A TALE FROM THE PAST
-by Kittymui-
A forgiven soul
"Thank you."
He glanced down shortly at her raven head and back up to the path again. "What for?" Carefully he rolled the wheelchair over a low doorstep and entered the reception hall of the ground floor.
"For accompanying me during the rehabilitation sesions," she said. "You have already been discharged from the hospital and yet you still remain here to look after me."
"I promised your brother that I would, didn't I?" They moved past two pairs of glass doors that opened before them and entered a fairly large park.
She breathed in a portion of fresh summer air. "So what did I do to earn a lovely walk through the park?"
"You've been staying inside long enough, so I thought some fresh air and sunshine would do you good," he told her as they strolled alongside a row of trees. He looked up at the sky, which was a bit packed with fluffy white clouds. "Too bad the sun's a bit shy today."
"Will you continue the tale telling tonight?" she suddenly asked after a while.
"Tonight?" He blinked in surprise. "But aren't you tired after the rehab session?"
"Me? Tired?" she laughed. "I can even walk a short distance by myself right now!"
"Well if that's the case, I guess I can continue reading tonight," he smiled.
The walking came to an abrupt end as Kagome stopped the wheels with her hands, causing Bankotsu to bump softly against the back of the wheelchair. "What's wrong?" he asked startled.
The raven-haired girl looked over her shoulder to him. "You don't believe me, do you? How about I prove it to you?" she posed. "Put the chair on the brakes and go stand near that tree over there." She pointed at the oak at a distance.
"I do believe you! You really don't need to prove it..." he said but broke off when he saw her determined face. Reluctantly, he did what he was told and went to stand near the appointed tree. "Are you sure about this?"
Without answering, Kagome slowly pushed herself up from her seat. 'I can do this...' she told herself inwardly as she set her white shoes on the pebble path.
As he watched her slowly closing in on him, Bankotsu slightly had his knees bent to make sure he would be able to catch her in case she falls. "Be careful!" he yelled to her.
"Don't worry!" she yelled back as she took another careful step.
When she was halfway, the afternoon sun finally broke through the clouds and sent its warm rays down to the park. Although the leafy ceiling above them filtered out most of the light, it created a wonderful sight of transcending lucent beams before him.
That moment, a gentle breeze decided to greet the sun and made the trees dance along with their leaves. A small smile formed on Bankotsu's lips as he watched how the girl in white step-by-step moved towards him. The serious expression on her face and her slow pacing amidst the soft rays of light really made her look like a celestial. Mesmerized by the sight and thought, he realized he could no longer look away from her.
"Whoa!"
The sudden gasp made Bankotsu snap out of it. His heart skipped a bit when he saw that Kagome was starting to lose balance due to a misstep. "Kagome!" he dashed forward and quickly caught her before she hit the pebbles. "Are you okay?" With his hands on her waist and hers on his shoulders, he carefully helped her up again.
"Y-yeah," she replied, recovering from the shock.
He worriedly scanned her from head to toe for possible injuries until she met her chestnut eyes again. Enthralled by the beautiful orbs, he failed to refrain himself from staring into them and for some reasons unknown, she didn't look away either.
Both of them stayed in the same position until a voice caught them off guard.
"Ahum..."
Bankotsu was just about to let go of Kagome, until he suddenly reminded himself that she had not completely recovered yet. With his hands still on her waist, he looked aside to the intruder, only to realize it was Sesshoumaru.
Next to him stood two adults, whose looks were somewhat familiar though he was sure it was the first time they met. 'Their looks...they look very much like...' he mused inwardly but widened his eyes when realizations struck him.
"Mother! Father!" the girl in his arms cried.
The three adults walked closer to Bankotsu and Kagome and as soon as they came within arm reach, Kagome let go of Bankotsu and hugged the woman who turned out to be her mother.
"Oh Kagome!" the woman sobbed with tears filling her eyes as she hugged her back.
She was a bit taller than Kagome and had the same raven hair knotted neatly at the back of of her head. For a mother of two children, she looked rather youthful, and Bankotsu guessed inwardly that she should be in her fifties by now. Her dark brown office outfit added up to her natural elegance and he couldn't help but wonder if Kagome would look the same when she reached the same age. The mother helped her daughter into her wheelchair as they kept chatting.
His thoughts were cut off when he heard Sesshoumaru speak. "Father, this is the person I told you about earlier."
As Bankotsu looked at the man standing next to Sesshoumaru, he almost instantly realized whom he got his height from. He was taller than Sesshoumaru and they shared the same silvery white hair. Unlike the son, the father had his long hair tied into a high ponytail. With the same goldamber eyes, he had a face that emitted both sternness and gentleness at the same time. "So you're the one who saved our daughter," he spoke with a strong low voice.
