BIG thank you to Ellimac1716 for pointing out that some of my sentences had been cut off. So this is the edited Chapter 6. Once again, thanks so much! Keeping me on my toes ;) At least I know someone's reading it :P
The remaining Shichinintai and Kagome were situated in the largest room of the massacred village's temple. The small but carefully crafted statues of the local deities which once stood proudly in stony reverence around the temple's interior, were now strewn about the room in rocky pieces, their holy faces unrecognizable and distorted as if in horror of the bloodshed that the seven undead mercenaries inflicted upon its helpless villagers.
Kagome's fate was as grim as the weather that had unexpectedly struck that night: the clouds were a stormy gray, and the icy rain was accompanied by bone-chattering winds that whistled angrily around the building that the Shichinintai currently occupied. Despite their numbers being reduced from seven to five, the remaining mercenaries drank carelessly, their drunken laughter and carousing clashing into the deafening howls of the chaotic weather outside. Bankotsu was the liveliest of the bunch, with a ruddy grin and lewd jeers he led the others in another round of numerous toasts, draining the sake bottle to a dangerously low level.
Casting a demure glance downwards, Kagome's resilience began to waver. With the possibility of her either escaping or being rescued diminishing with every passing hour, the small bubble of willpower that kept her optimistic was dwindling. She felt incapable of pulling her façade of defiance for much longer and the anxiety of being captive was wearing on her physically and mentally. Her face, once healthy with the rosy flush of youth, was now looking gaunt and pale from lack of sleep and food; her hands which one strung her bow so steadily, now wavered as the apprehension of her oncoming death loomed nearer; and her voice that once called out to InuYasha so clearly, was now hoarse and weak, humbled by the merciless hands of Bankotsu who had unflinchingly demonstrated his ability to end her life during the previous night.
To Kagome's dread, the drunken raucous was suddenly interrupted by the muffled growling of her stomach. Silence fell across the room as all eyes fell upon Kagome.
"…She's hungry again?" Jakotsu asked with disgust, eyeing her scrawny frame, "What happened to that fish she ate earlier today?"
Suikotsu interjected diplomatically, "With my other half being a doctor, I can safely inform you that human females are able to consume huge amounts of nourishment, and within a short period of time" The others stared at each other quizzically, then turned to Bankotsu awaiting his decision.
He appeared thoughtful despite the obvious effects of his excessive alcohol consumption. Suddenly his contemplative gaze turned onto a startled Kagome, who breathlessly awaited his merciless action towards her.
"What if we cut out her belly?" suggested a malicious Suikotsu, "she can't be hungry if she has no stomach" a chorus of laughter rang from the other Shichinintai.
"Hah! We could slice off her mouth then," a malicious Jakotsu added, taking a cue of violence from the bloodthirsty doctor, "she can't complain is she can't speak!" that raised an even louder cheer amongst the undead mercenaries.
Kagome's blood chilled as she heard their ruthless suggestions, her eyes widening with thoughts of death being evident—she could only pray that she wouldn't survive the torture they were to inflict on her. Her terrified eyes then fell onto Bankotsu's pleadingly; she hoped that whatever evil plan he intended involving her, kept her alive just a little bit longer.
Bankotsu's gaze on Kagome was steadfast as he regarded her with a look of mild interest, tilting his head with consideration. Finally opening his mouth to speak, Kagome and the others breathlessly awaited what his decision would be.
"Drink" he said pleasantly, but despite his tone it was not a request.
The men gaped at Bankotsu, who had anticipated his pronouncement with eagerness and whose disappointment was only outweighed by their immense shock.
Kagome too was speechless, not that she would've spoken otherwise, but her mind was reeling at his decision, overwhelmed with confusion, anxiety, and over-all gratefulness to live to see at least one more sunrise.
The stunned silence was broking by an inquisitive "Gersh?" from Ginkotsu.
A drunken smile of wickedness spread across Bankotsu's countenance, "It's a congratulations!" he gave a nod of mocking approval in Kagome's direction, "to the girl, for managing to stay alive this long"
"Psh, this is a cake walk compared to what we went through when we were living," said a pouting Jakotsu, he eyed the girl with immense dislike, her existence irritated him and the sooner they were be rid of her foul presence the better.
