Author's Note: Hi :). It's been a little while, but here is the new chapter. I'm glad the other chapter went over so well. Let me warn you the chapter after this will be a little graphic; this is a filler chapter that leads into it. Thank you for the wonderful response! Take care and enjoy the chapter!
Reviewer Responses:
lildaemon: Lol! You so just managed to squeeze into this Response section lol. I got your review right when I came on to update lol! Thank you so much! I'm glad you like the story, and I appreciate you telling me so. Take care and I hope you enjoy the chapter :)
Ibara-hime: Awww... bad computer lol! Yeah, Bankotsu was mean, but you know how it is when you get mad and start displacing your anger. Everybody gets yelled at lol. (Example: Parents. When your younger sibling's in trouble, everyone's in trouble lol). LOL, I know what rated R means. It's not R yet. Though I do give most of my stories an R rating because I never know what's going to happen when I start writing, so it's safer that way. "Lovelier" huh? Lol. We'll see. If I'm feeling it, it'll happen, but right now I'm not ;). Thank you so much for reviewing and re-reviewing chic! Take care and I hope you like this. I didn't proofread it.
Me, just me: Hehehehe.. Poor Kira. He's getting so much hate mail. Yeah, I promise someone will get to spill some blood soon, but I'm not going to tell you who it is ;). Thanks for reviewing and take care! I hope you enjoy the chapter.
D. Pearls: Hahahaha! Dang... put the knives away; there's no need for them. Kira will get his soon. You'll see ;). Is Odin really Renkotsu? Maybe ;). Seven tests...ouch. I hope you did well on them and the project! Thanks for reviewing and take care! Enjoy the chapter!
Evil-Zukin: He's not cute enough for Jakotsu? Lol! I was not expecting that. So what if he was a cute fat man? Could he have Jakotsu then? Hahaha! Okay, I get your point though :). Thanks for reviewing and take care girl! Enjoy the chapter!
Tareacel: What name are you posting under? Yeah Ban and Sui had a snowball fight. Wasn't exactly a moment of genius on their part lol. That won't be the last time somebody pummels Renkotsu ;). Jakotsu painting his kimonos was fun. I wanted him to have some kind of cool talent; glad you liked it. Hehehehehe... you can rant; I find them hilarious. I'm guessing you'll like the chapter to follow this one since you hate the Fat Man :). Thanks for reviewing and take care girl. Enjoy the chapter.
Mars Fire Goddess: Lol, Kira may get his head cut off, but Bankotsu may not be the one to do it ;). Yes, Jakotsu is remembering his past, but you may not have to worry about him being alone ;). :) Is Odin Renkotsu? Hmm... could be ;) Lol! I'm glad you like that I center a bit more on Ban and Ja. I can't keep myself away from them. I'm trying to give everybody equal time though...sigh...but the more characters you add, the harder it gets. Specially since it's all coming from Bankotsu's perspective. Renkotsu may not like the special attention Ja gets, but he'll have to learn to like it ;). Thanks for the review girl, and take care! I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Moonlightassassin: Awww... well you won't have to feel bad for them much longer ;) Thanks for reviewing and take care! Hope you like the chapter!
Corrina: Lol! I'm glad you liked the last chapter. Bankotsu punching the monk was rather blasphemous, but fun all the same. I'm happy you liked it. Kill him...maybe... you'll see ;). Next chapter, I promise lol! This one just got too long and I had to cut it off. Haha, I'm glad you liked Bankotsu's "insubordination" spiel. It always pleases me when someone is amused by my silliness. Thanks for reviewing girl and take care! Hope you like the new chapter!
Gerbil: You see a lot of evil fat lords? Lol. Sorry, couldn't resist. You may be pleased by the next chapter :). Take care and thanks for reviewing! Hope you like the chapter!
Yennie-Gurl: Hm... Who is Odin? We shall see. Will Kira die before the story's up? Most likely lol ;). Take care and thanks for reviewing! Hope you enjoy the chapter!
