The Dark Carnival
A Kurama and Hiei
Yu Yu Hakusho Fanfiction
By Lady Nemesis


Every season, as autumn fell, the fair came to life. As every rural hamlet of the Heartland sprung to work on the year’s crops, the harvest carnival always came through, bringing the weary villagers a swarm of rides, booths, and exotic shows. Each town had a different name for it, usually one inspired by some farm animal of some kind, but the carnival was always the same in every tiny village.

However, the wise knew there was a strange dark magic in those fall fairs. It did not surprise anyone when unsolved murders began to take place in some of these carnivals. Maybe it was some odd curse carried over across the Atlantic from the original European fairs; typically haunted by evil Gypsy enchantments. Yet Americans, always the skeptics, ignored it without fault for three centuries. The mysterious deaths continued.


“Koenma, you must be kidding. I haven’t been a spirit detective in over three years.”

An eighteen year old Yusuke Urameshi stared in disbelief at Lord Koenma, Prince of the Spirit World, son of King Yama. It had been exactly three years since Yusuke had made peace in Demon World through Raizen’s inheritance. It had been much longer yet since he had ever worked for Koenma.

“Consider it a last a favor,” the teenage Koenma sighed, brushing a hand through his light brown hair, “This situation has gone on too long without action.”

“I can’t,” Yusuke cut in, “Surely there is someone else who can do it. What about Kuwabara?”

“Kuwabara has made it clear that he wants to focus on his college studies. He sends his regards,” responded Koenma.

“You knew I’d ask about him didn’t you?” Yusuke grumbled, crossing his arms across his chest and staring at the floor.

“If it makes you feel better, Kurama has volunteered to be your partner on this last assignment,” Koenma pointed out, “Fair enough?”

Yusuke rolled his eyes. “Fine,” he agreed hesitantly, “You know Keiko’s not going to like this right?”

“I’ll handle Keiko. I need you on this one,” Koenma added.

“What’s such a big problem that you had to send me of all people in?” Yusuke wondered, cocking an eyebrow.

“The Dark Carnival,” muttered Koenma.

“What are you babbling about junior?” retorted Yusuke.

“It’s a demonic trap used to kill humans,” explained Koenma, “These monsters have been wandering upon the Earth for six hundred years, drawing in the innocent and escaping all pursuit. Even when the Kakai Barrier rose between Earth and the Demon World, the fiends running The Dark Carnival managed to avoid the round-up. They’re still in your world, slaughtering the masses for the fun of it.”

“So?” wondered Yusuke, “Enlighten me. Why do something now of all times?”

“Someone accidentally clued us in on their whereabouts, which Spirit World intelligence hasn’t been able to do in a hundred years,” Koenma replied.

Yusuke glanced back up at Koenma, blinking in confusion. “And who was that?” he asked, “Who found this carnival of carnage?”

“Your old friend Hiei,” stated Koenma.

“What?”

“He was on patrol, like he has been since the end of your Demon World Tournament and happened to catch some of these Carnival fiends trying to smuggle human souls into Demon World. Shockingly, after causing them some trouble, he reported to Mukuro regarding the matter and she passed it on me.”

“Shorty? Acting on a mortal ground? I’m shocked,” joked Yusuke.

“You’re as moronic as ever Urameshi.”

Yusuke spun around and his eyes lit up with their usual mischievous gleam. “Speaking of, there he is!” he exclaimed, “You didn’t tell me he was here Koenma!”

Hiei, dressed in his usual black robes, appeared from the shadows. His expression bore the normal stern distance. His bearing had changed greatly since Yusuke had first met the fire demon, however his personality was as static as ever. With him, stood Kurama in jeans and a white button up shirt, his face brightened with his trademark smirk.

“Hello Yusuke,” greeted Kurama.

“Heya Kurama, I didn’t expect you to be here either,” remarked Yusuke with a goofy grin.

“When Koenma informed me of the situation, I felt it best to lend you my help,” Kurama said, “I’ve been busy at the trade school, but I managed to arrange some time off.”

“Don’t you think we should move on from the petty conversation?” noted Hiei sourly.

“What? You in a hurry?” countered Yusuke.

“Yusuke,” began Koenma, “When Mukuro sent Hiei over here, he was in the huff of the century. Apparently these carnival clowns struck a chord.”

“I’d say so,” insisted Yusuke, “Where can we find these clowns?”

“I’ve tracked them to a rural town on Earth. It’s buried deep within a minor mountainside, which will make it difficult to reach without incident,” Hiei snapped.

“A town where?” wondered Yusuke, blinking, “That doesn’t sound like any place around Mushiori City.”

“It’s not even in the same country Yusuke. It’s in the United States, half away across the world,” Kurama pointed out.

“What? You’re saying we’re going to have to travel to a foreign country for this one?”

“Precisely,” added Koenma, interlacing his fingers and placing his elbows on his desk, “I assumed it would not be too much trouble, not after all the time you spent in Demon World Yusuke.”

“Yeah? But, do they even speak our language over there?”

“Don’t worry Yusuke. I’ve studied English,” Kurama stated.

Yusuke scratched his head. Koenma really did need his help on this one. The prince usually kept his focus on the supernatural threats in and around the nation of Japan. Having a demonic threat strike outside his jurisdiction was a major upset.

“Hiei, would you please escort your two partners to Earth? The sooner this matter is cleared up, the sooner I can rest easy, not to mention Mukuro,” Koenma asked.

“Hn,” retorted Hiei, his expression like stone.

“I must warn you. The Dark Carnival is a serious matter. I suggest you keep your wits about you,” Kurama informed Yusuke.

“Aw, c’mon,” chortled Yusuke, “How bad could it be? Just some evil carnival clowns and some twisted rides? Please, I’ve handled worse.”

“Let’s go,” ordered Hiei.

“Aye, aye,” teased Yusuke in response.