AN: The plot thickens! Read on to find out more…
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Kagome sat quietly as she ate her dinner. The inn her entourage had chosen to stay was small, but clean and well kept. Suikotsu had arranged a small private table for her to dine quietly. The princess sighed. Though she appreciated Suikotsu's kind gestures of respect, she was lonely.
Kagome glanced over at the laughter that erupted from across the room. Nazuna, apparently, had said something clever to the guards. The lady-in-waiting beamed brightly at the table full of gentlemen. Nazuna was charming; she'd always had many suitors and admirers at court.
"The gift of people speaking…" Kagome muttered, "Is definitely a gift I was not blessed with."
"Is everything alright, Kagome-hime?" Suikotsu asked. The captain of the guard had chosen to remain close to her side.
Kagome frowned as one of the guards, sitting next to Nazuna, discreetly placed a hand on the maiden's thigh. Kagome wasn't sure what she expected next. Perhaps it was for one of the other guards to jump up and defend Nazuna's honor, or maybe even Nazuna herself to protest violently, smacking the guard senseless, right across the face. But, no, to the princess's horror, Nazuna gave the guard, a handsome young man with a long braid that trailed down his back, a rather seductive smile. Needless to say, Kagome's jaw dropped.
Suikotsu, upon seeing the girl's reaction, followed Kagome's gaze. His eyes narrowed at the scene. "I will put a stop to this at once," he said as he rose from his seat.
"No!" said Kagome. She put out an arm to signal Suikotsu to stop. The captain looked down at her. "Leave it be." She did not meet Suikotsu's gaze for she knew she was blushing fiercely.
"But, Kagome-hime, my men know better than to act in such a way. It not only shows disrespect to me, as their captain, but to you as their princess."
"Nazuna is my friend, and if she feels enamored by that gentleman, then I trust her judgment," Kagome said softly.
Suikotsu sniffed, "Bankotsu is no gentlemen," he said as he motioned towards the man with the long braid.
"You know that man?" Kagome asked as she stared.
"Yes, I know him well," said Suikotsu darkly. "Bankotsu and I go back a long ways, as well as the others."
"The other men, you mean?" Kagome questioned curiously.
"Yes, Kagome-hime…we all joined the royal guard at the same time."
"Then are they your friends?"
Suikotsu looked thoughtful for a moment. Kagome observed him as a distant looked crossed over his features. It was as if he was thinking back, to another time, another place. To some faded memory that was still all too clear in his mind. He was a tall man, with a kind, gentle face. His jet black hair was pulled tightly against the base of his skull, into a slick ponytail. Kagome studied his dark brown eyes with interest. She knew that he was at least fifteen years older than she. He was still young by all rights, but at the same time she could see wisdom, pain, and experience far beyond his years.
"Kagome-hime?" Suikotsu's voice broke into her thoughts. "Is something wrong?"
"Oh!" exclaimed Kagome. She cursed herself. She had been caught staring. "No, nothing at all." She looked away with an embarrassing blush staining her cheeks. The young princess averted her gaze back over to Nazuna. The lady-in-waiting giggled as Bankotsu whispered something in her ear. Kagome sighed. Oh, how she envied Nazuna's confidence!
"The hour is late, Kagome-hime, perhaps you should retire to your rooms for the night," Suikotsu said.
"Of course," Kagome replied as she smiled softly. She rose from the table and made her way to the bottom of the stairs. "Nazuna," she called politely.
The young woman's head snapped up from her conversation with Bankotsu. She rose hesitantly, before quickly turning and bidding the guards seated at the table goodnight. Finally, Nazuna followed Kagome up the steps to the room that they would be sharing.
When they were safe inside and away from open ears, Kagome flashed Nazuna a sweet smile. However, the lady-in-waiting failed to notice as she helped the young princess undress for the night. After a few moments of silence, Kagome finally found the courage to speak, "Nazuna, that guard, Bankotsu, seems to like you very much."
Nazuna made no reply. She only continued to slide the dress over Kagome's head, and then proceeded to slip the princess into her nightgown.
"Do you like him?" Kagome asked.
"Kagome-hime, I think it is best you get some sleep. Tomorrow begins our two month trek through the Black Forest. This will be the last night you are able to have a warm bed for comfort," Nazuna said somewhat coldly.
"I was just wondering…" Kagome replied quietly.
