InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Miko's Love Story. ❯ Discoveries Made ( Chapter 16 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: kittyb78 
title pretty much says it all.
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 08.22.2010 | Updated On: 08.22.2010 | Pages: 5 | Words: 3.3K | Visits: 331 | Status: Completed
title pretty much says it all.
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 08.22.2010 | Updated On: 08.22.2010 | Pages: 5 | Words: 3.3K | Visits: 331 | Status: Completed
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)
A HUGE Thank you SangOtaku6 for your many ideas, suggestions, and mostly your advice :)
Chapter Sixteen:
The next morning:
Kagome woke up and felt a pair of warm strong arms around her waist. Smiling she looked up to see a peaceful expression on the hardened mercenary's face. She gazed at him a moment drinking in his masculine beauty.'I sure feel safe whenever he's near me.'
Bankotsu smirked. 'I should hope so.'
Both of their eyes shot wide open. 'What the hell?' Shock was evident in their wide eyes and dropped jaws.
Kagome's breath came in gasps. 'Wait… you can hear me?'
Bankotsu's breath was also labored. 'Duh!'
Kagome's heart raced faster and her hand flew to her chest. 'This is weird…'
Bankotsu's brows furrowed as he tried to force his heart beat to level out. 'Tell me about it.'
seeing their shocked and confused looks Kikyo nodded. 'Looks like they have finally figured it out,' Her emotionless voice cut through their mental conversation, bringing their full attention to her. "I take it you two have learned to read each others thoughts."
Bankotsu and Kagome faced her astonishment clear in their eyes.
Determined to get to the bottom of whatever was going on, Bankotsu squared his shoulders and pinned her with a hard gaze. "What do you know about this Kikyo?"
"Midoriko spoke of this in your dream. You two have now reached the point where you are able to communicate telepathically." She smiled as comprehension showed across their features.
Kagome and Bankotsu digested this newest development.
'Their training is almost complete,' Kikyo smiled. "Eat and then we shall start."
Kagome and Bankotsu went about their usual breakfast routine and stood before Kikyo a short time later.
Kikyo erected her barrier. "Start by synchronizing your heart beats. Kagome I want you to climb on his back as you did yesterday."
Kagome climbed into her customary position and they synchronized their heartbeats, after recovering from their shock.
Kikyo coolly instructed, "Focus on your connection Bankotsu. Feel Kagome's soul strengthening yours. Kagome feel Bankotsu's soul strengthening yours." She stared deep into their eyes as she spoke to them.
They did as she instructed and felt their souls connect. Both their eyes widened.
"Now I want you to Bankotsu draw on that connection and feel Kagome's quiet strength flow with your powerful one."
Bankotsu did as instructed. Instantly they both felt a deeper connection then any they had ever felt before.
Able to tell they had completed the task, by the looks of astonishment they both wore, Kikyo nodded. "Bankotsu, concentrate on building a barrier around you both."
He frowned. "Is that even possible?"
Kikyo's tone was clipped. "Focus on your connection with Kagome and use that to erect a barrier around you both."
Ten minutes later a bright blue barrier surrounded Kagome and Bankotsu. Kikyo nodded in approval. "Remember, this barrier will increase in strength as your desire to protect Kagome does."
Bankotsu smiled. "So in other words, this barrier is as strong as my desire to protect Kags?"
Kikyo nodded. "Kagome, through the connection you share, your powers will allow him to throw a barrier around you in case of danger."
Kagome smiled impressed.
"For the rest of the day, you two are only to communicate telepathically. You will keep your heartbeats synchronized as well."
They nodded in understanding.
"Bankotsu, lower the barrier."
He did as told.
Kikyo nodded. "Now go about your normal routine, but know that I will be testing you both today."
They nodded.
Bankotsu began again running and flipping around. Their heartbeats remained synchronized and their bond only increased.
'Kagome, I want to try something different. Hold on!'
She nodded and gripped his shoulders.
