A/N: I am working on "In Love"...I know I've been slow but I want it to be good. I don't want to post something that isn't 'good enough' and I doubt anyone else would like that either. Thank you very much for being patient with me. It's still a rough time for me, and the effect of it is much harder than I had anticipated. I hope you'll enjoy this chapter of this story. Happy reading! Of course thanks to my beta Nekomimimode for her hard work as well, even though she's extremely busy with her life. Thanks!
The Truth of It.
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(Timeline: Earlier that day, before Naraku's wedding.)
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"Bye Souta! See ya tomorrow!" Souta's friend Rin called out loud as she waved excitedly after the teenager running down the steps.
"Alright Rin, I'll see you then!" he called back as he made his way past the school gates and headed toward his home. It had been a long day of school, and then he had Baseball practice, not to mention the tutoring he needed from Rin for the Pre-cal test tomorrow.
Eager to get home and take a break, Souta's steps picked up as the sky suddenly turned reddish-purple in an instant he thought it to be weird as a wind rustled by him. Stopping to throw on his hoody, Souta was reminded of his sister as the colors of the setting sun turned to an almost a lavender shade.
I wonder how she's doing? I hope everything is okay with her. Souta wondered staring briefly at the sky. Man, I sure do miss her though. She could really help, grill me for the test tomorrow...God, it's been three years since I last saw her...
FLASHBACK
They were all in shock and despair when the wind finally stopped howling and the air cleared. He watched as the stranger held his sister in his arms and then telling his family that she will be okay and he promised them, with such sincerity in his eyes, that he would take great care of her.
Souta watched his parents bowed their heads in despair and helplessness. For whatever reason, they all seemed so at ease with the stranger and trusted him completely. Nothing was beyond belief anymore after the incident that they had just gone through so even though the thought of magical manipulation crossed his mind, Souta knew he was a good instinctive person. Even if he was just a young boy, he felt that, no matter what his sister would be okay with this stranger.
So he let the man carried his sister away without a fight.
They all cried for their loss but resolved to the fact that at least this way, they didn't really loose her and if the Gods were kind, they will get a chance to see her later on in life. It was this hope that kept them moving on, and they knew that they needed and should be happy living their life. It was what Kagome would have wanted.
The day after Kagome had lost her control, a few men showed up at their home and offered to rebuild and fix what had been damaged in the destruction. They introduced themselves as men who worked for a man named "Bankotsu" and that he would be the destined one to take care of Kagome from now on. Once again, the family could only nod their acceptance of what the fates had planned for Kagome.
And so weeks that followed, these men of Bankotsu helped them rebuild their lives, and they stayed in their lives as they came and went and not too long after that they received a letter in Kagome's handwriting. She wrote them that she missed them, loved them, and confirmed to them that she was safe and okay all thanks to Bankotsu. She had called him her 'angel' in her letter and thought to be so 'Blessed' to have him in her life. Kagome acknowledged that there was little that she knew about him, but there was something about him that she trusted completely. She also shared the same hope that there would be a way for them to be together as a family once again.
Souta had hid his tears after he finished reading the letter because life had been so different without her bubbly silly attitude around the house. But he prayed and hoped that their good hearts will be rewarded one day...
END FLASHBACK
As his mind took him down memory lane, Souta did not notice the fact that he was being followed until an unfamiliar voice called out his name.
"Souta Higurashi!"
"Huh?" He turned, his bangs ruffled from the sudden change of position as well as a surprising gust of breeze right in his face.
"Are you Souta Higurashi?" A man, dressed in slacks and a dress shirt, loosely button at the neck asked him. A small smile spread across his firm jaw and Souta noticed that there was something about the man that seemed to be very strange...yet, gentle at the same time. Like there was something that seemed to be pulling him toward the man, almost like a force that was controlling him to like the man.
"Depends on who's asking and what for." The young teenager crossed his arms across his chest. Though 14 years old, playing sports had given him a nice firm physique and though the man standing in front of him was older, he wasn't much bigger. The man would have a hell of a time if he tried something funny!
