The beautiful clothes that Jakotsu's loving parents had given him were tailored to fit his ugly step-brothers, Ginkotsu and Kyoukotsu and he was left with nothing but a tattered shirt and pants to wear.

On one calm quiet morning, Jakotsu arose and went to his window. He looked to his small garden outside and the strange looking bees that buzzed around it.

"Ah, my friends" He said calling to the bees.

They buzzed happily over to him.

"Will you help me get dressed this morning even though I could probably do it faster myself without having to sing a stupid song?"

The bees nodded and Jakotsu began to talk to them.

"You know, I had a really nice dream last night."

"Buzz buzz?"

"Yes, I met this really handsome prince." He said with a sigh, a light blush appearing on his face as he looked off dreamily.

"Buzz buzz buzz."

"What do you mean, I can't love another man?"

"Buzz buzz buzz buzz."

"I know, it's strange...but then again, I always wondered if mother was all female and dad was all male. Father Naraku did have those moments when he would lock himself in his room to "regather" himself."

"Buzz buzz buzz buzz?"

"Oh, the guy in my dream? Well...let me randomly break into song about it."

With that the young man burst spontaneously into a well-choreographed musical number.

"In my dream, I made a wish that someday

I would meet my love

His eyes met with mine and we knew

We were destined from the heavens above

So he came and he said, "I'll save you"

Just like any true hero would

And in his arms, my heart was beating

As we were quickly retreating

To a land where my dreams will come true."

And as Jakotsu twirled and got dressed the bees continued to buzz to the song's rhythm just like any cute-animal sidekick to the heroine would. Then, just as randomly as the song started, it ended, and Jakotsu looked to the small cracked frame that held a picture of his family.

"I sure miss Mother and Father...even if Dad did supposedly kill the town's priestess and had a fetish with monkeys.... he was still a great guy." He paused for a moment, angsting-because, well; someone in this story has to angst.

And to keep the angst from out-doing CLAMP, a voice yelled from downstairs. "Jakotsu! You freak! Get down here and fix breakfast!"

"Sounds like Renkotsu is awake." Jakotsu sighed as he held one of the bees lightly on his finger.

The bee replied, "Buzz buzz...."

With a sigh, he trudged down the stairs to the kitchen.

-----Scene change!-----

Meanwhile, at the Royal palace, the King was plotting to get his son a bride...well, actually, he was just tired of his son always trashing various parts of the castle practicing with his large sword, the Banryuu. So King Suikotsu decided if his son was married, then he would stop playing with his big long sword. He called forth his son, and after hearing yet another balcony getting sliced and crashing to the ground, the Prince entered the throne room.

"Son, I want you to pick a bride." He said bluntly, ignoring the standard greetings because, well, he's the King and he can do that.

"But Father, you know how upset all those prissy princesses get when I play with my sword and I love my sword." The young braided-man protested.

"I know...maybe you can find a girl that likes your sword too." The King noted. I mean, what sane girl wouldn't like Bankotsu's sword?

"You think so?" He asked, his eyes gleaming with hope.

"I'm sure there's someone out there that will just love playing with your sword, Bankotsu. And that brings me to tonight. Tonight, I have arranged a ball- nothing fancy, just a few nice ladies..." King Suikotsu stated simply, once again demonstrating the power of monarchies to arrange a full-fledged ball in mere hours.

"But...Father!"

"Now either my dear beloved son picks a bride tonight or..." Suddenly, the King grinned evilly and his hair seemed to frizz more. "... He will die!"

"Okay dad, I understand...hey get those steel claws out of my throat. What did I tell you about pretending to be on X-Men?" Bankotsu remarked, somehow knowing about a comic from over a hundred years after his time.

"Hey, you have your sword to play with, can't I enjoy my long, smooth, hard, metal..."

"Dad, I get the point." Bankotsu said pushing the pointed claws away from his neck.

"Are you making a bad pun?" Suikotsu growled.

"No sir. Purely coincidence." The young man replied, holding up his hands in innocence.

"Good. I hate bad puns. Now run along, find some nice clothes, and make sure your mother hasn't fallen into the kiln again." He said, waving him off.

"Okay Father." Bankotsu replied, headed off through the palace hallways, and knocking over various things with Banryuu as he went.

-----Scene Change!----

Jakotsu hurried about the kitchen, checking the stove and preparing the tea. Renkotsu had already gotten up, donned his hideous blonde wig, eyeliner and dress, and was sitting glaring at him as he went about his work.

"Can't you do things any faster? I've had to wait long enough already."

Jakotsu was just about to carry a tray over, but he paused as Ginkotsu and Kyoukotsu appeared in the doorway; arguing as they both tried to cram through.

The black-haired young man shakily sat the tray down, the tea spilling over. "My...my favorite dress...father got that for me for my birthday!" He screamed in Renkotsu's face.

The once beautiful butterfly patterned pink and purple silk dress had been tailored to Kyoukotsu, who had just ripped it up the side while shoving through the door.

"I was given full authority to you, this household and everything in it!" Renkotsu said picking up the only non-spilt cup of tea; then with a cruel smirk, threw the hot liquid into Jakotsu's face. "Now, get this tea dried and fix up a new batch."

