Sorry for the longer than expected wait. Hope you all are safe and well

Stay caffeinated~~

Chp. 12

The storm created by Hiten's rage whips around all of us as I watch in silenced awe baffled at how Bankotsu could comfortably hold his own against a demon. The static coursing through the air makes it difficult to breathe….

Yes….it's the static….nothing more than Hiten's sheer power that's causing this tightness in my chest.

My eyes stay locked on Bankotsu's form as he swings and clashes his blade fearlessly against Hiten's pike.

….yes….that's exactly it….the static….it's causing my heart to race, to pound against its boney cage as it works its way up to my throat….

Bankotsu manages to connect a powerful punch across Hiten's face and it…..the….static….sends another delicious chill through me.

His face is hard and focused as he dodges Hiten's counter and takes a swing at him with Banryu. Their blades clash once more screeching and screaming at the other as they wait for the other's master to give in.

"Is that the best you got, human?! I've got to say, overall, I'm a bit disappointed." The two men put some distance between one another and Hiten laughs, "Your little wench did a lot of talking, but you don't seem to be living up to all of it."

Bankostu laughs as he readies his swords, "Well, it seems you two have something in common," He charges full speed at him, "You both don't know when to shut-up!"

An indignant huff escapes me, but my mood lessens when Hiten connects a solid punch to Bankotsu's face.

I snort, "Serves you right, you son of a bitch!"

"I heard that!"

"That's why I yelled it."

He knocks Hiten back and hesitates long enough to throw me a disapproving glare.

I return a cocky smiles before my eyes suddenly zero in on a bit of skin- exposed by a rip in his sleeve-noting the lean tight muscles of his arms that belied his true strength. He bounces out of the way of another attack before jumping high in the air, spinning Banryu over his head effortlessly before coming down with an attack of his own.

Slowly, I feel myself tracing up his form as he fights. My mind sporadically remembering the more restful moments of the past where his face would light up tremendously as he laughed at one of Jakotsu's jokes…..the numerous times when I've caught him without his armor or in the process of removing it….that one stupid training session where he took off his shirt….he was so…

My eyes continue their journey upwards lingering on his face….specifically his eyes…cold….determined...with the ever present glint of murderous excitement…those damn fucking eyes….

"Like what you see there, Yaruki?"

I sputter and gag as I continue to choke air, startled by the sudden voice in my ear. Jakotsu continues to howl with laughter despite dodging my hard swings to his face.

"Sorry, did I interrupt your little fantasy?"

"I-it's all this…static…" I say waving my hands around as I turn my back towards him. I hear him approach and I purse my lips together. I wince at the sudden sharp tenderness of my lip before gently pressing my finger to it.

…..Was I….biting my lower lip?!

"Yeah you were!"

I snap my eyes forwards immediately dropping my hand as I see Jakotsu studying my face with a cocky smirk tugging at his lips. He grabs hold of my chin before I could move away.

"You know, if I didn't know any better-"

"Well, it's a good thing you don't!" I snap, slapping his hand away which incites a small hand slapping war between us. I let out a roar of frustration and turn away which causes him to laugh harder.

"Oh man, Brother Bankotsu is about to get a kick out of this."

"No, he won't because there's nothing to tell!"

"Oh really? So I was just imagining you undressing brother Bankotsu with your eyes and getting so excited that you almost bit off your own lip?" Jakotsu says erupting into a second wave of hard laughter

My face erupts into flames as I spin to face him, "I WAS DOING NO SUCH THING! YOU SHUT YOUR DIRTY LYING MOUTH YOU….YOU-"

"You little slut." He cackles, and I charge at him in a blind embarrassed rage. He dodges me as he continues to laugh and taunt me fueling my rage and desire to rip out his eyes.

"STAND STILL SO I CAN KILL YOU!"

Jakotsu continues to laugh and dodge my swings only stopping when he slams his back in to Manten.

I freeze as I watch Jakotsu spin around and my own smirk snatches the corner of my mouth as I remember my "promise" to Manten.

Straightening my clothes, I plaster on my best salesman smile, "Well, Manten…What do you think? Was I right or was I right?" I bounce my eyebrows for effect as I watch the big idiot drool over this "beautiful woman".

