Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Sunday April 14, 1912

It was a bright clear day, sunlight splashing across the promenade. The scent of the ocean air flowed through the corridors.

Jakotsu and Abi sat with their private promenade in silence eating breakfast. Kagura poured them some tea and bowed as she took here leave at the wave of Abi's hand. Jakotsu, however, seemed lost as he stared out the open window towards the horizon.

"I had hoped you would share the room with me last night," Abi spoke, breaking his train of though.

"I was tired," Jakotsu responded flatly.

Abi's eyes became sharp, "Yes. Your exertions below decks were no doubt exhausting…"

Jakotsu jerked his head in her direction with shock, his spine stiffening, "I see you had that undertaker of a manservant follow me… How typical."

"You will NEVER behave like that again, Jakotsu. Do you understand?"

Jakotsu clenched his fists on his lap, holding back his anger as much as possible, "I'm not some dog of yours that you could command. I'm your FIANCEE—"

Abi then completely lost her patience. She quickly knocked the table over, sending the china crashing and shattering across the floor. She then towered over him, one hand gripping at the arm of the chair, the other at his neck.

"YES YOU ARE, AND MY HUSBAND!!" She completely exploded, her true nature showing, "My husband by practice if not by law, so you WILL respect me!! I will NOT be made a fool!! Is this in any way unclear??"

Without waiting for an answer, she stormed back to the main stateroom. Jakotsu sank into his chair, his heart racing and body trembling. Kagura quickly ran onto the promenade to his side, picking up the shards of china and looking to Jakotsu with sympathy. He knelt down to help her, but she stopped him, "Please, sir… It's alright."

"I'm sorry, Kagura… We just had a little… accident…"

Jakotsu moved around his room, getting dressed for the day. His heart ached from the earlier events and his head pounded. However, his mind trailed to the previous evening with Bankotsu, a grin slowly spreading across his face.

His thoughts were then disrupted when his mother stormed into the room. He quickly turned around with a sharp glare, his voice somewhat cold, "Geez… Can't you even knock?"

Kaguya ignored the rhetorical question and approached her son, "You are never to see that boy again. I forbid it."

Jakotsu instantly knew who she was referring to, "Cut the shit, Mother. You'll give yourself a nosebleed."

She quickly grabbed her son's arm tightly, inflicting slight pain as she forced him to look at her, "Jakotsu, this is NOT a game. Our situation is precarious. You know the money's gone."

"Of course I know it's gone," Jakotsu snorted, "You remind me everyday."

"Your father left us nothing but a legacy of bad debts hidden by a good name. That name is the only card we have to play… I don't understand you. It is a fine match with Abi. It will ensure our survival."

Jakotsu's rage kept building, "Then why don't YOU find a spouse?? How can you put this on my shoulders!?"

Kaguya's eyes leaked fear as she stared at her son, "Do you want to see me working as a seamstress? Is that what you want? Do you want to see our fine things sold at auction… our memories scattered to the winds?? Don't be so selfish, Jakotsu."

"I'M being selfish!?"

"With the lifestyle you chose, it's the only option. End of discussion."

Jakotsu's body shook slightly with anger, but he took a deep breath, knowing there was nothing more he could say to persuade his mother to think otherwise, "… It's so unfair…"

"Life is unfair, and choices are never easy…"

Left in silence, Jakotsu slipped on his shoes and walked out the door.

Within the first class dining saloon, a divine service was being held. Many passengers sat in rows, singing to a hymn lead by the captain of the ship. Jakotsu's voice cracked slightly as he tried his best to keep his emotion hidden. Naraku stood towards the back of the room, keeping an eye on him. His attention was then trailed off to some commotion towards the entry doors.

He could see Bankotsu being given a hard time by two stewards blocking the doorway.

"Look, you, you're not supposed to be in here," one steward tried turning him away.

"I was just here last night," Bankotsu argued, "Don't you remember??"

"No. I do not."

Bankotsu then caught sight of Naraku walking towards him, "He'll tell you!"

Naraku shook his head, holding out forty dollars, "Ms. Abi Shimazu and Sir Orikasa continue to be most appreciative of your assistance. They asked me to give you this in gratitude."

