Wow...the amout of people that support me is truly amazing...I noticed the lack of author's comments and had to put something...


Chapter 7: "With the Old Demon"

As soon as the sun rose Hiei left the fortress, following a path that headed toward the old border of Mukuro and Raizen's territories. It had been quite a while since he had been on this road and it made him cautious. Because it was so close to the border demons from both territories frequented the path and could be very hostile toward demons with different loyalties. Hiei had found this posed a large problem for him as the one widely known to be Mukuro's second in command. He wore his sword in plain view instead of concealed in his cloak and hoped his reputation would keep others away.

This road was surprisingly clear and it made traveling easy through the forest. With his speed he could make it to the border within the hour, before the sun was fully in the sky. Realizing he would start to meet traffic once the sun was up Hiei increased his pace, keeping his eyes on the horizon. He hoped it wouldn't take long to find what he needed and that he could spend the majority of the day training for the new mission. But at the time, information was more important or he would have started as soon as Yusuke had recruited his help.

Continuing along the road for the next half-hour or so, Hiei slowed to a jog as he began to sense the presence of other demons, meaning he was nearing the border. The trees were thinning and he slowed all the way to a walk as he spotted the border station in front of him. This was where he needed to be and he halted as a demon came running toward him, a sword held in his hand. Hiei recognized him as one of the demons that regulated the border traffic.

"I'm here to see Guilin," the fire demon said before he could be questioned and the demon looked at him for a moment, almost as though he was debating whether or not to honor his request. After a moment in which nothing happened Hiei growled and drew his sword in a swift stroke. The demon flinched and raised his blade, looking panicked, but the Hiei handed him his sword and pointed to a mark just above the hilt.

"Are you sure you won't let me pass?" he asked challengingly.

For a moment the border guard stared at his blade, then his eyes widened slightly and he immediately handed it back, bowing low. "I'm so sorry sir," he said quickly and winced as he felt the cold metal against the back of his neck, sure he would be killed for his ignorance. The blade remained threateningly against his neck for a minute for effect before Hiei sheathed his sword.

With a smirk the fire demon walked past the petrified guard and calmly into the building he had emerged from. None of the other guards looked at him twice as he followed the hallway inside and stopped in front of a door. All along the walls were paintings of different famous demons and Hiei raised an eyebrow when he found Mukuro's picture. He was glad to find that he didn't have a portion of the wall devoted to him and bit his lip to hold back a grin when he spotted Yusuke's picture. The Spirit Detective had been painted with a slightly dazed look, which Hiei thought fit perfectly.

Looking away from the pictures on the wall, the fire demon noticed a much smaller demon standing in front of him, apparently having come out of the door. When the Hiei met his eyes the small demon bowed and said, "You're looking for records I presume?"

Hiei nodded. "I need the file for a demon named Atasu."

The small demon stared at him for a moment, his amber eyes slightly wide. Running his hand nervously over the sleeve of his jacket, he shifted his weight and said finally, "We have no such record."

"Guilin," Hiei began sharply and the demon looked up at being addressed by his formal name, one that very few were aware of. "I know you're lying to me," he said calmly, his hand slipping up and untying his headband. He pulled the cloth away and Guilin gasped when he spotted the purple Jagan eye that could be delving through his thoughts at that very moment. "Lord Mukuro wishes to see Atasu's file."

Neither said anything, the small demon's eyes wide as he began to put the pieces together. Hiei watched him with a smirk, marveling over the mortified look that came into the demon's eyes when he realized who exactly was standing before him. "I'm so sorry master Hiei," he said timidly and he gestured to follow him through the door. "I'll give you what we have."

Without a word Hiei followed him through the door and noticed immediately that they were on a lift that would carry them underground. Guilin pulled a lever mounted on the wall and the fire demon felt the floor jerk beneath him as they began to descend. Watching as the floor rose above them, Hiei noticed the rows of shelves that were coming into view from beneath the lift. So this was where they kept the files on everyone in Demon World.

"I suggest you wait here," Guilin said once they stopped moving. "Those that don't know their way can easily get lost amongst all the files."

Hiei snorted but took his advice as the demon vanished into the rows of shelves. As far as the fire demon could see there wasn't an apparent method of organization for all the files, but he knew that Guilin would be able to find the file. If he was anywhere near as strong as Yusuke made it seem Atasu should have quite a bit of information stored.

