Title: So Much More
Author: inuyashagirl5
Rating: T (for now; rating may go up in future chapters)
Genre: Action/Romance
Pairing: Hiei/Etsuko (OC), Kurama/Botan, Yusuke/Keiko, Kuwabara/Yukina
Warnings: Foul language often used by Etsuko and Yusuke.
Disclaimer: Yu Yu Hakusho is owned by Yoshihiro Togashi. When it comes to this fic I only own Etsuko and her family.
Chapter Four: Departing and Arriving
The next morning was foggy and muggy. A combination that Etsuko felt matched her mood perfectly that morning. They were already at the specified docks waiting for the boat that would take them to their destination. Yusuke had mentioned that the trip to the Dark Tournament had been very much similar to what they were doing now, except the fact he was on time, Genkai wasn't masked and there were new people with them. This led to a debate on the differences of then and now between Yusuke and Kuwabara. Both figured this tournament was probably no different, except maybe the fact that they had grown stronger since the Dark Tournament. Etsuko didn't really pay much attention to their conversations and took the time to rest. She hadn't slept well at all the night before due to images of her family and their burned down temple. She silently swore she'd get her revenge on Kumanosuke.
She had avoided talking to Kurama that morning who had approached her just shortly before breakfast. She just stared at him through his apology and then walked away without saying a word. He had stood there, his aura clearly showing he was disappointed. His aura hadn't changed much since they had left her mother's temple, but she knew it would once she spoke to him before they reached their final destination for the day. That was if he separated himself from Hiei's side long enough for her to talk to him. She wanted nothing to do with the hybrid at the moment. She would deal with him later. She was sure of it.
"Are you just gonna pout all day?" Touya nudged her lightly. He knew she was stressed out and all the reasons for it too. Things would be out soon and he was mentally preparing himself to help Etsuko through the whole thing. He would stick by her side no matter what happened. He was certain that Jin felt the exact same way he did.
"Yes, perhaps I will." Etsuko muttered dryly. She felt she had every right to pout. Nothing would go their way during the oncoming fights. Kumanosuke would see to it that they were exhausted by the time the finals came around; if they made it that far.
"You shouldn't worry. Rest assured, we will win."
"I can only hope you're right." She pressed her forehead against his shoulder and released a soft, sad sigh. "After this, nothing will ever be the same."
"As we expected, Etsuko. It can't be helped."
"It fucking sucks." He snickered at her words and she punched his stomach weakly. "So not funny."
"Have faith in us, Etsuko. In all of us." He hugged her, holding her small body tightly to his own. He kept his gaze away from Hiei, knowing already that the short demon was angry and jealous of his actions, not that he actually cared what Hiei thought. He loved Etsuko, and he'd tell that right to Hiei's face if he had too. True, the love he felt for her wasn't the same as what Hiei felt, but it was more of the sibling love kind. But it proved he'd do anything and everything for her if it came down to it. Including taking her and marking her as his own mate before Kumanosuke could.
The boat ride was lasting far longer than any of them liked and Etsuko was growing rather frustrated that Kurama wouldn't step away from Hiei for even a second. There were also the pointed looks her mother kept giving her, clearly trying to get Etsuko to speak up on what they were heading into. Etsuko growled as best as she could for a small human female and turned away to look out onto the water. There was no land for miles still and a small part of her was tempted to dive into the deep water and let herself drown. Knowing that was stupid and would not solve a thing, she opted to just lean against the railing and sulk some more.
Genkai cleared her throat, gaining everyone's attention, except her own daughter's. She sneered at the girl's back which made Touya nudge her to get her to focus. Etsuko grumbled and swatted his hands away from her person, muttering a few choice profanities at the ice demon. She turned and shot her mother a glare, clearly one that said I'm not ready.
"I don't care. We need to discuss this now. You know that. It's best to be prepared." Genkai ignored the heated glare from her daughter and sat down on a wooden crate.
"I am prepared." Etsuko mumbled, settling on the other side of the crate her mother occupied. "I'll only say as much as I want. Other things will be dealt with later when the time comes."
Her words made those uninformed a bit more curious and they drew closer to her, waiting for her to continue. She scrunched her face for a few moments while she got the wording set in her head. She wanted to make it easy and understandable for all present. She didn't want to answer too many questions afterwards.
"Any day now, Etsuko." Yusuke muttered and she maintained her calmness instead of lashing out and whacking him like she really felt like doing to him at the moment.
