Disclaimer: I do not own Samurai Jack.

Author's note:

I'm not a fan of OC's, but I do want to practice building strong characters and developing personalities that aren't created for the soul purpose of pairing with a canon character.

I personally like developing friendship, it makes the small hints of affection even more meaningful.

Inspiration: I wanted to create a story promoting diversity and acceptance. My two biggest inspirations were the show itself and my own background. One of the most admirable aspects of "Samurai Jack" was taking a character who was born and raised in a land rich in tradition and honor, and had him travel, train, and learn from cultures different than his own. It really speaks of a person who is so honorable that they keep their own traditions and customs, but still respect and honor those that are different then their own, as strange as they maybe.

I come from a multiracial background, so I wanted to create a story where he comes across someone who is once again different then himself, but not completely. Someone who's family stems from the same ancestry as his own, but yet still very we are told is the norm and what it beautiful, might not always been the eyes of all, and even those who are deeply rooted in tradition, might think the most beautiful thing in the world are the things most different then themselves. Almost like a breath of fresh air. I wanted to do this through genuine friendship other then anything forced or out of character.

Enjoy

Informalities: 2

Sword unsheathed and ready for battle, the samurai's eyes observed his surroundings, anticipating the approaching attack. Keeping his focus ahead of him, he slowly extended his hand out in front of where he believed his two newly established friends stood.

"Do not move." Said the samurai in a low hush of a whisper. "Stay behind me closely, and whatever you do-

He turned to see that both the girl and her pet had both vanished. The sound of ruffling branches from above fallowed by the falling of torn leaves were the only things the two left in their place. Raising an eyebrow, Jack looked up towards the top of the trees to see nothing but the black silhouettes of branches pressing against the yellow sky.

"How did they…?" He began to question himself, only to be interrupted by the sound of branches being broken from back down below, right in front of him.

A low, raspy cackle bellowed from the forest. Jack prepared himself as the stranger approached.

"Not bad for such a low target." Snickered a large man stepping out from the bushes.

"But then again a old pro like myself never misses his mark."

Jack was overwhelmed by the appearance of this man. His height was towering, much taller than Jack. His hair was thick, black and parted in two. The top being tightly pulled back and tied, the bottom fell freely down his back. His eyes appeared like black glass when he curled his dry lips into a snickering smile, revealing stained yellow teeth from years of smoking.

However, what really caught the Samurai's interest was the armor the man was wearing. Deep red and gold plates combat armor, covering his shoulder, chest and legs. It was clear to Jack that this man was also of the Asian decent as well. It was the distinct build of the armor and the symbols that confirmed his origin. They were in Jack's native language.

This man was a solider in Nihon no gunji- teki, the military of Japan.

Gripping his worn and battle scared bow tightly in his hand, the man destroyed any small living thing that crawled across the green grass or burrowed in the soil. His massive footsteps, fallowed by the clanking of armor, thundered now that he was exposed to the open air.

"Nice day for a little game of hide and seek. Gives me something to do rather than just watching the leaves turn." The man said in a grimly tone of voice, looking up in the trees. He walked towards the tree his arrow had pierced. To Jack's amazement, the man didn't even to acknowledge Jack was there. Such unorthodox conduct for a soldier. Very disturbing.

"Excuse me?" Jack began, trying to gain the attention of the towering soldier. Not only did Jack gain no acknowledgement but to Jack's horror, the soldier took his beaten bow and shoved it against Jack's chest.

"Here." Said the soldier, not taking his eyes away from the top of the trees. "Hold this." He grunted. His tone of voice held no hint of any intimidation whatsoever.

Now Jack had been insulted before. He had been ridiculed, attacked, hunted, spat on and more, but never had he come across an opponent so disrespectful that they would deliberately 'ignore' him as if he were no threat at all. What nerve.

"You know they really underestimate you back in Valley. They certainly don't give your abilities enough credit." With his large hand, he took hold of the arrow and ripped it like a brittle twig from the wood. "But I know better than that."

Not understanding this man's intentions, Jack took a step towards him.

"Sir. Kindly state your busin-

"Shh…" hushed the soldier. Jack was less then appreciative to be receiving such treatment from this man.

"I take it she pulled the wool over your eyes pretty tightly, eh?" the soldier asked Jack, keeping his focus on the treetops. "Talked you into taking her right out of the Valley?"

Confused, Jack looked up at the treetops searching for the young girl and her pet, fearing that this man was endangering them. Allowing his eyes to fall back on the man, Jack answered.

"No. She did not. We only just met." He assured.

The solider smiled. His thin black mustache touched the tip of his bulbous nose. Cheeks fat and scared with countless pockmarks. This man was certainly a sight to see.

