JPHiP Forum
The Hello! Project Fanfics => H!P Fanfics => Topic started by: kuro808 on March 12, 2010, 11:35:11 AM
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This is going to be my focus for now as I am learning into the samurai so hope you guys like it, unfortunately I like my short entries so I'll be updating more often hopefully :nervous
Chapter 1
In the 1860's as I explored the land I found a warrior training in the woods. The person had swift movements and the sword in her hand was slicing through the cold air creating whirlwinds that blew out bushes. As I explored the warrior, I saw the long hair tied up and the facial features were more feminine like than the other warriors I have seen before. As I approached the person, I felt the wind blown towards me.
“You over there, what is your name?” The female voice commanded.
“My name is Takahashi Ai from the East, you look like a warrior.” She put her sword back into her sheath and extended her hand.
“I am from the Sakamori clan, the name is Niigaki Risa, I am the protector of the lord here.” She kissed my hand like a warrior would likely do.
“You are a woman, how did you become a warrior?” I asked her.
“My father and uncle wanted a son to serve in the army but my mother or my aunties produced a male so I became the warrior by default although I have to hide some areas from the lords in this area.” Risa looked around and saw the person passing by.
“Ah Risa, you are training I see and you have found a friend, a beautiful friend at that.” He laughed and gave her the sack of coins before walking out of our sight.
“That is my uncle, Sakamori Tadahide, he was the person who helped me to learn about the way of the warrior.” Risa gave me a few coins before running off but something didn't feel right.
I turned to find another maiden behind me with her body bent catching her breath. She was too exhausted to continue on and she fell onto the ground.
“Help me, I am being chased by the imperial guards.” I dragged her body to the abandoned shack that was yards away from us to protect her.
As soon as we got there I felt the cold air in the room and saw the rations of food that were there but I took a peek to see if there was anybody but no one was within range. I glanced back at the woman and saw a few scratches on her legs that could easily been healed.
“Why are the imperial guards chasing you?” She took out a picture of a man dressed in a white kimono.
“My brother killed a samurai in the town I lived in and now they are executing everyone in my family.” She broke down with tears running down her face.
“Don't worry, we can stay here for a while, as I am running from my town because I was accused of cheating on my husband but the guy was trying to rape me, so I grabbed his dagger and stabbed him in chest.” I took out the bloody dagger and threw toward the other side of the hut.
I knew that I could be punished to death but I took the difficult way of moving on and now I am a fugitive with my own agenda to bring back justice for the women.
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Chapter 2
She decided to sleep on the floor while I was the look out at the moment. The view outside was quite dark as the sun was setting and the view of the woman warrior was within my vision. She was skilled with the sword and her practicing in the woods made me felt safe but I wouldn't know if she could protect two fugitives.
“Takahashi-san, you look wonderful in that kimono, how did you not get blood on it?” She started to wake up from her slumber.
“I stabbed him from the side and I guess it was a clean shank.” I laughed as the moving images flow through my mind. All I could see was his eyes from the opaque white to the red of anger and he fell over onto the floor. As he laid there, I took his katana and chopped his head off, and I ran for the forest before anyone noticed I disappeared.
“You are so brave, I could never kill, people think I was a weakling and not the strong willed person like yourself.” I kneel toward her and saw her brown eyes for the first time and gave her a hug.
“Never do what I did, it never works in the end, just live your life as pure as you can.” I whispered to the younger one's ear. Then, I saw a package of tea leaves and a package of rice behind her.
“Let me make something, I think we can survive at least being here for one night.” I said to the woman and she made a small fire for cooking the rice and tea in a pot.
“What is your name madam?” I asked her and she bowed down.
“The name is Kamei Eri, I am part of the Tadashige family.” The name clicked in my mind and I remembered the day I watched a person commit suicide with a girl resembling her.
“Your uncle was a thief, he stole our supply of goods.” I pointed at her and she nodded.
“He did, he gave our name a bad reputation and my aunty took me into her family to save the shame of my name.” She looked at the fire she produced and her smile grew as the flames spread.
“This feels warm out in the woods.” I said before a voice came out of the woods and he pressed his dagger toward my throat.
