Disclaimer: We do not own the Inuyasha fandom or any of its characters. Those belong solely to Rumiko Takahashi.
We're merely torturing… I mean playing with them for pure enjoyment. All OCs belong to Tempest and Fury.
XOXOXO:
A/N: Hey everyone. My partner in crime and I have whipped up another fabulous chapter for your reading enjoyment.
Thanks go out to everyone who reads, reviews, faves, and follows TFG. Your support is what keeps us working hard to throw in unexpected twists and characters.
Now, I'm off to my cave of solitude to finish reading and reviewing some wonderful books.
~Tempest.
XOXOXO:
Chapter Three:
Kagome sat at her desk with her Math book open and scowled at the paper with problems on it. She tapped her pencil as she tried to figure out the problem. Her English and History books were stacked on one side of the desk.
"Ugh..." She groaned. "I hate math." She slammed her head on the desk in frustration. Why couldn't school be easier? Like fighting the demons in the Feudal Era. If she could write about that, then maybe History wouldn't seem so dull. That was why she decided to save the History report for last.
"Every time I go to the Feudal Era, I end up weeks, or even months behind," she sighed, and sat back rubbing her temples. Having to play catch-up on her homework always sullied the joy of coming home.
XOXOXO:
Downstairs Kera sat next to Jason on the couch, just enjoying his company. Even when he was silent, his mere presence comforted her.
"So, what should we cover next?" She asked, smiling at him. One of the things she liked most about Jason was that he always had a plan and probably at least a couple of backup plans to boot.
Jason licked the inside of his cheek. "How good are you with," He leaned over and drew his Kopis machete from it's sheathe, "medium range blades?"
She blinked. "I know how to hold them and some basic strikes." She stared into his eyes and fiddled with her necklace. "I prefer a more... personal touch." She winked at him.
Jason chuckled. "Few things are more personal than hacking away at a person with an obsidian sharp blade." He lightly brushed the blade down his arm, severing the hairs on it. "You wanna learn something? I can teach you later."
She grinned. "I'm always eager to learn." She trailed her finger on his arm. "Especially from you."
Jason smirked as he sheathed his machete. "I bet, babygirl." He winked.
Kera giggled and leaned her head against him, savoring the moment. She knew how short moments of peace lasted, so when they happened, she made a point of enjoying them.
He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her into his lap, a sly grin crossing his features.
"Apparently I'm not the only one with a blade fetish," she teased. "Yours are just longer." She winked at him.
Jason smirked as he led her hand to rest on his groin. "You know for a fact that there isn't anything short about me." He winked.
"True." She grinned, as she gave him a light squeeze and leaned over to kiss him, only to find herself hauled off him and rushed toward the doorway. She reached for her blade turned around and drove it into her attacker's hand.
"Hands off, creep!" She rammed her knee hard between his legs and then ran over to Jason.
Jason swiftly stepped around Kera and grabbed the intruder by the front of his robe. He hit the shorter man with the side of his hand, dazing him. Jason proceeded to throw him against the door and jump kicked him through it, sending the remnants of the door flying outside along with the silver haired man.
Jason strode out the door with a menacing glare in his eyes.
Kera followed him and leaned against the broken door frame to watch her boyfriend's handiwork.
"Just who the hell do you think you are?" Jason growled.
"Who are you?" Inuyasha fired back.
Leonidas stood hunched over at his master's feet. His once playful and happy appearance faded and a scowl formed on his lips, bearing his razor sharp teeth of the fallen man. A deep growl rumbled in his chest.
"Looks like Leonidas doesn't like this crazy silver-haired guy either." Kera grinned.
"He likes scaring his meal. Gives it that extra bit of flavor," Jason chuckled.
Inuyasha growled at the dog and the man next to him. He flexed his claws.
"Kagome, what the hell are you doing with him?"
Kera blinked. "Why wouldn't I be with him?" Her eyes narrowed. "And I'm not-"
"I'm trying to study here and I can't do that with all this noise. Inuyasha, sit!"
Inuyasha planted face first into the floor.
"What the hell, Kagome?" Inuyasha shoved himself out of the hole and stormed towards her.
"From now on keep your damned hands to yourself." Kera punched him in the jaw, then went to stand over next to Jason.
Inuyasha blinked and rubbed his jaw. "What the fuck? Two Kagomes?" He scratched the side of his head confused.
"No," Kagome scowled. "That's my twin sister, Kera."
Leonidas ran into the house and returned with Jason's machete. He drew it from its sheathe and had the blade at Inuyasha's neck before the hanyou could react.
"And if you ever touch her again, I'll use your fuckin' head as a hood ornament," Jason growled.
Leonidas stood a few feet from Kera as if he were protecting her, ready to jump on his would-be meal at any given time.
"Good boy, Leonidas." Kera kneeled by him and hugged him, scratching behind his ears. "You're so sweet to defend me."
Leonidas turned around and gave Kera's hand a few licks before turning back towards his master and the intruder. He sniffed the air and inhaled the scent of another dog. He growled deeply and barked a few times.
Kera smiled and walked over hugging her boyfriend's waist. She leaned up on her toes and kissed his cheek. "Thank you."
Jason wrapped his free arm around Kera's waist as a form of a silent "You're welcome". His other arm was still fully extended, holding the blade to Inuyasha's throat.
"Kagome, who is he?" Jason snarled. His dark brown eyes never left Inuyasha's bright amber pair.
"My friend," she replied, moving to kneel beside Inuyasha. "From the Feudal Era."
Kera's eyes widened and she stared at her twin. "How's that possible?" She asked confused, tilting her head to one side.
"Explain." Jason sheathed his Kopis.
"Okay, but inside. And mom's going to want the door fixed." Kagome sighed.
Jason casually walked up to the empty door frame and frowned. He pulled the screen door shut. "It's fixed."
"I don't think that's what she has in mind." Kera giggled. "Especially with the bad guy running around out there and all." She winked at him.
"On my fifteenth birthday, I fell into the well in the well house and got pulled back to the Feudal era, where I say Inuyasha pinned to a tree."
"Must have been an amusing sight." Kera stared at her twin as she sat on the couch.
Jason lounged on the couch with his girlfriend, resting his head on her thigh.
"He looked like he was sleeping." Kagome smiled at the memory.
"Kagome, I don't think it's any of their damned business." Inuyasha glared at them. "The less they know, the better."
"Shut your mouth. I'm trying to listen." Jason glared at the intruder.
"Why you..." Inuyasha growled.
Jason grinned as Leonidas began to bark, snarl, and growl at the half dog demon.
"I'm more than willing to kick you through the back door if you'd like." Jason cracked his knuckles.
"Sit boy."
Inuyasha crashed to the floor.
Leonidas sat too.
"As I was saying," Kagome continued. "I released him from the tree and then this huge centipede-like demon attacked me, threw me in the air and the sacred jewel ripped out of me."
"The sacred jewel. As in those stories granpa loves to tell?" Kera frowned.
Jason and Leonidas stared at the twins listening to the conversation with great interest.
"Yeah," Kagome sighed. "Long story short, Kaede, she's the priestess that's training me-"
"You're a priestess?" Kera blinked.
"Um, yeah." Kagome blushed.
"Oh," Kera stared at her hands wondering what else she didn't know about her twin.
"Kaede put those beads around Inuyasha's neck so I could um, well you've seen it."
Jason pinched the bridge of his nose and pressed his palm against his mouth. He begun shaking from his contained laughter.
Leonidas on the other hand, openly mocked Inuyasha over this.
