5. Men That Strove with Gods

For the first time since the eclipse that had heralded their return, Renkotsu felt uneasy. He ran a hand over his head, hating the way his hair curled even worse so close to the ocean. He pushed the distraction from his mind. People had recognised them, and that meant he was better off looking a bit different. Not that it worked.

As warriors that were armed to the teeth, they would have had the experience and mettle to face a small group of somewhat intelligent Youkai and live to tell the tale. With the jewel shards, they would have laughed at the idea. But now they were mortal once more, and while they had basic swords, those couldn't compare to the arsenal they had carried in their prime.

The main objective right now was procuring the funds to remedy this. Mukotsu had lost his resilience to poison and had to rebuild it slowly and carefully as much as he could. While Kyoukotsu was thin and gangly, he was a good fighter–and he certainly had a head for numbers and business that the rest of them lacked.

His and Bankotsu's previous falling out was hanging heavily in the air. Jakotsu's forgiveness had humbled him, but their leader's trust was something he doubted he would ever win back. Despite that, Renkotsu had resolved that once, just once in his life, he wanted to do make the right choice, so here he was: observing, ready to battle a demon with his bare hands if that was what it took to give the rest a chance to get the hell out.

The thought frightened him. He wasn't fearless like Jakotsu. But he hungered to be redeemed to the man he'd betrayed. If that meant he had to die, so be it. There had been a time where he had been prepared to take his own life. The only thing that had stopped him then was Ginkotsu, whose will to survive horrible injuries had given him something to do. And afterwards, being needed had been enough to stay his hand.

Suikotsu's optimism regarding the mysterious stranger's intentions spoke volumes about where he stood. Even if Bankotsu refused to see it, to Renkotsu it was clear as day: They weren't what they had been. If they got through this and remained united, at least their modus operandi would be different. Perhaps it would make them weak, but maybe, just maybe it made them stronger–and let them live longer. Being universally hated was a guarantee for an early demise. They had learned that the hard way.

One of the Youkai's companions, the tall dark woman who looked about as glum as Renkotsu felt, met them at the dock. After a curt greeting, she led them aboard and left them standing there. It didn't take long before the ship's owner joined them. He was alone, and he appeared excited. 'Come, come,' he said. 'It's a warm night, we should sit outside. Do you want something to drink? We have enough to share.'

'I believe we should like to keep our heads clear,' Renkotsu answered quickly.

Their stranger smiled mildly. 'Ah. Caution is understandable. I have heard so many stories about you.' He took them in, his expression a little careful. 'Last I knew, you were undead, eventually killed. Now, though …' He tilted his head. 'You are human, aren't you? I have been told so by the three highly perceptive ladies that joined me at the inn, earlier. And of course, that sailor was right. You are the famous Shichinintai. Alive and well and way too young. And you don't want anyone to know it.'

'Like you don't want anyone to know you're a demon,' Bankotsu said and Renkotsu buried his face in his hands. The man had all the subterfuge of an explosion. 'Let's not play games, shall we?'

Their host blinked, genuinely taken aback by this suggestion. 'Oh? I don't mind people knowing that. In fact, the entire city we're travelling to is aware of what I am. Or the residents are, I should say. Do you want to see my demon form?'

'That won't be necessary.' Renkotsu doubted that all Youkai had control over their actions if they changed, and what he didn't need was being eaten by … whatever. 'What the hell do you want? Extort us? We have nothing to give you.'

'Extort you? Oh, no. That is huge a misunderstanding.' He looked more sheepish than a Daiyoukai–because he must be one if he could change his form at a thought–had any right to as he swept his hair out of his face. 'I have so much to learn about human interaction, please be patient with me. I never meant to alarm you! Don't worry, as long as you refrain from harming anyone on my ship, you're good in my book. I just wanted to hear how you can exist. And perhaps, offer help.' He shrugged. 'I can take you to the mainland. No-one will know you there. Or … I could bring you to the next port I'm travelling to. I'll be staying there for a bit to meet a few friends. It's a larger city, it will hide you better. It's also outside your former radius. It's unlikely that anyone will look for you there.'

'What do you want in return?'

'Nothing.' He opened his arms. 'I need nothing from you. But … I know what it is like to be lost and confused. It's frightening, stifling. So, are you a threat? To me? Doubtful. My crew? Also doubtful, but if you try, I won't tolerate your presence.' He tilted his head. 'Or just the populace at large? In that case I'd prefer you off my shores. I will keep my word and bring you away from this place, regardless, but it will be further.'

Renkotsu could feel Bankotsu's eyes boring into his brain and saw them linger on all of them. Eventually, their leader sighed. 'I … don't think so. The way we were, we got ourselves dead fast. Twice.' Listening to this, the ghost of a smile tugged at Renkotsu's lips. His mind had travelled along the same path. Maybe they could find common ground somehow. 'We need to be wiser. Where that will take us … we don't even know where we come from, so we can't really answer that. But I can promise we won't harm you or anyone on this ship or in a city that you are in while we're your passengers. Unless they attack us first, then they will pay in blood.'

Renkotsu frowned. 'I have to say that I find the question offensive. It's not like we murdered everything that moved wherever we went. That is a gross exaggeration. We may be dangerous men, none of us will deny it. But we weren't mindless monsters.'

'Sensible enough. Now, what is it to be, where do we go?'

Bankotsu raised his hands. 'We're not fleeing the country. Before we go anywhere, I want to know who I'm dealing with. A Youkai, obviously. But do you have a name?'

The demon's eyes flew wide. 'Of course, I haven't told you at all!' He scrambled to his feet and bowed low, one arm on his chest, the other stretched to the side. 'I'm Riku. Welcome aboard. We have food and drink … and an armoury you might find to your liking. Take what you need, be my guests. My only rule is, no threats of any character against anyone here.' His eyes fixed themselves on Mukotsu, showing he knew exactly who he was dealing with. 'If I hear a single complaint from a soul on this ship, I'll put that demon form you didn't want to see to good use and throw you into the ocean in the middle of nowhere. And I'm going to make sure you drown.' His smile never faltered, even while threatening to kill them. With that he walked away and the Shichinintai stared after him.

'He's mad,' Jakotsu said softly. 'Absolutely barking! We're on the ship of a completely unpredictable demon. Is this really a good idea, Aniki?'

Bankotsu watched Riku leave through a door, looking back at them with laughter on his face. He had heard that. 'You think it's that bad?' he asked.

Jakotsu flared. 'Are you serious? He talks like he'll kiss you all the better as soon as murder you, and it's all the same to him! He's going to have his fun either way.'

'Reminds me of someone,' Ginkotsu said, drawing a rare chuckle out of Renkotsu.

The latter shrugged and returned his attention from where Riku had vanished to the others. 'We ought to do as he says,' he offered. 'Ooaniki, I understand that you won't trust me, but if we go with him, we simply have to follow his one rule: Don't hurt him or his crew. I have no doubts that he is as good as his word, as a friend and an enemy. We're currently out of the former and desperately need one.'

Bankotsu had his chin supported on his hand and met his eyes, maybe a little less hostile than before. 'I haven't decided if I trust you, yet, but your judgement seems good. We're staying.'