Okay, I tried to make this chapter longer because I feel like the last one was a little disappointing. The boys aren't in this one either, but they WILL be in the next one! Pinky-promise! Again, if you see any errors or something doesn't feel right, just tell me. Oh, and #Blah, blah, blah# is Suteki signing. The ending kind of seems rushed to me, let me know what you think. I know this one was posted really fast, but that's only because I had most of it written when I posted the second, and I couldn't sleep. Footnotes at the bottom like always! So... Happy Reading!

When I woke up I took in a deep gulp of air, like I had been underwater for hours. I heard a loud rattling sound and searing pain ripped through me.

After the blinding pain subdued, I realized that the sound was my breathing. I reached up and felt a thick cloth covering my neck. The front felt like it was crusted over.

I tried to say "help" but nothing came out but an eerie wheezing sound.

From the all-white room that was around me I knew that someone had taken me to an unfamiliar place. I had never been in an actual building; it felt strange to be so closed in.

I tried to sit up and the pain came back, but it was expected so I could work through it.

Suddenly the door to my left opened and a mousey looking woman walked in with a cart. She looked up from her load and squeaked when she saw me sitting up, watching her. She left her cart where it sat and rushed from the room.

"Wait…" I tried to say, but it came out as a strange guttural sound. I quickly covered my mouth and my eyes drifted down miserably.

How long had I been out? I didn't have much time to think about it, because soon the woman came back in with others in tow.

One was a tall man, with what looked to be a tattoo of the letters "JR" on his forehead. He also had something blue and round hanging out of his mouth. The other was a woman with blue hair, wearing a pink outfit.

Both looked very…was it concerned?

"Hello, I am Koenma. Are you feeling well?" Koenma…I knew that name…

I tried to nod my head, but the bandages denied the movement. Suddenly all the signs came back to me. My hands seemed to move on their own accord, communicating my thoughts without effort.

#Yes, but where am I?# my hands tried to ask them.

"Oh, dear, Botan, see if you can find a translator. Nurse, fetch her some water." He seemed used to giving orders. He must be the Master. Where do I know his name from, though?

"Right away!" the blue one saluted. The sudden excitement made me flinch.

After the women had left, Koenma seemed awkward. He shifted from foot to foot, looked to a circle mounted on the wall, and then slowly moved to sit in the chair beside the bed I was in.

What was I supposed to do? I couldn't talk, I could barely move without pain wracking through me. So I just sat there…While he just sat there. I started to pick at the blanket pooled in my lap.

Soon, thankfully, the nurse came back in with a pitcher and a glass.

I signed 'thank you' so many times I lost count while she poured me a glass. I guess I didn't realize how thirsty I was until it was flaunted in my face.

Drinking was excruciatingly painful. But so worth it.

After I downed the entire pitcher, the blue one, Botan, came back with another blue one. Only this one was much bigger, more ogre-y, and was only dressed in a loincloth.

"Botan… I told you to get a translator, not George." He looked positively irate.

"Yes, well, George said that he has a deaf cousin and knows the basics…" she says in a chipper manner.

"Yes, sir!" the ogre said excitedly. Finally, someone who can get me answers.

#So does this mean you can tell them that all I want to know is where I am?# I signed, exasperated, after I got George's attention.

"She says that all she wants to know is where she is." He relays after a moment of processing.

"Well, miss…"

#Suteki.# I spelled it and then gave my sign name for good measure.

*"Miss Suteki, you're currently in Spirit World. My detectives saved you from Hiraku. I'm Koenma." Who is Hiraku? He must mean Master.

"And I'm Botan!" the perky one cut in.

George started to translate for me and I finally realized that they thought I was deaf.

#No, no. I can hear just fine. I just can't talk. How soon will I be able to take these off?# I gestured to my bandages.

"Oh… She can hear. How soon can she take off her bandages?" The ogre looked embarrassed; I guess he finally caught on that I was looking at everyone as they were talking.

"I will have to check your bandages and cleanse the wound before I can give an analysis." The nurse spoke up for the first time. She then walked over with the cart she was pushing when she first came in. When she started to pull off the cloth, I couldn't help myself. A gargling scream ripped from me, and it seems that wasn't the only thing that ripped. I felt a thick wetness soak into the bandage, and tasted copper in my mouth. My vision blurred, tunneled, and then was gone…

/Unknown Time Lapse\\\\\\\

When I woke back up for the second time, breathing was slightly easier, and the taste was gone. Sitting up was easier as well. Everyone was still there, and the water in the nurse's pail was harshly tinted red.

#What happened?# I signed slowly.

"While you were passed out, I changed your bandages and cleaned it. Unless you get the aid of a trained healer constantly, it could be several years before it fully heals. Especially if you keep ripping it open like that." The nurse explains.

#How long with a healer?# Okay, if it's under one year, I'll agree to see one. If it's over, I'll take my chances…

"Most likely under ten months." She seemed optimistic.

I mentally sighed and then asked, #Where can I find a healer?#

"Do you have a place to live? Any family that can take you in?" Koenma asks.

#No. Nothing, no one.# I kept my eyes down when I signed it…

"Well then! We know a healer and a place you can stay! I'm sure Genkai will be thrilled to have another helping hand around, and Yukina is a wonderful healer!" Botan seemed positively thrilled by the idea.

#I don't want to be a burden.# I didn't even know these people, why would they be so willing to let me impose?

"Nonsense! As soon as they release you, I'll take you there!" She smiled. I hadn't seen a genuine smile since Mimi… I couldn't help but return it…

FOOTNOTES

*For the sake of my aching wrist, let's be logical and assume that George is translating what she says to them without issue. If there is an issue, have enough trust in me and know that I will put what he said.

So... How was it for you? I feel pretty good about it, but I live for your feedback! I love communication, so tell me what you think! I have no idea when the next one will be posted, but if I still feel good about myself because of readers/feedback/favorites/follows (hint, hint) then it might be sooner than I think! Have fun browsing other stories on this wonderful site! Till next time!