Jason buried his face in Kera's lap and used her leg to muffle his laughter. After his fit was over, he rolled over and stared up at Kera and begun playing with her hair, still listening to the conversation.
Kera smiled down at him and stroked his forehead. "It's rather amusing actually," she chuckled.
"No, it isn't," Inuyasha barked shooting them all glares. "And I said that's enough, Kagome. It's none of their business."
Jason took Kera's hand in his and placed a light kiss on the back of her hand. He turned to face Kagome and Inuyasha whom was now just climbing back onto the couch. "Continue."
Kera placed a kiss on his forehead and squeezed his hand.
"Inuyasha and I started traveling together to collect the shards."
"Because she broke the jewel," Inuyasha huffed. "Shattered it to be exact."
"It wasn't on purpose." Kagome glared at him. "And you're never going to let me live that down either. Are you?" She placed her hands on her hips.
"You two argue like you're married," Kera mused.
"Damn it, mutt. I'm tryin' to listen to the story," Jason shouted. "Now, be a good boy and you might get a treat afterwards," he taunted.
Kera giggled and ran her free hand through Jason's bangs.
Kagome rolled her eyes. "Along the way we met a monk."
"Monk my ass," Inuyasha snorted. "He's a born lecher."
Kagome silenced him with a glare. "A demon slayer and a fox kit. We travel as a group since we all have a common enemy."
Jason looked up at Kera and smiled. Kera smiled at Jason and kissed the tip of his nose.
"Will you two cut that shit out already?" Inuyasha snapped.
Jason sat up and grabbed a news paper that he rolled up.
"Bad doggy!" He smacked him on the nose. "Bad, bad, Inuyasha! No yelling in the house."
Kera laughed.
Inuyasha growled and smacked the newspaper out of his face.
"Your friend has a real stick up his ass," Kera told her twin seriously.
"You've got a filthy mouth, bitch," Inuyasha snapped.
Jason dove over the table and smashed his fist into Inuyasha's face. Leonidas begun his series of growls and barks as he moved to stand at Kera's feet.
"You'd better bite your tongue before I cut it from your skull!" Jason drove his fist onto Inuyasha's face once more.
"Apparently he's also got a death wish pissing Jas off like that." Kera sighed as she scratched behind Leonidas' ears.
Inuyasha snarled.
"Apologize, Inuyasha." Kagome huffed. "And Jason, please let him go."
Jason growled, striking Inuyasha once more before standing to his full height and moving to the couch to sit beside Kera.
Kera wrapped her arms around him and kissed his jaw.
"I see you two aren't going to get along well," Kagome sighed.
"They'll get along just fine once your friend learns some manners."
Jason pulled Kera onto his lap. "Maybe." He glared at Inuyasha.
Kera grinned and wrapped her arms around Jason's neck and continued playing with his hair.
Leonidas jumped onto the couch where Kera had been sitting.
Inuyasha rubbed his jaw, glaring. "Better warn that idiot monk not to go near her," he muttered.
Jason waved off Inuyasha's side comment and turned his attention towards his girlfriend. He stared into her eyes a moment before pressing his lips against hers.
Kera kissed him back, also ignoring Inuyasha's comment.
"You'll get used to it," Kagome sighed at Inuyasha. "And before you ask, yes, this is normal for them."
"Whatever," Inuyasha huffed. "Let's go, Kagome."
Jason pulled back from the kiss to stare at Kagome and Inuyasha. "Fuck do you think you're goin'?"
"None of your damned business," Inuyasha grunted.
Kagome pulled away. "I'm staying until my father gets home." She glared at Inuyasha. "And I won't hesitate to use 'it' until you get the point."
Kera kissed Jason's jaw. Jason grinned as he turned back towards Kera, laying her down on the couch with Leonidas supporting her head on his back. Leonidas gave them a quick glance before turning back towards Inuyasha and Kagome.
Kera smiled and hugged Jason kissing him.
"How do you even know he's really coming here?" Inuyasha argued. "We don't have time to waste." He glared at the couple on the couch. "Knock it off already you two. It's disgusting."
Jason pulled away from the kiss, expecting Kera to start yelling at Inuyasha after his comment about her father.
"My father is coming home, just as soon as he's done with his job." She glared at Inuyasha. "Secondly, Kagome isn't going anywhere until he does return. Father's instructions. And lastly, If you got a problem with me and Jas, then fuck off."
Jason leaned forward, lightly biting at Kera's waist. "There's that nasty little temper that I love." He smirked, as he hooked his thumbs at the front of her pants and slid them back and forth along her hips.
She giggled and tugged Jason up to her for another kiss.
"You two have no shame." Inuyasha grunted in disgust.
"Take it to your room guys." Kagome sighed. "After the door is fixed."
"Naraku isn't going to wait around for us to be ready." Inuyasha argued.
"Why should I be ashamed?" Jason chuckled, as he stood up and leaned over to give Kera a long, heated kiss.
Leonidas groaned and shielded his eyes with his paws.
"Because you're probably about to fuck each other in front of us."
Kera kissed Jason back ignoring Inuyasha's grunts and babbling.
Jason pulled back and chuckled. "Sounds like a fantastic idea." He nipped at Kera's earlobe.
She giggled. "Mom might be okay with us dating, but in front of everyone? I think she might have some objections to that."
"And the door is busted down too." Kagome added, blushing bright red. "Seriously, you two, take it to your room at least."
"You'd think dog-boy there never did it or something?" Kera laughed, as she held Jason close to her.
Inuyasha turned bright red. "Just get the hell outta here already. "Let's go, Kagome."
Jason automatically released his hold on Kera and came to rest his machete at Inuyasha's throat.
"She said she's waitin' for her father," Jason growled. "And that's what she's goin' to do."
Kera sighed in disappointment and sat up glaring at Inuyasha. "Don't cross my father's orders. You won't live to regret it," she said seriously.
Jason pressed the edge of his blade to Inuyasha's throat, drawing a thin line of blood. "And that's a promise," he growled.
"I'm sure as hell not leaving Kagome here alone with the likes of you two." Inuyasha scowled.
"We do need to get a new door soon though." Kera straightened her clothes and sent Jason a worried look.
Jason sighed as he snatched his keys from the coffee table and made his way to the screen door.
"I'm gonna go shop for a new door. Now it'll just be you four." Jason sent a teasing grin. "Be what you may, girl-on-girl, girl-on-self, dog-on-dog..."
Leonidas gave Inuyasha an odd look and ran into the kitchen with his tail between his legs.
Kera shuddered in disgust. "That's gross babe." She swayed her hips walking over to him. "Hurry back, okay?" She kissed his cheek then went to sit with Leonidas and scratched behind his ears. "It's okay, Leonidas. I won't let that mean silver-haired guy hurt you."
"Be back soon." Jason chuckled.
"Besides, you're all I want, Jas." She winked.
Leonidas rolled over on his back with his tongue hanging out of his mouth and his tail brushing against the floor.
"Who's a good boy?" Kera cooed, as she scratched his belly. Leonidas barked happily and licked Kera's arm. Jason poked his head back inside.
"Good! Because if there was anybody else, I would horribly maim and torture them for months on end, before making them die a long, horrible, painful death." Jason's eyes narrowed.
"Just fuckin' with ya!" He laughed. "I'll see you when I get back. Leonidas, be a good boy for mama while I'm gone, yeah?"
Leonidas barked happily as he curled around Kera's feet.
Kera laughed even though she knew he was serious. She waved him off and pet Leonidas. "Good boy." She grinned.
