"I have a new assignment for you." Botan said. "A miko, a priestess named Kuri. She's exhibiting some strange powers and experiencing the Call of the Ocean."

"So where is this girl?" Yusuke asked.

"I'll take you to her location." Botan said.

"I'm a Spirit Detective. What can I do about a mermaid?" Yusuke said.

"That's the job. I'm just the messenger." Botan said.

Xxx

I was sitting on my bed meditating.

I got up, paced the room for a second, then began to sing, like I always did when I was upset.

"The sad thing was yesterday

Things that are not easy today

Secret things tomorrow

I want to be with you forever"

The doorbell rang. Over the music, I heard it. I went to the living room, where the front door was. I got the key out of the basket. I looked into the peephole.

I saw a dark haired Japanese boy about my age wearing a green jacket, white T-shirt, and jeans.

"Who are you?" I asked him through the door, my panic still visible.

"I'm Yusuke Urameshi," he replied. "From the exchange program in Japan?"

"Hold on, I'll check," I said. I went through the dining room into the kitchen and saw a note on the counter: "Kuri-san, let the exchange student in. His name is Yusuke Urameshi and he will be staying with us for three months."

I should really read these notes she leaves more often, I thought, sighing with relief. It would have saved me all that panic. I stuck the key in the door and unlocked it. I opened the door.

"Sorry about that," I said, closing the door behind him. "Mom didn't tell me we were having a exchange student stay here. But I guess you'll be staying in the guest bedroom."

How did he get here? I wondered. There's no bus, no taxi, not in the suburbs…and everyone's at the hospital.

I didn't ask him however, I felt like I would seem like an interrogator or something.

He didn't say anything else to me, just waited for me to close and lock the door, and then I led him to the guest bedroom.

xxx

"Ok so put your fists up." Yusuke said. "Cmon defend yourself."

"Shut up I know how to fight!" I hissed, hitting him in the gut with a reiki punch.

Yusuke was knocked off his feet and to the ground.

"Stop taking it easy on me, Detective." I said. "Use your spirit gun."

"No way!" Yusuke said.

"Then prepare yourself." I aimed my hands like I was firing an arrow.

"What the—" Yusuke said.

"Hit the Mark!" I shouted and a glowing reiki arrow flew and hit him in the chest.

Yusuke felt all of the yoki drain from his body. "Whoa! You really are a miko! You purified me."

I ran over, grinning. "Ready to concede, Detective?"

"Ok Ok I admit it. You beat me." Yusuke laughed. "Now cmon give me back my demon powers."

"Oh that. It lasts twenty four hours. Unless..." I smirked.

"Unless...? What?" Yusuke asked.

I ran over and gave him a big kiss, restoring his demon power. I then ran off laughing.

"Whoa. I'm in big trouble." Yusuke said.

Xxx

That night I woke up thirsty. I went to get a glass of water in the kitchen and I wasn't wearing my gloves, because it was late at night, and I didn't expect to run into anyone. Well I was wrong. I ran into Yusuke, in the kitchen for some unknown reason.

Here's where it gets fuzzy. Either I tripped, or he tripped, but somehow I grabbed his arm to steady myself and-got an electric shock so bad that I flew back and hit the wall.

But what I heard was very clear, but in a voice that wasn't Yusuke's at all. "Stay away."

I got up slowly, and he tried to help me, but I moved my hands away from him.

"D-Did I do that?" he asked me.

"I think it was just some kind of static electricity or something," I said. "Let's just go to bed. Maybe we're dreaming. Maybe this is a nightmare."

I got up, but backed away from him, covering my arms, afraid he would see what I am, that I'm a freak.

"What are you doing?" he asked. "Are you afraid of me?"

"No, no," I replied. "I just…need to sleep. Goodnight."

And then I left him there. When I got to bed I realized that he had heard what I was thinking when my hand wasn't touching him. I had thought "I hope he isn't afraid of me." But he only heard "afraid" and thought I was scared. He must have heard it and interpreted it without noticing it himself.

The next day Mom and Jiro showed Yusuke around town while I went out with friends, since I hadn't known and had already made plans. We had church together, but we haven't really had the chance to talk since what happened. It's been busy. But I keep my gloves on. He starts school with me tomorrow.

Xxx

Yusuke stared at the ceiling. What was going on with this girl?

He rolled over onto his side, staring at the wall.

I've never heard thoughts, he thought. But when she touched my arm, I heard her say she was scared. And what was that weird shock?

He could sense that Kuri was trouble, and she might hurt him. He wondered if the power she had was what he was sensing. She wasn't a demon, but she was something.

I don't think she's trying to hurt me, but she's keeping something from me.

But…I'm doing the same thing.

Yusuke closed his eyes. He wasn't sure what to think about Kuri. He didn't know if he was ready to be around another girl after Keiko broke his heart..

It was late into the night until he fell into a troubled sleep.