That next night, Bankotsu made sure to fall into a light sleep. Even though he was sleeping, he still was unconsciously waiting.
At about one o'clock in the morning, he heard it. 'Thunk!' He smirked and sat up in his bed before making his way to Sango's room.
Once again, he found her on the floor. Without hesitation, Bankotsu picked her up and carried her back to his own bed, without giving her a chance to fall back into her nightmare.
As he laid her in his bed, her eyes fluttered open. Groaning, she hugged herself and shivered. Cold, she was so cold.
"You're awake?" Bankotsu whispered huskily as he slid into the bed.
Sango blushed, "I fell again?" Her question was answered by a nod.
"Can I ask you something personal?" Bankotsu asked as he stared at the white ceiling.
"What?" Sango asked, her tone of voice exhibiting her curiosity.
"Do you…always have nightmares about your brother's death?"
Sango shrugged, "No, sometimes it's my father or mother's death."
Bankotsu moved his eyes, which had once again been focused on the ceiling. Although her face looked as casual as if Bankotsu had just asked her if it was cold outside, her eyed were flooded with a secret pain that Bankotsu knew all too well.
Bankotsu reached out and stroked Sango's long, loose hair. She turned her pain-filled chocolate eyes to meet his icy blue ones. Just as a secret pain had danced in Sango's eyes, they danced in his. He understood, hell he knew death practically as a friend. It took three of his brothers and it had probably possessed his parents as well. Being a mercenary only added to the death he witnessed. Oh, yes, death had done its toll on him even before it stole his brothers; that was just a bonus.
She felt his understanding of her torture hit her like a pile of bricks. Her eyes welled up with tears that hadn't fallen since her brother's murder. Bankotsu pulled her closer and stroked her hair. The tears fell without hesitation and she buried her face in his shoulder. Bankotsu held her tighter and Sango could have sworn she heard him whimper. He didn't care that his kimono was soaked or that he was holding a sobbing woman and he didn't really even care that he was showing emotion. Right now, the two both just needed comfort and someone to hold them.