It didn't take me too long to get this up, mainly because I have terrible insomnia. So if this is a little sloppy, blame three a.m. brain. Tell me if anything seems off. Oh! And I know I'm not describing the signs anymore, but if you want a good translator .com is pretty good if you want to look up individual words. If you have an iPhone I would recommend checking out ASL Translator. I forget how much it is, and though it is usually Signed English instead of ASL, it's helpful if you're wanting to learn some ASL idioms and phrases. Happy reading!

It has been three days since Koenma and Botan's first visit. They had visited several times since then, mainly Botan since Koenma had been busy with paperwork. George came only once to translate to an angry doctor. My nurse had been making me walk the halls regularly, do, what they called, "exercises" to loosen up my neck, and I could finally get lukewarm broth down without my throat feeling on fire.

They had also hung up a poster covering the sign language alphabet, so nurses could understand my requests. I can't describe how frustrating it was to always spell things out, and so slowly! I finally got what Mimi went through. How was she always smiling?...

I had been thinking a lot about her lately… When Koenma told me that they had found all the girls and were taking them back to their families, I had asked about her. It was embarrassing though, because after 11 long years, I had forgotten what she even looked like. All that was left in my memories were conversations, emotions, and smiles…

They let me go through the thick binders of girls, and when I finally found her, I knew it was her. I can't explain the feeling but when I saw the picture it felt like everything finally focused. Curly brown hair that bounced, a round loving face, and sweet hazel eyes that shone with love.

But next to her name was a word.

Deceased.

I read on and found out that she had died right after she was sold all those years ago. Beaten to death by the bastard that bought her.

I had cried that night, not eaten the next morning, and then I just…moved on. I still thought about her fondly, but I ignored the fact that I would never see her again. She was a loving, motherly figure of my past, but she was gone.

It was a process I had developed after being torn from countless people I cared about. Ironically it had started after the first time Mimi was taken from me.

I know that it sounds cold, but I wouldn't have survived mentally without it. My life wasn't great, but I still had things to be happy about, and for that reason I could not let the sadness overcome me. I adapted.

So the day had come for me to leave this depressing place. Botan had told me that Genkai was an older psychic and Yukina was an Ice Maiden. I had seen an Ice Maiden before, but she was sold very quickly. From my observation of that one, they had seemed meek. I learned that it was extremely rare for them to come from their floating island.

"So, we've got you cleaned up, and we also washed the clothes you came here in." The nurse smiles and sets them on the edge of your bed. I smiled back and nodded slightly, not really paying attention. Botan also said that four boys stayed there. Or one stayed there, and three stayed on weekends. Something like that. She told me that those were the boys that saved me, but I still didn't understand what exactly I was saved from.

"So you understand? 15 minutes of healing a day, and changing your bandages every morning and night. If you miss any of this you could get an infection very quickly." She tried to sound stern as I changed, and I smiled and nodded to reassure her.

"Alright let's go then!" Botan exclaimed, creating a portal. Suddenly my knees felt weak. I was going to live in a house with people I didn't know. I was outnumbered. I guess this is how the countless other girls felt.

When I stepped through I guess I was expecting some odd feeling, but it felt like I was stepping through a doorway. On the other side was the house. It was immense. I had never seen such a building. I suddenly felt very, very small. Not in the sense that I usually felt, the lack of a proper diet my whole life had left me with a short stature, but in the worldly sense. The only thing I brought to this great place was the poster in my right hand and a small satchel of bandages and ointment in my left. The only familiar thing about this place was the forest that called to me, reassuring with the smell of bark and rich soil. Nonetheless I knocked on the oak door and awaited my fate.

I didn't have to wait long. Almost as soon as I knocked the door was opened by an elderly lady with pink hair. I wasn't fooled by her appearance though; I could feel the power pulsing around her. I bowed immediately and waited for her next move.

"You must be Suteki. Well don't just stand there, come in." Her voice was brisk and orderly, and my body immediately followed her commands.

