Bankotsu's P.O.V

It was around Midnight when we got back. We arrived at the Shan-shao province hours ago, Rented out a small, one room house for the night before we went off to eat. Man...(chuckles) Everyone really let loose. Most of my comrades had gave way and gotten drunk.Even Suikotsu.

Kimiko on the other hand, doesn't drink that much. I do...but for some reason, I've never been able to get drunk. I despise that because sometimes, I want to get away from this harsh reality and it only make things worse when I remember that I cannot.

My comrades watched anxiously as Kimi killed a whole bottle of green tea in 4 swigs. That whole time, they banged their fists on the table chanting,"Go! Go!Go!Go!" and cheered when she finished. I quietly sipped my glass of sake and watched them. Thinking about how unfair it was for me to never be able to fully let loose.

"So, Kimi-chan, what did you do for the past two months?" Renkotsu asked, swirling his Sake in his cup.

"Well, I mostly trained" She stuffed a piece of Seushi into her mouth("Oh god, this is delicous!" She said with a full mouth)" And..you know...girl stuff."

"I dout I've ever seen you eat so much!" Suikotsu told her.

"Well...YOU GUYS left me at a temple. All they let me eat was rice,bread and water. I left there after like a month b/c I couldn't take it anymore." She wolfed down two more bowls of sushi,"YO! WAITER! BRING ME SOME MORE TEA!"

"HEY! THat's your 3rd bottle. Don't forget who's paying!" I said sternly.

"Awww! Let her have some more. IT's been almost 3 months anyway." Jaki slipped his arm around me and tried(for the 1millionth time that nite) to kiss me." What's your problem? You let me kiss you before."

I Felt embarrassment course through me as I pulled away from Jakotsu. Kimi stared down at her plate. No dout questioning my..feelings for her(Sarcastic) and better yet, MY sexuality.

"That explains why she's eating so much. And why she was so light when I Picked her up."

Kimi playfully threw a chopstick at Suikotsu. All he did was laugh." I was never heavy!"

"HA!" Jaki said," You weren't fat, but I'll be damned if you weren't heavy."

"You guys are so damn mean. That's why I perfected some of my new skills in order to take you all down." she covered her mouth," Oh yeah...I beat all of you at least once."

"Not me." I snorted."You never have been able too."

"That's because you have such a pretty face Aniki and I didn't wanna mess it up."

"Don't make Exscuses Kimi."

"I'm not. You know how much I loved waking up to your sexy face in the morning."

My heart leaped and jumped in circles. My cheek were red hot. I knew she was tipsy. She never talked about our...love life so casually before. Still...being drunk allows you to express yourself without fear. At least, that's what I've always thought. Is this what she was doing or not? Why Am I always asking so many questions. I want answers dammit.

That way she looked at me. Her eyes misted in that way whenever she'd kiss me or Whenever she wanted me to touch her. I felt fire burst through the Icyness inside my chest.

My expression went from embarrassed to soft anxiety. She ran her finger around the rim of an half-filled glass of sake, creating a peaceful, yet enticing hum. Then swallowed it down like it was nothing.

I couldn't describe what was happening. It's like she had a hold on me. It was suffocating. My drink holding hand quivered. S drop of sake slid to the lower rim of her glass. She licked it quickly off the edge and licked her bottom lip.

What's strange is no one else noticed. They were all...outside of us. In reality while I was trapped in a mind game of ecxtasy..away from reality. What I had wanted.

Her hair flowed like a tide, she traced her ring finger along the curve of her lower lip, those dark colored eyes swishing back and forth like the waves crashing against the shore.

Flashes of our names being whispered to one another. The tingles up through my spines whenever she tapped her fingernails on my abs. The tortuously slow but perfect feeling of her nails clawing into my back. Her soft cold lips against my hot skin.

Hot and cold all over again.

That burning feeling of ice whenever we made love. Breaths mingling, warmth peircing and that sweet sweet pain I loved so much.

A sexy whisper'Bankotsu'

She wanted more and I gave it to her.

'Bankotsu'

Gasping and grasping moments frozen in time...

"BANKOTSU!"

I crushed my glass. If it weren't for the shrill pain of shards cutting into my hand, I would've been stuck in that...I don't even know what to call it. The fire in my soul waned, my harsh breathing slowed. What had she done?

"Oh god! Bankotsu!"

It wasn't Kimi who had called me, but Jaki.

"Ban-san!" Jaki said, looking frantic and alarmed." What the hell? You need to be more careful."

