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

-------------------------------------------------

Chapter 28: Speaking from the Heart

The five other members seemed to watch in revered silence as they watched Jakotsu help their young leader up the hillside. They'd each fought the youkai, whether face to face or fighting his poison, and they knew that for Bankotsu to come back alive was a feat in itself.

Doing his best to keep his head upright, Bankotsu surveyed the injuries of the others as he neared them.

"Is everyone going to be okay?" He directed the question towards Suikotsu, figuring the doctor had tended to each of them or at least had an idea of the severity of their wounds.

"You're the only one I'm truly concerned about right now, Oo-aniki," The brown haired man replied in all sincerity.

"Renkotsu- your leg…"

"It will be fine," He cut him off; "Both Ginkotsu and I will be fine."

"You almost had him, I'm proud of you guys," Bankotsu remarked as Jakotsu sat him down in the grass between the others.

Seeing that he was attempting to stay good-hearted despite his injures and the fact Gatenmaru had escaped, Renkotsu shook his head. Leave it to be optimistic while looking like he was half-dead already.

"It's strengthened all of us, I believe. From the looks of it though, your fight was much more challenging."

Bankotsu smiled at the outright compliment, "Perhaps it was, but I still let him get away."

Having remained silent up until now, Jakotsu sighed loudly, "Mou! No one cares about that!"

He winced as Suikotsu began to apply salve to his wounds, "But I…"

"No buts- you're alive. That's what matters, right?" Jakotsu reprimanded.

All of the others gave their nods in agreement and Suikotsu spoke up.

"That youkai lost all his men and ran off after fighting you, but you were able to walk back up that hill with your head up- you and all of us still alive. Jakotsu's right. That is what is important here."

"I guess you're right, that is what's important here."

"What happened, Oo-aniki?" Kyoukotsu questioned, looking down from where he stood.

"You mean the fight? It's kinda complicated."

"Why don't you tell us about it while Suikotsu gets you bandaged up?" Mukotsu spoke up from where he rested nearby.

"Gesh-shi! That sounds like a good idea," Ginkotsu piped up.

"It might keep your mind off some of the pain," Suikotsu explained.

"All right. Well, it started when I first saw him- he was about to attack Renkotsu and Ginkotsu, so I had to rush to step in…."

--------------------------------------------------------

As the leader of the Shichinin-tai gave a brief description of the battle that had occurred, Suikotsu bandaged up his injures and made sure all the others were all right before bundling his supplies back up for the journey back the base.

Each of them gathered up their bloody weapons and assisted their battered companions to where they gathered by the entrance to the forest. All that is, but Bankotsu and Jakotsu, who remained resting by the tree.

Looking between Kyoukotsu, who was carrying Mukotsu in his hands, and Ginkotsu and Suikotsu, who supported Renkotsu on either side, Bankotsu knew that there was no way to safely get all of them back at once.

"Oo-aniki, do I need to assist you?" Suikotsu questioned, knowing that Jakotsu couldn't help Bankotsu alone.

"Just go on without us."

"But Oo-aniki…"

"This is an order. Take the others and go. Once they are safe, then return for us."

The five looked amongst themselves for a moment before taking in how serious and firm Bankotsu was being. Suikotsu gave a gentle nod towards the others before speaking.

"I'll come back with Kyoukotsu as soon as we can."

"All right, Suikotsu. Be careful, all of you."

He smiled, "Just worry about yourself, Oo-aniki."

"Bankotsu, are you sure about this?" Jakotsu questioned.

"None of us need the excess strain. We're tough; we can just rest here until they can help us back."

"Oo-aniki, here," Suikotsu called out tossing a small sprig of herbs towards him, "Just crush it and rub it into any wound that's causing pain. It'll help until I can get back."

"Thanks, Suikotsu."

The five quietly murmured amongst themselves, but knew that in this Bankotsu was adamant. He wanted to put their well being before his own and they were all very grateful for his kindness.

---------------------------------------------------------

Once the sound of the other's footsteps died off and the forest returned to silence Bankotsu found himself looking over to where Jakotsu was. Slowly forcing himself to stand, he braced himself against the tree as he moved towards where the pink-clad warrior sat.

"You're going to agitate the wounds if you move about too much," Jakotsu snapped at him.

"Keh. I'm cold and Suikotsu told me awhile back that body heat helps."

Jakotsu blinked as he processed that; then he gently extended an arm up to help Bankotsu sit down. As the young leader rested beside him, Jakotsu could almost sense the pain emanating from his tattered body. His breathing was labored from the excess movement and his eyes were struggling to remain focused.

It was as if he was a broken china doll- except that his spirit was still strong, if not stronger than before. And that small observation let Jakotsu know that everything would be all right.

