Summary: The Tournament arrives. Mukuro pulls a gambit to bring Hiei and Yarika together that ends up driving them apart instead.

Notes: warning: canon typical violence, mention of child predators.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

At last, the tournament arrived.

The reunited Team Urameshi, Yona, and Yarika made the dimensional jump to Demon World the day before, as to be able to book decent hotel rooms near the tournament grounds and rest up beforehand. The returning semifinalists and past winners got priority booking at the best hotel, the hopeful first timers and those who couldn't make it past the qualifying round last time had to content themselves with no-frills establishments.

Kuwabara was impressed, as he hadn't realized that demons had fancy hotels and cities that could rival big human cities, since he'd only briefly visited via his dimensional sword and did not see beyond the stadium itself. He and Yukina had taken the same route home. The fight with Sensui and the search for Yona had taken place in rural areas. This particular city was much like an Olympic city in the human world, bustling with fighters and spectators in the years tournaments were held, the influx of money made it as up to date as Yomi's city.

"Are you excited, Squirt?" asked Kuwabara. "Or are you scared?"

Yona had a similar first impression; she had never been to any demon city, she had only been to sleepy towns and villages and Mukuro's fortress. "Excited! I hope that they aren't too much for us. I don't want to quit in the first round. Are you excited or scared, Uncle Kazuma?"

Kuwabara affirmed that he was excited, albeit with slightly trembling legs. As a human, he knew he likely couldn't win, but he hoped to thrash as many demons as possible.

"You haven't lost your hopeless bravado since the Dark Tournament, I see" sneered Hiei.

"And you're still so small you should be riding in a rich lady's purse," taunted Kuwabara.

"And you both still act like children!" yelled Yusuke.

"Just like old times," chuckled Kurama.

"Boy, this takes me back," said Yarika. The Dark Tournament was when she had really gotten to know the gang.

Yona had heard all about the Dark Tournament and how all four boys and Genkai had beaten the odds to survive and win and how they had constantly bickered and sniped at each other. It had been a source of her bedtime stories for years.

"Brother-in-law or not, I'm gonna kick your butt," huffed Kuwabara.

"You'll be dead if you try," said Hiei with an evil smirk.

"If you do and go to Spirit World's maximum security prison for killing a human, don't expect a conjugal visit," said Yarika next to his ear, with only Kurama able to eavesdrop. "It would totally kill the mood."

Hiei ceased his threats and Kurama smiled. He always enjoyed seeing Hiei neatly countered by her, it saved him the trouble of doing it. Hiei was whipped, no matter how much he denied it.

"Have it your way," huffed Hiei.

"Just like an old married couple," said an amused voice behind them.

"Lord Mukuro!" cried Yarika looking back.

"Long time, no see," said Mukuro, her smile growing with Hiei's sour look. Hiei knew that smile, she was plotting something. The last time she had that smile and a devilish glint in her good eye along with that mysterious tone, it had ended with Yarika getting knocked up. Thankfully it was unlikely to happen again, the helpful staff at the demon clinic in Sarayashiki stocked a reliable contraceptive that worked much like the Pill to prevent unintended demon pregnancies, and it hadn't failed them yet.

Mukuro's smile grew as she studied her protégé and his lover and child. This was the first time she had seen all three together, but she was aware of how much Hiei treasured the both of them and how hard he had worked to be a father and make his relationship with Yarika work despite the distance. She knew that the two were as dear to him as Yukina was, perhaps more. She'd make sure that Hiei and Yarika were a permanent item, whatever it took. They were still young, but this was fate; she took it as her job to help fate along.

Kuwabara was a little creeped out by the scarred demon woman, his sixth sense gave him the idea that she was just as calculating as Kurama and was planning something. Kurama suspected with good reason that Mukuro had been playing matchmaker between the two high-strung, stubborn demons behind the scenes for years. Yusuke may or may not have suspected, but he was his usual self, taking events as they came and greeted Mukuro as casually as he did any sparring partner. Yona innocently suspected nothing as she sensed no malice, she politely greeted her father's boss.

"Yona is a well brought up child," said Mukuro. "Well mannered and strong. I'm impressed."

Yarika smiled at the sincere compliment, any suspicion she had vanishing in the face of flattery. "We've done our best."

"Clearly. Rest well, I shall see you at the opening," said Mukuro with another enigmatic smile as she left them and went ahead to the hotel.

"Hn," scoffed Hiei.

