Chapter 4
Yusuke wiped a hand over his face as he made his way back to the basement. It had been a long night. No one in the palace had gotten any sleep. The fire demon had struggled, trying to get out of the vines and kept asking for Kurama. To keep from hurting himself, Mukuro had to sedate him. It led to him being in the tank longer then needed, but what choice did they have. After fighting with Hiei to get him in the tank, he had reported to Koenma to tell him the fire demon had been found.
The raven haired walked down the stairs and saw Mukuro at the control panel pushing a few buttons, she acknowledged him.
"Good morning, sleep well?" She asked.
"About as well as you did." Yusuke said, walking over to the tank to look at the small figure floating in the thick liquid.
"He should be ready to come out early this afternoon." She said, coming over to stand next to the boy and placing her hands behind her back.
Hiei's injuries had not been that bad, someone had managed to stab him in the back, for which he lost a lot of blood, but the big thing was, he had apparently used his dragon and then fought the effects of hibernation that was suppose to follow. His ki and rei had been none as he had used all of it to try and get back to the palace.
"Did Koenma have any news to report?" She asked.
"Yeah, he found the leak in his men and is trying to get information as to where Yomi maybe hiding, so far no ones talking." He informed.
"Same here, but I have no doubt that when Hiei is better, he will be able to get the information we need." She said it with a smirk as she stared at her heir and second in command. "He has a way with people."
Yusuke's eyes went wide and a shiver ran down his back. The way she'd said it, made him think. 'Do I really wanna ask?'
a)a)a)a
Hiei floated in the void of sedation, his eyes were closed, but the jagan was open. He knew where he was and knew he had seen Yusuke, but what was going on? He had tried to hold off killing the demons immediately, he wanted information and that had been his mistake. They had managed to flank him and one even managed to stab him in the back. He gave up hope of getting information and unwrapped his dragon, a few of the men fled, but he got the rest and remembered fighting the hibernation so he could go after the ones that ran like chickens. But with the blood loss, he passed out, only to awaken a short time later with his mind screaming at him to get back to the palace, his instincts telling him something was wrong. He tried to tell them he was fine, that he just needed to rest, but they had forced him into the tank and now he had no choice but to stay the course.
His jagan made out the blurry, muted images of Mukuro and Yusuke. He tried and seceded in opening his eyes and saw blurry Mukuro head to the control panel. The liquid started draining and he felt himself being lifted, he didn't fight this time, he had no choice but to sleep.
a)a)a)a
Yusuke had jumped up on the platform as the dome to the tank lifted, the vines moved revealing a naked Hiei and he managed to wrap a towel around the smaller figure. After a few minutes of warding his arm and head, the raven haired picked him up and headed upstairs.
He followed Mukuro through the many twisty halls and stairwells. "Follow me…we will take him to his room." She had said.
They came to a set of double doors made of some dark, rich, almost black, wood. She opened both, allowing Yusuke room to walk straight in and motioned to one corner to a pile of furs. He knelt, placing the fire demon down and seeing a red sheet, pulled it up to the chest as he removed the towel.
The raven haired stood up and took in the room. It was huge, all the walls were stone, heavy curtains made of a black velvet covered the windows and seemed to be used to separate areas. One area looked like a bath and dressing area, it was concealed by the curtains, but they were tied back at the moment. Another area, again with tied back curtains, looked like an office area. There was a small desk, with chair and a bookcase, filled with books and figurines. Another corner had a low round table with cushions for seats. Sitting on the table was a vase holding a single red rose. Looking back at the bedding, Yusuke could make out the different furs, but mixed in was various pillows. They were mostly black and red. The red matching the red sheet Hiei lay under.
"He brought the sheets and pillows back with him from his last stay in the Ningenkai." Mukuro said. She had been watching Yusuke as he took in the surroundings. "No doubt they remind him of someone." She said softly, looking back to the bed.
