I've been meaning to re-write this for some time. I think the last time I updated the other story, I was in University. Now I'm here with a full time teaching job and a new born passion for story telling. Hello from the future!
Tohru elbows were perched on her desk, her hands folded under her chin as she stared out the window. It was such a lovely day out. Minimal clouds in the sky, with the sun poking through just right. Yesterday had been so dreary, with rain pouring relentlessly down from the heavens. But, she supposed that made today even better, as the earth smelt fresh and new. She wanted nothing more than to be out there with the company of those dearest to her. So, upon discovering that today was meant to be sunny, she had suggested she, Yuki, Kyo, and Shigure go out together to enjoy a picnic. Wanting to spent some time with her, the three of them had agreed. Perhaps that was why they had retired early last night. That way, they were bright and early in waking up the next morning.
Well, if they were going to be going out today, then she supposed she ought to get the picnic basket ready. It certainly wasn't going to assemble itself! And, while the boys were getting better at cooking, she still liked to do it herself. Nothing brought her more pleasure than seeing the boys enjoy something she had made for them. Of course, she would make sure that each boy had at least one of their favorite in the basket. That way everyone could have a good time!
As she prepared to leave her room however, she heard a door slide open from down the hall. Oh! Someone was already awake! But before she had a chance to investigate, she paused at the sound of hoarse coughing. It was abnormally dry sounding, and was likely painful. Oh dear, that didn't sound good at all...
Tohru stayed where she was for a moment, listening again. And sure enough, there it was again! Concerned, Tohru approached her door and slid it open. Coming down the hall, was her feline friend Kyo. He rubbed irritably at his throat as he walked, only stopping when he saw Tohru poking her head out. "Kyo?" she said.
"Morning," he said back with a grimace.
"That didn't sound very good Kyo. Are you okay...?" she asked with a frown.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Kyo grumbled back. His voice came out sounding a little horse. And when she took a closer look at him, she could see a bit of sweat war forming on his forehead, making it shine. She stepped closer, and Kyo averted his eyes, not able to look right at her. She raised one of her hands, and when he didn't step away from her, she continued on, pressing it against his forehead. just as she had feared, it felt a bit warmer then usual...
"Oh, you feel a little warm Kyo..." Tohru tut worriedly. "Hold on, let me go and get the thermometer, we can check your temperature! Please wait for me in the bathroom!" Before Kyo could call after her and tell her not to, she was hurrying downstairs to get it. Tohru had a fairly one-track mind. When she was focused on something, she had trouble shifting gears. So, she didn't notice Kyo trying to wave her down and make her stop.
When he realized she wasn't going to listen, Kyo huffed and stuffed his hands in his pajama pants pockets. This was so stupid...
From the kitchen, Tohru easily located their oral thermometer in the first aid kit under the sink. Before she had come around, they could hardly find a single thing in that kitchen. And that included essentials, like medicine and the thermometer! It scared her to no end imagining how they used to take care of themselves before she was there! So, she was just glad she could be there for them and help her friends!
Coming back up the stairs and down the hallway, she paused as she passed by Yuki's room, which was right across from Kyo's. It wasn't too late yet, and it was a weekend, so she wasn't surprised that Yuki hadn't emerged yet. Still, something told her she ought to peek in on him as well... Being careful so as not to wake him up, she slid his bedroom door and had a look.
As she had expected, Yuki was curled up in his bed, fast asleep. And yet, he was unusually restless, fidgeting and grunting lightly in his sleep. That wasn't like him. Oh no, was he getting sick too? He likely had whatever Kyo had. That wasn't good... She would have to check back in on him later.
Once she was done, she went to the bathroom where Kyo was waiting, sitting on top of the closed toilet seat. She could see that he had rolled up his pajama sleeves, likely feeling too warm. That wasn't a good sign..
Tohru always made sure they washed the thermometer after it was used, but just for good measure, she gave it a rinse in the sink and dried it off, before turning to Kyo. "Alright, let's put this under your tongue okay?"
Kyo sighed, but obliged, letting her stick it in his mouth and slip it under his tongue. Once it was ready, she pulled it out of his mouth and had a look. "100.2, oh dear..." Tohru frowned. "You have a fever Kyo... It's not too high, but you defiantly have a cold. Let's stay home today okay? We can have the picnic another time."
"N-No, you don't have to do that! I'm fine, we can still go," Kyo assured her. Though, he wasn't able to back himself up very well when his words were followed up with another harsh cough.
