Making the bed is the last requirement to ready this room for Mukuro's new second in command. The rumors circulating through the servants' quarters are that this swordsman bested five hundred of Mukuro's strongest warriors. Ayame can hardly wrap her mind around such strength as she tucks the covers under the edge of the mattress. She delicately smooths the wrinkles from the comforter and walks over to the door frame to take one last look at the room before she moves on. Mukuro may be a ruthless leader, but she has high expectations as to the conditions of her fortress. The surfaces are dusted, the floors are swept, the bathroom is spotless, and the bed is made.

Satisfied with her work, Ayame turns to leave. As she reaches for the door handle, it swings open. Standing on the other side is a man of short stature. Ayame blinks and takes in his features. He has spiky black hair with streaks of white and blue. He's wearing black loose fitting parts, a ragged blue tank top, and a sword is strapped to his side. His crimson eyes are striking, and the poor servant girl is encapsulated by the emotions lurking behind them. Ayame has never seen this man before, so it stands to reason he is the new second in command.

"Are you going to stand there gawking like a fool or may I enter my quarters?"

And he certainly lacks manners.

Ayame snaps out of her trance. "My apologies, sir." She curtsies and quickly steps aside to allow the new comer entrance. "My name is Ayame. Please let me know if there's anything you need."

"That will be all. Now leave."

Ayame turns and leaves his quarters with her basket of cleaning supplies. If she wasn't a maid outmatched in strength by every warrior in the fortress, she would have given that general a piece of her mind. But when you're the only human in a castle full of powerful demons, what can you do?

The next room on Ayame's list is Haru's. Haru serves on Mukuro's advisory committee and is a fierce fighter. However, he only uses force when necessary. Haru has the gift of empathy allowing him to know and manipulate the feelings of others. This power makes him an excellent weapon against those who would try and deceive their leader. He has also become a good friend of Ayame's. A friend is a gift few have in the harsh land of the Makai.

Ayame politely knocks on Haru's door. "Maid service," she calls.

Haru yanks open the door with a goofy grin on his face. "Ayame!" he yells excitedly. He grabs her hand and pulls her into his room shutting the door behind them.

Haru is a few inches taller then Ayame and built like a tank. His rippling muscles put those cliché men posing on calendars to shame. Ayame was intimidated by him the first time she met him, but as soon as he opened his mouth to speak, she realized Haru was more like a giant teddy bear than the ruthless warrior he looked. Haru has shaggy blue hair with a long, thin pony tail draping down his back. His saphire eyes are a deep shade of blue like two crystal clear lagoons. With looks like these he's often the talk of the other maids in the castle.

"Did you hear the news? Mukuro has a new second in command."

"I heard. I also met him."

Haru let's out an overly dramatic gasp. "What's he like? Do you think we'll be friends?!"

Ayame frowns. "I don't think so. He's kind of a grouch."

Haru deadpans, "Man, I was hoping we could be sparring buddies, ya know? We could start out small, hanging out from time to time, and then BAM! Best friends forever!"

"You want to be everyone's friend," Ayame giggles.

"True," Haru agrees. "Hey, I have to meet with Lady Mukuro and the advisory committee. I'll see you later, okay?

Ayame nods and gives Haru a farewell wave. She feels slightly bitter about her interaction with the general. If he hadn't held Ayame up in the doorway, she could have had another moment to spend with her friend. She is sure she won't like this new comer even if he does have bewitching eyes.

Hiei is exhausted. Even after an extended period of time in a regeneration tank, he still feels completely drained. It will take a few more days of rest to completely recover from the past six months of over exertion. Unfortunately, he doesn't think he will have the luxury of a full recovery. There is too much to do as Mukuro's new general.

Hiei walks over to his dresser and lays his sword on top. He glances around his plain room and notes how clean it is. At least the silly maid girl was good for something. He remembers the dumbfounded look she had on her face much like the ones Kuwabara often adorns. Hiei stopped the thought dead in its tracks. Kuwabara is the last person he wants to be thinking about.

Suddenly a chiming sound floats through the window. It has a surprisingly light melody for one of the most violent regions on the Makai. It quickly dawns on Hiei what this chiming means. He's already late for his first meeting.

***

"Where is this new fighter, Lady Mukuro?" Haru questions.

Mukuro doesn't answer but continues to gaze at the large door that serves as the entrance to her throne room. She is not impressed with Hiei's tardiness, but she doubts he really cares. Something or someone must have detained him. She growled, "Oki, send someone to fetch-"
"Don't bother. I'm here," Hiei interrupts.

Mukuro and the advisers turn to see Hiei enter from the long row of windows on the side of the throne room. A few begin to whisper among themselves about the appearance of the new general.

"Unconventional, but I like it," Haru smiles.

Hiei sends the blue haired man an icy glare, but Haru doesn't seem to notice. He has already made it a personal mission to befriend the new member of Mukuro's Cabinet.

"Thank you for finally joining us," Mukuro says dryly.

"Hn."

"It would be a good idea to show your Ladyship some respect," a member of the council growls. A grey demon stands and stares Hiei down. He's older and looks like a gargoyle statue Hiei had seen on a building in Human World. Hiei senses his low power level and decides the old man is more of an annoyance than a threat. He returned Brakin's glare with an even icier one.

"Hiei, Brakin, if you boys are done with your pissing contest, we have matters to attend to,"Mukuro states.

The grey monster bows, "I apologize, your Ladyship."

