Chapter 5

A/N: Thanks again for the reviews! I really hope you guys enjoy this; so leave me a review so I'll know. Thanks, it means a lot to me! Oh, and a special thanks to AngelesRose, the first one to review the past couple chapters; plus giving me some good tips. Thanks!

Anna was lost. Mentally, physically, emotionally; any way that you could imagine, misplaced. Vanished. Every ounce of herself she poured into surviving back at the battlefield, some hundred yards away. It was still shockingly real to her; she could still see the blood in front of her. And that wasn't because she was surrounded by samurai.

She was riding horseback with the yellow samurai, her mind shut down. She couldn't really comprehend anything; didn't understand where they were going. Their language was a slur to her now, although if someone tried to talk to her in English it would probably be much the same. Her hands hadn't been tied; unlike Algren, who had been bound as tightly as possible with a leather rope by Ujio. She didn't know why she wasn't; only that she wasn't planning on being chained. What if she ran away? Well, she really didn't have any energy, and if she did, she knew she would be taken down by arrows; and the fact that she was a woman might have helped. That fact was helping her now more than ever…

They were in line behind Katsumoto, the samurai leader. Anna had heard many of the samurai address him, and could soon say it herself (although she didn't let the samurai know that fact… Actually, they didn't know much of her at all). He and General Hasegawa were leading the line; which consisted of them, Anna and the yellow samurai, Ujio, and a few more samurai. The rest of the army had been left at the battle site; leaving Anna to worry about Algren although she knew they would be fine.

They were trekking through a beautiful mountain forest, with the sun shining and creating elaborate patterns of shadows on the forest floor. These were actually what Anna found herself focusing on as they made their way through. It was like making images out of passing clouds; except they were more defined and changed little with the wind. If she would look up the side of the mountain she would see a breath-taking sight; the trees blanketing the surface of the mountain as soft pastel colors dotted the deep evergreen of the trees. The beautiful and natural Japan; proving that what she saw before was just a taste of its real power. England had cultivated so much and there was almost no land left; but Japan was so open and exquisite.

It was quiet, and Anna was unbelievably glad that the sounds of death were over; yet, was scared of the ocean of silence that now surrounded her. Nervousness clawed at her stomach somewhere back in her body, back where she could feel what was going on. Algren was still unconscious with the rest of the army, which worried Anna. She had watched the army disappear behind the thick forest that they had made their way into; and without the captain there, Anna was actually afraid for her future. What would it mean if they separated them?

They stopped in a small clearing, similar to the one the battle had taken place in. The handful of samurai dismounted their horses; leaving Anna confused as to what was going on. The yellow samurai followed the lead of the others, and Anna gazed longingly at the ground. She didn't want to be on this horse. She didn't want to be riding it bareback, and she certainly didn't want to be anywhere near these people at the moment. But it wasn't her decision to make now; she had already messed up her life bad enough. She clutched the midnight colored steed's mane in her hands, as if it would prevent her from falling. Apparently she wasn't invited to go with the samurai; since the yellow samurai merely turned and gave her a stern look to warn her of running. She didn't think she would.

General Hasegawa and Katsumoto made their way to the center of the clearing, as the rest of the samurai made a semi-circle around them. It looked as if there would be a performance going on, although it was unknown to Anna that it was an almost ancient tradition that was a huge part of the samurai bushido and system. She watched curiously as Hasegawa kneeled onto his knees, and Ujio poured a liquid onto Katsumoto's exposed sword. Hasegawa unbuttoned his shirt, and seconds later produced a small but lethal looking sword. Hasegawa plunged the sword into his exposed stomach, making a slicing motion for a moment and then not another sound. She gasped and could see him straining from what had to be enormous pain; but he still didn't even letting out a wisp of air. After a moment Katsumoto raised his sword and swiftly decapitated Hasegawa.

Anna closed her eyes tightly, biting her lip with a force she hadn't before. She was tired of seeing so many lives ended, and in such a disgusting way. Algren may be able to handle this for however long they would be trapped here in this mess, but Anna was questioning how long she would be able to last. She believed this was just another barbaric act that kept pushing the urgency of her escape to soar.

