InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Miko's Love Story. ❯ The Tension Mounts ( Chapter 11 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Disclaimer: I do not own or make profit from the Inuyasha series Copyrights to Inuyasha and Characters belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. I only own the plot, and story line to this story and Tara. There. I said it. (sighs)

A HUGE Thank you SangOtaku6 for your many ideas, suggestions, and mostly your tips:)

I would like to thank SangOtaku6 - for being an awesome writing coach and loving the Ban/Kag fandom as much as I do!

I'd also like to thank Ladyasile, Paper Bullet, and Jillion Tealleaf - for their advice and various ideas.

Chapter Eleven:

The Tension Mounts:

Kagome sighed heavily and faced the Tai Youkai. "It's complicated."

She looked at Inuyasha. "It would be best Inuyasha, if you stop fighting with Bankotsu," she suggested, annoyance clear in her tone and eyes.

She whirled to face Bankotsu, adding angrily, "And you had better stop fighting with Inuyasha."

Bankotsu's muscles were tense and the nerves in his body started shaking beneath his skin. He glared heatedly at her. "Don't order me around, Kagome. I take orders from no one!" He sneered with mixed emotions flashing through his eyes. "Especially not a girl,"

He faced Inuyasha. "And if you don't back off half breed, you are going to wish that we had never met," fist clenched tightly, leaving no doubt that he was serious.

"Bring it on, dead man," Inuyasha snarled in a voice laced with venom, drawing his sword and preparing to attack Bankotsu.

Bankotsu raised his Banryu, preparing to evade and counter attack.

Having had enough, Kagome's face flushed with anger and annoyance. "Inuyasha - sit boy! Bankotsu - heel!"

Inuyasha and Bankotsu's beads briefly glowed and they were slammed harshly into the ground, creating large gaping craters around their pain wracked bodies.

Shippo, Sango, Miroku, Kohaku, Rin, Sesshomaru, Jaken, Tara, Jakotsu, and Renkotsu, all stared on in shock as they watched the two quarreling males slam painfully into the ground.

Sesshomaru's lips lifted at one corner in amusement.

Everyone else stared at Kagome in shock.

Spitting out a mouthful of dirt, Inuyasha, snarled with a furious look in his eyes. "Damn it, wench! What the hell was that for?"

Kagome's jaw tensed and her mouth opened wide. "Sit boy!"

Inuyasha was slammed further into his hole.

Kagome's nostrils flared as she glared at her hanyou friend. 'If Inuyasha is so determined to quarrel with Bankotsu, than why is he so rude to me?'

Bankotsu's shaking arms pushed him to his knees and he groaned. He glared at Kagome with frightening intensity. His arms were still shaking from supporting his weight so soon after such an event. 'It is all her fault,' he decided ruefully, 'Not mine!'

Kagome warned him in a no-nonsense voice, "If you two don't stop fighting right now, I will do it again."

Bankotsu mumbled a few choice words under his breath as he picked himself up off the ground.

Inuyasha jumped up. "Kagome," he snarled angrily, glaring at her with a seriously ticked-off face.

Sesshomaru's lips tilted at one corner. 'Interesting. I've never been so fascinated by something such as this…well not for some time now.'

Still glaring at Kagome, Bankotsu, suggested, in a venomous tone, "Do not ever do that again." His fist was clenching and un-clenching while he tried to quell his rapidly rising temper.

Kagome snapped, "If you two idiots had continued fighting and gotten hurt, where would that leave us when Naraku shows up?" Her eyes narrowed at him. 'What you two idiots are arguing over is so trivial and stupid! You're acting like toddlers arguing over a toy, and I'm not a toy.' It was flattering only to an extent.

Bankotsu continued glaring at her a moment. Spinning around, he crossed his arms in annoyance, turning his back to her.

Driving Banryu deep into the earthen soil, he sat on the ground crossing his legs Indian style and continued glaring dangerously at everyone. "Not one word, or so help me..." he ground out through clenched teeth and chest heaving with the effort of controlling his burning rage.

