"I'm bored" declared Kyoukotsu, his booming voice making the ground tremble with each word.

He and several of the other members of the Shichinintai were strewn about lying lazily on their stomachs. There had been a whole lot of waiting around since Kagome's abduction and the Shichinintai were growing restless from the lack of violence.

"Me too" Jakotsu said in agreement. He was lounging lazily, the shoulder of his kimono had slid down almost suggestively, revealing his muscular shoulder and chest armor. He glanced at the drink he had been nursing with disinterest. "Isn't there anything to do?" he whined.

"Well complaining to us isn't going to change anything," said an openly irritated Renkotsu. Jakotsu had been liberally sharing his unasked for opinion for the past couple hours and the fire-breathing mercenary could take it no longer, "Why don't you go make yourself useful and—"

"Now now," Bankotsu interrupted with a cheeriness that unsettled the others. Despite having to put a stop to yet another growing tiff between Renkotsu and Jakotsu, Bankotsu seemed to be in a frightfully good mood. So good in fact, that he didn't notice when Renkotsu began mumbling under his breath.

"…Yes, big brother" said Renkotsu obediently—at least, seemingly so. His countenance looked impassive as usual, but when Bankotsu had turned away from him, Renkotsu's previously expressionless face now had a scowl on it.

'Big brother always spoiled Jakotsu' he thought with disapproval, 'and I've always been the one who has to scold him and clean up his messes. But he,' Renkotsu thought bitterly referring to Bankotsu, ' always defends him and lets Jakotsu keep to his undisciplined ways'. He stole a sly, scornful glance towards an oblivious Jakotsu who was humming, no doubt deeply embroiled in another flight about the white-haired half-demon.

"When will I see my beloved InuYasha again?" Jakotsu mused aloud, his voice filled with longing and irritating Renkotsu even further.

Without explanation, the brooding Renkotsu stormed off.

"Where's he going?" asked Mukotsu, looking after the bandana-wearing Shichinintai member.

Suikotsu shrugged indifferently, "Let him go, he's been grumbling all day"

Bankotsu followed after him with observant eyes. "Don't be too long now, Renkotsu" he called after him, "I won't be held responsible if you miss out on the action" Renkotsu didn't reply, and Bankotsu's words rang hollowly throughout the building.

At the mention of a possible battle, Jakotsu let out a yearning sigh, "InuYasha…I really hope you get here soon"

Kagome, who had been sitting at Bankotsu's feet, perked at the mention but her face betrayed nothing. 'InuYasha…' she thought woefully 'I wish—' her thought stopped short. Even if InuYasha knew where she was being held captive, after everything that had happened between them, would he actually come for her? She wasn't so sure and the uncertainty was causing her stomach to knot in quiet dread.

Many Hours Later…

The sun had set hours ago in a glorious blaze of yellows and pinks that seemed far too beautiful for the company Kagome found herself in. With the exception of Renkotsu who still hadn't returned—all of the members of the Shichinintai were still lounging around, but had become much more audible and disquieted in their restlessness.

"What's taking him so long?" wondered Jakotsu asked aloud. The dreamy expression on his face made it clear he was not referring to the smartest of the Band of Seven but was once again consumed with thoughts about InuYasha. "It shouldn't have taken him this long to come after us. He doesn't seem the type to give up easy"

Despite his musings, Jakotsu wasn't sure what they were waiting for. Bankotsu has been surprisingly tight-lipped about the plan, and he could only assume that leaving the protection of Mt. Hakurei was meant to lure the half-demon to them. Whether Bankotsu's intentions involved them crossing paths with the InuYasha and their bunch in the near future, Jakotsu couldn't say.

"You're wasting your time," Kagome said interrupting Jakotsu's contemplation and opening her mouth for the first time since the decapitation of the old women earlier that day.

Bankotsu raised an eyebrow and laughed, joining in on the conversation. "What makes you think that, girl?" he asked, turning around to face their suddenly saucy prisoner.

With her head held high, Kagome spoke in a voice as steady as she could manage, "My name isn't 'girl', it's Ka-go-me", her tone sharp and syllables deliberate. She figured that if she was going to die a captive, she'd be damned if she did so namelessly.

