Obligations

Disclaimer: Don't own characters or series. OOC and some angst. NC17 for later in the story.

He ran as fast as he could trying to lose the battalion they had sent to pursue him. Through corn fields and swamps he never stopped as dawn neared and the cover of night left him.

Yoko Kurama aimed for the bamboo field knowing that it was his last chance to try and break free from their pursuit if he could lose them in the maze of trees. He smiled and ran knowing that soon it would be over. Little did he know that he was absolutely right.

----

“Where is he now?” He was furious. How could this happen? His most precious demon escaped the castle and his guards were now on his heels.

“They have him surrounded. What would you like to do?” Minor Lord Itsuki brought his gaze to his master awaiting his next order.

Lord Karasu looked straight into Itsuki’s eyes ensuring the demon had his full attention. “I want him returned to me unharmed.”

Itsuki smirked and closed his eyes in concentration as he transmitted his thoughts to Majari who waited at the site of the battle.

----

He halted, finding himself completely surrounded and with nowhere to run. Yoko Kurama spun on his heel as he heard the mock laughter coming from his to be captor.

----

First Lieutenant Majari opened his eyes and looked up at his General. “General Sensui, I’ve received word that we’re to capture him undamaged, if at all possible.”

Sensui turned his attention to the demon he had corralled then back to Majari. “How am I to do such thing? He wants to bolt and I will rather take him down than let him get away again.”

----

Without any other warning Yoko Kurama lounged at one of the guards successfully swiping the man’s sword and slitting the guard’s throat. This made all the guards unsheathe their swords and prepare to attack the demon.

----

Sensui tensed at the sound of swords pulled. “This is it. I’m tired of this!” He proceeded to unsheathe his own sword and made his way towards his captive. If anyone was going to take the demon’s life, it would be him.

----

Itsuki grinned as he received the news from Majari and immediately advised Lord Karasu. “My Lord, they are in battle and I’m afraid General Sensui is out of options. Yoko unfortunately attacked and I foresee Sensui making a grave mistake.”

Karasu’s eyes shone blood red as his anger took hold of him. “That stupid, son of a bitch.” He paced knowing that his precious Yoko was about to die. “Tell me, Itsuki, what can I do to save his soul?”

Itsuki closed his eyes and concentrated on capturing Majari’s body on the other side. “Don’t worry, my Lord. I got it under control.”

----

Majari’s eyes turned solid black as his body was possessed by Itsuki. His lips moved silently chanting an ancient spell to ensnare the Yoko.

----

Sensui walked straight to Yoko wanting nothing more than to gut the disgraceful demon.

Yoko Kurama saw as Sensui’s blade was aimed towards him and grinded his teeth knowing that he couldn’t do much about it. Due to his distraction, he received another stab on his leg making him fall on one knee as he continued to battle the guards.

Sensui smirked seeing Yoko so defenseless.

Yoko Kurama looked up at him and growled in disgust. “You will never have me. Neither will your Lord.”

Sensui rolled his eyes at that and exhaled. “Please, save the sap for someone who cares.” He then charged and with no remorse whatsoever, stabbed Yoko through his chest.

Yoko Kurama brought his hand to cover the wound as soon as Sensui pulled the sword back out. He immediately felt faint and weak as the blood was seeping from the fatal wound.

Sensui proceeded to kick Yoko Kurama, making him fall on his back gasping for air.

Yoko Kurama slowly turned his head and looked at Sensui giving him a forced smile. “Now… you will never… ever… have me… and Karasu will… make you pay… for this.”

Sensui smirked and spit on the Yoko’s face. “Shut up and die already.”

----

Itsuki concentrated hard as he searched frantically. He needed to find them now or else it would all be lost.

----

Majari continued his chanting as he walked towards the dying demon. He bent to one knee and placed a hand on Yoko Kurama’s forehead.

The fox immediately recognized what Majari was doing and his eyes went wide with horror. He understood the words being spoken and could tell that it was a binding spell. He grabbed Majari’s wrist and with all the strength he had left Yoko Kurama tried to remove the hand from his body; but it was in vain. His strength started to leave him and he let his arm fall back to the ground knowing that he could do nothing to stop this.

----

The whimpers and moans could be heard throughout the halls. The aura around them became heavy; almost as if an ominous blanket of emotions had been laid over their bodies. This was their destiny. They had been chosen.

He thrust into her as if an invisible force was guiding him. He didn’t know what was happening, but he couldn’t stop. She threw her head back in ecstasy and he grunted knowing that he was very close now.

