Jakie's Tomatoes
Well hello! I'm back from Italy and man it was fun but boy did we have trouble getting back home. So eum I'll hurry this along. I was inspired when I saw a box of tomatoes that said Jackie's Tomatoes. Something started stirring and here it is. Its AU comedy and a bit sad towards the end, enjoy!
Two chapter fic.
Summary: Before the Shichinintai what was Jakotsu? A regular farmer working with his family until he got too bored of working with tomatoes and life became just stranger for the poor man.
Disclaimer: I'm just a poor soul who comes up with crazy ideas!
As for those who are reading the new chapters of the manga, DID YOU SEE HIS MOM! OMG!
Jakie's Tomatoes
Chapter 1: Before the Tomatoes
Jakotsu was a regular man. He had a regular life with a regular schedule. He was regular height and he had a regular family. The only irregular thing about him was his sexual orientation. He liked men as opposed to women. But the villagers were used to it. They didn't mind. They even made jokes about it. They liked Jakotsu because he knew how to grow tomatoes. The villagers liked to say that he was the tomato king. His grandfather had started out the "company" and it was passed on from father to son. When his father would retire he would be the one to take over since he was the first born of the family.
Jakotsu liked his job but sometimes he found it a bit boring. There was nothing exciting about harvesting a bunch of tomato plants every couple of days. He wanted to be like those warriors that fought for the samurai and the daimyo. No, he didn't want to work for someone; he wanted to be an independent warrior. But he had no skills so he would never be able to go out and start a group by his own. And if he did have what it took to be a warrior he would spend all his time flirting with the cute and strong men that would be in his group. Jakotsu sighed and got to work.
A regular day for him would be to get up when the sun rose and go and pick up the tomatoes that had matured over night. That way they would taste fresh and they wouldn't be over ripe when they would get to the market. Once the first tomatoes were picked he would water the others and then he would make sure that they had polls to grow on nice and straight. Once that was done he would take a water break and then he would go and turn over the soil so it would always be freshened up.
Jakotsu's father came out of the hut shortly after his son and helped him out with the morning chores. Mr. Shimadamu was the one who took care of the market. Jakotsu had never been to the market. His father had always promised him that on his nineteenth birthday he would be able to start working at the market and his father would do the other chores while he would be at the market. Jakotsu looked forward to his nineteenth birthday it was in two weeks.
"Good morning Otou-San." He greeted his father when he saw him walk out of the house. The elder man nodded and headed off to get the stuff that had been picked up to be brought to the market. When he came back with his bags already placed on his horse, Jakotsu noticed that he had another horse behind him. Mr. Shimadamu never used two horses. Why would he need a second one this time?
"Father, why do you bring two horses with you today? Do you need extra help?" Jakotsu hoped that maybe Kami would be on his side and he would get to experience the life at the market two weeks beforehand.
"Son, I think I should have retired many years ago and let you take over the store. You are old and wise enough to make your own decisions. I must say that I did not let you have the day of your fourteenth birthday because you told us you did not want to wed but I have been able to see passed that and now I have decided that you should come to the market today. By the end of the week you will be in charge of everything." Jakotsu was shocked. He did not believe what he was hearing. He quickly gathered his stuff and got on the horse. He did not want to be late on his first day in the market.
Jakotsu was overwhelmed when he arrived at the market. He had never seen anything look so beautiful in his life. There was so much activity buzzing around it was unbelievable. There were all sorts of people. Old people, young people, newly weds, women with child, old timers, little kids, teenagers, pre-teens, short people, tall people, fat people, skinny people, traveling monks, priestesses, bandits, leaders, followers, musicians, artists, geishas and one hell of a good looking young boy. He must have been about fifteen if not a bit younger but the look in his eyes spoke of a man strong and confident.
Jakotsu followed him with his eyes and was in total awe. He was average height and he had very long shiny black hair that he had tied up in a tress. He was wearing a white outfit with very fancy designs and armor on it. The man with no name was also carrying a very big and pretty looking sword. Jakotsu's secret obsession had always been fancy looking swords. This sword wasn't like any sword he had ever seen. This one was about as tall as the boy. It was a huge halberd. He had never seen one so big. But that wasn't all that amazed Jakotsu about this man. His eyes! He had deep blue sapphire eyes and one good look at them made Jakotsu want to scream.
