Chapter 6

pretend

Nana's POV

-Flashback-

"Nana! Wake up!" My so called husband garbled as he staggered home drunk. When I opened my eyes I was greeted with his red and wrinkled face, I shivered with disgust. It was my fifteenth birthday and my fifty-two year old husband had decided to celebrate this day with his drinking buddies down at the local tavern.

I slowly sat up; my ribs still ached from the recent beating Tougi gave me for burning the dinner I had made. I was apparently going too slowly for his liking; he grabbed me by the arm and dragged me up forcefully. "Wench!" he slurred and snarled, "on your feet!"

He then proceeded to drag me outside, I was barely dressed, wearing only a thin silk Kimono he forced me to sleep in for his own delight. When we stepped outside I was greeted by a hoard of old men, all leering at my bare legs. Tougi threw me to the ground, "look at her!" he roared, "this is what I got for at the cost of a single sheep! This young beauty…marvel at what is mine and what you can never have!" he then pulled me up by my hair and pushed me towards them. "Twirl for them Nana, let them see every inch of you!" he then tore off my Kimono so that I stood naked before them.

I squealed and when I tried to cover myself with arms he pinned them to my side and again demanded I twirl for them. I did so…very, very reluctantly with tear of shame filling my eyes. When they were done eyeing me up and hooting at me, Tougi dragged me into the hut by my hair, "come wench tonight you give me a son!"

Not on your life, you filthy bastard! I would rather be baron than grow your seed.

-End of Flashback-

Men….they used to seem so disgusting to me, but recently one had shown me such kindness. Chikotsu…the first time I met him, he was laying down the corpse of the man who had me shackled. He was like my liberator, he freed me…and yet now, he may be the man to imprison me in the bonds of marriage once again. However, the strange thing was…I didn't fear the idea of marrying him as much, he had earned my trust. He had also earned my respect, I did truly admire him for both his courage and restraint. I heard him pray at night, and when I watch him practice with his blade, I was mesmerised by his swift and graceful movements.

As I sit here now, I wonder why the thought of him being out there now, drinking from another woman bothered me so much. It shouldn't…maybe it's because he and I share a similar fate, both destined to live alone, only difference was that I happily chose that fate. Still I hoped he was okay out there in the city…I could see it in his eyes, he was almost as tortured as I was.

Chikotsu's POV

The tavern was filled with vile smoke and the alcohol flowed like a river down the many throats of our potential victims. Takumi had spied his, it was the young tavern maiden who was serving us, she was constantly asking Takumi wasn't drinking; little did she know that it was physically impossible for him to consume anything other than blood.

Takumi smiled, "you appear far more appetizing than anything else this tavern has to offer me" he responded, when she blushed he leaned forward so that their faces were close. "Is there somewhere we can, somewhere….we can be alone?"

The girl nodded, her heart was pounding through her chest! She grabbed his hand and fled through a door that lead to another hidden room. Another maid that worked their…a very you and pretty thing, slender and pale, approached Bankotsu. However, the closer she came…the more I saw that she had very similar features to that of my mother. They were not obvious, you would have to know my mother's face very well to spot the similarities. Bankotsu clearly did and he decided that she was the one he'd have tonight and it made me sick.

They too disappeared into the back room…foolish women, they were leading their hunters away, leading themselves to a very pleasurable but potential death, if they got too carried away by the taste of the young girls, they could easily drain them. Hopefully the two women would live to see sunlight again.

In a corner sat a voluptuous beauty who was eyeing me devilishly, her deep brown eyes are trying to lock with mine. Slowly she approached me, dressed in a harlot's red, her eyes scanning over my body as she swayed her closer.

"Can I be of any….service, my young, handsome man?" she purred like a kitten.

I looked her up and down three times over, she was curvaceous…any red blooded man would want to take a bite, and yet strangely she sparked no interest in me at all. Still, I had to feed for I could feel myself getting weaker. "Have you anywhere we can be alone?" I asked her.

She then took me by the hand and lead towards the backroom. There I saw Takumi and Bankotsu holding their victims intimately as they drank their essence, they were huddled so close to them it looked like nothing more than an intimate embrace, however the loud a passionate groans from the women were a dead giveaway, to me at least.