MageofDarkness: Ouch... I feel bad for Kira after that line lol! Yes, I do want people to hate him, but the hate mail has been overwhelming... I love it, muhahaha! You won't be disappointed at the end though ;). Don't feel sorry for the boys... not for long anyway ;). Could Odin be Renkotsu? ;D. I'm glad you liked Jakotsu's painting scene. I wanted to give him a neat little talent besides being a good swordsman. Lol, yes, Bankotsu is very protective, but maybe it's not needed right now... ;) Thank you for saying they are getting better. I'm glad you think so; it's my goals for these stories to get longer and more interesting as I get more characters and plots to play with :). Lol, sixth period discussions are always fun ;) lol. Well take care and as always, thank you for reviewing! I hope you enjoy my little leading chapter :).
Lynx and Kaos: Lol, yeah Kira is getting creepy huh? Wonder if he's as creepy to Jakotsu as Inuyasha thought Jakotsu was? Lol! Well take care and thank you for reviewing! Hope you enjoy the chapter!
Skittlez: Taste someone else's rainbow. Hmph! Well how rude! As I said, I hope you got a lot of green ones (yuck). Lol. Kiradie.... probably. OdinRenkotsu...maybe. Canon... later lol. Thanks for reviewing and take care! Hope you like the chapter!
Rift-ware Slave: Hmm..maybe you shouldn't read the chapter that follows this one, if the stuff with Kira disturbed you.... Lol. Well, I didn't update too fast this time. Was I better? Lol, thanks for reviewing and take care! I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 3
Suikotsu was the one that stopped him from charging downstairs and ramming the pearls down Kira's throat.
"Jakotsu needs you, Oo-Aniki. He won't let me touch him, remember." Suikotsu had him around the waist and had hoisted him off his feet. Bankotsu struggled against his hold for a moment before the fire rushed out of him. He'd been so consumed by his outrage, he'd forgotten about Jakotsu.
"Put me down," Bankotsu breathed as Suikotsu was already swinging him around and setting him back on his feet in front of Jakotsu's heaving form. Bankotsu fell to his knees beside Jakotsu, gathering his thick hair, holding it away from his face, and rubbing his back.
"I'm so sorry for bringing you here, Jakotsu. Nothing like that is ever going to happen to you again," Bankotsu murmured, scowling inwardly at himself. If Jakotsu wasn't already having nightmares, he surely would now.
The retching stopped, leaving Jakotsu gasping and moaning in pain. He let Bankotsu hold him, leaning back into his torso with a light sigh.
"Are you ok?" Bankotsu queried, rubbing his friend's flat stomach and feeling the unpleasant rumbling beneath his fingers. "Do you want something to drink?"
Jakotsu shook his head with a groan; he rested a cold, trembling hand over the hand Bankotsu had placed on his stomach.
"I don't blame you, you know. I think I've lost my appetite too," Bankotsu growled. "Piggy bastard."
"You are not hungry? My gods, hell must have frozen over," Jakotsu chuckled weakly.
"In this weather, I wouldn't be surprised if it had," Suikotsu said. He studied Jakotsu and Bankotsu a moment, smiling softly. He sat down across from them, crossing his legs in front of him and admiring one of Jakotsu's kimonos. "Jakotsu, can you paint the back of one of my kimonos for me? My red one?"
"Sure," Jakotsu breathed, flinching when Bankotsu's fingers probed the tender skin of his tummy. Bankotsu frowned at the churning and gurgling he was feeling and couldn't help but think that maybe Kira hadn't been the direct cause of Jakotsu's nausea after all.
He touched Jakotsu's forehead briefly, reconfirming what he'd suspected earlier when he'd felt his cheek. "So, the bug has finally bitten you. You're sick! That's what you get for gloating! Revenge will be sweet!"
Jakotsu snorted. "You get no revenge, Aniki. We do not have the time; there is work to do."
Bankotsu narrowed his eyes, anger returning. "Work to do is right. We're catching those bandits tonight and getting out of here in the morning."
"Oo-Aniki, that's not wise. We all agreed that my plan was best," Suikotsu began but Bankotsu cut him off.
"That was before Tubby had a collar sent up here! I'll collar him... if I can find one big enough to fit around his fat neck. Blubbery bastard..."
"Ow, Aniki! You're squeezing!" Jakotsu complained, pulling free of Bankotsu's hold and turning to pout at him.
Bankotsu blinked at his pale comrade. Had he been tightening his arms as he thought of wringing Kira's thick neck?
