Chapter 7: From the Dark Valley

Hiei stopped suddenly, being extremely silent. He didn't want to interrupt the scene being played before his eyes.
"I missed you last night," a man said.
Hiei watched as Amaranta didn't respond. At first he thought the man might go off on her for not replying, his long black hair and dark features gave off that assumption, but the look on his face told Hiei that the man must be used to it.
The man stepped closer to the demon girl. "Where have you been?"
"Does it matter? You've found me," Amaranta answered in her normally emotionless tone.
Hiei was a little surprised that she wasn't willing to give out information about them to this stranger, or maybe she was just waiting until they were totally alone to spill the whereabouts of her refuge for the night before. Well he wasn't going to let this girl cause a possible threat. He didn't know who this man she was meeting with was or if he was any danger to the others but he certainly wasn't going to wait until the last minute to find out.
"Come," the man said, stretching out his hand for her to take. "Time to leave."
There was a low rustle next to Hiei; turning to the sound, Hiei saw Kurama next to him.
"Come," they heard the man say again when Amaranta hadn't said anything or made any movement to accept his hand.
Kurama and Hiei looked over at the couple, seeing the man walking slowly closer in to Amaranta. Kurama gasped, causing Hiei to shift his gaze to his demon friend.
"What is it?"
Kurama looked at Hiei and leaned in close as to not let their presence known.
"That has to be Braeden."
"Who?"
"Amaranta's master. During our private conversation he was brought up."
"Well is this guy someone to be considered a threat?"
"I'd say so." Kurama looked back over at the man, who now had a hand placed roughly on one of Amaranta's shoulders. "We have to get her away from him."
No sooner than he had finished saying that than did Hiei disappear from view.
"No," Amaranta said calmly, firmly.
"Are you refusing to leave with me?"
"Yes."
A dangerous light flashed in Braeden's eyes and he raised his hand in an attempt to slap her. However, before he could move his hand from it's position in the air, Hiei appeared next to them, slashing out with his drawn sword. Braeden jumped back to avoid the attack just in time, a shocked expression on his face gave Hiei some satisfaction.
"And who might this be? A new friend?" Braeden asked, catching himself and regaining his composure.
Even though the question was directed at Amaranta, she didn't answer and Hiei found it in himself to respond.
"It won't make a difference. You're going to be dead soon anyway."
Hiei, his sword at the ready, face serious, and standing as if about to strike, was taken off guard as the demon man in front of him began to laugh at the words, which were just exchanged.
"What's so funny?" Hiei asked, becoming very impatient and very annoyed quickly.
"Just your feeble attempt to make me fear you. If you think you would be able to kill me so easily then you must have absolutely no idea who I am."
Hiei smirked. "You wouldn't be insulted by that, now would you?"
"Pff. If a stronger demon said that to me then just maybe I would. But coming from you, don't make me laugh."
"Too late. Seems I already did."
Hiei flew at Braeden, sword first. Apparently Hiei had underestimated this demon because he dodged the attacks that were thrown at him with ease. Breathing a little heavily, Hiei stopped and looked back to where Amaranta had been standing. He caught a glimpse of red hair disappearing into the trees. During the dispute Kurama must have grabbed Amaranta to take her to safety.
"Now it's my turn."
Hiei looked back to Braeden just in time to avoid an attack meant to end Hiei's life. Braeden looked over to where Hiei had been distracted, seeing Amaranta had gone. He stood erect, poised as if he no longer considered Hiei a threat to his life, not that her ever did.
"Looks like my bitch has run away. There's no use continuing this useless spat. We both know who would have won anyway. I'll be back for her. In the meantime, sharpen your skills."
Without another word, Braeden disappeared. Hiei stared at the empty space, which had held his opponent only moments before.
"Hn."
Hiei sheathed his sword, turned, then walked in the direction he believed Kurama and Amaranta to be. The silence in the air was still tense from the battle and seemed out of place. It was too sudden and made Hiei keep his guard up even though his foe was long gone. Thinking about what the demon had said, Hiei decided to practice some so that the next time Braeden and him came face to face there would be only one person walking away. He had a feeling he would be meeting Braeden again soon, before Amaranta's time was up, before proper preparation could be established.