Hayashi groaned and squirmed trying to push that intruding volume out of him, but it only increased the pain.

He struggled but the hands closed around his wrists, pinning him down to the soil  were too tight. The weight of his brother's body on him and his evil energy depleted his strenght.

He grimaced with disgust when he heard Hiroshi's detestable voice blown in his ear.

"Ooh, my little brother... You're so good... come on, squeeze your hole to me.. Make it tighter..."

Hayashi pressed his face against the dusty ground, and relaxed. He gave up fighting it, because he knew it just increased his violator's pleasure.

He held his breath, and chewed his lips, and let Hiroshi rape him.

Hayashi had already fought a lot. He had struggled against that abuse since his brother had seized him back. He struggled, he kicked, he bit, he protested. But he could not maych his brother's strenght. He ended up being pushed against the botom of that rocky den, and his body was punched and shoved against the cave walls and the hard soil. The fight covered his body with wounds and bruises. He had a black eye, and half his face was bruised by punches. He had been beated hard, and whenever he lost conscience, he was wakened and beaten again. Hayashi had tried to fight back, but he barely had energy enough to try it. He felt sick and weak. He lost consciousness many times... Dizziness, lack of breath, dormency, pain, nausea... All of it caused by his brother, in his constant attempt to block his you-ki and deplete his strenght. Even struck by these maladies, Hayashi still tried to fight his brother. He even managed to hit him and hurt him back, but his reaction only increased Hiroshi's wrath and violence.

But all of a sudden, after being beaten and mistreated for a long time, Hayashi quietened.

It come to the tattooed youko's mind that he must survive that assault. Even being given precise and bloody descriptions of the way Hikaru had been killed, Hayashi had an undying faith his blue-eyed lover was still alive. Moribund, yes, but still alive, somewhere on the arid platteau where he was left. Hayashi knew he was Hikaru's only hope, therefore he must stand the torture and remain alive, waiting patiently for a chance to escape.

The thrusts against his body continued, invading him deeper. He loathed it, but still he did not give any response. He kept himself still and unmoving, like a dead body, even if he was burning inside with outrage and shame.

He needed to remain alive. He needed to escape and save Hikaru, and then, maybe he could gather determination enough to kill that evil fiend he had been given as a brother.

Hayashi shuddered a little when he felt a bite on his shoulder. The sensation of his brother's sticky saliva pasted to the wound was too repulsive; far worse than the pain. But he did not move a muscle. He would not give that idiot the satisfaction... He remained unresponsive even when he felt his brother's tongue sliped into his ear, his invading cock stuck deep in his butt, his stink, his weight, the nauseating heat of his breathing against the nape of his neck, his fingers closed around his wrists, nailing him down...

Hikaru must be still alive somewhere in the desert. Perhaps he had been found and rescued by his Blue eyed peers... All Hayashi knew is that he would not give up his hope. How could he? So many things could have happened... Hikaru was a powerful youko - he could have escaped his brother, he could have been found and taken to a healer, he could be suffering, locked in a creeping disease, but still alive... All Hayashi knew is that he would only lose hope when he found his lover's dead body or his grave.

Moreover, he knew his brother. Pride and over-confidence were his weakness. Hayashi was sure his Blue Eyes was not dead yet. Hiroshi was a dirty sadist. He would not miss a chance to make Hikaru die under the most agonizing and slow death he could probably conceive...

Hayashi was just waiting for a chance to skip his brother's vigilance, and flee from his grasp. Then he would run the whole way back, he would serch in the Crystal City and around, he would not left stone unturned, searching for Hikaru till he had found him, in one way or the other. He would not stop looking for him, because he could heal him, he could cure him form any torment Hiroshi had caused him, and then they could escape all that madness together and...

He wriggled and groaned, when Hiroshi shoved harder against his butt, twisting his hips, pulling himself away and then sticking it all back in one dry, abrupt push.

"Ah! Does it hurt you like this? Hold on, baby brother, I'm almost over..."

A series of harsh trusts followed, faster and harder, in turns and twists that ripped him wider, increasing the pain and the agony.

"I love you, little brother... I will never let you walk away from me..."

Some more thrusts, and then after one final plunge, Hiroshi halted, groaning and quivering in a spasm. Then, he relaxed, falling heavily onto Hayashi, still panting. 

