Chapter 4

You should care

Chikotsu's POV

Just one little bite…one little bite of that delicately pale skin….I inched closer and closer to her. Nana lay amongst the flower bed, her dark hair splayed and her eyes gently closed. I watched as her breasts moved along with her breathing, I watched with a morbid fascination.

I leaned in; hovering just above her, maybe even steal a little kiss? I was so close to her now, our lips inches apart, with just one more movement we'd be kissing. But then I thought, this girl has been through so much, she has spent the innocent years of her life almost devoured by another monster, I can't do this. I moved away and returned to my post.

"You did the right thing, Chikotsu" spoke her voice, I looked over my shoulder to see Nana was sitting up and staring at me. "I was intrigued to see what you'd do".

I walked to her and knelt right before, I was again close to. She did not flinch away and I was able to take in her scent. "You knew what I was doing then entire time? You didn't even move, are you so used to vile men hovering over you?"

She glared at me, "that's right, I am…you men are disgusting. Even my brother, he may treat me with respect, but that's because I'm his little sister…I saw his true male nature emerge when he drank from my friend, she was just an object to him" her voice trailed off as she recalled the scene in her mind. She then shook the memory away and continued, "That's what I was to you, just then. I was your own private blood bag, wasn't I? I was to be your little toy…that's how all men have seen me, that's all I'm good for and that's why Shinigami wants me!" she was growing emotional, tears brimmed her eyes.

"That's not true Nana" I insisted with a gentleness I didn't know my voice could project. "It's not…you have so much more to offer, behind your pretty surface. You're…you're like a glacier"

She scowled at me, "So I'm huge and cold?"

I laughed a little and shook my head "no…when you look at a glacier, it beautiful and pure…what many forget is that there is something far greater, stronger and more powerful beneath the surface. That's why I think of you as a glacier…there is so much more beneath your pretty surface".

She looked on me with so much puzzlement, as though I were speaking another language. Finally she smirked "it would seem you're quite the glacier yourself" she responded and let a moment of silence pass. "Goodnight Master Chikostu…I'll sleep better now knowing you are able to control yourself" with that she laid herself back down and I covered her with the blanket.

I would control my, for now at least…but I'd have her soon enough.

Sango's POV

I knew it was wrong…I knew that what I was doing wasn't right, but he was drawing me in like some magnetic pull. I found myself at the mouth of the cave, I knew he was there I could feel him and smell him.

"Lingering in someone's doorway is considered quite rude, Slayer...best you come inside" his voice called out to me. I gulped down my nerves and stepped in.

It was a familiar sight…candles lit, how he got them I didn't know, all I knew was that he was definitely expecting me. I had not stepped a foot inside this cave since Chikotsu came of age. He was sitting on his made bed, smug and sure. "Why not come closer? Take your usual place by me" he smirked.

"I would rather stand" I shot back coldly, "I am not here to give you my blood, I'm here to tell you that I'm expecting Chikotsu back soon, you better prepare yourself…he'll notice this bite mark. Once he's left you bruised and beaten, my husband will finish you off".

He still had that devilish smile on his face and I just wanted to smack it off. "You are still so beautiful when you're angry and in denial" he teased as he rose to his feet and approached me. "You came here because you wanted to see me…we haven't seen each other in almost twenty years, and we shared something pretty intense" he tried to take me by the hands, but I wouldn't let him.

"I want to know why and how you ended up back in the underworld" I demanded with my arms folded.

He placed his hands on my hips, "now you know our deal, it remains the same…you want any information from me…you have to let me drink from you".

I pushed my hands against his chest and pushed him away from me, "forget it…I don't care all that much, I shouldn't have come here…just take care of Chikotsu" with that I went to leave, till he again took hold of me.

"You should care!" he shouted and pinned me against the wall, "you should care…if only you knew what I sacrificed for you and our son! I was meant to kill your husband…he was my target, but I refused to…because I knew it would destroy you. I loved you so much that I willingly walked into the underworld….you should care…you should, because that the least I disserve from you!"

What? Did he really do that….just for me? I managed to free one arm and with it I placed my hand on his cheek. "I-I didn't know…Bankotsu, I'm so sorry, I really am!" I whimpered. "I never wanted that for you, I do care…I shouldn't but I do" I sniffed a little and realised I was crying. "It's strange…it's like you're an old friend, come back from the past…that is how I see you, you're my friend Bankotsu" I don't know what came over me, I hugged him.

He seemed stunned; eventually he held me back and breathed my name. "You are the only woman who has ever cried for me" he paused and snuggled in closer, "after this, once I have helped Chikotsu…I'll be taken back, I did this because I wanted to see you again, the real you…I was tired of illusions. He'll make me suffer more, but it'll be worth it, just to have held you one more time".