In all his almost nineteen years of life he had never seen someone look so dead gorgeous. As he tried to keep track of the man he also somehow managed to help his father set up the market for the day. His father didn't seem to notice that his son's mind was elsewhere and Jakotsu was thankful for that. Just as they placed the last case of tomatoes, the strange man with the gorgeous eyes and the huge sword walked by their stand. Jakotsu's heart started beating faster.
"I've never seen you around before. Are you a new guy?" Jakotsu was mesmerized by his voice. He had never heard such a sexy voice before.
"Euh, my father sells tomatoes and I'll be taking over pretty soon." He managed to say in a very shy voice that was so unlike him. Usually he was brave and courageous but now it almost seemed as though he was intimidated by this handsome fellow.
"I see." The other man simply said.
"Do you come here often handsome?" Jakotsu almost regretted saying that the moment he saw the shocked look on the boys face but then it was replaced by a smile. What did this mean?
"Whenever I pass by this village I come here for the tomatoes. So are you the one who picks them up each morning?" The only thing Jakotsu could do was nod.
"I see. You do a good job. By the ways I'm Bankotsu, what's your name?"
"I'm Jakotsu." The poor man muttered.
"Strange coincidence how our names finish the same way don't you think?"
"Yeah, so what can I get for you?"
"Right, right just give me a dozen of tomatoes." Jakotsu made sure he picked the nicest looking tomatoes and gave them to him. Bankotsu took out some coins to pay for the items but Jakotsu pushed the money back into his hand.
"It's on the house—er stand." Bankotsu and Jakotsu laughed at the mistake.
"Well then I must go now, maybe we'll see each other again next time I pass by here ne?"
"Yeah, maybe." Jakotsu said a bit disappointed. He didn't want him to leave after just meeting him. Bankotsu left with his tomatoes and his halberd and Jakotsu just stood there looking after him. He wished that someday he could just pick up and go and not have to do the same thing each day. Sure he loved picking tomatoes but sometimes he wondered what it would be like to wake up one morning and decide to just leave and go to another village.
"So what do you think of the market boy?" Mr. Shimadamu asked his son. Jakotsu snapped out of his reverie and smiled at his father.
"It's lovely. There are so many different people over here. It's so big and so… wow!" Mr. Shimadamu laughed and served a few customers. They spent the rest of the day selling the tomatoes and when they saw that the sun was starting to set they packed their stuff and went back home to pick up the fresh tomatoes for the night sale. Jakotsu was eager to go back to the market to see if Bankotsu was there.
"Come on boy we don't have all night!" His father called out to him. Jakotsu took the last case and mounted his horse. They got to the market in record time and Jakotsu quickly loaded the cases on their makeshift table.
"I'm glad to see that you're so eager to start working. That's what a good salesman always does." The father patted his son on the back and Jakotsu smiled. He was eager for other reasons though. He tried to see through the many people to find the young man but he was nowhere to be seen. He hoped that the young man had not already left on his journey to wherever.
Just as he was about to give up in defeat he noticed a person walking towards him that had the same height and same physic as Bankotsu. Jakotsu immediately brightened up. Just as he was about to come to his stand Bankotsu turned left and Jakotsu's mood darkened. He had thought that he had left an impression on Bankotsu but clearly he hadn't.
"Stupid idiot that doesn't care about other people! Just when I thought that… UGHH! The nerve that bastard has! Maybe we'll see each other again my ass! For all I care he can burn in hell!" Jakotsu said in frustration.
"Who can burn in hell?" Jakotsu jumped about two feet in the air when he heard that voice. He wasn't expecting to hear it in a very long while.
"Bankotsu! I thought you had left already… well you were here but I thought that, oh forget about it! What are you doing here?" All trace of unhappiness was vanished with one smile given by Bankotsu. If he would be gay Jakotsu would be even happier.
