Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Authorsâ note: This is a companion piece/ prequel of sorts to âRabbitsâ as well as âKnocked up Joke.â
Special thanks to Jen for looking this over and coming up with a few suggestions to make it even better than it was before. I really appreciate all your hard work.
They had been walking home from a rather mundane mission when Renkotsu realized the cross-dresser had fallen behind. Looking over his shoulder at him, the fire-breather noticed Jakotsu was limping and rather pale. âWhatâs the matter with you? Weâve traveled much farther than this before with no problems.â
Jakotsu shrugged as he continued limping towards the fire-breather. âI donât know... I donât feel so good and my leg hurts.â
âIt does?â Renkotsu stopped and waited for him to catch up.
âYeah...â Jakotsu hobbled over to him. âIâve never had a scratch hurt so bad before.â He stopped in front of Renkotsu, and picking up the right side of his kimono, he turned his leg so the fire-breather could see the cut on his calf.
Renkotsu knelt. âEven a scratch can be a problem without care.â
âOw! Careful, Ren! That hurts!â Jakotsu whined.
âSorry... ewww...â Renkotsu said as examined the cut. The skin around it was red and warm to the touch, and when the fire-breather gently probed the scratch, it oozed pus.
Renkotsu stood up. âYouâve got some nasty stuff coming out of there.â
âYeah. I think itâs infected. Come, I believe thereâs a stream over there where we can wash the wound.â Renkotsu took a few paces towards the stream.
âOkay...â Jakotsu said as he limped after him.
Renkotsu looked over his shoulder at Jakotsu, before stopping. âWant me to carry you?â He heaved a long suffering sigh.
âYeah... But what about your stuff? Howâre you gonna carry me too?â Jakotsu asked. He hobbled over to his fellow teammate.
Renkotsu blew a little snort of impatience out his nose while he thought it over. Getting down on one knee, he said, âHere, latch onto me like a child and pray my bones donât break.â
âThanks, Ren,â Jakotsu said as he carefully put his arms around the fire-breatherâs neck. When Renkotsu stood up, the cross-dresser wrapped his legs around the fire-breatherâs waist.
Renkotsu grunted as he adjusted the weight of his shoulder cannon. He briefly hesitated, before placing his free hand under Jakotsuâs butt. The fire-breather would have preferred carrying his comrade in both arms as he felt uncomfortable about the way Jakotsu was pressed up against him, but since he could not do a thing about it, Renkotsu chose to ignore it. He grunted softly when he took a step. âHumph. Youâre not as heavy as I thought.â
âReally?â Jakotsu murmured when he buried his face in the fire-breatherâs neck.
âWhat are you doing to my neck?â
âNothing...â Jakotsu sighed softly. âI donât feel good and I wish Aniki-chan was here.â
âWell, unfortunately youâre stuck with me.â
Renkotsu, not sure whether or not he had just been insulted, huffed wordlessly. Deciding to give the cross-dresser the benefit of the doubt, the fire-breather changed the subject in an attempt to make him feel better. âWhatâs that scent youâre wearing?â
âJasmine... itâs Aniki-chanâs favorite. Why?â
âThanks. You do too. I never knew gunpowder smelt so good, but it does mixed with you.â
âHeh!â Renkotsu laughed. âYes, the smell of ground elements and flesh is a rather unique scent and not a bad one, if I may say so myself.â
âYeah...â Jakotsu giggled. âI wonder if Sui likes the way you smell...â
âHe says he does,â Renkotsu said tersely.
âYeah? Sui smells good too, like sandalwood and spices.â
âYes, especially his hair.â Ren mused aloud.
âI know... He let me wash his hair once while you were away with Aniki-chan and I was feeling kinda sad.â
âIâm lucky; I get to wash his hair a lot,â Renkotsu said smugly.
âYeah... but washing Aniki-chanâs hair is much better, cuz it always leads to fun.â The cross-dresser giggled happily at the memory of the time he had spent with Bankotsu in the bathhouse the night before he had left to go on this mission with Renkotsu.
âIâm sure it does,â the fire-breather said dryly.
âJust like Iâm sure you always have fun with Sui after washing his hair.â The cross-dresser giggled again when Renkotsu made a little sound of disgust. âHey, Ren, ever think about growing your hair back, so Sui can wash it?â
âOne, hair is hazardous for the work I do; it could get caught on my machines, or catch on fire.â
âAnd two, Sui says he likes me as I am. He says I have a nice shape to my head, like the moon does when it hangs big in the sky.â
Jakotsu laughed. âSui thinks you have a big head?â
âNo!â Renkotsu retorted angrily. âSui just likes the shape; I think he was trying to be romantic when he said that,â he said sheepishly. âI know when he thinks Iâm asleep; he likes to stroke the back of my head.â
Jakotsu giggled. âYeah...? I bet itâs soft and fuzzy like a peach.â
âItâs more like a melon,â Renkotsu mumbled.
âA melon?â The cross-dresser laughed. He laughed again when Renkotsu attempted to shrug while carrying him and his cannon, until the fire-breather pretended he was going to drop him. Sobering up, Jakotsu asked, âCan I see if itâs peach or a melon?â
âTouch my head and I will drop you on your arse,â the fire breather warned.
Quickly replacing the hand upon Renâs shoulder that had been inches away from its goal, Jakotsu asked, âWell then later on can I find out? You know itâs going to make me crazy until I do.â
âWell, seeing as youâre hurt, I guess I can let you,â Renkotsu said, humoring the cross-dresser, although he had no intention of letting him touch his head.
The fire-breather had taken a couple more steps, when his foot stepped on something soft and squishy, and he nearly slipped. Looking down, he realized they were closer to the stream than he thought. âTime to get down,â he said as he carefully knelt so Jakotsu could get off.
âHey!â Jakotsu yelped when the fire-breather jostled him. âThat hurt, Ren!â
âSorry, my arms are getting fatigued,â Renkotsu admitted sheepishly.
âThatâs okay. I appreciate you carrying me as far as you did. Itâs just that I never realized how bad it hurt until I stayed off it for a bit.â He gingerly balanced on one leg, while holding onto Renkotsu, and reaching down, Jakotsu picked up the right side of his kimono. Righting himself, he neatly tucked it behind himself in his obi. âI guess itâs time for my bath, no?â he said, slipping his swordâs sheath over his head. Dropping it next to Renkotsuâs gear, he limped towards the stream.
Renkotsu, following closely behind the cross-dresser, helped him into the water. âYou sit down; Iâll take care of it.â
âOkay.â The cross-dresser grimaced as he lowered himself into the water. âBrrr, itâs cold, but at least my legâs not hurting any more.â
Idiot! Renkotsu made a small sound of annoyance. âNo, no, no, sit on the bank before you catch cold.â
Dumb ass! Why didnât you say so before I got all wet? Jakotsu smiled while he stated the obvious, âIâm already wet, Ren.â
The fire-breather heaved a long suffering sigh. âWell get out of the water before you get even wetter,â he said. Renkotsu hunted around his gear for some cloth to clean and bind Jakotsuâs wound with.
âOkay.â The cross-dresser shrugged, and giggling, he slid up onto the bank on his butt. âBetter?â Jakotsu asked, quirking an eyebrow at Renkotsu.
âYes.â Renkotsu silently debated the merits of removing his tabi socks and sandals while he rubbed his temples with one hand. Mentally shrugging, he entered the stream; footwear intact. âYouâre right; it is cold,â Renkotsu said as he bent and wet the cloth. Patting his knee, he said, âGive me your leg.â
Jakotsu complied, hissing softly from the pain while Renkotsu cleaned his wound. âYou think thatâll help, Ren?â
âItâll clean the wound and prevent further infection.â
When he was satisfied it was clean, the fire-breather set to work, silently wrapping a long strip of cotton around the cross-dresserâs leg.
Jakotsu nodded. He watched the fire-breather intently, wincing whenever Renkotsu changed his grip on his leg.
âToo bad Suiâs not here... I bet heâs got something to take the infection and pain away...â Jakotsu hissed, âOww! Careful, Ren.â
Jakotsu shrugged and changed the subject, âHow long until weâre home?â
âOh. So can we stay here for a while and rest a bit?â
âYeah. You should sit and rest and my arms could certainly use one too.â
Renkotsu resisted the urge to groan. âWhat?â
âUmmm... Can I please use your lap as a pillow?â Jakotsu looked up at him, looking as miserable as he sounded.
For several long tense minutes, Renkotsu refused to look the younger man in the eye. He knew if he did he would give-in in an instant, for he had seen that look hundreds of times directed at their leader and it never failed to get him to do whatever the cross-dresser wanted.
Jakotsu, sensing the fire-breather was steeling his resolve against acquiescing, tried looking even more pathetic. âPlease, Ren? My headâs a lil sore...â
Renkotsu had closed his eyes and when he had opened them, the cross-dresser managed to make eye-contact. Trying not to sound as uncomfortable with the idea as he felt, and was certain he looked, Renkotsu said, âI thought it was your leg that was hurting.â
âIt is...â Jakotsu replied. âBut Iâm tired and I want to take a nap but the groundâs too hard for my head.â
The fire-breather gave Jakotsu a look that said âyouâve got to be kidding, right?â When the cross-dresser pouted, he sighed and finally joined him on the bank. Sitting down next to Jakotsu, Renkotsu gave him a warning look as he patted his lap. It was all the invitation the cross-dresser needed to make himself comfortable as he curled up on his side, his head nicely pillowed on the fire-breatherâs lap.
Renkotsu nodded, and looking down at Jakotsu, asked, âComfortable?â
âYeah...â Jakotsu sighed, stifling the urge to wrap his arms around Renkotsuâs thigh. Bankotsu, while acting as a lap-pillow, had dumped him one too many times off his lap as a joke and he did not trust the fire-breather not to do it too.
Renkotsu snorted softly in amusement when he saw the subtle movement of the cross-dresserâs arm, guessing correctly about what he had decided against doing. He brushed his fingers against Jakotsuâs forehead, checking for signs fever. The cross-dresser could be a royal pain the posterior when sick and the last thing Renkotsu wanted to deal with was that, along with the whining about his infected wound. Shifting as best he could without alerting Jakotsu to his intentions, since the cross-dresser seemed to have fallen asleep; Renkotsu dipped his hand in the stream. He let the water run over his hand, cooling it down. After a few minutes, he removed it and placed it gently on Jakotsuâs forehead.
âWhy you doing that, Ren...?â Jakotsu said sleepily.
âYou felt warm and I thought I should try to prevent a fever.â
âOh... Can you pet my head, Ren? Sui does that when Iâm sick...â
âPlease?â the cross-dresser whined.
Renkotsu sighed. He really did not want to do it, but since the alternative was an afternoon spent listening to Jakotsu complaining before he fell asleep again, he gently began to pet Jakotsuâs head.
âThanks...â The cross-dresser sighed contentedly and closed his eyes.
âFeeling better?â Renkotsu asked, but all he got in reply was Jakotsuâs soft snores as he drifted off to sleep.
âJak, you should wake up,â Renkotsu said, gently shaking the cross-dresser awake.
âHunh?â Jakotsu jumped when Renkotsu shook him again, his eyes flying open, as he looked around bleary-eyed. âAniki-chan...?â
Wincing as he sat up, Jakotsu yawned and rubbed his face. âRen...? Oh yeah...â the cross-dresser tittered embarrassedly. âI was dreaming we were home. It was such a nice dream too.â He sighed. âThanks for your lap.â
âYouâre welcome, but we have to keep moving now.â
âOkay.â Jakotsu grabbed his sword and struggled to get up, cursing under his breath when he put weight on his injured leg. âLetâs go...â he said as if nothing was wrong. Slipping his swordâs sheath over his head, he limped back towards the road.
Renkotsu bent and retrieved his backpack and shrugged into it, before hoisting his cannon onto his shoulder. Kneeling as he picked up his flask, he looked up in time to see that Jakotsu had only managed to hobble a couple of paces ahead of him. Sighing softly, he said to himself, âHmmm... this isnât going to work.â
Jakotsu, who had heard him, called out over his shoulder, âWhat isnât going to work?â
âYou walking like that the whole way home. Itâll tear that wound open again and then itâll get even more infected.â
Jakotsu sighed. âSo leave me here and go home by yourself.â
âNo, you wait here. Iâm going to find you some better transportation,â Renkotsu said, thoroughly catching the cross-dresser by surprise. He held his flask out to Jakotsu.
Renkotsu set his canon down and removed his backpack, before shouldering it again. âWatch the rest of my stuff, will you?â He took his flask back. âIâll be back.â
The cross-dresser gingerly sat down and made himself comfortable. âOkay... and hurry back, Ren.â
After what had felt like an eternity, Renkotsu returned, leading a horse for Jakotsu to ride.
The cross-dresser smiled up at him. âWhereâd you get the horse, Ren? Or shouldnât I ask?â
âOh, some rich fellow was kind enough to give him to us under threat of death,â Renkotsu said matter-of-factly.
Jakotsu laughed. âI hope you thanked him properly for me.â
âBut of course.â Renkotsu grinned. âItâs too bad you werenât there as I think you would have liked him.â
âOooh!!â Jakotsu giggled and held out his hands.
