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 19, 2006


Chapter Five

Shichiroji stood on top of a hill, looking out at the wide expanse of desert that the caravan was about to face -- the Great Western 'Irq, one of the great 'uruq or dune chains of the Sahara. At the camp below him, everyone was busy refilling the water skins from the well for the difficult journey ahead. If they leave in a few hours, by his estimation, they would reach the first oasis at the desert's edge by nightfall.

As he surveyed the area, a lone figure caught the Samurai's eye. Shinno was hunched over a patch of esparto grassland, a basket at his side. The basket itself was already filled with long needle grass. Curiosity getting the better of him, Shichiroji trudged down the hillside and headed for the whoremaster.

Engrossed with what he was doing, Shinno did not notice the Warrior's approach until his shadow fell upon him. The whoremaster turned abruptly, but just as quickly went back to what he was doing.

"Oh! It's only you," Shinno said, unable to hide his contempt.

"Why? Were you expecting someone else?" Shichiroji asked.

"Masamune...Gorobei...anyone amiable. Except you and Tessai."

"Am I not good company for you?"

"No, and Takeru agrees with me wholeheartedly."

Ignoring the whoremaster's obvious desire for him to leave, Shichiroji plopped down before him. He watched in amusement as Shinno's thick brows knitted in a frown, while he shielded what he was making with his cloak.

"You know, I missed you and your brother last night," the Samurai remarked casually.

That caused the man to raise his head, confusion written on his face. "Brother?" But he quickly covered up, "Uh...Takeru and I were...servicing...Tessai." Shinno scowled at the Warrior. "Thank you for reminding him."

"He didn't hurt you, did he?"

"Please don't act so concerned, you hypocrite," Shinno exclaimed dryly. "You're just disappointed because you weren't able to get your filthy hands on us."

Again, those words hit its mark. Shichiroji queried softly, "Do you think it's beyond me to show concern for someone?"

"Why shouldn't I think this way?" the whoremaster snapped back. "You haven't shown me any reason to believe otherwise. Frankly, I don't know how your wife managed to put up with you."

Shichiroji gaped at the angry man in surprise, hearing that last. Shinno's frown turned into a menacing scowl, noting the Warrior's stare.

"WHAT?" Shinno declared in irritation.

"What 'what'?"

"You're staring at me, and I don't like it. You look like a fish out of water -- all eyes and gaping mouth."

The Samurai almost laughed at the way the whoremaster described him. He scratched his head sheepishly and grinned. "Forgive me. What you said earlier...it's what Yukino always says to me: 'I don't know how I manage to put up with you.'"

"Hmmph!" Shinno snorted as he went back to his little chore. "Poor woman! She must have been a martyr, living with someone like you."

"On the contrary," Shichiroji interrupted, "I loved her very much. I never did anything to cause her grief." Deep sorrow crossed the Warrior's features. "When she died, my heart died with her."

For a moment, there was silence. Shinno commented softly, "Loss -- whether it be through Death's doing or something else -- is always devastating. Enough to even change your life completely."

"It looks like we have something in common."

"We are alike in two things only -- the hate and the desire for revenge," the whoremaster retorted in great anger. "But unlike you, I do not vent my frustrations out on the innocent."

"Shinno," the Samurai began in irritation, "is it always this difficult to have a civil conversation with you?"

"I choose who I should be civil with, and you are not one of them."

"Perhaps I should go to Takeru right now. He's a much better companion than you."

"That's because he can't talk." Shinno's hands began to move furiously, ripping and tugging on the grass on his lap. "All he could do is whimper and cry and shake his head when men rape him. There is no need to beg for mercy when you are on your hands and knees or on your back, a cock being rammed inside you. They just take you again...and again...and again..."

The whoremaster pulled at a clump of grass with all his might, a gasp escaping his lips as the sharp edges of the leaves cut his palm. It was then that Shichiroji got a good look at his hands. Shinno's hands were bleeding from small cuts caused by the blades of grass.

"Your hands are bleeding!" he exclaimed, taking the whoremaster's right hand.

