Yasahiro was stiff.

Chiyoko knew about the other world, and she wanted answers. He had no strength or authority to send her away, and even if he did, she would just keep pushing. He didn't know what else to do or tell her.

He let out a deep sigh. "Aw jeez. Do you really want to know?"

She nodded.

"You won't believe me if I tell you. Are you sure?"

"I just want to know. Ever since my brother got sick...he's different. He doesn't tell me things like he used to. He keeps so many secrets. Secrets that you know and that you need to tell me." Her big brown eyes were watering, making Yasahiro's stomach churn.

He nodded. "Okay. I'll tell you what I can. But I'm not really the person to be talking to about this."

"Then I'll find them later. I just need some answers."

"Right..." Yasahiro gulped, "okay. I'll try to explain it to you in an easy way. Just so you can follow along and write it down easier."

The eight-year-old nodded, taking a seat at Isas' desk. Yasahiro nervously scratched his wrist. "Okay...um, wow, I don't really know how to explain this-at least, I never really had to. So, what happened to your brother...well, it really has to do with this town's flu."

"The flu? But, how? My brother is healthy-or at least, he was."

Yasahiro shook his head. "It wasn't because of anything like that. It was because he felt bad."

"Felt bad...?"

"How can I say this...? He...wasn't happy with how things were going in his life. He was sad, but he never said anything. He didn't want to worry anybody, so he kept all those bad feelings to himself. And that manifested into something else...something Isas wanted to protect you from. He fell ill because those bad feelings were taking over him. But his friends, Jumin-kun, Suki-San, and Kimi-Chan. They helped him. They saved him...and then, he saved me."

Chiyoko was lost. Did he think she was stupid? Or was he still in some kind of feverish haze?

"Okay, we're done here." She said, standing up from the chair, "you're playing with me. If this Suki-San will give me the answers you won't give me."

She stamped out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

Yasahiro sighed, felling a sharp pain in his stomach. "O-ow..."

'I need a nap. But it's 11am...one more won't kill me...'

--------------------

"SO WHAT IF HE IS?! IT'S NONE OF YOUR FUCKING BUSINESS, JUNKO!"

The sounds of his mother's irrate voice filled the house as he and Saburo walked in. Saburo had been using Jumin as a crutch because he was feeling out of breath but was walking on his own as he became intrigued by the ensuing drama.

Jumin sighed. "Same old mom."

"Always liked that crazy bitch. She's hilarious." Saburo said.

"That's one thing to call her. Do you need to sit down or something?"

Saburo waved him off. "I'm fine, Narukami-Eko. I'm fine."

"WELL YOU CAN JUST TAKE THAT 'ACCUSATION' AND SHOVE IT UP YOUR-!"

"GREY, ENOUGH!"

Jumin quickly left to the kitchen, Saburo staggering behind.

There was Jumin's parents, Saburo's mom, and the neighborhood gossip, Junko Fujiwara.

"Ma? What the hell-What are you doing here?" Saburo asked, puzzled.

"Fujiwara-san's losing her head over something she heard from her son. Something about you and Jumin-kun."

"Hi Mrs. Etsuko!" Jumin said, waving.

Saburo shot him a look, shutting him up quickly.

"Even if what your son is saying is true, that's their business and they can talk about it whenever and with whoever they want!" Grey snarled, Yu quickly coming from behind to calm her.

"While her temperament is a bit 'harsh,' Grey's right. And it's not that big of a deal! Jumin's our son, we love him no matter what."

"So you're condoning this behavior?! I'm shocked, Yu!"

"Oh, I'll give you something to be shocked about-"

"Woah, woah, woah! What's going on? What is Mrs. Fujiwara talking about, and what does it have to do with us?"

Junko turned and stood, getting uncomfortably close to the boys. "My son, Sasuke said he and his friends found you two outside of town," she took a deep breath, " 'fondling' each other and kissing for an hour."

The color in Jumin's face disappeared. "W-what?!"

Saburo felt his blood boil as lump formed in his throat. He bawled his fists and practically stomped forward, getting right up in Junko's face. "Listen here, you lil bitch. I don't know what the fuck your son has been telling you, but it's all bullshit. I ain't gay, and even if I was, like hell I would let a whore like you find out-"

"How dare you!"

"Saburo, that is enough!" His mother shouted.

