Author's Note: Hello people! It's next week, and here is the start of the next story. Thank you for all of the great feedback. I love you, and you are the reason I'm posting this story so soon. I was gonna wait until Wednesday.

Reviewer Responses:

Youkaigirl99: Thank you so much! I hope you're reading this one just like you said you would ;).

Lily-anime-girl-spy008: Damn, your new screen name is long. I'm gad you liked the entire story and I hope you're reading this one so you can see my expression of gratitude lol! Thanks for reviewing! Take care!

MageofDarkness: Wow, one hundred stars? Whoo hoo! Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy this new installment. I'm happy you like the way Jakotsu's name was chosen too. I was praying it didn't go too fast or sound too cheesy. Thanks for the review! Take care!

SpeakThaMind: Blushes Why thank you :). Ok, so I'm gonna do Renkotsu and Ginkotsu's stories after this one then. I think I'll put Mukotsu in front of Kyokotsu just because I didn't get a real sense of his personality from the series at all and have no ideas for him. Thanks for reviewing and I hope you like this one. Take care!

Cattico: Yes, they are meeting up with the other soon...like now lol! I hope you are reading this new story chic. Thanks for reviewing! Take care!

Sodality Arc 2

"Suikotsu"

Prologue

"Jakotsu?" Bankotsu turned to the taller boy standing beside him, nudging him with his elbow to get his attention.

"Hm?"

"Let's go to war."

"What? Why?" Jakotsu, who had been staring up at the sky absently, glanced down at Bankotsu. "I thought you said you'd never consider being a samurai?"

"I'm not," Bankotsu snorted, studying his massive halberd, as if inspecting it for imperfections. "We'll join the battle as mercenaries and kill everyone we fight."

Jakotsu was quiet beside him, patiently waiting for him to say more. Bankotsu wanted to sigh at Jakotsu's complete willingness to accept whatever decision Bankotsu made for them. It wasn't that he wanted his friend to disagree with him, but he would also like to have his friend's honest opinion on things. He didn't want Jakotsu to be unhappy and the other would never admit to the feeling.

Biting his cheek on a comment about Jakotsu's manner, he continued on with what he'd been saying. "I wouldn't mind being the leader of a small band of skilled mercenaries."

"Will it only be you and me?" Jakotsu asked, turning in full to face Bankotsu. His gray eyes gave away nothing as he gazed inquiringly at his friend.

Hmm... Bankotsu was stumped. Though he and Jakotsu were good, they wouldn't be very intimidating alone. But Jakotsu was very wary about company, and Bankotsu didn't want to put him through that.

Was his question a hint that he would prefer for them to be alone, or was he hinting that it would be ok if they had company?

Ai... Jakotsu could be as hard to figure out as the girl he dressed up to be at times.

"I suppose it'd be best if we had more allies," Bankotsu finally said, chancing another look at his comrade.

Jakotsu didn't looked phased in the least; he just tilted his head to one side, studying him. "Are you serious, Aniki?"

Aniki...big brother. Jakotsu had taken to calling him that almost all the time now. It was funny to most people because Jakotsu was so much taller than Bankotsu. Two years of traveling on the road together had increased both of their heights, but for every inch Bankotsu gained, Jakotsu gained three more. Despite the odd height distribution between the two, Bankotsu did consider himself to be the "bigger" one. Jakotsu needed someone to look after him, to push him and calm him when he was being irrational. Bankotsu took on all three tasks with the older boy and more and more often than not, found he didn't mind at all.

He smiled gently at Jakotsu and began to walk, slinging Banryuu over his shoulder. "I wonder how many men it would take to be sufficient."

He heard Jakotsu's hurried steps behind him and didn't slow as the taller boy fell into stride with him. "Well, if starting a group is what you want, then I can't change your mind about it. But hey, let's get together some good looking guys, ok?"

Bankotsu almost fell over at that statement. He had to be joking! "No, we need strong guys."

Jakotsu chewed his thumbnail thoughtfully. "That's true... and..." he pulled his thumb from his teeth, "if they were good-looking, I'd probably end up cutting them up."

Bankotsu frowned and tried not to flinch as that was probably what would happen if they involved anyone Jakotsu found mildly attractive in their group. He truly worried about his friend. Killing was one thing, but desecrating of corpses was another. Jakotsu was disturbed in a way he couldn't fix, so he just...left it alone. As long Jakotsu didn't seem to be suffering, Bankotsu wouldn't say a word.

"I'm so stupid sometimes," Jakotsu said with a laugh, scratching the back of his head, almost pulling out the blue butterfly clip he wore in his hair.

"You're not stupid, Jakotsu, just thoughtless at times."

"If one is without thought, doesn't that make one stupid?" Jakotsu shot at him slyly, sticking his foot out to trip him.

Bankotsu stopped just before he ran into Jakotsu's sandaled foot and stuck out his tongue. "Well if you want to argue about being rightfully called 'stupid,' fine then. You're stupid. Satisfied?"

"Yeah, I won an argument! I.... hey wait!"

Bankotsu guffawed and slapped Jakotsu on the back. "Gods, what would I do without you to entertain me?"

"Die of boredom?"

"Perhaps."

"And you'd be one mercenary short a perfect team."

"Yeah, I would," Bankotsu grinned. "So...you're really ok with this? Joining the wars, forming a team, being around other people all the time? If you don't want to do it Jakotsu, I'll understand."

Jakotsu was silent for a moment. He shifted Jakotsutou on his back and stretched a bit before answering Bankotsu with a tiny smile, "Of course I'm ok with it. It could be a fun, and you know me, I'm always up for something new."

Bankotsu stared. He had to be sure Jakotsu wasn't lying, wasn't hiding... "Jakotsu..."

"As long as you're with me, I don't care what I do," Jakotsu said, lowering his head, bangs veiling his eyes. "Whatever you want to do is fine with me. Please understand and accept that, Aniki."

Bankotsu sighed loudly and wrapped an arm around Jakotsu, leaning his head slightly onto the other boy's chest. "I do, Jakotsu. I do."

Jakotsu giggled cheerfully and tousled Bankotsu's hair. "So what will we call this band of mercenaries?"

Bankotsu snorted. Only Jakotsu would concern himself with names at this stage in the game. "Why don't we wait until we find some people to recruit, first?"

"Hmmm..." Jakotsu placed his thumbnail in his mouth again. "Oh alright, but that will give me more time to think about it."

"Oh, I'm scared," Bankotsu teased, shoving Jakotsu lightly.

"You should be," Jakotsu grinned devilishly. "So...when will we start looking for people?"

Bankotsu shrugged, situating Banryuu once again on his shoulder and beginning to walk. "We can start tomorrow."

"I can't wait."

Author's Note: Ok, that's the prologue. Tell me what you think; please review! Take care! :)