InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Bankotsu's Futuristic Escapades ❯ Nine ( Chapter 10 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
Disclaimer: I do not own the Characters, only this plot line and all its insane little twists.

A big thanks to The Invisible Author for proofing this! XD

Chapter nine:

As his feet continued moving towards the shrine Bankotsu stared down at the now silent woman in his arms. She still had her head buried against his chest. He thought stunned, 'Even though those guys had attacked her, she was concerned about me.'

Aside from Jakotsu, he couldn’t recall even one other person who had ever truly worried about him and his deeply barricaded heart. Somehow he began to feel lighter as he marveled over how even though the girl had just been attacked and no doubt scared out of her wits, she had been worried about him.

With his own eyes he had seen the concern that was plain-as-day in her shimmering eyes. He could tell she was forcing her fear away to try and reach through to him; it had surprised him.

It amazed and humbled him that she- a priestess with a heart as big and pure as he had ever seen- had been worried about a cold ruthless nobody like him, despite being attacked just minutes before. Not only had she taken the time to reach through to him, but she had asked him not to kill the creeps who had attacked her.

Instead of wailing like any other woman he’d ever known would have and becoming hysterical, she had moved to stand right next to him and calmly spoke those very unexpected and powerful words, which broke through his dangerous anger, bringing his focus to her and the unexpected look deep in her eyes.

With that single look and those potent words, she had managed to keep him from tumbling over the perilous cliff of sanity and descending into an imminent, menacing fury that would have led to him to kill all three of those boys and possibly any other unfortunate soul foolish enough to cross his path before he had managed to calm down again or tire himself out- whichever occurred first.

He wasn’t an idiot and knew very well exactly how dangerous a person he was when he lost his temper. He’d just never had a reason to try to keep it under control before now.

Ever since he had shown up in this strange place and been accepted by her family, he had been feeling unusual- one might even say happy, if it was even plausible for a murderer like him to feel such a thing.

Feeling uncomfortable with that word, his brows furrowed as a frown marred his tanned face for a minute and he thought, 'Complacent, yeah that’s the word that best describes how I am feeling- complacent.' and stared down at the girl again.

Yes, he felt rather at ease. He had shelter from the cold nights, food whenever he was hungry, and people to be around even when everyone was silent. He still missed his ‘brothers’ especially Jakotsu. But he didn’t feel like he was completely alone in the world anymore either.

The girl in his arms might be a real pain in his ass at times, but she made him feel… well she just made him feel things period- something he had refused to do ever since Jakotsu’s death.

His mind switched to his deceased friend and he thought longingly, 'Jakotsu… damn I miss you man.' One hand reached into his pocket and wrapped around a single hairpin.

Sensing his deep sadness Kagome softly spoke, “Bankotsu?”

Bankotsu blinked, looking at her and asked quietly, “What?”

She gazed deep into his eyes, catching a glimpse of his despair before he blinked it away. Fighting back the urge to cup his cheek, she asked, “Are you okay?” with concern in her voice.

He replied, “Yeah, I’m fine.” His eyes rested on her bruised cheek and busted lip. “What about you?” He lightly ran a finger over the purple skin of her swollen cheek.

She winced a bit admitting, “It’s a little sore, but I will be okay.” Wondering what had compelled him to act in such a way, he blinked, dropping his hand and took in her overwrought appearance. He cradled her closer to his chest ordering, “Rest a while, we’re almost there.”

Kagome nodded and closed her eyes leaning her head against his heart and relaxed, allowing the steady rhythm to soothe and help assuage her slightly rattled nerves. Bankotsu slowly exhaled and stared ahead, continuing the leg of the path toward her home.

As the shrine steps came into view, his grip on her tightened a fraction and he thought, a tad nervously, 'I just hope her family doesn’t blame me for this happening to her since she was supposed to be with me.'

Inhaling a deep breath, he slowly began ascending the many stairs, thinking, “Almost there.” as he stopped right before the top step.

