Disclaimer: I thought this would be clear by now? Ami equals not owning Inuyasha.
Bankotsu and Kagome: Linked by Fate
Chapter 6: Day 5 Part I
The sweet release of death. Was it meant for such fine souls? One a ruthless killer, one an angel.
The devil's torment can reign not only within the depths of Hell, but inside the soul and heart.
Mind. Body. Soul.
Such things should not be devoured by the evils humans dwell upon
Lust. Greed. Wrath. Pride. Envy. Gluttony. Sloth.
Such traits are not meant to be displayed by characters walking among Mother Nature's soil. Humans are so ignorant and futile, yet so remarkable for their apparent abilities to learn. To learn and never forget. To forget and never learn.
His eyes watched upon the ground, past his new found love as Lady Death approached them. It crept like a shadow, sounding of nothing. The sound of nothing was a sound of something. A sound of knowing. Knowing that death was near.
Time froze and all the surrounding stopped its activities. Crickets' chirps faded, wind howls disappeared, and Death stopped right in its tracks as a realization came upon his angel.
"All evil can be purified." came the whisper from her lips. The lips that said his name. The lips that muttered 'I love you' like never before. The lips that tasted his. Without second thought, Kagome lunged forward, pouncing on Death as it came to their feet.
Bankotsu's arm outstretched, voluntarily at first, then more by the chain. "Kagome!" he yelled. He didn't want to see her die. The thought still remained that if he went first, she might not be taken. That hope had kept his mind from shattering, and that hope had just been broken as he saw his angel jumping into the hands of evil.
She landed with a thud and no doubt battled the evil trying to consume her. There were sounds not able to be described or imitated. There were sights not able to be mocked. Black fought against white as she poured her soul and everything she had in to the darkness. Darkness would not take reign of her soul! She would never let that become a reality.
Her body started to whither away as did the evil. A balance between good and evil must always be maintained. As an angel's soul was sacrificed, a devil's servant was cleaned. Cleaned of its evils.
Bankotsu's eyes widened as the weight on the other end of the chain lightened considerably. There was a hitch in his throat as the body of his loved one was no where to be found. It was just a forest. Moon shining, leaves rustling, and him standing in the clearing with no one but himself.
He was left in this world alone. This was worse than death. This was worse than Hell. This was nothing. He was nothing without her. How could anyone expect him to carry about his life normally, putting Kagome behind him as if she were just some girl.
"Oh, you got the hots for me, don't ya?"
"N-No! But it happens in stories and it's always the way!"
-
"Listen Kagome,"
"Yes?"
"I want to let you know that I really care about you."
"So that's it? You're just gonna give up?"
-
"I was a little unsure of it before, but now...I know I'm right. Kagome, I love you."
"I-I love you, too..."
"Why are you so hesitant?"
"Because I don't want to die tomorrow. Not when I'm in love with someone like you."
"I swore to myself I wouldn't let you die Kagome! How could you…How could you just throw yourself away like that!" Bankotsu yelled into the night as he fell to his knees. He stared up at the sky as tears welled up in his eyes. Never once has he cried. Not even when a child. He always said that tears would never fall from his eyes, as no one would ever get that close to him.
A single tear treaded down the corner of his eye as his mind finally started to loose its pieces.
"Bankotsu."
"No. Go away." he muttered as he looked at the mirage before him.
"Bankotsu." she said again with a smile on her face. There was an odd light surrounding her body, complimenting her beautiful features. She walked over next to him and bent down. She swiped his tear away with her thumb and stood up. She held her thumb up high into the air as the tear droplet shook in the wind.
A strong gust went by and dried the tear away. A figure started to appear.
"Old--Old hag?" sounded off Bankotsu as he stood to his feet.
"Congratulations. I decided to give ye some leeway on the time, consider yourself lucky."
Bankotsu let a laugh of relief out as he walked to Kagome and slung his arms around her. He hugged the back of her tightly to his chest as he rested his chin on the top of her head and listened to the old spirit.
"Your tear," she said to Bankotsu, "and your courage," she said to Kagome, "was the key."
Bankotsu was nearly stunned, but he couldn't help but smirk. He and Kagome were alive. He would be able to spend the rest of his life with her. He'd be able to love her. And he'd be able to see his brothers again. "What's your name old hag?" he asked.
The spirit gave a small chuckle. "Cupid."
There was a nonchalant smile on his face. Kagome simply held a small curl to the corner of her lips, a genuine smile of an angel. His angel.
