Just inside the entry way were two figures, barely visible in the shadows. As the three entered, the figures separated themselves and became what had to be a child, an orphan from a movie. The other was a tall man dressed in a suit. Neither looked intimidating, but Hiei knew better than to go by physical appearances. The shorter of the two stepped forward, acting excited to see them, "We were worried you wouldn't come to play."
Hiei watched Yusuke's shoulders work, "We wouldn't be so rude as to refuse the council."
A lighter flared, revealing the face of the taller member of the welcome wagon. His eyes were dark and there was a scar tracing from his forehead down one cheek. "Well spoken, Yusuke. You may have learned something, then?" his tone was condescending.
"Even I know there are forms to be observed, Sakyo." Yusuke's tone implied what he thought of the people in front of him, and it wasn't nice. Far from it.
"Still trying to put yourself above your elders, boy?" Sakyo matched the ice in Yusuke's voice and upped the ante.
"Elder doesn't mean more powerful, Sakyo. You know that better than I do."
Sakyo didn't appear to change, but Hiei could feel the power rolling off of him now. Yusuke looked bored, however, and his own power increased, pushing against Sakyo's, forcing it back to the other vampire. Hiei watched Sakyo and could see the effort telling on his face. Almost imperceptibly, Hiei could feel his own power being drawn out of him. He glanced at Yusuke, but the vampire was too focused on Sakyo. The elder vampire took a step back and Hiei could feel his power retreat back into his body. Yusuke had defeated him, but Hiei wondered if Yusuke had somehow drawn on him to do it.
Softly, in his head, because he could see Yusuke wasn't talking, Hiei heard, "I didn't know that would happen, omoimono." Hiei looked at the brunet closely, almost asking out loud what he meant when Yusuke's voice continued in his head, "I didn't know I would be able to draw power from you. It was a possibility, but I wasn't sure it would work."
Hiei was getting angry. How dare the damn monster set him up just so he could defeat… "I didn't know it would happen, Hiei. It was possible, yes, but that is not why I wanted you at my side."
Before they could continue, Sakyo spoke up, "They await." He turned and began walking to the large multifunction building that housed concerts during the fair and other events throughout the year. His back was stiff as he walked. The boy walked behind him, dancing almost, but his expression in the moonlight was one of avid curiosity and fear.
Yusuke held his hand out to Hiei and the necromancer hesitated. He heard the vampire's voice in his head, "Please, Hiei. I honestly didn't know I'd be able to draw power off you." His tone was so sincere that Hiei was tempted to believe him. When the brunet looked back at him, his eyes pleading, he couldn't resist. Hiei took Yusuke's hand and there was a rush of power between them that almost drew a gasp from Hiei's lips.
Kurama's hand touched his other arm and he could feel the power flare again, this time drawing a gasp. He glanced over at the redhead who was stepping back and whispering, "Master?"
"It seems that we have something else to explore later, then," Yusuke said, releasing Hiei's hand. "Let's not keep them waiting." He turned and walked quickly to Sakyo, who'd not stopped even though he knew he was not being followed.
Hiei had to almost jog to keep up with Yusuke's gliding steps. They entered the coliseum and Sakyo stood by the door to the arena, waiting. "Good-bye," he said with the finality of a funeral.
Yusuke smirked at him, "You not planning on surviving the night?"
Sakyo glowered at Yusuke and opened the door. Hiei followed the master of the city, Kurama at his heels as they passed through the doors. Within, in the center of the large room, there were three figures, waiting for them. Hiei felt a cold tremor pass through his body as he followed Yusuke down the ramp from the door. It had been a long time since he'd felt it, but he remembered the cold of terror.
He remembered Bui's figure. He couldn't forget it. Dwarfing him at 12, still tall and imposing, Hiei was a little surprised to see there were two figures that were similar. The second, however, was just bigger than Bui. Hiei felt a fine tremor pass through his body. The third figure was slender and black with ghostly pale skin. Hiei could feel Kurama move closer to him without touching. He was very aware of the redhead's fear. He guessed the one on black was Karasu, his hunch made stronger when the vampire's violet eyes focused over his shoulder and a small gasp escaped the redhead. Hiei could feel anger overtaking his terror and he allowed it, encouraged it. He could work with anger, terror would handicap him. He glared at the pale vampire, his ire increased when those violet eyes glanced at him and dismissed him, judging him unworthy of his attention. He was about to step forward when Yusuke held out his hand, not enough to be obvious, but enough to catch Hiei's attention.
