Hello all! I know I said FF fixed their alert issues last chapter, but I actually got alerts within the last few days—and they addressed the fixes on X. So, yay! Please enjoy, and please review! Thank you all again!
Also… Random guest reviewer. Are you meaning you looked up to find 'Dumb it Down Please' to re-read and saw I was writing a sequel to it!? If so, I LOVE that and you! Please enjoy this new story and as usual, all feedback is welcomed. -Samron

Kurama and Markus had been giving the SVU detectives some space for the last half hour. After Kurama showed Amaro what he requested, he knew everyone would need a minute—including Markus, who still seemed a bit anxious.

He sat on top of a desk, and Markus was on a chair next to him. The other two were sitting across the room, closest to the kitchen area, making it easier for Olivia to tend to Amaro's wounds. Besides that, everyone seemed pretty calm, and Kurama was just waiting for the next 'talk'… so they could get to work.

"I'm hungry." Markus mumbled as he rubbed his hands together.

Eyeing his hands Kurama then looked to him with a gentle smile. "Are you a stress eater?"

Markus sat back as he frowned. "I ain't stressed."

Kurama raised his chin as he nodded, "Oh, right."

"Shut up." He looked away, now pulling his hands onto his lap.

"You're the one who suggested it." Kurama reminded him as continued watching Amaro.

Markus glanced up at him, then tilted his head. "Yeah… it's not just that." His eyes were now stuck on the case that had been left in the middle of the room. "And then your little friend." He made a face.

Kurama smirked. "He is scary." Teasing.

"Are you for real?" Markus looked to him as he displayed worry.

Putting his hands up, Kurama made a face of understanding. "Oh no, I'm being real. Hiei is…" he twisted his lips in irritation. "Threatening. And his mood tends to be unpredictable." He laughed awkwardly as he scratched his head. "He definitely stresses me out at times."

"Does today count?" He shot back.

Kurama chuckled with a smile. "Yes, definitely. I haven't seen him in a while."

"That smile doesn't give me comfort."

Kurama smiled even bigger as he leaned over toward him, realizing he was enjoying the company. "It should. You can trust me." He spoke smoothly as he looked more intently at him.

Markus barely leaned back in his chair and huffed out, nodding once. "I do."

"Shall I tend to them, then suggest lunch?" He wanted everyone to get their focus back.

"If you think that'll help…" Markus said hesitantly.

"Is there anything specific you're craving?" He hopped off the desk, turning to look back at Markus.

Markus couldn't help himself as he stared at Kurama's butt, then back to his eyes without shame. Kurama still wasn't used to him being so inappropriate in such a professional setting—but, he was acting as he always did. This was Markus.

He stared back, but gave a look in reprimand.

Markus slouched down into his chair as he brought a hand up to his mouth, now smirking some. "I know what you look like naked." He mumbled quietly as his eyebrows went up once.

Kurama felt his face heat up as he now glared, those words triggered his thoughts about Markus' body… just for a second. His blush stayed but his poker face took over as he leaned over again, looking straight back at him. His eyes slowly looked over the detective's body, then back his eyes. "You're going to get in trouble." His voice was deeper, but allowed a smile to sneak out.

Markus' smile grew as he kept strong eye contact with Kurama. "I'm always in trouble."

Kurama chuckled, not expecting any other response. "We need to get back to work." He was still speaking gently.

"I wanna take you back to my office…" Markus said as his eyes wandered again.

Shaking his head Kurama kept his smile as he stood up again. "You need food." He turned to walk but stopped as Markus spoke again.

"How'd your friend know…?" he asked hesitantly.

When Kurama turned again, Markus' smile was gone, and he was nervous again. He frowned, stepping back quietly to sit in the chair next to him. "Certain demons have heightened senses, especially when it comes to humans."

"Why?" He frowned, moving his hand down to fidget again.

Kurama eyed his hands again, then looked to him once more. "You don't need to know why. It's just how it is."

