Hey guys! Sorry it's been awhile…Actually, I want to apologize for the mistake I made in the last chapter…I forgot to change the summary! ((dies)) I hope you can all forgive me. Well, like many asked, I made that new story, so now I'll be jumping between the two. In any case, it's been awhile since I worked on this…I hope I can still jump into the story again!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of this story…so don't sue me.

Warnings: OOC, mild language

Key: "speech" thought flashback dream


Reviewer Chat

Meowmix ()"If you are serious... O.oAnd not being weird...then message me so we can talk about this in private please. XP"

Drew: "Lol, it's okay, I don't mind if you're too lazy or not to review, it's just nice to know that people are actually reading this. It'd suck if I was wasting my time. Lol… Anyways, how am I? Mmmm…pretty good. It's summer for me and I've got a somewhat boring and yet busy one ahead of me. Thanks for asking. XP"

Kaioma: "Lol, thanks! That was really quite catchy. XP"

Shadow Miko: "Thanks! Sorry it took so long."

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Mikazukiko's..: "Thanks for the reviewing and I'm sorry for talking forever!"

BadBoysMistress: "Yes it will! Woohoo! Here's that update!"

Gizmo369: "I'm glad you like it! ((gives you some tissue))"

Squishy Penguin: "Yup! Together forever!"

Kirri Kitty: "Thanks for calling me cute...Lol, but don't worry...this Bankotsu's just a poor lost boy looking for love, and he has it."

Kilulu: "Lol, I'm glad you like my stuff!"

George: "You are really weird, but I think you're awesome! Thanks for the reviews and don't worry! I'm pretty easy-going!"

Animelover: "I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for reading!"

Cody: "Awww...I'm sorry I missed your Birthday...Crazy things were going on...((coughschoolcough)) Can you ever forgive me?"

Beverly: "I'm glad you could see it! Thanks for the review!"

Katherine: "Lol, wow! XD Thanks for the review! I'll try and continue to please!"

Crimson Angel 437: "Ack sorry! I'll reply to that e-mail as soon as I can!"

SisterBrother: "Lol, thanks for the review! Now, is that really two people or one? Lol..."

Kagome Lady of Darkness: "Okay! Thanks for the review!"

Kagome-the-Sugar-baby: "Don't worry! It's not ending yet!"

Italian Charms 587: "I'm glad you like it, thanks for the review!"

Miko's Child: "I guess you gotta love me now, huh? Lol."

Catch you Catch Kagome

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE: A Morning Like This Brings Disaster Tomorrow

"You can't leave me again!" Kagome screamed at the top of her lungs, tears of anger falling from her eyes. "I won't let you do this!"

"It's me or your brother," Bankotsu replied calmly, smiling softly at the enraged woman before him. "I have to do this."

The two were standing in a dark forest, a bright starry sky above them. The sound of a roaring demon could be heard and seen in the distance as the creature came closer, yet the Shichinintai leader showed little concern for it.

"Why?" the modern priestess cried, falling to her knees in agony.

"Because I love you and I owe it to my men…I've been a terrible leader."

Kagome opened her eyes and slowly sat up, finding herself in a strange cave. Her sight was blurry and all she could see was the figure of a man standing in the bright light at the mouth of it. She brought her hand to her aching forehead, hoping that her touch would sooth the pain she was feeling. "Who are you?" she asked the figure with a weak voice.

"You collapsed after the fight," the young man said as he began to approach her. "Are you feeling alright?"

What was that? Kagome thought to herself, trying to make sense of the scene she'd just seen. Was that a dream?

"Kagome."

"Yes?" she replied, looking up at the man, only to see a blob of colors before her. "I can't see you…"

"Is that so?" he asked, his voice now soft and soothing. "Can you feel me?" He placed his cool hand against her cheek and smiled when her eyes lit up with joy.

"Bankotsu!" she cried happily, jumping into his arms and knocking him over. "I missed you so much! I looked tried so hard, I was so scared!"

He smiled sadly as she buried her face into his chest and wrapped his arms tightly around her body. "It's okay," he soothed. "I'm here. But…what I don't understand is why you keep coming back to me."

"What do you mean?" asked the modern priestess as she pulled away to look at his sad face. "I love you, that's why I come back."

"But I keep making promises…and I keep breaking them." He looked away from her, as if he was ashamed of himself, as if he didn't want her to see the pain and guilt he was feeling.

