A/N: Sorry it took me so long to write this chapter. I've recently found that I love the series, Naruto (both the anime and manga versions). And addition to that, I've had to plan socials, start my research paper, and fill out paperwork for my semester in Japan. Hopefully I'll finish this before I go to Japan in Mid-January, but if not…it'll take me much longer to update because I'm probably not going to have internet at my host family's house. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter. I don't know how I feel about it so let me know what you think. Thanks!

Chapter 5: Blood

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Bankotsu and Jakotsu stared at the picture in horror, wondering how a girl like Kagome could be someone they had to hit. She didn't seem to be rich, snobby, secretive, or anything like the other people they killed. Just then, Suikotsu walked into the room and saw the brothers staring at the picture still. He sighed and took the picture from them. "What the heck are both of your problems? It's just some chick. It isn't like you haven't killed a beautiful girl before," Suikotsu stated.

"That girl is someone we know. She ate lunch with us today. She was really sweet, and it's just a surprise that we have to kill her," Jakotsu said softly, knowing that his younger brother couldn't exactly form words at the moment.

"You mean she's in high school with you two?" Suikotsu asked curiously. Both boys nodded. Suikotsu smirked and flipped through a couple pages of the file before handing it back to them. "I told you two before to read the WHOLE file before making assumptions. This girl's name is Kikyo Hanagawa. She's my age and is a priestess for some shrine on the opposite side of the city. So even if she was your age, you wouldn't be going to school with her."

Bankotsu and Jakotsu quickly read through the page and sighed with relief, while Suikotsu shut the file. "Geez, I've never seen either of you like this over anyone. Especially you, Ban. You're always the first to say yes to a hit," Suikotsu said with surprise. "Anyway, if you're not going to accept this, Ban. You don't have to, but I will and I'll take Genkotsu with me. Renkotsu and Mukotsu might not be too happy if they know that you two can't carry this out because of some girl though."

"Yeah…don't tell them," Bankotsu said softly, feeling somewhat disappointed in himself. Suikotsu nodded and smiled.

"Don't worry little brothers. Your secret is safe with me. I'm going to go call Naraku and tell him that we accept and that the job will be done within the month," he assured them. They both nodded and Suikotsu left for his office.

Bankotsu turned to Jakotsu with wide eyes and sat down on the bed. "Jakotsu…what the hell is going on with me?" Bankotsu asked as he held his head in his hands.

"I believe that this is just showing us that we're not heartless bastards after all," Jakotsu said with a smile as he sat down on the bed next to him, throwing his arm around his brother's shoulder. Bankotsu sighed and shook his head. "Don't worry, big brother. I wouldn't have been able to harm her either."

"Thanks, Jak…" Bankotsu said and got to his feet. "Well…I better finish my homework and get some sleep. See ya tomorrow morning."

Jakotsu nodded and watched Bankotsu walk back to his room.
>>>>>
Kagome walked into class silently with Sesshomaru and Miroku behind her. Miroku took his seat behind Sesshomaru and tapped him on the shoulder. "Is she ok?" Miroku asked.

Sesshomaru shrugged. He had been watching her carefully ever since last night when he had come down from his father's office. Every time she was near him, she was tense, probably feeling like she was the cause of his pain, which in some ways, she was. But he was the one that was in love with her and because of that, he would take whatever his father would throw at him. But I hate seeing her like this…maybe…maybe I should tell her…explain to her. No…I should wait… He got to his feet, stepping next to Kagome, and kneeling down in front of her. "Kagome…" he said softly and she looked up at him.

"What is it, Sesshomaru?" She asked softly.

"Are you alright? You're beginning to worry everyone. Is it because of my father? Or my bruise? You can tell me," Sesshomaru asked.

"I'm fine, Sesshomaru," She assured him with a small smile. "I'm just tired."

Sesshomaru sighed, knowing that she wasn't telling him the whole truth. I can't expect the truth from her if I can't even tell her the truth myself… I have to tell her…now! Before he knew what he was doing, he grabbed her by the arm and dragged her out of the room. "Ses-Sesshomaru!" she shouted as he dragged her up to the roof and slammed the door behind him. Once they were up there, she yanked her arm away from him and stared at him with surprise. "Why did you bring me up here? Class was just about to start."

"Kagome, I know you're not telling me the truth, however, I can't expect the truth from you if I can't even tell you the truth myself. That's why… Kagome, I need to tell…I mean show you something…" Sesshomaru said softly. "But I want you to promise me that you won't scream."

Kagome quirked an eyebrow at the last part of the sentence, she was so confused, but she knew this was important to him, so she nodded in agreement. As soon as she nodded, the wind began to pick up speed around them and Sesshomaru put his hand over his face as the wind began to swirl around him. Kagome watched with wide eyes as his hair grew out, longer than hers and a white fluffy tail appeared and draped over his shoulder. His ears became pointer, his nails began to grow, and two magenta stripes appeared on his hands and wrists. Suddenly, the wind began to die down and Sesshomaru lowered his hand to reveal his face, a blue crescent moon on his forehead and two magenta stripes on each cheek had been added to his porcelain skin. She stared at him with surprise. "Sesshomaru…you're a…" She stuttered.

