Disclaimer: Inuyasha? All Rumiko Takahashi baby.

Bankotsu and Kagome: Linked by Fate

Chapter 5: Day 4

"Look, if this works, we should probably stay away from each other for a while." Bankotsu said, not liking the idea at all. She couldn't fend for herself alone! But he would rather take the risk than the both of them dying from the chain. He looked at her and saw her hesitance. "Hey, it'll be alright. We'll meet up soon," he said with his smirk and bent down, leaving a soft kiss on her lips before parting his from hers. The chain started to glow, and they knew it was time. Both hearts raced as they awaited with hope.

As soon as the chain broke in half, Bankotsu went darting one way, Kagome the other. They were gaining distance between each other. Ten feet. Twenty feet. Fifty feet. A hundred.

Bankotsu smirked to himself. 'It's gonna work,' he thought and continued running, however he felt a slight tug on his wrist. "Shit!" was the curse heard from his mouth as he started flying backward against gravity's laws. The chain seemed to be magnetically pulling to something. But what? His eyes lit up in fear as the sight of him and Kagome crashing into each other went through his mind. He quickly turned his body around and saw Kagome flying toward him and opened his arms to lessen the impact.

Kagome was running and the next thing she knew, she was being flung back. Her back hit something and she felt arms encircle her as both her and whomever was holding her fell to the ground with a thud. "You alright?" she heard from an all too familiar voice. "Yeah, thanks," she said and stood up, facing Bankotsu.

They looked down at the chain and realized now two chains were faded and only one was left.

Bankotsu sighed and plopped down under a tree, pulling Kagome down in the process. 'How the fuck do I get out of this?' he thought, giving up all hope. It was the very beginning of the fourth day, and in less than twenty-four hours, they'd be dead.

Kagome could see the defeat in his face. She was about to say something but didn't when he started to speak.

"Listen Kagome," he started.

"Yes?"

"I want to let you know that I really care about you."

Kagome's eyes furrowed. "So that's it? You're just gonna give up?"

Bankotsu's face instantly turned from sincere to irate. "Well what the Hell else am I supposed to do? You got an idea or somethin' cause if you do, please share it with me."

Tears started welling up in Kagome's eyes. "You really think this is the end?" she whispered.

No, this can't be the end. He knew that being binded to Kagome was no coincidence. He stood up and pulled Kagome with him. "If this is our last day together, then we're going to live it to its fullest." he said with a sad smirk.

Kagome yawned. It was still dark out, seeing as midnight was only there about an hour ago. "Let's get a little rest first," she said sweetly and sat back down with Bankotsu.

He nodded and wrapped his arm around her, kissing the top of her head and resting his chin on it. He closed his eyes, wishing time would freeze.

"Kagome, Kagome," Bankotsu whispered, shaking her lightly.

Kagome's eyes fluttered open as she was greeted by a familiar face surrounded by the Sun's rays. For a split second, she mistook him for an angel.

"C'mon, let's go," Bankotsu said with a smile and stood up.

Kagome giggled. "Come on! Can't you at least tell me where we're going? A hint?" she asked as her vision was blocked by the masculine left hand of Bankotsu. He had his right arm looped around the front of her so she walked in front of him.

Bankotsu smirked. "Nope." he replied. That's all he has said the entire time they'd been walking.

After about another twenty minutes, Bankotsu stopped and removed his hand from her eyes.

Green. Blue. Red. Orange. Yellow. Purple. White. And also mixed colored flowers. They all surrounded the gorgeous waterfall. The water poured down into a small lake, glistening and shimmering against the Sun. "It's...It's beautiful." she whispered under her breath as it was carried away by a breeze that cooled her hot skin. It was rather humid for an Autumn day.

"I go here a lot, to think." he said and gestured for her to walk closer to the lake.

Kagome slipped her shoes off and they both now had their feet dangling in the water, it coming just up to their ankles.

"So tell me the deal between you and Inuyasha."

Kagome looked to her side, opposite of Bankotsu and sighed silently. She explained the Kikyo and Sacred Jewel information, and how Inuyasha and Kikyo were betrayed. She explained how she is the supposed reincarnation of Kikyo and how she came to this era, which seemed to intrigue him most.

"You're not from this time? Ha, that would explain those weird clothes."

Kagome shot him a glare a continued. She introduce Sango, Miroku, and Shippo to the story. "And me and Inuyasha have been traveling ever since."

Bankotsu had his eyes fixated on her. "So you love him," he said forwardly.

Kagome, a little taken back by his question, hesitated in response. She tried to concentrate on her heart and how it felt. "I did...But ever since I met you, I don't really think of him that way."

