Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

Modern Reality	By : Tassanaburrfoot Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female > Shichi'nintai (The Band of Seven) > Shichi'nintai (The Band of Seven) Views: 4216 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not now, nor have I ever, owned Inuyasha. I will not recieve any compensation for this.

Chapter List
- 8
- 9
- 10
Having travelled Japan with a hanyou whose youkai half was dog, as well as a youkai who was fox, and well, now living with said dog hanyou, Kagome knew that predators could be quite silent when on the prowl. Of course, she could easily know that from reading as well, but what reading doesn’t actually tell you is how silent a predator can be even when they aren’t hunting. The books also did not mention how still and calm true predators could be. Given that Inuyasha was particularly wild, like a hyperactive Chihuahua, even her own experiences did little to prepare her for facing Sesshomaru. How unlike his brother the daiyoukai was!

“Am I under your protection?” she had asked. They had been sitting there, opposite sides of the desk, for what seemed like an eternity.

He wasn’t looking at her, focused as he was in writing on the parchment. Her curiosity of what he was writing was eating at her insides, but she didn’t dare to ask. Besides, he had yet to answer her question.

Finally, he put the brush down and went through the process of folding and sealing the letter with his mark. Placing the sealed letter on his desk, he looked up and their eyes met. His eyes narrowed slightly, and Kagome couldn’t tell if it was in irritation or something else. He didn’t tilt his head and his voice never rose from that of a soft growl. “You ask whether I will protect you. Does your husband not provide such service?”

She frowned. “There isn’t much in this day and age that I need protecting from, so he hasn’t really had a chance yet,” she replied. “But, I’m sure if it was necessary, he would.”

“It should surprise me that Inuyasha didn’t inform you of your coming child, however, it doesn’t,” he said, absently.

“Well, I don’t think it really crossed his mind,” she stated, defending the hanyou. “Bankotsu and I were in a bit of a rush this morning. We had to bring Banryu to school an…”

“Couldn’t have been that much of a rush,” the daiyoukai interrupted as he leaned back in his chair. “You still smell of this morning’s festivities, miko. Unless your rush was because of said festivities.”

She scoffed, pressing her hand on her chest. “How dare you!” she reprimanded. “What Bankotsu and I do is none of your business.”

He gave a single nod. “And you have proven my point,” he pointed out.

“But that – I didn’t – That doesn’t answer my question,” she sputtered, folding her arms in front of her chest and glaring at him.

He laced his fingers together and leaned forward. “What exactly are you asking?” he questioned as his golden eyes bore into hers.

She wrinkled her nose. “You said that you didn’t care about a human’s life unless they were under your protection,” she grumbled.

He gave a single nod. When he said nothing, waiting for her to continue, she scoffed. “I asked if I was one of those humans under your protection,” she said. “Do I really have to spell it out for you?”

His eyes narrowed slightly. “You have both a husband and my idiotic brother,” he replied calmly, though she could see the impatience in his eyes. “Are they really so incompetent that you would need my protection as well?”

“Of course not!” she hissed. “But…” She sighed as she rested in her chair and broke eye contact. “You almost made it sound as though I would.”

“Your husband will be working for me starting today,” he told her. “He will have a weekly salary equating the sum I had given him yesterday. That should be enough money to buy the two of you a secured home in which to raise your children. If he builds it correctly, he’ll even be able to install the latest in home security systems.” He caught her eyes with his again. “You’ll be safe, Kagome. However, if you wish to be even more protected, I can help you with your priestess training. I assume that these years have weakened your abilities.”

“I’m not exactly pure anymore, Sesshomaru,” she pointed out. “I have a child, am pregnant with another, and I’m married to a contracting murderer. I don’t know if I could even draw upon those abilities anymore.”

There it was. That dog-like tilt of the head like Inuyasha would do at times when something caught him off guard. “Marriage and children have no effect on your purity,” he commented. “Even if your husband is a trained assassin. You are not. Despite all that happened during the time you were around us in the past, you still maintain an air of innocence. You help people and are kind to others, even those who do not deserve it. What’s more, you’re teaching your son the same mannerisms. What you lack is belief in yourself, which, forgive me if I’m wrong, was what you lacked during that time as well.”

