InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Not Another High School Fanfic ❯ Rumors ( Chapter 11 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: akajazzy9 
Rumors begin to go around about Bankotsu, Aoi, Sesshomaru and Hana.
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama / Comedy | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 04.13.2007 | Pages: 4 | Words: 7.8K | Visits: 173 | Status: Work In Progress
Rumors begin to go around about Bankotsu, Aoi, Sesshomaru and Hana.
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama / Comedy | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 04.13.2007 | Pages: 4 | Words: 7.8K | Visits: 173 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter 11: Rumors
Hana's POV
After giving it some thought I decided to spend the night at Aoi's house (she never minded when I did). After swooning over her new car, our limo driver helped us carry our gifts into the house. When we got inside and the driver left, I noticed Aunt Risa (since I met her she insisted that I called her "aunt" too) wasn't there. I asked Aoi if she knew where she was.
"Oh she had to work late." she said hanging up her coat.
"Oh...speaking of which, where does she work?" I asked sitting on the coach.
"She's a nurse. She works at the hospital."
"Oh that's cool. That job suits her. She's so nice."
"Yeah she is…except when she's PMS-ing...it’s like she's a whole different person."
I laughed and said "I see...well enough small talk! Let's open up our gifts!"
"Yay! Stuff!”
She sat on the couch next to me and we both picked out a random gift. I guess by twin coincidence we both picked out our gifts from Kagome. From her we had received two pairs of arm warmers, a cute pair of hoop earrings that had our names embedded in them, and the latest Bi (Rain) CD! From everybody else we received...
Sango: gift cards to Hot Topic
Miroku: gift certificates to the nail parlor
Koga (and Ayame): bracelets that said "Sisters 4 Ever"
Chiyo: a cute Happy Bunny pajama/short set with matching slippers
Kazuya: the latest BoA, Ayumi Hamasaki, and Crystal Kay CDs (he worked at a CD store)
Kazuke: a new soccer ball for me and a gift card to Claire’s for Aoi
Kyo and Koichi: gift cards to Borders
Of course we had also got some stuff from Aoi’s cousins and my friends (but I don’t want to spend forever talking about all the things we got).
Anyway after going through all of our gifts, we decided to have some more fun since we weren’t tired. We played DDR for a while, we played around with Aoi’s karaoke set and then we watched a few movies. By the time we actually settled down it was about 1:30 AM. After putting on our new pajamas we decided to just talk.
“Man…I really had fun tonight.” I said as I stretched out on my pallet on the floor.
“Yeah me too…but it wasn’t just fun…it was…magical…” Aoi said making little spirit fingers.
I laughed and said “Yeah…when Bankotsu was singing your songs you looked so touched.”
“Cuz I was!” she said grinning. “He sounded so amazing and well…no one’s ever actually wrote a song for me before.”
I then looked down at my necklace and said “Well he didn’t sing me a song but…he definitely took my heart away.”
Aoi noticed that I was looking at my necklace. She sat next to me on the floor (she was on her bed) to get a better look. “Sesshy-kins got that for you?! It’s so pretty!”
I nodded and smiled. “It really is…”
She then sat back up and said “Oh yeah…speaking of Scrappy…what exactly happened between you two in the VIP room?”
“Well…wait…how did you know he was in there with me?” I asked.
“Umm…guessed?” she said shrugging her shoulders.
“Hm, well anyway, he told me he wasn’t going to beat around the bush anymore and he said he was in love with me. Of course I was shocked…and I asked him what took him so long to tell me. He told me why…and then told me why he did tell me. And…he just so happened to mention that you had something to do with it.” I said looking at her.
She just shrugged again and said, “Well I couldn’t sit around and do nothing…not while knowing he really did love you...now see, I told you, but you were all like, ‘Nooo, he doesn’t love me!’” She was whining and shaking me back and forth to ‘imitate’ me.
When she finally stopped shaking me I gave her an enormous hug, “Thanks…for looking out for me.” I said.
“Of course, that’s what sisters are for.”
After a minute I let go of her and continued. “Anyway…he gave me this necklace and said it was a gift from Rin and him...”
“Wait a second…is ‘Rin’ that really adorable little girl who you never told me about?”
I sighed and said, “Yes. But I promise I’ll explain to you later, just let me finish! Anyway, he said that when he saw the necklace…he thought of me…and well, after that he asked if I still loved him…and of course I said yes…*sigh*…and then…”
Aoi leaned in closer. “And then…?”
I leaned in even closer, “And then…”
She grabbed a pair of hair chopsticks and acted like she was going to stab me with them. “Scutmuffin if you don’t tell me right now…”
“OKAY…! We shared the most romantic and wonderful kiss ever…”
Aoi grinned and said “Aw, Even better then the last one?”
“Much better…and longer…”
Aoi smiled and said “I’m so happy for you! You two are finally together! Though I admit…I am kinda worried about the ASF…”
“I’m not…” I said shaking my head, “it’s obvious we’re going to face some things but all that matters is that we’re going to face them together.”
“Aww…such an inspiring couple…”
“Why thank you.”
“Anyway…” she said getting back on the bed. “I’m glad Miroku and Sango have come to terms too. Now that only leaves one more…”
“The most difficult and drama-filled one of them all…”
“Inuyasha and Kagome…” we both said together.
“I can see it now…they’re going to take some time.” Aoi said.
“Yeah I agree.”
After sitting in silence for a moment Aoi spoke up again and said “Hey…I forgot to mention, at the party I noticed Chiyo and Kazuya were dancing kind of…close during the slower songs.”
“Oh that’s nothing new.” I said, still playing with my necklace, “I mean they do go together.”
Aoi gasped and said “What?! I didn’t know that! You traitor, why didn’t you tell me?!”
“Oh…sorry I guess I forgot to tell you. But yeah, those two have been going together for about a year now.”
“I see…well I learned something today...”
“Yup…”
Both of us yawned and looked at each other. “Well I guess we done went and officially worn ourselves out…” I said.
“Yeah…I’m bushed…”
We both laid down and Aoi turned off the light on her night stand. But just before drifting off to sleep she whispered “Happy Birthday Hana…”
“It’s not our birthday anymore sweetie, it’s past midnight.”
“Woman, say Happy Birthday before I stab you with my chopsticks…!”
“Okay! Happy Birthday Aoi!”
The following Monday…
Aoi’s POV
I don’t wanna go to school!!
You know those times when you’ve had like, a really good weekend, and you wish that you never had to go back to school? That’s how I felt on Monday.
At the moment I was aimlessly walking around the building before classes started. I couldn’t find any of my friends and Hana had gotten a ride with Sesshomaru (I mean hey, why ride with your sister when you have a boyfriend with a Lamborghini?) so basically I was a loner for that morning.
So, I was walking down the hallway minding my own business when I heard voices coming from around the corner…
“Where’s my money?” One voice said.
“I don’t have any money!” said a second voice, this one was a girl.
“Bullshit!” The first voice said. I then heard someone get slapped. I assumed that it was the second person.
I was now totally into this conversation. Even though it was none of my business, nosey me decided to stick around that corner for a while longer. From what I heard, there were more than two people, and all of them were beating up on the girl (I knew it was the girl who was getting beat up because I could hear her crying in pain).
“That’s enough.” The voice from before said.
Then the beating stopped and I heard someone fall to the ground.
“You’ve got until tomorrow to get my money, if I see you tomorrow and you still don’t have it then…well… let’s just say the consequences will be worse than they were today.”
There was a brief silence, “Let’s go…”
I heard footsteps coming in my direction. Since I obviously didn’t want to get caught eavesdropping, I ran into the nearest classroom and hid.
I peeked out the window, just enough so that I wouldn’t look too obvious, to see who it was coming down the hallway that was causing all of that grief for that girl.
It was none other than Naraku and his idiot youkai followers.
I thought I recognized that voice, I thought.
I mean, I should’ve known that it was him. Sesshomaru told Hana and me before that Naraku was nothing but trouble. But all of that? Unbelievable.
When I was sure that they were all gone, I exited the classroom slowly. I walked around the corner to see if the girl was still there…she was.
She was sitting on the floor with her arms wrapped around her. She hung her head low and her long, black hair fell over her face, preventing me from identifying who she was.
