Epilogue
>>>Morning - May 10, 1583
Two days after the events at the summit of Mt. Gozaisho, three tombstones adorned the cliff above the Yunoyama Onsen. They were a simple affair, truthfully, but Takashi was still grateful to Nobumitsu and the townspeople for their help. At the moment, the ronin knelt over the grave belonging to Yuki, his hand touching the cool grass as it swayed in the sweet morning breeze. Birdsong twittered above as warm sunlight beat down upon Takashi's back, offering what little solace it could to the ronin's wounds, both inside and out.
It had taken some time for Takashi to get used to the idea, but now that he had calmed down somewhat, he liked this spot. Its beauty, however, almost seemed like a vain attempt by nature to imitate that which belonged to Yuki. A single tear made its way down the ronin's left cheek. He hoped that she liked this place too, a beautiful spot that overlooked the onsen and, in the distance, New Komo Town. It almost felt like memories could gather here, memories of their time together.
Takashi rose slowly from his knees, dusting off the bottom of his hakama and glancing at the other graves. One belonged to Fuji's mother, May, and the other to Yuki's misguided brother, Hideaki. There had also been a grave made for Megumi's body, but it had been left unmarked but for a single stone. After all, there was nothing to say for such a woman, at least, nothing redeemable. In some strange way, however, Takashi hoped that she could find peace in the afterlife as well.
The ronin's thoughts were disturbed by the rhythmic thumps of Anakouji Jeffery's crutches as the sword master made his way up the slope toward the graves.
"Morning, student," Jeffy greeted.
Takashi turned and smiled at the elderly man. "Hello, sensei. What brings you up here?"
"What brings me up here?" Jeffy laughed. "What about you, hanging about this place like you'll never leave? I came to get you; no point in staying around here too much longer."
The ronin looked downcast. "We're leaving? Where to?"
The sword master slapped him hard on the back. "Listen to you, sounding so depressed! Lighten up! We're off to my place for intensive training."
"Huh?" Takashi questioned. "I thought I had completed my training years ago."
"Well," Jeffy began to reply. "That's true in a way, but as far as the Yaen Style is concerned, you only learned the basics. There are things about this sword school that I never taught you, simply because they wouldn't be necessary, at least, against mortal foes anyway." The sword master raised an eyebrow. "However, seeing as you have an unusual propensity to attract supernatural forces, I think we can both agree that you need to add a little more 'oomph' to your repertoire."
The ronin laughed slightly. "'Oomph'? I'm practically dying to know what you mean by that, but what about the others?"
"Oh, them?" Jeffy recalled. "They left hours ago."
"Say what?" Takashi exclaimed. "Why? Where?"
Jeffy chuckled. "Sometimes, people have their own problems to take care of, Takashi. Noriko wasn't too clear about her intent, but she was headed north; maybe she decided to go home. As for Fuji . . ." The sword master withdrew a parchment from his kimono. "He left this for you."
The ronin took hold of the paper, unfolding it and looking over the words inscribed. "A letter?"
>>>
Dear Takashi,
First of all, I wanted to apologize. In that battle above the mountain, I feel like I could have done something more, something faster, or something altogether different alter its tragic course. However, since I am by no means a warrior of any skill, I cannot determine what that might have been at this time. In any case, I am sorry for your loss, and that is one of the reasons that I left early this morning.
I learned a lot about myself during my travels with you and the others. I learned of my true origins, of another name, and even gained a sister, strange as the circumstances were. Because of all this, I have a lot I need to come to terms with. I know you have a lot of questions as well, so I'll try to find the answers for you. My first stop will be the Grand Shrine of Ise, where I hope to find out more about what caused Caitlyn to become trapped inside the body of a tanuki, and also about the whereabouts of my father, if he is indeed still alive. You might want to come and visit me, but I'd advise you not to. My journey may take me even farther, perhaps across the seas to the places my parents came from. For a time, I want to learn about the person named Rafael Pilazzo and how he has become a part of the person named Yamamoto Fuji.
One day, I'll find you again. I'd like to think that what we talked about that day at the Yunoyama Onsen wasn't simply on a spur of the moment. At least for now, I'd truly like to believe that we are friends. Not only you, but Noriko as well. I hope that the short time we shared together was as of much benefit to you as both of you were to me. For the first time, I don't feel alone in the world. For the first time, I feel like I finally have a direction to walk in. I can never forget the people who gave this to me, and I most certainly won't forget those who fought alongside me in my hour of need.
As I said, one day we will meet again. At that time, I'll tell you more about why this all happened, who I truly am, what the beast that lives in my shadow is, and most importantly . . . I'd like to finish that drink of sake with you.
