Hello my readers! -
Wow, long chappy! I hope to god you guys like it! For all my loyal readers and reviewers, I added some awesome Kagome/Bankotsu fluff! Whoopi!
Enjoy!
Chapter 14
Mama frowned. "A poor doctor was murdered." She answered sadly. "Listen to this: A doctor named Benjiro Takhama was found murdered just yesterday in his house. His fiancée, Nicki, has yet to been seen since the incident."
"Doctor Takhama!" Kagome exclaimed in surprise. She turned to Bankotsu.
"It was the blond." Bankotsu shrugged casually.
She stormed up the stairs and into her bedroom, slamming and locking the door behind her before flopping face forward onto her bed. "So much death…" She muttered into her pink sheets.
There was a knock on the door. "Kagome, is everything alright?" The concerned voice belonged to Mama.
"I'm fine." Kagome answered stiffly, and remained lying on her bed. A few minutes later, Kagome recognized the unmistakable flopping sound of Bankotsu trying to walk normally in his new shoes up the stairs and down the hall, until he stood in front of Kagome's door. She heard him try the door.
"Just leave me alone!" Kagome shouted behind the locked door.
Her whole door came crumbling to the ground in splintered pieces. Bankotsu stood in the door frame, looking absolutely dumbfounded.
"Whoops…"
Kagome bolted up. "Bankotsu! You just wrecked my door, you idiot!" She snapped angrily. The man walked in the bedroom anyways, after he had pulled himself together again. He sat beside her on the bed.
Kagome hid her face in her hands and sobbed silently. The destroyed door didn't bother her near as much as the fact that somebody she had seen only a few days earlier was now dead.
"Why are you so upset?" Bankotsu asked, raising an eyebrow.
Kagome was disgusted with his lack of sorrow. "You should be upset, too, you jerk. Doctor Takhama was murdered, and he was the man who saved your life! Maybe you've killed so much you've forgotten how to feel remorse." She muttered, looking up to glare daggers at him.
She instantly regretted saying that.
The sadness that immediately entered his solemn blue eyes stabbed Kagome in the heart. She knew she was wrong to say that. She knew what he had been through, and she had seen it, with her very eyes, thanks to Midoriko.
Bankotsu leaned back, and his shoulders drooped, and he looked away from her. "Oh, Bankotsu, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that…" Kagome apologized quietly.
After a few minutes of awkward silence, the two sitting side by side on the edge of the bed, Bankotsu spoke. "You aren't innocent any more, Kagome." He was still looking away.
Kagome was confused. "What is that supposed to mean?" She snapped lightly.
He slowly turned to face her. Kagome noticed the white's of his eyes glimmering. "You have witnessed so many deaths, that there is no way you can continue being a regular, innocent school girl." Then, after a moment's wait, he added: "Plus, it wasn't that man that saved my life. It was you."
Kagome was deeply touched by his words, and suddenly, her worries disappeared. He had just instantly made her feel better, like nothing had ever happened. She leaned her head on his shoulder, letting her black hair fall into her face. To her surprise, Bankotsu wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
His warmth flooded into her body, forcing a happy grin on her features. She snuggled even closer to him. "How's your foot?" She asked, remembering the crutches that Takhama had given them.
"The shoes are pretty uncomfortable." Bankotsu replied, resting his head on top of hers.
"No, I mean your injury. The doctor said you sprained it." Kagome laughed.
"Oh. Its fine, it doesn't hurt." He explained.
"Yeah, but the doctor said the only way for it to fully heal is if you use crutches and keep your weight off of it." Kagome said more to herself, mentally scolding herself for forgetting.
The door bell sounded, and Bankotsu snapped his head up and tightened his grip on Kagome's shoulder. "Relax; it's only our door bell. Mama will get it." Kagome said softly, and Bankotsu's chin was replaced on top of her head once more.
"Kagome! You're wanted at the door!" Mama's voice yelled from below.
Aggravated that she had to get up from the most comforting and loving position she had ever been in with a man, Kagome groaned in frustration and wriggled out from underneath the mercenary. "Be right back." She promised, before descending down the stairs.
