Authors note* Thank you so much for all of those reviews you guys! Really, it is amazing how much they inspire me to get off my lazy ass and write faster. Be warned that this chapter is really long, but if you do get through it, please give me your feedback. Love it, hate it, feel like spiking my tab with draino…let me know! ^_-

The Doctor scrutinized his findings closely. Hokin had left shortly after the initial transformation and during that time the Doctor had taken to pouring over the results of some tests.  According to the tests that he had run, the rate of cell mutation would take about 6 hours until it was complete. Then the girl would begin to exhibit demonic traits….probably small and unnoticeable at first, but there was no telling just what kind of form it could take.

Will the traits manifest themselves physically? The Doctor wondered, turning to study his subject. A change in appearance perhaps?

 It was very possible, since the change went all the way to a cellular level then it was likely that aspects of her physical structure would change.

Keiko was still unconscious, her chest rising and falling with deep breaths as her body tried to deal with the trauma it had undergone through sleep.

Smirking slightly, the Doctor recalled the girls threat that she would develop 'powers' and destroy Hokin and himself if they changed her.

Hn, highly unlikely.

Even if she were able to develop such abilities, they would not show themselves immediately and it would probably require a suitable amount of training to be able to use them at will.

And besides, he was going to strip her of any chance to be able to use any latent abilities anyway.

From the extensive research that the Doctor had conducted on other Demons, he had discovered that the ability to use their powers was also directly linked with the gene that made them a Demon in the first place. This gene allowed a portion of the brain that humans did not use to become overly developed, allowing them to do incredible things with their bodies and their energy.

In humans this part of the brain remained inactive, and in the girls' case, so would hers. After using some lesser demons as test subjects, the Doctor was able to come up with a solution that would in effect paralyze that part of the brain permanently, disabling any ability to manipulate the body's energy for their powers while keeping the basic body chemistry the same.

That had been the tricky part for the Doctor. Disabling any abilities without altering the body's natural chemistry. Riosuke had been very specific about his request and at first the Doctor did not understand the needless complication. It would make sense to completely pacify the subject, so why had he made such a request?

Then he had found the reason why.

"You don't want a broken dog that can't perform any tricks-just a leashed one…"

After he had perfected the serum, it had proven quite lucrative for Hokins' business when dealing demon girls to human buyers. Which was good for the Doctor, because it gave him ample funding to continue his research.

And fulfill my greatest aspiration

The Doctor couldn't suppress the pure fascination and excitement he felt whenever he looked at her.

Right now, there was no other creature like her in existence.

She wasn't human, not yet a Demon-but something different all together…

And HE had created her.

He had worked all his life for this, toiling tirelessly, being barred from Medical school for his atrocious experiments on his fellow man, dodging the authorities and acquiring sponsors to further his research.

Now, Finally, he had done it

Suddenly door to his left opened and Hokin walked in looking a little bristled, which contrasted with his normally slick demeanor.

The Doctor raised an eyebrow. "What is wrong with you? You look a little piqued."

Hokin shifted on his feet and looked over the Doctors shoulder at the girl.

"Riosuke is here and he wants to see the girl. Now." He emphasized.

The Doctor balked slightly. "Now? But I said that she wouldn't be ready for at least two hours and here it has only been about one!

"I know, I tried to explain that she hasn't been cleaned up yet or even regained consciousness, but apparently he doesn't want to wait. He wants to see her now, so I need to take her over to the Screening Room before he becomes impatient."

The Doctor sighed. The rest of his tests would just have to wait.

"Alright, take her over, but be sure to inform Riosuke that he can't take her yet. I need to keep her here for at least another 6 hours to oversee her complete transformation, as well as give her the second serum."

Hokin had walked over to the medical table and began undoing the straps when he looked over at the Doctor curiously.

"Damn, you mean she's not even completely changed yet? Well that's fucking great!"

"The majority of the transformation was done during the first hour; however it has now slowed and won't be complete for several hours."