"Hey, Yusuke!" came a chorus of voices.

"Hey guys!" waved Yusuke. Chu, Jin, Touya, and co swarmed him, thumping his shoulders and giving him bro hugs.

"And you've brought Kuwabara!" snickered Shishiwakamaru, recalling how easily he had beaten Kuwabara at the Dark Tournament. "Don't tell me he's fighting."

Kuwabara puffed up. "My kids are big enough that I can go off to fight, Yukina darling gave me her blessing."

"Good thing she never saw our match at the Dark Tournament, she'd be worried."

"Well she's gonna be watching on TV now."

Shishiwakamaru gave a rather nasty smirk. "I pity her for having to watch your imminent defeat."

Jin ignored him and focused his attention on Yona, noting her strong demon energy, his ears going pointy at the prospect of a new budding fighter. "Who's this little lass? Yarika's little one, right? Don't tell me she's gonna be fightin' all the big blokes and gettin' her cherub face all bashed in."

Rinku, who was now at his full height, smirked. "Just because she's a kid doesn't mean she's gonna lose all her fights."

"Quite right, lad," said Chu, grinning." You were a strong nipper yourself and came out right as rain."

Yona greeted them politely. "I'm Yona, I will be fighting in the tournament with my daddy."

"And just who is that?" asked Touya.

Yarika smiled as enigmatically as Mukuro. "Reporters in two different worlds have been asking me that for years. You'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out." None had suspected Hiei, as Yarika was a known associate of Team Urameshi. She had most often been seen in public with Kurama, so public opinion speculated that he was the likely candidate.

This of course was not true; Yarika simply went with him as friends to places Hiei wouldn't be caught dead at. Hiei preferred isolated places for their non-carnal dates; alone downstairs watching a movie at her house while the rest of the family slumbered, a stroll in the woods and perhaps a spar to brush up her skills, or quiet spots with nice views to watch the world go by, which was as conventionally romantic as he was willing to get. As Hiei knew Kurama wasn't lusting over Yarika he was fine with him being her date to fancy parties and the theater so he didn't have to go himself.

"He must be a hell of a strong guy," commented Suzuki. Yarika was one of Demon World's favorite non-combat talents, in the Cult Trio's league. He admired and envied her popularity. Yarika could have her pick of many fighters despite her ties to humans, so naturally she would choose a strong one. She was strong willed and talented enough to win the respect of less bigoted demons, so she had plenty of options.

"That he is," agreed Yarika.

Hiei smirked. Damn straight he was.

"Here we are on this beautiful day for yet another Demon World Tournament!" cried Koto into her microphone. "A lot of our old favorites are back to fight with us another year, including a fully reunited Team Urameshi from the last Dark Tournament. For the first time we have a pure human fighting in this tournament. Not that he has any hope whatsoever, but it should make for much amusement!"

"Gee, thanks a lot," grumbled Kuwabara.

Koto continued. "We also have some bright new faces to the tournament scene, including the young daughter of Demon World's most popular actress, Yarika Fujimiya!"

Koto let Juri have the mic. "And of course we have a throng of hopefuls wanting to make their names known. The best of luck to all of you, the regulars and the newbies!" said Juri.

"Make it back in one piece, you two," said Yarika to Hiei and Yona.

"Hn. Of course I will," said Hiei in his usual cocky tone. He was more concerned about Yona, whose inexperience was her biggest fault as a fighter.

"I will, Mommy," said Yona, smiling. Even the threat of being mangled by hulking adult demons couldn't rattle her. Hiei had to admire Yona's bravery. He might have been visibly nervous in this situation at her age no matter what he claimed to the otherwise. He delighted in thuggery and murder at eight, but so many super strong demons in the same place may have rattled him.

Yarika gave an airy wave as the two went to receive their numbers. Yona kept close to Hiei under the eyes of all the brutes they passed.

"Do you remember what I told you, Yona?" asked Hiei.

Yona nodded. "That we will be divided into blocks, and I have to defeat all the fighters in my block to make it to the versus rounds."

"That's right. The weaklings will be eliminated in one go. They will underestimate you because of your small size and young age, use that to your advantage." He had also been similarly underestimated and targeted, the result being he was more deadly than an average adult demon at her age.

"Okay!"

