A Dark Tournament

In the midst of such hard times the people of Nottingham welcomed a chance for change. Everyone, young and old were thrilled to be a part of the Prince's Sunday event. The sky was dazzlingly clear, free of any cloud, in a deep endless blue creating an idyllic atmosphere. Children ran holding onto balloons or their parent's hand pulling them along toward all the different food stands. Chatter and laughter filled the air with blissful energy. Everyone was thrilled, that is, except the princess. Despite the fine weather, the brightly colored flags, banners, and massive tents she could not even pretend to be enthusiastic. Hiei, on the other hand, walked around with a smug expression and a jaunty gait. He even laughed, or it may have been a cruel chuckle. Yukina was partially mollified to find that another person was not pleased with the false celebration. The sheriff was acting particularly perturbed. Yukina never cared for the man, not only because of his methods of enforcing the law, but because he was excessively secretive, going so far as to hide the majority of his face at all times. Usually she was not one to judge a person based primarily on appearance, nevertheless, the sheriff was definitely not one to be trusted. Today he was more unpleasant than usual as he kept pestering the workers making sure that the targets were placed just so. As she observed him Hiei sauntered toward him and they began conversing in hushed tones. She could not determine what was being said in the least.

"Keep an eye open for you know who." Hiei demanded.

"Of course. I've already given his description to many spies, however, it may not prove useful given his penchant for disguise."

"I know all that, just keep looking."

"Highness?" Mukuro paused. "Is this really wise?" She asked glancing about at the revelry.

"I'm beginning to think that you're afraid of a little competition."

"Not at all sir."

"Then stick to the plan, and give it your best shot." She bowed, promptly moving to inspect the area when she remembered another aspect about the party.

"Prince Hiei!" She called. He stopped in his tracks and tilted his head,

"What is it?"

"I thought I would remind you about the seating arrangements."

"Oh right, just pick the sorriest looking fellow you can find and send him to the royal box."

"As you command." She smiled at his irritation and went back to business. It was Hiei's idea after all, that he be seated next to a commoner in order to demonstrate a sense of equality and warmth to the people. It was a load of bollocks as far as Mukuro was concerned but she did as she was told, she would do just about anything for Hiei.

"Begging your pardon but might you be the sheriff?" A man queried from behind her.

"Why yes I am." She languidly replied, gazing at him intently.

"I never thought I'd get to meet someone of your caliber." He uttered excitedly.

"Well I'm very busy at the moment, but I could help you find a chair." She led him to the royal box, just to make Hiei even angrier. The day might actually turn out for the better she thought, when she left the blind man in a wooden seat. Throwing over her shoulder, " Now if you'll excuse me I've got to go win this tournament." The man simply smiled vaguely in her direction.

Kurama sat still and oblivious on the outside while thinking feverishly on the inside. He should get the heck out; it was too dangerous even for him. And yet he didn't move a muscle. The idea of being within inches of his foe was too tempting; he absolutely loved to play with fire after all. He adjusted his long silver wig using the hair to cover more of his profile. He had on the same outfit he wore in town before: the brown ratty cloak and wide brimmed hat along with dark tinted glasses. He did not have to wait for too long, because he heard the trumpets blare sounding the beginning of the match.

Prince Hiei ascended the three steps to the slightly raised platform where the chosen peasant was already present. Yukina closely followed him, then took the seat on his other side and sat next to her lady-in-waiting, Genkai.

"Forgive me, but have we met?" The Prince inquired, feeling that there was something familiar about the old man.

"No, believe me your highness I have never met the likes of you in my life, and let me tell you it's a real treat meeting you like this."

"Ah." Hiei was at a loss for words. How was he supposed to talk to a blind man who couldn't even see what was happening? "Are you interested in archery?" He asked lamely.

"Never got into it much myself," he chortled. "But it certainly seems like a fine sport."

"Yes." An awkward silence stretched between them, and Hiei was grateful that the announcer finally began the first round. He turned his attention to the line of archers, trying to guess which one of them could be the elusive Youko Kurama.

One man got a perfect bull's-eye, Hiei leaned forward studying him, but there was no possible way that it could be him. The man had short blond hair that flipped out near his ears, a messy mustache of the same hue, and a stomach the size of a barrel of ale. It couldn't be. He shifted back in his chair, frustration etched on his face. He closed his eyes pinching the bridge of his nose with his right hand, then he felt a touch on his forearm that rested on the armrest, he glanced over at his guest.

