Echoes: Epilogue - Jakotsu

DISCLAIMER: Inuyasha and all of the canon characters featured in this fanfic are the property of Takahashi Rumiko, Sunrise, Viz and all other respective copyright owners. I do not lay claim to these characters in any way, shape or form.

Author's notes:

Okay, this is the final chapter. I meant to upload it last weekend but the site was down. Better late than never. :p

I'm still working on this story. I was pretty out of practice when I first started writing this and to be honest, I think it shows. I'd like to revise the earlier chapters once I've got the time. There's also a few things I'd like to tidy up here and there in the later ones. Any constructive criticism you have to offer would be very welcome.

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Epilogue - Jakotsu

Sunset found them in a sheltered grove beside a hillside brook. The waning light flitted through the canopy overhead. A faint breeze brought them a little relief. No one had crossed their path since the temple. Their only companions were the birds and squirrels.

The water was bone cold but clear and fresh. It was more than enough for a quick wash. He could finally scrub that bastard's touch off his skin.

Bankotsu hadn't stirred since he set him down. He lay on his back on top of a pile of bracken leaves in the shadow of a crooked maple. It was the softest bed he could give him right now. Gentleness didn't come to him so easy these days.

The last word out of his mouth was Jakotsu.

It had started as more of a joke than anything else. He'd changed names like clothes since he left the castle. It was no big deal to try another one on for size. Besides, Bankotsu had to call him something.

Yet somehow it had stuck. Jakotsu had gone from a joke, to a habit, to a name in itself. It was the first word to reach him through his haze of rage and blood. Somehow it called him back to himself.

The dampness of Bankotsu's blood against his skin had shocked him into action. A quick search of the temple had yielded a stash of bandages, herbs, ointment and what stank like moonshine. It was enough to patch him up for now. He wasn't about to go searching for any unlikely survivors. The herbs had stunk more than enough to bring Bankotsu back to what remained of his senses. They'd left as soon as his stomach stopped heaving.

Bankotsu had wound up riding on his back most of the way. He'd barely had the energy left to complain. They'd only stopped twice; both times for him to empty his stomach. He'd drifted off as soon as his head stopped pounding.

He glanced over at the sleeping boy. The sight sent a stab of guilt through his chest. So much for trying to keep him out of this. He was lucky not to have punctured a lung.

Hell knew what another minute's hesitation would have cost him.

Still, here was no harm in letting the kid get some rest. He sure needed it. He wasn't the only one. Cold water and sheer willpower were the only things keeping his eyes open. He fought back a wave of sleepiness. They could stay open a little longer.

He wasn't letting Bankotsu out of his sight again.

"Jakotsu?"

He gave a start and dropped his washcloth. He cursed and fished it out of the brook before the current could steal it away. He glanced over his shoulder and found Bankotsu's eyes wide open.

"I'm fine. Just getting cleaned up."

"In the middle of the stream?" Bankotsu's brows creased. "Come on out before you catch a cold."

"It's not that cold." His trembling hands said otherwise.

"Come on, you're going to scrub your skin off at this rate."

Bankotsu tried to sit up. He fell back with a hiss of pain.

"Don't get up!" he snapped.

He dashed forwards, only to grind to a halt as he remembered his lack of clothes. He sat down with a splash.

Bankotsu blinked. His eyes widened once more as he realised why he'd stopped. He gave a small cough and looked away. He fixed his eyes on the nearest tree and reached behind his head.

He tugged his makeshift pillow free with a wince. He held it out towards him. He scrambled out of the stream and took it with a mumbled thanks.

It didn't take long to dry off. At least he had a change of clothes. He'd stuffed the richest of the bandits' leftover pickings into his carrying cloth. They weren't the cleanest bunch - and far from the best-dressed - but he'd managed to find two kosode that were mercifully free of stains. Bankotsu's was like a tent on him even with the sleeves torn off. His own was little better but for once he was past caring about what he looked like.