Standing, smiling sweetly in the door way was Houjo. And to Kagome's horror, he was holding the baggy of black, gruesome bugs he had tried to give her at school.
"Umm, hi, Houjo-kun. W-what brings you around?" Kagome asked sheepishly after her mother left.
"Well, you forgot these little guys at school." He began, holding up the bag for her to take. "You must have been so upset when you got home, that you couldn't eat them!"
"Uh huh, I s-sure was." Kagome stumbled, beginning to blush.
Just then, a man with long braided black hair could be seen stomping down the stairs. He walked over to stand beside Kagome, his arms crossed, and his eyes narrowed.
"Who's he?" Bankotsu and Houjo demanded at the same time.
"Oh, Bankotsu, this is Houjo. He's just a guy from school." Kagome said nervously.
"Just a guy from school?" Houjo echoed, looking rather hurt.
"Obviously…" Bankotsu muttered under his breath, and rolled his eyes.
"Ahem!" Kagome nudged Bankotsu in the side, but very gently because of his bruised rib bones. "And Houjo, this is Bankotsu."
Houjo smiled at Bankotsu, -though it was only half sincere- and held his hand out for him to take. Bankotsu just glared.
Kagome's eyes widened in embarrassment at Bankotsu's rudeness. After a minute, Houjo took back his unshaken hand. A long moment of awkward silence followed.
"So what is Bankotsu to you?" Houjo asked Kagome. "Cousin?" He silently hoped.
"Leader of the Shichinintai." Bankotsu butted in.
Houjo looked slightly puzzled. "Yes, he is my cousin." Kagome added, smiling reassuringly at her classmate.
"I'm not your cousin!" Bankotsu declared loudly, and turned to face Kagome and give her a look that silently said: 'what, are you stupid!'
"…Heh, heh..."
Another couple silent minutes passed, and Houjo seemed to find his tongue once again. "So where are you from? I never see you at school."
"Most definitely not from around here!" Bankotsu spat. "Came up her weird time-traveling well I think." He jerked a thumb at Kagome.
"Oh, okay…." Houjo frowned, and forced the bag of black bugs into Kagome's hand, and took a few steps backwards. "I better be going. I'll see you at school tomorrow, Kagome!"
And with that, Houjo hopped onto his bike and peddled off. Bankotsu looked down at the insects in Kagome's hands with disgust.
"You want those?" He asked, making a face.
"Huh, what? Are you kidding me? Their so gross!"
Bankotsu took the bag from Kagome and hurled them into the sky with unearthly power, and it landed on top of Houjo's backpack even though he was already past the end of the driveway. Seeing it land on its target, Bankotsu dusted off his hands and shut the door.
Ignoring Kagome's stare, Bankotsu scoffed carelessly at her. "Stand up for yourself. If you didn't want those things, just say it."
"But Bankotsu," Kagome objected, "he went through so much trouble to get those to me."
The man shrugged. "So?"
Kagome sighed. "You could have been a little friendlier."
"But I don't know him."
Kagome embraced him lovingly and laid her forehead on his chest. "Not everybody is your enemy, you know."
Bankotsu wrapped his arms tightly around her body.
- # - # - # - # - # - # - # - # -
That night, after dinner, the Higurashi household quieted down and started to get ready for bed. Bankotsu was more than ready to protest spending another night in the shrine, but he didn't even get a chance. Kagome told him that it would be ok for him to sleep inside the house now that her family knew about him.
Kagome laid a few pillows and blankets on the couch downstairs for Bankotsu. When she bid him good night and started climbing the stairs up to her bedroom, she swore she saw loneliness and longing in his eyes.
DREAM SEQUENCE
Kagome wandered aimlessly inside the dense forest. She was lost, and everything around her was gray in the haze. She was wearing her regular school uniform, and was growing quite cold.
The forest ended abruptly and Kagome entered a vast clearing. Dead ahead of her, six figures sat around one that sat atop a small boulder. She could hear hearty laughter.
As she grew closer and closer, Kagome recognized the figures to be the Shichinintai, sitting around Bankotsu. She was fairly near them, but to her surprise, nobody noticed her, not even when she accidentally stepped on a twig and it snapped in half loudly.
