Title: Soldier Boy

Author: SangOtaku6

Category: Romance, Comedy, Drama,

Type: Canon

Rating: OT

Warning(s): Sexual Undertone, Language, Violence

Disclaimer: To my loyal fans, I am writing from jail to tell you I do not own anything. Damn you, lawyers! Black and white stripes make me look fat!

A/N:

I was rewatching and rereading the Shichinintai Arc when a thought occurred to me. What if the readers don't know where in the series this story is taking place? So these are some points I'd like to clarify.

1) Kikyou is still alive and has been for the past year. Naraku did not kill her.

2) Bankotsu and the rest of our beloved Shichinintai were killed. Obviously, you cannot be re-revived if you never re-died.

3) Putting two plus two together, this story takes place right after Naraku's rise to power but before Kikyou died. Only it is a year later and Kikyou somehow managed to not get killed again. Congrats to the zombie priestess.

I hope that helped clarify anyone who was curious about that. :) Soldier Boy is an alternate ending to the infamous series, ending with a Bankotsu/Kagome pairing.

-.-.-.-

"Kiss me."

A blush quickly surfaced on Bankotsu's face. Noting that Kagome's eyes were closed and her lips were delicately pursed together, Bankotsu knew she wasn't joking. Unfortunately.

Although he really didn't want to ask how or why this idea had popped in her head, he was also remotely curious. She didn't seem the type to ask such things of men, and he wasn't one to take orders like a submissive pup. Why contradict these two perfectly straight lines?

Ah yes.

He just remembered.

He had two brains. The brain north of the border was one; naturally, as life always had opposites, there was a brain south of the border as well.

Bankotsu swallowed hard, hoping to rid his mouth of its savanna resemblance.

Before he could decide whether or not to take the temptation, Kagome meekly opened one eye. He did not look like he was in any hurry to make her simple request come true. Kagome opened both of her eyes. "For most guys, this would be an easy choice."

Bankotsu scrunched his eyebrows. "So I don't feel like kissing you right now. Bite me."

Kagome planted her hands on her hips inquisitively. "Earlier today, you just couldn't wait to go all the way with me."

Bankotsu gave her a perplexed appearance.

Sighing, Kagome replied, quickly becoming impatient with the mercenary. "To have sex with me."

An invisible light bulb flickered on above Bankotsu's head and a stupid grin of understanding flashed on his face. "Ah!"

"So why are you being all modest now?"

He scratched his head in thought. Bankotsu then shrugged his shoulders. "I didn't realize. Am I being modest?"

Kagome exhaled wordlessly. Turning around, a slightly acidic smile crossed her facial features as she began to walk away. I knew it.

She looked so disappointed. Bankotsu was stumped. There was no better way to bluntly put it. For him, it was beyond strange. It had not been the first time a woman took the initiative with him, but it was the first time Kagome did.

"Kagome." When she heard him call out to her, she glanced over her shoulder, pausing mid-stride. "Are you doing this to get over Inuyasha?"

He could see her eyes widen slightly as she stiffened at his words, before her eyes were suddenly overflowing with stinging tears.

"I'm... I'm so sorry. I've been really selfish," she began softly. She gazed up at him with watery eyes, willing him to feel the raw emotions stirring in her soul. "I know I shouldn't act this way but I can't help it. It's hard being the mistress cheerleader. I don't want to be compared to Kikyou. No one sees me… they only see her. I… I feel like a foggy mirror!" She threw herself at him, clinging to his chest desperately. Her voice became reduced to a low, mournful whisper. "I just want him to be there for me… like I am for him."

Bankotsu almost felt pity for the girl. The feisty female had a side of her that she tucked away from the world. Pretty smart. Any sight of weakness in these murderous times would easily result in death. His train of thought reminded him of the cruelness reality often brought. Giving a deep stare at her small stature, he placed his hand on her back, holding her with tender affection. "You shouldn't show me your weakness. Don't forget that I am the enemy," he reminded her quietly. After all, I almost forgot myself.

She tightened her fists against his chest and her tears came plummeting down more rapidly. "I know! I know you are but you're the only one who seems to care!" Her tears broke into hiccupping, irregular sobs. "Please… just don't leave me like he did."

