o.O.o.O
Flowers for Love…
Bankotsu x Kagome biased one-shot. It's about time to polish my pathetic one-shot skills, ne?
darkenedmoonlightflame
He couldn't bring himself to say it...Why is it that the fact that no one has given her flowers before makes it all so damn hard? She could never love him… but then he remembered. 'Never say never.' Bankotsu x Kagome bias.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, and do not claim to. However, everything else, AKA: the writing, plot, et cetera, IS MINE, and won't be changing ownership anytime within the next millennia.
(A/N: Well… come on, you can't expect me to just forget about Valentine's Day, can you? This is in honor of both my nemesis, and my substitute nemesis. Hear that? (shakes fist) Anyhow (coughs and blushes). I know I'm extremely late, not to mention… (shocked gasp) extremely CHEESY! Yeah, I know. I'm not-so nifty with fluffy things.
(But you have to give me credit for trying… even if I'm late… A quick warning; this will be lengthy, and there will certainly be some skipping around. But not too much as to be completely unmanageable... (Hint! The flower part won't come until the ending…)
(Explanatory note: I decided to chuck out the V-Day thing. It seems so much more modern. Not like the Feudal Era. So I'll either be using Saint White's Day (DN Angel), or making up a holiday. For those of you who don't know what St. White's Day is… it's a special day, kind of like V-Day. Everybody wears white. If you get a white ribbon from someone you like, and they tie it for you, your love lasts forever… Yeah I know. Quirky. But it might work.
(Whatever. Nyah. (sticks tongue out).
(So, presenting, Flowers for Love... (Isn't that title kawaii?))
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Flowers for Love…
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"Where are you going…?" Iyou Jakotsu demanded, kohl-hued eyes narrowed into unrelenting slits, deceptively soft hands curled into fists on his hips. His gaze wasn't met at first, until the culprit sighed despondently, crossing and uncrossing his arms nervously. Jakotsu frowned deeper, to the point of pouting, and tucked a glossy stray hair behind his ear. He focused his intense glance at his companion, before accusing in a sharp voice, "Aniki."
Reikoku Bankotsu gulped, and laughed, the opposite of being content. "Jakotsu…"
"Nani?" His close friend wasn't put out. He hadn't had his daily shots of sake, and certainly wasn't going to pretend to be cheerful about it. Jakotsu snorted at the hurt expression Bankotsu pasted on. "I'm sick and tired of your night expeditions." He snapped in a matter-of-fact tone. "Urusai, onegai? There won't be any arguments this time."
"I… I…" Bankotsu couldn't get anything else past the lump in his throat.
"Save it, okay? I don't want another excuse." Those ashen eyes glared at him now, the vibrant violet snake fang markings under his eyes gleaming in the moonlight. "Look, I've tried to forget it…" Jakotsu inhaled slowly, and exhaled sharply, deadpanning, "…but I can't. End of story."
Lost for words, Bankotsu opted to let his comrade lecture as he retreated into his concealed musings. "Oh no, you don't!" A hand was placed roughly on each shoulder, and he was shaken until his neck snapped back and forth painfully. "It's for your own good. Don't you dare… don't you dare tune me out, Reikoku Bankotsu!"
And this time, Bankotsu obeyed placidly.
Jakotsu cleared his throat. "I want information. If you lie to me I'll…" The threatening stare of lust was more than enough.
"Iie, I won't," Bankotsu replied quickly, a cold chill running up his spine. "I most certainly won't…"
"…" For a moment they both observed each other, watching for sincerity. "… Alright." Jakotsu's steely look melted away, as he patted the ground next to him outside the cavern.
The latest Shichinintai encampment was simple in design, and humble in lifestyle. It was uncannily uncharacteristic, which was why it had been chosen. It was just an ordinary cave in the mountainside, embellished in the slops of Mount Fuji. It overlooked the area that would later become Tokyo, Japan, giving a spectacular view of the surrounding dense forests and bay inlet.
It was quite the night, being having both a clear, non-humid atmosphere, as well as an extraordinarily ethereal full moon. The purity and clarity of the vision was astounding, and inspiring to its two admirers below. It dominated the vast, midnight blue skyline, aided by the shimmering stars. The brilliance of the universe above blended with the white snow upon Mount Fuji, creating a sparkling effect to dazzle and leave an impression to strong for words.
Jakotsu sighed upon noting his male friend's distraction. He couldn't resist smacking his younger brother figure upside the head before beginning, "So… where have you been sneaking off to?"
"Anou…" Bankotsu flushed, and stuttered, "I… I… anou… I go for… walks… to try and find an answer… to my painfully beautiful question…" He trailed off, feeling the skin on his tanned neck burn red with humiliation. Jakotsu blinked.
"It's a start, I guess." He shrugged, then probed deeper. "Where to?"
"Anou… You know…" Bankotsu made a vague gesture with his hand, heart sinking slowly, "… around…"
"Be specific." Jakotsu's melodic voice sang out into the crisp winter air as he shivered, scooting closer to his friend. Bankotsu nearly leapt away, as though scorched. "SUGOI! JUNSEI! I've got it…" Jakotsu grinned slyly, coy as he went on innocently, "Ban-chan's in LOVE!" Under his breath he grumbled, "… with a woman."
"Not so loud!" He hissed, sneaking a peek at his slumbering fellow mercenaries, Ika Suikotsu and Misuto Renkotsu. "A-And I-I-I a-am n-n-n-not!" Bankotsu blushed a darker shade of crimson, averting his eyes. Jakotsu simply allowed the uncomfortable silence to last, all previous signs of anger erased. At last, Bankotsu murmured gently, "Is it that obvious? Am I fool?"
Jakotsu's eyes darkened as he recalled times of his youth, and his first love. "Iie. Never say that again." He ordered sternly, "Never say never."
"Isn't that an oxymoron?"
Jakotsu glared.
"You know what I mean."
"But I can't help wondering… what if she laughs at me, or thinks I'm an idiot? Or worse, if she rejects me and is disgusted?" Bankotsu's azure-green orbs glazed over as her thought pensively.
"Urusai! Just… urusai. You don't know what you're talking about. Love is…" He paused, searching for the right words. "…Love is all about doing stupid things. If you're too afraid to embarrass yourself for forever, then don't bother wasting your breath saying it's love."
He halted completely, and continued sullenly, "I made that mistake once. I won't let you do the same." Determination entered his eyes, before he shoved it away, tilting his head at his friend. "So, aniki." He sniffled. "Kami-sama, I'm coming down with a cold… One second…"
He stalked back inside the cave, emerging a moment or two later, two blankets wrapped around his shoulders, three more latched on his right arm. He separated two and threw them at Bankotsu, drawing the third into his lap, legs dangling over the outcrop's ledge. Two were white, one was pink, two others light blue, and one a blood red.
