Announcements

"Talking"

'Thoughts'

Stressed
Bankotsu's nose twitched as he rolled away from the sunlight. His arms wrapped around his Miko and he snuggled. He heard her sigh and knew that he would get another moments rest. His mind had refused to rest and he was left to think about the past months. The village smith was an old man that seemed to have a mind like Miroku. He loved his job, but he loved a woman's body even more. Bankotsu shuddered and remembered that he would be working under this man in an apprenticeship. It was a great opportunity for him to support Kagome, but the man had a wild sense of humor. The sun bathed their figures and Bankotsu groaned.

He could hear the villager's getting ready for another day, and he heard the damn horses. He would never again trust a horse. Screams entered his ears and he sighed. His eyes snapped opened as he realized that there shouldn't be screams. Kagome sprung up from her futon and grabbed her bow. She was already out the door. Bankotsu grabbed his Zanbato and followed her. Kagome sighed and lowered her bow once her eyes caught sight of the youkai.

"Greetings Tachi-sama," Kagome greeted with a smile.

"Hello to you to Miko," Tachi said as he bowed his head.

Kagome smiled at him and noticed that his eyes didn't hold the same sorrow as before. His black eyes were held a bit more warmth, but his skin had paled. Kagome noticed that he still wore the same colored skirt. This time he had a blue sash around his waist and the sickles he carried had a blue jewel embedded in each side. Kagome looked to him in question and noticed that he wore the same chest plate. Tachi smiled at her knowing she would have questions.

"I must appear my best if I am to convince the Youkai council," Tachi replied.

"That is coming up?" Kagome questioned.

"They've decided to hold the council before it snowed," Tachi informed.

"It will be snowing soon?" Kagome questioned as her eyes traveled to the gray sky. The sun had hid behind the darkened clouds.

"In a day or so," Tachi nonchalantly answered.

"Where is the council behind held?" Kagome softly asked.

"It is being held at the Eastern Lord's castle," Tachi stated with a grimace.

"What type of Youkai is the Eastern Lord?" Kagome wondered when she noticed Tachi's grimace.

"He's a crow," Bankotsu answered.

"What about the other two Lords?" Kagome questioned.

"Northern Lord is a deer, and the Southern Lord is a monkey," Tachi finished. "Why not ask about the Western Lord?"

"I sort of know him," Kagome mumbled.

"This is good?" Tachi asked.

"Depends on who's point you're looking at," Kagome muttered.

"So when do we leave?" Bankotsu asked.

"Who is he and why is he coming?" Tachi asked.

"This is Bankotsu and he is my intended," Kagome answered as Tachi.

"You are still a Miko?" Tachi questioned.

"Yes," Kagome growled as she glared at him.

"Then we leave in a hour," Tachi supplied.

"I thought you were going to warn a few days ahead." Kagome mocked.

"I have been caught up in changing the village," Tachi explained.

Kagome nodded in understanding. She didn't want to reopen old wounds for him. He was finally making the changes he needed, but the price had been his son's life. Kagome motioned him to step inside the hut. He followed and noticed that the villager's were staring at him. He sat down and Kagome offered him some tea. Tachi smiled but shook his head no. Kagome sat and Bankotsu just dropped down beside her with a grin. Soon enough Inuyasha and the others rushed inside her hut looking ready for battle. Kagome was beginning to think that they wanted a good fight.

"What's he doing here?" Inuyasha questioned with a glare.

"It is time for the Youkai council," Kagome said as she poured herself some tea.

"But it's…" Inuyasha didn't want to mention that it was about to snow.

"I know, it's close to snowing but I have this last obligation," Kagome said with a smile.

'After that, she can settle down,' Inuyasha thought with a smile.

"When will you return?" Inuyasha calmly asked. Sango and Miroku were surprised at his calm tone.

"Hopefully in a few days," Kagome calmly answered.

"Keh, you just better be careful," Inuyasha threatened as he glared at her.

"Of course, since when am I not careful?" Kagome teased.

"Since never," Inuyasha grumbled as Bankotsu nodded in argument.

"Disagreeing with me Ban-Chan?" Kagome teased with fake shock. "This will cost you courtship points."

Bankotsu raised an eyebrow as she pulled a scroll out and begin writing. His pupils widened in slight fear.

"Hey, what are you writing?" Bankotsu asked as she moved away.

"One more minute," Kagome whispered as she continued to scribble.

"Seriously," Bankotsu said as he reached for the scroll.

Kagome stuck her tongue out and show him the scroll. Everyone looked at it and their sweat dropped.

"Kagome, there is nothing there," Sango pointed out.

"I know," Kagome sighed. "I couldn't think of anything to write."

"Stupid," Inuyasha grumbled.

"Bad puppy," Kagome grumbled.

"What was that?" Inuyasha growled.

"Will you be packing much?" Miroku loudly voiced.

"Just another two outfits," Kagome answered.

"It is always good to travel light," Miroku said as his mind wandered to the cart of stolen goods. He smirked as he thought about those days.

