Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho.....man this is getting repetitive....

Chapter Eight: Hiei vs. Etsuko: Round Two

Breakfast the morning after was wonderfully silent and peaceful. Due to the fact nobody was talking, but eyes often glanced between the angry fire demon and the sullen Etsuko. Earlier, before breakfast, the two had an encounter in the hallway which led to shouting and eventually Etsuko being thrown into the nearby wall. It would have continued, except Yusuke and Kurama stepped in to break them up. Etsuko threw quite a series of beligerent and rude remarks at the short demon, which only made him angrier. Thankfully, Yusuke was able to drag the cussing girl off before Hiei got mad enough to kill her. It was obvious at the breakfast table, that Etsuko was no longer angry, but seemed very deeply sad. Genkai watched her daughter with silent concern. She had never seen this side of Etsuko before.

"I'm going for a walk." Etsuko rose to her feet quietly and walked from the room. The others watched her go, all but Hiei.

She walked the dark hallway to the front door of the temple. She needed fresh air and a few moments alone. Alone and away from everyone who would eventually ask her what was wrong. She wasn't sure why she was suddenly unhappy.

She leaned against the side of the temple and rested her head onto he knees. The only thing going through her head then was him. Her fight with Hiei and her being thrown by him weighed heavily on her mind. He had been so different the night before, so gentler. How could things go so wrong over one night? She closed her eyes and replayed the night before's events in her mind. It was Hiei that came to her aid when the demon's engulfed her. He had carried her all the way back to the temple steps. All she wanted to know was why. That question was all that she wanted answered, but for some reason it set the two of them against each other that morning. She sighed sadly and buried her face in her knees.

"Don't do that, please." Kuwabara's voice was gentle. Etsuko looked up at him and gave a small smile.

"Hey, Kuwabara." She patted the ground next to her and he sat, "What brings you out here?"

She already knew the answer, but it was best for her to just get it over with.

"You seem very sad today. I don't like when pretty girls are sad." he admitted truthfully.

"Oh, Kuwabara, you think I'm pretty?" she smiled bigger this time and he blushed vividly. His cheeks changing to a scarlet pink.

"Um..."

"It's okay, Kuwabara." Etsuko laughed, "Thank you for the compliment. It made me feel better."

"So, do you want to talk with me? You don't have to if you don't want to. I just figured you might want to vent to someone that is neutral."

"Okay, I'll talk with you. You're very easy to talk with." she said quietly, he blushed again.

"Are you sad because of Hiei?" he asked and she gave a small sigh. He got to the point rather quickly.

"I don't know." she answered, "I just wish we hadn't have fought this morning. I just wanted to know why...why last night he seemed so concerned. Why last night he seemed to almost care."

"Was he really acting like that?" Kuwabara shook his head, "That doesn't sound like him."

"I guess you're right. I was probably imagining things." she rose to her feet, "Let's go for a run. You think you're up for it?"

"Yeah, I guess."

They stretched a bit before setting off in a light jog around the temple. She was faster by a lot, but she steadied her pace to allow him to keep up. Along the way they continued to talk about everything that came to their minds. Which wasn't much considering she had nothing she wanted to share and he was too busy consentrating on running.

"Come on, Kuwabara! You're too slow!" Etsuko yelled and laughed. Her mood had certainly brightened up during the jog and Hiei felt just a little glad to see her smile.

He watched from a safe distance as the pair made their tenth lap around the temple. Sadly, Kuwabara was starting to slow whereas Etsuko only got faster.

"Hey stop!" Kuwabara stopped short and Etsuko turned back to face him.

"What? Are you tired already?" she laughed again, "It's alright. That was a good run. Go on in and take a shower. You smell!"

Kuwabara gave her his usual goofy grin before heading into the temple. Etsuko sighed quietly. She felt better thanks to the big ape. Things might not have gone as well if it had been someone else that came to talk to her.

