The Seven: Wanted Dead or Alive

Title: Battening down the hatches

Prompt and Word Count: Callous-441

Characters: Jakotsu and Bankotsu

Prompt Summary: Jakotsu explains what is going on and starts preparing for their return.

Won second place for prompt!

Giving up on getting his hair to dry anymore without a towel, Bankotsu made his way over to the table and sat down before turning his attention to Jakotsu and beginning to braid his long hair with his calloused hands. “So what's going on?” he inquired, snapping Jakotsu back to the present.

Before answering, Jakotsu took a seat across the table from him. “Do you remember me telling ya about the boy that got killed while fighting with me back in the orphanage?” Jakotsu questioned and once Bankotsu had nodded that he did, he continued, “Well he was another one of the boys there that believes it should have been me that died due to my preferences. Apparently he moved into this town after he aged out of the orphanage and is now refusing to share the town with me.

“My best guess is that he was waiting here for me on the off chance that I returned. There's no way he could have figured out I was here already if he didn't have people waiting for me. Must have heard me talking to the sheriff about who I was. But that's not important right now, what is, is the fact that he has informed me that I had until tonight to get out or he would be back to kill me.”

A moment of silence passed between them as Bankotsu thought over his words before inquiring, “What do you plan to do now?” Instead of answering right away, Jakotsu stood back up and headed over toward the window.

Looking out, he explained, “I'm gonna get ready and kill him first.” As Bankotsu sat there watching in silence, Jakotsu began removing the dingy glass pane from the window and setting it off to the side. “Can't afford to have it replaced,” Jakotsu explained over his shoulder; sure Bankotsu would be wondering what he was doing. Heading to the other side of the room, Jakotsu began pushing a dresser in front of the other window to give them some protection when the shooting started.

Making his way back to the front of the room, Jakotsu bolted the door before clearing everything off of the table and turning it over onto its side; rolling it over until it was blocking the front door. It was at that moment that Jakotsu realized he had neglected to find out something very important. Turning back to Bankotsu, he inquired, “Do you want to leave while you still can? Cause I can unblock the door for you.” Jakotsu was silently grateful when his new companion shook his head no.