Author's Note: Hey! Glad to hear everyone had a nice holiday :). I finally finished buying my Christmas presents lol ;). Here's the new chapter. The next one will be up soon. I'm looking to finish this story and start on the next by the end of the month :). I hope you like the chapter. Thanks for reviewing!
Reviewer Responses:
Qem: Lol, ;) it does sound like Spanish ;) I had a good holiday :) Glad you did too. I put one vocabulary word at the top; the other phrase is self-explanatory :). Thanks for reviewing! Take care and I hope you enjoy the chapter.
XxMizukixx: Lol, Jakotsu will get plenty of air time in this chapter and latter ones :). Lol, man, everyone is hating on poor Suki. Well, she's gone now :p. Thanks for reviewing! Take care and I hope you enjoy the chapter!
D. Pearls: Dang... Ouch. Poor Suki, lol. Yes, mountains it is lol. :) about Renkotsu. He's a hard character to capture and my interpretation of him may not be the one everyone agrees with lol, but I'm very happy you like him :). Um... do you actually think Bankotsu would part with some of his precious food for anything short of... well, death? Lol! Thanks reviewing girl! Take care and I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Mukino Kuneka: Ren means a lot of things. I did a little more research after you asked and one of my friend's is taking Japanese now too and I asked her. The translation I used was: refined, but it also means, metal, to train, metal worker, to shape something over fire, iron working, etc. Lol. I also found a better meaning of Bankotsu's name and I changed it in earlier chapters and stories. It's all your fault! :P lol! J/K. Thanks for reviewing and take care!
Ebonysdove: Hey chic. Like the new name. Yay, I'm glad you like my Renkotsu. I'm not a fan of his, but I'm a firm believer that no one can be a complete prick in a series or else no one would hang out with em'. His smarts were the main reason Bankotsu wanted him ;). You'll get to see a little Jakotsu/Renkotsu interaction in this chapter :). Lol, Severed. Well... Allen may not be my favorite person, but I don't really think he's a jerk. He just... seems like the type to get set in his ways and is very hard to sway once he's made up his mind about someone. Lol you had to know I couldn't just let Dilandau be cured. Where's the fun in that? Muhahaha! Viole and Miguel...hehehehe... I'm working on a one-shot with them. Dilandau/Van or am I just playing around? We'll see! Thanks for reviewing girl and take care!
StormySkys: :) Hello! I'm glad you enjoyed the stories , and that you like Jakotsu in them :). He's fun to write and I'm having too good of a time shaping his background story :). Thanks for reviewing and take care. I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Yennie-Gurl: Hehehehe, you'll find out what Jakotsu thinks when he meets Renkotsu for the first time at the start of the chapter ;) lol! Hint: He notices that Renkotsu is very bald :). Glad you liked the chapter! Thanks for reviewing and take care!
Corrina: Hehehe, Bankotsu being goofy is fun stuff. Fifteen year old boys are odd creatures and very interesting to watch in the wild ;). Thanks for reviewing girl and take care!
Skittlez: Sigh...yet another Suki hater. The poor girl's gonna get a complex. But ah well, she's gone now lol. I knew you'd enjoy Renkotsu's bit with the canon lol! Take care and thanks for reviewing!
Lildaemon: Thanks! I'm glad you like the contrasts in their personalities. In the anime, I know Renkotsu thought Bankotsu was immature, but it seemed like he was hoping Bankotsu would change, mature into something better. You'll see what happens in the mountains in the next chapter. They're still getting their plans under them right now. Thanks reviewing and take care!
Lynx t3h Whack: Lol. Bankotsu breathing fire just wasn't meant to be, lol. "Ren" means so many things it's crazy. I just chose the meaning I could work with the easiest. Hard to come up with a reason for naming someone "condensed," lol. There's one meaning I really liked though, "metal working" or "iron working." I'll probably try to incorporate those meanings in later :). Thanks for reviewing and take care!
MageofDarkness: Hey chic! How are ya? Eh... Suki gets no love, but ah well, she's gone now :). Ban-chan had to get some booty lol. :) I'm glad you like Renkotsu. As I keep telling everyone, after Ban and Ja I don't know what the heck I'm really doing with anyone. I didn't really feel I know them enough to write them well, but I guess I'm doing ok :). Really glad you liked both chapters and I hope you like this one! Take care and thanks for reviewing!
Riftwar-Slave: Lol! I know what it's like to not have anything good to read. It sucks lol. Glad you liked the chapter, and I feel the same about Renkotsu. I hate characters that betray their friends :( but ah well... I hope you like this chapter! Thanks for reviewing and take care!
