Author's Note: Hello! Yes, yes, I know this update was very slow in coming, and I promise I'll do better for next time. Busy does not explain the past few weeks for me, but hey, it's over now and I can get back to the story :). I hope you enjoy the chapter, and thank you for all of your wonderful reviews! Oh...I've taken a different approach to this chapter and stepped away from Bankotsu's perspective a few times to include an event that happens outside of his presence. And I'll also warn you that this chapter gets a bit graphic. Do not read, if you are sensitive.
Reviewer Responses:
Ladya C. Maxine: Lol. Thank you for reviews! I'll let you know now I love long reviews :). I'm glad you've liked the series so much, so far. Glad you pick up on my humor and glad you like the relationships between the characters. Lol, I think you'll be pleased with an event that happens in this chapter ;). Renkotsu is slowly edging his way into the story, he's a craft dude, and I can't just toss him in like did Suikotsu...sigh. He's hard to work with. I hope you like the chapter, and I'd love to hear from you again ;). Take care!
Oh– and Jakotsu's language... :). I think you pretty much got it ;). I'll actually tell you what it is later on in the stories.
ChibiFluffy: Lol, well I'm happy you're not bored. It must mean I'm doing something right. Thanks for reviewing! I hope you like the new chapter and take care!
Corrina: Hey chic. See, I told you I was going to update soon. Jakotsu wasn't mean, maybe a little crabby...lol. I hope you're feeling better girl. Thanks for the great reviews. I'm glad you're still liking the story and I hope you enjoy this new chapter! Take care! Oh and I love TailFluffGirl too lol!
xXMizukixx: Why thank you! I really appreciate that! Thanks for reviewing and I hope you enjoy the chapter! Take care!
Ibara-hime: I hope you are feeling much better, chic. What a horrible time to get sick! I'm glad you liked the chapter lol. Don't worry. There is nothing going on between Jakotsu and Tenchi lol. I never even thought about that. You put the idea in my head lol! Hikaru no go sounds very cool, but unfortunately the foreign languages I took were Spanish and Italian. German may be a little difficult for me to decipher lol. Well, take care girl and thanks for reviewing! I hope you enjoy the chapter! Oh– and this is one of the chapters that ups the rating a bit.
Houshi no Hanyou Sei: Tell Mac I'm glad she likes my stories and that I'm grateful for her review lol. I hope Mac enjoys this new chapter and takes care ;).
Lidaemon: Well, I've finally updated and you're finally going to see what Jakotsu's got planned ;). Thanks for reviewing and take care! I hope you enjoy the new installment.
Riftwar-Slave: lol, uh...thanks for the review. Let me warn you now, this chapter borders on gross. You may want to skip through Jakotsu's perspective. Take care!
Yennie-Gurl: Lol. Be patient. Renkotsu is slow falling into the mix, but I'm slowly stirring him in. No..there's not really any foreshadowing; it's just a busy plot lol. But I think you should be able to figure out how Renkotsu is introduced from this chapter. Thanks for reviewing girl, and take care! I hope you like the chapter!
Me, just me: Lol, me thinks you'll like this chapter just because something happens to Kira;). Thanks for reviewing :) and take care!
Evil-Zukin: Hey, Jakotsu may not discriminate against fat people whether they are cute or ugly lol. Glad you liked the chapter. Thanks for reviewing. Hope you like this new one! Take care!
Lynx the Whack: Poor fingers. I hope you found some mittens ;). Thanks for reviewing! Glad you liked the chapter! Take care!
Gerbil: Lol, I've updated again. Sorry about the wait. Yeah the grumpiness was high and it was fun to write lol! Thanks for updating and I'm glad you liked the chapter! Take care!
D. Pearls: :) You'll see, you'll see! I hope you like the new chapter girl. Jakotsu was more disappointed in Bankotsu than anything, and they'll be more fluffy moments to come :) Thanks for reviewing and take care!
MageofDarkness: Lol, hopefully you'll get the best of Jakotsu in this chapter too. I did something different with this one. I hope you like Jakotsu's perspective. I couldn't figure out a good way to write this chapter without it. After this, I can finally get the story moving :). I am so glad you liked the previous chapter so well, and I hope you like this one half as much :). Thanks for reviewing and take care!
