Author's Note: Hey, back again. I wasn't sure when I was going to be updating next with Hurricane Rita coming to visit. I live in Southeast Texas and the Miss Rita's eye was on us for quite a bit right up until she hit. We tried the evacuation deal and after 10 hours and only moving 35 miles, we ended up going back home to ride it out. She ended up grazing us and blowing right on over after downgrading to a Category 3. I pray for everyone who was in her path and their safety and for everyone who is or was stranded and now in a shelter waiting for more fuel and clearer highways. If anyone lives in Southeast Texas reading this, I'm glad you're ok enough to be on the web, checking this out. You can e-mail me and we can chat, if you want. I'm sure you have as many stories as I do about this experience and would love to just talk to someone else about them. I know it helps me to talk.
Anyways, here is the prologue for "Ginkotsu." I hope you enjoy it. I'm trying not to skip over Moon Head's punishment too much and get a little of it in here ;).
Thank you for all of the response to "Renkotsu," and I hope to hear from everyone again!
Reviewer Responses:
CyberchaoX: You make a very valid point. I do kinda assume that my readership is all female. I get some hints and run with them, but thank you for letting me know. I'd hate to insult anyone. So, I'll call you "dude" ;). You made my day. I would come on to check for Hurricane Rita information or just mail from friends and amiss all the junk mail from people selling home plastic surgery kits and Viagra, I get your mail. Thanks! I'm going to try to fish out all of your questions for this story and answer them.
In the last chapter, the name Jakotsu finally inadvertently gives to the group means: Band of Four.
Writing and finishing stories is hard work; I know where you are coming from. If it makes you feel better, I've been working on a series since 7th grade and have only now gotten a working prologue, chapter 1 and 2 for the first book to that series. I say working on something a long time not only shows your dedication, but it makes the story better. It matures with you and so do your characters. Keep note of your progress; it is vert interesting to look back on it.
I do view Renkotsu as a bit of a wimp. He doesn't fight hand to hand and he's so afraid of Bankotsu and nervous in the series. Ban and Ja are my favorites and the easiest to work with, probably because, like you said, the series devoted more air time to them so you get more to work with. Yes, I did a lot of research (shakes head) to find out who may have been in the area to give Renkotsu the idea for those guns, and the Portuguese were the first, then the Spaniards and the Italians. So, yes, you are right, Jakotsu is half Portuguese. A lot more of his background will be revealed in this story.
Glad you appreciate my OC's, I never think much of em'. Just kinda throw them in as I need them, but for this story... I really hope these OC's go over well, because they are important. But... Suki really wasn't supposed to be a negative OC. I didn't predict how much hate she would get, just because she got some from Ban-chan lol, but hey, he's a 15 year old boy ;).
Alright, I think I covered all the bases. Thank you for reviewing the chapters you read. I greatly appreciate the well thought out responses. I do feel loved and honored to be on your favorite's list :). Thank you ever so much again, and I do hope to hear from you next time. If I left anything unanswered, just ask me again and I'll get it right this time. Take care!
Me, just me: Oh man! You had to watch that dub! Bleh! In the dub, did they even specify that Jakotsu was a guy? I don't know if they did; I couldn't watch it all lol. I hope you get a chance to see those episodes in Japanese ;). I think my favorite Inuyasha character is Sesshoumaru, but Jakotsu is a close second. I always fall in love with the minor or side characters, so I never get enough of them. Sigh. I'm glad you like the ending and Renkotsu's punishment. I play with it some more here. I hope you like this, and thank you as always for reviewing! Take care!
Draechaeli: Hehehe, Jakotsu may get to be in charge for more than just a week ;). Thanks for reviewing! Glad you enjoyed the punishment phase. Take care!
Satsu: Lol, Lord of Dust bunnies and Sporks, huh. Well, I got a few dust bunnies under my bed that say they know no master ;) Guess you'll have to institute some martial law and show them who's boss. Glad you enjoyed the story. No, Moon Head can't die yet. He appears in Inuyasha and since I don't want this to be AU, he stays :(. Lol, but hey, with Renkotsu around, Jakotsu will have more people to tease ;). Thanks for reviewing! Take care!
