Shininchi-tai: The Meaning within
Jen "the stampede" Motou
Chapter 4: Leader
(Suikotsu's POV)
We had been riding along in the cage the pawns had thrown us and I was noting every one of them to keep them separate in my mind. Each and every one of them would receive their own special taste of death. Mukotsu was pushed to the back corner, behind Genkotsu. Renkotsu was close to Genkotsu cursing about all the repairs we would have to make now. While in front of me sat Jakotsu would was so caringly stroking his hand through our young leader's bangs, while he still lay unconscious. Not one of knew what was going to happen now, at that's the air you could easily feel from the looks in our eyes. We were all confused, annoyed, and aching to draw blood. Of all the things we were, the only I can think to say we weren't, was scared. Not one of us was scared to die, we would all give our lives for our young leader….well I at least can say I would.
The wheels pulled to a stop and we were in front of a large estate…a familiar estate. I do believe it was the same estate of out last employer. I could feel my blood boil from the realization. We had been sold out. No, it wasn't Bankotsu's fault. Granted he was the one who handled all employment, but as our leader that was his job right? How could he have known that this would happen? He couldn't and he didn't. No matter what happened to us now, I wouldn't blame him. They unloaded our arsenal first, however not one of us laughed this time, when they struggled with Banryuu. We weren't about to sign the documents of our deaths. The door to our portable prison creaked open, as the metal scrapped together. "Come on!" A random pawn snapped at us, and stepped inside. He leaned over and reached for Bankotsu. "Don't touch him!" Jakotsu snapped, and pulled Bankotsu close.
"Wench!" The man screamed, and back handed Jakotsu. He then reached down and grabbed Bankotsu by his raven plait, pulled towards him. Bankotsu still didn't awaken, even as the man forcefully tied his small wrists behind his back. "Catch, this one's out cold." He laughed, tossing Bankotsu carelessly to a man behind him. He caught our leader and looked down at him quite confused. "A whelp like this part of the Shichinin-tai? He's still learning to walk, let alone be considered a man." He shrugged, and then threw his nearly lifeless body over his shoulder. "Come on now, out with the rest of you." He ordered, and each of us, were shoved out one at a time, our wrists forced behind our backs and bound as we did. Never once had I felt so powerful, well not in year that is. They would pay for this; they all would pay for this. No one would do this to the Shichinin-tai and get away with it.
We were lead to the lower part of the grand estate and tossed like garbage in a back room of the cellar. –A Prison- How quaint it was that something like this would be here. It was dark and most. The air was rank and it was vile to breathe. "If Genkotsu rusts I swear I will kill them…I'm going to anyways but it will be slower otherwise." Renkotsu cursed as he placed himself in back corner of our cell. "Calm down Renkotsu, we're all going to have the pleasure of ripping their throats out." Jakotsu was trying to calm him and it seemed to no avail until we heard voices near us. We all fell silent and Jakotsu pulled Bankotsu close, as the cellar door creaked open.
A few soldiers, one looking like the leader of the group walked closer and grinned at us. "Not so frightening now are you? Well not to long, you'll be gone. Our lords are currently deciding who gets the honor of going first and it will most likely be your precious leader. So enjoy what time you have left." He just laughed as he and his comrades turned away, and I lunged at him through the metal bars. "Bastard! You won't get away with this!" I shouted, being shoved backwards falling on top of my fellow Shichinin-tai. "Suikotsu…calm down we'll get them. Every last one." Jakostu glared as we watched the men leave the room.