There Is More Than What Is First Seen

Clarity Scifiroots

Disclaimer: Shade, Rez, and Quix are my own characters. The plot is also mine. The concept of Karasu as a rock star came about from someone doing a fusion with ZetsuAi and YYH, however, the new look to Karasu, the band, the music, the revised personality, yadda yadda, is mine. ;;^^

Warnings?: Yaoi – KxK; KxS; Q+R, half plot, half not o.O So yes, another sex-ish scene – and once I swore I would never write stuff like this… -_- Language *shrugs*

Characters: Karasu, Kurama, Shade, Tantei, Zoe

Pairing: Karasu x Kurama; mentions of Karasu x Shade

Started July 9, 2002

Lyrics used: "[zan]" by Dir en Grey ("remains"); "Dahlia" by X-Japan, unfortunately totally translated because the site where I would have gone for the romanji lyrics is gone ;_; *utterly depressed*

~*{Friday Afternoon}*~

"You're not seriously subjecting yourself to that maniac... are you?"

The redhead frowned. "What do you mean by that? You know I'm just keeping an eye on him; I don't trust him in the least."

"Sure, I agree with you there, but aren't you getting a little into it?" The conversation paused when the waitress came over to take the group's order and deliver their drinks. Once she was gone Yusuke cast Kurama a glance, meaning to continue.

Taking a moment to cast a glare at the other three of his company, Kurama met Yusuke's eyes again. "Into it? I'm perfectly capable of handling this... case."

"I thought you weren't on duty any longer?" Keiko spoke up.

"It's just my way of thinking of it," Kurama brushed it off with a wave of his hand. He took a drink straight from the bottle of beer in front of him.

Kuwabara and Yusuke exchanged a significant look from across the table before focusing on Kurama yet again. The whole purpose of this luncheon was to try and dig up just what was going on with the redhead's apparent obsession. Both subtle and blatant changes were appearing in their friend's habit and were now hard to ignore. "I think Uremeshi meant 'into it' as in you turning up ready to go clubbing constantly and some of your new - and a little unpleasant - habits..."

Silence was returned as Kurama kept his eyes and face schooled while taking up his bottle again. Keiko chewed on her bottom lip while looking between the boys. Things definitely didn't seem to be going well or according to plan, at least not to what Yusuke had talked to her about earlier. She didn't really want to interfere unless it became too messy for male brains to figure out. Although she had always rather admired Kurama, his politeness and kindness and intelligence, she didn't trust he would be all too different from Yusuke if it came down to fighting to keep his pride.

"I'm sorry you don't like my little changes," Kurama finally said, voice cool and detached. "I guess while you both are allowed to go off and make adjustments I need to be the same little genius from high school."

"Kurama..." Yusuke started.

"Don't start!" Kurama leaned back with a sigh and ran fingers through his hair. "It's just... not a big deal. You worry me when you start changing it into something like this. I can handle myself, damn it."

Yusuke frowned. "And what about the way you acted the other night when he came in with that... guy?"

" 'That guy' is Shade, guitarist," Kurama nearly growled, clearly remembering the suggestive strokes Karasu had given Shade in full view even after the little performance on stage earlier that particular night.

Kuwabara's eyes widened as he stared at one of his best friends. "Shit... You're not... y'know?" Kurama arched an eyebrow at him in question. Stumbling for the words, he lowered his voice, "I mean I'm sure you've got your reasons for sounding pissed just now.... but I gotta ask anyway.... You're not seriously, uh, jealous...?"

Horrified, Kurama glanced around the table in disgust. "Oh please! Is this inquisition time? Forget it, I'm sorry but I can't sit here anymore." He dug out his wallet, doing a good job of hiding his trembling fingers.

As the redhead stood, Yusuke asked quietly, "Will you be at Dahlia's tonight?"

Kurama cast him an indifferent look. "And if I am..." He shook his head and left with his beer in one hand. His eyes stormy, he couldn't help but reflect how much of a coward he was turning out to be, continually running from these situations, which were beginning to strike something he was only beginning to accept as the truth.

"I'm going," Yusuke motioned after Kurama. "I need to check out what goes on when he's out there."

"I'm coming, too, and don't try to keep me out of it, Yusuke." Keiko glared at him firmly. "He's as much of a friend to me as he is to either of you guys. Besides, you might need a girl around for who knows what reason." Eyeing Yusuke, she suddenly added, "And I need to keep a leash on you, don't need you wandering off to commit adultery now..."

