Hello there, Internet. I decided to be a nice person and update the story on the holidays. So happy holidays and enjoy! :D
Kirara looked down to her glowing water crystal and clenched her fist. She was going to find another samurai soon. She wondered why Kambei refused to allow Katsushiro or Kiku become the next samurai. At least they had Heihachi, Gorobei, and Kambei. Now there were plans to go find Kambei's old partner in war.
After several… complications, they finally reached the Firefly Inn where they found a man by the name Shichiroji, Kambei's "mate". They had a lovely night with dinner and a relaxing bath before heading for bed. Kambei and Shichiroji spoke during the night. The blonde samurai had a soft singing voice that complimented his instrument playing. The sound floated gently in the air. But it looked like anywhere the samurai went, trouble always seemed to follow.
Kikuchiyo came out of nowhere yelling at the top of his lungs with the samurai hunters behind him. Shichiroji quickly distracted them and the team fled to a secret passageway underneath the floorboards. Shichiroji had a calm but teary goodbye with his fiancée. With a strong push, he set the boat in motion. Kambei always looked out for even the slightest distraction. "Well, will you look at that." Roji said after a moment. Everyone could see the vast Metal City that was swarming with Guardians. Komachi whimpered and clung to Kirara in fear.
The Nobuseri burst out from all directions, completely surrounding the samurai. Their hands flew their blades immediately and they stood posed for battle. "Gorobei, protect Lady Honoka and Rikichi." Kambei ordered. "You got it." Gorobei replied. He guided the farmers to a safe corner and fought from there.
It didn't take long for the Nobuseri to attack and fight the most formidable samurai in the land. But it took the assistance of one particular samurai in red. Kyuzo sliced an entire Bandit into bits and pieces. "Only I will have the honor of killing you." He said. Kambei smirked for only a second before the rest of the samurai rushed to his side. He demanded that they let Kyuzo go and they did, but none of them were too happy about it.
"How did they know we were here?" Shichiroji asked, though he kind of knew the answer. "I don't know, let's ask Lady Honoka." Heihachi replied, ice coating his voice. "What?! How can you blame her like that? Have you forgotten what happened to her?" Rikichi asked and his fists clenched. "It's fine, Rikichi… I led you all here just for… m-my little s-sister." Honoka said as tears filled her eyes. Heihachi looked away in disgust and got up. Kambei had his fingers on his chin for thought, Gorobei looked plain surprised, and Shichiroji raised an eyebrow.
Heihachi unsheathed his sword and stood over Honoka. He looked infuriated and was ready execute her. A hand on his shoulder stopped him. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. It is not a samurai's job to execute or punish." The voice was delicate and definitely feminine. The orange haired samurai turned in annoyance but suddenly paused. Before him was a female samurai with lengthy hair and a uniform that dated back to the Great War. "Who are you?" Rikichi asked. "I am Kyoshi Yanaihara… it is an honor to meet the samurai I have heard to much about during the war." She said with a small bow. "I take it you are the infamous Violet Assassin?" Kambei asked.
"Yes, I am."
"May I ask why you are out here?"
"I wanted to join this humble journey."
"How did you know about it?"
"Word gets around quickly in the right places… One tends to hear many things if they've been around long enough."
"Your worth needs to be proven. Perhaps a battle will suit you."
"I agree. There will be a battle down there soon. I can sense it. It would do you all well to follow me."
Kiyoshi suddenly darted off in the direction of Hyogo and the Nobuseri. She didn't know Kyuzo was there but thought she had seen someone familiar. She hid behind a boulder and peeked out from the side. Her heart nearly stopped. There he was, blonde hair and all. "It's Kyuzo… oh my god…" He stood still with two enemy blades on either side of his neck. Kiyoshi started shaking as her eyes began tearing up. But she knew she had to pull herself together and help him. She could see Kambei and his group standing from afar.
She released the blades on her vambraces and sprinted forward. With a silent leap, she soared into the air and sliced straight through a Bandit, immediately drawing attention to herself. Kiyoshi sheathed the short blades and took out her glimmering sword as the Bandits rushed towards her. She back flipped over one and sent her blade through it. With quick, nimble steps and graceful sword movements, every Bandit lay destroyed on the ground. Hyogo seethed in frustration and shot at her with his gun. She calmly dodged the bullet and ran towards the black haired samurai. Every shot he took, Kiyoshi dodged and destroyed them.
She vaulted up from underneath Hyogo and split his gun in two before kicking him straight in the face. Kiyoshi sheathed her sword and used her martial arts to weaken Hyogo. In a breathless swipes, she began using her vambrace blades to make cuts here and there. With a tight and elegant spin, she thrust a blade right through Hyogo's heart. He gasped and coughed before Kiyoshi roughly flung him to the ground.
With satisfied sigh, she spun around and ran towards Kyuzo. He was looking at her with wide eyes and was trembling a bit. Kiyoshi hesitantly took hold of his cheeks and was crushed into his hug, but she could've cared less. She was finally with Kyuzo again, and that's all that mattered. She hugged him back just as tightly as he was holding her. "I-I… I thought you were dead…" Kyuzo mumbled softly as he breathed in her familiar rosy scent. "I thought you were killed… I missed you so damn much…" Kiyoshi replied. Kyuzo gently clenched Kiyoshi's curly hair and pulled her closer. "All that matters is that you're here with me, Kiyoshi…"