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 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.
Sorry for the long wait, and the short chapter, but lately I've been getting a horrendous writers' block. It's horrible!
Kagome hurries over to him, enveloping him in his arms. Gently forcing him to lay his head on her shoulder, she coos softly into his ear, trying to soothe his fears, pains and sorrows. "You don't have to be alone, Bankotsu-san…you can have Sango, Shippo, Kirara, Miroku and I…" she informs him, keeping her arms gentle around his small form; he is only just taller than she is (about three inches).
Turning his head away from her, he murmurs a soft apology. Resting his head on his shoulder, he shivers slightly. Keeping his eyes shut, he asks the question he fears the answer to most of all. "What about Mutt?" he whispers, his voice faint.
"We left him. You were right; he was a horrid leader and an even more horrendous companion. Sango and I decided to take you with us; you seem a hell of a lot better than Inuyasha ever was. I was blind, but I'm trying to see now…" Kagome offers, smiling softly at him.
"I…see…" he chokes out, removing himself from her arms and sitting so his back is to her. She barely catches sight of his tear-streaked face. "I…s-see…" he repeats, a falter in his voice. She gently turns him around, wiping the relieved (touched) tears from his cheeks, much to his surprise. "I…thank-you, Kagome-chan…" he says, feeling strange using the honorific. He hasn't done so for a long time. He smiles softly, bowing his head to look awkwardly at his knees. He notices her soft hand enter his line of view, his eyes blinking slightly as he looks up at her. Realizing her intent, he places his armored hand on hers (the one that isn't bloody) and allows her to pull him to his feet.
"Let's head back to Kaede's…" Kagome suggests, keeping his hand in hers as she leads him towards Kaede's hut.
"Kaede?" Bankotsu repeats, thinking back. "Oh! The old lady, right?" he says, bring laughter bubbling from the futuristic priestess's throat.
Chapter 6 – Surfacing Memories
Unknown to the two walking back to the elderly priestess's hut, someone stares down at them with fury burning in their eyes. The shadowy person sneers down at the couple, seething silently. Muttering a few words, the figure escapes into the night, jumping down silently from their perch before running through the forest. The words spoken echo through the air, "I won't let you get away with this…not now, not ever!"
Laughing and smiling a pleasant smile, the dark haired fifteen year old pulls the stubborn, sole survivor of the Shichinintai into the hut with her. Her smile falters slightly as she looks around the hut. As soon as she sees a certain figure, her face breaks into a joyous smile. "Miroku-san, you're ok!" she cries, relieved. Hurrying over, she hugs the monk, though being careful not to irritate his burns.
"I am…" he agrees softy, resting his least burnt arm around her shoulder. Looking over to the silent man by the door, he smiles gently. Carefully removing Kagome's arms from his middle, he slowly gets up and walks over to Bankotsu, setting his hand on the armor-clad shoulder. He's such a child…he thinks, amused when the Shichinintai leader jumps from his touch. When the pure blue eyes widen and stare into the older man's violet ones, Miroku takes a step back from how shockingly blue they actually are. Light blue eyes are usually interpreted as innocent; and I have never seen more innocent-looking eyes in my life. It's hard to believe that this boy is a mercenary…
"I-I…I'm sorry…for what Renkotsu…h-has done…" Bankotsu whispers, eyes widened in a slight fear, but mostly regret and shame. Bowing his head slightly, his raven-colored bangs falling to shield away the blue orbs, he stares down at the ground. "And I'm sure if he was in my position, h-he'd f-feel the s-same…"
Not able to control it any longer, Miroku chuckles softly much to the confusion of the seventeen year old. "It's alright. I understand what had happened; Sango-san has told me. And I agree with their decision, but for different reasons, as well as the same. I agree that you seem to be a good future companion, but I'd also like to keep an eye on you. Just as I have always kept a watch on Inuyasha…" Miroku says, smiling. Stumbling slightly, he understands he has pushed himself too far for the first night.
"H-here!" Bankotsu starts, gently grabbing Miroku's arm and slinging it over his own shoulder as he supports the monk back to the futon.
He's surprisingly kinder than you'd believe a mercenary leader would be…Miroku notes, thanking Bankotsu softly before lying back down on the futon to rest his wounded limbs. "Speaking of Inuyasha, by the way…" the monk starts, continuing from where he left off. "…we should probably keep a look-out for him. He's temper-mental…and may decide to get revenge…"
Kagome's eyes widen and Bankotsu nods slightly, agreeing. I-I never actually thought about that. Miroku-san's right…Inuyasha-k…Inuyasha… may want revenge…she thinks, faltering on the honorific for a moment before removing it completely. Clutching her hands tightly in her lap, a soft frown forms on her lips.