"You're seriously weird, you know that?" Inuyasha snorted at Kera. "And that guy who left-"
"Isn't the only one who can kick your ass," Kera warned in a steel-hard voice. "Behave." She turned back to Leonidas with a lighter tone. "Whose a good boy?"
Leonidas barked and howled out of happiness as he rolled around on the floor.
"He's obviously saying he is. Why in the hell do you keep asking him?" Inuyasha sat on the couch with his hands tucked in his sleeves.
"Because unlike you, he likes the attention," Kera replied.
"Feh. Whatever." Inuyasha turned away from Kera and Leonidas.
"Leonidas takes care of his people. Don't ya boy?" Kera smiled. Leonidas stood and barked. He jumped up, placed his paws on Kera's shoulders and licked her face and neck. She laughed and hugged him. "Good boy."
He jumped down and ran up to Kera's bedroom where he jumped up on the bed and laid down.
"What ya doing boy?"
He stood up on the bed and walked around in circles before laying back down again. He yawned.
"Tired, eh?" She smiled. Leonidas nodded. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. She walked back downstairs to keep an eye on her twin.
"So, wanna tell me what you left out now?" Kera's eyes focused on her twin. "Like who that Naraku character is that your friend mentioned earlier?"
"Naraku is pure evil," Kagome replied flatly. "He delights in turning people against each other, especially if they were once allies or family. And he uses everyone he comes across. When he's done using them, he kills them."
"Sounds like a real piece of work." Kera frowned.
"He's a demon," Inuyasha snorted. "And a monster."
"So, why are you fighting him?"
"It's our job to rid the Feudal Era of him," Inuyasha snapped.
"We'll get him, Inuyasha." Kagome promised.
"Hey, guys. I'm back!" Jason walked through the open door frame with a large expensive looking door.
Kera stood up and walked over to Jason hugging him. "Welcome back." She smiled. "We were just discussing Naraku. He sounds like a real nasty piece of business."
"Yeah," He set the door down and begun unwrapping it. "But, so am I." He chuckled. When the door was fully unwrapped he stepped back and inspected it thoroughly. It's cherry-red wood glistened from the light that shone in through the empty door frame.
She grinned. "I like the door." Then she turned serious. "Apparently Naraku likes to turn people against each other, especially former allies and family."
Jason walked over to the door and unscrewed the twisted hinges, pocketing the screws and 'accidentally' tossing the twisted pieces of metal at Inuyasha.
"I used to do that too, Kera." He attached the heavier hinges to the door frame and gave the door another once over.
She smiled. "Then you'll know how we can turn the tables on him. Right?" She sighed. "From what they've said this demon means serious trouble. Not just for the Feudal Era, but for this time as well, if he wins."
"Hey," Inuyasha snarled, "you did that on purpose."
Kera glared at Inuyasha. "Keep barking like that and maybe we will let you face the final battle alone. Without my sister there."
"They can't do this without me," Kagome argued.
"Then maybe your little friend should play nice."
"Who the hell needs you anyway?" Inuyasha huffed.
"You have no idea what Jason or I am capable of. So, sit down and shut up and you might learn some things."
Jason chuckled. "It's easy to get a dog to bite the hand that feeds him." He glanced at Inuyasha. "Isn't that right, puppy-dog?" He grinned as he finished installing the door. "Good as new." He smiled. "Well, better than new but, you get my point."
"Why the hell are you here anyway?" Inuyasha glared at Jason.
"Because I'm installing a door? Hello, Earth to Inuyasha." Jason grinned. "Hey, all of you guys. Come out here, check this out." Jason opened the door and motioned for everybody to exit the house.
Jason had them stand in the middle of the yard as he explained.
"Okay guys, so, you all know how flimsy a door can be to some people, yeah?"
"Yeah," Kera stared at her boyfriend with curiosity in her eyes.
"Well, I'm a big guy, yeah?" Jason walked over to the door.
"Oh yeah," Kera sighed with a smile.
Jason winked. "Well, this is a door I had made long ago for a very special person." He caressed the wood with his fingertips. His eyes held slight sadness. He bit that back, turning to the group once more.
"I guarantee you that this is the safest and strongest door in the world." Jason picked up a sledgehammer he had leaned against the wall to the well house.
Kera wondered who that person was but decided to ask later as she watched him.
Jason ground his heel into the ground and slammed his large booted foot against it repeatedly. After the twentieth time, he stopped and examined the door.
"Not one dent, scratch, crack, hell! There's not even any dirt on it."
He swung the sledgehammer as hard as he could in his limited range of motion again striking it twenty times with the same result.
"Nothing but the best, eh babe?" Kera grinned.
"How is that possible?" Kagome blinked.
Jason dropped the sledgehammer and moved towards the group, drawing his Desert Eagle.
"A slug from one of these babies can and will tear an engine block to high-hell." Jason aimed at the door and unloaded all eight .50AE rounds into it. The massive slide locked back and Jason inserted another magazine.
"Go check it out." He smiled.
Kera grinned and knew her family was safe now. She walked over and kissed him. "Thank you." She leaned her head against his arm.
"Oh, but baby, I'm not done yet!" Jason shouted, as he holstered his gun. "Wait right here. I'll be right back." He ran down the steps to his car laughing the whole way.
Kera smiled happy to see him laughing for a change and excited. Jason didn't know it, but his emotions were starting to show through.
Jason bounced happily up the stairs with a massive, primed-and-loaded RPG-7. He strolled over to the group with a bounce in his step and a grin on his face.
Kera's eyes widened.
Jason chuckled. "One of these babies could take out an armored troop carrier from one-thousand meters. And don't worry about the explosion, I took the war head out. It's just well... a rocket." He grinned. "Now stand back. All of you." Jason glared through the sights of the rocket launcher and aimed it at
the center of the door.
Touched by how much effort he'd put into protecting her family Kera grinned.
Jason depressed the trigger and the rocket shot out of the launcher and smashed into the door with a dull thud. The rocket fell to the ground and Jason walked over, picked it up, and tossed it to Inuyasha.
"The only thing tougher than this door," he slammed his fist against it a couple times, "is my babygirl."
He gave Kera a wink. She ran over and hugged him. Jason wrapped his arms around Kera's waist, picked her up, and spun around. A big grin crossed his face as he held Kera closer to him. She hugged him tightly and kissed him, reveling in his elation. Jason kissed her back and set her on her feet again.
"Do you like it?" He smiled.
"Hell yeah." She grinned. "The toughest thing here is my man." She kissed his jaw.
Jason chuckled. "Doesn't get any tougher than me." He winked, giving her another quick kiss. He turned towards Kagome and Inuyasha. "So, whadda ya guys think?"
"Where did you get all this stuff?" Inuyasha asked baffled.
"From my basement. Why?"
"It isn't cheap stuff," Kagome piped in.
"I know." Jason popped a round from his Desert Eagle and tossed her the round. "One of those babies cost two bucks a pop and my baby cost well over fifteen-hundred." He stuffed the gun back in his pocket. "My former job paid well." He smirked.
"How he got it doesn't matter," Kera informed them. "The fact he's using it to protect this family is what matters." She hugged his waist and kissed him. "It means a lot to me."
"Why would he protect this family?" Inuyasha blinked.
Jason returned her kiss and embrace. "Hey, if it makes you happy, it doesn't matter the cost." He planted a kiss on Kera's forehead.
Kera grinned. "Now you're spoiling me," she teased, hugging him closer.
"Why would he protect this family?" Inuyasha repeated.
Jason chuckled. "Maybe just a bit." Jason hugged Kera closer to him and turned his head to face Inuyasha. "Because I can and because I feel like it."
