A/N: I'm so happy right now! I got a review! (beams and dances with kotsu) Oh yes, my quotes for Kagome or Bankotsu (at the start of chapters) ARE MINE! THEY ARE MY PROPERTY, AND IF YOU STEAL THEM, I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND REPORT YOU! Ahem, anyway…
Disclaimer: I don't own inuyasha. But the quotes and writing are mine.
Polls:
Get to work with that kag/ban? (grins like an idiot.) Gonna heat things up anyway!
Put a bankotsu/kagome/jakotsu (the fight over kag of course.) triangle?
Put a ban/kag/hiten? (probably gonna be one, seeing as hiten likes kag already… but its fun to vote!)
Get to work on the awesome effects and action I've been putting together in my weird brain? (obviously this'll happen anyway, but again with the participation thing. I'm seeing who really reads the an)
Gwnywvear: Thank you SO much for reviewing! And I'm ecstatic that you liked the chapter! (winks) Hope you keep on reviewin'! So here you go, the next chapter…
Paths of Moon and Flame: Shinku EitaiChapter 4
The Soul's Strangled Cry
'I have been mocked. Jeered at. Called weak. And… I was. And I am thankful for it. It drove me. For what I am now, I never would have thought about it, all those years ago. But yet, here I am, a murderer. Guilt cannot touch me, for as they say, I have no heart. Perhaps it will be different when my soulmate is found. But until then, I remain, Kagome. The girl assassin. The bane of the world. And I love the feeling.'
o.O.o.O
A harsh, high-pitched shriek penetrated the strained silence, and Kagome frowned. "I suggest you get your ass up, Bankotsu." She dug the handle of Shinku Eitai into the moist grass, and began inching toward the large Sakura tree on the hill overlooking the gardens at the edge of Fort Shichinintai. She sighed, and taking a deep breath, braced herself and launched up, the sturdy handle of her halberd making a sharp crunching noise when it came in contact with the pink Sakura blossom-coated grass.
"And why the hell would I listen to you?" Snorting, Bankotsu raised his gaze to meet hers. "Do tell."
"Feh. I don't give a damn if you rotted in hell." Wheeling, Kagome pushed a sudden overwhelming feeling of melancholy at his distrust deep into her mind, submersing it in the dark memories. She glanced back to glare before slowly sliding into the tree, branches rustling in the wind, whipping away her plain white tie. 'Damn it.' She growled low in her throat, watching the tattered cloth float away. 'Now my hair'll get in the way…'
Sighing, she tucked a few loose strands behind her ear, as the gentle wind came and lifted her hair, swirling it in a dance. 'Joy, knots.' She slid a long, silky black satin ribbon from the fold of her yukata, tying her long hair into a high ponytail, the soft strands floating about her face. She took a few moments to do a check on her weapons, accounting each of them before adjusting her arm and leg guards. She checked her shoulder guard as well, dusting off the beat up swirled fern appreciatively.
Spotting a small, glassy pond, she slid carefully out of the tree, limping with her halberd over to it. Grimacing at her reflection, she knelt down, and washed away what she could, happening to be around ¼ the grime of the day, leaving a healthily tanned face with bright cerulean eyes... Still covered in dirt, grime, and crimson blood. 'Much better… But definitely not too hot. Good. The last thing I need is for people to drool while I'm fighting.'
Noiselessly, she cupped her hands in the shape of a heart and captured some silvery water, staring at her reflection before bringing it to her lips. 'I never want to be thought of as 'just some woman' again.' She hissed and slashed out Shinku Eitai, the silver blade whipping through the waters, destroying her reflection. The silvery droplets sprayed everywhere, and in each of them was a plain and ordinary Kagome, smiling back, the same heartbroken smile. 'Never again…'
She wheeled, coming face to face with Bankotsu. "Woman," He said slowly, as if she was stupid, "Can you tell me where that bitchy warrior went?"
Cerulean eyes wide with faint surprise, Kagome remembered her long wavy hair was tied into a high ponytail with a soft ribbon, and her navy cloak was wrapped around her. "Can't remember where you left her?" She asked in a high, squeaky voice, playing the part of a foolish girl.
"'Fraid not, pretty lady." He did a double take. 'Familiar. Definitely. But too pretty for anyone I know, even covered in that filth.'
'What a STUPID flirty idiot!' Kagome's mind screeched as she watched him study her as though she were a possession.
