InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Bankotsu's Futuristic Escapades ❯ Seventeen ( Chapter 18 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: kittyb78 
The teens are left alone to ponder what their next move should be, and receive an unexpected visit from a very unexpected guest.
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 12.11.2009 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.9K | Visits: 276 | Status: Work In Progress
The teens are left alone to ponder what their next move should be, and receive an unexpected visit from a very unexpected guest.
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 12.11.2009 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.9K | Visits: 276 | Status: Work In Progress
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 seventeen:
Sora stood, saying, “I think they need some time alone, Father. Come to the store with me.” latching on to the old man’s arm and dragging him from the room with her. Hiromasa nodded and followed her from the room.
Of their own accord, Bankotsu’s fingers hit the rewind and play as he re-watched the news cast again and again as he slowly tried to accept what his mind didn’t want to. His breath hitched in his chest as he watched the broadcast and he sat there thinking,“Could that really be me?”feeling completely confused.
His grip slightly tightened around his girlfriend’s slender waist as an unconscious means of assuring himself she was safely in his arms, and to help center himself a little more while he struggled to accept the stark reality that had just sucker-punched him in the face.
Even as his mind protested adamantly that it had to be a joke, it whispered there was no denying the kid in the pictures had his unique eyes. His mind roared its denial, but his instincts, which had never failed him yet, told him he had just found the answers that he had been desperately seeking.
'Ryuusan… is that really who I am? A Ryuusan?' he thought, frowning at the almost familiar ring of the name. Unbidden, a flash of a lecture from someone popped into his head.
Mini flashback:
“The Ryuusans are a special breed my son- tough and stubborn. Since ancient times, we have all been blessed with far more strength than a normal person, and we have a strong sense of pride to match our strength, making ours a very potent bloodline. Our pride can either be a good or bad thing depending on how we use it.”
The five-year-old boy sighed boredly as he picked up a stick and began drawing a picture of a large weapon in the dirt, thinking, 'Not this again.' rolling his eyes while the adult continued harping on about ‘responsibilities’ and ‘family honor’, practically boring the kid to tears. He huffed, pouting out his bottom lip. He wanted to be running around, getting into mischief like a normal kid, not sitting through another boring lecture.
End Mini Flashback:
Bankotsu’s brows furrowed as he watched the news cast yet again. Knowing the Ryuusan pride was one of the most important things in the world to them, he was thunderstruck as he watched the older man clearly set aside his pride, something no Ryuusan did to his knowledge, and make a plea for him to return.
Listening closely, he caught the telling crack in the old man’s voice and stared at the deep sorrow in his age dulled eyes, sighing. The night he ran away flashed into his mind. Remembering their fight, he sighed, thinking, 'Maybe he really has come to his senses...' re-watching his grandfather’s plea, he sighed again, trying to figure out what to do.
He inhaled a shocked breath as it dawned on him that his beloved Kagome had to be the girl that his grandfather had tried pushing him into marrying. His eyes widened and he pondered on that one a while, thinking, 'Me, marry Kagome? Sure I like her, I care about her, but marriage?' not sure he wanted to be tied down to anyone like that.
Kagome’s arms tightened slightly around his neck as she closed her eyes, thinking, 'This is way too weird… First I find out I’m not Kikyo’s reincarnation, but instead am a descendant of Midoriko herself.' still reeling from that one as her facial features went from shock to confusion and back.
Back in the Feudal Era, everyone had automatically assumed she was the reincarnation of Kikyo. It had become second nature to think that herself… but to find out that instead she was a descendant of Midoriko herself… that was just insane!
And on top of that, if what she had been told was true, she had been betrothed since birth… and to Bankotsu of all people! 'Boy, Inuyasha would be having a shit-fit now if he found out- for sure!' she thought stunned.
'I like Bankotsu, of course, maybe even love him, but marry? We’ve barely started dating, and now we find out we’re betrothed!?' trying to wrap her mind around that one. She was worried as well about how he would react to that last bit. And his grandfather….It’s not every day you get told you’re the heir to a multimillion dollar empire. 'Speaking of which,' she stared at him and noticed his eyes were now on her.
Slightly nervous, Kagome asked, “So uh… what do you think?” playing with his hair, trying to calm them both down.
Bankotsu blinked, asking a bit snidely, “About what, you being Midoriko’s descendant? My being heir to the multimillion dollar Ryuusan empire? Seeing my grandfather’s plea? Or the fact that we’ve been betrothed since our births?” tossing the remote down in a huff.
