disclaimer
I, Kagura Fuujinnomai do not own Bankotsu, Jakotsu, or any of the other characters associated with the Inuyasha series.
(Although I wish I did own those adorable, wonderful, super kawaii, sexy little sons of...ahem! anyways)
I get nothing from writing my Fanfics.
I am simply a fangirl who wishes to share her passion with the rest of the world
- sincerely,

Kagura Fuujinnomai

(AN. This is the final flashback chapter. We're getting to the good stuff! Okay, I admit it. This chapter is secretly meant to be Fan Service! XD Shameless naughty fan service! But it is still important of course! If you're not mature enough to appreciate guy on guy yumminess, please just skip that scene! Thank you.

Ps. Special thanks to Kira for her helpful advice!)


Not For All The World

Chapter Nine: "Training"

"Su-chan, this must mean a lot to you if you got up the guts to tell me over the telephone!"

Bankotsu looked over at his lover as he chatted animatedly on his cell phone. He didn't like the sounds of this conversation at all. He could only hear half of it, but he already loathed the direction it was moving in.

Jakotsu continued; oblivious.
"What?! Come stay at your new place in America? What do you mean? Well I thought you just wanted me to attend the wedding! No, no of course I'd like to catch up with you. What do you mean you've already bought the plane tickets?! Okay okay, fine! I won't keep you! I'm sure I'll be able to come, but why such short notice?! Fine, yes. Goodnight then."

Jakotsu snapped his cell phone shut, giggling as he filled Bankotsu in. "He hasn't changed at all! What a pain in the ass. He wants to know if I'll attend a wedding in America, and then stay a couple weeks at his house there."

"I figured as much," Bankotsu replied, still trying to recall the effeminate redhead his lover had been so pleased to hear from. "Midari-san wasn't it? But if I remember correctly… He was friends with that bastard, Raiyuki Hiten."

Jakotsu started, shocked. "Come off it! You were best friends with Raiyuki!"

"Yeah until his cronies tried to kill you!"

"That doesn't make it Hiten's fault!"

"He never even apologized!"

"But Hiten-"

Bankotsu seethed, annoyed at how familiar Jakotsu suddenly seemed to be with him.
"You call him by his first name?!"

"Not to his face," Jakotsu replied, a little embarrassed by his slipup, "I guess it's just because I'm so used to hearing Su-Chan call him that. Or didn't you know, Bankotsu. They live together now! I suspect they are lovers!"

"No way..." Bankotsu seemed shocked, but Jakotsu nodded with complete confidence.
"Yeah, you should have seen them last Christmas! It was so awkward! It was like they totally forgot I was even in the room!"

"That doesn't matter," Bankotsu stated, folding his arms defiantly, "No way am I letting you go and live with Raiyuki!"

"Seriously, I don't think Hiten did it," Jakotsu insisted, "Why would Hiten have hurt me for being gay? That doesn't make any sense because he himself is living with another man…"

"I don't care," Bankotsu replied, "I don't want you anywhere near that guy!"

"Then I'll avoid Hiten and just stay close to Suzaku!"
"Hmph!" was all he got in reply. He bristled, pointing an accusatory finger at Bankotsu.
"Why should I stay here just because of your childish grudges? I put up with your homophobe best friend Inuyasha. I'm sure I can handle Hiten just as well."

"Stop calling him that."

"Raiyuki-san then!"

He growled, watching as Bankotsu turned on his heel and stalked out of the room.
"I'm taking a shower!" He grit out, slamming the door behind him.

"Mou, Aisuru! It's not fair…"
Bankotsu locked the door, ignoring the whining voice of his lover on the other side and stripped off his clothes without a second thought.

The water was steaming hot and crystal clear, but all he saw were murky puddles. Those terrible memories were resurfacing again and his mind was playing tricks on him. He could practically hear his lover shivering, could almost see the blood running down the drain… "Hiten…" That word had not left his lips for two years. Hiten the traitor, Hiten that bastard… 'The one I used to love.'

