I'm such a horrible, horrible authoress... See, I had planned on updating this a long time ago, but it never happened. I planned on updating last week, when I was on spring break, but I accidently left the first few pages of this chapter in my locker. It was horrible. You guys had to wait so long, and I'm pretty sure that this chapter wasn't worth the wait! Gomen nasai!

On a different note; new characters! Yaaaaay!

The Lord of Roses and the Shackled Dragon

Chapter Three: Planning for Chaos

The next few days passed uneventfully until Lord Hiron summoned Kurama once again. The fox lord was not happy to be pulled away from Hiei for any reason, but a summon from his guardian was not one he could refuse. Needless to say, he was rather annoyed with the man. Kurama was sure that he was making progress in the way of getting Hiei to trust him, though not many would be able to pick up on the changes in the fire demon's behavior, so that they hardly seemed there at all. Regardless, the fox felt that being separated from the slave could harm the fragile bond that he was so sure they shared.

He couldn't keep his aggravation from his walk as he went to the garden to meet with his uncle. Lord Hiron sat calmly on a bench and watched Kurama walk toward him. The fox stopped a few feet in front of his uncle and the man stood up to meet him. Kurama's voice was polite when he spoke, but there was also an undertone of strain. "You summoned me, Uncle?"

"Walk with me," Lord Hiron said politely, though Kurama knew it was not a request. The demons walked through the garden, many plants leaning ever so slightly toward the fox lord as they passed.

"I do not mean to seem impatient," Kurama said after a little while. "But you must have had a reason for summoning me."

"And yet your impatience shows," the blue-haired demon commented smoothly. "I fear you've become too attached to that slave of yours."

"I am doubtful that you asked me here to discuss Hiei," Kurama replied, his voice carefully polite, as it always was around his guardian. It was clear that this form of verbal sparring was nothing new to the lords; even their postures were carefully polite, and their eyes avoided meeting.

"Then you are quite mistaken," Hiron replied, causing Kurama to look at him curiously. "The slave is now a part of our household, and I believe it is time for us to introduce him to the public."

Kurama looked away again, sighed as quietly as he could. "Politics."

"Of course; politics are everything in a family of our status. You would do well to learn that, you will have to rule our land one day."

"So we are doing this to please the other Makai lords? Or is this another tradition?"

"You make it out to be more simple than it really is."

"Forgive me," the fox bowed slightly. There was a short period where the demons were silent before Kurama spoke again. "Who will be our guests?"

Amusement sparkled in Hiron's amber eyes as they slid over to Kurama. "Everyone," he said simply. Kurama inwardly sighed, and Hiron smirked at his charge, clearly already enjoying the discomfort he was about to cause the fox. "Including your cousins.. Both of them."

The fox lord kept his face an emotionless mask as he stared into his guardian's slit-pupil eyes, a challenge in and of itself, that, luckily, Hiron payed no mind to. He was far too amused with the fact that he was sure Kurama was cringing in his mind at the thought Hiron had planted there. "When will this 'celebration' be held?" Kurama asked calmly.

"Three days. I will send Suzuka to your quarters tonight to fit you and your slave. The clothing should be ready by tomorrow night."

Kurama gracefully raised one eyebrow. "Not to be rude, but doesn't that seem a little rushed?"

"Of course not, you know how quick and efficient Suzuka's work is, especially when it is for a Makai lord. Besides," Hiron combed his fingers through his ice-blue hair, elegantly brushing away the strands that had fallen into his eyes. "We can't keep the others waiting in anticipation for too much longer."

"Is that all?" Kurama asked as politely as he could. Hiron nodded and dismissed the fox with a wave of his hand. Kurama bowed and started to walk away when Hiron called to him. The fox stopped immediately and looked over his should at his guardian, who had an arrogant smirk gracing his face.

"Make sure that you keep that little monster of yours under control."

A tight smile found its way to Kurama's face as he turned and bowed once again to his guardian. "Of course, Uncle," he said before walking away, trying to keep his anger from his steps and posture. As soon as he left the garden and entered the corridor, his thoughts exploded, causing Yoko's consciousness to cringe. 'THAT ARROGANT BASTARD!'

'He does have a point, though, Kit,' Yoko said cautiously, trying to hide his amusement, and trying not to anger Kurama. The red-headed fox glared at a sculpture across the hall, pretending it was Yoko's face.

'Do you find this funny?' Kurama mentally growled. Yoko faked being offended and hurt.

'Of course not, Kit, I was simply trying to point out that your dear guardian is right about one thing.'

'And what would that be?' Kurama's mental voice still held an edge of anger to it. Yoko smirked at his question.

