InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Miko's Love Story. ❯ Training Begins and Tara's Dream ( Chapter 12 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Disclaimer: I do not own or make profit from the Inuyasha series Copyrights to Inuyasha and Characters belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. I only own the plot, and story line to this story and Tara. There. I said it. (sighs)

Chapter Twelve:

Training Begins and Tara's Dream:

'Nobody slaps me!' His free hand raised into the air, threatening to slap her, but stopped and dropped to his side. 'Be glad that I can't kill you right now.'

Bankotsu's hand shot out wrapping tightly around Kagome's wrist, bruising her delicate skin. His livid gaze bored into hers. "Don't ever slap me again."

Kagome's angry chocolate eyes went wide with shock and she held her breath nervously.

Inuyasha snarled, "Release her, Bankotsu," and advanced on the two, cracking his knuckles.

Bankotsu's gaze turned to Inuyasha and he warned him icily, "Back off, mutt." His eyes were dangerous shade of stormy blue, stopping Inuyasha in his tracks.

Sesshomaru's cool voice rang clear. "It is time to leave."

Heaving with anger, Bankotsu spun on his heel and walked off. His fingers embedded themselves into Kagome's arm, dragging her along behind him.

Seeing the look of pain upon her face, Inuyasha growled, his eyes narrowing hatefully.

Miroku held Inuyasha back saying, "Calm down, Inuyasha. He can't hurt her, remember?"

Miroku addressed Bankotsu warning, "Bankotsu, I would advise you to treat lady Kagome with more respect."

Bankotsu turned around sending the monk a warning glare.

With a growl of frustration, Inuyasha broke free of Miroku's grasp and bounded off into the woods, leaving without saying a word to anyone.

Bankotsu faced his group. "We leave in five minutes, so move it!"

Not wanting to risk adding to the already foul mood he was in, the three groups jumped up, quickly getting ready.

Sango and Miroku doused the fire with what remained of the water.

Jakotsu, Tara and Renkotsu gathered their equipment and awaited further orders.

Bankotsu stomped over to his and Kagome's things, basically dropping Kagome by her big, yellow backpack and sleeping bag.

She hurriedly packed their stuff, not wanting to add to his raging temper.

As soon as she had her bag on her back, Bankotsu grasped Kagome's wrist roughly again and they took off once more, at a rather fast pace.

After about ten more minutes, Kagome halted, pulling Bankotsu to a stop as well.

He whirled to glare at her with his still stormy eyes, an eyebrow quirked as if in the form of a question.

She returned the glare, hissing, "You're hurting me." Her eyes filled with both physical and emotional pain as she glared at the mercenary.

Bankotsu sighed. "Keep up," he released her hand just as harshly as he'd grabbed it earlier. Whirling back down the path, he started off again, just as fast-paced as before.

He left Kagome to struggle in order to keep up with him and she absentmindedly rubbed her now sore and bruised wrist.

Miroku and Sango saw this and exchanged worried looks. 'What is going to happen next?' They sighed. 'I sure hope Inuyasha doesn't have his nose out of joint once he returns.'

Inuyasha ran up to them twenty minutes later, walking within sight of Kagome. 'Hey… she's not attached at the hand with the mercenary.' Inuyasha smiled and moved to run up beside her.

However, he was brought up short by a warning growl and icy amber glare from Sesshomaru.

Taking the hint, Inuyasha huffed glaring hatefully at Sesshomaru as he placed his hands in the arms of his haori, scowling at the back of his brother's head as well as the mercenary's. 'Damn them both, the bastards!' If looks could kill, both Sesshomaru and Bankotsu would have been dead.

Kagome sighed heavily as the day wore on and the pace didn't lessen. It took all that she had in her to keep up with the rather long-legged mercenary. 'This must be what being in the Imperial Army must have been like, walking at a fast pace all day with tons of gear.'

She sighed again as the muscles in her back, shoulders, and legs screamed in agony. 'I hope we can take a break soon, just so that I can ease my aching body.'

Unfortunately, Bankotsu kept moving forward, much to everyone's displeasure.

Kagome continued to struggle to keep up with him to stay by his side, but began to falter, stubbing her toe on loose rocks in the road.

A short while later, seeing the problems that Kagome was having in keeping up with Bankotsu, Jakotsu whined, "Big brother, can we stop a bit?"

Bankotsu sighed heavily. "Not now, Jakotsu," he answered, still slightly annoyed. 'I'll have to stop eventually, considering the labored breathing of Kagome coming from behind me.'

