Author's Note: Hello! Yes, yes, I know I've been very bad about these updates. I'm trying to make them every-other-daily again, but work isn't working with me lol. I start getting some time off next week, and I'll be more timely with the next story. This is the second to last chapter of Suikotsu. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for all of your wonder reviews.
Reviewer Responses:
lildaemon: Hey girl, thanks for reviewing. I'm glad you like the brotherly bond between Bankotsu and Jakotsu. It's cuter that way to me. Somehow I'm going to have to add Suikotsu to the formula. Wish me luck, lol. Take care!
Corrina: Hehehe, glad Kaji re-emergence amused you. Yes, Sims are very grouchy. I have the cheats to give them money (I was so very happy for that one). LOL about your Jakotsu Sim being slapped and running away like a sissy-baby. It would have been funny if an Inuyasha Sim had been the one to do it. I kinda like it when they fight; it's funny. (Yeah, I know; I'm mean :). Take care and thanks for reviewing.
Riftwar-Slave: Thank you! I have a weird sense of humor and I always think no one's going to find me funny. I'm glad you like my characterizations as well. Have you ever reviewed on of my other stories? I recognize your pen name. Thanks for reviewing and take care!
Evil-Zukin: Moi? Mean? Never looks angelic. :) Glad you liked the tests and the rest of the chapter. Hope you like this one. Take care and thanks for reviewing.
Ibara-hime: Finish the cute comic so that I may see! Hmph! Meanie, lol. Thanks for reviewing; take care!
Me, just me: Hey, thanks for reviewing. :( about your eyes.... if they are worse than mine, yikes! Lol. Yes, this arc will definitely contain 6 stories, maybe 7. We'll see. They are all leading up to a story I wanted to do that takes place in the Inuyasha series time line. Thanks for reviewing, and take care! Hope you like this chapter!
Youkaigirl99: Yes, he turned into Kaji again lol. You know I couldn't make it that easy for them ;). I was a little better about this update, but I promise the next one won't take so long. I know you say you don't care, but I do (yes, I'm weird) lol. Thanks for reviewing and take care! Hope you enjoy the chapter. :)
Skittlez: Hehehehehe I wish I could work my ass off. Then I'd be skinny :). But unfortunately, my job involves a lot of sitting and I think the chairs flattening my butt and making it wider. Grr... Glad you liked the chapter. Thank you for reviewing and take care!
MageofDarkness: Well...I guess it was a little hard getting into the chapter since I was coming back from working on another story. Re-reading I guess the opening conversation with Jakotsu and Bankotsu could have been worded a little more smoothly, but when exactly did it go from bad to good so I know what to re-work and what to leave alone, lol. Glad you like the No Name/ Bankotsu moment :) and the cow comment. I don't know why I think cows are funny, but they are lol. Anyways, hope you like this chapter better than the other. Take care and thank you for reviewing.
Lynxzeo: Hehehe, glad you found test amusing. Bankotsu will be a little more professional with the tests in latter stories. Thanks for reviewing and take care! Hope you enjoy the chapter!
Gerbil: Thank you! Thank you! (Lol, I'm pretending to be as hyper as you and just not making it. Too tired... lol). Take care girl, and I hope you enjoy the new chapter
moonlightassassin: Thank you. Here is the next chapter; I hope you enjoy it! Take care!
Yennie-Gurl: Oops, got a little out-of-order with the responses, sowee. :). Lol, yeah it was nice huh, and just Bankotsu's luck. That was a confidence booster, lol! Hope you like this next chapter. Take care and thanks for reviewing!
Chapter 8
Having Kaji with them was odd, and they traveled twice as fast so that they could get to the next village sooner. The man was chatty and cheerful and quickly getting over his confusion at waking up in a strange place. 'It happens to [him] quite often. [He] supposed [he] should check [himself] out.' Insert sugary laugh that made Bankotsu grimace and Jakotsu tighten his grip on Jakotsutou's handle. He was constantly reaching over his shoulder, caressing the carrying case, and Bankotsu had to smack his hand to stop him from drawing more than a few times.
"Don't you think we should have a rest soon? We should have some lunch too."
Bankotsu bit his lip on a snarl. Fishing some dried venison from his pack, he tossed it over his shoulder at Kaji. Judging from the startled shriek Kaji emitted, he hadn't caught the snack.
"We need to get to the village before nightfall. If we stop, that won't happen," Bankotsu said, hoping he'd sounded civil enough.
"Before nightfall is good; too many demons make their appearances after it. But still, this pace is a little grueling. I don't know about you, but I'm a little tired, and I'm sure this isn't good for Jakotsu…"
Jakotsu yelped when Bankotsu smacked his hand.
