Me: This took a while to write, sorry, writers block. So here we go! I have no idea how old Kyuzo is.
Kyuzo was many things.
An amazing samurai, a skilled swordsman, and the best bodyguard money could buy.
But he wasn't an idiot. He new when a strange woman appeared out of no where, it was either a trap, or seduction.
He wasn't going to let his guard down for her.
He had seen and met many like her, acting innocent and pure, hiding their corrupted and slutty natures. A lot of them ended up heartbroken, or decapitated. While serving Ayamaro, he had snarled at all the hoes knocking on Ukyo's door and sometimes Ayamaro's, but only for power and wealth.
Still, he had to admit, she was very beautiful.
She looked to be in her mid-20's, since he was 28, she was probably 26 or 25.
Her high cheek bones were barely noticeable, complimenting her straight nose. Jade eyes watched every moment anyone made, carefully analyzing her surroundings and blinking her long lashes when she was calm.
Her rich flowing raven hair adorned her bright porcelain skin, making it shine in the sunlight. As she sat, her back was straight and held no arch, giving her a respectable nature and status.
It was hard to tell how many weapons she had, her long black jacket hid any essence of weaponry. Her long black boots had spiked heels, digging into the ground she stood on. A glimmer of silver flashed, she had a knife under each boot.
The hooded part of her jacket hid underneath her hair, hidden in the shadows of the raven waves. Kambei and Azami had a stare off, looking into each others eyes. The villagers of course had no idea what was happening, but the samurai did. (Except Kikuchiyo.) It was an old way of 'introducing' yourself to a fellow samurai. As the quote explains, 'eyes are windows into the souls' they could understand everything about each other. After a few minutes, they gave each other curt nods.
"So, tell me Azami, what are you and Chiyo doing in the forest?"
"I was hired by her father to bring her to a village where she would be safe. The one I was trying to take her to was destroyed." Her thin pale pink lips moved gracefully with each word. Just by telling from her tone and stance, she was not a woman to be messed with.
"Not with her parents?"
"They're...deceased. Her mother was taken to the Capital, and her father was killed trying to save her. "
"Did you try to get her mother back?"
"By the time I got there, no one even new what happened to her, she just disappeared. That was 6 months ago." Kambei rubbed his chin in thought.
"Why not take Chiyo to Kanna Village?" Heihachi suggested, earning a glare from Azami.
"Yeah, send her to live in a village that's about to start war. Good idea." She snarled.
"How did you know?"
Seeing the confusion on our faces, she pointed to Kikuchiyo.
"Tinman doesn't know when to shut up."
"Hey!" She raised her hands up in defense.
"Don't look at me, Chiyo calls you that, so I assumed that was your name." He turned around and grumbled. Azami turned back to Kambei.
"Anyway, it's out of the question."
"You don't have to worry. We'll guide and protect Chiyo a long the way." Shichiroji explained.
"No, I don't know any of you, so I don't trust you," She glared at Kyuzo.
"But, I do want Chiyo to live in a safe village. I keep my promises, and I will guide and protect Chiyo to this village with you."
Kikuchiyo was about to say something, when Azami turned her hard gaze on him.
"And I know you all won't object to that."
Kambei stood.
"Then it's settled. We all shall head for Kanna Village." She nodded in agreement. Komachi walked up to Azami tilting her head.
"Are you a assassin?" Azami smirked and leaned in close.
"Yep, I'm a secret spy being hunted down. But it's our little secret now, so don't tell anyone." Azami whispered, then winked while Komachi stared at her in awe.
"Cool! Hey sister!-" Azami shook her head smirking and placed a finger on her lips.
"What is it Komachi?"
"Uh...Azami has REALLY long hair, don't you think so?" Azami rolled her eyes. 'Like I never heard before...' she thought.
"Yes, now help me with the rice."
Azami's P.O.V.
I examined the campsite, and nearly scrunched my nose up; 7 samurai and 3 farmers.
Why couldn't Chiyo have been found by a rich couple looking to adopt a little girl? That would have made my life so much easier. It was embarrassing enough for a simple merchant asking for my help, I am a skilled swordsman, well, woman. So why was I stuck being the babysitter? When her father had come to me asking for help, I turned my back to him. It was pathetic of him to ask in the first place. He came with only money as an asset, and very little at that.
Curse my conscious and it's sympathy.