Tareacel: Hehehehe well, you've been waiting and here it is. I promise never to leave you hanging like that again. I was so freakin' flooded with other things to do..sigh. But I did enjoy writing this chapter. I took your advice and gave Jakotsu a perspective ;). I really hope you like it! Thanks for reviewing and e-mailing me, and take care!
Skittlez: Ah man... I had a computer crash before and I know how fun that's not. Especially when you don't have back up disks. I lost so many stories it wasn't funny. I cried, and I feel for you. But you know what, all the files I lost I made 10 times better when I rewrote them :) and you will too! I think you'll like this chapter ;). I hope you do! Take care and thanks for reviewing!
Warning: This chapter contains some graphic material that may not be suitable for sensitive readers.
Chapter 4
Bankotsu had to stuff his fist in his mouth to keep himself from snickering as he and Suikotsu watched the 'ghosts' prepare for their haunt. Two lanky men fiddled with long, black cylinders with white strings dangling from the butts. They poured liquid into the mouths from tan gourds and capped their hands over the openings, shaking the contraptions. When the men removed their hands thin veils of transparent fire wafted through their fingers.
A third man, taller than the other two appeared, dressed in long white robes that glittered when they caught the sunlight at certain angles. He spoke to the other men in low, authoritative tones that led Bankotsu to believe he was the leader of the operation, and also the one to play the part of the mononoke herself.
His eyes narrowed; there was something familiar about that man, but he couldn't put his finger on what. Jakotsu would know.
Why did you have to think about that, Bankotsu? Your mind is supposed to be out here with these jokes not with Jakotsu, who's probably making shish kebab of Kira as they crouched.
Geez... he sure hoped their gold and silver had already been counted out and set aside. Something told him they were going to have to make a run for it.
The thought almost excited Bankotsu more than popping out on the 'phantoms.' Bankotsu squinted as the leader produced a tawny gourd from his robes and swirled it around. The man pulled something out of the top of the container with his teeth– a cork! It was attached to a string and hung idle as the man took a small sip of the gourd's contents.
Getting drunk on the job? Bankotsu wondered then gasped as did Suikotsu when the man spat fire from his lips! Fire! How had he managed that?
Bankotsu had heard of fire-eaters, but fire-breathers?
Could the man be part demon? Perhaps, but Bankotsu doubted it. Whatever was in that gourd was the key and Bankotsu wanted it.
"The leader's mine," Bankotsu whispered to Suikotsu. "Do what you want with the others, but try not to kill them before Kira's men can see what they really are."
"Hai."
Bankotsu didn't know how long he and Suikotsu crouched in the bushes waiting for nightfall, but he feared they'd be so frozen by the time the show started they wouldn't be able to move. It was too late to change their plans and shift positions; they couldn't alert the bandits to their presence.
The three men were slow to fall into place, the two with the long cylinders ducking behind the trees Jakotsu and Suikotsu had discovered the paint on, and the leader vanishing behind more trees somewhere in the middle.
Bankotsu fought the urge to sniffle and used a frosty hand to wipe the moisture that leaked from his nose to his upper lip. The sun was setting and the show was about to begin.
Two shows actually, but Bankotsu and Suikotsu would only get the pleasure of viewing one that night; the other was a private screening...
"You look... amazing," Doe-eyed Tenchi whispered, staring at Jakotsu in awe. His mouth hung slightly agape and his fingers came up to play idly with midnight hair.
Jakotsu gave the boy a beautiful 'thank you,' smile and patted his head as he passed out of his room. Oishi and Jinto stood by the stairs, and Jakotsu could feel Tenchi following at a close distance.
They traveled down the stairs together like a wedding procession with Jakotsu playing the part of the blushing bride. He'd pulled his hair free of its bind, letting it fall over his shoulders in loose curls twined with cloth flowers, and he wore a flowing blue kimono speckled with paintings of lilies.
