Author's Note: I just can't resist the temptation. There will be NO sequel. Why? Heh, because the story goes on :D

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Bankotsu and Kagome: Linked by Fate

Chapter 7: As We Go On

"How'd it go?"

"Fine, actually." she replied with a smile.

"Good." he said as he laced his fingers with hers and began walking down a path. A path of tomorrow. A path of today. But never a path of yesterday.

Fate would lead them everywhere they went. As it's what lead them to where they are now.

They were still linked. Linked by the fate Cupid bestowed upon them. So there they were, walking down a path called Destiny. A path called Love, and foremost, a path of each other.

- - - - - -

Bankotsu stared across to Kagome, his eyes intense. A smirk laid on his lips as he had his fists balled up. "Ready?" he asked.

Kagome, on the other hand, looked nervous. "Y-Yeah." she said and took a defensive stance. As Bankotsu raced toward her, she shut her eyes tightly and her body tensed. She was hoisted over his shoulder. "Wh-What!? Hey, put me down!" she yelled, kicking and hitting with her legs and arms.

"Keh, you're too easy." Bankotsu said and started walking. He used his right arm to hold her over his shoulder and his left to carry Banryuu.

"I want a re-do!" she yelled.

"No, I like my prize." he said with a grin and glanced over at her bottom. 'Damn.' he thought to himself.

"Hey, I don't like the sound in your voice…Where are we going?" she asked, but found her answer when he set her down on the ground.

They were in a forest, trees surrounding the entire place. As Kagome lay on her back, Bankotsu hovered over her on all fours. He looked down at her with a twinkle in his eye.

"H-Hey! What's that look for?" she asked. Before she could say anymore, Bankotsu's face dropped to hers and his lips locked with Kagome's.

Kagome kissed back passionately, breaking the kiss only to start it again. Their fingers interlocked as their hands rested above Kagome's head on the ground.

Bankotsu then nuzzled at her neck, taking little nibbles at her milky white skin. Both side's arousals were rising and Bankotsu was becoming excited. A little too excited.

"Bankotsu…" Kagome said through a soft moan. "I'm not ready for this." she whispered.

Bankotsu stopped his relentless kisses on her neck and looked down into her eyes. He saw her sincerity and hung his head with a sigh. "Alright."

Kagome smiled and ran her fingers through his now unbraided hair. "Thank you for waiting."

He smiled down to her cockily. "I'll always wait for you." he said sweetly, going in contrast with his expression.

Kagome pushed his head down to hers, taking in a deep kiss. She allowed their tongues to roll around freely in each others' mouths. Kagome's hands rested on his shoulders as his rested on her sides.

Bankotsu suddenly jerked up and looked behind him, growling.

"What is it?" Kagome asked softly with concern.

"My, my. You two have well-acquainted yourselves." said Naraku's low voice.

Bankotsu quickly jumped up and grabbed his Banryuu, his hair moving freely around his face. "I was wondering when you'd show up." he said arrogantly.

Naraku's eyes slanted to Kagome whom now was standing behind Bankotsu. "And here I thought you and Inuyasha would make a happy couple. He still couldn't forget Kikyo, I assume?"

Kagome's eyes narrowed. "It's none of your business Naraku!"

"Or maybe even Koga, but never in a million years would I have guessed you and Bankotsu would end up together."

'Koga? She never mentioned anything about a Koga.' Bankotsu thought. He looked back to Kagome questioningly.

Naraku smirked at this. "Oh yes, she hasn't told you? She's actually engaged to him."

"That's a lie! I never accepted his proposal. We're just friends! He knows that!" Kagome yelled defensively, causing Bankotsu to relax a little.

"Why don't we see for ourselves." Naraku said maliciously.

A whirlwind appeared in the distance, coming closer at a surprising speed. Within seconds, Koga had appeared and took the position of holding Kagome's hands. "Kagome, are you alright? I smelt Naraku along with your scent." he said and then glared to Naraku.

Bankotsu was now fully facing Kagome, ignoring completely the fact that Naraku was behind him. "Hey wolf boy, hands off."

"Hm? Who's this joke?" Koga said snottily and released Kagome's hands.

