AN: And here we are after how many months…almost a year! Geeze, I'm sorry. Anyway I'm doing this from work and not allowed to use this comp for personal reasons so I have to go. Later!
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Chapter 6
"Why do I have to be out here looking for that woman?" Ukyo asked.
"The emperor was the one who said that if you do not bring her back, you're rights to his throne would be dissipated."
Ukyo 'hmphed' "It wasn't like I was serious when I went to her. She was the one who took it seriously."
Tesai turned to him "My lord you must never take a her lightly, if I hadn't been there she would've killed you without a second thought."
"I know, I know" Ukyo said waving Tesai off "let's just go. The sooner we get her, and bring her back. The sooner I get my throne."
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
The sword flew from her hands and she jumped back. Her eyes turned from left to right looking for something to use as a weapon. "Too slow" she heard him say.
She dodged his slow strike knowing he didn't want to hit her…at that point anyway. She then grabbed his arm and swiped his legs out.
A thud sounded.
"Nice."
She reached over and grabbed the sword he'd dropped and swung it towards his neck. Katsuchiro grabbed her wrist and threw her.
Shall I take it from here?
No! I can do this!
You're having trouble, you cannot even defeat a boy who's only killed once.
I said I can do this.
I could take him in a mere moment.
Then give me advice, don't take over!
Fine then…I'll lead you from here.
She went flying through the air towards a tree.
Use your legs and turn your body!
But how…
NOW!
Using all her might she willed her legs to suddenly flip her body over. Without thinking she suddenly reached out and grabbed a branch above her before turning her feet towards the tree and then kicking off the tree and diving towards Katshiro.
A samurai can use anything as a weapon!
The tree branch broke.
Katsuchiro blinked…a big mistake.
Because when his eyes opened, there was a tree branch tied fastly around his neck.
And a sword was being pushed into his back, yet not penetrating his skin.
Katsuchiro stood with wide eyes and a numb body…he'd lost.
Passable…for now…
She felt the voice leave and immediately heard clapping.
"Good!" Gorobei sounded "Good! That was great! Oh what a fight!"
"Indeed it was something to see" Kambei said "But with the oncoming fight perhaps it's best to leave it at that until a little later."
"With such a short practice sensei?" Katsuchiro asked "I mean…we just started today."
"We started today to see where her skills lie at this point" Kambei replied "Right now it seems as if her lessons with Kyuzo-dono have paid off."
She blushed as he smiled at her "Thank-you" she said.
Gorobei smiled sweetly at her "Yes you are quite impressive, especially that last move. Perhaps you'll be able to beat even this old man" he laughed referring to himself.
She laughed shyly "I should be so lucky great samurai."
Gorobei smiled once again.
"Well, we should be off then" Kambei said "As long as you stay near one of us or with the other women you will be okay" he told her.
She nodded before resheathing her weapon.
Both her and Katsuchiro bowed as Kambei and Gorobei walked away.
Suki felt a presence behind herself and turned. There Kyuzo was, leaning against a tree.
She turned towards Katsuchiro and bowed lightly "Thank-you for the practice Kastuchiro."
Katsuchiro smiled and nodded "Anytime" he smiled "I'd better follow sensei."
She then turned and saw that Kyuzo was gone.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
To the left, towards the waterfall, with the archers.
How did you….?
Unlike you I am a samurai
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
She then continued towards the waterfall. She passed Heihachi as he continued to work on…whatever it was he was working on with that huge tree…it kind of looked like an arrow the way it was carved.
Shiroji was also working hard on defences.
She was a little worried about them. They both looked like they needed a good meal and a decent nights sleep. They worked so hard, they'd been betrayed…and yet they still work hard.
Does that seem valiant to you?
…
Does it seem heroic?
….Does it seem stupid to you?
What?
Does it seem foolish?
…
Do they look like cowards to you?
And if they do?
Than you are no better…no better than the ones you insult.
You dare speak to me like this?
I speak to you however I wish.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Blue glinted in Suki's eyes as it began to take shape.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
A laugh resounded through the body's head.
What a disappointment! I'd thought for a moment that Suki had actually grown a backbone!
