Disclaimer – I do not own Samurai 7
This Story is just what the title says, HeihachiXOC, How it happens and what happens after. Im making a lot of chapters just to be through, Details, Flashbacks and everything else I can think of. I hope its not a boring mushy read and 10x better than the first. Enjoy
In the days when the Nobuserei terrorized the country demanding rice from farmers, Tomo was the only daughter of the kanna's village elder. Although she had no formal responsibilities, she often felt that she did, and she hated it. She despised the rice paddles even more, and that made her ashamed, and frustrated. So when the bandits demanded women along with the rice, Tomo volunteered to go.
But the Bandits laughed, they said they came for women and rice, not trees. Tomo's tall willowy frame, accusing red eyes, deeply tanned skin, and long white hair, didn't not make her the most of attractive of Kanna's women. So instead, much to village's dismay, the Nobuserei took the wife of Rikichi, Sanai.
Tomo was confounded, as to why they would turn down a willing servant. Bending over the fields was not her idea of a gratifying life, there had to be more to than rice; even if that meant being at the beck-and -call of the Nobuserei.
She muddled through the village for days afterwards, trying to decide on her next course of action, should she stay or go. Finally, she went to see the water priestess Kirara, for advice. It was midday and Tomo found Kirara seating outside her house studying.
"Tomo, nice to see you, how is everything?" Kirara greeted her old friend with a smile. They did not have much time for each other, as Kirara's duties as priestess became more demanding. Tomo kneeled down beside her.
"If I leave this village where do you think I should go?" Tomo wasn't the type to beat around the bush.
Kirara Sighed, "So you have decided to leave, after all."
Tomo nodded
Kirara placed four jars in front of them, and filled each with water to represent the four directions. She released the druzy pendent, allowing it rotate over the jars The Crystal glowed more intently as it rotated around the vessels. Moments later it slowly stopped swinging and pointed at the northern jar.
"Do you think it is very cold there?" Tomo asked, flatly.
"What will you tell the Elder?" Kirara wasn't very familiar with the area, and wanted to focus on more important matters
Tomo keep her eyes on the jar, as Kirara reattached the crystal to her wrist guard. Tomo thought about her Father, he'll probably be upset. It would have been one thing if the Bandits just abducted me, like Sanai, but to just leave. That's something altogether different. But then again her father could be unpredictable from time to time .
"The truth will have to be enough. Let's face it, I not of much use during the planting season or the harvest. And I'm as tall as most of the men, who wants a giant for a wife. I have to make a life for myself somewhere else." She had finally looked up, a slight grin on her face.
Kirara meet Tomo's gaze, you were never meant to stay here. They didn't have to say good bye, they grew up together, knew what this bland stare, meant Tomo would not be dissuaded. Instead Kirara gave her a simple warning "You had better leave before the weather turns"
"Thank you Priestess, I'll be gone long before then", Tomo left to tell her father, about her plans.
The air was crisp and cool, autumn had just begun, and the trees had barely changed color. There was still enough time to travel, if she didn't wait. When she arrived at her father's house, it was amazingly quite, no one was arguing about the Nobuserei or whose land wasn't producing enough rice. Tomo found her father sitting by the fire enjoying hot cup of tea. She kneeled down across from him, but remained silent. At first he ignored her, it wasn't unusual for them to sit quietly together for long periods of time. It was their version of quality time. However, when she started rearranges on odds and ends near by, he knew she wanted to talk.
"Something on your mind, Girl?", his voice was guff and slightly raspy.
She took another second or so answer, the elder patiently sipped his tea.
"Father, I am leaving Kanna in the morning." She had stopped fidgeting, and began staring at the fire.
The old man sat his cup down, he raised one his thick bushy eyebrows to eyeball her, and sucked his large teeth.
"Where do you plan on going?"
"To the north, as the water priestess suggests" Tomo made sure to mention this to demonstrate that it was more than just her own will that was guiding her away from the village.
