This was a fun chapter… -smile-. Any feedback would be much appreciated, I hope you enjoy this chappy as much as I did! Please read and review—thank you! -Samron

She waved awkwardly from behind Smith, now stepping out. Her hair was up in a bun and looked professional in a fitted pinstriped suite. It was a longer pencil skirt, and the small blazer fit her perfectly. She was beautiful and looked more mature than she tended to act, and just like Koenma she wore a similar badge, brandishing her fake status. She was holding a small briefcase while approaching, smiling to Kurama. Markus looked weirded out as he stared at her, along with the other two detectives.

"There you are! How are you? It's been forever!"

"Hello, you look well." He smiled, "It's nice to see you… but, what's the occasion?"

"Who are you?" Markus asked, and she turned to look up at him in surprise.

"Oh wow, he's abrupt!" She smirked and turned to Kurama, "And cute!" She giggled.

He felt a sweat hit him, forgetting she didn't have much of a filter. She had picked up some bad habits after spending too much time with Yusuke. "That's Detective Haly, Botan. And this is Detective Benson and Detective Amaro." He motioned toward them.

They both stood to shake her hand. "Nice to meet you!" She said with her usual peppy voice.

"Botan, she's—" he hesitated, "My director's communications aide, EF Specialist, and occasionally helps train agents."

Markus stared, then looked to Kurama. "Is she like you?"

He knew what he meant by that, but she wasn't… even though she wasn't a human. "She doesn't work on the field often, no." He said casually with a smile. Olivia glared at Markus, then looked between the two of them after that question. Markus looked nervous as he kept an eye on Botan, not sure how to handle this. But she just smiled to him sweetly as her usual self, which made him relax some.

"You must be the detective that Koenma mentioned?" She spoke more serious this time but stayed casual.

Frowning, Markus looked nervous as he swallowed. "Your boss mentioned me?"

"Botan." Kurama interrupted.

She glanced at Kurama, then smiled back to Markus. "He just said it was nice to meet you finally." Her laugh was nervous as she waved her hand back and forth.

Kurama didn't like that—why would Koenma be talking about Markus, and not the other two detectives? He could assume it had to do with their first case together… but, Kurama never took things for face value. So, he made a mental note that Koenma was paying special notice to Markus…

She then faced the others, "It's nice to meet all of you—but I've really just come to speak with Kurama, then I'll be off!" Amaro raised his eyebrows as he looked at Olivia, she looked to him and shrugged. They clearly had just accepted to take what had been happening at face value since Kurama had gotten involved… what else could they do? "Is there a place we could talk?"

Kurama looked to Markus.

"You can use my office." He grabbed his coffee and kept the ice pack in his other hand as he led them back to his office. Amaro held his hands up in opposition, frustrated with being ignoring so easily while they walked off. They moved down a hallway, which only had a couple of other rooms in the area; the air was muggy, and you could guess not many people went back here. He brought them to a door with his rank and name on it, opened it then walked in. They followed, and shut the door behind him. He was on the defense as he crossed his arms, leaning against it.

"Oh..." Botan raised her eyebrows as she touched her chin with one finger.

"It's fine." Kurama put his hand on her shoulder, "He knows more than the others."

She gave him a look. "What does that mean?"

He glanced at Markus, then to her again, "He's seen enough already. And I decided to disclose more, he was pulled in against his will."

"Hmm." She gave him a suspicious look. "I wouldn't want you having to—"

"I won't."

She glanced at Markus again, then made a pouty frown purposely to loosen the tension. "Now you? Putting me in situations that could get me yelled at…" She sighed.

"What the hell are you?" Markus was clearly annoyed with being ignored but nervous as well.

She glared at him. "That's no way to talk to a lady!"

Kurama sighed out. "She's an apparition, she works directly for Koenma." She stared at him in shock. "I'll explain later." Kurama gave him a pointed look.

Markus frowned. "She's so young."

"I'm not as young as I look but, thank you!" She held her face as he giggled. "Now that I think about it I'm probably around Kurama's age." She hesitated, feeling Kurama's death glare on her—as she turned to look at him. "Heh." She laughed nervously.

Markus looked flabbergasted, "You're not a demon then…?"

"Oh no, I'm a different kind of…" He put her finger on her mouth to think. "I'm not uh…" She looked to Kurama.

