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Little Samurai

A Script Written by Me

By Joanna WhitePublished 7 years ago 16 min read
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LITTLE SAMURAI

Script Written by

Joanna White

EXT. JAPANESE VILLAGE STREET - DAY

SOLDIERS, 30s and 40s, march through muddy streets with

solemn expressions. One SOLDIER, 36, bulky with samurai

armor, holds the reins of a horse pulling a cart behind it.

Inside the cart, lies the body of HIJIME IWASHITA, 38,

muscular and covered in blood. His katana rests on his body.

INT. IWASHITA HOUSE - DAY

MEGUMI IWASHITA, 37, beautiful and elegant, cooks food over a

fire in a kitchen. TOSHI IWASHITA, 12, small and short, runs

into the room.

TOSHI

Do you need help with anything

else, Mother?

Megumi looks up from the food and smiles.

MEGUMI

I need water brought in from the...

Someone KNOCKS on the door, which interrupts her. Megumi

walks to the door and opens in. Soldier walks in the room and

bows to her politely.

SOLDIER

Megumi Iwashita?

Megumi nods and watches him closely.

MEGUMI

Yes, that is me. What is it?

SOLDIER

I am so sorry to have to tell you

this, but your husband, Hijime, was

killed in battle.

Megumi collapses onto the floor. Toshi screams and shoves

passed the Soldier outside the door.

EXT. IWASHITA HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

Toshi runs behind the cart and stares at his father’s dead

body. Megumi follows behind him and crawls into the cart. She

collapses onto Hijime, sobbing loudly.

SOLDIER

This belongs to you, Miss.

The Soldier grabs Hijime’s sword and hands it to her. She

throws it to the ground, and falls back onto Hijime’s body.

Toshi sees the sword, and picks it up. He falters underneath

its weight, but then holds it in both hands. Unsteadily, he

walks to the front yard and stabs the sword into the ground.

A piece of cloth is tied to the hilt of the sword. It

flutters in the wind, accompanied by cherry blossoms from a

nearby tree.

Toshi grasps the hilt with his head lowered to the ground.

His shoulders shake, implying that he’s crying, but his face

is hidden from view.

EXT. SHRINE - DAY

Toshi and Megumi stand side-by-side in front of a shrine.

Megumi sobs quietly and places a hand on Hijme’s grave. After

a minute, she walks away.

Toshi stays there, and kneels in front of the grave. He opens

his hand, revealing the piece of cloth from before. He slides

it underneath a rock in front of the headstone.

INT. ROOM - NIGHT

Toshi looks around an empty room. In the corner sits an armor

stand, dressed in full samurai body armor. Toshi walks up and

stands in front of it, barely reaching the waist.

He looks down at his feet and back up at the helmet.

Realizing he’s too short, he steps away, looking at the rest

of the room.

Along the side of one wall, is a low desk with papers still

scattered around it. Toshi glances at them and reads the

Japanese letters.

He continues walking around the room, until he sees a stand

in the corner. On it, sits his father’s katana and wakazashi.

He kneels in front of them and bows low to the ground.

TOSHI

I will bring you honor, Father.

Megumi walks into the room, watching him. She sighs, and

blinks back tears. Toshi glides his hands along the katana,

smiling to himself.

MEGUMI

I wish you were here to see him,

Hijime.

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

Megumi shuffles through papers. With a frustrated sigh, she

throws them all down.

TOSHI

Is everything alright, Mother?

Megumi blinks back tears, and nods.

MEGUMI

Everything is just fine, Toshi. No

need to worry.

Toshi hesitates.

TOSHI

But, Mother...

Megumi throws the papers down and stands up. She gently

caresses his cheek and kisses his forehead.

MEGUMI

Go. Fetch the water from the well.

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

Toshi yawns and stretches his muscles. His hair is unkempt.

Megumi speaks with a BUSINESSMAN, 46, plump and round. Toshi

hides around a corner, listening in.

MEGUMI

I just need some more time to grow

more spices. As soon as they bloom,

I can sell them all, and the profit

will be more than enough to pay you

what we owe.

The Businessman shakes his head and huffs.

BUSINESSMAN

No. It’s already two weeks late. I

know you’ve been through a lot with

Hijime’s death, but I need that

payment.

Megumi nods, and purses her lips.

MEGUMI

I understand. You’ll get your

payment.

The Businessman sighs.

BUSINESSMAN

I better.

He stands and leaves the house. As soon as he is gone, Megumi

takes a shaky breath, and sobs softly.

Toshi walks into the room and wraps his arms around her. She

looks up at him and wipes her eyes.

