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
Here is the list of terms:
Smaragdine: emerald green
Albicant: whitish; becoming white
Azuline: blue
Azure: light or sky blue; the heraldic color blue
Bruneous: dark brown
Cerulean: sky-blue; dark blue; sea-green
Rubiginous: rusty-colored
Melanic
black; very dark
XOXOXO:
Chapter seventeen:
A few hours later Bankotsu woke to the feeling of soft curves molded against his body He opened his eyes and stared at the still sleeping woman in his arms. Her warm breathe almost tickled his bare chest. He absentmindedly ran his hand down her smooth back as his mind vividly replayed their frenzied lovemaking.
His passion hazed mind cleared as the sound of rushing water slowly entered his senses. Knowing Naien like he did, she'd want a bath the minute she woke up. He pictured the water droplets rolling down her breasts and stomach and smirked. 'Sounds like a plan to me.' He gently moved out from under her and gathered their clothes, before scooping her sleeping form into his arms and walking over to the river.
He gently laid down their belongings and carried her into the water, rousing her by shaking her shoulder. "I figured you would want to clean up before we ate."
His lips brushed a tender kiss over her forehead, before he lowered the waking woman into the clear water. She yawned and thanked him, before scrubbing herself clean from the dirt and grime as well as their combined mess.
Bankotsu quickly bathed himself and then exited the water, helping her out first. They dressed and donned their armor and weapons, before returning to their camp.
Naien stretched her arms over her head. "How long was I asleep for?"
Bankotsu chuckled pointing to the now fading sun. "We slept a few hours, judging by the sun's position." He reached up pulling his melanic silky locks into a tight braid.
Her rubiginous eyes widened. "You really must have worn me out this time." She lightly slapped his test and giggled. 'He usually does though after our more zealous sessions.'
He smirked. "So did you." He squatted before the fire and removed some meat to cool and passed it to her.
She knelt beside him accepting the meat and kissed his cheek.
He sat back pulling off his own meal and watched her savoring the meat. His mind replayed their conversation from earlier. He said firmly, "You're not alone anymore Naien. You have me now." He sank his teeth into his roasted veal.
Naien placed her food aside and knelt before him cupping his face gently between her palms. She stared deep into the sapphire gaze she loved so much. "You're not alone either Bankotsu. You have me now. I love you and I want to make you happy… if you'll accept me that is," her eyes lowered to the ground.
Bankotsu set his own food aside and pulled her face to his. "I accepted you a long time ago Naien. I love you and only you." He bent his head and captured her lips in a kiss. He wasn't a gentle man by any stretch of the imagination, but he knew how to be tender and he was determined to show her that.
He fought his instinctive urge to crush her to his chest and instead circled his arms around her tiny frame. She melted against him deepening the kiss. He lapped around her mouth one more time before pulling back and placing her to sit at his side. He handed her some more food and they smiled at each other before eating in silence.
'After the way I hurt her, how can I convince her that my feelings are real?' He finished eating his dinner and frowned. 'She sure does stare at the stars a lot.' Slipping behind her his baritone boomed. "What's so interesting about up there?" He moved to rest his chin lightly on her shoulder.
Naien smiled leaning back into his warm embrace. "I was just remembering when I was younger. Mama took me to the country so we could gaze at the stars together. Where we lived, buildings cluttered the sky and you couldn't see the stars at night."
His grip around her tightened slightly. "I wouldn't have been able to stand it. I love seeing the stars at night. They help guide travelers like me."
She nuzzled her cheek against his. "I couldn't stand it either. But since mama died, I haven't had the time to go on trips. When I had to take time off work because of… "She bit her lip and inhaled a deep breath before continuing softly. "Needing to heal… I went crazy worrying about the bills." She ended with a wry smile.
Bankotsu hugged her back to his chest. His tone was firm and full of resolve. "I'll take care of you Naien. I won't let anyone hurt you again, ever."
She turned in his arms and gave him a heat warming smile. "I know Bankotsu, I trust you."
He grinned and pulled her into his lap. She turned completely to face him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "We both know you're not a gentle man, but you can be tender."
She kissed his jaw. "I love you and accept you just the way you are Bankotsu. You're dominant nature doesn't scare me because I know you'd never hurt me," continuing to place sweet kisses along his rugged jaw.
He closed his eyes and let himself drown in her tender kisses. "Naien," he whispered before pulling her to his chest and crashing his mouth on hers, demanding entrance with his probing tongue.