Kagome's eyes widened and filled with the sheen of tears. She knew Bankotsu was upset, but he didn’t have to take it out on her. She moved to climb off his lap, but he held her still ordering, “Stay put!”
She snapped, “Look, I know it’s a lot to take in at once, but you don’t have to bite my head off. I’m just as shocked as you are.” Huffing, as she faced away from him, arms crossed over her chest.
Releasing a deep sigh, Bankotsu turned her face towards him, tilting her chin and said, “Sorry, you’re right. Sorry I snapped at you.” caressing her cheek in an effort to lessen the hurt his words had caused her.
She chewed her bottom lip, saying, “It’s okay.”
He said, “No, it’s not. I was out of line taking it out on you when you didn’t do anything.” before brushing his lips against her to stop her from worrying her lip. She gasped and then brushed her lips against his, silently accepting his apology.
He pulled back and said, feeling a little overwhelmed, “It’s a lot to take in at once.”
Kagome agreed, “Tell me about it.” and laid her head on his chest. He smiled and ran his fingers through her hair, earning a smile from her.
They both closed their eyes a minute, just soaking it all in. Bankotsu said, “I remembered something.”
Kagome asked, “What?” staring up into his eyes.
He replied, “The reason I ran away that night.” tilting his head to gaze into her eyes.
She blinked, asking, “Why?” waiting, a bit antsy, nervously fidgeting with her fingers on his chest.
Taking a deep breath to soothe his nerves and control his anger, he replied, “My great grandfather… he wanted me to run the company. All I wanted was to be a kid and practice the arts of sword mastery. I wanted nothing to do with the boring business life.” Sighing heavily, he added, “That night… when he informed me that I had to marry some girl I didn’t even know… that was just the last straw.” clenching his free hand into a fist on her knees stretched over his thighs.
She asked nervously, “You mean because of me?” sadness entering her normally happy eyes.
Seeing this, he said, “No, just the principal of the thing. I didn’t even know it was you. I felt… stifled. You know, like he was trying to control my life and I refused to be controlled. I wasn’t allowed to do anything ‘unbecoming of a kid of your stature’.” He finished in a mocking tone, quoting his great grandfather’s drilled-in jargon.
She nodded, “I understand.” and laid her head back on his chest, adding, “I still can’t believe it all myself… In the Feudal Era everyone just assumed that I was Kikyo’s reincarnation and I believed it too… Now though, I find out I’m not, and instead Midoriko is my ancestor… it’s a bit overpowering."
He continued running his fingers through her hair, and said, “I bet it is.” Adding, “It’s a lot to take in, so bear with me, K?” she nodded, and the two teens sat there, holding and comforting each other in a comfortable silence.
Just as they had both closed their eyes and began to finally relax their bodies, the room filled with a bright light and a soft mist began pouring into the room. Kagome’s spine stiffened as she felt the light mist raining down around them and thought, 'What the- ?'
A breeze caused them to open their eyes and stare into the eyes of a spectral form of Midoriko herself.
Utter disbelief in her eyes, Kagome gasped, “Midoriko?!” as she stood up.
Bankotsu also rose, asking, “What is this?” slightly shaken by the unusual occurrence.
Midoriko said in a soothing voice, “Calm yourselves, children.” Staring into the stormy blue eyes of the former mercenary, she said, “It was I who restored your life and body to your rightful Era.”
Bankotsu asked, “Why?” trying to remain calm.
She said simply, “To allow you and my descendant a second chance at what had been taken from you both.” The teenagers blinked and she explained, “You two have already overcome many obstacles which stood in your way- as it was meant to be. You two have grown closer because of it, and through that bond a new generation to surpass all others will come.”
Midoriko continued, “I have one last gift for you two before my task is completed.” and placed her hands on each of their heads. Automatically the stunned teens closed their eyes. She began chanting in an ancient tongue that both were somehow able to comprehend.
Bankotsu’s jaw clenched as his mind was immediately assailed with pictures, sounds, and emotions long forgotten as his memories both from the Feudal Era and before then were restored in full.
Midoriko’s melodic voice whispered, “Do not feel burdened by any of your memories. Both sets have made you who you are today, warrior.” Adding, “And you my child, you will have an even stronger, deeper, understanding of the Feudal times, so that you can understand your warrior better.”