Bankotsu smirked as Kagome fearlessly met his gaze, "Kagome, hm?" he shrugged with disinterestedly, "It'll look nice on your tombstone"

Kagome said nothing. Her eyebrows, which were previously furrowed in angry determination, softened. She broke her stare from Bankotsu's reclining figure, eyes falling on the floor dejectedly. She had never before considered that there would be no indication that she had died, that she had fought, that she had sacrificed everything to keep her friends out of harm's way. Had all of it been for nothing?

Another dark thought soon took its place, blooming into a sickly realization: were her friends even looking for her, or did they assume that she was already dead? No one would expect the Shichinintai to leave any indication of one of their kills, save for the raw carnage. Kagome suddenly felt very alone.

From the corner of his eye, Bankotsu shot a half-lidded glance towards Kagome. He had come to expect some sort of retort from her, or at least a glare, which he had come to consider as her default expression. He examined her face: from the weariness in her chocolatey brown eyes to her chapped but still delicate lips. An uncharacteristic defection had settled over her - and he wasn't sure he liked it.

Bankotsu was truthful when he had told Kagome earlier that he wasn't used to keeping prisoners. Prolonged suffering did little to sate his bloodlust so he never had any interest in torture or things of the like. He savored the moment of realization when his victim realized that no, he would not spare them and their end was neigh. He reveled in the moment when Banru sliced through someone and he felt the life leave their body. But this? Bankotsu eyed Kagome once more. Watching someone slowly deteriorate from suffering he didn't directly inflict was wholly unsatisfying.

Bankotsu slowly rose to his feet, the movement catching the attention of his men who tensed in anticipation.

"Leave us" he ordered while making a shooing gesture. His expression was neutral but unreadable, and although his tone was pleasant enough, it left no room for debate.

"Uh…" Jakotsu said, his mind blanking from the unexpectedness of the command. He glanced to his brethren who returned his equally perplexed expression. What in the world was Bankotsu up to?

"Where...should we go?" Jakotsu ventured, the only one of them brave enough to speak up.

Bankotsu just shrugged, "The girl and I will retire here" referring to the largest building in the village and the one whose steps he was currently sitting on.

He looked each one of them in the eyes his silhouette stretching wide across the still blood-stained ground. He was about to walk inside the building when a thought suddenly occurred to him. Turning back one last time he added, "And do not disturb us…or it will be your life"

Obediently doing as they were bid, Jakotsu, Suikotsu, Mukotsu, and Ginkotsu departed, walking into the last rays of the dying sun. Darkness was quickly falling on the land, and an eerie silence fell in the freshly massacred village. The man radiated death—and now, Kagome was alone with him. Truly alone, for the first time since she had been taken by them. Kagome found herself wishing desperately for Jakotsu's presence, preferring open disdain to the quiet unpredictability of a man who viewed her as prey.

As the calm of night fully settled on the land, the silence was broken by a growing number of flies that had begun to descend on the fallen bodies. Bankotsu, who had been purveying his destructive handiwork, nose wrinkled in displeasure. He turned, now facing the building's entryway.

"Come" he said. His tone was level and pleasant enough. Kagome slowly rose to her feet to follow after him as he walked inside. She briefly considered resisting, but she had no desire to sleep outside amongst the now buzzing dead, and she feared that if she resisted, she might very well become one of them.

Her heart began to beat faster, and the palms of her hands were starting to sweat. The thought of spending hours alone with him put her on edge. She eyed him warily as he walked ahead of her. His gait was easygoing and his expression was light. The lack of murderous intent should have been a relief to Kagome but instead, she found it incredibly unnerving. Logically, she knew that he was a bad guy—there was no mistaking that. But his words weren't always cruel and his touch wasn't always harsh. She never considered that any of the villainous members knew how to be anything but evil. Sometimes he seemed surprisingly human and it was throwing her for a loop.

They entered the building and Bankotsu closed the door behind her. The air was heavy with anticipation as Kagome stood, waiting for Bankotsu's actions. Bracing herself, she tensed as she watched him approach. To her surprise, Banktosu strode past her, smirking as he did so.

Bankotsu moved towards the corner of the room, a good 10 feet or so of distance between him and Kagome. He set his Banryu aside, laying it tenderly in the crook of the wall. It made a heavy clunk as it made contact with the floor that made Kagome flinch.