JJ: LOL, you know, I never thought of that being the reason why Renkotsu wore a bandana. I thought he did it for coolness issues. I mean, Suikotsu, Bankotsu, and Jakotsu have a look going, while Renkotsu's just...bald. He needed something to jig him up (excuse my slang lol) so bandana it is ;). Yes, I did mean "vassal," I didn't even notice. I rely too much on spell check lol. What it doesn't underline and I don't catch in my quick proofreads, doesn't get fixed. Thank you for catching it for me. I'm really glad you enjoyed the story. I'm glad you like the added flavor of Jakotsu being half Portuguese. I knew I wanted someone to speak a different language, but it was a beast finding out just WHO was in the country during the Warring States Era that wouldn't be too far off to believe. Well, thank you for reviewing and take care! Hope to hear from you again!
YennieGurl: Hehehe, you'll see how Renkotsu reacts to being a man servant ;) and how Jakotsu responds to having a slave. Renkotsu has not directly been told about Suikotsu's condition, BUT at this point Suikotsu is confident Dr. Kaji will not be returning and Jakotsu and Bankotsu have taken his word for it. But in the series, Renkotsu is very aware of Suikotsu's problem, so somewhere in future Sodality stories there will have to be an episode. Lol, and Renkotsu is a bit too wary of Suikotsu to want to be alone with him for too long, and Suikotsu has made it clear that he doesn't like him. They will interact more, I promise. Thanks for reviewing girl, and take care!
Tareacel: Hey Missie! I thought I'd lost you. I kept kicking myself for not e-mailing that one update to you, when you kept asking me where it was and I was holding on to it. Yes, Renkotsu must obey Ja, or get his head chopped off ;). And yes, you will see some Renkotsu torture in this one lol. I couldn't give Ja control and just leave it at that without picking it back up. No, Jakotsu isn't stupid, but in the anime he does come off as being a bit dull. I just figured there had to be more to him than that, so I added it to the mix :). Lol, yes, Renkotsu is an excellent smooch-booty and one day I'm going to have him try his lips on Suikotsu's bum and see what happens ;). Well, here is the start of Ginkotsu. I hope it doesn't disappoint you :). Thanks for reviewing, and next time I tell you I'm holding a chapter, just yell at me to e-mail it to you directly. I get so lazy about posting sometimes, it's ridiculous. Take care!
Youkai Maiden: Hehehe, Renkotsu has talented lips ;). Oh, Jakotsu had a lot of chores for Renkotsu. The Bald One is going to find out just how busy Jakotsu is and what all he does for the upkeep of the house and its residents. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter, I hope you enjoy the new story! Thanks for reviewing!
Totchi: Hah! One of my friends had an experience where she thought this one boy was speaking Spanish and tried speaking it back to him and realized a moment later... that isn't Spanish. Renkotsu is my least favorite too, for the pure reason that he betrayed Jakotsu. I hate people that screw their friends or allies. Jakotsu seemed to trust him. Made me really mad, and I was glad Bankotsu killed him for him, though he seemed sad to do it. And next is: Ginkotsu, lol, as you can see. Thanks for reviewing! Take care!
D. Pearls: Lol! Renkotsu said: Nakka frakka... (Yosemite Sam from Looney Toons speech). I actually don't know what he said either, but it wasn't pretty and he wouldn't want it overheard, since he was just escaping certain death. I'm glad you liked the ending to the story and I hope you like this beginning to the next. I'm going to have fun with Renkotsu being a slave; maybe more fun than Jakotsu, muhahaha! Yes, Jakotsu can be deep when he wants to be and when doesn't mean to be. I'm going to get more into his character in this story. It's going to be a lot of work, but I'm excited. I've been ready to write this story long before I started writing Renkotsu's. Thanks for your insightful reviews and for keeping up with this series for so long. Take care!
MistressofHeaven: Lol, the time for punishment will extend as it amuses Bankotsu and Suikotsu ;). Glad you like the name decision, though Jakotsu didn't lol. Thanks for reviewing! Take care!