"You summoned us," Yusuke began, his tone formal, "what is your grievance?"
The tallest one began, "You raise yourself above your station." The tilt of his head was arrogant and he seemed to look down his nose at Yusuke. He had on sunglasses, so it was difficult to tell. This one must be Toguro.
Bui added, looking at Hiei, "You have killed what is mine." Terror was fighting with anger in Hiei's mind and stomach.
Karasu eyed Kurama, "You have what is mine." Hiei could feel Kurama's fear increase.
Yusuke answered, his voice steady though Hiei could see the tension in his body, "I cannot raise above where my own power allows me to raise. I would not be master of this city if I could not hold it. Yours attacked him, he had every right to defend himself. He was never yours in the first place. I called him over, he is mine."
A voice sounded over the arena's sound system, echoing in the empty chamber, "The grievances have been stated and challenged. The fights will begin based on rank of the defendants. Karasu, Kurama, enter the ring."
Hiei reached his hand out to Kurama, catching his hand. Green eyes, a little too wide, looked at him, "If you don't come back…"
Kurama's voice was low, soft, "Will you please hunt me down if I don't come back?"
Hiei swallowed thickly and nodded. "You'd better come back."
Kurama bent down and kissed Hiei's cheek, "I will do my best, for you, for my Master."
"For yourself," Hiei added, his voice defying the redhead to disagree with him.
Kurama smiled and squeezed his hand before slipping away. Hiei moved to reach out to him, but Yusuke put his hand on his arm. "You can do no more, Hiei. If you do, they will use it against you," Yusuke's voice was soft. Hiei looked at the brunet and saw the concern in his eyes. He was afraid for Kurama.
Hiei stepped closer to Yusuke. "Is there nothing else we can do?"
Yusuke put his arm over the slayer's shoulders, his eyes focused on the redhead as he made his way to the center of the arena. Hiei didn't protest the contact, his eyes focused on Kurama as well. "Pray?" Yusuke's voice made the word a question and Hiei could hear the fear in it. He looked up into Yusuke's face and saw the same expression he'd seen on Kurama's face, one of mixed hope and despair, joy and pain. Yusuke loved Kurama, Hiei could see that. If there had been anything he could have done to save the redhead, he would have done it.
Kurama's walk showed none of the fear Hiei had seen in his face. His shoulders were set, not squared, but not hunched in fear. He looked confident, from behind. If his face matched, then it was very impressive. Yusuke began speaking softly, the words just reaching Hiei's ears, "He used to have really bad stage fright, but it never showed. He could be ready to fall apart back stage, but the instant he received his curtain call, he appeared confident. It's one of the things that drew me to him in the first place. Night after night, I'd watch a terrified boy become a dancer, a figure of grace and beauty."
Hiei leaned against Yusuke, the reason in his mind was so he could talk quietly, but his body felt something different, "Can he defeat Karasu?"
Yusuke's free arm wrapped around Hiei, "He has the potential to be a master when he gets older. Right now?" Yusuke took a shuddering breath, "Maybe. I don't know." He pulled Hiei against his chest and the slayer didn't protest. There was nothing really sexual about the hold, it was more like Yusuke needed support more than anything. The vampire was also smart enough to leave Hiei's arms free enough to draw his gun if needed. Another reason Hiei didn't protest. He was also afraid for the redhead, though he wouldn't admit it to himself, or anyone else.
Yusuke seemed to gain some comfort from talking, continuing to offer Hiei information unsolicited, "Before I was brought over, I was a street rat and fighter. I was taken in to be a servant. I didn't know that my master was a vampire. I just thought he was eccentric. I still fought, but now it was in matches. I won a lot. I've taught Kurama how to fight, but he's never had to test his skills. He has the grace and speed for it. I hope…I hope he remembers."
"You said he overcame his stage fright night after night. He'll remember." Hiei's voice was soft, confident. He didn't know where the words came from.
