InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Second Time Around ❯ Chapter 3

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: Still don’t own Inuyasha and I never will. Rumiko Takahashi’s got ‘em for life.

Kagome sighed. Everyone was gathered about her in the main room of her hut. She’d just finished recounting the morning’s events, and everyone was now silent, save for a grumbling Hanyou in the doorway. Miroku, Sango, Kikyo and Kaede were sitting on the makeshift couch Inuyasha had built her while Jakotsu, Renkotsu and Bankotsu sat on the other. Shippo was cuddled up to her chest as she sat on a cushion. The silence was soon broken by Miroku.
“Kagome-sama, why do you think it was you that brought about the revival of the Band of Seven?” Kagome bit her lip as everyone waited for her answer, Inuyasha suddenly silent.
“My wish on the Shikon no Tama was, ah, a bit vague.” Brows furrowed in confusion.
“What do you mean, Kagome-chan?” Sango looked weary. Inuyasha chose that moment to speak.
“Damn it wench! Leave it to you to screw up a god damned wish!” Kagome’s eyes flashed dangerously. She stood, one hand still holding Shippo while the other clenched into a fist at her side.
“Inu--” She stopped and shut her mouth. Her head lowered so that her bangs hid her eyes. “You think I don’t know that I screwed up? You don’t think that I regret not thinking things through first? If there was anyone that regretted my wish the most, it’d be me Inuyasha!!” Her quiet, steady voice grew into a full blown angry shout at her last statement. Everyone in the room shivered, Youkai and humans alike, as they felt her aura flare angrily. The Hanyou dropped to sit on the ground next to her door. He scowled angrily, but everyone could see that his ears were flattened to his skull. When minutes had passed by, Miroku spoke up again.
“If you don’t mind, Kagome-sama. What did you wish for?” The miko sighed and flopped back down onto her cushion. Stroking the Kitsune’s tail distractedly, she stared at the wall.
“What did I wish for? I wished for the jewel to reverse what Naraku had done; to right his wrongs, and for happiness for the people I cared about.” Everyone nodded at her soft reply.
“A wish from the purest of hearts,” Miroku stated sagely.
“She is exactly as you say, monk.” Inuyasha jumped up and growled as everyone looked up at the figure in the doorway.
“Sesshoumaru you bastard! What are you doing here?!” The Taiyoukai spared him a glance before striding into the room. Everyone gasped as Kagome jumped up to hug him. Mouths hung open and eyes were wide as saucers as the silver-haired Inu-Youkai returned the hug. Inuyasha fell flat on his ass, eye twitching.

After everyone had recovered from shock, the conversation continued, Sesshoumaru standing against the wall with Kagome now sitting beside his standing form.
“I’m not exactly sure, but because my wish was so vague, it brought back all the people that were wronged by Naraku, the Shichinintai included. That is why Kikyo, Kohaku, Kouga’s comrades, and Sango’s entire village was brought back as well.” She paused, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. “But I’m afraid it might also include all the demons that Naraku absorbed.”
“You are correct.” Kagome looked up at the figure standing beside her. “Youkai that were once a part of Naraku now wreak havoc upon these lands.” Kagome closed her eyes.
“Kami, I’m such a baka!” Sesshoumaru quickly cut her off before anyone else had the chance to.
“Do not waste your breath blaming yourself. This is fate. Your destiny is not yet fulfilled.” Silence fell once again as everyone contemplated Sesshoumaru’s words.
“What are we going to do then?” Kagome stood.
“You guys are going to do nothing. I’m responsible for all this, I will be the one to take care of it.”
“Like hell you’re not!” Inuyasha sprung up. Sango and Miroku nodded. Kagome shook her head.
“No. Your journey has ended,” she said firmly, eyeing the group she had traveled with while hunting for shards. “Besides, Sango is pregnant. And so is Kikyo.” Kikyo gasped.
“How do you know that?” Inuyasha demanded. “Even I haven’t smelt a change yet.”
“She’s only just conceived two days ago. You haven’t scented the pup yet because it hasn’t formed yet. But I can feel its aura.” Kikyo put a hand to her stomach as Inuyasha came to sit at her feet. Kagome smiled at them. “Congratulations.”
“Kagome, even if I can’t go, Miroku can!” Sango pleaded her with sad, brown eyes.
“No. Miroku needs to be here to take care of you, and Inuyasha for Kikyo. Shippo, you’re staying here to help as well.” The kit turned big teary eyes to her. His mouth opened to speak. “No. You’re not coming with me and that is final.” Kaede, who’d remained silent the entire time, finally spoke.
“Someone must go with you, Kagome. This journey is not meant for you alone.” To everyone’s surprise, Bankotsu spoke next.
“We’ll go with her. At least this way, we’ll get a chance to kill things again.” Kagome shot him a grateful look. Inuyasha frowned, but remained silent.
“You’ll only need to worry about the Youkai in the East, North, and South. I will take care of the ones in my land.” He pulled a package of white silk out and handed it to Kagome. “Here. Wear this. The other Lords and their subjects won’t hurt you knowing that you’re under my protection.” Kagome opened the silk bundle to pull out a blue and gold obi just like Sesshoumaru’s. She gave him a soft, but truly heart-warming smile.
“Arigato-gozaimasu, Sesshou-kun.” She whispered it so that only the Taiyoukai would hear, but Inuyasha had heard it and had almost fainted when he saw the corner of his half-brother’s mouth quirk a little.
“You’ll need a weapon,” Sesshoumaru’s smooth voice filled the silent room. “I think a sword will do, I have trained you in the art of swords exceedingly well.” Kagome huffed and turned on him.
“What’s wrong with my bow and where the hell am I going to get a sword?” She poked him in the chest. A sudden burst of light exploded from her body and Kagome fell backwards. “Itai!” She rubbed her head. Sango rushed to her side to pick her up but froze.
“Kami-sama!” Sango clapped a hand to her mouth. Kagome pushed herself up onto her elbows.
“What the hell?” Looking down at herself, she found a sword resting length ways down her body, the hilt resting snugly between her breasts. She heard a sigh of “Lucky sword” and an echoing slap following it. Standing up, she held the sword gingerly, inspecting its shiny black sheath and its gleaming, silver hilt. Drawing the blade from its sheath, they all watched, fascinated, as it grew in length and width to resemble a slightly smaller version of the Tetsuaiga in its transformed state. Kagome let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding.
“It it feels like the Shikon no Tama.” A heavy silence ensued.
“Why don’t you explain, Sesshoumaru-sama. You clearly knew this would happen.” Everyone looked at Kaede before turning their gazes onto the Taiyoukai. He sighed, clearly bored with the topic.
“Kagome is the Guardian of the Shikon no Tama. A true Guardian,” he added, eyeing Kikyo. “Upon making her wish, it was absorbed into her body until it would be needed again. Thus, appearing now.” He glanced out the window to the setting sun. “I must take my leave now.” Kagome followed him outside. A couple of curious eyes watched from the door and window as the miko embraced the Taiyoukai once again before smiling and saying something none of them could hear.
Kagome gave a sigh as she entered her hut. Looking up she found everyone staring at her. Bankotsu’s gaze was directed at her sword. Passing through the main room to go into the area that was specified as her ‘kitchen‘, she started a fire and began to boil water.
“I’m going to leave tomorrow.” Inuyasha stiffened as her voice drifted to them. “I don’t want to talk about it now, I’ll see everyone tomorrow morning.” Hesitantly, everyone left, Kikyo dragging her mate from Kagome’s hut. Jakotsu, Renkotsu and Bankotsu sat silently in the main room as Kagome continued her cooking. A few minutes later, she came back out, carrying a tray with four bowls of ramen on them. She handed each of them a bowl. “Don’t tell Inuyasha I gave you guys Ramen, I told him I ran out a week ago.”

