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CHAPTER 2: The Springs

A/N: Here is Bankotsu's POV!

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha

Bankotsu sat in front of the campfire watching the flames dance lightly, his azure eyes blank and deep in thought. Damn that Inuyasha, he thought back to his most recent battle. If not for the barrier he would have been disintegrated by the half-demon's wind scar. Sighing loudly through his nose he stretched his arms and clasped his hands behind his head. He laid on the ground gazing at the night sky with a million thoughts going through his mind. He thought back to this Naraku character. Should he really trust him? After analyzing how many people want his head on a golden platter it would be wise not to.

That demon slayer, Bankotsu thought. He recalled her yelling after her demon cat to help Inuyasha. He remembered the woman in her black suit with her pink armor around her. Her long black hair tied up high on her head and her huge boomerang, hiraikotsu. Watching her battle Jakotsu the day before he admired her strength, her ability to stand her ground and fight with such passion and determination he couldn't help but not stare.

The moment her brown eyes locked onto his he was in a trance. He couldn't look away, the pools of chocolate burned with passion, determination, and fear. He sensed her fear as she noticed their eyes connected. Bankostu couldn't help but feel drawn to this demon slayer in a time like this. Back in his old life, he had no care in the world for woman only to use them in such a way. He wasn't used to such a strong woman who fought her own battles and stood her ground in the midst of violence and chaos. Bankostu was almost lost in those beautiful eyes of hers, it felt like hours when in reality it was just for a second. He saw the tiniest hint of desire in her eyes, he couldn't help but smirk at that.

"Hey Bankotsu, what are you smiling about?" Jakotsu wondered as he sat next to him. Bankostu's smile quickly vanished and replaced it with a frown, he sat up on his elbows looking up at his comrade. "Are you planning another massacre?" he asked excitedly.

Bankotsu sneered, "Another massacre is too early, we need the rest." Jakotsu visibly slumped muttering under his breath. Bankotsu looked over at Renkotsu who watched him suspiciously. Bankotsu raised his eyebrows at his friend who then thought better and looked away. Turning to Jakotsu, "What are you muttering about?"

"He will die, he will not die, he will die, he will not die…" Jakotsu said in a sing-song voice as he plucked the petals of a flower in his hand. "I wanted Inuyasha for myself!"

Bankotsu rolled his eyes, "That half-demon is mine, I was so close to finishing him."

"That demon slayer, if we ever get into battle again, she's mine," Renkotsu said. Bankotsu looked at his comrade with an irritated twitch in his eyebrow.

"What's your interest in her?" Bankotsu questioned before he could stop himself. But to his luck, Renkotsu did not seem surprised by this.

"Her weapons, especially her hiraikotsu seems very fascinating, I wouldn't mind having it to myself." He answered.

Bankotsu's irritation bubbled inside of him, hearing Renkotsu want the demon slayer to himself bugged him. Unknowing to him he clenched his fist and unclenched it as Renkotsu babbled on theories about what the huge boomerang could be made of. Jakotsu was still humming his stupid song with the flower while Suikotsu and Ginkotsu were in conversation with Renkotsu about the demon slayer. Well, more of Suikotsu than Ginkotsu since the latter only seemed to repeat gas over and over. Hearing enough of it and wanting to stop himself from saying anything out of the ordinary Bankotsu got up, picked up banryu then started toward the forest.

"Big brother, where are you off too?" Renkotsu wondered, his sudden movements caused the others to look up at their leader who was now stalking off in the forest.

"I am going to the springs, I need to bathe and polish my baby," He called back. Sensing nothing out of the ordinary the group continued their conversation which then was followed by a bellow of laughter. Bankotsu shook his head and continued walking towards the hot springs that were supposedly nearby. As he walked with banryu on his back his mind started to wonder. He didn't understand why he felt anger towards Renkotsu when he talked of the demon slayer. He couldn't identify why he felt that way towards the woman, could it be jealousy? Angrily he pushed the thought away far back in his mind. Jealous? Why would I need to be jealous towards anyone? Especially if it includes that demon slayer. He thought angrily.

