CLOSER
CHAPTER 25: EPIPHANY
Author's Note: Hi my fellow readers! I hope you are all excited about this chapter as I am. This was honestly my favorite chapter to write so far. I worked very hard on this for you all. It's a long one, so get some snacks and get comfortable. Please leave a review. I very much appreciate knowing what your thoughts are on my story. Sorry to keep you, now enjoy! :) Xo.
"Sango!" Bankotsu yelled desperately finally letting his emotions take over him. He frantically broke free from the tentacles managing to get a few feet in front of his banryu before he was bound again. He screamed and yelled in frustration needing to get free, Naraku will surely kill her.
"Relax will you?" Inuyasha yelled from beside him as he too was restricted from the tentacles.
Bankotsu narrowed his eyes at Inuyasha, "That bastard is going to kill her!"
"And we're going to get her back!" Inuyasha growled as he struggled as the panic was swelling in his chest. He looked around him as the whole cave was now flesh, his ears pricked up as he heard a single heartbeat from within the cave, "What the fuck is this?" Inuyasha tried to wiggle his hands, but no such luck as the grip around him was too strong preventing him from using his claws to break free.
"Bastard!" Bankotsu roared into the cave. He managed to rip out of his bounds, but he was only able to take a couple of steps forward before he was contained. This time the grip around his limbs much tighter than before. The giant mass of tentacles was now pulling them upwards. Bankotsu could feel his breath coming in short pants, his eyes starting to blur as he shook his head trying to focus. Beside him, Inuyasha was experiencing the same thing as he, although it looked like, was soon going to pass out, "Inuyasha! Wake your dumbass up!" Bankotsu choked as the tentacles around him were too squeezing the life of him, the harder he struggled, the tighter the grip got before he knew it he passed out.
Groaning, he cracked an eye open, his vision blurry and his body cramped, and sore Bankotsu lifted his head as he scanned the area around him. He wasn't surprised as he was still surrounded by the flesh like material around him, but with no Sango in sight. Panic started to rise in his chest again as he began to kick and grunt with annoyance causing him to sway a bit in the tentacle's grasp.
"Quit squirming, will you? The more you squirm, the tighter the grip gets," Inuyasha scoffed beside him. Bankotsu stopped, glaring at the half-demon who was a few feet away from him. As his body relaxed, he did notice that the grip was now starting to loosen giving him some air to breathe. That brat was right, Bankotsu thought begrudgingly to himself.
"I will not stand around knowing that creep has Sango," Bankotsu gritted his teeth.
"As I said, I'm going to get her back-"
"I am going to get her back," Bankotsu corrected him, still glaring.
Inuyasha's scowled deepened, "This is not some competition, Bankotsu-"
"I didn't say it was. All I am saying is that I will do whatever it takes to get the woman I love back from that bastard even if it means dying in the process," Bankotsu said not realizing what he confessed to the half breed before the words left his mouth.
They fell into an awkward silence as they stayed there in the quiet cave listening to the heartbeat-like sound of the cave around them, "So, she isn't under a spell, is she?" Inuyasha said.
Bankotsu rolled his eyes, his patience lacking, "No shit, dumbass. Didn't you hear what I just said?"
"Excuse me for not believing everything that is coming out of your mouth," Inuyasha retorted, he looked off in the distance refusing to look at Bakotsu, "Out of everyone in the world, she had to fall for you-"
"It's not like I didn't ask for this, half-breed. I know she would be better off without me-"
"But here we are," Inuyasha said looking back at Bankotsu with a scrutinizing glare. Bankotsu, however, did not pull away, his gaze determined and hard. "Listen, Bankotsu. I don't like you, you don't like me, but we both care for Sango. Let's put aside our difference for her sake, and once this is all over, we can go back to biting each other's head off."
Bankotsu was taken aback from Inuyasha's sudden show of maturity, and he was at a loss at words for a moment as he looked at Inuyasha's determined eyes, nodding himself Bankotsu said, "For Sango."
The tentacles then started to pull himself as well as Inuyasha up, he looked able him as everything around him began to blur out as they were moving up too fast. Bankotsu winced, closing his eyes as the wind around him felt stronger than before. Finally, they stopped revealing to him that they were in the heart of the mountain. He was surprised to see Sango's friends: the monk and the wolf demon on Sango's nine-tailed companion while Kagome was on some pink thing?
"Inuyasha!" Kagome cried out.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha called.
The group sighed in relief seeing that he was safe, but someone was not there, "Where's Sango?" Kagome asked, her eyes frantically searching for her best friend. Bankotsu felt himself panic again. He began wiggling trying to loosen the grip around him, and he growled looking at the skeptical glances of her friends.