Smiling, she added proudly, “You alone helped this man to be able to redeem his soul from the darkness he was in. You brought light and goodness into his life and showed him that not everyone is evil. You did well, my child.”
Removing her hands, she continued to explain, “As you already know Kagome, this era and the Feudal Era’s time is vastly different. In this world, only two years have passed since you fell into the well, but in the Feudal Era it was actually much longer. For Bankotsu, he had time to grow into a mighty warrior and lay dead for ten years before his first revival.”
Kagome asked, “But how is that possible when he’s only been missing from this time for six years total?”
Midoriko said, “Time travel works in many mysterious ways. Your time of two years has been closer to six years in the Feudal time. Remember all the winters that passed there?”
She nodded and frowned, “Wow, that is a big difference.”
Midoriko nodded, “Yes it is. Now I have completed my last task and will continue on the path that lay ahead of me. You two remember everything you’ve been through together and trust in the strength of your bond. Farewell.” and raised her hands causing mist to enter the room again.
By the time the mist cleared she was gone, and the teenagers sat down, allowing themselves time to adjust to everything that had been thrown at them.
Bankotsu sat there silently, debating going to visit the old man. Part of him still resented the old man for trying to dictate his life, but that part of him grew up in the Feudal Era and remembered how bitterly lonely the world could be without your blood relations around.
While the hardened mercenary had scoffed about silly things like emotions, the new Bankotsu felt this might be his only chance to have relations in his life. He resented the old man, no doubt there, but he also felt a grudging respect for him because of the fact the old man took him in, giving him a home such as it was after the death of his parents.
His Nanny Hoshi was dead; he remembered that she died shortly after his parents did, leaving him to face his gruff great-grandfather alone and unprepared. He realized now, she was the reason behind the strong compulsion for getting the bright purple tattoo on his forehead in the first place.
Even without his memories the star had been his only comfort aside from Jakotsu, at all times. Nana Hoshi had been far more than a simple nanny to him; she had been a mother to him…caring, warm, supportive, understanding, and most of all constant. She had been the one and only rock his younger self had been able to rely on, at least until her death.
His heart ached with longing and painful loss as he sat there. Remembering her death brought to surface his most recent loss- that of his one and only best friend, Jakotsu.
His heart constricted in sorrow as he remembered that Like Nanny Hoshi, Jakotsu had accepted him without any hesitation. The effeminate man had, in many ways, become an older brother to him. He’d taken him in, tending his wounds, giving him a sense of belonging. He’d trained him in the art of hand-to-hand combat.
Bankotsu had already mastered sword fighting at that point, but had never had any hand-to-hand combat. Jakotsu trained him teaching him everything he would need to know in order to survive, from hand-to-hand, to living off the land. The two had eventually gathered men to follow them and formed the Schichinatai.
Despite Bankotsu’s protests, Jakotsu refused the role of ‘second in command’, adding that he didn’t want special treatment just because of their history together. Remembering how selfless Jakotsu was, he smiled, thinking, 'Ja was definitely one of a kind.' He scowled darkly as he remembered the way Jakotsu had been betrayed and murdered by that damned,, conniving Renkotsu.
Shoving the painful reminders of all his losses away, he sighed heavily running one hand through his bangs in frustration. Part of him wished he didn’t have his memories back because they were painful… but the other part of him was glad he did because he no longer felt as if a piece of him were missing.
With his memories returned, despite the overwhelming sorrow and pain, he felt complete for the first time in his life. With Kagome beside him he felt secure and absolutely invincible. As long as she stayed by his side, Bankotsu was certain he could handle anything else life threw his way.
Kagome asked, “Are you-“ cutting off. Not sure if she was about to cross the line here, but needing to ask anyways, she took a deep breath of courage and asked, “Are you going to go see him?” half expecting him to jump her case again.
Bankotsu swallowed a lump in his throat, answering, “I don’t know yet.”
She asked, “Do you want to see him?” thinking of how sick the man on TV had been.
Still conflicted, he sighed heavily, admitting, “Part of me doesn’t because I don’t want him trying to take over my life again… but part of me does because he’s the only living family I have left and I may not get another chance.”
Seeing the confusion in his eyes, she urged, “You should see him just once.” staring deep into his stormy eyes.
Not willing to face the old man alone, he agreed, “Only if you go with me.” pleading with his eyes not to leave him facing this alone.
Kagome smiled, “Of course I’ll go with you.” Hugging him, she confirmed, “I will always be here when you need me.” before placing her lips against his in a tender yet passionate kiss.
