This Place...

[Birdie]

(Bankotsu) (Open?)


Jakotsu smiled to himself as he waded into the river. His slender hands lifted his soft pink kimono so as not to get it wet. Mid-day was always hot, and not particularly a time he enjoyed. He preffered dawn or dusk, because they were comfortably cool, in the summer at at least. His opal eyes searched the opposite bank with a small amount of interest. He could see fish in the water, swimming around his legs. He chuckled, flicking some dark hair over his shoulder.

Jakotsu would be considered an odd man during thiough this time period, though handsome in his own way. His skin was a milky white, and soft. His hair and eyes contrasted with his body, they were so dark, blacker than night itself. His body was slim, with just a tiny bit of curve that made him seem a little more feminine than most males. His sword leaned against a near by tree, ready for action, if need be.

The Snake exited the water, yawning brightly, an arm streached up, whilst the other allowed a hand to cover his painted lips. His opal eyes raomed until they set upon the figure of his traveling companion.

"Oo-aniki... Why does it have to be so hot." he whined carelssly, sitting down next to his sword, and leaning heavily against the tree.

Oh yes, how he hated mid-day. It ment having to stop for a rest, so one did not suddenly faint from dehydration. Despite being mostly dead, such a thing was still possible for him.

[amaco]

Bankotsu sat next to the water's edges with his arms folded and his eyes closed in deep concentration. Banryu also rested against the tree with Jakotsuto. "Ask the Heavens that question, brother," he replied with his eyes still closed in thought.

At that moment a slight breeze blew past the pair but only for a second. Bankotsu sighed in despair as the crisp wind escaped them and blew to the west. He collapsed upon the lush green grass and placed his hands behind his head. He turned to his side and picked a blade of grass from the vibrant thousands. He held it to his eyes in examination and remarked, "At least the grass is joyous and healthy in this condition."

[Birdie]

The grass? Jakotsu blinked a couple of times before studying the green grass. It was cool, though somewhat dry, due to the fact that mid-day seemed to enjoy evaporating as much water into the air as possible.

Jakotsu already missed that small breeze that had gone by not so long ago. His attention went back to the grass. He ran his fingers through the coarse blades, then shook his head. He looked to the blue sky. Not a cloud in sight. He hald wishe dit would rain, to drive this crazy heat away, the other half wanted nothing to do with water ruining his clothing.

He pouted for a little while longer. But, as we all know, Jakotsu was not made for pouting. He found something else to draw his attention. There, in the stream, something glittered, the sun ray's reflecting off the surface. "Hnn...?" he leaned forward, but still could not tell what it was. So he was back to wading.

Again lifting his skirts, he went into the water and plucked out an arrow head. "oo-aniki... Do you think there was a battle here before?" Of course his mind went to war and death first, but it aso came up with another conculsion. "Maybe it was a careless hunter..." He mumbled, that latter thought not quite as exciting.

He brought the arrow head with him, setting it with his weapon. Perhaps there were more? The stone piece could surely not be the only one. Ancient battles. The thought sent an electric feeling through his spine.

He tucked the rest of his kimono into the sash around his waist, so as to keep it out of the water while he searched for more arrowheads.

[amaco]

Bankotsu eyes remained closed as he answered his companion, "Possibly..." That was all he could mutter as he concentrated in deep thought. The Heavens seem to favor us, we are alive again. Or maybe just the Underworld's favor is against us. A flame sparked in his spirit. The craving of violence flickered intently within him. He would never attack Jakotsu or anyone that near to him. But of course Jakotsu was the only "that near to him." But that was not an entirely true thought, his other "brothers"..... Where were they now?

[Birdie]

Jakotsu was not at all thinking about his brothers. Generally he didn't trust them as much as he did Bankotsu. Perhaps this was because he had been betrayed by one of them? Jakotsu's mind was much more happily engaged though.

He was thinking about the blood that might have flown through this river, that is if it had been a great war. So far he had only found a few other ancient stone arrow heads. He had a little collection of them by now. The wat er was begining to feel even better now, and a sudden idea came to Jakotsu. He was surprised he had not thought of it before.

He went back to the tree where his weapon and his arrowheads lay. He set three more with the first. He slowly un-did the sash, laying it atop the arrow heads. Next came his kimono, then that plate of armor, lastly he did something completely rare for him. He took the pin from the bun on the back of his head, letting the long black locks fall around his pale face. He turned, then jumped into the river, laughing as his wet hair stuck to his face. It felt nice and cool with in the water. Much better than that wretched outside air.

