Ok! So, on a boring note: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.

Duh...

Hope that clarifies things. I also love that some of you are giving me your thoughts on where the story should or could go or what parts got to you. To me, it means you can really get into it and it gets your imagination going. That's really a compliment! So feel free to let me know your ideas, I may just include them!

Oh, and my way of writing is to hint to things without directly telling you. I realize sometimes that it can be hard to follow, so if you are so inclined feel free to email me with questions and I'll try to clear them up!

HIEI: That's enough out of you!

ME: ? What do you mean?

HIEI: Baka!

ME: Are you impatient? I have time. I'm not in a rush.

HIEI: *from behind me he leans against my ear and drops his voice low* Get it done...

ME: O_O;;;; .Wow. That was definitely a threat. Or... he's turning into a redneck! XD

*THUMP*

*Hiei hits me hard on the back of the head with the hilt of his katana*

ME: X.X …

HIEI: That will teach you to call me any type of disgusting human…

*Hiei continues to glare down at me, even though I'm out cold*
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._.

``Vertigo''
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Previously:

~~~~~
See? SEE? Nothing happened you big yellow chicken!

I keep going.

The darkest part is right before the door. Almost there! No sweat!

But then.. but then! My eyes jerk startled and I rear back hard when I suddenly swear the dark itself has moved, and then…

someone grips my wrist....~~~~~

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It was a contact, so sudden and unexpected, that it frightened me so deeply that I bolted sideways.

My eyes widening into globes, my mouth opened in a silent scream as the back of my head collided with some hard metal object on the wall behind me. Immediately, colored stars of bright light covered my vision, a lightning streak of pain exploded in the center of my brain. And so there's no time to see who grabbed me as the world drips into something visually fuzzy, then black as I sink unto the floor...
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(there's a mechanical snap and a hard click, as the recorder hits its corner on the floor, a chipped piece of plastic skids and comes to a rest against a hard wall)

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._.

*cliaaick* (the recorder doesn't sound so good)

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Opening my eyes, I can't focus. Everything is a blur of color and light.

My brain is on, but no one is home.

I stare blankly against a white surface in front of my eyes, unable to think. What am I? What's going on? Why am I here? These are vague questions where any answer at all would do and I can't seem to answer anything. I don't know what to even really ask myself, there's just a drone of several minutes as I try to connect the dots in my head and reboot my brain one more time.

Slowly, small thoughts come together and hold hands. I remember there should be others… maybe. I tell my mouth to open but can't. Can't seem to form words or call out to someone. And am I really sure there would there be anyone to hear me, if I could? I just don't know.

It's freaking me out.

Trying to think...it hurts so bad I could cry. This skull I'm trapped in, it's just pounding and throbbing wildly. It's got a life of its own now. I seriously wonder if my head isn't split in two. And really, on most days, I seem to be dumber than a box of rocks, so what do I do? I try raise my hands to my head to check. As if I'd actually want to know!

Don't know if it's good luck or bad luck, but I can't seem to move them. My arms are just soooo heavy.

So here I am and it's so painful to think. It's so painful to move. It's just so painful. But I have to!

What happened anyway? Think. THINK! Oh yeah. …

Am I still on the floor? What if I'm bleeding to death and no one comes?

Clearly I'm not in a position to do a damn thing about it. I close my eyes, hoping it will help them to focus when I open them again. That's when I hear the ringing in my ears. First sound to come back and it's just making my head scream! I really don't like to cry but maybe I'll have to make an exception in this case. The pain is unreal. And absolutely unrelenting. And I can't stop it. I'm not sure how much I can take. I think 'I can take it for awhile but it...I...'.

A wave of nausea hits me.

I fight it. Trying to relax till it passes, I really don't need to deal with that right now but I know it came because of the pain. I feel my eyes welling up. It actually helps to make them feel better so I don't fight it.

Then, it's the weirdest thing, but gradually, the pain starts to subside some. I'm feeling a little better.

So I begin to unclench all the muscles in my body I never remember clenching in the first place. And that takes some of the pressure off my head, the pain fading to a dull ache.

And with it, the ringing of my ears also slowly quiets. The world comes back to me.

I hear, for the first time, voices. Many voices actually, all around me! So they found me, did they? 'I guess my humiliation wasn't bad enough earlier, I've managed to make it worse!' I scold myself, obviously feeling better if I can joke again.

I make the second attempt to open my eyes. My vision is still blurred but carefully starts to come back together.

I'm not on the floor at all!

I'm on a bed now. And there are people all around me just like I thought. People. Yes, 1..2..3..4..5...6..7..8. What a crowd!

I don't even expect this big a crowd at my funeral! And all I did was bop myself on the head! 'How many of the group of people would come if I broke a leg' I wondered. I find myself grinning at my own jokes. I glance casually around the room to take in my current surroundings.

