Chapter 15: What's Left

"Uu–ahhh–ha," the old man hacked. His deep sucking breaths taxed the air. His eyes were growing dark. "Why," he gasped in more air, "did you– steal my–my dream, Kik–Kikyo?"

"You can not cheat your way into the sacred place," her stony eyes were unforgiving.

"You gave me what I wanted though," he coughed. "The blessing... your purifying power. I'd– thank you, but it seems you've condemned me to hell." His weary eyes closed. "And for now, fellows," he wheezed, "I bid you adieu. But I'm sure I'll be seeing you all very soon."

Waruimaru released his last breath. Silence clouded the room. Sesshomaru sheathed his sword and merely walked out.

Kikyo drooped her head and mildly looked at the young man on her lap. He was the freest person she knew. And he was dying. Was her freedom dying with him? She couldn't say. The thing that scared her most was not that yet again a man would steal her freedom, but that this time she didn't care if he did.

Kikyo pulled back the bangs from his tired eyes and slowly traced her fingers through his hair. She lightly pressed the back of her hand to his cheek. He was getting cold. There'll be no reawakening from sleep this time. He's leaving me. A grimace wobbled on her lips.

He tried to smile. The cheer didn't rub off on her.

"Give my best... to Naraku," he controlled his cough with great difficulty.

Kagome and Inuyasha watched them together. Tears slipped down Kagome's face. Inuyasha just observed, an indiscernible expression lurking on his face.

"Alright," Kikyo breathed.

"Good," he relaxed his eyes.

"Take care, Bankotsu," she whispered.

A contented smile perched on his lips. He shifted his head to the side in her palms and released a heavy breath.

Kikyo could feel his presence leave. His soul had gone. Her eyes hollowed. She blinked. She delicately slid his head off her lap and rested him on the floor. He looked so calm, cocky, and content. Huh, she smiled to herself, he really is always cheery.

Kikyo stood up, without a moment's glance at the onlookers, and walked out. The arrow in her chest throbbed and her leg hurt like hell. She had no souls to speak of, other than a remainder of her own. Her eyes were heavy, as was her heart.

She stepped outside the temple. The sun was drooping in the sky, bleeding it's life's light out on the world. The moon was faint, smiling from his distant blue abode. The sun merely hovered and waited in all its beauty, allowing the sunset to tuck in the night and bring the moon back to life.

Kikyo left the valley and all the barriers behind. Her quiet feet padded in the wet grass. The night was so beautiful and calm. A soul collector slithered out of the neighboring trees and illuminated the misty atmosphere. She smiled. The first firefly of the night flitted up to her and landed on her bangs. She grinned and looked up. It walked carefully down until it dipped into her face on the small hair strands, then flew into the sky until it mixed with the stars and she couldn't see it anymore.

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"So, um, big brother," a feminine voice pondered, "why are we looking for the scary dead priestess?"

"Well, Jakotsu," a young boyish voice answered, "I think I'm in love."

"What?"

"Ya..." His voice drifted off as he stared out into hell's dusty horizon.

"You can't be serious, Bankotsu. She gives me the creeps! How could you ever love such a woman? Besides, look what she did to Suikotsu before!"

"You should have seen what she did to Hakudoushi," Bankotsu reminisced.

"What's a Hakudoushi?"

"Not much anymore, I'd say," he smirked.

"Is something wrong, big brother? You seem different."

"Guess I –" he stopped, "nothing." His eyes drifted off.

"Oh well then. Hey," he got excited, "did you see Inuyasha while you were up there?"

"Yeah," he started chuckling, "and he didn't even kill me when I moved in on his woman. Loser."

"So do you want to start looking for group members again?"

"Maybe later," Bankotsu kept looking into the distance.

"How long from now is later?"

"As long as it takes," Bankotsu started walking along the edge of a coast searching through crowds of people.

"To do what?"

"To find Kikyo," he squinted at something.

"Come on, big brother," Jakotsu whined, "you can't tell me she's that important. She's not joining us?"

"She'll grow on you, Jakotsu," he kept walking, "and don't worry. She'll never take your place as my friend." He landed a hand on Jakotsu's shoulder. The taller man stared down at him.

"Right..."

They kept walking. The scenery would progressively change, but it was very dreary.

"Oh, Jakotsu," Bankotsu remembered, "you would have loved it up there this last time. I went to that same place I got Banryu, you remember?" He gazed eagerly at him, "And I got this sword that was even more powerful. It was awesome."

"Cool," he admired. "What did you do anyway?"

"We busted up some old magician's temple to try and stop Naraku from getting some crystal ball."

"Did it work?"

Bankotsu looked around.

"Pretty much."

Jakotsu sighed as he caught the hazy look in his leader's eyes. He'd never seen Bankotsu so reserved. He had always been so eager and ready for adventure. He was always looking for something that he never seemed to find. Something told Jakotsu that he may have finally found whatever it was, but it had slipped away.

The merciless wind of the desert sifted through Bankotsu's uniform and played with his braid. His bangs danced on the purple cross of his forehead as his eyes floated dreamily along with the zephyr.

Night was coming. Bankotsu gazed longingly at the falling sun. It's scorching reign would end soon, unleashing all the skinless bloodthirsty beasts of the peaceful night. Nothing was worse than the calm dark silence. The moon crept up in the boundless sky as though a spectator about to observe the gladiators come out for slaughter. The blood red ground rumbled with the distant approach of hell's demons and warriors.

I'm glad you're not here, Kikyo. A bittersweet smile lingered on Bankotsu's downtrodden countenance. His eyes were cloudy as he stared at the dirt. Lazily glancing to his side, he saw the first pairs of bloodshot thirsty red eyes sneaking up on him. I'm glad you're not here. Jakotsu tensed and pulled out his sword. Bankotsu wearily withdrew Banryu. So I'll wait for you. And when the time comes, I'll find you. I will find you, Kikyo.

Author's Note: And it's done. So what did you think? Personally, I didn't want Bankotsu to die. I struggled for most of the story with it, but it had to be done. Sorry all you Bankotsu lovers. I feel for you. But I've got a little surprise for you. I've been considering it a lot, and I might write a sequel. If anyone is interested then tell me in a review. If I get enough of a response from you guys I will definitely continue. I've actually got quite a good idea for it. So drop me a line or a review and we'll see about getting this party started. ;) Till then guys.