"I'm sorry, it was rude of me. I am Renkotsu, Bankotsu's brother and a friend of your sister, Kagome Higurashi."
After surveying the man, Souta's reply was as solid as a boulder. "Strange, she's never mentioned you before, and I know all her friends."
'Yeah considering she has but one friend! Ha! Well, except for Bankotsu...hell, I don't know what he is, other than a blessing!'
"I know what you must think, but I assure you that I mean no harm. I live in the States so I am not here often. I returned recently to see Bankotsu and meeting up with your sister was such a nice coincidence. Long story short, she had asked me to pick you up to meet her. I do believe she said something about your birthday and a surprise" the man flashed Souta a sneaky happy smile, acting as if he knew what Kagome had gotten her young sibling for his birthday.
"And I am just going to trust you like that? You know, information isn't that hard to come by these days with the internet you know?"
"I see that your sister was right to have warned me about you," he chuckled joyfully. "Here," he handed Souta a small jade Buddha statue with a small chip in the corner. "She asked me to give you this, if you were going to give me trouble."
Souta took the piece of jade in his hands, rubbing across the form crafted. He had given the charm for her birthday years ago when they were still together. Though young he still remembered his mother had helped him pick out the jewelry piece and clumsy that he was, had dropped it and chipped the corner. Still, she was so happy the day she received it and he had wanted Buddha to protect the sister he'd love so much.
"Alright!" Souta did a backward fist jab from excitement. I get to see my sister! I wonder how impressed she'd be with me...
As his excited thoughts and curiosity of what his sister was like now filled his mind, he completely missed the sneer on the man's face for having a mission accomplished.
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Bankotsu crumpled the heated cigar in his hands angrily, listening to the fading footsteps of the DaiYokai. He took a good emotional jab at Sesshomaru but somehow he still felt as if he was on the losing side. Sesshomaru seemed to have held and built such a strong connection with his Kagome, and so easily whilst it took him so long to get her to trust and open up to him.
Tossing the crumpled tobacco aside, Banktosu rubbed the residue off his hands and then clearing his throat, and adjusting his cravat, he turned his heels and headed back into the venue to continue with his attendance at the wedding. Naraku after all was a very important business partner, so he would suck it up for a short while longer before leaving.
As much as he couldn't stand the man, he'd put up a good face for the sake of their fathers' close friendships. It seemed like he was destined to be cursed by his father's friends. How in the hell had his father become such great friends with the fathers of his enemies?
The saying 'Keep your friends close, your enemies closer' crossed his mind, and Bankotsu smiled. Sesshomaru, I will keep you very close to me...He thought to himself as he headed back toward the party.
The limo moved through the town with ease, the car drove smoother than butter across a heated pan, but the air inside between she and Bankotsu was thick as molasses. The soft jazz playing over the radio made the only sound between the two of them as the tension from earlier could easily but cut with by a dull knife.
They had left the wedding not too long after Bankotsu followed her from outside. She had ignored the evil eyes of the jealous women that she was going home with the man they wanted. Little did they know, Kagome would not have minded if they switched place, especially after him catching the little meeting with Sesshomaru.
While Bankotsu was busy saying good-bye to his business acquaintances, the miko touched her lips softly still feeling the lingering of her DaiYokai's mouth on her body. She suppressed a joyful shudder as the memory recalled, so instead Kagome watched as the scenery of the night passed on by, carrying on like nothing was wrong.
Pretending that Bankotsu, her 'fiancé' had not seen her so deeply intimate with Sesshomaru earlier.
Of course, she realized that they were both playing 'dumb'.
Kagome knew no matter where she was, what she did, he somehow always had an eye on her. And without even needing to see, she could tell he already knew what had transpired between her and the DaiYokai.
And if the evening air outside was still stuffy and hot, the heated tension between the two of them was worse than the uncomfortable air outside, making her shift uncomfortable in her seat.
How she hated her cursed life.
Breaking the silence and miserable tension, Bankotsu moved closer to her and gathered her into his arms playing hard into the charade that he hadn't seen anything. Convincing himself that he was alpha, the dominant one and fully in control of her.