“I found you my lady, you shall be punished for taking the lord's life, maybe we should have fun before you get executed in the town.” He slid his hand into the kimono but I heard a loud clunk, it was Eri with the pot holding it above his lifeless body.
“Wow, I did it.” Before she could celebrate the man grabbed her leg and a person with the speed of many horses stabbed him in the arm.
“Damn that person.” He stood up and attacked the man with her daggers and eventually killing him with a blow to the neck and chest. The person fled before we could say thanks but at least somebody helped us.
We went back to the fire and saw the water at the right temperature for both and we mixed the rice and tea together to make a gruel. It was not great tasting but it gave us some energy to at least drag the man into the house.
“Eri, you got all the items?” I asked her before starting the fire on the house.
“It is all in the bag and I can at least carry it for miles.” Eri seemed excited as we watched the hut go up in flames with the dead man inside. We saw a path to lead us to the next town, it took the whole night to get from where they were hiding to the next town. The dark night turned into morning and looking for a drink of water was more of a challenge than the founding of the city.
“The river source is gone from the area but they seemed to be planting crops here, where is the source of the river?” We both look down to see a pond filled with water and we hesitated to watch the people from above.
“Let's jump.” I said to her and after I counted, we both jumped into the pond, it did wet the items but they were needed for trade with the people in the village. Unfortunately, the rice was ruined but the nearby community seemed to have a good harvest. So, we looked over the land before a farmer ran up to us and gave us each a radish.
“Both need something for meals, so here's my extra, enjoy.” She gave us a smile before entering into the city. However, this city was abandoned by the people and the farmer was the only person left growing items.
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Oh a samurai story I see. Are we expecting more bloody scenes? :lol:
Why did Risa run away? And something tells me there's more to Eri than what she lets on :D
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ooohhhh....a samurai-era fic...that means... A lot of killing!!!ahahaha (but nothing beats Morning Battle at that.. XD)... Hmmm... Ai's with Eri... but where's Risa? I hope they will run into each other again..XD
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@ badsaints there will be some bloody scenes but the time period is very calm so not all will be battles
@Cogi well the primary thing is with Ai and Eri.
Risa is the character that will make a big difference when she comes in later because it is something that she has that the current characters don't have
Chapter 3
“Excuse me, where did everybody go?” I asked the female farmer.
“They left because of the battles building up in the area, my friend became a ronin, and she has been finding fights so I can grow more plants.” She started to harvest the rest of the radishes and returned back to wooden house.
“Ai-chan, she looks like one of the guards' daughters.” Eri points to the mon hanging outside of the house.
“Eri, well she doesn't have too much power if the mon is her calling card.” She comes out and she signaled us over to the house, I enter first and Eri follows with her cautionary steps.
“What's wrong with the girl?” The farmer asks.
“She is just scared that the imperial guards are after her.” The farmer laughed.
“Don't worry, that's my friend's mon. She was born into the family and her family lost out in a war hundreds years ago, so she has been attacking to gain back the land they owned.” Eri came out from hiding and breathe a sigh of relief.
Eri sat at the table across of the farmer and I sat next to her waiting for the tea to be served. The house was quite plain and very dark inside. I looked over toward the pot that was shining in the afternoon light.
“Damn Hitomi always likes to show off the wealth.” She started to laugh but we knew who was in power in this region.
“I know you guys have the idea where we are at right?” We both nod
“Okay, we have couple of days before they start fighting again, just stay here and we will be safe.” We looked over to the mantle and I saw a coat on the hook.
“Ishi...Kawa...Rika.” She turned and let her hair down.
“You are the leader of the Sakamori clan.” I said to her and she smiled.
“My best warriors are out there to protect this land and they are all females with strong wills.” She crossed her arms and glanced outside.
“Your friend is an imperial guard right?” Eri asked.
“No, she can't be unless you are male, so she decided to go out into the countryside and met my father on his death bed. I was his only child so he gave me control of the whole land and the men were not pleased so Hitomi slashed through four men to get my respect.” She showed the actions of her deeds and she seemed merciless.
“She is coming back with her group, looks like they won, and they brought some prisoners.” Rika ran back and presented the tea cups out on the table for all the people.
“I am home, Rika, how's everything?” She looked directly at us.
“You two are pure trouble you know that?” Both of us were shocked.