"The guards have all gone outside to see the mononoke now," Jinto whispered to Jakotsu as they walked through the empty corridors. "You and the Lord will be alone."
Jakotsu nodded and they stopped before a short, poorly lit hallway veiled with pale, fusuma- paper walls. Kira's private rooms laid behind that barrier.
"We'll keep anyone who may come away," Oishi said dutifully. He and Jinto tried to stand taller than their meager heights and Jakotsu chuckled at the boys. He looked to Tenchi, who was chewing his lower lip nervously and wringing his hands.
"Are... are you sure about this Jakotsu-kun? He could hurt you. Maybe... Maybe we should wait for Bankotsu-sama to return."
Jakotsu snorted, thinking of Bankotsu and feeling slight twinge of disappointment. "Oo-aniki has made a choice, and I have made one as well. Go and oversee the preparations for our departure, Tenchi, and do not worry about me."
The duel spires of cold fire came from the cylinders the two henchmen held as they hid in the trees and the smoke from the heavens was only a round device that spewed smoke tossed from the middle of the clearing. Bankotsu watched incredulously as the tall leader simply walked to the edge of the clearing, masked by smoke so that he was unseen by the villagers gathering to watch the event.
To the people, standing dozens of feet away in front of the organized crime, the scene must have looked incredible. To Bankotsu, watching from behind the scene, it looked incredibly cheesy.
"Now Aniki? Can we get them now?" Suikotsu was beginning to quiver with anxiousness, and Bankotsu placed a calming hand on his knee.
"I'll tell you when."
"RAIN GOLD AND SILVER UPON ME OR I WILL RAIN FIRE UPON YOU! WHERE IS MY TRIBUTE?!"
"When," Bankotsu breathed, rising slowly and grunting at the pain of snoozing muscles and damp, icy clothing against his skin. Suikotsu was barreling forward before Bankotsu could even shift Banryuu into ready position.
Show's over, Mononoke-san.
Jakotsu could smell the incense before he even reached the doors; the spicy scent churned his stomach. He swallowed back the bitter taste of bile and set his expression.
He heard the moans of a child and the low murmur of a male's voice, hushing the boy. Jakotsu growled, one hand finding its way to the hilt of the dagger tucked in his sash. He could finish the pig now... but to end his life so quickly would be a disservice.
The man had to know what he was dying for.
So, now am I a priest or one of Mama's saints?-- Only They were allowed to deliver justice in this way. Killing for a righteous cause, protecting innocence, providing a sacrifice...
Ai. Santo1 Josue.
He wasn't surprised to find the doors unlocked. Cocky bastard never dreamed someone would walk in on him, but that bastard had never dreamed of Jakotsu.
Or maybe he had, but Jakotsu severely doubted that any of Kira's dreams ended in quite the way Jakotsu had planned.
Jakotsu parted the gossamer curtains behind the door, stepping into the small room and gazing for a moment in wonder at the beauty of it. Lord Kira's exquisite taste had been taken to the extreme in this room. The walls were painted royal purple, and silver and gold ornaments adorned the walls and hung from the ceiling.
A breath of hot air caught him by surprise. The kotatsu in the middle of the room was uncovered, the quilt laid unused to its side in front of an extra large futon smothered with plush, bird feather pillows. Chubby Kira sat up on his mountain of fluff, propping his porky face up in a bloated palm. His face was flushed and peppered with sweat and his chin-length, black hair had fallen from its topknot. Kira's beady black eyes peered at Jakotsu lustfully and he licked his pinks lips as if it was time for him to devour a meal.
Jakotsu stifled a shudder of repulsion and relaxed himself, giving in to the strange urge he always felt when man blood was to be shed. A slow, lazy smile sprawled across Jakotsu's features as he scratched his head and giggled giddily. "I think I am lost, milord. I was trying to find the privy."
Kira gave a throaty chuckle and pushed at something that moaned. "Out Yoshi."
Jakotsu let his eyes wander briefly to the skinny, naked boy that crawled from the pillow- bed onto the floor. Slowly the boy dragged his body to the kotatsu and laid there, curling like a kitten beside it and shivering madly.
Rage.