Yusuke sighed, squeezing Hiei a little, "You're right." He fell silent, still holding Hiei, watching Kurama jump lightly into the ring.
Toguro and Bui had left the ring, leaving Karasu standing in the center. His eyes watched Kurama hungrily as he walked the ramp and jumped into the ring. "So confident, are you, my little redhead?"
"You cannot defeat me, Karasu," Kurama replied, his voice cold.
"Oh, really?" the pale vampire replied. His skin looked so white, Hiei was sure he hadn't fed that night, except that his lips were too red
Kurama smiled, "Really. There is no way you can defeat me."
Karasu snarled at Kurama and Hiei could feel the lash of power he sent out. Kurama staggered back under its onslaught and Karasu was on him, pinning him to the ground. Kurama fought, snarling, trying to push Karasu off him, but the angle was awkward. Yusuke's arms tightened around Hiei as Kurama wormed his legs under Karasu, working on getting them to the other vampire's hips. He pushed hard and Karasu pivoted on his hands and twisted in air to land on his feet, still holding onto Kurama's wrists. "Think you're clever, do you?" he snarled as he pulled the redhead to his feet by his arms.
Karasu transferred both hands to one of his and ripped Kurama's costume at the waist, baring the redhead and tangling his legs in the fabric. He threw the redhead down, moving to cover his body, but Kurama rolled out of the way before he landed. Hiei could feel his body trembling in Yusuke's hold and he could hear the quick breathing of the vampire behind him and feel the tension in his arms. Kurama finished tearing off the costume, freeing his legs again. Before he finished, though, Karasu grabbed his waist and when Kurama moved away, Karasu's claws left deep scratches on his body. Both Hiei and Yusuke could hear Kurama's gasp. He got to his feet in a defensive crouch, not of a boxer, but of a martial artist. Hiei's eyebrow lifted slightly, but Yusuke wasn't in a frame of mind to answer so he'd hold his questions for later. For now, he watched.
Karasu laughed at Kurama. "Just what do you plan on doing, boy? You cannot defeat me. I am more powerful."
Kurama's voice was utterly calm, his eyes focused solely on his opponent, "I am planning on killing you."
Karasu's face took on a very unpleasant expression. "What did you say?" he growled.
Calmly, Kurama replied, "I said I plan on killing you, Karasu."
"I'll kill you!" Karasu launched himself across the ring faster than Hiei could follow and Kurama was on the ground again, his face twisted in pain, his neck bleeding where Karasu's hands had tried to wrap around it. "Die!" Karasu growled again, pinning the redhead to the ground.
"If you kill me, I will win," Kurama's voice was cold, dispassionate, as if he didn't care one way or the other. Hiei's throat tightened so hard he was having trouble breathing. He knew that Kurama had thrown himself back deliberately, but he was afraid for the redhead in such a vulnerable position. He could feel the tension singing into his body through Yusuke's arms around him and knew the brunet was feeling the same way. But, there was nothing they could do but watch. And pray. Hiei prayed, for the first time in his life, for the safety of a vampire.
Karasu glowered at the redhead under him. "Then, I will break you."
"You didn't break me before," Kurama's voice continued to sound as if it came from somewhere beyond him, "what makes you think you can now?"
Karasu snarled and twisted the redhead's body so that his legs were on his chest. Kurama smiled benignly at him, not seeming to care what he did. This pushed Karasu rage higher, color beginning to show in his face, angry red patches on his cheeks. One hand pinned the redhead in an awkward ball while the other hand ripped open his own pants and Kurama continued to smile. Hiei could feel his heart pounding in his throat, could feel Yusuke's heart pounding behind his back, and still Kurama smiled.
"I'll wipe that smile off your fucking face!" Hiei was surprised to see that Karasu was hard, his erection red, purple toward the head. Hiei's stomach roiled at the thought that Karasu was going to… His mind balked, he couldn't accept it. And still, Kurama smiled. Hiei wanted to scream at the redhead, wanted to run into the ring and stop Karasu. Yusuke's hold on him kept him still.