"We're fine, and we have business to attend to in town."
"What kind of business can two young boys possibly have?" Kaji chuckled. "You want to get to the village before the sweet shops close? Is that it?"
Bankotsu growled. So?
Maybe it wasn't his main objective, but getting candy was never a bad thing, therefore, it was never discarded as an option of things to do.
"Jakotsu and I need more clothes tailored to fit us, and we want to put in an order and be measured before all of the shops close."
It wasn't a lie. It just wasn't the reason why they were rushing.
"Oh," Kaji hummed. "I guess that's a good idea. If your order gets put in sooner, the sooner they can get to work on your clothes. If you don't mind my asking, what's wrong with what you are wearing? You don't seem the type to be lazy and not wash your clothing to wear again."
"Ouch!" Jakotsu cried.
"Some people don't like to wear the same thing everyday, and we had an unfortunate accident with our other clothing."
"Damn youkai…" Jakotsu grumbled.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Kaji said sympathetically. Then he giggled, "I should have realized you boys would be the kind to want something new to wear everyday. If I had been as handsome as the two of you when I was your age, I'd be a peacock too."
Bankotsu groaned inwardly and glanced at Jakotsu, whose face had donned an amused grin. "So... you do find me attractive."
Kaji made a soft noise. "What? Well… er… that is… When I first laid eyes on you, I thought I had misunderstood Bankotsu and he'd said that he had a sister. I thought you were very pretty…"
"And now?" Jakotsu purred.
"Well I don't rightly know now. It's an odd question. This is a very strange conversation, Jakotsu. Perhaps I should be asking you if you find me attractive?" He laughed nervously.
"Why yes, I do, Dr. Dear. I find you absolutely gorgeous." Bankotsu shot Jakotsu an incredulous look. He was going to scare the man to death!
"What?" Kaji's voice was two pitches higher than normal, and Bankotsu resisted the need to cackle; Jakotsu, however, did not."
"I said I want you, Doctor. I am infatuated with you. Give me a check up; touch me all over. I want to feel your hands on my…"
"STOP!" Kaji shouted, clearly horrified. Bankotsu wanted to turn back and look at the man, wanting to see his expression and color, but didn't dare for fear that he would fall on the ground laughing.
"Getting hot, Dr. Kaji? I am," Jakotsu cooed, eyes dancing with mirth.
Bankotsu wanted to kick him. He was going to die in a futile attempt to choke back laughter. "Stop it!" he hissed.
Jakotsu winked at him, then gave a gusty fake sigh and smacked a hand to his forehead in a dramatic fashion. "Oh. You are one of those, are you not?"
"One of what's?" Kaji demanded, voice breaking. His footsteps behind them were faltering as Jakotsu and Bankotsu kept walking at a normal pace.
"One of those men who are afraid to admit their innermost desires. You want to have your dirty way with me, but you would rather do it in the dark. I understand, but I am afraid you have lost my love."
Kaji made a choking noise.
"Do not despair. I am sorry if you loved me too, but I will not tolerate a coward for a lover. Find yourself a filthy woman and reproduce, for I will have nothing to do with you now."
Bankotsu stuffed a fist in his mouth and bit down, hard.
Kaji did not speak another word until they reached the village, giving them a hurried goodbye and parting company with them in great haste.
Bankotsu doubled over laughing, barely able to sling Banryuu over his shoulder and set it down first. "Jakotsu, I could kill you! I can't believe you did that!"
Jakotsu smirked. "I got rid of him faster than you could have."
Bankotsu wiped the tears spilling from his eyes and forced himself to straighten. His stomach muscles screamed as he pulled them upright. Gods that had been a good laugh. "What do you want for it, a medal?" He managed to gasp out.
"No," said Jakotsu thoughtfully, "but you did promise me a new yukata."
"Well, why don't you ask your sugar daddy Kaji to get it for you?" Bankotsu choked out, doubling over with laughter again and ignoring Jakotsu's pout.
The only thing better than this, Bankotsu thought as he gasped for air, was dinner. He controlled himself after a few minutes of rolling over the ground helplessly and sat up, gazing at Jakotsu innocently. Jakotsu frowned, looking thoroughly unamused. "If you did not want to buy my yukata, Aniki, all you had to do was say so."
"What do you think?" Bankotsu washed dark purple paint purple paint from his fingers in a small bowl of water. Jakotsu was standing in the small mirror nailed to the wall of the room they'd rented for the night, studying his reflection carefully.
"Hm..."
Bankotsu dried his hands on his pants and rose from his knees to join Jakotsu in the mirror. The taller boy didn't seem to even notice Bankotsu's approach he was so taken with his own reflection in the glass. "Bankotsu?"
