Chapter 1: Finding Out

Trapt: Still Frame

I do not own or claim any of the songs I use, nor do I own YYH. The Storyline is mine,

Yusuke wandered through the park, lost in thought. His mother had come home drunk and had begun another round of abuse before he escaped out the door. Coming back to reality briefly, he looked around then went right, not seeing Hiei in the trees watching or Kurama on the park bench reading. -No one will miss me, besides this park is huge, no one will find me before I bleed out. If they do, I can jump.- He walked past the couples and people walking home, entering a part of the park he had never seen before. -Did I take a wrong turn?- He jumped when Hiei and Kurama spoke behind him, "What are you doing here?" Still distant he turned and allowed himself to be escorted back to familiar territory, "Sorry, was thinking." "Rare for you Detective."

Shrugging he eyed the path briefly then took a single step towards the bridge, indicating a desire to keep moving. -Oh, please don't ask questions, just let me go.- He let his thoughts drift off until Kurama asked another question, "Yusuke, why are glass shards in the back of your neck?" Hiei glanced at the person in question and spotted the shards, each shard was small and thin, with jagged edges. Yusuke's hand went up and removed the shards, tossing them into a trashcan nearby. "I-I tripped and fell on one of Atsuko's bottles." "You are a bad liar." Blank eyes stared back for a minute, "Ok, got off work, paid mom, went to my room, and got punished, happy?" Yusuke turned away from the bridge and sank down at the base of a nearby tree, hoping they would leave. "We aren't leaving Detective, not when you pricked our curiosity." Kurama studied Yusuke, his eyes spotting the cuts and bruises, and the hopeless look in Yusuke's eyes. Hiei meanwhile glared at the detective, seeing that his overall spirit energy was weak, "What happened?"

Kurama shook his head at Hiei's blunt questioning but decided it would work. Dark eyes met theirs before looking skyward, "Nothing out of the ordinary, everything's fine." They sighed in irritation and gave up, walking till they were out of sight before taking to the trees and returning to a point overhead. Yusuke meanwhile had taken advantage of being alone and had slit his left wrist, watching the steady crimson flow. The pair above watched in shock as he smiled grimly and switched the blade to his left hand, baring his right wrist in the same move, they jumped down as one. Yusuke jumped and darted away, racing through the trees. He was aware of Kurama calling his name and then they were racing after him. He leapt over a fallen log and landed lightly, and made it a few more steps when a vine trap snapped closed on his right ankle.

He fell hard and clawed at the trap, struggling to get it open. A few seconds went by and he was confronted with accusing green eyes and annoyed crimson, "Well, do you feel like telling us why you slit your wrist and why you bolted when we confronted you?" Dark brown eyes stared back panic and pain in them, "I was tired, no one really needs me anyway." "If you are tired why didn't you just get some sleep?" "Not that kind of tired." He resumed trying to get it off, stopping when a pair of hands helped lift it enough to free the foot. He got to his feet swaying for a moment, his attention darting to the figure on the bridge watching him, it was his mother.

Hiei and Kurama were about to keep interrogating but stopped when they saw he wasn't paying attention. They looked to where he was staring, watching his mother get closer. Atsuko smiled and passed the pair, steeping close to Yusuke; she drew a dagger and slammed it into Yusuke's side, piercing a lung and making him utter a soft cry of pain. She caught him when he slumped and said, "He's not feeling well, I'm taking him with me." Hiei crinkled his nose and Kurama sneezed when she walked past, the scent of blood overwhelming their sensitive noses. "Mrs. Urameshi I'm afraid that you will not be taking him with you." -Hiei if you would?- -Way ahead of you fox.- Hiei darted forward and snatched Yusuke, surprising Atsuko enough that she drew another dagger and threw it, a bloody hand caught it and let it fall. Yusuke raised his head glaring at his mother, "Leave them out of this, they have nothing to do with it." "They are interfering and you are mine to do what ever I want to." Yusuke straightened and took a step forward, feeling Hiei's arm tighten. "I am not a thing or a slave, leave me alone."