"P-pleased to meet your acquaintance, sir," he replied nervously. In his gray suit, he could be taken for a politician, so he thought as he slightly bowed forward. He offered his hand politely as he straightened up again. "My name is Bankotsu Yukimori."
"Just InuTaisho will do young man," he chuckled as he shook his hand firmly. "My son told me everything. Though it was a bit unbelievable at first, but the outcome remains and we are truly in your debt. Is there anything you would want in return?"
Bankotsu stole a short glance at Kagome, who was already strolling several yards away from them with her mother pushing her. When a smile appeared on her features, it sent a strange feeling through his stomach and he suppressed himself from smiling widely. "I'm already freed from my past and I'm glad I was able to free Kagome from hers," he said, turning back to look at InuTaisho. "There's no better reward than seeing her so happy right now."
"Well well, what a fine lad, don't you agree Sesshoumaru?" the man before him smiled. "How about...I allow you to date my daughter?"
Both Sesshoumaru and Bankotsu responded with wide eyes. "S-sir! I really had no intention of..." Bankotsu gasped but faltered when the man burst out in laughter.
"Haha, I was just joking, calm down," laughed InuTaisho as he patted his shoulder. The comforting gesture suddenly reminded him of his parents and he began to wonder how they were doing back at home. 'Now that everything is resolved, I guess I could go back and pay them a visit...' he mused inwardly.
"Bankotsu?"
Upon hearing Kagome's voice, he quickly turned away from the men and ran towards her and her mother.. "What is it?" he asked.
"Kagome seems a bit tired, I think she needs some rest," her mother, standing beside her, said.
"I'm not t...ahh..." Kagome argued but failed to suppress a yawn.
"See?" Her mother turned to Bankotsu. "I'm sorry, but can I ask you to look after her for us a little while longer? I wish we could stay a bit longer but we've only arrived this morning and there's a lot of unpacking we need to do."
"No problem, ma'am," he smiled. "I promised Sesshoumaru anyway."
"Thank you so much," she returned a smile and lowered herself to Kagome's height. "We promise we'll come to visit you again as soon as we've finished unpacking," she said and straightened up again.
"Don't worry mother," Kagome told her mother as she glanced at Bankotsu. "I'm in good hands."
"All right," her mother said and stepped away from her. "Again, thank you very much," she said to Bankotsu.
"You're very welcome ma'am," Bankotsu nodded and removed the brakes from the wheelchair. After some goodbyes, Bankotsu and Kagome were strolling over the tiled hospital floor again.
"That was a short walk," Kagome suddenly spoke,
"Sorry about that, your mother's orders were a bit hard to disobey," he apologized. "Next time she comes to visit you, you better have practiced how you can suppress a yawn."
She tossed a look over her shoulder. "You sound like a pro yourself. How about teaching me?"
"They say you yawn because of a temporary lack of oxygen in your brains. Although I'm sure there's a better explanation, I usually just take a deep breath when I feel a yawn coming up and it works most of the time," he told her.
Kagome raised her brows in surprise. "Really? I've never really thought about that. Maybe I should try it as well," she said as she flung some hair over her shoulders. "By the way, what did you guys talk about earlier? I heard my father laughing."
Bankotsu's cheeks flushed almost instantly.
"I hope he didn't say anything embarrassing," she continued. "He's always like that, I hope you don't mind."
"Don't worry. He didn't say anything embarrassing," replied Bankotsu nervously. 'Although it did set me thinking about something...'
"I'm sorry, what was that?"
He widened his eyes. "N-nothing!" 'Oh man! I'm not that loud of a thinker am I?' Puzzled at the thought, he continued to push her through the corridors in silence.
.-.-. more than a month later .-.-.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked worriedly.
"Positive," she answered as she looked at the buildings that reached above the campus walls. "Besides, I can walk perfectly, isn't that enough?"
"Yes, but you've only been discharged from the hospital yesterday, don't you think it's a bit soon for you to attend classes?" he reasoned, gazing at her in her college uniform, which shared the same navy color. But unlike his long-sleeved uniform, hers was more summer-friendly, comprising a short-sleeved blouse and skirt.
"It is a bit hasty," she agreed as she turned to him. "But you're with me right?"
"Only if you promise me that you'll return home when you're not feeling well okay?" he grumbled.
"Promise," she nodded.
As they approached the entrance of the campus, they found two students waiting for them. "Yo Bankotsu!" One of them called while waving. Although a bit tanned by the summer, Bankotsu recognized his friend Suikotsu. Next to him stood Renkotsu, tanned and still as bald as always.
"Hey!" he waved back as he and Kagome stopped before them. "How was your trip to Europe?"
"It was fun until Suikotsu started worrying about you," Renkotsu complained. "But when I asked why, he just didn't want to tell me."