He took in a breath and sighed out, taking Kurama's cue to stop on that subject. "So he could actually smell me on you?" He whispered.

Kurama tilted his head to the side, feeling the same irritation he felt when Hiei said it. "Yes."

"Are your senses heightened?"

He nodded with a sigh. "Very."

"So, you can hear real good and see far away, or…?" He was intrigued, but oblivious.

Kurama smiled, finding his questioning enduring. "Pretty much, yes." He smirked, giving Markus more eye contact as he brought the back of his hand up to cover his smile. "I also smell you on me…" He couldn't help but flirt a little.

Markus' eyebrows went up again as looked Kurama over once more, they were sitting close enough that he could get away with it. So, he sighed as he snuck his hand over to stroke the side of Kurama's leg with the back of his fingers. Watching his own hand while his mind was clearly filtering through a lot. Kurama acknowledge his touch with a look, then stood. "What do you want for lunch?" He spoke normally as he placed his hands behind his back.

Markus sighed and somehow sank even lower in his chair, defeated. "I don't care." He waved sloppily toward them. "Let them decide."

"Alright." Kurama responded as Markus stared off into nothing, mind still reeling. He stared at Markus for another second, feeling a bit worried, but turned quickly to go to his next task. They could talk later.

He didn't want to be here, and he assumed the other's didn't either. Especially after today. But at least he had some sort of support as his life was forced in this direction. And of course he knew being around powerful demons was tough for humans, especially ones like Hiei who took no attempt at being gentle with anyone. So he understood the heaviness that was in the room, but wanted to get everyone's thoughts back in order so they could continue working.

"Hello." He approached the two SVU detectives.

Amaro was sitting while leaning against his hand that held gauze and an icepack on his wounded neck. The cut on the back of his hand had been bandaged and he too looked defeated while giving full attention to Kurama. Olivia did the same, obviously not in the best of moods either.

"Hey there." She forced herself to smile.

He nodded to her, then looked to Amaro. "How is your neck?" That was the worst one.

He glanced to the side with a nod, "It finally stopped bleeding."

"Good." He nodded too. "Markus and I thought lunch would be nice?" He looked between the two of them. "Any suggestions?"

Amaro didn't look interested, and Olivia just stared at him waiting for a response.

"I was thinking some warm soup, and maybe sandwiches?" He pushed. Warm soup always made people feel better.

Olivia sat up straighter and smiled. "Yeah." She stood. "There's a deli a few blocks from here that we tried." She glanced at Amaro. He shrugged to her, and she smiled to Kurama. "I'll get the number."

"Great, thank you." Kurama said as she walked off, now feeling Amaro's eyes on him. He looked to him right away.

"Look, I'm sorry. I made a fool of myself… that guy freaked me out—and I—"

"I understand." He sat down where Olivia just was. "No need for an apology." He looked pointedly at him. "Hiei can do that."

He stared at Kurama a bit longer and sighed as he looked away, now pulling his hand off his neck to check the bleeding. "It was still unprofessional of me." He stared at the bloodied gauze, "So, thanks for bein' patient." He gave an apologetic smile.

"Of course." Kurama smiled, "But, I would like to get back to work soon." He glanced at the case that still sat in the middle of the room.

Amaro looked too. "We were wondering what that was…"

He lowered his eyes, "Children… amongst other things." He swallowed. "Sex trafficking ties to Winters."

Amaro looked to him with a frown. "For real?"

"Unfortunately. Markus and I only saw a few of the physical photos before having to stop." His lip twitched in disgust.

"Physical?" He questioned.

"There are hard drives." He looked to him. "Thousands of files, I'm sure."

"Great." Amaro spat through his teeth.

Kurama raised his eyebrows in agreement.

"Alright." Olivia walked next to the case, picking it up on placing it on a random desk as she looked to Kurama. "I ordered the works—probably too much food but we all could use the pick me up." She smiled then looked to Amaro as well.

"We sure could…" He said dully, now looking over to Markus. His expression fell as he shook his head, so Kurama looked too.

