Chapter 7: I took a deep breath as I stood there, no fighting, no blood on the streets...this had to be paradise.
I slid open the sliding door and stepped out into the morning air. The sun was shining bright, bring in a little warmth to this war torn land, though winter was still bitter. The crisp morning air felt good, being in a house for so long had grown old, even someone like me needed to be out.
I glanced about as I stepped onto an old dirt road looking at the quaint houses that housed the locals here. I continued down the road dodging the holes that had been corroded with time. I was in a small town, if I would call it that. Small fields outlined small simply built houses. People were out about their business, some farming, some buying goods, and children playing.
I walked out in the daylight, for once not worrying about having a knife caught between my ribs. I took a deep breath as I stood there, no fighting, no blood on the streets...this had to be paradise.
I walked on, though my small bliss ended quickly as those that passed me gave me a wide circumference. I was regarded as a stray cat no one wanted around. That was when I caught sight of him. His ki flared in my mind's eye, that of a warrior's ki. He stood on the front porch of the local tailor I believe. He surveyed me with his eyes, harsh and I could tell the like me, this man had killed. Though he wore simple clothes, he had a regal air about him. That was all I needed to tell what he was. The top knot and the two swords at his side only confirmed my suspicions....a true samurai.
I stood there, locking eyes with the much older man. I soon grew aware of my sword hanging at my side and of everything around me. I would trade anything for that of a katana at me side now than that of a sakabatou. My battle senses sharpened with each passing moment as I strained to read my opponent's movement. The tension hung in the air so thick you could have cut it with a knife. The numbness returned as I smirked. It had been a while since my last battle, the feeling of the challenge sparked something within me that rose to the challenge. A fight against a true samurai, this would prove to be interesting, possibly even worth my time. I-
My thoughts, smirk, and the flame of battle that dwelled inside me vanished, by a small tug on my hakama. I looked down to see Anki, timidly gripping two water pails.
"C-can you help me bring water up from the stream?" she asked the first words I had ever heard her speak to me.
A small gentle smile came naturally as I spoke, taking a pail, "I would be happy to accompany you to the stream."
I felt the eyes of the samurai bore into my back as I headed with Anki towards the stream.
Author's Note: 7 reviews?!?! REALLY?! YEAH!!! Thank you all! So to show my thanks I posted another chapter! The next chapter I will be putting up is one of my favorites in this fic! Well Valete!