"I'll have to find a special way to say thank you." Kera closed her eyes and enjoyed the embrace.
"Don't thank me just yet. We've still got this Umbra situation." He whispered in her ear.
She hugged him tighter and leaned up to whisper. "I know, that's why the door means a lot."
He smiled. "So, about that machete training?"
"Whenever you're ready, babe." She grinned.
"Go slip into something comfortable. We're gonna be on it for a while. I'll go grab the training blades and a few other things." He gave Kera a firm slap on the butt as he walked to his car.
Kera squealed at the unexpected slap and reached back to rub the sting away as she went upstairs to change.
"You're sister is weird and that guy is… different," Inuyasha warned Kagome.
"Everybody is different in their own way."
"You really think you can trust him?"
"He's done nothing to prove that we shouldn't."
Upstairs Kera quickly changed into some shorts and a tee shirt so she'd have as much room to move as she'd need, then ran downstairs eager to start training.
Leonidas barked and followed her downstairs.
Jason climbed the stairs once more with two training swords in one hand, his bow in the other, and a large quiver of arrows on his back, just in time for Leonidas to stroll out of the house and run happily to his master.
Inuyasha stared at Jason's weapons. "Is that a bow? He grinned. "Maybe you could show Kagome a thing or two about how to hit the mark."
"Sit boy!" Inuyasha slammed to the ground. "I could use a few lessons," Kagome sighed, then shot a death glare at the hanyou. "But you don't have to be rude about it."
"You got your own bow and quiver?" Jason chuckled.
"Yes," she acknowledged. "In my room."
Jason licked his cheek. "Go get 'em." He patted his leg. "Leonidas, come."
Leonidas happily bounced over towards his master and the two walked back to meet Kera, after Jason grabbed his sharpened machete from the living room and one of the daggers Kera had grabbed from his basement.
Kera waited for him over by where they'd done the previous training. "Who was the door originally made for?" She asked, while they were alone.
Jason set his gear down on a table and tossed Kera a training sword. He twirled it at his side. "First rule: longer weapons are only useful as long as you keep your distance." Jason started.
"Also, they're more clunky than knives or daggers. Sure, you can use a sword using just your arm but, to be truly effective, you've gotta use your entire body, otherwise the strike won't be as fast."
"So, put my body weight behind the strikes then?" She asked.
"Someone." Jason answered cryptically. "And yes, but remember to keep your distance. Think of sword fighting as a kind of dance on Broadway. If you screw up even once in a real fight, you're done." Jason twirled his training weapon even faster. "Now strike me."
She wondered why he'd avoided a direct answer about who the door was originally made for. He'd said it was someone very special earlier. She pushed the question from her mind for now and tried to strike him as instructed.
Jason side stepped the strike, planted a foot firmly between Kera's, grabbed her wrist, and placed the rounded top of the training sword at her neck.
"Too slow." Jason reset their stances once more spinning his blade at his side. "You're being too brutish with it. You don't need to drive your strength into the blow, just let the blade swing. It's speed and weight will take care of the rest. You've just gotta control it's direction."
She nodded and gave him her undivided attention.
"Again." She moved in for another strike. Jason brought his weapon up to block the strike.
"Not bad, not bad."
"Thanks." She smiled at his praise.
Leonidas and Inuyasha sat beside each other seeming to hold a conversation as they watched the combatants training. After their conversation they both scratched their ear.
Jason and Kera trained for a few more hours. At the end of the first hour, Kera had been fully able to process the technique she needed to use to properly wield the machete-like- weapon, even managing to mimic some of Jason's 'dip-and-stick-' movements and his habit of twirling his blade at his side.
"Awesome!" Jason smiled. "You've got it!"
"Thanks to my instructor." She grinned.
Jason chuckled as he set their training weapons on the table and picked up his bow. He turned to Leonidas.
"Leonidas, go get Kagome. I'm ready to train her now."
Leonidas sat up and walked into the house to go fetch Kera's sister. Jason walked over to Kera and wrapped an arm around her waist.
"I'm much more than an instructor," he growled huskily. "I can also be somewhat of a 'love doctor'." He chuckled, leaning over for a kiss.
She kissed him back, arms around his neck.
Jason pulled back, smirking. "Why don't you go tell your sister and Leonidas to hurry up, eh?" Jason gave Kera a firm pat on her backside.
"Okay," she chuckled, turning to do so, when Leonidas and Kagome descended the stairs.
Jason walked over to a tree in the back yard and carved out a target. He walked to the other side of the yard and raised his bow, notching an arrow.
Kagome and Kera watched him closely.
Jason's massive arms flexed as he pulled the string back and released the arrow, embedding it deep into the tree in the center of his target. He notched three arrows, pulled the string and watched them fly. The arrows stuck in a neat triangle in the bullseye with the first fired arrow in the center of the shape. He smirked as he went to collect his arrows.
"Pretty impressive," Kera called out.
Kagome's jaw dropped. "Wow." Was all she could manage.
Jason grinned at Kera. He motioned for Kagome to grab her bow and quiver of arrows and stand next to him.
Kera sat next to Leonidas and rubbed behind his ears.
Kagome grabbed her bow ready to learn.
Inuyasha decided to play with Buyo as he watched Jason train Kagome.
"Notch your arrow and fire it at the center of the target."
Kagome nodded and did so. The arrow sailed through the air and stuck in the tree at the outer ring of the target.
Jason set his gear down and stood behind Kagome.
"Notch another one but don't fire it." Kagome did as instructed.
"Your arrows are leaning off to the side. You want them against the side of the bow." Jason adjusted Kagome's arm so the arrow was straight against the side of the bow. "This isn't something you can just pick up and use, you've gotta practice and practice."
"Okay," Kagome breathed.
"Hey, watch those hands." Inuyasha barked, glaring at Jason. Jason chuckled at the irate hanyou.
"Now, aim for the center again. Make sure the arrow's straight and not curved off to the side." Jason lifted his bow and notched an arrow and fired it. "Just like that."
"Okay," Kagome watched him and did as instructed.
"Fire."
Kagome took a deep breath and fired the arrow.
"Trust me, Inuyasha, if Jas wanted his hands on her they would be." Kera sighed, hugging Leonidas. Leonidas stuck his tongue out and wagged his tail happily, barking once in agreement with his mistress.
Kera watched as Jason focused on training her twin. His combat knowledge far exceeded hers. In fact, his knowledge in everything surpassed hers. That's why she enjoyed learning from him. After all, a fighter could never learn too much. In fact, the more a fighter knew, the better their chances of survival.
And Jason was definitely a survivor. It showed in every move and every decision he made. She couldn't ask for a better man to have by her side when the shit storm arrived and it would. Eventually those twisted freaks at Umbra would come. It was unavoidable.
She lifted her shirt and absently traced the blue outlines of the rose petals. A silent reminder of how over the years she'd built a wall of ice around her heart in order to distance her emotions from whatever the jobs she'd done had required of her.
Each blue tipped thorn marked a huge milestone in her life. Only she and Devon knew what those were. She sighed and her thoughts turned to the betrayal of the man she'd considered her brother. A wave of pain threatened to wash over her, but she forced it away through deep, calm breaths. A trick she'd learned through her years as an assassin.
She and Jason were a lot a like in that perspective. For the most part she'd learned to control her emotions. At least she had before she'd met him. Lately it seemed like instead of analyzing things she just followed her instincts. She'd always followed her gut in battle, focused solely on the mission. Nothing else mattered. It was the only way to survive. Before and after the battles she analyzed everything.
Jason was different.
