Yo :) Erika here for da da daaaaa the newest and the big chapter update! ah i want to reallyyyy and i mean REALLY explain so much abou this chapter but neither the less, i cant boooo.
Ah for my reviewers i love you to the max and im sorry that my spelling error have some of you upset :( I spell horribly so i am truly sorry bout that and i thank you a ton for pointing out that HUGE spelling error especially becasue i use it enough :( i hope you enjoy the story though :D
Well i do hope you like this chapter, its for you gusy :D
ND! ...i put a Bankotsu pov moment in the story Woo hoo! Im going to stop talking, so i will see you at the end of this chapter ;D
enjoy! Oh and i am dedicating this chapter to my two very special peeps :) My sister kristen because shes the one who keeps me typing up at night and yea i love her to death :D and Miss Jadeee she just screams amazing :)
Disclaimer: Yup i own nothing *sigh*
There is no calamity greater than lavish desires.
There is no greater guilt than discontentment.
And there is not greater disaster than greed.
~Lao-Tzu
Where love is concerned, too much is not even enough.
-Pierre Augustin Caro e Beaumarchais
****
An average man is too concerned with liking people or with being liked himself.
A warrior likes, that's all. He likes whatever or whomever he wants, for the hell of it.
-Carlos Castaneda
***
Kagome: You stinking toad.
Jaken: You stinking human.
Kagome: Oh yeah? Well, this human's gonna kick your...
Jaken: We'll see about that!
***
Bankotsu [talking to Kikyo]: I've heard the rumors; still I'd never thought you'd be so beautiful
Shiori's P.o.V
I didn't know how to put what I felt when we all entered the shrine. It was strange, like the gut feeling of something that was very wrong. Bankotsu gave the Shrine a doubtful look; he must have felt the odd aura around the place. A strong pressure that got me breathing a bit deeper came over us once the shrine doors were opened. Bankotsu kept his pace next to me with Kai to my other side. And Kai, the boy didn't shut up since we started walking to the shrine. He was quizzing me beyond belief and Bankotsu would occasionally mumble to me "he's got a thing for youuuuuuu." Oh it took me a lot of self restraint not to push the boy down the stairs. Besides that annoying fact, a small inner voice was whispering a faint warning. Must be the shrine, it has to...
With that fact kicked behind my mind, we walked threw the halls. The shrine's halls had a icy cold air that sent goose bumps along your arms and up your spines. How Kai and the other two spiritual figures didn't mind boggled me. So If they could handle it, i could too..
The older miko led us to a large open room. In its center sat a black painted table and surrounding it we're green mats for us to sit on.
"Please sit wherever you want Shiori-sama."
Sama? "Oh Kai the sama thing isn't really necessary." I stumbled a few times out of embarrassment. I didn't like the way Kai kept close to me or how he tried to act friendly with me, at first i thought that could be his personality but the way he started conversations..it seemed liked he was trying to butter me up.
Before Kai could sit next to me, I dashed to the seat besides Bankotsu. Yeah I know, pathetic...
He raised his eyebrows at me, "In a hurry to sit besides me I see?"
"Can it."
Kai sat at the head of the table watching the two of us carefully. "I apologize for the strong aura that fills the shrine. The demon that is cause of this aura hides here during the morning but appears at night."
I did and did not want to press the subject further.
Out from behind the screen doors, servants carrying elaborated food filled places came and place them all right in front of us. That matter made me decide that the subject wasn't all THAT important. Ah I wanted to cry at how pretty and delicious the food looked!
"Help your-"
Both Bankotsu and I began our assault on the food cutting off Kai's hospitality. I normally wouldn't have acted so rudely but when you're hungry, YOU'RE HUNGRY!
The two of us scurried with our hands to pick at anything we could. I didn't even notice the others looking at us; it was just me and the lovely table full of food.
"So....How do you two know each other?" Stupid Kai and his persistent attempt to be friendly….
Neither of us talked for a good while. After a few moments of us shoving out faces, I was now eating properly....even though my plate was still filled to the brim with food. Bankotsu just ignored Kai so nothing new there. But as I ate I notice, nobody was outside the village still. Not even the small mob of villagers walked around. And if that wasn't weird enough
"BURRBBBBBBBBB."
THAT WAS ! "BANKOTSU!?"
The mercenary laughed at my reaction and Kai looked horrified. We were being the worse guest ever!
"Ha, forgive him please. we haven't eaten in a goo-"
"Oh dear Shiori it doesn't matter, I know how awful vagabonds act and i must say, you acting very calmly and traveling with one is impressive."
He was just asking for Banyru to slam threw his neck wasn't he? I said nothing in reply; Bankotsu took over at this point
"You know, if you keep calling me that Bastard, your head will be seen rolling down these stairs at any moment by your silly villagers." The elder couple that followed us, looked liked they wanted to faint. I still kept out of the conversation and Kari noticed how I stayed quiet.