I'd watch for that one, I'd say she'd be more vicious than you.
You think so?
I do…
A smile formed deep in the mind of their body.
Perhaps it's best we bring out this vindictive part.
No…
…No?
It is not anger, prowess, or malice that makes someone a fighter, or a soldier.
Even the most tranquil child will take a life if necessary
But for what reason?
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Silence for a few moments as one waited for an answer, and another saught that answer. And then it came.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
…ahh I see your point now.
The most dangerous animal on earth is one with something to protect.
So if we give her something to protect…
Then she will fight with all her heart.
And it just so happens we are seeking out that reason now.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
A knock beated against the door and the old miko inside looked up.
"My lady" Kambei called.
"Oh it you great samurai" she said "I wasn't expecting anyone in this dense fog but all the same it is an honor, come on up."
"No thankyou this will be fine" Kambei smiled.
Kirara suddeny opened the door and walked in "Oh…hello great samurai."
Kambei bowed his head "Priestess" he said "I've come to ask a favor."
The elder Miko looked up from her scroll and smiled "And what would that be?" she asked.
"The battle will begin soon" Kambei said "When it has begun I would like all the women and children to say here."
Both Miko nodded "Sure" said the elder.
But the younger one seemed to have something heavy weighing on her mind "If you're worried then Katsuchiro can stay here with you."
Katsuchiro straightened, and turned towards the women.
Kirara turned, she seemed to think over the question.
"I think we'll be…"
"Yes"
All eyes turned towards the elder miko.
Kirara stood silent "Grandmother?"
"We will need a good, strong man just incase anyone gets passed the first line" said the elder miko "Katsuchiro will be well needed."
A sudden movement sounded outside, then the door opened.
"Lady Kirara you dropped these flowers" Sino said as she walked in "I wouldn't want you to…"
She suddenly saw Kambei standing there, and Katsuchiro "Oh…" surprise was evident in her eyes "I'm sorry great samurai, I did not know you were here, actually I would like to thank you great Kambei for sparing my father's life. And you as well Katsuchiro for your kind words."
She bowed to the two samurai who nodded in acknowledgement.
"Everyone deserves a second chance" said Kambei.
She nodded and smiled.
Katsuchiro nodded at her and she blushed at his stare.
Kambei rose up "Well then, it's settled," he stated "the moment the battle begins Katsuchiro, you will lead all women and children here, and stay to protect them."
Katsuchiro seemed
disappointed. However agreed "Yes sensei."
Kambei then turned
and walked out, leaving the four there.
Katsuchiro immediately turned once again to the elder miko. "Miko, do you have any escape routes just incase a hasty retreat needs to be made?" he asked.
"I know!"
All seemed surprised by Sino's outburst, even Sino herself blushed when she realized how loud she had been "I…I mean…I know one" she said "Um…follow me."
She then lead Katsuchiro out.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
"Fire"
All the arrows struck there targets, all but one that faltered and fell to the ground.
Laughter rang out and the one who'd shot the arrow's face soured "It happened again!" he moaned.
"The rest of us have gotten pretty good" said one of the farmers "But not you, you're still horrible."
The bad shot turned and cried out "It's not my fault it's the bow!"
"Kyuzo-sama"
Kyuzo turned to the woman approaching him, he took in her appearance, and his eyes turned to her slightly slouching shoulders and feet that dragged lightly "Your finished" he said.
She smiled stopping in
front of him with a small bow "Kambei instructed me to stay with
you until the battle starts."
Kyuzo said nothing, instead his
reaction was something she didn't expect at all.
He fell.
He fell to the ground in a crouched position with his ear pressed to the ground.
She stared down with the most bewildered look on her face "Great…Kyuzo?"
"It's time."
Who knew two small and simple words could install such fear into a person.
That's what the farmers no doubt felt.
However, not her. She felt…excitement.
Raw excitement that began to heat and boil her blood.
I can feel the air thick with the scent of battle, and it has been too long since one as been placed before me…a worthy one anyways.
She didn't reply to the voice, her head was filling with thoughts. She turned to Kyuzo who was rallying the men around her to begin make their way to the bridge.