He knew better.
Bankotsu had pretended that he hadn't seen her flirting, seducing the groom Naraku on his very wedding day. He pretended that he didn't see the intense kiss she'd shared with the DaiYokai, or the undeniable attraction between the two.
No, he told himself, she loves me. Only me.
Bankotsu brushed it off and that it was Kagome venting her frustration from the situation they were in. Venting the pent up sexual pain she was going through, as he was. He loved her too much to believe that she would care for another man other than him. His love for her led him to believe that she loved him just as much.
He refused to believe that overwhelming surge of fear bubbling inside his guts. The thoughts of losing her to anyone, was too painful and too torturous for him to consider that it could always be a fact.
To comfort himself, Bankotsu pulled her even closer and Kagome instinctively leaned into his shoulder as his hand fanned up and down her spine before stopping at the right side of her waist and pulling her into him. He kissed her on the top of her head, receiving a sigh from her, from which presumed to be exaltation of being in the arms of the man she loved - himself and no other.
Soon, Kagome. Very soon you and I will be one. He vowed silently whilst he continued to stroke her body.
Kagome stared out into the night through the glass of their limo, and the image of her DaiYokai flashed before her eyes. Instantly, her heart skipped a beat, as she called out his name.
Sesshomaru...she whispered silently in her soul.
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He watched as the driver made a right on Yamamotto street, getting closer to their destination. And as she sat silently in his embrace, Bankotsu was reminded of how much he hated the situation they were both in especially for the man that he was now becoming. Over the years of being with her, it seemed as though she had rubbed off on him and what used to be a selfish motivation to save himself and retain his own overly privileged lifestyle, he now realized that he did care for the sake of everyone else especially her.
He did now worry about his soul in hell, whereas, in the past, it really never crossed his mind or mattered at all.
Bankotsu had more than fallen for the miko, he was intoxicated by her very essence and he could hardly breathe. When he thought of her, of them together, it brought his soul to a high place he couldn't fathom; and the fact that he could not touch her intimately, make love to her was killing him - slowly. He had to find a way quick to resolve the matter; and though he hated the fact that the mutt had laid his filthy hands on his woman, it was necessary. It proved that her weakened powers were because the mutt was someone he had to get rid of in order to have his miko. He vowed that he would save his soul and have his happily ever after with his 'Beloved'. Bankotsu decided that for the sake of the better outcome, certain sacrifices were necessary.
Kagome leaned into him and nuzzled his neck a bit, smiling softly when he shivered slightly from her touch. Bankotsu realized that it was going to be another frustrated night in bed. He'd long given up sleeping with other women to fulfill his needs. Sure he's flirted often but it never amounted to anything physical, and even the aspect of doing it for his amusement was waning.
'Hell, pretty soon I'd be a monk...if this bullshit doesn't end quickly.'
His world was filled with clinging, amendable trollops, who would do anything and everything he requested, but he never garnered any pleasure from their company. But a smile on Kagome's face was refreshing and he longed to soak in the elation he felt from being in her proximity. Indeed, he was slowly changing, in ways he would have mocked if he'd been himself from before – before meeting Kagome…
He couldn't help himself and tilted her chin so that he could kiss her. But instead of allowing him to be close to her like she usually did, Kagome turned her head making Bankotsu stop in the mist of his action. He grabbed her chin and turned her to face him roughly.
Kagome refused to meet his eyes.
The limo stopped and he was still glaring at her when the chauffeur opened the door. They both hesitated for a second before Bankotsu stepped out, extending his hand for her. No one catered to his miko except for him.
Kagome reluctantly took his hand, which irked her further. He yanked her hard so that her body slammed into him. He slid a very possessive arm around her waist pulling her closer as he forcefully escorted her inside the building.
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Sesshomaru had left the wedding early, right after the 'confrontation' with Bankotsu. He knew if he stayed and sat at their table, he'd have to kill someone and the DaiYokai already knew exactly who that 'someone' would be. But he didn't return home, he drove around in anger, the conversation he had with the miko replaying over and over in his mind. What she had said, and though he was being honest when he told her that he did not care about the information of his father. He couldn't help but be curious at the moment, just exactly how she learned about his father and the very private scar he had.
