Daniel stood close to Sam, ready to help her if she should falter. Behind him, Teal'c was supporting Jack. They were in the center of a ring of samurai, and although none of the guards looked directly at them, Daniel could tell that their entire focus was centered upon the members of SG-1.
They were led along a gravel path surrounded by plants and flowers that appeared meticulously maintained. Their route was devoid of servants and animals, leading round the outside of the Shogun's grand home and to the street. Here, too, was a conspicuous absence of people. Where Daniel would have expected to find vendors hawking their wares, children running wild in the street, there was only a barren silence.
"Where is everyone?" Sam murmured, echoing his thoughts. Daniel could only shrug.
They were turned right, and escorted down a well-trodden road leading north, out of Hokkaido. The path led up the side of a steep hill, and once at the apex, Daniel found his mouth dropping in shock.
They were looking down upon a building that was twice the scale of Lord Yasuo's home, surpassing that mansion in both size and elegance. The edifice was built in the classic Japanese feudal style, and was an amazing feat of construction. Moreover, the most distinguishing facet of this temple was the abundance of color. More specifically, the overabundance of a particular shade.
Golden cloths and banners hung from every window. Saffron yellow standards hung between the wooden pillars that supported the roof of a porch that wrapped around the entire building. The columns themselves were swathed with long strips of gauze cloth echoing the shade of sunshine.
"The Temple of Amaterasu," breathed Daniel. "Sun goddess of Japan."
"Sun goddess," Jack mused. "Yea, I think I got that first try."
As they descended the hill, coming closer to the temple, it became apparent where all the villagers had gone. The noise of voices traveled lightly through the air, coloring the space with sound.
Upon entering the temple, the first thing that caught the attention was a larger-than-life gold statue of Amaterasu, her face serene, body decorated only with the fertility beads gifted to her by Izanagi. Behind this statue, covering the entire wall, was a massive silk painting depicting Amaterasu's flight into the cave, pursued by a raging Susano-wo. She emerged from the opposite end of the cave in glory, painting the world in light as the other gods rejoiced.
Villagers filled the left and right sides of the temple, whispering to one another as SG-1 approached the dais below the elevated golden statue. On this dais were two fat golden pillows. A man and a woman, dressed in yellow cloth and brown beads, sat upon each cushion. Daniel assumed that these were the priest and priestess of Amaterasu, but his attention was caught by the priest's face. As he was led closer, he realized with a shock that it was Senichi sitting in front of them, expression rigid.
The samurai halted in front of the priest and priestess. A motion from Senichi sent them spreading out, leaving SG-1 alone before the dais.
Daniel, glancing pointedly at the others, sank to his knees, sitting back on his heels. With assorted small noises of pain, Sam, Jack and Teal'c followed his lead. Daniel bowed his head reverently, before looking up to Senichi.
The priest raised a hand, and the quiet noises from the villagers died away. Staring serenely over the heads of his prisoners, Senichi began to speak.
"In the morning preceding this day, I guarded the Cave of Amaterasu, fulfilling my holy duty as her priest. I observed these ones approaching the sacred ground, and followed their progress with my eyes and feet. They approached the cave, and their intentions became clear. Two entered, defiling the sanctity of our goddess." Daniel could hear Jack give an exasperated huff next to him, and shot a glare at him which screamed, Be quiet!
Unmindful of the exchange between his prisoners, Senichi continued without a pause. "When captured, one of their number claimed the rights of Bushido, proving with blood that though these travelers come from the east, they are mortal, not tungri. We took them into custody, and treated them with honor. Later that day, three attempted to escape, breaking faith with us. They were punished accordingly by Lord Yasuo, who has graciously given them to the temple for sentencing, in accordance with the nature of their crime." Senichi turned dark eyes upon Daniel. "What have you to say in your defense?"
Daniel took a deep breath. "We are strangers in these lands. We have no knowledge of your laws. Had we known the cave we approached for shelter was sacred to the sun-goddess, never would we dared enter."
The priestess raised her hand, and Daniel's mouth snapped shut. "Priest," she intoned, her honeyed voice falling lightly through the silence. "Which two entered the cave?"
