Orochi...

He schooled his expression into one of light interest though internally he had become abruptly concerned at the sight of the demon. In a way it was flattering. Orochi was highly sought after and cost dearly to employ as an assassin. There was a reason for that. Employing Orochi to kill an enemy meant knowing that person would suffer exquisitely before death. He was no typical assassin, the contracts Orochi took on specifically called for torture.

His eyes cut to Yusuke. The young man was scowling at both of them thankfully for once holding his tongue. It was to soon to assume much of anything even with the directed placement of the two of them.

Orochi's presence did explain at least the subduing of his energies. He had been a bit more cautious when he had attempted to gather them gaining only a short spike of hot pain before abandoning the effort.

He tensed as Orochi's energies filled the room. It washed over everything. He was mildly surprised that he could sense it, feel it as it wafted through him. There was the smallest sensation of something giving way inside of him before his awareness of it abruptly disappeared. Disturbed he kept his attention centered on the assassin.

"Tell me, how did you manage this?" he asked throwing out a line to see what he could catch.

Orochi smiled pleasantly, "A matter of skill fox. I won't bore you with the details. Let's just say you keep very...specific company."

"You were not tracking me." he reasoned letting a corner of his mouth lift, "Original."

"It took some time but I knew eventually you would come. I must admit I have more then a marginal respect for you. It was one of the reasons I accepted the terms of the contract." Orochi shared studying him.

"Someone going to clue me in here?" Yusuke demanded.

"This is Orochi Yusuke." Kurama introduced the assassin as if they were friends, "he is well known in the demon world. Almost as well as I am. Though I must admit I'm surprised you could find your way to this side of the barrier."

"Friends in high places fox. For every rule there is an exception. You aren't the only demon to learn to suppress their energies in order to achieve what you want. As for being well known, my reputation proceeds me in every world just as yours."

"How ambitious of you. There is a purpose for all of this?"

"Right to the heart of the matter." Orochi said approvingly, pushing himself away from the door frame and approaching him, "Of course you of all people would understand immediately what it would mean to be in this situation with me as your jailer..."

"I don't!" Yusuke snapped.

Kurama stilled as Orochi smiled at him, ignoring Yusuke's words in favor of watching his reaction.

"You didn't think I brought your friend just for your company did you?"

"You seem very sure of yourself." he said carefully trying to gauge what Orochi might do next.

"I've spent awhile studying you." Orochi conceded moving to walk around him, "Your friend here is one of your weaknesses. But I find myself in a unique circumstance with you."

"I'm sure you'll elaborate."

"While the contract for your death was paid in full the demon that hired me no longer lives. He was well aware that it would take time to capture you but your death was very important to him. Since his death I've found myself free of the constraints of the contract itself but never free of the idea of what you represent. Tracking you, studying you has been a truly intriguing experience. You are such a puzzle to me." Orochi admitted stopping in front of him, "Tell me when you merged with this human soul did it ever occur to you that it might make you doubly as vulnerable?"

"There was little choice at the time." he said cautiously.

"No I suppose there wasn't," Orochi murmured watching him, "just as I have little choice but to see my considerable curiosity through to its end. I have a proposition for you Kurama. One that I'm positive you'll agree to once you know all of its nuances."

There was danger in Orochi's words, a threat that chilled him as the demon's eyes flickered towards Yusuke then back to his. His thoughts ceased as Orochi reached out a hand and he felt the tips of Orochi's fingers on his jaw. He had not anticipated for Orochi to do so. He tensed as his body began to hum with Orochi's energies.

"Distracting I know," Orochi said softly into his ear, having moved closer, "I want you to have a full idea of what you'll be agreeing to. Just a taste Kurama of the things I have in store for you..."

He was someplace dimly lit. Behind him, he knew there was something terrible waiting for him. He wanted to deny the urge that was already turning him to face in that direction.

Yusuke was laid out on a table, his arms bound above his head. His face already twisted in pain. Orochi stood over him, leering at Kurama as he sank his claws into Yusuke's chest. Blood poured from the wounds as Yusuke screamed...

He came to himself breathing heavily. Fear and disgust warred with each other, racing through his mind. Orochi's fingers burned with icy agony along his jaw.

A taste? How was he to defend against that?!

Orochi's other hand appeared in his sight, a key held between the clawed thumb and forefinger. He made no move towards the key, instead keeping his eyes fixed on Orochi's as he struggled to regain his mental equilibrium.

"The proposition." he prompted knowing it sounded strained.

Orochi smiled, "I keep you here for exactly two days. You endure four of my special sessions with your sanity intact. I let you and your friend leave and never bother you again."

"And if I fail?"

"My previous contract will be filled because you will be dead, my curiosity will be sated. Your friend goes free."

"His presence is required beyond just a simple cage for me." he reasoned shoving aside the instant stab of dismay, "He is needed as a witness to what you do to me."

"Providing the right circumstance for your fall requires that. You shield those you care about most from the imperfections of your character. Give me some credit Kurama. I am a professional after all."

Several options went through his mind but he discarded each one because of their failure to achieve anything close to freedom for either of them. Orochi had given him little to work with which in its own way was impressive.