I walked closer to her, when I reached her I nudged her and said, “Hey…are you gonna be okay?”
She raised her head only slightly and said, “Ha…what do you think?”
“I’m sorry I was just asking…”
“Well don’t worry about it,” she said getting up, still not showing me her face, “what happened just now…it’s none of your concern.”
She walked past me and for a brief moment I saw her face. She was some sort of youkai with pale skin and bright red eyes. I had a feeling that I had seen her before, but I just couldn’t place where.
I didn’t have enough time to dwell on it though, because I then realized that it was almost time to go to class.
Later that day…
I was barely able to focus all day because of the incident that I had seen (heard, technically) that morning. Even though the girl told me that what had happened was none of my business, I still wanted to know more. I asked my friend Miki at lunch if she knew anything about the girl after I described to her what she looked like.
“Oh yeah! I know who you’re talking about. She’s kind of a loner. She usually eats lunch all by herself on the rooftop, if you wanna try to ask her again about what happened, then now would be the best opportunity!”“Yeah,” I nodded. “I think I’ll do that…Later!”
I exited the cafeteria and found the back staircase which eventually (after many flights of stairs) led me to the rooftop. I opened the door and a big gust of wind greeted me, almost knocking me back down the stairs!
As I looked for the mystery girl, I had to pull my skirt down so that the gale force winds wouldn’t blow it up.
I found the girl sitting by the fence and looking up at the sky.
Sweet! “Hey...hey you!” I yelled.
When the girl looked up to see who the hell was yelling at her, she rolled her eyes and stood up to greet me as I approached her.
“Okay look, I know you told me that whatever happened was none of my business but…I just can’t ignore something like that! If I don’t try to do something about it I’ll feel guilty!”
“Nani?” The girl said folding her arms, “How can you say that? You don’t even know me but you actually care about what happens to me?”
“Well…yes.” I said.
The girl just sat in silence until she finally invited me to sit down next to her. She explained to me her whole situation:
Originally she was a part of Naraku’s gang (“They have gangs at this school too?! Man, this place is something out of a manga!” was my response). However she decided that she didn’t quite fancy being told what to do and decided to leave. But here’s the deal, in these types of gangs, when you’re gone…your behind is gone. This means that if you happen to see someone you know from your old gang, they won’t be friendly to you or nice to you, they’ll make your life hell. The girl’s punishment just so happened to be that every time she saw Naraku, she would have to hand over some…excuse me…all of her money to him. However she recently decided that she wasn’t all for it, which led to her getting beaten.
“Oh so that’s it…” I said. “You don’t need that type of treatment. You should just give him money and be on your way…”
“No,” she said, “I can’t do that anymore. If I do that it shows that I’m afraid of him and I’m not. So…I’ll just live with it…”
I shook my head in disbelief, “You are something else…! Um…uh…”
She smiled, for the first time since I saw her, “I’m Kagura Oogami.”
Kagura? That’s an interesting name.
“Ah, I like that name! My name’s Aoi Hanamori!” I said cheesing.
“Aoi Hanamori? Aren’t you Bankotsu’s girl?”
I nodded my head, “Yeah I am…but…how did you know?”
“I see you two together all the time, especially during Algebra 2.”
I thought about if for a second, and then I realized it. I had seen Kagura before. She sat in the very back of the classroom during Algebra 2. But she’s so quiet and to herself I never heard her speak before.
That’s probably why I didn’t recognize her voice earlier either; she never speaks so I didn’t recognize her voice.
“O-oh, I see.
“Mm-hmm,” Kagura said. “I do think there is something you should know about Bankotsu, though…”
“Huh?”
Something like what? Will it be something I want to hear? Something I don’t, I mean what is it?
“Bankotsu’s not exactly the prince you think he is. Trust me I know…”
“Well, I already know he’s not perfect, “I said trying to defend him, “Nobody is, right?”
Kagura ignored what I said and kept going, “Some of this stuff you two should discuss yourself but I will tell you something, Naraku and Bankotsu used to be the best of friends, partners in crime. They did so many terrible things it would make your skin crawl…”
“You’re lying!” I told her. She had to be, I mean it’s like I said, I know Bankotsu isn’t perfect but…I know he would never do anything really bad.
“But wait, why did they stop being friends?” I asked.
“That’s one of the things that you two will have to discuss.”
Just then the bell rang for everyone to go to class.
“Well it’s been nice chatting with you!” Kagura said standing up. “Later…and remember to ask him…”
I watched her walk ahead of me while I sort of lagged behind. So many thoughts were whirring around in my head it gave me a headache…
He’s not the prince you think he is, trust me I know…
I’m still going through some things right now, but I promise I’ll change…
As much as I hated it, I started believing that what Kagura told me was true.
I looked at my bracelet that he had gotten me for my birthday…
B&A 4 Lyfe…
“If this is true…then I can’t let something trivial like this get in the way. I will ask him…about everything…no more secrets.”
Hana’s POV
When I went to lunch, I looked around for Aoi but couldn’t seem to find her. I saw her friend Miki and asked if she had seen her. She said ‘yes’ but then said she had left a little after lunch started. I sighed and got in line. Oh Aoi…I know you don’t like school lunches but you didn’t have to skip. Now I’m going to have to sit by myself…
Sesshomaru was in the library working on something and everyone else had a different lunch. While I was in line, I heard some girls talking behind me. I really wasn’t paying attention at first until I heard Aoi’s name (well technically I heard her last name).
“…Yeah I know! That Hanamori girl is so stupid. Hanging around with a thug like that…she’s bound to get into trouble.”
“I wonder what that guy sees in her anyway…”
What the hell? Do they not know that I’m standing right in front them?! I thought angrily. And how dare they call Aoi stupid! They…
It took me a minute to completely comprehend what the girl had said, Hanging out with a thug? What are they talking about? They can’t be talking about Bankotsu…
Just as I was about to turn around and confront them, the lunch lady asked me what I wanted. After telling her and paying for my lunch I got out of line.
“Hey…ah…Twin!”
I looked to see who was calling me and it just so happened to be Sango. I had forgotten she had lunch with us that day. I waved at her and walked to the table she was sitting at. “Hey Sango!” I said.
“Hey…um…Hana, right?”
I nodded and said “Yep, you got it!”
“Good.” Just as she took a bite of her food I noticed something very shiny on her finger. After putting the food in her mouth I grabbed her hand and realized that it was a diamond ring. Another thing I realized was that it was on her ring finger. “OMG Sango! Where did you…who gave you this ring?!”
She blushed and said “Oh…I guess I forgot to tell you guys…Miroku proposed!”
“Um, yeah, you think?!” I blinked, taking a moment to comprehend what she was telling me and then I gasped and hugged her from across the table. “Oh Sango! I’m so happy for you! Congratulations!” She hugged me back and said “Thanks Hana!”
After letting go of her I suddenly thought about something. “So um…I am happy for you and all but…are you sure Miroku is serious about this? And…isn’t it kinda early?”
She nodded and said “Yeah it is but he said we’re going to get married after high school. And yes, he is serious about it.” She said opening a juice box. “I admit, I asked the same question but after the party Miroku told me that he really was going to give up his old ways…He said that he only wanted to be with me…and that I truly was the only woman that he loved.”
“Aww that’s so sweet.”
“…I can’t believe it…”
I suddenly got deterred from our conversation when I heard a familiar voice behind me.
“Yeah…about Hanamori…turns out she’s Kusao’s new whore.” I gasped when I realized it was Kikyo. Sango asked me what was wrong but I just shushed her. I also recognized the voices of the girls who were behind me in line.
“Did you hear about the last girl he was with? Turns out he got her pregnant but then beat her into getting an abortion.”
“Oh that’s nothing! I heard he got arrested for selling drugs.”
“Hmph. That girl has no idea who she’s dealing with…he’s probably just using her for sex.”
“Sex? Ha, doubt it. If he wanted that he should have talked to me.” Kikyo said with all the confidence in the world.
‘He should have talked to me’? Excuse me?! Doesn’t she have a boyfriend? That trick be rollin’ for real...she just...UGH!
By then I was turned around facing their table and I’m sure without a shadow of a doubt I looked VERY pissed. The girls continued to ramble on until one of them finally noticed me and pointed to me. Kikyo turned around and if it wasn’t for Sango holding my arm I would have already killed her. She had caught on to what I had shushed her about and was also pissed but obviously had more self control than I did at the moment.