My eyes quickly flick over to Ookimi who quietly pulls my bow and quiver closer to her after Manten had dropped it, stunned by Jakotsu's "beauty".

"sssssSHE's GEORGOUS!"

Jakotsu takes a startled step backwards, "Whaaa?"

"She sure is, and she's all yours. As promised." I say with a bright smile

"PROMISED!?"

"Oh, don't be coy, Jakotsu. Embrace your new lover." I shove Jakotsu forwards as I say embrace and Ookimi darts past them towards me.

"LOVER!?"

"How wonderfully delicious you smell, my sweet."

"GET OFF ME YOU, HIDEOUS BEAST!"

I armor myself back up with my things before grabbing Ookimi's hand once she within reach and take off.

"YARUKI! YARUKI, GET BACK HERE YOU LYING CONNIVING LITTLE BITCH! YARUKI! YARUKI, IMMA KILL YOU, I SWEAR….GET OFF ME! I'M NOT A WOMAN!"

"Run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run," I chant pulling Ookimi along with me.

I feel her lag behind me as she looks back, "Will he be ok?"

"He'll be fine." I say in a steady but panicked voice as I maneuver between the sudden and random bolts of lightning that hit the ground from Hiten's most recent attack. "That's the problem. He's gonna kill Manten and then kick my ass."

We both scream as a bolt lands right in front of us knocking us backwards.

"YARUKI?!"

"What did I tell you about distractions?!"

I look up at the sound of Bankotsu crying out. He jumps back clutching the bloody gash in his right shoulder. I see him snarl before lunging forwards again. Their blades clashing rapidly against one another before locking again, but I see Bankotsu throw a side glance towards me.

"I'm fine!" I shout as I stumble in my attempts to stand.

"Will you stop running around the battlefield like a fucking idiot?!" He shoves Hiten back and defects another lightning attack.

"Well, if you were doing your damn job that I'm paying you for maybe you wouldn't see me running around!"

"I can't collect my payment IF YOUR DEAD, DUMBASS!"

A hard and sharp clap of thunder drowns out my insult as I see Hiten rise higher in to the sky.

"Get back down here and face me!"

"Clearly, this woman is keeping you from taking this battle seriously."

Bankotsu scoffs before pointing his Banryuu at him, "No, I'm not taking this seriously because weaklings like you hold no appeal to me."

Hiten snarls as he points his pike upwards summoning a downpour of lightning bolts. I quickly snatch Ookimi up and jump out of the way as best I could. I see Bankotsu land a few feet away from us, his fist clenched in irritation as he glares up at Hiten.

"Yaruki!" he orders never taking his eyes off of Hiten, "I need you to hit those wheel thingys of his."

"What?"

"Look at his feet."

I look up and see the flaming wheels at Hiten ankles.

"They're what's keeping him in the air. The son of a bitch keeps flying away before I can get a solid hit on him, so I need you to take those out so I can reach him."

"What the fuck am I paying you for if you need my help?"

Bankotsu throws me an annoyed glare, "Do you really want to do this right now?"

"Yes, YES, as a matter of fact I do." Another wave of sporadic lightning bolts hit the ground and again, I pull myself and Ookimi out of the way.

We land in a different and somewhat safer spot. Bankotsu lands next to me, "You can't charge me for hiring you and then NOT be able to do the fucking job!"

"I never said I couldn't do the job. I just need your help."

"You have three other men at the ready to assist you."

"They can't reach him either."

I fold my arms over my chest before giving him a smirk, "Well, I guess you should have recruited an archer for-"

The explosion was deafening.

My body slams hard into the ground and rolls to a stop on my back. I cough and gasp trying my hardest to get air back into my body.

"You!"

The sudden shock of someone snatch me up by my hair gets the wind back in my lungs, and though my vision had not yet cleared, I can make out the massive enraged form of Manten. I claw at his arm as his figure begins to sharpen. His body is bruised and bleeding, the fabric not protected by armor was shredded, but he wasn't dead.

GOD DAMNIT, HE WASN'T DEAD!

"YOU HAD ONE FUCKING JOB, JAKOTSU!"

"YOU LYING LITTLE BITCH!" Manten snarls as his mouth sparks and glows as he continues to shake me by my hair. The heat emanating from the blast that was gathering in his mouth is suffocating, and I begin to panic, slamming my feet against him in an attempt to let me go."THAT'S IT. SQURIM YOU LITTLE LIAR!" Manten begins to laugh maniacally as his blasts gathers in strengths, "NOW DIE!"