She then wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a searing kiss. He held her body against his and flipped on his back so that she was now seating and fully riding him. They opened their eyes and stared at one another, not clearly understanding the power behind their intense lovemaking.

----

In the top room of the castle and in the battle field, both demons continued their chanting. Invoking him to come now and submit to their request. The air around Itsuki and Majari felt thick with portentous power and darkness. Lightning hit the sky and mad thunder was heard as they finished the last verse.

----

She threw her head back as he grabbed her hips and thrust into her forcefully. They were both drenched in sweat as their vigorous movements continued in such frenzy it was incomprehensible, but neither could put thought to it now. Not now, that they felt so intertwined and so lost in the passion.

----

As Yoko Kurama took his last breath, the psychics were connected, interlacing their souls as the circle of power was formed. The entity made its appearance and roared as it was captured by the mantra of their chanting. Twisting and turning it tried to escape, but it was of no use as it was caged into a sphere of light.

----

She opened her eyes and let a loud moan escape her as he pushed deep inside her one last time. He shuddered at the force of such act and the intensity of the emotions running through him. She threw her head back as she felt the warmth of his semen inside her and shut her eyes tight. He grabbed her hips and arched his back as a last groan escaped him.

----

The sphere of power containing the entity traveled faster than light finding its target with predetermined precision. It shattered the glass window as it entered their room. Both screams could be heard in agonizing synchronization; such power entering her body and lodging itself within her abdomen sending streams of electricity through their connected bodies.

Then…

Then… there was silence.

She still lay on top of him as both their bodies trembled furiously, gasping for the vital air which had been robbed from their lungs just seconds earlier. She pulled herself up slowly and searched for his eyes. He looked at her and saw the confusion and fear that he could feel within himself as well. Then they turned their gaze to the window which seemed to have exploded; pieces of glass could be seen on the chest and over the floor.

“What happened?” She asked with a trembling voice not really sure of what had just transpired.

“Don’t know… we were asleep… then we were in the middle of… and then….” He turned her face towards him and looked into her eyes. “Are you okay?” He felt a bit relieved as she nodded. He pulled her down onto his chest and took in a deep breath. “It just feels… odd. I don’t know.” They continued to embrace each other, trying to make sense of such an awkward situation.

----

Both Majari and Itsuki tried to regain their breath and their composure. Majari was sitting on his heels as Itsuki bore the same position in the top room of the castle. Their connection was still there and they congratulated each other knowing that the job was done. All that was left to do was wait. In due time, the product of this night would surface and present itself to its master.

----

Both King Yama and Prince Koenma stared at each other. They could both feel it. Something had been displaced somewhere; something obviously powerful enough to make such impression. They nodded and remained silent knowing that they couldn’t ignore such act. Koenma stood and walked towards his main chambers fully intending on finding out what this could mean.

----

Another slashing was heard as his body trembled. He could feel the leather stick to his skin and the trickle of blood flow down his side. Sensui knew that there would be consequences for his actions towards Yoko Kurama.

Karasu stood before him taking him by his chin ensuring that he had Sensui’s full attention. “I knew that you had wanted him for yourself, but I would have never thought you would kill him for his obvious rejection.” A number of power orbs suddenly appeared around them and with a flinch of his eye they all exploded around Sensui leaving numerous deep burns which seeped blood.

Sensui screamed at the top of his lungs feeling his skin burning from Karasu’s attack. The pain was almost unbearable and his knees threatened to give. If not by Karasu’s hold of his chin, he would be limply hanging from his chains.

“You took him from me; therefore, you’ve forfeit your life!” Karasu focused his power and a large ball of fire began to form on his right hand which was intended to destroy his General.

“My Lord… please… I beg of you…” Itsuki took a few steps forward as he knelt and bowed to his master. “I implore you to spare him… I will take full responsibility for him… if you so wish to grant me this request.”

Karasu fisted his hand and the orb of power disintegrated. “Hn…” He paced to the opposite side of the cell, then back to see his most powerful psychic knelt before him. “Just this once, Itsuki, because you have shown me your worth by saving his soul, but don’t you ever ask for any leniency towards this mongrel again.”

Itsuki felt relieved to know that his lover had been spared. He slowly stood and once again bowed to his Lord. “Thank you… my Lord, for your mercy.”

Karasu knew that even though Majari was a very astute telepath and mime, he lacked the power that Itsuki possessed; thus, he felt the need to maintain the psychic’s alliance a consequential must.

He then turned back to Sensui grabbing him by the neck forcefully. “You are as of now stripped from your ranking in my army and will only serve Itsuki. If I’m even bothered by the sight or the smell of you near me, you will not be dealt with clemency nor will you be granted a merciful death. Am I understood?” Karasu waited as Sensui slowly nodded and then he turned his bloodshot eyes to his Minor Lord. The blue haired demon immediately bowed as a sign of acknowledgement. He then turned on his heel and walked out the door.

