Hello my fellow readers!

Here is the newest chapter. I thank you very much for your support and patience.

-O-

Chapter 4:

Royal Tour

"Master Kurama. Lord Hiei. I finally found you," a dark figured called to them from the darkness of the blackened hall.

"What is it that you need Ryota?" the lone wolf demon asked.

"Well, since you have seen some of my lands," the man explained, "I thought it was proper that you receive a private tour of my castle as well. How about we start from the highest floor and work our way down?"

"That sounds good," Kurama replied shortly.

Since they are presently on the third floor where their assigned personal chambers were located, it took them a mere few minutes to ascend a winding staircase up a tall but spacious tower.

As they faced large arched double doors, Ryota stated, "This is the highest point of my castle."

He knocked several times against the carved wood. Soon, the door opened and Hana appeared before them.

"My lords and master?" she began, "Is there something that you require?"

"Ryota is showing us his castle, and this so happens to be our first stop," the red head answered.

"I would like to show them the room Hana," Ryota said.

Hana quickly opened both doors and set herself to the side to allow the men to enter the spacious area.

Hiei scanned the place. It was a large bedroom with its own relaxing quarters and washroom. The large curved windows were decorated in thick teal curtains. The walls were bare, but the intricate romantic architecture acted as decor on its own.

On the furthest wall from the entrance was a king sized bed with blankets and pillows that matched the hue of the surrounding curtains.

To the left corner was a group of three woman. Ruby eyes focused on the maiden sitting in the center in front of a vanity set. The two woman sat behind her and combed her long blonde locks meticulously.

At the sound of footsteps, the central figure turned around to welcome whomever her guest was. She had not been expecting any visitors.

"We are sorry to intrude," Kurama apologized.

The golden girl shook her head no. "You are not intruding in the least."

"Yes, well, as you can see, this is Aeya's bedroom," Ryota interrupted their conversation.

"You are receiving a tour of the castle I presume?"

"Yes, we are," the fox stated.

Lifting herself from her seat and allowing her servants to excuse themselves from the room, Aeya walked towards the three demons.

"May I join you?" she inquired, "I have nothing else to do today."

"I do not think that your presence is required Aeya. You did intrude on their visit to the village several days ago," Ryota answered before Kurama could say his blessing.

"I was speaking to Hiei and Kurama Ryota. I am asking for their permission, not yours," the once docile female retorted venomously.

Ryota opened his mouth to respond and decided against it and simply shook his head in acquiescence.

"May I join you?" she asked once more, looking at the two strong demons before her for their permission.

Kurama was a bit taken back with the lack of harmony between Ryota and Aeya but managed to hide his shock. He quietly gave his approval.

For about an hour or so, Aeya trailed behind the three male demons as Ryota continuously explained where they currently were in the castle and the special qualities that the given room possessed.

The incessant voice began to fade into the distance as the female apparition became immersed in her own thoughts.

'Am I bothering them?' she wondered.

Unfortunately, she had not noticed that the men had paused before an art piece that was directly carved into the marble walls. Her small frame suddenly impacted a more muscular build and she staggered backwards in surprised.

"I-I'm sorry!" she exclaimed quickly.

Hiei stared at the shorter girl with a small smirk gradually painting itself on his porcelain skin.

"You appear to enjoy daydreaming," he commented.

She bowed her head. "I will try to keep my head in reality."

"Aeya please watch where you go," Ryota chastised her like a child.

The woman simply stared at the ground and maintained her silence.

"Do not worry about such trivial occurrences Ryota," Hiei remarked.

The older man quickly agreed with his superior.

The walk around the second floor continued once more, but all too soon, it was once again interrupted. Their acute demonic hearing registered a faint and distant sound of chaos in the silence.

"Ryota do you know what that is?" Kurama question.

The man paled slightly, only to the point where it was practically unnoticeable to untrained eyes.

"Yes, I believe I do," he began, "We will have to continue this tomorrow. It seems I have business to tend to. It is unfortunate that it is such an inconvenience for you both."

Aeya spoke, "I will continue showing them the castle in its entirety."

Ryota was about to decline her statement when the sound became even louder. It was an odd sound, as though there was electricity loose in the air. He agreed swiftly and soon ran in the direction of the stairs.

"You and Ryota do not get along," the emerald eyed apparition stated rather than asked as they set off in the opposite direction.

Aeya let out a laugh with the faintest sign of bitterness and sadness.

"You are very honest Kurama," she noted.

"I merely observe."

The female let out a sigh. "Well your observations are valid. He and I have opposing viewpoints and personalities. It is expected that we would bicker. In fact, I believe it would be more shocking if we do get along. We are far too different."

