Revised Edition with changed/added footage: 8-8-2006
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Chapter Four: Battle Tactics
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The next morning, Renkotsu walked quietly down the hallway of the building, having every intention of speaking to Bankotsu in regards to Jakotsu's battle habits and how it had almost cost him his life. It wasn't that the second in command didn't value Jakotsu's skill on the battlefield, but this wasn't the first time that Jakotsu's distraction caused a problem.
"I know they're close friends, but Bankotsu really needs to stop overlooking this problem and address it. If we don't get it through Jakotsu's head that he has to concentrate fully on the battle, more mishaps like yesterday are bound to occur. It's a simple cause and effect," He thought to himself as he approached the door.
Assuming that Bankotsu, due to the injury would still be fast asleep, he took the liberty to open the door without knocking. "Oo-aniki, I'm sorry to…" He stopped in took in the sight before him.
Sound asleep laid the group's leader- and curled up beside him, with a hand rested on his chest, was none other than the 'problem' Renkotsu had intended to address him about.
"I think I'll come back later," He murmured, turning to leave.
But the noise was enough to stir Bankotsu awake, and confronted with the predicament of being found in a rather compromising position with Jakotsu by none other than his staunch second in command; he knew he had to do something. The question that raced through his mind at that very moment was- 'but what can I do?'
"Ah, Renkotsu- stay! It's all right; this isn't what it looks like!"
Renkotsu turned back, raising an eyebrow. It was clear to everyone present that he wasn't yet convinced.
"Jakotsu," Bankotsu spoke up, shaking the man clutching his side, "Jakotsu, wake up will you?"
The taller man shifted at the sharp voice and looked up at Bankotsu confused and grumpy, "Oi, not this again. I am not in the mood to get kicked out of the room every morning when you panic, Bankotsu."
"We have a visitor, so you should probably wake up now," Bankotsu ground out the last word, hoping he could get his point across.
Eyes snapping open, Jakotsu pulled away and sat up. Sheepishly grinning at Renkotsu, he turned to Bankotsu and laid out a cover-up.
"Sorry about that, Bankotsu no oo-aniki. I guess I fell asleep in here last night. Last thing I remember was us talking about the battle and you dozing off due to your injury."
"Then we'll both have to be more cautious in the future, right Jakotsu?"
"Yes, Oo-aniki."
Renkotsu frowned, half-expecting a day like this to come, "Do they really think I'm that stupid? Or are they really that afraid of their relationship getting out to the others? Hmph, as if it hasn't been obvious from day one that there was something different between those two. It was only a matter time before it surfaced."
"What you two do at night is none of my business, Oo-aniki. But since you are both here, I feel I must address the battle yesterday."
Bankotsu had opened his mouth to protest the other man's first comment, but quickly snapped it shut as Renkotsu continued speaking like nothing was out of the ordinary.
"Does that mean if Jakotsu and I were... not that we are but- he doesn't mind?"
"Oo-aniki?" Renkotsu reiterated, clearing his throat.
"Oh- uh, sorry. The battle yesterday, right?" He stammered, trying to push his other thoughts to the back of his mind.
"I just feel it should be addressed that all of us must pay full attention to the enemy instead of fighting half-distracted. It's the best policy to ensure a quick and easy success on our behalf, Oo-aniki."
Jakotsu pouted, snorting, "Excuse me, but aside from things like yesterday it's only freak accidents that have distracted me- Renkotsu no aniki."
"So I suppose you consider you toying with men a 'freak accident' or is that just some battle technique I'm not familiar with?"
Raising an eyebrow in challenge, and knowing he was pushing the limits of his rank, Jakotsu shrugged.
"I consider it a tactic. My amorous comments throw the men off guard so I'm able to attack them; the soldiers who try and aide their comrade that I've singled out are lured closer to me and therefore are made into easier targets. And- correct me if I'm wrong, Aniki; but I cannot remember a single one of my 'toys' that has lived to tell about it."
Renkotsu's eyes had widened, clearly not realizing that what seemed nothing but Jakotsu's sadistic whim was indeed actually a valid fighting method.
"Well I suppose that..."
Lowering his voice to a seductive purr and casually sliding a possessive arm around Bankotsu, the third in command got the last remark in.
"If you'd like to try it out yourself, Renkotsu no aniki; I'd be more than willing to show you how it's done."
Standing abruptly, Renkotsu sighed.
"That won't be necessary; you've made your point. But if I may advise you on one thing?"
Jakotsu tilted his head to the side, "Um...okay?"
Barely holding back a smirk, he tossed the comment over his shoulder as he headed for the door.