“Miyashita-kun? What are you doing eavesdropping?” She asked.
“Shut the hell up Kikyo! What’s all that crap you girls are talking about?”
“None of your business...” she said smoothly.
“Like hell it isn’t! You’re talking about my sister therefore it is my fuckin’ business, bitch!!”
She rolled her eyes and said “Ha, I don’t know who the hell you think you’re cussing at but...this is an A and B conversation so C your way out before I get D and E to F you up because they’re real G’s.”
“What the f-? Kikyo, do you realize how stupid you sound?” Sango asked.
“Do you realize how stupid you are?” Kikyo retorted.
“Bitch...” Sango whispered loudly.
“Anyway, if you must know Hana...” she said directing her attention towards me, “your sister is dating a thug.”
“What…? Bankotsu isn’t…”
“Oh please…everyone in the school knows…the guy has a bad reputation.”
“Look I know he’s got some dirt but who doesn’t! That gives you no reason to be spreading stupid rumors about him!”
Suddenly the bell rang and Kikyo and her friends stood up. “You don’t have to believe me…but you two will figure it out eventually.”
They then walked away, leaving both Sango and I bewildered and angry. No way…could all the stuff they were saying…actually be true?
Aoi’s POV
Just when I thought I had had enough drama for that day, after third period Hana caught up to me and told me some terrible things she heard about Bankotsu at lunch. If that wasn’t bad enough, as I headed to my fourth, I noticed that I kept getting strange glances from people. When they saw me they would start whispering among themselves. It didn’t bother me that much at first…but then when I heard someone mention Bankotsu’s name, along with my own, I became curious. After hearing our names the first time I began to hear other whispers:
“Yeah Hanamori’s dead meat if she stays with him…”
“I heard Kusao killed someone before!”
“No way!”
“I heard he got some girl pregnant…”
“Ohh…baby mama drama.”
“I heard he’s only dating her for her money…”
I wanted to scream. I wanted it all to stop. Why was everyone gossiping about him…about us? We had been going together for several weeks and all of a sudden people wanted to start talking about us. Or…had they been talking about us since day one? I stopped walking and looked down.
I do think there is something you should know about Bankotsu…
Bankotsu’s not exactly the prince you think he is…
They did so many terrible things it would make your skin crawl…
I clenched my hands into fists. Suddenly I felt someone put their hand on my shoulder.
“Aoi? Are you okay?” Without even looking up I knew it was Bankotsu. And also without looking up I said this to him, “Bankotsu…I know there are some things you haven’t told me…about yourself and your past…and I’ve heard some things that are very disturbing…but you know what?” I was now looking at him. “I don’t care if the rumors are true or not. I love you either way!”
Suddenly music started and I began to sing:
And they say He do a little this He do a little that He always in trouble(and I heard) He's nuthin' but a pimp He's got a lot of chicks He's always in the club (and they say) He think he slick He's got a lot of chips He's so messed up (and I heard) He's been locked up Find somebody else He ain't nuthin' but a thug So what Bankotsu: And they say, I'm a slut, I'm a ho, I'm a freak I got a different girl everyday of the week You too smart, you'd be a dummy to believe That stuff that you heard that they say about me They say that I'm this, they say that I'm that But all of it's fiction none of its facts But you don't be hearin' it about your lover You let it go in one ear and out the other Now he say she say they say I heard If they fake we can't let it get on our nerves She miserable she just want you to be like her Misery needs company so don't listen to that vine of grapes They're nuthin' but liars hatin' And I bet they wouldn't mind tradin' places With you by my side in my Mercedes And they say He do a little this He do a little that He always in trouble(and I heard) He's nuthin' but a pimp He's got a lot of chicks He's always in the club (and they say) He think he slick He's got a lot of chips He's so messed up (and I heard) He's been locked up Find somebody else He ain't nuthin' but a thug So what
Bankotsu: ‘Mo money ‘mo problems, life of a legend Haters throw salt like rice at a weddin' So what that's your cousin That don't mean nuthin' Her like missin' is a type of affection you get You just blind to the facts See the lies just as obvious as cries for attention Yield to the blindness to apply your suspicion But listen, say you love me Gotta trust me why you stress this high school mess Break up, never, they just jealous Drama from your mother, mean mug from your brother I'm that author of the book they can judge from the cover (Yes) I been to jail (and yes) I'm grindin' for real I'm positive talkin' negative pimp They hate to see you doin' better than them So And they say He do a little this He do a little that He always in trouble(and I heard) He's nuthin' but a pimp He's got a lot of chicks He's always in the club (and they say) He think he slick He's got a lot of chips He's so messed up (and I heard) He's been locked up Find somebody else He ain't nuthin' but a thug So what Some people don't like it Cuz you hang out in the street But your my boyfriend You've always been here for me This love is serious No matter what people think I'm gon' be here for ya And I don't care what they say Some people don't like it Cuz you hang out in the street But your my boyfriend You've always been here for me I like the thug in ya No matter what people think I'm gon' be here for ya And I don't care what they say And they say He do a little this He do a little that He always in trouble(and I heard) He's nuthin' but a pimp He's got a lot of chicks He's always in the club (and they say) He think he slick He's got a lot of chipsHe's so messed up (And I Heard) He's been locked up Find somebody else He ain't nuthin' But A Thug So What
After I finished singing, everyone pretty much just shrugged it off and walked away. “Well…I hope that puts an end to those rumors.” I said grabbing his hand.
Bankotsu sighed and said “Well…if it wasn’t for me a lot of those rumors wouldn’t have even started.”
I let go of his hand and asked him what he meant.
“There are some things I need to tell you…I’ll talk to you after school. I’ll be waiting by your car.” He said kissing me on my forehead and then heading to his class. I know I said I wanted to know the truth…but the question is…will I be able to handle it?
Hana’s POV
I was so glad I hadn’t seen Kikyo for the rest of the day because I’m almost positive we woulda wrecked. All that crap she said about Aoi and Bankotsu…it really ticked me off! But…anyway…As I was heading to my Home Ec class, I just so happened to run into Sesshomaru.
“Hey Sessho-san!” I said running up next to him.
“Sessho-san?” he said with an eyebrow up.
I nodded and said “That’s my nickname for you. You don’t mind having a nickname, do you?”
“I guess not…Hanako.”
“Hanako?
He grabbed my hand and said “Yes. It suits you.”
I smiled at him. He always made me feel good…just by saying my name.
Hand in hand, we both headed to class. I didn’t miss the glances and shocked expressions we got from people but I didn’t care. Well, at least not until I began to hear the whispers from people.
“What the heck?! Are they holding hands?”
“You didn’t hear? Miyashita blackmailed Sesshomaru-san into going with her.”
“No way!”
“I heard that he bought her for sex.”
“What? Miyashita’s a prostitute?”
Sesshomaru and I stopped walking. No doubt he also heard what was going around with his sensitive hearing. He looked at me and said “Hanako?”
I could only stand there in shock. No way! They’re spreading rumors about us too? Who the hell is starting all these rumors?!
“You didn’t know she was a prostitute? How do you think she got that expensive necklace? She probably did some rich guy some ‘favors’…probably not Sesshomaru-san though, he has way too much class…”
“You sure about that? I heard he picks up girls off corners all the time…I mean he has the money for it…”
Oh that’s it…
I let go of Sesshomaru’s hand and confronted the gossiping girls, “Alright bitch, why are you and your little friends talkin’ all this shit about me and Sesshomaru like that?!”
The girls looked a little scared of me for a second. One of them finally decided to speak up, “It…was Sayo Nakagawa…she told us everything you just heard! We didn’t make it up, so please don’t hurt us!”
I backed up from the girls and looked over at Sesshomaru. He sighed and turned away from me. I just barely heard him, but it sounded like he said, “I knew this would happen.”
While they had the chance, the girls ran away. And as if on cue, the supposed fire starter of all of these rumors, stepped from out of the shadows.
“Sayo...” I said spitting out her name like it was poison, “What the hell is your problem? Since when am I a prostitute?”
“And since when do I pick up girls from the red-light district?” Sesshomaru said speaking up.
All Sayo did was laugh. “Ever since I found out that you two were going out, that’s when.” She said.