Suddenly my eyes halt. There across the room in the corner...is Hiei. Was I looking for him? Have I brought him upon myself?

He is leaning against the wall, staring at the floor with his hands in his pockets, looking for all the world like a lost soul. If I didn't know better, I'd think he was concerned.

But that's a laugh! I wished I had something to throw at him! I can't stand him! Why does he even have to be here? Did he come back to throw more insults? To kick me when I'm down? If he thinks I'm going to be an easy target for bullying, he's going to get a nasty awakening! He may have some strength to him that I didn't expect but I'm sure I can still kick his a$$!

Anytime you a$$hole! ANY TIME!

And then, as if on cue with my concentrated thoughts on his face, he picks his head up and meets my gaze. I stiffen immediately and drop my eyes, suddenly thoroughly shaken. 'How does he do that? Why does his direct unblinking gaze manage to give me the willies? How did he know the moment I was looking at him?' I'm stammering to myself.

To shake off the disconcerting feeling and fright, I begin to chastise myself that I'm being overly dramatic. But then stop 'No! I know what I saw! He looked up at me, just as I looked at him and his eyes didn't look surprised at all but as if he knew very well that I was looking at him.' I don't know where this absolute certainty came from right at this moment, but I know myself well enough to trust it. It leaves me very confused in its wake though...

Everyone was standing about the room in groups talking quietly amongst themselves. Me, I was just lying there, still not having uttered a single word. To be honest, I wasn't sure I could speak after my last failed attempt and I was afraid my lips would slur and I'd sound like the town idiot. I've been the town idiot enough in the last day, thank you very much!

But they were so quiet and solemn themselves, in fact, that I begin to wonder if I'm not really dead? Wouldn't Hiei have said something, having looked right at me, and saw me looking? If he didn't maybe I'm just dead. Just dead, and floating and thinking I'm still here and looking at him, but I wasn't? I don't know. Talking to myself in circles isn't fixing anything but I just don't know.

And neither do I know if it was a terrifying few minutes or much longer before Botan sees me looking around and comes to my side, Yukina close behind her. My eyes grow wet with relief, that someone is acknowledging I exist. They stare down, their hair falling forward in sections like pink and blue icicles, partially obscuring their faces. Mostly, I see hair and eyes and that is enough for me.

Then Genkai comes along the other side of my bed, pushing Kuwabara away and rests a hand on my forehead. It is cold and hard. My head hurts from it and I look at her, wishing to tell her to take it away. She smiles at me, oblivious. Why choice do I have? I smile back, slightly.

All this attention, I don't like it. Not like this anyways. It makes me very nervous.

I'm not dying. I've just cracked my head, that's all. It's not a big deal. What are they? A paranoid lot? That's all I need, to be dead center of a bunch of worry warts!

That almost makes me laugh. My humor mercifully kicks back in and I could just picture it now: Everyone standing there with their heads hung low, wringing their hands together, "Oh dear, Oh dear". I started to really laugh as this image played itself out in my mind. But as the sound left my throat it rattled my whole head, sending wave after wave of pain and I moan. Closing my eyes as nausea washes over me once again.

I wait impatiently for it to pass.

I don't want all this attention. I'm not some weak thing. I've always prided myself on how strong I am and I'll let nothing destroy that image of myself! I look up at Botan and get brave. I say "Hey Botan! What's up with entourage?" For effect, I grin stupidly. She looks a little relieved at the sound of my voice.

Ignoring my quirk, she asks quietly "How are you feeling Enigma?"

So I ignore her unwanted concern. I'm tired of the game now "What do you mean? I've just bumped my head! It's stupid, really. It's not a big deal. Why is everyone acting so freaky?"

Botan looks incredulously at me and my, apparently, stupid statement.

For the first time, she looks annoyed, her mouth twisting tightly up one side. She says "You did more than just 'bump' it! We're surprised you didn't knock it entirely off your shoulders! We thought you had fallen into a coma but Yukina here managed to heal you with her healing powe-!" Botan slapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide as saucers.

I didn't miss a beat "Healing powers?" But even as I asked, I vehemently wished I hadn't. I knew exactly what she meant.

Apparently, Yukina is one of those religious freaks that is so far into their own delusion that they believe that they can actually heal someone by touching them! I've read the news about them! I've seen the TV evangelist shows! It's a damn circus with these people and they're always looking for new suckers! Well, I'm not going to be her latest victim damn it!

And she's obviously got the whole group convinced she can too! She didn't look the type but... I guess you never really know someone. So, having been around these crazied types before, I can guess what's coming next...a big overly dramatic sermon and I am NOT in the mood.

So I quickly say, in a little of a panic, "Uh! Yeah, sure! Gee, Thanks Yukina for all your help, rrreeeaaally! But please no sermons right now!"

