Jakotsu and Bankotsu stare openly at the girl, processing her words and wondering if they were true.

"I don't believe you." Jakotsu states plainly. "I mean, you don't look like a princess at all. Shouldn't you be wearing the best clothing you can buy?" Bankotsu thought that was a valid argument. All the other princesses he had ever met, and that was a lot, were always wearing the most expensive silks money could buy. Where as with this girl was dressed in what seemed to be peasant garb, a simple blue kimono that looked clean, but also ragged and worn. Definitely not the clothes of a princess.

"That's because I'm not a princess, genius."

The two gave her perplexed looks, so the girl decided to continue, "I'm a bastard. You know, an illegitimate child. Akihiro knocked up my mother when she worked here as a maid."

"So then why are you here? And if you're not a princess, then why did that samurai actually listen to you?"

"What's your name even?" Bankotsu asks, stopping Jakotsu from continuing his rant of questions. Giving the leader of the Band of Seven a calculating look before responding, "My name's Ayame, and yours is?"

"I am Bankotsu, and this is Jakotsu."
"A pleasure to meet you." She drawls before pausing. "And what kind of questions are those? Where else am I supposed to be?"

Jakotsu bristles at her words, feeling attacked. "Hey! It's a valid question! You're a bastard, after all, why are you still living with your father?"

"Trust me when I say it's not of my own volition. If I could leave here, I would." Ayame said wistfully, looking away from the two men and out towards something far away. "It's not like I have money of my own," she continues, "Akihiro doesn't even give me wages because he knows the minute I had enough saved I would leave, he would never risk that."

"Why?" Bankotsu asks.

"He just wants to keep me close. He likes using me as a bodyguard, a free one, that is."

"You're a body guard?"

She shrugs, "Sort of, I know how to fight and defend, but I'm not a soldier. I've never fought in a battle."

"Are you good?"

"Sure." Another shrug.

Bankotsu gives her a certain look before pondering what it would be like to have a girl in the group. Then again, it wouldn't be the Band of Seven anymore if she joined. It'd be the Band of Eight, and somehow that doesn't have quite the same ring to it.

"And your father doesn't give you any wages? That sucks." Jakotsu states.

"Yeah, well, he keeps me on a tight leash." Silence erupts between the three of them. Ayame runs her free hand through her hair, her sleeve falling upward by the movement. Bankotsu notices she's been wearing arm guards this whole time, seems like she wasn't lying about being a body guard. The thought had crossed his mind.

Turning the hilt of the sword over and over in her hand, Ayame shifts her weight from foot to foot. "Well then, that was fun, I'll see you two around. Stay out of trouble. Okay?"

With a small wave, Ayame starts off the same direction the samurai had gone. Watching her go, Bankotsu hesitates before shaking his head, turning around, and walking back the way the two had originally came from, Jakotsu following close behind.

The rest of the Band, minus Kyokotsu, were gathered together in the center of the village market waiting for the return of their leader. When Bankotsu was in sight, Renkotsu's eyes rolled discreetly before he asked, "What held you up, brother?"

"Oh, you know, the usual." Bankotsu replies coolly. "We should get going. I want my money from that coward of a Lord in the West."

The six of them began to make their way towards the edge of the village, not concerned at all that the sun would be setting in just a couple of hours. The Band of Seven aren't afraid of the things that go bump in the night. However, before they could pass through the village's fortifications, several men clad in full armor on top of horses block the Band's way.

"Are you men known as the Band of Seven?" One of the men asks, looking over all the members.

Bankotsu heaves a sigh before stepping towards the men and stabs the ground with his Banryuu before answering in an annoyed tone, "Yeah, so what it to you?" Bankotsu was tired of being stopped by samurai in this village. His patience was wearing thin. Any more pressure on that patience and he might have to start cutting off heads.

"You are to come with us, Lord Akihiro wishes to speak with you."

"Did that bitch rat us out after all?" Jakotsu harshly whispers to Bankotsu. Bankotsu just shrugs him off, though, thinking it much more likely the guard from earlier had been that rat and not Ayame.

"What for?" Renkotsu asks, his voice rough and intimidating.

"His Lordship would like to hire you, of course."