Yusuke only nodded. Thinking of the one she mentioned, his anger rose, they just needed to find the red head now and then the two could move on and live their lives. They heard a small cough and he hurried over and pulled the small figure to his chest. Hiei spit out some liquid and chocked back some. Grabbing the towel, the raven haired placed it to the pale mouth as the liquid continued to trickle, having a flashback of Kurama doing the same thing and knowing this was normal.
"I'll have food brought…he will need to eat as much as he can." Mukuro said, leaving to give orders.
That was expected too, Kurama had been nauseated after his time in the tank, but had felt better after he ate.
Crimson eyes opened and Yusuke could see panic setting in. Hiei went to sit up, but was held from the motion. Looking to brown eyes, he gave up his struggle. "Yusuke." He whispered and then coughed up more liquid, the towel going back to his mouth.
"Easy." Yusuke said, holding the towel.
Hiei pushed the towel away. "Why are you here and where is Kurama?" He growled, pulling away from the raven haired and trying to stand.
Yusuke let him go, knowing he could not win against the stubborn fire demon if he wanted to get up. He did stay close and caught the small figure as a dizzy spell washed over him.
"I'm fine." Hiei growled, pushing away and heading to the wash area.
There was a knock on the door, followed by it opening and a guard coming in carrying a tray of food. He placed the food and bowed before backing out the door and closing it.
"You okay?" Yusuke asked when the door closed. He had not heard any noise and wondered if Hiei had passed out.
Hiei walked out dressed, like nothing had ever happened. "What's going on?" He said as he took a seat at the table and began to eat. An occasional cough his only sign as to what he had been through.
"Taiga escaped from the Reikai prison." Yusuke said, as he came over to sit.
Hiei didn't say anything, so he continued. "It would seem Yomi made good on his promise to get her out and over the past several months has been bribing guards to get the escape in motion."
Hiei nodded. "He managed to bribe some of Mukuro's men as well…they set an ambush in the desert."
"We know…I hate to tell you this." Yusuke said, studying the table. He was not looking forward to the wrath of the fire demon when he heard……
"They have Kurama." Hiei said softly, letting his head fall.
"Yes." Yusuke whispered, looking to him.
"Damn." Hiei stood up and threw the plate of food across the room. "I knew there was something to it. Why come after me, unless he knew I could stop him from getting to Kurama."
"They found the leaks, both Mukuro and Koenma, but no ones talking." Yusuke said.
"Well, we'll see about that." Hiei stated, grabbing a cloak and heading out the door. Yusuke scrambled to his feet, following.
He followed the fire demon down many stairs, until they appeared to be in the dungeon. Hiei nodded to a guard, who saluted and unlocked a door, he turned and said.
"I think it would be best if you stayed out here…it can get a little messy." He whispered and let a soft smile play across his lips.
Yusuke gulped and remembering what Mukuro had said, only nodded.
The raven haired watched as the door closed, giving a weak smile to the guard, who in turn pulled out what looked like a set of ear plugs. He gulped again and the guard smiled, placing the plugs in his ears.
Half an hour or so past before Hiei came out to see Yusuke huddled against the wall, his knees pulled to his chest.
"You okay." He asked.
Yusuke only nodded and got up, wetting his mouth. "Did you find out anything?" He asked. Trying hard to get the sounds he had heard to stop sounding in his head.
"Of course." Hiei smirked, replacing the ward over his jagan.
a)a)a)a
Kurama looked up as he heard the door unlock and open. He had no idea how much time had past since he had eaten, though not well, he had managed to sleep.
He watched as Taiga came walking in, her grace making her all but float. Yomi followed her, his hands behind his back.
"Sleep well my pet?" She purred, taking in the disheveled look of the red head.
"Is this any way to treat an old friend Yomi?" Kurama asked, ignoring her.
"An old friend you say. Well, with what you have put me through these last several years, I would hate to have you as an enemy." He remarked. "And besides." He added. "Did you not like the food…I hear it is a ningen favorite."
Kurama didn't say anything.