"What about the second serum? Why can't you just shoot up the bitch now and get it over with?"

The Doctor folded his arms and looked down the bridge of his nose at Hokin.

"Because, the serum won't work if that part of her brain is not fully functional yet. It would be worthless and could possibly kill her."

Hokin snorted and looked at Keiko closely. "She sure as hell doesn't look any different."

With that he hooked one arm under Keiko's shoulders and the other under her knees and lifted her off of the table.

"You had better hope that He likes the merchandise as she is now Doc, otherwise were both in some pretty deep shit."

The Doctor didn't reply as Hokin walked out of the room. Instead, he turned back to his medical table and continued to scrutinize his results.

Simply fascinating…

A few minutes later Hokin laid the still sleeping girl onto a bed of satin sheets and throw pillows. The whole room was done like a rich sheiks tent, with heavy drapes and thick animal rugs everywhere. It was called the Screening Room because this was where certain customers were allowed to 'test out' what they had bought.

And I have never had an unsatisfied customer. Hokin thought with a smirk

The girl on the bed moaned in her sleep and Hokin took a moment to look at her again.

Damn if she wasn't a nice piece of tail. Her body was slightly flushed, and Hokin let his gaze travel up her legs where they rested for a moment on her very shapely hips before moving up to her breasts.  They swelled inside her lacy black bra with every breath she took and Hokin resisted the urge to fuck her before he left.

That, unfortunately, wasn't allowed-but he still wanted to see the look on her face when she first took it…

Wait a sec!

With a grin Hokin directed his attention to a mirror positioned on a wall on one side of the bed. There was a security camera hidden behind that mirror and Hokin knew that the camera angle covered the bed area quite closely, so he could still get quite a show after all.

And if he doesn't like her, Hokin thought as he turned to leave, Ill take her.

Just as Hokin closed the door he felt rather than seen the presence next to him.

It was like a tangible darkness that pressed against his senses and it sent a chill down his spine.

"You took your time in there Hokin." A deep voice said softly from the shadows.

Hokin felt his pulse jump but forced himself to keep his cool.

"I was just making sure that everything in the room was prepared efficiently enough for you."

"Really."

Again, Hokin felt rather than seen Riosuke look at him and he felt the darkness getting deeper.

Shit…

"Absolutely. You showed up so early that we didn't have everything quite ready for you yet, so I was trying to make up for it by making sure that the room was at least ready."

"But not the girl?"

It was a question, but Hokin could feel the danger in those words. This was no time to fuck around.

"No, I wouldn't be stupid enough to take something that is yours Riosuke."

"I'm relieved that you have so much intelligence Hokin," came the reply from the shadows.

"Because if you had done anything stupid…I'd kill you."

The last part was said with deadly venom and Hokin swallowed hard.

"She is all yours." He promised.

After a moment the dark aura around him lessened and Hokin resisted the urge to sigh in relief. Instead he smiled and opened the door to the room, gesturing with the other hand for Riosuke to go inside.

Riosuke pushed himself away from the wall and walked over to the entrance.

"Now let's see just how well you and the Doctor have done."

Then he went inside.

It was Dark.

Keiko couldn't see anything…she kept running but all she could feel around her was darkness. Somehow she knew that she was dreaming, but that still didn't help.

Yusuke…. Kuwubara… someone….where are you??

Over and over she called to her friends, but her voice was always lost and they never answered.

The darkness was getting closer…it wanted to engulf her, make her apart of it.

Keiko tried to run away from it, she didn't want to be apart of it, but it was everywhere.

Then, as it began to fold around her, it spoke to her in voice that was like a cool wind.

Its time to wake up…

And then, she did.

Keiko opened her eyes slowly, blinking a few times to clear her vision. Her mouth was dry and she felt exhausted.

I'm really starting to hate waking up.

Experimentally she tried to move her arms and was shocked when she found that she could. Bolting upright, Kieko glanced wildly around her, trying to ascertain what had happened.