Next, Bankotsu reached for his armor. Undoing the red leather string that held his shoulder plate to the rest of his iron armor, it hit the ground with an equally heavy thud. She and her group had battled Bankotsu and his men a number of times but without his armor, he looked so...normal. Still, she knew better than to get comfortable as he was just as formidable without it. Then, Kagome had a sudden discomforting realization as she realized that he was disrobing.

Preparing to go on the offensive, Kagome reached inwards, searching for any trace of her miko powers. She wasn't sure how effective they would be since Bankotsu was an undead human and not a demon, but tonight might be the night she found out.

His hand reached towards the opening of his robe, tugging it downwards to reveal a toned shoulder. The lithe muscles bulged slightly as he lifted an equally toned arm out from a sleeve. One side of the robe fell, leaving Bankotu's bare chest exposed. Although his frame was small, his body screamed of capability. Kagome balled her fists in preparation for what was coming next.

Bankotsu, who had been preoccupied with his thoughts, noticed Kagome's unease, looked down at his exposed chest and rolled his eyes with realization. "Please," Bankotsu said with a sneer, "Don't flatter yourself. I have no interest in lying with you. I've been with women far more beautiful, and far more powerful.

Those last words stung as Kagome struggled to dredge up any of her miko abilities. She worried if she would be alive long enough for her to regain the strength to do so.

Bankotsu continued disrobing as he spoke. Pulling out his other arm, his muscles rippled from tiny movement. The top half of his robe fell splaying the full glory of his toned frame. His hands rested on his hips, elbows, splayed as he looking into Kagome's eyes "And don't think that doing so will get me to spare your life"

Simultaneously embarrassed and insulted by Bankotsu's insinuation, Kagome felt herself flush. Bankotsu noticed, and he smiled in flagrant satisfaction at once again getting under her skin.

The sight of this made Kagome forget her embarrassment as a feeling of insulted rage surged. She wished for nothing more than to dig her nails into his undead flesh and to tear him apart. Her mouth parted in preparation for a retort, one that Bankotsu expected and eagerly awaited.

"Well, I'll consider myself thankful that I don't have to worry about your attentions" she said with disdain. "I would rather die than lower myself to that" she spat.

"Oh?" said Bankotsu, his amusement growing with her fury. He sauntered towards her slowly, the smile never leaving his face. He continued forward as Kagome retreated, her escape cut off once she reached the confines of the hut's rough wall. Never breaking eye contact, Bankotsu now had her cornered. Her back pressed into the wall in an attempt to make herself as small as possible.

"You'd rather die? Is that what you said?"

Kagome could barely gasp before his hand reached out towards her. It wasn't a fast motion. It was slow and painfully self-assured. She flinched, bracing herself for pain, but to her surprise, she felt instead felt Bankotsu pat her on the head. Being treated like a child, she realized, was far more infuriating than being insulted.

Face to face, Kagome saw Bankotsu's smile tinge with sinister intent.

"I think," his hand then trailed down the backside of her head, cradling it almost tenderly as his rough palm cupped the back of her neck, "You'll find that'll come sooner than you imagine."

Tightening his grasp on her neck, he forced her head up to meet his gaze until his nose was nearly touching hers. His eyes were still shining with amusement, his tone was light and edged with excitement like he was holding a secret he couldn't wait to share.

"Don't overestimate your importance to me. I'm only keeping you alive so that you'll be up and kickin' when it's time to use you. But the second you become more trouble than I think you're worth, I'll be done with you"

Previously frozen in place by the intensity of his stare, Kagome had shaken off her stupor and was now desperately trying to loosen his fingers from the back of their neck. They didn't budge. His grip was firmly in place and moved her head as if she were a puppet. Turning her head to the side, his lips were dangerously close to her cheek as he continued "I wouldn't recommend trying any clever miko stunts if I were you"

The pounding of her heart rang in her ears so loudly that she swore Bankotsu could hear it too. She glanced down at his bare chest to see whether he was breathing heavy with excitement at impending violence but there was ...nothing. Kagome chided herself for seeing anything human about him. She reminded herself that she must never forget that what she was dealing with is not a man, but a monster.

Without another word, Bankotsu roughly released her. He left no mark and Kagome felt no pain afterward, but she was so unnerved at his close proximity to her that she didn't feel confident that her body wouldn't give way.

