Chapter 4

Life Is Ours Once Again

Miroku stepped out into blare of the candle, which still shadowed most of his features. Bankotsu glared at him as he walked towards him.

"C'mon, Bankotsu. What's the problem?" Miroku asked, slyly.

"What do you think, bastard?!" Bankotsu spat back and he lunged at Miroku, but his body went through him, as if he wasn't there.

"What the hell?! Why can't I go through the door, but go through you?" Shouted Bankotsu as spun around to see Miroku's evil smirk creeping across his face.

"I brought you back to life, Bankotsu. And I-" Miroku snickered before continuing, "am dead."

Bankotsu's eyes widened. "How can you be dead and people can see you?"

Miroku chuckled again. "I'm a ghost of hell. I have more advantages. I've been working for the devil since birth. So, I get new jobs almost every month. You were my last one and I haven't worked since then. I miss it really."

"Why me then?!" Bankotsu growled, holding back his inner rage.

Miroku shrugged. "I don't know. I only get the word, I don't what it's for."

"But," Miroku shot his eyes to Bankotsu, "I do have one more job tonight."

Bankotsu's heart skipped a beat and his breath missed one also.

"No… You can't do that! I thought you loved her!" Bankotsu blurted out, still trying to regained his lost breath and choking slightly on his last sentence.

Miroku smirked. "I just did that to get closer to her. To make her forget about you. But now that you're back…I'll have to get rid of you for good, so I don't have any interruptions."

Miroku reached for something hidden by the darkness and the cylinder metal sparkled when it reached the light of the flickering candle. Miroku smirked and bolted towards Bankotsu with the sharp pole pointed. Bankotsu tried to dodge his attack, but was knicked on his shoulder by the tip of pole, which left behind a large gash. He truly was alive.

As Bankotsu's thoughts wondered with the gash, Miroku struck him again, this time half way through his other shoulder. Bankotsu let out a cry of pain and his hand flung to hold back the crimson liquid that sputtered from the wound. What Miroku hadn't noticed was when he struck Bankotsu, the other end of the pole had knocked over the candle and a blaze was beginning to form behind the two men. The flames began to spread their deadly heats across the room.

Miroku blinked and glanced back, bursting reds, yellows and oranges met his voilet eyes. With a smirk, he quickly disappeared from sight and spoke one last time before completely leaving Bankotsu.

"Once you die again, you will never be able to come back to this world and you will go nowhere, not hell nor heaven."

Bankotsu clenched his fists, but there was nothing he could do to hurt Miroku now. But he couldn't let Sango get hurt either. He moved forward, but the fumes of the blazing fire stung his eyes and Bankotsu scurried back to the door, as far away from the flames as possible. The roaring flames inched closer and closer with every second to Bankotsu's body, ready to burn his new found flesh. The door that he was pressed against was his only way out. Bankotsu spun around and swung his foot into the wood, gaining nothing but a large bruise.

Sparks and smoke stung his wounds and the heat grew hotter and larger, along with the flames. Bankotsu decided to smash his body into the door, but that didn't work either. It only caused more stress and pain on his body. But his adrenaline caused him to continue on with his attempt, gaining no success. Burnt wood and thick smoke was brought to his nose, clogging his lungs. Bankotsu halted and severe coughs erupted from his lungs, so severely that he brought down to his knees.

Pain jolted through his foot and Bankotsu realized a small flame had pounced on it. He shook his foot furiously until the flame flickered out. Covering his mouth and nose, Bankotsu forced his body to wearily stand. His vision blurred further as he glanced around the room to try and find another way out, but no luck. His lungs pleaded for air, but when he gave it, all that came down was smoke.

Damnit. Bankotsu sunk to the floor and held his breath, ignoring the flames that were now inches away from his face. The only thing he could do now was wait for death to come once again, where it would bring him to a cold, dark, empty place. One thing quickly ran through his mind; Miroku killing Sango with his bare hands. Her scream echoing through his ears, blood splattering on the walls, painting death across it. Bankotsu's eyes snapped open and he reached for the doorknob to give him support to stand. He couldn't give up, not now. Not when he'd finally have the chance to save Sango and be with his beloved again.

The metal of the doorknob stung his flesh, but Bankotsu continued to bring himself to his feet. The flames felt hotter as he stood and he soon found that he was practically engulfed in the deadly blaze. The wood in the room crackled as the fire eat away at it, soon to be Bankotsu's fate if he didn't get out of there quickly. His eyes scanned his surroundings and he noticed the pole, that Miroku had used, tossed just a few feet away from him.

Bankotsu skillfully avoided the flames and grasped the pole, flinching slightly from the sharp burn against his hand.

It's good to feel pain. Bankotsu positively thought. It means I'm still alive.

He grasped the pole with both hands and smashed it metal against the wooden door. Nothing happened. Bankotsu squinted through the smoke and noticed the middle of the door was breaking away, from the fire. Crackles of the wood was soon followed by smashing as the pole jabbed through the middle of the door, creating a hole. Bankotsu tossed the pole aside and plunged his body against the door. The wooden admitted defeat and broke instantly with the crash. He fell onto the ground in a mess of wood chips and a few flying sparks. Gasping for air and letting out harsh coughs, Bankotsu quickly scrambled to his feet and raced to Sango's aid.