Torn Angel Wings: Wow, that sucks. So no foreign language at your school at all? Are you in high school or college? If you are in high school, then don't worry. In college you will get your selection of foreign languages and even get chances to study abroad. Yes, languages that use a roman alphabet are a tad easier than ones without lol. Lol, I loved that line too. Inuyasha's cute but that Houshi is sexy lol! I'm glad you saw the episodes, and I'm glad you like Sodality. I hope you enjoy "Ginkotsu." Take care.
Gerbil: Awww... Well, I'm glad that something I wrote could improve a mood ;). Thankee so much! I hope you enjoy the new story. Take care and thank you for review!
Riftwar-Slave: Thanks. I always feel like I'm either wrapping things up too neatly or leaving too many things in the wind. Yes, Bankotsu and Jakotsu are getting along again...for now, and Renkotsu's punishment will be fun :D. Lol, Suikotsu will be coming back into the story full force. I'm sorry Suikotsu was MIA. He was sulking, but he may be getting a POV in the next story. I think with each installment I want to start adding new POVs. We'll see. Take care and thank you so much for reviewing. I hope you like the prologue.
Makotsu the Shichinin-chick: Lol, Renkotsu's bald head indeed. Jakotsu is honored to be called awesome; he wants to print it out and wave it at Renkotsu: Look! That's me. :). Thank you so much for your compliments :). Take care and thank you for reviewing!
SpinningAvia: Renkotsu will be Jakotsu's slave for longer than a week for as long as Bankotsu and Suikotsu find Renkotsu's torture hilarious. I'm happy you enjoyed the close of "Renkotsu" and I hope you will enjoy the beginning "Ginkotsu." Take care and thank you for reviewing!
Sunny's the name: Lol, yes, I will continue with a fifth and sixth... I may do a 7th and an 8th, but if I do the 8th, it will be an after Sodality run that will take place during the Inuyasha series after they've been brought back to life. It will be very AU, because I plan to make some changes to the main Inuyasha plot in that story ;). We'll see what happens. I'm glad you like the story enough to want to see so much more of it. It encourages me to keep going and never end it. Lol, for some reason I hear some sarcasm in your pity for Renkotsu ;). Thanks for reviewing! Take care!
Sodality Arc 4
"Ginkotsu"
Prologue
Bankotsu and Suikotsu looked up from their lunches as Renkotsu padded into the room wearing a... Bankotsu snickered as Suikotsu guffawed without abandon... dress. Long pins and bands of silk marked areas that would need to be taken in or let out and spots of ink spoke of where silk flowers would blossom from the fabric.
"Is it me, or is Jakotsu's taste getting more... extravagant?" Suikotsu raised a brow at Bankotsu, after he'd recovered from his fit of laughter.
Bankotsu wiped the tears from his eyes with a meat-juice stained sleeve, sniffling as his nose ran. "I think he may be inspired by his... model."
Bankotsu and Suikotsu chuckled again, smiling innocently at Renkotsu as he sat across from them at the square, sandy wood table, examining the entrees carefully before dishing himself healthy helpings of rice, vegetables, and venison.
"We missed you at breakfast, Renkotsu," Suikotsu teased viciously. "Not hungry this morning?"
Renkotsu stared at the man flatly while deftly stuffing his face with the meal. "Jakotsu wanted a morning bath and he refuses to bathe in used or cold water."
The corners of Bankotsu's mouth twitched spasmodically. "Didn't he take a bath last night?"
Renkotsu was almost through with his lunch, pausing only to wipe his mouth on a used cloth near Suikotsu's arm. "He felt like having another."
"Renkotsu!"
Renkotsu cringed at Jakotsu's call, as Bankotsu battled more laughter. Suikotsu gave a wicked grin, gazing at Renkotsu in amusement. "Did you run away, Renkotsu?"
Renkotsu groaned lightly. "This is my first decent meal all day! There's barely any time to eat; he always has something for me to do!"
"He's just making good use out of you, being efficient as you'd say. Jakotsu is a busy person and it's nice that someone wants to help him share some of his heavy load," Suikotsu teased. "I misjudged you, Renkotsu."
Renkotsu glared in annoyance before turning to make a plea to Bankotsu. "Oo-aniki, we depart for the sea soon, and I have important things that I must prepare for our trip. Jakotsu is giving me no time to myself!"
