Hayate's sides burned as he coughed for what felt like the hundredth time. The muscles in his chest were beginning to ache against the constant assault, but Hayate found himself walking to his front door as there was an incessant knocking.

"Who is it?" Hayate asked his voice sounding gravelly and irritated.

Yūgao who stood outside chose not to answer him upon hearing the true extent of his poor health. Instead, she just settled for knocking. She wanted to elicit enough annoyance within Hayate for him to answer the door without checking again. After all, Yūgao knew that Hayate would not let her in as he had been actively pushing her away since the day they had kissed.

Finally, Yūgao's plan worked, and she was met with a man she barely recognised. His face no longer fixed with a teasing smile but instead replaced with a grimace. Dark circles rimmed Hayate's eyes, and there were creases at the sides from exhaustion. His gaze was glassy and unfocused.

Yūgao took a step forward then utterly overwhelmed by a need to care for him. "Are you okay?" Yūgao found herself saying stupidly, "You missed our training session."

Hayate avoided the arm that came out to touch him. "I have an illness," he stated obviously, "There are times it flares up, but then it gets better."

Yūgao did not appreciate how Hayate downplayed what seemed to be a severe affliction on his health.

However, Hayate was already trying to close the door on her. "You shouldn't be here," he managed to get out before a barrage of coughs left him breathless. Yūgao took the opportunity to push her way inside his home, and her display of brassiness not only shocked Hayate but herself as well.

If Hayate did not feel so miserable, he would have kicked himself for being so careless: He should have known better then to escort Yūgao home after dinner that day as he had carelessly pointed out to her when he lived.

Suddenly Hayate found himself gripping onto the wall while smothering his mouth with his free hand. He hunched over then as his entire body rocked from the next round of coughs. Desperate arms were quick to take hold of Hayate then and guide him forward. Hayate relented to the assistance as he heard the door close behind him. He was just too weak to fight, but Hayate made sure to note that he would discourage Yūgao's interest in him once he was well.

Yūgao unknowingly held her breath as she worked to support Hayate's weight while navigating them through his home. Hayate's lungs stung, so he was relieved to collapse onto the futon that eventually appeared at his feet.

"Is there anything that usually helps your coughs?" Yūgao asked then when she was free from the burden of his weight.

Hayate merely closed his eyes then and shook his head.

Yūgao did not like his answer nor did she find that she wanted to accept it as Hayate's body began to quake from the warning tremours which indicated that a cough was imminent. It was then that Yūgao pressed her hands to Hayate's forehead and cheek. He was hot to the touch, and for once it was beneficial that Yūgao's blood ran cold. She watched as Hayate leaned into her touch. The way his face relaxed from the relief he received from her made Yūgao's heart to ache in both pain and happiness.

"You have a fever," Yūgao stated.

Hayate only slightly nodded, not wanting to move out of the position that had brought momentary ease to his current state.

"It usually accompanies the coughing," Hayate told her quietly.

Yūgao blinked back the water that collected in her eyes then. She hated seeing Hayate looking so fragile. His breaths had become laboured, and his voice was utterly raw from his coughing. She just felt so helpless.

"You should go to a medical-nin," Yūgao proposed.

There was another shake of his head. "They can't do anything for me," Hayate said. "Though like I said it will pass."

By now Yūgao's hands had been warmed by Hayate's heated skin and so without a word she left the room. Yūgao was determined to at least help in any way she could.

Hayate had only the bare essentials in his home. It was clear that there had never been a females touch. Nevertheless, Yūgao was able to find a wooden bowl in the kitchen and flannels. She was quick to return to Hayate's side with the bowl of water. Yūgao wetted one and pressed it to his forehead. The other she took to pressing against Hayate's skin. There were answering signs amongst the coughs, and Yūgao knew that at least she was doing something right.

Yūgao foregone her manners as she unbuttoned Hayate's shirt. She let the material fall on either side before wiping down his exposed chest with the wet cloth. Hayate merely lay there and accepted the situation, and it was not long before he was reaching out for her touch.

Yūgao started when she felt a hand. Hayate said nothing as he pulled one of her hands away from the cloth and settled for holding it. Hayate found that her touch was a greater reliever than the water. What he truly needed was comforting to help him escape his hell.

{}{}{}

It was at some point during the night when Hayate's fever finally broke, and his coughs eased into raspy exhales. He was finally able to sleep, and he slept through until the sun had risen high in the sky.

Eventually, Hayate's eyes began to flicker beneath his eyelids as he slowly gained consciousness. It was surprising how Hayate knew that he was feeling better despite not entirely being awake. There was just an easiness in his chest, and the fire was gone. He noted the stickiness against his forehead then. Hayate cracked open his eyes as a hand went there. His fingers met a freshly damp cloth, and Hayate removed it.

Looking up the young shinobi was met with a cascade of purple hair. Yūgao was sitting beside his futon and leaning against the nearby wall. She looked completely uncomfortable with her neck craned at a 90-degree angle. Her heavy eyelids were continuously dropping, but she fought off sleep. Hayate was moved by her concern for him yet his spirits soon dampened when he remembered his continued resolve to keep Yūgao in the clearly defined relationship as his student.

Hayate lamented internally. Why was he being tested like this?