Itsuki silently walked towards Sensui. Taking a shaky hand, he gently caressed the demon’s bloodied cheek. “I will take care of you, my love.” Itsuki then placed a chaste kiss on Sensui’s lips and stared into his lover’s eyes.

“I’m sorry… Itsuki. I…”

The psychic brought his finger to Sensui’s lips impeding any further speech. “I know, I… forgive you.” He whispered those words even though his heart ached knowing that Sensui had preferred the Yoko over him. But, he couldn’t hold him at all liable, the demon was well known for his gift.

Yoko Kurama was lust and desire in the flesh. His charm did not discriminate between human or demon either it be male nor female. He was a siren that would captivate you with something as simple as a lewd motion of his slender hips. His greatest weapon was the hypnotic power of his golden eyes.

Itsuki grinded his teeth as he undid Sensui’s shackles. He grunted a bit as the bigger demon’s limp form fell upon his shoulders. Itsuki proceeded to guide him to the chamber down the hall where he could properly tend to Sensui’s wounds.

Once in the room, he laid Sensui on the shambled cot and proceeded to collect water and clean cloths. Itsuki knew that there was more to Yoko Kurama than what Karasu led to believe. There was something else he was hiding from everyone and Itsuki could feel it. Why would he go through such troubles to ensure the demon’s survival? Even if it was merely his essence that had been saved the other night, he could tell that the demon meant a lot more to Karasu than he led to believe.

Itsuki placed his hand over Sensui’s forehead and silently chanted invoking his healing power to be transferred to his lover. Once done, he slowly opened his eyes and ran his fingertips over Sensui’s face. Now that the Yoko was temporarily out of their lives, he felt comfort in knowing that Sensui belonged to him and no one else.

----

Koenma exhaled as he stared into her eyes. “We must act now. I’m not completely satisfied with such news.”

Botan nodded and immediately headed for the doors turning as she placed a hand on the gold knob. “Don’t worry, my Prince, I will contact her and relate your instructions. We will be ready when the time comes.”

Koenma nodded and forced a smile. “Thank you, Botan.”

----

Ten years later…

“Wow, that’s very good, Suuichi. You’re a very smart boy.”

Suuichi smiled at the man and then turned the page on his book to where a hand drawing of his mother stared back at him. “Would you like to see the drawing I made for my mother?” Suuichi smiled as the man nodded to him. He stood up from the stool and walked towards him extending his drawing for the man to see.

It was absolutely exquisite. The portrait was a realistic picture of the woman. The blacksmith ran his fingers over the paper as he was just awed by such beautiful work. “You did this, Suuichi?” He let out a sigh as he saw the boy nod. “By all the Gods, it’s…” He couldn’t find the appropriate word to describe it. The man turned his attention back to the boy who was standing about a foot away from him. As he sat on the bench and Suuichi stood before him, he could look the boy straight in the eyes.

“Do you like it?” Suuichi asked curious to know.

The man stared at those lips which had uttered the previous words and he felt something stir within him. He felt a pull and before he could think, he had his hand in Suuichi’s hair mesmerized at how soft the locks were.

“Do you… like it?” Suuichi asked again nervously seeing how the man had developed a sudden interest in his red mane.

Hearing that sweet voice again and seeing those lips ask such question; the man fisted Suuichi’s hair and pulled him mere inches from his face. “Yes, I do like it… a lot.”

Suuichi gasped at such unexpected treatment towards him and felt the tears collect in his eyes. ‘No… not again’. He thought to himself seeing the same picture repeat itself time and time again.

----

Shiori felt the tension in her heart and it startled her. She slowly placed the spoon she was using to stir the stew on the table and walked towards the front room. As she turned the corner, her eyes were wide in horror as once again the nightmare resurfaced.

----

Suuichi gasped for air as he tried to fight this man off of him. He was mortified to be kissed like that by a man; especially, this man, which happened to be his mother’s pretendant.

----

Shiori’s fists clenched as she yelled at the top of her lungs. “Let him GO you bastard!!!” She then stomped into the room and pulled her ten year old son from the grasps of such a fiend.

He was gasping for air and couldn’t really understand why. “Wh… what happened?” Then the feeling of a solid slap to his face brought him back from the lust high he had just been in.

