Return of the Samurai Seven
A/N: This story is based on the 1966's film "Return of the Magnificent Seven" starring Yul Brynner. The plot will follow the movie; however, I will add my original scenes go along with the story. I do not own Samurai 7 but I do own the new characters you'll see.
Episode 1: The Return
6 years have passed since the war between the samurai and the capital had ended. The Nobuseri had fallen and peace was brought to the people of Kanna Village and Gokakyo. After 6 years, Kanna village is still enjoying their time of peace. As the farmers prepared for their next harvest, Kirara kneeled down and prayed in front of the graves that belonged to Gorobei, Heihachi, Kyuzo, and Kikuchiyo, the four of the seven samurai that gave their lives for the village.
After praying, Kirara stood up from the graves as she thought about the three remaining samurai, especially the youngest one, Katsushiro. Soon a voice called up.
"Big Sis." The voiced called out.
Kirara turned around and saw that it was her sister Komachi. Komachi had grown up into a very beautiful woman (think of how Kirara looked from the first Samurai 7, only with short hair) and now carries the Dowsing Crystal showing she is the new water priestess.
"What is it Komachi?" Kirara asked as she walked up to her.
"It's Katsu, he's here." Komachi explained.
"Katsushiro," Kirara said in complete surprise as she thought of the last time she saw him.
(Flashback)
It was the middle of the night; Katsushiro was standing in front of the four graves. A while later Kirara walked behind him. "I swore to protect you, but for a long time I was the one being protected". Katsushiro said without facing her. "You told me we'd fall together and you will never how much strength that gave me." Before Kirara could talk Katsushiro continued speaking. "The scent of battle to please you I yearned for it... but to get it I had to deny my heart."
After hearing those words, Kirara then began to shed tears. Soon Kambei and Shichiroji and after explaining that he intends to continue his life on the battlefield, Kambei passed on his sword to him and Kirara watched as Katsushiro left Kanna.
(Flashback ends)
Kirara thoughts were then interrupted as her sister dragged her along.
"Komachi, slow down." she said as she was being dragged down the hill.
"We don't want to be late. After all it's been years since we last saw him. I bet Rikichi, Sanae, and everyone would be happy to see him again, especially you sister." Komachi said.
"What do you mean by that." she asked.
"It's obvious that you've been thinking about him the whole time. If I didn't know better it's almost as if you've fallen in love with him." Komachi said with a devises smile.
Kirara was flabbergasted after hearing this but before she could speak; she saw it was none other than Katsushiro in front of her. Her eyes widened as she looked at him. Komachi was just looking back and forth and decided back away giving both of them some space.
"Katsushiro," Kirara spoke first.
Katsushiro was nervous. He hasn't been to Kanna for six years. He planned to return today but he didn't plan on what to do after he arrived.
"Hello Kirara, it's been a long time." Katsushiro said finally saying his first words.
"What are you doing here?" She asked.
"It has been six years since my comrades were killed. I thought it would be best to pay my respect." Katsushiro said, although he knew somewhere inside there was another reason.
Kirara looked at him, not convinced of his reason. She decided not to question him about it. "I'll show you to them. And if you wouldn't mind, would you like to stay for the night?" She asked.
"I'd like that." Katsushiro said and they both walked to the graves. Komachi watched as they left hoping her older sister would end up with the man she wants to be with.
As they walked to the graves, Kirara told Katsushiro everything that has happened since the war ended.
"The elder has passed on." He asked.
"Yes. He died three years after you left. However, before he died he gave the honor of village elder to Rikichi." She explained.
"Rikichi, how did he feel after being made elder?" Katsushiro asked.
Kirara answered, "He seemed nervous at first. But as time went on he became accustomed to being elder and soon he earned the respect of everyone from the village."
Katsushiro then asked, "I'm glad he is doing okay. What about Sanae?"
"She has recovered after being rescued from the capital. She and Rikichi had restored their relationship and are both living a marriage filled with love." She said as they arrived at the graves.
However she soon stopped and Katsushiro walked two-steps head of her. When he turned around, he noticed that she was staring at the ground with a sad smile on her face.
"I don't know way, but to be honest I envy their love. Since the war ended, all I want so much is to have a family like them." Kirara said.
Katsushiro then asked," Didn't anyone in the village ask for your hand in marriage?"
"Many did but I turned them away." She said leaving Katsushiro surprised. After a long time he would have thought she would have been married by now.
