Here is Chapter 1 of The Curse of the Frog, I hope you enjoy reading it, please review and let me know what you think? Thanks again to all the wonderful people who reviewed. STANDARD DISCLAIMER APPLIES


The Curse of the Frog

Chapter 1 - Results may vary

Seiya stood outside the Gypsy's store stunned. She literally pushed me out the door and didn't even charge me. I wonder why? He had felt no ill side effects from drinking the stuff. She probably just gave me a gimmick, oh well.

He glanced down the street and decided to try and find Usagi. The sun seemed brighter and warmer than when he had first entered the shop and he found himself sweating. He made his way through the crowd of people, watching closely for Odango. He was nearing the Crown Arcade when he spotted a familiar blonde head.

Why oh why me? Why her, why now? He pulled on his most arrogant smirk and stood firm as Haruka approached him.

"Ah pretty boy is back?" The sarcastic tone was not lost on Seiya. "Why are you here trouble?" The question was to the point and blunt.

"I came back to see Odango." He felt the temperature increase and wondered at why it seemed so warm. Seiya swiped at the sweat beading on his forehead, he didn't the salty moisture dripping into his eyes. He glanced back at Haruka to find her eyeing him strangely.

"You look a little green, too much partying last night?" Haruka taunted him. Why is he here? The minute Mamoru goes back to America this piece of trash shows up?

Seiya stood watching Haruka as her words began to buzz in his mind. Why is it so warm today? He tried to get a grip on things as they swayed out of focus but was too late. The colors around him faded and became a black void.

Haruka watched the odd expression on Seiya's face until suddenly his eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed. Why me? Why today? She stood thinking for a second before bending down and scooping the lanky guy into her arms. Damn he is heavier than he appears.

Pretty boy owes me for this…She sighed furiously and blew her bangs out of her eyes. If I don't bring him to our place, Michiru will kill me. She began walking and made her way towards their building.

She shuffled the increasingly fevered body in her arms to open their apartment door. She was actually growing concerned because he had heated up in the last few blocks. He even mumbled unintelligible words and Haruka could only make out one, Odango.

"Michiru, I have a surprise for you." Haruka yelled from the foyer and then listened for a reply, when silence was her only answer she called out again. "Michiru if you don't get your cute behind out here now, I am going to throw this third light back out into the gutter."

Michiru popped her head out of her studio. "Third light, what are you…" Her words were cut off completely when she noticed the guy in Haruka's arms. "Tenou Haruka, what did you do? Michiru came out of her studio with her painting smock still on. "Let's put him in the spare bedroom." She glanced back at Haruka waiting expectantly for an answer.

"Wait…wait I didn't do this…I swear I think he is sick." She glanced pleadingly at Michiru before she continued. "He just turned green and collapsed at my feet." Haruka cleared her throat and glanced down at the guy in her arms. "He's not getting any lighter…"

Michiru had the grace to blush before hurrying down the hall and opening the door. The spare bedroom was always ready for company so Michiru just threw the cream bedspread out of the way.

Haruka brought him in and half dumped, half laid him on the bed. She was getting ready to pull off his shoes when his eyes popped open.

"Odango…Odango…where are you?" He struggled for a moment trying to sit up and then fell back, his eyes sliding closed.

Michiru studied the one man that irritated Haruka more than any other man of their acquaintance. She noted his funny green color before commenting on it. "He is looking a little green. How high do you think his fever is?" She glanced up to find Haruka looking distastefully at Seiya.

Haruka glanced up to find Michiru watching her. "I don't honestly know but he feels pretty hot. Where is our thermometer?" She hurried from the room heading into the bathroom. She opened a drawer and began rummaging through it. Her hands moved over the different things until she felt her fingers lock onto the slim item.

She took a deep breath and glanced into the mirror. She eyed her reflection noting the irritation marring her features and pondered the guy lying in on the bed. I can't stand that arrogant jerk. The minute he is feeling better he is out of here.

"Haruka where is that thermometer?" Michiru called from the spare bedroom breaking into Haruka's thoughts. She shoved the drawer closed and hurried back to the temporary sick room. She immediately handed the thermometer to Michiru. "Koishii you can have the honors of taking his temperature."

"That's fine." Michiru shook the thermometer down and placed it in the crook of Seiya's arm. She pinned his arm to his side and waited for the beep. She glanced at him and stared in shock. "Is it just me or is he even greener than before?"

Haruka glanced down and was surprised to find that Michiru was right. "Kami, he is an interesting shade of green." Her eyes widened in surprise and she backed away from the bed. "He better not be contagious! If I turn green from carrying that creep he won't have to worry about getting well." She eyed the door and then glanced at Michiru who was still holding his arm against his body seemingly studying the green in the process. Michiru finally glanced up.

"Haruka why don't you go make us some tea? I'll be there shortly." Michiru waved her away as the thermometer began beeping, signaling it was ready.

Haruka wandered into the kitchen and filled the teapot. What did I do to deserve today? She set in on the stove and idly stared out the window. Why is he here? How do I prevent Kitten from finding out?

A new thought struck and she ran a frustrated hand through her hair. What would Kitten say if she knew he was here? Sighing, knowing Usagi would be here by his side she grabbed two teacups and saucers and set them on the table. She strolled back to the stove and stood watching the burner turn red.

