Disclaimer: See previous chapters.

Chapter 5: That time of the month

(Kurama)

Two weeks later...

Morning

'Ugh, I feel terrible this morning! No more ice cream before bedtime, that's for certain. I think I'm dying!' I thought as I tried to force myself out of bed.

Yukina and Botan were here until late last night putting me through "female training" as they put it. I feel as if I'm starting to get used to being this way, but with how the two of them are you'd think I'd always been a girl and had just hidden the fact from everyone the past few years. We had all shared a gallon of chocolate ice cream, which probably explains my upset stomach this morning.

Groaning my discomfort to the world I carefully rolled myself over and got to my feet. No sense in dallying around in bed. I have to get ready for school. I glanced at the clock.

"Hmm...6:30...Meaning Hiei will be here to get me in thirty minutes. I'd better get a move on."

See recently, Hiei has been insistent on walking me to school every morning. At first, it was rather sweet of him, but now its just getting tedious. I swear, you would think I could not take care of myself. Fretsome koorime. Oh, well.

As I went through my morning ritual of get up, take a shower, fight with bra, get dressed, grab books, out the door I went through my checklist for today.

Today are the fitness exams for all grades from the junior high and high schools. This means that I am wearing shorts today which is a bother with my girly legs. It also means that I have to figure out this stupid sports bra otherwise everyone is going to know that I'm a woman.

I've mostly given up any hope of a cure for my mysterious sex change. There's just nothing I can do short of going and asking that priestess to fix it. I'm not going to stoop to that since I doubt she'd even listen to my request. I've exhausted every option available to me. Even Genkai couldn't figure out how to change me back, and she's the wisest person I know.

I drew myself from my thoughts to wish my mother a good day and grab myself a piece of toast from the table then headed out the door. I didn't even notice that Hiei was waiting for me up in the tree until he leapt down right in front of me and I almost ran into him.

I leapt back just in time to preserve my secret.

"Hiei! How many times must I tell you not to do that! You scared me half to death!"

Hiei simply shrugged at me in his dismissive way then said, "You're just too sensitive, fox. You've lived among the ningens for so long that you have adopted their mannerisms."

I sighed loudly at my partner and kept on walking. There was no arguing with his twisted sense of logic. He'd never admit to being wrong. Such a stubborn creature. Stupid, insufferable, egotistical...

"Ah!" I gasped as a sharp pain sliced into me from my abdomen.

Hiei stopped in his tracks and whirled around to grab my shoulders before I hit the ground. Thank goodness for demon speed.

"Kurama?"

I lifted my head up to look at him from under the curtain of my hair.

"What's the matter, fox?"

I hissed softly as a fresh stab of pain hit me. I gritted my teeth against it and tried to form coherent speech.

"I...don't...know..."

I gasped again and had to lean part way into Hiei's side to keep from going to my knees. It was just that painful. It was hardly the most painful thing that's ever happened to me, but it just hit me so suddenly and so hard that I didn't have time to brace myself.

I felt a slight pressure at my back then the next thing I knew I'd been swung up into my partner's arms. He'd just picked me up! My mind refused to process that for a moment before I turned the most unattractive shade of red. Damn female hormones!

I had to get away from him. In this position there was little chance of him missing the different shape of my body. I'd been tossed onto his shoulder so many times over the years that he knew how my body was shaped. If I didn't get away soon he'd figure me out. As it was I was lucky he was too worried to notice the difference in my weight.

"Hiei, put me down this instant!"

Kami-sama was that me? I sound so strange. Almost like I'm going to be sick. Oh, lord, I hope not. It's embarrassing enough being where I am. The last thing I want is to throw up on Hiei. Why, oh why does he have to carry me like this?

"Fox!"

I jerked in his arms as his voice permeated my embarrassed ranting.

"Yes?"

"I called your name several times and you didn't answer me. Are you alright?"

I opened my mouth to answer him then realized that whatever pain had hit me earlier was gone. It had simply stopped sometime during my self-rant.

"I…I'm fine, Hiei. It's stopped."

I felt his grip shift under my legs. "Are you sure? It came on so fast…"

I could feel his aura flare to distressing levels. He was really worried about me. I could feel it in his spirit. It was the one way I had of discerning how he was feeling. It is impossible to hide one's emotions from one's spiritual aura. Especially when one is worried for one's partner.

