Author's Notes: Just a little note- no Jakotsu does NOT hate females inherently, in my story it's more of an issue with one specific person that serving girls just happen to remind him of. While he does get upset with Sango in-series for interrupting his fight with InuYasha, that's just because he doesn't want her interrupting his fight and because fighting women doesn't turn him on, not because she's female. Just clearing that up before people get the wrong idea about things.

Japanese words/names:

Kuroi: Dark

Revised Edition with changed/added footage: 8-8-2006
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Chapter Two: Until You
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A few weeks later, the group had acquired a new mansion to take residence in. Much more spacious than prior ones, the large building had plenty of room to accommodate the seven deadly killers and many more people, if they were to be allowed in their presence.

Bankotsu had retired to the daimyou's wing of it and was about to get himself some much-needed rest when a loud, angry scream registered in his ears. He bolted up and made his way to what had been the servant quarters where the others were staying. As he got closer, he saw that he wasn't the only one disturbed from his sleep, as the others stuck their heads from the rooms they were residing in.

"Get out, bitch!" The voice rang out, hatred dripping off every single word.

Bankotsu turned immediately to the door of a side room and flung it open.

"Jakotsu, what in the..."

"Get the hell out!" Jakotsu's eyes were intense and focused in a deadly glare at a small huddled figure in the corner. Sword drawn and pointed in that direction, he was seething in anger.

A small female voice pleaded, "Please, please I'm sorry. He put me here, I'm so sorry..."

Bankotsu's eyes shot to the darkened corner of the room, able to decipher a young servant girl crouching there.

Frowning, his sharp voice called out, "Mukotsu! Get in here now!"

In a few seconds, the short poison-maker made his way over to him.

"Oo-aniki?" He questioned.

"She's yours, is she not?"

"Yes."

"Why is she in here then?" His voice was curt, yet commanding.

"I was keeping her here until night fell, Oo-aniki."

Rubbing his temples, he motioned with his head.

"Take her to your room. I'll handle this."

Mukotsu nodded and quickly escorted the girl out, as Bankotsu placed a hand on Jakotsu's shoulder to hold him back.

"Go on back to bed, everyone. Jakotsu will be fine."

They all nodded and began to return to their own rooms for the night. Bankotsu watched them all leave; his other hand rising to rest on Jakotsu's other shoulder. His ears caught the sound of a sword clanging to the ground and he turned sharply to see Jakotsu- eyes pressed closed firmly, fists at his sides so tightly balled his knuckles were turning white, and muttering to himself.

"It looked like her."

Eyebrows furrowing in confusion at Jakotsu's words, he walked around to where he was face to face with the other man.

"Jakotsu, what's wrong?"

Bitterly, he said a word with each breath he took, "I. Hate. Her."

Feeling helpless to calm him, and still uncertain as to what exactly the problem was, he just reached out and embraced his friend.

"She's gone now. It's just me, it's okay."

"Bankotsu…" The name was almost completely swallowed by the sob that escaped his throat as he secured his arms around Bankotsu's waist.

Still not sure what had reduced his friend to such a wreck, Bankotsu gently patted his back; thinking back to how his mother reacted in such situations.

"I'm right here. It'll be okay."

It fell silent for a moment before Jakotsu spoke, a soft murmur against the nighttime.

"...sorry."

"Sorry? What for?"

"For going off like that."

"Well I don't know why you did, but don't worry about it. Things happen."

Jakotsu shifted against him, straightening his stature. "…If you say so."

"Come on. Let's go back to my room and talk," Turning he paused, beckoning the figure to follow him; assuring him with a smile that it was okay for him to come.

"Okay, Aniki."

They walked down the corridor in silence aside from the sound of their bare feet against the wooden floors. Once at the door to his room, Bankotsu turned when he heard Jakotsu stop moving. Frozen, as if there was a barrier keeping him out, Jakotsu stood a few feet away from the entrance.

"Jakotsu? What are you doing?"

"I can't…"

"Can't what?"

"If the others came up here, if they got the wrong idea- you'd be in..."

"I can handle myself Jakotsu, now come in here," He said sitting and gesturing to a spot across from him. Hesitating slightly, finally Jakotsu came in and sat in the indicated spot.

"Now, I want you to as calmly as possible explain one thing to me."

Jakotsu nodded, wondering what it was Bankotsu could possibly want to know.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"You know what I mean. You've told me once you didn't like serving girls and that's why you always try and kill them off. But you never mentioned why."

Jakotsu bit his lip and fidgeted a bit before choking out one word, "Kuroi."

"Kuroi?"

"She…she killed them. It was her fault they died," His bangs hung over his face, but Bankotsu could make out the somber expression.

Edging himself closer to the shaking form, he gently asked with one word, "Who?"

"My family. All of them."

Bankotsu's eyes widened at this and he reached out to pull the shaking form towards him. Before he could say anything, Jakotsu spoke again.

"She had been my closest friend, even if she was just a servant girl. She was the only one that would play with me even though I was different."

The younger man nodded, but didn't press him for more. He knew how badly the wounds of the past could be and didn't want to force Jakotsu to dredge up bad memories.

But the Jakotsu seemed determined this night. Looking up at Bankotsu with a new emotion brimming in his eyes, Jakotsu gave a weak smile before telling him one of the few secrets he'd kept from him.

"My Father was a great sword maker. He'd made the Jakotsutou just for me, it was my personal blade. When I was younger, Father would often become good friends with the people who bought swords from him."