He frowned. 'Damn that girl for being so physically weak. Well that shit changes starting right now!' As he pondered this, plans of ways to get Kagome into better condition began to formulate in his mind. 'She needs to be able to keep up with me as we move closer toward Naraku.'

Jakotsu pouted.

Tara had to bite her bottom lip to keep herself from laughing at his antics.

Jakotsu looked towards Kagome. 'I hope that we stop soon… or else we will see firsthand the effects of the curse, because as soon as that wench stumbles and falls on the road, with Bankotsu was far enough ahead of her that it breaks the five foot mark…'

Feeling the waves of anger rolling off his leader and best friend, he sighed. 'He sure is pissed right now. I can't believe he didn't backhand her…' He clucked his tongue. 'That bitch has no idea how lucky she is that he can't kill her right now.'

Renkotsu sighed heavily, glaring at him. 'Why do I even put up with this pathetic group of imbeciles?'

Jaken walked right behind Sesshomaru. "My lord, where are we going?"

With a slight headache beginning as a result of the high, nasally-pitched whining of Jaken, Sesshomaru ordered, "Silence, Jaken."

The green imp gulped nervously, afraid to be drop kicked into the next village and walked behind his terrible lord, silent and humble.

Kohaku walked next to Rin and Ah-un plodded behind.

Rin was chatting merrily with Kohaku as they continued on their way, apparently enjoying each other's company.

Sango smiled as she watched her brother and the younger girl talking.

Miroku was equally as happy to see the woman who held his heart smiling.

Sango and Miroku were walking side by side, yet far enough apart that Miroku's lecherous hands were to himself; not that it would have stopped him. Hiraikotsu was also slung over Sango's back.

Miroku frowned and watched his miko friend struggling to keep up with the infuriated leader of the band of seven. 'I hope lady Kagome doesn't end up…'

Without warning, Kagome stumbled over a rock and landed roughly on her knees, skinning them and her hands on the rough ground.

She stared at her hands in shock and slowly looked to her knees, noticing the blood seep out of the cuts; she quickly covered her hands and knees.

Wrapped up in his own roiling emotions, Bankotsu was completely oblivious to her fall and continued on.

Before anyone could warn him, a scream of pain disrupted the quiet forest air followed quickly by a grunt of pain as their leader went down.

Kagome felt intense pain begin to rack her body as she rolled from her side, then onto her back fighting in vain to ward off the pain. It was so intense that it stole her breath.

Bankotsu's body was also wracked with a horrible pain and he fell to his knees, driving Banryu into the dirt and leaning against it for support.

Bankotsu and Kagome's eyes filled with pain and unshed tears from the intensity of. Their heads began to throb as the immobilizing pain spread like wildfire from the inside out, as the pain tortured every nerve in their bodies

They cried out and struggled to make the pain subside as the others stood in silence, unsure of exactly what was going on.

Everyone but Sesshomaru became concerned.

Sesshomaru stood there sighing in slight annoyance. 'Stupid human, he should have heeded the old miko's words. Such is the price ad folly of stubbornness… pathetic.'

'So this is what the curse does?' Inuyasha's eyes widened. He ran to Kagome scooping her up carefully. He quickly, yet reluctantly walked closer toward Bankotsu.

Bankotsu was lying on his side, struggling in vain to breathe as well.

Inuyasha gently laid Kagome beside Bankotsu and their rapid, painful gasps slowly began to subside.

Inuyasha sighed in relief and gazed at Kagome with sadness and with a reluctant acceptance. 'I'm not happy about this situation… but don't ever want to see sweet Kagome suffer like that again! She doesn't deserve to suffer like this.'

Once the severe pain that wracked his head and body began to ebb away and he had regained a semblance of normal breathing pattern, Bankotsu spoke weakly. "We will stop for a while."

Everyone nodded, thankful for the reprieve, and knowing that Kagome and Bankotsu needed a chance to recuperate from the curse.

Sesshomaru sighed and sat in a solitary shade, waiting with mild impatience for the weak humans to rest.

Kagome and Bankotsu lay near each other, grateful to be breathing and relatively pain-free again.

Once Bankotsu was able to move without feeling the threat of nausea washing over him, he sat up with his knee bent and head bowed inhaling a few deep breaths. 'Never before... in my entire life have I felt anything as painful as that. And I sure as hell don't ever want it repeated!'

He glared over at the girl beside him 'It's her damned fault, stubborn wench.' He frowned as he noticed her eyes were closed tightly, with the aftermath of pain still etched in her features. He sighed heavily and asked gruffly, "Hey, are you okay?"