"Please, I don't want your money," Bankotsu refused, "I—"

"Also, they wanted me to remind you that you hold a third class ticket and you presence here is no longer appropriate."

Bankotsu leaned off to the side a bit, catching sight of Jakotsu who still had his back turned, "I just need to talk to Jakotsu for a—"

Naraku quickly cut him off, handing a twenty to each of the stewards, "Gentlemen, please see that Mr. Kusao gets back to where he belongs and that he stays there."

"Yes, sir," one of them agreed, "Come along, you."

Each of the stewards took hold of Bankotsu and hustled him out the door, never even knowing that anything was taking place. Abi and Kaguya nodded towards Naraku as the hymn came to an end.

"… O hear us when we cry to thee, for those in peril on the sea…"

Bankotsu walked with determination along the deck, Inuyasha and Miroku following close behind. He quickly climbed the steps to B-deck and hopped the gate which separated 3rd class from 2nd class.

"Bankotsu," Miroku tried to reason, "He's in another world. Forget about it. He closed the door on you."

Bankotsu shook his head, moving toward the all below the A-deck promenade, "It was them, not him… Hey, think you could give me a lift?"

Miroku sighed slightly and put his hands together, crouching down. Bankotsu stepped onto them and was lifted up, scrambling over the rail onto the first class deck.

"He's not being logical," Miroku said to Inuyasha.

"That's Bankotsu for ya. The reckless youth."

Bankotsu quickly moved behind a large deck crane, spotting a hat and overcoat lying on a chair a short distance away from him. He quickly snatched the two items and put them on, trying to blend in the best he could. He planned to find Jakotsu at all costs.

Jakotsu, Abi, and Kaguya walked along the deck with Mr. Andrews, getting a tour of the grand ship. Jakotsu remained silent, paying more attention to the water below more than anything else. Along the way, the wireless operator hustled around Andrews to the captain of the ship, handing him a small sheet of paper.

"It's another ice warning, sir," the operator informed, "This one is from the Baltic."

"Thank you, Sparks," the captain acknowledged with a nod, placing the notice into his pocket.

Kaguya glanced towards Captain Smith with a somewhat uneasy look splattered across her face. Smith simply smiled with reassurance, "Oh, not to worry. It's quite normal for this time of year. In fact, we're speeding up. I've just ordered the last boilers lit."

Andrews scowled slightly before motioning the group towards the door. As they continued on, Jakotsu overheard two of the crewmen talking behind him.

"Did we ever find those binoculars for the look outs?"

"Haven't seen them since Southampton…"

Jakotsu then returned his attention to Andrews as they walked along the boat deck. He then posed a thought in his head, speaking up, "Um… Mr. Andrews, I did the sum in my head, and with the number of lifeboats times the capacity you mentioned… Forgive me, but it seems that there are not enough for everyone aboard…"

"About half, actually," Andrews responded, "Jakotsu, you miss nothing, do you? In fact, I put in these new type davits, which can take and extra row of boats here. But it was thought… by some… that the deck would look too cluttered. So, I was over-ruled."

Abi then slapped the side of one of the lifeboats, "It's a waste of deck space as it is on an unsinkable ship."

"Sleep soundly, young Jakotsu. I have built you a good ship, strong and true. She's got all the lifeboats you need."

As they continued to walk along the deck, a man turned from the rail and walked up behind the group, tapping Jakotsu's arm slightly. Jakotsu jumped slightly from surprise and turned around, seeing Bankotsu. The younger man motioned for him to follow away from the group toward a door which he held open. Jakotsu walked in without a word, Bankotsu closing the door behind them and glancing out the rippled window to make sure no one had seen.

"Bankotsu," Jakotsu spoke softly, "… This is impossible… I can't see you…"

He tried to walk away, but the younger man quickly stopped him and had him look at him, "Jakotsu, you're no picnic… You're a spoiled little brat even, but under that you're a strong, pure heart, and you're the most amazing person I've ever known and—"

"Bankotsu, please—"

"No wait. Let me try to get this out… Every since I met you… I… I don't know. I've felt feelings that I've never felt before. And for a man, no less. But it doesn't matter. To me, you're amazing. I know that I'm not up to your standards, but… I'm involved now. You jump, I jump, remember? I can't turn away without knowing that you're going to be alright…"

Jakotsu's eyes stung as tears threatened to fall, "You're making this so very hard… I'll be fine. Really…"

"I don't think so… They've got you in a glass jar like some butterfly, and you're going to die if you don't break free. Maybe not right away, 'cause you're strong. But sooner or later the fire within you is going to burn out…"

"… It's not up to you to save me, Bankotsu…"

"You're right… Only you can do that."