Four days into punishment and Renkotsu was already cracking under Jakotsu's reign. It was a cruel and unusual form of torture that Bankotsu found most entertaining. Suikotsu had forgiven him for not killing Renkotsu almost immediately after coming in to find Renkotsu splattered in green paint, trying to paint the walls to Jakotsu's liking.
Days and nights of filling and warming Jakotsu's baths, gathering the ingredients and learning how to make Jakotsu's soaps and shampoos, painting walls, being a clothes horse for Jakotsu to shape his garments around, scrubbing everything in the house until Jakotsu could see his reflection in it, and doing all of the laundry had left Renkotsu exhausted.
"There you are!" Jakotsu pranced into the room wearing a light green yukata he'd cut short to fall only to his knees. He went to the windows, pulling open the wispy curtains he'd had Renkotsu's help in hanging up and frowning at the dreary picture outdoors.
The skies were gray and misty, thick, dark clouds threatening to spill rain.
Jakotsu made a face and sighed at the weather, placing his hands on narrow hips and turning to face the group at the table. Bankotsu helped himself to a 4th serving of food, ignoring the pig impressions Suikotsu was directing at him.
Renkotsu hurriedly shoveled the last of his lunch into his mouth, rising dutifully and waiting for Jakotsu's orders.
Jakotsu scowled at Bankotsu and at the mess he was dropping onto the table as he ate sloppily, before looking at Renkotsu. "If you wanted to eat, all you had to do was say so. I would have had you take off my kimono. You could have ruined it."
"I'm sorry," Renkotsu said. "But... ah... I was afraid you'd come up with something more for me to do, if I drew your attention back to me. I didn't think you truly needed me; you were quite content with your sewing."
Ooh, wrong thing to say, Renkotsu, Bankotsu thought gleefully, anxious to see Jakotsu's ire unleashed on someone else besides him.
Jakotsu's face was void of expression, which usually foretold of evil things to come. "Trying to get away from me, were you?"
"Don't put it that way..." Renkotsu raised his hands in a placating manner.
"Well how else should I put it? Honestly, one would think I have you doing hard labor. Bankotsu, Renkotsu is supposed to be my slave, and he is being disobedient!" Jakotsu lowered himself gracefully to the floor, scooting to the table and peering at the food choices.
"Then discipline him," Bankotsu said simply, belching softly and pounding his chest with a fist.
"That is your solution to everything," Jakotsu pouted, "but maybe you are right."
"Damn straight he's right," Suikotsu grunted. "You should take baldy outside and give him a good beating. Hey, if you don't want to, I'll do it for you. I'm through here, not that I could eat more if I wanted to. Bankotsu has just about cleared the table."
Bankotsu growled, chewing a bean sprout and eyeing the serving dishes. There was still food; he knew that because he was planning on polishing the rest of it off, if no one else made a move for it.
Renkotsu cleared his throat, claiming the attention of Bankotsu, Jakotsu and Suikotsu. "Um, if I may speak..."
"Can he, Jakotsu?" Bankotsu asked, batting his lashes at Jakotsu who pushed him.
"Yes, Renkotsu may speak– but make it quick, Moon Head; I want to finish that kimono you are wearing."
Suikotsu let out a sharp bark of a laugh at Jakotsu's irritated manner. He grabbed a clean plate and scrapped what was left of the rice, meat, and vegetables onto it and pushed it toward Jakotsu.
Renkotsu cleared his throat again, ignoring Suikotsu's dark look. "I have done everything that you've requested of me, Jakotsu to the best of my abilities. If you're not satisfied, maybe it's because you've been giving me...so many tasks. I could better perform a few of them at once rather than 30. I've got so much of my own work to do that I haven't done, I feel overwhelmed."
Jakotsu took the offered plate and Bankotsu passed him a pair of chopsticks. "You do?"
"Yes," Renkotsu breathed, sounding hopeful. Bankotsu snickered; one of the pins was escaping his dress and any minute he was going to plop back down right on top of it.
"I know my punishment is very lenient and I am very grateful for it, but we have a trip to make in a short time. I was just telling Oo-aniki that there are things that I need to do," Renkotsu continued his appeal. "So, maybe if you could reduce my workload..."
