Disclaimer: See Prologue.

Rise of Samurai

Chapter 4

By UesugiKenshin

"Keitaro?" Motoko awoke to an empty room; she shivered, the temperature in the room was already cold from the morning breeze and Keitaro had left her side sometime before.

She looked out the window, 'Morning already?' Motoko stretched her muscles, constricted from the sleep.

'I have gotten lax in my training,' she scolded herself, 'my muscles are always fine when I awoke from the Hinata house.'

She resolved to do some katas, not wanting her skills of the sword to deteriorate. She straightened her clothes and picked her shishi.

'My skills have deteriorated!' Motoko despaired, the sword felt much heavier then it did before.

"I need to find a balance between my two loves, the sword and Keitaro…" Motoko couldn't help but blush, their last kiss so vivid in her memory, "I never knew he was so passionate…"

She just stood there, at the gateway of the door lost in her thoughts. She did not notice Aki waving her hand in front of face.

"Aoyoma-san?"

Normally none of the house servants would dare do such a thing, but Motoko and Keitaro was always telling them they did not mind less formality. At first the whole house rejected the suggestion, their whole lives since birth, they were told in respecting the samurai class. After two months though, they had opened up to the proposal, but only to their masters.

"Huh, Aki?" Motoko came out of reverie, still scarlet as a ruby.

"Are you alright Aoyoma-san?" Aki looked with concern, "Are you not taken with a cold?" She began to reach for Motoko's forehead.

"No, no…" Motoko babbled.

"Let me check."

"No, no, I am alright Aki. Where is Keitaro?"

"Last time I saw, he was again in the gardens, speaking with the gardener for a moment then going into mediation."

"I see. I will meet him outside." Motoko said.

She continued to the gardens.

Silence.

Let go of everything.

Release all attachment to the world.

Attachment is an obstruction to finding yourself.

You will find yourself between the bridge of life and death.

Life and death.

Strike!

Keitaro's body moved at the speed of light. His sword out of his scabbard before the eye could comprehend that it was no longer there. His strike was perfect.

Clap. Clap.

He turned around at Motoko's clapping. He blushed lightly; he wasn't expecting anyone to see him in action. "How long were you there?" He asked.

"For five minutes. I thought for a moment you had fallen asleep." Motoko gibed him.

"I was certainly not!" He rose to the challenge.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yes Motoko-chan, I was certainly not asleep! I take that comment as an offence to my person and I challenge you to a duel!" The gauntlet was thrown, the challenge was issued, and both parties could not back away.

Keitaro drew his sword. His old sword was lost; he would never draw that cursed blade ever again. Motoko was holding a second sword when she entered this world; she gave it to him as a replacement until they could return to the present.

'His stance is wholly changed!' Motoko was astonished.

Keitaro ever since Kano's death had been training by himself. He wouldn't allow anyone to see him train; he even left Yedo for several days not telling anyone where he had gone. The house hit a nadir at the time, thinking Keitaro went to commit seppuku. But he came back, all grimy with nature but he had come back.

Motoko saw that his stance was a perfect combination of defense and offense, no longer the pure aggressor's stance he had been using all this time.

Motoko knew that Keitaro could remain in that stance forevermore. 'He has learned patience; this duel will be a waiting game.' She tried to find a weakness in Keitaro's defense while he just stood in guard.

And she struck; hoping the abruptness of the attack would crack a hole in Keitaro's awareness. No such luck.

He shrugged off all her attacks like they were annoyances to him. No matter what she did, he just stood there like the Rock of Gibraltar. She began to break a sweat, something that never occurred before.

'Damn! Keitaro move!' She was losing concentration her attacks became more erratic, causing her to spend more and more energy then she should have. Combination of lack of practice and actually losing at sword was too much for her. She became the berserker that she scolded Keitaro of being when they were training at the Hinata house.

'There!' In a flash, Keitaro swung his blade in an arc, the abruptness causing Motoko to lose balance and her sword. She stumbled into Keitaro knocking him on his back and her sword landed three feet away.

