A Reason to Live
Chapter Sixteen
Family Reunion
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.
The dark blue eyes watched, from the makeshift shelter in the forest, as Inuyasha and Bankotsu locked themselves in a small duel. Both men moved with such grace and speed, that most of their movements would look like blurred motion to the normal human eyes. Of course, there was nothing normal about Hakai, and he was able to see both of their movements as if they were moving in slow motion.
"I am going to enjoy killing you Bankotsu," Hakai supplied as he prepared to jump from the cover of the forest, but something stopped him. It was as if his body would not follow his commands. Looking down, Hakai saw the blade of Soukatsui pulsing a vibrant crimson. "You dare stop me from completing my mission? I killed you, and now you must serve me."
'My son, this is not how it should end,' Soukatsui's deep voice boomed in Hakai's mind. 'You say you want to be remembered forever, and yet you have done nothing to be remembered for. Now you wish to kill the one person who could give you the recognition you want, with no one around to witness it?'
"And what would you have me do father," Hakai questioned.
'I would have you wait to kill him until you are in the presence of an Emperor,' Soukatsui supplied as if it was the simplest answer in the world.
"And why should I wait," Hakai continued to press the pulsating sword.
'You are more then strong enough to beat your brother right now, and I am almost certain you would be able to kill his half-demon friend with minimal trouble, but there would be none to tell the story of how you defeated the feared leader of the Band of Seven,' Soukatsui answered with his voice dripping with excitement.
"I will fight him now, but I will not kill him," Hakai snorted in a determined voice.
'And what happens if he upsets you enough to make you kill him,' Soukatsui asked in a wise voice.
"I will just have to use some will power then," Hakai's reply came causing a laugh to echo in his head. "What are you laughing about old man?"
'Son, you are a great warrior, but you do not have enough will power to fight with a person, and not kill them,' Soukatsui responded with laughter lacing his words.
"I guess I must show you how much will power I have old man," Hakai snorted as pointed the edge of Soukatsui at the fighting men. "Tiger Lightening Cannon!!!"
Inuyasha was slowly gaining the upper hand in the battle, but Bankotsu refused to lose. Remembering a move that had won him many fights, Bankotsu waited for Inuyasha to throw a punch, just as Inuyasha threw the punch, Bankotsu did a complete split, and grabbed hold of the half-demon's leg with his arms, before spinning his body, to allow his legs to wrap around Inuyasha, causing Inuyasha to fall face first into the ground.
"Give up Inuyasha or I will snap your leg in half," Bankotsu called. As Bankotsu prepared to put pressure on Inuyasha's leg, he was surprised to find Inuyasha's leg was no longer within his grasp. "What? How did you do that?"
"I am a half-demon dumb ass," Inuyasha huffed. "I am much faster then a mere human, even if you are a super human."
"Super human," Bankotsu asked as he got back to his feet. "What the fuck are you talking about baka?"
"You are stronger then most humans, so you are a super human," Inuyasha replied as he wiped a bead of sweat off his forehead.
"I think you need to quit reading those funny looking scrolls that Kagome brings from her time," Bankotsu supplied as he began to stretch again. "One more round before we go back to Kaede's?"
"If you think you can handle it," Inuyasha hissed as he clenched his claws.
"Of course I can," Bankotsu supplied as he charged at the surprised half-demon. Quickly Bankotsu threw a weak punch at Inuyasha's face, but quickly slid to his knees, and tried to kick Inuyasha's feet out from under him, but Inuyasha was able to jump over Bankotsu, and kicked the rising mercenary in the back. Bankotsu rolled forward, and quickly spun on his heel, and rushed at Inuyasha again.
This time Bankotsu threw a punch as hard as he could, but followed it up with a swift kick aimed at Inuyasha's head. Just as Bankotsu had predicted, Inuyasha was able to block the punch, but was not able to calculate the speed of Bankotsu's kick, and Bankotsu landed his kick on the side of Inuyasha's skull.
Inuyasha was stunned for a brief moment, but was able to regain his composure enough to block a barrage of punches and kicks aimed in his direction. It was amazing the speed and power behind Bankotsu's attacks. It was as if he was not even thinking about the attacks he was throwing, and yet, Inuyasha could tell that each attack was well thought out due to the lack of openings each attack had. Normally, Inuyasha would be able to tell where the next attack would come from, but Bankotsu's attacks seemed to come at random, and from very difficult angles.