[amaco]

A few sprinkles of water gently splashed upon Bankotsu's face as his brother jumped into the river. The water still did not break his concentration and his eyes remained closed. "I knew you couldn't resist Jakotsu," he replied with a smirk, "We'll have to leave soon. I hear that a local daimyou is hiring, and we need money."

[Birdie]

"Hn... All right Oo-aniki." came teh replyas Jakotsu lay lazily in the water. Of course, that would have to wait until 'soon' when ever that was. It was just a term, for now, Jakotsu was comfortable just swimming in this river. He dunked his head under water for a moment, getting his hair all wet. With it down he looked mroe feminine than ever. He was grinning rediculously. It was almost like being alive again... alive and a child.

[amaco]

Bankotsu placed his feet in the warm water and sighed with relaxation. He was still heavily contemplating about the meaning of his existence, and a peak of emotion shown through the darkness in his heart."I'm not going to screw up this time. Not again..." the young rogue muttered to himself. I will...I must succeed in everything I do, from this point forward.

[Birdie]

Jakotsu heard his words and watched his 'brother's form curiously. Jakotsu made his way out of the river, wringing his hair, the water spilling onto the ground. He shrugged on his kimono over the metal armor. Tying the sash around his waist he went to sit near Bankotsu. He clasped his hands together, the sleeves of his kimono resting over those slim hands. The feminine man held a smile on his face. His womanly features were merely enhansed by the wet locks hanging about his pale face.

"Oo-aniki... You should not be worried about failing someone else..." he paused, searching for the right words. "You will never fail me. There are thigns that will always happen, no matter what we do. You see, the only sure thing is death." he actually sounded wise for a moment. Usually he was the most whimsical and silly of the group, not taking too much seriously. But it seems all that was just an act, perhaps.

[amaco]

Bankotsu finally opened his eyes and placed his left arm around his brother's shoulder. He sighed before answering his companion, "I know, Jakotsu, but death isn't fit for us. That's why we're here again, to live! We're going to become livin' gods!" As he talked, his right hand was raised to the Heavens , as he made various gestures, and he peered into the clouds. The sun gleamed on his features, and the excitement and determination of what he had said was clearly evident on his face. "We're going to become immortal, Jakotsu!"

[Birdie]

Jakotsu smiled sweetly, understanding Bankotsu's desire. You don't die two times and not want to end up living, at least for the rest of any natural life. But immortality would be a good thing, even if it just ends up being stories. Jakotsu closed his eyes, smirking. "I hope you reach your goal then, Oo-aniki." his voice was low and soft, with a hint of amusement riding on it. "Just to be alive, even for as day, thats all i want." He looked towards the sky, the same sky that Baknotsu had just been gesturing at. "Perhaps one day." he shook his head, his smile becoming wider.

He wasn't particularly interested in the living gods part of the whole idea. Having people dependant on him in the way humans are dependant upon their gods was not a comfortable, nor relished. He would prefer a slightly simpler life, or one similar to what he lived now. As long as blood and death were involved in some way.

[amaco]

Bankotsu lowered his hand and looked down at the gleaming water. He removed his outer garments and dived into the shimmering, blue lake. His skin was instantly surrounded by warm water. He sighed, causing bubbles to surface. He lifted his face and looked toward Jakotsu, now remembering his words earlier- We'll have to leave soon. I hear that a local daimyou is hiring, and we need money. "Well, we can't leave 'till "Kurokotsu" arrives," the young man remarked, trying to conceal his earlier statement.

[Birdie]

Jakotsu laughed, a small smile on his painted lips. He rested his chin on his hand, leaning forward slightly. "Oo-aniki, You are quite contradictory. I'll stay out here if you don't mind." Jakotsu commented, with a wave of his free hand.

But he watched Bankotsu with amusement. Sometimes the man could act like a small child. Ban usually only showed it to him. He felt glad that he had at least one close friend, since it seemed his other brothers had been bent on betraying him.

He recalled once, during their second 'life' Bankotsu had said 'You are the only one I can trust'. It is the same here, brother.

[amaco]

"Suit yourself," the youth said before diving into the depths of the river. Where could that damn 'Kurokotsu' be! He studied the riverbed, seeing various gleaming objects. Arrowheads...

[sithhunter]

Noli jumped over a log and out into a clearing and looked at the river...noli could make out bankotsu in the river...what he dident make out was jakotsu....more likely jakotsu's sword witch was right in his path...Noli tripped over the sword and went flying head first right into a tree.

Noli rubbed his head and mumbled at jakotsu "Mind where ya put that thing i almost split my head open." Noli thought about what he had said then corrected himslef "Wait....you'd probably enjoy that..." Noli looked at the river and yelled to bankotsu "Sorry im late i got held up by a cocky samori who thought he was invinceable."