Here is chapter 23 finally! I have had some problem writing this because I just didn't feel like writing anything for a while. I just felt the need to read fanfiction instead of writing. But I think that is what I really needed. I needed to recharge. This chapter turned out to be alot shorter than the previously chapters but I am happy with it and that is all that counts for me. In the next chapter I am thinking of writing down some action. I don't know what though. I think it will either be Koga coming to greet 'his woman' or having Sesshomaru enter. I am not sure though. Naraku might get some face time but he won't make any moves since he want to spy for a while. any way enjoy!
TaxLady0415: Thank you for you review! I am so happy you think I am doing a good job with this story and the characters I was worried that I might have made Kagome start to recover to soon but Kagome in my opinion has a really strong will and though I didn't want her to recover to quickly I didn't want her to turn into a sobbing mess either. Yeah, Kagome's mother and brother are awesome I am really happy with how they turned out and yeah Inu Yasha is a good person but he is selfish and immature. that will slowly change though :)
GroundedValkyrie: Thank you for enjoying my story and thank you so much for pointing out the scene with Kagome defeating Kikyo and the too long sentence. I have tried to fix it but I am going to go back again and re-read it and if I still see the problems you pointed out I will fix them again. I really appreciate you telling me.
Arcticvixen94: I really appreciate you telling me you liked my story, this chapter might be a little on the boring side but I needed to get it out and I am still happy with it. I hope you enjoy it as well. I am actually planning on update soon again before the end of this month. Hopefully I can keep that deadline but I also refuse to post a chapter if I am not happy with it. Please enjoy this chapter :)
Juvia21: Thank you so much :D
Chapter 23.
It was a few hours later inside Kaede's hut that everyone, except for Inu Yasha who just glared at Bankotsu, was now staring at Kagome and Bankotsu in shock. Sango stared at Kagome with her mouth slightly open, oh sure she had, had a suspicion that it might have been something brewing between her best friend and their former enemy but Kagome had just told them that the two of them were already dating, courting as it was called in this time, and that Bankotsu would be going with them. She glanced at Miroku and Shippo at first and Miroku looked indeed shocked but Shippo seemed to accept what Kagome had told them and then she chanced a glance at Inu Yasha and mentally winced. Oh, it seemed Inu Yasha had known about this and that was why he hadn't blown his top yet but he certainly didn't seem happy with it. Sango then looked at Kagome.
"If this is what you want Kagome, then I will accept it. I will not lie. I won't trust Bankotsu right away. Even if he know is not the Bankotsu we first met and that this is his reincarnated life I won't just forget about him being our enemy before all this happened." Sango said slowly and Kagome smiled at her and nodded.
"I know that, Sango. But I want Bankotsu with me. With us." Kagome said and at that Miroku took a deep breath and nodded his acceptance aswell. When Inu Yasha saw that everyone accepted that Bankotsu would join them he scowled and then stood up and glared at Bankotsu.
"I still don't trust the bastard. If he does anything suspicious I will kill him" Inu Yasha growled out and then stormed out of the hut, not waiting for a replay.
Once Inu yasha left Kagome sighed in annoyance and then looked at Bankotsu when he carefully put his hand on her shoulder and she relaxed and smiled at him.
"It is fine, Kagome. I don't care if he trusts me or not. I am not here for him. I am here for you, now I think you should get some sleep. It is already late and I assume you want to get some training in tomorrow before we start traveling, right?" Bankotsu asked and Kagome smiled a little brighter as him and then nodded and kissed him on his cheek, her actions slightly uncertain.
"Yeah, I want that. Thank you Bankotsu." Kagome said and then smiled at Kaede who just nodded and then helped Kagome unroll the sleeping mat that the young miko always used whenever she and the others slept in her hut and once Kagome was laying down inside her sleeping bag and Shippo joined her the young woman was in a deep sleep. Her nervousness about returning finally showing. Shippo laid beside Kagome and nuzzled his cheek gently against Kagome and then went to sleep aswell. Finally able to relax now that the woman he saw as a mix between and mother and sister was finally back. After a few minutes of watching the young woman sleep, Kaede rose from her seat by the fire and told the others in the hut that she was going to go and rebury Kikyo's remains and once everyone nodded the old miko left, leaving Miroku and Sango alone with Bankotsu and they both felt very uncertain but when Bankotsu let out a low chuckle they both looked at him and Sango narrowed her eyes.
"What is so funny?" She said quietly so she didn't wake Kagome and Shippo and Bankotsu smirked.