“He’s only a child. By the Gods, what is wrong with you… bastard!!!” She turned around and looked Suuichi in the eyes and her heart broke seeing the sadness in such emerald orbs. She brought her shaking hand to his face and spoke as softly as she could currently muster. “Suuichi, please go to your room. I have to talk to this man in private.”

Suuichi’s lips were trembling and his heart was racing. He saw a single tear fall down his mother’s face. Suuichi brought his hand to his cheek where his mother had previously caressed him. He then nodded and turned walking as fast as he could to his room.

Shiori turned to find a very stunned look on the man’s face and she couldn’t help but slap him again. “You’re a perverted man. Get out of my house!!”

He just couldn’t believe it, but he recognized the tingling sensation on his lips. As he had looked at Suuichi’s red, swollen lips, he felt ashamed to know that he had just fully kissed the boy. “Shiori, please… I don’t know what happened. We were talking and then he… he…”

“He what? He told you to kiss him?!!!” She waited until the man shook his head. “He asked you to kiss him?!!” Once again the man shook his head and brought his hand to his lips. “He… threw himself at you and made you kiss him, then?!”

“Shiori, please…” The man went so far as to kneel before her and took her hands in a gesture of remorse. “I don’t know what happened. Look, look…” He picked up Suuichi’s drawing and showed it to his mother. “…we were looking at this… he asked me if I liked it and then… I don’t know what happened.”

Shiori brought her eyes to meet the man’s trembling ones and then started to sob. “Why did you do this? I thought… I thought we were doing so well.”

The man stood up and held Shiori in his arms. “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry, Shiori. You know I would never do this. I don’t know what happened. It was… it was… his eyes.”

Shiori trembled at hearing those words. “His… eyes?” She had to make sure of what the man had just said.

He pulled from her and held her by the shoulders staring into her eyes. “Yes… yes, I looked into his eyes and… I don’t know what happened… he… there is something wrong with him… he… he hypnotized me or something… gods…” The man turned around and ran his hands through his hair.

After a few minutes of silence, the blacksmith turned around and once again knelt before her. “Shiori, please, please, please… you know I would never do such a thing; especially towards Suuichi. Something happened… I just don’t know what it is… please, believe me, by the Gods’ mercy, please… I love you so much…” He took her hands and brought them to rest on his forehead as he pleaded for her forgiveness of such a damned act towards her child.

“I do…”

He lifted his head and very slowly stood up and looked into her eyes. “You do?” He saw as she slowly nodded while she stared at nothing in particular. Her eyes were full of tears and he kissed her on the forehead and pulled her into his arms. “Shiori, what’s wrong? Please, tell me.”

She pulled herself from his arms and walked towards the padded chair in the room where she sat and continued to stare into space. “It’s not the first time.” She merely whispered.

He walked up to her and sat beside her trying to comfort one another in such a situation. “It’s not?” He saw as she shook her head. “What happened? When…? Please, speak to me, Shiori.”

----

Suuichi ran his hand over his cheeks as the tears kept on falling. He sobbed uncontrollably knowing that once again, he had caused his mother trouble. He hated it; he hated it with every inch of his soul. How people, known to him or otherwise, would seem to be enraptured by his gaze and weird things like these always happened.

He stood up from his cot and opened his chest. Suuichi pulled out his water colors and his spare drawing pad and began to draw. There was an image in his mind that he couldn’t dispel; an image that had come to him when he was being forcefully kissed by the blacksmith. He needed to get it out of there, so he frantically drew it.

----

He was stunned by all that Shiori had told him. “Do you think it’s him, then?” She once again nodded. “Well, maybe now that I know about it, I’ll be careful around him and nothing else will happen.”

She stood and walked towards the window and stared outside. “It won’t work. My husband tried that and it didn’t work.”

He came around her and once again took her into his arms. “Maybe because he was the real father and there are emotions that cannot be dismissed. The man obviously truly loved his son and maybe that was the problem.”

“And you don’t.” She said with a miserable sob.

He held her even tighter and kissed the top of her head. “Not that I don’t or won’t love him, but it’s not the same type of love. His father’s love was strong, unconditional. Suuichi was his blood. Yes, I will have some type of protective nature towards the boy, but it’s not the same. Shiori, we can always try.”

Shiori sobbed again, knowing that he was right. After she had widowed, there had been many men that had offered their comfort and would have wanted to fill those shoes, but it was just not meant to be. She had never told anyone about her feelings or her intuition of what was really the problem. Shiori pulled herself from the embrace and looked into this man’s eyes. “There’s… there’s more to the story.”