Had They made him crawl? Yes, yes... Jakotsu remembered the grass and twigs yielding under his raw hands and knees as he tried to get to his room, his haven. Had he made it?
He shook his head, feeling the rough hands seizing him under his stomach and hauling him to his feet for "another round."
"You were going to the privy dressed like that?" Kira asked, tone playful as his thick lips stretched into a perverted smirk.
Jakotsu shrugged, coiling a raven curl around a slender finer. "Well... I was not planning on going directly to my room afterwards." He smiled demurely, letting his lashes brush his cheeks for a moment. Gracefully, he waltzed toward the futon, stopping at the plush boundary and pouting at Kira. "Are you not going to invite me to join you?"
The fat man's tiny eyes had grown quite large as he stared at Jakotsu in apparent shock. His mouth hung agape a few moments, before he gave a toothy grin. "Of course Jakotsu-san. You didn't have to ask; you are most welcome anywhere in my home."
Jakotsu bit his lower lip softly, suddenly appearing quite shy. "Bankotsu no aniki will not like this, milord. He is... very jealous."
Kira raised a bushy brow, understanding brewing behind his lodestone eyes. "Ah, I see. He's claimed you as his own. So that's why you've been so hesitant to return my attention." Plump fingers stretched toward Jakotsu's head, wanting to pet him, stroke him, and Jakotsu knelt to allow it.
On his knees... They'd kept him on his knees.
"I'll protect you from him, my boy. You can stay here in my home, and I will pay Bankotsu a handsome price for you. One he cannot turn down," Kira cooed, toying with Jakotsu's locks. He patted a pillow, bidding Jakotsu to sit by him.
Jakotsu looked hesitant, looking back toward the veiled doors as if expecting to see someone barreling through ready to snatch him away.
"Bankotsu will not find you in here, koibito. Sit and let me run my fingers through your lovely hair."
Jakotsu beamed and daintily took a seat on one of Kira's large pillows, letting the man comb his oily fingers through his tresses and not wincing when a curl was snagged.
"So soft... I knew it would be soft..." Jakotsu could feel Kira's warm breath on his neck as fleshy hands gathered his hair together and draped it over one shoulder. A hot, wet mouth closed over the nape of his neck, moving up and down the tender skin, sucking and probing. "Tastes so sweet..."
Smooth silk rubbed over Jakotsu's shoulders as the sleeves of his kimono were pulled down. Kira's curious tongue sampled his shoulders. "Beautiful... wherever did Bankotsu find you? You're not from here. I've never known one such as you. The way you speak, your hair, your eyes, your skin..."
Jakotsu gave a soft sigh of feigned pleasure. He turned in Kira's embrace, resting his body against a doughy chest and tilting his head back to peer into the fat man's pudgy face. "Know me now, milord. Know me before I must leave you..."
"You don't have to leave..." Kira kissed his chin, his cheeks, his eyes...
"Ban-chan will not permit me to stay."
"Forget about Bankotsu; think of me and what you want to do with me," Kira purred, now turning coming forward, and pushing Jakotsu onto his back so that he could straddle him.
Think of you and what I want to do to you.
Nicely put, Kira-chan.
The fat bastard inched forward, his face inches from Jakotsu's, breathing heavily. "Since I first laid eyes on you, I've been dreaming of this moment."
"Me too," Jakotsu whispered, running one hand tenderly along Kira's face. "Me too... sujo pai2."
Kira grunted as Jakotsu's dagger was thrust into his vast gut. Jakotsu grinned at the shocked expression painted on Kira's face, which was quickly growing pale. Jakotsu kept one hand on Kira's cheek, using his thumb to brush away the tears of pain leaking from one eye.
"Wh...why?" Kira choked, blood tricking from the corner of his mouth as Jakotsu turned the dagger a bit.
"You abuse little boys; you use them; deprive them of their self-worth... All men like you should die," Jakotsu hissed in Kira's face, not caring that the pig's blood was spilling onto his face. "You will die and go to Hell."
"N... n... no." Kira huffed, grunting as the blade dug a little deeper and slid a little higher leisurely disemboweling him. Blood poured from the wound, staining Jakotsu's pants and kimono red.