Bankotsu smirked into the kiss, but kept it sweet and tender already feeling a million times lighter.
A/N: Okay, so things got pretty intense there, huh? That’s chapter seventeen all- enjoy! XD
A big thanks to The Invisible Author for proofing this! XD
Chapter seventeen:
Sora stood, saying, “I think they need some time alone, Father. Come to the store with me.” latching on to the old man’s arm and dragging him from the room with her. Hiromasa nodded and followed her from the room.
Of their own accord, Bankotsu’s fingers hit the rewind and play as he re-watched the news cast again and again as he slowly tried to accept what his mind didn’t want to. His breath hitched in his chest as he watched the broadcast and he sat there thinking,“Could that really be me?”feeling completely confused.
His grip slightly tightened around his girlfriend’s slender waist as an unconscious means of assuring himself she was safely in his arms, and to help center himself a little more while he struggled to accept the stark reality that had just sucker-punched him in the face.
Even as his mind protested adamantly that it had to be a joke, it whispered there was no denying the kid in the pictures had his unique eyes. His mind roared its denial, but his instincts, which had never failed him yet, told him he had just found the answers that he had been desperately seeking.
'Ryuusan… is that really who I am? A Ryuusan?' he thought, frowning at the almost familiar ring of the name. Unbidden, a flash of a lecture from someone popped into his head.
Mini flashback:
“The Ryuusans are a special breed my son- tough and stubborn. Since ancient times, we have all been blessed with far more strength than a normal person, and we have a strong sense of pride to match our strength, making ours a very potent bloodline. Our pride can either be a good or bad thing depending on how we use it.”
The five-year-old boy sighed boredly as he picked up a stick and began drawing a picture of a large weapon in the dirt, thinking, 'Not this again.' rolling his eyes while the adult continued harping on about ‘responsibilities’ and ‘family honor’, practically boring the kid to tears. He huffed, pouting out his bottom lip. He wanted to be running around, getting into mischief like a normal kid, not sitting through another boring lecture.
End Mini Flashback:
Bankotsu’s brows furrowed as he watched the news cast yet again. Knowing the Ryuusan pride was one of the most important things in the world to them, he was thunderstruck as he watched the older man clearly set aside his pride, something no Ryuusan did to his knowledge, and make a plea for him to return.
Listening closely, he caught the telling crack in the old man’s voice and stared at the deep sorrow in his age dulled eyes, sighing. The night he ran away flashed into his mind. Remembering their fight, he sighed, thinking, 'Maybe he really has come to his senses...' re-watching his grandfather’s plea, he sighed again, trying to figure out what to do.
He inhaled a shocked breath as it dawned on him that his beloved Kagome had to be the girl that his grandfather had tried pushing him into marrying. His eyes widened and he pondered on that one a while, thinking, 'Me, marry Kagome? Sure I like her, I care about her, but marriage?' not sure he wanted to be tied down to anyone like that.
Kagome’s arms tightened slightly around his neck as she closed her eyes, thinking, 'This is way too weird… First I find out I’m not Kikyo’s reincarnation, but instead am a descendant of Midoriko herself.' still reeling from that one as her facial features went from shock to confusion and back.
Back in the Feudal Era, everyone had automatically assumed she was the reincarnation of Kikyo. It had become second nature to think that herself… but to find out that instead she was a descendant of Midoriko herself… that was just insane!
And on top of that, if what she had been told was true, she had been betrothed since birth… and to Bankotsu of all people! 'Boy, Inuyasha would be having a shit-fit now if he found out- for sure!' she thought stunned.
'I like Bankotsu, of course, maybe even love him, but marry? We’ve barely started dating, and now we find out we’re betrothed!?' trying to wrap her mind around that one. She was worried as well about how he would react to that last bit. And his grandfather….It’s not every day you get told you’re the heir to a multimillion dollar empire. 'Speaking of which,' she stared at him and noticed his eyes were now on her.
Slightly nervous, Kagome asked, “So uh… what do you think?” playing with his hair, trying to calm them both down.
Bankotsu blinked, asking a bit snidely, “About what, you being Midoriko’s descendant? My being heir to the multimillion dollar Ryuusan empire? Seeing my grandfather’s plea? Or the fact that we’ve been betrothed since our births?” tossing the remote down in a huff.
Kagome's eyes widened and filled with the sheen of tears. She knew Bankotsu was upset, but he didn’t have to take it out on her. She moved to climb off his lap, but he held her still ordering, “Stay put!”