Atsuko merely smirked and pulled a collar out of her pocket, she threw it at Yusuke it bounced off his chest and hit the ground. She turned away laughing, "Whatever you say." Once she was out of sight Yusuke allowed himself to collapse, gasping for air and shivering as cold seeped into the arm he had cut. Kurama used his healing ability on the wrist but the punctured lung was beyond his powers, picking him up, they raced to the temple. Yukina and Genkai tended to his lung, mending it quickly, leaving only a shallow wound behind. "He'll be fine now, just needs to sleep. He can stay here or you over-protective hormone driven demons can take him." Yusuke stirred with a small whimper, trying to sit up Genkai put a hand on his back and helped him. "Thanks grandma and thank you Yukina."

Both gave him a smile and a nod before leaving him to the mercy of the irate pair. Hiei abandoned his post on the wall to sit at Yusuke's back, while Kurama sat down in front of him. He tensed when Hiei pulled him into his arms, "What are you-" "Quiet and answer our questions." Hiei's clawed hand rested on the stab wound the tips of his claws lightly grazing it and making Yusuke wince. "What do you want to know?" "Why did she attack you and what did you mean by it?" Yusuke tensed and tried to get up but was still out of it, blood loss, shock, and healing had left him drained and tired.

Kurama snagged his wrists and held them firmly while Hiei dug his claws into the wound, making Yusuke writhe. He sagged and gave up after a moment, "My stepfather beats the shit out of me and uses me for a plaything, my "mother" helps out on the beatings. I was sold in order to pay the rent and that collar is the proof." Kurama blinked and stared at the teen in Hiei's grasp, he had let himself fall against Hiei, who was now holding him up. A slight push from Hiei and Yusuke straightened and stared at the wall, "Why didn't you tell anyone or fight back?" "Who would've believed? No one ever notices or hears what goes on. The missions I missed cause I was sick, were lies, I was being sold, or they got too rough and I needed time to heal."

They both arched a brow at the bitterness in Yusuke's voice. "What did you mean by the collar reference earlier?" Yusuke tensed again and sighed, "When I'm sold, its usually to very perverted guys with too much time and alcohol. The collar is used to keep control over me. " The bitterness had been replaced by anger and shame, "A plaything or target practice, it doesn't matter. If the moneys good my "parents" don't care." Yusuke let his eyes close trying to keep the tears in and not see the revulsion on his friends faces.

Hiei's arms shifted, tightening and pulling him into a hug, while Kurama moved so that he could hug them both. "Its ok Yusuke, we've known for a month now, we just acquired you so to speak. Your mother was supposed to meet Hiei in the park and give him the collar. You were to come with us, she was most cooperative after we used a little "persuasion." Yusuke had tensed up yet again and was trembling, "So now I belong to the two of you for a year. What's next, Koenma turns me into a punching bag?" Hiei hit his arm lightly, "We got you your freedom, you are to live with us for a year then you can go where ever." They released him and Kurama moved closer to Hiei who wrapped an arm around him, both stared intently at Yusuke who was watching them warily, but with a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "What does living with you two entail?" "Going to school, passing your classes and training. Helping keep the apartment clean and paying a third of the rent."

Yusuke nodded, unaware of the smirks the pair traded. Hiei eyed the male before them, his lean body was marked with scars, whelps on his back and bruises everywhere, only his face was unmarked. Kurama gave Yusuke a smile and then added the last clause of their deal, "You will of course have another job as our mate." Yusuke paled and moved back slightly, fear in his eyes. "If you are joking, now's a good time to say so." Kurama shook his head and Hiei smirked, "No we are serious, we have had feelings for you for quite some time. This was not the way we planned on letting you know but it works." Ashen now he tried standing only to fall back onto the futon.

Fear turned into terror, but he made no further attempt to escape. "I suppose the usual preliminaries will be dealt with once you decide where you want to keep me. He will of course be watching and if things don't go the way they are supposed to, then he will try to take me back." Kurama and Hiei both nodded, "It's been taken care of, you will be going with us to our apartment and we will stage the "preliminaries" as you call them." Yusuke had calmed somewhat shoulders slumped in defeat. Kurama pulled him to his feet, allowing him to reclaim his shirt before they walked out the door and down the stairs.

