So… Chapter TWO! Yay Half of me never thought I would get this far, I tend to start a lot of things then leave them unfinished without another thought. Although I really liked the way the firstchapterturned out (and I am really bored at the moment) so I'll start another chapter. This will probably be the last one, unless I absent-mindedly start writing something that can't be resolved in a chapter. Don't get your hopes up though...
Well, I won't delay you any more. Thanks again for the people who reviewed chapter one! Again Mizukotsu, you are a wonderful person Thank you so much for all your kind comments. Anyway, enough of my ensecent babbling, I humbly present to you; CHAPTER TWO! Mwahahahaha!
In Sickness and in Health
Chapter Two
A day later, even after treatment with Suikotsu and Mukotsu's medicinal concoction, Jakotsu's condition still wasn't improving. Quite on the contrary, it seemed to be getting worse. Now, on top of his cough and fever, he was now getting bouts of nausea and chills. The later had gotten so severe that Bankotsu, Suikotsu, Mukotsu, Kyoukotsu and Ginkotsu had surrendered their blankets willingly, Renkotsu… Had needed a bit of convincing. Bankotsu had been only too willing to provide that. But even six other blankets didn't seem to be helping Jakotsu. Something that everyone was quick to notice.
It seemed that Jakotsu wasn't the only one suffering because of his sickness. The other six were growing more and more aggravated with each other. Suikotsu and Mukotsu were at each other's throats over Jakotsu's medicine. Kyoukotsu and Ginkotsu were patrolling the area, and Renkotsu was refusing to speak to anyone. Bankotsu's condition was by far the worst, he was withdrawing from everything. He refused to leave Jakotsu's side, and he had stopped eating and sleeping regularly. The only two people who would speak too were Mukotsu and Suikotsu who rarely came unless they were needed or they finally created something they thought would ease Jakotsu's ailments.
It was past midnight, the stars of the winter sky were shinning brilliantly as if there was nothing wrong with the scene that was playing out below. Although playing out wasn't quite the right word, as rarely anything can 'play out' when only one of seven players is awake.
The strong and powerful leader of the shichinin-tai was restless, though unlike most restless souls in the late hours of the day he was not pacing. He sat nearly almost frozen-still by the sleeping form of his sick comerade. His only movements made were that of his right hand, softly stroking the sweat-soaked skin of his friends even paler than usual face. A frown was across his face and his expression was blank, almost stone-like. Until he felt the man's hand gently fold over his own. Knowing the subordinate's feeling's towards other men, he would have blushed to high heaven and back if it had been under different circumstances. But Bankotsu knew that this was not the time for such trivial emotions. He looked quickly down at the man lying on the futon, seven blankets piled upon him, still shivering.
Bankotsu started to speak, but he was quickly silenced by a thin pale finger gently pressing over his lips.
"Shh… Don't speak."
He felt the finger gently slip from his lips, Jakotsu's hand coming to rest on his still armored chest. Jakotsu gave a soft cough and another set of shivers ran down his body.
Bankotsu's stolid face turned to a deep concern as he brushed a strand of ebony hair out of Jakotsu's face.
"Jakotsu…"
"Oo-aniki, I'm cold."
Jakotsu complained in an almost childish voice, almost just like his regular self.
"Jakotsu.. I, I don't have any more blankets. Do you want be to get Suikotsu?"
"Mmm… Oo-aniki" Jakotsu shook his head gently. "I know there's no blankets left; I just thought that you might be willing to help me anyway…"
Bankotsu didn't even think about what Jakotsu could have in mind before he responded. Had be not been so distraught over Jakotsu's ailment, he probably would have read more into what Jakotsu could possibly be trying to plan. But at this point, Bankotsu was willing to do just about anything. "Sure Jakotsu, what do you want me to do?"
Jakotsu smiled, though it wasn't as radiant as his normal smile, it was just as lusty and seductive. "Well, warm me up of course." He rolled slightly to the side of the futon, as if to make room for a second person to lay on it.
Bankotsu was taken aback, this time he couldn't help the red crawling across his cheeks. Part of him was worried about the things Jakotsu might try if he were to sleep in the same bed with him, after all, he knew all too well what Jakotsu did to any of those 'cuties' that he found after a battle. But, the sick man on the futon did truly need the extra body heat.
Jakotsu looked up at him, his face stretched into a childish pout that Bankotsu simply couldn't resist. He gave a resigned sigh.
"Fine Jakotsu… But, only because you're sick."
Jakotsu smiled again. The action this time, if it was possible, even more playfully seductive than the first. "Sure Oo-aniki." He softly patted the empty space on the futon beside him.
Bankotsu made a move to lay down beside his friend, though he stopped when he saw Jakotsu's mouth drop open.
"What Jakotsu?"
"Aren't you going to take that cold, hard amour off?"
Bankotsu sighed again, before undoing the many ties that held the blue-painted steel onto his body. Leaving it beside the futon, he lay gingerly beside the other man. He was facing Jakotsu for a mere moment, and even that was dreadfully unbearable. It was as if that was a final realization that he was in the same bed as another man. Another man, who happened to outwardly flaunt his homosexuality. He rolled onto his side, away from Jakotsu. Trying to get comfortable Bankotsu stretched his leg out, though when he felt his calf brush up against a leg that obviously wasn't his own. He felt his cheeks redden and he quickly recoiled his leg and hunched his shoulders over, not wanting to touch any part of Jakotsu when they were in the same bed.
"Mou! Oo-aniki what was that for?"
"What was what for Jakotsu?"
"Don't pretend Oo-aniki! Do you hate me?"
"No I… I.. Just go back to sleep Jakotsu."
"Mou, but I'm cold Oo-aniki!"
"Jakotsu, your being childi-"
Bankotsu's words were cut off quickly as Jakotsu's arms wrapped tightly around him and pulled him close to his body. Cuddling up to him Jakotsu smiled, and then closed his eyes.
Bankotsu struggled against the other man's embrace, but to no avail. Even sick, Jakotsu still had an iron grip.
"Jakotsu." Bankotsu mumbled, elbowing the other man softly.
"Jakotsu?" Bankotsu tried again, although again he got no response.
"Jakotsu! Jakotsu! Jakotsu stop it! Jakotsu? Ah, Jakotsu! C'mon, no one falls asleep that fast!"
Holy shit! There's going to be a third chapter +gasp+ I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing… Definitely means more work for me > ', but for you readers, I don't know. I suppose It depends on whether you like your stories long or short (if you can call three chapters long).
Well, anyway, I kind of changed the tone of the story. It was getting a little to serious and angst for me so I threw in this little bit. Tell me how you like it. Reviews might change what I do for the third chapter. REVIEW!