Disclaimer: InuYasha is not mine. I could never come up with something that cool.

My name is Mori. I am fifteen years old.

I have never had a crush on someone, dated someone, or even thought a boy to be attractive.

That was, until, I recieved my first kiss.

My adopted mother's new neighbor, John Thatcher, had followed me to Tokyo, and confessed to me after three days. I had tried to leave. But, before I could, he kissed me on the cheek.

Now, I'm back in the Sengoku period, trying to clear my mind, as I walk slowly toward the Shichinintai's hide-out.

It seemed impossible to regain my senses.

My mind was a complete mess.

"Hey!" a voice called.

I jumped, and looked up.

Bankotsu was up ahead, waiting for me.

I smiled, trying to seem normal.

"So, what were you really doing?" Bankotsu asked.

I now had a bigger problem than a cloudy mind.

How did he find out?!

"How do you know?" I asked.

"You're terrible at acting sick." Bankotsu said. "I followed you to that well, and tried to follow you in, but I couldn't."

I sighed. "Well..." I said. "It's really difficult to explain...that well...it's the door to my time of origin. I went back to visit my adopted mother, and see that she was doing fine, as well as re-pack my bag."

He was silent for a moment. I was captivated by his face once more. Was he doing this on purpose? Was he trying to keep my attention?

"So, you still care about your family?" Bankotsu asked. "Oh, well. As long as you're still one of us."

I smiled brightly. "So, how is everyone?" I asked.

"Good. We're about to head out again." Bankotsu said. "Youkai are covering a mountain that some war lord is looking to conquer. He wants us to clear it."

"Sweet!" I said. "Let's do it!"

As soon as the others got up, we headed for the mountain.

I was the first to see it, as I was flying.

It was a pretty-looking mountain. There was a village on it, too.

It had to be peaceful. I sensed the youkai aura, though.

The aura was highly active, and quite hostile.

"I'm going on ahead!" I called. "Anyone else?"

They didn't even look at me.

I headed straight for the mountain, toward the source of the youkai aura.

Turns out, the youkai of the mountain had a village on the mountain.

That would make it easy to find them all, and end it quickly.

I went in, and began slaughtering youkai left and right.

The Shichinintai were slow to catch up, but, when they did, they began fighting imediately.

At one point, I shot an arrow at a youkai's neck, and my powers caused it to explode, spilling blood all over me. I ignored it for the time being, and continued fighting.

In the end, I looked like a youkai threw up on me.

I was covered in youkai insides, and I was not happy about it.

"Ugh." I complained. "How come I'm the only one covered in youkai...everything?"

"You're clumsy, that's why!" Jakotsu said.

I scowled at the mess that was my favorite t-shirt, and kahki shorts.

"It's nothing to complain about anyway." Renkotsu said. "You should probably complain about that wound in your calf, instead. You won't be walking for a few weeks."

I looked at the wound he was addressing, and shrugged.

"So, how long will we be here?" I asked.

"Not long." Bankotsu said. "We'll be headed back to that war lord to claim our reward soon."

I sat back, relaxing against the rock I had been sitting against.

I had used alot of my power today, and hadn't slept the night before. I was throughly worn out.

I got to thinking about the events of that night, closing my eyes so that I could think.

My brain started racing again. I didn't know how to react to John's kiss.

I couldn't accept his affections, I didn't have the time for love.

I wasn't sure how to turn him down, though.

Just then, I felt gentle bouncing.

When I opened my eyes, I found myself on Bankotsu's back.

"So, you're awake?" Bankotsu asked.

"Hai, Onii-san." I said.

He didn't stop walking.

"You may put me down, now." I said.

He shook his head. "You're not supposed to be walking, remember?" Bankotsu said.

I looked around, noticing the others were missing.

"They all went back already." Bankotsu said. "I took you with me to claim the reward. I also had them dress your wounds."

I suddenly felt like a bother to him.

"You didn't have to do all that." I said.

"I know." Bankotsu said. "But, we still need you."

Oh, so, it's just because I'm a tool? I thought.

"Need me?" I asked. "But, when I joined..."

"I know, I said we didn't need you." Bankotsu said. "But, to tell you the truth, you are absolutely vital to our lives. As long as he doesn't find out why we have you."

I looked around once more, feeling for any pressences.

"There's no one around." I said. "Not a living creature for at least a mile in every direction. Can you tell me why you need me?"

He looked around. "I don't trust the silence." Bankotsu said. "We need an enclosed area."

I looked up. "Kaze-kun." I said.

Kazeji appeared. I reached into my pocket, and pulled out the whistle.

"Think we can take two?" I asked.

"Maybe." Kazeji said.

I blew the whistle. Kazeji turned it into a cloud, and took us high up.

Bankotsu looked around, looking a bit surprised.

"Don't worry!" I said. "I'm a better flier than I was when we first met! Now, why do you need me?"

He set me down, turned to face me, and sat down with me.

He explained his situation to me.

When he finished, I nodded.

"So, Naraku brought you back to life with the Shikon jewel, ordering you to kill InuYasha, and you don't mind, but, you don't want to take orders from Naraku." I said. "So, you think I, as a Miko, can break his barrier, so that you can kill him?"

I gave that a bit of thought. "I'd be happy to help you, Onii-san." I said. "I'm not a very good Miko right now, but, I'll work hard, and get better, if it means I'm helping you!"

He smiled slightly, once again commanding my full attention.

"You don't care what you get in return?" Bankotsu asked.

"Real warriors work for free!" I said. "I don't need anything in return!"

"You're not exactly mercenary material, are you?" Bankotsu asked. "I'd have asked for something in return!"

"I'm not you!" I said. "Now, we probably should be getting back. The others are waiting, and it's about to rain."

Bankotsu looked at the clouds above. "Right." Bankotsu said. "Let's get moving."

I flew us back to the hideout, and Bankotsu carried me in.

I worked much harder on my spells after that. I devoted my entire being to helping the Shichinintai free themselves of Naraku's hold, and start living their lives normally again...

Yay! I'm getting to the real plot! I feel really good about this one! Please, review!