He took her hand and guided her back to the chair. Once they were sitting down and facing each other, he looked at her in the eyes and continued. “Shiori, I’ve loved you for so long. I don’t want anything to come between us. Please, tell me about it. I know that I could help you. I feel it, right in here.” He took her hands and placed them on his chest and gave her a forced smile. “Please…”

Shiori nodded and cleared her thoughts. It was going to be difficult, but maybe he was right. She looked into his eyes and decided to bear it all. Everything, since the day Suuichi was conceived.

----

Suuichi stared at it and tried to catch his breath. He had done it. He had drawn the picture of the image that had been burned in the back of his head when he let his emotions take the better of him.

He slowly picked up the drawing and stared at it. “Who are you?” He whispered and brought a hand to his chest when he felt the pressure there. He knew the answer to that question; he could feel it, but he was scared to admit the truth. He felt that there was something in him that didn’t belong, but that it was so much as part of him that if he tried to dispel it, such an effort would be in vain.

Those eyes stared back at him. Those golden eyes that looked deep into his soul. He put the drawing down and traced a finger over the hair; long, flowing hair as white as snow. He shuddered and stood from the floor leaving the drawing on top of the chest. He brought his arms around his midsection in an effort to stop the trembling of his body, but it was of no use.

The tears started falling as the pain in his chest got stronger. “Who are you?!” He wanted to know. He had to know. “Why are you in my head?!!” He brought one hand to his temple and fisted his hair. “Why me… I don’t want this!!!”

Suuichi collapsed on the cot as he continued to weep. He wanted his mother to come and hold him. Tell him that everything was going to be okay. Just then the curtain to his room opened and his mother walked in.

“Suuichi, what’s wrong?” She went to his side and took him into her arms giving him a tight hug. “Sweetheart, what is it? Why are you crying?” Shiori had been startled to hear him scream in such way and immediately came to see what was going on.

Suuichi looked into her eyes trying to convey all of his frustration, anger and fear; all at the same time. “He’s scaring me. I don’t want him in my head.”

She looked at her son and caressed his hair trying hard not to cry. “Suuichi, who… who are you talking about?” Shiori watched as he brought his trembling hand up and pointed at the chest.

Suuichi tensed at the sound of footsteps in his room and then saw as his mother’s pretendant walked up to the chest. He could see how the man was shaking as well.

He slowly picked up the drawing and stared at it in horror. He then brought his attention back to the boy and tried his hardest not to stutter. “Who is this… Suuichi? Why did you draw this?”

Suuichi couldn’t bring his eyes to look at the man. “He… I saw him… in my head… when you… kissed me.”

Hearing the shame in the boy’s voice as he uttered those last two words made his stomach clench. But he could not waste time after being reminded of what he had done to the boy, so the man walked towards Shiori and handed her the drawing. “Shiori, there is something wrong… I saw him too… when I looked into his eyes…” He looked at the trembling boy and felt sorry for his current disposition. “…I saw him… I saw him too.”

Shiori looked at the drawing and brought a hand to her mouth. How could this be? How could all three of them have seen the same image? She closed her eyes and swallowed hard trying to regain her composure. “Suuichi, come here.” She took him into her arms and held him tight. “Everything is going to be okay. We’re going to help you and everything will be fine.” She let the tears continue to fall down her face.

That was the image she had seen on that night when she was with her husband; when she had conceived her son. “I love you, Suuichi.” She had to figure this out. Not just for her, but for her poor son, who seemed to be in the middle of it all.

----

Suuichi looked around trying to figure out which way to go, when he heard it again. ‘Kurama… come to me.’ He walked in the direction the voice had come from and stopped in front of the tall double doors. ‘Come… I’m waiting for you.’ Suuichi pushed the doors open and was amazed to see such beautiful colors. The room was spacious and bright and there was a red carpet leading to the end of the room. As he walked closer, he could see that there was someone sitting at the throne. He felt scared, so he stopped in the middle of the room.

‘Kurama…’

Suuichi started walking towards this person feeling as if something was pulling him there. He stopped mere meters away as the man stood up and strolled down the four steps to the main floor. Suuichi’s heart was racing and he didn’t know why, but it felt good to see this man again.

The man closed the gap between them and then buried his hand in Suuichi’s hair. ‘Kurama… I’m so glad to see you again.’

Suuichi felt as this man pulled him towards his body and brought their lips together in a passionate kiss. He tensed at first but then he brought his arms around the man’s neck and let his body come in contact with the other. ‘Aaahhh… I’ve missed you so much.’ Even though he was still in a lip lock with the man, he could hear the man’s voice in his head.

He moaned into the man’s mouth feeling hands all over his body. The kiss was gentle at first, but it had turned furious and forceful. He felt like there was something inside him trying to come out. His eyes snapped open and he stared into this man’s eyes. At first they had seem violet, but now they were red and glowing.