Karasu guided his erection to the redhead's body and suddenly Kurama was a blur of motion, his legs flying out to catch Karasu's head, his hands pushing his body up so that as soon as he'd pushed Karasu away from him with his feet, they were under him again. He lunged forward, hands outstretched, using the advantage of surprise to put one of his hands through Karasu's abdomen, at an upward angle, ripping through the muscles until he found what he was looking for. His smile turned vicious. "Beg me not to take it," he ordered.
Karasu's face was white to the lip. The whiteness seemed to spread to his hair as Kurama waited, the other's heart in his hand. "Fuck you," Karasu snarled.
Kurama's face barely looked human as he snarled and ripped Karasu's heart out. Karasu's purple eyes were wide in surprise as he watched Kurama bite his heart. His face covered in blood and still wild, Kurama smiled again, "I win."
Karasu collapsed slowly, his face still surprised, "Only a master could have…defeated…" There was no more motion from the pale vampire.
Hiei and Yusuke watched as the redhead collapsed to his knees and fell to the ground. They were both moving, but Yusuke had the advantage and reached Kurama first. Gently, he lifted the redhead from the ring and carried him out. Hiei held his hand out to the redhead, touching his face as soon as Yusuke had brought him close enough for him to reach. The redhead was deathly cold. "Kurama?" Hiei's voice was white with fear.
The redhead's head lolled to him, his eyes barely focused. "He'll be okay, Hiei. He just pushed himself too hard," Yusuke said softly, laying the redhead on the ground between the ring and the ramp they'd entered in. He tipped the redhead's face to him, "You did so well, Kurama. I'm very proud of you, my heart." Kurama managed a half smile at that, his eyes softening.
Hiei took off his jacket and laid it over the redhead's hips. He looked at Yusuke, "Is there anything…" his voice trailed off.
"You have to fight Bui first. He needs to feed, but you need to fight Bui first." Yusuke's eyes were grateful as he looked at Hiei.
There was more in his expression, too. The more made Hiei feel warm, welcome. He smiled at the brunet, though he didn't fully understand what the more was. He looked down at Kurama and saw the same more there and understood what it was. It was love. He'd seen it on the redhead's face yesterday. They loved him, and even in the midst of this horror show, they would show him. Not quite understanding, Hiei bent over the redhead and kissed him fully on the lips, his hand caressing the redhead's cheek. He pulled back, the strangely coppery taste of blood on his lips. "When I get back," he said, but couldn't finish.
"Thank you, Hiei," Kurama's voice was barely a whisper. His green eyes closed and his breathing slowed. Hiei almost reached for his wrist when Yusuke's voice stopped him.
"He's just sleeping."
Hiei looked at Yusuke, and the brown eyes were intent on him. "Are you going to demand the same liberties?" he asked, his voice somewhere between pleading and waspish.
"Only if you're willing, omoimono."
"I'm not going to feed you tonight, Yusuke," Hiei growled as his hand went to Yusuke's cheek, drawing the vampire closer to him.
"I wouldn't ask tonight. It's more than I could ask that you're willing to feed Kurama."
Hiei paused, their lips centimeters from each other, "You love him that much?"
"Yes," Yusuke whispered, waiting for Hiei to move. "And you," he added when Hiei continued to hesitate.
"I don't understand you," Hiei murmured as he brought their lips together softly at first. Yusuke's hand came up to touch his cheek, not caressing, not demanding more, just touching. Hiei increased the pressure of the kiss, his hand caressing Yusuke's cheek. He could feel the need building up in him and it frightened him. He pulled back, his breathing harsh. "I don't understand," he said softly.
Yusuke's hand trailed softly off his cheek, "Neither do I, omoimono."
Before anything else could be said, the overhead speaker blared to live again, "Hiei, Bui, enter the ring."
A/N: Well, it begins...I have to admit, I'm squeamish about writing gore...I really am...the next two chapters are a bit short, but chapter 10 makes up for them in length... I start 11 this morning. As for the muses...yes, I rely on them, but they're viscious and I was already on chapter 3 when I started posting because I had to go back and find chapter breaks...I've stayed ahead of myself since. For those that wonder about editing, I don't see any need for it at least through chapter 11 and hopefully aff will be better before then. Feed the muse... :D
