A Reason to Live
Chapter Seven
Difference in Power
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.
The clash of metal on metal could be heard echoing throughout the forest, causing birds and other animals to flee in fear. "Not bad little brother," Hakai smirked as he held the Banryuu back with his Soukatsui. "You have near flawless form, and your strength leaves almost nothing to be desired. However, I am still the better fighter, for my form has is completely flawless, and my strength leaves absolutely nothing to be desired."
"Kami you talk a lot," Bankotsu stated as he shoved forward on the Banryuu, pushing Hakai back a few feet. Finally Hakai dug his feet into the ground, and stopped himself from being forced back any further.
"I talk a lot, because I can back it up little brother," Hakai sneered as he shoved forward, sending Bankotsu stumbling backwards. As Bankotsu was stumbling backwards, Hakai attempted to slash across Bankotsu's body, but the mercenary was able to hop out of the way of Soukatsui's reach, and then lunged Banryuu at Hakai. Hakai quickly pulled slammed Soukatsui into Banryuu, deflecting the lunge away from his body. "Very good little brother!"
"Will you quiet calling me that bastard," Bankotsu hissed as he repositioned Banryuu in front of him.
"No," Hakai said flatly. "I enjoy the fact that it is pissing you off."
"Well then," Bankotsu began. "I will just have to kill you so that you will stop annoying me."
Instantly the two rushed at each other, swords meeting in rapid succession. Each strike caused a gust of wind to pass over Sango, and the unconscious Inuyasha. 'Those two are incredible. Despite the sheer size of Banryuu, Bankotsu is able to maneuver it as normally as I would my katana. However, Hakai is able to stop each strike with relative ease. No wonder Inuyasha was defeated so easily. He underestimated Hakai, and paid for it.'
Hakai blocked another strike of the Banryuu, and flipped backwards, before propelling himself at Bankotsu with lightening quick speed. Bankotsu was just quick enough to block the passing swipe of Hakai's Soukatsui with Banryuu. Hakai rolled around, so that he was facing Bankotsu's back, and tried to run Bankotsu through, but Bankotsu swung Banryuu behind him, and blocked the lunging blow. "You are a little too slow," Bankotsu taunted as he turned his head to face Hakai.
"Don't worry little brother," Hakai smirked. "I am just warming up!" Without hesitation, Hakai shoved Soukatsui forward, causing a small crack to form in the blade of Banryuu.
'Damn it! How is he doing that,' Bankotsu exclaimed in his head. Quickly Bankotsu jumped away from Hakai, and examined the Banryuu. "How the hell did you do that!?!"
"It seems that you have not been training Banryuu as you should have," Hakai supplied. "You truly believe that you can train yourself, and not your sword. That is why I was able to crack our dear mother so easily. It appears that I will just have to kill you, ground your bones and forge a sword, and take mother as well."
"Yeah right," Bankotsu sneered. "First you will have to kill me, which isn't as easy as task as you might think, and second, I seem to have a knack for coming back from the dead."
"Is that so," Hakai asked smirking. "Well how do you plan on coming back, when your bones are in my newest weapon?"
"I have had enough of you," Bankotsu hissed as he lifted Banryuu into the air. Aiming the point of the blade behind him, Bankotsu smirked at Hakai, as he allowed a large amount of energy to circulate into the Banryuu. Bringing forward the blade, Bankotsu allowed the energy to rush from the blade, and sent it hurtling at Hakai. "Dragon Wave!!!" The energy was so strong, that it was able to knock the Soukatsui out of Hakai's grip, causing him to be hit dead on by the back end of the blow.
"Damn it," Hakai yelled as the blow struck his body. Soon the energy erupted, causing a large explosion to rock the surrounding area.
'Wow that was impressive,' Sango exclaimed in her mind. 'He may have just killed an immortal with that attack. That looked just like the Wind Scar, but it was different somehow. How much stronger has Bankotsu gotten since he was resurrected?'
"Got his ass," Bankotsu supplied as he stuck the blade of Banryuu into the ground. Looking at the blade of the Banryuu, Bankotsu could see the crack had grown larger. "Annoying bastard!!!"
"Don't talk like this is over," Hakai's voice echoed. "I now know exactly how strong you are, and now I know I can beat you easily if I truly try. However, I am feeling generous today, and shall allow you more time to wonder this world. Don't waste this gift I have given you little brother."
"Come on you bastard," Bankotsu yelled as he lifted Banryuu back out of the ground. Suddenly Bankotsu's breathes were coming in short pants, as the realization of how much energy he had put behind that attack became clear. 'God how is he still alive? That should have been enough to kill both Inuyasha and Naraku at the same time. Then again, Inuyasha is a crafty bastard as well, and so is Naraku, but this guy is just a human. How could he have survived?'
