Disclaimer- I do not own Inuyasha.
Chapter 16- Kikyo Returns
"Bankotsu, wake up...please I know you can hear me."
Bankotsu's eye lids fluttered. The sky was a pale blue.
"Sankotsu, what happened? How long have I been out?"
"Three days. Naraku stabbed you. Luckily enough he missed all of the major organs."
Bankotsu tried to sit up but Sankotsu pushed him back. "I can't get up?"
"You can but it wouldn't be wise. I am sure it would cause you a great deal of pain."
Bankotsu sighed and didn't try to get back up. "How long before we can find Kagome? Naraku is dead right?"
"Yes, he's dead. And we will not have to find Kagome. Kagome will find us."
"How is that?"
"Look in your hand. I tried to pry it out but after many failed attempts I decided you should keep it."
He lifted his hand to his face and looked at the almost complete Shikon Jewel. "Is she anywhere near us?"
"Yes, once we left the castle I brought you to the path I know Kagome is following. We aren't directly on the path of course I had to hide you just in case I needed to leave and find herbs, but you have the shards. She'll find us much sooner than we could ever hope to find her."
"Yeah, so now we wait?"
"You should get some rest. I think it might be a few days before Kagome gets here can you imagine her reaction if she finds that you can not even move? And we have to tell her the truth about me. It's best that you are up to comfort her."
"Are you worried?"
"About what Kagome will do? No, but I am worried about what her friends will do."
"You didn't think I'd hurt you?"
"No, I didn't."
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No one could believe it. Naraku dead? It seemed almost impossible, but there was no other explanation.
"Inuyasha why are you so angry?"
"I wanted to finish him. Look at all of the trouble he has caused everyone Kagome, I deserved revenge."
"For Kikyo you mean?"
Inuyasha turned to look at her. He had left the group some time ago when they stopped at a river.
"Not just for Kikyo. For everyone. For you." He blushed and turned back around.
"It doesn't matter who killed him. He's dead and that's what matters."
"I know the truth Kagome."
Kagome looked startled. "What are you talking about? The truth about what?"
"About you. I know how long you have to live."
"Inuyasha, I wanted to tell you. I wanted to tell all of you but, how could I? I didn't want to hurt anyone again. I just wanted to finish what we started and then if I died it wouldn't matter."
"Wouldn't matter? Can you hear yourself? Of course it would matter if you died even if the Jewel was gone and Naraku with it!"
"I just wanted to give you Kikyo back. Then, I wouldn't have to feel so bad about everything. I know what she means to you. It's my fault she's dead and I wanted to fix what I did. And now thanks to Bankotsu I'm sure, I can. Now you can wish her back."
"I can't do that. I'm not going to take that wish. I'm going to give it to Bankotsu."
"What!?" He turned around and looked at her again. She had tears coming down her cheeks and now she had an angry expression on her face.
"I'm giving it to Bankotsu. I know he wants you alive. We all want you to be alive, but he thinks he's the only one that knows the truth."
"You can't do that Inuyasha. I won't let you do that. I can't live with myself knowing I killed the woman that you love! I don't want to be alive if I have to watch you everyday thinking about her. The sadness in your eyes. I can't and I won't. If you won't wish for her then I will!" She turned and stormed away.
'It's not your fault Kagome. It's my fault. Kikyo died along time ago. If I could have just let my feelings for her go, you'd be okay.'
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The sun was shinning so brightly he could feel it through his eye lids. He didn't want to open his eyes, but knew he had to.
"Did you sleep well?"
"As well as you can when you've been stabbed."
"You are going to have to sit up. You need food and water."
Bankotsu sat up slowly. The pain was strong, but he was stronger. Once he was up the pain weakened and he was able to sit comfortably.
"I can't imagine what it's going to feel like when I have to keep moving."
"I have water here. I put it inside of this pot I made while you were sleeping. And I have some berries and herbs that you will need to eat."
"You made a pot?"
"Out of clay, yes."
He took the small pot out of her hand and drank all of the water. She handed him the food and then stood up.
"I'll get more water. You eat."
Bankotsu watched her go. He could tell something was wrong with her.
'Maybe it has something to do with Kagome's friends? Or her love. Maybe she knows the end of all of this is about to come.'
She returned a few minutes later and sat the water beside him. They didn't speak as he ate. When he was finished he lay back on his back.
"What's wrong?"
"What?"
"I know there is something that's bugging you."
"No, nothing."
"Come one, I know I haven't known you for very long, but I can tell when something is wrong with you."
"I just wonder if I even deserve to be forgiven. I helped take such an innocent girls life. What kind of person does that? I did it for my own selfish reasons. Kagome will forgive because she has a good heart. Not to say that all of her friends do not, but they are harder to convince. I know Inuyasha will be especially upset."
"Everyone deserves forgiveness. I've killed many more innocent people that you. If I can be forgiven then so can you. And yes, Inuyasha will be upset. But he'll get over it. There are bigger things at hand at the moment."