The fighters were divided into blocks. Yona found herself facing a throng of mid level brutes, many of them who sneered at her. "You should be at home playing with dollies, kid!" Some leered at her with predatory looks. Yona was a veteran of wandering Demon World alone; she had encountered that type before, although now she fully understood what kind of sicko leered at a child that way. This was her chance to do a public service and make sure they never got off the battleground alive.

"Begin!" cried a voice over the loudspeaker set up amid the battleground.

Yona took up her fighting stance, facing the demons who intended to tear her apart and worse, while the ones who had scoffed at her totally ignored her. The demons who had thought her easy pickings found out the hard way that while she was cute and sweet, she was also lethal. One by one they fell, gaining the notice of the demons that had initially dismissed her. They stopped fighting amongst each other to swarm the little girl who had just brutalized several hulking demons.

Yona was truly Hiei's daughter. Her speed wasn't far behind his and her cuts were as precise. Bits of demon and various hues of blood spattered the landscape, an abstract artist may have considered it a masterpiece. Yona stood alone among them, the sole survivor.

The camerawoman flew in for a closer look at the carnage and Koto's voice rang out. "Little Yona is the victor of Block 21! Just look at that carnage!"

The viewers in the human world marveled at the carnage on screen. Kenji had the big screen TV hooked up to the feed from the tournament and as the house was spacious enough for several guests they had gathered there.

"Yarika wasn't kidding about Yona," said Keiko, her eyes huge as the camera panned over block 21's battleground. Keisuke was still whooping and hollering about his daddy being the best after viewing Yusuke's block.

'The apple does not fall far from the tree," said Shizuru. "Hiei trained her thoroughly."

Yukina clapped her hands when Kuwabara was confirmed safe. She knew he was a very strong human, but she worried about him nonetheless. "I'm so glad Kazuma made it without a scratch." At her sides Yuuhi delighted in the carnage and Kazuki was happy his daddy was okay.

Rin and Angela were at the viewing party. Rin had never seen a demon tournament and was in shock at just how bloody the whole thing was. Kenji spoke soothingly and patted his shoulder. "This is usual for demon battles," he explained. "a lot of low and mid level demons get too big for their britches and end up killed. More survive the versus bouts."

"So this is demon culture?" asked Rin, a bit dazed. He knew Yarika could fight to a degree, but he'd never seen demons in sanctioned brawls. The full color carnage on the Fujimiya's big screen TV had driven that home. He now fully realized just how vast the cultural divide between demons and humans was and how different he and Yarika were and why Yarika had chosen to let him go and took up with another demon. A spiritually aware human would have a lesser challenge dealing with a demon partner, he had zero spiritual ability. Kenji was spiritually aware, so he had an easier time dealing with his late wife's and daughter's differences. Rin wouldn't have stood a chance at understanding as much.

Yukina smiled gently. "Yes, demons have a different way of thinking than humans. Demon World as a whole is changing for the better, but many of the old ways are still common. The tournament is a way for violent demons to channel their bloodlust so they do not cause more trouble."

Rui, disliking the carnage, hung around in the background caring for Rukia and Lihua with Angela. Rin and Angela had just picked Lihua up from China, intending to introduce her to the Kurokis before heading back to the US. Rui prepared fresh baby food for both tots. Rukia nibbled bits of steamed vegetable off her high chair tray and Lihua was eating puree from a spoon while Angela crooned to her in Chinese. Angela's Japanese had improved to where she could communicate well enough to ask for what she needed, but she was mostly left out of conversation.

Kenji called to the two. "The round is over, they're doing interviews. It's safe to watch."

Angela and Rui peeped at the TV, Koto and Juri were interviewing the newbies who had won the battle royale qualifying rounds. Koto was currently interviewing Yona, Juri had Kuwabara.

Koto had of course met Yona shortly before and was salivating at the prospect of a juicy interview with the little girl.

"The rumors that you were trained by your father, a powerful demon appears to be true," Koto remarked. "Do you care to tell us his identity? I'm dying to know, as are all your mother's fans."

As Yona had not been forbidden to say, that her parents had conceded that it would come out anyways, she had no scruples to say it. "My daddy is Hiei."

Koto's jaw dropped. Juri paused her interview with Kuwabara, who was hamming it up. "Is that true?" she asked Kuwabara. Kuwabara nodded. "Yeah, she's my niece, too! Hiei is not only Yona's dad but my brother-in-law."

"Oh my!" said Koto when she regained her voice. "It seems little Yona comes from quite the prolific family! She is not only the daughter of Yarika and Hiei, she's also the niece of Kazuma Kuwabara, the lone human to survive even one round in this tournament!"