When she was with him she didn't have time to analyze anything, only to feel and react. And boy did she. He was well aware of the effect he had on women. She sighed and secretly wondered how long a girl like her could hold a man like him? She saw the looks other females gave him. Plenty of other girls were far more experienced than she was. So why had he chosen her to lavish attention and affection on? Kera wanted and needed it. She just didn't understand why he'd chosen her.
As if sensing her thoughts Leonidas licked her hand.
"Hey big guy." She smiled and scratched behind his ears. She went back to watching Jason and her twin train. Kera adored his willingness to protect her, but knew there was more to it than that.
Jason made Kera look past her flaws and reminded her that she was more than just a killer. She was a woman too. She'd never felt delicate or beautiful before. But, around him it was hard to ignore. He brought out the vulnerabilities she'd fought so hard to bury. And just a look from him made her feel like the most beautiful girl in the world.
Deep down she knew that he needed her too, though he'd never admit it. And she was determined to be there for him. For however long he wanted her.
Kera hugged Leonidas to her and buried her face against his neck. She knew she was over analyzing things. An unfortunate habit of hers which often led her to feel sad. She blinked back the unwanted tears and focused on taking slow, deep breaths.
"Fire." Jason instructed.
Kagome's arrow sailed through the air and landed only a few inches from the bullseye. Jason collected the arrows and handed Kagome's back to her, while he put his away and folded his bow.
"Pretty good! You're getting the hang of it." Jason grinned. "Just remember to make sure the arrow's straight before you fire and practice makes perfect."
"Thank you." Kagome smiled.
"Welcome." Jason grinned and went to rest his head on Kera's lap. Kera smiled and ran her fingers through his bangs.
"What about the others and the fight with Naraku?" Inuyasha demanded. "Naraku isn't going to just wait while we take a time out."
"I'm sure it'll be fine." Jason smiled and waved him off.
"Don't just ignore me," he barked. "And no it won't be."
"Somebody needs to get laid," Kera chuckled as she played with Jason's bangs.
"Maybe tomorrow night?"
"Definitely." Kera traced his forehead.
Jason winked, before turning to face Inuyasha. "Did I not just dignify your statement with a response?" Jason reached up to caress Kera's cheek. "I'm sure they'll be fine until we finish what we're doing here."
Inuyasha grunted.
"Kera!" Kagome blushed.
Jason chuckled and buried his face in the crotch of Kera's shorts.
"Having fun?" She giggled.
"No." Jason mumbled through the fabric. "But, I am quite relaxed. It smells great down here." He bit at her inner thigh slightly. Kera blushed.
"That is disgusting," Inuyasha grunted. "Knock it off already."
Kagome covered her face mortified. Kagome shook her head, hands still covering her face.
Jason raised a middle finger in Inuyasha's direction and gave Kagome a thumbs up. He chuckled and bit Kera again, a tad harder this time. Korea squealed and wiggled, trying to avoid his teeth.
"I said cut it out," Inuyasha growled.
Jason wrapped his arms around Kera's waist, stopping her from moving away. "Make me!" He shouted through Kera's shorts.
"You two are worse than that damned monk." Inuyasha scowled.
Jason sat up, pulling Kera onto his lap. "I think you're just jealous that you don't have a girl of your own." He chuckled, lightly biting at Kera's shoulder. Kera smiled and hugged him to her, running her hands over his back.
"Hardly," Inuyasha snorted.
"But, you still are." Jason chuckled.
"Like hell," Inuyasha growled.
"Could you two please stop making out where everyone can see you?" Kagome said through her hands.
"Kagome, we're not making out..." Jason paused. "At this very second anyway." He grinned. "Now go back to training."
"I can't focus with you two doing that," Kagome squeaked.
"I think we're embarrassing them." Kera grinned and kissed Jason's jaw, then nipped his neck with a soft, playful growl.
"Well, how're you gonna focus with demons and shit all around ya if you can't even focus when your sister and I with each other, huh?" Jason stuck his tongue out.
"As for you, puppy-dog, why don't you go have a conversation with Leonidas? You two seem to get along fairly well." He chuckled, before turning his attention to the woman in his lap.
"Leonidas is lounging in the sun." Kera kissed Jason.
"This is stupid." Kagome huffed and stomped her foot. "What would daddy think?"
Kera pulled back to respond to her sister. "That you're supposed to be practicing." She kissed her boyfriend again.
"Give it a rest already." Inuyasha glared at them.
"He's always liked laying around." Jason chuckled, pressing his lips against Kera's and lifting a middle finger towards Inuyasha.
Kera wrapped her arms around her boyfriend's neck and kissed him back, then licked the outer shell of his ear and nipped his earlobe.
"That tears it." Inuyasha stormed over to them. "Enough already."
Kagome tried to focus on her target practice, using her embarrassment to fuel her anger.
Jason brought his leg up just under Inuyasha's waist and knocked him back a few feet.
"Hey!" Inuyasha barked. "I said enough." He pushed back to his feet.
Kera continued kissing her boyfriend. Jason kicked Inuyasha back again, this time with more force. Inuyasha growled and got up, stomping towards Jason.
"Sit boy." Kagome spun around. "I can't focus. So, all of you knock it off."
"Gettin' the hang of it?" Jason smirked as he leaned against the wall with Kera in his lap. Kera smiled and played with his hair, resting her head against his shoulder.
"I'm trying to." Kagome sighed.
"You'll get it, Kags." He smiled. "Trust me."
"Let's hope so," she sighed, and went back to practicing.
Inuyasha shoved himself out of the hole.
Jason chuckled as Inuyasha dusted himself off.
XOXOXO:
Bankotsu groaned and his eyes slowly opened. His hand automatically reached for his constant companion, halting as the image of Naraku taking the shards from his beloved blade and his wrist flooded his mind.
Damn demon. He'd known from the beginning the stupid demon was using he and his brothers. He should have been better prepared. Guilt at failing his brothers not once, but twice, filled his stomach making it churn. Funny. He hadn't had that feeling since before they'd all been beheaded.
"I never should have bought into his lies," Bankotsu hissed as he sat up.
"Whose lies, big brother?" Jakotsu voice rang like a sweet melody in his ears.
Bankotsu blinked and turned his head in the direction the voice had come from.
"Ja?" He asked, eyes wide. He pushed to his feet and wrapped his arms around his best friend.
"I'm happy to see you too," Jakotsu grinned. "All of you." He winked.
"Ugh, that's disgusting." Mukotsu shielded his beady eyes.
"Gersh!" Ginkotsu chimed in.
"Big brother," Kyokotsu boomed. "Where are we?"
"Who the hell knows?" Suikotsu grunted as he dusted himself and his clothes off.
"So, we're all here," Renkotsu scowled. "I'll just take my leave."
"Wait!" Bankotsu cried out. He took a deep breath and felt it fill his lungs. "Look Renkotsu. I know I failed you," he turned to face each of his comrades. "all of you and for that I'm sorry." Bankotsu walked over to his former second in command.
"What you did, you did because you were trying to survive. I'm sorry I failed you to the point you felt it was necessary."
Renkotsu stared at his former leader. Had he actually just apologized? Bankotsu never apologized for anything in his life.
"How are we all back?" Jakotsu asked, as he cautiously moved to stand by Bankotsu's side, hand on Jakotsuo ready to draw if it became necessary.
"Look," Kyokotsu boomed, as Banryu glowed light a beacon, calling to her master.
Bankotsu smirked and claimed his companion, resting it against his shoulder. He faced each of his men, staring them in the eye. "If you're willing to give me another chance, I promise I will not fail you a third time." His jaw tightened. He'd do whatever it took to keep them alive this time.
