Inuyasha traveled a lot.
Bankotsu knew this, accepted this and all that good jazz.
However, the above did nothing to erase that feeling of loneliness that crept over him when he woke to an empty house or crawled into a bed that felt even emptier and somehow colder with Inuyasha gone. His favorite wine seemed to lose a little favor when he drank it alone and nothing was as amusing when Inuyasha's laughter wasn't there to echo his own. Even Kaede's presence did little to ease the feeling as she went about her daily routine.
Miroku and Kouga would swing by some days. Jak would invite him over and cook dinner. Even Sesshoumaru would visit him often when Inuyasha was out of the country for weeks as he was now. But nothing, nothing seemed to put a genuine smile on the model's face.
Day four of week three with Inuyasha in another country found Bankotsu sitting in one of the window seats in the den staring out at the darkening winter sky. He was in such a daze the voice behind him startled him to the point where the hair on the back of his neck stood on end.
"This cannot continue."
Bankotsu looked over his shoulder and found Sesshoumaru standing in the shadows of the doorway.
"What are you…"
"Come," was the only word the demon said before turning on his heels and leaving the room.
Bankotsu followed because not only was he curious about the man's sudden appearance and what he wanted, most people knew when Sesshoumaru called, you answered. It was as simple as that.
As they strolled through the house Bankotsu idly wondered if he'd ever get use to the man's sudden soundless appearances. When he moved, the very air around him seemed to give way. It was creepy on one hand, but enthralling on another.
As the kitchen came into sight, Bankotsu could hear Kaede speaking and wondered if Sesshoumaru had brought company. When he could finally see whom the woman was talking to, his jaw dropped as his eyes went wide… there on the table sat the most adorable kitten Bankotsu had ever seen. It was all gray fluff and wide green eyes and the oversized red bow around it's neck just made the animal that much cuter as it moved around on tiny little fur covered feet. Constantly in motion, the kitten only held still when it was interested in rubbing it's little head on Kaede's hand.
"What made you get a kitten?"
"I may have purchased her, but she is not for me."
"Then what…"
"For reasons that continue to astound me, my sibling is a success at his work. This means he is away from home, and you, for extended periods of time and this mood that overtakes you when he is gone is unacceptable."
"You mean this kitten is for me?"
"Yes, I have watched you with Inuyasha and this small creature shall give you something to fuss over and keep out of trouble until my wayward sibling returns and can reassume that role."
Bankotsu couldn't help but chuckle at Sesshoumaru's words. Leave it to the former Demon Lord to be able to insult someone in a politically correct manner. When Bankotsu approached the table the little fur ball took immediate interest in him and padded over to where he was. Standing on the shortest of hind legs, the kitten placed her front paws on Bankotsu's stomach, looked up at him with impossibly wide green eyes and gave the most imploring little meow he'd ever heard.
"I've never had a pet."
"But it is something you have desired is it not?"
"Yes, but we are so busy I've always felt I couldn't care for one the way it would need to be cared for."
"I have taken care of such things and not only is there always an open spot for her at a reputable pet sitting company, lady Kaede here has volunteered her services for when the two of you are busy."
Bankotsu looked up at her and she was smiling and nodding her head. When he picked up the little kitten, it snuggled in his arms much like a small child and looked as content as can be.
"It seems she has taken a liking to you."
"It seems she has," Bankotsu said as he dangled a finger above the cat and watched as it pawed at the appendage.
"She has good taste."
Bankotsu's head shot up but before he could respond Sesshoumaru asked him if he'd like to go shopping for some toys for his new playmate. When Ban nodded, Sesshoumaru turned to Kaede and said, "If you would be so kind as to watch the kitten I would appreciate it Lady Kaede."
"Certainly Master Sesshoumaru, I'd be happy to."
"Do not prepare dinner. Bankotsu will dine with me before we return."
The older lady bowed as the two men left the house and the kitten in Kaede's capable hands as they set out to go shopping. Two hours and three stops later Bankotsu's new pet was outfitted with everything they could think a kitten possibly needed. Done with that, the two of them sat in one of the City's finer restaurants scanning the menu.
"I still can't believe we got seated so soon with no reservations."
Sesshoumaru peered over his menu and when intense gold met blue Bankotsu found himself swallowing hard around the lump in his throat, "I am not exactly unknown in this city Bankotsu-kun. Now would you like an appetizer? Dumplings perhaps or maybe a dim sum platter?"
