The Samurai
By Canyon315 and DuoLordOfDeath
Disclaimer: None of this stuff is ours! They belong to Gennedy Tartakovsky!
~*Prologue*~
A thick blanket of snow glazed the small mountain town, giving it the appearance of a gingerbread village at Christmas. A slow, mournful wind blew wayward flakes of snow through the air, casting aside pine branches and slipping chilly through clothing like a knife. Overhead, the light, slate-colored sky promised more snow as the day wore on, and even so, he stepped onward. The sound of wood against cobblestone echoed down the silent street, barely audible over the soft howl of the wind, and the rippling sound of fabric in the wind accompanied the small percussive sound. Dark, wary eyes gazed down the main thoroughway through the village, setting their gaze on a small tavern where he might find shelter and sustinance. Strands of ebony hair, loosened by the wind, graced his strong, handsome face under the handwoven hat he wore, but he paid them no heed.
As the stranger passed down the street, several children who had been out in the snow, enjoying the early flurries, paused and watched him with wide eyes. They especially were enraptured, not by his curious attire, but by the magnificent blade that hung, sheathed, at his hip. There was something about his stride that spoke warrior, but again, it spoke determination, calmness, and a quiet honor about him.
Indeed, the children knew well the stories of this man...who in this world didn't? The man who had come from across time to vanquish the vile wizard Aku and free the land from his iron-fisted tyranny.
Samurai Jack.
The young pairs of eyes watched their hero reverently as he strode silently down the street and up the rickety steps of the old town tavern. A soft hush of whispers washed over the small group, excited and anxious...
Jack walked straight thru the doors, ignoring the people's surprised glances. He had resigned himself to his destiny of being pursued by bounty hunters to the point of anticpating them always. He walked straight up to the tavernkeeper, who eyed him cautiously. He knew of this man that Aku was paying good money for, and how taverns like his were favorite places of the hunters to come and hear news of his whereabouts. Too many times had he heard stories of his fellow tavern keepers who lost everything because the samurai had entered and the hunters attacked, destroying everything. Nowhere was safe, from the taverns of the smallest communities to the fancy clubs of the cities such as the Blue Monkey. But a customer was a customer, and he had no right to kick anyone out without due cause. "Yes?"
"Hot water, please."
He shrugged and handed him a teapot full of boiling water with a glass. Jack took it to an empty table, poured a small packet of tea leaves into the cup, then filled it with water, keeping an eye on the others.
As the samurai sat down and went to his tea, he was aware of the eyes of the hunters...but he was quite unaware of the eyes of another.
Dark eyes, hidden in the shadows, looked up as the door creaked gently open and the sound of wood against wood rang through the suddenly silent tavern. Expression hidden by the shadow of his cloak, one could not note the aire of surprise on Toshiro Kane's face. The samurai...how long had he been searching for this very man; this Samurai Jack, only to have him appear as if out of thin air...
Toshiro sat in the far back corner of the tavern, the darkness of the seedy pub casting sinister but welcome shadows about his thin form. His long cloak hid his own powerfully wielded katana from view, as well as his attire. He was a strange one; not from around here, one might say. Sitting up, he looked over to the samurai, who seemed content with his tea, and smiled faintly.
"You, warrior! Come, please sit and take leave with me," he replied, his gently accented voice floating from his lips courteously.
Glancing up in surprise at the shrouded figure, Jack regarded him silently in scrutiny. Somehow, this one seemed more ominous than the hunters...but...
Jack could never deny an invitation, and he joined the man, somewhat cautious of his intentions. Too many times had be been taken for a fool by dirty tricks of his enemies, no more as far as he could help it. The Japanese accent seemed friendly enough, and what few Japanese he had the privledge of meeting were his friends, could it be that he too was a friend?
A table nearby held some hunters, eager for the two googoplex placed upon the samurai's head. As Jack walked past, one jumped him, pulled out a knife, and stabbed the wooden floor where Jack's heart should have been, but he had moved away in time. Jack was on his feet, sword ready for action, his dark eyes unamused by the turn of events.
Before he could move, the familar clicks of wooden sandals hit the floor before disapearing, Jack looked up to find them and their wearer, his Japanese friend, flying above him, an ancient katana held in his hands. He landed with grace after taking out a hunter while still in midair.
