Satira made her way to the kitchen and tied an apron around her waist. This way, if anything got spilled, it wouldn't ruin her clothes. She pulled out a silver tray and placed it on the counter. She went to the door to the meeting room and poked her head in.

"Yoko?" she asked. Yoko looked up from where he was talking with Kuroune, Amira, and Hiei. He gave a smile of approval. She had arrived on time.

"How many drinks do I need to prepare?"

"Eight." Yoko answered. Satira nodded and disappeared back into the kitchen. Yoko watched the door a moment longer before returning to his conversation. Not long after, a messenger appeared with a bow.

"Master Yoko. The Raiders are here."

"Send them in." Yoko instructed as he sat down next to Kuroune. The raiders entered the room looking serious. They all wore cloaks of light brown, the hoods down. Their leader had a golden headband around his forehead. The guards accompanying them brought in knives, but handed them to Yoko's guards in a show of peace. They gave a stiff nod in Yoko's direction and seated themselves across the table.

"I am Sarkan, leader of the raiders. We thank you for meeting with us, Yoko." Yoko nodded as Sarkan continued.

"This is my second in command, Prakash." He said indicating his friend who gave a solemn nod. "We are here to negotiate a treaty that will benefit both of us."

"What do you propose?" Kuroune asked.

"That our people are allowed to move into your territory without fear of being attacked, and you are allowed on ours." Sarkan said. He sat backing his chair and laced his fingers together. Yoko pretended to look deep in thought, even though he knew what his answer would be. He looked up as the door opened and Satira entered, carrying a tray. He nodded at her as she came forward.

"Before we make any agreements, may I offer you a drink?" he asked, making a hand gesture in Satira's direction. Sarkan smiled.

"Yes, thank you."

Satira almost stopped in her tracks, she knew that voice. Prakash turned in his seat to look who the waitress was as his eyes locked with hers. Satira immediately lowered her face as his eyes widened in recognition and immediately traveled to the necklace at her throat. Yoko was looking at her strangely as she slowly moved forward. She risked a glance at the raiders and Sarkan's eyes narrowed in anger. Satira's hands trembled and she dropped the tray. Yoko immediately stood up as Satira started picking up the glasses.

"I am sorry." She apologized, not looking at anyone. "I shall bring out a replacement." She said as she picked up the spilled glasses and hurried back into the kitchen. Yoko's eyes watched her intently as he stood up.

"If you will excuse me for a moment, I need to have a talk with my servants." He then walked into the kitchen to find Satira pacing. She stopped as soon as he entered and looked at him. She was biting her lip and her hand, which had been holding her necklace tightly, dropped to her side.

"What was that?" Yoko demanded of her. She looked at him with carefully masked eyes. For once, she wasn't going to show she was afraid.

"Please….can you find someone else to serve tonight!" Satira asked him suddenly. Yoko looked at her curiously.

"What for?"

Satira searched for a reason. "The Raiders, they make me nervous." She said. "Please, let someone else do this!" Yoko suspected she wasn't telling him everything.

"I won't let anything happen to those in my service. You have nothing to fear." He said as he turned to go back to the meeting. Satira grabbed his arm.
"No! I won't go back out there!" She told him.

"Why not!" Yoko asked.

"I…I just...can't." she said weakly.

"That is not a good enough reason; now tell me the real reason." Yoko said. Satira racked her brain for an answer. "I know your hiding something!" Yoko said. "Now what is it!"

"I don't want to do it ok!" Satira shot at him. "So find someone else!"

"You will do what is expected of you or you will be punished!" Yoko said getting angry that she wouldn't tell him what was going on.

"Then punish me!" Satira replied hotly as Yoko advanced on her. Her necklace, the raiders had looked at it. There must be something about that necklace. Yoko took the necklace off her neck as Satira gave a cry or surprise.

"Finish your job!" he said sternly, the locket in his hands. Satira gave him eyes full of pleading and Yoko felt his heart break.

"Don't make me go out there! She tried again.

"Finish your job and you can have it back." Yoko said, his voice softening.

Satira glared at him. She couldn't go back out there and let them see her again, but if she didn't. She looked at her necklace in his hands and looked up at him. She wished she could say something to get her necklace back, but she knew she couldn't. She lowered her eyes.

"Alright." She said angrily, tossing her head. Yoko tilted her chin to look at him.

"I promise, nothing will happen to you. I protect those who work for me." He said, trying to reduce her apparent fear of them. No matter how much she tried to hide it, he could tell. "I will protect you." Satira looked up into his golden eyes and felt her heart melt. He gave her a tender smile and placed the necklace in his pocket and went back outside. She breathed a sigh and ran out into the hall; grabbing a passing demon's arm.

"Could you go and get Alianne and tell her to come here? Yoko's orders." The demon nodded and ran to get her as Satira walked back in the kitchen.

"Sorry Yoko." She muttered as she bit her lip and waited for her friend to come.