Author's Note: I am so sorry! I know I said Wednesday…and I could have updated, but I wasn't feeling what I had last night. Sigh… I used to do most of my writing of this story at work, but my Boss is giving me busy work to do because she thinks I'm bored and walks by often to see if I'm doing it. Doesn't she know she's messing up my writing schedule? Lol. I write Sodality in the daytime and other things at night…now I've got to divide my night hours between two stories (This wasn't a problem before I started doing the morning shift which means I have to get up at 5 every morning. I actually have to go to bed… early! I haven't had a bedtime since high school! College can really change one's sleep schedule. Go to bed when you can lol, so it's usually in the middle of the day). But shh…don't tell anyone, but I fixed the chapter and am updating it from work right now, hehehe. I am so sneaky. Anyways, this chapter is a tad longer. I hope you likee (smile). Thank you for all of your wonderful reviews; I am still overwhelmed by how many I'm getting! Enjoy the chapter!

Reviewer Responses:

Evil-Zukin: You like this chapter because poor Suikotsu got beat up? LOL! You're so mean! (J/K) Thank you for reviewing and I hope you like this chapter too! Take care!

Yennie-Gurl: Does Kaji explain about his MPD? Maybe… read and see lol! Thanks for reviewing girl! Take care!

Gerbil: Glad you "love" the story, lol! (winks) Thanks for reviewing! Take care!

Raihu: Why thank you! I'm glad you think this story is non-fluff. I'm not a very fluffy person, but sometimes it happens lol. Thanks for talking about my descriptions… I actually think description is the worst thing I do. I'm getting better at it though, so for you to say that means a lot. Hah, you know I did that symbol thing on a whim. I really hadn't even thought about it. That melting make-up bit came out of nowhere lol, which seems to happen often for me. Thank you for the review; glad you like the story and catch my humor (I've have a strange sense of it, lol). Take care and I hope you enjoy this one!

Me, just me: Hehe, yes the plot thickens. Jakotsu's make-up seems green? Uh… I know Suikotsu's make-up is green. I'll have to look at Jakotsu again, but I swear it's purple. (If I look and it's not, I'll admit to being nuts, ok? Lol!). Thanks for reviewing and take care! I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Ibara-hime: Lol, yes he does wear a lot of eye make-up, but it wasn't really that scary. The accidental streaks over his eyes in the last chapter were nowhere near as thick as they are in the series. Jakotsu is going to make adjustments to the artwork later in the story. (Winks). Thank you for reviewing. I'm glad you liked the last chapter and I hope you like this one! Take care!

Moonlightassassin: Lol, you've only seen their pictures but not the episodes? Hmm, I'm interested to know what made you want to read this story? I'm glad you did and like it though! (Smiles). Thank you for reviewing and take care!

Tareacel: Sigh…looking forward to Wednesday. Well I hope Thursday morning is ok, too. I really tried. Lol, the markings—oh man, that was such a fluke! It came out of nowhere. Bankotsu looked at Jakotsu and I had this image of mascara running down his cheeks and I thought, Jakotsu might not have on mascara but that face paint certainly would have melted and from there… Jakotsu and his wardrobe, the drama continues to unfold, lol! Glad you like Sui so far… I get to play with him in the next chapter. This chapter was more of him struggling to explain himself. Hope you like it. Take care and thank you for reviewing (big smile).

MageofDarkness: Hmm… I dunno. In the anime, I wasn't sure about him. He seemed willing to kill the children the same as he would adults, and I figured being so close to Hakureizan made the doctor personality stronger and that was the only thing keeping him from hurting the kids. Ai…Suikotsu is a hard character to pin down… (Frowns). I'll do better next time, promise. Thanks for reviewing, as always, take care! I hope you like this chapter, sorry for its tardiness.

Lynxzeo X: Glad you liked the last one; hope you like this one! Take care and thanks for reviewing!