"Hmm. I should have figured. She wouldn't have the patients to be escorted. Makes this even more of a challenge for me. I love it."

Jack raised an eyebrow.

"Sir. Are you…" he began, allowing his eyes to dart back and forth, trying desperately to find the girl. "Are you…hunting this you woman?"

"No. It's a game." The soldier said in a slow voice. Cracking his large knuckles with his thumbs, the large soldier finally gave Jack a quick glance. "I see you're not from the Valley, so you've never seen the wall."

Leaning down to pick up the strand of beads that had been caught in the soldier's arrow, Jack questioned.

"Wall?"

"Surrounding the outside of the Valley. Sixty-six yards, roughly two hundred feet tall. Only way out is right through the front gate, but even then she wouldn't make it passed the guards. So tell me?" He began as he slowly placed his large hand on the tree he had pierced.

" How, without using any rope, no signs of spikes being driven in the wall or ANY use of equipment whatsoever, would a young girl continuously end up on the other side?"

Jack didn't respond. The tone of the man was not that of questioning, but rather rhetorical. He knew the answer all along.

"She climbs." The man said with a cold smile. "Like her little primate friend would a tree. Quite entertaining for her neighbors in Taiyo, but they're all just fools."

There was yet another ruffling in the trees. With out even looking, the soldier reached behind him and snatched the bow that he had so rudely shoved into Jack's arms.

"The most foolish among them being her grandfather, may he rest in peace? Teaching her the disciplines of our race, not knowing how it would counteract with her mixed blood. Poor girl can't handle a sword to save her life."

High from up above, a pair of dark eyes peeked through the green leaves, scanning the ground, unseen from the two men below.

"It can be quite lovely. Even in the most skilled exhibitions I have never seen acrobatics as the ones she uses." Jack noticed a sudden twitch in the man's black glossy eyes. They were fixed on one lone area in the trees. The samurai then reached for his sword.

Slowly raising the bow and lining up his shot, the solider focused his eyes.

"Gracefully executed. Like watching a swan before it dives under the water for it's meal."

The creaking sound of a string being pulled and strained filled the air. Just as then tension in his finger was about to release, a hand suddenly gripped his large forearm.

Looking through the corner of his eye, the large man saw that it was Jack.

"I am afraid I can allow you to take your shot." Jack said sternly.

Chuckling, the large man twisted his head so that he was looking Jack dead in the eye.

"I would seriously reconsider your next move, my friend. This arrow isn't meant to kill." He warned coldly. "But it can be."

"I would reconsider yournext move, Chui-Dai!" A voice called from behind the two men. Although this startled both, Jack was the only one who turned to see who had just spoken. It was clear that this man already knew who it was.

A younger man emerged from the forest walls. His armor, although similar to the other man's, Jack observed that he was of a higher rank. His features were much sleeker and defined. His face; clean cut and shaven, with nothing but a lone scar that crossed the bridge of his nose reaching right under his eyes. Most likely a wound received battle. His hair, thick and black but only went to his neck and was held back by a metal band across his forehead. Perhaps he was some form of officer aswell.

Rolling his eyes and lowering his bow, the large soldier sighed and slowly turned around to face his superior.

"A thousand pardons, Sencho Kin." The man said with a bow. "The men informed me that they caught sight a civilian outside the Valley walls. I decided to see to the matter personally."

"Is that so?" The young man asked folding his arms. "And you planned tohandle the matter through execution? "

"I-I was simply trying to startle them." The soldier assured in a nervous voice. "This is no ordinary civilian, my Captain. You of above all would know this."

"I know all too well." He said looking up into the trees. "That is why I warned you to reconsider your next move."

Raising an eyebrow, the towering man finally stood up straight with a look of confusion.

"And…why is that…Sir?" He asked spitefully.

Jack watched as the young captain eyes looked towards the trees and, scanning their patterns.

"Because while you were aiming over there…" He began, pointing a figure in the direction where the Lieutenant aimed his arrow. "She was over there." He finished, pointing in the opposite direction. "Waiting for you to take your shot and make your move so she could make hers."

From where the Captained had pointed, a hand popped out from between the branches and began to twiddle their fingers in a wave.

The Lieutenant's eyes squinted as he scratched the back of his head, trying to figure out how he could have miscalculated. Dojo suddenly popped his head out from where he was aiming. He smiled at the puzzled Lieutenant, and began to wave mischievously.

Upon seeing this display, the Lieutenant snickered.

"I don't suppose you would mind if I hunt for dinner while I'm out here, Captain." He hissed, raising his bow and aiming to where Dojo hid. "I haven't had monkey in years."

Hearing this, Dojo quickly ducked his head back inside the branches.