She sat me down and then straddled me, her nuzzling lips were wet and warm. I was not in the mood for such foreplay, I would simply bite and go. So cupped the back of her head and traced my lips against the back of her neck. Over her shoulder I saw Takumi and Bankotsu leave the poor women upon the floor, not dead but unconscious, they would live. They swiftly moved onto another two clueless wenches, eager to be as close to them as their peers were. I had never seen another so this, drink from someone and I wondered if that was what I looked like? Like a demon and I was for the first time in a long time, ashamed of myself.

Something in me just couldn't do it, I couldn't take her…so with a heavy sigh I gently removed her and casually left the room. I would go without tonight and just head back to the inn, strangely I had this deep concern growing inside me, I was anxious about Nana being on her own and I wanted to make sure she was still safe.

When I arrived, having practically burst through the door, she sat up in her bed and gawked at me, "you're back sooner than expected" she uttered.

I slid the door closed but made no movement to get any closer, I did not want to invade her space and knew she it could easily frighten her. "Forgive me if I disturbed your sleep, I'm afraid I could not concentrate on the hunt, knowing you were on your own, I feared something would happen to you" I responded politely as I moved to make up my own bed on the other side of the room from her.

I could feel her eyes upon me, her confused and somewhat baffled eyes. "You have not fed? You were too concerned with my safety? Will this not weaken you?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "It's alright, I assure you…now, please don't be afraid of me suddenly attacking you for your blood; I am the master of self-control."

She frowned at me, "that is not what I am concerned about, I trust you enough by now and know you would not…you know, hurt me" she looked away bashfully and I admired the adorable blush that appeared on her pale cheeks. "But how are you to protect me and face Shinigami if you are weakened by lack of substance? Your mother…she won't be happy with you if she finds out you are not taking care of yourself."

A corner of my mouth twitched upwards, "I like that you worry for my wellbeing and that you even refer to my mother…I could tell that she liked you a lot, just as much as she likes my brother's wife" I suddenly realised what I was saying and cleared my throat. "But anyhow, you don't have to fear for your safety…while I'm here nothing will ever harm you, that is a promise Nana."

She again stared at me for long moments with a taken aback expression, slowly tears formed in her eyes and eventually one spilled over. "Damn it" she cursed at herself as she wiped away at the tear she tried so hard to hold back. I handed her a handkerchief which she gratefully took. "I swear to you…I don't cry often, I haven't done so since Takumi came back from the dead. I haven't had that wonderful release in so long; I suppose I must feel comfortable with you." Nana wiped under her eyes and handed the handkerchief back to me, "I thought I was all out of them, I thought they had been beaten out of me…I suppose it's another thing I have to thank you for. I know nothing will happen to me, while you're here…I must admit, you make me feel safe." Our eyes connected and I felt a sudden intensity rise and thicken the air, she rose to her feet, the blanket slipping from her shoulders. "And you should know…I have not felt safe in a very long time, it's nice…not to be afraid in a man's presence, it's nice feeling this secure…it's nice to trust again."

She began walking towards me, slowly and almost sensually in the glow of the rooms only candle. She kneeled in front of me, closer than she had ever dared get before and rested her hands on my legs that were now folded. My blood was soaring; I felt a rush that I had not felt at the tavern…the spark was here, in this room between Nana and me. My eyes disobediently wondered from her eyes, down to her neck and rested momentarily upon her fair white chest, that heaved gently when she breathed.

By some instinct my hands found their way up her slender arms and hers rested upon my chest, she leaned in closer and leant her forehead upon mine. Her female smell sent chills all through my body and I wanted to clutch at her and bring her closer. "Nana" I breathed, she put her fingertips upon my lips to stop me from speaking. Words had no purpose any more, her lips hovered just above mine and the anticipation, among other things, began to grow.

"Chikotsu" she whispered, "I want you…to drink from me, take some of my strength, let me do this…for all you have given me."

I was shocked beyond belief, this was something I certainly did not expect, "Nana…you don't have to do this, I don't want take from you, after all tha-"

My words were hindered by her gentle, yet passionate lips upon mine, the internally flame in me ignited and made my body hot. Our lips entwined and the pressure of her was about to send me into a frenzy. When she released my lips, still holding my face in her hands she breathed something that awoke the gentle but lustful beast inside me. "Please Chikotsu…take me, take me now".