Cattico: I don't think he's going to remember anything. You are right, in the manga and anime he doesn't seem to remember much when he switches over or even seem to really be aware of his other self. (Classic symptoms of MPD… I'm such a psychologist, lol). The face markings, was such a fluke. I really didn't think anyone would think anything of it actually lol. I'm glad you did though! Witches huh? Um..where do you go to college at so I can come study these people? Lol! Thanks for reviewing and take care!

Skittlez: Yippee, cookies! (Not that I need them!) School starts the 11th? Wow. My sister starts the 18th, and I don't again until January (muhahaha!). Well actually to tell the truth, I'm a little jealous. I'm ready to go back to school. I am such a nerd. You'd think after a graduation, I'd be ready for a break… but not me! Anyways, thanks for reviewing and take care girl!

Youkaigirl99: Description is one of my weaknesses in my opinion and I am constantly trying to improve. Thank you so much for telling that I'm doing a decent job of it in this story lol! Sorry that its not Wednesday lol! Next time I won't say when I'll update next just in case I can't make it (sheepish smile). Thanks for reviewing and take care! Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 6

"I knew there was something wrong with the man," Jakotsu said as he studied the steel-clawed, cowhide gloves he'd removed from Kaji's hands. "Wonder how he came up with these? Think he made them, stole them, borrowed them..."

"I don't know," Bankotsu grunted. He was carrying the bucket from the well, full to the brim with water. He dropped the bucket next to Jakotsu and giggled as some of the water splashed onto Jakotsu and he yelped.

Jakotsu jumped to his feet, his mouth agape as he gazed down at his soiled yukata. "Oh Aniki! Now I have to change." His face lit up suddenly. "I'll go get my clothes now! It will only take a few minutes. I know where I left them!"

"Ja..." Bankotsu began, but Jakotsu was already running off.

Oh well. Bankotsu frowned down at his torn shirt. Jakotsu had said he'd found something for him as well. He just prayed it wasn't pink or covered with butterflies.

A low groan came from Kaji's person, and Bankotsu knelt down beside him. Dipping his hand in the water he'd brought, he splashed the man's face. "Wakey, wakey... Dr. Dear. I have a proposition to make."

The man snarled at him, struggling against his bonds. "Release me boy, and I'll kill you quick!"

"I defeated you. I proved that I am your superior. Now, I'm giving you the chance to join me once again. We'll be the greatest band of mercenaries the world has ever seen. We'll kill anyone who stands in our way and then some. We'll be feared; we'll be famous; we'll be rich."

Kaji growled deep in his throat.

"Think it over?"

"Untie me."

Bankotsu blew his bangs from his eyes. This was going to be difficult. What to do? He'd never really come up with a game plan on how to induct an unwilling member to his war party.

Maybe he should go ahead and kill him. Thinking too much gave him headaches.

"You can't keep me bound. I will free myself and when I do..."

"You'll kill me. Yeah, heard it; get a new euphemism," Bankotsu muttered, moving away from Kaji and sitting. Chewing on his braid, he stared at the struggling man. That rope wasn't going to hold him for long, so his decision would have to be a swift one.

An earsplitting, inhuman yowl erupted from the thicket of trees surrounding village. Bankotsu stiffened, listening carefully. A creature had been wounded, severely, and was... calling to its pack? The high pitched howling that followed the initial cry could only be defined as distress calls.

The piteous howls were suddenly cut short, but not before the damage was done. Any kin demons within a 5 mile radius would be flooding the area in minutes. Narrowing his eyes, Bankotsu stood, wondering what unlucky beast was about to be ripped apart by vengeful relatives and secretly thanking it. He'd collect Jakotsu in the confusion and they'd leave Kaji to deal with the demon pack.

It was the perfect plan until an angry Jakotsu stomped back into the village soiled with monster blood, holding a torn bag of clothing and a dripping Jakotsutou. "Stupid demon... ate my clothes... got me all bloody."

Bankotsu stared. "Jakotsu..." A scenario of what had undoubtably happened played itself out in his head. "What have I told you about silencing a demon before they can scream for their kin?"

