A Reason to Live
Chapter Seventeen
Sibling Rivalry
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
As Hakai swung the blade at Bankotsu, the former leader of the Band of Seven, ducked his head, and allowed the sword to swing over his head. Bankotsu quickly grabbed hold of Hakai's wrists, and forced the Immortal Warrior backwards. Hakai quickly recovered his footing, but Bankotsu was able to kick Hakai's legs out from under him. As Hakai landed on the ground, Bankotsu placed a foot on Hakai's hand, pinning the Immortal's sword to the ground.
"You are going to regret what you said about Sango, you bastard," Bankotsu snapped as he grabbed hold of the Soukatsui, and pointed it down at Hakai. Bankotsu lifted the blade to strike Hakai, but suddenly lightening began to ravage Bankotsu's body, forcing him to release Hakai. As Hakai stood up, he landed a violent kick to Bankotsu's exposed body.
"Oh little brother, who stupid of you to think that you could kill me with my own sword," Hakai said in a cold tone. "I am in complete control of Soukatsui."
Bankotsu released the sword, which flew to Hakai's waiting hands. "You are a coward. You could not beat me in a fight, and so you have to resort to tricks to win," Bankotsu hissed as he dropped to a knee. Slowly he began to focus on Banryuu, but his focus was broken as a sacred arrow rushed at Hakai, who turned just in time to deflect the arrow with Soukatsui.
"An Immortal should act with far more class then you are showing," Kikyo said as she glared at Hakai, who was gazing in her direction. "You should leave before I use my powers to purify you sullied soul."
Hakai smirked as he turned his head to Bankotsu. "Saved by a woman yet again little brother," Hakai said before a ki blast left his hand, and slammed into Bankotsu. Kikyo quickly fired a sacred arrow, but Hakai caught the arrow with his bare hand, and broke it in half. "You should consider yourself lucky priestess. I am not going to kill you or my pathetic little brother, but Naraku might." As Hakai finished his statement, Naraku appeared behind Kikyo with a sadistic smile on his face.
"Finally I get to end your miserable existence with my own hands," Naraku snarled as tentacle like roots appeared from his body. Kikyo attempted to avoid the appendages, but there were far too many for her to get away, and she ended up being caught by a group of the roots. "Oh how I have longed for this day."
"No you don't," Inuyasha exclaimed as he rushed from the woods with the Tetsusaiga in his hands. Followed behind him was Kagome, who sent a sacred arrow directly at Naraku. Naraku dropped Kikyo, but was to slow to dodge the well placed sacred arrow. The arrow struck Naraku right in the chest, causing the majority of his body to be purified.
"You are really beginning to annoy me," Naraku hissed as his head floated in the air. "I look forward to the day that I kill you Inuyasha. I am going to enjoy torturing your little Kagome."
"I will never let you get your filthy hands on Kagome, or Kikyo for that matter," Inuyasha snapped as he aimed the Tetsusaiga at Naraku.
"Inuyasha, Bankotsu seems to be injured," Kagome exclaimed as she rushed to Bankotsu's side. However, Bankotsu began to pull himself up off the ground.
"I am fine," Bankotsu said as he got to his feet, giving Naraku his deepest glare. "You bastard. I am going to kill you and Hakai."
"Such tough talk from someone who was just on his knees at the Immortal's mercy," Naraku supplied in a mocking voice. With that, Naraku's head was shot with a sacred arrow from Kikyo. "This battle is not over by a long shot." Naraku's voice seemed to surround them all.
"I should have just killed him right then and there," Hakai snapped as he put his hand through a tree. "I could have just chopped his head off, and I would not have had to deal with that smug fucking look of his ever again."
"And yet you didn't," Naraku said as he appeared in front of Hakai with a fresh body. "I do not think you really want to kill him as much as you say you do."
"You do not know me," Hakai snarled as he grabbed Naraku by the throat, and began to squeeze. Naraku laughed despite the grip that Hakai had on him. "What is so funny to you?"
"It is just that you really believe that you can kill me so easily. This body I am in right now is just a shell. You can cut it to pieces or anything else that you may desire, but it will not stop me from existing. I truly am Immortal," Naraku explained as he turned into a miasma. "I should have known better then to expect the likes of you to be able to back up what he boosts."
Hakai growled low in his throat as a deep wind began to surround him, forcing the miasma to disappear. "You should be more careful who it is that you talk to Naraku. You may be able to regenerate limbs and other body parts, but when I get hold of your heart, I will be sure to crush it in my hand. Then let us see just how Immortal you are," Hakai sneered low in his throat.
