A/N: Warning! Karasu meets Shuichi in this chapter. This is not for the light-hearted.
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
'Yukina.' A female demon. She has long blue hair and a white kimono. 'No, it's not her.'
'Yukina.' Another demon. This one has long light blue hair tied into a ponytail. 'Not her either.'
'Yukina.' This time, the demon he saw had sea-green hair and red eyes. 'Yukina?!' The image zoomed out and he saw that… she was a mermaid.
"Kuso!" Hiei yelled. He closed his jagan and placed his headband around it. It's already been three years, and he still couldn't find his sister. The painful operation has helped him see miles around him, but he still can't find her. He must have searched the Makai twice over! Wherever she was, she was well hidden.
"Yukina…" Hiei said to himself. The fire demon dropped off the high tree he was perched on and gracefully landed on the ground. The fire demon was a very unusual youkai. He had beautiful ruby eyes and spiked black hair with a white starburst. He was short for a demon, but his power more than made up for his diminutive size. He even needed to put wards on his jagan and right hand to lower the amount of youki emanating from him. The jaganshi was a little over 400 and had already mastered the Ensatsu Kokoryuha. Because of his fearsome power and unnatural birth, many demons dreaded even being around him.
Hiei was in a foul mood. He had traveled a great distance in one day and still didn't have one clue as to where his little sister was. His legs were tired from the journey, yet he still managed to fiercely trek to the nearest town.
Once he entered the small town, the demons inhabiting the place felt the waves of animosity rolling off this little youkai. He marched straight to the local pub and shoved the doors open. Immediately, the pub went quiet. This was a small town, the locals weren't used to having such a powerful demon there.
Eyes fixed on the demon and little rumors were whispered, as if he couldn't hear them. The few youkai that knew who he was, shivered in trepidation. Hiei couldn't care less about the other youkai; there was only one that he came to see.
Trying to hide himself in the corner, the blue youkai held his mug of liquor over his face, hoping Hiei wouldn't see him. He looked through the transparent substance, looking to see if Hiei was still looking for him. Strange, where did he go? He slowly put the mug back down and saw that Hiei was nowhere around. He gave a sigh of relief.
"That stupid demon really scared me. Heh! I'm such a great youkai, he couldn't even sense me this close to him. HA HA HA H-" WHACK! The blue youkai was hit over the head with the hilt of Hiei's katana. He gave a little sob of pain.
"What was that?" Hiei asked. The blue youkai turned around to see that Hiei had been standing behind him all along.
"Hi-Hi-Hi-Hiei!" the youkai stammered. Hiei's eyes narrowed. He hated spineless cowards. Hiei unsheathed his katana and held it to his throat.
"What-what do you want?"
"Information. Where are there ice maidens?" Hiei asked.
"Heh. Heh. They're on Koorime, of course!" the demon nervously said. Hiei pressed the tip of his sword into his Adam's apple. The demon choked and gagged.
"Don't try to be funny, Roto. Again, where are the ice maidens?" Hiei threatened. He moved the katana slightly back so he could talk.
"Why-why would I know anything about that? I don't know anything about ice maidens except that they live on Koorime." Roto said. Hiei lost all his patience and grabbed the coward. He shoved his head through the wall and then slammed him back on the table. Hiei then held his katana to Roto's manhood, preparing to castrate him if he lied again.
"Everyone knows you're the biggest sycophant in the Makai. You love to have big friends that think you're a useful demon. The only thing you're good for is dirt on other demons. Now, WHERE ARE THEY?" Hiei yelled.
Roto was now whimpering and sobbing. His head hurt from the brutal attack and he was terrified of what Hiei might do to him if he didn't hear what he wanted.
"I-I-I really don't know which demon has them, but I saw a couple of new hiruiseki being sold in the Ningenkai." Roto sobbed. "Please, please don't hurt me anymore!" he begged.
"Hn. Don't worry, I wouldn't want to dirty my sword on you." Hiei said. He put his katana back in his sheath and walked out of the pub.
"Ningenkai, huh?" Hiei said to himself. Well, that was one place he hasn't searched. The little youkai walked toward the nearest portal and jumped through.
