Disclaimer: I do not own or make profit from the Inuyasha series Copyrights to Inuyasha and Characters belongs to Rumiko Takahashi I only own the plot and story line to this story and my oc's.

I want to thank Demoness-MarlstonWells69ner for the suggestion of adding Sesshomaru's group.

Chapter Ten:

A Quarrel and Return to FE:

XOXOXO:

Kagome's eyes narrowed and her hands planted firmly on her hips. "Inuyasha is not 'no good' he just has a lot on his mind - that's all."

Bankotsu's face turned red. "How the hell can you stand there defending that worthless half breed? All he ever does is makes you cry and I am the one, who ends up having to deal with your tears!" He stood there with stormy blue eyes.

Her hands balled into fists by her sides and her lips pressed tightly together. She stomped her foot petulantly. "Inuyasha is not worthless!"

Bankotsu moved to stand directly in front of her, staring at her eye to eye. He reached out roughly gripping her arms. "Are you with him or not?"

Kagome gasped. He continued to tighten his bruising grip. She glared at him. "Why the hell do you care?"

His eyes dangerously narrowed and his nostrils flared. "Answer me now, Kagome. Are you with Inutrasha or not?"

Kagome whimpered in pain. "No okay, now let me go!" She tried to free herself from his grasp.

He glared into her eyes a moment and then released her, turning his back to her. His chest heaved. "You are a fool, Kagome. Inutrasha is never going to leave the dead priestess. The sooner you realize that, the sooner you can quit wasting your tears on that selfish mutt."

Kagome gasped and her eyes filled with un-shed tears.

He inhaled and exhaled several deep breaths. "If you refuse to see that, then no one can do anything else for you." He closed his eyes. "Until you accept the fact that he has no desire to be with you, you will never be happy."

He heard her fall to her knees sobbing. His hand shoved through his bangs and he snorted. 'I hate to see her crying… especially when I know damn well it was my words that had caused it. But, I refuse to back down this time.' His arms ached with the need to hold her. His eyes flew open and he faced her. "Stop bawling like a damned baby and get your ass up."

'What happened to the sweet guy from earlier? Why is he being such a jerk to me now?' She glared at him.

He held her gaze unflinchingly and spoke evenly. "The sooner you accept things, the sooner you can get on with your life."

Her heart squeezed painfully as his words filtered through to her brain. 'Why is he doing this? Why the sudden change in attitude?' She sniffed and tried to stare through the blurry vision of her tears.

'Since we came to my time he's been almost like a normal guy… So why is he hurting me now?' Her cheeks flushed red. "How the hell would you know how he feels?" Her eyes flashed with defiance.

He stood firm. "If Inutrasha really loved you, he would comfort you instead of making you cry all the damned time."

She recoiled as if he had slapped her.

"I have been patient enough, but no more! From now on when you cry over what Inutrasha does, I will no longer bear sympathy for you." His massive arms crossed over his chest as he stared down at her with cold, hard eyes. "I refuse to coddle you anymore." His teeth ground together. "You are not a weak, whiny, little bitch and I am tired of you acting like one."

"It's not like you care! All I am to you is just a damned toy," Her eyes dared him to deny it.

Bankotsu stared into her eyes, refusing to rise to the bait. He sighed heavily. "Unlike Inutrasha, I care about you and your feelings."

She snorted. 'Sure as hell have a funny way of showing it.'

"You're a strong girl and it is damned time that you start showing it. Especially around that damned half breed."

"If you actually care about my feelings, then why are you being such an asshole?"

Bankotsu's eyes narrowed. "You are allowing yourself to be hurt over and over again, by him." His heart constricted when she continued crying. 'If she is stupid enough to continue allowing that half breed to break her heart then the hell with it! Let her stupid ass get hurt over and over again.'

His cold eyes hardened further. 'Eventually it will either destroy her or she will learn to move on.' His gut twisted with disgust at how weak she was behaving. He yanked her up off the floor by her arms. "Stop crying and start standing up for yourself!"

"Shut up!" She shoved him away.

He stepped back a few paces from the shove and then got right back in her face. "Show me the strong girl that I know you are. Stop crying for someone who doesn't deserve your tears, or you."

"Stop saying that." Kagome beat his chest with her fists.

He stood there letting her continue to pound on his chest. She soaked his dark blue tee shirt with her tears. 'Stay calm Ban,' the mantra played in his head while each blow landed. 'Damn I hope she finishes this crying bull shit soon.' His arms ached needing to hold her, but he remained immobile with his arms by his sides.

