WHAT IS THIS!? ERIKA YOUR ALIVE?! THIS PROBABLY JUST A TRICK ISN'T IT!? YOU HAVEN-

Bankotsu: Erika shut up already, geesh stop talking to your self and get talk to these people.
me: *glares* im starting to question why your here..but your right.

*sighs* I am giving you all the absolute and full permission to throw tomatoes at me
Bankotsu: Hey can i get on that deal?
Me: Not unless you want me to seal up the fridge from you then no
Bankotsu: ugh whatever

Ok so as i was saying before i was interrupted, i know i haven't updated in like centuries, and im not going to give you sum lame excuses like
"oh my pet leopard that lives in Russia got sick with the cold so i had to jet fly there and deliver him my special home made soup and it took me a while to have him well again,"
no. I got lazy especially since i had my mind focused on high school, i feel awful and again you guys can chug tomatoes at me, but i hope i haven't you lost you guys because i haven't lost my love for this story. (:
I apologize a billion to you all but most especially to kittyb78. If you guys didn't know shes one AMAZING and i mean shes one great-
Bankotsu: kiss ass
Me: go away before I THROW tomatoes at you!
Bankotsu: whatever, your sister would yell at you if she found out YOUR yelling at ME!

*ignores* Anyways,shes a great writer and i wanted her to be my beta and i completely ignore her offer. I can understand if you want to ignore me forevers and evers or throw tomatoes at me, i fully deserve it. You guys should check out her stories btw, there's allot of great Bankotsu ones in there :) I really just wanted to tell you that I'm deeply sorry for doing that.

Bankotsu: i know your all about groveling right now,but you should get to the story erika.. *voice of absoulte concern*
Me: yeah i really need to *slumps head on shoulder*...you really just want the fridge open for you happiness don't you?
Bankotsu: Pleaseeeeee?

Well, please enjoy this chapter and email me your thoughts i love hearing from you guys..but again if you guys wanna ig-

Bankotsu: STORY ERIKA!

Disclaimer: Yeah nope, if i did own Shiori would have been plugged nicely into the plot and her and Bankotsu would have been a normal cannon, but Alas, we cant have everything T.T


"Forget your enemies, its your friends you frustrate that casues all your problems"
-unknow author

**

Inuyasha: "Can we loose some of the violence?!"

Kagome:"Sure, as long as you stop being so wierd!"

Inuyasha: "YOUR THE ONE BEING A LUNATIC!"

**

Bankotsu: "Kohaku, Take this letter to the castle for me. Give it to the lord himself"

Kohaku: "Why me?"

Bankotsu: "You are a ninja aren't you?"

*********

Chapter 7 : This is a start

Shiori p.o.v

I was ready, i was ready for Bankotsu's reaction. Whatever he was going to do, i was ready.

I was waiting for the big blow up i expected....nope i was excepting for him to start hissy fitting and then..

Nothing

No big mean yell or evil smirk...
He had a small show of anger then just like that he was amused!?

Like POOF all good now..
WHAT THE HELL!?

"Ha! Mood swings? Whatever those are woman, I can surly show u how my other side, the murder side, reacts to your comment bitch."
I snapped by head and my eyes were wide with shock. Bitch? That wasn't really necessary.

Nothing seemed to get him..or what i thought was jealously. He hid all of his emotions perfectly.

Bankotsu was right though, since he was a murder he wasn't going to fuss over me, especially when it involved the term 'boy'.I after all just need to defeat this stupid evil whatever it was then after that..i could home.

AWAY FROM THIS LIVING HELL AND NEVER SEE THE STUPID ASS HOLE EVER EVER EVER AGAIN!

I needed answeres to the millio question i had and i held onto the hope that this sword maker will answer just a few at most.

Taking a deep breathe, i looked up to the mercenary who was still mocking me with his glaze.

"You know what Bankotsu have it your way, lets just get this sword maker thing out of the way."