Hiei took to the trees and vanished while Kurama took Yusuke home. They detoured through the park, lingering long enough to watch the kids playing, Kurama snapped the leash to the collar, binding his hands and led Yusuke to his home, with a rough push. Hiei appeared on the windowsill and they removed their jackets, when they turned to Yusuke he was standing still eyes distant. They began by knocking him off his feet, then delivering a punch that knocked him into the wall. Beating him back, they steered him into the guest room where they intensified the blows, Hiei using a small dagger to draw blood, the pair followed him down lapping at the cuts on his chest.

They left after a few minutes and he felt his stepfather leave. Yusuke raised his eyes to see their feet in the doorway, knew they were watching him to see what he would do. Pushing to his feet he turned to face them, keeping his eyes on the wall behind them. "What are the ground rules? "Where am I allowed to go?" Hiei sighed while rolling his eyes letting Kurama answer, "You are allowed to go where ever we do but you can't leave this apartment unless one of us is with you." "What about work?" "Hiei will escort you there and if I can I will pick you up."

Yusuke nodded letting his eyes meet Kurama's eyes. "The ground rules were stated in the terms laid out earlier, you are free whether you believe it or not." Yusuke cleared his throat and spoke again, "Any money I had is in my backpack. It's at moms house under the bed in my room, am I allowed to go get it?" "Hiei already brought your backpack, he went through and removed your pocket knives and anything sharp in it. Your clothes were washed and put back, rent was already taken out of what you had." Nodding again he watched them turn and leave, he glared down at his wrists and the cuffs resting there. He turned to the bathroom and ran the water for a shower, after five minutes he stepped back out and wrapped a towel around his waist before walking over to his pack and pulling out a pair of black boxers, jeans, and a black shirt.

Once dressed he went to the kitchen and washed all the dishes, wiped down the counters, cooked a quick dinner which he put in the fridge and then swept the floors. Afterwards he curled up in the chair by the window and sang idly, his voice a velvety ripple through the stillness:

/Keep it inside the image portrayed As if I couldn't stand losing as if I couldn't be saved, no way A small confession I think I'm starting to lose it I think I'm drifting away from the people I really need./

He fell silent contemplating the sunset, humming the song until he started singing it again, unaware that Kurama had walked in and was now seated on the couch watching him.

/ Please help me 'cause I'm breaking down this picture's frozen and I can't get out./

He fell silent, twisting to see that Hiei was watching him, then he let his gaze switch to Kurama. Turning back to the sunset he let his head bow, hiding his eyes from the world. "Where did you learn to sing?" "My boss taught me." "Why?" "I fill in for the singer when he can't work that night or they use me for back up." "Where do you work?" "I work at a club downtown, its called Cursed Mentality." The questions stopped and they just watched him for a minute taking in the way his posture was tense, how blank his voice was, and how he wouldn't look them in the eye. Kurama shifted till he was reclining against the armrest, "Yusuke, look at me."

Raising his head he stared into dark emerald eyes, making sure his emotions were buried deep behind thoughts of music. A sigh escaped Kurama and he turned to Hiei, "It seems as though we have the pleasure of being in the presence of a numb and damaged person, who is in dire need of friendship right now." "What do suggest we do Koi?" Hiei walked up and put a hand under Yusuke's chin, tilting his head back to stare into his eyes. "We could always put him to bed or just keep probing to see what has made him withdraw into the recesses of his mind." Kurama smiled at Hiei who gave a small smile in return together they faced Yusuke with mischief in their eyes, Hiei opened his jagan and let it delve into his mind, only remotely seeing him flinch and stiffen under its influence. Once he slipped past Yusuke's defenses he pulled Kurama in with him, together they examined his emotions, fear, anger, a sense of betrayal, and under it all hopelessness. Slipping past they found his memories, cases and school, dealing with his mother and her new husband.

Memories of being with his teammates were stronger than the others and were in a way neatly separated and well guarded. After a moment Yusuke's mind changed, it went from being disorderly to well organized. "What happened?" "It seems as though he's decided to let us poke around freely, and not hide anything." Light flared making the place bright, emotions were in a room all their own, special memories were under heavy guard and locked away. Other memories, the ones of being sold off, of being used the first time were shoved into a room and sealed with a black door. Music was in an airy and open room, it had no door. "Well it seems as though he has everything set in its place. Music and the team are obviously the most important things to him." The light died to a weak glow and Yusuke slipped into his own mind, heading for the black door. He opened it and let his past surround him, each memory swirling around him then stopping, and plastering themselves to the walls looking like pictures. Each one had a different person in it, a leering grin or sadistic sneer for expressions.