The Band of Seven pounded their fists against their chests, saluting their leader. Bankotsu gave Renkotsu a glance. The bald mercenary smirked and pounded his chest as well.
"Big Brother," Suikotsu spoke. "When we all met you long ago, we swore a blood pact."
"Through life and death," Kyokotsu boomed.
"We'll always be comrades." Ginkotsu forced the words from his lungs.
"Always brothers." Jakotsu smiled at his best friend.
"We bleed for you." Mukotsu grinned.
"As you have bled for us." Renkotsu nodded.
Bankotsu bit his lower lip and gripped Banryu's hilt tighter. The blade glowed briefly, agreeing with the band of brothers.
"You guys..." Bankotsu stabbed Banryu into the ground. The group all waited for their leader to finish. He grinned. "You guys are the best family a guy could ask for!"
The newly reunited Band of Seven scouted the area. After returning to their initial meet-up point, they spent a few moments conversing with each other before deciding they became bored sitting around.
Bankotsu stood and pulled Banryu from the earthen soil, resting it against his shoulder.
"Ya know, you guys..." The Band of Seven gave Bankotsu their undivided attention. "I'm pretty sure I saw a village not even a mile away." Bankotsu smirked.
Their eyes lit up at the thought of once more being able to bask in the warm afterglow of their recent slaughter. They stood and collected their gear. Mukotsu prepared his poisons and Renkotsu gave Ginkotsu's weapons a once-over before checking on his fire-spit.
The seven comrades casually strolled through the woods, happy as can be, anticipating the next slaughter. Bankotsu kept his senses sharp and took in his surroundings. His eyes may have been closed and it may have looked like he didn't have a care in the world but, underneath that laid-back appearance, he could hear and smell anything that would seem to be a threat. He opened an eye when he heard Renkotsu run up beside him.
"Bankotsu."
"Yeah?"
Renkotsu sighed. "I want to apologize for my treasonous acts in our past life."
"I told ya, I understand why you did what you did. You were focused on the survival of the group and I was obsessing over Inuyasha and his group."
Bankotsu and Renkotsu stayed engaged in conversation for a few more moments before reaching Inuyasha Forest. Bankotsu felt an eerie chill wash over him when his eyes took in the sight of a seemingly normal looking well. He raised a fist, signaling the group to come to a halt.
"Something wrong, Anaki?" Jakotsu gripped tight to his sword.
"Something feels odd about this area." He turned to the group. "Spread out. Keep your eyes and ears open for anything suspicious. I'm gonna give this area a once over. Eyes on me," Bankotsu ordered.
The Band of Seven did as they were instructed. Bankotsu walked over to the well and stood on the rim, surveying the area. He looked around and saw his brothers watching him and each other. Bankotsu gave the area one last sweep before signaling his brothers to fall in. As he begun to step down from the rim of the well, soft blue tendrils of light wrapped around his body.
"What the hell?" Bankotsu shouted.
The light begun to pull him into the well.
"Big brother!" Kyokotsu boomed.
His massive reach still wasn't enough to grab onto his leader's outstretched arm. Bankotsu fell back into the well and a blue light, bright as the sun beamed out of the well for a few moments. The Band of Seven glanced into the well only to find the dirt bottom.
Bankotsu awoke in the bottom of the same well. He looked up and saw a roof above his head.
"The fuck?" He sat up, rubbing his sore head. "The hell am I?" Bankotsu slowly climbed to his feet and pushed himself out of the well. His eyes adjusted to the dark rather quickly. "I swear to God that this was all forest..."
Leonidas watched Kagome practice her archery. Suddenly, his nostrils flared as he picked up a strange scent. As he walked, he continuously sniffed the air. He stopped outside the well house and scratched lightly at the door.
The locked door jerked backwards as if someone were trying to force it open. Leonidas jumped back and widened his stance, a deep growl rumbled from his chest. The door pounded again and he began barking and snapping at the source of the scent.
"What's up big guy?" Kera asked, as she walked over curious to what had drawn Leonidas' attention. She stared at the door being pounded on.
"Well," she said amused. "Looks like someone got locked inside, eh Leonidas?" She scratched behind his ears. "Good boy." She reached over and unlocked the well house door. She stared into furious blue eyes.
"Well, Leonidas. Looks like our visitor isn't feeling friendly, eh?" She calmly scratched behind her guard dog's ears.
"Hey Jas," she called out over her shoulder. "We have another visitor." Her gaze remained on the newcomer. "How did you get in the well house?"
"Keep on it, Kags. You're doing great." Jason stood up, puffing on his cigarette. "Watch her for me, will ya, pup?" Jason chuckled as he walked towards Kera and Leonidas.
"You," Bankotsu's eyes narrowed. "You're that priestess that travels with the half breed." He reached out to grab the front of her shirt.
Kera evaded his grab, grabbed his wrist and put him in an arm-bar with one hand on his shoulder, shoving him forward so he had to catch himself with his free hand to keep from hitting his face on the ground.
"Never put your hands on a girl without asking first." She snorted and shoved him forward. "It's rude."
Jason leaned against the wall of the house and watched Kera work the newest arrival over. She bent down with a blade to his throat.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?" She glared at him.
Jason leaned over and gave Leonidas a few pats on the head. He inwardly grinned at the venom in Kera's voice. Oh, how he enjoyed her feisty side. He threw his cigarette butt away and exhaled the smoke as he made his way towards Kera and the braided haired man.
"I won't ask again," she warned, pressing the blade to actually nick his throat.
"Ya know, for a girl, you've got some nice moves."
"Seriously? I have a blade to your throat and you're trying to compliment me?" She stared at him baffled.
"What the hell is he doing here?" Inuyasha barked as he walked over.
"Well, if it isn't my least favorite puppy," Bankotsu drawled amused.
"How did you get in the well house?" Kera demanded.
Jason snatched Inuyasha by the back of his robe as he stomped past him.
"So, I take it that you two know each other?"
"You could say that." Bankotsu smirked.
"Figures," Kera snorted, and put her blade away, moving away from the braid haired man before he could grab her. She hugged Leonidas. "Good boy, watching over me like that. Yes you are." She kissed the top of Leonidas' nose. Leonidas licked Kera's face in a return of affection. She laughed and hugged him closer.
"What's it gonna take to make you stay dead, corpse?" Inuyasha growled.
"This is gonna get real annoying real fast," Jason sighed.
"Corpse?" Kera blinked confused.
"Bankotsu?" Kagome gasped, as she walked over to see where everyone had gone to. "How?"
"You tell me, miko," he sneered. "I got knocked into a strange well, then I woke up in this well and no Inuyasha's forest." His eyes narrowed. "Where am I and what happened to all of the trees?" He took a step towards her.
"That's close enough, braid boy." Kera jumped up blade ready and stood in front of her twin. She didn't like the glare he sent towards her twin.
"You a fighter or something?" He asked perplexed.
"Something like that." She smiled as Leonidas bared his fangs.
"Yo, call the dog off okay." Bankotsu sighed, and stayed put, eyes remaining on the guy who towered over his five-foot-nine-inch height by quite a few inches.
"Leonidas. Heel." Jason's deep voice echoed through the yard. Jason dug in his jeans pocket for his pack of Marlboros and his zippo lighter. He lit a cigarette as Leonidas sat at his feet. Jason crossed his muscled arms over his large chest. He held his cigarette in his lips. "Well? I'm waiting."
"So, the dog is yours then?" Bankotsu surmised.
"Why would the well let your ass through?" Inuyasha demanded.
"Got a problem with that, mutt?" Bankotsu taunted with a smirk.