Taking a seat on the floor Hiei drew his sword and glanced over the blade, his gaze lingering on the emblem emblazoned just above his hilt. He had shown this to the guard and it had allowed him to pass, even in a time when the old rulers were nothing more than common demons. There was no way to remove Mukuro's symbol from his sword and Hiei found this frustrating even if he did support her. He was marked as an individual with an emblem like that on his blade. Usually in times of war it would be used to identify soldiers and bodies on the battlefield, but that didn't have much significance in the new Demon World. Stubbornly he scratched at the mark and it resisted just as it had so many timed before. Hiei growled under his breath and glanced up as he sensed Guilin returning.

"That's all?" Hiei asked incredulously, taken by surprise by the file that was shoved into his hand. It was barely an inch thick and looked as though there were only a few records inside. Printed across the front of the folder were the words "Classified Information" in large red letters. Thumbing briefly through the folder Hiei tucked it into his cloak.

"That's the only information we have on file," Guilin told him. "It's rare to have so little information on a demon that's survived so long. I imagine there are few even in Spirit World that know of him."

"But you did," Hiei said suddenly as the memory returned to him, looking down at the small demon. "You tried to pretend you didn't but when I told you Mukuro's name you were suddenly alert." The fire demon glared at the record-keeper, who seemed to be losing his nerve. "First Mukuro and now you. What is it about this demon that you're so afraid of?" Hiei growled angrily under his breath.

"You don't know?" Guilin asked softly as he looked up, his amber eyes meeting Hiei's crimson ones for the first time. Shaking his head, the demon sighed and looked away, starting to walk back toward the lift. "It's not my place to tell you," he admitted, knowing this truth would only anger the fire demon. "I'm sorry master Hiei," he added, but the Hiei ignored him.

They rode back to the surface in silence, Hiei confused and angry with Guilin. The one thing he hated more that stupidity was being kept in the dark, which was clearly what was happening here, seeming both with Guilin and Mukuro. This was what frustrated him most. Mukuro trusted him and wasn't afraid to tell him anything. He could practically say the same of himself, which was a big leap for both of them. Why she was keeping silent now, with such an important mission, was beyond him. He made sure to confront her about it when he got back.

"I apologize again for the lack of information we could provide," Guilin said once they reached the surface and were once again in the hall. Hiei shook his head, barely listening until he heard the demon's next words. "Please master Hiei, I'm asking you for your sake, please stop Atasu."

"What…?" Hiei tried to ask, but Guilin had already vanished. "Why is everyone playing games with me?" he growled, but when he felt the file against his stomach he didn't care. He had what he came for, so the trip hadn't been a total waste. Plus he had learned something about Mukuro at the same time.

Emerging out into the sunlight, Hiei realized it was growing close to midday. Surprised by how much time he had spent in the record's hall, the fire demon broke into a run and flashed past the border guard that had tried to stop him earlier. The guard's head shot up but he didn't bother to try and slow him down. Without letting up speed Hiei entered the forest and vanished from the view of the border guard post. If he didn't have such phenomenal agility it was sure he would have twisted an ankle on the uneven path.

"That demon," Guilin muttered as he came to stand beside the border guard, who immediately jumped to his feet. "His loyalty is truly astounding."

The sun had rose completely in the sky when Hiei finally slowed his pace. It had grown extremely warm in the sun and the fire demon feared he had overshot his distance by at least a few miles. There was a place behind him where the path split into two, one going in the relative direction of Mukuro's palace and the other, which seemed quite similar to where he was, leading in the direction of a demon village. It was an amateur's mistake but Hiei's mind had been on other things. He wasn't lost and knew it would be easier to pass through the village and come around in a circle than to double back until he found the other path. That decided, he continued forward at a much slower pace.

The village was inhabited mostly by older demons, quite a few of which had once served in Mukuro's army. As far as the fire demon knew it was the only village permitted to be so close to the lord's palace, though he had never been there himself. There were stories around the palace of a demon swordsmith that lived in the village, along with a much older demon that was reputed to be as good as any record-keeper when it came to old stories and legends. Now that he was forced to take the detour, Hiei decided he would pay the old demon a visit.

Once he was on the outskirts of the village the fire demon paused. He was sure to attract attention if he was walking around carrying a sword at his hip. Untying the belt that held the scabbard to his waist, he retied it underneath his cloak and checked quickly that it was well concealed but could be reached in an instant should he need it. After a moment's hesitation, he tucked his necklace inside his shirt; the gem was still very valuable and he was trying to avoid attracting attention. Making sure his headband was still tied tightly Hiei stepped out of the trees and onto the main village road.