"Truuuuue" Bankotsu slurred in drunken contemplation, but an erratic wave of his hand dismissed the idea, "we have made this entirely to easy for her…but we'll worry about that later, we have work to do and more importantly—" he looked into the face of Ginkotsu, Jakotsu, and Renkotsu solemnly, "we're almost out of sake"
"So I bestow upon you gentlemen, the honor—no the privilege! —of obtaining the finest sake you can find to grace our pallet" he gave an inebriated grin as he shooed them from there comfortable lounging, "Ah!" he added to the departing trio, "and old Ginko's been squeaking a bit, go round up some oil to fix that will ya? That would make attempting an ambush attack hell. Hurry back now" he gave them a good-natured wave while simultaneously encompassing his face entirely with the opening of the sake jug.
Jakotsu and Ginkotsu exited wordlessly as they made their way to fulfill their leader's orders. Renkotsu, however, hesitated, stealing an emotionless glance at the carefree Bankotsu and at Kagome, their stoic captive, before departing along with the others into the inky night.
"Now you" Bankotsu turned his attention back towards Kagome, "drink, drink, this is a night of celebration" he sloppily nudged the sake jug towards her, its liquid cargo sloshing capriciously as Bankotsu motioned it towards her.
Kagome wordlessly looked down towards her bound wrists, now bloody from the unceasing chaffing from the old fraying rope that bound them together.
"Ah," deduced Bankotsu noting her bound wrists, "I see your problem" grabbing a nearby dagger that was strewn about carelessly about the floor, he held it firmly above Kagome's delicate wrists.
"Now, let's set a few rules here" he said as he positioned himself closer to his captive, he then laughed as he regarded his statement, "Hah! What am I saying? There's only one rule when you're a prisoner: 'Don't even think about trying to escape'" he grinned "If I ended up using my Banryuu on you….you'd end up in half…and I prefer my deliveries to be in one piece"
Before Kagome could open her mouth to speak, Bankotsu spoke once again, "So…. I'm going to cut your wrists free…and you'll sit there and be a good little prisoner so that I don't have to butcher you, okay? Because one thing I will not tolerate is a rude guest" his pleasant tone masked the painful death that any escape attempt would guarantee her, he grinned at her in a good-natured way and indeed freed her sore wrists.
Kagome was apprehensive about her new liberties and made no movement besides gingerly massaging her bruises, she eyed the seemingly innocent Bankotsu waryingly.
To Kagome's surprise, Bankotsu's grin slowly faded as he turned away from her, his gaze was blank as unexpectedly he fell into contemplation, the jug of sake falling forgotten by his side. With his mouth pursed in thoughtfulness, Bankotsu shifted his cheek onto a solemn fist as an inaudible sigh escaped from his lips, betraying a weariness that Kagome didn't know he was capable of possessing.
She looked over Bankotsu, observing the sudden darkening of his disposition silently and with mixed feelings: curiousness and surprise as she believed that the leader of a group of mercenaries harbored no feelings of any sort beyond bloodlust and evil, anxiety because of the untold consequences this would have on her wellbeing, and a third feeling that she couldn't identify but that tugged at the back of her throat and made her embarrassed to be seeing her ruthless captor in such a state. Awkwardly averting her eyes, Kagome avoided Bankotsu, sparing only one last tiny glance at his thoughtful form before staring fixedly on the floor in front of her.
They both sat there motionless for an indeterminate amount of time, Kagome dared not move lest she shook him out of his reverie and induced his wrath. As the dominating presence of thoughtful silence filled the room, Kagome's thoughts began to wander as well. Unable to fight her memories, the bittersweet memories of one of the last conversations she had with InuYasha had come forth, releasing the stinging pain of sadness and betrayal that InuYasha had inflicted upon her.
"It's a shame," Bankotsu said softly to himself, nevertheless breaking the stillness in the room and startling Kagome out her own thoughtfulness. He let out another sigh and closed his eyes in a manner of sorrowful disappointment, "Such a shame"
Kagome was silent, but Bankotsu needed no response, opening his eyes and gazing heavenward as if longing for guidance from above, he continued.