Any anger she felt towards the daiyoukai fell like a dead weight as her jaw dropped and she stared at him. Did he just compliment her? Sesshomaru? She blinked rapidly. “I…” she stammered as she tried to collect her thoughts. “Wel… wait. You could show me?”

He pressed his lips together. “Not personally,” he corrected. “However, I do know someone, a priestess like yourself, who could help you. Like you, she married a man with a questionable history and bore him children as well. The children are grown and living their own lives now, but, like you, she had taught them how to be compassionate, understanding, and kind citizens. Because of this, her children have managed to surpass their own father in many things.”

Suddenly eager, she moved to the edge of her seat. “Would you introduce me to her? I mean, may I meet her, please?”

He picked up the letter he had been writing and pressed the button on his phone. “Yes, Mr. Taisho?” came the female voice.

“Kimi, I have a missive I need sent out,” Sesshomaru said as he hit the end call button.

In less than a second, the secretary entered the office to take the letter. Sesshomaru pointed at it. “Make sure she gets this as quickly as you can. I will not have her surprised by what she would consider unexpected guests.”

“Yes, Mr. Taisho,” the demoness said as she bowed to him and quickly departed.

The daiyoukai waited to ensure the demoness was gone before glancing at Kagome again. “Taikoshi should be returning soon,” he offered. “Once he and your husband have, I would suggest the two of you go home and change into appropriate dinner clothing. You’ll return here at seven and I will bring you to my manor.”

“What about the lady you want me to meet?” she asked, a bit perturbed.

“She’ll be joining us for dinner,” came his answer.

(II)(II)

Bankotsu let out a low, long whistle as Kagome stepped out of the bathroom. At her blush, he smirked and pushed himself up off the bed. Approaching her, he was quick to slip one hand along her waist and another to cup her cheek. “You look ravishing, my love,” he whispered against her lips before kissing her gently.

The kimono she wore was almost a replica to the clothes he used to wear. The white, silken cloth was decorated with blue etchings with a red obi wrapped around her waist. The blue had even started at her neck and hung off her left shoulder. Breaking the kiss, he looked down, licking his bottom lip at the tantalizing display before him. The kimono, like most kimonos should, stopped at her ankles and framed her waist perfectly.

“I didn’t know women still wore kimonos in this era,” he commented, taking a step back, but not releasing her.

Kagome dipped her head shyly. “They’re usually reserved for formal affairs,” she admitted. “Though some still wear them all the time.”

He kissed her forehead as his hand slipped behind her neck. “You should wear them all the time,” he told her. “You look amazing and proper. Just as I would imagine my wife to look.”

Her blush deepened as he stepped away from her and turned to fix his own obi. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw what he was wearing. “Where did you get that from?” she asked as she took in the hakama and haori. Like her clothes, there were blue accents in his haori and he had a red obi tied about his waist. All that was missing was his armor.

He raised an eyebrow as he stepped in front of the mirror. “Taikoshi had given it to me,” he told her. “When we were watching the new demons practice, I had told him that I was missing my old clothing from the Feudal Era. He asked me for a description and had one of the lesser demons fetch me what I desired. Not a bad guy, if I say so myself.” He turned to look at her and smirked again. “We’ll make an attractive pair, you and I. Completely in sync with one another, too.”

Her face dropped as she moved to her vanity. She picked up her paint brush and stared into the mirror before putting it back down. She had already put her makeup on in the bathroom before she had put on her kimono. Her hair was already done as well.

Bankotsu’s hands dropped upon her shoulders and she glanced up, meeting the reflection of his eyes. “Perhaps we can get Banryu a haori like mine? And some hakamas, too,” he suggested. “I’m sure he would appreciate it.”

Kagome gave him a soft smile. “Banryu already looks so much like you, though,” she pressed. “If you’re not careful, he’ll surpass you even in that area.” The truth was, the idea of Banryu wearing his father’s clothes frightened her more than the miko cared to admit. At least, out loud.

