Chapter 3: Don't Forget About Us
It was the evening. Yuni laid on her bed. The purple sheets covered most of her body. Her bare shoulders were out and her hands were clasped over her chest. Next to her laid a bare chested Bankotsu. The two of them laid side by side slightly out of breath.
Once Yuni caught her breath completely she turned her head in Bankotsu's direction. He turned his head to face her. She said nothing only stared at him. "What?" He asked a bit frustrated.
She turned her head to face the ceiling again. "I want you to return back to that place tomorrow."
He smirked. "Alright, most of their soldiers-
"No." She interrupted. "This time I don't want you to attack."
His gaze returned back to the ceiling as well. He placed his hands behind his head. "Why? I defeated most of the soldiers and came out alive didn't I? They're no match for me."
Yuni sat up slightly and looked at him. Frustration was readable on her face. "But you were still captured in the end. I don't care what you do to that town or it's people, but first retrieve the jewel."
He sat up too. "Stop acting like you're in control of me."
Yuni became startled by his words. He is still in my grasp...right? I hold his memories therefore I hold him. I have his body and his mind. She thought. "I brought you back from the dead. I gave you life and a damn good weapon with it. Do this for me."
He laid back down. "I told you I would didn't I?" He said. He placed his hands back behind his head and closed his eyes.
She let out a sigh. She was worried for a second, but for other reasons than she thought. She was actually worried Bankotsu would stray. He's mine and that's how it's going to stay. She couldn't believe what she was thinking, but she enjoyed having a human man toy in her possession.
She laid back down as well. "From now on be inconspicuous, or at least try to. Just be careful. Find the location of the elemental jewel and after report back to me. Don't attack or retrieve it yet until you report back to me."
He turned to his side. "Okay." Soon enough he drifted off into sleep.
Misaki went to open her bedroom door. Outside of her room stood a young maiden, but older than Miskai, of the castle. From the looks of it she seemed quite timid. Misaki noticed that she held a letter in her hand. "Dear Princess your grandmother Kaede wrote that she will be making her way to castle grounds this noon. She wrote that she would like you to meet her in the meadow."
Misaki's face lit up. "Wonderful." She turned around. "Momiji we'll be going out today." She turned to face the maiden once more. "Thank you. Now if you excuse me I am going to get me and my child ready."
Before Misaki could shut the door the maiden spoke. "Princess are you sure. We're very concerned about your safety. Especially since the prisoner, who attacked the village, escaped. I know we haven't seen any signs of attack in the past couple of days, but still..."
Misaki frowned. It really frustrated her when the people of the castle worried so much. She was their princess and was capable of handling herself. "Don't worry about me, and tell everyone the same." She said before sliding the door shut.
An hour later her and Momiji was fully clothed. Momiji wore a blue and purple kimono. Misaki wore a sky blue kimono with a dark blue obi. They walked through a small forest, that led to the meadow, hand in hand. Momiji was smiling and skipping. Misaki looked at her daughter and smiled.
As they walked through the small forest they could see an opening. It revealed the brightness of the sun and a large meadow. Momiji's smile grew. She let go of her mothers hand and ran towards the opening.
Misaki ran after her. She ran in front of her daughter, stopping her from going any further. Momiji looked at her mother who carried a worried expression. Misaki shook her head and wagged her finger. "No running off."
Momiji pouted, but nodded to her mother. Misaki let out a sigh before bending down to face her daughter. She placed her hands on the toddlers tiny shoulders. She gave her daughter a warm smile. "Mommy just wants to make sure you are safe at all times."
"There's my grandchild and my great-grandchild." Kaede said approaching them from behind. Misaki turned around to see her grandmother in her usual priestess kimono while she carried a basket. Misaki stood up and grabbed her daughter's hand once again.
She smiled and her grandmother and walked over to her. "Hello Grandmother." She said with a cheery smile.