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

His room dimly lit, his hands reached the handles of his paneled closet and drew back the doors to peer inside the gloomy mass of clothing. Okay, so Kuwabara had been right about his wardrobe, it barely contained anything "civilized" anymore. A polo and a dress shirt were jammed far back and to the side in the most hard to reach area while everything else came from either a bondage store or from Transil's - a huge store in the middle of Tokyo housing everything a Goth or punk or rocker could want.

The feeling of uneasy embarrassment quickly passed and Kurama tugged on a pant-leg studded along the edges with short spikes. Pulling the pants out further he nodded to himself and tossed them over his shoulder towards the bed, although they landed on the floor. "Shirt.... a shirt... Inari-sama knows I have problems with shirts..." He ended up finding the perfect thing fitting his mood. A smirk befitting his Youko form crossed his face as Kurama stripped off his current Tee and then pulled on the black tank. It was cut in the more popular female style with spaghetti straps and reached middrift where he then crossed the two ties dangling down and tied them behind his back. In bold letters across the chest the word "BITCH" stood out.

Current pants and underwear where shucked in favor of more appropriate items. A wide red belt, matching the word on his shirt, was fished from a drawer and fitted around his slim waist. Next he plucked a random pair of socks from his dresser top and slipped them on while he grabbed a pair of short, black boots from his closet. His wallet changed pockets and money and ID were checked before Kurama exited his apartment and locked the door. He would be there early, his watch reading only 6:00, but he had made the acquaintance of the owner not long ago and knew he would be welcomed in.

It didn't seem to register in his conscious mind that arriving early for the company of a friend might also lead to an encounter of a different kind - be it pleasant or not.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Mad laughter, then a guitar and drum lead in and...

/daeki nure ni shita, ao sameta karada wa, shikai ni hebari tsuita, yugameta zankoku e/

The crew was still testing the equipment as the band fell into Dir en Grey's "Zan." Furiously Rez and Shade went at their guitars and Quix attacked the drums while attempting to toss his long hair behind his shoulders. Karasu, at the mike, was vividly alive with the lyrics; raising and lowering with the volume required, switching to the maddening laugh that, although he imitated well, he could not fully manage to pull it off like Kyo was able to.

Employees of the club were hurrying about in front of the stage setting up for opening within an hour and a half and would stop what they were doing at the end of each song performed to shout approval. The bartenders wiped down the counter one last time and made sure everything was in stock. Overall they were typical humans, far too boring for Karasu's taste. Once the flood was let in and people were massed together before him he would be pleased.

He cared not to admit that he was actually anxious to see the redhead again. Oh, he had no doubt Kurama would appear. It had become a routine, the beauty with red hair appearing within the crowd and then the eternal moments when their eyes locked and the passionate lust burning in the depth of Kurama's eyes as his defenses fell down. Perfectly delicious.

From a side door leading to a small office, Zoe appeared. She spared the stage a glance and grinned broadly at Karasu before walking off towards the main doors where one of the bouncers seemed rather disgruntled with the arrival of an early guest. Zoe was a tall woman, fully dressed in shiny clinging leather befitting a dominatrix queen. She was the owner of Dahlia's and ran the place with Zack, a rather tough-looking guy with not much to say. Their relationship? Who knew? The two were only occasionally seen together.

With the end of "[zan]," the tech crew okay-ed the equipment and said they were ready to go. Turning his head to look at the rest of the band, Karasu cocked an eyebrow in silent question, waiting to hear any calls that signaled a needed break. None came to him, although Shade wasn't even looking at him as something had caught his dark ebony eyes. Mildly curious as to what had caused his guitarist to stiffen, Karasu trained his eyes back towards the bar. Zoe was sitting on one of the stools, urging the bartender to serve something for her friend. Her friend just so happened to have the brightest of red hair.

Hiding a smirk, Karasu motioned for a continued practice. Bobbing his head slightly to the pace that Quix was setting, his violet eyes rested on Kurama's back, waiting for the moment when the redhead would turn to him. His mouth opened and from it came the lyrics that made Zoe begin to laugh when she recognized the song. Still, her guest sat stiffly with his back towards the band. Up to the challenge, Karasu moved into the next verse,

/Time after time In the nocturnal sky You question why are you born Until your endless river of tears Shines with a brilliant gold color The icy wind blows The birds what can't fly Carry each one of your dreams Into the daybreak's sky /

He smiled when he saw Kurama's head turn just the littlest bit back towards him. Zoe was now poking the redhead, telling him to turn around and watch the act she'd gotten for the night, and then asking if he understood her amusement with the song. Whatever Kurama answered, it couldn't be picked up at the stage while Karasu went into the next part of the song,

