InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Bankotsu&Kitra: Past Relations ❯ one ( Chapter 1 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: kittyb78 
1
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure | Type: Fanfiction Sequel | Uploaded On: 07.30.2008 | Updated On: 03.27.2009 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.8K | Visits: 125 | Status: Work In Progress
1
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure | Type: Fanfiction Sequel | Uploaded On: 07.30.2008 | Updated On: 03.27.2009 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.8K | Visits: 125 | Status: Work In Progress
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha! I do own Kitra, Darius, Kou, Nenji, and Tao, and the plot, and story line... There. I said it. (sighs)
Most importantly I would like to give a BIG shout out and HUGE thanks to my beta Frog Lady! :)
Chapter 1:
Kitra stood beside her brother and faced the one man in the world she truly loathed. "The village was slaughtered and your father with it," she snapped angrily. "Your father's decree holds no meaning now; with both him and the village gone, you have no power!"
Kou proclaimed, "Wrong, my dear, I’m now the headman," pointing to his chest proudly.
Kitra snorted and snapped, "Headman of what, you idiot!? There is no village!" years of stomaching his touches and gagging kisses and of burying her hatred had finally come to an end. She knew deep inside that he was the reason her beloved Bankotsu had been banished from his friends, his home and everything he’d ever known; which only strengthened her hatred for this man.
Darius faced his nemesis and warned, "Leave now and you and your friends may yet live," drawing his sword, as he backed Kitra behind him again.
"We shall rebuild the village, and you and I shall repopulate it, my sweet Kitra," Kou stated seriously, while eying the girl. He’d always desired her and she was now a voluptuous young woman.
Kitra's temper rose and her face turned red as she yelled what she’d been wanting to for the past four years, "I refuse to marry an ass like you!"
"You have no choice, dearest!" Kou said seriously, unaffected by the deep seeded hatred he could now see in her eyes..
Darius's own temper began to rise. "The hell she doesn't! I’ll never let you hurt Kitra," he yelled, staring him dead in the eye. He’d been tiptoeing around this bastard long enough and was ready to make his stand.
Kou faced his subordinates and ordered, "Then you will die! Nenji, Tao, destroy him," allowing his own hatred to enter his eyes. He’d lived under this man’s shadow for the last time.
Nenji and Tao eyes wide with fear, began to close in on Darius. Both were desperately trying to impress Kou, but they were also scared! They knew damn well that Darius was still known as the village's best swordsman, and they were scared to have to face him- especially since his warnings years ago.
Kitra became concerned and began to fear for her brother's safety. "No, Darius!" she yelled.
"Go now, Kitra! Run away from here quickly while I hold them off," Darius commanded, while getting into a defensive stance.
"No, please, Dar I can't lose you too!" Kitra said, begging him with her eyes.
"Go, damn it, while you still can!" Darius yelled, and began fighting the two men.
"Dar..." Kitra said brokenly, watching in horror as her brother battled fiercely.
Darius demanded, "Kitra run, damn it- now!" concentrating on his battles.
She took a deep breath and looked for the last time at her beloved brother. She saw her brother take down Nenji and Tao, and to her horror, she saw him get a sword shoved through his stomach and out of his back by Kou.
She quickly turned around and ran as fast as she could, trying to escape him. She ran until she came to the river, crying the entire way, fearing the worst for her brother. When she reached the river, she looked around and noticed it was far too wide and turbulent to cross. She found herself trapped.
She twirled around looking for an escape route, when Kou came through the trees. "I warned you not to try and escape me, Kitra," he stated angrily while stomping towards her looking very cross.
"You bastard, you killed Darius! He was all I had left and you killed him!" Kitra yelled, hazel eyes flashing dangerously. Her hatred and anger of the man before her began to boil over and she lunged furiously at him with an animalistic scream of outrage. "I will never be yours, Kou!"
He rolled capturing her underneath him, but she quickly jumped away. He stood up facing her and said cockily, "You have no choice," Then he chuckled mentioning, "Now you have no one to protect you anymore."
Kitra glared at him, full of unadulterated hatred. "You’ll pay for killing Darius- I swear it!" she declared while clenching her tiny fists.