"Alright. So just before you go and spill out your fuzzy feelings, just so you know, this is pretty much a one-time deal, okay? I have a homosexual reputation to maintain, ne?" Bankotsu nodded solemnly. "Junsei! So… who's the lucky girl?"
"…" Bankotsu said nothing, simply watching the shifting bay miles away, still glinting in the glory of the night. "I… can't tell you…"
"Iie? Why not?"
"You'd get very angry."
Jakotsu rolled his eyes. "Come on, Ban-chan. You know I can't be angry with you. It's not like you have a crush on one of those evil witch women koinu has in his cult." He beckoned with his middle finger towards the smoking campsite little over six miles away, shaking his fist and reciting obscenities.
"…"
"Oh… no, no, no! You… you do, don't you?"
Bankotsu just nodded, head drooped between his shoulders, arms resting taut on either side of his crossed legs. Jakotsu sighed heavily. "Gomen nasai." Jakotsu shook off the apology, instead searching his eyes.
"Say her name for me, okay?"
"…"
"Onegaishimasu?"
"… Higurashi… Kagome-san…" There was an indescribably flicker of hope and life in his cobalt eyes as he recited her name.
'Chikuso… He really fell for her hard.' Jakotsu's heart sunk as his chest ached, thoughts again returning to his first love. "Oh… K… Kagome." He forced her name out with a grimace, attempting to smile pleasantly. "She's not… so… bad…"
Bankotsu inhaled slowly, holding his breath, before letting it out in a sudden release. "Yeah. She isn't." He knew what Jakotsu really thought about women, and appreciated the effort his friend put into liking his hopeless love.
"Well…" Suddenly Jakotsu perked up, beaming wildly. "I just remembered!"
"Nani?" Bankotsu asked, bewildered.
Jakotsu had that I-know-something-you-don't smirk doodled on his face with permanent marker. "Iie… not until you tell me why you love your little koishii. And then maybe not." He made a sarcastic soppy face, making kissing noises and simulating it all the while with his hands. "You know you want to…" He wiggled his eyebrows.
"Iie, Jakotsu. I'm not going to say—"
"You think she's gorgeous…!" Jakotsu began, creating a rhythm, bumping shoulders with his comrade every so often. It was a catchy beat, despite the teasing words that rose in volume. "You want to hug her…! You want to kiss her…! You think she's sexy…!"
"URUSAI!" Bankotsu shouted, fuming and an unbecoming shade of tomato red, "Fine, fine! I'll tell you! Just turn the sound effects OFF."
Jakotsu mock zipped his mouth closed, listening intently, snuggling into his soft rose-colored blanket.
"It all happened so long, long ago…"
Little did he know that somewhere, roughly six miles away, the very same tale was being related to yet another confidant…
…
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…
"Chikuso, I picked a beautiful day to forage…" Bankotsu mumbled under his breath, shivering feverishly, his breath fading into the white surroundings enveloping the Sengoku Jidai. He had already strung his beloved Banryuu across his back, long ago, and had now prioritized finding a haven as first. His thoughts turned to his three comrades. "They'll just have to wait. I'll be fine… If I can find a damn place to be fine inside…" He added the last part lightly, frustrated.
The beginnings of a monumental blizzard had begun. Bits of swirling ice clattered into his sturdy armor, chunks of hail wedging themselves under his shoulder guard and inside his breastplate. He quaked as a particularly large pile of snow deposited itself down the back of his haori.
He had only managed to gather a few small rabbits, and was cross with the weather, blaming his lack of fortuitous game on it. "Stupid snow." He kicked a small gathering, not even scattering it, just soaking his frozen feet. He frowned, turning sharply to avoid a snow bank.
Unfortunately, he tripped, stumbled, and fell face first into his bane. Shaking himself off, he used a nearby mammoth-proportioned tree to help support his aching feet. "Why didn't I wear shoes?" He asked himself, the thought just occurring to him.
He shook it out of his head, instead focusing on getting out of the wet mass. "ARA!" He screamed, upon noticing a girl leaning against the Goshinboku with a basket in her lap, pack not too far away, just under his splayed hand. Calming his thumping heart and flushing with embarrassment at his uncharacteristic outburst, he observed her more fully.
"Hnn… Inutrasha's wench." He considered his options carefully. "Well… if she dies here, that would benefit us. But, on the other hand, she would be an excellent bargain tool. Especially if I lure the half-breed into thinking I will return her… then kill her in front of his eyes…" A malicious smirk infected his features. "Hai, that sounds good."
He noticed her soft blue lips, and the clusters of snow on her luscious lashes. She was soaked from head to toe, covered in wet snow. Blinking, he muttered, "She's kind of pretty…" Smacking himself mentally, he reached out for her arm and tugged.
Nothing.
"Kuso, she's frozen to the tree… this is unbelievable!"
'I finally have a good opportunity, and it's stuck to a plant.' He twitched, unsheathing his massive oohoko and brandishing it with a flourish. "Fine with me. I'll just cut her arm off." Then another wave of pondering attacked. 'It looks like her wet fuku is glued, so then her back must be connected as well. I can't slice that off. Unless I don't want something to swap.'
Sighing, he continued his thought train. "Okay. So she's frozen. I'll just melt the ice." He hefted Banryuu into the air with one hand, and chanted, "Ryuurai-sen!" He aimed the attack to the side, so that as the storm clouds brewed around him, the crimson lightning would simply graze the edge of the Goshinboku. It did the trick.
The snow was burned into oblivion, but he had left agonizing burns along her thigh and left arm. He just chuckled, shrugging carelessly. "Hnn, me and my bad aim." He lifted her by the waist, hefting her, her pack, her basket, and the dead rabbits over his shoulder.
After a mile or two it began to get uncomfortable. He stopped, rolling and cracking both shoulders, before slinging her over his back. That proved uncomfortable as well. He growled, and poked her. "JUNSEI! Kuso. She's out cold. The wench better not remember this…" He slung her across his chest, affixing her arms around his neck for support, as his arm curled around the backs of her knees. His free hand checked that his beloved oohoko was secure before moving behind her upper back. He looped the basket onto Banryuu's handle, placing the frozen rabbits inside too.
Bankotsu trudged on. Secretly, he was glad for her annoyingly light mass and numbing cold. It kept him awake.
When the first rays of the moon peeped over the gathering of trees in Inuyasha no Mori, he smiled. It hadn't stopped snowing. Instead, he had spotted a dusty old fishing hut. It looked pathetic, and about to collapse, but it was better than nothing. He jogged over.
…
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…
"It sounds so… junsei." Jakotsu remarked coolly, wondering. "What if…" And, the usual saying set in motion, he became the tradition motor mouth Bankotsu was so familiar with.
"Oi, oh-mighty interrupter. Do you want me to keep talking or no?"
Jakotsu's slack jaw closed, cutting off his stream of babble. "Okay, okay. Keep gushing about your positively kawaii koishii, Ban-chan!"
"…" Bankotsu glared enigmatically. "Urusai, will you?" Jakotsu turned up his nose, huffing snidely.
