Revised Edition with changed/added footage: 8-8-2006
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Chapter 6: The Truth in Your EyesA few more steps and Bankotsu realized he couldn't outrun the falling debris. Turning on his left side, he held the limp body of Jakotsu close and skidded onto the ground. He moved his body over his injured companion and waited with dread for the impact as the beams fell down onto them.
"Shit…" Suikotsu cursed, his steel claws slicing a nearby tree into pieces in his anger, "Kyoukotsu, Ginkotsu- let's go help them."
"Yesh…" The metallic voice replied, followed by a few crunching noises from Kyoukotsu.
"Damnit you, not now!" Suikotsu yelled as he sliced the small oni from Kyoukotsu's hands. "Eat later, you idiot!"
The towering figure looked down at him, "And since when can you tell me what to do?"
"Since the Oo-aniki and the second and third in command aren't here, that's why! So we're going down there now, got that?" He retorted, claws pointed threateningly at Kyoukotsu.
"Fine…" He said beginning to move.
Bankotsu winced as the still-burning pieces of wood hit the un-armored parts of his body. A beam had them trapped and he could vaguely make out a voice yelling something in the distance. He was about to call back, when he felt a slight movement from underneath him.
Shifting as best as he could with the weight pressing down on them, Bankotsu could make out Jakotsu slightly moving, "Jakotsu? Jakotsu, you okay?"
His eyes blinked open, "Bankotsu?"
"Shhh, you're hurt. Don't move."
"You're bleeding," Jakotsu said reaching up within the tight space to touch the gash across the side of Bankotsu's face.
Bankotsu forced a smile through the pain, "We're stuck under some debris from a building that fell. I probably just scraped it. Are you okay? Your side was bleeding and you just passed out."
He thought, tidbits of things coming back to him, "Sword wound, from that soldier. Guess it was worse than I thought."
"As soon as I can move, I'll get you bandaged up."
"How long have we been stuck here?"
"Several minutes. I think I heard someone above trying to get us out, but it might take awhile."
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Standing atop the remains of the buildings, Suikotsu looked about for any signs as to where under all the rubble the two others could be. "Damnit, where are they?"
Walking out across all the planks and broken foundation was Renkotsu.
He called out, "Hey, where are the others?"
Suikotsu frowned and made a slice towards him, "You went and fucking buried them alive! Damn fire, can't control it worth shit!"
Renkotsu stepped back, "Buried? Who?"
"Oo-aniki and Jakotsu- that's who!" Suikotsu retorted.
His eyes widened, "Shit… Then calm down and let's start looking for them."
"Suikotsu, stay calm. Don't let your anger get out of control," Mukotsu said scurrying over and stepping between them, "Now, what's going on?"
"Oo-aniki and Jakotsu are under all this debris," Suikotsu replied, finally letting his anger subside.
Renkotsu looked about at the rubble, "We'll have Kyoukotsu and Ginkotsu move out the larger pieces of wood while the rest of us start digging. Let me know if you find any sign of them."
The four others nodded, quickly setting about removing the fallen beams.
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"Bankotsu?"
"What?" He replied to the figure below him.
"I can't remember what happened very well. But…for some reason I remember you being jealous."
"I wasn't jealous," He replied more defensively than he would have liked to, "I just…"
"Had to get me out of there quickly?" Jakotsu finished, not in any sort of mood to listen to Bankotsu's denial.
He sighed, "Jakotsu, it's not like that. I just…" He paused upon hearing Jakotsu coughing beneath him, "Jakotsu?"
"Damn this hurts," He stammered, breathing raggedly and trying to place his hand over his side.
"Shit, you're bleeding again," Bankotsu said, once again making a futile effort to push the beam from off them, "I've got to get you out of here."
"It's okay to be jealous, you know. It just means that…" Jakotsu's voice trailed off as he fell unconscious again.
"Jakotsu? Fuck…" Bankotsu cursed, frustrated by the situation and how easily his friend was reading his emotions. Trying once again to free them from the debris, he found that it was still futile.
"It just means what, Jakotsu? What does it mean if I was jealous of the way you were fawning over that man? Or do I know the answer already and just haven't realized it yet?"