Kou chuckled advancing towards her, smirking, and she slowly backed up until she felt her back hit the trunk of a wide tree. "Now you’re mine," he declared, as he closed in on her preventing her from escaping.
"Never Kou!" Kitra screamed. "You bastard, you killed Darius!" She fought, trying to free herself. He pulled out a dagger and began cutting her everywhere he could reach.
She screamed in pain and spat in his face, eyes filled with pure hatred. Kou pinned her against the tree and smirked at her triumphantly.
Not far away:
Stood a lone man, with a super muscular build, but was somewhat short, wearing white hakamas and a white haori, as well as silverfish armor on his chest, back, and one shoulder and a bright red silky obi. His jet black hair in a tight braid down his back and piercing blue eyes; was carrying his beloved Banryu propped on his shoulder. He realized he was very close to the village he’d been born in. He thought back to the day he had been banished, ore specifically to right before he was forced to leave the village.
Flashback:
Kitra cried even harder and held even tighter yelling adamantly, "No, I don't want to lose you too," remembering that she’d already lost her parents.
Forcing her chin up so she stared him in the eye, Bankotsu vowed seriously, "You will never lose me! The three of us will always be bound together,” reminding her of their sacred bond the trio shared. Kitra sniffed and begged him with her eyes not to leave her behind.
The guards became impatient and said, "It's time, Bankotsu!" in a rough voice, not willing to wait any longer.
He nodded and pried the girl's grip loose, kissing the top of her head lovingly and whispered seriously, so low only she could hear, "I will never forget you, Kit! Someday, I will find you and the three of us will be together again!" she was roughly pulled off and held by a guard, and he was ruthlessly shoved away; while she fought trying to free herself and follow him.
He looked back one last time, taking a moment to silently assure her he’d be alright. Confidently he sent her his most arrogant smirk and waved.
End Flashback
Present time:
He shook his head to clear his thoughts and continued walking. He was the fearless leader of the Band of Seven and even though only four remained, they still roamed the lands together. There was Jakotsu, Renkotsu, Suikotsu, and himself left remaining.
He was startled out of his thoughts by a scream of, "Never Kou! You bastard, you killed Darius!"
Bankotsu immediately became alarmed. "Kitra!" he yelled, as he quickly ran off in the direction of the scream. His Banryu was leaning heavily into his shoulder as he bounced and crashed through the trees. He arrived at the place where the yell had originated from and stood there observing the scene.
He gasped in awe as he noticed the fiery haired woman who was fighting back even while being cut; he knew without a doubt she had to be his friend Kitra. He glared at the man who was pinning her to the tree cutting her, and scowled as he realized it had to be that same pain in the ass, little prick Kou. Kou had always been determined to make Kitra his.
Bankotsu stood tall holding his Banryu's handle by his side with the blade pointed up in the air in with one hand, and drawled evenly, "Well, well, it seems you just never learn, eh, Kou?"
Kou whirled around, eyes wide in fear and shock. "Ban... Bankotsu? It can't be!" he said, as he stepped a few paces away from Kitra and the tree preparing to fight.
Bankotsu smirked. "In the flesh," he confirmed, as he kept his focus on the prick in front of him.
Kitra saw Bankotsu and her eyes widened in shock at his appearance, for his muscles had filled out even more. Then her face lit up as she realized it really was him. He was taller and much stronger, but his eyes still remained the same enchanting sapphire color and his hair was still worn in a tight braid; even though it was longer now.
Her heart began pounding faster in excitement at the fact that he was actually here. She ached at finally seeing him again after all these years. She noticed he’d gotten even more handsome over the years, but immediately pushed that thought aside and focused on what was being said between the two men.
Kou faced him fully. "What the hell are you doing here," he snarled angrily, glaring at the man in front of him with eyes full of hate.
Bankotsu smirked and retorted, "Are you gonna stand there and talk all night or you ready to fight a real opponent?"
"You bastard," Kou growled angrily and seethed. He glared at Bankotsu. This was his rival he’d thought dead for years.
Bankotsu raised a brow questioningly and taunted, "Name calling? Now you’ve sunk to calling names instead of fighting?" He scoffed and added, "Pathetic as ever, I see."
