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 July 2, 2006


Chapter Forty-Eight

Shichiroji pressed the tip of his index finger between his lips, trying to hold back the grin that was threatening to form on his lips lest his irate lover vent his anger upon him.

To the amusement of all in the camp, a furious Kanbei had dragged a squealing Moeru and Chester inside the tent, where a tub was waiting, and washed both their mouths with soap and water. In his terror of his Master's punishment, the poor colt had ended up developing a bout of loose bowel movement that the concubine was forced to bathe him thoroughly. Chester attempted a quick escape, but Kanbei snatched him in time and dunked him right back inside the tub. Afterwards, seeing that he too was a mess, the whoremaster ordered the servants to replace the tub with a new one filled with fresh water and took a bath himself, but not before securing the two chastised animals outside the tent. Much to the Samurai's amusement, horse and dachshund sat on their butts, whimpering pitifully, tears of remorse streaming from their eyes. Both their tongues lolled out, red and raw from the concubine's scrubbing.

Shichiroji scratched his head in pity, powerless to help Moeru and Chester. Glancing up at the hot afternoon sun, he decided to offer the two animals a bowl each of water. As a sniffling colt and dog lapped up the cool treat, Shichiroji clucked his tongue and remarked, "Don't tell me I didn't warn you, Moeru! I told you to get rid of it, but you wouldn't listen to me or Kikuchiyo. You even got poor Chester into this mess."

As he said this, Kanbei emerged from the tent. The Samurai's mirth vanished at once, his features darkening, seeing the concubine's attire. His lover was wearing a sheer black caftan of watered silk. The very revealing clothing gave a tantalizing view of the whoremaster's lithe form underneath. Two long slits at the sides bared his graceful legs up to the hip.

"Better close your mouth, Shichiroji, or else a horse fly might make its way down your throat," Kanbei advised, a small grin quirking up his lips. As the Samurai's mouth snapped shut, the concubine turned to the weeping colt and dog. He ordered sternly, "You two are going to stay here until I say it's all right for you to go inside the tent." Wagging a scolding finger, the whoremaster exclaimed, "Shame on you! A man's penis is not a toy for you to play with! Have you no respect?"

At that moment, there was a disgusted cry. "Ugghhh! Who left this shit lying around? And...what's a dinar doing here?"

From behind the tent, Kikuchiyo's cheerful face popped up. As he went towards the two warriors, he scraped his boot on the sand. In between his fingers, he has holding a soiled, smelly coin.

"Hey, Moeru! Is this yours? I'll clean this up for you, if you like." the mechanical samurai queried. Kikuchiyo did not notice the scowl on Kanbei's face, as those ash brown eyes focused on the other, shriveled 'thing' that was dangling by a leather cord from the index finger of his right hand.

"You'd better," Shichiroji commented, pinching his nose. "It stinks from way over here. On second thought, YOU stink much worse."

His voice filled with menace, Kanbei asked, "Kikuchiyo? What are you still doing with...THAT?"

Kikuchiyo raised the severed member to his face. "What? This?" Steam passed out of the concubine's ears as the cyborg twirled it around and around on his finger. "Since Moeru and Chester liked it so much, I thought I'd make two small purses out of it. We could put your two dinars inside." Kikuchiyo winked at Moeru, who was grinning and nodding. The colt immediately stopped that enthusiastic motion when Kanbei's head whipped back to look at him.

"YOU WILL DO NO SUCH THING!" the whoremaster declared in righteous indignation.

Sure enough, Kanbei heard Hyogo's ghost say inside his head, "I want my cock to have a decent burial!" He did not realize that he had spoken the dead warrior's wish out loud.

"Bury a man's cock?" Kikuchiyo blurted out. Already, he was close to bursting into laughter. "If you like, we could even give it full military honors!"

"Great idea!" Shichiroji remarked sarcastically. "Perhaps we could all pull out our 'weapons' and shoot."

Kanbei gave the Samurai a baleful glare. "You don't have to be crass, Shichiroji. Listen, Kikuchiyo. Just do what Hyogo says. Since his body is buried under all that rubble in Ain Mehira, his missing body part should be laid to rest as well."

"Oh, I don't know," the mechanical warrior looked thoughtfully at the member in his hand. "I think it would make a nifty purse."

Swords flashed from the concubine's eyes. Taken aback by the ferocity in Kanbei's features, Kikuchiyo hastily stammered, "All right, all right! I'll bury it!", and walked away, giving the whoremaster fearful back glances as he did so.