Haayshi felt so bad, so nauseated that he almost threw up. He shut his eyes, and promised to himself he would get rid of that weirdo. He had been mild and peaceful for too long. He wanted his Blue Eyes back, and he would kill for it if necessary...

"I loved that grey youko. I loved him like I have never loved anyone. I just wanted to stay with him, Hiroshi... Why don't you let me live my own life?"

His twin brother breathed in deepily. He showed a satisfied smile as he reposed, lazily on his brother's back, still pinning him against the soil.

"I have to take care of you. You are too precious, and too vulnerable on your own. You need family always around you."

Hayashi rubbed his face on the earth, breathing its dusty smell. He missed Hikaru...

"I don't wanna be a mercenary. I don't wanna be an assassin... I'm a healer! I just want to live in peace..." Hayashi sighed out then. "Let me go back to Hikaru..."

The other youko grabbed a handful of Hayashi's hair, pulling at it, vigorously, till Hayashi gave out a moan of pain. He sat up, forcing the tattooed youko to turn over and face him.

"I hate you..." Hayashi growled at hs brother, in between his gritted teeth.

Hiroshi's eyes widened. He was taken by a sudden fit of fury, and he yanked harder at Hayashi's hair, shaking him up, spitting harsh words on his face.

"You are mean! You are so selfish, Hayashi! How can you think of leaving me to go after a blue-eyed whore? I'm your only brother! Are you going to abandon me to run away with a stranger? An enemy? After all I did for you! I killed for you! I fought wars for you! I followed you wherever you went, just to protect you, and now you want to just leave me? I won't let you leave me behind! No!"

Hayashi dared to face his brother. Hiroshi was madder everyday. He could not put up with his delirium and sociopathy any longer... No one could...

"I want Hikaru! I love him!"

A hard slap on the face threw Hayashi backwards.

"He is dead! I killed him! Now I am your only protector, I am your only lover! You have to take it!"

"I wanna be free! I wanna live my life! Hiroshi, I can't take it anymore!"

"But I am the only one you have. I'm gonna kill everyone else, and then you will have to love me back, baby brother..."

"Never!"

Hiroshi pulled himself apart from his brother and shifted position, straddling his chest.

Their eyes met. Hayashi's swollen, bruised face was locked in a tense frown of anger. His golden eyes sparkled with fury, but yet, he kept his mouth shut. He had to endure it, he had to bear it to be able to survive it. He had to save Hikaru - His gorgeous was still alive, he must be...

"Shut up and make it hard. I wanna fuck your tight ass again." Hiroshi announced, showing an evil smile as he pushed his cock towards his brother's mouth.

Hayashi shut his lips, but the other youko grabbed his ragged ear and twisted it with all his energy, till he heard a scream of pain.

Hiroshi pushed his hips forward, forcing his limp penis to slip into his brother's mouth. Hayashi tried to spit it out, but his ear was twisted again.

"Eat it!"

Hayashi shut his eyes, feeling the smell and the taste of his own anus mixed to his brother's stink. It was revolting...

"Eat it up! It's your own shit! lick my cock all clean and hard!" Hiroshi ordered in a maddened tone, closing one hand around Hayashi's throat, and yanking at his ear again, as he pushed and pulled himself back and fro, making his sex slide deeper into his mouth, forcing him to take it and suck it.

"I'm gonna screw you till you start loving me back, brother! Take that cock!"

Hayashi choked with that disgusting volume in his mouth. His whole body was shaken in a spasm of nausea, and he used all his energy to roll to his side and sit up, tumbling Hiroshi off him.

He huddled, and coughed forcefully. It was all so revolting, that he could not help but vomitting.

Hiroshi crawled to the corner of the small cave, conveniently sitting between Hayashi and the way out. 

"Life in the court made you lose your touch, kid. None of those blue-eyed queers could do you the way you deserve. But you'll soon get used to taking me in again."

Hayashi was pale and nauseated. He rubbed the back of his hand on his mouth, wiping it clean. Then he glowered at his twin brother, and cursed him in between his gnashing teeth. He needed just a chance... Just a small distraction, and this time he would kill him - He would kill him for good!

"You fucked psycho! I hate you! If I could, I swear I'd kill you!"

