Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha! I do Kera, the plot, and story line... There. I said it. (sighs)
Chapter 14:
The next morning
Kera woke with the first rays of sunlight and felt her lover's head still nestled upon her chest.
She smiled down at the man who had so completely stolen her heart and thought back to last night; remembering what he'd told her of his tragic past. Once more felt silent crystalline drops begin to leak from her caramel orbs.
Bankotsu woke up to the feel of slender fingers being combed through his hair. He realized that he and Kera must have fallen asleep beneath the tree.
He remembered her confronting him at the tavern and leaving mad, only to come back wither shirt torn. He also remembered confiding in her about his past and slowly looked up into her beautiful face.
He saw the tears leaking from her eyes and grimaced. Rolling on to his side he reached over to wipe away her tears and asked gently, "Why are you crying?"
Sniffling Kera answered softly, "For what you went through and for the child in you who has suffered such tragedies."
His eyes froze over and he frowned saying slightly annoyed, "I don't want your sympathy."
Kera sat up and forced him to face her correcting, "Not sympathy Ban, its love. I love you so much," caressing his cheek lovingly. Lowering her hand and averting her eyes she said, "At least now I can understand why you're so afraid to show anybody the real you," finishing in a whisper quiet voice.
Lifting her chin and staring into her eyes a moment, he sighed heavily stating gruffly, "I didn't tell you, for you to feel sorry for me, or shed tears."
She stared incredulously at him and declared fiercely, "I can't help it. That you had to suffer through all of that alone, that is the real tragedy! You should never have had to face all of that alone."
Anger began to fill her, at the fact that he'd been made to suffer so much and so young all alone. She whispered in a shaky voice, "No wonder you don't trust anyone. After that nobody would."
More tears fell free as she said, "I'm sorry that you will never completely trust me Ban; but at least knowing why will make it easier to face," trailing off as an overwhelming sadness and hurt filled her to her very being. Slowly she stood up and went to walk away.
Bankotsu stopped her by grabbing her hand and pulled her back into his arms saying softly, "For what it's worth, I trust you more then I have ever trusted anyone, Kera." He needed her to understand that he was trying, and he was so afraid of losing her, that his arms tightened around her and he took a deep breath.
As his words registered, Kera's eyes widened in shock and she hugged him tightly to her. He embraced her even more and held on tightly, nearly clinging to her.
Kera whispered fiercely, "I love you Bankotsu, and that will never change! I will always be there for you. Whenever you need to talk, I'm here for you."
He nodded in acknowledgment burying his face into the crook of her neck, unable to speak anymore, because of the raw emotions clogging his throat.
Knowing he needed reassurance, she embraced him as tightly as she could. For a few minutes they stood there just holding each other, neither willing to let go, nor speak for fear of ruining the moment.
Sesshomaru appeared and said, "Ah Kera, so this is where you disappeared to."
Knowing the moment was shattered, Kera dropped her arms and facing Sesshomaru answered, "Yes."
Sesshomaru suggested, "Come eat, and then we shall begin your training." She nodded.
Dropping his arms Bankotsu grasped her hand. They walked inside over to the dining hall and sat at the table. After they had eaten the trio walked over to the training grounds.
At the training grounds:
Sesshomaru and Kera walked into the middle of the grounds, where targets had already been set up.
Bankotsu leaned casually against the railing watching his girlfriend intently.
Sesshomaru turned to face Kera and instructed, "Now close your eyes and concentrate on feeling you spiritual powers, and pull them to the surface." Kera nodded and did as she had been instructed.
Sesshomaru commanded, "I want you to hold them there for as long as you can." Kera nodded and began focusing on her powers once again.
After a minute she began to slowly pull them to the surface. The air around her body began to illuminate a vivid blue. Sesshomaru watched impressed as her body once again began to glow a brilliant blue.
He could feel her powers rising to the surface. Kera focused solely her powers, bringing to the surface. Sesshomaru nodded in approval.
Bankotsu stood there eyes wide in shock as he watched his lover's body glow a brilliant blue. He was even more shocked, when he began to feel the immense amount of power radiating from her.
Beads of sweat began to build upon her brow, from the effort and her breathing became labored. She began panting rapidly and grimaced.
Sesshomaru watched as the glow around her brightened to an almost blinding point, and then began to flicker and heard her breathing becoming labored.
Sesshomaru firmly instructed, "Maintain your powers a moment longer." Kera struggled to comply, her breathing rapidly becoming even more labored.
Sesshomaru instructed, "Gradually allow your powers to lessen until your body no longer glows."
Kera proceeded to lessen her hold on her powers and felt them beginning to ebb away back inside of her body. After a few minutes the glow around her began to fade away.