Bankotsu could still remember his best friend's infectious smile. He was upbeat and entertaining; always laughing and joking. He remembered it all. Every moment, every touch… They were inseparable all through middle and high school. Completely loyal; through and through, no matter what. Until that one fateful day at that stupid prom…

Jakotsu looked so beautiful. He had gotten his hair done for the occasion and wore a traditional blue kimono. He leaned forward with those sparkling eyelashes and those plump red, painted lips. And without thinking they had kissed, posing for their prom pictures as Jakotsu's overly excited, effeminate friends cheered them on. "Again! Kiss him again!" They cried. Bankotsu had shaken his head, knowing that his own friends; the homophobic football team would return any minute. But Jakotsu was not so timid. He moved to steal another kiss, and oh how cruel it was that fate conspired against them! None other than Hiten Raiyuki had hurried over, looking excited as he called out to Bankotsu. But then he froze. After that things had moved so quickly that Bankotsu could barely recall them. It was all a haze. Bankotsu did remember the shock and the fury on Hiten's face, and the terrified yelp that issued from Jakotsu when he had pushed him away, panicking.
His poor lover fell from the pedestal they were standing on, tripping over those ridiculously high heels. Then he sat up on the ground, with hurt streaming from those gorgeous onyx eyes. He couldn't stop crying and his nose bled profusely, ruining his beautiful kimono.
But that blood had been nothing compared to the loss he had suffered only days later, in that ruined, vandalized bathroom. And to this day the scars still shown, thick and dark across his pale, beautiful body…

Bankotsu shook the memories away, furious. That stupid prom. That stupid school, filled with those stupid homophobic jocks! He hated every one of them. Especially Hiten, who he had trusted so completely. He would never forget the fear he had felt when he realized Jakotsu had been assaulted. He couldn't shake off the memory of his injured lover, lying in the hospital with all of those tubes sticking out of him.

'Never again' that was the promise he had whispered to his unconscious love. Never again did he want to see him hurt, never again did he want to admit to anyone how much he truly loved him. He couldn't even trust his best friend to know...

'Inuyasha… That's right. Inuyasha can't stand Jakotsu, just because he is gay"
He had wasted a lot of effort trying to convince Inuyasha to let Jakotsu live with them. But it had all backfired, just the same. Why? Why was it so difficult for Bankotsu to just be with the one he loved?!

'Just my rotten luck,' he finally conceded, scrubbing himself absently with Jakotsu's feminine smelling soap. 'Poor Aisuru…'

It wasn't Jakotsu's fault, but he had gotten pissed at him about it anyway. 'So Jakotsu wants to go to America…' They would be separated again, but at least he would be happy with his 'Su-Chan'.
Midari-san was definitely a good guy. Bankotsu didn't remember him well, but he couldn't recall a single instance when he saw Jakotsu and Midari together that they weren't laughing cheerfully. Suzaku was gorgeous; absolutely breathtaking. He used to cling to Jakotsu and kiss him with those sparkling pink lips. The two of them must have been very close…

Bankotsu sighed, letting the warm water run, splashing annoyingly against him.
'Very close, I'm sure. Probably another of Jakotsu's former lovers…' He scoffed, ashamed at this sudden jealous thought and finally he turned off the shower.

"I'm back," He announced as he padded across the carpets.
He had returned to Jakotsu's bedroom, still wet and clad only in a damp purple towel. His long black hair flowed freely down his back, clinging to his smooth caramel-colored skin. He sat on the bed, drying his hair thoroughly before lying down with his dark blue eyes fixed on the ceiling.

Jakotsu acknowledged him but neither man said anything, allowing silence to fill the room.
'That stubborn cross dresser is already packing his bags…'

Bankotsu rolled over, a frustrated sigh escaping him. "I don't want you to sleep with him."

Jakotsu paused, halfway through stuffing yet another snakeskin-patterned skirt into his suitcase. He turned to his lover, giving him a questioning look.
"You've done it before haven't you?" Bankotsu insisted, recognizing the guilt in his dark eyes, "but things are different now. We can be together now, so surely you can abstain until you return to me."

With a nervous shake of his head, Jakotsu resumed his packing,
"You're overreacting…" He whispered, exasperated.

"No I'm not. You didn't pack a single blanket! You obviously intend to sleep with him!"

"You are, Aisuru." Jakotsu sighed, waving him off.
"I just don't want heavy luggage. So don't you say another word about that…"

Bankotsu scoffed, feeling insulted.
"I can tell when you're hiding something!"

