Shadow Revealed
Chapter Seven
Dark Times
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Thanks for all the reviews, really like where this story is heading . Love you all I want to thank Kittyb78 for giving me some tips that would improve my wrighting and I would also like to thank Kiki the Kitty for some wonderful help.
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"Bzzzzz Bzzzzz!"
Jumping out of the bed, only to tumble on the floor gaining a huge bump on my head. Groaning out, blinking my eyes trying to wake myself up. I grab the strange contraption making that horrible noise. Getting fed up with how to turn it off I start to bang it on the floor. The alarm lock crumbling to pieces and the noise dying down.
"BANKOTSU!" Kagome screamed at me, smacking me across the head.
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Happy to finally be back to a more familar place, sighing though having not one but two bumps on my head from the un pleasant morning. My armor and kimono style clothing back on. Banryuu slung on my shoulder as Kagome and I walked.
"Hey Kagome...I have been thinking and I know I have seen you before with your miko powers using a bow, correct?" I asked Kagome looking at her from the corner of my deep blue eyes.
"Y-yes...but I don't have my bow or any arrows" I concluded to Bankotsu's question.
"Well I think it would be best if I bought you one then, then atleast you will be able to protect yourself" I replied to her. Coming up to a small village I took a look around, finally spotting a shop that sold a few weapons. I entered in, I was quite famous, known as a cold blooded killer, a mercenary for hire. Getting a few scared looks from the shop keeper I went on looking around, not paying any attention to them. My fingers gliding over a handcrafted bow, about half the size or less than Kagome. A few roses were carved into the fine piece. Grinning, knowing this was the right bow I grabbed it along with some arrows and a quiver, and left a few coins on the table before leaving the small shop.
Meanwhile Kagome sat on a bench, rubbing her shoulders from the weight of the yellow backpack. Sighing to herself as she waited for Bankotsu. As she saw him walking up to her, handing her the gift.
"Here, you'll be glad I got you this" I insisted. Watching her take the gift and thank me. I could not help but to smile back at her.
My heart began racing as I felt the few pulses. I knew what was going to come. Standing up abruptly, concentrating on which direction it was coming from. This time though I had a much different feeling about it. Even the jewl shard I faintly sensed felt like pure evil.
"Kagome? Is it a jewl shard? Alright! Let's go then" I laughed with a grin on my face after seeing Kagome's reaction. I picked up my Banyruu and kneeled down for Kagome.
"C'mon let's go, you'll slow me down" I said gesturing towards Kagome.
"Bankotsu...This does not feel good...I mean at all...Just promise me you will be more careful this time" I worried but nodded and I got on his back as Bankotsu stood up running into the direction I guided him in. The whole time Bankotsu smirked, feeling cocky that he could take anything on that head his way and Kagome was only just worrying like a woman would do.
A cold breeze circulated throughout the battle field which was made up of dirt and boulders. Arashi smirked to himself, wearing a long black cloak rimmed with red outlining, bearing a couple of tatoos on his face. He had short dirty blonde hair. His height was average. He was fairly thin and a set of emerald green eyes. The couple of jewl shards Arashi possesed were found in his chest. He was feared by many, a dark arts user who could easily concour any army that came to him wanting vengence. Always working alone, trusting no one, not being able to as it is, for his nature was to kill.
He stood poised as he waited for his guests. He had heard many stories about a new priestess who came and was now collecting the jewl shards and having the powers to detect them from a distance. What really made him intrigued however was a well known mercenary travelling with her. Watching the sun slowly go down over the horizon, tonight it would be a full moon. Perfect...
"Bankotsu...we've arrived now" she swallowed as she wiggled off of Bankotsu and from his grasp. Setting down her yellow backpack that she always lugged around wherever she went. Taking a note that they had stopped at a plain clearing. The full moon now shining high above them, the moonlight casting shadows in every crook and crevice.
"Welcome priestess and mercenary" the voice echoed throughout the field, Kagome's head darting every direction as did Bankotsu's. Bankotsu stepped in front of Kagome in a protecting way, holding Banyruu out and ready, preparing for whatever lurked in the shadows.
A burst of wind gushed by, Bankotsu putting up an arm shielding his face as a dark figure appears, "Kagome back up!" he shouted. Bankotsu's eyes straining to get a clear veiw of his new oppenent. The man in the long cloak stepping towards Bankotsu slowly as the moonlight reveals his face to Bankotsu. "And who the fuck might you be?" Bankotsu demanded, glaring at the mysterious person.
"Well...I don't think you should be too concerned about that at this moment...but if you must know I am Arashi, Sorcerer to dark arts. I guess I might as well know the names of you two...who shall entertain me tonight" Arashi laughed wickedly, coming to a stop, the distance between Arashi and the mercenary no more than twenty feet.
"Heh...I'm not that easy to beat, I am Bankotsu, leader of the Shichinintai, and don't even think about laying so much more than a finger on Kagome" the fearless leader growled, ready for whatever challenge may come tonight. Taking one leap Bankotsu charged with his beloved Banyruu, twirling it with ease.