Silence was all that was heard from the girl beside him.

Bankotsu's heart lurched in his chest as he feared she couldn't answer. He waited for a few agonizing heart beats. 'She better be okay. I'm not going through that hellish pain again and I'm in no shape to carry her just yet.'

His stomach lurched and then twisted in knots.

Kagome remained silent, barely breathing, with her face pale.

For the first time in his entire life, the mercenary leader tasted the bitter aftertaste of fear as bile threatened to rise in his throat.

Kagome slowly opened her eyes and replied weakly, "Yeah... it's finally beginning to fade away."

Bankotsu released the breath that he hadn't realized he had been holding and looked at the beauty beside him. 'Good, she's okay.' He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. 'Why did my chest momentarily tighten with fear at the thought that she might not be okay?'

Very slowly, almost as if she were afraid that the pain would come back, Kagome sat up and began greedily filled her lungs with deep breaths of fresh air, completely forgetting the pain from her fall on her scrapped-up hands and knees.

The first people to inquire into Kagome's health were Rin and Shippo.

Kagome comforted the two, assuring them that she was fine.

Bankotsu was awed at how attached the children seem to be to her.

Offhandedly, he thought, 'She's good with kids. She would make a good mother and wife.' With the realization of what he just thought, he shook his head, trying to knock some sense into himself. 'Where the hell did that come from?'

He turned his eyes away from Kagome, looking very intently at his toes as he felt the heat spread across his cheeks. He absentmindedly fidgeted with the ring on his finger.

Jakotsu tackled his brother, hugging the daylights out of him.

Bankotsu lightly slapped his back, in a brotherly way. When Jakotsu didn't budge, he shoved him off trying to laugh it off as if nothing had ever happened, hiding his troubled thoughts of the curse behind his signature grin.

Sango and Miroku had been relieved to see Kagome well. Miroku, unfortunately, indicated his relief by groping Kagome's generous posterior to which he received two punishments

One from Bankotsu, who almost shattered his wrist in cold fury while glaring into the monk's wide eyes. He ground out through clenched teeth, "If you wish to keep that hand monk, never try anything like that again!" His eyes were cold, hard, and unforgiving. His massive chest was heaving.

The second from Sango, who promptly knocked him out with the Hiraikotsu, fuming at him and ranting at the unconscious man.

Everyone present either stared in shock or reminded themselves not to get on Bankotsu or Sango's bad sides. Inuyasha shook his head. "Miroku, you never learn."

Bankotsu eyed the now unconscious monk. smirking he looked up at the still fuming Sango and his mouth tilted at one corner. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."

Sango flushed embarrassed. "Sorry."

Bankotsu laughed and pulled Kagome over to his side. Much to her shock, he embraced her warmly.

She quickly breathed a long, slow sigh of relief. Tears formed in her eyes and she returned the hug tenfold.

Feeling the strength of her hug, as well as the emotions that radiated from her, Bankotsu let out a heavy sigh.

Everyone had reassured themselves that things would be okay.

Bankotsu exhaled a long slow breath and pulled her off of him, slightly irritated. "Come on, Kagome."

She blinked a little confused at his sudden change in attitude, but took his hand anyway as they resumed their trek, walking side by side.

Bankotsu stopped briefly to retrieve his Banryu before everyone set off again.

XOXOXOXOXOXO

They continued their trek to the last known whereabouts of Naraku with Bankotsu and Kagome lead the way, walking side by side. Each of them was deep in thought. They stumbled across a quiet little village.

Miroku commented saw that Bankotsu had no intention of stopping. "We should stop for supplies."

Kagome pulled Bankotsu's arm slightly, jerking him to a halt. "Good idea Miroku. Why don't you and Sango take Inuyasha with you to restock our supplies? Also see if there is any news of Naraku," she suggested, feeling two sapphire orbs drilling into the back of her head.

Sango and Miroku, with an indignant Inuyasha in tow, hurried toward the village as the others spread out a bit along the path.

Bankotsu pulled Kagome roughly toward his body as he growled. "I don't recall putting you in charge, wench."

Kagome rounded on the mercenary. "You may think that you're in charge, but what I brought back won't last us two days the way you and Inuyasha eat. Now just take a load off, would you?" She jerked her hand out of his and moved to a spot a few feet from him.

The fearsome leader of the Schichinintai's face registered pure shock.

Kagome took a seat, leaning against the trunk of a huge tree. She was glad to be able to rest her weary feet.

