Author's Note: Hi everyone! Well, here's the second chapter. Thanks to all of you who reviewed. On with the story!
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho
I woke up that night shivering and covered in sweat. At first I thought I was sick, but after a moment I realized I had had a nightmare. It was there, on the edge of my memory; a bad thought, something silent yet haunting. I don't know why; it just seemed like everything was scarier now that my mother was sick.
I lay in bed for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, I got up, unable to sleep. Groping in the dark, I quickly located the surgical mask and gloves I had been given. It was standard now; all healthy people were to wear them to ward off infection.
Even as I tied on the mask, I realized how hopeless it all was. We had all, doctors included, been exposed to the disease for a long period of time. If this sickness was as contagious as they said, masks and gloves wouldn't help. But even then, I put them on. I don't know why. Maybe it was because I had to cling to some small bit of comfort, that we would escape infection and be ok.
I walked softly down the hall to my mother's room. Peering in, I saw that only one doctor was with her. Dr. Hirigoshi, someone had called her. She was a tall woman, with honey-blond hair and dancing blue eyes. She looked up as I entered the room.
'Suichi, you really should be in bed,' she chided softly. 'It's one in the morning.'
'I know.' I sat on the edge of my mother's bed, taking her limp hand in mine. 'I just couldn't sleep.'
Dr. Hirigoshi glanced at me in concern. She placed her gloved hand on my forehead.
'No fever,' she said, smiling slightly. 'That's good.' Suddenly, the woman looked very tired. She sighed, fishing in her bag for a syringe.
'Is it really that bad here?' I asked. The doctor nodded.
'Six others have come down with it,' she informed me. 'Eleven people in all, and it's only the first night.'
A tremor of fear shook me. Standing up, I squeezed my mother's hand one last time before heading for the door.
'I'm going to try and get some more sleep,' I said. Dr. Hirigoshi nodded, catching my meaning.
'I'll wake you if anything changes,' she said, motioning toward my mother. She smiled comfortingly. Of course, I couldn't see her smile because of the mask, but her eyes crinkled the way anyone's would if they smiled. I allowed myself to make assumptions.
I walked slowly back to my room. Sitting heavily on the bed, I reflected over all that had happened. It seemed like a lifetime ago I had waved goodbye to my friends before coming here, when it had only been about half a day. Sighing heavily, I fell back on my bed, almost instantly caught in the throes of slumber.
The next day passed agonizingly slowly. I tended to my mother, hoping for some improvement, but unfortunately her condition remained the same. Four others came down with the disease, and by evening the whole building was practically choking with fear.
As evening faded into night, I sat at my desk, doing homework. Hmph, not that I would be turning it in anytime soon. I just wanted to keep my mind occupied.
Suddenly, a soft tapping interrupted my thoughts.
Oh, Inari. No. Seized with dread, I did not want to turn around, did not want to face my window. I knew who was standing there. I knew, but I ignored it.
The tapping became more insistent, until Hiei was practically knocking my window in with the hilt of his katana. Finally, I turned around. Slowly, I got up and walked over to the window.
Hiei eyed my mask and gloves curiously. 'Open the window,' he mouthed. Somberly, I shook my head in a determined no.
'Open the window,' he mouthed again. I could see he was getting ticked, but I refused to let him in. The last thing I wanted was for one of my friends to get stuck in this hell hole.
Hiei glared bloody murder at me. I still shook my head, hoping that the fire demon would catch the pleading look in my eyes. Maybe he would get the hint and go away.
But this was Hiei. He wouldn't be turned away that easily. And I knew it. Sighing, I shot one last look of apology at him. Then, reaching up, I closed the blinds in his face.
I knew he was furious. I felt his ki disappear as he took off. I felt miserable. First this stupid sickness, and now my best friend probably wanted my head.
I opened the blinds once I was sure that Hiei was gone. I turned to finish my homework.
Unfortunately, I turned a little too fast. The room spun as dizziness overcame me. Only then did I realize I hadn't eaten in two days. The ground rose up to meet me as I fell in a dead faint.
I woke up the next morning in my bed. Confused, I sat up.
And nearly screamed in shock.
Sitting there, there, on the foot of my bed, was Hiei. I stumbled over quite a few words before I managed to choke out something.
'How did you get in here!'
Hiei smirked. 'Broke a window,' he said, pointing towards my window. Sure enough, he had shattered the window panes.
I was out of bed in an instant. 'You baka!' I hissed. 'The sickness might be airborne!'
Nearly panicking, I grabbed some cardboard from under my bed and blocked the holes. There. Now there was at least some form of a barrier.
'Sickness?' Hiei echoed.
I shook my head as I looked at him. The stupid little demon couldn't leave now. He was quarantined, just like me.
What a fine mess I found myself in.
To be continued…
Author's Note: Well, that's the second chapter! Hope you enjoyed it. I know it was a little slow, but it is setting up for the rest of the story. Ok, Please please review! Thanks everyone. Until next time!