Standard disclaimer: I don't own any of this.
Thanks again to my constant reviewers KyoHana and TheNotSoNiceLibarian! Of course, thank you as well to everyone who is following the story!
TheNotSoNiceLibarian: I couldn't help but torture Hiei just a little...
KyoHana: You're right! Besides, if Hiei was the assassin, I imagine he would just incinerate the whole place and then there'd be no more story to tell!
Sorry for the late delivery! This took much longer than I expected! Hope you enjoy!
Hiei yawned.
Hey Shrimp! Pay attention! We're supposed to be screening for potential enemies here.
Hiei leaned back lazily on the throne and folded his right knee to place his foot on the seat. Resting his elbow on his knee, he half-heartedly attempted to cover his mouth while he yawned once again. Underneath his white headband, his jagan glowed faintly while he telepathically communicated with Yusuke.
I see only overstuffed lords and self-important ladies.
He was seated at the end of a hall that was thrice as long as it was wide. Adorning the walls were a set of twelve elaborate tapestries depicting scenes from the legendary founding of Maragonia, from the gory image of Hiei's ancestor, the Dragon King Sei ripping out of his mother's womb, to the bloody battles that lead to the unification of the four central kingdoms of Makai. A thick violet carpet cut a pathway through the marble floor tiles. On each side, low tables of carved cherry wood and plush seating cushions awaited Maragonia's aristocracy who were lined up around the grand hall and out into the foyer, each bearing tributes for the unification celebration.
Hey, you never know. Sometimes its the harmless looking ones that are the most dangerous.
Hiei looked down the long line of aristocrats. He could see the heavily perfumed ladies gossipping and comparing the extravagance of each other's outfits. The men were not much better. Some were boasting the success of their businesses while others leered at the pretty servants.
You're right. Conversing with these fools will be the death of me.
It's a good thing Yukina is doing the talking for you then.
Hiei glanced over at his sister seated next to him on the adjacent throne. As always, Chu and Rui protectively shadowed her. His sister was amicable where Hiei was cold. She was gentle and regal where he was brash. She was loved by the people where he was a mere curiosity. Most importantly, she had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the countless nobility who were nothing but strangers to Hiei. In short, she was a natural in making small talk and exchanging pleasantries with the line of guests that was taking their turns to greet them.
"Ah Sir Sado! It is wonderful to see you again. How is Sakura? She must be a teenager now! Is she still as lovely as I remember her?"
"Lady Kara, you look stunning in that emerald kimono. I've heard that your family's textile business is doing very well. I would love to tour one of your factories."
"Lord Hiro and Lady Hatsumomo, congratulations on your marriage! Please accept my sincere apologies for missing your ceremony. I was engaged in official duties and could not make it. I trust that you received my wedding gift?"
Hiei yawned again. This time, he didn't even bothered to conceal his boredom.
Hey Shrimp! Seriously! You're supposed to keep me company!
Momentarily, Hiei dropped his standard expression of indifference to glare at Yusuke, who was standing off to the side as his guard. Concentrating on his thoughts, he shot a message back at his childhood friend.
Do not tempt me to close the jagan.
Neh. You won't do that. How else would we communicate? Besides, talking to me is the only thing keeping you awake right now.
Hn. You think too highly of yourself.
Stop glaring at me. Lord Sensui is onto us.
Hiei turned his attention to the dark hair man bowed before him. As a General during his stint in the Maragonian military, Lord Sensui was the only noble that Hiei knew in his prior life as a commoner and the only one he had an ounce of respect for.
"General Sensui," Hiei nodded curtly to the tall man in acknowledgement.
"Your majesty. Lady Yukina. Lord Chu. It is good to see you all well." Sensui stood and with an easy smile on his face, addressed Hiei directly, "I sense that your aura is stronger than ever before and that you are putting your gifts to good use." Sensui glanced over at Yusuke's direction and nodded in greeting. Yusuke smiled awkwardly back, an expression of embarrassment on his face like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
"Thanks to your in efforts, in part." Hiei leaned forward on his seat and dipped his head slightly. "How can I ever forget the intensive training I was subjected to under your command?" Yusuke snorted audibly.
"Reserved only for soldiers who showed promise, I assure you."
"Lucky me," Hiei said dryly. The next words escaped his mouth before he was even aware of the thought, "I would not mind riding with you again some day."
"It would be my ...pleasure, your majesty." Hiei didn't missed the way Sensui stumbled on his words. The man cleared his throat and recomposed himself. "Unfortunately, in this time of peace, I am but a humble administrator."