"Oh... My younger brother is mad at me? I know you won't kill me. I'm your protector, and you know you need me. It is bad with me, but it will be worse without me."

"Asshole!"

Hiroshi laughed.

"You have never been so angry at me. Not even when daddy died..."

"He didn't just die! You killed him, you piece of shit!"

"I had to do it, Hayashi. He wanted to separate us." Hiroshi's smile widened. "You're so angry because of that blue-eyed swishy, aren't you? He really made a strong impression on you. Why? Was he well-hung? Was he better than me?"

Hayashi spat out, desperate to get rid of that disgusting taste he had in his mouth.

"I love him! We love each other! I love him, and I hate you! Scum! Piece of crap! Sicko!"

Hiroshi continued to laugh, apparently finding his brother's wrath very amusing.

"I'm gonna kill you! Watch your back, Hiroshi! I'm gonna kill you, and I'm gonna make you pay for everyone that I loved and you killed!"

Hiroshi laughed louder.

"Kill? If there's one thing I know you will never do is killing! You're a healer and healers don't kill. D'you remember when you were a kit? I had to hunt for you because you never had the guts to kill a vermin!"

Hayashi felt his eyes blurred with tears. Tears of rage. He had never felt so impotent...

It was then they heard Hiroshi's name being called from outside the cave. His black-hearted brother had rejoined Kurama's band, and they were almost ready to break in the city.

He did not want any part of it, but he knew somehow he would be coerced into cooperation, as soon as his brother and Kurama found a solid agreement.

"Be good, Hayashi. I'm gonna talk to those idiots and soon I'll be back to ram my prick into your tight backdoor again..."

Hayashi huddled painfully, concealing his face with a tattooed arm. He had thought about killing Hiroshi many times, but he had never really tried it. Even mad, Hiroshi was his protector, and their relationship rested on a very fragile balance of hatred and need. He knew he would not have survived as a free youkai in the Makai for so long if his butcher brother were not always by his side, protecting him from slave traders and greedy Makai Lords. He knew without Hiroshi, he would have already been auctioned by the highest bid in some meat market. Away from his bloodthirsty brother he would have been inprisioned and forced to work for one of the many Makai warlords. He would be forced to heal wounded soldiers and warriors, and revitilize their you-ki, burning out his healing energy till he was so sick, so weak he would not be able to live any longer...

He had needed Hiroshi, but now his insanity had reached unbearable levels and he was tired of all that irrational oppression. If he could not be free to love whoever he wanted and go wherever he preferred, what was the use to live anyway?

Saving Hikaru was his only aim, his only goal. But he must act fast. Three days had already passed. None of his brother's victims have outlived an attack for more than a week - There was no youkai strong enough to survive Hiroshi's plagues and diseases longer than that.

His hope vanished at a growing pace as minutes and hours passed. He must be moribund, yet Hayashi hoped his love and his hopes would give him strenght enough to resist...

Hayashi had always been a pacifist as much as it was possible in the Makai. He had taken part in many wars, conflicts, battles, but his role had always been staying behind the lines and thus help the wounded. Unlike his brother, Hayashi never had a killer instinct, but things were about to change...

He was ready to kill if it helped him saving Hikaru. He was ready to kill even his own brother. He only needed a good, safe chance of doing so to appear.  

The youko rolled over and stretched enough to grab one of the many rags scattered around - the remnants of his clothes, torn and ripped to pieces by his brother's hands, while he reprimanded and beated him for his affair with whom he called Blue-Eyed Slut.

Hayashi used the cloth to wipe himself clean, rubbing it in between his buttcheeks and on his balls and penis. He hated feeling his brother's dirt on him.

He had always been a quiet youko. He never wanted to engage into any kind of violent act or dispute. He never wanted to be a thief and a mercenary, like his brother forced him too, bu he was dragged along that adventuresome life, although dreaming with a haven he could settle down on.

Now that he had found one, everything had to go wrong like that...

He cleaned himself the best he could. He spat on the palm of his hand and and spread the saliva on the wound on his temple - result of one of the many blows Hiroshi has struck at him. His head throbbed with pain, and his body hurt, covered with lashes, bites and bruises. However painful, Hayashi got on his feet, and headed to the outside.

