Bankotsu P.O.V

"We got paid really well for that last job, didn't we Bankotsu-kun?" Jaki slurred as he poured himself another glass of Sake," not to mention all the cute guys I got to-OW" Suikotsu gave Jaki a swift kick in the leg before pointing incognito to Kimiko who, by the way, was zoning out the window, the sky was smeared with fierce orange and crimson as the sun set over the horizon. A steady, cooling breeze circulating through the room.

Jaki clapped his hand over his mouth. Before Kimiko had came back, we had hit a all time high. Everyone seemed to need "ronin" to do a job for them. And being mostly men(not including Jaki) we liked to avoid talking about our feelings and past 'incidents'. Plus, Kimi had been really moody lately.The last thing we needed was to add fuel to the fire.

"hmm?" she looked over her shoulder and stared at me. Suddenly her face went from 'whatever' to 'I'm on the verge of tears and I can't stand to look at you right now.'

"I gotta go for a walked." was all she murmured before she walked out of the resturant. I heard Kiko barking so I knew he must've followed her. As soon as she walked through the veil over the door, I felt my heart...well...stop. It was like I was tired, but anxious. I hated that feeling.

"Was it something I said?" Jaki asked holding his head down.

Renkotsu closed his eyes and quietly sipped his soup."Didn't you notice? She was staring at Bankotsu." Renkotsu said cooly. Without opening his eyes or caring that I was sitting next to him.

Suddenly, everyones eyes shifted to me. The first thing out of Jaki's mouth was "What did you do?"

"Why does it have to be me?" I mean, c'mon! Lately, she's the center of Everything. I'm the LEADER! It's not that I'm jealous, but she gets upset at me for no reason." Maybe You did somehing Jakotsu. Just this morning, you called her fat."

"I DID NOT!" Jaki gasped," I said she looks thicker than I remember!"

Suikotsu swirled his drink in his glass, staring at his reflection. The green streaks seemed to be fading a bit as he said, " Being pregnant will do that to ya. Womengo throughchanges and adaptions, like gettingwider hips and bigger breasts."Suikotsu sipped his drink, taking long gulps.

"As I'm sure YOU notice Suikotsu." Ren-san muttered.

Suikotsu spat out his drink,"'SCUSE ME? You're one to talk. Isn't she a little young for you?"

Renkotsu opened his eye then. The tips of his ears turning bright red." You're older than me if I remember correctly!"

"By 2 years." he said sarcastically, " Wow."

"Do we have to talk about this now?" I blurted out. I mean damn. I can't even have a nice dinner without them bringing her in to the conversation." If she doesn't wanna talk then screw it!"

"You DID do something didn't you?" Jaki said flatly.

"NO! Why do I always have to be the one-"

Everyone sighed and turned away from me."WHAT! It's a simple question!"

"Ask a stupid question you get an even stupider answer." Renkotsu muttered.

I don't get it. "Does she...hate me or something?"

Jaki P.O.V

(sigh) Here we go again.Ban-chan turned his head to the side a bit, his cheeks turned red as he spoke. He looked way beyong agitated. " Bankotsu-aniki, sometimes I forget how young you are."

"Then tell me."

How can I put this? "She's being all angsty because of you."

"I KNOW! But why!"

"Surely Renkotsu,Suikotsu and I don't have to explain the birds and the bees to you." I told him.

Bankotsu pushed back from the table, " Forget it! I'll go talk to her myself!" He stormed off through the entrance to the resturant.

"You do realize you just sent him into the lions den, don't you?" Ren said.

" Yep. He'll be fine." I replied." But um...I have one question."

Everyone stared at me.

"Who's paying for dinner?"

Kimiko P.O.V

GOD! I can't even look at him anymore. Why am I being this way? GOD!I hate myself! I hate having to be this way. I know I'm the only women and I go through changes that THEY don't but...it's hard. I don't wanna be the oddball. I want things back the way they were.

I want Bankotsu back.

I can't have him. To sit there in the same room with him and to know that I will never be able to feel him again; it makes me wanna cry my eyes out.

"You two weren't meant to be."

"You're a forbidden match. Your relationship with Him is a Blasphemy in itself!"

Why? Why is that? I get the answers to one question, only to discover a million more. I can't say why everyone wants us apart but I do know one thing: My Father might kill him and Sui-sama. And Jaki. And Renkotsu. Even Mukotsu, Ginkotsu and Kyokotsu as well. I'd rather have them near then not at all.

The sun was setting. The orange and crimson sky had faded to a lavender twilight. The stars were only beginning to awaken. I stood by a crowd of gray boulders mounted on the shore, casually being splashed with azure waves and violet foam. I sat on the tallest one,The surface was so flat and smooth that I could lay down and not one part of me would fall off.(unless I rolled over, that is...)

As I kicked my feet against the rock, Kiko curled up behind me; constantly patting his tail against my thigh. The breeze was gentle and the ocean was beautiful. It's times like these that become those memories that you never forget.

A gentle breeze, eyes as deep as my own. "Shunkei?" My youngest brother. Possibly my favorite.

A beach with warm, white sand and the ocean as far as the eye can see. Shunkei, only a little over a year old, is running towards me, holding my ocarina. I smile and start walking the other way, gingerly looking back over my shoulder as he runs after me.

