Here's the next chapter to my story. You can probably tell that it's longer than the previous one. The main reason for it is because it going to help move the plot of the story, introduction of a new character and plenty of action throughout it. Enjoy the chapter and like all my past disclaimers, I don't own digimon.
Chapter 14:
The Bounty
"Master, the person that you were asking for has finally arrived. Do you wish for him to come in?" In front of the cautious servant was a man in a plush chair. His appearance was shrouded in shadows so no one could tell what he looked like. With a nod the master gave the answer to the servant's question. Leaving the room the servant quickly returned with a man.
This new man had shaggy brown hair that halfway passed his ears, brown eyes. He was wearing a dark blue men's kimono that was tied with a black sash and also had on the same colored pants. Looking more closely at his face he had two old looking scars, with one going horizontally across his left eye and another one on his right cheek. The only other noticeable thing about him was the long weapon that was strapped to his back.
"What's the deal here?" questioned newcomer after he entered the room and the servant exited. "I was minding my own business when all of a sudden I have these lackeys making me come over to this place. I want answers and I want them now."
"My deepest apologize for this unfortunate circumstance but I am need of your unique skills." "Okay, first off, how do you know about me and second, why should I even help you?" Slowly the newcomer reached behind for his weapon incase it was needed.
"Relax my friend. I didn't ask you here to fight. I called for you so I can hire you for a job that falls into your line of work." Reaching into his kimono he pulled out an old black and white photo which he tossed it to his guest who caught it. "That person in photo, I want you to find him and....deal with him."
Taking the moment, the guest looked at the photo then back at the man. "Why would you go to all the trouble in seeking me out to get this one person?" "It's nothing for you to be concern with. Let's just say that I have my reasons. So, are you going to take the job or not?" For nearly a minute he just looked at the photo then stuffed it into his kimono. "I may not know the full story but I'll take the job."
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In an entirely different area there was Daisuke who was walking through a beautiful and tranquil woodland area. "What a lovely scenery this is. The others would definitely enjoy this place." Thinking of the others sadden him knowing that he had to say goodbye to him but he knew it was for the best that they stayed behind. However, it didn't mean that he liked what he had to do.
It had been a week since Daisuke left the others and was currently heading in the direction where Jin said that the person that he really was looking for was staying. Since his departure he has done nothing except for eating, sleeping and walking towards one direction. If he kept on going like this he should be there within a few short days. Of course, when does anything goes according to plan?
"Hey, give that back." yelled a voice. Daisuke was going to ignore it but when he heard it again his curiosity got the better of him as he turned around and went towards the sound of the voice. Getting there he saw that three men were tossing a bag of something between them while a little girl, who couldn't be more than eight years old, with brownish red hair and a simple tan colored kimono, was in the center trying to reach for the bag.
"Come on, give me that. I need that money to give to my brother." Enjoying the way that the upset girl was acting, the boys laughed at her as they continued to toss the bag around. "Ah, what's the matter? Is the little girl going to cry?" "She won't but you'll be if you don't give that bag back to that girl." exclaimed Daisuke as he walked over to them. "It would be wise for you to do what I say or you'd have to deal with the consequences.
The men's immediately reaction to Daisuke's proposition was to laugh at the disbelief that one man would stop them. "Why don't you do the smart thing and get out of here? This doesn't concern you." The men went back to tossing the bag between them when suddenly Daisuke took out his sword and use it to grab it away from their reach.
Not liking that this intruder had interfered in their enjoyment they turned their attention towards him. "You just had to step into something that didn't concern you." The apparent leader of the group tried to grab for bag but was pulled away from him when Daisuke moved his sword and put it in his hand.
Not to be perturbed, he reached for it a few more times until Daisuke finally got fed up and when he tried again to grab the bag he grabbed him by the arm and twist his arm around where it could snap at any moment.
"Unless you want to learn how to write with your other arm you'll leave and take your friends with you." Putting a little bit more pressure on the man's arm he pushed him forward. Realizing that they were out of their league the three men ran off without looking back.
With them now taken cared of Daisuke turned his attention to the little girl. Walking over he knelt down and handed back her bag to her. "Here you go. Be more careful next time with stuff like this." Getting back to his feet he turned around and was about to leave when the girl called out to him.