"I have your word that no matter what occurs Yusuke goes free?" he asked frowning.

"Hey wait a damn minute!" Yusuke shouted.

"I have no need for him. As an added incentive I will restrict my...touch to you alone."

It was the last thing that would have kept him from agreeing fully to what Orochi wanted. The assassin knew him, knew this would tip the scales in favor of his plans. He tilted his head in agreement. Orochi eyes shined as he offered the key again.

"Free your hands fox."

His hand shook as he reached up for the key and did as he was instructed. There was no choice but to do as Orochi wanted at this point. The other was still touching him. He had no idea how fast Orochi could react, plummet him back into that place.

The shackles fell to the ground with a heavy sound. He refused to rub at the chaffed skin of his wrists. This was not the time to lose focus. There was Yusuke to consider in everything he did, in every reaction he had. There was no room for mistakes.

"I wouldn't suggest trying to remove your friend's chains. It may just lead to his death. This room in particular is set up to contain him. I have no intention of chaining you Kurama. At any time you can leave of your own volition. Of course that would mean you will have to leave him behind under my...care."

"What is to stop me from killing you?"

Bravado really. He had no intention of attacking Orochi, his demonic energies had been to well suppressed along with Yusuke's spirit energy by whatever warding the assassin was using. Orochi was relying heavily on his loyalty to Yusuke. He had picked a very solid trap for Kurama by doing so.

"You don't have the energies to." He could feel the pleased menace from Orochi as if it were a living thing communicated through their bodies contact, "In fact you won't be able to generate such until after the two days have gone by."

Orochi finally removed his hand from his jaw. He remained still, resisting another urge that passed through him to wipe away the chilled touch on his skin. There was a certain sense of violation that the demon's touch instilled, it made him feel soiled.

"We'll begin in the morning," Orochi threw over his shoulder as he walked away, pausing to look back at Kurama at the door, "I must say I haven't felt this much excitement for my work for a long time. I've never had a victim last more than two times. I do hope you meet my expectations Kurama."

With that Orochi disappeared through the doorway, shutting the door behind him. He stood there for a moment considering the innocent looking wood then wandered over to the wall Yusuke was chained to before sitting down.

"What are you doing?! Get the hell out of here!" Yusuke yelled at him.

"Orochi is a well trained assassin Yusuke. The idea that nothing would happen to me if I left the room is without merit. It would probably ensure your death as well as mine at the same time. No one hires Orochi without intending for him to kill." he explained meeting his eyes, "This is not the time to start trusting the words of demons."

Yusuke seemed to deflate, running a hand over his head, "So what then?"

"Until I can discover a way around Orochi...you need to prepare yourself."

Yusuke blew out a breath then joined him on the floor, kicking irritatedly at the chains as they got in his way. Silence filled the cell as both of them became wrapped up in their thoughts. Kurama found himself leaning towards Yusuke until their shoulders touched, the solid feel a welcome anchor for the fear that Orochi had caused in him.

"His fingers...they disappeared into your face."

He glanced at the young man, "Orochi's technique is sought after because he has the ability to manipulate souls."

"Okay...maybe I'm over thinking this but don't you have like two of those?"

"In a way," he agreed startled by Yusuke's insight, "I'm certain that is the reason he is so centered on me. He can do things to souls while they are still in the body."

"So when he did that?"

It took less then a second for him to decide what to answer with.

"I...wasn't anywhere. I suppose it was his way of creating one of my hells. I'm not fond of the feeling of being out of control and that is exactly what that was in every sense."

Another silence.

"I have to watch him do that to you."

"I'm sorry Yusuke."

He wished he had some words of comfort he could offer. There were no particular ones that sprang to mind. This situation had not occurred to him before. He did not want Yusuke to have to be subjected to what he would be. The harm it could cause the young man mentally was weighing heavily on him as he stared at the far wall. He hoped the trade off, him being Orochi's victim instead of Yusuke as well, would in some way help to shield the worst of it away from Yusuke.

"I liked you better when you didn't talk so much."

This brought a smile to his lips. Only Yusuke would pout because he was talking instead of keeping his own counsel.

"Would you rather I stayed silent?"

"No."

He sighed internally, "You think I'm pretty?"

It was not exactly fair to take advantage of the slip in meaning but he knew they both needed a distraction. That was the first thing that came to mind. Yusuke laughed beside him.

"Everybody thinks that."

That answer brought his attention back to Yusuke. It was a little blunt even for him. He had expected some type of denial with more or less passion then was necessary. That would have been the normal reaction from Yusuke.

He's worried...

"Yusuke..."

"I think being threatened with watching my friend being tortured and killed gets him a couple of honest answers." he interrupted glancing at him and then away, "It's not like you don't know it anyway."

"Actually no." he admitted a little surprised, "Not a word I would have chosen."

"Me neither but..."

Yusuke shrugged.

Kurama leaned back, resting his head on the wall of the cell. He was not sure how he felt about the term pretty. His preference would have been attractive if he had a say in the matter. Demon core or not he was just like everyone else in those simple emotions. Age had nothing to do with the want to be desirable.

Yusuke thinks I'm pretty. How awful for him...