Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha! I do Kera, the plot, and story line... There. I said it. (sighs)
Chapter 11:
A few minutes later:
Bankotsu dead panned upon hearing her answer. He paled demanding harshly, "Why?"
Kera answered honestly, "You're kind, and loving. You're strong, and protective." She added amused, "Not to mention incredibly sexy."
She continued seriously, "You have protected me since the day after we met and have asked very little in return. You accepted me for who I am, even knowing all of my faults, and you never judged me."
Taking another deep breath she continued in a confidant voice, "Whether you feel the same or not, it will not change how I feel about you." Gazing deeply into the sapphire eyes she loves she declared, "I love you Bankotsu and nothing can change that."
Bankotsu sighed heavily holding her gaze and snapped frustrated, "Damn it. I knew this was going to happen." His voice took on a warning tone, "Kera, I told you-"
She reached up and put her hand over his mouth, shaking her head and stated, "I don't care if you don't love me. I do know that you at least care for me, and I love you." She continued, "I'm not asking for you to love me in return, nor to choose between me and your brothers. Just let me help you as you did me," staring into his eyes, with fiery determination and love shinning in her eyes.
Leaning up she kissed his cheek and whispered in his ear, "Goodnight Bankotsu." She removed her hand and walked back towards the camp.
Bankotsu stared after her retreating form for a long minute and sighed heavily. After she disappeared, he started angrily punching the ground yelling "Damn it." and "Fuck." repeatedly for a good ten minutes. His shoulders sagged and he sat there staring off into space with a seriously pissed off look on his face.
Back at camp:
Kera entered the camp walking over and crawling into her sleeping bag. She curled into a ball, closed her eyes tightly, and sighed heavily.
Kagome looked at Sango and asked, "I wonder if she's okay?"
Kera said, "I will be fine." Eyes staring at the stars, she whispered, "Eventually."
Sango looked at Kagome and questioned, "I wonder what happened?"
Kera sighed heavily rolling over on her side and buried herself inside her sleeping bag, trying to sleep.
Inuyasha stated, "We won't know until she's ready to tell us." The others all nodded. Sango, Kagome, and Miroku turned in for the night.
An hour later Bankotsu walked into the camp still looking angry.
Walking up to him Inuyasha looked him in the eye and queried, "What happened?"
Bankotsu scowled at him snapping irritably, "None of your business." He sat with his back against a tree and his knees propped up, glaring off into the fire.
Inuyasha scowled and jumped back up into his tree.
The next morning an hour before sunrise:
Inuyasha woke Kagome, Miroku, Sango, and Kera up, and then told them to prepare to leave.
Kagome busied herself making breakfast.
Kera looked around, noticing Bankotsu wasn't there. She faced Inuyasha and asked, "Where is he?"
Inuyasha sighed answering, "He said he needed some time to think alone and left twenty minutes before I woke everyone up."
Kera nodded saying, "Thank you." and quietly began packing her things.
With Bankotsu:
Bankotsu sat in a tree replaying last night's events over and over again inside his head.
Bankotsu's POV
"Fuck. How could I have let this happen? Why the fuck would anyone love me? I'm just a murderer, a killer, a fucking mercenary for Kami's sake! How the hell could I have let her fall in love with me?"
Sighing heavily I thought sadly, "I can't give her what she needs. I can't give her what she deserves. I should just let her go."
Clenching my fists, I thought angrily, "And yet just the thought of another man- any man, touching her in any way and I see red; wanting to shred the fucker limb from limb- fucking hell!"
I sighed heavily, and jumped out of the tree, landing gracefully on my feet like always and stormed back towards the camp.
Back at camp:
Bankotsu walked into camp and sat moodily against a tree.
A minute later, Kagome announced, "The food is done," and began to dole it out.
Kera walked over to her twin and helped. Kera carefully filled the bowl.
She walked over and handed the bowl to Bankotsu. He just stared at her blankly as he took the bowl.