"Hmph, my thoughts EXACTLY!"
Bankotsu started a saunter towards the rocky cave that was close by, Banryu rested on his shoulder. "Oh and for the record," He faced the opposite direction "If it wasn't for that stupid Inu Trasha, i would've kill your boy toy."

BOY TOY!? WAS HE TALKING ABOUT TAKERU

The braided hair baka began chuckling. I steamed and stomped my way in furry.

"HE IS NOT MY BOY TOY YOU STUPID MERCENARY!" Ooo how i so wanted to side kick his head! I continued to stomp, he did nothing but wave my tantrum off.

"You mention about these things called "swings of moods" Ha, I think YOU have them stupid girl."

"Suck it." I snapped back. That was pretty much my only response i had to fire back at him. I must have sounded pathetic since i got a loud bark from the man who i walked side by side with now.

Mercenaries i swear.

************************

Totosai was a man with a really cool cow that flys! I mean yeah it was a cow with three eyes..BUT IT FLYS! You don't see cows do that back in modern day Tokyo! I
gaped at the cow then pointed at the thing like a three year old. "LOOK THE COW IS FLYING OH WOW!"

"Fuck Shiori, really when did you noticed?" Stupid mercenary...stupid.

Clanking and clashing of metal irrupted from the cave. It smelt of iron and fire. A modern day blacksmith would have beamed with pride at the sight of the cave. We walked into the threshold and sat down in the cave. This man was the genuis in sword making apparently, he made Inuyasha's sword and his dads to.

"So your the new time traveler huh?" Totosai from a first glace gave a great example of a normal old feudal era man yet spoke like wise guru.

"Yes.."

Bankotsu checked out the cave nonchalantly with his stupid sword on his back.

Did he ever left that thing alone?

"Yes your from Kagome's time to i suspect," was it the uniform or my awkward-ness that gave it away? ".. and Bankotsu...how were you revived?"
Totosai broke the idiots browsing. Cobalt eyes averted to Totosai

"Uh, some old miko brought me back."
"Hm......interseting."

"That seems to undermined the situation" I mumbled under my breath. We were two opposites forced to travel together just to get this evil thing and destroy a jewel yeah if that wasn't just interesting i wouldn't know what was.

The conversation took a turn to me, Totosai-sama began to talk about how i need a sword and not just any sword, one that connected me to my miko powers.

Bankotsu rolled his eyes at how wrapped i was with Totosai's wisdom.

After getting lost at the word "arrows" , I just nodded my head when he started talking about how i needed a strong silver samurai katana.
"Shes no where close to sleek or deadly, SHES NOT EVEN A THREAT! Why not give the wrench a dagger." Ass hole. The rock next to me seemed very tempting to chug at the mercenary. Very tempting..

"Daggers are a bit of a waste, the young girl needs a katana," Totsai-sama was amused at Bankotsu's comment but his tone held a stern authority behind it. Dude knew his swords even if Bankotsu had a big demon one.

Totasi gave the two of us a thoughtful look, Bankotsu now sat next to me and looked as interested as I did.

"Hm...Shiori Let me ask you, do you actually know what your famous for?"

Whamp,

A small mental hit, i couldn't answer that question.I only had info about the jewel and that Bankotsu had killed my past self but what i was Famous for?
"Uh..no, no i don't actually." I laugh out of embarrassment. The mercenary next to me rolled his eyes. The rock looked VERY nice to throw now. I twitched in a small annoyance.
Despite the tension between the man next to me and myself, the atmosphere of the room shifted to the elder sword maker.

He cleared his throat then began tellinh me about myself. My past self.