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, “It’s only been what, two or three days? How did you even find out?” I asked.
“A friend saw you two this past weekend, she told me and well…I started the rumor. And you know how good news travels fast around here…” she said circling around us.
“Let me tell you something…” I started to say, but Sesshomaru stepped in front of me.
“Let me tell you something,” he said, “You and your little friends Sayo…you all have been up to this for about a year and a half now, and I’m getting quite fed up with it…”
“But Sesshomaru-sama…”
“Shut up…” he really looked irritated now, “you might have had a chance had you just talked to me…but trying to kill people…and making people kill themselves…why in the world would I like someone like that? Look, whether you are able to accept this truth or not…Miyashita and I are together, and stupid rumors are not going to separate us, so you can just give it up now.”
The look on Sayo’s face was priceless. She sighed and said, “Okay Sesshomaru…”
Thank God…
“I’ll give up on the rumors…but…I won’t give up on you, no matter what you say!” With that she walked away.
Sesshomaru and I looked at each other for a moment. “Can you believe that girl?”
He shook his head and said, “Nakagawa is one piece of work…honestly, just because she’s a youkai she thinks she has these great chances of being with me…”
“Yeah…wait, what? Sayo’s a youkai?”
He looked amused by my surprise, “She doesn’t look like it does she? She has this weird condition in which none of her demonic traits are shown in her physical appearance.”
Wow…I thought, Oh well…
“Let’s not keep dwelling on Sayo, we should go on to class now.”
“Agreed…” We both walked hand in hand together, positive that we had nothing to worry about.
Aoi’s POV
For the rest of the day, about a million little butterflies fluttered around in my stomach. I was anxiously awaiting the end of school, so I could meet Bankotsu, and he would tell me everything.
When I heard the last bell ring, my heart dropped to my stomach.
Hana, can you hear me? I thought.
Yeah, what’s up?
I’m scared…
Don’t be! Everything’ll be fine.
Hm…
Oh, and I’m getting another ride from Sessho-chan, so you don’t have to worry about taking me home.
Who? Oh nevermind…
Yeah…I’ll meet you at the lockers…
When I got to the lockers, I saw Hana there already getting her things together.
As I was putting on my shoes, Hana said, “Aoi you’re shaking! Are you that nervous?!”
I looked at my hand and noticed that I was shaking. “I guess so but, I think I’ll be okay.”
“I’m sure it’ll be okay…oh, there’s Sesshomaru. I’ll see you later!”
I waved behind Hana as she ran off to be with her ‘boo’.
After putting on my shoes, I put on my coat and grabbed my bag. As I walked to my car, I noticed that I was no longer shaking. Instead my heart had gone from a steady, walking beat, to an ultra-fast, techno song beat. I reached my car and saw Bankotsu leaning against the car, waiting for me. By that point my heartbeat was about 200 BPM.
“H-Hey…” I said.
“What’s up…you don’t mind giving me a ride home do ya?” he asked.
“No…of course not,” I said unlocking the doors with the car’s remote, “Hop in.”
He opened the door and sat in the passenger’s seat. I took my time making my way to the driver’s seat. When I got in, sat down, and closed the door, Bankotsu reached his arm across and wrapped it around my shoulder. However I quickly brushed him off.
When I did that he looked quite hurt.
“Just, not while I’m driving okay?”
“Alright,” he said still sounding hurt, “you gonna start the car or what?”
“Oh yeah,” I put the key in the ignition and started the car. I finally pulled out of the parking lot and went on the road.
“Keep going until you get to the light…” Bankotsu said. I nodded to show that I heard what he said.
“So…where to start…” I said.
“Alright,” he said sighing, “Let me start by saying, I do not have any kids…and I didn’t get anyone pregnant.”
Oh thank god…
“But everything else you heard is pretty much true…turn left onto this street.”
“Nani?” I said with absolute horror in my voice. “So…the drugs…and you getting arrested…you killing people…”
He nodded grimly. “I used to sell opium around where I live, but then I got busted, got arrested, and never did it again. Me and my old gang, we caused a lot of trouble. We stole money, we got into fights, we beat up people and took their stuff, killed them…”
I was almost speechless, “But why…? Why would you do all of those things?”
“Honestly,” he said, “Because it was fun. We all got the greatest thrill out of causing trouble.”
Oh my goodness…
“But one day, they went too far. See, we had a leader, his name was…”
“Naraku?” I said finishing his sentence.
“How do you know about Naraku?” He said with confusion and, what sounded like alarm.
“…someone told me about him.” I explained.
He calmed down a little bit before continuing on with his story, “Well yes, Naraku was our leader. His girlfriend, well they’re not together anymore but, his then girlfriend Kagura, who was also a member of Jigoku, that was the name of the gang by the way…”“WHOA! Hold on a second!” I said almost swerving my car off the road. “Kagura…and Naraku…used to go together?”
“Uh yeah…I didn’t know you knew Kagura too, but anyway, yeah they went together. Well, Kagura had gotten us caught one night when we were trying to rob a bank, resulting in all of us getting arrested. Once we all found our way out of jail, we met up and decided that Kagura would get kicked out of the gang. However, Kagura had revealed that she intended on leaving anyway…this…didn’t settle too well with everyone, and they all jumped her, except for me. Now Kagura’s a wind demon, so she can sorta defend herself but…when it’s like ten against one…what can you do?”
A wind demon? That must be why it was so gusty outside when I saw Kagura earlier, her emotions were stirring up the wind…I thought as Bankotsu continued on.
“Since everyone was so pressed about getting Kagura, no one was paying any attention to me, so I pulled out my cell phone and called the police. I told them that a girl was getting beat up in the location that we were. Since the police station wasn’t that far away, they got there in almost no time. And all of them, once again (except for of course Kagura, and me because I ran away right after I made the call) got arrested. This time it was for assault, and in Naraku’s case, domestic violence.”
“Wow…” was all I could say in response, “So how did they get out of jail that time?”
“Who knows…but once they got out of jail again, I met up with them and told them straight up that I wasn’t gonna be apart of their gang anymore. I just couldn’t after what they did to Kagura. Not only is she my friend, she’s a girl. And I just don’t beat up on girls like that, I’m no punk. Well once I left, Jigoku was now two members short. I’m almost positive they still mess around with Kagura, just ‘cuz they can, but they’d never mess with me simply because I was second-in-command to Naraku. They’d never mess with me. Turn here…”
I turned to the right, with every turn I took to get to Bankotsu’s neighborhood, the setting kept getting dirtier and dirtier. I think he noticed that this was bothering me because he then said, “I know I live in the slums, it doesn’t seem all that appealing but…it has its own charms!”
“Come on, finish!” I said.
“Okay, so after I left, I round up my own band of followers and created my own gang, which I named Zokuto. It was almost just like Jigoku except whatever I said was law and I was the leader, and of course, no beating up on girls. So that explains my mysterious disappearances, whenever I had things to take care of, it was usually gang business. We’re almost there…just turn this corner and you’ll see the apartment building.”
I did as I was instructed and I parked in front of a large apartment complex.
“So Kotsu-chan, this is where you live?”
“Yup, on the fourth floor.” He said. For a moment, we sat there in silence. Until I broke it, “So are you getting out?”
“No, I still have something to tell you.”
I wondered what more he could possibly have to tell me. Did he owe money to the yakuza? Was he one of the most wanted criminals in the nation? What was it?
“I know I keep saying this but, I really am going to change Aoi, why? Because I wanna be a better person…for your sake. And because, this gang stuff is dangerous and if you were to get hurt because of me…I don’t know what I’d do…”
By this point he was lying on my shoulder and grasping my hand in his. “You probably hate me for not telling you this before. And you probably think I’m no good now that you know about the skeletons in my closet. But I have to ask you, can you forgive me?”
With most people it probably would have taken a long consideration period. However with me, I didn’t have to think at all. “Of course I forgive you, Kotsu-chan.”
He then kissed me and after ten seconds we separated. He laid back down on my shoulder and I heard him whisper, “I love you.”
“I love you too.” I whispered back to him. Suddenly he looked at his watch and said, “Crap, I gotta go. Thanks for giving me a ride, Aoi-chan! Oh yeah, and now that you know where I live, I better see you around here more often!”
