Love Knows No Boundaries

Ok! I know that this is probably pointless, but when I first wrote this story I was just beginning to write. Meaning that it was, in kind words, a piece of crud. Knowing this, I'm going to re-do the story so it has an actual plot, more emotion and, most importantly, more detail. Also, I know I haven't finished this story, either. It's just that the beginning is really starting to bother me. The main plotline will be the mostly the same and maybe, just maybe, I'll make some other people live!

Disclaimer: I do not own the show Inuyasha. As much as I wish I did, I don't. Because if I did, Ban-chan, Jakky, Renkotsu, Suikotsu, Hiten, Sesshoumaru, Hakkaku, Ginta, and Hakudoshi would one) all live longer than they did… (Luckily, Fluffy made it to the end), and two) have much bigger parts and more screen play. Also, Inuyasha would die.

Chapter 1 – Fraternizing With the Enemy?

The sun shines brightly, the sky is a bright blue, and puffy white cloud float through the air; seldom, but visible. From that, you can probably get the picture that it is a beautiful day. More than beautiful, it is the type of day that everyone, who likes these types of days, hopes for. But for one girl, this day is the pits. That girl is none other than the normally cheerful priestess often seen with Inuyasha and the gang. Unfortunately, as said before, she is not so cheerful on this day.

"How dare they?" Kagome screams towards the heavens, fury shining in her normally bright, chocolate brown eyes. The rage hidden beneath their surface, however, dulls them to a more dark-brown coffee color. Not exactly like black coffee, but darker than chocolate, that's for sure. With a slight growl, she kicks a rock at the tree nearest to her, only standing a few feet in front of her.

"How dare 'who'?"

Kagome involuntarily freezes at the voice. She can easily recognize it. How couldn't she? She has heard him a few times this month. Her eyes lighten back to the chocolate color as they flood with tears of fear and, still her earlier emotions, betrayal. How could they leave me all alone? An-and now Bankotsu shows up! She lets her gaze scan the surrounding area, hoping she can spot the mercenary leader. That way, she might have some warning when he decides to finish her off.

"Over here!" Bankotsu cheerfully teases, waving his hand slightly. A cocky grin appears on his lips as she finally turns her fearful gaze towards him. He brushes his hands against his white pants, dusting them off as he pushes himself up off of the ground where he had just been leaning against the Bone-eaters' Well. Once up, he gently repeats the process with his blue and white printed haori. His cerulean eyes regard her in a childish manner, his mind clicking things together; though he doesn't really care that she's Inuyasha's wench. No…there's something he'd prefer to know even more.

"Where is that damned half-dog?" Bankotsu questions, not even caring that he's completely open for any attack that could come at him. No, he'd sense if someone else was near (and the closest person was in the village), and he isn't scared of her, due to her being unarmed. It's rare you find your enemy's wench completely alone and unarmed, but he didn't bother with any thoughts of killing her. Nope, he wants to relax today, so he won't do any killing. Even though that is relaxing to him to; that's not the kind of relaxation he feels like having today.

"He has a name!" Kagome cries out. Suddenly, realizing her actions, she plasters a hand over her mouth and closes her eyes in fear of him getting a little annoyed at her like Inuyasha obviously would have. Peeking one eye open, she notices he's now sitting on the edge of the well, waiting quite patiently for her answer. "It isn't any of your business…" she mutters coldly, glaring at him. Her hand slips back to her side. I better watch what I say…he can kill me any time he wants!

Bankotsu's blue eyes widen slightly, amusement visible from even Kagome's position at nearly half the field's width away. Suddenly, a bright smile/smirk crosses his lips and he chuckles softly to himself. "Now that isn't what I'd expect from someone so obviously terrified of me. Kagome, about to protest at being scared of him, closes her mouth, knowing that she is scared of him. Bankotsu grins at her lack of response, knowing that she isn't going to attempt to deny the truth. "You have a good attitude. Don't force me to get the information out of you through pain, would'ya? I'm not here to kill him, you or anyone for that matter. I just want a day off. Now, you have two choices: tell me where he is, or ruin my day by forcing me to get it out of you. Pick one…" Bankotsu instructs, his happy presence slowly dieing into a bitter one. He pushes himself back to his feet, his fingers running along Banryuu's handle. When she doesn't reply, he frowns. "Pick one or two. If you don't pick either, I'll simply have to do number two. And neither of us would want that to happen, now would we?" he growls out.