/Destiny. Alive. Heaven. Love. Innocence. Always. Destroy. Aftermath. Hell. Life Infinite. /

/Time after time You cry in reality The passing time stops Miracle of sheded tears The flowers of your illusions will open out /

The other three took the closing as Karasu flicked off the mike and jumped off the end of the stage, walking towards the bar. Green eyes momentarily glanced back towards him and he caught a scowl before the other turned away. Highly amused, Karasu took Zoe's hand and kissed her palm, eyes remaining on Kurama's back. " 'Oh my Dahlia,' " he quoted. Zoe gave a brief laugh before taking her hand away and swatting him on the shoulder.

"Knock it off before you get in trouble," she said with a grin. Settling herself back on a stool she motioned for Karasu to take a seat as well. He did, just not where she had suggested; Kurama shifted in his seat when Karasu took a spot next to him. Leaning back on the bar, Karasu rested his elbows and watched as his band set aside their interments and departed from the stage. Shade wasn't looking all that happy. He rather enjoyed the jealousy from both ends - although far be it for Kurama to admit to being jealous.

Glancing at the redhead from the corner of his eye, he could tell that Kurama was trying his best to pretend to ignore the singer. "Why do you always *try* to ignore me, itooshi? You look so silly doing so." Kurama grimaced at the nickname but didn't turn towards him. Hmm.... being a little tougher tonight, then. Karasu resisted the urge to grin.

Zoe looked him over curiously. "Are you just pestering my friend here or are you being serious?"

Karasu gave her a lazy wink before taking one elbow off the counter to give his arm mobility again. His hand rested high on Kurama's thigh over the black, skintight pants. Leaning in he whispered against the redhead's ear, "So you did come, itooshi, and early... Care to make good use of this extra time?" His fingers moved to brush over the cloth-covered crotch.

Reacting immediately, Kurama slapped his hand and glared daggers at him. "Take your filthy hands off me!"

Laughing, Karasu didn't let up and instead grabbed the hand that had slapped him and brought it to his mouth. "I don't think you want me to." Keeping eye contact with the fiery eyes he gently took one slender finger into his mouth and wrapped his tongue about the digit, fully laving attention upon it.

"Whoa, nice show and all, but just in case you'd prefer a little privacy, my office is open; unless you plan on making a huge mess..." Zoe stood, eyeing Kurama with an amused look. "Later, boys, have your little fun."

Kurama broke from his stunned trance suddenly to look after her and started to protest. Karasu quickly caught his flush face with his free hand, however. Removing the now spit-covered finger from his mouth, he shook his head, "Tsk. Very impolite to turn down the woman's offer." Grin wicked and eyes glinting, Karasu stood and tugged on Kurama's wrist, leading them back towards the office Zoe had mentioned.

Truly unsure what his tumbled feelings added up to, Kurama struggled, but just barely, as he was led along. He could hear the laughter around him from various employees who were catching on easily as to the intent of the singer and were highly amused by Kurama's resistance. The embarrassment began to reawaken his senses and Kurama pulled on his hand, hard. Karasu's grip tightened and violet eyes narrowed, but nothing was spoken.

At the office door, Karasu turned the knob and pulled Kurama in first with a sharp tug, causing the redhead to go off balance and stumble forward. Karasu shut the door behind him. Before Kurama could voice his protests, a third party became apparent.

"What the hell is this anyway?" Karasu raised an eyebrow at Shade, not looking pleased at the interruption. The dark-skinned guitarist was glaring angrily at Kurama, finding it much easier not to meet Karasu's gaze when he spoke. "Why are you wasting your time with this 'bitch' " - referring to the shirt Kurama was wearing, much to the redhead’s annoyance - "who clearly doesn't know a thing and won't respond to you?"

"I suggest you leave my business alone, Shade," Karasu warned lowly.

"But it's my frigging business, too!" he protested, growing angrier. "Hey, if you didn't decide to fuck me maybe it wouldn't be, but that's not my fault, now is it?"

Kurama desperately wanted out of the small room, feeling too cramped with the other two agitated people. Unfortunately Karasu was blocking the door with his position, which was the only possible way out. The windows of the office were high up on the wall and incredibly small - no way out there. Frustrated, his attention went back to the argument, especially since Shade was directly involving him now.

"There's something else I'm just *dying* to ask you, Red. Are you some freak stalker or just a bizarre detective to be showing up every single place we play at?"

