Hello, everyone. I'm alive. While I'm at it, read my "new" story, Heartbreaker. Surely, it's better. I wrote it with help from my good friend HR.
I don't own Inuyasha.
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4 days passed, and with each growing day, Kagome grew more restless and upset. She didn't want to stay here; she regretted her harsh words toward Inuyasha and wished she could take them back. They'd both been in a lousy mood that day. Perhaps she shouldn't have blown up at him so easily. Perhaps she should have just stayed quiet. A simple 'sit' would have done.
Kagome was tugged from her thoughts by Suikotsu's patient voice. "Please, Miss Kagome," he pleaded. "Just eat. For me? Why won't you eat anymore?"
Kagome turned her head away from the bowl he offered her. I'd rather starve than stay in this castle, away from my friends and family.
Suikotsu knew Kagome was unhappy. He was rather concerned. It might've come from being a doctor, or perhaps he'd become found of the girl. But she'd become reclusive and refused to talk much, and hardly ate anymore. Suikotsu knew it probably came from being away from her friends.
The sliding door opened, revealing Jakostu, who looked quite bored. "Brother Bankotsu wants to see the wench," He drawled.
"My name is Kagome," Kagome snapped.
"Whatever," Jakotsu said with a roll of his eyes. He turned on his heel and was gone.
Suikotsu stood. "Come," he ordered gently. "It's best not to make Big Brother wait too long. He can be very irritable if made to wait too long."
"Like I care. Let him get mad," Kagome muttered. She did, however, stand and follow Suikotsu.
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"Hello, Kagome," Bankotsu greeted casually. "I haven't seen you in days. Have you been avoiding me?"
"So what if I have?" Kagome muttered under her breath.
Bankotsu heard her, however, and laughed aloud. "I like you. You're spunky. But maybe I should get to the point."
"Maybe you should," Kagme urged sarcastically. "Then, maybe, I could go back to my room and have to stop looking at you."
Bankotsu laughed again. Suikotsu, who stood to the side, warned Kagome with his eyes. Don't try to provoke him! He thought. He might be laughing, but inside he's probably contemplating the best way to kill you!
"I wanted to ask you… Kagome…" Bankotsu said slowly, "if you'd thought about my question."
For a moment, Kagome had no clue as to what he was talking about. Then it dawned on her. A few days before…
"Can I help you?" she asked rather sarcastically.
"Actually, you can," Bankotsu said. "I wanted to know if you'd give me your jewel shards."
"The answer is still no," Kagome said, "and no is what it's going to stay. I'm sorry, but I can't give you my jewel shards- I can't, and won't." She glared at him steadily.
Bankotsu had remained cool and calm- almost joking- every time Kagome had seen him. She'd thought that was actually his default mood, or whatever. But she'd forgotten he was a mercenary, a cold-blooded killer, and that they can't afford to joke around all the time. Bankotsu's face contorted into a look of anger, and he stood (he'd been sitting down- lounging, really) and stalked over to Kagome.
"Now listen, you," he said, wrapping his fingers loosely about her throat. "I haven't the time or the patience to deal with your nonsense. Where are those damned Jewel Shards?!"
Kagome, terrified, reached into her shirt and wrapped her hands protectively around the jar she kept the shards in. "You can't have them!" she squeaked.
Suikotsu stepped away from the wall. "Big Brother-"
Bankotsu ignored him. "Give them to me!"
Kagome wriggled in his grasp, feel his hands slowly tightening around her neck. She indignantly squealed another "No!" and used her free hand to claw at his hand.
What happened next was a bit unexpected. That's an understatement, really. It was also a bit indescribable.
The wall exploded.
Well, the whole wall didn't really explode. It was more like an object launched itself with great force through a part of it, causing debris and smoke to fly everywhere. This object was tall, strong, and tailed, and it cried, "KAGOME!!!" as it burst through the wall.
It was Kouga.
Bankostu's hold on Kagome loosened completely, and Kagome dropped to the ground and crawled away.
"Kouga!" she shrieked, arms outstretched, reaching for him. She'd never been happier to see him in her life. Usually, she sort of dreaded to see him coming, but now it was different. When someone was saving your life, you did not, under any circumstances, be disappointed to see them.
Through the hole Kouga had left in the wall burst Kirara, Sango and Miroku riding on her back. "Hiraikotsu!" the demon slayer cried, throwing the giant boomerang at Suikotsu, who nimbly leapt out of the way.
Jakotsu's voice rang out over the confusion. "What the hell is going on in here? Hey, where's my Inuyasha?"
The Hiraikotsu flew back to Sango,a nd she caught it, then swiftly sent it hurtling at the cross-dressing mercenary. "Sorry to disappoint you, but he's not here!" she yelled.
Kagome lurched to her feet and ran towards Kouga, who reached for her as well. If I can just reach him, I'll be safe! She thought.
Apparently, 'safety first' had been cast aside, because an arm wound itself around her waist and she was yanked backwards. Something shiny and sharp brushed her throat. Kagome knew who it was, and grabbed at her jewel shards.
"Nobody move!" Bankostu bellowed, moving the dagger he held a hair closer to Kagome's throat. "I'll kill her and take the shards!"
He'd do it, too, Kagome thought.
"Let Kagome go!" Kouga commanded.
"Not until I get her jewel shards," Bankotsu growled.
Kagome whimpered. Apparently she had no say in the matter, because the knife moved a fraction of a half of a centimeter closer to her throat. Kagome realized that if she even twitched, she'd be at risk of having a slit throat. She held her breath and prayed for a miracle.
God must have heard her and granted that miracle, because seconds later, a strong, loud voice screamed, "WIND SCAR!!!"
The jagged arrows of energy surged towards Kagome and Bankotsu. Bankotsu was so startled he released his hold on Kagome. Taking the chance, Kagome threw herself forward as hard as she could, thankfully landing in Kouga's arms. She glanced backwards to see Bankotsu dashing out of harms way, and then she was whisked away, into the air, out of the hole Kouga had made.
"Let's get out of here!" Kouga screamed over his shoulder. There was a whoosh, and Kirara was flying beside them, and then Inuyasha appeared.
The Band of Seven's castle vanished behind them.
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This isn't the end, folks! You know the Band of Seven won't give up THAT easy! Will they capture Kagome back, or will Kagome find a way to evade their grasp???!!! I don't even know!!!!!!
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