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. Absolutely no monetary gain has been made with this work.


SAMURAI 7: WARRIORS OF ROCK
© October 30, 2006 By Rory V. Pascual


CHAPTER SEVEN: Goodness Gracious! Great Balls of Fire!!

The last few peaceful minutes of a busy Wednesday workday at Kougakyo Savings and Loans was shattered by an outraged bellow coming from Katayama Gorobei's small office. A split second after, Gorobei himself stampeded out of his cubicle, bearing a pastel-colored box, and rushed inside his best friend's office.

Panting for breath, Gorobei growled, "Oi, Kanbei!"

"Hmm…" Kanbei was settled back comfortably in his swivel chair, reading a large record book that covered his entire head.

"Don't 'Hmm' me! I'm missing one powdered donut! Some fool stole it from the box!" With watery eyes, Gorobei lamented, "I won't survive the remainder of this week without my supply of sugar and sweet cream! I'll be as cranky as YOU!"

"Hmmm."

It was not the reply that Gorobei expected. That throaty rumble instantly aroused suspicion in the aging rapper. Sneaking up on his friend, he snatched the record book away to reveal a startled Kanbei, reading 'Lullaby Of Cedars'. Clamped securely between his full lips was Gorobei's missing donut.

"KANBEI!"

Feigning innocence, Kanbei took the incriminating evidence out of his mouth and handed it back to the older man. "You looking for this? Here you go!"

A huge bite had already been taken out of his precious pastry. It did not assuage Gorobei's despair to see powdered sugar lightly dusting the beard on Kanbei's chin.

Bursting into a wail, Gorobei sobbed, "Kanbei, how could you?"

"I thought you wouldn't mind. I was feeling a bit hungry and when I saw the box on your desk…" Kanbei's lips tightened into a small pout. "It's just one donut. It's not like I consumed one of your super bentos."

"Those lunch boxes are different. Those are dishes I thought I'd try and…"

A long silence fell between the two men.

"Oh, I see," Kanbei began, his voice dripping with growing resentment. "So you've been using me as your guinea pig for the bentos you were going to give to Honoka."

"Of course not! I always try them out first at home!"

"Is that why you look like a poisoned hedgehog?"

Poor Gorobei looked he's been having rough nights. His once trim hairdo now had spiky silver hair sticking out like porcupine quills. There were dark rings around his eyes, which made him look like a stressed-out panda.

"It's a nightmare in the studio," Gorobei revealed, forlorn, to the younger man. "We haven't made any headway in writing the songs for the anime theme competition. Shichiroji and Kyuzo are always bickering, so much so that Kikuchiyo is dying to bang their heads together. Heihachi has been rummaging through the piles of songs that the band had already written, looking for something suitable. Even Katsushiro is at his wit's end. Poor boy has been neglecting his studies. I've taken to tutoring him in Algebra. I'm telling you, Kanbei. There is no way that we're going to make that competition next Saturday night."

Kanbei placed the novel he was reading back inside his bag. Admittedly, he had been curious about whatever progress the band had made for the coming competition and had intended to ask Gorobei about it. But he never thought that the situation was this bad. With Gorobei looking the way he was, he had no doubt that the band was floundering in dire straits.

Kanbei glanced at the envelope inside his briefcase, containing the two songs he had written and Shichiroji's business contract.

"Make the music that I know that only you can write for 'Lullaby'," Yuki Eiri had told him at the coffee shop.

// Easier said than done, // Kanbei thought ruefully.

The chime signaling the end of the workday rang out. Snapping his briefcase shut, Kanbei wolfed down the remains of Gorobei's Bavarian donut. Standing, he said, "Get your stuff. I'm going with you to the recording studio."

Hope eternal shone in Gorobei's eyes, giving the dark orbs a golden hue. "Does this mean you're joining our band?"

"Of course not!" Kanbei declared huffily. "I'm just going to deliver Shichiroji's contract!"

"If that's the case, why don't you give it to me? I'll make sure that he gets it."

"Shichiroji is my client. It's my job to take care of his account with our bank."

