Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha
A/N: Read and review, please! And Renkotsu finally makes his entrance! wh00t. wh00t.
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Only Between Us
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Part Five
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"You two can take the left wing of the castle," the fire-breather instructed, lifeless black eyes determined and brimming with dominance. The large metal canon lay on the ground beside heavily, creating a large indent on the soft grounds below. "There are bound to be more guards on that side, since that is where Lord Daiki is currently hiding. I'll take the front entrance. We'll meet shortly."
Jakotsu nudged the scowling youth beside him, silencing him just before he was about to protest to the newly-added-on member of their group. Bankotsu nudged back just a bit harder than necessary, sending the older twenty-year-old male stumbling onto his rear from his crouching position. The explosives master eyed the feminine-looking male with annoyance, his bald head gleaming brightly in the ominous moonlight. Bankotsu nearly winced at the shininess of it.
"You two should stop fooling around," admonished Renkotsu sternly, the thin layer of skin on his forehead crinkling slightly in displeasure. "Lord Daiki's samurai are legendary; we should not underestimate them."
"Keh. Worry about yourself, you arrogant jackass," snapped an irritated Bankotsu, sliding the purple protective cloth off of his Banyru's blade (it was a present from Jakotsu a few weeks ago; it was now one of Bankotsu's most prized possessions). "We'll do fine."
This time it was Renkotsu who had scowled, the long, dark vertical lines that adorned his face stretched unusually from the strained muscles below.
Jakotsu giggled nervously, hoping to ease the tension between the two dominant men. "Eh heh heh…you two argue just like an old married couple!" He waved his hands slightly, dismissing the silly comparison. All the snake-wearer received were cold glares from both parties at his comment. He sighed tiredly as he unsheathed his multiple-blade sword.
The trio hid in the shadows of the never-ending boreal forest, its tall grass tickling their clothed shins as thick and abundant bushes hid their presence from the enemies up front. This definitely wasn't Bankotsu's style, hiding like some coward before striking down their opponent. And judging from Jakotsu's constant fidgeting beside him, he wasn't comfortable with this new strategy either. They both preferred to flaunt their presence and cause a great commotion, eliminating as many people as possible to rid the need to kill. But Renkotsu's annoying intelligence got in the way, demanding that they stay put and to trust him on this one mission.
Like hell I can trust him, Bankotsu thought darkly. We just met this morning, that bossy smartass. Shit, why did Lord Renji even give us the same assignment? I am never working with another person – besides Jakotsu – again.
Truth be told, Jakotsu himself wasn't exactly thrilled to have a third temporary member on their assassination squad, partly because he doesn't trust the fire breather, and partly because he just knew that Bankotsu and him would butt heads, since they both liked to play 'Leader'. The snake-wearer just hoped that this would all end by morning, and that they would all work well together during the night.
"I still don't understand why we just can't go NOW!" hissed Bankotsu with a tightened hold on her halberd. Jakotsu sighed and looked at Renkotsu's reaction carefully.
Renkotsu scoffed. "I see that you aren't exactly the brightest in the bunch, are you?" The older man picked up his large cloth and covered his bald head, tying a tight knot at the back to hold it in place. "We wouldn't want to cause a lot of trouble. Our main goal is to get in and get out. Don't you know that Lord Daiki has at least ten other lords that are his supporters? We'd be hunted at the end of this assassination!"
"Tch. We can handle 'em."
"Maybe you can, but I'm not willing to take the risk."
"You know – "
"So how much longer do we have to wait?" interrupted Jakotsu, cutting off his leader's remark. Bankotsu glared but remained silent.
"At least until they change night shifts at the front gate. We'll have a good ten minutes to do what we have to do then."
Bankotsu grunted in response, and Jakotsu hummed in reply.
They waited for a little while longer, the seconds flying past them at a snail's pace, leaving a tense and awkward atmosphere in its trail of unwanted slime. Short phrases of "Is it time yet?" were sometimes exchanged between the three comrades, but the sound of silence and the occasional wind's whistle possessed the air around them.
Renkotsu shouldered his canon and tied his gourd tightly onto his obi, eyeing the two men beside him. "It's time." He leapt out first, silently taking the lead (much to Bankotsu's annoyance) and disappeared into the abyss, the beams of moonlight too faint to light a coherent pathway.
"Ready, Bankotsu-no-ooaniki?" Jakotsu himself shouldered his weapon much like Renkotsu had, as if mimicking his movements. The seventeen-year-old noticed this and scowled. But he also noticed how Jakotsu didn't abandon him – didn't leave his side – and go on ahead. He waited patiently, waited knowingly, waited expectedly.
Bankotsu smiled fully at this, exposing his straight set of deadly teeth. "I was born ready."
The Jakotsuto-owner smirked at him, and they both ran off into the night towards the unsuspecting castle, disappearing into the darkness.
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The End
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