"It's best to not worry about them." Bankotsu groaned, having been awakened by Jakotsu, "If they've died, there's nothing we can do." This answer seemed less than pleasing to the other male, whose facial features formed something of a pouting gaze. A look the leader could only smirk at, "Besides.." He whispered, wrapping an arm around the male's shoulders, grinning and getting rather close to his face, "It leave more shards for everyone else, eh?" It was hard to argue with that, but the other two were busy stuffing their faces with food Kagura had brought them earlier.

Just getting a whiff, Bankotsu jumped to his feet, "Why didn't anyone tell me there was food?" Jakotsu scoffed, hitting the man in the leg before folding his arms over his chest, upset at losing his pillow, as he'd been cuddled up with Bankotsu until then.

While all of this was going on, in another room, Sesshomaru slowly awakened, his eyes taking a moment to focus as the noise flooded his ears. Rin was no longer in his arms, and Jaken was still in sight. Where had the little girl gone? Feeling his blood stilling in his body, the lord was to his feet faster than human eyes could register, and out of the door just in time to catch Naraku, grabbing him and glaring into those red eyes, "Where is she?" The spider seemed a bit surprised, but he merely touched Sesshomaru's hand, letting out a slow breath, "I have not touched her, I assure you." Certainly, he did not expect the lord to believe such nonsense. However, the little girl's scent caught up with him, and the dog let the dark haired male go, darting outside before another word could be said.

There was a smile on the girls face as she caught sight of the dog, having been on her way back inside, "My lord! Look what I-" Golden eyes caught her small figure, and, before she could finish her sentence or even blink, the lord had her up in his arms, holding her tightly to his chest as his red-tinted gaze scanned over the area, making sure there was nothing around to harm his Rin. But.. There was nothing. No one.. After regaining himself, Sesshomaru loosened his grip, his breathing slowly returning back to normal as Rin pushed against his chest to look up at him, "Lord Sesshomaru, I- ..." Her big brown eyes fell to the wilted, partially crushed flower in her tiny fingers, and she sighed in disappointment. Feeling oddly.. Bad about it, he accepted the small plant as he sat down against a tree with her, "It was more beautiful before.." With her eyes, she was accusing the dog for the murder of her flower, but it would seem he was paying no attention. His eyes were empty as his chest, and his lips were slightly parted, building a concerned feeling in the little girls stomach, "My lord..?" There was no reply, and she pursed her lips, taking hold of the destroyed flower he held so loosely, and tucking some hair behind the demon's ear, before slipping the flower behind as well. Her childish face was graced with a beautiful smile, and she clapped her hands together, "There! Even more beautiful than before!" Any other time, Sesshomaru would have simply ignored her childish speak, yet.. he couldn't bring himself to just brush it off. There was something off about him, certainly, being that he didn't move to take the flower out of his hair. "Rin," Their eyes met for a long, quiet moment, before Sesshomaru looked away, "Do not wander again." Her safety had been compromised. He couldn't trust anyone if she were out of his sight for even an instant.

Red eyes focused on the pair sitting by the tree for a moment longer, before Naraku slid the door open to the Band's room. Inside, Bankotsu was eating with the other three, laughing just as they caught sight of Naraku, "Good morning." Each of them watched the man intently, before nodding at him. Bankotsu swallowed his mouthful of food, then stood to face the taller man, "What is it? Have you heard from the others?" It seemed their confrontation from last night didn't completely ruin whatever relationship it was that they had. After all.. He wanted power enough to not turn his back on the spider, "Unfortunately, I've heard nothing. However.. I haven't come for that."

The man instantly had everyone's attention, Jakotsu rising from the floor to stand behind his beloved, curious as all of them were. Naraku reached into his sleeve, pulling out a rather large chunk of the jewel. At least bigger than they'd seen before then, "Bankotsu.." The spider's voice was soft, and his eyes were focused on the fragment, "The one called Inuyasha.. He poses a threat to me." The leader narrowed his eyes, looking from the jewel to the red eyed male. One could tell he wanted to ask what this had to do with him, but it was obvious he already had an idea, "I'd like you to.. Dispose of him." The fragment he held out wasn't all he had, but it was all the members needed to know he possessed, "I give this to you, and I shall allow you to keep the shards you find with the half-breed, upon ending his life. Also.." now having their interest, he looked to the leader, his features nothing if not serious, "If you do bring down he and his group.. You and your little friends.. Are free." A pointed gaze around the room, to each of the remaining members, and his and the leader's eyes met once more. Jakotsu's own eyes brightened at the prospect, and he clung to Bankotsu's arm, unable to keep from being excited. The man who he clung to only smirked, watching the spider for a long moment.