She complied and opened her mouth to him meeting his tongue with her own. She loved this about him; he didn't have to be gentle with her for her to know the depth of his feelings. He was rough most times, but there was always love pouring through. She was thrilled that he didn't treat her like some porcelain doll that would break; she wanted him wild and untamed.
Bankotsu picked her up and carried her back to their bed furs, laying her on the ground and broke the kiss. Both panting for air they laid in each other's arms; savoring their time together.
She rested her head against his chest and allowed the strong rhythm of his heart beat to lull her to sleep.
Bankotsu stroked her rubiginous brown hair, soothing himself, before following her into a dreamless bliss.
XOXOXO:
The next morningShippo grew bored of playing with his toys and decided to go look for the strange woman who'd attached herself to the fearsome mercenary. 'In the short time I've know her, she seems really nice.'
He chewed his bottom lip and his eyes darted from the area he knew they were sitting back to Miroku and Sango. 'I'm still not sure if I trust Bankotsu… He's scary. But I want to know a little more about the woman who claims she came from Kagome's time.'
He slowly made his way to where Bankotsu said they'd be waiting and found the brown haired woman awake and starting a fire.
'At least he's still asleep.' Shippo breathed a sigh of relief as his emerald eyes settled on the sleeping form of the mercenary.
Naien spotted the little tyke and sent a welcoming smile.
Shippo smiled and blushed. "Um, I wanted to come visit… if that's okay with you?" His smaragdine eyes practically pleaded with her to let him stay.
Naien smiled at the kit. "Of course it is. You must miss Kagome, eh?"
Shippo nodded and sat beside her on the ground. "I can help you dig the pit if you want?"
Naien smiled. "Thanks that would be nice."
Shippo smiled and began working on clearing out the dirt and setting rocks around the hole.
Naien smiled at the young kit. 'The doctors made it clear that I may never be able to have kids.' Sadness entered her eyes before she blinked it away.
Shippo happily chattered away, unaware of the female's brief sadness.
Naien dutifully nodded and conversed with the kit enjoying having a little one around, even if it was temporary.
Bankotsu's azuline eyes shot open as he intentionally took in his surroundings. Lifting his head his gaze settled on his woman sitting beside the fire and talking to the miko's kit. He stood to his feet and quietly walked up behind Naien, enveloping her in a hug. He yawned. "Hey kit, what brings you here?"
Naien startled at the arms around her, once she realized who it was she smiled and leaned into his chest. "Shippo here was keeping me company while you slept. It seems that he really misses Kagome." She smiled fondly at the little tyke.
Green eyes wide with shock and his heart pounded in fear. Realizing the fearsome warrior wasn't going to harm him Shippo calmed down. "Y…yeah, she's really like a mother to me." He gave her a small smile.
Bankotsu blinked and tilted his head to one side. "Why would a priestess bother worrying about a demon child?"
Naien chuckled. "Because that miko is one of a kind, her heart's very big. He may be a demon child, but he's still a child." She adjusted to stare into Bankotsu's eyes. "Would you expect me to just abandon a child?"
Bankotsu snorted contemptuously. "Of course not, but that doesn't explain the miko."
Shippo smiled proudly and stared up at the warrior. "Kagome is nothing like other priestesses! She's kind and cares about others more than herself. She sits Inuyasha all the time for picking on me." His tiny chest puffed out.
Remembering the mutt's face when he plummeted to the ground at the feisty miko's command, a deep barreled rumble burst from Bankotsu's chest. After a minute he calmed down grinning like an errant boy who'd just tugged a girl's pig tails. "That was priceless."
Shippo smiled up at the warrior, who didn't seem quite so scary at the moment. "It is amusing, ne?"
Naien's lips formed a grin. "Yeah, especially when she sits him repeatedly because he's too stupid to know when to shut his mouth," She chuckled.
Shippo fell back laughing and clutching his stomach, "Or when Miroku ends up catching Sango's Hiraikotsu upside the head for grabbing her butt, or flirting with other woman."
Bankotsu joined the kit's laughing fit.
"Yep they can be some rather formidable women when they're angry." Naien smirked. "Then again, so can I."
Bankotsu smirked and pulled Naien to him for an intense kiss, which she gladly returned.
'Ew, why do adults do that so much?' Shippo rolled his eyes and shook his head. 'At least his hands are staying off her butt.'
When the twosome broke the kiss the kit cleared his throat. "So um Bankotsu, can I stay here with you two until Kagome returns?" He shifted in his spot. 'Please say yes.'
Bankotsu blinked taken by surprise and looked at Naien who simply smiled. Bankotsu shrugged. "Sure kid as long as you behave," He left to catch some fish from the river a few feet away.
