A Reason to Live
Chapter Ten
The Demons of Lust
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.
"Where is Miroku," Inuyasha asked from atop a tree branch.
"I don't know," Bankotsu spat as he continued to rub two twigs together. "Why won't these damn things catch fire?"
"You are probably doing it all wrong," Inuyasha supplied lazily.
"Damn this all to hell," Bankotsu snapped as he threw the two twigs into a forested area. "It never used to be this damn hard to make a fucking fire."
"Yes, but you also had that bastard Renkotsu, who could produce fire with his crazy liquid," Inuyasha supplied from his perch on a nearby tree.
"Shut it mutt," Bankotsu hissed lowly.
"What's wrong," Inuyasha asked as he opened one of his eyes to peer down at the fuming mercenary. "Don't tell me you are going to let the task of making a fire beat the great leader of the feared Band of Seven."
"Screw you bitch," Bankotsu snapped as he stood up, and grabbed the hilt of Banryuu, before walking away from the small encampment. The encampment was nothing more then an area of forest in which Inuyasha and him had cleared with their weapons. Of course the Banryuu was still cracked in the middle, which seemed to add to Bankotsu's ever growing frustration. It had been days since the group had come across any villages, and Bankotsu was getting sick and tired of sleeping on the rough ground. Of course he would never allow the others to know that, considering Inuyasha would just mock him more, the monk would see a weakness, Kagome would try to sympathize with him, and Sango would just tell him to suck it up. 'Why can't they just allow me to clear out a castle? We could live like kings with just one swipe of my companion.'
Bankotsu did not know where he was walking to, nor did he care. His feet seemed to move of their own accord, as him mind continued to ramble on about all of the problems he was having adjusting to the group. As he was plotting the best way to torture and kill the monk, who kept giving him dirty looks anytime Sango was near, oh how he wanted to punch the annoying monk in the mouth just once, the sounds of Sango and Kagome's voices snapped him out of his thoughts. "Doesn't it feel great to just relax," Kagome sighed as she allowed the warm water to flow over most of her exposed body.
"I guess you are right," Sango supplied as she submerged herself under the water, so that only her eyes and forehead were visible. Soon she lifted her head out of the water so that it flowed around her neckline. "I hope that Bankotsu is not regretting his decision to travel with us."
"Why would he be regretting his decision to travel with us," Kagome asked, as she straightened up in the hot water. Kagome loved gossiping, especially if it involved one of the men that traveled with her. She knew that it was a bit of a bad habit, but she did not care. It was the one activity that made her feel as if her and Sango were bonding.
"Well, he is not used to sleeping in such conditions. Not to mention that he could probably cover far more ground by himself, instead of waiting for us," Sango replied as she closed her eyes. Soon she leaned back against the edge of the hot springs, trying to relax a little while she conveyed her fears to the priestess. "Plus, Miroku keeps giving him glares behind his back, and I can tell that Bankotsu notices. Yet, he doesn't even say two words to Miroku. I mean, Bankotsu was the leader of the Band of Seven, and he was more then a match for Inuyasha, and here he is humbling himself, and for what?" Sango's voice began to rise a little at the end of her speech, and she opened her eyes, and looked at Kagome. "I would not blame him if he wanted to leave our group and travel on his own."
"I don't think he will," Kagome said simply, allowing herself to rest against the edge of the hot springs as well.
"Oh and why is that," Sango asked as she looked at the relaxing priestess. "What makes you so confident that he won't leave?"
"Isn't it obvious," Kagome nearly yelled in excitement. "Bankotsu secretly likes you, more then just a friend." Out of no where, Sango nearly jumped out of the hot springs revealing herself to Bankotsu, who quickly turned away, in case she did stand up all the way.
"You are insane," Sango exclaimed in disbelief. "There is no way that Bankotsu could like me like that."
"And why not," Kagome asked as she closed her eyes, waiting to hear Sango's explanation. 'Come on girl, just think with your head.'
"For one thing, I was once his enemy," Sango stated. "Secondly, he doesn't act like he likes me in that manner."
"Now you are the one who is insane," Kagome replied as she opened her eyes. "Think about it Sango. He is protective of you, he is humbling himself for you, and he looks at you as if you were some great painting he is afraid will vanish if he looks away."
