A/N: Inspiration…they say comes from different shapes and sizes.

Disclaimer: I don't own Samurai 7 as much as I want to. (Sigh)

Chapter 3: Shackled!

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He drifted in and out. He even believe that he is still in the midst of the battle, wielding his swords and slashing Nobuseris all for the sake of those farmers who hired him for rice and for the promise of a good spar between him and Shimada Kanbei.

Then he was back at the burning Capital, pieces of ceiling starts to fall and he was trapped under burnt rubles, unable to move or speak. Alone and in pain, a part of him that is sane wishes to die and ease his burden. But then, the faint smell of wild roses always saves him for giving in, driving away the foul stench of blood and burning debris.

There was a time when he will found himself standing between two realms; of light and dark. The latter was full of people he slaughtered and the former the people that he knew, close to him. Thrice he had seen it. Thrice he tried to put his foot on the light but it is also three times that something like a silver bird will snatched him and takes him back to the realm of the living.

And then darkness will once again embrace him.

He could sometimes feel heat creeping to his body like fire and then that sweet voice calling him, but he could not understand what that voice wanted to say, only the scent of the wild flowers he can make out.

And now, he was stirred again by that scent. He slowly opened his eyes, adjusting it to the light that he saw peeping through a hole from the dried grass ceiling. He blinked once then twice, making sure that it was not the grand ceiling of the Capital that he is seeing. One thought came through.

This was not the Capital.

Then another came.

He was alive.

The sun, he thought, had already risen. Morning came, with it the sound of the chirping birds that he recognize just outside this almost dilapidated hut and the smell of the fresh morning air. He closed his eyes feeling the warmth of the sun and filling his lungs with air.

"Fresh air always helps in healing."

A familiar voice rang in his ears, that familiar voice who always calls on him, his companion inside the dark abyss. He opened his eyes and searched for its owner. His eyes landed on a girl seating beside him, holding a steaming bowl. She lifted her face and smiled at him. "And a nice, hot broth will be perfect for your fast recovery." She added a pinch of powdered herbs in it before she brought the bowl to his lips; she spoke, "After this, you can take your medicine."

When the liquid reached his taste buds he nudged the bowl aside. The bitter taste of it reminds him of the firefly meal that Kanbei once made them eat as a parting meal. "Where am I?" He felt his throat ache as he tried to speak.

"You are in an abandoned hut outside the borders of Kanna Village. Please drink more, Master Samurai. Your wounds are not completely healed and you are very weak. After this you can sleep again." There's a bit of command in her voice as she once again urged more broth on him which he quickly nudged with his free hand and it earned a frown on her face.

He gave her his usual emotionless gaze. "I've slept enough."

"You haven't taken anything for four days. It would be an immense help in your recovery if you could finish at least a bowl." Her voice was firm. She had handled many patients before but none as stiff as this one. When it comes to healing she believes in no nonsense policy.

He ignored her. But she insisted. He wanted to argue but he is still weak which he doesn't want to accept. She was able and he is not. He found himself drinking the vile-taste broth.

"I know it tasted awful but please bear it. Maybe later you can eat a bit of bread." She started to talk as soon as he had finished the broth. She gently put the bowl aside then proceeds on changing the bandages. He examined her as she expertly wrapping the wounds on his body. Maybe she was ahead of the Water Maiden a few years, but she is unmistakably young. She was wearing a typical farmer's garb but hers were worn out and threadbare. She had long straight hair, as black as the raven's wings tied by a simple green cord. Her eyes were as green as a moss, like those that grew beside the river beds but it looks dull and lifeless which made him think why. She wasn't stunningly beautiful as like the Water Maiden of Kanna Village he decided, but she has a certain kind of beauty that can be seen if you will only look closely. He averted his gaze as she lifted her eyes from the stack of medicines.

"You are done my lord. I would be near if you ever need me." She started to gather her things quite slowly after that she again turned to him and gently bowed. "My name is Sakuraba no Aki. What name may I address you, my lord?"

Looking at the dilapidated hut wall, he spoke: "Kyuzo."

"Kyuzo-dono, I will take my leave now. Call if you need any." She again bowed and lifted her self from her position, carrying the used bowl and medicines, she head toward the bamboo door.

She had left minutes ago but still, he continuously stared at the blank space ahead of him. He doesn't want to sleep again. His back is aching due to the prolonged bed rest. There are endless questions that he wanted to be answered. On how he was brought here, what has become of the Capital and…how does he live. He was so sure that he died. Back there, at the Capital. He dropped his eyes to his eyes through his bandaged torso and brought his hand in it. There is no mistaking that there are wounds made by bullets beneath the bandages. In any circumstances, a man's body that experienced five or four bullets pierced through his body, especially if those bullets hit vital organs, it means death. How does it possible that he is still alive? He had crossover three times and that is not possible…unless…That girl! She had all the answer that he needs.

"My name is Sakuraba no Aki. I would be near if you ever need me."

He remembers what she said earlier. Call huh? He called out but no answer came. His trained ears listen for a proof that she is coming, not even footsteps or the familiar scent of her. He waited but he grew tired and decided to seek her on his own.