Renkotsu, Jakotsu, Tara, Miroku, Sango, and Shippo all gulped nervously and nodded.

Sesshomaru blinked. 'So, the miko is able to subdue not only the half breed, but the mercenary as well, eh? What was that, anyway? Perhaps a spell of some sort?'

Inuyasha snarled, glaring at Kagome.

Kagome glared back and snapped, "Deal with it, Inuyasha. You two shouldn't have been fighting."

She faced Sesshomaru and asked nicely, "Sesshomaru, would you allow me to tend to Rin's wounds?"

Sesshomaru held her gaze and nodded. "You will explain to me how you are able to subdue both the half breed and mercenary and why you are allies."

Kagome nodded. "Very well, but first I want to tend Rin's wounds."

He nodded.

Rin stood nervously in front of him.

Kagome added, "You will have to bring her here."

He nodded to the child.

Rin walked over to Kagome.

Kagome began inspecting and tending to her wounds.

Finally gaining his voice back, Kohaku, looked curiously at Kagome, "How did you do that?" He was referring to how she had felled Inuyasha and Bankotsu, with only a few choice words. 'It was sheer magic!'

Kagome sighed heavily. "They wear the 'Beads of Subjugation' Only I can activate them and only with certain words."

Sesshomaru asked coolly, "How is it that you are now allies?" He added mentally, 'So I was correct, it was a spell.'

Bankotsu glared at Kagome, who just stared at him a minute silently, seeking his permission to explain their relationship. He sighed heavily and nodded. "You might as well."

Kagome faced Sesshomaru. "Bankotsu and I have been cursed by Naraku. We cannot leave each others sides and if one of us dies, so will the other."

Sesshomaru blinked. "I have heard of such a curse only one other time."

Sango added, "Kaede had mentioned as much. But she said she didn't know of any way to break it or if it was even possible."

Sesshomaru nodded. "I do not know how to break it either."

Bankotsu sighed heavily. "Great, now what?"

Sesshomaru thought things over a minute, and then announced, "I shall join you. After all, I am the one who shall defeat Naraku and he is sure to come after you." He frowned. 'I'm not too fond of the idea of associating with the half breed, but cannot think of any other way to conveniently defeat Naraku.'

Bankotsu's eyes narrowed, and he spat out, "I'm surprised that fucking coward Naraku hasn't shown up yet."

"No fucking way. No fucking way, am I working with you," Inuyasha snarled, glaring hatefully at Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru said evenly, "You will need all the help you can get, little brother." He added with slight amusement, "Especially with your miko and the mercenary now joined at the hip."

"Why you…" Inuyasha growled lowly. 'Bastard! He's enjoying this way too much.'

As the exchange of words went on, Bankotsu's eyes narrowed dangerously. He snagged Kagome's arm, yanking her to sit beside him.

She glared angrily at him.

He kept his grip on her wrist, ignoring her glare.

She let out a heavy sigh, looking away.

Miroku pointed out, "It would be beneficial for us to have another good fighter."

Sango nodded her agreement. "We still have to defeat Naraku. I thank you, Lord Sesshomaru, from the bottom of my heart for saving my brother. But I still have to beat Naraku. He killed my entire village," she finished sadly.

Kohaku nervously reached out laying a hand on her shoulder. "Sango, are you sure that you want me with you?" His eyes showed deep sadness and a tiny flicker of hope.

Sango grabbed his hand. "Of course Kohaku. I have finally gotten you back and don't want us to be separated again."

Kohaku's eyes watered as he whispered in a shaky voice, "Thank you, Sango." He was so, so relieved. Words could not express how good it was to be back with his beloved sister. 'I want to be by her side forever.'

Unsentimental, Bankotsu snapped, "You had damn well better not expect me to just stay out of the fights either."

Kagome sighed heavily. "No one expects that, Bankotsu. We all have our own reasons for wanting to face and defeat Naraku."