In a not so far away tree laid a contemplating Bankotsu. He laid down on the large tree branch with his legs crossed and his hands behind his head. He was in deep thought as he chewed on a straw of hay. He was thinking of ways to discreetly find the elemental jewel. He didn't want to just go charging into the village again, he had to have a plan.
He thought he should have more than one since he might get caught. I'm only going to do this carefully so she can get off my back. He thought. It would be much more fun to just charge...His thoughts was interrupted by a females voice.
"Don't worry, Grandmother we're doing fine. I have things under control." He heard the female say. He turned his head and ahead, in the meadow, he saw the princess he met the other day. Misaki was it? He thought as he watched her, ignoring the fact she was with an old woman and a child.
Misaki, Kaede and Momiji walked through the meadow. Momji was inbetween the two women. "I brought some medicinal herbs for you. You haven't lost your medical touch have you?" Kaede asked.
Misaki shook her head; though her grandmother wasn't looking her direction. "I still remember all that you've taught me."
"That's good. Ye need not to ever forget."
Misaki gave a light chuckle. "Don't worry, Grandmother." She turned her gaze to the basket that Kaede was caring. "What's in the basket?" She asked moving her gaze to her grandmother.
"I've already told you. I brought you medicinal herbs."
Misaki used her free hand to smack herself on the head. "Oh that's right." She rubbed her temple. She shook her head at herself for forgetting so easily. Momiji looked at her mother confused before repeating the action. Kaede noticed and laughed.
Kaede stopped walking and began to dig in the basket. Misaki and Momiji continued to walk without noticing. A moment later they noticed and turned around. "Anything the matter?" Misaki asked.
Kaede looked up at her and smiled. "No...I did bring one other thing."
Misaki looked excited. "Really? What is it?" Excitement was evident in her tone.
"Oh don't be like that. It isn't for you, but for ye child."
Misaki pouted like a small child. "I never thought it was for me." She mumbled under her breath. She was obviously disappointed.
Kaede walked up to Momiji, whom still stood by her mother's side. Kaede pulled a hand made doll out of the basket and handed it to the child with a smile plastered on her old face. Momiji's eyes widened and a huge grin appeared on her face. She stretched both of her arms out and grabbed hold of the doll.
Once the doll was in her possession she pressed it against her face and squeezed it tight. Misaki watched smile and hug the doll; the sight of it gave her a warm feeling. She loved when her daughter was happy. She looked back at Kaede and said, "Thank you, Grandmother."
Bankotsu continued to watch him from the tree. For some reason he was intrigued by the princess. He knew it had something to do with the fact that she knew him. He wanted to know more of what she knew. It's not like Yuni didn't tell him anything, but she didn't tell him enough.
"You died fighting a demon...Who told you that lie?" He remembered her saying those words. He remembered her expression. She looked so confused and hurt. Who are you Misaki? He thought.
Again his thoughts were interrupted. This time by the rustling of leaves in a near by tree. He turned his head to find Kagura standing on a branch in a tree next to the one he's in. "What do you want?" He asked obviously annoyed by her presence.
"Yuni told me to find you and check on you. She wanted to make sure you weren't getting your self in any trouble."
"How did you find me?" He said returning his gaze back to the three females.
"I flew around. I noticed you in the tree. Aren't you suppose to be searching?"
Bankotsu ignored her statement. "That girl...I believe she knows me. She has to. She knew my name and her reaction when I met her..."
"Do you really believe she knows you?" Kagura asked.
Bankotsu turned to look at her. "Yes." You could tell he was serious by the look in his eyes. "She said somethings to me. She basically made it clear she knew me right up to my death."
"Do you think you can trust her?" Kagura asked. "For all you know she could be the cause of your death or something of the sort."
He stood up and looked at Misaki. "Who can I trust?" He said.
Kagura didn't answer. She put her hand to her hair and grabbed the small feather. "She wants you back by night fall." She said before pulling the feather from her hair. It transformed into a giant feather; which she now sat on, and flew off in.