Jakotsu's hand slipped as he zipped up his bag and he paused again, turning back to Bankotsu. "That was then and this is now! Suzaku and I are just friends." He hissed this icily, putting an emphasis on the word 'friends.' He then finished zipping up the bag before popping a finger into his mouth. "And that hurt, so thanks a lot…"

Bankotsu said nothing, but cast his eyes from his lover's harsh glare, rolling onto his back to stare hard at the ceiling. Again the room was silent, and Bankotsu was glad of it. It was not often that Jakotsu grew angry with him, but the few times he did were ones that Bankotsu would rather have spent in the fiery pits of hell.

"I'm sorry Aisuru…" He finally breathed.
He wanted to, but could not look at his lover to prove his sincerity.
So he simply lie there, his eyes closed tightly against the burning threat of tears.

"It makes me crazy, to think of you with someone else..."

Jakotsu sighed, completely understanding. "I won't be."
He tried to resume his packing only to find himself unable to even touch his suitcase. His thoughts were clouded with guilt; so much so that he couldn't even remember what he'd intended to pack. Bankotsu certainly was astute… "It was just sex. I would never have done it if I knew it would hurt you."

Bankotsu said nothing, but the little noise he'd made in the back of his throat spoke volumes and Jakotsu elaborated, hoping to ease his fears.
"It was more like… training, actually. I wanted to teach Su-Chan how to enjoy sex, instead of just enduring it. Aisuru, do you have any idea how much it hurts to be fucked if you're not prepared for it?"

"Ugh," Apparently Bankotsu did not sympathize. "Fuck is such a foul word…"

"Never mind! You wouldn't understand..."
This finally confessed, Jakotsu shoved the suitcase away from himself with a sigh of frustration.
Bankotsu was obviously upset with him, but over something he could not undo.
He turned, crawled up onto the bed and grasped Bankotsu's hands in his own.

"Aisuru," he began, waiting for those dark, hurt-filled eyes to slide back open.
Once they had, he lie his head on Bankotsu's chest, feeling emotionally drained.

"I won't do it again, so please let me go see him…" Jakotsu was nearly begging.
"I miss Su-chan so much… Here I'm so alone. You and I can't even live together anymore, so I'd only see you after class anyway! I'll come back home after just one month? Please…"

Bankotsu sighed heavily, wishing for the thousandth time that he hadn't let Jakotsu answer that stupid phone call. His lover had forgotten all about Suzaku, right up until he heard that sweet, pleading voice again. Suzaku was beautiful, just like Jakotsu, with long red-velvet hair, smooth vanilla skin and sparkling emeralds in his eyes. It was positively maddening to imagine those beautiful bodies pressed together. He tried hard to imagine that sweet vanilla skin tasting a little more like dusty porcelain, but that didn't help either, since Suzaku was such a doll.

Bitterly he wished he could go back in time and wrench his Jakotsu away from his smiling, beautiful companion. 'Best friends, ne?' He had really believed they were just best friends…

But it was too late for that. There was no help for it.
"It's your life." he finally stated, rolling out of the other man's reach.
"Maybe Inuyasha will get off my back about you if you're gone..."

"Thank you…" Jakotsu whispered, pulling his hands to himself. "And I will behave, seriously."
After making this promise, he stood, leaving Bankotsu to be alone as he wished.

"No you won't…"

Jakotsu heard his love's bitter grumble, but shrugged it off, trying to finish his packing.
This time he managed to finish the task, but with unsteady hands, a troubled mind, and a very heavy heart.

After a few moments, Bankotsu rolled back over, his reddened eyes fixed on his companion. "Did you like it when you fucked Midari-san? Is he your type?" He questioned, not finding himself at all surprised when Jakotsu didn't bother to reply.

He gave up trying to figure it out and slunk miserably on the bed. He just couldn't tear his eyes from his promiscuous sweetheart...
'He must miss his other life so badly…' It was only recently that Jakotsu had graduated art school and parted ways with not just one, but dozens of his close male companions. He had given it all up at Bankotsu's request. He had decided to settle down, even after spending the last two years in college where he had been free to do whatever, or rather, whoever he pleased.
Jakotsu as a student; that was a version of his lover that Bankotsu knew nothing about. The mystery tortured his mind. How close had Jakotsu been to his other partners?
'It doesn't matter who he slept with.' That's what Bankotsu kept trying to convince himself. 'just as long as he didn't love any of them…'

But what if Jakotsu had loved Suzaku?

Bankotsu sat up, watching his lover in silence. After finishing his packing, Jakotsu sat alone on the ground and drew his knees to his chest. Hearing him choke on a sob, Bankotsu asked immediately if he was all right.