Kanbei then turned to the laughing Samurai. "Do you find this amusing, Shichiroji?"

"I don't know about Kikuchiyo, but... Kanbei, Moeru and Chester are animals, you know, and babies to boot," Shichiroji said simply. "What's wrong about them having a little fun now and then?"

"And this is funny?" the whoremaster nodded, a pout on his full lips. "Very well then! There will be no playtime for you too!"

"Now wait just a God damned minute! Why should I be punished along with these two? It's not my fault that Hyogo was a bastard and that he nearly beat Moeru to death. In my opinion, Caspian got what he deserved. Kyuzo would agree with me on this. As for Moeru, he earned that sausage PERIOD!"

"Being the infamous Shinigami, that's all you know. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. I can't expect you or Moeru to understand, but seeking out revenge is not the answer." The concubine's handsome features softened. "That's what I've learned -- during our journey and right here in Ain Mehira with Devi Mari and Mithras. You lose when you seek vengeance. You lose your humanity, all sense of common decency, and even your capacity to love and forgive."

Not wanting to prolong the disturbing conversation any longer, the concubine patted the two animals' heads. "Be good, you two. I'll make certain that the servants bring you something delicious to eat."

Hearing this, the miniature horse and the dachshund nodded eagerly to him.

Before Kanbei could leave, Shichiroji's hand suddenly closed around his arm. "Where are you going? Do you think me a fool that I would let you waltz around camp dressed in this poor excuse of a nightgown!"

"Shichiroji, this is not a nightgown," the whoremaster answered as patiently as he could. However, seeing the dark scowl on his lover's face. He breathed out an exasperated sigh. "Ismail invited me to his tent to spend some time with him."

"For what? A whoring session?" Those hurtful words just flew out of his mouth.

Stars twinkled before the Samurai's eyes as a ringing slap fell upon his cheek.

"What the hell's the matter with you?" the concubine demanded, his right hand clenched in a fist at his side. "Why are you being so mean to me all of a sudden?"

"After all that we've been through," the Warrior began bitterly, "I thought you have, at last, realized your dream. That you already know who you truly are. And yet, here you are, dressed in clothes that would make any human being lust over you. You're supposed to be a warrior, Kanbei. But here you are, still acting like a strumpet."

"That's jealousy talking. Not you."

Give me a good reason why I shouldn't be jealous. You're going to the Sultan's bed, and lord knows who else's."

"Kyuzo, of course. And Kikuchiyo. Maybe Katsushiro as well, although he thinks of me as a father and teacher, more than a lover."

"Why are you doing this?" Shichiroji demanded, not hiding the despair in his voice. "Is this your way of getting back at me? For the things I did to you in the past?"

"The things that happened in the past belong in the past. You know that I have forgiven you. Why am I doing this, you ask? Why am I going back to my 'whoring ways'? That's just it, Shichiroji. I'm NOT a whore anymore. I am free to do whatever I want. And what I want to do is offer my gratitude to the men who helped me become this person I am now, through the...special skills...that I possess. It'll be a joining of a warrior with another warrior."

"Kanbei, I don't want you to do this. You don't know how much it tears at my heart to see you in bed with another. What if I forbid you to go?"

"I think you know me better than that."

The Samurai's jaw hardened at that answer. "If you go to the bed of any man this evening, I do not want you to return to our tent. You will not be welcome."

Kanbei looked at his lover in shocked silence. His handsome face slowly mirrored his disappointment. "Don't wait for me then, Shichiroji. I won't be coming to you."

"I have no intention of waiting." The bitterness was very obvious in Shichiroji's words. Not wanting to say anymore, he turned his back to the older man.

At first, seeing the angry, solid back of the Samurai gave the concubine cause to hesitate. He had actually raised his hand, wanting to touch him and soothe the hurt feelings inside his heart.

With a resigned shrug, however, Kanbei whispered, "I thought you would understand how I feel. I guess I was wrong." He then turned around and quietly walked away.

Moeru and Chester gazed up at the crystal tears that fell from Shichiroji's eyes. Before the colt could nudge the Warrior's leg, probably noticing the rapt stares of the two animals, Shichiroji brushed a furious hand over his eyes and stormed inside the tent.

