Samurai 7: Warriors Of Rock

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. Original copyright of Gakuen Heaven belongs to You Higuri, TAMAMI, Spray Visual Art, and Biblos. Absolutely no monetary gain has been made with this work.


SAMURAI 7: WARRIORS OF ROCK
© October 15, 2006 By Rory V. Pascual


CHAPTER FOUR: Back For The Attack

"Shichiroji-dono! Would you please stop fidgeting? Your skinny butt will end up scratching a hole through my upholstery! Why didn't you use your own limo anyway?"

"Who has a skinny butt? That cranky little stepbrother of mine is using the limo because he's got some business with the Suzubishi Group. Besides, show some mercy to a poor man who has been tormented for four days!"

"You've only been tormenting yourself." Katsushiro blew at his bangs in exasperation. "Who told you to stake out Kougakyo Savings and Loans in the first place? You're lucky you were not mistaken for a bank robber. I never knew you had it in you to be a stalker."

"I wasn't stalking!" Shichiroji retorted in his defense. "It's just that…" He chewed on his lower lip in agitation. "…I couldn't find the nerve to walk through those doors."

"And that's why you dragged me along, so you'll have a convenient excuse to visit the bank," the young percussionist glowered at his bandmate, realizing that he was being used for whatever sinister plans Shichiroji had in mind.

"Well, not exactly." The blond guitarist settled down into the back seat. "Let's put it this way. I need you to distract the enemy so I can launch my main attack."

"I don't like being your scapegoat," Katsushiro pouted resentfully. "And what's with all that foliage?"

Shichiroji sniffed the bouquet of Belgian roses in his arms. "You can't expect me to go into battle without a weapon. And don't think of yourself as a scapegoat. I was only hoping that things would be…different…if I have you there with me."

"Hmmph!" the boy snorted. "I really doubt that."

"Katsushiro…"

"What?"

"A word of advice. You should look after your father's affairs. You are his heir after all."

Katsushiro became serious. "You know that I don't get along with my father, not since that day. His business assets are separate from mine. I don't see any need for me to get involved in his affairs."

"True, but what about your family? Have you ever thought about what could happen to them if anything should…" Shichiroji's words trailed off.

"This has something to do with Kougakyo Savings and Loans, doesn’t it."

Shichiroji nodded.

"Is that the reason why you asked me to bring this?" Katsushiro patted his briefcase. "But aren't YOU putting ME at risk?"

"You're not the only one." Shichiroji handed his young friend an envelope. "Here. Add this."

The boy's eyes widened, seeing what the envelope contained. "But this is…"

"Don't worry," Shichiroji said in reassurance. "I am quite capable of taking care of my assets. Add it with what you have in that briefcase and I cam certain that we can discover the wheeling and dealing going on inside that bank."

There was a concerned look on Katsushiro's face. "Do you think Kanbei-sama's involved in this?"

"You're in the position to answer that question. Is Shimada Kanbei the type of man who would do anything remotely illegal?"

"Definitely not! His family…they're suffering a lot of financial difficulties right now. I've been offering him my help, but Kanbei-sama's a proud man. He said he wouldn't accept charity from anyone."

"I guessed as much." Shichiroji breathed a heavy sigh. "I've been watching Kanbei since Monday. I could see him through the glass. He looks so tired, so unhappy." He turned to the boy. "Kanbei shouldn't be an ordinary bank employee! Certainly not with a voice like his!" Shichiroji gritted his teeth in rebellion. "I can't stand to see such a wonderful talent being wasted like this!"

"But…" Katsushiro interrupted. "…Kanbei-sama said that he did not want to join the band. Surely you're not thinking of coercing him. If you're planning on using me for that purpose, no, I won't go along with it. Absolutely not!"

"Strong words, Katsushiro, but tell me the truth. After you heard him sing that night, you know that he IS the lead vocalist we've been searching for. Could you honestly tell me that we should just let him go?"

The percussionist admitted grudgingly, "No, I was so impressed with his singing. To say that I was blown away by his voice is an understatement. Hard to believe that he's not doing this professionally."

Shichiroji smiled cryptically at that remark.

It was Katsushiro's turn to look at his bandmate. "If you can convince Kanbei-sama to join the band, I'll back you up against Kyuzo-dono."