Dryly Kurama answered, "The latter is a better guess."

Frowning, Shade closed in on him, resting his hands on either side of Kurama's hips on the desk, forcing the redhead to sit back or else be nose-to-nose with the angered guitar-player. "Why would you be snooping in on us?"

"Now *that* really is none of your concern." Kurama's eyes narrowed, green glinting gold briefly. "So how about you get off me, go fuck your boss, and let me out of this damn room!"

Startled at the sudden venom in the tone, Shade backed up a step, which was all Kurama needed to stand up. On his way walking past, he purposefully bumped his shoulder into the other's and came to face against Karasu. Definitely hating their height difference when he was in human form, Kurama coldly met Karasu's violet gaze.

"I'm leaving."

"Without satisfaction? I'd be horrified to think I didn't meet your needs, itooshi."

"Cut the shit, I don't need anything from you!"

"Oh really?" Karasu leaned down, hands coming up to Kurama's shoulders in a bruising grasp. "I'm not at all convinced. You have yet to fail showing up at one of my performances. Shade notices. Even your friends are noticing, ne? Don't you think you should start wondering about the truth, kitsune no kirei?" His eyes trailed to the brilliant red hair and one hand loosened so that his fingers could run through the soft strands. "Ah, look how beautiful you've kept your hair... But what's this?" He smiled as he pulled gently on a thorned stem and produced a half-grown rose, the red bud still mostly covered with its sepals.

Karasu dropped the flower to the floor and ground it with the heel of his boot. "Itching for a battle? Why not?" Kurama wasn't prepared for the sudden assault on his mouth. In retaliation he bit back hard on the bottom lip pressed against his. He caught the coppery taste of blood as he released his grip and pulled back, but Karasu had him before he was fully out of contact and a tongue plunged in to tease Kurama's senses. The redhead had yet to fall pray to the tricks and bit down again, this time on the invading tongue.

It appeared that nothing fazed Karasu. However, he dug sharp nails into one of Kurama's shoulders in punishment. His other hand was rubbing up and down the half-clad back, each time going a little further underneath the belt line. Shade made a disgusted sound and plopped down onto the desk chair and turned away from the scene, instead intensely studying the modern-styled poster on the wall.

Bringing his hand between them, Karasu undid Kurama's belt and the fastenings of his pants. The redhead tensed, breathing heavily, but he had stopped struggling and even opened his bite on Karasu's tongue. Pleased with the other's beginning submission, the singer pushed them back towards the desk and lifted Kurama slightly so that the redhead was sitting on the edge.

"Lay back..." Karasu's voice was smoother than honey as his lips moved very slightly against Kurama's ear. Slowly the redhead obeyed, pulling Karasu not far after him by locking his hands behind the singer's neck. Through a lust-filled haze emerald eyes peered at the violet irises beneath black-painted lids. Lips parted wantonly, Kurama waited another few moments before he fully gave himself up and closed his eyes.

With a smile Karasu descended and captured the tempting lips again. One hand ran over Kurama's torso while the other supported his weight. Wandering fingers twisted the cords of the bitch shirt, tightening against a smooth, well-toned belly. Further down the same long fingers stroked back the undone fastenings of pants and belt before dipping in with a feather touch to rest against the stiffening shaft yet covered by dark underwear. A soft gasp, followed by a whimper, escaped Kurama's lips as the redhead arched automatically into the faint touch. His hands moved to grasp Karasu by the shoulders, fingertips digging into the thin fabric of a fishnet shirt.

While they continued on behind him, Shade let out an irritated snort. Something crashed to the floor, but he was the only one to notice. Although he was exhibiting all anger and annoyance, he was hurt with the way he was so easily brushed aside and forgotten. No, he hadn't really *loved* Karasu, but it hadn't exactly been the typical fuck, either. 'Jesus, I should be worrying about AIDS.' The moment after the thought he knew it was ridiculous. For one thing he knew the band's singer was just *not* normal and didn't appear to catch the regular human sicknesses, and second he knew that before the damn redhead being bonked behind him, Shade had been the only other sexual pleasure Karasu had taken in a long time.

Kurama's hands gripped the edges of the desk. His neck was bared, head to the side as he breathed raggedly. His pants and underwear had been worked down to his knees and Karasu sat astride him, his own pants undone. One of the singer's hands caressed the beautiful flushed face as he leaned down closer to the pale neck. His other hand had slipped something from his pocket and now covered it from sight. "Relax, itooshi..." came the near-silent command, breathy with something beyond sexual desire.