Where am I? What-

Quickly Keiko brought a hand up to her neck and felt the gauze that was there.

Oh God's it really happened!

Spying a mirror next to the bed, Keiko quickly scooted in front of it, vaguely registering that she was now on a bed.

But once she was in front of it she clenched her eyes shut, afraid of what she might see.

What if I look different? The Doctor didn't say what kind of demon he was turning me into…what if I have grown horns or something?

Slowly, painfully, Keiko felt the top and sides of her head.

No horns.

Keiko growled inwardly in frustration. Damnit Keiko, stop being a coward! Open your eyes and look at yourself!

Jerking them open, Keiko looked at her reflection and felt her chest tighten.

Her eyes were wide and wild looking; her long hair was slightly messed up around her face.

But no horns, no warts or tattoos. Her eyes were the same warm sienna color that they had always been, her skin the same peach color.

She was still Keiko.

Keiko let out a huge sigh of relief.

Turning her head to the side, she eyed the gauze on her neck as she slowly peeled it off.

Underneath her skin was unblemished. There was no bruising, not even a sign of a puncture ever even being made.

That's strange, she thought. There should be something there.

Quickly Keiko looked at her ankles for the wound that she had given herself and found the skin there was also unharmed.

"You will have an incredible endurance to pain…"

So that probably also meant that she would heal at an abnormally fast rate now. What else would come of this?

Tiredly, she rested her forehead against the cool glass of the mirror and shut her eyes.

"What am I turning into?" she asked herself quietly

"A demon." A cool voice answered from behind her.

Keiko yelped in surprise and she spun around to find the owner of the voice as she grabbed an armful of blankets to cover herself with.

"A special kind of demon to be sure." The owner of the voice continued and Keiko felt her throat close off.

The man that stood before her was definitely not human.

 His face was slender, almost fine but definitely not something that you could ever call feminine. Hair so dark red that it reminded Keiko of blood fell in stray wisps in his face. He was tall; his build could easily be seen as lean and muscular beneath the grey tunic that he wore. In short, he was gorgeous.

But the most striking thing about him was his eyes. They were a cold grey like the color of skies during a snow storm and right now they were watching her with a keen interest.

Viciously Keiko's mind assessed her situation. This was the Demon that she had been sold to, she was sure of it.

Swallowing her fear, Keiko lifted her chin and did her best to look the Demon in the eye.

She would not cower, she would not give up.

Boldly, Keiko decided to address her supposed buyer.

"Are you the one who arranged to buy me?"

"I am."

Keiko felt her temper flare at the calmness in which he spoke.

"Why?" she demanded.

The Demon in front her stayed silent for a moment, his icy eyes burning her with their intensity.

"I intend to make you my mate." He said at last.

Keiko lost it.

"What?!!!!" She screamed as she moved to stand. "I am NOT going to become your mate! Do really think that you can just buy me and make me do what you want? You'll have to kill me –aagghh!"

Suddenly the Demon had moved and was standing in front of her Very closely.

Startled, Keiko brought her hand around to slap the Demon in front of her. Using strength born of desperation, she slammed her open palm onto the Demons cheek even as she felt her self gasp.  

He-he didn't move!

 Riosuke didn't say a word, he just continued to look at her meaningfully and Keiko felt her fear heighten under that stare.

After a moment he smiled slightly.

"Hokin told me that you were spirited, and now I can see that he was correct. You must be, to be brave enough to strike a Demon that could kill you before you could even blink."

Keiko trembled slightly but she held his gaze.

"I won't do anything you want me to." She said quietly. "You're just going to have to kill me, because I will not be your slave."

His smile deepened, giving his face an almost friendly appearance if it weren't for the feral look he was giving her.

"My dear girl, I could do anything I wanted to and there would be nothing you could do to stop me. However-"

As he paused Riosuke slowly began to circle her and Keiko followed his movement, not wanting to have him at her back.

"I have no intention of forcing you to become my mate." He finished finally.

 "Nani? You just bought me and then told me that you intended to make me your mate!"

