Gomen to any people who wanted to read this chapter sooner. I've been pretty busy and it took me awhile to find the time, PLUS my internet stopped working. *growls*

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho, but Kutsu came from my head, so did Kyto (if he is even in this chapter).

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When Kutsu woke up the next morning, she had no clue where she was. The last thing she remembered was Hiei calling out her name. She realized she was back in her tree with a bandage around her arm, but there was something strange. Hiei was in the tree with his arms around her. She smiled and leaned against him. She sat there like that for an hour. Hiei began to stir and realized Kutsu was awake as well. He immediately pulled his arms back, blushing slightly.

'Thank you, Hiei.'

'For what. I did nothing.'

'Then how did I get back here?'

'I…uh…carried you.'

'How did I get this bandage?'

'…I put on.'

With each statement, Hiei's face got redder. Kutsu leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. Hiei's face turned even redder. (If that's even possible.)

'See you did help me.'

Hiei jumped out of the tree.

'I will be gone for three days to do some training of my own. I will come back to take you to north Makai, so we can see where we will be fighting. I will also test what you have learned.'

With that said, he left. Kutsu smiled, because she finally saw that Hiei wasn't as heartless as everyone thought.

^^^^^THREE DAYS LATER^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Kutsu had been meditating for the full three days. She had improved the powers of her Jagan greatly. She was now able to control some of the stronger demons and break through some mental barriers, as well as putting up stronger barriers for herself. She also practiced summoning the Dragon of the Darkness. It was noon of the third day and Hiei had not yet come. Kutsu was next to the river resting, when she felt a familiar presence. Without turning, she said:

'What took you so long?'

Hiei didn't answer, so Kutsu turned. She was surprised at what she saw. Hiei looked awful. He looked completely worn out and his energy was severely depleted.

'What happened?'

Hiei didn't say anything. He just turned and started walking. Kutsu didn't question him further, just followed behind. She kept thinking that he was angry at her for what she did three days ago. They left the forest onto an open plain. Hiei took off at a run. It was nowhere near the speed he could usually do, so Kutsu could easily keep up. They ran for hours on end. Finally Hiei stopped. They were at the edge of a cliff looking out over a forest. In the middle of the forest were two buildings. One was obviously the stadium they would be fighting in. The other was a tall building. Hiei and Kutsu climbed down the cliff. When they got down, Kutsu looked around.

'I've been here before.'

'It's no surprise. You are originally from north Makai. Follow me.'

Kutsu and Hiei walked through the forest until they came to a large opening.

'We will fight here.'

'Are you sure you're up to it?'

In answer to her question, Hiei took off his bandana and took out his sword. Kutsu looked worried, but took out her sword.

'If you feel pity for your enemies, then you will never win a fight.'

Kutsu erased the emotion from her face. She stood ready. Hiei made the first attack. He struck down with his sword. Kutsu easily blocked. It continued like this for a long time, with Hiei attacking and Kutsu defending. Hiei stopped his assault.

'Do not feel sympathy for me or I will win.'

Kutsu could tell Hiei was reaching his limit. He had started breathing heavily and his attacks had been getting weaker. Kutsu knew she would win this fight.

'Don't be so arrogant, you won't win.'

Kutsu was wondering what he meant. Then Hiei took the bandage off his arm. Kutsu eyes widened in shock.

'Hiei, you're too weak right now. The dragon will eat you alive.'

Hiei didn't listen, just focused his energy. The black flames engulfed him. Kutsu could feel his energy draining swiftly. She did the only thing she knew to save him. She walked into the flame. Hiei wasn't even aware of her. He was just trying to prevent the dragon from consuming him. Kutsu grabbed onto his right arm and sent her energy into him so he could send the dragon back. After the flames faded away, Hiei passed out.

'Hiei, why'd you do this?'

Kutsu had no clue where she was going to take him. She thought about what she had seen at the top of the cliff. She couldn't think of anywhere to put him. Then a vision filled her head. She knew where she could take him that wasn't far off. She lifted Hiei and carried him to the cliff. Like the rock in the waterfall, Kutsu walked through the rock. In side was a large room, with a bed and chairs. Kutsu knew this belonged to her at one time, but she didn't know why it was still in perfect condition even after fifteen years. The place was clean, lacking any dust. Kutsu carried Hiei over to the bed and set him down. She looked around the room at all the furniture. It was all very nice and neat. Kutsu stopped when she found a chest. She opened it slowly. Inside was a yellow shirt with black pants and boots. There was also a red cloak. Kutsu was glad to have a change of clothes before the tournament. The clothes she was wearing were worn and tattered. The shirt that was once red was grey from dirt and wear. Kutsu put the clothes on. They fit her perfectly, which made sense considering they were hers. Kutsu pulled a chair over to the bed and sat in it. She sat and watched Hiei for awhile, thinking.

Why was he so angry with me? I hope it wasn't for that little kiss. GRRR! Why did I do that? I bet he hates me now!

'…don't…hate…you…'

Hiei was still asleep. Kutsu looked down at him and smiled. She sat back in the chair and fell asleep. She woke up, when it the sunning was beginning to rise. Hiei was having a troubled sleep. He was tossing and turning. Kutsu reached over and stroked his hair. He settled down and a small smile was on his face. Kutsu watched him and then left to do some training.