Her words had the desired effect on the mercenary, however. He grunted a little and kissed the top of her head. “He won’t ever surpass me,” Bankotsu stated assuredly. “Even if he were to, it wouldn’t be for a long time from now.”

Kagome’s smile faltered as the mercenary turned away from her. She really was glad that he had returned to her. She was glad that he was here to be a father to Banryu because she knew her son needed him. However, a part of her wondered if perhaps Inuyasha would have done well for Banryu. He had already been there for all of Banryu’s firsts thus far. She met her own gaze in the mirror and internally sighed.

No. Having Bankotsu here for Banryu’s life was a good thing. Another man could never replace Banryu’s father, no matter how much Inuyasha had tried to fill in the void. Banryu had known he was missing something. And Kagome had never seen her son react in the way he had when Bankotsu came back into their lives.

She dropped a hand to her stomach. Learning she was pregnant again terrified her. Kagome remembered the months leading up to Banryu’s birth. Though they say that the second child is so much easier than the first, it still worried her to think of what would happen to this new child.

“Mommy, Daddy!” Banryu squealed as he threw open the door. Kagome twirled in her seat as the boy stopped mid-bound. “Oops!” he said as he stepped back out of the room and shut the door again. Both adults listened as the child’s feeble knock sounded.

Bankotsu grinned. “You may come in, Banryu,” he said.

The child opened the door, far more gently this time, and walked calmly into the room. “I’m sorry, Daddy, for barging in like that,” he was quick to apologize as he bowed his head.

“It’s alright, son,” Bankotsu said as he crossed the room and knelt before the boy. Tilting his head, he touched Banryu’s chin and continued, “You’re getting better, though I could have sworn I had instructed you not to bow your head.” Cobalt eyes met cobalt eyes as he murmured. “You are Shimazu. We bow to no one, my son. We walk with our heads held high in pride.”

“Shimazu?” Banryu questioned. “But I thought we were Higurashi.”

The mercenary gave a small snort. “That was only because I had kept our name from your mother,” he pointed out. “I suppose I should be the one to apologize to you for the deception. Only, I didn’t think I’d ever be back, so I didn’t see the point in giving that burden to her to bear without myself to guide her.”

Banryu smiled and reached out to touch Bankotsu’s cheek. “I forgive you, Daddy,” he said with ease. “It wasn’t your fault. You didn’t know and you were only trying to help Mommy be the best Mommy she could be.”

Bankotsu’s smile grew as he moved to stand up. At the last possible moment, he swung his son into the air and buried his face in Banryu’s stomach, making the child giggle as he struggled. Kagome stood as she smiled, watching father and son play with one another.

Yes. Having Bankotsu in his son’s life was the wisest decision. Kagome just hoped it continued to be such.

(III)(III)

Kagome slapped Banryu’s hand away from his collar again. “Leave it alone,” she hissed to him, growing a bit annoyed as she kept having to stop him.

“But I don’t like it,” the boy complained. “Why can’t I wear what Daddy’s wearing?”

Bankotsu touched the boy’s shoulder. “Just soldier through it tonight, son,” he said. “We’ll get you more suitable clothing later, I promise.”

Kagome frowned at her husband. “He needs to learn how to wear a suit and tie,” she whispered to him. “Haori were fine during the Feudal Era, but these days, he’ll look like a joke to the wrong people.”

The mercenary gave her a measured look. “Do you think I look like a joke, my miko?”

She scoffed. “Of course, not,” she hissed, “but I know you. I’ve seen the things you can do. Banryu is still a child. He doesn’t know the first thing about wielding a halberd or how to kill someone.”

“Cool!” the boy yelled. “Can you really do that, Daddy?”

“Shhh!” Kagome snapped as Bankotsu chuckled.

“Yes, but we must be quiet,” the mercenary stated as he pulled his son closer to him.