Shinno, however, pulled it back. "Don't touch me!"

Undaunted, the Warrior grabbed both hands and held them in a fierce grip so that the whoremster man could not yank them away. Turning them over, Shichiroji grimaced, seeing the damage.

"What the hell are you doing anyway?" the Samurai declared, pulling a bottle of salve from the medicine pouch strapped to his belt.

Shinno winced as Shichiroji applied the healing salve on the cuts. Reluctantly, he admitted, "Takeru and I are making sandals for the guards and servants. The desert is not a good place to be wearing boots."

Shichiroji at last noticed the pairs of sandals stacked at the man's side.

"Are Takeru's hands in the same pitiful state as yours?" the Samurai wrapped Shinno's hands in bandages.

"I don't know. Maybe not. Takeru has always been more careful than me."

When he had finished bandaging Shinno's hands, Shichiroji made to stand. "Let me be the judge of that."

"NO!" Shinno tugged on his burnoose so hard that Shichiroji plopped back down on his rump. Seeing the Samurai's quizzical expression, he hastily stammered, "No, you can't see him!"

"And why not?"

"Because...because...no one is allowed to see Takeru during the day."

"Is that so? Then why are the servants going in and out of the tent if it's not allowed?"

"Because...because...Tessai forbids it!"

"Tessai himself told me that it is the Amanushi's command that I personally see to the...special needs...of his concubine."

"Well, he doesn't need you now."

"The Amanushi also said that I could bed him anytime I wish."

"Is that what being a proud samurai does to men -- transforms them into walking cocks and bullocks? If that's the case, I forbid you to see him! Why don't you just stick it up a camel's ass?"

Shichiroji looked the whoremaster straight in the eye. "Shinno, what are you hiding from me?"

"I'm not hiding anything!" Shinno answered defensively. But the Samurai could see that the whoremaster's pupils were dilated with fear. "What have I got to hide in the first place?"

"That's what I want to know." The Warrior gave him a meaningful glance. "You know, I find it highly suspicious that I never see you and Takeru together. It's always you in the morning and during sword lessons, and Takeru at night. But never at the same time."

"It's because my duties require me to be abroad during the day. Takeru's duties are, obviously, at night."

"But you don't share the same tent."

"Of course we do. Haven't you seen me going in and out of the tent? At night..." Shinno pouted. "I don't think you'd want me there."

"On the contrary, I like a good menage a trois, just the same as Tessai. You could join us, if you want to."

"If I were there, you'll never live to see the sunrise, and I don't want Takeru further traumatized with your headless carcass on his mat. Besides, I prefer the company of Masamune and Gorobei to yours."

Shichiroji winked at the whoremaster. "Why, Shinno! I never thought you liked a menage a trois as well, and with such a variety -- a moor and an old man!"

"HOW DARE YOU SPEAK OF MY FRIENDS THAT WAY!" was the whoremaster's outraged exclamation.

Shinno reached for a sandal beside him, about to whack the Samurai on the face with it.

However, the sandal was literally torn from his grasp. The two men's eyes were wide with shock, seeing the sandal pierced through and through by an arrow embedded in the ground. Out of the corner of his eye, the Samurai saw another oncoming projectile. Covering Shinno with his own body, Shichiroji pushed him out of the way, the arrow missing them by a few inches. Turning, they saw a running figure in the distance, darting through the grass and heading for the cornfield.

"Get back to the tent!" Shichiroji ordered the startled whoremaster.

"Shichiroji, but..."

"GET BACK TO THE TENT NOW!"

Without saying another word, the Samurai raced after the assassin. In his haste, he did not notice the sharp glint in Shinno's eye.

Shichiroji swiftly ran through the long grass, keeping his eyes focused on the assassin as he neared the cornfield. The Warrior knew that once the man entered the field, he would lose him. He quickened his pace, unsheathing his spear at the same time, snapping it to its full length.

"HALT!" he shouted. "STOP RIGHT THERE!"