…
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…
The cabin was breezy, full of odd gaps and holes. It didn't really matter, though, to Bankotsu and the unconscious girl. He set her down, and stretched his cramped muscles, before plopping down next to her to take stock of the hut.
It was cold. Almost as cold as the unsheltered outdoors, but not quite. "Maybe I should keep going…?" He thought out loud, his cobalt-green eyes scanning the shabby home. It seemed utterly abandoned, and had a perpetual layer of dust. There were a few holed blankets piled in one corner, along with a gaping window. The traditional tatami mats that covered the door and window were flapping wildly, brushing snow inside.
Bankotsu forced his tired body up, tying down the reedy mats into their respective positions. It did little for the temperature, but at least some of the wind was kept at bay. He sniffled, rubbing his hands together quickly for a spark of warmth. He turned to the blankets, a loving twinkle entering his eyes as he strode over.
Lifting one or two up, and shaking the dust out, he was disappointed. There were little holes here and there. Some had mothballs. He wadded the useless ones up, and plugged up gaps in the doorway and window angrily.
In the end, there were only three respectable blankets. He shrugged grouchily. However, they were long. One alone could wrap around his entire muscular frame, and touch the floor still. "Good enough." He snorted, and settled down, all three wrapped around him, before dozing off contentedly.
…
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…
"Nani?" Bankotsu asked, spotting the annoyed look on Jakotsu's features. His friend rolled his eyes.
"Great at sharing, aren't we?" He continued, "And exactly HOW does this make you like her? By freezing her solid?"
Bankotsu reddened slightly, embarrassed at his selfishness. "Yeah, well… Would you share?"
"Hell no."
"Point proven."
"I might."
"STOP BEING SO CONTRADICTORY!" Bankotsu shouted, growling.
"Look who's being sneaky and quiet now."
Bankotsu smacked himself upside the forehead, as his other two companions stirred wearily.
"What's going on?" Ika Suikotsu bit out, yawning and stretching. "Time for us to continue our migration?"
"IIE! Urusai, onegai? Go back to sleep!" Bankotsu snarled, beet red and hating all the attention.
"It's kind of late for that." Misuto Renkotsu remarked, still lying down, staring at the cavern's ceiling. "Actually, I change my mind. I don't want to know." He rolled over, facing the opposite wall. "Of course, now you undoubtedly will feel compelled to tell me despite my preference."
Bankotsu fumed. "Can I CONTINUE?"
Jakotsu searched his friend's face for a moment, before giving unappreciated input, "Will you share?" Bankotsu's face darkened, until it was blood red, before he exploded.
"URUSAI!" He screamed at the top of his lungs.
"Hai, now you've got them up." Jakotsu added resolutely.
…
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…
"URUSAI!"
Taijiya Sango glanced up, alert, from her splayed position near the warmth of the fire. Her eyes narrowed. Her two male companions, Houshi Miroku and Katai Inuyasha slumbered peacefully. "What, in Kami-sama's name, was that?" She sent a quick look in Higurashi Kagome's direction, her adoptive kitsune son still wide-awake in her lap. Kagome shrugged.
"Gomen nasai, San-chan… I'm just as clueless as you. It sounded like someone said… 'shut up', though…"
They both shrugged.
"Anyway, do you want me to continue?" After a definite reassuring nod on her taijiya sister-like friend's part, she added, "Remember. Not a single breath of this touches THEIR ears…" She motioned to the two snoring men. "Ahem, where was I?"
…
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…
The girl shivered, slowly coming around. Her intelligent azure orbs fluttered open, before sinking closed. "So… c-cold…" She shuddered a final time, before lapsing into her dreams again. However, the brief cry had been enough to awaken the nearby kanjoudakai.
Bankotsu's eyes flew open, and he glared. "That was a good dream too." He had been back… back when he was alive, in his gorgeous Shichinintai fortress, surrounded by extraordinary women. His chosen harem. He glared harder. "Arigatou, otome-ama."
She was unresponsive. He snorted, and was about to turn aside when he noticed the pallor of her skin. Her soft, inviting lips were tinged blue, and when he touched her shoulder it was like touching an ice maiden. He recoiled quickly.
He felt slightly guilty, as he noted the warm cocoon he built for himself. Then he overlapped his feelings, thinking out loud. "What good is a hostage if she's dead? Or an iceberg…" Sighing, he trudged over to her, plopping down a foot away. "There, happy?" He asked her unmoving figure.
His hard cobalt-green eyes softened slightly, as his charge visibly paled. "I guess not." He scooted closer. And closer…
He halted when they were an inch apart, wincing at the chill she sent out. Heat tendrils floated off of his body and were absorbed by her, and a small, tentative smile touched her lips. "… Oi, are you awake?" He shook her hastily, until her neck cracked nastily.
"Ara…! Anou…" He flushed completely, panicking. "Did I kill her?" He whispered cautiously, not daring to think of the 'what if' options.
…
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…
Jakotsu stared disbelieving, and opened his maw to taunt.
Bankotsu paused his narration, and spat out before his male consultant could comment further, "Just shut up, and listen, okay? It gets better. I know it sounds ugly…"
"You have no idea." Jakotsu finally settled on, wry in both tone and expression. Suikotsu eavesdropped with mild interest, while Renkotsu had immense fun covering his ears and watching the ceiling.
…
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…
Bankotsu gulped. "I'm stronger than the average human… So…?" Biting his lip, he lifted his first two fingers, bringing them to the major vein on the side of her neck. He nearly collapsed with relief.
'She's alive…' He thought to himself, 'But she's weak. She was to begin with.' After propping her up, he checked that her fuku was decent, and sighed.
He closed the final inch, until they sat, shoulder to shoulder.
"This is like a monument." He mumbled. "Cold and stony."
Still not feeling like sharing, her proceeded to stare at his catch, and think of ways to tease his rival. The icy air increased from next to him, penetrating the blanket. "Chikuso, what's wrong with the wretch now?" He reached over, feeling her forehead.
It was infernal. He gaped, too shocked to feel his fingers tingle unpleasantly. "I might as well dig myself another grave…" He said solemnly, rolling his eyes and cringing as he shifted the top blanket over her shoulders, eventually giving her the entire material's length.
A moment later, the second followed. He kept the third.
But it didn't help. The temperature adjusted, and dropped again. The room was frigid. "You… you…" He growled, the miko locked in his gaze, a sadistic glint in his eye. "I'll slaughter you, when I finish 'negotiations'…" He rolled off into a tangent, before resetting his focus.
How to keep her alive?
…
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…
"That's so obvious, aniki-baka!" Jakotsu cried, "All you have to do is—"
"Don't ruin the story." Suikotsu cut him off gently. "It is so delightful to watch the colors dance across aniki's face…"
By this time Renkotsu had switched back to resting on his back, hands clutching at his unwilling ears. "Not… listening…"
…
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…
Bankotsu blushed, as the answer arrived. "Ara… I think not." He chided himself. "I'm not that depraved of warmth…" Then he groaned. "But SHE is."
