A/N: Well, this is the first Samurai 7 fic i've written. I wanted to write earlier, but I didn't have the time to get around to it. This is basically what the title says. What is the scent of the battlefield and all that junk that's littered throughout the show. I know Kirara gives kind of an explanation, but a) she doesn't seem ver confident about it-b)that seems to only graze the surface. Anyways, this is going to be multiple chapter since each chapter is a different samurai. This first chapter gets things started so I don't know if it is horribly interesting. Oh well, just read and enjoy!
I don't own Samurai 7...If I did, trust me, I would be doing better things than writing fanfiction on it...
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What is it that I am lacking?…
Is it experience?…
Is it skill?…
What is it?…
What is the scent of the battlefield?Katsushiro trudged along the dirt path in deep thought. He was oblivious to anything going around him despite his charge of being on guard duty. After recent events, he began to question what it truly meant to be a samurai and to have the scent of the battlefield. In battle, he understood he did not have the same control as the other samurai.
"Hey, Katsu-noji!"
"Yes?"
The young samurai turned around at the familiar nickname.
"Whatcha doin' looking all gloomy like that?"
He felt his cheeks begin to warm. He was supposed to be on lookout but instead he was not paying attention at all. Worst yet, one of the nosiest villagers noticed.
"It's nothing, Komachi. I was merely thinking."
Katsushiro immediately regretted his answer. He remembered the last time he mentioned thinking around the little girl and the mechanical samurai, Kikuchyo. It resulted only in a large headache.
"Well, it wasn't about Sister, was it? Or maybe it was."
He quickly averted his gaze to the side. He hated how she was able to see some of these things so clearly. Komachi innocently continued to stare up at Katsushiro innocently. She really was curious as to what he was thinking so hard about.
"Are you thinking about what Sister said about the whole scent of the battlefield?"
The little girl began biting her lip thoughtfully. Katsushiro looked down at her in wonder. Even she began to change throughout the events. She had grown up, had grown stronger.
"I was just contemplating its meaning and how I am so far from Sensei and the others."
"Maybe you shouldn't think so hard about it? Is it really that complicated? Well, sometimes I don't think even Sister fully understands it."
Katsushiro smiled at Komachi and nodded at her consolation.
"Perhaps you are right. By the way, Komachi, have you seen Sensei?"
"Oh, he's over by the waterfall last time I heard."
"Thank you."
"Sure!"
He turned on his heel and began running towards the edge of the village. Katsushiro thought about what the young girl said. He thought about how she would continue to grow up and one day become the water priestess. She might even surpass her sister.
The sudden thought of her sister brought back all his previous thoughts. Kirara vowed to stand by his side as he became a samurai. The previous battles have shown that he was beginning to lose his initial innocence regarding war and the true meaning of wielding the sword. If she continued to be there with him, she would undoubtedly begin to lose her innocence as well.
By the time he reached the waterfall, he was back to the state he was in before his conversation with Komachi. As he approached, he slowed his pace and searched for Kambei. The older samurai was standing off to the side, at the edge of the cliff.
"Sensei."
Katsushiro stood a short distance from Kambei as he waited for some kind of acknowledgement.
"What is it, Katsushiro?"
"I wanted to ask you…"
"Yes?"
Kambei turned around to face the younger boy and waited for him to continue.
"…What is it?"
"What is what?"
He watched amusedly as Katsushiro blushed when he realized he only voiced half of his thoughts. He quickly looked Kambei in the eye and clarified his question.
"What is the scent of the battlefield? I continue to think about it, but I never get anywhere. I understand that you and the others have this, but I cannot tell what it is."
Kambei nodded his head thoughtfully. Honestly, he himself had difficulty in putting it into words. While it could be stated easily, the meaning of it was far more difficult. It was something he knew implicitly, but could not explain in a more succinct manner.
"Time spent in battle changes a person whether we can see it or not. As samurai, we must understand what it means to take a life and live with the consequences. It is something that is not always desirable. It can be a great burden. It will forever define who you are."
He watched as Katsushiro attempted to absorb everything he just said and apparently failing. Kambei sighed softly. He knew it was not a great answer.
"Katsushiro. All that we have fought thus far…This is your first time seeing real battles?"
"Yes. Before this point…I had not been in a fight that even faintly resembled what I have experienced thus far."
"Do you understand what it is to kill another? Those lives you have taken…what do you think of them now? What is it you feel?"
Katsushiro was speechless. He had not actually thought about what he feels after he has killed. He knew what he felt as he fought and killed, but he did not know what he felt afterwards. To him, it all seemed unreal. Katsushiro knew he would have to forever deal with the deaths he brought, but how he felt about that, he did not know.
"I still am unsure. I understand that once you take a life you are forced to carry that burden with you. But what does that truly mean in the end? I have taken lives, I deal with the consequences, but I know I still do not have the scent of the battlefield."
"I believe…over time, you will understand what that means. For now, perhaps you are better off asking somebody else. I am not eloquent nor am I gifted in teaching. And by the look on your face, I am right."
The young samurai began blushing again and immediately fell to rambling.
"What are you talking about, Sensei? You have taught me so much! You are a great samurai and one to be admired."
Kambei gave him a small, sad smile and shook his head.
"I especially am not worthy of such praise, Katsushiro. Go along now. Aren't you supposed be on the lookout?"
"What? Oh right. Forgive me…And thank you, Sensei. I will take your advice as always."
The jaded samurai had the same sad smile as he watched Katsushiro run off to continue his duties and search for answers. Chances are, he would forget his duties and wind up concentrating only on learning more. He shook his head and wondered if he was ever like that at one point.
"Perhaps I was…And maybe that's why it's all the harder now…"
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A/N: Alrighty, chapter is done. What did you think? I really am not good at writing this kind of stuff. I'm better at actual plot stories with humor...Well, next chapter will be the mechanical mayhem, Kikuchyo! By the way, does anybody know if the two bad guys from episode three have names? You know, the one who shoots metal dart thingys with pink hair and the guy with a metal dome for a head? I really want to write a fanfic, but it would be hard if I don't know their names...It would sound weird if I didn't use their names...Anyhoo, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed it!