"Long as you help me eat it."
"But of course."
The appetizer came out quickly and looked like it walked right off the set of some cooking show. The steamer basket was brimming with meat buns, roasted asparagus, shumai, dumplings and potstickers. Everything looked so good and smelled so divine Bankotsu didn't know where to start. Sesshoumaru had just picked up a dumpling with his chopsticks when his phone chimed.
Pale brows furrowed at whatever was on the screen before he slid the phone into his jacket. Over the course of their meal his phone chimed twice more and whatever or whoever it was, was getting the cold shoulder. Sesshoumaru was not interested in it or them in the least and in Bankotsu's unvoiced opinion he looked kinda pissed.
Not wanting to be interrupted again, Sesshoumaru silenced the device before turning his attention back to his food and his company.
Once dinner was done the two of them made small talk until they left the restaurant. When they returned to Inuyasha's and Bankotsu's home the first thing Sesshoumaru noticed was the fact that Kaede had, had a visitor while they were gone. Kouga's scent was plastered all over the kitchen. When he said something to Kaede she said the wolf had stopped by looking for Bankotsu but had left after downing a slice of pie and playing with the kitten.
"Did he leave a message of any sort?" Sesshoumaru asked and the seriousness in his tone made Bankotsu quirk an eyebrow at him.
"I doubt it's anything to worry about, Sesshoumaru. He was probably just stopping in to see if I had dinner plans," Bankotsu urged as he rubbed the upturned belly of his new housemate. "If it was important he would have text me or called."
Sesshoumaru did nothing more than nod before he suggested helping Bankotsu put together the indoor climbing tower.
"Have you given her a name?"
"I was thinking, Aika," Bankotsu replied with a chuckle as he worked to pull tiny paws out of his ponytail. "I think she likes my hair."
"She is one of many I assure you."
Kaede paused at this remark as she watched the two before asking if they needed or would like anything. His head was held high, even if he never met her eyes, when Sesshoumaru replied with no before politely dismissing her.
After leaving Bankotsu to his new pet Sesshoumaru sat in the driveway for a long series of moments contemplating his own actions before driving off into the night.
He'd barely made it off his Brother's property when he got a text that told him to open his sunroof. Ignoring it as he had the others Sesshoumaru continued driving. Four, five, six more messages came in as he left his phone sitting on the empty passenger seat. When yet another message came in as he sat at a stoplight Sesshoumaru snatched the device up and resisted the urge to growl at the damnable thing.
Opening the message he saw, "Ignore me all you want but I know where you live."
Driving through the now green light Sesshoumaru flipped the switch that opened the sunroof. He didn't have to wait long before his uninvited and unwelcome guest dropped into the back seat.
Kouga looked around and around until Sesshoumaru asked him what he was searching for.
"I'm looking for the overnight bag. I figured with how little you've been at home the past three weeks there'd be a bag in here somewhere."
"My business is my own, now what do you want?"
"Now, now we both know that's not quite the truth. Your business has had a lot to do with a certain model lately and I believe he belongs to your brother."
"What are you implying?"
"I'm not implying a damn thing, I'm saying it. You knew I was in the same restaurant and you purposefully ignored my attempts to contact you."
"I did not wish to be disturbed."
"And why was that? Is your corporate law firm representing models and sitting in on fashion shows these days?"
Pale lips pressed together in a firm line but no response was given.
"And now a kitten… a kitten! You bought him a pet, Sesshoumaru. You're toeing a line and your brother is going to wring your high and mighty neck if he figures you out."
"You have one minute left to speak."
"Look, I'm sorry if that came out wrong, but I just see trouble brewing okay? You don't have to admit it but I know you're way more fond of Ban than you should be. I was just going to suggest that you try backing off and getting some space before this gets any worse."
"Are you finished?"
Kouga sighed, "Yeah, I am, just… just think about it okay?"
With that said he left the same way he came in… much to the distress of the poor woman driving behind them.
With the car empty Sesshoumaru was left alone with his thoughts, and despite his anger at Kouga's gall and his silence on the subject matter, those thoughts kept circling around to the same face.
Unfortunately, he was just like any other addict, he knew he should quit, but he wasn't quite sure he had the willpower.