He gave her a pitiless glower. He originally did not think she was this infatuated with the measly flea-infected half demon. "You do realize you cannot replace him with me. We are different people, as you clearly know… and understand." His voice had now become unyielding with bottled up anger.

She momentarily paused, not bothering to wipe the clouding tears from her eyes. Looking up at him with heart wrenching eyes, she smiled again, this time with more sincerity. "I owe you an apology. I'm sorry." She forced a bitter smile on her face. "I am a hypocrite. I come to you complaining about the difference between Kikyou and me and then I go and try to put an Inuyasha mask on you." A harsh chuckle escaped her throat. "I don't know. I just don't know anymore. When Inuyasha kissed me, his kisses had no love behind them. No love. Just a primitive urge to feel, to have contact with. I keep telling myself, hoping even, that it was just his demonic form but… I have a feeling, a dark feeling, that if he ever did kiss me again, that it would have no more emotion than it did then, even if he was half human or full human." Kagome swallowed hard. Her arms wove around his waist. "I think that is my greatest fear right now."

As Bankotsu was about to respond, Kagome hushed him softly. "Please, just let me hold you for a moment longer. I promise I'll leave you alone afterwards." Kagome laid her head still against his built chest. "I can hear your heart beat," she murmured peacefully, snuggling her face against the warmth of his skin. Breathing out again, Kagome lightly pushed herself off of Bankotsu's sculpted chest. She faced the opposite direction and began gracefully gliding out of the waters like an emotionless phantom.

Blushing slightly, Bankotsu coughed. "Uh, Kagome?"

Kagome stopped slowly, turning her head enough to see him from the corner of her eye. "Yes?"

Putting both hands beside his mouth to echo the call, Bankotsu shouted at full volume, "No clothes!"

Freezing up with unconcealed embarrassment, Kagome yelped out loud, wrapping her arms around her to protect her naked feminine frame from the outside world's eager view. She charged back into the water with almost no dignity remaining intact.

"Hi again!" Bankotsu joked childishly, waving his hand in a pleasant greeting at the flushed girl.

"You ass," Kagome muttered, her arms still guarding her submerged breasts.

"What did you say? If you got something to say, say it to my face."

Kagome fumed heatedly. "Gladly!"

She began marching toward Bankotsu, of course, breasts still below water level, embarrassment way above legal limit. With all the turmoil going on inside of her mind and her hands clinging frantically to cover her assets, Kagome's foot snagged on something underwater, leaving her off balance, much to her surprise.

Her body landed her right on Bankotsu's chest at an angle. Kagome groaned as her flushed face was pressed against his bare chest.

"Hey, my face is up here," he teased, pointing to his face. "Not down there."

Turning scarlet, Kagome jumped away. She attempted to strangle him, which he easily dodged by diving under the spring's waters. He emerged from the watery depths like a monster, holding the bewildered girl in his arms, bridal style. Still disoriented by his spectacular getaway, Kagome turned to yell at Bankotsu only to have his lips capture hers.

Kagome tensed but then quickly relaxed into his hold. She amorously wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into the breath-taking kiss. He suddenly tensed against her lips. Curious, Kagome broke the kiss to look up at him.

Before she had any time to process what was going on, Bankotsu grabbed her by her throat and dangled her up in the air, a wicked grin spreading across his face. She clawed furiously at the hand that was wrapped loosely around her throat, his chokehold sending her mind into a series of panics as she tried to forcibly remove his hand. A flash of silver in the distance briefly caught her eye. As the silver blurred into vision, she felt her body slam abusively into the steaming spring water. Absentmindedly, she just felt her body being engulfed by the hot spring's suffocating waters.

-.-.-.-

Choking suddenly, Kagome felt herself being pulled roughly from the dormant world she had been resting in. As water dribbled out of her mouth, Kagome gasped loudly, her lungs seeking fresh, water-free oxygen. With wide eyes, she remembered the homicidal eyes and vicious smirk of the azure eyed devil.

"Kagome-chan?"

Kagome's vision cleared a bit to reveal Sango above her, looking down at her with anxious eyes. Sango dabbed at the water around Kagome's chin with an olive-dyed handkerchief.

