It had been about an hour since they had arrived, and the detectives gave Kurama some space while Markus caught Benson up on another subject. It was odd seeing Markus speak so professionally, but interesting. Kurama had only ever seen him as the lone undercover cop, who had a temper, and no personal bubble. Amaro went to get them some coffee and food, after Markus suggested the idea. He told the detective it may help everyone calm down, and better relax. Amaro clearly wasn't happy being asked to do grunt work, but once Markus offered to pay, he quickly accepted.

"Okay. I'll give him a call later, and you follow up with this gentleman." Benson nodded.

"Sounds good." Markus pat her desk and stood, as he immediately made his way over to Kurama who had just started examining their whiteboard for Simon's case.

"Sorry, I needed to catch her up real quick."

Kurama glanced in his direction but looked back at the one picture that stopped his gaze. The girl couldn't be more than sixteen years old… the board was lined with images of missing women that were probably all dead. And he felt frustration as he thought how unfair it was that he was still living, and they were not—that little girl was killed.

"Alice Brant. Fifteen years old. We found her in a barrel." He glanced at Kurama. "She'd clearly gone through some horrible things before being shoved into it like trash."

Kurama looked at Markus, surprised by the emptiness in his voice. Again, knowing this guy to be as emotional as he is—talk in this manner, was odd. Especially about such a subject. This was the second time he had to remind himself that Markus was a decorated detective, who he assumed worked on homicide for a while. Knowing someone from an undercover job was strange, but now he wondered which was Markus' actual cover. Was it here in the professional world and the real Markus was who he knew from the club?

"She ran away from home, and somehow ended up involved with Winters' business." Markus eyed Kurama. "And all within six months, she was dead."

"Simon did this?" He kept his eyes on the board as they scanned over the pictures again.

"It's M.O., and I have proof for a few." He sighed. "But, again, dead ones can't talk."

Kurama grit his teeth as he stared at the young girl once more. If he'd just killed Simon when he had the chance…

"…" Kurama clinched his fist as he turned to sit at an empty desk.

Markus followed as he sat across from him. "Seriously, what are you wearing?" He smirked, now trying to lighten the mood.

"My gardening clothes…" Kurama said very matter of fact, caught off guard by the subject change.

Makus laughed and crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair. Benson was within ear shot at her desk as she looked to them, surprised by how comfortable they were together.

"You garden?" He was smiling much too big.

"Yes. And I'm quite good at it." He finally allowed himself to smile some.

"Hah! Of course you are."

"You look well rested."

"I tried out sleeping." He joked.

Smiling again, Kurama huffed out a chuckle. "Indeed."

"You look great, as usual." He smirked, now flirting.

Kurama glanced in Benson's direction then giving Markus a look. "Must you?"

"I can't help it." He stared with the same respectful admiration as he did before.

"Oh, but you can." He wasn't going to humor the man with someone watching.

"Why's your hair wet?"

Kurama glared in frustration. "Because two detectives showed up to my college earlier than the sun!" He snipped.

Markus smiled. "Sorry."

"No you aren't." He looked away with a sigh, now touching his forehead.

"Eh."

It was quiet. And as before, Kurama didn't feel awkward… during this 'awkward silence'. Markus was always calm, and it was nice to feel some familiarity again. Even if he was manipulated into coming, he was glad to see Markus. But, he needed to get out of here quickly, just hearing about Simon, and what he does, made him feel sick.

"It's gotten longer." He spoke softer.

Looking back at him, he saw Markus admiring his hair. Kurama felt his face heat up again. What was his deal today? He was glad to see the man, but his body was acting strange.

"And you've gotten taller." Markus smiled up to him, speaking gentle now too.

"You really must be a detective." He mocked.

"Heh." He smirked.

Narrowing his eyes, Kurama felt irritated by the stall. "When are you going to tell me what I want?"

Markus didn't hesitate. "Once you give your statement."

Confused, he glared at him once more. "Statement? What are you talking about?"

"See, these guys agreed to help me. I promised them I could get them solid proof for their case. Which in turn, helps mine."

Kurama had a guess where this was going. "Special Victims…?"

Markus looked away; guilt apparent. "I told you I knew what he did to you." He spoke quietly this time.

Kurama leaned toward him, now grinding his teeth, showing his anger. "You told them?"

"They needed something."