I scream, shutting my eyes to the blinding flash, waiting for the heat to burn my flesh, but instead, I fall to the ground.

"H-h-h-hi….t-t-ten…"

I look up to see the upper half of Manten slide off his lower half and to the ground. The rest of him falls forwards giving me a clear view of the meat, blood, and bones within.

"Disgusting pig!" Jakotsu sneers kicking Manten's lower half to the side. His blade still dripping with his blood.

"MANTEN!"

Hiten's very roar causes the sky to tremble as a blast from his hand sends Bankotsu back. My breath catches in my throat as I see Banktosu land hard to the ground. I exhale as I see him begin to rise.

"I'LL KILL YOU INSUFFERABLE WRETCHES FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO MY BROTHER!"

The speed in which Hiten flies over me to Jakotsu knocks me to my back and I can hear their blades clashing against one another in fury. Quickly, I stumble to my feet, snatching up my bow and loading it with an arrow. I tack the erratic movements of Hiten as dodges Renkotsu's flames, Jakotsu's blade, and Ginkotsu's flying saws….waiting….

Finally, I release taking out on of the wheels of his ankles. The sudden loss of altitude catches him off guard and Jakotsu's blade snakes over his shoulder biting his armor.

"LEARN TO FUCKING AIM JAKOTSU!" I curse loading another bow.

"BITE ME, BITCH!"

Hiten's blind fury sends a surge of lightning bolts at the others before making a beeline towards me.

I pull back on my bow, keeping my breathing steady as his fast approaches. I line the tip of my arrow to one of his red eyes and smile.

"YARUKI, DUCK!"

"I can hit him!"

"NOW!"

My body- of it's own accord- drops down at the severity of his order seconds before Banryu flies over me. I look up in time to see the massive halberd run clean through both Hiten's chest armor and his torso as he tried to rear himself back and out of the way. The two severed pieces slam to the ground before evaporating in to sparkling dust.

The thunder and lightning linger a few moments longer in the sky before finally falling quiet. The clouds dissipate, the winds settle, and my rage surges with in me.

"WHAT IN THE FLYING FUCK WAS THAT!?" I scream spinning to face the barely standing Bankotsu.

"I….told you….to duck….."

"AFTER YOU FUCKING THREW IT, YOU SON OF A BITCH!"

Bankotsu chuckles as he takes a step forwards and collapses.

I feel my right eye twitch as I exhale slowly and stare down at the sleeping Bankotsu. We had bandaged him up the best way we could with what we had on hand, and I was forced to watch him.

It's your fault Big Brother is like this to begin with, so you need to make sure he's ok."

I snarl at Jakostu's words as I fold my arms over my chest, "I didn't force the jackass to fight….not that it took much persuasion anyway."

Dunking my hand in to the icy cold water, I fish out the cloth and ring it out, "You're the idiot who fought a demon." I grumble as I glare down as him. Taking a moment to contemplate whether I feel like smothering him with a wet rag or not,

I growl deciding that dealing with Jakotsu is not something I'm up for now, and proceed to wipe his face. Carefully, I start with his eyebrows before trailing down the bridge of his nose, and then moving to his closed eyes.

"Fought a demon and got lucky enough to win…."

I stop as I allow that realization to sink in.

"No….not luck….skill. I'll give you that."

I wipe his cheeks before re-dipping the rag and ringing it out.

"It wasn't a lie." I say softly as I continue to wipe him down, "What I told Hiten. You are the strongest human I've ever met."

I feel my eye twitch as I snatch my hand back to point at him, "And that isn't a fucking compliment! It's just a fact. A stupid fact, but a fact none the less."

I sit back a little and watch him sleep.

Visions of the battle flashing before my eyes. The sharp clangs of metal, the literal displacement of earth as the two men fought.

The cheap shot from Hiten after Manten died.

I unclench my fist from the rag and tried my best to wipe the wet spot on my pants leg away.

"….you…..you hit the ground so hard…..I…..for a second, I thought….." I feel my face redden, "NOT that I cared or anything! It's just…." I clear my throat, "The thought of being cheated out of killing you…..was…it was a bit too real in that moment…."

