Return of the Samurai Seven
A/N: These two weeks have been hard. Well here's the twelfth chapter. It's sort of based on Samurai 7, The Journey. I'll try to upload another one before the end of May. I own nothing.
(Recap)
After successfully infiltrating the Magistrate's house, Vaan manages to break Katsushiro, Rikichi and Manzo free. Seeing their escape, Yorobei is quickly escorted to a safe bunker, and Zarous and the men are then trap at the prison cells. After reaching the Magistrate's room, the farmers and Katsushiro are reunited with Kambei and the other samurai. There they open the tunnel and make their escape. Elsewhere, Zarous and the others broke free and have been reported that the Magistrate was captured.
Episode 12: The Journey
At the city outskirts, the three farm girls notice the ground behind them rumble. They quickly get to see that it's being sliced open by a sword. The rocks then turn to little pieces and nine people are seen climbing out. The girls smile to see who they are.
"Couldn't you have made the opening less dirty?" Rakan said dusting the dirt of his robe.
"We are out are we not?" Kambei Said. He then turned to see the girls running towards them.
"Kambei you made it." Said Kirara
"Yes, we did." Kambei said, "And we brought some friends to." Said Shichiroji
The three turn turned to the opening to see three figures coming out. It was Katsushiro, Rikichi, and Manzo. Katsushiro then noticed Kirara. Before he could say something, he and everyone were surprised to see Kirara hugging him.
"I knew you would come back." Said Kirara as she let go of him
"I told you I wouldn't be gone for long." Said Katsushiro as they both smiled
"Get a room you two." Said Gen ruining the moment
Manzo then walked up to his daughter. "Shino what are you doing here?" he said
"I came here to help save you." Said Shino
"Well you could have left the job to them. Do you know how dangerous this place is? You shouldn't have come along." Yelled Manzo
"Well what did you…?" Shino was about to argue back but Rakan stepped forward
"I take it you're her father. Don't worry, your daughter was at safe hands, and she played a big help in finding us." Said Rakan
"Yeah, Shino help a lot. So stop complaining Manzo" said Komachi
Manzo was about to say something until Rikichi interrupted. "Great Samurai, I want to thank you, all of you for save us. I started thinking I would never see my wife again." Said Rikichi getting on his knees
"There's no need to bow, after all I heard you are Kanna's new elder" said Kambei
"I know but still, thank you." He said getting up.
Seto then heard something below the ravine. He walked up and his eyes widen. "Everyone you need to see this" he said
Everyone then walked to where he was and notice that it was Zarous's men spreading outside the city.
"They must have found out how we escape and are searching for us." Said Shichiroji
"Well it will be too dangerous if all of us went to Kanna together." Said Gen
"You are right it would be. So now we must split up." Kambei said as he turned to the rest, "We will divide ourselves into three parties. Doing that will allow us to go unnoticed."
"That's fine but where will we meet up?" said Gen
"Is there a place in Kanna that could serve as are rendezvous point?" asked Seto
"There is. Just before the bridge there is a large rock called wing rock." Said Kirara
"That's also the place we met up last time too." Said Komachi
"So that's where we'll meet up. So how do we split up?" Seto asked
"The farmers are familiar with the land. Two samurai will take two farmers and they will show us the way." Said Kambei
"Alright, then I guess we should all go." Said Shichiroji
"Sensei, which group will I travel with?" asked Katsushiro
"I decide before we leave." He said
Meanwhile, back at Kogakyo, Zarous and Hanzo were at the city gate talking to the guards.
"Are you certain that these samurai we described never made to this entrance?" He said
"Yes we are. We've been here all day and no samurai has gone past us." Said the guard
"I've contacted the search team; there is no sign of Shimada Kambei or his team in Kogakyo." Said Hanzo
"How could have left the city without being detected." Zarous said to himself, then his eyes widen as he realized something. 'They had been informed that Kambei and the other samurai broke free. And yet they never came in contact with them. And he knows there is only one way to leave the city without detection.' "I see so that's how they left."
