A/N: This is to make up for my nonexistant fast update.
It's over 20 pages!
Thank you so much! I have a review! But… I just found out that yukatas are girls clothes. So ignore all the yukata things earlier. It's haori's now. Sorry for the mix up.
Tamia Eternity: Thanx. XD
Here is a brief recap of what's to come (hopefully) in this chapter! Trying not to leave anything out. Heh.
Next Chapter, Rei Chikara, Sentakushi no za Kokoro: (Strength of the Soul, Choices of the Heart)
All the stuff I have stupidly forgotten in last chapter. Who are these mysterious followers of Kagome? What! She's still being followed… But why can't Bankotsu sense it? Kagome is a defiant as ever, and she continues to attempt a wild escape, lashing out. In her desperate state, will she fall prey to the tricks of Naraku? And exactly WHO and WHAT is her soulmate? Does she even have one to play the legendary part? Or will he too, be sucked into her vortex of destruction, or will he discover her and take his role? What decisions will be made? What will be Bankotsu's reaction when the soulmate is revealed? Will they survive, hateful and spiteful, or loving?
Next Chapter
Paths of Moon and Flame
Rei Chikara, Sentakushi no za Kokoro (Strength of the Soul, Choices of the Heart)
Now that that's done, let's get the party started.
Paths of Moon and Flame: Shinku EitaiChapter 5
Rei Chikara, Sentakushi no za Kokoro
'I cannot truly remember the times of love in my life. I can only clearly remember the killer, hate, and death. I can only hope that when I come to the point of saving or destroying everything, that I make the right choice.'
o.O.o.O
Kouga shaded his icy blue eyes with his hand, blocking out the fierce rays of the setting sun raining down upon the mossy cliff. He sent his sharp gaze over the miles and miles of Sengoku Jidai, his tribe stretching lazily with their wolves behind him. His orbs narrowed slightly as he spotted smoke rising in the distance, and he called out in his normal husky voice, "I'll be back in time for the hunt, Ginta. Catch ya later."
He took a deep breath of the cool and crisp air before blasting off in a swirling tornado, feet pounding the ground. A cloud of blue-tinted dust and dirt flew around, generated from the power of the Shikon Shards imbedded in his legs and right arm. 'Kuso. Hope its not that bastard again…'
He unconsciously sped up his pace at the thought of Naraku and his despicable incarnations. 'Damn him, sending that… that… bitch to kill his tribe. Worse, bring them back to attack me! Their leader! Only to die once more.' He lowered his head until his scruffy ebony bangs shaded his eyes, continuing his rapid procession.
'Man, wonder who that girl was though. Pretty tough to knock ME over. Hmm…' He was soon lost in thought as to who (or what) the female ninigen was when he smacked into a soft object, and he let out a low growl. Kouga and the 'object' fell over, skidding a few feet, before regaining balance.
His icy blue orbs widened as he looked down, seeing a, no THE girl. 'Kuso to hell.' He was straddling her, and she was none too happy, a slim raven eyebrow twitching uncontrollably.
"I'd really appreciate it if you'd…" Her voice sounded strained, and she sighed and shook her head. Balling up a fist, she began again, furious. "GET THE HELL OFF ME!" Reaching up, she smacked her fist towards his forehead, but Kouga anticipated this. He reached out and caught the tanned hand, flipping up and yanking her with him.
"Don't use that tone with me… uh, what was your name?" His voice dwindled as he stared at her, drinking in her beauty and ferocity.
"None of your business, Kouga!" She hissed, wheeling and snatching Shinku Eitai from the dusty lime-green grass.
"I enjoy a challenge, Ms. None-of-Your-Business. I won't hesitate to force it out of you." He smiled a charming smile, and deep down, far inside her black heart, Kagome felt a twinge of fear. She covered it up flawlessly, and Kouga smelt nothing. She was undetected.
"Go ahead. I'll deal with you later. I have better things to do." Her tone was haughty, arrogant and careless, as if she was dealing with a speck of dirt. "Hiten, hand me your thunderpike."
"Watch it, Kagome." He handed it gingerly to her, "It can spark you. Not used to you."
She simply smiled a bright smile at Hiten. "But it is."
Kouga's eyes narrowed to thin slits, and he suddenly released his angry words. "And pray, Kagome," He spat her name before continuing, "What better things do you have to do than speak to the Prince of the Northern Wolf Demon Tribe?"
Kagome smirked, and turned slowly toward him. "Plenty. As a matter of fact, I'm too busy for the likes of you!"
Kouga bristled and snarled, and he took a stride forward. Kagome just grinned and held out the thunderpike, whirling it expertly in an arc, fending off the pissed wolf demon. "I have things to do, better for you if you leave. They're already on my doorstep." She shifted the rotating weapon to her left hand, and fiery blue sparks began to fly. Continuing the twirling motion, she reached into her yukata and pulled out a small, circular container, similar to a small jewelry box.
"Kagome, this isn't the time to do makeup…" Jakotsu stated uncertainly, looking curiously at the box.
Kagome glanced over her shoulder and glared softly. "This… is not makeup. It's my poison collection. Perfect. What! I'm out." 'Damn.' She slumped against a tree, highly angry at her lack of murderous poison powders. "I wonder…" She painfully slit the area on her chest where Renkotsu's knife had landed, allowing some blood to drip slowly and begrudgingly onto the edge of the thunderpike.
She reached inside her poison kit expertly and pulled out a leaf, tearing in two carelessly with her teeth. Wrapping half of the emerald shimmering leaf around her index finger, Kagome gently spead the blood around the end of the pike, the red blood beginning to thicken and turn black. 'Damn. This is too creepy. It's like in the dream of Naraku…' She shuddered quietly and flicked the leaf into an upright position, between the tips of her fingers.
"Burn it."
Renkotsu smirked. 'I could oh so accidentally burn her in revenge as a bonus.'
"Don't even try it, pretty boy. Or else you'll wish you'd never been born." Her low alto voice was cold and calculating, as if sizing him up for the grave already.