Suddenly, the sound of charging men and clanking armor could be heard from the cliff just above the band of seven. Bankotsu whipped around, his elegant braid flying over his shoulder, to see an army lead by a masked man on a chestnut horse.
"What gives?" Kagome heard Bankotsu call to the masked man; the leader.
"The Shichinintai have become too famous for their own good!" The daimyou called back. "You all kill too much! We daimyou fear you even as allies!"
Bankotsu and the rest of the Shichinintai stood. They immediately turned to their leader for instructions and comfort.
"So you think you can take us?" Bankotsu asked. Kagome could tell he was trying to act confident for his companions.
"You have nowhere to run! All the daimyou have joined against you!"
Bankotsu looked straight past Kagome and saw hundreds and thousands of men emerge from the forest and surround him and the others. It began to snow, and Kagome could hardly keep from shivering and clattering her teeth.
Renkotsu ran to Bankotsu's side. "Oo-aniki?" He asked urgently.
"Run!" Bankotsu yelled to his group. None of the soldiers around them bothered to move. They all knew that the Shichinintai had no chance of survival.
The lead daimyou on the cliff raised a hand and signaled. Arrows mixed in with the falling snow and hammered into the ground in front, behind and beside the retreating Shichinintai.
Kagome backed up into the forest so she would not be spotted, and tried to keep up to the running mercenaries. She was having a major case of déjà vu, and she sure didn't like what she knew was going to happen next. She had to stop the killing of the Shichinintai. She just had to.
"You are all too dangerous to let live! Even in this time of warfare!" The masked man called after them.
The arrows brought Kyoukotsu down first, him being the biggest and easiest to hit. Bankotsu stopped and started to run towards his fallen companion, but Renkotsu pushed him on.
"He is lost, Oo-aniki." He had said.
Mukotsu went down next.
Suikotsu took an arrow for Bankotsu.
"No! Suikotsu!" The Shichinintai leader yelled in distress and sorrow.
"Oo-aniki!" Jakotsu called.
Renkotsu and Ginkotsu fell behind.
A speedy arrow pegged Bankotsu in the shoulder. He cried out in pain, but kept running, side by side with Jakotsu. The last one of his comrades.
Kagome watched in horror as Bankotsu was hit with an arrow. She forced herself to keep running. Not a minute later Jakotsu was struck in the back, and he fell to the ground. As soon as Bankotsu's skilled senses detected the thud of Jakotsu falling to the ground in the snow, Bankotsu turned around and was hit with an arrow in his leg and his side.
Kagome cried out. "BANKOTSU!"
Her scream fell upon death ears. Bankotsu had the most hurt, betrayed and pissed off look reflecting in his narrowed blue eyes, and Kagome could tell the arrows that were drawing blood from his body weren't going to stop him.
"You'll have to do a lot better than that to kill me!" Bankotsu screamed, his voice cracking badly. Many hot, steaming tears rolled down his face. Then to the feminine man, he whispered,
"Jakotsu, get up. We can escape!"
Jakotsu looked up, his brilliant black eyes dulling with death.
"Hurry, Oo-aniki! Save yourself!"
"I'm not leaving without you, now get up!"
The two men were whispering to each other, and Kagome puzzled over how she could hear them since she was a fair distance away. Their voices seemed to play in her head, other than coming out of their mouths.
Bankotsu soon had two new arrows sticking out of his attire. He felt weakened and dizzy from his loss of blood. Jakotsu's head fell to the ground, his cheek resting against the snow.
"Jakotsu, don't you dare die!" Bankotsu pleaded as he dropped to his knees and cradled his friends limp body.
"Oo…aniki…" And Jakotsu died.
"NOOOOO!" Bankotsu screamed and cried in agony. Another arrow hit him in his shoulder, and another hit him in the back.
Bankotsu laid Jakotsu's body on the bloody ground and stood up, his hands balled into fists.
Kagome's attention was stolen by a wagon driven by two black horses as it approached Bankotsu, the wooden wheels squealing and bouncing up and down from the uneven terrain.