"I just came to look around. I decided to leave tomorrow instead. I didn't know you people had to come to the market even at night. Man I don't know how you guys do it all year round. I would be bored stiff! There's no action, no fighting just regular routine." Jakotsu was in awe once again. The way he spoke about what his days were like was impressive.
"What's it like out there, fighting with people and all? Is it… fun?" Banktosu faced the taller man and he could see the sparkle in his eyes.
"Fun? Ah you should see it Jakotsu it's the best way to entertain ones mind. The best part is when they scream. That's like music to my ears. Have you ever seen a battle?" When Jakotsu shacked his head in a negative way Bankotsu looked surprised.
"My friend, you do not know what you're missing. Hey, what about if you come with me! We can start our own group of fighters and we can wreck havoc all around!" Jakotsu's eyes sparkled up even more but then the light went out just like that.
"I can't, I mean I don't know anything about fighting and I don't have a sword. All I know how to do is pick and sell tomatoes. I'll just be a burden to you." The man sighed and served a customer.
"I can train you. I can show you what I know and you can leave this boring life. I mean don't you want to do something in your life other than sell tomatoes and pick tomatoes? Do you really feel like doing this for the rest of your life? Look at your old man, all he's done for all his life is what you're about to do with yours. Think about it at least and come and meet me at the river tonight when everyone is asleep." Bankotsu left and Jakotsu stayed behind thinking about the proposition. On one hand he could realize his dreams of becoming a warrior but on the other hand he could stay here and do what he's been doing for all his life. He had no idea what to do.
By the end of the second work period, Jakotsu went back home with his father and went straight to bed. He thought about the proposition over and over again until he finally came down with a conclusion. He would meet Bankotsu tonight and see what he had to say. Then tomorrow morning he would leave with Bankotsu and be off with his merry way. That sounded very exciting!
Once he left his hut, he said a quick good bye to everyone and all his siblings and left them a note not to worry. He explained that he had heard of a mysterious tomato recipe and that he was off to check it out. He knew that his parents would fall for it and they wouldn't worry. It shattered his heart to know that he would never see his family again but he was sick and tired of his life. He was also disappointed that he would never go to the market again but at least he had seen part of it. Now Jakotsu had new goals in life. Goals of becoming a great warrior that would put fear on the face of everyone.
He made his way to the river and looked for his new companion. He looked and looked until he suddenly tripped on something and went falling face first into something soft.
"Soft! What the hell!" The man propped himself up on his elbows and saw what was so soft. It was Bankotsu! The man was still somehow sleeping. Jakotsu rolled over and sat in a way so he could see the sleeping man's face. He looked even prettier with the moonlight bathing his sleeping face. He didn't know if he should wake him up or not but after the conversation they had back at the market he decided to wake him up, Jakotsu style.
"Hey there handsome, are you going to take the bed for yourself or are you going to make some room for me?" The reaction he got out of Bankotsu was priceless! The man sat up so fast and his eyes grew so big that it made his head spin so he had to lie down again. Jakotsu could only kneel over in laughter as he saw all of this. Once he had calmed down he went to get some water for his new companion.
"Here drink this sleepy head." Bankotsu took the goblet and emptied it out in mere seconds.
"Thanks. What was the big idea of waking me up that way? I nearly had a heart attack!" He said remembering his brutal awakening.
"But you should have seen your face! And at least it got you up. You were the one who told me to get here when everyone was asleep." Jakotsu reminded him.
"Yeah, yeah whatever. So what do you think about my proposition?" When Bankotsu saw the glint in Jakotsu's eyes he knew what the decision was.
"You're going to have to teach me a couple of things from now on." Jakotsu told him. Bankotsu smiled in agreement and they started talking about different things. Things they would need, things about themselves and things in general.
"So when am I going to start my training?"
"Before we start any kind of training you're going to need some new clothes. I don't think an old apron and some tomato smelling clothes are gonna cut it." They both laughed and they agreed that the first thing they would do in the morning would be looking for some new clothes for Jakotsu.
