InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ The Puppet Master ❯ Chapter 1

Title: The Puppet Master

Author: Bondage Fetish

Rating: NC-17

Warnings: Lemons, language, violence and character death.

Theme: Dangerous Liaisons

Disclaimer: If I owned either Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho, I'd actually be rewriting both series instead of having to content myself with fan fiction of it. And no, I make no money off of this story.

 

Written for The Deadliest Sin's contest.

 

 

 

Chapter One

 

The wind tore at Hiei's cloak and plastered his bangs to his face as he ran, streaking across the border and into the Ningenkai. Irritation coursed through his body even as his boots landed on the soft soil of the human world and the clean air assaulted his nose. He had absolutely no desire to be here, away from the blood soaked landscape of the Makai and he grimaced in disgust. But one of his his duties demanded that he return here periodically, to eliminate any threat that managed to make it across and that order wasn't likely to change anytime soon.

 

Unfortunately incursions were happening all too often and it was up to him to have to deal with them. What was strange was the location, and he had yet to figure out what it was about this place. It was unremarkable as far as places in the Ningenkai went, aside from the fact that the landscape was mostly untouched. But this was twice now within a week that he'd been drawn to this spot by some fool who thought it would be wise to set up camp here and now he was determined to find out why so he could put an end to it.

 

The first time that it happened, he'd been forced to kill the other demon and he hadn't attempted to gain any information from him, because it hadn't seemed important. There were only two choices, as far as he was concerned, either they could return to the Makai quietly, or they could die by his sword. Honestly, it really didn't matter to him which option they chose, just as long as it didn't take much of his time for them to make a decision. 'This has gone beyond stupid. If they want to die so badly they could save me the trouble of having to come here to do it, I'd be just as happy to kill them back home.'

 

"This shit is going to get figured out soon or they can just give the job of babysitting humans to someone else,” he muttered in spite of the fact that there was no one there to hear him. This time, he was going to figure out what the hell it was about this place that was so damned special. Either there was something there that they wanted, or he'd stumbled onto something more serious, such as a black market operation. Human flesh brought a high price for those who were willing to risk it all in the attempt to fill the demand but it was also a thorn in his side that he hadn't quite figured out how to remove yet either.

 

But it was pointless to even begin to speculate without hard proof of any kind and as such he refused to bring his suspicions up to Mukuro. He knew that she wouldn't take kindly to the thought that something of that nature was going on beneath her nose and the idea that someone would go against her orders in her territory was sure to have dire consequences for everyone. To add the additional duties that would fall on him if she believed thats what was happening didn't thrill him. because he knew it would be up to him to uncover the operation. Even he wasn't so bored that he'd willingly go on some wild goose chase without some concrete evidence to support it so for now he endured the trips across when he had to. He just had to hope that they didn't become more frequent then they already were.

 

Briefly he paused to get his bearings and scan the immediate area for anything out of the ordinary. It wasn't long before a small whisper of power caressed his senses, causing his brow to furrow with annoyance. It almost seemed to be teasing him, beckoning him closer. 'So much for this being a coincidence. I think I've found the reason these fools keep coming here.'

 

Seeing no reason to put it off when the opportunity had presented itself to take care of the problem right then, Hiei set off again and began trailing the lure. Ordinarily it wouldn't be enough to interest him, but then again, he was powerful enough that such a small taste would be pointless to give a second thought to. But the same could not be said for those he was hunting and his lip curled up in a sneer at the thought of how weak they had to be to want such a trifling power boost. Clearly they were a waste of his time, but there was no one else to send.

 

Picking up speed as he moved closer to his intended target he allowed the ward over the Jagan to burn away. It almost seemed to be too easy, and although he didn't perceive any real threat he wasn't going to be taken off guard. Immediately he picked up on that fact that there was more than one demon there, although one was decidedly closer than the other. 'C class, a complete waste of my time. No wonder they're looking for anything that might help them grow stronger, even a human could destroy them without much of a problem.'

 

But there was something else there as well, a slight hint of energy that shouldn't be there and it left him wondering if maybe a human of Genkai's abilities frequented the area. Whoever it was, they certainly didn't belong in the Makai. So long as they didn't cross the border though, he wasn't going to worry about it. It wasn't his concern where they went in this god forsaken realm, and he wasn't about to go search this person out to find out why they were this close anyway. For all he knew it was a member of one of those odd human cults, running around naked while jacked up on whatever drug they could shove up their nose.

 

In spite of that horrifying mental image, he kept his senses alert and trained on his first target. The fool was only moments away now and had most likely sensed his presence. It wasn't like he saw a reason to conceal himself, not when he could eliminate a demon of this class with his fists alone. A sudden change in his prey's direction confirmed that theory and he smirked at the thought of them trying to outrun him. It just wasn't possible and sooner or later they were going to realize that.

 

The time came sooner than he thought it would, seeing as it normally took them a while to exhaust themselves and turn to fight. Apparently this particular nuisance was rather sure of themselves, and he had no qualms about taking them down a peg or two. It was time to get some answers and by the looks of things, he was going to need to rip them out of his opponent.

 

“So,” he sneered, “you finally decided to stop running like a coward and face me. Tell me why you're here and I might let you live.”

 

“Why should I tell a traitor like you anything?” the boar snarled at the apparition standing in his way. He knew well enough just who the man was, and he knew that he was there for a reason. The relaxed stance that the man had taken was deceiving and he wasn't about to let his guard down. Not now, not when he was so close to getting what he wanted. He didn't have the time or inclination to deal with this bastard who was nothing more than a traitor to his own kind. Not only had Hiei allied himself with humans, but then he'd become the Reikai's lap dog.

 

It was disgusting that any self respecting demon would fall so low, taking the paltry offer of freedom in exchange for a lifetime of servitude. But the fact that Hiei was even there presented a problem and he knew that in a fight he'd be lucky to get out alive. His best chance lay in reaching his goal and attaining the power that would allow him to destroy his opponent. “I'll only give you one warning. Stay out of my way. If you think you're going to stop me from claiming the jewel, you're sadly mistaken. Leave and go back to bending over for your bitch of an employer, you have no business here.”

 

“The only thing you'll be claiming is your place in hell if you think to threaten me again,” Hiei said, his voice as cold at the ice that formed the Koorime Island. The glare he leveled at the other demon held nothing but death, a clear warning to heed his words or perish. “Forget about the jewel and return to the Makai. There's nothing for you here.”

 

When the boar assumed an aggressive stance, Hiei knew the time for talking was over. The choice to fight had been made and now the taller demon would die. Quickly he drew his sword and began circling his prey, waiting to see what his first move would be.

