Disclaimer: We don't own

Pairings: Bankotsu/Kagome Sango/Miroku Shippo/Souten Koga/Jakotsu Inuyasha/Kikyo

Genre: Romance/Humor/Angst?

Warning: Shonen-ai in later chapters, Language, Dark tones

Rating: PG-13/15

Beta: None

Summary: Before the final battle could be fought, old alliances are broken while new ones are formed, and people who had little to do with Naraku come into the picture for as long as possible. Kagome has allowed herself one thing that was never allowed. She had let herself get involved with the enemy, and she had shown to Inuyasha that his safety was above his own. But her new attraction doesn't hold the same feelings for her and throws her into dangers face.

A/N: Heya Second chapter of The Red Zone, written by me and Miss Lady Death this chapter is written by me, SilverYoko, aka Silver. Thanks for all of those that reviewed!

The Red Zone

SilverYoko & Miss Lady Death

The new dawn brought new opportunities for the members of the Shichinintai and they were all too willing to take the day up on those. Though not every dawn brought these golden chances and many times they found themselves bored and sitting around their 'hideout' drinking sake or fighting with one another.

This is where Jakotsu and Bankotsu found themselves as they chatted and grinned, both happily drunk sporting healthy flushes across their cheeks. Banryuu sat propped against the stairs, his owner patting the sword that held three of the shikon no kakera.

A curl of his lips was the only thing that gave away Renkotsu's disgust at the situation of his 'partners'. The courtyard reeked of sake; it clogged the air taking away the natural scent of the air. He watched as the two sang loudly, and out of tune; belches were let out as Jakotsu whined over his unrequited love for the disgusting hanyou while Bankotsu patted him none to gently. 

It would be all too easily for him to get away now, but he knew when the two sobered up and he was not around he would pay horribly. He hated acting as the subservient bitch to the child Bankotsu. But he knew it would all pay off in the end. They died because of his recklessness and they were following this 'Naraku' on nothing but Ban's word.

But just how much does Big Brother's word mean anymore?

The thought came unbidden to his mind but he knew that he was always thinking like this more and more as the days got longer. The shards in his neck throbbed horribly, always leaving him with the pain of knowing he was brought back to be another bitch to some half breed. 

"Big Brother, I have…something to speak to you about."

He was standing away from Bankotsu but his voice rang loud and clear in the courtyard, Genkotsu and Suikotsu were off somewhere and without those two it was much quieter than normal.

The drunken Shichinintai leader had to blink a couple of times to get his vision to stop swimming before he was able to finally see who had spoken to him; the jug of sake in his hand swinging precariously around and sloshing over the edges.

"Renkotsu! Come over here stop being so stoic and standoffish!"

The sentence was bellowed, the leader not being able to comprehend Renkotsu was able to hear him where he was.

His jaw creaked as he tried to bite his tongue from letting out a stinging comment knowing the retribution for the comment would be much worse. His feet shuffled along the ground, his jaw lying on his chest. His eyes closed.

"Brother, a village miles away from here is said to hold multiple shards of the Shikon. We need to check this rumor out for ourselves, the shards could prove valuable to the mission that this Naraku wants us to complete. Banryuu would be much more powerful with just more than three shards."

He bit the inside of his cheeks as he saw the skepticism in Bankotsu's eyes, even drunk he seemed to not need so much time to process what had been said. Apparently he needed to watch what he said about Banryuu's strength in the future.

"Why would we send just you to look into this? Why not send Genkotsu or Suikotsu?"

"I understand that. But the fact is that it could be just a rumor and if we send either of them and we are under attack you may need their strength so the logical thing would be to send me ahead to scout and see if the shards are there, if it's just a weak defenseless village then it should be painless and we won't need to worry to much for battle."

The fact that Bankotsu demeaned his strength and ability to those two made him see red but he swallowed the acid on his tongue and chose a tactful reply. He could easily get hold of the two shards needed to revive the thunder demon Hiten by taking out demons running around in the area.

"That makes some sense, since Suikotsu and Genkotsu aren't ones to take things easily. All right! You may go ahead and see if this is more than just a rumor. But, Renkotsu, if you hide the shards from me I will not be so forgiving as I was last time."

"Understood, big brother."

He bit back the grin that threatened to split his face. His head was downcast not wanting Bankotsu or Jakotsu to pick up on the glint in his eyes. He never dreamed it would be this easy to revive the thunder demon and get away from the Shichinintai. The only problem that remained would be to find the dark witch Urasuii

Bankotsu's brow furrowed as he watched the fire breathing member of the Shichinintai walk away. Something seemed off with him and it made him wonder just how loyal Renkotsu remained to him. He would have to bring it up sometime in the near future with him.