…

Katsumoto stared over the land of his son's village, particularly looking past a cluster of houses to a field in the distance. The flowing meadow transitioned from golden to a yellow-green, and it was sprinkled with flowers of soft pinks, blues, and lavenders. The morning mist was just barely levitating above the grassland, causing the magical look that Katsumoto so much appreciated in his country. Although he had seen it many times, it was just as striking as the first time he had ever seen it. This particular evening, he was in deep thought and waiting for his son, Nobutada, to arrive.

These westerners were so confusing to him. He had thought that he knew at least a part of their world, but he had no clue. The minute he saw that woman in the army… These people are aliens. But Katsumoto now had a tougher problem to handle; what was he supposed to do with these new 'hostages'? The passes were about to freeze over, and they wouldn't opened again until late spring. He had so much to learn…

"Father?" Katsumoto turned as his train of thought was disrupted, laying eyes on his son. It was the 'yellow samurai' who Anna had ridden back to the village with. Yet, even though his thoughts seemed to be killed, as he saw his son's face it was as if he had found the answer.

"Ah, my son… I have an assignment for you." Katsumoto informed him, as Nobutada's face lit with interest. "You'll be looking after one of the westerner's." He explained. "The girl."

Nobutada's face instantly formed into a look of surprise and also slight disappointment. He had to respect his father's decision for such things; but there were other, lower ranked samurai who could do the same thing he was being asked to do. He kept his mouth shut, but there would be no avoiding Katsumoto's senses.

"As protection Nobutada; they are both valuable to us, but she is the most vulnerable." Katsumoto told him sympathetically, noticing that this raised his son's spirits slightly. He decided to continue. "This is an important job that I trust you with. Remember, the warriors on the frontline are not always the most important."

…

Anna's eyes slowly opened, the blurred space pouring around her. She groaned softly and tightly shut them again. Her ears strained to hear the sounds of her maids footsteps, walking around the large house and gathering supplies to make breakfast. Instead, she opened her eyes and realized that her back was sore because she had been sleeping on a bamboo mat on the floor.

A wave of terror hit her as all the memories from the day before came rushing back to her. She could tell it was the worst day of her life; but then again she did live, but that might be more of a curse than it would a blessing. The blood, the fear, the death, the look of terror on the dead soldiers faces, the expressions of unfathomable pain… Without warning the strong nausea struck and she instantly became sick all over the side of the neatly kept wooden floor beside the bamboo mat. Everything became dark once more.

The beautiful stars in the deep velvet sky winked down onto Anna as she opened her eyes. She was forced to close them once more. Even they pounded with pain; and the rest of her body ached agonizingly. She thought she was about to cry; but the sudden jerking motion of her sobs lit her very bones on fire. Of course this repeated a few times, as the sting worsened her sobs became more violent, and the cycle continued until she finally realized that she had to stop herself before she couldn't take anymore. Her bouncing chest finally settled, and her flailing limbs came to a rest; as she lay still and waited for it all to stop. Her dirty cheeks were stained with tears and she just wanted to rip her bones through her skin… But her fatigue was finally too much to resist, and she drifted off to sleep once more.

Golden rays of sun danced on the dark oak flooring. Anna had no idea how long she had been out this time… What felt like hours could be days, or a mere few minutes. All Anna knew was that she was still in this wretched place; and her head throbbed unbearably. It felt as if someone had struck her with an axe as she sat up, wondering why she even bothered. Maybe it would be better if she just died in this place. If it ended her misery.

She was still wearing the uncomfortable men's uniform she had been given… The itchy and inexpensive fabric had rubbed her skin raw in different places. She noticed that the mess from her previous terror attack had been cleaned by someone, and was now looking as neat and perfect as it had before. Perfect; sickeningly perfect was how that room was. Like these people hadn't slaughtered innocent men.

Anna jumped with paranoia as the paper sliding door opened. A beautiful Japanese woman entered, and even though she looked guiltless enough, Anna couldn't find it within herself to trust her. She was carrying a tray, and gave Anna a very small upturn of one of the corners of her mouth in sympathy. She remained silent though, and gracefully sank to her knees beside Anna. As she did this, the tray's contents were revealed: a bowl of rice, another bowl of a steaming broth, and an empty cup. At first Anna was suspicious of poisoning; but then realized that her hunger greatly surpassed any suspicions she could conjure. And their leader, this Katsumoto, had said he needed her and Algren… Wait, Algren; where was he!