They went to the store the next day and Jakotsu chose a simple kimono outfit compared to Bankotsu's. It was a mauve color and it had green lily pads on it. (We shall call them lilies ok?) It went up to his ankles but on one side he had brought it up and tucked it in his obi. Bankotsu found it strange but he didn't question it. There wasn't much about Jakotsu that wasn't strange. Bankotsu didn't care; as long as Jakotsu would learn then he was fine.
They started training the moment Jakotsu had his new clothes. Bankotsu had found two regular swords so they could practice with those since he couldn't use his halberd against the beginner. He would likely kill the poor man with one strike and he wouldn't even know what would have hit him.
Bankotsu was impressed by how fast Jakotsu was learning. By the end of the day he was able to block any hits Bankotsu tried to make. Jakotsu was born to be a warrior. He was glad that he had saved this talented soul out of oblivion. Bankotsu decided to stop for a while and take a water break since it was getting very hot outside. They sat near the river and drank in silence until Bankotsu spoke.
"The other day you told me that your father was going to give you the store on your nineteenth birthday, I guess it's soon right?"
"Yeah, it's in nine suns."
"Really? That's nice. I just passed my fifteenth birthday a few moons ago." They talked a little longer before going back to training.
The end of the week came by and it was soon the day of Jakotsu's birthday. That day, they woke up like any other day and they started their training like every other day for the past two week. Around high noon, Bankotsu told Jakotsu that he had an errand to run and that he would be back in a few minutes. The elder of the two nodded and waited at their usual spot.
Bankotsu came back a few minutes later with a big leather bag in his arms. He sat down next to his friend and handed him the bag. Jakotsu had no idea whatsoever what this was for. He looked up at him and Bankotsu told him to open it. When the man opened the strange bag he was greeted with a beautiful sword. He had never seen one look so, so beautiful before. It was shiny and it was slick just the way a sword was supposed to be.
"What's this for?" The man asked. Bankotsu looked away as he said what it was.
"It's a birthday present. Since you needed a sword and it was your birthday I got you one that well, suits you. Open it up and try it out." Jakotsu did just that. He unfolded the leather bindings and saw the prettiest sword he had ever seen. It had a long blade and a pretty complex handle. The sides of the handle were made of bronze. Jakotsu was touched by the gesture. He didn't know what to do to show his gratitude so he did the first thing that came to mind and that was a hug. Not that he minded hugging Bankotsu.
"Thanks! I love it!" Bankotsu felt the heat going to his cheeks but he didn't say anything. Jakotsu had ways of freaking him out sometimes. It even seemed as though, well, as though he liked men. Bankotsu didn't mind, as long as Jakotsu didn't try anything too weird on him.
"Hey can I ask you something that might sound a bit weird?" Jakotsu looked at his friend with quizzical eyes. For him nothing was too weird.
"What is it Ban-Chan?" The nickname had come out by itself. Bankotsu had no idea why his friend had used the nickname but he would let it pass for now.
"Are you gay or something? I don't have anything against it, I'm just wondering." He hoped that he hadn't offended him in any way.
"I guess I forgot to tell you. But I guess I thought my common handsome remarks would have been obvious." Jakotsu laughed and the other man was impressed at just how care free he was. Jakotsu didn't seem to have a care in the world. Maybe it was something that farmers learned. When he looked at the other people around him they were always in a hurry, always going somewhere. Jakotsu on the other side followed Bankotsu around and he had no hurry to go anywhere.
"Hey Bankotsu, now that I have this really cool sword does it mean that when we train you'll use your sword?" Jakotsu had never seen it in action and he really wanted to see the secret powers it held.
"It's not a sword, it's a halberd! And it has a name; Banryuu."
"Banryuu, that's like your name, well kind of. Does that mean I need to give my sword a really supper cool name?"
"If you want to." Jakotsu always made him think of a small child that was filled with life. He had an innocent smile with an innocent laugh. He was very glad that Jakotsu was here with him now. It made his days seem brighter.