"No, that wouldn't be a good idea.." Tohru frowned. "When you're sick, you need to get some rest. I wouldn't want you to get worse!" she fret. "Besides... I think Yuki might have caught whatever you have.."
"Seriously? That stupid rat," Kyo huffed. Well, at least that meant it wasn't entirely his fault that they couldn't go.
"I'm going to go and check on him," she said as she rinsed the thermometer, decidedly not mentioning Kyo's 'stupid rat' comment. "You go and get some rest okay? I'll come over and check on you soon. Please don't get out of bed okay? It's really important that you get some sleep!"
"Fine..." Kyo pout, getting off of the toilet and trudging back to his bedroom. Stupid cold. Stupid Yuki. Stupid everything...
Once the thermometer was clean, she head to Yuki's room and silently slid the door open. Oh, she hated having to wake him up, but it was the only way to get his temperature... She knelt down by Yuki and gently pat his shoulder. "Yuki?" she whispered. "Yuki, please wake up, I'm really sorry."
Yuki began to grumble, and opened his bleary eyes, looking right at her. She could tell that he wasn't fully comprehending what was happening or who was there quite yet. He was such a heavy sleeper... "I'm sorry to wake you up. But, can I please take your temperature?" she asked. Yuki grunt in return and opened his mouth for her. With a whispered 'thank you,' Tohru slid the thermometer in his mouth, and held it there for him until it read his temperature. 101.5. That wasn't good at all... "Thank you Yuki... Go ahead and go back to sleep," Tohru encouraged. Yuki grunt once again and turned over in his bed. That really wasn't like him at all. By now, he would have at least woken up a little bit more, and acknowledged her. He really did feel sick, didn't he? Poor thing...
Leaving his room, she could already feel herself start to panic! What was she supposed to do now?! Maybe she ought to wake up Shigure and ask him for help? No, she should make them breakfast! What did a sick person eat? No, she needed to find medicine first for them to take! Oh, and maybe a mask for herself too so she didn't get sick! And one for Shigure too! Maybe she ought to check on him too? Oh her head was spinning! How could she help them when she herself could barely hold it together?! Oh why couldn't she be more level- headed, like...Hatori! Yes, that's what she would do! She would call Hatori! He would know what to do, right?
Hurrying to the hallway phone, she began to think. How could both of them have gotten sick so quickly? They had both seemed fine last night!
As she picked up the phone from the receiver however, it hit her... Last night, Hatori had come by with Momiji to pick up something from Shigure, and had stayed for dinner per her request. She remembered that as she had cooked, with Shigure helping her out, Momiji had grown restless, and insisted that the boys entertained him. Though Yuki and Kyo had refused, Momiji wasn't the sort to take no for an answer...
So, despite their refusal, Momiji had gently swat Kyo on the back before he ran out onto their back porch, and made it run for it, initiating a game of chase. Kyo, not one to take petty insults very lightly, had run out after him into the pouring rain. Yuki was initially planning on staying out of it. But after seeing how concerned Tohru had become, he had gone out after them in hopes of bringing them back inside.
She remembered that once Kyo and Yuki had dragged Momiji inside, they both went and had a bath, and then gone right to bed, feeling cold and irritated. After that, Hatori took Momiji home to get him into something dry. Which left Tohru and Shigure to have dinner together. What a night that had been...
Tohru winced as she recalled everything, shaking her head. Oh if she had only stopped and entertained Momiji herself, none of this would have happened! She felt so silly! This was all her fault!
She swallowed back her guilt for now as she dialed Hatori's number. But...there was no response. That was...odd. He was usually awake by now, he wasn't the type to sleep in. So for now, she left a message, asking him to come over as soon as he was able to, recounting the situation to him, before hanging up the phone.
Okay...for now, she would just get breakfast started and find some medicine. A fever reducer would be best. And something for Kyo's throat. She was sure she had restocked their masks in the first aid box as well, so se would get one for herself and for Shigure to wear. So, Tohru went back to the kitchen and immediately got to work, pulling out their first aid box and looking through it, all while listening for the phone. She didn't want to miss it if Hatori called her back!
But before long, she finally hear a sound! Though...it wasn't the sound she had expected. She heard another door slide open in the quiet house, making her perk up. Maybe that was Shigure! He was the only one out of the four of them that had a bedroom downstairs instead of upstairs, so she knew for sure it was hime! He would know what to do!
