Samurai 7 Fan Fiction ❯ Crimson Hearts ❯ Train! ( Chapter 8 )

CRIMSON HEARTS
© November 20, 2005 By Rory V. Pascual


CHAPTER EIGHT: Train!

"Ano…Kanbei-sama?"

Kanbei was securing his scabbard to his waist when he heard that low inquiring voice coming from the verandah. Turning, a small smile went up his lips, seeing Kaguyama Takeo peering at him through the opening.

"Ohayo gozaimasu, Takeo-dono," Kanbei greeted the Nobuseri as he strode out to the verandah. "I take it all is well."

The Benigumo nodded. "Better than we had hoped. None of the storeroom managers noticed the difference in the quality of the rice that we had brought."

"Then the source remains safe and secure."

"Yes. I was amazed when I arrived at the location you told me. The conditions of the place helped to preserve the grains even after such a long time." Kaguyama said in sorrow, "I just wish we did not have to deceive all those villages like this. I heard those terrible things that people have been saying about you. It's just not right. If they only knew what you've been doing for them…"

Kanbei shook his head. "It's better that they don't know. What about those villages that the Amanushi had originally attacked?"

"They're slowly but surely getting back on their feet. The seeds are responding well to that new organic fertilizer you requested the Shikimoribito to develop. Who'd ever thought that a fruit that smells so goddamn awful could make such a good fertilizer?"

"It's the compound that's making that awful smell that is the vital component for the fertilizer. I knew that the Shikimoribito, with their technology, could isolate it."

"Kanbei-sama…" the Nobuseri began hesitantly. "The Elder of Ushioda Village noticed that the rice quota we have taken from them was less than what was decreed. He begged me to give you his and his village's thanks."

There was a look of concern on the samurai's face. "I trust that he will keep his silence?"

"Yes, but he shares my sentiments."

Kanbei let out a sigh. "Good. I cannot afford my plan to be exposed so soon."

"I curse my decision to take this mechanical body," Kaguyama exclaimed. "I could've done a lot more if I were back in my original form."

"If you were not in the form of a Nobuseri, I doubt if we could have accomplished this much. I lament that many of your comrades had to perish before you could be trusted."

"It is hard to earn trust, after the abuses committed by the other Nobuseri before us." The Benigumo's voice took on a happier tone. "It pleases me, however, to hear that your friends are here. One of my troops relayed the news to me. I am more at ease that you now have good people at your side."

"I would've preferred that they had not come here at all. There is little that they could do about my current situation." Kanbei said this with downcast eyes. "Worse, they are exposed to danger as well."

The Nobuseri put in guiltily, "And I am to blame for putting you in this predicament."

"You were only following the Amanushi's orders, Takeo-dono. Let's put it this way. If it had been someone else, I doubt if I would've…tolerated…my situation." Kanbei reached out his hand to Kaguyama. "I was truly touched when you returned to check on my welfare that night you had first taken me here."

"I was worried about you," Kaguyama admitted. "When I arrived that night and I saw you on this very porch, semi-conscious, bleeding, and beaten, I came close to taking you away."

"If you had done that, you would've been blown away by the main cannon. I've noticed that the Amanushi had taken the liberty of having the motion sensors activated every night. Still, I have much to be thankful to you for. You were the one who summoned a physician for me. You're a good man, Takeo-dono."

Kaguyama's chuckle sounded like a hollow rumble. "A good man, you say? I haven't heard that for a long time. It sounds funny for a Nobuseri to be called 'good'."

In all honesty, Kanbei said, "It goes to show you can't judge a book by its cover."

"So…" The Benigumo eyed the attire of the man before him. "It is true. You've been training your friends as your bodyguards."

"Actually, I'm only training two, although they are showing promise," Kanbei gave his assessment. "As for the other four, they just need to have their present skills honed, something that every samurai requires when he's out of practice."

"The Amanushi wasn't pleased when he found out about it though. He told one of my men that he did not want to see you damaged."