"Well your original self was a guardian of the Tenshi Houseki. The miko's job was to protect the jewel that contained a neutral spiritual power. It wasn't as special as the Shikon no tama, but it had a good punch when it purified. Neutral spiritual power is and might be a tad stronger than normal negative or positive spiritual energy because it can easily be swayed to either energy. The similarities between the the Shikon no tama and the Houskei were small though. Neither of them could be in the wrong hands at the wrong time...... if the Tenshi Houseki ever falls into the hands of a bad soul it attached itself to its owner, multiplied it by a good time and gave the power to destroy. . So, the original creators of it hired YOUR original self to watch the Tenshi Houseki ,in hope that the jewel wouldn't be corrupt and that the neutral power wouldn't tip towards the side of destruction. Yet when your past life's death came rumors report that the assassin who killed her couldn't find the jewel."

"HA! BANKOTSU DIDN'T FIND IT!?" Opps bad outburst bad, it was funny though. My hand was over my mouth quickly trying as best as i could to stifle my giggles but i knew the cobalt eyed boy next to me heard.

"Bankotsu you were the one who killed Shiori's original incarnate?" Totosai sounded astonished, Bankotsu just nodded.
"The wrench was a bit tricky to find i did kill her, but didn't find the damn thing."

Totsai seemed expectant to Bankotsu comment, "Because the jewel, like i mention earlier, attaches itself to its owner." Wise eyes settled on my face. "You were the recent owner Shiori, it must be inside of you."

And if this situation couldnt get any wierder...

Bankotsu jerked his face towards my direction. I wanted to laughed so badly even if this situation was a bit awkward. Bankotsu's expression was just so classic! Eyes wide in shock and one of his tan fingers pointed towards me "You mean the damn things inside THIS damn thing."

I groaned in annoyance, happy cute moment over. "Bankotsu that wasn't necessary!"
Totosai ignored our little argument and nodded towards us. We probably looked like a pair of two children fussing over a toy.

"Would you also like to know about the evil you two are facing?"

Now that got braid boy's attention. "Heh, i thought you never mention it old man."

I reached out and elbowed the merciarny "Do you know how RUDE that is!?"
"Touch me again and I'll make sure your arm is ripped off!."He hissed back. Completely going to ignore the threat.

Man i felt so embarrassed, Totosai was probably thinking 'what the heck are these kids doing here if they cant even act their age.' i mean that's what I WAS even thinking and i being one of the two stupid looking kids.

Totosai continued spilling knowledge besides the fact that Bankotsu and I now pouted besides each other, cheeks puffed out and all.

"There are 7 deadly sins, 7 deadly head demons that even Naraku himself couldn't possibly think of touching. They are only 5 alive though. The others were killed by valiant warriors and the ones that are alive have been hidden for centuries, waiting for the perfect moment to strike and take the jewel that can cause devastating havoc. With the Tenshi Houseki in the head demons hands, japan as we know it would cease to exist."

My blood ran cold, i had no idea who Naraku was but just the description Totosai spoke of and how Inuyasha and the gang talked about him, Naraku wasn't a easy adversary to defeat.
I do even remember Bankotsu saying a few harsh words about the man that was now dead. But now these new demons sounded even worse!

"But why are they out now?" Bankotsu's voice sounded hard, it matched his stern cobalt eyes that turned into steel. Geez what was up with him.

"The original 7 were kept locked away in human body's, yet now that the jewel has entered back into this time, the demon's human bodies have been causing destruction in search of the jewel. A small fact about them by the way is that they all HATE working as i was saying.." Totosai paused for a moment, then continued again."When destroyed however the jewel will also be destroy. Nobody knows the reason why but there is a legend that states, whoever destroys the Tesnhi Houseki will find everlasting peace."

"Peace is only a word, it can never be obtained." Once more Bankotsu snapped back with his hard voice, what WAS with him today.

Time flicker by, giving the two of us..me epically, a small period of silence to hinder over this big matter. I would be facing demons in a matter of time, and these weren't the silly little ones that Bankotsu laughed about, no these were evil, blood thirsty power hungry demons that wanted me dead so they could open my body up and rip the jewel inside me out. And i thought school was getting worse.

"So," i anticliamted proclaimed "I guess were just the people to destory this jewel?"
Totosai nodded proudly "Exactly. Now excuse me, i need to get to your sword so i need a few of your arrows and small drop or two of your blood when the times comes."

