Revised Edition with changed/added footage: 8-8-2006

--------------------------------

Chapter 3: Always Be There

Jakotsu awoke to the presence of a warm body wrapped in his arms, and a smile lit itself upon his features. Waking up like this- with him- it was like a dream he never thought would happen. Pulling back slightly to look at the one beside him, Jakotsu's happiness was washed away in a second.

The look on Bankotsu's face was that of pure shock, with a tinge of anger, as if the night's previous events had just now registered in his mind.

Concerned about his friend, Jakotsu slowly pulled away and spoke up, "Bankotsu, what's wrong?"

Bankotsu's eyes flickered over to Jakotsu and the terror grew anew in his face. He'd been lying awake for at least an hour and the last thing he needed was to have to deal with Jakotsu right now. There was too much on his mind, too much that pertained to the very man that was seated next to him.

Panicked and not sure what else to do, he knew one thing for certain: he couldn't see Jakotsu right now.

"Get out." He muttered.

"What?"

"Please- get out." Through clenched teeth he spoke, as his shakily sat up himself.

"But Bankotsu…"

"Don't call me that!" He snapped, "What will they think if…if you…"

Realization dawning on him, Jakotsu tried his best to remain dignified as he made his way to the door. He paused then, and looked over his shoulder to see that Bankotsu had turned away from him and was sitting with his face in his hands.

"Shit…he's regretting even thinking it," Jakotsu thought bitterly to himself. He paused at the doorway, and before he could stop his words- he said exactly what he was thinking at that moment.

"You shouldn't be afraid of who you really are, Bankotsu."

And without a word more, he left.

The words left Bankotsu stunned for a moment. Then, his impulsive anger rushed back to him and he lashed out- his fist impacting on the nearby wall.

"Why?" He berated himself, "Why him?"

----------------------------------------------------------------------

As the seven gathered for their morning meal, Bankotsu announced that he'd be joining them on that day's mission.

Jakotsu just flinched as his thoughts continued; "He's wanting to work of his anger. This isn't good…"

Orders were given; and with their weapons loaded up they headed out, reaching the village where the skirmish was in the late afternoon.

Once there Bankotsu and the Banryuu handled the bulk of the opposing soldiers quickly; the other half, that Jakotsu was supposed to be dealing with, was the only side that was left.

"He didn't say a word most of the way here…Did I move too fast? He was the one that gave me the go-ahead. I mean how I am supposed to tell if he's ready or he's just lonely?" An arrow grazing his cheek brought Jakotsu out of his thoughts.

"Jakotsu! Stop day-dreaming and fight!" Renkotsu yelled at him.

He nodded in reply, and half-heartedly swung his sword, taking out the mass in front of him. He wasn't even interested in seeing if anyone among them was cute enough to warrant extra attention; his heart and mind were too rattled and confused for that to be of consequence right now. He looked about, and shrugged, assuming that he'd gotten all the soldiers in one swing. With that, he turned away and began to walk back towards the others.

"Jakotsu! Look out!" Suikotsu shouted out to him.

Jakotsu turned his head, and saw that an arrow was just about to hit him. Before he could even attempt to dodge it, it all became a blur and his head hit the ground.

------------------------------------------------

He wasn't sure how long he'd been blacked out, but finally he began to feel some pain and a body lying on top of him. Eyes blinked open, and focused on the figure draped over him. Then, it registered who the bloody form was.

"Bankotsu!"

"Don't try and move yet," Mukotsu said hunched over the two.

"But he's bleeding."

"Shhh Jakotsu; let me and Mukotsu handle this," Suikotsu said kneeling beside the two bodies.

He shakily nodded and looked back to the pale-faced body resting on his own. "He saved me…"

As the other members gathered about, helping to remove the arrow embedded into Bankotsu's back, they finally were able to move Bankotsu to where he laid next to Jakotsu. Despite his own injury, Jakotsu leaned over the body.