With that I laid her upon her back, though I wanted to remove every stitch of clothing I knew she was not ready for that. I had to be gentle with her; I had to show her that men such as me were capable of that if ever I was to completely renew her faith in us. My hand traced up her leg and I kissed her mouth, I did so that her body would heat up all the more. I moved down…her thighs were against my torso and the palms of her feet traced the back of my legs. My mouth found its way to the base of her neck…I placed one long, lingering kiss there. "Do it!" she breathed with such eagerness, "right now I am yours! Do it! Take me into you; make me a part of you!"

I could no longer hold back and I sank my two incisors in deep. Her sweet, warm blood filled my mouth and trickled from the corners of my lips. She tasted as wonderful as I imagined, her soft and gentle groans played in my ear like a masterful melody and it gave me such delight to know the pleasure I was giving her.

Nana wrapped her legs about my waist and clung to my hair, "Yes…oh…YES!" She groaned, her hand clawed at my back. I released her and stared down at her for a moment. Her coal black hair fell ghostly about her white gossamer face which beheld a look of pure satisfaction which only added to my own. Her hand cupped the back of my neck, "more" she whispered pleadingly, "I want more!"

I sat her up upon my lap and held my handkerchief over her neck, luckily these should heal quite quickly, still her brother will not be happy if he sees them. "Nana, if I take any more blood from you, you might faint thank you for giving yourself to me" I said and then kissed the bite mark I had left which sent a shiver through her body. She even whimpered with desire and gripped briefly at my shoulders. Her slender arm slipped around my neck and she hugged me closely, my arms wrapped around her tiny waist, it was nice to hold her so close.

Nana then held my face in her hands and gazed deep into my eyes, "remove my kimono…take me completely" she murmured against my lips, when she said that my heart skipped a beat. I wanted so desperately to do as she commanded, to see the perfection that was hidden by only a single layer of clothing. Her lips traced my cheek then rested on my ear, her breath tickling at it, "take me…completely" she repeated gently.

Oh Nana…you don't know how much I want to! She then slipped her kimono down to reveal her bare shoulders and a slight curve of her breasts. She was making this so impossible to resist, with a sigh and a lot of will power, I took a blanket, wrapped it around her shoulders and pulled her in close to me. "No Nana, it's too soon, I don't think you're ready yet…tonight you have given me enough" I responded.

She quickly looked away from with a blush of shame, I believe I had unintentionally both disappointed and embarrassed her. Nana looked adorable when she blushed and I could not help but smile. I held her face and kissed her again upon the lips, "Listen to, one question from you and I can guarantee we will have all the time in the world for such things."

She knew what I meant and smiled back at me, "Chikotsu…will you marry me?" she asked.

I grinned widely and planted another kiss on her mouth, "I was starting to think you'd never ask" I teased.

She shrugged playfully, "I like to keep you guessing".

So this was it, I Chikotsu, the reaper's holy assassin…was betrothed; I never thought the day would come. However, a dark thought pressed my mind…us marrying only solves half the problem, I still did not feel right marrying her when I was still in the service of Shinigami. Then it also occurred to me, is she only marrying me…purely to escape her fate with the master of death?

I had to ask, "Nana…do you truly wish to be with me, forever? Do you truly wish it? Forever?"

She half smiled at me and pulled the blanket more tightly about her shoulders, "nothing lasts forever, Chikotsu…but I do wish to be with you till inevitable end…I truly do".

That was enough for me, I would be sure to marry her first thing tomorrow, I would be able to save her and then find some way to free myself of the reaper, without taking innocent lives. "we should get some sleep" I told her.

Nana blushed again, "it's cold…will you sleep beside me? Now that we're betrothed, I don't think it would be considered inappropriate".

Laying asleep beside, holding her safely to me the entire night long…. "Of course".

Bankotsu's POV

There was so much alcohol in the women's blood, I consumed three in total…all of them slightly intoxicated, when they awoke tomorrow, they'll think they merely passed out. I left Takumi there…he had been offered more than just blood by his third helping and he readily accepted.

It felt good to hunt again, to taste blood and here I woman groan as you bite into her…all three of them were delicious, but still they were nothing in comparison to Sango. However Sango was a beautifully dream I was slowly starting to let go of. Maybe in another twenty years or so, I'll finally be able to utter her name without hurting inside.

