To Be Human: Feel

"Talking"

'Thinking'

Dreams

Stressed

The sun had begun to rise and her eyes were watching the ascending beams of light. The shadows in her room began to lengthen with each ray of light. Kagome rolled over and noticed that Bankotsu was not in the futon she had set up. Kagome pushed herself to her feet and gathered her bathing supplies. She walked over to Shippo's room and noted that he wasn't in there. Kagome sighed and walked outside into the cool air. She shivered as the fresh air met her skin. A soft weight draped around her shoulders as she turned around in confusion. A blanket had been placed around her.

Cerulean orbs watched as she tugged the blanket closer to her. Kagome gazed at him and smiled. He couldn't help but smile back at her. Bankotsu watched her walk away toward the nearest onsen. His eyes traveled to the hanyou that sat on a nearby roof glaring at him. Bankotsu grinned and walked off in the direction Kagome went. He heard the growl and turned to glare. Bankotsu jumped onto the roof that Inuyasha sat upon. Their eyes clashed as they both glared and growled.

"What the hell is your problem?" Bankotsu snapped.

"You are doll boy!" Inuyasha snapped as their pupils thinned.

"I don't have to deal with you, but for Kagome's sake I'll listen to your whining," Bankotsu said as he stood up and raised an eyebrow.

"How very noble," Inuyasha mumbled as they both returned to glaring.

"What don't you tell me your problem so we can both get on with our lives!" Bankotsu stated.

Inuyasha stilled before he began to laugh. Bankotsu's left eye twitched as he watched the hanyou crack up. Inuyasha finally settled down and faced Bankotsu.

"That was hilarious, get on with our lives…you don't have a life," Inuyasha pointed out as Bankotsu growled.

"Bastard," Bankotsu growled.

"I want you to leave or die…again," Inuyasha calmly stated.

"I said I won't leave the woman I'm courting," Bankotsu firmly spoke. Inuyasha glared at him.

"How do I phrase this…go back to your grave!" Inuyasha slowly said as if the man was stupid.

"I'm not leaving her," Bankotsu repeated.

Inuyasha sighed and looked away from the mercenary. His eyebrows furrowed as he thought about how to explain this. Inuyasha wasn't stupid; he could tell that Kagome took comfort in the killer. He could also tell that Bankotsu was dead serious. Inuyasha snickered at the thought before he came to a resolve.

"You wish to court her?" Inuyasha calmly asked.

"Obviously," Bankotsu mumbled as Inuyasha warningly growled.

"Kagome is the only real family that I have. I've sworn to protect her no matter what. I care for her. I do love her," Inuyasha softly said. Bankotsu frowned but decided to listen. "I am in love with her, I think I always will be, but I refuse to let her marry someone of no worth."

"I'd give my life for her," Bankotsu whispered as Inuyasha seriously studied him.

"I don't believe that…all you have are words," Inuyasha whispered.

"Then what do I have to do to prove my worth?" Bankotsu asked. Inuyasha turned away and smirked. He would get this dead man to back off one way or another.

"Live, prove you can provide for her the right way, and love her with everything you have," Inuyasha seriously said.

"I'll do it…but I'll do it for her," Bankotsu agreed.

"Good, maybe you won't be so bad," sighed Inuyasha.

"I have a question," Bankotsu announced as Inuyasha raised a bored eyebrow. "If you love her so much…why'd you let her go?"

"It's because I knew she could do better and I had nothing to offer," Inuyasha answered before he jumped off.

Bankotsu stared off toward the onsen with a thoughtful look. He jumped from roof to roof until he ran into the forest. He could see the steam from the onsen before he felt it. A soft sigh made its way to his ears as he entered the area. He saw her black hair spread against the rock as she sank into the water.

"Pervert," Kagome sighed knowing he wouldn't leave.

"We do meet like this often," Bankotsu sighed as he sat at the edge of the onsen.