Within the five foot radius from Kagome, Bankotsu stood with Banryu over his shoulder. His shoulders were tense and his nostrils flared over her current actions.

As they waited for Sango, Miroku, and Inuyasha, a village girl around Kagome's age walked up to Bankotsu and began flirting with him.

Bankotsu blinked a few times then a sexy smirk spread across his face. "Well hello there. What's your name?" He eyed her up and down as if she were a piece of meat. 'Hm, not as pretty as Kagome, but the girl definitely has enticing curves in all the right places.'

He stared into her soft brown eyes and his fingers stroked her long silky black hair. 'This will be the perfect opportunity to get back at Kagome for usurping my authority.' He smirked and decided to poor on the charm.

Kagome observed the flirting and felt her chest constrict. 'Why am I feeling this strange pang inside my heart?' It only increased in intensity as she watched Bankotsu continue to return the girls attentions. She shifted in her spot and pressed her lips together in a thin line.

Ten minutes later:

Bankotsu grew bored with the meaningless flirting and shot Kagome a look that desperately conveyed 'get her off of me before I kill her.'

Kagome sighed heavily and walked over to them. 'Even if she is a tramp, we don't need him killing people.' Blinking at her own thoughts slightly confused by her jealousy, Kagome continued walking over towards Bankotsu.

Smiling at the mercenary, Kagome casually slipped her arms around his waist possessively. She leaned up on her toes and brushed her lips against his cheek.

At the feel of her lips against his cheek, Bankotsu's face registered a fleeting look of shock and then spread into a grateful smirk.

The village girl's face became red from both embarrassment and jealousy as she faced Kagome. "Something we can help you with?" She shot Kagome a look that clearly stated 'Back off!'

Seeing the look upon the villager's face, Bankotsu snaked his free arm around Kagome's waist pulling her body closer to his. "Are you ready, Kagome?" He affectionately brushed some hair behind her ear and then returned his hand to her waist.

Kagome smiled. "Any time you are."

Bankotsu nodded and led Kagome back over to where she had been previously sitting. He completely ignored the fuming villager standing in the middle of the road, whose face was red with unshed fury.

She glared at the young 'couple' before stomping off towards her village. 'What a jerk! He didn't have toflirt with me if hewas already taken.'

Bankotsu and Kagome sat together, waiting for the others. They leaned against each other looking to the whole world like two love birds.

Shippo, Kohaku, and Rin all blinked, taking in what had just happened. They were shocked at the fact Kagome had actually kissed the mercenary in an attempt to save him from his own actions.

The village girl looked on enviously a moment sighed dejectedly and walked away.

Once the village girl turned back toward her village, well out of ear shot, Kagome glared at Bankotsu and jumped to her feet. Placing her hands on her hips while moving into an annoyed pose, she glared at him. "What did you think you were doing, Bankotsu?"

'Honestly, it's his own fault for flirting with her to begin with,' she thought testily.

Bankotsu smirked and teased, "Why, are you jealous, Kagome?"

Kagome huffed. "Of course not," She turned her back to him.

'Heh she so is.' He stood up and playfully tugged her hair. "Sure, you're not."

Kagome slapped his hand away glaring at him. "Next time you get in over your head; don't expect me to rescue you." Huffing, she stormed a foot away and sat. 'I really hope the others return soon.'

Bankotsu smirked to himself. 'I like it when she gets jealous. It's kind of cute.' He leaned against the tree near Kagome, eagerly waiting for the others to return as well. 'They better hurry up. We need to get moving again.'

A Few Minutes Later the others returned with supplies in hand as well. Everything was evenly distributed between the group. Everyone sat off down the path again.

Bankotsu and Kagome took the lead. They walked along in silence for the better part of the afternoon, deep in thought.

Rin and Kohaku talked quietly amongst themselves.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

An hour before dark Bankotsu held up his hand, signaling for everyone to stop. "We're stopping here for the night." He turned to Miroku. "You and Sango get plenty of water. After that, I want you two to build a couple of small fires approximately ten feet apart."

Miroku nodded and he and Sango left to carry out their assignments.

Bankotsu faced his most trusted companion. "You and Ren go hunt. Bring back plenty meat for everyone. Make sure you get some good veggies too. A well fed military stays healthy."

Jakotsu pouted. "Why can't my Inu koi go instead?"

Inuyasha barked out, "I'm not your anything you freak." He leapt into a tree and glared down at the camp.

Jakotsu cooed, "Not yet maybe, but you will be." He dropped a hand to his thigh and hiked his kimono just a bit, and winked at the disgusted hanyou.

