Bankotsu P.O.V

Renkotsu looked over me. Examining my body from head to toe. By that time, I pretty much knew what he was thinking, but how do I explain something like this without alarming him, or my other comrades. Jakotsu seemed to take my whole transformation pretty well, but that's Jakotsu, he'll except me no matter what-Renkotsu, he was a whole 'nother story.

Renkotsu gaped at me, trying to organize his words carefullyat to not offend me. "Bankotsu...um..." He paused for a few seconds, trying to find the right words, "How did you-what I mean to say- what caused you to...", he trailed off.

"Become Demonic?"I mumbled

Renkotsu flinched, he was obviously disturbed about the whole situation. To be honest, I'm not even sure I'm what you would call 'demonic', I don't feel that different. If anything, I feel more powerful.

Suikotsu rubbed his broken wrist," Bankotsu-oo-aniki, maybe you should go talk to the-"

"I'm not talking to the village Doctor."

" Well, why the hell not?"- I turned to jaki who folded his arms and legs-"Who knows what else could happen."

" I thought you liked my transformation? You said it was 'sexy'."I pointed out.

Jakotsu blushed, trying to act as if he never said anything like that to me before in my life(which we all know is a lie) still, I knew he only did that because he was concerned AND he didn't want Renkotsu to fuss at him about 'encouraging our leader'.

" Aniki, what do you think caused this?" Renkotsu asked me.

I froze. Should I tell him or not? Renkotsu had always been askeptic about having a women in the Shichinintai, especially one withhandle over an elementlike Kimiko(I think it's mainly because she can fully use the power of water better than he can control fire) When you think about it, she's the one person his fire tricks won't work on. She'll be able to extinguish the flames in a second.

Anyway, like I was saying, If I tell him, he'll just inquire about her whole existence, like where she comes from, why she doesn't tell us anything and yada..yada..yada.

Renkotsu P.O.V

I asked Aniki what he think caused his transformation. He just shrugged and Said, " I haven't the slightest." I knew not to ask more than absolutly neccesary or else Bankotsu would get mad. I could tell he was lying to us from the start, but why? What was he hiding? Does this have something to do with Kimiko? Yes, that must be it, or else he wouldn't try to hide it from me. Yet, what could she have done to provoke something like this?

I gathered my thoughts. I needed more information. Perhaps I could...

" Bankotsu-oo-aniki, when did you first feel this why?" I asked him.

He glanced at me with suspicion in his eye. I'd better watch how I go about this.

" It was last night." he said carefully, not letting me know more than he wants me to. What was his problem? I was only trying to help. Trusting Bankotsu with power like this could prove fatal for not only him, but us as well.

" Listen, I'm tired," yawned Bankotsu." Why don't we talk about this later. I need some rest."

I protested." But Aniki, this transformation could be draining your life as we speak!"

"Aw, you worry to much Renkotsu. It's no big deal. I feel fine, I just need to sleep is all."He waved me away like some common servant, "Why don't you guys go out to eat?"

" That sounds like a good idea." Mukotsu jump to his feet, " I'll go fetch Ginkotsu and Kyokotsu."

Mukotsu left the room. I have to admit, Bankotsu was smarter than he looks when it came to situations like these. I had no choice but to leave, lest face the wrath of our agitated leader. Bankotsu laid out on his side, with one knee in the air and his face in his hand, facing his back to us.

"Will you be okay?" Jakotsu asked sincerely.

"I'll be fine. If something happens, I'll come running."

"All right." Jakotsu exited the room with an air of reluctance. It wasn't like Bankotsu to dismiss Jakotsu in times like this. He had grown...distant. I filed out of the room behind my gay comrade wondering how I should make my next move. Only Suikotsu was left in the room.

Suikotsu P.O.V

I took a deep breath, here goes nothing. "Aniki, could I talk to you?"

Bankotsu turned over on his stomache and looked at me. " Oh. Suikotsu. I didn't know you were still here." he tried to sound nice but I knew he was annoyed. Mainly by Renkotsu's attempt to interrogate him earlier." What is it you want to talk about?"

" I'm quitting the Shichinintai."

That got Bankotsu's Attention. He straightened up and he stared at me long and hard for a couple of seconds, each time he opeed his mouth to speak no words came out. Finally, he said " Why?"

" You saw what happened. What I did to Kimiko and what she almost did to us. She could've killed us all but it wasn't her fault. I provoked her. Now she's hurt and...she might never wake up." I held my head down. " And don't even say it's not my fault because it is."

"It's not your fault. It's mine."

I stared back at him. before I could stop myself, I blurted out " How is it your fault?" He wasn't the one who let his hatred get the best of him. He wasn't the one who hungered for the blood of the one women who treated him like he was a person and didn't treat him like a madman because he is mentally unstable.

" Bankotsu you didn't try to gut her!"I yelled at him.

How could he try and take the blame? "It was me. I did it! I wanted her dead and I didn't care what it took. I would've killed you all too if I had the chance!"

Bankotsu didn't speak. His expression was just as unreadable as the look inside his eyes.

Bankotsu P.O.V

" Suikotsu."I reached out and touched his shoulder, " You're good people."

" WHAT!"

I grinned at the look on Suikotsu's face. "You're right. You did do allte things, but it wasn't you. You can't be held responsible on account of your Evil side is crazy. Hell, we're all crazy like that sometimes, even me."

" I don't understand Bankotsu."

" Don't try to. It's mostly my fault because I should've done more to protect.I'm the leader and I didn't live up to my title. From now on, I won't make mistakes like that again. As for Kimi...don't worry about her. Our girl is strong, she'll wake up now if not sooner. She wouldn't want you to quit on her account. Trust me, you'll do more harm than good. Besides, she'd kill me if she finds out I let YOU quit."

Suikotsu's P.O.V

Bankotsu...how can he be so cheery, even in times like these. I know she's strong but as a doctor myself, I know how rare people awake from coma's. Still, if she were to die, I'd never forgive myself. What gets me the most is that...my evil side...he auctually feels bad about what happened. I know we're connected to one anothers feeling but the sorrow and sadness he feel is his own. What could this mean? Did he have a conscious to? Was that even possible?

" Suikotsu?"

Bankotsu's voice interupted my thoughts. Our eyes met briefly befor he said, " Go. Get something to eat with the others and then we can talk some more, alright?"

" Yes aniki."

I moved in front of the door, grasping the handle with my hand. Before I left, I looked back at my leader." Bankotsu?"

Bankotsu had curled up onto the floor. " Hmm?" he muttered?

"Thanks."

" No problem."

I left the room, closing the door cautiously behind me as Bankotsu fell completely asleep.