For a moment, horse and dog sat in silence, both not knowing what to do. Then, Moeru's face brightened as an idea came to him, completely forgetting his Master's earlier warning to be on his best behavior. Slowly, he faced the dachshund...who promptly granted him another slobbering lick. Moeru was about to grab that long tongue between his teeth, but then, he saw that rather dopey expression on Chester's face. Yes, the colt thought. A perfect accomplice to his plan. Moeru grinned broadly at the dachshund. Chester simply grinned back, not a care in the world, a willing and equally mischievous ally to the naughty colt.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Come in! Come in, Kanbei!"

Kanbei paused outside the Sultan's tent, recognizing that voice as that of Masamune's. Now, he regretted the clothes he had chosen to wear. Nevertheless, the concubine breathed in deeply and, pushing back the flap, entered the tent.

The whoremaster blushed hotly, seeing Masamune's stunned, slack-jawed expression. His dark, disapproving eyes perused the concubine's revealing attire from head to toe. Ismail, on the other, had a look of mild amusement on his face. Still, he nodded appreciatively at the physical beauty of his former lover. Embarrassment getting the better of him, Kanbei's hands drifted down to the region of his loins to cover them with his palms.

"Don't just stand there, Little Prince," the Sultan teased Kanbei, a twinkle in his black eyes. "Come sit beside us! We were just about to have some tea."

Bowing to the two monarchs, Kanbei walked towards the serving position behind the low table where the tea set was laid. To his surprise, Masamune reached for his wrist.

"Not this time, Kanbei," the scribe smiled reassuring, as he urged his ward to sit between him and Ismail, although he pulled the concubine a bit closer to him than to the Sultan. "Someone else will serve us."

From within the inner chamber, a smiling Liamina emerged. With a wink at the surprised concubine, she poured tea for the three men and served the steaming cups to them.

"Now," Ismail said excitedly, "how about telling us what happened in Ain Mehira? I've been dying to hear the entire story from your lips."

"There's not much to tell actually," Kanbei sheepishly answered.

"Ah, Kanbei! Up to now, you are still your very modest self," Masamune commented with great fondness. "But please indulge us with your tale. We're all friends here, and I'm sure Liamina would like to hear your story as well. Am I right, my dear?"

"Oh yes, Master Masamune!" Liamina exclaimed, with a gleeful clap of her hands. "I would like to hear it. Afterwards, with your permission, I'll tell Tamar and Zumillah your story."

The concubine's face brightened, hearing the name of the baby he had nursed from his own breast. Feeling the tension ease out of him, Kanbei narrated to his friends everything that had taken place in Ain Mehira -- from the sacrifice, to the Amesha Spenta Stone's revelation, to his reawakening and his subsequent battles with the Odalisk and Ahriman, and the freeing of the souls of Mithras and Devi Mari. He concluded his story with their narrow escape from the crumbling city.

Absorbed as he was in his narrative, Kanbei started, as if waking from a dream, to find that night had fallen. Without his knowing it, he had even partaken of the feast that was laid before him. Having finished her duties, Liamina was already on her feet, obviously dismissed by the scribe, the other servants exiting from the tent with the plates.

With tea tray in her hands, Liamina bowed graciously to the whoremaster. "Thank you, Master, for a most wondrous story!" She then bowed to Masamune and the monarch, her eyes meeting Ismail's, a blush going up their cheeks. Feeling suddenly flustered, Liamina left the three men alone.

There was an undignified snort from Ismail. "I can't believe that you nearly perished in Ain Mehira because of your beloved pet colt. Still, it was a heroic gesture, rescuing the other younglings the way he had. But then..." The Sultan shook his head. "Your Moeru reminds me so much of my dachshund, Chester. They have the same temperament and I'm sure they'll get along quite well together. Perhaps I should give Chester to you."

Kanbei quickly shook his hand, laughing. "Oh, no! Moeru's a handful as it is! I don't know what I'm going to do with a dog!"

"It's so nice to hear you laughing for a change. There was a time when it was difficult to elicit even a soft giggle from you," Masamune remarked, smiling. As the concubine blushed, the scribe inquired, "Do you know that you were mesmerized by your own story?"

"Up to now, I couldn't believe that it happened," said Kanbei in quiet awe. "It's been just like one grand dream."

"Dream or not, you are awake now and your life has changed in the course of a day. What are you planning to do?"

The whoremaster shrugged. "To be truthful, I don't know. For fifteen years, I lived as a whore. During this same period, with your encouragement and that of so many others, I've struggled to learn the skills necessary to free myself from bondage and return to the path of a warrior. But now that it has happened, now that I am truly free, I don't know what to do. For the first time, I am afraid, so afraid to even make that first step."

