Chapter 5: Fate of the Guilty

The sun shone brightly upon Bankotsu's neck as he looked down upon his parchment, his brush poised at the top of a new line, ready to write. Sensei had decided to let them study outside for the day, and for that Bankotsu was grateful. Tiny beads of sweat rolled down his skin, his yukata soaking it up. So far, it was the hottest morning all year and it would most likely end up as the hottest day. Training had not been easy either. Bankotsu had progressed so much, that Sensei had given him a rather lard sword to use and even employed the same soldier that Bankotsu had first trained with to spar with him at an almost daily basis. Bankotsu had started to take a fancy toward his training. It helped keep his mind off of so many problems. It had been two weeks since Bankotsu had been questioned about Yasashiku. Most of the captives had been released although they were being monitored closely. Jakotsu was allowed to go home the week before and Bankotsu made it a point to visit him, but had received a note from Jakotsu forbidding just that.

So resigned to the worst, Bankotsu stayed where he was and studied and trained, and it was very lonely. Aiko was increasingly busy and rarely had time to see Bankotsu or even Kanaye. Kameko was still avoiding him. This caused a bigger problem for it was she who had to wake him in the morning and told him of his duties. For much of the past two weeks it had been Hisa, the servant girl who had given him Lord Fujita's letter, that had come to wake him. Bankotsu, though hard-pressed to see the good in all this, thought it was rather disconcerting to find the girl staring avidly at him while he was sleeping.

"Kiyoshi!" Sensei's voice cracked like a whip through the air.

"Yes, Sensei!" Bankotsu said, his head snapping up from its position on top of the parchment he was told to write on. He felt a crick form on his neck from the sudden movement but ignored it.

"No dozing off!" Sensei scolded, towering over Bankotsu.

Behind Sensei, Kanaye had been suppressing his laughter. Kanaye had resorted to even nastier forms of malevolence toward Bankotsu which no doubt sprung from jealousy at Bankotsu's prowess in fighting.

Bankotsu stared at Sensei's face, whose forehead was also shiny with sweat. Feeling very foolish for dozing off, Bankotsu said, "Yes, Sensei."

He wondered what punishment would befall him but was taken aback when Sensei turned to a point behind himself and Kanaye and said irritably, "Yes?! What is it?"

Bankotsu turned around in his seat to see a boy that looked about his age standing there. He flinched when Sensei directed his attention to him so suddenly.

"I-It's Lord Fujita, sir."

"Well, what is it?" Sensei snapped.

"He says to tell you that they have a punishment. The criminal will be sentenced soon. Lord Fujita requests their presence." The boy pointed to Bankotsu and Kanaye.

"Very well. Go inside and get your things. We resume tomorrow. And Kiyoshi I expect you to practice with your new sword. You have the weights I gave you, do you not?"

"Yes, Sensei." Bankotsu said, as he picked up his parchment, brushes and ink and placed them in a bag.

"I want you to tie the weights around your ankles and wrists like I showed you and practice wielding your sword with them. Understand?"

"Yes, Sensei." Bankotsu said, feeling wearier than ever.

"Good. Very well, then." And then the Sensei proceeded to tell Kanaye what his tasks were for the day and soon Kanaye was following Bankotsu inside.

When Bankotsu and Kanaye had re-emerged, they found that the messenger still hadn't left and that Sensei was not paying much attention to him. Bankotsu, with his new sword in a cloth tied around his shoulders like a bag, and his weights, parchment, ink and paint brushes in a separate bag, proceeded to follow the messenger when he stopped suddenly and said, "Uh, Sensei?"

Bankotsu turned around to see that Sensei was walking up his steps to his chambers. He turned around when he was addressed and said, "Yes?" though much more calmly.

"Uh, Lord Fujita also says, that if you wish, you may join them as well."

Sensei stared at the messenger in a calculating expression before he said, softly yet sternly, "Men are not created, nourished and then killed for the sole purpose of others' amusement. No mistake is great enough to warrant that. I have no interest in watching such barbaric things." Then he turned around and entered his house, leaving Bankotsu feeling slightly guilty for joining Lord Fujita and the others.