Botan translates for me. And I find that almost in unison, as if they had practiced it, everyone turns to stare at me. A crowd of thoroughly confused looks, especially Yukina. But as confused as she is, her face drops into a gentle smile and she said something to me. Botan repeats what she's said "Oh. It was nothing! Whatever I can do to help! I'm glad you feel better."

I smile back. 'Good!' I think 'I've placated her. And saved myself from a lot of talking! Good thing I think fast!'

They keep looking at me like they expect more of a reaction out of me after Yukinas' big 'reveal'. I just don't understand this group. They are SOOO weird. It's like they're hiding something from me... 'Oh my god! Have I landed myself in the middle of the Mason family?'' I start to panic. But I figure I might as well relax, if they are, there's not a lot I can do about it at this moment.

And Holy Crap! What a day! It just won't end!

I want to get some sleep.

I really am quite worn out at this point and I figure the easiest way to get them to leave is to prove I'm alright. So I quickly sit up and go to swing my legs over the side and stand up all in one swift graceful motion...

And my world goes vertigo...right before I pass out.
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(there's a mumble of foreign voices on the tape for awhile)

._.

*cliiiii….cliii… cliickK*

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When I finally come to, I've learned my lesson and stay still, slowly opening my eyes this time.

I'm kind of surprised to see it's dark in the room now. The light is out and no one is in here anymore. Thank god for small favors. So I lay there and stare at the popcorn ceiling, counting holes till the pain of having my eyes even being open gets to be too much.

I am still hurting bad and opening my eyes seemed to make it worse. How much damage did I do? Botan said I really hit my head hard, but now that I think I have control of my arms again, I'm kind of chicken to reach back and feel my head. What if it's shaved and laced with thick black stitches! I'm too young to be that ugly! My social life would be over! OVER, I TELL YOU!

I'm a glutton for punishment, so I'm already imagining the nicknames people would give me, and I haven't even checked my head yet! 'Baldy! Wig girl! Frankenstein…'

'Shut UP Enigma!' I think. All this thinking about it and self mockery is just making it hurt worse. I close my eyes but like an avalanche, once started it only builds. And dummy that I was to aggravate my condition, sharp pain returns, stabbing at my brain. It's like a knife being sawed up and down in my head. I'm trying so hard not to cry out, 'I'm not weak... I'm not...' But the pain doesn't care and my eyes fill up behind my eyelids and a tear leaks out, blazing a trail down my cheek.

I feel it slowly creeping down and wait for it to fall off but it never makes it.

Instead, I feel a rough hot fingertip press against my cheek to stop it, than brush it away. Startled out of my skin, my eyes snap open in panic... then pain!

And there standing over me, looking almost like nothing more than a shadow, is him. He was not scowling, but still, his face is unreadable. My skin crawls with uncertainty and being alone in the dark with him, helpless.

But he's only watching me, just watching me.

What does he want from me? What the hell does he want?

I feel the angst washing back over me from before... he was so close. The tears starting in my eyes... it's just me and him. Is this good? Is this bad? Have I unwittingly called him? Is it me that wants something from him, and I tether him to me? Is this somehow my fault?

None of this makes any sense? He's not angry, that I can tell anyways. But so what then?

He seems so untouchable... pine needles and waterfalls.

It's too much to think of this kind of thing right now. I can't handle this right now, my body is already damaged. I just can't tolerate any more pain. I barely choke out above a whisper "Please...just go... no wait... don't leave..."

My heart clenches. I didn't mean to admit, not to anything, and not to him. What if he can somehow understand?

I moan loudly as the pain consumes me, pulling me away from all other thoughts, as I close my eyes.

I feel him leaving. And I want to reach out to stop him. But I have no control of myself. And more tears stream down in his absence, though I don't anymore if it's from the pain or because of him...

Yukina comes in, her voice softly speaking, and then I feel weird.

I can't open my eyes but I don't want to anyway. I feel light for a moment, as if my body has melted off my bones, then the pain starts to subside. I don't question it. I'm beyond exhausted.

I hear her leave the room again.

And just as I'm about to drift off into an empty and mindless sleep, I hear a deep deep voice, I swear I recognize, from the foot of my bed say softly…

"=Something in Japanese="…

before unconsciousness claims me again...

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._.

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And here I am at another end. It's taking me forever. I don't know how long it will take to finish this story. I hope I'm not boring anyone! I'll try to pick up the pace though. The story just seems to have a mind of its own and I can only get as far as it lets me. How sad...I'm a slave to my own work...*large anime tears*

HIEI: I decided I can tolerate this story... *said while his eyes are cast sideways, clearly refusing to look at me*

ME:
You really like it? -O- _ -O- I... I don't know what to say... Than...thank you Hiei!

HIEI: I didn't say that! Baka...

ME:
*clearly not listening and singing to myself* Hi-ei likes my stor-y...Hi-ei likes my stor-y...

*THUMP*

*Hiei hits me hard on the back of the head with the hilt of his katana*

ME: X.X …