Hiei's Harem - Pt. 3 - Returning

Okay. Here we go with the next installment of my series. Now, in this one we will learn why I placed the BEAST warning on this story from the beginning. I planned on going straight through and making it one whole story, but the more I thought about it, and knowing the size of it on paper, I think segments like these are better. I just hope I don't lose anyone in the shuffle. Just remember, the warnings are not on this story just for show, kiddies. :o)

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Scene 1 ------------------ Two Days Later


* After returning briefly to Alaric, Hiei is now on his way back to his canyon. He's already vented his anger on a couple small bands of lowclass demons as he travels. But the biggest battle has resumed in his mind. Should he return? Should he just stay away? Is he doing them any good continuing the 'farce' of letting them believe that they are going to be swarming with his children? Will they be? Is it possible that he was lied to by all those owners of his own past? It is nearly dark when the apparition finally comes to a staggering stop on a high branch of a tall tree. For a couple moments, he closes his true eyes and opens his jagan. It glows softly behind the ward as he allows it to settle his raging thoughts. Soon enough, the fog begins to clear and the desire that he must return to his obligations in the ravine is renewed. He is about to leap away in the right direction once more when the jagan suddenly glows brighter. Hiei follows its directing pull until he notices a small village not too far away. For a couple moments he stares at its lowly wooden gate wondering if he should take out this small, obviously destitute village to further assuage his anger. He glances down at his warded right arm. Why? Why should he still be so upset? Didn't they both react as he always knew they would? Yukina to the revelation of him being her brother? Mukuro upon hearing him inform her of denouncing her 'special status'? No. Both reacted as he always knew they would. Why should he have been the slightest bit upset? He never needed a family. He never needed 'status'. Why should it bother him? Then the next thought brings him out of the dirge of anger he was slipping back into. He has someplace to go now. Others that are depending on him for.. everything. Slowly Hiei takes in a deep breath. Is this what Sarista meant when she said that he was 'maturing' into his new position? But how will they react when they learn the 'truth' about him, as he knows it? Hiei shakes his head a bit to free himself from going back down that thought-path. He is about to continue on his way when he feels the jagan flare again and draw his attention back toward that village. After all these years, his trust of the third eye has grown to the point of never questioning its alerts or intuitions. There is something inside that village. Something that he needs. With a mental shrug, the Koorime decides to investigate. If nothing else, perhaps there's an inn where he can rest for the night. Not that he has any fears of travelling through Demon World at night. With a grunt of agreeance at that thought, he leaps down to the ground and goes through the descrepit gate. He moves calmly down the main road, scanning with all three eyes as he goes. There's nothing special about this place. It looks as ordinary as every other village in Mukuro's wretched Territory. Poor, underdeveloped, mostly vacated. But then he comes to an intersection and sounds finally reach his ears. He turns down the road to his left and follows the sounds of excitement to a large building that looks like a Human World warehouse. He suppresses a brief memory of an event that occurred inside one of these buildings in Human World a few years ago. As soon as he enters, he realizes what he's walked in on. He growls, unnoticed, at the crowd that's gathered and starts to turn to leave. But another prompt from the jagan makes him turn back around. On a raised platform at the front of the large room a demon hits a gong as another makes a proclamation.


Auctioneer- Sold to Hasoshuri!


* The small group of young, chained demons are ushered off the platform toward an older, scruffy-looking demon that hurries up to the platform. A large bag of coins is tossed toward the auctioneer, a Weasel demon, then the demon turns toward the darkened side of the platform.


Auctioneer- Bring out the next one!


* A not-overly handsome, scantily-clad demon wearing a hood is shoved up onto the platform. The Weasel takes the chain lead and yanks him over to the center of the stage then yanks off the hood. The weasel's shoulders slump as he groans, but Hiei's eyes fasten on the slave. The large male is obviously of Hyena heritage.


Auctioneer- Not you, again.


* Hiei feels his jagan tingle as he sets his eyes on the chained demon. The auctioneer shakes his head and turns toward the crowd.


Auctioneer- Next up is this Hyena mutt.. Will somebody just give me an offer?


* Hiei glances around as he listens to several grumbles concerning the repeated returns on this particular slave. But nobody makes any offers. The auctioneer starts to beg again but someone in the crowd cuts him off.


Demon In Crowd- Just take the b------ home and eat him, Hanobi!


* Hiei scowls as the crcowd erupts with laughter. He watches the young demon lower his eyes. The Koorime tilts his head as he continues studying the large male's features 'Why does he look so familiar'?