He set his Banryu aside embedding it deeply into the earthy soil. "You don't even deserve the honor of dying by my blade, but you will die by my own hands!" he declared as his eyes narrowed on the arrogant prick in anger. He cracked his fingers into balled fists.
Kou charged towards Bankotsu only to get round house kicked in the stomach and end up falling flat on his face. Bankotsu landed, yawning and faced his nemesis, taunting him, "How pathetic, not to mention boring."
Kitra had been watching the entire time. She scoffed adding in a condescending voice, "He's right you know, you really are pathetic, Kou,” glaring at the man who’d always made her life hell.
Kou got to his feet yelling, "Shut the fuck up bitch!" as he glared at her, pissed beyond belief that she was speaking to him in such a manner, and even more so that Bankotsu once again was standing in his way.
"The only bitch around here is you, jackass!" Kitra angrily quipped, eyes full of pure hatred. Without warning, she ran towards him and launched herself at him, knocking him to the ground.
She started beating him with her fists in a fit of pure rage. He quickly blocked her and rolled her underneath him, pinning her to the ground. Ripping open her short kimono, he chuckled, eyes full of lust.
Knowing damn well what the bastard's intentions were, Bankotsu felt his blood actually beginning to boil from his rising anger. Heaving with barely suppressed rage, he stomped over to him and drawing back his foot.
Kou was sent flying by an angry kick. Feeling the weight removed from her, Kitra quickly rolled away and stood up. She quickly turned away and tried to tie the mini kimono shut.
Eyes narrowed dangerously and still heaving with anger, Bankotsu advanced on Kou and kicked him in the ribs, sending him flying into the tree. He stormed over to him and bent down. Picking him up by the shirt front, he painfully slammed him against the tree, and holding him there with one hand; used his free hand to punch him in the stomach rapidly. He dropped him and reached down, pulling out Kou's sword to stab it through the owner's arm.
Kou screamed in agony and Bankotsu smirked, staring the man dead in the eye. "If I had more time, I’d cut you up piece by piece and make you suffer for weeks before actually killing you," he declared sadistically, with a gleam in his blue eyes. He continued off-handedly, "But I’ve to be going soon, so I’ll just settle for doing this instead." He grabbed the sword yanking it out of Kou's arm. "This is for Darius and Kitra!" he said, stabbing it directly through Kou's heart, pinning him to the tree as well.
Bankotsu turned around to face his friend. After a moment of staring into each other's eyes, Kitra sighed heavily. "I have to go bury Darius," she announced in a resigned voice, hazel eyes filling with pain and unshed tears.
Bankotsu stared into her beautiful face. "We will bury him," he corrected her dead seriously as he slowly approached her, keeping her gaze held. Kitra nodded, then spun on her heel and led the way back over to where he’d had been killed. After retrieving his Banryu, Bankotsu followed her.
When they had reached the spot, Kitra saw her beloved brother was indeed dead. She fell to her knees beside him, embracing him, and broke down crying.
Bankotsu again embedded his Banryu into the earth and kneeled down beside her. He took her into his arms soothing, "Shh, It’ll be okay."
She instinctively buried her head in his chest and sobbed, "Kou killed him. He... he was protecting me... He was all I had left. Now everything’s gone… I have nothing anymore." heart breaking more with each sentence.
Bankotsu rocked the sobbing girl in his arms and stated, "Shh, you still have me! I won't ever leave you alone."
She cried harder and repeated over and over, "I can't believe he’s gone. Darius is gone because he was protecting me. We should have just run, we shouldn't have stopped."
"It's okay, Kit!" Bankotsu declared fiercely. "I'm here now and I won't ever let anyone hurt you again."
She cried in his arms until she had eventually cried herself to sleep. He gently laid her down beneath a tree, before walking back over to her brother's body and began digging a grave for him.
He looked down at the body of his childhood best friend and heaved a great sigh. A lone tear slipped down his cheek as he remembered the three of them getting into trouble and just being rambunctious kids. He remembered the blood vow he had made to his very best friend in the entire world.
Flashback:
Bankotsu pulled out his dagger and slit his hand, and then Darius's vowing, "Blood brothers for life man. With this I now make a blood oath to never leave Kitra unprotected if I can help it! If at any time you die and can no longer protect her, rest assured I will!" eyes dead serious.