The trees around him soon began to part which indicated the springs. From where he was walking he could see the steam from the hot pools of water seep into the cold air. As he got closer his senses caught the sound of someone getting into the water, then moving around. Curious, he held onto his halbert tightly, quietly he walked to the bushes surrounding the springs. Once the steam cleared Bankostu saw the back of a woman, her long black hair was still dry except for the ends that were in the water. His eyes traveled from the naked woman's body to her back where a nasty looking scare was. Moving a bit closer he examined the scar seeing that it seemed to be deep but cut to leave something as massive as that. He watched as the woman then turned around, her arms around her breasts, she gently sunk deeper into the water only allowing her head to be visible. Bankotsu's heart dropped but also sped up at the same time.

It was the demon slayer.

XXX

Sango and the rest of the group decided it would be best if they took a day or two rest, they were resting around a campfire not far from the island where Inuyasha and Bankotsu battled. Sango was sitting quietly next to Kagome as her friend told her stories of her time. Sango couldn't help but smile at Kagome's kindness towards her. Kagome was always sweet and caring towards everyone in the group, including Inuyasha who can be a handful all the time. Sango appreciated the understanding the two had, Kagome didn't push her too hard and always waited for her to speak before bringing up painful memories. As Kagome babbled on about the latest gossip as she calls it, Sango's mind drifted off.

Bankostu.

Why did he stare at me like that? What does it mean? Sango thought back to when both she and the mercenary himself locked eyes during a battle nonetheless. Sango pictured his eyes, his azure eyes which held a look of such power and arrogance, the longer they stared into each other's eyes the more she could see the surprise and something else. She couldn't quite know what it was just yet. You could easily get lost in those eyes, Sango caught herself thinking. She felt the blush rush up to her cheeks.

"Hey Sango, are you alright? Your cheeks are red," Kagome asked, her face mere inches from hers with Shippo looking intently at her. Sango gasped and sat back a little, her blush now went to her face.

"I'm alright!" Sango squeaked.

"Look at you, you look like you're burning up? Are you sure-" Kagome asked but Sango quickly stood up.

"I'm going to the springs, I need a bath," she declared unknowing to herself.

Kagome frowned, "I should've waited for you, I don't want you going alone."

"Kagome's right, Sango, you shouldn't be going off all by yourself this late at night," Inuyasha sneered. Sango bristled at Inuyasha's light scolding, but part of her appreciated his little show of concern for her.

"I can handle myself, I'll even bring Kirara with me," she assured them. Inuyasha huffed in annoyance, Miroku raised his eyebrows as he drank his favorite modern tea from Kagome. Kagome on the other hand still looked unconvinced but nodded.

"Alright, be careful," she reminded Sango as she gathered up the towel that Kagome got for her from her world, "And here, don't forget the soaps!" Sango fumbled with the bottles of bath soaps Kagome dumped into her arms.

Sango smiled, "Thank you, I won't be long. Come Kirara," she called as she headed towards the springs. The quiet walk towards the springs wasn't a long one but a relaxing one. She had time by herself, minus Kirara who was silently padding along next to her in her kitten form. Sango smiled down at her companion lovingly, Kirara purred noticing her mistress' stare on her. Before they knew it, their trek towards the springs was over. Sango could feel the steam from the hot water as she got closer. Wasting no time, she quickly rid of her clothes folding them neatly in a pile a good distance away from the spring to avoid the water getting on them. She wrapped the towel around her body, just like Kagome did, around her breasts below her armpits. Slowly she made her way into the water, she dipped her toes in first then completely submerged herself into the hot water, discarding the towel in the process.

The hot water felt amazing on her sore muscles, the battles she fought in really did a good number on her. Relaxing, Sango allowed herself to close her eyes and lean against on the edge of the springs. She swiped her hair from one shoulder to the other and closed her eyes, enjoying the peace and quiet time alone. She sighed happily, letting the water caress and relax her body. Suddenly, she heard Kirara who was sitting next to her clothes growl, her fur starting to stick up. Sango's eyes shot open and stood up as much as she could without getting out of the water. Her eyes went to the rustle of a bush right behind her. Quickly, she spun around to see none other the leader of the band of seven smirking at her, "Bankotsu."

"Hello, demon slayer,"

Author's Note: Please R&R, thanks!