I don't own YuYu Hakusho...but then again, you knew that already!
A/N: Ahhhh! The long awaited sequel to The Daughter! In advance I'd like to say that this story take place five years after the end of the last one! I hope you like this continuation as much as you liked the first! If you never read The Daughter, I suggest you do so first so you're not confused when reading this one!
Key:
"Talking"
'Thinking'
Chapter One: She's Not the Same
Koenma stared at the group before him. He had summoned them to his office moments after his meeting with Genkai. Their meeting had been of great urgency and Koenma knew to get them there as soon as he could. Now they stood before him waiting patiently to know why they had been called on. He wasn't going to disclose much of the situation to them yet, but he had promised he'd tell them the needed information. He'd omit a few things from their meeting knowing the information was to be shared at a later date and from another person.
"There is to be a tournament that you will be fighting in." he got directly to it, "It's similar to the dark tournament, though the demons in charge have taken hostages to force some humans into fighting. Genkai has requested your help for this and wishes to speak more directly of the matter with you herself."
"I take it we need to pay the old lady a visit?" Yusuke replied, "It's been almost a year since I've last seen her."
"This is an important mission. You guys can't fail. There are lives at stake." Koenma stated strongly, giving no room for argument.
"You can count on us, Koenma. We'll go there now." Kurama answered and turned to his mate, "Botan, if you would?"
She opened a portal for them and tagged along when Koenma nodded that she was to go too. It must've been very important if she was needed too.
"You could have put us at the top, Botan." Yusuke grumbled as he stared up the steps before him, "Huh...seems like grandma is in the middle of a match, a good one too."
They hurried to the top to find Genkai in a heated battle with a younger version of herself. The two women were viciously kicking the crap out of each other. Off to the side Touya and his old teammate, Jin, were watching and laughing.
"Is that all you've got to show?" Touya chuckled and the young woman didn't hesitate to launch an attack on him.
The group watched as she took on not one, not two, but all three of them. Jin had taken to the air and Touya and Genkai attacked from the opposite sides. The young woman was able to handle herself.
Hiei felt as though time had spun itself backwards five years. She hadn't changed much in appearance at all, but her skill had, drastically. She was dodging most of the attacks being launched at her and she wasn't effected at all by the visitors that had arrived.
"That's enough for now." Genkai halted the fighters and faced the new group, "I see you've finally decided to show up."
"Excuse me." Etsuko bowed quickly before hurrying inside the temple. Yusuke quickly opened his mouth to protest her abrupt departure by Genkai stopped him.
"Let her alone. Let's go inside and talk. We have much to discuss." she replied. Yusuke grumbled but agreed. He could always talk to Etsuko later.
As they started into the temple, Etsuko pushed passed them, her arm barely brushing Hiei's as she went. She didn't acknowledge any of them.
"Jogging." Touya said quietly, "She's done it every day since..."
"Since what?" Hiei looked to the ice demon.
"We'll talk inside." Genkai cut in quickly, shooting Touya a glance to keep his mouth shut.
Hiei watched her disappear down a path in the forest. He had seen it. The sparkle that was once visible in her crystal blue eyes was gone. He was tempted to follow her and ask her what was wrong, but decided it might be best to wait. He'd wait to here what Genkai had to say first.
Genkai showed them to the sitting room and waited for them to settle in before telling them why they were needed for a tournament.
"I suppose Koenma didn't fill you in on the details?" she directed her question at Yusuke.
"Only that it's a tournament and humans have been taken." he answered. Genkai gave a soft sigh as she took her seat. She'd tell them, but not everything.
"It'll be a team of five and two replacements. You four and Etsuko will make up the team. Touya and Jin are your replacements. The tournament starts in three days, we will be leaving in two. I suggest you speak to your families and loved ones tonight and return here tomorrow." Genkai lowered her eyes to the floor before speaking again, "You've been asked to attend by me. Etsuko's mother and her siblings have been taken. I'm asking you to help her get them back safely."
"They took her family? Why her?" Botan questioned.
"It's complicated, but, Etsuko has a demon suitor. His name is Kumanosuke. She refused him, this is how he retaliated. He will have his own team there and he plans on defeating Etsuko and forcing her to become his mate by using her family as leverage."
"Is that why she's acting so distant with us? I would've thought she'd be happy to see us again." Yusuke frowned.
"Etsuko's only focus is on training. She pushes herself harder and harder everyday. She only breaks for food and sleep." Genkai replied, "She's not the same as she used to be."