"Cool it you two," Kagome huffed.
"Geeze Jas, this day just keeps getting more entertaining, eh?" Kera asked, walking over to his side.
"For such a small girl you sure move quick." Bankotsu observed.
Ignoring him she wrapped her arms around Jason's waist.
"I actually enjoy watching people claw at each others throats." Jason drew from his cigarette and wrapped his free arm around Kera's waist pulling her tight against his side.
"You and me might just get along then." Bankotsu grinned.
"This moron doesn't know when to stay dead. What is this. Three times now?" Inuyasha snorted, amber gaze narrowed at the intruder.
Kera sat next to and petted Leonidas.
"Even death can't contain me or my brothers." Bankotsu smirked.
"You're telling me all you bastards are back again?" Inuyasha growled.
"Judging by the clothes and hairstyle I'm guessing you came from dog boy's time." Kera said in a bored manner.
"You're pretty smart." Bankotsu grinned.
"I'll take that as a yes." Kera leaned her head on Leonidas as she stretched out on the ground relaxing.
"Lovely! We got the beast," Jason pointed towards Inuyasha. "and now we have the beauty!" He pointed towards Bankotsu. He looked down to face Kera. "Let's make a smut version of The Beauty and The Beast."
"It would probably sell well." Kera chuckled and gazed up her boyfriend.
"You are not, and I repeat not putting me in some twisted fairytale with that corpse!" Inuyasha snarled.
"Former corpse." Bankotsu smirked. "We came back as flesh and blood."
"I take it you two have had a few run ins, eh?" Kera pulled out one of her blades and cleaned the dirt from under her nails.
"You're goin' in the movie, short-shit." Jason pointed his cigarette towards the silver haired hanyou. "Where else would we find a genuine beast?" He chuckled.
"Ya know, I think Kags would make a better Beauty. But, I get the feeling dog boy don't like that idea much." Kera laughed and put her blade away. She rolled over, pushed to her feet and hugged Jason.
"So, the dog is yours then?" Bankotsu repeated his earlier question, staring at the guy who clearly towered over him.
"Yeah. So what if he is?" Jason glared at the shorter man.
"It would explain why he's so well trained." Bankotsu mused.
"Never trained him a day in my life."
"What are we gonna do with this one?" She asked, hooking a thumb in Bankotsu's direction. Kera yawned and rested her head against Jason, trailing her finger down the front of his shirt.
"I am not a thing," Bankotsu defended with a glare.
"Well, as of right now, that's still up for debate."
"We could always make him The Beast," Kera mused. "What do ya say, Kags?" She laughed at her twin's deep blush.
"Actually I was looking for you," Bankotsu sighed and his eyes narrowed at Inuyasha. "We need to talk."
"We got nothing to talk about," Inuyasha snorted.
"Wrong again," Bankotsu argued.
"Something tells me you two will keep us entrained the rest of the day." Kera chuckled.
Jason sat next to Kera and pulled her onto his lap. Leonidas rested his head on Kera's thigh.
"That they will, Kay." He smirked.
"You two aren't shy about people knowing you're together, eh?" Bankotsu blinked.
"Why should we be shy about it?" Kera grinned and cuddle to her boyfriend, playing with his hair as she stared into his eyes.
"Showing affection is a good way of making her a target." Bankotsu pinned Jason with serious eyes.
"I wouldn't worry about her being in any kind of danger." He ran his fingers through Kera's hair. "I'll just say that..." Jason licked the inside of his cheek. "I'll just say that when I'm through with them, Leonidas'll take care of the rest." He chuckled. Leonidas barked in agreement.
"Besides, I'm far from helpless." Kera grinned, giving his hair a light tug.
"Ugh! Not this shit again," Inuyasha groaned and wrinkled his nose in disgust.
"Why are you here, Bankotsu?" Kagome stared at him.
"Been practicing?" He nodded to the bow in her hand.
"There has to be some reason Midoriko let you travel through the well." Kagome remained silent, staring at him a moment.
"Seriously you two, stop it." Inuyasha hissed at the couple who were making his skin crawl in revulsion.
"Aw, do their displays make the puppy jealous?" Bankotsu taunted. He turned his attention to Kagome. "Miko, perhaps you're willing to listen to reason?"
Jason buried his face into the crook of Kera's neck and bit down hard enough to mark her, but not to where he broke the skin or caused much pain. Kera giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed the tip of his nose.
Kagome eyed Bankotsu a minute as if weighing her options.
"Anything you gotta say, you can say to me," Inuyasha insisted.
"Don't make us put shock collars on you two." Kera warned, before focusing solely on her boyfriend.
"I'd like to see you try," Bankotsu taunted. "Just cause you caught me off guard earlier, doesn't mean it'll happen again." He assured.
"Don't worry, if she doesn't getcha," Jason allowed his sadism to bleed through for just a moment. "I will." He smirked and turned his attention back towards his girlfriend. Kera kissed her boyfriend, tugging on his hair as she leaned her head back exposing her neck to him.
"Something tells me that you and I got a lot in common." Bankotsu smirked, addressing Jason's comment.
Kagome sighed and shifted her weight to her other foot.
"Nothing doing." Inuyasha faced Bankotsu. "Whatever you're gonna say, the answer is no." His tone was firm and cold.
"That's pretty stupid of you half-breed. You don't even know what I want to talk about." Bankotsu snorted.
"Inuyasha, maybe we should hear him out?" Kagome frowned.
"I said, no!" Inuyasha bellowed, eyes narrowed at Bankotsu. "I'm putting an end to you once and for all." He withdrew his sword.
"Sit boy."
Inuyasha crashed into the dirt.
"Oh man, that's hilarious." Bankotsu burst into a laughing fit and fell onto his back holding his stomach. He rolled around laughing till tears gathered in his eyes and his belly hurt.
"Say what you came to say." Kagome scowled.
Bankotsu took a couple minutes to sober up.
"Very well. We should join forces against Naraku." He held up a hand to silent her protest. "Face it, miko. You and your friends are not enough to take him on alone. With me and my brothers, we will have twice the warriors."
"I don't trust them." Inuyasha shoved himself out of his hole in the ground, glaring from Kagome to Bankotsu.
"I think you guys should do it. I was in the military. Trust me, the more soldiers you have, the better." Jason had silently made his way towards the group.
"Jas is right." Kera stood beside her boyfriend and gazed at Bankotsu. "You're quite a strategist." She smiled. "Use that to cover any weak links."
"Hey," Kagome seethed. "You better not mean me." She planted her hands on her hips and stared at her sister.
"I meant in general." Kera smiled. "Look at me for instance. I'm a tiny thing, but I'm faster than most people expect. I learned to use the disadvantage of my short stature as an advantage to throw off suspicion of my true speed."
"You all want to win this battle? Than quit bitching, set aside your histories, and work as one cohesive unit." She grinned at her boyfriend. "That about sum it up?" She wrapped her arm around Jason.
"Couldn't have said it better myself." He gave Kera a firm slap on the rear. "You've got," he turned to gaze at her, "a really nice ass, by the way." He gave it a tight squeeze.
Kera yelped, then grinned.
"Glad you approve," she replied unashamed of the blush on her face.
He turned back to the matter at hand. "Anyway. Stop being stuck-up motherfuckers, shake hands, whatever you gotta do. I'll be right back."
"Leonidas, stay." Leonidas laid down and Jason took off towards the driveway to fetch something from his car.
"You two are something all right," Bankotsu chuckled. "I bet you two keep life interesting around here."