Trying to lift his upper body, he felt pain sliced through him but he ignored it. He quickly grabs a wood that is sticking out of the wall and used it to lift him up. His knees buckled as he tried to take a step. Beads of sweat appeared on his body as he scanned the place for something to put on to for he had noticed that he wasn't wearing any. He found a neatly folded white kimono on a make-shift chair and put it on himself. He gritted his teeth as he tried to walk to the door.

The sight of the tall trees greeted him as he managed to get out of the hut. He quickly scanned the perimeter to look for her but the tall trees made it hard for him to locate her. He would have returned inside if he hadn't heard the faint sound of a river near by. He had this strange feeling that she was there. It takes him minutes to locate the river and there, sitting on a large boulder, the woman who will answer all his questions.

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She dipped her feet into the river, and felt the cold current against it. She giggled like a child when she felt a fish pass under her soles. A soft breeze passes through, carrying the smell of flowers in bloom, creating intoxicating perfume mixing in the summer air. Summer was always been her favorite season. It was filled with so much color and life. Back in her childhood days, she used to scurry through the meadows chasing little rabbits into their holes or just lying down under the great blue sky, dreaming of a bright future. That was the better days, when her world was still in vibrant colors not the pitch darkness she sees now. She felt a presence a few feet beside her. Maybe it was Kintaro again. He was with her earlier, to assure that she was fine and to nag about her using the forbidden craft. After that incident two days ago, he never let the matter rest. She couldn't blame him though. According to him, she was unconscious for a whole day because of that. She was his responsibility.

"I do not wish to speak to you Kintaro. I've already used it and he is well now, and that's all that matters." She replied, thinking that it was Kintaro.

Kyuzo had been watching at her with fascination, for minutes now before she became aware of his presence. He had seen the little girl in her, surrounded by innocence. Had observed how her smile turned to frown. Her sadness made his heart ache and it surprised him. "Witchcraft, isn't it?" He spoke to acknowledge his presence.

It was not her friend but the wounded samurai named Kyuzo. Her heart skipped a beat upon hearing his voice. There was a stirring sensation that is swelling inside her chest. What is this? She asked her self. The feeling was alien to her. Was it because she had shared her life to him, that he was bounded to her now? Or could it be that she accidentally seen through his heart, his mind that she is drawn to him?

She moved her feet to and fro in the water, making ripples in it. "You should still be in bed, resting."

"Apparently, I've rested enough." He replied using his usual monotone voice.

She knew that when he wakes up, he will demand for questions, and she prepared her self to answer it. "Doushite anata wa koko ni iru no desu ka? Don't tell me you come here to appreciate the glory of summer." She smiled and turned to the direction she assumed he was.

"Summer has no meaning to me." She felt him move towards her direction. "I've died..."

"…and live again." She added. "We found you four days ago, under the ruins of the Capital. You are half dead half alive back then. Will I use my gift to heal you or let you die? No. I don't want you to die, not yet. You've crossovered three to four times, Kyuzo-dono. Your heart will stop beating for minutes then it will beat again. I concluded that you are struggling to survive."

Silence came between them.

She broke the silence. "There will be bloodshed soon, Kyuzo-dono. I was sent to stop it and to free my people from slavery. And you, my lord, will help me."

He snorted. "I decline."

She was speechless from the coldness of his voice.

"I am no Messiah. Find somebody else." He said emotionlessly and started to walk away.

She could hear his footstep turning away from her. "I already bought you."

"You haven't." He idly replied but never stops to take another step.

"Yes I did! And I bought you with life as a payment. That is more than a barrel of rice, or gold coins could offer!"

She heard his little sarcastic laugh. "I won't accept your payment my lady. I'll be leaving now."

"You can't."

Now she heard him stop. She knows that he is waiting for her words.

"There was a myth back from my village about a bird with silver feathers. Legend has it that a single feather can be use to make a person bound to you." She swallowed a little then turned to face him. "Inside your body lies a single feather of that bird. With my power, all it takes is a little incantation to activate it. I'm sorry to say that there is no way that that feather may be taken out. Even if you tried to run away you will only end up to where I am. You are now bound to me."

She secretly thank that she was blind for she knows that anger boils inside him. She can feel the deadly stare he is giving her and she cannot endure it. She understands that. Being tied and deprive you of your freedom is as good as death it self.

"I never ask you to give my life back." His voice was angry and dangerous that nearly frightens her but she cannot give him the satisfaction that she is afraid of him.

She sweetly smiled at him. "Yes. You didn't. But your soul tells me otherwise."

He was angry. For himself that a part of him agreed to her and for this woman named Sakuraba no Aki who took advantage of his condition. He noticed a man approaching her, it could be Kintaro. The farmer glares at him before speaking to the girl.

"We have a problem." He heard him speak before turning to a curve that leads to the hut.

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A/N: YES! I've finished chapter 3! Hope you like it! For this point on, I will try to make my chapters longer.

Please bear with me until the next chapies! Ciao!