Jaki started handing me napkins and paper towels. The waiter walked up and handed the bottle of tea to Kimi before Jaki yelled," DON'T JUST STAND THERE LOOKING LIKE A RETARD! Our leaders bleeding to death! Do something!"

The waiter scurried off. "I'm fine." I said, wincing as I pulled the shard of glass out of my hands. Not once, did I take my eyes off of kimi. Even when Jaki(who was trying his best to help me) spilled a hot bowl of soup over my pants.

kimi held my gaze. All she did was smile innocently at me.

It was then, I knew it to be true. She wasn't a teenager anymore. I mean she was but she was a women now yet, unlike ordinary women, she was...

"Aniki?"

Intoxicating.

My hands still throbbed underneath the bandages. how was it that she was able to entrap me like that? She had some how seeped into my mind. Is this one of the new skills she talked about?

I surveyed the room. The smoke from candles blown out had trailed in a string of smoke out the open window by where I sat, secluded in a corner. Everyone had pretty much dropped as soon as they entered the room. It was big enough to fit all of us, and then some. Still, everyone except me had crowded around Kimi for the night. Kiko(thank god) was outside.

Kimiko had taken off her Juban and slept in a tank top and black shorts.She laid in the middle. Suikotsu to her right and Renkotsu to her left. Ginkotsu had shut down for the night in the corner behind Ren. Kyokotsu was next to him. On the other side of Suikotsu was jaki who had sprawled out halfway on the floor and halfway on the wall. In front of them both, Mukotsu laid in silence. Only thing that could be heard was the shallow wind, their breathing and Kyokotsu's snoring.

Everyone was sleeping and having wonderful dreams no dout. Except me. The moment I start to drift off into sleep, I'm reminded of what happened at the resturaunt and my sudden burst of heat keeps me awake. I was so frustrated. I wanted to take it out on somebody. I wanted to rid myself of this fire. I had taken off my shirt I felt so hot.

I sat up against the wall, my left leg out straight while my right knee was lifted in the air, my foot flat on the ground. I rested my elbow on my knee, my hair was already coming out of the braid.

"Damn.." I sighed.

I'm gonna be tired tomorrow.

Kimiko P.O.V

I squirmed beneath the blanket. I felt the intense body heat of all my comrades. It was suffocating. I needed to breathe. I opened my eyes and sat up. Searching around the room for a place to sleep. Alone. It's not that I didn't miss them, I was glad to be near them but something inside me. This icy feeling. It urked me.

But, the only place to sleep was near Bankotsu. The ice melted as soon as I saw him.

Strong and silent. The way the blue moonlight highlighted his hair and muscles. God he looked so sexy. Which made me think about what my problem was. I've never been so tempted by him before. Was it Because he's not mine anymore?

Now that I think about it...he still is mine. And I'm still his. I reached up and touched the bite wound on my neck. Yes, it had healed but the scar was still there.He had claimed me as his. Even Vincent Knew this.

I found out the doctors true Identity not long after they left. Vincent had tried his best to heal me and for that I was grateful. And...he'd also tried to...take Bankotsu's place in some ways. But when he saw this mark he said" You're still his." and he swore that He'd make me love him. I honestly thought it was cliche. So I left. He followed until my father said differently.

And another thing, Am I telling myself this to make me feel better? God, I'm so pathetic.

I felt like I should talk to him. He hadn't noticed I was awake and was still staring out at the moon. I crawled passed Renkotsu-kun and Sui-sama. And Over Mukotsu.

As I crept over the floor, moving closer to Bankotsu, I became aware of the heat radiating off of his Aura. I've always felt it but I was never able to see it before.

When I stood on my knees next to him, he still didn't notice me. Was he ignoring me? It was time like these that I remembered how slow Bankotsu could be. Or Maybe his was lost in thought.

I close my fingers over the palm of my hand and stroked his handsome face with the back of my hand. Startled, he quickly turned his head. Once he saw me, he sighed out in relief and asked me" What is it?" He said, trying not to sound annoyed.

Had I pissed him off that bad?

" I wanted to...say I'm sorry for what I did at dinner."

"And that was?"

I blushed a little," When I played that small mind game on you."

"So you admit it?"

I felt bad now."I'm sorry to bother you. I'll go back to sleep."

Bankotsu P.O.V

She turned away from me and started to crawl away. I watched her. Analyzed her in less that a second. Her hair was tossed to one side, draping off the graceful curve in her back. Her thick curves sloped inward and outward in harmony with the rest of her body. Whether it was the line of her thighs moving to her hips and her ass or the perfect way her breast rounded out.