"How did they leave?" asked Hanzo
"The escape tunnel we constructed for Yorobei. They deliberately let themselves be captured to make their way into the palace. That's when they freed their allies and sabotaged the door so they could trap us and use the tunnel to leave the city unnoticed. I'll admit it was a prefect plan."
"So if they used the tunnel then we should surround the exit and apprehend them." Said Hanzo
"No, they must have already made it to the end. That's why I ordered the men to search the surrounding areas. They will not get far." Said the old advisor
"You there, we will perform our own search for the Magistrate. If they are not brought to us by the end of today, then tell them to return to the palace and await further orders." Zarous said to the guards.
"Yes sir." They said as Zarous and Hanzo left
On the roads to Kanna, The samurai divided themselves into three teams.
Group 1: Kambei, Gen, Kirara, and Katsushiro
Group 2: Seto, Vaan, Komachi, and Manzo
Group 3: Shichiroji, Rakan, Shino, and Rikichi
(A/N: I'm going to go in order to show you what happens to each group as they make their way to Kanna.)
With the first group, Katsushiro was walking beside Kirara while Kambei and Gen were up ahead.
"Katsushiro you don't have to keep walking beside me." Said Kirara
"But I must, in order to keep you safe. After all I told you a long time ago that I will never let go of your hand." He said and Kirara began to turn slightly red until Gen spoke.
"Hey water priestess, you sure this is the right way?" Asked Gen
"I'm not the water priestess anymore, but I do remember there being an underground river under here the leads to Kanna village." She said
"And with the tureen, we should be able to stay out of sight." Said Kambei
Katsushiro then turned to face Gen. "Gen-dono, if I might ask, what made you decide to join us?"
"That's true, you never told Kambei of Komachi of your reason." Said Kirara interested in the story.
Gen pondered for a moment. He then explained himself, "Well have you ever heard of El Dorado, The City of Gold?"
"You mean the city that claims to be made out of solid gold." Said Katsushiro and Gen nodded
"My mother always told me that story, but isn't it only a fable." Said Kirara
"It may or may not. I was always told that story as a child. I used it as an inspiration to start my samurai join to find that city. I could remember what that book said; the buildings are made and held with the finest gold. The rivers sparkle like clear crystal diamonds. And the women are absolutely beautiful." Said Gen
Katsushiro and Kirara both looked with questioning faces. They wondered how he can be following a child fantasy. "I know what you are thinking, the city of gold may not exist, but it gives my life purpose. That's why with every battle I join and win, I believe I come closer to finding it."
"So that is why you joined." Said Katsushiro
"I do hope your dream comes true." Said Kirara
Gen smiled and nodded. Kambei turned towards. He might have heard a few words to their conversation, though he admired his ambition. "Keep up you three. You don't want to fall behind." He said
"Yes Sensei" said the former pupil
With group two, Komachi was walking besides Seto with her dowsing crystal glowing. Behind them were Vaan, who was staying by Manzo, who was falling a bit behind.
"I can't walk anymore. Please can't we take a break?" Said Manzo
"赤ちゃんいる終了します。そして、あなたは農家ことになっている。(Quit being a baby. And you are supposed to be a farmer.)" Said Vaan
"What did he say?" said Manzo
"Oh hey said he thinks you're cool and that you remind him of his father." Said Komachi
"Oh well thank you Great Samurai." Manzo said. As they kept walking, Manzo started thinking about his daughter. "Excuse mister Seto, Do you know what Great Kambei was thinking of when he put Shino and I in separate groups?"
Seto spoke without facing him. "No, but what's important is that we all get to the village safely. Besides, she has Shichiroji-dono and Rakan-dono with her."
"By the way do you notice how see feels every time she's with Rakan?" said Komachi
"What do you mean?" said Manzo
"Every time they're together, Shino always feels nervous around him. I think she likes him." she said
"Don't be ridiculous. She doesn't have time for men. And besides he's a samurai." Said Manzo
"That didn't stop Katsu from falling in love with my sister." She said
"Oh grow up will you." Said Manzo until Seto chuckled, "You lost." Manzo sighed in defeat.