He fought within himself of what he should do against what he wanted to do. There was a little devil sitting on his shoulder telling him to burst through that damn wedding and yank her away from Bankotsu. Taking her home with him where he would mark her, mate and love her for the rest of her life.
After a couple of hours of useless wandering, Sesshomaru found himself driving toward the Apartment structure he knew she stayed at. It didn't take a genius to know that she must be residing at the most expensive one - the penthouse suite. The DaiYokai used his powers to leap up the nearby building structure finding the perfect view right into her penthouse window. Like clockwork, he saw the limo pull up the front of her building a few minutes after he had settled himself.
He was ashamed that he was 'spying' on her, for reasons he can't explain, but he didn't want to stop. He couldn't stop.
He didn't want to.
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Inside the elevator, Kagome was nervous and fidgeting trying to distract herself from the man next to her. Her savior that she'd loved for so long. She knew he was upset with her demeanor but for whatever reason, she didn't care. For the first time, she did not care that she had upset her savior, her guardian. As a matter of fact, she knew in the back of her mind that she was doing it on purpose.
Why? She wondered. Perhaps it was the kiss earlier from the Dai? Or was it the things he said? Perhaps she was just too damn tired of the situation she was in and hell, it's the fact that she was just plain damned tired of her life!
Bankotsu made his move and began to kiss her lips savagely, pressing his body against hers while the mechanical box moved upwards toward the top floor. He deepened the kiss, devouring her mouth with a hunger that drove straight through her body. He gathered her into his arms and flit his tongue against the corners of her mouth. He traced down on her back to her ass with his free hand.
"Bankotsu, stop!" She said pushing him away.
He narrowed his eyes at her.
The bell dinged announcing that they've reached their destination. Angry he grabbed her wrist, walking fast toward the door almost dragging her. Unlocking the apartment, he yanked her inside. Once they were within the confines of her apartment, he tossed her against the door and began to ravage her once again.
"Bankotsu, let me go," Kagome said rebelliously. He had both her wrist pinned against the door in an angel, he held her in place with his body and his lips and tongue was exploring her neck and collarbone.
"Please," she pleaded quietly.
At her word he stopped and let her loose.
"We need to talk," he said finally as he watched her walk away.
She halted and frowned at him over her shoulder. "Can't this wait?" She replied in an irritated tone.
"Kagome," he called her, softening his voice to a tender tone. "How is our relationship supposed to work with you pushing me away all the time?"
She offered him a lazy shrug, ignoring him as he was a wind passing through of no importance. He was ready to deny any proof of truth presented to him of her actions that evening. He was even willing to believe whatever lies she could conjure up to soothe his damaged pride, but this - the way she was behaving tonight crossed even the very flexible line that he had given her.
And that, angered him.
"I need you to stop running around like a wanton Kagome!" He tried to keep his voice steady, as he held back the anger that was roiling through his soul. "Does our engagement mean nothing to you!"
A chuckled rumbled softly in her throat. "This ring means nothing Bankotsu, both you and I know that. And you're just trying to fit me into your schedule! We have no relationship!" She brushed him off as she reached up to take her pearl necklace off. Her tone was belittling which finally made him snap.
"Don't you take that tone with me Kagome! Have you forgotten who is in charge here, Kagome? It's because I've given you too much freedom lately haven't I? " He roared at her in anger.
"Stop talking to me like that Bankotsu! How can you tell me you love me and you're out there groping on women in front of me. 'In front of me'! Bankotsu! How do you think that makes me feel?" he grabbed her hard by the wrist just then, fury blazing in his eyes.
"Me, flirting? I have a reputation, an image to keep up with. I've already done much to change since I've met you but you…. you Kagome? What the fuck do you think you were doing running around from one man to the next? " Kagome's eyes went white with shock but she bent a cold violet glare on him.
"You're spying on me again," she hissed, struggling without success to free her arm.
