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 18, 2006


Chapter Thirty-Five

Something was terribly wrong. Shichiroji could feel it in his gut. These past few days, he had seen less and less of the concubine, who has been spending more time with the Amanushi and his men. Judging from Moeru's angry whinnying, the Samurai was convinced that Kanbei was up to something. The question was WHAT? The whoremaster had not confided with either Masamune or Gorobei, although Shichiroji had been furious with the Watcher for having shown the concubine his predecessor's chronicle and the plans of the Palace. He tried getting answers from Kikuchiyo, but the mechanical samurai proved cryptic.

"Shichinoji, this is something that Kanbei must work out alone," Kikuchiyo had told him.

Driven by worry and concern, Shichiroji decided to approach Kanbei directly, but the concubine was very evasive, avoiding any situation wherein he would be alone with the younger man.

One night, the Samurai had successfully cornered Kanbei in the hallways as he was heading for Ukyo's chamber. Before the whoremaster could take the opposite direction, the Warrior trapped him between his arms propped on the wall.

"Why are you avoiding me, Kanbei?" Shichiroji went straight to the point. "I just want to talk to you."

"Forgive me," Kanbei apologized, but unable to look into the younger man's face. "I have duties to attend to."

"Did Ukyo forbid you to see me or to talk to me?"

"No, he didn't but...I'm sorry. I'll see to it that I go to your chamber tomorrow night."

Shichiroji gripped Kanbei's arms, fingers digging into his skin. "I don't want that. Kanbei, what are you up to?"

The concubine turned his face away, the guilt apparent in his expressive brown eyes. "Nothing."

"Nothing, my ass! What the hell have you been doing?"

"Serving my Masters! Isn't that what I'm supposed to do?"

"Are we back to your usual bullshit about being a whore?"

Kanbei exclaimed in frustration, "Why are you making it so damned difficult for me?"

"I'M making it difficult for you?" asked Shichiroji aghast. "Why do I have to do anything to make life difficult for you? You're doing it on your own!"

"All I want is to be left alone -- to be able to work out my problems on my own. Is that too difficult for you to understand?"

"And tell me -- just how are you 'working out your problems'? By spreading your legs to the Amanushi and his men? Since you're obviously very determined to ruin your life, why don't you go straight to the Odalisk and let that accursed thing fuck you?"

A ringing slap fell on Shichiroji's cheek. The Samurai gritted his teeth, hand clutching his cheek, as he turned sharply to the whoremaster. Kanbei had both hands over his mouth, horrified by what he had just done.

"If that's the way you want it, fine," Shichiroji answered bitterly. "You could go to Hell for all I care! But I'm not staying here to see you destroy your life!"

"You're right!" Kanbei yelled back furiously. "Why should you care about what happens to me? I'm only helping you finish what you started fifteen years ago!"

The Samurai did not offer a rebuttal. He simply turned his back to the older man and stormed off. It was while he was heading back to his chamber that he bumped into Gorobei, who offered him a suggestion.

Unaware of the encounter his fellow samurai had earlier with the concubine, Gorobei recommended, "I could see that the unknown future is still weighing heavily on your mind. May I offer you a little advice? Why don't you talk to the Oracle? She lives in a small cave in the Ahaggar Range." He handed Shichiroji a map and told him the
directions. "Go to her, my friend. I am certain that she could help you."

Shichiroji took the map and muttered, "Thank you, my friend, but I don't think this is necessary anymore. After all, I already know how this tale is going to end."

The moor raised a quizzical brow. "Excuse me?"

"It's nothing," Shichiroji shook his head. Smiling wanly, he said again, "Thank you, Gorobei. I'll look at this before I go to sleep."

Without saying anything else, the Samurai went straight to his chamber and proceeded to pack. By midnight, Shichiroji was dressed in traveling clothes. Standing from his bed, he slung his pack over his shoulder and secured his spear to his back. Shichiroji's eyes fell upon the map that Gorobei had given him. Before he realized he was doing so, he picked it up and tucked it under his belt.

Quietly, the Warrior stepped into the empty hallway, walking through the dimly lighted corridors. For a brief second, he paused near the hallway where Kanbei's chamber was. Rather than heed his heart's call, Shichiroji's jaw hardened, continuing on his way to the Royal Stables. With the same single-minded determination, he saddled up Thanatos and buckled up his pack to it, as well as five skins of water. As he got on his horse, there was a snort of protest. To his surprise, Denko walked out of his stall and blocked his way, shaking his head, causing his mane to fly.

"I'm sorry, Denko" Shichiroji told the concubine's prized war steed, revealing his deep sorrow. "But there's no reason for me to stay here any longer."