She then ran up to Seto. "See Seto agrees with me right." She said smiling and causing Seto's eyes to widen a bit.
(Flashback)
The scene changes to a grass field. In that plain there lays a log house with smoke coming from the chimney and a yard with sliced logs. Right there, we see a large, dark skinned, muscular man chopping firewood. Moments later, a messenger arrives and a woman is seen stepping out. She had long brown hair, brown eyes, wore a pink dress with and apron, and had white skin. The man handed her a letter and them left. After he was gone she opened it and was shocked to see what it was. The man cutting wood walked up to her to see that she was sad.
"My wife, what is wrong?" he said to the person that appeared to be his wife.
"Oh Seto, it's terrible. A letter came from the capital city. They want you to join the army." She said to the man that appeared to be Seto. He then took the letter from her and looked at it.
"It seems there aren't enough samurai to fight." He said looking down on his wife who began to shed a little tear. He then picked her chin up "Sakaya I know I'm being selfish but if there is a chance to rid this land of the Nobuseri then let me take it." He said consoling his wife named Sakaya.
The scene changes to a sun rise, where Seto is standing in front of the doorway and is scene carrying his signature sword. His wife was there to see him off.
"You are the brave samurai I married. Please promise me you will return home." She said
"I will for you, and Reika." Seto said to her as some walked out the door.
"Papa, you're leaving?" said a girl that had the same skin as her mother. She looked to be around seventeen and she also wore a blue kimono and had hair that reached her back and was messy.
"Yes Reika. But I promise when I return home, we will live in a new land, with no fear from the bandits." He said
She then ran up to him. "And when you do, we'll go to the fields and you'll watch me perfect my dancing." Reika said as the sun shined on her face. Her face bared a strong resemblance to Komachi.
"I will."
(Flashback ends)
"Seto…Seto…HEY SETO." Screamed Komachi
Seto snapped out of his trance and looked at her.
"Do you agree?" she said
Seto sighed, "You talk too much." He said still walking
Komachi huffed and continued walking with Vaan behind them and Manzo still falling back.
With group three, Rakan is walking ahead of the team with Shino behind him and Shichiroji and Rikichi guarding the rear. As Shino kept walking, she tripped on a rock, before she could fall, Rakan grabbed her.
"Thank you, great samurai." She said
"No problem and please, call me Rakan." He said. They both noticed that he was holding her hand, causing both of them to blush.
"So I take it your father doesn't like me." he said
"It's not that, he just doesn't think I have time for men right now." said Shino
"Will I'm no critic but when you do find someone, he'd be lucky to have a wife like you." Rakan said with Shino looking at him
"That's enough fooling around you two." Said Shichiroji causing them to let go
"Oh right yeah. Come let's keep moving." Said Rakan
"You seem to have gotten friendly with him Shino." Said Rikichi
"Oh well he did give his time to save our village. And he was really brave when I saw him defeat those street bandits." Said Shino
"Oh really, maybe you see more in him than that." Said Shichiroji
"What do you mean?" she said
"Maybe what he means is that you found yourself a future suiter." Said the new elder
Shino's face turned bright red and Rakan, hearing this, also blushed. "Hey wait a minute. I'm doing this just to save those poor defenseless women. It's a samurai's job and I'm way too busy to think about romance."
He said but Shino became quiet sad inside. Did he really think of this only as work, she wondered. Rakan turned to her only to know that she seem down. "Besides even if I wished to be with her, I think her old man would be against the idea." She heard and wondered why he would say it. Did he really consider her? She still looked uninterested but somewhere inside a new hope started growing.
"Whatever you…" Shichiroji and Rakan both sensed something. Out of nowhere, six men appeared in dark clothing and masks. They had their swords out and looked directly at them. Shino and Rikichi immediately recognized who they worked for and so did Shichiroji.