Suuichi couldn’t breathe, even though his mouth was fully open and he was no longer being kissed. He looked down and saw a blue ray of light coming from inside his mouth into the other’s mouth. Suuichi tensed as the fear took hold of his body. He tried to break free but he couldn’t. He frantically began to gasp for air. That’s when the loud noise started.

He saw as the man brought his hands to cover his ears as a loud shriek escaped his lips. Suuichi felt as if he was being pulled back, but yet he wasn’t moving. ‘Noooo… Kurama, don’t leave!’ Suuichi brought his hand up to try to grasp the hand that was being offered to him, but it was too late. He was too far away and he couldn’t reach it. ‘Soon, Kurama. Soon you will be mine again.’

~ end of dream ~

Suuichi sat up on his cot startled from the nightmare. The banging outside his window became louder and he blinked quickly trying to shed the remnants of sleep.

“Suuichi, breakfast is ready, don’t be late.” He then heard that searing sound as his step father submerged the sword he was currently working on in the water; which sounded just like the noise in his dream. Suuichi brought up a shaky hand to his chest, which was hurting due to the extreme pressure that had built there. He was trying to catch his breath and felt lightheaded.

Glancing back out the window, he saw that he was running late. So, he got up from the cot and quickly dressed. Suuichi had a feeling it was going to be one of those days.

----

“For crying out loud, you’re just pathetic.” Yusuke ran a hand through his hair as he stared at his training partner.

“Not fair. You cheated and you know it, Urameshi.” Kazuma winced as he brought a hand to rub at his sore rump. “And, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I tripped. That’s what happened.”

Yusuke threw his head back and started laughing. “Yeah, right. You know I took you down and don’t want to admit it.” He then turned to the side and hailed his other training partner. “Tell him, Hagiri.”

Hagiri stood in silence staring at the distance. Suddenly, with motions that were faster than the untrained eye, he aimed the darts at the target and smiled. “Sorry, I was not paying attention. I’m afraid I cannot comment.”

Genkai took the cylinder scope and shifted the stone which permitted the distance to seem closer in order to view Hagiri’s accuracy. “Hn...” As always, the apple stood with four visible darts strategically positioned in each quadrant of the fruit.

Yusuke grunted hearing Kazuma laughing at Hagiri’s notorious neutrality towards every single argument. The boy never took sides. “Whatever, laugh all you want. You’re still the one with your ass on the ground.”

Kazuma’s laughter immediately seized taking Yusuke’s point. He rolled his eyes and stood up getting ready for the next bout.

----

It was mid morning and Hiei was glad to have made it to the city. He wanted nothing more than to go to the nearest inn and sleep for a whole day.

“You look tired.”

Hiei glanced at his riding companion. “Just a little. I hate riding and we have been doing so for the last several months.”

Majari looked at Hiei and then smiled. “We’re under orders to find him and we haven’t found him yet. So, we’ll be riding for a little longer. You need to get used to it.”

Hiei ‘hned’ and rolled his eyes at him. He didn’t care much for Majari, but at his Lord’s request, he had agreed for the nag to accompany him.

----

Suuichi winced as he was once again thrown against the wall.

“So, what do you say pretty… you want to be my girl?” The boy mocking him took a handful of his hair and brought it to his lips. He very slowly inhaled the lingering smell of Suuichi’s soap and smiled back at him.

Suuichi grinded his teeth and pushed the boy away. “Get away from me you jerk.” He then turned and started to walk away, but did not get much further as he was cut off by two of Kamiya’s gooneys. “Let me pass!” He just hated when idiots like these bothered him at the academy.

“Now, now pretty. Why so hasty?” Kuro smirked as he extended his hand to try to also caress Suuichi’s hair.

“Don’t you even think about it!” Suuichi slapped the offending hand away and tried to control his anger.

Ura laughed at Suuichi’s actions and started to walk around him looking Suuichi up and down. “My, my, my, are you sure you’re a boy? I sure as hell would love to find out?” Just then, Ura took the opportunity to run his hand over Suuichi’s ass seeing as the boy was distracted by Kuro.

Suuichi immediately turned around horrified at being pawed at, but could do nothing more as he was grasped tightly by his forearms by Kuro. “Let me go!”

“Now, now, take it easy, Suuichi. We just want to play with you.” Ura rubbed at his groin making his insinuation more obvious.

Suuichi paled at such suggestion and tried his best not to tremble in disgust as he knew it was a losing battle against the three of them.