Several demons near Hiei turned to him.

"So it was you who nailed Yarika?" asked a tall male demon in awe. Apparently he was a fan of hers. He drooled a little. "How was it?" Several others wanted to know, too.

"I can't believe a babe like that would waste time on you," muttered a jealous female demon.

"Hn," said Hiei, disliking the vulgarity of some of the questions and secretly agreeing with the demon who claimed Yarika was out of his league.

Chu and most of his friends were a lot kinder. Most, but not all.

"So that's your little girl, eh?" asked Chu. You must be proud of the little tyke."

"I am," said Hiei. He could hardly pretend to think poorly of his own child who had shown exceptional battle prowess and left the battlefield covered in gore without a scratch to herself.

"My ears have gone pointy just thinking about the talent the little lass has," said Jin. "I hope I get a chance to see what she's made of."

"Cute and lethal, a good combo," said Rinku. Seeing a child contestant like he had been brought back memories of his tenure as a child fighter. He was interested to see how far the little girl could go.

Touya nodded, impressed. "You trained the child well, Hiei."

"Yarika has strange taste," said Shishiwakamaru. Yarika had never paid him any attention like his squealing fan girls did and was jealous.

"People wonder about my dear Keiko's taste too," laughed Yusuke.

"It's what's inside that counts," said Kurama, as he was aware that Yarika was attracted to Hiei's well hidden better nature.

Koto and Juri finished the interviews and the remainder of contestants were matched on the jumbo screen.

Yona won the next bout against the hulking woman who had thought Yarika was much too good for Hiei, but wasn't lucky in the next. She had been matched against Touya, who had an extreme advantage over her as he was an ice demon. After taking on frost damage, her plant physiology could not endure anymore; she forfeited the match as she had promised Hiei she would. Even so, her fame in Demon World was assured. She was the child of two well-known demons and powerful enough in her own right to last through at least one versus round.

"You did well and you know your limits," Touya had told her after she conceded the match, before the medics came to collect her. "You'll go far by the time you're grown up."

This cheered up Yona despite her loss, she gave him a smile through the pain of her injuries. "Thank you, Mister Touya. I hope we can fight again some day."

Hiei was relieved when Yona conceded the match, he had been worried Yona would overestimate her own abilities. He knew Touya had honor and would not unnecessarily harm or kill her so it was fortunate she lost against him; but as she was his own child he had worried that she would do what he would have done at her age and fight to the end. Thankfully Yona had more sense than that and had given up when she saw it was futile, so now he could focus on his own fighting.

Hiei was set to fight a mysterious demon called Bakura in the next round, who was an old acquaintance of Mukuro's. He had witnessed the two speaking with each other in conspiratorial tones, he had the feeling they were plotting against him. Mukuro was smart, she didn't say anything important when Hiei could spy via his Jagan. She always waited for him to be otherwise occupied to speak to the strange demon. He could not concentrate on them, the matches and the attention he was getting for his relationship status at the same time. He had to fight to stay focused, the buzz over him and Yarika was enough to rival human celebrity gossip and it was preying on his deep-seated insecurities about their relationship.

The last five years had been smooth, but Hiei was waiting for the other shoe to drop and Yarika to leave him. He wouldn't blame her much when she did but it would be extremely painful for him, almost beyond endurance. It was made even worse by the fact that they had a child in common so he couldn't entirely avoid her after like he avoided his old bandit gang. He hadn't killed them but he didn't want to see them again as long as he lived. Hiei had never spoken of how badly being rejected by his mothers' people and by his bandit gang had really hurt him, how it had fueled much of his antisocial behavior, the wanton violence, and last but not least making himself into a loner who refused to get close to anyone. Opening himself up to Yarika was a grave risk, she had the most power to hurt him because she knew him better than anyone else and her rejection would cut him to the quick after initially accepting him.

He tried to put the thought out of his mind as he steeled up for the match with Bakura. Rumor was that Bakura had relatively weak battle prowess for an S-class but his power over shadows and the psyche was almost unrivalled. He wasn't one to want to show off, so he had preferred to remain out of the limelight until now. Hiei excelled against opponents he could use brute force against, but this was dangerous. Very dangerous.