"She's not living in the way you and I are." Markus' mouth opened, and he stared at her in disbelief. Obviously still trying to grasp everything Kurama had told him up until now. "And I said I'd explain later." He said firmer.

"Have you told him everything…?" She leaned toward him, clearly irritated.

"No. But enough to make sense of what he's seen. You know Sakyo's involved." He glared.

She recoiled, picking up on Kurama's anger. "I'm not supposed to talk about that."

"Oh?" His voice dropped a level, and Markus perked up, looking at Kurama.

Frowning, she waved her hands quickly. "I—I, I mean I…" She sighed and held her head. "I'm not permitted to talk about it." She looked up to him with guilt and stress.

"So, he knows?" Kurama's eyes sharpened. "He insults me again, thinking I wouldn't catch on…?" He growled.

"You know how he is, Kurama." She pouted but was guilty as well.

He clenched his fist, trying his best to stay professional. "You probably don't know that bastard brought him on this as well." He motioned to Markus as he spoke.

She frowned and looked to Markus with worry. "What do you mean?"

"He lured him in to threaten us—if anyone dies, that's on us." He spoke quietly now.

"What did he say?" She looked upset as she spoke quietly too.

Kurama lowered his gaze. "He intimidated him, mocked me, and essentially let us know he was watching. I'm sure Koenma knows." He glared.

"He hasn't told me anything like that."

"Well, then you can go back and tell him I think he's despicable." He spat.

She sighed, then glanced at Markus again. Kurama waited, trying to restrain his building frustration. "Well, I have actual information for you." She set down the briefcase in front of them, "And, I've got news on Yusuke." She recoiled a bit when she said that part. Feeling his heart jerk he raised his eyebrow, staring at her with a bit of worry.

Markus looked to her quickly, "Is he okay?"

For a split second Kurama almost forgot Markus was there, but he looked to Markus now, surprised he asked about Yusuke's wellbeing so quickly. Markus barely made eye contact with Kurama, then looked back to Botan.

"He's fine." she said quietly, concerned herself. "But…he's been off grid." She cringed.

He frowned. "What's that mean?"

"We don't know where he is…"

Spitting a scoff, Kurama snarled. "The Royal Prince lost his detective?"

"Kurama…" She frowned in surprise.

"I have no loyalties to him, but he does to Yusuke—and he can't keep track of him? How do you know he's okay?" He bit out.

Markus eyed Kurama, swallowing due to nerves. He wasn't sure if he wanted to be hearing all this, but, since he seemed to be involved regardless… he might as well stay informed.

"We saw surveillance tape of him from two days ago, he looks fine." She explained. "But, we're still trying to figure out what it is he's doing… he broke contact with us over a month ago." She frowned. "And he's suppressing his chi."

"A month? And Koenma didn't think to inform me?" Kurama felt the hairs on his neck stand up as he anger kicked in. He was tired of Koenma's shit timing to inform anyone… if Yusuke was missing why hadn't he told him earlier!? He clenched his fist tighter as he took in a breath, now looking away from her.

"You know I have no say…" She looked upset. "I'm worried too, Kurama."

"He's too stubborn to be dead." Markus approached them finally, looking directly at Kurama.

Botan looked up to him in surprised. This man was comforting Kurama…? He knew Yusuke too, but apparently he cared for them both.

Kurama looked to him, feeling emotions swell as he saw some pain in Markus' eyes.

"He's right, Kurama…"

"I still deserve a chance to help him." He shot out.

Markus sighed and looked to Botan, "So what's in the case?" Kurama looked to him, then back to her for the answer.

She stared for a moment before answering. "More to pile on them."

Kurama followed Markus' lead as he picked up the case and walked over to set it on top of Markus' desk. He opened it, and saw it was filled with external hard drives. There were several of them lined up, then a folder. Kurama picked up the folder and saw on the front of it words that read, 'Chapter Grey'. Kurama felt a swirl hit his gut, as he looked quickly to Botan.

She swallowed. "Remember… This is Sakyo's realm."

Markus looked startled by what she just said as he quickly made his way over to see. Kurama hesitated as he opened the folder, wondering if he wanted to be looking at whatever he was about to see. Then glanced to Markus before removing the contents. Immediately Kurama's mouth snarled as he audibly gasped to what he saw.

"Jesus Christ." Markus whispered.

