The Followers

Oh Hiiiieeeeeee. I hope you all are enjoying 2018. I was burrowing my head into the manga the other day and I was kind of intrigued by Mukuro and her army. Two things; A, Mukuro is a bad ass. The anime does not do her justice. And B, the 77. The 77 are a group of demons that Mukuro hand picked to run special missions for her and be her inner circle. I don't think it's ever mentioned in the anime. Anyhoo, I was super into the mystery of who these demons were and what their lives could be like so I decided to bust open the twizzlers and my laptop and get cracking. Also, I wanted to write an OC that was a demon versus a human. Nothing against human OC's (It me all the time), but I wanted to see if I could write from that perspective. Demons in the anime get this shitty rep of being terrible, human eating monsters and I wanted to see if I could write a narrative that didn't depict them this way.

A lot of this story follows the manga. There' a huge plot twist at the end of the last volume that doesn't get explored in the anime and I'm going to use that in this fic. I hope to be clear in my writing but if you have questions or you haven't read the manga and you're like "DAFUQ you talkin' bout'?" just PM me. I hope you like it

Toodles!

XOXO VSILV

I've heard that there are two types of people in life, those who lead, and those who follow. Many individuals thrive to be the leader, the master-the true ruler of all things. They make the rules and the followers, in their nature, follow the rules. The followers trail behind the leader; they enforce the laws of the leader, they grovel at their feet, and they strive for their one goal which is to satisfy their leader. I read somewhere that 'Leaders get to choose their life, and followers just let life happen to them'. To me, that doesn't sound so bad. I am not a leader. And I am quite happy with that, thank you very much. Besides, when you have a great leader to follow, life isn't so bad.

Lord Mukuro is my leader. And I will follow her anywhere.

And with Mukuro as a leader, life is pretty great. Mukuro is a fearless, cutthroat, and powerful demon, and she liked to keep those around her just as malicious, and just as powerful. Especially the 77. The 77 were a group of hand picked fighters- the best of the best to serve exclusively under Lord Mukuro. We don't know how the number got into her head, but she always wanted 77. When someone in the 77 died, someone else took there place. There were never 76. There were never 79. There was always 77. We were assassins, soldiers, demon's of the dark arts- demons of very special ability to pit it simply. We were separate from her main army, and operated within our circle. Whatever Lord Mukuro needed or wanted, we had it taken care of. When spies tried to infiltrate Alaric, we took care of it. When Mukuro wanted us to spy on Yomi or Raizen, we did it. And when Lord Mukuro wanted someone to feel pain, and I mean, really really feel pain, she called upon us. I don't like bragging, but there was no other group in the world that were stronger than us. The love that I had for Lord Mukuro is the closest link I felt I would ever have to a parent or soulmate. It was unconditional. And my loyalty to her was undeniable. Even in the rare moments it was questioned, I proved my worth. I have killed, and will continue to kill for her. Was she cruel, yes. Was she tyrannical, absolutely. Yet she treated us, the 77 with a respect that was greater than any of us had ever known or will know. And it is that reason I stay, and will forever stay by her side.

Aside from being cutthroat killers and fighters, the 77 acted like a big family. We fought together, trained together, performed missions together, drank together, slept together (I didn't, but I cant speak for all of us). Most members of the 77 have severed for many years. I was one of the newer members, I had served for 48 years now, and I did keep count. Others have been around for centuries. I was considered lucky, as I was one of three women who served in the 77. The other two women, were actually some of my closest friends. All in all, being in the 77 was great. I felt a sense of camaraderie with my team. Even in times of chaos, or when were on the brink of all out war, I felt a connection to my team. We all served our leader, it was our destiny. I had every intention to be killed in battle with my comrades at my side and be forgotten, only to be remembered by those who may have survived my wrath. I was ready to die fighting.

Then, Kirin was replaced. Raizen died. The tournament happened. And things started to change.

The Makai was boring. I had never thought I'd be saying that in my lifetime. It's a terrible thought but it was exciting when we were at war. There were more missions, more travel, more training. The threat of all out war kept us on our toes. The team was tighter than ever. We were all prepared for a battle at all times. Now there was this illusion of peace, and things were, well boring!