He nodded. "Yeah…I'm a youkai," Sesshomaru said softly, lowering his gaze to the floor. Kagome started towards him slowly and cautiously.

"Why didn't you ever tell me? I've known you for years and…" Kagome began.

"I didn't know how to tell you and I didn't know what you would say…" Sesshomaru said softly, but flinched when he felt a hand cup his cheek and looked up to see that it was Kagome's hand, running the pad of her thumb along his markings.

"I would say this, Sesshomaru: You will always be the same person to me, no matter what you look like," Kagome said with a smile. Sesshomaru's eyes slowly started to fill with tears and he smiled, throwing his arms around her and pulling her into a tight hug. She smiled and hugged him back.

"Thank you, Kagome," he whispered into her ear. Kagome nodded and watched as the wind swirled around them again, changing him back to his human state. When she pulled away from him, she suddenly remembered about Inu Yasha.

"Sesshomaru…so Inu Yasha…?" she began but he stopped her.

"He's half youkai, Kagome. Izayoi is a ningen, just like you," Sesshomaru told her. Kagome smiled and nodded. "Shall we go back to class?"

"Sensei is going to drill us about missing the beginning of class, isn't she?" Kagome sighed. Sesshomaru laughed.

"Probably, but it was worth it," Sesshomaru said. Kagome looked up at him and nodded.

"Yes. Yes it was," Kagome said and they left the roof for class.
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Miroku and Sango stared at their friends awkwardly as the three of them, Sesshomaru, Inu Yasha, and Kagome walked over to their normal table for lunch. "What's with them? I've never seen either of them, except for Kagome, look that happy," Miroku whispered to Sango.

"No kidding," Sango said and both of their eyes widened when they saw Sesshomaru smile.

"Oh my god…hell has frozen over," Miroku stated, both of them still staring at their friends.

Inu Yasha, Sesshomaru and Kagome looked over at their friends and saw them staring. Inu Yasha walked up to Miroku and knocked on the top of his head. "Are you ok, Miroku?" Inu Yasha asked.

"Sesshomaru…smile…" Miroku stuttered.

"Don't get used to it," Sesshomaru stated as his face immediately went back to his usual ice cold mask and he sat down across from Sango with Kagome next to him.

"Has anyone seen Bankotsu or Jakotsu?" Kagome asked as she opened her lunch.

Sango nodded. "Last time I saw them, there was a swarm of girls around Bankotsu and Jakotsu was watching from the stairs," Sango told them. Just then, they saw Bankotsu and Jakotsu run out of the front doors and slamming them shut behind them. Kagome laughed and saw them walk towards them. "Well it looks like you two have had your hands full all day."

Bankotsu plopped down next to Kagome and Jakotsu next to Miroku, which made Inu Yasha jump up and sit next to Sango. However, as soon as he sat down, he caught Sesshomaru's eyes and saw them flash red. He sniffed the air to see if there was a youkai nearby, but instead of a youkai's scent he picked up something else. Ningen blood? But…I didn't smell anything until Bankotsu and Jakotsu… He looked back up at Sesshomaru and saw him staring intensely at Bankotsu and Jakotsu, who were both talking and laughing with Kagome, Sango, and Miroku.

"So what did you two do last night, Bankotsu?" Kagome asked.

Bankotsu looked up at Jakotsu and smirked. "Well, we went out around the town for a little while, but then we just got back to the house and started on homework," Bankotsu told her. Sesshomaru watched Jakotsu and Bankotsu carefully, catching the glances they gave each other. They're lying…

"That sounds like fun, but you know, you should probably go around with people that know the area," Miroku said. "That way you know where people like us go to hang out."

"Well if you all aren't busy, maybe you guys can show us after school," Bankotsu said with a smile, looking directly at Kagome.

"Sure, I'm free," Kagome said happily. "Sango?"

"Yeah I can come along," Sango said. "But the guys won't be able to. Sesshomaru has student council and Miroku has to go help out at the monastery."

Miroku sighed and nodded his head in disappointment. "What about you, Inu Yasha?" Jakotsu asked curiously with a smirk on his face.

"I…I…" Inu Yasha stuttered.

"He's free, he will go," Sesshomaru said for his brother. Inu Yasha immediately glared at Sesshomaru angrily, but Sesshomaru's eyes said that they would talk later.

Inu Yasha sighed and nodded. "Fine…" Inu Yasha muttered and went back to his lunch.

"Yay! Inu Yasha's coming!" Jakotsu cheered. Bankotsu smiled and nodded.

"Well, why don't we meet you three at the front door about 10 minutes after the bell?" Bankotsu suggested.

"Sounds good," Kagome said, as Sango nodded in agreement.

"Great, it's a date," Jakotsu said happily as he started eating again. Kagome, Sango, Miroku, and Bankotsu nodded and followed suit, beginning to eat.

Sesshomaru looked over at Inu Yasha, silently telling him that he needed to speak with him. Inu Yasha nodded and they excused themselves, saying they had forgotten something in their locker. The others didn't seem to care and Inu Yasha and Sesshomaru slipped out of sight.