"Oh, yes. I forgot he went on an inspection tour of the land with the other Nobuseri. I guess you must have heard it from Nagai-dono. That means he'll be back soon." Kanbei patted his trusty sword. "Well, I'd better go to the training area now before he does arrive."

To his surprise, Kaguyama laid his open palm on the verandah. "Come. I'll take you there."

"I don't know, Takeo-dono," the samurai mused in doubt. "Those two young warriors I am training are farmers from Kanna Village. They totally distrust the Nobuseri." Just as quickly, Kanbei changed his mind and stepped onto the Benigumo's palm. "Then again, the shock will probably do them good. Let's go then."

Kaguyama lifted the warrior up. Looking closely at Kanbei, he understood why the Amanushi was so enamored of him. The man exuded an aura that drew people to him whether he wanted to or not. His masculine beauty was also a plus factor, as well as the air of serenity that surrounded him. Here was a man resigned to accept whatever the fates threw his way – good and bad. It saddened the Nobuseri that only bad things seemed to happen to Shimada Kanbei. He did not lie when he said that he wanted to take the samurai away from this place. On that night he had found the warrior lying on the verandah, he could not fathom how Kanbei had survived the brutal rape and beating he had endured.

"Is something wrong with my face, Takeo-dono?" Kanbei asked the Benigumo. "You've been staring at me so intensely."

The Nobuseri's eyes glowed a subdued red, a sign that he was blushing. "No, it's nothing. I was just wondering why you are so determined to get rid of your friends when you know that nothing you do will convince them to do so."

Kanbei made a small shrug as Kaguyama flew off, taking him to the bow of the battleship that was the designated training ground for his friends.

Even from afar, Kaguyama could see the four men who were engaged in sparring matches. The blond samurai with a spear was putting the orange-haired, axe-wielding warrior through his paces.

Kanbei pointed to the carrot top. "Kikuchiyo there was originally a mere scholar. But my partner Shichiroji has confided in me that he can hold his own in any type of skirmish. I can only assume that my late mechanical friend had assisted him in his training. He's about the same age as Katsushiro." He nodded in the direction of the dark-haired youngster sparring with the warrior in red. "Too bad that Katsushiro does not possess the patience and even temperament that Kikuchiyo has."

Kaguyama waited for Kanbei to tell him something about the samurai in red, but he did not say anything more. Still, the strange look that Kanbei gave to the warrior did not escape his notice.

So… the Benigumo concluded inside his mind. You favor this particular samurai above the rest.

As they approached the bow, Kaguyama could now see the two farmers whom Kanbei had mentioned to him earlier. The man and young woman were running through a difficult obstacle course, firing their gun and arrows respectively at moving targets. The woman, the Nobuseri observed, had yet to learn about conserving her ammunition. It would not take long before she ran out of arrows.

As he had surmised, the woman's quiver was soon empty, and the guards surrounded her. Worse, she was distracted by their arrival. Her beautiful reddish brown eyes grew wide at the sight of their general together with a hated Nobuseri.

"What do you think you're doing, Kirara-dono?" Kanbei called out sternly. "Didn't I tell you that a weapon without ammunition could still be used as a weapon?"

That reminder galvanized the woman into action. Closing her eyes, Kirara channeled her chi into her crossbow the way Kanbei had taught her to. With a shrill battle cry, she swung her crossbow, clipping one unsuspecting guard in the jaw. Another she knocked out with a flying kick. Within a few minutes, her opponents lay unconscious at her feet.

As Kaguyama let Kanbei down, however, Kirara turned her confusion and anger on him. The others, just as curious, stopped their sparring and approached them. Only the crimson samurai lagged behind his comrades, as though he had already judged the Benigumo's character on the simple basis that he was with Shimada Kanbei. The same could not be said for the young woman.

"Kanbei-sama, have you truly lost your senses?" Kirara pointed an angry finger at the Nobuseri. "It was his ilk that nearly destroyed my village and murdered our friends!"