TOSHI

It will be alright, Mother.

Slowly, she nods and then the tears fall. They hug each other

tightly.

EXT. IWASHITA HOUSE - DAY

Toshi runs outside and picks up a stick off the ground. He

holds it clumsily with his right hand below his left toward

the top of the hilt.

He swings it a few times, but drops it. With a sigh, he picks

it up off the ground, and swings it again shakily.

INT. IWASHITA HOUSE - NIGHT

Toshi carries in a bucket of water. He is covered in sweat

and looks tired.

EXT. HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

As soon as he steps outside, he picks up the stick again, and

swings it in practice.

EXT. STREET - DAY

Toshi stands outside the doors of a dojo, watching the

SAMURAI, 30s, tall, train. One SAMURAI RECRUIT holds a

bukuto over his head.

He shifts his right foot back into a defensive stance. HARADA

GENNOSUKE, 45, tall, shoulder length black hair, stands in

front of all the samurai, training them.

HARADA

Begin!

The Samurai Recruit steps forward with his right foot. At the

same time, he swings the bukuto down, and yells out loud.

Harada turns and sees Toshi at the door. Toshi gasps and

steps back, as Harada towers over him.

HARADA (CONT’D)

Get out of here, Mutt! You’re too

small!

Toshi swallows, but darts off.

EXT. IWASHITA HOUSE - DAY

Toshi picks up the stick and tries to stand like the Samurai

Recruit did. His legs tangle around each other, and he falls.

He throws the stick to the ground with a grunt.

INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Toshi grabs his father’s armor and throws it on the floor. He

yells unintelligible words and stomps on the chest plate. As

he grabs the helmet, he stares into his reflection.

TOSHI

I’m too small!

He kicks the helmet across the room. It slams against the

wall with a loud THUMP.

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

Toshi carries a bucket full of water and sets it on the

counter in the kitchen.

Megumi sits at a table, reading more

papers. Tears fall down her face, and she rubs her tired

eyes.

Toshi looks out the door and stares at the stick on the

ground. He turns away from it, and goes to his own bedroom.

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

Toshi stares at his father’s katana. His eyes shift to his

father’s desk. Slowly, he shuffles through them and picks up

several old papers.

TOSHI (V.O.)

Keep your dominant hand above your

other.

EXT. HOUSE - DAY

Toshi walks outside and picks up the stick. He grabs it,

holding it awkwardly with his hands too close to the top of

the hilt.

TOSHI (V.O.)

On the hilt of your katana, clench

them around the middle to steady

your weight. Hold it above your

head to keep...

HIJIME (V.O.)

Hold it above your head to keep the

power in your upper arms. As you

bring it down, exhale, and step

forward with your right foot.

Toshi slides his right foot back and holds the stick over his

head. He steps forward, and brings it down, exhaling slowly.

HIJME (V.O.)

Remember that no matter how small

you are, with dedication and proper

training, you can win against any

opponent.

INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Toshi clenches the papers to his chest and stands up.

EXT. HOUSE - DAY

Toshi holds the stick over his head, steps forward and brings

it down, yelling out loud.

INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Megumi stands inside the door, gazing outside. She watches

Toshi and smiles to herself.

MEGUMI

Thank you, Hijme.

EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT

Toshi brings the stick down and steps forward. His knees

wobble and collapses from beneath him. Frustrated, he throws

the stick, pounding his fists against the ground.

TOSHI

You said anyone who was small could

do this! I’ve been doing it for

days now and I still can’t get it

right! Even you couldn’t do it! You

got yourself killed!

He screams, pounding his fists into the ground repetitively.

A CLOAKED FIGURE, tall, masculine, leans against a tree

across from him.

CLOAKED FIGURE

That’s it? One day of work and

you’re just going to give up?

Already?

The Cloaked Figure laughs. Toshi glares at them and growls.

He scrambles over to pick up the stick and charges at the

figure.

The Cloaked Figure easily dodges him, but Toshi relentlessly

swings it above his head and brings it downward.

No matter how many times the Cloaked Figure steps out of the

way, Toshi keeps trying. At last, he collapses on the ground,

panting and breathing hard.

CLOAKED FIGURE (CONT’D)

You have your Father’s

determination in you. Meet me here

again tomorrow night.

Toshi glares at the ground, watching his shaking hands. When

he looks back up, the Cloaked Figure is gone.

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

Toshi yawns and stretches, slowly sitting up. He goes into

his father’s room, kneeling before his father’s armor.

TOSHI

Help me, Father. Help me become a

samurai like you were.

EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT

The Cloaked Figure leans against a tree, watching Toshi as he

brings the stick downward again and again. The figure walks

up to Toshi, slipping into a stance.

The figure brings a knife-hand toward Toshi’s stick and he’s

unable to dodge. The stick flies out of his hands.

CLOAKED FIGURE

Doing this move is the basics of

all techniques. What good will it

do you if you cannot hang on to

your sword?

TOSHI

I can’t! I’m not strong enough!

CLOAKED FIGURE

Then why should I waste my time

with you?

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

Toshi yawns and stretches, waking up. He walks into his

father’s room and kneels in front of it.

Megumi watches him from the door, before going into the

kitchen, staring at the pile of papers.

CLOAKED FIGURE (V.O.)

You need to build up your strength.

A samurai has powerful muscles in

his arms.

EXT. HOUSE - DAY

Toshi carries the water bucket outside. Before he fills it at

the well, he walks over to the tree and tries to pick up a

boulder.

It won’t even budge. Frustrated, he yells and tries again. He

manages to scoot it a few feet over, but he still can’t grasp

it.

CLOAKED FIGURE (V.O.)

You are too small, so lifting a

katana will not be easy for you.

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

Toshi kneels in front of his father’s armor, holding the

katana in his hands for several hours.

CLOAKED FIGURE

Build up your strength!

EXT. HOUSE - DAY

Toshi puts the bucket on top of the well, and picks up the

boulder. He struggles beneath its weight and drops it. With a

grunt, he picks it up again and holds it.

He takes one shaky step, before he drops it again.

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

Toshi kneels in front of his father’s armor, once again

holding the katana in his hands for hours.

EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT

Toshi lifts the katana in the air, but the Cloaked Figure

bats it away.

CLOAKED FIGURE (V.O.)

You must always keep a hold of his

katana. The moment your opponent

disarms you will be your last.

EXT. HOUSE - DAY

Toshi carries a water bucket to the well, filling it. Before

he brings the bucket back inside the house, he grabs the

katana.

Shifting his feet into a stance, he clenches his

hands around the hilt, tighter this time.

EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT

Toshi brings the sword down, as the Cloaked Figure walks

around him in a circle. Toshi shifts his feet into a

different stance, jabbing it forward.

He stumbles and the Cloaked Figure darts over to him and

keeps him upright.

CLOAKED FIGURE (V.O.)

Your determination will only get

you so far, Toshi! You must build

up your strength much more than

what it is now.

EXT. HOUSE - DAY

Toshi lifts up the boulder, carrying it around the yard. He

struggles beneath its weight, but he manages to do it without

falling.

CLOAKED FIGURE (V.O.)

Your size will mean nothing once

you are stronger! If you can keep

your katana in your hands, then you

will be much faster than men twice

your age!

EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT

Toshi jumps and twirls, swinging the katana from left to

right. He leaps into the air, striking the tree several feet

higher than his own height.

CLOAKED FIGURE (V.O.)

You will move with continuous

movements. Use your speed to your

advantage. If they cannot see you,

then you can win.

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

Toshi kneels in front of his father’s armor, holding the

katana. He picks it up with his right hand, and then grabs

the water bucket in his left.

EXT. HOUSE - DAY

Swinging the katana with his right hand, he fills the water

bucket with the left. Once it’s filled, he leaves it there,

and then walks over to the boulder.

Keeping a hold of the sword with his right hand, he picks the

boulder up with his left and runs around the yard, never

dropping either of them.

EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT

Toshi swings the katana, darting around the Cloaked Figure

quickly. They trade blows back and forth, but he never drops

the katana.

The Cloaked Figure lowers his hands.

CLOAKED FIGURE

You’ve done well, Toshi.

The figure turns to leave the yard, but Toshi dashes toward

him.

TOSHI

Wait! Who are you?

Glancing at Toshi over his shoulder, the Cloaked Figure

smiles, though his face is still hidden from view.

CLOAKED FIGURE

See you around, Mutt.

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

Toshi carries a bucket of water inside and sets it on the

table. He pauses when he sees Megumi speaking with the

Businessman.

MEGUMI

Please just... I need more time!

The Businessman shakes his head.

BUSINESSMAN

I have given you enough time. This

is it. Either you pay me in two

days, or you’ll be forced to leave

your home.

As he leaves, Megumi collapses onto the ground, sobbing

loudly. Toshi runs up to her and hugs her. She shakes her

head.

MEGUMI

I can’t... there is no way I can

get the money that quickly! We have

nowhere to go. Without your

father’s income serving a diaymo...

INT. DOJO - DAY

Toshi walks into the dojo’s main room. The samurai in the

room turn and look at him. Harada glares at him.