Kagome turned around and this time he noted that she had a towel wrapped around her. She smiled and floated over to him. He pulled the legs of his hakama up and stuck his feet into the spring. Kagome smiled as he wriggled his toes with a grin. Kagome reached out and touched his calf. He watched her as she ran her slender hand over his muscle. Even she didn't frown, he could see the way her eyes sadden.

"No matter what I do I will remain cold," Bankotsu whispered with some hate. Kagome turned her gaze to him and kneeled in the onsen so she could rest her head on his knees. Her arms reached around and wrapped around his waist.

"It doesn't matter," Kagome whispered to him.

Bankotsu reached down and ran his hand through her wet hair. He knew it wet and he could feel how it glided through his fingers, but he couldn't really feel. He couldn't feel it cooling in the morning air. The heat of the onsen didn't warm his feet and legs; the rays from the sun didn't even touch him. Kagome's arms tightened against him and he could feel her pressure on his body. He sighed when he couldn't feel the warmth from her skin as he ran his finger along her face.

"It does matter," Bankotsu whispered. Normal people would see him as another person that looked ill, but youkai and hanyou would tell him for what he is. Mikos and Houshi would also see that he shouldn't be around.

"No one know what you are," Kagome assured.

"I know what I am, you know," Bankotsu calmly said.

Kagome rose up out of the water and wrapped her arms around his neck. She buried her face in the crook of his neck and shivered at the coolness of his skin. Bankotsu pulled her away and rested his forehead against hers. His hands held her head in place.

"It doesn't matter," Kagome softly repeated.

"It matters to me," Bankotsu firmly stated as he eyes fell to the ground.

"Would you have preferred to remain dead," Kagome calmly asked.

"No, I want to be here with you…but I want to give you something real," Bankotsu explained.

Kagome watched as he leaned forward and placed his lips on hers. It felt real, but his kiss was cold. Everything was cold and she couldn't help but feel empty. He no longer had that spark that made her feel like she was on fire. She wasn't disgusted, but she was angry. She was angered at herself for being selfish, not once did she think how this would affect him. It was wrong of her to think that he would be fine. Kagome pulled away and rested her head on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry," Kagome whispered. He wrapped his arms around her and held her as she internally sobbed.

"Don't worry, I'll make it better," Bankotsu assured.

"Let's get you out of that Saifuku," Kagome whispered as she left the onsen to change.

Kagome came back around and noticed Bankotsu was gazing into the water. She sighed and he stood back up. They walked back to the village in silence. Both didn't want to upset the other by saying something stupid. Bankotsu grinned; they could use some humor.

"So why do you always were that Chihaya?" Bankotsu innocently questioned.

"I can't walk around naked," Kagome supplied.

"In reality you could, but you chose not to," Bankotsu stated as he watched her cheeks turn pink.

"They are traditional and show that I am Miko," Kagome answered him.

"So…do you wear the same outfit or do you have multiples of that outfit?" Bankotsu asked.

"I have more than one Chihaya," Kagome sighed.

"Will you ever were a different outfit?" Bankotsu asked another question.

"What's with all the questions?" Kagome snapped at him.

"For a Miko, you have anger issues," Bankotsu teased.

"I do not," Kagome huffed.

"Do too," Bankotsu countered.

"Do not," Kagome growled.

"Do too," Bankotsu joked as he watched her pick up her pace. "I was just joking!"

"Jerk!" Kagome growled.

"Come on!" Bankotsu growled.

Kagome turned around and smiled at him. He didn't know if this was a good smile or evil smile. Kagome walked over to him and pulled on his braid. He scowled as she rose up kissed his nose and ran off. Bankotsu grinned as he took off after her.

Miroku stood outside the hut he had been sharing with Sango. He ran a hand through his hair and bit his lip. This was the day and he was determined. He gripped the flowers in his hand and prepared to do his best. She had agreed to bear him a child, but he wanted her hand…in marriage that is. Miroku's right eyebrow twitched as he reached for the door, it was a new addition, and better the shoji screen. The door was pushed open and slammed in his face. Miroku yelped as he made eye contact with Sango. Sango raised an eyebrow as he held the flowers in her face.