"Ohh?" There was a teasing tone in that inquiring syllable. "And I thought you were falling for our dashing lead guitarist and resident playboy."

A sound like a strangled squeak rushed out of Kanbei's throat. "What gave you that idea? It's strictly business between Shichiroji and I? Business!"

"Business, huh?" Gorobei was grinning ear to ear as he glanced sideways at his fuming friend. "Then why are you as red as a tomato? I heard that you were just as red when Shichiroji…" He then made loud kissing noses, his lips puckered up like the demented orangutan from that old Clint Eastwood movie Kanbei had watched last night.

Before Kanbei could give him a pounding, Gorobei sped past him like greased lightning. Pausing at the door, he stuck his tongue out at the younger man and slapped his butt. "Consider that payback for the donut you stole, Oji!"

"DON'T CALL ME 'OJI'!" With a scowl of fury on his face, Kanbei raced after the older man with the intent to do him serious damage.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Are you that dead set on giving me a heart attack?"

Gorobei had collapsed face first onto the pavement right in front of the recording studio. Staggering close behind him, Kanbei dropped to his knees, chest heaving as he breathed in lungfuls of air. To his chagrin, a smoke-belching Honda roared by, turning his deep inhalations into a coughing fit.

"I can't believe we ran all the way here!" Kanbei gasped out.

The older man burst into a staccato of wheezy chuckles. "I guess Shichiroji's devastating Smooch of Love worked wonders on your stamina, Kanbei-ojisama."

That statement was a big mistake, especially with his infuriated best friend in very close proximity. Kanbei grabbed him by his shirt and began shaking him like a rag doll.

"I'm not an Oji, damn it!" Kanbei snarled in his face as he throttled Gorobei. "And who told you about that? If word of this gets to Kirara, I'll kill you!"

"I'm dying now!" Gorobei groaned as his body flopped weakly in the younger man's grip.

"KANBEI-SAMA!"

Before Kanbei could turn in the direction of that cry, someone barreled into him. He was surprised to see Katsushiro crying with his arms wrapped around his savior's waist.

"Kanbei-sama, I can't take much more of this!" Katsushiro wailed miserably. "I failed my History test today!"

With one wailing boy and one half-dead best friend, what was Kanbei supposed to do?

Gritting his teeth, Kanbei ordered, "Let's go inside!", dragging both Gorobei and Katsushiro with him. Thankfully, the guards opened the doors without any arguments.

Kikuchiyo saw him enter the studio. The cyborg strode over to him and took an insensate Gorobei off his hands. Clucking his tongue, he remarked, "You look like you've been beaten up by a mugger."

"He got what he deserved, damned rumormonger," Kanbei snorted as he plopped down on the couch to soothe the weeping boy.

Heihachi emerged from the corridor. Sans his favorite pilot's cap, his orange mane stuck out in many directions. His normally squinting eyes have been reduced to very thin slits.

To Kanbei's shock, Heihachi knelt before him, holding out a box of his favorite onigiri. Sobbing, he begged, "Kanbei-san, I'll give you this if you'll only help us."

"Where's Shichiroji?" Kanbei inquired with concern. Never had he seen a band look so utterly wretched. Everyone seemed to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Even Kikuchiyo was rusting in some of his parts. "I…uh…I just came to deliver the contract and…"

From the cradle of Kikuchiyo's curved legs, Gorobei ranted, "Stop talking about that stupid contract! Shichiroji's your boyfriend, isn't he? You should help us out here!"

"WHO SAID HE WAS MY BOYFRIEND?!"

"Shichiroji has a boyfriend? ….WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"

That cold voice caused a chill to run up Kanbei's spine. He felt Katsushiro stiffen in his arms. The others fell silent immediately.

Patting the boy comfortingly, Kanbei stood up to face angry crimson eyes. "I'm looking for Shichiroji."

"Well, he's not here right now as you can see," Kyuzo answered back. "And what business do you have with him?"

Pulling out the envelope, he said, "He's my client at the bank. I'm here to deliver his copy of the contract."