Bankotsu flipped into the air and landed in a crouched position before springing to his feet and going around as normal again.
Kikyo drew her bow and fired several arrows directly toward Kagome.
Spotting the arrows Bankotsu pulled on their combined strength and threw up a blue barrier around them.
Kikyo smiled. 'Good.'
The arrows fell harmlessly to the ground before them and Bankotsu lowered his Barrier.
Kikyo lowered her barrier and instructed. "Continue."
'Let's show her what we can do,' Bankotsu gripped his Banryu and added it to the reservoir.
Kagome smiled. 'Yes!'
Several demons came towards them.
working together they took them all out like clockwork.
Kikyo's arrows fired while they were distracted by the demons.
Kagome shot a barrier up around them.
"They are almost ready," Kikyo whispered to herself.
For the rest of the day, Kagome and Bankotsu worked together, with Kikyo's barrier protecting the trio.
Bankotsu flipped around increasing his speed and the frequency of the flips. Not once did they fail to keep their heartbeats synchronized. It was now natural to them to move and keep their hearts as one.
At the end of the day Bankotsu lowered Kagome to the ground and they ate more ramen before bedding down for the night.
Midoriko appeared before Kikyo. "You have done well, child," She smiled at her brightest student.
"Thank you," Kikyo's emotionless eyes drank in the sight of her long dead teacher.
Midoriko smiled and nodded. "They are the only hope this world has for being freed from the evil that is Naraku."
Kikyo nodded. "At least now they will have a fighting chance."
Midoriko sent her a warm smile. "Thanks to you they will."
Kikyo's shoulders squared as she said evenly, "It has always been my duty."
Midoriko's ghost frowned, saddened by her former student's cool persona. "Duty isn't everything Kikyo; you must enjoy life while you can."
feeling slightly bitter, Kikyo answered evenly. "A lesson I never learned until after my death."
Midoriko added sadly, "It was tragic what happened to you and Inuyasha. I can only hope that you have now both learned from it."
Kikyo shrugged. "We have, for what good it does."
Midoriko smiled sadly. "You never know. Perhaps one day you may be given another chance?"
Eyes narrowing coldly on her former instructor, Kikyo countered, "The dead do not get chances."
Midoriko countered, "If that were true we wouldn't be here now… would we?"
Kikyo went silent as she looked on at the slumbering lovers. A moment later she whispered, "Perhaps."
Returning to the business at hand, Midoriko reminded, "Tomorrow is the final day of their training."
Kikyo also returned to the business at hand. "Yes. Let's just hope that it was enough."
Midoriko walked over to the slumbering couple and kissed their foreheads before standing. "I believe so."
Still unconvinced Kikyo added, "We shall see," before turning away from her one time teacher.
Midoriko agreed, "We shall," before she disappeared.
Kikyo sat there vigilantly keeping a guard over the young couple before her.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
The next morning:
Bankotsu and Kagome awoke together and went for breakfast. They did their business and washed their hands before approaching Kikyo.
Kikyo put up her normal barrier to insure they'd not be interrupted.
A wind rushed by Kagome and she heard a gentle voice whispering to her. Smiling Kagome said, "Kikyo, there's something I wish to try."
Reading her mind, Bankotsu agreed, 'Let's hope this works and you don't take mine by accident.'
Kagome squeezed his hand in reassurance. "Have some faith in me."
Bankotsu smirked and spoke out loud. "I already do."
Kagome smiled and handed Kikyo the jewel shards that had been in her possession.
Kikyo blinked. "I don't understand."
Kagome smiled. "You will, soon enough."
Bankotsu and Kagome got into their regular positions with Kagome snug on his back. Kagome nodded and Bankotsu began their normal routine.
After an hour Kagome reached to him telepathically. 'Now Bankotsu.'
He smiled. 'You got it babe.' He stopped running.
Kagome focused all her mind on the jewel shards in Kikyo's grasp. 'Please let this work,'' herbreath hitched nervously.