 

“It's your funeral,” the boar screamed and tightened his grip on the Imperium polearm he'd stolen from the corpse of his partner. His only chance lay in taking the apparition out quickly and he knew it. Letting loose a battle cry, he charged towards his opponent, hoping to score the first blow.

 

The attack from the smaller demon came swiftly, but he managed to counter it with a minimum of difficulty and he whirled around to face the next onslaught. His weapon was far more suited to long range attacks and as he manged to counter the second blow, he began to think that he might actually be able to take the apparition out, despite his formidable reputation. Easily he deflected the blow that would have taken his head off and countered with an attack of his own. “You fool!”

 

Cursing under his breath, Hiei ducked beneath the weapon and pulled back until he was just out of reach. It wasn't the boar's skill that was making the difference, it was the reckless abandon he was using. When you had nothing to lose, you were willing to take risks that could easily get you killed. And this was one of those cases. Still, the idiot had managed to score a hit on him, even if it was a shallow gash across his abdomen. An inch more would have been certain disembowelment and that just wasn't acceptable. It was time to get serious and stop playing around. Even with a weapon designed to counter his katana, the boar couldn't hope to match his greater speed, and that was all the advantage that he was going to need. When his blade crashed against metal he began to make his move, ducking beneath the larger weapon, fully intending to gouge the idiot's heart out. As he moved, a brief but powerful burst of energy distracted the enemy, but it wasn't nearly enough to keep him from finishing the job.

 

“No, I won't let you have it,” the boar screamed. The flare of power could only mean that someone else had beaten him to the jewel and was now taking possession of it. The knowledge infuriated him, but it was far too late. He never noticed how quickly the apparition had bypassed his defenses and he couldn't even scream when a clawed hand tore through his ribcage. Weakly he wrapped his hands around the apparition's forearm, trying to pull free from the crushing grip but he was losing far too much blood to do more than that. Darkness began to claim him even as he fell to his knees, the polearm falling to the ground forgotten.

 

“You're pathetic,” Hiei sneered, ripping his arm free from the other demon's chest. The fight certainly hadn't been much of a challenge that was for damned sure. He hadn't even managed to work up a sweat and the small cut he'd received was healing already. Casually he flicked the blood off of his hand before taking a moment to sheath his katana. There hadn't been much of a point to using it, and he was disgusted that he'd even bothered to draw it.

 

Quickly he started off in the direction of the other demon, uncaring of the fact that he'd just walked through the growing pool of blood that had spilled from the boar. It was strange, that strange power was almost gone now and only the smallest traces of residue remained. Had it been a human and the second demon had eliminated them? He was almost ready to conclude that was indeed the case, except there was no trace of the demon at all. It was as if the bastard had never been there in the first place and that was puzzling. Even in death a small portion of energy remained for a short time, but there was nothing there.

 

The only possibility that remained was that someone had the ability to shield themselves from the Jagan, and that was completely unacceptable. Now he was determined to find out just who it was that possessed such an ability and he stalked deeper into the forest. Sooner or later they would show themselves, because they had to know that he was there. The only reason to hide yourself was because you didn't want to be found, or you wanted to launch an attack that your opponent couldn't hope to counter. However, he would not be caught unaware. He wasn't a piece of low class trash that couldn't spot an ambush from a mile away. He'd find this bastard, and then he'd get his answers, even if he had to resort to torture to get it out of them.

 

Yet as he ventured further into the trees, things remained silent, as if there was nothing out of the ordinary there to be concerned about. Snarling in frustration, he continued on until he reached a ravine and then approached the edge, peering into the darkness. Despite the cloud cover that kept the landscape blanketed in shadows, there was still enough light for him see that the bottom was covered with rocks, some of which had to weigh several tons. Critically he eyed the cliff on the other side and noticed how scarred it was. Deep gouges cut into the granite, although they looked to be centuries old, most likely remnants of some battle that occurred long before the barrier went up and the realms were separated.

 

But it couldn't have been an ordinary battle since most demons just didn't have the power to cause such raw, cutting damage. No physical weapon had the capabilities to gouge the rock like that. No, this was an energy attack of some sort, cast loose in what had to be a battle to the death.

 

However, he wasn't there to examine some ancient battleground. He was there to uncover just why the demons were flocking to this place, and better yet, what the hell that foreign energy was that he'd felt earlier. Then there was also the question of the jewel that the boar had mentioned earlier. While he wasn't quite sure what it was, or what it had to do with anything, he knew it was connected somehow. Perhaps it was an uncut gem like the ones that the humans were so fond of searching for.

 

Now that made some since to him, since the humans usually had to travel deep underground to find the precious stones. That little problem would have been solved easily given how disturbed the earth was here. At any rate, such a trinket held no interest or value to him. The person who'd managed to take out the second demon on the other hand was someone he couldn't wait to confront. The same person who had yet to show themselves.

 

There was every possibility that they would wait until he left to reveal themselves, and there was little he could do about it since the Jagan wasn't picking up on their energy. However, it wasn't as if he was needed back in the Makai anytime soon, and to his way of thinking, this was more important than patrolling the border at the moment. With his mind made up, he darted back into the forest, giving the impression that he was leaving. It didn't take long for him to pick a suitable surveillance place and he settled back for a long wait. 'Sooner or later they'll return and then I'll have my answers.'

 

Time passed, allowing night to cover the forest and encase the foliage in darkness, but he had yet to move. Unknown to the apparition he had a watcher, silently evaluating the situation. Although she couldn't see him, she could sense his energy and that of any being who happened to be nearby. While she didn't know why he was there, she was on her guard. It was only because she'd already taken the energy she'd needed from the first demon that she didn't remove this one as well. He was clearly a threat, and a powerful one at that, but even he couldn't stand against her if she wanted him dead and as much as she hated killing, she'd come to accept it as something she had to do from time to time. It was just the way things were.

 

Centuries had past since the fateful day that she'd been trapped within the jewel, and she had very little access to the outside world now. What small influence she had, she used to keep the fragile balance within the jewel. It was all that she could do. None of them had expected her to die that day, least of all her. But even if she had, she couldn't have anticipated being taken by the Shikon itself.

 

Yet that's exactly what had happened and her added presence had completely disrupted the fragile balance within the jewel. Even the slightest tip in power would be enough to destroy it, and her soul along with it. If she could have been certain the demons within would suffer the same fate, she would have allowed it to happen. But since she couldn't be sure, she dared not take the chance. It left her no choice then and she was forced to kill from time to time, taking what energy she needed to keep her own powers in check. The only thing that kept her sane now, was the slim hope that one day she'd discover the secret to getting free. Perhaps then she could move onto the afterlife, and some day be reunited with her family.