I was on patrol duty for fucks sake.

When Raizen died, his heir, a Reikai investigator turned demon took control and set up a tournament pulling all demons together to fight it out for a champion. A single ruler. Mukuro had entered, and we, being her inner circle, had entered as well. We all fought valiantly, and all of us lost just as valiantly. And now this new demon king, who I will never call my king, put all of us losers on patrol duty for three years to protect the wandering humans who entered our world and to also maintain balance between the border. But humans were rare, and our days were just spent traveling the same routes and staring into the abysmal red sky hoping it would open up and swallow us all.

But, there were some ways to entertain ourselves. And that was fighting. And this is where I found myself now.

"Go Makoto, you've got her now!"

"I swear Sade if I lose my gold coins on you I'll kill you myself."

Yes, that was directed at me. And currently I'd kill my own damn self if I was to loose to Makoto of all people. The two of us were currently engaged in a bit of a skirmish. Something that usually happens when no humans are to be found and demons are left to their own devices. Makoto was behind me with his strong arms wrapped around my neck in a headlock. I was busy trying to breathe as well as elbow him in the stomach. But unfortunately for me he had abs that could crush metal and I was getting nowhere. We didn't use our true powers here, it was just strength and strength alone. Luckily I took a buck to his nether regions with my boots and he released me. We fought dirty. Literally and figuratively. We've been fighting for the past half hour and were both covered in mud at this point and our blood was beginning to melt into the earth. There were about 15 members of the 77 circled around us cheering us on. Makoto threw a punch at me, hitting me directly in jaw and causing more blood to leak from my lips. I stumbled backwards, he followed and slammed me into the mud. The group began to cheer. I wasn't great at close combat, especially without our real power, but my ego was not about to let me down. I wrapped my legs around Makoto, strangling his neck with my thighs and proceeded to hammer my fists into his head. Another roar of applause from the groups. He fought back, then gasped, and eventually I felt his fingers tap at my legs. The fight was over, I was the winner. Thick thighs 1, Makoto's skull 0.

Mero, another member of the 77 came over to me, hoisting me up by the arm, "To the victor!"

I gave a bloodied smile. As much I was going to regret this fight later on, it felt good to fight. It also felt good to win. Makoto eventually rose to his feet. He was at least two heads taller than me, full of muscle and scars. He gave me a sour look before smiling and embracing my free hand with his own. I had nearly chocked him to death, but he was my teammate. We were comrades in arms and no matter what we respected each other.

"Okay," I let out a pained huff, "Give it to me."

"Alright alright." Mero released my hand and dug into his satchel which revealed a book covered in a black paper. He handed the prize to me and I eagerly ripped at the covering. The rest of the group began to huddle around me as I held up the book and opened it to the center page. Turning the paper sideways a second sheet folded out, revealing a very promiscuous photo.

The men in the group boggled their eyes and made whistling noises.

"Look at the likes of her." One of them said.

Another licked his lips, "A real beauty."

"She's quite thin for a human. Do they feed them anything over there?" Questioned another.

"Yeah," I nodded while taking a closer look, "she's so…hairless." I began to question my own looks. Was this the real standard of beauty? The human girl in the photograph had big eyes, a tiny waist, supple breasts and a rather weak physique. Meanwhile I had tan skin, an athletic build, muscles on my stomach, breasts that were half her size, and I was covered in mud. And bleeding from my nose to my elbows. I'm quite lucky I don't live in the human world.

"Time's up!" Mero's voice snapped me back to attention as he ripped the magazine from my hands, "Next round's winner gets the book for 15 minutes. Fighters please!"

The men in the group shouted and threw their hands up, all clamoring for the magazine. I decide to slip away from the crowd. I was hoping it would have been some type of human music magazine. Not another nudey one. Human men carried weird things with them. And while it was against the laws to tamper with humans, Enki said nothing about tampering with their stuff. After all, they wandered into our world and we brought them back safely. It was the least these humans could do to repay us for our kindness.

