Author's Note: Hello everyone! Well, I hope you've been enjoying the story so far. Thanks to all who've reviewed it! Oh, and I'd like to send a shout out to one of my best friends. Her birthday is August 8th. Happy Birthday, Ashlee! Ok, on with the story!

'What do you mean I can't leave!'

I sighed, trying to keep my composure in the face of Hiei's fury. 'We are quarantined in this building,' I explained for the hundredth time. 'You included.'

Hiei turned away, grumbling under his breath. I sighed again, but it was out of relief. Despite his frustration at being stuck here, in a building full of sick humans, I knew he wouldn't leave. He was an honorable demon, at least, and he realized the danger he could bring if he left.

But that didn't stop him from taking his anger out on me.

I stood up, tossing him a pair of mask and gloves. 'Put these on,' I instructed. Still muttering, he complied. 'I'm going to tend my mother. You do as you see fit, but don't leave.' Turning around, I left the room without looking back.

As I stepped into the hall I encountered Dr. Hirigoshi. Her sparkling eyes were brimming with tears.

'Oh, Suichi!' she cried. I felt a sense of dread swallow my heart.

'What's wrong, Doctor?' I asked. She pointed down the hall, to one of my neighbor's rooms.

'We lost someone today,' she said. 'Mr. Tanasho died this morning.'

I shook my head in disbelief. It was only the third day! How could someone be dead? How?'

'Doctor,' I asked. 'How is my mother?' Dr. Hirigoshi's gaze faltered. She looked away, sadness darkening her eyes.

'She's…not doing so well, Suichi,' she finally replied. A cold fear slithered down my back.

'How-how long does she have?' I asked. My voice caught, clearly showing my worry.

'We don't know,' Dr. Hirigoshi said. 'Two days, maybe three, but everyone, including your mother, will die soon if we don't find a cure.'

I nodded, but in truth I had barely heard her words. With a comforting smile, Dr. Hirigoshi turned and continued down the hall, towards another patient's room. I entered my mother's room, afraid of what I might see.

My mother had lost so much weight. She was a thin, frail thing, more a shadow of her former self than anything else. I sat by her bed, taking her hand in mine. She was warm, her fever steadily rising.

One of the other doctors, Dr. Ryo, came into the room. He took my mother's temperature, shaking his head sadly.

'Doctor,' I asked tentatively. He turned, looking as if he had just noticed I was there.

'What is it, Mr. Minamino?' he asked. His voice was strained with false cheer.

'I was just wondering,' I began. 'What are the symptoms of this sickness?'

It was an offbeat question, I know. But I believed the more I knew, the better I could fight it. The better I could prevent it.

The better I could find a cure.

'Well,' Dr. Ryo replied, 'it mostly starts with a fever and chills. The person then experiences severe nausea. After that, they usually lose consciousness.' He paused, taking a deep breath. 'They then slip into a coma, and are dead by the next day.'

'Hasn't just one person died?' I asked, fearing the worst.

'No,' Dr. Ryo said. 'We just lost two more.'

I was scared. My mother was asleep, but I couldn't be sure how long it would be until she fell into a coma. Nodding to the doctor, I stood up and practically ran to my room.

'We have to go,' I said to Hiei. The demon was sitting on my bed, brooding.

'What?' he asked, jerked out of his reverie. 'Aren't you the person who just told me to stay put?'

I glared at him, not in the mood for sarcasm.

'My mother is near death,' I stated. Hiei started. 'I am going to the Makai to find an herb I know of. It may save these people.' Pulling on a backpack I had just stuffed with supplies, I turned to face Hiei. 'If you want to stay here, fine. But it would help a great deal if you came.'

'Fox,' Hiei said, standing up, 'there is nothing I want more than to leave this place.'

I grinned, nearly laughing with relief. The herb I was going to get grew on the most desolate ice plains of the Makai, but its healing properties could defeat almost any disease. I prayed that it would help my mother.

'Let's go, then,' I said. I pulled the cardboard from my window, carefully replacing it when both Hiei and I had crawled out of my room. 'Let's get Yusuke and Kuwabara, too.' Hiei sighed, but wouldn't argue with me. We started off for Yusuke's, my heart hammering with anticipation and fear.

We were going to find the cure.

To be continued…

Author's Note: Well, how did everybody like it? Our heroes are on their way to find a cure. How exciting! Please, please review! Thanks. Until next time!