"He is only protective of me because he liked Kohaku, he is humbling himself to find Naraku faster, and he doesn't look at me any different then you do," Sango countered.
"You just keep thinking that," Kagome said. "In time, you will see that I'm telling you the truth. Just wait and see."
'I hope you are right,' Sango said to herself as she submerged her face into the water again, her thoughts drifting to the mercenary with the brilliant blue eyes. 'I really hope you are right Kagome!'
Bankotsu was about to leave the hot springs area, when he heard a rustling sound to his left. 'Who the hell would be out here right now,' Bankotsu hissed to himself as he sneaked through the woods that formed a perimeter around the hot springs. As he got closer to the rustling sound, he became aware of heavy breathing. 'Please don't tell me that some sick bastard is pleasuring himself to the girls! God I'm going to enjoy killing this pervert.'
Quickly Bankotsu used the Banryuu to move cut away the branches that concealed the pervert from view, and was shocked to see the monk. "Oh crap," Miroku exclaimed as he jumped up to his feet, grabbing his staff in the process.
"You fucking sick perverted bastard," Bankotsu roared as he lifted Banryuu over his head, preparing to slice the monk in two. "You were peeping on the girls!"
"It's not what you think," Miroku stated, slowly backing away from the angry mercenary. "I was out for a walk when I heard the girls talking. I was going to leave, but I felt a strange demonic aura, and decided to investigate. Next thing I know, you are getting ready to attack me with your damned sword."
"Like I'm really supposed to believe that shit," Bankotsu sneered. "I should gut you like the pig you are, but I will just allow the girls to punish you as they see fit." Bankotsu tossed his head in the direction of the hot springs, where a fuming Kagome and Sango stood in pink towels, covering their bodies.
"Miroku! YOU! PERVERT!," both girls yelled at the monk, who quickly, turned away from the shouting girls, and began to run into the forest.
"Get back here you pervert," Kagome roared as she prepared to chase after the lecherous monk.
"Kagome, don't go after him," Sango said, her expression turning into a serious expression. "I am sensing a strange demonic presence. It isn't very strong, but I have still never felt anything like this before."
"Then the damn monk might have been telling the truth," Bankotsu stated as he lifted Banryuu into a ready position, preparing to strike anything that came near the girls.
Suddenly a blur of silver and red flashed in front of Bankotsu, and he swung the Banryuu at the flash, only to have it stop by the Tetsusaiga. "What the hell," Inuyasha spat. "Why the hell are you attacking me?"
"Sango sensed a strange demonic aura, and you just happened to appear in front of me without warning. Why the hell do you think I attacked you," Bankotsu snapped.
"A demonic aura? Kagome do you sense any jewel shards," Inuyasha asked looking past Bankotsu to the nearly naked Kagome. Instantly Inuyasha began to blush a deep crimson at the sight of Kagome in only a pink towel.
"SIT BOY," Kagome yelled, causing Inuyasha to crash face first into the ground. "I'm surrounded by perverts, and no I don't sense any damn jewel shards. Now both of you go into the woods so we can change into our clothes. NOW!" Kagome's tone left no room for argument, and both males trekked into the woods, making sure their eyes did not stray back towards the dressing girls.
"Great going dog boy," Bankotsu sneered.
"What did I do," Inuyasha snapped at the mercenary. "I just came to see what the hell was going on."
"And get us into trouble in the process," Bankotsu hissed. "Now the girls think that I'm as big a pervert as you and the damn monk."
"And you aren't a pervert," Inuyasha questioned in a mocking voice. "What exactly where you doing when you found Miroku?"
"Don't even start that," Bankotsu snapped in anger and embarrassment. "I overheard Kagome and Sango talking, and I went to see if Kagome had that magic fire starter on her, and I saw that they were in the hot springs, so I decided to leave, but then I heard rustling, and went to go see what it was, and I found that damn monk touching himself in funny places."
"He was what," Inuyasha snarled in anger. "That bastard. How dare he peep on the girls and touch himself while doing it. I thought it was bad enough that he would cope a feel on the girls, but this is getting ridiculous."
"What do you mean he would cope feels," Bankotsu asked, a hint of anger lacing his voice.
"He would touch Kagome and Sango's behinds," Inuyasha stated. He noticed a glint of anger cross Bankotsu's intense blue eyes, before quickly disappearing. "I thought you knew about that."