Sango
She blinked a few, then a couple of times, groaning as she tried to move, but she couldn't. She tried again to no avail as the grip around her tighten making it difficult to breathe. Peering down she grimaced seeing a tentacle wrapped around her body holding her up. Sango looked around the dark cave, "Where am I?" She whispered. Footsteps were heard a few feet away from her, and she peered up gasping as a girl in all white stared blankly at her. Her face was expressionless, her eyes dull, but the brightness of her aura made Sango squint. "Where am I?" Sango asked the girl again.
"You are where you need to be," A familiar slippery voice said from behind her, Sango's eyes widened as the tentacles brought her around to face another pale face in the dark. Naraku stared at her with curious eyes, his lips spread into a terrifying smile, "Hello, Sango."
"Naraku," Sango hissed struggling in the grip of his tentacles, "Where is Bankotsu? Where are my friends?"
Naraku laughed bringing her closer, "It's quite sad to see someone like you to go to waste."
"What?"
"You could've been a valuable asset," Naraku whispered walking around her, she narrowed her eyes at him as she looked at his face in the darkness, "I could've used you in so many ways." His eyes traveled up and down her body making Sango shiver with disgust and discomfort.
"You're disgusting," Sango spat.
Naraku smiled, his teeth white as his pale face, "What made you fall for someone like Bankotsu? Must I remind you who he is?" Naraku's hand slipped onto the back of her neck, his touch cold to her skin and his nails sharp. Sango grimaced as Naraku grabbed a fistful of her hair at the nape of her neck pulling her neck upwards and directing her chin with his other hand in the direction of the girl.
Sango was forced to look into the mirror the girl was holding, and to her amazement images of Bankotsu started to surface. It was nothing pleasant as it showed the old Bankotsu as he raided villages, killed innocent lives of villagers and soldiers to demons and warlords. "Why are you showing me this?"
Naraku laughed, "To remind you how much of a monster Bankotsu is."
"He is not a monster, you are," Sango growled, "He is a man who cares for his friends. You, on the other hand, are a coward who uses others to do the work for him-" Sango didn't finish as Naraku backhanded her hard. Sango whimpered as the pain started to throb in her cheek, anger bubbled inside of her as she stared back at Naraku, spitting out blood at his feet.
"Although beautiful, you can be feisty," Naraku said in a cold tone as he ran his hand through her hair again pulling her head up, so she was looking at him still.
"Why are you keeping me here?" Sango breathed, exhaustion washing over her. Naraku didn't answer. Instead, his fingers gently brushed the blood away from her mouth. He tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and cupped the bottom of her chin in an almost romantic way making Sango want to throw up.
Without saying anything, Naraku stared into her eyes once more before swiftly moving away from her revealing the girl in white. The girl moved closer to Sango, in her hands the mirror. She tried to look away from the mirror, but she couldn't resist. As she stared into the mirror, she saw herself and Bankotsu.
Her mirror self was smiling happily with something in her arms as the mirror Bankotsu and a mirror Inuyasha showed the two bickering. Then, all of a sudden a mirror-like image of Kagome appeared sitting beside Sango holding what looked like to be a children's toy. Confused, Sango squinted her eyes focusing on what she held in her arms, and to her surprise, it was a child with blue eyes and dark hair.
The scene suddenly changed, her mirror self was clad in her demon slayer gear, her hiraikotsu at her feet around her, the sky was clear as day. Sango watched as her expression conveyed the look of heartbreak as she ran towards what looked to be a dead Bankotsu. She watched in horror as her mirror self collapsed onto Bankotsu's dead body clutching at his hakama, around them, cherry blossom flowers fell almost dramatically around them.
Blood and flowers.
The images suddenly disappeared revealing Sango looking at herself in the mirror. Her heart was racing, her mind blank and confused. She looked behind the girl seeing Naraku smiling menacingly, "Why did you show me that? What does that mean? Why did you show me that?" Sango screamed struggling in the grip of the tentacles, "Where is Bankotsu, you bastard? Tell me where he is!"
Sango coughed as her lungs felt like they were collapsing as the tentacles were now constricting around her. Sango coughed and choked kicking at the same time as she tried to keep herself awake, but darkness soon welcomed her.
Bankotsu
The mountain began to shake once more causing everyone to gasp in surprise, fleshy parts of the cave started to fall off the walls falling into the abyss below. Bankotsu grimaced looking down seeing a bright green liquid below them as the flesh instantly disintegrated as soon as they touched the acid. Sneering in disgust, Bankotsu turned his attention to the others who were just confused as he was. Kagome was watching him intently, the monk scowling at him, and the wolf demon with a scrutinizing eye. Bankotsu ignored their judgmental stares as he searched around trying to find a flash of pink anywhere. The only things that he could hear were the pounding of his heart in his ears. She was nowhere to be seen.
"What the hell is all of this?" The wolf demon demanded in disgust.
"It looks like flesh?" The pink thing that held Kagome said.
"I don't know, Shippo," Kagome replied.
"From the looks of it, it looks like we could be inside Naraku's body," The monk theorized in a grim tone.
