Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho or any of its characters. The plot for this story is mine, however, so don't steal it.

Chapter Two: The change

(Kurama)

'Ugh, my head hurts. Where am I?' I thought as I slowly opened my eyes.

All at once a wave of dizziness hit me and I had to shut my eyes to keep from being sick. What could have happened to me? The last thing I remember is getting blasted by Hiei. Speaking of...I'm going to murder him when I see him. No, better yet, I'll ignore him. He hates it when I do that. Serves him right. He could have gotten both of us killed. As it is he ruined the festival for me.

I wonder if everyone else had a good time. I sure hope so. I'd hate to think the evening was ruined because of my hot headed koorime friend's rash actions. I suppose I'll find out today.

"Shuichi, are you awake?"

I lifted my head off of the pillow. "Mother?"

Everything fell into place as my mother came into my room. I had been returned to my home. Someone brought me home from the festival. I'll have to find out who it was and thank him.

"Shuichi, I'm so glad you're okay."

"Mother, what...How long have I been sleeping?"

My voice sounds strange. How long could I have been out?

"We were so worried when you didn't wake up after the first night, Shuichi dear. It's been three long, worry filled days for me."

I sat bolt upright in bed. If it had been that long then I've missed a day of school. I'm going to be so far behind! I have to get up.

"Mother, I need to get ready for school! I'm going to be late!"

"Calm down, Shuichi. You don't have to go today if you're still not feeling well."

"I'm perfectly fine, mother. I've already been out long enough. Now, please excuse me, I need to take a shower."

My mother left the room after that. I carefully sat up the rest of the way in my bed. My body feels strange to me. I guess it's from sleeping for so long. Running one hand through my disheveled red hair I got out of bed and headed into my bathroom.

I only glanced at my reflection, but that was enough for me to notice something was wrong.

"Who is that? Why is there a different reflection than mine in the mirror? This is strange."

The person looking back at me was shorter than me. She had the same red hair and sharp green eyes as me, but everything was softer on her. Her skin was as pale as the white rose I sometimes use to fight with. My eyes bogged out. She also wasn't wearing a shirt.

"Ahhhhhh!" A distinctly shrill, feminine scream filled the bathroom.

I covered my mouth. The girl's reflection in the mirror did too. All at once the shrieking stopped. I saw her eyes widen as my own did. The realization hit me all at once.

I looked down.

"Oh holy Kami-sama! I'm a girl!"

I covered my mouth again. This would only get worse if anyone found out about it. I'll be the laughing stock of our group. Worse, all my friends won't want to be my friends anymore. What am I going to do? I can't go out like this, but I also can't miss school.

I looked down at my bare chest. Well, first I'm going to take a shower. Then I'm going to bind my chest and put on a shirt. Then at least I'll be decent. I brought my hands up in front of my face and just stared at them. I have such small hands now.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! "Shuichi, dear, are you okay? I heard a strange sound."

Oh my lord. My mother heard me screaming. Uhm...Okay I need to think fast.

"Everything is fine, mother, I just slipped on the soap again." I said with as normal a voice as I could. It was really hard, considering that I had gone from a tenor to a soprano practically overnight.

I heard my mother's footsteps as she walked back down the hall. Thank Kami for small miracles.

I quickly got myself together and took my shower. I felt so awkward wearing a towel around my body. Normally I just have one at my waist, but now I have to have one around me and in my hair. How do girls manage with all this hair? I never thought I'd say this, but I really need a hair cut.

It took me quite some time to figure out how to bind my new breasts when I kept turning red every time I looked down at them to wrap the cloth tighter. After nearly two hours, I was finally ready. I quickly looked myself over in the mirror on my bathroom door.

My hair was clean, brushed, and bound at my neck. My uniform hid my breasts completely. My pants were a little big, but I can deal with that. Thank goodness for belts. I still looked really pale and delicate. Very feminine. Ugh! This will never work.