Soon another kick slipped through Inuyasha's defenses, and landed on the half-demon's ribs. Almost on instinct, Inuyasha slammed his arm downward trapping Bankotsu's leg. Seeing Inuyasha drop his left arm, Bankotsu threw a wickedly strong right punch to Inuyasha's face, which caused the half-demon to stumble backwards, however, Inuyasha kept hold of Bankotsu's leg, and as Inuyasha stumbled back, Bankotsu was pulled forward, and the young mercenary was unable to keep his balance.
"Nice try," Inuyasha supplied as he finally released Bankotsu's leg.
"This round is not over yet," Bankotsu snapped. Bankotsu quickly got up to his feet, and prepared to punch Inuyasha, but stopped when he saw Inuyasha's body go completely stiff. "What's wrong Inuyasha?"
"I smell your brother," Inuyasha hissed as he crouched onto all fours, and prepared to rush into the forest. Before he could move towards the forest, the Tiger Lightening Cannon came rushing at both Inuyasha and Bankotsu. "Damn it!!!"
As the blast got close enough, Inuyasha pushed Bankotsu as hard as he could, causing Bankotsu to land out of harms way, and Inuyasha then turned his back to the blast, and allowed it to hit him square in the back. "What the fuck was that for Inuyasha," Bankotsu yelled in both anger and surprise. "You idiot, you better not be too injured, or I am going to kick your ass even worse."
"I am fine, just get out of here, and make sure that the girls are safe," Inuyasha hissed in pain.
"No you go," Bankotsu supplied. "He is my brother, which makes him my problem. You go and make sure nothing happens to the girls."
"I have a better idea," Hakai's voice called, snapping both men from their previous argument. "How about I go kill them, and then come back and finish the job with you two?"
"Fuck you," Bankotsu spat. "Only a coward would go after an injured female warrior, and then go after a priestess."
"Oh brother don't you dare try to lecture me," Hakai supplied as he came to stand a few yards away from both Inuyasha and Bankotsu. "Let's not forget who was the one killing anyone for simple money."
"What do you kill for then brother," Bankotsu asked as he tried to stall the now smirking Hakai.
"I kill for power," Hakai replied. "Once I have killed enough people, I shall become the most feared entity on this planet."
"What an idiot," Bankotsu sneered. "You actually think that being feared means you have power. I guess you will have to learn the same lesson I did."
"And what lesson is that brother," Hakai asked as he spun Soukatsui by the hilt.
"The lesson that no matter how feared you may become, it doesn't mean you have true power," Bankotsu replied. "You forget, I was the most feared human on this planet, and in most cases, I still am, but that didn't mean shit when I fought against Inuyasha."
"That was your first problem," Hakai hissed. "You were the most feared human. I shall become like a god, and rule with an iron fist."
"Don't think so highly of yourself," Bankotsu snapped. "What type of god would get his ass beat in hand to hand combat with his little brother?"
"I sense a challenge," Hakai stated. "Well little brother, I accept your challenge, but I want to make it more interesting."
"How so," Bankotsu asked, becoming weary of the now smirking Hakai.
"When I win, I get your woman, the demon slayer," Hakai supplied.
"Never," Bankotsu hissed. "Sango is not some bartering chip you bastard."
"What is wrong little brother," Hakai asked. "I thought you would be confident enough in your skills to defeat me."
"This is all just a game to you isn't it," Bankotsu questioned. "You sick bastard. I have had enough of you."
"Of come now Bankotsu. Are you not enjoying our little family reunion," Hakai asked in a sarcastic tone. "I thought you would be enjoying yourself just as much as me."
"Well you thought wrong," Bankotsu snapped. "Your presence annoys me to no end."
"Then do something about it," Hakai exclaimed as he sheathed Soukatsui behind his back. "I am right here. What are you waiting for Bankotsu? Oh I get it. You are waiting for the half-demon to regain his composure, so that he will get away and save the girls."
'This bastard is good,' Bankotsu supplied. "No I am just waiting for you to finish running your big mouth."
"Come now brother," Hakai stated. "Shut my mouth for me!"
"With pleasure," Bankotsu exclaimed as he charged at Hakai, who was simply crouched into a defensive stance. Hakai was waiting for Bankotsu to pull back, and throw a punch, but Bankotsu never stopped running, and rammed his body into Hakai's, causing both men to tumble to the ground. After rolling around for a few moments, Hakai was able to push Bankotsu off of him, and lifted his legs into the air, before kicking them forward, causing his body to follow. Bankotsu also kicked up, and both men began to throw lightening quick punches and kicks at each other. Neither man seemed to be getting the upper hand.
Seeing the two brothers locked in a struggle, Inuyasha got to his feet, and ran towards Kaede's hut. 'You better kill him Bankotsu, or I will do it the next time I see him,' Inuyasha exclaimed in his mind.
