A/N: Okay, here it is: Chapter five. I felt bad about not updating for such a long time that I decided to write and post two chapters in one night. Well, it's getting closer to the end. The plan is two more chapters, but that might change since I write as I go and something might require another chapter. I guess I'll just wait and see. Anyhoo, this chapter is a little short since the next chapter might be little longer and a bit more complicated. Well, I hope you enjoy.

I don't own Samurai 7

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"Hey, Katsushiro! Where's Hei-san?"

Katsushiro looked into the distance and saw the older samurai waving at him, his metallic arm shining dully in the sun.

"He was finishing something up with the ballista. He said he would be over shortly."

"I swear, that guy can't just sit still and talk a minute."

He chuckled at how his friend always seemed to be moving around or building something. He tapped the shaft of his spear gently on his shoulder as he debated what to do. As he was standing there, Shichiroji noticed Katsushiro glued in position staring at the ground.

"Something bothering you?"

"Well, I've been asking some of the others-"

"-About the scent of the battfield? Yeah, Kambei-sama told me you would probably be around to ask. Actually, I'm glad he warned me since I had time to think about it. Honestly, I never really thought about what it really meant all that much."

Looking up at Shichiroji, Katsushiro stepped closer to hear better.

"Don't look at me like that. Just because we have the scent of the battlefield doesn't mean we actually know what it is…but if I had to put it into words, I would say that it is definitely a burden."

Katsushiro nodded eagerly in agreement. He recalled that the one similarity was that all the samurai referred to it as a burden.

"Yes, I have come to understand that now…But what kind of burden, and why?"

"That's hard to say. I'm sure everybody else has told you that taking another's life is like a weight that is added on. Basically, when you kill somebody, you are taking their lives from them. Now, when you steal something, you don't simply discard it, you carry it with you. That is what this burden is like. By stealing a life, you carry it with you."

"Shichiroji-dono? If that is the case, what happens when you have taken so many lives. A thief would only be able to carry so much."

"Good observation. That's what makes this question so difficult. It isn't physical even though we can feel it as though it were something tangible. I'm sure there are many instances where the weight becomes too much. That is why we cannot recklessly enter into a fight and take lives without consideration."

The older samurai looked down at Katsushiro who averted his gaze to the side. He could tell that the young man was remembering the first time he took a life. Shichiroji knew that Katsushiro understood that he did act recklessly.

"That is exactly what I had done. Even though I wanted to protect the village…that does not justify my rash behavior."

"Maybe not, but if you hadn't acted, what would have happened? You acted. While you perhaps did not consider the full consequences, who's to say you were not justified? You did your job. You protected the village."

"I know, but…"

"Katsushiro, you're too hard on yourself. You shouldn't concentrate so much on the past, but look forward to the future. There are many years ahead of you young man."

Katsushiro cracked a small smile and then stared up at Shichiroji questioningly.

"Do you look forward to the future? Is that why you can keep on bearing the burden?"

"I suppose so. You know, sometimes, burdens are not so heavy when there is another beside you."

"Forgive me if this is forward, but, are you referring to Yukino-san?"

Shichiroji stared at the younger samurai blankly for a moment before laughing. He scratched his head and lightly blushed.

"That easy to tell, huh? You guessed it. There's a future ahead of me with her."

"…But what if…if…"

"I die? Hm, well then, I suppose I won't be with Yukino…unless she figured out a way to communicate with spirits…I'd haunt that place anyday."

The young samurai was in disbelief. He stared at the older man shocked.

"How is it you can make a joke about such a thing? Doesn't that make you sad? Don't you want to-"

"Of course I do, however, there is no guarantee who will make it through this. You have to understand Katsushiro, both Yukino and I understood what it meant when I decided to join Kambei. I am not going to live with regrets and I know Yukino feels the same way. That's what makes her such a wonderful woman. My burden feels lighter knowing she is there."

"What happens then, to those who do not have somebody they can share their burden with?"

"Depends on who we're talking about…we're an eccentric group of characters. We probably handle things our own way. Now, if we're talking about you, then, I would have to say that you're blind."

He was confused. He had no idea what the older man was talking about. He could see just fine, and he did not have any significant other waiting for him. Katsushiro wondered what Shichiroji was talking about. Apparently his wonderings were plainly written on his face. The older samurai chuckled.

"What? You don't notice? Listen, it doesn't have to be your lover or anything…But, you definitely have somebody who is willing to help you bear your burden. You might not see it now, but soon, as you kill more and feel the weight, it will become much clearer. Now how you act when that time comes, well, who knows what you're thinking most of the time?"

Again, Shichiroji began laughing and caused Katsushiro to start blushing. He still did not know who he was referring to, but it was obviously amusing that he was unaware of it. Katsushiro thought about all the people they had met and all the villagers. As he shuffled through them, his mind kept wandering back to the water priestess. He then remembered that night and what she told him.

"…Will wash it away…"

"Did you say something, Katsushiro?"

He was once again amused as Katsushiro mumbled something to himself and began blushing an even brighter red.

"Guess you figured out who I was talking about?"

"Yes…You mean-"

"Well, whoever it is, it still depends on you. There are those who are willing to share the burden, but you have to be willing to allow it. Whether you do or don't is up to you. It will come down to what you see as more important."

Katsushiro sighed. Shichiroji was not being overly useful with such cryptic sayings. However, he was thankful for the advice nonetheless.

"Thank you, Shichiroji-dono."

"Not a problem…Oh, before you leave, have you seen Kyuzo-dono anywhere?"

"Umm, shouldn't he be training the farmers right now?"

"Actually, we're letting the villagers take a break from that and are helping Hei-san with the ballista instead. So, Kyuzo-dono was left to amuse himself and who knows what he does to amuse himself…Well, I haven't heard of any deaths yet, so, he's probably resting somewhere. Could you go find him for me, please?"

"Of course. Thank you once again for your help."

"Sure."

With a quick bow, Katsushiro began jogging off towards the back area of the village. He diced to start there since he had seen Kyuzo walk there a few times. As he sought out the silent samurai, he wondered if Kyuzo would even answer him if he asked. Or rather, if he had the courage to ask. As much as he respected the older samurai's skill, he was still nervous around him. However, he was given a task and he would complete it. Whether or not he would ask Kyuzo anything, Katsushiro decided he would wait and see.

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A/N: Good? Bad? Ugly? I'm still tired. Anyhoo, I decided to concentrate more on Shichiroji's relationship with Yukino and what that might mean as far as the 'scent of the battlefield.' Regardles, as with everything else, it was made up on the spot. So, please forgive me if the logic is weird. It works in my mind, but that that means pretty much nothing to everybody else. Whatever the case, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. The next will obviously be about Kyuzo. Of course, he had to be difficult and say practically nothing...But, I have a pretty good (at least I hope it's good) idea of how to do it. So please look forward to it! It shouldn't be too far off in the future. Thanks so much for reading!