Bankotsu was already itching with annoyance as he whipped his head and body as much as the grip of the tentacles could allow him to. Beside him, Inuyasha was still trying his best to get out of the grasp, grunting every so often proving his frustration. Inuyasha suddenly roared out, "Naraku!" He roared, "Come out and face us, you coward!"
As if on cue, a burst of dark laughter sounded above them causing the group to look up. In the darkness the pale face of Naraku stood out, the terrifying smile spread across his face. He slowly emerged from the darkness revealing his newly formed body, his black hair ominously swirling around him as he started to descend lower. Bankotsu couldn't contain the anger that was rapidly building up inside of him. Naraku was indeed a disgusting excuse of a living thing. How dare he let his friends get killed, how dare he used the shards to turn Renkotsu away from him, how dare he threaten Sango's life? "You son of a bitch! Where is Sango?" Bankotsu roared surprising the others around him. He felt their eyes fixed on him, but he didn't care as right now his anger was focused on Naraku who's smile completely faded as soon as his eyes laid on Bankotsu.
As soon as those words left his lips, a giant tentacle came sprouting out from behind Naraku and in it was the unconscious body of Sango. Bankotsu's heart sped up and the beating of his heart in his chest hammering against his ribcage. Bankotsu examined Sango's face through her long black hair as it spilled over her cheeks, undone from her usual high ponytail, "Sango! Let her go, you bastard. I swear if you laid one of your slimy fingers on her I would rip off your head with my bare hands!"
Naraku seemed to find Bankotsu's squirming and threats amusing as he chuckled darkly. With a wave of his hand, he brought Sango closer to her, so she was about a few feet away from him, "Do not worry, Bankotsu, she is very much alive," Naraku said as he reached out grabbing her chin squeezing it. Instantly, Sango's eyes snapped open, her big brown eyes searching in fear as she tried to get out of Naraku's grip, "Ah, there she is."
Sango looked around registering the fleshy cave. Her eyes first found the concerned faces of Kagome, Miroku, Koga, and Inuyasha. Finally, her eyes landed on Bankotsu who was not too far from Inuyasha, and he was wrapped in several tentacles. His azure eyes filled with worry as soon as she made eye contact, "Bankotsu!" Sango choked out.
"Sango!"
"Silence!" Naraku interrupted with a hiss, with a wave of his hand Sango gasped as a tentacle started to wrap around her neck cutting off her oxygen almost immediately. As she choked, her eyes found Bankotsu's, his eyes wide as he cried out. Naraku laughed enjoying the little dramatic scene unfolding before him. Bankotsu glared daggers at Naraku as he spoke in an almost bored tone, "Bankotsu, Bankotsu," He taunted, "I thought we agreed? Inuyasha's head for her safety?"
Bankotsu's eyes never left Sango as he spoke, "You were never going to spare her," He started, "You used my friends and me to hunt and kill Inuyasha, and once I was done with him then you were going to send your demons after me. You only care about the jewel shards you sick bastard," Bankotsu growled.
Naraku stopped smiling then, he glared at the leader of the once band of seven, "It seems you are smarter than I thought you were. I have to admit, I didn't expect you to catch on so quickly," Naraku looked over at Sango who was still suspended into the air, the tentacle around her neck slithering about, "But, we had a deal, Bankotsu and you failed which means I have no use for this demon slayer."
"No!"
Sango cried out as her face twisted in pain, and she screamed as the tentacles around her started to squeeze tighter and tighter. The tentacle around her throat was constricting her breath causing her to choke. Sango cried out again, screaming in agony as she heard her shoulder pop out of her socket, around her the helpless cries of her friends filled the grand cave.
"Stop!" Bankotsu cried out, tears slipping out of his eyes. He hated seeing her in pain, and he felt like he was going crazy. Naraku slowly looked from Sango to Bankotsu with satisfaction from seeing the mercenary squirm, "Stop! Don't hurt her. You want me, don't you? Take the sacred jewel shard from me. I don't care. Just leave her alone!"
Naraku's squeezing around Sango stopped, Bankotsu watched as her head rolled back and forth as she was fighting the pain. He bit his lip feeling incredibly guilty for putting Sango in this situation. He looked back up at Naraku who had a sick smile spread across his face. "No, Bankotsu! Don't hand him the jewel shards, please," Sango yelled, her eyes full of tears, "Forget about me and get out of here!"
Bankotsu and Sango looked at each other as if they were trying to convey a message through their eyes. Sango felt a flood of emotions run through her as soon as her eyes found the deep blues ones she fell in love with. Bankotsu, on the other hand, came to peace with everything, he tried to memorize every detail of her face, the way her brown eyes shone so brilliantly when they bored into his, the way her smile formed as he held her closer. His eyes trailed to her long, beautiful hair which was rich with the scent of vanilla and lavender. He knew what was coming, he rather see her happy and very much alive rather than seeing her cold and lifeless.