Kagome cried until she released her last tear. She let out a gut wrenching sigh and then collapsed against his warm, wet chest. He exhaled a sigh. 'Finally! Now if only she would show some damned backbone towards that fucking mutt.'

"Why?" He shook his head.

Kagome waited with strained silence. When he said nothing, she took a few deep breaths. She placed a slender hand against his muscular chest and pushed away.

His arm snagged her wrist. He tilted her chin up forcing her to stare him in the eyes. "You have to start standing up for yourself. Or else he will just continue to walk all over you and your feelings. So will everyone else."

"I don't want to be alone again."

His tone softened. "You're not alone, I'm here." He sighed. "I may tease you Kagome, but I do care about you."

She inhaled sharply and searched.

"I meant what I said, Kagome." The tension in the air between them fairly crackled. They held each others gazes silently for a long moment. He blinked and released her arm. He sighed and paced. He ran a hand through his bangs. 'Shit! Why am I wasting my time?'

She stumbled back a few steps. She wiped her face free of tears turning away from him and hugged her waist.

"Kagome dear, could you get the door please?"

Kagome forced a fake smile. "Coming, Mama," She walked over to the door with Bankotsu close behind her. She opened it and grabbed one of the bags from her mom's arm.

"Thank you, dear."

"Any time Mama."

Bankotsu reached over and took a bag from Sora as well and then one from Grandfather. Arms loaded with groceries he followed Kagome into the kitchen. Kagome emptied the bag. Bankotsu stood silently across the table emptying the bag's contents onto the table. Sora and Grandfather both did likewise with their bags and then put the things away.

Kagome set the bandages and medical stuff aside. She added two boxes of pocky and several dozen cups of a variety of ramen. Bankotsu stood watching where everything went.

"Grandpa, will you please get my yellow backpack out of my room?"

He grumbled but left to do as she requested. A few minutes later he walked back into the kitchen and handed Kagome her bag. Kagome kissed his cheek. "Thanks." She restocked her bag.

Bankotsu stood beside her bored until he noticed a familiar looking package. "Was that ramen I just saw?"

Kagome blinked. "Yes, it was."

"What's pocky?"

Kagome sighed heavily and turned around. "Mama, where's the ice cream?"

"Here dear," She showed Kagome the ice cream.

Bankotsu's eyes lit with remembered pleasure as he eyed the container.

Sora smiled and dished up ice cream for the two of them. She turned holding Bankotsu's bowl of ice cream and a spoon out to him. "Here you go Bankotsu."

"Thanks." He took the bowl and ate his ice cream with a look of pure pleasure written across his face.

Kagome immediately ate her ice cream.

"You two are at least going to wait until morning to leave, right? I have a special treat planned for dinner tonight."

"Sure Mama, besides we could use the sleep tonight before trudging through the Feudal Era again."

Bankotsu nodded once. "But, first thing tomorrow we are leaving. We have already been gone long enough." He firmly held Kagome's gaze.

She nodded once and then looked away.

Sora beamed. "Well then, I will start dinner."

Bankotsu and Kagome both went outside to sit under the sacred tree. Bankotsu sat with his back against it and his fingers laced behind his head, staring out at the open area in front of them. After a while he finished calming down and closed his eyes.

Kagome sat on one side of him with her back to him. 'I will not cry over this anymore - especially in front of him.' She hugged her knees to her chest and laid her chin on her knees with her arms around her legs. 'As much as it hurt to hear Bankotsu to say that stuff, the more I think about it, the more it actually makes sense. Inuyasha does love Kikyo and she still loves him… I will never hold his heart.'

She took a deep breath. 'So what do I do now? I love Inuyasha. I have known that for a long time now. I have also known for a while now, that he doesn't reciprocate my feelings. It hurts knowing that the one you loved can't return your feelings.'

She sighed heavily. "Unrequited love bites!" She inhaled sharply. "Oh Kami! Poor Ayame… is this how she feels whenever she sees Kouga?" She stifled a sob. 'Ayame, I hope that someday Kouga will finally see that you two belong together. Then at least you two can be happy together.'

She felt a breeze cross her skin and shivered slightly. She stood up., "We should go inside. It will be dark soon."

'What was she thinking about?' He stood up and nodded. He followed her inside.

XOXOXO:

Sora heard them enter. "I was just about to come and get you two, supper is ready. Come and eat." They walked into the kitchen and sat at the table.

Grandpa blinked. 'These two have obviously been arguing.' He cleared his throat. "You two should - "

Sora held up a smaller tray. "Try the pickles father, I made them just the way you like them."

"Um, okay, thanks," Grandpa blinked and dug into his pickles.

Sora placed Bankotsu and Kagome's plates in front of them and carried hers to the table.

