Thanks for the reviews. I didn't expect to get that much with just one chapter. So here's another chapter for you. Hope you like it. I have a faint idea on where I'm taking this story, but this is all I have written so far. So kindly bear with me as I work on it.

Also, the culture on the planet Sam is on is very similar to Feudal Japan. I'm doing my best to get the culture of that time right, but if someone catches a mistake, kindly let me know. Thanks.

As usual, if ya recognize it, it don't belong to me.

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Sam came to a halt outside of a large town. People were bustling about, barely glancing at each other. Hefting her bag into a better position on her shoulder, she walked down the hill and into the town. Some people stared at her, mostly because she was one of the few people with blonde hair.

Sam ignored their stares and continued on her way. She noticed that most of the town was pre-modern; there were few pieces of advanced technology. She bumped into someone and continued on her way.

""Oy!" an angry voice snapped. A hand rested on her shoulder and spun her around. "Apologize for bumping into the geisha!" a middle aged man snarled in a peculiar Japanese dialect.

Sam looked past him and noticed a beautiful woman in a flowery kimono standing off to the side. Her face was painted white, her lips and eyebrows drawn on perfectly. Her glossy black hair was elegantly pulled up.

Sam looked into the dark eyes of first the geisha, then the man. Without a word, she turned and began to walk away. The man latched onto her arm and pulled her back. Sam slammed her right hand down on top of his and circled her wrist, her left fingers straight and cutting across his arm. He was forced down to his knees to avoid breaking his wrist and Sam shoved him away. She turned to leave again but was immediately confronted by several men.

The men rushed in and Sam dropped to her knees, leg-sweeping them to the ground. She got back up and swung her pack, catching one full in the face. He flew backward and landed in a heap on the ground. Another man rushed her and she easily grabbed his arm and flipped him over, knocking the wind out of his chest.

She turned as the third man came at her. She quickly shot out her leg and caught him in the gut. He fell to his knees, gasping for air. She faced the last man and looked at him. He glanced at his fallen comrades and quickly backed away. Sam pulled her bag back onto her shoulders and left the crowd that had formed.

A young man with dark hair watched her go, his soft dark eyes following her. He uncrossed his arms and trailed after her, his hakama pants and gi top billowing slightly in the wind. A katana rested on his left hip, a smaller blade there as well. He followed her out of the small city and onto the nearby path, where she stopped and turned.

"Why are you following me?" she demanded, glaring at him. Sam was slightly grateful that she knew Japanese. At least I'm able to communicate, she thought.

"Please forgive," he said, bowing slightly. "I was only interested in where you learned to fight like that."

"My parents thought it wise to have me know how to defend myself."

"You are not from around here, are you?" he asked, taking a few steps near her.

"What gave me away?" she asked sarcastically.

"I meant no offense. I am asking if you have any place to stay," he said.

Sam looked at him and saw in his eyes that he genuinely cared. "The forest is as good a place as any," she replied.

"There are thieves and brigands about in the forest," he said. "At least stay one night in my family's home. Please."

"Okay," Sam finally said.

"I am Kamino Ryu," he introduced.

"Carter. Sam," she returned.

"An honor to meet you," he said, bowing. Sam inclined her head. He straightened and led her back into the city towards one of the large buildings that had a large amount of land surrounding it.

They walked through the large gardens, fountains and ponds sprinkling water in several places. Off to one side of the large house was a Zen garden the size of the laboratory Sam had at the SGC.

Sam followed Ryu inside and pulled off her boots. Ryu easily slipped off his sandals and motioned for Sam to follow him. She did so and they walked into a fair size room. An older man looked up and rose to his feet, sliding a katana and a wakizashi into his belt. He walked over to the pair and Ryu inclined his head out of respect.

"Who is this?" he asked, looking at Sam.

"A fighter who has no place to stay father," Ryu replied. "I offered her to stay in our home for one night, else she would have slept out in the forest."

"What is your name?" he asked.

"Sam," she answered.

"Your full name," he asked.

"Samantha Carter," she replied.

"Interesting name," he commented.

"I'm from a land too far to return to," she said.

Ryu's father waved the younger man away and he left, closing the door behind him. "I believe you do not wish to return to your home," he said softly. "Might I inquire as to why?"

"I'd rather not talk about it," Sam said.

"As you wish," he said. "I am Samanosuke. Is it true you have no where to go?"

"I suppose it is," Sam said indifferently.

"I would like to know more about you if that is all right. Would you be willing to accompany my son and myself to our village tomorrow?" Samanosuke asked.

"Sure," Sam agreed with a shrug.

"I will have a maid show you to your room for the night. Dinner will be served shortly." Samanosuke bowed slightly to Sam and she nodded her head.

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Hope you liked it. I have a few more chapters written that will be posted in the coming days. Until then, review please.