Riosuke nodded. "That is true, I did pay for you and I will make you my mate, but I will not have to force you."

Keikos' brain exploded.

"There is no way I would become your mate of my own free will, so if you don't intend to make me than I suggest that you get your money back from Hokin and let me the hell out of here!"

Riosuke raised an eyebrow behind his bangs.

"Do you honestly think that you can live the pathetic existence you once had as you are now?"

Kieko felt her heart sink but shook it off.

"Hmff, the only difference is that I heal a little faster than normal now. That's all. I will get away from you evil bastards and go back to my own life!"

Riosukes' smirk deepened and Keiko felt her anxiety increase as he took a step towards her.

 "I assure you that that is not all. I know that your transformation is not all of the way complete, but there are already signs of what you are becoming. For example, I can smell youki in your scent right now. It is not yet strong because it is still mingled with your human scent, but it is delicious."

Keiko forced down the large lump that was forming in her throat.

"You're lying." She accused shakily.

"Am I? Then I suppose you require more proof."

He took another step towards her and he was no about an inch from her face. Keiko stood rooted to the spot, his eyes capturing hers and holding them mercilessly.

"Since I entered this room I have been masking my Ki. If I hadn't then you would have definitely felt my presence and you would not have resisted me as you do now."

Keiko's eye twitched in anger as her temper flared back to life.

"Why you pompous a-"

Keiko's tirade on the male ego was suddenly interrupted when a clawed finger was placed gently against her lips. Seeing and feeling the lethal tip of that finger caused her to comply with Riosukes' silent command.

"Ill make you a deal." He began, and Keiko's eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"If I cannot make you kiss me of your own free will, then I will let you go, unharmed. I will even make sure that Hokin and the Doctor would not try to keep you."

"You're a lying creep! Besides the fact that you are in league with bastards like Hokin and that Freak Doctor, I know that it took them a long time for them to find someone like me and that it was something that YOU specifically wanted!"

Riosukes' eyes narrowed a little.

"Yes, it is very true that you are something that would be impossible to find again and I am very interested in keeping you. But, that is why if my little wager wins, you will be mine."

"I don't trust you."

"You don't have to. What could you possibly have to lose? I could easily keep you here by force anyway, but this way will be much more entertaining."

 "Hn, I would never kiss you."

Riosuke smiled evilly, his eyes flashing with something that sent a chill down Keiko's spine.

"Ill take that as a yes."

Then the air around them changed and it was like something inside Keiko opened up. Suddenly she could feel him. Power radiated from his body in an electric heat and Keiko could feel it sliding over her skin in a rush.

And the terrifying thing was that it felt good. Keiko could feel something inside of her stirring, trying to answer the feel of his energy.

When the first rush of his scent filled her, Keiko almost leaned in closer to catch more of it. It was dark and there was something different about it and suddenly she knew that she was in trouble.

No! What is wrong with me? Ok, just take shallow breaths Keiko, don't breath him in, don't look at him, don't –

A small trail of fire was working its way up her arm and the way it made Keiko feel made her want gasp in pleasure. As it continued to move up towards her face, it grew hotter, almost to the point where it was painfull, causing Keiko's mind to shut out all other thought than of that touch.

A warm breath on Keiko's ear caused her to shiver.

"What is your name?" a silky voice asked her.

Before she realized what she was doing, Keiko answered.

"K-Keiko."

"Firefly child, I like that."

"What are you doing to me?" She whimpered, trying to fight the way her skin flamed wherever he touched her.

Riosuke pulled back a little bit, until his lips lightly brushed hers as he spoke.

"Nothing. The way you feel…its all you. That's why it was so hard to find you…and why it was so important that I did."

Keiko licked her lips, dangerously close to closing the gap between them. He stayed exactly where he was, not moving any closer.

"What am I?" she whispered, leaning closer to his mouth.

"Mine." He whispered back.

Mine…

That single word echoed through her skull, resonating in its meaning as it sank into her hazed consciousness.

