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

Japanese word:

Yashiki: the large, mansion-like estates

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Chapter 16: Promises

The sounds of the morning drifted through the walls of the building, along with the noise coming from the adjoined rooms as the others stirred awake. Bankotsu smiled, it was a strangely pleasant commotion to wake up to, making the ravaged village and tattered buildings seem more like home than they usually did.

Placing his hands behind his head and closing his eyes, he listened to the quaint racket each of the five members made as they rose for the new day. The crunching sound of bone and flesh being torn away by abnormal human teeth, the sound of herbs and plants being ground into a poison, the sound of metal joints creaking and metal wiring being coated in a flammable substance, and the sound of steel claws being sharpened on a stray wooden beam.

To most, such noises would seem barbaric and frightening, but to Bankotsu- this was home, this was his family, and the only family any of them had. It made him glad that he'd chosen to sleep down in the 'servants quarters' of the large yashiki they called their base instead of off in the larger 'master's quarters' of the place.

It was at moments like this he wished he could always be amongst them- like they were just brothers of different blood. But, the Daimyou would never trust a mercenary army led by someone who didn't hold himself higher than his men. In this era of those who have power and those who don't- rank was everything.

Sitting up in defiance of his own thoughts, he spoke aloud to himself, "Keh, Daimyou are all a bunch of egotistical fools, it's no wonder they're so easy to overthrow. If you put yourself on a pillar above your comrades, it's only natural that they will sooner or later knock you down."

Walking over and pulling his shirt and pants on, he then slid the armor over his slender frame. Locating the water basin, he splashed a bit of water in his face. It was then that his eyes caught hold of the small tray that held the paints Jakotsu used for his lips. He quirked an eyebrow in interest and sat himself down beside the tray.

"He must have been keeping it in here since this room has a larger basin in it."

Lightly dabbing his finger into the red substance, he inquisitively looked at it, then to the mirror sat nearby. "How does this stuff work? Does he just smear it on?"

Squinting into the mirror, he experimentally brushed a little of the color from his finger onto his lips. Then he frowned, "Hmm, it doesn't look like how he does his…."

"Oo-aniki?" The voice at the door called out as they knocked.

Eyes wide, as if he'd just been caught stealing a rice-ball from the kitchen before dinner, he frantically looked about for the cloth he'd used and the water basin.

"Just a moment," He stammered out, rushing over to the discarded basin and cloth.

"It's kind of urgent," They insisted.

"I said just a minute," Bankotsu retorted, quickly scrubbing at his face, then running back over to the mirror to make sure he'd gotten it all off.

Once he was satisfied that all evidence of his curiosity was gone, he hastily sat on his futon and spoke up, "Okay, come in."

The door slid open to reveal Renkotsu, a scroll clutched in his hand. He walked in and slid the door closed behind him.

"It's a request from a Daimyou, Leader. The messenger is waiting for us to produce a written reply to return to him."

Trying to act natural, as to not arouse any suspicion, Bankotsu stood and walked over, "Okay, what's this request?"

The somewhat tattered scroll was opened, as Renkotsu summarized the request, "Apparently, one of their rural villages was overrun by bandits. The people have all been killed, but he wants the land back since it was suitable for farming. I could easily run them out with Ginkotsu; we're both strong enough to…"

Holding up his hand to stop him, Bankotsu spoke up, "Renkotsu, I have a better idea."

"…Yes?" He questioned tentatively.

"Well," The young leader began, trying to think of the best way to present this to Renkotsu, "I know you've been given the rank of second in command, but I've never really been able to give you a chance to use that rank fully. In short, for this mission I want you to take the others and develop your own attack strategy. Since I've been gone from this location so much lately, I think I've been missing some other requests and…" He laughed nervously as he scratched the back of his head; "We're kind of running low on food. If there's any left after you attack the village, try and bring it back so we don't starve."

The man blinked in shock, "Oo-aniki, are you sure?"

Bankotsu gently placed his hand on the other's back, "You've seemed tense lately and I thought the chance to lead us into battle might make you feel more like part of the group. You're always a bit distanced from all of the others and…" He paused, offering a genuine smile, "Well, I worry about you as much as I do everyone else."

Renkotsu laughed nervously, not quite sure what to take of the young man's concern for him, "I'm very grateful for this opportunity, Oo-aniki."

"And next time were in a building with closer rooms, you're free to take the larger room if that's where you feel the most comfortable. It's just the Daimyou's would throw a fit if they saw me down amongst the rest of the guys; they tend to value rank over friendship if you get my drift," He said in a slightly implicative manner.

"I suppose they do." The older man replied, wondering to himself if it was their two-man mission the night before that spawned this sudden generous behavior.