"Calm down, Bankotsu. I would rip Kira's intestines out and feed them to him, if I didn't think he'd enjoy it, but you said this would be our last job. We finish this and never have to put up with anything like this again. I say we get it over with, unless Jakotsu feels that we should leave. He is, after all, the one Kira is a threat to."
"That burro gordo(1) is no threat to me. I just do not like his eyes following me, and I do not like to think about the boys he toys with," Jakotsu shuddered. "That is a kind of dirt that never washes off."
Bankotsu slapped the end of his braid against his knees and refrained from chewing on it. The last thing he wanted was self-inflicted split ends. "I don't like his eyes following you either. But..." He would not bite his braid... He would not bite his braid. "If it's truly not bothering you enough to want to leave... please tell me if it is, we can be gone in an hour... we'll follow the plan."
"I am fine, Aniki," Jakotsu sighed. "I am no damsel in distress that needs protecting..."
"You haven't pushed me away yet," Bankotsu argued.
"Perhaps it is because you are cute, when you get protective," Jakotsu purred, running a hand along Bankotsu's back and taking his braid from him. "You are going to bite this off. If you want a hair cut so badly, let me do it."
Bankotsu scowled at Jakotsu, snatching back his hair and standing up. Pacing the length of the room with his arms behind his back, he asked, "So what are we going to do in the meantime while waiting for nightfall? I don't want to mingle with anyone else in this place, but I don't know if I can stay cooped up in here, and it's too cold to go outside."
Suikotsu and Jakotsu shared a look and a surge of irritation nearly knocked Bankotsu over. "Oh, stop it! I hate it when you two do that!"
"Then stop being a brat, Aniki, and sit down," Jakotsu said placidly. "Eat your lunch; let me paint your kimono..."
"I've lost my appetite!" Bankotsu roared, but his dear stomach roared louder, and Jakotsu and Suikotsu laughed at him.
Flushing, Bankotsu huffed over to the steaming bowls of stew and grabbed one, not looking back at his companions who were still snorting with laughter. He sat away from them, gobbling up his food without tasting it.
"I think we have hurt his feelings, Suikotsu."
"I think he's embarrassed."
"Ban-chan does not embarrass that easily. I think we have bruised his ego..."
"His own stomach bruised his ego, I think..."
"SHUT UP!" Bankotsu swallowed and turned around to glare at his friends who wore matching shit eating grins. He downed the last of his stew and moved over to them, pulling off his kimono and spreading it out on the floor. "Teach me how to paint dragons, Jakotsu. I want one on each shoulder."
The storm eased conveniently after nightfall, leaving behind an icy mist that made the temperature outdoors almost unbearable. Bankotsu was secretly happy that he was getting to stay indoors for this mission. He sat with Jakotsu while Suikotsu was doing all of the recognizance work outdoors. The older man was going stir crazy, and he'd promised Bankotsu that he wouldn't slaughter anyone that didn't ask for it.
"You could have gone out with Suikotsu, Aniki," Jakotsu yawned. He had mummified himself in blankets and huddled near the kotatsu. "You are no doing anything here, but snapping at the kitchen boys. Did you see the way little Tenchi trembled when he came back to retrieve the lunch dishes? Oishi-chan did not even want to bring dinner to you."
Bankotsu scowled. He was in foul mood that hadn't been improved by the impromptu visits of Kira's servants. True, they were simply doing their jobs, but Bankotsu kept expecting each one to deliver unacceptable gifts from Kira. He glared at the pearls Jakotsu had gathered in a neat pile and set beside his drying kimonos.
"You really should apologize. They are nice boys, after all."
Yeah... Bankotsu sighed. They were. He really was being a boar growling at them as he was, but they represented Kira to him and Kira made him so angry! No one had ever irritated him in this way and was still alive to smirk about it. Kira needed to be taught a lesson, and Bankotsu was feeling particularly scholarly at the time.
"You through throwing up for the night?"
"I hope so," Jakotsu murmured, rubbing his stomach idly and frowning deeply. "It hurts. How long do you think it is going to take Suikotsu no aniki to return? I am tired."