Setting his canon and flask down, Renkotsu carefully hauled the younger man to his feet.
Minutes later, Jakotsu sat astride the horse amid much cursing, and complaining about the pain in his leg.
âNow, whatâs the matter?â Renkotsu asked wearily.
âWell I had to do something; if I came home without you, Oo-Aniki would have my head on the end of Banryuu.â The fire-breather took hold of the bridle and urged the horse forward.
âNo he wouldnât! Cuz Sui wouldnât let him!â Jakotsu asserted. He grimaced when felt another twinge in his leg while the horse walked. âYou think Sui can fix my leg?â he asked worriedly.
âI was joking, Jak. Donât worry; Iâve had much worse injuries than yours just from my metalworking and all of my limbs are intact.â
âOkay... And I know youâve burned yourself more times than I know how to count up to, but did you ever get anything infected?â
âLetâs see... The last time I got an infection, he put some herbs on it, bandaged it, kissed it and made me drink some nasty medicine.â
The cross-dresser made a face and some gagging noises. âThatâs what Iâm afraid of.â
The fire-breather chuckled. âMaybe if you ask him nicely, heâll kiss yours too.â
Jakotsuâs eyes went wide. âYeah...â He smiled. âThatâs a great idea, Ren! I will!â the cross-dresser said happily, before frowning. âYou wonât mind if I do?â
The cross-dresserâs sunny smile returned. âHmmm... maybe I should get wounded more often. You took such great care of me before and now with the horse, and telling me I can ask Sui to kiss me all better. And I know Aniki-chanâll fuss over me too...â Jakotsu sighed happily.
Renkotsu look up over his shoulder at Jakotsu and scowled. âDonât you dare! I might not be so generous next time.â
âOkay...â Jakotsu smiled, and wagging his finger at Renkotsu, he said, âBut donât worry; if you ever get wounded, Iâm going to take extra special care of you and Iâm going to see to it Aniki-chan does too!â
âThanks, though I might be worried that youâre going to take advantage of my weakened condition.â
Jakotsu smiled impishly at him. âOnly if you want me to...â He giggled.
The fire-breather heaved a long suffering sigh. âIf I ever do, Iâll let you know.â
âHmph! What if we told Sui that was the only way youâd get better?â
âThen he would probably want to do the honors himself.â
âDonât be disappointed, Oo-Aniki is a much better lover to have than me.â
Jakotsu was surprised to hear him say that. âAnd just how would you know that?â he said coolly.
Renkotsu snorted in annoyance. âBy how happy you look when you come back from your fun with him.â
âOh yeah...â The cross-dresser sighed happily, while thinking it over. âI wish I was feeling better, as Iâd like some fun in the futon with Aniki-chan, but this stupid fucking leg hurts like hell!â he said peevishly, and pouting like a small child.
âI think once Sui has a look at it and bandages it properly so itâs protected, you will be allowed some nookie.â
âOh... I guess I can always think about being home, no?â
âGood idea. Iâm thinking about Sui in his garden right now.â
âSo you decided to take that stick out of your ass, hunh?â Jakotsu giggled.
âExcuse me?â Renkotsu glared up over his shoulder at him.
âNever mindâŚâ The cross-dresser sighed. You know if you did take it out, youâd be a lot happier, Ren, and so would Sui⌠Smiling sweetly, and changing the subject back to the previous topic, he asked,âSo is Sui in the garden weeding the hydrangeas?â
âYup.â Renkotsu grinned as he thought about his lover. âNow heâs pruning them.â
âI bet heâs all sweaty, so heâs gonna go stick his head under the aqueductâs waterfall...â The cross-dresser leaned forward and smiled when he caught a glimpse of the dreamy expression on Renkotsuâs face and it gave him an idea.
Jakotsu continued softly, âAnd now heâs all wet and the waterâs running down his body as he sits up and sighs...â
âOkay...â Jakotsu smiled. âSui slowly takes off his vest and kimono and carefully lays them to the side, before sticking his head back under the water. Thinking about you, he runs his fingers through his hair, imagining itâs you gently touching his scalp... He smiles and comes out from under the water, letting the droplets drip down his body...â
Renkotsu closed his eyes and smiled. âHmmm, nice...â
Jakotsu nodded and continued his story, âSui closed his eyes and said softly, âRen...â as he runs his hands down his body, imagining them to be yours...â
âIt is...?â the cross-dresser said innocently. âAnd I was just getting to the good part too...â He sighed.
âAny more and I would have to sit down and finish the job.â
Jakotsu blinked and mouthed, âsit and finish the job...?â when it him. Giggling, he said, âSorry...â
Jakotsu sighed. âYeah... I miss Aniki-chan too. Would you like me to tell you a story about him?â
âYeah, I need something to get my mind off of Sui and listening to some disgusting drivel about Ban should do it.â
âHunh...? You donât find Aniki-chan appealing? Not even a lil bit...?â
âNeither is Sui mine; but I find him just as attractive as Aniki-chan... Just like I find you attractive too, Ren,â Jakotsu said flirtatiously.
âWell, youâre an exception to the rule, Jak. Besides, Iâm sure Oo-Aniki doesnât find me very attractive.â
âNo...?â The cross-dresser frowned. âI shall have to ask him about it when we get back.â
âYouâre going to ask him if he finds me attractive...?â Renkotsu said incredulously. He looked up and over his shoulder at the cross-dresser like he had three heads.
âHe might think youâre jealous about me and him again and that makes him cranky,â the fire-breather patiently explained.
âOh yeah...â Jakotsu giggled. âBut it also makes him want to nookie with me a lot!â
âWell in that case, if itâs an aphrodisiac for you then by all means go ahead and ask him,â Renkotsu said dryly.
âThanks! I hope Sui really did prune his hydrangeas cuz as soon as my legâs all better, I want to spend an afternoon there enjoying their beauty and Aniki-chanâs...â
âFind your own hydrangeas to nookie in and stay away from Suiâs.â
Jakotsu giggled. âDonât worry, Ren! Youâll have your chance to play in there as I think itâs going to be awhile before I can walk without hurting, never mind nookying.â He sighed sadly.
Ignoring the cross-dresserâs attempt to get some pity from him, Renkotsu said, âStay away from Suiâs hydrangeas, he gets cranky when you and Ban do things in there.â
âYes, but thatâs where you come in, Ren. Youâre supposed to soothe Suiâs feelings when we play in there. I bet if youâre really sweet about it, Suiâll drag you over there once we leave.â
Shaking his head at the cross-dresserâs logic, Renkotsu said tiredly, âI repeat, stay... away... from Suiâs... flowers.â
âOkay...â Jakotsu sighed. âToo bad I donât have my own garden to play in. If I did, do you think you could get Sui to come yell at us there? It always makes things so much more exciting wondering when and if Suiâs going to find us.â
Jakotsu, not sure if Renkotsu had insulted him or not, said peevishly, âWhat do you mean by that?â
âOh!â Jakotsu blinked a few times, before smiling happily. âThanks, Ren!â
The cross-dresser rolled his eyes. âOh-kay...â He smiled.
The fire-breather stopped walking and halted the horse as well. âPromise?â
Sighing softly, as he really did not want to give up his favorite spot, Jakotsu said, âPromise... But what if Aniki-chan wants to play there?â
Renkotsu also sighed as he looked up at him. âTell him you made a promise to me not to mess up Suiâs garden and make Sui cranky.â
Jakotsu nodded. âBut what if Sui says itâs okay to play there?â
Jakotsu, who had been dozing off, shook his head to clear it. âYeah...?â He lifted his hand to his forehead and cried, âIt is our house! Iâm so happy to be home, Ren! Hey, Aniki-chan!â He waved at the figure moving in front of the house.
Jakotsu looked again. âEwww... youâre right.â He looked down at Renkotsu and said wryly, âI must be really missing Aniki-chan more than I thought if Iâm thinking Mu is him, hunh?â
Jakotsu laughed, and growing more serious he said, âOr else I must be really feverish.â Leaning towards Renkotsu, he asked, âIs my head hot, Ren?â
âSo...? You took such good care of me before, why canât you keep doing it?â Jakotsu repined.
Renkotsu smirked in reply, âBan might get jealous.â
âBut youâre only touching my forehead... itâs not like youâre kissing me.â The cross-dresser smiled seductively at him. âYou donât want me to kiss you, do you?â
Renkotsu groaned softly and rolled his eyes. Letting go of the horseâs bridle, he reached over and felt the cross-dresserâs head as he leaned towards him. âYouâre a bit warm.â
The fire-breather nodded in reply, and grabbing the bridle, he urged the horse into a trot.
Jakotsu leaned forward and rested his head on the horseâs neck. He was tired of riding and he wanted nothing more than to be home, where Bankotsu would dote on him and fuss over him along with Suikotsu. âAre we there yet...?â
Bankotsu, coming out of the house just as his two subordinates arrived, said, âHey! Welcome back!â
âI donât feel so good, Aniki-chan!â the cross-dresser wailed.
Bankotsu reached up and helped his paramour off the horse. âAwe, whatâs wrong, Sweetness?â
Jakotsu yelped when he gingerly put weight on his injured leg. âMy leg hurts!! And Ren says itâs infected!!â
âWhat?! Shit!! SUI!!â Bankotsu cried as he scooped the cross-dresser up in his arms.
Jakotsu clung to his lover and called out weakly, âSui!â
The claw-bearer, who had been working in his garden, looked up and listened. He was about to dismiss the notion that someone was frantically calling for him as nonsense when he heard his name again. He dropped his pruning knife and ran around to the front of the house. âWhat?! Whatâs wrong?!â
Bankotsu turned towards him. âJakâs got an infected wound!â He rushed over to Suikotsu, meeting him halfway.
âTake him into the house, while I go wash my hands and get my medical bag.â As Suikotsu headed towards his rooms they could hear him rattling off a list of herbs and other things he would need.
âWill do!â Bankotsu called out to the claw-bearerâs retreating form. âItâll be okay now, Sweetness,â he whispered to Jakotsu, carrying him towards the house.
It took a few moments for Renkotsu to register the fact that he had been left alone, well, from human presence, as the horse was still at his side, nibbling on some grass. Without a kiss, an embrace, a vocal greeting, not even a simple look of acknowledgement, Suikotsu had left with Bankotsu to take care of Jakotsuâs leg.
The fire-breather let out a small growl of hurt, which caused the horse to look at him.
âWhat are you looking at?â Renkotsu snapped at the animal.
The horse whinnied and nudged him with its nose. Renkotsu laughed hollowly. âAt least someone still notices Iâm here.â
With a heavy sigh Renkotsu began undoing the girth on the saddle. âMaybe I should start whining like an incorrigible little child.â
As if to respond, the horse lifted up its head, snorted and shook it, before going back to grazing. Renkotsu chuckled. âYeah, youâre right; then Iâd be sinking to his level.â He bent down, and grabbing the bridle, he pulled the horseâs head up to remove it. The saddle soon followed.
âBut itâs not fair,â Renkotsu growled, tossing the horseâs saddle and bridle onto the porch. âJak gets wounded, I take care of him, I let him use me as a pillow, I tolerate all his stupid jokes, I go through all the trouble of stealing you so he doesnât have to walk and now when weâre finally home, Iâm the one who gets shafted, shafted by my own lover without even so much as a look or acknowledgement that I was even there.â
The horse picked his head up and looked at Ren as if to say, âWhat about me? Iâm here with you.â
The fire breather sighed again. âHow pathetic am I? The only one willing to listen to me is a horse. No offense.â He patted the horseâs withers.
âWould you like a friend whoâs not a horse?â
Renkotsu spun around to see Suikotsu standing on the porch.
âI thought you were looking after Jak,â Renkotsu said bitterly.
âIâm sorry, Ren. I really missed you and wanted to welcome you home properly, but when Oo-Aniki freaked out...â Suikotsu looked at his lover apologetically. âIt was a doctorâs instinct. I thought it was something serious, but it turns out the emergency was nothing more than Jak having a bad case of missing Oo-Aniki, you did a good job of treating his infected wound by the way.â
Renkotsuâs bitter expression turned to one of shock, then to anger as he realized he had fallen for Jakotsuâs wily way of taking full advantage of a situation to get people to do what he wanted. âThat little son of bitch!â
âDonât be so hard on him, Ren.â The claw-bearer was a little taken aback by Renkotsuâs sudden outburst. âHeâs been spoiled and catered to by Oo-Aniki for so long now that Iâm not even sure heâs aware heâs doing it. Itâs like deep down inside him, thereâs a frightened lil girl waiting to come out, and she does too, at the oddest moments.â
âStop making excuses for him, Suikotsu,â Renkotsu folded his arms and turned away from his lover.
âIâm not making excuses for him!â Suikotsu protested. âIâm just telling you how it is with him. Iâve known him longer than you have and Iâve seen how Oo-Aniki treats him.â
âMaybe thatâs the problem. Youâve known him so long youâve become blind to all of his seductive ways. You donât even see him seducing you all the time,â Renkotsu spat.
