So sorry! I finished this a couple of days ago, but I never got a chance to post it.

This is an interesting chapter. Kuronue gets in trouble for pursuing Hiei.

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Chapter 6: The Consequence

I spent the day with Kurama, and then I returned to the mansion that night. It was late, but I tried to sleep anyway. As I did, the image of Kurama's resigned smile kept coming to mind.

I think that if it were only that, I would have gotten some damn sleep that night. Unfortunately for me, the bat was screaming.

Now, I had quickly realized that he was very vocal. Normally, he would just yell once or twice and then shut up. But on that night of all nights, he just kept on screaming over and over.

I realized that it wasn't pleasure causing those screams. And even though I don't give a damn about the bat, he was my employer…kind of. If something happened to my employers, I wouldn't get paid. It may sound selfish, but that was what the world had done to me.

I went to find out what was hurting him, and in the process, try not to get molested again. I thought that maybe some of those demons who seemed to know Kurama had snuck in to save him. I also considered the possibility of raiders.

What I saw was arguably the most twisted display I could have imagined.

In what resembled a small, circular arena, I found Yomi lashing his youngest brother. What the hell? I froze.

I watched as Kuronue was beaten, and as the crow knelt down beside him. I could hear him chanting 'do not disobey' into his brother's ear, as his face contorted into an expression of twisted pleasure.

Yomi stood stoically and struck the bat again. Kuronue screamed again; the arms that were holding him up gave out. Without a word, Yomi gestured to Karasu, who slithered away from his brother and latched onto Yomi's arm. They walked off without a second glance at their ravaged sibling.

It was disgusting. I knew how to tolerate perverted demons, and I didn't want to abandon Kurama just yet, but I had a strong urge to just leave at that moment.

I watched as Kuronue lay there writhing in pain, trying to force himself up off the ground.

I watched as he struggled futilely, until he finally gave up the effort.

I watched as he turned his face up towards the moonlight, and tear trails marked his face.

Even I, the heartless assassin, was once again moved. It was bad enough to be feeling sympathy for Kurama, but now I pitied his enemy too? Damn, I hate those hills.

Considering everything that had happened up to that moment, I shouldn't have been surprised when I approached Kuronue, for the first time of my own free will.

A brief flicker of his eyes indicated that he saw me, but for a while, he just sat there shaking in pain. I was beginning to wonder if I should help him get home or something, when he finally spoke up.

"You know," he said. "Once, when Kurama and I were both small, Yomi lashed Kurama just like this."

He started to tell me a story about how when Kurama was first brought to live on their land, when he was deemed old enough to survive on his own, Kuronue hadn't met him yet. He, like Kurama, was eight at the time.

His brothers told him that they were all going to marry Kurama when they were older. With a wry smile, Kuronue told me that he had hated the idea of sharing his brothers with anyone. The first time he actually saw Kurama, Yomi and Karasu were buzzing around him like worshippers, treating him with a respect that they never gave to their littlest brother.

That was why, when Kurama first disobeyed them, and was going to be punished, Kuronue was giddy with pleasure. Yomi, being who he was, decided to invite all of the neighboring demons to witness the punishment.

"It was in this same arena." The bat tells me, after pausing to catch his breath.

Then he proceeds to explain that though he was just a child, Kurama had proven how strong he was. Yomi had struck him endlessly, and when he was finally finished, all of the other demons stood up to go home as was usual for gatherings like this.

Kurama had screamed as loudly and as much as any other demon would. Yet, when it was done, he had stood up again, as if to say 'you have not broken me.' He took everything that Yomi gave him, but he moved past it. That was when Kuronue fell in love with him.

He wasn't the only one who had been so affected by Kurama's strength; all of the witnesses had fallen for him as well. Ever since, they had been plotting to save Kurama from the brothers. In fact, they had made a pact and sworn to liberate him.

So then he falls silent, still sprawled out across the ground. I couldn't help but feel a little proud of Kurama as Kuronue retold the story of Kurama's strength.

"That's why you're here." Kuronue whispered. "To get rid of those demons."

Well, that explained a few things. So basically I was killing off the protectors of someone I was trying to protect. Great… just great.

Kuronue curled his legs into his chest and started sobbing; seemingly forgetting I was there. I knew that I shouldn't help him; I knew that he probably deserved whatever punishment he got, though not for those reasons. But again, in spite of myself, I approached him.

Damn Kurama. I knew it was his influence that led me to hoist the bat up on my back. And I knew it was his influence that led me to bring Kuronue back to my room and bandage him.

He watched me through lidded eyes as I did so, and when I finished, I lay him back on my bed. It was already starting to get light, and I hadn't slept at all.

Just when I was starting to fall asleep, I heard him start whispering. "I know he hates it, and I know he hates us, but… I love him so much. I can't defy my brothers, but if it means being near him, I don't think I want to. I want to have Kurama for myself, and I have ever since that day…" he trailed off.

Well that was something to think about: The bat loved his brothers and Kurama. Yomi supposedly loved Kurama, and Kurama feared all of the brothers, especially Kuronue. Karasu loved everybody, I wanted to protect Kurama, and now I was helping Kuronue. This was just one big, frustrating mess.

As I sat there, I wondered not for the first time, how the hell I'd gotten myself involved in all of this.

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I actually don't like how I wrote this chapter, Hiei doesn't have much of a character in this. Oh well, that's what happens when I spend all weekend baking things. Good or not, please review!

The question to consider for next chapter: How will this incident change Kuronue's relationship with Hiei? (grin)