Bankotsu shrugged. "I told him to come back hourly to warm up and report. You don't have to stay up for him, Jakotsu. Neither one of us will mind, if you got some rest. Come on, lay down." Bankotsu moved to Jakotsu, sitting down and easing his friend's head into his lap. Jakotsu shifted around a bit to get more comfortable and readjusted his blankets.
"Don't let me fall asleep, Bankotsu," Jakotsu mumbled softly.
"Don't worry about it," Bankotsu replied. He stroked Jakotsu's hair, knowing the soothing motions would put the older boy to sleep. He stopped his stroking briefly to test the temperature of Jakotsu's forehead. Clammy heat met the pads of his fingers; was it worse than before? Probably.
He sighed. "Just go to sleep, Jakotsu. I'll wake you, if anything important happens."
"You will not."
Bankotsu grinned. "You know me well. Go to sleep, baka."
Jakotsu's heavy lids slid closed, veiling smoky irises. "Bankotsu...?" he whispered.
"Hm?"
"Stay here for the night."
It wasn't a request.
"Of course."
A tiny knock at the door woke Bankotsu from his light slumber. Was Suikotsu back for his fourth report already? Surely he hadn't been asleep that long. But then again, Suikotsu didn't knock; he just came in.
Not wanting to disturb Jakotsu by calling out, Bankotsu gently slid the older boy's head from his lap, lying him on the floor. He stood with a soft grunt, back popping, and tiptoed to the door.
This had better not be Kira...
He opened the door a crack and peered out into soft brown eyes. Gah! He nearly stumbled back. "Oishi! You trying to scare me death?"
Oishi's eyes went wider than they had been and filled with tears.
"Oh damn... get in here," Bankotsu grabbed the boy by one his long sleeves and yanked him in the room, shutting the door after him. "What's wrong? Oh, stop crying, I didn't mean to snap. I'm pissed at your boss, not you."
Oishi continued to sniffle, but he dabbed at his eyes with his sleeves. His small lips trembled as he stared at Bankotsu. "Bankotsu... I don't know if you and me are still friends, but I need to ask you a favor."
Bankotsu sighed, scratching his head and wondering when he'd washed his hair last. Jakotsu washed his hair with every bath; Bankotsu washed when he felt like it, and he hadn't felt like it for quite some time.
"What kind of favor are we talking about?" Bankotsu sat down on the floor and motioned for Oishi to sit.
The boy sat on his knees, bowing his head a bit, letting black hair fall over his forehead. "When you leave here, take me with you. You don't have to take care of me or nothing. I don't eat much, and I can wash and clean, and I don't talk... Oh, and I can sew!"
Bankotsu stared. Oishi wanted to come along? Bankotsu couldn't blame him for wanting to escape, but the trail they blazed was not one for a little boy to follow, not one such as Oishi. They did things he didn't need to witness. Traveling with them would turn him into something he wasn't, if it didn't drive him insane first.
But wasn't it the same with Kira? Surely Oishi was no prostitute and Bankotsu was going nuts after being there only one day. The boy had no future either way he looked at it... but did Bankotsu really want to be responsible for a young boy? He was a boy himself and he already had Jakotsu and Suikotsu to look after.
He sighed deeply, and Oishi sobbed.
"Ah, stop that," Bankotsu groused at him. "Look kid, I'm sorry. You've really put me on the spot." He bit his lip.
Oishi had buried his head in his hands. "I thought you knew what goes on here! I ain't like Tenchi and Jinto... they don't like it, but they're past caring about anything! I can't be like them, but I ain't got nowhere else to go. Hey, you don't even have to keep me. Just get me to the next village; maybe somebody'll like me there."
"Why don't you just leave this house?"
"Bankotsu, you ain't stupid. If I leave here, the Master'll just have me dragged back, and I'll get beat like Yoshi to where I can't walk straight no more."
Yoshi? "Who is Yoshi?"
"He lives in Lord Kira's special room. Tenchi's the only one that sees him, cause he brings him food and bathes him and stuff. He's all tied up."
Bankotsu clenched his hands together and tried to keep his breathing steady. This is not your problem. He glanced behind him at Jakotsu's slumbering frame, grateful his friend wasn't hearing any of this.
"You gotta help me," Oishi raised his head, his eyes red and his cheeks wet from tears. "Just get me outta here. I'll leave you alone after that."
