Disclaimer --- I don't own samurai 7
Tomoe walked up the path to the hill top in a daze. She was contemplating how mad she was; and if she would feel relaxed after she had released a few arrows. The path was just as she remembered it. It is still little more than a deer trail, whose tracks had been expanded by human use. She remembered place because it was where her mother taught her how use the bow and arrow. The memory was calming
She had to focus on anything other than the engineer and his accusations. Instead she focused on Kanbei's orders, 'she would be of use'. That was all that mattered, always be of use, my sprout; those were the last words her mother said before her death. If that meant staying the village then she would stay and help protect Kanna.
As she got closer to the range she heard Kyouzo issuing short, sharp orders. Tomo purposely stepped on a twig, (yards away), causing Kyouzo to turn his head slightly in her direction.
Tomo strolled up to the group of men practicing. "Kanbei sent me to help. I brought extra bows and arrows too", she said holding up the two bundles of arrows.
Kyouzo simply nodded and gestured for her to join the ranks. The other men started whispering as Tomoe enter the line. Kyouzo quickly ended that and called for the next line. And as always it was a pitiful display, but some of them had a talent for it. Tomoe's line came up next. She took a deep breath and tried to clear her thoughts, but the target wasn't just a scarecrow, it had face. All she saw was the Hiyashida and it taunted her with accusations, she grew angrier by the second and before she knew it, she had fired three arrows (one to the head and two to the body) before Kyouzo finished his instructions.
Kyouzo was slightly taken aback; she was as good as him, with a bow. At first he thought the presence of the female archer would have a negative affect on the men, but it was the opposite. Many of them began to copy her movements and pose, coupled with Kyouzo's instructions, the farmers advanced quickly.
Else where in the village ……….
"I was hoping to find you here. I need a report Heihachi-dono," Kanbei shouted out to the engineer, approaching the construction site. Kikuchiyo was trailing behind the old man like a lost puppy.
Heihachi climbed down from the post and made is way to the leader, "we gotten all the materials together, and now it's just a matter of putting it together. The only thing that concerns me is where to position it. "
"Hmm, the cliff would be best. Follow me and we'll check it out."
The two samurai walked into the forest headed towards the cliff and subsequently Katushiro's station. As they approached they heard the grinding sound of machinery. In the clearing the samurai witnessed one of the villagers betraying them to the Nobuserei. Heihachi wanted to step in immediately and deal with them both, but Kanbei instructed him to wait. Katsushiro crashed onto the scene, clumsily brandishing is sword at the enemy. The veterans sat back and watched as the boy finally hacked at his enemy before he was able to dispatch of him.
Kanbei marched up to the panting the boy, who was covered in grease and blood, without a word Kanbei knocked katsuhiro to the ground. Kirara covered her mouth in disbelief; meanwhile, Shino consoled her traitorous father, Manzo.
"Heihachi, take the Farmer back to the village. Kikuchiyo, bury the body and get rid of that thing." Kanbei ordered.
Heihachi glared at the farmer "Let's go" he growled at the man. And when farmer didn't move fast enough for the samurai, Manzo found himself being dragged.
"No! Wait! Please great Samurai, what are going to do?!" Shino cried chasing after them.
I am not mad. I can't be mad. I don't know him, and he doesn't know me. Besides he only said what all of them must have been thinking. So why is he still on my mind? Tomo was lost in her own thoughts. While many of the others has left to find food, she and Kyouzo still remained (its night and the torches are lit). Tomo accuracy had not been steady since early that day. Yes, she made the target, but it wasn't the in the same area every shot, her stance was perfect but her head wasn't clear. In the target all she sees is Heihachi's face.
In the distance something or someone was coming out of the forest. The shouting that followed gained the attention of the nearby audience. Tomo was bewildered to see Heihachi dragging the weeping Manzo. She can hear Shino begging for the release of her father.
What is going on? Why his Heihachi dragging Manzo? Why does he look like that? That is not Ho-Ho.
Shino had gotten hold Heihachi's unused arm, and continued to pleading, the samurai shook her off quickly. "Don't try my patience, Girl!" Heihachi yells at Shino and continues down the path.
Tomo stood there dazed until a calmer voice brought her back to her senses.
"Interesting"
Tomo turned to see a swirl of red head down the trail to the village. Kyouzo and Tomoe arrived in the village to witness Manzo's mock trial. Kyouzo casually seats himself on a rock, as if every thing was fine. Tomoe on the other hand stands just behind him, eyes wide in astonishment.
"He's a traitor, he deserves to die", Heihachi shouted. Heihachi still held the sniveling farmer in one hand; while brandishing his sword in the other, the saw-toothed edge looming dangerously close to the farmer's neck. Shino still remained close by begging for her father's life.
"Heihachi-dono don't do this, we have no right to pass judgment, on this man," Gorebei said, trying to quell the situation.
"He was selling us out to the bandits" Heihachi snarled pushing the crying Shino aside.
Tomoe stood there, solidified, where has Ho-Ho gone? Who is this Man in front of me? Tomoe was a prudent person and had not known fear since she was little girl, yet that is what the engineer samurai was invoking. The other villagers had formed a circled around the trio, and Heihachi had let Manzo go. Manzo in turn crawled to the Elder, asking for forgiveness. But even the elder's verdict was not heard, because Kikuchiyo came rushing in. "Stop!!!!!"