Kagome was so contented that she had almost fallen asleep right there in his arms. When she realized he had stopped, she cracked her eyes open and had to bite back a groan of disappointment as she realized they were nearly home.

Wishing to prolong the moment until the last possible second, she closed her eyes again intent on enjoying the feeling of being held by him for as long as it lasted.

Taking another deep breath and gathering his courage, he took the last step and moved slowly toward the front door, almost wishing that she wouldn’t leave his arms. As he stood outside the door, he reluctantly lowered her feet to the ground.

She nearly whimpered in disappointment as she felt him set her down. She clung to his shirtfront a moment as she tried to balance herself. Her knees began to shake and his arm tightened around her waist as he said, “Whoa there, easy now.” placing her arm around his shoulder to help her stand up.

She mumbled, “Guess I’m still a bit shaky,” a little embarrassed as they slowly began walking inside.

He said, slightly amused, “No kidding,” and helped her over to the couch, slowly helping her to sit on the couch.

He took off his shirt, passed it to her with a slight smirk, and said, “Here, cover up before your mom comes in and freaks.”

Looking down at her exposed chest and bra, her cheeks heated with a very embarrassed blush and she muttered, “Thanks,” snatching the shirt. Eyes closed thinking, 'Oh my God, I can’t believe I forgot and now he saw me like that!' she slipped into his shirt wincing as the material brushed against her cheek.

Sora was in the kitchen as she heard them enter the living room. She came out with bowls of ice cream for them and gasped, dropping the bowls when she saw her daughter’s bruised face. She rushed over, kneeling in front of her daughter, inspecting her face and asked, “Kagome, what on earth happened to you?”

Bankotsu said, “She was jumped by some punks.”

Sora’s eyes widened and she asked, “Oh baby, are you okay?” hugging her daughter as worry creased her brows.

Kagome hugged her mother back assuring, “Yes Mama, I’m fine.” adding, “In fact, Bankotsu saved me.” as she pulled back to smile at Bankotsu.

Sora asked, “How on earth did this happen?” staring at Bankotsu.

Bankotsu started to say something, but Kagome cut in and answered, “Well, I went to play pool, but three guys from school cornered me and dragged me out back. One hit me and started ripping my shirt and Bankotsu came running around the corner and beat all three of them up.”

Sora frowned, asking, “You didn’t kill anyone, did you?” staring at the boy, worried.

Bankotsu snorted disdainfully and muttered, “I should have,” still feeling remnants of his anger at what those three cowards had done.

Sora said, “Well, I’m glad you didn’t. And thank you for protecting Kagome.” Turning back to her daughter, she ordered, “You stay put while I get the first aid kit.” and left to retrieve it.

Kagome sighed and leaned her head back against the couch saying, “Thank you for protecting me tonight, Bankotsu.”

He muttered, “Yeah, well, somebody has to.” When Kagome cracked her eyes open to send him a half-hearted glare, he added, amused, “You seem to attract trouble like a magnet.”

Kagome said defensively, “Hey, it’s not like I ask for it, ya know?” before sticking her tongue out at him.

Bankotsu chuckled, admitting, “No, you don’t, but still someone has to keep you safe.” and leaned over, gently caressing her other cheek, saying softly, “I’m just glad I made it in time.” staring in to her eyes.

Her eyes widened and he went to remove his hand, but she placed her hand over his and nuzzled his palm, adding seriously, “So am I, and thank you.” closing her eyes taking comfort in the unexpected gesture.

Bankotsu smirked, answering softly, “You’re welcome.” before removing his hand as he heard her mother returning. Kagome opened her eyes and sighed at the loss of his touch, wondering what had gotten into her.

Sora knelt in front of her and began cleaning and doctoring the wounds. Bankotsu stared into his hand, which was slightly tingling with the lingering warmth of her face and wondered what had possessed him to touch her like that. After blinking a few times, he sighed and focused his attention on what was being said.

Sora asked, “Those boys didn’t do anything else but hit you right?” concern and uncertainty in her hazel eyes as she stared into her daughter’s brown ones.