"Looks as if your backup has left you behind," Hakai stated as he jumped away from one of Bankotsu's swift kicks.
"I don't need any backup to beat you," Bankotsu stated as he allowed his breathing to return to normal.
"Oh I am going to enjoy beating the cocky attitude out of you," Hakai hissed as he dropped into another defensive stance. Without replying, Bankotsu launched another barrage of punches and kicks at the Immortal, only to have them blocked or dodged. Soon it was Hakai's turn to take the offensive, but Hakai was just as unsuccessful as Bankotsu. "I am impressed Bankotsu. You really are as dangerous a fighter as everyone claims."
"And you are just as annoying when you are fighting as when you are simply talking," Bankotsu retorted.
"You are going to pay for that," Hakai hissed.
"No I won't," Bankotsu supplied in a confident tone. "You are not as good as you thought you were, which is why you are not trying to keep the fight constantly moving. You stop and do all of this useless talking, because you have no clue what I am going to do next, so you stop to catch your breath and allow your mind to process the battle. Unfortunately for you, your brain keeps telling you that you are losing this battle. Even though you have not been hit with a single blow, you have been lucky enough to block my attacks, or dodge them by the slimmest of margins. Well your luck is going to run out, because I am sick of hearing your voice, and I am not going to allow you to take anymore of these little breaks."
"Is that so," Hakai asked as he lifted an eyebrow to peer at Bankotsu. Before he could respond further, Bankotsu was on the attack again. This time the punches and kicks came at a much faster rate, leaving Hakai no room to breathe. Soon blows began to land on Hakai's face and midsection. Just as Hakai was preparing to throw an offensive attack, Bankotsu's knee came flying forward before landing squarely in Hakai's gut. The blow caused the Immortal Warrior to double over in pain, and grasp for breathe. As Hakai tried to pull his upper body back into an upright position, the point of Bankotsu's elbow connected with the back of Hakai's head.
Hakai rolled onto his back just in time to block Bankotsu's foot, which had been aimed for his face. Hakai quickly twisted Bankotsu's foot, causing Bankotsu to fall to the ground. Both warriors were quick to their feet, and each began to exchange punches and kicks at a rapid rate, with Bankotsu again getting the best of Hakai.
Finally, Bankotsu landed a strong spinning back kick to Hakai's chest, causing him to stumble backwards, out of breath. "Would you like to know why you can't beat me in hand-to-hand combat brother," Bankotsu asked as he glared at a stunned Hakai. "It is simple really. I am more instinctive then you are. Not to mention, my mind is far sharper then yours."
"That is a lie," Hakai snapped as he rushed at Bankotsu, only to be tripped by one of Bankotsu's spinning low kicks. "DAMN YOU!!!"
"You are so easily provoked into making a rash decision," Bankotsu supplied in a lecturing tone. "Your mind thinks only of hurting me, that you are blind to my attacks. That is why you are once again on the ground with me looking over you."
"SHUT UP!!! SHUT UP!!!" Hakai jumped back to his feet, and tried to attack Bankotsu, but the mercenary leader was ready for the attack, and dodged the blow. As Hakai's fist rushed past his face, Bankotsu threw a punch of his own, which found Hakai's midsection. Quickly, Bankotsu pulled his fist from Hakai's midsection, and grabbed his older brother around the neck with both of his arms. Hakai struggled as best he could, but was soon caught in a rear-naked choke.
"You lose brother," Bankotsu whispered into Hakai's ear.
Hakai felt himself become lightheaded from the lack of air, and in a moment of desperation, Hakai called for the Soukatsui with his mind. 'I need you to pierce him in the ribs right now,' Hakai's mental voice yelled to Soukatsui. Instantly, the sword left its' sheath, and buried itself in Bankotsu's side. As the sword went deeper into the mercenary, blood squirted from the wound, which soaked the ground in the crimson liquid.
Bankotsu was forced to let go of the choke hold, and pull the blade from his side. "You cheating bastard," Bankotsu hissed as he dropped the blade to the ground.
"Sorry Bankotsu, but even you know that it is win by any means necessary," Hakai said as he picked up the Soukatsui. "Now say goodbye little brother." Hakai placed the blade at Bankotsu's neck, and pulled it back. "You shall be missed, but don't worry. I shall take good care of the demon hunter. Make a true woman out of her."
A/N: Sorry for the long wait, but things have been crazy in my life. I hope this chapter is good enough to forgive the long delay, but school and work has been crazy. Well that is enough about my ramblings. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, and you can expect another chapter very soon, I hope.