"Hello, Genkai! Are the boys and Yukina around?" Botan asked after closing the door.

"Yes, they're in the kitchen waiting. You can go there, too. I want to talk to this one." The lady was staring at me. I kept my eyes from her gaze, feeling weak.

"Oh… yes, I think I'll go see what they're doing." Botan laughed nervously and then sidestepped out of the room.

"Do you understand that this is a house?" Her voice was strong, unwavering. I nodded yes while keeping my eyes down. Did she think I was stupid?

"Do you understand that this is now your home?" This question would seem like it would be asked softly, in a kind voice. Yet she held the same power that made the first question intimidating.

What kind of question was this? How was this home? My home was with Master, but that was taken away from me. Or was my home supposed to be with my father? I felt anger bubbling in my gut, but why was it there?

I finally mustered up the courage and looked into her eyes. I want to believe that my look was as strong as hers. I mouthed and signed as slow as I could, "I want this to be my home, but it will not be. I have no home."

She seemed to understand, because she shook her head and sighed. "I hope your feelings change. I've been told that you will be staying here for quite some time. You'll be expected to help with menial things like cleaning after yourself. Can you cook?" she started to walk towards the doorway Botan went through as she talked, and I followed.

I went back to being meek; there was something about this woman that intimidated me. I nodded at the question.

"Good. You can help Yukina cook on some days. The boys are through here. Don't let them overwhelm you. They can be idiots." Genkai seemed to relax a bit, and it made me feel slightly more comfortable.

When we walked through the door it was madness. Two boys were yelling at each other, a small girl was trying to break it up, Botan was hitting one with an oar, a red headed man was just laughing, and another was just sitting with his eyes closed and arms crossed. The last one looked familiar and for some reason the anger that bubbled in my gut earlier began to boil.

"Dimwits! Shut up and listen!" Genkai's yelling made me jump slightly, but everyone calmed down immediately.

Suddenly there were six sets of eyes on me. I only saw one pair, though. Crimson orbs that looked down on me, holding a sword through Master's chest.

Instinctually I growled, only to taste blood. That didn't matter though. Master had been right. This man had taken everything I knew from me. Master had been the only consistent being in my life, and this demon had killed him.

So what did I automatically do? I tackled him off his chair faster than I ever moved before and wrapped my hands around his throat. I wanted to watch the life drain from his eyes. I didn't get to see it, though. I was pulled away.

I blew up. I didn't care if these people understood me.

#You took everything from me! He cared for me! You killed him and I swear to Enma I will watch you suffer the way I have suffered! I was perfectly content with my life but you came and destroyed it! I had everything I deserved, and now what!? What am I supposed to do now!? Tell me, you coward!# I could feel the blood trickling from my mouth and bandages, and the tears leaking from my eyes.

After I finished my rant, all that could be heard was the rasping of my breathing; a wet, course sound. He was just lying on the floor. Somehow I knew he understood what I said, because his eyes were cold. I could feel him calling me stupid for ever thinking that Master cared for me at all.

It seemed like everyone thought it was over, so the arms around my waist slid away.

The man stood slowly, and I realized that he was taller than me. He muttered a "Hn.". Then he just… vanished.

I looked around at everyone in the room, not exactly regretting my actions but assuming that I would have to find a new place to heal and live.

Well, where do we go from here?

Okay, that's chapter four! For those that liked Mimi from her one appearance, sorry. This isn't one of those times that you find in stories where it's like "Oh my gosh she's dead!" and two chapters later "Hey she's not actually dead! What a twist!" I'm trying to make this story realistic and in real life those kinds of twists don't happen. But don't worry! I'm not a cold hearted witch! I'll mention her again. Don't know when, don't know why, but I will. So how'd you like the random throw down? Happy, happy fun time? Sorry about that. I just got off work and I am exhausted. So tell me what you think and I'll try and have the next one up by next week!