Obanai whined a little as he heaved his tiny body up off his futon. His head and throat felt sore and his tummy felt uneasy - so he rubbed circles on it with his pale bony fingers. Kaburamaru unravled himself and slithered up Obanai's nude body until he cuddled at his neck. Softly, Obanai scaved the large, white snake's scales : he was gentle as he brushed his finger tips against the kind snake.

"Oba doesn't feel too well today Kabura..." He told his reptile friend, "Could you be a good boy and go get Sanemi to tell master I-" Obanai was cut off by his own harsh, heavy-chested coughs, eventually the coughing fit calmed down and he continued, "I-I'm not coming to work?"