"Well then…" She switched back to her normal alto voice, sneaking in a bit of huskiness. "That's too bad, Bankotsu. Better luck next time, bastard." Winking and smiling dazzlingly over his shoulder to Jakotsu, she strode past him, hair gliding behind her. "Yo Jakotsu! Do you have a tie? I think I've lost mine…"
"Sorry Kagome. I'm a guy now, remember?" Rolling her eyes, the girl assassin walked over slowly and lazily, limping a bit, the poison resurfacing. The spicy scent teased her nostrils, and she switched directions, walking over to the center of the gently sloping hill, reaching out for the Kokoro herb.
"Maybe it'll work if Naraku's not here…" She muttered, unaware of Bankotsu's puzzled orbs boring a hole into her back. Flicking a silver knife up from her left armguard, she severed the sprig, placing it cautiously into her mouth. Hesitantly, she chewed, awaiting the painful burst of poison. Nothing.
"Blech!" She swallowed rapidly, turning pale with the bitter taste. "But hey. I feel a hell of a lot better!" She got up, stretching happily. Slinging the sleek halberd over her shoulder, she jogged back up the hill, allowing the bad-tasting herb to work its magic.
"Off that ass, Jakotsu!" She called out, adding, "It's gonna be here any second." The young man hopped to his feet, dusting off the pale yellow yukata. Brushing off Jakotsutou, he watched his friend tense up, and he readied the whirling blades.
'Damn! The poison's back full-force!' Kagome thought frantically, as she waited in growing silence, pain nibbling unbearably at her sanity. The sky darkened into a blackish blue, lightning crackling into the ground around them.
"Hya!" Suddenly a medium-sized object plummeted from the sky, and Kagome shifted smoothly into her battle mode, transforming in a fraction of a second, painfully ignoring the searing poison coursing through her veins. Blue pointed cross glowing, she readied some miko power in a palm.
"Yo, Kagome!" A deep, masculine voice called out, and Kagome's cerulean orbs widened. "Got your hair tie!"
"Yo." She replied, calm and relaxed, slender raven eyebrow twitching. 'Hiten.' Sighing in annoyance, she mentally counted down. 'Whew. What a day. Naraku AND Hiten. Ugh.'
"You… Know this youkai?" Bankotsu asked, skeptical as Hiten merely glared away.
"I don't owe you any answers." Kagome mocked him.
"Come on, Kagome. I tried to get here sooner, but something followed me. I tried to backtrack on it, but no luck. Whaddya say?" Her commander looked from her to the order of the forest west of them, its trees sparkling in the fading sun.
"Why do you ask when you know the answer?" She smirked.
"Well… When you didn't come back to camp I thought something happened…" Hiten mumbled, blushing faintly, crimson eyes drooping in an embarrassed way. Trying to cover it up, the proud Thunder Brother grinned a mischievous grin and blew a few raven pointed bangs from his face. Kagome smiled a warm, dazzling smile at him. 'Why doesn't she smile like that at me?' Bankotsu found himself thinking.
"Thanks for worrying, but no damn demon can get the best of me!" Fire danced in her sapphire eyes, and she flicked the thick raven braid over her shoulder. "Naraku's miasma or not, I'm game. Let's move."
"Got ya, Kags. So, what formation?" Hiten smirked and looped an arm around her shoulder, blue-glinting thunderpike slung over his other broad shoulder.
"Up for something new, Hiten?" Kagome asked her buddy, returning the arm and shifting Shinku Eitai.
"Hell yea."
"Good. Cause no is not an option. Freestyle? Better be ready for a challenge. We'll base it on the person." Kagome patted the commander on the back of his blackish armor before stretching out her hand.
"Wha?"
"Ahem. Tie." Flushing, Hiten fumbled around, finally withdrawing a snow white ribbon from the folds of his yukata. "Thanks." Kagome slid out the black silk ribbon and placed it between her white teeth. She quickly managed to braid her long hair, flipping it over her shoulder to tie it with the slightly dirty tie.
Smiling gently, she turned her softened gaze out to the fields of flowers and forests surrounding the small sloping hill. Hiten fixed his gaze on her, noticing her rugged beauty fit with the flowers.
Bankotsu growled, a deep noise in his muscular chest, as he nailed the demon in his thoughts, glaring. 'What's so great about a demon, anyway!' He observed the handsome guy. Intelligent but ruthless and dangerous crimson eyes were the center of a well-tanned face. Deep silky raven hair, powerful body. 'Ugh. I already hate 'im.' His armor consisted of bright orange armguards, blackish breastplate, with pale blue sashes floating about.