"Life…to be alive…" Bankotsu mused, "Is life an accident or a miracle? One has no say in the decision and, once bestowed with it, has no choice but to live. Are living beings all creatures that were forced to live against their will simply because they were endowed with the so-called blessing of 'life'? "
Bankotsu's tone turned bitter as he continued, "We were given a second chance—another life! —given to us….forced upon us…" It took a moment for Kagome to realize that Bankotsu was referring to the other undead mercenaries that he led, the Shichinintai, who had been brought back to life by use of the sacred jewel shards that were given to them by Naraku.
"After being restored to life by the hands of Naraku, there was no undoing it. Being alive makes one makes one crave staying alive. And to die again" Bankotsu winced, "is just so cruel"
Kagome was still silent as she regarded Bankotsu with a blank stare, her sympathy attempted to show itself but she fought the urges of her emotional heart with the cold and impersonal nature of logic. Bankotsu was grieving over the deaths of his two comrades Mukotsu and Kyoukotsu and Kagome's empathetic nature was at odds with her practical self as it strove to see past all the threats and violence that accompanied the evil undead mercenary.
Seeing the remorseless Bankotsu feeling grief confused Kagome and made her question the limits of his humanity….which in turn made her upset with herself by the fact that she was even considering it. Twice she had found herself wavering on things that were irresolute: Bankotsu was evil. Evil people are always evil. So to let little actions—her mind instantly backtracked to the time in the hot spring when he had slain his own brother Mukotsu and saved her from the slimy man—deceive her and mistakenly think that he was a being that wasn't completely wicked was stupid and dangerous. She refused to acknowledge why she was having such thoughts in the first place and internally vowed to clamp down to on her obviously weakening resolve.
So despite the pain she could imagine that the ruthless Bankotsu was going through, she refused to let herself forget that above all he was cruel, her enemy, and her captor.
Bankotsu was quiet and contemplative for a little while longer before his demeanor changed just as quickly as before from despondent to jovial. The thoughtful creases between his eyebrows smoothed and the cloud lifted from his now once-again sparkling blue eyes.
"Oh well" he said with a shrug, "What canya do? Drink time!" Bankotsu cheered, taking another swig from the almost empty bottle before once again setting it before Kagome, "you'll need it girl, by this time tomorrow you might not ever enjoy anything else in life again"
'This time tomorrow?' Kagome eyed the moon that was visible through the thin walls of former temple, 'I have until tomorrow night' she thought steely. All thoughts of sympathy and compassion that she almost felt towards him were completely dissipated as she felt a burning hate flow throughout her body.
"Cheers"
Kagome's mouth and throat burned as the strong alcohol made its way down and caused a fire in her belly. Her eyes watered with the strength of the sake, and she had to pound her chest in order to try and appease her coughing.
Bankotsu laughed heartily and retrieved the jug from her delicate grasp, "Good stuff eh?" he attempted to take a generous swig before noticing with disappointment that the contents of the bottle were depleted and all that he could wring from it were a couple of unsatisfying drops.
"Damn it to hell" he muttered ruefully. Then an ecstatic grin crossed his face he exclaimed with a delighted slap on his knee, "Hah! Like us!"
Hey everybody! Wow, it's been like TWO YEARS since I've been on fanfiction! A lot has happened since then. Well I've finished my first year of college, made it through with most of my psyche intact and now I'm just chillin on my summer vacation. I'm working, and taking classes (which suuuuuck!) and have absolutely no life :) But why bore you with the details of my life :P
Anywhoo, I must apologize for having been on my undeclared hiatus for so long. I didn't expect to be so by busy over the past few years. I hope that I haven't lost all my creativity and if my writing style has changed, I hope that you all will find that it has changed for the better (Thank you AP Lit!).
For all my BanKag fans I know it's taking forever but PLEASE BELIEVE ME it will happen! I swear. A good two (steamy!) pages are already written but I gotta bust em out at the right time or the whole story will go to poop. So bear with me please, it'll be worth the wait I promise!
Toodles!
P.S-And if anyone who read this story when I was updating regularly (some years ago :P) sees that I've updated doesn't see the update and goes "Dis b*tch, updates after YEARS? Screw her!" and actually reads it. My sincere and heartfelt thanks goes out to you! I hate that I left ya'll hanging and as much as I know that I deserve to be punched in the face, it would be mucho appreciated if you didn't 3