Bankotsu soothed her telepathically. 'I have faith in you Kags. You can do this.'
Emboldened by his faith in her, Kagome commanded, "Come to me."
Kikyo's eyes widened as she felt the shards trying to leave her haori. 'What is this?'
Kagome opened her eyes and held out her hand. She threw a strong compulsion in her voice for the shards to obey her. "I call you to me now!"
Suddenly the shards lit up a bright ink and began to fly towards Kagome like bullets shot out of a gun.
Seeing this Bankotsu quickly threw up a barrier around them, before the shards could impale them.
Kagome gasped and lost her concentration, falling on to her butt.
The shards fell harmless before Bankotsu's barrier.
Kagome laughed and cried out happily, "It worked!" She jumped up and down excitedly.
Bankotsu scowled. "If you don't count nearly being impaled," clearly unhappy about the last part.
Kagome laughed, "Don't you see Bankotsu. This means we can surprise them!"
Feeling her enthusiasm touching even his cold heart, Bankotsu smirked. "That's my girl!" he stated proudly.
Kagome beamed. "Let's try it again."
Bankotsu nodded and carried the shards over to Kikyo.
With bulging eyes, Kikyo stuttered, "Ho… how did you do that?"
Kagome smiled and puffed her chest out with pride. "It just came to me."
Kikyo stared at the shards unable to fathom such a thing. 'Even I cannot do this.'
Kagome grinned. "Again okay, Kikyo?"
Kikyo nodded mutely.
They practiced throughout the day.
By the end of the day Kagome was able to call the shards at will with a simple thought.
Bankotsu grinned. 'Wait until the others see this.'
Kagome's heart swelled with pride and happiness. 'Yeah! And with this Naraku has even less chance of winning.'
Bankotsu smirked. 'He has little to no chance thanks to us, babe.'"
Kagome chided out loud. "Let's not get over confident Ban. He's a crafty one for sure. But at least now we have a real chance."
Bankotsu draped an arm over her shoulder and grinned. "When we work together, no one can defeat us!"
Kagome smiled proudly and nodded.
Kikyo looked on and informed them, "There is nothing more I can teach you. You two together have surpassed my knowledge."
Kagome smiled. "Thank you Kikyo! Without you we could never have done this!"
Kikyo stared at her reincarnation and answered evenly, "You are welcome."
Bankotsu smirked.
Satisfied that they were finally ready for the task set ahead of them, Bankotsu ordered, "Let's eat and bed down. In the morning we shall return to the others."
Kagome smiled confidently. "We are ready." With Bankotsu at her side, Kagome knew instinctively that there was no way she would lose.
Both were thoroughly exhausted, yet exhilarated at the accomplishments. They ate fish and berries and turned in for the night.
'My strong, beautiful miko,' Bankotsu thought possessively as he stared down at the woman who was fast wrapping herself into his heart… permanently. Holding her close to his heart, Bankotsu drifted to sleep.
Drowsy Kagome thought happily, 'I could stay in his arms forever, if he'd let me,' before falling into a deep slumber.
That night they both shared each other's dreams….
Mini Dream Sequence:
Kagome saw her future before her and had to choose either Inuyasha or Bankotsu. She smiled at Inuyasha. "I know you understand."
His firm lips tilted into a smile and his hand squeezed Kikyo's. He smiled at his sisterly figure. "Be happy Kagome."
Kagome immediately replied, "I am."
She walked over to Bankotsu and pulled his head down to her. Their lips met and tingles danced down their spines. A soft sizzle of something truly beyond comprehension coursed through both of their bodies. Warmth spread through their hearts and their connection to one another was solidified for all eternity.
End Mini Dream Sequence:
Midoriko's ghost shed a tear as she and Kikyo observed the sleeping couple.
Kikyo asked, "Do they know?"
Midoriko smiled. "Not yet, but they will." Turning to her one time student, she said, "Thank you. Together they will be able to do what we both failed to accomplish."