"No way," Inuyasha barked in an angry voice, claws digging into his skin from the pressure of his clenched fists. He still refused to condone Sesshomaru joining the group. 'He will only start ordering everyone around, making a nuisance of himself. With such a huge ego, he would no doubt force everyone to bow down to him. That is what happens whenever Sesshomaru involves himself with anything.'

"Do not make me repeat myself, little brother," Sesshomaru growled, sneering the last part. 'Honestly, it is worth it all just to see Inuyasha's reaction.'

Bankotsu glared at Sesshomaru."Don't think that you will get away with bossing me around either."

Sesshomaru glared at the undead corpse. "I have no intention of doing such." He added authoritatively, "However, you will show me the respect that I am due."

Bankotsu glared at him a moment. 'Fucking uptight demon bastard.'

Inuyasha snarled angrily, "It's my pack! That bastard is only leading because he has threatened to take Kagome away where I couldn't protect her."

Sesshomaru sneered, "Stop your whining, half breed."

He faced Bankotsu and stated, "I will not take orders from you, nor will my pack. We are simply joining forces."

Bankotsu nodded, "Agreed." He looked at Kagome. "As for you, it's high time that you started training."

Kagome blinked a few times. 'Training… What training?'

Bankotsu continued, "Normally, I don't have women under my command because they are so weak. You, however, will start training with me tomorrow." Holding her gaze he concluded authoritatively, daring with his eyes for her to argue back, "No excuses."

Kagome's gaze bore deeply into him a moment. Turning her head away, she stared at the sky, sighing heavily.

Bankotsu turned to Jakotsu and ordered, "You had better start training Tara as well."

Jakotsu nodded vigorously.

Bankotsu faced Renkotsu. "Tomorrow, you are going out with the monk, the slayer, and the half breed. You are to scout for rumors, nothing more."

Upon hearing Bankotsu's statement, Inuyasha, snarled. "Watch your mouth, Bankotsu."

Bankotsu glared at him. "Everyone has their orders and they had damned well better obey them," he stated authoritatively, eyes daring Inuyasha to defy him.

Sesshomaru growled, warning, "Listen to your alpha, little brother."

Inuyasha snarled. "That fucker isn't my alpha," he snapped in a voice laced with venom.

Sesshomaru snarled his own warning, "Maybe not, but I am. Now do as he said."

Inuyasha huffed and bounded into the tree to sulk.

Kagome faced Sesshomaru. "Rin's wounds should heal shortly." She sighed. 'No sense in reprimanding Sesshomaru about his behavior towards Inuyasha, because the two always argue. Besides Inuyasha will get over it soon enough.'

Sesshomaru ordered, "Kohaku, watch over Rin."

Kohaku blinked and nodded.

Sesshomaru left with Jaken close at his heels.

Rin stated happily, "Yay! Rin gets to stay with Kohaku." She threw herself into his arms. "Thank you so much for saving me."

Kohaku smiled and hugged her, saying softly, "You're welcome, Rin."

Sango blinked a few times. She looked at her brother and asked, "What exactly happened?"

"Naraku ordered me to kill Rin. When I refused, he ordered Kagura to kill me and take my shard," Kohaku replied sadly, eyes dimming. 'It was painful when the shard was removed… Even excruciating.'

'If Kohaku was under Naraku's control then he wouldn't have refused.' Sango's eyes dimmed. "Why didn't you kill Rin, Kohaku?"

Kohaku sighed heavily. "I was tired of killing," he answered."I couldn't bring myself to kill her," he finished quietly.

'So that means…' Sango's eyes shadowed pain."How long Kohaku?"

Kohaku blinked.

Sango repeated, "How long have you had your memories Kohaku?"

Kohaku answered evenly, "For a while now. I was hoping Naraku didn't realize it until I could catch him off guard and kill him."

"I see," Sango said sadly, pain filling her eyes. 'Why didn't he indicate so long ago? It would have made things so much easier for me to handle.'

