Ever since the gods tried to invade and destroy Spirit World, Hiei and Valery spent a lot of time traveling between Human and Demon world, trying their best not to draw attention to them. They would either come and visit out of the blue or be gone for days on end.
One day upon returning to Mokuro's realm where they were staying she greeted the pair.
"And to what do we owe this honor?" Hiei asked sarcastically.
"An invitation came for you two. Yomi wants to speak with you, well more her." Mokuro said looking at Valery.
"And what business does he have with me?"
"All I know is that a lot of creatures are more and more curious of the presence of a goddess among us demons."
"How cute and if I refuse this invitation?"
"You can, but I would recommend not starting a quarrel until the next leader of Demon World is decided." Valery cocked an eyebrow. She knew the winner of the 3 one extended the time between tournaments from 3 to 5 years. She knew Hiei has been training for the upcoming tournament that year. She however had no plans to participate. All beings could enter and only one fighter received the title of leader of all demons. Up until now all rules kept the peace between worlds. However you never knew what could happen. That day she sent out a message, accepting the invitation. The next day an escort arrived for Valery and Hiei. He followed in to the surprisingly obedient nature. While they were traveling through Demon World he couldn't help but hear the words escaping her lips.
"This is not my home." He quickly followed in to her very stern expression and took her hand into his.
"It could be." He stated giving her hand a gentle squeeze but still kept a pair of worried eyes on her. She hasn't diverted her gave from the passing scenery.
"Demon World is your home. Whether you like it or not, you were born here. But even after all these years of peace it still smells of decay and blood."
"Not all Demon World is like this. I can show you more peaceful places" she finally averted her eyes to him. "Peaceful places?" his eyes softened seeing her curious expression.
"I'll take you. I've been too busy with training, I'll take a break."
"I'm guessing that is not one of those places." She stated looking beyond the caravan towards Yomi's realm in the horizon. Compared to where they were living it looked a lot more modern. Valery had the same stern look in her eyes when they entered the realm. There were taken in an area that represented a temple and were sat down in a room. She carefully scanned the area to see little to almost no furniture apart from the table in front of them. She was quick to frown upon her surroundings while the demon besides her remained indifferent keeping his usual cold gaze. Soon the door slid open to announce the kind was about to enter and Valery just rolled her eyes at the second in command. The tall demon entered the room accompanied by his son and the second in command. Only the king sat down at the table. The second in command was rather upset Valery and Hiei did not stand up for the king but Yomi was quick to dismiss him and his son.
After some trivial talk about the realm and how strong everyone was, the king diverted the discussion to Valery. She was wearing the same unreadable expression on her face trying not to look annoyed for being there. Yomi was feeling the mood of the room and was trying to read into her/
"I can understand why you do not feel welcomed here. Even if this is not your first time to Demon World this is your first time meeting me Valery."
"It's not about feeling welcomed. I just don't take kindly to kings or rulers of any realm."
"Obviously Spirit World has caused some hardship for you." Her eyes trailed to him looking bored.
"I am sure you did not call us here to talk trivial matters." He chuckled slightly arranging his long hair. He advised his son and second in command to leave the room. When they were out of sight the king spoke again.
"I believe you are well aware the tournament is approaching." Valery just nodded even if he couldn't see her, he could read her energy and the way her body moved. "I intend to win it." Hiei scoffed and Valery just nodded again. "After I do I intend to unify Demon World."
"Good for you." She stated.
"However you must know that I have ruled over this part of Demon World for over 500 years."
"Had no idea." She stated coldly much to Yomi's annoyance. However he politely continued.
"The leader's word is absolute. Care to know what my first order will be?"
"Not really but I have a feeling you are going to tell me regardless." He smirked.
"I will claim you as mine." Hiei got up. "You will what?" Yomi looked over at him.
"You have not marked her as yours yet, I can feel that. And even if you would, my world would be supreme." Hiei looked crossed until her laughter echoed loudly. They both turned to her. She finally lit up a cigarette and her bored look turned to that of extreme confindence.
"Bizarre creature you demons. Thinking that if you mark someone you lay claim over that person. How simple to think that. Mark or not, gods couldn't part us. What makes you think you could?" she asked through her teeth increasing her energy. The second in command quickly rushed in but Yomi motioned him not to intervene.
"A woman with such a burning fire belongs near a ruler."
"You may be a strong demon, but piss me off and I will level your entire kingdom to the ground." She said getting up "I will never be yours Yomi." She stated showing him the middle finger to which his commander gasped at the disrespect. Valery existed the room.
"I'll see you at the tournament." Hiei said and went after her. They also insisted on not taking the escort back and just took their time walking through Demon World. On the way back Hiei was being more silent than usual. Valery was stealing glances hopping he would just snap out of it eventually but to no avail.
"Hiei?"
"What?" he said snapping at her, but in a few seconds his eyes showed her he regretted that outburst. He swore under his breath diverting his eyes from her.