Yukina smiled, there were not many people her brother would willingly associate with. "The peace we enjoy now is made possible only by your efforts. You've quenched rebellion after rebellion." She stood and bowed, receiving a deep bow from Sensui in return.
"My lady, you are too generous in your compliments."
"You are much too courteous, my dear cousin. If you have no pressing duties to attend to back at the military base, I'd like to invite you to extend your stay in the capital and perhaps train with our guards?"
Just for a short moment, a look of deliberation flashed across Sensui's face. Hiei shifted uneasily in his seat. "I would very much enjoy that, my lady, and will make the necessary arrangements." Sensui bowed again and excused himself while another lord replaced him before them.
Odd.
What's odd, Shrimp?
The way he paused and deliberated.
Ohhh yeah. I saw that. Odd for sure.
In an effort to stifle his desire to roll his eyes, Hiei closed his eyes and sighed heavily. It's hard to find good help.
This man respects power over bloodlines but the way he behaved just now have raised my suspicions.
Absently, Yusuke nodded, forgetting for a moment that they were communicating telepathically.
Come to think of it, he has every reason to hold a grudge against the royal family. After all those years of defending Lord Yomi's territory, all he got for his efforts were some titles and medals.
Monitor him while he's in the capital.
We can use training as an excuse to get closer to him while he's here!
Brilliant. The captain of my guards want to give my potential enemy a weapon and an excuse to fight with me.
Shut up, Shrimp!
"Greetings to you both, your highnesses." A lord with slicked back shoulder length hair was now bowed before Hiei. "My apologies for my absence at your majesty's crowning ceremony earlier in the year."
Hiei cleared his throat as a signal for the lord to raise and noticed the long scar running down the side of his face.
Who's this?
"Oh, Lord Sakyo, your presence was sorely missed." Yukina, always the diplomat, smiled graciously.
One of your cousins. Apparently, the word on the street is he's involved in several illicit activities like illegal gambling houses, human trafficking, and smuggling.
Hn.
"As a gesture of my remorse, please accept these barrels of the finest wine my vineyards have ever produced." He motioned to the large barrels four servants were struggling to carry into the hall.
"I thank you for your generosity, dear cousin. I imagine your vineyards are doing well?"
Sakyo casted Yukina a sincere smile. "The grapes have been magnificent in the last few years, as you will soon see, producing a muscular wine of red fruit, cracked pepper, toasty oak and spicy undertone, with hints of lifeforce and a long elegant finish."
"I know so little of the art of wine production. I would love to learn the secrets behind your success."
"My lady, this may sound crude but the bloodshed from the rebellions of the previous years produced mineral rich soil that is conducive to my strain of grapes. Thanks in part to my esteemed cousin, Lord Sensui." Sakyo stole a glance at the general's direction and smirked knowingly. He couldn't help but notice Lady Yukina flinching slightly before composing herself and smiling carefully. Behind her, his cousin Chu practically growled. With a smug smile on his face, he continued, "I simply imported the right kind of soil to produce the environment my vineyards need."
Hiei eyed the barrels of wine apprehensively.
Your cousin's a creep.
No shit.
Seriously though, a man like this might prefer someone more trusting like Yukina as the monarch over someone like you who could shut down his criminal syndicate.
I don't give a damn what he's involved in.
Yeah well, he doesn't know that.
Hn. I won't be drinking any of that wine.
The last guests to draw their attention was a large man with a full beard and a slim young man with a strange tattoo on his forehead.
"Your majesties King Hiei and Lady Yukina, everytime I see you I'm reminded of my late brother-in-law, King Tennou. You remember my incompetent son, Koenma?"
"Oh King Enma and Prince Koenma!" Yukina beamed brightly. "What a delightful surprise! I thought you would be too busy with Reikai business to join us today."
"My dear, I would never be too busy to see my niece and nephew!" King Enma turned to his nephew, "King Hiei, I trust that you're adjusting to your new role."
Hiei nodded swiftly. This was one person Yukina had warned him not to cross. "There's still much to learn."
"My offer from before still stands." King Enma grabbed his son by the shoulder and shoved him forward. "My son would gladly assist in any administrative duties. I'm sure he would appreciate a change in scenery."
This smells like trouble, Shrimp. Why does he insist on leaving the Prince of Reikai in our care?
Hn. Keep your enemies close.
"Father! I told you a million times, It's beneath me to —" Prince Koenma started to argue but was quickly silenced by King Enma's dangerous looking frown.
So you'd accept?
Just another child to baby sit.