Michiru pulled the thermometer loose and glanced at it her eyes widening in shock. One-hundred-six is very high, could this be dangerous? She thought for a moment and then laid a hand upon his forehead in concern. She noticed immediately that it felt very hot and dry.

She hurried to the bathroom and glanced in the mirror. When she noticed that she was still wearing her painters smock, she took a moment to remove it and then grabbed a wash cloth. She stuck it under the faucet and turned on the water.

When it was about the right temperature Michiru carried it back into the sick room and placed it on Seiya's forehead. A small sigh escaped from him but that was the only sign that he even felt it.

She heard the teapot whistling in the kitchen and knew Haruka would be waiting for her. Michiru glanced at Seiya one last time before closing the door quietly and making her way to the kitchen.

"Koibito I am really concerned about him." Michiru snuck her arms around Haruka from behind and leaned her head on the smaller woman. "What are we going to do?"

Haruka patted the hand in the vicinity of her stomach and teased. "I can think of a few things…" She left off the suggestive part and wriggled free. "First things first let's have some tea." Haruka picked up the pot and carried it to the table where two cups awaited them.

Michiru watched Haruka pick up the teapot and then followed her to the table. She sighed and slipped into a chair. "I have never seen anything that turns a person green." She paused thoughtfully, "Maybe we should consider taking him to the hospital?" She eyed Haruka gauging her reaction.

Haruka stirred her tea before speaking. "Are you forgetting the human factor?" Haruka glanced up at Michiru and ran a hand through her hair.

"Human factor, what are you talking about, Seiya isn't human." Her lips formed a perfect little oh as she realized what Haruka meant.

"My point exactly," Haruka sipped at her tea and then let out a sigh. "It looks as though we are going to have to deal with this situation ourselves." She smiled grimly, "I am going to enjoy rubbing his arrogant face in this when he does come around."

"Haruka…did you forget, we don't even know what is wrong with him." Michiru picked up her tea cup and sipped from it, scalding her lip in the process. "Itai, itai, it's hot." She set her cup down and ran her finger over the stinging lip.

Haruka eyed the aqua-haired girl as her finger stroked her lip. The motion was sensual and Haruka sighed. Now is not the time to let my mind wander to such things. We need to stay focused. She picked up her tea and sipped again. "Mmm…We really need this." She closed her eyes briefly enjoying the soothing warmth of the steam, letting the ritual relax her.

When Haruka opened her eyes she found worried teal eyes regarding her.

"We need to check on him again." Michiru stood slowly waving for Haruka to follow her. She glanced back once to make sure Haruka was moving and hurried to their spare bedroom.

When Michiru opened the door she gasped in shock. Haruka hurried to her side wondering what made her lover gasp.

Haruka stopped in shock and stared. Seiya lay where they had left him but now was a brighter shade of green. His breathing was raspy and he seemed even more dried out.

"This is beyond our experience. I think we are going to have to call Pluto to begin with." Haruka ran a hand through her hair and tried to think of how to tell the Plutonian Warrior and Keeper of the Time Gate about this problem.

She turned and headed for the phone. When she lifted the hand set and began dialing she strolled back to the spare room. Michiru still worriedly watched over their patient. Haruka put the phone to her ear and listened to the empty ringing.

Finally with a click she heard a quiet voice. "Hello?" Setsuna's soothing voice carried over the line.

"Hello Setsuna, it is Haruka. Michiru and I need you to come over immediately." She paused a moment, taking a deep breath and sighing before continuing. "You are not going to believe this one."

"Really…then I will be there shortly." Setsuna hung up without another word. Haruka hit the disconnect button and glanced at Michiru. "She said she would be here shortly." Haruka tried to appear calm for Michiru's sake. This is after all quite strange.

Michiru nodded and glanced back over to the bed. "Is it me or is he turning a brighter shade?" Michiru glanced back to see Haruka nod. A knock on the front door startled them both.

That was quick; man she really means what she says. Haruka kept her thoughts to herself and headed for the door. "I'm coming just a second." She walked to the door and pulled it open expecting to see Setsuna waiting. Instead she sucked in a surprised breath.

"Kitten, what are you doing here?" Haruka stared at Usagi as if she had grown a second head. This is bad…bad…really, really bad.

"I just stopped by to see how you and Michiru are doing?" Usagi smiled brightly and then the smile slipped a bit. "Okay, okay, you caught me." She put out a hand and waved it at Haruka to forestall any words. "I know something is wrong, I can sense it."

"Yes Haruka what is wrong, you said on the phone I wouldn't believe it." Setsuna spoke from behind Usagi.

Haruka's and Usagi's eyes' both jumped to the taller senshi behind Usagi. They both stared at Setsuna surprised by her quiet approach.

What am I going to do now? I didn't need Usagi finding out. Haruka ran a now nervous hand through her hair. "Why don't you two come in and sit down." Haruka was trying to figure out how to stall when a voice ruined all chance of that.

"Haruka, please hurry, he is turning raspy and really green." Michiru called out from the spare room. A second later she continued. "Setsuna if you are here could you please come take a look at Kou Seiya because this is definitely not normal?"


Here is an end to Chapter One I hope you have enjoyed reading please review and let me know what you think.