SMST P5: Samurai Jill! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: SM, R1/2, ST and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 21
The years come and go, and the "Crossroads Home and Training Hall" continues to take care of the children made orphans by a violent world…
"Mommy, Mommy!" said a little girl, with pink hair, as she runs into her mother's arms.
"Hey, there, little one," Jill said gently, as she accepts her child Usako into her arms. "What's up?"
"Aforu won't teach me how to fish!" Usako said. "He and Jinnosuke are always practicing!"
Jill smiles pleasantly. She was glad to have left the way of warrior behind to help Mamoru-sensei, her companion of many years, help raise his orphans. Jill and Mamoru-sensei had both agreed to start a family of their own…
"Well, you have to understand that Aforu and Jinnosuke are becoming adults, dear," Jill said. "Soon, they will graduate and become full fledge samurai."
"Well…then I want to be samurai, too!"
Jill sighs. She didn't mind having Usako learn how to defend herself. In fact, she has been teaching her daughter and Otsuro how fight off bandits, but still…
Jill didn't want any of her children, adopted or otherwise, to lead a solitary life of a…ronin.
"Dear, you should think about other things do when you grow up," Jill said gently.
"But…you traveled and fought a lot, Mommy," Usako said.
"Why do you think I stopped? I fought only to defend myself, and to search for a man who saved my life."
"Why…why did you stop?"
"Well," Jill said, as she sets the girl down. "I wanted to rest for a while. Someday, when you get old enough, I…I might resume searching for my friend."
"Are you…going to leave Daddy?" the girl asked fearfully.
"No, dear. When you kids are old enough, your father and I will begin are journey…together."
Usako smiles.
Later…
SLICE!
Jill breathes a sigh of relief as she followed through on her sword stroke with Jack's katana. The series of bamboo trees are sliced cleanly, as the tops of the fell. Since coming to this place, she made it an effort to learn the way of the sword, though she still continues to practice the use of her pistols. After all, one must never be dependent solely on one weapon…
Satisfied with her progress, Jill decides to take a path in the river, so that she could have time to prepare for dinner.
SHHP!
'Ah,' Jill said inwardly, as she began to swim. Living in the wacky world that was Rifts World did not allow her the ability to have a normal life. Certainly, she missed certain modern conveniences, such as indoor plumbing. But, regardless of her condition, she was happy…
As she continues to swim, Jill got the sense of being watched. With her guard on, she gets out of the water to dry herself off-
"Hold it, sweet cheeks!" said a gruff voice.
Jill sees a band of men stepping out of the forest, intercepting her path to both her weapons and clothes.
"It looks like we caught ourselves a real live 'water nymph'," said the biggest of the three.
Jill frowns. Lately, the amount of bandits that have appeared onto the scene have increased many fold, all because of someone who possess the Number Two headband…
"What do you want?" Jill said, as she used her hands to cover her modesty. "Get out of here!"
"Well, we're looking for someone possessing the Number Two headband," said the man. "But we don't mind ourselves a 'break today'."
"That's funny, boss!" said one of the other men.
"I know, that's why I said it!"
The man then leers at her.
"So, why not do this the easy way, and don't resist. We don't want to have to harm you…or WORSE."
"So, you'll be all gentle like?" Jill said, as she relaxed a bit. "Like perfect gentlemen?"
"Sure, why not?"
"I see. The answer is NO, since I like it all rough."
"Hey, even better! Boys…?"
The two men ran towards Jill, intending on knocking her down, and hold her so that they could have their way with her…
"Humph," Jill said, as she smiled with a smirk.
Without seemingly moving from her spot, Jill delivered several blows within a blink of an eye to both men.
"Oof!" the men said, as they fell on their backsides. The men then tried to get up, only to realize that with each blow struck, a bone was broken.
"Arrrgh!" yelled one man, as he withered in pain.
"Boss-?" said the other man.
"No broad is going to show ME up!" said the lead man, as he brought out his spear. He threw it directly at Jill.
SWISH!
Jill stares at it, as it was about to hit its mark: Jill's chest. However, Jill used inhuman speed to palm the blade's flat side, shattering it instantly, before catching the staff portion.
