In Too Deep

Ping- My first Yu Yu Hakusho fic! ^_^

Drunky- Ah, fresh meat.

Druggy- Heh. You said 'meat.'

Ping- I fell in love with this anime at first sight, like no other before. There's just something so... indescribable about this show,
it's become my new true love.

Yusuke- Yeah, baby, YEAH!

::Ping glomps::

Ping- I never glomp, so that's really saying something. This has been very, very, VERY fun and also hard. I never expected it to
be 58 pages long, and that's not including this intro!

Drunky- Whoa! I think you lost a bunch of readers, just now...

Ping- I really have no more to say, so read and enjoy! ^_^

Druggy- Compliments will be cherished. Constructive criticism will be deeply considered then rolled. Flames will be pissed
on.

::Yusuke and Drunky write their names::

Yusuke- I think you misspelled yours...

Warnings- Lemon, NCS, Threesome, Language, Angst, Maybe a little OOC

Pairings- KuramaxHieixKurama, KuramaxYusuke, HieixYusuke, KuramaxHieixYusuke (is there any other variation I
missed?)

Disclaimer- I don't think I've ever wanted to own an anime quite so much as this one. That way, I could know what
happens after DVD # 15. Unfortunately, I don't- to either of those statements. And my heart bleeds... I make no money off
this, it's all in fun, no harm is intended, please don't .. D.. Did that sound sincere?

Notes- You know, it's very difficult to write a threesome... Hiei was a little hard to get, uh, involved, and Kurama's
basically just a 'Sexy Yoda' (TM) so I took a few liberties with his personality, making him all the droolable guy he should have
been, had the show centered more around sex, which would be the only improvement I can think of. And I've never actually
heard George being referred to as such, except in fanfics, so I hope I'm not falling into some giant quagmire of misinformation.
As I've said, I'm not an expert on the entire series, I just play one on tv.

Thanks- This fic would never have been possible if not for the support of viewers like you. Nah, screw you, it's all
Suki. Many many thanks and sweaty, naked, hot and horny Hiei's to my most beloved beta-bitch, who deserves absolutely
nothing less than a good Hiei raping.



In Too Deep


The fact that Yusuke had gotten himself into trouble was no surprise at all.

The fact that Yusuke apparently couldn't get himself out of it, was.

How many times now had the leader of the group risked life and limb to save the lives of his teammates and friends? Those
stunts were commonplace with him before he even knew them as friends. So of course, when Koenma fretted and fussed over
the trouble that damn fool boy was causing, it seemed only fair and natural that Kurama volunteer his and Hiei's services to
bring him back in one piece.

Hiei, of course, was absent at the time.

Koenma balked for a moment, thinking it over- wondering whether Yusuke was worth risking two other detectives- before
deciding the idea was so great, it must have been one of his own. Haughtily, he granted Kurama and Hiei permission to find
Yusuke, take care of whatever mess he had undoubtedly left behind, and to bring him back so he could ream his.
s.

Yusuke certainly never lacked in bravery and fighting skill- Kurama had heard on occasion the opinion that Yusuke was all
mouth and balls- but tact was something he was severely lacking, and this wouldn't have been the first time he had likely pissed
someone off to the point of being imprisoned, or poisoned, or jumped or any number of other things that might have happened
to keep Yusuke from reporting back. That idea alone had Kurama worried, just a bit- that he hadn't gotten himself out of it. In
a number of circumstances, Yusuke had faced odds and opponents that would have sent the greatest of demons 'crying for
their mommies,' and come waltzing through the doorway looking like refried Hell, with the biggest smirk and a great story to
tell. He simply had fun getting into trouble.

But the important thing was, he could hold his own once he got into that trouble.

Kurama pondered the possibilities of this case as he left Koenma's palace. Back on earth, he let his feet lead him, not really
paying attention to where he was going, but getting there nonetheless. Finding himself at his front door in no time at all, he
unlocked it and entered, leaving his shoes at the door as he headed to his room. He pushed open the door, a greeting on his
lips.

"I'm back, Hie-"

"Idiot."

Kurama looked down at his friend, who narrowly avoided getting nailedthe the door, the sweet smile on his face quickly fading.
Kurama briefly wondered how he knew just the right distance away to stand. "... So you heard." He shut the door behind him,
even though no one else was home.