"Leave your tactics for the battlefield before you give Oo-aniki a heart attack, Jakotsu."
Looking down at the unsuspecting 'prop' in his little ploy, Jakotsu barely stifled a laugh at the expression on Bankotsu's face.
"Renkotsu no aniki," He spoke up, barely repressing a fit of giggles, "You'll have to teach me how to do that."
Pausing with the door open, Renkotsu glanced back.
"Do what?"
"Keep a straight face when something is..." Jakotsu finally lost it and started laughing, "...so...funny."
"Hey! It's not funny!" Bankotsu piped up. His nerves on edge from the heated discussion between his two men and then at finding himself at the mercy of Jakotsu's grip. To be put mildly, his face looked outright petrified.
Shaking his head at the two, Renkotsu replied, "It takes a lot of patience and practice, that's all."
He slid the door closed behind himself and walked a few steps before chuckling.
"Seems like no matter how much I want to tell those two off for their childish antics, I still find myself caving to their whims. Things sure have changed since I was younger. I would have never tolerated such insolence back then..."
"Gesh, that you Aniki?" A familiar voice cut into his thoughts.
"Ah Ginkotsu, what is it?"
The metallic man grinned the best he could given his jaw, "Just wondering what you've found so funny."
Freezing for a moment at being caught showing signs of amusement, he narrowed his eyes on his companion.
"Nothing. I was just speaking to Oo-aniki and Jakotsu, that's all."
Ginkotsu nodded, "They've changed you, Aniki. You're a lot happier now."
"What?" He snapped.
"All of us seem happier as a group though. I guess it was fate for us to end up this way."
Frowning, Renkotsu started to walk down the hallway, "I never knew you to be the philosophical type, Ginkotsu."
He shrugged, "Gesh. I guess there's first time for everything."
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Back in the room, Jakotsu was still attempting to keep from laughing at the situation. Bankotsu was, needless to say, not amused.
"It's not funny," The young leader muttered.
"Oh come on, you looked like I was going to eat you or something."
"I wouldn't put it past you," He countered.
Jakotsu snorted at the implication and finally broke down and burst into another fit of giggles.
"Okay it's over. You can stop laughing now," Bankotsu grumbled, standing going to pick up his armor from the corner.
"No- it's something else now," Jakotsu managed to reply amidst his stifled laughter.
The younger man sighed, "Then what's so funny now?"
Jakotsu shook his head, "If I told you, you'd hit me."
"Jakotsu…"
"No, seriously. I'm not talking," He replied, crossing his arms and trying to keep a straight face.
"Come on, spit it out."
"No way."
A knock sounded at the door and they both looked up.
"Yes?" Bankotsu called out.
"Oo-aniki, you busy?" Mukotsu's voice came through the door.
"Not really. Come on in."
As the door slid open, Bankotsu whispered to Jakotsu, "Come on, tell me. What in the hell is so funny about me supposedly looking like you're going to eat…" He paused, gaping as the innuendo sank in, "Jakotsu!"
He reached down and picked up the pillow, playfully hitting his friend with it. Mukotsu just blinked at the childish antics.
"Oo-aniki?"
"Just a moment," Bankotsu replied, lightly shoving Jakotsu over and sitting down, "Okay. What is it?"
Mukotsu shook his head as the young boy before him quickly transformed back into their fearless leader. Sitting down before him, he brought up the reason he was there.
"I just wanted to apologize about the trouble the girl caused the other night."
"Ah, it's all right now- right Jakotsu?"
Jakotsu nodded, "Sorry about scaring her like that."
On noticing Mukotsu's somber face, Bankotsu queried, "You killed her already, didn't you?"
"Yes…"
The braided man sighed, "Mukotsu, she said something about your face, didn't she?"
He nodded mutely, as tears welled in his eyes, "It's not my fault I was born this way. Why can't they understand that?" He said sobbing onto Bankotsu's shoulder.
Jakotsu reached over and patted his shoulder, "Aw, Mukotsu, the only thing I can't understand about you is why you like those clingy women so much."
"Well, I can't understand your attraction for males, so I guess we are even," Mukotsu replied, a toothy grin creeping back onto his face.
"See Mukotsu, we all like you around here- don't worry about anyone else," Bankotsu said flinging his arm around Mukotsu's shoulder, "So cheer up. I'm sure someday you'll find someone that'll like you. I think each of us will in time."
His eyes caught with Jakotsu's at that moment, then he smirked and flung his other arm around him, "And let's just hope you don't get so turned on by cutting up cute guys, that you slice me up too. Look at it this way, Mukotsu, you'll never have to worry about Jakotsu cutting you up."
