Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha. I'm pretty sure all you people out there knew that though.

Thanks again to my awesome beta KaidaThorn. You rock!

So... sorry updates are taking so long. I should probably get started on the next chapter... but I'm too lazy :P
It'll be out eventually though!

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Chapter Ten: Random Chiz

I pulled away from the kiss first. 'Did I really just do that?'

Bankotsu looked surprised, and then smirked. "You've wanted to do that for a long time, huh? Well, I don't blame you. With my charming personality and good looks, I would want to do it too."

I laughed and smiled as I looked at the sun rising over the horizon, the sky getting lighter and lighter.

"We better get back before the others wake up," I said, even though I'd like to stay and watch the sunrise more.

"Alright," he said.

We got up and started walking back to camp. He kept looking straight ahead, but instead of spacing out like he usually would, I could tell that his brain wasn't miles away. It was down here, on Earth, with me. He looked down at me and smiled. I smiled back.

We just finished eating lunch and I was sitting in the shade of a big tree, tying pieces of grass together out of boredom. It was so long; I could wrap it around my head twice. Jakotsu and Renkotsu were chatting by the river while Daichi and Daiki were having a heated debate. Natsuki was STILL all over Bankotsu. Well, she isn't hanging onto his arm anymore, Bankotsu put a stop to that. But she wouldn't leave him alone for a minute. I could tell Bankotsu was spacing out again by how his eyes were all glazed over. Natsuki didn't notice though. She just kept talking, and talking, and talking….

"Hey, Pandy!"

I finished tying another piece of grass to the chain and looked up to see Daichi.

"Hey, Daichi," I replied.

He sat beside me. "What are you doing?" he asked, pointing to the string of grass in my lap.

"Um, nothing really. I'm just tying pieces of grass together."

He looked confused. "What's the point of doing that?" he asked.

"There isn't a point," I said. "I'm just really bored."

He still looked confused.

I sighed and looked back at Natsuki and Bankotsu. Natsuki was still chatting away, but it didn't look like Bankotsu was still spacing out. He was looking over at me and Daichi, and he looked a bit… annoyed? I wasn't sure. I looked over at Jakotsu who was talking to Daiki.

'What happened to Renkotsu?' I wondered.

My question was answered when he walked out of the trees. 'He was probably setting stuff on fire or something,' I thought. '…Pyromaniac.'

Renkotsu went up to Bankotsu and they started talking. I tried listening in but could only hear bits and pieces of their conversation.

"He's coming?" I heard Bankotsu ask. "Why aren't…"

"….on his trail…get….." I heard Renkotsu reply.

'That TOTALLY made sense,' I thought with a frown.

"So, have you thought about it?" asked Daichi

I blink a couple times in confusion. "Huh?"

"Have you thought about leaving these killers and living with me in my castle?"

"Yeah," I lied. To be honest, I could care less about that. I have WAY more important things to think about.

Like how to get that crazy Natsuki away from Bankotsu. It's called PRIORITY, people! "I think I'll stay with the Band of Seven."

Daichi looked confused. I could tell he was about to ask why, but he decided against it.

'Smart choice.'

"Well, you still have more time to decide," he said.

I saw Bankotsu get up. "Alright everyone, I just got news that Riku managed to get away from Suikotsu and Mukotsu and is on his way here. Suikotsu and Mukotsu are after him, but we need to get Natsuki out of here. Daiki, Daichi, Pandy, and I will get Natsuki out of here. Renkotsu, you and Jakotsu go help Mukotsu and Suikotsu."

Jakotsu and Renkotsu left immediately. We quickly packed up our things and started walking away from the river. For the first time, like, EVER, Natsuki wasn't hanging all over Bankotsu. Instead, Daichi and Daiki were standing beside her protectively. I don't get it, Natsuki is a snobby brat and they still want to protect her. I mean, sure: they're her brothers, and maybe deep down inside, Natsuki does care for her bro- nah, she doesn't care for them. But still, why care about someone who treats you like crap?

Since Natsuki wasn't fawning all over Bankotsu for the first time like, EVER, I took advantage of this rare opportunity and walked up to him.

"Hey," I greeted.

He looked down and smiled at me. "Hey."

I felt his hand brush against mine and blushed. I quickly grabbed his hand before I could chicken out.

He didn't pull his hand away.

'This is great,' I thought, 'Except for the fact Riku is on our trail. But that's Natsuki's problem.'

I thought I felt someone staring at me and I glanced back. I smirked when I saw Natsuki fuming, fists clenched tight as she glared at me.

'Just when I thought things couldn't get any better,' I thought to myself with a smile. 'The look on Natsuki's face…!'

The trees kept getting denser as we continued on in the forest. Everything was dark, and the sun was blocked out by all the trees. I was starting to feel uneasy. I could sense the presence of many demons nearby. I glanced over at Bankotsu, but he seemed perfectly calm. Suddenly, I sensed a powerful energy coming straight for us. I immediately knew it was Riku.

"Ban-"I started, but was cut off.

"Daiki, Daichi, take Natsuki and Pandy and get out of here," he ordered before going off in Riku's direction. I was on my guard as I followed Daiki and Daichi out of the woods. We were standing outside the forest, and I could tell neither Daichi nor Daiki knew what to do. Natsuki, of course, was just standing there with a sour look on her face.

I sighed and shook my head, just wishing that Bankotsu would hurry up and kill Riku already.

I started to think, 'Both Mukotsu and Suikotsu are quite strong, how come Riku was able to escape from them so easily?' I wondered. 'Then Renkotsu and Jakotsu went off to help, and Riku still managed to get away and come after Natsuki. It seems like he's trying to avoid fighting any member of the Band of Seven and coming straight for Natsuki. So he probably isn't the greatest fighter, even if he does seem to be strong. He's also quite sneaky.'

My thoughts were interrupted as I sensed Riku's energy coming toward us again.

'He managed to get away from Bankotsu too?' I thought frantically. I got my bow and grabbed an arrow from my quiver, just as he emerged from the trees. I bit my lip nervously as he looked up and smirked menacingly at me.