Revised Edition with changed/added footage: 8-8-2006
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Chapter 5: Ties of TrustThe afternoon sunlight came in shafts of light through the small cracks around the windows. Bankotsu lifted an arm to shield the brightness from his eyes. He was lying on his back trying to think and even the simple fluctuation in light was distracting him.
"Why did he get like that? I know he's done it before, with other random soldiers we've faced, but why me? Did I provoke him somehow, like Suikotsu suggested? Or is it really because Jakotsu likes me like…that?" He pondered to himself until he heard footsteps approaching.
"Bankotsu?" A voice called from the doorway.
Moving the arm from across his face away, he blinked a few times before bringing the figure into focus.
"You came back," He said with a smile on seeing Jakotsu standing there.
"I wanted to check on you, but if you're resting I can…"
Bankotsu cut him off, "No stay. We can talk now that Suikotsu isn't here."
"Okay," He said quietly as he glanced down the hall, and then silently slid the door closed behind him.
Continuing to rub at his eyes, Bankotsu listened as the footsteps came closer and he heard the sound of him sitting down next to him.
"Jakotsu, is it easy for you to trust people?"
"Trust people?" Jakotsu echoed, caught a bit off guard by the sudden question.
"Is it easy for you to trust them?"
"Well," He paused in thought, "No, not really. Why do you ask?"
"Do you trust me?"
"Of course, Bankotsu. Why wouldn't I?"
"Good. It's mutual then," Bankotsu replied smiling, "Then we can both just forget about what happened earlier. I don't want you to think about it anymore."
"But Bankotsu…"
"Well," He changed the subject before it could be argued, "Now that we have that settled- let's go get some sake."
"Bankotsu…" Jakotsu began.
"What?"
"Thank you," He said standing.
"For what?" Bankotsu asked confused.
"For…well, for trusting me like that."
The braided man slung his arm around his companion's shoulders, "You might be weird, but I can always rely on you, Jakotsu."
Jakotsu smiled then, "And you might be…be…"
"Can't think of anything, can you?" He asked grinning.
"Shut up," Jakotsu retorted sticking his tongue out.
"Come on, I'll race you to the stash of sake."
His face lit up then like a child at play; Jakotsu just put his hands to his hips.
"You're such a kid."
"Nothing wrong with having fun once in a while," He replied with a smirk. With that said, the two started rushing off down the hallway, both laughing until they skidded to a halt at one door and turned in.
"Looks like a tie," Bankotsu said lifting a jug of sake from the ground and searching around for some cups.
"Funny, I thought I beat you," Jakotsu said walking up behind him.
"Oh you did, did you?" He remarked playfully.
"Yes, I did." He replied walking up behind Bankotsu, and draping his arms around his shoulders. Then he whispered into his ear, "So what do I win?"
Upon feeling the hand edging up his chest, Bankotsu began to figure out what Jakotsu was up to. "Not now, the others are still around and…"
"And?" Jakotsu asked smirking.
"And I don't think you can convince them that you're about to cut me up and kill me," He replied pushing him away gently.
Jakotsu was about to say something in return when a large metal clang resounded from outside.
"Hold still, Ginkotsu!" They heard a voice yell out.
"Gesh," Was the only reply.
Bankotsu handed a cup to Jakotsu and jug still in hand headed for the door. "Let's go see what they're up to out there."
"Okay," Jakotsu said following him out.
In the space next the building sat Ginkotsu, with Renkotsu reaching up and adjusting the metal plate secured about Ginkotsu's jawbone.
"Hey, Renkotsu what are you doing?" Bankotsu called out, while taking a seat on the porch and pouring himself a cup.
The second in command turned and looked to the two figures sitting and observing, "His jaw placement was coming loose a bit so I was just fixing it."
"I see. You know," Bankotsu paused to take another sip of sake, "I've always kind of wondered how he got like that. You did it, right?"
"I did." Renkotsu said, clearly proud of the achievement.
"How?" Bankotsu asked.
"How?" He echoed, thrown by the young leader's sudden interest in his and Ginkotsu's pasts.
"Gesh, don't you remember it, Renkotsu?" The metallic man questioned.