He looked at his face again to find the thunder demon observing him in the same, cold and hostile manner. The 'high and mighty' demon strode over. 'Geez. He walks like he owns the world.' "Let's get this straight." He began in his deep masculine voice, using a hushed tone so Kagome wouldn't overhear. But she could. "I don't want you near Kagome. You've already killed her family. I don't want to see her in any more pain. So, you make one move on her, and my pike goes through your gut. My eyes are on you."
He turned, and walked over to Kagome. 'So. He's in love.' The thought sucked the amusement in Bankotsu's mental tone out and he growled again. 'I'd consider attacking him if he weren't so weak of a demon.' Snorting, the assassin rotated his arm, getting the rippling muscles stretched and ready for action.
"Here in ten. Looks like we got ourselves a big guy, Hiten." Kagome's smooth alto voice rang out perfectly clear, and she shifted into her stance, Hiten behind her. "Get ready, Hiten." The thunder youkai nodded, blood red eyes glinting with the thought of battle. "I trust you came alone and were not followed by Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, or Kouga?"
"I came solo."
"Good. They squabble too much. Here comes the big one."
The earth shook and began to crack and split around them, and Kagome and Hiten smiled a secret smile. A huge beast blundered out with inhuman speed, catching Jakotsu offguard. Recovering rapidly, he hurled his many blades in a deadly dance, but the seemingly dumb creature easily avoided them. Kagome hissed in recognition. "Goshinki!"
The huge purple demon turned, giving Kagome a full glimpse of Naraku's incarnation. Completely violet, the beast had blood red eyes, a cream mane, long winding horns, and a gaping mouth filled to the brim with sharp teeth. "Ah, Kagome." It began in its horrid voice, eerie and warped, "I've been searching for you. Come... Yes, come, and I shall kill you. It need not be painful." A large, violet-clawed hand reached out.
Kagome glared. Her shoulders hunched, and her eyes began glowing navy blue with hatred, pointed cross blinding to the eye. Her form glowed bright with energy, and she whispered, "Don't you touch me."
The huge wave of energy blared out, shooting skyhigh. Her eyes flickered back to sapphire, and the wave slowly dissipated, gathering itself into a sturdy longbow and quiver.
"Mere woman, your arrows cannot harm my flesh!"
"Then you do not know of Kagome!" Hiten yelled, power surging through his veins as the air around him crackled with lightning before blaring up in a deathtrap.
"You cannot deceive me. I can see into the depths of your mind."
"Just try, bastard. Oh yea, be sure to tell Naraku I enjoyed his poison, I'll come after him. But it's too bad you'll be DEAD!" Kagome formed an arrow, lacing it with miko energy before releasing it in an ever-widening, deadly path. Goshinki stood still calmly as the arrow thudded into his left arm.
"You cannot destroy this flesh of Naraku."
"Have you ever asked about the time I killed him from the neck down, then?" She released again, the arrow laced with more power, tunneling through the right side of his chest, leaving a clean hole. "Well, that kills off your theory." Kagome retorted, eyes flaring. "Ready, Hiten?"
"You bastard!" A voice yelled from off the field. "You tried to ditch me!" Inuyasha blundered into the battlefield. "'Sup Kags. Whoa. Blades of Blood!" Dripping red blades whirled and sliced through the air, ripping toward Goshinki. Calmly, the big brute sped away from the line of fire, blocking them all with his crossed forearms.
"Solo, eh?" Kagome glared. Hiten laughed nervously. "Get ready, Inuyasha."
"Already was BORN ready." Inuyasha sprinted over to her, flanking her other side while Goshinki chuckled in amusement. "Shut the hell up, bastard!"
"I WILL BREAK YOU, KAGOME!" Goshinki roared, deafening blasts of sound making light dance in her eyes.
It hadn't moved, and Kagome felt a huge force slam into her mind, as though someone were trying to snap her in two. She knelt, clutching her reeling head. Bankotsu strode over, putting an iron grip on her shoulder. "Get up."
'Steel walls. Steel walls. I am ice. You have no soul, pull it together girl!' She sat up suddenly, reaching for Shinku Eitai. 'He can't kill me if I kill him first.'