I chew on the inside of my lip as I stare down at the small hut's floor.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

I look over to his face again.

This man slaughtered my village…..my friends….my family…..

….dad…

He killed Dad…..

HE THREW HIS FUCKING SWORD AT ME!

I feel my knuckles crack as I clench them tighter in to a fist.

I could do it…..I could do it right now….

I could run my blade clean across his throat….

Ram it in to his eye…..

Stab it right in the side of his stupid fucking head….

I could stab him so many times…

I should do it…..

… I should do it…..

….Do it…..

….DO IT!

I inhale sharply as I tense my arms keeping them….and my knife….. from dropping down on to his face….

When did I move?

How did I…..

I exhale, closing my eyes…. steadying my thoughts and my heart….quieting that voice….

I pull the blade back to me….

"Not like this…" I say softly… "We…..I…. want you to suffer…."

I place the blade back on to my person and stare down at him, "You need not worry. I'm not a coward…" I re-wet the rag and ring it out, "I'll kill you when you're on your feet, so that I can watch you fall."

I lean over to finish wiping his face before moving down his neck and then to the very top part of his chest, "Although you cheated my father out of one, even a monster like yourself deserves to die honorably."

I throw the rag back in the bucket with a hard plop and exhale as I continue to study him. I reach over and shift his bangs out of the way so that I could examine the mark on his forehead. My thumb traces over the purple symbol as I wonder what it could mean.

"Probably something stupid…" I mutter as I look down at his face. Carefully, I place my hand next to his head to steady myself and lean down. I keep my eyes on his face until finally turning my head to rest it on his unarmored chest.

The thumps are strong and steady. I close my eyes for a moment and just listen.

"So you do have one after all." I say softly as I continue to listen, "It sounds strong….perhaps you should think about using it every once in a while."

"…..and what would you do if I did?"

The sharp spicy taste of shock fills my mouth as I jerk back and slide as far away from him as possible.

I feel the fire spread across my cheeks partly from the embarrassment of getting caught and partly from the rage at him for not making it known sooner that he was awake.

His drowsy eyes watch me as he sits up. The portion of his hair that came free slides forwards and rests against his chest.

He starts to bring his hand up to his face but stops wincing at the pain the movement caused. He groans slightly as he begins to work the muscles of his arms, back, and chest. Stretching here, rotating shoulders or whole arms there, a couple of neck rolls. He stops to examine the wound on his shoulder and our handy work at patching him up.

Slowly, I ease myself closer to the door hoping the sore muscles distracted him long enough for me to make a clean get away.

"Stop."

Dammit!

"Come here."

His commands were firm, but not aggressive. They left no room for interpretation.

They were not requests.

I let out an audible sigh as I slide my way back to my original post next to him. He finishes getting the kinks out of his body before moving to the task of unbraiding his hair.

"You still need to pay me."

"R…right…."

I watch him comb the kinks out with his fingers before gathering it all to his back. I blink realizing that this was the first time I've seen his hair down since I started traveling with him.

"You mind?"

He angles his back to me, and –annoyingly- I feel my face flush.

"Yes! Yes, I do mind. Do it yourself." I grumble pushing him away from me.

"I would," he begins as he arches his back and bends backwards to look at me, "But my arms still hurt from fighting your demon."

I glare down at him, "Don't even try it. You would have fought Hiten regardless."

"Maybe….but you asked me to do it."

"I also ask you to drop dead on a daily basis, and yet…..here you are."

"Aaaand," he adds sitting up and turning to face me fully, "you also agreed to pay my price."

I huff, "So what, braiding your hair is the cost?"

"No, that's just a favor."

I do a hard eye roll, "Turn around."

"!?...Really?"

"Do you want me to do it or not?"

"Well…yeah….I just figured it would take more persua-"

"I can change my mind, you know."

He playfully spins back around like a damn child and wiggles about in excitement. I bite down on the inside of my mouth to keep from laughing, "Will you hold still!?".

I position myself behind him and proceed to gather all of his hair to the back.

It was a lot thicker than I believed….healthier too….to my surprise. It wasn't super clean….but defiantly cleaner than I would have given him credit for… what with him being a man and with the amount of traveling he did.

"Your hair is disgusting." I lie and he laughs.

"I washed it yesterday."

