The Blazing Tempest

DISCLAIMER: This story is a non-commercial work of fiction based on the anime/manga Samurai 7. Original copyright of Samurai 7 belongs to Akira Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto, Hideo Oguni, MICO, GDH, GONZO. Absolutely no monetary gain has been made with this work.


THE BLAZING TEMPEST
By Rory V. Pascual (Edited by Saiyukihana)
© Original Version 2001; Samurai 7 Version June 24, 2006


Chapter Twenty-Five

"HAIIII!"

That fierce cry was followed by a loud crash as Shichiroji slashed the pot hanging from a rope tied to the ceiling. With a great spiraling leap, the Samurai broke four more pots, sending the clay pieces falling to the ground. There was a smug smile on Shichiroji's face as he landed on the floor, katana in hand. It has been so long since he had handled a curved blade, preferring his trusty spear above any weapon. He was pleased to see that he had not lost his touch.

"Is that the best you can do?" That snide baritone voice echoed in the sudden silence of the training salle.

Whirling around, Shichiroji saw a swift figure leap into the air, followed by the flash of a sharp sword being unsheathed. Like a spinning top, Kanbei let his sword slice through the pots, cutting them in half like melons. The half-moons of clay, one by one, began to fall, breaking on the ground. The Warrior had to duck out of the way lest the pots fall on his head.

"WATCH IT!" Shichiroji cried out as one pot missed him by a few inches.

However, as the concubine floated down, one of the pots smashed on his leg. The pain broke Kanbei's concentration that he plummeted to the ground.

Quickly, Shichiroji leaped high, catching the whoremaster easily in his arms. He saw Kanbei's eyes narrow in a wince when his left hand gripped his side. As he set the older man down, the Samurai grimaced, seeing how Kanbei favored his aching ribs and tried to
steady himself on a lame leg. Looking the concubine from head to toe, it was obvious to him that his student was not in his usual form.

"Shinno," Shichiroji demanded, "what the hell are you doing here?"

"I thought we were going to continue with our lessons?" asked Kanbei in clear annoyance.

"But it's too soon. It's only been one day of rest for you since that night. Any fool could see you're still not well. Where's that watch dog of a horse of yours anyway?"

In answer, there was the banging of hooves on the door outside.

"I guessed as much." The Samurai shook his head, letting his katana drop out of his hand. "This is not going to work. I cannot train a student who is not in good condition."

Before Shichiroji could walk away, the sharp edge of a sword blocked his path.

"Pick up your sword, Shichiroji, and fight me," Kanbei muttered menacingly.

"Don't be stupid!" The Warrior pushed the whoremaster's blade away, but Kanbei raised it again.

"FIGHT ME, DAMN YOU!" the concubine cried in frustration.

Gripping the katana with his bare right hand, the younger man wrenched it out of the whoremaster's grasp and threw it into the far corner.

"What the hell's the matter with you, Shichiroji? I thought you wanted to teach me to become a fighting whore, someone who would give your Master, the Amanushi, a good fight before he fucks me!"

"STOP SAYING THAT HATEFUL WORD!"

"What word? 'Whore'? That's what I am, remember? Thanks to you and that damned bastard, you thwarted my destiny of becoming a great warrior!"

Shichiroji turned abruptly, hearing for the first time what Kanbei's dream was. // Oh, God! He was already a respected officer, but because of me, his life was ruined!//

Kanbei continued furiously, "What do I have to do to get lessons from you? Is it the gold? Ukyo will make certain that you are paid handsomely, even for the two nights you spent caring for me. Or maybe you're concerned about our other arrangement. I may not seem well to you, but I could still lie on my back and give you pleasure, if that's what you want. It doesn't take much effort to be bedded."

The Warrior's anger gave way immediately to disappointment and sorrow. It was evident by the way his entire posture changed, his body once straight dropping to a slouch at the weight of his conscience. Shichiroji lowered his head, his face hidden in shadows.

"If I am going to train you," Shichiroji began softly, "it's not because I want to...conquer...you. I want to see you fulfill your dream. I intend to see you become a great
warrior."

"Why should you care?" The thoughtless words just escaped the concubine's lips. Kanbei felt his conscience give his heart a guilty pinch when the Warrior fell silent, his own heart stung by that cruel remark.

Hesitantly, the whoremaster walked towards the younger man, stopping before the bowed form.