"What?" the man said with disbelief. "How-?"
Jill expertly twirls the staff around before stabbing it into the ground.
"An old friend of mine taught me to never depend on a weapon," Jill said. "Instead, you must become the weapon, otherwise, you will LOSE."
"Then, let me make it up to you!" the man said, as he pulls out a long knife, as runs at Jill.
As Jill's eyes seemingly sparkle, she palmed the air in the man's direction, and-
WHOOM!
Jill seemingly emitted a large sphere of energy that slammed into the man hard.
BAM!
"Arrrgh!" the man said, as he was slammed into a row of bamboo trees, before collapsing onto the ground…at least one hundred yards away.
The other men tried to scoot back, as Jill went to reclaim her clothes.
"You two and your friend will live," Jill said, as she puts her clothes on. She then turns to face the men.
"If you or any of your kind step onto these lands again, you will know my wrath!" Jill said, as she points her sword towards the men. "Got it?"
The men nod sheepishly.
"Good," Jill replied with a pleasant smile. "Have a nice day…"
As Jill walked back towards her home of many years, she thought that it would be difficult to leave this place. Unfortunately, in the near future, she might not have a choice in the matter…
It would be the night after the Autumn Festival, when things would change forever. Mamoru-sensei had presided over the graduation of his oldest, and most capable students, all of who would be trained to protect the people. Jill was present to witness Mamoru-sensei pass out newly minted katana(s), as the equivalent of handing out diplomas.
"…Sasuke," Mamoru-sensei said, as he passed a sword to the student who was a bit or a brain.
"Thank you, Master," Sasuke said, as he accepts the sword as he bows. He then returns to his seat.
"Jinnosuke," Mamoru-sensei says, as he hands a pair of swords to Jinnosuke, who mastered the art of paired weapons.
"Thank you, Master," Jinnosuke said, as he bows and accept his swords.
Mamoru-sensei turns towards Aforu.
"Aforuji," Mamoru-sensei said, as he hands Aforu his father's sword, which was kept in good condition until Aforuji was ready to be a true samurai.
"Thank you, Master," Aforu said, as he bows his head, while accepting his father's sword. He then takes his seat.
Mamoru-sensei rose to his feet.
"On this day, we commemorate your graduation," Mamoru-sensei said. "You are now great warriors. Use wisely, the sword skills you have acquired."
All was silent, when Aforu spoke up.
"Master?" Aforu said.
"Yes, Afuru?" Mamoru-sensei asked.
Afuru swallows before proceeding with his inquiry.
"There is something that I would like to know…"
"Afro?" Jinnosuke said aloud.
"Are you…really 'Number Two'?"
"Afro!" Jinnosuke said quietly, yet forcefully.
Jill closes her eyes, and lowers her head. She knew that Mamoru-sensei was the Number Two, the man who was destined to fight the one whose power was like a god's, for some time now, but chose not the broach the subject…for the sake of peace.
All was silent for a long time. And then-
"After midnight, under the Bodhi Tree," Mamoru-sensei said. "We can speak about the matter then."
With that, the ceremonies were done.
"Mamoru, you should have given up the headband," Jill said, as she watched her "common law husband" prepare himself for battle.
"The boy has the right to know the truth of the Number Two headband," Mamoru-sensei said. "And if our talk leads to violence, then so be it."
"But all this…needless death is stupid. And besides, the headbands are just a myth to drive men to violence."
"Really? Then why do YOU have a headband?"
"Huh?"
Mamoru-sensei turns towards Jill.
"It was smart of you to use your Number Zero headband as 'chest bindings', since no one would think to look…there," Mamoru-sensei said.
Jill lowers her eyes before looking at her husband.
"Then you know the truth, correct?"
"Yes. Raul the Conqueror, who became like that of a god, forged his essence into eleven headbands, each with the taint of violence that drives men to get stronger under conflict. He wanted a challenge to test his might, so he scattered the headbands across the four corners of the Earth, save one: Number Zero. That one he left for his sole apprentice, who would face the challenge brought on by the one who has the other ten headbands. Since Raul is not longer with us, it will be YOU will destroy the Number One, but only if he has the other headbands."
Pause.
"And thus, the cycle of violence continues."