Miroku pulled her into his arms and soothed, "It's okay, Sango love. He's here with us now."

She nodded, burying her head into his chest and hugged him to her.

Kohaku blinked. " Uh, Sango, who is he?"

Sango smiled and introduced her brother to Miroku, her intended.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Kohaku," Miroku grinned while holding out his hand.

Kohaku eyed the monk suspiciously. "Nice to meet you too. You had better make her happy," he said with dead serious eyes.

Miroku laughed. "I intend to." He leered at Sango and added, "Very happy." He rubbed her tempting backside.

Sango's eyes narrowed. "Hentai!" she slapped him so hard he stumbled back and then grinned at Kohaku. "Miroku takes some getting used to."

Kohaku blinked and nodded. 'Sister sure chose a weird one.'

Bankotsu blinked a few times. "So the monk and the slayer, eh?" he smirked. 'I hadn't noticed much about anything before joining the group, and even after joining I hadn't paid much attention to those two… but now that I think of it, she's always slapping him around and blushing and he's always groping her ass.'

Kagome gave a small smile and said happily, "Yes, and it's about time." She grinned. 'Even though my love life isn't exactly smooth going, it is comforting to see Sango is enjoying her deserved happiness.' Looking at her friend, Kagome realized she looked truly happy in the way her face shone brightly. 'In all the time I've known her, Sango has never looked as bubbly as she does now.'

Sango and Kohaku exchanged hugs.

Kohaku said, "Congratulations, Sango."

She grinned and said, "Thanks, Kohaku."

Miroku slapped Kohaku on the back and assured him, "I won't hurt her."

Kohaku held his gaze man to man and warned him, "You had better not."

Bankotsu chuckled. "I never would have expected that."

Renkotsu snorted in disgust.

Tara grinned and said, "Good luck, Sango."

Sango smiled and said, "Thanks."

Jakotsu grumbled, "Now the monk is taken." He brightened and said cheerily, "At least I still have my sexy little Inuyasha and his cute little puppy ears."

Bankotsu shook his head in amusement. "Go for it, Ja!"

Inuyasha scowled. "Stay away from me, you freak."

Jakotsu moved towards him, eyes shining with eagerness.

Bankotsu threw his head back, laughing heartily. "Don't be so mean to Ja, Inutrasha. Besides, you know that you like all of the attention."

Kagome laughed as she watched Inuyasha dancing away from Jakotsu.

"Get away, freak."

Bankotsu laughed at Inuyasha's priceless face when Jakotsu tackled and kissed Inuyasha on the lips.

Inuyasha stared in shock and then jumped up, shoving Jakotsu off, and scrubbing furiously at his face trying to remove all traces of the unwanted kiss. His eyes narrowed dangerously and he snarled, "You sick bastard, I'll kill you."

Kagome's eyes widened as Inuyasha drew out his sword preparing to attack. 'Oh shit, if he attacks Jakotsu, Bankotsu will attack him and it will start all over again.'

Kagome yelled, "Sit boy!"

Inuyasha plummeted to the dirt.

Bankotsu rolled on the ground laughing his sides out.

Tara laughed. "Hey Inuyasha, maybe next time you should actually try dodging him."

Inuyasha pulled himself up and glared at her snarling. "Shut your mouth, bitch."

Tara narrowed her eyes at him. "Make me, mutt."

Bankotsu was still howling in laughter. 'Any time Inutrasha gets humiliated is okay with me.' He grabbed his stomach and continued rolling in laughter.

Kagome yelled, "Enough! Inuyasha, be nice or I will say 'it'. Jakotsu, don't touch Inuyasha. Tara, calm down." She faced Bankotsu. "And you, start acting your age."

Bankotsu wiped away the tears and blinked. He scowled. "Hey! Just what is that supposed to mean?" he glared at Kagome.

She scoffed. "Exactly what I said. You shouldn't have encouraged Jakotsu to harass Inuyasha."

"If Inutrasha can't cope with one over-excited admirer, then it isn't my fault," Bankotsu snapped, defending himself.