Markus was still ridiculously slouched in his chair, and his head was limp to the side resting on his hand. He had fallen asleep in what looked to be the most uncomfortable position, but he was out. Kurama smiled, admiring yet another enduring thing about him.

"He does that a lot." Olivia laughed.

He glanced to her, then looked back. "He always seems most comfortable in the most uncomfortable of places." Kurama had noticed it—but he'd never articulated it before.

"Wow. That describes him perfectly." Amaro said with a tone as he widened his eyes in annoyance.

Kurama leaned back in his chair, taking in Amaro's tone. Then looked to Olivia. "Have they gotten along this entire collaboration?" Amaro's little comments were a bit immature, but Markus was worse overall, so he welcomed them both to talk crap about Markus while he slept. Maybe it'd help them relax.

Olivia laughed, seeming amused. "How could you tell?" She joked back while making a face, clearly annoyed with both of them.

"He got to Yusuke the same way." He smiled. "But, eased up a bit after realizing how stressed we were." He missed Yusuke so much, but talking about him was good now… they needed to get to know him some if they were going to be involved with finding him.

Amaro perked up. "Yusuke… is your partner?"

"Yes."

Amaro nodded, taking Kurama more seriously than he was used to. "Is he young too?"

Guilt kicked in and Kurama felt surprised that he was surprised with that question. "Yes." He sighed, then glanced at Olivia. "But, he's strong as well."

She frowned when seeing Kurama's guilt, remembering back on the comments of yesterday. Learning Yusuke knew all the details of Simon's assault on Kurama due to being subjected to having to listen.

"Is he as weird as you?" Amaro finally smirked some.

Kurama chuckled out as he looked away, "No. He's quite average if you think about it. But, he's abrasive and can be quite rude."

"Sounds like my old partner." Olivia laughed as she crossed her arms.

Kurama looked up to her, curious but not asking questions. Then Amaro laughed with her. "And your current." He gave her a look as he held his hands out as if presenting himself.

Olivia smiled again, looking to him with grace. "Well, you're not him."

Kurama sense old feelings, so he remained quiet.

"He had a worse temper than Markus and Nick combined." She laughed differently while tucking her hair behind her ear.

He looked to her, then Amaro for potential elaboration. He smiled to Kurama and made a face. "They were close." He acknowledged.

Kurama felt surprised Amaro was sharing that with him, but maybe it was an attempt at making peace between them. He looked back to Olivia, wondering if that information was his to share and she just shrugged in acknowledgement. "Yeah." She seemed a bit sad, finally showing a vulnerable side of herself.

She had feelings for her last partner?

Kurama stared at her as he wondered, but let only his thoughts and feelings go that far. He liked her, but he couldn't allow himself to get attached to strangers again. So, he swallowed his own voice.

"So, why is it you're suddenly talking about Yusuke when you were so protective before?" Amaro asked in a way that didn't sound like him.

Kurama felt his eyes shoot up to Amaro's, surprised with the change in his voice. "You know detective… if you used your genuine voice upfront, you may get farther with people in your cases quicker than you realize. Learning more, sooner..." He said without thinking.

Amaro and Olivia both stared in surprise, the frankness clearly not being something they were used to. Kurama looked away and sighed, finally allowing a smile to show. "Forgive me, working with… detectives isn't something I'm used to. Especially ones so skeptical."

Olivia seemed to be enjoying the fact Kurama had said that, as she glanced to Amaro with amusement. "You usually work alone?" She looked back to Kurama halfheartedly, as Amaro sat back in his chair, still taken off guard.

"I had a whole life until I ended up with Koenma." He forced a smile. "And every job I've worked, people know what I do."

"Meaning?" Olivia asked gently.

He glanced to her, then Amaro—smiling now as he realized he'd trapped himself into sharing. "I never thought of it this way before, but my reputation I guess." He made a face, feeling odd saying the words.

"You don't seem to like it."