Stiff and tired, he needed to support himself on the walls and walk out very slowly. He had been evilly fucked for two days now. Hiroshi's stamina had always been very high, mainly when he was having fun torturing a victim, family or not. He assaulted him almost non-stop, and whenever he could not get an erection, he beated him.

Hayashi felt loose and hurt, and yet he walked out, naked, and hurt, but still very attentive to what was happening around him. He needed to know what they were planning... If he wanted to escape he must be very well informed about their plans and strategies.  

The daylight hurt his eyes, and he blinked a lot of times to become used to the brightness. He stepped forward, bent and broken, very aware all eyes fell on him. He could sense them reproaching him, even though none of the youko said a thing. But the intense wrath was obvious when their gaze fell upon him.

Traitor. It was all he was for the band.

They looked him up and down with evident aversion. He could feel their outrage and hate. None of the gang members appreciated his presence before he had escaped. Now they hated him even more. And as he stepped forward, he noticed the other youko formed a circle around around him, to prevent him from running away.

They were a skulk of mean bastards.  Now it seemed bearing Hiroshi as his warder was not enough; now the whole gang were claimants to the job.

He covered his sex with his hands, ashamed of the cuts, bruises and scratches covering it. Hiroshi had tortured him very sadistically, and to present himself before the others in such a bad shape was embarrassing. However they looked down their noses at him with such evident repulse, that in no time Hayashi felt proud of himself - Proud of having slept with the enemy.

He looked at each and every one of them very attentively, as he walked to the centre of that dusty field among rocks and boulders where they had camped. They were atop one of the cliffs walling a gorge that was the main road into the valley where the Crystal City stayed. They must have settled down there to ambush any passing messengers or caravans that were to enter or leave the area. It was the beginning of the siege around the battlemented city.  It was a very strategic position, and they were keeping strict vigilance not to be caught by enemy patrols.

Hayashi tried not to pay heed to the other youko. He simply continued his way towards the gang leader - Kurama.

The silver youko was discussing with Hiroshi. They were visibly avert one to the other, but yet both were trying hard to achieve an agreement. Hayashi could sense it by their expressions and by their tight and yet appeasing gestures. Hiroshi had not told his brother much of what happened in his absence but that he had been sent away from the group, but was now negotiating some kind of team work.

Hayashi headed forward, willing to listen to their conversation, but Minato cut on his way. The red youko stepped forward boldly and then spat on Hayashi's face.

"Rat!" he vociferated, standing blatantly on Hayashi's way.

Hayashi cleaned the spit with the back of his hand, impassible. He had already been given worse than that... If he considered the mean way his brother treated him, being spat on was nothing to be alarmed at.

He sighed in, and on looking to his right side he noticed Shizuke eyeing him intensely. The white youko had spread several leaves and seeds on the ground before him, and was carefully selecting some of them, probably to prepare some potion or poison. Hayashi hated that cut-tongue youko. He was very beautiful, and had big puppy eyes, but everyone knew he was evil and merciless inside. Being dumb transferred all the intensity of emotions to his fierce and outraged golden eyes. His wrathful stare spoke volumes.

It was by means of Shizuke's intense expressive stare that Hayashi realized he was still alive only because he was needed. Kurama still craved to know all he could about the city and its inhabitants before attacking.

Hayashi never imagined he could feel so much bitterness and ire. He hated it all. He hated them all. He only wanted to be able to live the life he had chosen. Why was it so difficult?

He walked past Amatsubu, aware Kurama's second in command was paying close attention to his attitude. The fact he had betrayed the band to become one of the enemy's lover was decisive to make his presence be considered unbearable.

Amatsubu supported his weight on his staff. He had just finished eating the roasted leg of a beast the group had hunted, and he threw the bone in Hayashi's direction, right at his feet.

Hayashi did not refuse the waste. He picked it up and started gnawing the bone avidly. He had not eaten anything since he was seized back to the gang. Nevertheless he did not start eating it because he was hungry, but simply because he needed something to wash away the disgusting taste of his brother's cum from his mouth.

Hayashi sat down carefully just a few steps away from Kurama and Hiroshi. His thighs and buttocks burned with the wounds and cuts. He bent one knee and supported his arm and his head on it, nibbling at the bone, trying not to look at anyone. But his ears prickled up, and he was very alert to whatever was said.