"Uh, um…" Kagome starts, not knowing what to say. Tears sting at her eyes and she falls to her knees, causing Bankotsu to stumble slightly backwards. Luckily, he catches himself before he fell back into the well and straight down to hang around with the demon bones lying there. Kagome sobs softly, hugging herself close as she sits on the ground where she had fallen. "I-I don't know!" she finally answers, her voice strained slightly from each sob that escapes her throat. "H-he and the others…th-they left m-me behind!" she hiccups.

"H-huh?" Bankotsu stutters, suddenly feeling rather nervous and awkward. Honestly, he's not used to having women suddenly break down in front of him when he tells them he doesn't want to kill them. "I-I see…" he says, leaving Banryuu behind him and walking towards her. He stands only a few feet away from the crying priestess, not sure what to do. "H-hey now! D-don't cry, Priestess!" he protests awkwardly, never before in his life put in the position of comforting other than the few times he'd tease Jakotsu back to his air-headedness. He doubts that this would work on Kagome, though.

"W-why do you c-care?" she snaps at him, peeking at him from underneath her thick, raven-black bangs. Bankotsu steps back, surprised. He tries comforting her and she snaps at him? She's INSANE!

Bankotsu huffs slightly before kneeling in front of her. He sighs heavily, his eyes slipping closed as he runs a hand through his bangs. Why am I even doing this? I should just kill her. He reopens his eyes and gasps softly. Her brown eyes stare straight into his own, fear evident in the chocolate orbs. Closing his eyes and shaking his head slightly, he reopens his eyes and meets her gaze carefully until she looks away. "I try to comfort you only to get my head bitten off…" he comments to her, sighing slightly. Gently tilting her head up with one finger, he forces her to meet his eyes again. "I wonder if I should bother helping you…" he says softly, nearly under his breath. Do to their close proximity, though, she can here him as clearly as if her were talking to her in a normal tone. "I want to know this, however; why did your group leave you behind?" For some reason unbeknownst to himself, his voice is much softer than it usually is.

Kagome gasps softly, his breath gently hitting her face. Unlike what most people think, his breath doesn't have a foul scent to it, unless you count the slight hint of sake. Surprising, seeing as this is the feudal era. Then again, their hair here is incredibly soft when the chances of good conditioner are rather slim.

"Well?" Bankotsu urges her to answer, but she stays silent. Bankotsu's mind clicks with understanding. "Y-you don't know, do you, Priestess?" he questions her softly. She nods, her eyes still showing fear. She nearly jumps out of her skin when he gently lays his hand on her shoulder. "Calm down. Like I said, I'm not here to attack…" the mercenary reassures her, a slight smile tugging at his lips. It disappears with a faint sigh. "That's not what a team should do to a member…" he whispers to her. Again, his breath hits her face. "A team is something like a family; to me, at least. As in a family, you need to be able to give your life to any of the members at not even a second's thought. You need to be able to trust everyone around you; include each member in on the plans and actions. Most of all, you need to feel something positive towards the other members. Your group seems to be missing this…"

Kagome, shaking at how close she is to the killer, averts her eyes from his when his finger leaves her chin. "It does…" she agrees, tears still slipping from her eyes. "…it really does, doesn't it?" She thinks his words through carefully. Tears continue to fall as her arms tighten around her form.

"Something I wouldn't put any of my members through, that's for sure…" Bankotsu whispers out, not even being able to imagine doing what her group did. He…just couldn't do something like that. As corny as this sounds, with the Shichinintai it is 'one for all, and all for one.' "But cheer up! They'll figure out what they did, at least the demon slayer and monk will. Can't make any promises of 'Trasha, however!" he teases, nudging her slightly with the palm of his hand. "It'll be ok…" He pushes himself to his feet and takes a step back, smiling down at the girl rubbing her eyes from the liquid. Still smiling, he offers her his hand.

"Th-thank-you…" she murmurs, setting her hand in his and allowing him to pull her up. The wrist guards that cover from his forearm to part of his hand feels smooth against her skin; a slight chill to the metal-like material. She removes her hand when she is on her feet, still afraid of the powerful human in front of her.