I clutched tighter to him, I realised my love for him, the kind I felt before…it was platonic love, I loved him like a friend and nothing more now. I released him and gazed into his eyes…the same ones Chikotsu had inherited. "I have to go now, I'm glad I came to see you though, I'm glad we cleared the air a little. I'm so grateful to you…I wish I could do more for you".

His eyes lit up, "kiss me" he divulged, taking my face in his hands, my breath hitched, "that's all I ask, for everything I have done for you…kiss me, let me drink from you…stay with me tonight".

I snatched myself away "no" I gasped, "Bankotsu… I can't do that, I'm sorry but I won't risk losing my husband again, I have learnt from my past mistakes".

He glared at me, "mistake? That's what I was, a mistake, was that what our son was too?"

I shook my head, "No, Chikotsu was a blessing to my life just like my other kids…you were, I suppose a mistake but not one regret making. Still I had to learn from it, which I did…Bankotsu, enough now, we're done". I then fled and was glad that he actually let me go.

I was partially glad with how I left it, I went there to test myself and I had passed. It was a risk but I was so proud of myself, my love for my husband and my fear of losing him was stronger than the desire beating through my heart. I feared that after all that had occurred between Miroku and I…my loyalty would have weakened, but it hadn't …in fact it had strengthened!

I ran back to Kagome's and she was waiting for me, "did you find out what you needed to?" she asked me, still not too pleased with how I had persuaded her to let me go.

I nodded and hugged her, I was smiling, "that and so much more my friend! I am so happy…I love my husband so much!"

Kagome laughed with relief and hugged me back, "thank kami! I'm so glad".

Miroku, come home soon, the woman you married is back!

Miroku's POV

"Come on Miroku, lets head back" Inuyasha called over to me as the dust settled. This demon was difficult to take down, it had possessed a child that now lay unconscious in his mother's arms, he would wake soon and remember nothing of this horrible ordeal.

"Thank you so much" the young mother wept "good…handsome monk, is there anyway I can repay you for your kindness?"

I saw by the glint in her eyes, the method in which she hoped to thank me. I would not lie, the temptation was there, she was a very beautiful woman after all. My in lecher smiled, but I was a husband now and a father, I had made the mistake once and I would not do it again. My careless, womanising behaviour chased my wife into the arms of another and it almost destroyed our family. I would not accept what this woman subtly offered, but if I remembered correctly, she owned a small flower stall in the town's market. "We will have our usual rate, two bundles of rice each, but as a personal thanks from you I would like a fresh bouquet of peonies for my wife" I responded.

She seemed disappointed but nodded and agreed.

"Keh" Inuyasha scoffed, "thanks a lot Miroku now if I show up without flowers for Kagome I'll get a bunch of Sits" he then turned to the same woman, "could I get some flowers too?"

The young mother smiled "of course, peonies also?"

Inuyasha shook his head "Nah, she's allergic to those, you got any daffodils? They're her favourite"

That Inuyasha, he can pretend he's not a hopeless romantic at heart, but I know better.

We were on our way back to our village with our payment ad our flowers. I didn't like how I left things with Sango, I think what I said may have hurt her feelings. To be honest she would have been a great help on this mission.

"Hey Inuyasha, I've made a decision" I declared as we walked on, "Now that the kids are gone and grown up, I think Sango and I should go travelling again."

Inuyasha smirked, "Getting a little old for that life style aren't you?"

I chuckled, "maybe, but I married a very vivacious woman, she has an adventurous heart and I am keeping her caged…we're not that old, not yet…we still have a few good years left in us!"

"Yeah…I suppose that means Kagome and I have to come along too, no way you two will make it on your own" Inuyasha put in as he rolled our eyes.

I smirked "Actually I myself would prefer it just be me and Sango, however I know it would mean a lot to her if you both did come along too. She has felt so trapped over the past four years; it would make her feel so much more like her old self again".

Inuyasha smirked almost knowingly, "You seem more like your old self too just talking about it, it sounds like it'll be good for you too".

I had to agree; I looked down at the bouquet of peonies and saw Sango's beautiful face, I had been a little harsh on her last time we spoke. She really did seem so worried though, I always trusted Sango's instincts, they hadn't failed me yet, I suppose that was also why I was so eager to return to her. "Let's hurry along Inuyasha, our women await our return" I called as I sprinted on ahead, for a forty year old man, I had some stealth in me still.

Sango, my dearest wife, I'll be home soon, the man you married is back!

Bankotsu's POV

She had found her will to resist me….after all these years, Sango had not pined for me…she did not suffer and crave me. I was a fond memory; I occupied a certain place in her past, whereas the monk had not only a place in her past, but also her present and her future.

I touched my lips where the warmth of her skin and blood still lingered, she was still so sweet. Her tears….I could still smell their salt. She would always insult me…say the harshest things, things I probably deserved, but then she would ply me with so much kindness, she nurtured me with both a rough and gentle love, she wasn't afraid of me and I liked it. I was unaware of how many miles I would need to run in order to chase and maybe obtain the dream of her, but already I was out of breath and couldn't go on much longer, eventually I'd have to let her go.