"Yes?"

"So who won the first go around?" He asked facing him, but all that the prince could see were the glasses and shadows, from the hat and overhanging canopy.

"You didn't hear the announcement?"

"No the cheering of the crowd overpowered him." It took all of his effort not to roll his eyes at the poor man. Why did he care? He couldn't see him anyway.

"The sheriff not surprisingly, a hunched turtle-looking man, Allen A' Dale best known for playing the lute, a man with too much hair in front of his eyes, and a fat one."

"You're not very good with names are you?"

"I rarely have the time to commune with peasants." He bristled.

"Evidently."

"Are you mocking me?"

"Oh no Sire, I would never do that."

"You did it again!"

"Let's just have a good time all right, what's a little sarcasm between buddies?"

"Buddies?" Where did this guy come off acting all high and mighty? He huffed.

"Yes friends . . . if that's okay with you your highness." Kurama became conscious that perhaps he was pushing things a little too far but he couldn't help himself.

"Friends, I like that." The prince murmured softly.

The trumpets sounded but Hiei did not even stop to consider them. He felt embarrassed yet gladdened; he honestly had never made a friend before. Not even the sheriff could really be called a friend. He peeked at the blind man, who was wearing an affectionate smile. It made Hiei smile a bit too.

"And what is your name?" He inquired; if they were going to be closer acquaintances he should at least know that much.

"Will you remember it?" He snickered.

"Ha-ha, very funny."

"Momoiro Bara." The man ultimately answered. Hiei laughed heartily.

"Truly? That's not a very good name for a man."

"My mother really liked flowers." Hiei glanced sharply, feeling his emotions stir.

"Ah I see." He tightened his fists trying not to think of his own mother, but that didn't last long, he thought about her almost constantly. She died giving birth to Yukina, who was a few years younger than him. However, even before that Hiei felt he never knew a mother's love. She always spent most of the time fussing and awing over his older brother.

"Highness?" Kurama scooted closer peering at the prince's face through the dark glasses. He cleared his throat and persisted, "I'm sorry I brought her up, I know that you still hurt over the late queen."

"You know nothing." He spat.

"I loved my mother very much, I would have died for her." He stated firmly, staring away and ahead of him.

Hiei felt sick, he didn't know why he had to act the way he did.

"Bara- kun." He said with difficulty, "I'm . . . sorry"

"I accept your apology." He replied.

They looked at each other as the winners were called in the background.

Princess Yukina clapped loudly for all the winners, but her eyes kept straying toward the larger man. Was it because he was a tremendously skilled marksman? When the man gave a twirl and blew her a kiss, she knew. Of course a lot of the other men, had made a show or gave her hints before the contest began, but that blown kiss proved that it was Kuwabara. He used to do that a lot when they were children, because it always flustered her. Now it only made her giggle.

"Does someone interest you my dear?" The prince drawled, focusing on Yukina.

"No. Yes your highness well, at least he amuses me."

"He amuses me too." He rejoined staring suspiciously at the man who kept getting bulls-eyes.

"Ha! He's got talent he does, but he's no Youko Kurama." The elderly man virtually hollered.

"What did you say?" The Prince looked about ready to throttle him. Well he successfully diverted his attention for now, Kurama thought.

"There's no man in the world that could beat that guy."

"How do you know for sure?"

"I'm just going by the rumors, I hear things you know." He grinned and jokingly jabbed him with his elbow.

"Stop that." Hiei reacted automatically.

At long last, they were down to the final two, the Sheriff of Nottingham and So-and-so from Devonshire.

Everyone held their breath when they began their last shot. Mukuro glared at the target standing tall and professional. The other man kept shifting his weight from foot to foot as if uncomfortable.

"Nervous?"

"No. I'm going to win that kiss and present myself to the lovely Maid Yukina and-"

'Shut your mouth." The sheriff commanded letting the arrow go. It landed in the circle just around the center.

"Try besting that." He scoffed. And he did. The crowd screamed in exultation, while Mukuro scowled in rage and humiliation. The man from Devonshire bowed, grinning with a face-splitting smile. He hurriedly made his way to the royal platform. The music blared around him and people waved and applauded his progression. He only had eyes for Yukina who sat staring back at him.