Hiei nodded curtly at Yukina.
"Prince Koenma, you would be a great help to my brother," Yukina bowed, face hidden by her thick hair. "This presents a wonderful opportunity to get to know you better."
"As you can see, my unworthy child is a handful. Please don't hesitate to put him in his place." Without even turning to his son, King Enma added, "Stop sulking Koenma, its unbecoming."
Wow. Relationships like that kinda make me glad I was orphaned as a child.
Hn.
Finally, the greetings came to an end and all guests were seated at the banquet hall. Servants rushed to set up the head table right in front of the thrones, while Yusuke took this opportunity to duck into a dark corner to stretch.
We didn't see Yomi.
Oh yeah! But that old blind goat is on the guest list though. I'm surprised, hasn't he been courting Yukina?
Hiei narrowed his eyes. I don't trust him.
Come to think of it, his arch romantic rival, the carrot top is missing too.
I didn't put that idiot on the guest list.
Yeah, but he's ningenkai royalty and an ally. That means he's automatically invited.
Hn.
As soon as Yukina and Hiei were seated, food, liquor, tobacco, entertainers, and of course, courtesans flooded the hall, carpeting the room in all manners of indulgence.
Courtesan after courtesan who — just as Yukina had promised — came in all shapes and sizes, paraded in front of Hiei. Vying for his attention were demure dolls who blushed shyly at the King, curvaceous vixens revealing their ample cleavages, classic beauties wearing black dresses and crimson lips, hairless boys with sheepish smiles, tomboys with androgynous demeanors and masculine gaits, sweet angels with innocent eyes, muscular men who towered over the King, and lean athletes who radiated sunshine. He scanned everyone of them for concealed weapons and youki levels.
A woman with an utter look of indifference that rivaled Hiei's appear to be peddling them, encouraging them to interact with him, while she smoked cigarette after cigarette. Out of respect for his sister's wishes, he tolerated the courtesans' flirting, but waved them away as soon as he deemed he had spent sufficient time with each one. Underneath his cloak though, he gripped the fox tail so tightly he was afraid it would break.
Nothing but whores, the lot of them.
Aww. Don't be like that Shrimp. They're doing exactly what they're expected to do. Besides, I see some real cuties there. How about that brown kitsune? Koto, was it? She's got a spunky personality.
No foxes.
You're gonna break your sister's heart.
Yusuke and Hiei glanced over at Yukina seated at the table next to theirs, franked on both sides by Rui and Chu. Earlier in the evening, she had looked at her brother with hopeful eyes, capturing his every expression and movement. Now, she wore a slight frown while Rui's expression became increasingly cold as candidate after candidate was rejected. Chu was trying to make lighthearted banter.
Shrimp, you have got to pick one. How about that beauty over there with the purple hair? He's gorgeous!
His ki level is high. Any one of these could be an assassin.
I told you before, and I'm telling you again. We've done background checks on all of them.
Hn.
Ever persistent, Yusuke was about to jab his friend in the ribs when he was interrupted by the loud beating of taiko drums. Six dancers in wigs of dried straw and elaborately carved wooden half-masks glided down the center of the hall. Half wore white while the other half wore black. Wide legged trousers with deep pleats flowed as they danced. Each welded a katana and held a foldable hand fan of bright red.
What kind of security measures allow swords into the performance?
Have some faith in me, would ya? Those are dull-edge blades.
The performers launched into an energetic routine of jagged dips and jumps in a blur of black and white, all the while flicking their wrists to open and close the fans. They waved the fans before them in rhythmic patterns, painting swirls of red fire burning in the air. As the tempo increased, so did the dancer's movements. They launched into an acrobating routine of a mock battle scene between black and white, good and evil. Their swords clashed and sang and their bodies twisted, fell, spinned, and flipped fluidly, speaking in a language only a warrior would understand.
As the dance came to an end and the entertainers prepared to transition to their next performance, one of the dancers started singing. The tone of the voice was warm, lyrical, and simple; conjuring images of childhood that swirled and seeped through the air. It was hard to tell whether the voice belonged to a masculine woman or a feminine man.
Swept away by the sounds, Hiei was taken back to a little island on the river Onyx, where a comforting campfire was blazing, friends were laughing, and his belly was full of honey, cheese, and tenderloin. He was relaxing on a thin patch of grass being lulled to sleep by the warmth of the fire. Fox was singing a folk tune.
Hiei shook himself out of the vision.
"Unmask yourself." He commanded quietly as he stood. The room hushed and all attention turned to the King and the singer.
