"Talking"
'Thinking'
Stressed'All I ever wanted was to be accepted, to be have them both at my side,' Mikaboshi thought as he fought Bankotsu.
They could never understand the loneliness that he felt. The hate the others pushed him to. No one could understand how it felt to be denied happiness. Because no one could understand, he would fight to make them just as miserable. The darkness was returning into his body as the Miko slowly died. He struggled to push the purifying energy attack back. The man was supposed to weaken at the death of his Miko. He wasn't supposed to become stronger and fight with everything he had.
'I just want to be a happy,' Mikaboshi thought as he gritted his teeth.
He was still not a god. Mikaboshi would never be a god because of his human blood. His human blood was what drove his stepfather to hate him. Mikaboshi brought the katana down and grinned as Bankotsu bled. His pupils narrowed as the man released another purifying attack. He grunted as he felt the skin being burned from his form. The Miko took another shallow breath and he grinned.
'I will take this world and show them who is to be accepted,' Mikaboshi thought.
He brought the katana down and to the side. Bankotsu grunted as it cut into his hip. Mikaboshi jumped back and dodged a random attack from Kouga and Maro. He growled in annoyance as he quickly through up a barrier. They hit the barrier with an enraged snarl. His eyes landed on Sesshoumaru. The Taiyoukai stood there with a look of indifference.
'They can't understand my struggle to power,' Mikaboshi thought.
His eyes widened as he felt the zanbato slide through his stomach. Bankotsu turned his face to the side to avoid the gushing blood. He heard another shallow breath from the Miko and realized that it was his own. The darkness crashed back to him as the remaining youkai passed out. The sword slid out of his gut and he screamed, it was from pain and failure. He had failed and he didn't understand why. The blood pooled in his throat and he coughed it up. Bankotsu glared down at the so-called 'god of evil.' He was pathetic.
"You're not a god," Bankotsu coldly said.
"How did I lose?" Mikaboshi questioned as he felt darkness overcome his vision.
"You don't understand," Bankotsu replied.
"Explain…I want to live," Mikaboshi whispered.
"You died the moment you wished everything dead, you would never understand life because you hate everything," Bankotsu replied.
"I-I love my mother," Mikaboshi growled.
"Then why didn't you listen to her?" Bankotsu questioned.
"I just wanted to be accepted," Mikaboshi whispered as he coughed up blood.
"You were accepted, she loved you," Bankotsu stated as Mikaboshi's eyes widened.
Mikaboshi laid there in silence as he felt the blood leak from him. He did realize it; she did love him. That was why she kept him in Yomi with her. His spirit didn't fade in Yomi because he was already dead. She protected him even when it hurt her for him to see her as that corpse.
'She's my beautiful mother,' Mikaboshi sadly thought.
"You'll never understand how love works because you're trapped in your own dark world," Bankotsu whispered.
Mikaboshi closed his eyes and felt a different kind of darkness. It consumed him, but this time it brought peace. A smile graced his face as he saw his mother waiting for him. This time he would and stay with her. He wouldn't leave her because he had acceptance. Bankotsu frowned as he brought the zanbato down and took of Mikaboshi's head. He wanted to make sure this guy remained dead.
The barrier fell around them and Bankotsu watched as Kagome stopped breathing. He dropped the sword and rushed to her side. He picked up her limp form and held her close to his chest. He gently pushed her black hair from her face as a look of helplessness passed on his face. This time wasn't an illusion; she was dead. Bankotsu buried his face in her neck in attempt to catch her fading warmth. His eyes watered as he held her and began to rock her back in forth.
Sesshoumaru watched the scene with the same indifferent look. His golden eyes fell to the Tenseiga at his hip. He wondered why it didn't wish to revive the girl. Kouga stood a few feet away with tears in his own eyes. His tail hung limp as he gazed upon his first love's corpse. He wondered why she had to die. Bankotsu trailed his fingers along her cold lips and wondered if hecould go back to Yomi and retrieve. Maro looked away from the scene, he knew there was a price to pay in stopping the darkness. He just didn't know what the price would be.
"Kagome," Bankotsu whispered and their eyes turned to him. "It's time to wake up."
The youkai looked at him as if he had gone mad. He gripped the Shikon no Tama and held it in his hand. He still left it around her neck as he rested his face in her bloodied haori. His tears mixed into the blood and he wished he could have saved. Sesshoumaru sheathed his Tenseiga, there was nothing left in this tomb. He walked toward the door and stopped when he felt a rise of Reiki. His pupils narrowed as he turned around to face the dead Miko and Bankotsu. His body was softly glowing white. He could see that the ki was being directed in Kagome's body.
Sesshoumaru turned back into the room and could smell the scent of death being lifted. The Tama pulsed and the room filled with light. Sesshoumaru covered his eyes and focused on Miko once the light cleared. Sesshoumaru smirked when he saw her hand twitch and a rise in her chest. He turned and walked out of the room, everything would be fine.
"We were supposed to have children…we were supposed to have been married. I can't marry a corpse," Bankotsu whispered into her haori.
"How many do you want?" Kagome whispered as her eyes slid open.
He raised his head from her shirt and met her gaze. Her Chihaya turned back to the traditional white and red. A grin broke out on his face as he pulled her to his chest.
"Kagome," Bankotsu whispered as he held her.
"I personally want to have a boy and a girl," Kagome replied as she smothered in an embrace.
Bankotsu pulled away and gave her a loving look. Kagome stopped her rambling and softly smiled at him. The look of love he sent her made her want to giggle like a schoolgirl. Kagome was about to say something, but he glared at her.
