A/N: And here is one that is actually serious. I struggled to keep it that way...I just have a really ironic sense of humor and it's hard for me to not put it in. Anyways, this is kind of related to The Sword of the Soul by Samuraiko. It's a really good story if you haven't read it already. Well, there's a character in it named Nasami. This is referencing to her.

So, big thanks goes to Samuraiko for one: creating a great story and character, and two: letting me use said character. I had this written for a little while, but forgot about it until today when I was killing time and scanning through fanfics. Well, this just opened a whole bunch of doors for this series so, she'll pop up once and while. So, I hope you all enjoy!

I don't own Samurai 7

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"The nerve…"

Kyuzo didn't have to look up to know who it was. He was sitting by the edge of one of the many ponds in the palace. He favored this one the most. It was not as lavish as the others, and certainly not as large, but it was peaceful and untouched by the pollution of the merchants. The silent samurai turned his gaze to his companion.

Hyogo was pacing around in frustration. His pale face was strained from his effeort to keep his emotions in check. Kyuzo continued to stare at him as he paced.

"That woman…"

Woman? Kyuzo wondered what just happened that involved a woman and Hyogo that would cause the samurai to be in such a rage. He hoped it wasn't "girl trouble." If it were, he would commit hara-kiri right then and there. However, he had a feeling it was something so much deeper. He didn't need to say anything. He didn't want to say anything.

"Kyuzo-dono."

He nodded his head once to indicate that he acknowledged him. Hyogo took a deep breath and took a seat next to the blond samurai.

"Today's events lead me to believe troubling times are ahead."

That answered nothing. Kyuzo sat patiently waiting for more. There had been word around the palace of a gathering of samurai, but he wondered why the concern.

"I will get my revenge for what happened."

So, that samurai he fought today was the real reason behind his fury. Kyuzo had heard from the assassins in Ayamaro's keep that Hyogo attempted to take whatever girl Ukyo had his eyes on and wound up retreating due to a samurai guarding the girl. There was also word that said samurai was a woman. He did not find a female samurai all that odd, but one that was able to irk Hyogo this much, deserved special notice. As he listened longer, a growing excitement began to grow inside him.

"Kyuzo-dono, we must remain alert now. Not only does the young lord still seek out that farm girl, but it appears she and the other peasants with her are under the protection of skilled samurai."

Now things were getting interesting. From the sound of things, these people sounded as though they were true samurai. While there were many in the city that claimed such a title, few would actually be able to say they have remained true. Kyuzo desired to meet such individuals in battle. For too long had he served under those who saw the samurai as just a commodity. Even those working beside him were deemed unworthy of his attention. He could tell that once, perhaps Hyogo was a samurai, but now, he had lost sight of what it meant to be a samurai and would be lost to it.

"We will be ordered to move soon. The woman…Leave her to me."

Kyuzo said nothing but slightly tilted his head. By now, it was obvious that Hyogo knew this upstart samuraiko, but the silent samurai could offer no guarantee that he would remain idle. Besides, this woman might be the type of person he had been seeking. He began to wonder who it was. From what little he knew about Hyogo's past, Kyuzo came up with a name, and it was absolutely thrilling.

"There are reports that there are five samurai among them. Of which, only three seem particularly skilled."

While he remained neutral on the outside, on the inside, the fair-haired assassin grew more excited by the moment. Perhaps now there would be that challenge he had been seeking. The age of the samurai was ending, and now was the time to live it for all its worth.

Hyogo grew silent after that and both sat in pure silence. Kyuzo turned his gaze back to the small pond and the sparkling koi swimming. The silence was interrupted when a palace messenger scurried over and bowed on the ground.

"The magistrate has requested both your presences."

After making a deep bow, the messenger stood up and scuffled off to wherever his next message took him. Hyogo sighed and flipped a chunk of hair over his shoulder as he stood up. Carefully tucking his sword in his belt he dusted off his clothing and began walking towards the main audience chamber.

Moving at a slower pace, Kyuzo also stood up, but not before staring at the scenery before him again. The perfectly manicured garden and pond remained picture perfect. As he was straightening his jacket, Kyuzo felt a soft breeze blow. The wind made soft ripples in the water and the greenery to shift back and forth. While walking away, he heard another noise.

Looking back at the pond, he saw a solitary bird standing on one of the rocks in the pond. It was a single, pure white crane. Kyuzo looked around. It was not the season for such birds to be in this region. That made the landscape all the more rare. He stared silently at the bird as it stood peacefully in the middle of the pond. Now, in Kyuzo's opinion, the scenery was perfect. The simple beauty of this small garden was far beyond the grandest gardens of even the capital.

The crane continued to stand proud on the rock as the breeze ruffled its feathers ever so lightly. Kyuzo stared at it for a moment longer before tearing his gaze away from it and answering his master's call. As he walked down the hallway, a ghost of a smirk graced his stoic features as he still saw the white crane in hi mind's eye. Now he was positive. Hyogo was right, troubling times are ahead. Just as the breeze would soon turn into a gust and then a storm, so too would today's events lead to something larger. However, Kyuzo remembered the white crane standing strong in the middle of the pond and knew that it would be worth it. For now, it was time for him to meet the crane and fulfill his life's purpose and desire.

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A/N: So, what did you think? I enjoyed writing it. The concept of cranes and symbolism and all that junk is just too cool. Anyhoo, teh whole crane inteh garden pond thing was actually inspired by a real picture I took in Japan. I was at...some famous temple that I forgot the name...and we were walking around the garden area. It had a large pond in it and as I looked around, I saw a single crane sitting on this rock in the middle of the pond. It was really pretty looking, the bird and the scenery, and I took a picture of it. the monks said it was kind of odd since they normally don't get cranes that time of year let alone just a single one. So, I happened upon that picture again, and thought it matched Nasami perfectly. So yeah, that's why I wrote it. Hope ya enjoyed!

Again, thanks so much Samuraiko!