"Don't hide anything from me," she mumbled, taking hold of his face and looking into his eyes. "I don't care what do you or don't do. I don't care anymore. I love you…and nothing will ever change that. Nothing."

"Likewise," he laughed, suddenly feeling cheered up. "Whenever you say that…it makes me feel so peaceful."

"I'll say it as much as you like," she whispered happily, lying on his chest once more.

OoOoOoOo

"Well, things are somewhat back together," Jakotsu mumbled to himself as he watched the couple from outside the cave. "Now we just need to get the rest of the team together." Jakotsu, Suikotsu, Ginkotsu, and Kyoukotsu were all outside the cave making a special breakfast for their tired breakfast and a normal meal for themselves. After the fight and after Kagome had passed out, they'd made a bed for her and began gathering all the broken items and setting up their cave again.

"Don't you think it's kind of odd though?" Suikotsu asked suddenly, as he stirred a giant bowl that was sitting on top of a fire.

"What's odd?" the cross-dresser asked, not showing as much concern as he should have been. Jakotsu was peacefully chopping the vegetables that were being handed to him by an enthusiastic Kyoukotsu. Ginkotsu was sitting beside the main fire, somehow making sure that it didn't get out of control.

"That Souta let me and Kagome escape so easily. I find it rather hard to believe."

"What do you mean? Do you think it's a trap?" Jakotsu inquired, now showing the proper concern as he stopped chopping vegetables. "Should we tell big brother?"

"No, I don't think it's a trap…but rather…he was busy with something else."

"But, what else could hold his attention so strongly?"

"It worries me to think about it."

"JAKOTSU…SUIKOTSU…" boomed Kyoukotsu, his voice deep and menacing yet sad and worried. "CAN WE WAIT BEFORE TELLING BIG BROTHER?"

The four looked toward the cave and noticed how peaceful Kagome and their leader were. The couple hadn't been given very much time alone together and it would be cruel to tear them apart again.

OoOoOoOo

Koga lifted his head from the ground and listened to the wind's howl from outside his cave. He'd been gloomy ever since the day Kagome had been captured and when he hadn't reached her in time, he, like Inuyasha and Bankotsu, beat himself up about it. By the time he'd reached them, he was too late. He refused to leave the wolf den, and instead lay inside silently, thinking about that day.

"Where's Kagome?" Kouga asked loudly as he neared the group, frantic from losing Kagome's scent. Sango and Miroku turned to find him rushing toward them. "Am I too late? I lost Kagome's scent!"

"I'm afraid so..." Jakotsu said sadly, standing up slowly.

"Inuyasha! What the hell's wrong with you?" the wolf demon hissed, looking at the wounded mutt.

"Shut up!" the half demon hissed back.

"It's not his fault," a sad and defeated voice said, catching everyone's attention. They all turned their heads to Bankotsu and watched him climb to his feet, still hiding his face from view. "It's mine."

"You mean you just let them take her?" the wolf demon asked, growling underneath his breath. He felt like punching the Shichinintai leader as hard as he could, but that feeling went away when he caught a glimpse of Bankotsu's tear stained face. To Kouga, the fact that Bankotsu was crying and not hiding his tears, showed that he really did care for the modern priestess, as much as himself.

"What the hell's wrong with me?" Bankotsu asked himself. "What the hell have I done...Why is this happening to us?"

Everyone kept silent and listened as the Shichinintai leader beat on himself with cold and cruel words. They knew that there was nothing they could do...they had all lost to Souta and Kohaku. They knew that they may never see Kagome again and because of that, they wouldn't be unable to cheer up the Shichinintai leader. Bankotsu continued screaming at himself, until he became too weak to stand, and collapsed to the ground. Nobody had ever seen the leader in such a state. Bankotsu was broken.

"I can't stand it…Why do things like this happen to you?" he asked himself, ignoring the sad moans and looks from his fellow wolves. "I just wanted you to be happy."

"Kouga," one of the wolf demons said softly, as they approached their leader slowly. "Kagome…the wolves…say they saw her with the Shichinintai."

Kouga lifted his head suddenly and stared into the demon's eyes hopefully, praying his fellow wolf demon wasn't joking with him. "Are you serious?" Without another word, he jumped up and darted out of the cave, using the power of the jewel shards in his legs to take himself toward the woman he loved, toward Kagome.