"Just kill some half-breed and earn power and freedom, you say?" Taking the jewel he'd been offered, he glanced over to his comrades, "We'll do it." Naraku's lips turned up at the corners, a dark grin gracing his face, "Excellent." Of course.. He would keep an eye on them through Kanna's mirror, just to see if Inuyasha's demise was certain, "I shall leave you to it, then."

When the spider was gone, Bankotsu clutched the jewel in his hand, turning to face what remained of his men, "Do you hear that? Get ready. We have a battle to get started." Jakotsu slid away from Bankotsu, ready to grab his weapon and accompany his lover and brothers into battle, only to be stopped by the leader himself. The soft touch to his shoulder made him swing around, looking into those eyes, "Jakotsu.. You're going to stay here, to make sure that Naraku doesn't pull anything funny." Immediately, it was clear this was less than what the male wanted. He stuck out his bottom lip, and he glared at Bankotsu, swatting his hand away, "Why is it that I'm always stuck babysitting? I want some of the action as well! This isn't fair!" Bankotsu rolled his eyes, tugging Jakotsu by the door, and leaning to whisper in his ear, "I trust you over all. Without Renkotsu around.. I need someone here, to keep an eye out for me. Someone who I know won't lie. Someone devoted. Please, Jakotsu, don't fight me on this? Stay behind."

In that moment, it was only them. The more feminine male's frown was still noticeable on his face, but he didn't speak at first. What was he supposed to say? Yes, he wanted to go. Yes, he wanted a taste of the action. But.. He.. Would do as asked of him, in the end. Bowing out, he went to the other side of the room, leaving Bankotsu to stare after him, feeling as if he'd crushed Jakotsu's spirits. Even so, the male was listening, and it was this devotion he loved him for, "Men," Looking to the other two, Kyokotsu and Ginkotsu, he held out the jewel, "As the leader, I shall absorb this portion of the jewel. However, I shall protect you with my life." He swore, watching as they stood, dusting themselves off. The looks on their faces were less than pleased, but they said nothing out loud, "And.. You both may split the shards we gather from this.. Inuyasha." At the mention of this, they both grinned, and, with one last look back to Jakotsu, Bankotsu led the others out after grabbing Banryu, prepared for battle. With luck.. Perhaps they would find out what happened to their brethren, who'd gone to fight this same half-breed..

Still sitting outside, as they emerged, was Sesshomaru, who gazed up at the for a moment, mainly at Bankotsu, whom was greeted with one of the iciest glares he'd swear he'd ever seen cross someone's face. There was a smart remark on the tip of his tongue, but he just turned away sharply and led his men off. Away from the demon, and through the thick wooded forest. From there, it was a little tracking, and a bit of annoyance, but it would seem the dog did their job for them. Decked in red, from shoulder to ankle, Inuyasha raced through the trees, having caught their scent a mile away. He was determined to figure out just what had gone on with the last meeting from the ones who shared this scent. They'd managed to kill one.. The one of the remaining two had killed the other, before making off with their shards! What could all of that have been about? "Hey! Stop where you are!" He called out, stopping quickly before them, and drawing his sword as he finished his sentence. The gang was quick behind him, all atop Kirara. The two larger men following behind Bankotsu seemed a bit surprised, but the leader himself only narrowed his eyes a bit, looking the half-breed over with an intense stare. That amber gaze.. He and Sesshomaru shared great similarities.. "You are the half demon, Inuyasha, correct?" Bankotsu asked, shifting to hold Banryu out to the side intimidatingly. The dog-eared male bared his fangs a bit, gripping tightly to his blade, "Depends on who's asking."