Sango stopped her crying and pleading then as she saw the look of calmness wash over Bankotsu's blue eyes. Her mouth agape, her tears free falling onto her cheeks and her hair wild around her Sango shook her head refusing to come to terms with what would happen next.
"Nothing will get to us, I promise." Sango searched his eyes for any sign of doubt was pleased to see nothing but determination, protectiveness and love. "But, I need you to promise me something."
"Which is?"
"Promise me, no matter what happens to me you'll save yourself."
"What?" Sango protested leaning back to look at her lover. She sighed in disbelief, "That's crazy! I am not going to leave you behind-"
"Sango," Bankotsu's gentle voice stopped her rambling making her snap her jaw shut, "I've experienced death, and I have been lucky enough to have a second chance even though it was to do the work of a madman. I've already had this chance at life, and if it means that I'll finally have a purpose in life, it'll be to protect you. If there is a chance to save you rather than myself, then I want to do that. I need you to promise me this."
The memory still very vivid in her mind played over and over, Sango let out a sob as she angrily turned around to face Naraku who had a look of curiosity across his face. "I'm going to kill you with my bare hands," Sango snarled.
Naraku laughed, "You don't threaten me, demon slayer," With a wave of his hand Sango was brought closer to her, the worried gasps of her friends rang in her ears as the angry protests of Bankotsu surrounded her. She was brought face to face to Naraku once more, she was no longer afraid of him, rather she wanted nothing more than to drive a dagger in his heart, "You are making it very hard to chose who to kill first, you or the mercenary."
"Damn you Naraku. This is between you and me! Leave her out of this!" Bankotsu shouted Naraku scowled turning his attention to Bankotsu once more. Sango peered over Naraku's shoulder seeing Bankotsu restrained with many tentacles, two at every limb and several ones wrapped around his body. Bankotsu and Sango looked at each other, Sango's fat tears rolling down her cheeks as she struggled in the tight grip of the tentacles.
Bankotsu turned to Naraku who was enjoying their heartbreaking exchange, "What a noble end for a pathetic mercenary," He said. Bankotsu heard the switch of the tentacles bringing him closer to Naraku suddenly face to face with him. His face was pale as death, his long black hair floating around him in such a wicked way it made Bankotsu sick. "You were foolish to let love get in the way. You are weak nothing but a mere mortal!" Naraku snarled, he slapped Bankotsu across the face making Bankotsu's head snap to the right, groaning he spit out some blood that was seeping out of his mouth.
"Go to hell," Banktosu hissed.
Kagome watched nervously from her position up the top of Shippo. Her and Miroku were on the edge of Shippo's circular body as they watched the interaction between Naraku, Bankotsu, and Sango. Kagome felt her own heart starting to break seeing her best friend emotionally and mentally break down as Bankotsu intervened, "We have to do something!" Kagome breathed.
"I'm trying, but I can't even move a finger!" Inuyasha hissed quietly from where he was which was a few feet from where Miroku and herself was.
"Do you see any way to distract them?" Koga whispered from behind.
"I can't find anything," Miroku groaned desperately as he looked around the dark cave. As much as he didn't like the idea of Bankotsu and Sango together, it pained him to see her in so much pain even if it had to be because of that mercenary.
The group gasped holding their breaths as Naraku suddenly brought Sango face to face with him, Sango's gaze did not waver; however, as her chocolate brown eyes burned with hatred. Naraku spoke in a smooth tone, "You are making it very hard to chose who to kill first, you or the mercenary."
"Damn you Naraku!" Bankotsu shouted, "This is between you and me! Leave her out of this!"
Inuyasha was witnessing everything in front of him. He hated not being able to do anything. Determined, Inuyasha wiggled in the tight hold of the tentacles trying his best not to make too much noise as he did so. There was a loud slap that rang throughout the mountain, Inuyasha looked up at Bankotsu who's mouth was dripping with blood. Inuyasha clenched his fist- Wait! He was able to move his hands now which meant Naraku's grip on his was loosening. Satisfied, Inuyasha carefully slipped out of the tentacles getting his shoulders free.
Kagome couldn't take it anymore. Her gut feeling was telling her that something terrible was going to happen if she didn't do anything to stop it. She stood up catching the attention of Inuyasha who nodded in return.
"Miroku gets ready," Kagome whispered reaching behind her grabbing an arrow. She quietly got her arrow ready in position. Miroku nodded standing up, Koga who heard everything as well quietly ran on the opposite side of them prepared to fight.
"I want to see the life drain from your eyes," Naraku pulled Bankotsu's hair lifting his face and exposing his neck where the jewel shard glowed. His hand was now reaching for Bankotsu's shards that were in his throat.
"No! Bankotsu! No!" Sango shouted desperately her voice cracking all at once. Bankotsu glanced at Sango, closing his eyes as Naraku's hand got closer and closer welcoming the darkness.