"Mamoru, I don't WANT that to happen!" Jill said. "Raul turned me into his living weapon, a weapon compelled to get stronger with each possession. I don't want to be forced to kill you or anyone I care about."
"But that is you way and purpose, as Raul's 'Nemesis', the slayer of those with great hubris and great presumption."
Mamoru then turns away.
"Usagi?"
"Yes?" Jill said with a sniff, as she began to cry.
"For what it is worth, I have, and always will, love you."
And, with that, Mamoru leaves their shared bedroom.
For a long time, Jill wept, hating the fact that she could easily face her husband or Afroru in battle.
Collecting herself, Jill decided to check on the children, only to find some of them missing, including her own child.
"Oh, no…"
Quickly, she took a lantern, and rush out of the house.
A short time later…
"Arrgh!" Mamoru-sensei cried out in pain, as he attempted to protect his daughter Usako.
"Daddy-!" Usako said as her father tried to take the blade from that was meant for her, to no avail.
"Ahhhhhh-"
Coming unto the scene, Jill sees a virtual melee, as bandits attacked her husband and children. No doubt her kids had heard about what was suppose to go down between Mamoru-sensei and Aforu. However, what was unexpected was the hordes of bandits who finally figured out that Mamoru, the local master Samurai, was the possessor of the Number Two headband.
And then, Jill sees her daughter and husband getting stabbed right before her eyes…
"No," Jill said. "NOOOOO!"
FWOOSH!
Energies that were long dormant leapt forth, lighting up the night sky. All eyes turn towards Jill.
"I warned you," Jill said, as her eyes glowed. "You chose not stay away. Therefore, I take your life."
With Jack's sword in hand, Jill struck the ground hard.
THOOM!
A crevasse opened up, causing some of the combatants to fall in.
"Arrrgh-!"
At inhuman speeds, Jill took down the rest the bandits.
And then, it was quiet.
"Mother-" Jinnosuke said, only to receive an angry glare from Jill.
"You should have kept the others away from here," Jill said. "I'm very disappointed in you, Jinno."
"But…we wanted to stop-"
"Did you ever consider the fact that this was not your fight? And because you were careless, some of your siblings my be dead?"
"But…but…it's not my fault!"
"Tell that to your Master."
"It's NOT MY FAULT-!"
And, with that Jinnosuke runs into the night.
"Jinno!" Afroru said, as he reaches for his best friend.
Meanwhile, Jill goes to the bodies of Mamoru-sensei and her daughter. She sees the Number Two headband. She picks it up.
"Afro," Jill said.
Afro turns towards Jill. He clutched his sword, upon seeing her with the Number Two…
"The Number Two headband is yours," Jill said, as she holds it towards Afro, who took it hesitantly. He finally has it, so now he could avenge his father…
"Know this: while I know that your obsession to acquire the Number Two headband is NOT your fault, I will never forgive you for causing this chaos."
"I understand," Afro said, as he ties the headband around his head. He then bows his head out of respect, before turning to walk away.
With that, Jill begins to mourn in earnest…
In the years since that day, Jill kept watch over the children the best way she could, teaching them what they needed to know to survive in a cruel world. When the last of the children were old enough, she sold the land to the local town, with the promise that the training hall would be looked after while she is gone.
"I'm sorry that I didn't make sure that you grew up to be a fine young woman," Jill said, as she sets down flowers upon the graves of her husband and child. "I'm sorry I never got the chance to tell you stories of what the world was once like, when I was your age…"
Jill then turns towards where her husband lay.
"Good-bye, my darling. I hope that you will have the peace that you were denied in life."
"Chibi-Chibi?" said a red-haired child.
"Yeah, we can go now…"
With that, Jill, with the red-haired child in tow, puts back on her cowboy hat, but this time, she had the Number Zero headband wrapped around the base of the crown. She was not going to hide her destiny any longer…
With that, Jill, with Jack's sword on her back, and her gun on her side, Jill continues her search for the samurai named Jack…
Jill slowly wakes up from her unconscious state, and sees a young woman, with pink hair, looking down at her.
"Hello, Mother," the young woman said pleasantly. "Welcome to my home."
"?"