Kagome jumped up from the flat tatami mat she had been resting on, gripping the familiar crimson haori that kept her modest. "W-where's Bankotsu?" she cried out, her eyes narrowing dangerously, darting nervously around the room.

Sango glanced at Miroku, who was on the far side of the small hut. He only returned an enigmatic glance. She looked back at Kagome. "Kagome-chan, please relax. You're safe now. Inuyasha saved you from Bankotsu." Sango paused, looking at Miroku once again, only this time with an unwavering gaze. Understanding, Miroku quietly stood up, bowed, and left the two women to speak in peace. Turning to Kagome, Sango's strong gaze bore directly into Kagome's soul. "Did Bankotsu do anything to you?"

Kagome was sure she was making an extremely stupid face right now. "Huh? Wha? What are you talking about?"

Scooting closer to her female companion, Sango sat beside Kagome, staring gravely into Kagome's eyes. "Inuyasha found you a little before we did and… he said he found you naked - along with Bankotsu stripped of his armor as well. He said that Bankotsu was holding you by your throat before he threw you into the hot spring." Watching the scenario unfold in her friend's eyes, Sango nodded once and gave Kagome's scalp a check over. "Other than a few bruises around your neck," Sango continued, inspecting Kagome's parted hair, "some lumps on your head, and the water that was in your lungs, you're not as banged up as someone might think, being in the presence of a legendary killer. That is the damage as far as I've seen anyway."

Kagome stared at Sango. "I was drowning?"

Nodding in response to her question, Sango began, "Yes and since I am the only one who knows how to remove water from a person's lungs, I was the one who performed the resuscitation. I, erm, believe the people from your era have a name for it?" Sango gave a thoughtful expression as she tried to recall the name.

"Do you mean CPR?"

"Yes, that's it!" She cheered, slamming her fist against her open palm. Her mouth twitched a bit, hastily recalling something. "So, please don't mind Miroku's teasing. He seemed to have enjoyed that more than I wished him to."

Kagome waved it away. "I should have known." A fleeting thought from Kagome's mind vocalized itself. "You know how to perform CPR? I don't remember showing you how to do that."

Sango shook her head. "CPR, as you call it, is a skill that my village developed on its own. Everyone, even little children, are required to master this technique before they are sent out on their first hunt."

Kagome's bobbed in agreement. "Wow, your tribe was ahead of its time, wasn't it?"

"Yes, yes it was," Sango replied proudly, although there was an undertone of time dehydrated pain.

Kagome sighed, trying to recall everything that had just happened.

"Kagome-chan?"

"Yeah?"

"There was something else I was concerned about."

Sango's apprehensive voice made Kagome's eyes dart back at her. "What's worrying you, Sango?"

Her bottom lip twitching for a second, Sango breathed in and spoke as straight as she could. "Because you were naked and he was as well… I am somewhat uneasy about the thought of… a child. What I mean to say is I have a slight fear he may have raped you. I didn't check because I wanted to see your reaction to this before I did something so personal but… what if you were?"

Kagome stared back at Sango for a few moments before relaxing. "I really don't think he touched me in that way. I'm not hurting or anything." Kagome got up, with the haori still covering her, and draped a cloth over the hole which one could consider a window. Sango scurried over to block the entrance with extra tatami mats that had been lying around. The hut had significantly darkened by the time the females had covered every open crack. Sango started the flickering fire centered in Kaede's hut.

Kagome sat down and loosened the fabric from her body. Sango briefly examined her inner thighs. Kagome blushed a bit, feeling slightly self conscious. "Well, I don't see anything suspicious. Someone like Bankotsu would most likely use enough of his strength to restrain you, easily enough to leave a dark bruise. There are minor scratches but those look more like twig or branch scratches." Sango lifted her head. "I'm really relieved. I really don't think he had sex with you."

Kagome stood quiet for a second. "Yeah, although my mom would probably welcome a grandchild, I seriously doubt I could battle the evil forces of Naraku while carrying a baby, let alone the baby of the enemy."

Sango nodded in complete agreement. Her facial features relaxed a bit as she moved toward Kagome. A hint of worry was evident on Sango's lips. "Kagome-chan, I… please forgive me."

Kagome gave a bewildered expression. "Why? For what?"

