Screams rang through the night as the flames painted the black sky bright. Women and children ran for their lives while the men showed their courage and fought to defend the village against those who wreaked havoc. They fought well, but it wasn't enough. Not against the seven men with the insatiable blood lust.

Kagome laid on the ground, wincing as pain shot through her whole body with every movement, tears pooling in her eyes as she watched the horror around her. She knew very well what each member of the Band of Seven was capable of, but she had yet to witness their power with her own eyes.

When Kagome arrived at this village just a couple days ago, it was lively. The people were kind, generous, they cared for her like one of their own even though she was just a wandering stranger to them. Now, the village was covered in the blood of it's people. The pained screams that echoed in Kagome's ears slowly descended into silence. She was helpless and defenseless, unable to do anything other than cry. If she didn't feel so pathetic already, she did now.

She was so engulfed in her sorrow that she didn't notice the mercenaries standing by, watching her injured form. Kagome was a mouse in a pit of snakes. She braced herself for whatever torture they'd give her.

"Inuyasha's wench." The one she recognized as the cross-dressing Jakotsu spoke with disgust. "What a vile creature. Let's just kill her and be done with it?"

"Why not take our time with her?" The one called Suikotsu spoke after having a taste of the blood soaking the blades he wore on his hands, "I bet her screams are lovely." His lips curled into a cruel smirk.

"But she's a sight for sore eyes. It would be a shame to waste such a beauty." The poison user Mukotsu looked over Kagome with lust-filled eyes sending a shiver down her spine. The movement behind the cloth covering his mouth told Kagome he was licking his lips. The act made her want to gag.

"Big brother, what should we do with the girl?" The fire breather Renkotsu asked.

Kagome looked at the man the fire breather spoke to. Bankotsu.

His large halberd, Banryu, was covered in crimson as well was his face. He didn't seem to notice or even mind how dirty he was. As Kagome stared at the fearsome leader, she was even more afraid as she caught his alluring features and cobalt eyes. His beautiful eyes were unforgiving as they looked over the battered girl on the ground. When his terrifying gaze locked with Kagome's, he smirked. She shuddered at the anticipation of what Bankotsu had in store for her. She was injured and alone. No one was alive to help her, and she knew Inuyasha wasn't coming. She prayed that whatever he had decided, her death would be quick, but she knew the chances of that were close to none.

"Wench," Kagome flinched at the harshness of his tone, "I'll keep you alive … for now."

Her eyes widened at this. He wasn't going to kill her. But this couldn't bring Kagome any comfort as she knew soon enough, she will probably beg for death.

Bankotsu held her gaze before sending a glare to his comrades, silencing their protests.

"Don't question me. Besides, she could be of use for us."

The members of the Band of Seven smiled maliciously as they caught on to their leader's implication. They had plans for her, ways to use her, and kami forbid that she was to displease them in any way.

"Jakotsu, grab the girl," Bankotsu continued ignoring Jakotsu's whining, "Renkotsu, Suikotsu, you two make sure there are no other survivors. Let's move it boys! Tonight, we're celebrating another victory!" After Bankotsu gave out the orders, the idea of celebrating earned him a cheerful response from his comrades.

Jakotsu gripped the back of Kagome's shirt and hoisted her onto Ginkotsu's cold metal surface, smiling at the pained noises she was making when he threw her against the man built like a metal tank. He bound her hands and stood by her pouting about being stuck with the woman, murmuring comments expressing his distaste for all women. Bankotsu hopped onto Ginkotsu's form and stood observing the handiwork they've done. Kagome could see that he was satisfied with the blood shed and destruction. Suikotsu and Renkotsu returned and nodded at their leader, silently telling him that their work here was done.

"Alright men! Move out!" Bankotsu bellowed out with a voice full of authority. Sure enough, all the men hopped onto Ginkotsu and he started towards their hide out. Kagome was distracted by the agonizing pain the bumpy trip was causing her weak bones and battered muscles, she didn't realize Bankotsu looking at her. She caught a glance at his face. Though his face appeared emotionless, his eyes held something that Kagome couldn't understand let alone describe. He held her gaze for a few moments before returning his sights to the road ahead.

Kagome released a breath she didn't realize she was holding in. He was intimidating, unpredictable, and dangerous. But for unknown reasons that both frustrated and terrified her, Kagome couldn't rid her mind of his eyes.