He remembered Suikotsu telling him of this… hippo-what's-it.
Nerdia?
"Yeah, that's it. Hipponerdia." He congratulated himself before pondering some more. It occurred when too much exposure to cold happened, or something like that. The wretch looked cold. She had luminescent blue lips. That had to be it.
The only way to help get rid of it… "Something about body heat." He flushed a nice tomato red. "Anou… I really don't want to do this," He explained to her limp form, "but I've got to keep you alive now, so I can eliminate you later. If that makes sense…?"
And so he inched over, trying not to listen to his sharp instincts, which were telling him to run the other way, and scoot away from the blinding numbness. His callused palms brushed her skin, and a jolt of electricity went through him. He backed away. "Fine, if her stupid miko ki wants to let her die, great. Beautiful." He amended, "This is bad, ne? My notions won't work without this woman." He inhaled and exhaled the glacial air slowly for the next few moments.
"Kuso."
He sighed, and deftly untied the elaborate knot in the red kerchief on her wet fuku, before shaking it out and folding it. After setting it aside, he flickered about nervously for a moment, before adrenaline and determination kicked in. "I'm a ruthless kanjoudakai, and I'm afraid of a knocked-out wench?"
That did it.
He eased the fuku's blouse over her head gently, eyes closed. For a moment he stared. 'What… is that?' And then he blushed wildly before nearly slamming the blanket over her indecent breasts, weird thingumy and all. He paused, folding and setting the white blouse aside as well. And then the finishing piece of resistance… the skirt. He quickly slid it over her hips, its many forest green pleats swaying. There was another foreign piece of fabric… He tried to ignore it, bundling her in a blanket.
He shivered, and moved to stare at her toned thigh, exposed despite the fabric. There were burns, as well as on her arm. 'Mine…' He thought groggily. He tore off one of his haori's sleeves, and tried his best to recall Suikotsu's lessons on cleaning a wound. When he was done, he searched through the basket, finding the one herb he did know. He pressed it on the wound, tying the sleeve tightly around it. He repeated the process on her other arm, using her fuku's sleeve selfishly.
All said and done, he slumped, relieved. He cradled the girl in a blanket.
A thought popped inside his mind. 'If I double the heat, then maybe she'll get over this hipponerdia faster!' He cautiously slipped off his swirled blue-purple and white kanjoudakai armor and set aside his beloved halberd. Inhaling sharply as the cold air immediately clutched at his haori, he grit his teeth and hurried the rest of the way, hakamas hitting the floor with a quiet thrum. Derived of everything except a fundoshi, he shivered, and pulled his remaining blanket around him.
"Kami-sama, this better work."
And so he sat.
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…
"You're doing it all WRONG!" Jakotsu reprimanded, frustrated. "You're supposed to get all 'jiggy with it'!" He wiggled his fingers to serve as quotation marks, along with his eyebrows. A sparkly sadistic glint entered his eyes as he noted Bankotsu's averted gaze.
His friend had begun to fidget and blush.
Jakotsu sent him a knowing stare. "Oh… so you've never…" He smiled dryly. "Kami-sama, I thought you were such a stud too, what with all those nasty women sitting near you in the banquet halls." A small smirk inched its way onto Renkotsu's face, while Suikotsu just nodded warily.
Bankotsu mumbled something incoherently, before clearing his throat and continuing his story.
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…
Four minutes later, with no apparent improvement, Bankotsu sighed. 'Why is Kami-sama so petty?' He shifted slightly closer, awkward because of his propped-up-against-the-wall cross-legged position. The girl shivered and moved closer to him. He blinked, looking at the new addition to his side, before shrugging and tugging the blanket from her clutching fist. "Get off me, wench."
He tried to ignore her.
'Heartless…
'Kanjoudakai… will you even care?
'Stony heart…
'Capable of love?'
The inner voice had begun its horrid taunting. He lifted his head from the cool wall, letting it hang suspended in midair. Then he let go of the tension, giving himself both a wake-up call and a sizeable bruise. His conscience died down.
'Capable of love…?' It echoed suddenly, again.
Another six minutes brought only tension and sleeplessness for the kanjoudakai. "Great. Just great. That stupid little conscience freak is keeping me up."
'What happened… to the emotions? Did they 'vanish' too, oohoko boy? Or did you and your Banryuu murder them?'
"SHUT UP!"
'Will you sit by and watch as she dies?'
"…" A resolute look passed over Bankotsu's features. "Fine. I'll keep her alive. Just to prove you wrong. So… what do I do?" Uncomfortable silence ensued. 'I doubt what Jakotsu does on a daily basis is the answer.'
Self-consciously, he inched closer, and before he realized what he had done, she was sitting between legs. He hated to admit it, but his minor enemy had beauty going for her. Her soft curves melded well against his sculpted muscles, filling the V-like space left by his open legs nicely. "Anou… what next?" He thought for a moment, before curling the blanket edges around them. The blanket separating their bodies was still in place.
He blinked.
She was wearing… what WAS she wearing? They covered her feet, completely, and were pure white. He reluctantly poked one. Her foot twitched, and he was surprised to find they were soft and squishy. Fascinated, he observed it curiously, pausing to check back on it every twenty seconds, to see if they vanished.
They didn't.
But that was before he saw a kawaii chibi black cat on the ankles. "What… is that? It's so… so…" He forced himself to look away. "Unnatural."
…
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o
…
Bankotsu's eyes flew open, and were met with the frenzied blizzard air. 'Ara... so it isn't over.' He checked down upon the girl in his lap. She was still relaxed and unconscious. Before his inner voice could begin to slap him around, he murmured, "She looks a little warmer."
It was mid morning. There was still no sign of the blizzard letting up. "I think I'll die of boredom. Anytime now." Bankotsu moaned, softly, so as not to wake his new temporary before-I-kill-you ward.
"Wait—why do I CARE?"
He rolled his eyes, before stretching like a tomcat, and doing some deep breathing exercises. "I need my repressed hostility activity time, you know," He explained to her quietly, when she rolled over and pulled the blanket almost entirely off of him. "So just… (tug) give… (yank) me… (rip) THAT!" He stared dismally at his shelter.
It was torn cleanly in two. The miko smiled contentedly, flipping positions to gather the rest of the blankets to her.
He simmered inside, his blood boiling.
"Anti-stress… must do anti-stress…" He turned away, tying the shred of fabric around his shoulders, forming a crass tunic.
After his morning routines, he sighed discontentedly. He was cold. He was hungry. He was thirsty. He seriously wanted to slaughter the other occupant of the cabin. But most importantly, nature was beckoning him. After donning his haori, hakamas, and armor, he departed, in favor of freezing outside.
Five minutes later, a good half-mile or two…
Once all was said and done, he trudged back, feeling his way in the blinding snow.