"I guess I should tell Keiko I'm leaving. Hopefully she won't want to tag along for this tournament." Yusuke stood, "I'll be back tonight sometime."
"Yeah, I should talk to Shizuru as well." Kuwabara stood too.
"I'll take you guys. It'll be quicker." Botan gave a quick squeeze to Kurama's hand before following Yusuke and Kuwabara through the portal she opened.
"I take it the two of you will be staying here?" Genkai eyed Kurama then Hiei. Kurama nodded and Hiei stayed silent.
Genkai had been worried about Etsuko and Hiei once again seeing each other. This situation was vastly different than five years prior. She could only wonder if there was any lingering feelings between the few. They weren't going to say anything out loud and she was sure once everything was out in the open the situation could become explosive.
"Ah!" Touya jumped to his feet, "Sounds like it was a quick run. Shall we see if she wants to spar again, Jin?"
"Sure!" Jin rose as well and followed Touya from the room.
"I'm surprised to see Jin here." Kurama admitted openly.
"Touya and Jin have been with Etsuko everyday for the past couple of years. They're all very close." Genkai explained, "Touya's father has been courting Misao for about a year now."
"Is that so?" Kurama chuckled, "How do Etsuko and Touya feel about it?"
"Hn." Hiei stood abruptly. The current conversation not only annoying him, but boring him as well. He had better things to do than listen to some witty banter about a pair of people he cared nothing about.
He hurried out of the room, not stopping to say anything to Genkai or Kurama. He had other things to do. He wanted to talk to Etsuko. He didn't know why, but something was bugging him.
He noted fairly quickly that Touya and Jin were not with her. The two demons were now lounging lazily on the roof. He peered into the room and watched as Etsuko battled invisible beings with a katana. She was graceful in her movements and he was impressed with her technique. He stepped into the room slowly, his eyes never leaving her form. Her eyes strayed to him briefly before her focus went back to the katana in her hands. After a deep breath, she continued on, ignoring Hiei altogether. A gesture that didn't go unnoticed by him.
After a few minutes of watching, and being ignored, Hiei growled and started across the room towards her. One way or another he wanted answers. She stopped and closed her eyes.
"I have nothing to say to you." she spat, Hiei continued forward.
"What's going on with you?" his voice was loud in her ear and she opened her eyes. He was right next to her. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She started to walk away from him, but Hiei was quick to grab her arm and stop her.
"What the hell do you want with me? I have things to do!" Etsuko turned to face him and yanked her arm from his grasp, "Or have you not noticed I'm busy?"
"Hn."
"Just as I figured! Same response as always! You haven't changed!" she pushed him away roughly, "Get away from me and let me train! I don't need you in here disrupting me!"
"I don't..."
"Never mind!" she screamed, dropped the sword on the floor and stormed out of the room, leaving Hiei a bit stunned by her outburst. There was definitely a lot of stress and tension coming from her and he wanted to know more of the situation at hand.
So, he went to the next best source of information and joined the pair of demons on the roof. He'd get the ice master to talk even if he had to beat it out of him.
"Touya." he spoke his name coldly and the ice demon turned to face him.
"Hiei." Touya nodded to Jin and the wind master left the two alone, "I figured you'd seek me out once Etsuko and Genkai refused to speak much on the subject."
"What's wrong with her?"
"Many things actually, but mostly she feels like she's failed her family and blames herself for their abductions. She's vowed to rescue them at any cost."
"It seems deeper than her family."
"Ah, that's the part I can't help you with I'm afraid. She'll have to explain it to you when she's ready. You'll just have to be patient with her."
"Hn, figures."
"Anything else I can help you with, Hiei?"
"No." Hiei turned away from Touya and took off in a blur. Touya sighed gently. He really hoped Hiei could be patient. He was sure with a little more time he'd be able to get Etsuko to open up and talk to Hiei. But, he was beginning to think that it could already be too late.
When dinner time came around, Yusuke, Botan and Kuwabara had returned with Keiko tagging along. The young woman absolutely refused to let Yusuke go without her and as usual, Yusuke wasn't able to say no.
They sat around the table discussing the upcoming tournament. Genkai had expressed her opinion of bringing Yukina along with them. Hiei growled lowly and Etsuko openly agreed with her mother's idea. She had missed Yukina and she wanted to see her. She had wanted to see all of them, but circumstances had prevented it, until now. But it was different this time. She had to put all her focus into getting stronger and defeating Kumanosuke in the tournament. She didn't have time to be cheerful and carefree as she had been.