There are two tables on either side of Mukuro's throne where the advisory committee sits. The tables are angled so the members of the Council can see one another and the large monitor at the other end of the room. The Makai doesn't have as much technology as the human world, but they certainly aren't living in the dark ages. Hiei takes a seat at the table on the left and waits for Mukuro to begin. She pushes a button on the remote control, and the monitor comes to life with graphs and pictures of the strongest fighters in each of the three territories. Hiei is hardly surprised to see Yusuke and Kurarma's pictures on the screen.

"As you know, Raizen is dead. The half breed Urameshi has taken his place of leadership and has undergone excruciating training. Claiming Raizen's territory and overthrowing Yomi won't be as easy as we thought it would," Mukuro explains. "I called you all together to decide our next move."

Brakin stands to his feet. "This human boy will be no match for us. I say we attack now and kill him. His territory will be ours."
"Hn, you severely underestimate your opponent. This is the boy who defeated both Toguro and the rogue Spirit Detective Sensei," Hiei replies curtly.

"Hiei's right," Mukuro agrees. "A blind attack will get us nowhere."

Brakin sits back down with his fist clenched. This new comer better watch his back.

"I think we should watch and wait. Let's see what information spies in the other territories can bring us," Haru suggests. "We're all too evenly matched to attack now. It will be an all out war and every side will lose hundreds of men."

"So we sit and do nothing?!" an orange haired adviser exclaimed.

Mukuro put her hands together in thought. "Haru, you have a point, but to sit idly by isn't the answer either." She turns to her newest member. "Hiei, in a week's time you and I will journey to Yomi's territory to meet with the king. My informants tell me Urameshi is planning to do the same. We'll make our next move from there."

Hiei nods.

"Until then, I want all soldiers doing drills. Increase their training. I want them to be prepared to go to war," Mukuro orders.

"Yes, your Ladyship," the advisers answer in unison.

"You're free to go."

The advisers get up to leave. Hiei is looking forward to returning to his room before the training exercises begin tomorrow. He knows he is assigned to Unit C and will be responsible for their training from now on.

"Hey, wait up!" a cheerful voices calls.

Hiei winces as an arm is casually draped across his shoulders.

"Hey, buddy!"

It's the annoying blue haired man from before. Hiei shakes Haru's arm off and glares daggers at him. "Unhand me, you buffoon."

Haru ignores the comment, "I'm Haru. You must be Hiei, the new top dog. It's nice to meet you." He extends his hand to Hiei, but the emiko ignores it.

"I don't have time for your pleasantries."

Haru giggles and rubs the back of his head, "I see, playing hard to get. Don't worry. We're going to be great friends."

Hiei turns to leave when he sees the same maid from before coming down the corridor with a tray of tea. The maiden is fair complected with blonde hair pulled back in a bun and icy blue eyes. She has a slender build with curvy hips and a full bust. Hiei can only imagine what the other men in the castle will do to her if they can get away with it. The black skirt she is wearing shows off her legs nicely and the white apron she wears over her outfit completes the innocent maid look.

The human scent is what catches Hiei off guard.

"Hey, Ayame," Haru greets. "Is it tea time with Lady Mukuro?"

Ayame nodds and smiles. When she catches sight of Hiei, that smile fades slightly as she remembers the way he spoke to her.

Hiei grunts and begins walking down the hallway to his room leaving Ayame and Haru alone.

"You were right, he is grumpy," Haru whispers.

Ayame giggles. "You still want to be his friend?"

"Yup!" Haru replies without even pausing to think about it. Haru's good nature is one reason Ayame likes him so much. He's been the kindest individual she has met since getting trapped in the Makai.

"You better take that tea to Lady Mukuro. She doesn't like people being late," Haru advises.

Ayame smiles at the blue haired man. "You're right."

They exchange their goodbyes and Ayame knocks on the throne room door. Ayame brings Lady Mukuro tea every afternoon. They two women have an interesting relationship. They aren't friends, but there are days when Mukuro asks Ayame to stay and keep her company while she drinks her tea. Sometimes she even allows the maid to have a cup. But there are other times when the ruler quickly sends the servant girl on her way, enraged at one thing or another. Usually there are more calm days then angry ones, but Ayame never knows what to expect when she opens the door.

"Enter," Mukuro calls.

Ayame carefully pushes the large wood door open as not to drop the tray. She keeps her eyes downcast as she approches Mukuro's throne and sets the tray down on a side table.

"Would you like some tea, your Ladyship?"

Mukuro nods and Ayame begins fixing the lady's tea just the way she likes it.

"Would you join me today?" Mukuro asks.

"It would be my pleasure," Ayame replies.

Ayame fixes Mukuro's tea first out of respect and gingerly hands her the cup before fixing her own. The servant girl kneels down at the base of Mukuro's throne and begins daintily sipping her own tea. Ayame never speaks to the ruler unless spoken to. She is honored that Mukuro allows her to join the ruler for tea, but she knows her place. She is indebted to Mukuro and accepted her place of servitude a long time ago.

"Have you met my new general?" Mukuro questions.

Ayame is slightly taken aback by Mukuro's question. The staff is to leave the soldiers and advisers alone. Haru is the exception, but his actions are usually excused because of the nature of his gift. The emotion reader would hardly know what to do with himself if he wasn't allowed to talk to people. Ayame was sure the lady knew of their relationship, but neither have ever been reprimanded for it so they don't question it.

"Briefly, ma'am. I bumped into him after I finished preparing his room," Ayame answers honestly.

"And what did you think of him? You may speak freely."

Ayame felt uncomfortable. She thought the new man was brash and rude, but that hardly mattered if he was a loyal, fearsome fighter.

"Um, I don't know that my opinion matters, your ladyship. He was curt with his replies, but he must be an excellent fighter for you to recruit him as your second in command."

Mukuro nodded. "That will be all. Finish your tea and then you may leave."

"Thank you, ma'am."