Hikari watched the next set of the tournament up in the royal box with Mother, Kaze sitting by Mother's feet with toys to occupy his attention, Takashi, Uncle Yasha, and the king and queen. She felt exhausted after fighting Mother, but had hardly needed a healer. Surprisingly Yukina, who was an aunt of sorts, had come to her and Mother to check her over. Hikari overheard Yukina asking Mother a series of questions about Brother. She seemed concerned that he stayed up in the North with the demons as Hikari's representative, even though Mother reassured her Brother could handle himself.

Hikari sat next to Takashi, watching the fights, waiting impatiently for the fight Father would have. He was lined up to fight right before Uncle Kurama with another elf. At first Father was supposed to fight Uncle Kurama, but he was relieved when another fighter, a younger cocky looking one, switched him out. Hikari felt disappointed she would not see a match between the two of them.

Hikari looked over at Mother sitting next to Uncle Yasha. She looked a bit worn out from their fight, more so that Hikari had. "Mother," Hikari said. Mother looked up at her and hummed to show she was listening. "Who's more likely to win in a match? Father or Uncle Kurama?"

"Well, your father-" Mother started.

"He's not your uncle," Takashi cut in.

Hikari looked at him, startled. She frowned at him, but kept speaking to Mother. "They've fought together before, but never against each other in the fighting pits. Who was stronger back then?"

Mother looked back towards her. "I'm not sure," she answered. "Your father did once say he was glad he never had to fight your uncle in the fighting pits. Your father won't give up that easily, but neither will your uncle."

"How can he be your uncle? He's not related to you," Takashi pressed.

Hikari felt her temper want to pick up, but Uncle Yasha spoke up before anyone else could. "Those who survive the fighting pits like we three did back in the day went through our own personal hells and back. Those that that had to fight their way out of debt more so than others. That kind of bond grows deeper than kinship, deeper than blood. Her counting of him as an uncle is more accurate than you realize."

Takashi huffed, "that's not what the term means though. He's more likely my uncle than hers anyway since the two of you ought to have been married by now."

Hikari felt tension build in the area. Uncle Yasha laughed, "that could happen, but isn't what we want. It's not for everyone. Let your wife count him, me, or anyone she wishes as uncle. All of them have treated her parents better than her Mother's uncle ever did."

Takashi huffed once more, but did not speak again, much to Hikari's relief. She noticed Mother gave Uncle Yasha a grateful look.

Hikari turned her gaze away from them and to the arena now. She watched Father and his opponent, some other elf she vaguely recognized from the castle together, climb into the arena and separate to opposite sides, much how Mother and she had earlier. She leaned forward, watching curiously. The queen clapped once, announcing that the fight could commence. Hikari brought her hands together softly between her legs, wondering but not wanting to wonder when she could be in charge of that clapping one day.

Father drew his sword, with the elf across from him doing the same. The elf's sword looked cheaper and of lower quality than Father's sword did. The two ran towards each other, meeting in the middle with blades clashing. Hikari frowned, wondering why Father would go so slow in a fight. She wondered if he was just assessing the elf with him, to get a measure of him first before ending the match swiftly. At one point Father all but stopped. The elf managed to catch him with a thin slice across the chest with his lower quality blade, barely making Father bleed. The elf looked surprised to have been given a chance at a lucky shot only to have it be such a disappointing one. Father easily disarmed him and shoved him down. The elf did not even bother to stand up or retrieve his sword after that. Father sheathed his own sword and left the arena without hardly breaking a sweat. He waltzed away into the stands, likely coming up to join them.

"That was boring," Takashi griped. Hikari nodded in agreement.