"And obviously, my worrying was unnecessary," smiled Suikotsu as his eyes travelled from Bankotsu to Kagome and back. The presence of the girl caught Renkotsu's attention as well and he eyed his braided friend mischievously. "Where did you pick up such a cutie?" he grinned.
Suikotsu elbowed him in the waist and turned to Kagome. "Never mind him. Glad to have you back miss Kagome," he said, to which she smiled. "Please, call me Kagome."
"Let me introduce you to my friends," Bankotsu kindly interrupted. "This is Suikotsu and Renkotsu. They're from the same class too."
"Nice to meet you," Kagome slightly bowed. "I'm Kagome Asahara."
"Pleasure's all ours," Suikotsu quickly replied, not giving Renkotsu any chance to say anything inappropriate.
"You guys must have a lot to catch up with. I'll be going ahead," she told them and planted a quick kiss on Bankotsu's cheek before leaving their company.
"See you in class," he smiled to her. When he turned to his friends again, he found them staring at him with aghast faces.
"You definitely owe us an explanation!" Renkotsu snapped wide-eyed.
He simply responded with a smirk on his face. "I never intended to keep it a secret, but it is a long story."
"We've got plenty of time." His bare-headed friend turned to Suikotsu. "Don't we, Suikotsu?"
"How about tonight? Renkotsu and I will come over to your place," he suggested.
"I can't tonight," replied Bankotsu. "Kagome's parents invited me to dinner and I promised her that I would go."
His friend almost dropped their chins. "How the hell did you do that!" Renkotsu gasped.
He cocked a brow. "Do what?" It's only dinner."
"Only dinner! How long have you two been dating? A month? Kagura and I have been together for more than half a year now and not once had her or her parents invited me over!" wailed the baldy.
"Then maybe you should consider letting your hair grow again? Maybe she found out she likes you better with hair," laughed Suikotsu. "You know, a woman's mind tend to fluctuate a lot. My sister is a good example."
Bankotsu nodded in agreement. "So how about tomorrow after class? I don't think I have planned anything tomorrow."
"Tomorrow's fine by me," Suikotsu replied. "At your place?"
He nodded. "I'll make sure Jakotsu's there by then as well."
After they all agreed on the date and time, the three of them made their way towards their building.
.-.-.-.
After the classes ended, Bankotsu parted with his two friends and accompanied Kagome to the gates. "I'll head to my student apartment first to change clothes. Why don't you go home by yourself first?" he said to her.
Kagome chuckled in reply. "You silly, you don't even know how to go to my place yet. I'll be your guide today okay?"
"There's no helping it then." He offered her his hand. "Shall we?"
With a smile, she intertwined her hand with his and the two of them started walking away from the campus.
.-.-. some time later .-.-.
"Bankotsu? Are you done?"
"Almost!" He buttoned his gray shirt and quickly slipped into a pair of white trousers before opening the bathroom door. Kagome was sitting on his bed when she turned over her shoulder to him.
"You look great," she commended with one of her lovely smiles.
"Thanks," he smiled back as he took a wooden comb from his drawer and planted himself on the bed next to her. With a quick pull, he untied his long braid, and was about to comb his hair when Kagome suddenly took it out of his hand.
"Here, I'll help you," she said, turning to him.
Bankotsu responded by turning his back to her on the bed. "Thanks."
"By the way, where did you put your book?" she suddenly asked as she took a handful of his silky dark hair and ran the comb over it.
"The book? Oh, I gave it to Sesshoumaru, why?" he replied.
"My brother? Why did you give it to him?" she asked puzzled.
"He said one of his friends wanted to do some research on it."
"I see..."
A moment of silence passed as the combing continued, until Bankotsu suddenly recalled something he had forgotten. "About the tale..." he began. "Do you think the younger brother is at fault for summoning his sister back to the fortress?"
The combing slowly stopped. Kagome put aside the comb and prepared the hair for the braiding. "You mean Inuyasha?"
"Y-yeah," he nodded. "I mean, if you were the princess, would you blame him?"
"Of course not! It would be easy to just blame him for the whole drama, wouldn't it?" she said. "If you ask me, I would never do that. Wanting to meet your long lost sister is not a sin, so there is nothing to forgive."
"Would you...believe me..." he hesitated after a short hush. "...if I told you that you are...I mean...you used to be the Kagome of the tale?"
"Really?" Her voice sounded unimpressed.
Bankotsu immediately interrupted the combing and turned around to her. "But that's not the reason why I helped you...I mean...at first I did, but I..." he stammered. He didn't want her to think that he helped her or cared for her only as a restitution for what he did to her in the past...that he wanted to be with her, because...
His throughts were cut off when something warm landed on his hand. After gazing down, he found Kagome's hand tightly clasped over his. When he lifted his face to her again, he found her eyes, and drowned in the color reminiscent of fine dark wood.
"Kagome...I..." he began, but was cut off with a finger on his lips.