OoOoOoOo

Kouga wasn't the only demon being depressed due to Kagome's kidnapping. Ever since that day, Inuyasha had been sitting near the well that connected them; he had been wishing that she'd jump out and yell, "Just kidding!" But no longer how long he waited or how long he wished, she hadn't came out. Sango and Miroku had tried countless times to bring him back to the village, but he refused, and even Shippo and Kirara tried their luck at bringing him back.

"This is incredibly boring," Souta spat out, shaking his head. The battle with the demons and the remaining party had come to a stop, and Bankotsu was being kept from killing the young girl. "It seems you've all done enough damage that I won't need to kill her after all. I can do whatever I want with her now," Souta laughed. "I'll be hiding her scent so that nobody will find her. Thanks for all your help."

"Don't you dare leave you coward!" Inuyasha screamed from his place on the ground.

"Inuyasha," Souta hissed back. "I don't think you're in any position to tell me what I can and cannot do." The young teen walked over to his wounded sister and lifted her fragile body into his strong arms. "Yura, Mukotsu, Renkotsu...and Kohaku, we're leaving." Sango and Miroku both rushed toward the teen, but were unable to stop him from departing. Before they had a chance to reach him, he was already flying away on top of a feather with Kohaku and his fellow followers. Kohaku was slightly surprised to find that Kagura was the one controlling the feather, meaning that Souta had decided to use the Naraku demons after all.

Inuyasha didn't want to leave the well but he didn't want to tell them this, he didn't want to worry them; instead, he'd tell them that he wanted to wait for her. He'd tell them that if she happened to escape, she might return to the well and he wanted to be there to help her when she arrives. "I'm going to wait for her," he'd tell them. Day after day he'd tell them this, lying to himself, just so that it wouldn't hurt. It hurt because he'd failed her and true he was competing with Bankotsu, this wasn't something he could blame on the Shichinintai leader. After all, if there was no Kagome, then the two men had no reason to rival against each other.

And even though they were all angry at one another, at themselves, their sorrow was stronger and they left quietly, not speaking a word to the other. Inuyasha lifted his head slowly when he caught the smell of a familiar scent, but the lowered his head. It's nothing. He told himself, not believing that the scent he smelt belonged to the woman he loved. "Kagome," he whispered to himself, finding it difficult to ignore the strange feeling inside his gut. "You're back?"

OoOoOoOo

Kagome sat up and looked into Bankotsu's sad eyes. "You went through so much, didn't you?"

"What about you?" he asked, sounding just as concerned. "I honestly don't matter…"

"Don't say that!" she snapped, becoming upset. "Of course you matter! You have no idea how much you matter to me. And your men, they're all just as worried about you. Bankotsu, don't you ever say anything like that ever again. I don't care what happens…"

"Kagome," he said softly, taking hold of her hand and wiping away her tears. "Please don't cry anymore…"

"You've changed so much from the beginning…You're not the same…You're…"

"Broken…?" he inquired quietly. When Kagome looked up at him, a shocked look on her face, she found him looking away shamefully. "You would be too…I've let down my men…I've let you down…I've broken so many promises…"

"Please Bankotsu," she cried, hugging him once more. "I want you to be yourself again…Let me help, let me help to repair you. I'll do anything."

He looked down at her and smiled. "Then let me continue to protect you." Before she could respond, he lowered his head and kissed her gently. His kiss was filled with so many different emotions, love, sorrow, guilt, regret, and possession. When they parted, his eyes were shining like they once had, and he had a sincere peaceful smile. "If it makes you happy, me being like how I was…Knowing that you still love me, I can be happy again."

"I'll always love you…forever and ever."

"KAGOME!" two loud but familiar voices screamed from outside the cave, catching the couple's attention. "WHERE ARE YOU?"

"Inuyasha? Kouga?" Kagome asked suddenly, becoming confused. "What are they doing here?"

"Do you want to see them?" asked Bankotsu, soundly slightly worried.

"Would it bother you?"

"Well, I guess I can't hog you completely," he laughed gently, standing up and helping her to her feet as well. "Go and see them, we can be together again later."

"Okay."

When Kagome ran outside, she found Jakotsu and Suikotsu holding back two angry demons, both of them yelling about seeing their beloved modern priestess again. "Hi guys," she said softly, giving them her sweetest smile.