"I've tried getting away from this for years." He shrugged. "So, being pulled back in with another name has been… different."

"You're only 22…" She frowned in confusion.

He laughed and nodded. "That is true. But we also saw Hiei enter the building through the third floor…" He gave her a look.

"Are you saying you're like him…?"

She was smart and it impressed him. Amaro gave her a look of confusion, then looked to Kurama.

"Are you asking if I can enter buildings through the third floor and fly through rooms like him?" He gave her a judgmental look, hoping she'd forget it and move on.

She didn't hesitate and stayed confident. "No, I asked if you're anything like him." She smiled, not swaying a bit from his attempt to derail the subject.

He swallowed as he stared back into her confident eyes, glancing at sleeping Markus. Knowing the toll it took on the poor man having the knowledge about who he was. It hurt his chest.. "Yes." He looked back to her, now leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees.

Amaro leaned back and rubbed his neck, stress clear as he sighed. Olivia smirked, realizing she got one right finally as she stare at Kurama in curiosity. "So, what's that mean?"

"I—" He frowned, sitting back now as he unplugged. "Can't say." He hated the attitude that his lack of communication gave off. He wasn't being arrogant, but he wasn't able to share more.

She looked to Amaro, and he frowned with a slight shrug. "What about Yusuke?" She asked, noticing the willingness of on that subject.

"He was recruited too. Right before me."

"You're so young…" Amaro repeated quietly.

He laughed, now feeling frustrated. "This was supposed to be about Yusuke."

"Yet, we still have questions about you." Olivia said.

He looked to her, nodding in understanding. "I'm not normal."

"We've heard that." Amaro noted as he looked over to Markus.

"He's right." He barely spoke. "Yusuke is different too—since we are trying to help him, it's probably best we learn about him." He tried changing subjects.

They both looked to each other, thinking probably the same thing. "It might give us some comfort knowing a bit more about you, though, Kurama." She pulled a chair up to finally sit across from them.

He looked to her, feeling guilt strike again. "I understand the request."

"Then, why not share more?"

He frowned. "I take a toll on people." He looked down, then glanced to Markus once more. "He's still processing…"

"Did he recently learn something?" Amaro echoed Olivia's continued questioning. They worked well together…

He sighed as and nodded, "He assumed, but more was confirmed."

"About you?"

"Yes." He frowned.

"What's wrong with you?" Olivia gave him a look.

He blinked. "Wrong?"

She smiled gently. "That's how you keep talking about yourself."

He stared at her, giving her that one as he nodded. "Nothing if you think about it—but, again… I am not like you, Amaro, or Markus. I don't belong." He swallowed as he stared at her. "And when something doesn't belong it interrupts the flow of all that does…" This is what he felt about himself.

"You're acting like you're some sort of alien." She joked in an attempt to lighten the mood.

But Kurama didn't laugh with her, instead he kept a calm expression as he kept his eyes on her. She frowned, looking up to him with curiosity. "Your friend seemed quiet alien like." She continued. "Are you more like him?" She asked the same question, but it had a different meaning to it this time.

"I'm no alien—but, I am more like Hiei than you, yet I'm also the same as you. Yusuke's probably the closest match to what I'd describe myself as." He looked straight to her, making sure his words were clear.

Frowning, Amaro looked quickly to Olivia—obviously feeling uncomfortable again. But she kept her eyes on Kurama as she smiled. "Okay. That give us something to work with… I think." Then, her cellphone rang and both her and Amaro jumped when the sound went off. Kurama smiled, and she laughed as she stood to answer it.

"So, how old is Hiei…?" Amaro spoke quietly as Olivia talked on her phone.

Kurama kept his gaze on the floor, smiling to that—realizing they both were sharp. "I apologize—but, I can't answer that." He barely shifted his eyes up to Amaro, taking in his reaction.

He swallowed as he stared back at Kurama, obviously confused, stressed, and probably had many more questions.

"Food's ready." She looked to her teammate. "Wanna join?"

"Yeah." He stood, then barely smiled and nodded to Kurama.