"Well, I didn't mean to, but I guess that I have been a very bad friend since Bankotsu was revived. An entire month without a female's company," Sango gave a vinegary smile. "I shouldn't have judged you so quickly. Please accept my deepest apology."

Kagome hugged her friend. "Don't worry about it; let's put this behind us. I want us to stay friends, especially now. I really need someone to talk to about Inuyasha… and Bankotsu," Kagome added in quietly, tears, clinging to her thick eyelashes.

Sango embraced the crying girl. "Kagome, I have a spare yukata. If we go further up north, it'll be too cold to wear it, but down here, the weather isn't that extreme. Either way, it's something more than what you're wearing right now," Sango said, giving a small smile.

Kagome nodded and Sango crawled over to her small knapsack, pulling out a simple white summer yukata. She politely handed it to Kagome with a smile.

Kagome accepted the robes and began putting them on. If it wasn't so formal I would have considered wearing the kimono Miroku got me. Kagome paused to look at Sango from the corner of her eye. Then again, I'm not sure how Sango would react to that.

Sango sat beside Kagome once again. "Miroku brought all of your clothes back but they got soaked during the battle. But," Sango glanced out of the covered window, "when he went to look, he said he only found one shoe."

Kagome momentarily stopped, trying to register in her head where she could have placed the shoe. When it dawned on her, Kagome bit back the urge to burst into fits of laughter. That's right! The Jakotsu incident! "Uh, heh, that's alright, I'll go out and buy some sandals from the village's shop.

Sango glared at her. "And I'M coming with you, whether you like it or not!" she demanded with a militaristic voice that left no room for argument.

Kagome smiled, waving her hand as if to tell her friend she would not object to her presence. "No, no, I would like that."

With that comment, Sango and Kagome proceeded to un-patch Kaede's hut again. Miroku later came in and much to his disappointment, Kagome was now fully clothed. Kaede made her appearance later that night, bringing with her some recently blessed charms and other miscellaneous necessities which Miroku cheerily helped her put away. Shippou and Kirara, who had accompanied Lady Kaede, had purchased some wooden toys to amuse themselves with. With that being done, all relaxed and enjoyed some good-natured stories and a comfortable conversation. Soon after the pleasant chat, everyone, with the exception of Shippou, who was cuddled merrily next to his adopted mother, pitched a bed in separate areas of the small home.

The hours of darkness blossomed and a lustrous moon was out, bathing all in its silken illumination.

Despite that, there was one soul missing from the campsite that, if searched for, could be found not far away, in the arms of another woman.

-.-.-.-

"Sango?"

Kagome opened her eyes groggily, looking at a happy-faced girl, grinning from above.

"Kah-go-meh-chaan!" she sang. "Want to go take a cool bath?" Tilting her head towards the door, Sango continued, "Miroku's gone to the next village with Kaede-sama to gather up some more of the discounted herbs she bought yesterday night. They'll be gone a while."

Kagome jumped out of bed immediately, the thought of a decent, undisturbed bath being blissful ecstasy. Gathering up her bag (that night of Inuyasha's assault, she had left her bag behind in a rush so that left poor Miroku to carry the enormous bag back to Kaede's hut since Inuyasha flat out refused to), and, together, Sango and Kagome hopped out of the hut and made a dash for the nearby stream.

-.-.-.-

"Ah!" Kagome squealed, dipping herself into the river's waters. "It's kinda cold. Isn't there a closer, warmer spring?"

Sango nodded. "The nearest hot spring is a bit further up, and, from what I heard, you were there yesterday." Sango bowed her head slightly in a mournful manner as she continued, "I figured you didn't want to relive that terrible experience."

Kagome glanced at Sango. It doesn't feel so terrible to me. Regardless, Kagome dipped her head in the same manner, not wanting to make Sango suspicious. "Thanks for your consideration, Sango. It means a lot to me."

"No problem!" Sango cheered. "Let's think of happier things!"

Kagome's face broke into a mischievous smile. "Yeah… like progress with Miroku?"

Sango suddenly froze, giving her an embarrassed look. "Uh, how about not?"

Kagome pouted. "Aw, why not?"

To avoid the question, Sango jumped into the waters, completely submerging herself.