Maigo walked around the tattoed fox, observing him nibble at that bone. His narrow golden eyes stared at him wildly, and he kicked Hayashi's thigh to force him to look up.

"You better open up. If you don't tell us all you know for good, you're gonna suffer."

Hayashi faced the other youko defiantly.

"Fuck you!"

The proud, elegant Kireihana stepped closer to Hayashi. He circled Maigo's shoulders with one arm, and looked down his nose at the brown youko, showing a grimace of repulse.

"Now we know why we've seen so many patrols around lately. If Kurama did not insist we should move from one campsite to another, we would already have been caught. You told them all about us, didn't you, dirty rat?"

Hayashi gritted his teeth. Damn! He only wanted to be free to live his life. Others could, so why not he?

"Why dont you just leave me be? I'm fed up of you!" He complained, hoping they would leave him alone to gnash his bone and sulk.

"Tell me, Hayashi. How was it to fuck a blue-eyed youko's dirt hole?" Maigo asked him, with a comteptuous smile.

Hayashi did not answer back. He just closed his teeth tighter around the bone, to give way to his ire and frustration.

"He thinks he's better than us just because he made friends with the enemy.."

"He's a dirty traitor! That prick ruined all our plans!"

"Hiroshi should give you to us! We would grind your ass till you spilled out the truth, you two-faced bastard!"
 
He roared, in a very low fashion, but he avoided any answer back. Instead, he turned his back to them ostentatiously, so he could stare straight at the silvery leader of that skulk.

Kurama was leaning on a rock, in a carefully studied reckless pose. He faced Hiroshi with sarcasm, however he paid close attention to whatever words his brother said, analyzing his plans in silence. Kurama visibly had not made up his mind yet about accepting Hiroshi back in the band.

Hayashi could not blame Kurama Youko. Everyone knew Hiroshi was dangerous and could never be trusted.

Hayashi leaned forward to try to listen to their conversation, aware Kireihana and Maigo were still whispering about him, calling him names and reproaching his return to the band.
 
Hayashi heeded not to their malicious gossiping. His eyes locked at Kurama and Hiroshi, and although he kept his head down low, his ears twitched atop his head, sensing their talk.

Hiroshi was a coward. Not to mention he knew, despite his sick conceitedness, he would never be able to conquer the whole Crystal City alone. Despite his constant bragging, his evil brother had a very serious limitation. His powers were deadly, but could only be used in short range attacks. Hiroshi needed to touch, or at least to blow his breath upon the victims in order to infect and instill his venom. There was no way he could attack the whole city on his own and escape alive. He would be detected and killed before fulfilling his intent. Therefore, he needed Kurama's band. Hiroshi was ready to bow his head and humbly accept Kurama's orders just to have his assistance in the raid.

Hayashi knew however, as soon the battle was won, Hiroshi would turn his power against his former allies. He had done it before. Hiroshi was the meanest youko anyone could ever meet.

His brother did not care about treasures. He only wanted to kill. He wanted to see all inhabitants of the Crystal city dead. He had been spitting it on his face for the past days, insisting on it while he raped him. Hiroshi said he wanted to kill all the blue-eyed bastards, and transform their city into a graveyard. Hiroshi stated he craved to feast on their corpses, and pave the city's streets with bones and blood... And to assure himself his plans would be carried out Hiroshi would do anyhthing - Even submitt himself to Kurama's orders again.

The silver youko looked at Hayashi. He smiled at him, and shook his head, observing his beaten-up appearance.

"That time in the City was good for you. You are not as smelly as before." The silver youko smiled evilly then. Hiroshi seemed about to make an apart, but Kurama gestured him ho hold his thoughts for a while. "You were supposed to come back to us with information, not join the enemy, Hayashi." Kurama's smile grew wider, and assumed a twisted, mocking tone. "But I know your brother is punishing you for this treason adequately."

Hayashi raised his eyes enough to stare at Kurama. He said nothing, but his grimace of both repulse and indignation was very intense.

Hiroshi chuckled. He walked closer to Hayashi, and crouched behind him, encircling his shoulders with possessive, tight arms.

"He was fucking one of the city's nobles. I am sure he knows a lot about them."