"Botan called on the communicator. Said something about 'how great it is that you and Kurama are taking this case. Be sure to
be careful and bring Yusuke back.'" Hiei pitched his voice in mockery of the ferry girl, and Kurama to fight off a giggle at how
well he imitated her. "Case, Kurama? We're supposed to be on vacation." Hiei never skipped a beat, just crossed his arms and
glared up at his redheaded companion, stilling any and all thoughts of interruption. "And for Urameshi? Like that fool can't take
care of himself? Really now, we can't always be cleaning up after him." Some 'great leader' went unspoken.

"I know, I'm sorry. I just... felt we owe it to him." Kurama took off his jacket and threw it on the bed, heading to the bathroom.
In all honesty, despite his doubts on what could have happened to his friend, like Hiei, he couldn't make himself take it too
seriously. He cared for the boy dearly, but sometimes...

And besides, there was really nothing he couldn't handle. Maybe he was just out having fun? The \ dea dear, this is serious' line
worked well with Koenma, but it didn't really fit into the real workings of the world. Ever since he was reborn as a human, he
was a worrier by nature, when it came to his friends- but Yusuke being helpless, waiting for his friends to rescue him just
seemed like a work of pure fiction- it was always the other way around.

"Besides," he threw over his shoulder. "It likely won't take long, once we find him- in and out, and then..." He trailed off
suggestively with a little wink and a sway of his hips as he shut the door.

He could hear a 'hmph' through the wood and chuckled to himself.

Deep down, he knew Hiei wasn't really angry- grudgingly and under physical duress, he might even admit he liked the human,
respected him even. This was only a minor... detour in their well deserved vacation together.

This was one of only a handful of breaks allowed to them, and the first (they were sure of it) that wouldn't be ruined by
unexpected case after case. Kurama smiled to himself as he ran a bath and undressed. This was going to be a great vacation,
and powered by his and Hiei's sheer will and determination, nothing would ruin it.

He had already rinsed off by the time Hiei entered the bathroom. Kurama pretended not to notice him, still sulking in the corner,
as he stood and shook the cool water off his long hair, slowly walking towards the bathtub, careful to put a little extra curve into
his steps. Hiei did not stir. Once at the tub, Kurama slowly sank in, moaning obscenely. In an instant Hiei was there with him,
his smaller naked body pressed firmly against his own.

Kurama smiled and ran his hands through the spiky black strands of his lover's hair, angling his face up to capture his soft lips.
After a few affectionate pecks, Kurama pulled back and rested his head on the back of the tub, Hiei resting his own head on
Kurama's chest.

Hiei closed his eyes as Kurama continued to pet his hair, small sounds trying to break free, but he clamped down on them
fiercely. Kurama loved the sounds he made, but thanks to his altruistic spirit earlier, he'd have to earn that pleasure. He wasn't
angry, just disappointed that his plans were shifted to the back burner for that human. Even still, he could not contain a
sigh at the sensations on his scalp, and the wonderful way he seemed perfectly molded to the crook of Kurama's legs. They
were meant to be this way, they two- together.

But damn if they weren't as opposite as day and night sometimes. Call him selfish- until the incident in the warehouse when
Urameshi managed to defeat him by sheer luck, he hadn't given a damn about anyone but himself. Then, during his recoup time
when he was tried and formally sentenced to work for Koenma as detective along with Kurama, he had managed to learn to
give a damn about someone else- Kurama, of course.

Now he was expected to give up his own wants for the same child that had made a fool of him?

Who had trusted him so openly, with complete confidence and forgiveness. Who had put his life and the life of that worthless
bag of cells and Kurama in his shady hands. Not that he would have let Kurama die anyway, even though back then he hadn't
felt as strongly as he did now. But that trust, and that power, when Hiei realized it wasn't only luck on the spirit
detective's side... During the Saint Beasts debacle, Hiei found himself being unerringly drawn into the warmth that Yusuke
exuded, quite without his knowing it- it wasn't until later when Kurama teased him about how concerned he had been about him
when he was facing Suzaku without any help that he rzed zed how deep under his skin he had allowed him- and how soft he
was getting. The same boy who had offered all of himself in the name of friendship, and asked of nothing in return, except that
he give him just a little bit of notice before he decided to finally extract his revenge and kill him, had started to grow on him like
a quickly spreading fungus.

He wouldn't admit it, but murderous revenge was the farthest from his mind anymore. Now, he would kill anyone who dare
even entertain thoughts of hurting Yusuke. The power of friendship.

So, he would do this task that Kurama set them up to, and in return, he would badger and berate the loudmouth brat o eno end,
never letting him forget what he had sacrificed for him- well, not exactly what he had sacrificed... The kid was a
pervert, but the closest he had ever come to third base was, undoubtedly, drinking from the same cup as Keiko. The mention
of what Hiei and Kurama should be doing would probably cause permanent damage. But it would be good to finally
say, 'Look- this is what you could not do, and what I did.' He could be a cruel son of a bitch, too- he didn't use to be a villain
for the health plan.