It was a stack of photographs. And the top photo was of a little girl. She couldn't have been older than seven years old, and the pose, her clothes… what she was doing. It made him sick to his stomach. He flipped to the next one, and the next, and it just continued—getting worse with each one, different children, of different ages. Some of them even violent, displaying ways of torture in the photos. He was sifting through them in a haze as his anger now peaked, who could do something so sickening!? He knew there was evil, but this type made reality so much sicker—and he could never understand how!?He flipped one more and froze as his eyes widened, in this photo—the child's expression made his soul ache. The poor thing was missing a part of his face, crying, clearly suffering… but what stuck out to him most was who was with the child, it was blurred, but the profile of Simon Winter's was hard to look away from.

And he was smiling…

"Kurama."

Markus' voice was closer, but Kurama couldn't look away from the tiny boy. He was in so much pain, and the fear was haunting. What had Simon done to that child!? If only he could jump into the photo and grab the poor thing away from the hell he was in!

"Kurama." Markus' hand covered the photo as he gently pulled the stack from his hands. He realized his teeth were grinding loudly together, as Markus reached up and wiped the side of his mouth—shocking him out of his trance, he looked to him quickly. Why was he touching him? "Stop it." Markus looked him straight in the eyes, concern apparent.

Kurama swallowed, now tasting blood which snapped him out of it entirely. He reached up to where Markus just touched and wiped the remaining bit of blood of his mouth, and slowly pried his own teeth off the corner of his lip. Feeling the freshly swollen wound with his tongue, he realized he'd lost it far too easy just now.

"Your boss is smart. He's taking advantage of the help." He motioned outside. "We don't need to look at these—that's their job." He said while putting them back in their folder and returning them to their spot in the case.

Botan stared at them, obviously surprised to see someone so comfortably speaking to Kurama in the way that Markus was—and on top of that, being allowed in his personal bubble and touching him. She wondered who this guy was, because she'd never seen Kurama welcome anything even close to that, outside of his teammates; but, even then….

Markus looked to her—feeling her gaze on him, and she looked away. "What?" He glared. "I thought you knew what was in here?"

"It's not that." She smiled, looking back to him then glancing at Kurama. "I've just never seen him let anyon—"

"Are you here to talk about me, or help with the case?" He interrupted, giving her yet another warning look.

Markus looked surprised at how Kurama spoke to her, and she shrank back. "Forgive me, Kurama. This wasn't the first thing I wanted to provide you after not seeing you for so long. I miss you and was excited to see you—but I must admit, I didn't want to come today." She twisted her hands together anxiously. "I know I should be used to it by now, with the job that I have, but this is just awful." She looked at the case, clearly feeling defeated. "So, I guess the selfish side of me is just happy you have someone with you that seems to care for you some." She smiled to him, stopping there because he was protective of Markus.

Kurama's gaze softened as he kept his eyes on her, now swallowing. Markus looked to her with surprise, then to Kurama hesitantly. Did she just say that out loud? He wasn't sure why it was so strange hearing it be said, even with Kurama having had said he cared about him this morning—in his own way.

"I've got this for you too." She walked to him and held out an iridescent cellphone. It was a simple, thin, flip phone with nothing other than the volume buttons on the outside. "Koenma said you needed one."

He took it, looking it over for a moment then putting it in his pocket.

"Good luck, Kurama."

He raised his eyebrows, still distracted by those photos.

Markus sighed and held his mouth as he leaned back to sit on the side of his desk, clearly upset himself. Then he looked to Botan. "Tell your boss thanks, and we'll do our best to get that piece of shit." He said with no emotion.

She stared at him, sighing out with a nod. "I will." Then she glanced to Kurama. "I have to go now."

"Alright." He barely glanced toward her.

She bowed to Markus. "Nice meeting you." Then she left his office, and it was silent.

Kurama shut the case gently, staring at it while it sat there. He'd seen so much in his life, far worse than that. It was the fact he too had been effected personally by the evil in those photos, and that he could have killed the person who created them! It made him so fucking angry with himself… and now Yusuke was missing…? What was going on?

"You good?" Markus was behind him. He looked back, surprised he was so distracted. "Let's move this." Markus said as he moved slowly, reaching around him to pick it up and then set it on the ground. He stayed close to Kurama as he leaned in now, looking at him from the side—waiting for an answer.

Kurama looked back to where the case just was. "I could've killed him." He clinched his fists.

"It doesn't help thinkin' that way."