"How the hell was I supposed to know about that damn monk when no one but Sango talks to me," Bankotsu hissed. "I am going to murder that monk."
"Don't bother," Inuyasha supplied as the two stopped walking, and both leaned against a separate tree, looking at one another. "You will learn to deal with it in time."
"And how do you know this," Bankotsu challenged.
"Because I learned to put up with it," Inuyasha supplied. "I am far more stubborn then you are, and that tells me that if I can put up with it, you can."
"I am nothing like you dog boy," Bankotsu exclaimed as he placed Banryuu in the ground, and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Is that true, bitch for hire," Inuyasha shot back. "As much as I hate to admit it, we are not that different. We are both fighters, and we both refuse to allow our sense of pride to be suppressed by anyone."
"Once again, ass breathe," Bankotsu stated. "I am nothing like you. Hell, I can't even stand looking at you."
"Well the feeling is mutual," Inuyasha snapped, crossing his arms over his chest, and huffing at the mercenary, who only huffed back at the half-demon. "I just wish Sango hadn't decided to protect your ass."
"And why is that," Bankotsu challenged.
"I would love to kick your ass," Inuyasha replied, baring his fangs in a grin.
"As if you could," Bankotsu smirked.
"Ok we are dressed now," Kagome's voice called, breaking the two out of their staring contest. "Let's go find this demon."
"Right," both men exclaimed.
"We have been walking through this forest for over an hour now," Inuyasha cried out. "And still there has been no sign of a demon."
"Will you just shut up and keep walking," Bankotsu sighed as he switched Banryuu from his right hand to his left hand.
"If we don't find this demon soon, I will just beat the hell out of you to make myself feel better," Inuyasha snapped at the mercenary.
"Is that so," Bankotsu asked as he looked at the frustrated half-demon. "Why don't you come say that to my face."
"Enough you two," Sango exclaimed as she stepped in between the two glaring warriors. "This is not getting us anywhere, and it appears as if the demonic aura has vanished into thin air. I can no longer sense its' presence."
"Could you even be sure you sensed anything in the first place," Inuyasha growled. "Damn it, we could have been on some wild goose chase."
"Oh shut it," Bankotsu retorted. "She said she sensed something, and that is good enough for me. Now that its' presence has vanished, that just means it could be a strong opponent."
"I doubt it," Inuyasha exclaimed. Suddenly the sound of Shippo's screaming voice could be heard running through the forest.
"Someone help me," Shippo yelled, running from a rather large demon. The demon had a multiple dark blue arms protruding from its' midsection. The demon's head appeared human, except for the dark blue, nearly murky black tint. The demon's legs were massive, nearly the size of a full grown human, each with large muscles pumping hard, as he dashed after the much smaller Shippo. "Inuyasha Kagome, someone please save me!"
"Come on that's Shippo," Inuyasha called as he leaped into a tree, before rushing after the sound of Shippo's voice. Inuyasha could see the massive demon rushing through the woods, knocking trees out of his way as he chased after the small Shippo. Quickly, Inuyasha caught up to the demon, who was chasing the small fox demon, and slammed his body into the larger demon's body. The force caused the large demon to crash into the trees right beside him.
"Who dares interrupt my hunt for food," the large demon yelled as it got to its feet. "I will rip whoever it is to shreds."
"Well big boy, you might want to start ripping," Inuyasha snapped as he pulled the Tetsusaiga from its' sheath.
"And who are you puny one," the demon asked as he sized up Inuyasha. "Do you wish to be my meal."
"My name is Inuyasha, and I'm no one's damn meal."
"You have no choice in the matter little one," the demon exclaimed, baring its' fangs at Inuyasha, who jumped out of the way for the creature's snapping jaws. "I hate it when meals jump around so much." As the demon stood to its full height, Inuyasha swiped at its' right leg with Tetsusaiga, but the demon was rather agile for its size, and hopped over the demon sword. Then the demon slammed the back of its' right hand into Inuyasha, sending him flying into a tree that had survived the demon's previous assault.
Upon impact, the tree shattered into a thousand pieces, and Inuyasha flew into the side of another tree, which just tipped over instead of shattering. 'Damn that thing hits hard,' Inuyasha spat to himself. 'Now I'm really pissed.'