She smiled at him and walked away to get her own bowl.
Bankotsu scowled a minute, and then sighed heavily began eating.
Kera got her bowl and decided to sit beside the fire as she ate her breakfast in silence.
After everyone had eaten, Inuyasha looked at Bankotsu and questioned, "Okay, which way?"
Bankotsu stood up answering, "Ox, and Tiger." and began walking in that direction.
Kera had just finished gathering her belongings. She sighed heavily and began following him. She caught up to him in less than a minute and walked quietly beside him, hoping for him to say something, anything to her.
Every one followed closely behind, but gave them space for privacy.
Halfway through the day:
They were walking along in silence, when the wind suddenly picked up. Kera sensed something yet she couldn't put her finger on what it was.
Kagome faced Inuyasha informing seriously, "I sense two jewel shards coming this way really fast."
Kera looked at her twin saying, "So that's what it is, huh? I sensed something, but wasn't sure what it was."
Inuyasha sniffed the air, growling, and spat out, "Fucking mangy wolf."
A whirlwind stopped right in front of Kagome and what appeared to be a man in a fur mini skirt with armor on his chest and back and long black hair pulled into a high pony tail, stepped out.
Kouga smiled at Kagome greeting sweetly, "Hello Kagome," clasping her small hand between his two larger ones.
Inuyasha instantly growled a warning and broke his grip; standing in front of Kagome demanding, "What the fuck are you doing here, you mangy wolf?"
Kouga growled, and then frowned at the unfamiliar yet somehow familiar scents. Sniffing the air curiously, he turned around looking at Kera and gasped. He blinked a few times saying confused, "Two Kagomes?" puzzlement in his eyes.
His eyes settled and angrily narrowed on his old enemy. He growled demanding, "And what the hell is Bankotsu doing alive again?"
Glaring at him Bankotsu warned testily, "Back off, wolf."
Kera glared at the newcomer demanding, "Who are you and what do you want with my sister?"
Kouga blinked asking confused, "Sister?"
Kagome introduced, "Uh Kouga, meet my sister Kera. Kera, this is the wolf demon tribe prince- Kouga."
Kouga faced Kagome and questioned, "Kagome what's going on here? Since when do you have a sister?"
Kagome sighed saying, "Long story short, she's my identical twin, that's why we look so much alike."
Kouga nodded and turned to Kera bowing as he said, "Then it's nice to meet you."
Looking at him Kera skeptically replied, "Uh okay, nice meeting you too, I guess."
She gazed intently at his legs, frowning and queried, "What are the shiny things inside your legs?"
Kouga's eyes widened in shock as he gasped and demanded, "You, you can see them!?"
Kera raised her eyes to his and holding his gaze replied amused, "Clear as day. Now what are they?"
Kouga looked at her answering, "Sacred jewel shards."
Kera gasped eyes wide from shock asking, "What? You mean from the sacred jewel of four souls? That thing is real?!"
Kagome gazed into her twin's lighter eyes and nodded adding, "Yes, It was once inside of me."
Kera's eyes widened even more and she questioned, "How is this possible? And how did it break?"
Kagome blushed mumbling, "I uh, broke it accidentally."
Kouga faced Kagome and queried, "Kagome, are you ready to come back with me and be my mate yet?"
Kera's jaw dropped and her eyes bugged out, as she screamed, "What!?"
Kagome sighed heavily staring him dead in the eye and scolded, "Kouga, you already know that I said no."
Kouga held her gaze sighing and stated, "I won't stop asking until you do."
Hearing this Inuyasha growled and went to draw his sword.
Noticing this Kagome yelled, "Sit boy!" Inuyasha crashed face first into the ground creating a rather large crater.
Bankotsu cleared his throat demanding annoyed, "As interesting as this is- it's a waste of time. Now, let's get moving."
Kouga whirled glaring at him and demanded, "Who the hell made you the leader and why you are with my Kagome and her friends to begin with?"
