Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. Inuyasha and its characters are copyrighted to the amazing Rumiko Takahashi!

A/N: I apologize for the length between updates. I have been hard at work on my novels and a bunch of real life stuff has also come up.

Bankotsu's Greatest Challenge.

Chapter 25: Trouble Brewing.

"Kagome, are you listening to me?"

She frowned. "I'm sorry Shippo. What did you say?"

"Forget it." He sighed, hopping out of her lap with a bummed out look on his face.

"Shippo, wait." She placed a hand on his shoulder and stared into his eyes. "I'm really sorry. I'll listen this time, I promise."

Shippo's foot scuffed the dirt and he sighed. "I was telling you about my new move I've been working on."

She smiled. "Shippo, that's wonderful."

"I guess." He sighed and stared at his feet.

She rubbed his back. "Shippo, I know how hard you work on your moves."

"You haven't been around a lot lately." He stared at her.

She hugged him. "I know."

"Are you going to forget me?"

"Iie, of course not. Why would you think that?"

"Inuyasha did."

She sighed heavily. "Well, Inuyasha has a lot to deal with right now."

Bankotsu snorted and tossed the rest of his tea into the fire. "I'm going for a walk."

"Be careful okay?" Kagome stared at her husband.

"I always am." He smirked and walked over kissing her cheek. "You stay here by the fire and keep warm. Ja, stay with her and make sure she's got what she needs. I'll be back soon." He placed Banryu to rest on his shoulder. "Ren, you're with me."

Renkotsu blinked. "Hai," He corked his gourd and followed his leader.

Kagome sighed and sat down, stroking Shippo's hair. "Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere."

XOXOXO:

"Oi, how much further?" Inuyasha trudged along the path next to Kikyo.

"Not far." The woman said in a flat tone, continuing to lead him further through the thick trees and dense underbrush.

"Why won't you just tell me where we are going?" He watched her hips sway as she continued walking through the dense forest.

"Stop whining." She shoved a low hanging branch out of her way.

"I am not whining." He sulked, crossing his arms over his chest.

She blinked and walked over to the large boulders and nodded. "We're here."

Inuyasha scanned their surroundings and frowned. "Why this place?"

"It brings a feeling of peace to me." She sat down and placed her bow in her lap.

He sighed and sat beside her.

He heard rustling off to the west and frowned. "Stay behind me." He used one hand to push Kikyo behind him and the other to pull out his sword.

A confused and frightened girl of around sixteen burst from the bushes, falling to her knees, with blood dripping from her right leg and left arm. "Help me." She panted, looking at the strangers.

'Kill her.' Kikyo blinked and her eyes clouded over. She notched an arrow.

Inuyasha walked over to the girl, helping her to her feet. "What happened?" He stared at her wounds and scowled.

Kikyo pulled the string back and aimed the arrow at him, letting it lose.

He deflected the arrow with his sword. "Kikyo, what are you - " He ducked just in time to keep her second arrow from hitting home. It sliced open his left cheek.

He watched in horror as she aimed for the girl again. He tackled the girl to the ground and spun around to face his lover. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Get out of my way, Inuyasha." She notched another arrow.

"She needs help." He stood between her and the girl. He noticed the cloudy look in Kikyo's eyes and scowled. 'Damnit! Who is controlling her?'

"I don't want to fight you, Kikyo." He stepped towards Kikyo, putting his sword away and dodged the next arrow. His heart ached knowing that she was being controlled. 'I can't use my sword on her, because I don't want to kill her.'

"Please, don't hurt me." The girl cowered behind Inuyasha, unsure of what was happening. Her body shook from the force of her fear and she bit her bottom lip to keep from crying out loud.

"Don't make me tell you again." He said, flexing his claws.

"You would never harm the woman you love." Kikyo stared at him calmly and notched another arrow, filling it with purple energy.

Inuyasha's gut twisted as he prepared to engage the priestess. 'The Kikyo I know would never harm an innocent girl.'

XOXOXO:

A/N: That's it for this one. Hope you all enjoyed it. I'd love to hear what you think about it. XD