"Aniki, I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention and then you…"

Slowly, Bankotsu's eyes opened and squinted as they focused on the figure hovering over him.

"Don't be sorry."

"But…"

"He's moving!" Suikotsu called over to Ginkotsu and Kyoukotsu who were standing slightly apart from them.

"We'd best get them back to the base," Mukotsu said.

At that, Jakotsu looked up to Mukotsu and Suikotsu, "I'll carry him back. I'm strong enough."

Suikotsu nodded, and lifted the Banryuu himself; teetering a bit under its weight and finally having to have Renkotsu help him balance it. Jakotsu stood and helped Bankotsu get an arm around his shoulder.

Weakly smiling, Bankotsu rested his head against Jakotsu's shoulder.

"Thanks."

"I should be thanking you, silly."

He laughed lightly, "Then I guess we're even."

"But I am sorry that I was…"

Glancing about to see where the rest of his men were, Bankotsu shook his head.

"It was my fault you were distracted. I'm sorry about what I said this morning."

"Aniki?"

"Call me Bankotsu if you want. I shouldn't be yelling at you for my problems," He said quietly.

"Bankotsu…"

"We need to talk when we get the chance, okay?"

Jakotsu nodded, "Once you're patched up, Mr. Hero."

"Keh, it's just a scratch."

"Looks like a lot of blood for just one measly scratch, Aniki."

"Details, details."

The two smiled at each other, glad to see that despite the rough start to the day that things were going back to normal.

-------------------------------------------------

The group returned to the mansion they were staying at and Mukotsu and Suikotsu hastily headed towards Bankotsu's quarters. Laying him down on his futon, they quickly tended to his wounds. Mukotsu ground a salve to ease the pain while Suikotsu checked the injury over and bandaged it.

"They didn't go in that deep, you should be fine. Worst thing you did was hit your head when you pushed Jakotsu out of the way," Suikotsu noted, using the knowledge the doctor inside of him had on medical situations.

"It really doesn't hurt all that bad. Thanks you two," Bankotsu said with a nod that they could go. As they reached the door, he called out one more request, "Oh, have Jakotsu come here. I need to speak with him."

As ordered, Jakotsu was sent for and left alone to speak with the injured leader.

"So?"

"Sit down, Jakotsu. About last night, I'm…"

At the mention of the previous night, Jakotsu bit his lip nervously.

"Jakotsu, I was confused and I'm sorry."

"Confused?" He asked, hoping it wasn't what his thoughts were telling him it was.

"You are confident with who you are and how you live, and I'm just not like that Jakotsu," He paused; trying to find the difficult words he knew needed to be said. "I just can't…"

Jakotsu winced and couldn't hold back anymore, "I understand. I guess I was mistaken and I'm sorry for my forward actions. I'll go now."

As he stood to leave, he felt a loose grip around his wrist, and looked back. Sitting up as best as he could, Bankotsu was trying to keep him from leaving.

"You're wrong, Jakotsu," He tugged gently at the wrist, as if beckoning him to come back towards him. A whisper escaped his lips, "I do care, but I just can't deal with my own feelings for you right now. It's strange to me…to love another man."

"Love?" Jakotsu's thoughts echoed. "Bankotsu I…"

"Stay."

"What?"

"Stay with me tonight."

Jakotsu searched his eyes. Yes, he was still afraid; afraid of his own heart, but yet- he wanted him to stay. Sitting down beside him, the older man smiled slightly, "If you insist."

"Thank you," Bankotsu said lying back down and closing his eyes.

"If it wasn't for you, I'd be the injured one right now. It's the least I can do."

Reaching over and taking Jakotsu's hand, Bankotsu smiled softly.

"That's why I like being out on the field with you guys. Then I can always be beside you, Jakotsu."

Jakotsu blinked and turned to look at him, his mouth open to reply. But it was too late; Bankotsu had already drifted off to sleep.

--------------------------------------------