 

However, if there was indeed a way to be free of this prison, she had yet to find it and day by day the small flame of hope flickered, threatening to extinguish itself. To be honest, she no longer knew what century she was even in. There was no way to track the passing of time, and no way to reach out far enough to access the knowledge she craved. Most of the demons she encountered had no knowledge of the passage of time in the human world, and she was afraid to reach out to the few humans that ventured in the area. The demonic souls in the jewel could still be a force to be reckoned with, and she couldn't risk people's lives just to satisfy her curiosity.

 

Still, the demon that was occupying the tree a short distance away was intriguing. This wasn't the first time that he'd come to the area, but he'd never even hinted at being interested in the jewel. She knew that he could sense it, at least when she allowed her powers to flare even if it was only briefly. That was the primary reason that she hadn't eliminated the threat that this particular demon posed. If he truly had no interest in the jewel, then she saw no reason to take his life. The other demons who had come, had specifically wanted to take the Shikon's power which she just couldn't allow.

 

If she'd had a physical body, she might have sighed. Could this demon truly be like Sesshoumaru? He'd been the only other demon that she'd met who had no interest in obtaining power through the use of an artifact. That in itself had surprised her considering how much he'd desired the Tetsusaiga. Uncertainty filled her because as she wanted to know, a small part of her dreaded the answer. She could manipulate his mind easily enough, but to her it felt like she was looking for an excuse to get rid of him. If there was even the smallest indication he wanted the jewel, she'd have to kill him. There could be no hesitation, no reluctance. This was her fate, her destiny. She couldn't turn her back on it, no matter how much she wished that she could. Kikyo had made that same mistake, and ultimately it cost her her life and now the stakes were so much higher. So quietly she watched, studying the demon who had unwittingly intruded upon her world.

 

Oblivious to his watcher's silent struggle, Hiei continued to wait, looking for even the slightest weakness in what had to be one of the best attempts at shielding he had ever encountered. The feeling of anticipation continued to raise, inciting a restlessness in him that could barely be contained. Experience alone should have been enough to quell it, however, it wasn't enough. In his field of expertise, he was one of the best, yet the fact that the enemy continued to elude him continued to eat away at his control.

 

Something was going to happen, there was no denying that fact and he found himself spoiling for a fight. He hadn't come out all this way for a relaxing afternoon, and so far this had been a waste of his time. Just as he was considering the possibility of relocating, the first faint whisper of power caressed his skin. A slow smile crossed his face then, knowing that things were about to become more interesting. If he hadn't been watching for something, there was a good chance he would have missed it. However, he wasn't about to let this go unchallenged, not after waiting all this time.

 

A low growl erupted from his throat when the touch became more apparent, caressing the sides of his face in a way that could have been considered a lover's touch. But for now he allowed it while he attempted to pinpoint who had the audacity to try such a thing. One thing was for sure though, the energy wasn't demonic. In fact, it had the strong feel of Sei Kou Kei, although he couldn't be certain. Very few humans had the power or determination to train for that long in an attempt to claim such a prize. Sensui had been one of the only ones he'd ever heard of, and the man was dead.

 

As of yet, it didn't seem to wish to harm him, although he knew that could change in an instant should he let his guard down. That thought alone was enough to irritate him further, to think that a human of all creatures thought they could touch him with impunity. Every muscle tensed in preparation of moving, ready to initiate the game that would put an end to this foolishness and it was at that moment that the power became stronger, allowing another piece of the puzzle to fall into place.

 

Whoever it was wanted to manipulate his emotions, to calm him and he refused to be controlled. “I tire of these games, human. Show yourself and let's end this.”

 

The obvious challenge in his voice forced Kagome to stop and consider him for a moment. In the beginning, she'd decided to calm him enough so that he decided it was pointless to remain around, but clearly she'd underestimated him. He was quite strong to have succeeded in thwarting her token attempt at soothing him, she had to give him that. Most demons would have acquiesced easily, taking the brief moment of peace without complaint. However, he had rejected it easily, leaving her to wonder if he truly thrived on conflict.

 

But beyond that, it was the way he'd challenged her and the words that he'd spoken that had her smiling wistfully. In many ways he reminded her of a certain demon lord she'd once known, but was that where the similarities ended? It was curiosity that made her reach out to touch him again with her energy. It was rare that anyone caught her attention anymore, so she wasn't about to allow the chance to pass her by.

 

The way that he turned to face her with the demand to show herself had her laughing without mirth. There was no way that she could show herself in the way that he wanted, not when she couldn't even project and give herself a physical form. But even if circumstances were otherwise, she wouldn't have given into the urge. A lone female in the forest, presenting herself to the very real danger that he presented would be suicidal.

 

So instead she reached out and tapped into more of the jewel's power, wielding it far easier than she ever managed with her own. With it's aid, it was easy to insinuate herself into the demon's mind. Malevolent energy swirled around her, attempting to destroy every last trace of the foreign energy she controlled. Yet this demon's power could not touch her and she moved forward confidently, ready to take what she wanted from him. 'So, my little demon, show me why you'd bother to seek this place out twice, if not for the jewel.'

 

There was a tense fight within, but in moments his body slumped back against the tree that he'd been resting in and he succumbed to the unconscious state that she'd forced upon him. Now things would be easier she knew, and she wasted no time in finding her answers. To say that she was surprised to find that he had been assigned this area to protect would have been an understatement, but the reasoning behind that assignment shocked her to the core.

 

Originally when she'd died there had only been one world, one where humans and demons mixed freely. Times then had of course been difficult and the two species had been locked in a vicious battle for control. However, sometime within the past five hundred years the Gods had decided that things could no longer continue as they had been, and they'd ripped the world into three different realms. 'That explains why I could never find any demons in my own time. But why would this particular demon protect the border between worlds?'

 

She supposed it could have been that he just didn't care for them as a whole and wanted to keep them out of his home land, but somehow she didn't think that was the case. That also explained why it took so long for demons to track the faint energy that she released whenever she needed an infusion of outside power. If this man was keeping them from hunting the source down, it could present a problem in the future. While she could fully appreciate his desire to do his duty, it seemed to be in direct conflict with her own. It was hard enough to maintain the balance within the jewel and there had already been more than one close call.

 

Kagome paused in her search through his memories to ponder this new development. His continued presence would only make things more difficult for her, but she didn't kill indiscriminately either. Only those who had been tempted by the jewel had been taken to date, and she had no desire to deviate from that pattern. As of yet, he had offered her no threat, but for how long would that continue? If he were to know of the jewel's existence and what it was capable of, would he change his mind? It was clear to her that he had no prior knowledge of it, but now he was aware that there was something there. Would he seek it out, either to destroy it or to make it his own?

