A/N: First of all I'd like to send a big thank you to everyone that reads and or reviews. You brighten my day and I never in my wildest dreams thought this story would be as popular as it has been. Just like to remind you all while I have your attention that IYFG is currently voting for 1st quarter awards, if you're a member and so inclined, this story has been nominated for best dark/horror. This chapter is a bit of an interlude to get the plot caught up. It was originally written for Iyhedonism on livejournal for the prompt "Who's your Mama" Enjoy, and thanks again for reading.
There was so much blood it ran in rivers down the mountain side. They should've known there would've been interference in their quest to rescue Kagome, but half the Band of Seven?
They'd killed them all one by one. Ginkotsu had been first. The whirling of his strange mechanic body, the sick grinding noise before he exploded, still rang in Sango's ears. Renkotsu hadn't been far behind him, Miroku and Sango still bore the burns, sick reminders of the torture they'd endured. But somehow they'd persevered. Muikotsu came next. He was quickly defeated, sucked into the vortex in Miroku's hand, along with all his poisons. The poison that coursed through Miroku's body after that, had kept them out of commission for days. Sango had spent three days in a cave, without sleep, watching over his fever raked body. Finally he'd recovered, but just barely.
Sango couldn't bring herself to think about what type of torture Kagome had endured during that time. She could only pray she was safe.
Today had been the final day, the day Suikotsu arrived. They were both exhausted to the point of collapse, and he'd nearly hacked them apart, piece by piece, working them over slowly. Blood ran everywhere, they were moving in a red haze. Miroku's Kazana was useless, there was nothing they could do, this was how they were going to die… then by sheer luck there had been an opening. Suikotsu left himself exposed to Sango's short sword. She drove the blade in to the hilt, there was no blood only ash. The blade had hit just the right spot; she hit the shard and the life that had been Suikotsu faded away, like dust on the wind. She collapsed to her knees then. Miroku lay a few feet away still too weak from the poison.
"Miroku," her voice was weak, she reached out for him clutching his hand in her own, "how are we supposed to go on?"
Miroku let out a ragged breath, "We have to. Who else will be able to save Kagome?"
Sango shut her eyes, willing the energy to continue on, to come to her. "You're right."
Merciless laughter cut through the air, sending a cold chill down Sango's spine, she jerked her head around just in time to greet Bankotsu as he strolled towards them.
"It seems I have some more playmates," he smirked.
The air crackled with youki and spiritual powers, the scent of singed hair carried on the wind. He watched as Inuyasha struggled to his feet, propped up by the sheath of Tetesaiga. His hair was matted, and burned, his dog like ears plastered to his skull. His eyes were red rimmed with rage. How many days had he been attempting to cross the border and failed? It was pathetic really.
'Now or never I suppose.' He strolled forward through the barrier, without the slightest flicker of energy. Inuyasha was so absorbed in the barrier he did not even notice his new visitor.
"My, my how the mighty have fallen, Inuyasha," he purred his name like a lover.
Inuyasha turned feral eyes to the intruder, "Jakotsu," he growled. His hands fisted, and un-fisted, "Tell me where Kagome is, or I will shove my hand into your gut."
Jakotsu shivered with desire, "Oh, Inuyasha," he purred, "cutting right to the chase I see. And here I was hoping we could play a game of Who's Your Mama."
A wild snarl escaped Inuyasha's lips, revealing elongated fangs. Jakotsu took a step back, unsheathing Jakotsutou.
"Now, play nice puppy, I have a proposition for you," Jakotsu cooed, running his index finger along his blade.
"What the hell do you have that I would want?" Inuyasha demanded.
A cruel smile curled his crimson lips, "Information."
Inuyasha stood down, his ears firmly held against his head in agitation. "What can you tell me?" he barked.
Jakotsu dropped Jakotsutou to his side, and strode over to Inuyasha. "Exactly what you need to hear," he teased. Inuyasha suppressed a snarl at the back of his throat as he watched the cross-dresser circle him. "I know how to get to Kagome."
"Why would you help me?" Inuyasha narrowed his eyes at him.
Jakotsu's brow furrowed, "Because that bitch is in the way."
"Don't you dare call Kagome a bitch!" Inuyasha snapped.
Jakotsu held up a finger wagging it back and forth. "You are not in the position to be making demands." He held a finger to his chin. "Now, where was I? Oh yes, how you can save Kagome." An evil smile twisted his lips. "You need to be human."
Sango scuttled back, taking a defensive pose in front of the prone Miroku.
"Bankotsu, what have you done with Kagome?" she demanded. Using Hiraikotsu as a crutch she managed to stand.
"Eager to meet your untimely end I see," Bankotsu teased, making languid steps towards them.
"Shut up, where's Kagome?" Sango shouted, her knees wobbling beneath her.
"This is hilarious," Bankotsu chuckled, "You think you're going to get any information out of me? Like that."
Sango bit her lip against the shooting pain that sent electric sparks through her body.
"Or, would you like to join Kagome, maybe?" He strolled closer, his dark eyes accessing. "Then again, I think not. I've already got my hands full with Kagome." He laughed.
"You bastard," Sango breathed.
Bankotsu hefted Banyru onto his shoulder, "I've been called that a time or two." He smirked, glancing from Sango to the now unconscious Miroku. "Tell you what, I'm feeling generous, I'll let you two go. Besides, there's no honor in killing a half-dead monk and an injured woman."
"What do you know about honor?" Sango spat.
The smirk never left his lips, "More than you realize."
He could see the way Sango swayed on her feet. She was a goner. He was starting to lose his patience and his interest. He turned to walk away, they'd be dead within the day, he didn't need to take their lives himself, even if they killed his brothers.
"Just give us back Kagome!" Sango pleaded.
"You can't have her; Kagome is mine."