Disclaimer- I do not own Inuyasha.

Chapter 12- Reunited and Branching Off

Everyone tried to stay close to Kagome. She knew they were worried that something might happen again, but she needed to talk to Bankotsu. She had been lucky so far that no one had asked him about Sesshomaru's comment.

"Are you tired Kagome? I'll carry you if you want."

"No, I'm okay, but I would like it if we could stop and rest."

No one argue. They all stopped. It was about to be getting dark anyway.

"I'll go get some firewood." Bankotsu said.

"Me too." Kagome said, quickly dragging Bankotsu into the woods before Inuyasha or Shippou couls say anything.

"What's with you? Why are you dragging me like this?"

"You can't tell them."

"Tell them what?"

"About the month thing. Please, Bankotsu, they can't know."

He had known she would ask this of him.

"I think they should know. What if something goes wrong and we can't wish you permenately back on the Shikon Jewel?"

"I didn't want you to do that anyway. That wish is Inuyasha's."

"So, he'll wish you back." He saw the dout on her face. The sadness in her eyes.

"No, he won't. He'll want Kikyo back. He's always wanted Kikyo more than me."

Bankotsu had a huge lump form in his throat. He didn't like seeing her like this.

"That's not true Kagome. Inuyasha loves you. I know it."

"Maybe as a friend. But Kikyo is his true love. His lover. Would you pick your friend who've you've know for a few years or the woman you've been in love with for over fifty years?"

Bankotsu couldn't answer. He didn't want to.

'I'd bring her back before my friends. But does Inuyasha really only want her as a friend?'

Kagome seemed to gather his answer by the expression on his face. "It's okay. I'm used to him choosing her. And I'm not afraid to die. It was nice to be away from the heartbreak for awhile."

"Kagome, if I hurt you in some way would you please tell me?"

"You didn't do anything wrong. And I am glad you brought me back. Everyone needs me to find the shards so we can defeat Naraku."

Bankotsu put his hand on the side of her face and leaned to kiss her, but she pulled out of his grasp. "We can't start something that can never be finished."

She gathered some wood and left him alone. He grabbed some too and joined the group shortly after.

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Sango starred up at the starry sky. She couldn't help but worry about her friends.

'Could me and Miroku finish Naraku on our own?'

She wasn't sure. She wanted to believe they could, but how would they know where to find him without Inuyasha catching his scent? Or how would they find shards without Kagome to detect them? Nothing was certain and she didn't like that. She had never thought of what would happen if she lost all of her friends. Not only would she be devistated but she would also have to figure out a way to defeat Naraku.

"Do you really have to sleep out here? When Inuyasha comes back we'll have to sleep outside more often that we'd like. Don't you want to enjoy the indoors while you can?"

Sango rose to her feet. "You are right. Come one Miroku, let's go back inside."

"R-really?" He had exspected there to be some sort of argument.

"Yes, really. Don't looked so suprised."

"Are you feeling okay?"

"What? Of course I'm feeling okay. I think it's you that has something wrong with them."

"No, it's just that...never mind. Come on, my dear Sango."

Sango smiled and walked beside him into the hut. Once they got everything situated Sango gave Miroku a kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks for everything." She then closed the curtain to seperate them and went to bed. Miroku with a stunned smile on his face did the same.

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'Something we couldn't finish? Does she really think I'll let her die again? I would kill Inuyasha if I had to before I'd let him bring anyone else back. Of course, he thinks she's here again for permenate. Living like everyone else. He probabaly wishes he would have brought Kikyo to Lady Morshio. No, not if he knew the truth.'

"Bankotsu?" He brought himself out of his thoughts. "Are you hungry?" Kagome asked casually.

"No, I'm fine." He didn't mean for it sound so rude but it did. He couldn't help but be angry with her. Inuyasha and Shippou seemed to not notice the way they were looking at each other. Kagome looked angry as did Bankotsu.

"Could I talk to you in private for a moment?" She asked him through gritted teeth.

"I don't see much point in that."

Inuyasha and Shippou jumped to their feet. They could see Kagome getting the look on her face she so often got with Inuyasha in the past.

"We need to...uh,...go, somewhere else other than here." The two of them pratically ran into the forest. They didn't want to get in the line of fire.

"No point?"

"No, you made it clear you didn't want anything to do with me. So what could we possibly have to talk about?"

"I never said I wanted nothing to do with you."