"Shiori? I'm sorry if I upset you." Whoa wasn't expecting that.
"Uh..its ok?" Nervous laugh, and i could've sworn Bankotsu rolled his eyes. A moment of silence passed and the furious eating between us slowed. I now just poked at the food and continuously sipped my warmed rice milk. Bankotsu still ate, keeping his cobalt eyes locked onto Kai as if he was ready to slice his head off…..and i wouldn't doubt that he would have second thoughts about it. Kai stared right back but with a serene deadly look going on making the awkward air in the room become thick. Kai broke off the staring and turned to me.
"Shiori your attire is very odd...could you elaborate on it if you do not mind?" Kai was REALLYYYY starting to irk me.
"Its my err...kimono! Yes my kimono, its a normal type in my tim ..in my uhh village i mean..." Phew. I hoped that after i gave a satisfying answer Kai and nobody else would bring up the subject.
Bankotsu chugged the last of the rice milk then injected his own two sense. "Liar" What!?
"Excuess me but your comments at this moment mercenary are not needed." The men here in this era I swear! Trying to cover up my small annoyance, I whispered low and deadly to idiot Mercenary. He turned his face towards me with irritation flickering in his eyes.
."It's true though, you're not even from this era girl!" He retaliated back a bit louder. DID HE WANT THESE PEOPLE TO KNOW IM FROM ANOTHER TIME!?
"Sh-shut up!"
"You need to shut up."
"No YOU do."
"NO YOU DO!"
"NO NO NOO YOUUUUUUU NEED TO SHUT UP!"
"OHH WHAT A BRILLIANT NAME FROM THE ONCE GREAT PRIESTESS!?"
"BANKOTSU. SHUT. UP!"
"MAKE ME WOMAN!"
The two of us unwittingly grew closer and were now glaring intensely at each other face to face. This arguing back and forth was becoming a normal for us now sadly.
I was so pissed in fact, that close proximity between us wasn't making me embarrassed. Being face to face close to Bankotsu, I could see his small features of him. Cobalt eyes clearly shining and his tattoo that hid underneath his bangs at this angle. If it wasn't for the dude's bad attitude, I could say that Bankotsu was a attractive...a very attractive man. The cobalt eyes, that nobody I knew of had, and the cocky smirk that gave much emotion to his fac- WOAH WOHA WOAHHH! I REALLYYY drank to much rice water!
"Uhm...I'm sorry to interrupt this uh lovers quarrel-" lovers quarrel!? " But may i ask something of the two of you?"
That lovers quarrel comment got me biting on my check and fuming with frustration, but the two of us did turn our eyes to Kai. "Are you two lovers?"
Letting the question sink in for a moment, Bankotsu and I blinked oblivious at Kai.
Silence.
Seconds past
More passed on.
Another good second of silence...Then we both broke out in laughter.
"Lov-vers!? WITH THIS THING?"
"Hahaha! With HIM!? HECK NO!"
We continued to laugh, Kai had no clue why the two of us were on the ground in tears. But lovers with BANKOTSU!? HEAVENS NO! He's a over prideful jerk who is very discriminate, especially towards me, and..and he looks really stupid with a big sword trying to act all show off like, there's no WAY, NO WAY IN ALL OF THE WORLD that Bankotsu and I would be lovers!
"You two looked like you could be?"
Bankotsu quieted down then crossed his hands over his chest. I, beside him, was clutching my stomach still in joyous giggles.
"Buddy have you SEEN her? She's not really the 'filled out in the right places type'. She would've maybeee pull that off if she WAS cuter but she has this strange ability that can give you the biggest headache in less than a second.." All the giggles stopped.
NOT CUTE!? WHAT THE ASSHOLE! My temper got the better of me. Quickly I flung my elbow downwards to Bankotsu's thigh and had him cussing quietly moments after.
"See what I tell ya bastard, not cute at all."
"Ha... Noooo Kai, We are NOT lovers. If you haven't notice I think we both are the furthest FROM the idea" The tone I put into my comment ended the subject… reminded me a bit of Bankotsu's authority. I mentally beamed at that idea. Hopefully this would shut up Kai.
"Im sorry Shiori. I hope i didn't mean to upset you, may I make it to you by giving you a small tour around the village?" Too late.
"Ka-ai I'm.."
"We have to practice lover boy, so to answer for her, no."
Bankotsu was my life savior, my life savior that was going to get a ear full later..
He stood up with Banryu clutched in his fist and headed towards the door leaving Kai stunned.
"Yeah im sorry Kai...Maybe later?"
"Hmmm yes of course."