What could it hurt? It wasn't his problem, but what harm could it do to smuggle the child to the next village?
Bankotsu was going to agree; he opened his mouth to do so... but another voice did the job for him.
"Of course you can come with us Oishi-chan. No one should have to live in an environment unsuited for them."
Bankotsu's head snapped in Jakotsu direction. The skinny bastard hadn't been asleep after all. He was still bundled up in his blankets and not looking at them.
Oishi jumped a bit, staring from Jakotsu to Bankotsu as if trying t figure out whom to finish his plea with. Bankotsu was leader, but from the way Jakotsu had spoken, it seemed he could make important decisions for the group as well.
"We'll take you to the next town, Oishi," Bankotsu said finally, staring at Jakotsu. "We have important plans to begin and you'll get in the way."
"We will have to take him further than that, Bankotsu," Jakotsu said softly. "Kira will find him in the next town."
Bankotsu narrowed his eyes. Yes, he probably would, but just how far away would they have to go?
See... this is what you get for getting involved!
"I won't cause no trouble!"
You already are!
"Fine."
Oishi grinned through his tears and wiped his runny nose on his sleeve. "You guys are leaving tomorrow after you catch the mononoke, right? I'll wait for you in the kitchen. I'll get food and stuff! Thank you! Thank you so much! I won't tell nobody I'm leaving, so nobody'll know I'm gone for a while!"
Yeah. Yeah.
"I'm getting outta here!" Oishi was hugging himself. He leapt to his feet and did a little dance, before blushing in embarrassment. "Sorry... I'm just... gods, I'm gonna be free. I woulda ran away a long time ago, but little boys get killed out there on the roads alone."
Bankotsu chewed his braid: Unless you were a little boy like me; bandits pitied the day they harassed me. Bankotsu chuckled to himself for a bit, then mustered up a smile for Oishi. "Be ready tomorrow evening. We're leaving as soon as we get paid, and if we can't find you too bad."
Oishi nodded, clasping his hands in front of his robes. "Sure... yeah. You'll find me easy." He looked edgily at the door. "I better go. Lord Kira's been calling on me a lot. He's kinda... well... he thought that..."
"What?"
"He thought that Jakotsu-chan was gonna like that necklace. He gives it to people he really likes, and he thought Jakotsu was gonna come say thank you, you know?"
Bankotsu stopped the angry flush before it could even begin. "Well, Jakotsu doesn't like it, and if Kira wants his necklace back, he'll have to come and get it from me."
Oishi bowed his head. "I'm not telling him that, Bankotsu."
Bankotsu shrugged. "I don't care if you do. Now go on, before the cow comes looking for you and I do something awful to him."
Oishi almost chuckled. "That wouldn't be a bad thing, then the Lady could run the house."
Bankotsu rolled his eyes. "Like she could. Look at all the things she lets happen around her without rasing her voice against it."
Oishi shrugged. "It's her house. Her father was chieftain before Lord Kira, and he didn't have no sons, so whoever Lady Naoko married became the heir."
Bankotsu snorted. "How'd she end up with Fatso? From what I've seen of her, she could have had anyone."
Oishi frowned. "I don't know."
Hmm...
Suikotsu entered the room then, nearly tumbling over Oishi in his excitement. "Bankotsu I.... woah!"
A moment of confusion ensued as Suikotsu righted himself and Bankotsu shooed Oishi away before Suikotsu could strike him. "Miserable brat, what did he want?"
Bankotsu flinched. Ooh... telling Suikotsu about their temporary edition to the team was not something he looked forward to. In fact, he could add it to the top of the list of things he didn't look forward to, along with being fitted for fine clothes, trimming Jakotsu's hair when it was time, and skipping meals.
"Uh...nothing," Bankotsu grinned innocently. I'll tell him tomorrow...evening. "So what did you find that has you so happy?'
Suikotsu annoyance melted off like the snow dripping from his thick cloak. The large man beamed and crossed the floor to stand before the kotatsu. "I saw them, Bankotsu! There are three of them!"
Bankotsu felt bolt of pure thrill shock him to his feet. He pounced on Suikotsu, unable to contain his excitement. "You saw them! What were they doing?"