I had asked for help from the merchants when I was alone, and they spat in my face. Not literally, I would've sliced their heads off. But the man had begged and begged me to do it, so I finally gave in. So now, I was stuck with a little orphan girl. I glanced at Chiyo and smiled a little as she and Komachi helped the priestess with the rice. I hadn't noticed she was now in front of me tugging on my coat. I looked down at her.
"I'm hungry."
"Chiyo, they have enough food. You can go a few days without meat, okay-"
"Pleeeassee?" I groaned in annoyance. Stubborn child.
"Alright, just wait." Rikichi walked up to me cautiously, still scared of what I would do if he said something wrong.
"Uh, Lady Samurai, we have more than enough food..."
"Thank you, but Chiyo prefers meat. I won't take long. And please, call me Azami. We are all people here."
While I left, Kambei's eyes drifted to the blonde in the coat, Kyuzo I think his name was. 'Follow her.' He seemed to say, and I nearly laughed. In a flash, he followed close behind me. I sighed a little.
Don't trust me? You want me to show you what I can do little man? I will.
Smirking to myself, I took off. I was always very fast, a cheetah, my sensai use to comment. My long raven hair danced in the wind along with my black coat. I could feel my green eyes twinkle with excitement like they always did when I ran, a childish factor I still had. I sensed Kyuzo following me, so I glanced back at him. My eyes widened. He was behind me, and was really fast. He smirked at my reaction while I glared at him.
Let's play pretty boy.
Using my spiked heels, I jumped at the edge of a tree and ricocheted off it. It sent me in the sky, where I floated a little, then plummeted down to a stream. My boots hit the ground with a soft clink! I raced to a green bush and waited patiently for an animal to appear. It took a while, but I eventually saw a small brown rabbit hop towards the stream. I pulled out my small blade, it stood up and twitched it's ears around. After a while, they went down and he went back to doing his business. That's when I striked. It hit it right between the eyes and killed it in an instant. I stood up and hopped to the other side of the river. It was a small river, but wide enough I had to jump. I picked up the rabbit and took out my small blade.
"I know your behind me."
Kyuzo stood on the other side of the river glaring at me. I turned to face him, my face emotionless.
"What? Don't tell me your jealous of me." He continued glaring at me. I just smirked.
"A cold shoulder? That's not very gentlemen like."
I hopped to the side of the river again and walked towards the camp again. He followed behind me. What's his problem? I am just a woman passing by with a girl. Well, an assassin that could cut his head off in an instant and a small orphan girl. I felt his glare and stopped. I turned to him and got up in his face.
"Listen well, I have ONE job. To deliver that girl to a safe village and be on my way. I don't have to deal with your constant glares and sideways glances. If you don't like me, then go cry in a corner. I will draw my blade if I have too, and don't depend on Kambei to save your ass. I will not be silenced, I will not be pacified. DO NOT PISS ME OFF." I spun on my heel and stomped off to the camp.
"Really?" His deep voice startled me, so I turned and glared at him.
"Don't test me, Red." I stomped off again, missing the smirk on his face. Once we got back, Chiyo ran up to me grinning and jumping up and down.
"What is it? What is it? What is it?" I showed her the rabbit, careful not to show the blood and guts. She was still a little girl, and I wanted her to stay pure and innocent for a while. Gorobei waved at him, and patted the ground next to him.
"Azami! Please, sit here." I raised an eyebrow and hesitantly walked over to him. I got on my knees and started removing the rabbit skin. Gorobei watched my careful and precise movement. His tense position made me sigh silently and look up at him.
"What is it?"
He smiled.
"Well, I'm wondering how a beautiful woman like yourself became an Omashu."
"That's a little personal, don't you think?"
"I'm sorry, but we all are curious." I gazed up at everyone and noticed they were all looking at me.
"It was a...family tradition." He nodded.
"Ah, but shouldn't you be at their base instead of here?"
"It burned." Everyone stopped moving, while I placed the rabbit over the fire.
"Well...I think we should call it a night."
Kambei stated, and I silently thanked him. Everyone finished their food, while I took off my coat. Chiyo ran up to me and laid down beside me while I placed my coat over the both of us. Chiyo did a small yawn and snuggled into my stomach. I smiled a little, and looked up at the moon. I felt it send the wind to me, and blow gently on my face. I closed my eyes, whispering.
"Goodnight, mother." Letting darkness take hold of me.