Thanks for the reviews and by the way I have no real idea how this is going to turn out so if you want to give me suggestions I'd be happy to read them.

Chapter Two

Kurama's Bedroom
Sunday
A few weeks after the events of the Makai Tournament

"Well?" Hiei demanded after several seconds of silence. Kurama opened his mouth to say something but what came out of it was much more unpleasant. He coughed and started shaking. Hiei watched worriedly but Kurama got control of himself quickly and smiled reassuringly but Hiei wasn't fooled in the slightest.

Knowing Kurama, Hiei was sure that the fox wouldn't have let anyone but the fire demon see him in such a state and even then it was unwillingly. Kurama just wasn't one to show his weaknesses and hated it when the came out.

Hiei was dragged back to reality as Kurama's coughing fit worsened and blood spots splattered the bed as he destroyed his throat lining.

"Hiei?" Kurama asked as the fit subsided, his voice was soft and rasped and, Hiei was sure, very painful. "Can you get my seeds?" he motioned to his desk drawer.

"Hn." Hiei grabbed the whole drawer and handed it to the youko. Kurama leafed through it, occasionally suffocating a cough as he looked for the right plant. In moments he found it and took it out.

He looked over to the half-koorime and saw his curious stare, "This is a herb plant, used to help sore throats but doesn't do much else." Kurama concentrated, slightly worried when the effort made him dizzy and sick to his stomach, and slowly and, by no means steadily, a tiny green sprout grew. Kurama picked off a leave swallowed it.

"Isn't there anything else you can do?" Hiei asked, showing uncharacteristic concern.

"Well there is one way but it tends to make things worse." he coughed up more blood then continued hoarsely, "I can take it, possibly helping me, probably hurting me or I don't and get better on my own over a longer span of time, perhaps getting worse before hand."

"Are you going to or not?"

"I'm not sure. If anything I'm a little reluctant." Kurama answered honestly.

Hiei didn't know what to tell him, Kurama could get so much worse either way. Sure, the foz was putting on a brave face like he did whenever he was in less than perfect condition but Hiei could tell that just sitting up was hurting him fiercely.

Why was he so sick? Hiei wondered silently. Just yesterday he was fine. The fire apparition looked over to Kurama once more and found his etes closed, breath-shallow and rough-but steady and slow. The youko was asleep.

Hiei sighed and took the seeds off Kurama's lap and, making sure he would stay asleep, he moved the fox into a laying position, and covered everything but his head with the blanket.

"Goodnight, fox." Hiei whispered, fighting his own yawn then began to move away when the quiet was interupted. Kurama moaned painfully and Hiei quickly slashed the metal box, that was making the hellish noise, into pieces.

It was already too late. Kurama was awake.

Gathering up his strength Kurama stood. Hiei watched him carefully.

"What do you think you're doing?" Hiei demanded.

"I have to go to school." Kurama argued. With that said he shuffled over to his closet and pulled out his school uniform. "Are you going to keep staring at me? He asked.

A voice from outside Kurama's door stopped Hiei from answering. "Shuichi? Are you awake?"

"Yes Mother. I'll be down shortly." Kurama answered, smothering the ensuing cough.

Hiei heard her walk down the stairs before turning to glare at Kurama. The fox spirit was already in his school pants and was taking off his shirt.

"You aren't going to school." Hiei commanded firmly, "You can hardly stand up."

"I have to." now Kurama was pulling on his socks and heading for the door. He swayed tiredly as he opened it, only his hand on the knob kept him from falling over.

Instead of waiting for Hiei to insist he stay, Kurama slowly, carefullt make his way down the stairs. Once in the kitchen he collapsed into a chair as naturally looking as he could so as not to alert his mother to his sickened state.

He wasn't sure who he'd rather have as company at this point, Hiei knew he was sick so he wouldn't have to pretend otherwise. On the other hand his mother wouldn't badger him the way Hiei was doing before.

Luckily for him, his mother didn't question him about his disheviled state so Kurama was able to slip out of the house without insident. The trip to school took longer than usual for he kept stopping to recharge his energy.

Kurama hoped all he'd have to do today was sit in a chair and pretend he was listening. A Kurama approached the school he had less and less time to rest. There was only so much time and so many times that he could stop to tie his shoe in front of the large gaggle of girls waiting for him before he started looking like a complete idiot.

Kurama resigned himself for a miserable day.

All reviews are welcome and I hope you readers can give me some good ideas. Thanx.