AfterShock

A/N: Sorry for the late update everyone. Please enjoy.

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Kadaj lay on a thin mattress on the floor of his dark room with his arms wrapped around his shivering body. He hurt all over from the constant abuse his guards had subjected him to as they used his body without mercy. He wanted to fight back, to dismember every one of them for touching him like this, but Itachi had told them if they traded their nights pay they could have unlimited access to his body during their shift. Then he told Kadaj that just because he was there did not mean he was not going to work off his debt. The door handle squeaked as yet another guard entered his room, another abuser to take from him without remorse. Kadaj shook harder as the mans hands pulled him closer, but he could handle this. The alternative would be worse. The guards were here for one reason only, to keep Yammy from sneaking into his room and destroying him.

Yammy was one of Itachi's six Lords of Pain, a mammoth bastard whom Kadaj and every deeded whore feared with every fiber of their being. It was rumored he had once fucked three prostitutes to death in one night, and had been banned from every brothel in town. It was said that if any prostitute saw him coming they hid, fearing his brutality. The police even steered clear of the behemoth of a man.

When Kadaj and his brothers had signed the flesh deed they had been given a choice, one that every deeded whore is given. Spend an unknown amount of time being used by every man or woman purchasing their bodies, or spend one night with all six of the Lords of pain. The six men under Itachi's rule that were banned from every facility Itachi oversaw for their excessive abuse and hostility. Yammy was the one the prostitutes feared the most with Kisame running a very close second. In all the time Kadaj had been working for Itachi only one person had ever taken the deal and she suffered greatly for it. The young woman would be spending the rest of her life confined to a wheelchair in an mental asylum. It was just not worth the risk to Kadaj. That, however was not the worst of it.

The most terrifying part of being a deeded whore was the fear of the sales for their bodies plummeting. With the offer they were given, they were also given a warning. If their sales dropped off for any reason they would be 'disposed of.' Meaning, they would be given to one of the six to be used however long the lord wanted to use them. Most of the six refused to take a rejected piece of merchandise, but Yammy was more than willing to take the whore off Itachi's hands. None lasted longer than a week and all were severely crippled afterward if they survived. That was Kadaj's biggest fear, for his brothers or himself to be put on the disposal list. He was absolutely sure all six of the lords would fight each other for the right to his brothers or him. If that were to happen they would suffer greatly at their hands long before they succumbed to death.

Nearing his release, the guard began thrusting wildly against him, pulling Kadaj from his fears with a whimper of pain. Please, please let this end soon. He desperately needed to see his brothers to make sure they were alright. That they were surviving without him there to take the brunt of the sales. He needed to tell them he was wrong, that his anger for their older brother was misplaced. Sephiroth had not and would not forsake them. He was just as much a victim as they were, and couldn't possibly know of their situation. Itachi had kept that a careful secret by fueling Kadaj's anger for his older brother. Why couldn't Kadaj have seen it sooner? Had Sephiroth known he would have torn the city apart to find them, but Kadaj had foolishly let his hurt feelings take over.

Every time he talked to his brother, Kadaj had made sure not to let his brother know that their current 'job' bothered him. He even forbade his brothers from mentioning it to Sephiroth. To him, if Sephiroth could turn his back on them, they would turn on him. Oh how wrong he had been.

As the guard left the room, Kadaj felt tears roll down his cheeks. His brother had loved them this whole time and because of his own stubborn stupidity, he had kept them condemned to their hellish life. One word. All it would have taken was one word to their brother over the phone and Sephiroth would have hunted them down to save them. Sephiroth would never abandon them, he would move heaven and earth to keep them safe.

Rolling to his side, Kadaj let the tears fall. He had caused all of this. He was responsible for the hell his brothers were forced to live.

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Sephiroth walked down the dark hallway. Their were bodies everywhere with the once pristine walls painted with the blood of countless victims. The sound of drops hitting the floor caused Sephiroth to look up. There, hanging from the ceiling were more bodies. He recognized them but for some reason his mind was blocking out their names and who they were. There was a light noise coming from an open doorway at the end of the hall. He didn't want to go in there, but his body wouldn't obey him. Every step he took caused his heart to hammer harder in his chest. He was screaming inside, he wanted to turn around to run away, but he kept walking to the doorway.

The room on the other side of the threshold was pitch black, but the laughter coming from the darkness made his skin crawl. Goosebumps formed as he continued into the room until his foot contacted something lying on the floor. Only now realizing his feet were bare, Sephiroth couldn't breath as he toed the soft obstruction. The darkness began to fade away leaving Sephiroth to stare down at body at his feet. The sightless eyes staring up at him condemned him for not helping. The evil laughter continued as the room finally lit up.