He pulled Manzo away from the elder and enraged Samurai "Don't you lay another and on this man, or you'll have to deal with me. Listen up. Sure we can put Manzo, here, on trail. But no one here will find him guilty. 'Cause they all sympathize with him, or would have done it themselves if they weren't so scared. Or, say we kill, Manzo, then What!? What does that prove? But is it really Manzo fault? Sure Farmers are sneaky liars, But what about you high and mighty Samurai; all your talk of honor. You're just here for the rice. You're no better than the bandits"; the red giant sat on the ground steaming at Heihachi how still had not lowered his sword.
"That is enough both of you. Manzo is not to be punished" Kanbei had arrived in time to break up the argument.
"But Kanbei-dono…" Heihachi began, but was stopped cold by Kanbei's no-nonsense glare
"Fine, do whatever" Heihachi snorted, sheathed his sword and stormed off.
Tomoe watched all this, trying to ignore the icy tingling in her feet and legs. Is this what fear feels like? I am afraid of him? But I don't know him. Or am I afraid because I want to know?
Tomoe was so lost in her swirling emotions, that she was oblivious to the events around her. She didn't hear Kanbei's final proclamation. She never saw Kyouzo leave, or the other villagers begin to disperse. She could see through a tunnel; a tunnel that began and ended with Heihachi Hiyashida, the source of her internal turmoil. As she stood there dormant and frozen, a memory crept to the surface. It was an image of Haruko telling her farewell. Haruko's voice rang in her ears, 'If Heihachi-san happens to be in your village, do me a favor and look after him. Sometimes he'll get so worked up he wont stop'. The statement was like a release valve. Instinct dedicated Tomoe's progression from lethargy into mad sprint.
"Ho-Ho!" She called after the retreating back. He did not turn around. She called out to him again and once again there was not reply.
On the third call, when the distance between them had closed she called, "Hiyashida Heihachi!"
This time the samurai did halted, and turn to face his stalker,"What?!"
His voice was still harsh and angry, devoid of its usually nonchalant mirth. Tomoe, driven by confusion, was not watching where she stepping and tripped on an exposed root, a pitched forward. The exasperated girl landed face first in the samurai's chest, her fingers fisting in the cloth of his vest, knees scraping the ground. At first neither of them said anything. Heihachi stood there listening to her breath against him, moments passed. Her proximity agitated him at first, but the longer she lingered that feeling was replaced with something else. His soul felt like a sword being cradled in its scabbard. In those few precious moments he felt secure and calm, trusted, it was luxurious. But was it a luxury he could not allow himself.
"Tomoe, get up". Granted this girl had extinguished the fires of rage with a touch; and soothed his conscience with the sound of her breath, he was not entitled to such indulgences. She could not comprehend what he was capable of.
"I can't look at you, unless you put you mask back on. I want to see the Hiyashida-dono, I know." Tomoe's voice muffled but he heard her clearly. The words bite at him, feeding the fears. His sub conscientious screaming that he should push her away; he doesn't have time to deal with this.
"How can you say something like that? You don't even know me." Wrapping his hands around her upper arms he tried to pull her up. But Tomoe has locked her muscles, causing her to become heavy like dead weight.
"I only know what you show me", Tomoe clung to the samurai, waiting to hear his familiar carefree tone.
"What do you want from me? What is this about?" She was getting heavier, and it wasn't just the weight of her body, he was feeling. Heihachi was being weighed down by mounting anticipation and expectation, he had to break free. He thought of everything she might or might not say, and adequately sarcastic remark. He grew more and more impatience with each passing second. She could not give him a quick and easy answer, (apparent by a reluctant response) and that could be dangerous. Yet the answer he finally receives would deflect every shadowy doubt he had about her.
"At best, I want to say that Hiyashida Heihachi is my friend. At worst I want to be the village girl to whom you would spare a smile." It sounds so earnest he wants to believe, but how can he. How can he not, when this girl makes him feel so at ease. As a result his defenses are left in shambles.
Heihachi exhales, and relaxes his grip on her. "Tomoe, look at me." His voice is still serious, but she can not deny his authoritative tone. She slowly raises her head. Heihachi golden eyes stare down at her. "We are at war, Tomoe, and I am Samurai, do you know what that means? It means I must do what is necessary to survive. But I will say I am sorry for what I said to you earlier"
Tomoe's eyes harden again, and developed a flaccid expression, pondering what he has just said. The pieces of the puzzle were falling into place. When she speaks again, "That means you will do everything in you power to protect this village?"
"Yes"
"Will you protect me, if I asked you to?" she asks
"Yes"
"Are you calm, now?"
"Yes"
"I accept your apology. Can you help me up?"
Once on her feet, she holds her gaze on the Samurai. "You should get back, or you'll be rushed into doing a sloppy job."
Heihachi finally gives her a smile. Heihachi felt like a puppet, under Tomoe's control; for as easily as she is able calm him; she is able to enrage him. But the final act was the over the top, restoring him and sending him into battle wearing an invisible suit of pious armor of her own design. No woman should have the ability to do what this woman has done to me.
"Tell me why followed me, Tomoe. It's not your style."
She gave him, her characteristic smirk "I came because I thought my friend, Hiyashida Heihachi, needed me."
The statement was emotionless and detached; no one could have guessed that moments ago she had been terrified. No would an outsider guess that the samurai beside her would have chopped off her head, had he been given a reason. Trust has given them a foundation for friendship, but if either pushes or pulls, it could all be ruined...
This story totally sux… I say it for you. But I am complied to write it.