"I should have worn black."
"Damn you..." Kira choked, the light in his inky eyes slowly fading.
"Too late," Jakotsu smiled in response. "Oi, Kira?"
The man gasped and convulsed, and Jakotsu rolled him off, pulling his dagger from Kira's belly. He studied a blood drenched hand, before gazing back at Kira, who laid on his back, staring dully at the ceiling as he took his final hitching breaths.
"When you get to Hell, say 'olá' to my Papa for me, will you?"
The first man nearly died of fright as Suikotsu appeared behind him, grinning madly, and the second froze in shock, watching his comrade be slashed to pieces. Bankotsu shook his head.
Stupid.
They probably didn't have any default plans for what to do if caught.
Bankotsu stepped up quietly behind the 'mononoke,' who was probably dismissing the frantic cries of his cohorts as sounds from the entranced audience that watched 'her.' Bankotsu heard a few gasps as the people acknowledged his presence behind the spirit. Lightly he tapped the vengeful 'ghost' on the shoulder.
"Um... excuse me, but do you have the time?" Bankotsu inquired, eyes wide, face innocent.
The mononoke jumped and spun around swinging out her arms. Bankotsu stepped back, chuckling lightly and leaning his body against Banryuu. He batted his lashes a few times at the masked phantom as it sputtered, desperately trying to think of a come back.
"WHAT MORTAL DARES TO..."
"Shh...keep it down!" The device the man was using to amplify his voice was impressive, but a little over the top now that it was obvious the jig was up. "If you don't know the answer just say so."
Bankotsu winked, then struck, his fist catching the false spirit in the mouth. He struck again in the eye and was about to give a final blow to the neck to restrict the flow of blood to the brain, when the man seemed to come back to his senses. Bankotsu fell back with a gasp as roaring flames flooded his vision.
He brought his hands up to shield his face and ducked behind Banryuu until the flames died. Bastard better not have burned by face...or my hair....oh gods! Bankotsu groped for his braid, finding it intact... and cool.
Cold fire.
Shit! Bankotsu had let the leader trick him! He jumped up to see that the man in drag had managed to vanish and a thunderstruck crowd staring at him. Slowly a few men from Kira's guard stepped forward, gaping but trying to appear calm.
Bankotsu was snarling to himself, seething at his failure. Baka.
"Oo-aniki!" Suikotsu bounded up to him, his breath visible as he panted. His metal gloves and hands were soiled with blood. "I left one alive as you instructed. Where is the leader?"
Bankotsu grunted, glaring up at the bubbly older man. "Got away."
Suikotsu raised a brow. "From you?"
"Yeah," Bankotsu snapped. "He... tricked me with that fake fire, ok? Whatever. We did our job. We can get out of here."
Kira's guards were trying to bow to them and offering to escort them back to the castle, but Bankotsu pushed them away, his fowl mood beginning to pollute Suikotsu as well. "Go question the live bandit. I hope your Lord has everything ready for our departure. I'm beyond ready to leave this place."
Gah! He hated messing up! Suikotsu had done his part, if Jakotsu had been around he would have finished his job flawlessly... it was Bankotsu who hadn't come through this time.
A leader wasn't supposed to be the one who failed.
Sighing, he thought: I hope Jakotsu had better luck than I did.... and better sense too.
Yoshi was a timid little thing that cringed when Jakotsu came near. He whimpered when Jakotsu's hands brushed over his bare skin to clothe him with his slightly bloodied kimono and untie his bonds.
"I will have to cut these. The knots are too fine to pull out, Yoshi-chan. Try to be still."
Jakotsu steadied his shaking hands before taking the dagger that he'd cleaned on Kira's sheets, and carefully slicing through the thick ropes bound around Yoshi's ankles. He shook his head to see that the boy had been anchored to the bed and the rope was only a few feet long.
Jakotsu was careful to make as little contact with Yoshi's skin as possible. He knew what it was like not to want to be touched by anyone. He shivered recalling Kira's foreign touch on his body.