"I'm Bankotsu."

"How do you know of my Kagome?" Koga asked.

His Kagome? "She's with me fleabag." Bankotsu retorted.

"Heh, in your dreams." Koga said and spread his legs apart, getting ready to attack. "If you're looking for a fight of some sort, I'll give you one. Though, I can't promise I won't kill you…Actually, I can promise I will."

Bankotsu smirked and pointed his halberd at him. "Bring it on."

Koga lunged forward, a hand cocked back as he struck downward toward Bankotsu. His eyes slightly widened when he noticed Bankotsu was not there. He slid to a halt and looked dead ahead, seeing the mercenary darting toward him.

"Stop fighting!" Kagome yelled, then looked over to Naraku whom was enjoying the view. She quickly ran back over to her and Bankotsu's things, one of which were a bow and sack of arrows. She quickly notched an arrow in her bow and whipped around, aiming for Naraku only to find he wasn't there.

Naraku appeared behind her out of an orb and a tentacle wrapped around her body, engulfing everything from her knees to her mouth.

Kagome tried screaming, but her mouth was covered, and she tried kicking, but her movement was limited. She had dropped her bow and arrows as she was raised off the ground, a sound not coming from either of them. Bankotsu and Koga were seemingly lost in their own battle.

Koga suddenly stopped his mid-attack at the sight of Naraku and Kagome, earning him a punch to the face and he went flying backward. Koga stood up and rubbed his cheek as his senses rushed back to him. "Kagome!" he yelled as Bankotsu was racing toward him with another attack.

Bankotsu paused and whipped around. "Let her go you bastard!" he yelled.

Kagome's eyes looked tired as the tentacles started draining her of her strength. Her body was no longer struggling as she tried conserving her energy and holding on to that thin string of consciousness she held dear.

"Oh, excuse the interruption. Continue with your battle." Naraku said as innocently as he could.

Both Koga and Bankotsu now stood by each other, their main priority had now been changed; save Kagome.

"I do hope you're not thinking of striking me…It would just be a shame if she got in the way, wouldn't it?" inquired Naraku's foul voice.

Bankotsu growled. He had already experienced losing Kagome, and he'd be damned before he let it happen again. "Naraku…" he started, trying to hold in his anger, for he did not want to tick Naraku off to a point that he decided to kill Kagome. "Put her down. If you want to fight, then I'll fight you. But don't bring her into this!"

Naraku only chuckled at his remark. "I can see how much you care for her, mercenary. I can see the hatred in your eyes. I like it."

"You sick bastard!" Bankotsu yelled and ran toward him, Banryuu in hand.

Kagome winced as the grip around her tightened, causing Bankotsu to stop in his tracks.

Why was she always the one being saved? Why couldn't she defend herself? 'I'm not going to live my life being protected all the time. It's time I do the protecting!' she thought to herself.

Naraku felt a spiritual pressure rising from Kagome. Did she not realize his tentacles sucked in whatever energy she put out?

"You won't hurt him." she said weakly.

Naraku's eyes slightly widened at this. "You think you have the strength to stop me?"

"No." Kagome started, her eyes closed as she concentrated. "I know I do."

A frown graced itself upon Naraku's lips. She reminded him of Kikyo, the one person who did have the power to stop him. He couldn't let there be a second one. He squeezed tighter and tighter, attempting to knock her unconscious.

Kagome bit her tongue. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of yelping in pain and passing out. No. Today was the day she stopped being so weak.

Bankotsu took his chance while Naraku was distracted to attack. He pierced through Naraku's stomach, causing the tentacle holding Kagome to release her.

Kagome felt relief, and also anger, as she fell into the arms of Bankotsu. 'I was saved…Again.' she thought to herself. Sweat rolled down her body as she had used almost every bit of her energy to stay awake.

"Hn. I'll be back." spat Naraku as he disappeared into the daylight.

"Is she alright?" Koga asked, walking over to Bankotsu as he held her.

"She's just tired. I think it's best you leave."

Koga growled. He didn't like leaving his Kagome, but he liked this guy more than Inuyasha. He actually showed affection toward her. "I'll see ya later Kagome." he said and then sped off.