Bankotsu stared at his friend with hard eyes. "Jakotsu…"

Jakotsu pouted. "Alright, alright I'm going." He left to do as told.

Renkotsu scowled and followed the effeminate man.

Bankotsu rolled his eyes and then turned to Tara. "It's time for you to start earning your keep. Go with Ja and Ren. I want fresh vegetables and fruit. Now go."

Her spine stiffened and she grit her teeth, but followed after the others.

Bankotsu gripped Kagome's elbow tightly and led her off toward a private area that he'd spied while looking for a campsite. It was a small clearing not too far from the camp. It was surrounded by trees, though not too thick that they couldn't see any possible dangers approaching.

In the middle of the clearing, Bankotsu stopped. 'Okay, time to get serious.' He faced Kagome. "I am going to start training you now."

Kagome frowned. "What kind of training?"

"For starters," he replied, "I want you to do some sit ups. We will follow those with some pushups. They will work on building up your strength and your stamina."

Kagome quickly changed behind a tree, still self-conscious about showing her body to Bankotsu.

Once she came out from behind the tree, Bankotsu smirked lightly at the shorts and tight little t-shirt that she wore. Nodding his approval, Bankotsu knelt down. "Alright, now lie on your back with your knees bent."

Kagome tried not to blush as she did whatever he instructed.

"Lace your hands behind your head and pretend there is an apple between your chin and your chest. Good, now keep that space between your chin and chest as you sit up. Ready?"

She nodded.

He grabbed her ankles to hold her in place. "Twenty-five for starters."

Kagome's eyes widened slightly but she nodded and began doing the sit ups.

She had difficulty after she hit twenty, but with Bankotsu's encouragement, as well as determination not to look weak in his eyes, Kagome reached down deep into herself, finding the extra strength to do as he'd asked.

She let herself fall back to the ground with a slight thud, panting as she gasped, "No more." Her back and stomach muscles ached. Glad for the reprieve, she lay upon the cool lumpy ground.

Bankotsu smirked. "Twenty-five, good job. See, I told you that you could it."

She lay back panting, trying to regain her breath and glared at him.

Bankotsu released her ankles and sat back. 'Heh, this will get her up.' He smirked and slowly slid his hand along her bare calf.

Kagome's eyes widened and she instantly shot up into a sitting position. "Hey! What do you think you are doing, mister?" Her eyes narrowed suspiciously at the smug look on his handsome face.

Bankotsu chuckled. "I was seeing how fast I could get you to jump up." His eyes twinkled with amusement.

Kagome frowned at him.

He laughed at her as he shook his head, turning serious. "Now the push-ups."

Kagome groaned as she reluctantly moved into the push-up position.

Bankotsu hid a smile. "I'll tell you what, I'll even do these with you. Now come on."

They began doing pushups with Bankotsu counting out each one as they did them together.

Kagome started having trouble doing push-ups after she hit twenty. Once she hit the top of the last push-up, her arms gave out, unable to support her weight any more as she did a face plant into the ground.

While she laid on the ground, flat on her stomach, Kagome panted heavily, trying to regain her breathe as she tried to allow her muscles to relax.

Bankotsu wasn't even breathing hard. He quickly rolled onto his side facing her. "Man, twenty-five each and you're already that winded? Heh, you really are a weak girl," he teased with laughing eyes.

Kagome growled and she pounced on him, surprising both of them at her sudden movements.

Laughing, Bankotsu rolled onto his back with her on top, enjoying her slight weight on him.

She pounded her fists on his muscular chest, "You take that back, I am not weak!"

Bankotsu refused to take it back. Instead he kept his lips in his signature smirk.

She huffed. "I'll show you weak."

They began rolling around on the ground.

After they wrestled around a good fifteen minutes, Bankotsu rolled her on top of him once more, looking into her eyes. He sent her an impish look. "My, my, Kagome, I knew you wanted me, but I didn't know you wanted me this bad, or else we would have been doing this much sooner."

He winked at her and saw a slight tinge of pink cross her cheeks.

She snorted. "You're so full of it." Seeing his smirk widen, she added, "News flash Bankotsu, not every girl is hot to trot for you." She moved to get off of him, but was stopped when he wrapped his arms around her waist, pinning her to him with his arms like steel.

Kagome stiffened and blushed. "Let go, you playboy."

Smirking at the predicament that he had her in, Bankotsu lowered his head to her face capturing her lower lip between his teeth. He lightly licked and nibbled it.

She gasped in shock.