"You BASTARD! YOU DARE TOUCH MY MIND! GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF ME!" Her shoulders hunched, and her eyes began glowing navy blue with hatred, pointed cross blinding to the eye. Her form glowed bright with energy, and she whispered, "Don't you touch me."
Bankotsu's grip seemed an impossible fortress of steel and ice, as she turned and snapped at him, "Let me go, bastard! You'll regret it!"
"Hell no."
Kagome felt her eyes turning back to her normal sapphire color. "Just go. Go and leave us. Like everyone else I've known does."
"No. And that's the answer, bitch." Kagome snarled, and she whipped a hand toward Goshinki, an alien force moving her arm. Feeling energy crackle up and down through her veins, her lips moved.
"Kaze no Kizo." Her eyes glowed blue, and to his great surprise, Bankotsu felt his pointed cross glow blue-green, his thick pointed bangs flaring wildly.
"What's going on?" He yelled, waving a hand in Kagome's face.
"What the hell? Err… Just… Shut up!" Suddenly, bright waves and swirls of blue and yellow power flew toward the startled youkai, pouring out of Kagome's hand, disintegrating the body of Goshinki and pouring blood on the assassin group. When the fires had died down, Kagome turned and glared. "What did you do to me, Bankotsu?"
"Absolutely nothing!" The assassin screamed back in her face, before calming. "And that little show of yours was nothing. NOTHING! IT MEANS NOTHING!"
"True." Kagome agreed. "But I, for one, need a bath." She looked pointedly at her blood-covered garments. '
"That wench just duplicated MY second best attack through her HAND!" Inuyasha quirked a thick black brow and inspected the girl assassin. "You sure as hell don't look too hot. You really need a bath." Wrinkling his nose, his warm amber eyes flared with disdain. "Feh, for all that showy stuff, I expected a hot girl. Only scruffy little you, though."
Kagome's sapphire eyes narrowed as her hand whipped back and she slapped him hard, sending him crashing into a boulder on the opposite side of the clearing. "Watch your tongue, for next time, you might not have one." Inuyasha met her gaze steadily and angrily. She glared, and before long, the proud hanyou wilted under her force and brutality.
"Feh. Whatever, wench." Frowning, Kagome ignored him spuriously and inspected her hand, observing her palm closely. Staring at the source of the Wind Scar, Kagome couldn't find the cause of the sudden uproar. She rolled her eyes and slammed a fist into a boulder, leaving a large dent in the indignant stone.
'Hmm. Nothing is different. This'll take more observation.' Thoughts raced through her head as Hiten stretched and yawned lazily like a cat.
"Come back to the fort! After all, what about all that blood that you lost, Kagome? I don't really think you should be fighting." Jakotsu suggested happily, trying to relieve the tension wafting through the air. "Besides, you barely weigh anything. You could use some decent food. I'm not taking a no."
Flushing lightly with the 'weight' statement, Kagome turned to Hiten and Inuyasha before voicing, "Are they welcome there?"
"No." Bankotsu said flatly. "Apparently, you aren't either."
At the same time Jakotsu said a cheerful, "Yes!"
"Which is it?"
"YES!" Jakotsu yelled, covering up Bankotsu's grumpy no, clapping a hand over his sibling's mouth. "It's a yes." Hearing muffled cries of anger and threats coming from the assassin, Jakotsu laughed nervously and began dragging them back to Fort Shichinintai.
"Very well." Kagome stalked behind him, gently shoving Hiten and Inuyasha forward. "I shall return in a while. Don't come searching for me. I'll come when I wish." She turned on her heels, vanishing with the gentle wind.
o.O.o.O
Kagome gritted her teeth, and she ran at high speed, scurrying to get away from the confused group. "I need a bath. I don't want to be seen… What you don't know, you can't ask about." She screeched to a halt, stopping in front of an elegant cliff leading off of a gushing waterfall. "Perfect."
She climbed down the slick cliff, carefully sorting out the positions of her weapons, and finally, she reached the firm ground. She glanced around, before shuffling about, picking various herbs and flowers with intoxicating scents. 'My mother used to do this. Said it would come in handy one day…' A crystal tear streaked down her grime covered cheek, landing on the bouquet of good smells.
Ignoring it, Kagome ground up the flowers and herbs into a fine, smooth powder. 'Hmm…' She shifted, getting up, and picked the petals of the flowers and herbs. She smiled softly as she scattered the in the glassy hot spring, and was startled for a moment. 'I-I really smiled… The girl in the water… Is me. Smiling. I haven't smiled since my family died. But… I've been smiling more. Since I-I met Bankotsu."