"Oy, Sade."

I turned towards the familiar voice. It was Issa. Issa was, you guessed it, another member of the 77. But she was the first female to ever be recruited by Mukuro. Issa was beautiful. She was tall and muscular, with gorgeously long black hair that was slicked back into a ponytail. She dressed in a earthy green shirt and black slacks. Compared to the human girl in the magazine, Issa was the true standard to demon beauty; her looks, and her hands could kill.

"Sade." She called again.

I wiped the mud off my face before responding, "What?"

"Lord Mukuro calls for you."

The group behind me went silent save for the few 'oos' and gasps from the men. "Someone's gonna die". I heard one of them say. Perhaps he was right. Lord Mukuro never called on me personally. The only time was when I was first recruited to the 77. I had to make an offering to her, to prove and ensure my everlasting loyalty to Alaric and her rule. People offered the most bizarre things. Some offered their weapons, their lands, children, fingers, their children's fingers. I came from nothing, so I didn't have really anything to offer. When it came to my turn I just stripped in front of her and offered my virgin body. She just chuckled beneath her bandages, "Save it child. Find yourself a mate and make them beg you to disrobe next time." She continued by saying that I wasn't really her type and once she revealed herself and her gender to me years later that seemed to make a lot of sense. I, as well as everyone else in the 77 still referred to her as Lord Mukuro.

And now Lord Mukuro wanted to talk to me. Just me.

Alone.

Shit, I really am going to die.

I swiftly followed behind Issa as she turned back towards the camp, "Did lord Mukuro say what they wanted?"

"No." Issa answered simply. She turned to me and gave me a coy smile. Her cheekbones receded up towards the heaven, her fanged teeth glittered in the Makai daylight. Did I mention that Issa was beautiful? "Lord Mukuro asked me to retrieve you, and I'm doing just that. Perhaps you should be more mindful that she has eyes everywhere."

A groan escaped my lips. I flipped through my memories to recall if I had done anything disapproving over the last week. I did the best I could at patrol. Maybe I slacked off here and there but I wasn't the only one! And Makoto egged me into this fight; he should be the one getting punished! "Did…Did Lord Mukuro look mad when she asked you?"

Issa shrugged and continued walking, "Dunno. But clean yourself up first. You have worse hygiene than my children."

Ah. Issa children. Issa specialized in both demonic arts and childrearing. She had a habit of returning from missions with both information on foreign adversaries and their DNA brewing in her stomach. I personally had no idea why she would do it. Her body would swell, she'd become tired, she couldn't fight anymore. But it all made sense as I held her first daughter Ayeka in my arms. She was utterly perfect, just like her mother. However, Issa never stopped having kids. Currently she had Ayeka and Hideo who were children size, at least two years apart. Then there were the twins Suki and Sophitia - I think they were still toddlers, and just recently Issa gave birth to her fifth (and hopefully final) child, Rue. I didn't even know if it was a boy or a girl. It was hard to keep up with Issa and her pregnancies these days. In fact, this was the first time in a long time I've seen her without a fetus in her belly.

We continued to walk through the forests before reaching the campsite. The only good thing about this odd time of peace was the fact that there was less roaming around. The mobile centipede that we all called home would be constantly moving from place to place in order to give us the advantage incase the call of battle was heard. Now, due to the fact that there was peace, Mukuro just stopped the centipede one day and ordered us all to build a town. It wasn't much of a city; it was much smaller than the former capital of Gandara but it was able to house the army. We had training grounds, farms, houses, even a little marketplace. And the giant centipede that was Mukuro's fortress loomed protectively over it all.

And that's where I'm going to to be executed.

We walked into the fortress and down the many hallways towards Mukuro's personal chambers. Mukuro had such a weird sense of decoration. The halls were littered with eyes and mouths. Many of the eyes looked like they were following my every step as Issa and I walked passed. It was such a creepy place. Mukuro had a creepy sense of humor.