"Stop avoiding the question, you cheater!"

Sango's head rose slightly above the water. "Nope. Can't make me."

Kagome grinned cat-like. "Aw, too bad. I thought something happened since you've been especially bubbly lately."

Sango reemerged from the water. "Well, not really. Nothing worthwhile has happened since you left. Just a lot of Inuyasha picking fights, Shippou crying, and Miroku isolating himself."

"What about you, Sango? What have you been doing?"

"Besides, hearing Inuyasha complain, Shippou cry, and cleaning my weapons, I've been doing a few exterminations."

"Really?" Kagome leaned forward, moving closer to Sango. "How'd they go?"

Sango shrugged nonchalantly. "One case was a town that was being haunted by a rokurokubi."

"Those long necked female ghosts?"

"Yeah. She had disguised herself as a human during the day and during the night she would reveal her true form and scare the local villagers. One child was actually missing for a couple nights but we discovered which village woman was the ghost before any harm could come to the little girl."

"Wow… that's good to know…"

A quiet atmosphere befell the girls.

"Hey, Sango. Can I ask you a question? A question about demons?"

"Sure, go right ahead, Kagome-chan."

Kagome stared down at the water. "Have you ever heard of a demon that mutilates its victims?"

Sango scrunched her face. "That's a pretty general description. Could you be more specific?"

"Alright… Well, I don't know much about it myself except the things I've heard… All I know is that when the demon possessed the man, it completely took over. So much so that when it was purified, the body immediately dissolved into ash."

"Possessed person? I don't think there is any one specific demon that can do that… I do know that if a demon's essence alone can make a man's body dissolve during purification, it must be an immensely powerful demon. Why do you ask?"

"It's just that there might be a demon out in this world like that right now."

Sango nodded seriously. "I'll keep my guard up. You should too."

After that severe topic, the girl's conversation died and they quietly kept to themselves, bathing in Kagome's coconut scented brand name bathing essentials.

-.-.-.-

Kagome glanced up from her school work. There was a soft breeze in the air. It would occasionally sweep a glossed leaf off its feet and take it dancing along its flowing currents. The sun was fading again, giving everything beneath it an iridescent orange glow. For some reason, the setting sun reminded Kagome of a certain someone.

"I wonder what he's doing right now."

"You shouldn't hang yourself up on him – he's not worth your time."

Kagome whipped her head and let a little yelp out. "S-Sango! Where'd you come from?"

Standing above the sitting schoolgirl, Sango, dressed fully in her battle outfit, fastened her poison gas mask into place. Although her voice was now a bit muffled, the sound could still be easily interpreted. "Sorry I missed you this morning. The village that was being harassed by the rokurokubi recommended my services to a village just slightly past them. They have a problem with a growing family of kappa demons."

Noticing the wide eyed look on Kagome's face, Sango meekly laughed. "No, the kappa demons aren't hurting anyone – they're just eating the town's cucumbers. Dangerous or not, the villagers aren't too happy with them."

Kagome let a soft breath of sigh escape her lips. "Okay, it's a much needed breath of fresh air when things aren't being killed."

Sango laughed again. "Sorry, I thought I'd have the afternoon off so we could shop but there are more of them than I originally thought."

Kagome waved it off. "Don't worry! We can shop tomorrow!"

"Are you sure?"

"Positive! Now, go and shoo those pesky demons away!"

Sango nodded her head, adjusted her bag and began to walk away. "Hey Kagome, don't stay away from the camp too late. I'd hate to see you with Bankotsu again."

With that, Sango left, leaving Kagome to sit alone on the cliff once again.

Earlier she was talking about Inuyasha, silly. Not Bankotsu… Kagome patted her chest in a futile attempt to slow down her heartbeat. She just scared you was all.

She breathed his carefully traced his name around her lips, trying out the sound of it. The last syllable of his name pursed her lips in a way that made her feel slightly more desirable.

"Bankotsu."

-.-.-.-

"Ah! Ah! Choo! Urgh, ugh, aw shit, get me something to wipe my nose with."

"Eww, big brother! That's disgusting! Hey, get away from me! These robes were custom made! They're my favorite!"

"Then why do you fight in them?"