With one hand holding his son in place, Bankotsu reached out for the long cord with the other hand and pulled. They listened as the bells rang throughout the building. Within moments, a young fox demon answered the door. “I’m sorry, but we’re closed for business at this time,” the demon said politely before moving to shut the door again.

“We’re here to meet with Taisho Sesshomaru,” Kagome spoke up. “We were told to meet him here.”

The name was enough to cause the demon to freeze in his tracks. Pulling the door back open, he bowed to the small family with a blush. “Hai, hai, forgive me!” he squeaked. “Sesshomaru-sama had told us he was expecting you, but I had forgotten. Please, follow me.”

The demon led the trio to Sesshomaru’s office. Banryu’s eyes had grown to the size of large saucers and his head was darting all over the place, trying to take everything in. Bankotsu had to keep a firm hand wrapped around the child’s hand to prevent him from running off. “You’re going to get yourself into trouble,” came the mercenary’s warning as his son managed to slip out of his grasp again.

“Inuyasha usually has him thrown over his shoulder by now,” Kagome commented.

The mercenary glared at his wife. “I better not ever catch that half-breed throwing my son over his shoulder,” he growled.

She sighed. “He only does it when Banryu is being particularly unruly,” she defended with a click of her tongue. “You would, t – Banryu! Get back over here!” she hissed, glaring at the boy. “Now!”

The child giggled as he bounded away from the suit of samurai armor that stood proudly in the hallway as a silent sentinel. As he tried to run past his parents, Bankotsu snapped a hand out and grabbed the boy by the tie he wore. Banryu struggled, trying to grab at his father’s hand as Bankotsu picked him up by the collar and glared at him.

“Your mother and I both told you to stop,” the mercenary snarled as their eyes locked on one another. “If you make either of us repeat ourselves one more time, I swear you will regret it. Do I make myself clear?”

Tears leaked out of the boy’s eyes as he continued to struggle. “Ye… yea…” he tried.

“Answer me correctly!” Bankotsu barked.

Kagome touched her husband’s arm in concern. “Perhaps if you let go of his neck… Bankotsu, he can’t breathe,” she said, suddenly fearful for her son’s life.

Indeed, the boy’s face was starting to turn purple. With an angry growl, Bankotsu dropped the child onto the floor. Immediately, Banryu began coughing, leaning over as he tried to catch his breath. With narrowed eyes, Bankotsu stared at his son. “Are you done?” he demanded more than asked.

Banryu, still unable to speak yet, nodded as he continued to cough. He stood on wary legs as he tried to get his bearings back. Once Bankotsu was sure the boy was alright, he said one last time, “You will walk beside us. You will not run off and cause mischief. Do you understand, boy? I won’t repeat myself again.”

With tears in his eyes, Banryu stood up straight and tall, careful not to bow his head. “Hai, Daddy,” he answered. “I understand.”

The mercenary stared at his son a moment longer before giving a single nod. “Good. Let’s go,” he commanded, taking his wife’s hand and returning to the trek towards Sesshomaru’s office.

Banryu fisted a bit of Kagome’s kimono and followed his parents quietly, doing his best to neither cry nor bow his head. Kagome glanced down at her son, her face filled with concern. She honestly had not expected Bankotsu to react that way, though it truly should not have surprised her. He needs his father, she found herself thinking, though she wondered just how much of her thoughts were simply to reassure herself.

(IV)(IV)

Banryu gasped as they entered the office and he saw Sesshomaru for the first time. He dropped his mother’s kimono as he stared at the daiyoukai, his mouth hanging open in awe. “Momma, look!” he said as he pointed at the dog demon.

Kagome gave her son a soft smile as she glanced at Sesshomaru, who was watching them curiously. “Banryu,” she said softly, “This is Sesshomaru Taisho. He’s…”

“Is that Uncle Inu’s daddy?” he asked naively.

The miko slapped a hand over her mouth to stifle her snort as Sesshomaru’s eyes narrowed. Bankotsu rolled his eyes. “No, son, Sesshomaru is Inuyasha’s half-brother,” he corrected. He glanced at his wife. “And that wasn’t a very ladylike sound, my dear.”

