Lust and Infatuation

-

You see you'd love to run home
But you know you ain't got one
And you're livin' in a world
That you're best forgotten around here

Broadway is dark tonight

Chapter 03

-

It was a bright, windless day as a young man walked down the road with his hands fisted into his jacket pockets. Unbeknownst to everyone around him on the busy sidewalk, his right hand was fingering an enormous amount of dollar bills. His long elegant braid of glossy black hair swayed behind him as the teen turned a corner, and then headed down a long driveway.

A little ways down was a big ware house type building, surrounded by brand new parked vehicles. The young man passed a sign on the way down; it read:

'Saimyousho Car Dealership.'

He pushed passed the heavy doors and entered the building. On the far wall hung vehicle parts such as tires, mufflers and pipes, while the back wall held vehicle accessories like seat and steering wheel covers and decorations in which hung from your rear view mirror. More cars and trucks and vans of all sorts were parked inside the walls for display and reference. The braided haired man strolled up to the front desk, catching the attention of another man, perhaps a few years older than himself.

The man behind the counter had long wavy black hair with a hint of purplish tint. His mischievous black eyes looked over the man before him. "Welcome back, Hiten," he purred, licking his lips.

Hiten nodded once. "Yo."

The Dealership owner smirked. "How goes the racing these days?"

Hiten frowned as last night's events played into his head. "Fine," he answered shortly. "But I came here for business."

"Oh?"

"The Ferrari you sold me is burnt to a crisp. I need another one," Hiten informed.

With one last devilish grin towards Hiten, the man exited the front desk and fled to a shut door, and unlocked it with a key, which after use was returned to his pant pocket.

"Follow." He commanded darkly.

Hiten complied rather slowly as he sauntered after the man and into a whole separate room. It was like the main room except for what it held. In every possible space Hiten saw a different car, either all painted up or just a straight colour, all of them fit to race the streets.

The man Hiten was dealing with was a crook and he knew damn well. Pretending to sell regular cars to regular people, when all he really did was jack up the price of the race worthy cars and sell them to anyone who was in need. It was illegal, and of course, that was why the room was locked up from the sight of wandering eyes.

Hiten took a quick glance around, and then shook his head. "Nah, I want another car the same as my old one," he explained.

"Do you now? Do you have all the money?" The older man asked, raising a brow. That was a lot of green to pass up.

"It's right here." Hiten showed the man the bundle of cash and then put it back in the safety of his pocket.

"Racing pays well then, I suppose." He said in a mocking tone. "But you know… I am still open to the old payment… preferably, actually."

"Old payment?" Hiten echoed thoughtfully. Then he chuckled. "You want me to pay with a body, like last time?"

"Preferably," He repeated, not at all ashamed. A hint of a smile lingered at the tips of his thin lips.

The teen only shook his head. "If only it were that easy. I haven't got anyone I need that desperately out of my hair."

A sigh. "And such nice hair, at that. Very well, Mr. Raigekijin."

Hiten shuddered involuntarily at the man's open appeal to other males. He tried not to think of what had become of the poor sucker he sacrificed not too long ago for his original Ferrari, but he was sure that the older man had his way with him.

Unwanted memories flooded him, unbidden, of his own childhood. One might wonder how Hiten could pass up another man's life after he had been through such torture himself. Should he not feel guilty that another would have to go through the same agony as he once did?

No.

Of course not. He had thrown his emotions away far too early in the game to care any longer. For all Hiten cared, each son of a gun deserved what he got.

The man led Hiten through another door and to a row of nice looking assorted cars. To Hiten's great joy there was a yellow Ferrari in the line. He ran over to it and peered inside the window. It was exactly the same as his last one.

"Naraku, I'll take this one."

- - -

The bald headed man tore his black beady eyes from the road and dared a glance into his rear view mirror. Just behind him, the small but speedy silver car was making its way to pass him. He managed to catch a glimpse of the man driving the silver car; his brother. Short, cocky, confident: Bankotsu.

Renkotsu forced himself to watch the road as he sped down the racing stretch, which happened to be a long reach of pavement along a deserted construction site. He turned a sharp corner, staying as close as he could to the inside of the road so there was no room for Bankotsu to pass him. Behind him and the silver car there was a red one which steadily made their way after the two.