"Would you prefer someone with a rank?" her bright laughter echoed through the forest they were walking through.
"Give me a break. I would consider getting in the tournament just to punch his snob face."
"However you are a goddess and he is a king."
"I am not queen of anything." She stated coldly. He finally looked back at her.
"Do you want to be?"
"No, ranks hold few importance to me. But you seem to care about them."
"It's troublesome."
"Then why are you entering the tournament?"
"I like to fight."
"You do, but ranks in demons have a different meaning."
"I have no alliance. Plus the only way I would hold an upper rank would be to win in order to offer you a more worthy partner." She looked in his crimson eyes that had that determination locked in them.
"See exactly, that right there. Stop it."
"Stop what woman?"
"That flow of thoughts. I don't need a king." He came near her "Whether you like it or not you are a goddess that also holds sacred powers."
"I am the goddess of Darkness. I don't see people bowing down to evil unless in fear."
"Darkness is also soothing."
"That is why I am your darkness." He smirked and they resumed walking.
"Tell me more about marking." He turned to her amazed.
"I thought you did not follow the demon ways or cared."
"They are your ways, I can at least hear the out." He nodded attentively as he was searching for the words to explain.
"Most demons don't have a mate, they like the thrill of the game, but not the commitment that comes with it. However if two demons do decide to join in that union then they mark each other. Holding someone's mark signals other demons that the other is claimed."
"So this marking ritual, how is it performed?" he went behind her and unveiled her left shoulder tracing with his fingers the spot between her neck and shoulder. "Through biting, right here." She turned to him. "So I would have to let you sink your fangs into me?" she asked watching his lustful gaze.
"Mhm and you would have to do the same."
"You know in Human World people marry each other." Hiei snapped out of his state and looked in her eyes/
"We have that too if we wish."
"Really?"
"Yes. As a matter of fact there was a second invitation for you. There should be a wedding we would need to attend in the third kingdom. Those demons requested your presence there for advice."
"What?" she asked baffled "We should be there by the end of the day if you are interested." She just nodded wondering why he didn't mention it earlier. To her surprise this realm wasn't all she pictured in her head. Although there were places not even the strongest demons would dare venture, Valery came in just one day to see the world from a different perspective. If it was good or worse that before it was still hard to tell at that point.
Where they were staying was wild and unattended. Even the skies looked darker and the air held the smell of past sins. However they both didn't mind the gloomy realm.
Yomi's did not appear to be of Demon World except for the demons roaming about. It gave a deceiving sense and his methods were knows to be the opposite of what he tried his realm to look like.
Upon reaching the third realm they were both greeted by a tall demon whose horns made him appear even more imposing. He was the current leader of Demon World.
"I finally get to meet in person two living legends. Hiei the bandit, ruthless demon that all Demon World knows and Valery the bringer of darkness, goddess out of this world. Welcome."
Despite the desert arid climate in the realm the spirits were high and lively. They were taken to an arranger terrace that overlooked the training grounds and were offered cold drinks. Valery looks at it weirdly and sniffed it.
"Pha! There is enough alcohol her to put down an elephant."
"Don't drink it. It's far too strong."
"Of course, you're a goddess, apologies, I'll have some wine brought for you." She wanted to say something but decided not to.
"So lord Varus to what happy event do we owe this invitation?" the demon giggled at her choice of words. "Oh I'm no lord. I merely got lucky after the kings got exhausted at the last tournament. I may be strong but I am not that strong." Hiei rolled his eyes.
"So then who is the king of this realm?"
"Well Yusuke of course."
"Yusuke?" Hiei laughed at her surprised face. "His ancestor is the former kind of this realm. After he passed away, he was left in charge. That's why he still comes to Demon World. Varus here is the second in command."
"But now the leader of Demon World?" Hiei noded.
"You really have weird customs. Why are there realms with kings then?"
"Well they used to fight for power back in the old days until the tournament. Even if that stopped and limited them to a now 5 year combat, no one split off the realms. There are enough evil demons out there. At least the ones under their control are at bay."
"I see your point Varus." Suddenly a small demoness made her way quietly to the table and sat near Varus.
"Everyone meet my future wife Uzume." She gracefully nodded without saying a word.
"So you wanted us to join the wedding?" Valery asked puzzled.
"Yes and also we require your help." Her eyes widened and Uzume finally spoke.
"Are you the one?"
"Pardon?"
"The one who knows the human ways?"
"Well yes…" her face brightened instantly as she sat up and went to hug Valery.
"Thank you, you have no idea how hard it is to plan a human like wedding with so little information."
"What?" Valery looked even more puzzled and Varus laughed.
"Excuse us, but we want to have a wedding in the traditional human way as a symbol of peace between Human, Demon and Spirit World."
"Right." Hiei retorted. "You two are demons."
"Well yes, but we will still be keeping some traditions, but who better to unify the marriage that a goddess? Maybe in the future we can unify 4 worlds."
"I'll be taking that strong drink now." Valery said.