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 all OC's.

A HUGE Thank you SangOtaku6 for your many ideas, suggestions, and mostly your advice :)

XOXOXO:

Unexpected:

Bankotsu's eyes slowly opened. He took a minute to fully wake up and then yawned and stretched. He carefully leaned over. "Kagome, it's time to get up."

Groaning in protest she opened her eyes. She looked into his face. "Morning."

He shook his head. "Morning' let's get the others up and eat so that we can get going." She nodded. He rose to his feet, pulling her to hers. They walked around waking up the others.

"Jaken wake up Kohaku and Rin and then tend to Ahun while Rin and Kohaku tend to themselves." Sesshomaru walked over and kicked his brother. "Get up or you will be left behind."

"Watch your foot Sesshomaru." He stomped over to the others.

"Sango, Miroku, get the hell up!" They groaned in protest, but stood up and walked over to the river splashing some water in their faces.

Jakotsu caught a hard slap on the ass. He jumped up glaring at his leader. He sighed and walked over to the river, trying to rub the sting away. "Damnit, why does he always have to assault my poor ass?" He knelt by the river and splashed water into his face.

Tara got the alarm clock treatment and jumped up. She glared at them both and then got up, walking towards the river. "Damned indecent hours."

Renkotsu got a foot nudge to the ribs. "Up now and get ready to move out. Don't make me warn you again Ren."

The fire breather groaned dragging himself from his bedroll. He walked towards the river. 'Stupid brat. I'm getting tired of being kicked awake. I suppose a nudge to the ribs is better than that the river though.'

Tara and Sango passed out the bowls of fruit and nuts. Jakotsu smoked some fish. After eating, Bankotsu stood tall and proud overseeing the breakdown of the camp.

Kagome sat waiting by her stuff and stole a peak at Bankotsu. 'Why does he have to be so cute all the time? Do I really like him?' She sighed. 'I like it when he holds me... Inuyasha never really holds me... not like that... I like that Bankotsu makes me feel safe and cared for," her breath hitched nervously.

Bankotsu shouldered Banryu. "Alright we're leaving." He walked over and grabbed Kagome's hand, startling her out of her thoughts. He led her down the path.

Kagome blushed when she felt his strong, warm and calloused hand engulf hers. She looked at him. 'Why does he make me feel like this? Could I really have feelings other than friendship for him? I've been blushing like mad around him lately and I enjoy his kisses.' Sighing Kagome shook her head and concentrated on walking.

Bankotsu noticed the feint blush on her face. His head cocked sideways. 'Is she thinking about me again? Is that why she's blushing?' He smirked and then focused his attention back on the road ahead.

Sango noticed that Kagome kept sneaking peeks at Bankotsu. 'Could Kagome have developed a crush on Bankotsu? What happened to her and Inuyasha? Either way Bankotsu had better not hurt her.'

Miroku glanced at Sango and saw that she looked lost deep in thought. 'Now is my chance,' His hand slowly inched closer towards her irresistible posterior.

Sango's spine stiffened. She glared at the owner of the offending appendage and then removed his hand. "Miroku…!"

Bankotsu winced at the clear sound of skin hitting skin. "Nice contact." He turned to Kagome with laughing eyes. "He's never gonna learn, is he?"

"Never," Kagome shook her head.

Tara grinned and cupped her hands around her mouth. "Nice one that time Sango!"

Sango felt the heat crash onto her face and ducked her head. 'Damned letch, see what you did now.' Tara chuckled.

Sesshomaru shook his head. 'Foolish humans, they behave no better than a pup.' Kohaku and Rin exchanged wide eyed looks, while riding on Ahun.

Jaken shook his head. 'It's such a common occurrence even I have nothing to say about it anymore. Foolish mortals,' Jakotsu sighed. "Give it a rest already."

Renkotsu sighed heavily. 'I can't wait to be rid of these idiots.'

Inuyasha winced. "Damn it Sango, my ears are going to bleed," He glared at the instigator. "Miroku cut that shit out, already!" Sango blushed deeper mumbling an apology to Inuyasha and glaring at Miroku.

Miroku cradled his stinging cheek fondly. 'It's worth it,' A lecherous smile spread across his face.

