Chapter 9: Band of Seven
The InuYasha crew plus Kouga and now Ginta and Hakkaku who followed their leader were faced off against the band of seven. Bankotsu stood face to face with Kouga as Jakotsu did with InuYasha. Kyokotsu stood well over Hakkaku as Ginkotsu did to Kirara and Miroku. Renkotsu was ready to go with Shippo and Sango as was Suikotsu with Ginta. That left Mukotsu against Kagome.
"Let's dance." Jakotsu whispered to InuYasha striking him with her snake like blade. It hit him straight in his right shoulder as he wasn't ready for the attack. "If I could choose I would keep you alive my puppy dog." InuYasha glared and pulled out his Tessaiga.
"Wind scar!" InuYasha unleased his attack, but Jakotsu was not there when he finished instead he was smirking just off to the side. Meanwhile Kagome readied her arrow for an attack on Mukotsu.
"Hit the Mark!" Kagome yelled and would've done it if not for Bankotsu being so close to put his sword out in front of it even if it did fall from his arms. Kouga took this as his chance and power kicked Bankotsu right to the ground. Kagome was ready to attack again, but Mukotsu was no longer there but behind her and placed a cloth over her mouth.
"Kagome!" Kouga shouted was the last thing she heard.
"Hey wolf you better watch out!" Bankotsu warned striking his leg before he could jump away. Hakkaku sent a foot flying into Kyokotsu's head at just the right angle to knock out his jewel shard and send his body to ashes. "Brothers! Kyokotsu is dead we cannot lose another!" Before anyone else could see the shard Bankotsu swiped it up. Jakotsu had a swipe across his cheek, Suikotsu had a few claw marks, and the rest had nothing visible. "I'll find Mukotsu you guys head out!"
"Are you guys just running!" InuYasha yelled.
"I'm sorry we must go but I will see you another day." Jakotsu flirted. With that they followed their orders and left as Bankotsu ran the other way.
"We need to find Kagome." Kouga pointed out the obvious. "I can smell her north." InuYasha nodded ready to lead the wolf and they went running after Bankotsu.
….
"Lord, where are we headed now!" Rin asked walking alongside her lord Sesshomaru. They had been walking for miles now far from the West.
"Rin, we are going to see my half-brother I have business to ask of him." They were headed towards the village he often found his half-brother in. He needed to ask a favor something he didn't like to do, but he knew the miko who walked with his half-brother would watch Rin if needed as he had a fight to go to with the cat demons and did not want Rin in the mix.
"Do you think we'll be there soon?" Sesshomaru's only weak spot was this human. He nodded hoping she'd quiet down, but something caught his attention it was the smell of Kagome the very miko he needed help from. He started to follow the scent and found a cave in which he saw a short fat man in white coverings tying a rope around her as she was unconscious.
"Rin stay with Jaken." He ordered going in the cave. He had his sword ready. "Who are you?"
"Oh I'm Mukotsu and you may think I'm not a challenge, but just wait!" The man laughed, but Sesshomaru stayed serious. Mukotsu undid a basket and out leaked poison, but Sesshomaru was unfazed. "What?!"
"This does not affect me be ready to die!" In one swipe the man was dead and in ashes. He saw a jewel shard and grabbed it then grabbed up the miko. He walked out and Rin was shocked to see Kagome with him.
"Isn't that the girl who travels with your brother?"
"Half-brother." Sesshomaru corrected taking Kagome to a patch of grass to untie her and take the cloth from her mouth. He immediately smelled another demon and turned around.
"You defeated my brother I must exact revenge!" Bankotsu called out, but Sesshomaru did not want the fight.
"I am not here for a fight I just need my-"
"Sesshomaru?!" InuYasha called out surprised to see his half-brother there.
"Oh you two are brothers?"
"Half." They said in unison. They wanted to argue, but looked to Bankotsu who was ready for a fight. Kouga came from behind though and sent a claw into Bankotsu's back lifting him and then slamming him into the ground. Bankotsu stood up and faced the wolf taking his challenge and letting the brothers be.
"What are you doing here?" InuYasha asked.
"I needed you to watch over Rin for a few days while I took on the cat demons, but it seems like you have your hands full."
"You were asking for my help?"
"More for the miko who travels with you, but yes I knew of no one else to go to."
"Yes we do have our hands full, but I'm sure if you head to the village near my forest you can find Kaede who would help." Sesshomaru nodded a thanks before getting Jaken and Rin to leave and pointing to where Kagome was beginning to wake and handing the shard he got over.
"I will fight you another day wolf!" Bankotsu was gone with a few claw marks, and Kouga was left with huge gashes in both legs and a good gash in his right shoulder.
"InuYasha? Kouga?" Kagome asked seeing both. They both got to her quick as the others just arrived being slower than the half demon and wolf demon who beat them. "What happened?" They explained that Sesshomaru rescued her and InuYasha filled in everyone why his half-brother was there.
"The sun is setting we should set camp in the cave." Miroku said and everyone agreed. Kagome noticed the gashes on Kouga and set a hand on his arm.
"Let me bandage you up." Kouga didn't want to fight with her and just nodded. Kagome and him went to the cave as the others prepared dinner. Kagome got into her bag and began to wrap his legs.
"Kagome thank you." Kagome smiled at the wolf who took off his armor for her to bandage his shoulder completely.
"You know you don't have to defend me Kouga." Before she could start he sat up grabbing her hands.
"Kagome I do. You're my women. You may still not accept me as your mate, but I have to protect you because if you do choose me then I have to have proven my rights to be your mate." Kagome was speechless and Kouga was ready to be wrapped. Kagome continued and smiled as Kouga placed his armor back on getting up first. "Let's head to dinner." He offered a hand and she took it as they walked out.
"Thank you." She pressed a kiss to his cheek before they got into the moon light. Kouga's face had a blush over take it so happy to have this miko next to him.