Gerbil: Lol, nah, your reviews could never be spam-ish. I don't like spam ;). Glad you liked the chapter and Bankotsu and Sui's conversation lol. Take care and thanks for reviewing!
Houshi no Hanyou Sei: LOL! Bucket man. I hope you like the name Jakotsu comes up with for him ;). Thanks for sharing the inside joke with me. I laughed out loud. Thanks for reviewing and take care, Mac.
me, just me: Lol, yes, you are the only Suki-liker, lol, and no, Suki was not his first. She was only the first I bothered to mention ;). Lol, well Oh Refined One Kotsu is too much of a mouthful. Jakotsu would screw it up every time and end up making up rude names for him ;). I hope you like the new chapter! Take care and thanks for reviewing!
Chapter Vocabulary Word: Certo– Ok; sure.
Chapter 7
Jakotsu was giggling again and Bankotsu shot a curious look over his shoulder at the boy sitting by his lonesome in the wagon, letting dark curls shield the smile he wore. Since the sun rose and they had started on their journey to the mountains, Jakotsu had found something amusing to titter about, and it was driving Bankotsu crazy! What the hell was so funny?
Suikotsu and Renkotsu led the horses by their reigns while Bankotsu walked alongside the wagon with Banryuu at ready over his shoulder, eyes scanning for marauders. The snow was thick and the skies were cloudy, so the temperature was frigid and the atmosphere was windy. Bankotsu really didn't expect anyone to jump them, but it never hurt to be cautious.
Though, he thought, taking a quick break couldn't hurt. Quickening his steps, he vaulted over the side of the wagon, careful to shift Banryuu high over his head before landing beside Jakotsu on the hard wagon seat. Bankotsu sat Banryuu behind them and smiled at Jakotsu who looked back at him innocently.
"What are you laughing about?"
Jakotsu's brows shot into his hairline and he pulled at the dark cloak he wore, bringing the hood up over his hair. "Me? Nothing."
"Uh-uh, don't give me that. You've been snickering about something all morning. Is it me? Do I have something on my..."
"No, it is not you," Jakotsu whispered, giggling lightly. He pulled a thick piece of hair forward and separated it into three equal parts, not looking at Bankotsu.
Bankotsu counted to three before seizing Jakotsu and tickling his ribs. Jakotsu yelped and tried to fend him off unsuccessfully. He was still weak from being so sick before, and Bankotsu had no trouble at all holding him in place.
"All right! Fine!" Jakotsu wailed, through helpless laughter. Suikotsu and Renkotsu were gazing at them now, Suikotsu with an amused smirk; Renkotsu with a slight frown. Bankotsu waved to them both and turned his attention back to a recovering Jakotsu. He rubbed at the places Bankotsu's fingers had traveled and winced a bit, a hand over his stomach.
Bankotsu grimaced, feeling guilty. Resting his head on one of Jakotsu's bony shoulders, he delivered an apology. "I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?"
Jakotsu grinned weakly at Bankotsu, fluttering his lashes lightly. "It just... hurt to laugh so much. I am ok."
"Good," Bankotsu said, sitting up and rubbing his friend's back in small circles. "So... what's so funny?"
Jakotsu's grin turned devilish and he ducked his head as he chuckled. "If you must know, Aniki, it is our new brother's head."
"His head?" Bankotsu didn't get it.
"It is so round and bald! I have seen egg-heads, but this man has a moon head!"
"A moon head?"
"Every time I look at him, I think, 'What a lovely full moon.'" Jakotsu chanced a look at Renkotsu and giggled again behind his hand. "Just look at it, Aniki! It is a perfect sphere!"
Bankotsu had to close his eyes, desperately trying to erase all mental images of Renkotsu's head set in the middle of the night sky surrounded by stars. He shoved at Jakotsu lightly, opening his eyes and complaining. "Dammit, Jakotsu!"
Jakotsu was still snickering and Bankotsu was soon to join him, cursing him between spasms. "Now, how am I supposed to look at him without laughing?"
"Why do you think I stay in the wagon behind him?" Jakotsu shot back.
Bankotsu scowled at him. "You're in the wagon, because Sui and I don't think you should be wandering around in the snow just yet. No fever doesn't mean you're cured."
"You two worry too much," Jakotsu murmured, playing with his hood.
"Only about important things," Bankotsu said. "Did you finish eating your rice ball?"
Jakotsu sighed. "Almost. I will eat the rest at our next stop."
Bankotsu nodded. Suki's rice ball's were pretty large, and one was the equivalent of an entire meal... for a normal person anyway. Growing boys required two of them and an entre. The wagon jostled as they hit a rough patch in the snow, but it was in no danger of turning over. Jakotsu moaned softly, leaning on Bankotsu.