'At each others throats again, are they?' Kagome sighed annoyed. She said, "You and I both know damn well that Jakotsu wouldn't have done that if you hadn't encouraged him. We also know that Inuyasha doesn't like him that way. So stop it."

Bankotsu snapped, "So Inutrasha lapped up the attention like the dog he is. Now didn't he?"

Kagome sighed heavily.

Inuyasha walked up behind her and snarled, "Forget it, Kagome."

Kagome sighed again when she noticed Bankotsu and Inuyasha exchanging heated glares. She warned them seriously, "Cut it out both of you, or I am going to say 'it' so hard you will be knocked out until next week from the impact."

They glared at her, and then huffed, turning their backs to her.

Kagome sat down sighing heavily.

Inuyasha sat on one side of her and Bankotsu on the other.

Bankotsu ordered testily, "Jakotsu, Renkotsu, go hunt and you better bring back something decent."

They nodded jumping up and left to hunt.

Sango and Miroku left to collect the water.

Rin and Kohaku gathered the firewood.

Tara began setting up the rocks for the fire.

XOXOXOXOXO

Kohaku and Rin walked a little way from the main camp to collect some decent firewood.

Rin gathered her flowers.

Kohaku stayed close to her, gathering some firewood.

Rin stood up and walked over to Kohaku, handing him a flower. She smiled and said cheerily, "This is for you, to say thank you."

Kohaku blinked, and then smiled. "Uh, thanks, and you're welcome." His cheeks were slightly tinged pink. 'It's kind of embarrassing to receive flowers from a girl – especially a pretty one.'

'He's so sweet and kind of cute.' Rin blushed slightly and then, turned around, grinning as she gathered more flowers.

Kohaku tucked the flower away and gathered some more sticks. He cleared his throat. "Let's go back, Rin."

Rin nodded and they walked back into camp together.

XOXOXOXOXO

Miroku and Sango stood over by the water.

Sango's eyes leaked a few tears. 'I'm happy to have Kohaku back alive and safe. It is a great achievement! Even though we aren't really any closer to defeating Naraku, it feels as if I've done enough to live happily forever more.' She sighed heavily. 'But I have to keep going for the sake of justice and vengeance, for my people.'

Miroku gently laid a hand on her shoulder, squeezing lightly. "Sango, are you going to be okay?" he asked, with concern evident in his voice and love in his eyes.

Sango smiled. "Yes, Miroku. I am just happy to have Kohaku back."

Miroku smiled, opening his arms and waiting nervously for her reaction.

Sango walked into his arms, hugging him. "Thank you, Miroku."

'To be honest, I hadn't expected Sango to hug me at all.' After getting over his shock, Miroku was in sheer heaven hugging the woman he loved. He stated, "Don't worry, Sango, I won't grope you right now."

She smiled gratefully. "Thank you, hands off for now."

'She needs some time to work through things.' He smiled. "I will do as you say, Sango my dear."

Sango stepped back, smiling proudly at him.

Miroku gave her a charming smile and bent down to lift the water.

Sango walked beside him back over to the campsite.

XOXOXOXOXO

Renkotsu spotted a good sized boar and attacked it mercilessly, causing it to give forth a loud groan and collapse with great anguish upon the ground. It died soon after.

Renkotsu smirked. 'That wasn't so hard; it even works off a bit of frustration... although it isn't enough to make me happy – not by a long shot.'

Jakotsu pouted. "That was my kill, Renkotsu."

Renkotsu laughed. "Better luck next time," he said as he gathered his kill. 'I'm much stronger than that freak Jakotsu.'

Jakotsu huffed and stomped his foot. He spotted a smaller boar and smirked, whipping out his sword. He sliced the boar's head cleanly off. He flung his sword into a nearby deer, slicing its head off as well. Grinning like a Cheshire cat, Jakotsu replaced his sword and walked over, gathering his kills.