"They were putting some kind of coating on the trees out there and planting devices of likes I've never seen in the ground. I watched from the brush behind the clearing. I'm surprised they didn't see me, but the fog was so thick, I'm surprised I could see them as well as I did."
"Did you see their faces; did any of them look familiar?"
Suikotsu shook his head. "They wore hoods and scarves, but it doesn't matter! I saw them! They'll be out there tomorrow and we'll catch them in their costumes!" Suikotsu laughed for a moment. "Bankotsu, do you have any idea how ridiculous they'll look? And what if the town decides to put them to death? We'll get to perform the execution? Won't that be fun?"
Bankotsu pulled Suikotsu into a tight embrace and released him as quickly as he'd grabbed him up. "Of course it will. This is going to be great. Finally, some REAL pay off for taking this job. Are they still out there now?"
Suikotsu shook his head negatively. "I watched until they left."
"Damn," Bankotsu breathed. He'd wanted to catch a glimpse of them too. "Did you hear that, Jakotsu?"
He turned to stare at the pile of blankets on the floor. Jakotsu hadn't moved an inch, not even when Suikotsu had come in. Had he gone back to sleep?
"He's awake?" Suikotsu asked.
"He was," Bankotsu frowned. He straddled Jakotsu's form, ticking him lightly and pulling the covers off his face. "Jakotsu?"
Jakotsu's hair veiled his face, and Bankotsu would never understand how Jakotsu tolerated it. He moved the dark curtain aside and blinked at Jakotsu as his gray eyes stared back at him. "I heard you two just fine, Aniki."
"And what do you think?" Bankotsu shifted positions so he could lie down beside Jakotsu, face to face. "You were right. You were absolutely right. Suikotsu proved that we should listen to you above all else. You're not going to flaunt it?"
"I do not feel well, Aniki," Jakotsu sighed.
"Yeah..." Bankotsu frowned, feeling a trifle guilty for disturbing his friend, but still... he wasn't just being annoying, he was celebrating triumph! "But Jakotsu..."
Jakotsu glared and Bankotsu, startled, reared back. "Ja...?"
Sitting up and tossing his glorious mane around his shoulders, Jakotsu hissed, "I heard you just fine, but I knew I was right before Suikotsu proved it. What is there to rejoice in?"
Bankotsu blinked. Jakotsu looked angry, offended... disappointed?
"We will hunt down some petty human thieves, embarrass them, and kill them, if it pleases us; we will obtain gold and silver, but what about the real human monster we leave behind? What is there to rejoice in, if I do not feel that we are completing our job?"
Elation from the future unmasking of the mononoke vanished, leaving only a stunned and slightly troubled Bankotsu behind. "Jakotsu, we didn't come here to round up noble trash. We've come seeking payment for a simple task. We weren't supposed to get involved; we're not supposed to care. Isn't it enough that we're taking Oishi out of this? He said it himself, the others don't care..."
"They are 'beyond caring.' That is what he said... 'beyond.' I was beyond caring, Bankotsu, but if someone had offered me an out...like you did... I would have taken it. I did take it. You were my... my anjo(2)."
"You want us to take all of the boys with us, Jakotsu? All of them? There is no way in hell they'd all be able to find homes, and you wouldn't let us just leave them. I'm no babysitter Jakotsu, and the boys here are not cut out for our lifestyle..."
"What's this about taking boys with us?" Suikotsu butted in. "We're taking children with us? No one asked me if I wanted..."
"We're not taking children with us," Bankotsu tossed over his shoulder to Suikotsu. "We're dropping Oishi off at the third town we pass through. That's why he was here."
"It is not good enough, Bankotsu," Jakotsu murmured, "not for me."
"What can we do about it, Jakotsu? We're leaving tomorrow, and we will not have a troop of children following us. If you can find a way to solve the problem in that small space of time, you have my blessings."
Jakotsu shut his eyes, shuddering lightly. "And so you would leave it at that."
"Yes, I would," Bankotsu said. He laid a hand on Jakotsu's bony shoulder. "We're not fighting any righteous causes, Jakotsu. We're not out to be the good guys in anything. You know that."
"I do," Jakotsu breathed.
"I'm sorry, Ja. I really am. I know this hurts you, because it's so close to..."
"Fechado acima(3)!" Jakotsu shoved at him. "I do not... Lets not talk about these things any longer. If there is nothing we can do, I do not wish to linger on the subject."
