I don't own samurai 7
Okay, I know some you are probably peeved that Heihachi is not that main character in this story, But it just kind of happened that way and I not going to Change it. But still someone could at least say how bad it sucks or something. Anyway three more chapters before this mess is over with Yeah. Enjoy
It snowed all night, but the sky seemed to threaten, even more snow. It was much colder than the day before, and the ground was coated with snow. The city was having a slow start, clearing the streets and there weren't many people out and about. The orphanage also had a sluggish start. It was nice and cozy inside, and every one wound up sleeping in. Everyone that is except a certain samurai, who has cut two huge bundles of wood before any one inside started to stir.
Haruko has woke up and turned her hot plate to make tea (Haruko's bedroom was an office before and as a lot of cabinets and counters, as well as a functioning sink). She made one for herself and a second for Heihachi. She put on a heavy set of clothes and walked out. She admired the scene; it looked the exact same way it did when she arrived years ago. It was calm almost surreal under a blanket snow, a place she thought to find some rest.
She opened up shop, in front of a warehouse, not looking for success just a way to start over. She served tea, and pickles, some sweets, not much of a menu but it was all she could work with. The warehouse was owned by the local magistrate who barely used it. But, after Haruko found Aya, and children keep finding their way to her doors, she sold her family heirlooms to buy the warehouse, and turn it into an orphanage. The Snack shops meager menu of tea, pickles, and some sweets, keep Haruko and her children from starvation.
Then one day the saddest creature she had ever seen literally dragged its way into through the snack shacks door. It was winter then too, it had orange hair, and wore a tattered uniform, and sword. Needless to say, that person was penniless, but Haruko was not quick to turn away those in need, took him in. Now, years later that same tortured soul, concealed by a Buddha like smile, always seemed to show up at her door, ever so often. The older woman handed the samurai his tea and proceeded to do her morning chores.
Heihachi loved coming to Haruko's is was rare for him to frequent anyplace he had been. People tended to want to get too close, too involved and Heihachi wasn't to keen on letting anyone too far beneath the surface. He was just a samurai would loved rice, and chopped wood to pay his way, that's all anyone needed to know. But Haruko wasn't like most people she didn't have to know everything about someone. She only asked the questions that would give her a clue about what you want from her, and if she was not going to give it to you, Oh, well take a hike. But that didn't mean she wasn't insightful, it just keep her from prying too deep.
Soon smoke was coming for the Shops chimney. Haruko was boiling extra rice, especially since they could afford it, for breakfast along with some eggs and tea. Inside Rin sent Yuya to find Tomo. The little girl knew she could not be up stairs, it was too quite. She searched the main floor, still too quite, she had no choice but to go to the basement, she didn't like the creaking stairs or strange noises that came from there. The sounds reminded her of the Nobuserei. The fact that it was dark didn't help matters for the catatonic child either. Luckily the light was on this time, and she cautiously descended. Yuya found Tomo, asleep in a chair in the laundry, and tugged on Tomo's sleeves to rouse her. Tomo jerked awake, blinking repeatedly to get her bearings
Yuya tugged at her sleeve again. Tomo gave the child a weak smile and followed her upstairs. The morning routine was under way. By the time Tomo, had passed out breakfast, it was time to open the shop. She was more than thankful that Haruko let her sleep, and cooked. Rin couldn't help but heckled her a bit for falling asleep in the basement, but that was to be expected, Rin thrived on laughter.
Aya came running to get Tomo, to come to work. As they were leaving, Heihachi was coming in with a load of wood. Tomo gave him a once over, pleased to find his clothes were relatively spotless, and grease free. "See ya later, ho-ho !" Aya yelled running to the shops back door. Tomo paused for a moment.
"Why does Aya call you Ho-ho?" She called back to him, unable to resist curiosity
The samurai turned but just as he did a piece of wood fell into the snow. "Aya – chan was very little when I starting coming here. She couldn't say Heihachi, so she called me Ho-ho and it stuck….." Tomo backtracked to help him get the stray wood.
She put log neatly back on the pile in his arms. "I'm glad your clothes got dry" she dusted some of the snow and wood debris from his shoulder.
"Thank you "Heihachi said smiling. Her voice was polite but the look on her face was kind of scary, her dark red eyes, felt like they were digging in to his soul, while her mouth developed a cynical sneer. But neither of them said anything else.
Tomo farewell nodded, and went to work. The Samurai checked the pipes and Rin let most of the children out to play, everyone else finished the morning chores, washing dishes and the like. The morning was a pleasant one.
By that afternoon, Heihachi had repaired over a dozen toys. And was asked a hundred questions about were he had been and things had seen, the younger residents. When Rin came down with a recorder player, it was a much needed break from bombardment. The children lost interest in the samurai and started clapping and singing along with the record. Before long they were all dancing including the samurai, which was funny site to see. But out side things were not as festive. Haruko and Tomo had to close up the shack in the face of a blizzard.
