I find myself waking up, the room still chipper and bright. The clock read 9am, I have to be at work in a few hours. I continue to lay on my bed, it doesn't feel as comfortable as it used to. After running, I should be the most grateful person on earth that I have a nice soft bed, but it just isn't cutting it. Then I thought about how I got home. I remember running all the way to the grocery store, then running half way back before bumping into Shuuichi...and then the fight…then Yusuke. Is it possible I ran and just forgot about it? No, it couldn't be. With a workout like that, I don't think I'd forget coming back and rejoicing a hot meal and relaxing in my bed. It just seems like after seeing Yusuke again, I nearly fainted. But…that still doesn't answer how I got home. They don't know where I live, unless they had a cell phone to contact my dad. Even then, I doubt it.

I started to get paranoid. Things were knocked over, it wasn't like that before. Why is it that Shuuichi and Yusuke are always missing whenever something weird happens? Some inhuman scream, or something odd always makes way, Shuuichi is near. And what were those things coming out of his back? I know I wasn't imagining that, I couldn't have. They were vines. Vines. Those don't grow in the winter, nor in an alleyway.

My heart was beating quickly, and my hands were literally shaking. What IS Shuuichi Menimino, what IS Yusuke Urameshi? Where exactly did they come from, and now, they know where I live. The bathroom was cool to the touch, and the tile chilled my feet.

At first, I thought something was on the mirror, then I turned on the light, and there was no solution to the problem. A small patch on my cheek was turning a pale green, and it looked rough. I don't think there was any type of rash that actually turns green. I rip off my jacket and shirt, and across my chest was the same problem. I started to panic, and I searched every type of med book my dad had, and the internet. All of the books said the same thing, it could be a different type of allergen, or rash. Perhaps that's the problem. When I got stung buy whatever that thing was, I could have had an allergic reaction, and luckily for me, I didn't have to show my face for a week since Dad had to construction on our ceiling since he found asbestos along the wall when he was cleaning out the junk.

June emailed me and we started talking again, but I still didn't trust her, but apparently she trusted me enough, since she gave Shuuichi my email address. And unfortunately, I liked him even more. He was so funny and nice, I dismissed the idea of Shuuichi being some mutant freak. It only proves that I watch too many movies. We actually scheduled a play date for just us two, and he guaranteed me that June wouldn't be there, even though I had to practically beg.

It wasn't really surprising that he asked me out to one of the most expensive café's around. A normal 1.29 bagel is 4.67 here, and I don't even want to know the price for a small coffee would be.

Even though I definitely didn't want to hear it, I asked anyway, "So…how are you and June?"

He looked at the waiter as he sat down our two coffees. He sat there for a moment in silence, then took a sip, "..We're fine. But we're not here to talk about June, if we were, she'd be joining us." He tried to change the subject. He knew I was uncomfortable with hearing the name of her.

"No, it's fine. We were being childish over little nothings here and there. So go ahead." I felt my stomach tighten. An obvious lie.

"Oh, I see. Well, everything seems to be going smoothly. I've decided to take her to meet…my family since the American New Year is only 3 days away."

"I thought your family were in Japan."

"You are correct, but, I am here with some special people. We are…very close, like a second family if you will. She's met some of them before…"

Not that Shuuichi was boring, I was just looking outside the window, and I could have sworn my eyes were deceiving me. There was this girl who looks exactly like June…with another guy all hugged up. It WAS June. I wanted to just stand up and point at her through the window, but it is cold outside, and that guy she was extremely close with could be an old friend, or brother, or any type of family member. Shuuichi kept talking, and as I looked on more and more, they were showing signs outside of friendship or family affairs. They were holding hands, and leaning on each other's shoulder looking in on old teddy bears sold at the toy store.

Shuuichi and I sat near the corner, so it wasn't that easy to spot us. However, if she actually came in, she'd notice us if she looked around for a table.

"…and she's just…a really special girl."

My heart started beating again, "…So…you guy's are getting kinda serious?"

His cheeks turned red, and he looked down into his coffee.

"So…who is that?" I look out the window, and tilt my head in their direction.

Shuuichi looked back through the window, then slowly turned back around, with his head looking down at his steaming coffee. His eyes looked so sad, like he couldn't bare the though of seeing something like that. He seemed truly heart broken. Now is definitely my time to make a move. Play the sympathetic friend, then go in for the kill in a few days.

"I'm sorry." I put my hand on top oh his.

He remained silent for a moment.

"…How long has this been going on?" His voice was so deep, it sounds even better, actually.

"…I don't know for sure. Perhaps for a while. She's always been this way."

I take another look at my hand, and I actually see my skin begin to turn green like before, and it was spreading kind og quickly.

"..I have to go." I hurry and scoot out of the chair and head for the door.

"Allison….thank you."

I only had time to give him a slight nod before running out the door, what is happening to me? This is no rash, something is wrong.

I hit the corner briskly, only to be slapped by a leather glove. Since it was cold, it definitely stung, and I felt something warm roll down my lip. When I look up and notice the assaulter, it was none other than June.

"You freaking skank! Give me one reason I shouldn't kick your ass!" June stood before me.