Now the story can really begin. I hope you enjoy this part too, and if you do or do not, please tell me why. See disclaimer, warnings and all other stuff from the beginning of part one.

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Bankotsu stared at his parents' retreating car in disbelief. So in order for them to go on a luxury cruise and my sister to have a party with her friends, I'm being dumped in a boys' summer camp? Nice going, Mom, Dad... He sighed and grabbed his large bag. Now then, I guess the big red cabin is where I should be heading. Bankotsu, who was short but very handsome for his age of fourteen, looked around in the large yard of Camp Kurisutaru,his home for the next two weeks. There was the big red cabin, probably containing the sleeping quarters of the camp leaders, and many small brown ones. Bankotsu was trying to see if any other boys of his age were around, when he heard noise from behind the nearest brown cabin.

"Keep that up and I'll have your ass for breakfast, you little freak."

It was the harsh, tough voice of someone who enjoyed threatening others and Bankotsu had heard the same tone many times before. He sneaked closer to hear who was the one being tortured. The next voice surprised him, for it was high and feminine, completely out of place.

"If you like my ass so much," it said with a confident tone that made Bankotsu's eyes go wide, "why don't you just strip yourself and show me what you got?" That was followed by few annoyed grunts and the bright laughter of the feminine voice, which suddenly ended with loud slap.

"You little bitch! Guys, hold the creep while I teach him some manners." The first voice was thoroughly insulted and had a dangerous edge of madness in it.

Bankotsu's instinct to help the victim grew larger than the one of self-preservation, and he stepped away from the corner, behind which he had been hiding. "Hey assholes, why don't you teach me something instead?"

The bullies turned towards him in surprise; there were three of them and two were holding the victim, a slender boy with tied-up black hair, between them. The boy was half-unconscious and blood was dripping from his lower lip. The bullies stared at Bankotsu, before looking at each other and bursting into a roar of laughter. "You think you gonna beat us, shorty? Whatcha gonna do, slap us with your pretty braid?"

Bankotsu suddenly saw red; jokes about his size he could take, but his hair was his weak point. "Come here and I'll show you."

The bullies smirked and at the nod of their leader, their earlier victim was dumped on the ground. The boy didn't get up, but Bankotsu decided to worry about him later. Right now three guys, almost twice his size, were heading towards him, and cracking their knuckles. The fourteen year old put his right hand behind his back and closed it around the small knife in the pocket of his jeans. Suddenly all three attacked, yelling at Bankotsu, and he pulled the knife out. With a lightning-fast movement he managed to scratch the leader's hand.

The larger boy stopped dead and so did his fellows. "Ow!" he yelled, holding his hand. The other two were casting wary looks at Bankotsu, who was poised to attack again if needed. Turned out there was no need; the leader didn't want to risk more injuries. "This isn't over, pretty boy," he grunted and walked away with his followers.

After they had disappeared behind the corner, Bankotsu let himself collapse against the back wall of the cabin. Way to go, you've been here for five minutes and are already on the black list of some violent jerks. The black-haired boy on the ground moaned. Bankotsu stopped lecturing himself and went over to the other boy, who seemed to have fainted. There was definitely something strange about him; he wore black eyeliner and red lipstick, which was now spread around his mouth in a crimson stain, and his black jeans and top would have been at home in Bankotsu's older sister's closet. No wonder he got beaten up in a place like this... But damn, he's pretty. The fourteen year old blushed at his thoughts and decided to wake the other boy.

Bankotsu reached his hand towards the taller boy, intending to give him a gentle shake. Instead, he was scared shitless when the boy suddenly grabbed his wrist and opened his eyes.

"Stay away from me." His high voice was more sober now and it was filled with anger.

Bankotsu pulled his hand away and took few nervous steps back when the boy sat up. "I, I'm sorry... I just wanted to help. You alright?" He was rewarded with an ice cold glare.

"Like you care." The older boy got to his feet, trembling slightly.

Bankotsu didn't know what to say; he found himself staring at this unusually pretty male from head to toe. He looks so familiar, Bankotsu noted, like I've seen him before somewhere.

The taller boy turned his sharp eyes to Bankotsu, who quickly dropped his gaze to ground. "For your information, I can take care of myself perfectly fine and I have no need for a knight in shining armor. And even less for a kid like you," the boy said.

Bankotsu looked up, insulted. "The fact I'm a bit short doesn't mean I'm a kid."