Kurama stood too. "You don't want help?"

She smiled and waved him off. "No, we need to catch up anyway." He nodded in understanding as they walked out, obviously needing a moment to gather themselves.

He sighed and glanced at the case Botan had brought, then over to Markus who was still sleeping. Of course, Markus was the far more appealing option out of the two, but Kurama was curious to see what could be in those files… the fact Hiei had shown up made him anxious. Should he sneak a peek? He closed his eyes with a sigh—he needed a break too.

So, he turned to walk over to the sleeping detective, allowing his thoughts to rest. "Idiot…" He whispered, smiling openly now that he was alone.

Markus didn't move as he continued to breath deeply in his sleep.

Kurama turned his head as he watched, then leaned over and placed his hands on the arms of his chair. Making sure to keep his weight balanced on the chair once he leaned, not letting it wiggle an inch. Since Markus was so slouched he had to lean down low to get close. He felt his hair begin to slide off his back allowing it to fall onto Markus' shoulder as he now was face to face with him.

'Wake up.' He shot a thought to him, curious if he'd be able to hear.

Almost immediately Markus' eyes opened, but he didn't move. He took a moment to focus, then he eyed Kurama's hair on him before lifting his face to look at who stood over him. His expression was a bit blank, but Kurama could tell he was thinking deeply as he stared.

"You smell nice." He said with a quiet voice.

He smiled, still not wavering from his position "Thank you.".

Markus glanced around, then looked back to him. "I'm assuming they left…?" He barely cringed.

"They offered to get lunch. And, seems they needed a moment."

"Ah. Cool." He rested his head back against the chair as he smiled now, giving all his focus to Kurama. "So what're you doin'?" He raised his eyes brows as he studied Kurama's face, then reached up to grab some of his hair, bringing it to up as he smelled it.

"Having some fun." He smirked.

Markus made a face, "What'd you do to me." He eyed Kurama as he glanced down at himself.

Kurama laughed, "Just woke you up." He stared at him with admiration.

"Uh-huh." He looked suspicious.

He laughed again as he grabbed the chair next to Markus, pulling it over. Now sitting directly in front of him. "You heard me?" He questioned as he leaned back and Markus stared at his hand, lacking red hair.

"Which part?" He grumbled as he attempted to sit up, too tired to try much.

"I asked you to wake up." He found himself actually curious, which was a bit dangerous.

Markus made a face and looked away as he thought, nodding now. "Yeaaaah. That's why I woke up." He squinted, now sitting up straight as he slicked his hair back and rubbed his face.

"I didn't say anything, though." He didn't realize how much he'd enjoy sharing this with another human until now.

"What?" He glared as he leaned in.

Kurama smiled, holding his hand to his mouth. "You know what I am—I didn't speak with my mouth."

"…"

Markus stared at him, fully serious as his eyes became more awake.

"…"

"Huh?" He spoke clearer than his other words, but clearly didn't know what else to say.

Kurama laughed, looking down as he felt a bit bad messing with him. "You heard me." He said with multiple meanings, now smiling kindly to Markus.

It was silent for a moment as Markus stared back at him, then leaned back some as he crossed his arms. "Are you saying… wacko stuff?"

Turning his head to the side, Kurama made a face. "Wacko?"

"You're a demon… but human…"

"Yes."

He shook his head, "I just woke up…" He rubbed his face again. "So, you woke me up without speaking…?" He squinted again, now glaring at Kurama for answers.

Kurama didn't flinch as he stared confidently at the detective, praising him with his eyes—impressed it worked at all. Markus frowned as he sat up all the way. "Bullshit." His eyes were fully awake now, glaring in suspicion at Kurama.

"No bullshit." Kurama crossed his arms, holding back his smile now as he kept a confident look at the man.

"Prove it." He looked offended, but intrigued.

'You heard me…' Kurama spoke to him.

Markus recoiled, glancing around nervously then back to him. Still wearing a stunned expression. "Is that you!?" He seemed a little worked up.

