Fevered

Disclaimer: I don't own Crescent Moon.

Summary: Chicken soup isn't the only cure for the common cold.

A/N: The idea of Mahiru taking care of a sick Mitsuru is just too cute! Takes place after book 6. Enjoy everyone!

Mitsuru was dying. Or at least he wished he were.

This was all Misoka's fault, that bastard.

If fox boy hadn't forced him to go to the Moon Palace, then he wouldn't have been exposed to that diseased servant, who obviously should've been bedridden instead of potentially infecting the entire royal staff, and he never would be in his current predicament.

Plugged up nose, sore throat, aching all over, and continually shivering even with a high fever. If this wasn't torture, he didn't know what was.

"Good morning!"

The tengu groaned. Mahiru's sunny disposition wasn't helping matters either.

He knew it was just her nature, but her constant cheeriness only increased his want to crawl under the covers and never come out.

"Come on Mitsuru, I have some orange juice for you. Remember, Oboro said you have to keep hydrated!" The older man had explained to the princess that Mitsuru's illness was equivalent to a typical cold, except for members of the Lunar Race, it lasted over three weeks and greatly weakened their powers.

Mitsuru hated feeling helpless. It was probably the worst part of being sick.

He felt a nudge on his shoulder and cracked open an eye to glare at his grinning girlfriend. Damn it, why couldn't she let him suffer in peace?

"Mitsuru, please, you have to drink this. It'll help you feel better, I promise!" He highly doubted that, but he complied anyway just so she wouldn't keep bugging him.

Mahiru looked satisfied when he slammed the empty glass on the bedside table. "See? That wasn't so bad. Now let me check your temperature," she said as she placed a hand on his forehead. Her palm was surprisingly cool and he let out a contented sigh at the contact.

"Hmm, still a bit high. You should take a cold bath to help bring it down. I'll go draw it for-"

Mitsuru grabbed her wrist before she could leave. "Stay," he said simply, brown eyes staring into her blue ones.

The princess smiled softly and nodded, crawling in beside him on the bed. She sat up against the headboard while her boyfriend curled his body around hers, resting his head on her stomach.

Gently running her fingers through his hair, she began humming the song they both knew all too well.

Princess, princess, why do you smile?

In the forest painted by the setting sun,

I made a promise with a demon boy…

Eventually Mitsuru was lulled to sleep by her soothing actions. Mahiru stayed with him though, continuing to stroke his hair and sing quietly, until she succumbed to slumber as well.

A/N: Thanks for reading and please review!

"People do not die of colds!"

-Mrs. Bennet, Pride & Prejudice