Yusuke walked forward and touched his first memory: The picture leapt free and expanded until it looked like a movie screen. Atsuko walked into Yusuke's room, he was 9 at the time. "I am re-marrying, his name is Ralji and he will be living with us." He only nodded and went back to cleaning his room. Ralji walked into the room, closed the door and sat down on Yusuke's bed. They boy stood and bowed, "It's nice to meet you sir." Ralji looked at him with contempt and barely disguised disgust, "Let's get a few things straight boy. 1. I am not going to be your "dad" or anything of that nature. 2. You are worthless to me and your mother. 3. I will do whatever I want to you and there's nothing you can do about it. Oh, and one more thing, you will address me as sir and nothing else."

Yusuke meanwhile had straightened and was staring blankly at Ralji, a hard look in his eyes. "I understand sir." Ralji smiled and removed his belt, "On your knees." Yusuke didn't move, his eyes narrowing and his hands curling into fists. Ralji punched him hard enough to stun and forced him to his knees, the belt bit into the boys back but he made no sound until the thirtieth lash. Once he cried out, Ralji dropped his pants and forced Yusukes down before raping the boy. Ralji studied his handiwork, slapped the boy around and left.

Yusuke stood, turning to see them watching. "Is there something you wish to know?" "No, we've seen enough." Regarding them for a moment he nodded and let his mind go blank, his mental self vanishing, with his memories fading soundlessly. They pulled free to their own minds, finding themselves seated on the couch whereas Yusuke was lying on the floor hands on his head and whimpering softly. Picking him up Kurama put him in the guest room, locked the windows and drew the curtains. Hiei walked in and together they undressed him and themselves so that they were only clothed in their boxers. Laying down, they pulled the covers up and stared down into Yusukes eyes. Hiei spoke first, "Relax, we are only marking you as ours." "Mark?" He stirred slightly then lay still as a headache made its presence known. Kurama smiled soothingly as he slid down so that his body aligned easily with Yusuke's, feeling Hiei do the same. Hiei grinned flashing fangs, Kurama followed suit; only his eyes didn't have the same sadistic gleam in them.

Panic over-ruled reason and thought, and Yusuke made an attempt to get away. He made it as far as the bathroom door before he was pinned and helpless on the floor. Hiei's fangs grazed his left shoulder, then sank in drawing blood and sending a wave of pleasure-pain arcing through him. Hiei let go and pulled him back into the bed, where Kurama waited patiently. Both Hiei and Kurama pressed closer to the boy, who was now laying face down; tied in place by smooth green vines. Soft lips brushed his right shoulder and Kurama bit hard, sensing Hiei doing the same.

They drank for a count of three heartbeats before sending their Ki into the bites. Yusuke's body shuddered and his own Ki flared, battling against the pair. After a minute Hiei opened a mental link between the three of them, -it's ok, we are not going to rape you, the marks will protect you, from demons anyway, no one else can have you.- Yusuke's ki relaxed and faded, his body went limp and he allowed them to flip him over, loosening his bonds. Kurama studied the now pale boy beneath them, he was shaking slightly but was still watching them, dark eyes wary. Hiei yawned, laid back and relaxed against the head board his crimson eyes half closed.

Kurama lay on his side, both stared at Yusuke whose eyes were barely open. "We're staying until you fall asleep, it'll be easier to adjust to being bonded once you get some rest." While he spoke Kurama reached over and removed the cuffs tossing them to the floor out of the way. Hiei glanced down at Yusuke then put a hand under his chin raising his head so they could see his eyes, they were a piercing gray, lit from within and shimmering in the single ray of moonlight that had made it through the curtains. "Why are your eyes gray?" Yusuke forced himself to stay awake, eyes locked on them. He blinked and the brown color returned, then passed out.

