Bankotsus Greatest Challenge

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. Inuyasha and its characters are copyrighted to the amazing Rumiko Takahashi!

Bankotsu's Greatest Challenge.

Chapter 19: Repercussions.

Sango, Miroku, Kaede, and Shippo sat around in a circle inside the hut. Kirara nestled curled in Sango's lap, enjoying her mistress's petting. She purred lightly and settled her head on her folded paws. She closed her eyes.

"I'm worried about Inuyasha. He's hardly even said a word since the wedding."

"Indeed, he hasn't seemed himself these past four days."

"He doesn't even chase me anymore. He just sits up in the tree sulking."

"Do you think he's taking Bankotsu and Kagome's marriage hard, or do you think he misses Kikyo?"

"I think Inuyasha misses sister Kikyo."

"I think you're right Kaede. This is much more than being upset over Kagome's wedding. It's almost as if he's withdrawn into himself or as if part of his soul is missing."

"Oh Miroku, you don't think he's remembered killing Kikyo," she tilted her head to the side. "Do you?"

The monk shook his head. "Iie, at least not yet," He rubbed his chin. "But I do think he's wondering about her sudden disappearance."

"What are we going to tell him?"

"For now I think it would be wisest to let him have some time to himself."

"I agree. But you know he's going to ask sooner or later."

"I do not relish the pain we are bound to see in his eyes when he figures it out."

Sango nodded and sighed heavily as she continued running her fingers through Kirara's thick fur. "I feel bad for him. Sooner or later he'll have to face what he has done."

Miroku nodded. "Let's hope it's much later." He tapped his staff against his knee. 'And that it doesn't drive him over the edge.'

Kaede frowned and stirred the stew. "Sister Kikyo was a big part of his life. I fear that now with Kagome married off, there is no telling how Inuyasha may react to the news about my sister. With neither of them to keep Inuyasha in check I fear he may turn into a full demon and destroy everything in sight."

Shippo folded his hands in his lap and bit his bottom lip. 'I hope Inuyasha doesn't do anything stupid like attack Kagome.'

Miroku nodded. "I have similar worries Kaede."

Sango frowned. "Facing Inuyasha in battle when he is driven by rage and anger could very well kill every one of us, especially if he turns into a full demon."

Miroku sighed. "Lady Kagome is the only one besides Kikyo who seems able to get through o him, however if she and Bankotsu have consummated their marriage, it might very well push Inuyasha into a different realm of aggression."

Shippo squeaked. "But Bankotsu won't anyone hurt Kagome. She's his wife and under his protection now. He'd die before letting anyone hurt her."

Sango frowned. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

Miroku nodded. "Lady Kagome would be devastated to lose either of them at this point, for her to lose both might very well drive her into madness."

"And with the beads of subjugation now gone, I fear nothing and no one will be able to reach through to the Inuyasha we once knew."

"Let's pray it never comes to that point."

The small group gazed into the fire, each lost in their own thoughts.

XOXOXO:

Kikyo stood in front of him with four, inch deep lacerations across her shoulder and left breast. Thick wet liquid splatters his claws, face and chest. He watched her eyes widen as she dropped her bow and fell to the ground on her knees.

She gasped and her face tightened. She closed her eyes and clenched the dirt in her fists.

"Why?"

He licked his claws, savoring the sweet metallic tang of her life's essence. "Miko blood has always been the tastiest." He felt his lips curl into a smirk.

Wide brown eyes stared up at him as her breathing grew shallower. She fell onto her back. Her shaky hand reached up to him and her eyes filled with betrayal and then glassed over.

"Inuyasha, why did you betray me?" Her hand fell limp to the ground and her eyes rolled back.

'Kikyo!'

Inuyasha jumped awake with his heart slamming painfully against his chest. He jerked a hand through his hair and snorted.

"Damnit not again," He punched the trunk behind him.

His stomach roiled and his gut twisted into a tight knot low in his belly. Bile rose in his throat and he leaned over inhaling slow, deep breaths. Tears flowed down his cheeks. He tore out of the tree and ran into the woods.

"Damnit Kikyo, where are you?"

He shoved his way through shrubs and limbs hacking them apart with his claws. He checked for signs of her soul collectors and found empty sky.

"Kikyo!" his feet pounded the ground and he continued tearing through the land looking for his beloved.

He mumbled to himself tearfully. "It's just a nightmare. It has to be a nightmare. Come on Inuyasha, wake up." he pinched his arm. "Wake the hell up!" He flinched as his claws tore into his flesh.

"Please Kikyo, be alright." He tore through the lands checking every cave, tree, and behind every bush.

"Kikyo!" he fell to his knees and pulled at his hair. 'Where is she? Why can't I find her?'

The image of her prone body bleeding in front of him as she sprawled out on the ground with soulless eyes staring at him caused his fists to pound the ground.

"Kikyo, answer me!"

Tears burned his eyes as his stomach roiled and bile rose. His heart shuddered and he felt his stomach tighten into a knot. His hands pressed against his face. "Please Kami tell me Kikyo is safe?" He rocked back and forth.

He jumped to his feet. "Kikyo!" his claws tore through the woods and he tossed big rocks around, the ones that wouldn't move were destroyed with his windscar and then he dug through the rubble.

"Kikyo!"

His eyes fell to the ground and his fists punched the ground as he cried out for her again and again.

"Answer me!"

His claws dug deep gouges into the soil. His heart squeezed like a vise in his chest to the point he could barely breathe.

XOXOXO:

A/N it's a shorter chapter than usual but trust me, this was the best place to end it. I'd love to hear your opinions. XD

Next chapter Midoriko appears before the happy couple to deliver some very disturbing news.