Scoffing, Renkotsu retorted, "Where'd you get an idea like that? You think I'm that dumb?"
"Actually, yes. And I can see it in your eyes. Don't lie to me, or else you won't live to tell another lie."
"Is that a challenge?" Renkotsu shouted back, his adrenaline pumping through his veins in anticipation of a battle.
"I have better things to do than fight every random twit who walks by. Now incinerate it before I shove it down your throat."
"Pushy aren't we-"
"Renkotsu, shut up if you want to live." Bankotsu snapped, irritated beyond normal from the bickering. Kagome stood coolly with her comrades, looking scornfully down upon the two teammates.
"Forget it." She said simply, calm and cool. "Your bandana is becoming a nuisance. Here." Thrusting the forest green cloth back at him, she turned abruptly and hurled the thunderpike at a fleeting shadow. Silence ensued, and nothing emerged, except for a broad smirk on Renkotsu's face.
"Not so smart now, eh?"
Ignoring him, Kagome focused her energy into her hands, forming a small blaring flame. She focused, and as it grew, its light brightened as well. Her bangs had begun to rustle softly among themselves, and slowly but steadily began flaring.
Bankotsu smiled grimly. He had come to trust, if not the person, the wisdom, of Kagome, and he suspected there was something looming ahead. For in the clearing a thick miasma of fog and vapor was clouding in, as if to wander aimlessly among the trees. His green-blue orbs narrowed as he saw that it was indeed more than a mist, and it swirled around the groups, choking off the oxygen supply.
He began coughing violently, joined soon by Renkotsu, Inuyasha, and Hiten. "H-How c-can you stand it?" He coughed out, rubbing his throat and shielding his eyes, nose, and mouth.
"Simple. If not for the harsh life and survival life I have lead, I too would be coughing. Only several years of self preservation training keeps me alive in the face of such an evil miasma. I have this inside of me as well. These knives are filled and tainted with it." She halted suddenly, and suddenly, the mists withdrew from the hacking youkai and humans, leaving an eerily silent clearing.
"Where'd Kagome go?" Hiten asked, turning his sharp eyes and ears around, searching. Inuyasha frowned.
"It's unlikely that those poisonous vapors just decided to walk off. Add up the fact Kagome's gone, and well… Naraku has her with whatever she was going on about, is the only conclusion possible." He solemnly stated, swiveling his fuzzy dog ears. Nodding to Hiten, they both swiveled their heads and craned their necks, listening.
"Looks like we got a pair of owls here, Bankotsu."
Suddenly, Inuyasha's head snapped up, and he nodded silently, barely moving, to Hiten. "See you bastards later, when Kagome says we can kill ya. If Naraku doesn't get ya first. Let's move."
"Forgetting something?" Kouga yelled, highly angry and indignant at being forgotten.
"Feh. Maybe we should just leave you, mangy fleabag."
Retrieving his thunderpike, the proud thunder youkai was cautious not to come in contact with the poison on the end of the weapon. Dust began to whirl up as wind pulled in and formed a dark storm cloud at his feet. Pulling his arguing hanyou comrade up, Hiten signaled lazily and the cloud zoomed away into the setting sun, followed by a blurry tornado.
o.O.o.O
Kagome ground her teeth, wiping the gritty sand from her eyes. From the moment the miasmas crawled in to the moment something picked her up, Kagome had been alert. "Such a lousy trick, throwing sand in my eyes…" She mumbled angrily, distressed that it actually worked on her. 'The vapors really lowered my other senses… Kuso.'
Crouching, she shifted into a poised, graceful position, ready to strike. 'At least I haven't dropped my halberd.' She pouted softly, before whispering into the air, "Who are you?"
Cold laughter echoed around her, and her stomach became uneasy, her senses prickling in anticipation. "I… am your destiny." Kagome cocked her head and narrowed her eyes.
"Don't play riddles with me." She snapped, tension mounting.
"But I'm not," The voice teased, silky smooth and cunning. "I simply need you. Come now. Come... into the world of dreams and death. Into my embrace…."
Kagome jolted in shock as she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist, pulling her deeper and deeper into their eternity. Crimson glazed over her eyes, and everything turned ruby red.
"Do you feel it, my love? Can you feel the blood? Come…" The voice was fading, and Kagome found herself mute, as she tried to scream out a rebuke. Clutching her head, she reeled over, and she felt herself dragged deeper. Deeper and deeper. Into the eternity of crimson.
Her orbs glazed over, and she felt herself slip, blood roaring in her ears…
o.O.o.O
Yawning, Jakotsu stretched and rolled over, only to be kicked over by an angry teammate. "UP, NOW, JAKOTSU! BEFORE I KICK YOUR SORRY ASS!"
"Mmmm…. Few more, Kags…" The groggy boy swatted at the face breathing down his neck, feeling flesh collide on flesh.
"Who is this Kags? Yes, do say." Jakotsu's violet orbs snapped open and he lurched up. The face of a man peered back at him. 'Gah! Suikotsu…'
"Heh. Nobody!" He squeaked, beaming nervously at the kind doctor in front of him.
"Really now? Why did you come in MEN'S clothing, then?" The sly smirk popped on as the gentle soul was replaced with the cunning and murderous Shichinintai assassin. Jakotsu's mouth hung open, unsure of a reply.
"Hmph!" He snapped his mouth closed and sat up fully, rising gracefully to his feet in a smooth motion. He strode in a huff across the wooden floorboards, finally remembering he went to sleep in his clothes. "Have you been spying, then?"
The guilty look told it all.
He wheeled and scowled at the grinning man. "Since when do you care who I'm interested in?"
"Since you've gone straight." Was the smart-ass reply he got. Rolling his eyes, Jakotsu plopped down and stared hard at Suikotsu.
"Bastard."
"Why thank you. I'm sure you qualify too, not that you're interested in this 'Kags', ne? You never know, maybe Kags is the new girl Renkotsu pulled into the harem."