Arashi grinned at his cocky attitude, Arashi quickly muttered a few words, summoning a sword for himself. Strange markings on the hilt of the weapon, the blade slightly curved to the point. During the first blows, Arashi concentrated on his defense and let his muscles settle into the rhythm of swordplay. After several minutes of Bankotsu attempting to get past Arashi's defenses he lets out laugh of enjoyment, toying with Bankotsu.
Bankotsu's weapon finally finding a opening, slipped past his defenses and slashed towards Arashi's throat. Arashi quickly dodged, laughing once more as if having a marvelous time. "A wonderful strategy mercenary" he smirked, trying to make him angered.
When Bankotsu slashed backhanded in a return blow, Arashi thrust his blade vertically and caught it before it cut him in half. "Excellent, Excellent, You're one of the finest mercenaries I've seen yet" he mused, getting sheer joy off of swords play. As Arashi soon began picking up speed, Bankotsu instinctively ducked. A cool breeze fanned the mercenarries face as Arashi's blade rushed by, swinging in each direction possible.
Kagome already had her bow strung and held it sqaure to her shoulders. Preparing an arrow and pulling on the string tightly, aiming for her target, Arashi. 'Come on, hit the target' she thought, beads of sweat forming on her forhead in concentration.
Kagome let go of the bow string and the arrow launched at its target, gleaming in the moonlight. Surrounded by a pinkish glow, the purifying arrow flew at an increasing speed. Arashi simply dodged to the left, but the arrow managed to graze his shoulder. Blood trickled down his arm and his eyes narrowed in anger.
"Enought toying, Time to get serious" he growled, bringing his finger tips to wipe away the blood. He jumped back, distancing himself from Bankotsu's crushing blows. His sword disapeared into the shadows. He muttered a few words. Arashi grinned maliciously and slammed his palms down on the cold ground. Almost immediately, a glowing red pentacle appeared beneath his hands. Suddenly Bankotsu's body began to feel much heavier and his breath became strained. "What the hell?" Bankotsu hissed in surprise and looked down at himself.
Shadows leaped up and held him in place. Bankotsu groaned and felt as if a thousand pounds were on top of him. Watching him, Arashi smirked amused by Bankotsu's efforts to free himself. Arashi laughed mockingly, "It's useless you know," his emerald green eyes travelled along the field to the priestess. Quick movements, he dissapeared into the dusk and soon reapeared in front of kagome. "That arrow you sent would have been quite nasty if it hit..." He drawled, watching her tremble before his eyes.
Snapping his fingers and a gust of wind flew by slicing the young miko's cheek. Blood trickled down from the wound, forming a thin red line on her flesh. Grinning wickedly, Arashi brought his finger to her wound and wiped away a few drops of the crimson liquid. He brought his finger to his mouth and licked off the blood. "Mmm...love...you taste amazing." He laughed coldly, his eyes gleamed with delight.
Kagome gave a blood curtling scream, too frightened to move or do anything. Pain burned in her cheek. Tears brimmed her milk chocolate eyes. Tingles going up and down her spine.
"KAGOME! You sick bastard! Don't fucking touch her!" Bankotsu boomed, taking slow steps towards Arashi. Anger pulsed through his veins, not caring how much it hurt him to move. All that ran through his mind was, 'save Kagome.' Instantly the spell that bound Bankotsu shattered, at lightening speed he bolted across the field from being freed. Banyruu tight within his grip, sparks erupted from the helbred as he came down hard on Arashi.
Taken by surprise Arashi flew back, bashing into a large boulder as it cracked. Never seeing a mere human break his spell before. Blood streamed down his forehead. Looking pissed as hell he jumped up quickly, "Now you both will suffer for that act of stupidity" he thundered.
Holding up both of his hands, closing his eyes as gusts of wind formed at his feet. Swirling and dancing at first, becoming more and more violent with each passing moment. Drawing a magical power from the moon, a bright blue glow enveloped Arashi. His black cloak fluttering around, wind pushing it in each direction. A blue mist apearing in Arashi's hands, fading away a scaly and shocking to the touch, the internally glowing blade is said to give the wielder quick reflexes. So quick, that when they move it would seem that they are hovering above the ground.
"The Emerald Wing...finally mine" Arashi gave out a maniacal laugh, holding one of the most legendary weapons, passed down his family for generations. Was once said to be made from the scales of a dragon demon. Bringing the powerful blade up to his finger tips, gliding them along, admiring the weapon.
Being so quick Bankotsu hardly was fast enough to even counter let alone attack Arashi. He was pushed back, gaining deep gashes on his arms and legs as Arashi's blade sliced by, gliding through the air. Sending a powerful kick to Bankotsu's chest as he was sent up into the sky. Arashi grinned.
The final blow.
Bringing up the Emerald Wing to come in contact with Bankotsu's badly beaten up body. Only to be stopped by a snake like blade, curving in each direction, tangling itself with the weapon that Arashi held.
"How dare you hurt big brother!" I girly voice shouted, dust clearing up, only to behold the band of seven. Jakotsu jerked his wrist, his trick sword coming back to him in its orginal form.