"But you already have taken that great step, my son. No warrior could claim of having battled and triumphed over the Demon Lord himself."

"You know that I am not the type of man to boast."

"Perhaps I know where your true problem lies," Ismail put in. "You have a preconceived notion of what a warrior should be. In your mind, they're just like the courageous samurai of your homeland and the soldiers, bandits you have encountered in this region. You certainly did not defeat Ahriman in the conventional sense. But make no mistake, Kanbei. A warrior does not have to fight to prove himself to be so. More often than not, a worth of a true warrior is measured by his ability to discern what is the best solution to a problem, and it does not necessarily have to be a resolution through violence."

"It's very easy for both of you to say that because you have a wealth of experience."

A smile curled up the corners of Masamune's lips, his fingers twiddling the gray strands of his beard. "But you have a warrior's heart. A warrior's nobility lies in the essence of his heart and soul. Experience merely hones it and sways it to go to one of two paths -- good or evil. If you will not allow your soul to be corrupted by the evil, I have no doubt that you will prevail over all your adversaries."

Kanbei fell silent, pondering their words. He quietly revealed, "Mithras and Devi Mari told me that it was time for me to return home."

"If that is their advice," the scribe began with a nod, "then you must heed their advice."

Masamune did not notice the disapproving glare from the Sultan's eyes.

Ismail hastily remarked, "But you don't have to leave immediately. Why don't you think it over? After all..." The Sultan lowered his gaze to hide the blush on his cheeks. "...El Djezair is your home too."

Masamune grimaced, giving the flustered monarch a side-glance. With a gentle pat of the whoremaster's hand, he stood up. "Yes, that is an excellent suggestion. Think it over carefully. However, my son, the decision is yours to make." Masamune stared pointedly at Ismail. "Do not let others dissuade you from taking the right path." Bending down, he cupped the concubine's face and kissed him on the brow. "I have faith in you, Kanbei." As he said this, the scribe casually strolled outside.

Pouting, the Sultan muttered, "That old man never ceases to infuriate me."

Kanbei looked thoughtfully at the ruler of El Djezair. "If Masamune's words are any indication, I'd say that you have a different proposition in mind."

In reply, Ismail clasped both of the concubine's hands tenderly. "You don't have to go back to your homeland. As I said, El Djezair is also your home. I...I am asking you, Little Prince, to marry me."

"And to be what?" Kanbei laughed nervously. "Wife No. 48?"

"No, Kanbei. I want you to rule El Djezair at my side. My other wives and concubines...they will not object because they love and respect you, as I do. In fact, it was they who suggested it. Before Gorobei arrived with Masamune, I had already made up my mind to steal you away from the Amanushi."

The whoremaster was caught speechless by the sincerity in the Sultan's proposal. With a sigh, he said hesitantly, "Masamune said that the decision is mine to make." He then reversed the position of their hands so that he was now holding the Sultan's trembling fingers. "Forgive me, Ismail. Your offer is very tempting, but I'm afraid I cannot marry you."

It seemed Ismail was expecting that answer. Although his heart was filled with deepest regret, he forced a smile from his lips and nodded. "Your heart belongs to someone else."

"Yes," Kanbei admitted. "I only came because I wanted to say goodbye and give you pleasure one last time." A knowing smile formed on his lips. "And you cannot fool me, Ismail. I've seen the looks that were exchanged between you and Liamina."

The Sultan pretended to clear his throat. He hastily asked, "Does he know that you came to me?"

"Yes."

"Does he approve?"

No reply. Only reluctant silence.

"Then I will not ask you to do this, even if it is the last time. I loved you for your kind and generous heart, Little Prince, not your beguiling beauty. But I do have a final request."

"Tell me and I shall give it to you," the concubine said firmly.

"A kiss, Little Prince." Reaching out, Ismail held the whoremaster's face in his hands. His eyelids fluttering shut, he slowly leaned forward, the distance between their faces closing. "Just one kiss."

Lost in the heat of the moment, neither of the two men noticed the tiny brown body that was inching its way in the space between them. Before they could kiss, their lips made contact with soft fur. They pulled away abruptly, eyes snapping open to find a happy Chester between them.

Obviously liking the concubine's kiss more, the dachshund licked Kanbei's face from chin to forehead, and collapsed onto the pillow with four feet in the air, rocking from side to side and howling in delight at the sweet kiss that was given him.

