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Chapter Nine: A Distraction

Kurama poked his head into Etsuko's room to check on the sleeping girl. He had done so every hour since Touya had set her there the day before. Once he was satisfied that she was sleeping peacefully, he set out to find Hiei. Another thing he had been doing every hour since yesterday.

He started into the forest. Hiei had been patrolling the area around the temple, keeping a watch out for anything that was off or could be considered a threat. Kurama knew also that there were some conflicting emotions running through his friend's head. He could tell when he gave the report on the girl's condition. A small flicker of relief always passed in the crimson orbs of the fire demon.

Kurama leaned silently under the tree with which Hiei was standing at the very top of. With skillful grace, Hiei jumped and landed on the branch just above Kurama's head. His eyes searched Kurama's face for an answer before realizing that he would get nothing unless he asked, yet again.

"Well?" Hiei spat while glaring. Kurama merely chuckled.

"She's the same, Hiei. She's only moved slightly since last time, but she seems comfortable. You should consider checking in on her yourself." he answered.

"I will do no such thing."

"What are you afraid of, Hiei? That she might not feel the same way about you?"

"What are you talking about, fox?" Hiei looked away.

"The others might not see it, but I do."

"See what? There is nothing to see." Hiei glared down at Kurama, "I never asked you to give me an hourly report on her."

"You're getting defensive, Hiei." Kurama shot back, "I only tell you because I felt you would want to know. It was your idea to approach her like that yesterday."

"She got exactly what she needed yesterday! You know as well as I do that Naizen is ruthless. If he finds her, she won't be able to stand up to him. She will die."

"Which is why we are here to help protect her." Kurama pulled away from the tree, "I'm going back to the temple now. I'm sure the others wouldn't mind knowing that you're okay as well, Hiei."

"Then tell them." he retorted before jumping to a higher branch.

Kurama re-entered the temple and was greeted by a smiling Yukina and a very cheerful Botan. He questioned them about the whereabouts of the rest of the team and was pointed in the direction of the training room. With a warm smile and a nod, he left the girls to find the others. His thoughts focused on Hiei as he walked. His friend wasn't ready to come to terms with his new emotions and he knew better than to press an issue like this with him. With a light sigh, Kurama opened the door to the training room. Kuwabara was being flung across the room by Yusuke. Kurama took a seat next to Touya.

"The same I take it?" Touya glanced at Kurama and then back at the pair fighting.

"Yeah, she's still asleep." Kurama nodded.

"Has Hiei checked in on her yet?"

"I've given him an update on her condition. He's very content on staying outside to keep an eye out."

"I see."

"Well hey, Kurama! Where did you disappear to?" Yusuke's questioned and Kurama caught his gaze.

"It's nothing, Yusuke."

"You were near Etsuko again, weren't you?" Kuwabara was stalking towards him and Kurama rose to his feet, "You better not be up to any funny stuff, Kurama. She won't like that."

"I merely check on her, Kuwabara. There is nothing to get concerned over."

Botan raced into the room with a faint blush on her cheeks. She looked over the group of guys and took a deep breath. She shook her head, strands of blue hair flowing with the sharp movements.

"What is it, Botan?" Genkai stepped forward. Botan bit her bottom lip and began.

"I need someone strong to help me with something." she looked away, "Etsuko wants to use the bathroom, but she's too weak to stand."

"Oh, she's awake?"

"Barely. She's in the hallway leaning on poor Yukina."

"Lead me to her." Genkai started out into the hallway, "Between the two of us, Botan, we'll be able to help her."

With a quick nod, Botan followed the old psychic. She led her down the hall to where she had left the exhausted fighter with the ice maiden. Etsuko lifted her head at the noise coming up the hall and she snorted.

"I didn't need a fucking audience."

"We were concerned about you and had to come check to see if you were feeling any better." Touya took her arm and pulled her away from Yukina, "Thank you for holding her up."

"It was nothing." Yukina bowed.

"You are not coming into the bathroom with me you pervert." Etsuko leaned her head on his shoulder, "I'll find strength to punch you if you do."

"Botan and Genkai are going to take you into the bathroom." Touya laughed, "I wouldn't dream of following a little girl into the bathroom."

"Why you..."

"Keep still. I was joking." Touya handed her off to Botan and Genkai, "Now, Etsuko, be a good girl and don't give them any problems."

"When I get my strength back your ass will be the first one I kick, Touya."

"I look forward to it." he gave her a bright smile and watched the three females enter the bathroom. Touya turned to the other guys, "I believe Hiei would want to know she is awake, although I'm sure she'll probably go back to bed after this."

"Yes, I will inform him shortly." Kurama leaned against the wall, "I wasn't expecting her to awaken this soon. I figured it would be some time tomorrow."

"I'm surprised too. Who knew she'd recover so quickly?" Yusuke leaned against the wall. His eyes shifted between his teammates, Yukina and Touya. They all seemed to shrug simultaneously and he couldn't help but to chuckle.

"Well, she is Genkai's kid. That has to count for something." Kuwabara stated and shrugged again.

"Yeah, it counts for the mood swings she gets."

"I heard that!" Etsuko yelled. A few seconds later the three women came out of the bathroom and Etsuko glared daggers at ebony-haired spirit detective.

"You know, you're kinda pretty when you're angry." Yusuke grinned which made her growl in frustration.

"Are you all set?" Touya took Etsuko back into his arms, "Would you like to go lie back down now?"

"No, not yet. I want something to eat first."

"Allow me to lead you to the dining hall then." Touya smiled and she nodded. The rest of the group followed along behind them. Kurama silently slipped away just as they entered the room.