She snapped, “Look, I know it’s a lot to take in at once, but you don’t have to bite my head off. I’m just as shocked as you are.” Huffing, as she faced away from him, arms crossed over her chest.
Releasing a deep sigh, Bankotsu turned her face towards him, tilting her chin and said, “Sorry, you’re right. Sorry I snapped at you.” caressing her cheek in an effort to lessen the hurt his words had caused her.
She chewed her bottom lip, saying, “It’s okay.”
He said, “No, it’s not. I was out of line taking it out on you when you didn’t do anything.” before brushing his lips against her to stop her from worrying her lip. She gasped and then brushed her lips against his, silently accepting his apology.
He pulled back and said, feeling a little overwhelmed, “It’s a lot to take in at once.”
Kagome agreed, “Tell me about it.” and laid her head on his chest. He smiled and ran his fingers through her hair, earning a smile from her.
They both closed their eyes a minute, just soaking it all in. Bankotsu said, “I remembered something.”
Kagome asked, “What?” staring up into his eyes.
He replied, “The reason I ran away that night.” tilting his head to gaze into her eyes.
She blinked, asking, “Why?” waiting, a bit antsy, nervously fidgeting with her fingers on his chest.
Taking a deep breath to soothe his nerves and control his anger, he replied, “My great grandfather… he wanted me to run the company. All I wanted was to be a kid and practice the arts of sword mastery. I wanted nothing to do with the boring business life.” Sighing heavily, he added, “That night… when he informed me that I had to marry some girl I didn’t even know… that was just the last straw.” clenching his free hand into a fist on her knees stretched over his thighs.
She asked nervously, “You mean because of me?” sadness entering her normally happy eyes.
Seeing this, he said, “No, just the principal of the thing. I didn’t even know it was you. I felt… stifled. You know, like he was trying to control my life and I refused to be controlled. I wasn’t allowed to do anything ‘unbecoming of a kid of your stature’.” He finished in a mocking tone, quoting his great grandfather’s drilled-in jargon.
She nodded, “I understand.” and laid her head back on his chest, adding, “I still can’t believe it all myself… In the Feudal Era everyone just assumed that I was Kikyo’s reincarnation and I believed it too… Now though, I find out I’m not, and instead Midoriko is my ancestor… it’s a bit overpowering."
He continued running his fingers through her hair, and said, “I bet it is.” Adding, “It’s a lot to take in, so bear with me, K?” she nodded, and the two teens sat there, holding and comforting each other in a comfortable silence.
Just as they had both closed their eyes and began to finally relax their bodies, the room filled with a bright light and a soft mist began pouring into the room. Kagome’s spine stiffened as she felt the light mist raining down around them and thought, 'What the- ?'
A breeze caused them to open their eyes and stare into the eyes of a spectral form of Midoriko herself.
Utter disbelief in her eyes, Kagome gasped, “Midoriko?!” as she stood up.
Bankotsu also rose, asking, “What is this?” slightly shaken by the unusual occurrence.
Midoriko said in a soothing voice, “Calm yourselves, children.” Staring into the stormy blue eyes of the former mercenary, she said, “It was I who restored your life and body to your rightful Era.”
Bankotsu asked, “Why?” trying to remain calm.
She said simply, “To allow you and my descendant a second chance at what had been taken from you both.” The teenagers blinked and she explained, “You two have already overcome many obstacles which stood in your way- as it was meant to be. You two have grown closer because of it, and through that bond a new generation to surpass all others will come.”
Midoriko continued, “I have one last gift for you two before my task is completed.” and placed her hands on each of their heads. Automatically the stunned teens closed their eyes. She began chanting in an ancient tongue that both were somehow able to comprehend.
Bankotsu’s jaw clenched as his mind was immediately assailed with pictures, sounds, and emotions long forgotten as his memories both from the Feudal Era and before then were restored in full.
Midoriko’s melodic voice whispered, “Do not feel burdened by any of your memories. Both sets have made you who you are today, warrior.” Adding, “And you my child, you will have an even stronger, deeper, understanding of the Feudal times, so that you can understand your warrior better.”
Smiling, she added proudly, “You alone helped this man to be able to redeem his soul from the darkness he was in. You brought light and goodness into his life and showed him that not everyone is evil. You did well, my child.”