I had not even noticed if he said anything else because right after that i dashed out of that creepy shrine in a record timing.
***
"UGH THANK YOU GODS! You don't know how much i wanted to leave!"
Walking a good distance away from the village, Bankotsu and I arrived near an opening. Right by it was a soft creek, soothing me with its rush of water. This small spot was nicely hidden away from the village ..which meant no Kai. I mentally crossed my fingers.
"Shit, that Kai bastard..there's just-"
"Something about him..i know. I felt it too."
Bankotsu gave me a look and i shrugged my shoulders. "I thought for sure you were going to go all lover boy on him."
"Honestly!" He chuckled then swung Banryu up in the air one handed.
"So let's get to training, and then you can whine afterwards." Mind the whining part I was actually excited about this training! New sword, my skills I'm hoping that have improved at bit, and I had the opportunity to fight Banryu, this battle might just get fun. The sun shined down onto Banryu and reflected onto my face, almost as if it was challenging me.. Stupid sword that had a stupid owner.
"Yes! Training, let's do this." With pride beaming i took out Stealth Crane from its sheath and stood in a nice looking stance. Seeing a good amount of Kun fu movies and the small experience of watching Bankotsu and Inuyasha fight gave me a small idea of how to stand. I must look intimidating at least right? Wrong. Bankotsu slammed Banryu down sighing, i had done something wrong. Scratch off being a intimidating fighter from my list of what to do in the feudal era.
"Your stance is off. If somebody came and oh did this," He walked over to me, pushed my shoulder, not even with a slightest effort of force, making me stumble weakly. Yeah i hadn't improved since we first met.
"You would be killed in a swing." Banryu was back in Bankotsu hand and he was across the yard in a blink.
"First things first, Your feet are out of balance..." Banyru pointed to the earth on which I stood on "You stand with your strength focused on your legs. When your legs are centered, your entire body will follow perfectly. Your feet are important for more than fighting to; they hold you to the earth if you did not know that."
"Didn't need the stupid comment..." Idiot, if he only knew about how gravity helps to.
"Alright, now make sure your sword is in front of you, to show your opponent you have no fear, to signal that you're not backing down. Like this."
Bankotsu swung Banryu long last time in mid air then brought the halberd in the same position that he explained a few seconds before. "See? Your stance is level because your feet are solid onto the ground, body in a good position, and your focus is directed now to kicking your opponent."
I had to hand it to the dunder head, he knew his fighting stuff.
"Ok" I took a deep breathe in then released it. "My turn." Had to get it over with eventually.
I tried and copying Bankotsu's impressive pose. 'Feet level, focus on him, feet level' was my continuing pray that I had going on in my head. My pose almost worked! Mr. Mercenary gave me a small smirk then shook his head. "We'll have to work on the stance later, you got the feet down..sorta. But what we should be focusing on is how that scrap metal shoots a spiritual beam."
Scrap metal? Let it slide Shiori let it slide.
The question had both of us looking at Stealth crane in pondering thought. I hadn't received any 'heavenly sent' sign saying something like "if you swing it this way while standing on a tree log drinking rice water will a spiritual beam shoot from the sword," Totosai didn't even give me hint how to.
"Do you think that if you swing the sword a certain way or stand on something higher eleva-"
"Like a tree log?" I duly said.
"Maybe, that's a good idea though!" Un-be-live-a-ble. And I figured I was bad, Dear gods were we in trouble.
*******3*******
No matter how many times I swung the sword at this or that angle, stabbing the ground or even having Bankotsu come at me with full force, that was terrifying by the way, NO SPIRITUAL BEAM THINGY CAME OUT!
Bankotsu was getting as furious as i was.
"Maybe it's broken?" Stealth crane shook violently as i swung it up and down.
"Or maybe it's the user..." He mumbled quietly.
"Bleehhhh." My tongue stuck out and then in that quick moment, my brain hacked a brilliant idea. Surprise attack could maybe awaken the spiritual powers of this thing. Though fighting the big intimidating Banryu had me seconding guessing, I took the chance anyways.
"SURPRISE ATTACK!" Running at Bankotsu with a good amount of speed i brought Stealth crane up to fight. He deflected my attack, holding Banryu one handed, all this fighting stuff was second nature to him... Curse his natural fighting skills.
"Nice try but I don't think that things going to start sparking spiritual crap any time soon."
"Aw, ...Did i at least run and try to attack right?" The light hearted comment had us both chuckling. "Maybe you should ask lover boy Kai?"
"EK! NO WAY!" My face wrinkled in disgust.
"Hahaha i thought you'd be all over the Holy Roller like you were with Inu Trasha's bastard."
"The Inu YASHA part is really mean..but eh i just don't like Kai..not my type I guess." This was true, nothing clicked with him. I didn't have a good feeling about the dude, now that I looked at the situation. He had the sneaky monk act going on perfectly.
