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astoldbyaja · 11 months ago

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The Pink Blossom Ch.1

Nathan and his former slave Grace are taken captive by Katsumoto and his samurai. As Nathan heals in Taka's home, Grace is watched in Ujio's. The tough samurai is not silent with his hatred for the American soldier, but he cannot fight the common curiosity that many have in the village upon getting to meet their first African. What starts as genuine curiosity turns into a deep love the two never thought possible, being from different worlds. This is Grace's story from being a prisoner to being loved by a samurai.

****Please note some racial slurs in this fic!!!****

“Stay close.” I remember him saying. War was no place for an African servant woman like me, but Nathan Algren kept me at his side from the Indian wars to the trouble that was going on in Japan.

There was a samurai led rebellion going on against Japan’s emperor, Meiji. Nathan’s old commanding officer, Colonel Bagely had found Nathan and asked him to help train the Imperial Japanese Army, for a Japanese businessman by the name of Omura, to stop this rebellion. I knew Nathan’s hatred for the colonel, but he needed the money and so he agreed. We were accompanied by his old friend sergeant Zebulon Grant and British translator Simon Graham.

Zebulon looked at me with indifference like most did, but Simon was a complete gentleman when speaking to me.

When Nathan’s wife died, Nathan lost everything, but his status as a soldier kept him going and I would not abandon him.

We were given lodging at an Inn. I didn’t leave unless Nathan was with me. It seemed my presence either made the local people curious or they were afraid of me. There are not many Africans in Japan. I recall Colonel Bagley making a snide remark about me being the only “nigger in all of Japan”. I brought Nathan some food and sat across from him.

“You’re worried.” I noted and he sighed heavily moving his fork about his food.

“These men know nothing about combat. They’re peasants, some of who have never even picked up or handled a weapon. It’s a shame.” he told.

“But with you here, they’ll learn.” I said trying to remain hopeful. Nathan shook his head.

“Not in time to go against Katsumoto.” he replied. I winced unable to understand the name.

“Katsuwho?” I asked. He grinned at me.

“Katsumoto. He is the leader of the samurai rebellion.” he replied.

“He is dangerous, like the Indians?” I asked. Nathan smiled warmly and moved his hand to rest atop of mine.

“Nothing will happen to you. Not while I’m alive.”

During training, Nathan was told the samurai were attacking one of the railroads owned by Omura. He protested that the men were not ready, but he was still commanded to prepare to fight.

Two horses were getting prepared for us both to ride out tomorrow.

“Are you sure I should go?” I asked. Nathan winced.

“Grace, I don’t want to take you, but I will not leave you here. I don’t know the Japanese ways or their views on freed slaves. You know our plan, if I fall in battle, you ride out of there, ride until you are away from the danger. Never stop.”

But now it was morning, and the fog was heavy as I was riding on the rear on my horse with Col. Bagley who was not pleased in the first place with me coming along. The forest is not yet awake yet. We should not be invading the nature. I could see Nathan up front as I was surrounded by Japanese men walking and looking about. They were afraid and so was I. I always tell myself, when Nathan brings me along on these endeavors that maybe I should stay behind somewhere safe, but there is nowhere safe for me without Nathan close by.

I always feared being put in chains again, and I saw Nathan as my only protector because he looked like the very people who enslaved me. My horse was moving along in stride, but something had spooked it, because it was not wanting to continue walking. Did it know danger was close? I looked forward toward Nathan to see him looking wary of the forest. He glanced back at me, and I gave a gentle stare to him. He then stopped the army and my chest tightened. Something was coming, the distant fog was angry and roared at us. Someone was coming. It was not the forest, but the enemy ahead coming at us.

Shadows of shapely ghosts charged toward us. I covered my mouth in shock and fear. They were like demons!

“Assume firing positions!” Nathan yelled.

The soldiers stood with their shaky guns pointed at the wave of people coming to kill them. I was told to wear black so I would blend in with the trees and not be spotted should I be separated from Nathan or any other familiar faces. My curls were pulled back in a neat bun and my gloves were as thick as the dark coat Nathan gave me that kept me warm and protected.

I myself had to be ready. I heard a single gunshot, and I was now being thrown from my horse. I yelled out as I hit the ground, my mind and vision hazy. I groaned hard as I looked up and men being stabbed and butchered like animals. The sea of demons rode through them smiting them.

I had managed to crawl over to a tree away from the battle it seemed. My heart was pounding and my hair was covering my face as I hugged this tree for comfort. I had never seen war up close before. Even during the Indian wars, I remained in a tent or home with other slaves. I even served a few of the generals who Nathan served under to better serve in his favor.

