Hiei, Kurama and Koray went on their way to Koray's home, now that everything had been cleared up at the Black Knight's ex-checkpoint. It was a quiet walk. Hiei had already explained to Kurama what he learned about Koray, while they were waiting at the checkpoint. Just like Hiei, Kurama wondered how Koray managed to leave the Black Knights at all. But neither of them had an answer just yet.
"So, Hiei...." Koray begun, breaking the silence. "Who was that man you were chatting with at the back?"
Hiei froze for a moment, then realized that it was only natural that Koray would be keeping an eye on him while they were there. But was this really the best time to talk with him about this?
"Come on, answer." Koray continued. "Or will I have to start making assumptions?"
"He was just a nobody...." Hiei replied. "Who happened to mention that you were a member of the Black Knights."
Koray's expression did not change. It remained serious, emotionless, but also cautious at the same time. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking. Koray then pulled out a cigarette, lit it and stuck it in his mouth.
"What else did he tell you?" Koray asked.
"He also said you left...." Hiei answered.
"Then what he told you is right. At one point in my life I joined the Black Knights, but I left them and haven't made contact since." Koray waited for a reaction or response to this, but got nothing. "I see this doesn't surprise you two.... So tell me Kurama, is it fun to be Koenma's puppet?"
"Excuse me?!" Kurama said, with a mix of confusion and offense.
"Remember back at Genkai's temple, when Hiei and I wandered off alone and you followed us? Saying you were worried was a clever lie to cover up the fact that Koenma sent you to provide Hiei with what pitiful information he has on me and my short time spent as one of the Black Knights. He probably chose you because you're really the only one Hiei would trust."
Hiei glared at Kurama but said nothing.
"How long did you honestly think you could keep it a secret from us? You know we would have found out eventually." Kurama inquired, with his guard up.
"Actually, I was going to tell him straight-out. You just interrupted my plans and got to him first." Koray replied calmly, but almost amused.
"Is that so?" Kurama said with disbelief.
"Yes it is. And I'm going to provide you with the knowledge of why I joined. And why I left." Koray said. "But first, I should warn you.... No one is to hear of this from either if you. Absolutely no one! For your information, if you do happen to let it slip, I won't do anything to you. But know this: As having previously been one of the Black Knights, only I can guarantee you protection from them. If I'm arrested by Katana, they will still target you. And no one will know how to save you."
"Listen up," Hiei said suddenly. "I've got no reason to reveal you to anyone. I don't care what you did in your past. I could care even less whether or not you're a member of the Black Knights now. But if you feel you need to tell me, I'll listen. And I'll decide for myself what I want to believe."
Despite what was just said, Koray could tell that Hiei really did want to know the truth. He was just to stubborn to admit it.
"Fine, I'll tell you when we get to my place." Koray replied with a smile.
But before Koray and the two demons could move on he spotted Reuel, followed by two soldiers, approaching them.
"Hey, what's up?" Koray said as soon as they reached them.
"Katana's called us for a meeting. Let's go." Reuel said flat-out, and without much excitement.
"You caught me at a bad time. Just fill me in later." Koray said, as if it were normal to skip out on meetings.
"Sorry, that's not a valid option this time, especially since you're the topic of our meeting." Reuel replied.
"What was that?" Koray said, taken aback.
"You heard me. You've been a pain in Katana's ass ever since she became our ruler, and now she'd like to discuss it with all of us. So come on."
This was starting to piss off Koray. "Like I said, this is a really bad time!"
"Don't worry about it." Hiei said. "You can talk to us later. Just don't be stupid and get arrested."
"Hiei...." Koray stuttered.
"See, even the kid says it's alright. Now come on. These guys can escort the boys to my place where they can wait for us." Reuel said with a calmer tone.
"....Fine." Koray agreed at last.
**********
The meeting started off very tense. As Koray and Reuel entered the room where Katana, Archelaus and Cleitnese were already seated, Katana's already obvious rage seemed to rise.
"Good day, My Lady." Reuel said politely to Katana.
"Forgive me, but we're not going to waste time on small-talk today. I'd like to get straight to the point." Katana said, while forcing back her rage. "Koray, I imagine you're feeling quite proud of yourself right now, after taking out that checkpoint earlier today. Care to tell us how you knew where it was and how to get in?"
".....My source informed me." Koray said with displeasure, as he could tell where this was going.
"Yes, this isn't the first time you've relied on the information of this unknown being...." Katana said with utter distaste. "Luckily for you, the fact that the mission was a success means you will receive no punishment for your actions."
"Thank you." Koray said sincerely.
"However, your overall behavior bothers me. You're a loose cannon, and I won't have someone like that working for me." Katana said with annoyance.
"What the hell have I done?!" Koray said, getting extremely pissed off.
"Well, let's see; You neglected to inform me of, yet another, mission you decided to carry out; You wandered into another world; You brought back two foreign boys with you!" Katana screamed at Koray. "Ever since I met you, you have been a rude, judgmental, know-it-all pain in my fucking ass! And I will not let you get away with this kind of behavior anymore!"
"You know what? You're just being a jealous bitch!" Koray yelled, having snapped. "You wish you could do your job half as well as I do mine!"
Katana was about to yell something outrageous back at the fire demon, but Archelaus spoke before her:
"Koray shut the hell up and listen to us! We hate to do this to you, but after much consideration there isn't really any other option. If you continue to behave this way, we will permanently send Hiei back to his own world and you will be forbidden any contact with him."
"That's bullshit!" Koray screamed.
"Humph. Maybe if you had done as you were told from the start, you wouldn't be in this position." Cleitnese said.
Reuel had nothing to say to his friend.
**********
Hiei and Kurama walked in silence, led by the two soldiers. It's not like there was much to talk about anyway.
"So, Master Hiei, how do you like it here?" One of the soldiers asked.
"Huh....?" Hiei said, a little taken aback by the question and unusual politeness.
"Well, you come from another world. I imagine it's very different there."
"Yeah, it's different...." Hiei replied, though he didn't really care.
The two soldiers figured they should change the subject. "You know, you're lucky to have Lord Koray as your father."
"Why's that?" Hiei asked.
"Well, although he's quiet and composed, your father is a good leader. I've been told that he can be kind and forgiving, but also stern when he needs to be. Although I very much enjoy working under Lord Reuel, I wish I was in Lord Koray's army."
With that, the two soldiers slipped away into their own thoughts. Hiei and Kurama said nothing, as they too were lost within thought.
"Well..... Isn't that sweet?" Came a loud, but calm voice. It seemed like that of a young boy, and yet it sounded mature and educated. However, there was a certain tone to this voice that sent chills down everyone's spines and set off warnings in their heads.
The two demons and the soldiers searched for the source of the voice, but could not find it. Suddenly, the two soldiers with Hiei and Kurama were decapitated by an unknown force. The two boy's eyes widened at the unforeseen sight of heads falling to the ground, and flinched as blood fell on their faces and clothing.
Suddenly Hiei and Kurama felt dizzy. Their surroundings became a blur. And in an instant they could see nothing except for a big black emptiness.