Narrowing his eyes at him Bankotsu angrily snapped, "None of your damn business, wolf."
Having seen and heard her fill, not to mention already having been in a sour mood to begin with, Kera yelled, "Enough!" startling everyone. All eyes widened and snapped over to her.
She intently walked towards Kouga standing right in his face. Her gaze bored into his eyes as she hissed, "Obviously my sister said no." She demanded, "Now leave her alone," caramel eyes blazing with her temper.
Kouga growled glaring at her and demanded, "Who the hell do you think you are, telling me- the prince of wolves- what to do?"
Unimpressed and becoming angrier by the minute, Kera glared icily at him answering, "The one who is going to kick your ass if you don't leave my friends and sister alone!"
Kouga scoffed boasting, "As if a mere mortal could even touch me."
Eyes now slits, Kera warned dead seriously, "Do not underestimate me wolf boy. I may be a woman and a 'mere mortal' but I'm also no one to be fucked with."
Kouga blinked a few times in disbelief of her brashness. Staring at her he said, "What a dirty mouth you have. You are nothing like my sweet Kagome," he jeered.
Inuyasha glared heatedly at him dangerously snarling, "She isn't yours, wolf."
Having had her fill as well, Kagome yelled, "Enough!" She looked at Kouga suggesting in a tight voice, "I think you should leave now Kouga."
Shocked Kouga protested, "But Kagome?"
Kagome narrowed her eyes at him insisting, "Now, Kouga."
Kouga sighed heavily lowering his head briefly and declared, "I will be back, my fair Kagome."
He glared at Kera hissing, "Next time you had better watch your tongue, wench."
Kera angrily slapped him right across his arrogant face, causing him to stumble back to stay upright from the impact. She warned, "Don't ever call me that again, you stupid jerk," and turned on her heel walking away.
Kouga held his stinging cheek in utter astonishment. He recovered and growled dangerously, while glaring hatefully at her back.
Kagome tapped her foot impatiently and fumed, "Kouga!"
He growled in annoyance, looked at Kagome and noticed the seriousness of her expression, and whirled off again; unable to believe that little bitch actually had the audacity to slap him.
Sango laughed looking at Kera and stated impressed, "Damn girl, you are gutsy." Kera shrugged it off and stood beside her.
Bankotsu had watched the scene unfold and was seriously not happy that Kera had even gotten near that damned wolf; let alone touched him. He gritted his teeth ordering, "Move out," walking off again. Kera ran to catch up with him again and remained silently by his side for the remainder of the trip.
Everyone else followed suit. They continued traveling until sunset, at which time they made camp. Sango collected the fire wood. Miroku gathered the water.
Inuyasha went hunting and returned with a few good sized rabbits he had already skinned, and Kagome cooked a stew; which Kera added some herbs to.
After everyone had eaten dinner:
Kera and Kagome collected the dishes, carried them over, and washed them in the river. They returned and put away the dishes.
Kera announced she was going for a walk to clear her mind and walked off a little ways. She decided to sit beside the river and meditate on an enormous boulder.
As soon as he finished eating Bankotsu left to sulk in a tree. Inuyasha was sulking in a different tree.
Kagome, Sango, and Miroku sat around in a circle by the fire. Kagome sighed and voicing concerned, "I hope Kera will be alright."
Miroku held her gaze stating, "Things sure seemed tense today; they barely spoke to each other all day."
Sango nodded questioning, "What do you think happened?"
Miroku suggested, "Perhaps they got into an argument?"
Kagome informed them, "I've never seen her- this quiet or aloof before. Whatever happed, it obviously wasn't good," sadness tinging her voice. She sighed heavily saying, "I wish she would just tell me, maybe then I could help."
Sango stated seriously, "One thing is for certain. She sure has a way of making a first impression. First Sesshomaru and now Kouga," holding back a smile.
Miroku's eyes widened and he queried confused, "Sesshomaru?"
