The sun was setting slowly across a blood red savannah. Shadows extended with a bitter hatred, the jagged forms of trees becoming groping hands, rocks became still beasts, and all sounds, silent and not, were deceptive to even the most tuned of listeners. This was the kind of atmosphere Hiei loved most.

Night was his cover, and he used it well. Like a silent shadow he slipped between the boughs of the trees, no gaze trained enough to catch his moves. The small lantern like eyes that opened and closed were perhaps the only giveaway he possessed, though a lesser educated being might think them flecks of awkward light in the dying eve. He stood motionless, waiting for the one moment to move.

Then suddenly, the winds shifted. Breezes picked up and rustled the bows of the trees, the shadow-hands upon the ground stretched their fingers and moaned in unknown agony. Now was his time.

Hiei now flew from tree to tree, then landed cat-like on the ground. The katana at his side was drawn from it's sheath faster still, more swiftly than his feet as they moved across the damp ground.

Hiei continued to moved from tree to tree, never ceasing in his footsteps, never stopping for breath or break, or to gain a better view or comprehension of the world around him. He was not fleeing. Hiei never backed out of a challenge. He accepted them. Eagerly.

Then, without warning, he stopped dead in his tracks. But whatever eyes that followed him did not get a good enough view, for he soon disappeared. A twitch of Hiei's powerful leg muscles and he was hurled high into the air. He seemed to be motionless there, the wind catching him and holding him, cradled in the undying protection of the invisible atmosphere. But he did not stay long. Soon Hiei began to fall rapidly.

A green aura of light enveloped him, like the plasma entrails on a space craft reentering Earth's atmosphere. But this so called plasma trail grew in diameter and luminosity. Soon all one would be able to see was the green cloud that had seemingly swallowed the small yet burly man in it's brilliant center.

Then a massive collision took place. Bits of Earth and chunks of rock were hurled into the air, and a massive crater was formed beneath him. Clouds of smoke billowed out, covering the land and choking the sunlight, giving the small clearing in which the demon had stopped a very welcome cover of shadow. This remained for many minutes as Hiei walked casually away from the damage he had inflicted upon the Earth. But he did not leave. His experiments were not over.

The katana had not been rested back in it's sheath yet. It was clenched in the right hand of it's wielder, glinting with a passion to draw blood. Hiei smiled.

A flash of what seemed to be lightening, and three great oaks that once stood before Hiei and his weapon fell to the ground, cut clean. Another leap and he was on the other side of the clearing. Three more trees fell, and three to the east and three to the west. Finally, the smoke cleared, and all airborne creatures could see the new damage inflicted upon the forest.

A dissatisfied sigh escaped from Hiei's lips. He sheathed his sword and bowed his head, a frown forming upon his darkened features. But he did not frown at his presentation, though he had not been wholly pleased with it. He frowned because he was being watched.

It did not matter that he could not hear or smell the other demon, but he sensed the presence well enough, and that presence he knew better than any other.

'Do you not know what it means when someone says that they want to be alone?' he asked shrewdly, not turning his gaze nor his body toward the other person. A red haired, fair faced young man who appeared to be not much older than sixteen stepped out of the brush, smiling gently. There was an immortal wisdom in the piercing green eyes, gazing deeply enough into them and one would think that he was not sixteen at all, but a vessel that had seen countless years and learned a great many values from all of them.

The funny thing was, they would be right.

Kurama was no boy, nor was he even human. Sixteen was not even a fraction of his true age, though in either form one had to admit he appeared both intimidating and striking. Yet for all Kurama's subtleties, he was a dangerous creature. Mind games were his specialty, and even Hiei had to admit he was well learned in such tactics.

'I'm sorry.' Kurama responded, the smile never once leaving his young, yet wizened features. 'I suppose I could not help myself. I was looking forward to seeing how much you had improved.'

'Well you have wasted your time.' Hiei chided. He peered down at his gripped right hand, angry as though it were his hand's fault that he could not perform to what he believed were his full capabilities. 'I've not improved at all.'

'I think these trees would disagree,' Kurama responded with a laugh. 'You don't know your strength, Hiei.'

The fire demon whirled his piercing gaze upon Kurama. One might question that they were best friends in times like this. It was likely that Kurama's caring nature and innate understanding of Hiei that kept their friendship at times when he (Hiei) was at his worst. Nevertheless, they were friends; even if Hiei would not admit it for his own pride, and Kurama not admit it for Hiei's.

'I know my strength well enough, Kurama. I know that it is hardly enough to satisfy me.'

Kurama nodded in silence, saying nothing more. Hiei also fell silent, feeling a fresh and soft breeze coming. He allowed it to ruffle his spiked hair and soothe his nerves, the song dancing in his ears and wearing away the past few hours of pointless training.

'Something is coming.' Kurama frowned, smelling a tinge of bitterness on the wind. Hiei nodded.

'You've noticed it too, then?'

'I have for some time.' he looked at the setting sun. 'And I do not like it.'

Hiei turned to his friend and smiled wisely. 'Things are going to change.' he stated.

'But for the better?' Kurama questioned.

'That is left to be said.' Hiei answered, and together they gazed on.