I snort still deciding to commit whole heartily to this lie,"….Well….you didn't do a good job."

"Uh-huh...Well, how about the next time you can wash it for me when we bathe- OWWW!"

"My goodness that was a big knot….." I smile sweetly at his side glare before turning his head forwards again.

"Find another one, and I'll give you one to match."

I purse my lips together knowing he would probably make good on his threat.

"You are aware that it's very improper to suggest that we bathe together?"

"How so?"

My fingers fumble as I fight the urge to yank his hair again.

"What do you mean 'how so'?! Need I remind you that COUPLES bathe together, specifically MARRIED ones?"

"I have to disagree. I know plenty of men who have bathed with women they weren't courting or married to. Hell, I've done it a few times myself."

"Why am I not surprised?"

"It's pretty fun. Especially in a hot spring."

"Spare me the details…"

"I can take you to one if you want me too. That is….if you're a good girl-OW FUCK!"

"That was me pulling the shit out of your hair by the way, so you can't hit me yet."

"The hell I can't!"

"You said if I found another knot, not if I pulled you hair."

I smile nervously as I stare in to his narrowed eyes.

He is still for a good minute before unclenching his fist, "You got one more fucking time, Yaruki."

He settles back down, and I pick back up where I left off, exhaling slowly.

"You know, you move pretty fast for someone whose muscles are still "sore"."

"And you're pretty reckless for someone whose throat I can still crush with my bare hands."

"….yeahwellIshouldhavestabbedyouinthefuckingfacewhenIhadthechance….."

"What?"

"I said give me the tie, so I can leave." I flop the back of my wrist on his shoulder and he drops the small string in to my open palm.

I tie the end, and give a solid nod at my work as I let the fresh braid flop against his back.

Bankotsu spins on his butt again and sits cross legged in front of me as I fish out my purse, "Alright," I say loosening the strings of the bag, "How much do I owe you?"

Bankotsu stares down at my purse before lifting an eye brow, "How much?"

"Yes, how much. You know, numbers, and don't think you can cheat me by stating some outrageous price either."

"Well, first of all, I can charge what I want since we didn't really agree on a number before hand." He folds his arms over his chest, "Secondly, who ever said anything about money?"

"What do you mean? How else am I-"

My face scrunches up in disgust as I get what he's implying and I sit up a bit straighter.

"I'd rather pay money."

"You couldn't afford me if you go down that route."

"I'd risk it."

"So you'd rather be indebted to me, not getting paid for any upcoming jobs until your debt is paid in full?"

"It's a better option then that….with you."

He chuckles, "As fun as that sounds- and trust me, it would have been quite enjoyable- I actually wasn't implying that."

It's my turn to fold my arms over my chest, "Oh really? So what are you implying?"

He reaches forwards and pulls me into him. I press my forearms to his chest as a means to put as much space as possible between us. He smirks at my attempt before lifting my chin up so that our eyes meet.

"You still haven't been kissed by a man, have you?"

"I'd rather you just bleed me dry money-wise."

"I know, but if money were important to you, I'd have asked for it."

"So what are you asking for?"

"Give me your first kiss and your debt is paid."

"And if I say no."

"You can't."

"The hell I can't"

"You said you'd pay any price." He smirks, "You swore."

"I thought we were talking about money."

"That's unfortunate, but your first kiss is my price."

"You truly are a vile man, you know that."

Bankotsu lifts an eyebrow confused, "Are you sure about that? I actually think I'm being pretty nice." His grip on my chin tightens as I feel him press me closer to him, "If you have a problem with me asking nicely, I could always….just…. take it…..among other things…."

Despite the relaxed nature of his body and slight playful tone in his voice, his cobalt eyes held all the seriousness those words carried.

I clear my throat, "How about-"

"No."

"Let me finish! How about I kiss the palm of my hand and then press it to your face."

"No."

"I kiss the palm of my hand and press it to your lips?"

"NO."

"Five small pecks on the forehead, all in one go."

"I'm not negotiating this."

"Ok, but …..hear me out then…. five even smaller pecks on the forehead, but you choose when to get them."

"...How is that better?"

"You get to choose."

"No."

"…ok, but-"

"Yaruki…"

"No, wait, listen…"

"I'm going to kiss you now."