“I do not align myself to that half breed,” the daiyoukai said in a low growl.

Kagome shook her head as she closed her eyes. “After all these years,” she commented with a sigh. She looked at the daiyoukai. “You haven’t changed much, have you? Not truly at least.”

He looked at her a moment before standing and walking around the desk. “You will find that very few people ever do change, miko,” he stated calmly.

Banryu stared up at the daiyoukai. “Wow. You’re tall,” he said. The daiyoukai glanced down at the boy and Banryu hid behind his mother’s leg.

Sesshomaru turned his attention back to the young couple. “Typically, I leave here late enough that I can simply fly home without being noticed. However, tonight, I will drive and you will follow me. I live on the outskirts of Tokyo, but it isn’t too far of a drive,” he told them. “Supper should be ready by the time we get there.”

As if on cue, Banryu’s stomach growled and the boy’s face pinkened as he gave a little giggle. “Oops. Sorry,” he said.

“You trust me enough to follow you to your home?” Kagome asked the daiyoukai, ignoring her son.

His eyes met hers. “If I didn’t trust you to some extent, Kagome, we wouldn’t be here tonight,” he answered. “I haven’t forgotten what you had meant to the war against Naraku, nor the part that you played. Were it not for you…” He let the rest of his sentence fall away as she clamped her mouth shut. She understood what he had meant.

Bankotsu’s eyes gazed at his wife as he silently wondered exactly what she had done during the war. He would have to ask her about it later. Taking his son’s hand, he allowed the daiyoukai to lead them out of the building.

Kagome blinked when she saw a sleek black car parked in front of hers. “Is that what I think it is?” she asked as they approached the two vehicles.

Sesshomaru gave her a look and she gasped. Banryu looked up at her. “What is it, Mommy?” he asked.

“A Mitsubishi GT,” she murmured, pressing her fingertips to her lips. She looked at Sesshomaru. “Only so many of them were made. How did you…? Wait.” She shook her head. “You’re Sesshomaru. Of course, you would be able to afford one. With ease, too.”

He gave her a single nod. “Would you like one, miko? I believe I can have one made in whatever color you like,” he offered.

Her eyes widened as she just stared at him. “I…” she started, but couldn’t finish. She shook her head again, squeezing her eyes shut. “No, no,” she said. “I couldn’t possibly.”

Bankotsu looked at her curiously. “Do you not like the car?” he asked.

Her eyes shot open and she looked at him as though he had grown an extra head. “Of course, I like it,” she said. “But, Bankotsu, do you have any idea how much…? No. It’s too much.” Her eyes fell upon the black car again. “It’s beautiful, but I’d be too afraid to drive it.”

Confused, Bankotsu glanced up at the daiyoukai. “Is it demon possessed?”

Kagome giggled at the absurdity of the question. “No. It just… There’s a lot of horsepower in one of those babies,” she explained.

This confused the mercenary even more. He stared at his wife. “There’s a horse inside this machine? Somehow, I doubt that, Kagome…”
Even Banryu giggled at that as the miko shook her head. “I’ll explain in the car. Let’s just get to the manor,” she promised. She glanced at Sesshomaru. “Inuyasha will die if he ever learned you owned that car.”

Both the Daiyoukai and the mercenary gazed at the priestess. “Do not tease me, miko,” Sesshomaru ordered after a moment when he gathered that she wasn’t being serious. “Inuyasha’s death at my owning a simple vehicle would be too easy. It would be an insult to our father’s memory.”

She giggled again as she opened the door to her own car for Banryu. The drive to Sesshomaru’s manor was filled with the discussion of cars as Kagome explained about horse power and the different types of vehicles. Bankotsu listened with rapt attention, asking questions when he needed clarification. “I’ll need to learn how to drive,” he stated as they pulled up to the gate that led to the manor.

Kagome watched as a guard looked at her vehicle, then at Sesshomaru. She wasn’t sure if either had spoken, for she was certain the daiyoukai’s window had been rolled up. However, the dark gate opened silently and she followed the sports car into the grounds of the manor.