The bottle of sake seemed unusually heavy in his hand as he took as swig from the jug, the alcohol burning its way down his throat. Jakotsu was still talking about Inuyasha's fluffy, white dog ears and how he'd love to get his hands on them. Though what exactly he meant by that Bankotsu figured he wouldn't ask. He caught as Jakotsu switched to talking about a wolf in a skirt that 'didn't leave much to the imagination'. And with that he effectively cut off listening to the drunken member.

It had been about a day since Renkotsu had taken off with the intent to get hold of shards to revive the slain Hiten. The Band of, now, five had found a few ways to take off the edge of boredom, mainly two members waking up with unbelievable hangovers and questions of what had happened the day before.

The after effects of sake had left Bankotsu with more than a few good ideas. Which of very few he remembered beside of the fact that he needed to get his hands on the miko named Kagome. Jakotsu had agreed readily after a few mentions of Inuyasha.

Bankotsu had finally figured out just how important the miko was to the members of Inuyasha members. Beside the fact that she is able to see the jewel shards, Inuyasha held an emotional attachment to the girl and seemed able to draw power from her.

He had a drunken fight with Jakotsu over who to kidnap. The cross dressing member wanted to get hold of the 'sexy' monk with the wind tunnel rather than a 'disgusting, skanky female'. He was referring to the tiny skirt she seemed to like wearing.

Bankotsu won of course. After reminding him what the monk could exactly do and that Kagome was weaker physically he had finally agreed (pouting till he passed out).

He knew Jakotsu's hatred for women would give problems in the kidnapping so it was decided that Genkotsu, Suikotsu, and Jakotsu would stay behind and keep watch over their stronghold while he went ahead to get a hold of the miko. She seemed to have some trust for him after their encounter in the forest.

So he found himself off on the path to his rival's camp having little more to do than hum to himself and take care of his beloved Banryuu. The demons that he encountered were weaklings compared him and his halberd, so that gave him hardly any amusement at all. In the end he found much amusement in the look on his face when Inuyasha found his wench gone. Oh yes, he found much amusement in that scenario.

His footsteps were light and practiced, not a sound was made as he walked in the forest. The jewel shards increasing his senses, every of his senses acute. He could hear the sounds the group made, Inuyasha and the fox child screaming at one another. Then a strangled cry and a shout of 'Sit'. He was almost positive he heard a thud and Inuyasha whining.

His lips curled in a smirk, the white of his teeth showing. The horizon was streaked pink and orange the cheeping of the last sounds of birds dying out as they prepared their young for sleep. He had made it just in time.

The trees in the area were thick and lush, the trunks giving him more than enough space to hide himself. The air was crisp with the smell of the trees and animals, giving him more than enough smells to hide his scent.

"Inuyasha let him alone! Act your age for once!"

"Shut up woman! This has nothing to do with you!"

"The hell it doesn't!"

Apparently she was feeling better from the injuries, though from what he could see she was still lying in her…whatever that contraption was. He admired her for her ability to be able to be so strong…and scary while she was still injured. Apparently she had more power of the hanyou than he had first thought.

She could be far more valuable to us than I had first imagined.

The demon huntress and houshi seemed used to this by now and were mulling about their tasks. The fox child was curled against the miko's chest, a bump showing through his fiery hair.

He knew know why Inuyasha was grumbling and growling around.

He bit his lip, a laugh bubbling up in his chest. Something seemed entirely funny about this situation. His respect for the miko grew as she stood up to the hanyou her own anger flaring.

"Hirakotsu! You hentai houshi!"

The tainted monk lay on the ground, his own bump growing on his head. The demon huntress angrily resumed cleaning her bone boomerang, grumbling under her breath the while.

This, too, seemed to be another usual occurrence.

Kagome's lips pursed together as she glared at her guardian. Her whole body ached, her breath hissing between her clenched teeth. The strain made her stomach ache horribly and her heart race. Her face was sporting a healthy flush, chocolate brown eyes glittering in anger.

Inuyasha was still smarting from Kagome's choosing Bankotsu's safety over his. He was more sensitive about things said which made him go after Shippo the weaker member of their team. But his anger had left him forgetting about Kagome's motherly nature to the fox kit.

The hanyou wanted to rip open the mercenary but for some reason the thought that he might've meant more to Kagome than him left him not wanting to hurt the miko reincarnate anymore. He had made her cry so many times. Made her hurt uncontrollably with his rendezvous with Kikyo, she had shed tears for him yet it always seemed so trivial when he was around his undead lover.

