InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Not Another High School Fanfic ❯ Together Again ( Chapter 20 )

Chapter 20: Together Again

 

Aoi's POV

“I wish I had thought of this before.” I said as I settled into my old home.

 

After skipping through 3 motels with that same lame orphan excuse I had become fed up. I was about to ask Bankotsu if we could just go back home but then we just so happened to pass my old house. When I saw the `For Sale' sign still up and the lights off inside I got an idea.

 

“My home…” I whispered. It had been seemed like forever since I had seen it. I couldn't stop the tears that suddenly came. The mass of my memories lied in that house. I could still remember when my mom would work in the garden outside. I could still remember when my dad used to push me on the swing he made on the large tree next to the house. I could still remember, my mom, dad, and I looking through the telescope on the balcony. I could still remember sitting in my dad's lap in the swinging chair on the porch.

 

Sad memories came too. I could remember my mom and me leaving the house for my dad's funeral o, ironically, a rainy day. I could remember sitting in the tree-swing wishing my dad was there to push me. The most recent memory was Aunt Risa and I leaving for my mom's funeral.

 

Bankotsu walked next to me and whispered “So this is your old place, huh?”

 

I just nodded. With my eyes still fixed on the house, I heard Bankotsu let out a small gasp, probably because he saw me crying. I felt him place his arm on my shoulder.

“Move it.” I said, failing to sound cold.

 

He did so without a word.

 

I started crying a little more but not because of my memories. It was because, no matter how much I tried to deny it, I wanted that arm to stay there.

 

After I got myself together, Bankotsu sighed and said “Well let's go find another motel…”

 

Bankotsu and I started to walk away but suddenly I stopped. I looked back at the house and thought the house is empty…

 

Then, like a stroke of lightning, the idea hit me. I felt like a light bulb had suddenly appeared over my head.

 

I looked back at Bankotsu and asked with an annoyed expression “Do you like staying at motels?”

 

“We really don't have a choice.”

I looked back at the house again and said “We could stay here.”

 

Bankotsu looked at the house too and said “You serious?”

 

“Yeah. I mean, no one has bought the house and we don't have to lie or pay anything to stay here. Technically it's still my house.”

 

“But we don't have a key…but then again I could get us in.” Bankotsu said with his usual devious grin.

 

I shook my head and pulled out my key ring. I looked through them until I came across my house key. I showed it to Bankotsu and said “No need. Don't ask me why I still have it just be happy I do.”

 

I then went to unlock the door. It creaked a bit when I opened it. I gasped when I got inside.

 

It was just as I remembered it only it was empty now because our furniture had been given away or sold. That still did not take away the beauty of the house. The sun shined through the windows and had cast a warm glow on the wooden floors. I slowly walked inside as I felt a flood of emotions overcome me again. Yet that time I was able to keep myself from crying.

 

“Nice place…” Bankotsu said, looking around.

 

“I know. Want a tour?” I asked smiling at Bankotsu.

 

Bankotsu smiled back and said “Sure.”

 

For a moment we just stared at each other and it felt like the first time I saw him. I cleared my throat and looked away. “Anyway…”

 

I went on to give him the tour starting with the living room and ending with the basement. In the course of the tour, I found myself sharing some of my memories with him. I wanted to be mad at myself for being so open with him but I couldn't help it.

 

“This really is nice.” Bankotsu said again after the tour. “And you spent your whole life here, huh?”

 

“Yeah…well for the most part…” I said, remembering for a small part of my life I resided at an orphanage and in the apartment my parents had before they moved here. I suddenly felt bad for pretending I was an orphan.

 

“You had a nice, cozy life…and everything you could have hoped for. Lucky you.”

 

I suddenly looked at Bankotsu to see him looking away. That's right…I thought. Bankotsu never really had a stable home…

I was about to say something when Bankotsu turned to me and said “This place is all good and dandy but what if the water and electricity is off? Most of the time they turn the stuff off when no one's living in the house”

 

“Well there's only one way to find out.” I went to the kitchen sink and slowly turned the knob. I gasped when water spurted through the facet. I then turned the water and then flipped the switch and gasped again when the kitchen light came on.

 

“Looks like we're in luck.” I said turning the light off.

 

“Yeah looks like it. But why would they keep the stuff on?”