Sesshomaru nodded and commanded, "Open your eyes and relax."
Bankotsu stood there watching in fascination as his girlfriend's powers slowly faded back and the glow began to dull before it completely disappeared. Kera fell to her hands and knees panting, though not as hard as the previous day.
Bankotsu saw her fall to her knees, and immediately became concerned.
Sesshomaru noticed this and snapped his gaze to the mercenary ordering, "Stay there. She is unharmed." Bankotsu frowned but did as instructed.
Moments later he looked on impressed as he saw his lover rise to her feet, grinning from ear to ear.
Sesshomaru coolly instructed "Again." Adding calmly, "This time, I want you to focus the powers into only your hands."
Kera nodded and began calling upon her powers once again.
As she felt her powers rising to the surface, she had to concentrate extra hard in order to focus them into only her hands. Her hands began to glow a vivid blue. As she focused her powers, the hue around her hands grew even brighter.
Once her hands were glowing fully, Sesshomaru instructed, "Now open your eyes and focus on your power. Visualize the power shooting out of the center of your hands and directly into the target in front of you."
She slowly opened her eyes and focused on her powers, pouring them into her palms. Her hands grew even brighter. She stood there visualizing her powers hitting the target. The glow around her hands increased, and the air around them began to sizzle.
Sesshomaru commanded firmly, "Aim your hands at the target and release your powers."
She slowly aimed her hands directly at the target. Blue balls of energy hovered just outside of her palm, slowly growing larger.
After feeling like her entire palms were on fire, she let out a loud scream flexing her hands and the balls of glowing light shot directly into the target; obliterating it completely.
Sesshomaru blinked as he had not been expecting that result quite yet.
Kera painfully cried out falling to her knees, as her hands began aching from the concentration of her powers. She sat on her knees and curled her hands to her chest, trying to breathe through the pain.
Sesshomaru noticed this and snapped, "Return your powers inside, Now!"
Kera began panting and tried desperately to pull her powers back in. Slowly they returned and the glow ebbed away.
After her powers had returned to a near dormancy state, Kera held up her hands and looked at them blinking. Her eyes shot open in shock as she noticed two angry looking circular welts around the palms where the energy had been released from.
Bankotsu flinched as soon as he heard her cry out in pain and had to grip the railing tightly in order to keep from running over to her side.
Sesshomaru walked up to her, forcing her to let him inspect her hands and growled in frustration. He bellowed for the healers. Two minutes later the healers appeared and began tending to her hands.
Realizing something had happened the moment he heard Sesshomaru bellow for the healers, Bankotsu immediately hopped over the railing and ran over to his girlfriend's side. He stepped aside in order for the healers to tend her wounds and wrap her hands.
As soon as the healers had left, Bankotsu ran over demanding, "What happened?"
Sesshomaru looked at him and informed him coolly, "She used too much power and injured her hands."
Bankotsu's face bled crimson as he demanded angrily, "Didn't you teach her how to limit her powers yet?" glaring icily at the demon lord.
Sesshomaru stared him dead in the eye answering, "No, I had to learn the extent of her powers first."
Bankotsu roared furiously, "So you allowed her to harm herself, just so that you could test the extent of her powers!?"
Sesshomaru replied coolly, "It was necessary."
Unwilling to contain his anger any longer, Bankotsu roared, "Necessary? It was necessary for her to harm herself?"
Sesshomaru replied coolly, "Yes," gaze unwavering.
Knowing a fight was about to break out Kera stated evenly, "Bankotsu, stop."
Bankotsu whirled to face her demanding, "Am I supposed to just allow him to let you hurt yourself?" fury in his stormy eyes, and his chest heaving with the immense effort of just barely containing his boiling rage.
Kera looked him dead in the eye and answered evenly, "I', upset by this too. However, I must learn this in order to help you guys defeat Naraku."
Getting right in her face Bankotsu declared through clenched teeth, "I will not allow you or anyone else to harm you in order to learn some damned training," fists clench painfully tight.
Before she could even try to protest, Bankotsu scooped her into his arms and stormed over to the railing, where he effortlessly leaped over it; landing with her in his arms and continued to storm back to the castle.
Upon reaching the castle, he stormed into her room and gently deposited her on the bed. He spun on his heel and began gathering her belongings packing them.
In the girl's room:
Kera sat on the bed watching him and asked, "What are you doing Bankotsu?"
Bankotsu hissed, "Packing your stuff, and then we're leaving." Not breaking from the task at hand.
Blinking Kera queried confused, "What about my training and your sword?"
Bankotsu snapped, "With your hands wounded you sure as hell aren't going to be doing any training any time soon! As for my sword, I will find someone else to reforge it."