"Type? YOOOU have a type?"
"YES-S! I have a type." I whipped my head upwards and pouted out of embarrassment. Stupid stupid stupid.
"Ha that sounds interesting, please do tell me what kind of asshole you are attracted to." I almost slammed into the ground out of shock if it wasn't for the tree root I sat on for support now.
"Why-y would you want to know baka." Cover up the embarrassment quickly Shiori!
"Because, I can probably guess what kind of man you want ," He paused for a moment waiting to see if i argued back, i didn't fight back. Shock kept me from talking. His challenge to my ideal guy type had me curious…and still shocked.
Bankotus continued his statement, "You like the mushy guy that's all about feelings and crap, the guy who compliments you every second and probably is as weak as a noodle to..the sad pathetic village boy, HA!"
Shock, Complete utter TOTAL shock. He had gotten the compliments part right but the mushy part? AND THE WEAK AS A NOODLE THING!?
He describe Takanari jusssst fine now though.
More shock doesn't help, the stupid small voice was right..as always. Takanari was a bit weaker...well allot compared to Bankot-
WHAT IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT IS GOOD WAS I COMPARING BANKOTSU WITH TAKANARI..or at least I think that was his name.
Or was it Takashi
or Takeru, no takeru was Kagome-chans son.
WHAMP! Reality does worse damage than shock, I had forgotten Takanari, THE takanri, my only love's name. Guilt leaked out my heart and i felt like i betrayed him completely. I mean Takanari wasn't like other guys..he was cute, really athletic and a good kisser so I heard, but when i tried to find Takanari's face the image was beginning to become blurry.
"Did I hit a nerve because I painted the description right?" Bankotsu leaned on a tree mocking me. This stupid mercenary was at fault.
"You think you know everything don't you? You got like about ONE part right but you obviously have no IDEA of what my type is jerk!"
"Ahh your giving me a headahceeeeeee!"
"STOP WHINING! YOU'RE THE ONE WHO HAS ME YELLING NOW SO IT'S YOUR FAULT!"
"YOU STARTED IT!"
"NO YOU DID! YOU HAD TO BE ALL 'OH I CAN FIGURE OUT YOUR TYPE IN NO PROBLEM BLAH BLAH BLAH'
"Well then CORRECT me," sarcastic ass, "What kind of weakling do you find interest in?"
Not the reply back I was hoping for, Think girl, describe Takanri, show the stupid villain head what kind of REAL guy you like.
Hmph, I agree with my inner self and brought up as must courage I had. "I think the guy who truly cares for you without showing it YET you know it fully because you FEEL it is the best type of guy there is," Heh take that Mr. know it all.
"So what you're saying is you like a guy who fucks you up all the time?"
BAKA!
"NO! I mean ..UGH never MIND, this will take forever to explain!"
"What happen to the 'lets talk more blah blah blah' crap you pulled a few days ago?!" It was times like these did Bankotsu look absolutely adorable, mental gag but true. The child look he held at the moment and the fact that he did a HORRIBLE imitation of my voice caused laughter to spill from my mouth.
I settle down for a quick second to say to him "Bankotsu, you do a shameful intimidation of me. My heart broke at how awful it was, tsk tsk tsk," my laughing continued.
"You can't be a better job than me.. hmph,"
"So can."
"So can not"
"Look at me I'm Bankotsu big sword dude!" I tried my hardest not to laugh at how bad MY intimidation of Bankotsu sounded. I waited for him to quip back in a usual Bankotsu way or at least do something rude, but no he played along. He put his hand his hip, waved his hand around and swayed his head, "WELL LOOK AT ME IM SHIORI. I TRY TO SHOW PEOPLE THAT I AM INNOCENT BUT I AM JUST SOME EVIL GIRLIE WHO CAME FROM THE SKY." He won hands down.
"It was a well you dunder head," With my surrender, the laugh between both of echoed though out the forest. A tiny moment like this brought a soft feeling to my bones; this was actually the most I've laughed in my time being her. These moments, made up for the homesick-ness i had been feeling recently and it showed me that the side of Bankotsu he hide from the world was making its way out, slowly but surly it would come out...
"You..you twoo." and of course its never lasted for more than 3 seconds.
*****
From behind a small patch of woods, a group led a dirt covered older man approached us fearfully. At first I thought the group was the same people that had greeted us earlier, no, these people were the poor villagers. The farmers, the lower working class men..and to Bankotsu joy sake shop owners and the keeper of the prostitutes whore house.
Glee.
"You two, please, we beg of you. Destroy the demon."
"Yeah yeah old man we heard this from your idiot of a head monk."