"But..."
"Bankotsu, leave him be. He's ill and the topic doesn't suit him," Suikotsu said lightly, crossing the floor to stand before Jakotsu's closet. "Have you tried to eat anything, Jakotsu?"
Jakotsu, shivering, shook his head.
Suikotsu sighed. "We'll see what you can handle in the morning then; it's too late to ask for anything to be brought up now, and it'd be foolish of me to ask if there are leftovers with Bankotsu here."
Jakotsu managed a small smile at the comment.
"We should try to get some sleep," Suikotsu was still taking charge. "We're going to be busy tomorrow."
Bankotsu silently agreed, still sitting on the floor, sullen and small. Timidly he gazed at Jakotsu who was already lying back down and curling his knees to his chest. "Jakotsu?"
"What is it?"
"Do... do you still want me to stay?"
There was a long pause before Jakotsu answered. "Of course, I do, Aniki."
"I'll see you both in the morning then," Suikotsu said, dismissing himself. "Goodnight."
"Night..." Bankotsu murmured. After the door closed, he crawled closer to Jakotsu, loosening one of his blankets to cover himself. He could feel Jakotsu's tremors through the blanket. "Ja?"
"Hm?"
"Do you want me to hold you?"
"Not tonight, Aniki. I... do not want to be touched."
They stayed inside most of the day, looking after Jakotsu, who spewed anything that wasn't tea or hot water, and discussing the proper way to spring out on their "spirit" friends.
"I think we should hide behind their act and pop out and yell, 'boo,'" Bankotsu proposed. "Scare the crap out of them and make them run."
"Then we chase them," Suikotsu chuckled. "Wonder how fast they'll be able to run in costume."
Bankotsu giggled at the thought. "You know, no one really described the costume."
"We should have asked," Suikotsu cracked his knuckles.
"I'm just curious to see how they make the smoke and fire. We can't kill them until we find out." Bankotsu stuffed an entire rice ball in his mouth and concentrated on not choking to death.
Suikotsu stared at him. "Bankotsu, that was the last rice ball."
"Yes, it was," Bankotsu said after he swallowed and glanced down at the empty plate of food. He dabbed at his mouth with the back of his hand.
"I was going to eat it. You had four already, and I only had three!"
"You should have spit on it, Suikotsu," Jakotsu said. He lie on his back in one of his newly decorated kimonos, staring at the high ceiling with his arms folded over his chest.
"What would that have stopped?" Suikotsu snorted. "He still would have eaten it and thanked me for the delicious added spice."
Bankotsu scowled and smacked Suikotsu over the head.
"Sui, my stomach!" Jakotsu begged.
"You hear that Bankotsu. You turn Jakotsu's stomach," Suikotsu said smugly, ducking Bankotsu's next blow.
"You turn Jakotsu's stomach; you're the one that said it! I would not eat anything you spat on!"
"Oh, so you would eat something someone else spat on..."
"Suikotsu!" Jakotsu whined as Bankotsu threw himself at the older man. They went down in a tangle of arms and legs. They rolled and rolled, usurping Jakotsu from his pallet as he dodged to get out of the way of them.
"My kimonos! Watch my kimonos! You will ruin them!" Jakotsu was yelling. "Ooh... I swear I will get Jakotsutou out! Stop it!"
They didn't notice Tenchi standing in the room until Suikotsu and Bankotsu nearly bowled him over and Jakotsu had to move him out of harm's way.
"Tenchi," Bankotsu said as he and Suikotsu untangled themselves, spanking at each others hands. "Get off me, you oaf..."
"You launched yourself at me, if I remember correctly..."
"If you remember? Well Old Man..."
"Shut up!" Jakotsu shouted. "The boy wants something."
Bankotsu straightened and stared at Tenchi from his position on the floor as did Suikotsu.
The boy standing next to Jakotsu looked scared to death. He wrung his hands together and looked at Jakotsu like he was a link to sanity. "What is it, Tenchi?"
"The...the Lord wants to know if you plan to join the family for dinner."
"No," Bankotsu said crossly. "Anything else?"
"Uh... I um... need to speak to Jakotsu." Tenchi addressed Jakotsu with his wants; Bankotsu still frightened him.
