Kagome's Decision

"Talking"

'Thinking'

Stressed
Six months later

Kagome sighed as she ran her fingers over the dark wood of the floorboard. She took notice that her skin seemed a bit paler then normal. A scowl formed on her face as she thought it reminded her of the dead Miko. Shaking the thought from her head, she gazed at Tachi who was sitting across the low-level table. This time he wore metal armor over his chest. It seemed like the metal was poured over his finely shaped chest, but the truth was that it tied behind his back. Kagome directed a glance over at Kouga as he sat there with indifference.

It had been a full seven months since they had come to village. Kagome didn't think she would be able to survive here after the boy's death. His name had been lost in her memories, she knew him as 'the boy.' There was also 'the girl' who left a mark on her memory with dedication. Kagome had watched the village and concluded that it was the same as any other village. There was love, loyalty, and mistakes in this village. Kagome believed that it could prosper and bring the Kamaitachi up in youkai society. Her mind wandered back to her nightly escapades with a smile.

Bankotsu had been coming at least once a week to see her. He had never done anything indecent to warrant a slap. They had been able to joke around and talk seriously. She still confided to him that love was foolish. He would just give her a wistful smile before he would kiss her forehead and leave. She had enjoyed watching the fireflies with him and then gazing at the stars. It had brought her a sense of peace that she hadn't attained in a while. Kagome released a sigh and thought of the boy or young man. He didn't know, but she knew the looks he gave her.

Kagome watched as Tachi directed his gaze at her with a knowing look. Kagome could never give Bankotsu her heart; it was something she never wanted to hand out again. A frustrated sigh left her body as she scowled at her heart. In someway it had already been given to him without her consent. She enjoyed staring in the cerulean eyes that sparked with life and mischief. Kagome smiled softly as she thought about the pouts he would give when he became upset or lost in thought. Still, she didn't want her heart to be abused like before.

"I've come to a decision," Kagome confided to Tachi. She noticed the way his pupils widened. His breathing seemed to stop.

"I respect whatever decision you come to. I'm just honored to know that you and Lord Kouga took the time to come to my request," Tachi softly said. Kagome softly smiled and could see the sorrow in his eyes. He still regretted the actions take with 'the boy.'

"I have decided that I will speak on your clans behalf," Kagome simply said, she didn't want a long pause or any dramatics.

"I will also speak on your behalf. I respect Kagome's decision and have watched your clan enough to know that you aren't mindless beings," Kouga gruffly said. Kagome reached over and squeezed Kouga's arm in gratitude. Tachi deeply bowed to them with a sigh of relief.

"Thank you. Thank you so much, this means much to my people and I," Tachi sincerely expressed.

"I have other duties, but I will come when the time deems it so," Kagome softly said.

She stood and Kouga remained seated. Kagomewent to leave the hut. Her decision had been made and she would follow through with it no matter what. She softly smiled and stopped at the doorway.

"Remember Tachi-sama, you are the leader of your people," Kagome voiced before she vanished out of the hut.

Kagome decided that she didn't want to go sit by the river and wait for Bankotsu. The river was to cold for the cool weather they had this season. She turned and went in the direction of the onsen. The steam from the onsen would relax her. Closing her eyes as she walked she tried to feel the familiar pull of the Shikon shards. One tugged at her soul as she went toward the onsen. It was there at the onsen without movement. Kagome grinned as she hoped it might be Bankotsu, payback would be refreshing. She opened her eyes and continued on the path to the onsen.

Kagome smiled as she walked path. She sawthe clothes lying on the ground. Her grin only increased when she noticed the Banryuu tilted on the rock within reaching distance. Her eyes saw the shards embedded in the halbreed before she turned to stalk the onsen. Kagome felt his shard and continued to approach the water. Her eyes widened and she made out the figure in the steam. His hair was down and she was amazed at the length of it. She wondered if it was as soft as it looked. The time she did touch it she didn't have time to relish the feel of it.

"I see our roles have reversed," Kagome spoke.

Her voice was soft and husky, and she didn't know why. Blood rushed to her face and her cheeks slightly pinked. Bankotsu turned around and she heard the water splash. He didn't duck and hide like she did. His hair swung around and she watched as it sliced through the steam and brushed against his slightly tanned skin. His bangs still fell over his forehead, but they parted to reveal his mark. The steam only gave her a brief outline of what his legs and body looked like. She slowly moved her eyes to his dark blue ones. Her grin turned to a smirk.