Midoriko smiled as she gazed once more upon the sleeping couple. 'Now for the final piece,' she kissed Bankotsu's tattoo affectionately.
Her voice was but a soft breeze in his ear. "May you live a long and happy life together, my great grandson." Stepping back she faded into the night.
Bankotsu reminisced about the kiss Inuyasha had interrupted a while back.
Flashback:
Bankotsu's eyes locked to the eyes of the girl beneath him and he very slowly descended towards her full rose petal lips that were just begging for him to devour them. Unwilling to ignore the temptation any longer he smirked.
Kagome blushed deeply.
He chuckled and moved her arms from her sides to pin them above her head. 'Now I have the little temptress right where I want her.' Bankotsu lowered his head to her face. Capturing her lower lip between his teeth he lightly licked and nibbled it.
She gasped. Taking advantage of her open mouth, Bankotsu slipped his tongue inside her mouth and thoroughly explored the inside of her mouth. 'She tastes sweet like strawberries.'
Kagome moaned and her body shivered with desire. Tentatively she started sliding her tongue along his and thus began the battle of the tongues for dominance.
As the couple fought the battle for dominance oblivious to their surroundings, an unexpected guest arrived.
Inuyasha kicked Bankotsu off of Kagome. His tone was dangerous. "Am I interrupting?"
Rolling with the kick and onto his feet, Bankotsu rushed Inuyasha tackling him into the ground. The two started fighting with the sickening thud of fist hitting flesh.
"Bankotsu, Inuyasha, quit fighting you two! Inuyasha stop it. He didn't do anything wrong. Stop fighting!" She ran towards them and tried to separate them.
Once Bankotsu had been pushed far enough away from Inuyasha, Kagome's temper rose and she faced the hanyou. "Sit Boy!"
Inuyasha plummeted face first into the ground, leaving a hanyou shaped indentation easily a good foot deep.
Her eyes filled with fire as she glared at the hanyou. "How dare you attack Bankotsu when he kissed me? He didn't do anything wrong."
'I'm glad that it's the stupid mutt in the ground and not me.' Bankotsu wrapped Kagome into a warm embrace. He pulled her into another kiss, ignoring the growling coming from the crater at their feet.
Bankotsu broke the kiss and smiled at Kagome's blushing face. 'She likes when I kiss her eh? Good.'
Kagome blushed brighter and hid her face into his chest breathing in his strong musky scent.
Seeing her embarrassment and loving the close proximity to her body, Bankotsu laughed heartily and answered Inuyasha's earlier question. "No, we were just training."
His grip on her waist tightened slightly before her reluctantly released her. He turned back to the hanyou who was slowly pulling himself out of the crater.
Bankotsu felt white hot rage boiling in his veins and stormed over to the insolent half breed. "You ever do that again Inuyasha and I'll be forced to kill you." His nostrils flared. He took a menacing step towards the hanyou. "Don't ever touch me or mine again. Got that?"
Pulling himself onto his feet, Inuyasha stuffed his hands into the sleeves of his haori. "Keh... you shouldn't be attacking Kagome like that either."
Tension mounted in the air and Bankotsu felt something dark and ominous sweep through him. 'Why you stupid no good piss poor breed. How dare you accuse me of such a heinous act with an innocent like Kagome? I'm going to…'
"He didn't attack me." Her soft voice penetrated his rage.
Bankotsu's eyes went to his miko who was staring the dog down. His heart skipped a beat.
Bankotsu moved swiftly getting right into Inuyasha's face. "I will do as I please with whomever I want and you can't do a thing about that." His teeth ground together. "You ever lay a finger upon her again mutt and I will remove it without a thought." He cracked his fists. "Now leave before it gets ugly."
End Flashback:
Bankotsu groaned shifting in his sleep and pressed closer to the woman hugged in his arms.
She moaned in her sleep as well. Both now comfortable, they slept deeply.
XOXOXOXOXO
Okay that's the improved chapter sixteen. Please enjoy and review.