As the whoremaster wiped away the drool, he heard a protesting whinny. Sure enough, a furious Moeru's shaking head hung through the open flap. The colt was chattering his teeth menacingly at the dog, his piercing eyes screaming, "You have no right, you mangy mutt! My Master only kisses me!"

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TWO DOING HERE?" Kanbei demanded to the colt and dachshund. "HOW DID YOU GET FREE?"

Hearing the fury in the concubine's voice, Moeru and Chester stopped at once, their eyes as round as saucers. They first looked at the menacing scowl on Kanbei's face and then stared at each other. Realizing that they had been caught, the little horse's head backed up from the opening. Before Ismail could snatch his dog, Chester darted towards the exit and nimbly jumped through.

The Sultan shook his head. "Why do I get the feeling that even if I had taken you up on your enticing offer of a little tryst this eve, we wouldn't be able to make love anyway?"

Kanbei angrily stood up. "Those two are going to get a spanking from me!"

He was about to leave, but Ismail took his hand. There was a smile on the Sultan's lips. "In case you need me, or if ever you should change your mind, I'll be here waiting. I love you, Kanbei. I always will."

The concubine gazed into those dark eyes, filled with pain and longing for him. Dropping to his knees, he gave Ismail a passionate kiss, pouring out all his love and gratitude.

As he eased away, Kanbei smiled, caressing the Sultan's cheek. "And I love you, Ismail. I just wish I could love you the way you want me to. But have no doubt of it, I DO love you as well." With a bow of obeisance, he hurried outside the tent.

Kanbei angrily tromped through the camp in search of Moeru and Chester, oblivious to the amused, but lustful, stares the men were giving him. As he neared one tent, his attention was called by the cry of a baby within. His heart gave a lurch, recognizing that cry as Zumillah's.

Going inside, sure enough, the baby was lying on a plush rug with thick blankets, surrounded by large, thick pillows.

Happy to see the child again, Kanbei eagerly took Zumillah in his arms, cooing, "Hello, Zumi! Why are you crying? My little angel's not wet, so probably you're hungry. But where's Tamar, child? Busy with her duties perhaps?"

Zumillah stared in awe at the handsome man who was carrying her. Something inside the baby's heart recognized the concubine immediately. Bursting into delighted giggles, Zumillah twisted her body to the side and pressed her face to his chest.

Kanbei groaned, feeling tiny lips nipping at his breast. "Oh, all right!" he declared in surrender, yanking his left shoulder down his arm. "I'll make an exception this time since Liamina isn't here." As he positioned the child's face to his nipple, Zumillah smacked her lips on the tit and began to feed ravenously on him. Grinning, he pinched the baby's nose lightly. "Zumi? You're just as bad as Moeru, you know that? But at least you're human!"

With all his attention focused on the infant he was rocking in his arms, Kanbei at first did not hear the soft whispers emanating from the sleeping chamber of the tent. But then, there was a low moan, almost like a throaty rumble, followed by ragged panting. Curiosity getting the better of him, the whoremaster went towards the opening, pushing the flap aside. Kanbei's jaw dropped in shock at the sight that greeted him.

Katsushiro was lost in the throes of passion and ecstasy, moaning and groaning as though in terrible pain. The young man was lying flat on his back, hands gripping a slender waist, his hips thrusting hard and fast into the slender, graceful body of Kyuzo, who was straddling him. Like a wanton, Kyuzo shook his head that his hair flew in dishabille, bouncing as he rode his student. Both were crying out in wild abandon.

"KYUZO? KATSUSHIRO?" Kanbei just found his friends' names flying out of his mouth.

That shocked cry surprised the Bandit Chief and Katsushiro. Swiftly, they parted, yanking the blankets over their naked forms. Both stared wide-eyed at Kanbei, speechless.

"I'm so sorry for the intrusion," the concubine apologized profuse. "It's just that I...I mean we...we were not expecting this. I heard Zumillah crying and..." Kanbei suddenly realized that the baby was still suckling on his breast.

Noticing the older man's discomfiture, Katsushiro stood up and took Zumillah from him. At once, the baby started to cry, her little hands raised to her surrogate 'mother.'

Not knowing what else to say, Kanbei blurted out, "What in heaven's name is going on here! And Kyuzo…why are you BOTTOM?"

Kyuzo turned on his side and snorted, cupping his face in his right hand. "I think I have you to blame for this. I thought you were going to teach Katsushiro here the art of lovemaking."

"I did, but I was expecting YOU to teach HIM about the submissive role! I thought you wouldn't like me to…take…his innocence. I mean, you're his teacher!"

