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

List of terms:

Virid: green

Sulphureous: bright yellow

Niveous: snowy; white

Sable: black; dark; of a black color in heraldry

Nacarat: bright orange-red

Atrous: jet black

Ultramarine: deep blue

Infuscate: clouded or tinged with brown; obscured; cloudy brown color

Mazarine: rich blue or reddish-blue color

XOXOXO:

Chapter nineteen:

The next morning Inuyasha woke up Kagome an hour before sunrise. After eating her fill of nuts and berries and rolling up her virid sleeping bag, she stuffed it into her sulphureous back pack.

She climbed onto Inuyasha's back. Once she was firmly settled she nodded her head and Inuyasha took off running with his niveous hair fluttering in the wind, joined by her sable hair.

XOXOXO

Sango and Miroku woke up just as the sun began rising. They made a quick breakfast of nuts and berries and packed up their small camp.

Shippo was as full of energy as always. Hisnacarat hair bounced as he jumped up and down in excitement before they climbed onto the now transformed Kirara's back and she flew off into the air.

XOXOXO:

An hour before sunrise Naien woke to the aroma of smoking fish.

Bankotsu, who had woken shortly before her, had already caught their breakfast and was sitting by the fire, smoking the trout.

She stretched and stood up walking over to him. Bending down she gently brushed some of hisatrous silky locks back and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek. She greeted him in a voice thick with sleep. "Morning lover."

His ultramarine eyes shined with happiness as he reached up and dropped her into his lap; claiming her soft lips in a morning kiss. She kissed him back and pulled away staring into his eyes.

He let her up. "Morning vixen," He plucked one of the fish and blew on it, before handing it to her.

After they ate she happily braided his hair and then they packed up camp before setting off on their task.

XOXOXO:

Hours later Inuyasha and Kagome having only heard a rumor here or there about some lesser demons invading the area, decided to take a break so Kagome could cook some ramen.

'I really don't like when he works so hard without eating. He didn't even bother to eat breakfast.' Kagome frowned. "Inuyasha, I have ramen. If we stop I can make it for you." She laughed when he immediately lowered her to her feet.

His ears perked up the minute he heard the word 'ramen'. He tapped his foot. "Well? What are you waiting for?" He licked his lips. 'I can already taste those yummy noodles.' A whine escaped his throat causing the miko to laugh as she heated up the water.

XOXOXO:

Sango looked back at Miroku. "Hey Miroku, since Inuyasha isn't here breathing down our necks, why don't we stop a while and discuss what little we've managed to find out?"

Miroku chuckled. "Sounds like a plan to me. I could use with a bit of a breather myself. I'm sure Kirara wouldn't mind the break either."

They found a small area by the river and made camp.

"What do you think it means?" Shippo happily twirled his newest toy around, watching Kirara chase it.

Sitting Indian style, Miroku shrugged. "I'm guessing that it means the threat that had been keeping them too afraid to show up, must have left the area." He turned to Sango. "What do you think Sango?"

Sango nodded. "I think you're right Miroku, but what was the threat? Something or someone was powerful enough to keep the lesser demons silent and hiding," Her brows furrowed. "In all my years as a demon slayer I've never come across anything like this and that worries me."

Miroku frowned. "You're right, the question is what could be that powerful?" he laid his staff across his lap and stared out at knighting.

XOXOXO:

Bankotsu and Naien had spent the entire morning walking side by side. Both wore their serious faces. There was no flirting, no playfulness; both were purely focused on their task at hand.

Bankotsu sighed. "Since most people run in fear of me to start with, we will stick to the back roads in order to avoid scaring off potential leads."

Naien nodded. "That does seem the best solution."

They'd spent a major part of the morning traipsing around through the trees always going north, each cognizant of their surroundings and listening vigilantly for any sign of possible trouble.

Naien tapped her chin. 'Maybe I should approach the next group alone?' She expelled a long breath. 'Yeah right, like Ban would ever allow that.' She stared at him and her lips titled at one corner. 'He can really be over protective and even overbearing at times, but I'd rather have him over protective than to face another Marik.' She shivered and rubbed her hands over her arms. 'Even if it does grate on my nerves from time to time, I know without a doubt Bankotsu would never allow anyone to harm me.'