"Okay…" Kurama swallowed. "I'd love to torture him."

Markus hesitated—surprised he was still caught off guard by Kurama at times. "Let's clear our heads. Hmm?" He reached up, moving Kurama's hair off his back and over to one side as he stepped even closer behind him. "You're a great distraction for me." His voice deepened; Kurama frowned as he turned to face him.

"You can't be serious." He snarled—knowing the answer already.

He huffed out a chuckle. "You know me…" He frowned and lowered his head. He stared at the case below, as he let out a tense sigh. The room was not relaxed, and the both of them were weighted with everything Botan had just told them.

Kurama looked up to him, realizing he was probably just as upset—noting again that Markus was hard to read. He frowned, feeling bad since he hadn't thought about how he'd feel after hearing about Yusuke. They were friends too… but, Kurama wondered if there was any jealously involved. His guilt hit him for the third time today, realizing he had been feeling that due to his subconscious seeing their awkward triangle, before he did. He swallowed, now reaching out to slide his hand up Markus' neck and chin, holding his face.

Markus frowned as he eyed Kurama, looking at him with suspicion. "You givin' me pity attention?" His tone was annoyed.

Sighing, Kurama turned his head to the side. "No. I was lost for a moment. Forgive me."

"She talked about Yusuke." He said emotionless.

He glared. "It's not pity."

"Then what is it?"

He stared, not really sure himself. "I don't know… But I know I feel helpless at the moment. Even with all my strengths."

Markus huffed an annoyed laugh as he looked away.

"I care about you and Yusuke, both."

"You've known him way longer."

"Are you jealous?" He didn't get that.

He looked to Kurama, still wearing a serious expression. "Of course I am." He glared. "But… I give a shit about 'em too."

Kurama felt his heart flutter as he looked surprise, he forgot they had spent time together as well—what a selfish mindset he'd been in. Maybe Markus provided Yusuke similar emotional outlets like he had for him. He was kind. He cared for people, and they spent plenty of time together to generate their own friendship. Even if they tended to butt heads.

"I appreciate that." He stepped back some, just enough to sit against the desk as his hand guided Markus toward him. He looked up to him with softer eyes, looking to his lips for a moment then back to his eyes. "So, allow me to attend to you."

Markus' expression faltered as he swallowed. "This is messy."

It was messy… he preferred the word 'complicated', even though Markus' word choice fit best. But he didn't do messy, so he'd ignore it at the moment and move on.

"That's alright for now." His voice was hushed as his eyes relaxed, now feeling his stomach warm.

Leaning in now, Markus set both of his closed fist atop of the desk, one on each side of Kurama. His expression was tough to understand, he looked a bit sad… mixed in with some relief as well. Regardless, he kissed Kurama—breathing in deep, as if it were his first time again. Kurama felt the man's emotion and closed his eyes as he kissed him back, now parting his lips for him. Markus moved as close as he could as he hummed out in satisfaction, leaning over him as they kissed. He brought one hand up to the nape of Kurama's neck, grabbing the majority of his hair then gripping it tightly. Moaning quietly, Kurama leaned his head back in submission, gasping out to the slight pain from the strength of the grip. Markus barely pulled away from the kiss, looking down at Kurama as he breathed deeply.

"I don't get you."

Kurama could hear his heart beating as he stared into those green eyes, seeing the excitement and confusion. "Forgive me." He whispered, not wanting to explain anything.

Markus studied his face as he took in a deep breath, now moving Kurama's head some with his grip as he looked him over again. Kurama allowed him to take his frustration out, understanding this whole thing was crazy… and, that Markus must be feeling a lot. He clearly was thinking deeply, even while distracted with his current task. His hand gripped tighter, making Kurama inhale sharply. Then he leaned in again to kiss him, sliding his tongue into his mouth. Kurama closed his eyes again as he kissed back, fully enjoying the taste of Markus as he let his guard down, relaxing to the man's control.

Then Markus' other hand moved up quickly as he began to unbutton the green flannel, doing it with ease as he continued enjoying Kurama's taste. He got four buttons down then pulled it down roughly, exposing most of Kurama's one side. He moved Kurama's head out of the way so he could continue kissing him, now moving down to his neck; gliding his lips down his skin as he was now fully lost in what they were doing.

