House of Cards
Chapter 2: Coming Clean
Author's Note: Edited March 22, 2020.
The little hut was occupied by two individuals, the demon slayer and the mercenary. Sango was sitting beside him, her hands intertwined with his resting on her lap as she tried to hold back her tears from falling onto his face. Bankotsu's tan skin was covered with tons of bandages that were darkened by his blood. They were able to get to Kaiede's village just in time, being that Bankotsu lost a lot of blood he was expected to be very weak. Sango knew that he won't be back to his original self in a while since he was after all, human.
The only thing that was keeping him alive was the jewel shard. He still had one lodged in his chest. Sango's eyes grazed over to where it was, she frowned placing one hand on his bare chest. She then brought his hand to her lips softly kissing the back of it, "Please Bankotsu. Stay strong."
"Mew," Kirara said from beside her. Sango opened her eyes blinking back tears as her demon cat worriedly looked at Bankotsu. She pawed at his arm as if she was trying to wake him up as well.
"I know, Kirara," Sango whispered petting Kirara's head, "He will wake up, I know he will. Bankotsu is stronger than we give him credit for." Although the words were reassuring, they weren't helping her. The seed of doubt will always be there, always taunting her. She looked back at Bankotsu's peaceful face as she slept, the memories of the two of them carefree and happy crossed her mind. She must've been staring at him for quite sometime before the sound of someone entering the hut caught her attention.
"Sango," Kagome's gentle voice said as she entered the hut. She had her hands behind her back and a gentle look of concern on her face as she approached Sango as if she was a wounded animal. Kagome's eyes glanced at Sango's hand intertwined with Bankotsu. It was unsettling and odd to see such a thing, but what was more odd was seeing the infamous leader himself sleeping soundly almost looking unthreatening versus what Kagome already knew.
"What is it?" Sango said in such a weak voice Kagome frowned.
"We were hoping if you were up for a talk," Kagome asked.
Sango sighed as she turned back to Bankotsu. She knew her friends were curious about how in the world she knew Bankotsu let alone how intimate she was with him. She had been grateful that her friends didn't demand such answers during this hard time, but as the days went on their curiosity and confusion must've grown especially Miroku. Sango hasn't been out of the tent since, but her talk with Miroku when they first arrived at the village was heated to say the least.
Three days earlier
"Hurry! We have to get him to Kaiade!" Sango exclaimed as she got off of Kirara immediately rushing to Inuyasha's side helping as she looped her arm around Bankotsu's waist. The two of them walked into the village with a few curious onlookers coming out of their huts.
"Kagome, look for Kaiade!" Inuyasha barked grumbling as they walked further down the path to Kaiade's hut. Kaogme nodded and ran before them disappearing into the hut and not long after the elderly priestess came out.
"What is the meaning of this?" Kaiade asked her eyes wide with surprise as she walked up to Sango and Inuyasha, "Is this who I think it is?"
"It is," Inuyasha rolled his eyes.
Sango ignored him, "Please, Kaiade." Kaiade was surprised as she looked at Sango's face full of worry and desperation, "Please save him."
Kaiade eyed Bankotsu wearily, "Why should I when I know of what things Bankotsu of the Band of Seven has done?"
"I can't change what he has done in the past," Sango started, "But I can only give you my word that he isn't the same as before. Please, you can trust me. Please save him, Kaiade. Please."
Kaiade looked at Sango a few moments more then looked over at Bankotsu who was still unconscious then finally nodded. Sango let out a big breath of relief bowing slighlty, "Thank you."
"Of course, dear," Kaiade said placing her hand on Sango's shoulder gently looking at her with a small smile before hurrying to an empty hut on her left, "Inuyasha, come, place him in here." Inuyasha huffed but said nothing as he followed the old priestess with Bankotsu on his back. Sango pierced her hiraikotsu on the ground and started forward wanting to help Kaiade as much as she could, but her hand was suddenly caught.
She whirled around seeing Miroku's hand tightly gripping onto hers pulling her closer, "Sango, what in gods name do you think you're doing?"
"I am going to help Kaiade, let go of me," Sango hissed.
"No, I am not letting you go until you tell me what the hell is going on between you and that mercenary," Miroku demanded.
"I will explain everything, but please let me go," Sango pleaded, this time with impatience in her voice as she tried to get her hand free from Miroku's strong grip.
"No! I have waited enough, I need to know what are you and Bankotsu? Are you in love with him?" Miroku asked loudly.
"I don't need to answer you now," Sango blushed pulling at her hand again trying to get free. She was aware of Kagome, Koga, Shippo and a few of the villagers who were curiously looking on. Inuyasha suddenly came out of the tent, he crossed his arms over his chest as he looked at what was unfolding before his eyes. She didn't want to deal with this right now, she needed to get to Bankotsu. The emotions running through here was too much to handle.
"Yes you do need to answer me right now. What does this mean for us? Do expect me to wait around while you are all over that mercenary?" Miroku's voice was getting louder with each word he said.
Sango narrowed her eyes, "There is no us." She growled. Miroku's glare softened and instead of anger hurt crossed his eyes. Sango immediately regretted the words leaving her mouth, but it had to be said. Miroku's grip on her hand slackened and she was able to pull away. She turned on her heel and ran towards the hut passing Inuyasha on the way.
"You could've at least told him in a nicer way," Inuyasha smirked. Sango rolled her eyes and disappeared into the hut.
Sango sighed blinking back the memory as she looked at Banktosu, "Alright I'll come out."
The bright sunlight blinded her as soon as she stepped foot out of the small hut. Wincing, she blocked the light with her hand looking out in the distance noticing that Inuyasha, Miroku, Shippo and even Koga, Ginta and Hakaku were all sitting around under the shade of the tree not too far out.
She followed Kagome as they made their way to the tree. Each of them surprised to see her out of the hut. She and Kagome took a seat under the tree as Inuyasha said, "Look who finally came out of the hut."
"Inuyasha!" Kagome lightly scolded from beside him.
"It's okay, Kagome," Sango reassured her as she started to play with her hands in her lap.
"You don't look too good, Sango," Ginta commented getting an elbow from Koga in the ribs.
"Shut up, Ginta," Koga growled narrowing his eyes at him. Sango sent Koga a small appreciative smile to which he nodded back. She looked from Inuyasha and the others noticing that Miroku was leaning against the tree, his arms crossed over his chest as he refused to look at her. Shippo was sitting next to Kagome giving Sango a friendly look his innocence shinning through his curious eyes. Frowning, Sango sighed and looked up at Inuyasha who's golden eyes were piercing into hers as if they were trying to read her.
"So, spill Sango. What's the deal with the two of you?" Inuyasha asked.
"Yes, I do owe you all an explanation," She nervously replied.
"You do," Koga said crossing his arms as he leaned against the trunk of the tree.
Sango was quiet for a bit feeling nervous as the others anticipated her answers. She looked from her lap to her friends who had all their eyes on her waiting for her to speak. Taking a deep breath and exhaling it, she swallowed as she began to speak, "I've known Bankotsu since we were young… we were once very close…"
Author's Note: Please leave a review so I know that you'd like more! Don't worry, there are more chapters to come.