The thought disturbed her, and she tossed out of her sight, concentrating on scattering the petals in the water. 'Ready.' Kagome sighed sadly and began pulling off her purple-black armor, before slipping out of her yukata and pants.
She stood there a moment, looking at her reflection, before diving into the warm waters. She scrubbed herself, digging away at the dirt and blood of the day with her nails. She frowned. 'I forgot to take the tie out.' She slowly pulled out the tie, sliding it through her silky hair, now matted and dull.
She extended her tan arm, reaching into her folded yukata to retrieve a bar of compressed rose petals. Softly, she rubbed at her tan skin until it shone. Only then did she carefully rinse the lathered bar and wrap it elegantly in fresh rose petals, in a grand, swirling design.
She smiled faintly, a heartbroken smile, watery eyes watching her reflection sway. Cuts, bruises, and gashed covered her body, all grim and fresh, blending with the old. "What is to become of me?" Her voice floated out gently, softer than the wind. Suddenly, a light flared out from her body, racing from her fingertips to her toes to her face, and back again several times. The light suddenly solidified, taking the shape of a dragon.
Her form glowed blue, and she closed her eyes gently, burying her face in a tanned hand, gently sobbing. The dragon raced around her form, trying to 'comfort' her, but failing horribly. Taking a deep breath, she irritably flicked away at the dragon before shifting, only to be followed.
She snatched the dirt-covered clothes, scrubbing away her frustration of the day. "Done." She said to nothing in particular. She just felt lonely and hollow in the silent clearing, dragon or no dragon.
Settling softly against a rough rock in the middle of the spring, she reached up and took the fine powder. Taking a deep breath, she plunged into the water, letting her long hair float about her, resurfacing in the misty air. She poured the powders on her soaked hair, scrubbing and massaging her scalp roughly, until every last ebony-sapphire strand was covered. Dunking again, Kagome swum to the pounding waterfall, and she began rinsing out the 'soap.'
Closing her eyes, she leaned back into the rushing water, allowing it to wash over her entire body, before slowly wading back to her clothes and dragging them in, giving them a rough and thorough scrub with the powder, rose petals swirling in the glassy (and fairly dirty) spring.
Setting her clothes on the rock in the middle of the spring, Kagome seemed to simply fade into the soft mist, and she dozed off, glad for the relief from the pounding poison in her ruby blood.
o.O.o.O
"Perfect." The rough and cold voice rang in the air as he watched the beautiful woman doze off. "She will make a fine addition to our harem." Smiling to himself, he rubbed his callused hands together. "A very fine addition." Smirking, he shrunk back into the shadows to wait.
o.O.o.O
"Wonder what's taking so damn long with that wench…" Bankotsu strode lazily around his grounds, taking in the beauty of the rose gardens mildly. He felt out of place among the exotic colors and gentle exquisiteness. He shifted his walk to a brief gait, trotting out through the elegant red gate, symbolizing a shrine was nearby. He had always felt uncomfortable in the shadow of the looming red structure, assassin and feared leader or not. 'Darn. I went the wrong way.' He turned, annoyed at himself for zoning out again.
"Better get going to see this 'harem' thing. I have to see whether Renkotsu lied or not. Said he'd bring in a real catch." He smiled faintly before striding away, walking deliberately slow toward the dreaded shrine-gate, dreading the cooing women he would find in his fortress.
o.O.o.O
Kagome roused herself, a dreaded feeling harbored in the pit of her stomach. She cautiously glanced around through her barely opened eyes, before reaching for her dry clothes on the rock. She pulled them back into the glassy water, slipping into them, before wading ashore. She grabbed her arm, adjusting it carefully, calculating the odds of winning a battle she felt coming.
The blue light dragon began whirling around her excitedly, blurring around her body, lending her power and strength, drained as she was. Her pointed cross began glowing softly, then blaring out like a huge beam, bangs lashing around.
Gathering her possessions, she carefully tucked everything away into her yukata, balancing it all out. Securing her many shining weapons, she reached swiftly for Shinku Eitai, and swung it in a broad arc. Roaring up, the earth around the grinning figure tore itself to pieces, flaring up in a prison.