"Do not include this particular Nobuseri among those bandits who had ravaged Kanna." Kanbei could not hide his dismay at the woman's declaration.

The Benigumo bowed humbly to the seven samurai. "I am Kaguyama Takeo. Pleased to meet you all."

Shichiroji propped his spear against his right shoulder. "Kanbei-sama had told me about a Nobuseri who had become a good friend of his. I am glad he has found someone trustworthy in this gods-forsaken place."

"I fear that friendship is the only thing I could offer," Kaguyama said in undisguised sadness. "There is very little that I could do in this form."

"That is true," Kikuchiyo noted as he pinched his chin thoughtfully. "While the power that you possess is awesome, you are vulnerable against attack from a smaller foe."

"Yes, like a seasoned samurai or a group of brave farmers determined to defend their village."

The crimson samurai spoke up at that point. "That is true. My former lord offered to transfer my consciousness into the shell of a Raiden, but I adamantly declined." He gave Kanbei a discreet side glance. "Being human has its advantages and perks."

Kanbei quickly hid his bracelet under his sleeve as it began to glow brightly at that comment.

Rikichi warily inquired, "Why did you decide to become a Nobuseri, Kaguyama-sama?"

"I thought I would be doing the people the most good in this form," the Benigumo answered. "But as I have seen with the others of my ilk…" He used the term that Kirara had said earlier. "…Power corrupts, and it pained me to see the people's suffering because of the things they've done. I hope it will not be too late for me to show everyone that not all Nobuseri are evil."

"That is a laudable, but most difficult endeavor, Kaguyama-dono," Katsushiro commented. "You cannot earn people's trust overnight."

"I know that for a fact," the Nobuseri agreed with the young samurai. "However, I am optimistic that it is possible, if you take it one day, one step at a time. Let me start by earning your trust."

Kirara turned away huffily. "I doubt if I could learn to trust you." She gave Kanbei a dubious glare. "These past ten days, I've been having good reason to question Kanbei-sama's choice of friends."

"KIRARA-DONO!" Katsushiro exclaimed, shocked by the young woman's remark.

"Don't give me that look, Katsushiro-sama. Hei-sama was right when he said that Kanbei-sama was far too trusting for his own good."

To his credit, the Nobuseri bowed before Kirara. "I am not the least bit daunted by your distrust, Kirara-dono. I will prove my worth to you."

Everyone's eyes became round as Kyuzo suddenly burst into laughter. "I wish you luck, O Nobuseri-sama. It's been three years and that little minx never learned to trust me."

"Oh but I did learn to trust you eventually, Kyuzo-dono," Kirara began sarcastically. "When you lay in peace inside your grave."

"That was the original Kyuzo. I was sleeping inside a regenerating chamber." The crimson samurai gave his arch-nemesis a sardonic grin. "I was waiting for the day when I shall rise to torment you again, little girl."

"Don't you mean torment Kanbei-sama?"

At this query, Kyuzo's firm answer was, "Him especially."

Kanbei clapped three times to catch everyone's attention. "Enough talk! We'll have sparring matches with swords. Shichiroji, you pair off with Kirara. Kikuchiyo, you spar with Rikichi. I have to check his swing. Sorry, Rikichi, but I might have to recommend your using a sword that's much lighter than Gorobei's. Katsushiro, let's see you go at it with Kyuzo again."

Kyuzo's head whipped in the direction of the samurai, his brows knitted together in a disapproving scowl. "WHAT? AGAIN?! NOW WAIT JUST A DAMNED MINUTE!"

As he stormed over to the elder warrior, Kyuzo unsheathed both blades and laid the sharp edges on both side of Kanbei's neck like a pair of scissors. "You said that you'll be training me! Why am I always being paired with the brat?"

"Hey, Kyuzo-dono!" Katsushiro exclaimed, offended at that name. "I resent that!"

