Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho
Chapter Six: A Father's Letter Brings An Uncertain Request
Breakfast was unusually quiet as both Etsuko and Hiei had not arrived to eat that morning. The others kept their questions to themselves, but they were all certainly curious. They knew that Etsuko would normally go for an early morning swim, but they had awakened to a fierce thunderstorm and it was unlikely that the girl was crazy enough to swim through that.
It didn't look like any of them would be doing anything outside for the time being and Genkai took this as the right time to tell them the truth. She cleared her throat and everyone at the table glanced her way.
"Listen, there is something all of you need to know about Etsuko." She began, "The real reason you are here is to protect her."
"Protect her from what?" Kurama asked and the others nodded.
"His name is Naizen Arishima. He is a very powerful demon who desires to have Etsuko in his possession. He wants to draw Kyo out to fight him, as well as myself. The best way for him to do that is to have her."
"I have heard of this Naizen Arishima in Makai. He is notorious for the countless slaughters he has committed on both humans and demons." Kurama replied thoughtfully.
"Why is he going after a guy named Kyo?" Kuwabara, as always, was slow to catch on.
"Kyo is her father. Many years ago, before she was born, Kyo was able to defeat Naizen. He didn't kill him, but warned him to never appear before him again. Naizen is stronger now and looking for revenge. There is no way that Kyo can defeat him." Genkai answered slightly annoyed by Kuwabara's stupidity.
"Does Etsuko know this?" Yusuke asked while doing his best to not punch Kuwabara in his head.
"Yes. I managed to get her to sit still long enough last night for me to tell her."
"Huh?" Etsuko slowly dragged herself into the room. Her face was pale and she was breathing heavily, "Did I miss breakfast?"
"Your arm is bleeding again." Genkai pointed and Etsuko grumbled something about stupid short guys and sharp swords. Botan giggled from the comment and jumped to assist Etsuko.
"Come here." She pulled Etsuko to the wall and together they sat. Botan placed her hand above the wound and a bit of energy shot out and healed the damage completely.
"If I had known you could do that I would've asked you to last night." Etsuko leaned against the wall, "Dammit! I'm so tired today!"
"It is probably from your fight with Hiei." Kurama had joined them. He knelt before the two girls, "You would do best if you were to lie down for the day. Your skin is very pale. You must have lost a lot of blood during your sleep."
"Yeah." Etsuko rose to her feet, "I agree, fox, but I want breakfast first. I'm starving."
"Come join us. Grandma was just filling us in on some current events." Yusuke waved to her and she frowned, "What is it?"
"You fucking idiot." Etsuko mumbled before taking her seat. It was then that she realized Hiei was absent from the room. She was glad. She wasn't ready to face him after everything that had happened between them. Not that it was much, but it did leave her wondering what would have happened last night if she didn't insist on taking care of her injury. Hiei had not been acting normal. With a small sigh she ate the now cold breakfast that was set in front of her.
"Well, it looks our day has been ruined by this awful weather!" Botan glanced out the window, "I guess training will be inside today?"
"Yes." Genkai and Etsuko answered in unison. They looked at each other briefly and Genkai shook her head with a laugh.
"I guess you guys are more alike than we thought." Yusuke mumbled and shoved the last of his breakfast into his mouth.
"Since you're done, dimwit, you might as well go stretch in the training room. I am not going to take it easy on you." Genkai sipped her tea. Etsuko finished the last of her cold, lumpy oatmeal. She dragged herself to her feet and yawned.
"I'm going to go lay down again." She said wearily, "I'll go by the training room later when I feel better."
"Okay, just get some rest for now."
The storm had subsided by mid-morning and had turned into a dreary, cloudy day with a few random downpours here and there. Hiei still hadn't made an appearance and by lunch time everyone pretty much assumed he wasn't going to be seen.
Etsuko rolled out of her bed, feeling a little less light headed than earlier and decided on a quick swim while the others trained. She changed into a sky blue bikini and the same wrap-around skirt she had worn before. At the entrance of the temple she observed the surrounding carefully. She didn't see any of the flowers near the pond, but she could feel that Hiei was somewhere close by. She ignored it, knowing it was best to pretend that she was all alone.
She knelt down next to the pond and ran her fingers through the cool water of the pond. With a content sigh she rose back to her feet. This was when she caught a glimpse of Hiei out of the corner of her eye. He was perched high in a tree just inside of the forest.
Etsuko smirked and ran her hands through her damp hair. She slowly pulled the purple ribbon that held her hair up and let her long pink curls fall against her back. She reached for the knot holding the skirt around her body, untied it and let the delicate silk fabric drop to the ground. She climbed onto the same rock as before and gave a quick glance behind her. Of course she knew Hiei was still in the tree, but she could never be too sure. She had witnessed his speed the night before. She dove into the still water and swam to the surface. She smoothed the hair away from her eyes and leaned back against the rock. She closed her eyes. Images of happier times with her father flooded her mind.