"Aniki, it ate my clothes! My new ones!" Jakotsu whined, dropping Jakotsutou and waving the abused bag in the air. "It left me one sandal and a kimono that don't match and that I don't like as much as the others anyway! It had to suffer for the injustice!"

Bankotsu looked heavenward, wanting very much to be angry and trying very hard not to laugh. Both oriented their heads toward the howls of the friends and family of whatever beast Jakotsu had ripped to shreds.

"What kind of a demon was it?"

"Bull," Jakotsu shrugged. "I can deal with them."

There was a snort of laughter from the ground and Jakotsu turned his head to spy Kaji on the ground, still trying to writhe free of the rope.

"A woman who fights demons? Ridiculous."

Jakotsu stalked over to Kaji, standing over him with a foot planted firmly in his chest before Bankotsu could stop him.

"I am no onna," Jakotsu purred, tossing his bag aside. "Would you like to see my proof?"

Bankotsu raised an eyebrow at the tone and rolled his eyes as Jakotsu straddled himself over Kaji. Folding his legs under him on either side and leaning to run his hands along the smooth muscles under Kaji's shirt. "Jakotsu?"

"Would you like to tie up my lose ends for me, Aniki, so that I may have a little fun with this one?" Jakotsu glanced up at Bankotsu, his face flushed slightly with anticipation.

"I haven't decided what I want to do with him yet, Jakotsu. I want him alive," Bankotsu said, rising and moving over to his friend. Kaji had gone silent as he glared at Jakotsu.

"A boy then? A boy dressed as a woman? Why would you want to do something like that?" Kaji demanded, not becoming enraged nor squirming at Jakotsu's actions or position. The man seemed oblivious of the perilous situation he was in, but Bankotsu was not. Wrapping an arm around Jakotsu's middle, he lifted the older boy off.

Jakotsu gave a soft moan of disappointment.

"Go deal with your mess. When you return I'll know what I want to do with him; he'll either join us or you can have him."

Jakotsu grinned and sent Kaji a wink. "A strong man like you certainly wouldn't want to serve under anyone, especially not Aniki. We'll have our chance."

"Get out of here!" Bankotsu waved him away.

Jakotsu giggled and skipped off, recollecting Jakotsutou on the way. As long as Jakotsu wasn't fighting people...men in particular... Bankotsu didn't care if he battled alone. "So..."

Kaji cut him off. "He fights demons alone?"

Bankotsu nodded. "He can. He's quite deadly actually, though he doesn't look it. Kind of like you, when you're wearing your doctor guise. I never would have imagined the nasty, psycho killer would be you, Kaji."

"Stop calling me by that name. I am not him."

Bankotsu raised a brow, staring down at Kaji. He already knew the man was not right in the head, but this...

"Explain."

"I don't have to explain anything to you," Kaji growled.

"Do you want to live or do you want to be Jakotsu's latest conquest?"

Kaji grinned. "That name... it rings bells in your dear Kaji's mind. Are you friends of his? Patients, perhaps?"

Bankotsu folded his arms over his chest. "He helped Jakotsu; you helped Jakotsu."

"I did not..."

"For the love of the gods explain yourself man or I will not wait for Jakotsu to mutilate your body, I will chop your head off myself!" Bankotsu was ready to pull his hair, and hair pulling was an activity he didn't often participate in.

Patience was not one of his virtues.

Kaji let out a barking laugh, black eyes glittering. "What's a boy like you want with a band of mercenaries?"

Bankotsu growled in frustration before answering. "I like to fight; I crave adventure and excitement, and I love a good kill. So far I've been enjoying myself just traveling with my brother, running across various low-lives and demons to slay, but I want more. I want larger challenges, and I want notoriety for it; I want to be paid for being good at what I like to do. I can run my operation with just Jakotsu and I, but a lord may have some reservations about hiring two boys to do an army's job."