He stepped into the drafty cabin, shaking snow adamantly from his long, silky braid. He froze, rubbing his eyes.
The wretch…
WAS GONE?
…
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o
…
Renkotsu propped himself up on his elbow, hand supporting his head, green bandana crumpling on one side. "And then…?" He asked slowly, mesmerized by his friend's strange tale.
"I thought you didn't want to hear."
"I don't." Bankotsu face-faulted. "I'm storing it away for later uses… of… tormenting you with your failure with the fairer gender."
"Sure. Whatever." Bankotsu was back on track, coughing and sipping a bowl of water, refusing to drink his sake. 'I want to stay sober for this...' He thought silently, leaving it unspoken, a glisten of affection in his eyes.
…
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o
…
Higurashi Kagome, seventeen-year-old miko from the future, smiled and yawned in her sleep, rolling over. A serene look blanketed her face, her long tresses pooling around her on the dusty floor. She was one hundred percent unaware of the worried kanjoudakai only feet away from her. She smiled again, sighing happily and rolling over in her dreams.
Bankotsu detected a sigh, and not daring to hope, checked the small nook to the immediate left of the door-of-old. His thumping heart calmed. She was there, asleep and grinning.
"Kuso, you had me going for a minute, then." He shook his fist at her grumpily, aware she couldn't sense him through her darkness. He frowned, before taking her pulse. It was a little sluggish, but stronger than before. "So, that schizophrenic doctor was right." He wondered what to do for moment, standing, rubbing his forearm with a hand. "Ara…"
Then he remembered. "Oh… those rabbits. I could… cook them. And there's no lack of snow." Sighing loudly, he wished he had brought a pot with them. Or at least brought firewood back from his trip. "I'll just make the best out of it."
He settled down, pulling the miko's basket and pack towards him. He checked the pack first, rummaging, not respecting her privacy at all. "Oi, what's this little beauty?" He lifted the little book. It was black, with a small yellow daisy on the cover. He peered at it with curious orbs, before flipping it open.
Every now and then, his tongue grazed his thumb with moisture to aid in turning a page or two.
He cleared his throat.
'Konnichiwa. This is Higurashi Kagome-san's very own PERSONAL notebook. Souta-baka (or any other male intruder)… if you're reading this (undoubtedly you will)… Just know that you'll be dying of a cruel and unusual punishment in the near future.'
Bankotsu steeled himself. 'So what? It's just a notepad… what is a 'notepad' anyway? Who's Souta?' He kept himself occupied by pouring over her words. There was an extraordinary tale, written in equally beautiful kanji. He squinted, observing the gorgeous lettering further, before continuing to decipher it.
'November twenty-third. Feudal Japan; near Mt. Fuji.
'Miroku-sen says a storm is approaching. I'm not sure whether I can trust his opinion, however, since nearly everything he says is elaborated. It's basically his entire existence. Anyhow, Inuyasha-sen agrees. He says the east winds are stirring.
'I think I can put a little more faith into that. His hanyou nose is extremely sensitive. So are those kawaii inu ears of his ( bubbly smile). Well… Nothing much really happened today, besides discovering a false lead for the shards. Kouga-sen paid us all a visit. Inuyasha was fuming! (I think… I hope he was jealous!)
'But… I suppose that's unfair of me. I couldn't expect that from him… (sad sigh) I'm a shadow of his koishii. Kikyou…'
Bankotsu grumbled. "Just female hormones, I guess. Nothing of substance." He was about to drop the book onto the dusty floor beside him when a single page fluttered to the floor. It was beaten to a pulp, crumpled everywhere. It looked like it had looked death in the eye. It had been smoothed as best as possible.
But it was to no avail. There were teardrops spattered everywhere, as well as a few good water stains. At the bottom, there was a name. Written in blood.
He studied it intensely.
'I heard something I shouldn't be proud of. Inuyasha and Kikyou were talking, talking and he marked her demonically. They mated.
I shouldn't write it. It's none of my business, after all. I can't help it… I really do love Inuyasha. So much. I want him to be happy… even if that means he decides his allegiance is to Kikyou.
'I can't influence him. It's his choice.
'But my dark side grows restless. I'm not always perfect and pure. Rarely, now that I consider it. I never mention it.
'Sango knows. I think Miroku suspects. But Inuyasha doesn't…
'I lust for blood, Kikyou's specifically. I have so much anger… all those times I see them together. The way I AM Kikyou to him. It builds… and builds…
'And when the dam breaks… which I wish that it never, ever shall…
'I pity them all.
'If I forget my place, may this remind me.
'I forever pledge…
'To never speak of this matter again. If Inuyasha chooses Kikyou… so be it. And if vengeance is enacted on my behalf… may I join the realm of the souls.
'—Higurashi Kagome, forevermore bound…'
Bankotsu paused at the end of the paper, before silently folding it back into its neat shape, tucking it back into the book.
'So… the miko has a dark side too.'
…
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o
…
Night dawned, and with a severely grumbling stomach and a lack of luck, Bankotsu stripped once more to his fundoshi, crouching down into the nook. It was surprisingly warm. He blinked in confusion, at last deciding to stay put. Once more, his legs opened in a V shape, girl placed between. Then he changed his mind.
He was going to experiment with a new philosophy.
If a blanket between them kept heat mutual and nice… then without the blanket would make things at a cozy, quick-to-rise temperature. 'It would do the wench good.' He thought firmly, sliding the blanket wrapped around her off.
It was embarrassing. He had never made love before, so even contact was foreign to him. He carefully spread a blanket out on the cord, hard floor. Lying down on one side, he gently lifted her, placing her next to him. He took the second blanket, covering them both. He spared an irked glance at the torn ones, before wadding them up as pillows.
Slowly, he encased the girl in a loose embrace, cautious all the while. His strong arms encircled her waist, sending tendrils of heat coiling towards her. He quivered slightly at their close proximity, and at the steely temperature of her skin. Her pulse was steadying, repetitive, and soothing. The sound filled his ears with a velvety volume.
Soon he slipped into a dark slumber.
…
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o
…
The days slowly merged. He wasn't sure how to cook or wash clothes, and he knew enough from his personality-disordered doctor to not eat raw meat. It helped that he considered it vulgar. And so he waited out the hunger, and the storm. Neither showed signs of relenting quickly. But he did remember to change and cleanse the wounds of the girl, although it was to no benefit of him.
Eventually what was alien to him became normal, even expected. The girl's presence by his side felt nice. It was the only solid thing that would always be there.
By the end of the fifth day he was beginning to find it hard to move away from his makeshift palette, and ward. His breathing was harder than he remembered, and convulsions racked his stomach. It was all he could do to sit there uncomfortably, the only warmth and comfort coming from the seemingly comatose miko. "C…Chikuso… wake up… damn it!" He whispered hoarsely.