They clasped hands and Darius grinned stating, "Thanks Ban! You’re the only person in this world that I would ever blindly trust my sister's safe keeping to." holding his best friend's gaze. They hugged each other, bandaged their hands and continued back to the camp.
End Flashback
Present time:
He looked at his best friend's lifeless body, and gently placed him into the grave, placing his weapons beside him. After filling it with dirt, he bent down. "I won't forget Darius. I won't ever forget my vow! She’ll never be unprotected again- I swear it!" he promised eyes dead serious. He looked over at Kitra's sleeping form and, unable to fight them back any longer, allowed the silent tears to fall.
He knew she had to have been through hell. She’d just lost her only remaining family and without him, she’d be all alone in this cruel and vicious world. He knew exactly what Kou had planned to do to her and was angered by it still. He also knew what other men and demons would do to her if given the chance. He knew she was still one of the most innocent people he’d ever known. He remembered her huge heart of gold, and her forgiving nature. He clenched his fists and silently vowed anew to never allow anyone to hurt her again.
He sighed heavily, wiping his eyes and walked over to her sleeping form. He looked at her taking in all the changes that had taken place since he’d been banished. He still couldn't believe the girl he’d grown up with was now sleeping by a tree. She still had the same fiery red hair, hazel eyes, and creamy skin.
Although she was sleeping, he knew without a doubt that her heart was breaking because her beloved brother was dead. He knew she’d need protection from the evils of the world and vowed to take over the role as her sole protector.
He gently lifted her sleeping form into his arms, then hefted his Banryu onto his shoulder, and walked towards the campsite to join his ‘brothers’.
At the campsite:
Bankotsu entered the campsite carrying the still sleeping red-haired beauty he’d grown up with. Jakotsu ran up to his big brother, noticing the girl in his leader's arms. "Big brother who is that girl!?" he asked.
"Darius's sister," Bankotsu answered, "and she’ll be traveling with us from now on," he added wearily, as the death of his childhood best friend sank in.
Jakotsu gasped. "You mean the Darius?" he questioned, eyes wide with shock. Bankotsu had confided in Jakotsu about Kitra and Darius over the years that they’d known each other. Jakotsu was the only one of his brothers that he felt he could really trust and during one of the nights they were drinking together when they first met, Bankotsu mentioned Darius and Jakotsu never forgot it.
Bankotsu nodded and explained, "He's dead and I’m the only thing even close to family that she has left. It’s now my duty to take over the role of her protector." He informed his friend seriously.
Jakotsu frowned and asked, "But why?" still confused.
"Because of our past, and a blood vow that I made to Darius. I never go back on my word!" Bankotsu answered, eyes showing the intensity of his sincerity.
Jakotsu noticed the look in his leader's eyes and knew very well what it meant. He sighed resigned, "I guess this means we now have a tag along."
Bankotsu added, "She was the best cook I knew even as kids, and no doubt has become a helluva fighter as well."
Renkotsu walked over pointing to the girl and asked, "Big brother, what’s she doing here?" curiosity in his grey eyes.
"Listen up everyone! This is Kitra and she is not to be harmed under any circumstances, understood? She is, from this moment on, under my protection," Bankotsu announced, eyes dead serious. Everyone nodded. "You might as well consider her your little sister," Bankotsu informed the group, "because she’ll be traveling with us from now on."
Everyone nodded again and Bankotsu carried her over, gently laying her down on his blankets. He walked back over. "Take heed of my words: If anyone so much as looks at her wrong, I will personally slay them, got it?" he warned everyone with a no-nonsense voice, as he eyed them from one man to the next. They all gulped nervously and looking wide eyed, nodded.
Bankotsu ordered, "Suikotsu, you need to tend her wounds. Jakotsu, you’re on guard duty tonight- Everyone else, sleep."
Suikotsu walked over and tended to Kitra's wounds assuring none were life threatening, and that from the looks of things she was utterly exhausted. Bankotsu nodded and ordered, "Get some rest." Suikotsu nodded and lay down on his own blankets.
Bankotsu curled up around Kitra protectively kissing her forehead affectionately and whispered, "Sleep well, Kit." She sighed and rolled over in her sleep curling into his chest. He smiled and wrapped his arms around her petite form.