Rubbing his burning eyes, he did as told and went about drying off the floor.

As they finished up breakfast, Renkotsu announced that they would be heading into the town that day to do some shopping.

"Gather your nicest clothing boys, we need to keep up our image." Renkotsu said, heading for the doorway.

"Yesh." Ginkotsu replied, followed by a "Yes" from Kyoukotsu.

"Jakotsu! Hurry up! We need someone to carry our things!" The evil-step father yelled.

Jakotsu stood, brushing the dust off him and quietly followed behind.

-----Scene Change!-----

The city was full of merchants as the sun shone down into the small market area amidst the shops.

Dressed in a simple silk shirt and slacks, Bankotsu casually walked between the vendors, looking at all there was for sale. He liked this friendly atmosphere; it was so much different than the prim and proper ways of the palace and so he often snuck out and mingled amongst the commoners like this.

On the other side of the small market, Jakotsu waited outside a quaint shop as Renkotsu and his two step-brothers bickered and argued over who looked better in what. Wistfully, he looked off, feeling the strange urge yet again, to break into song. And so, he did.

"In life, there's things, that come and go

But loneliness remains

The heart it longs to find someone

To take away the pains

I want to say I have a love

A one for only me

But for now I'll wish with all my heart

That someday they'll set me free

That someday… They'll set me free."

"Jakotsu!" The voice called out, stopping the dramatic angsty-love ballad music. "Take our things." Renkotsu said, shoving more packages into the boy's arms.

With that, he hurried off, with his two step-sons following him and Jakotsu lagging behind, trying to balance the packages.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Bankotsu had also fallen victim to urge to break into song and was, not-so-surprisingly, singing the same song that Jakotsu was even though it was made up on the spot and he had no way to know that he was singing the same lyrics. Aw, that's love for ya.

As the song progressed, Jakotsu happened to walk right by Bankotsu, of course, not noticing that he was the only one in the entire town that was randomly singing, but yet, as they passed each other, something deep inside their heads was connected with the other's, because they began to unintentionally sing it as a duet. (Or it could just be that's the way that the musical was written….)

"In life, there's things, that come and go"

"But loneliness remains"

"The heart it longs to find someone"

"To take away the pains"

"I want to say I have a love"

"A one for only me"

And of course, like all good musicals, they ended up, once again, without knowing it, singing the last stanza in unison.

"But for now I'll wish with all my heart

That someday they'll set me free

That someday… They'll set me free." The two sang together, then as if on cue, a carriage pulled out in front of Jakotsu causing him to fall and drop all the packages. (See kids- that's what happens when you try to walk and sing at the same time.)

Bankotsu looked up from his singing-induced self-distraction and rushed over to the figure. "Are you okay?" He asked, helping Jakotsu to his feet.

"I'm fine. I think…" He replied, dusting his pants off.

"Stupid royals. Never care if they get in anyone else's way."

"I'm sure they've got somewhere important to go." Jakotsu said with a shrug.

"I doubt it."

There was a brief pause, during which, they both stared longingly into each other's eyes because this is a sappy mushy fairytale and well, something would be wrong if they didn't do that.

Finally, Jakotsu brought himself to speak. "Thank you." He started to walk off, knowing Renkotsu would be upset if he got separated.

Bankotsu followed him, "Wait, what's your name?"

"Jakotsu." He said simply.

"Jakotsu…" The young prince repeated, "I like it."

"It grows on you, I guess." He continued onward, pushing through the crowds.

"Jakotsu, tell me- what would someone have to do to be with someone like you?" He said, innocently, not realizing how Jakotsu would read into that.

"Let's see- a nice firm body, playful nature, and male- they'd have to be male."

Bankotsu blinked, not fully comprehending the implication. "And how would you want them to treat you?"

"Treat me? With respect, love, and good sex, I suppose." He replied after thinking for a bit.

Blushing a bit at the blunt answer, the braided-man continued, "You're not like most guys are you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." He said, backing up a bit.

"It's alright, I've just led a sheltered life you might say."

"Really?" Bankotsu asked, eyes lighting up, "So have I!"

Jakotsu smiled, "Every day it's just…"

"The same routine…" Bankotsu said in turn, knowing of course what was going to be said.

"Until you just want to run away…" The plainly clad man added softly.

"And never come back." They finished together, laughing.

It was then, with a chord of ominous music, Renkotsu appeared. "Jakotsu! I thought I told you never to talk to strangers!"

"I'm sorry it's just that…"

"Hurry up now, we're leaving!" His bitchy tirade continued.

Jakotsu looked back over his shoulder at the braided-man as he quietly followed after his step-father.

"Goodbye Jakotsu! I hope we meet again," Bankotsu called out after him, and then turning, he made his way over to the royal carriage, climbing into it.

Between the packages in his arms, Jakotsu saw this, and wondered who this mysterious, handsome man was…

----------------------------------------

Act II Preview:

Getting ready for the last-minute ball isn't easy- so we'll just make it into an expensive choreographed musical number- lead by Mukotsu! --cringe-- okay, maybe that's not going to work….