The rain was just a light sprinkle now and the sun would rise in a few hours. It was a refreshing feeling, like it was washing clean the blood that stained the ground red. Soon all the flames would be extinguished and the town would be nothing but charred remains. Smiling to himself, Jakotsu looked over the bloodied form next to him.

"Damn, he looks gorgeous like that," He thought to himself, his eyes hungrily taking in the cuts and blood.

Bankotsu's eyes snapped open, leveling Jakotsu with a stern gaze.

"If you even remotely think of getting turned on by my current state, forget it. Having that bastard of a youkai try and eat me was quite enough for one night."

"He did what?" Jakotsu shouted, his voice echoing off the hollow ruins of the town.

Blue eyes blinked a moment before Bankotsu laughed lightly; stopping when it began to strain his injuries.

"What's so funny?" The taller hissed, his hand darting over and grasping Bankotsu's face.

For a moment, dark eyes burned into blue before the shorter smirked.

"You're jealous," He found himself laughing again, "I don't know why it's so funny- but it is."

The firm grasp slowly withdrew, Jakotsu's hand pulling back for a moment before he reached back out to Bankotsu once again. A light pout graced his features as he leaned in towards Bankotsu's face.

"So I take it you're all right?"

The laughter paused, replaced by a moment of labored breathing. With a smile, Bankotsu managed to nod in the positive.

"Yah, I am."

In an instant, Jakotsu felt as if a great burden had been lifted and he sighed loudly. "Sheesh, he shouldn't scare me like that. If I ever found out that some other man laid a finger on him…"

He halted his inner tirade, finding himself confused as to where it was going.

"I guess Suikotsu was right. This isn't like me. Men are just toys to me, something to play with and kill once they panic and reject me. But with Bankotsu- he's my friend, my companion. He's someone I've grown to…"

"Jakotsu?"

The innocent voice interrupted his thoughts and he found himself looking at the very person he was thinking of.

"Hmm?"

"You just went quiet, is something wrong?"

"No," Jakotsu diverted his eyes. Inside, he felt the same warm emotions surging again, "It's just…"

"I want to hold him- not hurt him. I want to see him smiling, not screaming in pain or terror. I just want to be with him and that's enough for me. But I…"

"It's just what?" Bankotsu prompted, becoming more and more perplexed by his companion's strange behavior.

"I was…" He paused, choosing his words carefully, "I was just worried that he'd acted like me."

Bankotsu's eyes widened, not even realizing how his off-hand remark might be taken in that manner.

"He thought that Gatenmaru had…oh gods, Jakotsu…"

"He only licked the blood off my cheek. I didn't let him get any further than that."

Jakotsu remained silent and Bankotsu found himself struggling to clarify.

"Jakotsu, it wasn't like you."

"How so?" He snapped, "It's no different than how I act. I'm the same as that monster."

"Don't say that!"

"It's true! Think back to that time I got that way around you, didn't you feel the same? Pinned beneath as we tried to…"

"Stop it!" Bankotsu finally yelled, the low rumbles of thunder in the distance echoing his cry.

"Then stop lying to me, I thought you trusted me!"

The two fell silent- that matter of trust causing the lowest blow.

"Jakotsu…" The young leader trailed off, and if he hadn't turned away, Jakotsu might have noticed the pained look that filled his eyes.

"Sorry. But I can't stand listening to you deny the facts," Jakotsu began, "When it comes down to it, what that youkai did to you is no different than what I did. Our minds were on two thoughts- enjoy the panicked beautiful body and kill. That's all."

"You're wrong."

"Bankotsu, you can't keep…"

"How do you know what I felt? Both those times it was completely different. Sure, I was scared when you got like that but I never once thought that you'd deep down have it in you to go through with it. And even if you did take things further it's not like I would have been repulsed by your touch like I was his. I didn't want him that close to me. But with you…"

The whole day seemed to rush back into Bankotsu's head. Every moment he thought that something terrible was going to befall them- Jakotsu getting injured, his own failures against Gatenmaru- each one had a tiny margin for surviving and they somehow lucked out and fell in that margin.

"Our lives…we never know when it might be our last moment. We're killers, but it is so easy for one of us to be killed."

"Jakotsu…" He swallowed hard as he shakily brought himself to look into the other man's eyes, "With you, I want you close. I…" Nervously he glanced away, his bloodied hand clenching into a fist as he forced the words from his heart out through his lips, "I care about you, a lot. And I'm still not sure why. I'm still very confused but my feelings for you…they're…"

He fell silent for a moment, his eyes tightly closed as if opening them would break the spell. A shaky breath caused Jakotsu to lean closer, curiosity piqued yet worried just the same.