"You're desperate." He surprised himself by his reaction.

Markus looked back at him. "Maybe I am."

"What else did you tell them?" He spoke deeply.

Markus shook his head, "Not much more. I just told them you enjoyed his little cocktail, and then uh…" He waved his hand, clearly uncomfortable—and angry.

"Can't wimp out now. Say it." He spoke out of anger now, but it was calm, and Markus looked up to him quickly. Picking up on the change.

He sighed as he kept his eyes on Kurama's. "I told them he probably raped you." He sneered at his own words.

Kurama swallowed and kept his angry eyes on Markus. "And you promised them I'd give them those details?"

"They need this. If they can't give your statement, they're gone. And I'll be… back where I started."

"Why do you think I care?"

Markus looked a bit hurt. "Because I know you do."

"You know nothing about me."

"I know you care. My job is to get the bad guys and stop them from killing little girls like Alice." He jerked his thumb back toward the whiteboard, leaned in now too. "What's yours?" He asked accusatorily.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Pffft." He looked away, clearly agitated. "You aren't normal." His voice was almost a whisper now, and Kurama could see a hint of stress in his eyes as he spoke.

He frowned, knowing Markus was thinking back on the last day they were there. Seeing him kill Matthias and do things that humans couldn't. And then what he himself and Sakyo said… Kurama knew Markus was probably beyond confused and wanted answers.

"Fine." Kurama spoke louder this time and sighed out, "I'll give my statement." He looked to Benson.

She looked up, not embarrassed that she was listening in. "Thank you. It'll be a big help."

"Then you'll tell me?" He looked to Markus.

"Yeah."

…

Once Amaro returned, they all ate their food, and all three detectives drank the coffee like it was holy water. Kurama didn't realize how hungry he was until Amaro handed him a freshly made egg sandwich. It was delicious and helped his nerves calm some after eating.

Then, they got to work.

…

"Just take a seat here, and we'll get started." Benson said softly as she pulled out a chair for Kurama.

They had moved into a smaller room with a two-way mirror on one of the walls, and then a small table in the middle of the room. Amaro and Benson were sitting on one side of the table, Markus at the end and Kurama across from the two strangers. Amaro pulled out a pen and a pad of paper, he clicked the pen open then looked to Kurama.

"We'll start slow. Take all the time that you need, but if you can please start with what lead up to your assault, provide as much detail as you can and what happened afterwards. We understand it's a lot talking about something like this with strangers, but just know both detective Benson and I appreciate your help. Giving this kind of testimony isn't fun." He was till a bit tense but regardless, Kurama appreciated his professionalism.

Clearly Benson had been with SVU far longer. Kurama could tell Amaro was still adjusting to his area of work. He clearly had more emotion than he was letting on, unless he was a soulless bastard… but, he just seemed like newbie in this area. Kurama wondered how long he'd been working for the SVU, assuming it took quite a toll. Even if the man didn't trust him, Kurama was able to admire him some.

He took in a deep breath as he nodded to what Amaro said. He didn't think he'd ever be having story time with random detectives about his rape.

Then there was a knock at the door.

They all perked up and looked at the door, Markus was annoyed. "Yeah!?" He shouted loudly and Amaro flinched.

"Sorry." Markus smirked at him, seeming amused.

Amaro looked frustrated.

"Haly, get your ass out here!" There was an older man's voice.

"Captain?" Markus looked beyond confused.

"Is it strange that your captain is at work?" Amaro asked.

"Yeah." Markus stood up. "He's supposed to be in Hawaii…" He sounded suspicious as he walked to open the door.

Kurama was stunned when he saw the old man had someone next to him, and that someone was Koenma. What the hell? A flash of anger snuck out as he glared, and Benson noticed.

"Captain, I thought you were on vacation?" Markus spoke softer but was confused as he looked at Koenma.

"I was, until your case dragged me back here." He was grumpy. "This is Director Enma. He'd like to have a chat with your two detectives and his …agent." The man glanced in the room at Kurama, "Give him what he wants. That's an order." He gave Markus a look as he walked off. It was silent for a moment as Markus, Benson and Amaro all stared in shock.

Kurama actually was an agent. It surprised Kurama too as he raised an eyebrow at the scene. Markus stared as he seemed like he barely understood what was going on.

"Alright." He said to himself.

