Chapter 14

Where is she? She can't be too far, her scent is still here.

Inuyasha asked in desperation to no one in particular. A path with her scent mixed with graveyard soil trailed from the village through the forest but he'd searched all night with no sign of Kagome.

Maybe they moved off the trail, maybe they were trying to throw him off. No, it can't be. Her scent has been consistent though faint throughout the trail, no stutters in the pattern. This has to be the right way.

Kagome ... please be okay. I'll find you and then I'll tell you how sorry I am. I'm an idiot, you didn't deserve to find out that way. Please forgive me, you can sit me into next year. Just please ... please forgive me. I don't love her like I love you!

The thought surprised him. Not because of denial, but the lie in it. And the truth was, Inuyasha didn't know who he loved most.

Kagome had shown him what it truly means to love and care for someone. But Kikyo was the one who showed him that he, a half-breed, was capable and, an even better word, worthy, of someone's love. Even a human's.

He thought he could have both, thought that Kagome will never leave his side no matter how much reason she had to go. Thought that Kikyo would always have a soft spot for him where her heart once beat. And time again, he was right. Kagome never left. Kikyo continued to lure him in. Why can't he make them both happy? Kagome being so stubborn like she didn't know what this was from the beginning. He always came back to her, right? Shouldn't that count for something?

But the memory of Kagome's fractured gaze told him that it didn't.

The dirt path finally broke from the tree line leading down a hill. Just a little further up the trail was a castle. It's walls of stone and flags of pride battered and burnt from battle. The smell of blood stail in the air. This castle hasn't been abandoned for long. The girl's scent remaining on the path down the hill and towards the castle.

Kagome must be in there.

Sneaking down the hill and closer to the castle, Inuyasha scouted the grounds, eyes and ears peeled for any presence. It wasn't long before he spotted the giant tin metal-man. No doubt about it, the Band of Seven were in the castle. And that meant, so was Kagome.

Hang in there, Kagome! I'll save you!

Meanwhile ...

A blush stained Kagome's cheeks from the moment she woke. The night before, not only had she kissed her captor, but she gave him access to her body to do what no one else has done before. Even more bizarre, she liked it. No, she reveled in the sensations Bankotsu pushed through her. She woke up wanting him more. His lips, his fingers, his tongue ... all doing wild things to her body and wreaking havoc on her mind. She was so young, always expected her first time to be special. At one point, she even thought about granting Inuyasha that privilege. But now, she couldn't imagine Inuyasha giving her what Bankotsu did. Bankotsu may have not taken her virginity, but there's no hiding that he took something. And he knew it too.

The whole thing just kept replaying in her thoughts, causing her thighs to clench and her wetness spread. The sounds, so dirty, ringing in her ears. The smile he shot at her was the look of a predator, and when he licked her essence coating his lips, she shivered. He then dressed her and sent her to bed. Satisfied, hungry and confused.

She started about her chores with an extra pep in her step but Bankotsu wouldn't spare her a single glance. It wasn't like before, he didn't flirt with her or give her that look. He just didn't acknowledge her. Kind of a punch in the gut for the girl who bared herself to the mercenary. Couldn't he at lest look at her? Tell her to her face that last night meant nothing?! But he said she was his! Her anger surpassed her embarrassment. However, it doesn't seem that the rest of the Band of Seven noticed anything different. They were all acting the same as before. Perhaps they didn't know about what happened last night. Either that or they're not to say anything. If that's the case, it'd probably be better for me to go along with it. So she kept her mouth shut and her hands moving.

A naughty thought of her good behavior receiving herself an award from Bankotsu sent a shiver down her legs, even if she didn't mean for it.

For the rest of the morning, she went along with it. Doing as she was told, not speaking, not staring for too long. And it all seemed to be working out okay.

However, Bankostu was just as twisted up about last night as Kagome.

Her taste was still on his tongue, her scent on his fingers. It made his mouth water, wanting more like a ravenous beast. It was almost impossible to will his member to relax. The thought of taking the miko to his chambers to continue what they started crossed his mind more than a few times but he had to keep focus. She's Inuyasha's wench. She's our prisoner. She's the bait. She's the ultimate wet dream.

Wait ... what?

Now that he's seen what's under that kimono, he wants to see, touch and taste it every day. Never had a wine so sweet. He'd caught her staring at him a couple times, it made him smirk knowing what was going through that pretty little head that made her cheeks red. And now that she had a glimpse at what only he can do to her, make her feel, she wants him even more.

That's just too bad. If only things were different.

A rustle in the trees grabbed everyone's attention, readying their weapons.

Kagome gasped at the color red. She already knew who it was.

"Took him long enough." Bankotsu muttered as Inuyasha leaped from behind the trees, landing in front of the mercenaries with his tetsaiga drawn.

"Bankotsu!"

"Yo, half-breed. It's about time you showed up, I was just about to give up."

"Shut up! Hand over Kagome and I just might make your death less painful."

"You want her? You'll have to take her!" Bankotsu leapt towards Inuyasha, swinging his Banryu towards the half-demon.