Issa was the one to open the steel doors, giving me no time to prepare or say a prayer for myself. Mukuro's chambers were bare. There was a floor lamp, a large tapestry on the floor. I could have sworn I saw bloodstains. She had a table and stiff looking chairs and underneath the drapery was Mukuro's large, pillow-like throne. My leader, my fearless, ruthless, cutthroat leader was currently lounged on her chair. She looked relaxed, calm even. This was good.

"Lord Mukuro." Issa spoke while pressing her hands against the front of her legs. Her body leaned forward in a slight bow, "And Hiei."

Shit! He was here.

Hiei. The second in command. The top fighter of the 77. How did I miss him? The fire demon was lounging in one of the chairs; his feet were propped up on the coffee table and his arms were crossed. His sword rested against the arm of the chair. He looked bored and uninterested in our presence. Seriously, how did I miss him?

I've met Hiei before. But we've never had an in depth conversation. He barely even spoke. I think I've heard him speak a total of five times. He was a strong demon. A very strong demon. And he rose to power so freakin' fast. Six months. Six months! Issa, who had been around much longer than me had said that power shifts tend to happen in Mukuro's army, but nothing like Hiei's quick transition. Some said there were other, more intimate reasons, to his ascension to power, but we dare not speak publicly about. Or even think it. He was a telepath after all.

Hiei was such a broody man. But he was a damn good fighter. When someone wanted to challenge the second in command they would have to fight every member of the 77. It wasn't a fight to the death, they had to defeat their opponent in hand to hand combat and make them submit. And once all were all defeated they would then challenge the second in command, and that would be a fight to the death. And all of this happened with no breaks between matches or intermissions to tend to wounds.

It took nearly three days, but Hiei beat us all. I'd like to say I put up a good fight, I lasted well over an hour, but eventually Hiei had me in a hold worse than Makoto and I submitted. He said nothing when I did. He just released me and walked away. When it was time to fight with Kirin, the former second in command simply bowed in front of Mukuro and admitted defeat. He knew Mukuro wanted to replace him. So he did so willingly without a fight. Kirin hasn't spoken about it since; he's now just another member of the 77 and didn't even seek revenge. It was one of the most peaceful transfers of power that I'd ever seen. Kirin, however, was much more charismatic than Hiei. Hiei just sat there and moped around all the time. He was barely even in Alaric. He retreated to the human world a lot for who know's what and did I mention he was moody?

But, he was Mukuro's second in command. I was forever loyal to Mukuro, and therefore I would be just as loyal to Hiei.

I mimicked the same bow as Issa towards both Hiei and Mukuro. A drop of blood escaped my still bleeding nose and it seeped into the rug beneath me. May that be the last drop of my blood spilt in this room.

Mukuro looked up and nodded towards Issa, noticing her now flat stomach, "You look smaller."

Issa smiled, "A healthy baby boy my lord."

"Mmm" she murmured while nodding her head, "you have your hands quite full now, don't you."

"Yes. I suppose I should call it quits after this one."

"Nonsense." Mukuro let out a gentle smile, "I rather enjoy the idea that you are raising the bastard children of my former enemies. It almost makes me miss the good old days. Now," She waved her robotic hand at her. Issa bowed again before exiting the room and closing the door behind her.

I watched her leave before turning back towards Mukuro. She stretched her arms leisurely before settling them behind her head, "You look like shit."

True. I was covered in now caked mud, my clothes were sticking to my skin at this point. I had a bloodied lip and a broken nose, and I probably smelled just as bad as I looked. Not the best presentation for meeting your boss and controller of your fate.

I just let out a weak smile, "I apologize Lord Mukuro."

"I've been hearing rumors of my most elite soldiers slacking off during patrol."

I winced. She really did have eyes everywhere. And having someone like Hiei as a second in command really made it easy for her to spy on us. "Um, human sightings were low. We were merely blowing off some steam."

"I see." She answered. Mukuro was even more eerie to look at without her mask. She had her robotic eye which was always roaming around and inspecting everything. Then there was her natural eye. It was a deep, endless blue color that pierced me every time she gazed upon me. That eye was much more ferocious than her biconical one. She shouldn't have even masked and warded her face before, if her enemies saw her real eye, they would just grovel at her feet. I felt like doing the same thing. Mukuro then asked, "And why do you think that is?"