At this point Kurama was putting things together… but he wasn't sure why Koenma was doing this. Apparently he wasn't getting out of this like he thought. Now he regretted ever agreeing to talk.

"Let's all talk here." Koenma spoke confidently as he shut the door.

Kurama wasn't used to seeing him in such a nice suit… but he was obviously just playing a part. He looked professional, and stern, all with a badge and everything, and was even missing his Jr. sign on this forhead. Amaro and Benson stood as they all shook hands, then Koenma began to talk once everyone was seated. Koenma didn't look at Kurama, and that irritated him.

"Hello. My name is Koenma, I'm the with the CIA and am the Director of the SRS branch." Koenma talked with confidence as the three detectives listened with respect. "We don't get out much, we're very unique, and yes we're a very small branch that the CIA likes to keep hidden. So you can understand my frustration with having to come here."

Amaro and Benson looked at each other in surprise as Koenma spoke.

"I'd like to ask why you have my Intelligence Office in your custody?" He raised his eyebrows as he waited for their reply.

They had obviously barely caught up to everything, so when Amaro spoke he spoke slowly. "He's with you?" He motioned to Kurama.

"Yes. He's mine." He looked at Kurama, and they locked eyes. Kurama felt slight anger as he remained calm by his 'boss', and Koenma just looked at him with emptiness.

"He's a kid." Amaro seemed to be reprimanding Koenma.

Koenma glared at him. "Kurama. How old are you?"

"Twenty-two." He glared at him.

"I believe that's in the range of an adult age."

"You have twenty-two year olds going undercover, especially at a place like that?" Benson asked confidently, finishing Amaro's point for him.

"That's his job."

She looked upset. "Is that even legal?"

"I have younger, detective." He said to shut her up.

She and Amaro stared in shock.

"Now I'll ask again…"

"We need him for a case." Markus said coldly, ready to fight.

"What case?" Koenma asked.

"Simon Winters."

"He's missing. You think you can find him?"

"Not without help."

"And you think interrogating and wasting his time will help you with that?"

"Koenma." Kurama grinded his teeth. This was his choice to be here, not Koenma's. And he really didn't want Koenma to learn anything new…

Koenma's eyes narrowed at he glared over to Kurama, "What?"

"I know what I'm doing."

"I don't."

Why did he care so much now? Was Simon Winters still a sensitive matter involving the spirit world? He got what he wanted, yet now he was hear under a fake alias putting Kurama in with the CIA? Their mission was deemed as success, so why was he here?

"We aren't interrogating him." Markus spoke again.

"This sure looks like an interrogation."

Markus sighed out, now fully irritated.

"What are you… doing?" Kurama tried to talk to him like normal… he didn't want him knowing anything.

Koenma just looked at him but didn't respond. "We're still interested in Winters as well."

Markus looked pissed. "He's mine." He stood up.

Koenma held his hand up, "Woah…"

"You can't take this from me. I've worked too hard." He said calmly, but with passion.

"Why must you drag everyone else into it?" Koenma glanced at the two other detectives.

"They've been lookin' for him too."

"And Kurama? Why my agent?"

"That doesn't matter." Kurama stopped him again.

Markus looked at Kurama, then back to Koenma. Seeming unsure on what to say. "He worked close to Winters, he got to know him on a personal level."

"You don't think I'm aware of that? Why do you need him?" He pushed.

"He knows the guy!" Markus shouted in irritation.

"Better than you, Detective Haly?" Koenma was calling his bluff, obviously not believing his reasons. "You don't think I looked into you?"

Kurama glared at Koenma, seeing his sharp eyes look at Markus that way confused him. What was that statement implicating? Markus froze as he opened his mouth, then shut it again. He glanced at Kurama then looked away with stress as he sat back down.

"He's the only live victim we have." Benson spoke.

Koenma frowned as he looked over to Benson with a stunned expression. Kurama took in a breath as he closed his eyes. There it goes, now he knew.

"Victim?"

"Yes. Don't you take care of your agents?" She sounded angry.

"Excuse me?" Koenma almost looked upset.

"You'd think you'd know what happened to him if you were keeping track of him as close as the CIA claims. Did you do a medical after his cover? Do you even know what he went through?" She was passionate… that was for sure.

There was silence for a moment as everyone could feel Benson's anger, and it was surprising to Kurama that someone cared so much… She almost reminded him of his mother.