----

Hiei looked up at the sign on the building recognizing the academy. This is where they would look first. As they passed by, they could hear laughs and taunts being called. Hiei narrowed his eyes knowing that there was some obvious trouble brewing. He pulled on the reigns and once the horse halted, he leaped to the ground.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, always trying to be the hero.” Majari mocked him as he dismounted his horse as well and tied them to the side of the building.

Hiei turned to him and stared him down. “Yes, because unlike some people, I don’t take pleasure in other’s misery.”

Majari threw his head back in full laughter. “Do as you wish. After you, my Lieutenant General” He said as he extended his hand signaling Hiei to go before him.

Hiei rolled his eyes once again and exhaled. If he could, he would choke the buffoon.

----

Suuichi was mortified hearing the taunting laughs from the other students that had gathered around them to feed on his humiliation. He looked up at Ura who was doing very naughty things with his tongue and he felt revolted at such acts.

“Boys, boys, calm yourselves. Obviously, our friend here is not into boy-on-boy action.” Ruri stood in front of Suuichi and ran her finger over his lips. “You want me instead, Suuichi?” She then grabbed him by the waist and pulled him towards her as she was grinding her hips over his. “You think you can keep up with me? Huh, do you want to bed me or not?”

Suuichi turned his eyes away from her and stared at the ground. Even though he would have loved to, he had been taught not to hit a girl. So, he just stood there as she ground her intimate parts over his body and mocked him.

“Ruri, get lost!!” Kamiya grabbed her by the arm and not very graciously pulled her away from Suuichi and pushed her onto Kuro; who very gladly received her into his arms. “So, you didn’t answer my question. Do you want to be my girl?” He snaked an arm around Suuichi’s waist and held him there.

“Why are you doing this to me?” Suuichi just wanted to know why in God’s earth he had attracted such unwanted attention from this group.

Kamiya smirked and leaned to whisper into his ear. “I hate instructor pets and you sure are one. You think you know everything and make us look dim-witted. You make a lot of enemies that way, sweetheart.” He then went ahead and ran his tongue over Suuichi’s ear.

Suuichi was so ashamed that all his morals took a back seat as he turned his head and stared into Kamiya’s eyes. “Is that what you want? I didn’t know you had such desires toward other males.”

Kamiya started to laugh at that, but then a flash of golden eyes caught his attention.

“Huh, Kamiya? Is that what you want? To have me under you… for me to let you bed me!?”

Kamiya gasped as he couldn’t tear his eyes away from the redhead. He felt his chest tighten and his stomach turn. To his horror, he could feel his cock twitch as he continued to look at this beautiful boy.

“Well, what are you waiting for? I’m right here!” Suuichi knew what he was doing. And he knew that there was going to be hell to pay. He had never willingly used his ‘gift’ before and he was a bit scared of what could happen.

All of a sudden, he was being kissed furiously. Kamiya had reached for his hair and had pulled him into a serious lip lock. Before he knew it, the boy had thrown him on the floor and started to grind his obvious erection against his thigh. Suuichi frantically turned his head and tried to pry the guy off of him. “Get off me, Gods… please stop…!!!”

All three of them watched in disbelief as their ‘leader’ dry humped Suuichi in public view of everyone; in the middle of the training arena behind the academy.

Ruri took a couple of steps towards the two and kicked her boyfriend on the leg. “What are you doing? Get off him you idiot!!!” She couldn’t believe that this was happening. Her boyfriend was currently sucking on Suuichi’s neck and leaving all kinds of marks. “Arrrgggghhh… get off him I said!!!”

Both Kuro and Ura pulled themselves out of their shocked state and immediately tried to help get Kamiya off the redhead. “Kamiya… Kamiya… what the hell is wrong with you!” Kuro put all his strength into it and finally got him off of Suuichi.

Suuichi was gasping for air as he scrambled backwards a bit before he flipped around onto his hands and knees as he tried to stand up after the assault.

Just then Kuro let his guard down and Kamiya pulled himself from their grasp and headed straight for Suuichi. “He’s mine. Mine!!!”

Kamiya landed on Suuichi’s back and he let out a frantic yell. “Nooooo… get him off me… no, please stop… oh gods… please stop this…!!!” Suuichi could feel Kamiya’s hands on the seam of his trousers as he was trying to pull the garment off of him and panicked. “Kamiya… please… please don’t do this…!”

----

Hiei pushed and shoved until he got through the wall of students that had gathered to witness whatever was going on. He gasped to see an obviously frenzied boy trying to disrobe a screaming girl.