"You mean the wish?"
"That and we have your lover to worry about. I have a feeling he'll be much more difficult to get rid of."
"Yes, he will. I will not deny that."
"Don't worry we'll beat him. This time it won't just be me."
"Yes, everyone will be able contribute."
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Worry lined her face. She couldn't make eyes contact for fear of crying.
'What if he didn't make it? What if Bankotsu is dead?'
She wished she would have let him kiss her. At least she'd be able to remember the way his lips felt on hers. She needed something to hold onto, but all that she had was the look on his face when she wouldn't kiss him. She had hurt him. Why? If he was dead then what could it have hurt?
"Kagome?"
Kagome turned her head a little to the right to see Inuyasha standing there.
"I'm sorry about yesterday."
"It's fine."
"You don't mean that."
"I'm not upset with you, but I meant what I said. That wish is to bring Kikyo back. I don't care who gives the wish. But that's what will happen."
"O-okay, I'll do it. I'll wish for her to come back."
"You're lying."
"I promise."
"There is a small spell that I learned,uh, while I was gone. It makes it so a promise can not be broken. Whoever breaks it the person dies. Will you do that with me?"
"Kagome, I-"
"I knew that you didn't mean it."
"Fine, but I want to wish for both of you. Maybe it will work."
"Kikyo first."
"Fine."
"Okay grab my hand." He went over and did as she said. She whispered a few words in a language he couldn't understand and then she pulled her hand back.
"That's it?"
"Yeah, that's it."
"What else is bothering you?"
"Bankotsu."
"That bastard? I mean, uh, what's bothering you about him?"
Kagome smiled. Inuyasha was trying to be understanding and helpful and it humored her. "I just hope he's alive is all."
"He is."
"How do you know?"
"I'm the only one strong enough to get rid of that bastard. Believe me if he dies again it'll be of old age or because I murdered him."
Kagome giggled. "We should get going. We need to find him. He might have the rest of the Jewel."
"Okay, let's get going then."
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"They are coming."
Bankotsu was asleep but somehow heard what she said. He quickly sat up ignoring his pain. "They are coming?"
"Yes, they are coming."
"Finally. You ready?"
"Yes, I'm ready."
They waited in silence. Bankotsu heard voices. Then he saw her. She came through the bushes and looked down at him. The rest of the group quickly followed her.
"Bankotsu, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I got a little scratch but I'll be okay."
She walked over to him and bent down. She saw the bandages that had been made out of his clothing. She lifted them up and gasped. "A scratch? You call that a scratch?"
"Don't worry he will make a full recovery."
Kagome looked to Bankotsu's side. She hadn't noticed anyone else and apparently no one else had either.
"Sankotsu?"
"Yes, it's me."
"Who the hell are you? You better get to explaining quickly or else your dead."
"Don't worry Inuyasha I will explain."
"How do you know my name?"
"There is much to tell. All of you should probably take a seat. Kagome, it is time that you knew the truth."
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When Sankotsu was done Inuyasha jumped to his feet and grabbed Tetsaiga.
"You stupid bitch I will kill you!"
"Wait Inuyasha."
"Wait? I'd think that you of all people would want her dead! I can't believe you've actually been helping her!"
"We need her. And she needs us. She deserved a second chance."
They fell into silence and looked at Kagome who hadn't said anything.
Sankotsu grabbed one of her hands tears were welling up in her eyes. "I am so sorry Kagome. I would take it all back if I could, but it is done. Now I just want to fix it."
Kagome looked at her. "It's okay, I forgive you. I understand how you feel."
"You forgive her? Why would you do that?" Sango yelled.
"I don't expect any of you to understand. But I trust her. If she says she regrets it then she does. Look at all of those people I killed. You forgave me, right?"
"That's different."
"No, it's not. She wasn't even the one that killed me. There are other things to worry about now. I forgive her and I hope all of you will."
"Thank you Kagome."
"Oh, here." Bankotsu handed over the almost complete Jewel. Kagome grabbed all of the shards she had and they all formed together to make the complete Shikon no Tama.
Kagome handed it to Inuyasha. "Okay, everyone get in a circle. Inuyasha you in the center. Everyone grab hands. Then make the wish."
They all did as Sankotsu said. Inuyasha looked at the Jewel and then Kagome. He'd have to do as he promised but he didn't want to.
He closed his eyes.
'I wish for Kikyo to be brought back to the land of the living and Kagome to be brought back as long as her normal life span would be.'
A pink glow emmited from the Jewel and Moridoko's spirit came to stand in front of them.
"I can grant you Kikyo, but Kagome you can not be brought back by the Jewel. Do not worry there is another way. Sankotsu knows of what I speak. Now I bring you what you wish and I take the Shikon no Tama and my spirit to it's final resting place."
Her spirit rose into the air and disappeared. Then a small white glow came down to them. When the glow was gone they saw themselves looking at Inuyasha's love.
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