The Makings of a Samurai (Kyuzo Love story)

“No Katsushiro, you can’t leave me!” you begged your brother. “Arya, I have to help Kanna village, I WILL be back, I promise.” “What if you don’t come back?” At least take me with you!” “No, you won’t be any help, you’ll just slow us down.” “You’ll slow them down too, you just carry the name of the samurai, you haven’t exactly proven that you deserve that title.” “Well, at least I’m not afraid of swords!” he snapped. Memories when you were young came flooding back to you. You could see yourself struggling against the men that had made you and Katsushiro orphans. The last thing you had seen before fainting that day was the man’s sword, dripping with your mother’s crimson blood. Katsushiro’s voice snapped you out of your flashback. “I…I’m sorry.” you looked at him, and noticed that his eyes had softened. You face must have betrayed your feelings. “It’s okay.” you whispered. “Can I at least stay with you until you leave the city?” “Yes, that’s fine.” The two of you walked quietly, until you got to an opening. Katsushiro gasped. “Sensei!” You looked, and in the clearing below you were two samurai, each with their swords to the other’s neck. You recognized Kambei because of all the talking your brother had been doing about him, but who was the man in red? “Katsu, you never said anything about the guy with two swords.” “That’s because I don’t know him.” You watched the two fight in awe, flinching every time their swords clashed, while Katsushiro was rigid with horror. Then Kambei turned his back on the stranger. The man was about to strike, a cold, menacing smile playing on his lips, when a robot, who you thought must be the Kiku that Katsu had told you about, ran up. “Kambei, look out behind you!” Both men turned, the one in red blocking the machine samurai’s attack. Before the stranger could attack Kiku, Kambei knocked one of his swords out oh his hand. The man stared at Kambei, eyes cold. He kicked his sword into his hand, and sheathed both. “Another time then.” he said, and with that, he turned and walked up the stairs towards you. When he got to you, you looked at him. He returned your gaze with emotionless red eyes. You couldn’t look away, you just stood there, as if something had frozen you to that spot. You were finally forced to look away when Katsushiro grabbed your arm, and whispered “Let him pass Arya.” His voice had a hint of urgency. After you moved, the man continued walking, and you watched him until he disappeared into the crowd. You turned to see that Katsushiro had already started down the stairs. You ran to catch up. “Sensei, what happened, who was that, did he hurt you?” “Calm down Katsushiro, I simply have a cut. That man called himself Kyuzo, he wanted a fight to the death, but I wish I could have convinced him to join us.” “What, why? He tried to kill you!” “He was an extremely skilled fighter.” Kambei looked over at you, as if just noticing you. “You must Arya.” “Yes sir.” You thought for a moment, and before you could stop yourself, you blurted out “Great samurai, please, teach me to wield a sword. I want to go with you, Katsushiro is all I have left.” “Arya!” Katsushiro snapped. “I can not, and even if I did, it would have to be after this battle.” “But…” “You would also have to get over your fear.” said Katsushiro, grabbing your shoulders. You sighed, and looked at your feet. “Then you’re leaving me tomorrow?” “I have to, I’m sorry.” You heard footsteps behind you. “You’ve gotta be kidding me, that guy fought so hard to kill you, then just walked away?” You turned to see a man with dark skin and white hair. There was also a farmer with him. “He had no reason to continue fighting, Gorobei. I had turned my back on him, he would have had to fight Kikuchiyo.” “Great Kambei, are you okay?” You turned and saw a girl that was about your age. You figured that this must be the Kirara your brother had spoken so highly of. You hated her; she was taking away the only family you had left. Kambei turned back to you. “Arya, you may stay with us for the day if you would like.” You nodded. “Thank you Kambei.” The day was uneventful, you walked around, looking for samurai. You were savoring every moment with your brother, because as the sun got lower in the sky, you knew it was almost time to say goodbye. When the sky was shades of pinks and yellows, Katsushiro turned to you. “Arya, you should go home now, I’m staying with the samurai tonight, so this is the last time I’ll see you for a while, goodbye, I love you.” Tears were welling up in your eyes, and running down your cheeks. “Goodbye, please come back to me.” “I will, I promise.” You hugged him. After let go, he turned and walked away. You were dreading going to sleep; you knew you would have nightmares about bad things happening to your brother. When you finally fell into an uneasy sleep, you heard Kambei say “That man called himself Kyuzo.” You could see images of the blonde samurai flash through your mind. Then the eyes. The cold red eyes that held you captive. Your eyes snapped open, and you shot up, drenched in a cold sweat. Light was streaming through your window. You don’t know why, but you just knew you had to find this samurai. You knew that this Kyuzo had to be the one to teach you.