A few minutes later, after the messenger had allowed Bankotsu to return all his things to his room, they stood in front of Lord Fujita's house. The messenger, wasting no time, quickly entered before Bankotsu and Kanaye but the other boys soon followed. The messenger knocked on the door and it was immediately answered by none other than Hisa. Her face seemed to brighten upon seeing Bankotsu, but when she moved aside to let them pass, her face crinkled in disgust and he knew why. It wasn't called the hottest day for nothing and, not only he but the other two, had been working endlessly.

Nonetheless, he walked up to where Lord Fujita sat and bowed low. "Lord Fujita." Kanaye said, bowing low as well.

"Kanaye and Kiyoshi as well? Splendid. Ah, but I do not see Shuichi with you? I expect that your sensei didn't feel up to coming?" He asked mildly to no one in particular.

"Yes, my lord. Mr. Shuichi has decided not to come." The messenger said, briskly.

"Oh but of course, that does sound like Shuichi, always the empathetic one. But let us continue. But, I daresay you both look dreadful! And you smell dreadful too! Would you both like to clean up?"

Gratefully, Bankotsu and even Kanaye agreed to the offer and were both ushered away to a side door into a hall they were lead into a fairly large room with a tub in the middle full of hot water and sweet smelling oils. Reluctantly, Bankotsu undressed and plopped himself into the soothing water, disinclined to share his bath time with Kanaye. To Bankotsu, and no doubt Kanaye's relief, neither of them talk and however awkward it felt, Bankotsu didn't feel compelled to say anything to the boy who had placed himself on the other side of the large, square tub. Once they had cleaned themselves, two attendants came in and brought them towels and brought them simple yukatas to wear since theirs were currently dirty and unsuitable to wear attending a gathering with the Lord of the city. Then, Bankotsu was taken to the main chamber and sat down on a cushion among other people, who were all being served with endless amounts of food and drink. All the while Bankotsu felt it was out of his place to be among these high ranking people, or even inside the Lord's own home. He wondered why he was being treated so well when all the other nobility treated the servants as if they were the seats they sat on.

Bankotsu looked around. He recognized only a few people around him: Lord Fujita of course sat on his throne at the front of the hall, Aiko sitting composed and more dainty than he had ever seen her. Opposite Aiko sat Yasashiku's parents, Bankotsu was sure, and Kanaye was sitting next to his father and what he could have guessed as his mother opposite Bankotsu. They kept giving him nasty looks; no doubt Kanaye had told his parents a different story from what really happened the day that Yasashiku died.

Bankotsu scanned the group and his eyes fell upon a powerful looking man, with a walrus mustache and his hear in a high bun. He wore intricate battle armor, and his helmet lay beside him on the floor. Bankotsu recognized him as the general of Lord Fujita's army. He was currently talking to a frail looking old man to his right and his voice was so strong that it carried all the way down to Bankotsu who sat near the middle of the group. He was clearly not a man to cross . . .

From a door in the corner of the room came another servant who came right up to Lord Fujita who whispered something in his ear. Lord Fujita nodded, stood up and said, "Alas! You have all been summoned here today, to honor the death of Yasashiku Tokiko, and his parents, Sir Yutaka Tokiko and his dear wife, Ami. Some of you may also know that today is the day that we have captured the culprit behind this heinous crime against one of our beloved families! Come! Let us gather!"

At this, all the people around the table stood up and Lord Fujita led them all outside, no doubt to the town square the where the execution would be held. Bankotsu looked around, suddenly feeling weak in the knees when he spotted Hisa with the servant talking rather animatedly. The servant gave Hisa the letter and she nodded, heading toward him. At the same time, Aiko was slowing down to a slow pace also heading for Bankotsu. His heart stopped. Aiko was really coming this way! She looked very pretty dressed up in her fancy clothing. Even her hear was done up in an intricate bun and some of her long black hear hung at her sides. Her lips were as red as roses and her eyes, Bankotsu didn't know why, but they had a saddened, dull expression to them, despite the blue that was on her eyelids. Bankotsu felt the blood rush to his face and he felt warm and sweaty, although he had been for quite some time. Just then, however, Hisa came running up to him and said, "Hello Bankotsu!"