“Sure thing!” I said as he got out of the car. I watched him go through the building’s entrance before I turned around to go back home.
As I was driving home, a wave, no forget wave, a friggin’ waterfall of relief washed over me now that the truth had been revealed. From now on, everything would be smooth sailing…
I hope...
Hana's POV
After giving it some thought I decided to spend the night at Aoi's house (she never minded when I did). After swooning over her new car, our limo driver helped us carry our gifts into the house. When we got inside and the driver left, I noticed Aunt Risa (since I met her she insisted that I called her "aunt" too) wasn't there. I asked Aoi if she knew where she was.
"Oh she had to work late." she said hanging up her coat.
"Oh...speaking of which, where does she work?" I asked sitting on the coach.
"She's a nurse. She works at the hospital."
"Oh that's cool. That job suits her. She's so nice."
"Yeah she is…except when she's PMS-ing...it’s like she's a whole different person."
I laughed and said "I see...well enough small talk! Let's open up our gifts!"
"Yay! Stuff!”
She sat on the couch next to me and we both picked out a random gift. I guess by twin coincidence we both picked out our gifts from Kagome. From her we had received two pairs of arm warmers, a cute pair of hoop earrings that had our names embedded in them, and the latest Bi (Rain) CD! From everybody else we received...
Sango: gift cards to Hot Topic
Miroku: gift certificates to the nail parlor
Koga (and Ayame): bracelets that said "Sisters 4 Ever"
Chiyo: a cute Happy Bunny pajama/short set with matching slippers
Kazuya: the latest BoA, Ayumi Hamasaki, and Crystal Kay CDs (he worked at a CD store)
Kazuke: a new soccer ball for me and a gift card to Claire’s for Aoi
Kyo and Koichi: gift cards to Borders
Of course we had also got some stuff from Aoi’s cousins and my friends (but I don’t want to spend forever talking about all the things we got).
Anyway after going through all of our gifts, we decided to have some more fun since we weren’t tired. We played DDR for a while, we played around with Aoi’s karaoke set and then we watched a few movies. By the time we actually settled down it was about 1:30 AM. After putting on our new pajamas we decided to just talk.
“Man…I really had fun tonight.” I said as I stretched out on my pallet on the floor.
“Yeah me too…but it wasn’t just fun…it was…magical…” Aoi said making little spirit fingers.
I laughed and said “Yeah…when Bankotsu was singing your songs you looked so touched.”
“Cuz I was!” she said grinning. “He sounded so amazing and well…no one’s ever actually wrote a song for me before.”
I then looked down at my necklace and said “Well he didn’t sing me a song but…he definitely took my heart away.”
Aoi noticed that I was looking at my necklace. She sat next to me on the floor (she was on her bed) to get a better look. “Sesshy-kins got that for you?! It’s so pretty!”
I nodded and smiled. “It really is…”
She then sat back up and said “Oh yeah…speaking of Scrappy…what exactly happened between you two in the VIP room?”
“Well…wait…how did you know he was in there with me?” I asked.
“Umm…guessed?” she said shrugging her shoulders.
“Hm, well anyway, he told me he wasn’t going to beat around the bush anymore and he said he was in love with me. Of course I was shocked…and I asked him what took him so long to tell me. He told me why…and then told me why he did tell me. And…he just so happened to mention that you had something to do with it.” I said looking at her.
She just shrugged again and said, “Well I couldn’t sit around and do nothing…not while knowing he really did love you...now see, I told you, but you were all like, ‘Nooo, he doesn’t love me!’” She was whining and shaking me back and forth to ‘imitate’ me.
When she finally stopped shaking me I gave her an enormous hug, “Thanks…for looking out for me.” I said.
“Of course, that’s what sisters are for.”
After a minute I let go of her and continued. “Anyway…he gave me this necklace and said it was a gift from Rin and him...”
“Wait a second…is ‘Rin’ that really adorable little girl who you never told me about?”
I sighed and said, “Yes. But I promise I’ll explain to you later, just let me finish! Anyway, he said that when he saw the necklace…he thought of me…and well, after that he asked if I still loved him…and of course I said yes…*sigh*…and then…”
Aoi leaned in closer. “And then…?”
I leaned in even closer, “And then…”
She grabbed a pair of hair chopsticks and acted like she was going to stab me with them. “Scutmuffin if you don’t tell me right now…”
“OKAY…! We shared the most romantic and wonderful kiss ever…”
Aoi grinned and said “Aw, Even better then the last one?”
“Much better…and longer…”
Aoi smiled and said “I’m so happy for you! You two are finally together! Though I admit…I am kinda worried about the ASF…”
“I’m not…” I said shaking my head, “it’s obvious we’re going to face some things but all that matters is that we’re going to face them together.”
“Aww…such an inspiring couple…”
“Why thank you.”
“Anyway…” she said getting back on the bed. “I’m glad Miroku and Sango have come to terms too. Now that only leaves one more…”
“The most difficult and drama-filled one of them all…”
“Inuyasha and Kagome…” we both said together.
“I can see it now…they’re going to take some time.” Aoi said.
“Yeah I agree.”
After sitting in silence for a moment Aoi spoke up again and said “Hey…I forgot to mention, at the party I noticed Chiyo and Kazuya were dancing kind of…close during the slower songs.”
“Oh that’s nothing new.” I said, still playing with my necklace, “I mean they do go together.”
Aoi gasped and said “What?! I didn’t know that! You traitor, why didn’t you tell me?!”
“Oh…sorry I guess I forgot to tell you. But yeah, those two have been going together for about a year now.”
“I see…well I learned something today...”
“Yup…”
Both of us yawned and looked at each other. “Well I guess we done went and officially worn ourselves out…” I said.
“Yeah…I’m bushed…”
We both laid down and Aoi turned off the light on her night stand. But just before drifting off to sleep she whispered “Happy Birthday Hana…”
“It’s not our birthday anymore sweetie, it’s past midnight.”
“Woman, say Happy Birthday before I stab you with my chopsticks…!”
“Okay! Happy Birthday Aoi!”
The following Monday…
Aoi’s POV
I don’t wanna go to school!!
You know those times when you’ve had like, a really good weekend, and you wish that you never had to go back to school? That’s how I felt on Monday.
At the moment I was aimlessly walking around the building before classes started. I couldn’t find any of my friends and Hana had gotten a ride with Sesshomaru (I mean hey, why ride with your sister when you have a boyfriend with a Lamborghini?) so basically I was a loner for that morning.
So, I was walking down the hallway minding my own business when I heard voices coming from around the corner…
“Where’s my money?” One voice said.
“I don’t have any money!” said a second voice, this one was a girl.
“Bullshit!” The first voice said. I then heard someone get slapped. I assumed that it was the second person.
I was now totally into this conversation. Even though it was none of my business, nosey me decided to stick around that corner for a while longer. From what I heard, there were more than two people, and all of them were beating up on the girl (I knew it was the girl who was getting beat up because I could hear her crying in pain).
“That’s enough.” The voice from before said.
Then the beating stopped and I heard someone fall to the ground.
“You’ve got until tomorrow to get my money, if I see you tomorrow and you still don’t have it then…well… let’s just say the consequences will be worse than they were today.”
There was a brief silence, “Let’s go…”
I heard footsteps coming in my direction. Since I obviously didn’t want to get caught eavesdropping, I ran into the nearest classroom and hid.
I peeked out the window, just enough so that I wouldn’t look too obvious, to see who it was coming down the hallway that was causing all of that grief for that girl.
It was none other than Naraku and his idiot youkai followers.
I thought I recognized that voice, I thought.
I mean, I should’ve known that it was him. Sesshomaru told Hana and me before that Naraku was nothing but trouble. But all of that? Unbelievable.
When I was sure that they were all gone, I exited the classroom slowly. I walked around the corner to see if the girl was still there…she was.
She was sitting on the floor with her arms wrapped around her. She hung her head low and her long, black hair fell over her face, preventing me from identifying who she was.
I walked closer to her, when I reached her I nudged her and said, “Hey…are you gonna be okay?”
She raised her head only slightly and said, “Ha…what do you think?”
“I’m sorry I was just asking…”
“Well don’t worry about it,” she said getting up, still not showing me her face, “what happened just now…it’s none of your concern.”