They continued walking behind the trees and stopped as a groupof voices reached their ears. A small group of bandits were conversing about ten feet away from them on the other side of the trees.

"So in this area is a new threat?" voice one asked.

Voice two answered. "Yes and worse, they say the band of seven have been brought back again."

Bankotsu smirked.

"They say the leader was just a kid himself, but more powerful that an army of men." Voice one added with fear in his voice.

Voice three added, "He killed man or demon, with a frightening sword. They say the seven of them could kill 10,000 men in a single night."

Bankotsu grinned and his chest puffed with pride.

Naien shook her head wearing a bemused smile.

"They say the leader was the most fearsome of them all," voice two mentioned, with discernible anxiety in his voice.

Bankotsu sent a smug smirk to Naien and motioned for them to soundlessly work their way over to the shrubbery and listen in.

Rolling her eyes Naien did as he'd instructed.

Voice three spoke again. "I heard he was the strongest human alive and very sadistic. In fact he was said to be the most powerful one of the bunch. He kept that whole group in line with his strength alone," a mixture of fear and awe was apparent in his voice.

Bankotsu's smirk widened as he caught the awe and slight fear in their voices. 'So, the band's escapades live on even now and strike terror in the hearts of all who relays the tales, eh?'

Naien shook her head grinning at him. 'No doubt his colossal ego is growing impossibly larger as they talk.'

"They say the Schichinatai killed mercilessly and even enjoyed it. They committed countless slaughters, even wiped out entire villages," voice two added as an involuntary shudder ran up his spine.

Voice one spoke again. "I heard that the leader even killed one thousand men and nearly as many demons, before they were hunted down and executed."

Naien bit back a sigh.

Bankotsu's eyes shone clear with pride over his past accomplishments. He winked playfully at her.

She retaliated by childishly sticking her tongue out at him before smiling.

His dark brow rose questioningly.

"Yeah I heard that too. The leader had this enormous weapon nearly as tall as he was, that he could wield with one hand. Imagine that one hand. He had to be incredibly strong."

Bankotsu smiled as he glanced at his prized weapon.

Never being one for brutal violence and having had enough of listening to her lover's past accomplishments and vicious slaughters, Naien slowly backed away while Bankotsu continued listening aptly.

A fourth voice bellowed authoritively. "Shut up and quit lolly-gagging! We're supposed to be searching for that damn demon that's been terrorizing the locals. They've already paid half upfront. Now stop gossiping like a bunch of old hags and get to work! I want to get the other half of our pay from the village a few miles east of us, and get the hell out of dodge."

Naien and Bankotsu's ears perked up at this information.

The third voice added, "You're right. The villagers said this demon has come out of hiding since the collapse of Mount Hakurei."

Naien and Bankotsu's breaths caught in their chests and their eyes widened. She'd already told him that from what she remembered of the show, Naraku would likely be hiding in Mount Hakurei, which is where they'd been heading.

The second voice added, "We've had a serious increase of the lesser demons since then, and they said an even more powerful demon exploded out of Mount Hakurei just before the collapse too."

Before Bankotsu could figure out what she was doing or stop her Naien stood up and casually walked over to the chattering men unafraid. "A powerful demon you say?" She sent a friendly smile to the startled men.

Bankotsu scowled. 'Now what is that woman doing?'

Intrigued by the newcomer the leader asked, "What brings you here?" Not many women were brave or dumb enough to approach them outside out in the open.

Naien shrugged nonchalantly. "I was passing by and over heard. I'm curious why you all are so interested in rumors."

Bandit three was still wrapped in his own thoughts. "I wonder if the leader of them was here, what he'd do now?"

Naien smiled wryly. "If he was here, I bet he'd be cracking his knuckles right about now."

The leader eyed her up and down with pure male interest. "Well now, what's a pretty little thing like you doing out in these parts all alone?" He took a determined step towards the compelling, voluptuous, young woman with engaging caramel eyes.

Cursing under his breath Bankotsu emerged and firmly placed his body between Naien and the bandit leader. "Who said she's alone?" His brow raised questioningly as he stood tall and proud; pushing Naien protectively behind his immense, physically powerful body.