"Huh?"

"You're all slacking. I want to know why." Now her hands were removed from behind her head and they were now resting on her knees. Her body hunched forward a bit. I was beginning to get nervous.

"We've been restless. The next tournament is in a few more weeks and I'm sure everyone is just getting their heads up their own asses with excitement. Also being on patrol is terribly boring my lord."

I saw Hiei shift slightly. He let out some sort of grunt or groan, some type inaudible sound from his mouth. Mukuro noticed it too, but continued to stare at me, "Will you be entering the tournament this year Sade?"

"Of course. If you enter, I will as well."

"And what if you win?"

"I would hand power to you. I'm not cut out to be the leader. I'm fine in my rankings."

"And I suppose you…Oh Hiei what was that human phrase you told me the other day…ah yes, jump off a cliff If I jumped off?"

Hiei's eyes rolled, "That's not how you say it."

I just stood there confused, "Have I done something to upset you Lord Mukuro?"

Mukuro let out a small laugh, "You know the territories have been abandoned, you don't have to continue to serve me."

"I swore an oath of loyalty to you. I don't care for new laws or new kings. I, and all of the 77 will remain at your side until death takes us. So, yes. If you enter the tournament this year, I will as well."

Mukuro gave a pleased smile. Her blue eye continued to study me, "Do you know why you are a 77 Sade?"

My answers sounded more like a question, "Because I killed the other competitors?"

Her arm extended, pointing towards my sleeved left arm, "That. That is why. You could have killed Makoto and ripped his head from his neck but instead you allowed him a false sense of security in your hesitation. Why did you hesitate?"

I glanced down at my arm. My arm left arm was dressed in a purple, fingerless glove that extended past my wrist and all the way up to my biceps. I didn't have a hidden dragon or a secret weapon under there but the source of my power, my true ability rested beneath the violet cloth. I kept it under wraps for my own reasons, and only used it when completely necessary. And purple was my favorite color and it matched my eyes. But, I knew what Mukuro was referencing to, "I don't like to use it. Not when I don't have to. I won on my own terms."

Mukuro continued to stay silent. She just stared. I didn't know what to do. Now Hiei was staring as well, but he didn't look nearly as inquisitive as Mukuro. Hiei's vermillion eyes had a look of annoyance or disgust. If they could talk, they would say, 'How dare you hold back on your enemy, pathetic.'

"When you enter the tournament this year, do not hold back. Even if you fight one of your own. I may not have control over my territories but I still wish for my 77 to strike fear in the eyes of the competition."

I nodded at a speed so fast I felt my head would soon rip itself from my neck, "Yes, of course, Lord Mukuro."

"Good. Now clean yourself up. You really do look terrible."

I bowed again and quickly left the room. When the door closed I let out the biggest exhale and leaned my back against the wall. I survived my first one on one conversation with Mukuro. Today was turning out to be a good day. Then I heard it.

Click clack, click clack, click clack.

"Oh hi Sade! You look…terrible."

Ah, the third and final female member of the 77, Pri. Pri was short, petite woman who had the physique of a perfect human toy doll. She had light skin, a full head of lilac hair that was styled in perfect pigtails that bounced at her movement. She had a tiny waist, slender legs. She was human looking in every way possible, save for the robotic right arm. She was such a dainty little, happy thing. And while she was small in size she always dressed in very high white heels. No one knew why, but Pri had an obsession with human fashion, the chunky white heels being her favorite. You could always hear Pri arrival due to the clacking of her shoes. She had been around for quite some time, I wasn't sure. It was only recently she was promoted to with a position in the 77; when it was first revealed that she would be talking the place of a 77 who was killed fighting off invading forces one soldier began to question if Mukuro only favored Pri because of her robotic appendages. Pri invited him into her sleeping quarters one night and made him an amputee in a rather uncomfortable and very private part of his body and no one questioned her title again. And Pri had her uses; she was a master mechanic. She created her own bionic arm that looked every bit like her natural one, save for the chrome finish. Pri often worked on fixing things around the fortress and served as a personal repair technician for Mukuro's own robotic arm and leg.