Umph!

The wind was completely knocked out of Keitaro and Motoko; they did not notice the predicament they were in. Motoko was completely laying on Keitaro, both of them was still trying to catch their breaths.

When they finally saw how fate situated their bodies, their faces turned with the rosiness of apples.

'My god, Motoko… she is like a goddess…' Keitaro looked at the porcelain face of the woman above him. He moved his hands to brush away the hair that was covering her face so he could have an unobstructed view of the image before him. 'One could get lost in that beauty and such lustrous hair…' He could not believe how her hair felt like, 'the lightest silk can't compare.'

Motoko was having similar thoughts, 'His face has lost the baby ness that he once held back at the Hinata house is gone, his features are more chiseled, more manly.' Her body also told her that he was more muscular, 'He has changed a great deal, but he is still the same person, the same caring person…'

Bubump Bubump Bubump

Motoko slowly initiated the kiss this time. Their lips met, she gently eased her tongue into his mouth, and he responded. His tongued played with hers, a duet of love.

They continued to explore each other's mouths, Keitaro reached for her lithe waist so she didn't have to hold herself up anymore. She complied and allowed her arms to wrap around his neck. This time, they went further then ever, their bodies moving on their own to the rhythm of their hearts. Both tried to find the ties to each other's clothing.

'I don't know if we should…' Keitaro's mind hollered a warning. He did not want to hurt Motoko if they actually had sex. How does one know when the time is right? Keitaro wasn't sure but he knew this wasn't the time or the place.

He pulled away from her kiss.

"W-what Keitaro?" Motoko was deathly afraid that she might have done something to push him away.

"M-motoko… how much I want to… I just don't think it is the time…" Keitaro tried to catch his breath.

"…"

"We will both know that when we actually go that far… I don't ever want to hurt you Motoko by making you think it is time."

"?Until that time." Motoko smiled, she knew this that wasn't the time. Keitaro also knew that and didn't force her to submit. Her respect for him continued to grow.

They both got up and dusted each other off, Keitaro embraced Motoko, "I love you Mo-chan." He whispered in her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

"You're so bad Keitaro!" Motoko scolded him lightly.

Keitaro laughed and went to pick up her sprawled sword. "Here you go milady," Keitaro went to his knees.

"I accept my handsome kni…" They both froze; a courier from the castle was riding toward them.

"Urashima-san!" the courier boomed, not waiting for an answer, "Lord Tokugawa wishes for your presence with all haste, take this spare horse and this letter of passage."

Keitaro swallowed loudly, he knew that Tokugawa would want him back sooner or later.

"I understand." Keitaro looked back at Motoko, she was fearful of what might happen to him.

He walked up to her and gave her 'don't worry kisses' "I promise I will be back Motoko." He sounded confident as he looked.

"Alright…" Motoko took comfort in his strength.

Keitaro walked over to the warhorse, unsure of what to do. "Mount the horse, Urashima-san." The courier commanded.

'Easy for you to say, I've never ridden a horse, nor tried to ever mount one.' Keitaro grumbled but complied with the command.

Keitaro tried to mount the horse but fell off, his attempt so comical that Motoko had to laugh out loud.

"Well this horse isn't much help," Keitaro looked sheepishly. He didn't see the courier smack his head.

"Hrm…" when Motoko finally got her laughter under control, "Let me help you Keitaro…"

She told him how to mount the horse and it took him several more tries but he finally got the hang of it. "Urashima-san, I will escort you to the castle… it seems like you lack the skills to ride the horse."

"Alri…!" Keitaro screamed in fright, as the courier took no time to push the war chargers into a full gallop. 'Oh My God!' Keitaro held on for dear life, 'I am never going to have kids after this!'

Motoko fell to the ground, rolling with laughter. Tears came out of her eyes, "K-k-keitaro…" She gasped with the lack of breath, "He isn't going to survive that ride!"

The house servants peered out the window; they all thought she had been touched with madness.