"Shichiroji," he began nervously, fearing the Samurai's reaction, "I'm sorry. I did not mean to say that."

Then, Shichiroji slowly gazed up at him, anguish in his blue eyes. Getting down on his knees, the Warrior wrapped his arms around Kanbei's waist, burying his face in the older man's belly as he gave in to his tears. Kanbei was totally at a loss on what to do. With much reluctance, he placed his hands on the Samurai's shoulders, wanting to push him gently away. But his heart's dictates were stronger. Instead, Kanbei just found himself embracing Shichiroji, pulling him even closer.

"Forgive me!" the Warrior sobbed miserably. "Please forgive me!"

However, the concubine could not speak, unable to say the words that would bring peace to the man in his arms. Still, his actions betrayed his true feelings. Pulling down the veil from his face, Kanbei kissed the crown of Shichiroji's head over and over again.

// I love you, Shichiroji!// the thought sang sweetly in Kanbei's mind. // God help me that I still love you up to now…even after the betrayal, even after the rapes! //

Suddenly, Shichiroji raised his head and their lips met. Kanbei wanted to pull away, afraid that the younger man would recognize him. To his relief, they were in the dark, shadowed part of the salle. However, there was dread in his heart.

As tears filled his eyes, the concubine was already close to panicking. // He's going to take me again! When is this going to end? //

But his heart whispered, // Not this time! He's kissing you! Shichiroji never kissed you when he ravished you. //

Though Kanbei refused to believe the murmurings of his heart, his body betrayed him, melting in Shichiroji's embrace as their lips touched and their tongues clashed. He barely felt the Warrior lay him down on the floor. What suddenly registered to him was their positions. Shichiroji lay beneath him, his legs parted, accommodating the older man's body between them.

"Shichiroji?" Kanbei could not help but ask, knowing full well that there was an infinite number of positions that the Samurai could use to take him. It did not help any that Shichiroji's right hand found the ties of his breeches. Removing them, he reached inside and pulled out the whoremaster's flaccid sex.

"No!" the concubine gasped, wanting to squirm away. But the Warrior stroked the older man to hardness, easing Kanbei closer to him.

Positioning the tip of the tumescent member over his puckered opening, Shichiroji whispered, "Shinno, it's your turn now."

// WHAT?! // Those words froze Kanbei in his place.

"An eye for an eye, my student," Shichiroji explained patiently. "I give you what I have brutally taken from you." He urged the concubine to press his weeping tip to his anus, which lay ready and waiting. "Shinno, please. You could do whatever you want with me.
Don't hold back."

Kanbei was so tempted to take Shichiroji up on his offer. He wanted to hurt the Warrior, just as much as the younger man had hurt him.

With a strangled cry, the whoremaster wrenched himself out of the Samurai's grasp. "No! I can't!"

"Yes, you can!" Shichiroji argued in turn. "Shinno, you hate me! You told me so yourself! Hold on to your hate and take your revenge from me. I won't fight back."

"Shichiroji, don't ask this of me!"

The Warrior was furious. "Damn it, Shinno! Here's your chance to get even with me! I never figured you to be a coward! Go on! Take me!"

"I can't!" the concubine shook his head roughly.

"Why not?"

"Be...because..." Kanbei stammered as he began to weep. "BECAUSE I'M NOT LIKE YOU!"

Saying this, the concubine fled from the salle, nearly bumping into Moeru outside, running blindly through the torturous hallways of the Palace. The servants and the guards frowned as the Amanushi's prized whore ran past them. Kanbei tore his turban from his head and ripped the silk veil from his face. The garments fell at Gorobei and Masamune's feet. The two men picked them up, gazing sadly at the distraught whoremaster.

Reaching his chamber, Kanbei ran inside, slamming the door shut behind him. In frustration, he began tearing his clothes to shreds, shouting "I'm not like you!" over and over again. When his fine garments were reduced to nothing more but rags, he dropped to the floor on his knees, his whole body bent, arms wrapped tightly around him. The concubine wailed in anguish, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Kanbei's eyes fell upon the mirror at his side, hanging on the wall. He saw the brand that Ukyo had seared onto his skin.