"Grandmother will you be staying the night at the castle?" Misaki asked.
Kaede was enjoying seeing Momiji play with the doll. She moved her gaze from Momiji and looked at Misaki. "I'm unsure..."
Misaki pouted. "Oh please, Grandmother! I want you too."
"You know I need to be in my village."
"It's just for the night. In the morning you can leave. I will have you escorted."
Kaede sighed. "I know you...You will just keep pushing, and I am getting to old for your stubbornness, so yes."
Misaki clapped her hands together. "Great!"
Kaede placed her hand on her back. She made a groaning sound. "I need to rest. It was a bit of a travel getting here."
"Maybe for old ladies..." Misaki mumbled.
"What was that?" Kaede shot a glare at her.
Misaki chuckled. "Nothing...How about you head back to the castle, Grandmother. I'm going to catch up with you in a bit. It seems Momiji is having fun. She loves it out here in the meadow, so I'll give her a few more minutes."
Kaede began to walk to the small forest. "Hurry back now. I would like to chat longer with my grand daughter."
Misaki nodded. "It'll only be a few more minutes." Kaede turned around and walked into the forest. Misaki went to go sit on a tree stump. She placed her elbows in her lap and her face in her palms. She watched her daughter run around the meadow with her new doll.
She smiled at her child. Momji seemed to be having fun. She could her the small chuckles. Momiji started to roll around in the grass. She was laughing holding her doll close to her. After a few more minutes of running around she ran up to her mother. She laid half of her body across Misaki's lap and yawned.
Misaki giggled. "Well now does someone need a nap?" Momiji looked up at her and smiled.
All of a sudden she heard a thud from behind. She could feel someone's presence. She furrowed her eyebrows and wrapped her arm protectively around her child. "Who's there?" She asked before turning around.
She swiftly turned her head and was surprised to see Bankotsu standing behind her. She stood up. Momiji wrapped her arms around her mother's leg and stared at the stranger. "Y-you...What are you doing here?"
"I told you I would be back didn't I? I'm searching for something and I am going to find it."
"Please don't attack again."
"Don't worry, Princess Misaki. I won't attack...Well not yet anyway."
"Were you in the trees?" She asked raising an eyebrow. He nodded. "How long have you been there and were you why?"
"I was thinking. I've been up there a little longer than you been out here."
"Bankotsu could you please just tell me what you're looking for, or tell me why?
"I want you to stop asking me questions and answer some for me."
She nodded, "Alright, what?"
"How do you know my name? Why is it that I died fighting a demon according to you, but according to Yuni I died in an attack of a war of some sort and was out numbered?"
"I know your name because I knew you before your death. We knew each other." She was becoming quite frustrated. "I don't know who this Yuni is but that person is obviously lying to you."
"You could be lying to me."
Misaki shook her head. "You don't remember anything?" He was silent. "Nothing at all?" She said in disbelief. She still couldn't believe he was back and that he remembered nothing. It pained her.
"Look I don't know who you are. Isn't it obvious! I don't even know who I was before. All I remember is waking up from my eternal sleep; nothing from before that."
She gritted her teeth. "Look I know you may not trust what I am saying, but I promise you my word is the truth. Anything you want to know I can honestly tell you. Who ever this Yuni is doesn't know you."
Bankotsu stared at her. He found it very hard not to trust this girl. One because of her expressions. Also the way she approached him when they first met. I...I don't know what to do. He thought. He was getting frustrated with himself.
He closed his eyes and rubbed his head in frustration. What the hell! He thought. He opened one eye and stared at Misaki. "I can help you.." He heard her say.
He shook his head. "Just stop..."
"Don't you want to know who you were? You have to know." She said in a pleading tone.
He shook his head. "I told you before all that matter's that I am alive and strong."
"I don't believe you! You must be curious."
