Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN YU YU HAKUSHO OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS.

A/N: Long time no update, ne? Sorry for taking so long, but I've been busy with school work(especially the AP History. The AP actually stands for "Ass Pounding"). Like I always say, I'll try to update more frequently, but at this point we all know that I'm a liar(or at least I hope we do).

Avast! Here she blows!

Chapter III: "An Unexpected Guide"

Flowing cerulean locks of hair gently caressed his body as the strands of hair engulfed him entirely. A low sigh escaped through his parted lips as his eyes cracked open just slightly, his crimson orbs meeting with a pair of violets which glistened brilliantly and seemed to have a gaze that plunged deep down into his very soul. Through every muscle, bone, and tissue he could feel a bizarre warmth spreading within him and threatening to consume him. And yet even as he felt it as it reached his chest and continued to rise, he did nothing to escape. Why would he ever do that?

No. He was content to stay like this forever. Slowly, his right arm raised itself upwards and stretched out before him, his hand tenderly running against the pale cheek of the woman's face. As a smile formed on her perfect lips, the Saracen captain did not attempt to hold his own at bay. Here they were far away from the bloody conflict that threatened to swallow the world, away from all of the hate.

All that he could register was a feeling of complete bliss as the woman lowered her mouth towards his, their breath mixing just before their lips met…

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"Siddiq," The voice called him from Heaven, a metal grip suddenly touching his shoulder. His eyes creaked open into slits, his fiery pupils locking onto the gloved hand that gripped him. Almost shrieking in realization, the soldier recoiled from touching his superior.

"Siddiq, we did as you commanded. We've assembled all the Christians in the area just outside." The officer explained, his body bent and eyes planted square on the sandy earth beneath them in order to maintain his bowing position. Hiei resisted the urge to pull the man's turban down over his face for interrupting his nap, but then again, he had been the one to issue the order. Grunting, the captain lazily climbed up onto his feet, his sheathed blade held in his right hand and his black cloak waving softly about at his heels. Throwing the end of his white scarf back over his shoulder, the warrior made his way from the tent without looking back at the officer or at any of the equipment he passed. Reaching forward with a bandaged hand, he parted the folds of the entrance and stepped out into the blazing desert sunlight.

Before him were assembled some twenty Christians, including both men and women, some of whom did not look as though they could even swat a fly from their arm. Hiei frowned and looked to one of the soldiers standing before the group, ignoring the terrified looks that he received from his captives.

"I trusted that you would use common sense when rounding up suspects." He addressed the armored man coolly, stepped towards a dirtied and scarred woman standing in the line. Uncaringly, he reached out and grasped her by the chin, turning her head to face the man he spoke to.

"Does this woman look as though she could have played a role in the massacre of an entire caravan?" He questioned, his expression as blank as a new canvas. The man made to speak, but stopped upon seeing his master's eyes suddenly flick back to the woman. His lids slowly narrowed into slits as his hand moved up her face and brushed some blood from her bruised eye. Holding out his now red finger towards the man, he spoke in a cold voice.

"Who did this?" He asked, his voice deep and as dark as death. The officer before him did not hesitate to answer, straightening himself as he did so.

"They are prisoners of war, Siddiq. Thus they are the spoils of the men." He responded, only to be knocked up his rear as quickly as he had finished talking.

Hiei's dark figure towered over his fallen form, his blade drawn and extended downwards so that the very tip pressed against his subordinate's chest. The soldier could feel a bead of sweat run down his brow as his breath caught itself in his throat, fear beginning to claw away at him.

"We are not at war, yet. You are disbanded from my service." Hiei announced dryly, though his face was still calm, "Get the pig out of my sight." He finished, glancing to two of his men standing guard at the tent entrance. Nodding, they stepped forward and scooped up the ex-officer, dragging him away. Hiei returned his gaze to the group before him, his eyes skimming over them before he waved a hand lazily.

"Hn. Return them to their homes, save for the two in the back." He commanded, gesturing with his head towards the men he spoke about. The bulk of the group filed off to the right as the two prisoners remained in place, an armed guard now standing beside each of them. Hiei regarded them critically from head to toe. They looked stupid, especially the carrot top, yet able. Looking to his side, Hiei spoke to another soldier.

"Where did you find them?"

"Along the shore, master. They were hiding in the remains of a beached vessel." The man answered, bowing his head as the man with greasy looking black hair stepped forward to strike. The guard beside him quickly grabbed him from behind and held him at bay.

"Bullshit! We were in the wreckage cuz we were on the damn ship when it crashed!" He shouted, his brown eyes lit aflame. The other nodded.

"Yeah, there was this storm, and Urameshi was like: "Whoah, Lighting!", but I said "No way!", and-," He rambled, causing Hiei to frown in annoyance.

"Shut up, oaf." He ordered, earning a glare from the bulky man, "Who are you?" He questioned then, looking back to the first man with black hair.

"Yusuke Urameshi." He answered, smirking as he gave a thumbs up, "Baron of Ibelin."

For the first time in a long time, Hiei's eyes shot wide open. RAIZEN was the Baron! Who was this imposter?

"I'm Raizen's son. The old man came and picked me up in France." Yusuke explained smoothly, figuring from his captor's reaction that he must have known Raizen. Hiei's eyes narrowed.

"And where is, Raizen?" He questioned, stepping forward as Yusuke's expression faltered. His hazel eyes cast themselves downwards as his confident grin turned into a weak frown.

"…Dead."

