A dragon will be teased by a shrimp in a shoal water; a tiger will be bullied by a dog on a treeless plain. — Asian Proverb
In the confines of an affluent, neo classical lodging, a pair of shadows were conversing in dimmed candle lit convenience. The first was tall, and more masculine in shape. The other was smaller and more petite in size.
"And the key?" Said a man's deep voice. "Where is it?"
The other spoke quietly in discretion. "Here. As you requested my lord." The small shadow offered a hand from a satin bag, disclosing a golden, lucent orb.
"You don't disappoint, my disciple. Yet, as you can imagine, our venture is far from urbane." And when he placed his hand into the light to retrieve it, a large red gem flickered on his ring with recognition.
"But I humbly digress. Our entry points lack enough necessary scouting variation for our agents. Fix it."
"Yes. I will, my lord." The disciple placed a hand to their chest and bowed dutifully. The superior gazed into the orb and smiled cooly.
"Yes finally... Just one key closer to opening the door."
Meanwhile, Makai was encompassed in attuned trebling of locusts and birds of eventide. The moon was ominous and full, and the trees shushed together with a gentle midsummer's breeze. Below amongst the ground, a composite of patrolmen stood countenance. Addressing their duty with awing skill: Waiting.
An unsightly demon perched his heavy sword behind his back and began to gait to kill the time. He took just a moment to lapse, and looked high into the trees. Above on a branch his overseer rested silently: away, still, and undisturbed. Hiei, was the boy of short stature in colorless, and dark garments. He was like a rock, and no one dared to wake him. The demon gave a "humph" and restarted pacing with a frown.
"T'ere he goes." Said his ghoulish companion. "'Te master Hiei's up 'tere 'gain."
"Humph. Shiftless boy, he's Mukuro's favorite."
His friend laughed forcibly, since there was not anything else he could think to do. "A-Ah! Watch's almost over. We re'reat to th' missus' castle for sake, yes?"
"Umph."
"Be patient, yes?"
The shallow movements of the trees began to recede, until they were completely stiff. And suddenly, sound was silenced and the air was still. Hiei's eyes snapped awake and they lowered, darting in every direction. I sense an energy approaching, an unwelcome one. Looking beneath him, he leapt from his branch landing expertly on his two feet.
"Jaganshi! Sir, what is it?" The demons remarked. "He's never awoken from that spot before..." A demon worriedly whispered to another.
Hiei's eyes began to stare off spontaneously. Then he sheathed his sword defensively, got into stance and ready for a fight. "There's futility in cowardice." He muttered into nothingness "Show yourself."
A silhouette roosted atop a crag nearby. In the shadows it cracked a toothy smile, and used a cloth to cover its face from below the nose. Its fingers clutched upright on a twig, and within a moment a powerful hand had snapped it.
In the same train of sound, a force dove to the ground. Hiei in his stance managed to stay afoot, and shielded his face of the approaching gust of dirt and wind.
"What the heck is that?" A demon stammered.
Upon the dust resolved, a presence materialized crouching on their knees. A crater existed beneath their feet. It stood up and stared at the boy. A quandary wearing a black and red body suit.
"Who the hell are you?" Hiei demanded. "This is forbidden land."
"I will not leave." It's voice whispered. "I have come... to come to Nigenkai. And..." The notability pointed its finger. "To see you, Hiei."
"Hn. I will not spare your life again. Leave!"
"I will not."
"You have sentenced yourself to death. No one passes this gate." The men regrouped behind Hiei, stammering and trembling with fear. He exchanged a glance to his right and muttered: "Beat it."
Crying out responsively the demons yelled for their lives, leaving him behind.
Hiei watched the figure carefully. It stood patiently postured with their hands simply at their sides.
Within the flicker of an instant, a streak of black and red lunged at Hiei from the crater. He blocked with his sword instinctively, as the rebus simultaneously struck with a dagger. He backed away, far enough to swipe his sword. The adversary jumped onto his blade through alarming speed. The boy retrieved his weapon. Causing the enemy to back flip into a tree.
But they were not distracted by the acceleration, managing to land on the tree with their feet and used it to propel forward in midair. They derived several scanty blades from underneath their hands, and threw them precisely towards their opponent.
Hiei swiped his sword at skillfully right aim. The blades pierced the ground defeated. The red and black suited character stood a great distance away from him, chuckling quietly.
"This... spar was exhilarating, Hiei."
Hiei dismissed the insult.
The intruder continued. "But as I've learned, there is often an end to sweet things. Time..." they said snapping their fingers.
"Is short." The daggers at Hiei's feet exploded, and an exalted mist supervened. Hiei allowed it to swallow him, a fatal mistake. He looked for any sign of approaching. But suddenly, his knees collapsed, and the boy grabbed the back of his head. Something was certainly wrong. His eyes began to fight exhaustion. "This is… gas."
"Perceptive. It is also very potent." Said a voice from somewhere.
"I shall go to Nigenkai as promised. We shall meet again. Heheheh and, promise me..."
An identity leaped through the mist for him, but the mist began to disable his senses and concentration. "You will become much stronger." The figure struck out a hand, and Hiei's world became darkness.
Questions? Suggestions? Requests? R&R please, and thank you.