She walked past me and for a brief moment I saw her face. She was some sort of youkai with pale skin and bright red eyes. I had a feeling that I had seen her before, but I just couldn’t place where.
I didn’t have enough time to dwell on it though, because I then realized that it was almost time to go to class.
Later that day…
I was barely able to focus all day because of the incident that I had seen (heard, technically) that morning. Even though the girl told me that what had happened was none of my business, I still wanted to know more. I asked my friend Miki at lunch if she knew anything about the girl after I described to her what she looked like.
“Oh yeah! I know who you’re talking about. She’s kind of a loner. She usually eats lunch all by herself on the rooftop, if you wanna try to ask her again about what happened, then now would be the best opportunity!”“Yeah,” I nodded. “I think I’ll do that…Later!”
I exited the cafeteria and found the back staircase which eventually (after many flights of stairs) led me to the rooftop. I opened the door and a big gust of wind greeted me, almost knocking me back down the stairs!
As I looked for the mystery girl, I had to pull my skirt down so that the gale force winds wouldn’t blow it up.
I found the girl sitting by the fence and looking up at the sky.
Sweet! “Hey...hey you!” I yelled.
When the girl looked up to see who the hell was yelling at her, she rolled her eyes and stood up to greet me as I approached her.
“Okay look, I know you told me that whatever happened was none of my business but…I just can’t ignore something like that! If I don’t try to do something about it I’ll feel guilty!”
“Nani?” The girl said folding her arms, “How can you say that? You don’t even know me but you actually care about what happens to me?”
“Well…yes.” I said.
The girl just sat in silence until she finally invited me to sit down next to her. She explained to me her whole situation:
Originally she was a part of Naraku’s gang (“They have gangs at this school too?! Man, this place is something out of a manga!” was my response). However she decided that she didn’t quite fancy being told what to do and decided to leave. But here’s the deal, in these types of gangs, when you’re gone…your behind is gone. This means that if you happen to see someone you know from your old gang, they won’t be friendly to you or nice to you, they’ll make your life hell. The girl’s punishment just so happened to be that every time she saw Naraku, she would have to hand over some…excuse me…all of her money to him. However she recently decided that she wasn’t all for it, which led to her getting beaten.
“Oh so that’s it…” I said. “You don’t need that type of treatment. You should just give him money and be on your way…”
“No,” she said, “I can’t do that anymore. If I do that it shows that I’m afraid of him and I’m not. So…I’ll just live with it…”
I shook my head in disbelief, “You are something else…! Um…uh…”
She smiled, for the first time since I saw her, “I’m Kagura Oogami.”
Kagura? That’s an interesting name.
“Ah, I like that name! My name’s Aoi Hanamori!” I said cheesing.
“Aoi Hanamori? Aren’t you Bankotsu’s girl?”
I nodded my head, “Yeah I am…but…how did you know?”
“I see you two together all the time, especially during Algebra 2.”
I thought about if for a second, and then I realized it. I had seen Kagura before. She sat in the very back of the classroom during Algebra 2. But she’s so quiet and to herself I never heard her speak before.
That’s probably why I didn’t recognize her voice earlier either; she never speaks so I didn’t recognize her voice.
“O-oh, I see.
“Mm-hmm,” Kagura said. “I do think there is something you should know about Bankotsu, though…”
“Huh?”
Something like what? Will it be something I want to hear? Something I don’t, I mean what is it?
“Bankotsu’s not exactly the prince you think he is. Trust me I know…”
“Well, I already know he’s not perfect, “I said trying to defend him, “Nobody is, right?”
Kagura ignored what I said and kept going, “Some of this stuff you two should discuss yourself but I will tell you something, Naraku and Bankotsu used to be the best of friends, partners in crime. They did so many terrible things it would make your skin crawl…”
“You’re lying!” I told her. She had to be, I mean it’s like I said, I know Bankotsu isn’t perfect but…I know he would never do anything really bad.
“But wait, why did they stop being friends?” I asked.
“That’s one of the things that you two will have to discuss.”
Just then the bell rang for everyone to go to class.
“Well it’s been nice chatting with you!” Kagura said standing up. “Later…and remember to ask him…”
I watched her walk ahead of me while I sort of lagged behind. So many thoughts were whirring around in my head it gave me a headache…
He’s not the prince you think he is, trust me I know…
I’m still going through some things right now, but I promise I’ll change…
As much as I hated it, I started believing that what Kagura told me was true.
I looked at my bracelet that he had gotten me for my birthday…
B&A 4 Lyfe…
“If this is true…then I can’t let something trivial like this get in the way. I will ask him…about everything…no more secrets.”
Hana’s POV
When I went to lunch, I looked around for Aoi but couldn’t seem to find her. I saw her friend Miki and asked if she had seen her. She said ‘yes’ but then said she had left a little after lunch started. I sighed and got in line. Oh Aoi…I know you don’t like school lunches but you didn’t have to skip. Now I’m going to have to sit by myself…
Sesshomaru was in the library working on something and everyone else had a different lunch. While I was in line, I heard some girls talking behind me. I really wasn’t paying attention at first until I heard Aoi’s name (well technically I heard her last name).
“…Yeah I know! That Hanamori girl is so stupid. Hanging around with a thug like that…she’s bound to get into trouble.”
“I wonder what that guy sees in her anyway…”
What the hell? Do they not know that I’m standing right in front them?! I thought angrily. And how dare they call Aoi stupid! They…
It took me a minute to completely comprehend what the girl had said, Hanging out with a thug? What are they talking about? They can’t be talking about Bankotsu…
Just as I was about to turn around and confront them, the lunch lady asked me what I wanted. After telling her and paying for my lunch I got out of line.
“Hey…ah…Twin!”
I looked to see who was calling me and it just so happened to be Sango. I had forgotten she had lunch with us that day. I waved at her and walked to the table she was sitting at. “Hey Sango!” I said.
“Hey…um…Hana, right?”
I nodded and said “Yep, you got it!”
“Good.” Just as she took a bite of her food I noticed something very shiny on her finger. After putting the food in her mouth I grabbed her hand and realized that it was a diamond ring. Another thing I realized was that it was on her ring finger. “OMG Sango! Where did you…who gave you this ring?!”
She blushed and said “Oh…I guess I forgot to tell you guys…Miroku proposed!”
“Um, yeah, you think?!” I blinked, taking a moment to comprehend what she was telling me and then I gasped and hugged her from across the table. “Oh Sango! I’m so happy for you! Congratulations!” She hugged me back and said “Thanks Hana!”
After letting go of her I suddenly thought about something. “So um…I am happy for you and all but…are you sure Miroku is serious about this? And…isn’t it kinda early?”
She nodded and said “Yeah it is but he said we’re going to get married after high school. And yes, he is serious about it.” She said opening a juice box. “I admit, I asked the same question but after the party Miroku told me that he really was going to give up his old ways…He said that he only wanted to be with me…and that I truly was the only woman that he loved.”
“Aww that’s so sweet.”
“…I can’t believe it…”
I suddenly got deterred from our conversation when I heard a familiar voice behind me.
“Yeah…about Hanamori…turns out she’s Kusao’s new whore.” I gasped when I realized it was Kikyo. Sango asked me what was wrong but I just shushed her. I also recognized the voices of the girls who were behind me in line.
“Did you hear about the last girl he was with? Turns out he got her pregnant but then beat her into getting an abortion.”
“Oh that’s nothing! I heard he got arrested for selling drugs.”
“Hmph. That girl has no idea who she’s dealing with…he’s probably just using her for sex.”
“Sex? Ha, doubt it. If he wanted that he should have talked to me.” Kikyo said with all the confidence in the world.
‘He should have talked to me’? Excuse me?! Doesn’t she have a boyfriend? That trick be rollin’ for real...she just...UGH!
By then I was turned around facing their table and I’m sure without a shadow of a doubt I looked VERY pissed. The girls continued to ramble on until one of them finally noticed me and pointed to me. Kikyo turned around and if it wasn’t for Sango holding my arm I would have already killed her. She had caught on to what I had shushed her about and was also pissed but obviously had more self control than I did at the moment.
“Miyashita-kun? What are you doing eavesdropping?” She asked.
“Shut the hell up Kikyo! What’s all that crap you girls are talking about?”