Sinking to the floor, Kagome stared at him with burning hate. She hated that she couldn't help but recoil from his touch and that he made her body react without her permission; she hated that he was able to make her so angry all the time; she hated that he was so sure she wouldn't put a toe out of line; she hated how every reaction she had always seemed to play right into his hands.

"Don't…" she rasped out, "Don't you ever touch me again" she warned, Her voice, though raw, was quivering with anger.

Bankotsu smirked at her threat and shrugged. "You may not realize it, but I am the only reason you're still alive at this point. If something were to happen to me..." he looked at his nails innocently, "There's no telling what my men what do to you"

. . .

A growing pain woke up Kagome the next morning, her tired eyes opening to see an unfamiliar old wooden floor that creaked with every labored movement she made. Kagome attempted to sit up when a hoarse grunt escaped from her still bruised throat. Her aching body collapsed back onto the floor, the location was indistinguishable and she seemed to be hurting from everywhere at once.

'Wait' her groggy mind thought with alarm. Her sleep was a glorious but short-lived respite from the horrors she had witnessed the previous days. All too soon, the memory of her circumstances came back to her. Fighting against her desire to laze about and sink back into deep sleep, Kagome's muscles tensed, as she eyed her surroundings. To her relief, the room was absent of ruthless leader, Bankotsu.

She heaved a heavy sigh. Since it seemed that there was nothing she could do about her pain, Kagome lie on the dirty floor and stared blankly at the cracked, and stained wall.

Time didn't seem to affect her here. Unlike in her world where there were always constant reminders that time was passing by, here there were no clocks, no alarms, and no schedules. Nothing but the sunshine and the wind in the trees to remind her that she was alive.

"Ouch" Kagome whispered aloud to herself, while staring into space, a tear had involuntarily run down her cheek, its salty water burning a cut she didn't was there. Kagome made no move to wipe away the salty droplet, instead, she let the sting distract her from the nothingness that was enveloping her.

No more tears followed, but one was more than enough to bring unpleasant memories roaring back.

(Flashback)

"Kagome! Wait!" InuYasha panted. He stumbled after her retreating figure in confusion.

"Kagome!" he called again frantically, "What did I do wrong? What did I do?"

Kagome stopped; her back heaving with the deep breaths she took in an attempt to keep calm. Slowly turning around to face him, Kagome's voice was cold and distant.

"If you don't know why I'm upset," Kagome said with deliberation, "I believe it's finally time for us to part ways, forever."

InuYasha snorted. "Stupid, how can we search for the jewel shards if you're not going to look at me?" he chided, rolling his eyes with a scoff, "How dumb"

Kagome just stared levelly at the white-haired hanyou, her face appearing emotionless as she regarded him with an icy gaze of detachment. Normally she would have "sat" him into oblivion, but things were beyond that now, this wasn't something that having InuYasha slammed into the ground (repeatedly) could fix.

"I'm going" she declared, "This is where "we" come to an end"

InuYasha stared at her dumbfounded, "But Kagome! Something might happen to you, you'd get killed in an instant! You wouldn't stand a chance without me. You need me to protect you" he finished matter-of-factly, completing his statement by crossing his arms across his chest with a grin of triumph on his face. Kagome turned on her heel so that InuYasha was once again facing her back.

"I'll just have to take that chance," she said, a lump of emotion threatening to break her cold facade and unleash the wail she felt rising in her throat.

"But Kagome!" InuYasha yelled after her, the howling wind making his pleas sound faint as they fell on Kagome's ears, "I was only doing what I thought was right"

"Ha!" Kagome said with a bitter snort. '"What he thought was right?" What difference did it make what his motives were? He made his choice, and now she was making hers.

Moving one foot determinedly after the other, Kagome steadily increased the distance between them, "Goodbye" she whispered, as tears began welling up in her eyes. The sharp wind stung her face and her eyes began tearing even more. A shudder ran throughout her body, as she ducked her head from the wind, "Goodbye"

(End Flashback)

The sudden clanking of a bucket brought Kagome back from her sad thoughts. Hastily wiping her tear-stained face, Kagome attempted to reestablish a look of defiance on her face.

"What do you want?" she challenged the intruder, a repulsed Jakotsu.

"Ugh, she reeks!" Jakotsu declared in the doorway, "Bankotsu, can't we put her away somewhere where her stench won't reach us?" he griped.

