The Bodies That Pure Souls and Life

The Lost Bankotsu

I huffed dodging Jakotsu's attack. Blood was dripping from my face and I made myself a sickle and chain to use as a weapon. I was rather pleased with myself that I could actually keep up with Jakotsu. It was at least a couple weeks of training and the band of seven, along with myself, were getting restless not being able to see Bankotsu or Kyokotsu. Jakotsu and I were walking back to the house and my eyes widened seeing Kyokotsu. Jakotsu and I smiled at each other and ran over to him. However, we both stopped seeing no sign of Bankotsu. "Kyokotsu where is brother Bankotsu?" asked Jakotsu, as Kyokotsu lowered his head. "He decided to battle by himself" he said, as my eyes widened. I growled running to my black smith room and grabbed some of my tools. "Mizuki" said Suikotsu, as I ran out, but not before Jakotsu grabbed my wrist. "Calm down Mizuki. That's what Renkotsu wants to have you for himself by yourself" said Jakotsu, as I growled and punched the wall. "We are going to find Bankotsu" I said, as they looked at me shocked and nodded their heads. Everyone started gathering their things and I paused when seeing Reina walking towards the house. "Where are you going?" she asked "To find Bankotsu" I said, as her eyes widened. "Mizuki your still in the middle of priestess training what can you do?" she asked, as I closed my eyes. "I don't care Reina. Bankotsu is the only one who can see something in me and even let me join the band of seven. Without him I am nothing" I said, as I turned my head seeing Ginkotsu coming over. I jumped up and stood on the front part of him. "Let's go" I said, as everyone followed me; Reina waved goodbye watching us leave. Few hours passed and we were searching every village and place that we could. "I... am sorry sister Mizuki" said Kyokotsu, as I paused and looked back at him. I smiled and jumped off Ginkotsu and walked towards him. I patted his arm and he blushed a bit looking at me. "You did what you were ordered to do Kyokotsu. I'm sure Bankotsu was more worried about your safety than his own" I said, as he nodded his head. "Let's rest here for the night" I said, as everyone stopped and we all build a camp fire.

Meanwhile Renkotsu smirked at one castle up on the mountains. "What are you thinking?" asked the man lurking in the shadows. "I will need an army and my own castle" said Renkotsu, as the man chuckled. "Humans and their trivial things" he said, as Renkotsu narrowed his eyes towards the man. "If I am to take care of Mizuki then she should be treated like a princess" he said, as the man paused and smirked. "Indeed I suppose if you put it that way" said the man, as Renkotsu smirked taking a few steps towards the castle.

With Reina, she sighed looking at the camp fire that was out in front of her. "Are you going to talk?" asked Hiten, as Reina looked at him. "Mizuki left with the band of seven to go find Bankotsu" she said, as Hiten raised an eyebrow at her. "And you care why?" he asked, as Reina growled. "Idiot, she's my sister... and... she's not trained for it" said Reina, as Hiten sighed and crossed his arms. "Some things you can't train for" he said, as Reina paused and looked at him kind of shocked. "Fight a powerful demon set to destroy you at any moment. It's not something to sit and wait to train for... you need to go out and fight to get stronger" he said, as Reina smiled and then stood up. "Then... we go out to fight Magatsuhi" said Reina "I don't think so child" said Keade, as Reina turned her head and looked at her. "Why not?" asked Reina, as Keade sighed. "Reina. Mizuki is the type of priestess to gain strength on her own will. You are the type of priestess who needs to be taught on the basics and become stronger for everyone’s sake" she said, as Reina sighed but nodded her head. "Understood Keade" she said, as Keade. "Don't worry child. You are almost ready to go fight on your own" said Keade, as Reina's eyes widened and sparkled. "Why didn't you say so sooner? Let's go Keade" said Reina, as Keade chuckled a bit.