The knife had been intentional; in a flash, Toshiro tossed his table asunder and leapt int othe air, tossing the cowl of his cloak aside and letting it flutter dangerously behind him. The white gei he wore bore a familiar, regal kanji; the blade ancient and well-used; polished and sharpened. It gleamed even in the dim light, and with a light step he landed beside the famed Samurai Jack, dark eyes narrowed. "How dare you strike at the feet of the one who will vanquish Aku," he rebuked, his previously gentle voice now laced with vehemence. "Not only was it harsh, but dishonorable; against our code...But alas, I see you are but a simple-minded bounty hunter; your mind never with thoughts of integrity, honor, and dicipline. Simply greed and money and the blood of my Emperor's son," he replied.
Jack stared at this warrior questionably during his speech. He bore the attire of a samurai, and his father's insignia was mind-blowing. Could it be that Aku had banished another samurai from his kingdom? Jack didn't have much time to dwell on it. A bounty hunter raised his eyebrow before laughing. Jack's eyes narrowed dangerously, and with a few quick slashes he was dead, short explosions activating before the robotic pieces hit the floor.
Toshiro smiled wisely and looked at the rest of the bounty hunters. "It would wise of you not to continue this fight; for we have intention of letting this fight fall at our feet...save it be you on the ground." He smiled daringly, but the stubborn bounty hunters did not relent, and when one came at Toshiro, he leapt forward and spun around elegantly on one foot, slashing his sword about in a spin cut that tore the robotic monstrostity to ribbons. Stopping gracefully, he held one hand flat and facing the wall at chest level, the blade held over his head carefully. "It seems they have a death wish, my prince," he said in reference to Jack, quirking an eyebrow.
"So we will fulfill it for them," Jack said, ducking a wide slash at his head. He retaliated by sticking the sword thru the hunter's torso, twisting, and pulling it out to stick it in a hunter trying to get him from behind. These fools were no challenge, only annoyances.
"I will never be captured by you or any other bounty hunter!" He proclaimed while slashing them to pieces, "And you may tell your precious master that as well." He said, while slicing the last.
"Who are you? How did you get here?" He asked, his curiousity not wanting to wait any longer.
Toshiro held up a hand and smiled. "Not here; we must leave. I do not think the bartender will be appreciating our company any longer," he said with a smile. He turned to the tender, bowed lowly, and tossed him a bit of change for his trouble. That done, he turned and started for the door. Outside, it was slightly snowy; the clouds overhead blocking the sun. His sandals clacked against the cleared cobblestone pathway, and once they were a good distance from the tavern, he stopped and turned to Jack.
Jack followed him out the door, his questions still running thru his mind. He frowned slightly at the snow, if it accumalated over time it would make it easier for more bounty hunters to track them. He was glad when they stopped and the stranger explained himself.
"Do not think me rude, my prince," he said, and went quickly to one knee, bowing his head. "I have been searching for you for many a month. I bear you no ill will; I swear on my honor as your Honor Guard," he said, keeping his eyes low. "My name is Kane Toshiro; a warrior lost like yourself, taken from his own time by that vile wizard Aku. I only wish to serve you as my father served your father," he said humbly, the wind catching long strongs of ebony hair from his top knot and casting it about the wind.
"Arise Toshiro. I am eternally grateful that you have kept your loyalty to me thru all these years. Allied together, Aku has no chance against us."
Toshiro stood and nodded. "Yes. I would never let my faith waiver in you and you father's dynasty. If we lose hope, then Aku has already won," he said, and looked out over the sky, his dark eyes wary. "We must make it certain that we are not followed...perhaps if we go by way of tree then we can lose any bounty hunters that might discover the mess we left," he said, gazing out at the thick pine forest near the edge of the small village.
Jack nodded, "Let's go." They entered the forest, not completely letting his guard down because the forest appeared empty. Who knew what dangers lurked in the shadows. Jack inwardly sighed at this, every second of every day he had to constantly be on alert. The minute he wasn't, it seemed word spread thru out the land as trouble surrounded him in every which way. It was a comfort to know that he had an ally at his side now, one who understood his past and his quest exactly as he did. Aku had made a grave error sending one of the Emperor's Honor Guards to the future, now that they were together, nothing could stop them.
Toshiro could sense his faint unhappiness and paused as they stepped into the forest. He looked about for a moment and smiled faintly. "My sister told me before I went out to find you that, if I should find you, I should give you this," he replied, and reached into his gei. After a moment, he pulled something out and bowed, holding it forward for Jack to take. "She bids me to tell you that she remembers you and wishes the best luck, as well as that she is waiting for you," he said, smiling faintly. In his hand was a small folded piece of paper, yellowed with time and slightly careworn, but otherwise in good condition.