How had he tolerated it? How did he tolerate any touch beside Bankotsu's? Many men had the pleasure of feeling him up before they died... maybe that was it. If they were soon to die by his hand, Jakotsu didn't care. He'd punished them for their endeavors soon enough.
Jakotsu shook his head. Who knew how his mind worked. In a way, he was as insane as Suikotsu, but at least he didn't claim to have a split personality. He was just...
Näo direita3.
Yoshi scooted away from him when he felt the ropes fall away from his bony ankles. Angry red burns flamed against pale skin, and Jakotsu frowned. "Your friends will be here shortly; they will take care of you from now on. The beast is dead."
Yoshi stared at him with his skinny arms wrapped around his knees. He shivered violently, brown eyes large and watery. He didn't speak... couldn't speak...
"Is something in your mouth?" Jakotsu asked. The boy's lips were closed tight. Yoshi bobbed his head, yes. "Would you like for me to remove it?"
Yoshi made another whimpering noise and inched further away. Jakotsu blinked and could have hit himself for not realizing what he would have to ask the boy in order to remove the gag.
Open your mouth.
Jakotsu felt the meager contents of his stomach rising into his throat and he swallowed hard, shivering a bit. The temperature in the room seemed to be dropping. "Close your eyes while I deal with the body. Your friends will come to collect you soon."
Yoshi made no noise as Jakotsu got up, but he did close his eyes. Jakotsu swayed a little on his way to the bed and his head was spinning.
Eu sinto terrível4.
Standing over Kira's bloated corpse, he felt he would either throw up or faint. Thankfully, Jakotsu did neither. He had no desire to regain consciousness on top of Kira and he certainly didn't want to have to stare at his own insides coloring his work either.
Jakotsu dismembered Kira's body, wrapping each individual hunk of flesh and bone in sheets and curtains when he began to run out of bedding. Kira was much too heavy to carry between he and the boys, so Jakotsu had to make him shrink.
They couldn't leave the body in the room to be discovered so soon. Jakotsu worked fast, using the long sword that had been a decoration on the wall to do the job. Tenchi had informed him that the blade was sharp and very expensive, and Jakotsu was glad for it.
Papa would have loved this sword.
He had nothing to wipe his hands on when he was done and no one to talk to but Yoshi. And-- Jakotsu gazed around in defeat-- no where decent to collapse. He felt as if he'd exhausted every energy reserve his body had ever stored. Jakotsu moved to sit on the floor across from Yoshi and leaned against the wall. He sighed, nausea holding him tight in its strong grip.
What was taking so long for Oishi and Tenchi to return? Jakotsu hoped they hadn't run into any trouble. Maybe they needed his help...
He turned his head slightly at the sound of the doors opening and small feet padding into the room.
"Kami-sama!" Oishi gasped, staring at the bloody mess on the bed and the wrapped pile of matter. "You...you really did it!"
Jakotsu smiled at the boy wanly from his position on the floor. "Of course I did, Oishi-chan. You know what to do now."
Oishi bowed, his face pale but his eyes flashing. "I'll tell the others to come. They're outside now."
Oishi ducked out of the room, leaving Tenchi behind. The pretty boy gazed at the soiled bed, eyes cold and hard. Slowly, he shifted his gaze to Jakotsu and to Yoshi. He walked toward them and knelt beside Yoshi. "Hello, Yoshi. Didn't I tell you we would find a way to free you?"
Yoshi nodded , letting his head fall onto Tenchi's shoulder. Tenchi wrapped his arms around the crying boy, rocking him back and forth. "It's alright now, Yoshi. He's gone to a place where he can never bother us again. Jakotsu-sama has saved us all."
Jakotsu grinned lightly. Jakotsu-sama.
Hear that, Papa? They call me mestre5 here.
"Jakotsu-sama? Jakotsu-chan?" Jakotsu's gray eyes fluttered open to meet Tenchi's wide and worried brown ones. "Are you alright? Your skin feels very warm."
Jakotsu pushed the boy away from him gently. Tenchi had touched him and he hadn't noticed. Had he fallen asleep? "Do no touch me, Tenchi. I do not like it."