Hayashi lowered his head. He hated to feel the cold touch of his brother's skin on his body. He tried to sneak away from his embrace, but just a sign he was trying to slip away from those repulsive arms was enough to make Hiroshi react. He caught Hayashi's nipple between his pinching fingers and twisted at it, so hard and so suddenly that the tattooed youko cried out with pain.

Hayashi noticed the other youko appproach him, surrounding him with evil interest. They were circling him with black-looks and worse intentions, closing around him like a wall.

"I ain't telling you nothing! Leave me alone! I know don't know anything!"

Kurama shook his head, observing Hayashi with silent contempt. He knew there was no use for him to kick and grouse like that.

"You better speak up, Hayashi. I have no intention of poking into familly business. I'll let Hiroshi do whatever it pleases him in order to make you speak."

Hayashi faced the silver youko. He was very aware of his defeated and hurt appearance - Naked, hurt, feeding on the whatever bone they threw at him... But he still had his pride. And he still had his love for Hikaru to keep him collected.

He smiled at them.

"The Blue-Eyed youko are very powerful. You will never conquer their stronghold! They are much more powerful than us, and ready for war! You will never vanquish them!"

Amatsubu roared softly.

"Bastard. It seems he has really changed sides..."

Maigo stood right before Hayashi for a moment, and eyed him with ferocity.

"Traitor! We should kill you right away."

It was then Hayashi jumped forward, kneeling down low before Kurama, unashamed of bringing his head down low to the dusty ground. Hayashi was afraid he might not survive being beaten again. He decided he must pay whatever price to survive and set himself free of his brother.

Hayashi joined his hands before him in a begging fashion, and risked what he imagined to be his best chance to get rid of his evil brother...

"Kurama. I beg your protection..."

Kurama looked at all the other youko around them, baffled. Minato could not help but laugh loudly, very amused with that unexpected fact. Shizuke chuckled too, and all the golden eyes were focused on the meek way Hayashi bent down before Kurama.

"I make no charity, Hayashi. Besides, you are not my kind of lay."

The tattooed youko insisted. It was a desperate attempt, but he must try whatever options he had. He breathed deeply and decided to try to fool Kurama. He could mislead them, giving away false information, and getting rid of Hiroshi's threats at the same time.

"I beg for your help and protection. Save me from my brother's oppression, and I'll tell you everything I know about the city, and its inhabitants!"

Kurama took a sideways glance towards Hiroshi. The brown youko seemed shocked with what he had just heard.

"Baby brother! How can you betray me like this? How can you betray a loving brother like me? All I want is your well-being and happiness!"

Hayashi glowered at his brother. He was fed up with him, he could not stand his madness any longer.

"I hate you! Why don't you leave me alone, you motherfucker?!" He cried it out so loud that it shocked everyone. None of those youko could imagine the lazy, peaceful, useless Hayashi could carry so much energy and anger in that roared protest.

The tattooed fox was about to jump on his brother, nails and teeth showing, but Amatsubu grabbed him by one arm, keeping him down in place.

Kurama laughed, stepping in between Hiroshi and his tattooed twin. He faced Hayashi with self-assuredness and a tint of irony.

"It is an interesting proposal..."

Hayashi struggled, but he could not set himself free from Amatsubu's arms.

"He killed my father, he killed all my friends and my lover! I cannot stand living with him anymore, but he won't leave me! Please... Be my protector, Kurama..."

Hiroshi roared. He was about to interfere, and a scowl from him was enought to make the other youko step back. But Kurama put his hand on Hiroshi's shoulder, as to indicate him he could be at ease.

The silver youko stared at Hayashi in a mocking tone.

"I cannot dismiss Hiroshi's aid in the attack, Hayashi. We've reached an agreement to attack the Crystal City together. We've found we both want the same - To terminate those idiots." Kurama walked forward, and he even dared to pat Hayashi's head, as he would to a naughty puppy. "I cannot allow my allies to be wasted. Besides, you betrayed us once; why should I trust you a second time?"

Hayashi struggled, and he was almost escaping Amatsubu's clinch when Maigo huried to help.

"How can you trust my brother instead of me? He's a sicko! He betrayed his own blood! He wiped out our own family! He is going to use your help to kill the blue-eyed foxes then he is going to finish with you all when the raid is over! He's gonna use you and kill you and then run away with all the treasure to himself! It's his plans since the beginning!"