"I ain't finished! If you bother me or Narukami-Eko again, I'll be sure to make you and your son's lives a living hell-just like you did mine!"

He turned and walked away, glancing at Jumin, "I'll see you in class."

He left, his mother quickly leaving after him.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered, running after him.

"I think you should leave, Junko." Grey said, her arms crossed.

With a 'Hmph', Junko Fujiwara left through the back door, slamming it behind her.

Yu turned to Grey. "That was a little unnecessary."

"She was the one who was making a big deal out of it!" She snapped.

"Yes, but you didn't have to threaten her!"

Jumin nervously scratched his neck. "I'm fucked, aren't I?"

"You're not fucked, Jumin."

"She's gonna tell everyone."

Grey scoffed. "Please, like anyone cares what she thinks..."

Yu sighed, looking over at his son. "Are you okay, Jumin?"

He shrugged. "I mean, I'm about to be outed along with my friend whom I haven't seen in years, so I'm not doing too great."

"Your father and I will take care of it. If anyone gives you any shit for it, we'll kick their ass."

"Grey."

"What? It worked the last time."

Jumin sighed, shaking his head. "I'm not even gonna ask..."

He was quiet for a moment, looking back at the bloody wet spot on his jacket. "Mom? Dad?"

"Yes, Jumin?"

"I think...I think Saburo might have 'the flu.' "

The room fell quiet. Both adults looked at each other in utter fear and shock.

"Sweetie, are you sure?" Grey asked, getting closer to her son.

Jumin nodded, tugging on the wet spot. "He was coughing up blood and mucous, and when he got mad-his eyes, they were this bright yellow. Like the shadows."

"So then he must have it." Yu said, shaking his head.

"I hate to say this, but I'm not too surprised. After all that son of a bitch put his family through, no wonder Saburo ended up getting it."

Jumin's lip quivered and he hugged his mother with great strength.

"W-woah, Jumin-"

"M-mama...I don't want it to be him. I just got him back and, I don't want to lose him again! I care about him, mama!"

Grey got choked up, rubbing Jumin's back. "I know, baby. I know you don't. W-we love him, too. But he won't die. You're strong enough, I know it. I can feel it."

He sniffed. "But what if I can't? What if my luck is gone and I can't-"

"Jumin, saving Isas and Anzu wasn't just dumb luck. That took courage and skill. That took effort, and look! They're alive! Because of you and your friends. You can save Saburo. You can do it."

Jumin held his mother tightly, sobbing hard into her shoulder. Yu came over and pulled them both into his embrace.

---------------

Saburo was extremely quiet as he prepared dinner with his mother. It was something they did every night. It's what got him comfortable to start talking about his troubles. But tonight, he was silent, just blankly staring at the pot of broth as he ran the wooden spoon through it.

His mother sighed. "Saburo, please talk to me. You know me. You know I will always love you no matter what, just tell me what-"

"You don't deserve it." He said bluntly.

"What?"

He turned to face her. "You don't deserve a son like me. I only ever cause you trouble. You shoulda just sent me off to that boot camp or that stuff boarding school-"

"NO! Don't you ever say that! I would never send you away for being yourself! You're all I have left!"

Saburo grunted, looking away from her. "Damnit woman. You don't get it! All of your life, ever since you had me-you've had nothing but bad luck. You've always had to clean up my mess, take shit for my mistakes! Just do what you know is right and-"

Saburo's mother quickly hugged him, tears springing from her eyes as they fell to the floor, kneeling.

"Don't you dare say any of that again! You are my son and I love you with all of my heart! I don't care if people I don't even care about talk behind our backs! Their words mean nothing to me! It's you that I'm worried about! You that I care about! I would risk my life for yours because you are my only son!"

That's when Saburo began to cry. He buried his face into his mother's shoulder and sobbed, hacking and coughing up blood onto the floor. "Ma...I think I'm dying..."

Saburo's mother shook her head, wiping the blood off his lip with her thumb. "No, baby. You're not going to die. Tomorrow morning, we're going straight to the emergency room. We're going to beat this before this can get you first. You just have to be strong."

Saburo nodded, continuing to sob. 'Strong...I gotta be strong...I'm not gonna leave her alone...I can't leave her alone...'

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(A/N: Ta~da! Trying to make these chapters better and out quicker but obviously it's still not that great. I do hope you enjoyed and I will see you soon!)