He smirked at Renkotsu. "Well, get the next one so we can go already."

'If I had not seen it with my own eyes, I would not have believed Jakotsu was friendly a woman.' Renkotsu sneered, "Missing your bitch already?"

Jakotsu's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Bite your tongue Renkotsu, or else I will cut it out for you." He hissed, adding, "She isn't my bitch - I hate women."

Renkotsu glared at Jakotsu. "Whatever," he snapped as he walked off and killed a couple rabbits. After gathering his kills, Renkotsu stood up. "Let's go back now."

He and Jakotsu returned to camp.

XOXOXOXOXOXO

Back at the campsite after everyone had returned, Tara had finally managed to start a fire and had set up the pots.

Renkotsu and Jakotsu began cleanly slicing up the meat.

Tara gathered the meat, rinsing it in the second bucket of water. She added it to the pots and sat waiting with everyone else for it to cook.

Renkotsu cleaned his hands off in the same bucket.

Jakotsu and Tara walked to the river.

XOXOXOXOXO

They dumped the tainted water and scrub their hands before gathering fresh water.

Tara faced Jakotsu. "What is the deal with that Renkotsu guy?"

Jakotsu scowled answering grumpily, "Jerk, thinks he is better than everyone else."

Tara quipped dryly, "So I have noticed."

Tara stood there a moment gazing at the stars in silence.

Jakotsu took this time to reflect on the scars he had seen a while back and what she had told him about them. He frowned. 'Why did her uncle do that to her?' He scoffed mentally, adding, 'She probably mouthed off to him or some shit. Why am I even worrying about it?'

He sighed looking at her face intently. A single tear slid down his cheek: 'She reminds me so much of Aiko.' He scrubbed it away and spat, "We should get back before the others come looking for us."

Sighing regretfully for having to leave the tranquility, she nodded. She reached for the bucket, but Jakotsu slapped her hand away. "Get out of my way, wench. I'll carry it."

Tara's eyes narrowed. "You don't have to be such an ass about it," she hissed, stomping off towards camp.

Jakotsu followed her, scowling at her back while carrying the bucket.

XOXOXOXOXO

Tara entered the camp, scowling, and stomped over to the food.

Bankotsu blinked and looked at Jakotsu. "What's with her?"

Jakotsu scowled plopping the water down and it splashed Miroku a bit.

Miroku jumped up. "Hey, Jakotsu, watch what you're doing."

Sango was trying to stifle her laughter. 'There was an argument between them, I'm sure of it.'

Bankotsu sighed and shook his head.

Sango stood and walked over, helping Tara serve up the stew.

After everyone had eaten, Bankotsu ordered, "Get some sleep, We are leaving before daybreak."

Sesshomaru returned. He walked over by Rin and sat with his back against a tree, eying the groups curiously as they prepared to settle in for the night. "Rin, Kohaku, time to sleep."

"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru," Rin replied and began laying out her blanket.

Kohaku too immediately obeyed and curled up under different tree.

Sango watched as Kirara mewled, approaching Kohaku and curled up next to him.

She smiled as she too walked over and curled up not too far from her brother.

Wordlessly Miroku lay beside her.

Sango smiled. 'It really feels good to have both of them beside me.'

Renkotsu stretched out beside a boulder, plotting until he could no longer think straight, and began snoring.

Jakotsu and Tara laid out their blankets with their backs facing towards each other and forced themselves to sleep.

Kagome sighed dejectedly and began laying out her sleeping bag and blankets.

Inuyasha scowled. 'I hate that she has to sleep near that rotting corpse. It's even worse because I know damned well if I try to lay near her he'll start another fight and get her mad at us both again.' He jumped into a tree and sat on the branch, glaring at the teenage killer.

Bankotsu slipped in beside Kagome, but far enough away they were not touching and facing away from her. Keeping one arm wrapped around Banryu, he laid there staring off into space.

Over an hour later, Kagome's breathing slowly evened out signaling that she was asleep.