Bankotsu recognized the man that hoped out of the wagon as the second-in-command. He also noticed the bodies of the Shichinintai piled on top of the wagon.
"You just won't die, will you?" The man asked hauntingly as he walked up to the last of the Shichinintai.
Bankotsu said nothing, and did not even try to cease the salty water running from his eyes. He just looked up to the man infront of him, crying freely, although he managed to maintain a nasty looking glare.
"How dare you look upon me with your filthy eyes?" The second-in-command man spat.
It was now or never. If Kagome didn't act fast, Bankotsu would be killed. She didn't care if she was putting her life in danger…she would die for him. She sprinted as fast as her legs would carry her towards the two men.
Strangely, neither of the men saw her, or gave any sign saying they acknowledged her. Not wasting any time, she looked for something that could inflict some damage on Bankotsu's opponent. Jakotsu's dead body caught her eye, but before she turned away from the sad sight, she saw the hilt of his snake-sword underneath his body.
Even though she didn't like Jakotsu, it still saddened Kagome to pull the Jakotsutou from under his limp body. The sword was heavy, but it didn't seem to matter at the moment. She held the sword in front of her, then, mimicking Jakotsu's movements, she flicked the hilt and the many blades came hurtling out towards the second-in-command.
"This ones for you, Bankotsu!" Kagome cried as the blades wrapped themselves around the offending man. Once the man was wrapped up, Kagome pulled back on the hilt.
Not only did either man completely ignore her, but the Jakotsutou suddenly vanished into thin air, as if it had never been there.
Deciding to try something else, Kagome jumped in front of the man and started pounding on the man's chest. "Leave him alone, you brute!" She hollered.
Her fists went right through his body.
The man walked right through and past Kagome, and delivered a vicious blow to Bankotsu's face. The young leader fell to the ground, unconscious before he even hit.
Kagome could only watch in terror as the man bent over and roughly swung Jakotsu and Bankotsu over his back. Then, he walked back to his wagon, carelessly tossed the two on top of their comrades, and drove away.
Kagome knew they'd be beheaded after that. She dropped to her knees, and cried in anguish.
-Ring, ring, ring, ring-
Kagome sat bolt up in her bed. Her body felt cold, yet her face was covered in sweat. Only after about five minutes did she realize she was dreaming and that her alarm clock was wailing quite loudly.
It was a horrible dream, the same dream Midoriko had shown her of how the Shichinintai were betrayed and murdered, though this time, she was in it, and completely helpless.
Kagome quietly and slowly got dressed and ready for school, of course, after she had crept down the stairs to make sure Bankotsu was still there. She had started getting a weird feeling that he would be down there, minus his head.
Just before Kagome left for school, she ate two pieces of toast and a banana. Her mother was usually already up, and was helping her get ready , but she must of slept in today. Kagome decided she would just go about quietly, and not wake anyone up.
So much for that.
The minute she touched the door knob to exit the house, Bankotsu was awake and by her side.
"You're hearing is pretty good." Kagome complemented, surprised.
He yawned and stretched lazily. "Comes from being an assassin." He explained. "You goin' to that school thing again today?"
Kagome nodded. "Yeah, but I'll be home in a few hours, I promise. You should go back to sleep, you look really tired. Just try not to make any noise."
Kagome said good bye and left, and Bankotsu walked back to the couch and flopped down on it. Before he could even concentrate on going back to sleep, Kagome's mother came rushing down the stairs, still in her nightgown.
"Oh dear. I must have forgotten to set my alarm. Has Kagome already left?" She asked, seeing their visitor was already awake.
"Uhhmm…" Bankotsu mumbled sleepily.
Within minutes, Mrs. Higurashi was in and out of the kitchen. "Bankotsu, Kagome forgot her lunch. I was up all night making it for her."
Bankotsu rolled over, trying to shut out the woman's voice and go back to sleep.
"Could you perhaps take it to her, please?"
"…"
"Her school isn't too hard to find. It's a big building, with many windows and people her age."
"Alright, alright, I'll go." Bankotsu grumbled, and kicked off the blankets.