"Hiei, I'm okay. It's all right. I'm fine now. I just ate something that didn't agree with me. Calm down, okay?"

Concerned crimson eyes focused on my face for a moment longer before he carefully set me on my feet and stepped away. Hiei's never been uncomfortable with being physically close to someone, but a display of concern is a weakness in his mind. That he would show me just how worried he was meant that he has a complete trust in me.

Hiei seemed to deflate somewhat before he shut his eyes and took a deep breath. I've seen him do that in the past whenever Yukina would be in some terrible danger and he'd been unable to get to her. It was his way of composing himself after a shock or fright.

Before I had even had a chance to completely straighten myself and recover from Hiei's last uncharacteristic display, said koormie approached me and ducked his head against my neck.

My entire face turned a brilliant shade of crimson. My female sensibilities had me sputtering in indignation at the audacity of my normally controlled partner.

"Hiei…." I began warningly.

"Don't, Kurama. Just don't."

"What's the matter with you?" I asked the question softly, mindful of his mood.

"I'm not sure. Just... Don't go anywhere for a minute."

I could feel his body shift against mine for a bare moment before he inhaled sharply and leapt back from me. Oh, lord…

"Ack! Fox, you smell like your mother's female items!"

It took me a minute to figure out what he meant then I turned an even brighter shade of red and made to hit Hiei on the head for his crassness. Of course, the koorime evaded my swing.

"Hiei! When I get my hands on you!" I yelled as I lunged towards my friend.

He easily leapt backward out of my grasp. It was a familiar game, and one the two of us most often used to forget an embarrassing moment. It was our way of scooting around something neither of us wished to discuss. If Hiei wanted to act strange then start something with me, then that was just what he'd do. It wasn't meant to be rude, it was simply meant to draw my mind from his previous action. I was lucky he hadn't scooted any closer or else his chest would have been touching mine. Too many close calls in one day.

"Hiei, I'm going to be late! I am not chasing you all over creation this morning."

He gave me one of his trademark smirks then landed next to me and started walking.

'So…you still intend to walk me to school today, do you? Very well. I'll have to be more careful around you from now on. Something is changing in the both of us, something I don't yet understand.'

I allowed my thoughts to wander until we came in sight of my school building, then I stopped and faced Hiei. Something very strange overcame me then, an unfamiliar urge to do something that I'd never once thought of doing.

Everything happened before I could stop myself.

"Thanks for walking with me. I do appreciate the company."

"It's not like I have anything better to do, fox."

"Still…Oh….Shoot."

I leaned over so that my face was level with my koormie partner's, then kissed him quickly on the cheek, and bolted. I don't know what just came over me, but that had to be about the most stupid thing I have ever done. Not to mention the most embarrassing. I am in such deep crap when he catches me. If he catches me.

(Hiei)

'WHAT. THE. HELL. WAS. THAT!' I thought distractedly as I ran to catch up to that annoying fox.

I can't believe he would do something like that. Not only was it completely disgusting, but koormie don't play those sorts of games. I am not amused. Damn him! Damn him to hell! When I catch him I am going to kill him.

If it wasn't enough that that stupid fox drives me to distraction with his girlish looks, now he has to go and pull this. Damn that stupid, stupid, fox.

(Kurama)

Afternoon

I had managed to evade Hiei all day, but now here's the hard part avoiding him at all costs while I walk home. I'm still not quite sure what prompted me to kiss him this morning, but at least it wasn't anywhere more serious than his cheek. Damn female hormones. Damn that stupid koormie and his stupid rusty chivalry.

I was roughly drawn from my ranting when I ran right into another person. I murmured a swift apology then started on again without looking up. It was a mistake I'd regret.

"Sorry, miss. Hey, miss, wait! Hey!"

I was stopped abruptly by a hand on my shoulder. A moment later I found myself drawn around to meet a very familiar pair of dark brown eyes. Oh…shit….

"Hey, I was talking to… K-kurama? Is that you?"

I could feel my eyes widen as realization set in.

"Yusuke?"

"Oh my god. Kurama, it is you."

"Yes, I believe we have established that it is me, Yusuke. What is your point?"

'Lord, don't let him have figured it out. I am so screwed!'

Yusuke's head turned to one side, then the other before he inclined his head towards me and said, "Pardon me on this one, man."

He then proceeded to pull my uniform shirt tight against my chest. As soon as he could see the generous swell of my breasts under the shirt he let me go and scooted backwards.

