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 Fourteen:
A week later at sunrise Bankotsu grabbed her arm. She blinked and stared at him with her head titled slightly.
"Listen Naien, I think it would be best for both our sakes if we just let people think these wedding bands are real. This way guys leave you alone and I can protect you without bringing up too many questions."
'I know Renkotsu's betrayal has really shaken him up. Besides he has a valid point.' She nodded. "Okay then."
'At least she isn't asking anymore about it.' Bankotsu sighed as relief washed over him. "We're stopping at the next village for supplies. We need to get you fitted with proper armor and some decent weapons too."
Naien smiled. 'At least I'll have some form of protection actually on me.' She laid her hand on top of his. "Thank you."
He hefted Banryu over his shoulder and helped her to her feet. 'For once she isn't prying.'
She pulled her hand free of his. 'I'm not mad at him anymore, but I can't think of anything to say, that won't risk reminding him about his brother or what has happened since then.'
A companionable silence settled over them as they walked down the road side by side.
XOXOXO:
Hours later they came upon a thriving village.
Bankotsu blinked. 'I've heard this place has a reputable armor and weapons crafter.' He grabbed her hand and led her into the village. He smirked at the envious looks the men and women sent them.
He led her over to the armory. "Choose which armor you like best and we'll have it fitted to you properly." He waved his hand toward the small array.
Naien spotted some and pointed to it. "Would this one work?" She felt his hand squeeze hers lightly. 'I don't think it would be too heavy for me. But, I'm sure he would know better than I would.'
'Hm, looks like it's built like mine, but it should be light enough not to overburden her.' Inspecting the armor Bankotsu nodded. "Yes, that will work nicely."
She graced him with her most dazzling smile.
Once the purchase had been made Naien sported the armor within a few minutes. He reached over and latched it for her. "Thanks Bankotsu." She walked beside him.
"You're welcome," He replied. 'It fits her well and it matches mine, for the most part.'
He adapted his businesslike manner and he led her toward the sword smith. "Pick out your weapon. It's better to finish your training with something you're actually going to fight with."
Naien smiled. "I'll refer to your suggestion on this as I have no idea how to tell how well a weapon's been crafted."
A smirk crossed his lips "Trust me; these are the finest quality you'll find. Pick one out." He placed his hand on the small of her back and lightly pushed her towards the table.
Naien smiled and chose a set that would be easy to use. "I like these," she held them up, looking both over.
Bankotsu nodded. "Impressive. Now find a bow you like."
Spotting one that seemed smooth; Naien picked it up and handed it to him, waiting as he looked it over.
He carried the weapons to the merchant. "We will also have several quivers of the best arrows you have available." He paid for the weapons, their sheathes and an Obi to go around her waist. "Okay, let's go," He grabbed her hand and led her away.
"Thanks Bankotsu," she fell into step beside him. She braced her shoulders and smiled. 'At least now I can defend myself.' Her hand patted the katanas at her waist.
"You're welcome," he replied, admiring the dangerous look the weapons added to her already tempting appeal. 'Now she really looks hot.'
Naien grinned. "I'm certain I can defend myself now. After all, I had an incredible teacher." She bumped her hip against his.
"True," He bumped hers back, wearing a proud smirk. 'I have to admit she learns quickly. I don't take on students ever. But for some reason to know that she'll be using what I've taught her in the future makes me feel… accomplished.' His smirk widened. They walked away side by side with his free arm wrapped around her waist, as he sent a clear, 'she's mine' message to all the males staring at her.
Grateful for the comfort his arm was giving her, Naien smiled only having eyes for the man beside her. She could feel the men's intense stares and fought to suppress a shiver. 'With Bankotsu beside me I know I am safe.'
Bankotsu smiled down at the woman beside him and continued holding her waist a moment longer after they left sight of the village. 'I still have a lot to teach her, especially since even if the curse is broken; I'm not going to just let her leave.' His chest puffed out and he grinned. 'She's mine now and I'm not ever going to let a treasure like her get away.'