'You'll likely find it hard to keep Hiei under control. He doesn't seem the type who would enjoy parties, especially the ones hosted in this household.

Kurama released a defeated sigh, releasing his anger in the same breath. 'That's true enough. I'm doubtful if he'll even be able to handle the tailor..'

'He really dislikes being touched, doesn't he?'

'Judging from the level of amusement in your voice, I'm going to guess that you are predicting chaos.'

Yoko smirked. 'You know me well, Kit, and yes, I am. Would you expect anything less from him?'

Kurama shook his head, beginning to walk back to his room. 'Of course not. After all, that's why you first took an interest in him, is it not?'

'And I'm always right,' the voice in Kurama's mind replied arrogantly.

- - -

Kurama entered his room as silently as he could, emerald eyes immediately searching for his slave. He found the fire demon seated on his bed and walked over to him with an apologetic smile on his face. "Hiei, I have some bad news." Blood-red eyes snapped up to meet the fox's with interest and caution. Kurama took a seat next to Hiei, only causing the fire demon to move further away, though he stayed on the bed. Kurama pretended not to notice the slave's discomfort, and hid the small frustration he felt himself behind a soft smile. "I'm assuming that you're not one for large groups of people or parties."

Hiei crossed his arms over his chest and gave Kurama one of his looks that told the fox he had said something idiotic. Kurama ignored the look, accepting it as Hiei's nature, though his reaction would have been different had the look been given by anyone other than the slave. The fox's smile did drop, though, and his expression turned more serious. "Lord Hiron has called for a celebration in your honor." Hiei's eyes flashed anger as soon as the name was mentioned, and his expression got no better as Kurama continued. "Unfortunately, I couldn't refuse. There is a tailor coming tonight to fit both of us for our clothing. I'll have to ask you to bear with him, and also to bear with all of the people that will arrive in three days. Can you do that?"

At some point during Kurama's speech, Hiei's arms had fallen to his sides. His fists were clenched so tightly at his thighs that his knuckles were quickly turning white. He was glaring down at them, his eyes inflamed dangerously. Those orbs snapped up to meed Kurama's as the fox shifted slightly on the bed.

Yoko chuckled slightly in Kurama's mind. 'I believe that would be a 'hell no', don't you think, Kit?'

Kurama's expression remained calm as his eyes stayed locked to the fire demon's. "Look, Hiei, I don't want to go to this party much more than you do, but there is no way around it. Believe me when I tell you that fighting this will only make things worse."

"Why don't you just make the slave do what you want?" a voice asked from Kurama's doorway. Hiei's eyes napped up to the speaker, his teeth bared in a silent growl. Kurama also looked up, almost releasing a sigh as he realized who it was. The man bowed to him, and Kurama nodded back.

"Suzuka."

The blond man looked offended. He walked further into the room, glaring at Kurama. "How many times must I tell you that I am the Beautiful Suzuka? If you're not going to say my name right, don't say it at all."

Kurama found it quite difficult to resist the urge to roll his eyes. The fox had grown up with Suzuka so the strange demand, not to mention the rude attitude in front of a lord, was nothing new. Glancing over at Hiei, the fox found the fire demon staring back at him with a 'what the hell is that?' look on his face. "Hiei, this is the tailor I told you about, Suzuka," the fox said, gesturing to the man with his hand.

A vein popped in Suzuka's forehead. "The Beautiful Suzuka," he muttered angrily before a more pleasant expression took over his face. He smiled and threw himself into a rather feminine pose. "Yes, I am the Beautiful Suzuka, and my work is held in awe all throughout the Makai! Men and women all around are filled with envy whenever they set their eyes on the beauty of both my clothing and myself! There is none better than I in all the land!"

Suzuka's speech was completely wasted on Kurama and Hiei, who stopped paying attention soon after the man said his name, though neither bothered to interrupt him. Their silence only seemed to encourage the tailor, causing his voice to become even more dramatic, his rant even more drawn out.

When the blond finally noticed that he had lost his audience, he glared at them, crossing his arms and looking much like a spoiled child who just had a toy taken away from them. "Well, let's get started then."

Hiei glared at the man and quickly moved further away from the other occupants of the room. Kurama watched him. Slightly worried that the slave would either attack or run. Suzuka looked from master to slave before sighing. "Lord Kurama," he said, and the fox looked up. "You first. We can show the slave that there's nothing to worry about."

A small smiled graced the fox's lips, and he silently thanked the tailor. "Yes, I think that would be best."

Suzuka pulled out something that could be compared to a human measuring tape. "Of course, we wouldn't have to do this again if you would stop growing."

"You speak as if it is my fault."