 

In the end, she knew that there was only one true way to find out and that was to continue her search through his memories. She had to learn just what kind of person he was, what drove him to do the things that he did, and just what would be a strong enough lure to tempt him. The need to know far superseded any right to privacy in this instance and she felt no guilt in what she was about to do. Perhaps it would have been different if she'd been the same naive girl that she'd once been. But that Kagome was dead, and she'd been forced to accept the fact that life wasn't fair. She'd have to be the one to protect herself and the jewel, because no one else was going to do it for her.

 

The first thing that met her questing mind was blood. It soaked the landscape of the man's mind, drenching everything with its coppery stench and tainting everything a crimson red. Death was no stranger to this man, in both giving and receiving. Thousands of bodies littered the path to his past, most brutally slaughtered without a second thought. The horror that confronted her was enough to make her cringe in revulsion. And through it all was a sense of overwhelming joy in the face of so much death. 'How could he? Is he truly so twisted that taking someone's life would give him such pleasure?'

 

Yet she couldn't deny that was the very feeling that he'd experienced in almost every instance of murder that he'd committed. The circumstances behind each killing was laid bare before her, and she was horrified to realize that in most instances, they'd been pointless. He had killed for the sake of killing, luring his victims to their deaths with the promise of the stone that hung loosely around his neck.

 

But there was more, and it was almost enough to seal his fate in that very instant. Countless times he'd sought out precious artifacts and jewels, either for the power they could give or simply because he lacked anything better to do. It was with a sinking heart that she realized he could easily decide he wanted the jewel, and that was something that she couldn't allow to happen. Reluctantly she called forth the power from her soul, and prepared to purify him completely. It was only when the power swelled, ready to unleash its destructive force that something made her pause. Another memory flashed before her eyes, this one of a young demoness with a sweet face and innocent eyes. The fierce surge of protectiveness that followed left her breathless. She'd only felt one other instance of such devotion, and that had been from Inuyasha during the many times that he'd protected her before she had died. 'So, Hiei, there is one that you've allowed into your heart after all. Are there others? Or is your soul so tainted with hatred that not even the love you hold for your sister could possibly cleanse the blood from your hands?'

 

The question provoked a violent response from his mind and again it attempted to drive her out, but she would not be swayed from her course. The grip on his mind tightened and she forced him further into the realms of unconsciousness. There was more to it now than just simple curiosity and a plan was beginning to form in her mind. The vast amount of power at his disposal was nearly a match for her own and could be an almost perfect counter to keep the jewel in balance permanently. But absorbing him into the jewel was pointless, because there was still a power imbalance, however small. Keeping him alive on the other hand and tapping into his energy from time to time, on the other hand, was a far more appealing prospect.

 

But to do so would mean creating a channel in his mind, a bond that she could tap into under certain circumstances. However, she knew that he wouldn't just willingly allow something to happen, and even if she put the channel in place now, her opportunities to use it would be limited. The sleeping mind was far more susceptible to influence and would likely be the only time that she could take what she wanted from him.

 

However, she wasn't entirely convinced that he was the right choice either, and she needed to know more about him. Ruthlessly she plunged deeper into his memories, searching further back from before he was assigned to protect this area but again, she was brought up abruptly by another face. This one she was more than familiar with, making her wonder if she was closer to her own time than she'd hoped to imagine.

 

'My God, that's Yusuke! But... how would this demon know him?'

 

The answer came quickly then, events where the two had clashed flashing through her mind. She almost felt numb, learning what had happened to her friend in such a short period of time. He'd been nothing more than an ordinary human the last time they'd crossed paths, but now... Now he was a hanyou of even greater power than the demon sitting across from her.

 

But Yusuke had changed greatly, and she was unsettled by just how much. At one point he'd reminded her of Inuyasha, needing no one and locked in a constant battle for survival in a world bent on casting him aside like trash. But now, he held a position of power and his will influenced the three realms like no other could. More importantly, she could see the level of trust that he held for her captive and that spoke volumes to her. 'I don't know whether to say that Yusuke was incredibly smart, or excessively foolish in giving this demon that much power over him.'

 

The fact that the two had started out enemies and later became friends was not lost on her either, especially since it hit so close to home. How many of the people she now loved started out as people that had tried to harm her in some way? Slowly she shook her head, there were too many parallels there not to consider. Regardless, this particular demon had become someone that Yusuke would trust with his life. More surprising, this apparition would willingly give his own life if necessary to save the man she considered to be a friend. Both revelations were something she had to take into account before coming to any final conclusion.

 

Through most of those memories though, there was another person present and instinctively she knew that he wasn't human either. The apparition's memories supplied her with the information behind this man called Kurama, and somehow she wasn't surprised to see that he was a kitsune, or at least that he had been in a previous life. But she wasn't exactly interested in what he was, she wanted to know what the connection between the two was and the feelings that overlapped the images had her curious.

 

She almost missed the slight stirrings of friendship that the demon held for the kitsune because they were buried under the deep feelings of betrayal that he felt. The amount of resentment that this apparition harbored was staggering in it's intensity, but it was also deeply buried. A bit of searching revealed the cause behind it all, and she was surprised to find that the kitsune had turned on him in favor of helping Yusuke. Apparently, his trust was something that was difficult to obtain and easily lost. Although the hybrid could still work with the redhead, he would never trust him fully again. 'I wonder if Kurama is aware of just how damaged their bond of friendship is? Even though some of the resentment has faded, there's no denying that it's still there. How much strain, I wonder, would it take for their friendship to break completely?'

 

In a way she'd be surprised if the kitsune hadn't figured it out. They were notoriously intelligent and something like this was unlikely to slip past him for long. Either way, it wasn't her problem. All his memory had done was to convince her that loyalty was one of the very few things that this apparition held dear. To betray him was to gain an enemy, unless there were extenuating circumstances like there had been in Kurama's case.

 

The knowledge she had gained had caused enough doubt in her mind that she allowed the purifying energy to dissipate for the time being. Although it was clear that he could still kill in cold blood, something in him had changed since meeting Yusuke. There was a level of control there that hadn't existed before.

 

A final face appeared before her then, just before she was ready to withdraw from his mind. It was of a human that she didn't recognize, but he still figured prominently in the apparition's recent past. The feelings surrounding this particular man was confusing to say the least. On one hand, there was the slightest respect for what he was capable of doing, but at the same time there was a deep sense of loathing.

 

Kagome couldn't exactly say that had been unexpected, since more demons despised humans as a general rule. In fact, this had been more along the lines of what she'd been expecting when she'd first entered his mind. And the reasoning behind that dislike wasn't a great revelation either. Apparently this guy took issue to the fact that some people were slower to figure things out as a general rule, which just confirmed her suspicion that he tended to be impatient, not to mention quick tempered. Surely it made that relationship an interesting one and she was rather surprised that the apparition hadn't killed the human outright.