Who was he calling idiot idiot? "No, Do not trust Kai, he has done NOTHING to prevent the demons assault on the village."
"He's allowed the demon to attack!?" My voice colored with surprise and Bankotsu's eyes narrowed in suspicion showed the villagers that Kai pretty much fooled us. Me for sure.
"We believe that Kai and the two other elders have made a deal with the Yokushin, to live and be rich forever if the demon would be able to feast on as many villagers he could." Another man added.
"The greed demon?"
"Yes young priestess, The legend of the head demons had you not heard of it?" I felt my heart sink; one of THOSE demons lived here.
"No old man we don't know the legend , care to give us the explanation."
The older man told us of how for every head demon there was a human that the demon hung its evil aura to. He and the villagers suspected that the oldest monk was the human Yokushin hung onto and that Kai and the old miko were just in on the plot.
"So when Yokushin comes out at night to devour the villagers, none of the monks or priestess come out to help?"
"No. We haven't had any peace since the old monk and Kai came to our village. Please we beg of you young priestess, destroy Yokushin." Yea no pressure at all…
"Dont worry old man, we will." Bankotsu's confidence reflected in his whole being. His eyes sparkled with it, so did his posture and tone. All of his confidence. or arrogance, lets go with confidence, had me grinning in agreement. As long as he believes we could, the two of us would fine a way.
"Now...You sake maker and brothel owner where is your establishments and when do they open?"
****
For the past hmm giver take 4 hours or so, I SHIORI HIKARU HAVE BEEN SITING OUTSIDE A BROTHEL HOUSE! Following the stupid conversation near the creek, the villagers took us to their stores for us to pack up and supply on. Taking a nice long hot springs soak made up for the fact that later tonight I would be fighting. The elder man who talked to us earlier offered to let me stay with him and his wife since the twilight of the sky started creeping into the horizon, but of course I isorrible; it reeks of old sweaty men and so many women wearing nothing but a kimono that covers their legs walk around with no care in the world. I even started a game counting how many hoes i see wearing a shirt and ones with men or ones that wait on the steps outside..like me. You wouldn't even guess that a short samurai mistaken ME for one of those ladies of the nights! This night, hands down had to be the worst night everrrrrr.
The two of us we're suppose to be on guard watch for Yokushin and where was Mr. Mercenary? Having a JOLLY good time inside said whore house getting drunk out of his mind and having whores throw themselves at him! I mean which girl in the world would want that son of an asshole!? He's arrogant and a ruthless killer-
That doesn't stop you from traveling with him now does it?
Ugh, I sidghed. This new founded small voice was starting to become a bit more outspoken. Now the only thing keeping me company is stealth crane and the crows that haven't flown away from my side. The crows pretty ebony feathers looked metallic in the setting sun, how I wish I was a crow. No responsibilities, no worries about fighting evil demons or trying to survive with a stupid whore-d out and drunk mercenary. Nope no worries when you were a crow.
"Caw," One of them wobbled besides me.
"You my friend have the high life."
"Caw caw." Its black face blinking at me had me sighing again. "Yeah yeah i know im an idiot."
"I don't think you're a idiot one bit." My head tilted to the side staring at the crow in amazement, did that thing just talk? NOW you've lost your mind Hikaru.
"Crow-chan did you just talk to me?" Good thing nobody was around, seeing a freaky girl in some sort of crazy outfit talking to crows would have the villagers running me out of town for fear of me being a demon.
"Ha, no silly I did." The voice didn't sound familiar to me until I looked up. Standing with his serene face was stupid Kai. Yup officially the worse night ever.
"Im sorry, i kind of lost my mind.." Nice going Ri don't tell him that. Kai laughed for a short moment then sat down next to me. Every crow that was around me fled in that instance. I remember once hearing a parable that said animals can sense spirits or tell when evil was close...and when Kai showed up those crow took off quick enough. Was Kai really in the deal with the Yokushin demon? Keep your guard up Shiori.
"I would lose my mind if I was here too, why are you here anyways?"
"Heh, i was sort of dragged here." No I was just to chicken to leave Bankotsu but in the end the jerk dropped me like a hot potato. "Ah by your...other traveler i presume?"
I snorted lightly and nodded. "Yes, he's in there as we speak." My voice colored more emotion than I wanted.
"So he left you all alone?"
Now that Kai put it that way, Bankotsu did.
"Well..he needed a break." Wow how pathetic did i just sound trying to make a excuses for Bankotsu's trip to a whore house.
"You must need a break to though Shiori-chan. Do you want to soak in the hot springs?"
"No thank you Kai, I took one earlier." Go away Kai, go away Kai.
"How about we walk around the shrine? Come on, you NEED to get away from this despicable place." My eyes turned back to drink in the brothel house. Bankotsu wouldn't mind that I left for a few minutes, he wouldn't even care if I did.
