ZL: Here again sorry it took so long deadlines aren't good for my health it seems. Chapter 5 as promised

Chapter 5

Joining the Band

Kagome stepped out of the cave seeing the band waiting for her on the other side. Jakotsu walked up checking on her as the others stayed a distance. None of them knew how she would react to knowing she would die.

"So anyone else want to join my journey to death?" Kagome asked with a cheeky smile. Jakotsu grinned, "For a woman just told she had to die to really live...you seem to be doing well."

Kagome nodded, "In truth I kind of expected it. I was born in a world where war and death due to violence were not all that common. Coming here, I've been exposed to a whole new type of lifestyle one that takes some getting used to." Her blue eyes sparkled as she laughed, "I figured I'd either die or simply disappear like you hear in some legends never to be seen again."

Renkotsu smirked, "That does seem to be a common factor in legends doesn't it." His dark eyes peering towards her. Kagome just winked, "Yep that sounds about right!"

Bankotsu observed her mannerisms from afar thinking to himself, 'She melds with others so easily...no judgment...no false cheer...just blunt and honest. Weird girl.'

Suikotsu, "Kagome you have the gifts of a miko without the oath correct?" he aske as his gray eyes bore into her blue. She smiled softly and nodded, "Yes, I am great against demons...not so much against humans though however that's what my other training was for."

Ginkotsu was beside Kyokotsu and Mukotsu simply observing her soft features as she spoke to his bretherin. 'She seems so mature...but underneath is a girl crying for freedom.' His green eyes met the blue of his leader. 'Show her she has a place with us Big Brother.' was all he could think of. Thankfully, Bankotsu seemed to understand and nodded before approaching the female.

"You should stick with us Kagome...but, we are gonna need a new name for you. That way whenever you get back to where your from there's no confusion on how you got mixed with us." She nodded in agreement and remained quiet as he was thinking. 'Aha! That's it!' he thought as he grinned and turned to her. "Your name with us will be Firakotsu! You're fiesty and full of attitude so that name is perfect for you!"

Kagome looked over at the other guys who had expressions ranging from smirks to smiles and nodded, "Okay...Firakotsu it is!" She replied happily as she jumped in the air her hair falling free of it's tie.

-Back with InuTachi-

Sango ignored the complaining going on beneath her as Kirara carried Shippo, Miroku, and Herself towards the direction the Band of Seven began travelling. They had already been traveling for about four days. She almost cried with relief when she saw the figure of the feminine band member waving them down. Landing, she rushed up to him the others walking behind her.

"What do you know about my Imouto? Please tell me!" Sango asked politely but, the hidden band members could tell she was worried.

Jakotsu smiled and simply said, "Imouto really was right about you...slayer you aren't so bad. Follow me." She nodded and followed the others staying put. As he guided her into the cave he sat down along some furs and gestured next to him. "Come sit and I'll answer all the questions you have for me just as my Imouto-chan wanted."

Sango sat alongside and began asking him question after question as he answered each and every one of them until the final one, "Was she happy?" The brown-eyed woman asked softly. Jakotsu just stared at her..."Now why ask a question like that in particular?"

"She always smiles...but, her smiles don't represent her happiness. Like indifference is a mask for some...a smile is the mask she bears. I guess what I'm saying is," she paused and took a deep breath,"I want to know if she was happy what her real smile would look like when the mask was broken off from her face. Would is be brighter still than the smile she already wears? Or would it be softer and smaller...like."

"Like the Moon is to her as the Sun is to her mask." Jakotsu whispered softly understanding what she was trying to say. He smirked softly staring at the wall, "Imouto's smile...her real smile is soft like the Moon. It's gentle like a mother's toward their child."

Sango smiled, "Thanks Jakotsu, for being her Oni-san when her Onee-san couldn't be there." He nodded and stood helping her up and heading back to the others.

Inuyasha could be seen bickering with Bankotsu before Sango clubbed him over the head with Hiraikotsu. "That's enough Inuyasha! Just because Kagome isn't here doesn't mean I'll let you get away with being a brute!" She sent him on his way back to Edo before turning back to Bankotsu. She walked up and hugged him tight, "Thank you for giving the Moon back her smile." She stepped back and grinned as he looked shocked before grinning back and nodding.

"You'll help her get back to me won't you?" He asked his blue eyes piercing her brown. She nodded happily, "Of course the Moon can't live without her loving Star now can she?" The Band chuckled much to his embarrasment and he smirked, "No I suppose she can't...because without the love of her Star...before the Star, " He paused to match her intense and yet affectionate gaze, "The Moon wasn't really living at all."

"I'm glad we agree. Take good care of the Moon's little prince," She said softly handing the confused Shippo over to him. "He should get to know his mother's love and family too. You'll play a big part in his life." She looked down at Shippo, "These guys are very important to your Mom. Be good for them okay? If you are then Inuyasha can't hit you." He nodded and his green eyes sparkled, "O-okay Sango." She grabbed Miroku and dragged him onto Kirara's back before flying off with a wave goodbye.

Bankotsu looked down at the little kit, "Well it looks like your with us now kiddo!" He said with a grin. Shippo smiled back, "Yep! Tag your it!" He said as he tapped Bankotsu's head and bounced out of his arms running to the woods beyond the cave. Jakotsu just laughed and said, "Looks like your work has been cut out for you Big Brother!"