"Shuichi, time to go!"

I jumped, then looked to the door, and said, "I'm coming mother!"

Okay, Kurama, you can do this. Just pretend that nothing is the matter. I can do this, I can do this. I am so doomed...

After school...

(Hiei)

'Come on, Kurama. You're mother said you went to school today. Where are you?' I thought as I leaned against the gate at the entrance to Kurama's school.

I had been here all day. I had to apologize to Kurama for the other night. Much as I hated to admit it, I missed that fox. He was the only steady companion I had. My only true friend. I hope he's not still mad at me.

Just as I started fidgeting again from boredom I caught sight of a familiar head of red hair making its way through the crowd.

'Finally! It sure took him long enough. I was about to die of boredom out here.'

I leapt over the ningens in my way and landed inches from Kurama. I watched in amusement as he leapt backwards from me. He always did that. Sometimes I think he's been around the ningens too long.

"About time, Kurama. I've been waiting out here all day."

His voice sounded strange when he answered me. "Go away, Hiei, I don't have time to deal with you today." He started walking again.

His words shocked me. Kurama was never in a bad mood. He'd never refused my company before this. Something must really be wrong.

I shook my head then ran around to stand in front of him once more. I will find out what he's mad about. I swear if someone has said something to him to make him this way I'll kill them.

"Kurama, what is this all about?"

His green eyes narrowed at me. I really don't like that look on him. "Get the hell away from me right now, Hiei."

My eyes widened. I've never heard the fox use that sort of language before. Something is definatly wrong.

"Come on, fox, don't act like this. It doesn't suit you. If this is about the festival-"

Kurama glared at me and started briskly walking away again. I'll be damned if he's getting away from me before this is sorted out! I stalked after him once again then grabbed him by the arm.

"Damnit, Kurama! Don't walk away from me! You will listen!"

What happened next I'll never be able to fully explain. One minute I thought I was getting through to him then the next thing I know...

SLAP! "Get your filthy hands off of me!"

I staggered backward then hit the wall behind me. I looked up in time to see Kurama running in the opposite direction of his home. He was trying to avoid me. Why? I don't understand! What is going on?

(Kurama)

"That was entirely too close. If Hiei had figured me out..." I shuddered at my own words.

Hiei had just appeared out of nowhere. I nearly ran into him. Of all days for him to decide to come see me at school...Why did he have to choose today?

I shook my hand. I can't believe I actually just hit him. Am I already so much of a girl that I can't just punch him? I slapped him. I didn't think I'd actually connect. He must have really been distracted. Still...I don't regret doing it. I'll bet this is all his fault. Damn that koorime and his bouts of temper! I'll never forgive him for this!

I stopped running. My lungs were burning. I couldn't catch my breath, and I suddenly wanted to cry. I couldn't outrun Hiei, but I could always out distance him. I know I haven't come that far. I only ran five or six miles at most. I'm never this tired. I rubbed my arms. I was never this weak. I feel like I'm about to pass out.

"Kurama, is that you?"

I froze.

"It is you. My goodness, I thought you were a monster at first."

I turned around to see Yukina staring at me from the foot of the stairs that lead to Genkai's home. I must have come farther than I thought.

"Yukina, I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what? You didn't do anything, silly."

"I startled you."

"Oh, that's alright. Hiei does that to me all the time. Did you want something?'

I looked up at the shrine. Perhaps there was something I could find here. Maybe even a cure for whatever made me like this.

"Is Genkai home?"

"Um...no she's not. It's just Botan and I here right now."

"Oh. Can I come in for a bit?"

"Of course, Kurama. You look like you could use a rest."

I nodded then followed the little ice apparition up the stairs and into Genkai's world. I knew I had to tell someone what had happened. Who better than my closest female friends. I can only hope they keep my secret from everyone else. Here I go.

That's it.

Like? Hate?

Sorry for the short chapter. Next time it'll be longer.