"His health isn't my issue." Koenma said, collected again.

She gaped at him, obviously pissed and disgusted.

"Clearly none of you know what the SRS is, or even what it does. He can take of himself, that's a part of his job." He kept strong eye contact with her.

"Koenma." Kurama spoke again, not really suspired by his words. He was Koenma's prisoner, not an agent, and he needed to obey. Regardless of how he felt.

He glanced at Kurama again, forcing himself to calm down. "Hmm?"

"You need not waste your time, I have this." He looked at him; no emotion apparent. The detectives seemed almost disturbed by Kurama's lack of emotion… to them he was just a kid.

Koenma stared, and Kurama could finally see a slight emotion of relief. Maybe he was actually concerned for him but didn't want to show it. Maybe he assumed these detectives wouldn't leave Kurama alone and were forcing him into interrogation.

Maybe…

"Did you volunteer to come?"

"Yes." He did in a way…

Koenma looked at Markus again, and the silence was loud. He looked at Benson, then Amaro and finally spoke again. "Well. If you promise to keep me updated on the case and give my division some credit for the capture, then I'll allow you access to my agent."

Markus nodded. "It's my arrest though."

"Of course."

"Deal." Markus said as he shook Koenma's hand.

"Can I speak with you privately?" Koenma turned to Kurama.

He frowned and felt tense, was he going to ask? Markus's eyes were on him, he was concerned... His own words rang in his head, remembering back on that awful day.

'…It's my debt. I have no choice."

Markus was there too, he needed to remind himself he knew more than the others.

"Of course." He stood as he walked out of the room with him.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Koenma said softer this time.

"Yes."

"Why'd you come?"

"Just… curious." He felt himself being torn between his own desires and the desire to help.

"You want to kill him?"

That was too close, Kurama put his defenses up as he glared.

Koenma looked down quickly, pretending not to notice the tension. "We want Winters as much as the FBI does, and… Haly deserves him."

He knew it. He wasn't going home. "You've been following the case?"

"Yes." He smiled.

"Hmm." He looked to the side. "The CIA?" He gave him a look.

"I had to think up something quick, and they fit best for how odd we are." He shrugged.

"Is it real?"

"As of this morning, yes."

"I'm not an agent…" It seemed weird.

"You're better than one. So it'll do. I need you to stay close and keep me updated when I call. Alright?"

Kurama nodded. "Of course." He was annoyed, but he appreciated Koenma not asking further questions.

He knew it was a secret deal they'd just made… he'd keep quiet, and not pry if Kurama just obeyed and followed the case for him. Kurama wasn't entirely sure why he wanted him to follow this case, maybe it was Simon… but was there something else to it?

"Well, have fun." Koenma smiled sarcastically.

Kurama sighed outwardly. "Goodbye."

Then he was gone.

Kurama walked back into the room and sat down. Now knowing he was stuck, the room seemed a lot smaller this time, and a familiar feeling from when he was at the club came trickling in. He didn't like it. The silence was awkward, and Kurama could tell they had questions flowing through their minds. They probably had assumed he wasn't actually affiliated with anyone, but now it was a fact he was with the CIA, they seemed on edge.

"So." Markus spoke, purposely sounding awkward as a smile creeped on his face.

Kurama gave him a sharp look of reprimand.

"You alright?" Benson asked.

He looked at her, 'was he alright'? "Yes."

She stared at him extra to be sure, and he could tell she didn't buy it.

Was he okay?

"Well, can we finally get started?" Amaro spoke again, trying to move past the discomfort.

"Sure." Kurama got more comfortable, placing his hands in his lap.

"Just, start from the beginning… like I said."

Kurama sighed out while glancing back to door. "Which assault?"

Benson looked concerned, and immediately to her partner. Amaro looked at her confused and they both looked at Markus.

He made a face while raising his hands up. "I only knew of one." He swallowed.

"He assaulted you more than once?" Benson asked gently.

"Yes. He was abusive in many ways."

"Okay. If you're willing, let's go through each instance. And we'll try to keep up. And, please tell me if you need a break, at any time, okay?" She barely smiled to reassure him, but the confidence in her eyes of his ability was surprising.