"Bl-blood?"
"Oh fuck, ARE YOU GOING TO CRY!?"
I darted my eyes at the mercenary "Bankotsu shut UP!"

"How long is this going to take old man." His rude reply got me sending death glares his way.

"Hm...it shouldn't take to long."

*****************

Totosai "it shouldn't take to long" was actually a "oh yea about a few hours" just hidden in disguise.

For the whole day i sat in the cave asking questions about the feudal era, who was Naraku, and how his cow could fly. That thing still got me gaping whenever it moo'ed.
Idiot Bankotsu said my question asking was getting him ticked off, so he left to swing his big bad mean sword at some trees. Heh pretty pathetic if you ask me.

The question that had been on my mind recently that i knew Totasi proably wouldnt be able to answer is

'Who was Bankotsu?'

Yeah he was some really infamous Schinitai leader and had a really...scary sword that could kill me in a flash but i didn't know anything else about the mercenary. I had no clue what his personality was like, then again his mood swings often blocked that. I couldn't even fully say 'this is Bankotsu, my comrade.' because no form of comradity was there. We didn't try to talk to each other and we practically were at each others throats when we did.

'You dont need to get to know the asshole...hes just going to kill you eventually'' whispered the small voice in my head. Eh, that sounded just about right. Bankotsu didn't want a girl following him around...

But something deep inside me glowed with small glimmer. Hope or determination, one of those two. I could maybe try to get to know him, at least to the point of being acquaintances.
he was infact human, he had emotions even if they were hidden. I had to at least try.

Totosai was completely drawn into the sword making process, seeing him reminded me of a artist. Totally and fully devoted. I smiled at the old man then headed out of the cave to search for the idiot.

Didn't take to long to spot him. Bankotsu furiously swung Banryu around in the woods hitting by one they fell. SWOOP! Just like that a good chunk of them were obliterated.
By the look around the forest, looks like he pratically lumber jacked the entire woods.

I tried as quietly as i could to hide behind a nearby bush but the nice big bolder appeared to have a nicer view of the action. So i jumped on the rock, crossed my legs and sat watching Bankotsu rage at the trees.

It didn't dawn on him that i watch him, and it didn't dawn on me either that i was fascinated with him.

His focus was on hitting every tree and mines was watching him do it.

His actions were quick and precise, the way Banryu easily destroyed the trees was like a warning to any one 'GET AWAY FROM HIM!"

In spite of the instinctive fear of running, i was tranced into viewing him. Seeing how he was so drawn into destroy the forest drowned out the fear and gave me a feeling of 'wow hes really strong.'

"AGH!" Bankotsu flung Banryu once more at the last standing tree.

Panting heavily and obviously still a bit mad, the mercenary starting stabbing the earth below him repeatedly.
With one last yell Bankotsu drove Banryu into the ground.

"Fuck this," His pair of cobalt eyes stayed staring at the floor. I blinked wide eyed. Bankotsu lifted Banryu out of the earth and flipped his bangs out of the way, when they didn't obliged he blew air up from his mouth trying to get them out his eyes.

He looked so childish and i couldnt help but smile.

Yup he was still a human.

"Ah might as well go check on-" Bankotsu mumbled under his breath until his cobalt eyes caught me.

"What the hell? How long were you there wrench?"

Wrench bitch UGH I HAD A NAME! Determination brimmed up, i at this moment was going to have him call me by my name.

I perused my lips together and glared at the mercenary.

"I asked you a question girl."

Nope wasn't going to respond.

"DAMMIT WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU WRENCH!" Even though his yelling made me flinch a small bit, i kept my mouth tightly close.

Bankotsu swung Banryu at my face, the point of the mighty halberd literally laid a few inches away from my face. I could feel the fear pulse threw my veins, stay strong stay strong.
My eyes twinkled a bit with amusement defying my body's instinct to run. Bankotsu swayed Banryu back and forth from my face like a young kid waving a candy in front of a another child's face.