The events that occurred a month ago happened like déjà vu, but this time the guards were not taking any chances. This time the courtyard was filled with samurai training, it was too cold for any army to attempt an invasion. Nature was something not to trifle with when starting a campaign, so western commanders decided to attack when weather was warm.

All of the men training looked up when Keitaro walked by with guards, now increased from two men to eight.

"Is that the man?"

"Yeah, his name is Urashima Keitaro…"

"Is it true that he slew Kano like he was possessed?"

The men continued to whisper as Keitaro walked by. His stomach lurched as the memories came back but he pushed them away. 'I-I have gotten over that…' He tried weakly telling himself.

At the next checkpoint, twelve men surrounded him. All of them dead serious at their job. They climbed up to the third floor and waited for Kaemon to notify their lord.

Finally Keitaro was released from bondage but he wasn't allowed to take his sword in. He latched off the sword and gave it to Kaemon for safekeeping. Kaemon nodded when he received the blade.

Nothing in the room had changed but the lamps were lit to provide warmth. Now this time, all thirty-two commanders including Tokugawa sat in the room.

"My lord," Keitaro bowed deeply.

All eyes fastened on the bowing man.

"Urashima-san, I heard you went messing several days past." Tokugawa declared, "And that your household was worried that they had lost you."

"Yes, that is true my lord. I explained my actions to all of them, they understood."

"And where did you travel?" Tokugawa knew all of Keitaro's movements; Chiko and Jun'ko were always on observation. What he did not know was why.

"I traveled to the base of Mt. Fuji, my lord."

"And what did your time at Mt. Fuji teach you?"

"I learned to purify myself of my sin my lord," Keitaro said.

"Your sin?"

"Yes, my sin of spilling blood of a fellow human being. I went for five days, not eating or drinking and mediated under a shade of a tree."

"Did you find peace Urashima-san?" Tokugawa saw distances the man would go, 'He is perfect. He will be my sword to victory.'

"No my lord, but I cannot ever hope to find peace in what I did." He continued, "But I cannot take back what I have done, I shall not dwell in the past, I will remember his memory and hope that is enough."

"That is what means to be a samurai, Urashima-san." Everyone nodded, "We can't take back our blades, or we would have been the one dead. We will remember how honorable our opponent fought and never forget that."

"Urashima-san, I have besmirched your hands with blood. I cannot take that back, but I can offer reconciliation." Tokugawa beckoned an old man that Keitaro had not noticed in the background. By a glance, he did not look like much but everyone in the room, even Tokugawa seemed in reverence of the old man.

"Urashima-san," The old man croaked, "Here is the gifts that Lord Tokugawa wishes to present to you."

The old man brought forth the items in question, covered in red silk. He turned over the silk and before Keitaro were pieces of art. Two swords, the longer katana and the shorter wakizashi. The katana was in a white scabbard, and upon it the kanji word pressed in black was Heaven's cry. And the opposing wakizashi was in a black scabbard, its kanji was Hell's fury.

Keitaro gently touched the two blades; they seem to emulate powers similar to how Motoko's Shishi did for her.

"Urashima-san, the blades were crafted by our master sword smith, Mori Yamamoto." Tokugawa gestured to the old man who had gone back to Tokugawa's side, "Those two swords before you, he has forged for ten years. His heart and soul went to making those blades; they will never break and never fail you in battle."

Keitaro bowed deeply, Mori Yamamoto was renowned even in modern times. His swords were displayed all over the world and before him were two of them. "I humbly accept the gifts my lord."

"Good, now take Heaven's cry out of its scabbard."

Keitaro did so, and when he did the blade sang like an angel. The blade was blue hued, and looked like the sky was etched itself onto the blade. Keitaro looked up questioningly at Tokugawa.

"Urashima-san." Tokugawa motioned him to bring the blade to him. "I am in need of your aid; will you yield Heaven's cry and Hell's fury as one of my commanders?"

Keitaro was beset by emotions. He, Keitaro Urashima, a three-time failure of the Toudai examination, lout to the extreme, an average, uninteresting guy was being asked to lead Tokugawa's armies in the greatest battle Japan will ever know.

