Sheer Insanity by Cosmic Castaway

Chapter 2

Jakotsu approached the punch bowl, dark red with round slices of pineapple and marachino cherries topping its glassy crimson surface. He knelt down, gazing at his distorted reflection, prodding at the ladle with a lone finger.

His fleshy pink tongue crept across his lips, his mouth spread into a kinky grin. "Mmm, Ban-chan...it looks like blood...it's giving me all sorts of ideas!"

Bankotsu landed his fist lightly on the top of Jakotsu's head. "Stop being such a creepy guy, will ya?"

Jakotsu's dark, cruel expression seemed to all but disappear, vanishing into his usual innocent face. "Mou, Bankotsu no aniki...you're no fun!"

Bankotsu sighed heavily. "Have fun like a regular person."

Jakotsu pouted, averting his eyes from the shorter man. "So I'm a bit wierd."

Despite Jakotsu's tone, Bankotsu could tell he was a little hurt by the satement. Before he could say anything, though, he felt a strong, broad hand land hard on his left shoulder. He whirled around, surprise in his eyes.

"Hey, you." Grinning at him stood Kouga, dressed sexily in skin-tight leather, hair pulled back like it always was. The feral-looking man stepped back, admiring him. "You look like an ass."

Jakotsu clung to Bankotsu angrily, glaring at Kouga. "Kouga-chan, that's mean...he's obviously a rutabaga! You know, it's like...an onion, or a radish."

Bankotsu tried his best to put on a smile for both his and Jakotsu's sake. "Nice to see you, too, Kouga."

Kouga breathed in deeply. "Yeah, it has been awhile. How are ya, Bankotsu? I see your little brother is in high spirits," he made brief eye-contact with Jakotsu, widening his grin.

Jakotsu stuck out his tongue. "Bastard. Baaaastaaard!"

Bankotsu clapped a hand over Jakotsu's mouth, who continued to mumble into his palm. "Well, we're both great...I'm in College now, studying history. Ya know, the interesting stuff...like fighting techniques and old warfare. Planning on being a sensei for a kendo school, ya see," Bankotsu paused and motioned towards the man that was latched on his shoulders. "Jakotsu here runs his own little buisness, with, er, websites...things like that."

Jakotsu nudged away Bankotsu's hand for a moment, yelling "Porn!" before he was silenced once more.

Bankotsu laughed nervously. "Heh heh heh..."

Kouga looked at the ground for a moment, letting out a gentle, quiet sigh. "Well, I see you've gotten everything all sorted out. All of us, Bankotsu - you, Jakotsu, and me - we've started with nothing and look where we are now. It's pretty fucking amazing, don't you think?"

Bankotsu nodded. "Yeah. It really is."

Kouga could certainly empathise with Bankotsu and Jakotsu, more than any of the others that were present in the room. They had once been bitter enemies, but times had changed, and now they stood as one. The Shichinintai and the Yourouzoku had once been rival gangs, though all were only children at the time - and now, as adults...they shared the same torn spirit. If they had still been on the streets, they'd have most likely killed one another by now...but that did not stop either one of them from romanticising the past.

"Kouga-chan...you still running track?" Jakotsu asked him.

The wild-looking boy nodded in response. "Yeah. I'm going for the big leagues, too...never set your sights too high, Jakotsu."

Jakotsu nodded, smiling somewhat seriously. "I always do."

Kouga chuckled slightly. "And do you always get what you want?"

"I got Bankotsu, didn't I? And he does whatever I say."

Bankotsu shook his head. "Quit speaking of me as if I'm not even here, will ya?"

Kouga ingnored him. His eyes were sharp and challenging. "Yes, you got Bankotsu. But you didn't get...Inuyasha, did you?"

Jakotsu's eyes became dark and sinister, and Bankotsu could feel the man's nails digging into his chest. "Jakotsu...you okay?"

Kouga continued to smirk at them, waiting; his facial expression seemed to be beckoning a fight. Bankotsu became increasingly worried. After several moments, though, Jakotsu's grip eventually softened. "I'm fine, oo-aniki."

Bankotsu felt a wave of relief. Yes, they were on better terms with Kouga, but the wolf-like boy could still not resist the lure of his ability to prod at any weakness, to reopen any long-healed wounds. Luckily, though, Jakotsu was able to control himself, seeing as they were at a party. Bankotsu could not forgive the challenge this time, however.

"Kouga," he said darkly, "Say that again to him...and I'll not hesitate to kill you."

Kouga tossed his head to the side, harumphing. "Somehow I can't take that threat from a man who is dressed as a vegetable very seriously. Though you haven't changed, Bankotsu, not one bit."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing. Nothing at all. I'm going to mingle now...I've got a black-haired angel to find," Kouga winked, indicating Kagome with a toss of his head. "You two take care of yourselves. See ya!"

Bankotsu stared at the man as he left them, disappearing amongst the crowds of chatting guests. "That Kouga...he can understand us, but, no matter how much time has passed, he still sees us as his enemies."

Jakotsu pushed away from Bankotsu, his face looking wearied. "Bankotsu...I'm going off for a bit."