"I was wondering what you were planning since that stunt of yours didn't work, and I must say it was for the best. Poor Rikichi and Sanai," he lamented for the moment "Its better to do things on your own. Don't look so surprised, I am your father, I am supposed to notice these things. "
Tomoe was slightly shocked, and didn't know what to say.
"Don't forget to take your mother's bow. You may need it."
She nodded slightly and went to pack some items for the journey. It was only twilight when she finished and decided to take a walk. She walked around the village once more. It was an aimless venture. Tomo toyed with the idea that she may actually miss the village and its residents. But that uncertainty was pushed away when she came upon lonely stump in the forest, outside the village. A rush of memories came to Tomo. She and her mother came to this very stump everyday when she was very small. Her mother would fire arrows at every morning, until the day she died.
Tomo envisioned herself standing next to the tall woman who had been her mother now:
"Wow mama, you're really good, who taught you?"
"Your great grandfather, This was his bow, it will be yours one day"
Her mother died not to long after that, tomo was only five. She looked down at her hands and feet, there were about the same size as the woman in her memory. However, it had been many years since Tomo has been able to picture her mothers face. She wondered now if they even looked alike. The evening stars were out, and the chilled breeze brought her back to her senses. I forgot you were'nt from here mother, I wonder where you people came from.
When she returned home, the bow and arrows were placed on her bed. She hadn't touched it, in some time, but when she removed its protective cloth, the feeling of nostalgia was on her again. She tested the wood and string, it had held up beautifully, in storage. When her mother died, the elder did his best to teach her to use a smaller version of the bow. She did not need much help, she as a natural talent. But the ability was wasted on a farm girl. But tomorrow all of that would change.
The next morning she rechecked her packs and left Kana for what she thought would be for good.
Once on the main road, Tomo became nervous, but she stayed on the course that Kirara, advised her to travel, north away from Kogakyo. Luckily it was the end of the harvest and there was quite a lot of traffic on the road, so she traveled with one group after another. In between Tomo would camp off the main road and practice with bow. Her aim was off, but it wasn't anything that practice wouldn't handle. Having the weapon also made it easier to conserve rice. She would forge and hunt for food once a day. Depsite every bad scenario that ran thru her head on the first day of the journey she remain safe.
On the fourth day of her journey she had arrived on the skirts on a city. The traffic coming over this mountain pass was continuous and the travelers she had been following were lost in the jostle. Tomo had become distracted from the route by admiring the view of the city's roof tops, higher than any thing she had ever seen. As a result Tomo bumped into someone. Unfortunately that someone happened to be caring their lunch in hand.
What had started out as a delicious lunch of rice balls, floated into the air, and over the side. The other traveler tried a reckless attempt to save the rice, almost falling over in the edged as well.
The traveler was kneeling on the ground complete distraught. Until with a heaving lower lip he cried out "My rice, no !!! And it was so good."
Tomo became unnerving aware of the stares that were beginning to come her way. This too much, for hand full rice, she thought. Tomo reached inside her bag and produced two rice balls and extended them to the strange. "Gomen. Onegai, that these to make up for the ones you lost."
The other traveler turned to her with a surprised expression, "Why Miss, thank you ever so much". He had devoured half of one before anything else could be said. "Ooishi, where did this rice come from?"
Tomo was examining his appearance from the goggled helmet, his vest, and the sword on his back.
"The rice is from Kanna, sir. May I ask are you a samurai sir" she asked amazed by is behavior, aren't samurai supposed to be stoic and completely formal?
The traveler, paused for a moment, before answering, but took the last rice ball, "There are worse things to be."
The girl apologized again, "gomen. It s just I never thought to meet one. I am sorry about your snack. I hope those will make up for it. Good day."
The Samurai didn't have time to reply or say any thing she was already halfway down the path. Country girl in the city hope she gets along alright. This is really good rice. The Samurai continued on his journey, down the other side of the mountain, happily munching all the way.