"Bankotsu?" The name rolled off his tongue gently, a mixture of concern and confusion.

"…I love you. Beyond that of just a friend."

It was the quietest of whispers mingled amongst the light drumming of the falling rain, but Jakotsu heard it and his eyes widened at the words he was certain the other man had just said.

Barely registering anything but the rain and Bankotsu, Jakotsu found himself staring at him intently. His eyes traced the outline of the braided man, seeking the reason why his heart raced the way it did.

"How could just those words…" He furrowed his eyebrows in thought, but the answers all came back the same.

"Never even when with the most handsome soldier- has my heart beaten this rapidly. And I don't want anymore from him than what he's given to me with those words. No bloodlust. No lustful desires. None of those things have ever made me feel like this."

Jakotsu's mind came to a quick stop as he realized what must be going through Bankotsu's mind at that moment.

"He's always been so tough. Probably wanted to grow up and be like his Father. I'm okay with how I am. I've always known I was different, but he must be so confused. And to tell me that, to admit that he loved me…"

Hesitantly on seeing how tense Bankotsu's form was, Jakotsu slowly wrapped his arms around him from behind, resting his head on the shorter man's shoulder.

"Thank you," He murmured softly. Those two words the only ones he could think of to convey how grateful he was for all that Bankotsu had done. Slowly, the black-haired man opened his eyes and looked up to Jakotsu.

Any words he might have said died on his lips as he noted the tear trailing down his companion's face.

"You're…crying."

Jakotsu smiled, leaning his head further against Bankotsu, "So are you."

Weakly raising his battled arm, he brushed the tears from his face. Then, without a thought otherwise, he did the same for Jakotsu.

"I don't understand," He murmured, eyes absently looking out at the horizon.

"As long as it feels right to you to feel this way, then that's all that matters," Jakotsu replied, wanting to assure any doubts were gone before following Bankotsu down this path in life.

"How did you…"

"Did I know that I was different?" He finished, knowing already what it was he was asking.

Bankotsu nodded, slightly embarrassed by bringing it up to begin with.

"Like I said, it just felt right. I would look at a girl and she was just that- a girl. But when I look at a guy, I see possibilities. That's when I guess I knew. But I'm no expert on it."

"You know more than I do," Bankotsu muttered, leaning forward to hide his face.

"I know lust. Love is just something I've been seeking."

The two fell silent at that; the soft rhythm of the rain seeming to echo their heartbeats. With a soft smile, Jakotsu closed his eyes and reached out to take one of Bankotsu's hands.

"I guess I can stop looking now," He said, gently intertwining their fingers together.

"Jakotsu…" Bankotsu looked up, his eyes locking with Jakotsu's.

"We can figure out this whole being in love thing together. Just you and me," Jakotsu leaned his face forward, resting his forehead against Bankotsu's for the moment.

"Okay."

"Neh, Bankotsu?"

"Hmm?"

Leaning a bit closer, he continued, "Can I kiss you?"

Bankotsu blinked, "You've never asked permission before. Why are you starting now?"

"Because before I don't think either of us were certain about anything. We were just acting off impulse. This is something beyond that."

"It's okay," Bankotsu answered his face reddening as he acknowledged his reply.

Shifting forward on his knees, Jakotsu slowly cupped Bankotsu's face in his hand. Almost reverently, he stroked his thumb across the lips he was about to claim. He wanted to cherish this, hold it in his mind as something important.

"Bankotsu," Jakotsu's voice was hushed; words meant only for the one he spoke to, "I want you to know- I love you, too."

He leaned all the way in, capturing the lips of the man he spoke to. It was as if he embodied everything he'd been thinking, all his emotions, into that one action. And without a single word more from either one of them, they spoke volumes to one another. All the confusion, the happiness, and the feeling of acceptance wrapped into that one single kiss.

Withdrawing, the two found themselves catching their breaths as they both managed a slight smile.

After a moment, Bankotsu finally spoke, "So…that's…love?

Jakotsu leaned his forehead back forward against Bankotsu's as he smirked, "I guess it is."

"It…feels right," He stated simply.

"Then that's all that matters."

"Okay."

Bankotsu shifted a bit, leaning into Jakotsu's arms and resting his head against his chest.

"I'm…kinda tired."

"It's been a long day."

"That it has, that..." He yawned as he clasped at the front of Jakotsu's yukata, "…it has."

And with those few words escaping his lips, he closed his eyes and found himself drifting off to sleep. Jakotsu looked up, ironically noting that the sun was just starting to rise on the horizon.

Intent on mocking it, he quietly murmured, "Goodnight, Bankotsu."

-------------------------------------------