Kagome spared a moment of staring death at Jakotsu to see the contents of the bucket he had brusquely thrown at her. To her surprise and relief, it was just food, various berries, and whatnot.

"Shut up!" growled Kyokotsu, who was getting a headache from listening to Jakotsu's shrill voice.

"Yeah, put a can in it" agreed Bankostu, "You're ruining the mood" the Band Of Seven, (with the exception of the still missing Renkotsu) appeared to have reunited. Their return had gone unnoticed by Kagome who had been deep into her own melancholy. Now they were gathered back at the main building doing what they did second-best: drinking.

Kagome decided to try and take advantage of Bankotsu's seeming good humor. They're probably good and drunk now—wait, can the undead get drunk?

But she was beaten to it before she could finish scheming. To her surprise, it was by Bankotsu himself.

"If it's that bad then go take her out for a bath, I'm sure you won't mind," he said to Jakotsu with a wry laugh.

"What? But—" Jakotsu stopped his protestation and let out a defeated sigh, when Bankotsu made a decision while he was drinking, there was no budging from it. "I can't believe this" he mumbled crossly, "Alright you," he said motioning towards Kagome with his voice dripping with dislike, "let's get this over with"

Kagome stood up obediently, ignoring her protesting body, and without touching the first food she'd seen in three days. Despite the mutual disdain for the feminine man, she was grateful for the opportunity to clean herself, and for the chance to soak her wounds in the soothing water of a hot spring.

"Come," Jakotsu said tersely, walking a brisk pace out of the building and into the open village, "Don't take your sweet time now, girl, unless you want me to drag you there"

Kagome seethed inwardly but said nothing, trotting to Jakotsu's side as quickly as her body would allow.

"Wait," Bankotsu said slowly, bringing his hand lazily into the air, "No need to limit yourself to the confines of this pitiful village. I know you can handle her. There's a nice stream nearby, why don't take her there instead?" His expression was open and his tone seemed genuine. Kagome's eyes immediately narrowed in suspicion.

Jakotsu, on the other hand just shrugged, "Makes no difference to me, girl. Come!" he beckoned. This time, Kagome stood firm.

"No" she said.

The other men paused. Even Bankotsu, who was mid-sip, halted. His eyes never left his cup but his lips quickly parted into a grin, "I don't think you're in the position to make demands here, sweetheart"

Everyone's attention was rapt and was now back on Kagome.

"I'll kill myself before I let you send me alone into the woods with this pyscho" she said gesturing towards Jakotsu.

Jakotus did a double-take. Is she talking about me? His expression asked. He crossed his arms in protest. "Rude" he huffed, "She's not wrong, but still".

"And…" Bankotsu smirked as he met her gaze insolently, "why would that matter to me? You're as good as dead anyway". Kagome tried not to shiver at the truth of that statement.

"Because" she declared, "without me…you'll never get InuYasha and the others" Jakotsu's eyes widened with panic at the thought of this.

"Or" Bankotsu countered, "with your death, InuYasha would come running even more quickly"

Kagome opened her mouth with a retort but decided not to say it. 'Somehow I think not' she thought bitterly.

"Girl!" Jakotsu said, interrupting the two, this was just getting painful to watch, "Do you want to die? Cause if you don't this really isn't the way to go about it"

"I don't care" she stated simply, "Whether I'm alive or dead…it makes no difference"

Jakotsu just shook his head incredulously and opened his mouth to speak before he was interrupted.

"Fine" Bankotsu agreed, to the shock of everyone, "you can bathe in a hot spring"

Kagome and the others stared at Bankotsu with disbelief all over their faces.

"B-b-but Bankotsu—!"

Bankotsu held out a hand to silence the protestations, "However," his eyes sparkled as he flashed a devilish grin, "I'll be escorting you there"

—gasp—WHEEZE—I finally got it over with. This isn't a cliff hanger so don't you guys go flaming on meh. But without further ado, I'd like to give a big loving shout out to these awesome pplz who reviewed ^^

The Afore Mentioned Awesome Pplz:

Bankotsu Satori (-Edited)

Kittyb78

Yuti-Chan

-WhiteStars-

xxlemon

aislin94

animafan36

Thank you all soooo much! ^^ Toodles