Bankotsu turned around in his seat to smirk back at the little red car behind him, driven by his friend Enju. She was a cute little red headed girl, who had been his friend all through life. Pretty determined too, but not near as good as he was. He slammed his foot onto the gas pedal and sped up, leaving the red car far behind.

There was no way that Renkotsu was going to let his little brother defeat him again. In fact, Bankotsu had never lost before, so he most likely had no idea whatsoever how humiliating it felt.

Thus Renkotsu began swerving from side to side on the road, making it so it was impossible for anyone to pass him since there were cement blocks on either side of the road. Mainly speaking, Bankotsu; he wouldn't have to worry about that bitch Enju.

Behind him, Renkotsu saw that Bankotsu was tail-gating him. To be completely honest, if he wasn't blocking the road, Bankotsu would have passed him already. It was sad, really.

Bankotsu was now honking his horn and yelling orders out his window with his crooked smile gracing his features. He distinctly heard something along the lines of 'move it or loose it.' Renkotsu chose to ignore him; he'd be damned if he'd let Bankotsu by. If he kept the unpredictable swerving up, his brother would not be able to get ahead and therefore making him the victor.

Did that ever sound good in his head… until Bankotsu outsmarted him, of course.

Only seconds after Renkotsu heard Bankotsu rev his engine did he see the shiny little silver racer beside him. He was literally driving vertically on the side of the road blocks and before Renkotsu could stop him; his brother was ahead of him.

He'd never hear the end of this.

Bankotsu's head popped out his side window; he recklessly turned around and waved at Renkotsu, flashing him his trade mark arrogant grin while steering his car with his knees.

Restraining himself from giving his younger sibling the finger, Renkotsu glanced behind him, checking on Enju's position. Good: she was still far behind. At least he could come in second… which conveniently won him no money.

The silver car ahead of Renkotsu's blue one sped up and was soon far into the distance. Renkotsu slammed his fist into his steering wheel in frustration.

"Shit! I'm older, smarter, and have been racing longer than he has… so why do I keep loosing to that twerp?" He growled to himself. He flicked a switch off to the side of his steering wheel and his car sped up, emitting an enormous cloud of exhaust.

Renkotsu finally passed the finish line. Bankotsu's car was already parked, its hood steaming, and Bankotsu was surrounded in the small crowd of spectators. Two men approached Bankotsu as Renkotsu parked his car, and he watched as his two other brothers, Suikotsu and Jakotsu, congratulated the victorious braided haired boy.

As Renkotsu hoped out of his car and walked towards his three brothers, Enju's little red car pulled up. She hoped out, her face sweating yet she was smiling madly. Most all of the female crowd cheered and surrounded her now.

'Why am I the one being ignored? That wench came last and she gets more praise than I do!' Renkotsu thought.

A tall, thin black man strutted up to Bankotsu and handed him his victory money. Bankotsu nodded his thanks.

"Alright, alright, alright," The man ushered into megaphone. Then, a little more quietly, he added, "Crazy ass white boy."

When Renkotsu joined the group Jakotsu looped his arms around Bankotsu's neck and leaned into him like a love sick girl would her boyfriend, all on purpose, just to agitate the bald headed man. Everyone knew Renkotsu hated that.

"Nice race," Bankotsu greeted cheerfully, while smirking at Jakotsu. It was always fun to see how far you could push Renkotsu. When he got mad, he really outdid himself.

"Shut up." Renkotsu grumbled. He took a beer that a crowd member offered him, cracked it open and took a swig.

Suikotsu chuckled. "It really wasn't that bad. You had the lead for a while."

"Only because he was blocking Oo-aniki!" Jakotsu complained.

"Yeah, well, Oo-aniki still won," was Renkotsu's mumbled reply.

-

Meet Bankotsu of the Shichinintai family. He raced and won against any willing contestant and thus has been deemed the title of 'undefeated,' despite his youth and being the smallest of the four brothers. And did he ever know how to attract the ladies.

Accidentally, of course…

Jakotsu Shichinintai on the other hand, despised women with a passion and didn't race, even though he was more than capable. He preferred to stand on the side lines, on the look out for cute guys he could flirt with.

Suikotsu Shichinintai had only a few years over Jakotsu, and was possibly the kindest person one would ever meet. He was studying to become a doctor and hardly ever came to the races.