Shippo grunted. "Idiot." Kirara mewled. The groups continued on without further incident.

After a while Bankotsu gave the signal for everyone to gather round. "We are stopping for the night." Once again he passed out the orders for making camp and hunting. And then grabbed Kagome's hand he led her to another open area.

XOXOXO:

Back at camp everyone went about their duties quickly and efficiently. Tara and Jakotsu left to hunt. Sango and Miroku collected the water. Renkotsu walked along collecting the wood. Inuyasha sulked up in a tree.

Renkotsu finished collecting wood when he heard an insistent buzzing sound. "Tell him I will come tonight," he waved off the insect and then took a thorough gaze around to see if anyone had seen him. Relieved that he had not been discovered he returned to camp with his arms loaded. He dropped the wood and quickly started a fire.

XOXOXO:

"We're going to do things differently today. I want you to climb on my back and hold on."

Kagome nudged the dirt with her foot "Um... what good will that do?"

"Just do it," Bankotsu got into a kneeling position in front of her. The wind slightly blew his bangs.

'Man he's hot when he looks like that,' She climbed onto his back. He stood up. Her eyes widened and she gripped his hips hard with her legs clinging to him for dear life.

"Damn... loosen up a bit!" She instantly loosened her legs so they were not crushing his waist and nearly fell off.

He helped her onto his back. "Tighten your knees without digging into my ribs and hold my shoulders with your hands."

She did as told. "Sorry about that."

"Forget about it, just don't do it again." Once they found their right center of balance, he nodded. "Hold on." She nodded.

He walked around adjusting to the new weight with Banryu in his outstretched arm. He flexed his bicep and swung Banryu a few times. He stumbled once from the unaccustomed weight, but quickly righted himself. Kagome's eyes widened and she gasped, clutching his shoulders tighter.

Bankotsu hid a smile. "It's cool, I won't let you fall."

She stared into his eyes a moment and smiled. "Thanks."

Bankotsu moved around in ever widening circles. A smiled crossed his face as he ran around enjoying the freedom of being able to take off at a run, without the fear of getting killed.

Kagome closed her eyes, secretly enjoying the feel of the muscles in his back and waist as he ran. In her mind she was imagined tracing her fingers along them. She ducked her head as her cheeks bled crimson.

After a few more circles Bankotsu swung Banryu around, whirling it around his head like he usually would. He worked through various different moves with the enormous halberd and felt Kagome trembling against his back. He looked over his shoulder. "What's wrong?" Her wide eyes looked almost comical.

"You were getting a little too close. In fact, you actually cut some of my hair with that thing!"

"Trust me, I won't hurt you," With the utmost care he propped Banryu against a tree and decided to go for a run. 'I'll work on my moves a bit later, once she has calmed down.'

Twenty minutes later Bankotsu took a deep breath. Instead of air, he inhaled her hair. 'Damnit not again… At this rate I'm going to end up choking to death on her hair.' He spat out her. Sighing he stopped and kneeled. "Get down." Kagome blinked and numbly obeyed.

Bankotsu firmly turned Kagome to where her back faced him. "Enough is enough!" He deftly and swiftly braided her hair. He pulled out his spare hair tie and fastened to the end of her hair. Kagome blinked. Bankotsu eyed his work. . "Much better," He nodded in satisfaction.

Bankotsu crouched in front of her. "Climb on." Kagome nodded mutely and cautiously climbed back on.

Bankotsu stood to his feet, making sure Kagome was securely settled on his back. He lifted Banryu and once more ran around jumping and practicing his fighting moves.

Kagome's eyes widened as she realized her hair wasn't in her face. She blushed. "Um... thank you." Bankotsu grunted and continued running without breaking his stride.

'I like the way her soft body rubs and bounces again my back.' Thoughts of her naked flesh gliding against his own spurred his mind to more lustful images. He bit his lip to hold back a groan and didn't notice that his foot was headed towards a rather large and prominent root.

'I wonder if he would let me trace his firm abs? Would they feel like chiseled stone, or still kind of soft?'

