Summary: Bankotsu's village is gone. He comes to a house in the next village and meets a shabby looking Jakotsu. Shounen ai.
Bankotsu trudged along the worn path, dragging his tired feet. Banryuu's weight dug mercilessly into the already fatigued shoulder. The sun had already set and they could not afford to rest now. After what happened this morning, Bankotsu was not sure he would be able to keep all of them safe if they were to run into youkai. He was tired and couldn't help but let it show.
"We haven't run into any villagers yet and we can't really expect to find any trail when it's this dark," Bankotsu said. "Are you sure we are close?"
"Yes, Bankotsu-sama," said Taro. "It should only take an hour more."
A groan escaped their lips as they heard this and the group pressed on. Taro was not lying. An hour later, all five stumbled into a quiet village.
"Alright Taro, lead us to your aunt's house." Bankotsu nodded encouragingly.
"Taro!" The woman greeting them looked shocked. Her eyes flew open wider upon seeing the other four boys behind him. "What are you doing here this late?"
Taro hung his head and said quietly, "We need your help, obasan. Can we stay with you?"
"Of course," the woman's eyebrows knitted together. She saw that they were exhausted and covered with dirt. It will be best to let them rest tonight, she thought. I will get their story tomorrow. With that, the boys were led inside each to their own room.
Bankotsu stumbled in and slid the door closed. He quickly set down Banryuu and remembered nothing else as he drifted into a dreamless sleep.
After the boys had dropped their things in their rooms, they trooped to the kitchen for food, and thankfully there was still some left.
"Obasan, that was very delicious soup," said Taro.
The rest of the boys nodded eagerly. "Thank you, Keiko-sama."
"Where is that boy with the braid?" Keiko asked.
"Bankotsu-sama? I think he is still sleeping," Taro said. Keiko nodded knowingly.
"Taiki!" A sooty figure in a soiled red yukata meekly stepped forward. "Prepare a bowl of soup and bring it to the boy's room."
Taiki nodded and moved off. At Bankotsu's door, he knocked quietly but heard nothing. He looked around worriedly and wondered what to do. He didn't want to bring the tray back. No telling how Keiko might react if he didn't follow her order. He knocked again and received no reply so he slid the door open. Taiki saw a motionless form in the middle of the dark room the glint of metal from the light in the hall. He shuffled inside quickly and set the tray down a little away from the sleeping boy and left.
TBC
It's a short 1st chapter but it's my first so... :)
Please review. I want to know what you think. I'll be ok with criticism, but please don't be harsh and if you want, say how I can improve.