Hello! Welcome to Ch.5 of Unspoken. I have nothing of substance to say (I know, I never do, but it's worse than usual), so I'll just get right to it. Helena-Jeanne-Chibi: you're quite welcome, it was my pleasure, and you have very good taste. (Skittles rule!)

Chapter 5

Common Sense

The fixated ghost lunged at Shiori in rage. Shiori leapt out of the way and yelled, "Oversoul, Shu Lin!" Giant gauzy wings sprang from her back and she soared into the air. "Shiori, since when do you have wings?!" Yoh yelled.

"They're not her wings," said Anna. "They're Shu Lin's. She's just using another form of spirit control." "You mean Lin's not a human spirit?" said Manta, surprised.

"Yes and no."

"How can it be both?! Pick one or the other!"

Anna's eyebrows furrowed. "It's a long story."

Shiori spun her staff at a blinding speed, sending off sparks of energy. "Come, Shu Lin! Smiting of the Stars!" The sparks flowed like a raging river and hit their target, sending the fixated ghost skidding down the street. "You foolish spirit! How could you let yourself become a fixated ghost?" Shiori called to it as she landed lightly on the ground. "Have you no self-respect?"

In answer, the ghost began to morph and change shape. Its growl got steadily louder and louder until it made the buildings shake. "The last thing you want to do is make a fixated ghost angry..." said Anna. "She's done it now."

The ghost towered over Shiori and let out a yell. The resulting shock waves threatened to knock Shiori off her feet. While she was still struggling to keep her balance, he slammed a beefy arm into her midsection. "Gaaghk!" Shiori went flying in the opposite direction and slammed into a nearby building so hard it made a crater. "Shiori!" yelled Yoh.

The next moment, there was a deafening explosion. A blinding light flashed by and hit the fixated ghost with unbelievable force. Then the ghost was in chains, bruised and hurt, yowling piteously in pain and rolling in the dust. Shiori walked up to it slowly, wiping the blood from her mouth impatiently. Her uniform was ripped, showing myriad cuts and bruises, and though her expression was that of rage, her eyes were even colder than usual.

"That ghost sounds like it's really hurt," said Manta. "Wait, Shiori- she's not going to..."

"She could..." said Anna darkly. Yoh gritted his teeth. "Amidamaru..." Amidamaru materialized and prepared to integrate.

"Stay right there." Shiori said it with an unsettling calmness. "If you interfere with my battle, Asakura, I swear I will make you suffer a far worse fate than this ghost." Then she snorted derisively. "It's not like I'm going to destroy it. Do you think Lin would ever let me?" She looked at the fixated ghost and said to it, "It's true, there are many things in this world that annoy me...but it's spirits like you that really piss me off." The ghost stared at Shiori, its growls subsiding into whimpers. "Emotions are fickle and useless. They change from moment to moment. And yet you let your emotions rule you until not only are you unable to find peace, you let your spirit form change into this sickening thing." Shiori glared at him. "Tell me, are you happy now?" She curled her lip. "Or are you so far gone you can't even speak anymore?"

The ghost had had its head hung the whole time. Then it began to shake, and strange sorrowful keening began to emanate from it. It looked up at Shiori, and its eyes were hollow, filled with tears. "Fix..." it sobbed. "Fix...me..."

"Oh, I understand," said Yoh. "That's why the ghost was following Shiori. I forgot she leaves an aura trail a mile long. It must have sensed Shiori's power and wanted to fight. And now that it knows it can't win, it's hoping Shiori's powerful enough to help it."

Shiori spun her bo staff in a circle three times and rapped the fixated ghost with it. Immediately a wind kicked up and a cloud of energy surrounded the ghost. When the cloud cleared, a woman was standing there, staring at her hands. She reached up a hand to touch her face gingerly. "I-I'm..."

"Going to stop this foolishness and go to heaven?" Shu Lin appeared in flame mode with a poomf. Shiori eyed the ghost solemnly. "I certainly hope so."

The ghost nodded. "Yes...I think I've caused enough trouble...and it's time to let go of the past." She bowed. "Thank you, young lady. You've saved me."

Shiori hmphed. "Just gave you some common sense." She watched with the others as the ghost flew up in the sky and out of view.

"Wow, Shiori's really good at this" said Manta. "But something's bothering me. Did she say emotions are useless...?"

"They are useless." Shiori looked down at Manta. "And so is hanging on to the past...as that silly spirit demonstrated." She smirked at Manta's surprise. "You really should try talking to yourself at a lower volume if you don't want anyone to comment." She turned on her heel imperiously. "Now, we will go home. I must tend to my wounds...and I am hungry."

"Great idea!" said Yoh, putting an arm around his cousin's shoulder amiably. "Spirit control always makes me hungry too, Shiori!" He laughed.

Shiori just looked at him. "The only reason I do not break your arm is because I know you're a simpleton..."

So, there you have it. Another chapter is up. Next chapter gets very interesting, though. Shiori's weakness is revealed- and her past begins to unravel. I hope you'll stick around for another chapter. And as always, review please! If you're nice, you'll click the pretty button...