"There is nothing to say!" Nazuna suddenly snapped.
Kagome froze at the sudden outburst form her companion and friend. Never in all the years they had lived together, had Nazuna ever spoke harshly to Kagome. Needless to say, the princess was almost speechless, "Nazuna, I am sorry…"
"No, Kagome-hime," Nazuna suddenly replied. She hugged the princess tightly; regret instantly filling her brown eyes. "I am sorry, I should never have spoken to you like that, please forgive me. The anxiety of this trip is getting to me and I miss my mother terribly."
Kagome released a small sigh of relief. She had never really thought about Nazuna's situation. The poor girl was just as scared as Kagome was to go to a new country, to start a new life. "Oh Nazuna, it was selfish of me to bring you along," cried Kagome as she hugged the other girl.
"No, Kagome-hime, it was my decision to come with you, and I am glad I did it."
Kagome smiled, "I'm glad I have you with me by my side. I don't think I could have done this alone."
The young princess turned her back on her lady-in-waiting. She failed to see the frown that crossed Nazuna's face as the young maiden started to brush out her long, wavy hair.
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Meanwhile, downstairs, Suikotsu stared at the members of his guard. The six fellows that he trusted the least were all seated together, chatting nonchalantly. When Bankotsu caught his captain's gaze, the man simply smiled and beckoned with arm for their superior officer to join them.
"Captain Suikotsu," said Cho, the company's cook, "Don't go over there. They disrespect you by gesturing to you so casually."
"I don't trust them," said Li, another guard. "I've heard them talk captain. I heard them say terrible things about the princess."
"What have they said?" asked Suikotsu.
"They say that Kagome-hime is not fit to be princess of any country. That she is a weak, even for a woman. That she is not more than a wench, and that the trip to the Kingdom of Musashi is not worth the while. Thy say the prince would be better o with a more fitting bride," Li said with contempt.
A larger man, by the name of Hiro whispered darkly. "Captain Suikotsu, I have been a member of the royal guard since I was naught but eighteen years old. Twenty years I have served the family and I tell you, Kagome-hime is a kind girl. Her mother never gave her any love, nor a chance to prove herself as queen. Perhaps that is why most of the kingdom never accepted her as well. But, she is a kind girl and I serve her. Those men," he said with disdain as he pointed to the group, "those men are not here for Kagome-hime. They are after something else."
"But what could it be?" asked Cho.
Suikotsu shook his head. "I don't know, but I intend to find out." He left the small group of guards and made his way to the table.
Bankotsu grinned wickedly, "Well Captain, it's so good to see that you have finally come to visit your dear old friends; glad that you haven't forgotten about us. You've been pretty quiet with us ever since we started on this little trip. What's the matter? Aren't we good enough for you anymore?"
"My, my, Suikotsu this look is much different for you," said the man to Bankotsu's right, well if you could call him that, for he was much too pretty to be a man. He smiled seductively at Suikotsu, "I think I liked the rugged look much better. You're too polished for my tastes now."
"Jakotsu is right," said the bald-headed man to Bankotsu's left. "You have abandoned your old style, captain."
"Aren't we good enough for you anymore?" asked Bankotsu cheerfully. "Sit with us, Captain. Mukotsu," he said as he motioned towards the shortest member of the small group, "Fetch the captain a drink!"
The short man smiled and was about to oblige when Suikotsu held up a hand to decline the offer. "I would never accept anything that you would offer me, Mukotsu. I have not forgotten your poisonous ways."
"Your words shock me, captain," replied Mukotsu.
"We haven't forgotten your old ways either," said Renkotsu, the bald-headed man. "Don't think that some silly little promotion erases your past, Suikotsu."
"I have not forgotten," said Suikotsu quietly, "But I have changed."
"You're still the same," Renkotsu replied with disdain. "New clothes don't change a man."
"But a new life does," Suikotsu retorted. His voice was calm but the look of anger burning in his eyes silenced Renkotsu from saying anything further.
"Oh look," said Jakotsu as he elbowed the large stony looking fellow beside him. "Ginkotsu, he is so cute when he is upset!"
"Yyyyeeeesssshhhh," replied the armor clad man, Ginkotsu.