 

I just shrugged and said “I dunno. Maybe they leave it on because they have people come by to look at the house. Either way, let's get settled in!”

 

There really wasn't much `settling in' to do. All we really had to do was put our sleeping bags down.

 

While Bankotsu was taking a shower I decided I call Hana. The phone rang two times before she picked up.

 

“Aoi-chan!!!!” Hana said happily.

 

“Hey Hana. You sound like you're in a good mood.”

 

“I am! I've been waiting for your call plus I just finished our really difficult Pre-Cal packet. It's a freaking miracle!”

 

“Good for you. I'm almost done with my packets.”

 

“That's good. Hey! Guess what?”

 

“What?”

 

“Today is Sessho-chan's birthday!”

 

I wasn't expecting that and I didn't miss the small groan in the background. “What? Really? Well tell Fluffykins I said Happy B-day!”

 

“I'll tell Sessho-chan that….Sessho-chan! Aoi said Happy Birthday!”

 

I had heard Sesshomaru say “Thanks…but I don't know why you told her…” but Hana told me what he said anyway. “So anyway…where's Bankotsu?”

 

“Oh…he's in the shower.” I said, not really wanting to talk about him.

 

“Oh…so uh…how are things going on between you two?”

 

I sighed. I really wished she didn't ask. “Nothing has changed. And nothing will. It's just…not going to work out.”

 

“But why do you say that? I mean for God's sake he told you he loved you and wanted you to be happy.”

 

“But that's not enough Hana. What if he hurts me again? Do you want that?” I asked, a bit angry over the fact that she was pressing the issue.

 

“Of course not…I just want you to be happy and as much as you try to deny it you're miserable without Bankotsu. Even after you got back to normal I could still tell you were lonely. I mean…Bankotsu isn't just some boyfriend…he's more then that to you…He's…”

 

“Hana I don't want to talk about this anymore, okay! Bankotsu doesn't care about my happiness and if he did he wouldn't be messing around with gangs and stuff. The last thing I want is to marry him and then be a widow two years later because he got shot because of something stupid.”

 

“Okay, okay. I won't talk about it anymore. I trust you'll make the best decision.”

 

“Thank you…” I said taking a deep breath.

 

“Well I gotta go. I actually managed to convince Sessho-chan for us to go out somewhere for his birthday. So…I'll talk to you later?”

 

“Yeah…bye Hana.”

 

“Bye Aoi.”

 

I hated that our conversation had to end like that. I really wished she hadn't brought him up. Why is she so determined for us to go together? I thought with a sigh. Who knows…

 

I got up and just as I turned to leave I stopped when I saw Bankotsu standing in the doorway of my room. His hair was unbraided, still a bit wet from the shower and all he was wearing was a pair of sleeping pants. But what disturbed me was the sad, painful look in his eyes.

 

“Were you…eavesdropping on my conversation?” I asked after I found my voice to speak. His…appearance really wasn't helping with my concentration.

 

“So…you really think it won't work out?” He asked.

 

“I know it won't work out.” I said coldly. Something about that sad look in his eyes suddenly irritated me. “Why the hell do you look so sad?” I asked.

 

“What do you think? Dammit Aoi…I want us to be together again.” He said in a calm tone.

 

“Well that's too bad! I'm sick of you saying you care about me but your actions say otherwise.” I was yelling now.

 

“Look I'm sorry, okay? But I'm not perfect. I am trying…and if you take me back I won't deal with gangs anymore.”

 

“I've heard that before! It's like I said. You're all words. I don't even know why you waste your time with me. Why don't you just find another bitch to fuck with?!”

 

Suddenly Bankotsu did something really unexpected. He grabbed my face and kissed me.

Shock overwhelmed me and for a moment all I could do was stand there. Finally, I felt my brain could function again and I began to struggle. I hit his chest over and over again and tried to pull away from him but it was fruitless. Bankotsu was way stronger then me. When he finally let me go, I slapped him, hard.

 

“What the hell is your problem?!” I yelled. My heart was beating rapidly, I was breathing heavily, and my lips felt really warm.

 

Bankotsu just stood there, his check red from my slap. “My problem…my problem is that I love you too much. I…I can't stand to be without you.”

 

I shook my head, struggling to keep my tears from coming. “You say you love me…and you said you wanted me to be happy…”

 

“And I do…but I want you to be happy with me. I'd be lying if I said I wanted you to be with someone else. It's true…I'm probably not the best guy for you but I do learn from my mistakes. I won't hurt you again.”