Kagome explained, "Last night before we returned to camp, she had a run in with Sesshomaru."
Inuyasha, who had been listening in, jumped down out of his tree and walked over asking, "So what happened?"
Sango laughing answered, "She laid into him as soon as he spoke to her. She demanded that he tell her what was going on with her fist glowing."
Inuyasha's eyes widened and he exclaimed, "She demanded!? And she isn't dead yet?"
Kagome added, "He even said that he found her amusing." Inuyasha's jaw dropped.
Miroku voiced, "Interesting," looking deep in thought.
Sango continued, "By the time he left, she had apologized for her rudeness and for punching the tree," smiling at the memory.
Kagome finished a little shocked, "He said to make sure it didn't happen again and left."
Miroku frowned and queried puzzled, "He just left?" Kagome nodded.
Inuyasha declared, "He didn't punish her for her insolence or anything? Just said not to let it happen again and left? Damn was she lucky," eyes widened from shock and utter disbelief.
Miroku agreed, "Indeed. But why was he so lenient with her?" he asked clearly perplexed. Kagome and Sango shrugged.
Kagome said, "After he left, Kera sent us back to camp saying she that wanted to be alone for a while, so we came back." Sango nodded her confirmation.
With Bankotsu:
He was sitting perched in a tree deep in thought, only half listening to the other's conversation.
Bankotsu's POV
I sat in my tree and thought, "Damnit, what am I going to do with that woman? Why is it that she has to openly challenge every guy she meets? Speaking of which; what the hell did she have to go get near and even touch that fucking flea bag wolf for?" I heard Kagome and the others talking and mention Kera. I decided to listen intently.
Regular POV
He sat in the tree listing to the conversation below and puzzling over all that he'd just over heard. After puzzling it over for almost another hour, he jumped out of the tree and walked off again.
With Kera:
She was sitting on a boulder meditating, when she felt a familiar presence. Kera greeted coolly, "Good evening, Lord Sesshomaru."
Sesshomaru a little shocked, he looked at her and stating, "I see you are learning to use your powers quickly."
Kera opened her eyes replying, "No, but I did learn a long time ago to pay attention to the environment around me at all times, as well as how to sense auras."
Sesshomaru said, "Interesting. So then, have you had priestess training before?"
Kera smirked and said, "No. But I have been trained as an assassin since I was just a toddler."
Sesshomaru gazed into her eyes and raised a brow asking, "By whom?"
Kera held his gaze answering evenly, "My father."
Sesshomaru said, "I see."
Kera held his gaze unwaveringly and stated evenly, "I did what I was trained for and ordered to do. I didn't ask to be trained as such, but have done the best that I could."
Sesshomaru stated, "Hn."
Kera confessed softly, "Lately I've been thinking a lot- about everything. I've decided that after this is finished; I want to live a normal life. I want no part of senseless and needless killings after this."
Sesshomaru pondered this latest revelation a while. He looked at her and queried, "Why this then?"
Kera answered, "To aid my sister in her quest, and to fulfill the promise I made to my father- to protect my sister. Also, to repay my debt to Bankotsu," holding his gaze.
Frowning Sesshomaru questioned, "What debt?"
Kera explained, "He helped me take out three people who had hurt me and would have killed my family. I feel that I at least owe him that much. Also, it aids my sister and fulfills my promise to father as well. I will help them against Naraku. Once he is defeated, I will ponder my future. Until then, I will repay my debt and honor my word."
Tilting his head to the side, Sesshomaru informed her, "You become more and more puzzling, the more we speak."
Kera asked amused, "What's so puzzling, about me?"
Sesshomaru replied, "You say you are a trained assassin, and yet you speak of honor- that in itself is puzzling."
Kera informed him evenly, "Even assassins have a code of honor."
Sesshomaru said, "Hn," staring at the unusual human. Remembering their encounter from the previous evening, he stated, "I have seen for myself your loyalty and bravery."
