Shichinin-tai, the Meaning within
Jen "the stampede" Motou
Chapter 1: Taste of Betrayal
Animosity…… It seeped from him, from his each and every pore as his ears caught the sounds of hooves striking the ground, more men arriving. He glared upwards the daimyou—the very SAME daimyou he had just made a deal with--- now feeling the presence of the encroaching men. "I've got them cornered like rats, all of them. We'll be rid of them forever now." The blue orbs trailed to the side, seeing a second daimyou setting a top a Horse next to the man. "You Bastard! What gives! I thought we were leading the charge!" a harsh growl admitted it's self from the youth's throat as his eyes narrowed into a fiery glare.
The second daimyou only responded however with a wave of his had, telling his troops of commence fire. As commanded the men readied their bows and shot. Millions of arrows fell from the sky in a blurry rain of wood and metal. "Big Brother!" A rather feminine clad man shouted to the younger boy. Before he could do a thing, all seven men found themselves dodging and bouncing out of the arrows path. The Continuous rain pleated down, and the boy quickly shouted. "WE HAVE TO GO NOW!" and began to run. The other six followed, until the boy's feet found themselves stopped as a loud moan of pain echoed through the air. The plaited youth stopped and swung around, and watched the giant of the group fall to the ground as his body was riddled with arrows. "Kyokotsu!" he screamed, at the sight.
"Big Brother! Watch out!" The feminine member of the group sprang to life, and shoved the youth to the ground using his own body to cause the force. He struck the ground front of his leader, his shoulder now carrying the arrow he received for performing the act. "Jakotsu!" The young leader's voice was overcome with fear, seeing the wound inflicted to his long time best friend. He felt a tug on his arm and found himself on his feet, as Suikotsu lifted him up. "We have to go, or they'll get us too!" The white clad youth fought against his grip. "No! Not without Jakotsu! I won't leave him."
"Go Damnit! Kyokotsu is already gone! Bankotsu God help him, if you die here because of me, I'll kill you in hell! NOW GO!" He froze as the words, but with another glare from the fallen man he soon found the strength to move his legs. He nodded, and turned. Being drug along by Suikotsu, he was plagued by thoughts of leaving them behind.
"URGH!" All thoughts quickly shifted to the arrow now deeply buried in his left shin. "BANKOTSU!" Jakotsu bellowed as the young Shichinin-tai Shuryou fell to the ground, and from Suikotsu's grasp. The boy however, drug himself to his knees, panting. He then closed his eyes and placed his hand upon the arrow. Biting his lip he pulled. "URGH!" Another yell of agony escaped his small frame. "Bankotsu Damnit!" Jakotsu and Suikotsu cursed him in unison, as the boy collapsed to the ground, panting while blood stained the white of his hakama.
Suddenly the arrows stopped, as the first daimyou had called for a cease fire.
"What do you think you're doing!" The second was demanding and answer and the first only grinned. "There is no need for such methods now that we have their leader. The other's will not retreat without him." He then waved his hand forward to his men with only one command. "Capture them."