Kyuzo snatched it out of his hand, raised the flap and flipped through the contents. The bass player's face was a dark mask as he remarked, "You certainly know how to take care of your clients, don't you, Oji."

"My name is Shimada Kanbei. Even if you do call me that, may I advise you to use an honorific. Don't forget I am older than you and I demand respect."

"If you say so…Kanbei-ojisan." Kyuzo spoke the name with sheer derision. "Tell me this. Is it part of your bank's service to compose songs for your client? And you're not very original, are you? You had to plagiarize my song."

Noticing everyone's questioning looks directed at him, Kanbei groaned inwardly. He had completely forgotten that he had placed the music sheets in the envelope together with the contract.

"I don't plagiarize," Kanbei stated firmly. "If you take a look at the front page, you'll see that you are credited as the composer of the song, even if I did improve on the melody and wrote the lyrics. As for the second song, that is my own composition. Naturally, I wouldn't put YOUR name on it."

Kyuzo threw his head back and burst into mocking laughter. "I have to compliment you, Kanbei-san. You certainly have the gall to mess around with a song that is not your own." He cast his smoldering gaze upon his bandmates. "Certainly not like these useless fools."

"It would depend upon how you would define 'useless'. From what I heard, all you've done is argue and bicker with everyone that you've accomplished absolutely nothing productive."

"And? Are you saying that it's my fault?"

"No, I didn't mean that."

"Then what exactly did you mean?"

Kanbei did not like the direction in which this conversation was going. Kyuzo was baiting for a fight, and he was also on the verge of losing his tenuous grip on his temper. He certainly did not want to cause any trouble for Katsushiro, Gorobei and the others.

"Kyuzo-san…" Kanbei carefully measured his words. "You have a group of talented individuals here. If you would only listen to their input, I'm sure that you can come up with songs for the anime theme competition."

"They have absolutely nothing useful to suggest."

Kikuchiyo was riled up by that blanch statement. "That's not true, you pigheaded son of a bitch! I told you that the ballad you wrote is better off transformed into a hard rock number. Those bass lines would be fantastic with a steady drum beat behind it."

"Who asked for your opinion, Trash Can?" Kyuzo snapped back.

His nerves already frayed, Katsushiro exclaimed, "That's the problem with you. You never bothered to listen to any of our opinions. You wouldn't even listen to Gorobei-dono. True, he's just a newbie, but his rap lyrics are deep and thought provoking. You always have to get your way. When Shichiroji's not around, you bully us every chance you get."

"If you think you're better than I am, then why don't you come up with a song?"

"Yes, we could do that," Heihachi said grimly. "But then it wouldn't be a band endeavor now, would it? You are not a solo artist, Kyuzo-dono. You're a bass player. You couldn't even sing at the caliber of Kanbei-san."

Kyuzo's red eyes were ablaze with fury. "What did you just say? You dare compare me to him?!" He thrust a finger at Kanbei's face.

Kanbei slapped that rude finger away. "Do you know what it means to be a bass player, Kyuzo-san? A bass player, together with the drummer, holds the rhythm of the band. You are its foundation, its support. Without you, the band will just fall apart at the seams."

"I don't need advice from an aging accountant!"

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Shichiroji chose that moment to fly through the studio doors. Thankfully, the guards had the presence of mind to open the doors before he could crash through the glass. Kanbei's eyes flew wide, seeing his seething youngest daughter standing at the doorway.

"You keep your smacking lips to yourself, you stinking pervert!" Komachi railed at the lead guitarist, who was gingerly picking himself up from the floor. "If I see you smooching my Daddy again, you'll have Hell to pay!"

"KOMACHI!!"

The little girl turned as white as a ghost at the sight of her parent. "Daddy?" she squeaked like a mouse that had been stepped on.

Even Shichiroji was just as surprised to see him. "Kanbei? What are you doing here?"

"Causing trouble, that's what!" Kyuzo retorted. "Shichiroji, I don't want you bringing your business associates here and meddling in my affairs."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Shichiroji asked in utter confusion.