His feet swayed as he stood back up. He grabbed at a tree trunk for support. Sleep was catching up with him much too fast for his liking. He'd best eat something while he had the chance. They still had a couple of onigiri left. He'd also grabbed some dried kelp and sardines from the bandits. It was more than enough for a makeshift dinner.

He returned to the campsite and started rooting through his carrying cloth. Bankotsu had somehow managed to sit up despite the pain. He was too tired to scold him again. They couldn't risk another bandit attack. They couldn't risk a fire either but at least it would be a warm night.

He broke one of the onigiri in half and passed the largest piece to Bankotsu. He probably wasn't in any more of a mood for food than he was but rice was better than nothing. At least it might settle his stomach a little.

He'd refilled their canteens before he bathed too. He offered one to Bankotsu.

"Jakotsu?"

That name again. Of course it would have to come up sooner or later. He swallowed his nerves and looked him in the eyes.

"You know, you don't have to keep on calling me that."

Bankotsu frowned. "You sure?"

"Well..." He gave a sigh. There wasn't much point left in pretending. "I mean, you know it's not my real name, so-"

"But isn't that the name you like?"

It was his turn to look confused. "It's just..."

Just what? No answer came to his lips. He swallowed another sigh.

"I... I should've told you. This is all-"

Bankotsu raised his palm. "Don't."

A frown crossed his face. "But-"

"I'm the one who ran off on you."

"But it's not like I can blame you."

"Then stop blaming yourself." Bankotsu's frown deepened. The effect was spoiled somewhat by the grains of rice clinging to his cheek. "That arsehole was the one who started it."

If only things were that simple. He shook his head. "It's... complicated, Bankotsu. Let's just say heroic rescues aren't really my thing."

Bankotsu's frown relaxed a little. "Maybe." He wiped the rice away and stuffed it in his mouth. "But you're not like him either."

His own frown returned. "You heard what-"

"You think that bastard would have come back for me?"

He met Bankotsu's open gaze with a stare. There wasn't a trace of deception in those eyes.

"Look, you don't have to talk right now. Not if you don't want to." Bankotsu reached out and put his hand on his arm. "But if you ever do..."

"I..."

He could have hugged him all over again. If that wouldn't have made him pass out.

"... I don't know what to say."

"Then don't say anything." He gave his arm a pat. "You can use whatever name you want. Jakotsu's okay with me."

He made no reply. His words had slipped away from him again. Yet he couldn't deny it. Of all the names he'd tried, it was the only one that really fit.

A soft smile found its way to Jakotsu's lips.

"Then it's okay with me too."

Bankotsu returned the smile. "So now will you go to sleep?"

"Bankotsu..." Jakotsu heaved another sigh. "You're not going to-"

"And you're going to pass out if you stay awake much longer. It's not like I'm going to get much sleep like this anyway." He poked at his ribs and flinched.

"But what if-"

"I'll wake you if anyone comes." His eyes were softer now. Almost pleading. "Promise?"

Damn it. He couldn't say no to that face. Sometimes Bankotsu's stubbornness was as adorable as it was annoying. The kid could hardly walk yet he was still trying to protect him. He hid another smile behind his hand.

"Well... okay. But just for an hour or two, right?"

"Right." Bankotsu shuffled aside and patted the pile of leaves. "Uh, sorry there's not much space. I can get more if you want."

"It's fine. Really." He couldn't hide his smile this time.

Bankotsu gave him a nod and settled his back against the maple. Jakotsu flopped down on the pile with a sigh. After last night this was almost comfortable. His eyelids were growing heavier by the moment. There was just one last thing before he closed them for good.

"Um, Bankotsu?"

A rustle came from beside him. "Hmm?"

"Thanks."

"Hey, we're friends, right?"

Friends. It was such a simple word. Yet it was such a big step. One he'd thought he'd never take again.

But some people were worth taking chances for.

"Right."

He rolled over and drifted off with his smile still on his face.

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Thank you for reading! Constructive criticism is very welcome!