- # - # - # - # - # - # - # - # -
Bankotsu walked down the side walk in the direction of the school, trying not to get close to anyone and avoiding eye contact. Mama had given him a big fur coat to wear, even though it was the middle of summer, because Bankotsu was still slightly cold, though he had been starting to feel better lately. He held Kagome's bright pink lunch box in his hands, and wore a blue base ball cap on top of his head.
He only knew where the school was because Kagome had showed it to him on the way to the mall yesterday. He snarled to himself as a light breeze made him shiver, and threatened to steal his hat.
After not more than a ten minute walk, Bankotsu was at Kagome's school. Everybody was in their classes, except for the occasional skipper, and it only occurred to Bankotsu that he had to find Kagome to give her her damned lunch.
Common' Bankotsu. It isn't that bad, I mean, considering what Kagome did to save your life. She didn't have to do that, you know, but she did.
She knows I am a mercenary, and a ruthless killer, but she stuck with me, and helped me get better. How many other enemies would do that?
I would have died without her help.
- # - # - # - # - # - # -
Kagome took her seat in her poetry class, the last class before lunch. She yawned, and was greeted by a cheerful Houjo, who seemed to be over his meeting with Bankotsu the day before.
"Urrg, I'm so hungry!" Somebody complained just behind Kagome.
Kagome snapped her fingers. "Oh darn! I forgot my lunch at home." She sighed in frustration. Her stomach decided to grumble now, to remind Kagome of how hungry it really was.
"Kagome, are you alright? It looks like you didn't get a very good sleep." Houjo inquired, concerned.
Kagome replied, more to herself, "Just…had a bad dream."
"You know, I have a great remedy for troubled sleeps." Houjo offered with a charming smile.
Kagome groaned inwardly. "More bugs?" She asked.
Houjo laughed. "No, silly, a movie!"
"Thanks for the advice, Houjo. Maybe I'll pick one up for tonight."
"Well, I was actually hoping you'd come to the movies with me tonight?"
Kagome gulped. "A d-date?" She confirmed.
"Yes, a date." Houjo echoed happily. "It looks like you need something to get your mind off something…else."
Not wanting to disappoint or hurt Houjo's feelings, Kagome looked around for a distraction. Just in the nick of time, the sound of footsteps could be heard on the roof. It was pretty loud, since the part that was being walked on was metal, and the something that was walking was walking pretty sloppily.
Startled screams could be heard from upstairs, and the poetry teacher, Mrs. Jakobsen, looked up from her book. "What on earth…"
A blur landed on the metal ledge outside Kagome's class room window. The someone peered inside the window, obviously looking for someone, and when he laid eyes on Kagome, he smirked and placed his hands on the window. Then he pushed the glass in, and it came right out of the window. The man jumped in, and caught the glass by the edges so it wouldn't fall and shatter on the ground, then leaned it up to rest on the wall.
Kagome stood up and walked towards the man as she realized who it was. "Bankotsu, what are you-"
Bankotsu deposited the pink lunch box on the nearest desk and captured Kagome's lips in a passionate kiss. Without any hesitation, Kagome opened her mouth to his, and together they stood in front of the whole poetry class, including Houjo, who sat with his jaw hanging open.
Bankotsu pulled out from the kiss, but leaned his forehead on top of Kagome's. "Do you want this?" He whispered for only her to hear. He kissed her again gently. "I told you to stand up for yourself, Kagome. Push me away."
Kagome kissed him back, and wrapped her arms around his neck, and he held her around the waist, caressing her back. Truth be told, pushing Bankotsu away was the last thing she wanted to do. Being there in his arms just felt so…right. Sure, InuYasha had embraced her before, but it had never felt like this. Kagome even forgot they had an audience.
They let their tongues explore each other's mouths, and after a moment, Bankotsu pulled away again. They were both out of breath, and gazing deeply into one another's eyes. Bankotsu thought Kagome's eyes looked absolutely brilliant, glimmering with happiness. A small smile graced her gentle features.
Kagome stood on her tip toes and made herself a little taller, and then she planted a soft kiss on the purple mark on Bankotsu's forehead. "I…I think I l-love you, Bankotsu." She stumbled to get the words out.
