-1Jakotsu heard that squealy laughter that sounded more like a stuck pif than a girl. His lip curled as the vile creature giggled again, he then heard Bankotsu's handsome chuckle.

"I'll see you later…okay?" the temptress beast whispered in a flirty voice. Jakotsu seethed as he sat cross leafed on his bed. How dare that demon steal away his Bankotsu, his big brother.

"Yeah…" Bankotsu agreed, distracting by the evil ways of women. He heard the footsteps leaving and finally Bankotsu stood along in front of their chamber's room. "Ja?" Bankotsu questioned, tapping at the door with his knuckles. "It's me, unlock the dorr."

Jakotsu contemplated feigning sleep, as punishment for meddling with the waiters daughter, but Bankotsu knew him too well.

"Ja, I know you're awake, open up."

"Jakotsu sighed, shuffling acorss the room to the bolted door ,.Aniki made him lock the door at all times, because a murderer was out, slicing the throats of pretty girls. Bankotsu was worred that Jakotsu would be mistaken for of them his his paints and kimono's of course.

Opening the door, Jakotsu attempted a look of serenity. He wasn't sure if Bankotsu realized how he hated to see him with women-those deceiving witches…But… he knew his aniki loved them so…. would it pain him to know that Jakotsu was the one Bankotsu was watching for?

"Meiku serve you well?" Jakotsu asked as Bankotsu entered, picked at his jagged nails.

"Did she ever…" he was trying to keep details out of it, and Jakotsu was grateful. Despite the spell the women held on Bankotsu, he still cared a lot for Jakotsu…it was not Bankotsu Jakotsu was mad at either, he could never be! It was the women's fault, they always tempted him.

They were the ones to pay,

"wHAT DID YOU DO Ja?" he asked, looked around the ned room. This one was different than the other inns….but thety were the same to Jakotsu.

"Mixed Colors," he sighed, crawling back on the futon. "Would you like some finner? I talked with the waiter, he'd be glad to send up some food…"

Jakotsu watched Bankotsu chew his braid and Jakotsu ran his fingers through his own curls. "What are you thinking oo-aniki?"

"What that killer is…" Bankotsu muttered, gnawing fiercely on the end of his braid. Jakotsu jumped from his bed to Bankotsu, grasping the leader's shoulders and forcing Bankotsu to face him.

"Do not bite your braid so hard, Aniki! It will split."

It dropped from Bankotsu's mouth and his bif blue eyes met Jakotsu's coal black ones; he seemed so lost, confused.

"How come I can't figure this out, Ja?" Bankotsu asked, sighing heavily. Jakotsu gave him a warm smile, "have you asked Suikotsu?"

Bankotsu nodded, "And I've bolted his door…he wouldn't have been able to get out."

"We'll think about it in the morning: Jakotsu promised, pushing Bankotsu to the futon. "Are you hungry?"

"I had dinner early, what about you?" Jakotsu shoved Bankotsu down shaking his head.

"I do not feel too well, oo-Aniki. Besides, it is late, we should both rest." Bankots uafreed with a long yawn. Giving a full body strectch and collapsing agains the warm cushiony confines of the large futon. "Don't forget to lock the door…Ja…" he muttered, shutting his eyes.

"I will…oo-aniki," he said smiling, but Bankotsu was probably too exhausted from the filth's work so he gave no reply.

Jakotsu silently made his way over to the other side of the bed. He took the pink ribbon from off his pillow and tied his brownish black locks in it. His hand then slipped under the rug behind him and his slender fingers curled around the wooden handle of a sharp blade.

"Meiku, I hope you're resting well…" he hissed. His lips curving upward into a twisted smile.

He then quietly shut the door behind him…

Meiku cracked her eyes open, sesning another presence other than her own in the room. "Hello?" she whispered fearfully, holding the blankets up to her chin. A crack of light shone from behind her and Meiku withdrew a sharp intake of breath. The killer?

A woman? "Did you sleep well?"

Meiku watched the covers being pulled down to her waist and watched a tell thin shadow appear above her. Her mind swarmed with prays, and silent cries for help.

A long hand wrapped itself over her chin, holding her mouth shut. Her own hand tried to pry the strange shadow's hand off; her little squeals could be heard by no one.