"I despise you." Jakotsu hissed, allowing his high voice to slip down to its normal tone, draping it in venom.
"Hmm. Not a bad voice you've got now."
Rolling his eyes, Jakotsu stumbled over to the small wooden window, feeling around for something unusual. Forgetting his teammate was looking on curiously, he blinked a few times and squinted. Spotting the little twisted knot in the wood, he slammed his fist down on it.
Nothing happened.
"Dammit!" Cursing, he managed to fit himself into the little nook, bracing his back against the ceiling. "Don't you DARE get stuck on me! Not when I need clothes!"
He jabbed his foot down with all the force he could muster, and the board flew up on one end, smacking his knee.
"OW! Kuso, that smarts!" He examined his throbbing knee. "Got splinters too."
Suikotsu meandered over, cooing with an overly sweet voice. "I'll take care of those nasty splinters."
Jakotsu's eyes lit up.
"If you tell me who this 'Kags' is."
Crestfallen, Jakotsu whined, "Why do you care anyway?"
"I have to see if its an ugly girl or not."
"H-H-How dare you!" He glared. "I'm going out to ruin your doctor's name now. I'm gonna say you left me with my splinters in."
"Like they'll believe a murderer."
"Speak for yourself."
He stuck his head out the window and took a deep breath, getting ready to screech.
"Alright! But you still have to show me this 'Kags'!" Suikotsu grabbed chopsticks and yanked out the splinters one by one.
"Fine. Help me get into my armor and haori."
He lifted out a dusty bundle from under the board, and untied it and shook it out. Jakotsu slid into the emerald green haori and pants, pulling the black spiked shoulder guard connected with his body armor over his torso. Panting, he sighed.
"It's been quite a while since I've worn these. They feel quite heavy."
Chuckling Suikotsu supplied, "You'll get used to it," as he fixed his deadly steel claws on, "We better move if we ever want to catch 'Kags, let alone a snail, Jakotsu."
"Yes." Extending his arm, he picked up Jakotsutou. "Come on, slug boy."
"It was you I was referring to."
"Well, now you're referring to yourself."
"Says who?"
"Says I."
"Oh. I see. Then it doesn't count."
"Shut up, will you." Jakotsu glared fiercely and slid out the window into the garden. "Who planted these damn roses here anyway?" He screeched, yowling loudly.
"You did, oh smart one."
o.O.o.O
Kagome yawned groggily and stretched, surrounded by the fragrance of roses. And froze.
'W-Was that all a dream…?'
Carefully examining her hands, she found them impeccably clean. 'Okay, that's good.' She checked the area for Shinku Eitai, and found it sitting propped up against a beautiful rock formation overlooking a waterfall.
"What's happening to me?" Kagome mumbled softly into a silky white rose she had picked from the green quartz pathway. She decided to follow the smooth and cool path, simply because it soothed her bare feet, and it's fragrance was alluring.
"Where am I? Am I…" She pondered quietly, "in Naraku's deathtrap? It doesn't hurt…"
She smiled gently. "Might as well enjoy this."
Tugging gently, she slid the pure white tie from her hair, shaking the tightly plaited braid before running her fingers through it. Entwining the tie into a section of her bangs, she allowed it to dangle elegantly as she flipped her long wavy locks over her shoulder.
She gave a cry of delight as she rounded the bend in the path, discovering a crystal mirroring pond. Jogging over, she knelt and cupped her hands, lowering them to sip the cold water. Slurping quietly, she slipped out of her heavy armor, leaving all her weapons behind as well. With the exception of her silver armguard knives.
Feeling utterly refreshed, she grinned and hopped back onto the path, leaving the protection beside the pond, placing trust in this strange place.
Glancing around, she wondered where the path lead.
Kagome spotted a tall willow tree, and decided it would be a good place to re-dress her wounds and settle down for a few moments. She carefully opened her white haori, taking care to keep hidden in the drifting and swaying jade leaves. Her eyes widened.
Her wounds were gone.
Shaken slightly, Kagome closed her haori and sat down with a bump, the little pink rose petals whirling from sudden impact.
"Kami… Am I dead?"
o.O.o.O
A sudden bad feeling swept over Bankotsu like an ominous cloud on a bright horizon.
"Kuso! I only get this feeling when something really bad is going on…" Bankotsu growled menacingly, glaring at Renkotsu.
"What? Is it MY fault we don't train on running?"
A twisted look came onto the assassin's face.
"Or is it because you think something's happened to that crazy bitch from before?"
"She's not a bitch." His voice has arctic, and the cold fury hidden behind it was entirely surprising to Bankotsu. 'This is strange. I feel enraged if anyone else insults that weird woman.'
Taken aback, Renkotsu rolled his eyes. "Maybe that fog was her man calling for her. You never know."
Bankotsu hated this torturous new idea. 'Leave it to Renkotsu to find the best ways to shove something in my face.' "She doesn't have a man."
"Oh?"
"Oh?" Bankotsu mimicked. "Oh, yes."
"Yes what?"
"Yes. I dunno if she's got a man or not. And I don't care."
"Don't… care?"
"You heard me. I don't care about that bitch."
"Good. Cause now she's mine."
Bankotsu exploded silently.
o.O.o.O
Kagome tested her solidity. Good there.
Checked her temperature. A bit colder than usual, but mint condition.
Took her pulse.
"I am dead. Kagome Higurashi is dead." She sat up calmly, getting to her feet and dusting off her white pants. "Interesting."
o.O.o.O
"Have you disposed of the wench yet, Kagura?"
"No master. I have begun to. She has an unusual demeanor in her energies. To avoid damaging her power, I have sealed her into her own mind. Trapped in her fantasies. She can hear, smell, see and 'touch' this. But every step, every moment there is killing her slowly."
"Excellent. Proceed as you wish. Don't overexert yourself with fun. Your body is still in the process of reforming."
o.O.o.O
Renkotsu smirked as he felt Bankotsu's aura flicker angrily, reaching out toward him. "What did you sense?"