Anna continued to watch the Japanese woman carefully as she picked up a small pitcher of something, and proceeded to pour warm tea into the empty cup. While she was bent Anna tried to look over the woman's shoulder and out into the rest of the containment she was in; but was unsuccessful. All that was in her sights was a large room of some sort; or at least a portion of it.

By the time she was done surveying what she could of the structure, the woman was already finished with preparing what Anna assumed would be her meal. She couldn't remember the last time she ate, and the aching pain in her stomach was reminding her of this fact. Anna glanced at the Japanese woman for a moment, and then awkwardly reached for the bowl of rice. She noticed a pair of chopsticks, which she had only a little experience with. She contemplated how to use them while taking an occasional glimpse of the silent woman a few feet away from her.

An unfamiliar voice sounded from the doorway, causing a cold tremble to run down her spine. It was a masculine tone; not deep, but oddly vague… "Taka," Anna couldn't help but look up to see the dignified figure of the yellow samurai, Nobutada, dressed in the same blue kimono. She instantly looked away; she didn't want to have any reminders of what had happened before. Apparently this man didn't care. "She's awake?"

Taka didn't answer him at first; staring at the tray with a look that seemed as if she were asking herself if Nobutada had any common sense or not. She finally acknowledged him as she stood with poise. "Yes, she's fine." She said softly, and Nobutada stepped aside to create an exit from the room. He stood silent for a few moments after Taka left, studying Anna; before turning himself and leaving. The door remained open.

…

Anna had finished her meal not long after. She didn't take the time to be polite and follow all the etiquette rules. She didn't realize how deep her hunger was until she began to eat, and found herself on a rampage that she couldn't stop. Finally, when she ran out of tea, she collapsed back onto the bamboo mat and slept the best she had in a long time… Although it would have been a horrible night of twisting and turning for any normal person sleeping in their own bed.

Blood curling screams caused Anna to jump awake. She had managed to dream of nothing but darkness and only a few of the haunting faces; but they were still haunting, nonetheless. Her eyes widened fearfully; she didn't want to put up with the horrible, darkening sounds of the world; ever again. The worst part was that she recognized the voice entirely: Algren.

His cries of terror echoed through Anna's entire body, and she began to shake uncontrollably. Tears ran down her face as she whimpered from beneath the blanket. She covered her ears but the horrid sounds wouldn't stop… Anna didn't know what she would do if Algren died and left her here alone. Although she hadn't seen him, she knew he was somewhere within the same house; she had heard him a few times before. But she didn't know if she could take his death too.

…

The now consistent voices of Nobutada and, although any other person this age would be tumbling around, a remarkably balanced young boy of about three or four poured through the now normally opened paper door and into Anna's room. She moaned slightly and rolled over, the images before her a blur for a moment or two before her eyes began to finally focus. The picture before her was a common one; of the young boy playing with Nobutada, but this seemed different somehow… Anna sat up to study the two.

The young boy was bouncing up and down on his toes, filling every empty second with a question for the yellow samurai. Anna decided to listen to them; her past unknown amount of time in the town had been spent worrying and thinking of the horrid possibilities that the ending could be. The little boy's musical voice sung out once more.

"Nobu; I wanna to go outside!" The boy said excitedly, but Nobutada shook his head disapprovingly. Anna could tell from the back of the boy's small head that he was now frowning.

Nobutada used the same calm, disciplined voice that Anna had heard close to every moment she was awake now. "I can't, I have to stay here. Play with Higen."

"Why?" The little boy whined, hopping a few times to emphasize his word. Anna couldn't help but giggle a tiny bit, causing Nobutada to look up at her curiously. His gaze lingered on her, which scared her into letting her hand fly over her mouth as if she had made a big mistake… Yet Nobutada ignored this and leaned back down to whisper something in the boy's ear, who in turn shook his head fiercely. Nobutada gave him a slightly stern look and nudged him; and finally the boy began to walk in the direction of Anna's room.

"Will…" The boy paused, looking back at Nobutada and then back to Anna as if it would give him inspiration. "Will you come outside and play with me? Please?" The boy asked, surprising both Anna and the stunned Nobutada. He would have never guessed that Magojiro would be so trusting…

"I-I'm sorry, I can't." Anna replied slowly, giving a fearful glance towards Nobutada.

The small boy relayed this information to Nobutada, who shrugged slightly. "I guess you can go with Higen then; I have to stay here." Who was Higen?