Bankotsu took advantage and slipped his tongue inside her mouth, slowly and thoroughly exploring the inside.

Shocked, that's the only way to even try to describe what she felt as his firm lips touched hers. Her lips trembled when she felt something wet slowly slid across them. They even tingled a bit, causing her to gasp.

Her eyes widened slightly as his tongue pushed into her mouth and began exploring. Kagome moaned at the unexpected pleasure beginning to course through her. Tentatively she danced her tongue along his.

He wrapped his hand in her hair and slanted his mouth over hers deepening the kiss. Thus began the battle of their tongues for dominance.

Her breathing labored. His mind filled with pleasure.

An unexpected guest arrived, spying the couple in a rather compromising situation, oblivious to their surroundings. Renkotsu stopped dead in his tracks, a slight distance from the two, in shock.

As he watched the couple, his mind began to work, revealing devious thoughts. A slight smirk graced his face. 'So he does have feelings for the wench after all... I can use this.'

Moving closer he purposely rustled some leaves with his foot, to announce his presence. He cleared his throat as he asked innocently, "Am I interrupting?"

Quickly Bankotsu broke the kiss and smiled down at Kagome's blushing face.

Having been caught in a rather compromising situation, Kagome blushed brighter and hid her face against Bankotsu's chest.

Seeing her embarrassment and loving the close proximity to her body, Bankotsu laughed heartily. "No, we were just training."

He reluctantly released his hold on her body. They both sat up. He stood to his feet and helped Kagome to hers.

"Whatever, the food's ready." Renkotsu turned around and walked away. 'Now then, how can I use this little tidbit to my best advantage?'

With a bemused look upon Bankotsu's face, he and Kagome followed the conniving mercenary back to the group.

Everyone was already being served their portion of stew that Tara and Sango had cooked up.

After everyone had eaten, Bankotsu stood and cleared his throat. "Kagome and I are going to bathe in the springs. I suggest that the rest of you get some sleep as we will be leaving early in the morning." He grabbed Kagome's hand and leading her over to the springs he had spotted earlier.

Kagome grabbed her pack and sighed in relief that she wouldn't have to bed down stinking of sweat.

XOXOXOXOXO

Bankotsu released Kagome's hand and began undressing. "I figured you could soak a bit to ease the sore muscles."

Blushing at his continued lack of discretion, Kagome turned away quickly and stripped to her underwear and bra again. "Thanks, a soak sounds like Heaven right now."

Completely stripped out of his clothes, Bankotsu smirked and scooped a blushing Kagome into his arms. He casually walked into the springs. "You know something, you bush way too easy."

Although Kagome had grown used to his brash way, she was still embarrassed by it. "Well we can't all be as shameless as you are when you're naked. I swear you have absolutely no shame." She already had her shampoo and body wash in her hands.

He grinned. "You're right about that one." His chin tilted and his grin widened. "I have no shame whatsoever." He smirked. "Especially when I'm naked. After all I do have the perfect physique."

She rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."

He assured, "Not for you I'm not."

She blinked and stared at him confused.

He wiggled his eyes brows. "All you have to do is say the word."

Her face turned red and she twirled her thumbs. "You're such a playboy."

He laughed and steadied her on her feet. "Okay, okay let's just bathe and relax."

Noticing her chewing her bottom lip, he assured, "I'll behave for now."

She stared into his eyes and then sighed and nodded.

They stood beside each other wasting no time in scrubbing themselves clean, and then washed each others hair. Afterwards they sat together just letting Kagome's sore muscles soak a bit.

XOXOXOXOXO

Back at camp Tara lay upon her blanket tossing and turning. Her breathing hitched and became ragged almost as if she was having a frightening nightmare. She mumbled softly, "No," with fear and worry evident in her soft murmur. Beads of perspiration formed on her for head. She began tossing more frantically and her breathing became even more erratic.

XOXOXOXOXO - Dream sequence - XOXOXOXOXO

"Grandfather, what are we doing today?" asked a young Tara as she walked beside her grandfather.

"Well, honey, I thought we would gather some herbs," replied the kindly old priest. His graying hair flowed freely as it hung down to his shoulders, moving in the slight wind.

The rustle of his dark blue and black priest's robes moved as he walked, soothed her. The wooden staff that he held was expertly crafted and showed that it had been well taken care of.

"Want to help?" he asked, looking at the face of his precious granddaughter. She looked very cute with a little ribbon in her short hair.

"Sure," she answered with a sparkling smile as she gazed upon his wizened face. She was grateful to be able to spend as much time with him as she could. Especially considering the amount of training that her father, the headman of the slayers' village; required of her in their chosen profession.

