The room was dark. Matchlock guns were lined up on a rack in the corner of the room. A man picked up one of the guns and inspected it. Satisfied he took it over to a furnace and tossed it in. The fire roared and the gun burned until the wood was gone and the metal was glowing red. The metal soon melted and the man released some valves on the furnace and molten metal poured out the vents in a large vat. He opened another valve and water came down onto the vat. A cloud of steam rose as the metal cooled. The man smiled. It was finally done. He had forged his very own weapon: a hand cannon.

Sunlight spread across the valley unhindered. A slight breeze caused the grass to sway. Bankotsu sat on the grass, eyes closed. Jakotsu sat next to him idly picking grass. He gave a big sigh.

"What's with you?" asked Bankotsu

"I am tired of sitting around. When're we going to do some work?"

Bankotsu chuckled at his friend's eagerness. "Jakotsu, I told you we have to gather some other companions first."

Jakotsu scratched his head in thought. "Where're going to find anyone?"

"Easy. Just follow the smoke."

"Smoke?"

Bankotsu pointed to a spot on the horizon. "Right there. Don't tell me you didn't see it?"

As much as he strained his eyes Jakotsu could not see anything. "I see nothing."

"Ah, you're eyes are to weak." Bankotsu sat up and grabbed Banryu, his large halberd. "Come on, let's go see what it's all about."

Jakotsu smiled. "Finally, I get to see some action."

Bankotsu and Jakotsu headed off.

KABOOOM! A hut exploded as it was hit. Villagers scattered everywhere. A man stepped out from the smoke. He had mounted on his shoulder a small cannon. An evil grin spread across his face.

"Haha! You can't run forever."

He clicked the trigger and a cannonball shot out and struck the ground. It exploded on impact and sent several villagers flying in the air. The assailant stood over a cowering man.

The man begged for his life. "Please sir, spare me! Why do you attack our village?"

"I wanted to test out my new weapon. Like it?"

The cannon was pointed at the village man. He was scared stiff. He couldn't say anything. The gunner was about to pull the trigger when Bankotsu stepped in.

"Hey, what's going on here?"

The gunner pointed the cannon at his new foe. "Get out of my way."

Bankotsu smiled and readied his Banryu. "Make me."

The gunner immediately shot off the cannon. Bankotsu stepped nimbly aside. He raised Banryu and swung down hard. The gunner dodged it. Both opponents smiled. This was going to be fun. Bankotsu made another move in but the gunner unleashed a barrage of cannonballs. One cannonball hit Banryu as Bankotsu used it for a shield. He leaped in the air and came down on his opponent. The gunner pulled out a gourd and poured the contents in his mouth. He held if there for a bit, waiting until Bankotsu was closer.

Bankotsu screamed "This is where you die!"

Before Bankotsu could swing his halberd and a streak of fire shot out and engulfed him. Bankotsu fell to the ground.

The gunner put the gourd away. "That's my line."

Jakotsu ran up to his friend and shook the fire out. "Bankotsu, are you okay?"

Bankotsu used his halberd to stand himself up. "Damn, what was that?"

The gunner replied, "A special liquid I made myself. It's just a little trick I keep for punks like you."

Bankotsu laughed to himself. He had been too careless. "What's your name?"

The gunner paused before replying, "...Renkotsu."

Yay! My first fan-fic. Any reviews/critiques would be greatly appreciated.