Lastly was Renkotsu Shichinintai, the eldest. He did race, and usually used his father's last wish for him to support the family when he was gone as an alibi. However, everyone knew that Bankotsu was the only one bringing in the real money. And Renkotsu couldn't seem to get even one girl…

"Hey, Bankotsu."

Bankotsu turned around to see Enju, and his face lit up. He leaned over and gave her a friendly peck on the lips. "How's it going?"

"Not too bad, not too bad." She grinned. "You gonna buy me dinner with that prize money?"

Bankotsu flapped a hand in the air, "Yeah, right, babe."

The two shared a laugh together until Jakotsu impatiently pulled Bankotsu away from his childhood friend. When he had Bankotsu's full attention, he said;

"Hey, Aniki, the guys and I have a surprise for you back home."

"You do?" Bankotsu asked incredulously.

Jakotsu nodded vigorously. "Oi, Suikotsu, Renkotsu! We're leaving," he shouted over the loud music.

When they heard Jakotsu calling, both brothers came. Suikotsu flashed a warm smile at Bankotsu, but Renkotsu was looking sour with annoyance.

"Shall we go?" Suikotsu offered.

A passing girl caught Renkotsu's attention as his eyes traveled down her gorgeous body to lie on her swaying ass. "Where's the fire?" He said in an almost hypnotized, dark voice.

"That's disgusting, Renkotsu!" Jakotsu exclaimed.

- - -

Hiten drove too fast down the highway in his brand new Ferrari, swerving in and out of the other cars around him like an agile motorcycle.

More than one car gave him a horn or two, but Hiten only laughed manically and turned up the radio. He had his new car, now all he needed was something hot to go with it…

In the heat of the moment, Hiten whipped out his cell phone from in his pant's pocket, and while steering with one hand, he dialed Kagome's number. Then he put the small phone between his head and shoulder and replaced his hands on the wheel.

The damn phone dialed seven fucking times before anyone picked up and Hiten found himself snarling impatiently.

"Hello?" The voice rang into Hiten's ear. Even to him, usually inconsiderate to everything, noticed it was faint and tired.

"Hey, Kags," Hiten answered coolly. He wound down his window so that the wind blew through his car and made his braid lash behind him.

"What's that noise?" Kagome asked, having fully woken up now.

"It's just the traffic. I'm driving down Peterson."

"In the truck?" Kagome questioned, a bit surprised. Hiten had an old truck that he drove when he didn't want to draw attention, which was never.

"No." Hiten laughed into the phone. "I got some new wheels!"

Kagome rolled her eyed and lolled out of her warm bed. She had taken the day off work today, knowing that she would be useless when she was too tired to move. Wouldn't it be nice to have enough money to buy a brand new car for every time you set fire to your old one? Kagome didn't even have a car.

Without waiting for Kagome to ask, Hiten explained that he had purchased the same car as he had before. "Anyways," He continued. "I'm heading over to your apartment right now."

"A race in the afternoon?" Kagome inquired sarcastically after she glanced up at the clock on the wall. She grabbed a brush from the bathroom cupboard and started stroking her raven tresses.

"Wrong again," Hiten teased. "Just be ready when I get there." He took the cell from his shoulder and clicked the top down, ending the call.

Kagome tossed her phone on the carpeted floor carelessly when the 'call ended' tone buzzed in her ear. She shook her head in frustration.

'Is it wrong for me to wonder if Hiten has a dual personality? He can be such a monster, and then at other times, he can actually seem half normal…'

Kagome managed to get dressed and made up in time before Hiten arrived. She answered the door wearing tight jeans and a zip up gray sweater with a baby blue top beneath.

Hiten didn't even look at her, just grabbed her hand within his and rushed her outside with childish excitement.

"Hiten, slow down!" Kagome complained as she stumbled down the patio stairs in order to keep up with her boyfriend. When they were down the flight of stairs and out in the parking lot, Hiten opened up the passenger's door for Kagome, and waited to close it behind her after she had gotten in. Then he jogged over to the driver's side and hoped in and started the car.

The car which Kagome decided to completely ignore.

"Where are we going?" She asked after a minute. Her brain was still trying to process everything that was happening.

"You'll see." He grinned at her and slammed his foot into the gas pedal.

- - -

As Bankotsu pulled into the Shichinintai residence driveway, Suikotsu threw himself out of the back seat and onto land again with great enthusiasm. He clung to a nearby tree, trying to catch his breath.