Your friend,
Yamamoto Fuji
>>>
"Yeah," Takashi commented, attempting to blink back a tear that threatened to ruin his badass nature more than it already had been. "That sounds like him alright." Suddenly, a thought occurred to the ronin. "Aw, crap!"
"Hm?" Jeffy questioned. "What's up?"
"That black book that Fuji dropped yesterday!" Takashi exclaimed. "You remembered to give it back to him, right?"
Jeffy smiled. "Well, I slipped it back into his travel sack where it probably belonged in the first place."
"Jeez," Takashi sighed. "He said it belonged to his father, right? Imagine how pissed he'd be if he accidentally lost it here of all places."
As the two men made their way back down the slopes of Mt. Gozaisho, Jeffy couldn't help but comment further on the object. "You know, it's actually quite an interesting read, but I'll be darned if it makes any practical sense."
"Huh?" was all the ronin could think to say. "What's it about anyway?"
Jeffy shook his head. "Can't really say for sure. My interpretation of the language it was written in is pretty shoddy."
"Listen to you," Takashi jested. "I once heard you say that you could speak any language known to man."
"Any language that's still used, student." the sword master corrected before reciting the opening lines of the book.
"In principo creavit Deus caelum et terram."
Jeffy smiled in a strange manner. "Don't know why anyone would write a book in Latin these days, but, to each his own, as they say.
>>>Afternoon - May 10, 1583
For a place referred to as "Grand", the Ise Shrine was not at all spectacular in appearance. Indeed, the buildings were large and beautiful, but in a simplistic manner that mimicked the essence of nature itself. Wood, tile, shingle, and pavement combined in a tapestry of brown, white, and pale gray that overlooked the town below.
The girl who stood near the shrine entryway gazing off into the sunset was not ordinary by any means. If one were to go simply by her style of dress, they would assume her to be one of the miko, or shrine maidens. A simple white kimono and red hakama attested to this fact. However, there was something very odd about her. At first, it was difficult to place, but with the elderly High Priest Yamamoto Genji standing beside her, the difference was clear. With skin that dark, she was not of Japanese origin.
"Mitsune?"
The shrine maiden turned in surprise only to stare into the warm features of the high priest. "Oh, Yamamoto-san! You scared me."
"Hmm, frightening am I?" the man clothed in a very similar manner to Fuji responded, his gray hair and long beard swaying in the breeze. "That's certainly something you don't hear everyday." As Mitsune turned back toward the sunset, Genji decided to pose a more serious question. "What do you suppose your brother Kumo is up to?"
The girl shook her head, dark locks of short black hair shifting with the motion. "Actually, he wasn't the one I was thinking about."
"Ah, Fuji then?" the high priest questioned.
A slight blush crossed the miko's face. "Yes."
Genji sighed heavily. "I must admit, I never thought much of the boy's destiny before. Now, it seems as if a weight all too heavy has been placed on his shoulders."
"Don't worry," Mitsune advised. "I know him; he can handle a lot more than people seem to think he can. He was cut from a pretty decent mold, after all."
Genji smiled. "Flattery gets you nowhere, missy. Anyways, I'd best be off."
As the high priest made his way back toward the shrine grounds, Mitsune's stark emerald eyes peered off into the reddened hues of the horizon. The shades of crimson only served as a reminder of the blood that had been spilt two days ago atop the mountain just barely visible in the distance.
I wish, Mitsune thought to herself. I wish that the burden were not his to carry . . .
>>>
Shisho Kumo had found himself unable to walk any further quite some time ago. His heart ached with grief for his fallen friend, and his mind continually clouded over with dread at the prospect of what was sure to happen all too soon. His suspicions were confirmed when he heard the deceptively quiet footsteps of . . . her.
The ninja looked up into the deadened eyes of his master, a woman whom he never would have chosen to serve had he known better. Both of their eyes glowed the same shade of golden yellow, but tears only emerged from those belonging to Kumo.
"Come, my servant." the woman of shadows beckoned. "We have much work to do."
(End Samurai Banzai RELOAD)
Foreign Dialogue and Terms (in order of appearance):
In principo . . . - "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth." - Genesis Chapter 1, Verse 1 of the Vulgate, or Latin Bible.
Author's Notes:
This fanfiction is being done with permission by the creator of the Samurai Banzai webcomic as a sort of "alternate take" on the series concept (think like how an anime changes when converted from an OVA to a TV series and vice versa). It's important to remember that although SBR is a based on Samurai Banzai, all of the characters have been reworked, the plot is completely different, and this is obviously not intended as pure comedy (or pure anything, really). None of the events that transpire in this fanfiction have anything to do with events that have, or will take place in the webcomic on which it is based.
The Samurai Banzai webcomic can be found at www. sbanzai. hcmrworld. com.