Ah, the power of friendship.

Hiei smiled and felt Kurama's body shift beneath him as his lover chuckled, no doubt at him.

"What?" Hiei sluggishly griped, not opening his eyes.

"Oh, just the picture you make. Such a silly grin. You're so cute." Kurama leaned down and kissed him on the top of the head,
earning a growl, though it wasn't really an unhappy sound.

"So when do we leave?" Hiei thought he sounded drugged, even to his own ears, and sat up, opening his eyes and moving his
arms about in the water, trying to wake himself up.

"As soon as we get out of the bath, I suppose."

Kurama reached around Hiei's shoulders, leaning on him as he hugged his body close, chin resting on his shoulder. "But I'm
glad you're coming along with me on this."

"Hn. Like I have a choice..."

Kurama made an unhappy sound. "Of course you do. I could always go alone-"

"Nonsense. I wouldn't send you out on this case alone."

"Aw!" Kurama squeezed tighter, startling Hiei into flailing in the water a bit, splashing water everywhere.

"What are you doing, have you gone mad??" Hiei squawked as he fought to keep his face above the rolling waves of the bath
water.

"Hiei... are you worried about me?" Kurama cooed, easing up his grip a little to grin downhis his flustered lover.

"Hn. More likely worried what Urameshi would do with you alone." A smirk. It was a lie, of course- the boy was oblivious to
anything without breasts, but it got the desired blush he was hoping for.

"You know that's not true, you have nothing to worry about!"

"Hm, on your part or his?" He smirked wider and Kurama blushed deeper. "Really, Kurama, why are you being so defensive? I
was only teasing." Hiei sat up and turned in the loose embrace of Kurama's arms to face him. "Although, I won't say the mental
image does nothing for me."

Kurama slammed his head beneath the surface of the water, his arms flailing like mad, sending water everywhere in great
floods.

"Oh HO, is that right??" Hiei continued to struggle and after a few more moments Kurama allowed him up, though he kept his
hand on his limp spikes. Hiei sputtered for air as Kurama angled his head down, and glared at him. "What, aren't I enough for
you?" He asked darkly.

Hiei finally got his breath back to reply, "Too much, actually."

SPLASH!


**********


Damn. Damn damn damn.

This... was humiliating.

This case was a damn cakewalk for crying out loud! Just a stupid little errand to get him out of Koenma's hair, and
look where his fat mouth had gotten him.

Stupid. Stupid stupid stupid.

'Just haaad to open your mouth... couldn't just let it be, couldn't just walk away. Be the better man... had to start
another fight.'

In all fairness, he hadn't really started the fight- he just didn't help matters any. Koenma sent him out to the middle of
nowhere, in some stinking, hot jungle in the middle of a stinking, hot day, to figure out where the hell this missing ogre
was. Turns out, he wasn't missing at all- it was a mix-up of paperwork back at the palace, though as time went on Yusuke
began to doubt if it was entirely accidental. This seemed like just the sort of thing Koenma would pull- claiming 'it builds
character, now get over it or die mad.' He hatedt ext excuse- builds character... He had character, which was what
got him into this mess.

Turns out those demons he was wandering amongst didn't take kindly to humans. At. All. -and when they found out he
worked for Koenma, no less... well, the hisses and jibes and profanities flew left and right, and then some dumbfuck
had the nerve to throw something at his retreating back. He had walked among their smelly numbers all day, taking their crap
and gritting his teeth, keeping his pride in check before he broke a few bulbous noses or blackened a couple of yellow slitted
eyes, all so they could pull a dirty stunt like that just as he was leaving.

'You want a piece of me, come and get it!'

He didn't start the fight- by god, he finished it.

Well, he would have if another blow from left field hadn't caught him completely off guard. He had no one to blame but himself,
really. He was so cocky- those creeps were pushovers. He never once thought there might be something else around that could
pack a punch like that- that is, one with spirit energy behind it. A lot of spirit energy.

And so, when he woke up with a splitting headache in a damp, dark place with his arms bound behind his back and completely
devoid of any energy whatsoever, he had nothing to do but berate himself.

Stupid stupid stupid.

... and wait.

How humiliating.

He always had everything under control.

'Bullshit.'

He almost always had everything under control.

No matter what, things always turned out for the best. Was Lady Luck finally turning her back on him? Was he losing his
touch? Was he giving himself too much credit all along?