"Spying? No, Kagome I'm not spying. Even a blind man can see what you were doing at the wedding. I saw the way you walked around the party, and the way you winked at each ogling men – like a little whore you are. We both know you so obviously seduced Naraku while his wife was busy entertaining guests."
Her instant reaction was a sharp strike at him, making a loud smack across his face, her palm became pink from the impact while his cheek burned from the blood rushing to the prickling wound.
He froze, but didn't flinch from her physical attack. She had a strong arm, and the slap hurt like hell, but after swallowing his anger Bankotsu ruffled his bangs to stop himself from smacking the life out of her.
It seemed that his pride hurt more than any physical damage she could wreak on his body. Still, he realized that he probably deserved that.
He sighed, staring at her beautiful face. Bankotsu knew he shouldn't have called her names, so he accepted that slap as such. However, he was not ready and willing to let the discussion alone yet. After all, she was beginning to get a little too out of control for his taste.
"I keep giving you time Kagome, room, space, time and time again. I tried and tried to be reasonable with you, but you wouldn't listen! Over and over I tried to love you and over and over you lied to me! You keep lying Kagome! Why won't you stop lying to me?" His fingers began to tighten uncomfortably around her wrist.
Incredulous, Kagome narrowed her eyes to slits. "Lying? Me?" the miko scoffed, her index finger pointing at herself.
Bankotsu watched, his hands still holding her in a firm grip as she tossed her head back and laughed like a crazed woman. He wondered what had gotten into her to behave like this? He knew she had an enjoyed tormenting other men,but she would never act that way with him. He was different. Where was the woman that loved him? Where was the woman he loved and whom he'd changed himself for?
"Let him who is without sin, cast the first stone, Bankotsu," Kagome sneered as she yanked her hand hard and freed herself from him.
"What are you talking about, Kagome? Have you lost your mind?"
"Perhaps Bankotsu," she was livid, and he watched as she dug her nails into the palms of her hand. Kagome was angry and hurt, but most of all she felt so betrayed by him. "But don't play your little charade with me like you love me. Like you care for me! I hate it when you do, because in truth you don't! As a matter of fact, you are the bigger liar between the two of us!" Oh God, how she just wanted to get away! Kagome turned her back to him as the realization of the truth of what was hidden was about to surface.
Kagome walked away from him. The tension, the hurt was suffocating her.
He had no intentions of letting her just walk away from him. Bankotsu took a few quick steps and caught up with her, as he grabbed her arm and flung her to face him. "I do love you! I've changed everything for you! I've changed who I am for you! What more do you want of me? What do I have to do to get you to stop chasing after other pricks like some starved virgin?" With both hands now gripping tightly on her upper arms, Bankotsu yanked her close so that she was pressed up against his chest, his eyes peering lividly into hers. "Huh?" Silence came from her as both set of eyes were challenging and full of rage, and neither was going to back down. "Huh? You tell me what you want me to do Kagome, for you to be faithful to me? What do I have to do so that I am able to trust you alone without my guards around you. TELL ME HUH?" His fingers were now digging into her flesh, the pain pierced through her, but she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of seeing her in pain.
No, not that way.
"May...be..."The irate miko gritted through her teeth. "Maybe if you can keep your hands and dick to youuurrrr...ssssseeeeelf!" She was stomping, her words coming out as if she was being shaken while her madness was like a toddler with a tantrum fit.
"Is that what this is about? That I was flirting with you useless whores at the wedding? You know better Kagome. You know it was all an act! To keep up my image!" For a brief instant, he felt so happy that she would be so jealous of what she knew was all an act. He knew that she knew his heart belonged with her, and only her! How silly of his miko to think otherwise.
But his elation was short lived.
"Does an act involve you getting someone pregnant?" Her words were steady and full of venom as they came out, Bankotsu froze in place and his fingers loosened around her.
Using the opportunity, Kagome pushed herself away from him causing him to stumble a few steps back. She tried to keep her composure, so that her voice can come out steady and firm, but as she spoke it was a trembling whisper that sent her mind whirling.