With a click of his tongue, the Samurai led Thanatos around the black Arabian. Denko did not make any further attempts to stop him. Emerging into the field, Shichiroji flicked the reins, launching his stallion into a full gallop. As he rode out of the Palace, through
the empty streets of Ain Mehira and out of the oasis itself, not once did Shichiroji look back.

~~~~~~~~~~

"What the hell am I doing here?"

The sun was high above his head, and Shichiroji was wondering if the heat had not affected his brains. It was his intent to stop over at the bandit's camp at the Tademait Plateau before proceeding to El Djezair. Instead, through some unknown, much stronger urge, he found himself standing at the foot of a small mountain in the Ahaggar Range. As he trained his eyes up the rock face, sure enough, he saw the cave.

"Damn it!" Shichiroji kicked at a rock, watching it skip over the sand and hit a boulder. Uttering another curse, he threw the cape of his burnoose over his shoulder and proceeded to climb up the mountain.

However, reaching the cave, Shichiroji was slammed by a powerful aura. Climbing up on the ledge, he swiftly unsheathed his spear. The Samurai cautiously entered the cave, weapon ready, peering into the darkness, trying to catch a glimpse of the enigmatic Oracle residing within.

"Who's there?" Shichiroji called into the darkness. "Come out and show yourself!"

Suddenly, there was a bright yellow flash, blinding Shichiroji for a moment. When he opened his eyes, there was a blazing fire before him. But what shocked him was the sight of the beautiful figure standing on the opposite side of the fire.

"It's been a long time, Shichiroji," the Oracle smiled at the Samurai.

"KIRARA!" Shichiroji gasped out, bright blue eyes wide as he recognized the Oracle in an instant. "YOU? You're the Oracle?"

"One and the same!" Kirara peeled off her gown, revealing to the stunned Warrior her voluptuous form. Shichiroji gulped, seeing her full breasts and the dark curls between her legs. Walking around the fire, she commented, "You haven't changed a bit."

"Neither have you," he stammered as the Mikumari who was his former lover approached him. "You're still very beautiful."

"Thank you for the compliment. You've always been a flatterer," she smiled teasingly. "So what brings you to my humble home? Are you here to rekindle old flames?"

Shichiroji shook his head, but not in reply to her queries. There was something odd about Kirara's voice. It seemed as if it was echoing all over his head, dulling his thoughts. However, her voice was eliciting unwanted sensations, desires from him.

An image of Kanbei filled his mind, freeing him for a moment from the Oracle's hypnotic spell. "I need your wisdom, Kirara. I need you to look into the future for me."

As Kirara pressed her sensuous lips upon his mouth, Shichiroji's knees turned to water and all memory of the concubine faded away. Long, slender fingers removed his clothing for him. He just found himself sinking to the cave floor, wrapped in the Oracle's embrace.

"You need my help, Samurai?" Kirara giggled, with a laugh that the Samurai barely noticed was not exactly sane. "You have to pay the price. And believe me, Shichiroji-sama, I will make certain that you pay."

~~~~~~~~~~

Kanbei was in the soldiers' barracks, tied to a huge barrel with legs bent at the knees and spread wide. A blindfold covered his eyes, so that he could not see the soldiers who were taking turns in using his body. Neither could he see Ukyo's leering face, watching as the poor concubine's milk-laden nipples were sucked and chewed upon by many eager mouths. Kanbei had no idea how many men had used him, how many had taken several turns upon his body. Given the laxity of his channel and the copious semen dripping out, he could only assumed that he had serviced Ukyo's entire army.

The whoremaster winced as a hard hand slapped his private parts, followed by the entrance of another cock inside him, wiggling around his lax rectum.

"Tighten your ass, Little Taisho!" Kanbei heard Ukyo command him sternly.

Breathing in deeply, he did as he was told. Although the pain was killing him, Kanbei forced his ass to squeeze the Amanushi's shaft inside him. As the ring of muscle at
last tightened around Ukyo's cock, the evil ruler proceeded to fuck the concubine hard, reveling in the feel of that come-slickened flesh. With a blissful cry, Ukyo spilled his seed inside the whoremaster's body, mixing with the fluids that have been poured within him.

A few minutes later, the Amanushi yanked his flaccid cock out and untied the bonds on Kanbei's wrists and ankles. He eased the concubine to a sitting position and removed the blindfold. Kanbei blinked his tear-reddened eyes, adjusting to the light, until he could see
again. When, at last, his vision cleared, he saw that he and Ukyo were all alone.

The Amanushi stated bluntly, "I heard that you've been making a few...inquiries."

Kanbei lowered his eyes, afraid to look into that fierce glare that had never failed to terrify him. Knowing that it bodes ill for him to deny it, the concubine slowly
nodded.

"Let me make this simple for you, Kanbei-kun, so that you would understand." Ukyo painfully buried his fingers in the whoremaster's cheeks, forcing him to look into his eyes. "You have only ONE Master, and I happen to be that one. It is my wish that you will ask the Odalisk to grant and no one else's."

"But...but...what about Hyogo and Kikuchiyo? Are they not my Masters too?"

A hard hand swatted the concubine in the back of the head, causing Kanbei to grimace in pain.

"You serve them at my behest!" Ukyo declared. "I alone am your one true Master!"