Hanobi- Oh, come on! We all know how nasty Hyena meat tastes! But this mutt has a lot of.. other talents.. H---, I trained him myself!


* Hiei's eyes widen when it hits him. This demon is an older-looking version of D'Garo. As soon as he comes to this conclusion his feet begin to move. He makes his way through the crowd as the Weasel continues trying to sell him. Hiei reaches the platform and looks up at the Weasel demon.


Hiei- Tell me more about his background!


* When the auctioneer looks down at the speaker he recognizes Hiei immediately.


Hanobi- Lord Hiei?!


* Hiei leaps up onto the edge of the stage.


Hiei- Hn.. I want to know more about him.

Hanobi- He's a Hyena hybrid.. He's been sold and returned here a half a dozen times because he has the nasty Hyena attitude.


* Hanobi turns and bops the slave on the head with his staff.


Hiei- Well, if I were trained by the likes of you I would have a nasty attitude, as well.


* Hanobi turns back toward Hiei with narrowed eyes. The slave grunts his amusement until Hanobi strikes him across his wide, muscled chest with the staff.


Hanobi- Are you interested in buying him or are you just here to..?

Hiei- Will you allow me to scan his mind?


* The slave glances at Hiei curiously, but the Weasel rubs his chin a moment. Then he bows and motions toward the Hyena.


Hanobi- You, M'Lord, may do anything you wish with the mutt.


* Hiei moves closer to the large, chained male and pushes the bandana up away from his jagan. The slave growls quietly, but takes a step backward.


Hiei- Relax and this won't hurt, boy.. Fight it and you will have a nasty headache for a couple days.


* Hiei is relieved somewhat when the slave obeys. It doesn't take the jaganshi long to learn what he needs to know. Hiei thinks as he pulls the bandana back down into place. The slave blinks then looks down at Hiei puzzled. Why would this short stranger draw such old information from his mind, 'It's been years since I last thought of my Mother'. Hiei half glances back up at the large demon, then he turns as if he's going to leave the stage.


Hanobi- You know, the boy's.. condition would make him a perfect servant for Lord Mukuro.


* Hiei stops and looks back up at Hanobi.


Hiei- Condition?

Hanobi- He's a gelding.. Able to please without the risk, if you know what I..

Hiei- I'll only make you one offer, Weasel.. You'll take it or I continue on my way.

Hanobi- And that is?


* Hiei half glances back toward the young slave, who is watching with a bit more interest now.


Hiei- Gelded demons are too timid to be soldiers.. The only thing he'd be good for is whoring.


* Hanobi sneers.


Hanobi- It is what he was trained for. I'm sure he'll warm Lord Mukuro's bed quite well.. Or your own, perhaps..


* Hiei snarls and the Weasel throws his hands up placatingly.


Hanobi- That was only a joke, M'Lord!


* Hiei hesitates thoughtfully a moment more, glances back toward the boy again, then makes his decision. He reaches up and pulls the necklace containing the teargem over his head. He tosses it to Hanobi. The Weasel catches it and frowns.


Hanobi- Are you kidding me..?! I paid a lot of gold for this..!

Hiei- You idiot. That gem is worth more than you are. Take it or return it and I'm out of here.


* The auctioneer twitches his nose as he studies the teargem again. It's obvious to Hiei that the Weasel has no idea what he's holding.


Hiei- I'll guarantee that he'll not be seen here again, as well.


* Now the auctioneer sneers again and waves his staff quickly as he shoves the necklace into a pocket.


Hanobi- Sold to Lord Hiei!


* He turns the chain lead over to Hiei. The Koorime glances up at the young hybrid then leads him off of the stage and out of the building as the auction continues. When they step outside Hiei glances around the darkened village then looks up at the slave.


Hiei- Is there an inn in this descrepit place?


* The boy half glances toward Hiei, but hesitates to respond.


Hiei- Let's get something clear right now, boy. When I ask you a question, you answer.

Slave- And if I don't?


* Hiei surprises the male with a burst of strength when he yanks his head down to his level. Hiei cuffs the wide-eyed demon upside his head firmly enough to knock the answer out of him.


Slave- There is only one, it's a tavern..


* Hiei releases the chain some so the slave can straighten up and nods.


Hiei- Show me the way. I've never been in this slimepit before.. Respect my authority and I won't have to repeat that lesson again.


* Hiei can't help but smirk when the boy just grunts and starts off down a side road.