Jakotsu nodded; an insincere gesture, and Bankotsu moved immediately to comfort him.
After lowering himself to the ground, he silently crawled over to Jakotsu and sat with him.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked…" That said, he rested his chin on one of those tense, pale shoulders, embracing him from behind. And to his immense relief, his boyfriend accepted the gesture, lying back to revel in his warmth. And together they sat; both men drawing calming comfort from one another.

Jakotsu finally spoke again, his voice slightly shaky.
"Aisuru…" He began, hesitating. "You were always the one I really wanted…"

"It's okay." Bankotsu cut him off, leaning forward to capture his companion's lips in his own. "I shouldn't consider sex to be a form of 'cheating', as long as you love me."

"You are the one I love," Jakotsu insisted, "I would much rather make love to you…"
Frowning, he adjusted his position so that he now sat on his lover's lap. Bankotsu was trying not to look upset, but he definitely was. Jealousy practically radiated from the younger, silent man… He leaned forward and kissed him fiercely, and after a brief moment of these tempting kisses, Bankotsu lie back, onto the carpet. He then leaned upward, whispering against those painted red lips to make his own confession. "I want you to make love to me now, then. I want to be 'trained' too…"

Jakotsu looked a little shocked at this forward request, but he smiled and nodded.
They gazed into each other's eyes, each of their spirits lifting at the reminder of their unflinching love for one another.

'Nothing else matters; only this feeling.'

The taller of the two men took his lover's face into his hands, gazing intently into his dark blue, determined eyes. "That might be painful for you."

"You like causing pain," Bankotsu chuckled, kissing him again. He truly did want Jakotsu to make love to him, to drown out the jealousy and reassert their devotion to one another. Already, just from the kisses, he was starting to feel that familiar stiffening sensation in his lower half. Jakotsu seemed to notice this too, and he laughed despite the formerly tense conversation that had just ended.
"You might not even like it enough to get off," he warned, admiring the way his lover's still damp hair clung to his tempting caramel skin. He had not noticed it before, since he was so cross, but Bankotsu was completely naked underneath that little purple towel...

"Can we take turns then?" Bankotsu suggested, tossing his wet hair back and out of his face. "You can go first…"

Though this timid whisper had barely reached him, Jakotsu moved immediately to comply with the suggestion. He stood, easily ridding himself of his tight feminine clothing, and wandered off to retrieve one of the many bottles of lubricant he had hidden at the bottom of a box of cosmetics. Bankotsu crawled up onto the bed, watching him in mild amusement as he tossed away the purple towel. He noticed immediately that Jakotsu had not packed any of those bottles for his trip to America and already felt a little foolish for having been so jealous.

"This will make things much more fun," Jakotsu promised, grinning wickedly as he set the bottle on the bedpost and took his spot beside his lover. Bankotsu nodded and settled himself on top, straddling that thin, porcelain waist.

Smiling pale lips met with fiery red ones, and instantly the two men were lost to each others' passionate kiss. Jakotsu's tongue moved languidly, but his arms had wrapped possessively around his lover's neck, pulling him closer; begging for more contact. With the sudden heat, neither even noticed the damp black hair cascading around them like a curtain.

Bankotsu bore down on the supple, hungry lips, letting those graceful fingers slide along his own, heat-stiffened body. His eyes were screwed shut; there was only the heat building between their bodies that mattered. Waves of stiff, uninhibited longing swept over him, pooling swiftly between his legs. It felt like a fire had been lit within him, heating up his blood so that every heartbeat sent lava surging throughout. Suddenly Jakotsu's long, skillful fingers had slipped between his legs and caught hold of him, squeezing a little too tightly. "Don't…" Bankotsu bit back a moan, trying not to encourage that infuriatingly delicious caress. But that was useless.
Jakotsu loved the thought of torturing him and as usual jumped at the opportunity. He moaned shamelessly into their kiss as he worked his hands faster, squeezing only tighter at Bankotsu's protests. The younger man broke their kiss, trying to free himself. Surely his promise that Jakotsu could go first would be ruined if he allowed this tantalizing stroking to continue.

"S- Stop…" It was a bitter, almost painful request. Already Bankotsu's body was working against him, bearing down, begging those hands to continue. He could hear Jakotsu chuckling as he pulled away from him.