"I find it funny that you seem worried about my presence. I doubt Inu Yasha went far and I am not the Bankotsu you have fought. Yes I have my memories of my former life just like the others has but I am not here to try to harm you. I am here to protect Kagome. She still hasen't completely healed. I am sure you both saw the kiss she gave me. It was filled with a small amount of uncertainty and a small amount of fear. Yes we are now dating but we haven't done more than holding hands and hug each other and occasionally kissing each other cheeks. She trust me and I will protect her even from myself. I will not do anything to hurt her." Bankotsu said in a low voice and Sango stared at him in surprise while Miroku narrowed his eyes.
"What do you mean by protecting her even from yourself?" The monk asked slowly and Bankotsu grinned.
"I am a man, monk and I have the woman of my dreams as my girlfriend. Do you really think I wouldn't want more than just what we are doing? I want much more. I want her at my side for the rest of my life. I want her as my wife and mother of my kids but I won't let my own feeling cloud my judgement. The pace of how things go between me and Kagome will be decided by her and not me. In the meantime I am perfectly happy to keep my desire in check. I am sure you would understand, after all you still haven't tied the knot with the slayer. You want to kill Naraku and free yourself from his curse before you make any concrete promises to her" Bankotsu said with his smirk growing wider as Sango blushed and stared at him and then at Miroku, who was doing a pretty good imitation of a fish on land with his mouth wide open and his eyes so wide it looked like they would fall out of his skull. At the twos reaction Bankotsu chuckled a little and then leaned back against the wall.
"Now I am gonna get some sleep. Kagome is quite the force now when it comes fighting. I like to be well rested before she and I start our morning training in the morning." Bankotsu said as he closed his eyes leaving Miroku and Sango staring at him and then looked at each other and then shook their heads and decided to get some sleep themselves. They had gotten the answers about Bankotsu's intention towards their friend and that had been all that they had wanted to know. Now they needed to sleep. They both knew that Inu Yasha would be in a sour mood the next day since Bankotsu would be going with them and the half demon's pride would make him to put up an even more fierce pace than normal, just to try to emberrass Bankotsu. They needed sleep to be able to handle that.
Inu Yasha sat high in a tree near the hut, just like Bankotsu had predicted and had heard Bankotsu's words and he was silently fuming. Oh sure he wanted Kagome to be happy but he still didn't like that she was with Bankotsu. Inu Yasha sighed and thought that maybe it was because he saw her as a best friend but he also knew that the most selfish part of him had thought that even if Kagome and him never became more than friends that Kagome would always love him and no one else. Just that thought made Inu Yasha flinch in shame and he sighed and closed his eyes. There was just no way that Kagome would forgive him if she ever found out that selfish part of him and it wasen't like he planned on trying to break things of between Kagome and Bankotsu, he knew all too well that he didn't have the right to interfere and if he actually tried Kagome would give him a sitting like none other before. He knew too well that, that would seriously piss off Kagome. He would just let things play out. He still didn't trust Bankotsu but he would try to have an open mind about him joining them in the hunt for the shards and Naraku. With that thought Inu Yasha decided to get some rest. He wanted to leave the village right after breakfast.
It was near lunch time and the Inu Yasha was in a very sour mood. He had been woken up to the sight of seeing Kagome and Bankotsu sparring. The first thought that had come up was that Bankotsu was attacking Kagome and had jumped in to help only to be sat into the ground and told to stay out of their training session. Inu Yasha had not been happy with that and had gone into Kaede's hut to sulk. A little over an hour after that incident Kagome and Bankotsu walked inside, ready to eat some breakfast before they started their traveling again. Shippo, who had been watching Kagome and Bankotsu train had also seen Inu Yasha eating dirt and once the little fox demon had smelled food being prepared hand walked inside the hut and told Miroku, Sango and Kaede why Inu Yasha was in such a bad mood. Needless to say they couldn't help but laugh at that a little which made the half demon in a even more sour mood. Kagome had just shrugged her shoulder at his behavior and accepted the bowl with porridge she had given Kaede and taught how to make and ate with good appetite. Bankotsu thanking the old miko before starting to eat ignored Inu Yasha since he knew that Inu Yasha would just start a fight if he said something. Now it was nearing lunch time and Inu Yasha didn't seem to be inclined to stop and no one said for a while until Kagome told Inu Yasha they needed to rest. Of course that made Inu Yasha angry but he agreed since he knew that they needed to eat. To Inu Yasha the day had not been good at all. He had been sat when he had tried to help Kagome when he had thought Bankotsu had attacked her. How was he supposed to know that is was just a sparring match? It sure as hell looked like a real fight to him. Then the little runt Shippo had to inform the rest of his pack about it resulting in them and old Kaede laughing at him. Then when they headed out to start their search for more shards or clues about Naraku Kagome, who usually walked beside him walked with Bankotsu instead talking about things he had no idea what it was. Oh hell he didn't like that at all. Okay, sure, he understood that now that Kagome was actually in a courtship with Bankotsu that she would be more with him but that didn't mean he had to be happy about it. It felt like he had lost his best friend damnit. After that he had walked ahead of the others once lunch rolled around and Kagome had told him they needed to eat he had been tempted to tell them they wouldn't stop but he also knew that, that was a bad idea. If they didn't eat and then got attacked they might be in trouble so he had agreed and once they had found a clearing to sit down in he had jumped up in a tree and continued to sulk and ignore everyone. Hoping it would gain Kagome's attention. It hadn't worked. Instead she focused on helping Sango prepare their meal. Damn, it just wasen't his day today.
