Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Inuyasha.
Author's Note: After this chapter, I'm going to do two more. One ending for Bankotsu and Kikyou, and one ending for Inuyasha and Kikyou. That way, there's something for everyone!
Kagome looked down at the seemingly lifeless form at her feet. "He's alive, I know he is!" She sat back, thoughtful. The now-purified Shikon shard was attempting to shine radiantly.
Kikyou and Bankotsu were making love in that cave. And I don't think that Kikyou would give her heart to anyone except Inuyasha so lightly. This thought made her scowl. Inuyasha swooped right in and protected her. He didn't even notice me. It was all about Kikyou.
Well, she mused, I was also wondering what was going on in that cave. I definitely didn't think it was anything romantic at first. Inuyasha must have been shocked and hurt.
The girl returned her attentions on the man before her. Should I run away? Should I go after Inuyasha and Kikyou? Should I help Bankotsu, or will he kill me? Somehow, Kagome didn't think that he would hurt her. Maybe if I can bring him back fast enough, he'll stop Inuyasha and Kikyou from… She couldn't complete her thought, but a bitter thrill shot up her spine at the prospect of someone other than Inuyasha being in Kikyou's life. Maybe then Kikyou would just leave her and Inuyasha alone.
"It wouldn't hurt to help. You can't just leave an injured man laying on the ground like this, Kagome," she told herself. But guiltily, she knew the main reason she wanted to revive him quickly.
"Hmmm…." Usually, a Shikon fragment would make someone an inch from death stay alive, but Bankotsu looked as though he was on death's door. Something must be holding him back, the girl thought. "Could it be the pain of losing Kikyou to Inuyasha?" She grimaced. Or maybe his dead friends were calling him back… Shrugging, Kagome watched the shard in his neck.
"It's really trying to be pure," she thought aloud, "perhaps I could give him a little push? This guy shouldn't kill me if he wants to purify the shard and I help revive him." Her other side argued, but he'll eventually revive himself, won't he? "Yes," she answered her own question. "He won't die with that shard in him. I think he's just knocked out."
Struggling with herself, the girl continued to look down upon Bankotsu. I wonder what he's really thinking?
Kikyou. A white mist. The beautiful woman's form falling from his arms. I'm sorry, Kikyou. I didn't mean to drop you. But he couldn't pick her up. He tried to move his arms, but they refused him. There was a searing pain in his chest. White light.
Stupid hanyou, Bankotsu thought. You can't kill me like that. I have part of that jewel imbedded in my throat. Then-
A burning sensation in his throat. Choking the air out of him. Eyelids drooping as he saw Inuyasha smirking at him, before concernedly looking at Kikyou. I'll kill you, you motherfucker, keep your hands off of her, she's-
The dog-demon pulled clothing on her. Bankotsu tried to raise up but he couldn't move. What the fuck is wrong with me? This shard, it's- The young warrior felt as though he was choking. He looked at Kikyou through almost closed eyes. An explosion of bliss ricocheted within his being. Is this my soul? My heart? Happiness was then replaced by anger. Is this what happened to Suikotsu? He tried to become a pure person? Is that what I'm trying to do? Normally being reasonably intelligent, Bankotsu didn't have the answers. His eyes closed. "I'll come back for you…" Did he say it? I think I did…
Bankotsu wondered about his friends for a time, especially the doctor. I gave him such a problem for wanting to be innocent and kind, but I think that's what's happening to me. My mind and heart are at odds. What can I do?
Nothing. He would wait. He tried not to think about Kikyou. He wanted to be evil, to kill… But visions of her soft yet stern gaze, her beauty, her mouth moaning into his thick braided hair, crying out his name, the thought of spending eternity together, wandering the earth with a common purpose, to kill Naraku… These thoughts motivated him to try to stand.
But.
He wanted to kill Inuyasha. That bastard hanyou, who had taken Kikyou away from him. He would die. As soon as I awaken from this dream, he will die. Bankotsu almost didn't want to wake up, for he knew that he must kill Inuyasha. And that would hurt Kikyou, who was the only person to truly understand him. Even more so than his brothers.
What's this? Bankotsu felt a searing pain at his throat, like invisible fingers were trying to pull the shard from his neck. He heard a high feminine voice.
"Are you good or evil?"
"I am evil, but I want to be good," he answered.
"Your shard is trying to purify itself, do you know that?" The girl's voice questioned.
"I think I'm purifying it," Bankotsu said in pain, feeling as though he was in that place between sleep and dream.
"Why won't you wake up? The power of the shard should do it." The girl's singsong tones were becoming somewhat recognizable.
"I'm afraid to wake up."
"Do you love Kikyou?"
"Yes."
A sharp intake of breath. Bankotsu opened his eyes. In a misty frame, he could see a girl that resembled Kikyou, although much younger and nowhere near as beautiful.
She spoke again. "Your wound is healing, because of the shard. Am I helping you?" This girl was Kagome, the other miko that Inuyasha favored.
"You do this, at the risk of me killing you?" Bankotsu was slowly coming to.
"You won't kill me. You're purifying the shard on your own."
Finally, the young leader was able to sit up. Kagome shrank back.
"Why did you help me?" He questioned.
She flushed darkly. "What do you mean? I didn't help you. I just asked you questions."
"You could have left me there to figure it out on my own," the Schichinintai warrior stated. "You knew I wasn't going to die."
"I-I know," Kagome stammered. Bankotsu looked at her for a short while as he caught his breath. I can't help Kikyou in this condition. Besides, I know that hanyou wouldn't hurt her. But I'll make him pay for wanting her.
"What's that look on your face for?" Kagome said with trepidation. "Are you going to get Kikyou back from Inuyasha? Are you angry with him?"
"I know why you coaxed me back to consciousness," Bankotsu said with a smirk. "You love Inuyasha, and you want me to be with Kikyou, so you can have him all to yourself."
"What! No!" Kagome protested, though unconvincingly. "I just don't like to leave people laying around unconscious. It's dangerous!"
He looked at her skeptically. "In a cave, behind a waterfall, where non one would find me unless they were incredibly nosy?" He cocked an eyebrow at Kagome, who blushed furiously.
"Well," he continued, standing up. "I'll do you this favor for asking me the right questions so that I get there in time."
"What favor?" Kagome asked. "And in time for what?"
He brushed the dirt off his pants and scowled at his broken armor. "The favor of taking Kikyou away from Inuyasha. And in time to get to her and that hanyou before something happens."
"Something?" Kagome asked blankly. "Like what?"
"Like what happens when a man and a woman are alone together."
Kagome nodded, understanding dawning on her. "Let's go. I'll show you the way they went."
He raised his eyebrows at her, and then shook his head. "Lead the way."
He chuckled to himself. So she's planning on living happily ever after with that hanyou. Well, my plans are different.
Inuyasha's not going to live out this night.
Author's Note: Stay tuned for the next two chapters, one with BankotsuXKikyou and the other for InuyashaXKikyou, depending on which ending you prefer! Please review!