Bankotsu bounced out of the driver's seat and Jakotsu from the passenger's, the two both laughing hysterically. They high fived each other over the roof of Bankotsu's car, having achieved Jakotsu's bet to make the doctor-in-training sick to his stomach.

"Awh, come on, Suikotsu - am I that bad of a driver?" Bankotsu asked, pretending to sound hurt.

"You need to keep your eyes on the road, Bankotsu. You're going to get yourself killed," Suikotsu snapped back.

However, this only resulted in making Bankotsu and Jakotsu laugh harder.

Just then, Renkotsu pulled up into the drive way and by just one look at Suikotsu's green face he knew that Bankotsu had been reckless driving home. He walked up and gave the youngest brother a good hard slap across the face.

Everyone turned silent as the bald man's hand connected with Bankotsu's cheek. The look on the braided haired man's face was unreadable.

"We should have never gotten him this," he grumbled. Then he directed his words to his brother, his tone deadly serious. "What the fuck, Bankotsu. You drive like that with your family in the back seat?"

The last thing Renkotsu saw before he was literally kissing the unforgiving cement ground was that shit eating grin on Jakotsu's face. He looked up in astonishment; Suikotsu was giving him a sympathetic look but Bankotsu and Jakotsu looked like they were ready to double over and piss themselves laughing.

Renkotsu sighed silently. "What kind of man are you?" He asked Bankotsu skeptically. "You had to trip me to get me down?" He then tried to stand, just to realize that Bankotsu had his foot firmly planted on his back.

"I was scared I might hurt you!" Bankotsu guffawed.

"Get your bloody foot off me or I'll get it off myself," Renkotsu seethed angrily.

"Alright, alright, take it easy…" Bankotsu surrendered sarcastically, raising his hands in the air for mercy and stepping away from Renkotsu.

"Quit it, you two," Suikotsu warned. "Bankotsu's train leaves in three and a half hours."

"Train?" Bankotsu echoed. His brows furrowed in confusion.

With a proud smile, Suikotsu led his brothers towards the garage. When he and Jakotsu were far enough ahead, Bankotsu grabbed the front of Renkotsu's shirt in his hand and yanked it roughly so that they were face to face.

"Don't ever," Bankotsu whispered furiously, his tone riddled with disgust. "Accuse me of putting my family in danger."

Renkotsu glared back, but said nothing. He was released abruptly, as if his clothing burnt Bankotsu's hand, and together they closed the distance between themselves and the two unaware men.

Suikotsu had finished tapping in the secret code on the panel on the side of their house that unlocked their garage door. Bankotsu watched intently as the big door slowly glided opened to reveal-

"Oh, shit…" Bankotsu whispered.

Everyone's faces, including Renkotsu's, lit up with a warm smile.

"Is this for real?" Bankotsu stammered on, now looking side to side to his family members, "Suikotsu, Jakotsu… Renkotsu?"

Jakotsu bounded forward like a child on a sugar high and grabbed Bankotsu's hand in his own, pulling him forward into the garage and up bedside the gift. Bankotsu marveled at it- a beautiful metallic blue Viper.

It had two thick white racing stripes which started at the license plate at the back of the car that continued up the roof and then the front hood. It looked like an incredibly capable car.

Jakotsu hurriedly opened the driver's door for Bankotsu and ushered him in. Overwhelmed, Bankotsu sank into the beige leather seat and took hold of the black leather wheel, pretending to drive it.

"You guys…How did you afford this?" Bankotsu inquired seriously, concern obvious in his voice.

"Stop worrying, Oo-aniki," Jakotsu exclaimed. "Our plan was full proof. We just put x amount of dollars aside each paycheck and soon enough, we earned as much as we needed!"

"And how much was that?" Bankotsu asked, frowning and getting out of the car.

Jakotsu playfully stuck out his tongue. "None of your business."

Bankotsu looked over to his two older brothers for some reassurance. Sure, the car was nothing short of amazing, but there was no way to escape the guilt that seemed to creep over his shoulders. His family didn't have that kind of money to be buying new cars and food for the table.

"Quick, Suikotsu, go get the camera," Renkotsu whispered, dead-pan. "Bankotsu actually looks scared."

Suikotsu laughed. "Bankotsu, don't worry about it. You've got talent- everyone can see it."