As she walked towards the kitchen entrance, she could suddenly hear something..concerning. She heard rapid footsteps, bare feet slapping against the wood floor. Then, a slam of another door, making her jump! What was that?!
Tohru was only frozen for a moment. But once she had managed to shake off the initial shock, she ran towards where she had heard the slam. Pausing outside of the bathroom, she could hear an awful retching from inside. Oh no, it couldn't be! Shigure couldn't be sick too! She stood there awkwardly for now, not sure what to do! She didn't want to embarrass him by knocking on the door and calling to him! So all she could do now was stand there...
After what felt like forever, she heard the toilet flush and the sink run. And soon, the soon slid open. When it did, she was faced with a surprised looking Shigure, who wiped his mouth off on his sleeve. "Tohru? I'm sorry, did you need the bathroom?"
"No, it's fine! Are you okay?" she asked him.
"Oh no, did you hear that? How embarrassing~" he laughed. "Awww are you worried about me? How cute! Yes, I'm just fine! I think something just wasn't sitting right with me this morning, but I should be fine now!"
Though he was grinning at her like usual, she wasn't so sure... So, she reached up and placed a hand on his cheek. "Oh, you feel warm too.." she fret. "But, you never went outside yesterday! So then, how could you be sick too..?"
"Sick?" Shigure asked. "Are the boys not well?"
"Yes, Yuki and Kyo both have fevers. They went out fully clothed yesterday in the rain, remember? I think it made them sick," she told Shigure. Now that she had someone to confide in..she could already feel the tears coming. "I feel awful Shigure, I shouldn't have let them go outside in the first place!"
"Aww, don't worry about that! They knew better then to go out there in the first place. Bodies that are inflicted with the curse are a bit..weaker than the average human," he reminded her. "It's no wonder they got sick. Serves them right~" Shigure chuckled.
"I suppose...but then, why are YOU sick?" Tohru asked.
"Welllll..." he mused. "Remember how yesterday at dinner, you mentioned the hamburger meat we used tasted a bit funny?"
"...oh! I do remember!" she gasped. "It didn't taste right, so I stopped eating it."
"That's right. You tasted that before I did, so I ate more of it than you did. I think it may have gone bad, which is why my stomach a little upset," he admit, rubbing his tummy. "But, I should be okay now!"
"I don't think that's true Shigure. I think you have food poisoning.." Tohru frowned. "You'd better get some rest as well."
"Aww, don't worry so much~ I feel perfectly...I feel..." he said, his smile fading and his words trailing off. Tohru watched as his somewhat flushed skin turned a funny yellow color, before he retched again and put his hand over his mouth. Tohru gasped, and quickly nudged him towards the bathroom, which he was quick to obey! He slammed the door shut behind him, and Tohru could hear him vomiting once again.
"This isn't good, this isn't good..." Tohru moaned. Now the only adult in the home was sick too! She knew she had fever reducers, but did she have anything for a poorly stomach too? She just didn't know!
Just then, the phone began to ring, and she breathed a big sigh of relief. There was Hatori! He would help her! She hurried back to the phone and grabbed it off the receiver. "Hello? Hatori?" she asked. "Thank goodness you answered! I just found out Shigure is sick too and I don't know what to do, so I really need a doctor's help!" she said, her words rushing out of her in one, big jumble. She could feel some of the weight jumping off of her shoulders! That is until, she heard Hatori sigh...
"Tohru, I wish I could come and help," he said. "But, Momiji's started running a high fever this morning as well. I need to stay with him for a little while. I don't want to leave him by himself right now."
"He's sick too, that poor bunny!" Tohru frowned. "I understand completely, please stay with him! Keep me updated too if you can, okay?" she agreed. No matter how overwhelmed she was feeling, she always had room in heart for others. And right now, Momiji was taking up a good part of it.
"Of course," Hatori said. "I'll come and check on everyone as soon as his fever breaks. Please take precautions to keep yourself safe until then. You can't afford to be sick as well."
"Don't you worry Hatori! I'm a lot tougher then I look, I'm sure I can do this!" Tohru nodded. "Take good care of Momiji for me!" She and Hatori exchanged good byes, and hung up the phone. But, as soon as the line was dead, Tohru let out a long, deep breath. She had said she could do it, and she was sure she could if she tried hard enough! But...
Was sheer willpower going to be enough in this case...?