"I'm not like you, Shichiroji. I could never be like you," Kanbei sobbed in despair. "I'll always be a whore! Always!"

~~~~~~~~~~

Hours later, the whoremaster woke up to the sound of his chamber door opening. He was surprised to find himself in bed, dressed in a robe. Somehow, during his grief-stricken state, he had fallen asleep on the floor, and Gorobei and Masamune came and lifted him up on the bed. Night had already fallen. As a shadow appeared at the curtains at the foot of the bed, Kanbei swiftly placed the veil over his face. Beside him, the curtains parted and a dark figure loomed above him. The figure raised a small candle, revealing Shichiroji's smiling, yet haggard, face.

"Hello!" he greeted the concubine, with a tinge of sadness in his voice. "I thought I'd check up on you before I go."

That last startled Kanbei. "Go? Go where? Are you leaving?"

Shichiroji shrugged. "There's no point in my staying here any longer. I cannot stay in one place with a person who doesn't trust me, who has lost all hope that his life could still change if he could only learn to trust me again. I don't want to see the future of the man I love ruined, that he won't be able to fulfill his dream. It...it would just break my heart."

A wistful smile formed on Shichiroji's face. "But despite the things that have happened, I'm still happy...for those wonderful desert nights I spent with you. I'm happy that, during these past two days, you allowed me to take care of you."

The whoremaster saw the glimmer in Shichiroji's eyes. Soothingly, he patted the younger man's hand. Shichiroji took it in his grasp and squeezed it gently. The Warrior looked at Kanbei thoughtfully. Then, he raised the candle again and blew out the light, plunging both of them into darkness. Fear suddenly seized Kanbei's heart and he wanted to flee, but Shichiroji held on to his hand reassuringly.

As Shichiroji embraced him, Kanbei tensed up, more so, when the Samurai's hand reached for his veil. The concubine grabbed the younger man's wrist, shaking his head frantically.

"Please!" Shichiroji whispered. "I've blown out the candle. The torches have died down. It's too dark for me to see your face. Let me touch you one last time. I swear I won't hurt you."

Kanbei hesitated for a moment. Then, in complete submission, he released Shichiroji's wrist, letting his arms fall limp at his sides.

~~~~~~~~~~

Shichiroji could feel the whoremaster's body trembling beneath. // He's so
afraid of me! // he mused in dismay.

Slowly, he peeled off the veil. His fingers caressed the forehead, feeling the lines.

// My beloved Kanbei has so many troubles, // the Warrior concluded in sorrow, // and I'm the cause of most of them. //

Shichiroji let his fingers glide down to the thick eyebrows, teasing the tiny hairs, before tracing the bridge of the fine nose. His hands cupped the smooth cheeks and was surprised to find them wet. Going up, his fingertips caressed the closed eyelids, with its long lashes. As he guessed, the older man was indeed crying.

"Do not weep, Shinno," Shichiroji said soothingly. "Don't be afraid."

But the more the concubine wept. As the tears trickled down on the Warrior's hands, Shichiroji felt an ache in his heart.

Gently, he pressed his lips to Kanbei's full ones. At first, the whoremaster stiffened in his embrace. However, Shichiroji was tender and sweet, teasing those luscious lips with his tongue, coaxing the older man to relax.

As the Warrior's hands descended, he lifted Kanbei's robe off his shoulders, letting the soft garment slide down his arms. It was then that his fingertips brushed over the brand on the concubine's right shoulder. Kanbei gasped, wanting to squirm away, but Shichiroji pulled him closer.

The Warrior gritted his teeth. // How could Ukyo do this to him? That beast! //

"You have nothing to be ashamed of," he reassured the concubine. "This was forced upon you by an evil man. This mark...it doesn't say who you truly are."

"And who am I, Shichiroji?" asked Kanbei timidly.

"A man who would someday become a great warrior."

Carefully, he traced the loathsome mark on Kanbei's right shoulder with his fingertips. "This isn't real, Shinno," Shichiroji repeated firmly. "This is not who you are."

Something hard, brushing against his thigh, distracted the Warrior. Reaching down, he grasped the concubine's genitals. Kanbei's cock was fully erect, impressive in its length. The scrotum with its round, hefty balls were just as magnificent.

Shichiroji could nott help the chuckle that escaped from his lips. "Looks like you're not really 'little' after all, Little Taisho."

Before the older man could pull away, the Warrior took his cock in his hand. Kanbei shook his head frantically, his hair flying, that Shichiroji could smell the sweet scent of roses.