Hayashi's words let the band a little anxious, but he was soon forced to silence when Hiroshi punched his mouth with one violent, strong jab.

Hayashi cried with the pain, and his mouth was filled with his own blood... He fell, hanging loose from the arms that held him, and blood started to drip from his lips to the soil...

He groaned and moaned, disoriented by the hard punch.

The band looked up at Kurama, who walked up to the defeated Hayashi. The silver youko put his hands on his hips, and glared ironically at the tattooed youko.

"Why should I make an agreement with you when I can find out the truth for free, Hayashi? Don't you think I have my own methods? I do not need to make any arrangement with a pitiful creature like you."

Hayashi chewed his lips, and he could feel his whole body trembling with anger and the severe weight of impotence upon his shoulders.

The silver youko offered Hiroshi a twisted sideways glance.

"He is lying, isn't he, Hiroshi? I am sure you would not try to defy me again, would you?"

Hiroshi kept a very straight face.

"No; Of course not. My little brother always had a very fertile imagination. I was very confused with my brother's absence, but now that I have him back to me I won't be questioning your orders or authority at all."

The youko assented to Hiroshi's words. But what the brown youko did not perceive is the winking eye and the amused smile he showed to Amatsubu. It was clear to the  other youko that Kurama was very well aware Hiroshi was not one to be trusted.

"It is good to know you won't oppose me again. In a way, your position is also risky. Nothing would stop me from using you in the raid, and then killing you instead of sharing the treasure. We are 6 against you and your useless brother."

Kurama smiled evily, a gesture the rest of his band followed. Hiroshi became pale, but he struggled not to let show his discomfort.

Kurama walked closer to Hayashi to speak to him in a soft but very intense voice.

"It is is nothing personal, buddy, but I'm gonna get the truth out of you in easy or the hard way. I crave to lay my hands on those foxes's treasure, and I won't let anyone stand on my way. If you think your brother is mean and evil to you, it is because you have not tried yet how cruel I can be."

The slight sideways smile Kurama showed was widened, and he looked right into Hayashi's eyes, prompting him to reveal the information he had.

Hayashi shook his head, trying to avoid the silver youko's oppressive stare.

"I know nothing! Why do you thik they would trust me any secrets? I was just a slave! They treated me like garbage!"

Kurama laughed, mocking Hayashi's naivete.

"Ha! You need to be smarter than this to try to fool me. Why are you trying to protect those bastards? If you knew nothing why did you try to bargain information instants ago?"

"I was buffling! I know nothing! They did not trust me!"

Hiroshi took the lead.

"He was getting laid with one of the nobles. He knows a lot."

Kurama snorted.

"You're an idiot, Hiroshi! Why have you killed your brother's lay? We could use him as a hostage. I'm sure Hayashi would respond much more if you were torturing his lover."

Hiroshi roared something in between his gritted teeth. He did not enjoy being called idiot, but he knew he must take it, and remain cool and collected, till he could turn the tables and finish that haughty Youko Kurama and the band he had gathered.

"It did not occur to me. To find myself being cheated made me lose my head."

Kurama acquiesced.

"It seems Hayashi is used to be mistreated; torturing him further will be useless."

The silver youko observed Hayashi's attitude, studying his expression, and his eyes. He was very nervous, and the outrage he felt was almost reaching a limit... Nevertheless, he still managed to control himself, and his stubborn insistence not to reveal anything about his residence in the Crystal City made clear to Kurama he certainly knew much more than they could imagine. He must know secret passages, the servant's and guard's routines, the ways into the Treasure chambers...

The silver youko got up then, decisively.

"Hiroshi. I have appreciated your efforts to make your brother speak, but we are running out of time, and we need professional assistance. Hayashi is used to your methods; we need someone with a new approach..."

Hiroshi frowned. He glowered at Kurama. He would not allow anyone but him to torture his brother.

"No one lays a hand on my brother but me!"

Kurama smiled softly to Hiroshi. He raised his hand to him, calmly, to try to appease his worries. Of course they would not beat and rape Hayashi. They could use cleaner, more sophisticated methods...

"I don't have torture in mind. Shizuke has got henbane in stock. He will prepare some truth serum and soon Hayashi will be very happy to confide us all he knows..."
 
 

To be Continued...