Gorobei answered, "It seems Kanbei wrote some songs for the anime theme competition. But Kyuzo-san is being stubborn as always."

"And who asked for your opinion, Old Man?" Kyuzo pulled out the music sheets from the envelope. Raising it before Kanbei's face, he sneered, "This is what I think of your songs, Kanbei-ojisama."

A collective gasp rose from everyone as the music sheets were torn in half. Kanbei's jaw had dropped at the sheer maliciousness of the act.

Shichiroji leaped to his feet as Kyuzo made to tear the sheets to shreds. "STOP IT, YOU BASTARD! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT!!"

SLAP!!!

Everyone gaped in shock and awe as Kyuzo dropped to the floor, clutching his bruised cheek. Kanbei's right hand was still raised after delivering that fierce slap.

"YOU SON OF A BITCH!" Kyuzo hissed.

Kanbei lowered his hand, his calm ash brown eyes meeting those furious crimson orbs with sheer force of will. "Consider that payback for hitting me during the audition."

Kyuzo made to punch the older man back, but Shichiroji stepped between them.

"You've gone too far this time, Kyuzo," Shichiroji muttered menacingly. "If you continue acting like a complete idiot, I would have no choice but to…"

"What? You'll fire me from the band? You don't have to…because I QUIT!" Saying this, Kyuzo stormed back to the musicians' lounge, slamming the door behind him.

Kanbei was taken aback by the younger man's sudden decision. He hardly felt Komachi's approach, the little girl clinging nervously to his jacket. Turning to the fuming lead guitar player, he stammered, "Shichiroji, I don't…"

"If he's going to be an asshole, he's better off gone," Shichiroji answered bitterly. "We could just audition other bassists."

"But what about the anime theme competition?" Katsushiro asked, caught in disbelief by the quick turn of events.

The blond's hands closed into fists. "It's all right. There will be…other…opportunities."

Kanbei could not bear to see the pain on the younger man's face. If he hadn't interfered… The least he could do was to try and fix things between them once more.

"No, this won't do! Absolutely not!" Kanbei said with a stubborn shake of his head. "You need Kyuzo, not just because he's a talented bass player, but also because he's a great songwriter. You've been friends all this time. I won't see your band ruined before you even fulfill your dream."

"Kanbei…" Shichiroji looked at the older man in surprise.

Leaving his daughter with the blond, Kanbei headed off in the direction of the musicians lounge. He did not even bother to knock; he just turned the knob and walked inside. Kyuzo was throwing his things inside his bag, but Kanbei could tell that the bassist was crying, judging from the way his body trembled with repressed emotions.

"Kyuzo…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hit you…" he began nervously.

"Oh you meant it all right," Kyuzo snorted. "The same way I meant hitting you the last time."

Kanbei stifled the urge to knock some sense into the stubborn bass player. Instead, he bent down, took an unwilling Kyuzo's wrist, and led him towards the couch.

"Listen to me, Kyuzo," he began, sitting down beside the bassist. "I'm not here to interfere with you or the band. I told you that I did not want to join you, and that's the truth. But…I can't NOT help you. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"

"Hah! What does an accountant like you know about music anyway?"

"A lot more than you know. There was a time when I dreamed of being in the same…line of work…that you guys are in now. But it just wasn't for me, and I gave it all up to become…" Kanbei made a self-deprecating laugh. "…Yeah, a dorky accountant. But seeing Gorobei's determination to become a rapper, meeting you guys, I've been wondering if I hadn't made a mistake. Those nights thinking of what should've been…Kyuzo, I don't want you to be in the position that I'm in right now."

Kyuzo turned to him, his eyes red from crying but mirroring his surprise.

Seeing that he finally had the younger man's attention, Kanbei continued, "Yes, I know that you're feeling frustrated now. You feel that every song that you've written isn't right for that silly anime. But I've seen the beauty in your song. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gone to all the trouble to dredge up old, painful memories by working on it. I believe in your song, Kyuzo. Now that I'm reading 'Lullaby Of Cedars', I know for a fact that only your song would give justice to that beautiful story. If you'll only believe in its power and trust your friends to help you reach its full potential…" Kanbei shrugged. "Of course, you are free to choose another song. I've seen your music sheets and I could tell you that there are a few tunes that you could use."