"Easy, the path will even out in a little while," Bankotsu said soothingly.
"Tell that to my stomach," Jakotsu said, attempting a smile and failing.
"Do you want to stop?" Bankotsu placed a cold hand on Jakotsu's forehead. Still cool.
Jakotsu shook his head. "I am fine."
Bankotsu frowned. "If you say so." He looked around at the large, snow covered trees shading the road. "I'd better get back to my post then... or maybe I'll take the reigns from Sui up front and chat with Renkotsu. He looks... uncomfortable."
Jakotsu snorted. "Constipated is more like it."
Bankotsu narrowed his eyes at him. "Well, if I gave Renkotsu the break and had him come back here with you, would you behave yourself?"
Jakotsu's gray eyes went wide with false innocence, and he fingered his hood and twined a long curl around his wrist. "Me, behave?"
Bankotsu shuddered, shaking his head. "I'll relieve Suikotsu."
Rolling his eyes, he stood and hopped back over the side of the moving wagon. He wasn't surprised at the sound of Jakotsu's laughter at his back. Jogging, Bankotsu fell into step with Suikotsu. "Take a break; I'll lead the team."
Suikotsu nodded. "You want me to guard rear or...?"
"Sit and watch Jakotsu; you know he won't tell us, if he needs to stop," Bankotsu was saying in a low voice. "Riding in the wagon is making him nauseous."
"We should probably forget about passing the upcoming town and stop for the night," Suikotsu said seriously, rubbing his chin with a free hand.
"Look him over and you decide," Bankotsu said evenly. "How's Renkotsu doing?"
"Quiet," Suikotsu replied. "I think I make him nervous."
"What have you said to him?" Bankotsu asked.
"Nothing," Suikotsu shrugged.
Bankotsu stared at the man for a moment, before completely dismissing him with a wave of his hand. He took the reigns of the horse and watched briefly as Suikotsu stepped to the side, letting the horses pass and jumping onto the foot of the wagon to join Jakotsu.
"Yo Renkotsu," Bankotsu greeted the man, holding reigns of the second horse beside him. Renkotsu's head jerked in his direction and the furry hood he wore slid off his smooth head. Bankotsu rolled his eyes at the giggle from behind.
Renkotsu looked confused; he pulled at his hood, not losing his grip on the horse. "I wish I knew what Jakotsu was laughing about."
Bankotsu cast him a sidelong glance. "Something silly. Don't mind him."
"Hm."
"Let me know when you get tired. You can take a break and sit in the wagon," Bankotsu said. "You haven't taken a break since we broke for breakfast."
Renkotsu looked ahead. "I don't need one yet, Oo-Aniki. You forget that I traveled with monks for miles over the countryside. I'm used to long journeys on foot with little to no food or water. I can go on for hours like this."
Bankotsu arched a brow. "You and Suikotsu should get along just fine then. He's like a plow horse too."
"Yes, he is very strong," Renkotsu agreed, "but... I don't think he likes me very much. He hasn't said a word to me today."
"Aw..." Bankotsu offered Renkotsu an encouraging grin, "don't let something like that bother you. Suikotsu isn't much of a talker, you see..."
He trailed off as the soft murmurs of Suikotsu and Jakotsu's voices joined in conversation drifted toward them and scowled.
"He talks sporadically," Bankotsu amended. "But there are days when you have to force words out of him. It's nothing personal."
"It's fine. You don't have to assure me of a friendly relationship with Suikotsu, Oo-Aniki. Business is not about friendship," Renkotsu said crisply, in a manner that made Bankotsu wonder if he truly meant what he'd said.
"You're right. This business isn't about friendship. It's about brotherhood, and you should be comfortable with us, all of us..."
A loud bark of laughter from Suikotsu and more giggling from Jakotsu made Renkotsu jump and Bankotsu hunch his shoulders.
"I... understand, Oo-Anki. I'll try; after all, it's only the first day," Renkotsu said, glancing over his shoulder at the two in the wagon. "But really, Oo-Aniki, look: I don't mean to insult you, and in no way am I trying to undermine your authority, but in all of my experience and observations of group dynamics, business circles with close personal ties do not fare well. Sometimes important decisions are affected by feelings for other members and plans are formed to fit a friend's ideal. I've seen many a blood feud and they aren't pretty. The rule of the ships is to never work with family... or friends."
Bankotsu narrowed his eyes. "But how can you work with a group of people for a long period of time and not form some kind of relationship?"
Renkotsu frowned thoughtfully. "I guess everyone keeps to themselves."
"But then how do they perform as a team? They can't possibly know everyone's strengths and weaknesses, if everyone works as a solo unit. If everyone is in it for themself, how does anything ever get accomplished?"