No. It was like a singularity- a single point where the entire universe collapses in on itself, turning up down and down up.
Wouldn't Keiko soil her panties if she found out he actually had an intelligent thought? But this, this did. not. happen. to
Yusuke Urameshi, Spirit Detective, Number One Punk of Sarayashiki Junior High, Badass Motherfucker.

A door squealed in protest on it's hinges and the pounding in Yusuke's skull increased. It didn't help that blinding light leaked
into the room, the first light he had seen in hours. He clamped his eyes shut as tight as he could and gritted his teeth, somehow
sure that any remark he could make would only make matters worse. Damn Keiko for rubbing good sense off on him- he had a
hell of a lot of things he wanted to say...

"This him?"

"Oh, yes..."

"Hmm."

"Yes, yes."

"It's a deal then?"

"Absolutely." A snap of fingers. "See that this man is properly taken care of."

"Yes sir."

"Good eye, you got there..."

"Pleasure doing business with you."

Retreating footsteps.

Approaching footsteps.

"Shall we?"

Yusuke opened his eyes and everything went black.


**********


Hiei growled, bobbing his head every now and then, trying to get the water out of his ears. Kurama looked over his shoulder at
him and tsked, shaking his head.

"It's your own faul-"

"Shut up." Shake, shake. "Are we there yet? Just how far did that idiot get?"

Kurama pushed another tree branch out his his path, holding it out of the way as he allowed Hiei past, trying not to chuckle
when he passed well beneath it's reach, before releasing it. "We must be close, so stop complaining." His silver eyes danced
mischievously down at him. "We'll be home in no time."

A high pitched beeping from the folds of Kurama's robe brought both demons' attentions to the compact. Kurama brought it
out and opened it, and after a moment of white noise and static Botan's face appeared.

"Hello, boys! Having any luck yet?"

"No, we haven't found anything yet. There was a small settlement a few miles back. Some demons there spoke about a human
they had encountered earlier."

"Do you think it could have been Yusuke?" Botan looked hopeful for a moment.

One of Kurama's white eyebrow's took a leap toward his hairline. "They were boasting about beating him to a pulp and
devouring his screaming, tortured soul."

"Guess it's not the most reliable source..." Botan sweatdropped. "But, it's a good place to start, I suppose."

"Indeed." Hiei grumbled from ahead of Kurama, sounding entirely imposed upon. He scanned the lush plant life, ignoring any
looks from Kurama.

"Well, in any case, you boys be careful. If I'm not mistaken, you're in the territory of some very dangerous demons." Botan
continued, taking a moment to look down at some papers she held in her hands.

"Now that sounds like a good place to start." Hiei crossed his arms and turned to face Kurama, who nodded.

"What sort of dangerous demons?" Kurama inquired, getting a tingling feeling in his belly that told them they were getting
close.

"Drug dealers and the sort."

Hiei and Kurama exchanged identical looks of puzzlement. "Drug dealers?" They asked in unison.

Botan nodded. "Yes, well, it's so popular in the human world, surely you don't think it would have no affect here? Anything that
makes humans bad will make demons even worse. It's an easy way to amass great power through money and manipulation of
those that are weaker than you."

"Sounds like I was in the wrong business." Hiei murmured, earning a kick to the shin from Kurama.

"Well, it's fairly new. I suppose it's hard to find something that demons could want but not easily obtain. They also have some
other dirty business dealings, but the details are shaky- as I said, it's new and these are very dangerous demons. It's not easy to
get information about this. But one thing we do know, is that there's a headquarters not far from where you are. It's a big
mansion, so it should be easy enough for you to avoid."

"I don't know... I think we should check it out."

Hiei shot Kurama a hot look.

"No, this is the sort of thing for detectives with... well, more... backup?" Botan squeaked, obviously uncomfortable with telling
them they didn't have enough experience. "It's the only reason they're here at all- too small for Emperor Yama to trouble with
himself, but a bit too much to handle for Lord Koenma, at the moment... But surely Yusuke wouldn't be there!" She laughed
nervously. "I mean, that's much too far out of the way from where he was supposed to go!"

Hiei sidled up to look at Botan with that look.

Kurama looked over at Hiei. "I think we have a lead."

After calming Botan down enough to convince her they would be very careful, and only check things out, Kurama put the
communicator back in his robes and they continued walking.

"You don't suppose Urameshi got himself in that deep, do you? What dealings could he possibly have with drug
dealers? I mean, I can't imagine even him thinking he could accomplish anything by starting a fight like that without any
help at all. Then again, maybe I'm giving him too much credit..."