“None of your business...” she said smoothly.
“Like hell it isn’t! You’re talking about my sister therefore it is my fuckin’ business, bitch!!”
She rolled her eyes and said “Ha, I don’t know who the hell you think you’re cussing at but...this is an A and B conversation so C your way out before I get D and E to F you up because they’re real G’s.”
“What the f-? Kikyo, do you realize how stupid you sound?” Sango asked.
“Do you realize how stupid you are?” Kikyo retorted.
“Bitch...” Sango whispered loudly.
“Anyway, if you must know Hana...” she said directing her attention towards me, “your sister is dating a thug.”
“What…? Bankotsu isn’t…”
“Oh please…everyone in the school knows…the guy has a bad reputation.”
“Look I know he’s got some dirt but who doesn’t! That gives you no reason to be spreading stupid rumors about him!”
Suddenly the bell rang and Kikyo and her friends stood up. “You don’t have to believe me…but you two will figure it out eventually.”
They then walked away, leaving both Sango and I bewildered and angry. No way…could all the stuff they were saying…actually be true?
Aoi’s POV
Just when I thought I had had enough drama for that day, after third period Hana caught up to me and told me some terrible things she heard about Bankotsu at lunch. If that wasn’t bad enough, as I headed to my fourth, I noticed that I kept getting strange glances from people. When they saw me they would start whispering among themselves. It didn’t bother me that much at first…but then when I heard someone mention Bankotsu’s name, along with my own, I became curious. After hearing our names the first time I began to hear other whispers:
“Yeah Hanamori’s dead meat if she stays with him…”
“I heard Kusao killed someone before!”
“No way!”
“I heard he got some girl pregnant…”
“Ohh…baby mama drama.”
“I heard he’s only dating her for her money…”
I wanted to scream. I wanted it all to stop. Why was everyone gossiping about him…about us? We had been going together for several weeks and all of a sudden people wanted to start talking about us. Or…had they been talking about us since day one? I stopped walking and looked down.
I do think there is something you should know about Bankotsu…
Bankotsu’s not exactly the prince you think he is…
They did so many terrible things it would make your skin crawl…
I clenched my hands into fists. Suddenly I felt someone put their hand on my shoulder.
“Aoi? Are you okay?” Without even looking up I knew it was Bankotsu. And also without looking up I said this to him, “Bankotsu…I know there are some things you haven’t told me…about yourself and your past…and I’ve heard some things that are very disturbing…but you know what?” I was now looking at him. “I don’t care if the rumors are true or not. I love you either way!”
Suddenly music started and I began to sing:
And they say He do a little this He do a little that He always in trouble(and I heard) He's nuthin' but a pimp He's got a lot of chicks He's always in the club (and they say) He think he slick He's got a lot of chips He's so messed up (and I heard) He's been locked up Find somebody else He ain't nuthin' but a thug So what Bankotsu: And they say, I'm a slut, I'm a ho, I'm a freak I got a different girl everyday of the week You too smart, you'd be a dummy to believe That stuff that you heard that they say about me They say that I'm this, they say that I'm that But all of it's fiction none of its facts But you don't be hearin' it about your lover You let it go in one ear and out the other Now he say she say they say I heard If they fake we can't let it get on our nerves She miserable she just want you to be like her Misery needs company so don't listen to that vine of grapes They're nuthin' but liars hatin' And I bet they wouldn't mind tradin' places With you by my side in my Mercedes And they say He do a little this He do a little that He always in trouble(and I heard) He's nuthin' but a pimp He's got a lot of chicks He's always in the club (and they say) He think he slick He's got a lot of chips He's so messed up (and I heard) He's been locked up Find somebody else He ain't nuthin' but a thug So what
Bankotsu: ‘Mo money ‘mo problems, life of a legend Haters throw salt like rice at a weddin' So what that's your cousin That don't mean nuthin' Her like missin' is a type of affection you get You just blind to the facts See the lies just as obvious as cries for attention Yield to the blindness to apply your suspicion But listen, say you love me Gotta trust me why you stress this high school mess Break up, never, they just jealous Drama from your mother, mean mug from your brother I'm that author of the book they can judge from the cover (Yes) I been to jail (and yes) I'm grindin' for real I'm positive talkin' negative pimp They hate to see you doin' better than them So And they say He do a little this He do a little that He always in trouble(and I heard) He's nuthin' but a pimp He's got a lot of chicks He's always in the club (and they say) He think he slick He's got a lot of chips He's so messed up (and I heard) He's been locked up Find somebody else He ain't nuthin' but a thug So what Some people don't like it Cuz you hang out in the street But your my boyfriend You've always been here for me This love is serious No matter what people think I'm gon' be here for ya And I don't care what they say Some people don't like it Cuz you hang out in the street But your my boyfriend You've always been here for me I like the thug in ya No matter what people think I'm gon' be here for ya And I don't care what they say And they say He do a little this He do a little that He always in trouble(and I heard) He's nuthin' but a pimp He's got a lot of chicks He's always in the club (and they say) He think he slick He's got a lot of chipsHe's so messed up (And I Heard) He's been locked up Find somebody else He ain't nuthin' But A Thug So What
After I finished singing, everyone pretty much just shrugged it off and walked away. “Well…I hope that puts an end to those rumors.” I said grabbing his hand.
Bankotsu sighed and said “Well…if it wasn’t for me a lot of those rumors wouldn’t have even started.”
I let go of his hand and asked him what he meant.
“There are some things I need to tell you…I’ll talk to you after school. I’ll be waiting by your car.” He said kissing me on my forehead and then heading to his class. I know I said I wanted to know the truth…but the question is…will I be able to handle it?
Hana’s POV
I was so glad I hadn’t seen Kikyo for the rest of the day because I’m almost positive we woulda wrecked. All that crap she said about Aoi and Bankotsu…it really ticked me off! But…anyway…As I was heading to my Home Ec class, I just so happened to run into Sesshomaru.
“Hey Sessho-san!” I said running up next to him.
“Sessho-san?” he said with an eyebrow up.
I nodded and said “That’s my nickname for you. You don’t mind having a nickname, do you?”
“I guess not…Hanako.”
“Hanako?
He grabbed my hand and said “Yes. It suits you.”
I smiled at him. He always made me feel good…just by saying my name.
Hand in hand, we both headed to class. I didn’t miss the glances and shocked expressions we got from people but I didn’t care. Well, at least not until I began to hear the whispers from people.
“What the heck?! Are they holding hands?”
“You didn’t hear? Miyashita blackmailed Sesshomaru-san into going with her.”
“No way!”
“I heard that he bought her for sex.”
“What? Miyashita’s a prostitute?”
Sesshomaru and I stopped walking. No doubt he also heard what was going around with his sensitive hearing. He looked at me and said “Hanako?”
I could only stand there in shock. No way! They’re spreading rumors about us too? Who the hell is starting all these rumors?!
“You didn’t know she was a prostitute? How do you think she got that expensive necklace? She probably did some rich guy some ‘favors’…probably not Sesshomaru-san though, he has way too much class…”
“You sure about that? I heard he picks up girls off corners all the time…I mean he has the money for it…”
Oh that’s it…
I let go of Sesshomaru’s hand and confronted the gossiping girls, “Alright bitch, why are you and your little friends talkin’ all this shit about me and Sesshomaru like that?!”
The girls looked a little scared of me for a second. One of them finally decided to speak up, “It…was Sayo Nakagawa…she told us everything you just heard! We didn’t make it up, so please don’t hurt us!”
I backed up from the girls and looked over at Sesshomaru. He sighed and turned away from me. I just barely heard him, but it sounded like he said, “I knew this would happen.”
While they had the chance, the girls ran away. And as if on cue, the supposed fire starter of all of these rumors, stepped from out of the shadows.
“Sayo...” I said spitting out her name like it was poison, “What the hell is your problem? Since when am I a prostitute?”
“And since when do I pick up girls from the red-light district?” Sesshomaru said speaking up.
All Sayo did was laugh. “Ever since I found out that you two were going out, that’s when.” She said.
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, “It’s only been what, two or three days? How did you even find out?” I asked.
“A friend saw you two this past weekend, she told me and well…I started the rumor. And you know how good news travels fast around here…” she said circling around us.
“Let me tell you something…” I started to say, but Sesshomaru stepped in front of me.