Feeling the man's hands on his chest, Shichiroji warned, "Don't push me away. I have a good hold on it. You might get hurt."

There was a dismayed whimper and then soft sobbing.

Shichiroji smiled. "Shinno, I only want to give you pleasure this time, the same way you had pleased me."

At these words, he began stroking the concubine's cock, starting from the base going towards the weeping tip. Kanbei moaned, feeling himself aroused further by the fondling of his member.

When he was hard enough, Shichiroji bent down and took the whoremaster's organ in his mouth. Kanbei cried out, as Shichiroji's head was buried between his legs. The Warrior licked the sensitive tip and then let the length slide down his throat until he reached the base, his nose taking in the musky scent of Kanbei's scrotum and the sable curls at his crotch. His mouth and tongue tormented the concubine's body, bringing him to the heights of ecstasy. Reaching the peak, Kanbei screamed, spilling his seed inside Shichiroji's mouth.

Releasing the young man, Shichiroji smiled, hearing the concubine breathing heavily on the bed.

"I hope I have pleased you," he said softly.

Hearing these words, Kanbei gasped, shocked by what had just happened. With a mewling cry, he covered his face with the veil, clambered off the bed and retreated behind the dressing screen.

Shichiroji felt his heart sink, seeing the kneeling form. Taking Kanbei's flight as a sign of rejection, he said sadly, "Forgive me. It was presumptuous of me to think that I could win your trust that way. I'm leaving now. There's no need for me to stay here. I've left the gold you had paid me with Masamune. I wish I could give back the...other...things I took from you. Again, I'm sorry. I hope you could learn to forgive me someday."

~~~~~~~~~~

Kanbei was panting for breath behind the screen. // Did that just happen? I...I never knew it could be like that -- to be loved, not abused. Shichiroji...could it be possible that he is telling the truth? No, it can't be! But what if all this is true? That he DOES love me? //

Then, he heard Shichiroji speak. His heart stopped, hearing the words, "I'm leaving now."

The concubine acted at once. With trembling fingers, he swiftly lighted the torch at his side. Picking up the first things he saw on his dresser, Kanbei moved around the screen and ran towards the Warrior.

~~~~~~~~~~

Shichiroji looked curiously at the older man standing before him.

"Shinno?" he asked. "Is something wrong? What is it?"

The concubine raised the thing he held in his hand to the Warrior. In the torch light, Shichiroji knew immediately what it was.

"A chessboard?" the Warrior queried, even more confused. "What am I going to do with a chessboard?"

Then, Kanbei handed him two ivory chest pieces -- the White King and Queen. He opened his own palm to reveal the Black King and Queen. The whoremaster stammered, "Do...do you know how to play chess, Shichiroji? It's been a long time since I played...."

Shichiroji cocked a disbelieving eyebrow up. "Are...are you trying to tell me that you want me to play chess with you?"

Kanbei quickly nodded his head.

"Are you sure?"

The whoremaster nodded again, smiling, although he knew the Warrior could not see his face.

Shichiroji beamed with happiness. "Certainly! I'll play chess with you!"

As Kanbei hastened to set up the pieces of the board, the Samurai felt the weight of guilt in his heart ease a bit.

"Shinno?" Shichiroji called softly.

The concubine turned to look at him, humming a questioning note.

With a gracious bow, Shichiroji said, "Thank you. Thank you for inviting me to play chess with you."

~~~~~~~~~~

Kanbei saw the sparkle of joy in the Warrior's bright blue eyes.

// Does winning my trust mean so much to him? // the concubine pondered. For a moment, he had his doubts, but a tiny voice inside him told him that he had made the right decision. // Well, I'll find out in the long run. I've already made the first step. There's no turning back for me now. //

Shichiroji squeezed his hand gently, bringing him out of his thoughts. As the whoremaster's eyes fluttered open, he saw the reassuring smile on the younger man's face...and something else. A glimmer of the man he once knew.

Kanbei's heart acted on its own accord. Before he knew he was doing so, the concubine gave the Samurai a desperate embrace.

"Don't leave me, Shichiroji," he whispered, a tear falling from his right eye. "Please don't leave me."

"I won't leave you, Shinno," Shichiroji answered, hugging him just as tightly. "I'll never leave you or hurt you again."


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