How could Jack know the truth behind that simple statement..
Jack gasped, instant recognition spreading across his features. He gingerly took the small paper, remembering well its meaning.
"Keiko," He whispered softly, fingering the origami locust. A sneaky tear slid down his cheek before he wiped it away, he did not want to show his feelings for her in front of Toshiro.
"Thank you for bringing this to me," Jack said, "I remember her well, and I do await the day we will meet again."
"It is the least I can do for the both of you...when last I saw her, she was well, but now, I cannot tell. But I swear on my honor that I will do all in my power to return you to your former time; even if it costs me my life." He smiled and stood straight, his dark eyes gleaming slightly. It was amazing how much he had changed, and how little he had changed. Though he had been taken from his home; his time, he could still see the little boy he remembered from so long ago. But alas, the tale had been told; he could not reveal it now. It would be wrong; detrimental. An added burden to Jack's emotions. With that in mind, he resumed his former mental state and turned to face the large tree before them. "Come; we must be swift," he said, and started to scale the cold, rough bark.
Raising an eyebrow in question, Jack followed him up the tree, the locust safely tucked within his gei. The cold snow stung against his warm skin as they fell, and the tree was numbing his hands but he still pressed onward. Upon reaching the top branches of the tree, he wondered what was to happen now. He watched Toshiro "jump good" among the branches of neighboring trees, Jack laughed and chased after him.
"You seem to be enjoying yourself," Toshiro called behind him upon hearing the laughter. He leapt from branch to wide branch, his long black bloak waving behind him as he went. The wind was blocked here among the tree limbs, giving a bit more warmth to the two samurais, and Toshiro paused and leaned against the tree as he watched Jack follow closely behind, leaping wider and longer distances. Toshiro raised an impressed eyebrow and smiled. "Impressive! I do not think I've ever seen another jump as well as you," he complimented, smiling warmly. He looked away from Jack to peer down below at the ground, scanning for any sign that they were being followed. "I do not think we are being trailed," he said. "Though Aku has eyes everywhere; it will be immpossible to know."
"It has been a long time since I have done this," Jack said, "Not since the day the apes taught me." He searched the skies for any spies. "Aku has ways to watch us always, no matter where we are, or what defenses we take to protect ourselves. We can only hope he is busy elsewhere."
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By Canyon315 and DuoLordOfDeath
Disclaimer: None of this stuff is ours! They belong to Gennedy Tartakovsky!
~*Prologue*~
A thick blanket of snow glazed the small mountain town, giving it the appearance of a gingerbread village at Christmas. A slow, mournful wind blew wayward flakes of snow through the air, casting aside pine branches and slipping chilly through clothing like a knife. Overhead, the light, slate-colored sky promised more snow as the day wore on, and even so, he stepped onward. The sound of wood against cobblestone echoed down the silent street, barely audible over the soft howl of the wind, and the rippling sound of fabric in the wind accompanied the small percussive sound. Dark, wary eyes gazed down the main thoroughway through the village, setting their gaze on a small tavern where he might find shelter and sustinance. Strands of ebony hair, loosened by the wind, graced his strong, handsome face under the handwoven hat he wore, but he paid them no heed.
As the stranger passed down the street, several children who had been out in the snow, enjoying the early flurries, paused and watched him with wide eyes. They especially were enraptured, not by his curious attire, but by the magnificent blade that hung, sheathed, at his hip. There was something about his stride that spoke warrior, but again, it spoke determination, calmness, and a quiet honor about him.
Indeed, the children knew well the stories of this man...who in this world didn't? The man who had come from across time to vanquish the vile wizard Aku and free the land from his iron-fisted tyranny.
Samurai Jack.
The young pairs of eyes watched their hero reverently as he strode silently down the street and up the rickety steps of the old town tavern. A soft hush of whispers washed over the small group, excited and anxious...
Jack walked straight thru the doors, ignoring the people's surprised glances. He had resigned himself to his destiny of being pursued by bounty hunters to the point of anticpating them always. He walked straight up to the tavernkeeper, who eyed him cautiously. He knew of this man that Aku was paying good money for, and how taverns like his were favorite places of the hunters to come and hear news of his whereabouts. Too many times had he heard stories of his fellow tavern keepers who lost everything because the samurai had entered and the hunters attacked, destroying everything. Nowhere was safe, from the taverns of the smallest communities to the fancy clubs of the cities such as the Blue Monkey. But a customer was a customer, and he had no right to kick anyone out without due cause. "Yes?"
"Hot water, please."