He distinctly remembered Suikotsu saying that a person starved after a week or so without food. Faster if there was no water.
It was approaching a week. But he still could eat snow. Until he was too weak to drag himself outside.
Which came sooner than expected.
…
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o
…
He recalled it exactly. The moment when she awoke; the seventh morning. The storm had at last showed signs of lightening up, and he expected her friends to start searching. He knew, because there was a gentle stirring at his side. Then she tensed, sensing her lack of clothing. And then… she screamed furiously, riveting and leaving quite the impression on his face. A crimson handprint.
She didn't seem to notice that he didn't respond, just watched with lackluster blue-green eyes. Her own were fiery and lively. She didn't know about the elapse of time. "H-How dare you?" She shouted coarsely, unused to speaking. Then she remembered her state, and scrunched the blanket around her body. "LOOK AWAY!" She blushed, muttering, "Hentai kanjoudakai."
Then she seemed to notice that he did nothing but watch her meekly. "What's wrong with you?" She asked slowly, as if she was more afraid than ever. 'Is this a sick idea of a joke? Is he trying to lie?' He opened his cracked lips. Only a small trickle of ruby liquid poured forth.
His eyes were glassy.
"Oh… Oh, Kami-sama!" She exclaimed, a hand flying to her mouth to express her horror.
…
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o
…
Taijiya Sango's breath left her lungs, and her intellect failed her. "W… What did you do?" Kagome blushed prettily, before smiling softly.
"I didn't know what happened at first. And I didn't want to make a false accusation. But… I really didn't know what to think." She blushed darker, adding in a murmur, "I couldn't help notice…"
"Notice what?" Sango asked dryly, suspicious.
"Anou… It's nothing. Nothing…" She sighed. "Okay, fine. NEVER repeat this, onegai?"
"Hai." Sango agreed solemnly.
"… I thought he was handsome."
Sango went through an obvious struggle for a moment. And then she gave up horribly, smiling and laughing heartily.
"HEY!"
"G-Gomen nasai…! Your expression was so kawaii! You looked so determined, K-chan! Ahem… so, continue, onegai?" Kagome stuck out her tongue childishly, making a contorted face. "Onegaishimasu? For San-chan?"
"Well… because you asked so nicely."
…
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o
…
After dressing in tense silence, Kagome departed, holding her nose as she hefted the decaying rabbits at arm's length. Once free from her confined shelter, she walked clumsily for a half mile. Then she gritted her teeth and wound up, hurling them as far as she could. She departed from the scene, feeling bad for the waste.
Eventually she returned to the fishing hut, empty handed, but relieved and happy for the fresh air. Her fuku was dirty and crumpled, despite being neatly folded. Upon returning, she noted the little black book lying close to her chaotic yellow backpack. She frowned, hands on her hips.
She should have been angry.
But it must have been so frustrating, to have been left inside for days. She assumed that's what had happened, anyway.
Sighing, she noted Bankotsu's not-so fresh haori and hakamas in another corner. She walked over, wobbling a little. "Get the hell… away… from them!" Bankotsu's voice wavered pathetically.
"I'm not going to loot you." Kagome told him firmly, glancing over her shoulder. She took a deep breath. "I'm going to help you, and nothing you say will change that."
…
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o
…
Jakotsu whistled his approval, and Renkotsu even seemed interested. "Sugoi, that's loyalty. She hates your guts too."
"I wouldn't be so sure." Suikotsu contributed. "She is not the type to do so."
"What does a schizophrenic maniac like you know about love?" Jakotsu scoffed, pouting boyishly.
"Many things..." Suikotsu said softly, "Many, many things…"
"Urusai. I'm listening to a story here." Renkotsu grumbled, leaning closer to the two perched on the ledge. "Nani? Aren't you going to continue, aniki?"
"Ara… hai. I guess so."
"HAI! IT'S GROUP MALE BONDING TIME!" Jakotsu cheered.
"Never… ever… say that again." Renkotsu thundered, shying away from the hyper mercenary. "It's really creepy."
…
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o
…
Bankotsu narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Why… would you… help me?"
"Because I can." Kagome replied resolutely, stalking off with his dirty set of clothes in the basket, fundoshi included after coaxing, herbs dumped into her pack. Half an hour later, she returned, fresh snow in her hair, and a tentative smile upon her face. There was "How are you?"
"Horrid."
"Don't worry. You won't be that way for long." Kagome's smile faded slowly, as she stepped outside, in full view of Bankotsu, just in case, to wring out the clothes. Her lightly callused hands worked efficiently and quickly, squeezing with precision. In hardly any time at all, she was finished.
She glanced back to him. "Warm clothes would do you good." She decided, before tying the tatami mat down completely. She strode over to her pack, the assassin's eyes tracing her every move, wary of deception. He was vulnerable.
"What?" Kagome demanded, at his lingering gaze. Slowly she whispered dismally, "You think I'm going to kill you, don't you?" He said nothing to defend himself, and she was certain it was true. "That's why—" She cut herself off, shaking her head and turning back to her pack.
After digging and spreading it all out on the floor, she found what she wanted.
"Praise Kami-sama! Battery-powered hairdryer!" She hummed softly to herself as she sprayed his clothes with it until all moisture was gone. She blushed, handing his the fundoshi before averting her eyes. A moment later, she passed him the rest of his clothes, helping him dress meekly.
"Gomen nasai, I'm not a hunter." She apologized, grabbing hold of her bow, chewing on an herb. "But this will help you gain strength, okay? So eat it." She placed it in his mouth, helping him work his jaw around to swallow. "Good. Wait here."
'As if I have a choice.' Bankotsu snarled mentally.
A good deal of time later, she entered again, panting, winded. "Got one! And I found a hot spring."
'ONE?' Bankotsu's mind screamed.
She held up her prize, a scrawny snow pigeon. Bankotsu watched, stunned as she created a fire easily with a bow and a stick, just outside the hut, using a few twigs. She entered, wordlessly handing him the bird. "I'm not hungry." She lied, instead munching on the herbs feverishly. He knew she lied.
'I wouldn't have done that.' He noted, 'She's hungry. But that's her error.'
…
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o
…
The next morning, after sleeping with separate blankets, the miko left, taking her bag with her. For a moment, Bankotsu panicked. 'Is she going to leave me here to die?' He pondered, confused and pensive.
Meanwhile, at the hot spring Kagome had stumbled across previously, the said girl sighed happily and submerged herself completely. "It feels like heaven!" After soaking, she finally lathered her hair in silky cherry blossom shampoo, rinsing well. After another lapse of time spent floating, she introduced de-tangling conditioner, scented in a warm vanilla tone.
She sighed. It wasn't fair to leave Bankotsu alone like this. Grudgingly, she cleansed the rest of her body with rose petal soap repeatedly, before rinsing once more and exiting with her now-clean fuku.
Bankotsu had been waiting for hours. 'I guess she really did leave.' He stared at the ceiling.
