Disclaimer: I do not own....sigh....Yu Yu Hakusho....damn...

Chapter Four: Visitors and Anger

Hiei stormed into the temple after Etsuko. There was no way that he was going to allow her to bring Yukina here. That baboon didn't deserve to see his sister. She was not a prize to be won in some dumb little diving contest. Etsuko would pay dearly if she made that mistake.

He searched with his Jagan eye and found her with Botan and Genkai. He raced to where they were. Etsuko was being helped onto the ferry woman's oar. She had already managed to get dressed and prepare to leave. They started to take off into the air and Hiei hastily pulled Etsuko off and let her fall to the floor. Landing on her rear end, Etsuko grimaced as the pain shot through her back. She leaned forward onto her hands and knees and rubbed her sore butt. The sight Hiei took in from his angle caused him a bit of discomfort and he turned away. Why did she have to wear a skirt?

"You jerk!" she was red with anger. She turned to Hiei and slapped his face. This was not wise as she quickly found out when his katana was at her throat. Her eyes widened, but she remained silent.

"I have no quarrel with killing you." His voice was low and monotone. He pressed the blade closer to her neck as she laughed. That was a response he wasn't prepared for. The sword drew a bit of blood and stained the blade.

"If you wanted to fight with me, Hiei, you could have just asked." She replied. He lowered his katana and gave her an annoyed glare. She put her fingers to her throat and wiped a bit of the blood away, "It's been awhile since I've seen my own blood."

"If you want to see more of it, then by all means, go and get Yukina." He snapped. Etsuko only smiled.

"What makes you think I was going to get Yukina?" she put her hands on her hips and pouted. He hated her pout, "For your information, we were going to get someone else."

"I don't believe you."

"Nobody said you had to." She stepped closer.

"Get out of my face, woman."

"What are you afraid of, shorty?"

"Hn."

"That was a great response. Surely you didn't think of that yourself, did you?"

"I am not in the mood for your childish antics, girl." He turned to leave.

"Fine, then I'll just leave now to get Yukina." He turned back angrily and grasped her shoulder hard.

"Why do you feel it necessary to cross me?"

"Why not?"

"You are not amusing."

"Neither are you! What the hell if your problem anyway? Why the fuck did you throw me off that rock earlier?" her blue eyes burned with intense anger and frustration, "Never mind! You are not important to me, Hiei!"

"Hn." He turned to leave, crossing his arms over his chest. Etsuko raced past him and ran from his view. He could smell her tears as she passed. He felt a tiny pang of guilt. He had never made a girl cry like that before. His guilt vanished quickly and he stalked away to his room.

"That went awful." Botan frowned. She hadn't expected Etsuko to burst into tears because of Hiei.

"Go and retrieve Yukina and...bring him too." Genkai gave a small smile, "From what I've heard from her father, they are best friends. She'll be happy to see him. It has been five years and he doesn't come to this world often. Perhaps he and Yukina are in the same area."

"That would be helpful!" Botan gave a cheery smile and flew off into the afternoon sky. With any luck they'd return before everyone was in bed.

Etsuko sat sullenly at her computer. She was typing a mile a minute and thinking about too many things. Her Discman sat next to her and loud music blared into her ears. She never heard Hiei stop at her door and look in, but she could sense him. She ignored him. There was no way she would let him make a fool out of her again.

She finished typing and sat back in her comfy chair. She shook her head and sighed angrily. She ripped her headphones off and tossed them across the room.

"Come in!" she yelled, before anyone knocked. Her door creaked open slowly and Kurama poked his head in, "Hello, fox."

"You knew it was me?" he asked and smiled lightly when she rolled her eyes. She turned the computer off.

"How can I help you, fox?" she stood up and straightened her skirt, "You usually don't pay me any visits."

"I was wondering if you would like to take a small walk with me. The afternoon breeze is nice and there are some flowers that I wanted to inspect. They are a bit unusual for this area." He smiled again. Etsuko stared at him for a few moments.

"Yeah, sure." She grabbed her sketch pad off the shelf and turned back to him, "I need to work on some stuff out there anyways."

She followed him into the yard and down a darkened path leading into the forest behind the temple. He stopped before some abnormally large red flowers. Stepping back, she began drawing the flower and the unique pattern the almost pea green leaves had. She had seen the plant before, but couldn't remember where. She's check when she got back. If it was important, it was written somewhere.

"That's strange." Kurama's voice spoke and she looked up at him, "Normally the center part of the flower is yellow, not purple."