Sango sunk deeper into the pile of bubbles that floated on top the water. Wondering why Bankotsu wasn't being perverted and peeking in on her. She tried to calm herself, but her stress level couldn't be controlled by a simple bubble bath. A few minutes past and she gained some comfort, but her eyes snapped open when she heard a spine-shivering, scraping sound. Sango glanced toward the door, but nothing was there. Sighing and shaking her head at her silly imagination, Sango calmly snuck out of the bath and wrapped herself in her white, fuzzy bathrobe.

With the sound not returning, Sango's body relaxed and she soothingly combed back her hair, before placing it in a low ponytail. Sango peered at herself through the light foggy mirror and noticed that she seemed to be getting some pink back into her skin. After all, grown pale with sorrow after Bankotsu's death from all her depression and the anti-depressants she had taken for quiet some time. Her reflection smiled with her as Sango tucked a loose hair behind her ear and proceeded to the door. Her smile faded when she reached for the doorknob, but someone on the other side was already turning it. Sango took her hand back and froze in place as the door began to open slowly.

The door finally opened, bringing the figure behind it into full view. Miroku stood in the doorway with his kind smile placed on his lips and his right hand hiding behind his back. Sango sighed with relief, her body loosing tension.

"Sango, I was just wondering if you were Ok. You were in the bath for a long time." Miroku spoke with his generous and loving voice, just as he always had. Sango nodded and smiled.

"Yes, I'm fine. I was just thinking, that's all." Miroku head nodded with agreement and he took a few steps towards her, his smile leaving his face and replacing it was a smirk, clouded with evil. Sango blinked and took a step back.

"M-Miroku..." Her voice became shaky. "What's wr-wrong...?" Sango felt a lump form in her throat and she swallowed hard. Miroku revealed his right hand, which had a large steak knife clenched in it. A tiny gasp came from Sango, realizing what Miroku was planning to do.

"I finished off your finance and now…It's your turn." Miroku whispered harshly and he lunged at her with the knife targeting her chest. Sango jumped back, but when she landed back on the ground her foot slipped on a small pool of water and she feel back in the overly large tub.

Just before her head went under, she heard Miroku speak.

"Even easier."

Sango's lungs became completely blocked from air and she struggled to return to the surface, but couldn't when two hands, gripping her shoulders, slammed her back to the bottom of the bath. Twisting and turning, Sango tried to break free from Miroku's grip, but her was stronger than her at this point, after loosing so much air. Her eyesight was rapidly blurred from the soapy water, but through the bubbles Sango could make out that smile placed on Miroku's face…a smile of the devil.

Miroku had been distracted by a loud crashing sound and Sango used this to her advantage. Sango swung her feet in front of Miroku plowed them into his stomach. Miroku shot backwards and Sango pulled herself free from the binding grip of his hands. Her head whipped out of the water and took in a huge gasp of breath. As she pulled the rest of her body, a hand grasped her ankle and yanked her to the ground. Miroku crawled beside her and brought the knife above her body. As he brought the blade down, Sango rolled off the side. Her feet made her stand and she glared into Miroku's eyes, which were filled with hatred.

"Don't make this difficult Sango." Miroku spat, gasping for air, and he charged at her again. Sango dodged his arms and scrambled out of the bathroom. Her eyes scanned Miroku's room with alarm, seeing all the windows the doors were locked from the inside, but not from the out. She screamed for Bankotsu, praying that he would come.

"Bankotsu! Bankotsu!! Please, Bankotsu!!!!" Sango shrieked as tears flew from her scared eyes. Harsh breathing caught her ear, but before Sango could turn around, Miroku grabbed onto her hair and yanked her back.

"I said; 'don't make this difficult, Sango'!!" Miroku bellowed as he through her across the room. Sango's body slammed into the wall and her mind was becoming blurry. She tried to stand, but only ended up falling down with dizziness with every time attempt she made.

"Now, how would you prefer to be killed Sango?" Miroku said, his voice now hoarse, as he crept towards her. "Knife through the throat or heart, strangled or under the water. I know you love water, Sango. What will it be? Huh?" He waited for an answer, but Sango stayed quiet as she pressed herself against the wall. "Fine, I'll decide it for you... How about all three. First, I'll wrapped my hands around your pretty neck and squeeze until you've almost lost all consciousness. Then, I'll take your half dead body and hold it under water and bring it up when you begin to stop moving. Finally, when you regain consciousness, I'll take my knife and slide it through your skin and as you gasp for life, I'll stab the kinfe right through your heart so it'll be broken forever."

Sango felt tears leak more from her eyes as Miroku grasped onto her neck and swung her to lay on the floor. Miroku placed both hands on her tender neck and bent down to her face.

"This time it won't be until death do you not part." He whispered and he raised his head, while placing himself on top of Sango. Her eyes closed and Sango prepared herself as Miroku squeezed his hands on her neck, blocking her air way. Sango felt the air leave her lungs and her body paniced for air, but none came.

Bankotsu... I love you...