"I have taken steps to make sure no one can find my heart," Naraku's voice called in a faded tone.
"Cowards will always try to hide, but not even you can hide forever," Hakai said as he gazed up into the sky.
"Speaking of a coward," a voice called from behind Hakai. "I see you have yet to accomplish your mission to kill your little brother. " The voice belonged to a man with shoulder length black hair, and dull blue eyes. The man wore a robe of fine silk, and a pair of leather sandals. "How long has it been Hakai Senshi? Maybe fifty years?"
"Hogosha Tamashi. I thought I had killed along with the other Immortals," Hakai supplied as he gazed at the other Immortal. "Should I finish what I started?"
"No Hakai. I simply came here to deliver a warning to you. Those who we defeat many years ago are coming back Hakai, and when they do, they will destroy everything," Hogosha said before disappearing back into the forest.
"Damn it woman, will you stop fusing over me," Bankotsu exclaimed as he tried to keep a concerned Kagome from ripping his top off, to heal his minor wound.
"I can't help it," Kagome supplied. "I just want to put some save on that wound so that it will heal quickly."
"And I am telling you that I do not need you to put anything on my wound. It is just a minor scratch at best," Bankotsu supplied as he continued to struggle from the surprisingly strong priestess. "Why are you being so damn nice to me!?"
"I am being nice because you are my friend you idiot," Kagome exclaimed before punching his arm. "And do not call me woman. I have a name, and you better start using it."
"Ok, ok," Bankotsu exclaimed as he rubbed his arm. "You don't have to be so damn violent about it."
"Well if you will stay put for a few moments, I will be able to put this save on the wound, and you can go play with the village kids or something," Kagome supplied in a mocking voice.
"And now you are treating me like a child. Damn it all to HELL! I am not a child," Bankotsu yelled, earning him a wack on the head from Kagome.
"Then stop acting like one," Kagome exclaimed. Bankotsu grumbled under his breathe as Sango laughed lightly at him.
"I suppose you find this humorous," Bankotsu said in a very dry tone.
"Well now that you mention it, I find it funny when she treats Inuyasha the same way," Sango stated, earning a huff from both Inuyasha and Bankotsu.
"Well I am not dog boy," Bankotsu supplied as he felt the cold save touch his tender flesh. "Damn it wom... I mean Kagome, that is really cold!"
"Yes, but it will help you heal, and it will keep away any infection that might try to attack you," Kagome said, rather pleased with herself. "Besides, you are a big boy. You should be able to handle a little cold. Would you like something to eat?"
"Why are you being so nice to me," Bankotsu asked.
"Well, you are one of my friends, and I always try to be nice to my friends," Kagome supplied as she rubbed her chin in thought.
"With friends like her, who needs enemies," Inuyasha blurted out.
"SIT BOY," Kagome called out, causing Inuyasha's face to slam into the dirt.
"Damn it Kagome, that really hurt," Inuyasha called out.
"Serves you right you jerk," Kagome exclaimed as she headed out of the hut, and began to make her way to the Bone Eater's Well.
"And just where do you think you are going woman," Inuyasha exclaimed as he followed after Kagome.
"I am going home for a few days. I have a big test coming up, and I need to study for it, and just because I allowed Bankotsu to get away with calling me woman, does not mean you should think that you are going to be getting away with it," Kagome replied. "SIT BOY!"
Once again Inuyasha was slammed face first into the ground. "OW! Damn it Kagome, when are you going to take these damn beads off of me," Inuyasha asked in pain.
"When you learn to stop being such a jerk," Kagome supplied.
"Are they always like that," Bankotsu questioned as he watched the two arguing the entire way to the forest.
"When they aren't fighting like that, it normally means something is really wrong," Sango stated with a light smile. "So would you like some food?"
"Actually now that we are alone, I was hoping we could talk some," Bankotsu said as he gazed deep into Sango's chocolate eyes.
A/N: Well I am back! I know it has been a long time, but I finally got off my lazy bum, and decided to start writing again. To be honest, it feels weird writing again, but I am hoping that you will all review, and tell me how you like the new chapter. I know it might not be what you expected after such a long lay off, but I promise I will put out another chapter as soon as I can, maybe tomorrow if my sister lets me use her labtop again. Well I hope you enjoy the new chapter, and look forward for more in the future. Will Bankotsu tell Sango that he loves her, and who is coming back? Find out in the next chapter of A Reason to Live, A Long Talk.