"Who taught you to fight like you do?"

The first admittance of awe at Bankotsu's skill.

"My father, a ronin turned first class assassin."

"Why do you want me?"

Bankotsu blinked in reaction at the change in Kaji's tone. Smirking as he realized he'd gotten through to the man and forgetting his previous annoyance, he said, "I like the way you kill; with you on our team, we could slaughter armies."

Kaji was quiet, contemplative.

"If I was to release you, where would you go?" Bankotsu pressed.

"On to the next village."

"And after that, let me guess- another village? That will get old quickly, my friend. It's time for a change; wouldn't you say? Join us. Travel with us. Help us recruit more men to our cause. I swear it will all be worth your while." Bankotsu was standing over Kaji, making direct eye contact. The man had to know he was serious. He couldn't blow this moment.

He knelt, pulling a tiny dagger from his belt to cut the ropes restraining Kaji. After the ropes were cut, he rose again, ready to make a grab for Banryuu if needed. He focused on Kaji, anxiously awaiting his next move.

Kaji sat up slowly, flexing and stretching his muscles. It was a few minutes before he looked back to Bankotsu. His beady eyes narrowed briefly, sizing Bankotsu up, before he nodded. "All right."

"All right?"

"I'll join you."

Bankotsu had to bite his tongue on his, "You will?!" How mature would that sound? Wait until Jakotsu finds out.... Oh, he'll grouch about it. He wanted Kaji all to himself.

Kaji. The man didn't want to be called Kaji; said he wasn't Kaji.

He'd forgotten all about that in his excitement. What a short attention span he had. Jakotsu was starting to rub off on him more and more. He didn't respond to Kaji/Killer's acceptance of his invitation as he should have.

"Bankotsu?"

Bankotsu glanced at the man, his indecision probably showing in his eyes. "Kaji...or...whoever. You're going to have to explain yourself to me. I know you as one man, but you act as and claim to be another. I can't allow you to become a part of my group until I understand."

Kaji grunted and closed his eyes for a brief moment. "I am two people in one, duel-minded as some would say. Your Kaji exists inside me and we battle for control of the body, this body. Before... a year before, he was stronger than me. I was always here, watching, but he was the one that moved and spoke to the waking world. Then...something happened that allowed me access to the surface; I gained control and have been gaining more control ever since. More and more Kaji sleeps and I get to reign."

Bankotsu's mouth was stretching into a slow grimace the more conflicted he grew.

"I do not know what I am, but I know what I like and I'm free to do as I please now. Kaji is so timid, so good. He lets people walk all over him. If he just would have acknowledged me sooner, I could have..." Kaji broke off shaking his head.

"Could have what?"

"I could have helped him, added to him, but something always separated me from him. The man had no shadow, no side to him that would allow him to express anger... and I watched and waited and when the wall between finally broke, instead of merging I became my own person. I think I always was and I am glad. I don't want to be a part of him. He disgusts me."

So this guy was basically admitting to be the psycho alter ego of Dr. Kaji? He spoke as if he were some spirit possessing the body that had been kept down by a spell for ages...

Possession? Demonic possession?

"Are you...?"

"I'm no demon, nor am I an apparition of any kind," Kaji/Killer seemed to read his mind, and Bankotsu shuddered. "I'm human."

What was taking Jakotsu so long? Bankotsu could hear the sounds of fighting off in a distance. The demons barely got the chance to scream before the sounds of blades biting flesh and spattering blood were heard.

"Do you believe me, Bankotsu?"

Bankotsu jerked his head back to Kaji/Killer. He hadn't been aware that he was looking in the direction Jakotsu had disappeared in. "What?"

"Do you understand now?"

"I... I get what you're saying to me, but as for believing you..."

Bankotsu felt his lips stretching again as they formed a thin line. What to say to a psychopath, a real psychopath?

"You're not sure yet." Kaji/Killer nodded to himself. "I don't blame you."

A real, yet reasonable, psychopath.