Then Bankotsu pulled her close to his body and hugged her tightly, one hand softly massaging her hair. The embrace was that of, 'I love you' and even more of 'I'll protect you forever.' Kagome couldn't remember a time she was this happy.
"I brought your lunch, Kagome." Bankotsu said, changing the subject but never releasing her from his arms.
"Thank-you." She whispered.
The two stopped and just listened to each other's breathing. The whole class had been dead quiet. Suddenly, they heard the sound of somebody choking down tears. Kagome and Bankotsu looked to the very front of the classroom at Mrs. Jakobsen. At that instant, the old woman stood up and began applauding.
"That was so beautiful!" She hollered in delight.
Bankotsu eyed her strangely, but looked back down at Kagome when she started to address him. "I'll see you at home, ok?" She asked.
Bankotsu nodded and pulled away. He kissed her gently on the lips before jumping out the window, not bothering to but the glass back in the window. Kagome slowly and awkwardly made her way back to her desk, as all eyes were on her.
"I guess you're more than cousins, ne?" Houjo asked hoarsely, disappointment laced into his voice.
Kagome nodded slowly, ashamed for lying.
"So that means you won't want to go to the movies tonight?"
Aw, poor Houjo. I never wanted to hurt his feelings, but I can't help it. I feel nothing for him. Kagome thought to herself.
Mrs. Jakobsen started up her class shortly afterwards. She had taken the kiss better than Kagome had ever hoped, and since she knew no one in her class except for Houjo, they didn't really mind either.
While the teacher read a passage from the poetry text book, Kagome's mind drifted far from that topic. She unconsciously reached her hand up to touch her lips.
She couldn't stop thinking about him, or his kiss, all day long.
- # - # - # - # - # - # - # - #-
When school ended that day, Kagome had made up her mind that she would find Houjo and make things ok with him. All during poetry class, he hadn't uttered a word, and that wasn't like him at all.
Kagome ran across the school to his locker, but he wasn't there. She headed to the bike racks outside, and to her relief, he had just gotten there. "Houjo!" She called, trying to get his attention.
Houjo looked up when he heard his name being called, but when he saw it was Kagome, he went back to unlocking his bike.
"Houjo," Kagome panted as she arrived by his side, "I'm glad I caught you."
Houjo ignored her and pretended to be transfixed on his bike wheel.
"Come on, Houjo, I'm really sorry I lied to you." Kagome said honestly. "You know…how love can make you to funny things." The words were so unfamiliar to her.
Houjo sighed deeply. "Kagome, I love you." He said without looking up.
Kagome gasped and looked away. She felt her cheeks getting hotter. "I-I'm sorry, Houjo…"
Houjo finished unlocking his bike, so he stood up and hoped on. "I'm sorry too." He said, before pedaling off.
"Houjo wait!" Kagome shouted.
The boy kept going, and soon he disappeared down the road. Kagome's heart sank.
Why is he being so difficult? He should consider himself lucky! More than half the school wants to go out with him, so why does he insist on me?
- # - # - # - # - # -
Kagome's walk home was slow and agonizing. She was frustrated with Houjo for not listening to her and being reasonable. She was very tired, but she couldn't deny that she was excited to see Bankotsu.
When Kagome opened the door to her house, her mother greeted her with open arms. "How was school today?" She whispered.
"…Interesting." She answered quietly. "Why are we whispering?"
Mama grew a big smile and pointed towards the couch that could be seen in the other room through the door frame. Bankotsu was fast asleep, one arm behind his head which was resting on the arm rest, the other hanging off the couch. Both of his legs were propped up on the arm rest on the other side of the couch, and a thick blanket was laid over his stomach.
Kagome couldn't help but smile along. She walked up to Bankotsu and sat down on the edge of the couch. He rolled over in his sleep, so that he was curled up in a ball now, and Kagome lay down next to him and rearranged the blanket so it covered the both of them.
She fell asleep in no time at all.
- # - # - # - # - # -
Someone shook her shoulder gently. "Kagome, its dinner time." Mama whispered.
