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"It's about time!" a voice shouted. "I'm sick of waiting in this awful place!"

I woke to a loud crashing sound.

I cried out in shock, curling up into a ball as a bunch of wooden planks fell on top of me.

I half expected Bankotsu to come after me.

I heard him leave the building, and knew his opponent had shown up.

Thinking quickly, I rose up out of the debris, and peeked out.

The hanyou boy that Jakotsu wanted so badly was outside.

After a little bit of talking, Bankotsu went at him.

Good. He's distracted.

I picked up my swords, just in case, and started out.

I had to move slowly. Distracted or not, Bankotsu was sure to notice any kind of hurried movement.

Easing each step into the flowers, I made it just past the shrine... when someone jumped up in front of me.

I cried out in absolute terror, and put my arms out in front of me to push them away.

The person before me took hold of my wrists, and pulled me forward to meet his eye.

A very... passionate-looking monk was standing in front of me, holding my hands, and staring at me like he was trying to hold my attention with only his eyes.

He couldn't very well be a monk, the way he was looking at me. But, his clothing is that of a monk's robes.

"Oi! Brat!" someone yelled at me.

I jumped, knowing the voice, and ducked my head down, as though that would've helped.

"What're you doing?" Bankotsu kept yelling at me. "I'm busy right now! If you just have to be out, yer gonna have to fight for yourself!"

I looked over at him as he turned back to his battle.

He's not suspicious of me at all? Does he trust me that much?

"You're with Bankotsu?" The monk in front of me exclaimed.

I jerked my attention back to him, and glared at his stupid bewildered expression.

In one swift, some-what shocking movement, I slid my hands out of his grip, and whipped out my swords.

"I don't want to fight." I said. "However, if I must...!"

I went at the monk, fighting for my chance to get out alive.

He defended with his staff, making no real attempt to return my attacks.

I landed small blows, putting shallow cuts in his arms, and one across his chest.

His defense was all too good for me to get my stronger attacks through, though. Or... was it?

I took a deep breath, knowing this was a very risky move. But, perhaps, if I thought this out just enough, I could get away with it.

I took one more swing as I crouched to the ground, my heart speeding with fear, and uncertainty.

My heart racing caused my muscles to tense up, and feel weak.

Despite that weak feeling, I forced all my power into my legs, and jumped up as high as I could.

Being in the air was scary. I almost panicked.

But, watching the monk go by beneath me, I felt a certain thrill.

This was exciting. My brother'd never managed a jump like this. And to think that I was doing this... it was amazing.

I landed behind the monk, and pointed my swords at his back.

"Don't move!" I said. "If you so much as flinch, I'll run you through!"

"Brat! Get out of there!" Bankotsu roared.

I looked around. I saw no danger of any form. But, I didn't see him either.

Thunder boomed above, and I looked up.

Bankotsu was in the sky, clouds gathering just above him, sparking here and there, lighting up his face.

I felt a tingle in my neck, and somehow knew this was the power of his jewel shards.

Without another thought, I ran for the beaten up shrine, and ducked inside as I heard Bankotsu shout: "Ryuuraisen!"

I screamed in shock and terror as I began hearing explosions outside.

I could hear stones hitting the walls of the shrine, and see burnt dirt flying in through the door.

People were screaming in pain and fear outside.

Was Bankotsu the culprit? Was he creating these explosions? If he was capable of this...

All of a sudden, something smashed through the ceiling, and crashed to the floor, sending debris flying everywhere.

I quickly crouched down, putting my face in my knees to protect myself.

I stayed right there, shaking in horror as I waited for all this to end.

Soon, everything just fell silent, but for the ringing in my ears.

My body was shaking with fear. I couldn't find it in me to still my body as I looked to the door.

I couldn't see anything, but, I heard a 'thud' sound outside.

"Hey! Brat! Ya still alive in there?" I heard Bankotsu call out.

My trembling became even harder to stop. I didn't want to look at him. I didn't want him to see me.

But... if I didn't look... he was going to get curious and come after me.

I eased myself to my feet, and inched over toward the door.

I could see the damage he'd done to the island. There were many burn marks in the ground, and everyone'd been thrown around, and injured. This would be Bankotsu's style... perhaps he did do this...

"I-I'm a-alright!" I stuttered, just loud enough to be heard.

Bankotsu smirked slightly, and his face lightened, as though a grim aura just left his general area.

"Good! Go ahead and get started on lunch." He said. "I'm just about done here!"

I gave a slight nod, and he turned away.

With that, I began easing my way back out of the shrine, and toward the lake shore.

As I was walking, I could hear Bankotsu talking to his opponent. His voice was just short of a grunt. Was his opponent that strong? Was Bankotsu having trouble with him?

