I am so sorry that I haven't updated anything in a long time. Here is the Day of Rest between Team Masho and the Semis. This is kinda long. Enjoy. Please review.

Note: All Japanese words I use will be translated at the bottom of each chapter.

Note: single quotes(' ') are thinking, usually telepathy. Double quotes( " ") are speech

Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the YYH universe. Just my character Lorin.

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Lorin quietly closed her bedroom door behind her. The suite was silent, she wondered where the others were. They were all supposed to be up to watch the other round. This round would determine who they were fighting in the Semi-finals. She thought she heard Yusuke stirring as she passed his door. Lorin grabbed some breakfast and left.

It was a fairly quick trip to the stadium. She filed in with the other fans, making sure her katana was securely with her. She blinked as she entered the stadium and looked around. Off to her left, she saw a familiar head of red hair and a saw Hiei with him.

They hadn't noticed her, but that was alright. She didn't mind being alone, most of the time she didn't really feel apart of this team, anyway. She was so much weaker than the others and less experienced. Let them have some time with the true Team. The crowd roared as the fighters entered the arena. This fight was over in just a few minutes. This team was good, very good. Her team would have a challenge to beat them.

Lorin felt a familiar presence and saw Yusuke and Kuwabara run up to Kurama and Hiei. She chuckled, they were too late and had missed the fight. They all talked for a moment, then Lorin felt a surge of annoyance from Hiei and amusement from Kurama. She wondered what was going on over there. Kuwabara asked something and pointed at her. All the others turned. She smiled and raised a hand to acknowledge them. Kurama motioned for her to come over.

She was going to shake her head, but something else caught her attention. Team Toguro stood across from her team. She was halfway between. Silence filled the stadium for a moment. Then the crowd started chanting, "Toguro!" The Younger Toguro pointed a finger at Yusuke, then himself, grinned. Yusuke motioned back to him. She could see Toguro smirk and they left. Her team left as well. She exited the stadium, she had seen what she had wanted to.

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Once back in the rooms, Lorin found a mug and mixed herself some hot chocolate. She moved to the window, sitting on the sill and thinking. Risho. She had killed him. It was her first kill. She hadn't fought in the first round, hadn't killed in the second. Lorin had thought she was prepared for killing in the Tournament, but maybe she wasn't. Maybe if she had fought and killed Risho, it would be different. But he had been defenseless. He couldn't have hurt her or her teammates any more, but she had killed him anyway. What did that make her?

Lorin was so lost in thought that she didn't hear Hiei come back from the stadium by himself. He looked over at her, guilt and shame clear on her face. What was she feeling guilty about? Hiei thought for a moment. Then it came to him. Risho. As far as he knew Lorin had never killed before. He walked over to her and waited for her to acknowledge him. When she didn't he spoke.

"He's not worth it." he said. Lorin flinched and turned to him. She hadn't even heard him come up. She blinked.

"What?" she asked, confused.

"Risho." Hiei continued, "Risho isn't worth your compassion or guilt."

Hiei turned away and moved toward the kitchen. Lorin followed him with her eyes. She thought about what he had said. Isn't worth it? Risho was a cheater, dishonorable. He attacked his own teammates. He knew he couldn't beat her team face on, so had done a cowardly thing and cheated. Maybe Hiei was right. Maybe Risho wasn't worth feeling guilty about.

Lorin followed Hiei over to the kitchen and rinsed out her empty mug. She saw that Hiei was eating a sandwich. Lorin grabbed some grapes from the refrigerator and joined him at the table. They didn't say anything as they ate, though Lorin was very aware of Hiei. Finally, he stood and returned to his room. He came back a moment later, his katana in one hand.

"Are you going to train today?" Lorin asked. He stopped and looked at her. He nodded. Lorin swallowed, nervous.

"Can I train with you?" she asked, rushing the words a little, trying to get them all out before she lost her nerve. Hiei was quiet for a moment. Lorin was sure he would say no. She wasn't strong enough anymore to be his equal. It was clear that he had found more skills and powers during the Tournament. She was still at the same level that she had been at the beginning.

"Yes." Hiei said. Lorin blinked. Did he just say yes? He was going to let her train with him? He shifted a little.