"Yo woman i have Banryu, BANRYU at your face and your STIll not talking to me!?"
I shrugged my shoulders, then lightly whispered at the boy. "Whats my name."

That shocked him.

"What did you say?"
"What is my name Bankotsu?" It was like i spoke in pig Latin the way he stared at me in disbelief.

"Why should i care at this moment?"
"I'm not going to answer to ANY of your demands unless you say my name." Proud statement, wow that even surprised me.

"Your talking to me now." He fired back. Eye brows raised and a mocking grin smeared across his face. Damn him and his small spark of wit.

"YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!" My voice picked up.

Bankotsu dropped Banryu and chuckled.

"Ok, so dont talk...It will be nice not to hear your annoying voice."

BACKFIRE!
MY PLAN BACKFIRED!

"And here i thought i could talk to you, get to know you." I was so angry. The fact that he didn't even care that i wanted to try and meet in a middle and the fact that my plan didnt work got me pissed.

"HA! Like i care."

Bam!

I fired a nearby tree twig at the stupid mercenaries head, hitting with complete accuracy. Hmph 'like i care' I'll make you care stupid.

"OW! WHAT THE HELL!?"

And while Bankotsu rubbed his head, i yelled what i was holding back ever since we meet a few days ago.

"STOP CALLING ME WRENCH OR BITCH OR WHATEVER YOU WANTED TO YELL AT ME, STOP BEING SUCH A JERK, STOP TRYING TO PUT FEAR IN ME AND HOPE I RUN AWAY BECAUSE IM NOT! STOP UNDERESTIMATING ME BECAUSE IM A WOMAN OR MIKO AND STOP TRYING TO PUSH ME AWAY!"

I blew up, i spilled out my rant that i held. Earlier at the field i screamed at him but not like this.

I heaved and heaved."You cant just try and be guy all the time, i mean come one were going to be traveling for a while so try and at least meet me at a half point..im trying, why cant you? Is there some kind of mercenary rule stating "oh don't try and get to know the person your traveling with" SERIOUSLY AGH YOU GET ME AGGRAVATED AT TIMES!"

Now i was ranting, i didnt even noticed that i had subconiously jumped off the rock, stomped my way towards him and gotten in his face yelling.

Was i trying to die?

Bankotsu stared down at me, eyebrows raised and banryu not. Phew he didn't blow up like me.

"You one loud bit-

"NAHHHHHHH UHHHHH" I cut him off, Bankotsu groaned. "Sheeeeee-orrrr-reeeee, happy wren- girl?"

'Hm, its a start." I giggle.
"Your a weird one girl, one moment your a really loud annoying bit- girl.. then the next your this giggly thing" Bankotsu waved his hand at me.

I continued to laugh. "Ok ok that's what I'll try to work on i guess."
"Work on?"

"Did you not hear anything i said." I noted dryly. Because i didn't want him to throw me or at least swing at me, i went back to my sitting rock.

"Yeah..you're one demanding little thing..." Ehh again its a start.

"You have one weird personality..not like normal woman around here, your loud and get in my face....its actually starting to grow on me." Signature smirk.

Wh-what what WHAT!

"Uh...." Did i need my ears rechecked?

"So what did you come here for? Was it just to yell at me." Bankotsu must have noticed my face since he immediately changed the subject. I could consider that cute but i was still to shocked.

Answer him Shiori he asked you a question!
"Oh, yeah do you have a grudge against the forest or what?"

He laughed, i made him laugh! I SHOULD WRITE THIS DOWN SOMEWHERE!

"No, i just need to work out with Banryu." Showing off his halberd, Bankotsu swung Banryu one handed. Showing off is never a good thing and it never really got me saying 'ooooo' but this time it did. I just had to hide it

"Hmph whats so cool about Banryu anyways neh?" Nonchalantly i spoke towards the mercenary who now gasped. Hand on his chest and eyes bulged, must have hit a nerve.