Bankotsu's heart seemed to lighten and he smirked. "So...What you're saying is..." he said suggestively.

Kagome blushed and looked away, avoiding his eyes at all costs.

Bankotsu's smirk faded and turned into a frown. He put a hand on her cheek and turned her face toward him. "I was a little unsure of it before, but now...I know I'm right. Kagome, I love you."

"I-I love you, too..." she trailed off, adverting her gaze elsewhere.

"Why are you so hesitant?" he asked coldly, anger starting to pitch a fire in his throat.

Kagome sighed and looked back to him with sorrow-filled eyes. "Because I don't want to die tomorrow. Not when I'm in love with someone like you."

It seemed like now, the two had both accepted the fact they were going to die tomorrow. Bankotsu never took his eyes off of Kagome. It was heart-breaking to know that he wouldn't be able to share the rest of his life with her. He was going to be torn from her and thrown into Hell. He knew she was going to a better place. Heaven. She was practically an angel as is, let alone when she resided in Heaven. He wouldn't be able to see her anymore. To touch. To breathe in her intoxicating aroma. To hear her high-pitch voice saying his name. He wouldn't. He couldn't. 'Why? Why did I have to meet her? Why did I have to fall in love and why does she have to die? I would gladly go by myself if it meant her being able to walk this Earth. I can't stand the thought of her being ripped from my grasp, but at least she could live. Why me? Why her? Why us?' Bankotsu thought. These thoughts only weakened his egotistical self.

Tomorrow. The thought of tomorrow made the beauty of their surroundings turn hideous. Bankotsu had his chained arm wrapped around her, holding her close as if someone might try and take her. And the sad thing was, someone was. Death was calling their name. It was reaching out to them.

It was now about six p.m and the two were watching the Sun set. This would be the last time they saw the Sun go down. And, never again would they see the Sun rise, for they would be dead in six hours.

The two laid in the grass, Bankotsu embracing her as her head was buried in his chest. Oh how she loved this man. Five days was all it took for her to become completely head over heels for someone. A silent tear slid down her cheek and she sobbed softly. She didn't want her life to end, not like this. Not now. Now when she'd met him.

Bankotsu heard her soft sobs and took in a large, shaky breath. He only held her closer and closed his eyes, never wanting to let go. Flashes of their brief time together went through his mind. If he could start things all over, he would. He wouldn't of been such an asshole to her at first. He would've cherished their days together. But instead, now he only had a few hours left with her.

It was getting closer. Time seemed to just fly by. The moon was out and full, showing vibrantly in the clear blue sky littered with white, sparkling stars.

7 p.m.

8 p.m.

9 p.m.

10 p.m.

11 p.m. One hour left.

Kagome had fallen asleep, however Bankotsu's eyes never even blinked shut. His body was cold from fear and he felt like going insane. He looked down at Kagome and smiled slightly. She looked so peaceful. He planned on waking her up right before they left, just to tell her goodbye. But he thought she at least deserved to die without being awake for whatever pain there might be. "Good bye," he whispered into her ear and kissed her on the forehead.

Kagome's eyes fluttered open, tear droplets resting on her long lashes. She looked into his eyes and didn't want to look away. She thought, just maybe if she kept looking into those mesmerizing eyes, nothing would happen. Tears started flooding her eyes and streaming down her face.

Bankotsu softly wiped them away with his thumb. He hushed her lovingly and whispered and "I love you."

11:58.

Kagome was now gripping his shirt, allowing tears to run down and cover her beautiful face. This can't be the end. She wouldn't let it be the end. Why...God...Why.

11:59.

This was it. This is what it all came down to. The last few seconds of their life together. "Bankotsu, I love you so much," she whispered in between sobs.

"I love you, too, Kagome. I will never forget you. And I will always love you." he replied in a coo. His eyes became watery and he gritted his teeth together as he cursed the hag who did this to him. He held Kagome as tightly as he could and whispered his final words in her ear.

11:59:50.

I love you Kagome.

11:59:51.

You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.

11:59:55.

I don't regret meeting you one single bit.

11:59:57.

Kagome,

11:59:58.

My heart belongs to you.

11:59:59.

And no one else.

12:00.

Author's Note: Yeah, for some of you who caught my mistake, I messed up with the counting xD I should've only given them four links to start off with instead of five, so I had to fade two away this time otherwise they'd still have a link left on day 5. OMGsh everything is revealed next chapter! Will they die or will it be a traditional Disney ending? Tell me what YOU think should happen :D -Ami