The second storm had blocked the mountain pass, isolating the canyon city. But the following morning was absolutely beautiful, with a clear azure sky and blanket of snow. It was still very cold but the orphanage couldn't have been happier, they had food, heat, and toys a child's wonderland. Haruko decided not to bother opening up today, the snow was too deep to expect customers.
Jin and Sai had pestered Tomo into giving them an archery lesson on the outskirts of town. Haruko thought it was a good idea and made her go. When the trio returned from their lesson, Tomo spotted Heihachi cutting wood with his sword; her curiosity lured her to the chopping block. She sent the children in with her weaponry, before approaching the samurai.
"Ohaiyo, Hiyashida-dono. Wouldn't a machete be better?"
"Huh... oh... Tomo-san, Ohaiyo. Perhaps, but I prefer it this way". He went back to chopping. Tomo stood there watching.
Tomo didn't say anything, but started to gather up the wood. Having finished the load and they started walking back. "You're not the other samurai"
Heihachi did not answer her until they had entered the building, "You think so."
She scolded is he always this nonchalant. All he does is smile and talk about is rice and machines. And he uses his sword to chop wood, I never read about this kind of samurai.
The Samurai had cut enough wood for them to last through the winter and use in the shop. But they had to restack the logs so they would not take up too much space. When that was done Tomo clothes were drenched, from snow and sweat. I cant make lunch in this. Tomo did not think twice about stripping away her heavy winter jacket, pants and sweater. Heihachi had not noticed she left the boiler room; the organization of the chest had preoccupied him.
"I'm going to make lunch. You want a double portion of rice, right?" She asked once she had hung up her wet clothes, in the laundry room.
When Heihachi did not answer, she looked corner to see him messing chest, unable to her over the clatter. She crossed the slowly on bare feet, and gently tapped him on the shoulder.
When Heihachi turned around he found Tomo wearing nothing but a thin thigh lengthen wrap. She is not half-naked!?
He stood there staring eyes wide open. She asked him the same question again. But this still he didn't answer, his mind was too focused on the body in front him (she is slightly taller than him): the nape of her neck, the swell of her bust, supple hips, and sinuous limbs."
"Heihachi – dono, are you alright? Your eyes are so stretched out." She started walking towards him. "You're not ill are you?
Her legs are so long. He back into the drawer, he was brought out of his stupor by intense red eyes "No. … Ah no just did not realize it was that close to lunch. Sure extra rice would be nice." He thought to himself, Rice. Rice is good. Go cut some wood. And leave as soon as possible.
"Okay, it shouldn't take too long", and headed up stair.
On the way she ran into Haruko.
"Tomo have u seen Heihachi-dono."
"Yeah, he's in the boiler room. I am going to make lunch is there anything special you wanted me to add to the menu."
"No, but you should go and change before you catch your death". The older woman eyed her with an accusing look
"I'm going now." Tomo rolled her eyes and run off
Haruko proceeded to the basement chuckling. She could have heckled Tomo a bit but it would more fun to harass Heihachi, whom she found rummaging in the tool chest.
"Of all the more interesting things you could be doing. This is what you choose to be doing." She said loudly, to get his attention.
Heihachi stopped his work to smile at Haruko. "I have to earn my room and board, Haruko-san. "
She plopped down on a crate and continued her insinuations. 'Don't change the subject. That farm girl, is a real good cook don't you think?"
"Yes "He said flatly, still recovering from the last incident.
"She's not as pretty as Rin, but the girl's got a great figure, an hour glass on stilts, wouldn't you say?" Haruko had every intention of milking the situation for every thing it was worth.
The samurai kept silent.
"Ho-ho, what's wrong your avoiding me" she grinned maliciously. This was class A entertainment for her. Haruko did the same to Rin when she first came, and another girl that was around when ever Heihachi came to town. The truth was that she wanted to keep her favorite mechanic around, and what better way than to trap a man than with a wife. Or so she thought. Heihachi was just a simple guy who wanted a simple life, and Haruko's plan was too debauched for him.
Heihachi felt very cornered and that was the last thing he wanted, this was not a conversation he wanted to have. And Haruko could not have had worse timing running into Tomo looking like that. That old woman's head must be swimming with devious things. He rubbed the back of his head "I think I should chop some wood"
He just scratched the back of his head "sorry."
Haruko sighed, I lose this round. She became serious again, "I came to tell you that the Nobuserei are actually being useful, one of the rich and powerful is paying a few of them to clear the pass. It should be done by morning." She rose and headed up the stairs. Heihachi chopped wood well past lunch.