"Yes, I do," Renkotsu cleared his throat as he continued his adjustments on the metal plate, "It was a few years ago, right after I'd left the temple and those overbearing monks. So, since I'd decided a mercenary was a more profitable and worthwhile occupation, I decided to seek out a partner with which to travel with. I'd found out that a pair of mercenaries sometimes received better pay than those that fought alone and therefore, when I met Ginkotsu I decided to let him be my companion."
He paused for a bit and went to grab another tool of sorts.
"Yesh, Commander Renkotsu and I worked together for a few months before the accident," Ginkotsu commented.
"Accident?" Bankotsu inquired, stopping between drinks.
Now beginning to tighten the joints of the mechanized arm, Renkotsu answered, "We faced off against one of those newer equipped armies. Those that have weaponry from the western world. They had cannons and other such things, and an explosion hit right next to Ginkotsu. Mangled his left arm badly and cracked his jawbone. I wasn't fluent enough in medicines to properly reset the bones with medicinal ways, so I used the scrap metal from the battle to get his bones back into place. After seeing the success of that, I used my knowledge to equip him with the blades, cannons, and other weaponry. He's now a powerful and perfectly built fighting machine." He finished, pausing a moment to look at Ginkotsu's modifications to assure that everything was up to par.
"Gesh," The metallic voice resounded, "It saved my life too."
Bankotsu put down the jug for a moment and responded, "That's amazing that you were able to do that Renkotsu. It just confirms my decision to have you be the second in command."
Renkotsu glanced over to the two on the porch and allowed himself a slight smile. Perhaps Ginkotsu was right; those two, this group- they'd changed him for the better. And even if he'd never say so aloud, he was thankful that this unique bunch had come into his otherwise bitter life.
"You two want some of the sake left in the jug? Not much left," Bankotsu offered, giving the jug a shake.
"Gesh. You enjoy it more so than I do, Leader," Ginkotsu said bending his arm back and forth to assure the joint was tightened well enough.
"I'll pass as well," Renkotsu remarked, turning towards the side of the building, "Since it looks like we have a visitor to attend to."
"Oo-aniki, there's a messenger here!" Mukotsu called out, coming around the corner of the building with the young soldier.
Bankotsu looked up and sat down his cup, "The message?" He asked, his voice instantly taking on a commanding tone.
"Daimyou Kotyawa requests your assistance. The people of one of the towns have rebelled, and he has evacuated all those not involved. He wants the town destroyed and the people killed."
"And the price?" Bankotsu questioned. The messenger handed him a slip of paper with the amount scrawled onto it. "He has until sunset to assure that those he wants left alive are gone," He stated firmly.
The messenger nodded and handed a pouch of coins over. "The rest shall be brought once the mission is successfully completed."
"Understood. You may go now."
"One more thing, if I may," The messenger said, remaining formal.
"Yes?" Bankotsu inquired.
"Would you prefer to deal with the rebellion's leader yourself?"
"I suppose I shall."
"There is a description of where to find him on the other side of that paper then."
Bankotsu flipped it over, and sure enough a rough description of the man and his location was written there, "All right. A question to you then."
"Yes Bankotsu-sama?" The man asked bowing.
"Does the town have any form of militia?"
"I believe so."
"That is all then, you may go," He replied, dismissing him with his hand. Turning to the others gathered about, he spoke up, "You heard it guys, we have ourselves another town to deal with. Grab your things and let's go."
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The seven gathered their respective weapons and went out; traveling and joking amongst themselves most of the afternoon- things became serious as they reached the hill outside of town. With the sun setting behind them, Bankotsu gave out orders.
"You heard the messenger- leave no one alive. Then burn it to the ground, got it?"
The group nodded.
"Then let's go."
As the last of the sun's rays disappeared behind the horizon, the seven men moved in. Not long after entering the area, the town's militia showed itself.
"Jakotsu, Suikotsu- handle this!" Bankotsu called out rushing forward and cutting himself a path through, "Mukotsu, Kyoukotsu- the south side; Renkotsu, Ginkotsu- the north!"
Each member quickly proceeded to carry out their orders, easily taking out at least half of their opponents in the first minute of the attack.