"You will have to do that on your own time." The captain stated. "Right now you are to return to your post."

"But-Sir…" The Lieutenant protested. "The civilian!"

During their discussion, Jack was able to observe these two military men. The Lieutenant, large, sly and unrefined, held very little respect for his commanding officer. The Captain was much younger, to Jack's surprise. His father must have been of great importance, or maybe this young man was truly talented in military tactics. This young man couldn't have been much younger than he, probably roughly the same age. Perhaps this was why the Lieutenant's demeanor held very little professional conduct towards him.

"I will handle everything from here, Lieutenant Dai. Tend to your men outside the Valley. Do not forget we have a duty to the people of Taiyo. You are dismissed." Said the Captain.

"But, Sir, I must respectfully dissa-

"That is an order, Lieutenant Dai." The young man said coldly.

Jack heard a long breath escape from the Lieutenant's nostrils. His large hands balled into fists as he grinded his teeth in anger.

"Yes, Captain." He finally answered as he bowed. Standing up straight, the large Lieutenant gave Jack a quick smirk as he turned and disappeared within the forest walls.

Sighing, the Captain turned and faced Jack.

"You will have to forgive my comrade. He is a talented soldier, but very unstable. He believes in politics over principle." The young man than bowed. Jack did the same.

"It is an honor, Sencho Kin, to meet someone with similar ancestry as my own." Jack said with a small smile.

The young Captain smiled, but then began to eye Jack confusingly.

"I don't suppose you are an officer from a neighboring country." He asked, studying Jack's clothing. Slowly shaking his head, Jack answered.

"I was simply passing through-err-that is, until I came across a very peculiar individual that I am assuming is a civilian from your homeland."

Sighing the captain relaxed his shoulders and once again set his attention back to the trees.

"Unfortunately she is."

With his lips curling into a small smile, the young Captain then raised his hand to his mouth

"That would have been a very amateur move, Noriko!" He shouted loudly towards the trees.

"Noriko?" Jack thought to himself. "Was that her first name? Well that was far more appealing than Nikki!"

"A warrior who upholds honor never attacks from behind!" The Captain finished.

Jack nodded. This was very true. The 'Samurai' represented the symbol of honor. Never would Jack attack an adversary from behind. If he were going to engage in battle, his opponent would always know that he was coming.

After a quick sound of rustling branches, the form of a young girl came pouncing down from the tall trees, landing with a loud thud, with her pet, Dojo, fallowing behind her.

Standing up straight, the young girl began to pull various leaves and twigs that had gotten tangled in her massive head of black curls.

"First of all, HEattacked ME first!" She stated very bluntly. "And second, it's NIKKI! We've been over this how many times?"

"You are not supposed to be outside of the Valley walls! We've been over that countless times!" Answered the Captain, folding his arms.

It was clear that these two had some sort of established civil relationship, for the lack of respect for an officer that was heard in her tone was all too clear for Jack, though it didn't even seem to phase the Captain. Placing her hands on her hips, Nikki walked the captain with her nose purposely stuck in the in the air, Dojo mimicking her on her shoulder.

"You can cut the formalities, Kin, there aren't any soldiers around to judge you for talking to me."

The Captain sighed and lowered his head, shaking it in disapproval.

"You will respect this armor, Noriko Oita, and what it stands for. You will respect me and you will respect the laws of our people. Citizen's are -

"Not allowed to travel beyond the Taiyo Valley walls unless accompanied by a military official."

They both said in unison.

Nikki folded her arms and shot the Captain an annoyed look.

"Yes I know the stupid protocol, Kin. You only shove it down all of our throats every blessed day!"

"It is law! And you continue to break the law!" The young Captain stated, raising his voice. "You are endangering yourself and your home. You continue to go against everyone and everything that are simply trying to protect you!"

The young girl only rolled her eyes and turned her back to the Captain, flinging her hair over her shoulder as she did so. Jack caught glimpse of her eyes and how they were so rudely pressed against the sky as the Captain was speaking to her. What attitude she held in her posture. Such disrespect.

"You are growing more careless, Noriko. Chui -Dai is not the man you want to be coming after you when while you are out here. It is NOT safe to be out here by yourself."

"I wasn't by myself!" Nikki shot back. She then quickly walked over to Jack and stood by his side. "I was with him! He's a-

She stopped and looked at Jack from top to bottom, trying to figure out just what exactly he was. Folding her arms, she then directed her eyes back at the Captain.

"He's a MONK!" She shouted confidently.

Not wanting to interrupt the conversation, Jack gently attempted to correct her.

"Well, you see miss, I am not a-

The Military Captain relaxed his shoulders and slowly exhaled. Clenching his hands in a first he slowly looked up at the young girl.