"Wait a minute please. Would it be any trouble if you follow me back home so that no one else tries to mug me?" Daisuke was going to say that he didn't have time until he saw the puppy eye look that the girl was giving him.
"All right. I'll help you home." Following the girl they arrived in a small village that appeared peaceful. Walking farther into the village they came to what looked like some smith shop. "Brother, I'm back."
Running over the girl entered the shop but came back when she pulled out a guy about Daisuke's age. He had grayish blue eyes and black hair that had a twinge of blue when the sun hit it right. He was a smudged gray kimono with an even dirtier work apron on.
"Suzie, I'm so glad that you're back. What took you so long to come back though?" "I ran to some men who were threaten too take the money that you told me to get until this men came to my rescue and got rid of those men for me."
After getting the information the man, who was now mentioned as the girl's brother he walked over to Daisuke. He seemed to be checking him out until he bowed to him. "My name is Henry Wong and I am grateful for you helping my sister."
"Hey, it was nothing. I just did what I felt what was right." "Nonsense. There must be some way that I can repay for your kindness." It was then that the man spotted Daisuke's sword. "Do you mind if I look at that sword of yours?"
Seeing no harm in it he removed the sheathed up sword and handed it to Henry. Unsheathing the sword Henry immediately saw the damage that it had. "It's a magnificent sword but you do know that it's quite foolish to be going around when it has this much damage?"
"I know that. However, I have to get somewhere as soon as possible and I don't have a time to get it repaired." "Maybe fixing your sword can be my way of repaying our debt to you."
With Daisuke's sword, Henry went back into his shop. Not wanting to have his weapon out of his sight, Daisuke followed and entered to the shop with Suzie following close by. Once entering inside he noticed several open fire pits and numerous working tools for something specific. "What's this? I knew that this place was some kind of shop but I don't what kind."
"It's a blacksmith shop. I mostly use it to re-shoe people horses and repair the villagers' farming equipment. What most people don't know is that I learned about this stuff from me and my sister's late father who was well known for making some of the great swords ever made. Now as a way to repay you for your generous deed I will repair your damage sword and make it as good as new."
"Apparently I wouldn't be able to change your mind so I will accept your offer. How long will it take for you to have it repaired?" "Judging by the damage I figure a day, two at the most." "Very well, while you're doing that I'll explore the area. I'll be back sometime before nightfall." Leaving Henry to do his work Daisuke headed off to do whatever he could do until it was time to return. After a while he finally chose to sit by a riverbank and mediate in an attempt to clear his mind to prepare for what was to come.
"Soon, the moment that I've been waiting for will be at hand and I must be ready for it or I'll meet defeat and all that I have been fighting for will be lost. At least I have some time to relax and not worry about fighting." However, his moment of mediation was broken when he someone yell. "Hey, you!" Turning to the direction of the voice he spotted a man with shaggy brown hair wearing a dark blue kimono and who appeared ready to fight.
"Yes, may I help you?" Reaching into his kimono the newcomer pulled what looked like a photograph. He looked from the photo to Daisuke and back to the photo. "Are you happen to be Daisuke Motomiya?" "Yes, that's me. Why do you ask?" Without so much of a word, the man reached behind him and pulled out a long weapon that resembled a staff with the only difference was that at one end of it was a medium size curve blade.
Daisuke didn't have time to think about it anymore as he quickly had to avoid attempt strike by the stranger. "Whoa, what's the deal with you? I didn't do anything to you?" "That's true but that doesn't matter to me since I'm doing a job. The name's Takato Matsuki and I am a bounty hunter that was hired to take you out."
Charging again, the bounty hunter now identified as Takato went on the attack for a second time. It came quicker than before but fortunately Daisuke was able to avoid it by the slightest of margins. "Okay, I get the feeling that you have something against me. Care to elaborate on the reason for why?" "Actually, I don't have anything against you. I'm just doing a job." "A job? A bounty hunter I presume?" Circling around one another the two never took their eyes off one another.
"Just out of curiosity, how much are you being paid for this job?" "50,000 yen. Half now the other half when the job's complete." "Man, I'm impress. I didn't know I was worth that much. There isn't that may people around who are actually able to pay such a fee. Care to give me a idea on who it was?" "Afraid not. I do have customer secrecy after all. If you want the answer you have to beat me first. Now if you don't mind, I have a job to do."