It was dark, for the sun had set, but there were lights along the driveway, giving the couple and their son a clear enough view of the haunted looking manor. Kagome felt as though her heart was clenching at the sight and a chill crept up her back.

“Mommy?” the little boy in the back seat whimpered.

“It’s alright, baby,” she assured him, sounding confident even though she felt anything but. “Remember how Uncle Inu is? Well, his brother isn’t much different. Just older.”

“And more powerful,” Bankotsu added, his eyes gleaming in the lights of the lanterns that lined the driveway. “And darker. Not to mention, he’s lived for hundreds of years now. Far long enough to gain a vast empire the likes that we’ll never be able to have.”

Kagome shot him an irritated look. “You’re not helping.”

“Does Uncle Inu’s brother have any kids?” Banryu asked.

The miko bit her lower lip. “I don’t know, honestly,” she told him. “I suppose we’ll find out when we go in.”

She pulled her car next to Sesshomaru’s, as directed by an usher. Once she had the car stopped, she turned to look at the boy. “Alright. Banryu, Mommy and Daddy needs you to be on your best behavior, alright?” she said. “This is Daddy’s new boss, so we need to make a good impression. No running around and no getting into anything. Just stay close to Mommy, ok?”

With a grin, Banryu nodded. “Ok, Mommy. I’ll be good.”

Bankotsu glanced at his wife, wondering if she bought the kid’s promise, but he said nothing as the small family got out of the vehicle. The usher took the keys from Kagome. “Whenever you’re ready, ma’am, just let us know and we’ll bring your car back,” he instructed her.

“Thank you,” she said with a kind smile as she rested her hand on the inside of Bankotsu’s elbow.

Taking Banryu’s hand with her free hand, Kagome let Bankotsu lead them as they followed Sesshomaru into the manor. The miko wasn’t sure what she had expected of the daiyoukai and the place he called home. However, stepping into the manor, she wasn’t overly surprised.

The floor was covered in a dark red velvet carpet that she knew had to take forever to clean. The walls were deep mahogany in color and shined as though recently polished. The entrance was large with a huge chandelier that looked to be dripping diamonds. Kagome briefly wondered if it truly was, but she didn’t see any point in asking. Two staircases were tucked in the back of the room and swerved upward to what she assumed was Sesshomaru’s personal rooms. There were double doors on either side of the entrance that had large dog demons carved into them. On either side of the door frames stood potted plants that Kagome identified as ficuses. Everything was uniformed and symmetric.

Suddenly, the door to the left opened and a beautiful young woman entered the foyer. “Lord Sesshomaru,” she greeted the daiyoukai with a smile, not looking at the family. “I’m so happy that you are home.”

She approached the dog demon and he cupped her jaw, dipping his head to kiss her lightly on the lips. “We have company,” he told her as he pivoted on his heel to the family.

Kagome was gobsmacked. “Rin?” she asked, taking in the woman.

She was older. Taller, even, reaching Kagome’s height and maybe even surpassing it. The miko wouldn’t know unless she actually stood next to the girl. But there was no denying that it was Rin, that small little girl that Sesshomaru had as a ward during the Feudal Era.

Rin cocked her head. Her smile faltered a little as her brow wrinkled. “I’m sorry,” she said. “Do I know you?”

“Remember, Rin,” Sesshomaru said as he touched her back. “This is Shimazu Kagome. You would know her simply as Kagome, the human miko who was Inuyasha’s companion during the Feudal Era. She helped us defeat Naraku.”

The girl’s eyes widened in memory. “Oh! Yes! I remember now,” she said. She started to smile, but stopped. Looking up at the daiyoukai, she frowned. “But, my lord, she was a human. How did she survive and come to this era? Is she a sorceress?”

“I could ask the same of you,” Kagome stated as she took a step towards the girl.

Rin looked at the miko. “My lord and I became mates once I was old enough,” she explained. “I lived in Edo for a bit after Naraku died, but when I was old enough, Kaede asked me if I wanted to remain in the village or leave. Lord Sesshomaru had come to me and I didn’t want to live without him. For a bit, I just traveled with him, like I had done as a child. But then we fell in love.”