Glaring at the unwelcome intrusion and seemingly minimal threat before him, the leader scowled. "Who the hell are you?"

Naien calmly placed a slender hand on Bankotsu's bulky shoulder. "Relax," She stepped to stand beside him. She faced the bandits and spoke calmly while flashing them a sweet smile. "We just need to know what all you've heard about the demon, that's all."

Bankotsu slipped behind her and purposefully wrapped a possessive arm around her curvy waist pulling her against his toned body, silently challenging the men with his eyes as he unmistakably asserted his claim for all to see.

Naien flashed her most charming smile. "Would you mind telling us?" She stared at the group of burly men unembarrassed by Bankotsu's actions.

The leader leered at her. "Well now sweetheart, we ain't the charitable type. What would we get in return?" lust was clearly visible in his bruneous eyes as he flashed his chartreuse teeth; causing her to flinch.

Naien sighed shaking her head. "Don't push him." She knew Bankotsu's temper was volatile and would rather avoid the coming violence if possible.

The bandit leader scoffed undaunted. "We aren't scared of any kid." He contemptuously disregarded Bankotsu as if he wasn't a threat.

Insulted by the kid comment and not liking the looks the creep was sending his woman, Bankotsu growled. "I'm not a kid," He cracked his knuckles.

Naien shook her head and took a step back.

Bankotsu ran lightning quick to grab the leader by the throat and slammed him painfully back into a tree. "Keep your eyes off what's mine and you may get to live," cold merciless eyes glared at the restrained male as his fingers dug into the sides of the man's neck, before tossing him to the ground in absolute repugnance.

Naien gasped and her hand slipped to her waist closing firmly over the hilt of her katana as she noticed the enraged men closing in on Bankotsu.

Bankotsu smirked cracking his fingers as his hands balled into fists and cracked his neck. "Bring it on," He faced the bandits with thrill of the battle shining in his indigo eyes.

One bandit had managed to slip around in the shrubbery and was now standing behind Naien. He moved to grab her from behind.

She yanked out her sword slashing as she spun to face him, slicing his stomach wide open and spilling his entrails on the ground, before he fell over dead with a bewildered look on his face.

Bankotsu, who had just finished off one of the men, heard the telltale sound of slicing flesh and heard the body hit the ground. Lastly he heard Naien's gasp. He grinned. 'That's my tigress alright,' He spun around and punching one of the bandits square in the face and twisting his neck.

A sick crunching sound reverberating in the air.

He continued making quick work of the bandits and then walked over to the trees retrieving Banryu. He took Naien's shaking hand and they walked towards the village hoping for better luck there.

Naien sucked in a shaky breath as the fact that she'd actually killed someone infiltrated her brain. She yanked her hand free from Bankotsu's and promptly doubled over, falling to her knees and heaving her stomach's contents over and over.

'This must be her first time actually killing someone.' Bankotsu stood clear of her projectile path and gently held her hair out of her face. Once she was finished he passed her the canteen. "Rinse your mouth out by swishing some of the water from the canteen and spitting it on the ground."

Naien's gaze rose to meet his and he could read the sheer anguish in her infuscate eyes tinged with sadness, sorrow and desolation at what she'd just done.

Bankotsu sighed. "Naien if you hadn't killed him, he would have destroyed you - without a care. Don't ever regret choosing your own life over his. This isn't some rainbow world where we won't have to kill." He cupped her chin. "Honey, we kill in order to survive, that's life. He would have tortured, raped and then killed you," His mazarine eyes looked intently into her lighter brown ones.

"He wasn't some nice man, he was a brutal bandit. They have zero sense of honor and even turn on each other. That man was as bad as they come, Naien. He wouldn't have even flinched while he tortured you. He'd have laughed about it, probably getting his jollies from your pain filled screams of terror," His eyes were cold and unsympathetic. His jaw clenched.

He knew there would be more times where she'd have to kill in order to survive and she needed to get used to it. He loved her more than anything in the world, but he absolutely refused to coddle her. She wasn't some damn weak, sniveling girl. She was strong, maybe even as strong emotionally as he was physically and she needed to deal with it. She'd already learned firsthand that the world wasn't full of rainbows and everybody didn't love each other. It was a brutal, vicious, dog eat dog world and only the strong would survive. He was determined they would be two of the survivors, and if that meant being hard on her fin times like this, then so be it.