"I assure you, Oo-Aniki these crews make it halfway around the world and back..."
"But do they look happy? Are they having fun?" Bankotsu pressed.
"Happiness and fun are irrelevant, Oo-Aniki. Work is not play..." Renkotsu began.
"Ah, but my life is my work, and I like to play; therefore, my work must be play and I'm happy to do it." Bankotsu grinned beautifully and Renkotsu blinked, stunned and momentarily speechless.
"Your counterattack to my argument was most unexpected, Oo-Aniki," Renkotsu finally said, sounding a bit put out. "How can I debate with someone who can put together the most illogical of defenses and rip my fact-filled offenses to shreds within minutes with a smile? So success in all of this to you, will be..."
"Fame, fortune, and fun," Bankotsu said, punching Renkotsu playfully in the shoulder. "Renkotsu, you and I have the same end goal, but... do you enjoy what you've signed up to do? Do you like fighting, revel in the kill, whoop in joy at victory? Does the thought of battle and adventure with unknown consequences excite you?"
"Well..."
"If it doesn't, then maybe I misjudged you, Renkotsu. I saw a passion in you the first night I spoke to you that inspired me. Where has it gone?" Bankotsu asked. "Those guys back there, Suikotsu and Jakotsu? They love this. Suikotsu loves the kill and can't be defeated in battle. Jakotsu can do things with a blade, any blade, you wouldn't believe. Me, I was born to fight. What can you say, Renkotsu? You want notoriety and power, but to get that you need a fire, an intensity. This can't just be a job; it's got to be a passion, and whoever heard of a passion that wasn't fun or exciting, and how can you have fun without friends? How can you be exited without a family to share it with?"
Renkotsu stared.
"You can't. So I ask you again: all of those groups you studied full of people who had nothing to do with each other, who'd turn on their teammate just as soon as they'd turn on an enemy, did they look happy? Were any of them truly having fun?"
"Well... With the way you put it, I guess not. They certainly didn't smile like you, or laugh... like them." Renkotsu gestured behind them to the still cackling Suikotsu and Jakotsu. "What is so funny?"
Bankotsu stroked his horse's nose, pretending not to hear Renkotsu's questions for he had a pretty good idea as to what his comrades were laughing about.
"We may be stopping in the next town. If so, how do you think we should go about our advertizing process? Should we go to local builders or ask around in taverns and inns?"
Renkotsu tore his attention from Jakotsu and Suikotsu. "Local builders would turn us down. They'll have plenty of work to do in town and have family homes; men in taverns may be family men, but there are always the travelers that are open to new work, and inns are popular resorts for wanderers. We could split up. I actually think it may be best to start our recruitment for builders now and not closer to our destination. That way there will be even less of a chance of someone knowing the men and wondering about them after they've disappeared."
Bankotsu nodded, bringing his frosty braid to his lips and chewing on it, before realizing how cold it was. Gack! His lips were going to fall off and his teeth had become ice chips!
"I told you he was going to bite that braid!" Suikotsu whooped from behind. He and Jakotsu fell into hysterics again, and Bankotsu growled.
"If you'll excuse me for a moment," Bankotsu said, smiling politely at Renkotsu and securing his horse's reigns around its neck. He ran toward the wagon, launching himself onto the step, hurdling over the rail and squeezing between Suikotsu and Jakotsu to begin his attack.
"Laugh at me will you!"
"We did not have to stop," Jakotsu was grumbling, picking at the vegetable and rice medley Bankotsu had scooped a hearty helping of onto his plate.
"We did," Bankotsu insisted, stuffing his face. "Renkotsu thinks we should start looking for builders now."
"It certainly does not seem like we are looking for anything but your next meal, Aniki," Jakotsu murmured softly, pushing his plate toward Bankotsu. "You should have let me go to the tavern with Suikotsu instead of sending him off with Moon Head."
Bankotsu slurped from his bowl of beef broth, thinking of the kinds of men that lurked in taverns and staring at Jakotsu rather pointedly.
"I can handle myself, Aniki," Jakotsu said flatly. "You are going to make Renkotsu think I am incompetent."
Bankotsu snorted. "Oh, so now you want to call him by his name. Honestly, you're going to slip up and call him Moon Head to his face. You know how you are."
Jakotsu grinned and quickly tried to hide it.
"There you are," Bankotsu chuckled, using his chopsticks to steal a few veggies from Jakotsu's plate. "Is the Grouch gone for the evening, or did he just have a momentary slip up?"
Jakotsu rolled his eyes, forcing a pout. "I am not a grouch. I just... I feel like I am holding you back. I am better, but I do not feel... feel..."
"Up to par?" Bankotsu offered helpfully.