Kera sighed heavily. Standing up, she approached him and ever so gently settled a bandaged hand upon his shoulder; biting her bottom lip to keep from hissing at the painful contact.
Feeling her hand, he stopped and gazed intently into her eyes. Kera argued, "Bankotsu, I'm not any happier about my getting hurt then you are. But, this training is needed in order to destroy Naraku; and no one else will teach me."
Eyes narrowing to slits Bankotsu declared fiercely, "I will not allow you to be harmed again for the sake of some damned training! If that is what is required, then to hell with the fucking training! We'll find another way to defeat Naraku," eyes dead serious.
Knowing he wasn't going to like it, Kera sighed heavily saying evenly, "I'm staying."
Bankotsu roared, "The hell you are," eyes flashing dangerously.
He looked her dead in the eye and stated in a voice laced with anger and frustration, "Kera, I promised your father that I would look after and protect you," eyes leaving no doubts that he was serious.
Staring him dead in the eye Kera mentioned, "I also promised my father that I would help and protect my sister." Her eyes were just as serious.
Bankotsu glared angrily at her hand on his shoulder. Carefully lifting it, he spat vehemently, "And what about this? What if next time it's worse than just a bad welt? What if next time, you actually end up getting burned, or worse?"
Kera sighed heavily and replied, "Then if that is what it takes-"
He cut her off and decreed dead seriously, "There is no fucking way that I will just stand idly by and watch you get harmed." He gently shoved her to sit back on the bed and finished packing.
Sesshomaru walked in carrying a container and commanded, "Just put a bit of this salve on her hands and she should be completely healed by the time you wake up three days from now," handing the jar to Bankotsu.
Shocked Kera said, "Thank you."
Bankotsu opened the jar and sniffed it asking, "What is it?"
Sesshomaru replied coolly, "Medicated dragon salve."
Bankotsu's eyes widened and he placed it into her bag.
Sesshomaru spotted the bag and questioned, "Where are you going?"
Bankotsu answered in a tight voice, "I meant exactly what I said earlier. I will not allow her to be harmed for the sake of some training," staring the Taiyoukai dead in the eye.
Sesshomaru held his gaze and responded, "I will not allow her to harm herself again, either."
Trying to diffuse the volatile situation, before the men started a fist fight, Kera suggested, "Sesshomaru, since I can't train for a few days, shouldn't we go and fix Banryu?"
Sesshomaru nodded, "An excellent idea. We will leave in ten minutes," he answered. Kera nodded and looked at her boyfriend waiting for his response.
Bankotsu warned dead serious, "If it happens again Sesshomaru, I will take Kera and disappear where even you will never find us." Glaring at the silver haired demon, he demanded, "Understood!?"
Sesshomaru held his gaze a moment. Recognizing that the other male was only protecting what was his, Sesshomaru gave a curt nod. Kera released the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, in a sigh of relief.
Bankotsu slipped the strap of Kera's bag over his shoulder. He carefully grasped her by the elbow leading her into the guy's room. He collected the blanket with the pieces of his Banryu inside and went to meet Sesshomaru in the hall way.
Kagome and Inuyasha were walking down the hallway, when they spotted the small group and both asked what was going on. Upon learning that the others were going to Totosai's they announced that they were going as well. Sesshomaru nodded and told them to get what they needed. Kagome quickly grabbed her pack and bow, and they met the others in the hallway, and then the five of them set off together.
On the way to Totosai's:
Bankotsu carried Kera's bag on his back and the blanket with his Banryu fragments inside it, in his arms.
Kera had very carefully linked one of her arms through one of Bankotsu's and kept pace walking by his side. Sesshomaru lead the way. Inuyasha with Kagome on his back, walked on the other side of Bankotsu.
A couple of hours after dark Sesshomaru announced, "We will stop here for the night and head off again in the morning."
After hopping off of Inuyasha's back, Kagome quickly set about making camp and starting a fire.
Inuyasha and Kagome had finished collecting the water, while Sesshomaru left to hunt for his food.
Bankotsu sat his belongings on the ground and placed Kera's bag next to it.
He reached inside Kera's bag pulling out the dragon salve and fresh bandages. He walked over and knelt in front of her. He took her hands in his and carefully plucked away the bandages that covered them. He stuck a fingertip in the salve and began to smear it gently on her angry looking puckered skin.
It tingled where it met her skin, and she squirmed a little as he smeared it over the raised and angry looking skin, completely covering the welts. Her skin cooled almost immediately, and her hands suddenly didn't feel as swollen. She exclaimed, "Wow! This stuff feels great."