Finally freed, Bankotsu turned away, snatching the bottle from the headrest. The contact was gone but the heat and determination remained. 'So now I have to put some of this inside of me…' He lie beside his soon-to-be-sensei, ready to take the next step.

"Wow…" Jakotsu had come closer to get a better look at what his Aisuru was doing. Bankotsu shoved him away, embarrassed, but he knew the effeminate pervert was not going to give up the chance to see something so rare and erotic. But it couldn't be helped. He'd have to take this opportunity, using his fingers to prepare himself, if he was going to let Jakotsu 'train' him tonight.

Carefully he coated two of his fingers with that thick, clear substance. It felt cold on his skin, but perhaps that was a good thing. Closing his eyes, Bankotsu pressed those fingers inside of himself, trying not to gasp at this tight, unpleasant intrusion.
"Spread your legs more," Jakotsu's voice suggested. His sensei was leaned over him now, his face nuzzling between his legs and Bankotsu complied, noting the lessened pressure on his fingers. "Now, try three," his lover instructed, watching as he obeyed this order.

Jakotsu stared shamelessly as his love's fingers slid between his legs. Now three of them were forced inside of him; wet and stiff, much like the long caramel-colored rod that he now instinctively took into his mouth. This made his lover gasp and arch his back. Jakotsu teased his tongue along the length of it before clamping down tighter, suckling each smooth, decadent inch. He listened intently to Bankotsu's sweet, deep moaning as it began to escalate. Now he moved in sync with those pumping fingers, bobbing his head as he observed their progress.
Watching Bankotsu work himself open like that was incredibly arousing. The heat and pressure building in Jakotsu's own body was almost overwhelming. It begged for release, pulsing insistently even before Bankotsu's free hand wrapped around his now fully engorged erection. And then it was Jakotsu's turn to beg him to stop, if only his mouth hadn't been full…

Quickly he rolled off of Bankotsu, forcing his hand away as he made to catch his breath. The precum tickled his throat, and he imagined that his lover was disappointed, but not for long. They finally had the time and place; now their lovemaking could last as long as they wanted.
In the past, their bodies had been trained to move quickly through years of hiding their love; rushing what little intimate contact they had privacy enough for, but things would be different now…

Bankotsu bit back the pain as he slid the fourth and final finger into himself, thinking bitterly that there just was not enough lubrication in the world. He was not accustomed to doing so, but had seen Jakotsu prepare himself like this many times before. God, it hurt! Perhaps Jakotsu had grown used to this kind of pain, but Bankotsu was definitely not. It felt like he was trying to tear himself open with his own wet hands. He would never admit it, but now he realized what Jakotsu had meant when he said he needed to be 'trained' so that being fucked wouldn't be so painful. Bankotsu forced back a whimper, trying not to think of the forthcoming pain as his lover moved into position, sliding his beautiful body between his legs with ease.

Those sweet red lips kissed his again; warm and comforting, and the bottle of lubricant was snatched away. Jakotsu was done watching, it seemed. He coated himself with it, groaning at the pleasure of his own wet touch, but then moved to claim his true prize. Bankotsu moved his hands out of the way and closed his eyes, but it still took everything in him to avoid crying out. The pain shot up his back and forced it to arch. His head was thrown back reflexively and his fingers clawed at his lover's back.
"Shh, just relax…" Jakotsu's sweet voice cooed. He had paused to allow Bankotsu to adjust to this new, even more painful intrusion. Relaxing did help, though it was so much easier said than done. His muscles wanted to clench again whenever Jakotsu moved, and his lover seemed to sense it. "Relax," he repeated, kissing him again. The kisses were sweet and gentle, and served as the perfect distraction. But still Bankotsu pulled away, hissing quietly at the burning friction between his legs. The pain dripped out in low, forcibly quieted moans as Jakotsu began to move; slowly and gently he eased himself out of his lover, only to lower himself back in again. He was groaning with the effort of restraining himself, but paused whenever Bankotsu hissed again, and carefully he continued at this pace until he could move without eliciting any more pain-induced sounds. He knew exactly what he was doing.
Luckily Bankotsu's pain-wracked mind was much too overwhelmed to worry about why or more pertinently who...

