Chapter Eight- Lord Kazuma

Kuwabara wasn't sure what kind of castle he now owned, but he knew it would be better than living in a cave or out in the forest itself. The trees thinned out and Kuwabara and Hiei found themselves before an enormous and handsome castle. It contained a dry moat with a drawbridge that was currently down and the doorway entrance was guarded by two domestic cats in armor and holding spears. The path between the trees and the bridge was lined with his escorts and Sharnana closest to the bridge. As he and Hiei headed for the bridge, the cats would go to one knee and bow their heads. He saw Sharnana's eyes dart to Hiei as she knelt and bowed her head. He turned to face the kneeling cats. "In case you do not know, this is my companion, Hiei. I have come to appreciate his advice and have made him my advisor."

"Master Hiei," the cats murmured.

He turned back to Sharnana and said, "Lead on."

"Yes, my lord." She took the lead, the others following behind Kuwabara and then dispersing once in the castle's walls and the bridge being raised.

"This is quite the place," he commented as they crossed the courtyard and entered a corridor."

"Thank you, my lord. There are almost fifty of us, you and Master Hiei making fifty. Twenty-three of them are your warrior army while the others serve as guards, housekeepers, cooks, and servants. May I ask what my role will be?"

Kuwabara's eyes roved over the lioness' back, tracing her curves and muscular body. "You are still the lady of my castle. You will rule beside me and guide me as I have never ruled before."

"I thank you, my lord. I will be a worthy co-ruler."

"I have no doubt of that." He grinned at how deep his voice had gotten as he had fought the warriors and he liked it. He also liked that he had a home and was considered a lord because tigers ruled castles or wherever they chose to make their dwelling. The other cat demons fell into line behind a tiger and treated them with reverence. He chose to have Sharnana as his co-ruler as she had been the one in charge until now. As he followed her, they passed the other inhabitants and they would kneel and bow their heads as they passed. Oh, yes. I will love being in charge and treated with respect. Anyone who doesn't will pay with their lives and I will gladly execute them myself.

Sharnana had taken them through several corridors that had branched off from the main one and was pointing out the rooms of interest, one being a training hall. His ears heard pleadings as they passed a flight of stairs heading down. "What's down there? A torture chamber?" he asked, a note of relish in his tone.

"Part of it is. It is actually the dungeon, my lord. You see, we come across a human every now and then in our territory and we hold them prisoner and keep them alive. Our intention was to eventually sell them into slavery. I take it that they will be food now?"

"Correct. I eat humans and will be wanting one for dinner soon."

"As you wish, my lord." Kuwabara's eyes glittered upon hearing that. He hadn't eaten a human yet and looked forward to his first one tonight.

Hiei followed beside Kuwabara silently as he had nothing to say, content to look around and listen to Kuwabara. The tiger was definitely acting the way he should. His voice had deepened from his cruel attack, he accepted being the lord of the castle, he seemed to like being respected, and he just expressed a desire to eat humans. I am his advisor and I think I will write about tiger demons as I will be working for one and will have an understanding of them. I look forward to Kuwabara, or rather Lord Kazuma, becoming more like a demon as time goes on.

Sharnana flung open a set of double doors to reveal a room that seemed to be the throne room and ballroom combined. "This is where we will greet guests and held grand celebrations. One such celebration will be your installation as lord. It will take place tomorrow night and everyone in the castle will attend."

"I look forward to that." Kuwabara strolled down the room and up to the throne before turning and sitting, his tail going through the opening between the back and the seat. Hiei took a spot on the right while Sharnana knelt before him. "Shall I have your dinner prepared, my lord?"

"Yes. See to it."

"As you wish."

Once she was gone, Hiei finally spoke. "You seem to be enjoying yourself."

"Oh, yes. I had no idea that tigers live like lords."

"Neither did I. It is something to note for I plan to write a paper on tiger demons as I work alongside you."

"A paper on my kind. I like the sound of that."

"I noticed that your voice deepened. It suites your height and your looks."

"I noticed it too and can only guess it has something to do with my fight earlier."

"I suspect the same thing. Do you want me to call you by title?"

"No. Perhaps if the moment calls for it. That would be fine."

"That is acceptable and perhaps you could call me Master Hiei when necessary."

"I intend to."

"I may be wrong, but you seemed taken by Sharnana."

"I may be. She's strong and her body's not bad either. She also knows the castle's layout and the routine that's already been established. I may keep it or make some changes."

"You've already made one change: The humans in the dungeon. You changed their fate; instead of being slaves, they're now food."

"That's right. I look forward to eating my first human."

He's definitely behaving like a tiger demon, Hiei thought. Heh, if Kurama or Yusuke do decide to come looking for him, they'll be shocked by how much of a demon he's become. The eating of humans will be an especially nasty surprise.

The smell of cooked food reached both of their noses and a few minutes later, two male panthers entered, one carrying a covered dish and the other carrying a tray bearing a bowl, utensils, glasses, and a pitcher. The panthers went to a table, placed the dishes there, added a chair, and then bowed to Kuwabara and Hiei before leaving.

Curious about the tray, Kuwabara went over to the table with Hiei behind him. Steam issued from the bowl whose contents he determined to be soup that he deduced was for Hiei. He looked in the pitcher and it appeared to be water. He poured a glass, grabbed a set of utensils, and sat before the covered dish. He lifted the lid and his mouth watered at his meal. It was assorted organs, meat, and flesh. He speared some flesh, licked his lips, and put it in his mouth.

His teeth cut effortlessly into the flesh which he found to be tender and delicious. He sampled the organs and meat to find them equally good but the flesh was the best part. He proceeded to devour his dinner with Hiei sipping his soup. He gave Hiei a look at one point that seemed to say, "Don't worry about me. I have completely embraced my tiger tendencies and instincts. I will live as the lord of this castle and heed to the desires I feel. I will be the most vicious tiger demon this world has ever seen." Hiei smirked and nodded at him. The two of them would live happily here and be treated with great respect.

The End