Kagome stood in the middle of a foreign meadow, losing herself in the soothing breeze and the scent of spring. It was calming as it was beautiful. But the silence was soon broken by the whispers in the wind, calling out her name.

Kagome. Kagome.

"Who's there?" Kagome demanded.

Kagome.

"Wait – I know that voice …"

I'm sorry, Kagome. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me.

"Inu … yasha?"

Kagome, please forgive me.

"No! No more!" Kagome cried frantically while pulling at her hair. Desperate to make the voice go away.

Kagome.

"LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Kagome opened her eyes and felt her whole-body ache tremendously. She found herself bound atop the metal tank-like man, Ginkotsu. Some time during the rocky journey, exhaustion had overwhelmed her, and she succumbed only to be visited in her dreams by a voice she dreaded. A voice belonging to the man who she welcomed into her heart but became a parasite, eating away at her very soul knowing she would always return to him. Until now.

Ginkotsu came to an abrupt stop and Kagome's body lurched forward towards the edge but was stopped by a strong grip at the back of her shirt. She looked behind her to find Bankotsu, his eyes on hers with that same intense gaze that stir something inside her. She couldn't decide if it was fear or something else, it was indescribable. His eyes suddenly hardened and his grip tightened, Kagome was pulled back to land on her backside roughly. She whimpered lightly at the contact before looking back at Bankotsu, who was no longer looking at her, as he grabbed Banryu and jumped off Ginkotsu gracefully. He turned to face his comrades.

Kagome's eyes wandered to the building behind Bankotsu. A castle that stretched over the top of the mountain. As she looked closer, she could see the dried blood stains spotting the floor and walls. The Band of Seven must've taken over this castle from the lord that used to call it home.

"Unload the goods. Bring the girl in and get her cleaned up and changed into something more … appropriate for a servant."

Kagome shivered unpleasantly when Mukotsu turned his eyes to her. The thought of touching her was awakening his manhood and the look he was giving her couldn't have made it more obvious. Bankotsu must've caught on to it since he was glaring holes in the back of Mukotsu's head before continuing giving orders.

"Jakotsu! You will take the girl!"

Jakotsu growled, "Oh why!? Why do I have to be stuck with Inuyasha's wench?" Kagome flinched at being called a wench. The word alone was a slap to the face, but with Inuyasha's name added to it, she felt sickened.

Bankotsu chuckled and looked at Jakotsu with a smile, apparently used to his whining.

"As funny as it is to see you lose your head, you are the only one I could really trust around the girl." Bankotsu paused and Jakotsu's eyes widened as he watched Bankotsu lose his smile, his cobalt eyes turned dark and cold, "So quit your fucking whining and get her cleaned up, Jakotsu!" Bankotsu growled.

Jakotsu quickly nodded and set to work. He knew better than to try his leader's temper, at least any more than he already had. He ran into the castle and returned shortly with a fresh kimono in his hands. He grabbed Kagome and hoisted her over his shoulder before running off in the direction Bankotsu knew of a hot spring being located. The leader couldn't help but chuckle at his best friend's hastiness. He turned to the rest of his comrades with a once again serious glare.

"You all bring in everything you've gathered and make sure you clean up," His still facial expression changed drastically with a smirk, "When I return, we'll be celebrating. So, get moving!"

"Brother Bankotsu, where are you going?" Suikotsu asked.

Bankotsu didn't bother to turn around as he answered, "Someone's gotta get the sake. No one follow me." The men didn't say another word as they went about unloading their findings off Ginkotsu.

Bankotsu wandered through the trees, allowing himself to take advantage of the time alone. His thoughts came and went like the stars in the sky. Nothing could ease his mind, but he figured a walk could help. However, he realized he was horribly mistaken when a certain raven-haired girl kept returning to the front of his thoughts.

Damn, I need a drink.