He held him tightly, reveling in those kisses as he encouraged more movement. Jakotsu was moaning now, moving faster and pressing still deeper.
Gingerly Bankotsu pulled his lover closer, carefully focusing on anything but the pain.
The excruciating pressure had doubled with the speed, but so had the volume of his new lover's pleasure-filled voice. It was a rare, precious time when Jakotsu did not restrain such embarrassing noises during their lovemaking sessions, so Bankotsu listened intently to them.
His lover moaned shamelessly with each thrust of his perfect, agile body, and as the pace quickened further, the volume increased still. Their tongues entwined, wrestling for dominance as they danced to the tune of that erotic melody. With a pleasant shock, Bankotsu found himself gripping his lover's backside, urging him deeper, faster. The pain was fading, drowned out by that voice and the pleasure emerged twofold as his well-trained partner suddenly began to purposely hit one particular spot that felt especially nice. Bankotsu was surprised to hear himself moaning too, begging to be touched there again. He'd never felt anything like this before, but loved it, craved it immediately, desperately.

Ecstasy was swiftly overtaking Bankotsu now, and he could feel his own arousal responding, swelling in earnest between their hot, sweat-kissed stomachs. 'Faster, harder' He begged with his hands, his body shuddering as Jakotsu complied. Now the moaning escaped both of them; completely, passionately uninhibited. That precious porcelain rod slammed into him, again and again, perfectly aimed to elicit more desperate, feral response. Bankotsu gasped in time with each thrust, his body shaking against his lover's overwhelming fervor.
"Ah-" It was almost impossible to talk. "Ja- Oh…" The words melted into moans but Jakotsu took the hint, bearing down as he moved to wrap things up. Their voices synchronized; growing louder and more desperate until neither could tell whose gasp was whose. Suddenly everything seemed to freeze. There was only bright white light and tightly pulsing muscles. Jakotsu's final moan was his lover's name, but it was lost to their sopping wet, open-mouthed kiss.

Bankotsu caught his breath as his exhausted lover collapsed on top of him. His ragged panting was slowing, muffled by the sheets and his body still shook with the aftershock of orgasm.
'But the fun is only half over…'

Jakotsu whined a little as Bankotsu moved to reverse their positions. He felt himself slide languidly out of that tight, precious entrance, but moved just as Bankotsu wished, ready and willing to take his usual place beneath his precious Aisuru. He was soaked and exhausted, but he drew his legs up obediently as Bankotsu kissed him again, just as fiercely, whispering as he grinned against his lips. "My turn."


(AN. 2 Things are speeding up! I know where I want the story to go so go hit those review buttons guys and be sure to set the story on alert so you'll be the first to know what happens next!

Now for some feedback! This next section answers the question:

"So why Suzaku and Hiten? Aren't they very minor characters?" For those of you who've wondered this same thing, here is my answer. For those who didn't wonder, you can skip to the next chapter!

I chose Suzaku and Hiten for their uncanny resemblance to Jakotsu and Bankotsu. I find it funny that Rumiko Takahashi includes characters like this so many times in the series. I suspect it's her own unique attempt at what we call fan service. Bankotsu look-alikes can be found in the early episodes in "the thunder brothers" and in the 4th movie. Hiten was a thunder brother, and he's my choice because not only is he identical in looks (skin tone and hairstyle), but he also has a stubborn, boorish personality. He is also fiercely loyal and freaks out when Inuyasha kills his brother. Sound familiar? It's just like the epic moment when Bankotsu realizes Renkotsu betrayed his 'brother' Jakotsu! Hiten is perfect; truly Bankotsu's reborn! Meanwhile Jakotsu's 'look-alikes' are named Suzaku and Byakuya. Though Byakuya lived longer, Suzaku was my choice because his personality is exactly like Jakotsu's. He is the type to shamelessly flirt with his victims instead of killing them like he was told. At one point Suzaku even brings his hands up in the classic "Kawaii!" pose, just like Jakotsu did when he first met Inuyasha! When I saw that I knew Suzaku would be my perfect choice! So there's your answer. Jakotsu and Bankotsu hold a very special place in my heart and due to their uncanny likenesses, so do Suzaku and Hiten. I wrote Ban/Hit and Ja/Su as best friends because based on personality, I really do believe that if they'd ever had the chance to meet they would have been friends. I think it was very kind of Takahashi-sama to offer us the chance to see our boys reborn like that. While reading this story, it's perfectly acceptable to think of Suzaku and Hiten as Bankotsu and Jakotsu in a past life. Kind of like the creepy way the characters from the Ranma ½ and Inuyasha series seem to match up! I hope you will enjoy the ironic similarities in their personalities as much as I do!)