"I hate to say it, but it makes sense. We all know how headstrong Yusuke can be- he doesn't plan ahead very well. I just hope
something bad hasn't happened to him. He may have thoroughly pummeled all his opponents in the past, but if these guys are
tough enough to make Koenma turn a blind eye..."

Hiei nodded. "He's in serious trouble."

Kurama nodded. "I'm afraid so." They walked on in silence as night went into full bloom, before a grin broke out on Kurama's
face, quickly turning to chuckles. Hiei looked up at him as if he were mad. Kurama waved his concern off. "Don't mind me. I
was just picturing Yusuke surrounded by drug lords... in a pinstripe suit with a tommy gun, smoking a cigar." He started
laughing a little bit louder, completely enjoying the mental image that soon had Hiei silently shaking in mirth as well.

"A little old-fashioned imagery, but very effective nonetheless- he could have easily been a gangster in a previous life."

The chuckles eventually died down, the silence returning.

"So..." Hiei interrupted the sounds of night creatures and insects. "Do you think this is a real concern? Do you think we'll have
to do some infiltration?"

Kurama sighed and shook his head. "I certainly hope not. But then the only alternatives are that... we're too late, or that he's not
there. In which case, where is he? We might be too late either way." Suddenly, his high hopes for this mission felt a little less
realistic, and guilt began to eat at him for not taking this entirely seriously the entire time.

Hiei watched Kurama's somber face from the corner of his eye. "Not a chance."

"Hm?" Kurama looked down at his companion who was, oddly enough, smiling.

"Urameshi's too damn stubborn to die. He's alive and well, causing a lot of trouble for somebody. I just know it."

Kurama returned the smile, feeling his spirits lift. If Hiei was confident in Yusuke's condition, so was he. He was just about to
speak again when he was cut off by a grunt, as a large demon fell into step beside him. Hiei swiftly placed his hand on the hilt of
his sword, but Kurama motioned for him to wait, as the demon made no move to attack. It seemed almost... amiable, the way
the three walked together in silence.

"I love dees 'tings."

"Hm? Beg your pardon?" Kurama and Hiei watched the gravel skinned demon closely.

"I sed I love dees 'tings. Dey don't doo 'em ofden 'nuff. Ya know? Id's a nice break." Nodding, as if affirming a question no one
had asked, the giant lumbered ahead, pushing a large bush down and out of the way, revealing a large mansion beyond the next
tree line.

"Funny, I don't remember seeing that when we were higher up..." Hiei commented as they followed. When they entered the
next clearing, they saw a great multitude of demons converging upon the ebony gates of the estate. For the most part, they
looked very clean and well groomed, and very excited about something. It did not settle well with Kurama, but with a shared
look the two blended into the crowd as the gates were opened and they were admitted.

"What'chu lookin' for?"

"Ah, a young female. I'm pretty open."

"Gotta replace your old one already? That last one didn't last long."

"Never do, but she lasted long enough!"

The two demons behind them burst out into guffaws, and Hiei and Kurama exchanged looks again.

Once the mob got past the gate, it started to spread out along the spacious grounds. More demons in black suits stood at either
side of several large doors, ushering the new arrivals in. Kurama and Hiei ducked to the side as soon as they were in, hiding in
a dark corner beside a set of enormous purple velvet drapes. Once they were sure they had aroused no suspicion, they began
to take in their surroundings.

"How are we ever supposed to find anything in this mess?" Hiei complained, his eyes sweeping from the spiral
staircase to the glass chandelier to the Roman-style pillars that lined a hallway leading to some sort of banquet room, where the
load roar of more demons issued forth. Whatever business this demon was in, it certainly was more lucrative than any other
business Hiei had ever known of.

"Well, I think it's safe to assume the main event is in there." Kurama pointed to the room with his chin. All that could be seen
was bright light, red walls and demons pouring into it like a lifeboat on the Titanic. "What do you suppose all this is
about?"

A thoughtful frown marred Hiei's face momentarily. "Judging by the conversation behind us earlier, I'd say slave trading."

"Oh wonderful." Kurama muttered. "Do you think Yusuke is here?"

"Sure. But as a buyer or as a slave, I wonder." Hiei pushed himself away from the wall and the two made their way back into
the main stream. "Though I don't suppose he'd be quick witted enough to try and 'blend in with the crowd,' do you?"

Kurama made a noncommittal shrug. "Here goes nothing... I'm sure he's-"

They entered the hall and stopped dead.

"- fine?"