"All work and no play leads to a very dull and boring existence," Kera replied. "Seriously, take Jason's advice and apply it."
"Sweetheart, I'm the leader of the most infamous band of mercenaries in all of Japan's history." Bankotsu smirked. "I know all about battle."
"Then stop playing dumb and put those brains to work." She scowled. "And don't call me sweetheart. Only Jas can have pet-names for me." Her eyes narrowed.
Bankotsu chuckled.
"Inuyasha, let's do it." Kagome spoke up voicing her opinion.
"Are you insane?" Inuyasha glared at them like they'd all grown three more heads. "He and his band of brothers tried to kill us not that long ago. Remember?" He stabbed a finger in Bankotsu's direction and bared his fangs with a hiss.
"Nice to see you haven't forgotten me." Bankotsu smirked. Then he turned serious. "Imagine all that firepower working together instead of opposing one another." He grinned at Kagome. "With little miko's powers, the slayer, and the monk, plus you, me and all of my brothers… we'd be a formidable force."
"Fuckin' do it, pussy!" Jason's voice rang clear up the steps and over towards the group. A few moments later, Jason jogged up the steps with a jar of clear liquid in his left hand. He strode over to the group.
"I'm gonna be completely honest with you, Fuzzy-Ears. If you don't take my advice, I'm pretty sure that counts as mental retardation in this time period." He unscrewed the lid and took a sip. He licked the inside of his cheek as he screwed the lid back into place.
"Look, just shake hands, say 'alright, let's do this' and come inside. If I have to come back out here, I'm going to run you both over with my car." Jason smiled as he casually walked into the house. Kera watched her boyfriend walk away and grinned.
"Don't say I didn't warn you." Inuyasha snorted.
"Good, it's settled." Kagome grinned. She walked inside with Bankotsu close behind her and Inuyasha behind him. Kera chuckled and followed them all inside.
"What is all this?" Bankotsu asked a bit awed by the stuff inside.
"I'll give you a tour later," Kagome offered.
"What ya got in mind, Jas?" Kera asked, her hips swayed in their natural seductive motion as she slowly approached her boyfriend.
Jason sat on the couch with five shot-glasses on the table. The jar of liquid he had brought sat next to them.
"Well, first, I'm thinking that you come over here and sit on my lap," He patted his thigh. "And you give me a lil bit of lovin'." He smirked.
She grinned and sashayed over to sit in his lap, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Jason placed one hand on the back of Kera's neck and used the other to cup her firm rear end. He pulled her closer to him and ground her lower body onto his well-muscled stomach. Kera rubbed against him while still kissing him.
"Are they always like this?" Bankotsu smirked, as he noticed Kagome trying hard to study a crack in the wall on the opposite side of the room with a blush on her face.
Inuyasha grunted in disgust.
Jason chuckled as he pulled back. A slight smirk crossed his features. He gave Kera one last kiss before he picked her up off of his lap and set her down on the cushion beside him. He looked at the three standing individuals.
"Do any of you drink?"
"Now you're talking my language," Bankotsu replied with a grin. "So, what do you have in mind?"
"I've um, never drank before." Kagome blushed.
"What's the point in it?" Inuyasha snorted, shoving his hands inside the sleeves of his fire rat haori.
"What I've got here is some damn good White Lightning. Doesn't get any stronger than this." Jason grinned as he filled the shot-glasses. "Everybody, take a seat. You're gonna need it." He laughed.
"Let's see what you got." Bankotsu nodded and sat.
Kagome fidgeted with her hands in her lap. Inuyasha grunted. Kera relaxed on the couch next to her boyfriend, curling her legs up under her. Jason took his glass and raised it up.
"This isn't just a drink. It's a contract. You guys said you'll work together. This is your signature. Take your glasses."
Bankotsu and Kera happily grabbed their glasses. Kagome grabbed hers and Inuyasha reluctantly took his.
"Salude." Jason smirked, as he threw his shot back, draining every drop of alcohol. He slammed it bottom up on the table and he felt the warmth spread through his body.
Kera followed his lead and slammed hers down bottom up. Kagome stared at it a minute then held her nose and tossed it back, and coughed. Inuyasha grunted and tossed his back, trying not to let it show. Bankotsu grinned and tossed his back.
"You're all going to be burning up when it settles." Jason chuckled and checked his watch. "So in about three...two...one..."
"What's in that?" Kagome stuck out her tongue and waved hair at it.
"It's moonshine." Jason chuckled. "You guys are drunk and you don't even know it yet." He laughed as he took another shot.
"In that case." Kera draped herself in his lap. "I'd better stick close to you, eh?" Her gaze locked to his with a flirtatious twinkle in her eyes.
"I guess you should." Jason smirked as he cradled his girlfriend in his arms. She giggled and enjoyed being in his arms as she played with his hair, ignoring the rest of the group.
Jason turned to face Inuyasha. "You're drunk."
"Am not," Inuyasha barked.
"Hit it again," Bankotsu challenged.
"You really wanna play this game with me, mister mercenary?" Jason smirked. He refilled his, Inuyasha's, and Bankotsu's glasses and raised his. "Game on!" He threw his shot back.
Bankotsu threw his back.
"That's enough. I'm out." Inuyasha grunted and threw his back.
"No you're not, motherfucker! You're gonna prove that you're not a lil fuckin' Chihuahua and that you're a fuckin' top dog." Jason refilled his and Bankotsu's glasses. "Now, put your glass back down."
Inuyasha grunted and glared as he put his down.
"Thatta boy!" Jason smirked as he topped off Inuyasha's glass. He filled up Kagome's and Kera's half way. After he set the jar down, he downed his shot.
Kera tossed hers back, then smiled at Jason, content to cuddle in his lap. Kagome reluctantly tossed hers back. Inuyasha and Bankotsu downed theirs.
The group sat in the living room until three in the morning drinking the alcohol Jason had brought. By the time the moonshine had gotten down to half, Kagome and Kera were both drunk. Inuyasha was hiding his intoxication. The three men downed shot after shot.
When they finished the jar, they were completely wrecked. Bankotsu cuddled up with Kagome, Jason with Kera, and Inuyasha crawled over to cuddle with Buyo and Leonidas. They were all out cold before their heads even hit the pillows.
XOXOXO:
Just as the sunrise broke the horizon a cell phone rang through the air shattering the occupants' sleep. Kera slowly opened her eyes, wincing and reached for her cell phone. She disentangled herself from Jason, kissed his forehead and then walked off for a bit of privacy from the slowly rousing crowd.
"Hey Daddykins," she greeted with a yawn as she walked up the stairs, well aware Jason followed her to her room.
"Morning, princess," a deep voice greeted. "How are you adjusting to life at home?"
"Devon was a plant," she informed him flatly. She sat on her bed, hugging her knees to her chest with one arm.
Silence greeted her a moment.
"Was he taken care of?"
"Yes," she assured.
"I had no idea," Soru replied in an icy tone. "Or I'd have killed him myself."
"I know," she sighed and rubbed her temples. "When ya coming home?"
"Soon. I've got some loose ends to tie up."
It was his usual response.
"Be careful, Daddykins."
"I always am. You behave for your mother and send the rest my love." Soru hung up.
XOXOXO:
A/N: Well guys, here's what you've been waiting for! Finally Kagome, Inuyasha, and
Bankotsu made their appearance! I don't really know where we're going from
here but we'll figure something out. If there's something you'd like to see,
leave us a review or shoot us a PM. We aren't just doing this just to write
this story, we're doing it for you guys as a sign of thanks over the years.
Hope you've enjoyed and, as always, stay beautiful! :D
-Fury.