"Well, if you're just going to stand there, I'm leaving." he bit out. Lorin shook her head and rushed to the window sill to grab her katana. She hurried back to the kitchen, certain that Hiei had left without her. He was standing right where she left him, a smirk on his face. Then he turned and walked out the door.

They spent the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon training near a lake. Lorin was amazed that she could still keep up with Hiei. They used katanas, bare hands, defensive techniques, as well as some stronger attacks. Hiei showed Lorin how to summon a Dragon, though the effort of doing so without a Jagan was almost too much. He taught her several other Darkness attacks, too. These were easier for her, but less powerful.

Though they hadn't eaten much for lunch, neither of them noticed as the day got closer and closer to dinner. They had returned to hand to hand fighting, when Hiei flipped Lorin over and into the water. Lorin submerged and came up laughing. Hiei stood on the bank, watching her, a frown on his face. Lorin shook the water out of her eyes and looked at Hiei, still chuckling. She held out a hand.

"Going to help me up?" she asked, an odd tone in her voice. Hiei looked at her hand for a moment. Why was she asking for his help? Surely she could get out of the water on her own. Hiei reached down and took her hand. Immediately, she tightened her grip and pulled. Hiei went flying over her head and into the water.

When he came up, his face with filled with fury, shock, and betrayal. Lorin just laughed. She didn't act as though she had betrayed him. He forced himself to calm down a little. He studied her, unaware than confusion was written all over his face. Lorin chuckled and swept her arm across the water, sending a wave at Hiei, soaking him again. Hiei just stood there, dripping. Lorin shook her head and splashed him a few more times. Soon, she realized that he needed a little direction and encouragement. She raised an eyebrow.

"What, aren't you going to fight back?" she teased. Fight? Hiei understood fighting. This must be some Ningen training. Lorin could see understanding flash on Hiei's face. He sent a wave of water back to her. This was a strange way to fight, but he would still win, now that he understood the rules. Lorin laughed and the two of them continued their water fight for another half hour.

Finally, Lorin gave up. She dragged herself up out of the water.

"You win, Hiei." she said, breathless, "I surrender." Hiei smirked and joined her out of the water.

Lorin flopped down on the grass, arms out stretched, eyes closed. She sighed, full of contentment and happiness. She had just spent half the morning and most of the afternoon alone with Hiei. While most girls back at school would have sneered that she had spent that much time with him and not done anything 'good' like kissing, she would rather have spent the day as she had, then kiss him all day.

She wasn't saying that she didn't want Hiei to kiss her, she spent a great deal of time remembering the kisses he had given her on their dates, but she knew Hiei better now. He didn't like touch, any touch. She could understand why. Kurama had told her all about Hiei's past, being a Forbidden Child and everything. If Hiei kissed her again, it would be because he wanted to. But right now, she was lying on the grass, sun in her face, with Hiei next to her. She was perfectly content.

Hiei, too, had stretched out on the grass. He tucked his hands behind his head and stared into the sky. He heard Lorin sigh in contentment. She was content? Here? With him? No, that was as stupid thought, she was probably thinking about something else, like Kurama. He was her best friend after all. But the word content had started bouncing around inside his head.

Content, he was content right now. At least that's what he thought this feeling was. He was not angry, something that didn't happen often. Oh, maybe he didn't always show his anger, but it was always there, a cold ball deep inside him. But right now, it was gone, all of it. He didn't want anything to change, everything was perfect the way it was. Wait a minute, what nonsense was he thinking? This was pointless. Anger was his only friend, the only thing that stayed with him. Yes, he was being foolish, thinking like that. He felt a finger brush his arm and heard a giggle.

"Gomen, Hiei. I didn't mean to touch you." Lorin said. He grunted. Silence came again. Hiei's thoughts were back to Lorin. He thought about their first dates. Even though he had been pretty much forced into both of them, he realized that he had enjoyed them.

He was still surprised at how easily she had accepted being attacked and helped him. Ningen were supposed to run screaming, but Lorin hadn't. He remembered how she had dared to kiss him at the end of the first date. He had been shocked, and had instinctively kissed her back. The other kisses had been instinctive too. Hiei turned his head and looked at Lorin. She still had her eyes closed, her hair plastered to her face. Hiei realized he was staring at her mouth, and a desire to kiss her came over him.