"Now wait a fucking minute here! I feel like I should be able to negotiate this!"

"You have no leverage. I've already killed your demon. You owe me."

"Ok, I'm not disputing that, but….what if…. I do two quick kisses on the cheek all in one go."

"Hold still…"

"No! Stop! Wait! Listen!" I press my palm to his face to keep him from leaning closer to me, "That is a damn good deal. I've never kissed a man on the cheek before, so it will almost be like getting my first kiss."

He moves my hand away from his face, "….Versus…..actually…..getting your first kiss?"

"…..I mean….when you put it like that……"

"Shut-up now."

"Nonononononononono!" I lean away as far as I can, and Bankotsu sighs resting his head against my collar bone.

"….Yaruki…."

"Final offer! One kiss. On the Cheek. For ten seconds."

I hear him groan, "Fuck it, fine."

"Really?!"

He sits up and turns his head so that his cheek was facing me.

"Seriously!?"

"Do you want me to change my mind?"

"No, no, no! That's fine."

Ha! Idiot. I've kissed plenty of guys on the cheek.

I stare at his face for a minute working up the courage.

Just get it over with…..speed count to ten and your done.

I exhale, "Ok…..ok…"

"I do the counting."

"Whaa- No way."

He faces me full on and I turn his head back to the side.

"Alright fine, but you better not count slowly."

I exhale again and give myself a determined nod, "Ok….ok…."

Carefully, I lean in.

It will be over before I even-

Bankotsu grabs my chin and presses his lips fully to mine.

I am frozen.

Anger, Disgust, Excitement all battle within me. Each one trying to gain control over my mind and my muscles which causes nothing to react. Nothing is functioning properly.

Every inch of me has gone stupid and Bankotsu takes full advantage of that. Deepening the kiss and pushing me to my back. I want to bite him. To kick him. To punch him. TO DO SOMETHING!

But the most I can do is grip the fabric on his shoulders. Whether in that attempt to pull him closer or push him away, I am still unsure.

I can't believe him…..I can't believe this…..I should have fucking known…how dare he….

HOW. FUCKING. DARE. HE!

My rage wins.

Bankotsu breaks the kiss and stares down at me completely satisfied. I feel my hands loosen their grip from his shoulders and begin to gently trace along his shoulder to his shirt collar.

I smile once I get a good grip on his collar and snatch him down, bringing my head up simultaneously and ramming it in to the bridge of his nose.

"GOD FUCKING DAMMIT!" he screams falling back and clutching his bloodied face. I quickly stand grabbing the bucket and dumping the ice cold water on to him.

"FUCKING SHIT!"

I proceed to beat the stunned and chilled Bankotsu a couple times with the wooden bucket before slamming it down on his forearms that shield his head, cracking it down the side. He grabs my wrist as I bring the bucket down again and yanks me forwards head butting me back.

My body hits the ground hard knocking the wind out of me.

I cough and sputter as blood oozes down my throat slipping into my lungs making it even harder to catch my breath. I prop myself up on to my elbows to redirect the blood down and out my nose as wait for my lungs to recover and the painful throbbing in my skull to cease.

We glare at each other in complete silence as Bankotsu stupidly presses the rag against his face. I let my nose bleed unhindered as I break our glaring match by dropping my head and rubbing my temples.

"Fuck you…" I spit

"You don't deserve that pleasure."

My leg juts out and kicks him in the knee. He immediately grabs hold of my ankle snatching it forwards and causing me to fall back and hit my head on the floor again. I yelp rolling over to my side and curling up in pain.

After a few moments of writhing and still in my fetal position, I begin a series of angry stomping kicks at his side and thigh…despite the fact that fatigue has set in and there is no longer any power behind them.

"I will break your fucking legs if you don't quit." He says calmly as he checks his nose.

I continue my little stomp kicks for a moment or two longer really digging my heels in to his side before finally giving up and propping myself up on to my hands. I run my sleeve across my nose only to have more blood ooze out to replace it. Spewing as many curses, hexes, and bad omens as I could muster in his direction, I sit completely up and next to him glaring out at nothing in particular.

From the corner of my eye, I watch as he lightly tosses the rag to the ground before leaning back against the wall, a satisfied look suddenly forming over his face.

"Still got my fucking kiss though."

Hope you enjoyed it. Stay safe out there :-)