Koray led Hiei and Kurama out of the stronghold. They walked along a path that was surrounded by grasslands, and led to a small town. The town seemed well-off. Most of the buildings were small and made of wood or stone. People filled the streets, running errands and going about their business. As soon as the three of them entered the town, many people stopped what they were doing and came to greet Koray as he walked by. Everyone referred to him as 'Lord Koray' and seemed to highly respect him. Just about everyone inquired about Hiei, and each time Koray introduced him with a smile.
"I could tell you had status when we found out that you are one of the four Generals, but this is a little more." Kurama said questioningly.
"Well, having a position as one of the Generals isn't just about military affairs; it's also having a political position." Koray explained. "We help Katana make decisions. And, really, any one of us is qualified to rule the island. The four of us are on equal footing, and the only one who has more power than us is Katana."
"I see. Like a small council of warriors." Kurama said.
"I guess that's one way to look at it." Koray replied.
"Out of curiosity," Hiei inferred "Why do you refer to Katana that way?"
"What do you mean?" Koray responded.
"I mean, you don't use any terms of respect. Reuel and the others all call her "Lady" Katana. You seem to be the only one who doesn't."
"Oh... It's a long, boring story. Basically all it amounts to is that I don't see Katana as a ruler." Koray replied cautiously.
"Perhaps that's the way you think, but it doesn't change the fact that she is the ruler. Shouldn't you give her your respect regardless?" Kurama said.
"Look, it's not a subject any of the Generals enjoy talking about. In case you haven't noticed, Katana's a little young to be holding the position she does. The only reason she stepped up so soon is because the previous Lord was assassinated." Koray explained. "She's not even of royal descent. The previous Lord never had any children, so he adopted her. Believe me, if wasn't for the Generals, the Island of Wind would have already fallen to the Black Knights."
"The Black Knights… Aren't they the ones that attacked us at Genkai's temple?" Kurama asked.
"Yes." Koray answered. "This is the world where they were founded. They're a ruthless organization which has been slowly breaking down the delicate balance of power that has been maintained for thousands of years. They're getting close to throwing this world into chaos."
"This must be troublesome for you." Kurama stated grimly.
"I'd say it's a little more than that." Koray responded with a sigh. "Ah, here we are." Koray said as he approached a small house. It, like the others was made of wood. It had two stories, and surprisingly few windows. "This is where I live."
"It's nice." Kurama said. Hiei just stared.
"I'm glad you think so." Koray said.
Koray proceeded to unlock the door, open it and bring his two guests inside. They entered into a large room which has a sitting area straight ahead, which comprised of a couch and a small table. At the far side of the room they saw a dining area, which had a large dining table. To the left they saw the entrance to a kitchen, and to the right they saw a set of stairs leading to the second floor. There was also a large dresser on the wall next to the stairs.
"Not much to it is there." Hiei said.
"I never found much of a need to invest in decorations and what-not. I've got bigger things to worry about."
"Right..." Hiei muttered.
"Well I hate to leave you guys alone, but there are some things I need to take care of." Koray said while rubbing the back of his head.
"Things related to your job as a General?" Kurama asked.
"Of course." Koray responded. "Just do me one favor while you're here alone: don't answer the door to anyone."
They both looked at Koray in confusion. "Why not?" Hiei asked.
"Well, in these times it's hard to know who to trust." Koray said with a dark expression on his face. Neither Hiei nor Kurama said anything. "Well, I'll be off." Koray said as he walked out of the house, and locked the door behind him.
The two friends sat there in silence for a while. Hiei walked around, getting a better look at the house. Something about it seemed off to him, but the fire demon couldn't put his finger on it. Kurama didn't seem to notice, or at least didn't say anything. Eventually Hiei took a seat beside Kurama who had been on the couch the whole time.
"That was strange what he said about trusting people." Hiei said.
"Yes." Kurama agreed. "It's almost ironic."
"What do you mean?"
Kurama paused for a moment, and then said: "After you left to talk with your father - at Genkai's temple - Koenma shared some information with us."
"What was that?"
"You remember how Koenma called the SDF to get rid of Koray because of his crimes. Well, Koenma was unable to explain that your father is a member of the organization known as the Black Knights."
"What?" Hiei said in disbelief.
"Yes, apparently your father had been to Spirit World on numerous missions assigned to him by the Black Knights. He, along with groups of other Black Knight warriors, stole many objects and killed many guards. After watching video tapes of the incidents, Koenma determined that Koray was leading most of those attacks." Hiei said nothing. "And considering what Koray told us of the Black Knights that means we can assume he's a traitor and could be using his position as one of the Generals to aid them."
Neither of them said anything after that. Hiei, for some reason, couldn't piece everything together. There was something that stopped him from being able to believe that his father was a traitor. He felt like he was missing something crucial.
The two sat there silent for several minutes, pondering the obvious question, when suddenly they heard a knock.
"Someone's at the door..." Kurama said cautiously.
"Just ignore it." Hiei said. But the knocking didn't stop. Whoever was there was persistent, and seemed to know that someone was home. For a few minutes, though, the knocking stopped. Then it was replaced by a voice:
"Hello! Isn't anyone going to answer?" Neither of them recognized the voice. "Come on, I know someone's in there."
"Who are you, and what do you want?" Hiei shouted to the stranger outside.
"What's this? Is Koray not home?" The stranger replied curiously.
"That's right. So come back later." Kurama said.
"I'm afraid I can't do that!" The man outside yelled.
Hiei and Kurama heard a bang at the door. Considering how loud it was, they expected the door to break in, but instead they heard groans from the stranger and the sound of a body hitting the ground. They opened the door and peered outside. There was no one other than a man in a black cloak who struggled to get to his feet. Clearly he was the one who was trying to get inside.
"D-damn you all..." He said angrily. He was about to get ready to attack, but stopped himself to get a better look at the two standing in the doorway. "So, you're the runt who's supposed to be Koray's kid. You do look like him. But in terms of power you're nothing compared to what he is."
"Hmph! Who cares, it's none of your business anyways!" Hiei yelled at the stranger who just insulted him.
"Heh heh. I heard you were quite arrogant with a big mouth on you." The stranger said with a smirk. "If you think you're that great, why not come and fight me?"
Hiei smirked at his opponent's challenge. "Don't do it, Hiei!" Kurama said nervously. "It's not wise to enter in a fight here, especially since we know nothing about him!"
"Oh, there's nothing to worry about red-head." The man said. "I won't kill him. I have no reason to do so. All I want to do is put him in his place."
"Is that so?" Hiei said with a smirk. "Then I accept your challenge."
And, despite Kurama's beckoning, Hiei stepped out of his father's house to confront his new opponent.