He lay there thinking about the past and how he couldn't believe Darius was really gone, or that Kitra was once again by his side. He began to feel the deep loneliness from all those years lessen. He sighed heavily closing his eyes, and fell into a light sleep.
Author's Note: Okay guys and gals there is chapter one please remember to read and review thanks.
Most importantly I would like to give a BIG shout out and HUGE thanks to my beta Frog Lady! :)
Chapter 1:
Kitra stood beside her brother and faced the one man in the world she truly loathed. "The village was slaughtered and your father with it," she snapped angrily. "Your father's decree holds no meaning now; with both him and the village gone, you have no power!"
Kou proclaimed, "Wrong, my dear, I’m now the headman," pointing to his chest proudly.
Kitra snorted and snapped, "Headman of what, you idiot!? There is no village!" years of stomaching his touches and gagging kisses and of burying her hatred had finally come to an end. She knew deep inside that he was the reason her beloved Bankotsu had been banished from his friends, his home and everything he’d ever known; which only strengthened her hatred for this man.
Darius faced his nemesis and warned, "Leave now and you and your friends may yet live," drawing his sword, as he backed Kitra behind him again.
"We shall rebuild the village, and you and I shall repopulate it, my sweet Kitra," Kou stated seriously, while eying the girl. He’d always desired her and she was now a voluptuous young woman.
Kitra's temper rose and her face turned red as she yelled what she’d been wanting to for the past four years, "I refuse to marry an ass like you!"
"You have no choice, dearest!" Kou said seriously, unaffected by the deep seeded hatred he could now see in her eyes..
Darius's own temper began to rise. "The hell she doesn't! I’ll never let you hurt Kitra," he yelled, staring him dead in the eye. He’d been tiptoeing around this bastard long enough and was ready to make his stand.
Kou faced his subordinates and ordered, "Then you will die! Nenji, Tao, destroy him," allowing his own hatred to enter his eyes. He’d lived under this man’s shadow for the last time.
Nenji and Tao eyes wide with fear, began to close in on Darius. Both were desperately trying to impress Kou, but they were also scared! They knew damn well that Darius was still known as the village's best swordsman, and they were scared to have to face him- especially since his warnings years ago.
Kitra became concerned and began to fear for her brother's safety. "No, Darius!" she yelled.
"Go now, Kitra! Run away from here quickly while I hold them off," Darius commanded, while getting into a defensive stance.
"No, please, Dar I can't lose you too!" Kitra said, begging him with her eyes.
"Go, damn it, while you still can!" Darius yelled, and began fighting the two men.
"Dar..." Kitra said brokenly, watching in horror as her brother battled fiercely.
Darius demanded, "Kitra run, damn it- now!" concentrating on his battles.
She took a deep breath and looked for the last time at her beloved brother. She saw her brother take down Nenji and Tao, and to her horror, she saw him get a sword shoved through his stomach and out of his back by Kou.
She quickly turned around and ran as fast as she could, trying to escape him. She ran until she came to the river, crying the entire way, fearing the worst for her brother. When she reached the river, she looked around and noticed it was far too wide and turbulent to cross. She found herself trapped.
She twirled around looking for an escape route, when Kou came through the trees. "I warned you not to try and escape me, Kitra," he stated angrily while stomping towards her looking very cross.
"You bastard, you killed Darius! He was all I had left and you killed him!" Kitra yelled, hazel eyes flashing dangerously. Her hatred and anger of the man before her began to boil over and she lunged furiously at him with an animalistic scream of outrage. "I will never be yours, Kou!"
He rolled capturing her underneath him, but she quickly jumped away. He stood up facing her and said cockily, "You have no choice," Then he chuckled mentioning, "Now you have no one to protect you anymore."
Kitra glared at him, full of unadulterated hatred. "You’ll pay for killing Darius- I swear it!" she declared while clenching her tiny fists.
Kou chuckled advancing towards her, smirking, and she slowly backed up until she felt her back hit the trunk of a wide tree. "Now you’re mine," he declared, as he closed in on her preventing her from escaping.
"Never Kou!" Kitra screamed. "You bastard, you killed Darius!" She fought, trying to free herself. He pulled out a dagger and began cutting her everywhere he could reach.