After they had finished eating and the bowls were washed, Kagome pulled out three futons and placed them in the main room. After placing blankets and pillows she’d made herself on each, she turned to the three mercenaries.
“You three will really accompany me?” Jakotsu and Renkotsu looked toward Bankotsu.
“Might as well, we’ve got nothing to do since you’ll purify our asses if we go off killing again.” Kagome smiled wryly.
“Nice way to put it.” The Shichinintai leader merely shrugged. “Alright, I’m gonna head to bed. If you need anything, just let me know.” She disappeared into a doorway. Dressing herself for bed, she rummaged in a trunk for a few minutes before pulling out what she was looking for with a triumphant smile. Her backpack had been completely destroyed by Inuyasha’s wind scar during the final battle. But Kaede had sewn her a replacement and had given it to her a couple of days ago. It was a simple draw-string bag, but it had shoulder straps like her previous backpack. It was a lot easier on the eyes than the yellow monstrosity from her time, though. Kaede had used a dark blue silk and had embroidered sakura blossoms into it with white thread.
Opening another trunk, she pulled out a first aid kit, and looked at the other seventy or so boxes that filled the trunk. She laughed to herself and thanked Kami her mom was such a supply freak. She tossed a bottle of Shampoo and another of Conditioner, as well as a bar of soap, a toothbrush, and a comb into her bag to join the first aid kit. She may have been living in the feudal era, but she wasn’t about to stink like one of them. Once again, she silently thanked her mom. When she’d warn her mother that the final battle was nearing, she’d gone out and returned with cases of soap, shampoo, conditioner, pads, toothbrushes, and first aid kits. Of course, Inuyasha had to jump in and out of the well to get everything into the feudal era. Neatly folding four sleeping yukata, she placed those in her bag as well. As a second thought, she rolled up a thin blanket and added that as well.
Patting the bag, she laid it on the low table next to her futon. Her new sword the and the obi Sesshoumaru had given her soon joined her bag. Yawning, she laid down and pulled a blanket up around her, promptly falling asleep; worn out physically and mentally.

Bankotsu leaned against the doorway to Kagome’s sleeping chamber. She was taller than he remembered, but that was to be expected. Her bangs had grown out a bit, as well as straightened out somewhat. He could tell through the thin yukata she wore that she’d filled out even more in her chest and hip area. Sure, she had changed physically, but he sensed a change greater than that. She seemed stronger somehow. It was puzzling to say the least. He couldn’t exactly say how he knew. He, for lack of better words, just felt it. And it wasn’t just because of her little display of angry aura earlier. It was in the way she talked, moved, carried herself. Unfolding his arms, he turned on his heel and walked back to his futon.

A/N: *sigh* I just love Bankotsu. He’s fine and sexy, and that laid back, carefree attitude is a welcome relief from Inuyasha’s indecisive emotional turmoil. Don’t know if making any sense, but yeah. Don’t you all love Bankotsu? Ooh, don’t forget. Review please! I need to know what you all think.