"But…after what happened, I don't think the guys would want me back." There. The fear was finally voiced out loud.

"If they don't, then they're the big fools you claim them to be." Kanbei laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. "However, I don't think they're fools at all. Then again, you're a better judge of their character. You've known them for much longer than I have." As an afterthought, he added, "I wish I could say the same about Gorobei though. Up to now, I still don't understand him."

A hesitant smile curled up Kyuzo's lips. "All right, Oji! You've convinced me. I won't leave. I don't think those idiots would survive without me."

" It's 'Ojisan' to you, you twerp!" Kanbei laughed in relief. "You idiots need to work together."

"But…Don't think for one second that I'm going to use your songs. I have my pride, you know. And besides, I still don't like you and I doubt if I ever will."

The older man snorted at that retort. "It's the least I could expect from an asshole like you."

"However, if it's any consolation to you, I'll ask the band to play your songs so we can all listen to it." Kyuzo ignored the slack-jawed expression on Kanbei's face as he picked up the roll of tape. "Damn it! Now I have to tape it together again." He then walked out of the lounge.

Kanbei blinked after the younger man. Chuckling, he murmured, "It's the least you could do, Kyuzo-san. Besides, taping up torn music sheets is much easier than putting a broken band back together."

~~~~~~~~~~

"Oh, Daddy!" Komachi exclaimed for the thousandth time as they walked home. "I thought we were not going to make it out of there alive."

" 'We'?" Kanbei said, his eyebrows forming perfect arches. "If I remember correctly, you were the one with the intention to do bloody murder. You're lucky Shichiroji let you off the hook so easily."

The little girl's tongue licked the corner of his lips and rubbed her tummy. "Yeah, those chocolate bars were soooo yummy!" Komachi looked at her father. "I'm sorry, Daddy. I didn't mean to cause trouble for you. And I feel so embarrassed. All this time, I thought it was Shichiroji who had hurt you. I guess that means I should apologize to him as well."

"Yes, you do that, young lady. It's the least you could after that flying kick you gave him."

Komachi saw a figure running behind them. "Speaking of the Devil…"

"YO, KANBEI! HEY, WAIT UP!!"

There was no mistaking that golden hair. As Shichiroji came up breathlessly towards them, Kanbei asked curiously, "What are you doing here, Shichiroji?"

"I forgot to give you something," Shichiroji said, panting. He pressed a small envelope into his hands. "Here. Tickets for the anime theme competition. I'd like you and your kids to be there. Offer moral support and all that stuff."

"Are you sure you want my sis and I to be there?" Komachi's pert face mirrored her suspicion. "For all I know, you want my Daddy all to yourself!"

Kanbei stared aghast at his munchkin. "Komachi! How could you say something like that? Besides, your Uncle Gorobei's a member of the band. Naturally, we have to give them our support."

Shichiroji's blue eyes shone at that answer. "Then, you're coming?"

"Why not? I don't want to put these tickets to waste and…"

Kanbei was never able to finish what he was going to say because Shichiroji gave him a tight hug and cut off his words with an exuberant kiss.

"HEY!" Komachi was infuriated, as she struggled to pull the smooching blond of her father. "YOU'RE DOING IT AGAIN!"

The kick that she was about to deliver stopped an inch from Shichiroji's shin as the lead guitarist thrust candy bars into her arms.

"Thanks for letting me kiss your Daddy, Komachi!" Shichiroji said in sincere gratitude, giving the little girl a conniving wink before running off.

Happy with her stash, Komachi waved to the blond. "YOU'RE WELCOME, SHICHIROJI! YOU'RE FREE TO KISS MY DAD ANYTIME YOU WANT!!"

"KOMACHI!!"

Komachi did not have to turn to see the fury on her father's face. Before Kanbei could get his hands on his mischievous daughter, Komachi made a quick getaway, her laughter ringing out in the afternoon air.


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