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"Hn." Hiei murmured, his hands folded over his mouth as he leaned forward in thought where he sat on his pillow. Everything that the boy had told him held weight. Kurama the Knight Hospitaller, Raizen's tendencies, his coronation… he even bore the raiment of Ibelin! Not only did this leave him with no suspects, but it also meant that the political and religious climate in Jerusalem would get much colder without Raizen there to help keep the peace. While he was a Christian, we was respected even amongst the Muslims as a great Knight and teacher. Even Mukuro would enter mourning when she heard of his death.

"To the best of my knowledge there was no man in the world who could kill Raizen," He mused to himself, though he spoke loud enough for his guests to hear, "However, it was foolish to believe the same applied to disease."

Looking up with a stone cold face, he allowed a low rumble to shake his chest.

"Your provisions were lost with the ship?" He questioned, looking to Yusuke in an uncaring fashion. The Baron nodded, earning a grunt from the Saracen captain.

"Then you will be cared for from our stockpiles until we reach Jerusalem." He stated, closing his eyes as he drank from a goblet that he picked up from where it rested beside him. Yusuke's eyes widened.

"Say what, now?" He asked, lurching forward in surprise. He hadn't expected any help from the Muslims. Then again, he figured to himself that he shouldn't complain considering that he had no idea where the hell they were.

"Hn. Are you deaf?" Hiei questioned, his eyes remaining closed.

"Why?" Kuwabara voiced from beside Yusuke, scratching the back of his head as his face contorted into a confused expression. Their host offered another grunt.

"Whether you choose to believe it or not is irrelevant and not my concern, but your Father was no mere crusader to us." He answered coolly, taking another sip from his cup and returning it to where it rested at his side, "I owe at least this much in his memory."

"T-thanks." Yusuke managed, offering a goofy looking grin as he punched Kuwabara in the shoulder. A crimson pupil peered out at the young lord, the brow above it inclining.

"Don't thank me. This isn't a favor to you, boy." He said calmly, folding his arms over his chest. Yusuke just laughed.

"Regardless, it's appreciated."

"Hn." Hiei answered, snapping his fingers once in the air. A servant immediately leapt to his master's side, bowing at the waist.

"Ready ten horses and six of the elite along with my sister, with enough provisions to last throughout the duration of a 24 hour ride. And send a messenger to Jerusalem immediately." He ordered, earning a nod from the man.

"What message shall the emissary deliver, Siddiq?" The servant asked, eyes closed and beard drooping towards the ground.

"Tell the brat that Flying Shadow is coming and that he should make the necessary preparations." Hiei commanded, a glint in his eye as he worked a mischievous smirk. Bowing lower and straightening himself, the servant quickly dashed from the tent to fulfill his orders.

"Flying Shadow?" Yusuke questioned, raising an eyebrow and smirking as well. Hiei gave a low chuckle that sounded more like a rumble.

"Where your father enjoyed being famous amongst his enemy for his chivalry, it is the opposite for me." He answered, his fangs now barring as he locked gazes with an amused looking Yusuke, "No, I'd say that the King of Jerusalem wets his diaper when he hears I'm coming."

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Within two hours Hiei's orders had been carried out. Sure enough, the master and his two guests stood before six mounted soldiers and four vacant steeds, each with a bag of provisions tossed behind the saddle. At the head of the group stood both a stallion as black as the night itself and one that was as white as the snow back in France.

"Brother!" The jubilant voice of a woman suddenly rang out, causing the part to turn towards the source of the noise. From within another tent a female had emerged clothed from the shoulders down in a white cloak adorned with intricate designs resembling blue flowers. It was her favorite, as he brother had sewn for her himself as a gift when they were young. Her teal colored hair fell over her shoulders tied into pony tails, along with a third in the back. Upon glancing into her eyes, Yusuke noticed that they were the same color as Hiei's though they bore a special sort of purity to them while his were consumed in flame. Kuwabara maybe could have made this comparison as well if he would have kindly lifted his gaping jaw from off of the ground.

The new Baron of Ibelin could have sworn that his friend had hearts for eyes as he gawked at the woman, drool now beginning to pour out from the corner of his mouth.

"Yukina." Hiei greeted with a nod, his look and tone turning more gentle as he took her hand and led her to the white horse.

"Figures." Yusuke noted to himself, stepping on Kuwabara's foot in hopes of snapping him out of it before Hiei had him skewered on a pike.

"Thank you so much for taking me along, Big Brother!" Yukina said, beaming from ear to ear. Hiei offered a small smile and another nod as he helped her into her saddle.

"I'm in love, Urameshi! I think my heart's gonna explode! SHE'S AN ANGEL!" Kuwabara managed to groan out before Yusuke smacked him across the back of the head, bringing him back to reality just as Hiei turned and gave them a questioning look.

"Hn." He snorted, leaping up over the side of his steed and mounting it perfectly. Getting the hint, Yusuke and Kuwabara did the same, though the carrot top took a little longer as he found it difficult to multi-task mounting a horse and staring at the new love of his life.

"Let's go!" Yusuke said, giving a thumbs up as Yukina clapped her hands together happily. Hiei smirked as he softly whipped the reigns of his horse gently, leading the small party as they began to gallop across the dunes of the ocean of sand.

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A/N: I realize that it's pretty short, so I apologize for that. I'm just apologizing for everything, ne? As I said, I'll try to update when I get the chance. Drop a review and it might remind me in case I forget!

Until next time!