"It looks like a giant poinsettia to me, with the exception of the purple part." Etsuko shrugged, "But I know it's not one."

"Yes, I see what you mean." Kurama stepped back and Etsuko sighed, "What is it?"

"Nothing." She finished drawing, "It's a good thing I have a good memory, or else I would've forgotten how the minimal light played off your red hair."

"I thought you were drawing the flower?"

"I was, but you fit into the picture nicely." She rose to her feet.

"May I see it?" he asked nicely. She shook her head no.

"Not until I'm ready to show you." She replied, "Besides, dinner should be ready soon. We should head back."

"Yes, I suppose we should." He agreed. He was a bit hungry anyway and he achieved his real purpose of getting her out of the temple.

"What do you think of this?" she had stopped next to him, "This is an earlier one I did."

She thrust the sketch pad into his hands and smiled proudly. He admired the picture of Etsuko and three older adults. The man stood in back with Etsuko on his broad shoulders. His bright blue eyes shined and his long black hair was tied neatly back. Before him stood a woman in a yellow kimono. From the style of the kimono Kurama could tell that this was the man's wife. The third adult, a man, stood off to the side. His silver hair was short and he had two green strands. His apparel seemed oddly familiar to Kurama.

"Who are these people?" Kurama asked. She grinned and pointed to the taller man with black hair.

"This is my father, Kyo. The woman is my mother, Misao and the third is one of my senseis, Master Takamori."

"Misao is your mother, but..."

"It's complicated." Etsuko cut in quickly. She grabbed her sketch book from Kurama and hurried off, "Are you coming or not?"

"Yes." He ran after her and she laughed at his speed.

"You are fast, fox!" she yelled. He was glad to see her happy.

They ran into the temple together and stopped in the doorway. Etsuko gave him a challenging grin.

"Do you want to make a bet?" she took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Depends on what we're betting on." He listened intently.

"If I win you have to take me to the library tomorrow." She stated.

"And if I win, tomorrow you fight." Kurama added, "Whomever I chose for you to fight."

"Fair enough. The first one to the dining hall wins. Easy enough, right?" she asked.

"Yes, I believe it is fair."

"Ready? Go!"

They ran together through the long hallways. Kurama had kept his pace with hers, but as they neared their destination, he gave an apologetic smile and dashed off. She laughed and smiled happily. She entered a few moments after him and everyone at the table stopped to watch them.

"I guess I win." Kurama panted. He extended his hand out to her, "Nice race though. We should do it again sometime."

"How about later?" she shook his hand.

"What are you guys doing?" Yusuke's voice brought them back from their laughter. They turned to face them, both of them blushing.

"Hey, where's Botan?" Etsuko took her seat, "Did she go?"

"Yes." Genkai replied. Etsuko kept her eyes away from Hiei's, but she could tell his was staring.

"Where did Botan go?" Yusuke asked, breaking the silence that was starting to creep him out.

"No where!" Botan's voice drifted in from the doorway, "That was a great race you and Kurama had!"

"Cut to the chase, lady! Why did you bring me to Genkai's temple? I have better things to do with my time than sit around here." A male voice spoke from behind Botan.

"It can't be!" Etsuko stood up, "Who did you bring back, Botan?"

"Well..." she ushered Yukina into the room first. She swallowed hard as Hiei's eyes landed on her, "I brought Yukina as asked."

"Yukina!" Kuwabara was on his feet and at her side in seconds.

"Certainly Yukina doesn't have a guy voice, Botan!" Etsuko scolded her.

"That's true." Botan grinned evilly and pulled the other person into the room, "But he does."

"What the?" Yusuke stood first.

"Touya!" Etsuko called his name out and his eyes lit up as they fell upon her. He embraced her tightly, "I can't believe you are here! How can this be?"

"I am not sure myself why I am here, but that does not matter now. I haven't seen you in ages!" He held her close against him.

Etsuko pulled back and led him out of the room. Botan watched, then turned to the others and shrugged.

With Etsuko and Touya

"Have you gone to see your father yet?" Etsuko sat with her back against the tree. He sat next to her and held her hand.

"No, not yet. I was going to go there tonight." He answered, "Etsuko, why are you here? I thought you never wanted to meet your real mother."

"It couldn't be helped, and father wanted me to come here desperately. I don't know why he was so eager, but something must be up." Etsuko admitted, "These guys aren't all too bad. Kurama, Botan and Kuwabara are nice. Yusuke's a bit loud and Hiei...well, Hiei likes to get on my nerves, but other than that he's not too bad."