She rose from her seat and only stopped when Genkai touched her hand. She glanced down and met her mother's worried eyes.
"Take a break." she pleaded softly.
"After the tournament is over." she held her mother's eyes, "Not before then. I couldn't and I refuse to."
She left it at that and no one tried to protest as she left the room. Genkai lowered her eyes to the table before standing as well.
"Please excuse me." she said quietly and left as well.
"Okay, did I miss something while I was gone?" Yusuke glanced at the others around the table. Everyone just shrugged except Hiei, who growled angrily and left the room as well. Yusuke looked to Kurama once Hiei left, "What's his problem?"
"Something is bothering him. I believe it has to do with Miss Etsuko." Kurama replied, "I'll talk with him."
"I'll talk with her." Touya stood, "I'm one of the few she'll open up to right now anyways. I'll see what I can do."
"Yes, same here." Kurama nodded and the two of them went their separate ways, leaving the others only to ponder.
"Go away." she snarled furiously, "Unless you're here to spar with me, then don't bother me."
"Every time we spar you always get mad when you lose." Touya chuckled and she rolled her eyes, "But if you're looking to lose and throw a tantrum, then by all means I'll spar with you."
"Get to the point, Touya. You're not here to spar with me and I'm wasting time standing here."
"You need to talk to him."
"That again?" she snorted and crossed her arms over her chest, "Can't you ever mind your own business?"
"It'll only get worse the longer you put it off. You know that, Etsuko."
"I will talk to him when I am ready, Touya. Until then, stay out of it."
"Fine, fine, I'll stay out of it. You're so stubborn." Touya took a fighting stance across from her, "Ready?"
"Yes."
"What do you want, fox?" Hiei glanced down from the tree he had chosen to sit upon. He had felt Kurama following and decided it was best to just let the fox get what ever was on his chest out into the open.
"You know why I am out here, Hiei." Kurama answered smoothly, "Did something happen between you and Etsuko earlier?"
"Nothing happened." Hiei answered, his face emotionless, "She wouldn't talk to me."
"You tried?"
"Don't sound so surprised, fox." Hiei turned away, "It's bugging me. There is something else, aside from her family, that's bothering her. I just know there is."
"Have you tried looking into it?" Kurama suggested and wasn't at all surprised by the glare Hiei gave him.
"She's shut up. They all are." Hiei stated venomously, "They're hiding something."
"And someone must've known you'd try to look." Kurama settled down on the ground under the tree. Now this puzzle was intriguing him, "The whole situation is not only stressing Etsuko out, but Genkai as well. I've never seen her like this in all the years we've known her."
"Hn. I don't care, fox." Hiei leapt from one tree to the one next to it. Etsuko's energy level was close and he saw her dart down a familiar path. He glanced once at Kurama before jumping down to follow her. Kurama following along as well.
She sat quietly under the lone tree at the top of the hill. The place held many memories for her and it brought her a bit of peace in her currently stormy life. Every time she sat still like this she always broke down.
"I let them down. All of them. I just wasn't strong enough to protect them, to protect him. I'm so worthless." tears fell from her eyes, dropping down to the hands shaking in her lap. Her head shot up quickly when she felt two energies approaching. Just on the horizon, Kurama and Hiei were making their way towards her. She rose to her feet and then jumped onto one of the branches above. She wiped her tears from her face, "It's not like they won't notice."
Kurama and Hiei stopped just short of the tree. It was the first time that day that they had seen her sitting still and doing nothing. They heard her sigh softly before leaping down from the tree and walking by them.
"Miss Etsuko, please, will you talk with us? We are concerned about you." Kurama called out to her. She stopped but did not turn around.
"Place your concern elsewhere, fox." she said coldly before continuing on. Kurama glanced at Hiei, but Hiei's focus was on Etsuko's retreating form, traces of worry clearly visible in his crimson eyes.
"What do you think?"
"She's hiding something. Her mother is hiding something and that stupid ice demon is hiding something."
"She had been crying."
"I know."
"I guess we'll wait?"
"It's all we can do." Hiei shoved his hands into his pockets and walked away.
Kurama watched his friends leave the clearing each in a different direction. He had an unsettling feeling growing in the pit of his stomach. He was growing concerned. This situation was now beginning to worry him as well.
A/N: Those who are on my notifylist, this story will use the same list as The Daughter. If you wish to sign up to be notified of chapter releases and other news, you can select the link in my profile that says for The Daughter/So Much More