"WHY WOULD YOU SAY THINGS LIKE THAT!? BANRYU IS THE LEGENDARY DEMON HALBERD! IT CAN KILL A FULL ARMY IN ONE STRIKE!"

I was now laughing my sides out, not the reaction Bankotsu was probably looking for. His exclamation would have people quivering in terror but i just kept laughing. Bankotsu looked at me like i insulted him about his mother.

"WHAT ARE YOU LAUHGING AT GIRL!? BANRYU SHOULD BE FEARED NOT LAUGHED AT!"

"You-r your face was priceless,HAHAHAHA"

Bankotsu sprinted towards me and lightly pushed me forehead causing me to fall back. Oops missed that. Now on the floor, i began to laughed harder. I was enjoying this weird awkward moment. It was like the two of us were flirting...oh shut up shut up shut up shiori!

"Seriously your the freakies girl i have EVER met and ive seen plently trust me." Bankotsu spoke above me, stars beging to form in the heavens above both of us. Night was approaching.

"Hm..do you think Totosai's done with my sword!?" Bankotsu step back when i flipped my body upright, face brimming with excitement. I wanted to see my new sword, to be able to show off like over there.

Cobalt eyes blinked at me in total confusion.

"What? I cant get excited about my new weapon? You do..did it." Giggle insert here."And besides I haven't gotten you back for cheating the first time we battle remember. NOW with the sword we're...sorta even." I smiled brightly and amusingly at the boy.

The idea of beating him just brought me to smiles.

Bankotsu still stared down at me. "We will NEVER be 'sorta even' girl." He lightly kicked my side and rolled his eyes when i giggle. "YOU TRULY ARE THE WEIRDEST GIRL !"

This was a start, i WAS going to become friends with this boy..hopefully the process wouldnt kill me.

***

Stealth Crane was my katanas name. Oh and how pretty stealth crane was. The blade was made out of crushed spiritual arrows that enhanced my attacks and a rare Japanese steel. Whenever i swung the katana and concentrated fully i would be able to shoot a spirit energy orb whatever at my enemies, in other words it was like shooting a arrow but instead swinging a sword.

The length of Stealth Crane was a bit intimidating however. It wasn't as long as Banryu but it was longer than a normal samurai katana.

"Elegance and precise hit is what Stealth crane is capable of doing times ten." were the words Totosai-sama used to describe it. I liked the elegance part of it, this sword was my sword....
i can now kinda understand Bankotsu's awe when it came to Banryu. No Banryu was a thing in itself, my sword was just a sword.

Stealth crane sheath even had a elegance about it. Black sleek with small cherry blossoms on it the top of its handle. Nice touch he added.

"Up the woods is a small village, you can re supply there, get a good meal and some sleep."

"Totsai-sama, i don't know HOW to thank you enough." I spoke with complete reverence and bow respectfully to the older sword maker.

He laughed heartly and patted my shoulder, "Just get those demons back to where they came from and my job of making you one great sword will be complete."

We both chuckled. "Goodbye Totosai-sama, i hope we can see each other again."

"Yeah yeah lets go before it starts to get dark."

Dammit Bankotsu.

"Hes right, a safe journey and a good luck to the both of ya."

And with Totosai's farewell the mercenary was dragging me towards the village

********************


Sooo?
Should i stand still when you guys start throwing the tomatoes? lol
Review if you want ..i would like you all loves to but i understand fully if you dont :)

Btw i have another bankotsuXshiori fan fic up, its modern au whoo hoo lol

i love you all still! even if you all want to start a mob and chase me out of town :D

hahahaha :P

Bankotsu: The song to listen to for this chapter is uh...some band i dont know about
Me: just go back raiding my fridge ban T.T

Song to listen to-

"Flower" by back-on [ending 6 from the anime Eyeshield 21]
its soothing yet i can soo picture it going on when Shiori's in the forest and when the two dum dums are in Totosai's cave

i love you all ;D

erika miko