'No, she won't want to kiss me. I'm not kind or nice, like Kurama is. She probably thinks I hate her.' But the desire didn't fade or leave him alone. Instead it got stronger. He shifted, so he was leaning on one elbow, facing her. She gave no indication that she heard him move. He reached his hand out across the distance between them, pausing halfway, fighting with himself at the foolishness of it all. He was the Forbidden Child. He wasn't able to know love or be loved. Wait, when did he decide that he loved Lorin? Of course he didn't! That was a Ningen emotion. Did he think she loved him?

'No, Baka, we already decided that. You aren't nice or kind to her. She probably hates you, remember or at least thinks you hate her.' But he had to try, even if she attacked him. He had to know. His hand finished it's journey and brushed some of the plastered hair from her face, so he could see her better. Her eyes flew open, startled. She looked over at him, confused. She shifted, mimicking him, leaning on an elbow. She waited.

Her face was curious, calm. She wasn't defensive or wary at all, just waiting to see what he would do next. Hiei realized he was staring at her mouth again. He gathered whatever courage he had, leaned over and kissed her. Hiei was overwhelmed. This felt so right, he didn't want it to end. She tasted so good, just as he remembered. But wait, did she want him to be kissing her? He broke off, confused. He didn't want her mad at him, even if he never got to kiss her again.

She looked at him a little confused herself. Why had he pulled away? It looked like he was struggling with himself. But he had kissed her. She had been hoping that he would. He was searching her face. Lorin realized that he was worried, probably about what she thought about him kissing her. She smiled. A hesitant, small smile appeared on his face.

He looked so scared and vulnerable, though he would probably kill her if she ever said anything about it. She reached up with her free hand and touched his cheek. He flinched. Lorin started to pull her hand away, hurt in her eyes. Hiei saw her pulling away and fear filled him. He grabbed her hand, holding on for dear life.

"No," he whispered. He looked like he was going to say more, when he glanced beyond her and let out a swear.

"K'so! Baka!" Lorin twisted to see what Hiei was swearing at, her hand coming free of his grip. She saw Kuwabara jogging toward them. Lorin turned back to Hiei, eyes closed and she sighed in annoyance. She muttered her own nasty words at Kuwabara's timing and presence. Hiei chuckled. Lorin's eyes flew open and she quickly brushed her fingers over Hiei's face, this time not pulling away when he flinched at first contact.

"What'cha guys doing? You fall in the lake or something?" Kuwabara asked. Lorin muttered, "Or something!" as Hiei glared at Kuwabara.

"No, Fool! We woke up this way!" he sneered. Confusion was clear on Kuwabara's face.

"Uh....ok." he said.

"Baka!" Hiei muttered, then looked over at Lorin in surprise as she chuckled. Hiei climbed to his feet, his normal mask of hard control on his face.

"What do you want?" he snarled at Kuwabara, who blinked.

"Oh, yeah, right. Kurama sent me to find you, Lorin. He needs you. I think he's in a lot of pain." Lorin leapt to her feet, water dripping from her clothes.

"Why didn't you say so in the first place!" she yelled. She scooped up her katana in one hand, running toward the path that would take her back to Kurama. Hiei followed, his own blade safely in it's sheath. Lorin shot him a smile as they ran. Kuwabara blinked as he realized they had left him behind.

"Uh, guys?" he called, but they were gone. He grumbled and started walking back to the hotel.

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Lorin leaned back as she smirked and threw her cards down on the table. Everyone else playing groaned.

"How do you do that?" Kuwabara asked, collecting the cards.

"I have some skill, Stupid." she teased. He glared at her and dealt again. They were all playing cards after an eventful dinner. Lorin and Hiei had returned to find Botan helping a pale Kurama to the couch. It was clear that he was in a lot of pain. Lorin had spent the next two hours Healing Kurama. His death seed had ravaged his insides and his human body didn't heal like his youkai body would have.

Dinner, like all meals, was hectic and heated. Between Kurama not feeling well, Hiei annoyed at Kuwabara for interrupting them, and all the girls showing up, it was a wonder that anyone ate at all. Finally dinner was over and they had decided to play cards.

Except for Hiei. He was sitting in the window sill that Lorin had sat in earlier. What he was looking at in the darkness, she didn't know. She decided to try to get him to play. She stood and made her way over to him.