He tripped and sent her flying. He landed on top of her with a grunt. They both gasped as tiny jolts of electricity zinged through their bodies. Wide cerulean eyes clashed with deep chocolate eyes. Everything melted away and the world consisted of just the two of them.

Bankotsu's mouth slowly descended toward her full, rose petal lips, which were just begging to be devoured. Kagome blushed deeply. He chuckled and moved her arms from her sides to pin them above her head. He smirked and then captured her lower lip between his teeth. He lightly licked and then nibbled it.

She gasped. Bankotsu slipped his tongue inside her mouth. Kagome moaned and then kissed him back. As their tongues danced together an unexpected guest arrived.

Inuyasha's eyes widened and his face quickly turned into a scowl. A low growl rumbled in his chest and his claws dug into the flesh of his hands as they balled into fists. He stormed towards the kissing couple. The scent of the musk assailed his nostrils. 'He's…' Inuyasha kicked Bankotsu off of Kagome. "Am I interrupting?"

Bankotsu rolled with the kick and onto his feet. He tackled Inuyasha and the two started fighting with the sickening thud of fist hitting flesh.

Kagome quickly moved to her feet. "Bankotsu, Inuyasha, quit fighting you two! Inuyasha stop it. He didn't do anything wrong. Stop fighting!" She ran towards them and tried to separate them.

Once Bankotsu had been pushed far enough away from Inuyasha, Kagome's eyes narrowed. "Sit Boy!"

Inuyasha plummeted face first into the ground leaving a hanyou shaped indentation.

"How dare you attack Bankotsu when he kissed me? He didn't do anything wrong."

'I'm glad that it's the stupid mutt in the ground and not me.' Bankotsu wrapped Kagome in a warm embrace. He pulled her into another kiss, ignoring the growling coming from the crater at their feet. Bankotsu broke the kiss and smiled at Kagome's blushing face. 'She likes when I kiss her eh? Good.' Kagome blushed brighter and hid her face into his chest breathing in his strong musky scent.

Bankotsu laughed heartily and answered Inuyasha's earlier question. "No, we were just training."

He reluctantly released his hold on her body and turned back to the hanyou who was slowly pulling himself out of the crater. "If you ever do that again Inuyasha, I'll be forced to kill you." He took a menacing step towards the hanyou. "Don't ever touch me or mine again. Got that?"

Inuyasha stuffed his hands into the sleeves of his haori and glared at the mercenary. "Keh... you shouldn't be attacking Kagome like that either."

"He didn't attack me." Inuyasha Kagome blush.

Bankotsu moved swiftly getting right into Inuyasha's face. Waves of anger streamed off his body. "I will do as I please with whomever I want and you can't do a thing about that. If you ever lay a finger upon her again mutt, I will remove it without a thought." He cracked his fists. "Now leave before it gets ugly."

Inuyasha turned around in a huff. "Whatever," He started to walk off and then stopped. "Dinner's ready when you two decide to make an appearance." He bound off on fleet feet back to the others, before hopping into a nearby tree sulking. 'I guess she really is over me already.'

"Hey Kagome, would you mind turning your back a moment?"

"Why?"

"Hey if you want to watch me wiz, I won't complain."

Instantly flushing, Kagome turned her back to him. "You jerk! You could have just said that you need to pee or something."

Bankotsu chuckled. He turned away from her and carefully adjusted things to a more comfortable state. He grabbed her hand and walked over to the tree. He hefted Banryu onto his shoulder. "We should get back to camp before the food gets cold." Kagome nodded. He led her back to camp.

The minute he caught scent of their approach Inuyasha glared at Bankotsu. Catching the glare Bankotsu smirked at Inuyasha and then faced Sango and Tara. "Let's eat." The girls served the food and everyone ate.

"So what's with you two?" Bankotsu and Inuyasha both grunted. Tara shook her head and then continued eating.

After they had finished Bankotsu stood up tugging Kagome to her feet. "We are going to bathe. The rest of you bed down soon because we are leaving early. I will take the watch tonight."

Sesshomaru sat back quietly observing everything and stared coldly at his brother. Sesshomaru calmly turned to his wards. "Time for bed."

"Yes me lord." Rin bed down. Without a word Kohaku did the same.