Man...she was so tempting...so luscious.

I grabbed her ankle, holding it in that 'not to tight but not to loose' way. She looked over he shoulder and our eyes met. I pulled her towards me, she yielded to me.

Kimiko turned over, I pulled her halfway underneath me. My hip pressing between her thighs as my hand slid underneath her tank top. She softly popped the hem of my pants as her hand moved up and down from the small of my back and to the insides of the frnt of my pants.

I didn't even have to say a word. I pressed my lips to her breasts, moving upward to the bass of her neck. I felt her kiss my shoulder as the hard muscles in her thighs gave way to my body. A part of me couldn't believe the was happening. I half thought I was dreaming until her nails poke into my skin in that way that I love so much.

Kimiko P.O.V

Oh god. I couldn't catch my breath. It took every firber in my body to keep me from screaming out for him. His touch, the way he kissed me. This is what I wanted. That fire he has.

I felt his cool breath on my neck as his mouth completely encompassed the bite wound he had given me, nibling and knawing at it as I clawed at his back. Wanting more.

Bankotsu grinded his hip into mine in a slow steady pace. Teasing me. Sometimes, he'd start to speed it up a bit before slowing almost to a stop. Driving me crazy."Please don't tease me." I pleaded in his ear. I heard him laugh a little but he didn't stop.

Bankotsu P.O.V

I kissed her cheek. Finally, we were facing on another. She trailed her hands up my spine in a slow, sensual motion, slidinh them over my shoulders and holding my face in her hands. She said so much by saying nothing.

I leaned down to kiss her. My forehead bumped her and sparked small flickers of light as my Four-point star mixed with her exodius. Was this what had sparked the change between us? At that moment, I didn't care.

She kissed my lower lip and I slipped my tongue in her mouth. I kissed her passionately, again and again. I can't remember how long we laid there but I'll never forget how I felt.

Jaki P.O.V

I saw a spec of light shine through my eyes. I blinked them open and started to yawn.

And I stopped myself when I saw them. Plain as day, on the floor, kissing all over one another. I'll admit, It pissed me off to see them like that. How he somehow forgets about the rest of us whenever she's around.

Honestly, I wasn't as...depressed as last time. I'm the one who suggested he get laid but..not like this. Even I know Bankotsu won't go as far and risking it with us in the room but still...

Times like this, I feel like I don't know him like I used to but I need to be honest to myself. Bankotsu's straight. I'm a man. I can't give him what he needs. I could but only to an extent. Then suddenly, the image of the making love that time popped into my head. So vivid and clear, like I just saw it 2 seconds ago. Man..love was hell.

I wasn't even sleepy anymore. I turned my back to them and covered my face with my blanket, hoping to drown that image of them from mind.

Kimiko P.O.V

We left early that morning, heading west. Bankotsu wanted us to take a ferry to the main land where The strongest Daimyos are said to roam. I hadn't been on a ferry since Me and Ban left his step-dad's Yashiki. Well...what was left of it. He said we were going back to that isle. He wouldn't exactly tell me why except to 'Settle old scores'

"I'm glad we're leaving. Ever since we got on this island, sure-we found our comrades- but there's hardly and daimyo's or samurai around. We need more money!" Jaki said.

"My sentiments exactly." Bankotsu said.

I rubbed my neck. It still tingled from last night. no, we hadn't made love but...I felt so dirty. Relaxed, but dirty. no More drinking for me. Period. It wasn't all the sake's fault though, it was partly mine. Well..mostly mine but I didn't understand. Whenever his birthmark met mind...I want him so badly. Was this some kind of trick he learned? Or was it just the two of us giving way to our secret desires.

Whatever it was, it was pissing me off.

I stared at Bankotsu. He smiled back at me with that baby-smile he has. not the sexy smile. I wonder, has anyone seen his other side besides me? There are some thing I know that I dom't even think Jaki knows and that sorta bugs me. I want to talk to someone. Someone other than Bankotsu, but not Suikotsu or and of the boys. I need a girl to talk to but I'm the only one! GRR!

"This is so irritating!" I said loudly.

Everyone looked at me."Uh...Lady issues." I told them.

That nodded and continued to talk. They stood in a huddle, trying to decide where to go but they refused to ask for directions AND refused to admit that we were lost. AGAIN. Man...is it good to be back.