She screamed in pain and spat in his face, eyes filled with pure hatred. Kou pinned her against the tree and smirked at her triumphantly.
Not far away:
Stood a lone man, with a super muscular build, but was somewhat short, wearing white hakamas and a white haori, as well as silverfish armor on his chest, back, and one shoulder and a bright red silky obi. His jet black hair in a tight braid down his back and piercing blue eyes; was carrying his beloved Banryu propped on his shoulder. He realized he was very close to the village he’d been born in. He thought back to the day he had been banished, ore specifically to right before he was forced to leave the village.
Flashback:
Kitra cried even harder and held even tighter yelling adamantly, "No, I don't want to lose you too," remembering that she’d already lost her parents.
Forcing her chin up so she stared him in the eye, Bankotsu vowed seriously, "You will never lose me! The three of us will always be bound together,” reminding her of their sacred bond the trio shared. Kitra sniffed and begged him with her eyes not to leave her behind.
The guards became impatient and said, "It's time, Bankotsu!" in a rough voice, not willing to wait any longer.
He nodded and pried the girl's grip loose, kissing the top of her head lovingly and whispered seriously, so low only she could hear, "I will never forget you, Kit! Someday, I will find you and the three of us will be together again!" she was roughly pulled off and held by a guard, and he was ruthlessly shoved away; while she fought trying to free herself and follow him.
He looked back one last time, taking a moment to silently assure her he’d be alright. Confidently he sent her his most arrogant smirk and waved.
End Flashback
Present time:
He shook his head to clear his thoughts and continued walking. He was the fearless leader of the Band of Seven and even though only four remained, they still roamed the lands together. There was Jakotsu, Renkotsu, Suikotsu, and himself left remaining.
He was startled out of his thoughts by a scream of, "Never Kou! You bastard, you killed Darius!"
Bankotsu immediately became alarmed. "Kitra!" he yelled, as he quickly ran off in the direction of the scream. His Banryu was leaning heavily into his shoulder as he bounced and crashed through the trees. He arrived at the place where the yell had originated from and stood there observing the scene.
He gasped in awe as he noticed the fiery haired woman who was fighting back even while being cut; he knew without a doubt she had to be his friend Kitra. He glared at the man who was pinning her to the tree cutting her, and scowled as he realized it had to be that same pain in the ass, little prick Kou. Kou had always been determined to make Kitra his.
Bankotsu stood tall holding his Banryu's handle by his side with the blade pointed up in the air in with one hand, and drawled evenly, "Well, well, it seems you just never learn, eh, Kou?"
Kou whirled around, eyes wide in fear and shock. "Ban... Bankotsu? It can't be!" he said, as he stepped a few paces away from Kitra and the tree preparing to fight.
Bankotsu smirked. "In the flesh," he confirmed, as he kept his focus on the prick in front of him.
Kitra saw Bankotsu and her eyes widened in shock at his appearance, for his muscles had filled out even more. Then her face lit up as she realized it really was him. He was taller and much stronger, but his eyes still remained the same enchanting sapphire color and his hair was still worn in a tight braid; even though it was longer now.
Her heart began pounding faster in excitement at the fact that he was actually here. She ached at finally seeing him again after all these years. She noticed he’d gotten even more handsome over the years, but immediately pushed that thought aside and focused on what was being said between the two men.
Kou faced him fully. "What the hell are you doing here," he snarled angrily, glaring at the man in front of him with eyes full of hate.
Bankotsu smirked and retorted, "Are you gonna stand there and talk all night or you ready to fight a real opponent?"
"You bastard," Kou growled angrily and seethed. He glared at Bankotsu. This was his rival he’d thought dead for years.
Bankotsu raised a brow questioningly and taunted, "Name calling? Now you’ve sunk to calling names instead of fighting?" He scoffed and added, "Pathetic as ever, I see."
He set his Banryu aside embedding it deeply into the earthy soil. "You don't even deserve the honor of dying by my blade, but you will die by my own hands!" he declared as his eyes narrowed on the arrogant prick in anger. He cracked his fingers into balled fists.
Kou charged towards Bankotsu only to get round house kicked in the stomach and end up falling flat on his face. Bankotsu landed, yawning and faced his nemesis, taunting him, "How pathetic, not to mention boring."