Kera replied, "I am who and what I am. I give one hundred percent to everything I do. It's just a part of who I am," shrugging nonchalantly.
Sesshomaru stated, "Rare are you among humans- and a female at that. To top it off, you are a miko as well; all very intriguing."
Kera ghosted a smile retorting, "I'm flattered that you think so. Even though, I am naught but a simple human."
Gazing deeply into her eyes Sesshomaru informed her seriously, "You miko, are anything but a simple human. I see that you are humble as well, as I said the more we talk, the more interesting you become." Kera felt her face blushing slightly at his compliment.
Sesshomaru informed her, "I have only once before in my life, met a human as amusing, interesting, and humble as you- and that was over five hundred years ago."
Kera gasped in shock and exclaimed, "Wow!"
Sesshomaru stated, "It will be interesting to see how things progress, ne?"
Smiling Kera agreed, "Indeed."
Sesshomaru sat upon the ground and suggested, "Come and sit with me a while, miko," gesturing to the spot on the ground beside him.
Kera jumped off the rock landing gracefully on her feet and walked over taking the proffered seat beside the Tai Youkai.
Kera looked at him and queried, "If you don't mind me asking Lord Sesshomaru, how is it that you seem to always find me?"
Sesshomaru smirked at her answering, "Demon's senses far surpass those of humans. I simply followed your scent."
Kera queried curiously, "So, what do I smell like?"
Sesshomaru answered, "Lavender, vanilla, and your own unique scent."
Kera smiled saying, "It must be the shampoo and body wash." Sesshomaru raised a brow questioningly at her. She laughed explaining, "I have a bottle of lavender and vanilla shampoo for washing my hair. The same as a body wash for cleansing myself." Sesshomaru nodded.
They sat talking for nearly an hour longer just enjoying each other's company. Sesshomaru stood reaching out a clawed hand to help her. She gratefully placed her smaller more delicate hand in his larger stronger one, and he gently pulled her to her feet. She smiled at him thanking him, and he nodded.
Releasing her hand he decreed, "We shall meet again soon, miko." She nodded. Once again he quickly vanished into the night.
Kera sighed heavily sitting back on the ground and began meditating.
A few minutes later:
She felt Bankotsu's aura was near. Bankotsu leaned against a tree casually observing her for a minute.
Kera sighed heavily giving up on trying to concentrate on her meditating. She stood up, and walked over to the water; where she stood gazing at the stars.
Bankotsu watched her a moment longer, and then said amused, "Ya know, you really should be back at camp, not out here alone."
Kera said evenly, "I came to think and relax. I can't stand being at camp with that annoying mutt and lecherous monk."
Bankotsu pushed off the tree and began walking over to her chuckling. Curious he asked, "So, why alone?"
Kera looked at him coolly and replied, "Why not?" She turned to fully face him saying in a hurt tone, "You spent practically the entire day either ignoring or avoiding me. We walked side by side, yet rarely spoke," looking at him with obvious hurt in her eyes.
When he did nothing but remain silent, she turned back to the river and sighed heavily, choosing instead to ignore him. Bankotsu realized what she was doing and refused to be ignored by her.
He walked in front of her, looking her dead in the eye, and commanded, "Tell me, why do you always have to challenge every guy that you meet- be he human or demon?"
Shocked Kera held his gaze demanding holtly, "What exactly do you mean by that?" with her hands on her shapely hips.
Bankotsu countered seriously, "Well, first you openly challenged Sesshomaru- of all guys, and then you humbled yourself before him. You tell me that you love me, and don't even let me finish my response before walking away."
Anger seeping into his voice, he continued, "Today you openly challenged that stupid wolf. When you first met the mutt, you openly challenged him."
He continued, adding slightly amused, "The first day we met, you not only openly challenged me; but you kissed me, and kneed me in the balls," eyes sparking with something indefinable.