Pri looked extra pepper today; she had on her favorite white sun dress, her smile was wide and her icy green eyes were sparkling. She carried a box of tech supplies in her hand and I assumed she was heading towards Mukuro's chambers.

"Good to see you Pri. And yeah, I…had a little scrimmage with guys from patrol."

"Oh fun." She beamed. Geez, if she smiled any wider her face would rip in half, "Let's met up later okay?"

I nodded "Sure." I made sure to briskly walk away as Pri entered. I had no desire to have another awkward conversation with Mukuro again.

I spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning myself up and preparing for dinner. Even though we had built a town around Mukuro's fortress, I still called the roaming centipede my home. I still stayed in the barracks, which was much further away from Mukuro's personal chambers. I had always known this place as home, and it was rather nice. I had my own room now, and I pushed both beds together to make a nice, sprawling retreat for myself. The showers were shared, but then again I still found time to have a private moment. And, we had an amazing, giant bath that was practically empty now and there was no way I was going to move into a tiny home in the village and give that up. Upon the completion of my shower I began to dress myself. I took a moment to pause in the mirror, the image of the human girl in the magazine once again surfaced in my mind. I don't know why I obsessed with it, but I had come to realize that I didn't look anything like the picture, or human for that matter.

No, I didn't have extra appendages or horns like some of our team, but I definitely did not fit, 'the look' of human beauty standards. I was taller than most human women and my skin was not pale and blemish free. I had warmth to my pigment and my tan skin had scars and imperfections. I had a rather lean but muscular build, where humans had baby fat and suppleness I had abs and muscle. I had larger thighs where they had smaller ones. I was told at a young age I had perfect 'feminine hips for childbearing'. I didn't and still don't have a desire to bear children. However, I will say that child bearing hips also meant I had a nice firm butt, and that was a compliment I was glad to accept. I had a rather oval face due and thin nose, plush lips - even my face had muscle to it. And my hair. Most human girls had a full head of hair. I did not. On one of my first missions I barely dodged an energy infused arrow that was aimed at my head. It sliced right by me and grazed the left side of my scalp. Half of my hair had to be shaved to clean the wound. Ever since then I decided to leave my hair half shaved and display my first scar as a trophy.

We didn't have uniforms in the 77, so we could wear what we wanted. I had always dressed in the same outfit. I dressed in a black, sleeveless bodysuit, followed by a loose fitting gray tunic that covered the core of my body, the purple glove (of course), and my favorite pair of dark brown boots, the ones that extended all the way up my legs, just past my knees. I combed my messy hair and tended to my wounds and headed out.

I loved food. I had heard of human traditions such as 'calorie counting' or 'detoxing' and they scared me. Humans were a strange lot. Again, I was glad I didn't live there, as I loved food. And we, the 77 always ate well. I was seated in the mess hall of the fortress, currently polishing off my second plate (And If I'm still hungry, I'll have a third, thank you very much). Sitting next to me were both Issa and Pri, and Issa's hoard of children.

They were well mannered children. Ayeka was eating perfect, bite sized pieces and using a napkin. She had taken after her mother the most. Her brother Hideo was using his hands like the rest of us. He was a moody boy and like most men he asserted himself to be the leader of his siblings, even though he was second eldest. Sophitia and Suki looked completely identical. Same short height, curly brown hair, big hazel eyes. They were currently engaged in a toddler conversation and drawing in their food. And I finally got to see Rue. Barely a week old he was nuzzled in his mothers loving arms. Issa made beautiful children, and while none of her children save for the twins had the same father, they all were going to grow up to be powerful demons thanks to her.

"Oh he's just so cute!" Pri cooed while leaning over the table to take a closer look at the new babe. "Please have more children Issa."

"I think I may be done after this." Issa commented while handing Hideo a fork and giving him the motherly look of 'stop acting like an animal'. Hideo just grumbled and snatched the silverware from her hands, "besides. It would be nice to be able to compete in a tournament at full strength."