He had a feeling the emotions coursing through him now were what Kagome felt when he was with Kikyo. Yet he wasn't even sure if she held any feelings for the dead mercenary at all. That thought didn't lessen the hurt.

Kagome had thought that when she had run into the comfort of her sleeping bag she could avoid Inuyasha's anger until morning but she should have known better. He had almost shaken her away, the look in his eyes saying far more than his mouth would allow.

"I'm going for a walk."

It left her mouth before she could even think about it. The thought formed before she could process the anger that Inuyasha would unleash. She didn't even understand why she stood in front of Bankotsu as her supposed love was about to strike the final blow. And she wanted to understand why. Even if it meant dealing with Inuyasha's anger.

"WHAT? Bitch you have no right to go off on your own right now!"

"And you have no right to tell me what I can and cannot do! It's my life and my right to chose where and when I go somewhere!"

He could tell he had crossed the line. He could see it in her eyes and the sound of her voice. He had never gone as far as to use such a derogatory term as 'bitch' to her. Ever.

And when she got up and stormed off he let her. He watched the stiffening of her spine and smelled the salt of her tears as they spilled down her face.

He had made her cry again. She had let him make her cry. She had promised her she would never cry again. That he wasn't worth it and her tears would be better spilled on someone else; someone who actually saw her every time they looked into her eyes, every time they kissed or made love, not as a reincarnation of their dead lover.

The back of her hand swiped at the silvery tears, her nose crinkling as she sniffled. Her throat hurt from holding back her sobs, her small frame finally falling to the ground.

His teeth ground together as he watched the scene unfold. The way he treated her was something to deplore, regardless of his feelings about pathetic relationships. If he was in love with her as much as Bankotsu thought then he should've treated her better, not like some trash that was expendable. But he had to applaud that his act had left him an opening.

He stole silently away mentally sending a death ray to the hanyou. The sun had set, and the air was quickly cooling. He could hear her, almost taste the saltiness in the air as her small frame was racked with tiny sobs.

The urge to lap the tears away surged over him leaving him confused and irritated. The girl was getting to close to his defenses. He would soon remedy that. There was no need for her to live after they had gotten what they wanted.

The spot that she had chosen was the spot where they had met days before. The irony of the situation was not lost on Bankotsu.

His lips twitched downwards in a frown as he stepped away from the shadows. He knew that she wouldn't be able to hear him over her own crying.

Stupid child.

"Inuyasha you bastard! How could you do this! You promised me that you'd protect me from anything! So how can you protect me when it's you that is hurting me the most? Why! Why can't you see me! Why is it Kikyo that holds your heart? Why…why can't it be…?"

Me…

She had finally given in. Her body was racked with sobs as she bit her lip harshly, a bubble of blood blooming on her lip. Tears streamed down her face, the silver liquid dripping down her chin.

The outburst from the woman had not been what he had expected. He figured the spit and vinegar had been drained from her as she had sunk to the ground. He felt a twinge of pity as he watched the pathetic display.

Pathetic…such show of weakness is not allowed. This is why such feelings are unneeded. Jakotsu should understand this and not have such pathetic feelings for that disgusting half breed.

He felt his eyebrow twitch with irritation the longer he watched Kagome's display. The twinge of pity now replaced with anger at her weakness. He had been trained that any show of weakness was not tolerated regardless of if they were alone or not.

He grinned. He was right in knowing she was unable to hear his approach. Standing right behind her he could almost feel her shaking. His gloved hand reached out grabbing her shoulder roughly.

She stiffened immediately. She knew that wasn't Inuyasha's hand. The size was different and the feel. Inuyasha's touch was always with a hint of protectiveness while this one was…void…of anything.

A scream ripped past her lips as she felt herself thrown roughly over a shoulder. The white and blue armour so familiar. She knew that she could not escape this attacker. He wasn't Koga.

"L-Let go! Bankotsu release me!"

Though that didn't stop her from trying.

He grinned in amusement. She continued fighting him when she even knew she stood no chance of getting away. His respect for her continued to grow.

"Hardly woman. You're far too valuable for me to just throw away."

She could feel the ground moving underneath them, the green mixing together with all the other colors. She really wished she would get sick on Bankotsu. Though her stomach wound protested this new movement loudly.

Renkotsu grinned, the blood splattered across the ground drying turning the grass a dusty red colour. The shards glowed darkly in his hand as his eyes glinted with malice.

He had the shards. Both of them. It had been a hassle but one well worth it.

Now only to find the dark witch, and revive Hiten. I'm coming for you Bankotsu. Watch out for me Big Brother.

A/N: Reviews are fodder for the author, the next chapter is to be done by Miss Lady Death, if all goes well she'll do every odd chapter and I'll do every even