"Yes?"
"Do you... do you find me attractive?" Jakotsu spoke to Bankotsu's reflection. His fair skin contrasted against the dark purple fangs Bankotsu had painted over his eyes, making him look pale and timid.
Bankotsu blinked, startled. He placed a hand on his friend's back, running his hand along his vertebrae, not liking how prominent it was. "Jakotsu, you're beautiful. Any man should feel honored to have you and should show you off with pride."
Jakotsu shivered, wrapping his arms around his tiny frame and bowing his head forward. "You are not just saying that?"
"No," Bankotsu said firmly. "I would never tell you anything that I didn't think was true. You know me."
"Yes, I do." Jakotsu said softly. "Beautiful. What does that word mean to you, Aniki? I have had many tell me I was beautiful before, but it meant something else. They all wanted me to undress for them, to touch them; they would say anything was beautiful as long as it was willing and submissive. But... when you say 'beautiful,' it's different. You don't want me, not sexually, not physically, you're just looking at me..."
"And what I see makes me jealous," Bankotsu finished with a light chuckle. "You don't even have to try to make yourself presentable; you just are."
Jakotsu frowned. "Aniki, you have nothing to be jealous of. You are..." he stopped himself.
"Go on," Bankotsu urged him. "If you find me attractive that's fine. It just lets me know you have some kind of taste and I won't have to pick ALL your dates for you."
Jakotsu snorted, raising his head to speak to Bankotsu's reflection again. "I do not think there will be any dates for me, Aniki. But... if I did, I would be more than happy to let you choose the person. You always seem to know what's good for me."
Bankotsu rested his face on Jakotsu's bony shoulder. "I do, and right now what would be good for you is dinner. Hurry and wash your face so we won't miss it!"
"Cow," Jakotsu murmured affectionately, brushing past Bankotsu to the water dish Bankotsu had cleansed his fingers in.
Bankotsu mooed for effect, making Jakotsu laugh and letting the soothing sound lighten his heart. He hated when Jakotsu got like that, self depreciating and doubting. Bankotsu had to be very carful what he said to him for Jakotsu remembered every hurtful word ever uttered in his direction.
"Do you think that onna will really have my clothes ready by tomorrow evening?" Jakotsu chatted while he scrubbed his face.
"Maybe," Bankotsu said. He sat on his futon, picking at a loose thread. "There are other women in there to help her during the day, I bet. I still can't believe that kimono was worth so much money."
Jakotsu snickered. "I have exquisite taste when it comes to clothing, Aniki. Of course the kimono was worth a lot of money. I would not grab anything cheap!"
"You didn't even like it!"
"But I took it, because it was classy," Jakotsu pointed out. "But it was not my color, and neither are the clothes she gave me to wear until mine are ready."
He looked disdainfully down at the plain white shirt and pants set he wore.
"Hey, be grateful; she didn't have to give you spare clothes. She could have, and probably should have, made you walk around town naked."
"You'd enjoy that," Jakotsu muttered through handfuls of water.
"Not as much as Kaji."
Jakotsu nearly choked trying to speak through the curtain of water he was pouring over his face. "That chicken shit of a man would run away so fast... Honestly, how did No Name ever evolve from someone like that?"
Bankotsu shrugged. "He's everything that Kaji isn't."
"Yes..."
Bankotsu gave a rough yank and pulled the thread he'd been playing with out of the futon, only to unravel more of it. Oops.
"Bankotsu... I was...starting to like him being around. I mean, he's not like you and me, but... I feel that maybe he and I could get along. I liked arguing with him and trying to push his buttons."
Bankotsu snorted, "You would like that about somebody."
"Well, what did you like about him?" Jakotsu felt around for the damp towel Bankotsu had set beside the washing bowl to pat himself dry.
Bankotsu let the tangled thread he was trying to piece back into the futon go. "I don't know. The obvious reason I liked him was his fighting ability, but after talking to him and spending some time with him, I can only say, I like the guy. I don't know why really. He's easy-going for the most part, and durable, and you like him, and... he likes us."
"He does? I mean, I knew he liked you, but me as well? He said so?"
"Not in words," Bankotsu shook his head. "But you were the first to get a laugh out of him yesterday, and he didn't run away when he thought you were coming on to him."
Jakotsu hummed faintly and Bankotsu sighed deeply. His first recruit there and gone in a single day. That had to set some sort of record. Ai, he was depressed.
"Jakotsu... will you buy me some candy with what's left of your kimono money? I need comfort food."