Shade continued to sit with his back turned, brooding as he drummed his fingers on the arms of the office chair.

There was a sharp prick of pain, emphasized because of the suddenness of its arrival. Kurama's eyes flickered and he attempted to turn his head, but Karasu held his face to the side gently. "Shh.... shhh, itooshi...."

From the tiny split of skin fountained a thin pool of red at the hollow of Kurama's throat. Karasu watched it gather, eyes focused calmly in that one spot as he let the small razor blade fall onto the desk. Wetting his fingers in his mouth, he sought the opening to penetrate the redhead; and finally he lowered his mouth over the well of blood, licking kittenishly. Giving up on his confusion for the time being, Kurama moaned quietly and bucked against the fingers probing him. Against his throat Karasu smiled and sucked gently, drawing out more blood.

When another item fell to the floor, Shade made up his mind and stood, striding to the door. Barely glancing back he stated coldly, "You got another forty-five minutes." With that said, he walked out and slammed the door.

Half the people outside the room looked at him in surprise, then back at the door. Scowling, Shade made his way backstage. Zoe and Zack were there, double-checking the arrangements and chatting with Quix and Rez, who were sitting together on top of one of the large crates kept for storage.

Zoe arched an eyebrow when she saw him. "What? No threesome?"

Shade glared.

"Leave him be, Zoey," Zack scolded, though still looking amused. "I would hope Karasu is not late..."

"I *hope* there's not a huge mess, but I'm not sure what else I expect." Zoe snorted softly, a quirk of a smile crossing her crimson-painted lips. "You three are welcome to do whatever you'd like. Catch you later." She walked away with the click-click of her heels tapping the floor as she moved. Pulling out a pack of cigarettes, she stepped outside and greeted the bouncer waiting there.

Lighting up, she stuffed the remaining cigarettes in a pocket once again and observed the passing people on the sidewalk a few steps down. It would still be about another twenty minutes or so before the club-goers would appear. However, that never stopped a few earlies, Zoe considered upon seeing a trio approach. She hadn't seen them before. One was a tall man with orange hair with the appearance of an ex-gang member, possibly from high school. The second guy was shorter than his companion with black hair and coffee brown eyes. Lastly there was the woman with brown hair brushed down to her mid-back. All three had the sense of awkwardness about them, but they didn't hesitate.

"Club's not open for a little over half hour yet," Zoe remarked. The one with black hair focused on her.

"Actually we need to find a friend. Do you know if a redhead came here, yet?"

Zoe raised an eyebrow. "You mean Kurama."

"He's using that name...?" the woman whispered, looking surprised.

Taking a moment to consider, Zoe looked at the doors, wondering what this trio wanted. Making her decision, she dropped her cigarette and ground in out. "Okay, you can come in, but he's busy at the moment." She missed the weary glance that passed between the trio. Leading in the way in, she glanced over the three again. "Just who are you?" She didn't care if she was rude. Distracted introductions were made and she offered them seats at the bar.

On stage Quix, Rez, and Shade were playing X-Japan's "Dahlia" again. Yusuke's eyes narrowed upon not spotting Karasu. A few minutes went by with choppy conversation during which Zoe decided Kurama was not going to be too pleased to see these new arrivals. She noticed movement across the room and watched as Kurama took a few unsteady steps out of her office. She also took note of his mussed hair, even though he was still playing with it, and the crookedness of his pants. His emerald eyes found her, then widened in surprise when he saw the others sitting near her.

Yusuke stood, frozen with a shocked expression on his face. Kurama stared back, trying to find words that he could use to explain. "Yusuke..." he started, pleadingly.

Karasu came out behind him, running a hand through his hair with a smug expression. Brown eyes flickered to the singer. In return Karasu smiled maliciously at the former Tantei leader. He moved closer to the redhead, stroking a bare arm with possessiveness. Kurama quickly broke away, hurrying towards Yusuke, but his friend was already storming towards the exit. Keiko and Kuwabara studied him for a moment, before exiting as well.

Closing his eyes painfully, Kurama touched the hallow of his throat, feeling the tear beneath his fingertips.

~ * ~ * ~ * Owari * ~ * ~ * ~

What the fuck? I'm sure you're wondering that. Heh. There's two other stories tying closely to this one, don't worry. "Inside You" is Kurama's POV of the situation in the office - more lemony and whatnot but also explaining his submission. And the other fic focuses on the Tantei and Shade's reactions. ;)

There you have it. It didn't turn out as nicely as I had hoped for, but it's something. Now to work on the other fics, I guess.