Sephiroth sat up gasping for breath as he held his gun up, finger on the trigger ready to kill. Eyes focusing, he realized he was laying in the bed of the hotel he had chosen to sleep in for the night. Dropping the heavy piece of metal on the bed, he dropped his head into his hands. There was laughter from unknown people as they walked down the hall oblivious to the trauma of the man within his room. Their loud voices announcing they were more that a bit drunk as they searched for their room after their night of clubbing. Looking over to the clock on the nightstand, Sephiroth sighed. It was only four in the morning, he had only been asleep for barley three hours.

Climbing from the bed, Sephiroth walked to the small bathroom and turned on the cold water. Splashing the water on his face, Sephiroth tried to forget his nightmare, but the damned images floated through his mind like a hurricane. The force of the fear over what he had seen threatened to drive him insane. The sight of the blood soaked bodies weakened his knees, but the vision of what was in the room succeeded.

Leaning forward, Sephiroth rested his forehead against the counter-top and closed his eyes. He could still see it, could see Itachi standing in the all to familiar room with an maniacal smile spread across his face. At his feet were the bodies of those he loved the most. Sesshomaru and his brothers lay there broken and bloodied, their pale hair dyed red as the precious fluid flowed from their bodies. Their eyes were open and fixed on him, fear and pain contorted their features as they stared at him.

As he knelt on the floor in the bathroom, Sephiroth fought the tidal wave of emotions racing through him. He wanted to call Sesshomaru to hear his voice, to call his brothers to make sure they were still alive. Fear danced in his heart, and stained his soul. He was afraid.

A bitter laugh escaped his mouth. Afraid? Yes, that was exactly what he was. Afraid to turn Sesshomaru over to Itachi. Afraid if he didn't, his brothers would suffer greatly for it. Afraid to tell Sesshomaru everything and ask for his help. Afraid he would fail everyone he loved if he made the wrong decision. Slamming his hand hard on the counter, Sephiroth growled. What was wrong with him?

Standing, he walked to the bedroom. He hated himself for forgetting who he was, what he could do. He was Sephiroth, one of the most lethal men in Zaraki's organization. He refused to let Itachi control him anymore. Today it ended, he would use everything in his power to keep his loved ones safe. Sesshomaru included. Dressing quickly, Sephiroth packed his things and left the room. Checking out of the hotel, he walked from the building, he needed to hunt down his demon and save his brothers.

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Reno whistled as he entered his bosses home. His body was deliciously sore from last night and the lustful overload had even helped him sleep through the night. Something his hyperactive mind rarely let him do. With a broad smile on his face, he strutted down the hall.

Reno smiled at his partner as the dark man walked up to him, "You're in a good mood."

Fighting back a blush from the fantasy in his mind, Reno gave Rude a toothy smile, "Sure am."

"Good. The boss wanted to see us as soon as you arrived." Rude said as he walked away, heading down the plush hallway towards their bosses office.

That could only mean their boss had a job for them. Reno felt elated. Great sex last night, a restful nights sleep, and the promise of some head smacking good fun in the morning. Could this week get any better?

Entering the office, Reno watched their dark haired boss turn towards them. "Hey boss man. Ya wanted to see us?"

Rude elbowed him lightly in the ribs as he shot him a glare. Then, turning to their boss, Rude gave their boss a small nod, "I apologize we are so late Mr. Kuchiki."

Reno just snorted. He would never apologize for 'being late.' If the man didn't know he ran on his own time by now then he was a hopeless idiot. Besides normally Reno was late because he just couldn't get to sleep in the evening.

"I accept your apology Rude, but I was actually expecting you an hour from now. Looks like you are early today Reno. Are you finally going to be a responsible subordinate?" Byakuya said as his fought a smile from crossing his face.

"As if." Reno said with a broad smile, "Just had a good night sleep is all."

Byakuya chuckled as Rude shot another glare at the wild red head. Byakuya had learned years ago that it was not possible to tame the wild animal that Reno was, and if he wanted to keep the excellent worker he would need to make an exception in his case. Besides Reno kept things interesting, something Byakuya's father never liked in his house.

"So whatcha needing sir?" Reno said, his hands sliding behind his head.

Now that was the million dollar question. Picking up the file that Byakuya had worked on last night, he walked around his desk. "A friend of mine came to me last night to ask for a favor. It seems he needs me to find some young men for him."

"Didn't know we ran an escort service." Reno said.

"Hardly." Byakuya answered. "These boys are special. They are the missing brothers of my friends lover. He would like our assistance finding them."

"What do we have to go on?" Rude asked.

"Not much I'm afraid." Byakuya said as he handed Rude a folder with a report in it. "All we have at this time is that there is three of them, and they are working for Itachi in a brothel. Itachi has their location changed frequently to keep their brother in the dark which will make locating them that much more difficult." Pausing Byakuya turned to Reno, "That is why I have asked for you Reno. Since you frequent the different places in town, you will be able to search for them without drawing suspicion. There is a photo of their older brother in the folder, I'm sure they will have similar features."