X X X X
Karasu was wearing a smile underneath his mask. The great Youko Kurama was worthy of his reputation indeed. He had just left the youko's suite, sated and very relaxed. He should do that more often.
The dark demon was having perverted thoughts float in his head all the way to Tarukane's estate. He was even replaying some of the images in his head. The youko's blood was so delicious. Karasu licked his lips. Once again, he grew excited. Karasu looked down and was mildly surprised. Again? After playing all through the night? My, my, Youko Kurama does leave a lasting impression.
The demon cooled himself down, now that he was approaching Tarukane's mansion. He most likely had a job to do if he was summoned. The petty demons guarding the entrance bowed before him and let him through the gates. It amused him so much that Tarukane would waste money on these insignificant bugs.
He slowly made his way up the grand staircase, his footsteps echoing through the manor. Then, he took the long walk down the hall into Tarukane's business room. Karasu used his mental ability to open the doors for him. His mind control wasn't that powerful, but it presented him as someone mysterious and fascinating.
"Always the grand entrance?" Toguro Ototo asked. Karasu gave him a seductive glance. Not interested, Toguro Ototo turned away.
"What took you so long?" Bui asked. Karasu looked at the armor-clad warrior. Why would someone with such a delicious body want to cover it up with that horrid metal?
"I was… preoccupied." Karasu answered.
"Well, all that matters is that you're here." Tarukane impatiently said.
"Yes, next time be here on time when our employer calls." Toguro Ototo said. Karasu smirked under the mask, knowing full well they were only toying with Tarukane.
"What did you call me here for?" Karasu asked.
"Hee hee hee. It seems someone knows about out little secret project." Toguro Ani said.
"The ice maidens?" Karasu asked.
"Yes. Someone was asking about them." Toguro Ototo said.
"Who else knows about them but the people in this estate?" Bui asked.
"We know who talked. Roto." Tarukane revealed.
"Hmph. I knew we should have that little insect when we had the chance." Karasu stated.
"Nah. He's a useful worm at times. He told us who was searching for them. A demon named Hiei." Tarukane said.
"Who's that?" Karasu wondered.
"I know him. He's the Forbidden Child." Bui said.
"Yes. Here's a picture of him." Tarukane showed the group the photo.
"That's him? He looks so… angry and cold." Karasu's eyes narrowed. "And he's such an appealing bird. Those legs perched on that tree. He must be agile to move so swift from branch to branch. And that face…" Karasu wandered off. His finger was tracing the outline of Hiei's face through the photo.
"Stop it, Karasu. You're practically drooling." Bui said.
"Yeah, please." Tarukane added. "Look, I don't care how you guys do it. I just want him gone. If the other guys in the Black Black Club know I have these ice maidens, they're gonna want a piece of the profits too."
"Don't worry, I'll play with him." Karasu said. His eyes were trying to memorize Hiei's face, imagining it contorted in pain.
"Are you sure, Karasu? I don't care how much you play with him in the beginning, as long as you kill him in the end." Toguro Ototo said.
"Of course, but what fun is the kill if you can't enjoy the hunt?" Karasu asked.
"All right! Just kill him. And do it fast." Tarukane commanded.
"Fast? That's not how I work. Each game must be played perfectly." Karasu said.
"Well, you work for me now! So get it done fast!" Tarukane shouted. Karasu narrowed his eyes at him. He was starting to like this toad less and less. He was starting to miss their real employer, Sakyo. At least he was a pretty sight to look at. Those long black human locks of hair. It looks so smooth. He wouldn't have minded playing with him if Toguro would let him.
"Fine. I'm leaving now." Karasu announced. He walked out of the room, eagerly waiting to meet up with the Forbidden Child.
X X X X
Hiei landed face-first into the concrete ground of the human world. It wasn't one of his best landings. He grumbled and got to his feet. His red eyes scanned the human world, trying to perceive any dangers. He saw… nothing. It was an abandoned city. There were corroded buildings and rotting dead youkai. It seemed the Reikai was here.
The jaganshi explored the human city. He had only been to the human world once before, and that was when there were actually humans around. He stepped into a supermarket. The lights were flickering and rotting food filled his senses. His stomach growled. It had been weeks since he last ate something filling. Finding nothing useful, he left the store, looking for something animate.