"Noriko. I am an Officer first and a friend second. I cannot continue to switch that around. If you continue to disobey me then I will be forced to take severe action.

You have abused my kindness for too long, Noriko. Far too long."

"Kindness from you doesn't mean anything to me anymore,Kin." She stated very coldly, shaking her head in disgust. "Because it's nothing but the pity fueled from your inflated ego of your newly appointed position. How's the view from your high pedestal, Captain Kin? Is it a nice place?"

That did it. Jack saw it.

Angered filled the young man's eyes as he clenched his hands into fists.

"You certainly forget your place." He spoke through his teeth.

Through the corner of Jack's eye he saw Nikki look down to the ground. He noticed that Dojo was looking at him over her shoulder, but when Jack gave him his attention, the monkey looked away. Kicking a small stone with her toes, she finally lifted her head.

"My place." She said almost sadly. "Right."

There was then an awkward silence between the three of them. Poor Jack wouldn't have been able to get a word in edge wise if he tried.

"We better head back to Valley before sun down. We don't want your Grandmother to worry." Said Kin, not responding to her last statement. Something then caught the Captain's eye. There, beside the large and sprawled out on the grass lay Nikki's cloak. Walking over and picking it up, the Captain raised any eye to her.

"Another one of you master disguises?" He questioned, feeling the cheap material through his fingers. Holding it up in front of him, he scanned it puzzlingly.

"What were you attempting to be here? A witch?"

"A hag woman!" She yelled as she shoved passed Jack. She stomped over to where the Captain stood and snatched the cloak from his hands. "And possibly be a nun." She mumbled under her breath.

"You are a child." The Captain bluntly stated. "Now start moving."

Giving him a dirty look, she snapped her head around took off down the dirt path that separated the forest in a huff. Dojo sat backwards on Nikki's shoulder, staring at Jack as he grew smaller and smaller in the distance. Smiling a little, Jack raised has hand and waved, only to receive the loud, sloppy sound of a tongue between lips.

Shaking his head, the Captain gave Jack a frustrated glance.

"I apologize if she's disrupted your travels in anyway. She's a nice kid, but as stubborn as a mule."

Making sure his sword was still intact and to his left, Jack closed his eyes and smiled.

"No my friend. Do not worry."

The sun was going down in the distance and the shadows of the trees began to paint the ground like black ink. The air had become cool and was filled with the songs of the nightly creatures. Jack knew that he would most likely be spending one more night in this forest.

"If you continuing heading east you will eventually reach a river. Once across it's only a few miles until you reach a small city. You should make it by morning."

Soaking in the information, Jack smiled and bowed respectfully and the military captain did the same. "Thank you my friend."

The two then went their separate ways.

After such an ordeal of characters, Jack was glad to have finally moved one, even if he was barefoot. It was such an odd day and he couldn't believe he spent most of it in one area of the forest. Leaning his head backward and taking a deep breath, Jack inhaled the sweet silent cool air. Finally. A time for peace.

How interesting it was to have come across such an entertaining group of characters. A strange thieving spider monkey who made it painfully clear that he did not care for Jack at all. An even stranger young girl, who disobeyed rules and climbed trees. A very crude lieutenant and a young army captain. All connected somehow by the strict rules of one 'Taiyo Valley'.

Closing his eyes, Jack shrugged. There was no point in dwelling about it. However, the rudeness of that strange girl continued to bother him. How she spoke to an officer of the Military like that he would never understand. In fact, the only reason Jack had any troubles today was because she disobeyed the laws of her home. If she would have remained with in the set boundaries of her Valley, then his sword would have never been stolen, his sandals would have never been broken, and he would have been out of this forest disarray hours ago. Feeling the sharp stones and twigs, Jack sighed in frustration and looked down at the bare tops of his feet. An image of that odd girl flashed through his head and all of his blame suddenly directed itself at her. All of her poor behavior, her insults, all of it flooded his mind.

But then he remembered her kindness as well.

As a cool wind blew through Jack's gi, chilling him, he knew his frustration was only caused from his exhaustion.

He remembered her offer to have his sandals repaired. The bright yellow flowers she collected for her grandmother. They were probably scattered all over the forest by now. He remembered how she tried so hard to hide a smile simply because he had said something nice. Or how her mood completely changed once she had her beads back in her-

Jack stopped. He then reached into gi and pulled out the beads that he had picked up after the Lieutenant shot his arrow. Breathing for a moment, Jack knew he had to return them. He saw how frightened she became when she thought it was gone. Running his thumb over the cool texture of the beads, Jack slowly turned around and headed in the opposite direction he had been traveling.

Waiting for yet another morning to arrive to bring him another day closer to his goal, rather then two days back.