"'Cause they're my favorite! Weren't you listening?!"

Bankotsu and Jakotsu huffed childishly, crossing their arms across their chests. Both gave a side glance at the other before both whipped out with the cheesiest grins in the world.

"Gotcha!" they laughed out in unison. After their chuckles were over, Bankotsu was the first to speak.

"Seriously, that was pretty gay."

"Seriously, wipe your nose, big brother. That's disgusting."

"Fine, fine," he grumbled.

Jakotsu glanced at his big brother again. He looked pretty content. More so than what Jakotsu thought he would be like. A rigid look landed on Jakotsu's face. Is it because of HER?! She's so repulsive! Being straight forward as always, Jakotsu decided to ask the question plaguing his mind.

"Aniki," he began, "what's the wench to you?" Jakotsu knew Bankotsu was aware of which wench he was referring to, his reaction only further proving it.

Bankotsu stopped dead in his tracks. His deep aquatic eyes gazed at the dirt ground had been walking on. The man stood in quiet, solemn contemplation for a few brief moments before turning his impenetrable eyes on his friend. "She was just a task."

Jakotsu pocketed his hands in his sleeves and approached his companion. Standing tall above Bankotsu, Jakotsu's voice deepened as the next sentence escaped his lips.

"What is she to you now?"

-.-.-.-

Kagome beamed. Tonight was so beautiful! The moon had finally surpassed the sun, removing the intrepid orange glow, only to replace it with a more calming blue glow.

"I wonder where everyone is?" she murmured quietly to herself. Her bag, which was slung over her shoulder, easily bounced against her back with every skip she took across the path. A few villagers glanced at her but soon went back to their labors.

A grin passed her features. I'm weird enough wearing my schoolgirl uniform here but they've probably grown accustomed to it. Wearing a white yukata with my yellow backpack instead must look really strange to them, she mused to herself, not missing a skip. I've just combined five centuries in one outfit.

Kagome's skipping began to dawdle when she spotted a familiar face beside Kaede's hut.

"Miroku-sama! Are you waiting for someone?"

The mentioned monk gave Kagome a light wave of his hand and an enormous, award-winning smile. "Pleasant evening, isn't it Kagome-sama?"

Kagome stopped in front of him, her hands gripping the backpack's straps. "Yeah, it really is." Kagome gave a moment of peace to gaze at the moon and then turned to Miroku again. "You guys are so lucky. In my era, you can never see the moon quite like this."

"Ah, yes. Such a shame that such a blessed entity only reveals her true beauty but when every soul is in deep slumber."

They shared a moment of peace. It did not last forever though. It was Kagome who broke the silence. "So, you never answered my question – are you waiting for someone?"

Miroku gave a coy smile – something Kagome didn't know he possessed. "Why, I was simply worried about the beautiful young ladies of our party."

Kagome frowned. "Sango hasn't returned yet?"

"Returned yet?" Miroku inquired with inquisitiveness in his voice. "Am I to understand you know of Lady Sango's whereabouts?"

Kagome gave her head sharp nod. "Yeah, she was requested to do another extermination near the village she was at the other day. The poor village had a cucumber-abducting kappa infestation."

Miroku gave Kagome a completely baffled look. "Pardon? Did you say another extermination?"

Kagome slowly agreed. "Don't you remember? The extermination she did while I was away?"

His blank expression did not change.

"The one with the rokurokubi demon?"

Miroku sighed. "Perhaps my memory has failed me but while you were gone, Lady Sango and I were searching for you, Kagome-sama. Shippou and I searched the woods and Lady Sango and Kirara were directly above us, searching the skies." Miroku tapped his chin thoughtfully. "However, we did stop by a village later that day to satisfy our appetites. The shrine master at the village seemed to recognize Lady Sango's unique uniform design. He requested her presence as soon as possible so she left with him. I did not keep track of how long she stood at the shrine but from my experiences with demons and other exterminators, no quality extermination could have been completed in so little time. It was probably five of your era's minutes."

Kagome gave a wide eyed look. Is there something Sango is hiding from me?

Miroku watched her expressions unfurl. "Is there anything troubling you, Kagome-sama?"

"No…" Kagome quietly responded, still focused on her thoughts. "Do you know where Inuyasha is?"