Bankotsu glances over to the troubled young priestess, wisely keeping his mouth shut as his gaze softens. No matter what, I won't allow any more people who have tried to save me die. Not anymore. I…I watched Renkotsu and Jakky die…I won't watch it again. Even this priestess… Bankotsu silently swears, turning his blue eyes away and towards his feet.
Miroku watches the Shichinintai leader's actions carefully, still on guard around his former-enemy. Looking over to the demon-slayer, he notices that she feels the same way. Wisely staying still on the futon, the monk gently suggests that they get some sleep; especially Bankotsu and himself, since they are wounded…or have been. The wounds I saw him take from Tessaiga…they're gone. Is his healing ability akin to the sacred jewel shards that are keeping him alive?
"Err…yes, Monk-san…" Bankotsu says, knowing that even if Renkotsu wasn't to blame for the burns, the monk has an air about him that requests respect. And from what he's seen, Miroku's aura isn't wrong. The monk deserves respect, and Bankotsu is going to give it to him. Lying down on the futon, removing the armor he had pulled on when he stormed off in a huff, he sighs silently and closes his blue eyes. What's going to happen? I… Not able to finish his own thoughts, the Shichinintai leader rolls onto his side (facing the wall now) and lets himself drift into a fretful sleep.
(Bankotsu's POV)
I sat on a large rock, Banryuu lying against the gray stone. A bottle of sake lay on its side, emptied already from the Shichinintai, who currently were sitting around me, laughing and talking about the recent battle we had just fought. None of us even seemed the slightest disturbed by the corpses around us. Actually, the only one who paid any attention to them was Kyoukotsu, who was munching on them every once and a while.
"Nii-sama?" Renkotsu questioned, drawing my attention. The fire-wielder smiled up at me, contentment from the battle easily seen. He set the sake cup he had held onto the ground beside his gun, before setting them into his lap and looking back towards me. "Will you ever, you know, become lord…or even Shogun…of a castle, Nii-sama?"
I laughed cheerfully, the sake loosening my tongue as I set my hands on my knees and grin at the men around me, amused at the curious looks in their eyes. "Nah! I think it would be too tedious, ya know? Too much trouble!" I laughed along with the others, happy to be able to enjoy every last moment with them. They were my family, no doubt about that. None of us could actually harm another…it would be a minor injury or something. None of us could kill any one member; not even Jakky and Mukotsu, no matter how much they fought and bickered. "What about you, Renkotsu? You're smart…you'd make a good lord…" I said, teasing him slightly.
Blushing at the compliment and brotherly teasing, Renkotsu waved my words off in a flustered way. Turning his gaze to his knees, Renkotsu's gaze softens. "Not I, Nii-sama!" he protested.
I smiled at his modest comments. I knew he'd make a good lord…but I also knew that although Renkotsu wouldn't mind taking over the Shichinintai, he wouldn't want to rule over a castle. And even though he wanted the Shichinintai for his own, he wouldn't harm me to get it. No matter how much he plots. "I'd rather kill as many people as humanly possible. That's all I need…"
Jakky sighed softly, a feminine touch in his voice, as well as a dreaminess. "What a turn on…" he drawled out, bringing a soft smile to my lips. His eyes shine with left-over pleasure from our kill.
Suikotsu decided to speak up eventually, normally one always in the conversation. Actually, his silence was weird; normally, he wouldn't pass up the chance to tease Renkotsu without mercy. It's not often that the gun-specialist gave anyone the chance to tease him. "Well, we don't have to worry about that! There are enough people in this world for all of us…" Suikotsu drawls, running a hand through the wild black hair. He grinned before adding more. "And then some!"
All of us laughed. This was the life, no matter what happened, everyone in the Shichinintai were ready to do their best to cheer the others up. And that's when it all happened…when we got torn apart for the first time…when we died.
Before we could even react, the lords of this region banded together to wipe us out. All of their armies had surrounded us. As much as I hate to admit it, we had no chance what-so-ever to win this. Renkotsu was the one to ask the million dollar question.
"Nii-sama, what do we do?" he cried, a slight tremble in his voice as his blue eyes scan the armies around us; especially the archers.
"Bankotsu!" Jakky shouted, fear etched deep into his voice. Jakky…Jakky was scared to die, then. The prospect terrified him, and faced head on with it, he must have been scared shitless; pardon my language.
That fear was the main fact that brought upon my decision. Uncharacteristically, I scan the armies for the best route. When my eyes catch our only chance out of here, I turn towards the others and shout one word. "Run!" With that, I took off towards the clearest path, knowing they'd follow me without hesitation.