The fire demon flitted to the top of the tallest skyscraper and opened his jagan. He searched for any signs of life, and saw that there was a little band of demons to the northwest of the city. Maybe they would know something.
Hiei ran to the group of demons. They were surprised to see him. They had never seen such a powerful demon before. They had minded their own business for a hundred years. The demons lived in seclusion and had wards on their entranceway to keep both demons and humans away.
"How did you find us?" a young demon asked. Hiei opened his jagan.
"An evil eye!" an elder said. "Be gone!"
"Why does my presence scare you? We are all demons, are we not?" Hiei asked.
"You! You are the epitome of evil! I know what you are. My eye sees more than you do! You are the Forbidden Child. Murderer and mercenary!" the elder said again.
Hiei felt a slight jab at his heart. Even this group of secluded demons knew who he was and feared him. Will he ever find companionship?
"Your… eye. What else does it see?" Hiei was focused on the glowing eye on the elder's forehead. He was blind, save for that one eye. It wasn't a jagan like his. It was something… stronger.
"I see all. Just because we haven't had contact with the outer worlds doesn't mean we don't know what goes on. We fled the Makai because we feared they would destroy us for our knowledge," the elder said.
"If you can see through people, then you'll know that I have no evil intention. I am just looking for someone important to me." Hiei felt vulnerable that he just divulged this information to these demons he just met.
The elder stayed quiet for a while, his eye glowing brighter. Then, he took a deep breath.
"I see… a young maiden. She is trapped. I can see her, but I don't know her location. There must be wards hiding her," he revealed.
That was useless. All he knew now was that using his jagan would be pointless. Hiei turned to leave.
"You should learn to soften your heart, child. Even someone as strong as you needs someone to ease your pain," the elder kindly said. After he looked into Hiei's heart, he knew that the jaganshi wasn't as evil as everyone delineated him to be.
"Kch. I need no one." Hiei stated. He roughly left the group. However, he knew that was a lie. Deep in his heart, he secretly wished that someone were there to mend his pain.
X X X X
Shuichi was angrily hiking through a grassy terrain. He was met with violent traps set by low class demons, which he barely escaped. He had bruises and lacerations over his body.
"Stupid Kurama! How dare you pick that demon over me?" Shuichi yelled into the forest. He finally stopped to rest. He sat down on an innocent looking log, only to have it suck him into its grasp. Now his butt was stuck in the log.
Shuichi gave out a frustrated yell. Stupid pranksters! He hated those demons with way too much time on their hands. The only way to get out of this was to set fire to the log. Unfortunately for him, he didn't have matches or a lighter. He kicked furiously, hoping the log would just let him go. His foot collided with something hard. He probed it with his foot. There were a bunch of rocks by the bottom of the log. Getting an idea, he tried to kick some of the rocks into his hands.
Knowing patience was essential if he wanted that rock, he tried to gracefully kick the rock into his hands. He put his foot under one and quickly kicked up towards himself, sending the rock into his grasp. Yes, now he just needed one more. He tried again, but sent the rock flying too far over his head. Damn it, now there was just one more rock left! He gently slipped his foot under this one, prayed it would go into his waiting hands, and kicked. It was coming, coming, yes! No! He juggled with it for a while, until it settled down into his palm. He breathed a sigh of relief. Now all he had to do was bang the rocks together, hoping they would form a spark. After a few tries, he finally got the rocks to hit at the right angle, and the log caught on fire.
The fire burned the cursed log, but some of his clothes as well. He dropped onto the ground and rolled around, putting the fire out. Now the grass was on fire; where the log previously was. Without thinking, Shuichi took out his water bottle and put the fire out.
That wasn't smart, now he had no water to drink from. Shuichi cried out once again. This is the worst day ever! He punched the tree nearby.
"My, my, aren't we the angry little rebel?" a voice said. Shuichi looked around. There was no one there.
"Up here, love," the voice said again. Shuichi tilted his head up. Standing on a branch was that demon he saw with Kurama. Fear seized his body again. What was he doing here?
Karasu smirked at the fear etched into the boy's face.
"What's Kurama's little pet doing so far away from him?" Karasu asked.