"Your words do hold truth in them. People do not always get along."

As the trio conversed, the hall opened up to a vast garden that contained a high quality collection of rare plants found in the Makai.

Kurama could not help the glitter of interest in his eyes at the sight of such an array of deadly plant species.

Aeya smiled knowingly. "I was told that you are a demon capable of controlling plants, so I thought the garden would be a terrific place to show you."

The fox have a short chuckle. "Well, you have read me correctly. This garden is quite impressive."

"Yes," the demoness agreed, "Though some of the plants here are too dangerous to house in a mere garden, but Ryota likes them for their prestige."

Kurama sauntered towards a particularly large violet flower that even he had trouble collecting. "I would have to agree. This flower produces a particularly potent poison that can kill fifty demons using only one drop."

"Very impressive Kurama," Aeya praised. "Indeed that flower is a terrific weapon. I have ordered all of the servants to be cautious in the area of the garden that houses these dangerous plants. Unfortunately, several newcomers did not heed the warning and nearly died."

"That is a shame," the plant manipulator offered his condolences.

Aeya gave Hiei and Kurama several more minutes to explore the garden. Finally, she asked them if they would like to see the training grounds. The two, being fighters, quickly agreed.

The training area was filled with the numerous guards of the castle who sparred in groups throughout the great arena. Weapons of all sorts lined the walls.

At the site of the nobles, the demons and demonesses quickly stopped their sparring and bowed. Aeya nodded her head in recognition of their actions before they began to spar once more.

Hiei surveyed the training grounds. It has been days since he had last fought anyone. However, by the appearances of the demons, he doubted he would find a suitable sparring partner.

"Do you spar Aeya?" Hiei heard Kurama ask, noting the lace of mischief in the animal demon's voice.

The young maiden laughed nervously. "It has been a while since I have fought a battle. I am not that... able now when it comes to sparring Kurama."

This conversation caught the Hiei's attention.

"Perhaps you have lost your abilities due to the spoiled lifestyle that you have been living," he commented.

Aeya's smile slowly faded at his statement, her face becoming blank. In her eyes, however, the two Spirit Detective Team members could discern a growing fire of anger and turmoil.

Hiei smirked. Her reaction is amusing.

"Or perhaps your weak abilities is due to the fact that you are a member of the more inferior gender," he added in an offhanded tone.

Kurama glared at the younger demon. "Hiei that is enough."

The stubborn demon merely glared with greater intensity at his friend.

"I am merely speaking the truth. Or am I wrong, Lady Aeya?" he mocked.

The demoness' golden bangs obscured the upper half of her face from view. "I do not wish to be rude," her lips moved quickly, a deep tension in her face, "But you are sorely mistaken Hiei."

Murmurs could be heard around them. Kurama watched as the individuals who had been sparring began to withdraw from the training grounds at Aeya's calm but threatening voice.

'The calm before the storm,' he noted.

When Aeya lifted her head to reveal her eyes, Hiei could not help but feel a latent strength behind her molten orbs. Dare he say it, he actually felt threatened.

"Would you like to spar Hiei?" she began, her voice still soft.

The nearby demons visibly flinched at her words. Hiei could not help but give a smirk at the hidden power contained within such a fragile looking body. It was obvious that though she was not outwardly portraying it, everyone within the arena could sense it rising in the air.

The fox chuckled nervously at the tense atmosphere. 'It would seem Hiei had pushed her a bit too far.'

Just as he was about to interrupt the conversation, the fire demon continued on with his taunts.

"I would not want to injure the lady of the castle," he said sarcastically, turning around to fake disinterest.

Kurama took a step back upon feeling the dark aura that practically oozed out of Aeya's form.

"It would seem that you are the one running away now," she retorted with a smile.

This time, Kurama could not help but winch. She still was not raising her power level, but he was fully aware that she was capable of a great deal of destruction.

Hana, having been informed by one of the sparring guards of the situation, suddenly rushed towards her mistress in an attempt to end the standoff.

"My lady, please do not fight! Master Ryota will not approve!" she shouted as she ran forward.

Kurama, however, stopped her with a hand to her shoulder and a stern shake of his head.

"I do not believe that it is possible to stop this now," he told her calmly, "Those two want to fight. Do not fret, I will make sure they do not kill each other."

Worry still etched on her face, the maid gave a hesitant knob as he allowed the second in command of Gandara to lead her to the seats surrounding the arena.

'This is going to be a very messy fight.'

-O-

Please, please, please review!

I just want to let everyone know that this story will be on pause until my other story, "Let the Night Rise and Fall" finishes.

Have a good weekend!