His hand held hers and his thumb stroked the top of her hand. 'I intend to live every day like it may be our last and I'm damn sure going to do everything in my power to make sure she wants for nothing.'
He'd spent the entire last week trying to decipher his feelings and finally been slapped with the stark realization that he'd grown somehow during their time together, to love Naien. He wasn't ready to tell her yet, but he'd finally admitted it to himself last night as he stayed up watching her sleep with the moonlight shimmering in her hair.
He'd fallen head over heels for the feisty vixen currently walking beside him as if she'd already grown used to his world. He mentally listed all the reasons he admired her. 'First, is her strength of character, then her beauty, inside and out. Her witty personality, her feisty spirit, the way she puts others feelings and needs before her own.'
His heart fluttered in his chest. 'Despite the hell she's lived through, there is no doubt she is a fighter, just like me. Her lack of fear around me and I can still go on.'
He smiled when he felt her hand squeeze his. 'Some day when she is ready I will make her my wife for real. I want no pretenses between us. Until that day, we will carry on as if we're already married.'
She was a true gift and he intended to keep her close to his heart and protect her from everything and everyone. She needed a strong man and that was one thing he absolutely was. 'Starting tonight I'm going to woo her. Flowers, gifts, mind blowing sex - the whole shebang.'
'I know she likes me, but I'm not sure if she loves me. However given enough time she will grow to love me.' He shook his head to clear his thoughts and focused on the path they were walking on.
Naien smiled at him and leaned her head against his shoulder, still keeping stride with him. He smiled and tilted her head up placing a chaste kiss on her lips. He wrapped his arm around her waist, smirking when he felt her move even closer to him. They continued walking that way a few minutes before he dropped his arm from her waist and held her hand.
Near dark he made sure they had a room in an inn for the night so he'd be able to sleep and make love to her.
They ate a hot meal and he led her to their room and blocked the door with Banryu. He slowly removed her weapons and armor and his armor.
She helped to undress him, moving her hands to the ties of his hakamas and kissing his chest as he removed his haori.
He began ever so slowly undressed her, teasing her the whole time. He kissed her skin as he bared it, lingering to rain kisses over each and every one of her scars, telling her how beautiful and strong she was.
When he finally had her nude he lifted her into his arms and placed her on their bed, kissing every inch of her body, teasing both of them.
After while she pushed him onto his back and did the same thing, kissing every inch of him.
When he was close to the end of his self control, he pushed her onto the bed and entered her.
She relished the care that he was showing her. After making passionate love together, they collapsed onto the bed and he pulled the sheet up over them.
The next morning they dressed, including armor and weapons and had breakfast before leaving the inn and continuing to journey together.
XOXOXO:
Two weeks laterBankotsu and Naien decided to break early for the day and set up a small hidden camp. They decided to go soak at the hot spring nearby since it'd been a few days since they'd soaked.
They made love in the spring with their weapons close at hand. Just after they climbed out of the steamy water and donned their clothes, armor and weapons, they heard a startled gasp.
Facing the direction the noise had come from Bankotsu's eyes widened. "Naien, get behind me!" He scowled at a clearly frightened Kagome and startled Sango.. "What do you want wench?"
"Wait," Naien slipped from behind Bankotsu to in front of him staring at the girls who'd both prepared to attack. She saw their eyes widen.
Bankotsu growled, "Naien, I said stay back!" He used one hand to push her protectively behind him.
Sango warily eyed Bankotsu. "Why are you protecting that woman?" Her hand tightened around Hiraikotsu.
Bankotsu snorted and his eyes narrowed into slits. "Like I would tell you! Where's mutt face?"
On cue Inuyasha crashed through the woods. "Bankotsu," He drew his sword. "Kagome, Sango, stay back."
Trying to avoid a needless fight Naien yelled loud and clear, "Freeze," She stepped up to stand beside Bankotsu.
Kagome startled as she recognized the phrase and watched everyone instantly obey as if a cop had yelled the command.