Tomo felt very embarrassed about bumping into that samurai, but didn't want to stick around, and wind up making him angry, or cause a bigger scene; besides the town below was too interesting to waste time apologizing to strangers.
Tomo marveled at the market as she passed through and the large buildings that surrounded her. It was getting dark and it wasn't wise to sleep in the open here, so she began a search for lodging. She was directed to various hotels but none would allow her work in exchange for lodging. She had walked to the very edge of town when she came upon a tiny tea house. By then she was very hungry, especially since she had given her lunch away.
When Tomo entered the structure a little girl no older than ten greeted her. "Welcome Miss, please have a seat and I will be ya with in just a minute" Tomo smiled and did as she was told, when the girl can up Tomo asked to speak to the manger, the girl promptly disappeared behind a curtain.
The sound of clattering pots and pans ring out from the kitchen. The shrilled voice of a woman came closer to the front, "Not another one, this not a charity Aya!"
Fearing another denial and embarrassing encounter, Tomo kaotao-ed immediately before the older gray –eyed woman, that came up to her. " I'm not looking for charity obasan, I'm a decent cook and hard worker, I just ask for some food and shelter for the night. If, that is alright with you?".
The other patrons chuckled.
"Looks like you've got another stray to take in, eh Haruko-san?" said one laughing patron, on his way out the door.
"Before you go anywhere, pay your tab Ishida-san" Haruko yelled after him. But Aya was already tugging at his pant leg. He gave up his money with a sigh.
"And you," Haruko said pointing at Tomo "Get off your knees and follow me".
Haruko lead the stray in to kitchen, which was mess. Tomo almost blanched, what can of restaurant is this?
But she keep a straight face. "I have to go the other building, you keep things going here, until I get back, can you handled it?"
Tomo nodded
Aya, will give you the orders"
Tomo's heart sang, she got right to work with no questions. And in between orders she rearranged the kitchen to her liking.
By the time Haruko came back, Aya had given Tomo the okay to starting cleaning up.
"HM. Nice job kid, what is your name?"
"Tomo, Obasan."
"Don't Obasan me, call me Haruko. How did we do today, Aya-chan?"
The little girl handed Haruko a small bag, tate jingled. Haruko lifted it in her hand, a pleased expression on her face.
"Tomo – Chan, cooks way better than Haruko, You should keep her."
Haruko looked at Tomo, she could tell Tomo was a farm girl, her demeanor and her clothes screamed it , "The bandits burn you out ?"
Tomo shook her head no.
"You running from someone ?"
Tomo shook her head again.
"You can stay aslong as you can get along with my kids."
"How many do you have ?"
Haruko rubbed the back of her head, then counted on her other hand " Forty "
Tomo did nt believe her ear " did you say forty? " , looking over at Aya. How can she have that many, how old is she?
" Yeah, follow me." Haurko locked the Snack Shack doors, and guided Tomo and Aya to the other building
Haruko wasn't nearly as old as she sounded, she was in her mid thirties, and she had survived the latter end of the Great War, with a bit of wear and tear. But her heart was pure gold, which Tomo learned in the months to come. Haruko also ran the local orphanage; the Snack Shack brought in income to keep it going. She worked Tomo in the shop and at the orphanage. Tomo was given a room and futon to share with another girl, who had come to Haruko's, in almost the same way she had. Her name was Rin, a few years older and very quiet; she stayed with the children most of the time. She was very good with them and was in charge of their education.
Tomo loved helping with the children. Although getting nearly forty children up every morning was sometimes more than she bargained for, but it was comforting to fell useful. Tomo had had learned to Haruko's budget to make sure the children were able to eat better. Tomo's hunting expeditions also helped out, bringing in fowl and small. Tomo became the official cook, to everyone's pleasure. (Haurko, could only boil rice and eggs).
I hope this is vast improvement to the first posting more to come. Pls r&R. Flames also welcomed