Oh, did I mention that besides being the ideal standard for demon beauty Issa competed in the first tournament 4 weeks pregnant with the twins? She eventually, with Mukuro's approval, bowed out of the competition after the preliminaries but she will be forever cemented in glory for being the only contestant that was both eating, and fighting fore three.

Issa is amazing, end of story.

"What about you two? I can't be the only one pushing out babies here."

Pri pressed her hands to her face in a gushing manner, "That would be so lovely. But I think after my recent…encounter with a man I've scared most suitors away."

I stuck my tongue out, the twins giggled at my reaction, "I'm not cut out for motherhood. And besides, my loyalties are to Mukuro." What a stupid response, but I don't really have or need love for anyone else at the moment.

"Oh nonsense, you're great with children." Issa playfully argued, "And that just means you should date someone within the 77. Hmm," Her eyes scanned around the room, "There's Yoshiro, Koda, Makoto, Chester, Mero- though I think Mero and Chester might be together now…"

"Oh! What about Hiei?"

If I didn't love food so much I would have thrown up in my mouth. I gave her the most sour look, yet nothing could shatter the happiness that was Pri. "You two would be perfect together. You're both a bit brash and very forward…and you both have undying loyalty to Lord Mukuro. It's a match made-"

"In hell." I finished for her.

"Yeah, you might have to bend down to kiss him, but you'd be perfect together." Issa approved with a wink. Pri nodded. I could tell her bionic brain was starting to think of ceremonial robes, my nonexistent children and other nasty thoughts.

"No." I answered rather curtly. "I don't need anyone to satisfy my place in the world. And Hiei is not forward. He doesn't even talk."

"I'll be your partner." Hideo spoke. "I need a strong woman at my side."

"Hideo hush." His mother chastised, "I'm the only woman that will be at your side for the next century. Got that?"

"I wanna be your boyfriend too!" One of the twins added. The other was quick to nod.

I picked up one of the twins an set her in my lap, the other was quick to join. I gave the two of them a deep hug "See, I have all the love I need right here."

The dining hall suddenly became silent. I glanced around to see none other than HIei himself walk into the room. Kirin jumped to his feet, as did the rest of us. I managed to do so as well while holding the twins in arms and resting them against my hips. My birthing hips did come in handy today. Hiei continued his pace through the room. The sound of his black boots hitting the stone floor and Rue's infant gurgling where the only sounds filling up the room. Why did he look like he was coming to towards me? Maybe he'll turn. Nope. Maybe he'll stop…nope. Now he was just a few feet away. And he finally did stop, right in front of me.

It was so hard to bow with kids in your arms. Before I could do so, Hiei spoke.

"Mukuro's summoned you to scout out the area for the next tournament. I will meet you outside the fortress in the morning."

I stared at him blankly. His face twitched slightly, "Is that a problem?"

"We're going…together?"

The fire demon gave me an annoyed look, "Do I need to repeat myself?"

"Uh, no. No of course not. I'll be there."

He just stared. His ruby eyes were scanning over me in the same manner from Mukuro's chambers. I wish he would just stop But then again, I had two children in my arms that weren't mine, and I'm sure there was food dribbling from my face. I was a spectacle I suppose.

His red orbs now moved towards my covered left arm, "Don't wear that tomorrow." His eyes flickered to the floor and he left it at that as he walked off. We all watched him go and when he was safely out of range Makoto looked me in the eye and made a rather obscene gesture with his hands. I placed my foot on the seat of my chair and kicked it at him; the twins, and the rest of the group laughed when the wooden furniture shattered into his body. After that I dropped the twins and went for my third plate. After news like that, I'd like to say that I earned it.

Tomorrow, I had a feeling, was going to be an exhausting day.

Okay so, your thoughts? I enjoyed writing this so far, and I hope you enjoyed reading this. Lots of OC's in this fic. So, let me know what you think. I'll update when I can. Read, enjoy, follow, review, live your best life.

XOXO VSILV