"Up to par? Does that mean...?"
"Not like you were. You're not sick, but you're not back to normal yet," Bankotsu explained.
"Up to par," Jakotsu sampled the phrase. "I like that!"
"How would you have said it?" Bankotsu asked curiously, wondering if Jakotsu would bite.
"Até equivalência." Jakotsu dimpled and stared into his bowl of soup.
Bankotsu dared to attempt the saying, "Ate equivalencia?"
Jakotsu laughed, eyes sparkling. "Yes, Aniki, ate equivalencia."
"You're mocking me!"
That made Jakotsu laugh harder. "Ow, Aniki, my tummy."
"You get no sympathy from me. Your little tummy is trying to tell your big mouth it's inappropriate to laugh at me," Bankotsu groused, gulping the rest of his soup and finishing Jakotsu's plate. "Have some more soup and we'll go talk to the innkeeper and see who he knows, ok?"
"Certo," Jakotsu giggled, taking small sips of his broth and watching Bankotsu in amusement.
Maybe I should have sent him off to annoy Moon Head... Bankotsu grumbled to himself, but it was nice to see his friend in such a good mood for a change.
The town they had arrived in was moderately large and was home to two taverns and two inns, one small with no central dining hall, and one grand. Bankotsu had decided to stay in the small inn where people would ask the least amount of questions about them. Wealthier people liked to reside in the large inns, and the more money people had the nosier they got.
Bankotsu had sent Renkotsu and Suikotsu out to one of the taverns that night after they had settled in for dinner and to implore about carpenters, while he and Jakotsu headed for the large inn.
Plenty of men and their families graced the dining hall; most of them were not guests at the inn. Bankotsu frowned at the stares he and Jakotsu attracted. So much for being discrete.
Bankotsu caught the innkeeper's eye and the thin man smiled at him, lifting a finger to signal he'd be over shortly. Good service.
Bankotsu blinked as the last of Jakotsu's soup was nudged towards him and he drank it automatically before realizing what he was doing. "Jakotsu no baka, you were supposed to eat that yourself!"
"Well, I cannot get it back now," Jakotsu smirked, "and I do believe it has found a much better home in your stomach. It will have plenty of company."
Bankotsu smacked Jakotsu's knee just as the innkeeper approached the table. "Good evening, boys. How was your food? Is there anything else I can get for you?"
"It was delicious," Bankotsu said with a gracious smile, "and we were wondering if we might talk to you for a minute. Do you have the time?"
The man looked around at the busy dining room, noting that all his guest seemed content for the moment. "Sure." He sat down. "I am Ryuuon, by the way. My father is the actual owner of this place, but he likes to keep out of the dining room. May I ask your names and perhaps what you both are doing here without your parents? They send you down for dinner to get you out of their hair?"
Bankotsu laughed. He liked this Ryuuon and seeing him up close, Bankotsu realized the man couldn't be much older than Suikotsu. "I am Bankotsu and he is Jakotsu, and yes, our parents did send us away. Jakotsu was annoying them."
Jakotsu stuck out his tongue and Ryuuon chuckled. "What can I do for you?"
"We actually have a strange question for you, and I don't know if you'll be able to answer it."
"Try me."
"Our parents want to build a large house far from here, and they are scouting for men that are good with their hands and willing to travel. They'll pay them handsomely," Bankotsu said, leaning in at the contemplative look in Ryuuon's eyes. He's probably going to tell us to talk to his father, someone older...
"Hmm... The only carpenters I know are family men who wouldn't travel more than a town over, but... the Tavern... Yoko's, the one with the backdoor..." he glanced at Jakotsu momentarily. "There are men who hang around there that have been looking for work for some time now. Ex-soldiers, I think; they seem pretty hardy."
Excellent. Bankotsu grinned. "That's great! That's just what we've been looking for; isn't it, Jakotsu? Wait until we tell S...Mom and Dad."
Ryuuon winced at Bankotsu's excitement. "You might want to have your father go and actually meet these guys before you get all worked up. They're pretty rough and uh..." He looked at Jakotsu again.
"Nothing we couldn't handle," Bankotsu tried to assure Ryuuon, following his gaze to Jakotsu. The other boy's face was scrubbed clean and he wore his hair bound in a loose braid, nothing to gawk at. He didn't look strange and no one had to guess if they were looking at a boy...
"Dammit, they're pervs," Bankotsu groaned, slapping his palms down on the table in frustration. "I am so sick of dealing with freakin' perverts I could scream."
"Aniki..." Jakotsu's voice was low and edged with warning and Bankotsu grimaced. He'd been rather loud and a few people were looking at them.
"Sorry," Bankotsu whispered sheepishly. "But it's true."