"Augh!" Naraku yelled snapping Bankotsu out of it. He watched in awe as Kagome's sacred arrow pierced through Naraku's hand sending him flying back. Naraku whipped around, teeth bared at Kagome with daggers in his eyes, "Curse you!" He roared, and at that moment Inuyasha finally managed to break through the tentacles.
"Iron reaver, soul stealer!" Inuyasha shouted cutting through the tentacles.
Sango
"No!" Naraku roared his lip curled in complete anger.
Everything was happening so quickly as Kagome shot her arrow right through Naraku's hand stopping him from taking Bankotsu's jewel shard. Sango's heart sped up looking at Kagome who was getting ready to make another arrow, "Bankotsu!" Sango called, Bankotsu looked at her with relief.
"Sango!" Kagome yelled warning Sango to brace herself as she pointed her arrow at the base of the tentacle splitting through the thick tentacle. Sango let out a full breath as the air rushed back to her lungs, she felt herself falling into the abyss, "Kirara!" she called out, her feline friend made no hesitation and bolted toward Sango. She landed with a thud onto her soft fur. She looked around seeing Miroku was now on Shippo and Kagome on Koga's as he and Inuyasha held onto the side of the wall.
"We have to get Naraku!" Inuyasha yelled as he pointed up to where Naraku was making his escape, a barrier around him and a hateful glare sent their way.
"We have to get out of here!" Miroku countered, "If we stay any longer we will be buried alive, this mountain will collapse any moment!"
Sango ignored their bantering as the huge chunks of flesh fell all around her, the occasional rumble of the mountain sending terror through Sango. Below them, the strange green liquid was now rising getting dangerously closer to them. She finally found Bankotsu who was still trapped in the tentacle's hold, "Kirara," she ordered as they dove towards Bankotsu, "Kagome, aim for the tentacle holding Bankotsu," She yelled over her back as soon as she said that the familiar pink light shot past her with a whoosh of air. Kagome's arrow shot into the tentacle releasing Bankotsu. Sango swept in just in time catching Bankotsu from falling even farther, she used her hand to steady him knowing that he was probably feeling frail from lacking jewel shards.
"Thanks," Bankotsu said wrapping one arm around Sango's waist.
"Are you alright?" Sango asked as Kirara worked hard trying to miss the various pieces of flesh falling around them.
"I will be," Bankotsu muttered, he looked up at Naraku who was disappearing quickly, "That coward."
"Sango! We have to get out of here, fly towards the top!" Kagome shouted from across the hall from her position on Shippo.
"I think we have another problem heading towards us," Koga said his eyes narrowing at the vast amount of demons blocking the opening of the cave which prevented them from escaping. Sango groaned as she grabbed her hiraikotsu ready to fight.
"Lend me your katana, will you?" Bankotsu said, his breath against her ear. Bankotsu slipped his hand around Sango's waist pulling her sword out, "This will be interesting."
"Ready?"
"Ready."
Kirara roared before charging into the flock of demons, Koga and Inuyasha rushed in front of them slicing any demon coming in their way. Below them, Miroku and Kagome were handling themselves very well as they fought bravely.
"Hiraikotsu!" Sango threw her hiraikotsu into the crowd of demons, her powerful weapon finding its mark as it bulldozed its way through.
"Wind Scar!"
"Sacred sutras!"
The group fought bravely each taking on whatever demon came too close for comfort. Sango accurately aimed her hiraikotsu towards the demons disintegrating each and everyone one flawlessly. Bankotsu sliced through, guarding Sango and Kirara's back. Bankotsu saw a large demon heading right at them before Sango and Kirara could notice. He grabbed Sango's hiraikotsu confusing her for a bit, "Bankotsu, what-"
"Watch my back, will you?" Bankotsu said, smirking as he hauled the heavy weapon onto his back in a similar fashion as Sango.
The corners of Sango's lips twitched upwards, "Always."
Bankotsu smiled, giving Sango a peck on the lips before getting on his feet on Kirara's back, he scanned the mass of demons looking for an unlucky target finding an ogre looking demon heading straight towards them. Bankotsu jumped off Kirara's end, he brought out the sword and skillfully slashed every demon leading his way. He used the demons as stepping stones as he got closer and closer to his target.
The ogre demon spotted Bankotsu and rushed towards him, mouth open, spit flying everywhere and claws ready. Bankotsu smirked, "Sango! Fly below me!"
"Got it!"
Bankotsu killed off a demon then hurled the hiraikotsu over his shoulder hitting its mark perfectly slicing the ogre demon in half. Bankotsu smirked raising his hand in the air as the big boomerang came flying back into him back into his hand. As the gravity began to pull him down, he landed with a thud as Sango swooped in in time, "I think I might take a liking to your hiraikotsu, Sango."
Sango rolled her eyes, "You wish."