"Don't worry little brother, we shall finish this fight in good time," Hakai replied from his now hidden position. "It just won't be much fun to fight you without the Banryuu being at full strength. Once you are able to repair mother, we shall continue."
"That is just a cope out," Bankotsu hissed in anger. "I had you beat, and you know it."
"Think what you will little brother," Hakai exclaimed as his voice became more distant.
"Damn it," Bankotsu yelled as he prepared to go after Hakai. "I'm going to find him, and kill him."
"Bankotsu, I need your help," Sango yelled as she looked over Inuyasha's unconscious form. "I can't carry Inuyasha on my own."
"And what do you want me to do," Bankotsu asked, not liking where this conversation seemed to be heading.
"Could you carry Inuyasha back to the village we found," Sango asked the mercenary, who instantly frowned at the idea.
'Damn it. Why do I have to be such a sap for the ladies,' Bankotsu berated himself. "Fine. I'll carry him back to the village."
"Thank you Bankotsu," Sango said as she smiled brilliantly at the mercenary.
"Whatever," Bankotsu retorted as he lifted the unconscious Inuyasha onto his shoulder, shifting Banryuu to his other shoulder. Somehow, Inuyasha's blood barely ran onto Bankotsu's white sleeve. 'I wonder why there is so little blood. That can't be a good sign.'
"It's lucky Inuyasha is a half-demon," Sango supplied as she lifted up Tetsusaiga, which had returned back to its normal state.
"Why is that," Bankotsu asked, trying to keep his mind off of the conversation he had just had with that man who claimed to be his older brother.
"Well like demons, half-demons are able to heal really quickly," Sango began. "I would venture to guess that the wound in his midsection is nearly healed already. However, all the effects of the injury won't be gone until the morning."
"How do you know that," Bankotsu asked, not really caring about the answer. Instead he was just glad to listen to the soft melody of Sango's voice. 'Kami what is wrong with me? I'm Bankotsu, the leader of the Band of Seven, and here I am following some woman around as if I were a puppy dog. I am seriously going soft.'
Sango became aware that Bankotsu had stopped listening to her speech, and quickly Sango stopped talking. 'What am I doing,' Sango yelled at herself. 'He doesn't wish to hear what you got to say. He probably just wants to finish this task, and then get the hell away from you.'
"Why did you stop talking," Bankotsu called out, catching Sango off guard.
"What," Sango asked as she stopped to look at the mercenary.
"I asked why you stopped talking all of a sudden," Bankotsu asked again, this time speaking in an over exaggerated slow voice. The cocky and smug grin overtook his face once more, as a little laugh escaped his lips.
"I'm not an idiot you know," Sango snapped, turning away from the mercenary, and quickly walking forward. "I just figured you didn't want to listen to me ramble on."
"Well, you were wrong," Bankotsu said as he easily caught up to her. "I was enjoying the sound of your voice."
"What," Sango asked, now completely stopping, and allowing herself to stare at the mercenary, who was no longer grinning.
'Good going dumb ass,' Bankotsu belittled himself. "I said, I was enjoying your story."
"No you didn't," Sango replied pointing a finger at him in an excusing manner. "Now what did you say?"
"I was enjoying your story," Bankotsu said, hoping that his continued denial would get him off the hook of any trouble he might be in.
"No you weren't," Sango stated. "You weren't listening to a word I was saying. I could tell by your face."
"Just drop it," Bankotsu responded as he looked away from Sango's scrutinizing gaze. Sango, growing frustrated, began walking away, muttering curses under her breathe. "What was that?"
"What was what," Sango snapped, not turning to look at the mercenary.
"What did you just call me," Bankotsu asked in a mocking voice.
"I called you a...," Sango began, turning to face Bankotsu again, but screamed when she noticed that Bankotsu's face was less then a few inches away from her own. His face was so close to hers, that she could feel his warm breathe on her face, causing her skin to prickle under the warmth. A large blush spread over her entire face, realizing she could smell his aroma, and she could see little beads of sweat forming over his eyebrows, giving him a glistening appearance. However, her gaze was soon consumed by his dark blue orbs, which seemed to gleam with mischievous innocence.
"You were saying," Bankotsu supplied as he studied Sango's face. Paying attention to the lovely shade of her full lips, and the way her cheeks flushed from the closeness between them. Then he lifted his gaze to look Sango deep in her mahogany orbs, allowing himself to become lost. At that moment, nothing else mattered to Bankotsu. He could care less that he was currently caring a half-demon he had once sworn to kill, nor the fact that he had just battled a man claiming to be his older brother, and certainly not the fact that the rest of Sango's group could come at any moment, and catch the two in what would be an awkward moment.