Ryuuon smiled softly. "I wish I could be of more help. You know... I may know of someone... He's a friend of my father's, so he's kind of old, but he built his own house and did some work for some other families. After his son joined the military, he's been kind of bored and maybe looking for a ride out of town. How about I tell you where he lives and maybe you guys can go talk to him in the morning?"
Bankotsu looked to Jakotsu, raising a brow and Jakotsu nodded. "Sure thing. We really appreciate it."
Ryuuon began gathering their dirty dishes. "Just wait around after I close the hall, and I'll give you directions."
"We ended up going to both taverns. One was full of idiots and the other held promise," Renkotsu was saying, watching warily as Jakotsu lit yet another candle in the small room. Bankotsu counted about 20 little flames lining the walls and window sill and had to tread carefully to avoid knocking one of them over and setting the inn on fire. "Jakotsu, are all of these candles necessary?"
Jakotsu cupped his hand over the flame of the recently lit candle, staring hard into the heart of the flame. "Not really, but they are here for our use and I wanted to see what a room bathed in the light of... so many candles would look like."
Renkotsu studied Jakotsu a moment, before speaking. "I take it you've never seen the inside of a temple."
Jakotsu set the candle down carefully and turned slowly to face the group sitting in a semi-circle on the floor adjacent to the window, his robes narrowly escaping a fiery mishap. "No, Renkotsu, never. I do not like religion or the people who endorse it. Religion makes people do stupid things and fear what is different, and its anointed encourage it."
Bankotsu opened his mouth, wanting to get back on topic, but Renkotsu spoke again, eyes slightly narrowed. "You talk about things you know nothing about. If you've never visited a temple and spoken to a holy man before, how can you be so sure of what religion is about? Monks are highly educated men and know much of this world that the average person would never even be exposed to. They are infinite fountains of wisdom..."
"That you chose to betray by pretending to be a spirit, conning innocent people out of their life's earnings, and now following Bankotsu, a fifteen year old boy that wants to make a name for himself being a killer for money. Surely, your holy men cannot be all you hold them to be, if you are so willing to toss away their teachings..."
"I'm not tossing away anything; I'm expanding upon what I know and taking it to the next level. I want people to know me and my genius. As a monk, I'd always be a nobody. They are too humble for me, but I respect them," Renkotsu said lightly. He and Jakotsu stared at one another, one sitting, one standing, until Suikotsu coughed.
"Uh– so, Oo-Aniki, we found a group of men, old soldiers, deserters by the looks of them, that are very interested in heading west and finding new work. They even have their own horses and can be ready to leave on a whim. They thought we were leaving tonight, in fact. Renkotsu thought to bring along a little silver to tempt them." Suikotsu stopped to grin at Renkotsu. "We wanted you to meet them first, so I told them we'd meet them at Yoko's tomorrow evening."
Bankotsu wanted to hug Suikotsu. Never had he been so grateful for the man's sometimes annoying habit of breaking up arguments before they could fully escalate. There was still some tension in the room, but it was nowhere near the sparks that had been threatening to fly earlier.
What the hell had that been, and where had it come from?
"Sure, yeah, we'll meet them," Bankotsu nodded, having barely heard what Suikotsu had said. He stared at Jakotsu who stood quietly by the window with his forehead resting against the glass.
He and Jakotsu had never spoken of religion. Why would they? Bankotsu practiced nothing and Suikotsu... well, he doubted he did either. But Renkotsu was raised to be a monk. He'd renounced the title, but maybe not the religion entirely and definitely not the love he had for his old teachers...
It was clear that Jakotsu had insulted him, but instead of apologizing, Jakotsu had pursued the debate.
"–aniki... Bankotsu!" Suikotsu was clapping large hands in his face. "What did you find?"
Bankotsu blinked, looking to Suikotsu and a troubled Renkotsu apologetically. "Sorry." Glancing at Jakotsu and seeing that he was far removed from the conversation, Bankotsu said, "We learned of an old man that was a good carpenter in his day. Jakotsu and I are going to go and talk to him in the morning and see if he can be a foremen. The men you mentioned, the soldiers– from what tavern did you say?"
"Yoko's," Suikotsu said.
"Yeah, that's what I thought you said. They have bad reps. Ryuuon, the innkeeper's son, told us a bit about what happens in Yoko's."
"What do you mean by that, Oo-Aniki? I found it to be a respectable establishment, though the company was a bit... rough around the edges," Renkotsu frowned. He blew out three of the candles lining the wall beside him.
Bankotsu cringed at the act and hoped Jakotsu hadn't noticed.
"You didn't go around back, did you?" Bankotsu inquired, crossing his legs while keeping wary eyes on the candles behind him as he shifted positions.