"It looks like your half-breed friend needs some help," Bankotsu smirked as he pointed at Inuyasha who was running on a giant demon's back as some demons were heading towards him. Without a second thought, Bankotsu jumped off again onto the demon's back. With the katana he had, he did quick work with the demons getting some off of Inuyasha.
Bankotsu and Inuyasha stopped in a mid-fight and stared at each other, "I swear if you do anything funny, we can continue right where we left off," Inuyasha warned, teeth-baring a bit.
Bankotsu rolled his eyes, "The least I could get is a thank you."
"As if!" Inuyasha growled, "Behind you!"
Sango felt a swell of love as she saw her lover and Inuyasha working together in their given situation. She soared around with Kirara observing as the demons swirled around them. Her eyes found Kagome and Miroku who were getting backed up, "Kirara we need to help Kagome and Miroku!" Kirara roared in response and headed straight toward their friends.
"I'm running out of arrows!" Kagome yelled as she felt the tips of her arrows, she had about seven left.
"Use your arrows wisely, Kagome!" Miroku reminded her as he struck a demon in its head knocking it out completely. Miroku felt the sweat now starting to run down the temples of his head as the demons numbers were growing.
"Get them off of me!" Shippo cried from under them as he squirmed causing Kagome and Miroku to lose their balance for a bit.
"Hang in there, Shippo!" Kagome yelled resulting in using her bow as a weapon as she struck and swiped.
"Hiraikotsu!" Sango shouted hurling her weapon eliminating the demons that were crawling onto Shippo. It weaved around her friends catching every one of her targets giving Miroku and Kagome a chance to breath.
"Thanks, Sango!" Kagome called back, a small breath of relief escaping her lips.
Bankotsu couldn't believe what was happening. He was fighting alongside Inuyasha who just before they were trying to cut each other's heads off. But, he had to admit he liked the battle. Bankotsu was currently fighting a lizard-like demon. He growled in annoyance as this tiny katana was useless compared to his banryu. Although he knew his way around a sword, it wasn't as powerful as the halbert. Bankotsu slashed at the demon who cowered in pain screeching loudly. Bankotsu scanned the battleground for Sango seeing that she was currently helping the monk and Kagome with a few demons on her own. "Fuck!" Bankotsu swore as the demon managed to knock the katana out of his hand in his state of distraction.
"Bankotsu!" Sango called out to him, his eyes snapped up as Sango hurled her hiraikotsu to him, "Catch!" Bankotsu smirked and stuck out his hand catching the heavy weapon as it hurled towards him. He raised his eyebrow at the demon in front of him, with a smirk Bankotsu threw the hiraikotsu at it slicing it in half before the boomerang circled back to him. Above him, he heard Sango's feline friend roar he looked up as Kirara swooped down with Sango's hand outstretched towards him hoisting him up onto her back again.
"I told you we make a pretty good team, didn't I?" Sango asked a smile on her face, Bankotsu couldn't stop the smile that was forming on his face.
"You guys! I think it's about time we head out of here!" Koga yelled from where he was holding onto the sides of the fleshy wall.
"He's right. We managed to get rid of most of the demons. I say we leave!" Inuyasha called out as he continued to jump from demon to demon finally mirroring Koga's position on the opposite side.
"Everyone, head up!" Miroku ordered as Shippo was now starting to float towards the opening of the mountain.
"Come on, let's get out of here Kirara," Sango said, Kirara nodded flying towards the opening of the cave. Bankotsu tightened his grip around her waist as Kirara sped up. He focused on the light at the opening of the mountain when something caused him to look back. Bankotsu turned over his shoulder, and his eyes immediately caught the glint of banryu lodged into the sides of the fleshy wall.
"Banryu," Bankotsu breathed.
"What?" Sango asked over her shoulder.
"I need to get banryu," Bankotsu said in her ear.
"Bankotsu no, it's too dangerous-"
"I'll be quick!" Without another word, Bankotsu jumped off plunging into the abyss. Sango stopped Kirara as she stared below watching Bankotsu jump to and from the walls, he uses the pieces of flesh that were still falling to drop to and from. She anxiously bit her lip as she held onto the strap of her hiraikotsu watching her lover finally get to banryu. He grabbed the handle of the halbert and quickly pulled it out of the wall. Sango let out a breath of relief holding her chest as her heart began to slow down.
"Sango! A little help!" Miroku called over to her, turning around she saw Shippo struggling to carry the weight of both him and Kagome. Sango wasted no time directing Kirara towards them.
"Get on Kagome," Sango said to her friend as Kirara flew next to her, Kagome nodded slipping her arm through her bow before getting on. She took a sharp intake of breath as the mountain around them rumbled, more pieces of flesh falling into the green, acidic liquid below them.