âWhat are you talking about?!â Completely stunned and offended that Renkotsu was worried about him sleeping around with Jakotsu, Suikotsu exclaimed, âYou know I have never---!â
âIâm not talking about sex!â the fire-breather snapped, turning to face Suikotsu. âThat little shit knows exactly what heâs doing and when it comes to getting what he wants out of someone heâs every bit as calculating and intelligent as I am.â
Suikotsu frowned, not liking either Renkotsuâs words or his tone. âWhat do you mean heâs been seducing me all along in ways other than sex?â
âYou always defend him; you always forgive him no matter what he does. Heâs completely seduced you on to his side, both you and Oo-Aniki, and now heâs working on me to add one more to his harem of defenders for his spoiled behavior.â Renkotsu turned away again.
Suikotsuâs eyes widened in surprise. âBut...â He paused and thought it over, before stepping towards Renkotsu, and putting his hands on the fire-breatherâs shoulders. âMaybe I do defend him, but heâs my friend, Ren, as well as being Oo-Anikiâs lover. I know he has faults, but so you, so does Oo-Aniki, and so do I. And maybe being quick to his defense is one of them. But in this instance you have to realize, Ren, heâs starved for attention, real attention and real love, not the illusion of love one finds in a brothel.
âRen, Iâve been lucky enough to have known that in my life, as a child, as young man, and now as an adult.â Suikotsu slowly turned Renkotsu around to face him, and cupped the fire-breatherâs cheek. âBut Jakotsu never knew that, Ren. And aside from some horrible times in between your life as an acolyte and later on as an apprentice blacksmith and now as the love of my life, youâve know it; you can recognize that itâs real. But to him, itâs no more real than a dream...â
For a moment it looked like Renkotsu might soften into Suikotsuâs waiting arms, but his expression hardened again and he moved his head away from Suikotsuâs hand. He backed away a couple of steps, before speaking. âAnd heâs got all of the attention now. He letâs out one cry and you and Ban go running to him like a pair of obedient dogs.â
Suikotsu stood there for a moment, trying to understand why Renkotsu was acting like this. âRen, are you mad at me?â
Renkotsu looked down at the ground and let out a breath of air before speaking. âIâm not mad at you... not... really... Iâm...just...jealous,â he said softly.
âIâm jealous okay! Iâm jealous of Jak, Iâm jealous of how free he is, how you defend him all the time, how he can show his emotions at the drop of a hat. Iâm jealous! There, I said it! Are you happy now?!â Renkotsu panted, for he had said all that in one releasing breath.
Suikotsu gently gathered Renkotsu in his arms, and while Renkotsu allowed the embrace, his body remained stiff and tense. âThereâs nothing to be jealous of, Ren. Itâs you who holds my heart in your hands, not Jak... In fact, if you want, Iâll ask him to give you the tiny little piece he does have, and then Iâll make the others give you their pieces too, okay?â He smiled gently.
Renkotsuâs eyes widened a little. âYouâd really do that?â
âYou have but to ask and I will.â Suikotsu smiled.
The fire-breather opened his mouth and hesitated, before lowering his head and clenching his fists. âNo...No one should be deprived of a piece of your love, Sui....but...â
âBut...?â Suikotsu urged his lover on, though he feared what the âbutâ might mean, for he could feel the tenseness in Renkotsuâs body.
âI donât think...you could take away that piece that Jak has even if you tried....â Renkotsu said quietly.
Suddenly, despite himself, Suikotsu laughed. âProbably not, but Iâm willing to try for your sake, Ren.â
Renkotsu pulled away from his lover. âDonât laugh! I completely destroy my ego in front of you and speak my feelings, and you laugh?â
âIâm sorry Ren, Iâm not laughing at you, Iâm just so happy youâve opened your heart up even further to me...â
Suikotsu tried to pull Renkotsu back in and kiss him, but the fire breather turned his head away and held a hand up to his face to block the kiss.
âIâm tired,â Renkotsu said, carefully slipping out of Suikotsuâs arms, he headed toward the house. âIâm going to take a bath and then go to sleep.â
âUnderstandable; you had a long trip...â Suikotsu felt a lump rise in his throat as he watched his lover walk away into the house.
Renkotsu emerged from the bathhouse and paused. He was still tired from rushing home with Jakotsu, but not as relaxed as he had hoped his bath would have left him. So he stood there, silently debating with himself over going back to his room and the futon that waited for him, or working out his frustrations in his workshop until he was exhausted. The workshop won out in the end as Renkotsu knew deep in heart that there was no way he would be able to sleep without Suikotsu at his side. Besides, the claw-bearer had been summoned back to their leaderâs room as Jakotsu apparently needed someone else to fuss over him, and there was no point in going back to an empty room.
Sighing bitterly, he took off in the direction of his workshop. An afternoon spent hammering metal, when he would have liked to have hammered the cross-dresserâs head instead, seemed like the best choice. Besides, Ren figured that even if he did not feel better by the time dinner rolled around, at least he would sleep well that night when he hit the futon in exhaustion.
So with each step he took towards his refuge, he worked himself up into a fine temper until he was literally ready to spit fire by the time he got there. Sliding open the doors with a resounding thwack, Renkotsu entered his workshop. The scent of ash and burnt metals combined with the earthen floor to welcome the fire-breather. With each deep breath that he took, a little bit of his tension fell away, and looking around the room, Renkotsu knew he had made the correct decision in coming here.
The fire-breather stripped out of his kimono and neatly hung it up on a nail. Picking up a faded indigo happari, he slipped the short kimono-like garment on and tied it closed, before grabbing his heavy apron and donning it, followed by a pair of thick leather gloves. Grinning wickedly, he picked up a piece of iron and carried it over to the forge. Setting it down, he quickly started a fire in the furnace. While he waited for it to heat up to the proper temperature, Renkotsu picked up the iron bar and imagined it was the annoying cross-dresser along with all the things heâd like to do to him.
Satisfied that the forge was at the correct temperature, Renkotsu thrust the offending metal bar inside. He waited a few heartbeats, before pulling it out and taking it over to the anvil. Laying it down, he grabbed his hammer and hit the hot metal bar. The clang of the metal hammer striking the iron and the resultant tremor that moved up his arms felt comforting to Renkotsu.
âYou... fucking... stupid... little... bastard... youâre... just... lucky... itâs... not... your... head... Iâm ... pounding...â the fire-breather said, punctuating each word with a blow from his hammer. Renkotsu alternated striking the iron bar with heating it up in the forge, and he chuckled wryly at himself to see the metal beginning to form itself in the shape of a butterfly. âDamn it!â He struck the iron. âYouâre even invading my creative space! Canât you fucking leave me alone!â he said bitterly as he contemplated sticking the metal into the forge until it melted into something less like a butterfly. Sighing softly, he ran the back of his hand against his sweaty brow and Renkotsu knew he could no more destroy the budding piece of art than he could leave it aside and never finish it. So he glared at it and continued hammering out the shape of the butterflyâs body.
Suikotsu sighed as he closed the shoji leading to his leaderâs rooms. Jakotsuâs apparent fever was nothing more than Bankotsuâs hands being much warmer than usual, and judging by the smug look on Jakotsuâs face, they had been up to no good beforehand which explained the warm hands. Suikotsu swallowed his annoyance like a bitter tonic and allowed himself one brief little mental image of his more violent side ripping them both to shreds as payment for bothering him with trivialities. But he also understood what it was like to be young and in love, and having the responsibility of looking after that love. He also gave Bankotsu a lot of credit for putting up with Jakotsuâs nonsense, although he was beginning to see that much of that nonsense had its roots in their leaderâs treatment of his paramour.
The claw-bearer rubbed a hand over his face. He put Bankotsu and Jakotsu out of his mind, replacing them with warm thoughts of snuggling up with his own lover in the futon. He hurried to the room he shared with Renkotsu without seeming to, all the while thinking up ways to make up for the lousy âwelcome homeâ he gave Renkotsu.
Smiling as he slid the shoji open, the claw-bearer felt his heart clench with disappointment at finding the room empty. He briefly closed his eyes and lowered his head in sadness, before looking up again as he opened his eyes. That was when he noticed Renkotsuâs sketchbook on the low work table they shared. It was left open to his latest sketch, a drawing of the new weapon he had wanted to make when he returned from his mission. His heart feeling a little less heavy, because he now knew where his lover was; Suikotsu turned and exited his room.
As he walked across the compound towards the workshop, Suikotsu could see his suspicions were correct for a thin plume of smoke trailed upwards from its chimney. His excitement at seeing his lover at work was tempered by his guilty feelings over neglecting him, and Suikotsu, hoping to surprise Renkotsu, tried unsuccessfully to slip inside the workshop unnoticed.
The fire-breather, sensing an intruder, looked up in time to see his lover enter. âOh, hello,â he said tersely, before going back to his metalworking.
âHi...â Suikotsu said, approaching his lover. Smiling, he added, âI thought you said you were tired.â
Renkotsu paused in his hammering to answer, âI am, but my mindâs too full.â
The claw-bearer nodded. âI see... So youâve decided to come here and hammer things out physically?â
Renkotsu sighed. âArt helps me concentrate.â
âI know. You always make the most beautiful things when your mind is troubled,â Suikotsu said softly.
âYes, strange isnât it?â the fire-breather said wryly.
âNo, not strange... just very Ren-like.â
Renkotsu looked at him in surprise. âIt is?â
âYes,â Suikotsu said, a tiny smile tugging at his lips. âItâs one of the things I love about you. How you can calm your mind by working the cold harsh metal and turning it into a thing of beauty.â
The fire-breather looked down at the iron bar, before turning and putting it back into the forge. âIt doesnât seem to be working today.â
âNo...?â Suikotsu said as he carefully came over to Renkotsu.
The fire-breather pulled the metal out and turned to face him, causing the claw-bearer to back up out of the way. Setting the half-formed butterfly on the anvil, he pounded his hammer on it. âNo, somethingâs still nagging at me...â
âWhat?â Suikotsu moved to stand in front of him. âIs it anything I can help you with?â
Renkotsu brought his hammer down on the metal and looked up. âSui? Do I really always act like I have a stick up my ass?â he said, before going back to his metal work.
The claw-bearer blinked in surprise, completely taken aback by that statement. âWhat? Who said that, Ren?â he asked, a hint of annoyance clearly heard in his voice. âJak?â
Renkotsu ignored him while he heated the half-formed butterfly in the forge, as well as adding a couple of thinner pieces of iron to it. Turning around, he once again placed it on the anvil and hit it with his hammer. âWell, it is the one thing that everybody teases me about. I admit I do sometimes, but not all the time...â he said plaintively.
Suikotsu reached out and wiped the sweat from his loverâs brow. âAnd this bothers you, hunh?â
Renkotsu sighed. âI donât know... I guess Iâm still jealous that Jak gets away with everything all the time.â He sighed heavily. âHeâs always so perky and careless and flighty, and whenever I try to make him take things seriously, he, Ban, and sometimes you and the others all make fun of me for it. He always gets off as the victim and Iâm always made out to be the monster.â
The fire-breather turned and pulled a smaller iron bar from the forge. He hammered it out in silence, quickly forming it into one of the butterflyâs wings. However, he was still feeling frustrated about the whole situation as he felt his lover was not seeing things his way and his hand slipped, bending the metal in the wrong direction. âDamn it!â he swore.
Suikotsu, appalled at his own behavior, frowned. âIâm sorry, Ren. I wasnât aware I was doing that. Itâs not right for me to make fun of you...â He looked away, embarrassed. âAlthough,â he continued softly, âthere are times when I wish you were a little less serious about things, but only because you donât seem happy. However, that aside, I will speak to Jak about it and you can be sure it will stop.â
While he knew that was true, it still rankled Renkotsu that all Suikotsu had to do was hint his disapproval about something to Jakotsu and the cross-dresser would happily comply even though he outranked the claw-bearer, while if Renkotsu tried the same thing, he all but ignored him. Plus he knew Jakotsu would get Bankotsu to stop too. And yet, as much as he wanted to hold on to his anger towards his lover, Renkotsu found his resolve beginning to fade.
âThanks...â he murmured as he fixed the bent piece of metal.
âYouâre welcome, although, I wish you would have come to me sooner about this.â The claw-bearer sighed. âHow many other little secrets are you keeping from me, Ren?â Suikotsu said teasingly.
The fire-breather smiled wryly. âOh, I didnât want to seem like I was complaining, and you always seemed so defensive of Jak before.â
Suikotsu nodded at Renkotsuâs subtle rebuke. âI guess I was, but if heâs upsetting my Ren in any way I want to know so I can speak to him about it. This is one thing, Ren; our naughty little child isnât going to get away with. Iâm not going to tolerate shit like that.â
Renkotsu smiled; the last remnants of his anger dissipating like dew on a summerâs morning. Setting his hammer down next the half finished butterfly, Ren took off his gloves and turned to his lover, catching him off guard when he kissed him.
Suikotsu quickly melted into his beloved little dragonâs embrace, deepening the kiss as he held him tightly.
They remained together, kissing, for several heartbeats as Renkotsu gently maneuvered his lover away from the forge. The fire-breather felt his loverâs desire when he pressed against him, and lamented the fact that his workshop was not the best place for a loversâ tryst.