“You know what happened?” I questioned her but my heart started to beat harder.
“Yeah, you guys have some guts taking out the #1 guy.” We looked at each other and swallowed my guilt.
“Well I didn't know that, are they after me?” Eri asked to the leader.
“I think so but if you join me, I will make sure they are off your trail.” She offered her hand out.
“I don't know anything about sword fighting.” Eri pleaded.
“I have a training regiment for you, just follow it and you should do well.” Hitomi laughed with the rest of the crew.
Eri paused as she looked outside and looked at her hair. She turned around and put the dagger onto the table.
“I am in, Ai what about you?” Eri had a determined look.
“Why not? I want to at least defend myself.” Hitomi put her hands on our shoulders and gave us a hug.
Ronin= masterless samurai
mon= emblem
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Oooh new fic. And it's MM centric with IshiYoshi for good measure :D
This settle brings to my mind Sakura Mankai. I don't know why ^^;
I hope there will be some bloody scenes too :P
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Oh I so want to know the details of their training XD Eri's thunderthighs could come in handy there :lol:
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^ I hopefully will be detailed on that too as something important does come up during it after this chapter
Chapter 4
“You guys start training tomorrow.” Hitomi turned around and kissed Rika on the cheek.
“Ai, you seem nervous, you alright?” Eri's look in eyes said everything what I was thinking, my own fear was death and that only bothered me if I died.
“Yeah, just still thinking about the blood shed.” I laughed nervously.
“Don't worry about it, your trainer should be here in morning.” Hitomi laid down her sword and untied the ponytail. Her hair black and curly and it shined in the afternoon light.
“Hitomi, what type of training do we have to do?” I asked.
“Well first call me Yossie, I hate my first name.” Eri and I laughed at the comment.
“Training will be with wooden sword and you will practice until we can get more swords from the town next to us.” Yossie sat at the table as the head person, her two best soldiers sat next to her , and the rest sort of filled in the rest. Rika was at the other end passing out the rice to everyone.
“You two seem to be weak, but I see some potential after that bloody dagger came out of your kimono.” The person on the right spoke and I felt the table shake.
“Oh, Fujimoto stop being an ass, they are going to be great warriors if they can adjust to our lifestyle.” Yossie put the hand on her shoulder,
“Well I guess it is worth a try, the prisoners will help you out Rika, if they don't they will die.” Fujimoto spoke again with her stern voice.
I felt scared of her and she always brought a strong desire to the conversation and that was quite scary enough to hide when she is on campaign. The one on the left was much chubbier and quiet when she was at the table. The only time she ever paid attention was when food was around.
“Konno, you need to say something instead stare at the food.” Yossie laughed as Konno waved to both of us.
“The rest of you say your names to the new recruits.” Yossie commanded as all the other stood up to introduce themselves.
“Abe.”
“Yaguchi”
“Tsuji”
“Kago”
“Kusumi”
“Ogawa”
The six sat down and we stood up to introduce ourselves to them and they bowed back to us. Rika had put down the final dish for all of us to eat and we ate happily as I watched the slaves eat their rice gruel that was on the stove. Their faces covered in mud washed off the dirt and poured themselves a bowl. They sat in the corner while we talked to the other soldiers about their battles, it was interesting that they all fought with valor without losing casualties.
“These six are the best warriors out there, they slashed right through the armies like soft vegetables.” Everybody laughed including the slaves.
“Konno is our best tactician and she has never failed us under my command.” She rubbed her head and her cheeks grew bright red.
“Yossie, don't say that, I just research a lot and we wait for an opportunity.” She modestly pushed Yossie.
“Tonight we feast as tomorrow our two new soldiers will protect our lands from then on.” Yossie lifted her cup as everyone did.
We went late into the night and I left filled with Rika's delicious food. I just fell to the ground and began my dreaming while Eri had her arm on me. It was quite wonderful to learn about them in the few hours we were there.
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Chapter 5
“Ai, we have to choose sides, Yoshizawa has died in battle and her commanders are fighting against each other.” I looked around to find the carnage, Yoshizawa's face in the ground, and the only two commanders left are Konno and Fujimoto.