The match began. Hiei tried his usual tactic of an outright assault, but Bakura simply sank into the shadows, leaving Hiei fuming. This was much like Itsuki's old tactic of disappearing into Ura-Otoko, although Bakura's shadow abilities were far more mundane. He simply darted as a shadow to a new place and reappeared, warping the shadow as needed around obstacles and Hiei's blows. He was also limited by how long he could disappear into it, but he was able to fend off Hiei when he surfaced for air.

Bakura carefully weaved his shadow around, Hiei taking pursuit of it. The shadow was a match for Hiei's speed, but not his physical body. Hiei only realized he was trapped when he fell into an underground cavern with no light, which was just what the shadow demon wanted. The shadow engulfed Hiei, with no way out. It was like being trapped in tar in that pit, Hiei could feel it enveloping his body.

"What the hell is this?" cried Hiei. Brute strength was not enough to free him and he was beginning to feel the terror of being drowned in that sticky void. His attempts to light a fire fizzled as the flames were snuffed as soon as he conjured them. Deep in the void, Bakura began his assault on Hiei's psyche, his voice in Hiei's ear. "Down here in the void, I am King," he said. While he allowed Hiei an air pocket to breathe, the rest of him was trapped and unable to use any of his moves. Hiei could see better using his Jagan, but he was powerless down here. As his limited air ran out, Hiei succumbed to the terror and blacked out.

The dreams Hiei saw while unconscious were vivid and terrifying. Bakura's power was keeping him in his nightmare well after Hiei was carried off the battleground. It seemed Bakura's true power was that of nightmares and he had Hiei trapped in a doozy. This was what Mukuro was banking on. Having Hiei trapped in a nightmare was an opportunity to spring her plan into motion. Not that she wanted him destroyed, but the cure would be something Hiei wouldn't like, at least one version of the cure. For that she needed Yarika.

Yarika herself made good time to the med tent, trying to hide how frantic she was. Yona was all bandaged and out of danger, as was Kuwabara who had lost his match against Chu. The two of them were playing a cat themed card game in another med tent as they recuperated in good spirits. Neither was too upset about losing, as they had survived without grievous injury.

"How is he?" she asked Mukuro, glancing at Hiei twitching on the cot in the med tent.

"Not good," said Mukuro. "He's trapped in a nightmare. Thankfully I know Bakura and how to snap Hiei out of it. For that I'll need your help."

"I'll do whatever you say," said Yarika.

Mukuro smiled, her plan about to go into motion. Yarika had no idea about what Mukuro had planned, her ignorance about demon culture was going to come in handy for the former king's plot. Hiei was not going to be pleased but Mukuro would happily take full blame for what she was about to do. Everyone knew Mukuro was not a good person and even those she liked often were her victims in one way or another. Her favorite couple was about to be her new victims.

"What I want you to do is gather your demon energy into your hand, filling it with the feelings you have for him and your desire to be with him."

Yarika obeyed, confused. "What is this supposed to do?"

"It will interrupt the circulation of the nightmare energy in Hiei's body and drive it out, allowing him to wake." Mukuro paused and spoke with the air of a human take on a crossroads demon hiding the fine print in a contract. "I must warn you not to do this unless you truly wish to save him at any cost, as you will not be able to recover what you give him."

Yarika looked down at Hiei. Mukuro's warning made her hesitate for a moment while she thought it over, the old demon would not warn her unless it was a serious thing. She soon came to the conclusion that whatever it cost her, she was unwilling to lose Hiei. "I'll do it."

"That's what I thought. Now press your hand right here, right over the core of his body, and allow your demon energy to seep in."

Yarika did so without any further hesitation. The effect was rapid, the foul energy in Hiei's body dissipated and his eyes opened. Hiei immediately noticed the foreign demon energy in his body and his eyes went huge. He sat up and stared at Yarika and Mukuro, enraged. This was not something Yarika likely even knew about, so he knew Mukuro was behind it somehow. Yarika had no idea what she had just done to him, the significance and permanence of it. She had no clue that she was now bound to him until death, completely without his consent, likely without hers either. Going by Mukuro's pleased look, she knew exactly what had happened.

"What have you done to me!?" he growled at them.

To be continued

Notes: Bakura is based on a baku, a demon that deals in nightmares and eats them as food. Mukuro contracted him to play her little game. Biting to mark a mate is common in fanfics, and I thought it was overdone and cliche so I decided to use an invisible mark on the soul to signify a binding demon relationship. A demon CAN mark a human but the human cannot reciprocate unless they're good at using their spiritual power, and the human would rarely understand the full significance.