Hatsu's thoughts began to race. If death was sending this demon-- Azrael-- to "begin preparations", then that meant he really was finally going to get to train with him. The boy wondered what sort of training he'd be given. He doubted it would be easy, considering who he'd asked for it from. Deep down though, he knew it wouldn't make too much difference trying to guess at the training. Whatever it may be, Death was going to challenge him with something and he was going to do his absolute best to meet the bar he set.<br/><br/>Azrael focused on the image as it passed through his mind. "Yes, right away," he said. Swirling surreal wings sprouted from his bare back. For the most part they retained the general shape of wings, but their colors were extraordinary. They swirled with orange, blue and white, each color seeming to emit its own light and casting odd shadows and rippled light patterns on the ground around him. The demon lifted easily into the air and glided effortlessly away. He combined speed, ease, and grace in a way that put the winged Hunter Atma to shame. Then again, the demon had probably had a Millennia of practice.<br/><br/>Hatsu watched with raised eyebrows as the demon sprouted (surprisingly beautiful) wings and flew off. Honestly though, after the past three months it felt like the part of his brain that told him to be surprised was burning out. "So," he said, turning to Death, "Just say the word. I'm ready whenever you are."<br/><br/>---------------------<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Great Gehenna,"</span>Alastor complained.<span style="font-style: italic">"Get up and go do something already! I'm so bored! Anaka was right, you really need to be more social."</span><br/><br/>"Be quiet," Hiei muttered. "I've tried... sort of. It didn't work."<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Alright, maybe a different approach... "What if you think about it like this: Humans have the shortest lifespans of anything! You won't have to deal with them for long."</span><br/><br/>"I'm a human too, Alastor," Hiei reasoned. "We have the same lifespan. For me, that's like having to "deal with them" forever."<br/><br/>"All the same," Alastor said, suddenly in physical form beside him. The demon of control and vengeance looked nothing like one might expect. He was an innocent-looking little boy with dark purple hair and green eyes, and he looked practically human. All the same, innocent though the face may currently look, it could take on an expression of pure and utter evil. After seeing that face, you couldn't look at the demon without picturing it... and without seeing whatever horrible thing he did while wearing the expression.<br/><br/>"Things are going to change now that the hide out has been discovered," the child-like demon said. "You won't be able to eat there anymore. You should at least keep an eye on them 'til you figure out where they're relocating to. There's nothing wrong with just watching, is there?"<br/><br/>Hiei looked at his demon blankly for a moment, then sighed. "I guess not," he said, getting out of the bed and pulling on his leather trench-coat.<br/><br/>"Great!" Alastor said, fading from view.<span style="font-style: italic">"I</span>can't stand<span style="font-style: italic">being bored!"</span><br/><br/>----------------------<br/><br/>Owari smiled brightly at the news and gave a nod. "Yes sir! Immediately!" he hurried off into another room and filled out the necessary paperwork, then arranged for it to be delivered to the three elder silencers. From there, they would organize the more mundane aspects as necessary. The boy took a moment to fantasize.<span style="font-style: italic">Finally, the extinction of the human race... The world will be so much better!</span>