Dashing over in a blur, Kagome discovered the figure had escaped. She jerked violently as she felt something smack hard against the back of her neck, and it struck again hard on her temple. "Kuso to hell…" The words left her lips as a whisper, and she faded into a state of unconsciousness, and she embraced the darkness.
o.O.o.O (yes, I know this is annoying. And I apologize if it is especially annoying to you.)
Renkotsu smiled a bold, cunning grin. "Well, Bankotsu certainly can't say this one isn't pretty enough." He smirked and swung the unconscious woman over his shoulder. "And if he dislikes her, I shall take her myself." He broke into a mile-eating gait, and soon he approached the fortress of the Shichinintai, emerald grass fleeing before him.
He stopped suddenly, and the girl moaned and shifted. 'Damn. Not much time before she comes around feisty as ever. Man, this armor won't help win Ban over… But I can't stoop THAT low…' Renkotsu quickly hurriedly zoomed into the nearest hut, forsaking the owner. "Move." The man hurriedly scurried out, and the short-tempered assassin thrust out the limp body at a female servant. "Here. Change her into this." He tossed a kimono into the arms of an apprentice, and he was gone in a flash.
The bewildered maids wailed for a moment, then one spoke up. "If we displease Master Renkotsu, it will mean our heads." The rest snapped out of their daze, and slid the girl out of her clean clothes. "Poor girl," The maid sympathized, "She is probably the new harem girl. And no idea of it, too. From the looks, she is a trained warrior woman. No fat on her."
She elderly maid motioned to the deceptively slim, but strong body of Kagome. The others cooed their opinions as they elegantly dressed the unconscious girl, doing the best job they had ever done. "Master Renkotsu, sir, it is done. She is ready, sir." The elder maid spoke with the utmost respect, bowing until her forehead touched the cold wooden floor.
Snorting, Renkotsu slung her over his shoulder, ignoring the fact that the kimono slid up, revealing a well-toned and tan thigh. Zooming away, he rushed toward the blood red shrine-gate, knowing Bankotsu's dislike of it. He slowed and came to a grudging halt around the corner, slowly rounding the sharp corner and facing the impatient leader.
"What the hell took so damn long, Renkotsu? What was so special about that one girl over your shoulder?" In a line, stood many downcast women, spirits broken and dominated. All were pretty, but not the defiant and differently bold, beautiful woman Bankotsu yearned for. And his temper showed it, too.
"I don't see what I want, Renkotsu. Pinning your failing hopes on that wench there was a mistake that cuts my temper short. Better be special!" He stated calmly, patience wearing quite thin.
Smirking, Renkotsu boldly replied, "Different, she is. You tell me if she's good enough. If not, I'll have her, and make her mine. And soon, we'll overtake you, I can see what she possesses."
Furrowing his brow, Bankotsu snapped, "Just show her to me so I can get on with my life."
Mock bowing lowly, his fellow Shichinintai member smirked and siad, "As you wish, Your Mightiness." Waving his hand, Bankotsu rolled his eyes and advanced on the girl.
'Huh?' His brain stopped functioning when he saw the immense beauty in front of him. Her loose long raven hair flickered blue in the fading sunlight, turning from shade to shade, leaping from color to color. He reached a strong hand out, liking the feel of the soft, silky locks slipping through his fingers. Her eyes were closed, and he noted the dark lashes surrounding her eyes, accentuating them without taking over her face. She was tan, but not too tan as to be darker than he. Raising a brow, he noted the elaborate attire.
"Desperate, eh, Renkotsu?" It was an elegant, flowing kimono, navy blue kimono, with swirling white and pink sakura blossom trees embroidered boldly on the shoulders and chest. He smiled and noted the generous chest appreciatively. 'Renkotsu always finds generous women. Shame he's an annoying bastard with a sarcastic mouth.' The kimono came to mid-thigh, where it turned into a bright crimson, swirling around the long and shapely legs of the girl. The obi was blood red also, wrapped loose around her small waist, and tied into a careless knot, yet it only made the wild beauty seem more indomitable.
"Let me see her closer." Renkotsu surrendered his iron hold, and he smiled before administering a warning.
"Hold her tight, she likes to fight against the wind."
"No woman can escape me." Bankotsu replied irritably, waving away the warning. Suddenly, the eyelids of the girl scrunched, and lifted, revealing dazzling sapphire orbs. 'Wow. She's pretty. But nothing unusual.' His brain quickly corrected his slip-up.