"Look," said Suikotsu, "I don't know why you all agreed to sign up for this journey, But since you are here, let me make it clear to you that it is our duty to get Kagome-hime to her destination safely. You are to treat her with nothing but respect and you are to treat me as your captain and superior officer. Any man who fails to do so will be punished."
"Of course, captain," said Bankotsu. "We would never dream of breaking rank. We are here to serve, nothing more, nothing less."
"Good," said Suikotsu, "now get some rest. Tomorrow we begin the two month trek through the Dark Forest. We shall need all of our strength." With that, the captain turned on heel and left.
"And what a trip it shall be," Renkotsu said darkly.
"I liked him better when he didn't have a mind of his own," Jakotsu sighed as he leaned back in his chair. "He was so much more fun to be around: dangerous, handsome, bloody…"
"Yyyyeeeesssshhhh," Ginkotsu agreed.
"Stupid witch just had to exorcise that demon from his body," mumbled Mukotsu.
"He's so boring now," Jakotsu yawned.
"Possessed by a demon or not," Bankotsu said, "Suikotsu was still one of us. A new look and a new title doesn't change your past; what you have one. He'll come around."
"And if he doesn't?" asked Renkotsu.
Bankotsu just smiled, "You can take care of that, can't you?"
"What about that pathetic little princess?" Renkotsu asked.
"Jakotsu can take care of her," said Bankotsu as he leaned back in his chair, folding his arms back over his head.
Jakotsu rolled his eyes, "Oh please, big brother, don't make me do it. She wouldn't put up a fight; it's hardly anything to get off about."
"Then Kyokotsu can do it," Bankotsu said casually.
The giant of a man, Kyokotsu, who had been quiet up till now, spoke in a deep, gruff, voice, "I could crush her skull with only one hand," he said as he stretched out his right palm and gazed at it. It was three times the size of an ordinary mans. "Mukotsu is the one who enjoys young girls."
"Oh yes, let me!" cried Mukotsu. "I would love to spend some time with the princess," he said darkly. "She is quite beautiful, after all…"
"Oh please…." Jakotsu muttered.
"Kyokotsu will do it," interjected Bankotsu.
"But why?" whined Mukotsu. "He doesn't even want to!"
"Because he will make the job quick and easy," Bankotsu replied. "We have no time for your fantasies."
Mukotsu bowed his head in shame, "Not even a little fun?"
"You heard him," Renkotsu said, "Big brother, what do we do about Suikotsu though? He seems quite the protector nowadays."
"We'll deal with him when the time comes, no worries brothers. Soon, we will get what we always wanted, but up until then we must be patient," Bankotsu said quietly. "Yes," he continued as he stared across the room at Suikotsu, who was conversing with the other soldiers in their entourage, "very soon."
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Kagome groaned slightly in the saddle. She was tired of what seemed to be a never-ending journey. For two weeks they had been traveling through the Dark Forest. It had been two weeks since she had last slept in a comfortable bed; two weeks since the group had last seen any form of civilization, and still another two weeks till the group reached the halfway point through the Dark Forest, the Falls of Aiko, a beautiful waterfall that was hidden not even a half mile off the forest road path.
Kagome reached inside her dress, once more caressing the soft handkerchief. So far, the tiny cloth's magic seemed to be working. They had traveled unharmed. The only incident that had occurred thus far was when the wagon containing the small company's food and cooking supplies had broken an axle. Cho, the cook, had grumbled and mourned over a bag of flour that had split open, but other than that no harm was done.
At this point in their trip though, there was only one thing bothering Kagome. The young princess stole a quick glance behind her. Nazuna had chosen, once more, to ride alongside Bankotsu and his comrades. Kagome frowned. Her lady-in-waiting had become very distant from her lately; despite the conversation they held at the inn. They now conversed only when necessary, and Nazuna rarely even assisted Kagome with anything anymore. There was a definite rift in their friendship; and it left Kagome struggling for answers. She longed to know what she had done to cause Nazuna to drift away from her. Friends since they were little, Kagome looked to Nazuna in the darkest of times, and she desperately needed female companionship, now more so than ever.
"What could I have done Chijin?" Kagome sighed quietly to her horse.
Kagome-hime should not be so upset…replied the stallion.
"But Nazuna will hardly speak with me. She barely casts a glance at me…"
Chijin doesn't trust her…
"Why?"
She and the man with the braid say dark things about Kagome-hime by the fires at night, replied Chijin with a snort.