He draped himself over the futon dramatically. He awaited Jakotsu's sarcastic retort, but none came. Propping himself up on one elbow, he glanced over at Jakotsu curiously. Was he ogling himself again?
The older boy sat cross-legged, holding the bowl of purple water, eyes very distant and sad. "I think I'm jealous of him."
"Who?"
"Kaji, No Name, whoever he chooses to be."
"Why?"
"He can be two people at once and keep the memories separate if he wants. One sleeps while the other plays, and then when they switch off the latter can't remember what the other has done. In one life I was a filthy whore...and in this life, I want to be more, but I can't look beyond what I was. I can't forget. I'm still Josue though I go by a different name now."
"Oh Jakotsu..." Stop making me want to cry for you.
"He's a lucky man."
"Lucky to have a mental disorder?" Bankotsu rubbed his temple.
Jakotsu shook his head, eyes glistening. "Never mind, Aniki. I never meant to... say that aloud."
"Ja..."
"How should I wear my hair? Down or up? Do you think we should buy more paint? I'd like to get some new colors."
Bankotsu blinked at the range of random new topics Jakotsu was spewing at him to change the subject. Bankotsu got the point; Jakotsu didn't want to talk. Fine.
"Leave it up; I'm hungry and it takes you an hour to do your hair. Lets go."
"To the sweet shop?"
"No-- to dinner!"
"But you said..."
"Ai! I give up!"
The yukata was a lavender so pale it looked white with green cloth, leaves embroidered in various artistic positions. Jakotsu held it folded delicately in his arms, peeking at it every now and again. He wouldn't even try it on. He wore the powder blue long- sleeved shirt and long pants he'd had made.
Bankotsu chewed on a piece of candy occasionally offering slices of the sugared fruit to his friend. Jakotsu declined; big surprise there.
"You want to leave after lunch?" Bankotsu asked.
Jakotsu shrugged. "Whenever you want to leave Aniki; I don't mind."
Bankotsu nodded, expecting the answer. He resumed work on dissolving the candy in his mouth and let his eyes roam the peaceful scenery of the village. The houses were simple, made of wood and stone, some were even painted; a neat path was carved into the dirt that led them through and around town. Bankotsu inhaled deeply, sighing at the fresh fragrances of wild flowers and baking ginger.
"I wonder where our friend Kaji is staying? You do not think he has left the village, do you? We have not seen him at all."
"He's hiding from you, Jakotsu," Bankotsu chuckled. "You scared the hell out of him the other day. I don't think I've ever seen anything move that quickly, not even a snake demon."
"Pity," Jakotsu said, hugging his yukata to his chest. "I wanted to model for him."
Bankotsu rolled his eyes and popped a new piece of candy into his mouth. "I don't think I want to stick around for lunch, so unless you can think anything else you need..."
Jakotsu shook his head.
"All right then, lets get our things and head out. This place is a little dull for my taste."
"There are no rampaging killers and nice little old people to give you free meals, you mean," Jakotsu chirped. "You are so easy to read, Oo-Aniki... Hm, you know? I need a new knapsack. I tossed out my old one, and the other one I had was ruined."
"You can keep your stuff in my bag like we've been doing."
"But my yukata will get..."
Bankotsu looked heavenward. "Jakotsu, it's not a royal gown; it won't fall apart if it gets a few wrinkles...." He broke off as Jakotsu poked his bottom lip out. "Ohh..." he groaned in frustration. "Why don't you just wear the thing and put those pants in my bag?"
"And take the risk of getting my beautiful yukata dirty?" Jakotsu was shaking his head vehemently. "No, no, no..."
"Then why did you get it, if you're not going to wear it. Are you going to pack it around like a baby and look at it for the rest of your life?"
"Aniki, you are being a bit dramatic," Jakotsu chastised, gray eyes nervously glancing at the people on the street who were pretending not to stare at them. "I will wear it, just not now."
"Let me see it," Bankotsu reached for the lavender bundle with sticky hands. Jakotsu actually leapt back, cradling his cargo.
"Your hands!" he squeaked.
Bankotsu wiped them on his pants and watched in amusement as Jakotsu waned. "Bankotsu, if you touch my clothes, I will set fire to yours with you still in them!"
Ouch, and Jakotsu looked serious.
"I'm hurt, Jakotsu! You'd burn me...for this!" Bankotsu darted forward like a serpent, tagging the soft fabric of Jakotsu's yukata lightly and bounding away like a rabbit that had seen a fox.
He giggled at Jakotsu's indignant shouting behind him and didn't look behind him, not needing to confirm that he was being pursued. He ran through the village, darting off the main road and into the knee high grass. He jumped over washboards and pails of water, he wove through lines of drying laundry, bringing some down in his wake. He ignored the ranting of angry village women, threatening to tan his behind more than it was.