^^^^^THE NEXT DAY^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Kutsu shook Hiei.

'Wake up, Hiei. We have to go me Yusuke and the others.'

Hiei's eyes opened slightly.

'Where the hell am I? How did I get here? What happened?'

'You were too weak to use the dragon, so I helped you send it back. You collapsed. I remembered this place from my other life and brought you here.'

'Hn. I didn't need your help.'

'Are you even going to thank me?'

'What for? I could have handled it myself.'

Kutsu turned and left. She decided to go meet the others without Hiei. She assumed that they were next to one of the two buildings. It didn't take Kutsu long to find them. She heard Kuwabara's voice over everything.

'Where are those two?'

She walked up to them.

'Hello, Kutsu. It is nice to see you survived Hiei's training.'

Yeah, I'm glad Shorty didn't kill you. I owe you for knocking me out.'

'Kuwabara you're not even worth my time anymore.'

'What'd you say?'

Kuwabara tried to attack her, but she was too fast. She ended up behind him and then pushed him over.

'What happened to Hiei?'

'He should be around sometime. He worked himself a little too hard and has been sleeping for the last two days.'

Kurama noticed Kutsu seemed to get angry while talking about Hiei, so he changed the topic.

'Where did you get those clothes, Kutsu?'

'They were mine, when I was a demon. The sword, too,' she said, gesturing towards the sword on her back.

'So you've gotten your memories back.' Yusuke finally spoke.

'No. Just a few glimpses.'

'Let's go to our room. The tournament doesn't start until tomorrow.'

They walked over to the other building. It turned out to be a hotel.

'Why the hell would they have a hotel in Makai?'

'I believe, Yusuke, that this is a hotel for competitors and the rich demons.'

'Like at the Dark Tournament?'

'Yes, Kuwabara, it is.'

They walked to the front desk and got their rooms. There were two rooms, each with three beds.

'Okay, boys, I'll take this room. You three can take the other.'

'What about Hiei?'

'The chances are that he'll want to sleep outside, but in the unlikely event he does want to sleep inside, I don't care if he sleeps in here.'

Kutsu walked into her room and the boys walked into theirs. Kutsu decided that she would meditate for a few hours and then go see about dinner. She sat down on the bed and closed her eyes. In the other room, the boys sat around talking about the upcoming tournament, until Kurama got up and walked over to the door.

'I'm going to check the plant-life around here.'

'Okay.'

Kurama walked out of the hotel and out into the woods. He hadn't truly wanted to find plants. He wanted to find Hiei. He had sensed Hiei's energy and started walking towards it. He came to the edge of the forest where he found Hiei in a tree. He didn't say anything for awhile, just watched Hiei. After thirty minutes he spoke up.

'Hiei, what's bothering you?'

Hiei jumped out of the tree.

'What are you doing here, kitsune?'

'Hiei, you couldn't even sense my approach you were so deep in thought.'

'Leave it alone, Kurama.' Hiei growled slightly.

'How did your training go with Kutsu? I'm assuming well since she is so much stronger.'

'Why ask me questions, if you already know the answer to them? Why did you truly come out here?'

'Kutsu seemed a bit angry at you. What happened?'

'Nothing.'

Hiei remembered what he had said earlier that day, and then he thought to when Kutsu thanked him.

'Hiei, are you aware that you are blushing?'

Hiei turned away.

'I'm going back to the hotel. If you want to sleep there, you're sharing a room with Kutsu.'

Kurama left, smiling slightly to himself. Hiei, I know what's wrong. At hearing this thought Hiei's blush deepened. When Kurama had completely left, Hiei started punching a nearby tree.

'Why am I feeling these stupid ningen emotions? Why do I feel guilty?'

Hiei punched away at the tree, until there was nothing left, but splinters. When he was done, he jumped up into a tree to sleep. He had troubled dreams all night, with Kutsu haunting him.

^^^^^BACK AT THE HOTEL^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Kutsu stopped meditating at around seven. She went next door to get the boys.

'Let's go get something to eat. I'm starving.'

'Okay, there's supposed to be a restaurant in this place.'

'Wait, guys, what about Kurama?'

'I'm right here.'

'Let's go.'

They walked down to the restaurant.

'Wait, guys! We don't have any money.'

'That's okay. All competitors eat free.'

The team looked up to see a waiter.

'Follow me, please.'

Kurama, Kuwabara, and Yusuke were amazed at how much food Kutsu ate. By the end of the meal, Kutsu was hidden by empty plates.

'Did you eat at all over the last month?'

'I did eat. Just not much.'

'Speaking of training, how'd you get that injury?'

Kuwabara said as he gestured at Kutsu's bandaged arm.

'It's not an injury, baka!'

'Then what is it, Shorty?'

'Why don't I show you?'

Yusuke stepped between Kuwabara and Kutsu.

'Save your energy for the bad guys.'

'He's not even worth it.'

'What do you mean? Come here!'

Yusuke had to hold Kuwabara back, while Kutsu walked out of the restaurant and went back to the room. She walked into the room, part of her hoping that Hiei would be there. The room was completely empty.

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Finally, I'm done! This chapter took forever. Hope you liked it.

READ AND REVIEW!