P.S. As I'm sure you have noticed the flash back was a bit different than the scene in chapter 14. That's because this was Bankotsu's memory of the scene and as such it focused more on his thoughts/feelings/ect.
A HUGE Thank you SangOtaku6 for your many ideas, suggestions, and mostly your advice :)
Chapter Sixteen:
The next morning:
Kagome woke up and felt a pair of warm strong arms around her waist. Smiling she looked up to see a peaceful expression on the hardened mercenary's face. She gazed at him a moment drinking in his masculine beauty.'I sure feel safe whenever he's near me.'
Bankotsu smirked. 'I should hope so.'
Both of their eyes shot wide open. 'What the hell?' Shock was evident in their wide eyes and dropped jaws.
Kagome's breath came in gasps. 'Wait… you can hear me?'
Bankotsu's breath was also labored. 'Duh!'
Kagome's heart raced faster and her hand flew to her chest. 'This is weird…'
Bankotsu's brows furrowed as he tried to force his heart beat to level out. 'Tell me about it.'
seeing their shocked and confused looks Kikyo nodded. 'Looks like they have finally figured it out,' Her emotionless voice cut through their mental conversation, bringing their full attention to her. "I take it you two have learned to read each others thoughts."
Bankotsu and Kagome faced her astonishment clear in their eyes.
Determined to get to the bottom of whatever was going on, Bankotsu squared his shoulders and pinned her with a hard gaze. "What do you know about this Kikyo?"
"Midoriko spoke of this in your dream. You two have now reached the point where you are able to communicate telepathically." She smiled as comprehension showed across their features.
Kagome and Bankotsu digested this newest development.
'Their training is almost complete,' Kikyo smiled. "Eat and then we shall start."
Kagome and Bankotsu went about their usual breakfast routine and stood before Kikyo a short time later.
Kikyo erected her barrier. "Start by synchronizing your heart beats. Kagome I want you to climb on his back as you did yesterday."
Kagome climbed into her customary position and they synchronized their heartbeats, after recovering from their shock.
Kikyo coolly instructed, "Focus on your connection Bankotsu. Feel Kagome's soul strengthening yours. Kagome feel Bankotsu's soul strengthening yours." She stared deep into their eyes as she spoke to them.
They did as she instructed and felt their souls connect. Both their eyes widened.
"Now I want you to Bankotsu draw on that connection and feel Kagome's quiet strength flow with your powerful one."
Bankotsu did as instructed. Instantly they both felt a deeper connection then any they had ever felt before.
Able to tell they had completed the task, by the looks of astonishment they both wore, Kikyo nodded. "Bankotsu, concentrate on building a barrier around you both."
He frowned. "Is that even possible?"
Kikyo's tone was clipped. "Focus on your connection with Kagome and use that to erect a barrier around you both."
Ten minutes later a bright blue barrier surrounded Kagome and Bankotsu. Kikyo nodded in approval. "Remember, this barrier will increase in strength as your desire to protect Kagome does."
Bankotsu smiled. "So in other words, this barrier is as strong as my desire to protect Kags?"
Kikyo nodded. "Kagome, through the connection you share, your powers will allow him to throw a barrier around you in case of danger."
Kagome smiled impressed.
"For the rest of the day, you two are only to communicate telepathically. You will keep your heartbeats synchronized as well."
They nodded in understanding.
"Bankotsu, lower the barrier."
He did as told.
Kikyo nodded. "Now go about your normal routine, but know that I will be testing you both today."
They nodded.
Bankotsu began again running and flipping around. Their heartbeats remained synchronized and their bond only increased.
'Kagome, I want to try something different. Hold on!'
She nodded and gripped his shoulders.
Bankotsu flipped into the air and landed in a crouched position before springing to his feet and going around as normal again.
Kikyo drew her bow and fired several arrows directly toward Kagome.
Spotting the arrows Bankotsu pulled on their combined strength and threw up a blue barrier around them.