"Kagome," Inuyasha whispered as he felt himself go limp in Jakotsu's arms. The sight of her made his body feel relaxed and he was relieved that she was okay. "You're safe…"

"Kagome!" Kouga hissed angrily, pushing Suikotsu away with all his might and running over to the young woman. "Are you really okay? Are you unharmed?"

"Kouga, I'm fine…Really!" she laughed uneasily, not wanting to worry him further.

"I'm sorry!" he yelled out suddenly, grabbing her and pulling her into an embrace. "I said I'd leave but I just couldn't…I had to come."

"It's alright," she whispered softly into his ear, knowing that their situation was a bit awkward.

"I'm glad you're safe." He pulled away and looked her in the eyes, but before he could say anything else, he was roughly pushed aside by a worried and irritated Inuyasha.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha cried as he pulled her into his arms, not wanting to release her again. "I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you!"

"Calm down," she laughed, hugging him back. "I'm fine."

"You're not mad?"

"Nope!" He smiled contently and released her slowly. "But Inuyasha…I'd like to talk to you in private."

"W-what?"

OoOoOoOo

Souta stood in his dark room, thinking about his next meeting with his sister, thinking about how he'll go about sealing her in ice. As he stood around deep in thought, he failed to notice his door opening and closing. After I seal her…I'll destroy everyone else and then give Kohaku his new body. Afterwards…he'll be strong enough to turn her into a half demon. Then…she won't be able to return home.

"Souta?" Rani asked softly, hoping that she wouldn't startle him too much.

"Rani?" he asked in surprise as he turned around swiftly. "What are you doing here?"

"I just…Everything's set up."

"Rani?"

"I wanted to tell you personally. I'm sorry for bothering you my Lord." As she turned to leave, Souta suddenly grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her into his arms. "Lord Souta?" she asked in shock as he wrapped his arms around her slender body.

"What seems to be the problem? Why are you acting so distant?"

"Souta…"

"If you want something, just ask."

Rani suddenly pushed him away and turned towards him with tear filled eyes, leaving him completely confused. "I…Nevermind."

"What? What is it? Why are you crying?"

"Oh Souta…I love you so much!" she sobbed, covering her face with her sleeve, not wanting him to see her. "I don't think you understand how much I love you. I'd do anything for you. Anything…and it seems like…"

"It seems like I don't love you, right?" he asked as he gently took her in his arms once more. "I do…I'm just…I'm sorry…"

"Souta?" she asked, now her turn to be surprised as his buried his face in her hair and held her tight. His voice was hoarse and he was shaking, as if he was crying and hiding his face from view.

"I really do love you…I just don't know how to express it…" It's a lie…I feel nothing but guilt. I want to love you….but I can't…

Though Souta was lying to her, trying to make her believe him so she didn't feel any pain, she new the truth. She could tell that he was hesitant to speak and she already knew how he felt. Maybe that's why it hurt so much. "When do you want to start the ritual…?" She felt his grip tighten, somewhat protectively as he shook his head.

"Don't even mention it," he mumbled, sounding lost and hopeless. "I don't want to think about it." He let go slowly and pulled away, careful to hide his face. "I want you to do something for me…"

"What?" she asked, worried by his behavior.

"I want you to stay with me." And as he said this, he turned to her, revealing his tear stained face and his eyes that were filled with such sorrow. "Stay with me…until the end."

"Lord Souta, I'll stay with you…forever." And with her aching heart, she meant every word, and she felt the love for him in her heart as it overwhelmed her, and once again, tears were falling from her eyes. She would never leave his side, ever.

OoOoOoOo

Yura sat outside the castle in the grass looking up at the clouds in peace. All of her thoughts were on Souta, the man who had saved her from death and given her a purpose. The brother of the horrible woman who had not only killed her, but then became her friend.

"But I suppose you'll never be able to love anyone other than your sister," she said softly to herself. "It just is…you're still but a little boy." She stood up slowly and smiled a bit, somewhat amused at how easy it was to let go. Maybe it was because she was scared, because she knew that if she got to close she'd get burned. It was obvious to everyone, that Rani had sealed her fate by becoming so close to the young master. But sometimes, Yura wondered if Rani really understood what it meant to love Souta.

Loving Souta was like loving death. One never knew when he would snap, what he was planning, or if he was really as kind hearted as he made himself out to be. What were his servants and the countless beings he saved to him? Were they friends, trusted minions, or just pawns in his game?

"Rani…I hope this is really what you want."