 

Finally she settled back to consider everything that she'd learned. Even though their relationships were vastly different in nature, one thing had become clear. He trusted each of them, to a certain extent at least, and that wasn't a common trait to find in a demon. What was even more strange was that he continued to put risk trusting those closest to him, despite the fact that he'd obviously been betrayed more than once.

 

'It has to do with how they trust him, although I can't say just how far that extends. Yusuke believes in him, but what of the others? Something tells me their acceptance is more guarded, and that it wouldn't take much for them to believe he's turned on them.'

 

She couldn't help but wonder if their concerns were well founded. However, Yusuke wouldn't put his faith in someone who didn't deserve it. It was almost uncanny how he could pick out the people that he could count on, and she'd never known him to be wrong in the past. So could she afford to put her trust in him now?

 

The more she thought about it, the less reason that she could find not to. According to Hiei's memories, there were many times where the fate of the world rested upon Yusuke's shoulders. He hadn't hesitated when it came to sharing that burden with the demon in front of her, and he hadn't failed yet. The plight she had on her hands was no less important than what he'd already been through, but would he wish to help again?

 

'Does it matter? None of the other demons I've taken have been willing to give me their energy, much less their lives. What makes him any different? He won't even be aware of what is going on when it happens.'

 

It was a cold way of looking at things, but she couldn't be anything but practical about this issue. If it would stop the killing, just what was the harm in it? There was no telling when another opportunity like this would present itself, since most of the demons that even came looking for the jewel were weak and now that she knew about the barrier, it made sense. Nor did she believe that this particular apparition would allow someone of greater strength to get past him, not when there was so much potential for danger to the human world if he failed in his duty.

 

Her main concern, however, was that the amount of energy she would have to take each time was high. If she were to attempt it under normal circumstances, it would weaken him. 'If he gets killed because of what I'm doing to him, then it leaves a greater problem with the border being protected. He's going to have to have his energy elevated under stressful circumstances in order to minimize the risk.'

 

Unfortunately, that left only two conceivable options for feeding off of him and that was through either battle lust or sexual desire. Either one was equally acceptable, however one was likely to be in shorter supply. While the apparition fought daily, most of his opponents weren't worth expending a lot of effort. Therefor, there would be little that remained once he finally found a place to rest. Sexual energy, however, was easily obtainable. He was a young male, and like all men, he had physical desires. It would be simple to incite them to high enough levels that she could take advantage of the energy overflow.

 

The only problem with that was that she wasn't altogether certain that she'd be comfortable using her body in such a way, never mind the fact that she didn't really have a physical form anymore. It also brought up a very good question, one that she had no answer to. Would she be able to feel any physical pleasure if she insinuated herself into his dreams? Better yet, would she even want to? After all, it wasn't as if she was doing this to experience something that she hadn't had a chance to try when she was still alive.

 

'This is stupid. Whether I can or can't feel anything is immaterial. He has what I need to keep the jewel in balance, that's all that matters. It isn't as if we're actually going to be screwing and to him it's nothing more than a dream anyway.'

 

Despite her reasoning she'd given herself, she still had to deal with the sudden attack of conscience. Trying to set aside her misgivings, she began laying the groundwork for the bond that would be needed. While she didn't want to create something that was as tight as a mating bond, she knew that it would need to be something developed enough to channel energy through, as well as permanent. It wasn't the easiest of tasks to accomplish and by the time she was finished, she was muttering curses beneath her breath. The Jagan was determined to protect it's master and had fought her every step of the way.

 

'It figures that he'd manage to find an eye that is as obstinate as he is. I suppose that's a good thing though, it'll protect him, which in turns protects my investment in him.'

 

Slowly Kagome began to withdraw from his mind, although she didn't allow him complete freedom just yet. If she were to do so, he'd come awake abruptly and most likely violently. Even though he couldn't hurt her, he could end up causing himself more grief than he wanted to deal with, especially when he was hit with the headache she knew was coming. It was better this way and it was the least she could do considering the service he would be providing her.

 

It was time for him to awaken, and she dampened her energy so that she could watch him without being detected. When those crimson eyes opened, she nearly laughed at the confusion they held. He had to know that he hadn't fallen asleep willingly, but he would find no answers as to what had just happened. Nor would he be able to sense the bond that they now shared, even with the jagan's assistance. She'd done her work well and now, all there was left to do was wait until it was time to feed once again.

 

Carefully Hiei pushed himself away from the trunk of the tree and his eyes narrowed suspiciously. There was no way in hell he'd just fallen asleep, not when he knew that there was an enemy close by. Such a thing was as inconceivable as the thought of Kuwabara asking for his hand in marriage. It just wasn't happening. What was worse was he knew that there was something different, but he'd be damned if he knew what it was.

 

 

So far nothing seemed to be different or out of place, if one discounted the headache that was beginning to build behind his eyes. No doubt that was an unnatural occurrence as well, but it was more of an added nuisance than anything else. The whole idea that the unseen enemy could render him unconscious was troubling though, since it would be impossible to defend himself under such circumstances. 'But to what purpose? They could have killed me when they had the chance, so what stopped them?'

 

As annoying as it was, he couldn't come up with a reasonable answer to his question. It was tempting to loose the dragon and rid himself of the problem all together. He knew that there were only a few who could stand up to the beast, and none of them were humans. However, he knew that if he were to give into that temptation, Koenma would be crawling up his ass to demand answers, and most likely he'd end up serving him for some indefinite amount of time. He'd just gotten out of working for the fool and he didn't want to walk back into that position.

 

The option that remained was only slightly better than the first one, and that was to leave the area. Clearly he was not going to gain answers on this day and the demons that had crossed the border had been disposed of. If he were to get technical, there was no longer any reason for him to remain. Unless the threat was demonic in nature, it wasn't his problem and Koenma could deal with this unseen enemy if it came down to it.

 

Quickly he dropped down out of the tree he'd been resting in and turned towards the border. No doubt Mukuro would want his report, even if there had been nothing of great importance, if one discounted the unseen force. Nor was there any point in mentioning it to her since he had no concrete proof of anything there.

 

'Knowing my luck, she'd insist on checking it out herself and all hell would break loose. Even Yusuke has had trouble remaining in this waste of space, Enma would mobilize the entire SDF if Mukuro crossed the border.' Not that it would make any difference since even with all of the Reikai forces combined would they be able to take on a demon of her caliber.

 

No, in this instance it was best to keep quiet about the whole incident unless there was a pressing reason to bring it up. He'd tell her that it was a simple issue that was easily dealt with, and that would be the end of it.

