BankotsuP.O.V

"I can't be with you Anymore."

At that moment...I'll never forget for as long as I'll live. And in my afterlife.

Kimiko's warm, gentle eyes seemed to shatter as I brought her world crashing down.

She looked as if she'd just died. And I felt my heart slowly ripping apart as her eyes burned through me. They were no longer warm. Nor gentle. They were hard and cold like ice.

Like when I first met her. When Inuyasha had broken her heart...

"Wait...you're joking right?" she gripped onto the front of my shirt, " I mean..you love me. Don't you?"

I couldn't bear to look at her. I turned my head away as she leaned upward to try and kiss me. I seized her by the shoulders and pushed her away." Kimi, no.Not now.."

"You promised me!" She sucked back her oncoming tears, " You said that," Her voice breaking, " YOU SAID YOU'D NEVER LEAVE ME!" Her voice rose to a high-pitched scream."You promised! You- You.." She dropped down to the ground, sobbing loudly int her hands. " You said you loved me!"

So many night's we've spent together...each and every night meant something to me. Even before, when we were only friends...I cared about her more than anything.

But I had to. I had to do this. I had no choice. Her and Jakotsu...they both can't have me. Just like I can't have them both. Just like all of us ca'nt have her. It's only fair...Right?

Suikostu P.O.V

My heart pounded. I could hear Kimi's screaming and sobbing as clear as day. We all held down our heads. Even Renkotsu. I knew he felt as guilty as Bankotsu did.

I started to stand but Renkotsu stopped me, " No." He said, " We can't interfere."

That's when I got angry."The hell! This is all our fault. Not just Bankotsu's. If we hadn't made him feel like he had ot give her up, this wouldn't have happened!"

Renkotsu was standing now. His face in mine. For a second, I thought Renkotsu might hit me, " Don't you see?" He said through gritted teeth, " We had to! Look at what's happened! We haven't had a job in weeks! We can barely afford to eat! Now we've lost Jakotsu and I can't even raise my fist to fight!"

"So you're blaming her? Is that it?"

"NO! Her powers can't be controled?"

"So this is about power? You can't stand being weaker that her? "

"No, That's not-"

"THEN WHAT THE FUCK IS IT!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. Everyone was taken aback. As if they were surprised that I-not my evil side- could get mad. Frankyl, I was disapointed in all of us. Me especially because I had let this happen.

I rushed out the door, kiko following closely behind me."Kimiko!" I ran over to where she cried," You poor thing.."

Bankotsu stood there. As if he were in a trance, saying " I had to do it" to himself over and over again. Like he was trying to make up and excuse for what he's done.

Storm clouds rolled in, and the rain began to fall.

"Kimi-chan...get up. Please." I tried to embrace her, but as soon as I reached out for her, she screamed" JUST LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE!" and sprinted into the forest. Kiko, barking, ran after her.

"KIMIKO!" I called after her. I heard my own voice echoing through the trees but no sign of Kimiko. We'd lost her. Mayber for good.

Bankotsu dropped to his knees and slammed his fist into the ground, " DAMMIT!" He snarled, "DAMN-DAMN DAMN DAMN DAMN DAMN DAMN-DAMN!" he pounded his fist as hard as he could. leaving a imprint of his fist in the mud,"DAMN! I had to do it! I had-" He breathe d heavily..." Kimiko!" Bankotsu stayed like that for a few second before running into the forest after Kimi.

Kimiko P.O.V

I ran deeper into the forest. I didn't care where to go...I didn't care if I'd get lost...I just wanted it all to stop.

WHY! Why, dammit, why! First Tamahome...then inuyasha...and now Bankotsu? What's wrong with me? Why can't I just...keep somebody.

"Tamahome! What the hell were you thinking!"

"Dad, I'm sorry, I-"

"She's your sister! How could you put her in danger like that! She could've been killed!"

"But daddy, I'm fine. Really. It's just a scratch."

"Kimiko! You knew better than to go into the forest alone! Now look what happened! Your arm might never be the same!" Dad glared at Tamahome, " I have never been more disapointed in you in my life! We'll talk about your punishment as soon as I get back from the market. I have to find your sister some oblivion herb." Dad stormed out of the hut.

I jumped off the stool and onto my feet." Well...it could've been worse Tama. I mean he-"

Tamhome whirled around and pushed me down," Why do you always have to get into trouble!"

Tears started to fall from my eyes," Why did you push me!"

" I HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOU! I'M THE OLDEST! When you don't listen I get in trouble! GOD! I wish Dad never found you in the first place!" Tamahome bolted through the door and left me there all alone...crying. Wishing I'd never been born.

