Author's Notes: This chapter was revised on January 24, 2006.

Also, when it switches from italics to standard text inside "italic standard" quotations like that, it's not thoughts, but actually, another voice from the speaker. Trust me, once you see it, you'll figure out what I mean.

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------June 5th------

Entry beginning at 6:33PM

A gold ring and a piece of white cloth. It just doesn't make sense. And where is Bankotsu?

I thought to myself as we rushed into the building that housed our office. Upon reaching the top of the stairs to the second floor, we could make out a voice saying something. Or maybe it was two voices.

"Come on Bankotsu, this is no time to be unconscious. He just drank too much, damn baka. Now now, he's had a very bad day. He deserves to relax a little. Kuso, just because he wants to be upset doesn't mean we should have to scrape him up off the pavement or pay his bar tab. Well, Jakotsu is missing, so someone has to watch out for him. And why does that someone have to be us? We are his friend. Maybe you are. Don't talk like that! Bankotsu is your friend too; you just don't want to admit it. You're the one who doesn't want to admit that I just don't give a damn!"

I was relieved to hear that whoever it was had Bankotsu with them. So we turned the corner, fully expecting to find Bankotsu and two others; but instead, there was just Bankotsu and one other guy. He was tall, and had brown hair down to his shoulders and apparently...was arguing with himself.

"Um...can I help you?"

He turned abruptly to face me. It appeared that Bankotsu was unconscious and slumped up against our office door. He smiled briefly, "Are you Miss Kagome?"

"Why yes..."

"Good, Bankotsu passed out at the bar and he asked me to bring him here."

"I see, let's get him inside," So that's why he wasn't answering his phone, I thought, then turned to get Inuyasha to help me move the poor guy, but found him glaring at the other man.

"Well well, we meet again."

"Don't think I've forgotten what you did to us. Now, it was just a misunderstanding, no reason to fight. Sorry, but I owe this baka a punch for that bruise he left last week."

"So you're Suikotsu, eh?" Inuyasha cracked his knuckles, "Funny, last time you seemed to be speaking more in Japanese."

"Kuso, don't insult me you freak! It's not my fault my other half won't sleep today!"

I stepped between them, "Can't we continue this later? I'd like to get Bankotsu off the floor."

"Keh! Fine, I'll finish him off later."

The man's face seemed to soften for a moment, "Of course, we need to attend to him first. Yeah, then we'll take care of our little grudge."

Finally, we got Bankotsu inside and managed to clear all our junk off the small sofa in the corner. Then, I sent Inuyasha to get a cold compress- I didn't trust leaving him alone with this "Suikotsu" quite yet. Once he was gone down the hall, I decided it would be a good time to ask a few questions.

"So, you're Suikotsu, right?"

"Oh, so sorry for the informal introduction. Yes, I am Suikotsu," He paused for a second and frowned, "You'll have to pardon my behavior. I haven't had the chance to take my medicine yet today. Who needs that damn medicine anyway? We do and you know it. Why would I need something that always makes me sleep?"

I blinked, nope it wasn't my imagination; the guy was talking to himself. Before I could inquire more, Inuyasha returned and we were able to get Bankotsu to come to. Suikotsu walked over to him once he seemed conscious.

"Shimatta, Bankotsu- this is no time to go getting yourself drunk!"

He squinted a little and rubbed his forehead, "...Suikotsu, quiet for a bit will ya?"

"Baka, if you have a headache, it's your own damn fault!"

"Only half asleep, eh? Suikotsu, worry about me after you take your pills."

"I don't need any damn pills! Let him sleep."

"Shhh. My head's killing me."

"Yes, please be quiet. You're annoying me! Idiot, you're the one annoying me!"

Bankotsu placed a firm hand on his shoulder, "Suikotsu, why haven't you taken your medicine today?"

"I'm sorry Bankotsu. I haven't been able to... Damn medicine. I'm not a wimp, and I ain't taking it anymore!" Suikotsu slammed his hand down onto the desk, sending a few pens and papers flying. "Now calm down or someone might get hurt. Shut up ya asshole! Watch your language, there's a lady present. I'll use what words I want when I want, bastard!"

Bankotsu was obviously struggling to convince at least one of the two sides to take the medication he now held in his hand. "Come on Suikotsu, it's time for your medication. Don't make me force it down your throat again."

"Come on ya little wimp- try me! Now, that's enough! Bankotsu is upset, you shouldn't be challenging him at a time like this. I can challenge him whenever I damn want, Baka! Please, just until we find Jakotsu, behave yourself? Kuso. Fine, I'll go back. But once we find that little weirdo, you better let me back out." He nodded, answering his own question and took the small bottle from Bankotsu. "You'll have to excuse him, he's been quite a pain lately."