Kikyo smiled. 'Good.'
The arrows fell harmlessly to the ground before them and Bankotsu lowered his Barrier.
Kikyo lowered her barrier and instructed. "Continue."
'Let's show her what we can do,' Bankotsu gripped his Banryu and added it to the reservoir.
Kagome smiled. 'Yes!'
Several demons came towards them.
working together they took them all out like clockwork.
Kikyo's arrows fired while they were distracted by the demons.
Kagome shot a barrier up around them.
"They are almost ready," Kikyo whispered to herself.
For the rest of the day, Kagome and Bankotsu worked together, with Kikyo's barrier protecting the trio.
Bankotsu flipped around increasing his speed and the frequency of the flips. Not once did they fail to keep their heartbeats synchronized. It was now natural to them to move and keep their hearts as one.
At the end of the day Bankotsu lowered Kagome to the ground and they ate more ramen before bedding down for the night.
Midoriko appeared before Kikyo. "You have done well, child," She smiled at her brightest student.
"Thank you," Kikyo's emotionless eyes drank in the sight of her long dead teacher.
Midoriko smiled and nodded. "They are the only hope this world has for being freed from the evil that is Naraku."
Kikyo nodded. "At least now they will have a fighting chance."
Midoriko sent her a warm smile. "Thanks to you they will."
Kikyo's shoulders squared as she said evenly, "It has always been my duty."
Midoriko's ghost frowned, saddened by her former student's cool persona. "Duty isn't everything Kikyo; you must enjoy life while you can."
feeling slightly bitter, Kikyo answered evenly. "A lesson I never learned until after my death."
Midoriko added sadly, "It was tragic what happened to you and Inuyasha. I can only hope that you have now both learned from it."
Kikyo shrugged. "We have, for what good it does."
Midoriko smiled sadly. "You never know. Perhaps one day you may be given another chance?"
Eyes narrowing coldly on her former instructor, Kikyo countered, "The dead do not get chances."
Midoriko countered, "If that were true we wouldn't be here now… would we?"
Kikyo went silent as she looked on at the slumbering lovers. A moment later she whispered, "Perhaps."
Returning to the business at hand, Midoriko reminded, "Tomorrow is the final day of their training."
Kikyo also returned to the business at hand. "Yes. Let's just hope that it was enough."
Midoriko walked over to the slumbering couple and kissed their foreheads before standing. "I believe so."
Still unconvinced Kikyo added, "We shall see," before turning away from her one time teacher.
Midoriko agreed, "We shall," before she disappeared.
Kikyo sat there vigilantly keeping a guard over the young couple before her.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
The next morning:
Bankotsu and Kagome awoke together and went for breakfast. They did their business and washed their hands before approaching Kikyo.
Kikyo put up her normal barrier to insure they'd not be interrupted.
A wind rushed by Kagome and she heard a gentle voice whispering to her. Smiling Kagome said, "Kikyo, there's something I wish to try."
Reading her mind, Bankotsu agreed, 'Let's hope this works and you don't take mine by accident.'
Kagome squeezed his hand in reassurance. "Have some faith in me."
Bankotsu smirked and spoke out loud. "I already do."
Kagome smiled and handed Kikyo the jewel shards that had been in her possession.
Kikyo blinked. "I don't understand."
Kagome smiled. "You will, soon enough."
Bankotsu and Kagome got into their regular positions with Kagome snug on his back. Kagome nodded and Bankotsu began their normal routine.
After an hour Kagome reached to him telepathically. 'Now Bankotsu.'
He smiled. 'You got it babe.' He stopped running.
Kagome focused all her mind on the jewel shards in Kikyo's grasp. 'Please let this work,'' herbreath hitched nervously.
Bankotsu soothed her telepathically. 'I have faith in you Kags. You can do this.'
Emboldened by his faith in her, Kagome commanded, "Come to me."
Kikyo's eyes widened as she felt the shards trying to leave her haori. 'What is this?'