The crimson samurai looked straight into Kanbei's eyes. "How could I return to my original form if I have no one competent enough to spar with?"

"Are you saying that I am competent to be your sparring partner?" asked Kanbei with a raise of an eyebrow. "You forget that I have not held a sword in my hand for three years."

"Then we both need to train hard, right?"

Kanbei pushed Kyuzo's sword away as he strode towards the corner of the sparring platform. "I suppose you're right."

The crimson samurai took his place on the opposite corner, sheathing both swords. For a moment, they just glared at each other. Their comrades stood at the sidelines, waiting breathlessly.

Without even blinking, the two men charged at the same time, meeting halfway, their swords clashing. Kanbei used his scabbard to parry Kyuzo's second blade. As they broke apart, they began their deadly dance, their blades crossing with loud clangs as they exchanged thrusts and swings. They would leap high whenever a low cut to the ankle was attempted. Despite being a clone, Kyuzo still possessed the skills of the samurai he had been made from. As for Kanbei, time had not made any dent in his prowess with a sword, giving the younger warrior as good as he got. The only thing that was not in the older man's favor was his age. As the fight wore on, Kanbei was visibly tiring, his breath coming in heavy exhalations.

Wanting to end the match, Kanbei locked swords with Kyuzo, hoping to pry his blades out of his hands. It was a move that the crimson warrior anticipated. Moving as one, they swung their locked blades around and around. As they jerked hard, they were stunned to see their swords flying through the air, one of them embedding itself on the floor right before a fuming Amanushi.

The Amanushi's sudden appearance startled everyone that they fell to their knees. Kaguyama gave the lord a bow of obeisance. Only Kanbei and Kyuzo remained standing.

"What is the meaning of this?" the ruler demanded, storming over to the six samurai. "Why is my Consort fighting with one of you?"

"Why do you even ask that question, Amanushi-sama?" Kanbei asked in turn. "I believe you were already informed by one of your advisers that I have taken it upon myself to train my men. Having a few cuts, bumps and bruises are common in sparring matches and…"

Kanbei's head whipped to the side as the Amanushi gave him a fierce slap on the cheek, much to everyone's shock. He seized the samurai's sword.

"As my Consort, I made it perfectly clear to you that I do not permit your wielding a sword!" the Amanushi roared. "I will not have you damaged in any way!"

Kyuzo came between the angry ruler and the dazed samurai. "My lord, it was I who convinced Kanbei-sama to train us. We are skilled warriors, true. But we needed his instructions in order for us to learn from him and be able to protect him to the best of our abilities."

"Then why do you attack my beloved with such ruthlessness? One would think that you are more interested in killing him than protecting him."

"I'm afraid Kanbei-sama is out of shape as well. It was for his best interest that I asked him to spar with me so that he could regain his usual prowess with a sword and be able to defend himself. No samurai should be defenseless against his foe."

The blade flashed in the sunlight. Kanbei was horrified to see the slash across Kyuzo's cheek.

"Only I shall decide what is best for my Consort," muttered Amanushi menacingly. "You have overstepped your bounds, warrior. I shall not have insubordination among my men." Turning to two of his bodyguards, he ordered, "Give this man ten lashes!"

"NO!" Kanbei exclaimed, as Kyuzo was led towards the whipping posts. "These training sessions are my idea! I will not have you punish any of my men for something that I believed to be in their best interests!"

But Amanushi refused to listen to him. Turning to the five stunned warriors, he commanded, "Come!"

The samurai followed meekly, as the cruel ruler gripped Kanbei's arm and jerked him in the direction of the punishment posts to which Kyuzo's wrists were being secured. His red frock was ripped from his neck, baring his back.

Taking the bullwhip from his guard, Amanushi told Shichiroji and the others, "Remember this scene well, brave but foolhardy samurai. I will not tolerate any acts of insubordination from any of you. No more talk of training with my Consort. You shall train among yourselves. Do my beloved Kanbei any harm and I myself shall give you the punishment that you deserve."

