The Seven: Wanted Dead or Alive

Title: Home sour home

Author: Hairann

Prompt and Word Count: Phenomenon-628

Characters: Bankotsu and Jakotsu

Prompt Summary: Bankotsu and Jakotsu arrive at Jakotsu's childhood home.

It was late into the next night when the two reached their destination and Bankotsu found himself staring up at a small, rundown house that he couldn't imagine anyone living in for many years. Dried, brown ivy vines climbed up the sides while large, fist-sized patches of paint had peeled completely off. The few windows there were, were covered in dingy dust and no longer see through.

As he stepped down from his horse and helped Jakotsu down, Bankotsu took a good look around. Weeds had long since strangled out the life from any plants that might have once been there; making the yard as unkempt as the house. "Where are we?" he finally questions as he removes the bags from the horse and ties the reign to a nearby hitching post.

"This is my childhood home; if you could even call it that," Jakotsu explained with more than just a hint of sadness in his voice. Without waiting for his companion to respond, Jakotsu began making his way inside; suffering a slight coughing fit when he forced open the front door and had knocked loose the dust that had settled on it over the years.

Once the coughing subsided, Jakotsu began making a quick search of the inside to make certain no one had been there recently, as if the sheer amount of dust was not enough to convince him of this. But he quickly discovers that everything was exactly as his four-year-old mind remembered it being the day the sheriff took him away. "It's safe to come in," Jakotsu called out to Bankotsu, who had waited outside so he wouldn't be seen in case someone had moved in. "Sorry it's so messy."

Though he knew he really couldn't be blamed for the mess, Jakotsu still felt as though this was his house and a good host had manners. Turning around, Jakotsu cleaned off the decade old dishes from the table and attempted to wipe it down with a nearby, dusty towel after shaking it out, only to find he was making it worse. Making a mental note to bring in some water later so he could really clean, Jakotsu took the last little bit of food out of his bag and place it on the table; with the cloth it was wrapped in keeping it from getting dirty.

As the two sat down to eat, Jakotsu explained, "I'm gonna head into town once I finish and make a trip to the general store. We're gonna need supplies if we are going to be here for a while and I doubt much, if anything, can be salvaged here after so long. I'll also make a quick stop by the sheriff's and make sure the posters haven't made it this far out yet." With so little in front of him, it didn't take long before he had finished eating and made his way to the bags.

Removing his more masculine outfit, Jakotsu stepped behind an old dusty and ripped changing curtain and began undressing. "What are you doing?" Bankotsu questioned as he turned in his seat and watched his silhouette changing. Instead of answering right away, Jakotsu waited until he had finished and was making his way back into the open before answering.

"I can't exactly claim to be the owner's son if I am dressed as a woman, can I?" Jakotsu countered with a smile before leaning over and pulling his boots back on. "I don't think the townspeople could overlook a phenomenon as unusual as that and it would certainly draw far too much attention to you. Just wait here for me and stay out of sight in case someone actually comes out this far," Jakotsu insisted before heading outside and closing the door behind him.

Bonus Entry!

Title: Sanctuary

Author: Hairann

Prompt and Word Count: In your arms-34

Characters: Jakotsu and Bankotsu

Companion piece of The Seven: Wanted Dead or Alive.

Prompt Summary: Limerick in Jakotsu's POV, not counting it as a part in the actual series since it doesn't really fit in anywhere.

In your arms is where I wish to be,

for there I am safe from calamity.

Where my past can not find,

the me I left behind.

Allow me this, I beg of thee.