The effeminate boy stared at him for a while. He didn't smile, but some kind of flame was lit in his dark eyes. He started taking steps towards Bankotsu, who nervously backed away. "Oh really? Then how old are you, if I may ask?"

Bankotsu had a feeling this strange boy could be much more dangerous than a few thick-headed bullies, and he tried hard not to fall while walking backwards. "I'm fourteen, not that it's any of your business."

A cold smirk appeared on tall boy's face. "Oh sweetie... You're gonna get eaten alive here."

Bankotsu felt the back wall of cabin behind his back; he was cornered now and other boy still came closer.

"And if you don't stop sticking your nose in my business, I might be the one to eat you. Understand?"

They were inches away from each other now; Bankotsu knew he could use his knife but somehow it would have seemed wrong to attack the guy he had just helped.

Just then, a loud bell rang and they heard a man shouting nearby.

"Hey, everyone to the main cabin now! It's time to get this ball rolling! Or something. The point is, get your asses in here!"

The taller boy glanced at Bankotsu and hesitated for a second before stepping away. "Just remember to stay out of my way, will ya?" he said, and then he was gone.

Bankotsu stared after him with an open mouth. Then the bell rang again and he was shaken into reality. Grabbing his bag, and still wondering about the other boy, Bankotsu walked into the red cabin.

It was full of other boys from thirteen to seventeen years, and most of them were at least half a foot taller than him. The boy with make-up was nowhere to be seen, but in the middle of the large room were three adults, eyeing the boys all around them. Two of them, a middle-aged man and woman, were sitting on chairs behind a table. The third one, a young man with brown hair and a friendly smile, was casually leaning against it. The young man was first one to open his mouth and Bankotsu noticed his voice was the same he had heard shouting earlier. "I think we're pretty much all here. Now then, if you've got any idea of who you want to bunk with, please gather in groups... No more than four in one group!"

The boys started a chaotic search for their friends; small fights were started over who would share the cabin with whom. With a nasty, helpless feeling in his stomach, Bankotsu walked alone towards the wall. Finally the mess was settling down and he was relieved to see he wasn't the only one alone. Some of the younger boys were standing away from the groups and the older camp leaders looked satisfied.

The brown-haired man took control again. "Okay, thanks! And now for you who don't have roommates yet, I'm just gonna divide you into random groups to share the cabin with... It's supposed to be a good way to make new friends," he added with a little sarcastic tone and a glance towards his older colleagues. Without another word, he walked in the middle of the lonely boys and started to divide them into groups. Bankotsu watched with great interest how half a dozen groups of three or four boys were born, before realizing he was left outside because of his place near the wall. Panic rising inside him, he stepped out and snapped his fingers a bit to get the leader's attention. The young man turned to look at him. "Oh, I didn't notice you there! Sorry. Now let's see, we have... Nineteen groups in total, so one more cabin is still free..." His eyes wandered to the other side of room. "Ha! Tried to hide from me, Jakotsu? Come, you share the cabin with this one here," he said to someone, pointing at Bankotsu. A figure stepped out from shadows and Bankotsu's stomach jumped violently. It's him... I'm so screwed, he thought as his new roommate walked to him with a look of cold amusement on his pretty face.

"I'm taking the lower bed," Jakotsu announced as they entered the cabin number fourteen.

Bankotsu was practically going insane while trying not to stare at the older boy. "Huh? Umm, sure." Usually everyone wants the higher bed. Maybe he's afraid of heights. He almost laughed aloud at this; Jakotsu didn't look like someone who was afraid of things. More like someone who appeared bored as hell all the time, before snapping your spine in half when you turned your back.

"So, seeing as you aren't able to stay out of my way, it might be practical to know your name. Unless you want me to call you 'Kid' for the next two weeks."

Bankotsu looked up; Jakotsu was actually looking at him, not interested but at least realizing he existed. "No thanks, I get that enough at home. My name's Bankotsu."

The taller boy's eyes narrowed a bit and he seemed to think deeply for a moment. Then he relaxed. "Okay." He lay down on his bed.

Bankotsu grew less nervous when it seemed he wasn't gonna get eaten that exact moment. "Can I ask you something... Jakotsu, right?"

The older boy closed his eyes. "Yeah?"

The fourteen year old gathered his courage. "How come the leader guy seemed to know you? We won't have the 'get to know each other'-thing until later."