As if reading his mind, Suikotsu said huskily, âPerhaps you could lean against your work table?â
Renkotsu looked over Suikotsuâs shoulder at it. âI think itâll work...â Slipping out of Suikotsuâs embrace, the fire-breather hurried over to the shoji and closed it. âTo keep the âpestsâ out,â he explained when his lover looked at him questioningly. After doing the same to the workshopâs windows, and hanging up his apron, Renkotsu, grinning, turned to the claw-bearer and said, âNow where were we?â
Suikotsu let out a little snort of amusement. Smiling, he said, âComeâre and Iâll show you.â
Renkotsu shook his head playfully. âNo, you come here.â
The claw-bearer quirked an eyebrow at him and shrugged. âFine, have it your way...â he said, sauntering over to his lover.
Leaning towards him, Suikotsu kissed Renkotsu. Letting his hands wander, he fumbled with the ties on Renkotsuâs happari and deepened the kiss. Minutes later he had them undone. Snaking his hands under the short kimono-like top, Suikotsu ran his hands over Renkotsuâs smooth, hard body.
The fire-breather, enjoying his loverâs light touch, moaned softly as he gently took Suikotsuâs face in his hands. His breath quickening in time with Suikotsuâs touch, Renkotsu gently rubbed his thumbs across his loverâs lips. Pulling his face closer, he kissed Suikotsuâs nose. The claw-bearer growled softly in return. Tilting his face up as the fire-breather pulled his head back, he playfully bit Renkotsuâs chin.
âWhat...?â Suikotsu murmured as he nuzzled his loverâs neck.
Ignoring the budding conversation, Suikotsu trailed a line of butterfly kisses down Renkotsuâs neck, pausing in the hollow of his throat. Chuckling softly, he slowly pushed the soft cotton happari off the fire-breatherâs shoulder. Renkotsuâs skin tasted salty from his earlier exertion as Suikotsu found out when he licked his loverâs collar bone. While he kissed and licked the fire-breather, Suikotsu slowly led him over to his worktable. It was waist high and just the perfect thing to bend Renkotsu over while Suikotsu had his way with him. When they had reached the table, Suikotsu picked Renkotsu up and sat him on the edge of it, nestling his face in his belovedâs chest while the fire-breather cradled his head. Suikotsu imagined he could hear the beating of his loverâs heart and he snaked his arms around his waist, enjoying the feelings of closeness. Feeling bolder, the claw-bearer flicked his tongue over the fire-breatherâs nipple. When Renkotsu let out a soft moan, he flicked it again, the nipple hardening under his touch. Chuckling softly, Suikotsu tried the same thing on the other one with much the same results.
Renkotsu closed his eyes and leaned back, and taking the hint, Suikotsu gently eased him onto his back. Growling softly, the claw-bearer pushed his way between his loverâs legs. He leaned forward and blanketed Renkotsu, nuzzling his neck. The fire-breatherâs cries of pleasure became louder even though they retained an air of breathiness and it was all the encouragement Suikotsu needed. Moving slightly up and off his lover, Suikotsu trailed a line of kisses down Renkotsuâs torso, inching his way closer and closer to his hakama. When the fire-breatherâs hand strayed to his hakama ties, Suikotsu batted them away, preferring to untie them himself. Tugging none too gently on the ties, Suikotsu quickly loosened them. The claw-bearer slowly pulled Renkotsuâs hakama open, sighing softly at the sight of loverâs erection. The older man lightly ran the back of his forefinger down its length, chuckling softly, when his loverâs penis twitched. The claw-bearer stroked it again, before wrapping his hand around it, causing Renkotsuâs breath to momentarily catch in his throat, before letting it out in a strangled cry.
It was all Suikotsu needed to spur him on. Grabbing the sides of Renkotsuâs hakama, he slowly slid the soft cottony folds down the length of his legs. Reaching his loverâs feet, Suikotsu grabbed Renkotsuâs ankle and lifting his foot, he pulled the hakama off, before repeating the same moves on the other foot. As much as he wanted to remain where he was and massage the fire-breatherâs feet, the desire to couple with him was stronger. Lifting Renkotsuâs legs, Suikotsu balanced them on his shoulders and moved closer to his loverâs bottom.
Renkotsu tensed as he felt his lover brush up against his buttocks and the sensitive area just above it, moaning softly. He closed his eyes and tried to relax, but he knew what was coming and the soft rustle of Suikotsuâs clothes and his whispered âIâm sorry,â did not help. Damp fingers gently probed the tender area around his anus as Suikotsu tried to lubricate him. Seconds later, he felt a sharp pain as his lover entered him, causing him to cry out.
âIâm sorry, my little dragon, I promise Iâll be quick...â Suikotsu whispered, thrusting none too gently into his lover.
Renkotsu grimaced in reply. Despite his loverâs attempts at being not only quick but gentle, the fire-breather wished he had hidden away a vial of their favorite love oil as he was finding it too painful to be enjoyable. But as Suikotsu gave into his lust and developed his rhythm, Renkotsu found it was not as bad as he feared and that he was able to relax a little bit and enjoy himself. The claw-bearer hated hurting his lover and because he mistook Renkotsuâs cries of pleasure for pain, it only strengthened his resolve to do something out of the ordinary for him as he reached his climax. After pulling out of him, Suikotsu leaned forward, and gathering Renkotsu in his arms, he whispered, âIâm so sorry, my little dragon... I had hoped it wouldnât be so bad, since we had no trouble before you left...â
Taking a deep breath and letting it out, Renkotsu said softly as he wrapped his arms around his lover, âDonât worry, Sui, Iâm fine...â He kissed the claw-bearer. âItâs a good pain...â he said, unconsciously echoing Jakotsuâs views on the matter.
âYouâre sure I didnât hurt you...?â
They lay there, awkwardly sprawled together on the table, before Suikotsu reluctantly got up off his lover and Renkotsu sat up. The claw-bearer stood in front of his lover, resting his hands on the fire-breatherâs thighs. âRen, Iâd like to take care of that for you, but not in the usual way.â
âIâd like to ummm... pleasure you orally, if you donât mind.â The claw-bearer looked so earnest and so eager to do it that Renkotsu was torn between letting him and stopping him from doing something that he knew Suikotsu found repulsive.
Renkotsu nodded. âYes, âno.â Sui, while I appreciate the thought behind it, I canât let you do this. Itâs enough that you offered.â
âYes.â Renkotsu frowned. âYouâd seriously do something you find horrible, disgusting, unsanitary and uncomfortable, for me?â
âYouâd better believe I would.â
Renkotsu brightened. Cupping his face in hands, he chirped in perfect imitation of Jakotsu, âAwe, you really do love me...â
Suikotsu likewise grinned back at him the way Bankotsu would at the cross-dresser when he thought Jakotsu was being silly. âWho said I didnât?â
They laughed, before growing serious again.
âNo... I canât let you do something that goes against your feelings of comfort or morals, even if you are willing to,â Renkotsu said softly, tenderly cupping his loverâs cheek.
âYouâre sure itâs okay...? I felt terrible about the poor homecoming I gave you, so I thought that if I did that for you, especially after taking my pleasure from you, it would go a little way towards making things up to you.â
Renkotsu frowned. âI donât want you to do it because you feel you have to make up for something. Besides, I enjoy having you inside me; I mean Iâm second-in-command so I have to play leader all the time and set the good example, so itâs kind of nice to let you take charge of at least one piece of my life from time to time.â He smiled shyly.
Suikotsu smiled. âThatâs very sweet of you, Ren, but it doesnât change the fact that I still feel terrible about forgetting you in all the drama.â The claw-bearer gently cupped his loverâs cheeks in his hands, pulling his face close, and kissing his nose. Suikotsu dropped his hands to Renkotsuâs shoulders as he rested his forehead against his loverâs. âYou donât mind me there? And playing submissive to me?â Suikotsu, who was deeply touched by the idea, said softly, before planting another little kiss on Renkotsuâs nose.
âIf I did mind, then I wouldnât let you,â he reassured his lover.
The claw-bearer kissed him. âI love you so much...â he whispered, his voice breaking as he said it.
Renkotsu patted his loverâs head and said wryly, âOh, stop blubbering, I have an ulterior motive; the truth is Iâm terrified youâll bite my manhood off by accident.â
Suikotsu laughed as they both knew the claw-bearer would be extremely careful and would never let it happen, and Renkotsu laughed along with him.
Renkotsu kissed his lover on the forehead. âForgiven.â
Renkotsu stepped out of his room, his sketchbook tucked neatly under his arm as he closed the shoji behind him. The large lacy pine was casting beautiful shadows on the ground; just begging to be sketched. Renkotsu smiled as he contemplated an afternoon spent sketching in blissful silence with only the occasional bird call breaking it, when he spotted the cross-dresser lazing on the veranda.
âWhat are you doing here?â he asked Jakotsu, doing his best to keep his annoyance from seeping into to his tone.
The fire-breather quirked an eyebrow at him and said, âNothing, hunh?â
âYeah... Iâm just waiting for Sui to come back so he can look at my leg. He told me he wanted to see it in a few days.â Jakotsu rolled over and sat up. âItâs a few days later.â
âYeah... You still mad at Sui?â
âNo,â Renkotsu said smugly.
Jakotsu eyed fire-breather intently. âWait a minute...â He smiled and wagged his finger at Renkotsu. âYouâve had make up nookie! Thatâs great, Ren!â
âWhy, thank you.â The fire-breather came over and sat down next to the cross-dresser.
âYouâre welcome.â Jakotsu leaned towards him and purred, âCare to share the gory details?â
Renkotsu chuckled and took the cross-dresser by surprise when he said, âIt was in my workshop...â
The cross-dresserâs eyes went wide like two saucers. âYour workshop?!â
âYup!â Renkotsu said smugly. âMy workshopâs worktable to be exact.â
âYouâre joking, right?â Jakotsu said as he narrowed his eyes at the fire-breather.
âYouâre telling me you got to nookie with Sui on a worktable?!â Jakotsu said incredulously. He blinked and his mouth hung open before he found his voice. âNo fair!!â
Renkotsu grinned, and he was looking extremely pleased with himself for finally doing something that Jakotsu would have wanted to do but never did. âIt is too fair, Jak. Itâs my workshop, my table, and more importantly, my Sui.â
Jakotsu looked at him with tears in his eyes. âI wish I had a Sui of my own!â
The fire-breather sighed, and flicked the whining cross-dresser on the forehead with his fingers. âIdiot! You do too have your own Sui, although I believe you call him your lil dumpling.â
Immediately perking up, Jakotsu laughed. âOh yeah! Aniki-chan!!â He scooted off the veranda. âLater, Ren!â
Renkotsu shook his head as he watched the cross-dresser hurry off to find his lover.
âJak! Whatâs wrong?!â Suikotsu called out as the cross-dresser came running towards him.
âI see your leg is better.â
âYeah...â Jakotsu said. He slowed down and trotted over to the claw-bearer. Leaning forward, and resting his hands on his knees, Jakotsu panted as he caught his breath.
âYou see? I told you it was nothing to worry about and you probably wonât even have a scar to remember it by.â
Jakotsu, straightening up, laughed. âWell, it did hurt...â
Suikotsu shook his head at him. âIâm sure it did, but Iâve seen you take worse on the battlefield without even a whimper.â
âYeah...â Jakotsu giggled, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment.
The claw-bearer chuckled. âSo whatâs the big hurry about? I was hoping that now that youâre all better, you could help me in my garden.â
âIâm sorry, Sui, but I was looking for Aniki-chan. Why donât you ask Ren to help? Heâs sitting outside your room.â
âThanks, I will. And, Jak...â Suikotsu looked at him sternly.
âTwo things: one, stop running before you trip and twist an ankle or break something.â The claw-bearer softened his expression. âAnd two, Oo-Aniki is in the main house with Mu.â
âThanks, Chichi-ue!â Jakotsu cried, impulsively throwing his arms around the claw-bearer, before pulling away, and sprinting off towards the main house.
âJakotsu! Stop running!â Suikotsu called out to his retreating form but the cross-dresser was clearly ignoring him. Sighing softly, the claw-bearer rubbed his temples. Why do I have the feeling something bad is going to happen today...?
âAniki-chan!â Jakotsu cried breathlessly as he burst into the main house. âAniki-chan!â
âWhat?â Bankotsu looked up from where he sat at a low table, discussing a possible mission with the diminutive poisoner.
âEverything alright, Jak?â Mukotsu asked.
âWell...?â Bankotsu calmly prompted.
âI have an idea for another place where we can nookie!â
Bankotsuâs eyes lit up. âWhere?â
Before Jakotsu could tell him, Mukotsu cried, âNO!! Donât tell him! I donât want to know! Please, I beg of you; wait until Iâm out of ear-shot, preferably when Iâm as far away as in town! So if youâll excuse me, Oo-Aniki, we can finish discussing this later as I see you have more important matters at hand.â Ignoring the strange looks that were coming his way, Mukotsu stood and scurried out the room. He muttered under his breath as he left, âItâs not fair!! Why does he have more luck sleeping with men than I do with women?â
Bankotsu leaned forward across the table, his chin resting comfortably in his hand, and prompted, âYou were about to tell me where we can go nookie.â
âOh yeah!â Jakotsu laughed.