"Death…"
Scowling, Renkotsu sped up tenfold.
"Where are you going?" His leader called out at him.
"I can't have my woman dead, now can I?"
"Why you…" Bankotsu grumbled, taking off after the sly fire-breather.
o.O.o.O
"Naraku is still alive. I failed to kill Naraku. Naraku killed me first. Damn!" Kagome clenched her palm so hard that spurts of crimson dotted the lively grass, wilting it form its emerald roots up.
"Where is Jakotsu when you need him? Maybe I can locate a shard here and use it…" She hissed in anger and threw a furious punch at a tree, splitting it in half. "What good would that do? I'm already dead. If I focus enough… Maybe I can come back. Rei Kagome. Has a nice ring."
But before I do... Might as well see what's down this path." She turned onto the icy green stone once more, blurring down the path.
'Another bend!' She whipped around the corner, clipping her haori on the edge of a hedge, halting to watch as the wound laced itself together. "Definitely dead. That settles it. I'm going home."
Home. There was a pang in her heart as she said it. But it was certainly better than, 'Die and come back as a minion of Naraku.'
She ran as fast as she could, summoning her armor back to her, putting it on as she ran steadily.
Kagome encountered a glitch; the path went through a wall of thorned hedges. "Ah well. I'm dead already. It won't matter." She charged through, arms crossing in front of her face as she ducked her head and ran.
o.O.o.O
"Run, my dear." He smiled darkly. "Run."
o.O.o.O
Jakotsu cruised through the forest, heedless to the twigs and braken sticking in his high ponytail and bangs. "Kagome!" He called. "Kagome!"
Suikotsu felt a twinge in his cold heart, and he joined softly. "Kagome?"
"KAGOME!" Jakotsu's roar was deafening.
"Kagome!" Suikotsu yelled. "Hey, Kags, you better come out! This ain't funny!"
"Naraku…" Jakotsu whispered, a desperate, determined look pasting itself onto his handsome features. He whirled to Suikotsu. "Bankotsu's probably out here too. Track him down."
Blinking, Suikotsu nearly cracked a wry grin at the fire burning in Jakotsu's eyes. "Sure thing."
He closed his hazel orbs, sniffing the air delicately. "There's his scent. It's going west. It's stale." He scanned the area, checking for broken branches. "He always breaks a few, just in case he gets lost."
Suikotsu smirked. "Bingo. West it is."
"How far?"
"Hard to say. Move five miles, and I'll check again."
Grabbing his teammate by his haori, Jakotsu disappeared in a violent torrent of violet, leaving a tint of lavender behind in the air.
Screeching to a halt and kicking up dust like a devil, Jakotsu landed in a heap, five miles away, with Suikotsu squashing the grass next to him.
"Hmm. According to my calculations… They should be a quarter mile north of here-"
Jakotsu teleported again.
"Will you stop that?"
"It's Bankotsu."
"Jakotsu. Suikotsu. What are you doing here?" Renkotsu asked inquisitively.
"Looking for Kagome." Was the curt reply on Jakotsu's part. "Where, Suikotsu?"
"Hmm. I judge that the nice fragrant scent is hers?"
Pausing to roll his piercing violet orbs, Jakotsu wryly suggested, "Who else smells good? Certainly not any of us."
The corner of Bankotsu's mouth twitched. "Well?" The Shichinintai leader prompted impatiently.
"I don't know."
Jakotsu's eyes turned crazed, and he began chopping trees into firewood with his many-bladed weapon. "What… Do… You… Mean… You don't know!" He yelled.
"Well, there's this very foul smelling scent blocking my directional senses."
"Oh come on!" Jakotsu whined. "Can't you do ANYTHING?"
"Nope. Gomen."
"This is impossible. There are several complex layers to this plot. After all, if that... that… that… Hiten," Bankotsu began, hissing angrily, "fellow can sense that bitch, then I surely can too."
He furrowed his brow. "We need a bird's eye view. Jakotsu."
"Up we go."
"Why are we not in the air, brother?"
"I'm kinda tired. Suikotsu made me skip breakfast. I'm all out of power for now."
Renkotsu chuckled. "Bankotsu the Koala. Come come. Up the tree." He pointed, a satisfied smirk sliding like oil onto his face.
Bankotsu glared…
"You do want to find this woman before I get my hands on her, now don't you?"
…and went up the tree.
o.O.o.O
"I still don't understand what the hurry is. I have all the time of eternity in the palms of my hands." Kagome mumbled. "It's just.. I sense something is wrong. I feel the urge to hurry."
And so she continued going at an impossible rate through the alluring gardens, stopping abruptly. "Another bend. It feels different." She cautiously backed up until her back was covered by the rough lavender bush. 'Three. Two. One.'
She flew around the corner, halberd at the ready, its deadly silver edge thrust outward.
"Sister? Is that you?" A familiar voice echoed faintly from the ground.
She averted her eyes to the gleaming stones. "S-Souta?"
He smiled. "It is you."
"Am I dead, Souta?"
"I have no way of telling. Besides," He shrugged, "why does it matter? We are reunited. Come, mother and father await us!"
He was jogging away now, his jet black hair swishing with the jerky movement. "Your armor…?" Kagome asked, aware of the bareness along his spare haori. The navy blue splotches were the same as ever; it was his non-war haori.
"Oh…" He laughed, a warm, hearty sound. Kagome had forgotten how to do such a thing. "That."
"Yes, onii-sama."
"No need for formalities here, Kagome-chan." He grinned and took her hand. It was still rough and callused, like the many years ago. He seemed untouched by the passing years. "I have long passed that on to you. I have seen you training and carrying on a legacy, yes I have."
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously as a wicked gleam glinted in his royal purple eyes. "I see you've changed quite a bit as well. Heh."
"Don't you dare turn that lecher look of yours on me! I'll tell mother on you!" Kagome cried, before she could realize she had adopted a tone she hadn't used for over ten years. 'I guess I really missed my family…'
"I wouldn't. I see how deadly you are in precision and swiftness with that little halberd of yours."