Renkotsu shook his head and Suikotsu blinked.
"Ryuuon hinted around to something going on back there that made the men going to that place seem less than honorable," Bankotsu said slowly. "We can handle rough types, but I don't know if I'd trust them to do a good job without being pushed and guided by someone who knew what he was doing."
"So you want to talk to the old man and see if he'll take charge of the project. Excellent," Renkotsu rubbed his palms together. "You are so smart. You know what we should do now?"
"What?" Bankotsu asked, elated at the compliment from Renkotsu.
"We should start figuring out just what we'd want out of our superstructure. We'll want our own private bedrooms of course, and a bath house– and I'd want a work room, Oo-Aniki. Is that all right?"
Bankotsu nodded. "Yeah, everyone can have their own special space, I guess..." He hadn't even thought of building plans. Good thing he had Renkotsu. Bankotsu bet the man could figure up the blue prints all by himself, working out the math in his head.
"How are we to discuss building plans when we have not even seen the territory?" Jakotsu asked crisply. "I do not see a point in counting out windows and doors when there may not be room for them all."
Bankotsu stared at him. Damn was he ever in a mood and in front of Renkotsu! It was the man's first day; give him a break, Jakotsu!
"It would be nice to have some idea of what we want, Jakotsu. We might find out some of these men have no comprehension to build anything larger than a one bedroom shack. You can't hire contractors without rough blueprints and estimates."
Jakotsu said nothing to that and even Suikotsu was staring at him now. He looked to Bankotsu in confusion and Bankotsu had to shrug.
"Renkotsu is right. We should be thinking about this kind of stuff," Bankotsu said after a moment. "But at the same time, we shouldn't get overzealous and too detailed because we don't know the environment we'll be dealing with."
"Of course, Oo-Aniki. I certainly wasn't talking about drawing up the actual blueprints now," Renkotsu said matter-of-factly.
There was a long, uncomfortable silence.
Well shit. This isn't going well at all, and there's no use in us sitting here staring at each other.
"We should get to bed. If we've truly found our contractors, this is going to be the last stop we make for a while," Bankotsu said, patting out a soft rhythm on the floor with his palms between his open legs.
"I agree," Renkotsu said. "Even if we do gather more builders together, they should not all come from one small concentrated area. We'll visit other places that will have skilled men too, I'm sure."
Bankotsu nodded, running the end of his braid along the thick material of his pants. "So, how are we splitting up the rooms tonight? Would you two mind if Jakotsu and I went ahead and stayed in this room, since Jakotsu went through all the trouble of making it cozy..." and a fire hazard. They had brought all of their personal belongings into one room, but they had paid for two.
Suikotsu gave a snort. "I don't even see why you bothered to ask. You always room with Jakotsu, and he's already marked the territory."
Jakotsu tossed a teasing grin over his shoulder at Suikotsu and Bankotsu wanted to start beating his head on the floor. Jakotsu changed moods like kimonos. "I have not even lit any incense yet, Suikotsu. I have not truly claimed anything for myself until I do that."
Bankotsu gave a fake groan. "Not the incense! It gets into my clothes and I end up smelling like a flowery woman for days!"
"It is an improvement from your usual smell, Aniki," Jakotsu chuckled, moving from the window and blowing out a few of the candles sitting on the small trays beside it. Bankotsu watched him curiously, trying to gauge the motive behind his warmer behavior. Before, he'd seemed ready to pounce on Renkotsu and anyone else who dared utter something unfavorable in his direction.
Renkotsu was also watching, looking uncertain. "You... don't have to blow out all of your candles on the account of me, Jakotsu."
Jakotsu walked to one of the futons, shaking out the folded quilt at its end and winking at Renkotsu. "I do not plan on it. As I said, I only wanted to see what the room would look like."
Bankotsu tensed and Suikotsu looked ready to jump in at any moment.
"Oh," Renkotsu said. There was another silence.
"Well, Renkotsu, it seems we're being kicked out for the night. Come on, lets find our room." Suikotsu stood briskly, knocking over a few candles and quickly righting them before the tiny flames could sample the wood.
Renkotsu rose more slowly and followed Suikotsu to gather the bags they'd piled in a corner near the door. "Will we be meeting in the morning for breakfast Aniki, or were you and Jakotsu going to speak with the old man first thing?"
Bankotsu rose from the floor, stretching and pulling his braid over his shoulder. A group breakfast might be nice– if certain members learned to behave themselves before then. "We'll have breakfast together. You two meet us here in the morning and we'll go."
"Yes Oo-Aniki," Renkotsu started to give a bow and halfway through thought better of it. He bobbled awkwardly for a moment before heading to the door and pushing it open.