"But what have I done? What kinds of things, Chijin? What do they say?"
Chijin can't speak of them now, but will speak later…be careful Hime, trust no one.
Later that night, Kagome bathed quietly, just outside of camp. The conversation with Chijin still ran through her mind. What would Nazuna, her dearest friend, ever hold against her? There was certainly no explanation for the sudden turn in their friendship. Would her friend ever really consider harming her? Chijin had said to trust no one, so what was Kagome to do?
A rustle through the trees caught Kagome's attention. Instinctively, she covered her exposed breasts, and peered out into the darkness that was the forest. "Is anyone there?" she called out into the dark night. There was no answer, but Kagome sensed she wasn't alone.
Quickly, the young princess dressed into her nightclothes and made her way back towards camp. She approached the private tent that had been pitched for her and nearly tore open the flap to dive inside, but was stopped by what she saw. Inside her tent was Nazuna holding up one of Kagome's beautiful gowns, the green one that had been made specifically for her to meet her betrothed. The lady-in-waiting, surprised by the sudden appearance of the dress's owner, looked at Kagome with slight shock.
"Nazuna…what are you doing in here?"
Nazuna lifted her chin and stood to her fullest height, sending a disapproving look towards the princess. She still held kagome's dress in her hands possessively. However, she made no reply.
Kagome swallowed hard as an awkward silence filled the tent. She took a hesitant step forward, reaching out to her friend with her right hand. But, Nazuna stepped back. Kagome frowned. "Nazuna what is wrong?"
"Nothing, I'm perfectly fine," Nazuna spat back.
"Then…what were you doing with my dress?" Kagome asked carefully.
Nazuna turned a dark glare towards her mistress then held the green garment out so that she could examine it more carefully. "This dress is quite exquisite, Kagome-hime. Truly fit for a princess. What a shame it is that the owner of such a dress is not worthy to wear it."
"What are talking about?" Kagome asked in horror. "That is the dress I am to wear when I meet my betrothed."
"Yes," Nazuna continued, "the lucky little princess gets to marry the handsome and mysterious prince and live happily ever after. Is that how the story always goes, even if the princess hardly deserves it? A princess who is nothing more than a weak, bumbling, helpless little fool; a princess who was not even fit to rule her own kingdom! But, for some odd reason, she still gets the happy ending!"
Disbelief filtered through Kagome's heart. Was she truly hearing these words, from her oldest friend? No there had to be a mistake. "Nazuna, I am sorry if I have upset you in any way…"
"Upset me?" declared Nazuna. The slightly older girl threw the dress to the ground. "For years I have served you and not once complained or asked for anything in return. I have defended your honor, slight as it may be, and charmed even your harshest critics. You know what they used to say back at home, Kagome-hime? They used to say that I was far fit to be a princess more than you. That while you surpass me in beauty and rank, I am by far, more articulate, intelligent, and charming than you could ever be. Your own mother once said to me how she wished her daughter could acquire some of my attributes! What a shame for me, that Luck and Fortune would allow me to be born to the palace key holder and not the queen. Well that is all going to change…"
"What do you mean?" Kagome asked with tears stinging in her eyes. "Nazuna, I never knew you felt this way!"
"Well now you do!"
"Why did you come then, if you resent me so much?" Kagome demanded.
"Because I want a life that is mine!" Nazuna blurted out. "This journey will give me everything I deserve and more! I will finally be free of your shadow and get what I've always wanted!"
Kagome let the tears fall, "I thought we were friends…"
"I was only your friend because I had to be," replied the girl harshly as she left the tent.
Kagome crumpled to the ground and sobbed.
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The weeks following their fight, Kagome and Nazuna did not speak a word to each other. Nazuna chose to remain close to Bankotsu's side, even opting to sleep beside him and his companions most nights. There was a definite division within the company. Kagome heard guards discussing it almost every night. Chijin also kept Kagome informed. He tried to eavesdrop as often as he could on Bankotsu and the others, but little information was found out. Kagome guessed it was because Nazuna knew of Kagome's unusual relationship with her noble steed, thus, the girl had warned the others to keep comments to themselves.
Whatever division was happening between the small traveling party had Suikotsu concerned. Each day the rift between the two separate groups became greater and greater. The Lady Nazuna had chosen to side with Bankotsu, although as to why he was still unsure. Their relationship was an odd one, especially with the ever jealous Jakotsu breathing down Bankotsu's neck. He knew Bankotsu too well to think that the man would ever harbor any real feelings towards the girl. Something big was about to happen.