They skirted around the field outside of the village. The elderly priest pointed out various different plants as he explained their uses. "Hemlock is used as a poison, and aloe is used to assist with burns." Once they reached the herb patch, the duo began gathering herbs and just enjoyed the other person's company.

An hour or so later the old man felt a very evil aura present and jerked up standing stock still. Breathing nervously as his eyes tried to focus on the horizon in the direction of where he felt the evil emerging from. "Tara, I want you to go to the village and tell your uncle and father to come here immediately."

The thirteen-year-old girl became nervous. "What's wrong, granddad?"

"Go, now Tarianna," he ordered gruffly, fearful for her safety. He clutched his staff tightly.

The little girl bowed her head sorrowfully and ran back to the village to do as she had been told.

The elder's jaw clenched as his eyes narrowed on the man who had emerged from the trees chuckling, "Ku ku ku. Didn't want the child harmed, eh?"

"Naraku!" The old man spat venomously, eyes narrowing hatefully at the demon in human form. He recognized him as the one who had wreaked so much despair and havoc over the years.

Naraku was wearing maroon and black robes over his muscular frame. His skin was ghastly pale compared to the inky blackness of his locks, while his crimson eyes radiated from the pale skin with a certain hideousness to them that was unimaginable.

His crimson eyes bored into the older man's gaze as he spoke, "Koronie, we meet again."

Koronie's eyes filled with hate and disgust. "Why are you here now, fiend?"

Naraku's evil chuckle filled the air as the wind whipped his robes into a swirling mass around his body, and his long, black hair that normally cascaded down his back in waves fanned out behind him.

XOXOXOXXO

Back in the village Tara ran up to her uncle. "Uncle Nabo, hurry please, granddad is in the fields and sent me to get you and father," she panted. She continued; "He said to tell you both to go to him immediately." Her eyes filled with fear.

Nabo's eyes widened. "Tara, go tell your father now!"

Tara ran toward her home to get her father.

Nabo grabbed his weapon and ran towards the field. 'Please let this be a false alarm.' Something in his gut told him otherwise.

Tara hurried into her home and screamed in a frightened tone, "Daddy, come quick!"

A man with deep brown eyes and straight black hair cropped at the shoulders came running out. His heart beat widely against his chest as he took in his daughter's frightened appearance and noticed the tears flowing down her cheeks. Scooping her into his arms. "What's wrong, Tara?"

She clung to him desperately, sobbing, "Granddad is in the field and he sent me to get you and Uncle to come quickly."

The urgency in her voice made his eyes widen and his already frantic heart rate sped up a notch.

"Please hurry, daddy. Granddad could..." Tara cut off, unable to bear the thought or implications of losing her beloved granddad and began sobbing harder.

Dante, who had a kind yet strong-looking face, set her on her feet. He knelt before her. "Tara, go to your room and stay there. I will come get you soon."

She broke free of his grasp. "No! I'm going too." Without waiting for a reply, she ran to retrieve her blade and her bow and arrows. She grabbed her father's hand clinging tightly.

Several minutes passed as she adamantly refused to loosen her grip. "I'm going too father! I have not been going through all that rigorous training that you insisted upon for nothing!"

Her father sighed heavily, knowing that once Tara had he mind set on something that it would be damn near impossible to change. "Alright, but stay behind me," he ordered, conceding to his daughter's wishes.

An urgent feeling told him that he had no more time to stand arguing with her. He knew she was headstrong and would just follow anyway.

She nodded.

He grabbed his sword and shield and they took off.

XOXOXOXOXOXO

On the field Koronie and Nabo stood against Naraku as he changed rapidly into his demon form, sprouting tentacles from under his black and red robes.

Dante and Tara appeared on far edge of the battle field shortly after Nabo had arrived. Their eyes flew wide as they watched tentacles stab towards the two men fighting desperately to avoid being impaled. Tara and Dante drew their swords and fought their way toward the other men.

By this time the call to arms had sounded and all of the able-bodied villagers had taken up arms and had begun trying to help as best as they could. The villagers adored their headman as much as his wizened father. They would gladly lay their lives on the line to protect them - though few had any real combat training.

Naraku's evil chuckle rang out across the fields as he noticed the people massing armed with rakes, pitchforks, and whatever else they could find.

Tara's terror-filled scream of "Daddy, no!" tore through the air as she watched a tentacle fly towards her father and uncle.