Mukotsu chuckled, "A luxury indeed."
The victim of the joke yanked on Bankotsu's braid, "Hey now, I don't cut everyone I like up."
"You sure about that?" He replied, jerking the braid out of the prying grasp and smirking more so than before.
The two glared at each other for a few brief seconds, before Mukotsu's voice interrupted, "Should I let you two finish this little battle? Or are you taking it outside?"
Bankotsu paused for a moment, obviously thinking it over. Finally, he stood up and headed towards wall where Banryuu rested, "Okay then, a battle it is! Jakotsu- grab the Jakotsutou and we'll see what you can do against me and my partner, Banryuu."
"Bankotsu are you sure? You do have that injury," Jakotsu asked, knowing that Bankotsu's whims often didn't take important things like health into consideration.
"Actually, thanks to whatever that herb was Mukotsu used on it, it's fine now. Plus, I'm planning on joining you guys more often so I need to get some practice in."
Shrugging, Jakotsu stood as well, "If you say so. Then a battle it is."
"This should be interesting. You two want an audience for this duel?" Mukotsu questioned.
"Why not? Jakotsu and I haven't gone one on one since back before Renkotsu joined us, so it'll be interesting to see who's better now," Bankotsu replied.
"Then I'll gather up the guys and meet you in that field out back," The poison user replied, exiting the room to seek out the others.
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The mid-morning sun was casting its light over the deserted fields as the five other members gathered outside to watch the practice battle that was said to be. Meanwhile, inside the building, Jakotsu was waiting outside Bankotsu's door.
"Bankotsu, are you sure about this? I mean you really want me to fight you?"
"The others all specialize in unique techniques, yours is the closest to a standard army's battle methods."
Jakotsu frowned, "My skills aren't as shitty as those pathetic armies."
"I meant that in the sense that you use a sword and the other's don't, Jakotsu." He said coming out of his room.
"Are you sure you're not mad at me? I mean, you did attack me with a pillow earlier," Jakotsu joked.
"We aren't going to try and kill each other. Plus, I want to make sure my reaction speed is quick enough for battle. I've been slacking off lately."
"I'm sure you're just as good as you've always been."
Bankotsu looked around before walking in front of him and placing a hand on his shoulder, "Jakotsu, people that care about each other do each other favors, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then do this as a favor for me, okay? I'll find some way to pay you back for it later…I'm just getting bored sitting around and I know you'll present a challenge for me."
He smiled then, and lifted up the Banryuu from its place leaned against the doorframe, "Okay Bankotsu, but I'm not going to go easy on you just because I like you."
"Same to you," He replied taking the sword from Jakotsu.
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The two walked out to the nearby field where the others were waiting and stood a distance apart. It had been awhile since they'd last challenged each other and so they took a moment to gauge their opponent for this fight.
"Your move," Bankotsu said, poised and ready to counter it.
"If you insist."
The blades ripped their way through the ground leaving rubble in its wake, and with a quick twirl of the large blade, the Banryuu blocked it sending the multiple blades away. In the time it took for Jakotsu to recoil his blade, Bankotsu had moved in and was swinging downward at him from above, just missing him as he dodged and sent his blade back out- snaking across the landscape. The Banryuu held up in front of him, he blocked the attack and landed nearby.
"Come on Jakotsu, don't hold back on me! Let me have all that you've got!" He said smugly.
"If you get hurt, it's not my fault then," Jakotsu replied, almost playfully.
"Who said I'd let you hurt me?" Bankotsu laughed a little as he responded.
Jakotsu rushed forward and with a flick from his wrist sent the blades hurling in the direction of Bankotsu. The young leader jumped aside just before they impacted, sending rocks and dirt flying. Then Bankotsu counterattacked, bringing down Banryuu in a fast arc that left Jakotsu scrambling to the side.
"He's good. Really good. With my current strength, I don't hold a chance; but maybe if I just imagine he's a cute rival soldier, I can let it all loose. This way, I can truly fight him," Jakotsu thought to himself, as a darker expression crossed his features, followed by a lustful smirk. "Okay pretty boy, let's see you dodge this."
He twisted his wrist around quickly and in a matter of seconds the blades were right where Bankotsu was; with little time left to block, he attempted to counter it. At first, it seemed that the blades were diverted, but one curled back around creating a gash on his cheek.
"He hit him," Suikotsu noted as the Jakotsutou recoiled and Bankotsu put a hand to his cheek.