 

Yet, somehow he knew that whatever it was, whatever had happened here, was far from over. It wasn't finished, but he couldn't explain how he knew this. And that feeling just increased with each step he took away from the place where he'd encountered the strange energy. Reluctantly he paused and turned to look back towards the area he'd just come from, but he could detect nothing out of the ordinary. The foreign power hadn't returned, and he still couldn't sense anyone within the area.

 

Unable to explain just what was tugging at his soul, he began walking back to the tree when he felt it, a loneliness that was not his own and he began to wonder if it was some sort of spirit that lingered in the area. Unfortunately, he had no true way of knowing since he did not have the same abilities that those idiot ferry girls did, nor did he want them. But that still didn't stop him from moving closer to investigate.

 

'I must be a fool, following this thing around like a dog. When the hell did I become desirable company?' He was of half a mind to tell whatever it was to fuck off, but again his instincts prevented him from doing so. Perhaps it was attempting to show him just what they were and with that knowledge, he could figure out how to get rid of them. At least then he'd be able to put a stop to the breaches across the border.

 

While he studied the area, Kagome continued to coax his mind, impressing upon him the need to keep moving. There was little that she could do with him in this state, but that was immaterial for what she wanted at this point. For far too long she'd wondered how her family was doing, and now that she knew approximately what time period they were in, she knew that she could have her questions answered.

 

However, it meant manipulating the apparition into doing what she wanted, and right now that was to investigate the shrine. While she wouldn't be able to see through his eyes, or even read his mind while he was awake, she knew that it wouldn't be long before she was allowed to venture into his memories again. So to that end she concentrated, coaxing his instincts to the surface and then pointing them in the direction she wished him to go.

 

Unaware of the subtle influence she had over his mind. Hiei gave into the urge to find out where his instincts would lead him. Although he had no idea just where he was going, he began to run, allowing his gut instincts to guide him. The landscape passed by quickly and the breeze tore at his clothing, yet he barely took notice of his surroundings. By now all of his attention was focused on one thing and that was figuring out just what was going on. Had anyone been in the area, they wouldn't have even caught his the after image that signaled his passing.

 

When the tree line gave way to tall buildings, his lip curled in disgust. It would figure that his answers would lay in the largest city in Japan. It couldn't have been a place fairly small that would have only taken a few minutes of his time to explore. Instead he was going to be forced to mingle with the sea of humanity that clogged the streets and sidewalks, not to mention the headache of coming up with a reason for the detour that Mukuro would accept.

 

Once he reached the outskirts of town, he slowed in his headlong rush. Not because he was worried about being seen, but because the pull he'd been experiencing had lessened. Carefully he scanned the area, taking note of his surroundings in an effort to determine just what he was missing. Something told him that he was close, extremely close to whatever it was that he was supposed to be looking for and it was the moment that his gaze landed on the tori of a nearby shrine that he knew he'd found the right place.

 

But he didn't make a move to approach the place, at least not right away. Venturing onto holy ground was not something to do lightly, not when the energy could easily destroy him. However, he doubted that whatever it was would bring him all the way out here, just to try to purify him when they could have eliminated the threat that he posed earlier.

 

Still, his advance was cautious and he went out of his way to avoid the people that happened to be walking nearby. He had no desire to remain in contact with them any longer than necessary, and this would ensure that none of them bothered to ask what he was doing. Cautiously he advanced up the stairs, keeping all of his senses alert on the off chance that the shrine priest or miko would notice his presence.

 

However, it became apparent that such precautions weren't necessary when he reached the top of the stairs. Although the courtyard had been cleared, there were tell tale signs of the destruction that had taken place. Far off to the left was a concrete foundation, clearly all that remained of what was once a house. The black scorch marks on the platform told the tale of just what had occurred.

 

Nonchalantly he strode forward, as if he was just another passerby who happened upon the place by accident. While he still wasn't sure of just why he'd been led here, it was obvious that there was a reason. The annoyance he'd been feeling earlier abated only slightly since there was a chance this would solve this little mystery he'd found himself thrown into.

 

Once he reached the site that the house once stood, he knelt down and examined the burn marks. His brow furrowed when he realized just how old they were. Most likely the fire had occurred years ago, but the marks still remained while in areas that looked untouched, the exposure to the sun and elements had caused some damage. Given the unpredictable weather that the city tended to have, he expected there to be far more fading then there was as far as the fire damage was concerned.

 

But there was more that didn't add up when he ran his fingers through the soot. Being an apparition that controlled fire, he was intimately familiar with the properties of both the Makai and the Ningenkai varieties. Even with the passing of time, he'd know the scent of hell fire anywhere. 'Tch, it would figure. Looks I've been dragged here to avenge some pathetic human because someone didn't do their job.'

 

The entire problem with that idea was that most likely the demon that had done it was either dead or back in the Makai. At the moment there were very few demons that were even in the Ningenkai at the moment. His team did their jobs well and he wasn't about to downplay that fact, this hadn't happened on his watch. If this was indeed a spirit crying for vengeance, there was every likelihood that the culprit was already dead.

 

Still, it was tempting to make a quick trip to the Reikai to look into it and he would have, had it not been for the fact that he had no desire to speak to either Botan or Koenma. Surely there would be information to be found here in the Ningenkai. After all, a fire at a shrine wasn't an every day occurrence and he had a readily available source of information at his disposal. 'And even if Kurama doesn't know the story behind this place, I'm sure that he could find out.'

 

It was all a matter of arousing the man's curiosity and Hiei knew that just the fact that it was him asking would pique the Kitsune's interest. But before he set upon that course of action, he was determined to make sure that there were no other clues left for him to find. Without regard to the people who might happen upon him, he allowed the Jagan to open again and he began to scan the area. As expected, there were no traces of demonic energy remaining, beyond that of the fire. There were two faint whispers of spiritual energy remained however, and he began to follow the stronger of the two.

 

The energy signature led him to the base of a rather large tree. There didn't seem to be anything more unusual about it, but he'd learned long ago that appearances were deceiving. Cautiously he laid a hand upon the bark and the brief image of a young girl with sorrowful blue eyes filled his vision. In the space of a heartbeat, however, it was gone, leaving him to wonder if it had been nothing more than his imagination.

Slowly he shook his head, ready to be done with the whole thing, but there was still one more place that he had to check before he could leave this place. Wasting no time, he followed the second trail of magic and found himself in front of what had to have been a smaller building. As with the house, there was almost no trace of what had once stood here and he almost dismissed the place as unimportant. However, the fact that there was an area of bare earth in the center of the foundation had him pausing.