Tenchi bowed his head in apology. "I'm sorry. I... You're not well."
Jakotsu shook his head. "No, I am not, but do not worry about me. You must get Yoshi bathed, dressed, and fed." He heard the sounds of little boy whisperings and many tiny feet. All of Kira's little helpers had come in to help dispose of their lord's remains. A pit had been dug behind the big house where the children would bury the parts. Jakotsu, Bankotsu, and Suikotsu would be long gone before they were unearthed.
"Your wagon is packed and ready. The gold and silver, all of yours things; everything is ready to go," Tenchi said softly. "You don't have to do anything else for us. Why don't you go and wash up? I... I hope you don't mind, but I selected something for you to wear and laid it out in the bath house. I... knew this would be...messy, and you're much too beautiful to walk around soiled in the blood of swine."
Jakotsu blinked, frowning at Tenchi and the soft look of longing in his eyes. "Tenchi?"
"Go on, Jakotsu-sama. You won't have long before your friends return and you have to leave. I'll tell them where you are if they get in, before you're done."
Jakotsu's eyes watered a bit at the boy's thoughtfulness.
People care about me now, Papa. You see.
"Thank you, Tenchi-chan."
"Thank you, Jakotsu-sama. Thank you from me, and Yoshi, and everyone."
Santo Josue, Mama. You would be proud.
Oishi stood waiting for them at the steps of the big house, and Bankotsu almost snarled at him. The brat didn't look ready to go anywhere, and Bankotsu would be damned if they waited for him. He'd warned the kid.
"Your wagon is ready for you, Bankotsu. All of your things are inside," Oishi said dutifully, bowing his little head. Bankotsu narrowed his eyes at him a bit and glanced down at his small hands that were slightly pink with... blood?
"Oishi, did you hurt yourself?" Bankotsu asked quietly. Suikotsu sidled up alongside him, whistling and seeming quite content. His own hands were stained with blood and Bankotsu had to stop him several times from licking it off.
Oishi shook his head, his short, high ponytail bobbing to and fro. "No, Bankotsu. I'll take you to your wagon."
Bankotsu frowned and tossed a curious look over his shoulder at Suikotsu who shrugged. Where was Jakotsu?
They followed the boy around the big house until they reached the large stables home to Kira's own thoroughbred team. Bankotsu felt sorry for the horse that had to bear Kira's weight. Poor thing probably cried itself to sleep at night while the other horses jeered.
Two muscular work horses with rich, brown coats stood tall and proud harnessed and strapped to a covered wooden wagon with a small open coach in front. Blankets and a covered basket sat in the front seat along with the reigns.
"Your lord has done well in preparing this for us," Bankotsu said appreciatively, walking around the wagon, inspecting it and raising the tarp to see the gold and silver for himself. The bars of riches shone bright and sat perched upon a layer of fine silk. Kira had really outdone himself. "Where is the man, so that we can thank him properly and be on our way... and where is Jakotsu?" And... Bankotsu wanted to kick himself for the soft spot he found he held for Oishi. "Why aren't you ready to leave with us?"
Oishi flinched, his eyes bright. "I... don't have to run away no more."
Bankotsu studied the boy, taking in his small nervous twitches and the blood he'd obviously tried to scrub from his hands. Jakotsu...
"Why is that?"
"Jakotsu-sama fixed it. I don't gotta run, and you gotta get out of here fast. We hid it, but when the snow melts..."
Bankotsu had heard enough, even though he felt he'd heard nothing at all. He'd ask Jakotsu. "Where is Jakotsu?"
"He..."
"He's in the bath house, Bankotsu-sama." Bankotsu directed his attention to Tenchi who'd entered the stables behind them. "He's washing up. You should go to him."
Go to him? Ai... Shaking his head and wondering what kind of a state Jakotsu had worked himself into, Bankotsu turned to leave the stable. "Sui, stay with our things and see that nothing is stolen and wipe your hands, please. Oh— and don't kill anyone else."
"Yes, Oo-Aniki."
What a night. He stabbed Banryuu into the ground beside the stable doors and began his trek through the snow to the noble bath house.