"You know what Kai that sounds great!" So I accepted. The light sea foam green eyes Kai owned brighten up and he stood up with quickly. "Shall we leave Shiori-chan?"
One last look at the brothel, I would go and be back in a good amount of time. He wouldn't even notice I was gone. Don't do this, something doesn't seem right. Completely ignore my inner guts warning, I stood up along with Kai and followed his lead to the shrine.
"Kai, what kind of demon is attacking the village?"
"I am not very good at demon types but I do know that it is a snake demon."
"Bankotsu told me that snake demons don't attack villages though unless the villagers provoke it?" Bullshit-ed that lie, but it sounded right and I was hoping that Kai would spill on the greed demon.
"Its sad to say but the villagers DID provoke it." Crap, he played along with it just fine!
"Oh, that's ashamed though." The silence between the two of us reflected the same silence that creep-ed into the village. Lanterns were blown out, doors were covered, nobody was outside, and the only stores that kept their lanterns on were the brothel, sake and hot springs. Go figure.
"Enough talk about the demon, you will get it Im fully confident in you Shiori-chan." Kai smiled at me, his face looking a good amount paler than it was before.
"You think so?" New plan, I was going to suck up, flirt and compliment the dude in order to have him spill while still trying to watch the village for signs of a demon.
"I know so," Reassuring smile. "Do you know that I met your original self?"
"Really?" The tone of my voice gave Kai more confidence and he now walked shoulder to shoulder next to me.
"Yes, she looked exactly like you, the same green eyes and the noticeable brunette shade of hair; if you have not notice, not a lot of women have this color of hair." What was he now a feudal era fashion expert?
"I haven't, now im going to be looking at hair from now on thanks Kai."
He didn't get the joke but he chuckled because I was. "Rimiko had a great sense of pride In her duties, and to be honest, was very quiet. You, Shiori-chan, on the other hand are very outspoken and have a pretty aura glow around you." The plan of being vigilant on the village was hard to stick to when Kai was saying such sweet nothings to me,
"Thank you Kai, its nice to hear..nice things about myself once in a while."
"Is that Mercenary truly a walking dead?"
A walking dead, a zombie, to me Bankotsu looked human, he certainly acted human, but he wasn't.
"Yes,"
"Interesting.."
"Kai," Now was the time to interrogate the monk. "I'm sorry to keep pestering you,"
"Oh not at all Shiori-chan."
"Right, well I wanted to ask if you know anything about the demon that goes by the name Yokushin."
Kai's face didn't alter; he still showed the concern boy look, dam nit he was good at this hiding stuff. "The greed demon, hm..some say that he and his relatives were killed off by your original self."
"I have heard about that yet I believe that some of them are still alive…" We stopped walking, Kai now a few steps ahead of me moved his eyes to my face. I hadn't even notice how deep into the shrine we were..
"What makes you believe that they are alive?" Gleaming, stone cold sea foam eyes watched me like a hawk.
"Well…I think that the old monk that you travel with might be the demon, and I don't want you to get hurt!" I blurted out the sentence like it was on accident, lets hope he took it that way. "Shiori-chan, it warms my heart to know that you are concerned for me..but don't worry."
Kai's pupils became bloody red, and I felt a sharp pain in my heart, like a warning sign. "I wont get hurt." What happened next still seems like a dream, one moment I am looking at Kai, a normal appearing monk, and the next I'm being stared down with sea foam eyes that bled red in their middle. Then the screams of the villagers rang in, pure screams of horror and my body flew across the shrines floors transporting me to its front steps.
******
Bankotsu's p.o.v
Sake still tastes the same, dead or alive, sake was still sake.
Leaving the girl on the steps did have an inner part of me pang in a small guilt, she could wait, she could take care of her self...
Who was I kidding; the woman had no idea how to hold a sword.
Once I was in the sake house, the girl took her perch on the steps, not acknowledging me since the time I retrieved her from the bath houses. She still must be a bit again she always was. She was always smiling, or yelling.
Walking into the sake house, the hard smell of old sweaty men hit my nose. Nope Sake houses were still the same.
I drank a few drinks to get my mouth quenched, then i walked down the steps behind Shiori.
"I am headed to the brothel, you can stay here or sit on their steps, either way I still want you to keep a eye on the demon.."
She didn't protest, just glared at me viciously, Yup still fumed.
"Don't worry, this wont take long." I noted to her and I got a gag face in response.
This girl was truly a weird one.
The whore house wasn't as nice as some others I have seen but it was decent. I didn't want to go and find a girl to quick so I sat around waiting for one to show up, Banyru in the back hall laying across the wooden panels. The brothel house owner approached me, "See anything yet?"
"Nope, ahh, im just going to relax a little that's all old man."