OoOoOoOo

Renkotsu and Mukotsu sat in their room preparing for the ritual that was to start as soon as Souta gave word. They were to stand watch and guard the area from any intruders, seeing how the ritual would be extremely important for Kohaku to get his new body. Once Kohaku was given his new body, the two would be given unbelievable power and trust. They would be able to have anything and everything they desired.

"Renkotsu?" Mukotsu mumbled from his spot at the window, staring out at the grassy view before them. "Do you think we're okay?"

"What do you mean?" inquired Renkotsu as he sat on his bed reading, not bothering to look up at his friend. "We're fine."

"No, I mean…do you think we were right to just abandon Bankotsu like that?"

"Mukotsu," Renkotsu said gently, placing his book down and turning toward the small poison master. "Even you were fed up with him. He doesn't give a damn about us, you know that."

"But still…We're completely betraying him. You do realize Souta means to destroy him later, don't you?"

"Yes, but why should we care? Our honor no longer lies with Big Brother."

"Your honor was never with him."

"Hahah!" Renkotsu laughed, knowing that what Mukotsu had said was all too true. Renkotsu had never really been completely for Bankotsu, not like Jakotsu and Suikotsu. Suikotsu, now that's a laugh!"

"I don't know…he was bold to take Kagome and run off…"

"Bold?" Renkotsu laughed again, this time even more amused than the last. "He was a coward. He was so afraid of Bankotsu that he grabbed the wench and took her back. Such a pathetic man."

Mukotsu looked away from Renkotsu and shook his head in shame. I don't know…I'm angry with him…but at the same time… "The power being offered to us is way better than anything Brother Bankotsu could give."

OoOoOoOo

Inuyasha watched Kagome nervously as they walked away from the group and toward the village. Once they were out of listening range, Kagome plopped herself down on the grass and motioned for Inuyasha to do the same. When the two were comfortable and after a few minutes passed, Inuyasha decided to ask what she wanted to speak about, the curiosity was killing him.

"Uh…Kagome?" he inquired slowly, trying to think of the words he needed to use. "What's this all about?"

"We haven't been alone together in a long time," she said softly, staring out at the village in the distance. "It reminds me…"

"I think I know what this is about," he mumbled, standing up quickly. "I don't want to hear it."

"Inuyasha." Kagome's voice had become stern and forceful, yet her eyes were watery. "I've made up my mind. I can't love you both."

"I understand."

"Please," she cried, jumping up and hugging him around the waist. "Please don't be angry…Please…"

"You don't have to worry." His surprisingly calm voice startled her, and she looked up to find two glassy eyes looking down at her. "I'll always love you…And if anything ever happens…I'll always be here."

"Oh Inuyasha! Don't wait around for me, move on!"

"We'll see what happens…Kagome."

OoOoOoOo

Kohaku stood in the library at the window, looking up at the sky, a dark smile on his face. "Well Souta, you'll be helping me get my body soon…and we'll be together forever. This world will be ours and you will never be unhappy again. I'll have the power to do anything and to make sure of that, together we will collect the jewel of four souls together and I will make you a demon with it."

Kohaku gently placed his hand on the glass, smiling as he felt the coldness of it against his palm. "I'll get my revenge on Inuyasha and his brother…defeat the band of seven…" He suddenly put his nails against the glass and scratched it slowly, making a loud and deafening screech. "…and destroy your sister."

"Kohaku?" a voice from behind the library door called. "Are you in there?"

"Yes, what do you want?"

"It's a message from Souta, sir. He asks that we wait until tomorrow to begin the ritual."

"I see…Tell him I'm fine with it." As soon as Kohaku was sure the messenger had left, he began to chuckle evilly. "I see Souta…Take your time. After all, nobody but us know what you'll be doing tomorrow…"

CHAPTER END

OOOOOOOOOOO

NEXT CHAPTER: Party Crashers

Bankotsu decides to gather everyone together and attack Souta and Kohaku when they're least expecting it! Or are they expecting it? With old foes and the beginning of a new one, will they be able to reach Souta and Kohaku in time to stop the creation of a new enemy?

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

This chapter was pretty much just a peaceful rest for our entire cast. They won't be getting another one like this, since we're nearing the end of the story. Now don't get all crazy on me, we've still got some chapters to go. I don't know how many really, but enough to keep me busy. So everyone, put on your happy faces! Cuz these next chapters are going to get worse in the drama department, but trust me, for the most part…the story will work out, and you'll love me! I hope…