Late that night, Haruko sent Heihachi to check the pipes especially the ones in the bathroom, complaining that they had leaked earlier. Heihachi was a little confused he had already given the whole building a once over the day before, and it was fine. Haruko is up to something. I hope I don't wake the kids, or Rin and Tomo will have a hard time getting them back to bed. When he got to the basement he noticed the light in the bathroom was still. Guess Haru-san left it on. He walked in without a second thought and got an eye full for his trouble.
Meanwhile, Haruko and Rin were seating in the main room drinking tea and taking bets.
Heihachi couldn't do anything but pause and commit the scene to memory. Tomo had evident just finished her bath. His hair was wet and shining, fanning over her bronze shoulders, a towel was wrapped around her lean hour glass frame. Heihachi gazed lingered on the long legs before him. One was planted firmly on the floor for balance, and the other was propped on the chair. Her calve muscles flexed with every movement, the samurai swallowed hard, trying to think of rice to calm down. If not for chilled air from the open door she wouldn't have turned around.
Meanwhile up stairs,
"This wont work you know". Aya had stolen into Haruko's room
"Aya – chan you're supposed to be in bed". Rin said in a quiet voice.
"Haru you're a bad role model, always trying to play matchmaker with Ho-Ho. "
"I more interested in what you think it won't work". Haruko said grinning over her cup.
"You're trying to set Ho-Ho up with Tomo?"
"Why wont it work? " I really do teach this child too much.
Aya sighed. "Simple, Tomo's not a walking rice ball. Besides Tomo isn't exactly the charming type if you get what I mean. And not only that Ho-ho's Samurai, not husband material, Dah. Adults always over look the obvious."
Rin keep sipping her tea." And where you get this wisdom, Aya- chan"
Aya crossed her arms and looked away "Humph"
Haruko set her cup down. "We'll just have to wait and see." She said.
In the basement, Tomo looked over her shoulder, "if you are going to come in, does so."
Heihachi, for once in a long while was thunderstruck. Shouldn't she be screaming or something? But instead she is ordering me to come in.
"Haruko said the pipes are leaking down here." He inching inside
Tomo gave him a nod and continued drying herself.
Heihachi wondered over to the plumbing, angling himself to keep Tomo out of eye shot. "You not the shy type are you?"
She had finished drying her hair and was in the process of combing hair into a ponytail." Should I be? If the Nobuserei won't have me, why would a samurai?"
"What?" he almost dropped his wrench?
"The Nobuserei have started taking women and the rice, but you wouldn't know that". She smiled, and it was eerie, as she continued. "I volunteered go, but I guess I didn't fit the requirements."
"Are you serious?" he developed mixed feelings about her after hearing that statement, is she brave or crazy.
"I wanted to go, I hate the fields. I wasn't of much use there, and poor father would never be able to marry me off, not for all the land in the village."
Heihachi was staring; none of what she said made any sense. All villagers were terrified of the bandits, and here this girl stood flatly telling him that being a slave to the bandits was more desirable than farming rice.
The room was silent and awkward. Heihachi's expression was unusual for him, he had both eyes open and his smile was gone.
Tomo couldn't fathom the look on his fathom. "Sorry didn't mean to get on a soap-box. I'll leave you to your work."
"Hey Tomo." Heihachi called after her. "People are like rice, not all rice is equal, but it has its good qualities.
"You really aren't a normal samurai. " She pulled on a robe over her towel, 'good qualities, eh? "Good night Ho-ho-dono", she left and pulled the door behind her.
Same to you, That, Haruko tricked me, these pipes aren't leaky at all.
Heihachi didn't have a restful night, he dreamt fitfully. It started out fine, Heihachi was seated a table full of rice from all the different regions. Each dish was better than the last. Firm fried rice. Warm bowls of steamed rice, tightly packed rice balls, rice pudding, and then the final dish arrived it was a rice sculpture in the form of a human body with a long legs and very feminine. And it moved. Shock propelled the samurai out of his sit. The Rice woman followed him on the floor, placing one hand on either side of his head, pinning him in place with her body. The face that appeared before him was Tomo's. She said to him, Please, Heihachi dono eat as much as you want.
Heihachi woke up in a cold sweat; it is too dangerous in this place, time to go.
The sunny had not risen yet, and it was still very cold outside. But when Heihachi got to the porch Haruko was waiting. She was bundled up sipping sake.
"Are you leaving so soon, Heihachi-dono?" She asked a touch of sadness in her voice. She did not expect an answer. He always left without a word.
She passed him the cup in her hand and refilled it. "Kompi. Here is to another year of keeping the demons at our backs."
Heihachi saluted his host and drained the cup. Setting off through town and up the pass, the wood chopping samurai, tried not to envision a leggy woman with silver hair; bringing him rice.