"Little! Why I outta..."
"I'm only pulling your leg. It seems you have also inherited a familiar, yes?"
Kagome nodded, dejected for a moment. "Race ya!"
She blurred off, making for the band in the path they were headed for. Rounding it, she came upon a field of breathtaking beauty. She slammed to a halt, basking in the glorious aura of wonder.
"I thought you'd like it. I've been growing it for years, in case you came to see us. You think I still have the touch?"
"You're still quite the gardener."
"Kagome!" A feminine voice cried.
Shocked, Kagome turned, only to be pulled into a warm and comforting embrace. "I've missed you so, honey!"
"Mother?"
"Of course, darling."
A shadow fell upon them. "Father?"
"Hai."
Tears of joy welled up into her eyes as she buried her head in her mother's shoulder and smiled a watery smile.
o.O.o.O
"Have you finished her yet?"
"No, master. She is close. I am allowing her to live out her last delusional hopes. Currently the matter is her family. She will be seeing them soon again, I must say."
"Yes." Naraku chuckled. "Kukukuku. It is about time to lead them to her."
"What?" Kagura was shocked to say the least. Naraku never let his prey go.
"I wish to break Bankotsu. Let her die in his arms at the last moment. Then go collect her."
Kagura saw now. He wished to beat the Shichinintai leader emotionally, then crash in with war against the weakened men. "Yes, Naraku." She was secretly glad she did not oppose Naraku. He was dangerous. He didn't play fair. Not at all.
"Go. And don't forget. Wake her from your spell a little before her death."
"I shan't forget. I wouldn't miss the pain for anything."
Kagura skimmed over the treetops, musing upon the delicious pain she was to inflict. Her blood red lips twitched as she spotted a small group coming toward her rapidly as the sky darkened. 'Inuyasha's little posse. I shall allow them to return the body to the Shichinintai.'
"Inuyasha." She yelled, filling her tone with imitated friendliness.
"What do you want, you ugly ol' witch?" He shouted back.
Gritting her teeth as she smiled a grm smile, Kagura called out, "I have rescued Kagome! You must take her to Bankotsu!"
"Why would I do that!"
"Because she told me before Naraku pulled her to the dungeon she had to see him!"
"Why should I believe you?" Kouga shouted. "I know Kagome better than you, wench!"
"We… go back a ways." Kagura said truthfully. 'It's a half-truth. He can't sense any lies there.'
Kouga looked skeptical.
"GO TO HELL, LIAR!" Hiten appeared from behind a dark cloud, brandishing his pike with deadly accuracy. He slammed down onto the fluffy white feather. "I don't trust you. And you can rot for all I care. I'm taking Kagome. Now."
"B-B-But!"
"Any objections?" He pointed the polished blade at her throat. "Before you die, that is."
Kagura smirked mentally. Good thing she acted well.
She filled her eyes with tears.
"K-Kagome... s-s-said t-t-t-to…" She broke off in loud sobs, tears gushing down her face, smearing her red eyeshadow. "She said t-t-to let her s-see B-B-Bank-k-kotsu b-b-before N-N-Narak-k-ku t-t-took her…" She let a look of pure anguish pass over her fair face.
"P-P-Please! I'm b-b-begging you! S-S-S-She wanted it!" Kagura watched Hiten's face change. 'I've got him!' "P-P-Please…" She trailed off, sniffling.
"S-She said if she d-d-didn't make it, t-t-to take her body there..."
Hiten's face radiated sadness.
'Perfect.'
"S-So please…"
A look of utter disgust came upon his handsome face.
"YOU DARE TO LIE TO MY FACE, YOU BITCH! KAGOME WOULD HAVE NEVER SAID THOSE THINGS, YOU TRAITORIOUS SNAKE! YOUR FACE MAY BE PLEASANT, BUT YOUR HEART IS SHRIVELED AND DEAD. AND SOON YOUR BODY SHALL MATCH!" Hiten roared, and thunder boomed as lightning tore open the earth for miles around.
o.O.o.O
"Waaah!" Bankotsu was rudely shaken from the pine tree, and fell down the tree again, whacking sensitive areas on the way down, landing painfully.
"Any better luck?" Jakotsu asked curiously, stifling a laugh.
"Why yes, as a matter of fact."
"Please tell me!"
"No. You laughed at me when I fell on my butt again." Bankotsu glared venomously as he soothed his ruffled ego and the sore areas.
"I'm really sorry…"
"No you're not, you liar."
Jakotsu resorted to puppy eyes.
"Fine. Just stop those awful goo-goo eyes!"
"Well, well?"
"Hiten's thunderclouds… and a weird fluffy thing."
"Kagura! Damn, I thought Kagome killed her off for good! Oh." A thought hit Jakotsu. "Kagura has to regenerate, for Kagome won't allow opponents to escape. And they've met before… Plus Kagome was mumbling about Naraku during the battle… Kuso!"
"What?"
"She probably has Kagome if my hunch is right!"
"Let's run there, Jak!"
"Hell no! I'm teleporting!"
"You have enough energy?"
"I always have enough. I just wanted to see you climb like a koala and look stupid falling on your ass."
"Why you… JAKOTSU!"
He was already gone.
o.O.o.O
Dabbing at her eyes, Kagome grinned. "What's this surprise you keep talking about Souta?"
"It's a surprise, sister!"
"Can you show me?"
"Not yet, silly!"
"Please? I have to leave sometime soon to finish Naraku…"
"Oh all right." Souta caved, smiling mischievously.
"If it's perverted, I'll kill you all over again." Kagome joked.
"No, no. I think you'll like it very much. H-IT's very..." He slipped on his words.
He sighed.
"You'll really like it, I think."
o.O.o.O
Bankotsu arrived, not in the best condition, covered in mud, panting like a dog, and grouchy. "Where's the girl?" He growled ferociously.
"Up, you doofus." Kouga remarked snidely.