"They're the same as the others, Inuyasha! They've got jewel shards! A lot of them!" He didn't even have to look back to Kagome as she spoke, he just snarled. It was as if she thought he was completely dense! If there were one thing he could handle, it was this. "I am Bankotsu, leader of the Band of Seven," The raven haired male. Of course, after speaking, he got nothing but a stare. There was no real change in Inuyasha's facial features, as if either this news meant nothing to him, or he had no idea what organization Bankotsu was talking about. At the very least, by what the girl had said only moments ago about them, the half demon would understand the three others they'd seemed to have met were of some connection to the men in front of him. "I don't care who you are." The white haired half breed scoffed, a smirk turning his lips as he held his sword at the ready, "Only thing I care about are jewel shards, and, if your little friends had them.. Then you must too!" As he finished his sentence, Inuyasha ran forward, and jumped into the air, holding his sword above his head and bringing it down to strike Bankotsu, who lifted Banryu, and merely forced his rival back, leaping after him immediately, to commence their battle.

It had been a good long while since Sesshomaru had watched that wretched man leave. The sun was already hanging low in the sky, Rin had been sent inside to eat with Jaken, and the lord himself had yet to move, staring off into the endlessness of the sky, goosebumps running up and down his pale arms under his sleeves. It wasn't because of the cold, but because of that feeling from the night before. It was back, settling itself inside his stomach, and making his breathing uneven, though the feeling wasn't nearly as bad as before. Even if it were, he wouldn't dare seek out Naraku to end it as he had. He would simply ignore it until he no longer burned in such a foreign way. "..I don't mean to disturb you." How had Sesshomaru not noticed him before? There was something so off about his body lately, and he felt as if he'd lost himself somewhere along the lines. It was that feminine male, who that cretin had been hanging all over, Jakotsu, who'd been watching him for some time. There was something very drawing about the lord. It wasn't that he was simply enticing because he was attractive. Not because of the way that beautiful white hair framed his face, or the calm expression on his face, nor was it those beautiful, fiery eyes. Where it could have been any and all of these things, it was.. His scent, and his body language. Jakotsu had been unable to stop staring once he caught sight of him outside, with that little girl of his. Was she his? She surely didn't seem demon, as he was. When she'd been sent in, Jakotsu actually made his way outside, his eyes glued to the dog. There was something about him that had Bankotsu's little lover completely drawn, and he couldn't pull away, "What is it you need from me?" Sesshomaru's cold eyes narrowed a bit, his nose crinkling in disgust for a reason Jakotsu would never be able to figure out on his own. He hadn't even noticed he'd been staring this entire time, and it was a bit embarrassing to be caught, "I couldn't help noticing you've been sitting out here all alone for some time. I thought I could offer you company."

There was a response on the demon's tongue. Of course this undead being would never do as company for a man such as himself, but those words died in his throat, as the scent the other carried continued to drown his senses, forcing him to turn away, closing his eyes without an utterance. The feminine male took this as positive, and invited himself closer to the lord, sitting only when there was no real response, "Is everything.. Alright?" He asked softly, folding his legs, and placing both hands in his lap. He couldn't help but notice there was a flower in the lord's hair, and his features brightened considerably at this find. Still, there were no words from the demon. He wasn't going to answer such a silly question, or any others for that matter. He wanted Jakotsu to leave.. This smell.. He smelled just like Naraku, and it was driving him wild. He could feel his skin heating up. It was almost worse than the night before, not only because of these strange feelings, but because of the memories he had, and how they made him react while feeling such a way. His pale lips parted softly, and Sesshomaru let out a slow breath, trying to keep his usual composure. That is.. Until he sensed his unwelcome guest getting closer. Within an instant, he snapped back toward the male, grabbing his wrist tightly, noticing he'd only been reaching out to him, perhaps trying to get his attention. There was obvious fear in those eyes, unlike there would have been in Naraku's, which lowered the dog's hostile front. After a moment of an exchanged gaze, he finally let go, watching as Jakotsu pulled back, a small and cautious smile finding his pretty lips, "That's.. A very lovely flower you have."