Instead of doing another charge Takato simply swung his weapon in front of him. Daisuke was somewhat taken surprise by the move but was able to avoid it by doing a back flip. "Fine then. If that's how it's going to be then let's do this." Instinctively he reached for his sword only to grab nothing. It was then that Daisuke remember that he left his sword with Henry so it could get repaired.
"Damn it, I forgot about that I don't have my sword. Without it I can last only so long against this Takato character. That weapon he has, I know what it is. It's a naginata. Can be use as a staff but also to stab someone with that blade on the end. Even if I had my sword it would be difficult to fight against someone who's skilled in using it. I just have to do the best that I can."
With no ones in his disposal he had no choice but to continue moving away from Takato's assault. "Come on, this can be this pathetic. Judging by the bounty on your head you got to be tougher than this." "You know what?" Ducking one more swing Daisuke got behind him and gave Takato a swift in the back. "I am that good."
Feeling embarrass by allowing himself to get hit the way he did, he came at Daisuke with in a full frontal charge but when Takato got closer he grabbed his naginata in both hands and using his own momentum against him he fell back and flipped him over which sent him into river.
Popping his head out of the water, Takato looked at him with an irritated look. "That was entertaining. If you're interesting in another go around get you're dried off and come looking for me." With that he left with a fuming Takato still in the river.
After sometime, Daisuke started to head back to the village, where hopefully Henry had completed in fixing his sword. He arrived to the outskirts of the village when he noticed several pillars of smoke come from it. Getting an uneasy feeling he hurried and keeping himself concealed he checked to see what the deal was.
Daisuke would get his answer when he spotted in the village square was all the villagers and they were tied up together. Also, another thing he spotted was that the ones responsible for all it were a group of bandits and he recognize that in that group were the same people who were trying to rob Susie earlier in the day. It seemed as though they were back and they brought along some friends.
"Where is he?" questioned what seemed to be the leader of group. He was a large bit man who was wearing a large, sleeveless fur coat and was sitting in a chair that could hardly hold up the giant man. "You said that this man who attacked you had come to this village. Now where is he or did you just waste my time?" "Of course not sir. We followed him here and we found out that he's suppose to come back to get his sword from this man."
Going over to one of the group of bound villagers he pulled up Henry and brought him over to the bandit leader. "So, you were the one to meet the man that we're looking for. Do you happen to know where he is?" "I'm not telling you anything so stick it up your ass." For that remark he received a punch in the gut by one of the goons. "I'll ask again. Where is the man that we're looking for?" "Go to hell."
Once again he received a beating for his disobedience. Not willing to stand back and allow this to continue Daisuke was about to step in until someone beat him to the punch. "I advise you to stop that before you'll regret it even more." Looking over to where the voice came from it revealed that it was from Takato as he slowly walked over to the bandits.
"What is this? Is this the person that you were talking about?" "No sir. None of us know who he is." "I don't care if you know who I am or not. I'm telling you right now to leave this place before you lose the ability to walk at all." Despite the seriousness in his voice, the entire bandit group didn't take him at all serious." "We have no time for you. Take care of him."
Following their leader's orders a group of bandits went at his annoyance. Unfortunately, they were quickly taken care of as Takato fought them to where they had become unconscious which infuriated their leader.
"What are you waiting for? Get him!" Now more than half of the men went after him but that still seemed to be not enough as they still were being taken out by Takato however it was becoming harder for him to do so.
It looked as though he was on his way to victory until he was struck from behind by the bandit leader, knocking him to the ground and causing his naginata to fall away from him. Turning him around the leader place his foot on top of Takato's chest. "I guess if you want something done right, you got to do it yourself." Raising a spear over his head he was prepared to drive it down to Takato's heart until someone knocking him away.
"Sorry for butting in but I couldn't help myself." Stepping in between the two men was Daisuke and he seemed ready for a fight. "Boss, that's the guy who we told you about. He's the one who attacked us earlier."
Getting back to his feet the leader looks at Daisuke over from top to bottom. "He's the one that took down three of my men all by himself? I must say that you're not want expected." "Well, that didn't seem to matter when I knocked you down on your ass."
Regaining enough of his senses Takato was able to get up to a knee. "What the hell are you doing here?" "I think saving your life is what I'm doing. You fought well I'll admit but stand back as I take care of the rest of them."
"Are you mad? You don't even have a weapon and you're outnumbered, there is no way you can beat us." "You wouldn't understand. It isn't the weapon that makes the man; it's the man behind the weapon."