The rows and seats and balconies filled to the brim with hooting and hollering demons seemed to fade away as the entire world
narrowed down to focus on one small point in the center of the room.

Yusuke.

Naked.

Hard.

Kurama and Hiei could almost hear their jaws hit the floor. They recouped when they were shoved out of the way with a few
glares and rude words. They navigated their way to the side, out of the way of traffic, eyes never once leaving the detective in
the middle of the room, with his hands tied above his head, forced onto his knees. His dark skin shone with sweat, his hair still
stubbornly spiked back, a few strands fallen over a white blindfold. A gag like the blindfold and a black leather strap tied
around the base of his shamefully erect penis and around his scrotum was all he was wearing.

A long, thin tongue, dripping saliva, ran from one thigh up to a nipple, and Yusuke shivered, turning his head to the side- the
only movement allowed to him. A clawed hand then traced the defined muscles of his belly, down to stroke his penis, another
grabbing hold of his chin, so that disgusting tongue could trace along the line of his neck, up to his temple.

"It's funny, isn't it?"

Kurama tore his eyes away from the sight with a guilty blush, his jaw snapping shut.

"Humans, I mean." Beside him stood an apparently very wealthy demon that could easily pass for a human. He sighed and
shook his head, looking at Yusuke as he struggled. "Everything about him screams defiance, and yet... yet his body betrays him,
begging for more. I just think it's funny how weak human bodies are. I guess it's my cross to bear- that I should be so interested
in such disgusting creatures."

Beside him, Kurama heard Hiei growl.

"Although, I must say I have seen worse than this one, though females are generally more acceptable..."

"And where, exactly, did you get him?"

Kurama winced at the harsh, biting tone with which Hiei was dealing with this man- if he was correct, he was the ringmaster of
this sick circus.

"Oh, a friend. See, we have trap doors here and there that the higher-ups are completely clueless about. Every now and then,
when the little king has his back turned, I send out a few men to Earth, to bring back something good. Humans, despite it all,
are worth a great deal in certain circles. But it's difficult. This one just happened to wander here! What luck!" He slapped
Kurama on the back and started toward the platform. Thinking again, he turned back and took one long appraising look at
Kurama. "Would you care to join me..."

Hiei growled and put his hand on the hilt of his sword again, but stopped when Kurama stepped in front of him.

"Kurama." He answered seductively, shocking the hell out of Hiei. "And yes, I'd love to."

The demon smiled and extended his arm, which Kurama demurely accepted. He looked over his shoulder at Hiei, motioning for
his disgruntled partner to follow.

'I know what you're playing at, Kurama, and I don't like it...' Hiei growled to himself and followed at a sedate pace.

By the time Hiei caught up, Kurama and the 'host' were deep in conversation.

"... and that's another thing that's so funny- to me, at least. Like, take for instance, this." With some small amount of disdain, he
reached a hand out and wiped sweat off Yusuke's shoulder, lingering on the hot skin for a moment, though it looked as if it
pained him to do so. Yusuke, again, struggled to pull away from the embrace, but sagged in his bindings as all others touching
him removed themselves completely, offering him a moment of peace. He immediately tensed up, waiting for the next
violation.

Bringing the hand to his face, the host snuffled the moisture, closing his eyes as he did so.

It was enough to make Hiei hurl.

"That smell... humans, as a rule, smell awful- they have no real sense of smell, so they have no idea that their idea of 'clean' is so
incredibly... ineffectual. But this, the smell of fear, now that's completely different. It ignites something in me..." He
trailed off, his eyes burning holes in Yusuke.

He tried not to, but Hiei couldn't help but look at the helpless boy. He wanted nothing more than to cut his friend down, but he
knew it would be suicide. He tried to think, but his plans for escape fled his mind entirely, completely lost in shock as Kurama
took Yusuke's chin in his hand and turned his head sharply to one side, sniffing along his taught neck. Hiei could see Yusuke
trying to swallow, his body quivering, and he felt suddenly furious at everyone in the room- including his lover, his pathetic
friend trussed up on display, and himself- for not being able to do a damn thing about it.

"Hm, you're right, Notaru, it's a wonderful smell. Spicy, almost..." Kurama's voice was low and deep, barely recognizable as
his own.

"Yes, I suppose you can sense even more than I-" Suddenly cut off by a a servant whispering in his ear, Notaru nodded and
brushed the smaller demon away. "You'll have to forgive me, my pet, but I have matters to which I must attend." With a slight
bow, he turned and left.

Hiei stared horrible fiery death at his retreating back, before turning to see Kurama still holding Yusuke's face in his hand. His
eyes widened in shock when he saw where the other hand was.