I remember...That day I got bit by that mountain lion. Tamahome barely saved me, let alone himself.

"Inuyasha? Where have you been? You missed it. I preformed a sending ritual. It was amazing!"

"...huh? You say something?"

" INUYASHA!" I grabbed him by his ears, " What the hell is your problem!"

"Let me go! Damn Kimi! Why do you have to act like that!"

"You were with Kikyo again, weren't you?"

He didn't answer me.

" Well?"

"No, I wasn't." His ears twitched.

" You liar. I know you was, so just say it."

"So what if I was?You're so wrapped up in your priestess duties I'm surprised you noticed I was missing."

"...That hurt Inuyasha. How could you say that to me?"

"Forget it! At least kikyo has time for me!" Inuyasha stalked off.

" Inuyasha...Inuyasha-a-a" I called after him, but he didn't come back."

And now Bankotsu. Why? Maybe my father was right. maybe I don't belong in this world.

I feel so alone. As I kept running, I thought about all the happy times I've had with the Shichinintai and What hurt me the most was, I'll never be that way again.

Bankotsu P.O.V

"Kimiko-ko" I called out for her. Damn..what's the use. She hates me now. Not only that...If I did find her, what could I say? 'sorry I broke your heart?' not likely. I strode into a clearing, I saw a figure sitting underneath and oak tree. I moved closer...could it be? Black hair..purple yukata...and a butterfly hairpin...

"Jakotsu!"

Jakotsu turned his head. He took one glance at me and turned away. I half-though he might run away from me. Had he been here this whole time? I jogged over to where he sat and grinned at him, " Hey."

"Hey." He muttered.

"Jakotsu I want to-"

"Apologize? You should."

"I know. I'm sorry." I stared at him. His face had healed up in a short amount of time. It was still red in some places but Jaki doesn't bruise that easily.

"Where's your girlfriend?"

I was surprised he'd even mentioned her. I thought she'd be the last thing on his mind. I was a bit sad...and I really didn't want to tell him what happened.

"Well?" he said impatiently.

"I...broke up with her."

His eyes widened as he leaned closer to me," you..broke up with her?"

"I had to. It wasn't fair to you...to everyone else."

He beamed at me, " How'd she take it?"

"She's gone."

Jakotsu P.O.V

"Seriously?" I said in a small chuckle.

I'm not going to lie...I was happy. But I hated seeing Bankotsu so depressed.

That's when I remembered." You really do love her, don't you?"

Bankotsu said nothing. As much as I hated her, I cared about Bankotsu more."Tell me what happened."

He did. Told me everything. Afterwards, I felt really special. He does care about me.

"Well then...We should just put the past behind us."

"You're being unusually forgiving."Bankotsu raised and eyebrow," Why?" he said suspiciously.

" We're best friends. We're gonna fight...even though I never though It'd be over a women."

"Really." Ban-chan agreed.

" Let's go find her."

"I don't think-"

"I'm over it Bankotsu. That was so 3 hours ago-literally. C'mon. You'll never give me the time of day anyway if we don't find the bitch."

"You're really weird, do you know that?"

"That's why you love me." I tugged at his arm, " c'mon. Let's go get the others."

Kimi P.O.V

I stopped in my tracks, right in front of an old tree. Standing at the base of the trunk. the branches that hung overhead sheltered me from the rain.

My legs numbed as they wobbled, a great pain seared through my stomache. I swayed against a gigantic tree root sticking up out of the ground. I feel like I'm gonna puke.

I pressed my back against the tree root and slumped down to the ground. This seems all to familiar. Just like after I ran away from the village after Inuyasha attacked me.

Then it dawned on me...I ran away again. Now...I don't have no place to go. I don't wanna have to start over again. I don't wanna leave my friends. But what choice do I have.

Blood trailed down the side of my mouth. I coughed up more blood. What was wrong with me? Am I sick?

I'm so sleepy...my eyes kept closing. I was trying to stay up but it was hard."I'm not gonna make it, am I?"

Kimiko

That's strange...I thought I heard someone calling me.

Kimiko! You guys, she's this way!

Is that..."Bankotsu?"

"Kimi!"

"Oh-no, she's bleeding." Suikotsu's voice came. I felt him someone scoop me up in their arms. " We need to take her into town to see a doctor now!"

"Tamahome.."My vision blurred as I zoned in and out." ...Inuyasha...Bankotsu. I'm sorry."

" Don't be." I heard Bankotsu say," It's my fault."

"I'm not gonna make it." I grinned, " Oh well..."

I closed my eyes and faded off...