I know this took me a while but to be fair I've been busy. There's something a plot in here somewhere and it's slowly forming. Hopefully by the next few chapters it will come into bloom (no pun intended).

Chapter Four

Kurama's illness steadily spiraled downwards as both he and Hiei tried to understand why it was happening at all. Sure the fox had been sick in his life, he was, after all, Shuichi Minamino, a human. Humans got sick, that was normal.

Youko not being able to heal his host with his demon energy, not normal.

Even Kurama was willing to admit by then that things weren't looking good. His kitsune vainess trait had deserted him, his hair looked like a crow's nest and his naturally creamy, light skin was pale, very unhealthy pale.

Of course, being Kurama, he refused to stay in his bed and rest. Everyday he went to school, pushing at his decreasing limits. Everyday he didn't eat, knowing i would come back to haunt him. Everyday he sat in class wondering, waiting, for his body to give out on him. Everyday he lost more strength, even talking was a chore, if at all possible. And everyday it would be as Kurama was alone that he fell and, however reluctant, let Hiei carry him home.

Then it was finally Saturday...

"Fox, if you even think about getting out of that bed today I'll end your misery myself right now. And you have to eat sometime, this refusal is not helping your condition at all." Hiei sighed, hoping the fox would listen to him as he strode downstairs to make some of what Kurama called soup.

As he carried it up to Kurama's room he couldn't of even acted shocked to see the kitsune at his desk, filing through his seeds, totally oblivious to Hiei's entrance.

"Kurama..." Hiei growled, "Get back in bed."

"But..." Kurama rasped, his throat burning in protest at even the monosyllabic response.

"No, I don't-" he was interrupted as someone banged loudly on the door.

Kurama got unsteadily to his feet, knowing his family wasn't home, and would be for the whole weekend, he went to answer. Hiei watched with eagle eyes, just waiting for the kitsune's inevitable collapse.

Hiei sighed again, for someone as brilliant as Kurama he could sure be stupid. But, by some miricle or sheer force of will, he made it to the door without killing himself. The fox carefully composed his features, trying to appear like what he had was nothing, then opened the door.

Both demons were shocked at seeing Kuwabara and Yusuke on the porch. In all accuracy, the two spirit detectives were surprised as well. Neither could ever recall Kurama ever showing himself with his hair looking like a mop.

"Hello, Yusuke." Kurama strained to keep his voice from cracking and keep on his feet at the same time.

"You okay, foxboy?" Yusuke asked then groaned as Kuwabara spotted Hiei and sauntered over to him.

"Hey shorty." he laughed, grating on Kurama's frayed mind, adding more daggers to his already, near killer migraine.

"Kuwabara." Yusuke said in a warning tone, seeing the flash of pain flit across the fox's face. "Shut up. You're giving me a headache."

Kurama restrained a smile. Either Yusuke was a really good guesser or he had recognized the kitsune's pain.

"Are you sure you're okay Kurama?" Yusuke whispered in his partner's ear.

"Yes Yusuke." Kurama lied, " I am fine. Now what brings you here?" Kurama smothered a coughing fit, painfully, barely able to keep his body from shaking or even outright convulsing.

"Well." Yusuke said doubtfully, "Koenma wants us for a mission."

"Hn, no." Hiei muttered, "The toddler can live without me."

"Well as always, Yusuke, I am perfectly willing." Although, in my current state, I probably won't be much help. Hopefully this will goad Hiei into coming along, if only to protect me.

As expected Hiei took the bait, "Fine, at least it will give me something to do."

"Thank you, Hiei. " this time Kurama let the small smile grace his features.

"Hn."

"Then let's go. It's been a while since I shot at a moving target. " Yusuke grinned wickedly, "Then again, I could just beat the crap out of Kuwabara."

"In your dreams Urameshi." Kuwabara punched Yusuke playfully as they walked down the street.

Hiei lagged behind with Kurama, unsure if he should respect the kitsune or be mad at him. The fox stared at the ground, concentrating on not tripping as his vision blurred in and out. The beat in his temple pulsed in time with it as he focused on walking, breathing and not passing out.

The mission was successful, the disturbances only being low level demons. Even so, Kurama had fought and, being overly destracted by covering up his illness, had gotten hurt.

Now, after the fight, Kurama was tending to his wounds when Yusuke walked over to him, Hiei, just to Kurama's left, felt the half-breed's unique spirit-demon energy approaching.

"Okay Kurama, spill." he demanded, "There's no way that you're 'fine'"

"Of course not Yusuke. I have a huge gash on my arm and a hole in my shoulder." Kurama attempted dancing away from the problem while also trying to hide his rasp of a voice. Sadly both failed, his body not up to the task and he coughed the last three or so words, splattering blood on the ground.

"Hn. Stupid fox." Hiei snorted, intervening, as Kurama fell over, exhausted. "He's been sick for the past week."

"Why does it sound like you're blaming me?!" Yusuke squawked indignantly.

Hiei reached his breaking point and exploded, "Of course I blame you detective! I had just gotten that stupid kitsune to get some sleep when you came over! And then what do you do?! You see he looks downright terrible and had almost no energy but you still invite him on a damned mission knowing full well that he wouldn't refuse! Of course I blame you!"

Yusuke backed off hesitantly. "Hiei." Both jumped in surprise as Kurama struggled to his feet.

"Don't blame (cough) Yusuke. What happened to me (cough) is my (cough cough) own fault." Kurama doubled over, glad that Hiei was right there, at least the little Koorime kept him from crashing his head on the ground.

"Come on Kurama." Yusuke said, " Let's get you to Spirit World, maybe Botan can help."

So there you have it. Nobody knows what's going on, including me but you people who read this can help. Please, for the life of this story and maybe my sanity (this would be the first time I've actually finished a real story with a real plotline. Oneshots do not count.) So if you want more of this story, please please please review. Flames accepted, constructive criticisms, comments and ideas preferred.