She headed towards the pond again. The cool water would help relax her and hopefully nobody would bother her. She stripped down to the blue bikini she was wearing underneath and slipped into the icy, clear water. She dipped under the surface and lingered a few seconds before coming back up. It was very refreshing.

"Hn."

She closed her eyes as it became obvious that she was no longer alone.

"Damn." she cursed silently before turning to face him. He stood alone on the rock watching her, "Go away."

"No." he answered curtly. She bowed her head and turned away. She refused to argue with him, "Where are you going?"

"Away from you." she said quietly. She stepped out of the pond and reached for her clothes. In a flash, Hiei had them and was on the other side of the pond, "What is your fucking problem today?"

"Hn."

"What is with that? Can't you answer like a normal human?" she yelled. He rolled his crimson eyes at her stupidity.

"Stupid girl, I'm not human."

"I know that! Shut up!" she turned away giving him a nice view of her backside. He turned away, unable to continue watching her.

"My problem is with you."

"Like I couldn't figure that out on my own!" Etsuko turned slightly to glare at the back of his head.

"I want to fight you."

"What's the point? We both know you're stronger!"

He faced her again, giving her a smirk that made her blush and turn away.

"I wasn't satisfied with that match."

"You weren't satisfied with a match you dominated? Is it because I'm not dead that you're unhappy?"

He studied her expression and the pouty lips she once again presented. He was tempted to rip the damn things right off her face.

"You're weak."

"Compared to you, yes!"

"Kuwabara could even beat you."

"Insulting me won't make me fight you, Hiei." she crossed her arms over her chest and began to walk back inside. He quickly blocked her. She tried to push him away and continue on, but he tripped her and pinned her by her arms to the ground. This made her angry and she kicked him hard in the stomach. He released her.

"You will fight me." he threw her clothes at her and she caught them.

"No, I won't." she retorted defiantly, "Just because you're having a bad day, doesn't mean you can take it out on me."

"Pathetic human."

She tried to move passed him again and he refused to let her leave. This time his katana had become unsheathed and was held in a very firm grip in his left hand. She took a step back and rolled her eyes. The only hope she had of getting out of this was by fighting with him.

"At least let me change first."

"Why?" The question made her laugh and he scowled at her.

"Um, shorty? I'm only in a wet bikini and I'm getting cold." She looked at him, crystal blue eyes sparkling in the afternoon sunlight, "Just let me change and then I'll fight you. Is that alright with you, shorty?"

"Hn. I suppose." he spat, "Meet me where we fought last time."

She was able to pass him this time and she walked back into her mother's temple. She could feel his eyes watching her the whole way there. Giving him one last evil glare, she entered the temple and walked to her room.

She threw her clothing around, looking for something suitable to wear for a fight with Hiei. She settled on a pair of blue shorts and a black tanktop.

She mummbled every cuss word that came to mind as she left her room, stalked passed Yukina and headed off to the battle ground. Yukina could only watch with curiosity as the angry girl passed.

Hiei waited in the single tree atop the small green hill. His patience was growing thin. He was sure that Etsuko would never show up. He leaned against the trunk and crossed his arms over his chest. He waited and waited. Every second his anger grew just a little more. Finally the sun shimmered off the head of pink hair that was starting up the hill. Hiei started for her. Slow at first, then faster. Etsuko dodged his first attack and stepped back.

"You jerk!" she screamed. He came at her again, katana drawn and swinging at her head. Hiei was out for blood and Etsuko was very nervous, but she readied herself with her spirit daggers. After dodging another attempt at her head, she charged and swung hard.

"Pathetic attempt!" his knee connected with her chest and sent her flying backwards, her breath knocked out of her. She fought to get on her feet, feeling that he was coming closer at a very face pace. He had ditched his katana and his fist slammed hard against her face. She tumbled back further.

"Stop it!" she cried out and rose to her feet. Hiei was already before her throwing punches and kicks one after another.