Bankotsu sighed, covering his eyes with his hands. What to do?-what to do? He had really liked the way the guy moved. He liked the claws; thought they were almost as innovative as Jakotsutou. He hadn't realized it before, but he wanted all of his members to have something interesting about then, whether it be a strange talent or weapon.

Kaji/Killer certainly was interesting and the more he talked the more Bankotsu wanted to know about him. And unlike just plain Kaji, Bankotsu felt that he just might be able to feel some comradery with Kaji/Killer.

But...

Bankotsu removed his hands from his eyes, an idea slowly taking form. "Tell you what. How would you feel about traveling with us a few days, letting us see how you operate and getting to know you? I can make my decision based on that rather than... well, this. I kinda like you for some reason."

Kaji/Killer's eyes sparkled a bit, reminding him of someone terribly familiar and dear to him.

"I want to give you to join us, but I have to make sure you're right for us."

I wouldn't have done this if you were normal. I would have drafted you right away, he thought to himself. But... since when had normal been his norm?

"You don't have to, Bankotsu."

Why did everyone always have to offer him an out- a chance to say no, to leave? Gods, Kaji/Killer was just like...

Jakotsu.

The sparkle in his eyes when Bankotsu had said 'I kinda like you...' reminded him of Jakotsu.

Sighing heavily, Bankotsu said, "I have to. So now that we're past all of that, just what do we call you?"

"Nothing?! He has no name that he would like to be called at all?" Jakotsu and Bankotsu conversed at a small spring as Jakotsu washed up and their new travel companion slept.

"Nope. He says we won't need to call him anything." Bankotsu shrugged, sitting with his back turned to Jakotsu. "I didn't argue."

Jakotsu hmphed. "You can turn around now. I'm dressed."

Bankotsu turned himself around and watched Jakotsu bending over to extract his brush from Jakotsutou's carrying sheath. He was wearing the black and gold kimono he claimed he didn't like; the colors were too dark for him, but Bankotsu thought it suited him. He looked like a foreign prince of sorts with his oval eyes and fair skin.

Jakotsu came to sit in front of Bankotsu and began his nightly ritual of brushing out his hair.

Bankotsu stared him a moment longer before taking the brush from him and holding it hostage in his lap. Jakotsu frowned at him questioningly. "Aniki?"

"Do you like him, Jakotsu?"

"How can I like someone I don't know?" Jakotsu held his hand out for his brush.

Bankotsu played with the rough brush bristles absently, tilting his head to study Jakotsu. "That's not what I'm asking you, Jakotsu."

"It sounded like what you asked."

"How do you feel about the man's condition? Would you have helped me pursue him, if you had known about....his problem?" Bankotsu leaned forward to just catch the slight deepening of Jakotsu's frown.

"His problem doesn't bother you, Aniki, so it does not bother me."

Bankotsu was in the process of letting out a longsuffering sigh, when Jakotsu grabbed his wrist and confiscated his brush. "But you tell me, Aniki- would you still have pursued this man, if you had known about his condition?"

Bankotsu blinked. "Of course not."

"You've never dealt with anyone who claimed to be more than one person before, have you." It had been phrased as a question, but it was really a statement of the obvious. Bankotsu had never met anyone with a duel personality before, but judging from Jakotsu's off-manner tonight, Bankotsu was willing to guess that he had.

"Are you ok with him maybe joining us, Jakotsu? I agreed to give him a chance before we knew what was wrong with him, and I accepted his answer without consulting you after the problem was acknowledged."

Jakotsu shrugged then grimaced as he snagged a tangle in his hair. He set the brush down in his lap and used his hands to pick apart the snare.

"We can part ways with him now, if you..."

"Aniki, you are annoying me with this. You wanted him; we have him; he stays."

"But..."

"Tell you what, Aniki. Next town, whether you choose to keep him or kill him, you give me money to buy new wardrobe to replace what the demon ate, and we'll call it even."