He shrugged and handed him a teapot full of boiling water with a glass. Jack took it to an empty table, poured a small packet of tea leaves into the cup, then filled it with water, keeping an eye on the others.
As the samurai sat down and went to his tea, he was aware of the eyes of the hunters...but he was quite unaware of the eyes of another.
Dark eyes, hidden in the shadows, looked up as the door creaked gently open and the sound of wood against wood rang through the suddenly silent tavern. Expression hidden by the shadow of his cloak, one could not note the aire of surprise on Toshiro Kane's face. The samurai...how long had he been searching for this very man; this Samurai Jack, only to have him appear as if out of thin air...
Toshiro sat in the far back corner of the tavern, the darkness of the seedy pub casting sinister but welcome shadows about his thin form. His long cloak hid his own powerfully wielded katana from view, as well as his attire. He was a strange one; not from around here, one might say. Sitting up, he looked over to the samurai, who seemed content with his tea, and smiled faintly.
"You, warrior! Come, please sit and take leave with me," he replied, his gently accented voice floating from his lips courteously.
Glancing up in surprise at the shrouded figure, Jack regarded him silently in scrutiny. Somehow, this one seemed more ominous than the hunters...but...
Jack could never deny an invitation, and he joined the man, somewhat cautious of his intentions. Too many times had be been taken for a fool by dirty tricks of his enemies, no more as far as he could help it. The Japanese accent seemed friendly enough, and what few Japanese he had the privledge of meeting were his friends, could it be that he too was a friend?
A table nearby held some hunters, eager for the two googoplex placed upon the samurai's head. As Jack walked past, one jumped him, pulled out a knife, and stabbed the wooden floor where Jack's heart should have been, but he had moved away in time. Jack was on his feet, sword ready for action, his dark eyes unamused by the turn of events.
Before he could move, the familar clicks of wooden sandals hit the floor before disapearing, Jack looked up to find them and their wearer, his Japanese friend, flying above him, an ancient katana held in his hands. He landed with grace after taking out a hunter while still in midair.
The knife had been intentional; in a flash, Toshiro tossed his table asunder and leapt int othe air, tossing the cowl of his cloak aside and letting it flutter dangerously behind him. The white gei he wore bore a familiar, regal kanji; the blade ancient and well-used; polished and sharpened. It gleamed even in the dim light, and with a light step he landed beside the famed Samurai Jack, dark eyes narrowed. "How dare you strike at the feet of the one who will vanquish Aku," he rebuked, his previously gentle voice now laced with vehemence. "Not only was it harsh, but dishonorable; against our code...But alas, I see you are but a simple-minded bounty hunter; your mind never with thoughts of integrity, honor, and dicipline. Simply greed and money and the blood of my Emperor's son," he replied.
Jack stared at this warrior questionably during his speech. He bore the attire of a samurai, and his father's insignia was mind-blowing. Could it be that Aku had banished another samurai from his kingdom? Jack didn't have much time to dwell on it. A bounty hunter raised his eyebrow before laughing. Jack's eyes narrowed dangerously, and with a few quick slashes he was dead, short explosions activating before the robotic pieces hit the floor.
Toshiro smiled wisely and looked at the rest of the bounty hunters. "It would wise of you not to continue this fight; for we have intention of letting this fight fall at our feet...save it be you on the ground." He smiled daringly, but the stubborn bounty hunters did not relent, and when one came at Toshiro, he leapt forward and spun around elegantly on one foot, slashing his sword about in a spin cut that tore the robotic monstrostity to ribbons. Stopping gracefully, he held one hand flat and facing the wall at chest level, the blade held over his head carefully. "It seems they have a death wish, my prince," he said in reference to Jack, quirking an eyebrow.
"So we will fulfill it for them," Jack said, ducking a wide slash at his head. He retaliated by sticking the sword thru the hunter's torso, twisting, and pulling it out to stick it in a hunter trying to get him from behind. These fools were no challenge, only annoyances.
"I will never be captured by you or any other bounty hunter!" He proclaimed while slashing them to pieces, "And you may tell your precious master that as well." He said, while slicing the last.
"Who are you? How did you get here?" He asked, his curiousity not wanting to wait any longer.
Toshiro held up a hand and smiled. "Not here; we must leave. I do not think the bartender will be appreciating our company any longer," he said with a smile. He turned to the tender, bowed lowly, and tossed him a bit of change for his trouble. That done, he turned and started for the door. Outside, it was slightly snowy; the clouds overhead blocking the sun. His sandals clacked against the cleared cobblestone pathway, and once they were a good distance from the tavern, he stopped and turned to Jack.
