Disclaimer: KURO IS MINE! Mine mine mine! But I don't own him like the person who created him does. Someone please tell me that person's name.

Yokou rained death and pain on anyone who got in his way as he helped Kuronue toward the exit. Despite his weakened condition, the Chimera forced himself to walk, not relying on Yokou too much. The enraged bandit needed his concentration.

Yokou was blind with rage. He saw red, not caring how many guards came his way. He killed them all, his rose whip a flash of green. It was the last thing many saw. Some did not even see it coming before a life was snuffed out.

The castle was a maze. Yokou and Kuronue had finally made it out of the dungeons into red-carpeted hallways. As Yokou meted out punishment, Kuronue looked for the King. He had probably holed himself up in the throne room, the coward. He was probably afraid that he too would be killed. Kuronue could still taste him, and he wanted to throw up. He glanced at Yokou. What would have happened if the kitsune hadn't come?

They stopped to rest after a while. Yokou wasn't tired, but he could see Kuronue growing weary. So much of his strength had been sapped in the past few weeks. Yokou could almost count his friend's ribs. He growled, making Kuronue look up.

"Yo?" Yokou cupped Kuronue's face gently.

"Kuro...I missed you. I thought you were dead." Kuronue smiled.

"I don't die easily, Yo." Yokou's ears perked. He got his rose whip ready.

"Someone's coming. We need to move." Kuronue nodded, and they started off again. They met the guards quickly enough. Yokou lunged into their midst, brandishing his whip. Kuronue leaned against the wall, watching his hated tormentors die. He didn't hear someone come up behind him, and then a hand clapped over his mouth, shutting away his voice and breath. Something hit the back of his head, and he knew no more.

After this newest bunch of guards was dispatched, Yokou turned to find the hallway empty.

"Kuro? Kuro!" A slip of paper lay where Kuronue had stood. Yokou picked it up.

Come to the throne room.

Yokou burst into the throne room, whip in hand. The first thing he saw was Kuronue, unconscious. Someone he didn't know held the captive Chimera about the waist, a knife at his throat. That someone smiled sadistically.

"So you are the theif causing such a ruckus in my palace. I thought you were a guard. Very convincing acting, I must say. I am King Saitou. And your friend belongs to me." Yokou snarled at him.

"He is not yours, you bastard. Let him go." Kuronue stirred slightly and opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was his hated enemy, holding him, and felt the steel against his throat. The King smirked and slid the knife up Kuronue's face, forcing him to look straight at his tormentor. As Yokou watched in rage, King Saitou placed a chaste kiss on Kuronue's lips, bringing a small whimper from the captive's throat. Then the evil man turned back to Yokou.

"See? He is already mine." Kuronue tried to pull away, shoving at Saitou, only to have the king twist his arm up painfully behind his back and pull him close. Yokou's growl became audible as Saitou stroked the knife gently down Kuronue's neck, smiling as the captive shuddered.

"Let him fucking go!"

"Then drop your weapon." Yokou tensed.

"What?"

"Drop the whip and cooperate. Now." Yokou tightened his hold on his whip.

"Do it, or your Chimera will not be spared the pain." With only that as a warning he jerked up harshly on Kuronue's arm. The Chimera, not expecting it, cried out in pain. Yokou snapped. He leapt at Saitou, only to find himself ringed by guards with spears. Kuronue yelled out in pain as Saitou pulled his arm up farther. His wrist was now touching the bottom of his neck. Much more and it would break.

Yokou watched Kuronue's pain-filled face for a moment, wondering what the Chimera wanted him to do. Kuronue was struggling as much as he could, with his arm useless and a knife against his throat.

Kuro...what would you do?

"I'm waiting. Drop it." Yokou glared at him. Saitou smirked as he made a shallow cut down Kuronue's neck. The Chimera gasped slightly.

"Drop it or I will break his arm, then slit his throat. As much as I would like to keep him, I would have no qualms about killing him." Yokou clenched his fists, his knuckles white on his beloved rose whip. Saitou jerked up on Kuronue's arm again, earning a pained cry from the prisoner. The sadistic King smirked as Yokou growled again.

"One more yank, demon. Do you think he would thank you if his arm was snapped?" Kuronue couldn't struggle without breaking his arm now. One thought passed through his head, over and over.

Don't...

"You win." The sound of Yokou's defeated voice echoed throughout the throne room. Kuronue turned his head to see that Yokou had dropped his whip; he stood in the ring of guards, head hanging.

"You win. Just don't hurt him anymore." Kuronue felt the grip on his arm slacken. He started to struggle, trying to get to Yokou. Saitou merely shoved him at a couple of guards, who held him securely. More guards took Yokou. Saitou turned to go. As he passed Kuronue, he looked deep into his eyes, an evil idea glinting there.

"Tell me your name." Kuronue stared. Saitou gestured at Yokou.

"Tell me or I'll have them kill him right here in front of you." Kuronue's eyes widened. There was a long silence. Then Saitou shrugged and gestured at Yokou again. A guard placed a sword at his throat and readied it. Yokou closed his eyes.

"KURONUE!" Saitou turned back to the Chimera. He sagged limply in the guard's grip; there were tears streaming down the pale cheeks.

"My name is Kuronue. Please..." Saitou's feral grin returned.

"Thank you. Now, take the other demon out to the courtyard and execute him a bit more formally. I want to have some fun with Kuronue here." Kuronue's head shot up.

"You said if I told you..."

"I wouldn't kill him in front of you. And I will keep my word. Now, let's go." Yokou and Kuronue were dragged off in opposite directions, fighting the whole way. Kuronue reached out for Yokou, who tried to force his way back to him. Their fingers brushed, then numbers won out, and they were pulled apart once again. As the guards dragged them toward respective doorways, Kuronue could no longer hold in his scream of agony.

"YOKOU!" Yokou gave a him a sad little smile.

"Kuro...I'll be back for you. I won't lose you again." Then Kuronue was pulled out of sight of his beloved friend.

Yoru: Several people have told me to make my chapters longer. Is this better? Do I need to make them longer? Shorten it? Constructive critism is always, ALWAYS welcome.

Kuronue: Wow. You're being nice.

Yoru: I like my reviewers! They make my day every time I go to my computer!

Kuronue: pout I don't make your day every time you see me?

Yoru: slightly feral grin Of course you do, Kuro.

Kuronue: If any of you took that the wrong way, get your minds out of the gutter!