"Mukotsu still looking into other forms of medication, I take it?"

"Yes, and I'm helping him with it. The pharmaceutical world is quite fascinating."

I laughed a bit nervously; apparently, I'd missed something along the line here.

Bankotsu continued to rub at his forehead; "You got any coffee around here? It might help."

"Oh, of course," I walked over to the coffee maker and started the water brewing.

"And, sorry about Suikotsu going off like that, the moron needs to take his medicine when he's supposed to."

"I know Bankotsu, it's just when I saw you at the bar like that I was so worried about getting you somewhere safe that I forgot."

"Yeah, yeah. Just don't let it happen again. I can only take so much of that- how do you say it? Baka?"

"Yes, baka."

Inuyasha scowled, "So what's with the sometimes Japanese, sometimes not?"

"I'm of Japanese heritage. Normally, I use English when talking because it's easier for those around me to understand, but sometimes, if he gets a bit out of control, he'll revert to Japanese words. Sorry about that, if you'll excuse me a moment..." He walked down the hall to the restroom, most likely to take the medication that had been such an issue moments before.

Bankotsu just shook his head. "He was only half asleep this time, just "baka," "shimatta," and "kuso" -sometimes, he gets so bad I can't make out a damn thing he's saying."

"Like when I faced him a week ago?"

I walked over and handed Bankotsu the mug, he nodded his thanks and replied, "Oh yeah, you did get the infamous "Temee, omae o korosu" after landing that punch on his face."

"What's that supposed to mean anyways?" Inuyasha was cracking his knuckles again, and I hoped that whatever it meant wasn't too bad.

"Oh, just means, "I will kill you." Suikotsu always says that to people who really piss him off, and for someone to land a punch on him, that's enough to do it."

Luckily, before the matter could be addressed any further, Suikotsu had returned.

"So, I'm guessing that you'll want to question me in regards to this matter," He asked approaching me.

"Well yes, we are trying to see if those that knew the people involved could perhaps give us any leads."

"Okay, just ask away."

He sat down on the arm of the couch, and I found my notebook with the original questions we'd asked Bankotsu.

"Bankotsu mentioned to us earlier that you told him you last saw Jakotsu walking towards Renkotsu's correct?"

"Yes, that was about- ten minutes after three this morning. He was walking down the street that led towards where Renkotsu's at."

"I see, did you notice anything strange?"

"Jakotsu seemed a bit tired, his hair was mussed, and he was just wearing his purple undershirt- but that's all I could tell."

Bankotsu just coughed slightly at this. "…umm…he left his outer shirt at my house."

Suikotsu just smirked and slapped Bankotsu on the back, "Well, it's no wonder that boy was tired then."

Inuyasha just spewed out his drink. "Okay, too much info!"

I was just about to comment on the whole issue when there was a slight knock on the office door. I went to answer, but no one was there.

Then I saw it, a small white envelope placed neatly on the floor in front of the door. I picked it up and looked it over. It didn't have any writing on the outside, so I took it back in.

"Neh Kagome, what was that about?" Inuyasha muttered.

I held up the envelope, "I didn't see anyone, but someone left this."

"What's it say?"

"I'm not sure, let me look at," I opened it carefully. Inside was just a simple index card, which I read aloud.

"Only you can help them. Both of them. Please, save them both."

"Is that all?"

"And it's simply signed "X" That's all."

Bankotsu just tilted his head. "Seems mysterious…"

Suikotsu stood, and looked at it over my shoulder. "Save them both? Who's missing besides Jakotsu?"

"I…don't know. I'm not even sure if they are talking about Jakotsu."

Inuyasha then came over to look as well. "Is it written by any of the other Kotsu gang members?"

"I don't recognize the handwriting," Suikotsu said as he took it from my hands, "Here, Bankotsu do you?"

"Suikotsu, you know well enough that if Kyoukotsu wrote that, it wouldn't be spelled correctly, Ginkotsu would have probably signed his name, and Mukotsu's handwriting is not this legible. Of course, it's possible that your other half wrote it; but hen it would most likely have had at least one Japanese word in it."

"What about the seventh member?"

"Renkotsu? No, this isn't his handwriting."

"That's very strange," I said yawning. It had been a long day and I was starting to get tired.

"Keh, we can worry about it tomorrow. I want to go home." Inuyasha said pulling the letter out of Bankotsu's hands, and locking it in the desk drawer with the other clues.