Inuyasha growled, "Bastard," His eyes flicked to the strange woman. "Don't worry girl I'll save you." He snarled at Bankotsu preparing to charge.
Kagome noticed the strange woman who'd somehow known a phrase from her time moving to intercept. "Sit boy!"
Startled Inuyasha plummeted face first into the dirt.
Bankotsu blinked and then bent over driving Banryu into the dirt in front of him. He burst out laughing at the sight before him so hard that tears clung to his thick lashes.
Naien stared at the young miko. "Thank you Kagome," She sheathed her sword in place on her hip with a firm click.
The Inutachi gasped in unison.
Miroku stepped forward. "Fair maiden, please tell us how it is that you know lady Kagome?"
Naien smiled. "I know who each of you are. For instance Miroku, you have a cursed hand that you blame your lecherous ways on when groping women."
She eyed the female warrior. "Sango, you're one of the last surviving demon slayers and have a younger brother named Kohaku, who's currently being controlled by a vile demon named Naraku."
Sango's eyes widened. 'How does she know?'
The woman faced the hanyou. "Inuyasha, you're mother was a lady named Izayoi."
She turned to the youngest group member. "Kagome, you're from the same time period as me." She finished with a smirk at their shocked faces.
Bankotsu whirled around and grit his teeth. "That's enough Naien," he sent her a stern glare, signaling for her to shut up before she revealed anything else.
She obediently nodded and stood at his side.
Inuyasha shoved himself out of his hole and barked out. "Who the hell are you and how do you know all of this?" glaring from the strange woman to the mercenary.
Naien looked at Bankotsu."
He huffed and grabbed Banryu's hilt. "All you need to know hanyou is that she was thrown into our time and she is my wife."
The Inutachi's eyes widened and the women gasped. Miroku and Inuyasha's jaws dropped in momentary shock at Bankotsu's claim.
Kagome was the first to speak. "W… wife?" She stared at the ruthless legendary killer as if he'd suddenly grown four heads.
Bankotsu repeated seriously, "Hai, my wife," turning to Naien with his arms crossed over his chest. "And you've already revealed enough," His eyes narrowed at her for giving away too much information already.
Naien sighed and nodded, signaling she'd leave the rest of the explanations up to him.
He sighed and yanked his Banryu free from the earth, resting it against his shoulder.
Inuyasha snorted derisively. "Since when do you care about others?" Amber eyes narrowed at the zombie.
Naien's eyes lit with flames of her temper and her hand went to her waist on her sheathe. "Shut your trap mutt or I'll shut it for you. You know nothing about him
!"
Bankotsu moved over and forced her hand to release the sheathe. "Naien, that's enough!"
Clenching her jaw and biting the inside of her cheek, she obeyed dropping her empty hand away from her waist.
Bankotsu turned to Kagome. "Miko, take your friends and leave while you still can."
Naien stared into Bankotsu's eyes. "Wait a minute Bankotsu, we should ask if they know anything on the whereabouts of Naraku first."
Bankotsu stared at the miko and planted his free hand on his hip. "Well?"
Miroku jangled his staff drawing the mercenary's attention to himself. "Wait a minute; wouldn't you know that since you work for him?"
Bankotsu's eyes narrowed and his voice dripped with venom. "Not anymore I don't! I intend to kill that bastard."
Inuyasha barked, "What the hell does that mean?" Noticing there were people missing, Inuyasha scratched the side of his head. "Where are the monk and Jakotsu?"
Bankotsu growled. "Jakotsu's dead and so is that treacherous bastard Renkotsu! I'm going to kill Naraku personally for killing my brother." He spun on his heel ready to walk off.
Sango stepped forward. "Looks like we all have something in common then."
Bankotsu spun around pinning her with a hateful stare. "Like what Ninja?"
Kagome stared at him calmly and spoke. "Naraku killed her village, Inuyasha's first love, and cursed Miroku's family. Now you said he killed Jakotsu?"