"Amanushi-sama..." Kanbei struggled to get his courage up. "I've served you well for all these years. Can you not...Please! I beg you!" Sobbing, he fell to his knees before the demented ruler, whispering once more, "Please!"

Strong hands grabbed his hair, yanking his head up so that he could see the fury in the Amanushi's face. "You have the gall, whore? Do you think me a fool that I would waste the wish of a lifetime by giving it to you? FOOL!" Ukyo struck the concubine hard that he fell to the floor, blood flowing from his mouth.

Kanbei's anger rose. "YOU EVIL MAN! I will never do as you say! It will not be your wish that I will ask the Odalisk to grant!"

Ukyo glared at his precious whore for a minute. Then, a cruel smile went up the corners of his lips. "I see that it is true that there is a rebellious streak in you. But it doesn't matter. In the end, it is I whom you shall obey."

"And what if I refuse?"

Ukyo did not answer at first as he headed towards the door. Opening it, he paused. The concubine gaped in shock, hearing the Amanushi's reply.

With a shrug, Ukyo said, "Then, your lover's life is forfeit." He then left the barracks, closing the door behind him.

For a while, Kanbei just sat on the floor, unable to speak or move, his mind whirling. Completely forgetting the argument he had with Shichiroji last night, the whoremaster donned his robe. Concern for the Samurai overwhelming all else, including the painful injuries of the rapes he had just endured, Kanbei limped hurriedly inside the Palace.

Emerging into the Main Hall, the concubine bumped into Gorobei. "Gorobei, have you seen Shichiroji?"

Gorobei helplessly shook his head, not knowing what to say to the whoremaster. Rather than wait for the moor's answer, Kanbei continued on his search. However, the Samurai was nowhere to be found. Thinking that Shichiroji was resting in his chamber, he hurried through the hallway.

Masamune appeared at a side corridor, at once blocking the concubine's way.

"Kanbei, we need to talk," the Watcher began, gripping the whoremaster's arm.

But Kanbei shrugged Masamune's hand off. "We'll talk later, Masamune. I have to warn Shichiroji!"

"But Kanbei..." Before the scribe could stop him, the concubine disappeared at the end of the corridor. Shaking his head, he concluded what he was going to say, "It's about Shichiroji!"

Kanbei heaved a sigh of relief when he reached the wing where Shichiroji's chamber was located. However, he came to a dead halt, seeing Kikuchiyo standing outside the Samurai's chamber door, with Moeru bawling at his feet. At once, dread filled his heart as the mechanical warrior approached him.

"I came to warn him, Kikuchiyo-sama," Kanbei stammered, not knowing what to say exactly. "Amanushi-sama told me that he would have Shichiroji killed if I don't ask the Odalisk to grant his wish. I have to tell Shichiroji so that he would be careful and…."

Kikuchiyo gently held the concubine's arms, shaking his head.

"What is it?" asked Kanbei in growing alarm. "What's wrong?" His sweet brown eyes flew wide. "Please, no! Please don't tell me that…."

"He's well, Little Taisho," the cyborg answered simply.

"If he is well, where is he? I want to see him."

Kikuchiyo shook his head again. "He's probably far away by now, far from the reaches of Ukyo."

A frown creased Kanbei's brow. Pushing the past the mechanical samurai, the whoremaster entered the room.

At once, Kanbei felt his heart sink. The room was empty, all of Shichiroji's things gone. Judging from the neatness of the chamber and the bed itself, it was obvious that the Samurai had made his hasty departure last night.

There was a gentle nudge on his thigh. As the concubine looked down, he saw Moeru gazing up at him, with tears in his coal black eyes. In his mouth was the ornamental hair tie of esparto grass, beads and crystals that the whoremaster had made for Shichiroji.

With trembling hand, the concubine took the tie from the colt. Pressing it close to his heart, Kanbei lay down on the bed, his back turned to Kikuchiyo. He could still smell Shichiroji's scent on the sheets. Moeru got into bed with him, snuggling close to his troubled Master.

"Little Taisho?" the whoremaster heard Kikuchiyo call in concern.

"I would like to be left alone," Kanbei said softly, his voice hoarse with repressed emotion. "Please?"

"Kanbei, are you all right?'

The concubine squeezed the tie tightly in his hand, hugging Moeru as well. "It's for the best. This way, he'll be free from Ukyo's clutches. Shichiroji will be safe."

"But what about you?"

"I'll be fine. I've always been alone. I'll survive...at least, until that time when I have to make the wish to the Odalisk. Till then, I'm a whore. What more am I supposed to do?"

Kikuchiyo did not answer. Instead, he quietly closed the door.

When the cyborg was gone, the tears that Kanbei had been trying to hold just burst forth. As he wept bitterly, his thoughts ran contrary to what he told Kikuchiyo earlier.

"You told me not to cry anymore, but why do I always end up shedding tears over you?" Kanbei sobbed pitifully. "Damn you, Shichiroji! You promised you would never leave me again! Shichiroji, please! Come back to me! Please come back!"


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