Naien sighed and shoved her fists to the ground as a few crystalline drops slipped down her cheeks. She knew he was right, she'd felt the violence inside that man so acutely that it'd made her sick to her stomach and she'd felt the man moving up behind her. She reacted instinctively.

'I'll just have to learn to deal with this.' She nodded her head. Gritting her teeth, she placed her trembling hand into Bankotsu's outstretched steady hand and he helped her to her feet.

He gently used his thumbs to wipe away her tears and kissed her cheeks in an attempt to comfort her so she'd stop crying.

Taking a few deep breaths she calmed her roiling stomach. They retrieved her katana, which she wiped on the grass and replaced in it's sheathe; before they began setting off toward the village again.

Naien pondered her situation a while. 'I'm no longer in my relatively safe world where one phone call would bring the cops running and the bad guys would be locked away. I'm in a completely different world now. Cops are nonexistent here and it will be kill or be killed. '

She was determined to stay with the man she loved. If that meant adapting to this more brutal way of life, then she'd do it. She knew she was far from weak and held no illusions that the men of this world would automatically respect her because she was a woman. She'd have to earn their respect.

As long as she had Bankotsu by her side, she could do whatever it took to survive in her new world. Being with him was worth anything she'd have to face in the future. Squaring her shoulders, determination etched on her face, she walked proudly beside the man of her dreams.

She'd thought that she might change him so he didn't kill as much, but she realized not all of his kills were for fun, some of them were just necessary in order to survive.

She'd never condone the slaughter of innocents, but she wouldn't write him off as a cold blooded killer either. She'd always known deep down that wasn't the case, though she couldn't deny he did kill sometimes just for sport, she couldn't blame him so much either.

After living the way he had, it was natural he'd cross the line between killing to survive and killing for pleasure. However the man who held her at night was anything but heartless. The love he reserved for her proved her own point. All humans still had feelings.

As they reached the village, she stood beside him with pride in her eyes. 'Lately he's only killed once when it wasn't needed and that was when he and his men had taken the castle.'

So maybe, just maybe, she could bring him back around to where he killed to survive more and for pleasure less, if not, she'd adjust. Her heart was already set on the powerful man she was bound to and nothing would ever change that. She loved and accepted him- just the way he was.

Bankotsu wrapped an arm around her waist as they entered the village. The villagers stared at the young couple with a little trepidation. Lately they'd been getting so many visitors and not of a good kind.

Picking up on this, Naien whispered, "Let me talk to them, they might open up a little more."

He nodded but kept a villigant watch on his woman.

Naien slowly approached one of the villagers and flashing an inviting smile. "Could you help me? We've been hearing some rumors about the increase of demons in this area. My husband and I overheard some bandits discussing a demon who'd fled from Mount Hakurei just before it crumbled."

The wary villager answered quickly, "What of it?" still eying her with caution.

Naien smiled reassuring, "We're only interested in the demons. My husband and I mean your people no harm."

The woman nodded and relaxed just a little. We've seen many demons come out of hiding since the mountain collapsed. Many travelers have also stopped here and none of them have been friendly." Bowing her head in shame for the way she reacted.

Naien soothed, "Then it's understandable your people would be cautious. I assure you ma'am, my husband and I mean no harm." She flashed her warm smile.

The woman sighed. "An evil aura escaped the mountain and flew off towards the north. Many villages have been destroyed by the demons also released at that time."

Naien bowed thanking the woman and returned to Bankotsu confirming her suspicions. "This means that even without you and your brothers as a shield he's managed to create the heart. He'll have gotten to Kikyo already as well."

Bankotsu scowled. "Let's go then. We need to make camp and wait for the others to catch up."

Naien nodded and followed him out of the village.

They walked a few miles and made a small obscure camp out of sight for the night, figuring they'd find a good spot to camp tomorrow and wait for the others.

XOXOXO:

A/N: that's chapter nineteen all. Wow, Naraku's already managed to get the heart - uh oh! XD