"Just shut up!" He yelled. His yelling caused Momiji to jump. He looked at the child apolitical. Why the hell do I care...He thought. He looked into the child's eyes.
Misaki let out a sigh. Bankotsu walked passed her towards the meadow. She turned to face him. "I just want you to know the truth."
He turned his head slightly to look at her. "Just stop..." He said. He couldn't take it. It was giving him headache. He didn't know who to trust, or who to believe. He turned his head back and began to walk off.
"Please don't go.." She said. He stopped in his tracks. He didn't turn back around. "Please stay."
"I have to go." He said almost in a whisper. He began to walk again.
Misaki felt tears forming in her eyes. She tried her hardest from letting them fall. "This is the third time you've hurt me!" She shouted. She quickly picked Momiji up and stormed off.
Bankotsu stopped again. Those words she just yelled hurt him. It hurt him to hear her say that, but why. He turned around, but she was no longer visible. Why do I care? He thought again. Why did that hurt? Why did it hurt to hear her say that?
He couldn't take the stupid pain. He didn't know what it was with this girl, but it bugged him. He let out a sigh and decided to return to Yuni's castle. He needed to finish his thoughts of a plan, but for now he needed a break form all the thinking. His head hurts and he didn't want it to get any worse.
"Maybe Yuni can help me 'relieve some stress'." He said smirking.
The next day he stood outside of the meadow. He was tired. He let out a yawn as he stretched his arm up. "Damn that girl." He mumbled he couldn't sleep most of the night because she hunt his thoughts. He even dreamt about her.
That was a weird dream. He thought. He recalled the dream; she was laughing and smiling and then the next minute she was crying calling out to him. He shook his head. "Damn that girl." He mumbled again as he began walking through the meadow.
He pulled the jewel detector from under his armor. It was still glowing lavender. He knew that the jewel was around this area, but where? And how was he going to find it without causing a ruckus. He let out a sigh. He placed the jewel back in his armor.
I need to think...He thought. He got to the forest he was in yesterday. He sat down and leaned against a huge tree. He let out another sigh. He would've have thought of something if it wasn't for Misaki. She clouded his mind.
He closed his eyes. He tried to think, but quickly became frustrated. He furrowed his eyebrows to the sound of laughter nearing. He opened his eyes and poked his head from the side of the tree. He saw a small child running? She looks familiar.
He then realized that it was the same child that was with Misaki. The child was laughing while holding a ball. "Momiji wait up. You can't run off!" He heard another child. Behind Momiji ran Rin. Bankotsu watched them as they came closer to the tree he was hiding behind.
He soon became distracted by a bright light. The light was coming from his chest. He pulled the detector out. The glowing light became violet and very bright. He stared at it. Wait! The jewel must be close by.
A red ball came rolling by his side. Soon Momiji came and picked it up. She noticed Bankotsu and turned to look at him. He stared back at the girl. This little girl doesn't have it, does she? He thought moving the detector closer to Momiji. Momiji eyed the detector. She reached her small hand out to it.
Rin came running from behind the tree. "Oh, Momij-" She stopped in the middle of her sentence and began holding her side. She then dropped to her knees. Momiji looked at Rin confused. She walked over to her older friend and began examining her.
The older child began groaning in pain. Bankotsu noticed that underneath her hand was a light. He got up and walked over to the girl. Without saying anything he removed her hand. Her side was glowing blue. His eyes widened.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH!" The girl screamed. Momiji jumped and tears started to form in her eyes. Bankotsu looked at the detector. Inside the crystal ball appeared the image of a blue sphere. He could see the symbol for water inside.
So it's inside of this girl. He thought. He stood up and ran out of the forest. I found it! I got to hurry and tell Yuni. He smirked. Now maybe I can have some fun.
If you haven't noticed each chapter is named after a song (A little fun fact)
Okay hope you enjoyed
P.S. You readers are my inspiration.