Remembering that day, Kera threw her head back laughing. At his intense scowl, she sobered up and looked him dead in the eye, informing him, "I suppose it's because I don't want people- especially men, to see me as a weak female with no brains and who is scared of her own shadow. I want them to know that I won't hesitate to kick their asses when needed."
Bankotsu shook his head, sighing heavily, and asked, "What am I going to do with you?" in an exasperated tone.
Kera shrugged replying sadly, "I don't know," turning and walking away.
Bankotsu walked up behind her saying sadly, "I can't give you what you want, Kera." placing a hand on her shoulder.
Kera shrugged his hand off her shoulder whirling to face him and stated annoyed, "You don't even know what I want. All that I have asked is that you let me help you," finishing in a voice laced with anger and hurt, "That's all!"
Gazing deeply into her eyes Bankotsu demanded firmly, "What about the family that you want?"
Holding his gaze Kera snapped, "What about it?" sighing in frustration she looked away saying sadly, "All I want; is for you to accept my feelings for you and allow me to be your friend. To help you as you have helped me, and to let me stay by your side." she finished harshly, "That's it."
Bankotsu sighed demanding determinedly, "You deserve more, Kera. You deserve better."
Kera's eyes flashed dangerously. She huffed indignantly, "I am the one who will decide what I deserve," fists clenching at her sides.
She finished in a quiet voice, "All that I ask is that you don't shut me out." She turned on her heel walking over to the boulder and jumped up on top of it. She sat down pulling her knees to her chest, and laid her head on her knees. She sat the hugging her knees to her chest.
Sighing heavily Bankotsu jumped onto the rock. He sat beside her with his knee bent, and one arm propped on his knee; leaning back on the other arm.
Not looking at him Kera asked in an emotionless voice, "Why are you here, now?"
Bankotsu answered testily, "We need to talk and this time I won't let you walk off until we're done talking."
He sighed heavily and said, "Kera, I know you better than you think. Yes, I do care about you- enough to know that I don't want to see you get hurt, and I sure as hell don't want to be the one causing it!"
Kera whispered sadly, "Ignoring, and avoiding me today, that's what hurt."
Bankotsu sighed stating, "I don't know how to react to all of this. I know that I care for you and want to protect you."
Kera looked at him saying softly, "It's enough."
Bankotsu exclaimed angrily, "It is not enough! Damn it Kera, you deserve better! You deserve someone who can love you!"
Kera exclaimed angrily, "I deserve to be with whomever I choose," eyes now flashing with a dangerous fire.
Looking at her Bankotsu demanded, "Why me? Why did it have to be me?"
Kera stared him dead in the eye and informed him, "From the minute we met, you've protected me from others- you've accepted me, despite what I am." Taking a deep breath she said, "I didn't ask to fall in love- with anyone." Looking away she added sadly, "But you can't tell your heart who to, and who not to love."
Snapping her gaze back to his she finished fiercely, "And you do have a heart Bankotsu- it's the one thing that you have shown me from the very beginning."
Bankotsu sighed heavily huffing frustrated, "Damn it, Kera."
She refused to back down and held his gaze informing him seriously, "If you don't want to be with me then fine, but don't shut me out Bankotsu. That is hurting more than anything else ever could," eyes filling with unshed tears that she refused to allow to fall.
Bankotsu gazed deeply into her eyes and sighed heavily said, "Fine, but I-"
Kera said dryly, "I'm a big girl, Bankotsu. I knew from the start what I was letting myself in for by getting involved with you."
Scowling Bankotsu said fiercely, "I still think that you deserve better!" He continued gazing deeply into her eyes and added dead seriously, "But, I won't let you go without one helluva fight either," in a softer tone. Hearing this, Kera smiled and nodded.
Bankotsu lifted a hand to her face and tenderly moved some stray hair, tucking it behind her ear. He tenderly cupped her face leaning in for a kiss. She eagerly kissed him back. He changed the kiss to a passion filled kiss pulling her into his lap. Pulling her into his arms, he jumped off the rock; landing graciously on his feet like a cat, and carried her over to the springs.