A relieved smile went up the corners of the guitarist's lips. "Thanks, Katsushiro!" The boy's approval of his plans was all he needed to hear. Both Heihachi and Kikuchiyo had earlier given their support. Now outnumbered, Kyuzo wouldn't stand a chance.

The limo parked right in front of Kougakyo Savings and Loans. Shichiroji glanced down at his watch – only ten minutes to closing time. Perfect! There shall be no escape for Shimada Kanbei.

"Shall we go inside?" Katsushiro invited, grinning slyly.

Shichiroji smiled back, cradling the roses in his arms. "Ready when you are."

~~~~~~~~~~

"Neeeh…Kanbei…"

"Hmmph!"


"Kanbei-chamaaa!"

"WHAT?"

"Are you mad at me?"

"I wouldn't be talking to you right now if I were."

"But…you wouldn't talk to me face to face. There's always this stupid wall between us." The soft thump of a frustrated kick came from the other cubicle. "I haven't seen your face for close to a whole week!"

Kanbei exhaled in annoyance. He turned to the older man, his glasses dipping low at the tip of his noise. All that could be seen of Gorobei on top of the partition were his short-cropped silver mane and a pair of tear-filled dark eyes.

"There! You've seen my face!" Kanbei snapped at his best friend. "Satisfied now?"

A broad grin curled up the corners of Gorobei's lips as his whole head appeared. "I thought Honoka was pulling my leg when she asked me what caused you to get a total makeover. No wonder you've been hiding in here the whole day. You look like a Hollywood celebrity…or a rock star."

A coffee mug sailed above Gorobei's head. The cup fell on the older man's desk with a clatter.

"One more comment like that and you can consider our friendship over," Kanbei retorted, unconsciously rubbing his cheek.

Gorobei knew that his dear friend was still smarting from the slap that the cranky bass player had given him. As nimble as a monkey, Gorobei leaped over the partition and into Kanbei's little office before the younger man could stop him.

"Don't you have work to do?" Kanbei growled, stomping his feet in a tantrum.

"Only eight minutes to closing," Gorobei declared. Eyeing his friend's briefcase, he added, "Ready to make a quick departure, I see."

"I am not!"

"Hah! You're not getting away from me until I get a damned good look at you!" Gorobei hauled Kanbei off his swivel chair. "Come on, come on! Turn, turn! And don't slouch!"

Grumbling furiously, Kanbei posed before his best friend, reluctantly showing off the gray anthracite jacket he wore with the light gray turtleneck shirt underneath. Instead of his usual loose slacks, he wore tight dark gray jeans that molded his butt and long legs perfectly.

"Wow!" Gorobei could not help but gush in pure admiration. "What the hell happened to the 'dorky accountant' I know? Did you get ambushed for a special episode of 'Queer Eye For The Straight Guy'?"

"No, someone worse. Komachi."

Apparently, Kanbei's favorite munchkin had accosted him just as he got out of the bathroom. Somehow, Komachi had rummaged through his closet and came up with the fashionable ensemble he was wearing. Despite her father's objections, the little girl expertly cowed him with a hair dryer and a spank with her mother's hairbrush.

"KAWAII!" Gorobei played with a curling lock of his best friend's hair that framed his face. "If you were blond, you'd be just as adorable as Shirley Temple!"

"Shirley who?"

"You don't know Shirley Temple? She's a Hollywood icon! Why, I loved her movies during the Thirties and Forties and…" Gorobei came to a dead halt, realizing what he was saying.

Unfortunately for him, Kanbei was quick to snag that error. Snickering evilly, the younger man remarked, "And people call me 'old'! I guess someone's TRUE age is showing!"

Gorobei grabbed his best friend in a chokehold. "Don't lump me in with your tribe, you dork! A once in a blue moon makeover won't change the fact that you're a plain old CPA with no fashion sense whatsoever!"

"I AM a CPA! Damn it, Gorobei! Let go! I don't want to get fired!"

His mischievous friend, however, had a different motive. Reaching underneath Kanbei's jacket, Gorobei's devilish hands groped that broad chest. "Oooh!" Gorobei's voice oozed with lust. "Man boobs! You've been breastfeeding Komachi when she was a baby, haven't you? That's why they're so nicely swelled up! Let's see if you've got some more milk inside." Saying this, he squeezed a tiny nub straining against the fabric of shirt.

Kanbei was outraged. "YOU PERVERT!" He was about to throw Gorobei over his shoulder when the delighted squeals of the female employees resounded throughout the bank.

Standing on tiptoe, Gorobei peered over the partition. "Hey! It's Katsushiro!"

Mention of the name of the charming boy whose life he had saved caused a bright smile to light up Kanbei's face. Breaking free from Gorobei's grip, he peeked on top of the cubicle's partition beside his friend. Although he immediately caught sight of Katsushiro, exchanging pleasantries with Ayamaro, his face soured at once, a sound like a strangled toad escaping his lips, seeing the flamboyant figure standing beside the boy.

Shichiroji was in full rock star mode, attired in a tight mustard tank top that showed off his washboard belly and navel, and tight maroon pants that clung to his legs. He wore boots that were the same color as his top. Over this fashionable attire, the blond wore a long lavender coat. In his arms, he held a dozen red roses.

Utter revulsion was mirrored on Kanbei's face as he grumbled, "What the hell is he doing here?"