Kyuzo turned "Let's go."
She nodded before following.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
The villagers rallied towards the bridge all running with haste as Kambei yelled out instructions as to what everyone was to do.
"Archers ready your bows!" Kambei called.
Suki fastened her bow and arrow before taking a place beside Kyuzo.
She looked out over the bridge and through the fog. It was a thick blanket of white that shielded her eyes from the oncoming presence and promise of death that awaited her.
She realized at that moment just how much would change in the last few weeks.
And how the previous day would probably be the only one without sorrow or loss.
This may be the last moment with all seven samurai.
She then heard a loud clanking and turned around, behind the small forest was the large tree now shaved like an arrow coming forward.
The crossbow
They're using it first?
Yes, dispite losing all his battles, he has not yet forgotten how to fight.
She turned her attention towards the samurai drenched in white rags.
The great Kambei. The great samurai. Drenched in rags.
"Ready!"
Came the call.
Then it came, the look of death. It's eyes were wide and unfeeling, it's legs were long and pointing, it's arms were virtually gone, however she could feel its' presence of power. And it was a devastating one.
"Is that…a nobuseiri?" came her shaking voice.
Kyuzo turned "No"
he replied "You will know when you see a nobuseri" he turned to
look her in the eyes "Believe me."
She nodded, and turned back
to the large battle ship "How many of them are there?" she asked.
"Looks like about 5"
said Gorobei from the other side of Kyuzo "It's a small army, but
still an army."
"Small!" said Gonzo in fear "That's who
we're going to fight! We can never defeat them! Maybe if we go
beg…"
And anger set in Suki and she turned with a glare, she then walked up and slapped Gonzo "Wake up!" she shouted in anger "These men are ready to die for you and you won't even give them the thought of defending your own village."
She then unsheathed her sword and pointed it at the now terror filled farmer. "Stop complaining before I cut out your treacherous tounge."
Silence surrounded the small group, and she looked up to see everyone was now staring at her.
Gonzo was still staring at her "H-how did you speak with three voices?" he asked with fear.
Three voices?
…
Did I really do that?
I'm afraid, your not the only one.
I never could stand a trader
So…we all said it?
Amazing isn't it?
Dispite it's differences, the heads of a hydra still share the same body.
Um…okay.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
She then backed up, resheathed her sword, and took her place once again by Kyuzo.
Kambei had missed the excitement, as had the bandits who called out to the village "This is not an idle threat, throw down your weapons and cross the bridge slowly.
Kambe showed now emotion of surrender and simply called "Fire!"
The trigger was set off and the crossbow fired it's gigantic arrow at the target, it slammed into a Yakon piercing it's great eye.
A roar set about the village as they the farmers saw that the bandits were not invincible.
But Suki still felt a sense of forboding.
This is not a time to celebrate.
The small army continued its forward attack hastily.
"Ready your bow!"
She lifted her bow and remembered Sana's words.
Spread your legs one before the other,
Straighten your back and your form,
Tighten your hold on the bow,
Hold your elbow to shoulder length and breath as you pull it back,
Look to the target and aim with your pointer finger…
All surrounding her were now in a familiar position.
"FIRE AT WILL!"
Now…release!
The arrows went flying with flaming ends and rained down on the army in a shower of fire.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Katsuchiro watched on with amazement as the bandits were taken down by arrows of wood and fire. He perched himself higher.
"Katsuchiro!"
He turned to see Sino and Kirara standing at the base, but knew that one had only just arrived. "How does it look?" Kirara asked.
Katsuchiro turned to the battle currently starting "Like a war" he replied simply.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Kikichiyo skipped down from the trigger point and ran across the field, he laughed running as he continued "Hey!" he called towards the small group of samurai compiling at the edge of the village "Hey! That awesome! No kidding you guys were great!"
Kambei turned with a belligerent look, he then in one smooth moment took position and when Kikichiyo was close enough sliced his head off.
He then turned to the shocked onlookers and said "Bring me a rope."
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
AN: Internet's out at my house so I'll probably be writing more (that's what I always say) but I'll try to get more done before my month long trip to New Zealand in November.
Review and you shall receive. Later!
