**Standard disclaimers apply. First chapter has no dialogue. I need to set the stage first.**

Hiei grunted while shifting his weight to his other leg. With a big scowl on his face, he leaned his back against the wall and crossed his arms, not caring to hide his agitation. His meeting with Mukuro was supposed to start over an hour ago. Employer or not, how dare the woman make him wait.

It was unlike the demon king of Alaric to be late for their bi-weekly meeting, a quick 15 minute update on the troops. As one of Mukuro's generals, it was Hiei's duty to maintain the physique of his troops so that they are ready at a moment's notice. Especially since tensions have been high in Makai.

The three demon Kings have long had disagreements over Makai policies towards the human realm. King Yomi of Gandara, a region known for its scientific studies and technological advances, maintains that Makai should be allowed to use ningen resources at will - whether it be for food, or for research purposes. King Raizen of Tourin, on the other hand, is known for his compassion for humans. He's been vocal about ending all experiments on humans as well as ending the practice of eating humans. As noble as that may sound, Hiei wonders if Raizen's true intent is financial gain. It is probably not a coincidence that Tourin is the bread basket of Makai. If humans ceased to be a source of food for demons, Tourin would become Makai's main food supplier.

In truth, Hiei has no interest in politics. He stands by his King's view that the human realm should be left to its own devices. There is no pressing need to change the existing policies.

So far, the difference in opinion have not resulted in an all out conflict. It is clear that Alaric has the strongest army of them all, and it would not do the other territories any good to start a war. For that reason, Alaric have become the wild card in this cold war, and both Yomi and Raizen had been actively trying to sway Mukuro's opinion. The whole affair has been highly entertaining to watch because Mukuro, Hiei reflected with amusement, simply did not care. In fact, she has been careful to not offend either Kings, while secretly plundering their treasures and taking advantage of the situation to increase her influence over Makai. Thus, Makai was able to retain the semblance of peace.

However, given King Raizen's recent death and the succession of his half-ningen son, Yusuke, the situation had once again become unpredictable. That's because Yusuke is a reckless fool.

In a show of goodwill, Mukuro and her generals had attended the half-ningen's solemn crowning ceremony. Hoping to gather more intelligence on this new king, they had stayed for the celebration banquet, where Yusuke promptly casted off his somber demeanour, and challenged Mukuru, the guest of honor, to a drinking contest. After it became clear that the half-human was no match for Mukuru, he treated his guests to what he called a "strip tease" and started grinding against his red-headed advisor. Half way through the "show", after he had awkwardly removed half of his formal regalia, he lost control of his ki and blasted off the banquet hall's ceiling, and finally ended the celebration by passing out cold from all the Makai liqueur he consumed. Not surprisingly, Mukuro and Hiei were unable to gather any useful intelligence other than the fact that in addition to Raizen's original advisors, Yusuke had gain two human advisers of insignificant power. At least Mukuro had been highly amused by Yusuke's antics.

Hiei, on the other hand, had mixed feelings about the Yusuke. He felt disgusted by the new king's lack of control. How can a ruler expect to lead a country if he has no control over his own behavior and ki? Even as a normal demon, that behavior is disgraceful. Yet, he had to admit that he was slightly impressed by Yusuke's raw power. Power, after all, is one of the few things that Hiei truly respects.

It is the main reason he works for Mukuro.

He doesn't care for the financial gains and stability that his position as a general affords him. He has no need of fancy living quarters and endless servants. He cares little for his troops and the progress they've made with his training. He hardly cares that he is the head of Makai's toughest army.

What he does care about, however, is Mukuro's power and the fact that she is stronger than him as a warrior. He had challenged, fought, and lost to Mukuro over 50 years ago. Back then, he had had trouble swallowing the humiliation of losing to a woman, since the only women he'd been previously aware of are of the fragile koorime race. Yet he had taken on Mukuro's offer to train her troops because it came with the open invitation that he can fight her whenever he wishes.

He was naive back then and had not realize the gap in their powers. For he had fought her numerous times since then and still had not managed to win, even though his power had grown exponentially since their first duel. Every time he lost though, Mukuro would send him to a healing tank and repair any physical damage she'd caused. While Hiei would not have any regrets dying by the hand of a stronger opponent, especially one that he holds in high esteem, he relishes the chance to fight her again. Though, Hiei sometimes wonder what Mukuro sees in him and why she keeps reviving him. He was the forbidden child, after all.

To be sure, their power levels are getting close now, and Hiei knows that he will soon be able to beat her, though they haven't had the opportunity to spar for a while.

Mukuro have been distracted ever since their return from Tourin and the usually disciplined ruler had not come to inspect her troops for over two weeks now. He had overheard the servants chattering about a love interest. Apparently, a maid had caught a glimpse of a handsome stranger in Mukuro's private quarters. Then he had overheard his troops discussing Hiei's rumored jealousy of Mukuro's new "pet". Worst of all, some of his loyal servants and troops had started rallying behind him as Team Hiei, while others have rallied behind Team Hot Stranger and have started distributing badges to show their allegiance. Hiei could not believe how seriously they were taking these baseless rumors! The King's personal life was nobody's business, and neither was his, so Hiei had made it clear that any more mindless gossip on the topic would result in a blade through the stomach. He further emphasized his point by beheading the distributors of the Team Hiei and Team Hot Stranger badges.

The gossiping ended abruptly after that.