Kitra had been watching the entire time. She scoffed adding in a condescending voice, "He's right you know, you really are pathetic, Kou,” glaring at the man who’d always made her life hell.
Kou got to his feet yelling, "Shut the fuck up bitch!" as he glared at her, pissed beyond belief that she was speaking to him in such a manner, and even more so that Bankotsu once again was standing in his way.
"The only bitch around here is you, jackass!" Kitra angrily quipped, eyes full of pure hatred. Without warning, she ran towards him and launched herself at him, knocking him to the ground.
She started beating him with her fists in a fit of pure rage. He quickly blocked her and rolled her underneath him, pinning her to the ground. Ripping open her short kimono, he chuckled, eyes full of lust.
Knowing damn well what the bastard's intentions were, Bankotsu felt his blood actually beginning to boil from his rising anger. Heaving with barely suppressed rage, he stomped over to him and drawing back his foot.
Kou was sent flying by an angry kick. Feeling the weight removed from her, Kitra quickly rolled away and stood up. She quickly turned away and tried to tie the mini kimono shut.
Eyes narrowed dangerously and still heaving with anger, Bankotsu advanced on Kou and kicked him in the ribs, sending him flying into the tree. He stormed over to him and bent down. Picking him up by the shirt front, he painfully slammed him against the tree, and holding him there with one hand; used his free hand to punch him in the stomach rapidly. He dropped him and reached down, pulling out Kou's sword to stab it through the owner's arm.
Kou screamed in agony and Bankotsu smirked, staring the man dead in the eye. "If I had more time, I’d cut you up piece by piece and make you suffer for weeks before actually killing you," he declared sadistically, with a gleam in his blue eyes. He continued off-handedly, "But I’ve to be going soon, so I’ll just settle for doing this instead." He grabbed the sword yanking it out of Kou's arm. "This is for Darius and Kitra!" he said, stabbing it directly through Kou's heart, pinning him to the tree as well.
Bankotsu turned around to face his friend. After a moment of staring into each other's eyes, Kitra sighed heavily. "I have to go bury Darius," she announced in a resigned voice, hazel eyes filling with pain and unshed tears.
Bankotsu stared into her beautiful face. "We will bury him," he corrected her dead seriously as he slowly approached her, keeping her gaze held. Kitra nodded, then spun on her heel and led the way back over to where he’d had been killed. After retrieving his Banryu, Bankotsu followed her.
When they had reached the spot, Kitra saw her beloved brother was indeed dead. She fell to her knees beside him, embracing him, and broke down crying.
Bankotsu again embedded his Banryu into the earth and kneeled down beside her. He took her into his arms soothing, "Shh, It’ll be okay."
She instinctively buried her head in his chest and sobbed, "Kou killed him. He... he was protecting me... He was all I had left. Now everything’s gone… I have nothing anymore." heart breaking more with each sentence.
Bankotsu rocked the sobbing girl in his arms and stated, "Shh, you still have me! I won't ever leave you alone."
She cried harder and repeated over and over, "I can't believe he’s gone. Darius is gone because he was protecting me. We should have just run, we shouldn't have stopped."
"It's okay, Kit!" Bankotsu declared fiercely. "I'm here now and I won't ever let anyone hurt you again."
She cried in his arms until she had eventually cried herself to sleep. He gently laid her down beneath a tree, before walking back over to her brother's body and began digging a grave for him.
He looked down at the body of his childhood best friend and heaved a great sigh. A lone tear slipped down his cheek as he remembered the three of them getting into trouble and just being rambunctious kids. He remembered the blood vow he had made to his very best friend in the entire world.
Flashback:
Bankotsu pulled out his dagger and slit his hand, and then Darius's vowing, "Blood brothers for life man. With this I now make a blood oath to never leave Kitra unprotected if I can help it! If at any time you die and can no longer protect her, rest assured I will!" eyes dead serious.
They clasped hands and Darius grinned stating, "Thanks Ban! You’re the only person in this world that I would ever blindly trust my sister's safe keeping to." holding his best friend's gaze. They hugged each other, bandaged their hands and continued back to the camp.