To help them better understand he went in and attacked a few of the men with only kicks and punches. It would be all in vain however as he was outnumbered and with no weapons in use he was backed into a wall with his opponents coming towards him.
"See, I told you that you would be able to defeat us." sneered the bandit leader as he pressed the spear tip against Daisuke's chest. "Well, what are you waiting for then? Get it over with or I might just grab that weapon of yours and stuff it down your throat."
Deciding to follow his captive's advice, he pulled back his spear and was going to plunge it into Daisuke's heart but was stopped when out of nowhere Takato in the way and blocked it with his nagiata.
"Did you actually forget about me? I'm hurt." The two men struggled as their two weapons grated against one another until final Takato was able to push him back. "What are you men waiting for? Kill them!" Following their leader's order, the remaining bandits went at Daisuke and Takato and despite having the numbers advantage; they could only stay even with the two fighters.
"This would be so much easier if only I had my sword." "Hey Daisuke, catch this." From the corner of his eye he saw Henry, who apparently was able to untie himself and was coming towards him with his sword in his possession. Before he could reach him a bandit stepped in his way. "Hold right there boy. Hand me that sword over or I'll make you give it to me."
Daisuke was about to say something until Henry used the end of the sheath to knock the man down. With him out of the way Henry tossed the sword over to Daisuke who quickly started to put it to good use as he took out three men in short order. With the unexpected teamwork both Daisuke and Takato took out the entire group with the exception of the leader and the three men who had start the whole thing.
Seeing their fellow group members being no longer assisting them the remaining four surrounded the two town defenders who were now back to back with one another. "This definitely an interesting twist of things isn't it?" whispered Daisuke to his surprising partner.
"Indeed it is. How about we finish this?" Nodding his head the two went at the three bandits and in almost in a blink of an eye they join their associates in unconsciousness. Now, all that was left standing in the way of ending this whole thing was the leader of the bandit group.
"Give up now. Your men are defeated and you have no chance in beating either one of us let alone together." Seeing that what he said was true, the bandit leader started to step away in an attempt to escape but was stopped when Takato through his naginata in his path. "Don't tell me that you were thinking of running. If there is anything that despise is a person who'd run away like a coward."
Realizing that he couldn't run from this, he pulled out his spear out, ready to fight. "Enough talking, let's end this." Rushing forward Daisuke reared his sword back and when he got close enough he slashed through the spear and continue as he hit the leader in the chest. Just as he was resheathing his sword the man fell to the ground and he certainly out of it. Once he done that he walked over and pick up Takato's naginata which he then tossed back to its owner.
"Those were some nice moves there. I must say that I'm impress." An intense moment pass as neither fighter saying anything. The tense moment finally pass when Takato put his weapon in its holding place. "The same goes for me. I must say that I was surprise that you would actually come to my aid let alone help save these villagers."
"Well, helping those who are need of help is something that I usually get myself into. Speaking of helping, why would you even bother to help them?" "I was coming to see some friends of mine who live in this village and when I saw what was happening I had to do something about it." "Really now? May I ask who?"
Instead of saying his answer he simply pointed over to where apparently his friends were and looking over to the direction he saw that the only people were Henry and Suzie. "You know those two?" "Of course I do. They're particular family to me. I knew Henry from the time I was Suzie's age. Now the question that needs to be asked is whether I should continue with contract that I had with my client to take you out or not."
"Then decide now because whatever your client told you about me was a lie since I was willing to come save people who I didn't really even know and even a person who a few hours ago tried to take me out. I'm on a mission and there isn't anything that will stop me from completing it. Ask yourself, do you want to assist me or do you want to be an obstacle in my way?" It didn't take long for Takato to come to a decision.
"Consider me your new ally. As a way to prove that I am trustworthy I'll take you to the person who wanted me to take you out." "Very well then, show me the way but you better not be setting me up or you'll regret it." Saying their goodbyes to Henry and Suzie left the village with all the villagers waving goodbye to the brave people who saved them and hoped that the two of them would succeed in whatever lies in front of them.
There you go readers, another chapter of this story is done. I have most of the upcoming chapters done so I'll have it out soon. Of course, I'm not going to make any promises but don't be surprise if I'm able to do so. Anyways, please leave a review to this chapter.