“Let me tell you something,” he said, “You and your little friends Sayo…you all have been up to this for about a year and a half now, and I’m getting quite fed up with it…”
“But Sesshomaru-sama…”
“Shut up…” he really looked irritated now, “you might have had a chance had you just talked to me…but trying to kill people…and making people kill themselves…why in the world would I like someone like that? Look, whether you are able to accept this truth or not…Miyashita and I are together, and stupid rumors are not going to separate us, so you can just give it up now.”
The look on Sayo’s face was priceless. She sighed and said, “Okay Sesshomaru…”
Thank God…
“I’ll give up on the rumors…but…I won’t give up on you, no matter what you say!” With that she walked away.
Sesshomaru and I looked at each other for a moment. “Can you believe that girl?”
He shook his head and said, “Nakagawa is one piece of work…honestly, just because she’s a youkai she thinks she has these great chances of being with me…”
“Yeah…wait, what? Sayo’s a youkai?”
He looked amused by my surprise, “She doesn’t look like it does she? She has this weird condition in which none of her demonic traits are shown in her physical appearance.”
Wow…I thought, Oh well…
“Let’s not keep dwelling on Sayo, we should go on to class now.”
“Agreed…” We both walked hand in hand together, positive that we had nothing to worry about.
Aoi’s POV
For the rest of the day, about a million little butterflies fluttered around in my stomach. I was anxiously awaiting the end of school, so I could meet Bankotsu, and he would tell me everything.
When I heard the last bell ring, my heart dropped to my stomach.
Hana, can you hear me? I thought.
Yeah, what’s up?
I’m scared…
Don’t be! Everything’ll be fine.
Hm…
Oh, and I’m getting another ride from Sessho-chan, so you don’t have to worry about taking me home.
Who? Oh nevermind…
Yeah…I’ll meet you at the lockers…
When I got to the lockers, I saw Hana there already getting her things together.
As I was putting on my shoes, Hana said, “Aoi you’re shaking! Are you that nervous?!”
I looked at my hand and noticed that I was shaking. “I guess so but, I think I’ll be okay.”
“I’m sure it’ll be okay…oh, there’s Sesshomaru. I’ll see you later!”
I waved behind Hana as she ran off to be with her ‘boo’.
After putting on my shoes, I put on my coat and grabbed my bag. As I walked to my car, I noticed that I was no longer shaking. Instead my heart had gone from a steady, walking beat, to an ultra-fast, techno song beat. I reached my car and saw Bankotsu leaning against the car, waiting for me. By that point my heartbeat was about 200 BPM.
“H-Hey…” I said.
“What’s up…you don’t mind giving me a ride home do ya?” he asked.
“No…of course not,” I said unlocking the doors with the car’s remote, “Hop in.”
He opened the door and sat in the passenger’s seat. I took my time making my way to the driver’s seat. When I got in, sat down, and closed the door, Bankotsu reached his arm across and wrapped it around my shoulder. However I quickly brushed him off.
When I did that he looked quite hurt.
“Just, not while I’m driving okay?”
“Alright,” he said still sounding hurt, “you gonna start the car or what?”
“Oh yeah,” I put the key in the ignition and started the car. I finally pulled out of the parking lot and went on the road.
“Keep going until you get to the light…” Bankotsu said. I nodded to show that I heard what he said.
“So…where to start…” I said.
“Alright,” he said sighing, “Let me start by saying, I do not have any kids…and I didn’t get anyone pregnant.”
Oh thank god…
“But everything else you heard is pretty much true…turn left onto this street.”
“Nani?” I said with absolute horror in my voice. “So…the drugs…and you getting arrested…you killing people…”
He nodded grimly. “I used to sell opium around where I live, but then I got busted, got arrested, and never did it again. Me and my old gang, we caused a lot of trouble. We stole money, we got into fights, we beat up people and took their stuff, killed them…”
I was almost speechless, “But why…? Why would you do all of those things?”
“Honestly,” he said, “Because it was fun. We all got the greatest thrill out of causing trouble.”
Oh my goodness…
“But one day, they went too far. See, we had a leader, his name was…”
“Naraku?” I said finishing his sentence.
“How do you know about Naraku?” He said with confusion and, what sounded like alarm.
“…someone told me about him.” I explained.
He calmed down a little bit before continuing on with his story, “Well yes, Naraku was our leader. His girlfriend, well they’re not together anymore but, his then girlfriend Kagura, who was also a member of Jigoku, that was the name of the gang by the way…”“WHOA! Hold on a second!” I said almost swerving my car off the road. “Kagura…and Naraku…used to go together?”
“Uh yeah…I didn’t know you knew Kagura too, but anyway, yeah they went together. Well, Kagura had gotten us caught one night when we were trying to rob a bank, resulting in all of us getting arrested. Once we all found our way out of jail, we met up and decided that Kagura would get kicked out of the gang. However, Kagura had revealed that she intended on leaving anyway…this…didn’t settle too well with everyone, and they all jumped her, except for me. Now Kagura’s a wind demon, so she can sorta defend herself but…when it’s like ten against one…what can you do?”
A wind demon? That must be why it was so gusty outside when I saw Kagura earlier, her emotions were stirring up the wind…I thought as Bankotsu continued on.
“Since everyone was so pressed about getting Kagura, no one was paying any attention to me, so I pulled out my cell phone and called the police. I told them that a girl was getting beat up in the location that we were. Since the police station wasn’t that far away, they got there in almost no time. And all of them, once again (except for of course Kagura, and me because I ran away right after I made the call) got arrested. This time it was for assault, and in Naraku’s case, domestic violence.”
“Wow…” was all I could say in response, “So how did they get out of jail that time?”
“Who knows…but once they got out of jail again, I met up with them and told them straight up that I wasn’t gonna be apart of their gang anymore. I just couldn’t after what they did to Kagura. Not only is she my friend, she’s a girl. And I just don’t beat up on girls like that, I’m no punk. Well once I left, Jigoku was now two members short. I’m almost positive they still mess around with Kagura, just ‘cuz they can, but they’d never mess with me simply because I was second-in-command to Naraku. They’d never mess with me. Turn here…”
I turned to the right, with every turn I took to get to Bankotsu’s neighborhood, the setting kept getting dirtier and dirtier. I think he noticed that this was bothering me because he then said, “I know I live in the slums, it doesn’t seem all that appealing but…it has its own charms!”
“Come on, finish!” I said.
“Okay, so after I left, I round up my own band of followers and created my own gang, which I named Zokuto. It was almost just like Jigoku except whatever I said was law and I was the leader, and of course, no beating up on girls. So that explains my mysterious disappearances, whenever I had things to take care of, it was usually gang business. We’re almost there…just turn this corner and you’ll see the apartment building.”
I did as I was instructed and I parked in front of a large apartment complex.
“So Kotsu-chan, this is where you live?”
“Yup, on the fourth floor.” He said. For a moment, we sat there in silence. Until I broke it, “So are you getting out?”
“No, I still have something to tell you.”
I wondered what more he could possibly have to tell me. Did he owe money to the yakuza? Was he one of the most wanted criminals in the nation? What was it?
“I know I keep saying this but, I really am going to change Aoi, why? Because I wanna be a better person…for your sake. And because, this gang stuff is dangerous and if you were to get hurt because of me…I don’t know what I’d do…”
By this point he was lying on my shoulder and grasping my hand in his. “You probably hate me for not telling you this before. And you probably think I’m no good now that you know about the skeletons in my closet. But I have to ask you, can you forgive me?”
With most people it probably would have taken a long consideration period. However with me, I didn’t have to think at all. “Of course I forgive you, Kotsu-chan.”
He then kissed me and after ten seconds we separated. He laid back down on my shoulder and I heard him whisper, “I love you.”
“I love you too.” I whispered back to him. Suddenly he looked at his watch and said, “Crap, I gotta go. Thanks for giving me a ride, Aoi-chan! Oh yeah, and now that you know where I live, I better see you around here more often!”
“Sure thing!” I said as he got out of the car. I watched him go through the building’s entrance before I turned around to go back home.
As I was driving home, a wave, no forget wave, a friggin’ waterfall of relief washed over me now that the truth had been revealed. From now on, everything would be smooth sailing…
I hope...