'Yes.'

He stared in awe.

Kurama smiled now, not able to hold it back as he looked to the ground. Should he feel bad?

"How the hell do you do that?" Markus was now speaking loud per usual.

He just gave him a look.

"Okay, what am I thinking of now?"

Kurama frowned, "You don't want that."

"Why?" He challenged.

Looking down, Kurama frowned. "People tend to think of things dearest to them when asking that question." He eyed him now.

Markus hesitated. "What am I thinking of." He decided to ignore his warning.

Kurama kept eye contact with him as he sighed, reading his thoughts one more time—he was done with his silly game. He tilted his head again, intrigued with the thoughts. "Freyja?" He saw images of a beautiful girl, laughing and enjoying herself as she gazed back at him. He heard her real name, but didn't speak it—as he felt the pain behind it.

"How the fuck…" Markus stared in shock. "Are you always reading my thoughts?"

He shook his head. "No, no way." He frowned openly.

"How am I supposed to know that?"

Kurama shrugged. "You said you trusted me." He kept his eyes on him.

"I do." He responded quickly.

"Okay." He felt sadness… Markus' thoughts still lingering around.

Markus stared at him as he thought even deeper. "Can you share something of yours?"

Kurama's eyes widened, never being asked that before. "Why?" He went on the defense automatically.

"Just curious." He frowned as he watched Kurama's body language change.

"I don't… normally do this."

"You've said that a lot to me." He shot back quickly, smiling now.

Kurama felt it was a fair request, he didn't ask Markus for permission to get in his head. Even if he was playing by 'the rules'. "Fine. Ask me a question—you only get one." He raised his eyebrow at him. Nodding, Markus crossed his arms as he leaned back to think. Kurama didn't think he was going to think so hard on it—so, now he felt a bit nervous.

"…Whe—" He swallowed, then turned his head in annoyance. "When were you the most scared, in your entire life." He was nervous as he looked back to him with stress.

Frowning, Kurama felt the thoughts fester. He almost reprimanded him, but he just said he got one question… so he'd give him the answer. He frowned, now wondering the same for Markus. But, he'd never ask that. He'd allow his one question to be answered. So he looked to Markus, focusing on his memories.

"Breathe my fox…"

Gurgling was all he was able to do as the wave from the ocean finally left again. He barely felt relief.

"Good boy." The dark voice spoke over him.

"Uhnn—" Coughing up the water burned, but the blood got in the way of clearing his lungs.

"You are so weak. But you feel sooo good." The voice moaned.

Fear shot through him, feeling the person behind him continue to violate him. Hating his weakness and feeling hands, fingers, mouth… going places he never wanted. Now it took him entirely, inside him, with something else, as it pleased his body but tortured his mind and soul.

"Moan. You can do it… I'd love to hear." He moved over him in a sickening manner.

He knew he had about another 14 second before the next wave hit, so he tried his best to fill his lungs with air as the assault continued, trying not to jerk his voice as his breathing was interrupted.

He didn't show panic as he heard the next wave coming.

"Moan." The person grabbed Kurama's head, shoving him deeper into the wet sand. "I'll get you to scream."

It felt good. But it had just started, and he was scared with what was to come. There were potential hours ahead of them. He took in one more breath as best as he could, now feeling another wave come up again, now more claustrophobic after being shoved into the sand.

The voice was hard to hear as the water filled his ears.

"Yes… Breathe, my sweet fox."

Kurama stopped it there and got angry with himself for sharing too much. It was only a few seconds, but it was far too much. He frowned as he looked up to Markus with worry. Markus was staring at the ground, his eyes wide as his tears glimmered with anger, fear, and sympathy, fists on his lap. A tear dropped down his cheek, and immediately Kurama felt guilty.

"Was that…"

"Yes."

He gasped out, tears falling freely down his cheeks as he stared at Kurama with pure horror. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

Kurama closed his eyes, feeling shame... he shouldn't be doing this.