Immediately he sensed a demon behind him and turned, coming face to face with a tall redheaded demon brandishing a spear. Apparently they kept a tight control of who came and went. Or maybe he just seemed like a shady demon that would want to try and cause trouble. The thought made Hiei smirk and he jumped lazily out of the way of the spear thrust that came his way for his humored expression.

"Who are you?" the demon asked and Hiei noted his heavy accent. He spoke like a demon from Yomi's territory and those were extremely rare in this region of Demon World. From where they were now it would take even the fastest demon at least a week to reach Yomi's border.

"I'm a demon that would like to be through your village," Hiei replied sharply, "and could make your life extremely painful if you don't allow me to pass." He was pushing it with the threat, he knew it, but the demon lowered his spear and stepped back toward the forest.

"You can go," he growled regretfully, "I recognize you now."

Hiei raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?" he murmured, fingering the hilt of his sword. He took a step backward before jumping and landing several feet away with his back to the forest. Continuing quickly, Hiei failed to hear the demon's last words.

"I'm quite familiar with you Hiei."

In layout the village was simple enough. There was a main road that passes through the center, the one that Hiei was on, and several smaller alley's branched off in other directions between the small huts that housed everything from stores to even an armory, though this was barely in use. Mostly it stored old weapons and armor from the days the army had stayed in the village. Not far from the forest was the house of the swordsmith, which was Hiei's first stop.

Passing through the doorway, the fire demon's eyes adjusted quickly to the newfound darkness and he approached the demon sitting in the corner of the room, drawing his sword as he went. The demon turned when he sensed Hiei beside him and looked up from where he had been wrapping the handle of a blade. Placing the sword on the floor he stood up and took the sword Hiei had extended to him, looking over the blade with interest.

"How long for you to hone the edge?" Hiei asked briskly, watching as the swordsmith turned the sword over in his hand and continue to examine it. Holding it in his hand, he took a few swings and tossed the blade in the air, catching it again by the hilt.

"A regular length katana," he said, holding the blade in front of him. "Slightly worn edge. I say it honing it shouldn't take more than an hour," he told the fire demon, who nodded. "Though if I were you I would have it have the balance adjusted as well. Your handle's grown light compared to the weight of the blade and it makes it harder to achieve a fast swing. And what's this?" he murmured, holding the blade in the light. With a jolt Hiei realized he had spotted the insignia and tried not to look concerned as the swordsmith looked up at him.

"It's a pleasure to work for you Hiei," he said and took the scabbard Hiei had removed from his belt. "It should be ready in a few hours. You're welcome to wait if you like," he offered, but Hiei was already on his way to the door.

"I'll be back in a few hours," he said, vanishing through the door. Outside, he glanced quickly up the road before setting off toward the other side of the village where he knew the demon Kyata resided. If the rumors he heard were true this demon should be able to tell him something about Atasu.

Many of the demons that he saw in the village kept their distance, scared away by his harsh demeanor. The few that were bold enough to hold their ground were the old demons of Mukuro's army, and a few even saluted him, which made Hiei roll his eyes. Soldiers would always be soldiers and few would ever be anything more than that. As he reached the outskirts of the village the number or demons he encountered dropped to the occasional loner, and when he spotted a house built almost in the forest he knew it was the one. Approaching without the slightest hesitation, Hiei stopped in front of the door, which had opened to permit him entry.

"It seems I have a visitor," a voice muttered as Hiei entered and stood near the door. "Well don't be shy, you wouldn't have come if you were shy. I'm sure you're looking for information so come and take a seat." From the back of the house stepped a demon and Hiei forced himself to hold his ground. "I'm always willing to entertain guests," Kyata said to him.

For a moment the fire demon simply stared at the demon in surprise before he gathered himself and sat down on the floor across from him. It seemed that at one time Kyata had been a soldier, for Hiei could see scars on his arms that could only have been caused by a sword. One of his eyes was covered by an eye-patch, but the amber one that the fire demon could see sparkled with a knowing light. His dark hair was long and tied loosely at his neck and a pair of small fangs was visible every time he spoke. A peacock was embroidered on the right sleeve of his dark red robe and Kyata sensed the fire demon's eyes lingering there.

"It's rare to see them anymore," he admitted sadly, running his finger over the bird. "There was a time they used to roam freely, but that was long ago. They've been hunted nearly to extinction for their feathers by now."

Hiei had to admit that he had only seen such birds in Human World and had never bothered to notice them. "I came to ask you about a demon," he said, still gazing at the impressive bird.

