Author's Note: Hi everyone! I am so, so sorry I haven't updated in so long! I haven't been able to get on the computer all week. Thanks for being so patient with me. And thanks for the reviews!

Ok, listen. As I was writing this, I came to realize something. This will be the last chapter. Now, before you kill me, there will be an epilogue after this, but then the story will end. After that, just look for new Kurama'sGirl88 stories! I'm gonna write more.

Ok, on with the story!

We didn't have to walk across the ice plains. When I heard that, I literally jumped for joy. I was so sick of ice; I swore that I'd never go skiing again. Hey, who could blame me?

Shigiri and I started out from her house at the break of dawn. The third day. I didn't have much time left. Today was my mother's last day of hope, last chance of being cured. I had to make it.

We walked for some time in a companionable silence, each one of us just enjoying the other's company. The grassy plains around us were bare of any trees or other foliage, very similar to the place where I left my friends. Unconsciously, I quickened my pace.

Shigiri's hand darted out, grabbing my sleeve. I was jerked back, nearly falling over.

'What was that about?' I hissed. Shigiri, dagger in hand, motioned towards the place I was about to step on. She bent down, coming up with a rock. With a quick glance at me to make sure I was watching, the girl tossed the rock onto the place.

There was a crackle, a rumble, and the whole section burst into flames. The rock was utterly consumed. I could hear it breaking under the intense heat. Shigiri folded her arms matter-of-factly, giving me a plaintive look.

'You have to be careful,' she chided. 'This whole area is full of these fire pockets. You can avoid them if you don't step on the dirt patches.'

To demonstrate, Shigiri stepped forward onto a knot of grass. When nothing happened, she continued forward, looking as if she was doing an odd dance as she hopped left and right onto the grassy patches.

I cursed myself silently. I had let my eagerness to find my friends impair my sixth sense. If I had been concentrating more on the task instead of the outcome, I would have easily sensed that fire pocket.

I was jerked from my thoughts as Shigiri called out.

'Come on, Kurama! I want to save your friends too!'

Despite myself, I smiled. I began hopping from grass patch to grass patch, easily keeping pace with the agile Shigiri. About ten minutes later we were free of the fire pockets and running flat out across the plains.

We could see a fire in the distance.

With each step we took, that fire grew bigger. My heart jumped into my throat, threatening to suffocate me. Was Hiei still alive? Would the herb water work? Oh, Inari, I thought, let him be all right.

As we neared the campfire, two figures jumped up in surprise, heading toward us.

'Yusuke and Kuwabara,' I said to myself. With a burst of speed, I surged ahead, stopping about ten yards from the fire. Yusuke came running up to me, a look of tired relief in his eyes.

'Kurama! You made it,' he said happily. At that moment, Shigiri came. Yusuke looked her up and down, a lewd remark on the tip of his tongue. But at a look from me, he stayed quiet.

'Yusuke, this is Shigiri,' I introduced. 'She saved my life.'

'Hello, Shigiri,' Yusuke responded, warmly shaking the girl's hand. 'Thanks for keeping fox-boy alive. Without him, it's just me, an idiot, and a -'

'How's Hiei?' I interrupted. Yusuke's face grew grim.

'He's not doing so well,' he finally replied. 'He fell asleep yesterday and hasn't woken up since. He can't wake up.'

We stood there in shocked silence. Suddenly, Shigiri grabbed my hand, dragging me forward.

'Well then, let's go save him!' she said determinedly. 'We can't help if we just stand here!'

Yusuke followed us to the campsite. Kuwabara was there, stirring something in a pot. I didn't ask what it was. When Kuwabara's cooking, it's better not to know.

I ran over to Hiei's still form, falling to my knees beside him. Shigiri followed, instantly taking hold of one of Hiei's hands. I felt for his temperature. He was burning up, and that's saying something for a fire demon. He was very pale and soaked with cold sweat.

Wordlessly, Shigiri placed her hand under Hiei's head, lifting it up. I quickly uncapped the herb water. Carefully, cautiously, I placed the mouth of the bottle against Hiei's lips, compelling him to take a swallow. He coughed and sputtered, but kept it down.

I gave him a little more before sitting back to watch. Unconsciously, Shigiri sat close to me, taking my hand in hers. She leaned her head against my shoulder.

Despite all that was happening, I smiled.

Suddenly, Hiei stirred. I leaned forward, anxiety and hope battling within me. The fire demon tossed restlessly, no longer in a coma. Placing my hand on his forehead, I was happy to find that his fever had broken.

Hiei settled down, and, abruptly, opened his eyes. They were dazed but quickly focusing.

'Kurama?' he said, his voice weak. I nodded, tears of relief welling in my eyes. My best friend was safe. The herb water had worked!

'I'm here, Hiei,' I replied softly. A small smile flickered across Hiei's features.

'Good,' he whispered. 'Those bakas would've killed me.' He closed his eyes, falling into a peaceful sleep.

Quietly, I stood up, leaving Hiei to rest. Shigiri followed, sitting next to me at the campfire.

We hadn't let go of each other's hands.

'So, Hiei's ok?' Yusuke asked. When I nodded, he smiled.

'What happens now?' Kuwabara asked.

'What happens is that you and Yusuke will stay with Hiei,' I instructed. 'I am going to the human world, to save my mother. I'll leave behind a portal. Use it when Hiei's strong enough to travel.' I looked at the horizon, where the sun was just beginning to sink. 'You should be back by tomorrow.'

Yusuke nodded. I stood up, easily erecting a portal to the human world. As I was about to step through, Shigiri stopped me.

'I'm coming too,' she said. With a wave to my friends, she stepped through, not waiting for any argument from me.

I shook my head, smiling. As I stepped through, I thought one thing.

We had done it.

Author's Note: Ok, everyone. Did you like it? I hope so. Like I said, there'll be an epilogue after this, so you get to find out what happens after the whole epidemic thing. Please, please review! I love to hear from you all! Until next time!