(With Naraku in the castle inside ).
Naraku stared into Kanna's mirror in both fury and anticipation. The little miko was back, she had somehow survived and though that pleased him since he could get his hands on her and once more use her body the one thing that had him furious was that Bankotsu, who should have been dead again since he had seen his and the other members remains in the clearing of the well when the barrier around it had went down through the eyes of his Saimyosho and Kagura had confirmed it aswell, was very much alive and from what he saw it wasen't thanks to a jewel shard. He really was alive which made him realise that the little miko had somehow been successful in completely bringing the band of mercenaries back to life. Naraku did notice though that though Bankotsu had his halberd he was wearing clothes of the same weird design as Kagome which gave him a clue to how the bastard was alive. Something else that angered him was that it seemed that the bastard and the miko, his miko seemed to have entered a courtship. He did not like that at all but he wouldn't risk doing anything reckless. For now he would let it be. It would be so much sweeter for him once he took the miko back and killed Bankotsu once and for all in front of her eyes. Naraku shuddered in pleasure over what kind of face Kagome would show him when he did that. Just the thought send shivers down his spine and made his member harden slightly. Naraku shook his head to clear it from those thoughts and then told Kanna to leave him and that she was to keep her eyes on the group. Once Kanna was gone he looked out the window and tried to get comfortable. He was still semi hard and decided that he needed to focus on something else. At that the thought about Kagura came up and he scowled in anger, his erection dying instantly. The wind bitch was starting to lose her value. He knew that she was trying to find a way to free herself from his side and he was slowly thinking that maybe he should just kill her but he still had a few missions for her and so he sighed in annoyance and decided to leave her be for now. She was now healed from the beating he had given her months ago and was currently grounded. He would lay low for now and just observe his many enemies. He had already made is so that the barrier around wouldn't let anyone he didn't want inside to pass. The good old saint really was a fool but for Naraku that was good.
(With Inu Yasha and the others).
After they had all eaten they were walking again, Inu Yasha still in a sour mood but no one cared. It wasen't anything all that unusual after all. Miroku and Sango walked in the back of the group, watching the interactions between Kagome and Bankotsu with avid interest. They had been doing that ever since they left Edo and the both of them couldn't help but smile at how Kagome seemed more calm and mature. Oh sure they had no doubt that she still had her fiery temper and of course they both understood that their friend still hadn't completely healed from what had happened to her but the fact was that Kagome was moving forward and that Bankotsu was a big part of the reason she was able to do so. Sango then thought back on what Bankotsu had said the evening before after Kagome had fallen asleep. He wanted Kagome, her best friend and heart sister to become his wife someday in the future and at that Sango couldn't help but smile as happiness for Kagome bloomed in her chest. She had hoped that Kagome and Inu Yasha might grow into a couple once but once Kagome had stated that it wasen't to be Sango had accepted it but she had still held out hope for it to happen but now she clearly saw something that Kagome had never showed for Inu Yasha while the young woman had been in love with the half demon. Kagome showed her love openly without trying to hide it and Bankotsu didn't try to push her away instead he showed Kagome the same, not as openly as Kagome but he had a small gentle smile in his lips and his eyes had a soft light in them. Inu Yasha had always pushed Kagome away whenever she had tried to do that for him and told her she was embarrassing. Sango nodded mentally and promised herself that she would make sure nothing came in between Kagome and Bankotsu. Miroku had himself come to the dame conclusion and he looked the couple in front of him and smiled but then frowned when he saw Inu Yasha throw a glare over his shoulder towards Bankotsu and made a mental note to talk to their stubborn friend before he went and did something stupid like always.
Shippo was sitting on Inu Yasha's shoulder and looked back at Kagome from time to time and couldn't help the bright smile that played on his lips when he saw how gentle and caring Bankotsu was. At first he had been slightly worried but now he knew that Bankotsu was the perfect guy for Kagome. He did notice however how Inu Yasha would throw angry glares over his other shoulder towards Bankotsu and frowned but didn't say anything. Inu Yasha was in a really bad mood and he didn't feel like becoming the half demon's outlet for his anger right now. It would just upset Kagome and that was not right since Kagome seemed to be having a good time talking with Bankotsu of whatever they were talking about. He couldn't hear it since the couple talked quietly and that was another reason for Inu Yasha's anger. He couldn't hear what was said.