Death would not be walking home tonight with anyone by the name of Bankotsu or Kagome. Death failed as it walked away shameful of its failure. It would have to face the wrath of the Devil tonight, for it came back with no lone souls in its hands.
The hag stared on at the loving couple. She hadn't even used her arrow of love this time, but merely a binding spell. Maybe this would be her new trademark, she pondered. Arrows were too cliché, so maybe her little spell would be a replacement.
"You, Bankotsu, a ruthless mercenary with heart as cold as steel." she began. "And you, Kagome, a merciful miko with a heart as pure as gold. You each have what the other needs. I hope you realize that. Whether it is strength in the body, or strength in the heart, you both are well-built."
"Thank you…" said a warm voice. Kagome? No, it was Bankotsu's words.
Kagome shook her head. "Yes, thank you." she said sweetly.
Lady Cupid just smiled back as the plot for a new potential couple walked her mind. "Live well young ones." were her last words as she disappeared into the night.
Kagome turned around, if almost as she were hesitant. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked to Bankotsu. She was pulled into his embrace and she clutched onto his shirt. "I thought I'd never see you again." she sobbed in a whisper.
He would never let go. Now that he had experienced loosing her, he never wanted that feeling to surge his body again. That emptiness inside him. It felt like bugs crawling under his skin and in the pit of his stomach. He hugged her like no other and kissed the top of her head. "Kagome, I love you," he said in a swift whisper.
"I love you, too." she said, still sobbing.
- - - - - -
The morning Sun had risen above the ground and Bankotsu and Kagome were lain on the ground. Kagome's eyes were shut and Bankotsu stared as she slept. She was magnificent, really. Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous.
"Mmm…Stop staring at me, it's weird." Kagome said groggily, eyes still closed.
Bankotsu smirked and laid on his back, pillowing his head with his hands. "So what're you gonna do 'bout dog face?" he asked indifferently, staring to the clouds.
She sighed. "I don't know." The worry could be heard in her voice.
"Hey, you're not alone. You know that, right? I'm here to help you through this."
She shook her head in acknowledgement, opening her eyes and looking to him with a smile. "I know."
- - - - - -
Part II: Confrontation
She headed toward the place she knew he would most likely be. There place where they first met. Bankotsu had stayed back a bit, so not to be in the way of anything. She needed to talk to Inuyasha and Inuyasha only.
Still, Bankotsu followed, in fear of her safety. He stayed out of seeing distance, but within earshot. He would listen for her cries and screams sure to come. And when they did, he'd be there in a flash, tearing that bastard's head apart.
She didn't say anything as she approached him. He was simply sitting in a branch high up. Kagome stared up as she waited for him to hop down.
Inuyasha's ears twitched and the lovely scent of Kagome filled his nose. He hopped down upon seeing her, words not coming easily to him. What could he say? He still hadn't figured out his emotions. Anger? Guild? Hurt? What was he supposed to feel?
"I'm in love with him." Kagome made the choice to speak first.
Without consent, a growl escaped his throat, but he soon went silent before speaking. "And what about me? Are you just going to forget about us?"
"You made it clear…Clear that you love Kikyo. It's not fair for either of us to even attempt to rebuild our past relationship…But…You will always be my best friend."
His ears were flattened against his head when she said Kikyo's name, but perked up at the end of her comment. "If he hurts you…I can't promise you I won't kill him."
Sure, they both couldn't deny the fact they still had feelings for one another, but the fact of the matter was who they loved more. Inuyasha's heart could never forget Kikyo. And Kagome's could never live without Bankotsu. It was just meant to be.
Inuyasha then wrapped his arms around her, embracing her with such love that she almost reconsidered all of her decisions. Almost.
- - - - - -
"How'd it go?"
"Fine, actually." she replied with a smile.
"Good." he said as he laced his fingers with hers and began walking down a path. A path of tomorrow. A path of today. But never a path of yesterday.
Fate would lead them everywhere they went. As it's what lead them to where they are now.
They were still linked. Linked by the fate Cupid bestowed upon them. So there they were, walking down a path called Destiny. A path called Love, and foremost, a path of each other.
Author's Note: Haha, I hope you all enjoyed the LAST chapter! Yes, I have to end it here, otherwise people who just now are discovering the story would know they survived. An epilogue is probable, a sequel is possible. It all depends on how many reviews I get. -Ami
P.S: I have another BanxKag story up if you're interested. It's called Sadistic Game. Info on my profile.
Also: I'm sorry if you felt this chapter was a little too poetic, but I felt it needed some oomf to the story ;D