Revised Edition with changed/added footage: 8-8-2006
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Chapter 24: Strong Heartbeat
The rain fell gently, its soft, melodic rhythm lulling even the nocturnal creatures of the forest into a peaceful slumber. Fallen branches and twigs cracked softly as the light and hasty footsteps of the three mercenaries traversed into their domain.
Nature was as peace- but the world was not. It never was. And that lack of peace was what drove the heart of the shortest man onward the most. His arms tightly holding his injured companion and his feet seeking the quickest and safest path they could through the dark forest.
Behind him, the brown-haired doctor followed as best he could while struggling to maintain the weight of the leader's unusually large halberd and the satchel of medicines tied to his back. Eyes drifting open and close, Jakotsu found himself cradled in strong arms as they ran through the forest that damp night. The swaying motion slowly rocking him gently, just like a mother would her sick child, and left him reminiscing on days of the past.
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)) "Look at him dear- he's already lifting a sword!"
"Oh my, don't do that! That's not safe now. He's only five!"
The man smiled good-naturedly at his wife as he plucked the blade out of the young boy's grasp, "You worry too much. He's just trying to grow up to be a strong swordsman, isn't that right son?"
With wide eyes, he smiled up at his parents, his short black hair hanging loosely about his face and the summer yukata he wore hanging slightly off his shoulder.
"Yup! I want to be a swordsman just like you, Dad!"
Bending down to him, the beautiful woman's kimono rustled lightly, "Now now, why don't you go and play outside?"
The boy's grin faded into a frown and he hid his face.
"What's wrong, son?"
"I don't wanna."
"But why?"
"They're mean. They said I can't wear this pretty yukata you gave me, Mom."
Her smile softened with understanding. She had already begun to fear for her son's well-being when she noticed his strange affection for her makeup and clothing.
"Why don't you go play with Kuroi then dear?"
Face brightening once again, he clutched at his Mother's robes, "I wanna stay with you, Mom. If I can't be strong like Dad, then I wanna be strong like you."
Gently stroking his hair from his face, the woman shook her head, "But I'm not strong. Your Father is the one that protects us."
"But you're strong too, Mom!" He persisted, "See," Reaching up and resting his head against her chest, he smiled on hearing what he was looking for, "Listen."
The black-haired woman paused, then blinked politely as the young boy smiled up at her.
"You have a strong heart, Momma. That's why I want to be strong like you too!" ((
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"Jakotsu?" The soft masculine voice intoned, peeling back the layers of the feverish dream and awakening the man he carried.
Looking about, the injured man realized they were leaning up against a tree as Bankotsu and Suikotsu caught their breaths.
"Hmm?" He managed to murmur, a yawn swallowing up anything else that might have passed his lips.
"Shit, all of the times for it to start fucking pouring," Bankotsu cursed, his eyes narrowed and voice harsher than when it had spoken his companion's name a few moments before.
"Mou… It's just a little water," Jakotsu spoke up nuzzling cautiously against the man's chest, "Plus if we're lucky, it'll get the blood off my yukata."
"We can get another yukata," The rough voice snapped back.
"What's your problem? You were fine awhile ago."
The young leader bit his lip, worrying the lower half between his teeth as his heart continued to race.
"I don't like this feeling. Something's not right with the others. Someone else must be hurt or…" He cut his thoughts off before they ventured into the grim matter further.
"Bankotsu?" Suikotsu dared, placing a hand on his rigid and tense shoulders.
"I just have a bad feeling about this. Sorry for getting mad, Jakotsu."
Tugging at his sleeve and indicating that he wished to be let down, the taller black-haired man sighed, "If it helps I can wait here. It's not that damp."
"No," Bankotsu protested, clutching more desperately than he would have liked to the other man, "I'm not leaving you. I'm strong enough to get you there perfectly fine, you got that?"
Reaching up, Jakotsu smoothed the dampness from the long black hair and slowly fingered the pieces protruding out from his braid. Bankotsu looked to him apprehensively, trying to gauge what he was up to.
Thinking back over his dream, he smiled to himself and laid his head against the young leader's chest.
"Jakotsu, what are you…"
"Yup, that's what I thought."
Blinking in confusion, he shot a glance to Suikotsu in hopes the other man could decipher the action.
"You thought…?"
"Oh it's nothing," Jakotsu shrugged, settling back into Bankotsu's cradled arms.
"What's nothing?"
Smiling on realizing he'd successfully displaced Bankotsu's worry, Jakotsu rested his hand over the braided-man's heart.
"Your heart's still beating. This time- stronger than ever."
His mind rushing back to the day he'd met Katsuro, the young leader's gaze softened.
"Idiot," He muttered, but it was endearingly said, "I know it is."
"Then everything will be all right. I just know it. Right, Suikotsu?"
Pausing in inspecting his claws, the brown-haired man nodded, "Heh. Sure thing, Jakotsu. Bankotsu's gonna show that youkai what happens when you fuck with the Shichinin-tai," His gruff and darker voice replied.
"Suikotsu- if injured like Jakotsu was- how long do we have to get to them?" Bankotsu questioned, lifting the Jakotsutou back unto his back.
Thinking it over and realizing he didn't particularly want to elaborate, Suikotsu replied simply, "We'd better keep moving. Jakotsu's medicine should begin working any moment now. He'll be all right."
Nodding, and feeling more at ease in knowing Jakotsu would be fine, Bankotsu shifted the weight of the other man's sword where it rested under his braid. Without a word more, they gathered their things and continued on their path; hoping that time was on their side.