Bankotsu took his stripe-faced boyfriend by the shoulders, forcing him to face him. He automatically noticed how deep at pitless his eyes had become. "Stay with me?"

Jakotsu smiled. "Don't worry, aniki...I'll be right back." He leaned in and kissed Bankotsu sweetly on the lips, smiled goodbye and walked off. Bankotsu felt lost without him there; he could barely remember a moment when they were apart.

He exhaled loudly, closing his eyes. "Well, I just hope he'll be okay...he gets so sensitive when it comes to Inuyasha..."

"Do you always talk to yourself?"

Bankotsu turned to see Miroku, Kagome's friend's young, pervy husband. He was sure speaking friendly enough for someone he'd just met. "You're...Miroku, ne?"

Miroku nodded. He too was smirking, but it was much more friendly and playful than Kouga's resentful ones. Bankotsu could sense he was a good person.

"Yeah, that's me! Hey, you want to play a little game of shogi, Bankotsu? I've got quite a nice set locked up in my closet. You play shogi, right?"

Bankotsu nodded. Maybe he did need a little time without Jakotsu. "Yeah, I play. Pretty well, too! You up to it, manwhore?"

Miroku chuckled. "Manwhore? Like I said, I'm a slave girl..."

"Eh, whatever turns you on. I've seen things much stranger from Jakotsu."

Miroku pulled at Bankotsu's sleeve. "Yeah, I can bet! Shall we?"

"Yeah, I just hope you like losing!"

"Haha! We'll see about that!"

Bankotsu grinned and followed the oddly-costumed monk. Still, in the back of his mind...he couldn't help but worry about what Jakotsu was up to. Sould he leave him to some time alone? Or was he only pretending, when he really did need Bankotsu?

Stop it, Bankotsu, and enjoy yourself, he thought to himself. Jakotsu can take care of himself just fine.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Inuyasha, gimme a hand here. I need a strong guy to help me out."

Inuyasha pouted at Sango, averting his gaze from her. "Why don't you get Miroku to help?"

Sango sighed. "I have no idea where he is."

"Figures. He's made an art out of putting me in these situations."

"I know, Inuyasha, but I do need your help," Sango replied, at a loss. "Just take all this trash out to the shed, will you? I've already had someone acidentally shatter a beer bottle that rolled out of the wastebasket."

"Why do you want them in the shed?" Inuyasha probed.

"It's just where I keep them. If you want, there's a working refridgerator out there that Miroku installed. You know, for when he does work in the yard, and he's too lazy to bother me to get him a drink. There's some food in there, some leftovers, and you can help yourself."

Inuyasha blinked at her. "There's food everwhere, Sango. It's a party.""

Sango chortled, startling him. "I guess I should have been more clear about it, Sorry! In that fridge I have some food you won't find at the snack table... it's your favorite. Miroku always makes too much, you know, and snacks on it for days."

Inuyasha's eyes lit up. "R...really?"

Sango nodded. "Just take the trash out, will you? You can have all the instant ramen that you want."

Inuyasha nodded cheerfully. "Ah, yes. I'll get right on it!"

Sango took hold of one bag and Inuyasha slung the other two over his back. The two of them headed out, Sango feeling more than happy at her powers of persuasion.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"So what? If I'm a little wierd..."

Jakotsu kicked at a pile of leaves, from where he'd been standing in this strange person's backyard. His costume lay by his feet in a pile, and underneath it he was clad in little more than a tight blue tee shirt and a pair of plain white boxers. He was a little cold, as it was chilly ouside, but he tried his best to ingnore it. He needed this time alone to think a little.

"Damn you, Bankotsu...you stuck up for me in there, but you never really act like you give a shit anymore. Not like when we were kids...always cheerful, optimistic, no matter what. Now I don't even know anymore...I barely recognize you, Ban-chan! Have I changed that much too?"

The night air was silent, save for the sound of the wind. Jakotsu hung his head. "Now I'm out here talking to hear myself talk...I must be really screwed up, like everyone says I am."

Suddenly, though, the silence was broken. It sounded like the clatter of glass, followed by some shuffling and low, whispery voices. Jakotsu ducked behind a tree to watch it safely.

"Eh, nothing interesting. Just that Miroku guy's wench out here, putting out the garbage...che, she should put herself out, too. Kagome-chan...she's the only woman I can tolerate. Though I don't know this one too well...she looks like trouble. She looks a lot like my mother did..."

He watched Sango leave, only to see that she was talking to someone; and that someone was Inuyasha.

Jakotsu's eyes widened and his frown spread into a grin. "Ahh...Inuyasha! LUCK-Y!"

Inuyasha didn't leave. For some reason, after Sango thanked him, he went back into the shed. Jakotsu waited awhile, curious. Then slowly, he slunk over to peer into the building's small, dirty window. "He's...eating? Really, he's so..."

Something suddenly dawned on Jakotsu. This was his chance! His face grew dark again, his eyes narrowed, and he licked his tongue accross his teeth.

"Kouga-chan...I'll show you, you bastard...that Jakotsu-sama always gets what he desires."