"H-Hello Hisa," He said, evasively. He really didn't want to speak to her at the moment.

"See? I remembered your name, Bankotsu!"

"That's great he said," Though not meaning it at all. He turned his head a fraction sideways and he saw that Aiko had stopped and looked surprised at Hisa's intrusion. Bankotsu was about to tell Hisa to get out of the way when a boy came up to her suddenly and struck up a conversation with her. Taking a half-hearted glance back at Bankotsu, she nodded her head and immediately left with the boy.

Bankotsu seemed to wither and die where he stood. He was thoroughly unaware that he was the last person, other than the servants, still in the hall. He was even unaware that Hisa was now tapping sharply on the shoulder.

"Bankotsu. Bankotsu. Pay attention!" She said, resigned to shaking him vigorously.

"What?! What?! What is it?! Anymore of my life you want to ruin?!" Bankotsu snapped.

Hisa looked shocked and hurt and her mouth was slightly open in alarm.

Bankotsu felt slightly bad for snapping at her so suddenly and apologized.

"Its alright. I'm sorry. I didn't know that you liked Aiko . . . actually I did, but I didn't know that . . . yeah . . . anyway, this is for you," and at this, she handed Bankotsu a slightly ruined letter.

"What's this?" He asked, guiltily.

"Oh, someone came by to give it to. But they couldn't approach you so they gave it to me to give you. Said it was from some strangely clad boy."

"Oh . . . oh!" Finally realized who the strangely clad boy was. "Thanks."

"No problem . . ." Hisa said, rather dejectedly, "Well . . . I guess . . . I'll leave you alone now." She finished and started shuffling away.

Bankotsu didn't say anything as he was already reading Jakotsu's note.

Bankotsu, Meet me in the market after the execution in front of the watermelon stand. I'll come and get you there. Pretend your not waiting for and don't go alone.

Jakotsu

"Don't go alone?" Bankotsu repeated to himself. He looked up and saw the slow moving form of Hisa. Feeling very reluctant and almost as if he were committing suicide, Bankotsu called to her.

"Wait! Hisa!" Bankotsu said, before she got away.

She turned around to face him. "Yes?"

"I'm sorry I snapped at you." Bankotsu said, between gritted teeth. "And I didn't mean it when I said you ruined my life. Now can you do me a favor? Can you come with me?"

Hisa just smiled and giggled annoyingly.

Bankotsu didn't know what he had gotten himself into, nor could he bring himself up to think about it. He was busily reading and re-reading his letter. Why can't I come by myself?! He asked himself. Next to him walked Hisa who was jabbering away nonstop, talking about nonsense. Bankotsu would just nod and agree whenever she pointed a question or where his opinion was needed. She was like a fly buzzing around his head and though she had done her best to look clean and proper, she still wore the servants' garb. Nonetheless, they looked for the large group of noblemen and didn't take long to spot them just outside the palace gates, Lord Fujita and Aiko in a carriage hauled by four strong men.

Bankotsu grabbed Hisa's arm and yanked her. "Let's go!" He ordered cutting her off mid-sentence.

When they had reached the town square they came upon a makeshift stage around a very sturdy and tall tree. From one of the overhanging branches was a rope ending in a loop; the punishment was to be hanged. Bankotsu wasn't sure if he'd like to watch this. Out of Lord Fujita's entire rule of the town, there never was an execution before; at least none that Bankotsu could remember.

Bankotsu expected to be led somewhere near the tree but was wrong when they were led to a sort of elevated foyer complete with shade, behind the massing crowd. Lord Fujita and Aiko got out of their carriage and sat upon their seats in the middle of the foyer. Everyone else had the choice of sitting around on cushions or standing. Bankotsu chose the former along with Hisa who stood next to him, though thankfully, she had stopped talking.

Bankotsu walked up to the front of the foyer and watched the tree with the rope, wondering who's life would be ending today. Slowly the crowd began to grow in number and when it seemed like the square couldn't be filled with more people, Lord Fujita stood up and said, "I know you are all confused as to why you are here but bear with me there is a reason. You are all to bear witness today to the death of Mika Fujitaka, the murderer who killed Yasashiku Tokiko."