Miroku gave a slightly disgusted look. "Inuyasha has not returned since he dropped you off here with us."

Kagome growled. "Really? What the hell has he been doing this whole time? Fine. If he wants to be a prick, let him, see if I care!" Some protector you are, you asshole. Kagome huffed loudly. Cooling down her temper, Kagome turned to Miroku. "Hey, Miroku-sama, you can go inside, I'll wait for Sango."

Miroku raised a hand mid- air to stop her. "Kagome-sama, I must decline. You really need your rest. You've had a long last couple of nights. Rest up. I will wait for her."

Kagome's eyes softened at his considerate words. "Thank you, Miroku. You've done so much for me – I really owe you a lot."

Miroku laughed. "Kagome-sama, we're friends. Friends do that."

Kagome smiled as she walked into the hut, quietly whispering to herself.

"No, just you."

-.-.-.-

There was a shuffling sound in the room. It sounded as if someone had just entered the hut.

Kagome silently opened one eye, not moving an inch. Whatever it was, it woke her from her shallow slumber. More movement. Someone's awake… From the silhouette on the wall, Kagome immediately recognized the person as Sango. Her battle attire was undeniably unique.

As she began to undress the uniform from her body, another person stepped into the room. Glancing at the shadow, Kagome noticed the figure's small ponytail. It's Miroku. Miroku's figure stepped into the room. He's in the hut while Sango's changing! Kagome resisted the urge to flinch, almost hearing a slap coming on.

"Sango…" Miroku began, his voice filled with seriousness. "Where have you been tonight?"

Sango heaved an annoyed sigh. "It's none of your damn business, Miroku."

Kagome almost gasped. No slapping? None of Miroku's normal perversity? No 'Lady Sango' or 'Miroku-sama'? What's going on?

Miroku's collected voice penetrated the air. "You are my companion so it does indeed involve me."

"That doesn't matter! Don't get involved," Sango spat out venomously, dropping her already unclothed armor on the floor. A soft thud sounded where the demon bone armor hit the barely covered floor.

"Hush, otherwise, you'll wake Kagome-sama."

Sango's voice became significantly quieter and it sounded as if her temper was beginning to fade. Kagome had to strain her ears a bit to adjust to the vast difference of her voice.

"Just, please don't get involved Miroku…"

"I don't plan on getting involved with your issues with the shrine master although I would be sinning if I told you I was not otherwise interested." Miroku paused, "What you have been doing on your nights off concerns me much more."

Sango began to hiccup. Is she crying?

"Miroku, all of this!" Sango cried silently. "This is your entire fault!"

"I unfortunately agree with you on some level."

"Some level?!"

"Please forgive me."

"Never! Are you implying that this is my fault as well?"

"Yes, the fault is not solely mine. You, as well as Inuyasha, are to blame."

"Leave him out of it! He's got–"

"Everything to do with it. In fact, I would sooner place everything upon his shoulders. His outings with Kikyou severely upset Kagome-sama."

"And in turn, they upset you, didn't they? Admit it!"

"I never denied it; seeing innocents in pain does make a gash on my heart. But, none affect me quite as much as pure Kagome-sama. She is the one true soul in all of Japan who does not deserve to endure this much heart break."

Sango made a hissing noise. "And, what of you, monk?"

Miroku chuckled callously. "I believe myself to be one of the first to deserve hell on earth. But this is not the conversation I was headed towards. Sango, please stop. You'll only crush Kagome's heart."

"Yeah," her voice was quiet and remorseful, "You're right. I'll stop… But then you have no right to pursue her…"

"Yes… I understand…" Miroku answered with melancholy in his voice, "It is destiny, after all. And, in all of my lifetime, I have yet to see another change the strings of destiny."

"Miroku…"

"Yes, Lady Sango?"

"Let's place all of this behind us, like it never happened."

"If only Lady Sango, if only. Once something is done, it is done. It cannot be undone."

Miroku's figure left the room like the leaf on the wind, swept into the current.

Kagome watched, blurry eyed, as Sango's figure fell to her knees and began to cry.

-.-.-.-

Kagome couldn't sleep. Not since that incident.