Naien shot him a grateful smile as he ambled toward the river.
Shippo clapped his hands and pumped a fist into the air. "Thanks," He returned his attention to Naien, who smiled down at him. Shippo's eyes shined up at her. 'Somehow she's managed to make even Bankotsu soften his callous manner a little.'
Naien smiled at the kit. "So what brings you over here, Shippo?" She passed him a tiny rock to play with. 'Why is the kit so interested in Bankotsu and I?'
Shippo frowned at the rock in his hand. "Miroku and Sango were having one of their usual spats and I didn't want to hear it. Plus Inuyasha ran off again." He lowered his eyes to the ground and slouched his shoulders.
Naien's soft hand settled on the tyke's head. "It's okay Shippo, we don't mind," They smiled at each other.
Bankotsu carried some fish over. "Long as you behave, it's all good." He stared down into smaragdine eyes. Shippo nodded he understood and Bankotsu reached down tousling the kit's orange hair playfully.
Shippo jumped into Naien's lap and hugged her shocking all three of them.
Bankotsu chuckled and set up the fish to smoke before pulling Naien up into his arms and swinging her around. They began wrestling on the ground. Shippo joined in. The trio played for about half an hour before they remembered the fish.
'He really would make a good father.' Naien sighed and wistfully watched Bankotsu and the kit wrestling. Her eyes dimmed. 'If he stays with me though he will never get a chance to be one.' Her hand fell to her flat stomach and she blew out a long sigh with tears stinging her eyes.
"You little squirt." Bankotsu laughed and gently pushed the kit off his back. He walked over to check the fish. "Naien, it's time eat."
She quickly shook off her dismal thoughts and painted a smile on her face as she walked over to him.
XOXOXO:
Kagome returned from school and went straight to her room to continue cramming for her math final tomorrow.
Mrs. Higurashi carried a plate of dinner up to her room when it was done and left some tea with the food on Kagome's desk. Kagome hugged her mother. "Thanks mom," She turned her attention back to her studies.
Mrs. Higaurashi quietly left the room and went to pack Kagome's things for her return trip to the Feudal Era tomorrow after her test. The older woman carefully packed away the items her daughter's friend had requested, taking care that the plant was unharmed. 'I hope Shippo will like his little treat.' She added some pocky and a bag of lollipops.
Once the bag was fully stocked with fresh medical supplies and everything else, she set the bag aside and went to turn in for the night.
Kagome ate her food and continued cramming till the wee hours of the morning, when she dozed off on her desk.
XOXOXO:
The Next morning Kagome was roused by her mom and left in a hurry, grabbing her backpack and a quick breakfast on her way out of the door. She hurriedly made it to school just in time to make it to her first class.
After school she made it home and took a quick shower, before kissing her mom on the cheek, and grabbing her bag. "You got everything on her list right mom?" She double checked.
Mrs. Higurashi nodded. "Of course dear and do tell your new friend I said hello."
Kagome smiled. "Thanks mom and I will." She hefted the bag onto her back before taking the containers of waiting food from her mom.
Mrs. Higurashi smiled. "I added extra boxes since you said Naien and her friend were traveling with you now."
"Thanks mom," Kagome smiled giving her another quick hug before slipping her shoes on and running over to the well house.
Taking a deep breath Kagome jumped into the well.
XOXOXO:
In the feudal era Kagome popped out of the well and was greeted by Sango and Miroku. She noticed both Inuyasha and Shippo weren't around. "Where are Inuyasha and Shippo?"
A few minutes later Inuyasha showed up. "What kept you so long, Kagome?"
Smelling Kagome's scent Shippo jumped up and down and then ran off toward the well. "She's back!"
"Kagome made it back," Naien cracked a smile and walked toward Bankotsu, who was currently scrubbing his hands clean from his recent job of skinning rabbits for their lunch. "Maybe we should stay here one more night and set off first thing in the morning?"
Bankotsu shrugged and continued cleaning the blood from his hands.
Sango walked up. "Kagome has returned and the others will be here soon." She sat beside the fire.
Bankotsu frowned but nodded.
Naien moved her soft lips over to his ear and whispered a sensual purr. "It's okay; we can always slip off together later."
Bankotsu smirked at her and they walked back over to the fire holding hands.
Sango smiled as she saw them approaching. 'With his wife around Bankotsu seems almost human.'
Kagome and the others walked over.
Shippo happily sucked on his lollipop, while hanging off of Kagome's small shoulder.