"Hold up your arm," Suzuka said, beginning to take Kurama's measurements. "I never said that it was your choice."

"So you say now," Kurama replied smoothly. Suzuka rolled his eyes as he continued with the measurements. As this process continued, Kurama stole glances at Hiei, who was watching intently, his gaze mistrusting as it fell on Suzuka.

Time passed, and the tailor finished with Kurama. He asked a few more questions before their gazes fell on Hiei. Suzuka looked wary, knowing that this would be one of his hardest jobs yet, but Kurama simply smiled at the slave. "Hiei, would you come over here, please?"

The fire demon glared, trying to move even further away, though he stayed on the bed. He soon hit the headboard, pressing himself against it. His glare moved from Kurama to Suzuka and intensified. The tailor sighed. "My lord, I don' think your slave is going to let me near him."

Kurama smiled at the slave reassuringly. "Hiei, you only have to do this once, and then it's over."

Hiei's glare shifted once again to Kurama, though there was now a hint of uncertainty in the crimson orbs, as if he was contemplating Kurama's request. Before the slave could make a decision, though, a feminine voice spoke from the doorway.(1) "I have seen enough of this foolishness."

Bother Kurama and Suzuka turned and bowed to the figure leaning gracefully on the doorframe. Hard grey eyes regarded the male demons before the female spoke again. "Kurama, control your slave or get rid of it."

Kurama bowed once again, though not as deeply. "Forgive me, Aunt, but-"

The woman glared at him as she interrupted. "I have told you not to call me your aunt, it makes me feel old."

Kurama bowed again. "Forgive me, Aina." Aina nodded, encouraging him to continue with what he was saying before she interrupted him. "I had hoped that we could resolve this without resorting to violence," the fox said, knowing his aunt's tenancies.

Aina rolled her eyes, though the childish act did not deter from her grace and obvious status, before smiling warmly at Kurama. "You have always been too nice for your own good," she told her charge, flicking her deep emerald hair over her shoulder, careful that it didn't catch on the two small, black horns positioned just above her forehead. "A slave is meant to be controlled, and punished to establish and keep that control. Do not think of them as you would an equal."

"Forgive me, Aina, but I cannot view slaves as you can," Kurama replied calmly, though his anger was rising. Aina was always kind and gentle with the nobles, but when it came to anyone beneath her social status, she became cold and merciless.

Aina laid her hand on Kurama's shoulder affectionately. "I know, and that's why I said you're too nice for your own good." Her gaze then went to Hiei, her grey eyes turning cold once again. "As for this slave," she said, taking steps closer to the fire demon. "It needs to be disciplined and taught to obey its master."

Her eyes flashed red as thin bolts of lightning sprang from her fingertips to strike Hiei. The fire demon fell face-down on the mattress, out cold. Aina turned back to Kurama and Suzuka, and, seeing the shocked look on the tailor's face, she winked at him. "That's only a little bit of what I can do," she said playfully before her voice became serious again. "The slave will only be unconscious for about two more hours, if his body does not resist the shock. Suzuka, I suggest you get to work." With that, she floated out of the room.

Suzuka stared after her. "That was strange. Seeing the lady of the house is rare. The most we usually see of her is at parties."

Kurama looked at him. "The residents of this household have grown used to random occurrences such as this one. We are used to the changes in her moods."

"Yeah, she's a hurricane."

Kurama shook his head. "Perhaps you should get to work, before Hiei wakes up."

Suzuka grimace. "Yeah, and then I have to come back before the part to pretty you boys up.." There was a short silence before Suzuka turned to the unconscious slace. "Might as well get this over with. Hey, would you mind giving me a hand, my lord?"

Kurama nodded, and together they set to work.

So.. I know that Kurama seems a lot less cool and collected than he does in the actual series, but, come on, he a teenaged boy. Even if he doesn't show it, I'm sure he gets really pissed off sometimes. Just because he's technically really, really old doesn't mean he can't have a temper! Besides, we have no idea what's going on in his thoughts. (Though most yaoi fans are convinced that he has many thoughts of molesting Hiei...)

1- Yes, this is going to happen a lot. Because I like it.

Yeah... This chapter was crap, I know. I'm sorry. But hey, Suzuka makes and appearance! And Kurama's aunt! Whoo!

So, I'm going to need help with planning out party outfits. I know I want, like.. Traditional or Feudal Japan-style outfits, but I'm not completely sure what they would look like. I need them for men and women, not just Kurama and Hiei. Anyway, yeah, help out if you can. I can't really write the new chapter until I have all of the characters' outfits.

Well, review please! Reviews keep me happy and unhappy NL doesn't write!