While Renkotsu backs off after hearing this, Bankotsu's mouth turns into a deep frown, thinking back to what Ayame had said earlier about not wanting Akihiro to find someone. Would that be what the Lord wanted them to do? If that was the case, Bankotsu would decline. Not because Ayame would be mad or upset because of it—that thought never crossed his mind—no, it'd be because that's not what the Band of Seven did. They were mercenaries, not dogs on a scent. However, because there was a chance that this Lord did want them to kill some people, it would be worth their while to hear him out. Kyokotsu would just have to wait out there in the field for a bit longer, he'd be fine with that.

Nodding his head, Bankotsu motioned for the Band to follow the samurai back into the village and towards the castle. After picking up and shouldering his Banryuu, they were on their way.

The six of them along with their samurai guard arrived quickly at the castle and were soon hustled into a large open room. A burly, imposing man sat behind a table filled with an abundance of food. Currently the man was digging into his bowl of rice. It was obvious by his clothes alone that this man was Akihiro. Akihiro put his now empty bowl down, wiped his face, and looked over the Band. "So which one of you young men is the leader?"

"That would be me."

"That would be me—what?"

"What?"

"Brother, I believe he is implying that you should add a sign of respect after after addressing him, like 'sir' or 'Lord' or the like." Renkotsu supplied the very confused Bankotsu.

"Oh, I see! Yeah, that won't be happening, get over it."

Akihiro shifts slightly on his mat before nodding towards one of the samurai still in the room. The man leaves the room quickly and returns a few moments later with Ayame close behind. Ayame glances over the Band, her eyes lingering on Bankotsu and catching the eye of Renkotsu.

"Ah, Ayame, I wanted you to be here for this. Now, mercenary, I have a job for you. Are you and your men up for it?"

"That depends, what is it you want us to do?"

"I need you to find someone—"

"No." Bankotsu interrupts, causing Ayame's head to snap up and stare straight at Bankotsu.

"What? How dare you interrupt me, you—you peasant! Such insolence! I'll have your head, boy!"

"We're a group of mercenaries, your Lordship. We kill people. We don't find them."

A muffled snort came from Ayame's direction, a small smile on her lips. Akihiro clicks his tongue before continuing in a calmer manner.

"I will make it worth your while. Name your prince."

"I've all ready told you—"

"Don't decide now. Think it over, sleep on it even. Rooms will be prepared for you and your men. You can eat 'til your stomachs burst. Tell me your decision tomorrow. Please, just think about it."

Without waiting for a response, the Lord waves them away. Not one to pass up a free meal and board, Bankotsu walks out of the room, Band in tow, following a servant who waited for them outside the room. Looking back, Bankotsu frowns when he catches a glimpse of Akihiro roughly grabbing Ayame by her forearm.

As soon as the servant left the Band to their rooms, Renkotsu walked over to his leader and asked, "We're not seriously considering this, are we?"

"Of course not, Renkotsu, but I wasn't about to pass up free food."

"What about that girl?"

"Hmm? What about her?"

"What is she doing here?"

"Oh, she's that guy's daughter. She's illegitimate, or something, though. I think she knows where to find whoever the Lord wants, too, but she won't tell him."

"I see, who do you think it is?"

"Who cares?" Bankotsu shrugs before turning back and walking into his room. Even though he shrugged it off, Bankotsu was wondering the same thing. Who was it that Ayame didn't want her father to find? Shaking his head to rid himself of the thought, he rests his Banryuu up against the wall and begins to strip down for the night.

After having taken off his armor, Bankotsu situated himself on his sleeping mat, ready for a good nights rest. The idea wasn't long lived, however, when after what seemed like an hour or staring up at the ceiling, Bankotsu groaned inwardly before rolling off the mat and heading back outside for a walk. He didn't make it far when he caught sight of Ayame leaning against a wall not too far from where he was walking.

Checking to make sure none of his men were in the area, Bankotsu made his way over to the young woman and coughed deeply, letting her know he was there. Ayame's gaze rested on him for a moment, taking him in, before smiling slightly. "Hey,"

"Yo."

"Sorry Akihiro roped you into staying the night. He doesn't like hearing no."

