Love In Purgatory

Chapter 5

It had been three days since they found Shippo and continued their journey for Kagome's friends.

"Hey Shippo, can I ask you something?" Bankotsu said, lowering his voice so only Shippo could hear. They both looked at Kagome, who busied herself with dinner. Shippo nodded.

"Why did you guys leave Kagome? I mean...why didn't you guys stay? Just for a little while." He asked, trying to say it the nicest way he could for Kagomes sake. Shippos head dropped. After a few minutes, he spoke.

"When...When we-when In-" he let out an anguished grunt but forced himself to continue. "When Inuyasha died, all of us took it hard. Kagome took it the hardest. She stood where he died for hours after. We all tried to get her to come to Edo with us, but she wouldn't. Not then. I told Miroku and Sango to go ahead, that'd I'd stay with Kagome for when she was ready to leave." Closing his eyes, Shippo took a calming breath. Glancing between Shippo and Kagome, Bankotsu listened intently to Shippos story.

"After a day or so, she finally let me move her. I transformed into a bird and flew as far as I could. Thankfully I had enough strength to get to Edo. But...it was like she was empty. Like she just wasn't there anymore. We stayed for days. But, she just wouldn't respond to us. We couldn't stand to see her like that anymore. We didn't know if she'd ever snap out of it...so we left. Went our own directions for a little while." he finished, looking at his hands. Bankotsu didn't say anything, but as Shippo told his story, Bankotsu noticed tears running down his face and hitting his hands.

"But...she said you all left pretty much right after it happened." Bankotsu replied, confused. Shippo nodded.

"I kinda figured it would feel like that for her," he said solemnly. "I think, that because she was so numb, it didn't seem like very long..but...we stayed for about a month, altogether, ya know? It just..his death hit her so hard. She was in love with him for a long time, after all. I think though, after a few years of unrequited love, she saw him more as a brother or something... Family." Bankotsu nodded thoughfully and looked at Kagome. How could she still be so sane, when she's lost so much?

"What family did she have in the future? Do you know?" he asked. Shippo looked at him funnily, but replied, "A mother, brother and grandfather. Her father died when her brother was still a baby."

Bankotsus eyes were wide. "She's very strong hearted..." he said thoughtfully. Shippo smiled with pride.

"Yep. She's the strongest woman I know. Although, Sango comes at a close second. She lost her whole village, family included, in one day." Shippo said.

"Yeah, Kagome told me about that...And about your father. I'm sorry, by the way. You shouldn't have had to go through that." Bankotsu replied, gingerly placing his hand on Shippos shoulder. Shippo nodded in response and looked at Kagome.

"The hardest part about it all was seeing him as a pelt around Mantens waist. And not being strong enough to avenge him. It was rough. But...Kagome and Inuyasha got me through it. They took revenge for me. Kagome killed Manten and Inuyasha killed Hiten. Perfect team work. Poor Kagome, though. She was always getting kidnapped." He laughed.

Kagomes attention was snapped away from the food she was preparing by the sound of laughter. She looked up, to find Shippo and Bankotsu laughing and looking between her and each other. She raised a delicate eyebrow in question, but they both hastily shook their heads.

"Alright, you two, enough of whatever you're doing and get over here. Lunch is done."

As they ate, Bankotsus mind swam with the information about them. He realized, again, that Naraku hadn't really told him anything. Everything he knew about them was a lie. These people are good. Very good. They saved so many lives, and for some reason, Naraku hated them. But why?

"What's wrong, Bankotsu?" Kagome asked, searching his face.

"Huh? What? Oh uh, nothing, really. I was just thinking about how much Naraku lied to us. My brothers and I. He told us you were all...different. Evil, I guess. Not like we weren't. But, when he made us try and kill you guys over and over...it seemed right. But now that he's dead and I'm the only one of my brothers alive, it all seems so...stupid, I guess is the word. Like there wasn't any reason. And I don't understand why he hated you all so bad." he replied. Kagome laughed.

"Well, that's quite a story in itself. In the beginning times of Kikyo's time as Priestess of the Jewel, she came across a bandit in a cave. His whole body was badly burned. He couldn't even walk. She took care of him as well as she could. He ended up loving her..." she paused for a second, and Bankotsu could see the bitterness in her eyes. Because of Naraku? No...it had to be Inuyasha. She continued, "Anyways, he called a bunch of demons forth and begged them to enter his body. They did, and thus was born Naraku." Kagome explained.

"So...Kikyo. Who was she, exactly?" Bankotsu asked. Kagome stood up and walked away, grabbing her backpack and mumbling about hot springs. Bankotsu looked on in confusion while Shippo chuckled. He scooted closer to Bankotsu and slapped him on the back. Don't worry about it, too much. She'll cool off. It's just that, through our whole time trying to collect the Jewel shards, Kikyo popped up like rats in a storm. Everywhere, it was something about Kikyo. With Inuyasha, it was always about Kikyo. He was in love with her. Always ragging on Kagome about how Kikyo was better. She could shoot, she'd know what to do, yada yada. It really broke Kagome down. But Sango, Miroku, Kaede and I would always be there to try and build her back up again. But...he left a mark on her. Mentally. Somehow, though, she kept herself bright and happy. All these years." Shippo mused. Bankotsu watched him.

"You're very proud of her, aren't you? She really is your mother." Bankotsu asked, And it sounded, to Shippo, like awe. Shippos smile grew till it reached his eyes.

"Yeah. She is. She is my mother. I love her as my mother, and I love her more than I've ever loved anyone. She saved my life and continued to do so every day. I'm very proud of her. She's amazing." He replied, as Kagome came into view.