On one particular day, the group finally reached the Falls of Aiko, their halfway point through the Dark Forest. Suikotsu decided to signal a stop for midday meal. He sat alongside of the princess, watching Bankotsu and the others carefully across the camp. They were talking in hushed tones.
"Captain Suikotsu?" Kagome asked hesitantly.
"Yes, Kagome-hime?" he replied when he focused his attention back onto the normally quiet girl.
"Should I be fearful?"
Her statement took him aback, but he was not totally surprised. So…the young girl wasn't as dimwitted as others thought her to be. He smiled softly, "There is nothing to fear, Kagome-hime."
Kagome, however, did not believe his false reassurances. "Nazuna will hardly speak with me anymore and those six men over there," she said as she motioned to the group, "they are not good men. Why are they here? I know that it is not to see me safely through this journey."
Suikotsu frowned as he studied Kagome. She was not as ignorant as people thought her to be. She just lacked confidence. Instead of standing up to Nazuna, Kagome had let her do as she pleased. Instead of standing up to her mother, Kagome had reluctantly agreed to dessert her home and allow the throne to pass to her younger brother, Prince Souta. All of this was because no one really ever believed in her; people still didn't believe in her. She didn't even believe in herself.
"Kagome-hime, there is nothing to fear."
"You say nice things to me because you have to," Kagome replied quietly.
Suikotsu looked at her thoughtfully. "This has not been easy for you, Kagome-hime, I understand that. But, you must take into consideration the opportunity you have to discover who you are. When I was younger, many years ago, I was not the same man I was today. To put it lightly, I was a bit of a trouble maker, who fell in with the wrong crowd, and did many terrible things. But I grew and learned from those experiences and it has helped shape into who I am today."
"What sort of things?" asked the princess with genuine interest.
Suikotsu smiled half-heartedly, and looked off into the distance of the dark woods. "Things that I cannot tell, because they are almost too terrible to imagine, I was a reckless, foolish young man."
"When did it all change for you?"
Suikotsu smiled, "The day I found and rescued a young princess, who was sick with fever, from the swan pond."
Kagome laughed. Suikotsu smiled slightly, "Kagome-hime," he continued seriously, "you have reason to be on your guard. I pledged my loyalty to your mother to see you safely to your new home. I will keep that promise…but should I tell you to run, I want you to hop on Chijin and ride as fast as you can, understood?"
Kagome nodded. She felt reassured that she had a friend in Suikotsu, but she was fearful all the same. She stared across the camp to watch Nazuna, who was sitting at a separate fire with Bankotsu and his comrades. The other girl caught Kagome's gaze, but the look that Nazuna towards the young princess was anything but friendly.
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Before the traveling party departed, several members expressed a desire to go see the Falls of Aiko. The Falls were named after a young maiden who had fallen in love with a powerful youkai. When he was killed in battle, she was so struck with grief that she threw herself over the waterfall, so that she might see him once more. Kagome found it to be a horribly tragic tale, but beautiful all at the same time. She wanted to go see the falls for herself, but Suikotsu had advised her against it and to stick close to camp. Especially since Bankotsu, Nazuna, Jakotsu, Mukotsu, and Renkotsu were leading the way.
While Suikotsu made preparations for their departure, and the other remaining guards cleared up their temporary camp, Kagome stayed close to Chijin. It had been weeks since she had seen anything but trees, and she desperately wanted to go with the others, even if they weren't so friendly towards her. The Falls of Aiko, after all, were infamous in the entire world, and this would probably be the only opportunity she would ever get to see them. So she made up her mind.
"Chijin, I'm just going to slip off and follow the others."
Princess stay here…not wise to go alone, answered her faithful friend.
"I will catch up with the others and stay just off the path so they won't see me. I'll come back when they do and Suikotsu won't miss me at all. I want to see the falls! I have heard so much about them. Please try to understand."
Be safe, said Chijin as he stamped his foot impatiently.
Kagome threw herself around his neck, giving him the best hug she could muster. Then, she quietly slipped off into the woods.