Reaching out and absently fiddling with Bankotsu's braid, Jakotsu continued.

"There was one man my Father tried to help, since the Daimyou's claim that the man had killed his daughter was obviously false. My family decided to hide his man in our home, and that bitch- she went to the Daimyou and told them everything."

"Jakotsu..."

Leaning forward against his friend, Jakotsu sighed, "They came and killed my entire family, even the other servants, for conspiracy against the daimyou. I came home to find them all dead."

Bankotsu could only surmise what had happened then. Jakotsu had to leave home, or they'd kill him too. So, he took the sword his father made him and left. Left that village, left those memories, left his real name behind and became a killer. It had been the only way to survive.

Jakotsu was slowly calming, and despite his tight grip around the braided-man's neck, he seemed perfectly fine.

A faint whisper pricked at Bankotsu's ears, "They were all I had, Bankotsu- until I met you."

He just sat in shock at the depth of that comment, as the arms about his neck were slowly withdrawn. Then he registered the touch of a hand on his cheek and looked up into the dark eyes peering into his own.

"You lost your family too, didn't you? During the wars they got attacked, right?"

Bankotsu nodded mutely in reply.

"I hate being lonely…" He murmured, eyes downcast, then he reached up and brushed his fingers against Bankotsu's cheek again, "But now I have you," He leaned in closer, and in an almost possessive tone whispered, "I. Have. You. Bankotsu." Before pressing his lips against the one he'd just claimed.

The two fell back onto the wooden floor, Bankotsu pinned beneath Jakotsu. Using his position to his advantage, the more lustful of the two was quickly working Bankotsu's top open, and his other hand was making its way up the inner leg. He went for another kiss, but a sharp jerk from under him left him face first into the floor. Eyes scanning the room, he caught sight of Bankotsu now several feet away, trying to pull the robe back about him, and blushing terribly.

Jakotsu bit his lip and apologized, "I'm sorry; I guess you've never had anyone touch you like that before."

"I most certainly have not!"

"No one's ever loved you like that before? Really?"

Bankotsu turned his face away, "I told you before. That whole fiasco… you were... Damnit Jakotsu, don't make me say it."

The room went quiet, until a faint voice was heard, "I was your first kiss, right? The only one, then?"

Pressing his eyes closed, the young man muttered to himself bitterly, "It's not like just anyone can love a killer."

"…I do," Jakotsu replied.

Bankotsu's eyes shot up and blinked in shock at the one who'd just spoken. Jakotsu was still looking downward, and whispered it yet again. "I do…Bankotsu…"

"You mean you…?"

He nodded, wry smile on his lips, "Very much."

Bankotsu pulled the yukata around himself better and walked over to where Jakotsu was.

"Really?" His voice hitched, a tone that Jakotsu knew was reserved for the times when something truly touched the young leader.

Throwing caution to the wind, and hoping he didn't regret it later- Jakotsu gave him the truth.

"Yes. I really do."

Before he could even register the movement, Jakotsu was pulled into an embrace. He'd known Bankotsu to get emotional about things like this- but he never expected what he heard next.

"Then show me."

Jakotsu pushed back and looked at him questioningly. Ever since he'd met Bankotsu he'd found him attractive, his naïve yet tough nature appealing to Jakotsu in more ways than the young man probably ever knew. But they were best friends, so he never pressed the matter of their relationship. He didn't want to lose what he had.

But to be handed what he'd wanted so simply? Jakotsu couldn't believe it.

"You mean… I can…"

Bankotsu nodded nervously, as if still slightly unsure but yet, he knew one thing, "I trust you, Jakotsu."

With those words said, it was only a matter of seconds before Jakotsu had his lips pressed against Bankotsu's and his hands were searching for a means to rid him of his clothing yet again. The two fell backwards, landing on the futon. At that moment- the harsh reality of what was happening came crashing down.

Yanking away as if they'd touched a burning lantern- they quickly retreated a safe distance from each other.

Jakotsu pushed another bitter memory of his away and managed to speak first.

"Bankotsu, I'm not sure if we should…"

"R-right. We're both very emotional right now so… let's just sleep."

"Right," Jakotsu whispered.

Slowly, the two edged their way back towards the futon. Sure, they'd slept in more compromising situations than this before but this time the air was heavy with the knowledge that they had been one step away from something irreversible.

Lying down side by side without a word, Jakotsu bit his lip.

"I'm sorry. I can leave if you want."

"No," Bankotsu's sharp voice retorted, "You don't have to be sorry and you don't have to leave."

"This is my problem, Jakotsu. Not yours," He thought to himself bitterly.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Still hesitant, and now feeling even more apprehensive about the damage that might have been done, Jakotsu gently reached down and took Bankotsu's hand.

Lost in his own thoughts, he started at the touch, blue eyes desperately seeking out Jakotsu's face.

"I should leave," Jakotsu stated on having him pull away. Starting to sit up, he felt the grasp of Bankotsu's hand around his wrist.

"I want you to stay."

Looking over his shoulder, Jakotsu's eyes widened at the request.

"Please. I'm not sure about anything else right now, but I know I don't want you to leave now."

His features softening, the older man instantly understood the problem. "Bankotsu… you're still so confused aren't you?"

"Okay," He replied, laying back down and clasping Bankotsu's hand in his own.

"Thank you."

"That's what friends are for, right?" Jakotsu offered.

Bankotsu looked shocked for a moment before smiling at the sentiment, "Best friends, at that."

"Goodnight, Bankotsu."

"Goodnight, Jakotsu."

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