âThe worktable in Renâs workshop!â
âYeah...?â The young leader of the Shichinintai grinned from ear to ear at his paramour. âWhereâs Ren?â
Jakotsu put a finger to his lips and thought it over. âI think heâs outside with Sui in his garden...â
âLetâs go!â Bankotsu got up and hurried over to the cross-dresser.
âYeah.â Bankotsu took his paramour by the hand and led him outside much to Jakotsuâs delight.
âYou know Sui and Ren nookied there, thatâs what made me think of it!â
âNo shit! Whenâd they get up to that?â
âUmmm... I think it was the day I hurt my leg,â Jakotsu giggled as they made their way towards the workshop.
âYeah...? No wonder Sui was so cranky! I wonder if we interrupted anything...â
âWell, he should have just told us, I would have understood that!â
âYeah, but you know how Sui is about stuff like nookying. He and Ren do it but they never talk about it. Besides, everyone knows how mad Ren gets when you try and talk to him about nookying, so maybe thatâs why Sui kept quiet about it.â
âCould be...â Jakotsu mused. He was about to say something else when Bankotsu opened the workshopâs shoji and peered inside.
âGreat! No oneâs home!â Bankotsu said. He stepped inside.
âYes!â Jakotsu cried as he breezed in. âThis is going to be so much fun, Aniki-chan!â He giggled.
âI know!â Bankotsu grinned, sharing his paramourâs enthusiasm. When Jakotsu started untying his obi, Bankotsu quickly added, âWait until I close the door, Sweetness! That way no oneâll know weâre in here.â
Renkotsu looked over at Suikotsu. âHow do I prune them?â
They were in Suikotsuâs garden, doing a bit of summer clean up amongst the plants and herbs when they made their way over to the hydrangeas. This was Suikotsuâs favorite part of the garden and he spent just as much time over there as Jakotsu did, although for different reasons. Whereas Jakotsuâs love for the heady blooms was the same as the claw-bearerâs late wifeâs, namely he loved the way they looked and attracted butterflies, Suikotsu loved them because they brought back sweet memories of her. So he always made sure this part of the garden was well kept which had the effect of making it the ideal place for a loversâ tryst in Jakotsuâs humble opinion.
âLike this...â Suikotsu grabbed a faded flower head and neatly cut it away. âJust be careful not to cut the stems too long, Ren. They need dead wood to grow properly and bloom again. If you want, you can also cut a few of the nicer blooms for inside. Just put them in the other basket.â
âOkay...â Renkotsu said as he carefully cut away the faded flower head. âSo why do you prune these things?â
âWell, for one thing when I cut away the dead flowers it encourages the plant to make more and secondly it makes the plants healthier.â
âHow does pruning help that?â
âWhen you cut away a dead flower, the plant needs to make more flowers so that it can make seeds for next yearâs plants. Plus it makes them look prettier without having the dead blooms everywhere.â Suikotsu knelt and laid a few fresh blossoms in the basket. Straightening up, and resuming his pruning, he said, âAnd when the plants are encouraged to grow they just seem healthier and denser to me. I canât really explain it, but I know they look better.â
âHmmm... interesting...â Renkotsu said as he waved away a bee, before cutting the bloom to take inside. âI guess itâs like choosing the best metal from the scrap...â
Suikotsu smiled as he continued his pruning. âPossibly...â
âThat was a fun time on the table the other night.â
Suikotsu chuckled. âYes it was. We should try it again sometime.â
âYes,â Renkotsu turned his head, and grinning wickedly at the claw-bearer, he said, âOnly next time itâs your turn to be on the table.â
By the time Bankotsu had closed the shoji and turned around, Jakotsu was standing there, naked.
âSweetness! I thought I told you to wait.â
âI know, my lil dumpling, but I was so excited about being here with you that I couldnât help it...â Jakotsu purred as he sauntered over to his lover. He snaked his arms around the shorter boy, pulling him close, giggling when Bankotsu cupped his bottom. They kissed, Bankotsu stretching upwards as Jakotsu leaned towards him, and it was all Bankotsu could do to keep Jakotsu from pushing them both onto the floor.
Breaking the kiss, Bankotsu murmured, âI thought you wanted to have some fun on the worktable...?â
âOh yeah...â Seconds later, Jakotsu had hopped up onto the worktable, and lay back.
âUh, Sweetness, this isnât going to work unless you want me to suck you off as unfortunately, Iâm not as tall as Ren or Sui.â
âOh...â the cross-dresser said disappointedly. âI know!â he exclaimed, rolling onto his stomach and carelessly pushing Renâs sketches and various other items off the table. âWe can pretend weâre on the floor.â
âFine with me!â Bankotsu said. He stripped down, and getting up onto the table, he blanketed his paramour.
âI hope Jak appreciates all the trouble you go through for your plants, Sui.â
Suikotsu wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. âI think so, if the amount of time he spends in here is any indication. And I have to say, he never takes any blossoms without asking.â
âAt least he has that decency,â Renkotsu said dryly.
âYeah...â Suikotsu chuckled. âYou know, when itâs spring, the place gets full of butterflies and heâll happily spend hours in here, watching them. And once, I actually heard him tell Oo-Aniki to go away and leave him alone.â
Renkotsu paused in his pruning, looking completely surprised to hear that. âReally?â
Yeah...â Suikotsu nodded. âAlthough, Iâm sure the fact that he had several butterflies sitting on him at the time might have been a big motivating factor in telling Oo-Aniki to get lost.â He laughed. âI never heard anyone yell so loudly while whispering too.â
Renkotsu chuckled at the mental image and Suikotsu smiled in return. âI would have liked to have seen that,â the fire-breather said.
âYou would have enjoyed it.â
âHeh. Now, I really wish I could have seen Banâs face.â
Suikotsu smiled impishly at the fire-breather before he made a similar face to the one Bankotsu had made when Jakotsu told him to âget lost.â
The fire-breatherâs eyes went wide before he burst out laughing. âHahahahahaha!â
Suikotsu laughed along with him.
After catching his breath, and sobering up, Renkotsu said, âYou know, this knife of yours is getting a bit dull.â
âReally?â Suikotsu move closer to him. âCan I see it?â he held out his hand.
âHere...â Renkotsu said as he handed the knife to him.
âThanks...â Suikotsu ran his thumb lightly over the edge of the knife. âYouâre right. And dull knives are bad for my plants.â He handed the knife back. âDo you think you can sharpen it for me? And maybe do this too while youâre at it?â Suikotsu handed the fire-breather the knife he was using. âIf not, Iâll have to go into town and get some new ones.â
âDonât worry about it; Iâll have them as sharp as new in an hour.â
âThanks, Ren. And if you donât mind, Iâll stay here and dig up these dead lilies. Oo-Aniki and Jak must have stepped all over them on their way over here. I think Iâll also move the rest so they donât get stepped on or worse.â The claw-bearer sighed.
Suikotsu nodded as he started to dig up the dead plants. âWhen you get back, maybe we can take a break for lunch.â
âSounds good to me,â Renkotsu said as he headed towards his workshop, while Suikotsu paused in his digging long enough to watch him go.
Renkotsu paused just outside his workshop. He could have sworn he heard the sounds of two people engaged in intimate activity, but quickly dismissed it as nothing more than the memory of the fun he had had in there with Suikotsu. Sliding back the shoji he saw that his initial feeling had been correct.
âWHAT THE FUCK?! GET OUT!! GET OUT!! GET OUT!! GET OUT!! GET OUT!!â
Suikotsu, hearing the fuss, ran over to the workshop. âRen?! REN?! What the hellâs the matter?! Are you alright?!â Coming up behind the fire-breather, Suikotsu immediately saw what the problem was. âOh hell! My hydrangeas arenât good enough for you two any more?!â
âBut Ren said he had fun in here...â Jakotsu started to say.
âAnd Jak thought itâd be a good place to nookie,â Bankotsu finished for him as the two of them slid off his worktable.
Renkotsu stood there, looking at them, a tiny vein in his forehead throbbing in time with his twitching eyebrow. He was not sure if he should burst into tears over the violation of his sacred workshop, or fly off into a rage and totally loose control of himself when a deadly calm settled over him. Turning away from them, he surveyed his workshop, mentally ticking off what needed to be cleaned up first. He could hear the others arguing in the background as Suikotsu chewed them out over it and Bankotsu pulled rank as an excuse for their behavior.
The fire-breather walked over to his worktable. Kneeling beside it, he started picking up his scattered drawings and brushes. He growled softly over the broken pieces of charcoal that littered the floor as well, for he was going to have to go hunt around for some small twigs and sticks in order to make more. Renkotsu had just reached the point where he was able to tune out the others when he heard Jakotsu say, âWant to finish this elsewhere?â which shattered his Zen-like state.
âJust get out,â Renkotsu said softly. If he had left his flask in the workshop instead of his rooms he might have burned the whole place down, Bankotsu and Jakotsu included, in a purifying conflagration. Raising his voice, he added, âJust get the hell out of here!! All of you!â
âOkay, okay,â Bankotsu said while he calmly retrieved his and Jakotsuâs clothes. He stood there, looking down at the fire-breather for several minutes until Renkotsu looked up over his shoulder and glared at him. Flushing slightly under Renkotsuâs scrutiny, Bankotsu turned away and left, followed by Jakotsu.
âYou too, Sui, I want to be alone right now,â Renkotsu said softly as he stood up.
As soon as they were outside, Jakotsu said, âHydrangeas?â He looked at his lover and giggled.
Bankotsu grinned wickedly. âYup!â
âNO!!â Suikotsu exclaimed. âGo to your room!!â
âYou heard that, Sui?â Jakotsu blinked and nearly jumped out of his skin when Suikotsu put a hand on his and Bankotsuâs shoulders.
âYes, I heard that. Iâm right behind you so how could I miss it? Besides, I know how you two think, so stay away from my garden!â
âYeah, yeah! You told us that several times already, Sui.â The young leader of the Shichinintai rolled his eyes and removed the claw-bearerâs hand from his shoulder. âLetâs go, Sweetness, I know a better place where theyâll never find us.â
The cross-dresser giggled when his lover pulled him out of Suikotsuâs grip and led him towards the main house.
âStay out of my garden!!â Suikotsu called out. He took one last look at them to make sure they were staying away from his garden, before turning back towards the workshop.
Renkotsu was still standing in front of his worktable when Suikotsu slipped back inside. The claw-bearerâs heart sank when he saw his lover was shaking while he fought to gain control over his anger. He discretely looked around the room, trying see if there were signs that the ârabbitsâ had violated any place else in the workshop.
âItâs okay, Ren,â he said softly. âI donât think they were anywhere else other than your worktable.â
âYou sure you donât want some help cleaning up in here?â
âYes.â Renkotsu turned to face him. âIf anyone should be helping me, it should be those two. But I appreciate the offer.â He looked away and said softly, âNow please go and leave me alone.â
âOkay, Iâll leave but only long enough to make you some tea,â Suikotsu said. Looking over at Renkotsu, he wondered what he could put in it to steady his nerves that the fire-breather would not taste.
Suikotsu looked down at the tray, holding a teapot and one cup, and wondered if he should have added another cup for himself when he looked up and saw Bankotsu and Jakotsu heading towards him, laughing. He closed his eyes and counted slowly to ten while he waited for them to come closer.
Jakotsu smiled and waved. âHey, Sui!â
âYou two are real scum,â he said, quietly frowning at them.
âHunh?â Jakotsu said, looking from the claw-bearer to his lover and back.
âWhat do you mean by that, Sui?â Bankotsu said, quirking an eyebrow at the older man.
âItâs bad enough you two violate my garden on a regular basis, but did you have to nookie in Renâs special place too?!â
Jakotsu, looking properly chastised, said softly, âOh...â
âThat was his special artistic, stress relieving area; you had no right to invade it!â Suikotsu growled.
âYeah...â Jakotsu said softly. Turning to Bankotsu, he said, âMaybe that wasnât such a good idea after all, Aniki-chan.â
Bankotsu shrugged. âOh yeah?â
âHow can you be so casual about this? Renâs very upset!â
âOh please! Heâs not that upset, Sui. He barely said two words to us,â Bankotsu said dismissively.
The claw-bearer opened his mouth to reply, but closed it when Renkotsu trudged towards them, looking tired and exhausted. âRen...?â
âHere he is! And he looks just fine to me, Sui,â Bankotsu said when he turned to follow the claw-bearerâs gaze.
Jakotsu paled when he saw the look in the fire-breatherâs eyes. Tugging on Bankotsuâs arm, he said, âBut his eyebrowâs twitching, Aniki-chan...â
Renkotsu looked over at them as if he was about to yell at them, instead all he managed to choke out in a strangled voice was, âDonât ever do that again.â He looked like he was about to cry when he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, holding it, before slowly letting it out. âDonât ever do that again,â he repeated a bit calmer.