Kagome rolled away from the noise and nestled her head into the crook of Bankotsu's neck. "Kagome, Bankotsu, its going to get cold."
Bankotsu groaned loudly in his sleep, but Kagome woke up and tossed the blankets off the couch. She rubbed her eyes, and stretched, and Mama smiled warmly down at her.
When she saw that Kagome was actually going to get up, Mama left for the kitchen. "Bankotsu, get up." Kagome said sleepily. She could hear him snort in disagreement.
Kagome gazed down at him, her eyes taking in his figure. He had his back to her, and was snuggled up against the back rest of the couch. She picked up a stray strand of his raven black silky hair and started kneading it through her fingers.
"Come on, its time to eat." She tried to persuade the sleepy man. Finally he rolled over and got himself up off the couch. Kagome laughed in victory, but as she looked him in the eye, her laughing died down.
Bankotsu's beautiful blue eyes were hazy, and were starting to turn a dull grey. "What now?" He asked impatiently as Kagome stared wide-eyed at him.
"Y-your eyes!" Kagome stammered.
"What about my eyes?" Bankotsu demanded.
"Bankotsu, they're starting to go all cloudy." Kagome grabbed his hand and dragged him into the kitchen and in front of Mama, who was dishing up more food. Souta and Grandpa were already eating at the table.
"Mama, look at his eyes!" Kagome said frantically.
Mama looked, and gasped. "Oh dear, that doesn't look good." She said after a moment of examination.
"What are you two talking about?" Bankotsu snapped, starting to feel awkward.
Nobody had a chance to answer poor Bankotsu, for in an instant, Grandpa was out of his chair and right in Bankotsu's face.
"Just as I thought. This creature is a demon! He cannot hide his true identity forever!" Grandpa bellowed.
Bankotsu pushed the old man away, and then looked at Kagome for some reassurance and perhaps an explanation.
"What do you think it is, Mama?" Kagome asked, worry clear in her voice. She inched closer to Bankotsu's side, so that their shoulders were touching.
Mama turned to one of her cupboards and pulled out a thick, hard cover book. She immediately started flipping through the pages until she found the one she wanted. Then, she ran her finger down the page, stopped, and said, "Here we go."
"The Murky Waters Virus,
Symptoms: paling of the skin, cloudy eyes, loss of breath, and later on, intense body pains. This virus only occurs if the victim is introduced to it by having a needle filled with the offending fluid. Only doctors have possession of this drug for medical reasons, but when used in the wrong case, it could be a disaster. At first, you will feel fine, but give it two to three weeks and you will definitely feel it."
There was a frown plastered on Mama's features as she read the passage. Kagome's eyes were wide with horror, and Bankotsu just looked plain…angry.
"Damn that blond wench!" He hollered.
Mama and Grandpa cringed away from the loudness and ferocity of his voice. Souta continued eating his dinner like nothing had happened, and Kagome turned to face the mercenary.
"You think it was Nicki?"
"Who else? You said she was a doctor's assistant or something…and she killed someone." He stated simply.
Kagome took this all in. It definitely made sense. "Is it contagious?" Kagome asked, changing the subject.
Mama dived into the book once more, but after only a minute she shook her head. "No, luckily you can only get it from injection."
Damn…What is happening here? I thought Bankotsu was going to get better now! Kagome thought to herself. Things just aren't going as planned…
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A/N: Okay, sorry it took so long, but hey, it was in my two week max promise, right? My dad grounded me for a whole week, so it was really hard to update. Put I swear, another chapter will be here soon, and it will be more exciting. I don't know what you thought of this one, but I hope you like it. I put lots of fluff in there too, ne? Awesomeness.
Frozen Current: Just want to thank you again for your wonderful reviews! I really want you to realize how much they mean to me. I love how you tell me your favourite part of a chapter, it really helps me keep going, and it makes me feel good about my work, and it also lets me know what you, as a reader, likes. Please, please keep on going. I luv yeah!
Thanks a lot to my other reviewers, you guys are my world and you make me smile so big my mom swears my face is going to crack. Please review, even if you didn't like this chapter. Remember, constructive criticism is welcome.
Till next time, Blueeyes