It was now time to make camp for the night. Their day had been quite calm. Only one demon had attacked them. A bird demon who, of course, wanted the shards. Inu Yasha had rushed into attack the creature that had looked like a combination of the carrier crow and a crane, very ugly but the creature had been very fast, not as fast as Koga but close and it had easily avoided Inu Yasha's attack to go straight after Kagome but before anyone could even react Bankotsu had moved in front of the young miko and swung his halberd with one arm. The bird demon not seeing it coming had been killed instantly and as soon as the creature laid slain at the ground Kagome had stepped forward, thanking Bankotsu and then let her reiki flow out of her hand, purifying the remains. That was something that had shocked even the fuming Inu Yasha. Kagome had never had that kind of control over her reiki and he immediately demanded answers. Kagome had just given him a glare and told him it could wait until they made camp and now everyone was in a clearing preparing. Bankotsu and Kagome went to go and get some water, while Inu Yasha went to hunt, Sango started to make a fire pit and Miroku went to collect fire wood. Shippo and Kirara stayed with Sango. Shippo looked towards where Kagome and Bankotsu had walked and then looked at Sango.
"Hey, what do you think of this thing with Kagome and Bankotsu?" Shippo asked quietly and Sango had just finish making the fire pit when Shippo spoke and she looked at him for a few seconds and then smiled a little.
"At first I was worried, I will admit to that but after what Bankotsu said last night after you and Kagome had fallen asleep and then seeing them interact today I am very supportive. He is not the man we first met and be clearly cares for Kagome. After everything that has happened I think Kagome deserves to be happy and if Bankotsu is giving her that then I won't stand in their way." Sango said and Shippo smiled brightly at that and nodded but then looked curious.
"What did he say last night?" Shippo asked and Sango smiled at him and told him what Bankotsu had told her and Miroku and Shippo couldn't help but feel happiness at that. Finally someone that cared for Kagome for her and not thinking of her as someone else. Of course he knew that Inu Yasha had chosen Kikyo, which the young demon couldn't understand, but now he knew that Kagome would finally be treated the way she should've been treated from the beginning. Oh he knew that Inu Yasha cared for Kagome in his own weird screwed up way but yelling and demeaning someone was not right.
"Wow, I hope Inu Yasha don't do anything stupid though. He might behave right now but we all know it won't last forever." Shippo said and Sango frowned and nodded as she let out a sigh. She hoped the same. After that Miroku returned with his arms full of fire wood and just a few minutes later Kagome and Bankotsu returned with many bottles of water. They started the fire and then waited for their half demon friend to return which he did, nearly thirty minutes later with a boar, skinned and gutted already and once their food was spitted over the fire they all sat around the fire and when Kagome saw the impatience eyes of her best friend she sighed and then started to tell everyone of her training with Renji, or rather Renkotsu with her reiki and also told them about her hand to hand and weapon training with Jakotsu and Bankotsu. Needless to say, it was fairly late once she had told everything and then answered all the questions and once everyone had eaten their fill Sango and Kagome wrapped and packed the leftovers and then everyone made for the bed. Inu Yasha stating that he would take the first watch.
Inu Yasha sat on a branch in a tree looking out of the camp site and then scowled when he saw that Kagome slept right beside Bankotsu with her head against the bastards thigh, Shippo sleeping in her arms while Bankotsu was leaning against a tree with one leg propped up and his arm resting against it while his other hand laid one Kagome's head. His halberd stabbed into the ground on the other side of him so his propped up arm could easily reach it if need be and Inu Yasha shook his head and took a deep slow breath. He still didn't really trust him but he couldn't deny that Kagome felt safe around him and so he would keep his mouth shut for now at least. He knew that he wouldn't be able to do that all the time though but right now he didn't want to upset his best friend. Even if he hated to admit it, it was thanks to Bankotsu and his brothers that Kagome had survived and since they had even given her training, something he himself had deemed unnecessary, he would try to not act like a jerk. Inu Yasha looked up into the sky and let his thought wander while he kept his senses on alert for dangers but when the face of the modern Jakotsu came to mind he remembered what had happened after their drinking contest and he blushed beet red and shook his head to chase away those memories and sighed and tried to get more comfortable. Unknown to him Bankotsu was still awake and had seen his weird reaction and had grinned at it before he closed his eyes to get some sleep. 'Seems like Jakotsu might not have to wait for too long after all' Bankotsu thought as he let sleep take him.