 

At that point I couldn't stop the tears from coming. Why did I want so much to believe what he was saying?

 

“And also…” he continued. “I'm not a fool. I know you need me as much I need you. And you love me just the same. But even if you won't admit it…even if you slap me or reject me…I'll still be here waiting for you. This isn't just some high school fling. This is real, true love.”

 

I shook my head and turned away from him. “It's not true…you don't mean that…” I whispered, my voice shaking.

 

I heard Bankotsu sigh and then, to my surprise, he began to sing.

I need you

More then you know

My heart and my soul longs for you

I can't stand it

Being without you

My world would be no more

 

Take me back

Let me hold you

I wanna feel your heartbeat next to mine

Be one with me again

I wanna be more then friends

 

I can't help…being in love with you

I can't deny the feelings I have for you

I know we've had some ups and downs

I even know that I hurt you

But you know that I won't do it again

I care for you too much

Forgive me and take me back

 

I shook my head again. There was just too much drama…too much pain in love. I didn't want to deal with that again.

 

I felt Bankotsu turn me around and, as he continued to sing, he got on his knees.

 

I'm on my knees now

I won't take no for an answer

I know you want me

And baby I want you

Oh I'm dying without you

I believe that it'll work out

I love you

And I want you back with me

Give me another chance

 

Please let me love you again

 

Bankotsu was hugging my legs now, soaking my pants with his tears. When he looked up at me he whispered “Please…just say you love me…say you'll take me back….”

 

I was lost for words. There was still a part of me screaming to say no. That it wasn't worth it. But what both Hana and Bankotsu said was true. I needed Bankotsu more than anything. I didn't want to feel like I was nothing without Bankotsu but I couldn't help what I felt...

 

All of a sudden, I felt like I no longer had control over my body anymore. I knelt down on the floor beside Bankotsu and said, “I'm...I'm sorry...”

 

“Sorry?” He said wiping his face, “Sorry for what?”

 

I was the one that was crying now, “For saying all of those terrible things to you, I guess I was so blinded by my feelings that I just...”

 

“So basically you're apologizing for caring about me, for being the victim of my mistakes,” Bankotsu shook his head, “You don't need to Aoi...” He was much calmer now than he was just a little while ago.

 

“I just wish there was something I could do to make this better.” I said between sobs.

 

“But I already told you,” Bankotsu said, grabbing my hand, “Let me love you again, Aoi...”

My mind was no longer working to its fullest extent, so my heart took over and it made me say, “Of course...”

Bankotsu moved closer and closer to me until we were barely inches apart from each other. He brought his hand to my face and wiped my tears away. He then whispered in my ear, “I love you, Baby.”

 

“I love you too.” I whispered back. He pulled my face close to his and kissed me like he had before. Except that time I didn't push him away, and I didn't fight back.

 

 

Bankotsu and I spent the rest of the night huddled under the same blanket, sharing our experiences about the other person's absence.

 

“Let's just be glad that nightmare is over.” He said.

 

“Yeah, right,” I sighed, “You know, life can be great at times. But sometimes it can just be hell on earth...”

 

“Trust me Aoi, if there's anyone who knows that, it's me!” Bankotsu said confidently. “But you wanna know something that I learned after I met you?”

 

“Hm, what's that?” I asked curiously.

He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and looked me in the eyes, “Hell isn't so bad when you get to keep an angel with you.”

I smiled and laid my head on his chest. Soon, drowsiness came over me and before I knew it I was fast asleep. But I slept well that night because I was exactly where I wanted to be and where I wanted to stay forever: In the arms of the man I loved.

 

~~~~~

Well after that everything went smoothly. For the first few days Bankotsu and I had been in Okinawa we really didn't do much because we were so worried about where we would sleep at night. But when we found a permanent place to say, we were able to have fun. I showed Bankotsu around Okinawa, I introduced him to my old friends, we went to the carnival, and of course we went swimming at the beach.

 

And also, just as I originally promised, I showed Bankotsu the sacred place where my mom and I used hang out. It was as beautiful as I last remembered it. When I said this though Bankotsu said it didn't compare to my beauty. He really did have a way with words.

 

All in all, we had a good time and contrary to what I originally believed, we were able to leave with happy memories.