He ripped through the taller grass back onto one of the village paths and ducked in the shadow of a small house. Tucking himself neatly under the stairs of the front porch, he watched Jakotsu's long legs race past. He snickered quietly and counted to 10 before emerging, only to walk straight into...
He rebounded. "Kaji."
"B...Bankotsu," Kaji bowed slightly. "Um..." his black eyes looked around nervously.
"Not here," Bankotsu said with a smirk.
"Oh... Ok. Hello," Kaji looked relieved, and his bright smile slowly found its way back onto his tired face. "How are you this morning?"
"I'm good," Bankotsu said. "And you?"
"Fine, thank you," Kaji said. "Have you had lunch yet?"
Bankotsu shook his head. "It's a little early for lunch, isn't Doctor?"
Kaji looked startled then thoughtful. "So it is. I hadn't even realized... I didn't have breakfast this morning, and it just threw off my concept of time. Come to think of it, I don't even think I had dinner last night... And we didn't have lunch walking into town, did we?"
Bankotsu shook his head, frowning. "We were in a hurry; don't you remember?"
"I...uh..." Kaji laughed nervously, "...I remember Jakotsu. Funny guy, isn't he? For a moment there, I thought he may have been serious about some of that stuff. I...don't remember much of what happened before or after that, though I'm sure that I..." Kaji shook his head.
"Bankotsu, you can help me. You've been with me since yesterday and maybe even before then. You told me I slept the entire time, for days... And I believe you, because it happens to me a lot. I told you that, but... do I...did I... sleep walk? Sometimes when I wake, I'm...dirty when I know I'd gone to bed clean. Last night, this morning... there was... blood under my nails. It wasn't mine, Bankotsu, and I keep finding these...these weapons..." From his pocket, Kaji extracted No Name's clawed gloves. "I throw them away, but they keep finding me. Have you...seen these before?"
Bankotsu tried to stop staring at the gloves and wipe his face clean of all expression. "Um..."
"You have! Tell me, whose are they? Who keeps giving them to me while I'm asleep? It must be some demon. Who else would follow someone like me around for as long as they have, playing such silly pranks? You and Jakotsu kill demons, right? Could you get rid of this one?" His black eyes were pleading and Bankotsu could do nothing but stare.
What could he say to the man?- You have an alter ego that likes to kill and that I wish I could induct into my group, but can't until I can find a way to get rid of you? No, couldn't say that.
"Bankotsu..."
"Aniki! You no good cheater! You no good, clothes dirtying cheater! I am going to take all of your candy and throw it in the marsh! Let us see you eat it then, you low down, sneaky... Oh hi, Kaji-sama. Nice day, hm? You like my new outfit? Oo-Aniki says it is too blue, but you should see my yukata!"
Jakotsu's quicksilver moods never failed to amuse Bankotsu. He'd thought for sure Jakotsu was going to clobber him, hence why he had run.
"Ah..." Kaji had turned an interesting shade of pink.
"What is the matter? I know you can speak; you were just speaking to Bankotsu. Do you not like me anymore now that you know I am not interested in you? You are a funny man, Kaji. You were more eager to talk to me, when I was rude to you. Do you want me to be rude again?"
"...." Kaji couldn't even make nervous sounds anymore.
"Jakotsu, leave him alone," Bankotsu finally interjected, figuring the poor man had enough to worry about without Jakotsu's games.
"But I wasn't..." Jakotsu began, but Bankotsu shushed him wish a look.
"Doctor, we saw no demons approach you and have no reason to believe that one did. Perhaps you should ask yourself how you got those gloves," Bankotsu said, tone level. He frowned at Jakotsu, silently asking him not to comment.
Kaji gasped. "Ask myself? What do you mean by that? Ban..."
"We've got to go Doctor; we're leaving town in a bit. Maybe we'll see you again someday. Take care of yourself."
Bankotsu walked past Kaji, taking Jakotsu by the elbow and dragging him along after him.
"Aniki... what...?"
"Not now Jakotsu; I'll tell you all about it later. Come, lets find a bag for your dress."
"It is a yukata!"
"Same thing."
Jakotsu growled and Bankotsu was barely given a head start before he was tearing after him again.
Bankotsu tossed a look over his shoulder, looking past Jakotsu who was hot on heels to Kaji who was still standing in the same place looking dazed.
Maybe we will see you again...
Some day.
Author's Note: Well that's it. What's the verdict? Like it?-Hate it?-Don't care either way?-Shut up Eboni? -lol! Please let me know by clicking the "Go" button ;). Thanks!