"Accept these as token of my courtship!" Miroku quickly said.

Sango pulled him inside the hut with a sigh. Miroku grinned as he was pushed to a seat at the low-level table.

"Thank you," Sango said with a small blush as she took the flowers.

"I want to court you like a normal man," Miroku stated, he was determined to court her like a normal girl.

"No more random gropes?" Sango questioned with a doubtful look.

"I shall not touch you until our wedding night," Miroku firmly stated. Sango sore she saw his hand twitch at this.

"Fine, then court me," Sango sighed.

Miroku nodded and then walked out of the hut. Sango sighed as she set the flowers in a cup. Normally the man doing the courting would ask the father. She had no father or brother to ask. Sango let out a giggle, she was happy to have Miroku courting her. Most men feared her warrior like attitude. Sango searched the hut with her eyes to make sure that no one heard her giggle. She would never live down the teasing she would receive from Shippo and Inuyasha. Kirara watched her mistress before she yawned and went back to sleep.

Sakura blossoms floated on the wind as she stood upon the mountain. Snow fell from the gray sky as she shivered. A woman with long black hair tossed stood off to the distance watching her. Her indigo eyes studied Kagome with distaste. Black feathers replaced the Sakura blossoms as she flew towards her. Her face appeared inches from her and she heard her voice.

"Are you the Betsushikime?" Her voice rang out.

"Who are you?" Kagome questioned.

"I am the one that will decide his fate," the figure whispered.

"Leave him alone," Kagome hissed. A smile formed on her lips as she grinned at her.

"I will decide his fate…so prepare yourself…else you will destroy him," the figure warned with a smirk.

The mountain collapsed and she screamed as she fell. The snow continued to fall as she looked up at the figure floating on the wind. Her long black hair floated in the wind as her smirk grew.

"Kagome," Bankotsu whispered a she shook her.

Kagome's eyes snapped open and glowed black. Inuyasha ran into her room and watched as a dark aura surrounded her body. Her eyes strayed over to Bankotsu and she grinned.

"You are the one that wishes to live," a voice overlaid Kagome's.

"What the hell?" Inuyasha mumbled in shock.

"Know that life and death can never exist in harmony. Once you are dead you can never return to the living," the feminine voice spoke.

"I will! I will live for her!" Bankotsu declared.

"Then let it begin," the voice whispered as the black aura surrounded Bankotsu.

"Let Kagome go!" Inuyasha yelled.

The black eyes turned to Inuyasha with a smirk.

"Who are you?" Inuyasha shouted.

"I was the first one to die," the voice whispered.

"When I get through with you...you'll wish you stayed dead!" Inuyasha shouted as he ran forward.

Kagome held up her hand and barrier formed around her and Bankotsu.

"Something of evil can't use purity," Inuyasha growled as he hit the barrier.

"Death is not evil, it just is," the voice stated before it turned back to Bankotsu.

"What do you want?" He asked.

"There is only one way to gain life from death. Everybody dies, but everyone doesn't live. In reincarnation, you get another chance, without memories. Through me you get your chance by sacrifice," the voice explained.

"Stop speaking in riddles and just say what you have to say," Bankotsu ordered in annoyance.

"You must be pure in order to gain this gift I offer, you must be truly selfless to regain your life," the voice spoke.

"I don't understand," Bankotsu stated.

"If you fail I will take her, she will reside with me," the voice warned.

"Who the hell are you?" Inuyasha shouted.

"I am Izanami, the bringer of death," the firmly answered.

"He'll never pass…don't punish Kagome for his screw ups!" Inuyasha shouted.

"If he has not learned by the second snowfall I will take her," the voice assured.

Kagome quickly blinked before she gazed at the two men and passed out. Her mind floated in darkness as she heard their voices.

'What is this darkness?' Kagome thought as she slipped back in unconsciousness.

Author's Notes:

Another twist in the story,
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