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed a bit, and he reached up into his hair, plucking the little plant from strands of white. He studied it only a moment before an obvious change came over him; his lips were no longer drawn in a hard line, his eyes seemed less cruel than Jakotsu had ever seen, and his features, as a whole, softened, leaving the feminine male breathless. He wanted that expression all to himself, to have those eyes on him, and those arms around him.. Before he knew it, he was leaning closer, his hand on Sesshomaru's leg. The dog didn't turn to look at him right away, though he wanted to slap the other away, and tear him limb from limb for thinking himself worthy of being so close to him, "What are your intentions with me?" The question would have caught anyone by surprise, especially because there was no venom in the demon's voice when he asked. It was as if he were simply curious, or already knew, and was passive. Why would that be? Just last night, he'd been so apprehensive. When their eyes did meet, and Jakotsu saw the want hiding deep in that molten gaze, a smirk found his lips. He had no idea it was completely against Sesshomaru's will, and he would become aggressive at the first sign of something that he didn't want to like, just as he'd done with Naraku. Only.. the spider had been able to handle the lord just fine, somehow knowing just how to keep his body wanting more, his mind too fuzzy to keep himself from submitting in any form. It was the scent of that man on Jakotsu that was drawing Sesshomaru in, and the anger he wanted so badly to lash out with was buried deep inside himself. Little did either of them know, a narrowed pair of red eyes caught every movement, teeth bared angrily as Jakotsu moved even closer to his mated, moving hair out of his face and getting dangerously close to kissing him. Why wasn't Sesshomaru attacking him as he had attacked the spider?

In the time that had passed, both of the comrades Bankotsu had brought with him had fallen, the jewel shards having been shot from their bodies, and leaving them to rot into bone, and that bone to turn to dust. The shards still lay on the ground, and Kagome had taken aim at Bankotsu, hitting his weapon a time or two, and scathing him as well. She was meddlesome, yet every time he went right after her, he was face to face with a very angry half breed. Not that he was a challenge in the slightest.. However, around the woman, and the others, he seemed oddly protective. Even when all seemed lost- blood staining his clothing, all of his brothers but one dead- there was no way he was going to stop here. he had too much to lose. "What are you waiting for? Make a move!" Inuyasha bellowed, gasping for breath. Oh, of course the red-garbed cretin had his share of injuries. Bankotsu and his brothers were no easy kill when human, and it was certainly more of a challenge with as much of the jewel as he'd absorbed, "Insolent puppy. You're as damaged as I am. Without your little woman to protect you, you'd never have killed my brothers, and there's no way you'll kill me!"

Inuyasha growled, and ran at the leader, who wasn't even sure he could hold his blade high and fight back. Truthfully, he was more tired than he let on, and his body was ready to accept death. Before it came, though, the half breed stopped in his tracks, covering his face, and backing up a bit. Bankotsu didn't understand, but he was pulled back just as an explosion went off between he and his rival. What on earth was going on..? His eyes met with the one's who had grabbed him, and he stared in disbelief, "Renkotsu, where have you been?" The bald male didn't say anything in return, and his expression didn't change. Instead, he looked Bankotsu over quickly, then glanced to where the grass had darkened a bit, marking where his brothers had fallen. Before he could move to take their jewels, Inuyasha came barreling through the smoke at them, Bankotsu holding up Banryu, and thrusting Inuyasha back long enough for Renkotsu to hit him with another explosive, which sent the half demon flying backward, dropping his own sword, and landing on the ground, gasping for breath, "You need medical attention. Come. Gather their jewels, and let's get out of here. I'll explain everything on the way." The leader snarled at his partner, glaring darkly, "I came to finish something. They have killed our brothers, Renkotsu!" The taller male sighed a bit, keeping his eyes on Inuyasha and his friends. The girl, oddly dressed, from earlier, looked upon him for a moment, screaming a question he couldn't understand, and Sango, riding her hell cat, held her weapon high above her head, "We shall get our revenge, but not right now! You have to listen to me!" Then, quick as he could, Renkotsu threw powder out before he and Bankotsu, watching each little explosion from the grains small as salt. A smoke covered them, leaving Sango blind, and, before Miruko could think to use his wind tunnel to clear the smoke, the newcomer ran and gathered each jewel before grabbing Bankotsu and dragging him away.