That produced the desired effect. The assassin whirled around to face the Samurai, scimitar in hand. At once, the two men fought, blades of sword and spear flashing in the bright sunlight. Shichiroji was an excellent fighter, but when your adversary was desperate to escape and to live, his movements became unpredictable. Killing the man was not an option. The Warrior had to find out who he was targeting and who his master was. However, as they battled, it became obvious to Shichiroji what this man's order was to kill or be killed.

Still, Shichiroji demanded, "You don't have to die! Tell me! Were you ordered to kill the Amanushi's whore? Who is your master?"

But the man would not answer, pressing onwards with ferocious strokes. Shichiroji had no choice. As he parried the assassin's blows and swipes, the Samurai let the dagger he had hidden in a small chute inside his metal arm slide into his left hand. However, as he took a step back to deliver the killing blow, he slipped on a loose rock and fell to the ground. With an ululating cry, the assassin raised his sword.

Then, the man's cry was cut off abruptly. Shichiroji rolled out of the way as the assassin fell to the ground -- two shurikens buried at his nape.

"Shichiroji!" the Samurai heard Gorobei call out. The moor appeared breathlessly at his side. "Are you all right? What happened?"

"An assassin," Shichiroji answered. "I was talking to Shinno when he fired an arrow at us. "It's obvious that our little whoremaster was the target."

Masamune then came forward. "I don't recognize the colors of his garb. Whoever hired him made certain that his identity could not be traced."

"He's not the only assassin running around. The ninja..." the Warrior pointed to the shurikens. "He saved my life."

"At least we have an ally," put in the scribe.

"But a questionable one. I can't be too trusting of him until I know who he is and what his motives are."

"Personally, I don't care about his identity." To Shichiroji's shock, the moor pulled out the shurikens and thrust a dagger through the wound.

"What do you think you're doing?" demanded Shichiroji.

"Protecting the one person we could trust," Gorobei answered simply. "Believe us, Shichiroji, but this...ninja...has proven time and again that he is of no danger to Shinno and Takeru. In fact, the greatest danger is the assassin walking amongst us, guarding the two concubines with the tenacity of a dog."

"You speak of Tessai." Shichiroji nodded in approval. "Yes. I've known for quite some time that he is thuggee. I've seen the slender cord hidden in the pouch under his belt when he pulled out his whip."

Masamune affirmed, "He is the one who requires close watching."

Sure enough, the object of their discussion suddenly yelled, "WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING? COME BACK HERE, YOU WHORE!"

To the surprise of the three men, the robed figure of the Amanushi's concubine squeezed his way through to peer at the body of the assassin.

This was the first time that Shichiroji saw Takeru in the daylight, and he was astounded by the concubine's resemblance to Shinno -- from his deep brown eyes, his long, silky brown hair that reached to his rump, to his lithe figure. He would've sworn that it was the whoremaster who was standing in their midst…until he caught the cloaked form of Shinno standing beside the carriage in the distance, looking at the angry figure of the Amanushi's adviser who was storming towards them.

"Go with Masamune, Little Taisho, before Tessai vents his anger upon you," Gorobei said gently, squeezing the concubine's hands in reassurance. "Shichiroji and I shall take care of everything here."

For a moment, Takeru's eyes locked with the Samurai's. Was that concern reflected in the whore's eyes? Before he could get a word in to the concubine, Masamune led him away. Shichiroji saw how Tessai grabbed the man's arm and pulled him back to camp.

"I'll expect to hear a report from you later on, Shichiroji," the Amanushi's adviser called out to the Samurai, who merely waved in reply.

As he and Gorobei got down to take care of the assassin's body, Shichiroji's mind replayed the events that took place earlier. It was while they were checking the body for any clues as to his identity that the Samurai's attention was focused once more on the wound on the assassin's nape from which the moor's dagger protruded. Casting surreptitious glances at the warrior beside him, Shichiroji's observations proved true.

Gorobei had no pouch nor pockets in which to conceal the shurikens he had confiscated. In fact, the sharp throwing stars were no longer in his possession.

"Go with Masamune, Little Taisho," the moor had told Takeru while giving the whore's hands a gentle squeeze.