"You have my congratulations," Hiei intoned standing on the first step. The man bent his head, remaining on the grass. "I dub you the winner." He touched a sword to one shoulder, as one would appoint a knight, then stopped midway with the sword held over his head, "Or more appropriately, the loser." He used his sword to knock off the yellow wig. "I know you," He sneered. "You're one of Youko's men." Kuwabara stood immobile from fear. "Seize him!" He ordered ruthlessly. Within seconds his hands were bound to his sides and his neck clad in iron.

"Kuwabara!" Yukina cried, Kuwabara looked up his eyes shimmering, "Yukina-" Hiei was beyond listening; all he could see were green eyes flashing with mirth.

"I sentence him to sudden, instant and even immediate death!" He shouted. The executioner appeared with an axe at the ready.

"No." Yukina whispered aghast. "No!' She screamed throwing herself at Hiei's knees.

"What is this?" He asked confused.

"Please spare his life, I beg you!" She wept. "Have mercy!"

"Why should I?" Now he was more amused than anything else.

"Because I love him." She answered sincerely. He gaped down at her.

"Love him, and does this . . . scoundrel return your love?"

"Yukina, my darling, I love you more than life itself." He addressed only her, his eyes boring into hers.

"How touching, but I'm afraid there is nothing I can do, traitors must be made an example of, off with his head!" He roared.

"No." Yukina began crying uncontrollably, she couldn't watch. The drums began to beat a steady rhythm as the executioner walked ever closer with his axe held purposefully. Men set a box on the ground and forced Kuwabara down on his knees. They shoved his head down, placing his neck on the indented area specifically designed to cradle the throat. He wanted to raise his head, to get one last look at Kurama and Yukina but he couldn't. He suppressed a shiver when he felt the executioner stand right next to him. He swallowed but nothing would move down his throat. The axe rose, and Kuwabara fought to hold back his tears; he didn't want to go like this, not in front of Yukina.

"I would keep him alive if I were you." Bara spoke into the prince's ear. The prince held up a hand to halt the executioner. Miraculously, he was able to bring the weapon to the side.

"Go on." He demanded crossly.

"If he is one of Youko's companions, then he will without doubt do all that he can to rescue him, you could use him as bait."

"Or I could just kill him and wait for Kurama to collect the body." He grumbled.

"Let him go." The man said through gritted teeth, he supported his words with a knife pressed to Hiei's back.

"What are you doing?" he asked, shock evident in his voice.

"I said release him."

"And if I refuse?"

"I will be forced to kill you." He murmured delivering an unforgiving twist of the knife.

"Release the prisoner!" Hiei instructed his men hastily. They acquiesced to his command albeit more than a little puzzled. Yukina stood and ran to her love her eyes blurry. No one could see that the blind man had a weapon held against the future king. The sheriff looked to the prince for more orders and finally caught on to how strange his posture was, and how close the other man was standing next to him. She drew her sword and leapt up onto the platform charging him. Madness erupted as people began to join in on the fray.

"Mukuro stand down!" Hiei shouted eyes blazing, "He's mine."

Kurama was at a disadvantage; his opponents had swords or spears while all he had was a dagger. He wanted to flee, but he had started this mess and he was going to finish it, plus he had to make sure that Kuwabara got away safely. He dodged a spear that was aimed at his abdomen and ducked under the sheriff's sword that was sweeping for his throat, and then Hiei interposed by telling Mukuro not to fight him. He tossed a sword belonging to one of his guard's at his feet.

"Fight me." He growled, "Fight me!" he yelled more adamantly. Kurama gingerly picked up the sword.

"Just remember, you asked me." He gave a disarming smile. They fought, as if they were the only ones who existed, unmindful of the screams, crashes, and various pies flying through the air.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: At last this story is heading in the right direction namely towards Hiei/Kurama! :)

I decided not to have any line-break-things since everyone was going to be at the same place so there would be no scenery changes. However, I apologize if the narration was confusing as it jumped around a lot between characters. Furthermore, I also skipped the whole training session between Kurama and Kuwabara, I hope that didn't bother anyone. And lastly, feel free to point out any problems with the story because I plan on going back and making a TON of corrections~!

* The name that Kurama uses means pink rose. It was just a shout out to his fighting style in the anime XD

Review if you want to . . . or if you think Jin has adorable ears. ;)