Jakotsuâs eyes welled up with sympathetic tears. âI promise I wonât, Ren!!â
Bankotsu looked at his paramour like he had three heads. âWhat the hell?â
âAniki-chan, Sui was right. Ren is all upset by this... I guess heâs not as strong about things like this as Sui is.â
âI...I have put up with you nookying in all these different places and walking in on you, but after this, I feel like...â Renkotsu stared at them for several heartbeats in a loss for words. Continuing in the same strangled voice, he said, âNow please, Iâm begging you two, stay out of my workshop...â The fire-breather looked at them, smiling weakly at Jakotsu, who had nodded in reply. When he received no response from Bankotsu, Renkotsu sighed wearily, and pushing past them, he headed towards the house.
âPromise too, Aniki-chan!â Jakotsu said to his lover who laughed. Huffing wordlessly at Bankotsu, the cross-dresser hurried after Renkotsu, leaving his lover to deal with the claw-bearerâs displeasure. âWait, Ren!!â
Renkotsu, ignoring the frantic cross-dresser trailing behind him, made his way to his room. Once inside he unrolled his futon, and flopping down on it, he stared up blankly at the ceiling.
Jakotsu raced up the two steps leading onto the veranda. Pausing just outside Renkotsuâs room, he composed himself, before knocking softly on the shoji. âRen...? Can I come in, please?â
On the other side of the shoji Renkotsu ignored him.
The cross-dresser knocked again, and getting no response, he opened the shoji and stuck his head inside. âRen...? You okay?â he asked, inviting himself in.
âWhat do you want?â Renkotsu said irritably. âPlease tell me you havenât come to make like a rabbit in my room too?â
Jakotsu giggled. âNo... But if you want me to, I can.â He walked over to where Renkotsu lay and sat down next to him. âThat was a joke, Ren, youâre supposed to laugh now,â he tittered.
The fire-breather reached over his head for a floor pillow, and finding one, he grabbed it and placed it between them. âWell itâs not funny!â
âLook, Iâm sorry. Itâs just when you told me about you and Sui, I got so jealous; I had to go do it too!â
The fire-breather glared at him.
âI said I was sorry! Besides, how would it look to everyone else if you actually did something sexually adventurous that I never did?â Jakotsu sighed in frustration when Renkotsu turned away to face the wall. âIâm supposed to be the whore around here, Ren, not you.â
The fire-breather rolled over to face him and sat up. âYouâve never had sex on a table?â
âNo...â Jakotsu grinned ruefully. âIâve had sex just about everywhere else you can think of except a table, until now.â
Renkotsu, annoyed over that, grabbed the floor pillow and held like he wanted to strangle it. âOn my workshop table...â he groaned. The fire-breather stared at the floor.
The cross-dresser reached out and placed a finger under Renkotsuâs chin, gently forcing him to look up at him. âIâm sorry, Ren. I canât say it enough but I really truly am.â Jakotsuâs serious expression melted into an impish smile. âYou know, I was so impressed by your actions and daring that I just had to drag Aniki-chan over there to make sure I wasnât growing a stick up my ass,â he teased.
Renkotsu gently slapped the cross-dresserâs hand away and pouted. âBut it was my spot! I finally get one up on you and find my own special place and you just couldnât let me have it and enjoy it, could you?â he said peevishly.
Jakotsu laughed. âNope!â Growing more serious, he said, âLike I said before, Iâm the whore of the group, Ren. Youâre supposed to be the fine upstanding young officer.â
âWell that doesnât give you the right to intrude on my artistic space! Go have sex on some other table and leave mine alone!â Renkotsu narrowed his eyes at the cross-dresser. âAnd how can I be the fine upstanding young officer when you donât treat me like one?â
Jakotsu, looking properly chastised, said, âYouâre right; I donât have the right to invade your space, nor do I treat you with the respect you deserve.â He sighed, trying to rein his jealously, and failing miserably. âBut thatâs because itâs not fair that you came along and took my place just because you know how to read and write!â Jakotsu shoved his arms in his sleeves and pouted.
âTook your place?â Renkotsu said incredulously. âIâm only second-in-command in title, but youâre the one with all the power.â
âHunh?â The cross-dresser was surprised to hear that. âEveryone listens to you, Ren, and does what you say when you give orders. I might balk at the time, but I still do what you want and you know it! So how can I have all the power?â
âFor one thing, Iâm the one who always gets in trouble while you get away with everything. Secondly, you cry once and Ban and Sui come running to you. They always defend you no matter what and you can also get anyone to do anything for you and then some,â the fire-breather said bitterly.
âReally?â Jakotsu thought it over. âYou do know that Aniki-chan often yells at me in private for not listening to you, Ren. And as for getting anyone to do what I want...â he looked at Renkotsu sullenly. âCome on, Ren. They donât do that and you know it! How many times have I flirted with you and did everything just short of pouncing on you to get into your hakama and all it took was a huge jug of really strong sake for you to do anything with me, as if Iâm so repulsive you had to be drunk to nookie with me...â he said just as bitterly.
âThatâs different. Besides, Iâm on to your little game,â Renkotsu grumbled.
âWhat lil game?â the cross-dresser asked, his tone of voice innocent and light.
Renkotsu looked at Jakotsu like he wanted to throttle some sense into him. âLook, even if youâre not aware of it, when it comes to getting someone to do what you want them to do, youâre every bit as calculating and intelligent as I am!â
The cross-dresser blinked in surprise. âI am?â He frowned. âBut everyone always goes on about how smart you are, Ren. Including Aniki-chan...â
âHeh! Iâm just technical smart. You work in seduction the same way I work in battle strategy,â Renkotsu retorted.
âYeah...?â Jakotsu said softly. âBut Iâm just giving people what they want, Ren.â
âAh...â Renkotsu held up a finger and pointed it at him. âBut you are in control of what they want. You make them want you, want to defend you, want to serve you, want to make their laps into a pillow for you.â
Jakotsu smiled. âBut you didnât want to make your lap into a pillow for me, Ren,â he countered. âWhy you eventually did is beyond me.â He shrugged. âAnd you never want to do what I want, nor do you let me do what I want.â
Renkotsu lowered his hand and looked away. âIt was a moment of weakness because I was tired and it was just easier at the time to go along with you than fight it. Like I said before, Iâm on to you, and thatâs why I donât let you get away with things if I can recognize it.â
âOh... I always thought it was cuz you didnât like me. Thatâs why Iâve always tried so hard to get you into the futon with me. I thought if you didnât like how stupid I am, maybe youâd like me after I showed you things that would make you happy...â
Renkotsu sighed irritably. âI only dislike you when you do things that piss me off.â
âOh...â Jakotsu sighed. âI must piss you off a lot cuz you always seem to be mad at me for something,â he said sarcastically.
Renkotsu let a little snort of annoyance. âWell, youâre certainly not doing anything to make me like you any more by nookying in my workshop.â
âI said I was sorry! And, Ren, I promise not to nookie in your workshop anymore, unless Iâm in there nookying with you, okay?â
Renkotsu studied the cross-dresser skeptically as he was not sure whether to trust him or not, when he slowly nodded. âAlright, Iâll take you at your word for now, but if you ever do that again, I will personally rip your jewels off. Understood?â
The cross-dresser gulped and said testily, âI told you I wouldnât and I wonât! Not even if Aniki-chan orders me to!â
âWhat?! But I like that place!â Jakotsu whined.
âBut it makes Sui irritable and cranky and bitchy.â
âBut, but...â Jakotsu paused to think. âBut Sui said we can be there as long as we donât nookie by the aqueduct or any other place you two like to hang out together in.â
Renkotsu was surprised to hear that and it showed. âSui said it was okay to nookie in his garden?â
âWell, he didnât exactly put it that way... But he did say I wasnât allowed to nookie with Aniki-chan by the aqueduct or any place else that was special to you two.â
Jakotsu sighed. âOh-kay... Now Iâll never have any fun...â He pouted.
âBut that is my own play place,â Jakotsu whined.
âNo, itâs not.â Renkotsu smiled. âSo just stay out of it.â
âBut I have no place to go now...â Jakotsu continued to whine. âYou have your workshop and Suiâs garden and every time we find someplace in the house to have fun in someone complains or disturbs us for one reason or another. Itâs not fair! You have two places to go with Sui and I donât have any to go to with Aniki-chan!â
Renkotsu was about to say something when it hit him. Standing up he said, âIâve got to go talk to Oo-Aniki.â
âI have an idea,â he answered, intentionally being mysterious.
âAwe, come on, Ren. You can tell me. I can keep a secret.â The cross-dresser smiled sweetly at him.
âYes, I can!â Jakotsu cried, before narrowing his eyes at Renkotsu. âYouâre planning something special for Sui, arenât you?â he said shrewdly as he stood up to follow the fire-breather.
âWell, if itâs not that, then why wonât you tell me?â
âYou donât need to know everything thatâs in my head,â Renkotsu said and Jakotsu frowned.
âWhat does that have to do with not telling me your secret?â
âWhy are you being so mean to me?â
Renkotsu stopped and turned to face him. âThink real hard, Jak.â
âYeah...?â Jakotsu stood there, thinking about it, as the fire-breather started to walk away. Following him, he asked, âWhat am I thinking about again?â
Renkotsu shook his head and ignored the cross-dresser in his search for their leader. âBan!! Bankotsu-Oo-Aniki!!â
Jakotsu trailed after him like a lost puppy. âWhat do you need Aniki-chan for?â
âPlease, Ren,â the cross-dresser begged. âI promise not to tell anyone!â
âNo. But you will find out eventually,â the fire-breather said cryptically.
âWhen itâs time for you to be told, thatâs when.â
âBut why canât you tell me now?â Jakotsu whined and pouted like a little child.
âBecause I donât feel like telling you right now,â Renkotsu said testily.
Jakotsu huffed wordlessly.
Renkotsu looked at Jakotsu and smiled. âYou know you still want to get into my hakama.â
The cross-dresser blinked when Renkotsu abruptly changed the subject. âHunh? Youâre saying youâll nookie with me in exchange for not telling me your secret?â
âWell, I had thought about that, but then I changed my mind.â
âOh... I thought it was too good to be true, you offering yourself like that.â Jakotsu sighed dramatically.
The cross-dresser glared back at him, before sticking out his tongue at him, and stalking off in the opposite direction.
Renkotsu breathed a sigh of relief that he was alone when he found their leader talking to Suikotsu. âOo-Aniki!â he called out as he approached them.
Bankotsu, hearing his name called behind him, looked over his shoulder. âYes?â
Renkotsu trotted over to them. âI have an idea how to remedy the ânookie in the wrong placeâ problems.â
Bankotsu rubbed his forehead tiredly with one hand. He was getting really tired of hearing about his inappropriate behavior. âYou do?â
The fire-breather cast a quick glance over his shoulder to see if the cross-dresser was around. âYes. I think we should build a separate place for you and Jak to have fun in.â
âReally...? I was thinking the same thing. So, what did you come up with?â Bankotsu said, clearly interested in hearing Renkotsuâs idea.
âWell, I was thinking maybe some cozy little room or set of rooms, away from the main compound, maybe over there...â He pointed towards the other end of the house where the daimyoâs quarters were.
Bankotsu looked over and tried to imagine it. âYeah...â he said softly.
âYou could decorate it and make it your own. Itâll be ummm...â he trailed off, trying to remember Jakotsuâs word for what he was describing. âOh, whatâs Jak call it again...? A... ummm...a love nest...â
Jakotsu who had finally found them, managed to catch the tail end of their conversation. Curiosity piqued; he was sure they were discussing the secret when they all fell silent. He also knew Bankotsu would tell him in a heartbeat if asked. âWhatâs a great idea, Aniki-chan?â
âOh, we were just discussing some strategy for the new mission weâre going on.â
âA top secret mission Ren and I are going to take on.â
Bankotsu put his arm around Jakotsu and led him away from the others. âNah, the less people that come, the better.â
âBecause two people with lots of firepower will be enough.â
Jakotsu looked over at Renkotsu and glared. âSo take me instead!â
Bankotsu sighed. âJak, unless you can learn how to breathe fire out of your mouth by tomorrow, I need Ren to come with me.â
Jakotsu made an annoyed face as he turned to face his lover. âThat never mattered to you before.â
âWell, this time itâs the best strategy for the mission.â
âOo-Aniki, Iâll start drawing up the plans,â Renkotsu said.
Jakotsu silently fumed as he looked from Bankotsu to Renkotsu and back.
âGood idea, Ren,â Bankotsu said, before turning back to his paramour. âSweetness..?â He hated seeing the hurt look on Jakotsuâs face and he was half tempted to let him in on Renkotsuâs secret plans about the special rooms for the two of them.
âWhy wonât you take me?â Jakotsu asked, letting all his hurt bleed into his voice.
âIâm sorry, Sweetness, but the reason Iâm not taking you is I need Ren.â
Jakotsu narrowed his eyes at Bankotsu and said, âWhy do you need him for everything all of a sudden?â
âI donât need him for everything,â Bankotsu rolled his eyes in exasperation, âjust some things.â
Jakotsu looked away pensively. âThis is about the nookie in the workshop, isnât it?â he said softly.
âWhat does that have to do with me going on a mission without you?â
âAre you mad at me then? What the nookie not good? Or are you just making it up to Ren?â
âNo, Iâm not mad you, whatever gave you that idea?â Bankotsu gave his paramour a funny look. âAnd that nookie was the best yet!â He smiled. âIâm thinking Iâd like a worktable too, although, I wonder if we can find a shorter one...â Bankotsu said. He ignored Jakotsuâs last question and was glad he did as the cross-dresser seemed a lot happier now.