"Maybe we should meet like this more often," Bankotsu suggested as she tuned her head to the side and smirked.

"I'm sorry, but it's not my thing to sneak up on naked men," Kagome teased.

"Then what about a naked man?" Bankotsu softly said.

"Maybe I'll make an exception for you," Kagome spoke with a bit of thought.

"So now you're a perverted Miko?" Bankotsu asked.

"Why not? There's a perverted Houshi," Kagome questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"I don't know if I like the fact you might be doing things with others," Bankotsu stated as he cupped his chin in thought.

"You know my comments are reserved for you," Kagome softly assured. It scared her to find some truth in those words.

"What a relief," Bankotsu mumbled with a boyish grin.

Kagome smiled as she stepped behind a tree and offered him decency. She heard the sound of water hitting the shore before the sound of clothes rustling. Kagome wondered why she thought of him as something more special. The feeling was different then her old love for Inuyasha. She admired the way he wore his emotions, even amidst the bloodshed. Kagome heard him grunt an okay before she stepped back into the small clearing. His hair was still dry and she watched as he offered her a grin.

'There's something, but what?' Kagome pondered as she smiled back.

"I'm going to be leaving this village," Kagome said as she leaned against the tree. Bankotsu tilted his head to the side and his smile briefly faltered.

"Where will you go?" Bankotsu asked her.

"Back to Edo so I can get the group together," Kagome answered. Bankotsu nodded, as he understood what she meant.

"Why do you hunt Naraku?" Bankotsu asked her.

"I hunt him for my friends. He has caused betrayal, killed a family, and cursed another to a slow death," Kagome answered.

"I have never hunted someone for…justice," Bankotsu softly said.

"Some call it revenge," Kagome replied as her eyes hardened. This young man she had feelings for worked for Naraku.

"I have only hunted strongest to gain power. Without power you are nothing in this world," Bankotsu spoke as her eyes softened.

"It seems like power is the only thing that matters, but is it true?" Kagome questioned. "You can have power and still be nothing."

"That doesn't make sense. With power, you can be strongest. Everyone would love you, respect you, and be protected," Bankotsu softly said.

"It is what you do with the power, that affects how people look at you," Kagome replied.

"Jakotsu mentioned that your power is pure," Bankotsu mumbled.

"So he mentioned our meeting?" Kagome questioned with a smile.

"Yes, and I am grateful that you were there for him," Bankotsu thanked as he lightly brushed her cheek with his calloused finger.

"I knew you would want him to live," Kagome said as her hand reached up and grasped his. She held his hand against her cheek.

"Once you gather your group…where will you go?" Bankotsu asked as her grip tightened.

"I will hunt Naraku and kill him," Kagome firmly answered. Bankotsu broke eye contact and let his gaze fall to the floor.

"I still owe him for bringing me and the others back…but I won't do anything to hurt you," Bankotsu stressed as his eyes reflected the seriousness of this.

"Once we kill Naraku, then maybe…"

Bankotsu pressed his finger to her lips and smiled.

"Don't say it…once you do it will be nothing more then a fleeting moment," Bankotsu whispered. Kagome nodded and softly smiled at him. "Do you mind if I take a real kiss?"

"You wish to defile the Miko?" Kagome mocked with shock.

"But you have already soiled yourself with my lips. And I'm sure I have defiled you with my gaze," Bankotsu hotly whispered to her. Kagome blushed as this new feeling rose within her again.

His eyes slowly closed as he leaned his face closer to her. Kagome watched as his lips came closer. He was deliberately going slowly so she would have the option of pushing him away. Kagome closed her eyes and closed the gap between them. His eyes slightly opened with her quick action. He grinned as he kissed her and moved his left hand up to her head. Bankotsu let his fingers weave within her hair as his right hand pressed against her lower back. He pulled her closer and she wrapped both of her arms around his neck. Her left hand grasped the back of his head as her right hand slid from his neck and to his middle back. She began to play with the hair and smiled. It was as soft as she thought it would be.

He pulled back from the kiss and watched as her eyes slid open. Her face was slightly flush and he smirked. This time she was the one with the silly grin on her face.

"Looks like I'm a defiled Miko," Kagome huskily said. "No one will want me now."

"Good, cause now I have you to myself," Bankotsu stated before he captured her lips once more.

Author's Note:

I hate what I have to do in the next chapter(silently sobs)
I have been working constantly on this fic, because it is my favorite one(next to How Soon is Now) I have typed about 25 chapters. There's a good chance this fic could go to thirty chapters>