Bankotsu moves his hand in a brushing off manner; brushing off her thanks, that is. "You know, I can understand the pain this is causing. And don't even try to tell that this sure as hell don't hurt!" he warns in a kind manner when she tries to open her mouth to protest. When she lets her mouth close, he smiles slightly. "Good. As I was saying, I can understand. I-I was abandoned when I was young…back when I was still alive. A long time ago…before the gang joined up; hell, before I met Jakky even. Uh, Jakotsu that is." He shakes his head, snapping himself from the sudden memories of the past. "But anyway, I can understand…" he tells her, the soft smile reappearing on his lips.

Regarding him with suspicion, Kagome worries her teeth on her lower lip slightly. "Why are you being so nice to me? Aren't we enemies?" she finally questions, her voice shaky at what he might say and/or do. Steeling herself, she meets his blue eyes with her own resolved brown ones; forcing herself to not show fear when she earnestly wants to turn away from his calm gaze.

"Hmm…good question…" Bankotsu drawls moving back to where his halberd is. Pausing a few feet away, he turns to look over his shoulder towards her. "I would most likely answer 'because we're not enemies.' Yeah…that's what I'll say…" he shakes his head slightly, turning away from her again. He sighs softly and, with one hand, lifts his sword off of the ground and onto his shoulder, only the armor and his flesh buffering the heavy blade from his shoulder bone. She gives him a confused look when her turns around to face her again, the sword rested gently against his shoulder. "Hmm? Oh, don't get it?" She shakes her head slightly, not understanding how exactly he can claim that they're not enemies. "It's quite simple, really. I'm 'Trasha's enemy; not yours. 'Trasha is my enemy; not you. Get it?"

"No…" she whispers, hugging herself close again, desperately trying to make sense of his words. They seem to…mean something important…something she should learn for farther on.

Bankotsu shakes his head slightly, a smile tugging at his lips. "Don't fret about it…" he advises, smirking his normal cocky smirk. "Just remember this. You're stopping Naraku from becoming a full-demon, no?" She nods, determination visible in her eyes. Bankotsu chuckles softly. She shows her emotions so openly…I've seen sadness, fear, determination, confusion, anger, betrayal…what I want to see is her smile. Bankotsu shakes his head again, trying to dislodge those sudden and confusing thoughts from his quick, albeit twisted, mind. "Then this will work. Just remember what 'Trasha wants it for. The undead priestess told me his wish. Just…just think it through…you'll understand. Maybe soon, maybe too late. You will understand, though."

"W-what are you talking about?" Kagome breathes out, not understanding why he is saying this confusing drabble. She shakes her head, trying to make sense of his words but failing miserably. "What are you talking about?" she repeats. She holds her hands over her heart, confused beyond confusion.

"Like I said, you'll understand…" Suddenly he cuts off and flushes red slightly. Rubbing his free hand on the back of the neck, Bankotsu shows only embarrassment in his actions. "Err…what's you name? I don't think I remember from any of the battles with me an' 'Trasha…" he says, chuckling awkwardly.

The futuristic-priestess blinks slightly, before smiling softly at his childishness. "It's Kagome. Kagome Higurashi," she informs him, giggling slightly from behind her hand. This guy is like a little kid! It's hard to believe he's a feared mercenary leader…but…he is one…

Bankotsu laughs softly and gives her a bright, carefree grin. "Ok, then!" he laughs out, closing his eyes as he smiles. Running his free hand along his haori and pants, he brushes any of the remaining dirt off of the white cloth. "See you later, Kagome!" he says, giving a half-wave as he steps beside her carefully.

Kagome can feel the wind pass as he walks toward the forest leading away from the village and well. She turns slowly, catching sight of the braid bouncing against his back slightly as he strolls away from the clearing. She clutches her hands in front of her chest again, watching his with confused, but comforted eyes. She watches as his white clothing starts to fade into the dense forest. She can feel the warmth of where his breath had landed on her face; the warmth of where his finger had tilted her head up; the warmth where he rested his hand on her shoulder as he told her he understood the pain she felt. Her shoulder tingles slightly from the memory. "Th-thank-you, Bankotsu…" she whispers, knowing he can't hear her.

Wow! This has A LOT more detail and information in it! Even the title changed! Wo0t! This is a fair-good chapter! Much better than the first one…