Kagome smiled and sat beside Sango. "We figured it'd be better to stay together for tonight and then all of us could head off first thing in the morning."
"Whatever," Bankotsu shrugged. He and Naien sat on their blankets.
Kagome smiled and pulled out the food her mother had made for everyone. She began passing black boxes around. Standing she carried two over to Naien and Bankotsu. "Mama always makes food for everyone. This time she added extra for the two of you." She passed them the food and walked away smiling.
Naien opened her box and inhaled the savory aromas.
Bankotsu followed suit.
Everyone ate enjoying the meal and told Kagome to thank her mother. She nodded and approached Naien. "Mama got everything on your list and included an extra first aid kit." She passed the things to Naien with a friendly smile.
"Thank you." Naien opened her bag, carefully placing everything inside. She showed Bankotsu the plant. "This is to go with us. It's a powerful healing plant. I'll leave a piece with Kaede and let her tend to it, but the main plant goes with us."
Frowning he nodded. Tearing off a piece, she handed it to Kagome. "Give this to Kaede. Tell her it is a powerful healing plant from our time."
Once Kagome returned they finished stewing up the rabbits and doled out the stew. After everyone finished getting full the Inutachi bed down for the night.
Bankotsu and Naien stayed up staring at the stars together waiting for everyone to fall asleep. Once the others were asleep and Inuyasha took off again Naien and Bankotsu slipped off together.
"Now keep your eyes closed. " He instructed wanting to surprise her.
Naien smiled but kept her eyes closed trusting him to keep her from stumbling. Once they reached his surprise, he pulled her into his arms. He bent to the side picking up something. "Okay, you can open them," he held the item in front of her face.
Naien gasped. "Bankotsu, it's gorgeous," She carefully held the rose he'd given to her.
He swept his hand at their surroundings. "It's not half as exciting as you are." Naien inhaled sharply.
Her eyes took in the luscious field of flowers around them. "Oh Ban its beautiful."
He bent to brush his lips over hers and repeated, "This place pales in comparison to you." He tugged her hand so she'd follow him.
In the middle of the field lay a spot that had been cleared of any flowers or thorns with their bed furs laid out and a soft glow from the moonlight shinning down on top of them.
Naien held her breath as he led her over to their blankets. He slowly unlatched his armor and hers after placing their weapons aside. She smiled when she felt him tugging impatiently on the ties of her haori.
Wrapping her arms around his neck she kissed his mouth hungrily. "Thank you for bringing me here."
He kissed her back and disrobed her before pushing her to lie on their furs and stretching out beside her.
His lips brushed butterfly kisses all over her body. She moaned feeling familiar sensations spreading out through her core. When soft mewls spilled from her lips, he bent his head to feast on her throbbing sex. She inhaled sharply at the feelings flooding her body.
Bankotsu's lips traveled her body. He thoroughly enjoyed every sound she made. He loved that he caused her to react like this. When she climaxed he licked her clean drinking her in. He sat up and rid himself of his shirt and pants before stretching out beside her with them both on their sides. Using one hand to knead her breast, his other hand rubbed his engorged tip against her nether lips. "I love how wet you get." He bucked his hips and slowly entered her from behind. One he was fully seated inside her he pulled back so just the tip was in her and then plunged forward. After a while he felt her inner muscles sucking him deeper and his pace increased.
She bucked back against him and her hand squeezed his. "I love how you completely fill me."
Tenderness was quickly replaced with a driving need to claim her in the most primal way. Their bodies danced together in a rapid flow of need and love. Sweat glistened on their bodies adding a magical feel to the wonderful night. As they both went plummeting over the edge into sheer bliss they hoarsely cried out each other's names.
Once they finished he carried her to the river and they washed, before returning to their blankets and cuddling under the stars. One of her hands drew small circles all over his abs. One of his hands caressed her side and hip and the other one would occasionally grab her wandering hand and bring it to his lips. He'd place a kiss on her knuckles and release her hand again.
While the stars shinned down on the two lovers they talked about their pasts and what they wanted for their future. Hours later Bankotsu watched Naien fall asleep in his arms, enjoying how the pale moonlight heightened the glow to her soft skin. Once she was fully asleep he slipped out of her arms and carefully dressed her, before dressing himself.
He didn't want any passersby seeing his woman naked. She was his and he refused to share her beauty with the rest of the world. Her gloriously naked flesh was for his eyes only.
Once they were dressed he donned his armor and lay beside her with one arm around her generous hips and the other firmly on his Banryu's handle.
A/N there's chapter seventeen, enjoy: D