"Don't you ever die again!" Bankotsu shouted. Kagome shook out her stupor and glared at him.
"Don't shout at me! I just came back from the dead!" Kagome growled as she twisted his braid.
"Big DEAL! I died and came about three times!" Bankotsu shouted as he pulled his hair free.
"You insufferable JERK!" Kagome growled as she balled her hand into a fist.
"If I have to be insufferable in order to keep you alive…so be it," Bankotsu firmly stated.
"Maybe I'll just go back to Yomi," Kagome slyly said as she stuck her nose in the air and turned away from him.
"I'll just drag your ass back," Bankotsu replied.
"Just my ass?" Kagome mocked.
"Which counts as all of you," Bankotsu snapped.
"That's it!" Kagome growled as she jumped him.
His back hit the floor as her hands squeezed his shoulders. He wrapped one arm around her waist and used his other hand to pull her head to him. His lips covered her protesting lips. Kagome sighed as she continued to kiss him. His fingers pulled her closer and she groaned.
"Not even I can make out in battlefield," Kouga grunted as he picked up the unconscious Ayame.
"They have no shame," Maro sighed.
"Humans," Kouga dryly said.
"I've seen youkai do worse," Maro supplied.
"Shame on you…watching those youkai," Kouga tsked as Maro growled.
"Pervert," Maro growled.
"Do you think they'll be safe?" Tachi questioned.
"Do you want to interrupt her and face her wrath?" Kouga questioned.
"No," they all replied.
"They'll get tired after a while," Kouga assumed with a shrug.
"I can't see his hands," Maro worriedly said.
"Everyone out!" Kouga hissed as he pushed them out of the room.
Kagome groaned as she felt his tongue enter her mouth. He rolled them over and she sighed as she felt his body push against hers. Her eyes slightly opened and she screamed. Bankotsu shot up and pulled her away with him. She smacked him over the head and left the room. He stuck his tongue out at her vanishing form. Bankotsu stood up and kicked the decapitated head across the room. She had seen that when she opened her eyes. Bankotsu suddenly grinned and chased after her. He was sure there weren't anymore dead bodies in the castle.
Kouga and the others winced as they heard Kagome's voice echo through the castle.
"YOU JERK! THE MOOD'S RUINED!" Kagome shouted
"EXCUSE ME FOR TRYING!" Bankotsu shouted just as loud.
"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" Kagome threatened as her face turned red in anger.
"BEEN THERE, DONE THAT!" Bankotsu replied with a grin and stuck his tongue out.
"He really has to learn on when to keep his mouth shut," Tachi stated as he picked at his ringing ears.
"He'll learn soon enough," Maro assured.
"He's nice, but he seems a bit…reckless," Kouga replied.
"I wonder how they'll survive having kids?" Tachi wondered with a little image.
"Whatever they spawn is bound to have a temper and be reckless," Maro added as the rest nodded in agreement.
"I'm happy I don't live with them," Kouga replied with a grin.
"Jerk," Ayame mumbled in her sleep.
The rest of the men just laughed and finally stopped when they heard a crash. Silence reigned before they began to laugh again.
"With everything, there comes a price," Izanami sighed as she held her son's faded spirit within her palms.
He had come back to her, but he wouldn't survive for long. Izanami sighed and walked over to the river that had held Bankotsu. It was the river of souls; it could heal, kill, or send you to your next life. She smiled at her son's soul one last time before she placed it in the river. A tear hit the river as she silently sobbed. No matter how many souls were down here, she would always be alone. She did understand her son no matter how much he thought otherwise. She only wish she could have told him one last thing.
"You are my son and I will always love you."
The river began to bubble and she watched another Hitodama emerge from the river and go to the surface. She could only pray that her son would move on and release any hatred leftover.
Maro sighed as he entered the palace that his father ruled in. His father was old, but he was eternal. Tengu were able to choose when they wished to die, that was why he had ruled for thousands of years. Maro smiled with new resolve, after he had seen the youkai and humans he had come to a new decision. He approached the throne and bowed to his father. He soon stood back up with a smile.
"What news do you bring?" Sojobo-sama questioned.
"The Betsushimiko and her chosen mate have beat the darkness," Maro answered with a grin. Sojobo thought about this as his pearl blue eyes searched his son for any lies. He leaned forward and his white hair fell forward.
"You have succeed in your task…you would make a fine leader," Sojobo commented.
"Thank you…but I no longer want your throne," Maro answered with another bow. Sojobo's eyes widened in shock before he smiled at his son.
"You have learned much my son," Sojobo-sama softly stated.
"The six Taiyoukai of the lands have been killed," Maro announced.
"Much chaos is ahead," Sojobo sadly said. Maro's smile brightened and he shook his head no.
"Lord Sesshoumaru, the only surviving Taiyoukai has picked the new Taiyoukai of the East and North," Maro informed with a smile.
"I suppose you want to take up his offer," Sojobo sighed.
"I wish to start my own kingdom with legacy I can create," Maro said with a smile.
"Then go take over the domain, but I still expect to have a get together ever hundred years," Sojobo declared.
"Thank you…father," Maro softly said.
"Who are the other Taiyoukai?" Sojobo asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Lord Tachi of the Eastern Kamaitachi clan has been placed in the Eastern lands, I have been placed in the Northern lands, but the Southern lands were remain under the West's protection until a proper ruler can be chosen," Maro informed.
"Then go…I wish you luck on your new task," Sojobo blessed as his son left.