"I think we go through this town and head east, then south then west-"

"Why do you complicate things Renkotsu?"

"Why do you dress like that?"

"Kimi..." Bankotsu glanced at me and everyone grew quiet." What do you think?"

"You boys know what I'll say.You can't ask for directions because WHY?"

"We're men." Kyokotsu said all high and mighty," We don't need directions from no damn body."

"Well.." I sorta laughed as I started to stand," You keep telling yourself that.I'm going to get some water." I started off down the road. I just noticed that there's nothing but roads in this place.

"Great." Jaki followed me," I'll go too."

Bankotsu P.O.V

Everyone froze and slowly stared at Jaki. Kimiko looked oddly disturbed." I don't think that's a good plan."

"Why?"

"Just Because."

"IT's no big deal. We're just getting some water." Jaki walked hand and hand with Kimiko. She had a 'SAVE ME,DAMN YOU!' look on her face. I started to say something but Jaki had half-way dragged her down the road and out of sight.

" I am so gonna here about this later." I told myself.

Kimi P.O.V

I sat down by the riverside, Jaki sat down next to me. He reached in his shirt pocket. I half expected him to pull a knife on me. He pulled out a cup and dipped it in the river."God, it's so hot today, huh?"

I scooted away from him," Jaki...are you okay?"

"I'm fine." He threw the cup of water at his face," That's better."

I cuffed my hands and placed them in the water, and lifting them out to take small sips. Still watching Jaki out the corner of my eye.

"Are you hungry?"

"THAT'S IT!" I jumped up and presumed my fighting stance," What the HELL is your problem."

"I'm trying to be nice. Chill out, will ya?"

" Sorry but last time you tried to be nice I was-HELLO- ALMOST HACKED TO PIECES!"

"That was months ago. I'm over it and you should be too. Besides, I just wanna talk." He patted the ground next to him," Come on. Sit down."

I watched him and cautiously sat down next to him."You look frustrated." He told me." It's about you and Bankotsu, isn't it."

I blushed. is it that obvious?"Maybe."

" Are you two back together?"

"I-" How did he..?

Jaki P.O.V

"It hasn't even been a full 24hours and you two were going at it like rabbits."

She coughed," You-You!"

"Yeah, I saw. I honestly thought you two were gonna do it!"

"YOU SAWWWW!"

She sounded embarrassed." Don't freak. Everyone else was knocked out. anyway, I don't think I've ever seen Bankotsu quite like that. The way he smiled at you, he doesn't smile like that! period! I can't really look at him like I used to now."

"WAIT! YOU SAW!"

"Yes." She really is slower than Aniki."I mainly saw alot of French kissing and you clawing you name into his back."

She blushed," Oh god!" and turned away.

"Hey! It's no big deal. I'm way worse that you two."

"You haven't seen some of the things Bankotsu does. We're way worse than you Jaki."

I grinned," Are you bragging?"

She reddened even more," No! I'm just saying..."

I had to admit, this was kinda fun. I get to pick on hr and she doesn't even know it."Well...you're not as expierenced as Bankotsu and I."

She perked up," What's that supossed to mean?"

"All the men in your life and you only made it with Bankotsu. That's not saying much. Do you even know what you're doing?"

"Well...Bankotsu-"

"Bankotsu KNOWS what he's doing. Trust me. I know him. I see things."

"What things?"

"Just...things."

"What're you trying to say?"

I smiled."Nothing. Only," I put my arm around her shoulder," I'm gonna help you." We helped one another up.

KimiP.O.V

He's gonna help me? With what?

"I used to think you were a whore but after last night you're just a fast little girl."

EXSCUSE ME? I'm FAST? I'd rather be fast than a sick bastard who chops up his lover." You're on to talk. You used to have a new lover every day way back when."

"That was then. This is now."

"And beside. He came onto me."

"Why would my Bankotsu do that?"

I threw back my hair," I'm cute."

"So WHAT! So, you're hot," Jaki smacked me on my ass," That's not enough."

I glared at him for a minute. He was starting to scare me." You know, we should talk about this later."

"Fine. But from now on, you'll answer to me. M'kay?"

"Uh...I guess."

Jaki held out his pinky and I caught it with mine." It's a promise. We're girlfriends now!"

I started dumbfounded at him.Girlfriends? But he's...the closest thing to a girl beside me. Still..I'm watching him.

Jaki grabbed my hand," Lets go. This is the start of a beautiful friendship."

That's what I'm afraid of.