Bankotsu did not reply, merely lifted her right hand to the air as he bandaged it first, before moving to the left. After her hands were both bandaged, he closed the jar and placed it inside her bag again.
He looked into her eyes informing her coolly, "I mean it Kera. No more hurting yourself, or else the training is finished." Threatening, "I will take you to your father and block the damn well myself ensuring that you can't get back here; if need be in order to protect you," eyes dead serious.
Kera nodded speaking softly, "Thank you for being so concerned about me." Bankotsu's eyes softened slightly and he nodded.
Kagome had finished making the ramen and carried it over to them.
Bankotsu accepted the cups and placed them on the ground beside them. He picked up one cup, as well as some chopsticks, and held it up in front of his injured girlfriend.
Dipping the chop sticks into the noodles, he held the bite out to Kera. She gratefully opened her mouth and ate the food. Next, he took a bite himself. He continued going back and forth, feeding his girlfriend and himself until all the food was gone.
Kagome made several cups each and everyone ate until they were full.
Kera smiled at her boyfriend saying, "Thank you." and he nodded.
Moving to sit beside her with his back against a tree, Bankotsu pulled her into his lap, wrapping his arms around her protectively.
She leaned her head against his chest, savoring the feeling of once again being in the arms of the man she loved. He leaned his chin against the top of her head and relished holding her in his arms.
Having noticed her twin's wrapped hands, Kagome sat beside Inuyasha and questioned, "What happened to Kera's hands?"
Kera explained, "I hurt myself during training today." and Kagome nodded.
Bankotsu sighed heavily tightening his arms around his lover. Kera nestled her head against his chest, closing her eyes. Bankotsu closed his eyes thinking back to last night. Kera was also thinking about last night.
Kagome and Inuyasha stood up leaving for a leisurely stroll. Kera looked at them ordering, "Be careful."
Kagome answered, "I'll be safe with Inuyasha," smiling, and Inuyasha nodded.
Sighing Kera nodded. She nestled her head back into her beloved's chest. Bankotsu looked at Inuyasha adding in a serious voice, "She had better not be harmed." Inuyasha snorted and the couple left for their walk.
Bankotsu settled his cheek against the top of Kera's head again and whispered, "Kera, what exactly happened to you last night?"
Kera sighed heavily. She looked directly into his eyes answering evenly, "After you told me to leave, I did. I was attacked by the same guy who kept coming on to me in the tavern. He had followed me and tried to rape me."
Feeling Bankotsu's grip tighten protectively she added, "I fought him off, busting his ribs and kicked him in the balls. I went back to the tavern and asked for a shirt. You know the rest from there."
Bankotsu sighed in relief and declared angrily, "If I see that bastard again, I'll kill him."
Kera replied, "That won't be necessary, the way I kicked him I'm quite certain a lung was punctured when his ribs broke; so if he isn't dead yet- he will be soon. In these times they can't fix punctured lungs."
Bankotsu nodded and spat, "Good. Serves that bastard right," eyes filled with loathing.
Kera sighed leaning her head against his chest again and mumbled, "Night Ban," closing her eyes.
He kissed the top of her head and whispered affectionately, "Night, my little vixen," settling his head against the tree.
Kagome and Inuyasha returned shortly afterwards. Kagome smiled asking, "She fell asleep, huh?" as she began laying out Kera's sleeping bag.
Bankotsu smiled and nodded. He stood up with his girlfriend in his arms and carried her over to their sleeping area. He knelt by the now prepared sleeping bag and gently settled his lover onto the bag. He looked at her twin saying gratefully, "Thank you."
Kagome nodded and whispered, "G' night Bankotsu," walking over to her own sleeping bag.
Bankotsu replied softly, "G' night Kags," walking over to retrieve Kera's bag and the blanket with his beloved sword's pieces in it. He carried them over to his sleeping area, and deposited them onto the ground beside his sleeping area; before crawling into the sleeping bag with his lover.
He curled himself around her protectively, draping his arm over her waist and nestling his hand between her breasts. Sighing contently, he closed his eyes fading off into a dreamless slumber.
Inuyasha was sitting beside Kagome and questioned softly, "He really does care for her, doesn't he?" a somewhat awed and very shocked expression on his face.
Kagome chuckled and answered with a big grin, "He certainly does," eyes filled with happiness for her sister and hopefully her soon to be brother in-law.
Kagome crawled into her sleeping bag and whispered, "Good night Inuyasha," closing her eyes.
Inuyasha whispered back, "G' night Kagome," walking over and settling his back against a tree.
A short while later Sesshomaru returned and watched over the camp waiting for the sun to rise.
Author's Note: Okay guys and gals there is chapter fourteen please remember to read and review thanks.
Got any suggestions? Put them in your reviews if you like.