She then looked up and said. "When we are done, will you leave for another journey?"
Katsushiro didn't know what to say. He said he had denied his heart to become a samurai but he knew that even though he tried to deny it he was still in love with Kirara.
"Kirara you should know I didn't just come to pay my respects." Kirara was surprised by this. She thought if he didn't come here just for that then what?
"I came here to…" before Katsushiro could finish someone was running towards them calling to them. It was Shino the daughter of Manzo and Kirara's best friend.
"Kirara I knew I'd find you hear." She said between pants and then turned to Katsushiro." Great samurai I need your help."
Both of them were surprised what could be wrong that she would need the help of a samurai.
"What is the problem?" Katsushiro asked.
"It's the elder, he's been injured." Shino said leaving them both surprised and worried about what happened to their friend.
"What happened to him?" Kirara asked.
"I don't know, all I saw was him badly beaten and has a large wound on his chest. Please great samurai we need your help." Shino said as she pleaded for Katsushiro to help them.
"Take me to him." Katsushiro requested.
Kirara and Katsushiro followed Shino to the village to Rikichi's house to see what was wrong. When they got there, they saw Rikichi lying unconscious. What Shino said was true, Rikichi had a lot of bruises on him as well as his torso completely covered in bandages. Beside him were his wife Sanae treating him and Komachi was there to waiting for her sister and the samurai.
"Kirara and Katsu you're here." She said. Soon Sanae walked up to them.
"Sanae please tell us what happened." Kirara asked.
"Two travelers came up to my husband. They said that their friend was sick and they wanted his help to bring him to the village." She then turned to her husband with tears escaping her eyes. She continued explaining. "He agreed and told me he would be back soon. When he came back he looked as if he was ambushed. He told me that he was attacked by…" Before she could finish they heard the sound of the villager's screaming.
"What going on?" Komachi asked with a worried look.
"I will go see what is happening. Sanae stay here and look after Rikichi." Sanae nodded in response.
At the village center, a total of fifty men I dark clothing carrying swords were standing in front of the farmers that all gathered together in fear as of what they were terrified of what was going to happen. Soon the farmers saw Katsushiro, along with Kirara, Komachi, and Shino arrived to see what was happening.
"Hey isn't that Katsushiro." One of the farmers said.
"Yeah it is him. He came back to save us." Said another farmer
Katsushiro looked at the one standing in front of the army. Like the others, he was wearing a dark mask but what made him stick out from was that he was only one wearing a red cloak over his dark armor. Katsushiro was able to determine that he was the leader. What got his attention were their swords.
"Tell me was it you who attacked this village's elder?" Katsushiro demanded the leader to tell.
The leader then spoke," No, my stouts did."
The two of the masked bandits went up and looked around the people." Yeah, that guy was a total weakling; it didn't even take much effort at all. All we had to do get him away was to pass ourselves off as dumb travelers." One of the men said. This enraged the samurai and the three farm girls. However, all the other farmers could think about was what was going to become of them.
"Boss, take a look at this village, all the supplies hear are even better from the ones in that last village." One of the stouts spoke out.
Terrified, one of the farmers, named Manzo, finally spoke out.
"Oh no, I knew this would happen. Their just like I said, their just like bandits, anyone that carries a sword is the farmers enemy. These samurai came to our village to steal our rice and women like they always have." He then grabbed the arm of his daughter." Shino get away from them now." He said to her.
"Father stop worrying. Katsushiro of the seven samurai is here to save us." She said.
"Oh right, he returns just now as masked samurai arrive at our village. How do you know if he is one of them." Manzo said accusing Katsushiro of being a spy.
Before Manzo could say more he was suddenly slapped in his right cheek. Everyone looked in surprise to see that id Kirara that did it.
She looked at him angrily and said, "Don't you dare blame Katsushiro for this. Have you forgotten that he was one of the few samurai that risked his own life just to save our village?"
Katsushiro was surprised the most. He didn't expect to see Kirara stand up for him especially in the way she did it.
The leader chuckled, "Impressive show I must say. But as tempting as women and rice are, I afraid we are not here for those." Leaving everyone wondering, if they're not here for those reasons, then why are they here?"
"All we want are the men." The leader spoke out in a menacing tone.
To Be Continued….
A/N: This is my first shot at making a Samurai 7 fanfiction. When the original series ended I felt as if it needed a sequel. So I figured I right my own. I'm a little new at this so please review and I'm open to any suggestion from you guys. I hope you like it.