Bankotsu looked down to her. Her eyes were closed but he knew she was awake. "Don't be upset."

Her eyes remained closed, but she still responded. "I'm tired of being weak."

"Are you kidding me? You, weak? Ha! I know if I were in your position, I'd be knocked out." he lied. 'Heh, no, I would've killed the bastard. But still…She held up much longer than other women would've.'

"I know you're lying. I was barely able to even stay awake."

"But you did. Name me one other human who can do that. Male or female."

Kagome thought for a moment. She'd seen Kikyo pass out in his grip. She'd seen many people do it. A smile planted itself on Kagome's lips. "Thanks Bankotsu." she said sweetly.

- - - - - -

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Bankotsu asked as he faced Kagome.

"Don't hold back." Kagome replied.

Bankotsu sighed, "Alright." With that said, he raced, practically appearing behind her faster than the eye could see. He wrapped his arm around the front of her throat and held her tightly to him, though loosely enough to allow her air.

Kagome was already feeling defeated. But she wouldn't give up. Oh no. She didn't struggle and fidget, instead, she tried to think strategically. She was slender enough to twist around so she was facing him, but she'd still be in his hold. Still, if this were a real situation, she'd have to think fast. She whipped around and bought her knee up, aiming between his legs.

"Whoa there." Bankotsu said and jumped back before she could. He smirked. "Nice try." he remarked and then went after her again, this time (slowly so that she could see it coming) swiping his leg in a circle around her feet.

Kagome saw his slow motion attack and panicked, but jumped above the leg trying to knock her down. She smiled triumphantly, but Bankotsu wasn't even close to being finished with her yet.

He stood up to his full height and stared down at her. Without warning, he grabbed her by her shirt and swung her around so that she was leaned back, almost touching the ground. She picked her foot up quietly and kicked as hard as she could in his shin, causing him to drop her and for her to hit the ground with a thud. 'It's time I do something and stop waiting for him to come at me.' Kagome thought frantically as she stood to her feet. 'But what can I--' her thought was cut off as she was raised into the air, lifted down slightly, and then tossed up. It seemed like she was flying upward at an incredible pace. She could see the treetops whoosh by her and it seemed as though she would reach the Sun. 'He's gone a little overboard.' she thought to herself, fear filling her every being.

"Kagome!" Bankotsu yelled as he saw a demon pick her up and toss her into the Heavens. He quickly made an attack toward the demon, easily killing him with a swipe of his halberd. He waited until he saw a small figure flying down toward the Earth. He ran under her line of falling and held his arms out, ready to catch her.

Kagome's eyes closed tight as the wind pushing against her back blew her hair up. 'What if he doesn't catch me?! I'm going to di--' she thought, but stopped when she landed roughly in the arms of Bankotsu. Her face was flushed and her hair was…All over the place. "Th-Thanks." she said as he set her down. She immediately sat down, her legs too shaky to walk, plus she savored the feeling of hard ground beneath her. "What was that for?!" she asked angrily. She then spotted a dead demon, blood oozing out of its body. "Ew…" she let out quietly, earning a chuckle from Bankotsu.

- - - - - -

"Hey! Renkotsu!" Bankotsu waved as he spotted his brother in the forest. Kagome and Bankotsu walked over to the Band of Seven member.

"Oh, hey Big Brother." he said, curiosity tugging at the back of his mind. Why was the same wench from before still with him? There was something strange about this whole situation.

"I guess you were pretty weirded out about last time…" Bankotsu said with a smirk. He then went on to explain the happenings within the past few days.

"I see. So you and her…"

Bankotsu nodded, holding Kagome's hand in his.

Renkotsu sighed mentally. He was hoping to have a go at her when Bankotsu was done, but maybe all hopes weren't lost…

- - - - - -

Author's Note: Hehe, I hope you all are happy about me continuing the story :D Maybe you could say thanks by giving me your comments and suggestions? I'd really appreciate it.

Also, I'd like to know your opinion on what type of drama should happen in the near future. That'd be great and make my day/week/month/year/decade/…You get it :p

Now go review loverlies! -Ami