"I hear you've changed. Why is that...are you up to some old trick?" Yomi asked.
"You would not understand." Kurama said.
"Describe him to me love." Yomi asked, turning his head towards her.
"Well, he is the same as his ningen form, in size, build, but his hair. It is not completely red like it used to be." She said walking over and getting on her knees, settling between the red head's spread legs and running a hand though his hair. "It has silver highlights…they look like Youko's and…." She studied his face, gasping.
"What is it?" Yomi asked.
"His eyes, they are the rich deep green, but there is gold…gold around the irises." She said, putting her face close to his and drawing in his scent. "His energy is stronger…but not as strong as Youko's." She added.
"He sounds beautiful." Yomi said, cocking his head as he tried to picture it.
"Yes…he is…." Taiga purred as she slowly started to unbutton the red head's shirt. She rubbed her hands over his chest and pinched his nibbles, causing him to gasp.
"What are you doing?" Yomi asked. He could sense the fox's heart rate going up and had heard the gasp.
"Nothing, just having a little fun." She replied. Noticing the necklace, she touched it and then went to pull is off. "What do we have here?" She mused.
Kurama's left arm was still free and he placed it over hers. "Please." He whispered.
She laughed, taking her other hand to unfasten the necklace, pulling back, she stood up.
"He is wearing an ice maiden's tear gem, my love." She told him.
"Really…and how did you get your hands on one of those?" Yomi smirked. "The bitches never give them up willingly. Did you steal it from the runt's sister?"
Kurama didn't say anything.
"Well, we can sell it and get a good deal of money for it." Yomi said. Walking over and standing between Kurama's legs, he pulled on his hair, forcing him to look at the Lord's crotch. The red head's senses were overwhelmed with the smell of old spice and musk, quickly mixing with the smell of arousal. He could see Yomi's erection and tried not to gag.
"Maybe we can get you a red and silver tail…hmm." Yomi mused as he stood there snickering and running his hands through the lush red hair.
Kurama took his left arm and pushed the Lord, making him stumble back. The next thing he knew he felt a fist hit the side of his face. Blood formed in his mouth, trickling down his lip. Showing no fear, he just looked up with a smile on his bloody lips.
"My love." Taiga said.
"What is it?" Yomi growled. He could not see the smile on Kurama's face, but could tell the fox was not frightened by his anger.
"There is something not right about this gem." She said, holding it up to the light.
"What do you mean?" Yomi asked, turning away from the red head.
"There…there is a center flaw…it's all black in the center." She said, then gasped as she realized. "This is not pure…it's not worth anything." She spat.
"A knock off." Yomi wondered, turning back to Kurama. "I have never heard of such a thing. Where did you get it?" He asked.
"I did not get it anywhere, it was a gift." Kurama said. Taking his hand and wiping the blood from his lips. Maybe they would let him have it back since it was not worth anything to them, to him though it was worth everything and his only connection to his love.
"Place it around my neck dear. It means something to him and we have all the time in the world to figure it out." Yomi told her. "We also have time to figure out why he changed his appearance." He said this as he turned his back to Taiga so she could place the necklace around his neck.
"You can sit here a little longer and think about your options." The Lord said and turned to address the red head. "You can willingly be with me, or you can sit here and rot like 'the one who took my light' did, your choice." He then turned and went to the door. "Oh I almost forgot to tell you the real reason I came all the way down here." He paused, looking over his shoulder.
Kurama just looked at them.
"Don't count on your love to come and save you." He said, showing a soft smile as he sensed the red head's heart skip a beat.
"He's rotting away in the desert." Yomi told him then laughed out loud as he felt the walls shatter around Kurama.
Kurama started to cry as he watched the door close. 'No…no…they did not kill Hiei, he will come. It was just a ploy and game Yomi's going to play. Stay calm and think, do not fall into his mind games.' He told himself, dropping his head and though no matter how hard he tried, he could not stop the tears.
End Chapter 4