InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Unexpected Encounters ❯ twenty six ( Chapter 26 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: I do not own the Inuyasha characters, they belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I do own this plot line and all OC’s.

Chapter twenty six:

Bankotsu’s fingers opened and Banryu fell to the ground with a clang of protest, but he didn’t even notice it. Bankotsu felt as if he’d just suddenly had all of the wind punched out of him.

Blinking in disbelief and utterly stunned at the revelation, Bankotsu stood there with his mouth opening and closing much like a fish out of water, while slowly absorbing the news and waiting for it to completely register.

'She's pregnant... with my child.' He thought stupefied, as his eyes dropped to her stomach of their own accord to linger there a moment.

Sucking a few deep breaths of fresh air into his lungs, trying to remain calm, Bankotsu raised his eyes to the doctor and asked unsure, “I’m really going to be a father?" Suikotsu calmly nodded his confirmation, and Bankotsu’s eyes widened even further, as his breath began hitching again.

Airi’s reaction was rather similar. Her jaw had dropped and her eyes bugged out as she absorbed the shocking news. 'I’m going to be a mother?' she thought baffled.

As the news sunk in with her, she took a deep breath and her eyes, still wide, glued to the doctor as she asked, “You’re telling me that I’m going to be a mother?” not sure that she had really heard him right.

Grinning Suikotsu nodded his head slowly, answering, “Hai. Congratulations,” as he maintained eye contact with her. Part of him had always enjoyed having little ones around. They made him feel content and filled that part of him with joy.

But Suikotsu had never had, nor would ever have children of his own. His other side wouldn’t allow it.

Airi blinked a few times. Instinctively her hand went to cover her flat stomach. “A baby... A real baby,” she breathed staring down at her stomach slightly awed, while rubbing small circles over her tummy.

Airi wasn’t really sure who was more surprised, herself or Bankotsu. She’d caught his fish out of water impression briefly. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry about the announcement.

She was scared, mainly because she wasn’t sure how Bankotsu would react to all of this. Deep down a part of her secretly was happy at the news that she was going to be a mother. She’d often spent time wondering what it would be like having a little one to raise, but had felt her way of life was too dangerous for a child.

That with the fact that men had treated her rotten in the past, led to her having accepted the fact long ago that she might never have kids. But now she had the chance to be a mother, she desperately yearned to hold the little one and nurture him or her. She wasn’t getting any younger and might never get this chance again. Even better it was a child created with the man she’d fallen in love with.

The majority of her however, was very worried. Her lover wasn’t exactly known as a man of patience and they had never even discussed the possibility of having children. Both had been avoiding that subject like the plague.

Bankotsu blinked a few times, not sure how he felt yet. Having a child was a big responsibility and one that he had never bothered to consider before. He was a mercenary after all, and mercenaries didn’t have kids. It was too dangerous to the children as well as the mercenaries. Besides which they whined, cried, and caused mischief. He already got enough of that from being a leader of a mercenary group. Did he really want to add to that?

A large part of him balked at the idea of having a baby brought into the equation. He was a very possessive and jealous man and didn’t like the thought of sharing his woman with anyone, not even their child.

Yet part of him was intrigued at the possibility of having an heir to carry on his name, he just wasn’t sure how he would react to having a kid around twenty four/seven. Besides he was already responsible for six other people and keeping them safe. Did he really want to add a baby to that?

As Bankotsu continued trying to sort out his feelings, Jakotsu squealed delightedly, “A baby? Really?!” and jumped up and down clapping his hands excitedly at the thought of becoming an uncle. Absolute excitement was shining in his grey eyes as he ran over hugging Airi and began babbling about all of the wonderful things they would need to buy for her and the baby.

Renkotsu scowled thinking, “We’ve always agreed that having brats tag along would only slow us down and get in the way of our fun.” He wasn’t happy about this at all. It was bad enough having a woman join their ranks, but now a baby too? That really was asking too much. He hated kids all they ever did was scream, cry, and cause headaches, by getting into everything in sight.

He clenched his fist and glared covertly at his leader’s woman thinking, 'I must put an end to this nonsense soon.' His mind slowly began scheming the best way to rid his brothers of the troublesome wench and her brat before the brat was even born.

Ginkotsu boomed, “Gersh!” and asked in his raspy metallic voice, “A baby?” eying the shocked woman who had become the band’s ‘little sister’ with a mixture of wariness and curiosity. He didn’t have much experience being around kids, and wasn’t sure if he’d like them or not.

Kyokotsu towered over the group staring down at the tiny woman and his leader in awe and blinked several times as his slower brain came to digest the unexpected news. A miniature of their leader running underfoot might prove interesting, but kids also liked to yell- a lot.

Bankotsu sighed heavily and muttered, “A baby huh?” still pacing back and forth with his hands clasped behind his back, as he tried to figure out what would be best for the group over all. His shoulders were hunched and his jaw was clenched. He was torn between keeping the child, adding even more responsibilities to his shoulders, or perhaps giving it away.