Genkai and Kurama felt it first. The surge in energy so close to the temple was getting hard to miss. Hiei and Etsuko were physically fighting not too far away. The second Etsuko's energy dropped by a considerable amount, the whole group knew and they were all out the door without looking back.

The sight they saw as they reached the area was horrific. Etsuko was trying to stand again and Hiei wasn't letting her. Her left eye was swollen shut and turning a very dark shade of purple. Blood spilled from a deep gash on her head and mixed in with the once pink hair.

"He's going to kill her! Somebody stop him!" Botan cried, tears falling onto her cheeks as she watched Etsuko try to stand once again.

Hiei came at her and she used all her strength to avoid him and trip him. He stumbled, but did not fall. It gave her just enough time to stand.

"You really are pathetic." his aggressive features softened just slightly.

"Like it or not, this isn't over." Etsuko spat angrily.

"Your body can't take anymore of this."

"Don't tell me what I can and cannot handle!" she yelled angruly, "You don't know anything!"
He felt her energy rise gradually. There was something else to her and he knew he had brought it out.

"Finally." he mumbled.

With her vision badly blurred, Etsuko proceeded with the fight before her. This time she swore she'd make him suffer.

The ball of energy that appeared in her hand exploded in a quick, bright flash. Hiei was quick to shield his eyes and detect her movements. She was coming from behind. He chuckled and turned to confront her.

"Hn." he brought his arm up to block her kick.

"Wrong move." her voice came from behind again, as did her kick. It sent him flying, slamming hard into the tree nearby.

"Where did that come from?" Yusuke watched, his mouth dropped open in awe.

"She's not a little girl." Touya smiled, "He just pushed her too far."

"Is it wise to let them continue like this?" Kuwabara asked nervously. He watched as Etsuko and Hiei continued their fight.

"Yes." Touya and Kurama answered together, surprising most of the others. Genhai silently agreed.

"Can someone please explain why this is good for them? Come on! I mena, Etsuko's starting to look like ground beef!" Yusuke demanded an explaination.

"They have a lot of pent up frustration towards each other." Kurama answered quietly, "Neither of them are willing to kill the other. Just let them fight it out."

"Etsuko will fall and stay down soon enough." Touya added, "I'm proud of her. I hadn't realized she had gotten this good."

Hiei was surprised to say the least by Etsuko's little surge of energy and the few attacks that managed to connect. What surprised him more was her determination to keep going.

When she dropped to her knees, Hiei ceased his assault. He knelt before her. She gave him a small smirk before falling forward and landing against his shoulder.

"It's done." Genkai walked forward, "Come along, Botan. You'll be needed."

"Right!" the blue-haired deity followed in stride.

Hiei laid Etsuko onto the ground gently. This time the fight had gone much better. He brushed her hair from her face and gazed upon her features. Even with the swollen, purple eye, she was still beautiful to him.

As Genkai approached, Hiei turned to leave. The emotions pouring through him he refused to let anyone see.

"Uh...Hiei?" Botan called out his name as he walked away.

"Let him go. His wounds aren't serious." Genkai said quietly.

"How is she?" Kurama asked as him and the others joined them.

"Out cold, huh?" Yusuke chuckled, "That was one hell of a fight."

Botan healed the young pink-haired girl completely. All cuts and bruises vanished, but Etsuko remained unconscious.

"I'll carry her back." Touya lifted her, "She really over did it this time."

"Yes, but it wasn't really a bad thing." Kurama smiled, "Hiei provoked her today on purpose. He wanted to test her limits. I doubt he's completely satisfied."

"She won't be fighting again for a few days at least." Genkai answered, "This has drained her."

Off in the shadows of the forest, a lone demon chuckled with amusement. He watched the group vanish from the hill.

"Naizen will be happy to hear of this sudden developement." he growled happily and slinked away into the deeper darkness.

(A/N: Sorry for the lateness!! I really have been working on this for almost a whole week! But it's finally done and I hope it's not too bad!!)