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"Over here!" Mukotsu yelled out from one area on spotting Bankotsu's leg below. The others quickly came running to the spot.
"Oo-aniki! Jakotsu! Can you hear me?" Suikotsu yelled out.
Bankotsu made out a muffled voice above him and yelled back, "Down here and hurry, Jakotsu's injured!"
Moving what they could, the others began to lift the building's remains off the location the voice came from. Finally, they reached the bottom and could make out a badly burnt and somewhat injured Bankotsu.
"Oo-aniki!" Suikotsu called out, climbing down to him.
He slowly rolled aside and struggled to stand, "Jakotsu's side. It's a bad sword wound."
"But what about the burns on you?" Mukotsu remarked.
"Jakotsu's is more serious, handle it first then worry about me." He replied firmly, "Kyoukotsu, Ginkotsu- keep looking around this area. The Banryuu and Jakotsutou are buried still. Once you find them you can come on back, we'll go ahead and attend to Jakotsu."
They nodded and despite the pain he was in, Bankotsu stooped down to lift up Jakotsu.
"I could carry him, Oo-aniki," Suikotsu said, removing his clawed weapons and slinging them over a shoulder.
Bankotsu winced, looking at his back and giving Suikotsu a sheepish smile as he handed Jakotsu over.
"Be careful with that side. It's been bleeding pretty badly."
"Will you be all right, Oo-aniki?" Renkotsu asked, walking up beside him.
"Not sure. I think I'm a bit more burnt than I thought I was."
He started as he felt Renkotsu's hand on his arm, pulling it around his shoulders. The second in command propped him up, casually remarking, "Next time make sure you're out of the way when I set my fires, Oo-aniki."
"Sorry," Bankotsu replied, smiling.
And with the two missing members now accounted for, the group headed back towards the base to tend to their injuries.
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As the Shichinin-tai arrived back at the base, Suikotsu took Jakotsu to his room and then went to get their medical supplies. Renkotsu stopped outside the doorway and turned to Bankotsu, "Do you want to wait here?"
Bankotsu nodded, "Thanks Renkotsu."
At that, he gently removed his burnt arm from around Renkotsu's shoulders and walked into Jakotsu's room to stand beside the futon.
"Oo-aniki, do you know what happened?" Mukotsu asked washing the blood away.
"Sword wound, from some nobody of a soldier." He muttered.
Bankotsu pulled his armor loose and it clattered to the ground. A red stain spread across the white shirt's back.
"Oo-aniki, your back, it's…"
"I know- it's bleeding," He cringed as he pulled the shirt off, the dry blood sticking and reopening the wound, "It's from that debris that fell. I was shielding it from Jakotsu and it hit my back."
He walked over and took another cloth, dipping it into the water basin Mukotsu was holding.
"Are you sure you're okay like that?" Mukotsu questioned.
He flung the somewhat mussed braid forward over his shoulder and tried to wipe some of the blood off his back.
"Just worry about Jakotsu first."
"Understood, Oo-aniki. He is your best friend after all."
Bankotsu paused, "What?"
"You've known each other longer and understand each other better than the rest of us do. It's only natural you're worried about him."
He smiled, "Yeah, you're right. I try not to show favoritism to him, but I really can't help it."
Suikotsu re-entered then, carrying a few salves and bandages. He knelt beside where Jakotsu lay, and went to work. Mukotsu, seeing that Suikotsu was handling it all right, went on out.
"Let me know if you need anything."
"Okay, Mukotsu. Thanks," Bankotsu called out as he left. Then he sat down next to Suikotsu, "So, how bad is it?"
"Not that bad at all, he just lost a lot of blood and it made him lightheaded."
"So he'll be okay, right?"
"Yeah, he'll be fine," He said tying off a bandage around the wound.
"Good," He replied, relieved that it wasn't as serious as it had seemed.
"We'd best let him rest," Suikotsu said standing. "Come over here by the porch so I can get you bandaged, the light's dim in here."
Bankotsu nodded and went over and sat down.
"Hmm, just some minor burns and a few cuts. This one on your back's the worst though."
"Figured it probably was."
The two went silent, until Bankotsu spoke again, "Suikotsu, are we heartless?"