Kurama raised an eyebrow, "It seems as though you'll have to wait until tomorrow for your answer." Kurama got up gathered their clothing, and went to his room. Hiei ran his hands through Yusuke's hair, causing the teen to turn towards him. With a soft hn Hiei followed Kurama. Nestled in each others arms, they soon fell into sleep and nightmares. They were once again in Yusukes mind; he was 10 and running away from his parents. He managed to escape into the park where he hid in the bushes with a dagger in his calf. After a few minutes a chain wrapped around his neck and dragged him out, his mother leered down at him then called to Ralji.

She proceeded to beat him with the excess chain, when Ralji showed up, Yusuke was lying on the ground, his back bruised and bleeding. Ralji grinned wickedly and picked the boy up, Yusuke let a scream tear from his throat, torment written across his face. Ralji frowned and started chocking the boy into silence, the pair in the other room were jolted awake by the scream which was followed by the sound of coughing and gasping. They listened in tense silence, about to get up when a voice whispered through their minds, -sorry guys, I'll keep them under control.- -it's ok yusuke.- Shifting so that their limbs were twined together, they went back to sleep; Yusuke stayed awake until midnight, curling into a ball before falling asleep.

Kurama woke up around five to the smell of coffee and tea, slipping out of Hiei's grasp, he padded into the kitchen. Yusuke was seated at the table, a cup of tea cradled between his hands, "Morning Kurama." "Good morning Yusuke, up early aren't you?" A bitter smile gave Kurama his answer, "Couldn't sleep very well." Kurama made himself a cup of tea, holding up a hand when Yusuke started to leave, "You dream often?" Yusuke nodded and sipped his tea, his thoughts drifting. Kurama took a seat next to Yusuke and let the teen rest his head on his shoulder, feeling Yusuke slowly relax and let his defenses drop. A yawn made him blink, Kurama smiled, while turning to the sleepy eyed teen, "Yusuke would you please fix a cup of black coffee?" Grey eyes blinked as Yusuke processed the request then got up, found Hiei's mug and poured the steaming liquid, placing it on Kurama's left side. "Thank you." He got a smile in return, then Yusuke went to his room to change into street clothes.

Hiei meanwhile had made the bed, dressed and headed to the kitchen where Kurama handed him his cup of coffee with the usual "Good Morning." Hiei responded with a hug and a hn before walking to his window sill. Yusuke returned wearing a dark gray shirt, black jeans and the collar. "Hello Hiei." Hiei nodded while pointing to the collar, "Take it off." "Why?" The next thing the teen knew he was on his back, Hiei sitting on his chest. "Take. It. Off." Shaky hands grabbed the collar, unbuckled it, pulled it off and dropped it. Hiei grabbed it, lit it on fire and sighed in satisfaction. Kurama sighed and went to help them up, "Isn't it a little early for theatrics?" "Perhaps." Kurama tilted his head, "Then why persist?" "I was merely curious as to why his throat is bruised." Taking advantage of their distraction, Yusuke escaped to the living room, curling up in the chair. Once comfortable, he let himself relax, his head resting on the back of the chair and his legs dangling off the arm.

/Please help me cause I'm breaking down, this picture's frozen and I cant get out./

Kurama came in, and settled on the couch, watching Yusuke and studying his posture before picking up his book. Hiei walked in and settled next to Kurama, who wrapped an arm around Hiei's shoulders. Both of them looked up when Yusuke shifted, and let his head tilt further back, revealing the bruises. It looked as if a pair of hands had been wrapped around his throat in reality, even though it was only a nightmare. Yusuke yawned; and let his eyes drift shut, sleepily blinking and humming to himself forgetting that they were staring at him. He let his voice rise just high enough to be heard then let it fade, before turning his own stare to Kurama and Hiei.

/Please help me cause I'm breaking down, this picture's frozen and I can't get out of here./

"Can I help you two?" They contemplated the calm look in his eyes then Hiei asked, "What happened to your throat?" "My father happened." "But wasn't that eight years ago?" Yusuke nodded and turned back to the view outside the window, "sometimes I get lost in those memories, can't wake up I even forget they aren't real." "Your eyes are gray again." Yusuke opened his eyes and looked directly at them, the gray color looked like it was lit from within and it shimmered in the light. "They were always gray, the brown was only an illusion." "Why use an illusion to conceal your true eye color?" He let his eyes drop, "It was a disguise, helped me to run away a few times."