Observing her brother Sango smiled and bed down. Kirara mewled and curled next to her belly. Renkotsu obediently bed down and pretended to fall fast asleep. Jakotsu and Tara wasted no time bedding down with their backs to each other and about a foot of space between them. Miroku stared into the fire lost deep in his thoughts. Later he stretched out a few feet from the fire and then went to sleep as well.

Inuyasha sat in the tree with his leg bouncing and glared in the direction Kagome had gone. 'Damn that cocky bastard! I'm having that talk with him tonight.'

XOXOXO:

Bankotsu stopped by the water and drove Banryu into the earth. He undressed.

Kagome quickly shed her top layer of clothing. She was quickly scooped into his powerful arms. Taking a deep breath he jumped into the water. They kicked to the surface and bathed.

Bankotsu kept sneaking glances when she wasn't looking. He smirked whenever he caught her stealing a glance at his toned chest and abs. 'So she's getting a bit braver now, eh?'

Once they had finished cleansing each other's hair, they sat beside each other enjoying the warm water soothing their muscles. Kagome smiled. "The new training seemed to go well once we got the right balance."

Bankotsu shrugged. "It wasn't too bad."

Kagome shoved his chest. "Wasn't too bad? Bankotsu, I think it went pretty good considering it was the first day."

"Especially since I did all the work."

"Hey I worked too you know."

Bankotsu laughed. "All you had to do was hold on." He playfully dunked her.

Kagome came up sputtering and slapped his hand away. "That isn't an easy thing to do with you jumping and flipping all over the place."

Bankotsu laughed. "Try lifting a girl on your back and jump like that."

Kagome glared playfully at him and then smiled. "What about the pushups and sits ups, eh?" Bankotsu just chuckled. Kagome pretended to huff and playfully shoved his chest knocking him into the water.

He came back up grinning and flipped her to where her back was against the wall. He quickly pinned her arms above her head with one hand. He lifted his free hand and wrapped it behind her neck forcing a surprisingly tender kiss. Kagome felt the familiar tingles run through her body and relaxed into the kiss moaning.

Bankotsu changed the kiss to passionate and released her neck. He ran his fingers lightly across her shoulder and down her side very slowly. Kagome shivered, becoming aroused. Bankotsu broke the kiss in need of oxygen and rest his forehead against hers. Their breaths mingled as they both panted.

Kagome closed her eyes as a smile crossed her face.

Bankotsu pulled back smiling 'We seem to affect each other that way.' His grin widened. He sat beside her. 'She is a hell of a girl, that's for sure.' His eyes possessively traveled from her face to her chest. They went down to the water and then back up again. He smirked. 'And now she is my girl!'

Just the mere thought of how beautiful and feisty she was had familiar warmth filling his loins. 'She's still not ready yet. Normally I would say the hell with it and go for it… but she's different. I don't want to scare her or rush her. Weird.' He shifted a bit. "We should get back soon so you can rest."

She nodded and stood up and made her way to the shore. Bankotsu watched the water travel down her body before he also stood up.

Bankotsu watched her dress, loving the way the clothes hugged her luscious body as she slipped into her skirt slowly gliding it up to her hips. Bankotsu bit back a moan when his member hardened. 'Cool it man, you're going to have to take it slow with this one.' He forced the images of an icy cold waterfall cascading down his body until his urge to push her against the ground and slam inside her was once again under iron clad control. Taking a deep breath, he slipped from the water.

Kagome rummaged in her bag for her hair brush, before she glanced up and her eyes went wide. She swallowed a few times and then settled her eyes on the tanned form emerging from the water. 'Damn, he's gorgeous!' Chocolate orbs followed every dip and curve of the flesh that stood not far from her. She swallowed and her gaze traveled to his hips. Her breathing hitched.

Unable to keep her gaze from wandering lower, she gasped when she took in the sheer size of him. 'Oh shit! He's huge!' Her mouth dropped open and she stared openly, lingering a moment.

Bankotsu reached for the towel and noticed Kagome eying him. He noticed her gaze lingering momentarily on his hips then travel down and then slowly back up to his chest. 'Now this is unexpected.'