Bankotsu continued down the streets, fighting off those he encountered and seeking out the location of the rebellion's leader. On arriving at the building in the village's center, he noticed a man standing outside, sword in hand.
"The Daimyou sent you, didn't he?" The man asked, sword drawn and ready.
"And if he did?" Bankotsu asked in return.
"Then he is more of a coward than I first thought him to be."
Bankotsu shrugged at that comment.
"Who are you, boy?"
"Bankotsu, of the Shichinin-tai."
The man laughed, "Don't joke with me- that leader of the Shichinin-tai is a powerful and ruthless killer. You are just a child."
Bankotsu lifted the Banryuu from his shoulder and twirled it about before sending the blade crashing into the building. The man dodged and stared.
"Who's the coward now, old man?" Bankotsu spat.
"I can't believe that bastard Kotyawa had the money for a group like you; the heartless monsters known as the Shichinin-tai."
Bankotsu made another swing at the man, creating a deep gash on his leg, "Keh, he probably sold off his daughter or something for the money. He seemed eager to have you dead."
The collapsing buildings from the north and south, along with the cries of the people, echoed down the vacant streets.
The man laughed, "Just the type of comment a heartless man like you would make. I bet you've never loved a soul have you?" He edged forward with his sword, "Never had to fight so your family could eat. Never had to watch the ones you love so dear in pain. A monster like you…"
He never finished, the Banryuu had silenced him and his bloody form fell to the ground.
Bankotsu sighed, muttering to himself, "Never understand huh? Funny, the payment for your death is going to feed my companions- my family."
He lifted the Banryuu again and quickly decimated the buildings and anyone left in them. Amidst the hollow sound of the battle, a voice called out.
"Oo-aniki, Renkotsu no Aniki is about to set fire to the town. You'd better get going," The metallic voice reverberated.
"Thanks Ginkotsu. And the others?"
"Mukotsu's releasing the poison gas on the south end and Kyoukotsu and Suikotsu are waiting outside town on the hill."
"And Jakotsu?"
"Haven't seen him. He's probably off with some soldier he's taken a liking too."
Bankotsu frowned, "Go on out with the others, I'll find Jakotsu."
Making his way through the rubble, he searched for his friend. On the north edge of the town, he found him with a young soldier.
"What a lovely shade of red you bleed…" He heard Jakotsu's seductive voice purr as he observed the injured prey beneath him.
Bankotsu glared. The situation angered him, yet he wasn't sure why. The loud snap of a nearby building falling victim to fire brought him from his thoughts.
"I've got to get him out of here now," He said to himself as he made his way towards the two.
Jakotsu was hunched over the fallen soldier, smoothing back the bloodied hair, "Hush now cutie, you're going fast," He murmured while forcing his blade through the man's arm.
The soldier's cry of pain only made Bankotsu run faster. Another blow from the blade elicited another cry, and Jakotsu gently wiped the blood from the soldier's face. As he began to lean in for a final kiss, a sharp pull jerked him back.
"Jakotsu, we've got to get out of here!"
A half-lidded gaze looked up to the leader's angry face, "Bankotsu?"
"Come on, there isn't time for this!" He said stabbing his blade down to finish off the suffering man.
Jakotsu's eyes shifted from the now-dead soldier to the battle-worn and bloody man before him.
"Mukotsu's about to release the poison and Renkotsu's already started the buildings on fire. You need to get out of here!" His rushed voice stammered, trying to pull Jakotsu upright.
The taller man staggered, trying to get his eyes to focus. "You're just jealous, Bankotsu…" He slurred before his body went limp and fell forward.
"Jakotsu?" Bankotsu exclaimed, gathering the body into his arms, "What's wrong?"
It was then he noticed the growing blood stain on Jakotsu's left side, "Shit, he's injured."
His mind raced, trying to figure out how to get them both to safety when a voice called out.
"Oo-aniki, behind you!" Suikotsu yelled from up on the nearby hill.
The nearby building had caught fire quickly and was now toppling in their direction. Bankotsu lifted Jakotsu into his arms as well as he could and he started to run as the wooden beams came crashing down.
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