Sure enough, when the colorful duo arrived at the gates of Judgment, Hiei was indeed awaiting them, dressed from head to toe in his dark, raven colored garb, gracing Kurama with his patented angry glare through piercing, crimson eyes. He grunted in disapproval when Kurama had come into hearing range and barked, "Took you long enough."

Kurama smiled, though fed up with his antics, was quite used to them,
"Sorry, I had to change."

"Vain, stupid fox."

"Impatient, little demon."

That earned the red head another glare and Botan giggled as she ushered them along.


Young, chocolate eyed, brown, shaggy haired Koenma in his blue, silk tunic and red sash sat at his desk behind the mountain of paperwork in the plain, white, tile floored, cramped office space, watching the trio enter through a serious expression. Botan bounced up to stand behind him, leaving Kurama and Hiei to receive his orders. Kurama smiled warmly and nodded in greetings, noting the smell of wine and Botan's flowery perfume, Hiei slightly turned away but kept his silent scowl all the same.

"Botan's informed you of why you were called, I'm to believe."

The address pair nodded.

"I'm also to believe you understand this isn't a DOA kind of mission. I want this man," Koenma gestured to a screen that suddenly lowered from the ceiling. A broad, tan skinned man with a gruesome scar across his left eye, and silver hair, stared back at them, "dead. His name is Malco Firidhis, their fearless leader of sorts. I really have no complaints as to how you do it, just get it done, and put a stop to his activities and anyone else you find who is critically involved."

The screen flashed to a map of an area in the makai as Kurama and Hiei viewed the proceedings attentively.

"He's located here," a red circle indicated where the caravan was heading, their trail marked in a broken line of lime green against the tan backdrop of the area, "and we believe he's planning on staying in this Northwestern section for a while. There's a popular trading city and port there that provides overseas imports in a variety of illegal goods and exotic slaves."

As the screen went off, Koenma sighed.

"Please be very cautions in your venturing while in his new territory. His group is made up of cheap mercenaries who love nothing if not the sight of blood stained on their weapons, and life hardened criminals whose pettiest crimes are murder at the least."

Kurama nodded lightly, brushing down his violet silk tunic, tightening his yellow, satin, sash of a makeshift belt, and Hiei 'Hn'ed as if it was blasphemous to imply he would acquire injury from such low born scum.

Koenma gave them a final nod and worried frown before he let them on their way.


************************
I'm sorry that chapter was so short! ^_^;;;; T_T