All of a sudden, the tatami mat snapped up, and a bubbly girl popped through, a rabbit in tow. "Konnichiwa, Bankotsu-sama!"
"N-Nani?"
"Gomen nasai, for taking so long! I took a bath." She added the last sentence, although it was unnecessary. Bankotsu felt the urge to add something spiteful.
"Oh… I guess… it wasn't your pathetic… hunting skills… after all."
"Iie. It wasn't really." She sat down next to him, stretching. "No offense, but you really need a bath too." Her nose wrinkled slightly as she said this, as she leaned down. "Unless you usually smell like this…"
Bankotsu glared. "I… I don't. And… urusai. We're… going to die… anyway!"
"Okay then!" She put her hands up in defense, smiling sheepishly. "Gomen."
He noticed something. 'She only said 'gomen'. No 'gomen nasai'. Does this mean she's comfortable around me? Or didn't take me seriously?' He didn't mention it, instead asking, "Oi, wench… What's for… lunch…?"
Kagome loomed before him suddenly. "It's not wench, oohoko boy. I have a name."
"Really. I… didn't… know." Bankotsu remarked sarcastically. "Isn't it… Kikyou?" He knew that was low. He'd stooped to reading her 'notepad', and it mentioned something about this 'Kikyou' person. And it wasn't happy.
The previous, bantering, sort-of-happy mood dissipated like one of Miroku's famous 'dark cloud' schemes.
"It's Higurashi Kagome." She said, tone undecipherable, steely. "Never… never call me that again." Her eyes were shadowed with her charming bangs, grin broken. "Ever." She whispered.
Bankotsu rolled his eyes, oblivious to the harsh effect his name-calling had on her. "Yeah, great. Peachy... What's for… lunch?"
"Say, Bankotsu-sama?" She seemed to grow slightly more outgoing once more.
"…Hnn?"
"Have you ever tried Ramen?"
…
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o
…
By the end of the ninth day, a comfortable, luxurious silence had fallen between them. The storm's last swirls had abated, and they had both matured in retrospect of each other. This would be the last night spent here. Then they would go their separate ways, pretending nothing had ever occurred.
It was so simple, that is was ingenious.
They had both paid their debts. He had gained his health and strength gain, and she was still alive.
The saying 'help me help you' had been fulfilled.
They sat quietly outside, amid the last twinkles of snowflakes, calmly sipping the last of the chicken-flavored ramen broth. "Arigatou." Bankotsu coughed, before slinking down further, arms across his chest. He noticed the snowflakes gathering on his buttock-length braid, and in her silky obsidian-cobalt tresses.
He reached over absentmindedly, running a lock through his rough fingers. Kagome blushed. "You're welcome." And then, "Why did you decide to let me go?"
"I… I'm not sure." He had lied. He knew why. She wouldn't believe him. But this was his last chance to ask her something. "I have a favor to ask of you."
"Hai?" Kagome asked, eyes sparkling in the ashen twilight. She sunlight caught onto her features, giving her an ethereal beauty.
"I would…" He began, nerves plunging him into weakness. He started anew. "I… I would appreciate it… if you spent the night… with me, like before…" Bankotsu murmured, feeling abashed as she said nothing. "I… just get so lonely… I miss you." He sported a healthy flush.
A slow sigh emitted from her. "I… I guess… I suppose that would be fine." She nodded reluctantly, tacking onto her statement. "Since it's our last time seeing each other without being… ara, you know. Enemies."
They flushed together, perfectly in sync. "But, onegai, can I watch the sunset?"
"Hai, miko." Bankotsu smiled, relieved. "Arigatou…" He whispered, reaching over again to draw her closer, arm resting lightly around her waist. Their shoulders met without hesitance, and he inhaled sharply. His hand found hers, and their fingers entwined lazily. "Arigatou, Kagome." She flashed a startled, but beautiful, brilliant smile his way, a surprised reward for using her name so casually.
And they waited, watching the sun set in all its glory.
…
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o
…
"Sugoi…" Sango breathed, amazed. "K-chan… I had no idea… Bankotsu seems so heartless…" She shook her head. "Don't mind me. I'm just so shocked." Shyly, she asked, "Is there more to the story?" Her sister-figure nodded gently, unable to stare at anything but the lush full moon. "Onegai, continue!" Kagome blushed lightly, looking sad, before clearing her throat and speaking.
…
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o
…
Jakotsu smiled, hands clasped. "Oh… it's so wonderful!"
Bankotsu seemed daunted, saying nothing. A pensive, despondent look was prominent on his face.
"W-What's wrong?"
"I… I screwed it all up."
Suikotsu and Renkotsu observed quietly, thinking. 'What is he talking about?'
"No, no! It was…" Jakotsu muttered, flashing a reassuring grin towards his leader. "It was splendid!"
"Iie… I wish it were. The tale isn't over yet."
"I-It isn't?"
"No. Not at all."
…
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o
…
Bankotsu's eyes fluttered open, as his temporary companion's supple fingers trailed through his hair. "I envy you…" Kagome spoke nonchalantly. "Your hair is so pretty." Bankotsu twitched.
"A man is NEVER pretty!" He exclaimed, cobalt-green eyes narrowed.
"I never said so. I just said your hair was." Her hand slid through his locks, before she playfully reached down and tugged his braid. "OW!" His hands flew to his scalp, clutching at it. He glanced at her through the corner of his eye. "What was that for?"
"Nothing. I just felt like it." In her fingers, she was twirling his white tie.
'Great. Now she'll start to obsess about it.'
"You know…"
'Here it comes…'
Kagome's fingers ran through his hair, raking gentle, soothing lines down from his scalp, freeing the tresses from their confining braid. "I've always wanted to ask you something."
"Hnn?"
"You should leave your hair down sometime."
"NO! I'm not a girl!" Kagome rolled her eyes.
"So? But… How DO you get your hair so soft?" She moved in closer, burying her face in the crook of his neck. Bankotsu shied away, stifling a laugh. He saw her crushed look.
"I'm ticklish there. So watch it." He mumbled, before allowing her to smile again, slender fingers once more seeking out his hair. She laughed melodically as a rumble grew from inside his chest.
"Are you PURRING?" She asked incredulously, dubious of herself.
"Maybe!" He choked down his laughter, lunging at her to tickle her sides. After all the chortling died down, they both sighed. "We'd better get off to bed." Bankotsu's face turned pink. 'That came out wrong.'
"… Okay."
Slowly the two clambered inside, before Bankotsu laid down on his side, elbow propping his head up. "Come on." He helped her down, before she settled close to his chest, seeking his warmth. A small smile graced her face. His free arm tightened its grip on her waist possessively as she moved slightly to reach for the blanket. They sighed contentedly, settling down, clothes on.
"Well, see you tomorrow."
"Hai."
And so it was quiet.
Then Kagome spoke softly.
"Do you think we'll ever see each other again? You know… as friends?"