The somewhat underestimated strength in Bankotsu's slap to his back brought Renkotsu from his thoughts, "Okay, so you just take care of everything. I'm sure you'll prove your rank was well deserved. Is there anything else you needed to ask me?" He questioned tilting his head a bit to the side causing his long black-braid to fall forward over his shoulder.

Pushing the light-blue rag off his head, and rubbing at his forehead in thought, he replied, "Well, to develop a battle plan, I need to know who is and isn't coming. Is Jakotsu's leg still bothering him?"

"Suikotsu said he could walk on it today, but I'm not sure if it's okayed for him to fight with it. I'd have to ask him on it."

Unbeknownst to the two higher ranked members, the one they were speaking of had risen, tightened the wrap on his own leg and had made his way down to outside of the very room they were in. Currently, he was balancing on his good leg as he stood outside the door, listening in to the conversation.

"Do you think he's going to be able to?" The second-in-command asked, causing Bankotsu to blink at the comment.

"What do you mean?"

"I just assumed you checked in on him last night before you went to sleep, that's all."

"Oh well, it was hard to tell then since he was lying down so…" Bankotsu muttered, fidgeting.

Having heard quite enough from his place outside the door, Jakotsu pulled up the sleeve of his yukata, and as best as he could, turned to knock. The last thing he wanted was to be an inconvenience to the others due to a minor injury.

"Ah, who is it?" The braided-man asked, looking over.

"Mou…Oo-aniki, I need to talk." Jakotsu called through the door.

"Jakotsu? Are you okay walking on that?" Bankotsu inquired, hastily making his way over to the door and sliding it open.

Looking down to the shorter man with a smile, Jakotsu responded, "Yeah, it just hurts a bit. That stuff Suikotsu used really worked well."

"What was it you needed, Jakotsu?" The black-haired man asked.

"Ah, well I overheard we got a mission and I was wondering when we were heading out." He stated simply.

"Jakotsu, you don't have to…" Bankotsu began only to be silenced by Jakotsu's finger over his lips.

"I'll be fine, you worry too much. I'll just have to make sure I can kill them before they realize I can't move very fast. That should be easy for me and Jakotsutou though."

"Are you sure? Renkotsu's leading the group since I need to stay and take possible requests."

Jakotsu smiled, thinking to himself, "If he's back here, then I'll be able to nab a gift out of the debris without a chance of him seeing it."

Nodding in replied, he placed a gentle hand on the younger man's shoulder, "I'm a tough guy. I won't die to some measly bandit."

"Well, since that's settled I'll just reply to this message and then we'll move out," Renkotsu spoke up.

"Okay, Renkotsu. Let me know before you leave so I can see everyone off. How far is this village?"

"About a half-a-day's walk, if going at a leisurely pace. We should make it in half that time."

"All right. I'll get some sake and meet everyone out on the porch in a little while. I think my hair needs a bit of attention first though," He replied, holding up his sleep-mussed braid.

"Okay, Oo-aniki," Renkotsu replied, standing and walking out.

Jakotsu, who was leaning against the wall, was also about to leave, when a hand caught him about the wrist.

"Wait," The voice was different now. No longer the authoritative leader, this voice held in it the deep worry, concern, and the desire to delay Jakotsu's departure if even by a minute.

Before a single word could escape Jakotsu's lips, the young man had pulled him back into the room, turned to the door and slid it closed behind him. Leaning with his back against it, his face down and bangs covering his eyes, Bankotsu spoke, his voice low, "I have something I want to say."

"Bankotsu?" Jakotsu said softly, caught a bit off guard by the braided-man's behavior.

His head still down, Jakotsu heard him take a deep breath then begin, "I realize, you need to do this to prove your strength or because it's just something you want to do. I can't stop you from going. I know that. I couldn't stop you from doing anything that you desired, Jakotsu."

The taller man blinked, wondering if he meant the implications in that or if it was just him that read into it that way.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is…" Bankotsu paused, falling quiet as his hands absently toyed with the bottom edge of his red-sash. "Jakotsu, come back alive."

Jakotsu started, not sure what brought about these thoughts or concern. Understanding though that probably due to his recent injuries, Bankotsu's mind had blown the worry out of proportion.

Taking slow, cautious steps, Jakotsu reached out and gathered the smaller man into his arms and bending his head down to rest on Bankotsu's shoulder. They stayed like that for a few seconds, just finding comfort in the other's embrace.

Finally, Jakotsu pulled back, and tilted Bankotsu's face up to look at him, his thumb gently resting on the younger man's cheek, "Of course, I'll come back. That's a promise, Bankotsu."

Without a word in reply, the young leader threw his arms about Jakotsu's neck and kissed him forcefully; the taller man's eyes going wide at the sudden and unexpected affection from the young man.