He returned the smile, "Alright… well, my partner and I were assigned to this case in order to get information. We needed to get close to Winter's. And since we knew he owned strip clubs, and tended to stay in them, we took advantage of that." Kurama's mind wondered through the memories of Simon finding out about him… how he felt when he saw the betrayal in Simon's eyes.

"I was the chosen lure, we needed him to notice us, so he'd stay." He grimaced, trying to show distaste for Simon. "He noticed quickly."

"…Your partner?" Amaro interrupted, clearly confused, both detectives now looking surprised.

Kurama's eyes shot up to Markus in panic, as he cursed himself for even mentioning Yusuke. But he'd assumed Markus had told them. Apparently Markus was protecting him more than he thought.

"We're not gonna talk about him." Markus spoke authoritatively, knowing what Kurama wanted.

Amaro gave Markus a look. "You left that out."

"Purposely." He said with a tone.

"That's vital information, Haly." Benson looked annoyed at him, again.

"I told y'all, I'd get him here. Doesn't mean I'm gonna spill it all on his behalf." '

Kurama smiled softly to himself, appreciating the fact Markus was protecting Yusuke.

"Can we at least get a name?" He was feeling out their boundaries.

"No." Kurama spoke this time, colder than he'd been since meeting these two.

They both looked at Markus again, beginning to realize he knew more than he'd let on. Markus shrugged casually, keeping his crossed arms tight, clearly not willing to talk. Amaro shook his head, no longer annoyed, but more confused as he was realizing he was a part of something more complicated.

"Okay. So he noticed you. What then?"

"Thankfully, he stayed at our location, and I was able to gain his trust." Saying that so flippantly made him angry with himself. "To start, we heard he frequently left his quarters unlocked for the dancers, so I went to see, and they were correct."

"And you were…?" Amaro asked.

"My cover was a dancer." He restrained a cringe.

"What were you looking for?"

"Irrelevant."

"A type of drug." Markus spoke up.

Kurama gave him an empty look.

"That's all that's relevant." He put a hand up.

Amaro looked tense, then focused back on Kurama. "Okay. Continue."

"The only information I found that day was on his upbringing at a boarding school. It was what triggered the first assault." He glanced to the side feeling sick again.

"He found you snooping?"

Kurama chuckled at that. "No. He liked talking about it." He held back his disgust.

Markus sighed as he fidgeted in his chair. Amaro stayed calm but his jaw muscles clenched, and Benson was as she'd been the whole time.

"Do you know what school?"

"Middleton Boarding School for the Gifted."

"You sure?" He seemed surprised.

Kurama narrowed his eyes. "I'm sure. Let's not waste time questioning details."

Markus looked down, trying to hide his smirk.

Amaro stared, holding back irritation. "Forgive me… what did you mean by 'triggered'?"

Kurama sat up straighter, shifting uncomfortably. "He wanted to read it with me. Then the air changed when he asked if I'd ever been abused, it was clear he liked thinking about it."

Amaro was listening respectfully while writing every once in a while.

"My cover had been abused, so I told him I had."

"What was your cover's name?"

Markus smirked.

Kurama took in a breath, "Cherry. I based it off a memoir of a miserable life." He said it with distain. He hated his cover. He never wanted that again.

"Okay. So he asked if you, Cherry, had ever been abused and you said you had?"

Kurama nodded. "He asked how; I gave a general answer. He then specified with 'how did theyabuse you?', I said my mother's boyfriends would rape me. Speaking as my cover, of course."

"We'll assume that from now on, unless you specify." Benson interrupted.

Kurama glanced at her, then nodded. "He seemed genuinely upset when I told him this, then shared with me that he'd also been raped. Apparently consistently, by the assistant principle of that hellish school. He claimed they hated him, and even if anyone had known about his abuse they wouldn't have stopped it."

He felt sadness still. He knew Simon deserved what came to him now, but he was a child then… He hating thinking of that school—so much evil in one place to destroy so many innocent children. And seeing that destruction through Simon and experiencing it himself all due to evil in one man's past. It made Kurama want to hunt down any person that was still alive from that place, and torture them himself.

He sighed. "That's when he started to touch me."

Markus sniffed in annoyance, and the two SVU detectives remained.

"How so?" Amaro asked gently.