Without a pause, the singer reached to remove the mask. Calm emerald met fiery red as the singer discarded the mask and boldly returned Hiei's gaze. His face — even though the features were delicate and exquisitely sculpted, the singer was clearly male — betrayed no sense of emotion. When he peeled off the straw wig, the adonis revealed untamable red hair that bled into silver and tumbled past his shoulders all the way to his waist. Set atop his head were triangular silver ears. Hiei sat back down and looked away. His fingers found their way to a familiar softness hidden under his cloak.
The singer was a fox.
Feeling encouraged by the rare display of interest, Yukina beckoned the fox to come closer when the song ended and the room erupted in applause. "What a delightful performance! Your voice has such a soothing quality to it. How long have you been singing?"
When the kitsune swiftly got on his knees to bowed deeply before them, Hiei caught a familiar scent of roses in the air that made him both nostalgic and sick. He frowned and looked back at the fox. "Your majesties, thank you for the opportunity to perform before you." A light tinge of pink appeared on the apples of the singer's cheeks and his glance darted away momentarily from Hiei to the floor. "I've been singing all my life."
Halfbreed, I assume you ran background checks on the performers.
This dance troupe has been performing in all sorts of upscale parties and formal ceremonies. They were at your crowning too.
"Well, it certainly shows!" Yukina beamed at the fox kept his eyes trained on Hiei, face once again emotionless.
Hn. This one didn't sing last time.
Hiei stared back, appraising the slender singer. His weak aura indicated that he was not a purebreed spirit fox, but instead, a mixture of human and kitsune. There was no noticeable ki. He had eyes that at times seem to be pleading with him to look away and at other times seem to reflect a profound sadness, all the while maintaining a bold gaze and an impassive expression. Hiei wrinkled his forehead.
For sure he didn't. I wouldn't forget a performance like that.
Make sure he's clean.
Hiei stood.
"I'll take this one."
As soon as those words left his mouth, the room hushed. The dancer was ushered away from the hall by Yusuke and the chain smoking woman who did not bother hiding her disappointment that a mere performer caught the eye of the king. Stealing a glance at Hiei, Rui excused herself from her seat and left to trail behind them.
Yukina cupped her face in her hands and shedded tears of joy while Chu beamed.
When the banquet finally concluded hours later, Hiei returned to his room to find the dancer bathed, searched, plucked, groomed, and dressed in a plain white robe that was tied loosely in the front. He was seated by the fireplace, the flickering flame lighting a halo around his crimson and silver mane.
"...as long as you spread your legs for the King." The king could over hear the last minute instructions that the chain smoking woman was hurriedly whispering. Rui stood tensely next to them, back straight and face in anxious concentration. She bowed deeply upon his entrance then gestured urgently for the woman to leave.
As they passed each other, the tobacco scented flesh-peddler whispered, "Your majesty, this dancer is ill-prepared for this task. If he doesn't meet your needs, I will be right outside, ready to bring someone more appropriate."
"He will suffice," Hiei said simply and then nodded towards the doors, "I want complete privacy."
"I understand, your majesty," the woman returned amicably but didn't hide the scowl on her face.
"That means the rest of you too." Hiei glared at Rui and then at the guards stationed at his doorway.
"Your highness, I will return to collect him when you're done."
"Just leave, Rui."
As the door clicked shut behind them, he could hear faint murmurs about payment and complaints about a mere performer being chosen while footsteps hurried away.
Hiei sighed then took a seat in his wingback chair directly across from the dancer. The beautiful creature unfolded himself from the couch then proceeded to pour him a glass of spirits and offered it to him on his knees. Hiei stroke the hidden fox tail.
"Your majesty, it is my honor to be chosen, but I'm not…" he paused. "Please be…" Another pause. The liquor rippled from the quivering of his hands. He took a deep breath and continued, "I mean to say that I hope I will meet your expectations."
"You don't want this any more than I do," Hiei observed as he waved the drink away. The dancer began to set the drink aside when he hesitated, eyes trained on the swirling liquid within. His silver ears twitched backwards several times.
"You may drink that if you wish."
The kitsune wavered for a moment further, then drain the entire glass. His eyes clouded over and his face was again emotionless and impassive. Slowly but gracefully, he slid the left side of his robe off his shoulder, revealing a supple arm and a pale chest. He leaned forward to unclasp the King's cloak but quickly backed away when Hiei stood and unclasped the cloak himself. It formed a puddle around his ankles.
"Let's get this over with," the King said, resigned to his fate.