The Amanushi let the whip's length fall to the ground, his hand tightening around the hilt.

"Don't do it, Tetsuo!" Kanbei begged the lord.

To this, the Amanushi only said one word, "Watch!"

The crack of the whip upon Kyuzo's back was like a pistol shot. Kanbei's jaw had dropped at the sight of the bleeding welt that formed on that creamy white skin. He winced as the whip connected again, creating another angry line. The samurai knew that, behind him, his friends were aching to go to the crimson warrior's aid. But they were helpless. As the Amanushi had said, all they could do was watch. The whip descended upon Kyuzo's back a third and a fourth time. Except for the jerking of his body, the samurai did not utter a sound.

When the Amanushi lifted the whip for the fifth stroke, Kanbei could no longer endure the terrible punishment. He stepped between Kyuzo and the ruler as the whip began to fall, his body taking that painful blow.

"KANBEI-SAMA!" Amanushi was shocked by what he had done.

Kanbei, however, had prostrated himself at the despot's feet, despite his pain. "No more, Tetsuo! I beg you! Punish me instead, but let my man go free! I am the one who is truly at fault!"

Amanushi glared at the older man before him, his body still shaking in anger. "Why do you seem to favor this samurai? Tell me! Is there something between you?"

"I am bonded to all of my friends through the experiences we had shared in Kanna Village. Rather than see them hurt, I shall gladly take any punishment that is meant for them. No matter what you say, I am still their leader."

The great lord hesitated for a moment. Then, gripping a fistful of Kanbei's hair, he yanked the samurai to his feet. Gazing at the five younger samurai, he said, "I am jealous that he cares for you so much as to allow himself to be punished in your place. But make no mistake, he belongs to me!"

Kyuzo, who was being freed from his bonds, turned at that moment, his crimson eyes widening to see Amanushi take Kanbei in a covetous embrace and bestow a heated kiss upon his lips. The others were just as shocked, that gasps were drawn from their lips.

Although the ruler eventually broke the unwanted kiss, he refused to release the older man. "You're coming with me. I have yet to give you your punishment."

Kanbei jerked his arm out of Amanushi's grasp. "I shall follow you later. I must see to the welfare of my friend first."

"You still dare to disobey me after all this?"

"It's because of me that he was punished! For the love of the gods, let me appease my conscience at least!"

With an angry snort, the Amanushi turned on his heels, his long robe fluttering at that sudden movement. "I shall be awaiting you in our chamber. I will give you only half an hour. If you are not there in that time, the next who shall suffer the lash will be that young woman."

Kirara took a fearful step backwards at that pronouncement.

Without saying anything else, the Amanushi left the training area with his retinue.

When they were finally alone, Kanbei wearily told Shichiroji, "Please take Kyuzo to the physician and have his wounds tended to."

"But what about you?" Shichiroji asked gently. "You are hurt as well."

"This is nothing. I'll be fine."

Kirara found herself bursting into tears. "I don't understand all this! Why is he treating you that way, Kanbei-sama? I cannot accept that you're…you're…."

Kanbei raised a halting hand to the girl. "Please, Kirara-dono. This is not the time. I know you abhor Kyuzo, but please. I'm begging you to take care of him in my place." For a brief second, his guilt-ridden eyes met Kyuzo's, who merely gave him a weak reassuring smile that tore at his heart. He turned to the Nobuseri. "Takeo-dono, if you will…."

The Benigumo lowered his hand for the older samurai to climb onto. Before the others could even say more, Kaguyama flew away. He gazed down at the warrior, whose head was lowered, hoping to cover his anguish. But his whole slumped posture only betrayed the pain that was tearing at his soul.

Kaguyama gently stroked Kanbei's flowing locks with his finger. "I understand now, Kanbei-sama," he said softly, knowing full well that the warrior understood his meaning. "I understand."

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