Bankotsu mock sneered at him. "If you're so smart, why aren't you up there, wiseass?"
"Because I'M keeping my head. If Kagome wakes up, it'll mean all our heads." Inuyasha barked.
"Whatever."
Jakotsu popped into midair, floating down to join the two on the feather.
"And who are YOU?"
"I am a god intent on punishing the wind witch incarnation, KAGURA!"
"Really now?" Hiten smirked.
"Oh yes. Quite." He maneuvered himself between Kagome's limp body and the murderous thunder demon. "You wish to see?"
Amused, Hiten nodded. "Don't kill the witch quite yet. She's mine."
"She's your woman?"
"You idiot. I am going to kill her."
"Oh… OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!" Jakotsu laughed deafeningly, forcing the two demons with sensitive hearing to wince and cover their ears. "Sayonara!" He said quickly, pulling Kagome into his arms and leaping from the cloud.
"YOU go, all powerful one!"
"No, no. You're the prince!"
"And you're the murderer!"
"And I'm the hanyou!" Inuyasha mocked the bickering two. "While you two bakas have been arguing, Jakotsu's already gotten Kagome out of the damn cloud!"
"Really now? YOU go, Kouga!"
"YOU go, Bankotsu!"
What Inuyasha had said registered.
"Out of my way, fleabag!"
"Shove over, koala boy!"
"I'M FIRST!"
"NO WAY! I'M FIRST!"
"NO! Me!"
"Me."
"Uh-uh."
"Yep."
"I'm sooo first."
"First is the worst."
"Oh? Second... is the worst too, then!"
o.O.o.O
"Come on, Kagome!" Souta tugged her along gently by her hand. "I thought you wanted to see the surprise?"
"Of course I do!"
Souta grinned evilly, laughing heartily at his sibling. "Hurry up then!"
o.O.o.O
"Bankotsu… She's dead."
The world stopped from Bankotsu's point of view.
"What?"
"She's almost gone. Here. See?"
Her limp body was passed to him. He felt her face with the back of his hand. It was colder than cold iron.
He winced, withdrawing his hand.
He placed his index and middle fingers on the side of her neck.
There was no heartbeat.
"Come on, Kagome… If you die on me, I'll bring you back and murder you!"
He bent his head to her chest, listening attentively, feeling twenty shades of red creep up his neck and into his face.
"Thank Kami!" He praised, slumping down. "Her heart's still going. Faint, but it's there."
o.O.o.O
"Souta!"
"Hai?"
"Can you PLEASE take off this blindfold?"
"Gomen, Kagome-chan. Iie."
Kagome sighed as her elder brother lead her around in a maze of darkness. "When will we be there?"
"Soon." He replied, out of breath. "Soon."
o.O.o.O
Bankotsu placed his hand above her mouth, letting it hover.
"She's breathing still, Jakotsu. When will Mukotsu get here?"
"Knowing him, I'd say three hours at most."
"She'll die by then."
"YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW!" His shoulders shook slightly. He was crying. "I know, Bankotsu. I know."
o.O.o.O
"Are we there, onii-sama?"
"No Kagome. Almost. Around the turn…"
o.O.o.O
"Kuso! Kouga, her breathing is slowing!" Inuyasha yelled. "Run back to camp! Get Miroku and bring him!"
The tornado roared away, disappearing faster than usual on the horizon.
"Why, Kagome?" Inuyasha mumbled.
"It's alright. She sort of wanted this." Jakotsu said. "I have the jewel shards to revive her. They're from my personal stash, for emergencies."
"You kept jewel shards from us?"
"But of course. She warned me of danger, so I collected these." He held out three pink shards, molded into a teardrop.
"I see."
o.O.o.O
"Please say we're here! It's been forever!"
"We're here. I'll be taking this and leaving."
The blindfold slid off her eyes, revealing a dazzling waterfall, crystal and glassy, flowing elegantly but powerfully. A wide bridge crossed over the river flowing under it, spurts of cool water washing onto the sturdy marble stones.
A solitary figure stood there. She guessed from stature it was a man.
"Who is it, Souta?" She asked, turning to her right. Her sibling had vanished.
"Do I know you?"
"You know me very well, Kagome." His voice was warm. It was on the tip of her tongue. She couldn't say it… Almost had it…
"I do?"
"Yes." His shadowed profile smiled gently. "I've been waiting for eternities to see you."
o.O.o.O
"Damn! It's shallower now!"
Bankotsu checked her heartbeat. "It's slower!"
"Bankotsu.." Jakotsu began, "She's going to die. Don't make it worse. She, she looks peaceful. Like she's sleeping. Why can't you accept it?"
"How come you can? She's your only friend apart from us!"
"It hurts. Yes. We'll see her again soon, however." Jakotsu answered, fingering the Shikon Jewel shards anxiously. "It's the waiting that's the worst. Especially if you know."
o.O.o.O
"Who are you?" Kagome asked, a tad suspicious.
"I am the one known as your 'soulmate'. You've already met me and know me well…"
"Really now?"
"Hai."
Kagome ran through lists of men she knew in her life. "Miroku, if this is a perverted game you're playing with Souta, I'm gonna hit you so hard, you'll never make kids again."
The figure began chuckling, then laughing happily. "I'm not Miroku."
He disappeared, reappearing behind her, his hot breath tingling her ear. "Do you wish to know me?"
"Y-Yes…"
o.O.o.O
Hiten growled ferociously at the wind witch.
"Come now, we can work out a deal."
"I don't deal with your type of people."
"How about you join with Naraku, and he'll ensure the health and wealth of your people?"
"Lies."
"Fine." Kagura dropped the nice act. "You should have lived a long life. Now I must end it."
"Fancy goodbyes, eh?"
"But of course. I need to make a dignif-"
She never finished. Hiten's thunderpike slipped through her ribs, protruding out of her back, crackling with lightning.
"I warned you bitch. I don't play fair where my girl is concerned."