Bankotsu's mouth fell open, sputtering as Jakotsu chuckled. "Honestly, Bankotsu. You should have expected as much. I'll never get the smell of demon blood out of my yukata, and my regular clothes were gobbled up too."

Bankotsu rolled his eyes and flopped onto his back, stretching out his legs and tucking his arms behind his head for a pillow. "Where shall I get this money to pay for your new clothes?"

"Have No Name get it from Kaji-san. I hear doctors are loaded," Jakotsu said lazily, finally loosening the knot in his hair and going back to using his brush.

Bankotsu narrowed his eyes a bit. "So... you believe him? You believe that the man may really have separate personalities, one being a doctor that we've worked with, that operate independently of one another? You don't think he's pulling our legs? I mean, he wouldn't say much, but from what I could gather and what we saw..."

Jakotsu sighed. "Come braid my hair for me, will you? It was so much easier to do when there was more of it."

Bankotsu snorted. "You couldn't braid it then, either."

"Because I didn't need a braid to flatten it then," Jakotsu retorted, tilting his head back as Bankotsu moved behind him, sitting on his knees to section his hair off.

"So?"

"So what?"

"Do you believe him? Not that he's crazy; we both know he's nuts, but about the double life thing?"

"I don't know Aniki, maybe."

"Have you ever met anyone with the...disorder?"

Jakotsu hummed a moment, then said, "I've known people who have claimed to be two different people when the lights were on and off, and I've known people who I've wished would admit to being two different people so I wouldn't have to hate them- well all of them anyway."

"But you didn't believe any of it, did you?"

"I wanted to believe."

Bankotsu wove the thick hair into a neat braid quickly, binding the end with a loose thread from his shirt. "Yeah?"

Jakotsu nodded, not saying anymore. Silently he rose and went to check on the wet clothes he'd washed.

Bankotsu tapped his knees and picked at the grass beneath him, listening to the ruffling sounds of Jakotsu shaking out his damp yukata. "Jakotsu, just throw it away. I'll get you another one in the next town as you requested"

"Really?" Jakotsu beamed. "Can I have it tailored?"

"Whatever you want."

Jakotsu tossed the yukata into the stream and observed it as it sank to the bottom. "You don't have to go overboard to please me for making a decision you think I might not like, Aniki. I was only joking earlier."

"Well I'm not," Bankotsu said seriously.

Jakotsu chuckled at him, placing a hand on his hip and half turning to face him. "Well, I hope you aren't planning on buying me a new outfit every time you want to induct someone. That will get expensive."

Bankotsu rolled his eyes and threw Jakotsu's brush at him

Jakotsu barely had enough time to duck. Laughing, he said, "Seriously, Aniki, you're going to have to make a policy, a set of rules to guide your future selections. It will make things a lot easier if you have a check list and an evaluation sheet of some kind. Maybe everyone should have a trial period; that way No Name will not feel... what is the word I am looking for...um....discriminado... discriminated!-- against."

Bankotsu raised an eyebrow at Jakotsu's use of a foreign language when trying to pronounce a harder Japanese word. It was a very common thing that Bankotsu pretty much ignored now, but Kaji/Killer would have questions.

Great. Bankotsu explained Kaji/Killer to Jakotsu and next he would have to explain Jakotsu to Kaji/Killer. Ai...

"A guideline for selection sounds good, Jakotsu. Will you help me with it?"

"Sure. You didn't have to ask, Aniki. You know I would have inserted my opinion anyway. We can come up with ideas as we go along with No Name, our first guinea pig! I'm excited," Jakotsu rubbed his palms together. "Trial membership. I like it. I can't wait for morning!"

Bankotsu grinned, some of Jakotsu's excitement finally catching on. He had a tentative member to train. It could be fun, it could be hell, but all and all it would be something new, an adventure of sorts.

Hmm... trial membership- he liked it too.

Author's Note: What's the verdict? Like it; hate it; don't care either way? Whatever the judgment let me know! Take care!