Bankotsu eyed the food. "What is it?" He pointed to his meat.

Sora smiled. "Its steak."

Bankotsu frowned and cut a piece. He lifted it and sniffed it. He cautiously moved it to his mouth and experimentally chewed it. His eyes lit up and he swallowed the bite. "This is some good stuff." He eagerly dug into the rest of his food.

Sora blushed. "I made plenty Bankotsu, would you like some more?"

His eyes lit up and he nodded. "You're a really good cook."

Sora beamed at his praise. "Why thank you," she served him a second plateful, which he devoured just as eagerly.

Kagome watched her mother's face light up at his words. She smiled graciously. "Thanks mama."

"Anytime dear," Sora smiled. She turned around and washed the dishes.

"Good night everyone." Kagome and Bankotsu collected her yellow bag and walked up to her room.

Bankotsu cleared his throat. "We should get some sleep, because we are leaving as soon as the sun rises."

Kagome nodded. "Turn around so I can get ready for bed." Bankotsu grumbled under his breath and complied. Kagome quickly changed into her sweats. "Okay, you can look now."

Bankotsu turned around and sat down. He pulled out preparing to polish his Banryu. She climbed onto the bed and lay down on her side facing away from him. He polished Banryu.

Feeling worn out from the day's events Kagome closed her eyes quickly drifting off to sleep.

He heard her breathing slowly even out. He breathed a sigh of relief and stood up placing his Banryu gently against the wall. He quickly shed his borrowed clothing and slipped back into his hakamas.

'One minute we're fighting and the next she is crying. Then she stops crying and gets really quiet.' He frowned. 'Even though I know damn well she was still mad at me, she mentioned it was getting dark and we should go inside.' He snorted. 'Crazy girl.'

He shrugged and climbed into bed. He stretched out on his side, yawning and faced away from her. 'What are you doing to me Kagome?' He sighed heavily and then closed his eyes following her into slumber.

XOXOXO:

Bankotsu awoke with the first rays of sunlight that drifted through the window. He rolled over and lightly shook Kagome. "It's time to get up Kagome."

He rolled out of bed and pulled on his haori and armor. Kagome's eyes opened and she sat up yawning while she stretched. He turned his back to her and hefted Banryu onto his shoulder.

She stood and changed into her school outfit. Kagome stood up with her bag on her back and turned to face him. "Are you ready, Bankotsu?" Bankotsu nodded and followed her down the stairs.

Sora popped her head around the corner. "Morning, you two. Come on into the kitchen. Breakfast is ready."

Kagome smiled. "Thanks, mama."

Sora placed plates full of waffles, sausage and scrambled eggs on the table.

"This looks great, thanks Mama." Kagome eagerly ate her food.

"This is delicious, thank you Sora." Bankotsu ate his food.

"You're welcome." Sora smiled and placed a bag of black boxes on the table.

Kagome's eyes widened. "Wow. Thank you, Mama." She hugged her mom.

Sora smiled. "You're welcome dear. At least this way I know that you and your friends will eat well for a couple of days."

"Those are food?" Bankotsu stared in awe while pointing to the black bento boxes.

Sora grinned. "I was up all night making them. There are two specifically made for you, two for Kagome and the rest are for the others. The four for you two are neatly labeled with your names." Sora winked at him. "I even added a bit of extra steak in one of yours."

"Thanks," Bankotsu grinned and grabbed the bag.

Sora laughed. "You're welcome." She laid a hand on his shoulder. "Take care of my daughter for me, okay?" She stared directly into his eyes.

He blinked and then nodded. "She is in safe hands."

Sora smiled. "I know she is." She hugged her daughter. "Stay safe Kagome and be happy." She whispered, "You should add these pants and sweater to your bag."

Kagome raised a brow.

Sora smiled. "In case it gets colder later."

Kagome smiled sheepishly. "Ya know, I never would have thought of that. Thanks for looking out for me Mama." She added the clothing into her bag and hefted it back onto her shoulder. "Well, let's get going."

Sora smiled at Bankotsu. "It was a pleasure meeting you and I do hope to see you again."

"It was nice meeting you too and I hope to return sometime." He smiled. 'For a mom, she's kind of cool.'

Kagome cleared her throat. "Thanks Mama, for everything." She hugged her mother tightly. "I love you."

"I love you too dear. Now go on and don't keep your friends waiting," Sora waved her daughter off.

Bankotsu carried Banryu on his shoulder and the bag of bento boxes on his other shoulder.