I walked the through the green grass of the hill and leapt to the tree outside her home. She wasn't there, unfortunately. She was still at the priestess's house and so I took the time to wander in. I had intruded upon this place before, but obviously last time I didn't get a proper chance to look around.

I observed her home, the cooking pot…she had clearly used it a lot over the years, cooking for her family…giving them nutrition and thinking of ways to please their stomachs. There was a wooden basin with a rag hanging over it…that would be where she would have washed the children when they were infants, scrubbing their little toes with her husband beside her, maybe even splashing at each other playfully.

I looked to a wall, there were markings. A particular space was occupied for each of their child, it listed what height they were at a certain age, there was "Mizu, 4'2, age seven", then there were the twins, "Yuki and Yuka, 4'6, age twelve" I finally looked to Chikotsu's place ad read it all the way from when they first measured him at one years old to the last time at fifteen. My favourite was "Chikotsu, 5'1, age thirteen", it made me chuckle, I was the exact height at that age, I too was really short, it was when I turned seventeen that I finally shot up.

This was a home built on memory, they oozed from the walls, I never in my life had a home like this. I would have loved to have shared this with Sango, that monk is one lucky bastard! She chose him, not that there really was a choice for her to make, it was always him…I never stood a chance.

I imagined what our son looked like, I hope he looked like me…I bet he does, the spitting image of me. I bet it kills Miroku to look on him now, I bet all he can see is me staring right back at him. What would life had been like had I killed the monk and taken his place in Sango's life? In my fantasy she would have been happier, we'd sit up together as a family by the firelight, we'd read the kids to sleep…then when all was quiet…when it was just the two of us…I'd take her into my and we'd….I can't go, it hurts to much. For in reality, she would have hated me, she would have done anything in her power to escape me along with her children, and she would have run to the mutt and the priestess for protection.

Not matter what, truth is I'd never actually have her; she will always be his and I only hope that he realises how lucky he is. Then again, I did have her…just for one night, she gave herself to me and it was amazing. I would give my life again for just one more intimate night in her arms again. To hear her whisper my name, her hands touching me and pressing me closer instead of constantly pushing me away.

That was the cards fate had dealt me, some of us were not meant to be loved in return…this was my punishment, for all the innocent lives I had taken without remorse. To this day I do not mourn or regret a single life I took…life is meaningless to me, especially now. The only thing left to do was my first and my last act as a father, and then I would move on to the realm of the dead…I have been resurrected too many times, but I will never find peace. However, Sango did find peace while still in her living state, I had to come along and disrupt that.

My eyes then fell onto the bed I had just the other night pinned her to, I imagined her sleeping there after a long day, having just put the children to sleep and awaiting her husband. I imagined that I was that husband, I Imagined myself slowing easing beside her and her snuggling in closer. "thank Kami you're here now…its cold tonight and I couldn't get to sleep" she'd whisper, I would then kiss her bare shoulder, sending a quiver of desire running down her spine.

I would then say "Chikotsu was so fussy tonight, but the girls and Mizu went out like candles".

She would then giggle and place her hand on my fingers that would have been tracing lightly up and down her arm, "He's always been fussy, just like his father…oh well, try to get some sleep my dear, you promised you would take the boys fishing while the twins and me had some girl time".

With that last word we'd drift off into a peaceful sleep, the whole night I'd be holding her. The fantasy replayed many times in my mind. She probably did have nights like that with Miroku, the lucky bastard!

"Who are you and why are you here?" came a voice from the shadows, I turned swiftly and at first I thought I was faced with a mirror. The boy before me was no older than nineteen, he looked just lie me at that age, but his hair was just a few inches shorter and he was just an inch taller.

There was only one person it could be, "hello Chikotsu …we meet at last, son" I greeted with a slight bow.

His eyes narrowed at me, "Bankotsu….I've got some questions for you" he began as he lowered his blade, "the first one….is there a way out of this curse for me? How can I live as a normal man, is it even possible".

I thought for a moment, unsure if I should tell him "yes…" I answered truthfully but before his hopes soared too high I added, "with a great sacrifice".

Before he could ask on we were interrupted by two others, a young man…he was one of us, I could tell. And a young, beautiful woman…she must be the mistress Shinigami wanted and the one I'd have to encourage my son to pursue. It wouldn't be too difficult, she was quite the beauty.

"I see you're quite the ladies' man" I teased him as I gestured to her, "it seems you really do take after me".

He growled, so did the other guy, I could tell by the resemblance that I had just referred to his sister.

"I don't have time for you nonsense Bankotsu, tell me everything I want to know , help me plot against Shinigami then get the hell out of mine and my family's life for good" Chikotsu shot back.

He may take after me in some ways, but he has his mother's fire in him too. "Okay my boy…I'll tell you what you want to know"….

Chapter 5 coming soon.