HARADA

I thought I told you to stay away.

You’re too small.

Toshi shakes his head and pulls out his stick as if he is

unsheathing it.

TOSHI

No matter how small, with

dedication and proper training, you

can win against any opponent.

HARADA

Just why are you here, exactly?

TOSHI

I’m here to fight you and win to

prove myself against you.

Harada and the other samurai all laugh. Harada nods and

crosses his arms.

HARADA

Alright. Let’s see what you can do.

He motions a few samurai forward. They surround Toshi and

hold their bukuto’s above their heads. All at once, they

charge him.

Toshi ducks underneath one, jabbing his stick into one

samurai’s side. He slices it back and across into another

one’s jaw.

He blocks the attack from the last one, but that samurai is

larger and stronger. He presses against Toshi and Toshi

stumbles back.

Just before the last one lands an attack, Toshi darts around

him faster than the samurai can see. He brings his stick high

above his head and then slams it against the samurai’s head.

The Samurai Recruit charges toward Toshi, yelling loudly. He

swings left and then right, but Toshi dodges all of the

attacks.

He dances behind he Samurai Recruit, but the man catches on.

He turns and blocks Toshi’s attack, pushing Toshi backward.

The samurai in the room all laugh, as Toshi falls to the

ground.

HARADA (CONT’D)

As I said, you’re too small!

Toshi growls and jumps up, jabbing his stick into the back of

the Samurai Recruits neck. He falls to the ground.

Harada picks up his sword and swings it at Toshi. Toshi’s

eyes widen, but he jumps backward four steps.

Harada stalks toward him, but Toshi continues to dodge and

evade Harada’s attacks.

With a wild cry, Toshi runs toward the wall and jumps off of

it. In the air, he twists at the last second, catching Harada

off guard.

Harada turns too late, and Toshi’s stick slams against

Harada’s head.

Toshi pants, but Harada smiles at him.

HARADA (CONT’D)

Well done, Kid. Tell you what. Come

back by tomorrow morning. I’ll hire

you as one of my samurai

bodyguards.

Toshi gasps and stares at him.

TOSHI

Are you... you’re serious?

Harada nods.

HARADA

I don’t joke about a serious matter

like this. Your father, Hijme, was

one of my best guards. It’s no

wonder his son has the same skill

he had.

Toshi’s eyes brim with tears and he bows to Harada.

TOSHI

Thank you very much, sir.

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Toshi dashes into the room and smiles.

TOSHI

Mother! I have great news!

Megumi walks into the room, and looks at him.

MEGUMI

What is it, Toshi?

Toshi hands her a paper signed by Harada. Megumi gasps and

her eyes widen.

MEGUMI (CONT’D)

This... This says that you are to

work for Harada Gennosuke, the

local diyamo?

Toshi nods, still smiling.

TOSHI

Yes. I start tomorrow at dawn. The

money will more than pay for what

you owe. We can keep the house!

Megumi laughs. They hug and laugh together.

EXT. MANSION HOUSE - DAY

Harada and Toshi walk side by side. They stop underneath a

grove of cherry blossom trees. The petals fall around them as

the breeze carries it.

TOSHI

Can you give me a moment? There’s

something important that I have to

get.

Harada nods.

HARADA

Do it quickly.

INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Toshi grabs Hijme’s katana and wakazashi. He sheaths them

both.

EXT. SHRINE - CONTINUOUS

Toshi knees at his father’s grave.

TOSHI

Thank you, for your strength and

wisdom. I will bring you honor.

He lifts the rock and grabs the cloth. He stands, and ties it

around the hilt of his father’s katana.

EXT. BALCONY - NIGHT

Harada glances at Toshi, who stands behind him like the other

samurai in the room.

TOSHI

May I approach, sir?

Harada nods, motioning him forward. They walk a few feet

until the others can’t hear.

HARADA

What is it, Toshi?

Toshi hesitates. Harada gestures for him to speak.

TOSHI

You were the Cloaked Figure who

trained me, weren’t you?

Harada smiles.

HARADA

Why would you say that, Mutt?

Toshi grins.

HARADA (CONT’D)

Toshi?

TOSHI

Yes, sir?

HARADA

Why did you do all of this? Why did

you fight and struggle so hard?

Toshi meets his gaze.

TOSHI

Because my mother needs me.

griefimmediate family
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About the Creator

Joanna White

Joanna White earned a BFA degree in Creative Writing for Entertainment at Full Sail University. Her books are available on all book platforms, and she writes epic tales for readers to disappear into and enjoy.

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