Jakotsu sat on the warm, wooden floor of the hut before the bubbling hot water of the moderately sized bathing pool, clean and wrapped in a fresh kimono. Bankotsu scowled at the older boy as he came closer. "You washed your hair."
Jakotsu's gray eyes fluttered open slowly and he stared hazily at Bankotsu. "I got more blood than I thought I would in it."
Bankotsu sighed, standing in front of Jakotsu and extending both hands down to him. "What happened?" Gently, he tugged Jakotsu into a standing position and caught him as he stumbled.
"Killed Kira," Jakotsu whispered tiredly, leaning on Bankotsu. "We cleaned up the mess; do not worry, but it would be best if we left soon."
"We're leaving now," Bankotsu said, wrapping a steadying arm around Jakotsu's waist and frowning at the cool drops of water from Jakotsu's hair dampening the sleeves of his shirt. "We'll have to find you something with a hood."
"I am sorry, Aniki."
Bankotsu rubbed Jakotsu's concave stomach where his hand laid. "Me too, Jakotsu..." He smiled softly as Jakotsu draped a long arm over his shoulders for more support and Bankotsu rested his head against Jakotsu's collar bone.
"How did things go with the mononoke?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
Lady Naoko came to see them off; she stood with the boys, waving solemnly in the distance as Suikotsu guided the horses away. They all sat in the coach, Bankotsu staring back at the well-endowed lady, wondering. "Does she know what's become of her husband?"
Jakotsu, who was sitting to the other side of Bankotsu with his knees pulled to his chest, chuckled. "Who do you think sprang for the second horse, Aniki? She probably wanted Kira gone more than the boys did. She has sons now who can take the lord's title when they come of age."
"And she can rule in their stead," Bankotsu nodded. "Of course. I wondered why Oishi had told me the land really belonged to the Lady. It mattered in the end, didn't it?"
Jakotsu nodded. "Those boys were scared, Bankotsu. They never would have spoken to us about it, if the Lady had not nudged them to do so."
Bankotsu rubbed his chin, lost in thought. He'd only met the Lady once and even then he hadn't spoken with her or gotten anything of her personality. Suddenly that Lady had become someone important. She had not only helped a dozen little boys from growing up to be... well... hurt like Jakotsu... she had become the sole benefactor of their business.
Bankotsu's Mercenaries for Hire.
Nah.
"Which way, Aniki?" Suikotsu asked, slowing the horses a bit as they came to a fork in the road.
Bankotsu stared into the mists of the night; both paths looked equally tempting and adventurous. "How about... left. We can go anywhere we want now! We have all the money we could ever need. Gods bless Lady Naoko and her bad taste in men. Onward man!"
Suikotsu laughed heartily at Bankotsu's fervor and worked the reigns to make the horses move forward and to the left.
And now we truly begin.
"Aniki?" Jakotsu nudged him with his toe.
"Hm?"
"I think someone's following us."
Bankotsu froze, listening closely to the noises of the night and nothing seemed amiss. Bankotsu frowned at Jakotsu, touching his brow. "I think your fever's gone up, Ja. Go to sleep. We'll stop in the next town."
Jakotsu sighed, nodding slightly and shifting to put his head on Bankotsu's shoulder. "I still think we should look."
Bankotsu patted Jakotsu's head through the hood of the cloak Lady Naoko had shrugged off her own shoulders to give to Jakotsu. "We'll look."
Just not now. Bankotsu wanted to get away from the village; he wanted to see the sun from a different perspective. Stopping now was not an option, and if something was following them, Bankotsu felt sorry for it, because it had a long journey to make.
He was closing his eyes himself, when he felt the burning of eyes on his neck.
Someone was watching; just like in the clearing... but Bankotsu held no fear of them. Watch and see what I make of myself, marauder, and if you should attack, I hope you're a worthy opponent. I'll take out my anger at not catching a mononoke on you.
1Saint
2Dirty old man
3Not right
4I feel awful.
5Master
Author's Note: Well...what's the verdict? Like it; hate it; don't care either way? Let me know! Please review!