The Seven: Wanted Dead or Alive
Chapter 124: Reunited
Title: Reunited
Author: Hairann
Prompt and Word Count:Serene-435
Characters: Jakotsu, Bankotsu and Renkotsu
Warnings: None
Summary: Part 124 of The Seven: Wanted Dead or Alive.
Prompt Summary: Bankotsu and Jakotsu are reunited.
The next morning, the sun began to rise over the valley to a light drizzle that had the group of men outside sighing in relief. Cold, wet and exhausted, they began making their way up the trail toward the cave while each of them silently thought to themselves that they could not wait to be completely dry and in a nice, warm bed. As the two brothers made their way over to wake up their wives, Bankotsu found Jakotsu's sleeping form and walked over to him.
Leaning down, he gently placed a kiss on his forehead and watched as the sleeping man's eyes fluttered opened; his smiling face the first thing he saw. He felt his heart squeeze painfully in his chest when he noticed the dried tear tracks that ran down his cheeks. Realizing his nights within the cave were not as serene as he would have liked, Bankotsu commented softly, "You have been crying," before reaching over to wipe away any trace of tears that still remained.
Before he had the chance, Jakotsu jumped into his arms with such force that it nearly knocked both of them over. As it was, Bankotsu had to put one hand on the ground behind him to keep his balance. Jakotsu's arms tightened around his waist and not sure what else to do at that moment, Bankotsu began running the fingers of his free hand through his hair.
"I am alright, Jakotsu. I would never leave you like that; I promise," Bankotsu insisted even though he was sure Jakotsu knew as well as he did that there was nothing he could do to keep that promise if it was his time to die. His attention fully on the man in his arms, Bankotsu never noticed the others leaving the cave nor had any idea how much time had passed before Renkotsu's voice startled him.
"The older one said we are to bring down the supplies while they survey the damage the wagon suffered," Renkotsu informed him and Bankotsu moved to get up to do as instructed but quickly found Jakotsu's arms tightening around his waist. Glancing over at the man waiting for his reply, he could do little else besides shrug his shoulders in helplessness.
Chuckling at his predicament, Renkotsu called out as he started gathering up the first load, "I'll cover you this time, but you owe me for next time," before heading back outside before Bankotsu could respond. Nodding his head in silent thanks to his retreating form, Bankotsu glanced back down at Jakotsu; smiling softly as his grip tightened once more around his waist.