"I knew, from the moment you finished reading the tale, that everything was connected somehow. My sudden coma...the people we know...my family...and you..." she said softly. " But you know what?" A meek smile appeared on her features. "I don't care...I don't care about it at all. So what if we're all linked to each other by our pasts?" She slowly settled her head against his chest. "I like you not because you were my lover in my previous life, but because you are you Bankotsu."
These words sent warmth through Bankotsu's body. Did it matter that it was no coincidence that they met? 'No...' he answered inwardly. From the moment he decided to tell Kagome about the tale, he knew he no longer cared about the past. He will never doubt his current feelings for her and that's all that matters. He gazed down at her raven head and lifted her face to him with a finger below her chin. "Me too, Kagome," he told her seriously and sealed her lips with his in a long kiss.
When he finally pulled away and opened his eyes, he realized she was staring wide-eyed at him with reddened cheeks. Obviously, he had startled her. It was their first kiss after all.
"You know," he grinned as he carressed her cheek with the back of his hand. "You're supposed to close your eyes when kissing."
Her face became redder at his remark and she quickly averted her gaze. "Mou! Look what you did!" She pointed at his hair that was half braided and half loosely resting behind him on the bed. "Now I have to start all over again!" She stole a glance at the digital clock on the bedside cabinet and gasped. "Woah! It's four o'clock already! We'll be late if we don't hurry!"
Bankotsu failed to suppress a chuckle and turned his back to her again. By the soft breathing coming from behind him, he knew she was smiling too.
.-.-.that evening .-.-.
After a quiet meal, InuTaisho retreated to his study upstairs and Kagome decided to help her mother with the dishes, leaving Sesshoumaru and Bankotsu on the porch in the backyard. The setting sun created a nice autumn view of the flora before them and both of them enjoyed it in silence.
"How was Kagome today?"
Bankotsu turned away from the scenery to Sesshoumaru, who stood next to him. "Good. Nothing special happened," he replied.
"Really?" he mused without turning to him. "She seemed rather cheerful today so I thought maybe something unusually good happened."
Bankotsu quickly suppressed a blush. "She did?"
"Is that so?" Sesshoumaru raised a brow as he glanced sidelong at him. "Hmph, just remember that if my sister should come home crying, I won't forgive you."
"Don't worry," he smirked. "That day will never come."
"I'll hold you on to that."
"Sure thing."
"By the way, my friend called me, just before you and Kagome arrived."
Bankotsu gave him a puzzled look. "Your friend?"
He turned to him. "The one who wanted to do some research on that peculiar book of yours."
"Ah that one! What did he say?" he asked.
"He told me something strange happened in his lab this afternoon."
"Strange?"
He nodded. "He was doing some research on your book this afternoon and left it on his desk when he left for a meeting at three. But when he came back around four, he found the book...unrecoverably deteriorated."
Bankotsu raised his brows in surprise. "Did they find out who did it?"
Sesshoumaru shook his head. "He said he had locked his lab before leaving," he explained. "Moreoever, the strangest thing was, the deterioration was completely natural. No man's hand could have caused it." His voice held a hint of skepticism as he said that.
"Natural deterioration...in such a short time...?" Bankotsu mused aloud. 'Wait a minute...' he suddenly realized. 'Four...around four o'clock...? Wasn't that when Kagome and I were back at my apartment?' He slowly recalled some bits of their conversation.
"...if you were the princess, would you blame him?"
"...It would be easy to just blame him for the whole drama, wouldn't it?...I would never do that...wanting to meet your long lost sister is not a sin, so there is nothing to forgive.."
As realization began to sink in, Bankotsu gazed up into the dusk sky and smiled to himself. 'So he finally forgave himself...'
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Sorry for letting you wait for the final chapter of this story! I know it took too long, but my muses went away for a while. And since I didn't want to ruin the story with a bad chapter, I decided to wait until my inspiration came back. I hope it was worth waiting! Please let me know okay?
Nevertheless, I want to thank all of you who have read my story and encouraged me along the way. I appreciate all the reviews that you have sent me, thank you all very much! I never expected to take more than a year to complete this tale, but now it is finally done! Now it is time, as always, to take a break, which will take about a month or two. During this break, I will think about my next story. If you like, you can enlighten me about your preference for pairings via email or review for the coming story, I'll consider the pairing and select a story for it :).
Lots of greets,
Kittymui
'Italic': thoughts
"...": spoken words
-.-.-.-: time gap
-CAPSLOCKED WORDS-: noises
Posted: 17 January 2006
Last Edited: 17 January 2006
Spelling check: YES
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Inuyasha or any characters of this story. And I do not own whatever elements of this story that seem familiar and had already been used by other creative individuals before. But... I do own the idea of mixing all of these elements together into a new story, I own the idea for the main plot of this story.