He and Kagome walked over to the well. They stopped long enough for Bankotsu to strap Banryu securely to his back. He scooped Kagome into his arms. Clutching both bags to her Kagome blinked at him. Bankotsu took a deep breath and jumped into the well. Bankotsu and Kagome were surrounded by a bluish white light.

Kagome felt the familiar warmth envelope them. Bankotsu had wide eyes and held his breath. After a minute the light disappeared and they gently touched the bottom. Bankotsu and Kagome looked up and saw nothing but a clear blue sky. Bankotsu released his breath and blinked a few times. "I don't think I'll ever get used to that."

He squatted down and then pushed off with his legs. He jumped high into the air and landed gracefully on his feet outside of the well.

"Put me down."

He gently lowered her to her feet. Kagome lowered the bags. He embedded Banryu into the earthen soil and then they turned to face each other fully. Kagome cleared her throat and chewed on her bottom lip.

'She must be trying to get the courage to say something.' Bankotsu stared at her for a full minute. When it became apparent that she wouldn't say anything, he sighed heavily. "We should get going. I'm sure the others are anxious."

She nodded and placed her bag on her back. Bankotsu pulled Banryu out of the ground, settling it on his shoulder and grabbed the food bag. They started off down the hill both wearing frowns and looking anywhere but at each other.

Inuyasha was sitting in a tree. He smelled them when they jumped out of the well. He watched the exchange. 'Could they be fighting? Kagome usually gets quiet for a while after arguing with someone - especially me.' Inuyasha grinned deviously as he jumped out of the tree and ran ahead un-detected towards Kaede's hut.

Bankotsu and Kagome arrived at Kaede's hut. Sango smiled. "Kagome, did you have fun?"

Kagome nodded. "Yeah, Sango. Oh and Mama sent some food."

Bankotsu lowered the bag. Kagome pulled out their four boxes and gave the rest to Sango. Sango grinned. "Thank your mother for us."

"I will."

Sango passed out the boxes.

Jakotsu frowned and stared at the box. "What's this?"

Kagome smiled proudly. "My mother loves to cook. She stayed up all night making these meals for all of us."

Jakotsu removed the lid and frowned as he sniffed it. "So what is it?"

"This is an omelet, this is rice with shrimp and this is homemade bread."

"What is that meat besides the shrimp?" Jakotsu poked at it.

Bankotsu grinned. "Its steak and boy can that woman cook," He opened one of his boxes and inhaled deeply.

Inuyasha's ears perked up. "Steak? Where is mine?" Sango handed Inuyasha a box. He opened it and eagerly devoured his meal.

Bankotsu noticed Jakotsu and Tara eying their food suspiciously and smiled. "Ja, if you don't eat that steak, I will. Her mama is one of the best cooks I have ever met."

"No way, you eat your own," Jakotsu covered his boxed meal and took a bite.

Tara tasted her meal and practically inhaled it.

"Lady Kagome and her mother bless us with such pleasurable meals every once in a while. Lady Kagome is a mighty good cook herself."

"Thank you, Miroku. At least somebody appreciates my cooking," Kagome smiled at the monk and then sent a scowl towards Inuyasha. "Unlike others."

"Yes, Kagome is quite a cook as well. I was lucky enough to have her cooking while we were gone." Bankotsu smiled. "Her omelets practically melt in your mouth."

"Thanks," Kagome blinked and then went back to her meal. Bankotsu frowned. 'So she's still mad at me, eh?' He shrugged and went back to enjoying his steak.

"Kagome child, be sure to thank ye mother for me," Kaede grinned and savored her meal. Kagome nodded.

Renkotsu dug into his meal with as much fervor as the others. "This is delicious."

Kagome smiled. "Mama makes the best dishes I've ever tasted."

Jakotsu blinked. "Wow! That was good."

Bankotsu smiled at his brother. "After we have eaten it will be time to pack up." Everyone nodded and finished eating. Bankotsu pat his full belly with a lazy, satisfied grin on his face. "Now that's what I call good food." Everyone nodded their agreement.

Inuyasha eyed the other boxes in front of Kagome and Bankotsu. "What are those for?"

"No you don't Inuyasha! Mama made those specifically for me and Bankotsu."

Inuyasha snorted.

Bankotsu smirked. "Yeah, Sora made those just for us." His eyes met the mutt's and his smirk widened.

Kagome turned to him. "Just because Mama made you a special meal, doesn't mean you have to rub it in his face. Mama cooks extra for Inuyasha when he is there as well, so don't let it go to your head."

Bankotsu snorted. "Whatever." He stood with his box in his hands and slipped it back into the bag.

"Hey Kagome, I bet Souta missed me, huh?"

Kagome's tone evened out. "He asked about you."

