Echoes: Bankotsu I

DISCLAIMER: Inuyasha and all of the characters featured in this fanfic are the property of Takahashi Rumiko, Shogakukan Publishing, 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:

Just a quick reminder about character ages: the main storyline takes place about four and a half years before the Shichinintai’s execution. Bankotsu is 12 going on 13 and Jakotsu is 16.

I decided I'd upload this one now rather than wait another week because the prologue's fairly short.

Glossary

Dango – Sweet dumplings made from rice flour. Three to four dango are often served on a skewer.

Kosode - a basic Japanese robe for both men and women.

Bisento - a spear-like weapon resembling a glaive with a heavy curved blade

Tomoe - an abstract shape like a swirl that resembles a comma. A common design element in Japanese family crests.

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Bankotsu I

The silver sang clear as the summer sky.

Bankotsu grinned, tossed the coin and caught it in mid-air. Not a bad reward for taking out one drunken bandit. Even if it had taken most of the week to track him down.

He gave the coin one last tap and untied the string he wore around his neck. At least the daimyou was less stingy than most. He added the silver to his row of coppers, keeping one eye on the passing townspeople. The bridge to Mito castle was busy at the best of times but market day was something else. Still, a little spending wouldn't hurt.

Besides, there'd be more where that came from.

He turned to Jakotsu. The older boy leant against the bridge rail, a dreamy smile on his lips. He watched a young samurai at the marketplace with hungry eyes. Bankotsu reached up and tapped him on the shoulder.

"You up for seconds?"

Jakotsu blinked and looked down. He scratched his cheek. "Depends. Is he cute?"

Bankotsu laughed. "We'll see."

"He better be. That last one was hardly worth cutting up." Jakotsu sighed. He glanced towards the nearest stall. A small crowd had gathered to eye up the stack of barrels standing in its shade. "You've got change, right?"

"What for?"

"Sake?" Jakotsu stifled a giggle at Bankotsu's look of disgust.

"What? That crap’s just nasty."

"Guess you'd prefer some dango, huh?" Jakotsu grinned and dodged Bankotsu's playful swipe. "Aw, come on. I'll get you the sticky ones.”

Bankotsu relented and reached into his kosode once more. He toyed with the string, smirking as Jakotsu tried - and failed - not to fidget. The first time he'd given Jakotsu his full share in one go had also been the last. He let him wait a little longer, untied the string and weighed up its contents.

"Well... okay." He tossed a few copper coins into his friend's eager hand. "Don't spend it all at once."

Jakotsu winked. Bankotsu stuck out his tongue in reply. Jakotsu gave him a wave and plunged into the crowd. He was soon lost in the throng of comers and goers.

Bankotsu smiled and shook his head. If he could say one thing about Jakotsu, it was that he definitely made life more interesting. He propped his bisento against the bridge and vaulted on top of the nearest post.  A passing merchant snorted in disgust.  Bankotsu ignored him. He sat down and rested his bisento's haft against his shoulder. Time to wait.

At least the view was better from up here. The market was still in full swing, despite it being well past midday. Traders and townspeople jostled past, filling the air with idle chatter. The bright awnings rustled in the warm breeze. A hint of roasted fish wafted across the river, making his stomach growl. Good job they had a hot meal and beds in the servants' quarters waiting for them back at the castle.

A rumble of voices came from the centre of the marketplace. A group of soldiers strode into view, sending the townsfolk scurrying out of their way. The merchants eyed them nervously from behind their wares. As the soldiers drew closer, Bankotsu made out the daimyou's three tomoe emblazoned on the banners at their backs.

The murmurs grew louder as the soldiers neared the bridge. Bankotsu glanced in Jakotsu's direction. His friend had a jug of sake in hand but his eyes were fixed on the soldiers. However, it was the man stalking through the marketplace towards Jakotsu that caught Bankotsu's attention.

He had to be at least half a head taller than anyone else in the crowd. He carried no banner, nor did his armour bear a crest.  Yet his paired swords, steady prowl and unflinching eyes all marked him as a samurai. The remaining townsfolk slipped away as he approached the stall.

Bankotsu frowned as the samurai sidled up behind Jakotsu. His frown deepened as the samurai put his hand on Jakotsu's shoulder.

The last man who'd done that had met a very messy end.

Jakotsu started. He twisted out of the samurai's grip and flung the jug of sake at his face. The samurai took the blow on his vambrace. The jug shattered, drenching him in sake.  A gasp rose from the crowd.

Bankotsu leapt off the post and took up his bisento. He barged through the marketplace, narrowly avoiding a collision with two merchants and a vegetable cart. He pressed on, shoving his way towards the stall.  Scowls and mutters followed him through the crowd.

By the time he got there Jakotsu's back was to the wall. The soldiers had gathered around the sake stall, levelling their spears at him. The merchant cowered behind his barrels. None of the townsfolk gave them a second glance.

The samurai stood a few paces away from Jakotsu, his hand resting on his katana's hilt. Up close, he was even taller; over six feet of lean muscle and pure arrogance. The sake dripping from his shaggy black mane didn't faze him one bit.  His gaze was steady as a hawk's.

The samurai shook his head in mock disbelief, a soft smirk playing around his lips. "And here I was going to buy you a drink." His voice was as rough as a saw edge.