"Ok, I'll call mine… Jakotsuto!" Jakotsu declared happily. The man seemed very content and proud of the name.
"It's a great name. Now wait until you see it in action, it's even greater." And he was very right about it.
They practiced with the sword and the halberd through out the months and every day Jakotsu would learn something new. He was truly amazed by the way his sword moved and how it was like a snake. The many blades connected together that acted as one, imitating the fast movements of a snake. Everything was perfect with Jakotsu's new life. He didn't miss his old life at all. Except maybe a little bit…
It was a clear but cold night and the two young travelers had stopped in a village near the place where they had met a few months ago. Bankotsu nodded that his comrade was a bit down that day so he decided to see if there was anything he could do to cheer him up. Jakotsu was never sad, seeing him down was something that would make anyone feel down.
--
Jakotsu was sitting by the river thinking. He was thinking about his old life. He had never thought about it until today. He wasn't thinking about his tomatoes, he was thinking about one person in particular.
Flashback
"JAKIE!" A young girl came running out of his family's hut and jumped in his arms. Jakotsu caught her in mid air and tickled her before setting her down and giving her a quick hug.
"How's my favorite imouto?" He asked the girl.
"I'm good ani. Did you find the new tools Otou-San was talking about?" The girl asked him peeking over his shoulder since he was grouching on the floor to open up his bag.
"Of course I did Krii-chan. I even managed to get them for less than father had expected them to cost."
"Wow! How did you do that Jakie?" She asked her eyes going big. Krii admired her brother very much. She was the youngest yet of the family and her brother was much older than she was. But her brother was always there for her. He showed her tricks and taught her things. For her Jakotsu was the coolest person on earth.
"That's my special secret Krii. But if you're good, one day on your tenth birthday I'll tell you. And when you go to get stuff for Otou-San then you can get them for good prices too." The girl seemed content with that. She was like a younger version of her older brother. She had medium long brown black hair with intense charcoal eyes. Everything her brother did she did.
Later that night, after super, Jakotsu was telling his little sister a bed time and she was fascinated by his tales. He always had tales of great samurai warriors and awesome heroic acts by the people who saved the villagers from evil demons. It was almost as though Jakotsu was a warrior but Krii knew that her brother wasn't. She was sure though, that if ever her brother would be like one of those samurai warriors, he would be one who saved people.
"Ok Krii-chan, it's time for you to get some rest, or else the evil demons will come and take you away."
"But even if they come and I'm sleeping, you'll fight them away and protect me, right Jakie?" She said with her big pleading eyes. Jakotsu smiled fondly at his sister.
"Of course I will, I won't anyone ever touch you. I promise." The girl smiled up at him.
"I love you ani." She said hugging him.
"Love you too, imouto." He returned her hug and then she was off like a light.
--
End flashback
"Hey what are you doing here all alone?" Jakotsu jumped out of his thoughts as he saw Bankotsu come and sit down next to him. He sighed as he looked up to his friend. Should he really tell him that he missed his little sister?
"I'm just thinking." He said hoping Bankotsu wouldn't ask anymore questions.
"Thinking about what?" He persisted.
"About my little sister. I wonder how she's been." He looked up at the stars and sighed again. Bankotsu could tell that he was miserable so he came up with an idea that could cheer him up.
"Well we can always go and see her. We're in a near by village and it would only take us a few hours to get there if you really want." Jakotsu looked delighted by the idea.
"Really? Thanks Bankotsu!" Jakotsu gave the man a quick hug and then they both went to bed. Tomorrow would be a long day.
And that was only half of the truth for Jakotsu…
Ok listen up people, this too ka whole different turn then I first had planned to. It was supposed to be just comedy but now it's turning in this whole Jakotsu before and after the Shichinintai fic. Not that I mind. So this is part one, tomorrow school starts, WBTR and PPATIB has not been put up yet, part two will be started tomorrow so DON'T WORRY. WBTR will be finished before 2007 I PROMISE! I hope… cookie to who can guess who Krii-chan is…
Chapter 2: After the Tomatoes
Please review guys… I live for review lol.
Ja