"Living or dead?" Kyata inquired, propping his head on the arm he had resting on his knee.

"Living," Hiei said confidently, "though living hidden in darkness so no one knows that he is."

"Those are the hardest kind aren't they," Kyata responded with a knowing glance at the fire demon, who shuddered and glanced away. They are the hardest kind, he thought to himself, and I think I know more than enough about that. "So this demon of yours wouldn't happen to have a name would he? It makes it so much easier that way," Kyata said with a wink.

Jerking from his thoughts Hiei said, "His name is Atasu. Apparently he resurfaced just recently."

Kyata's face darkened visibly and Hiei looked at him questioningly. This was becoming a regular response to Atasu's name and the fire demon truly wished he knew why. Apparently Yusuke hadn't been exaggerating the severity of this mission after all. For a moment it seemed that the old storyteller wouldn't answer and Hiei frowned, knowing he should have expected this. Guilin had been the same way. It was surprising, however, when he heard Kyata speak.

"I do know Atasu," he said quietly. "I know more about him than many and a great deal more that I should. More than anyone should for that matter," he said with a warning glance at Hiei, who nodded. "It's not everyday that a demon comes to me wanting to hear about Atasu. Raizen or Mukuro I could understand but, and I apologize if I'm being presumptuous, don't you think he's a bit above you?"

A growl escaped before Hiei could prevent it and he wished he had his sword. "You don't know who I am do you?" he asked darkly.

"I don't believe you introduced yourself," Kyata replied, "though I do have a faint idea. You're the most recent patient of the demon surgeon Shigure. Eccentric demon," he murmured, "though great for stories. If I'm not mistaken he gave you a Jagan implant."

"You're not mistaken," Hiei said, tugging away his headband to reveal his glowing third eye. Kyata smiled slightly and nodded, not at all surprised. "Though you obviously don't have any idea what became of me after that or we would have skipped all of this. If perhaps you would recall the recent tournament it might help." Tossing his cloak aside, Hiei flexed his right arm and noticed the way Kyata was studying him.

"Well well, I am impressed," he said finally, nodding to Hiei. "I did have a guess it was you and I suppose that confirms it. I suppose Mukuro sent you?"

"In a way," Hiei replied shortly and Kyata didn't press the matter. I can't reveal anything about Spirit World, the fire demon thought sternly to himself. I need the information about Atasu but he can't find out about the mission.

"Well then, I suppose I can begin. Are you ready Hiei?" Kyata asked and Hiei smirked. "Never been more ready I suppose. So…the demon Atasu, or at least what is known of him today, is surrounded in shadows like you said. I don't doubt he's done many things to cover his path and keep curious wanderers like us from following him. So how to you trace such a man? It's not easy of course. Very few have the knowledge of what Atasu had done in his life. I am one of the few."

"So how do you know everything if it's such a mystery?" Hiei asked, beginning to feel as though he had been led on. "You say everything is surrounded in shadows but make it seem like you're the torch that keeps us other demons from being in the dark. Why can you acquire all this knowledge that escapes so many others?"

"Do you know how old I am Hiei?" Kyata asked and the fire demon shook his head, startled by the abrupt question. "What would you say if I were to tell you I was born in the two-hundredth year of the lord Senya, the predecessor to your lord Mukuro? As I'm sure you know, Mukuro has ruled for over the last thousand years and Senya even longer before her. I was around to learn of Atasu's actions before it became important for him to disappear. Would that help to answer your question?"

Hiei didn't answer, too amazed to say something that would sound at least slightly intelligent. Why hadn't Mukuro ever told him that a demon like this lived just a few miles from the palace? He could have been an invaluable source of information and probably would have even been accepted into the palace as an advisor. Hiei made a mental note to suggest that once he was back at the fortress.

"I know what you're thinking," Kyata said, "and I refused the offer when Mukuro asked me a hundred years ago. I want to be a demon that anyone can come to for knowledge. I want to help those that want to learn, not just the lords that have their own means of acquiring information. I believe you can understand that Hiei."

He sounds like Kurama, the fire demon thought, who refused to side with Yomi even with the prospect of leading his army or even becoming his heir. "Back to Atasu," Hiei said, steering away from the subject of loyalty. "You said you knew him before he hid his activity from everyone. What was he doing then?"