To his great shock, Gorobei started waving his arms wildly, "Yo, Katsushiro, Shichiroji! If you're looking for Kanbei, he's right here!"

Kanbei was appalled that the older man would dare reveal his location. It was his turn to trap Gorobei in a headlock, snarling, "SHUT UP, YOU OLD FOOL!"

"Who're you calling 'old'? You're the Ojisan!"

"But I don't know Shirley Temple, so who's older between the two of us?!"

"Shimada-san!" Ayamaro suddenly called out. "Would you please come here a moment?"

Pouting with resentment, Kanbei bopped Gorobei on the head. Donning a most artificial smile, he approached the three men.

"Oh, Shimada-san!" Ayamaro was certainly looking very happy about something. His face never looked that bloated with joy unless a large amount of money was involved. "Okamoto-san has brought us a most lucrative business contract. This is his associate…"

"Shichiroji…" the blond replied with a smile, extending a congenial hand to the startled older man. "Just Shichiroji will do."

Kanbei flashed that toothy grin at Shichiroji, which made the younger man almost step back. He knew what he looked like to the blond. Kanbei was certain that Shichiroji understood his unspoken words.

// Go away or else I'll eat you for dinner! //

Gulping hard, Shichiroji extended his hand again. Kanbei stared blandly at that hand, wondering if he should shake it or not. He had a nagging suspicion that the guitarist was up to something. To his relief, Ukyo slinked over to them.

"Katsushiro-kun!" Ukyo declared. "So nice to see you again!"

"I wish I could say the same about you," Katsushiro mumbled under his breath.

Kanbei knew that, like him, the boy felt no great love for the flamboyant bank manager, being well aware of the fact that Ukyo harbored an attraction to Kirara. Courtesy, however, compelled Katsushiro to shake the other's hand.

Katsushiro began, "Shichiroji and I have long been partners in a small business venture, for which I intend to open an account with your bank. My friend here also requires the services of Kougakyo Savings and Loans for his company."

"Yes! Yes!" Ukyo nodded in approval with a gleeful clap of his hands. "Our bank values the trust that our clients place in us. Please do tell us. What company might this be?"

It was Shichiroji who provided the snappy answer. "Saionji Electronics."

Ayamaro blanched instantly and he could barely stifle his gasp. "Saionji…Isn't that the company…"

"Yes, it's the parent corporation of Xyberdyne," Shichiroji confirmed. "I AM actually the Chairman of Xyberdyne, but I prefer to manage that little company on my own. Saionji Electronics, on the other hand, is much too big for me to handle alone, and I certainly didn't want to ask help from Chairman Suzubishi Kazuki of the Suzubishi Group. He certainly has his hands full right now. Besides, I also have another…project…that is taking up most of my time at present. Okamoto Kojiro, Katsushiro's father, recommended your services, so here I am." He gave Kanbei a meaningful look. "I've heard nothing but high praises about Shimada Kanbei-san."

"Why, yes!" the corpulent bank president declared, giving Kanbei several heavy pats on the back. "Shimada-san here takes care of our select clients well. I am so proud of the work he does for us."

Kanbei wanted to roll his eyes. // That wasn't what you said to me days ago. //

"…Dinner and…"

"Huh?" Kanbei blinked several times in confusion. "Pardon me?"

Ukyo cleared his throat. "My father was saying that while we discuss the contract with Katsushiro-san, why don't you go have dinner with Shichiroji-san and explain to him the services that our humble little bank has to offer?"

"Absolutely!" Shichiroji exclaimed, beaming like a bright ray of sunlight. "This would be the perfect opportunity to forge a fruitful working relationship between us. What do you say, Kanbei-san?"

Kanbei fell silent. For him to supervise the account of such a prestigious company as Saionji Electronics was the Godsend that could possibly free his family from financial woes. However, he could not shake away the feeling that the blond had an ulterior motive. He could feel it like a hard punch in his gut. Well, lucrative as the offer may be, he was not about to manipulated into it like a chess piece.

Slowly, Kanbei turned towards the lead guitar player, fixing the younger man with a fierce stare that could cow the most dangerous lion in Africa. To his undisguised glee, the blond jerked back from the smoldering malevolence in his gray brown orbs, the intimidation showing on his handsome face.

// Back down! // Kanbei conveyed the strong command with his sharp eyes and gritted teeth. // There is absolutely no way in hell that I'm going out with you! // He thought he was going to succeed. The blond certainly looked like he was about to bolt.

People, however, have different reactions to mental bullying.

Swallowing hard, Shichiroji dropped to one knee, bowed his head, and thrust the bouquet of roses into a shocked Kanbei's arms. Out of the corner of his eye, Kanbei could see Gorobei grinning his approval at his bandmate's action.

"I'm begging you, Kanbei-sama," Shichiroji pleaded in earnest. "You would honor me greatly if you would join me for dinner."

Somehow, the words of refusal got stuck in Kanbei's throat. He could only stare in growing surrender at Ayamaro's scowling face and then back at the man kneeling at his feet. When his fingers closed around the bouquet and the cheers from his officemates erupted around him at that gesture, he knew that he was trapped.