Her gaze slowly traveled to his strong and sculpted thighs and back up to his hardened member. 'He's incredible! One man should never be this damn sexy!' Her gaze rose to his face and she took in his eyes. Her cheeks heated

"Do you like what you see?"

"Yeah," something briefly flashed in her eyes. Of its own accord her hand lifted into the air reaching for the ultimate prize.

Bankotsu smirked. "Really," Her eyes widened as she felt his hand grab hers. He chuckled.

Kagome licked her lips and nodded slowly. Her heart pounded and she felt strange tingles gather into heat in her belly. She licked her bottom lip.

Bankotsu smirked wider and pushed her hand away. He held up his pants away from his body. "Mind if I get dressed now? Or did you want to devour me with your eyes a little longer?"

Kagome looked away. "You can dress now, jerk."

Bankotsu chuckled and slipped his legs into his hakamas. He slowly pulled them up his legs and watched her blush deeper. 'She's so cute when she blushes.'

He picked up his haori. "Are you going to be okay?" He grabbed her hand and led it to within an inch of his clothed member. He stopped letting their hands hover there. "Anytime you want to touch all you have to do is ask."

Her eyes went wide as saucers and she yanked her hand free. "You jerk," She punched him in the arm and immediately turned around. 'That's what I get for ogling him.'

Bankotsu laughed a minute and then sobered. "We need to get back."

Kagome bent over retrieving her bag. He donned his haori and then retrieved Banryu.

Kagome remained silent still flushing. 'You should have touched it.' She blinked. Since it was now dark they held hands and walked back to camp.

With the utmost care Bankotsu settled Banryu against the tree's wide base and then helped Kagome roll out her sleeping blankets."Go ahead and get some rest Kagome. We are heading out early."

Kagome nodded and crawled into her blankets. Bankotsu gently rearranged her head so she used his thigh as a pillow. Kagome smiled sleepily and yawned. "Good night Bankotsu and thanks."

"Goodnight Kagome," he settled the enormous halberd closer to him.

Inuyasha blinked. 'That's not like him at all. What is he up to?' He sighed and sat quietly, eyes never leaving Bankotsu and Kagome. Sesshomaru watched the events with a bored expression upon his face. After Kagome was deep in slumber, Inuyasha silently jumped down from his perch and walked over in front of Bankotsu.

Bankotsu gently moved Kagome's head from his thigh and rose to his feet. His hand gripped the handle of his halberd. His eyes hardened. "Do you have a problem mutt?"

Inuyasha grit his teeth. "What the hell are you plotting at?"

"What do you mean?"

"Listen to me."

Bankotsu scoffed. "Why should I?"

"What is between you and Kagome?"

"It's none of your damned business."

"It is my business. She's been under my protection since she first came to this world."

"Well she is under mine now and has been for a while."

Inuyasha folded his hands across his chest. "What exactly do you feel for her?"

Bankotsu's eyes flashed a silent challenge. "What does it matter to you?"

"It's not like that. I just want to make sure you aren't going to hurt her."

"Why would I do that?"

"No more games, if you truly feel for her; then you are committed to her. No forced emotions or false reassurances. Kagome deserves everything. That's why she and I will never work."

"You loved that undead priestess didn't you?" Bankotsu ventured with a softer tone.

"I still do, just like I love Kagome."

Jealousy reared its ugly head, but before he could warn the mutt off, Inuyasha spoke again. "I can't give her a half love. She gives so much without asking anything in return. She needs something back or she'll burn out." Staring his rival dead in the eye he growled. "If you break her heart, I will break your neck!" Making sure that Bankotsu understood his warning, Inuyasha spun on his heel and bounded off to his previous perch.

Bankotsu gazed after the retreating hanyou and replayed the conversation in his mind. His eyes widened. 'Inuyasha is letting her go.' Bankotsu's heart leapt for joy and he smiled. 'Now there is nothing standing in the way of her and I being together.'

An hour later Bankotsu curled protectively around Kagome and slipped into a semi trouble free sleep.

Inuyasha released a long drawn out sigh and leapt from his perch. He walked to the edge of the camp. Inuyasha blinked. 'Wait a minute… one is missing…' A familiar scent hit him. 'Kikyo...' He ran off.'

XOXOXO:

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