Jakotsu took a deep breath. "Well... I've been here before. And he's the son of those two old geezers, his name's Suikotsu. He's alright, but his parents, who are the actual leaders here, have some issues. Like the whole 'let's put complete strangers in same cabin and see if they become friends or kill each other'-idea. They seem to find it lots of fun. If I were you, I'd stay away from them. It won't be hard, since Suikotsu does all the real work around here." He fell silent.

Bankotsu was amazed, not about the things Jakotsu had told him, but about the fact he had actually spoken to him without threatening to kill him. I guess it's progress.

That night Bankotsu was laying on his bed, near the roof, and thought about the camp meeting that had taken place earlier, after supper. He and Jakotsu hadn't exactly gone together, but ended up sitting at the same table none-the-less. Everyone else stared at them with an unwelcoming look on their faces. After listening to the quiet muttering around them, Bankotsu had realized that many of the older boys were unhappy with the way he had stood up for Jakotsu against the group of bullies. Apparently Jakotsu was too much of a weirdo for their liking. And as for the younger boys, they were scared of getting beaten up and had adopted the views of their dictators, making both Jakotsu and Bankotsu pretty much outcasts. Outcasts with a risk of getting our asses kicked.

Bankotsu didn't think for a second that the older boy would defend him against the enemy, but was nevertheless happy he wasn't the only one being under threat of violence; it made situation more bearable. Like the time when he was younger and afraid of dark in their new home after the moving. On the first night he had stayed up until three AM, wincing at every mysterious creak, and not daring to close his eyes. Then his cat had come into the room and jumped on his bed; suddenly it wasn't so scary anymore. The presence of another creature, even a cat, in the same room made the darkness less threatening and the creaks became just the normal voices of the old house. Later, Bankotsu had learned it was part of human nature, ever since the time our ancestors had lived in small packs, under the security of the whole group.

His wandering thoughts were distracted by a soft whimper from the lower bed. Jakotsu had fallen asleep right after shutting the lights, while Bankotsu had continued gazing at the roof above him. But now it seemed the pale boy was talking in his sleep; Bankotsu heard incoherent mumbling and restless movements. After hesitating a bit, he quietly sat up and leaned over the edge of his bed to take a look. Jakotsu had pushed his blanket off; he was dressed in a white t-shirt and black silk boxers and he wore a restless expression on his face. Now that his hair was free, Bankotsu saw it was longer than he had thought. Jakotsu's fingers were twitching and a frown shadowed his flawless features. Even without makeup, he could be mistaken for a girl... Bankotsu found himself scanning the tall, slim body and blushed again. This is so not good...

Jakotsu started mumbling again. The younger boy held his breath to hear some of the quiet words. "No... Don't... Fire... Wait... Bastards!" Suddenly he punched the wall with his left fist and immediately sat up; making Bankotsu pull his head back up in shock. "Shit! Ooooowwww..." Jakotsu moaned below him and he lay back down as quietly as he could, his heart beating like a rabbit's. He almost gave me a stroke! The taller boy was cursing to himself. Suddenly he raised his voice a bit. "Bankotsu?"

The owner of the name was petrified and did his best to pretend to be asleep as he heard Jakotsu getting up from his bed. Bankotsu could hear his roommate's soft breathing as he stood up and turned to watch the boy in the higher bed.

"Hey? You awake?"

Bankotsu didn't answer.

The older boy sighed and yawned. "Sleeps like the dead..." he muttered.

Bankotsu heard a soft creak and felt the bed swing a little. What's he doing?! Next thing he knew there was a strand of Jakotsu's hair tickling his cheek. The strange boy was bending over his head, looking at his "sleeping" face.

Bankotsu could feel the eyes looking him over and was strongly tempted to crack his eyes open and scream, just to see Jakotsu's face. He's so close... The younger boy hoped his heartbeats weren't too loud. Then, just as suddenly as he had climbed up, Jakotsu jumped back down and stepped quietly out of door, most likely to visit the outdoor toilet. Bankotsu opened his eyes and let out a deep breath. That was... weird. To his surprise he realized it didn't feel weird in a bad way. Of course it's bad! He's staring at me while I'm asleep! Just then his subconscious decided to remind him he had done the exact same thing while Jakotsu was dreaming. This left his protesting side speechless and he could focus his mind on the main thing. Why didn't it feel bad? Bankotsu wondered. This question made him feel a bit uneasy, as if he didn't really want to know the answer. Maybe I'm just going crazy. By the time Jakotsu got back inside and crawled under his sheets, Bankotsu had already fallen asleep, his thoughts floating in a chaotic circle.

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To be continued in part three: Past and present