She kept the path in her sights and followed it for a good fifteen minutes before she could make out the rumble of the falls. Her heart racing with excitement she raced ahead to the break that she saw in the trees. Slowing down, the princess began to look back towards the path, so that she might not be seen by the others. She doubted they would be able to hear her footsteps over the roar of the falls. When the brilliant waterfall finally came into view, it was spectacular. Kagome felt her breath hitch, and her heart stop. If only she could have someone to share it with.
Being careful to stay hidden, Kagome plotted her way over to a large boulder, and snaked behind it. From here, not only could she see the falls better, but she had a view of where the forest path ended and opened up as a viewing area for travelers to overlook the ravine. However, the princess frowned in bewilderment when she found no one there.
"Where is everyone?" she asked out loud.
"Right here," replied a deep voice.
Kagome spun around quickly and came face to face with one probably the largest man she had ever seen. His massive body was rippled with muscles from head to toe. He wore a blue headband around his green hair, which was spiked up in a most unappealing way. Everything about him was menacing, including his wicked smile, which showed off his teeth that he had filed down to a point. She recognized him instantly. It was Kyokotsu, one of the five men that hung around Bankotsu and Nazuna. Fear instantly gripped her heart. Kyokotsu moved towards her, a murderous look in his eyes.
"This is going to be easier than I thought," he said slowly. "With the roar of the falls, no one will even hear you scream…foolish girl."
Kagome braced herself against the boulder. What was she going to do? This man was going to kill her! And she had no means of fighting back! Kagome closed her eyes and waited for the inevitable as Kyokotsu reached out his large hand and placed it around her slender neck. Kagome gasped as she felt herself being lifted off the ground. Instinctively, she gripped her tiny hands around his large one, in an effort to find release. She could feel her air supply being cut off as he squeezed tighter and tighter. Spots began to dance before her eyes. Kagome felt tears stream down her face as her heart raced. She was really going to die…that is…until she heard a familiar voice.
Hime!
Kagome was roughly released and fell to the ground in a heap. She coughed, gasped, and sputtered. Looking up from her position on the forest floor, Kagome watched as Chijin, her noble horse, kicked and pushed Kyokotsu towards the edge of the ravine.
"Chijin!" she finally managed to call out.
The stallion had caught Kyokotsu so off guard, that the monster of a man had little time to gather his bearings. With as much power as her could muster, Chijin reared up and kicked Kyokotsu in the head, dealing him a crushing blow. The man swayed and finally fell back towards the edge of the ravine. Chijin charged and gave him the final push over. Kagome looked away as she heard the man cry out while he fell down the Falls of Aiko.
Picking herself up to her feet, Kagome threw her arms about Chijin's neck. "Thank you, Chijin! I was so terrified. I would have died if it weren't for you!"
The horse snorted into her black hair and nuzzled her gently. Hime, we must go back to camp and warn the captain.
Kagome nodded and climbed onto Chijin's back. Together they began to race through the forest, easily making their way back to the rest of the party. However, as they approached camp, Kagome's eyes went wide with horror at what she saw.
The bodies of Cho, the cook, and Li, one of the guards who remained loyal to Suikotsu, were on the ground surrounded by a pool of blood. Two other guards, little older than boys were being run through right at that moment by Ginkotsu who was using a vicious looking piece of metal to saw right through his opponents. The sight of the gruesome death, made Kagome's stomach lurch. But, the thing that caught Kagome's attention the most was Nazuna, who stood off to the side with Mukotsu, who watched the battle play out with a satisfied smile. Kagome was too shocked; all she could do was sit there and stare at the scene.
"It was all a trap…" she said quietly under her breath. "They've planned this from the beginning."
Just then Suikotsu saw her. He was currently locking swords with Bankotsu, who clearly had the upper hand. The braided man wielded the largest blade that Kagome had ever seen. It was at least twice the size of her, but Bankotsu made it seem like it weighed no more than a feather. Suikotsu was desperately trying to keep up with the fight, and his panic rose once he saw the young princess, sitting on her horse, just on the edge of camp.
"Run, Kagome-hime!" he screamed at her.
"Jakotsu!" cried Bankotsu as he took another swing at Suikotsu.