Somewhere during the memories, Etsuko drifted off into a peaceful slumber. It wasn't until several minutes later that she was jarred awake by the sudden drop in the water's temperature. She sat up quickly and turned her head to the side as a light laughter filled her ears. She scoffed at the man sitting next to the pond, his fingers dancing playfully on the water's surface.
"Are you trying to make me sick?" she said curtly. Touya smirked.
"You looked too peaceful. I had to wake you." He grinned and motioned for her to come closer, "I brought a letter from your father. He says that it's important and you need to read it right away."
"That important, huh?" she took the letter from his hand.
"Do you always dress like this in front of Hiei?" Touya's question caught her off guard and she sent him a warning glare, "Calm down. I'm joking."
"Is he still up in the tree?" she asked quietly while opening the letter.
"Yup."
"Fucking weirdo." She mumbled, "Is he serious? What does he mean the guy is in the city?"
Etsuko jumped out of the water and held the paper up to Touya. He read the writing and smiled.
"It's nothing to worry about. You're safe here, aren't you?"
"My father wants me to spy on the guy? Is he fucking crazy? I thought I was the one the guy wanted and that this was the reason I got sent here?"
"He wants all of you to go, not just you. He asked me to go too and to make sure you're identity is concealed. He is trying to find a way to bring Naizen down for good, Etsuko. He needs our help to do so."
"I have to talk to my mother. She needs to know about this." Etsuko turned and was abruptly halted as she slammed into a solid chest. Looking up, her eyes met Hiei's and she blushed.
"What are you doing?" he asked coldly. She scowled and pushed him to the side.
"I'm going to talk to my mother if you don't mind." She walked off with Touya and Hiei following behind her.
She slammed the door to the training room open, startling all of the people inside. The boys averted their eyes from staring at her mostly bare body and Etsuko handed the letter to Genkai.
"What the hell is he thinking?" Genkai said angrily after reading the letter.
"That's what I want to know!" Etsuko crossed her arms over her chest. The cold breeze in the room was giving her goose bumps.
"He just wants us to spy on Naizen and his men. They were last seen at a club in the city." Touya replied, "He sent some supplies with me to help with the mission."
"He's crazy." Etsuko shook her head, "One minute he wants me safe and protected, the next he wants me to spy on the guy who wants to kidnap me! I want to know just what the hell he is thinking. Has he gone mad?"
"Your father has not gone mad, Etsuko." Touya chuckled, "He knows that with me and the others, you will be kept safe no matter where you are. Besides, Naizen won't recognize you with your disguise. I doubt anybody will recognize you."
"I don't know about this."
"I don't understand you." Hiei spat, "Usually you're ready for any challenge. Why is this challenge any different?"
Etsuko shot him the meanest, angriest glare she could muster. Turning to Touya she ignored Hiei's comment and looked up to her best friend.
"Tell me, do you promise I'll be unrecognizable?" she asked silently, "This guy is supposed to be strong. Really, really strong. I don't want to put anybody in danger. I mean, this guy is so strong that he's even stronger than Hiei."
She had to add that last part. Hiei growled furiously with her insult. He grabbed her arm and twisted her to face him.
"How do you know he is stronger?" his crimson eyes blazed with fury and she gave a soft, innocent smile.
"Why does it concern you?"
"Hn. You couldn't just answer me could you?"
"Why would I want to do that?"
"Stupid girl."
Etsuko bit her bottom lip and turned her head away. She was trying really hard to not slap him. She had learned from the last time that he wasn't one to take a slap so lightly.
"I know he's stronger than you because my mother said he was." She turned to face him again, "You don't have to be so mean all the time, you know! You're colder then Touya and he's an ice demon!"
"Hn."
"That's what I thought." She sighed, "Come on, Touya. Let's see what you've got for a disguise for me. I swear if it's something revealing I'm going to kick your ass."
"Um...It's certainly not more revealing than the bikini you're wearing!" he said defensively. She slapped his arm and walked from the room. He followed along.
"So, what do we do now, grandma?" Yusuke joined Genkai's side. Kurama, Kuwabara and Botan stepped closer too.
"This is very risky." Genkai began, "Kyo must be up to something if he wants her to do this. I guess we have no choice but to follow along with his plan."
A/N: I'm sorry if this chapter is short and makes no sense. It's 3:15 in the morning and I'm soooo tired. I'll post another chapter this weekend! Please don't be mad at me!!