"You surprised us yesterday with that fight, Etsuko." Kuwabara took a seat next to her, "That last burst of energy you got was intense. I don't think shorty was prepared for it."

"If he had been, he would have blocked me. It was just luck anyway. I barely laid a finger on him and he kicked the shit out of me." Etsuko leaned her head on the table and smiled at Kuwabara, "In a couple days we should go for another run."

"That's fine with me."

"You're so easy to talk to." Etsuko smirked, "And you are a good listener...unlike Yusuke who only flaps his lips every second he gets."

"Hey! I resent that." Yusuke said defensively, "And I thought we were becoming friends."

Etsuko laughed and smiled weakly at the group. They did feel like good friends to her. Each of them in their own special way made her feel more comfortable even though she was now well aware of the danger surrounding her and them.

Outside

Hiei grumbled to himself when he felt Kurama approaching him before an hour had even passed. Kurama's leisurely stroll assured Hiei that nothing had gone wrong with the girl. He kept his eyes searching the woods around them. Something was not sitting well with him. There was something out there. He just couldn't pick up on it. He'd have to go look after he found out what Kurama wanted this time. He jumped down from his place in the trees to confront him.

"What is it now, fox?" his crimson eyes giving a cold, piercing gaze to his friend.

"I thought that you would like to know that she is awake." Kurama replied. He held back a laugh when Hiei's eyes widened, "She should still be awake. She was going to get something to eat before going back to bed."

"Hn. How can she even walk?" Hiei started walking away and in the direction of the temple.

"She got help. First from Yukina and Botan and then from Touya." Kurama answered. Hiei's eyes met with his shortly after he mentioned Touya's name, "Would you have preferred if it was Kuwabara instead?"

"Hn. At least Kuwabara doesn't throw himself at her."

"No, he does that to your sister."

"Watch yourself, fox."

"Sorry, that was wrong of me. I guess I've been spending too much time with Etsuko."

"Hn."

They re-entered the temple in silence. Laughter filled the hallway along with Yusuke shouting a few random cuss words at a few of them. When Hiei and Kurama entered the room, the laughter stopped and eyes passed between Hiei and Etsuko. Etsuko smiled and Hiei took his normal seat. Things seemed rather normal between the two, but Kurama knew otherwise. The feelings conveyed through their eyes said more than they were letting on. Even though the two always fought, there was something deeper growing. Kurama could only hope that Hiei wouldn't flee when he realized exactly what it was that he felt for Etsuko.

They managed to make it through the meal without any serious injuries. Yusuke was the bearer of all the jokes and he continued to throw rude comments at anyone that pissed him off. This only made the group laugh harder at him and in the end Kuwabara had a few new bumps and bruises courteous of the spirit detective.

"This has been fun, but I need to get back to bed. I should be back to normal come sun up." Etsuko steadied herself as she rose to her feet. Everyone gasped as she fell backwards onto her rear end. Yukina and Botan erupted into a fit of giggles and the others tried to hold back their laughter, "Yeah, yeah. Keep laughing. I swear I'll make all of you pay one way or another."

She tried to stand again. Her legs felt like jello, but she was too stubborn to give up or to ask for help. Once again she felt herself falling back, but this time she fell into a pair of strong arms. She looked up and gave a quiet gasp when a pair of ruby eyes stared back. She looked away as she felt her cheeks heat up. He lifted her into his arms and carried her from the room, never once looking at the others who were undoubtedly staring at the scene that played out before them.

She kept her stare away from him as he carried her down the dimly lit hallway. She knew her cheeks had to be as red as tomatoes by this point. She was embarrassed enough to be so weak in front of him that she didn't even want him to know she was blushing. She leaned her head against his chest as the warmth from his body was making her drowsy. His steady heartbeat set a rhythm that lured her back into a peaceful slumber.

Hiei opened her door quietly, well aware that she had fallen back asleep. He set her down gently on the bed and moved her arms from around his neck. She snuggled into her pillow and Hiei found himself smiling at the innocent act. He covered her with her blanket and turned to leave.

The energy that skyrocketed a moment later had Hiei dashing towards the temple's exit. There was definitely something powerful roaming in the forest and he wanted to dispose of it immediately. He knew he wasn't alone when Kurama and Yusuke caught up.

"Do you think it's him?" Yusuke questioned the other two. They didn't answer as they continued on to find the source of the enormous energy.

"Where are the ape and the other one?" Hiei looked to Kurama.

"Genkai said for them to stay at the temple. They both protested, but it's best for someone to be at the temple with the girls." Kurama answered and stopped when the problem was set before them.

"You've got to be kidding me?" Yusuke recognized two of the demon's from the club.

"We've come to put a stop to you before you can interrupt Naizen's plans." A reddish demon with large, brown pointy fangs scowled at the trio.

"You four think you can do that?"

"We know we can."

"Very well then. It's your head."

Back at the temple

He slinked in through her window without making a sound. It was too easy. They would never pick up on him with his energy being so low. He could achieve his plans and hopefully be well rewarded for it too. He stepped closer to the young woman sleeping on the bed. She rolled over slightly causing him to stop abruptly. She opened her eyes and tried to focus on the darkness in the corner of the room.

"Hiei, is that you?" her voice was raspy and tired. The lone demon emerged from the darkness, "You're not Hiei!"

He covered her mouth with his hand and shoved her back onto the bed, smacking her head on the frame and effectively knocking her unconscious. He lifted her into his arms and climbed onto the windowsill. He spread his long, blue bat wings out and took off high into the sky, Etsuko tightly clutched in his grasp.