Naien placed her hand on his tense arm. "They have a point Bankotsu. Each of us has reasons for wanting him dead. Maybe…"
Bankotsu glared at her hand and then into her eyes. "Maybe what?"
Naien took a deep breath. "Maybe, we should join forces and take him out together?" She flinched and covered her ears when Bankotsu and Inuyasha both vehemently protested the idea.
She shrugged mumbling, "It was just a thought," before sitting down.
Miroku spoke up. "It would make more sense." He blinked and stared at the woman. 'How the hell did a guy like Bankotsu end up with a babe like her?'
Sango added her opinion. "It would make us a stronger group." She shifted her feet to better distribute the large weapon's weight.
Turning to the two obstinent males, Naien said spoke. "You two have already seen firsthand that each of you is a worthy opponent. Why not make it allies to defeat a common foe?" She watched their jaws tighten and stared at the ground sighing.
Pissed that she would even suggest such a ludicrous idea, Bankotsu stomped on a bug and crushed it under his foot. "There's no way the half breed and I could stand to work together!"
Inuyasha snorted. "No fucking way in hell!"
Naien rubbed her temples. "If the whole alpha thing is the problem, why not leave each to lead his own group and try to cooperate?"
Staring at the groups, she added, "You know damn well that all of us would have a better chance at success if we did. We'd have more and stronger fighters." They nodded. She turned back to Bankotsu and Inuyasha. "You two as a team would be unbeatable."
Bankotsu frowned at his woman. "You've really thought this through, haven't you?"
She sighed. "Yes I have it's a strategy I was intending for my next - "
Bankotsu held up his hand signaling for her to stop and she obediently fell silent.
The discussion continued and the groups weighed all the pros and cons.
Bankotsu sat beside Naien and addressed the others. "If we do this, we do it like she suggested." His eyes drilled into Inuyasha's. "You lead your group, I lead mine and we combine our strength. The two teams work together and my wife stays by me at all times - no exceptions!"
He stared at each member a moment before going back to Inuyasha. "After we're finished killing Naraku, we go our separate ways." His tone brokered no arguments.
Naien smiled and kissed his cheek.
Bankotsu smirked.
"Inuyasha," Kagome placed a hand on her hanyou's shoulder.
After a tense silent minute, Inuyasha sighed heavily. "Fine, we'll give it a shot," He sheathed his sword.
Miroku, Sango, and Kagome grinned triumphantly.
Naien sighed in relief and began massaging her temples again, trying to head off her oncoming migraine.
Kagome noticed and delved into her bag, pulling out a bottle of Tylenol. She walked over and handed Naien the bottle. "This should help."
Naien cracked her eyes opened and stared at the bottle. She smiled. "Thanks," She popped two into her mouth and took a gulp from her canteen, before handing the bottle back to Kagome.
Bankotsu stared at his woman, concerned for her well being. "What were those?"
"It's just medicine Bankotsu. She must have noticed I had a headache building," Naien took another drink and capped her canteen.
Bankotsu nodded. 'Naien isn't a fool so if she says its okay I guess its okay.'
Kagome sat back over by Inuyasha and smiled. "For someone from our time, you seem to have adjusted rather well." She pointed to Naien's attire.
Naien smirked. "You learn to adapt quickly to all situations as they arise," She leaned her head against Bankotsu's shoulder.
He smiled and wrapped an arm around her, placing her to sit in front of him.
She sighed in bliss and leaned back into his warmth.
Bankotsu placed a kiss on top of her head, before remembering they had an audience. He cleared his throat. "So Inuyasha, what's your plan?"
We need to find shelter first, being out in the open isn't going to be good for any of us." He clenched his jaw. 'I'm not keen on Bankotsu knowing my most valued secret, but it doesn't look like I'll have a choice now.'
Kagome gasped. "Oh no, it's tonight?" Her eyes widened. 'I can't believe I forgot about that.'
'This new alliance sure chose a bad day to form.' Inuyasha growled, "That's why I didn't sense Bankotsu was in the area."