End Flashback
Present time:
He looked at his best friend's lifeless body, and gently placed him into the grave, placing his weapons beside him. After filling it with dirt, he bent down. "I won't forget Darius. I won't ever forget my vow! She’ll never be unprotected again- I swear it!" he promised eyes dead serious. He looked over at Kitra's sleeping form and, unable to fight them back any longer, allowed the silent tears to fall.
He knew she had to have been through hell. She’d just lost her only remaining family and without him, she’d be all alone in this cruel and vicious world. He knew exactly what Kou had planned to do to her and was angered by it still. He also knew what other men and demons would do to her if given the chance. He knew she was still one of the most innocent people he’d ever known. He remembered her huge heart of gold, and her forgiving nature. He clenched his fists and silently vowed anew to never allow anyone to hurt her again.
He sighed heavily, wiping his eyes and walked over to her sleeping form. He looked at her taking in all the changes that had taken place since he’d been banished. He still couldn't believe the girl he’d grown up with was now sleeping by a tree. She still had the same fiery red hair, hazel eyes, and creamy skin.
Although she was sleeping, he knew without a doubt that her heart was breaking because her beloved brother was dead. He knew she’d need protection from the evils of the world and vowed to take over the role as her sole protector.
He gently lifted her sleeping form into his arms, then hefted his Banryu onto his shoulder, and walked towards the campsite to join his ‘brothers’.
At the campsite:
Bankotsu entered the campsite carrying the still sleeping red-haired beauty he’d grown up with. Jakotsu ran up to his big brother, noticing the girl in his leader's arms. "Big brother who is that girl!?" he asked.
"Darius's sister," Bankotsu answered, "and she’ll be traveling with us from now on," he added wearily, as the death of his childhood best friend sank in.
Jakotsu gasped. "You mean the Darius?" he questioned, eyes wide with shock. Bankotsu had confided in Jakotsu about Kitra and Darius over the years that they’d known each other. Jakotsu was the only one of his brothers that he felt he could really trust and during one of the nights they were drinking together when they first met, Bankotsu mentioned Darius and Jakotsu never forgot it.
Bankotsu nodded and explained, "He's dead and I’m the only thing even close to family that she has left. It’s now my duty to take over the role of her protector." He informed his friend seriously.
Jakotsu frowned and asked, "But why?" still confused.
"Because of our past, and a blood vow that I made to Darius. I never go back on my word!" Bankotsu answered, eyes showing the intensity of his sincerity.
Jakotsu noticed the look in his leader's eyes and knew very well what it meant. He sighed resigned, "I guess this means we now have a tag along."
Bankotsu added, "She was the best cook I knew even as kids, and no doubt has become a helluva fighter as well."
Renkotsu walked over pointing to the girl and asked, "Big brother, what’s she doing here?" curiosity in his grey eyes.
"Listen up everyone! This is Kitra and she is not to be harmed under any circumstances, understood? She is, from this moment on, under my protection," Bankotsu announced, eyes dead serious. Everyone nodded. "You might as well consider her your little sister," Bankotsu informed the group, "because she’ll be traveling with us from now on."
Everyone nodded again and Bankotsu carried her over, gently laying her down on his blankets. He walked back over. "Take heed of my words: If anyone so much as looks at her wrong, I will personally slay them, got it?" he warned everyone with a no-nonsense voice, as he eyed them from one man to the next. They all gulped nervously and looking wide eyed, nodded.
Bankotsu ordered, "Suikotsu, you need to tend her wounds. Jakotsu, you’re on guard duty tonight- Everyone else, sleep."
Suikotsu walked over and tended to Kitra's wounds assuring none were life threatening, and that from the looks of things she was utterly exhausted. Bankotsu nodded and ordered, "Get some rest." Suikotsu nodded and lay down on his own blankets.
Bankotsu curled up around Kitra protectively kissing her forehead affectionately and whispered, "Sleep well, Kit." She sighed and rolled over in her sleep curling into his chest. He smiled and wrapped his arms around her petite form.
He lay there thinking about the past and how he couldn't believe Darius was really gone, or that Kitra was once again by his side. He began to feel the deep loneliness from all those years lessen. He sighed heavily closing his eyes, and fell into a light sleep.
Author's Note: Okay guys and gals there is chapter one please remember to read and review thanks.