I stopped, and looked back. His opponent had his sword up, with a strange aura whirling around it. A dangerous aura.

Bankotsu's right arm was all bone from an attack he'd taken while I wasn't looking. He would have trouble wielding Banryuu now...

My whole body grew tense, and my heart beat faster. Memories of Bankotsu teaching me about 'real' life, and combat began racing through my mind... and suddenly the thought of his death was completely unbearable.

InuYasha began moving in for an attack.

I gasped in horror, and began running back, pulling out my swords.

He was moving much too fast. I'd never reach Bankotsu in time.

Even knowing this, I ran. I couldn't stop myself. I had to try to save him.

The dirt was beginning to stir with InuYasha's attack, and some of it touched my eyes, causing me to close them.

Not sure if I'd gotten to him yet, I whipped my swords forward, hoping I hit InuYasha.

I heard a loud squealing noise as my swords tore through air.

I opened my eyes just in time to see a large trail of light cut in front of InuYasha, stopping him in his tracks.

I looked at my swords. A thin smoke was rising off of them, and the blades were glowing with heat.

I'd done that?

"Oh, no you don't!" InuYasha roared.

I looked up as InuYasha slammed his sword down on a barrier, right over Bankotsu.

Inside that barrier, Bankotsu was staring at me in surprise, and curiosity.

I would only be able to stare back for so long, though.

Slowly, his image was becoming more transparent.

My mother'd tried to tell me stories about something like this. People began to fade away like this when they were about to disappear forever according to her.

I shook my head, and ran after him.

The barrier stopped me from getting to him, and I could only watch as he faded out of my sight.

The barrier fell when Bankotsu was gone. My arms fell to my sides.

Every part of my body wanted to move at once, but, I knew nothing would do any good. There was nothing I could do... Bankotsu was gone... somehow, I was upset... even knowing that he would kill me... this was his fault!

"BAKA!" I shrieked. "HOW COULD YOU! I WAS PERFECTLY FINE HATING YOU! WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO ME?"

Tears poured from my eyes, as I turned to InuYasha.

He was the one who killed him...

Somehow, I wasn't scared of him… at all…

As a matter of fact...

I raised my swords at him, feeling my blood beginning to boil as it ran through my veins.

"You... You won't live to see night fall!" I said.

He looked at me with the stupidest look on his face. I never thought I'd find someone who looked stupider than Bankotsu.

I went at him.

InuYasha put away his sword, and caught both of mine in his hands.

I glared up at him, twisting my swords, and cutting into his hands.

He winced slightly. "Chill out for a sec, will ya?" He snapped.

Behaving like him... how dare he...

I shrieked with everything I had, feeling my swords quiver with the sound.

He stumbled back, releasing my swords.

Once my breath gave out, I went at him, and slashed an 'X' into his chest.

He let out a grunt of pain, taking one of my swords, and snapping it with one hand.

I froze, shocked at his power.

"Now, listen." InuYasha said. "I don't know why you're so upset about him being gone, but, he ain't dead."

This caught my attention, and I looked up at him.

"Somebody sent him somewhere else." InuYasha said. "He's probably fine, where ever he went."

All the pain in my body melted away as the words sunk in.

Now, all I had to worry about was staying away from him. As long as he was alive... I would be at peace...

I allowed myself a breath. "I see." I said. "In that case, I'll be off."

I started toward the lake shore.

"Oi!" InuYasha called after me. "What're you to Bankotsu?"

That question felt like a slap in my face.

I stopped, and lowered my head to think.

Bankotsu seemed to hate me for the most part... and then I started working harder... and after I saved that village... his attitude toward me had changed...

I slowly turned back to look at InuYasha.

"I was... a comrade." I said. "Now... I'm a target."

With that said I turned back and ran for the boat on the shore.

I hopped in, and very carefully eased myself off the island.

What had I been to Bankotsu?

The question lingered in my mind... I only told InuYasha how I felt about Bankotsu... I couldn't really be sure about his feelings...

"What am I to him?" I asked aloud, as I began floating up to the shore.

I thought back on all the time we'd been together, and how he'd always gotten me angry just so that he could laugh at me.

"I'm just a toy to him." I said. "He thinks I'm here just for his amusement... no more of that."

I climbed out of the boat, and started off into the trees.

I had an idea of where to go to get back to the village. Maybe... but, without Keisuke, would they let me come back?

My hopes were dampened, as I advanced deeper into the forest.

Fears set in as I began encountering youkai, and having to fight them off myself.

For I knew... no matter what... as long as I lived with this shard, my life was going to be just like this... forever...

Baka - Idiot.

Geez... It took a whole week to write this thing. I hope it's good. Please, review!