"So…" The smooth, sexy alto voice slid out of her throat, and Renkotsu smiled, happily surprised. "It was you, bastard? You'll pay for my humiliation, Bankotsu!" Her furious eyes flared, molten gold amber specks dancing. "Give me that, you imbecile!" She snatched a heavy steel metal fan from Renkotsu's startled grasp, and hissed angrily.
"K-K-K-Ka-gome?" Bankotsu's calm, cool voice was startled and confused. He did a triple take. "Y-You c-can't be K-K-Kagome… Y-You're too b-beautiful…"
"Shut the hell up, bastard." Her eyes glowed blue, and her pointed bangs flared out, revealing a pulsing blue pointed cross. She transformed, silently praying to her brother and family for strength. When her eyes opened, she glared stiffly at Renkotsu, her obsidian crescent moon materializing on her right cheek, crimson streaks on her left. "And what part did this… whatever it is play?"
She observed Renkotsu, sitting on a deck of oak wood, and she began attempting to crouch down to his level, but failed miserably. "Damn dress." She snaked an arm out of the winding sleeve, and flipped up a long silver knife. She slit the sides of the dress, and crouched down to eyelevel with the man.
A pale green bandana was tied securely around his head, and he had large, stripe-like markings going up his cheeks. There was another strange mark on his forehead, seeming to resemble a twisted and split arrow in Kagome's eyes. His bold eyes showed a short temper and resentment, as well as being nearly pitch black. He had a black and green yukata, designs randomly placed.
His armor took on a fiery orange-red color, tied together with a purple sash. Armguards and leg guards were navy blue, and in one hand he held a huge flask of something. He smirked and huskily taunted her, "Checking me out, girl?"
Kagome's sapphire eyes narrowed dangerously. "You shall not 'joke' with this assassin."
"Heh." Renkotsu laughed and turned to Bankotsu, "You know this girl? Says she's an assassin! Funny, eh?"
"Shut up! Odori no za Doragon!" She swirled the fan in a wide arc, and whirling tornadoes slicing through the air. The whirling deathtrap zoomed about, wreaking havoc upon the section of the castle's grounds, and Renkotsu's sleeve tore off, floating away in the wind.
He turned, outraged.
"It would appear you two have common grounds. You are easily enraged by the injury of your clothing." The cold voice came from behind him, and he determinedly took a swig from the flask, swished it in his mouth and spewed it out. But instead of the liquid, there came flames, and only by deadly fast reflexes was Kagome able to spring away.
"Now you're in with the big boys, little girl. Watch your step." His voice betrayed no anger, but it raged inside his coal black pupils, whirling around.
"Just what I was going to say to you… little man. I have tricks as well." She smirked and disappeared, to the utter astonishment of Renkotsu. He whirled from side to side, craning his neck to glimpse her. "Pay attention, or regret it."
She materialized behind him, smashing in his armor with her fist, sending him skidding into a large oak tree. "Tired already?" She noted him panting remotely, before calmly crouching as he charged, an inferno of spewing flames. She smiled, and carelessly leapt high into the air, diving down at him.
"Grr…" He whipped out an orange katana, placing the flat against his palm, attempting to fend her off into the sky. She just smiled and with a single, effortless swipe split the sword. "Your tricks are quite good. But not good enough, for I shall win, and you shall suffer me!"
"Talk only gets you killed." She appeared from the behind, driving her blade, the thin katana, through his broad shoulder, rendering his arm immobile for the moment.
Gasping, Renkotsu hissed and popped up a silver blade laced with Mukotsu's poisons. "Have your own medicines." He swung his good arm back, clipping her chest.
"Damn dress." She hissed, and sprung away, clutching the area. "More poisons. Joy. As if Naraku isn't enough." She turned and glared, "I'll be dealing with you later." She calmly walked off, showing no hint of defeat, and Renkotsu began to wonder if it was HE who had been left in the dirt.
"Heh, that's one feisty bitch." He turned to his leader, "You agree, yes?" Getting no response, he quirked a brow. "Something wrong?"
"That's the second poisoning she's had today. Still walks off cocky asshole style, making you think you lost. Damn." Bankotsu allowed a gleam of satisfactory slide into his unwavering gaze. "Treats me like dirt."
"What?" Renkotsu sprang up. "Would you like me to eliminate her?"
"I'll deal with that personally if I feel the need to. Kami knows how many already want her head."