Jakotsu wasn't stopping there though, and once the blade was back- it was sent forth again. Once more, Bankotsu went to block, but a stray blade cut another gash on his face, causing quite a bit of blood to trickle down it. He blinked, it was starting to get in his eye, and Jakotsu's movements were getting more and more sporadic. Lifting the Banryuu in one last-ditch effort, he rushed forward, dodging Jakotsu's blade as best he could and striking the main hilt of his sword.
Jakotsu toppled off balance and fell backwards then, his blade falling limp. Bankotsu, on the other hand, staggered a few steps before sitting down, placing a hand over his eye.
"Shit…" He muttered.
Mukotsu was just about to go over to him when Suikotsu held him back, "Wait, look at Jakotsu. That look on his face."
Jakotsu had gotten up and was making his way towards what to him- was his prey.
"That's the look he gets when…" Mukotsu stammered before yelling out, "Bankotsu, get out of there! Jakotsu's gonna attack you again!"
Bankotsu looked up to see the tall warrior walking towards him, licking the blood from his fingers and eyeing him lustfully.
"Jakotsu?"
"Scream it, it sounds better that way," He dropped the sword to his side and sauntered forward.
"Oh shit, Jakotsu- snap out of it!" Bankotsu yelled at his companion, already realizing exactly what had happened.
"Oooh panic; I like that in your voice."
"Should we step in?" Mukotsu said looking to the remaining four.
Renkotsu watched the two, remembering how Jakotsu had described his sadistic technique for battle, "Right now, I don't think it would be wise for anyone else to get close. Jakotsu will see that as an interruption to his fight and lash out at us."
"Gesh. Surely, Oo-aniki will be fine," Ginkotsu said, turning to see if Kyoukotsu had an opinion, only to find him munching on the bone of who knows what.
Suikotsu frowned thoughtfully, "This never happened when they used to practice fight together in the past. I wonder if something triggered Jakotsu."
The rest of the group looked on pensively, not daring to get closer to their deadly third in command yet hoping their leader had the skill to save himself without injuring his friend.
"Jakotsu, listen to me! Snap out of it!" Bankotsu shouted, trying to scoot backwards.
"Spreading your legs for me that easily, are we pretty boy?" Jakotsu said seductively as he practically pounced onto him.
Bankotsu struggled to push the body off him; freezing up on feeling a tongue run down his face.
"Mmmm, your blood tastes good..."
He grabbed onto Jakotsu's shoulders, shaking him forcefully, "It's me, okay? Now stop this!"
Jakotsu blinked and looked shocked for a second, before realizing his position on top of a bleeding and panicked looking Bankotsu.
"Shit. Did I…" He winced as he sat back a little, "I hurt you, didn't I?"
Bankotsu let forth a relieved sigh at seeing his friend returning to normal, "Thank goodness. You okay?"
"You're the one bleeding," Jakotsu murmured, inwardly berating himself for letting himself lose control like that.
"Eh, it's not that bad. I'll live," He replied, smiling and trying to put Jakotsu at ease.
"I'm an idiot... I could have killed you!"
"Do you really think I'd die so easily, Jakotsu?"
He looked up at Bankotsu then, eyes wide. It all was starting to make sense. Bankotsu wasn't scared that Jakotsu would seriously hurt him, but he was scared that he might have to hurt Jakotsu to snap him out of it. For some reason, knowing that made Jakotsu feel a lot better.
"True. Still, I'm sorry."
From nearby the others tried to decide if Jakotsu was back to himself or not; but as long as Bankotsu still appeared to be okay, they chose to wait it out.
"Well at least you got that blood out of my eye. I really don't think the cut is that bad."
Jakotsu tilted his head and leaned forward to look, "Just a scrape really, you must be really good Bankotsu, most guys would have gotten killed like that."
"Just promise me you'll never do that to me again, okay?" Bankotsu said with a smile.
"Okay, no cutting you up even if your blood does taste good, got that," Jakotsu smirked, leaning down and whispering to the one still pinned beneath him. "But look at it this way, right now, I can do something and still get away with it."
"Jakotsu- what are you…" He was silenced with a kiss from the one above him.
Jakotsu giggled as he pulled back, "See, they won't know the difference."
Bankotsu fumed, glancing over at their audience, "Okay, you better start acting then so they don't kill me because of it."
"If you really want me to," Jakotsu leaned down and licked the trail of blood that had run down Bankotsu's neck up.
Playing along, Bankotsu yelled out as he gently shove Jakotsu off him, "Jakotsu, get the hell off me!"
"Huh? Aniki?" Jakotsu said faking confusion.
"I think we'll call this a draw, okay?"
"Okay, Aniki," Turning towards the others, Jakotsu called out, "Hey Mukotsu! I think I accidentally hurt him, so we better get him bandaged up!"