"No," Bankotsu growled. "Anything else?"
"You cannot answer requests for me, Aniki," Jakotsu said, sounding tired. "Is this a conversation for your Lord?"
Tenchi shook his head.
"Then Bankotsu and Suikotsu will leave and we will talk," Jakotsu said, directing a stern gaze at Bankotsu and Suikotsu.
Bankotsu gapped and Suikotsu's blinked. Were they being kicked out?
"Get out! You have destroyed my room and are disgusting me! Out!"
Well.
Bankotsu got up. Rejected twice in barely two days? Hmph! He got up, keeping his back and shoulders straight and nose in the air. He felt Suikotsu behind him. The door slammed shut at their exit.
"I don't think Jakotsu's pleased with us," Suikotsu observed.
Bankotsu glared. "I don't care if he's mad; I don't want him alone with that boy. Who knows what he's going to tell him. He's already upset."
"Oo-Aniki," Suikotsu said gently, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "Jakotsu can handle himself. I think you and I should seriously start talking about how we're going to go about apprehending the thieves. I think we could hide in the brush I was in last night, but we'll have to get into position soon."
"Yeah...yeah... which is why Jakotsu shouldn't be talking to Tenchi right now. We don't have time for..."
"I think we should leave Jakotsu behind."
"Wha...?"
"Bankotsu, he's not going to be able to keep up, if we have to do any running," Suikotsu said. "He's better off inside. Besides, you saw all that junk he's got all over the floor in his room. It's going to take him forever to pack all that up. He can start now."
"But..."
"Lets tell him what we're going to do and be on our way," Suikotsu said firmly. He gave Bankotsu a little squeeze and Bankotsu sighed heavily.
"I'm letting you guys boss me around too much," he grumbled, stomping back to Jakotsu's door. He pushed it open, "Ja... Suikotsu and I are gonna set up and catch the ghost. You stay here and pack your junk."
Jakotsu stared at him. He and Tenchi were sitting on the floor and their heads had been together as they spoke in quiet voices before Bankotsu entered.
"All right, Aniki."
No argument. He was being left out and he didn't care. Bankotsu narrowed his eyes at Jakotsu who looked too calm, then at Tenchi who looked ready to jump out of his skin. His eyes glittered with tears threatening to spill.
Someone else about to cry in Bankotsu's presence. What was it about him today? "What are you two doing?"
"It is of no concern to you, Aniki. You have already given me permission. You and Suikotsu be careful. I will be ready to leave when you return."
Bankotsu stared a moment more at the stone cold serenity Jakotsu's posture told a story of and at Tenchi, who reached to clutch at one of Jakotsu's long sleeves. He closed the door and walked toward Suikotsu who waited for him with his arms folded over his chest.
"Ready?"
Bankotsu nodded, lips down-turned slightly. "Yeah."
"What's wrong?"
Bankotsu bit his lip and looked up at Suikotsu. "Sui... did I give Jakotsu permission to do something?"
"Not that I remember," Suikotsu said, looking puzzled. "Why?"
"He says I did," Bankotsu said, moving away from Suikotsu in the direction of his room. "I'm going to get Banryuu; I'll meet you downstairs."
"Ok."
Bankotsu entered the room given to him, realizing that he hadn't set foot in it since that first night. He hadn't unpacked anything, but the clothes he wore. He snagged Banryuu from the closet, staring at his reflection in its shiny facets. The boy looking back at him was pale and troubled.
What had Jakotsu meant? It wasn't his business... he'd given him permission...
His own words came back to haunt him then.
'"If you can find a way to solve the problem in that small space of time, you have my blessings."'
Shit.
He hefted Banryuu over one shoulder and made for the door. He walked past Jakotsu's room slowly, ears straining to grab just a tiny morsel of what was being said behind closed doors.
Ghosting down the stairs, he spared a brief look back at Jakotsu's door.
Don't do anything you'll regret, Jakotsu. I won't be here to protect you.
"'Jakotsu can take care of himself."'
I know he can, but gods Jakotsu, don't be stupid.
1). Fat ass
2). Angel
3). Shut up
Author's Note: Well, there it is. What's the verdict? Like it? Hate it? Don't care either way? Let me know. Please review :)