Hatsu was surprised how far away the base felt traveling by foot as opposed to riding. It wasn't quite as terrible as his previous run, but it was still quite a ways. When the boy arrived at the hideout he was panting and had to catch his breath for a moment before going inside.<br/><br/>Even after he'd settled down a bit, the boy's cheeks were a bit more flushed than they usually were, and if someone were to check, they would find that his temperature was also elevated. He wasn't sick, it was just a side effect of going a week without sleep. His body was basically running on fumes and the elevated temperature was a sign of how hard it was working. He'd need to sleep tonight in order to let his body recover. If he didn't, he'd be nothing more than dead weight when they went to go find Vaan.<br/><br/>Hatsu took a seat at a table and gave the waiter his order. He was glad to have a break, even if it was just a short one to eat in.<br/><br/>----------------------------<br/><br/>Yeah, Anaka got the hint. She let out a slightly frustrated huff that Hiei wasn't even trying to talk to her anymore. Sure he was no good at holding a conversation and it made him uncomfortable, she understood that, but she was never a fan of awkward silence. Granted, she couldn't quite get herself to say anything at the moment either. It felt like her throat had been sealed shut and if she broke that seal everything she always, and never, wanted to say would just come flooding out. It wasn't like her, but if silence was the only way she could hold together the broken shards of her mask, then so be it.<br/><br/>After a few blocks, Hiei finally got himself to check behind him and see if Anaka was still there. She was, so he simply turned forward again. Hiei wasn't very good at reading people, but he got the feeling Anaka was a bit off today.<span style="font-style: italic">"Oh you don't say?"</span>Alastor asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.<span style="font-style: italic">"Think about it dope. Tomorrow morning we're going to go meet her long-lost brother who's become a psychopath. The way I see it, we'll probably have to kill him if he's too crazy. But I suppose you don't get why someone would be upset at the idea of seeing their only remaining family die."</span><br/><br/>Hiei shook his head.<span style="font-style: italic">No. Of course I don't understand. I can hardly even remember my family.</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Ironic,</span>Alastor thought to himself.<span style="font-style: italic">The biggest reason I chose you as my vessel is something you can't even remember. I definitely saw potential in you then, and I still stand by that impression. "You know,"</span>Alastor said,<span style="font-style: italic">"You can ask her about it. </span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Yeah, because that went so well the first time,</span>Hiei responded.<span style="font-style: italic">I'd rather just keep quiet.</span><br/><br/>Alastor sighed. They would be arriving at the hideout soon and he hoped the two would try to talk at least a little. The silence was awkward for him too! Azrael had the same impression, though he couldn't quite communicate with the other demon. Honestly though, he was more worried about Anaka now, than about the lack of conversation.<br/><br/>----------------------------<br/><br/>Vaan was getting bored just sitting in the tower all day. Technically he was floating, but that was besides the point. Slowly, the Silencer lowered himself to the floor, landing lightly on its tiled surface. The black-haired young man tolerated the process of walking down several flights of stairs and moving to another building where he knew the three elder Silencers to be. They stopped talking immediately and stood and bowed at his arrival.<br/><br/>"Sir, what can we help you with?" one of the elders asked.<br/><br/>"I'm bored," Vaan said. "Dispatch a group of twenty or so low and mid-level demons and have them look for any noisy hunters. Instruct them to engage in battle upon sight then report to me the end result."<br/><br/>"Uh, sir... do you have any particular place or people in mind?" Another elder asked.<br/><br/>Vaan raised one eyebrow just slightly. "Are you referring to the target?"<br/><br/>"Yes sir," said the third elder. "Who do you intend the victims to be?"<br/><br/>Vaan smirked, his red eyes glimmering as his head tilted back slightly. "The demons are the victims, of course." He turned and started walking toward the door. "Oh," he said, almost as an afterthought. "And if you could send someone to take pictures too, that would be wonderful. I'm thirsty for destruction." He left the elders then, who had no choice but to follow their leader's orders. They'd come up with a nice motivating lie to tell the demons dispatched.