"Come on. We have to get moving!" Inuyasha warned them, everyone nodded and raced up towards the exit, Sango and Kagome on Kirara, Miroku on Shippo, and Inuyasha, Koga and Bankotsu jumping their way up. Bankotsu was the last among the other two as he jumped with banryu in his hand. He saw Sango up ahead of them as she along with Shippo were already at the exit waiting for the boys to catch up.
"You're almost there!" Shippo urged them, still in his balloon form.
Sango watched anxiously, all three of them so close towards the opening. The bright light blinded her vision causing her to squint until finally, they arrived at the top of the mountain. With Kirara still circling the mouth of the mountain, Sango watched as Bankotsu was a bit slower than the two, but he was still managing with the massive halbert on his shoulder. But, something caught her eye, behind Bankotsu there was a tentacle rushing towards him, "Bankotsu!" She warned, but it was too late. The huge tentacle pierced through Bankotsu's stomach stopping him from jumping anymore. His eyes widened as the tentacle exited through his body, blood splattered everywhere on his hakama. "No!"
"Oh no," Kagome gasped from behind her, witnessing what happened to the mercenary. Sango's heart and the world stopped around her as she watched Bankotsu's grip on banryu loosen causing the halbert to drop down into the abyss. His azure eyes stared into her once more before they rolled back into his head as the tentacle started to pull him into the darkness.
"No! Bankotsu!" Sango cried, without thinking and ignoring Kagome's protests and pull on her arm. Sango jumped off of Kirara's back. Kirara roared after her as she plunged into the mountain once more. Her eyes were only on Bankotsu as she fell deeper, but to her anger, she was stopped. Next thing she knew, Koga had her arms around her as he was restraining her from going any further, "Let go of me! I have to get to him!" Sango cried banging on Koga's back.
The wolf demon paid no mind to her strong punches as he continued up towards the opening, "If you go in there you will die!"
"I don't care! Let go of me right now. I can't leave him!" Sango cried her voice cracking as the tears were running down her cheeks. They finally got to the top of the mountain where the ground was a bit more stable, but they knew it wouldn't last. Kagome was on Kirara looking at Sango nervously as Miroku was still up top Shippo. Koga placed Sango down, and without hesitation, Sango tried to bolt towards the opening of the mountain. She was stopped automatically from Koga who held her wrists with a strong grip. Sango growled, "Take your fucking hands off of me! I-"
"Sango, stop! I'll grab him, you and the others fly to somewhere safe the mountain isn't going to last any longer!" Inuyasha said as he placed a hand on her shoulder, "I am going to get him, I promise!" Inuyasha's golden eyes bored into her brown ones. He looked over at Koga, "Koga, get them to safety." With that, he turned around and jumped straight into the mountain again.
"Kagome, get on and take Sango with you," Koga said, still standing in front of Sango wanting to make sure she didn't decide to bold again.
"Sango, come on! We have to go!" Kagome exclaimed suddenly beside her. Sango felt Kagome grab her hand and pull her towards Kirara. Sango had no choice but to follow her as she got onto Kirara. The rest of the group then took off with Koga on the ground as they ran towards an open area in the forest. As soon as Kirara landed on the ground, Sango immediately stepped off she got to her feet and rushed forward watching as the high mountain was disintegrating right before her eyes. The mountain then made a loud booming noise thundering through the quiet forest causing the ground to shake under them.
Her eyes searched tirelessly for a speck of a red kimono in the remains of the rubble. A few seconds turned into minutes, and as each second ticked by the more, her heart started to sink. Sango let out a wrangled sob as she collapsed to her knees unable to hold herself up, she lowered her head as she clutched at her stomach and continued to cry.
"No! They'll make it!" Kagome said from beside her, her arm wrapped around Sango as her body was wracked with sobs. Kagome held her best friend close as she looked hard at the mountain refusing to lose hope.
"There!" Miroku shouted. Sango's head popped up almost immediately as she looked to where he was pointing. In the air emerging from the rubble, there was a flash of red and white, "It's Inuyasha! And he has Bankotsu!"
Sango shot up needing to catch a glimpse of Bankotsu, and to her immense relief there he was on the back of Inuyasha. The stream of tears and sobs were still in full action as Sango's hand at her stomach, the pain that was once eating her up now filled with some ease.
Finally, Inuyasha landed in front of them with a smirk on his face as everyone around her let out a breath they were holding. Inuyasha looked at Sango as she stood there frozen, her hand on her stomach and the other over her mouth. Inuyasha nodded and gently placed Bankotsu on the floor. Sango rushed towards him dropping to her knees beside him, his eyes were closed, and his breathing was labored. "No," Sango whispered as she looked at the deep wound on his stomach. It was still bleeding heavily soaking through the whole front of his hakama. She brushed his hair away from his face, her tears were falling onto his face, "Bankotsu, please, wake up!" she whispered, she cupped his face searching for any sign of life.