The swift sound of a door opening was brought to Sango's ears and she opened her eyes to see Miroku shaking with shock. Air found it's way into her lungs as Miroku had taken his hands off her neck. Sango coughed and raised her hands to punch Miroku off, but someone had already completed the task. Sango felt a hand grab hers and it pulled her up into a sitting position. Icy blue eyes met hers and Sango burst into happy tears.

"Bankotsu!" She cried out as she through her arms around his neck. His body felt...warm... And he smelled the way he used...He had life... Sango gently pulled away and stared into Bankotsu's eyes, which had gained back their color. As she looked over his figure, Sango noticed two wounds on each of his shoulders and burn marks here and there.

"Bankotsu your shoulders!" Sango let herself gasp, but Bankotsu got to his feet.

"We have worse things to worry about." He said and Sango glanced back at Miroku, who had got to his feet as well.

"So, Bankotsu, you lived through the fire and now you think you can just come in here and be the hero? Not going to happen!" Miroku bolted forward, with the knife in hand. Bankotsu wasn't ready for the immense strength Miroku came out with when the two of them crashed to the ground. The blade just missed Bankotsu's head as Miroku jabbed it down, only to have Bankotsu dodge. A fist swung and shattered into Bankotsu's stomach. He let out a gasp of air and rolled over his side. A large lump formed in Bankotsu's throat and he let out a hoarse cough, which was followed by blood. Just as Miroku was about to stab again, Bankotsu smacked his arm against Miroku's and the knife spun to the other side of the room. As Miroku gazed at the flying weapon, Bankotsu plowed his foot into Miroku's face.

Sango crawled to where the knife landed and clenched the blade in her hand, a glare in her eyes.

"You're too cocky Bankotsu." Miroku muttered, loosing some of his voice from the hit.

Bankotsu smirked. "And why's that?" He asked, in the same tone.

Miroku didn't answer he just jumped over to Bankotsu and grabbed his neck, his nails digging into Bankotsu's skin. Air, air that he so dearly loved right now, was leaving his body. Bankotsu tried to struggle, but the more he did, the more life he lost. Bankotsu glaned behind Miroku and saw Sango sneaking up on him with the knife, ready to strike.

"I think you're the one who's too cocky." Bankotsu mumbled and Miroku raised an eyebrow. Just as he did, Sango dove the knife through his heart and Miroku froze. Bankotsu rolled away from him and caught his breath. The body of Miroku collasped to the floor and faded into ashes.

Sango threw the knife away and collasped to her knees, trying to wipe the blood off her hands. Bankotsu crawled over to her and wrapped his arms around her body.

"Now that's the woman I'm going to marry!" Bankotsu exclaimed as he let her go. Sango blinked, confused by this.

"But...aren't you dead?" She asked, blankly and Bankotsu smiled.

"If I was dead, would I be able to do this?" Bankotsu leaned towards her and place a gentle kiss on her lips. Sango's eyes widened. His lips were warm and welcoming, begging her to come into the magical kiss. She returned it quickly and then pulled away with tears in her eyes.

"You really are alive! But how...?"

"Miroku brought me back to life, hoping to kill me and get rid of me forever. But I don't die that easily for a second time." Sango was still confused, but didn't care by this point. She was just so happy Bankotsu was back. He was hers once again. She press her lips against his and him passionatley, letting all her feelings of love and loneliness out. Bankotsu smiled and wrapped his arms around her body

Sango's eyes snapped open to the sound of a crying baby and she glanced around the dark room, only lighted by the glowing, red letters of an alarm clock. A warm breath ran up her neck and she glanced over to see Bankotsu snuggled into her shoulder. He snored lightly and Sango giggled.

She quietly turned over and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

"I love you, honey." Sango whispered into his ear as she rubbed the wedding ring on his finger.

"Even if I was dead once?" Bankotsu's voice whispered in a chuckle, as he awoke. Sango smiled and kissed him on the lips.

"Yes, of course."

Bankotsu pulled Sango closer to his bare chest and he kissed her gently.

"The baby, honey."

"...Right." Bankotsu said dryly as he released his wife. She crawled out of bed and headed to the door. Just as she disappeared to feed the baby, Bankotsu sighed and smiled.

"I will always love you, Sango."

A/N :: ---Hi, everybody! Hi, Dr. Nick--- 0clears throat0 Yes...onto the author's note! Well, there you have it folks the end of one of my favorite stories! I know you all are wondering "what about when Bankotsu meets other people? Won't they know he was dead?!" Yes, I know stupid not to explain it in the story, but I'll explain it now. When Miroku brought Bankotsu back to life, at the same time, it erased the memories of all the people that knew him, so they never thought he died. But if he were to die again, the memories would be brought back and they would still mourn for the death of their friend/brother/son/whatever. There. Are you all less confused? Good. Oh! And the last part there would be a couple years later, since they were married and had a child. Just in case you didn't figure that out.

Thank you so much for reading and reviewing this story! I feel so special when you guys are reviewing and commenting this story. It really brings tears to my eyes...LoL Well maybe not tears, but yes... I greatly appreicate it! I hope you all have a great and love-filled Valentine's Day! G'night everybody! Kitty out!