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On the edge of the village, the forest sat untouched by the flames and destruction seen in the village below. Peacefully oblivious to the battle that waged only a short distance away, the trees stood in silence- ever watchful of the plight between man and youkai.
Lumbering over to the sanctuary the forest offered, the large form of Kyoukotsu was silhouetted by the dying fires behind him as he carried the injured poison user to safety. Gently resting him down on the grass, the simple-minded man looked about for any form of stream or water nearby. On not seeing on readily, he frowned, nudging Mukotsu slightly in hopes he would be able to tell him what to do.
Squinting his eyes open, the short man saw the blurred figure above him, "Kyoukotsu?"
"Yah. Renkotsu's fighting the youkai," He said simply.
Forcing himself to sit up, Mukotsu looked out at the village, "But even he doesn't stand a chance."
"Should we go back?"
Shaking his head, the poison user looked off in the other direction, "No. Bankotsu will come. I'm sure of it. He'll come in time. But for now- let's head towards the forest we came from. We can wait for them there."
Nodding, the giant form gently lifted the injured man back into his hands and began to walk towards the other forest edge.
"But we're just seven men. How can we win against a real monster?"
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Jakotsu could feel it- the steady and racing sound of Bankotsu's heartbeat as his ear rested against the armor over the man's chest. He smiled inwardly on noticing how the lean figure that carried him slumped forward ever so slightly so less of the falling rain would fall on him.
"I wonder if he even realizes he's going out of his way to keep me dry," Jakotsu pondered, his eyes growing heavier by the moment.
Mind drifting- soothed by the effects of the medicine and the gentle rain, he found that the effort to keep his eyes open was a losing battle.
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)) "Hey- do you think if you wish hard enough that you can live forever?" Kuroi's voice echoed from the depths of his memories.
"Nothing lasts forever. Who would want to live throughout all time anyways?" The young boy remarked from beside her on the porch.
"Youkai live a long time and look at how strong they are."
"But if a human could achieve that same strength during their shorter life- wouldn't that make the human better?"
Laughing, she shook her head, "You're silly. No human could ever get that strong."
"But what if they could? Would that be like a blessing from the gods?"
"You ask too many questions," The girl remarked, standing up, "What do I know? Heck- if you ever meet a guy that strong then ask him- not me."
Standing defiantly, and completely unfazed by how the yukata slid off his shoulder as he stood, the boy planted his hands firmly on his hips, "Okay then- I will!" ((
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Opening his weary eyes, Jakotsu realized he was being sat down underneath a tree.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."
Bringing Bankotsu's face into focus, he just smiled, "I wanted to wish you good luck anyways."
Looking out at the ravaged village, the young leader's feeling of dread only increased.
"Hey," Jakotsu said, tugging at the white fabric of his sleeve to gain his full attention.
"What is it?" He asked, kneeling down beside him.
"He's either gonna fail out there or…" Stopping that thought, a tiny shard of hope appeared, "But what if a human could achieve that same strength during their shorter life?"
"Here's hoping you have the gods' blessings," He said, pulling Bankotsu's lips down against his own.
Eyes widening as he quickly pulled back- his gaze shifting from Jakotsu to the unreadable expression on Suikotsu's face.
"What was that for?" Bankotsu snapped.
Daring to push a little further, Jakotsu reached up and brushed a finger over his rain-soaked cheek, "For luck. A kiss is all I can offer you."
Bankotsu frowned and made quite the production of crossing his arms and turning away.
"Keh! Like a single kiss is supposed to help," He paused, realizing how easy it would be to misconstrue his statement, "I mean…"
Suikotsu smiled; his assumptions about the two becoming clearer by the moment.
"Jakotsu- he's right. A strange custom like that can't be of much help unless the two people involved love each other."
At that both men snapped their heads in his direction, trying to figure out exactly what he meant by that and hoping he couldn't hear the way their hearts beat faster at the mention of that little four letter word.
Laughing good-naturedly Suikotsu could barely contain his mirth, "Okay the look on your faces was just- well, I'm gonna have to remember that. Heh, you two need to lighten up. Can't you take a joke?"
Collectively breathing a sigh of relief, the two others laughed along with him, hoping it would cover up the strange feelings that were stirred up.
"Seriously though, Oo-aniki," The black-haired man spoke up after a moment, "You'd better take it easy on yourself, okay?"
Blinking, the braided-man turned towards him, a smirk gracing his face, "Now where have I heard that before?"
"Well you saw how well I listened," Jakotsu remarked, indicating his injured side.
"Okay okay. I promise. And you'd better not make yourself sick worrying about me, deal?" He countered with the same words Jakotsu had used back then.
Realizing he'd been had, the taller man just crossed his arms, "Well pardon me for caring."
Knowing he couldn't put the battle off any longer, Bankotsu placed a hand on Jakotsu's shoulder, "I'll come back. I promise, okay?"
Brushing the bangs out his face, and peering into the dark blue eyes hid underneath, Jakotsu smiled back in reassurance, "I know."
Taking a deep breath and raising Banryuu from where it rested against the tree, the young leader looked to the other man, "Suikotsu- stay here with him. If I find anyone injured, I'll bring them to you."
Nodding in understanding, he sat down on the damp grass, "Be careful. My medicine can only heal so much."
"I'll bring his head as a gift once I punish him for this," Bankotsu shrugged, confidence firmly set in place.
Watching as the black-braid swished against his back, the two men each offered up silent wishes that they'd see the young man again in one-piece.
"This time youkai- you've gone too far," Bankotsu thought to himself as he walked towards the village, Banryuu reflecting the flames off the shiny surface of his polished blade, "You'll soon regret you ever messed with the Shichinin-tai."
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