"What do you want?" Shuichi asked. The demon smiled at the human's bravery. His voice didn't even quiver when he spoke. Karasu jumped down from his high platform and slowly walked toward Shuichi.
The human backed up as the demon approached him. Then, his back met the trunk of a tree. Scared, he looked around, looking for an escape route. He turned to run, but Karasu put his arm by the side of Shuichi's head, preventing his escape.
"Why are you running away from me? I haven't done anything to you yet." Karasu said.
Shuichi never felt so scared in his entire life. Why did his body tremble so much? The demon wasn't even touching him. Not wanting to seem like a coward, the boy defiantly glared into the other demon's eyes. He couldn't see it, but Karasu was highly amused.
Karasu brought his other hand to run through Shuichi's soft red mane. The demon was thrilled by it. His hair was so smooth and silky, but so very fragile. The bright crimson color framed his face perfectly. Karasu brought a lock of hair to his mask. Although faint, it smelled like roses. Oh, this long hair gave him a hard-on.
"You have such beautiful hair." Karasu said.
It was a compliment, but at the time, Shuichi actually wished he were bald. Suddenly, Karasu pushed himself up against the boy, crushing him against the tree. Shuichi gave a little cry. That only aroused the dark demon more. His cries were so beautiful.
Shuichi tried to punch the demon, but he was too quick for him. Karasu quickly pinned both his arms over his head. With one had, he held the boy's wrists painfully, while the other traced a path down his arm and side. Shuichi couldn't help but shiver in disgust.
Karasu brought his hand back up and traced his jaw line, and then his lips. They were pink and very soft. Karasu gave a little growl. This creature was so entrancing.
Shuichi felt Karasu hardening against him and he wanted to puke. The demon then wedged his finger in through those cherry lips, only to have Shuichi bite him back. He was annoyed at the sharp pain. Feisty.
The demon wanted to take off his mask and taste him, like he did Kurama, but this human probably wouldn't survive if he did so. Deciding he let the human breathe enough, he brought his hand to the boy's throat.
Immediately, Shuichi's breath caught in his throat. He knew something horrible was going to happen. Karasu's fingers gently rubbed themselves around his smooth milky throat, and then clutched then tightly, choking the boy. Shuichi fought to breathe, trying to push his captor off, but to no avail. After a full minute, Karasu finally let him go. Shuichi was grateful to take deep breaths. He was surprised the demon hadn't crushed his larynx. Then, he suddenly choked and spit out blood.
Karasu was so thrilled that he finally elicited blood from this beautiful creature. He was greatly tempted to lick up that blood. He used his index and middle finger to scrape up Shuichi's blood from his coat and traced it over the boy's lips. There was still blood on the boy's tongue and chin. The temptation was too great. Karasu removed his mask.
Shuichi watched in fascination as the demon's hair turned from black to yellow. Then, he opened his mouth, and Shuichi felt like his life was being sucked out of him. Karasu darted his tongue out to lick the blood from his chin and then closed his mouth over Shuichi's, relishing the sweet taste of his blood. Shuichi tried to force him out, but it was no use.
Then, Shuichi felt something explode to his left. A bomb? Another explosion, this time near his right shoulder. Finally, a bomb went off by his right leg. His scream was muffled into Karasu's mouth. Karasu's hand was placed over his chest, and Shuichi felt a warm sensation building. Then, Karasu released the bomb and Shuichi cried into Karasu's mouth. The explosion wasn't enough to kill him, only draw blood. His organs were still functioning, although a little damaged. Shuichi coughed mouthfuls of blood into Karasu's eagerly waiting mouth. He greedily drank up every drop. When Shuichi was no longer throwing up blood, Karasu let him go and he dropped to the floor.
The boy was wheezing.
"K-Kurama." Shuichi pathetically cried. Karasu gave an evil laugh.
"Kurama? He's nowhere around here. There's no one to save you now." Karasu cruelly said. "You're mine."
Shuichi deeply regretted ever leaving Kurama. Even if he didn't love him, Kurama always kept him safe. How stupid could he have been to think he could survive in a world full of demons?
Karasu looked at the limp figure on the ground. Blood was surrounding his body, soaking his hair. It was such a wonderful sight. The demon removed his clothes, eagerly wanting to sink himself into that innocent flesh.