His.

Someone is going to pay a lot of money for you…

I will make you my mate…I won't have to force you…

Ill die before I let you make me your slave…

"NO!!" She cried as she pushed him away, breathing harshly as she turned away from him.

Suddenly she was yanked from behind and she screamed in pain as she felt fangs sink into her neck. Something rushed through her whole body with vicious force, causing Keiko to become dizzy in her already exhausted state.

As quickly as it came it subsided and she was released and thrown viciously onto the bed.

Gasping, Keiko looked up at Riosuke.

His eyes were practically alive with fury and there was a small amount of blood staining his lips, making him look more like the monster that he was than a man.

"I knew that you were a liar." Keiko said shakily, putting a hand over the bite on her neck.

For a moment the fury in the Demons eyes burned brighter and Keiko was sure that he would hit her. But suddenly the ire in them cooled and instead a cruel smile formed on his lips as he licked her blood away.

"You will do whatever I want. All too soon your true nature will reveal itself and then you will know that you are mine. There is no changing it, and I'm going to enjoy the shame that will burn in your eyes."

Suddenly He turned and walked over to the door.

"I will return for you in a few hours. When I do, you won't be able to hide from the truth, that you are mine in every way possible."

With that He punched a code into the electronic keypad on the door and walked out, leaving Keiko alone to wonder about the meaning in his words.

Bringing her knees to her chest, Keiko ducked her head under her arms. She used to do this as a small child whenever she was scared, but after Yusuke's relentless teasing about her looking like a turtle she had quickly stopped. Right now she didn't care.

How could I? How could I have almost given in to that monster, much less even WANT to kiss him? And what did he mean that those feelings were all Mine? How could they have been mine?

That statement, along with the demons assurance that she would eventually submit, disturbed her terribly. One moment she was fine, and the next all she could feel or see or even smell was him. It was like something inside of her responded to him, not like her body normally did when she was with someone she liked, but something else. It had gotten completely out of her control and that terrified her more than anything else.

That and the question that replayed itself over and over in her mind.

What am I?

Hokin looked up in surprise as Riosuke walked over to him. By his watch the demon had only been in that room maybe a half an hour.

"Your not leaving already are you? I thought that you would still be having fun with the girl! You haven't changed your mind or anything right?"

Riosuke walked over to the hatch that held a small portal to demon world and opened it so that green light illuminated his face.

"I will be back in several hours to claim her. Make sure that she is cleaned up but untouched or I will use your own intestines to strangle you with."

Hokin raised his hands in a defensive gesture.  "I get the message, no one will touch her. But why don't you just take her with you now? I mean you already paid for her."

"I have something to take care of in demon world first, which will give time for the transformation to finish itself and for the Doctor to administer any last tests he needs to give."

"Alright, suit yourself." Hokin said as the demon stepped into the portal and disappeared.

After he was sure that he was gone, Hokin smirked at the security camera screen to his left.  He had seen everything, and it had looked like it was getting nice and heavy until the girl suddenly freaked. There was no sound on the feed, but Hokin didn't need it to know that Riosuke had been rejected. But why the demon hadn't just taken what was his and be done with it was beyond him.

Should have just fucked the bitch, that's what I would have done Hokin thought as he took an exit to the outside of the compound.

The night was that inky black that made it look like the shadows were alive.

Walking over to a nearby tree, Hokin decided that he needed to take piss before he had a smoke.

Undoing his zipper, Hokin suddenly stopped dead when he felt something very cold and very sharp pressed against the side of his neck.

"If you want to remain alive in the next few minutes, you will tell me exactly where Riosuke is." 

POST NOTE- * author falls over dead from exhaustion* Damn that was a long chapter. I hope it was good enough for all of you. Now, if anyone's brain is about to explode from confusion, don't worry, you will find out exactly what Keiko is and why she was acting kind of skanky in the next chapter AND, there will be a lot of Hiei. Promise. Even a little waff action, cuz even I am tired of waiting. ^_^

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