Bankotsu blinked feeling left out of the loop. "What's tonight?"
Naien sighed. "Damn, I'd forgotten that part. Bankotsu - " she stopped figuring he was going to see for himself now as the sun sank from the sky and Inuyasha lost his demonic powers.
Bankotsu stared with wide eyes as Inuyasha reverted to human form. 'Wait what just happened?'
Naien sucked in a sharp breath as she saw for herself how fearsome even as a human Inuyasha looked.
Miroku and Sango sat around the fire.
Inuyasha and Kagome sat over on top of a hill not far away.
Bankotsu led Naien over to a field of flowers and pulled her to sit between his legs, after placing Banryu beside the stone he was using as a back rest.
'I know deep down that Bankotsu has warmed up to me and is starting to genuinely care about me. I feel the difference in his touches and how he holds me now.' Naien leaned back into his arms and sighed, feeling completely safe.
Each of the couples sat staring at the stars and talking amongst themselves.
Bankotsu's teeth ground as he tried to reconcile himself.
Knowing something was bugging him big time, Naien turned around to face Bankotsu. "What is it?"
Bankotsu stared at her with turmoil in his normally clear eyes. "I just don't like the fact that we've allied with my brother's killers."
'He's probably going to bite my head off, but here goes.' She spoke softly. "Technically Inuyasha and the others never killed any of them."
His shoulders tensed and he hissed, "What the hell are you talking about?"
Naien used a finger to trace his chin. "Think about it a minute." She stared into his eyes. "Koga killed Kyokotsu. Ginkotsu sacrificed himself during a battle with Koga to save Renkotsu." She took a deep breath. "Sesshomaru was actually the one who killed Mukotsu." She stopped to make sure that he was listening.
Her hand tenderly cupped his face. "Suikotsu died while fighting Sesshomaru, although Kikyo was the one who shot the arrow that went into his neck. And - " her eyes closed and she breathed through the ache inside her heart.
He demanded, "And what?" staring at her.
She sighed, "Jakotsu flung his sword to get that shard," she finished sadly.
'Damn her, she just had to bring him up.' His jaw clenched.
Naien sighed. "I'll just shut up now," She scooted a few feet away leaving him alone to think a while. She stared up at the stars.
Bankotsu sat there turning over everything she'd said. 'As much as I hate to admit it, Naien has a point.'
He looked over and saw her staring up at the sky. He reached out pulling her back over to his lap and sighed. "You're right, Inuyasha and his group didn't kill my brothers I still hate that damned half breed, but he didn't kill them."
Naien kissed his cheek and whispered. "Does knowing that make it easier to accept working with him?" She sat up. "If Naraku hadn't tricked you into fighting his enemies, using you and your men as a shield for him, they would likely have lived longer."
Sensing his self anger she slapped his chest and scolded firmly, "And don't you go blaming yourself either. Leading your group is one thing you've never done wrong."
He smiled wryly. "You always seem to know what I'm thinking, don't you?" His thumb stroked her cheek.
Naien chuckled. "Not what you're thinking, just what you're feeling, it's a gift I guess." She shrugged before adjusting so she could nuzzle into his arms. She laid her head against his chest.
He smiled and held her close watching as she faded off to sleep. He sat there staring at the stars and thought over everything they had discussed. 'I will kill Naraku personally.' He leaned his head back against the rock and closed his eyes, trying to clear his mind. He focused on the feeling of Naien in his arms. He allowed the peaceful night symphony to relax him and kissed the top of her head.
Around midnight a faint blue mist surrounding the drowsy Bankotsu and Naien and they both fell into a deep slumber.
Midoriko appeared and chanted another spell, kissing both their foreheads. She carefully removed Bankotsu's jewel shards and closed the wounds.
She disappeared and reappeared by Kagome unseen. Her voice was a soft whisper. "Guard these well, child," She secretly added the shards to Kagome's pack before disappearing into thin air as mysteriously as she'd come.
A/N that's chapter fourteen, enjoy everyone: D