Shuichi saw what Karasu was up to and feebly tried to get away. Karasu laughed at this and wrestled one hand behind Shuichi's back. He cried out again. Karasu tore off whatever remained of Shuichi's clothes. His eyes raked in the sight of the boy's porcelain skin stained with blood. His once perfect flesh was now burned and torn in certain places. Karasu started to salivate.
The demon pushed Shuichi onto his chest, which hurt him like hell. He screamed in agony. Karasu licked his lips, saliva now dripping onto Shuichi's skin. Karasu pulled on Shuichi's hair, pulling his head back so he could see the boy's pained face. It was a picture he carved into his mind. He straddled the boy's waist and pulled his head towards him.
"I'm surprised Kurama would let something as sweet as you go untouched for so long. Hm. Maybe as a thank you for such a great night I had with him, I'll send your dead body back to him as a gift." Karasu whispered into his ear.
"NO!" Shuichi cried. He didn't want Kurama to see him like this. Then, Karasu moved back to spread his thighs to proceed to rape the boy.
"Karasu!" a voice boomed. Karasu stopped what he was doing and turned to the owner of the voice.
"What are you doing?" the voice asked.
"Can't you tell? I'm just having some fun." Karasu replied.
"Karasu…" the voice warned. Shuichi couldn't see who it was, but the fact that Karasu stopped meant that demon was more powerful than he was.
"I knew I couldn't depend on you to finish the job. You get distracted too easily," the other voice said.
"Wouldn't you get distracted by this?" Karasu moved and pulled Shuichi's hair so the other demon could get a look at him and he could see the other demon. He was very tall, had an olive coat and thin black sunglasses.
"If you want, we could share him." Karasu offered. Shuichi was filled with horror. Karasu noticed this and couldn't help but smile.
"I don't have the same sick taste you do. Stop it, now," the other demon ordered.
"Let me just finish what I started…" Karasu implored.
The other demon didn't answer, but Karasu suddenly let his hair go and he got off the boy. Something must have scared Karasu off. Karasu put on his clothes on and unwillingly left the boy on the ground.
X X X X
Hiei walked around the outskirts of the city. There was nothing but dead vegetation. He needed to be pointed in the right direction by demons that actually knew what went on in the Ningenkai. His jagan was open. He knew it wouldn't help him find his sister, but maybe he could find some powerful demons.
He sensed some weak demons further to the west. They probably didn't know anything. Then, for the first time in a while, his jagan saw a human. He had long red hair and lively green eyes. He was beautiful… but stupid. He saw the human sit in a trap log. He amusedly watched the boy try to get out, and then watch him set a fire, and put it out.
Hiei was about to turn his focus somewhere else, when a demon approached the boy. There was something foreboding about this demon. He was masking his power, like Hiei was. Yes, this was just the kind of demon he was looking for. Someone like him should know what goes on in the Ningenkai.
Hiei started to run in that direction, but it was pretty far off. As he ran towards the demon and human, he saw the events that transpired. It disgusted him. Yes, that demon probably knew where Yukina might be. He had to know the other elite humans and demons in the Ningenkai. As he watched what happened, it angered him that Yukina might have undergone the same torture so she could shed hiruiseki. Now, he was more determined to get a hold of that demon.
However, when he reached the destination, that demon was already gone. How could that have happened? He only shut his jagan for a few minutes to mask his youki. He opened his jagan again to search for that demon, but he was gone. That youkai must have been powerful if he could escape the jagan's sight within a few minutes. Dejected, he wanted to search for him, but a moan stopped him.
Lying on the ground was the injured human he saw before. His body was in such a horrid state. There was blood everywhere. The human was naked, so he could see his injuries. Hiei was surprised the human hasn't died yet. He didn't feel obligated to help the human, but he did pity him. Maybe he could end his misery quickly. Hiei unsheathed his katana and brought it so it rested about a foot over Shuichi's head.
"I don't do this to be cruel, but it'll end your misery." Hiei said. Hiei had never killed a defenseless being before, but he felt this would be better for the human. Hiei raised his sword a little and prepared to bring it down.
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A/N: Cruel, aren't I?