"Hmm, I see. So where is the priestess in the funny attire that was with you before?"
He was obliviously talking about Shiori and I guess was too stupid to notice how she sat on the steps fuming with annoyance.
"I killed her and left her for dead."
The mans face didn't show that he understood my sense of humor. With the girl she at least rolled her eyes in acknowledgement.
"It's a joke, bastard." He nodded, but wasn't getting any color back in his face.
"She's outside on the steps." My comment had him sighing in relief, heh like I would kill her.
"Young priestess is all alone outside?"
"Yup, she can last." Hearing my self reply back made my guilt sink deeper. I needed to stop feeling guilty for the girl; she followed me here so she knew that I would leave her.
"What is the relation between the two of you?"
Persistent and talkative man was he? But the question took a few seconds for me to reply a simple answer.
"We are traveling comrades, that is it." The conversation wasn't pressed any further when a young woman caught my attention. She wore a revealing green kimono with its cut complimenting her legs. "Hey old man, I do see something I like," Before I walked off with the woman I turned back to the old man. "Watch the priestess, if she's gone when I come back you will be the one that will be answering to me and most likely you will be dead after." The death threat teemed with a serious tone. The man nodded calmly, giving the inner guilt bastard side of me calm down a bit as I approached the room.
She has the old man watching her; she's going to be fine….
She's going to be fine
****
The room danced that once danced with my shadows on its walls had the moonlight shining in. I was putting my armor back on and the woman kept her body on the futon still. We weren't in the room for that long, so I thought, but by the moon's light shining in the room signaled to me that we were in the room for a good time.
"You are a very attractive man." Behind me the woman, whose name I didn't even catch, began kissing my shoulder lightly.
"Enough. Your payment is up front." I had my fill of this and the small guilty part of me was still worried about the stupid girl.
When I would get to her hopefully she wouldn't be pissed off…who was I kidding? The girl was a ticking bomb of freaky 'mood swings'. I would maybe get a ear full but at this point it didn't matter.
I stood up, walked towards the door and left the whore lying on the bed without saying another word.
The hallway was in complete chaos, people frantically running around, women silently showing faces of worry and men trying to hide. Ah this reminded me of the good old days…
The days when I had no worries, where my greatest ambition was to kill as many people that were humanly possible, but now that ambition is more like a simple whispered in the back of my mind.
I glanced around the room again and then a blood thinning scream pierced the chaos filled air causing everyone to halt in a stand still.
A whore was nearby me so I asked her the simple question of what was occurring.
"The demon, he..he has returned."
Wait, if the demon was here why didn't Shiori come in and tell me? Or tell the owner….or why in fucking heavens name did the owner not tell me of this!? Stomping my way to the front desk where the old man was quivering behind, Banryu was in my hands and so was the old mans neck.
"Start talking before I let my anger out on you."
"She's-s, she disappeared. I took my eyes off her one moment, and then the miko was gone. PLEASE DEAR MERCENARY DO NOT TAKE MY LIFE!"
The annoying, loud, weak..caring girl was gone.
The miko was gone.
SHIORI was gone. With all my might I threw the man to the back of the wall. He landed with a loud bang and everyone in the room cried out in fear.
"Be lucky im more concerned about the girl than about having your blood spilled."
Before I had any time to walk out, in front of my eyes, out on top of the shrine, was the picture of Kai standing over Shiori's body.
But this wasn't the same bastard Kai, This was the greed demon that stood above Shiori.
****
Shiori Pov
There was nothing i could do. I was dead on the spot at this moment. Kai walked around me, as if he was looking at his prey.
"Kai-i why?" A hard kick to my stomach had me tumbling down the stairs and onto the dirt covered earth. If my body wasn't badly cut up enough, i felt a small blade slice with the gentlest of pressure on my leg.
"You had the greatest confidence of who was the greed demon earilier priestess so please do tell me....who is the greed demon now."
Kai's monk clothes ripped into shreds and a elaborate feudal era attire clothed him, black inky hair was now a light green color that matched his ugly cannibalistic eyes, and on his throat a kanji symbol that read 'Sin' gave the appearance that it was burned onto his skin.
All color from my face was drained, my blood ran cold and I could feel a scream wanting to come out of my throat but it just couldn't.
Kai was the green demon, Kai wasn't even Kai...
"Yokushin." Was the only form of words i mumbled out for fear completely enveloped my state of being.
"You thought you left me for dead did you now priestess, well im back and in the flesh!" Under the moonlit village, Yokushin shot fish like scales from his arm towards me.
Run NOW,Obeying my survival instincts that were starting to kick in, I picked myself up and ran. Narrowly dodging the scales I hide behind a village hut. I prayed that nobody was inside, that everybody from the village had abandoned their homes, i was wrong.