It was getting colder outside, and it didn't seem that Inuyasha's group was following after them. Bankotsu could now feel the pain coursing through his body, every cut, and bruise. He had failed in his mission, but all he could think about was getting back to Jakotsu, and sleeping this off. Once he was well again.. He and Jakotsu could leave this place, and start anew elsewhere. With the loss of all those close to him, there was no way he could go against Inuyasha, and that wretched woman. not yet. He'd have to get more of the jewel for himself, and then.. Then he could get his revenge. But trying to get them from Naraku wouldn't work until he was strong enough to kill him for them. He didn't like doing his dirty work, not when nothing came but bloodshed from his group, "Renkotsu.. You said you would explain. Start doing so." He was no longer even walking by himself. One arm was around his brother's shoulders, the other male holding him up, as his injuries were rather great. With every step, he flinched, his breathing heavy and his lips quivering. "I have been away." Renkotsu began, scanning over the trees, as darkness began to fall around them, "That half breed killed Mukotsu, and Suikotsu. He killed all of our brothers, and I was only watching over him, trying to find his weakness. When we found him.. He was a human, and still, with all his friends, we could not beat him. I'm sorry that I did not turn up sooner." The dark haired male was deep in thought, gripping tightly to his companion as he limped beside him through the forest. He wouldn't question the man just yet. Not until he was better.. Then he would confront him- Quickly, they both stopped, Renkotsu looking around with narrowed eyes for a moment. He could sense something.. "Is something wrong?" Their eyes met, and Renkotsu shook his head, beginning to walk again, "I thought I heard something."

It was a long and quiet walk back, from there. Naraku's castle had been in sight for some time now, and the barrier was down. It seemed the man knew they were coming. Because of how close they were getting, Bankotsu could feel his heartbeat quicken in anticipation of a warm embrace, and a good night's sleep. As they neared the edge of the trees, Renkotsu slowed down, allowing his brother to slip away, as he didn't want to seem weak upon seeing his beloved once again. "He's probably waiting. Let's go." The raven haired man waved for his companion to follow, and poked his head out of thr trees, just in time to catch sight of Naraku, his hand wrapped around Jakotsu's throat, and an all too evil glow in his eyes. Sesshomaru was nowhere to be seen, and Bankotsu could only watch in horror as his beloved was ripped to pieces before his eyes. For what? Another- his most precious.. The man's eyes began to burn, as his features twisted into that of hatred, anger, and pain, "NO!" He screamed, running from where he'd been standing, holding Banryu out, ready to slice the man to ribbons for what he'd done. The pain from earlier was drowned in the pain of loss, and adrenaline, "You BASTARD! You will PAY!" That evil, red gaze turned on him, and he caught the man's weapon with his tentacles. His anger was not toward Bankotsu, but it still had not dulled from killing the man's lover. How dare anyone touch Sesshomaru other than himself? "You are a fool!" The spider hissed, just as Bankotsu began to tap into the jewel's power, using it to surround himself in acid for a brief enough moment to get those nasty appendages off of him. Racing for Banryu, he began to swing violently, cutting off what pieces of the other's body he came in contact with. He was blinded by his emotions, and the miasma Naraku emitted, but he kept swinging, screaming in rage as the spider got a hold of him once again, constricting tightly, so Bankotsu could no longer breathe. Still, Banryu was in his hand, and he thrust forward, piercing Naraku through the middle.

The man growled, dropping Bankotsu, and reverting to his more human appearance. He would have moved to strike, countering the attack the other man was moving to make, but, fast as lightning, a white streak flowed through his line of sight, and Bankotsu dropped, becoming dust, like his brothers before him. Sesshomaru stood before Naraku, the large jewel fragment in hand, his fingers bloody, and his eyes filled with anger. There was a long silence that followed, the wind blowing cold against their skin, and through the lord's long hair. Without so much as looking at the spider, Sesshomaru dropped the bloody jewel, and headed inside. This left Naraku completely speechless. The lord had.. Saved his life? Why? Sesshomaru passed Jaken, who had seen the whole thing, and was now very curious. What on earth had just transpired? Why would his lord protect the vermin who held him here? It had to be because of the heart which he still held.. If Naraku died.. So did Sesshomaru.

From in the shadows of the trees, Renkotsu smirked. He was disappointed, being that he hadn't gotten the jewel shards he'd been after. However.. He still had the ones from the fallen of today, and that was more than he'd had earlier. Oh, what to do now? He was the only one left, and had a nasty thirst for power he'd never wanted to share with his brethren anyway. As he chuckled darkly, clenching the fragments in his grip, he felt a hand on his shoulder, but did not jump in response. He merely closed his eyes, the smile still in place on his lips, "You are lucky Bankotsu was injured.. Or he might have noticed you earlier, like I did." Renkotsu turned to face the creature, extending his hand, "Here is your share of the bounty.. Kagemaru." The evil incarnation grinned, his sharp fangs protruding from behind his lips. With a white, oddly shaped hand, he took the fragments and swallowed them, licking his lips as if savoring the flavor of victory, "You are proving yourself to be very useful.." And, in a plume of smoke, they were gone.