Kagome blushed a little. “Yes, but that was 500 years ago. You look as though you haven’t aged a day aside from becoming an adult,” she pointed out.

The girl grinned. “Have you been to his office?” she asked. “My lord still possesses Tenseiga. Totosai taught him a new technique that allowed him to bind my life with his. As long as he lives, so do I. And I won’t age.”

The miko frowned a bit at that and glanced at Sesshomaru. “Why didn’t your father use that technique on Inuyasha’s mother?” she questioned.

“He died while she was giving birth,” the daiyoukai stated. “I doubt the idea had crossed his mind before it was too late. Even then, such a spell would have been dangerous for both of them, as his death would have meant hers as well, thus leaving Inuyasha an orphan.”

Rin closed the distance between herself and the miko. They smiled at one another before Rin wrapped her arms around Kagome in a hug. Yes. They were the same height. Kagome returned the hug.

“So, now it’s your turn,” the girl said as they broke apart. “How are you here, Kagome? Like you said, that was 500 years ago.”

Kagome briefly explained about her family’s shrine and the well that they kept there. She explained about her son and how Inuyasha had returned with her to help her care for Banryu. Then, she touched Bankotsu’s arm. “I’m not sure if you ever met, but this is Bankotsu,” the miko said as she gazed up at him. “He’s my husband and was the leader of the Band of Seven.”

Rin frowned as she looked at the man. “I vaguely remember hearing about the Band of Seven,” she said as she stared at him. “I know Kaede had spoken of them. And I sort of remember a man named Suikotsu. I think he was a doctor of some sort, but I might be wrong. I sort remember him chasing Jaken and me, trying to kill us, but that’s a bit ambiguous, I think. Though later, when Lord Sesshomaru and I had created the hanyou middle and high schools, they became a part of the history lessons, but…” She turned her attention to the miko, “I would’ve thought you’d marry Inuyasha. You two had been so close and I know you loved him.”

Bankotsu’s eyes darkened at that. “She may have, but that all changed when I took her from him,” he growled as he pulled the miko closer to him possessively.

Kagome gave the girl a sad smile. “It never would have worked between Inuyasha and me,” she said. “At one point, I had wanted it to, because I thought it would have been best for Banryu. But…” she looked around suddenly. “Bankotsu? Where’s our son?”

“I’m here, Mommy,” the boy said, startling the miko.

The parents looked and saw Banryu standing a bit behind them. Rin’s eyes lit up at the sight of him. “What a handsome young man!” she stated as she knelt before the child. “And who are you?”

“Banryu,” he replied shyly as he half hid behind his mother.

Rin’s smile widened. “What an awesome name! Hey, guess what? Maybe when the sky lights up I can take you to the playground in the gardens,” she suggested. “We have a jungle gym and slide and some swings. And we also have some ponies if you want to go riding.”

Banryu’s face filled with excitement as he tugged on Kagome’s kimono. “Can I, Mommy?” he asked.

Kagome bit her lower lip. “Well, you might have to ask your father about that one,” she said.

Bankotsu frowned. “I’ve never heard of a jungle gym, but I don’t see how that will be a problem,” he stated. He glanced at the miko. “Is that some sort of training device?”

“Training?” Rin questioned.

Kagome gave the girl an apologetic look. “Bankotsu was recently resurrected by Hachiman, so his mindset is still in the Feudal Era,” she explained. “He’s still learning about this era.”

“Oh!” Rin glanced up at Sesshomaru. “Is he my new bodyguard, then?”

The daiyoukai gave a single nod. “Once he’s completed his training, you’ll be allowed to go to Tokyo so long as he’s with you,” he told her.

Rin nodded as a serving girl entered the foyer to announce that supper was ready. The girl stood, offering her hand to Banryu. He glanced at his parents and, upon Kagome’s nod of approval, he took Rin’s hand as they went into the door to the left.
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Modern Reality