Yokushin couldn't just shot sharp scales, he was incredibly fast. I scream at the sight of him right in front of me."Now I TRULY thought that you had some fighting skills."
My brain at this moment was function like a clock, everything just ticked by. I swing Stealth crane at his face which gave me enough time to run back out into the open.
My heart was racing faster than i had ever felt it go before, i wanted to cry because i was so afraid.
"Stop running from me Miko!"
"Make sure your sword is in front of you, to show your opponent you have no fear, to signal that you're not backing down. Like this"Bankotsu words washed over a sense of courage, i had to fight. Mr. Big shot wasn't here and i couldn't run fast enough to get to the brothel house in time before the demon could catch me.
Fight,
I drew Stealth crane and walked out to face Yokushin like the brave priestess i once..and hopefully now am.
****
Trying to remember all that I learned today, i stood my ground, planted my feet into the earth and stared down Yokushin. "So the little miko you have come out to fight.."
His voice sounded nothing like Kai, I prayed to the gods that my feet wouldnt casue me to trip or give out on me.
"The jewel sensed I was present when you first arrived did it not?" A long scaly and off white finger pointed at my heart.
"THe jewel." It was in my heart. Blink
Quick as ever Yokushin was now only 5 steps away from me. "Silly human you haven't even become a fully realized priestess."
Think Shiori think.
I Couldn't, my body was stiff and my position was wavering. Hope drifted away, piece by piece. I would die here, and Bankotsu..
"Where are you?"
"That silly bastard isn't coming to get you my pet. So lets just stand here and soak in each others presence." Yokushin outstretched his arms as if to hold me then in that moment, Banryu came slamming down onto his arms.
"ARGHHHH!" A loud outcry escaped Yokushin's lips, he was in total pain and his arms were bleeding profusely. He could die from a wound that major and i hoped he did.
"Bankotsu!" I had never been happier to say those words, to see that big sword and to feel his presence next to me. "So you started the fight without me huh girl?"
Oh how badily i wanted to cry and yell at him all at the same time, yet all i did was nod my head. "You just need to show up earlier baka."
I saw in his eyes determination and the utter most concern. "Leave this bastard to me."
"No-o, i..i need to help you Bankotsu."
"Shiori. Please." Rather than the bark back comment he would usually say, Bankotsu's tone sounded pleading. He stepped in front of me without any further ado and took his stance to face Yokushin. "Ah so the hero has finally arrive."
"Im no hero Bastard." Bankotsu charged at Yokushin, whose hands were healed completey. My heart sank.
The greed demon pulled a scale from his arm and it transformed into a black blade. The two clashed swords, Bankotsu taking good swings at Yokushin and the same with him. Even though the two were greatly match, I had the strongest urge that Bankotsu was growing weaker. In a matter of a few blows, he was already starting to slow down on his assault.
I have to help him.
I cant just stand around.
I MUST help Bankotsu. A surge of power pulsed from Stealth crane. And in a blink it lit up in a light.
"The spirtual beam attack..."
During the moments when your urge to protect the ones dear to you, the spiritual beam attack with be summoned, defend yourself and you're partner Shiori.
"You don't need to tell me twice!"
The battle between the two had taken to the roof tops of the shrine. Yokushin had leaped up and Bankotsu chased after him. "Silly human." Bankotsu was unaware of Yokushins blade.
I felt it, the strong demon aura begining to from out of the dagger. For the first time that i was here, i feared for Bankotsu with my entire soul.
"No!" Yelling and swinging with the most might I could, a strong beam of light shot at Yokushin stopping his attempted attack.
Both of the men looked down on me, I looked at Yokushin with the same determination Bankostu had in his eyes. and Bankotsu stared at me in absolute awe.
"You forgot about me Yokushin, you mess with my partner you deal with me to!"
*******
CLIFF HANGERRRR! AND KAI AS YOKUSHIN!?
I hope you werent expecting that ;D So this chapter was pretty intense and the Bankotso POV was awkward to write at first because i was debating whether or not to put a small amount of lemon in it, but when i started typing it i became a giggling monster so i stopped. I cant write a lemon and i give it up to all those who can!
I want to put one in later chapters with Bankotsu and Shiori so wait for that! ;D
Fight scene is going to continue in the next chapter too (:
Review loves prettyy pleasee, and if i haven't told you all I LOVE YOU ALL! Its because of you that i live! Hahaha maybe a bit to dramatic but i do thank you times a million bijillion for reviewing :)
'Song to listen to'-
There's allot i would choose for this chapter but the one that summed the whole chapter up is
"Again" by Yui and "Prayer" by ACID. Those two are so prefect i swear i heard them playing in my head as i wrote :)
i love you all
with much love,
erika :)