"Why… you… bastard!" Kagura whispered, as Hiten pulled in thunder energy and increased the electric energy flowing inside the pike. "I shan't die like this." A line of crimson blood slowly cascaded down the side of her mouth.
She reached for her fan. 'Almost… there…' Hiten clamped his foot down on it.
"What's that about not dying? You look pretty dead to me."
He exploded the energy from within the pike, shocking her body until it disintegrated with the force. He continued shocking until not a single sliver of her remained.
"Pull yourself together NOW, you clever thing."
He ground the ashes into the feather, before gathering them and scattering them in the wind, banishing them to the four corners of the world. He then toasted the fluffy white feather, allowing himself to fall out of the sky, clearing up the thunderclouds.
"That was enjoyable." He remarked.
"Take a look at that!" Jakotsu said, shading his eyes with his hand. "He's really doing Kagura a number."
"She needs to learn her place with us. That is all."
Jakotsu rolled his eyes. "Come on, you stupid rock. Let's try and do something for Kagome."
o.O.o.O
He turned her around, resting his hands on her shoulders. He smiled softly.
"I've been waiting for you, Kagome. Happy nineteenth birthday."
'My birthday! I completely forgot! How utterly stu-' She never finished the thought.
His lips were pressed against hers gently, tenderly, but warmly. She could feel his lips curve into a smile.
Her heart was pounding against her ribcage, and a feeling overswept her as she looked at his passionate face.
'…Bankotsu…?' She recognized the man. But to her surprise, she didn't pull away or slap him silly.
She closed her eyes and returned the kiss with a fire in her heart.
His hand rested against her neck, its twin cupping her cheek, before he tilted her face up to deepen it. She complied, wrapping her arms around his neck.
'What is this crazy feeling! This is my enemy! It's not a make-out session!' A voice in her head said clearly. She ignored it, waving away her common sense as she lost herself in his embrace.
o.O.o.O
"I told you she'd like that." Souta chuckled to himself, joined by Kagome's laughing parents.
o.O.o.O
"Anyone know CPR?" Bankotsu was panicky, a feeling fluttering and flopping about in his stomach.
"What's CPR?" Jakotsu asked, puzzled.
"It's when... Oh never mind!"
"The lecher is here!" Inuyasha announced.
"Lecher? I thought he was a monk." Bankotsu commented grouchily.
"I am a monk." The man replied shrewdly.
"Oh?"
"Is that doubt creeping into your voice? Need I exorcise you, kind sir, to demonstrate? Or need I suck you into my Kazaana?"
Bankotsu blinked.
He knelt next to Kagome, turning to Bankotsu. "You clearly have the most experience with medicine. Give me a report."
"Sluggish heartbeat, not really breathing, no sign of movement, no resistance…" He blushed.
Miroku noted the blush. "I see. We shall have to get those lungs going then. CPR. I shall administer it unless there are any objections?"
Jakotsu nudged Bankotsu. "Inuyasha did say he was a pervert. I'm just warning you. Kagome might… wake up with his wandering hands on her…"
"N-No way!" Bankotsu blurted.
"And who else knows how?"
"…"
"Ah." He leaned over, taking a deep breath.
"I do..." Bankotsu whispered, beet red.
"Why didn't you say so?"
"It's rather... personal, isn't it?"
"Are you doing it or no?"
Silence. Bankotsu's flush darkened as the spectators turned their gazes to look at him. "I'll do it." He mumbled as quiet as possible.
"Alrighty. Hop on over!" Miroku said, cheered at the prospect of embarrassment.
"It's not a game, you idiot." Jakotsu stated coldly. "So don't make it one."
"Very well. I was simply trying to lighten the situation."
"It's not working." Hiten growled.
Miroku made a face at Hiten. "Come on, Commander. Smile. It suits you better."
"You know very well that evil smirks suit me best."
The monk sighed. "Yes, I know. As does everyone else in our camp."
"Hello? Kagome's dying here!" Suikotsu grumbled.
Bankotsu winced as he thought of the unpleasant things Kagome would do to him if she lived.
"Picture the good, boy, not the bad." The monk advised.
Taking a deep breath, Bankotsu pinched Kagome's nose and lowered his mouth to hers, pushing the air into her lungs. Removing his mouth, he pushed down on her chest before repeating.
'Kami I hope she lives. Kami I hope she doesn't remember this!'
o.O.o.O
Bankotsu pulled away, and smiled at the blushing girl.
"Now that you know who I am, I have to leave." He said calmly. "I have to give you another gift first, however. You must seek me out when you return to the world of the living."
He had begun to fade, glowing an aqua color, his aura warm as he pulled Kagome into an embrace. "I'll see you soon, koiishi. Wait for me. As I have for you."
He placed his lips on hers once more, leaving the lingering kiss to accompany her as she plunged into darkness.
"The gift of life." His voice was carried away on the gentle breeze that had swept them apart.
Silence reigned in the darkness.
"Bankotsu…" His name plagued her lips as she curled up and cried.
o.O.o.O
"She's not breathing!" He checked her heartbeat. "No sound."
"She's dead. She fought hard. But she's gone." Jakotsu sniffled, depressed.
Bankotsu refused to believe him, and frantically performed the exchange again and again.
"Ban... She's gone."
"She can't be!" He yelled, nearly deafening his younger brother.
"I'm sad too, brother."
"She's not dead." He glared coldly, disbelieving.
"I'm sorry."
"Fine. Just a few more times."
Jakotsu shook his head, and finally nodded. "If it makes you feel better."
Bankotsu tried again.
Nothing.
Again.
Nothing.
Once more.
Nothing.
"She… can't be gone…"
Bankotsu sat down with a thud, stirring the emerald grass into jeweled waves around him.
And it began to rain.
THE END
A/N: Believe it or not, that's all. Kagome's dead. I'm sorry if you wanted more. That's all. We can't have a dead heroine.
Oh yes.
Why not use Jakotsu's shards?
He lost them when Kagura's feather's ashes fell down.
I hope you've enjoyed this fic.