Inuyasha smiled and puffed out his chest. 'Ha! Take that you dumb mercenary.'

Bankotsu snorted. "Let's get going." Kagome sighed heavily and nodded. Bankotsu walked off. Kagome immediately followed him.

Inuyasha paced. "Miroku, Sango, how long does it take for you two to have your asses ready?" He ran over to stand by Kagome's side.

Bankotsu scowled. "Jakotsu, Renkotsu, Tara, get your asses moving!"

Jakotsu nodded. "Ready big brother."

Bankotsu projected in a loud voice, "Move out!" He walked off. Kagome was by his side. Inuyasha walked by her other side. Bankotsu's jaw clenched. "Don't you have somewhere else to be?"

Inuyasha smirked. "Something wrong, Bankotsu?"

Kagome sighed. "Don't start you two."

'So they are fighting… perfect.' Inuyasha smirked.

Bankotsu snorted. "Why don't you go walk beside Jakotsu. I'm sure he would be more than happy for your company."

Inuyasha glared at him. "Not in a million years." He grabbed Kagome's hand. "Besides, I like walking beside Kagome."

'Oh no, you are not starting that shit again! I refuse to be a damned chew toy.' Kagome slipped her hand out of Inuyasha's. Inuyasha frowned.

Bankotsu smirked. 'Good, she's a smart girl.'

Kagome stopped in her tracks. "I sense the jewel."

"Where?"

"Straight ahead."

"I'm on it," Inuyasha puffed out his chest and ran ahead. Inuyasha halted dead in his tracks. A prone figure was laying on the ground, with Sesshomaru standing over him. Sesshomaru stared up at something or rather someone in the air.

"Sesshomaru, what are you doing here?"

Bankotsu knelt down. "Climb on." Kagome shook her head no. Bankotsu scowled. "Why the hell not?"

"It's Kohaku," Sango pointed to her brother's prone form. She ran over to her brother's side. "Kohaku?"

Kohaku blinked. "S... Sango?"

Bankotsu stared at Sesshomaru. "What happened?"

Kohaku breathed raggedly. "Naraku..."

Everyone looked up to see Kagura floating on a feather and holding up a shard. "Don't hate me Kohaku, I was only following orders." She gazed sadly and then quickly flew off before Inuyasha recovered from his shocked state.

Sango glared at Kagura. "I'll kill you for this!"

"Sango... stop," Kohaku moaned.

"Kohaku..."

He held and squeezed her hand. "Remember me Sango," he breathed and then ceased breathing.

Kagome knelt beside her friend. "I'm so sorry Sango." Sango hugged Kagome and broke down crying.

Sesshomaru felt Tenseiga pulse at his side. "Move back."

Miroku pulled Sango back.

Everyone looked on with baited breath. Sesshomaru drew out Tenseiga and sliced the underworld's minions away. He sheathed Tenseiga and Kohaku inhaled deeply.

"Kohaku? Oh Kohaku. Thank Kami!" Sango embraced her brother sobbing into his chest. "Thank you, Sesshomaru, thank you!"

Kagome fell to her knees crying. Bankotsu gently knelt beside her and hesitantly wrapped his arms around her. Kagome surprised turned into him and buried her head on his chest. Bankotsu blinked a few times and murmured softly.

Inuyasha scowled. "Keep your hands off her you damn murderer."

Bankotsu glared at him. "Shut it, half breed."

Sesshomaru walked calmly over towards Rin and Jaken. 'What is this all about?'

"Thank you, my lord!" Rin threw herself into him clamping her arms around his leg.

Sesshomaru gently laid a hand on top of her head. "The boy will be fine Rin. Now calm yourself."

Kagome pulled away from Bankotsu's chest. He reluctantly dropped his arms turning away. She wiped away her tears away. "Thank you, Sesshomaru."

"Why are you with these mercenaries?"

Bankotsu stared at him. "Why did you save the boy?"

Miroku bowed. "Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru."

"I do not require your thanks, monk. He saved Rin. I returned the favor." His eyes narrowed on Bankotsu. "Why are you three with the priestess and her friends?"

Bankotsu answered evenly. "We are allies now."

Sesshomaru frowned. "Why?"

Kagome sighed. "It's a long story."

Inuyasha stormed over to stand beside Kagome and then yanked her to his side. He faced Bankotsu. "You keep your hands off of her."

Bankotsu glared at him. "I didn't see you trying to comfort her any, so shut your trap, Inutrasha!"

Kagome shoved Inuyasha away. "Both of you stop it now," she glared from one to the other.

XOXOXO:

Author's Note: Okay guys and gals there is the improved chapter ten. Please remember to read and review thanks.