The boy turned back to Anna, his deep brown pools of eyes getting big with what could turn into tears. It struck a deep chord in her heart, even if he was one of 'them'. Apparently she was the reason that Nobutada wouldn't leave the house; unless if she went too… Why? After being stuck in a room studying for years, her curiosity of the world got the best of her now. She stood up and sighed, her balance a little lost from not standing for lord knows how long. "I guess."

The boy squealed with delight and scampered out the door, followed by a very reluctant Anna. What could she be getting herself into? Well, if she did want to escape this place, she needed to know what kind of holding she was in; how to plan the get-away. Yet, she continued to watch her back carefully; wary of the man she didn't know trailing behind her.

…

"So… What's your name?" Anna asked curiously, trekking up a hill alongside the tiny boy beside her. The boy was carrying two large sticks shaped like katanas; a wooden sword, she guessed you could call it. Anna didn't plan on using one, but making conversation didn't hurt. This boy was the only person she could bring herself to talk somewhat normally to.

The boy looked over his shoulder; although his line of sight was blocked by the two large weapons he was lumbering. "Magojiro!" He answered excitedly and proudly, as if it would win him a large prize by doing so. Nobutada smirked; when he was older Magojiro would be warned against such needless enthusiasm to a stranger; at least if Ujio were still alive by that time. "What's yours?" Magojiro returned, barely slowing himself down to keep up with her. He would jump and skip occasionally, to get the overwhelming energy out but still stay within a good walking distance. Nobutada couldn't help but think he was trusting people too easily… Or at least young women.

"Anna," She replied, too noticing how quickly this boy accepted her. Maybe she could find some place of peace in this dark place…

"Anna?" Magojiro said crisply, and Anna nodded. He laughed with triumph, as Anna was impressed with how he pronounced it so easily. She could hear the samurai behind her, on the other hand, struggling with the word on his tongue as he tried a few times under his breath.

"Ana," Nobutada murdered, causing Anna to look back at him with a questioning but barely cold look. The young man looked in deep thought until he believed he had perfected it. "Anna? Is that it?" Anna nodded; though she didn't speak to him. She'd rather not talk to him; he was the one who had to bring her here, whether it was on orders or not.

Magojiro let out a cry of enthusiasm as they reached the top of the hill, darting across the lush grass to meet some of the other children at the center. Anna looked after him nervously, not exactly wanting him to leave. He had been the only thing keeping her from darting away herself… You couldn't exactly go crazy in front of a kid; what kind of an example would that be?

"Don't be afraid," The samurai finally spoke, as he kept a watchful eye on Magojiro wrestle playfully with some of the other children his size, "I can't hurt you; I have to protect you."

"Is that so?" Anna asked, working up the courage to finally speak to the man without skipping a beat.

"I have orders."

"So you didn't choose to."

"Why would I?" The samurai hadn't exactly seemed eager ever since he had to be around her in the first place… And frankly, Anna didn't really want to be around him either. Yet, she still relaxed somewhat at the information that she had, to some extent, a body guard. Who apparently knew how to speak their mind. Anna liked a good debate or two, if it was with the right person with the right amount of knowledge. Anna had a gut feeling that this man was not one of them.

"What's your name then, yellow samurai?" Anna had kept track of every samurai she came in contact with by armor color; although many of them were wearing blue kimonos similar to what this one was wearing.

"Nobutada," He answered clearly and confidently, with a small smirk on his face as he was called 'yellow samurai'. After a few moments he took his eyes off of Magojiro to look at Anna. She stood there for a few minutes, forcing flooding memories of her childhood to the back of her mind. She couldn't think of that right now; especially after everything emotional… It would make her look weak if she broke down; although she would probably collapse again if she did.

"Katsumoto." She merely stated, staring off into the distance in Magojiro's direction.

"What?"

"Your leader, is that his name?" Anna repeated, her eyes back on the pretend games the little offspring were playing; probably pretending they were emperor and knights or something along those lines.

"My father? Yes, Katsumoto." Nobutada answered, and Anna was surprised to hear those words leave his mouth.

"Your father?"

"Yes, my father… I own this village." He added, crossing his arms arrogantly. Anna couldn't tell if he was serious or not, so said nothing in response as not to offend him… But she did know that this was quite a surprising factor added to her luck.