Removing her hands, she continued to explain, “As you already know Kagome, this era and the Feudal Era’s time is vastly different. In this world, only two years have passed since you fell into the well, but in the Feudal Era it was actually much longer. For Bankotsu, he had time to grow into a mighty warrior and lay dead for ten years before his first revival.”
Kagome asked, “But how is that possible when he’s only been missing from this time for six years total?”
Midoriko said, “Time travel works in many mysterious ways. Your time of two years has been closer to six years in the Feudal time. Remember all the winters that passed there?”
She nodded and frowned, “Wow, that is a big difference.”
Midoriko nodded, “Yes it is. Now I have completed my last task and will continue on the path that lay ahead of me. You two remember everything you’ve been through together and trust in the strength of your bond. Farewell.” and raised her hands causing mist to enter the room again.
By the time the mist cleared she was gone, and the teenagers sat down, allowing themselves time to adjust to everything that had been thrown at them.
Bankotsu sat there silently, debating going to visit the old man. Part of him still resented the old man for trying to dictate his life, but that part of him grew up in the Feudal Era and remembered how bitterly lonely the world could be without your blood relations around.
While the hardened mercenary had scoffed about silly things like emotions, the new Bankotsu felt this might be his only chance to have relations in his life. He resented the old man, no doubt there, but he also felt a grudging respect for him because of the fact the old man took him in, giving him a home such as it was after the death of his parents.
His Nanny Hoshi was dead; he remembered that she died shortly after his parents did, leaving him to face his gruff great-grandfather alone and unprepared. He realized now, she was the reason behind the strong compulsion for getting the bright purple tattoo on his forehead in the first place.
Even without his memories the star had been his only comfort aside from Jakotsu, at all times. Nana Hoshi had been far more than a simple nanny to him; she had been a mother to him…caring, warm, supportive, understanding, and most of all constant. She had been the one and only rock his younger self had been able to rely on, at least until her death.
His heart ached with longing and painful loss as he sat there. Remembering her death brought to surface his most recent loss- that of his one and only best friend, Jakotsu.
His heart constricted in sorrow as he remembered that Like Nanny Hoshi, Jakotsu had accepted him without any hesitation. The effeminate man had, in many ways, become an older brother to him. He’d taken him in, tending his wounds, giving him a sense of belonging. He’d trained him in the art of hand-to-hand combat.
Bankotsu had already mastered sword fighting at that point, but had never had any hand-to-hand combat. Jakotsu trained him teaching him everything he would need to know in order to survive, from hand-to-hand, to living off the land. The two had eventually gathered men to follow them and formed the Schichinatai.
Despite Bankotsu’s protests, Jakotsu refused the role of ‘second in command’, adding that he didn’t want special treatment just because of their history together. Remembering how selfless Jakotsu was, he smiled, thinking, 'Ja was definitely one of a kind.' He scowled darkly as he remembered the way Jakotsu had been betrayed and murdered by that damned,, conniving Renkotsu.
Shoving the painful reminders of all his losses away, he sighed heavily running one hand through his bangs in frustration. Part of him wished he didn’t have his memories back because they were painful… but the other part of him was glad he did because he no longer felt as if a piece of him were missing.
With his memories returned, despite the overwhelming sorrow and pain, he felt complete for the first time in his life. With Kagome beside him he felt secure and absolutely invincible. As long as she stayed by his side, Bankotsu was certain he could handle anything else life threw his way.
Kagome asked, “Are you-“ cutting off. Not sure if she was about to cross the line here, but needing to ask anyways, she took a deep breath of courage and asked, “Are you going to go see him?” half expecting him to jump her case again.
Bankotsu swallowed a lump in his throat, answering, “I don’t know yet.”
She asked, “Do you want to see him?” thinking of how sick the man on TV had been.
Still conflicted, he sighed heavily, admitting, “Part of me doesn’t because I don’t want him trying to take over my life again… but part of me does because he’s the only living family I have left and I may not get another chance.”
Seeing the confusion in his eyes, she urged, “You should see him just once.” staring deep into his stormy eyes.
Not willing to face the old man alone, he agreed, “Only if you go with me.” pleading with his eyes not to leave him facing this alone.
Kagome smiled, “Of course I’ll go with you.” Hugging him, she confirmed, “I will always be here when you need me.” before placing her lips against his in a tender yet passionate kiss.
Bankotsu smirked into the kiss, but kept it sweet and tender already feeling a million times lighter.
A/N: Okay, so things got pretty intense there, huh? That’s chapter seventeen all- enjoy! XD