"I know nothing of Kumanosuke's team. Please understand that first and foremost. It bothers me, but we'll have to deal with it when it comes up. Kumanosuke, however, I know little about." She leaned forward and rested her chin on her knees, "He's roughly six foot eight. Strong, muscular build and rather long, black hair. He's known for his ability to hypnotize his opponents by merely catching their gaze. He's a snake demon linked to cobras. His venom can be deadly depending on the dosage he injects and his speed is far beyond average. In our group alone I'd say that Jin and Hiei are likely the only two that might be able to keep up with him, not that that will matter any. He only wants to face me and he'll see to it that he does. The committee for this particular tournament is run by his father, though there is a slim chance that his father will meet with some circumstances, preventing him from being able to attend."
At this, Touya and Jin chuckled a little. It was partially their doing and that of a few of their old friends. Etsuko smiled faintly at the sound of their laughter. She was grateful to them and to their friends.
"Then what exactly is this tournament about?" Kurama questioned. It was a question a few of them had on their minds. It wasn't making much sense.
"For me." Etsuko answered plainly. "Yes, I know it's sad and pathetic, but Kumanosuke is dead set to have me as his mate. The only things that can stop his attempts are if someone kills him or if in some bazaar twist of fate, I chose a mate of my own. Personally, I like the idea of chopping the guys head off."
"This whole tournament was set up just so he could make you his? It sounds like bullshit to me." Yusuke stated bluntly, "If he wanted you that badly he could have just taken you and left the innocent people out of it."
"Where's the fun in that?" Etsuko replied, clearly annoyed that Yusuke thought so little of her. "You're not seeing it from his angle...not that you would. You're too stupid."
"What?" He bristled at her statement.
"Kumanosuke knows that there are other factors that have to be dealt with before he can even take me. There will be others he has to defeat and kill." She turned her head away from them, "This is a game to him and I am to be his prize if he wins. He cares not for anyone else pulled into this."
"What will happen if you die before you face him?"
"Holy fuck, Yusuke! You keep speaking as if I'm not capable of handling myself! Do you really think that little of me?" She snapped at him, pleased that he jolted backwards at her outburst and that Keiko took it upon herself to smack him in the back of his head.
"It was just a stupid question! There's no reason to freak out on me!"
"The answer to your question, dumbass, is that my family, all of my family, will die. As you can see, I have no choice but to stay alive and do as he wants until I kill him." She hopped down from the crate, intending to leave before she had to answer anymore questions.
"So that is all you know? Or is there more that you're keeping from us?" She should have known Hiei wouldn't keep his mouth shut. She turned slightly to face him.
"As I said, I'll only say as much as I want."
"Leaving out important information about the enemy is not a wise thing to do when the lives of your teammates are at stake."
"Believe me, the information I have left out has nothing to do with any of them." She spat and walked off before he could speak again.
Hiei stared at her quickly retreating form, confusion clouding his mind. She had said that it has nothing to do with any of them. Her wording of her last sentence clearly meant that what ever it was that she was keeping from them, had nothing to do with them, but did have something to do with him. He wasn't sure what she was getting at, but he knew he'd find out soon enough.
It had been a long three hours before any passenger aboard the boat had seen any sign of land. So when the shore of the tournament's location came into view, they were more than anxious to get onto land. That much was clear when they heard Etsuko begging Jin to take her to land before the boat got there. The wind demon calmly explained that it would be best that she waited with the others. She didn't want to wait, especially not another full hour before they were even able to dock.
Etsuko slumped against the railing. The nervousness and unease she had been feeling was starting to hit her full force and if she didn't reign it in and control her emotions, she was going to break down. She needed to avoid that situation at all costs. She needed to be strong for this.
"I am not an egg. I'm not that fragile." She muttered, moving to sit with her legs crossed and her arms resting lightly on her knees. She closed her eyes and took a few deep, relaxing breaths. "I will not break. I am not weak."
"Etsuko?" The soft voice of Kurama made her stop her barely begun meditation and look up into his worried emerald eyes.
"Hey, fox." She smiled, and he seemed momentarily startled that she had responded to him in a nice manner. She patted the floor next to her and he took a seat. "I've been wanting to talk to you all day."
"You could have approached me at any time."