âYeah! Maybe you and Sui can look for one while Iâm gone.â
âOkay, I will.â Jakotsuâs smile suddenly faded. âUmmm... how long will you be away with Ren? And when are you leaving?â
Jakotsu shrugged and looked away sadly. âJust wanted to know...â he said softly.
âOkay...â Bankotsu heaved a frustrated sigh. He could not believe that something as simple as a surprise for his paramour could cause such trouble between them. âYou know itâs going to take a few days before Renâs ready to go with the plans so... ummm... How about some special time together before I go? Starting right now.â
Jakotsu looked up at him as a smile once again lit up his features. âOkay! But where should we go? Ren doesnât want us in his workshop.â
âIâll let you surprise me.â Bankotsu grinned wickedly.
The cross-dresser thought about it and giggled. âOne last time in the hydrangeas?â he said impishly.
âSure!â Bankotsu said, and grabbing his paramourâs hand, he dragged him off towards Suikotsuâs garden.
Renkotsu set down the piece of charcoal and his sketchbook, and wiped his hands on a damp rag. Sighing, he ran his hands over his face, before lacing his fingers together and stretching. Bringing his hands up and over his head, he rested them against the back of his skull, closed his eye, and leaned backwards. His creative frenzy of the past few days finished, Renkotsu allowed himself a brief moment to relax, before picking up his sketchbook. Flipping through the last few pages, the fire-breather surveyed his designs for his leaderâs love nest. Satisfied that it would not only be cheap and easy to build, but pleasing to look at as well, he closed the sketchbook.
âHow do they look?â Suikotsu asked. He was sitting at the other end of the low table that they shared, going over his dried herbs, and making notes about what he would need to carry them over the winter months as well as what needed replanting at the moment.
âNot bad, if I say so myself.â The fire-breather grinned. âI just hope Ban isnât mad they took longer than I thought to finish them.â
âI donât think he minded in the least, Ren, if the condition of my garden is anything to go by.â Suikotsu chuckled. âSo, can I see them?â
âSure,â Renkotsu said, grinning as he slid the sketchbook across the table towards him. Grabbing a couple of charcoal sticks, he wrapped them in a piece of cloth and tucked the small bundle into his kimono.
Suikotsu, meanwhile, had reached for it and drew it closer to himself. After moving the bundles of dried herbs out of the way, he gently perused the book, smiling at the various pictures it contained, until he reached the latest sketches. âThese are really nice, Ren. Oo-Aniki and Jak are going to love it. Not only that, itâs going to blend in beautifully with all the other buildings here and no one will ever notice itâs simply a newer addition.â He looked up and smiled his approval. âWell done!â
âThank you,â the fire-breather said softly, a delicate blush tinting his cheeks.
Renkotsu nodded. âYou know once this thingâs built and they move in, things should hopefully be a lot quieter around here.â He grinned. âNot to mention your gardenâll be safe from those two marauding rabbits.â
Renkotsu walked along the outside corridor of the small maze of buildings they called âhome.â He stilled chuckled, after all this time, over Bankotsuâs audacity in demanding the mansion as part of their payment. And while their young leader could have taken over the daimyoâs quarters, he opted to stay with everyone else. Instead, he chose to use them whenever he needed to impress a potential employer.
The trouble started when Jakotsu had moved into Bankotsuâs quarters and the nightly ârabbit sessionsâ began. They were soon followed by daily âletâs have a bit of fun in here because no oneâs around sessionsâ when the mood hit them. But all that would change as soon as Renkotsu got the love nestâs designs approved. Then it would be a simple matter to get the materials and craftsmen needed to complete the job. Their biggest problem would be how to keep it a secret from Jakotsu until it was completed. The fire-breather reasoned there were only so many missions he could be sent on before he started worrying about Bankotsu trying to get rid of him and once that happened there would be no living with the emotional cross-dresser.
As he walked along, Renkotsu decided that would be Bankotsuâs headache until he realized it would ultimately become his headache because their leader had this annoying habit of foisting the cross-dresser off onto Suikotsu whenever he became too difficult to deal with. Deciding to up the estimate by another two hundred mon, in the hopes of getting the building completed quickly, Renkotsu found himself outside his leaderâs study before he knew it. He paused in front of the door, groaning softly at the sound of giggling coming from inside.
âSweetness! Stop it!â Bankotsu laughed and playfully pushed his paramour away. âIâm busy!â
âOoh... Youâre always busy!â Jakotsu whined, and shoving his arms in his kimono sleeves, he pouted.
Bankotsu set his brush down and closed his ledger book. âAwe, donât make that face, Sweetness...â
Jakotsu narrowed his eyes at his lover. He waited several heartbeats for him to move a little closer, all the while pretending to be upset with Bankotsu. When he did, Jakotsu pounced, throwing his arms around his startled lover, and pulling him close. âGotchya!â he cried, before planting little kisses all over his face.
Bankotsu retaliated by tickling his paramour in the ribs and as Jakotsu collapsed in a giggle fit; Bankotsu took the opportunity to pounce on him. He had just managed to get Jakotsu out of his kimono when a soft knocking caught his attention.
âTell them to go away,â Jakotsu whispered. âUnless they want to join us...?â
âNah... I donât feel like sharing you. How about I see what they want and then send them on their way?â
âOkay...â Jakotsu said. âBut hurry, I want some nookie...â he purred.
âWhat do you want?â Bankotsu called out, his voice going up a couple of octaves when Jakotsu snaked his hand between them to fondle his loverâs crotch. âSweetness!â he hissed.
Jakotsu giggled in reply.
Renkotsu slid the shoji open and stepped inside. Looking down while he opened his sketchbook, he took a few steps towards Bankotsuâs low desk, before he realized their leader was nowhere in sight and it was strangely quiet.
A disheveled looking Bankotsu popped his head up. Jakotsu giggled as he lifted his leg up and wiggled his toes at the fire-breather in greeting.
âYou wanted to see me, Ren?â Bankotsu asked while he disentangled himself from his paramourâs arms and sat up.
âOOH!! Can I show him me too?!â Jakotsu giggled. He also sat up.
âGet dressed!â Bankotsu hissed, and ignoring Jakotsu, who stuck his tongue out at him, before complying, he said to Renkotsu, âWell...?â
Renkotsu sighed again. âSorry to have disturbed you, Oo-Aniki, I had no idea you were, uh... busy,â he said dryly. Although, I should have guessed it when I heard the giggling... âI have those plans you wanted, but we can discuss them later when youâre free.â
âOkay,â Bankotsu said in dismissal. âLater then.â
Renkotsu nodded and as he turned to go Jakotsu called out to him, âHey, Ren!â
When Bankotsu looked at him expectantly, Renkotsu sighed. âOkay, but on one condition. You two come outside and sit on porch. Iâll happily draw you, but no stupid stuff, okay?â
Bankotsu exchanged glances with his paramour. âFine,â he said.
âYeah...â Jakotsu said with a smile.
âOkay, I see you outside in a bit.â
Renkotsu made himself comfortable on the veranda while he waited. Just as he was about to berate himself for not having anything to draw with, he remembered he had tucked a couple of pieces of charcoal into the folds of his kimono. Reaching inside it, he removed the bundle just as Bankotsu and Jakotsu exited the room.
How about as far away from me as possible? âOver there is fine.â
Renkotsu sighed. âJust act naturally and do what youâd normally do together, except for acting like rabbits, and when you get tired of holding one pose we can move onto something different or end it.â
âThanks, Ren!â Jakotsu said. He lay down and rested his head in his loverâs lap. Bankotsuâs braid hung over his shoulder and the cross-dresser played with it as he sang softly to him.
That pose soon gave way to another one where Jakotsu sat behind Bankotsu, re-braiding his hair. When the cross-dresser had finished, he draped his arms around his loverâs neck, leaning his head on Bankotsuâs shoulder, inspiring another sketch. They had wound up changing positions several times while Renkotsu sketched them.
Sitting next to his lover, Jakotsu reached up and grabbed his chin, turning Bankotsuâs head to face him. As he leaned towards him, Renkotsu called out, âHold it!â They froze and for the next ten minutes, he furiously sketched because the fire-breather could see they were getting tired. âOkay... thatâs enough for one day. Thanks....â
âNo, thank you, Ren!â Jakotsu said happily. âCan I see them?â he asked. Jakotsu stood up and came over to the fire-breather.
âOkay,â Renkotsu said as he showed them off. He could see the cross-dresser was very interested in the sketches by the comments he had made to his lover, but all Bankotsu did was politely smile and roll his eyes when Jakotsu was not looking.
âOh, look, Aniki-chan! I look like Iâm about to kiss you!â Jakotsu giggled. âAnd all I did was ask you how much longer it was going to take! Howâd you do that, Ren?â
Jakotsu handed the sketchbook back. It was opened to the sketch in question and when Renkotsu looked at it he realized the cross-dresser was right. Iâll be damned if you canât see the love they have for each other. So why canât I have a free and easy relationship with Sui too? Itâs not fair!! Why must I have a damned stick up my ass all the time?!
âUh, bye, Ren!â Jakotsu called out, pulling the fire-breather from his reverie.
âBye...â the fire-breather said, looking up in time to see them go.
âAniki-chan!â Renkotsu heard the cross-dresser whine as he hurried along after their leader. âWait! I wanted to ask him if I could have it! Aniki-chan!!â
That night at dinner Bankotsu informed everyone that he and Renkotsu would be leaving in the morning to go on their mission. Everyone peppered him with questions except the cross-dresser, who sat there, quietly sulking, and Renkotsu who was going.
âAre you okay, Sweetness? Youâre awfully quiet,â Bankotsu said softly as he leaned towards his paramour.
Jakotsu shrugged and briefly leveled a nasty glare at Renkotsu. âI lost my appetite...â
The cross-dresser nodded and swallowed the lump in his throat. Without saying a word, he got up and left the room.
Bankotsu left the table and hurried after his paramour.
âDamn it!â Renkotsu swore softly. âWhy does he have to be such a pain in ass about this? Itâs not like Banâs never gone away without him before!â he said irritably.
The others talked amongst themselves about Jakotsuâs moodiness. They also took bets on what Bankotsu would do to make it up to him as well as how long it would take for the cross-dresser to cheer up.
âThatâs because heâs jealous over the secret you and Oo-Aniki have concerning your âmission,ââ Suikotsu whispered. âMaybe if you two werenât at odds over âthe workshop incident,â he wouldnât be as bad.â The claw-bearer held up a hand, forestalling Renkotsuâs protest. âRen, he knows damned well how annoyed you are with him over that-â
âAnnoyed isnât the word for it, Sui. Iâm half-tempted to turn my worktable into firewood. Every time I go in there....â He growled in frustration.
âI know... but think of it this way, for two whole days and nights youâre going to have Oo-Aniki all to yourself.â
âAnd thatâs supposed to make me happy?â Renkotsu said dryly.
âThatâs two whole days and nights Jak wonât have him and thatâs a better punishment than making him get you a new table.â
As Renkotsu thought it over, a smile slowly spread across his face. âYouâre right!â he chuckled. âStill, I wouldnât want to be you as youâre going to have your hands full with him.â
The claw-bearer sighed. âDonât remind me...â
Jakotsu continued on his way back to the room he shared with Bankotsu, all the while ignoring him. Sniffing softly, he would occasionally reach up to wipe away his tears. He was angry at his lover for not having dinner alone with him in their room, as well as for not saying a word to him all day about leaving tomorrow.
When Bankotsu finally caught up to Jakotsu, he grabbed his paramour by the arm. âSweetness...? I know youâre upset with me, but please come back to dinner and eat something. I promise afterwards we can spend all night if you want having fun. Uh, Sweetness?â
Jakotsu stiffened under his touch, and pausing, he turned to face his lover, letting all the hurt he felt over Bankotsuâs latest mission show. His eyes welling up with tears, Jakotsuâs lower lip trembled as he struggled to speak.
Jakotsu closed his eyes and sighed. Opening them, he looked down at Bankotsu and sadly shook his head. He swallowed his hurt along with his tears and looked away.
âIâm sorry, whatever I did...â Bankotsu said softly, taking Jakotsuâs hands in his.
Jakotsu nodded and choked back a sob, his ragged breath sounding like a hiccup.
âPlease donât cry, Sweetness.â Bankotsu raised his paramourâs hand to his lips, kissing his palm.
Jakotsu sniffed back his tears, a tight little smile twitching the corners of his mouth upwards.
âThatâs better. Do you want to go back and eat with the others, or alone in our room?â
âAlone...â Jakotsu said softly.
Bankotsu slid the shoji closed. Turning to face his paramour, he said, âNow, are you going to tell me whatâs wrong or am I going to have to tickle it out of you?â
Jakotsu rolled his eyes at him and sighed. âNo, you donât have to tickle me... Itâs just that...â he trailed off softly, a pained expression on his face.
âWhat?â Bankotsu said. He came over and sat on the floor next to the cross-dresser.