The moment passed, and Bankotsu withdrew- face stained crimson with embarrassment and unable to look Jakotsu in the eye as he nervously rubbed at his arm.

Still in a state of shock, all Jakotsu could do was bring a shaky hand to his lips to confirm that they had indeed been kissed like that from none other than Bankotsu.

"S...sorry…" He finally brought himself to say.

"He must be really fighting himself over his feelings. Poor kid, he's probably never even been in love before, and now he's got it bad and he just doesn't know what to do," The elder of the two thought to himself. Then he paused and realized he still had his hand on his lips, "And it looks like he isn't the only one that's fallen hard. Lust I can deal with, but love…heck, even I don't know where to start with that." He allowed himself a slight smile, "I guess we can just figure it out together as we go along."

Silence permeated the room aside from the sounds of each of their breaths and heartbeats coming in quiet palpitations.

Jakotsu moved slowly towards the other figure, then gently, turned him to face up once again. Their eyes locked for a brief second, Bankotsu opening his mouth as if to say something and Jakotsu taking the opportunity he was looking for. Quickly, he dipped his head down and captured the young man's lips; his tongue using the little space left open to find its way inside his mouth.

Heart jumping up into his throat, Bankotsu's eyes shot open at the new sensation. Feeling the muscles in his arm tense, Jakotsu pulled back and offered a smile, "Next time- try it that way."

Bankotsu knew his face had to be deep red, his whole body just feeling very strange, as he tried to regain his breath. Focusing on some spot on the floor, he snapped his head back up when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"I'll come back. Don't make yourself sick worrying," Jakotsu stated simply before walking past him and out the door.

Bankotsu looked back and watched him go out, his hand going over his heart as if that would slow it's beating. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to compose himself again; shaking off the awkward feelings he felt burdening him and setting his mind back on the tasks of the day.

"Sake. That's right," He thought to himself as he pulled his hair loose, and smoothed out the small tangles in the long black mass. "Forget about the fact I just kissed him again. Forget about the fact he just stuck his tongue down my throat. I told them I'd go out on the porch with sake. So all I need to think about is sake." The words were but a way to distract himself as he quickly twisted the black strands into the tight braid. Once he was satisfied with his hair, he took another breath and made his way out to do as he'd said he would.

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The seven gathered briefly on the porch- sharing amongst themselves what remained of the sake.

With a laugh, Bankotsu spoke up, "Okay guys, that's the only order I'm giving for this mission- bring me back some sake."

They all laughed in turn, expecting something of that nature to come from the young leader's mouth.

"So, Renkotsu- you got something all worked out right?" The braided-man questioned between sips.

"Yes, I'll explain it to them on the way there," He replied.

"Good, it shouldn't be that hard- I mean, it's just some measly bandits."

"Yeah, we could cut them up and eat them for dinner," Suikotsu joked.

"For dinner? That sounds good to me," Kyoukotsu mumbled from his place next to the porch, causing the six others to just shake their heads.

Looking to the position of the sun on the horizon, Renkotsu sat down his cup and stood, "We best be going- we have a little ways to travel."

Each of the others quickly finished off their drinks and stood as well, gathering up their weaponry from around them.

"Renkotsu. If things get really bad- don't hesitate to send someone for me. I won't hold anything against you for it," Bankotsu stated.

"Of course, Oo-aniki," He turned and pointed to the west, "We're going to head this way, the village is a through some forests and across a small river."

Nodding in reply, the others began to follow his lead off into the forests. Jakotsu was lagging behind and had just secured Jakotsutou to his back when he felt a slight tug on his sleeve.

"Bankotsu?" He questioned.

"Take it easy on yourself, okay?" The young man said, forcing a smile.

"I will," Jakotsu replied, reaching down and taking the hand on his sleeve into his own, "And you better not make yourself sick worrying about me, deal?"

"Deal," Bankotsu said, squeezing the hand slightly before Jakotsu slowly pulled away and began his best to follow after the others.

Watching until he couldn't see any of them anyone, the black-haired man sighed and ran a hand through his bangs. "He was clearly limping," He noted to himself as he sat down on the porch. Looking at what little remained of the sake, he muttered, "This isn't going to be enough to get me through this."

With that he flopped back onto the porch, resting his head on his arms and absently staring at the way the breeze caused the small green leaves on the trees to sway back and forth.

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It had been minutes, maybe hours; he wasn't sure when he'd fallen asleep. Shaking the issue of time out of his mind, Bankotsu sat up from where he lay on the porch, rubbing his arms not due to a cold breeze, but because an ominous feeling of disaster raining down upon him.

Looking off to the west, he murmured very softly to himself, "Jakotsu. Please, be okay."

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