"Yes, I know Bankotsu." Her tears fell from her face rapidly her hand throwing the pearl necklace he'd bought her straight at him. "I know that Shiori is having your ..." There was never a time that he had heard her voice so cold, so evil as she screamed "chiiillllddddd!" through those tightly gritted teeth of hers.
"You...how...?" he stammered, embarrassed and ashamed at the same time, of the mistake from his weakness a few weeks back.
"Cat got your tongue? What?" She challenged, "you thought I wouldn't find out?" This time, Kagome threw a nearby vase at him with an almost perfect aim, it missed him by a mere inch. Ignoring the loud crash and the broken collectible item, Kagome continued her tirade. "You thought I was just some ignorant 'toy' that you take out to play with whenever you want? That you would get your way and do whatever you want and it wouldn't affect me or how I feel? Well perhaps you're right...So how does your little disgusting lie comparing to my 'lies' to you Bankotsu?"Emotionally distraught, exhausted, Kagome slumped onto the floor, her knees bent at a 45 degrees angle as she threw her face into her palms and cried.
He already knew this was going down the wrong path. He had not anticipate for them to escalade their fight this far.
"Kahhhh...gooooooo...mmmmeeeeeeeeee," Bankotsu gritted her name, "you know how I feel about you snooping with my life!"
That was what he had to say to her? That was his reaction to his lies? Enraged, Kagome stopped her tears and swallowed. Getting up on her feet she straightened out her dress as if she had not been distraught seconds ago.
"Well," she began with a charming voice, that followed that with a carefree shrug as if the conversation was about another inane topic. "I hope you had fun, because I sure did with Naraku."
He knew she was goading him and he wasn't going to get angry with her. "I know what you're doing, Kagome. Stop it and stop it right now!" Bankotsu told her after taking a long breath.
Already knowing that she'd pressed his button, Kagome continued the path of self-destruction.
"But you needn't worry beeeloooved, I've already gotten even with you. Makes sense now that I was after Naraku doesn't it? And you know what? I let him at me," his angry growl was loud and clear but Kagome kept pushing on. "And I am sure there were plenty that saw us all over each other. So, the next time you think you can drag me around like a toy, you'll know that others have witnessed me throwing myself at another man." She lied.
"See you're doing it again! You're loud talking at me! I told you not to take that tone with me! And especially, do NOT disrespect me in public. I've warned you!"
"Oh well," she offered him another nonchalant raise of her shoulders. "I don't want to talk about this anymore..." Angry, and hurt she did what she knew would really push his button. Kagome brushed him off of her like a bothersome pest as she proceeded to walk toward her bedroom.
"I'm not done, and until I'm done, we're going to talk all night Kagome!"
"I am tired Bankotsu, and there is nothing to talk about. An eye for an eye, Bankotsu," she walked away and brushed her hand over her shoulder at him.
"Tired?" He followed her. "You think having other men see you romping around with Naraku, would be okay with me? Did you seriously think that there wouldn't be consequences to your actions? That I am just going to be okay while my colleagues and business partners snicker behind my back?"
"A taste of your own medicine beloved. I am just tired of everything, and I am especially tired of you, so I threw myself at Sesshomaru willingly. And you know what? and I wish that I was in bed with him right now instead of being here, talking nonsense with the likes of you!"
"KAGOME!"
"And you know what else, Bankotsu? I love him! What do you think about that?"
His fist clenched so tight his knuckles turned white.
She has to be lying! She had to be!
But even so, that did it for him. His eyes held a flicker telling her that danger was approaching, and it was coming at her fast! She had gone a little too far over the line, pushing on a button that she never should have considered. If she didn't hurry, this could be the last day on earth for her.
He confirmed her suspicion by jumping over the sofa to go after her as she began to run as fast as her stilettos would allow. She made it in time before he could get to her, and once inside, Kagome locked every single lock she could on the door.
"Kagome! Open this damn door right now!" Bankotsu screamed. He banged on the door as he fumbled with the doorknob.
Silence from within the room.
Kagome began walk backward as she stared at her thumping door.