Kurama looked around the room for something to distract, but then refocused on the tabletop. "It was as if he was playing it off as comfort, but I could tell he was aroused by speaking about the abuse. He started messaging my thighs, and quickly ended up… with his hand in my pants." Kurama felt a sweat start, as his neck heat up. "Mind you." He looked directly at Benson; she was in charge after all. "I never resisted. I had to gain his trust, and it all happened so fast." He reached behind his hair to scratch his neck.

Amaro looked at her, and they both looked back at him.

"We understand." She said, "But that doesn't give someone permission to your body whenever they please. Even though you didn't say no, there was no consent given—or even a relationship established. You don't have to explain to us." She was confident and professional.

"Even if we don't agree how your branch works, we understand why you couldn't break your cover." Amaro spoke up, showing some empathy now. Seems it took him a bit to process but reverted to professionalism once things got tumultuous.

He nodded, acknowledging what they had said. "Of course." He swallowed, surprised by his hesitation.

"Take your time." Benson said professionally; it was clear they were much more used to hearing these types of things than Markus. Who still had his arms crossed tight, keeping his gaze down, trying not to react.

Nodding again, Kurama made sure to speak with the same temperament as he had been, not wanting to show anything to them. "During all of this, he liked to put his teeth on me…"

This was harder than he thought it'd be.

"This was quite tame; but he did bite me while he made me… orgasm." He glanced at nothing again, as he leaned back on his chair, crossing his arms now too.

"Where'd he bite you?" Amaro was speaking softer than he had the whole day.

"My inner thigh, it was over my clothes."

He nodded in thanks. "Did he break the skin?"

"No, just a bruise."

"Okay, and I'm sorry. I have to ask; how did he get you to…?" Amaro was full on professional now.

Kurama felt his face flush with heat, and rage hit his chest. He felt himself resisting a growl. His pride got the best of him as he automatically glanced at Markus nervously. Benson glanced between the two, immediately noticing Kurama's look, but kept still and didn't speak. He didn't like her watching because she was apparently seeing more than he originally thought. No wonder she had her subordinate do the talking, so she could watch and listen to everything. Good tactic.

Focus.

He forced himself to look back to the tabletop. "With his hand."

Amaro nodded and wrote some, then looked up again. "Also, can you explain why you told me that was tame?"

Kurama furrowed his brow, surprised by himself. He hadn't realized he'd said that really, until he heard Amaro point it out. "Heh. I guess that was me noting the difference of intensities. The first assault was tame compared to others."

"Thank you." He gave an intentional look to Kurama, then wrote some more.

"He stopped after that, and before leaving he told me to 'Dream of him'."

Amaro nodded as he finished up a few notes, then looked back up to Kurama.

Kurama glanced at Benson, then him again. "Next?"

"If you're ready."

"I assume you want physical abuse, as well?" He said it with no emotion, and the two detectives looked slightly concerned by someone so young speaking so robotically.

"Please."

"The next was when I got a gift from a guest. He said his name was Radic. I only met him once, but the gift was an outfit." He glared at the table, remembering the damned clothes causing him so much trouble.

"I wore them as a favor to Haley, she begged, but Simon happen to be out and about right then. He saw me in the outfit and asked me to his office."

"Can you give a general description of the outfit?"

"Leather pants, long sleeve shirt with an opened back. All black. Very tight." He made a face.

"Thank you."

"He told me I looked beautiful and asked about the outfit. I mistakenly told him it was a gift from one of our guests." He looked intentionally looked to Markus this time.

Markus perked up, making sure Kurama knew he was still listening.

"He pressed me for the man's name, and I said I wasn't sure. When he questioned me I tried to portray that I was serious. Apparently I spoke too harshly toward him, so he hit me. It was surprising with how calm he acted leading up to it."

Amaro frowned, "How'd he hit you?"

"He back handed me. And told me not to be 'smart' with him."

"Did he injure you?"

"Yes. A split in my lip and gave me a pounding headache."

"Jeez." Amaro said quietly as he wrote some. "Blood?"

He nodded. "Right away. It was a bit of a sharp shot now that I think about it, he clearly wanted to draw blood."

"What do you mean?"

Kurama looked at Amaro, not realizing it until now. "He hit in a particular way, making sure his knuckles hit through to my teeth. It's a small target." It was clear he'd practiced.

They both gave him a look, not entirely sure what he meant.

Kurama hesitated.

"He's a fighter." Markus spoke louder now, looking annoyed, "Remember?"