At this, many people in the crowd raised their fists into the air with yells of agreement and satisfaction, but Bankotsu could hear, or at least he thought he did, the distressed cry of a woman in the crowd. Bankotsu felt distinct feeling of guilt, though from what he neither knew nor gave much thought to. It was amazing that these people so wanted one of their own people, their own neighbor, to die. At once, Sensei's words echoed through his brain. He shook his head and turned sideways to find Hisa looking pensively at him. Her face was in an expression of sadness, grief, Bankotsu couldn't tell, but in it, he knew that Hisa understood exactly what he was feeling and for the first time since he had met her, he didn't mind her being so near. She edged closer to him and held his hand in her own, comfortingly. Bankotsu, who had never had so much as had such an encounter with a girl, blushed a deep crimson to rival Jakotsu's lips and turned away, but didn't take his hand from hers.

His mind was racing for something to think about when an image of a person appeared in his mind's eye: Aiko. Immediately, Bankotsu felt a tiny explosion in his stomach and withdrew his hand from Hisa's grasp. She didn't seem to mind but turned a deep crimson, looked at the floor and then edge ever so slightly away from Bankotsu. Bankotsu looked straight ahead as from somwhere behind the tree came a couple of soldiers dragging the limp body of a woman in white robes. They took her to the stage with the tree and set her up there. Bankotsu felt sick but felt someone's presence behind him. He turned around to see Aiko who was about to tap him on the shoulder. Bankotsu thought it was because she couldn't see from where she sat and instantly moved over to a place less obtrusive. Evidently it wasn't his position on the foyer that she came to talk about but just to talk to him.

"So you go by a different name now, don't you?" She said, softly. Something had changed in her. Bankotsu didn't know how he knew, but he did.

"H-how'd you find out?" He stammered in his usual manner around her.

"Kameko." She said simply. She turned to the makeshift stage and wrinkled her nose in disgust.

Bankotsu didn't know what to say but watched without paying attention to the procession.

At some point Lord Fujita stood again to say something and Aiko took this chance to whisper to Bankotsu, "I miss the old days, Kiyoshi-no-Bankotsu." And then she walked away to her seat next to Lord Fujita.

Bankotsu left utterly confused and watched her in her seat. She didn't return his gaze however for the same boy had come up to her and engage her in conversation. He looked back and felt utterly sick. One because she may have been hinting something more and two the hanging was about to begin. The soldiers had begun to place her on a stand and put the noose around her neck. Silent tears were rolling down her cheek and she didn't once give a struggle. The sound of the distressed cries slowly became louder and they seemed to get so loud that it was an almost unbearable pitch and Bankotsu didn't think he could take it anymore and bolted out of the foyer toward the market.

"Bankotsu!" Hisa called, before bolting after him as well.

He didn't look at Aiko, but she also made a gesture to follow him, but was staved by Lord Fujita.

Bankotsu looked up the street he was running, not sure in which direction he was headed. He heard Hisa's light feet behind him but didn't care. He just kept a steady pace toward whatever he was going. Suddenly, he stopped where he stood and sunk to the floor, clutching the nearest stand for support.

"Bankotsu!" Hisa said, and she ran to his side.

"I can't stand it! I can't stand it, Hisa! I did it! It's my fault that Yasashiku died!" He sobbed, tears rolling down in waterfalls onto his yukata.

"Bankotsu, I don't understand. It's not your fault! It was that woman's! She's getting what she deserved!" And as she spoke this they heard the sound of distant yells from the square. It would seem that the deed was beyond repair.

"It was me! It was my fault. It happened on that day when-"

"Bankotsu!" Said a sickeningly cheery voice from a short distance.

Bankotsu looked up to find Jakotsu standing a few feet from them, he was getting out of a dingy looking shop. Subconsciously, Bankotsu had led himself and Hisa to where he and Jakotsu had met and become friends.

A/N: Omg I just got my permit and just learned how to drive and ugh its so cool! Thank you to Gerbil and anmah for reviewing. What little compliments you bring fuel me. That and sugar coated strawberries and my pet rock, Hamster! Mmm good!