"Why don't you come play, Hiei?" Kurama asked as Lorin was about to speak.

Hiei turned, to give Kurama a Death Glare and snarled, "Don't make me pull out your precious voice box, Kurama!"

But Lorin had been standing between Hiei and Kurama and got the full force of Hiei's anger. She stood and stared at him in shock for a moment. Everyone was silent. Lorin fled to her room as Hiei reached out a hand to touch her, surprise, shock, and worry on his face. Hiei stared at her closed door, then at Kurama.

"Go after her, Hiei." he said, quietly. Hiei blinked, then got up. He walked into her room, not bothering to knock. Lorin was leaning against the window sill, the breeze blowing through her hair. She was sobbing.

"That was so stupid. What were you thinking? Hiei doesn't like you. He probably can't stand you. You're too weak. He can't even stand Yusuke and Kuwabara and he's known them longer. He probably laughs at your pitiful attempts to keep up with him. You were deluding yourself, thinking maybe he liked you. I'm sure he was fighting down at your level at the lake, you couldn't really have been keeping up with him. And the kiss, he was just testing you, to see what you'd do. Fool!"

Hiei stood there in the dark, listening to all this in shock. This is what she thought of herself and him? That she was weak and he was just toying with her? She turned away from the window and froze as she saw him standing there. She hurriedly wiped her eyes.

"H-Hiei. I didn't here you come in." Lorin sat down on her bed, waiting. She was tense, as if expecting him to hit her.

"I don't train with weaklings." he said. She looked at him, not comprehending. He took a step closer and just stared at her. Understanding came to her eyes. He was referring to what she had said. He must have overhead most of it. She stood and moved closer to him. She bit her lip, making it bleed.

Suddenly she was kissing Hiei. She didn't know what had made her do that, but she was glad she had. Lorin heard him moan quietly. The kiss broke off and she saw his lips covered in her blood. He licked his lips, eyes full of desire, cheeks flushed. Then he blurred and was gone. She sighed. At least he didn't hate her. It looked like he was just as confused as she was. Lorin climbed into bed, suddenly feeling very alone.

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Hiei fled to his room, trying to maintain his control. He slammed his fist into the wall, hoping the pain would cool the fire raging inside. He could barely think, wasn't really aware of the outside world. What was wrong with him? He had never felt this. He had impulses he had never had before and had no clear thoughts to stop them. He felt a hand on his shoulder. He whirled and saw Kurama's concerned eyes looking at him.

"First Blood-desire, Hiei?" he asked. Hiei glared.

"What the hell are you talking about, Baka Kitsune?" He snarled.

Kurama smiled. "Sometimes even I forget how young you are. About how much you don't know. You got a taste of Lorin's blood, didn't you?" Hiei didn't trust his voice right now. He nodded.

"It's intoxicating, isn't it? Ningen have no idea, since their bodies can't absorb the blood. But youkai know. We know how intense, how amazing, how addicting blood can be. And Ningen blood has a unique flavor to it." Kurama's voice was soft, gentle.

"And it's awoken your instincts. You are bursting with desire and it's almost uncontrollable." Kurama handed Hiei a glass of sake.

"Drink, it will help." he commanded. Hiei obeyed, his mind starting to clear. He looked up at Kurama and grunted.

Kurama smiled. "You're welcome, Hiei. Is Lorin alright?"

Hiei frowned. "She was crying." he said. There was a long pause. "She thinks she's weak." Hiei was confused. How could she think that? She kept up with all of them, and it took immense power and control to be able to copy their attacks. Kurama nodded.

"I know, she does. No matter how much we talk, I can't seem to make her understand. She thinks that since she uses our attacks, instead of making up her own, that she is weaker. I just try to remind her that she is strong every chance I get." Hiei nodded. There was another long silence. Kurama stood.

"We have Semi-Finals tomorrow. I'll let you get some sleep. And Hiei," Kurama said, pausing in the doorway, "Don't worry too much about Lorin, we'll convince her one way or another." Hiei glared at Kurama, who laughed and left to find his own bed.

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K'so- shortened version of kuso, which means damn

Baka- Idiot

Gomen- Sorry

Kitsune- Fox