The dancer stared at the silver fox tail hanging from the King's hip that was now in plain view. He opened his mouth as if to ask a question and then quickly closed it. Instead, he once again leaned forward to loosen Hiei's many belts, nimble fingers making quick work of the buckles. When the belts were no longer an obstacle, the fox unfastened the King's trousers and began to pull them off but froze when he realized that the King was not aroused at all. Hiei stared down at the wild head of crimson and sighed. This is going to be a long night. Although he found the fox attractive, there was only one person who Hiei truly wanted to embrace. He simply could not feel excited about sleeping with a mere proxy. Reaching for the bottle, he poured another glass of spirits and offered it to the kitsune, then made his way towards the bed and sat down on its edge, back rigid and neck straight.
The second glass of liquor disappeared as quickly as the first had. The fox threw his long tresses behind his shoulders, and then untied his robe, allowing it to flow loosely around him. Kneeling down between the King's legs, he unbuttoned the fitted silk shirt and drew it back over the King's shoulders. He did not finch at the dragon on King's right arm.
"Your Majesty, perhaps a massage will help you relax?" Large emerald eyes with flecks of gold looked up at Hiei with a hint of hope.
"It couldn't hurt."
As he stood, the dancer disrobed himself, revealing his long tail. Backlit by the moonlight, his long limbs and lavish hair appeared to glow and for a brief moment, all Hiei saw was Fox standing before him, brought back from his untimely death. Triangular ears twitched and the silky silver tail fluffed itself the way Fox's ears and tail does whenever he was anxious or excited. Unworldly long hair swayed like weeping willows in the breeze as he strolled towards Hiei. He climbed atop the bed and swung a long leg around his back to straddle Hiei's hips. The scent of roses filled the air. A warm body was pressed against his back. Soft lips laid gentle kisses on his neck and ears. Tender hands kneaded the stiff knots in his back in tiny circles, discovering all the spots that have become sore from the nerve wrecking evening.
"Fox? Is that you?"
The next thing he knew, his jargan was white hot and issuing urgent signals of alarm. Hiei whirled around to see the dancer with a three inch acupuncture needle, posed to pierce his death point*. Hiei leapt from the bed and immediately flared his ki, making contact with the assassin's upraised arm. With the speed of a panicked animal, the kitsune bounded from the bed and out the window, the fur on his tail completely fluffed up.
Hiei gave chase.
As he landed, it took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkness, which was ample time for the assassin to stealthily make his way out of the castle grounds and into the woods beyond. Hiei ripped off the headband on his jagan to track the fox, but without any ki signature, he could only make out a vague direction. In a blur, he was in the woods trying to catch of glimpse of silver fur or the scent of blood.
Far ahead of him, his jagan sensed movement, and Hiei became immediately flitted to the small clearing, a black haze in the dark forest. The fox may have stealth on his side, but the King had speed. Not a moment later, he released another torrent of ki that struck the assassin in the back.
As the wounded kitsune crashed into the forest floor, his target was upon him, pinning the naked assassin to the ground. The dangerous glow of the purple jagan told him that he would soon meet his end. He didn't struggle.
"Who sent you?"
Silence. Green eyes would not meet red.
"Who. Sent. You?" A flurry of smoke and gunpowder youki surrounded them.
"The savior sent me." Silver ears flattened and green eyes squeezed shut.
"You are in no position to speak cryptically." Hiei paused, a more pressing thought rose from deep within his consciousness and rolled off the tip of his tongue, "Are you Fox?"
The assassin hesitated before answering, "I am half-fox."
"Answer the question!" The king was shouting.
"I am half-fox," the assassin repeated.
"No!" the king bellowed. "Are you Fox from the slums?"
"Who's speaking cryptically now, hellion? Just kill me and be done with the questions! I'm clearly overpowered."
"Right. You can't be him. You are too weak. He would have awakened the forest to attack me by now. He's dead. He's dead." The King's energy level reached an apex, charring the surrounding forest. He concentrated the ki in his right fist, lifting it to deliver a final strike. The kitsune squirmed under him.
Suddenly, a scent of roses and cedar radiated from the assassin and the surrounding plant life burst into activity, rapidly growing until Hiei was entangled in green. The astonished King released the aura from his fist and incinerated everything in his way.
When the smoke cleared, the assassin was no where to be found.
*The idea of the death point is taken from Chinese mythology of a pressure point in the back that will immediately kill a person upon it being pierced. For more information, search touch of death on Wikipedia.
Ok..that's it. Longest chapter I've ever written. I realize our assassin is slightly out of character here, but I hope the next chapters will explain why.