~~~~~~~~~~

"HEY! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?"

Shichiroji lunged forward and caught the bouquet of roses before Kanbei could casually drop it into the wastebasket outside the bank.

Fixing the lovely bouquet he had bought for the older man, he grumbled with resentment, "That wasn't a nice thing to do. These are Belgian roses! Do you have any idea how much a single bloom costs?"

"I haven't got a clue," Kanbei retorted with a pout, not even wanting to look at the blond. "Besides, who told you to buy me flowers anyway? I'm not one of your bimbos!"

"I just wanted to make you happy with this nice present."

"You DO NOT give a man flowers! What were you thinking? You embarrassed me inside the bank!"

Shichiroji felt his blood pressure rising. "Well, I'm sorry, but it's here! So take it!" He pressed the bouquet into Kanbei's hands.

Kanbei pushed it back into Shichiroji's arms. "I'm not going to be the laughing stock of the whole city of Tokyo. You take it back!"

"Are you always this stubborn, Old Man?"

"Are you always such a pest? And who're you calling an 'Old Man', you pervert?!"

As the two men bickered in the middle of the street, pushing the poor bouquet back and forth between them, a shiny black limousine parked along side them. The window slowly slid down to reveal a handsome young man with pink hair.

"Hey, Shichi!" he exclaimed with a disgusted cluck of his tongue. "Has this city run out of women for you to break hearts so that you're now chasing after middle-aged gentlemen?"

To Kanbei, being called a 'middle-aged gentleman' was better than being called an 'old man'. He crossed his arms over his chest, unaware that he was hugging the bouquet that Shichiroji had given him. "You know? I've been thinking that same question myself!"

Shichiroji glowered at the snooty figure in the limo. "Nee, Kaoru! What the hell are you doing here anyway? Aren't you supposed to be in BL Academy right now?"

"Omi and I have a little errand to do," Kaoru replied, gesturing to the smiling silver-haired man beside him.

"Konbanwa, Shichiroji-san," Shichijo Omi greeted the blond in his usual good-natured fashion.

