Sakiyo shrugged. "I've already told you most of what I know," he said. "All I know beyond that is that these rumors are surfacing again about this sword. Whether or not this is based on any kind of appearance or knowledge, I do not know."

Winter thought about that for a moment. It was pretty much more whisper than rumor, really, since there was nothing substantial.

"Could probably ask Kurama," she said at last. "I'm betting he keeps an ear to the ground for things like this, maybe he's heard the rumors too."

Sakiyo shrugged. "He would be the logical choice," he agreed. "But I'm afraid that's all I know at this point."

"Okay," Winter said. But it was still better than nothing, and a soul-cutting sword was a fascinating concept, anyways. Not that she had any idea where to start, even if she did want to poke around for something like that.

Sakiyo let the others do the talking again for a bit.

Hiei, on the other hand, was quite intrigued, and went to go see what information he could get on this soul-cutting sword. At least part of that was from pestering Kurama to find out more, but still. It counted.

As luck would have it, Kurama had indeed heard about the blade that cuts souls, and he'd heard about it recently.

"Rumors about it have indeed begun to surface again," he said to Hiei, nodding. "I hear them from time to time, although usually few and far-between."

"Usually?" Hiei pressed, raising an eyebrow. Knowing Kurama, he probably had more information and was just being a tease because he was a fox, after all.

"Rumors have been going around unusually frequently recently," Kurama admitted. "The blade seems more within reach than I've ever heard before."

Hiei nodded. "Any idea where it would be?" he asked, watching Kurama.

Kurama shook his head.

"I would need a little bit of time to follow a couple of rumors for that," he said. "I'm sure I can find at least something, though."

Hiei nodded his acceptance of that. "Let me know when you know," he requested.

"Of course," Kurama said with a nod. "Though I have to say I'm surprised, Hiei. You haven't been one to take such an interest in weapons recently, although this one is rather unique."

Hiei shrugged. "It sounds useful," he said, because clearly that explained everything. Which it really mostly did, anyway. He had to admit he was curious as to what the sword would actually be capable of.

"Indeed," Kurama said. "Give me a little time and I'll find out what I can for you. Though you'll need a way back into the Makai, since I doubt any of Koenma's people will open a portal for you for this."

Hiei shrugged. "I can find a way," he said. "By the time you've got a location I'll have a plan."

"Alright," Kurama said. "I'll see what I can find out."

Hiei nodded. He could wait, he was fine with waiting. And in the meantime, he had a bit of research to do.

It ended up taking Kurama a good couple of weeks to run down the rumors about the sword, but he did manage to get at least a little bit of substantial information in between a couple of heists Youko pulled at the same time. He finally came back to the human world a little exhausted, but with some useful information and some things from one of his caches of stolen riches.

Hiei was still waiting, and in the meantime, he'd figured out how he'd get around. Now he just had to obtain her cooperation in the matter.

But first he went to see Kurama and see if the fox had any new news for him.

Kurama took the time to put his newly acquired goods away before he went to find Hiei.

"I didn't anticipate being gone quite that long," he said.

Hiei nodded. "That was long, for you," he agreed. "Was it worthwhile?" He quirked an eyebrow in his direction.

"In some ways more than others," Kurama said. "However, I did find a little bit of new information."

"Anything useful?" Hiei was pretty sure the answer to that was yes, but it gave Kurama an opening to preen, at least a little.

"Some," Kurama said, nodding. "Apparently, low class demons have been found scattered across the Makai, all with their eyes burned out, which I gather is what the blade does when used to kill."

Hiei's eyebrows shot up. That was news. "Scattered or localized?" he asked. He had to admit he was rather impressed.