'Or more.' She added inside calmly, knowing the full reality of her wishes. She'd gotten attached to the semi-pessimistic kanjoudakai.
Bankotsu chose not to answer, evening his breathing out, pretending to sleep.
He didn't know what to say.
…
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o
…
Morning sunlight crept over the tips of the trees, and Bankotsu sat in silence on his back, unwilling to move. It was the day of separation. He knew it was coming. He had dreaded it.
He found himself in a compromising position. Her hair was splayed about, tangled in his loose hair too, and she was halfway onto his chest, her head in the crook of his neck. He had lied. He wasn't ticklish. He just was unsure about her touch, and the spark of electricity it produced.
Her soft contours melded into his angular ones, creating such a sensation. He smiled, picking a strand of her silky hair from his face. She was on her side, one arm thrown carelessly over him, a gentle barrier keeping him from moving.
He sighed sadly. Truth be told, he had gotten used to having the spunky miko around.
"Kagome…"
"What?" The said girl mumbled, still asleep, a cute pout forming. Her lashes were ample, but didn't take over her face with their dark beauty, he noticed. And then he shook the thought off.
'NANI? Does she talk when she sleeps? Or is she awake?' He wanted to shake her shoulder to see, but hesitated. 'She looks so serene.'
"Are you glad the snow is gone?" He whispered into her ear, to see if the feat would be repeated.
"Hai. It's so nice to see the sun again."
It was. "So… are you thinking of going back to your comrades?" He added for good measure, "I am."
"And so am I. I miss Shippou and Sango. Even Miroku."
Bankotsu was surprised. "No Inutrasha?"
The peaceful girl hesitated for a split second or two. "Yes Inuyasha." Bankotsu fumed. 'She's too damn loyal.'
"Do you…" He began again, "Will you miss me?"
"…" The girl looked so conflicting, like she wanted to say one thing but it wasn't the right thing.
'Sugoi, she's complicated. Even in her sleep.'
"I… I…" she began, her lips parting.
"Yes?" Bankotsu leaned closer, anxious to hear.
"I…" She took a deep breath, and suddenly the bright azure orbs flew open. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"
'Kuso. She woke up. Looks like I'll never get to know.'
Kagome's voice was very shrill, and he retreated quickly. "Don't look at me, wench. You're the one who used me as a pillow." He sneered slightly, to cover up his embarrassment. Big mistake.
Her lower lip trembled. 'He hasn't called me a wench in a long time… I wonder what's wrong.' She didn't meet his concerned gaze.
'Did I say something wrong?'
Apparently. For the rest of the morning, neither spoke to the other.
…
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o
…
Bankotsu rolled his shoulders, wincing as they cracked and groaned. Kagome was stretching, yawning, and making something delicious. The smell wafted towards Bankotsu. He began drooling. "You can have some, if you like." Kagome said quietly, handing him a helping.
He blinked.
It was packed in a picnic basket, and when he opened it, a variety of arrangements and delicacies greeted him. "Where did you get this?"
"I made it." She said softly, not meeting his searching blue eyes, still.
"Arigatou…" He leaned over, mentally in anguish as she flinched. He gently tucked a stray hair behind her ear, and turned back to the basket. "I think I'll save it for lunch, ne?"
"If you like." She seemed so lifeless now.
'Kagome… I'm sorry… really.' He wished it were so simple as to say those words. But it wasn't. She stood abruptly, brushing debris off of her cleaned, crisp fuku.
"I should leave." She hefted the mammoth yellow bag over her shoulder, staggering under its weight.
"WAIT!" Bankotsu shouted, unsure of where this was going. She paused, looking back at him. 'I can make amends!'
"Hai, Bankotsu-sama?"
"I… I know how much you like my hair, so…" Kagome watched him, confused. "Would you like to brush it?" Somehow that seemed like the golden thing to say. Her eyes glittered, and she smiled again joyfully.
"YES!" Zooming over, a modern brush already in hand, she began to stroke the tangled ends. A while later, she was at the scalp, making soothing strokes downward. His eyes were closed, and he was smiling genuinely. She deftly separated and braided his hair into a semi-loose queue, before patting him on the shoulder, grinning. When she had finished, his eyes opened, and he motioned for her to sit down in front of him.
She did so, and he brushed her hair in return. He swiveled her around, so she was facing him, and he proceeded to plait her hair into an over-the-shoulder braid. It looked elegant on her, he had to admit.
"There." He said, leaning forward, and planting a kiss on her forehead. They both flushed tomato red, looking away, finding the ceilings interesting.
Kagome cleared her throat. "Ara… I really should be leaving." This time, her demeanor wasn't sad. It was yearning, and slightly more cheerful. She shouldered her pack once more, basket of withered herbs in hand. Suddenly, she stopped dead in her tracks as she neared the bend in the river.
Her lithe form quivered for a moment, indecisive.
'What's wrong?' Bankotsu had begun to worry, as she didn't move.
"Are you okay?" he called out, cupping his hands around his mouth.
At last she had made up her mind. "It's now or never." She told herself, and Bankotsu just heard them faintly.
"Huh?"
Her yellow bag slipped from her shoulder into the dirt and the basket toppled from her hand. She turned slowly, her translucent orbs misty with wet tears, lashes fused together. She took off at a sprint, feet pounding the earth. Suddenly the answer dawned on him. She was jogging back to him.
'She's… she's running… to me?'
She launched herself forward, into his chest, knocking the wind from his system with a whoosh. But it didn't matter. He cradled her close, cherishing the feeling. Her tears were soaking his haori, but he didn't care. He smoothed her braid out, rubbing soothing circles into the flesh of her back.
"It'll be okay." He mumbled over and over. "I know the river looks scary… it's okay… it… ah, it freaks me out too."
"You… big… idiot!" She murmured through his toned chest, squeezing him tighter.
At last she deemed it safe to removed her face. Her eyes were slightly puffy, but other than that and the tearstains there was no indication of her breakdown. "I… I had a thought there… I couldn't help it. It just… scared me."
"What was it?"
"I… I thought of everything… the blizzard, you, hypothermia…"
'So that's what it's called.' Bankotsu had a stray thought, before tuning in again.
"And… so I just knew."
"Knew what?"
"That this was goodbye…?"
Bankotsu frowned. That was the sore subject. His newest developments in feelings didn't help one bit. He knew… he could tell that he was beginning to fall in love. He couldn't have that.
Besides…
They could never be.
"Yeah. It is." He said coldly, dropping his embrace, before striding off, fetching Banryuu. He didn't look back to see her reaction.
It would hurt too much.
…
o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o
…
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(A/N: I'm foregoing my usual blah in order to finish my formatting mess. And so, be grateful, eh? Be warned. Everything you need… will be in the second part to this one-shot-turned-two-shot.
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Ja ne,
o.O.o.O darkenedmoonlightflame O.o.O.o
And company. My adorably annoying muses. 'Kotsu and Sess-san.