Children were a lot of work and would kill any chances of he and his men continuing on as mercenaries, and that was something he wasn’t sure he wanted to give up yet. But his gut protested the thought of anyone else raising his child. As previously stated he was a possessive, jealous man and couldn’t see allowing any other man to raise his child- especially not a child created with the woman he loved.

Airi’s eyes were drawn to him by the reservation in his voice. Her eyes dimmed as she watched him pacing back and forth with disappointment clearly in his eyes. She thought apprehensively, 'Does this mean he doesn’t intend to keep our child?'

Her heart clenched painfully at that possibility and her nausea began to threaten a comeback, as her eyes lowered to the ground and tears began to gather at the edge of them.

She closed her eyes trying to hide her unshed tears and to force back the nausea, as her arms slowly wrapped around her stomach protectively. Dread began to seep into her and she tried to figure out how best to handle this.

The mere thought that he might not want their child cut her deeply. She loved him with all of her heart, but she would never allow anyone to take their child from her- ever. They may not have planned this, but now that it had been discovered, she would die fighting to keep her child, and raise it alone, if she had to.

Jakotsu had felt her move and stopped babbling to look at his little sister’s face. He noticed she looked ill and asked, “Hey, are you okay?”

She slowly pushed him away and turned to the side vomiting again. When it was over she stood on shaky legs and began running towards the dense trees of the forest, not wanting to hear what Bankotsu was likely to say.

Jakotsu yelled, “Hey Wait?! Where are you going?!” and stared after her.

Bankotsu stopped pacing and looked at the fleeing woman before letting out a harsh curse and chasing after her. He thought, 'Why the hell is she running off?' as his adrenaline kicked in and he poured on the speed.

She continued running, mindlessly crashing through the underbrush, ignoring the rips to her clothes and skin. Only one thought was in her mind: putting as much distance between her and the others as she could. Unbidden her salty tears began falling down her cheeks, making her even more determined to get away.

Bankotsu saw her pick up speed and swore again, putting all of his strength into catching up to her. He got in front of her and she ended up colliding heavily into his front, before she began crying and tried to fight free of his hold.

Bankotsu ordered, “Damnit onna, calm down!” as he pulled her to his chest and held her hands captive behind her back. His free hand tilted her chin up forcing her to stare him in the eyes. “Why they hell did you run off?" His eyes widened as he saw her tears and asked softly, “Why are you crying?”

She sobbed, “Let me go.” trying to struggle free from his hold.

He pushed her head to his chest and wrapped his arms firmly around her, saying, “What is it Airi? You can tell me.”

Her tears soaked his haori as she sobbed brokenly, “You don’t want our child.” with pure heartache and misery in her voice, as her hands pushed against his chest half heartedly trying to get away.

Bankotsu said, “Now wait just a minute here. I never said I didn’t want our baby. I’m just still getting over the shock is all.” holding her closer to him.

She sobbed harder screaming, “Liar! I saw it in your eyes.” beating her fists against his chest.

He sighed deeply and titled her chin staring her dead in the eyes and explained, “Having a kid is a big responsibility and I’m just not sure I would be a good father.”

Her heart broke a little more and she ripped her chin free from his hand, intending to yank free and run again, but he stopped her, by securing his arms around her waist in a vice grip and pulling her back against his chest.

She sniffled, “I heard it in your voice and saw it in your eyes.” Adding accusingly, “You don’t want our baby.” as she turned away from him, hugging her stomach protectively.

Seeing how broken she looked made him feel a little sad himself. Bankotsu sighed, “That isn’t true.” Spinning her back around to face him, he forced her chin up repeating, “That isn’t true Airi.” staring her dead in the eye.

Her lower lip trembled as she tried not to cry again. He sighed heavily and said, “I’m not sure how all things are going to have to change,” using his thumb to rub her soft wet cheek. He bent his head and slowly licked the salty tears from her cheek before pulling back and finishing dead seriously, “But I’m not abandoning our child either.”

Taking a deep breath, he informed her seriously, “We will raise the kid together, and take things one day at a time.”

She gasped and her eyes widened. Her heart began racing with excitement and hope. She slowly looked at him and asked, “You mean it Ban?” staring at him with a pathetically hopeful look in her eyes.

He nodded assuring gruffly, “I promise.” as he hugged her close to his chest. Relief washed over her and she began sobbing into his chest again, while his hand trailed down her back.

He rolled his eyes thinking, “Women can be so emotional at times.” A small smile graced his face as he commanded, “We’re getting married in the next available town.”

She gasped again and clutched his haori front tightly, before crying harder as her broken heart felt a little lighter. He kissed her head and added seriously, “And that isn’t a request.” earning a soft chuckle from the woman in his arms.

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A/N: Okay so there is chapter twenty six, only a few more to go. Enjoy everyone! XD