Shichiroji clearly remembered those hands as they peeked out momentarily from the long sleeves of his robe.

Takeru's hands were wrapped in bandages.

~~~~~~~~~~

After giving Masamune a message for Shinno that he will be unable to teach the whoremaster this eve, Shichiroji went straight to Tessai's tent to discuss about the assassin.

"There's something not right about what happened earlier," the Samurai remarked as he sipped his wine. "If these men are enemies of the Amanushi, what do they hope to gain by killing his concubine?"

"It has been known that, among the Bedouins," the Tessai began sagely, "wars start over the littlest of things. Everyone knows just how valuable this particular whore is to the Amanushi."

"Just 'how valuable' is this whore anyway? And I'm not talking about the great expense he put into having his concubine trained by the best whores in the world."

"I'm afraid it is the Amanushi who could only answer your questions. IF he will answer them..."

Shichiroji shook his head. "I don't know. There are just too many questions surrounding the Amanushi's whore. I do not want to go into a situation as blind as a bat. This...assassin...we have no clues whatsoever as to his identity. His master could be the chieftain of any of the nomadic tribes in the desert. We also have bandits that we may have to contend with. We're not too sure about the people on this caravan as well. This is very difficult, Tessai. If I'm to protect the Amanushi's concubine, I need to know what we're up against. Most importantly, who this whore really is?"

Tessai paused for a moment. With a deep breath, he answered, "I am not at liberty to divulge information about the Amanushi's whore. But I could tell you about the desert tribes in greater depth. Would that be sufficient?"

It was obvious to the Samurai that the adviser was avoiding any discussions about Takeru. There was also the matter that Tessai always referred to the Amanushi's whore in the singular, never the plural. As if he were talking about only one man. If he were to get any straight answers, it would probably be from Masamune or Gorobei, but then again, neither would be inclined to divulge secrets. He could ask Shinno himself. However...

// No, // thought Shichiroji. // Better take it a step at a time. Protecting the Amanushi's whores should be my priority. As Shinno said, the answers will be revealed in due time. //

The Samurai smiled at Tessai and nodded, "Yes, I think that would be sufficient." For now.

~~~~~~~~~~

His meeting with Tessai took almost the whole night, a most unproductive one, in Shichiroji's opinion. The Amanushi's adviser only told him what he already knew -- that if the nomads or bandits didn't kill them first, the desert certainly will.

However, it wasn't that which kept the Samurai awake. It was thoughts of Shinno and Takeru.

Shichiroji had come close to believing that Shinno and Takeru were one and the same person. Those bandages should've been proof enough. But then, the Warrior suddenly remembered that Shinno had been standing beside the carriage. There was the other matter that Takeru had also been making sandals inside his tent. If he had suffered similar wounds on his hands same as Shinno, that would also explain the bandages. In addition, there was the ninja and the missing shurikens, mind-boggling puzzles that could give any samurai a splitting headache.

Shichiroji heard the soft rustle of the tent's flap opening behind him.

"I'm sorry but I really don't want to be disturbed right now," he said as he turned around to look at his visitor, only to find his jaw dropping in pleasant surprise. "Takeru?"

The man shook his head. "No, it's me, Shichiroji." Shinno had changed into a gauzy robe, like what his brother wears. But the fabric was much thinner that the whoremaster was practically naked. As always, a silk scarf covered the lower half of Shinno's face.

"Shinno, if this is about sword lessons..." Shichiroji began wearily.

"No, it's not about that." Reluctantly, the whoremaster admitted, "Takeru...and I...we just wanted to find out if you're all right."

"It's going to take more than an arrow to kill me."

"Takeru told me that I should..." Shinno took a deep breath. "Thank you, Shichiroji, for protecting me from the assassin earlier."

"Just doing my job, Shinno. Just doing my job."

"Is…is there anything I can do for you?"

"If you're thinking about sex, it's your lucky day. I'm not in the mood right now because of this damned headache. Maybe some other time."

However, instead of leaving, the whoremaster walked around the Warrior and knelt down behind him. He was shocked when gentle fingers began to massage his temples. Instinctively, his back stiffened.