"Kagome! Open this Goddamn door before I lose my fucking mind!" He repeated himself.
She had really done it this time, and she began to quiver. Of all the powers she held inside of her, there was nothing she could do to defend herself against the man pounding away at her door. He and only he had the incantation and power strong enough to overwhelm her. She would have had the power to fight him, if he were anyone else but her protector.
The door began to thump louder.
Outside, Bankotsu kept shaking the doorknob, fighting with the lock. When his woman continued to refuse to unlock the door, he used his strength to kick at it. The force of his foot meeting with the wood thrust his body back, again he rammed the flat of his foot against the door.
Kagome inside the room was frantically searching her room for a place to hide; she also began to lace her fingers together as if praying would help her. And when the door finally broke and slammed against the wall with a bounce, she frantically tossed her head from side to side looking for a route to make a run for it. Bankotsu slammed the door behind him and came after her. His eyes glazed over with rage and the animal within him that he had tried to hold at bay finally came to the surface.
She raised her hands to protect herself and that was when his one hand grabbed both of hers and used pressure to hold her in place. His other hand rose to slap her across the face; the force from the back of his hand meeting with her cheek nearly sent her neck twisting 180 degrees.
"You get it straight Kagome, you are MY woman!" She whimpered as tears began to form around her eyes.
"If I can't have you, know damn well that no one else can. Especially that filthy, fucking mutt! " he slapped her so hard this time he sent her body flying onto the bed. "Or have you forgotten how much fun I had destroying Kinta?" Loosening his tie, Bankotsu approached her while she lay lifeless on the bed, not even bothering to fight.
"You are mine Kagome. I oooowwwnnn you! Regardless of who I fuck or impregnate!" He was near the bed and the only sounds that were coming from her were the sniffling of her tears.
Bankotsu left her room then, and all was silent.
It was moments later that he returned to find her still in the same position as she'd been earlier. Bankotsu walked up toward the bed and crawled in next to her. Rolling himself so that he was on top of her, Bankotsu used his elbows to brace himself up and turned her face to look at him.
"You're mine, I love you. I can't help myself with you Kagome. You're too precious to me for me to lose you to anyone. Anyone at all." he said before he leaned in to kiss her. His hand slid behind her head grabbing a handful of her hair as pressed her head toward his for a deeper kiss. Gradually she relented and opened her mouth welcoming his demanding tongue.
He was unwavering toward her in his kiss, not allowing her to breathe as he continued to thrust his tongue into her cavity. When he finally released her she was breathless and panting tossing her head to the side for air. Bankotsu used the opportunity to pin her arms above her head as he began to assault her neck, licking, sucking and nibbling along her shoulders.
The tears that crawled out of her eyes were sliding sideways down toward the bed as she bit her bottom lip from crying out.
"My God, you're so beautiful, Kagome, and I love you. God, I love you!" He rasped as he continued to trail kisses and licks along her body. Releasing her hand, Bankotsu began to roam her body, touching, caressing everything that he claimed was his - she was his'. His hard-on was poking, probing uncomfortably in his tuxedo slacks to a painful torture. Bankotsu grunted and groaned from the discomfort and from the spiraling sexual tension that rose inside of him.
And when his hand found her breast, he began to knead her mound through her evening gown. Squeezing and pinching so hard, it hurt. But Kagome only bit her lip harder as her hands clasped into fists, her nails digging into her own flesh. The new pain was distracting her from the pleasure filled pain he was giving her.
She already knew how the night would end. They will both be unbearably sexually frustrated.
Without warning, he suddenly stopped his fondling, and gripped her chin hard forcing her to look into his eyes.
"Don't forget Kagome, you're mine. And you're a dead woman if you think you can leave me." Bankotsu slid his hand up to her neck, curling his fingers around it. "I'd kill you myself if I have to. Believe that."
He added pressure down on her, tightening his grip on her neck. It didn't stop her from breathing but it did remind her that she was his woman, his prisoner and he could do what he wanted with her and she wouldn't be able to stop him.
No one could.