 

Slowly he knelt down and grabbed a handful of the dirt. There was the strong taint of magic here, now that he'd actually touched the ground. Briefly he wondered if perhaps it was a sacred spot, perhaps a place where the humans made offerings to their gods, but somehow he didn't think so. No, there was another reason for the energy, he was just missing the pieces to solve the puzzle.

 

Finally, after deciding that he'd learned all he could from the area he disappeared down the stairs again and began the short journey to Kurama's house. While he didn't live in Tokyo, he wasn't that far away either if one ignored just how large this city was to begin with. Still, given the rate of speed that he could travel at, it wouldn't take long for him to get there at all.

 

With luck the redhead wouldn't be too busy to assist in giving him a bit of information and if he was... Well, as far as Hiei was concerned it could be set aside. He didn't want to remain in this realm any longer than necessary and there was a good chance that Kurama would need to do some investigating to get him the information he wanted. Fortunately, the kitsune knew how to get a hold of him once something surfaced and in the meantime he wouldn't have to wait around to find out.

 

A satisfied smile crossed his face then. If this worked out like he planned, he'd be back at the fortress long before nightfall and there would be a chance that Mukuro wouldn't ask him what he'd been doing during the time he was out in the field. No doubt if he were to tell her that he'd been investigating the possible death of a human girl she'd be concerned until she learned it hadn't happened in the Makai. No, after that she'd just assumed that he'd lost his damned mind, which was beginning to sound like a distinct possibility.

 

Ruthlessly he pushed himself faster and took to leaping across the roof tops of the nearby buildings just to avoid the humans lurking down below. It was a faster method of travel since there was nothing obstructing his progress. The air was also the slightest bit cleaner since the breeze remained unhindered. However, there was nothing that would eliminate the stink of the realm and with every step he took, he was reminded of why he hated to come here in the first place.

 

So it was with no small measure of relief the he sighted Kurama's house a short distance away, and the redhead that occupied it standing out in the front yard. 'Good, this eliminates the need to alert him to the fact that I'm here. The less time I have to waste by being here the better.'

 

Without warning he dropped down in front of his former teammate, but he wasn't surprised to see that the man almost seemed to be expecting him. It was entirely possible, he supposed, since he wasn't exactly going out of his way to hide his presence. “Good, you're home. I need some information, Kurama.”

 

“And here I thought you were here on a social call,” Kurama said mildly. It was rare to see the apparition and rarer still that it was in the Ningenkai. He could only hope that it wasn't something catastrophic that meant the reformation of the team. “So what can I help you with today. I'm assuming it's important since you came all this way to see me.”

 

Hiei raised a brow but said nothing about the flippant comment that the redhead tossed at him. Instead he decided to get to the point of his visit, “How familiar are you with the shrines in Tokyo?”

 

“Shrines? As in Shinto shrines?” Kurama raised a brow in surprise. Whatever he'd been expecting, this certainly wasn't it. “I'm afraid I don't know a great deal about them. Our kind generally aren't accepted there and if the caretakers have the even the slightest bit of their abilities still intact... I shouldn't have to tell you what the end result would be of that meeting.”

 

“I haven't asked if you've been to them, I asked how familiar you were with them. I'm sure you've paid attention to the news. Has there been anything strange that you've noticed?” He didn't need a lesson on what humans with purification abilities could do to demons and he certainly wasn't looking to take a tour.

 

“I'm afraid I'm not sure what you're looking for,” Kurama stated, more curious than ever now, “You'll need to give me more information. I haven't seen anything in the news recently, but then again, we aren't always informed of what goes on in Tokyo.” The impatient look the apparition gave him was enough to convince him that this was more than idle curiosity. “What's going on, Hiei? You wouldn't come here for no reason.”

 

For a moment, Hiei debated on just how much to tell the man. While he knew that Kurama was one of the best he could recruit to figure something out, he wasn't about to trust him with the knowledge of what had happened to him either. Assuming that the ability that this “power” had demonstrated earlier could be replicated, he'd be a fool to put it in the Kitsune's hands. His trust only went so far, after all.

 

Finally he sighed, knowing that he'd have to give the redhead something, otherwise it'd be up to him to do all the legwork himself. “I followed a pair of demons across the border today and after disposing of them, something tapped into the Jagan and led me to Tokyo. There'd been a fire there sometime in the past couple of years, and it was demonic in nature.”

 

“Something tapped into the Jagan?” Kurama's voice was incredulous and those few words filled him with concern. Very few things could do such a thing, and assuming that they had the power, he'd always assumed that the implant would destroy the one attempting such a thing.

 

Unfortunately, Hiei could see the Kitsune's mind at work and the little information he'd been forced to give was far too much for his comfort. He had to steer Kurama back to the problem at hand and away from the fact that his mind had been manipulated.

 

“Relax, Kurama, it's not as serious as what you're thinking. Whatever it was brushed against it, they didn't invade it,” he snapped impatiently, “As best as I can figure, it has to have something to do with that fire. If you can't tell me anything more, then it's pointless for me to remain here any longer.”

 

Kurama wasn't blind to the way the apparition attempted to steer him from what had happened, but for now he allowed it to slide. Getting information from Hiei was difficult at the best of times, and his only chance at getting information lay in getting the man to talk. Sooner or later he'd say something and it would open the door for questions. He just had to remain patient and get to that point. “Hmm, it would help if we knew the name of the shrine in question. We should go inside to talk, someone might overhear.”

 

“Then let them, that's not my concern,” Hiei said, brushing the subtle invitation off without a second thought. To go inside would risk dropping his guard and he couldn't afford to do that, not now. Perhaps later, after he learned just what the hell the spirit had wanted when he'd been rendered unconscious, but not until them. “As for a name, I don't have it. It's not like they put up a sign that said 'Here once stood such and such shrine until a demon decided it wanted some human barbecue.'”

 

Kurama grimaced at the apparition's choice of wording, but he couldn't refute him either. Assuming that it was the site of a demonic killing, it was little wonder that there was nothing that would mark it as a place of worship. Of course, the authorities wouldn't know that it had been a demon that caused the destruction, but he doubted they'd rebuild the shrine regardless. “I suppose I can check public records. If there had been an epidemic of shrine arsons, I'm sure that we would have heard about it. So finding one particular fire shouldn't present a problem. Still, it's not like you to be interested in something like this. I can't help but think you're wanting to look into this for another reason.”

“My reasons for looking into this are none of your business. You'll either help me or you won't, just make a decision so I can be on my way,” Hiei said, already knowing what the answer would be. Even though Kurama wouldn't appreciate being told to mind his own business, his curiosity was already caught and that was all the advantage he needed.

