped its way down his arm seemed to pulse with a dull pain. All he could remember was Kurama, bars and then pain. Other then that it was all a mussed together group of colors and sounds. He groaned and rolled his head slowly to the side. That was when spotted Kurama curled up in a weak ball on his cot. There was blood darkening the already stained sheet and the fire demon couldn't tell if it had been there before or not. Taking a quick sniff he could instantly tell that at least some of the blood was fresh, the crimson liquid belonging to his love. With a strangled cry, Hiei pushed himself up off the cot and stumbled over to Kurama's side. He was about to call out when he remembered his fox's words.
"Please. No names or nick names. At least not when you can sense them near."
He reached out with his jagan and felt for any energy from the captors. A spark flickered, to faint to be any where close or a danger to the secret that Kurama wanted so desperately to keep. Gently stroking the kitsune's face he opted for soft whispers.
"Kurama," He whispered, shaking him tenderly. "Please wake up kitsune."
Kurama's features pinched together in pain while a tight sound of pain escaped his lips. Hiei pulled back, instantly afraid he had cause further pain to his already hurt lover. Said fox's eyes fluttered open to reveal hazy green orbs. He drew in a deep breath and reached out weakly towards the fire demon's worried face.
"I-I thought you agreed t-to no names love." He choked on the words.
Hiei glowered at Kurama. Stupid fox. Leave it to him to be worried about keeping Hiei safe then his own health. He didn't care if the punks that grabbed him learned his true identity. Maybe if they found out they were holding the Forbidden Child and Kitsune Thief they'd release them. He only agreed to because he felt it would keep him and his love safer. And now seeing Kurama, he wasn't sure that was the case.
"I already checked for them baka kitsune." He snarled. "They aren't any where near us. Now tell what the hell happened to you."
Kurama flinched. He knew that his energy had already gone to work and healed the minor wounds. But the deeper ones were still there and the bruised skin around their marred edges was painfully tender. Ever slight movement he made sent pain shooting throughout his body. But he couldn't tell Hiei the truth. The fire demon would be over come with grief before announcing his true identity.
"T-they wanted to know who we were." He easily forged the lie. His past life had trained him to be a superb liar. "I guess they decided my energy appeared weaker and choose to use me to get what answers they wanted." He chuckled lightly and winced.
"So they know?" Hiei asked. No, if Kurama had spilled he wouldn't be so worried about names. Like he imagined, a hurt look crossed his kitsune's face.
"Hiei, I'd hope you'd give me more credit then that." The fox tried to sound hurt, but his voice was too weak. "They learned nothing, questions still unanswered. But that Kakuzo did a number on me. He used a whip w-with metal tips."
Hiei gasped and pulled back. He had heard of some cruel torture techniques that a metal tipped whip? That was just sick. Who exactly were these bastards they were dealing with? With tenderness that no one would ever know he possessed, Hiei wrapped his arms around Kurama and pulled him close. The fox winced slightly, but slowly melted into the embrace. It just felt too good to be held by loving arms for him to allow any pain to stop it.
"Sleep now." Hiei ordered lightly, brushing his lips lightly over Kurama's forehead. "That way you can recover your energy so we can get those bastards next time."
Kurama went to answer but his voice betrayed him. He settled for a slow nod and let his eyes drift shut. Sleep came quickly and soon Hiei heard his breathing slow its pace. He leaned his back against the wall and continued to allow Kurama to use him as a pillow. But his thoughts were else where, on a different demon. Images of revenge flashed quickly through his mind, each more satisfying then the next. A sadistic grin played with his lips as he leaned his head back against the wall and followed his love into the land of dreams and nightmares. But one last thought formed in his groggy mind.
"Kakuzo…you will pay."
(1)Negro Whip- I hope I didn't offend anybody with that weapon but it is an actual whip. I have a book on New England's Cruel and Unusual Punishment and there's a whole chapter on whips and flogging and the Negro Whip sound like the most painful. So please take no offense because I meant none.
So we have the basic plot. If Kakuzo knocks Hiei out every time he comes for Kurama…err, Hiei…will the little fire demon get the chance to exact his revenge? And what will it take to get Kurama to shed a tear? And what about Yusuke and the others? Will they reach the castle in time to save everybody's favorite demons? Better yet, will they reach the castle in one piece? All that and more coming in the future of this story!
For now, please review!! I love hearing from you. I think when this story ends I'll do a thank you chapter or something to all my multiple reviewers. I love you all!! Until the next chapter take it easy and don't do anything Hiei wouldn't do!
Wait… o.O