Kagome assured, embarrassed, “No Mama, they didn’t get the chance to do anything but grope my thigh and smack me around before Bankotsu came charging to the rescue.”

Sora said, “Good, now go upstairs and shower while I make you some fresh ice cream.” as she replaced everything in the kit and walked over to clean up the mess. Kagome nodded and slowly went upstairs to shower.

Bankotsu walked over and knelt down, picking up the bowls and spoons. Sora looked him in the eyes and smiled saying, “Thank you. She would have been in a far worse situation if you hadn’t been there.”

Bankotsu rapidly opened and closed his eyes a few times thinking, 'Wait… so she doesn’t blame me for this even happening?' before adding uncomfortably, “I’m just glad I found her in time.”

Sora placed a hand over his adding gratefully, “So am I.” Seeing the confusion in his blue eyes, she explained, “I know you would never let anything bad happen to my daughter. I also know that when Kagome goes to the arcade she tends to lose track of everything going on around her.”

Bankotsu blinked profoundly, touched by her belief in him and assured, “No, I won’t.” as he stood up and carried the melted ice cream and bowls over to the sink.

Sora nodded and stood up, moving into the kitchen to fix fresh bowls adding, “You’re a good person, Bankotsu, and Kagome is lucky to have someone like you for a friend.” as she placed his bowl in front of him.

His eyes danced as he thought, 'Heh, if you knew about how we really met, I bet you wouldn’t be saying that.' as he stared at the concoction in front of him and asked, “What is this?”

She smiled, answering, “It’s ice cream.” She added, “Chocolate- Kagome’s favorite.”

He frowned and stared at it a minute before poking it with the spoon deciding whether or not to risk eating it. Sora assured, “It’s safe,” and walked into the living room scrubbing the floor so that it wouldn’t stain.

Kagome quickly showered and climbed out. Spotting Bankotsu’s shirt she thought, 'I can’t believe he actually saved me,' as her hand settled on his shirt.

Thinking back to her nightmarish event and how quickly he had saved her, she shuddered thinking, 'Thank Kami he was there.'

After drying off and changing into fresh clothes she carefully folded his shirt and hugged it, carrying it downstairs to return it to him.

She heard him and her mother talking in the kitchen and thought, 'Mama is right, I am lucky to have a friend like Bankotsu and he is a good person- despite his past.'

Eyes dropping to the shirt she was holding against her chest, she took a deep breath and walked into the kitchen. Stopping by Bankotsu, she held out his shirt and said, “Thank you,” and bowed her head.

He blinked and reached for the shirt saying, “You’re welcome.” They both blushed as their hands brushed against each other and she dropped the shirt.

Bending down to pick it up at the same time, they bumped heads and chuckled. Kagome said, “Sorry,” and stood up with the shirt in her hands brushing the dirt off of it.

He smirked at her saying, “No problem,” causing her blush to deepen. Her eyes averted from his and she spotted the ice cream. They lit up and she forgot her embarrassment, chanting happily, “Yay! Chocolate ice cream.” Before plopping into her chair and scooping some into her mouth.

Sora chuckled, “I told you it was her favorite.” as she continued washing the dishes. Bankotsu chuckled as well.

Kagome grinned around the spoon in her mouth and pulled it out chirping, “Thanks, Mama!”

Sora smiled, replying, “You’re welcome, dear. Now both of you eat up before it melts.”

Kagome frowned when she saw that Bankotsu hadn’t even taken a bite of his yet. She reached over holding her spoon and said, “Open.” Before he could object, she pushed the spoon into his mouth, grinning, and said, “It’s good, huh?”

Bankotsu’s wide eyes fluttered shut as the flavor assaulted his taste buds. He wrapped a hand around hers, pulling the spoon out of his mouth with a glare. Swirling the cold treat on his tongue, he savored the taste and said, “Mmm.” as his face melted into a pleasurable one. Kagome giggled and scooped another bite into her mouth.

A/N: Okay there’s chapter nine everyone- enjoy.