"Ki-Ki-" He cried. Not able to talk fully yet, I only heard bits and pieces of my name.

As I picked up my pace, so did he. A drizzle of snot running down his nose as his eyes flooded with tears."Wa-ah!" He cried, wanting me to slow down.

It seemed so funny at the moment. I only meant to tease him a bit.

As I got further away, something unbelievable happened.

"K-im-ik-"He screamed before he tripped and came tumbling to the ground. He sommersaulted before landing on his back, my ocarina falling from his grasp.

I remember how I felt. He'd said my name. I had been his first word.

I even remember feeling so mad at myself. I ran over to Shunkei. Hestood up and ran into my arms and I held him for so long. Like Tamahome used to do when I was a baby.

That's when I knew what it meant to be an older sister.

I wanted to cry even more. Tomorrow, was Shunkei's birthday. One more I missed. One I'll never get back. Does he even remember me?He was so young when I left. I don't want to be forgotten.

I gave up going back home for Bankotsu because I loved him and our friends as well. I'm not blaming them. I don't want to have regrets but, What good is it giving upthe people you love for the love of your life if you can't even love him like you want?

As the waves washed over the sand, I felt a wave of Nostalgia wash over me. It was almost dark now.

Transparency dyes the night sky, and I walk alone on the road that always leads home. Singing to myself, I want to send these kinds of feelings to you in your sleep, oh, um...

I'm tangled up in something; I'm getting a little sick of myself -- tangled up in the feelings to convey to those days that have been left behind... The heart I've forgotten somewhere is starting to hurt a little.

I sang as innocently as I've always have, maybe more.

I keep searching for you in a night lit by the stars that are bound to that time. I place my feelings on the receding clouds on the road home, where I pause to stand. You are already a part of my continuing dreams; I know that (those feelings) can't possibly reach you from here.

The tears keep falling; just by being able to be close to you, I'm starting to want a smile, just a little... Someone asks questions; I'm starting to want this to make more sense.

You cast those too-brilliant days into a fading shadow. I'm tangled up in something; I'm getting a little sick of myself -- tangled up in the feelings to convey to those days that have been left behind...

The heart I've forgotten somewhere is starting to hurt a little. I keep searching for you in a night lit by the stars that are bound to that time.

Then I think of you and I'm not so sad. It's not alright, but you make it okay." Bankotsu."

Bankotsu P.O.V

"Bankotsu."

I stood at the edge of the beach where the sand met the dirt road. That feeling of heart-stopping anxiety. My skin wanting to burst into flames. I need a release.

Only it's more than that. I want to stop playing these games. I need to know why.

"Kimiko?"

she twisted around, her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Kiko's hair stood on end as I stepped forward.

I wanna know

"Can we talk?"

Bankotsu P.O.V

Kimiko sat next to me, her arms folded around her knees as she stared directly at the autumn colored moon. She hadn't spoken since I brought her out to this field.She sent Kiko back to the others so we wouldn't be interrupted. (chuckles)I almost regret it. This was so awkward and silent. Almost eerie.

But I was happy just to be near her.

The scent of lilac and dafodil filled my nose; fireflies were strewn all about the grass. It was one of those moment where time just seemed to run still. It made me think back to that day on the beach where I thought I saw...wings.

When an orange-colored moonlit night comes, I think of you, as though the chic affectations in my words were someone else's words.

Even now, (I can remember) the pale light that illuminated your silhouette as you suddenly glanced up (at that night's sky).

What is it I'm waiting for, in this room without you -- it's just the clock's ticking, but it resonates in my sleepless heart like the sound of footsteps. Even now I'm waiting; I stop here alone. From where do you now see the moon we saw together on that day

I stared at her, just curious to see how long before she said something. Kimi glanced at me and blushed, hastily looking away. That's when I said, " Do you hate me?"

She blushed a deeper shade of red."No."

"Did I upset you?"

Kimi shook her head, burying her face in her arms," No." She muttered tearfully.

(sarcastically)Great. She was crying.

My behavior made a mimicry of laughter, even when I remember your voice. The scene of the night when we walked around together is (now) an orange-colored photograph./

You forgave the lies that fell from the darkness and my selfishness, but your tears, even now...

Without saying a word, time flows on; the sky is extinguished by the light of the morning that's coming soon, like it melts away. On that last night, no matter where it is, only the moon looks at my deserted heart even now.

I caressed her cheek with the back of my hand. She brushed me away, saying " Onegai. Don't." with such a longing in her voice, I couldn't stay away.

"Just talk to me." I gazed at her with sad eyes," Onegai." I would do anything for you Kimi."Onegai? Just tell me what's bothering you."

I'll keep waiting for you, no matter how far apart we are -- it's just the clock's ticking, but it resonates in my sleepless heart like the sound of footsteps. Even now I'm waiting; I stop here alone. From where do you now see the moon we saw together on that day

"What do you reallywant me to say?"she asked.

Kimiko P.O.V

He took his hand in mine. I used to think If I ever were to let go, he'd disapear, but he seemed so close to me now.

He gave me that bedroom stare; the sexy stare he gave me when we first made love.The time when I first woke up beside him. I miss that.

"Do you still love me?"

Words:

Onegai-please.

First song in underline italics is "Anti-nostaglia" from gravitation.

The second one was " In the moonlight" from gravitation. Sung by Bad luck.