"Dragon Wave," Bankotsu's voice called out as a large wave of energy flew at the massive demon, causing it to lose its' balance, before tumbling into some nearby trees, which gave way under the massive weight. "Come on Inuyasha, stop sitting down on the job."
"Shut up you bastard," Inuyasha hissed as he got back to his feet. "Took you long enough to get here."
"Yeah well, I couldn't just leave the girls behind," Bankotsu supplied as he aimed the point of Banryuu at the fallen demon's body.
"Tsk, whatever," Inuyasha sneered as he looked at the fallen demon. "It couldn't have been that easy to defeat that demon."
"They say the bigger they are, the harder they fall," Bankotsu exclaimed as he put the cracked Banryuu on his shoulder. 'Damn it! The crack in Banryuu has gotten worse then before, and I didn't put near as much power into that one as I normally would. What is going on with my companion?'
"More food wishes to join in on the fun," the demon's cold voice called, snapping Bankotsu out of his thoughts. "This must be my lucky day."
"No today is the day you die demon," Bankotsu exclaimed as he charged at the demon, preparing to strike it with Banryuu, but the demon quickly jumped into the air, and a pair of dark blue wings sprouted from the demon's back. "What the fuck?"
"Move Bankotsu," Inuyasha yelled, causing Bankotsu to snap out of his shock just in time to avoid the demon, who was trying to land on the mercenary. As the demon's feet touched down, Bankotsu swiped at its' leg, but was unable to cut into the demon's flesh. "Damn it! Get the hell out of the way you idiot."
Bankotsu tried to move, but as he was jumping backwards, the demon kicked the mercenary, sending him flying into the air, only to be caught by Kirara. "You should be more careful," Sango exclaimed as she situated Bankotsu on the Kirara's back.
"Damn it. I think I may have a broken rib or two," Bankotsu said as he coughed up a little blood into the palm of his hand.
"Now Inuyasha," Sango yelled at the half-demon, who lifted Tetsusaiga behind his head.
"WIND SCAR," Inuyasha yelled as he brought the sword forward. Large energy flames erupted from the sword, and rushed at the demon, who was trying to swipe at Kirara. Almost instantly the Wind Scar hit the demon, causing a roar of pain to escape the demon's lips. "I got him!" Soon the Wind Scar disappeared, leaving the demon's body lying in a pool of blood.
As Inuyasha prepared to put the Tetsusaiga back in its' sheath, Kirara landed right next to him, allowing Sango to slide off of her. Sango quickly moved to help the injured Bankotsu off of the fire cat's back. "Inuyasha, Bankotsu is injured," Sango called.
"It is nothing to worry about," Bankotsu exclaimed as he tried to stop Sango from helping him. "I can walk on my own."
"Stop with the macho act," Inuyasha spat. "You are badly injured. Allow Sango to help you until we get back to camp."
"I don't need help," Bankotsu insisted, before coughing up some more blood. "I have had far worse injuries before."
"Don't tell me that you think this fight is over," a voice called from the forest area. The voice belonged to a female, who allowed her silhouette to be seen from the cover of the forest. "So you were able to defeat my pet. That doesn't mean anything, because his power was so weak that I could have crushed him without lifting a finger."
"Who the hell are you bitch," Inuyasha hissed.
"Such rude words from such a handsome half-demon as yourself," the woman said as she stepped out of the clearing to give the group a good look at her. She had flowing purple hair, which cascaded down her back, caressing the portion of her back that connected to her hips. Hey eyes were a deep violet color, resembling her hair. Her skin was extremely pale, as if she was dead. A flowing green dress clung to her skinny body, giving her the appearance of an ghost. Her feet were bare, crushing the short green grass she stood on. "But if you must call me something, then you may address me as Princess, and nothing else."
"What the hell are you babbling about," Bankotsu snapped, leaning most of his wait on the Banryuu.
"Oh what a beautiful sword," Princess cried as she looked over the massive halberd. "It is so shiny, that I can see my reflection in it. Oh I must have your sword."
"I don't think so," Bankotsu exclaimed as he lifted Banryuu into a fighting position, earning himself a rough jolt of pain. As he struggled to keep the sword in the air, he could feel blood building up in the back of his throat. 'Great, I am going to pass out soon! This is not fucking happening right now!'
"If you won't let me have it, I will just have to take it from you by force," Princess exclaimed as she vanished from existence, only to reappear directly in front of Bankotsu an instant later.