"That's why I like you a lot, Omi-chan," Shichiroji praised the other boy. "You give me the respect I deserve, not like this creature who calls himself my 'brother'."

"If you'll grow up even a little," Kaoru began haughtily, "maybe you'll hear me call you 'oniisama'. Until then, just plain old Shichi will do just fine."

Shichiroji snorted. "You're taking your rank as BL Academy's 'Queen' too seriously."

Omi couldn't help the giggle that bubbled up his lips. "He wouldn't be the Queen if he weren't." He then said warmly, "Still, I really must thank you very much for your compliment, Shichiroji-san. In truth, I am quite fond of the two of you. You're like the brothers I never had." Omi glanced meaningfully at Kaoru. "Well, perhaps a little bit MORE than brothers in the case of Kaoru here."

"Don't you go putting strange ideas inside his head, Omi," Kaoru sternly warned his confidante and partner-in-crime at BL Academy's Treasury. "He's weird enough as it is."

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING 'WEIRD'?" Shichiroji sputtered in fury.

"Oniisan…" the younger Saionji began, forgetting his promise to call his older brother by his pet name. "I see you've made a good choice this time. Please don't fuck up." Before Shichiroji could say something, Kaoru turned his frank gaze towards Kanbei. "Shimada-san, we entrust our family's company into your capable hands. Please take good care of it."

"Huh? What?" Kanbei found himself stammering in confusion. "But I…"

A rare gentle smile curled up Saionji Kaoru's lips. "You look quite fetching with those roses, Shimada-san. Conventional sensibilities aside, nothing could be more attractive than seeing a handsome gentleman bearing flowers."

A blush went up Kanbei's cheeks that he hid the lower half of his face behind the bouquet. "Uh, thanks…I think…"

Kaoru waved to his brother. "I'll be seeing you, Shichi!" As the windows closed, the limo drove off, leaving the two men alone once more at the curb.

"That's my young stepbrother Kaoru," Shichiroji broke the awkward silence that fell between them. "He'll be managing Saionji Electronics once he graduates from college. Right now, he's a high school student at Bell Liberty Academy."

"Your brother's a nice young man. He's got a good head on his shoulders." Kanbei looked at the blond at his side disapprovingly. "Not like you. Managing the company should be your responsibility."

"That's what I'm doing, but my music is more important. And that's why I need YOUR help."

"And I told you I don't want to be your band's lead singer!"

"I need your services as an accountant for our family's company. Did I ask you to become our vocalist?"

Kanbei stepped back, a squawk rushing out of his throat. The color instantly drained from his face, seeing the knowing look in those sparkling blue eyes.

// Damn him! How could he read me so easily? //

Escape was the prudent course of action to take, but a group of giggling Junior High School students converged upon him.

"Nee, nee, Ojisan!" a blushing girl with ponytails exclaimed. "Those roses are beautiful!"

Her short-haired friend started squirming like an earthworm set on fire. "Ooh! They're so pretty! For your girlfriend? Or your wife perhaps?"

A third girl said brazenly, "Oh, I do hope you're not committed to anyone, Ojisama! I'd like to have a chance with you!"

Kanbei would have been flattered by the adulation he found himself getting, even though it was coming from girls close to his eldest daughter's age. He would have responded appropriately, but a blond blaze of jealousy suddenly rushed in front of him.

"HEY!" Shichiroji glowered at the teenagers. "No drooling over MY property…girls!" He emphasized that last with oozing menace.

Kanbei's right eyebrow rose a notch. "Your 'property'?"

The girls, however, faced the golden-haired guitar player with evil intent. "And who do you think you are, you wannabe gaijin?"

Nonplused, Shichiroji declared, "For your information, I'm taking HIM…" He waved a hand to an incensed Kanbei. "…Out on a date. Those roses you were drooling over happen to be MY gift to HIM!"

The girls gasped as they turned as one to Kanbei. "YOU'RE GAY?!"

"But of course!" It was Shichiroji who answered, unaware of the enraged figure that was creeping up behind him. "We wouldn't be going out on a date if we weren't…"

The next thing the lead guitarist knew he was seeing twinkling golden stars in the sunset sky.


* * * * * * * * * *