"Please, Bankotsu… I have to go back… For both our sakes, just leave me alone…"

Jakotsu quickly slipped away from the younger man and walked out the door, leaving Bankotsu behind with a slight frown.

Jakotsu sat on a divan in the first class lounge, listening to Kaguya converse with a few other women as they sipped tea. He remained silent and still like a porcelain figurine, various thoughts flowing through his mind.

"Of course the invitations had to be sent back to the printers twice," Kaguya gossiped, "Not to mention the tux and dresses for the wedding… Let me tell you what and odyssey that has been."

"Shut up…" Jakotsu thought in his mind.

He turned his attention away, spotting a woman with her child, teaching them correct posture and etiquette. It disgusted him. As he lifted the teacup to his lips, his hand trembled slightly with anger, then deliberately spilled some of the tea on himself, "Damn…"

"Jakotsu?" Kaguya shifted her attention to him for a moment.

"How clumsy of me," Jakotsu faked, "Please excuse me. I'm going to go clean off."

He then quickly made his way out of the lounge, leaving his mother staring questionably.

Bankotsu stood at the bow of the ship, leaning on the rail and looking out on the horizon as the sun was beginning to set. The chilling ocean air brushed along his face and helped him clear his mind a bit. However, a soft voice caught him off guard.

"… Hello, Bankotsu…"

Bankotsu quickly turned around to see Jakotsu standing there, a soft grin apparent and his cheeks slightly pink from the chilled air. His black hair draped over his sparkling eyes as he looked at the younger man, "I changed my mind."

Bankotsu smiled, taking a step towards him. Jakotsu smiled softly, "Inuyasha said you might be up—"

"Shhh… Come here," Bankotsu spoke softly, holding out his hand.

Jakotsu smiled warmly, stepping forward and accepting his gesture. Within a moment, they were even close enough to kiss, causing the older man to blush slightly. Bankotsu grinned before speaking once again, "Close your eyes…"

Jakotsu did as he was told, closing his eyes as Bankotsu made his way behind him, placing his hands on his waist. He guided him along the rail before lifting him up slightly until he was steadily balanced on one of the bars, pressing his body against the other to keep him safe. Softly, he moved his hands along the older man's arms and slowly spread them out as if to create wings. Once he was still, he released him and returned his hands to the other's hips, stepping onto the rail as well.

"Do you trust me?" Bankotsu's voice was soft.

"I trust you," Jakotsu responded.

"Ok… Open them."

Jakotsu gasped at the sight before him. There was nothing in his vision but water, almost as if the ship had disappeared and they were soaring through the sky. The Atlantic rolled beneath him as they moved toward the crimson sky.

"I'm flying!" Jakotsu couldn't believe it. Around Bankotsu, everything was right with the world. Everything was perfect.

Bankotsu smiled at him, pressing his body slightly closer to other man. He pressed his cheek lightly against his ear and sang softly, "You're here, there's nothing I fear…"

Jakotsu smiled softly as he felt Bankotsu's hands move from his waist up along his side out to his arms, soon tangling his fingers with his own. He could feel himself surrendering to the younger man, leaning back against his chest. Bankotsu took in his sweet scent slightly as the other turned his face towards him, their lips barely touching. The older man lowered his arms, causing the other to wrap his arms around his waist from behind.

Before they knew it, their lips met in a soft and tender kiss. Jakotsu then gave in completely, tilting his head back to deepen the kiss, surrendering to Bankotsu, to the emotion, to the inevitable. The same went for the younger man as the kiss became more and more passionate.

Jakotsu felt so warm in his embrace. Was this what love felt like? No… He had only known him for a couple days… Yet he felt as if he knew him for his entire life. This man with the long braided hair; this man with the soft tan skin… He indeed had fallen deeply in love…

Author's note: Sorry the major delay. College is very time consuming. R&R please, and check out future chapters