"How did you do that," Bankotsu yelled as he tried to step away from Princess, who just reached out, and grabbed hold of the Banryuu, causing it to snap when Bankotsu tried to yank it from her grasps. "NO!!! BANRYUU!!!"
"Bankotsu look out," Sango yelled as she watched Princess' hand draw back. Just as Princess was brought her fist forward, Sango jumped in the way, taking the direct blow from the vile woman. The punch sent Sango flying into a stunned Bankotsu, who was then forced against a tree, causing more blood to flow from his mouth.
"Sango are you ok," Bankotsu asked as he held Sango's smaller form in his arms. When there was no reply to his question, Bankotsu could feel a rage building deep from within his body. Never before had he felt such a feeling. All pain in his body seemed to vanish instantly. "You are going to pay for that bitch!"
"You should be dead right now, but I guess I will have to settle for the girl," Princess exclaimed as she laughed at Bankotsu's anger.
Quickly Bankotsu got to his feet, still holding onto Sango as he did. Once he was back on his feet, he stared deep into Sango's face, hoping for her to open her beautiful eyes once more. As Bankotsu continued to look at Sango, he noticed that she was still breathing lightly, meaning she was just unconscious at the moment. "Bankotsu," Sango whispered in her unconscious state.
"Don't worry Sango," Bankotsu spoke in a low voice. "I promise I will make this bitch pay for hitting you like that, and next time, don't jump in front of a blow for me."
"Bankotsu, you can't fight her," Inuyasha exclaimed. "She is too strong, and you are too hurt at the moment."
"Shut up Inuyasha," Bankotsu snapped. "I know my own fucking limits. You just get Sango the hell out of here for me."
"Bankotsu no," Kagome's scared voice called. "Sango would be more upset if you were to fight her right now, then if you weren't to fight her right now."
"Not you too priestess," Bankotsu sighed. "I can't just allow this bitch to get away with what she did."
"You can get her back another time," Kagome shouted. "Right now we need to retreat and regroup before we take her on."
"Kagome is right," Inuyasha sighed in a defeated tone. "If we fight her right now, then we are going to be thinking about Sango, and not fighting to the fullest of our abilities. However, if we wait to fight her when we are all at our best, then we should be able to defeat her with ease."
"Don't tell me that you want to run with your tail tucked between your legs now," Bankotsu hissed.
"You said you wanted to join our group, well this is how we do things," Inuyasha supplied in a dry voice. "We don't fight when we have to worry about one of our friends. As much as I hate to say it, we couldn't even fight if you had been the one to be injured."
"Oh and why is that," Bankotsu asked, still wanting to take a swing at Princess, who was lightly laughing.
"Because Sango truly cares about you," Inuyasha exclaimed. "And I won't allow her heart to be broken again. She has lost so much already, and yet, she still finds the ability to open herself up to you, even if it is just a little bit at a time. I know she may not show it yet, but she does care about you, the same as she cared about Kohaku. I promised her that we would get Kohaku back, but she was forced to kill him herself. Then she finds out that Miroku doesn't really love her, and he breaks her heart into another thousand pieces. After all of that, she was able to put her heart back together another to allow you to enter into it."
"Shut up," Bankotsu exclaimed. "I know all about that. Why do you think it is so hard for me to keep my cool, and not snap that damn monk in half? Why do you think I forced myself to stop killing innocent people? I know that Sango cares about me, and I care about her as well. That is why I have to kill this bitch. To show anyone who would hurt Sango, that they must deal with me for such a stupid decision."
"This is all touching, but how do you plan on defeating me without your sword little human," Princess laughed, causing Bankotsu to scowl deeply at her.
"I will find a way to defeat you," Bankotsu yelled, dropping to his knees, the anger he felt losing to the pain that was quickly getting the better of him. Suddenly Bankotsu lied backwards, cradling Sango's body against his chest. 'I am sorry Sango.'
A/N: Sorry for the extremely long wait on this chapter, but I have been busy due to it being the first week of school. I must say sorry for the crappy ending to the chapter, but I couldn't come up with a great way to end it. I promise that if it sucks I will revise it, and try to make it better. Also, thank you all. I have the best reviewers in the world, and your feedback is greatly appreciated. Once again, thank you all. Expect another chapter soon.