Bankotsu paced back and forth acroos the diing room floor. " Renkotsu I really don't know what to do about this." what could he do? Bankotsu hated to play favorites among his comrades (even though that's what he sometimes ended up doing) but he could'nt ignore the fact that Suikotsu tried to kill her Kimiko(which Bankotsu still had a hard tie believing Suikotsu had even raised his hands to her face)especially seeing how close her and the unstable doctor are. " We have to hurry. I think we should switch out rooms. Kimiko will have to share with one of us since her roomate is Suikotsu."

Renkotsu poured himself a small glass of sake. Unlike his leader, he had managed to stay completelycalm about the whole situation. " Aniki, who, exactly, do you propose she share a room with?" he said placidly.

His leader coughed, " Well...since right now, all we can do seperate those two, Kimiko will be sleeping in my room tonight. Jakotsu won't mind sharing with Suikotsu too much."

Renkotsu glanced at the younger man out of the corner of his eye. "Well, well. Looks like you really put some thought into this, huh aniki?"

Bankotsu blushed, " It's not like that!" he said quickly, " really."

" Then tell me," Renkotsu took a sip from his glass, "Why is it that she can never share a room with me or mukotsu. Ginkotsu would love to have her company. If it wasn't for Jakotsu constant whining, she'd probably already be your roommate and not Suikotsu's."

" That's enough of that."Bankotsu said, trying to change the subject," It's not really the doctor that worries me."

"Then what ails you?"

" The doctor would never lay a finger on Kimiko, let alone try and kill her- no matter how unstable his mind is-I dout he even remembers threatening her. It's Yami who wants her dead."

" So, basically, you're saying it's safe for her to be near him, only up to a certain point."

"Yes and no. We can't predict when Suikotsu might transform from the kind-doctor to a hitokiri. It'd be best for everyone if we keep them apart until we figure this out. Who knows how far Yami would go to see her dead. He might even come after us because in order to get to her, he'll have to go through 5 people to do it."

Renkotsu lowered his drink."Don't you mean 6 people, Aniki?"

"I counted out Jaki."

"Oh...right."

Renkotsu paused for a minute, going through his thoughts before he realized something very crucial." Bankotsu?"

" Yes Renkotsu? "Bankotsu sat down, looking both tired and anxious. He picked up a small glass and started to pour himself a glass of sake as well.

" Where is Kimiko?"

Bankotsu dropped his glass, it shattered instantly on theredwood table-top as the sake flooded from thepot and on the table in a hugepuddle.

meanwhile

"Is this it?" Kimiko handed Mukotsua tiny glass bottle with a bright, emerald green liquid swirling inside. " It's so pretty. What is it Mukotsu?"

" It's dragon venom."

" Really? I've heard dragons exist but I've never auctually seen one."

Mukotsu smiled. It was funny how easily amazed she was."It's quite a majestic sight. Aniki killed one the other day while you were out with the Doctor."

" WHAT? No Fair!"

" Ha ha. Life isn't always fair my dear." Mukotsu emptied the bottle into a clear blue draught bubbling inside his caldron. The concoction truned a shade of violet and bubbled over in lilac foam, emitting the most seductive scent Kimiko's ever smelled.

" Bankotsu " she whispered to herself in a dreamy sigh.

"What did you say Anaki?"

Kimi leaned back against the wall, not paying attention to a word being said to her. My body feels so hot...,two red spots appeared on the apples of her cheeks,what's wrong with me?