"What the hell did she do?" Renkotsu asked, skeptical of the beautiful, seemingly delicate, woman.
"Stole the Jewel and whooped my ass for one."
Renkotsu burst out laughing and doubled over. "You got beat… by her?" shaking his head, he slid into the shadows, sprinting after her. "Let's see if this is true." Bankotsu rolled his blue-green orbs and zoomed after his comrade.
o.O.o.O
They came upon her leaning against a rock, the rock Bankotsu had sat on earlier. She was facing in the other direction, and there was a blue light swirling around her, circling her clenched and extended fist. "Damn them! What do they know. Nothing." Turning calmly, she glared and eyed a shadow snaking along the ground. "Joy. Naraku just loves to get me when I'm down. That bastard's poison!"
Bankotsu walked over, placing a steeled hand on her shoulder. "Relax. It's just a shadow."
She tensed, whipping around. Her balled fist came into contact with his face, but he stood firm, ignoring the blood trickling down. "Damn you." She hissed, and her bangs flared. "It's Kageromeru and Jeromeru."
"Who and who?" Renkotsu asked, rolling his eyes in annoyance. "Listen lady, let the big boys take care of this. Step aside."
"Not a chance in hell, pretty boy. Just walk away and play with your poison maker. Lucky chance that knife in your sleeve was." She turned away. "It's no shadow, and I'll show you. Soon as you give me back my armor and yukata, I'll show you. Damn men, no idea how awful dresses are." She limped away, back to the hut, where her mood changed rapidly.
She smiled a genuine smile at the maids, and Renkotsu allowed a ghost of a smile to appear on his face. 'She looks beautiful when she smiles, but a demon when she hates. And hate she does.' She stepped out of sight, and he strained his ears. She was changing rapidly, slipping out of the silken kimono and into her fighting clothes. 'Hmm… She looks good, even in men's clothes. Pretty decent.'
She slowly walked up the hill, limping painfully at the poisons in her veins. She was in a bad mood now; she'd lost her tie again. She stomped the rest of the way and steamed over, untying the startled man's green bandana.
"What! Hey! That's mine!" He protested.
"You owe me one. I had it, but now I don't. So therefore, this is mine until I find mine." She slowly and carefully brought the emerald cloth under her hair, tying it firmly near the nape of her neck. She simply had to tolerate the fact that her long blue-streaked hair would whip her in the face later on.
'Kuso, I wish she wouldn't wear HIS clothes.' Bankotsu looked on in annoyance to the cheerful expression of Renkotsu to Kagome's irritated one. 'Glad she hasn't taking a liking to him. Wait. Why am I glad?'
"Now let's get that little bastard." She smiled, pointed cross glowing faintly.
A/N: Yes, this chappie was a dud. Not enough adjectives, stinky action. So sorry, but I need to get on with the plot. To make up for it, this was a 10-11 page chappie! Anyway, I really appreciated the review I got, and I would love some more!
Next Chapter, Rei Chikara, Sentakushi no za Kokoro: (Strength of the Soul, Choices of the Heart)
All the stuff I have stupidly forgotten in this chapter. Who are these mysterious followers of Kagome? What! She's still being followed… But why can't Bankotsu sense it? Kagome is a defiant as ever, and she continues to attempt a wild escape, lashing out. In her desperate state, will she fall prey to the tricks of Naraku? And exactly WHO and WHAT is her soulmate? Does she even have one to play the legendary part? Or will he too, be sucked into her vortex of destruction, or will he discover her and take his role? What decisions will be made? What will be Bankotsu's reaction when the soulmate is revealed? Will they survive, hateful and spiteful, or loving?
Next Chapter
Paths of Moon and Flame
Rei Chikara, Sentakushi no za Kokoro (Strength of the Soul, Choices of the Heart)
Vocab:
Kami- god
Kuso- shit
Yukata- shirt like garment for men (usually)
Kimono- dress like garment for women
Odori no za Doragon- Wind of the Dragon
Kaze no Kizo- Wind Scar
Explaining Thingy:
Yes, I'm being cheap on the adjectives and good ol' action. I apologize, and will try to fix it up dandy for the next chapter.
I'm going to try and put more sesshy and ban in my a/n's, so forgive me if it's not too good. They're complaining.
I hope you all liked this chapter, and PLEASE REVIEW!-darkenedmoonlightflame and company (sesshy and bankotsu)