“Eri, I can't do this any more, we need to leave.” As I was walking away from them a guy comes charging and I managed to take the sword out of its sheath to slice him.
He convulsed before meeting his faith as the light shined on him and he was stiff. As I turned around, Eri exposed her sword.
“Ai, make your decision now or meet your doom.” Right when the blades hit I woke up.
I said to myself it was only a dream as I watch everyone sort of sleeping away and Yoshizawa drinking her sake like a fool. As I walked outside of the compound I notice the sunlight peeking through the horizon. I closed my eyes as I felt the cool breeze blow by me and felt the presence of a kami.
“Osaka is your path.” I heard the whisper and followed the sound until I noticed the town with its lanterns being put out with the sun rising. I ran back to the compound to find a drunken Yoshizawa praising me for being the first one up.
“Yooou... are soooo...ear...ly, we doooon't start untillllll nooooon.” Yoshizawa stumbled back in and fell onto the floor.
Then, I heard a horse galloping toward the house, the closer it got, I noticed the person riding it. Niigaki had her hair cut off after a minor washing accident, it was short and quite messy. She galloped by and halted when she passed by me.
“You, I am your trainer, Niigaki Risa, I will build you guys up from your weapons within a month.” She got off the horse and extended her hand.
“You have nice hands for a samurai, how did you do it?” I asked.
“Warm water training but it is not important for now, get the wooden play swords from the closet, and wake up your friend.” As I went to grab the items and Eri, I noticed her as strong-willed and strict. I walked over all the sleeping bodies and found Eri curled up in the corner.
“Wake up, we have to train.” She rolled over toward me and smiled.
“Ai, we have the whole morning to wake up, let's just rest.” I finally got Eri up and we were both set with our weapons and in informal clothing.
“Okay first face each other and bow.” We followed her orders and we both started off in a duel position.
“First off, spar back and forth first.” Eri moved with the first step and slipped onto the fresh mud. I countered with my move and stopped before hitting her neck.
“C'mon turtle, you need to be more strong on attacking.” Risa scolded Eri and her whip was her weapon as punishment. Every opportunity we did wrong, she whacked us to be better at opportunities.
After the first day, we were both exhausted after constant wooden weapon sparring and began teach us how to be better than before and we each had a bag to spar on my own. They were quite soft and you can aim better at the points needed to life.
“I need to rest.” Eri complained and fell into the deep slumber of sleep while I got meditated to gain more access to the battles coming up. It scared me but eventually I was over it.
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I guessed that it was a dream when I read about Yossi being dead and I'm glad it's really not real *whew*
Awww you incorporated Mame's short hair. And it's messy too :wub: Risa on a horse is <3
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Chapter 6
The next day Yossie and her generals were out to survey the lands near Osaka, while Eri and I were training with Risa.
“Gaki-san, you are being rough on them, please consider their skills and knowledge level.” Rika walked out gathering all the vegetables in her garden.
“Rika, I have to be strict, it was Yossie's demand to mold them to be our soldiers for the next battle, the village next to ours has been training their seven since they were young and we have only a week to get them into battle shape.” Risa lowered her sword and looked at Rika.
“I know you are quite a stubborn person when I try to direct your teachings but Yossie knows how much you had to grow since you were introduced to her after your parents died.” I turned around to see the blade by Rika's neck.
“Rika, don't push it, Yossie maybe my lord but I will always side to my family if anything erupted between any family disputes we have.” She lowered her sword again and whipped me for not training while they were conversing.
Rika walked back and I finally got used to the pain from the sword and then I finally hit the wood without feeling the sting. However, Eri was quite frail and almost fainted after the next blow but I forced her to try again.
“Takahashi, you are a kind person but not wise, you should always let the weak pass on without pain.” I look toward Eri and a blood spot appeared by her leg.
“Risa, I mean sensei please let her rest, she seems to be weakened by her cycle.” Risa agreed and took her body to the doctor on the outskirts of the neighboring town. However, I began working on adjusting to the heavier weapons along the way. Until I heard the horses from the distance.
“Yoi, Takahashi-san, where is Risa?” I turned to see Yossie mere inches from me.
“She took Eri to the doctor, I noticed the blood spot on her uniform.” I watched her jumping off the horse.