"Uhh." Kurama moaned out softly, feeling comforted by Markus being so close. He relaxed his head to where Markus had it as he reached up and slid his hand around the man's neck in an attempt to be closer.

Markus sighed out loudly as he enjoyed hearing and feeling him close. "I noticed you picked my favorite shirt." He whispered.

Kurama's mouth curled into a smile without even trying, "It's my favorite too." He liked that.

"Heh. Well you look far better in it." he said as he pushed him back to lay on the desk. Kurama didn't care right now, so he submitted. Enjoying the feeling of Markus being over him again, as the man continued to kiss down his neck and onto his chest.

"Huuh…" Kurama's breathing was now picking up as he was excited by Markus' assertiveness, and feeling his warm mouth move down him was wonderful. Markus kissed his chest and stayed gentle as he finally released Kurama's hair, now moving his hands down to Kurama's jeans as he licked his chest, gliding his lips over his nipple as well as breathing warmth out.

Kurama stared at the ceiling while his thoughts were blank, enjoying Markus' tongue on his nipple. His heart began to race even more now as he felt his pants being unbuttoned, he swallowed hard as his hands gently glided through Markus' hair—now closing his eyes and allowing himself to fully enjoy what was about to happen.

Fire.

His eyes shot open as he took in a breath, a different one, deeper and quicker as he gasped out and looked to the door. He stared as he felt his heart sink along with a sharp snap of energy he was all too familiar with. After hearing Kurama's gasp Markus stopped and looked up to him with panic. "What?" He knew something was wrong.

Kurama sat up as fast as he could, now guiding Markus back. "Outside. Now." His eye were wide as he looked up to him.

Markus' looked back, barely keeping up as he stepped back. Kurama moved far faster than usual as he gracefully slid off the desk, buttoned his jeans back then leaned down to pick up the case. He had already pulled up his flannel and was working on the buttons as he opened up the door. Markus panicked as he caught up, now worried. "What the hell!?" He demanded as he followed.

"Please—just, don't draw your weapon. Okay?" He looked back with stress, but full on serious. Almost entirely forgetting what he was doing seconds ago as he hand finished buttoning his flannel. "I can take care of it; you just focus on keeping the others calm." He instructed with professionalism as Markus barely kept up.

"Wha—the fuck, are you talking about?"

Kurama stopped, abruptly turning to him, both of them now nose to nose. "Something is about to happen, none of it will make sense. But I need you backing me up. For the safety of those two, and…" He stared intently into his eyes as he spoke, and Markus listened as he felt his adrenaline pump. "You said you had my back." He reminded him.

"Okay." He responded before his mind could register what was happening, he did promise.

They both walked out to Amaro and Olivia who were chatting in the main room. Kurama felt protective of these people but remained calm. They perked up and stood, obviously curious as to how the meeting went.

"Olivia, Amaro." He said with authority, but a different calm from what they'd heard. He nervously glanced at the balcony door that he'd used yesterday, then looked back to them. "I apologize in advanced for what's about to happen—but you need to follow my lead." He approached them quickly as he stared at Olivia, begging her to trust him. His breathing was smooth, but quick, and her expression matched his stress as she could easily see the adrenaline rushing through him, now frowning as her eyes locked with his.

"What's going o—"

The balcony door then slammed opened, cutting her off with the loud bang. Kurama reached behind himself, grabbing Markus' hand loosely, guiding him behind his own body while stepping closer to the others. He frowned, not looking forward to what was about to happen but took in several deep breaths as he prepared for the stress, …and ridicule. All three detectives jumped from the door's startling speed, looking to it with shock. Olivia gasped out as she reached to her belt, and Amaro reached for his gun as well.

"Hold!" Markus yelled.

They both looked surprised by Markus' command, almost as if they had forgotten he was there. Markus held up his fisted hand, pushing it forward several times. Signaling to hold, a sweat formed on his forehead as he had no idea as to why he was telling them to stop. He himself wanted to go for his gun too, but looking down to see Kurama's hand holding his made him stand his ground.

Kurama sighed and closed his eyes, …he always seemed to show up at the most obnoxious times.

"Finally I can talk to you." A cocky voice spoke.

Turning to his left Kurama glared at Hiei, who was sitting on an empty desk at the end of the room—smirking as the balcony door clicked shut. He had a foot up on the desk while his elbow rested on that knee, with that same hand he held his sword that rested on top of the desk as well. His expression made it clear that he was enjoying himself.