Inuyasha remained in his tree, alternating between glaring at his rival and his half brother.

Sesshomaru's golden gaze looked on in silent amusement.

Bankotsu closed his eyes and slept lightly, keeping a firm grip on Banryu and an ear tuned for the slightest hint of trouble.

XOXOXOXO

The next morning Bankotsu woke up and rolled over, rising to his feet. He reached over and shook Kagome. "Time to get up, Kagome."

Kagome's eyes fluttered open and focused on Bankotsu. She groaned and sat up.

Bankotsu hefted Banryu onto his shoulder and waited for her to get to her feet. He ordered, "Follow me."

She reluctantly followed him over to the creek.

Bankotsu commanded, "We are going to bathe, and then I am waking the others and we are leaving."

Kagome nodded. 'It will be nice to get cleaned; I just wish I didn't have to bathe with him.'

Bankotsu embedded Banryu into the earthen soil and began stripping.

Kagome blushed and quickly turned around. She hesitantly shed her own clothing, down to her bra and panties. 'At least it looks like a bikini and modestly covers everything,' she mentally sighed.

Bankotsu stood behind her and lightly pushed her towards the water. "Hurry up already."

Kagome blushed, keeping her eyes forward and slipped into the water with Bankotsu right behind her. They briskly washed their bodies, facing away from each other. The awkwardness was like a barrier between them.

Bankotsu let out a long sigh as his mind began to fill with the image of Kagome's almost naked body. He shook his head, mentally berating himself, 'Damn it to hell! How can that wench have such an effect on me? Snap out of it, Bankotsu! This isn't the time for play.'

His face spread into a killer smirk. 'That will come later. For now, though, we need to get the others up and get going.' Schooling his features into an emotionless mask, Bankotsu said gruffly, "Alright, let's get out and go wake the others."

Kagome and Bankotsu climbed out.

Blushing deeply, Kagome grabbed her own clothes and yanked them on facing away from the killer behind her.

Bankotsu noticed the blush and smirked. 'So she's still embarrassed, eh?' Still smirking, he slipped his hakamas on and decided to tease her a bit. "You can turn around now."

Kagome turned around and her eyes fell on his muscular and naked chest. She gulped. "Uh, could you put your shirt on, please?"

Bankotsu smirked at her. "Why?" His smirked widened and turned incredibly sexy as he reached over laying a hand on Banryu's hilt.

Kagome blushed like mad. "Just do it."

'What's with the tone?' He raised a brow at her.

She sighed, adding reluctantly, "Please?"

He chuckled. "Aw, is the little miko embarrassed now?"

Kagome's head snapped up, glaring at him. "Now!"

Deciding to humor her, Bankotsu laughed and donned his Haori. He looked at her. "Happy now?"

She grumbled under her breath.

Bankotsu hefted Banryu onto his shoulder and said, "Let's go."

She reluctantly followed him back over to camp. 'That jerk, he's getting on my last nerve.' Her teeth ground together.

XOXOXOXOXO

Back at camp, Inuyasha walked right up to Kagome. "Where the hell have you two been?"

She blinked. 'What the hell is with the interrogation?' Her face turned red. 'I'm getting sick of this.'

Bankotsu's eyes danced with laughter as he replied smugly, "Bathing."

Inuyasha let out a low warning growl.

Bankotsu's face was smug. "Deal with it, half breed."

Inuyasha's growl increased and he moved to punch Bankotsu.

Kagome spun on her heel, glaring at Bankotsu and angrily slapped him across the face. "Damn you Bankotsu, knock it off!"

Bankotsu's eyes widened in shock as his free hand flew to his burning cheek. 'Did she just…. Slap me?'

As if sensing the tension in the air, the insects around them instantly quieted. The animals around them stilled and stared at them, from their hiding places.

The Shichinintai member's eyes widened in shock and they held their breaths waiting to see how their leader would react.

XOXOXOXO

Author's Note: Okay guys and gals there is the improved chapter eleven. Please remember to read and review thanks.