Suikotsu frowned a bit, "Bankotsu maybe you should stay at my place tonight. I'm not sure if you should go to your house."

"I doubt they'll mess with him," Inuyasha muttered.

"Actually, I was more worried about things there that might upset him."

Thinking over his reaction that morning, I had to agree. There were probably pictures and other things that would just remind the poor guy of his missing friend.

"No Suikotsu, I don't want to get you involved in this anymore than I have to. Plus, I need to make sure these people get the tapes I made," Bankotsu said forcing a smile, he was really trying to keep his spirits up despite it all.

"But Bankotsu..."

"Go on home Suikotsu, I'd feel better knowing you were somewhere safe rather than worrying about me."

He nodded, and went to the door.

"Sorry again Miss for the trouble my other self caused, and Bankotsu has my number. Feel free to call if you or he needs anything."

"I will, thanks again Suikotsu"

And with that, he walked down the stairs and off down the street.

"Here are those tapes you asked me to get," Bankotsu said handing the recorder to me.

"Oh, thanks"

"Tomorrow, Kagome; we will deal with it tomorrow. I'm hungry, I'm tired, and I have to go home and deal with my half-brother being- well...himself."

"Oh yes, those raised eyebrows are scary," I said, sarcasm dripping.

"Shut up!"

Bankotsu stood between us, "It's okay. He can go home. I think we are all tired after today."

Inuyasha just stuck out his tongue at me, and crossed his arms. I shook my head. Sometimes he could be so childish.

"Fine fine, you can go on home Inuyasha. I just have a few things I want to do here before I go home myself."

He glared a bit, "And what about him?"

"I'll leave once I'm sure the tapes I gave Kagome work. Sheesh, don't worry about it."

"Keh! Fine," He grabbed up his coat and went out the door, a barely audible, "Goodnight Kagome" was muttered before the door swung closed.

I was just about to go over to the desk and take another look at that gold ring; perhaps even ask if Bankotsu knew if Jakotsu had one like that, when I heard him sit back down on the couch. I turned to see what was going on, and found him with his face in his hands.

"Shit. Suikotsu was right- what was I thinking? I can't go back home. I'll just…think of him."

I walked over and sat down next to him.

"You two were really close, weren't you?"

He nodded. "...very."

"I would suggest having you call Suikotsu and going over there, but I know enough from being around Inuyasha, that a tough guy would never admit defeat and do something like that."

Bankotsu smiled lightly at that, "Okay, so you got me there."

"Would you like to stay here? You can sleep on this couch, if you don't mind."

"If you're sure you don't mind. I mean- it is your office"

"No, not at all. I'm just glad I can help you out. I really wish I could have done more to help you find Jakotsu today. But I'll keep working, and with Inuyasha's help- I'm sure we'll find him for you."

"Thanks. I just hope that wherever his is, he's okay."

"So do I," Pausing a moment, and figuring it was worth a try- I turned back to him, "Um... can I ask you something before I go?"

"What?"

"Did Jakotsu ever wear a gold ring?"

"No. I've never seen him wear any rings."

"Okay, just trying to figure out if what we found might connect."

I saw him reach into his pocket, pulling out the lighter from earlier. I tilted my head, trying to get a better look at the design on the handkerchief. I was right, it was a pink bunny.

"Something wrong?"

"Oh- um no," I gestured nervously, "I just found it strange for someone like you to own something like that."

His face grew dark, "...Jakotsu gave it to me."

"Oh."

Cursing myself inwardly for not being more tactful, I muttered an apology, "Sorry, I shouldn't pry."

"It's okay. You didn't mean to bring it up."

The room went quiet for a bit, then he spoke again.

"… Would you mind staying here tonight?"

"What?"

"I just don't want to..."

...Be alone. I answered mentally. He really was hurting inside, even if he was trying not to let it show. Hoping that it might help him, at least a little, I decided why not and caved in.

"I've got a blanket in the closet. I'll just use that," I said with a smile.

He shook his head, "Your partner must be one lucky guy."

I could feel the blush rushing to my face, "Um...excuse me?"

"Never mind," He said with a slight smirk. "You can have the couch; I'll use the blanket."

"But you're a guest and..."

"And, I'm used to roughing it; the floor is better than some places I've slept in."

I just nodded; I guess there was no use arguing with him. After a few minutes of getting things situated, I curled up on the couch. As I was just about to drift off, I heard Bankotsu whisper something.

"…'night Jakotsu, wherever you are."

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Preview for Chapter 3: Suikotsu has made his appearance, and his "other side" does draw some questions. But who is this mysterious X? And who is in trouble besides Jakotsu?