Touya chuckled a bit and released her hand. A small, devilish smirk crossed his lips.

"Etsuko, you are blushing." He replied and laughed when she covered her face.

"No, I am not!" she protested, "I have no reason to blush!"

"Anyway, why are you here?" he changed the subject back to his previous question. She sighed and closed her eyes. Racing with Kurama had really worn her out.

"More training I guess. I don't know. I just wish I had gotten a say in the matter." Etsuko answered, "I wasn't prepared to be thrust into the Great Genkai's presence. My mother, Misao, she wasn't ready for me to leave yet either. I think she knew what was happening though. She didn't protest when my father told me I was coming here."

"If you wish to send them a message, I will gladly take it for you. I wonder how your father will feel when he hears that his eldest child has a crush on Hiei."

"I do not have a crush on that jerk! He makes me so angry!" Etsuko yelled and quieted when Touya's hand touched her knee, "I don't like him like that."

"Don't pout, Etsuko. It's too cute when you do that." He stood, "Why don't we go write that letter? It'll be dark soon and I'm sure that you'll need your rest."

"Especially if Kurama forces me to fight someone hard tomorrow. I doubt he'll pick Kuwabara. That would be too easy."

"Don't underestimate Kuwabara, Etsuko. His style may be rough, but he did beat Risho in the dark tournament, as well as a few other tough opponents."

"I know. I've seen the tapes. I watched your match with Kurama several times. I can't believe how strong you were."

"Not strong enough to beat Kurama though." He helped her to her feet and together they walked back inside.

After writing the letter she said her goodbyes to Touya and asked him to return when he could. They still had much to catch up on. As she walked back towards her room she could hear Genkai talking with Yusuke.

"No offense, grandma, but you're too old to be a mother of a seventeen year old girl." Yusuke sat before his mentor. Etsuko's eyes widened at the subject.

"You're right." Genkai nodded, "But I was getting older and wasn't sure I'd get to pass my power on to someone else."

"How'd you get pregnant? Who was the lucky guy?" he smiled smugly at his remarks and Genkai scowled.

"I didn't get pregnant, numbskull." Genkai retorted, "A close friend of mine carried her."

"Huh? You lost me, grandma."

"I take it you've never heard of a surrogate mother?" Genkai raised her eyes to meet his, "I was too old to carry my own child, Yusuke, but not too old to create a child. There are few people I trust in this world. I trusted Kyo and Misao. They are thirty years younger than myself. Kyo is a trained martial artist, skilled in more than one style. Misao is his wife. They knew of my situation. I was fifty-four at the time. She has Kyo's eyes. The rest of her is just a mix between me and Kyo's family."

"So her dad's name is Kyo?" Yusuke asked. Etsuko had heard enough. She had no right telling him any of this.

"Why don't you just tell him everything? Tell him you created me for no reason other than to pass of your stupid little spirit wave! I trained my whole life with my father, his wife and the three sensei's! I knew Misao wasn't my mother, but it broke her heart every time someone said something! She is more like a mother to me! I may be your blood, but she is the one who gave birth to me! You had no intention of raising me and yes, I do know it would have been dangerous, but you could have at least called or visited!"

"Etsuko, calm down." Genkai replied calmly, fighting the urge to leave the room, "Let me explain!"

"Yeah, I'd like to know why I'm here! Why am I studying these guys?" Etsuko slumped to the floor.

"You weren't created for no reason. Yes, it was primarily to pass on the spirit wave, but also to assure that this temple had a teacher."

"So, what you're saying is that, boy I hope I get this right, your egg, Kyo's sperm and Misao was the person who carried her? Did I miss anything?" Yusuke said calmly. The tension in the room had grown thicker and he was feeling the desire to flee.

"No, you jackass!" Etsuko yelled. She was fighting back tears, "I shouldn't even be here!"

"You're here because..."

"Forget it! I'm going out! I need time away from this temple!" Etsuko yelled, interrupting Genkai. She stormed out of the room.

"She's here because Kyo's in a mess and people are looking for her." Genkai said quietly, "Yusuke, please get the others and follow her. Kyo warned me that she has a tendency to be destructive and I fear also that someone may see her. I'd hate to have Kyo worry."

"Okay, Genkai. We'll keep an eye on her." He nodded and hurried out to find the others.

A/N: There another chapter done! I hope you have enjoyed it and I hope it helped to explain a few things! I hope to have the next chapter up by the end of the week!