"Who are they?" Rakan asked
"They work for the mask samurais. Shino, Rikichi, take cover now." He instructed
With the two farmers hiding, both sides began battling. The first person charged his sword at him, but Rakan blocked it with his own. A second person from behind the first attempted a move but Rakan activated his pistol and fired at him and that other. He stepped back and sliced the man's chest open. A third man tried to get him from behind, and then Shichiroji intervened and used his spear to dislocate his shoulder. As he fell back in pain, Shichiroji finished him off. The fourth and fifth ones tried to go for the farmers. Shino was the first he saw and tried to grab her. Before that, his arm was impaled by Rakan's blade. As he took it out, he used the handle to break his skull. As he died, the last member tried to shoot at her. As Shino screamed in fear, the bullet was blocked as Rakan blocked it, although, his arm was caught. As he held his bleeding arm, the masked man tried to fire another round, however, in the blink of an eye, Rakan stab the man through the chest. As he died, the last on went for Rikichi but was tripped through Shichiroji's pole. He fell to the ground and Rikichi grab a rock and banged it across his head.
The battle was over and everyone swept through the area.
"So there's more of them out here right." Said Rakan
"Yeah, we'll be expecting a lot more when we find there hideout." Said Shichiroji
Shino then stepped up. "Umm if it is there hideout you wish to find then maybe bring one of them back so we could let them tell us."
Both Shichiroji and Rakan just realized this. "Rakan-dono tell me you left one of them alive to talk?" he said
"Uh did you?" he said
Both sighed as they lost their only lead. Until Rikichi went to the man he hit.
"Um Great samurais I think this one has a map." He said as all of them walked towards him.
Now it is sunset and right by the village, there is a rock formation that is the shape of a wing. The first group is just arriving.
"So this is Wing Rock. Can see where it got the name." said Gen
"We're supposed to meet here but where are the others?" asked Kirara
"They must still be traveling." Said Katsushiro
Just then, group two arrived at the scene.
"申し訳ありませんが、我々は遅れて。この1は、私たちはちょうど彼の息をキャッチする10休憩を取る持っていた。(Sorry we're late. This one had us take ten breaks just to catch his breath.)" Said Vaan pointing to Manzo panting again
Seto then walked up to them. "Was there any trouble with the Masked Samurai?"
"No so far we've had a safe journey." Said Kambei
Manzo then ran up. "Where is Shino? Is she here?"
"She must still be out there with her protectors." Said Komachi giggling
"Well don't stand there, find her." He said
"Find who? We're already here." Said an unknown voice
They all turned and saw that Group three made it. Well two of them did.
"Shichiroji-dono, Rikichi are you alright?" said Gen
"We…had some trouble on our way to the village." Said Rikichi
"But once again we beat you guys here. And I think I found a lead to our search." Said Shichiroji
"So you found their hideout." Said Kambei
"We did but let us discuss it back at the village."said Rikichi
"Where is my daughter?" said Manzo
"Like he said, we had some trouble and well…" Shichiroji said nudging his over to the rock behind him. Everyone walked to where he pointed and saw two familiar people. They all gawked as they saw that Shino was wrapping the wound Rakan got protecting her. his robe was off, so he was revealed to wear an undershirt that showed off his muscular arms.
"All done." She said
"Thanks, good as new." Rakan said moving his arm up and down
Shino then pulled out his robe.
"I sewed your robe together too." She said
"Wow, you didn't have to do that." He said
"Oh but it was my pleasure and umm…thank you for saving me." She said was a slightly red face
"Oh…it was no trouble. Like I said I'm here to protect you." He said back
The group saw everything. The guys, minus Kambei and Manzo, gave a mischievous smile and while the girls were touched by their generosity towards each other.
"In the end I say our journey went smoothly." Shichiroji said as everyone left. Manzo was the only one still there. He gave a grim look towards Rakan and before he could march over there he was pulled back.
"Come on, we don't want you getting tried again." Said Seto dragging him away
To Be Continued…
A/N: Hoped you enjoyed the chapter. I felt it was the longest chapter I wrote. As for what information the man said, I will add in the next chapter. Like I said, I'll try to upload a few more chapters before the end of May. After that the story goes on hiatus till July. Please review.