Suikotsu half smirked in Renkotsu's direction in wry amusement, before bidding Bankotsu and Jakotsu goodnight. "See you in the morning."
Bankotsu was waving and stopped as a thought struck him. "Um... Suikotsu, you might want to warn Renkotsu about your snoring..."
"I don't snore!" Suikotsu closed the door behind him, and Bankotsu couldn't help but giggle. Poor Renkotsu...
He knelt to blow out more candles and peered over at Jakotsu who'd not only prepared his futon but Bankotsu's as well. "Thanks."
Jakotsu plopped down on one futon with a deep sigh. "Welcome..."
Bankotsu crossed the room to join Jakotsu on the futon, swinging his legs over the side and bringing his knees to his chest. "So...?"
"So?" Jakotsu blinked. He began picking apart the braid Bankotsu had made, separating the curls with his fingers.
"What was that with Renkotsu? I thought you two were going to rumble for a minute there," Bankotsu nudged Jakotsu in the thigh with his big toe.
Jakotsu gave a little yelp and moved his leg out of Bankotsu's reach. He gave a lazy smile, running both hands through his loose hair. "I was not going as you put it. We had a little disagreement. I had no idea he would still feel so strongly about an Order he had left. I just expressed my opinion."
Bankotsu lifted a brow. "You offended him, Jakotsu, and instead of apologizing you kept pushing at him."
Jakotsu brought his own knees to his chest so he could rest his chin on them. "I push at everyone, Bankotsu. That was just the first time I really got a truly negative response. I did not know he would react like that. He is much too serious, and I must admit, I let him... bother me for a moment. I really do not like being talked down to, Aniki, and I always let people do it to me... before– you know– with Papa. I just... I will not let anyone talk to me like that again, not even a brother."
"But Jakotsu, what makes you think he was being condescending? I mean, I didn't think he was. He was just defending the people that raised him..."
"By telling me I talk about things I have no knowledge of." Jakotsu said flatly. "I took that as an insult, Bankotsu. I know I... hit a nerve... with him, but– I do not feel I was wrong. I did not know, he would take it so badly. I would have apologized, if only he had not said that."
Ai. "Your first real conversation with Renkotsu was an argument," Bankotsu shook his head. "I'm a little worried about what to expect from you next. This isn't going to work, if you guys can't get along."
"Aniki, we had one argument. Religion is a very sensitive ground for some people to tread on. It was not the best topic for our first conversation, but I will have you to know I was not the one that brought it up, and I will never speak of it again," Jakotsu said gently. "Renkotsu is... not someone I would choose to befriend on my own. We are very different, but..."
Bankotsu leaned in.
"But... I find him intriguing. He is very smart, Aniki, and we will gain a lot by having him with us. Suikotsu was correct in labeling him a 'pompous ass,' but he has his charms. 'Renkotsu' is a really good name for him."
"So... are you saying you like him?" Bankotsu pressed.
Jakotsu snorted. "Did I say anything about a personal preference, Aniki?"
Bankotsu wanted to strangle Jakotsu. Stop speaking in riddles, dammit! "I don't know what you said, Jakotsu. Look." Bankotsu took his friend by the shoulders, staring deeply into his gray eyes. "Do you think you could ever like Renkotsu?"
Jakotsu didn't blink. "I do not know, Aniki. Probably– but it does not matter. He is one of us now, and whether I like the man or not I will accept him and be civil."
Bankotsu chewed the inside of his cheek. That was probably as close of an answer as Bankotsu was ever going to get from Jakotsu. He was undecided and not making promises, but...
"I will not be apologizing to him though," Jakotsu said.
Bankotsu threw his hands up into the air hopelessly. "I give up."
"Good." Jakotsu clapped his hands together and Bankotsu let his hands drop from Jakotsu's narrow shoulders. "Does that mean we can go to sleep? I am very tired."
That's right. Bankotsu mentally pinched himself. Jakotsu was recovering and needed his rest. He'd forgotten that for a moment, but was quickly reminded by the dark shadows forming beneath Jakotsu's eyes. "Yeah, Ja. We can sleep." He pushed himself off the futon, but was pulled back down again.
"Aniki?"
"What?"
"If Renkotsu were to apologize to me first, then maybe..."
Bankotsu glared at the humor glistening in Jakotsu's eyes and crafting his features. Climbing over Jakotsu's lap, he snatched up a feather pillow and smacked Jakotsu with it. Jakotsu sputtered and coughed as some of the feathers escaped their cloth prison. "Aniki!"
"Ah shut up and go to sleep."
Author's Note: What's the verdict? Like it? Hate it? Don't care either way? Just let me know. Please review :).