It wasn't merely Kurama and his classmate who went to the hospital that day.

The entire play-cast had come as well.

Kurama hadn't known. He had, in fact, actually forgotten all about the play. By the time they got to the hospital, his head felt like it was about to split in two, right in front of everyone.

"Minamino!" everyone greeted and made room for him in the already crowded hospital room.

He had actually reapplied the nectar before leaving school. The stench of it made it hard to breath.

"We're so glad you're OK, Higashii." Someone was saying.

"Yeah! Without you, our Minamino would have been..." Someone burst into tears and there was the sound of laughter....and agreement.

Tohru hadn't said anything yet.

At least, Kurama didn't think he did.

It was hard to concentrate.

He had been worried someone would feel his tail, but it seemed the extra nectar had worked. No one seemed to notice. He reached up and began to rub his head, closed his eyes.

"Minamino?"

He knew that voice.

He opened his eyes and Tohru was sitting up in bed, looking up at him. His eyes were wide, but guarded.

"Are you alright?" Someone asked and Kurama saw it was the classmate who had accompanied him.

Kurama nodded and started to smile and speak when Tohru suddenly said, "Hey, everyone. Can I talk with Minamino alone?"

There were a few voices of hesitation, and Kurama himself was almost one to stop them from going. He didn't want to be alone with Tohru. Not right now.

"We'll see you tomorrow, Minamino." Students were saying. "Tohru, we'll see you..."

"Soon." Tohru said and Kurama got a good enough look at him to realize that he was releaved they were going. He had spoken tightly, embarassed. He wasn't used to the attention.

When the last student exited, Tohru sighed.

"Glad that's over with." he said, staring out the window.

Kurama sat down heavily on a near-by chair.

"Minamino?" Tohru said. "Hey-are you alright?"

Kurama paused and pulled his hands away from his head. He smiled. "I'm not feeling like myself." he said and laughed at his own joke. He needed to leave. Now.

"You look worst than I feel." Tohru said seriously.

Kurama shook his head and without looking at him, said to Tohru. "Even so. You're the one who..." he shook his head and finally looked up. Perhaps he didn't feel right, perhaps there was so much on his mind, but Kurama knew he had to do one more thing before he left here today. He smiled at the other boy. "Thank you." he said.

Tohru shrugged. "Yeah. Whatever." he answered and lay back down. "You should get going." he said, suprising Kurama who had expected a conversation, words, something. He suddenly realized that Tohru had made up having to talk to Kurama to get rid of their classmates. "You really look pale." he said. "Did you do something dumb after I went through all that trouble of rescueing you?"

"I look pale?" Kurama said.

"And different."

It was a startling statement, but Tohru was calm enough. Whatever he saw, it wasn't a fox. Kurama paused. The other boy was laying down in bed and his eyes were on Kurama. They were heavy lidded eyes, tired eyes. Kurama hadn't noticed before.

"How so?" he asked, although he knew he should just leave. He had walked closer to the bed. Tohru was gazing up at him through his large eyes. His lips were parted slightly as he breathed.

There was a shrug in Tohru's voice as he replied, "Don't know." Tohru said. Kurama walked away then, saying good-bye and squeezing the other boy's hand before he turned and although he did linger in the doorway, he did leave then.

"Different..." Tohru repeated as his eyes fluttered asleep, "I don't know how...but..."

Kurama heard his words, paused and turned around in the hallway, but Tohru was already asleep.

...to be continued...

Author's Note: SORRY! This is SOOOO short! Don't worry-will be updating tomorrow night! We'll see just what happened to Hiei and what about a little meeting of the minds of Shuiichi Minamino and Youko Kurama? Next Time!!! (well...actually...tomorrow...) Ja, ne and (of course) Thank you so very very very very very very very very very very very very....VERY much for your reviews (thank you)!!!! :)

Author's Note (part deux): And about ch. 22....I think I hit something (or my computer was hungry and ate half the chapter) and the middle of chapter 22 was no more....it's fixed now....sorry if that was kinda weird or confusing -