Jakotsu frowned, stirring the food round and round on his plate much to Bankotsu's delight. Jakotsu refused to eat foods that touched one another, and they were out of seconds. "Oh, but I only get you for the week, and there is so much you could help me do. I was just trying to squeeze everything in this week. Perhaps, if I had more time with you..."
Suikotsu smirked. "Yeah, Renkotsu, you could always be his slave for a month, instead of just a week."
Renkotsu choked. "A month..."
"No, no, a month's too much. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy." Bankotsu was shaking his head and Renkotsu sighed in relief.
Bankotsu took Jakotsu's plate, shrinking away from his glare. "Face it, Ja, you're a slave driver, but if Renkotsu says he's too busy to do what needs to be done, the only way to fix the problem is to extend his sentence."
The smoldering flames in Jakotsu's gray eyes cooled. "I want another week with him."
"Done," Bankotsu said, gobbling Jakotsu's untouched food. "Renkotsu, you're his slave next week too, and if you still think he's giving you too much to do... we'll go for the month. I'll pity you, but hey, you do what you gotta."
Renkotsu's face paled as his mouth flapped opened and closed. "I... But..."
"I will finish my kimono and let you off for the rest of the afternoon. Then I will need you to drain the bath and refill it with fresh water. I want to bathe again tonight, and you are going to have to do a better job heating the water. It was too hot last night and not hot enough this morning."
Bankotsu smirked as Renkotsu sat down hard, yelping at the sharp pin poking his hide.
Suikotsu and Bankotsu cackled as Jakotsu shouted indignantly. "You are getting blood on my kimono! You can forget having the afternoon off, Moon Head! You are on wash duty!"
"Jakotsu, it's only a little bit! I have paths to plot and I need to decide what riches to take to trade and..."
"And nothing! I expect to see you outside after you have cleaned up after yourself!" Jakotsu stalked toward the front door, letting himself out and cursing under his breath in his native tongue all the way.
Bankotsu licked his plate clean and set it on the table, meeting Suikotsu's amused eyes then turning toward a sulking Renkotsu.
"Oo-aniki... I beg of you to reconsider. Jakotsu is... He's..." Renkotsu couldn't find a word to describe Jakotsu, but it was ok. Bankotsu completely understood, and it pleased him greatly.
"Renkotsu, you are being punished. You're not supposed to enjoy it."
"But we have work to do!"
"And you'll get that done too," Bankotsu shrugged. "You have to be able to multitask. And..."
"And?" Renkotsu leaned in, retracting the pin from his bum and rubbing at it.
"You want Jakotsu to come along, don't you?" Bankotsu asked.
Renkotsu was very interested in Jakotsu's bilingual abilities and the lucrative deals they could earn in dealing with foreign traders.
"Yes, of course, and he said he would..."
"Yes, he said he would... days ago. Piss him off now, and he'll change his mind," Bankotsu said pointedly, enjoying the sick expression on Renkotsu's face.
"He would, wouldn't he?" Renkotsu asked, not really talking to Bankotsu as he nibbled his nails. "Damn."
Suikotsu purred. "Good thing you don't seem to mind wearing dresses. Can't wait til he puts you in one of those short outfits he's been favoring as of late."
Renkotsu groaned, burying his face in his hands.
"Renkotsu, I am waiting!" Jakotsu's peeved voice drifted in through the door.
Bankotsu and Suikotsu were quiet as Renkotsu rose slowly, walking toward the door like a man going to meet his executioner.
They managed not to laugh until Renkotsu left, shutting the door behind him.
"Bankotsu, we need to make sure Renkotsu is still a slave for the trip," Suikotsu said, snorting as he tried to breathe and laugh at the same time.
"I'm already thinking of reasons to extend the punishment," Bankotsu tittered.
They turned to the open window, watching Jakotsu leading Renkotsu to the bath house. They looked like two maidens, one tall and willowy the other stocky and bald, out to pick flowers.
Bankotsu gazed at Suikotsu again before they cracked up, rolling over each on the wooden floor.
This had potential to be one entertaining journey that Bankotsu didn't think he'd be forgetting anytime soon.
Author's Note: Like it? Hate it? Don't care either way? Either way, let me know. Please review!