Reno took the photo of the man and froze. Everything around him suddenly became quiet while he stared down into eyes the same color of Loz, but it was the long silver hair that cinched it. Looking up he let his eyes dart to his partner than back to his boss.

"I already know where they are." Everyone stopped talking and stared at him, making him a bit uncomfortable. Byakuya watched a light blush cross Reno's cheeks as the red head continued, "You know that place, Rhain? Well I sorta saw two of the boys there last night."

"Great. Now all we need to do is find out how to get them out of there." Byakuya said, but the look on Reno's face stalled his excitement.

"That's not going to be easy sir. They are not their by choice." Reno said as he pocketed the photograph.

Byakuya sighed "A flesh deed."

"It would seem so." Rude said.

"I need to call Sesshomaru, you two stay here." Byakuya walked over to his desk to pick up the phone. Why couldn't this just be simple?

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Shikamaru sat on the bench watching the people running around the park. Elbows on his knees, he ignored his phone as it buzzed in his pocket. He knew it was his boss and that Inutaicho was getting impatient with him. But what was he supposed to do? If he went in with the miniscule amount of information he had uncovered he would be a dead man. At this time all he knew was the eldest of the boys had a serious gambling problem, then one day the triplets just disappeared. When he had asked who Kadaj owed he was told point blank, Itachi. After that everyone clammed up, refusing to give him anymore information. Placing a cigarette in his mouth, Shikamaru lit it, hoping a burst of nicotine would calm him. Pulling out his phone he checked the message. It was simple and to the point. Inutaicho said "Get your ass here now."

Sighing deeply, Shikamaru hung his head. What could he do now?

"Excuse me." A female said as she came to a stop before him. Looking up, Shikamaru smiled at the woman. She wasn't overly tall, nor beautiful, but she had a strong bearing. In her arms was a young girl with short pink hair.

"Can I help you?" Shikamaru asked.

"Actually I came to help you." The woman said as she placed the child on the ground. The little girl ran for the play equipment as the dark haired stranger sat beside him, "It has come to my attention you are searching for three brothers."

Shikamaru tensed up. "Who are you?"

She smirked as she turned to watch the child. "Let's just say I don't like Itachi." She said as her face frowned, "I don't know where the boys are rate now but I can tell you Itachi owns them and makes them work off their debt at a brothel. He changes there location frequently to keep them hidden from Sephiroth."

Shikamaru stared at the woman in shock as she turned back to him, "He doesn't know. Sephiroth would probable kill everyone if he found out."

Shikamaru desperately wanted to know who this woman was and how she came by her information but short of torture he knew she wouldn't tell him. Looking away he watched the child as she played, her happy shrieks of excitement the complete opposite of the feelings churning in him. "I also wanted to tell you that you need to hurry and find them. The youngest is becoming a liability and Itachi plans on getting rid of him." She said as she got up and began to walk away.

"How long?" Shikamaru asked.

"I don't know." She said as she waved the child over and left.

Crushing his cigarette in his hand, Shikamaru growled. Could this day get any worse? Opening his phone, Shikamaru scrolled through his contacts until he found one of his oldest and dearest friends. Probably the only one who could help him at the moment.

"Hello."

"Hey Chad." Shikamaru said in greeting as he stood and walked from the park.

A deep sigh sounded over the line, "That is not my name Shikamaru."

"Ya, ya. I'm just used to Ichigo calling you that all the time. Sorry Sado." Shikamaru said with a smile as the man sighed again. His smile dropping, "Seriously though, I have something I need to ask you. I know you work as a bouncer at one of the brothels. What I want to know is if you have ever heard of a whore named Kadaj? He would be with two other boys, his brothers."

"The name is not familiar." Chad answered, "Do you have anything else to go by?"

"They will all have silver hair and blue green eyes. They are about twenty but they make look younger." Shikamaru answered as he opened his car.

"They go by a different names." Chad said, then added, "They were here a month ago but have since been moved."

"Damn it." Shikamaru hissed as he hit the dashboard of his car. "Is there any way you can find out where they went?"

"I can try. One of their clients is a friend. Perhaps they will know their current location."

"Thanks brother, I owe you one. Call me as soon as you find out, it is a dire emergency." Shikamaru said as he turned the key to start his car. "As in my boss will most likely kill me in a couple hours if I don't have any leads."

"Understood my friend. I will call you soon." Then the line went dead. Shikamaru leaned forward and rested his arms on the steering wheel. Looking up at the blue cloudless sky, he prayed his friend would have the location for him very, very soon.

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A/N: Thank you so very much for ready. Please leave a review. :)