The samurai took a step towards Jakotsu. Jakotsu slipped aside. "Not interested."

The samurai propped one arm against the wall, blocking his path.  “Oh, don't be too sure about that."

Jakotsu's eyes narrowed. "If you think I'm-"

"Aw, come on, kid." The samurai loomed closer, towering over him. "You're not scared, are you?"

Jakotsu swore under his breath and backed off. He bumped into the stack of barrels and flinched away.  The samurai gave a chuckle. Bankotsu tightened his grip on his bisento.

"Awful shy, aren't you?" the samurai remarked. "Too bad Onuki isn't here. He wouldn't say no to a little fun."

Jakotsu's shoulders stiffened. The hate in his eyes turned to pure loathing. When he spoke his voice was barely above a whisper. "Damn it, Iwakami..."

Bankotsu forced his way past the bystanders and rushed to Jakotsu's side. Jakotsu's eyes grew wide at the sight of him.

Iwakami smirked. "Oh? You never told me you had company."

Bankotsu shot him a glare. "How about I tell you to piss off?"

Iwakami's smirk broke into a grin. "Well, aren't you a feisty one?" His grin widened as he looked Bankotsu up and down. "Guess I'd better watch my ankles."

The soldiers snickered. Bankotsu's jaw tensed. "Shut your mouth. Or you'll regret it."

Jakotsu caught his breath. "Bankotsu..."

Iwakami merely kept grinning. "Will I?"

Bankotsu made no reply. He lifted his bisento from his shoulder and levelled it at Iwakami. The soldiers bristled their spears. Iwakami threw back his head and laughed.

"Oh, you have got to be-"

 Bankotsu snarled. He sprang forwards, only to be yanked clean off his feet.

Laughter rippled through the marketplace. Bankotsu turned to glare at his captor.

"Jakotsu!"

His protests died in his throat as he caught sight of the look on Jakotsu's face. He'd seen venom in those eyes plenty of times before. But this...

This was the first time he'd ever glimpsed fear.

"Jakotsu?"

Jakotsu didn't respond. He put Bankotsu down but kept one hand on his shoulder. His eyes never left Iwakami's face.

Iwakami tsked and shook his head. "Well, can't say I'm surprised. Onuki never did like to share."

Jakotsu took a sharp breath as a shudder of rage swept through his body. The bystanders began to murmur as his hand went to Jakotsutou's hilt.

Iwakami's grin returned. He readied another remark, only to be drowned out by the bellow of a conch.

One of the soldiers glanced towards the castle. "Iwakami-sama?"

Iwakami followed his gaze. His brow creased in irritation. "Sounds like the old man doesn't want to be kept waiting." He signalled to the soldiers.

The soldiers put up their spears. Bankotsu blinked. A small frown crossed Jakotsu's face.

Iwakami gave him an apologetic smile. "Looks like we'll have to continue this another time." He turned to follow the soldiers, who were making their way towards the bridge. He waved at the two boys over his shoulder. "See you, Mako-chan."

Jakotsu tensed like a bowstring. His hand trembled on Bankotsu's shoulder. Bankotsu steeled himself, waiting for the moment when Jakotsu would strike.

The moment never came.

"Jakotsu?" Bankotsu's eyes widened as he found Jakotsu frozen to the spot. "Jakotsu!"

Jakotsu blinked. He rubbed his forehead, as if trying to clear his thoughts. He looked down at Bankotsu and blinked again, as though he'd just seen him for the first time. "We should go."

Bankotsu offered him a nod. Before he could respond further, Jakotsu gripped his arm and practically dragged him away from the stall.

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They walked straight through the marketplace without another word. The townsfolk were only too happy to let them pass. Finally, as they approached the edge of the warehouse district, Bankotsu broke the silence.

“Mako-chan?”

Jakotsu's fingers clenched like talons.  Bankotsu yanked at his sleeve.

“Ah, shit. Sorry!” Jakotsu released his grip.

Bankotsu scowled and rubbed his arm. “You said you didn't have a name.”

"That's not my–" Jakotsu let out a sigh. "Just forget it, okay?"

Bankotsu stared at him open-mouthed. That was the last thing he'd ever expected to hear from Jakotsu. "Forget it? Jakotsu, he-"

"He's a fucking creep? Tell me about it." Jakotsu gave another sigh and rubbed the back of his neck. “Iwakami's not worth the headache."

Bankotsu's scowl returned. "You think I'd let that arsehole–"

"That arsehole who's ordering half the garrison around? You think he's–"

 "That doesn't mean he can–"

"It means he can do whatever the hell he wants, so long as the daimyou looks the other way." Jakotsu paused as he realised their argument was beginning to attract a few stares. His shoulders slumped. When he met Bankotsu's gaze, his eyes were almost pleading. “Just let it go."

Bankotsu let out a sigh of his own. Sometimes there was no arguing with Jakotsu. "Okay. But he's not touching you again."

Jakotsu raised an eyebrow. Bankotsu put his hand on Jakotsu's shoulder.

"It's okay. We're not going back."

"Then where–"

"We'll find somewhere." He offered Jakotsu his hand. Jakotsu frowned but took it without complaining. They set off without looking back.

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Constructive criticism is very welcome!