Bankotsu and Kagome: Linked by Fate

Chapter 9: Always

"Kagome, how many other shards does he have?"

"Th-Three." she said softly.

"Heh, thought you could hide them from me did you?"

"No, Big Brother, I-I just forgot to give them to you. I was going to surprise you with how many I received!"

"Bankotsu, don't." said Kagome's silent voice, gaining a shocked expression from Bankotsu. "I'm sure he meant no harm, right Renkotsu?" she asked, glaring to the fallen mercenary.

Renkotsu nodded, though his neck movement was restricted by Bankotsu's halberd.

Bankotsu's teeth ground together. He didn't like the fact Renkotsu had betrayed him, and he didn't like the fact he tried to assault his love. But, he couldn't find it in him to go against her wish, so without remark, he withdrew his weapon. He walked next to Kagome and wrapped an arm around her, walking her back to the campsite.

Renkotsu gripped his throat, appreciating the fact it was still there. 'Damn! I can't get to her without Bankotsu killing me first -- And even if I do eliminate her, Bankotsu will want my head for sure,' he contemplated, trying to figure out what to do as he stood to his full height.

"I can help you." said a strong, feminine voice.

- - - - - -

Renkotsu returned to the campsite, joining the circle once again. He glanced over and saw Bankotsu was looking at him expectantly. "Oh, of course," he said and dug in his clothing, pulling out three jewel shards. "Here."

Bankotsu put the three with the other twelve, making fifteen total. His arm lazily hung around Kagome's shoulders as she tiredly leaned against him.

Her eyes drooped and after a moment, finally closed. All was quiet and the brothers were beginning to settle themselves into sleep. "Good night." she said softly and gave him a quick peck on the cheek, then laid down on the ground.

The only two up now were Bankotsu and Renkotsu. The fire-breather stared absent-mindedly at the flickering flames while the eldest of the Band of Seven's eyes burned holes into Renkotsu's skull.

He couldn't take his hateful glare away from Renkotsu. 'Heh, I'll be watching you all night.' he thought with a smirk.

Renkotsu wasn't the least bit concerned after the offer he had received from a woman. 'She will eliminate the girl for me in exchange for killing Naraku.'

-

Crimson eyes appeared from the darkness, and a woman stepped forward. "I can help you." she spoke, a fan clung tightly in her grip. "Are you interested?"

Renkotsu looked at her with suspicion. "With what?" he inquired.

"I can rid you of the troublesome girl, in exchange for the death of Naraku." she replied and walked forward slightly. "I will make my strike tomorrow night, so long as you can hold your end of the bargain."

"What is your name, woman." Renkotsu asked through a slight grin.

"Kagura, wind sorceress" said the incarnation of Naraku. "Do we have a deal?"

He chuckled, his laugh filled with malice and venom. "Yes."

-

Morning came soon after, and everyone was moving around excluding Kagome and Jakotsu. They were still sleeping on the ground near each other while the rest of the Band gathered their things.

Bankotsu walked over to the both of them. "Hey, wake up you two. We don't have all day."

Kagome groaned and sat up. "Morning already?" she asked groggily.

Jakotsu remained sleeping.

"Jakotsu!" Bankotsu shouted in an admonishing voice. No answer. He rolled his eyes and gave him a swift kick in the ribs.

"Owww! Big Brother, what'dya do that for!" he whined, rubbing his tender bruise.

Kagome stood to her feet and stretched her limbs, allowing a yawn to escape. "So where are we headed?" she asked.

Before Bankotsu could answer, he felt a large gust of wind sweep over the clearing. From a small tornado appeared Kagura.

Renkotsu's eyes immediately lit up in shock; he grew nervous. 'No! She wasn't supposed to come until tonight!' he thought.

Bankotsu stepped forward, Banryuu resting over his shoulder. "I'm assuming by the look on Renkotsu's face, you must be Kagura."

"Have we met before?" Kagura asked, spreading her fan in front of her lower face, masking her mouth.

'He knows about her?! Shit!' he thought, trying to gain some level of composure.

"No, but I caught your performance last night. Very good act, making a deal with him." Bankotsu said through a smirk.

"Huh. It was no act, I plan to follow through with my end. It doesn't involve your death, merely the girl's. However, I can make an exception if you wish to die so quickly." Kagura said, emphasizing her last word while swing her fan down. "Dance of Blades!" he shouted, and luminescent blue blades shot from her fan.

Bankotsu countered it with his massive halberd, easily deflecting them. "Is that so? Well then come and get me!" he replied and charged toward her, swinging his comrade.

Kagura jumped back, and the two began battle.

Kagome was confused, along with everyone else excluding Renkotsu. "Why is she randomly fighting him?" she wondered quietly.

Renkotsu shifted his eyes over to Kagome. She needed to be eliminated. She was a threat, and he could take her with one good knock to the temple. Damn it! He couldn't do it with everyone watching! Could he?

Shouts like "Dance of the Dragon!" and "Evil bitch!" could be heard from the ruckus as Jakotsu stood idly by. "Hey, Renkotsu, you know that woman?" she shouted to him.

Renkotsu shook his head. "No." he lied. 'What can I do? I can run…No…Damn!' he continued debating within himself. He stood still as he made up his mind. He pulled a dagger from his sleeve and looked over to Kagome. "Arrrrrghhh!" he yelled as he ran over to her and aimed it downward to her. The clang of metal was heard, nothing like the spurting of blood Renkotsu imagined.

Kagome closed her eyes tightly in fear, but nothing came. She opened her eyes to see red in front of her. "Inu…Inuyasha?"

"Heh, can't do anything without me, can ya?" rang his cocky voice and he threw Renkotsu back.

Bankotsu paused and looked over. He saw someone he did not like…Even a little. 'Bastard.' he thought.

Kagura felt a tightening in her heart, and she clutched her chest with her hand. 'D-Damn that…Naraku…He's been…Watching me-e.' she thought in pain. She reached up and pulled a feather from her hair and threw it down, thus causing a larger feather to appear. She hopped on it and it flew her away.

Bankotsu failed to notice this. He walked over to his group. "Hey - What's going on!"

Inuyasha turned and looked to Bankotsu. "Doing something you should have - Protecting Kagome."

Bankotsu looked over to Renkotsu who lay on the floor in pain. He looked back over to Inuyasha. He smirked. "Heh, thanks."

- - - - - -

Inuyasha and Bankotsu stood next to each other, watching Kagome in the distance as she laid out a picnic cloth on the ground.

"So, you really…Love Kagome." Inuyasha stated awkwardly.

Bankotsu crossed his arms over his chest. "Yeah." he answered shortly. "You do, too."

"Heh. I guess you're not the bastard I thought you were." the half-demon added.

"Like wise." the mercenary shorted.

Inuyasha sighed. "Take good care of her."

"Don't worry -- I will. I wouldn't do any harm to her." He'd always take good care of her.

Silence sat in between the two as they both stared blankly at the woman they loved. It was a matter of one week that one man attained her, and one man lost her.

- - - - - -

Dear Readers,

Wow, has it been too long or has it been too long? 3 months! So sorry everyone, but I was extremely busy. Yes, this IS the story's end. Yes, I know it was rushed, but would you rather I just never finish it trying to get every last detail in, or post it as is. Be satisfied readers, for I love you so.

Uhm, review if you like, but it's your choice. I have a poll up on what type of story to do next (after I finish my others). Go vote, would ya?

Much Love,

Ami