Kagome looked up in alarm; the rather feminine looking man was approaching her and Chijin with a strange looking weapon. He smiled menacingly at her as he approached and launched the blade in her direction. It retracted and stretched out as it came towards her, threatening to shred her and Chijin into tiny pieces. However, instead of coming into contact with them, it first came into contact with another body, that of Hiro, one of her loyal guards, who had jumped in the sword's snakelike path. Kagome screamed as she watched him writhe in agony. Multiple wounds quickly slashed through his body and he crumpled to the ground in a lifeless heap.
Before Kagome could think or say anything though, Chijin took off into the woods as fast as he could run. Kagome hung on with dear life, as her horse made his way through the forest. She had no sense of direction as to where they were going, and she didn't care. All she could think about was getting out of danger. But, just when she thought she and Chijin had traveled a considerable distance, an explosion sounded and fire went up right in her horse's path. Kagome screamed as Chijin reared and threw her from the saddle. She landed on the ground roughly, and a sharp pain shot up from her left wrist.
Dazed, she struggled to lift herself from the ground. Kagome looked around trying to regain her bearings. Chijin was standing front of her, defensively acting as a shield. He stamped and pawed the ground, snorting and rearing up facing their opponent. It was then that Kagome saw Renkotsu, on horseback, holding small cannon over his shoulder.
Kagome-hime must run away from here, said Chijin. I will hold the bad man off.
"No! I can't leave you," Kagome cried. She pushed herself to her feet.
Hime must go now!
"Give it up princess!" Renkotsu cried. "Your death is inevitable at this point." He took aim again with his cannon.
Just then Chijin charged and knocked Renkotsu from the saddle. Hime! Run!
Kagome took off into the forest.
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Suikotsu lay on the ground breathing heavily a trickle of blood making its way down his mouth. Bankotsu's sword was pointed down at his throat. His former comrade sneered down at him.
"Well, Suikotsu, you have yourself in quite the predicament."
"Go to hell," choked the captain.
"I am disappointed in you…you used to be so friendly."
Suikotsu grimaced in pain, "You bastards, I should have known from the day you volunteered for this trip."
Bankotsu smiled, "See that's the thing, Suikotsu, you did know all along that it would come to this. Just admit it. You know us all too well. After all, you are one of us."
"No, not anymore…I gave that up long ago."
"But Suikotsu, you haven't given it up. If you had you never would have allowed us on this little expedition. You see, deep down, you're still the same animal that I have always known you to be."
Suikotsu looked away, suddenly stricken. No, he wasn't that same man. It couldn't be…
Bankotsu smiled and turned his head when he heard the sound of horses making their way to the camp. Renkotsu emerged form the forest with the princess's stallion in tow, reluctantly following and kicking along the way.
"Renkotsu, you look a little worse for the wear," smirked Bankotsu as his comrade dismounted, handing the other horse off to Jakotsu and Mukotsu. Renkotsu frowned as he placed a hand up to his bleeding brow from where he had been kicked by Chijin.
"Stupid animal," he muttered. "The girl got away."
"No matter, a pampered brat like her won't last long in this forest," Bankotsu sighed heavily. "Where is Kyokotsu?" he asked suddenly. The others looked around the camp, shrugging their shoulders. Bankotsu frowned, "Pity."
Nazuna suddenly rushed forward, placing an arm on Bankotsu's. "Don't worry about Kagome. Even if she does survive, that foolish girl would never stand up for herself. Besides, who would believe her anyway? When we arrive at Musashi, I will be treated like a princess, and you, my loyal subjects, will get everything you have ever wanted and more."
Bankotsu grinned, "there's just one more thing that needs to be taken care of.'
"What?" Nazuna asked.
Bankotsu raised his large blade and suddenly spun around back towards Suikotsu, driving the sword through his stomach. Suikotsu cried out and looked up at Bankotsu in a last defiant act, "I always knew you were a coward, deep down, big brother."
Bankotsu smirked and pulled the blade out of Suikotsu's body. "Likewise…you know I could never have you ruining my plans. Goodbye, Suikotsu.'
Suikotsu gasped and felt his vision go blurry. He could hear the voices f his former companions growing very faint. They were laving him there to die. How ironic everything suddenly seemed. Betrayed by your own friends, left to rot in a place where it was certain no one would come to his aid. He did not feel pain, he did not feel comfort. The last conscious thought going through his mind was that the princess had somehow escaped, but to what fate he was uncertain. A pang of guilt ran through his soul. Finally, he let the darkness take him, as he closed his eyes for what he knew to be the final time.