These men were indeed not ready to face combat. My eyes widened as I watched these… samurai stab into the men, cutting their throats and dismembering them. God protect me from this carnage! My body was convulsing in utter fear as I watched arrows fly through the air and puncture men. An arrow hit the tree I was at and I yelped and turned back around trying to catch my breath. I had to run. No, not yet I had to find Nathan!

I was looking for him now in the bloodshed and as I did, I noticed one of them had rode up fast and speared Zebulon in the chest. My eyes widened and I screamed as he fell to the ground.

“GRANT!” I hear Nathan yell. I watched as a shadow in red dismounted his horse and approached the fallen man. He raised his sword high and my eyes widened as he plunged it deep into the man’s stomach. He let out a painful yell and I covered my mouth thinking I would vomit. My eyes moved wildly as I looked for Nathan and saw he was flung from his horse and surrounded by enemies. I cried out in pain for him.

I then saw one of the shadows coming at me with a sword raised and my eyes widened as I felt my heart jump from my chest. I got up and ran from the tree, holding my dress up as it was dirty and heavy from the mud I fell in.

Where was I to go, what was I to do? I felt an enormous weight tackle me to the ground and I screamed as I was pinned to the ground, and I felt a cold blade at my throat. My throat would be slit and I would be left bleeding on the ground. I couldn’t even look for my friend- my protector.

I heard angry yelling and words, but I could not understand them. My brain rattled in my mind as I was suddenly forced on my feet and a firm grip clutched my scalp causing me to scream and take hold of the hand that held me. Now I didn’t hear hardly any screaming, and I looked around. For a moment all I saw were trees and I saw Nathan on the ground and I winced. He was hurt.

“Nathan!” I shouted and once more angry words were shouted at me, and I struggled against the grip that was going to pull my hair from my scalp. Now I was standing in front of a calm eyed man, his samurai uniform seemed to stand out more than the others. I was then forced to my knees and my head forced to look up at him. My face is wet from tears. He stared at me for a moment looking me over as if confused, but also bewildered by the sight of me. He then took some type of pouch and poured it over my face. I spluttered at the cool water that soaked into my dress. He ran his hand over my face, not hard, but with enough pressure as if trying to wipe something off me.

He looked at his gloved hand and then at me.

“You are…African.” he said in such a thick surprised accent, that I almost didn’t catch it. He spoke English. I just stared at him, and he just looked at me again. He shouted something at the man who held me, and now I was being forced up and away. What would they do to me? I turned and looked at Nathan to see two men were lifting him up and tying his hands. What would they do to him? I felt my wrists being placed together in front of me and I was being led to a black horse. More words were shouted at me, and I took the hint to get on its back. I kept my eyes on Nathan as he was very far from me. I sniffled and attempted to wipe my face, as I assumed we would be separated through this journey.

My horse did not move, and so I took the time to look at the battle field before me. There were bodies everywhere, and only one dead samurai, the samurai in red.

I noticed the samurai who spoke to me before standing in front of General Hasegawa who was on his knees with a sword in his hands. I had never spoken to him, but I had seen him before many times. The blade was pressed to his abdomen, and my eyes were fixated on the scene. The samurai raised his sword and seemed to be waiting. In seconds, the general thrust the blade into his own stomach and the samurai let out a powerful yell as his blade swiped across the general’s head and I yelped as I watched the elderly man’s head roll on the ground.

I have seen death among my people, so my stomach did not churn like it normally would, and I did not vomit. But seeing death in another country, would haunt me for quite the rest of my life.

Finally all the samurai were all together and the horses were moving. It was over. I could see Nathan in the middle of this long line, and I wondered if he was okay. He had bought me for his wife Sarah, and I was afraid of the horror this family would put me through, but if anything they were very kind to me. They did not hurt me even though they had the right to. Sarah taught me to read and write, and Nathan was supportive of her decision to teach me. This is why I cared for him.

I heard birds chirping all around me as well as our captives talking amongst each other. The forest is now awake. I looked up at the sky seeing nothing but clouds and the faces of the dead.

I then noticed something tugging on the hem of my dress and I looked down to see one of the samurai observing my dress. In reaction, I gasped and leaned back from his hold. Like that had any effect on this man. He held the dress up a little as if attempting to look under it, and I moved my feet a bit in duress.

“Don’t touch me!” I said with fear in my tone.

“Grace?” Nathan’s voice snaps my mind from any fear, and I looked up at him. He was hunched over a horse, and I leaned forward.