Before long, I heard a sickening thud. The sound of impact echoed through my ears, haunting me long after this moment. Renkotsu was the smartest out of us all; he had been the one to gauge the armies' archers before the whole of the soldiers. But even with the knowledge, it didn't stop the weapon-wielder to shout out in shock and pain when Ginkotsu was shot down. Right after, Mukotsu fell. It was only Renkotsu, Suik (Pronunciation: Sook), Jakky, and myself left.
The sound of metal through flesh filled my ears, and I turned to see a soldier pull still-alive, but dying, Renkotsu off of his sword. They were catching up on foot! "Hurry, dumb-asses!" Renkotsu shouted, blood slipping freely from his lips as he coughs violently; his body shook sharply, ready to give out on his right away. A soldier kicked him in the back of the head; the only reason for his sudden collapse.
A faint gasp from my best friend was the only thing that halted my dash. Turning back, I saw Jakotsu fall to the ground, two arrows embedded in his chest. A flash of pain seared through my mind as I stared at my closest friend. "J-Jakky! No! Get up!" I started moving towards him, to help him up, but he stopped me.
Shock flashed through dark eyes, before morphing into a furious rage. "GET OUT OF HERE!" Jakotsu shouted, trying to push himself up so he can show his fury easier. He collapsed right back down, not having the strength to keep himself up. Fear deep in his eyes, tears slipped down pale cheeks. "G-get away! You have to live - - live for us, B-Bankotsu!" he cried, tears slipping more fluently from his dark eyes, smearing the make-up on the path of the salty tears.
Turning around nearly killed my soul. It felt like I was betraying him. I run, though, not turning back; I couldn't, I had to live. For Jakky…for Suik…for Renkotsu…for the whole of the Shichinintai! I didn't even pause when an arrow embedded itself into my back, right between my armor. Not even when the second and third found itself there. A fourth arrow seared through the air, stabbing into my shin, effectively slowing me down, though only a bit. I couldn't even feel the pain, though if I could it'd be unbearable, I know.
Stumbling, I fell to my knees. Pushing myself up, I kept on running. I could feel the fifth and sixth arrows slide through the flesh on my unmarred leg. The numbness I had felt started to fade, pain searing through me, but kept at bay like a flood held back only by a weak dam sure to break. An arrow hit my right shoulder, the one without the armor to shield it. I kept running.
An arm grabbed me from behind; I struggled, but it was no use. I was weakened by the six…no, seven arrows. Another had hit me in the leg again, matching with the other two in that very limb. I kicked, punches and even bit my captor; anything to get away. I failed, though. I could see the bodies of my brothers' being piled into wagons. "I promise we will rise from our graves!" I shouted, my pride not able to simply die quiet. "We will rise again to finish you! Mark my words! We will kill you all!" I screamed, feeling the cold metal of a sword press against my neck. "WE WILL RISE AGAIN AND SMITE Y- "
I couldn't finish my words; I couldn't even make a sound. My vision went black, my mind blank. They beheaded me; I found that out many years later, when I got my second chance at life.
Bankotsu sat up sharply, pain searing through his body even though it was a dream. Without even thinking, his hands reach to touch his neck, expecting to feel even a scar from the wound 11 years ago, but all he felt is unmarred flesh. His eyes flutter slightly as he realizes that it was all a dream; that this time he lived while the others' died.
Kagome has woken up from the fearful gasp that he had accidentally let out when he woke up. She hurries over to his bedside, setting a hand on his right shoulder (soothing the pain from the impression the long-gone arrows had left behind) and staring at him with soft, chocolate brown eyes. "Are you ok, Bankotsu-san?" she questions, worry coursing through her body.
"Err…uh…I'm fine, Kagome-chan…" he whispers, running a hand through his bangs in a tired motion. "Just a bad dream, that's all. Nothin' to worry 'bout, 'kay?" he offers, forcing a weak smile onto his lips as the memory replays in his mind over and over again. "Get some sleep, Kagome-chan…" he suggests, laying back down and shutting his eyes as he hears the soft shuffling of her crawling into that sleeping bag-thing she has.
"good-night, Bankotsu-san…" she whispers, not wanting to wake Kaede, Sango, Shippo, Kirara or Miroku by being too loud.
"'Night…" he replays, listening silently as her breathing evens with sleep. Moving his arms to rest behind his head, he stares up at the ceiling. He can't sleep…he fears that more memories will surface. Instead, he leaves his mind blank as he stares at the ceiling, though his eyes caught nothing. He felt numb…and for that, he is glad.
So much for the next day, huh? Sorry 'bout that. High-school sucks. So much less time compared to elementary. Well, I'm about to go to bed, so good-night! Please review! (and I'll try to update sooner this time…)