"Y-yes my lord." He whispered.

"Will you swear fealty to me as your lord?"

"Yes." Keitaro got on one knee. And swore fealty to the great man.

"Urashima Keitaro now rise," Tokugawa beckoned him, "We will discuss your new lordship as of tomorrow."

Keitaro nodded. He saw himself dismissed and walked out of the room. All eyes of the other commanders on him, some were apprising him, others were downright dour with all the titles and honors Tokugawa lavished on him.

Kaemon saw the blades on Keitaro's side when he exited the room and knew what had happen. Tokugawa told him everything; his plans to make sure Urashima joined his side. And as always, his lord's plans worked according to plan. He bowed to the man, "My lord."

Keitaro gave back the acknowledgement to the guard with a small bow of his own. "I think I know the way out of the castle."

"As my lord wishes."

Kaemon saw the retreating back, 'my lord Tokugawa, in his infinity cunning has brought a kensei into our ranks. The men will flood to our banners, and we will win!'

Keitaro made it to the second floor alright before getting himself lost. "Hrm… was it a right from the last turn or was it left?" He muttered to himself. He could not find a single samurai or a castle servant to help him. Of course in his deliberation on which direction to take next, he never heard someone walk up behind him.

"My lord you look lost." A mellow voice called out to him, spooking the hell out of him.

"A-what?" Keitaro jumped in alarm and tried to reach for his blades, making a complete fool out of himself.

"Fu fu fu," the woman giggled into her hem of her kimono, "my lord, you look of fright. Shouldn't all samurai be without fear?"

"W-what…" Keitaro found he could not answer her questions. The girl was strikingly stunning, and that his heart jumped from his chest to his throat did not help much in the conversation.

"Fu fu fu," She continued to laugh.

"A-ahm," Keitaro finally found his voice.

"To be honest my lady… I am lost and do not know the way to the entrance." He looked sheepishly, 'she is dressed too refined to be a castle servant. Maybe one of the wives of the other commanders.'

"Lost?"

"Yes, I have lost my way, this castle is frighteningly large and I seem to have lost my way."

"You men have no sense of direction." She began to giggle once more.

"…"

"The castle entrance is down that hallway." She pointed to the passage way on Keitaro's right; "You will see guards when you reach the stairs."

"Thank you, my lady." Keitaro bowed in gratitude. He started to walk way toward his direction he was pointed when, "Urashima-san?"

He turned around, thinking what she could possibly want. "Yes my lady?"

"I think I merit more then just a simplethank you. If not for I, you would have been lost for a great deal of time."

'That is true…'

"I would like to invite you for tea and I would like to get know you better."

"To get to know me better my lady?" Keitaro looked baffled, 'Why would she want to do such a thing?'

"Yes I would like to know my father's new commander."

'Father and I being a new commander, father, me being a new commander, father…!' Keitaro blanched.

"Your father as in, Lord Tokugawa?" Keitaro basically shouted the words.

"Fu fu fu," her mischievous laughter, "Yes Urashima-san, Lord Tokugawa is indeed my father. Now you better continue on your way, Kaemon has told the guards on the first floor to expect your arrival."

Takara turned around, hiding her delight that she was finally able to reveal herself to Keitaro. 'He found me attractive that is something to tell Black Widow.' She gave herself a pat on the shoulders for a sounding so nonchalant, and not blubbering her love to the man.

'I will invite him after my father has given him the land and further gifts. I shall figure out what he finds out attractive in a woman. He shall be mine soon.'

She walked away not trying to turn back and give Keitaro another look. Keitaro just stood there for a moment and then continued on his way.

A/N: To Ranger, I was not calling Geishas whores. There was not even a geisha class at this time period; they were created a bit down the timeline. But courtesan class in this story, they are just there for pleasure, they are a precursor of the geisha class. I hope this answers your review.

The ones dominated this review request. If you are new reader, continue to post your preference. There are one or two more chapters I will delve into without research, and then on ppl's request, it will be altered.

I thank you Peacemaker for continuing your work.