During the night. I slowly touched my ring Bankotsu gave me; just worrying. "Sister Mizuki" said Suikotsu, as I paused and turned my head to look at him.  "We will find brother Bankotsu" he said, as I slowly nodded my head. I paused when Suikotsu put his hand on my head. "I can see you care deeply for him. Don't worry I assure you he is safe" said Suikotsu, as I nodded. When morning came I was sitting on Ginkotsu, as we were travelling. We soon passed by some travellers as well and I paused listening to them. "Hey did you hear?" asked a woman "I know that man with long black hair was so gorgeous" said the other woman "And strong too with that heavy sword" said the woman. I turned my head and jumped off Ginkotsu. "Sister Mizuki?" questioned Jakotsu, as I ran towards the women we just passed. "WHERE" I shouted, as the women stopped and gasped a bit looking at how dirty I was. "...please" I said panting, as the women looked at each other. "Two villages over. They say he doesn't have a name" said the woman, as I bowed my head. "Thank you" I said, as I ran back towards the others. "Ginkotsu. We have to go two villages over" I said "Right" said Ginkotsu "You think it’s really Bankotsu?" asked Mukotsu "It's worth a try... something must have happened" I said, as everyone nodded. It took three days to reach the second village. Once on the road in front of the village. I jumped off Ginkotsu and looked around. "Anything?" asked Suikotsu, as I narrowed my eyes. "Hold on I'm trying to listen for Banryu" I said, as they stayed quiet. "Impure now has become pure. Pure has now become impure" "He's here" I said, as I took another step. However, we all paused when villagers surrounded us. "Leave our village now" said a man "Please we don't mean you any harm" I said "Ha, that is the band of seven" said another man. I looked back at the others and sighed jumping back. "Shall we kill them?" asked Mukotsu, as I put up my arm. "NO. No killing" I said, as Mukotsu growled a bit. "I know you want to fight, but our main priority right now is finding Bankotsu" I said, as they nodded. I took out my sickle and chain causing the villagers to gulp. "Attack" shouted the villagers, as I threw my chain and wrapped the villagers in one group. "Nice work" smirked Jakotsu, as I smiled. "WATCH OUT" shouted Suikotsu, as he pushed me out of the way and when I looked back I saw Banryu on the ground almost killing me. I looked and saw Bankotsu smirking. "Bankotsu" I said, as he paused and blinked a few times looking at me. He then turned to the other members and narrowed his eyes. "Leave this village at once" he said, as we paused and looked at him shocked. "But brother" said Jakotsu, as Bankotsu narrowed his eyes. "I am not your brother. I am the unnamed warrior of this village and I am set on protecting it" he said, as I stopped and froze. "Brother what are you saying?" asked Suikotsu, as Bankotsu readied Banryu. I stood up fast and tackled Bankotsu to the ground. "RUN. HE LOST HIS MEMORY" I shouted, as the band of seven growled. Bankotsu kicked me back and I growled when blood was dripping from my mouth. "I refuse" said Suikotsu "Just do it. If Bankotsu remembers forcefully it could create trauma in his mind. Plus we won't be able to get the leader we want" I said, as they nodded retreating. I winced when Bankotsu grabbed my wrist and I was breathing heavily. "A dark priestess" said a man "Must be, after all being in league with the band of seven" said another man "Capture her" said a third man, as I was taken to a jail cell. I grunted when I was thrown to the ground. My sickle and chain were also taken away from me.

I sat down in the cell and sighed holding onto my stomach. That kick really hurt. I paused when a shadow came in. I narrowed my eyes and then paused seeing Bankotsu. He sat in front of me and gave me food and water. I took some and paused when he was looking at me. "Why did you do it priestess?" he asked, as I paused and eyed him. He was certainly not the Bankotsu I fell in love with. I paused and then touched my stomach... I really was truly in love with Bankotsu. "My name is Mizuki... and I am not a priestess" I said, as he paused. "Oh?" he questioned, as I smirked at him. "I am a member of the band of seven" I said, as he narrowed his eyes. "Why would a woman be a part of such a slaughter of men?" he asked, as I smirked sadly. "Because it's where I truly belong" I said, as he closed his eyes. "Good night priestess" he said standing up. "Bankotsu... you felt it right? The power you get from fighting?" I asked, as I saw him stop and then glared back at me. "You will be executed tomorrow" he said, as I paused and looked at him walk away. H-how could you have forgotten? I slept on the floor and the next day I woke up when the sun peered in my face. I paused hearing shouting and screaming. "Damn I said no killing" I mumbled looking outside. "Oi priestess" said a voice, as I turned back seeing Bankotsu narrowing his eyes at me. I winced when he grabbed my arm and lead me outside on a platform. I looked around seeing a fire and people screaming while running away. "BAND OF SEVEN" he shouted, as everyone gathered around me. I looked at Bankotsu shocked as he placed Banryu near my neck. "Your evil intentions will be your undoing" said Bankotsu, as everyone narrowed their eyes towards him. "They’re not evil" I said, as he glanced at me. "Silence" he said, as I pushed him off of me. "They are not evil. They're misfits. They're my brothers... they're... your brothers" I said, as Bankotsu stood there not saying anything. I stretched out my right hand. "And if I have to defeat you for them... I will" I said with tears crawling down my face. I watched as Bankotsu was looking at me from head to toe and then he stopped on my hand. "T-that... ring" he mumbled, as I paused and glanced at my ring. Bankotsu then shouted in pain and covered his head. "Bankotsu" I said going to his aid. "Let's get him out of here" I said, as they nodded.

Meanwhile Renkotsu smirked when his army was bowing before him. "What's your next call?" asked the man staying in the shadows. "First we gather up some of the band of seven" he said, as the man paused. "Aren't they all loyal to Bankotsu?" he asked, as Renkotsu smirked while closing his eyes. "Not all of them" he said, as the man smirked.

To Be Continued...