The five others breathed a sigh of relief as they saw that Jakotsu was back to his usual self. And as the sun hit its peak in the sky, the seven men started their walk back towards their current base. As Bankotsu and Jakotsu caught up with the other five, their usual post-battle banter began.
"Looks like you're Jakotsu's type, Oo-aniki," Mukotsu taunted.
The rest of the group laughed, as Jakotsu grinned, "I don't know what came over me. I mean, I usually like my men a bit taller."
"Hey! I'm not short!" Bankotsu yelled out, making a half-hearted swing with Banryuu at Jakotsu.
"Well at least around us you are," Suikotsu commented, looking at the six men around him.
"Comparing me to people like Kyoukotsu is not a fair comparison," the young leader replied.
"Compared to Kyoukotsu, I'm short!" Jakotsu countered.
They all laughed again at that, all unease from the battle before quickly forgotten as they arrived at the base.
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Once back, Bankotsu returned to his room and let Suikotsu examine the cuts on his face just to be safe. Jakotsu sat beside him and waited to hear the verdict.
"Just get some fresh water and a cloth, and he'll be okay," Suikotsu said examining Bankotsu's forehead.
"He was bleeding a lot, won't he need some type of bandage there?"
"The nerve endings in the face and hands are closer to the surface than anywhere else on the body. You just barely prick the skin and it'll bleed forever."
"How do you know that?" Jakotsu said tilting his head in confusion.
"Just asked the sleeping doctor," Suikotsu replied, taping his head.
"So just a cloth and some water?" Jakotsu asked.
"Cold water would be best, but whatever you can manage."
"All right," Jakotsu replied as he went out to retrieve what Suikotsu had asked for.
"Is it really not that bad?" Bankotsu questioned once he was sure Jakotsu was far enough away.
"It's like I said- a few scratches."
The room went silent for a bit, until Bankotsu spoke again, "When he gets like that, is that like what happens to you?"
"No, Jakotsu's got just one personality. His is from repressed anger and lack of acceptance from what I pick up."
"How so?"
"I'm guessing when he was younger, no one he found physically attractive ever returned the feelings he had towards them, embittering him towards that. Now, since he's become a killer like the rest of us, it seems he just took that anger up a level."
Bankotsu scrunched up his face as he tried to figure out exactly what Suikotsu meant.
"Okay, put simply- due to his past experience with those he felt attracted to, now, he acts upon his anger and violence to force them to give in to him, even if it's when they are dead. So when he sees some 'cute' guy, as he puts it, out on the battlefield, he lets his embittered past anger along with his lust for the man fuel his fighting."
"Oh…"
"I wouldn't worry about him too much. I'm sure that whenever he does find someone that returns his feelings that he'd never intentionally hurt them."
Bankotsu smiled then, as the truth of that statement took hold, "You're probably right about that, Suikotsu. I just didn't think that he'd get that way with me."
"Just make sure if you fight with him again, not to provoke him. I think that's what did it, unless Jakotsu's got some pent up lust for you or something."
"Eheh…" Bankotsu coughed, looking aside in embarrassment.
"If he only knew…"
"I mean come on, I'm just as good looking as you are and he hasn't tried to kill me yet," Suikotsu smirked, as he slapped Bankotsu on the back.
Jakotsu appeared then in the doorway, a basin of water in his hands and a white washcloth over his arm.
"There you are, you took awhile," Suikotsu said standing and taking the items from him.
"I went to that mountain spring nearby to get clean water."
"You went to all that trouble?"
Jakotsu nervously scratched as his head, "I still kind of feel bad about what happened and you said cold water would be best."
Suikotsu took the wet cloth and went to clean the wounds; Bankotsu winced a bit in pain.
"Hold still, I think you've got some dirt in them."
Jakotsu walked over and sat beside Bankotsu, bracing his shoulders. "Well someone wasn't too happy about me licking them clean."
"Hey! Stop joking around like that Jakotsu," He replied, looking up at him.
Smiling, Jakotsu noted that Suikotsu had gotten all the blood off and just two small cuts remained.
"Stop joking? Who said I was joking?" He said playfully, as he leaned down and kissed the cut on Bankotsu's forehead.
Knowing he had to be blushing in embarrassment, Bankotsu forced a frown and stammered out, "Now that is just enough of this!"
Jakotsu ran over to the doorway and winked before turning and running off down the hallway.
Suikotsu just shook his head, "He's an odd one, that's for sure…"
"An odd one that is going to owe me for this," Bankotsu replied, shaking his head as he watched Jakotsu's figure retreating down the hall.
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