Jakotsu looked at his lover briefly, before looking away. âAniki-chan, do you ummm...?â
âLike Ren more than me?â Jakotsu said when he got up the courage to look his lover straight in the eye.
âWhatever gave you that idea?â
âWhat, Sweetness?â Bankotsu, placing his hands on his paramourâs knees, leaned towards him.
Jakotsu licked his lips while he tried to put his feelings into words. âWell... youâve been spending a lot of time with him and ummm... you always get quiet when I come near you and ummm... Ren always looks like heâs been caught doing something wrong and ummm... And I ummm...â
Bankotsu, leaning his forehead on Jakotsuâs, said softly, âThereâs nothing going on between me and Ren, Sweetness, and I mean it. Iâve never lied to you, right?â
âYeah but nothing.â Bankotsu smiled to soften his rebuke. âThis is nothing more than a top secret mission weâre going on and I canât tell you anything until itâs finished because Iâm worried about your safety.â
âBut what about your safety?â Jakotsu said, draping his arms around his loverâs neck.
âIâll be fine and so will Ren. The reason Iâm taking him is Iâve decided itâs better if we take care of the âproblemâ from a distance instead of getting up close like you and me would have to. Thatâs why I was worried about your safety.â
âOh... I guess Iâm just being stupid again, hunh?â
âNo, youâre not stupid, Sweetness, a lil silly at times, but not stupid.â
Jakotsu smiled, and foreheads still touching, he tilted his head to the side and kissed him. Bankotsu deepened the kiss and pushed his paramour gently onto to his back, blanketing him. Reaching back, and grabbing the end of his braid, he brought it forward, tickling Jakotsu on the cheek. The cross-dresser giggled and Bankotsu tickled him again with the end of his braid, gently running it up and down his paramourâs neck. The more Jakotsu struggled beneath him, the more Bankotsu felt the familiar stirring in his loins. Leaning in to kiss Jakotsu, Bankotsu gently pushed the neck of his kimono off the cross-dresserâs shoulders.
As he deepened the kiss, Jakotsu wrapped his arms around his lover pulling him close. When youâre so sweet to me like this, Aniki-chan, I feel terrible about the doubt clouding my heart... Breaking the kiss, he whispered, âIâm sorry, Aniki-chan...â
âFor what?â Bankotsu said, hiking himself up off of the cross-dresser.
âI told you youâre not stupid.â
âI know... but I really was stupid, Aniki-chan. I doubted your love for me.... And I was worried you were starting to like Ren more than me... and-â
Bankotsu silenced him with a kiss.
âHere, better give them some of this too,â Renkotsu said, handing Suikotsu the plate with the remaining gyoza on, it as Jakotsu was rather found of the fried fish dumplings.
Suikotsu added it to the plate of yakitori he had set on a tray along with the plates of food left behind by their leader and his paramour. âThat should be enough food for the two of them as you know as well as I do that they probably wonât touch this.â
âYeah... I just hope Jak doesnât keep Ban up all night as that will only delay his departure and make him a cranky traveling companion. Still, itâs nice of you to think of them even though it wonât be appreciated.â
âI think theyâll enjoy it. Thereâs only so much nookying they can do, Ren, before they get tired. Besides, Jak didnât eat all day, and I bet heâs not feeling well because of it.â
âHow do you know that?â
âWell I know he never eats breakfast unless someone makes nattou and I know weâre out of it as I made the last of it yesterday day for breakfast.â
âRen!â Suikotsu frowned.
âWhat? Look, he deserves it for being pain in the ass about this whole thing. Maybe I should just tell Ban to tell him about it. Hopefully thatâll end all the nonsense and carrying on about nothing.â
Suikotsu shook his head as they left the dining hall. âOo-Aniki wants it to remain a secret because he knows how happy itâll make Jak when he sees it all finished,â the claw-bearer said as they entered the outer corridors leading to their rooms. âSo donât say a word, okay?â
âFine. Letâs hurry up and drop this off as I need a bath and I could use a lil company too.â
Suikotsu laughed. âOf course. You know, I was thinking I could use a bath myself, so if you donât mind...â
âYou know Iâd never mind your company.â
âSweetness, itâs you I love, so no more jealousy about Ren, okay?â
âOh-kay... I promise Iâll try, Aniki-chan,â Jakotsu said softly.
âGood, because itâs really silly.â
They both looked up at the sound of soft knocking on their shoji.
âI hope that was Sui leaving us something to eat as Iâm starving and as much as I would love to eat you, my lil dumpling, youâre more dessert than dinner,â Jakotsu said, looking at his lover impishly.
Bankotsu laughed. âWell then, Iâd better go see if it is,â he said as he got up off his paramour. Standing up, he walked over to the door. When the young leader of the Shichinintai slid the shoji open, he saw there was a tray left just outside their room just like Jakotsu hoped there would be. Picking it up, and sliding the shoji closed with his foot, Bankotsu brought it over to his paramour and sat down. âHelp yourself, Sweetness,â he said, picking up his half-eaten bowl of rice along with his chopsticks.
âOoh!! Look, Sui got them to save me some dumplings!â Jakotsu said happily as he picked up a gyoza with his chopsticks. Dipping it in the small bowl of sauce, he took a bite and swallowed. âMmmm... good, but not as good as you...â
âSilly!â Bankotsu chuckled. He was pleased Jakotsuâs mood had lifted because he was torn by the thought of leaving him tomorrow. If only I could send Ren by himself as I really donât want to leave you... He mentally sighed. But then it would feel more like Renâs gift to you, Sweetness, than mine...
âCome on, Sweetness, let go! I told you Iâve gotta go!!â Bankotsu said, while trying to get out of Jakotsuâs vice-like grip. The cross-dresser was spooned in behind him and what had started out as some fun cuddling, quickly turned into âI never want to let you go!â
âAwe... Canât you just stay here a little longer? I get so lonely in the futon without you,â the cross-dresser murmured into the top of his loverâs head.
âI know and I miss you too when youâre away. But itâs only two days and the quicker I go; the quicker Iâll be back.â
âYeah...â Jakotsu said softly. He gave his lover a quick squeeze, before reluctantly letting him go.
Bankotsu sat up in the futon. âIâm sorry, Sweetness, I wish I could take you with me...â
âIâll be okay. Besides, Sui needs someone to look after him...â
âI know and Iâm sure Renâll appreciate that.â
Jakotsu frowned. âYeah, well heâd better,â he said peevishly.
âIâm sure he does... Anyway, I need to go get dressed.â Bankotsu stood up and walked over to where he had dropped his clothes last night. Picking up his fundoshi, he tied the apron-like loincloth around his waist. Bankotsu could feel Jakotsu watching him while he got dressed, not that he minded as he reached for kimono. Shrugging into it, he grabbed his hakama and tugged them on.
Jakotsu giggled. âYou look very cute hopping around like that, Aniki-chan.â
âThanks. Youâd better get dressed too if you going to see me off, Sweetness.â
âDonât remind me...â The cross-dresser sighed. âComeâre and Iâll braid your hair first, then Iâll get dressed. Besides, it takes me less time to get ready than you,â he said smugly.
âThatâs certainly true...â Bankotsu returned to the futon and sat down in front of Jakotsu. Handing him a comb, he let his thoughts drift to the rooms he was going to have built as a surprise for his paramour.
Jakotsu gently combed the tangles from his loverâs hair. Bankotsuâs hair reminded him of raw silk the way the soft blue-black strands slipped through his fingers as he braided it. When he reached the end of the plait, Jakotsu held his hand out expectantly over Bankotsuâs shoulder for the little leather lace he used to tie it off.
âYouâre welcome...â Jakotsu said softly as he knotted it.
âBye...â Bankotsu said just as softly, before kissing the cross-dresser on the cheek and heading out the door.
Jakotsu emerged from his room a few minutes later, hastily dressed and red-eyed from a last minute crying fit. He was afraid he had missed seeing them off, but to his surprise Bankotsu was still there, talking to Suikotsu, while the fire-breather waited impatiently off to the side. When he noticed Jakotsu was there, Renkotsu walked over to him.
âHere...â Renkotsu said. He reached into the top of kimono.
âIâm sorry for, you know...â they chorused while Renkotsu handed the cross-dresser a small scroll.
Shaking his head, the fire-breather said, âGo ahead, and open it.â
âThanks, Ren... Although, I donât deserve it...â
âNo, you donât, but I thought Iâd give it to you anyway.â
Jakotsu smiled, and unrolling the scroll, he gasped when he saw what it was. âItâs beautiful, Ren! Thank you! Howâd you know I loved that picture of me and Aniki-chan almost kissing?â
âYouâre welcome.â Renkotsu grinned. âAnd a lil butterfly told me.â He chuckled at the look on Jakotsuâs face. âAnyway, I hope this will make up for the fact Banâs spending time with me and not you.â
Jakotsu bristled a bit, before saying sweetly, âAs long as you donât mind Sui spending time with me, I guess I can live with it. Itâs only two days, right?â
âNow go! Because while itâll be fun to have Sui all to myself, I still rather have Aniki-chan. And the sooner you leave, the sooner heâll be back!â Jakotsu said, wagging his finger at him.
Renkotsu laughed. âSince when do I take orders from you?â
âThen consider it a request from me and Sui.â The cross-dresser smiled.
âWill do!â The fire-breather turned and walked away. âCome, Oo-Aniki! We have a mission to go on!â
Bankotsu and Suikotsu exchanged glances, and rolling his eyes, the young leader of the Shichinintai hurried over to his paramour for one last kiss before leaving.
âBye, Sweetness!â he waved as he hurried off down the road after Renkotsu.
âI wouldnât worry about leaving him behind, Oo-Aniki,â Renkotsu said as they headed down the road towards the village.
âNo? He seemed really upset.â
âHeâs always upset when he canât have his own way and you know it,â the fire-breather replied as he shifted his shoulder canon to a more comfortable position.
âI know⌠but Iâve always told the truth before,â Bankotsu said pensively.
âTrue⌠But this time itâs a surprise and you know as well as I do that you canât surprise someone if they already know what the surprise is⌠â Renkotsu rubbed his forehead tiredly with his free hand. Damn it! Now Iâm starting to ramble like he does!
Bankotsu nodded. âYeah. Youâre right,â he said sheepishly. Brightening, he added, âAnd Jakâs really going to be surprised when itâs all done.â He quickened his pace.
âMost definitely, Oo-Aniki,â Renkotsu agreed, pleased that his leader was going to continue with their little âmissionâ to secure building supplies and a work crew, instead of turning around and going home.
âSo do you think itâll take long to get it done?â
âWhat? Our mission or the actual building?â
âThe building. I want to have it done before winter.â
âI donât think thatâs going to be a problem, itâs not even summer yet. As long as the weather holds out and it doesnât get too hot, I think weâll be finished before the harvest starts and men are needed at home.â
âGood.â Bankotsu grinned happily, his thoughts straying to the finished love-nest and the fun he would have with Jakotsu in there.
The fire-breather, catching sight of the goofy look on his leaderâs face, heaved a long suffering sigh as he had the feeling he knew exactly what was going through Bankotsuâs head.
Bankotsu nodded. âSo, uh⌠I was thinkingâŚâ
âI was thinking,â the sixteen year old repeated a bit more confidently. âThat I should get a new futon.â
âReally?â Renkotsu said dryly.
âYeah. And a new quilt. Jak saw this pretty red one last time we were in town and he wanted it badly, but we didnât have enough money with us to get it. So, do you think I should get it for him?â
âI do. And I think you should go to the pleasure district and pick out some toys for him too, while youâre at it,â the fire-breather said sarcastically. And a new worktable for me from the woodworkerâsâŚ
Bankotsu completely missing the sarcasm, asked, âYou think?â
Oh hell! Why do I have the feeling Iâm going to regret this whole thing before it even starts? âYeah. I thought maybe you could do that while I hire a work crew.â
âThanksâŚâ It was all the fire-breather could do not to roll his eyes.
âSo what else do you think Iâll need?â
âAnything thatâll make Jak happy,â Renkotsu quickly assured him.
âWell that goes without saying.â Bankotsu rolled his eyes at him.
âTrue, trueâŚâ The fire-breather snorted softly in amusement as he had the feeling the love-nest would wind up looking like the local brothel by the time Bankotsu was finished decorating it with the cross-dresserâs tastes.
âSo you think heâll be surprised? And like it?â
âIâm sure he will and then some, Oo-Aniki.â You sound like youâre going to woo him. Renkotsu grinned inwardly. Better you than me, my friendâŚ
As they walked along, Bankotsu kept up a one-sided conversation about the love-nest while Renkotsu surprised himself, by nodding in all the right places. As much as he hated to admit being jealous of the cross-dresser, the fire-breather found he actually had it better when it came to things. Suikotsu was just as attentive a lover, but he never smothered him with affection like their leader did to the cross-dresser. He never dallied with women behind his back like Bankotsu would probably do the minute he stepped foot into the pleasure district, nor would he pick fights with him over the stupidest things just to have fun making up afterwards. No, he had a certain maturity and stability in his relationship with the claw-bearer and it felt strangely good, knowing that he finally did have something Jakotsu was jealous about when it dawned on why the cross-dresser always whined about wanting a âSui of his own.â
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