"Priestess," Senichi responded with equal gravity. "The dark one and the elder stepped into the shadow of Amaterasu's sanctuary. The two with sky-colored eyes remained outside."
The priestess looked carefully at the four members of SG-1, and Daniel had a sneaking suspicion that she was the one with whom final judgement rested.
"Where are you from?" she asked, staring at them.
"From beyond the great stone circle, the Chappa'ai, to the south and east of Hokkaido," Daniel responded carefully.
The priestess inclined her head slightly, and seemed to ponder some fact. It was some time before she spoke again. "The woman and man whose eyes are the color of Amaterasu's holy plains are favored by the goddess. They did not desecrate her haven. These two may go free without punishment."
Daniel held his breath as the priestess turned her harsh gaze upon Jack and Teal'c. "Strangers though they may be, ignorance of holy writ cannot excuse the crime of the others. It is not for us to determine their punishment. Only in Yomi can they be rightly judged."
Jack relaxed slightly, but Daniel tensed. Yomi was the Japanese underworld - Teal'c and Jack had just been handed a death sentence.
On hearing this, Daniel stood slowly, and took one step forward, bowing deeply. "Priestess," he beseeched. " Under the code of Bushido, I claim the lives of my companions, as is my right."
The priestess looked at him, then glanced at her companion. Senichi nodded once, and then spoke. "These ones not only broke faith with us, but cast off all right to your guardianship when they attempted to escape," he returned. "They are no longer safeguarded under your protection."
"Nevertheless, our lives are indebted to one another many times over," Daniel returned, trying to leash his temper and fear. "We are tied to one another. My protection is theirs no matter their actions. I demand that my rights be honored!"
"Daniel, what are you doing?" hissed Jack between his teeth.
At this whispering broke out among the villagers. Senichi raised a hand, and the outburst of noise slowly subsided. When full silence reigned, he looked down upon Daniel with interest. "One cannot always chose the companions of one's heart," he murmured slowly.
"Yet one is honor-bound to protect them," Daniel replied, eyeing Senichi carefully. The priest seemed to come to a decision, yet first he glanced at the woman seated beside him. She looked from him to Daniel, and then nodded.
Senichi then asked Daniel a question. "You would fight for their souls?"
"I would shed blood for their lives," he returned emphatically. Teal'c jerked at this, and Sam, not liking the turn of events, turned her worried gaze to Daniel's back. He ignored them.
"Very well," Senichi answered. "Bushido demands that honor be avenged. As chosen of Amaterasu, I will stand as the judge in this matter. Should you prevail, your companion's lives will be entrusted to you, and you will be bound to punish their offense. If you do not, then these ones will be sent to Yomi for judgement."
Daniel bowed in agreement.
Senichi lifted a hand, and the samurai once again took up positions around SG-1, and led them out of the building. They circled around the outside, and entered through another door. The samurai left the four teammates in a small room off the hallway they entered.
Immediately Jack turned to Daniel. "What did you do in there?"
Daniel sighed. "They wanted to send you and Teal'c to Yomi for judgement-"
"Yea, I got that. What's so bad about that? So they pack us off to another village, and you two head back to the Stargate for reinforcements."
"Yomi isn't a village, Jack," Daniel returned. "It's the Japanese version of the afterlife. That was a death sentence they laid on you back there."
"Ah." Jack took a deep breath. "What, exactly, is going to happen now, then?"
"Daniel Jackson must fight Senichi for our lives, O'Neill," stated Teal'c. "According to the customs of these people, if he wins, we will be freed."
"Daniel, didn't you say that these samurai have probably been training since childhood?" asked Sam, worry evident.
Daniel nodded.
"Ah, jeez, Daniel!" Jack cried. "You're going to get yourself killed!"
"Very probably," Daniel replied, removing his jacket.
The door opened without preamble and a samurai entered. "Come," he said simply, and he turned, striding out the door. Daniel, Sam, Teal'c and Jack followed, more guards falling in around them as they left the room.
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About the delay . . . my internet service provider - didn't. grins sheepishly Hope you enjoy!