HAH! YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN THE LOOK ON YOUR FACES!
Sorry, I just had to do that.
(laughs head off)
Kagome: You were going to leave me for dead! (strangles author)
Sorry… Sorry… (chokes and dies)
Kagome: Umm…Oops?
o.O.o.O
Bankotsu buried his face in the palm of his hand, trying to hide his anguish as silver drops plopped onto his face and ran down.
"We may not have known her long… But she was one strange bitch." Renkotsu justified sadly, laying a single white rose upon her clasped hands.
"Yeah…" Bankotsu agreed, his voice all watery and cracked. "Yeah."
o.O.o.O
"Kagome..." 'That voice…'
"Kagome…" 'I know it…'
"Kagome." 'Is it…'
"Kagome." 'Him? Is it…'
"KAGOME!" 'BANKOTSU!'
She jolted up, breathing hard, with the tear stains still on her face. She glanced down. She was lying in the dirt, about twenty miles from where she had originally started in the living world.
And she was holding a white rose, with another tucked behind her ear, entwined in her hair.
She scanned the area, finding her comrades sniffling alongside Bankotsu's annoying friend. There he was… Bankotsu.
She blinked.
"You plannin' to bury me anytime soon?"
The occupants of the camp all jumped, and most looked like they'd had a heart attack or had seen a ghost.
"What?"
"Are you... Kagome's ghost?" Hiten ventured.
"Do I LOOK dead to ya, Hiten?" She glared.
"Actually yes." Inuyasha loudmouthed.
"Oh?"
He nodded. "You're dead. And I'm either going crazy or I fell asleep."
She got up, shaking off the dirt. She walked sensuously over to the hanyou. He gulped loudly. "Tell me…" She moved I closer. "Does this hurt?" She pulled his cheeks, before slapping his head back and forth. "Do say."
"Owie." Was his only word uttered before he fell over.
"I'll take that as an I'm alive."
"Kagome!" Hiten shouted happily, grinning. He jumped up and walked over. "I've missed you! Kami, you sure do a lot on your birthday! Talk about a bad day, dying and all!"
"Oh yes. My birthday." Kagome repeated, pondering the 'dream' with Bankotsu. "What happened?"
"Naraku took you." Kouga said.
"I presume he put you into a sort of spell that induces death." Inuyasha continued, now fully alert and rubbing his face.
"KAGOME!" Jakotsu squealed, waking from his stupor and launching himself at the girl assassin, latching onto her back and choking her.
"Don't kill her again." Renkotsu snickered.
"What about you?" Jakotsu glared. "You said you wanted to make her your woman!"
"He what?"
Smirking at Renkotsu's pale face and gestures to stop talking, he chirped, "Wanted to make you his woman!"
"I see."
Renkotsu sighed in relief as she stood there, unmoving.
Bankotsu finally lurched up. "I'm dreaming! It's gotta be a dream!"
"Do I sense another Inuyasha around here?" Kagome said, casting a sexy smile over her shoulder at him.
"Um… No?"
Miroku grinned. "You are clearly a dead woman's spirit." He recited.
"Perhaps you should exorcise me."
"Perhaps I shall."
She smirked and walked over, swaying her hips naturally. "Is that doubt in your voice?"
"Why yes. I do believe so."
She leaned in.
He clumsily tried to also. His cursed hand twitched…
The spectators gasped. Bankotsu began getting annoyed.
Kagome's eyebrow twitched.
Bankotsu got angry.
"Get your hand off my ass or you won't have a hand to touch it with."
"I'll have the other hand, my dear." He said huskily.
Bankotsu exploded. He zoomed over, beating Kagome to knocking Miroku's block off.
"You… you... you… Grr1" Bankotsu gave up, and pounded the pulp out of Miroku.
"Here's your fresh eggplant juice ma'am." He beamed a sunny grin at Kagome, shoving Miroku at her.
"What's gotten into you?" Jakotsu asked.
"Nothing. Perverts bother me."
"No they don't, you liar."
"Yes. They do."
Jakotsu whispered in Bankotsu's ear, "You like Kagome, don't you?"
"OF COURSE NOT!" Bankotsu thundered back.
"I knew it. You do! Hah!"
"So? Is there a problem?"
Jakotsu just smiled.
"Bankotsu… I have something to tell you. I saw it… while I was dying. It concerns you."
He swallowed hard as she lead him to the other side of the Goshiboku, conveniently located nearby.
"This may come as a bit of a shock. You're my soulmate, apparantly."
"W-What!"
"Don't worry. I'm not expecting anything. I don't even care if you hate me, really. I just thought you ought to know."
She began walking away, smiling a soft, broken smile back at him, the moon passing over her face.
"Beautiful.." He whispered so softly she could not hear him.
"Hmm? You can tell me what you said. I won't get mad. You don't have to be my soulmate. It's not mandatory."
Silence echoed eerily.
She turned away again, thinking his silence was rejection.
"Kagome, wait!" He said, stumbling over.
"Ye-"
He brought her face up, placing his lips against hers fiercely, his orbs closed. Hers soon followed.
"Well, well! Who would have expected that?" Jakotsu smiled. "Makes me all warm and fuzzy inside!"
"I must agree…" Hiten sighed. "They do look good together."
"Eww. It's so mushy!" Inuyasha remarked, annoyed, hiding a blush.
"Yep. That's love for you." Renkotsu nodded.
Kouga's mouth simply twitched.
Kagome jumped in surprise, and Bankotsu flinched. "Isn't anything private around here?"
"Not with Jakotsu around, it isn't."
A/N: Finally! The sweet, fluffy stuff is coming! A little in this chapter... Acton'll still be there, too! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Go BankotsuxKagome!
Wow. Longest chappy running! 21 pages, nearly 22! Wow! This outta make up for the slug update!
I'm skipping these sections-
Vocab
Explaining Dictionary-
To get this up faster. Have a question? Review me!
o.O.o.O darkenedmoonlightflame O.o.O
and company. Sesshomaru and Bankotsu.