"Stay away from Bankotsu, you evil wench…" Meiku felt the cool swipe of metal and agonizing pain for a split second and then the warmth of blood….

"Ja!" cried Bankotsu, shaking the sleeping boy's shoulders. "Jakotsu wake up! The killer struck again,"

Jakotsu who was awake of course---he had been for hours, pretended to groan from beneath his pillow.

"Oo-aniki, it is early," he mumbled. "What about the killer?" he asked, lifting his head from the pillow. Bankotsu looked so distraught.

"Every girl I sleep with dies the same night," he whispered hoarsely to Jakotsu, "Slit throats, clean and simple. Never leaves a trace."

"Aniki…" cooed Jakotsu, who was now sitting up. "It is not your fault. Never your fault."

Bankotsu stood and started to pace, his braid suffering the pressure of his jaws. "Clean and simple…Clean and simple…"

"What are you thinking oo-aniki?" Jakotsu sighed, dropping another subtle hint drawing a finger across his throat by pretending to yawn. "Who do you suspect?"

Bankotsu would not be mad at Jakotsu if he found out, he knew him too well. He only feared that Bankotsu thought it was all his fault. But Jakotsu was curious…how would he react?

"No one…how can I not figure this out? All of the villagers shake at any sign of danger--everyone of them!"

"Especially the women," Jakotsu added, hoping to help Bankotsu 'figure this out'.

"Mention anything out of the ordinary and they squeal and whine."

"Tell me about it ! I think a trap might work… Jakotsu?"

"Of course oo-aniki, Perhaps you may cease your nightly activities --" Jakotsu fought to keep his voice even "--and see what happens."

Bankotsu just shrugged and continued to pace. Jakotsu crossed his legs, "you don't want to Aniki, I understand."

"Ja, it's not that. But we're leaving soon and I wanna get this guy out of the way. And besides, we're offered a nice bit of cash,"

Jakotsu watched Bankotsu's grin, but it was face. Bankotsu was hooked and their was no use trying to stop him…but those women! They need to be taken care of…

"How will we find him? Oo-anki, maybe I can talk to the boy I met yesterday when I was getting food…he may be able to help." A lie, yes, Jakotsu wanted to see how long it took Bankotsu to catch on. A little fun never hurt.

"Yes, why don't you."

"Oo-aniki?"

"Yeah?"

"I keep telling you! Do not bite your braid so hard. It will split and I don't want to hear you whine about it!"

Hoshiko stared into the deep blue eyes of the handsome traveler. Talking to his…sister had been short, Hoshiko could tell how anxious Bankotsu was to get away. His sister made her so weird.

Hoshiko had thoughts of traveling with Bankotsu and his friends. They all seemed so nice. And she'd never had to see her stupid sister's again!

"Where are you going to next?" Hoshiko whispered in his ear before laying in his lap.

"We have business south," he murmured, running his callouse fingers through her soft silky hair. "We'll leave once that guy's done in…"

"You're so brave…" she sighed draping her hand around his neck and caressing his cheek with the other. "The other men aren't this courageous."

"We'll those bastards aren't even half the man I am."

"I'll hold you to that. I've seen many men,"

"Baby, they'll be nothing by the time we're through."

"Prove it…"

"I'll prove it and baby, I'll do so much more."

Jakotsu cast his barely eaten meal aside, deciding to send it off to Suikotsu's room to atleast convince Bankotsu he ate something . Bankotsu had been gone for some time and Suikotsu was still busy planning their Journey. His time alone may have been what ensured his 'innocence' but Jakotsu was getting bored. He would strike again, leave a clue, maybe even use Jakotsutou.

Jakotsu like the many nights before, tied his hair up in his ribbon. He will use a thicker, bigger blade tonight.

But where to find one at such short notice? And one that can cut through bone nonetheless. This time he would claim the head and hang it in a doorway from off of the roof. Add a little more excitement and stir more gossip and fright throughout the village; make it even more interesting for his Aniki.

"I will go ask Suikotsu," he decided, standing up and quickly taking the ribbon back out again and shoving it safely into his purple obi. He then left silently, taking his leftover rice with him.

End of chapter one

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