Kagome opened her eyes and held out her hand. She threw a strong compulsion in her voice for the shards to obey her. "I call you to me now!"
Suddenly the shards lit up a bright ink and began to fly towards Kagome like bullets shot out of a gun.
Seeing this Bankotsu quickly threw up a barrier around them, before the shards could impale them.
Kagome gasped and lost her concentration, falling on to her butt.
The shards fell harmless before Bankotsu's barrier.
Kagome laughed and cried out happily, "It worked!" She jumped up and down excitedly.
Bankotsu scowled. "If you don't count nearly being impaled," clearly unhappy about the last part.
Kagome laughed, "Don't you see Bankotsu. This means we can surprise them!"
Feeling her enthusiasm touching even his cold heart, Bankotsu smirked. "That's my girl!" he stated proudly.
Kagome beamed. "Let's try it again."
Bankotsu nodded and carried the shards over to Kikyo.
With bulging eyes, Kikyo stuttered, "Ho… how did you do that?"
Kagome smiled and puffed her chest out with pride. "It just came to me."
Kikyo stared at the shards unable to fathom such a thing. 'Even I cannot do this.'
Kagome grinned. "Again okay, Kikyo?"
Kikyo nodded mutely.
They practiced throughout the day.
By the end of the day Kagome was able to call the shards at will with a simple thought.
Bankotsu grinned. 'Wait until the others see this.'
Kagome's heart swelled with pride and happiness. 'Yeah! And with this Naraku has even less chance of winning.'
Bankotsu smirked. 'He has little to no chance thanks to us, babe.'"
Kagome chided out loud. "Let's not get over confident Ban. He's a crafty one for sure. But at least now we have a real chance."
Bankotsu draped an arm over her shoulder and grinned. "When we work together, no one can defeat us!"
Kagome smiled proudly and nodded.
Kikyo looked on and informed them, "There is nothing more I can teach you. You two together have surpassed my knowledge."
Kagome smiled. "Thank you Kikyo! Without you we could never have done this!"
Kikyo stared at her reincarnation and answered evenly, "You are welcome."
Bankotsu smirked.
Satisfied that they were finally ready for the task set ahead of them, Bankotsu ordered, "Let's eat and bed down. In the morning we shall return to the others."
Kagome smiled confidently. "We are ready." With Bankotsu at her side, Kagome knew instinctively that there was no way she would lose.
Both were thoroughly exhausted, yet exhilarated at the accomplishments. They ate fish and berries and turned in for the night.
'My strong, beautiful miko,' Bankotsu thought possessively as he stared down at the woman who was fast wrapping herself into his heart… permanently. Holding her close to his heart, Bankotsu drifted to sleep.
Drowsy Kagome thought happily, 'I could stay in his arms forever, if he'd let me,' before falling into a deep slumber.
That night they both shared each other's dreams….
Mini Dream Sequence:
Kagome saw her future before her and had to choose either Inuyasha or Bankotsu. She smiled at Inuyasha. "I know you understand."
His firm lips tilted into a smile and his hand squeezed Kikyo's. He smiled at his sisterly figure. "Be happy Kagome."
Kagome immediately replied, "I am."
She walked over to Bankotsu and pulled his head down to her. Their lips met and tingles danced down their spines. A soft sizzle of something truly beyond comprehension coursed through both of their bodies. Warmth spread through their hearts and their connection to one another was solidified for all eternity.
End Mini Dream Sequence:
Midoriko's ghost shed a tear as she and Kikyo observed the sleeping couple.
Kikyo asked, "Do they know?"
Midoriko smiled. "Not yet, but they will." Turning to her one time student, she said, "Thank you. Together they will be able to do what we both failed to accomplish."
Midoriko smiled as she gazed once more upon the sleeping couple. 'Now for the final piece,' she kissed Bankotsu's tattoo affectionately.
Her voice was but a soft breeze in his ear. "May you live a long and happy life together, my great grandson." Stepping back she faded into the night.