Katsushiro grimaced at that word 'innocence.' "Come now, Kanbei-sama. I'm not as innocent as I look, you know."

The Bandit Chief looked at his student. "Would you leave us alone for awhile, Katsushiro?"

There was a gentle smile of understanding on Katsushiro's face as he nodded. Patting the whoremaster's arm, he whispered, "Don't do anything that you'll regret later." He then went into the outer chamber, closing the flap behind him.

For a long moment, there was silence between the two men.

"I hope you do not intend to do him harm, Kyuzo," Kanbei quietly put in.

"Now why would I do that? In case you haven't noticed, he's the one doing perverted things to me," Kyuzo declared in turn, surprised by this comment. Then, he remembered the cruel things that he had done to the concubine in the past. Nodding thoughtfully, he said, "Yes, you're right. I understand your concern."

Kanbei bit down on his lower lip in guilt. "I'm sorry. It was mean of me to say that."

"You are justified in saying it. I've come to deeply regret the things I did to you. With everything that has happened, I never had the chance to ask for your forgiveness, and to thank you for restoring Katsushiro's life to him."

"I thought he was dead. I thought I wasn't able to save him with my healing gift and the power of the Amesha Spenta Stone inside me. You don't know how happy I was to see him alive and well. As for forgiveness..." Kanbei sat down before the Bandit Chief. "I think you already know, that in my heart, I have forgiven you."

"Yes, I do." Kyuzo gazed into the concubine's warm brown eyes. "I believe I know why you came here."

"I just thought you might need some...companionship...tonight."

Kyuzo looked Kanbei approvingly from head to toe. "So that explains your alluring attire this evening."

A red flush on the whoremaster's cheeks. Embarrassed, he quickly lowered his eyes.

"You're leaving us, aren't you, Kanbei."

The concubine nodded. "Mithras and Devi Mari and Ahura Mazda himself told me that I should return home to our country. You've meant so much to me, Kyuzo. I cannot leave without giving you something to remember me by."

Kanbei suddenly found himself enfolded in Kyuzo's warm embrace. He could feel the Bandit Chief's tears of joy dripping on his shoulder.

"Oh but you have, Kanbei! You have!" the Bandit Chief sobbed. "I've been wallowing in grief, but you taught me how to live and love again. You've brought Katsushiro back from the dead for me. I have so much to thank you for everything that you have done for me. How could I dare ask you for more?"

"All you have to do is ask. It makes me happy to soothe your aching heart whenever we make love. I would like to do so again tonight with you."

Surprisingly, Kyuzo shook his head. "This time, I have to decline your offer. Kanbei, do not take this as a sign of my rejection. In truth, I still want you. Yes, I still love you, but not like in the past." The Bandit Chief grinned wryly. "Katsushiro, it turns out, is quite a jealous young man."

A joyous cry escaped Kanbei's lips as he hugged Kyuzo. "Oh, I am so happy for you! I didn't want to leave you, knowing that you would be alone. That's the real reason why I came. If you needed me, I would be happy to stay with you. But I see that you have found someone to love at last."

"I'm moving on with my life, Kanbei, with my student and lover at my side. Now it's your turn to pick up where you left off." Kyuzo laughed as he wiped away the tears of the older man with his palms. "There's another reason why I declined your offer." Winking, he gestured towards the tent opening. "I don't think those two would approve."

Whirling, Kanbei groaned, seeing Moeru and Chester sitting side by side. The colt and the dog had their heads raised, swaying from side to side, their teeth rattling like a rattlesnake's tail. It was a clear sign that the two animals would not hesitate to cause bodily harm if the Bandit Chief dared to bed him. Before the concubine could say a single word, Moeru and Chester made their quick escape.

Shaking his head, Kanbei slapped his hand to his brow in exasperation. "Those two interfered when I was in Ismail's tent."

"Speaking of Ismail," Kyuzo grinned broadly, "do you know that the lands of the Tademait Plateau actually belonged to him? For my assistance, he gave full ownership to me. I am now an Emir."

"Don't let the title get to your head." Kanbei leaned embraced the Bandit Chief and kissed him tenderly. "May Allah always bless you and your student, Kyuzo."

"May He always watch over you and protect you as well, Shimada Kanbei. You and Shichiroji," Kyuzo whispered. Saying this, he kissed the older man's fingertips. The Bandit Chief smiled as he watched Kanbei leave his tent.


* * * * * * * * * * *