"Back then? Not much at all," Kyata admitted. "He had ambitions, yes, but had a much more difficult time putting them into actions. At the time he was working under a group of assassins and thieves, mostly as their servant. I do think that he was moving up through their ranks though because it wasn't long before he began to join them. It seemed he specialized in taking hostages that were more often than not killed before they could be used as bargaining pieces. Whether or not that was Atasu's doing I don't know."

'Slowly he broke away from the group he had followed for so long and began working by himself, alone. Only a few demons were ever allowed close to him and he trusted them with his life. In that regard he's not so different from yourself is he Hiei?"

"I didn't have to join up with a gang to get here!" Hiei said hotly but Kyata silenced him with his hand.

"You were raised by bandits, helping them just as Atasu helped his gang of demons. He had a strong taste for blood and violence, just as you did until recently. He wanted very few to know of his whereabouts and trusted very few. You're not so different at all."

'But anyway, this was a very difficult time in Demon World. Senya was having a problem in his territory that were affecting the other two rulers as well. At the time it seemed that there would be a revolt against him and the lordship given over to the strongest, which would be determined in a battle. Amidst all this Atasu was stirring the flames, no doubt wanting the throne for himself. Mysterious kidnappings began springing up all through Demon World and angering the other lords, who blamed Senya and his internal problems. Just as what almost happened a year ago, it seemed the territories would go to war with each other."

"Obviously they didn't," Hiei supplied, "and Atasu never was able to make himself ruler. He became bitter and began killing for sport, trying to terrorize as he had once done. Am I right?"

"Absolutely wrong," Kyata said and Hiei looked at him in amazement. "You see, what prevented the war was the abrupt stop to the killings. It was as though Atasu had grown bored with the idea and abandoned it. And so Senya was able to quell his problems and eventually passed on his rule to Mukuro."

"So what happened to him?" Hiei asked, thoroughly interested in the story. Mukuro would be pleased that he had been able to gather so much information in such a short amount of time.

"After he stopped kidnapping I think he took the prisoners that he had and forced them to do his bidding while he lived in darkness, growing in strength. He made sure that the demons he kept were ones that could never be traced back to him should they escape. So, to put it in more blunt terms, he became a slave-trader."

"Slave trader?" Hiei asked incredulously. Something was bothering him about this but at the moment he couldn't quite place it. "Slave traders are very powerful and influential demons. It's no doubt that Atasu has been waiting all this time and building his power, and this is his comeback."

"I would believe that, yes," Kyata said. "I do hate to admit it, but that's probably all I'll be able to tell you Hiei. I regretfully don't know much about what's become of his recently. I apologize."

"You told me more that I could have learned anywhere else," Hiei said as he rose to his feet and Kyata followed suit. "I would thank you, but it's as you said, you'll continue on long into the night for someone that wants to hear your stories."

"True enough," Kyata said with a smile, and he followed Hiei to the door. "You know Hiei, I would like it if you were to come back sometime. I do believe you have a few interesting stories in you as well."

"More than you want to hear," Hiei told him before stepping outside and back to the road. Kyata was watching him from the doorway and Hiei glanced back at him before taking off up the road to collect his sword.

"He's on the right path," Kyata said to himself, watching Hiei go, "though I can sense that there was a time he could relate perfectly to Atasu."

Night had fallen when Hiei arrived back at the palace. Atasu's file still tucked in his cloak, he headed toward his chambers, where he would have all night to read it (not that it would take near that long with the lack of information the file contained). He was also going to write down everything that Kyata had told him so he wouldn't forget it and would be spared having to relay it to Mukuro. Reaching his chamber door, the fire demon passed through it and stopped when he spotted Mukuro standing inside, a scroll held in her hand.

"What's that?" Hiei asked, ignoring the fact that he never allowed anyone in his room and not even bothering to wonder how she had gotten through his door. "That's the seal of Spirit World," he murmured, examining the wax seal on the parchment. "What do they want?"

"It has to do with the case," Mukuro told him and the fire demon noticed the disappointment in her voice. "Atasu claimed another victim. They need you to leave tomorrow."


Oh, about that thing where Kyata says how old he is (born in the 200th year of Senya…)… I figured they don't have months in Demon World and would keep track of it by how long the lord had been ruling (for example, Senya had been ruling for 200 years when Kyata was born). Just my theory.

And for all you HieixMukuro fans, yes I know it's not really working like a romance story, but I had to get this part out of the way. Trust me, I like writing romantic parts more than stuff like this (though it was fun to write Kyata. He's got such a happy strange personality that I kinda like it. His speech is so weird….)

Hiei: (twitch)