Bankotsu reminisced about the kiss Inuyasha had interrupted a while back.
Flashback:
Bankotsu's eyes locked to the eyes of the girl beneath him and he very slowly descended towards her full rose petal lips that were just begging for him to devour them. Unwilling to ignore the temptation any longer he smirked.
Kagome blushed deeply.
He chuckled and moved her arms from her sides to pin them above her head. 'Now I have the little temptress right where I want her.' Bankotsu lowered his head to her face. Capturing her lower lip between his teeth he lightly licked and nibbled it.
She gasped. Taking advantage of her open mouth, Bankotsu slipped his tongue inside her mouth and thoroughly explored the inside of her mouth. 'She tastes sweet like strawberries.'
Kagome moaned and her body shivered with desire. Tentatively she started sliding her tongue along his and thus began the battle of the tongues for dominance.
As the couple fought the battle for dominance oblivious to their surroundings, an unexpected guest arrived.
Inuyasha kicked Bankotsu off of Kagome. His tone was dangerous. "Am I interrupting?"
Rolling with the kick and onto his feet, Bankotsu rushed Inuyasha tackling him into the ground. The two started fighting with the sickening thud of fist hitting flesh.
"Bankotsu, Inuyasha, quit fighting you two! Inuyasha stop it. He didn't do anything wrong. Stop fighting!" She ran towards them and tried to separate them.
Once Bankotsu had been pushed far enough away from Inuyasha, Kagome's temper rose and she faced the hanyou. "Sit Boy!"
Inuyasha plummeted face first into the ground, leaving a hanyou shaped indentation easily a good foot deep.
Her eyes filled with fire as she glared at the hanyou. "How dare you attack Bankotsu when he kissed me? He didn't do anything wrong."
'I'm glad that it's the stupid mutt in the ground and not me.' Bankotsu wrapped Kagome into a warm embrace. He pulled her into another kiss, ignoring the growling coming from the crater at their feet.
Bankotsu broke the kiss and smiled at Kagome's blushing face. 'She likes when I kiss her eh? Good.'
Kagome blushed brighter and hid her face into his chest breathing in his strong musky scent.
Seeing her embarrassment and loving the close proximity to her body, Bankotsu laughed heartily and answered Inuyasha's earlier question. "No, we were just training."
His grip on her waist tightened slightly before her reluctantly released her. He turned back to the hanyou who was slowly pulling himself out of the crater.
Bankotsu felt white hot rage boiling in his veins and stormed over to the insolent half breed. "You ever do that again Inuyasha and I'll be forced to kill you." His nostrils flared. He took a menacing step towards the hanyou. "Don't ever touch me or mine again. Got that?"
Pulling himself onto his feet, Inuyasha stuffed his hands into the sleeves of his haori. "Keh... you shouldn't be attacking Kagome like that either."
Tension mounted in the air and Bankotsu felt something dark and ominous sweep through him. 'Why you stupid no good piss poor breed. How dare you accuse me of such a heinous act with an innocent like Kagome? I'm going to…'
"He didn't attack me." Her soft voice penetrated his rage.
Bankotsu's eyes went to his miko who was staring the dog down. His heart skipped a beat.
Bankotsu moved swiftly getting right into Inuyasha's face. "I will do as I please with whomever I want and you can't do a thing about that." His teeth ground together. "You ever lay a finger upon her again mutt and I will remove it without a thought." He cracked his fists. "Now leave before it gets ugly."
End Flashback:
Bankotsu groaned shifting in his sleep and pressed closer to the woman hugged in his arms.
She moaned in her sleep as well. Both now comfortable, they slept deeply.
XOXOXOXOXO
Okay that's the improved chapter sixteen. Please enjoy and review.
P.S. As I'm sure you have noticed the flash back was a bit different than the scene in chapter 14. That's because this was Bankotsu's memory of the scene and as such it focused more on his thoughts/feelings/ect.