They un-dressed each other, and entered the steamy waters.
They made love in the water; after several searing climaxes each they washed, got out of the water, dressed, and began kissing again.
After a few minutes they broke the kiss. He leaned his forehead against hers and apologized, "I'm sorry for shutting you out today."
Kera nodded her understanding and requested, "Just don't shut me out again, okay?" gazing intently into his gorgeous blue eyes.
He nodded replying, "I'll try not to." They walked towards the camp holding hands.
Back at the camp:
Inuyasha saw them enter the camp and walked up demanding, "Kera, what the hell took you so long?"
Kera raised a brow questioningly at him and asked, "What's it to you, mutt?"
Inuyasha crossed his arms over his chest glaring at her and retorted, "You've had your sister and the others worried sick about you," anger and frustration in his voice.
Kera walked past Inuyasha over to her sister and the others saying, "Sorry guys, I didn't mean to worry you."
Kagome looked at her twin with worry still evident in her eyes and inquired, "Are you sure that you're okay?"
Briefly glancing at Bankotsu, Kera ghosted a smile and answered, "Yeah, I'm fine."
Kagome gave her a puzzling look and asked, "What's going on?" blinking in confusion.
Kera chuckled facing her twin and explained, "Sometimes, I just need to get away for a while, that's all."
Sango suggested, "Now, everyone should get some sleep, we have a long day tomorrow."
Miroku faced the lovers raising a brow questioningly and queried, "Are you two still together, or what?"
Kera and Bankotsu looked at each other and smiled. Bankotsu faced the monk stating seriously, "Yes, we're still together." He raised a brow asking, "What made you think that we wouldn't be?"
Miroku shrugged answering, "All day you seemed to barely even speak to each other, so..."
Bankotsu shrugged saying, "We just had a lot on our minds."
Kera gazed at her lover inquiring, "So, what's the plan now?"
Bankotsu looked at his woman informing her, "We should arrive at Mt. Hakurei tomorrow. That's the direction where I'm sensing my Banryu from."
Miroku nodded saying, "It makes sense. That's where-"
Inuyasha's eyes widened as realization hit him. He looked at Bankotsu and stated, "That vortex. That's got to be how you were transported to Kagome's time! Isn't it?"
Bankotsu held his gaze and replied, "It's the only explanation that I can come up with. But, it still doesn't explain how I'm alive again, and without the shards."
Kera informed the group, "Vortexes work in many different ways. Some tribes even think that they are portals between the different dimensions- even different worlds." Everyone snapped their attention to her and gaped, or raised a brow at her.
Kera shrugged saying, "What? I spent a few years living with different tribes, clans, whatever you want to call them. I happen to be fascinated by Indian as well as foreign folk lore and traditions. I also happen to be a very firm believer in knowing as much information as one can- especially when facing an enemy or entering into a foreign territory."
Kagome laughed saying, "So you must be the brains in the family, as well."
Kera grinned at her saying, "No, I just like being as prepared as one can," adding seriously, "For anything."
They all agreed to head out at first light. Kagome, Sango, and Miroku turned in for the night.
Kera looked at her man offering, "I can take guard duty tonight."
Considering this, Bankotsu nodded, knowing that if anything did come up, she'd wake him immediately. They kissed each other briefly, and he crawled into his blankets. Within minutes all but Inuyasha and Kera were sound asleep.
Inuyasha sat with his back against a tree. Kera sat beside the fire.
After he was certain everyone was asleep, Inuyasha approached Kera. He stood directly in front of her glaring and demanded, "Tell me why I smell Sesshomaru on you? It is faint, but that is definitely my bastard half brother's scent.," he spat the last out venomously.
Author's Note: Okay guys and gals there is chapter eleven please remember to read and review thanks.
Got any suggestions? Put them in your reviews if you like.