He looked surprised at that sudden question, "Why do you ask?"
"That rebellion leader- he said we were heartless, that we can't love."
"That's the way most people view killers, I suppose."
"Do you think it's true though?"
He laughed a little, "Inquisitive aren't we?"
"Just wanting a second opinion, so to speak," Bankotsu reiterated.
"Bankotsu, if you didn't have a heart- what would you be?" Suikotsu asked.
"Dead?"
"Exactly. What we do might not be moral or right in the eyes of people, but we still have hearts."
"I don't mean literally, I mean…"
"Yes, I think we're capable of love," Suikotsu cut in, knowing what he was going to say.
"Suikotsu?"
"Trust me. I've seen a lot since I first met you, and the way you look out for all of us. The friendship we have- well I'd say that counts as a kind of familial love, wouldn't you?"
"Yah, I guess you're right," Bankotsu replied, thinking back to his thought about how the Shichinin-tai was his family.
"As for the other kind of love; give it time and I'm sure you'll get your answer."
Bankotsu looked perplexed at the comment and Suikotsu just smiled to himself. He knew this was a loaded question, and could tell that something was awkward between Bankotsu and Jakotsu lately. The two had taken him in when he had nothing left in the world, so he figured a gentle nudge in the right direction certainly wouldn't hurt.
"So don't worry yourself about it. When it happens, you'll just know- okay?"
Nodding, he replied, "Okay."
"You staying in here tonight?" Suikotsu asked, looking down at Jakotsu.
"I can't sleep until I know he's feeling better anyways," Bankotsu shrugged, his typical smile back on his face.
"You come and get me or Mukotsu if you or he needs anything during the night. I'll tell Kyoukotsu and Ginkotsu to leave your weapons outside the door."
"Thanks Suikotsu, for helping us and for talking with me."
"No problem," He said with a smile, "Goodnight, Oo-aniki."
"Goodnight, Suikotsu," Bankotsu replied as the door slid closed.
"For someone who's not jealous, you sure seem interested in love," A quiet voice spoke.
Bankotsu turned sharply, "Jakotsu?"
"Yeah, I'm okay," He replied opening his eyes and forcing a weak smile.
Seeing that he was indeed okay, Bankotsu walked over and sat nearby. He looked a bit to the side as he spoke, "Jakotsu, I lied."
"Lied?"
"I guess I was…well, jealous about that soldier you were with."
Jakotsu smiled, "Knew it. Your eyes gave you away completely."
"My…eyes?" Bankotsu asked; perplexed as to what he meant.
"I can tell when you get upset; your eyes get this certain look about them." He replied.
"Oh." He replied simply, wondering when Jakotsu first noticed this.
"Want me to scoot over? I can share the futon," Jakotsu offered.
"I don't think I could lie on my back right now if I wanted to. At least not until whatever that stuff Suikotsu put on it sets in more."
"Take your hair down."
"What?" Bankotsu blinked at the abrupt request.
"Like that one night, when I had a fever?"
Recalling the incident, Bankotsu smiled, "Seems like you and I need to avoid fire. That makes two times at least one of us has gotten in the way of a falling building." He untied the string, and shook his hair loose. "Like that?"
"Just like that," Jakotsu replied. "Now come closer," He said patting a place closer beside him on the futon.
Being careful not to hit any of his burns, he sat down next to him. As he was about to say something, Jakotsu tugged gently on the hair, getting Bankotsu closer to his face.
"You know what's different about you and that cute soldier?"
"Uh…not exactly…"
Jakotsu sat up slightly, ignoring the pain in his side, and was now inches from Bankotsu's face.
"That soldier would have never kissed me back," He said before pressing his lips against Bankotsu's.
And as predicted, that was where they did indeed differed.
As they pulled apart, Jakotsu scooted over to leave some room.
"We'd better sleep now. I'll try not to roll on you just in case someone decides to not knock again."
Bankotsu laid down on his stomach on top of the blanket, "All right. Goodnight, Jakotsu."
He glanced over to Jakotsu, and smiled; thinking to himself, "I'll just know, huh?"
"Goodnight, Bankotsu," Jakotsu replied, having a feeling he knew what that smile meant.
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