Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Inuyasha Characters, they belong to Rumiko Takahasi. I'm merely using them for my own twisted enjoyment. I do however, own all Original Characters, this plot line, and all the fan fics referenced in this story. :D
Chapter Six:
The next morning Bankotsu woke his men and the group set off.
Naien walked in step with Bankotsu.
Jakotsu was on his other side, and Renkotsu was on Jakotsu's other side.
When they came across a castle the mercenary's eyes gleamed with malice. "Listen up, we're going to take that castle and hold up there for a while. Jakotsu, go to it. Renkotsu, I want the castle un-scorched, otherwise enjoy yourself!" Facing Naien, he ordered, "Climb onto my back and hold on tight. If it bothers you, just close your eyes."
Realizing that he intended to go on a killing spree she paled.
Bankotsu scowled and snapped, "Get on my back and hold tight - now!"
Naien jumped to obey him and climbed onto his back, securing her hands on his shoulders and locking her knees to his waist. Her powerful thighs burned as she held with all the strength they possessed.
Bankotsu gripped Banryu and began running down the hill swiftly. The weight of the petite woman on his back was almost nothing, so he almost forgot she was even there. He laughed maniacally as he lowered Banryu, destroying a group of guards.
She cringed and tried to block out the screams and the heavy scent of blood permeating the air.
Jakotsu danced around flinging his sword and slicing all the men one by one, relishing his time with each of his precious victims.
Renkotsu spat flames and watched sadistically as the people burned.
When it was all said and done Bankotsu ordered, "Get the blood cleaned up and drag the bodies outside - dispose of them. I don't want them decaying and stinking up the joint."
Finally unable to hang on any longer Naien slipped off and landed on her backside.
'I forgot she was there.' Bankotsu looked at her and asked, "What's your problem?"
Naien glared at him weakly before falling forward and heaving. The scent of death and blood had overpowered her and she couldn't hold back anymore.
Bankotsu rolled his eyes at her and then snapped at his men, "What are you waiting for? Get to it!"
Jakotsu and Renkotsu stomped off to do as they'd been ordered. Judging by their grumbling neither was happy about clean up duty, but it was obvious the wench couldn't do it.
Bankotsu stood clear of her projectile path and sighed. "I should have known you'd be the type unable to handle a little blood." His face scrunched up at how weak she was being.
She sat there with her head on her knees for a few minutes, breathing deeply. At his comment Naien wiped her mouth and glared at him. "That is not a 'little blood' that is a fucking massacre!" Her nostrils flared with every other word.
Bankotsu smirked. "It's what we do, you'll get used to it girl." He stared into her eyes, noticing the flames that danced there. 'I love the way her eyes look right now.'
Naien spat back, "I doubt I'll ever 'get used to it'. Those horrible screams will likely be in my mind for many years to come. Those people never stood a chance. Beside Mr. hot shit, this is the first time I've actually been around such brutal killing, okay?" She spun around turning her back to him, trying in vain to drown out the screams.
Bankotsu's eyes softened as he sighed. 'Well damn,' he thought staring at the pale woman who was screaming for the voices to. "Shut up and go away," as she dropped to her knees crying and hugging herself. Taking pity on the girl he stood before her and pulled her into his arms.
Her spine stiffened and her head shot up to stare at him, begging him with her eyes to make the screams stop. Bankotsu leaned over beside her ear and whispered gently, "Let's go for a walk, it'll help." Pulling back to run the back of his hand over her wet cheek in a tender caress.
She nodded and tried to stand up. Her knees were shaking uncontrollably.
Bankotsu strapped Banryu across his back and gently scooped her into his arms, cradling her to his chest.
Tears streamed down her pale face as she feverishly begged for the screams to stop.
Bankotsu shook his head and continued walking out into the fresh air. Once they reached the terrace he placed her on her feet."Breath Naien, it'll help calm your stomach."
Realizing she was on her feet Naien inhaled the fresh air and closed her eyes, sinking to her knees in relief. She'd been given one helluva shock and would take a while to calm from it.
Bankotsu watched as she began to calm down. He stood leaning against the wall and watched the woman sink to her knees, before taking another deep breath of the clean air.
'For a first timer she is holding up remarkably well.' He remembered his first time witnessing a murder and that it had scared yet intrigued him. He remembered his first kill too. The rush of power of finally ending his tormentor's life. It had made him feel incredible to destroy the one person who'd made he and his brother's lives hell. He'd been overjoyed that the torture was at an end and he vowed then and there to never be in that position again, nor to allow anyone to put his brother through that again. He'd become stronger as he and Jakotsu had begun traveling the lands. After killing his first demon, he'd decided it was time to look into getting a stronger weapon. No lousy sword for him, nope it needed to be something to match him in strength and in character.
He'd learned of an old sword smith who for the right price would customize the weapon, to its intended owner. He'd tracked down the craftsman and managed to persuade him, after much reluctance and using his physical prowess, to make Banryu and Jakotsuou for him and his brother. After that he'd had newer and stronger armor crafted, than thanked the crafter and chopped off his head. He didn't want such talents available for any others. He intended his and his brother's weapons to remain one of a kind. Once the crafter had served his purpose Bankotsu had no quarrels with killing him. Shaking his head he brought himself out of his revere.
His thoughts returned to the woman before him who was simply staring up at the stars. He'd become interested in her, which could become a bad thing. Since the first woman he'd taken interest in had been the one who'd ultimately destroyed he and his brother's semblance of peace, he'd vowed never to let a woman that close to him again. After killing her he'd finally felt free for the first time.
Jakotsu's aversion to women was understandable considering what a piece of work she'd been. She'd played him for an utter fool and it wasn't until she'd hurt Jakotsu, that Bankotsu's eyes had finally been opened. Gone were the rose colored glasses and they were replaced with a rage like he'd never known before. He'd killed her and saved Jaky. To this day his only regret was not seeing sooner what she'd been doing to them.
This woman however was managing to make Bankotsu yearn for things that he'd vowed to forget. From the day he'd killed their tormentor on he'd viewed women as simply a means to pleasure men. The only thing a woman was good for was sex in his book. Jakotsu cooked better than women anyways so he'd never allowed any woman to accompany their group.
Now here he was bound through a curse to another woman. She was strange though, not like the other women he'd known. He could only wonder what had happened to change her though. She wasn't frightened by him like the others, and even when fear was in her eyes, she fought to control it. This both intrigued and confounded him, making him want to learn why. That was dangerous. It proved that she was getting too close. Bankotsu never cared what women felt nor why as long as he got his pleasure. Yet here he was puzzling over the way Naien acted.
He scowled. 'I need to be stricter with her or the other two will start asking questions which I have no intention of having to answer.' Mind made up he pushed off the wall and stormed over to her. "You've been out here long enough. It's time to go back inside."
Before he could yank her to her feet she knocked him back. "Stay back!" She moved to her feet. Staring at him she said in a sad voice, "Keep away from me. I can get up on my own." She didn't want him touching her right now.
He blinked and responded in a gruff voice, "Whatever, let's go. You have work to do," He turned to walk inside expecting her to follow.
Her jaw clenched and she straightened her spine before storming past him.
Shaking his head, he followed after her. "You will scrub these floors until they are spotless," He shoved a pan of water and a rag at her.
Rolling her eyes she snatched the rag and went to her knees, grinding her teeth as she began scrubbing the floor. Whenever nausea threatened, she fought back and held it at bay; determined not to show anymore weakness in front of him. Spell or not if she pissed him off too much, he'd kill her too. She held no delusions in that department. She knew her uses and they were few.
A/N That's chapter six, now onto the next one.