"Oh. My. Freakin'. KAMI-SAMA!" He said, voice getting steadily louder with each word.

I could feel my face flame in shame and embarrassment.

"Urameshi, it isn't what you think. I can explain, really I can…" I began softly.

"So this is why you've been acting so weird lately. I thought you and Hiei had gotten into a fight or something…. Wait, does Hiei know about this?"

My eyes bogged out of my head. I couldn't help it. I panicked.

"No!"

Yusuke lifted an eyebrow at me.

I continued more calmly with, "I mean, he doesn't know, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell him."

"I don't know, Kurama. This is pretty big of a secret. Shouldn't Hiei at least know about did it. I could feel one of those odd little mood swings hit me right then. I'm so tired, and Yusuke is not helping me any. If he tells Hiei, I'll never be able to look my partner in the eye again. Not to mention that he'll never speak to me again. I can't deal with this. I can't let it happen. What am I going to do? I….I…

I started sobbing.

"Woah, man! Stop it! That's not…Oh, man…Aw…shit! Come on, Kurama, this isn't fair. You're a man, act like it. Stop crying. Come on, people are lookin' at me funny."

I felt my feet come out from under me. As soon as my knees hit the dirt I went from sobbing to full out keening. Gods, I can't stop this! I don't know why I'm so upset. I just don't understand. Yusuke finding out should be a blessing, not a burden. He can help me try and find a way to change back. He'll help me keep my cover…. At least I hope he will.

I had almost managed to compose myself enough to talk coherently to Yusuke again when I heard another, very familiar voice. Let me put it this way, Keiko to the rescue.

WHACK! "Yusuke! What have you done to that poor girl!"

"OW! Keiko, I didn't do anything! Don't hit me, that hurt!"

Under any other circumstances this would be very funny, but right now it just makes me upset. I hope I don't draw Hiei here with this uncharacteristic display of emotion. I'd never be able to explain myself, and Yusuke would probably end up fighting with him over the whole thing.

I drew my hands up to my face and covered my eyes. Maybe, if I try hard enough, I can stop the tears before I embarrass myself any more than I already have. That notion was shot all to hell when I felt the hot tears seeping through my fingers. This is so not my day.

Another sharp stab of pain in my stomach set me off once again.

"Ah!" I hissed out.

Keiko was instantly at my side. "Are you okay? I'm sorry if this dunderhead upset you."

I took a deep, calming breath before I spoke. "He didn't upset me, Miss Keiko. I'm just having one of those days. I've got this sharp pain in my side..."

"Hey, how do you know my..." Then she got a good look at my face. "Oh my Kami-sama! Yuichi! I had no idea you'd be here today!"

"Neither did I." I ground out through my teeth.

Before either of us could say anything more another sharp pain drove me to my knees for the second time today. What in the world is happening to me?

"Yuichi! Yusuke, pick her up! We've got to take her to the nurse!"

"Really, that's not necessary."

"Actually, it is. If you've got pain in your side like this you may have something seriously wrong with you. Either that or you've hit your time of the month."

"Time of the..." I trailed off as I realized what Keiko was getting at. I sure hope she's wrong. That really would be the most embarrassing thing that could happen to me.

"Mmm Hmm. Let's hope it's just the latter, or you may be going to the hospital, little miss." She then turned to address Yusuke. "Pick her up and let's get her to the nurse."

"Oh, but Keiko…" Yusuke began, complaining.

"NOW URAMESHI!"

I could see Yusuke flinch. "Yes dear."

A moment later I found myself being carried by yet another member of my team. This could not be any worse. Oh, wait, yes it could. Hiei could have seen me. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he doesn't decide to investigate my off set aura.

I know Yusuke's monitoring me as it is. He knows to keep tabs on overbalanced spirit energy. If my energy goes any higher into the distressing range, I'll have to seek out Hiei. The balancing effect of partners works both ways. I rarely have to rely on him in that way, but it does happen.

I took a deep, calming breath before trying to work myself out of the situation again. I couldn't go to the nurse. I've already been up there twice today for collapsing during the fitness test.

"This really isn't necessary. I've been to see the nurse twice today already. She just told me that I was a little anemic. She also told me to go straight home and go to bed. I don't wish to disobey her."

"Don't care. You're going, little missy. Come on Yusuke."

"Yes, ma'am."

