Shinsuke never gets drunk, but it doesn't matter since even sober he's capable of things that give Bansai a headache (also sober). Probably this is what distinguishes a madman from someone who's mind is just momentarily clouded by substances, right? But, strangely enough, even though Bansai is as familiar with psychiatry as he is with logging of the northern forests, he still can't quite shake off the impression that Shinsuke's supposed insanity is but a game. And, what is worse, Shinsuke doesn't really know its rules. Bansai can never tell what to expect of Shinsuke, for the man doesn't seem to know it either.
Like now. They have drunk some sake, plucked their shamisens and talked over a new plan to destroy the world. Just another completely normal evening that bodes nothing unusual. But then Shinsuke steps away from the window he was looking out of for a while, and sits down by Bansai - only to turn to him the very next moment, slide one hand under the collar of his coat and stare at his lips with some inane smile. Bansai freezes - above all, he is surprised - and then Shinsuke moves closer to his face... and Bansai, just in time, realizes what is going to happen.
"I can call Matako," he says. "Or send for some whore to Shimabara."
Slap!
Shinsuke's agility never ceases to amaze him - but he isn't the man's right hand for his pretty eyes and perfect pitch, and, before the second blow reaches him, he catches Shinsuke's both hands and locks him. For a moment, Shinsuke struggles but is unable to break free, and his resistance fades. He fixes the sight of his only eye on Bansai, and Bansai suddenly feels dizzy, for Shinsuke's gaze is filled with so many sensations, emotions and feelings that it seems impossible for one man to contain them all and remain sane. Anger, rage, disappointment, disillusion, defection, longing, determination, despair, pain...
Shinsuke is no longer smiling. He seems lost now, and such an expression is so unwonted on him. He bows his head and rests his forehead against Bansai's chest. It is as if his all strength is gone, and this impression is much more strange then the previous one. Bansai lets go of his hands, that then they fall onto the mat lifelessly. Just a while ago, the man was a conqueror, and now it appears that the mere gust of wind can blow him over.
After a moment of hesitation, Bansai clumsily (he is a samurai and a musician, and as such he knows how to handle a sword and a shamisen, not people) embraces his shoulders - so slim - but gets no reaction. Shinsuke is already sleeping, his body sliding down. Bansai helps him to find more comfortable position, so that he needn't wake up with his neck aching. He brushes away the thought of doing baby-sitting (especially when the baby is older than himself) as a task unworthy of a warrior and that his contract doesn't include this... But, in reality, his frustration is fake, too. He doesn't mind. After all, he couldn't just leave him like this, could he?
In the morning, Shinsuke will remember nothing of it, and it's good, too. This way, the game they both play will never be boring.