Getting up slowly, she gently walked to the main entrance. The moon was still out, though she was sure it would be going down in a couple of hours, judging by its position in the sky.

It must be around two or three.

Kagome was about to walk further when something glistening caught her eye. Slowly, she stepped back into the room. The object was in Sango's bag. Kagome gulped. It might have something to do with what they were talking about! She took a few steps toward it. No, I can't invade her privacy… Resisting the temptation, Kagome bolted out of the home.

Inhaling deeply, Kagome looked upward. As she stretched her neck, a slight ache began to fill her neck.

All I remember is Bankotsu's grin. It was so evil it hurt. Kagome placed her fingers around her throat. The contact made the bruises ache mildly again.

A slight smoke trail from the forest grounds caught her attention.

Is there a fire somewhere in the forest?

A soft cry echoed throughout the forest, light enough to almost be undetectable to human ears.

With a determined look on her face, Kagome grabbed her bag and bow with a fighter's resolve and set out into the forest.

-.-.-.-

"I'm bored!" Jakotsu sang out loud. "I'm soooooooooooo bored!"

A slouched Bankotsu nodded his head in bland agreement. "Yeah, so am I," he muttered, kicking the dirt around his half clothed feet.

Suddenly, Jakotsu popped up and scurried over to Bankotsu with big gleaming eyes. "Aniki! I wanna have sex! Can we go to a brothel or something?"

Bankotsu looked over his shoulder, staring his friend in the face. "Last time we went you scared away all the male prostitutes." Bankotsu frowned, "And I'm not touching you."

Jakotsu pouted, crossing his arms in front of his chest childishly. "Stupid heterosexuals! Don't know how to have any fun."

Bankotsu shook his head and turned his attention back to the ever amusing pile of dirt before his feet. "This sucks," he muttered angrily.

Bankotsu began to hear an approaching sound. It was increasing slightly as the seconds continued on. He turned to look at Jakotsu, whose hand began to inch toward the infamous serpent blade. Judging by his reaction, he must have heard it too. Bankotsu got up, dusted his armor off, and jogged to his clothed oohoko. Picking it up gently, Bankotsu lifted it and laid it against his shoulder. "Oi! Jakotsu! I am going to be gone for a while, kay?"

Jakotsu gave him an irritated groan as he shoved his fisted hands into the sleeves of his kimono. "Please tell me you're not going to go chase after Inuyasha's stupid wench."

Bankotsu gave him a scowl. "I don't recall saying anything about her!"

"Aniki, I don't like her," he whined. "She looks awful! Like homeless people."

Bankotsu dug into his armor, producing a pouch. He effortlessly tossed it to Jakotsu, who caught it easily. Jakotsu gave the pouch an inquisitive look.

"Go look for some boy toys while I am away."

Sighing, Jakotsu got up from his uncomfortable seat on the ground. Stretching a bit, Jakotsu hid the pouch filled with coins within his robes. "Eh, well, I guess it's fair. Bye Aniki."

Bankotsu, who was already walking, waved his hand in parting before disappearing down the hillside.

-.-.-.-

Another wonderful chapter of SB has been completed! Hope you guys enjoyed! Chapter 9 is finished but I don't want to post it up yet since it hasn't been proofread. Hopefully, it'll be proofread as well as posted by next weekend. Right now, my Beta is vacationing so I'll have to do it myself unless I can find another beta before the week is done.

Something I've been meaning to address since a lot of people have been writing to me and complaining – Bankotsu is not out of character in this story! He is acting the way he is because I actually plan to give him some background history instead of just saying he just exists. In the terms of my English teacher, I am making him "3-D and more lifelike". Out of character for Bankotsu would be him bawling his eyes out over losing a fight or him flirting endlessly with Miroku while carrying a pink purse. Feeling remorse and sorrow is not out of character for him since he is obviously capable of these emotions with his brothers. If it bothers you that I plan to make these characters grow throughout the story, then read a different story with no character development. Sorry but I just had to get that off of my chest.

Either way, let us discuss the chapter! A lot of the plot begins to show in this chapter –Sango's been super sneaky lately and Miroku seems to know something that Kagome doesn't. Not to mention, where's Inuyasha in all of this? Just some questions to leave your brains ticking.

SangOtaku6