“I’m here.” I replied. Another Samurai shouted at me, and I remained quiet. Nathan looked at me with weak and tired eyes, and I gave a look of hope. I do not know how long we traveled in this never-ending forest. But I was hungry and tired. Another samurai, came up to the horse I was riding, and pulled me faster across the line. I was nervous now, as I knew something was going to be done to me. I passed Nathan and was at the head of the line. Now I was riding right beside the calm samurai as I call him. He was looking straight ahead and seemed to be enjoying the silent ride. Finally, his lips parted to speak.

“My name is Katsumoto. What is your name?” he asked, and I was still in aw for the fact he could speak good English. So this was the leader of the rebellion. I was staring at his peaceful features, until his eyes fell on me, and I jumped a bit forgetting that he had spoken to me.

“Grace.” I replied softly, and he blinked rapidly.

“Grace.” he said suddenly bowing his head at me. “I have never met an African before in my life. It is an honor to meet you.” I stared at him for a long moment wondering what I should say next. He sounded sincere in his words.

“Are you going to kill us?” I asked causing a samurai who was riding beside him to snort and laugh. Katsumoto gave a polite smile.

“No. I have other plans. You will be perfectly safe at my son’s village. My best warrior, Ujio will take care of you.” he informed motioning his head at a rough faced samurai behind him. His hair was perfectly combed back and flowing. I had never seen such a mane on a man before. He head a mustache and a neat shaven beard. He wore blue and grey armor with a yellow ring on the front, and he looked at me firmly and coldly, and honestly, he scared me. I remember seeing that ring. It belonged on the rider that pushed his horse into Nathan’s knocking him from his own horse. Now I looked back at Katsumoto.

“Your son’s village?” I asked. He nodded.

“In the mountains, yes. The snow is falling and the paths will be closed until the snow melts. You will remain there. You cannot escape.” he said quite calmly, yet there was a hint of command in his tone. I looked back at Nathan to see his weak eyes staring at me. “I hope we can have great conversations, you and I. I am most curious of you.”

I turned my head back around at his words and wondered what he meant by that. Soon we were riding into the mountains, and my eyes were moving everywhere they could. I have never really been in the mountains before. It was so nice and peaceful. Nathan and I kept our eyes on each other making sure neither were hurt by our captors, but Katsumoto seemed to keep his word. No one hurt us. When we stopped to rest the horses and eat, I was forced to sit down against a large rock, and I continued to look around for Nathan to see him also placed roughly against a tree. I needed to check his wounds.

That same warrior, Ujio, approached me and I looked up at him leaning into the rock. From where I sat, he looked to be a giant. He tossed a bowl down to my feet and inside looked to be rice and some vegetables maybe. I looked up at him and he just looked down at me with the same indifferent look as the late Zebulon. He turned and left me. I ate in silence, noticing the food tasted like nothing. I noticed more of the samurai began to point and stare and touch their own faces.

I guess I was the first African they have ever seen. Would that play in my favor with these savage killers? After an hour we continued to move through the mountains. I was hurting my neck looking back at Nathan who seemed to be in a weakened trance.

Finally, we arrived at what looked like a village. My eyes went everywhere in curiosity, having never seen such fields. There were even mountains in the back. Katsumoto noticed this and watched me for a moment.

Nathan and I were taken from our horses. He was forced to the ground, and I was forced to stand. My hands were still bound, and I just stared at the samurai who surrounded us.

Katsumoto got off his horse and walked over to Nathan. Another younger man stood beside Katsumoto. He had an outfit of yellow hues with arrows on his back. Like all the samurai, he had long hair and fierce eyes.

“What is your name?” he asked Nathan who said nothing but stared at him with contempt. Ujio shouted something angrily and walked over to Nathan with his sword out. I thought he was going to kill him, but instead he let his blade fall calmly on Nathan’s neck. But my master was not afraid of death.

He had looked it in the eye too much. I remember holding him while he yelled and screamed at the pain he was in from killing all the Indians. He didn’t care about his life anymore. Katsumoto said something in his mother tongue, before telling Nathan what he told me. We would remain in his son’s village until the snow melts. He then began to walk away and the same man in yellow nodded.

“Jolly good.” he said before turning as well. Nathan was lifted off his feet and I was being pushed forward as we were led past some long wooden gates. I had seen them in books Nathan gave me when teaching me to read. It was like a doorway into another world for me. The rough samurai, Ujio came up to me, and grabbed the ropes that held my wrists together and he led me from the rest of the group. Fear overcame me, and I wondered what was to become of me in this samurai’s capture.

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