"Sango," Came the weak whisper from Bankotsu. Sango broke down then. She laughed as the tears and sobs were escaping from her. She looked down into Bankotsu's deep blue eyes as he weakly turned his head towards her.
"I thought you were dead," Sango sobbed burying her face in his neck as she continued to cry. She didn't care that the others were watching her now, all her emotions that she had to go through over the past couple of days were now rushing down on her. She was happy, relieved and scared to death all at the same time.
"I'm still kicking," Bankotsu joked weakly as his hand patted her back soothingly. He held her close and closed his eyes for a brief moment still astonished with how he was still alive. He kissed her cheek pulling her close to him as she helped him sit up. Without saying anything, he pulled Sango towards him cupping her face with both of his hands as he pulled her into a passionate, almost desperate kiss. Sango melted into it, kissing him gently but with passion that matched his own. She held onto him not wanting to let go for fear of losing him forever. She broke away, catching her breath as she rested her forehead on his, chocolate brown eyes looking into his deep blue ones.
"Don't ever do that to me again," Sango whispered. Bankotsu chuckled which he regretted as he winced leaning on Sango for support, "Don't move so much, you need to save your energy."
But Bankotsu ignored what she said as he looked past her at her friends who was curiously watching the exchange. Bankotsu found Inuyasha who had a careful eye on him, Kagome behind him and Miroku and Koga on either side. Bankotsu pushed himself up, biting his lip as he tried to take the pain as he used all the energy that he had to stand up. Sango gently helped him up, letting him wrap his arm around his shoulders as he used her for support, "Inuyasha," Bankotsu said surprising Sango causing her to look at her friends, "Thank you."
Inuyasha rolled his eyes, "I didn't do it for you," He said looking at Sango. Sango's eyes softened as her and Inuyasha's eyes met. She saw through his mask of being the tough guy, deep down she saw the small smile that was threatening to spread across his face. Kirara suddenly came on the other side of Bankotsu surprising him. Kirara nodded at Sango. With that, Sango let go of him as he leaned on Kirara and walked towards Inuyasha pulling him into a hug. Inuyasha made a noise once Sango's body made contact with his, she had her head over his shoulder, "Thank you, Inuyasha. Thank you for saving him," she said as she pulled back.
Inuyasha blushed and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly before muttering, "You're welcome." Kagome had a small smile on her face as she stared at Inuyasha with pride.
She pulled back from the hug and turned to Kagome who was smiling up at her, unable to contain herself she hugged Kagome and cried into her shoulder, Kagome returned the embrace and tightened her hold on Sango, "Thank you, Kagome, thank you." she thanked her for basically saving Bankotsu from being gone for good.
Her friends didn't need to do any of this. Inuyasha didn't need to go back into the already collapsing mountain to get Bankotsu. Kagome didn't need to save Bankotsu from Naraku. But they did, she felt loved and appreciated her friends much more now. Bankotsu was their enemy until about an hour ago, and yet they went out of their way to save someone who meant so much to her.
"So, let me get this straight. Sango, are you in love with Bankotsu?" Shippo exclaimed, scratching his head from where he was perched on Miroku's shoulder. Sango's eyes went from the fox demon child to her friend who's lips were pressed into a thin line.
"I am, Shippo. I love him," Sango said softly turning around locking eyes with Bankotsu as he leaned against Kirara. As she stared at Bankotsu, the past few months flashed before her eyes from the first time she laid eyes on him on Hijiri island, to the first time she confessed her love to him. Everything happened for a reason, he was given a second chance in life, and she was thankful for that for that is what brought them together. Turning back to her friends, Sango spoke, "I'm in love with him. I did not plan for this to happen, but I am happy that it did. I will leave him no matter what you tell me. I want you both in my life, but if we have to part ways because you don't agree with my decision or our relationship then so be it." Sango looked at her friends who stared back at her with their mouths slightly agape and their eyes burning with confusion as they tried to determine where they stand. Sango, however, did not waver her gaze as she stood there between her Bankotsu and her friends.
"Sango," Kagome finally said walking forward, "We don't want you to leave." Sango smiled at Kagome. Then she looked over at Inuyasha who although had a slight look of annoyance nodded his hard gaze matching her own.
"For you, Sango, yes. But if he steps out of line once, he'll be sorry," Inuyasha threatened lightly making Sango smile releasing a breath and her shoulders visibly relaxing.
Bankotsu chuckled weakly behind her "We'll see about that, half-breed."
Author's Note: Ahhhh! How do you guys like it? What was your favorite part? Mine had to be the exchange of the hiraikotsu between Sango and Bankotsu. You can't beat an awesome fighting scene between two badass characters! LOL. Don't worry I am going to continue this story. This isn't the end! Also, thank you so so so much to those who left me reviews! I read every one of them, and I am happy to know that you are all enjoying it. Thank you so much, you guys are my motivation 3 :) Don't forget to leave a review! Xo. -TIGR3SS