Chapter 12

                                    

                                          
As the TARDIS hurtled through space, Mcclane turned to the Doctor
                          
"So doc, when we touch down, what sorta things can we expect to find?" 
                          
 "Oh the usual" the Doctor replied with a cheeky grin "Samurai, cherry blossom trees, pagodas. You know, the typical things you'd find in Japan during the Edo period"  
                          
A couple of seconds later, the TARDIS shuddered
                          
"Here we are then" Jerry said somewhat nervously "We're not gonna get mugged by ninjas the moment we step out are we?"
                          
"Well there was a bit of strife during the Edo period" the Doctor explained "But as long as we keep our wits about us, we should be ok"  
                          
Upon stepping out of the TARDIS, the group were greeted by a vast green countryside. The air was fresh and smelt of flowers.
                          
"So where is everybody?" Mulder asked 
                          
"Probably in the villages and towns" The Doctor replied "The main groups you're going to see roaming the countryside are monks on pilgrimages and ronin Samurai" 
                          
 "Well we're not going to find the rune just standing around" Emma said "I say we get a move on and see if we can find anything rune related" 
                          
The trek through Japan's countryside was a little bit unpleasant, to say the least. The hot weather lead to the group sweating buckets and very rapidly they ended up feeling more than a little dehydrated.
                          
"Jeez!" Jerry wiped his brow "I never knew Japan could be so hot!" 
                          
 "Well you're just gonna have to put up with it" Scully told him "We're all in this one together"  "But still-"  Before Jerry could finish his response, an arrow whizzed threw the air and struck a tree directly in front of where the group were standing.
                          
The group froze and looked around
                          
"Don't move!" called out a voice
                          
As the group watched, several men wearing fur clothing and iron helmets emerged from the nearby bushes. All of them were carrying weapons, mostly swords, but a few had bows and arrows.
                          
"Check them for valuables!" ordered one of the men.
                          
As the bandits walked over to Mcclane to frisk him, Mcclane raised his fist causing the bandit to raise his sword
                          
"Don't try it" the Doctor told Mcclane "He'll cut you to ribbons before you've landed a single hit"  
                          
Mcclane scowled and lowered his fists. The bandit leader laughed   "Your friend is wise. We'll cut you up later"  
                          
Scully leaned over to the Doctor and whispered
                          
"What are we going to do? If they find the rune..." 
                          
 "I don't know" the Doctor replied "I'm trying to think us up a way out"  "
                          
Well think harder!" Scully hissed "Or we're really gonna get it!"
                          
Just as it seemed like the group were about to be robbed blind, a set of bushes near them suddenly rustled. At this, the bandits all turned towards it and held their swords up apprehensively. Then a shape burst from the same bushes brandishing a katana.
                          
Several of the bandits were cut down, before they even had a chance to react. The leader of the bandits instantly realised he was dealing with a professional and charged at the shape who proceeded to cut him down without a second thought. At this point, the rest of the bandits knew that they had a choice. They could stay and fight (and most likely die) or they could run away. So they chose the former.
                          
As the group watched, they realised the shape was actually a man dressed in the traditional samurai robes of the era. He walked up to them and looked them over