"Relax, will you?" Shinno declared in mild exasperation. "I'm not going to bite you. Come on! Lie down."

Before Shichiroji could protest, he felt the whoremaster's hands upon his shoulders, urging him to lay his head on his lap. The Samurai just found himself obeying, even settling down in a comfortable position.

"That didn't hurt now, did it?" Shinno asked, a teasing tone in his voice.

As the whoremaster massaged his forehead and temples, Shichiroji stared into those playful brown eyes that were, for once, shining with happiness and mischief. Looking into Shinno's orbs brought a painful twinge in his heart. Those exquisite eyes...it reminded him so much of another person who had once graced and cursed his life. That man he had called 'husband'…

"Shichiroji, is something wrong?" he heard the whoremaster query. "You're frowning again."

"Sorry," the Samurai apologized sincerely. "I was just thinking."

"You should stop thinking too much. There is no cure for wrinkles, you know."

Shichiroji laughed at that remark.

"Now, that's much better," Shinno declared, continuing with the massage.

The Warrior gazed thoughtfully at the man above him. "Why can't we always be like this, Shinno?"

It was the whoremaster's turn to frown. "What do you mean?"

"Talking...not quarreling."

Silence. Shinno said softly, "This is just a temporary respite, and you know it. Nothing's going to change between us."

"Is it because of Takeru? What I did to him...and to you?"

"That's part of the reason. But then again, what could we do? We're whores after all. We live with rape. Besides, I don't think you would want us to be anything else but that."

"If I didn't want you to have a better life, I would never have agreed to assist you in your sword training."

"Let's not kid ourselves, Shichiroji. We both know what our true motives are -- vengeance against the people who have brought us pain in the past."

"Yes, but it could be a stepping stone to the future."

"But what kind of future -- good or bad?"

"Who knows? Whatever it is..." Shichiroji gave Shinno a wink. "...At least, we'll both have our revenge."

In an echo of Yukino's ghostly words to him, Shinno answered, "Let's just hope we don't live to regret it." Breathing in deeply, he said, "I'd better go." He then became serious. "A word of warning, Shichiroji. The assassin..."

"What about the assassin?"

"I was not the target. It was you he wanted to kill."

Shichiroji was stunned by this revelation. "How do you know?"

"Believe me, Shichiroji, I just know." Shinno reached into the pocket of his robe and pulled out what looked like a rope. He tossed it to the Samurai. "Here! Takeru made this for you. He thought it would help keep your hair in place. It's flying everywhere."

The Warrior took the object and saw that it was an ornamental tie with beads and feathers used to braid long hair with.

"Thank you," said Shichiroji, putting as much weight into those two words as possible.

"It's nothing," Shinno shrugged. "Just a simple token. Nothing to make a big deal over. After this, things are going to go back to the way they were anyway."

"What if it doesn't?"

"It will. I know you, Shichiroji."

"Just the same, thank you, Shinno...for saving my life."

The whoremaster started at that last. With a snort, Shinno retorted, "Believe me, the last thing I wanted to do was save your life!" The man came to a dead halt, realizing what he just said.

Grinning, Shichiroji advised, "Be careful when you use your shurikens! Those things are sharp. I don't want your hands getting cut."

"I think you're mistaken, Samurai. I'm not the ninja."

"Did I say that you were?"

Shinno did not know what to say, realizing that he had been caught.

"This is a very good thing, you know. I could practice advanced techniques, especially since you know martial arts so well." The Samurai also reassured him, "Don't worry! Your secret is safe with me."

"That's what I'm afraid of," the whoremaster muttered under his breath, groaning.

"Oh, and I still owe you for the spanking you gave me nights before!" Shichiroji quickly remembered. "Remind me to give you a good thrashing before lessons."

Shinno glared at the Warrior. "That's the LAST thing you're going to do to me!" Saying this, he stormed out of the tent.

Shichiroji burst into laughter. As he settled down to sleep, he breathed in relief. That was one mystery solved.


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