Pushing himself off the bed, Bankotsu turned his heels and made his way toward the door. "And Kagome," He paused looking over his shoulder. "If I ever see you with that mutt again, I swear to fucking God, you'll regret it. Heed me."
Kagome burst into tears as soon the front door of her penthouse apartment slammed shut. She didn't need special hearing powers to know that as he left, he had instructed one of his bodyguards to 'keep a very close eye' on her.
Kagome lay in her bed for the longest time, staring blankly at nothing. She prayed for something someone to take the pain away from her. The large room seemed even bigger than before, filling the emptiness inside of her like a vast ocean. And without being able to contain herself, Kagome curled in a ball and cried. The loud rain outside, splattered, drowning out the sound of her loud wailing from anguish.
She knew that tonight she wasn't going to get any sleep - at all.
.
.
.
The wind howled by his ears but he couldn't hear it, he'd used his Youki to eliminate all noises and focused on just lip reading as the Dai stood atop a roof watching the scene through the window. He almost burst through the window to save her, and he would have if Bankotsu had gone further in hurting her. But he waited, not wanting to get caught spying on the couple because in all honesty, he really had no business being where he was at the moment. Really, it was more of a 'checking-up on' his miko, to make sure she was okay. So he really wasn't 'spying'. He could tell from the tone of Bankotsu's voice earlier that the man had witness him kissing the miko. He knew of Bankotsu's possessive and controlling nature, as well as of his uncontrollable temper. He had to be sure that Bankotsu wouldn't go as far as actually killing Kagome.
His guts churned when she was locked inside her room. How he wanted to wrap his arms about her and tell her she had nothing to worry about, that he would protect her. He'd never done a reckless thing in his entire life but when matters came to be about his miko, he'd do anything. Right now, he told himself to be patient and watch over her. And as he witnessed the both of them fighting with each other, he knew that he was slowly winning the miko over.
You are wrong Bankotsu. She's not yours. She is mine!
Pleased with himself, Sesshomaru went home, his mind racing as to how he would go about making her realize how much she loves him and how destined they were to be together.
.
.
.
Kagome laid still for the longest time after Bankotsu had left, phasing in and out of what had transpired. Her tears were now dried and he could feel the blood clotting as it began to form the bruises that she will find on herself tomorrow.
The sound of the phone ringing brought her out of her little trance. At first, Kagome ignored the antique rotary phone assuming it was Bankotsu calling her as he dumps liquor into himself, once again apologizing for his 'actions'. Yet as the phone refused to stop ringing she had to get out of bed to answer the loud sound because it was exacerbating her headache.
"I don't want to hear it, Bankotsu," Kagome quickly growled through the line.
"Oh, but you do, my dear miko...you do..." an eerie voice on the other line replied, catching her attention instantly.
"Who are you? Is this some kind of a joke?" Her miko instinct told her that it wasn't. Fear spread through her body and when the sound of her brother's voice calling out her name she wrecked with panic.
"Kagome don't listen to ..."
"Sota!" she called recognizing the voice of her brother. "Who is this?"
Ignoring her questions, the eerie voice continued "I have your little precious brother Souta. If you want to see him alive, and unharmed you must do as you are told...and you must come...alone."
A brief sound of her brother's voice calling her name followed by 'don't listen to them!' made her heart nearly stop beating as the phone fell out of her hand. Only the loud bang of it hitting the wooden foot of the table did she scramble to find the receiver as it tumbled out of her nervous hands once again. She seemed as though she was trying to grab an eel, since the cursed thing kept slipping from her fingers. It took both her shaking hands to grab hold of the receiver and placed it back to her ear. "Who are you? No, never mind, I don't care who you are. What do you want?"
"We want to make a trade...you, precious little miko, for your brother." Before the distressed miko could ask any further questions, the voice continued. "You must make sure no one knows, and you are alone and you have to be at the Oganawa cafe off the long alley in 1 hour or I will slowly cut off your brother's fingers and mail them personally to you. And don't think that this is a joke, I wouldn't gamble with my brother's life...would you?" With that the caller hung up leaving the miko sitting, shaking uncontrollably on the floor...