"And you've had your car for years, and we agreed the best racer around should be seen with a little more chrome," Renkotsu continued.

"Annnnnd," Jakotsu piped in cheerfully. "Since you've beat everyone in sight of this hell hole of a city, we were thinking you should take your talents elsewhere - somewhere bigger - where you can actually have a name."

Bankotsu waited patiently for his brother's to get to the point.

Suikotsu handed him five strips of paper. Bankotsu accepted them, bringing one closer to his face so that he was able to read the fine print.

"Admit one, train to… Iowan?" He asked in astonishment, his shocking azure eyes reflecting his confusion. Each of the tickets read the same thing as the first, except for two that were storage tickets.

Jakotsu nodded excitedly, and then snatched up one of Bankotsu's tickets for himself. "We're going to Iowan!"

Renkotsu nodded. "There's one ticket for Jakotsu, you and your car, and a ticket for Enju and her car. She's already been informed."

Jakotsu made a face at having to travel with a female.

Bankotsu chuckled. "Babysitters, eh?" He presumed, raising a brow to show that he was not impressed.

"Iowan is a big place. Friends will come in handy," Renkotsu remarked, rather mysteriously.

"Now enough chat," Suikotsu said. "Your train is leaving soon. We've already gotten you a room in an apartment with a garage. We'll talk out the rest of the details later, now go get ready!"

Without another word Bankotsu was rushed inside the house and into his bedroom by Jakotsu, who helped him pack. Bankotsu hurriedly emptied his secret drawer full of all the money he ever made from racing -which was a hefty roll or four- and stuffed it into his bag. Then he gathered what clothes he would need and crammed them into his suit case, along with a framed picture of him and his brothers after a moment of consideration. After that he proceeded in gathering the few toiletries he would need and zipped up his heavily pregnant travel bag.

Jakotsu was sitting on the end of Bankotsu's bed, swinging his dangling legs.

"You already packed?" Bankotsu asked him distractedly.

"You bet."

"So when's Enju coming?"

Jakotsu only scowled and rolled his eyes. "She's late."

Bankotsu laughed and ran out into the kitchen where Suikotsu and Renkotsu were sitting at the dining table and talking quietly amongst themselves. Bankotsu dropped his bag by the front door.

"What are you going to do? I mean, with me and Ja gone. Will you guys be alright?" He asked anxiously, sitting down with them.

"Of course," Renkotsu answered smartly. "As long as you're gone, what could possibly go wrong?"

"Come on, I'm being serious," Bankotsu reasoned with a slight smile that hid his nervousness.

"We'll be fine. Don't you have faith in Renkotsu and I?" Suikotsu questioned.

"Yeah, yeah. Just don't burn yourselves on the stove," Bankotsu snickered.

Just then there was a loud knocking on the front door and Bankotsu stood quickly and answered it. Sure enough, it was Enju. She was dressed in a pair of blue jeans with a brown furry jacket and black high heeled boots. Her fiery red hair was draped over her shoulders and her crimson eyes danced with excitement.

"You and Ja ready?" She asked happily.

"Yeah. I'm glad you're coming with us."

"Yeah, well." She winked at him.

Suikotsu and Renkotsu came to the door then, followed by a pouting Jakotsu. They all swapped greetings for a brief minute before Renkotsu and Suikotsu laid out the game plan. They were told where to go, and what to do once they arrived in Iowan, and when it was time for the three teens to depart, they all said their good byes.

Enju, Bankotsu, and Jakotsu each received a bear hug from Suikotsu, and a simple wave from Renkotsu, who was too proud to ever show that much emotion.

"Take care of Enju and Jakotsu, Bankotsu," Suikotsu said while Enju started up her car and Jakotsu sat waiting in the passenger's seat of Bankotsu's new Viper.

"You know I will. I can't tell you how happy I am to be going, but I am kind of worried about you two."

"We've been over this," Renkotsu grumbled in exasperation.

"I know… I'll call you as soon as I arrive."

"Have fun," Suikotsu waved his little brother off.

With tickets in hand, Bankotsu jogged down the driveway to his new car. He hopped into the seat next to Jakotsu and revved the engine, showing off its power.

-

Enju – for those of you who do not remember, Enju is of the living dead just like Bankotsu. She was revived by Urasue just before Kikyou was.

Revised 8/21/07