"You can take Kirara to travel faster," Sango offered. The said Nekomata yawned and went back to sleep.

"That would be great," Kagome said.

"Then let's pack," Bankotsu grumbled as he stood up and stretched.

"We'll stop by before you leave," Miroku said before he left the hut.

Tachi sighed and remained seated as he watched Bankotsu and Kagome walk back into her room. Kagome laughed as she pulled out her ragged yellow backpack. Bankotsu grimaced at the thing and Kagome scowled. She began stuffing her items into it without care as to how neat it was. Bankotsu rolled his eyes and handed her the spare priest robes he had. They were still the original white color, he was proud that he had kept it clean. Kagome mercilessly stuffed it into the yellow monstrosity with a grin. She was on her knees and Bankotsu was behind her.

He watched her haori wrinkle with each movement she made. His eyes traced the muscles in her back as she packed or stuffed. Bankotsu walked closer to her and kneeled behind her. Her elbow softly hit his chest and she muttered a sorry. Bankotsu sighed and wrapped his left arm around her waist so his hand rested on her right hip. His hooked his right arm across her chest so it came up at an angle and rested between her breasts. His hand gripped her left shoulder as he buried his face in her hair.

"Bankotsu," Kagome whispered as she began to blush.

"Since I've been alive…I haven't been able to touch you," he whispered in her ear. Kagome's face flamed pure red at this.

"You've held me when we sleep," Kagome whispered as rubbed his nose along her shoulder.

"Only at night, but I want to hold you more," Bankotsu stressed.

"You know that my being a Miko makes it hard," Kagome sighed.

"You have no idea," he whispered in her ear.

Kagome sighed and went to say something but his right hand slid from her shoulder and across her breasts. A quick intake of breath made her lose her words. His right hand pushed her hair aside to where he could rest his lips against the base of her neck. Kagome sighed as she felt him softly kiss her neck. This time he was warm and every kiss made her feel like she was falling apart. A soft moan left his lips as he sucked on her neck and lightly twirled his tongue against her skin.

"I can feel your warmth," he whispered across her skin. She could feel the goose bumps rise.

"You feel warm," Kagome sighed.

"I can taste you this time," Bankotsu sighed as he turned her head to the side. His lips caught the corner of her mouth. She attempted to open her mouth but failed because of the angle.

"I want to taste you…like the first time we kissed at the onsen," Kagome confided.

"And I want you to be my wife," Bankotsu whispered to her.

Her eyes widened at the proposal. She knew that he was going to propose, but she didn't know when. Kagome had known that it would be soon because he had been saving whatever he earned. Her eyes turned to the floor in thought. She cared for him, enough to spend everyday with him. Yet, she didn't know if she loved him. She loved him, but she couldn't figure out in which way. After all he went through, she would say yes, because she could be content with him. She wasn't doing this to get rid of burdens; this marriage wouldn't rid her of the Tama. This would make him happy and it would make her happy.

"I'll accept, but only after I complete my job at the Youkai council," Kagome answered.

Bankotsu turned her around and pushed her to the floor. Her eyes closed as their lips met in a passionate kiss. Kagome sighed as she felt the warmth from his body soak into her. Her finger tangled in his hair and pulled the braid apart. Bankotsu groaned as he rubbed against her. Kagome's eyes widened at the sensation before he began to pull away. She reached up and let her lips lock on his neck. Her teeth nipped at him and earned another soft thrust. Kagome groaned at the sensation and his eyes opened in hazed realization.

Her hand was tugging at the ties of his haori and he kissed her once last time before he sat up. Kagome softly growled at his disappearance before she sat up. Her hair was slightly messy and his haori was messed up. Kagome focused on his grinning face before she pulled his hand to her mouth and bit him. He yelped and glared at her.

"What was that for?" He demanded.

"That was for looking so smug," Kagome huffed.

"If you saw the way you looked then you'd be smug too," Bankotsu mumbled, but it wasn't low enough.

Tachi sighed as he finally sipped on the tea. The cup fell from his hands when he heard a smack. He caught the cup and the liquid before any damaged could be done. Kagome marched down the hallway with a yellow pack on her shoulder. Her nose was in the air and she seemed upset. Tachi figured that it had to do something with that Bankotsu. He could smell what was going on in that room. That's why he didn't yell at them to hurry, he didn't want to get yelled at.

Tachi's black eyes soon followed the fuming man as he marched down the hall. A fresh looking red handprint adorned his right cheek as he walked out of the hut. Tachi softly chuckled and thought of the days when he was mated. A wistful smile appeared on his face as he thought about those days, the days with his beautiful mate. If she were alive, then perhaps their son would still be alive as well. He set the teacup down and figured that it was no good to dwell on the past. Life only gave you one chance; there were no make-ups. What was done was done and nothing could change that. You could learn from it, but you could never change that it happened.

"Are you ready?" Tachi asked them as he walked outside the hut.

"Yeah…we're ready," Kagome assured with a smile.