Kurama felt his blood singing. His entire body tingled as he ogled the half hanging human. Such a succulent feast of flesh...
Normally humans weren't in his taste, opting instead for slightly more feminine, curvy demons- wings were something of a fetish
of his. But still, it was soft and tender to the touch, and trembled so deliciously. His ears twitched as he caught a small whimper,
and on impulse, he grasped the bobbing cock jutting from between shaking, muscular thighs, squeezing forcefully. His pale eyes
were half lidded as he ran the tip of his nose along the soft pad of baby fat along his cheeks. So young- he could smell the
ripeness of him, pooling out of every pore and beading on his sunkissed flesh. He squeezed again and heard two cries of
distress, one muffled behind white cloth, the other by thinned lips.

A firm hand gripped his wrist in a painful hold, and Kurama finally focused on the owner after his hand was wrenched away
from the shaft of flesh. Looking up with angry, predatory eyes, Kurama was about to bare his teeth when he suddenly realized
what he was doing.

Blinking several times, he looked at his unrestrained hand and released Yusuke's face as if it had burned him. He flushed with
shame and looked down to the floor, breaking out in a cold sweat.

"I... I-I don't know what came over me... I just." He gulped and looked at Hiei, whose gaze softened slightly as he released his
arm. "I found myself suddenly... not myself..." He swallowed again and held a hand over his mouth.

Sensing the situation was verging on critical, Hiei pulled Kurama away to another unoccupied corner. "Kurama, listen to me."
He shook his lover by the shoulder, snapping him back to reality. "Listen, we have to come up with a plan. We've found
Urameshi, now we have to get him out of here in one piece."

'Come on, Kurama, I need you now. We both do.'

Kurama finally nodded, a look of resolve covering his face. "Right-"

He was cut off as Notaru began speaking from dead center of the room, at the top of a balcony. The roar of the room died
down, but not before Hiei and Kurama could hear what was said. As soon as it was quiet, the room erupted again in shouts of
numbers, leaving the two confused for the barest of moments.

"Uh oh. I think bidding has just begun. What are we going to do?" Kurama leaned down to place his mouth next to Hiei's ear
just to make sure he could hear him over the noise.

"I don't know, I was hoping you had an idea."

Both detectives looked in Yusuke's direction. Hiei scowled again and Kurama looked miserable.

"We could just grab him and run."

"Kurama, have you completely lost it? Do you not see what we're up against here? Even if you and I could defeat all these
demons, the chances of us doing it without Urameshi getting killed, not to mention us being in any condition to get him out of
here, are practically nonexistent!" Hiei whispered heatedly into his ear.

"Well, Hiei, I don't happen to have my wallet with me!!" Kurama hissed back. After looking around in a slight
panic for a moment, Kurama froze, then started hopping on the balls of his feet- a little sign that let Hiei knew he had thought of
something, before mirroring his thoughts with words. "I've thought of something."

"Let's hear it." Hiei sighed, wishing this night was over and done with.

"Alright, it looks like all the rich guys are up in the balcony with our gracious host. Since he already has something of a
rapport with me, I'll go up there, and with any luck, one of them will win the auction." He looked as though the sentence left a
bad taste in his mouth- neither ever imagined a scenario where one of their friends would be sold like a piece of meat. Judging
by the look of some of the bidders, meat was exactly all he was. Kurama shuddered. "If one does, I'll find a way to...
persuade them to let me come along. Then, when we're alone, I'll free him."

"Great plan, but what if no one up there wins?"

"That's where you come in." Kurama was getting excited now. This had to work. His excitement was rubbing off on
Hiei, though he tried his best to hide it.

It had been so long since he'd been in a real fight.

"Right. Jump him before he gets to his car." Hiei winked.

"You've been watching too much tv." Kurama smiled and with a nod, he left to find the stairway to the balcony. Hiei watched
him go before turning his attention to the auctioneer, the balcony, the bidders- anything but Yusuke.

As the price got higher and higher, there were fewer and fewer bidders, allowing Hiei the opportunity to size each one up,
discerning their apparent strengths and weaknesses, should one prove to outbid the men in the balcony.

'Hope you enjoy your little party, Notaru- it's going to be your last.'

Hiei was certain that when they got out of this mess, he and Koenma were going to have a nice little chat about certain dealings
being allowed in the Spirit Realm.