As we started towards the school once again Yusuke slowed his pace so that he could talk to me without Keiko overhearing us.

"So…. How long have you been like this?"

"A little over a month now."

"Geez, that long and nobody's figured it out."

"Actually…I told Botan and Yukina the first day it happened."

"What! So, they've known about this the entire time and they didn't tell us?"

"Of course the didn't tell you. I asked them not to. I'm mortified enough by it as it is."

"Keiko called you Yuichi…. You mean to tell me that you were the girl we met the other day?"

"Indeed I was, Yusuke. Of course, I don't enjoy cross dressing, but Botan with her big mouth decided to tell everyone that she knew me."

"So that's why you were able to fight with Hiei like that. I thought your life force felt a little familiar."

"Well…to tell you the truth, I wouldn't have been able to really fight Hiei. You probably saved my life."

"Huh? What do you mean by that? You and Hiei are almost matched in strength."

"That may be true under normal circumstances, but as a woman I'm faster than I am strong. Hiei has the power. I have the speed. Which is a little weird since usually he's the faster and I the slightly stronger."

I looked down at my hands for a moment before I said, "Yusuke, you will keep my secret, won't you?"

He was silent for a long while before he finally gave me an answer.

"Yeah, Kurama, I'll stay quiet. I know how it feels to have a secret you don't want anyone to know. That's how it was when I first became the Spirit Detective. I was so unwilling to let others help carry my load that I practically blocked them all out."

I nodded and breathed a sigh of relief. Yusuke was a good person. He wouldn't tell my secrets, should I choose to divulge them to him. This particular secret I'm very glad he knows. It doesn't seem so hard to keep going on when someone else knows. I feel as if some great weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Thank Kami-sama for small miracles.

The sound of Keiko's voice brought me from my reverie.

"We're here! Make sure you don't drop her, Yusuke. The poor thing's probably in enough pain as it is."

Yusuke and I both rolled our eyes at this comment. Keiko could be so dense sometimes. Yusuke may be crude and stubborn, but he wouldn't allow anything to happen to one of his friends.

As soon as the nurse laid eyes on me she bustled over and began looking me over.

"Back again I see. Must be bad if you had to be carried up here this time. Come, sit over on the examination bed and I'll get you fixed right up."

"(Sigh) Yes ma'am."

After a moment or two the nurse seemed to realize that I was a woman and, therefore, not the boy she had seen earlier. As soon as she had she made Yusuke leave the room and had Keiko sit down with me.

"I'm so sorry, dear. I thought you were Shuichi Minamano for a moment there."

"They do look very similar. I'd say they were twins except that Shuichi has only one sibling, a brother."

I ignored the women for a moment then looked up at the nurse and began describing my symptoms to her. I had only gotten halfway through when she waved her had to silence me and gave me a maternal smile. I don't like the look of this, not one bit.

"There's nothing to worry about, dear. You've just got your period. That's all it is. I'm surprised this is your first time, given how old you are."

"Oh, if that's all… WHAT THE HELL?"

"Calm down, Miss Yuichi. It's nothing to be alarmed over. It happens to all young girls."

I almost spilled my secret right then and there. I am NOT a young girl! This is not happening to me! I could feel my body rejecting violently to this news. I was going to be sick!

A moment later I was in the girl's restroom with Keiko holding my hair out of my face, as I was sick. This'll draw Hiei for sure. I don't think I can face him now, but it seems I'll have no choice. He'll have to balance me or I'll loose control.

By the time I was able to leave the bathroom I was on the verge of being overly upset. I couldn't stop the tears that were pouring down my face. They just wouldn't ease. I felt just terrible. I'm so far into this stupid enchantment that I've actually got a period. Gods, if Hiei gets close enough to smell me then it's all over.

This just caused me to start up all over again. Nothing Keiko did could console me. I was just thinking of seeking comfort from Yusuke when a very strong, very pissed koormie lunged at him.

I couldn't help what happened next. I collapsed, just keeled right over. It was as if my body was no longer under my control. I couldn't stop, couldn't react.

'I can't see straight…Hard to concentrate…. Need….'

"Help…."

That was all I would remember of this for quite some time as I passed into unconsciousness. I hope someone stops Hiei before he hurts Yusuke.

That's it for this chapter.

I'll try to get these out faster, but no promises. I just started college so updates will be whenever I can grab the time.

Ja till next time.