Finally it was Sango who pulled herself away from Bankotsu's blue pools. Turning away from the mercenary, Sango flipped her hair behind her, and continued walking back towards the village. 'What does Lady Sango see in a brute such as him,' Miroku asked himself as he tried to shake the cobwebs from his groggy head. 'I can not allow her to end up with such a brute. I must confess my love to her tonight.'
"Kagome, perhaps we should go back to the village," Shippo stated as he clung to Kagome. "I mean I'm sure Inuyasha and Sango already beat the guy, and our back at the village." They had been flying for a few hours, and still could not find any signs of Inuyasha and Sango.
"You are probably right Shippo," Kagome said, worry etching itself on her young features. "Alright Kirara, take us back to the village." Roaring her understanding, Kirara took off back to the village.
Once they had returned to the village, it was dark out. There was a small fire set up in one of the few remaining huts that had survived the destruction. As Kagome, Shippo, and Kirara approached the hut, they could hear Sango talking to someone in a frustrated voice. 'It has to be Miroku,' Kagome said to herself, allowing a sigh escape her lips.
"Bankotsu, don't eat it all," Sango exclaimed, and the sound of wrestling could be heard.
'Wait she just said Bankotsu,' Kagome yelled to herself, before rushing into the hut, to see Sango hold a pot of what appeared to be stew, and Bankotsu rubbing the top of his head. "What is going on?"
"Kagome," Sango exclaimed. "Don't freak out ok. Bankotsu helped Inuyasha and me today. In fact, if it was not for Bankotsu, we would both be dead right now."
"Really," Kagome asked, her mouth hanging open in disbelief.
"Yeah really," Bankotsu said as he continued to rub the top of his head. "I'm going to have a lump there!"
"Serves you right," Sango supplied dryly. "The others have to eat as well."
"I wasn't going to eat it all," Bankotsu replied with a wide grin. "I was just going to eat enough to fill me up."
"And how much might that be," Sango asked in an exasperated voice.
"Probably just half of it," Bankotsu said as a light blush crept up his face.
"Is Inuyasha alright," Kagome asked, worry lacing her voice. "Where is he?"
"He woke up a little while ago," Sango answered. "He was extremely upset that he lost to that guy, and that Bankotsu had to save him."
"Sounds like Inuyasha," Kagome said. "I am going to go check on him." Quickly Kagome rushed out of the hut, and looked around to find any sign of Inuyasha, and soon she saw his red kimono, followed by his silver locks of hair. "Inuyasha!!! Are you alright?"
"Kek, I am fine Kagome," Inuyasha responded, not bothering to look at the priestess.
"No you aren't," Kagome retorted. "Something is bothering you, so why don't you just tell me about it?"
"Kagome, I...," Inuyasha began, but suddenly stopped. He turned around to face the young priestess, who seemed to have stolen his heart, before jumping down to look her in the eyes. "I am upset with myself. If I had been that cocky with you there, I could have put you in danger, just like I did Sango today. Because of my stupidity, Sango was nearly killed. The only thing that keeps crossing my mind is, what if it had been you. I am ashamed that I was beaten so badly that one of my rivals had to save me."
"Inuyasha, it is alright," Kagome said in a soft and reassuring voice. "Everything is ok. Sango is fine, I am doing great, and you are still alive. There is no reason to beat yourself up over this."
"Kagome, I was to foolish and weak to stop that man today," Inuyasha exclaimed. "He was so fast, that I could not even draw Tetsusaiga at first. He had to let me draw Tetsusaiga, and still I was beaten with ease."
"You will get him next time," Kagome said as she wrapped the half-demon in her warm embrace. At first Inuyasha was too stunned to embrace her back, but soon he wrapped his arms around her waist, and pressed her against his body.
"I promise to you, Kagome," Inuyasha said in a hushed voice, so that no one but her would ever be able to hear his words. "I promise I will never allow anyone to hurt you, and if they cause you even the slightest amount of pain, I will rip them to shreds with my claws."
"I know you will Inuyasha," Kagome said as she snuggled her head deeper into Inuyasha's chest. "And I promise to always be by your side no matter what dangers we might face."
'I love you Kagome,' Inuyasha muttered to himself, not having enough confidence to mutter them aloud. At least not yet.
A/N: Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I know I enjoyed writing it, especially the fluff portion between Inuyasha and Kagome. Don't worry people, there may be some fluff between Bankotsu and Sango in the next chapter, but you will just have to read to find out. Also, thank you to all of my faithful reviewers. You are the greatest, and I could not do this without your support.