"Yes, I suppose I could have, if Hiei hadn't been standing next to you all day." Etsuko explained and frowned, "I can't be near him, so I'm glad you came to me instead. I wanted to apologize for yesterday. I could give you a million excuses, but none of it would make my actions yesterday right. I was cranky and I should never have hit you. Please, forgive me, Kurama?"
"You don't have to apologize for that. I deserved it."
"Idiot." She slapped a hand to her forehead and groaned, "Just say that you accept my apology."
"I can't. You have nothing to apologize for. I was the one at fault yesterday."
"You fucking jerk! Just accept it!"
"No." He remained calm despite Etsuko's growing frustration. "As a matter of fact, I apologize for my actions yesterday."
"Oh...no you didn't just do that." She slumped forward a little and gave a pathetic little whine. Kurama chuckled in amusement. "Fine! I accept your stupid apology! Now accept mine or I'll never talk to you again!"
"I accept your apology, Etsuko." He smiled at her and she returned the gesture, followed by a sharp jab to his shoulder.
Once the boat was docked they were finally able to step upon dry land. A few quiet words were exchanged between Etsuko, Genkai and Touya and then the ice demon and Jin were departing from them, heading off to the large building in front of them.
"Where are they going?" Kuwabara asked, watching their teammates walk away.
"To check in." Genkai replied, "They'll get our room keys and report back here to us. Keep your eyes open for anything out of place."
"All I see is a bunch of demons cowering away from us." Etsuko muttered dryly. Glancing around at her own team she replied, "With good reason I guess. I'm in rather notorious company."
"Yes, I agree, Miss Tsuruya." A smooth voice purred and Etsuko turned to the source. There was a demon male standing there, one none of them had felt approach. He bowed slowly at the waist and his short blonde hair bounced as he straightened himself, "Please excuse my abrupt appearance, my lady. I was asked to give you this letter."
He extended the letter out to her and chuckled in amusement at the way she was observing him. He took one step back as Yusuke and Hiei stepped forward.
"I take it this is from him?" Etsuko snatched the letter from his hand before Yusuke and Hiei could reach them.
"Yes." He answered, "I will see you again soon, Miss Tsuruya. Until then, be safe." He walked away quickly and after a few steps he completely disappeared from their sight.
"Damn he was fast. I bet he's on the same team." Etsuko frowned and turned the letter over. "I can only imagine what its about this time."
"This time?" Hiei asked, reaching forward in attempt to take the letter from her hands, but she moved it. "He's sent you other letters?"
Etsuko just stared a few seconds at Hiei before turning away and opening the letter, ignoring his questions altogether. He growled, but Kurama placed his hand on his shoulder to calm him and to let Etsuko have a few moments to read the letter on her own. Judging from her expression she wasn't at all amused by its contents. She snorted softly before handing it over to her mother who read it as well.
"I figured as much." Genkai replied softly to Etsuko.
"Yeah, same here." Etsuko nodded and frowned, "Touya won't be happy to hear it, but I'll tell him on my own."
"There's a change in the line-up." Genkai spoke up and gained the attention of those fighting, "Kuwabara, you are a replacement instead of main fighter. You are switching places with Touya."
"Woah, can you do that?" Kuwabara stuttered, "I thought the groups were set?"
"Yes, well, Kumanosuke changed it." Etsuko replied bitterly, her small hands were clenched tightly, "He has taken Touya's father and put Touya in the same predicament as myself, or almost the same. Also, the tournament start is tomorrow and we're already slated to face two teams back to back. Get used to it being unfair. As I said, he sees this as a game."
Touya and Jin returned shortly after and Etsuko shoed the others off so she could speak in private with Touya. She wasn't surprised that Touya got upset by the news, but she held him while he growled and promised to kill the bastards that had taken him. His eyes were shifting between light blue and red, but Etsuko didn't worry about it. She knew he'd never hurt her and for that she tightened her hold on him, burying her face against his shoulder and whispering soft words to console him.
"We need to head back." Touya spoke after a few long moments, "The team has to be in the arena for introductions at sunset."
"I see." Etsuko looked towards the darkening sky and pouted, "It's begun. Everything is about to change."
"Yes." He helped her to her feet and together they walked to the rooms to gather their teammates.
Their team was waiting for them in the hallway. Genkai bid them good luck. Jin and Kuwabara both promised to watch after the girls while the were in the arena. Both groups split as they made it to the entrance. Genkai and Etsuko sharing one last sad look before breaking apart and walking in different directions. This was it. This was the moment that would change everything.