**********


It took a little bit of lip service to make it past the guards at the base of the stairs, but he eventually convinced them he was very
close to their boss and was allowed through. Once he made it up the spiral and through the heavy purple curtains, he stepped in
between two more wealthy looking demons, less human in appearance than Notaru. Not that it mattered, they were all the
scum of existence. Over the edge of the balcony, he could make out the tiny form of Yusuke, stretched before all eyes, and felt
a swell of determination- and pride. Despite it all, Yusuke was still struggling.

The sound was less deafening up there, allowing Kurama a little more ease to fully run through the plan- and feel the full impact
of what he had done earlier. He must not allow himself to lose control like that again. The youko was a merciless lech, when he
wanted to be, but Shuuichi was human- he knew better, had more sensibilities, and what he was feeling earlier was just as bad
as what everyone else was feeling. Somehow, he knew he had to make it up to his friend, even if he didn't know it was him
violating him. Manners and trust dictated him to tell him, though, at some point.

He could tell the bidding was dying down, both in speed and in volume, it getting a little too rich for many demons' blood. It had
all but stopped between a large monster of a demon, who looked as though he'd likely swallow Yusuke whole before he even
left the building, and a much smaller, cloaked figure. Kurama, thinking his plan had failed, was silently ushering the little guy on-
not that he doubted Hiei's ability to match the other, but more out of a fear of lack of opportunity.

During his little chat with Notaru, Kurama had learned that there were about fifteen humans there that night, up for auction as
labor, recreation, exotic pets, or spare parts. Apparently, certain pieces of certain specimens were considered a delicacy to
some. Kurama shuddered. The other fourteen humans were also a concern, but their main one was Yusuke. Kurama knew that
Hiei would just as soon leave once Yusuke was rescued, but Kurama knew Yusuke would be displeased with that- everyone
else before himself, and all- and figured finding a way to end this sick game was a good way to pay him back for his trespass.
The later comment by Notaru that these 'meets' were only held once every few months made him furious- Notaru also
said this had been the means of his amassed wealth, along with a few drugs from the human world that also had an interesting
affect on most demons.

And judging by the scale of this amassed wealth, this had been going on for far too many years.

Koenma was fairly impartial to most humans, but Kurama decided to give him the benefit of the doubt for now, figuring he must
merely be completely ignorant. Until they had a talk when he got back and he could find out the answer to that for sure, he
wouldn't make any designs on endangering his diminutive employer.

The silence below drew his attention, as the volley of bids halted.

"Ichiiiii!"

...

"Niiiiii!"

...

"S-"

"Thirty million."

Kurama narrowed his eyes. So, his plan would work after all. A large pink blob of demon in an ecru suit to his right lowered his
thick, bejeweled finger, all eyes on him as he smirked with thick, lizard-like lips.

The auctioneer, who was standing on a suspended platform overlooking the entire arena blinked, waiting for more, looking at
the cloaked figure, who was now losing.

"Ichi!"

...

"Ni!"

...

"San! SOLD!"

The room erupted once more with shouts and groans, but the announcer with the microphone tried to keep a riot from breaking
out, informing them all of refreshments in the parlor. Mostly appeased, the crowd decided not to revolt, though many glared
angrily at the human, the cloaked demon and the monster who drove the prices so high- but not daring to glare at
anybody in the balcony.

Slipping a coy look on his face, Kurama inched forward and ran his long fingers idly over the bald, bumpy head of the evening's
winner. The man looked up with a bored expression, before it softened to something more appreciative.

"Yes, may I help you?"

Kurama felt greasy just from the bastard looking at him, but he smiled saccharine sweet anyway, wetting his dry lips in a more
seductive manner than necessary. "Oh, not really. Just enjoying the company." Another seductive curve of his lips, and the man
was hooked.

A ham hand reached around and grasped Kurama by his tail, and after only a gentle urging Kurama seated himself onto the
man's ample, fleshy lap, smiling all the while like it was a great honor.

He could puke.

But that wouldn't be very productive, so he adjusted himself suggestively, turning his attention down below as servants began
the unenviable task of removing Yusuke. Really, the boy just never gave up- completely spent, he still fought to the bitter end,
resulting in a few bloody noses, several stumbles, and another swell of pride and deviation in Kurama's chest.

This was why Yusuke was the leader. This was why he would follow him to the end of the world and back.

Kurama tried to turn that affection onto his target, passing it off as his own. Apparently it worked, and Kurama cheered himself
on.

'We'll be home in no time!'


**********

(This isn't supposed to be in two parts, but it's so honkin' big that I can't get it all to load. ^^* Each time I reuploaded it I got a little more and a little more, but after the 4th try nothing else was taking, so I've split it up, hopefully in a decent place. Thanks for pointing this out to me! I would have never known...)