She charged towards her father and hacked viciously at the offending appendage with eyes filled with anger and a fierce scowl planted on her face. Chest heaving with anger and suppressed rage, Tara faced the demon. Her fear was replaced rapidly with determination. "What the hell is your problem, you vile being? How dare you attack us?"

Tara's grandfather's voice rang clearly in the air, "That's enough Tarianna. Stay beside your father."

Tara stomped over to her father's side, reluctantly obeying her granddad.

Tara's uncle scolded her scathingly, "You should have stayed home, Tara. I told you to stay out of it!"

Tara scoffed and eyed the demon resentfully.

"You have caused far too much pain and havoc for far too long now. You die tonight, Naraku!" Koronie announced, as he prepared to attack the vile abomination with his full power.

Dante and Nabo stood close beside their father fighting for all their worth to protect him long enough for the aging man to gather the needed power to destroy the fiend.

Tara joined in the defense of her grandfather with vicious swipes of her blade at Naraku's offending tentacles.

Koronie had already placed sacred sutras around the area where the villagers were trying their best to make a stand. Shutting his eyes and drawing what remained of his powers to the surface; Koronie began to channel all his spiritual energy into his staff.

Without warning, Dante was struck through the stomach by two tentacles and fell to the ground, writhing in pain.

Tara's screams filled the air and she began fighting harder making her way to her father's side with tears flowing down her face. "Daddy… Daddy, please hang in there," she cried after hacking the tentacles from Naraku's. She stabbed her arrows through the remnants stuck in her father, purifying them into clouds of mush and blood before vaporizing into oblivion.

Holding her hands over her father's wounds, Tara desperately channeled what healing powers she had left into his wounds. 'Please let him live. He has to survive, Kami please.'

Her father gasped painfully and croaked. "Tara. Please don't cry, baby."

Tara's voice was hoarse and filled with desperation. "Daddy… stay with me… please hold on."

Dante looked at his daughter longingly. He managed to whisper, "Tara, I love you. Never forget that." His hand slowly inched to cup her cheek and he wiped away her tears. "I'll be okay, just need to rest a bit, baby. That's all." He closed his eyes and struggled to breath.

Koronie had finished gathering his energy and engaged in a fierce battle with Naraku using all of his energy in the final blow.

Naraku's pain filled screams rent through the air as a faint miasma appeared and Naraku's voice faded away.

Koronie announced, "It is finished."He immediately fell to his knees struggling to breath.

Nabo ran over to his father and gathered him into his arms.

The old man began coughing and continued struggling to breath.

The villagers ran over to their headman and carefully lifted him, carrying him back over to the infirmary. A few immediately left off to retrieve the priestess from a neighboring village.

Tara moved mechanically, barely aware that she was walking trailed beside the men carrying her father, as tears streamed down her face.

XOXOXOXO - End Flashback –- XOXOXOXO

Tara shook her head and a fearful scream sailed into the night as she bolted up opening her eyes. Unbidden tears began streaming down her face and she buried her head into her knees and hugged them tightly to her chest as if to ward off the painful memories.

Jakotsu jumped awake upon hearing her frightened scream. He looked over and saw her. Reluctantly he moved to circle the quaking girl in his arms.

She shook against his body. Suddenly, Tara's hands shot out slamming into his chest and shoving him forcefully away. "Leave me alone!"

Jakotsu scowled, mumbling, "Stupid wenches," he turned back to his slightly rumpled bed, glaring back at Tara.

She pulled her knees back to her chest trying to hide her face and tears as they flowed down her cheeks. She continued crying harder and harder to the point that she was looking broken. Her devastation crept into the atmosphere disturbing the ever flamboyant Jakotsu from his necessary beauty sleep.

Jakotsu's eyes dimmed from anger to sympathy and he pulled her again into his arms again.

This time Tara's hands buried themselves into his kimono and her head pressed against his chest, which was quickly soaked from her flooding tears. She continued to cry brokenly. "Why? Why?"

Jakotsu sighed and comforted her as best as he could, rubbing her back unsure of what caused her to freak out on him like that. 'It must have been a horrible nightmare.'

XOXOXOXOXOXO

Elsewhere soul collectors filled the air surrounding a woman in priestess attire.

Kikyo held up her hand as she acknowledged in an emotionless voice, "I see. Go and bring Inuyasha. I must speak with him."

A solitary soul collector flew through the sky seeking out the red clothed Hanyou as its master had instructed.

XOXOXOXOXOXO

A/N: Okay guys and gals there is the improved chapter twelve. Please remember to read and review thanks.