 

“You could be a little more agreeable you know, since you are asking for my help,” Kurama said, chiding the apparition. Now he was positive that something more had happened, but he was going to have to lure Hiei into telling him and it wouldn't be a quick process. “Fine, I'll look into it when I get the chance and send word if I find anything out. I assume you'll be with Mukuro for the duration?”

 

“I'm still on the border patrol if that's what you're asking. If I'm out in the field, Mukuro will send word that you need to speak to me,” Hiei replied and turned to leave. Now that the redhead was on the case, he was sure that it would be solved quickly. Perhaps then he could forget about the strange power and the control it'd managed to gain over him, if only briefly.

 

And just like that, the apparition was gone, leaving Kurama standing alone in his yard and contemplating what little he'd learned. 'There's more to it than what he told me, something to do with the Jagan. But what?'

 

That in itself was the biggest piece of the puzzle. He knew that Hiei couldn't care less about humans, or about the things that occurred in the human realm. To take such an extreme interest in such an event meant that he'd been drawn into the mystery, something had made it personal.

 

'If it had been Yusuke or Kuwabara, I'd have to say there was a chance that one of the people killed in the fire had shared their memories with them, and they were trying to avenge what had happened. However, Hiei's not going to care about what happened to some nameless human. So what is it?'

 

His brow furrowed in contemplation and he shook his head. It was pointless for him to remain standing outside since his former teammate had disappeared after being reassured that he'd get the help that had been requested. With his thoughts tied up on this latest quandary, he made his way inside. Perhaps there would be something online about the fire that Hiei had spoken of. If not, there was always the option of going to the public library after midterms were over. They'd have all the records he could ask for filed away in their archives.

 

It was a few hours later that Hiei made it back to the fortress, and as expected there was a message waiting on him in his quarters. Seeing it laying there on the desk wasn't unexpected, but it wasn't exactly welcomed either. Right now he wanted nothing more than to go to sleep and try to forget the nagging feeling that he was missing something important.

 

But if there was one thing he'd learned in his time under Mukuro's command, it was that she wouldn't be denied. So he forewent the idea of stripping his boots off, and exited his bedroom. At this time of night, it was highly unlikely that she'd be in her office, so instead he headed towards her private chambers. Fortunately, the corridors were relatively quiet, leaving him in peace for the time being. The shift change had been hours before and it would be morning before the halls became hell to traverse again.

 

The light shining beneath the door confirmed that his suspicions had been correct, and without bothering to knock, he pushed the door open. It wasn't as if she had anything he hadn't seen before. While they'd never been lovers, she'd been less than conservative when stripping her clothing off in front of him not long after he'd entered her service. Of course, he'd been unconscious in the regeneration tank at the time, but the Jagan had been more than willing to supply the memories of what had happened while he'd been helpless. “You wanted to see me?”

 

Mukuro looked up upon his entrance, but she didn't bother to get off the bed. She was used to him coming and going as he pleased, and she was fine with that, within reason. “I did, though to be honest I expected you a couple of hours ago. What's the status of the demons you were sent after?”

 

“Dead, although I'm sure you already knew that,” he replied with a snort. Most likely a sentry had been sent out to check on his status when he hadn't returned in a timely manner. If that was indeed the case then they would have seen the corpse of the first demon and her question had been pointless.

 

The matter of fact way that he'd stated that had her smirking. Hiei knew her quite well and most likely he was perturbed that she'd summoned him for a report when she already knew the facts. However, she had to know just what was so important that he'd abandon his post to venture further into the Ningenkai once the demons were slain. “True, although only one corpse was reported. I trust that you dealt with the second?”

 

“The threat they posed has been eliminated,” he said without bothering to elaborate. He wasn't so foolish as to believe that she wouldn't pick up on a lie, and he really didn't want to have to explain that even he didn't know what had happened to the second demon. “If that was all that you wanted, it could have waited until morning. If there's nothing further, I'm leaving.”

 

Mukuro waited until he turned from her before speaking again, “What business did you have in going there, Hiei?”

 

“My job. I know you're not as addle brained as Koenma is, so I shouldn't have to point out that it was your orders that I cross the border,” Hiei said, turning to give her a skeptical look. Little managed to sneak past her, but still he hoped that what little he gave her would be enough to satisfy her curiosity.

 

“A convenient excuse, but that doesn't explain your extended absence. I doubt that those two demons were enough to give you much trouble. So, enlighten me, Hiei, what was so important that you had to venture further into the Ningenkai,” she said, curious as to what he could possibly be trying to hide. When his jaw tightened, she knew he was about to be stubborn and insist that she didn't know what she was talking about, so she upped the stakes a little. “You stink of the kitsune and I know that he hasn't come calling recently.”

 

“It was a personal matter and I do have free passage across the border. Are you saying that I'm no longer permitted to come and go as I please?” The question hung between them, the tension in the air elevating considerably. Long ago, she'd given him leave to do as he pleased and he remained only because he'd become comfortable with their arrangement. If the rules changed now, he would have to rethink his decision to stay.

 

Mukuro raised a brow at the apparition. Clearly whatever had occurred was important enough for him to call their arrangement into question. He filled an important position on her team and she had no desire to drive him off. All the same, she doubted that it would come down to that regardless. Sooner or later he would come to her, if only to talk. It was just a question of how much time he would need to resolve whatever issue it was that he was dealing with. “Of course not. However, you must understand my concern when you disappear after a border incursion. You know if it was to check on your sister, you do not have to conceal your actions.”

 

“Then we continue to have an understanding,” he said, taking the out that she'd handed to him. He wouldn't elaborate that the little side track had nothing at all to do with his sister. Mukuro had no need to know about that anyway and unless something changed, she'd remain in the dark. “Are we finished?”

 

“For now,” she conceded. Short of reading his memory, there was nothing she could do to gain the information from him. Any order given to make him talk would be steadfastly ignored and she knew it. If there was something seriously wrong, she had enough trust in him to believe he would tell her. For now all that she could do was wait and see if the situation developed into something that would demand her attention. In the meantime, she'd allow him to handle it, she had enough of her own problems to deal with.

 

Hiei knew that was as clear of a dismissal as he was likely to get and he didn't bother to stick around to see if she came up with more questions. If Kurama unearthed something important, he knew that he'd have to give the information to Mukuro. Most likely she'd be pissed that he hadn't filled her in, but he wasn't going to worry about that problem until it was directly before him.

 

The door closed quietly behind him and he put the potential problem with Mukuro behind him. There was no use in worrying about it at the moment, not until Kurama contacted him with whatever information he managed to dig up. For now, all he wanted to do was to return to his room and forget this whole fucked up day had ever happened. Tomorrow would be another day of patrolling and with luck, he'd find someone a hell of a lot more interesting than a couple of weak fools who had nothing better to do than cross the border.