Beson looked doubtful at him, as Amaro was processing again clearing rethinking things.

Markus smirked, "Don't let his pretty face trick you. I told you I wasn't exaggerating…" He bit a snarl at them, clearly pissed off about this subject. "He could easily kill all three of us right now and he's not even strapped." He sounded defeated.

"…"

The room was silent, and the air got tense.

"…"

That escalated quickly…

"Come on…" Amaro was offended and unsure as he leaned back in his chair.

That surprised Kurama, but… he had to remind himself what Markus saw that day. He look at him in surprise. Now suddenly everyone's eyes on him.

"Kurama?" Benson said in question.

He looked at her.

"Is that true?"

"I'm not sure what he's told you." He was speaking colder than intended, but he was frustrated by the back and forth with how he was being treated.

She frowned, feeling the room shift. "He said you're a trained killer."

He looked at Markus with offense.

Markus was mostly unreadable, a talent he had since they met. Kurama could tell he was nervous, but he wasn't sure what was going on in that head of his.

"I'm not." he said with annoyance as he glared at the detective.

"I saw you kill." He shook his head, clearly fighting with thoughts.

"…" He just sighed. Not able to argue that and realizing that the average person would see him as an expert… which, he was.

Shit this was getting complicated.

Kurama felt a bit hurt, but mostly annoyed, why was Markus oversharing with these detectives? Unless he somehow convinced them about the whole inhuman aspect of that evening, then there was no way in hell they knew what was going on. So he assumed Markus was smart enough and hadn't gone there, left out those details, but somehow played it to be that Kurama killed someone powerful. He must have worked hard to get additional help, and providing details that convinced these two to open their own case must have been a challenge. He shut off his emotions but gave Markus a disapproving look.

Amaro looked stressed and Benson's doubt was now changing into confusion. She clearly had questions but remained calm.

"You shocked the shit outta me after I saw what you could do."

What got into him all of the sudden?

"Is this because of Radic?" He questioned—maybe after mentioning his name, Markus put things together.

"He's dead isn't he?" Markus mocked.

Kurama glared in confusion, feeling stress swell. Did he really assume Markus would have some sort of loyalties with him still…? Did he ever? Again, he felt guilty, and blocked out any emotion that reminded why he hated that damned mission so much. He regrets so much not killing Simon.

"You accusing me of something?" He said coolly.

"No. But, it is more blood on your hands." He pointed at Kurama, clearly pissed.

Feeling his heart jerk with guilt, staring at Markus in thought. Why was this anger directed at him?

"Kurama, I'm sure you can understand. But, we're a little confused." Benson said quietly.

Maybe he was being interrogated, now he was trying to figure out Markus' goal here. "Is this what you wanted?"

"Well, you do owe me a little." He said flippantly, agitation clear now.

He set his teeth as he glared even more. "I owe you nothing. You're the one who forced your way into our case."

"And you're the one who blew your own damn cover."

"You're a fool." He grinded out, now getting mad.

"Hah! Now you're startin' to sound like Yusuke." He spat out.

Kurama recoiled as he barely gaped at him, now pissed as well. "Are you upset such a 'pretty' thing like me had to come to your rescue?" He taunted. "Really, I thought you could manage your ego with a little more tact, Detective." He had tunnel vision as his anger was directed toward Markus.

Amaro and Benson looked to each other in worry, clearly uncomfortable.

"You gonna kill me now too?" He spat out.

He blinked, taken aback by what was just said.

Then it hit him. He felt his chest jerk with emotions; he was surprised but he had forgotten. Maybe he wasn't talking about Matthias at all…

Charlie.

Radic, Mattias, and Charlie… was Markus really trying to pin these deaths on him? Taking in a deep breath, he glanced at Benson as he felt his emotions surfacing then looked away as he breathed out.

Calm yourself.

He was feeling odd, he needed a break.

But maybe he felt the same frustration he had in the past. He was distanced from these humans around him, simply for being who he was. Markus was on the defense, rightly so, and Kurama wasn't sure he could help that. Sadness came flowing in and he felt a bit restless.

"We aren't talking about Matthias either, are we…" His eyes gilded to him.

Markus sneered at Kurama, now looking down frowning openly. The room was even more tense now.

"You know that wasn't our fault." He said 'we' because Markus was probably angrier with himself.