"You might as well have."

"I'd like you to be my friend."

"I'd like that too, but it seems tame after everything we've been through. That women that visited you in your dream told you we were bound. And I doubt that meant as 'just friends'."

"That's not fair. You know the circumstances. I don't want anyone to get hurt."

"Not fair? I'll tell you what's not fair. You not telling Inuyasha and Shippou the truth. And I'm sure you won't tell your other friends either. They deserve to know the truth."

"No, I've hurt them enough. If you tell them...I'll never be able to forgive you."

"I'm not going to tell them. Although, I hope you will decide to. I am leaving after we reach the village where your friends are. You and your friends focus on the shards, I'll get Naraku."

Kagome looked hurt and Bankotsu found he couldn't look at her. That look made him want to apologize even though he had meant everything he said.

"Please, don't get hurt. I'd never forgive myself."

"I can't promise that. If I have to die to defeat Naraku, I will."

"Why? What do you think your death will accomplish?"

"It would accomplish peace. And if I do die, I won't have to be around to see you die again. I've died many times before. My own death doesn't bother me. But yours does."

"I've caused you alot of trouble and pain. Do you wish you could go back?"

"Back to what?"

"Before we met."

"No," he bagan without hesitation, "I do not wish that."

Kagome was about to say something but Shippou and Inuyasha came back into view. Inuyasha jumped into a tree.

Kagome lay with Shippo beside her under that very tree. Sleep didn't come easily. But when it did it was deep and dreamless.

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When Kagome awoke she didn't feel refreshed as she normally would have if she slept like that. She couldn't explain why. She guessed it had something to do with he fact they'd reach the village today and Bankotsu would leave.

'I think I'm destined to be unhappy.'

They gathered up everything they had with them.

"Kagome, I think you should get on Inuyasha's back. I'll carry Shippou we'll get there faster."

That statement stung Kagome, but she didn't want to show it. She wanted to let Bankotsu off easily. Because she had to. Not because she wanted to.

"Yeah, that's a good idea. I can see you're not all stupid." Inuyasha said bending to let Kagome on.

Inuyasha's silver hair tickled her face as it blew back in the wind. Even after everything with Bankotsu this made her feel better. It made it seem that things were normal.

"Kagome, are you laughing?"

She hadn't realized it but she guessed she had.

"Yeah, your hair tickled me."

"Oh, sorry."

"Inuyasha, you don't have to act any different towards me. Unless...well, Id understand it if..."

"If what?"

"If you're mad about Kikyo."

"Feh, I told you I'm not so shut up about it."

Kagome smiled. That was the rude hanyou demon she knew and loved.

They traveled for hours. Kagome wanted to stop, but knew there was no since in it. Even if she did try to buy more time with Bankotsu it wouldn't matter. He would still leave.

When they did finally reach the village it was dark. Kagome thought Sango and Miroku might be sleeping, but there they were at the edge of the village. Both laying in each other's arms looking up at the sky. Inuyasha had barely stopped before Kagome jumped off his back. She ran towards Sango and Miroku. They must have heard her footsteps because they both quickly sat up.

They couldn't see who it was until she was a few feet away. Sango jumped up and hugged Kagome. Miroku got to his feet and did the same.

"Kagome! I can't believe it! We were so worried about you!"

"It is very good to see you Lady Kagome!"

"I'm glad to see both of you too! I missed you guys so much."

The others approached. Shippou joining in on the cheering and hugging.

Inuyasha and Bankotsu both waited.

"Come inside Kagome. I know you must be tired and hungry."

"Yeah, I am." They all went inside the hut.

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The sun had barely risen when Kagome heard someone walking out. She sat up quickly and followed already knowing who it was.

"You weren't going to say goodbye?"

Bankotsu turned around. "I didn't want to wake anyone."

Kagome sighed. She gave him a light hug and whispered in his ear. "I'm sorry I hurt you Bankotsu. And goodbye if I never see you again."

He knew she had started crying. She looked at him one more time with tear streaked cheeks before running back to the hut.

Every voice in his head screamed go after her, but his body wouldn't let him. He didn't want to hurt her. He didn't want to watch her cry. He hated to see her cry. After standing frozen for a few moments he turned and began his journey to Naraku.

'I'll make him pay for this. We could have been together if it wasn't for Naraku. I'll make him pay!'

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A/N: Well, hope you enjoyed it! Review please!!!!!!