"He passed the test" came a voice, behind me stood Karumi, dressed in her signature red; she had been the one who tried to seduce Chikotsu into drinking her blood. He however rejected her, something not many men had the power to do. "He chose Nana…over me, which shows he truly cares for her…you have done well Bankotsu, your mission is almost complete, you should be rewarded and I think I know just how to do that." With that she suddenly morphed into a beautiful image of Sango.

I frowned at her and shook my head, "Not as good as the real thing" I informed her.

Kurami smiled at me in the way I longed Sango to, "but it's a close as you'll ever get" she shot back, this caught my attention completely, even her voice sounded exactly the same as Sango's. She noticed this and used it to her advantage, "Bankotsu…I love you so much…I don't want that ridiculous monk, please take me away from him…he could ever compare to you! Oh Bankotsu please!"

It was everything I had longed the real Sango to say, I rushed at her and kissed the fake love of my life. She looked like her, sounded like her…but she kissed entirely differently. Sango was passionate but gentle, Kurami was too fierce and it was difficult to truly fall under the pretence.

We paused for breath and I gazed down at her, her eyes did gltter as Sango's did, but in a different way, "say it again" I demanded, "say you love me!"

She smiled, "I love you Bankotsu…I truly do".

I crushed her lips with mine once again, this was the closest I'd ever come, "I want to pretend" I whispered, "pretend that Sango is my wife, we are standing outside our home where our children are inside asleep and we're just talking, like a normal married couple, who love each other…that is the reward I have earned" that was my request.

Kurami momentarily rolled her eyes but then smiled innocently and casually took my hand, "It's so nice to have some time to ourselves, the children can be such a handful, they get that from you" she teased as we walked and she wrapped both of arms around mine.

I chuckled, "maybe so, but they get their stubbornness from you."

She playfully scowled at me, "would you have me any other way? Dear husband"

She snuggled in closer and I was actually falling willingly under her illusion, "No…my beautiful wife, I would have you no other way" I assured.

She stood on tip toes and kissed my lips softly, "I'm so glad I married you…I love our life together and I love you."

I place my arm around her shoulder, "This is the life I've always wanted…you are what I've always wanted."

If only this was real, if only this were my real life.

We walked like that for a few minutes, eventually she morphed back into her true form, "okay play time is over" she said, "now listen, Shinigami has begun looking for the girl…if he doesn't already know who took her, he will soon enough, so you must ensure that the girl and your son are married by the morning. Once that is done…I suggest you check on pretty Sango, Shinigami will want to spite both you and Chikotsu, Sango is the one common bond you have…the one person you both love."

This angered me, I felt the need to rush back immediately, "If so much as lays a hand upon her!" I growled.

Kurami sighed, "It was just a warning, he may leave her alone, you don't know him like I do…he may be the master of death, collector of souls but that doesn't make him evil, he is not without mercy…however if he is told he can't have something he wants he can get a little nasty and unpredictable, just need to watch out."

It wasn't good enough! It wasn't! If anything happened to Sango I would tear the entire world apart….

Sango's POV

"Miroku, I would love to!" I squealed and jumped into his arm, it was so wonderful to hold him…he seemed just like his old self again. He had returned to me with a bright smile, a bouquet of peonies and an adventure in mind.

He swung me around and placed me down, "Kagome and Inuyasha will probably be joining us, Sango…I knew this would make you smile."

He was right it really did…however his bright mood was about to be ruined, I had to tell him everything that happened while he was gone. First we would go to Inuyasha and Kagome's home so that she could back me up. I hadn't done anything wrong; I had to continuously assure myself of that and that my conscience was clear.

I took him by the hands, "I have something I need to tell you"…

"Are you upset?" I mumbled quietly.

Kagome and Inuyasha were watching in silence, Miroku was being so quiet, he looked up at me eventually and said "No…not with" he assured and then put his arms around me, "I'm so angry that he did that to you…I should have been here to protect you, I should have listened to your warnings and I hate that our son is with him."

I rubbed his back with my hands and then squeezed him more tightly, "I know…but it is better that goes with him, Bankotsu will make certain he Chikotsu survives…but rest assure no one could ever take your place."

A moment of silenced passed, Inuyasha broke the silence, "well…I just thought of our first adventure…let's go help your son, let's face Shinigami!"

Miroku looked to me; he wanted to make sure I agreed to it…so long as he was on my side I could face any enemy, "Let's do this! Let's go get my son!"

Chapter 7 coming soon.