The Seven: Wanted Dead or Alive
Chapter 57: Exit strategy
Title: Exit strategy
Author: Hairann
Prompt and Word Count: Treasure-474
Characters: Jakotsu and Bankotsu
Prompt Summary: Jakotsu warns Bankotsu of what he saw.
Won first place for prompt!
As Jakotsu stood there staring at the wanted poster in disbelief, he did not notice the presence that had come up behind him until the new arrival cleared his throat. Turning to glance at the man with a smile, who's silver badge announced he was a sworn deputy, Jakotsu feigned embarrassment before fluttering his long lashes at the unsuspecting lawman.
"I just found myself wondering what the man was wanted for. Momma always told me my curiosity would get me into trouble one day. I do hope this isn't that day," Jakotsu told him using a soft, flirty tone of voice.
"No miss, it ain't that day," the deputy assured him with a bright smile as he tipped his hat and stepped up next to him. "That scoundrel happens to be wanted for murder, jailbreak and assault against a deputy," he explained, tapping on the drawing of Bankotsu and before he could stop himself, Jakotsu muttered that 'that isn't right'.
Flustered by his slip, Jakotsu quickly smiled to distract the deputy long enough for him to recover. "I mean that isn't right for someone to do that; assaulting a deputy and all. Can't blame a man just for doing his job. Well, I hope you catch that man. The less criminals we have on the streets, the safer I will feel in my bed at night," Jakotsu insisted with a smile before bidding goodbye and heading back toward the saloon.
Behind him, the deputy watched him go; his eyes greedily following his movements as though his dress hid some coveted treasure. In a way it did, but the deputy would never know the truth. As Jakotsu stepped back out of the morning sun into the dimmer lighting of the saloon, he noticed the barkeep trying to flag him down. Grabbing the tray of food, he quickly made his way back to the room to find Bankotsu sitting up on the bed waiting for him. "Perfect timing; I'm starving."
"Afraid that's gonna have to wait," Jakotsu informed him as he set the tray down on the dresser and began gathering up their belongings. "We have a problem. While I was out on my walk, I saw a wanted poster of you going up at the sheriff's office. We gotta get out of here before anyone who saw you when we first arrived sees that poster."
After he had finished packing their clothing, Jakotsu turned his attention to the still hot food he had just brought up and began packing what could travel as he continued, "I do have a plan to get you out of here, but you aren't gonna like it. There is too many people downstairs so you are gonna have to jump off of the roof outside our window. It slants pretty low though so it won't be much of a drop."