He was revolted at seeing such humiliation and so he pulled the boy up by his trousers and tackled him against the wall of the building. Kamiya tried to push away from this man but found himself pinned and very forcefully held down by a hand over his chin and neck. He watched as a flash of light built on the man’s forehead and before he knew it, he was rendered unconscious. Hiei then turned his attention to the other three. “Get him and your repulsive selves away from my sight before I do the same to you.”

Kuro and Ura immediately picked up their fallen friend and hurried away from there. Hiei then turned to the crowd. “Get lost people. All of you watching and no one helped, so get the hell away or else!” As the multitude of students started to walk away, he knelt by the trembling redhead who was grabbing the back of their trousers with a shaky hand.

Hiei saw how such trousers were hanging precariously low on the girl’s hips just barely covering the cleft of her assets. “Let me help you with that.” He very carefully grabbed the hem of the trousers and pulled them up to cover the redhead’s backside.

He then took notice of the tunic which had been ripped and no longer covered her back. “Can you stand up?” He waited until the redhead nodded. “Let’s go. I have an extra tunic in my saddle bag, which you can have.” Hiei then placed an arm around the girl’s waist and guided her.

“Is there a problem here?”

Hiei brought his gaze up to meet one of the instructors. “No, not anymore. I think it to be very strange that not one of you came to assist when you’re most needed.” He then gave the instructor his best ‘fuck you’ stare down and continued to guide the girl. “Asshole.” Hiei murmured to himself.

Sir Ichigaki had to laugh at that. Of course he didn’t want to break the fight. He had a thing for young boys and was actually hoping to see more of that pale skin. “Are you okay, son? I don’t want your father coming here to start trouble again.”

Hiei opened his eyes wide in shock as he heard the then thought to be a girl being addressed as ‘son’ by the instructor.

“I’m fine.” Suuichi managed to whisper as he wrapped his arms around his midsection.

Majari chuckled and leaned close to Hiei. “Well, well, well, if not for the fact that I saw you, I would have never believed that you were gawking at the boy’s exposed backside. Huh, Hiei.”

Sir Ichigaki smirked and then proceeded to open the back door to the building. “Just bring him inside. I have some salvage and ointment you could use.” The man pulled a bench and motioned for Hiei to deposit the boy there. “Let me take a look at those, Suuichi.”

Suuichi immediately slapped the man’s hands away from him. “I don’t want you to touch me.”

Hiei proceeded to stand in front of the instructor in a very imposing posture. “Since he obviously doesn’t want your assistance, I have no problem tending to him.”

Sir Ichigaki snorted and threw the bandages into Suuichi’s chest. “I better not hear from the blacksmith or you can go get training and work elsewhere.”

Hiei ground his teeth seeing the man’s actions towards the boy, but kept his composure.

Majari just looked at the old man and handed Hiei the tunic he had sent for. “Well, aren’t we hasty today?”

Hiei ‘hned’ at that and then turned to look at Majari. “Please, go check on the horses. I won’t be long.”

“I was just there. They’re fine.”

“Majari… go.”

He exhaled and then turned on his heel. “Fine, lighten up, Hiei. You’re no fun at all.”

----

Hiei watched as Suuichi pulled the tunic on and then turned to look at him. He reached for the boy’s chin noting the scrape and the bit of dried blood there. “Here, let’s take care of that.” He searched through the pouch of herbs and ointments until he found what he was looking for. He then took a piece of the bandage and started to take care of Suuichi’s wound.

“Thank you… for everything.” It was but a mere whisper.

He continued with his current task until Suuichi’s chin was nice and clean. “It’s no problem.”

Suuichi brought his eyes to meet Hiei’s for a mere second and then he looked back down.

Hiei could see the fear in the boy’s beautiful emerald green eyes and decided to continue with the conversation. “What happened, Suuichi? I mean, I know that boy was being a jerk and all, but I’d never seen anyone act like that. He looked… way out of control.”

Suuichi closed his eyes and once again wrapped his arms around his midsection trying to regain some composure. He then exhaled and responded. “He was taunting me and then he attacked me. I don’t know what happened either.”

Hiei nodded and then placed a hand over Suuichi’s shoulder. “I know that you have marks on your back that need tending to. Maybe your mother can be a more appropriate person to take care of those.” Hiei didn’t want to make the boy feel any more uncomfortable than he had to be as some of those marks were precariously low on the boy’s back from having nails raked down his skin during the assault. “Do you need an escort home? Sometimes it helps not to be alone right after something like this happens.”

Suuichi thought about it for a moment and then slowly nodded. “Thanks.”

As they walked quietly, Hiei glanced at Suuichi every now and then. There was something that made him just look at the boy and he didn’t know why. He could definitely sense something in him.