"Yeah, that was kind of obvious."

"What would you have done?"

"Huh?"

"What would you have done if he tried to kill you? You know, by beheading you. Would you have killed him?"

"Yes."

His lack of hesitation causes Ayame to make eye contact with him. Her brows knit together and she bites down on her lower lip, stopping herself from saying something. Bankotsu leans over her and rests his right forearm over her head, looking down into her eyes. A question bubbles to the surface of his mind, and before he can push the though away he asks, "Who does he want to find? Who are you so worried about?"

Breaking eye contact, Ayame tucks a rogue strand of hair behind her ear before answering. "He's looking for my mother and brother."

"Your mother had two children with that bastard?" He asks, astounded by the very idea, and also wondering why Ayame's mother and brother weren't here with her. Then suddenly it dawned on him.

"That's why Akihiro keeps you on such a tight leash, or give you wages, you know where they are."

"Yeah, and he's been trying to hell-bent the past few weeks to find out where they are."

"Why?"

"His legitimate son, Atsuo, became sick a few weeks back. With his heir's life in such a delicate state, he needs a spare in case the original dies."

"That's harsh."

Ayame lets out a harsh laugh. "That's my father."

"Why did your mother leave anyway?"

"I don't remember, really, she probably just wanted to get away from Akihiro." She shrugs, but Bankotsu doesn't completely understand.

"When did she leave?"

"Around five years ago."

"So you were..."

"Twelve, why?"

"Why didn't she take you with her?"

Ayame gives another shrug, looking anywhere but at Bankotsu, "She didn't have enough money for the three of us, and she couldn't leave my brother behind. He was just a child."

"But she could leave you behind?"

"Apparently."

It was that tone again, the one that ended all conversation. Bankotsu gives a shrug himself, still looking down at the young girl. Raising the arm that isn't being used to brace himself, Bankotsu bring his left hand to Ayame's cheek, lightly stroking his thumb over her skin. Ayame blushes darkly, and hesitantly bring her gaze back to his.

"Do you want to escape this place?" Bankotsu asks quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

The young woman nods, too stunned to speak. Was he asking what she thought he was asking?

"You can come with us, if you want."

"Akihiro won't let me go that easily."

Bankotsu smirks, not worried at all by that man. "I could take on his entire army by myself. I don't think he's anything to worry about."

"But," she begins, "what would I do? Become a mercenary?"

"If you want. Then I guess we'd be the Band of Eight instead of seven, unless I kicked Kyokotsu out of the group, he's kind of useless."

"I don't think I want to be a mercenary. Maybe I can do something else?"

"Sure, just so long as you carry your weight after the first couple weeks. I know you don't have any money to your name, so I'll help you out for a little while in the beginning. Just try to find some work to do in the next village we visit." His smirk widens. Ayame's eyes are bright and large. She nods vigorously, "Of course! I'll pay you back every cent!"

Taking his hand off her cheek, she cups his one hand in the both of hers and brings it to her lips, lightly kissing the back of his hand. "Thank you, Bankotsu. I'm in your debt."

Bankotsu chuckles lightly, taking his hand away. "I'll call in that debt some day." Ayame smiles brightly at him, a slight blush returning to her cheeks. "You know, we should probably leave tonight, it'll be easier for us. Give us more of a head start so Akihiro can't follow us or try to stop us." Ayame nods. "I'll go wake my men. Meet us by the stream from earlier today in half an hour, okay?"

"All right, but be careful. Don't all go at once. The guards won't be suspicious if one or two of you trickle that way at a time, but more than that and they'll begin to think. Akihiro won't appreciate you leaving in the middle of the night."

Bankotsu laughs, "I'm sure he won't appreciate me taking you with us either, doesn't matter. Now let's go." Turning back the way he came, Bankotsu can't help but smile wide when he hears a soft "Thank you," from Ayame before she starts down the opposite direction to gather some supplies. Forcing herself to walk calmly back to her room, Ayame feels as if a huge burden has been lifted off her shoulders. She'll finally be able to leave. She'll finally be rid of her father. She'll finally be free.

A/N: I feel really good about this chapter, so some feedback would help that feeling of goodness grow ;)

Pastry~