Jack followed him out the door, his questions still running thru his mind. He frowned slightly at the snow, if it accumalated over time it would make it easier for more bounty hunters to track them. He was glad when they stopped and the stranger explained himself.
"Do not think me rude, my prince," he said, and went quickly to one knee, bowing his head. "I have been searching for you for many a month. I bear you no ill will; I swear on my honor as your Honor Guard," he said, keeping his eyes low. "My name is Kane Toshiro; a warrior lost like yourself, taken from his own time by that vile wizard Aku. I only wish to serve you as my father served your father," he said humbly, the wind catching long strongs of ebony hair from his top knot and casting it about the wind.
"Arise Toshiro. I am eternally grateful that you have kept your loyalty to me thru all these years. Allied together, Aku has no chance against us."
Toshiro stood and nodded. "Yes. I would never let my faith waiver in you and you father's dynasty. If we lose hope, then Aku has already won," he said, and looked out over the sky, his dark eyes wary. "We must make it certain that we are not followed...perhaps if we go by way of tree then we can lose any bounty hunters that might discover the mess we left," he said, gazing out at the thick pine forest near the edge of the small village.
Jack nodded, "Let's go." They entered the forest, not completely letting his guard down because the forest appeared empty. Who knew what dangers lurked in the shadows. Jack inwardly sighed at this, every second of every day he had to constantly be on alert. The minute he wasn't, it seemed word spread thru out the land as trouble surrounded him in every which way. It was a comfort to know that he had an ally at his side now, one who understood his past and his quest exactly as he did. Aku had made a grave error sending one of the Emperor's Honor Guards to the future, now that they were together, nothing could stop them.
Toshiro could sense his faint unhappiness and paused as they stepped into the forest. He looked about for a moment and smiled faintly. "My sister told me before I went out to find you that, if I should find you, I should give you this," he replied, and reached into his gei. After a moment, he pulled something out and bowed, holding it forward for Jack to take. "She bids me to tell you that she remembers you and wishes the best luck, as well as that she is waiting for you," he said, smiling faintly. In his hand was a small folded piece of paper, yellowed with time and slightly careworn, but otherwise in good condition.
How could Jack know the truth behind that simple statement..
Jack gasped, instant recognition spreading across his features. He gingerly took the small paper, remembering well its meaning.
"Keiko," He whispered softly, fingering the origami locust. A sneaky tear slid down his cheek before he wiped it away, he did not want to show his feelings for her in front of Toshiro.
"Thank you for bringing this to me," Jack said, "I remember her well, and I do await the day we will meet again."
"It is the least I can do for the both of you...when last I saw her, she was well, but now, I cannot tell. But I swear on my honor that I will do all in my power to return you to your former time; even if it costs me my life." He smiled and stood straight, his dark eyes gleaming slightly. It was amazing how much he had changed, and how little he had changed. Though he had been taken from his home; his time, he could still see the little boy he remembered from so long ago. But alas, the tale had been told; he could not reveal it now. It would be wrong; detrimental. An added burden to Jack's emotions. With that in mind, he resumed his former mental state and turned to face the large tree before them. "Come; we must be swift," he said, and started to scale the cold, rough bark.
Raising an eyebrow in question, Jack followed him up the tree, the locust safely tucked within his gei. The cold snow stung against his warm skin as they fell, and the tree was numbing his hands but he still pressed onward. Upon reaching the top branches of the tree, he wondered what was to happen now. He watched Toshiro "jump good" among the branches of neighboring trees, Jack laughed and chased after him.
"You seem to be enjoying yourself," Toshiro called behind him upon hearing the laughter. He leapt from branch to wide branch, his long black bloak waving behind him as he went. The wind was blocked here among the tree limbs, giving a bit more warmth to the two samurais, and Toshiro paused and leaned against the tree as he watched Jack follow closely behind, leaping wider and longer distances. Toshiro raised an impressed eyebrow and smiled. "Impressive! I do not think I've ever seen another jump as well as you," he complimented, smiling warmly. He looked away from Jack to peer down below at the ground, scanning for any sign that they were being followed. "I do not think we are being trailed," he said. "Though Aku has eyes everywhere; it will be immpossible to know."
"It has been a long time since I have done this," Jack said, "Not since the day the apes taught me." He searched the skies for any spies. "Aku has ways to watch us always, no matter where we are, or what defenses we take to protect ourselves. We can only hope he is busy elsewhere."
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