She nodded and tied her mare to the post outside of the stable and a girl led the horse to her area and came back to her tea. I was thirsty so I walked over to the girl and she stared into my eyes and went back to her tea.
“May I have some, madam?” She let me sit across of her while she made the tea.
“What is your name?” I asked before receiving the bowl of tea.
“My name is Airi, I am the cousin of Rika, she let me stay here as long as I practiced my Buddhism in the stable.
“Why not practice it out here?” I began to become curious of what she was doing, she was chanting all day long.
“Yossie is a firm believer of the samurai way and it doesn't involve chanting. She sees me as a nobody with no future but I want to train like you and your friend but I would have to give up my religious training and that would anger my father.” She took another sip before chanting another sutra. While I took a sip and I remembered a tea like this back in Edo, it was top value and made a wonderful green in the mixing bowl.
“This came from Kyoto, am I correct?” Airi nodded and I praised myself by nodding in excitement. Risa trotted behind me and explained Eri's situation.
“You were right she just needed some rest.” Risa shook her head and I touched her leg to comfort her.
“You never...” Risa paused to see Yossie walking toward them.
“What did I do wrong?” I turned around to see Yossie laughing at the situation.
“Takahashi, Risa here has been battle toughened, she does not like human touch, it reminds her of her family that were slain by a rival faction. In her rage, she took out the leaders who tortured her families for years. When all of them were slain, the soldiers swore alliance to her and I brought her in to teach her how to use her skills wisely. She was a great student and a wonderful teacher but she has no human feelings most of the time, other than that it was anger.” Risa felt the arrow shot through the heart and could only nod to the truth coming from Yossie's mouth.
“Sorry, I feel that feelings never win anything but maybe a little compassion won't hurt but not now, thank you for your concern but worry about Eri.” She trotted away and Yossie wrapped her arms around me.
I could tell why Risa and Yossie were different characters but they seemed to despise each other than be friendly. I wonder why...
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Chapter 7
The thought of Yossie being part of the faction that killed off her family was viewed in my mind. Her expression was of anger and disappointment but Yossie could only state the truth. I felt sorry for her lost but I think I understand what Risa was saying. Sometimes, you have to fight your battles without emotions of the other, you have to be strong and take them down skillfully.
“Takahashi, come with me.” Risa peeked her head inside and signaled me to go outside.
I noticed her hair was still messy but when she cleaned up it caught my eye that the roundness of her face and her eyes were quite attractive. I didn't know what came over me but I let my hair down before walking out with her.
“Takahashi, I know you have been thinking about Yossie and I, and it seems she hinted to you about how I went under her control and how she let me to do some campaigns. But, I know why she doesn't want me to be part of her upper staff, and she is right about me.” I turned to her and her cheeks were blushed red.
“Why are you blushing?” I ask her and she turns away. I turn towards her and she hugs me tight.
“I....” This was quite a shocker and from her prideful stance to broken in matter of hours.
“I really care about you, you shouldn't be here, you should be taking care of your master somewhere, not fighting under me. The kills aren't glorious, they make me sick all the time, after one battle I choked my lunch. I rode a mile away to not smell the stench of rotting men. This is not for you, this is way to brutal.” I held her face up and watch the tears roll down her face.
“I know, because I killed my master.” Risa turned towards me.
“Why? Why would you do such a thing?” She started to shake me and the dagger fell out.
“I had to, he was ready to rape me and the dagger was the only thing there I could stab him with, I hid it and ran away to here, where I met Eri.” Risa picked up the dagger and saw the name on it.
“Wow, didn't know you killed such a high official. You are sure wanted in Edo for the crime.” Risa felt the blade and knew the quality was superior.
“Well I was born to a concubine of his and he made my mother do terrible things when I was a child, she hung herself when I became 17, and he let his men control me but that was the first time he had touched me.” I could only remember the exact time I slipped the blade into his flesh. My first thought was to run away from the city and I finally got to the outskirts.
“I see, my family was always poor, before the faction killed them over taxes. All I had was a dagger in hand and stabbed two in the neck and twisted another one's out of his misery. Then the general appeared and it was Yossie, she would have been my next target but she told me that I would be with another family and be part of her army. Ever since that day, I wanted to kill her off but her subordinates would protect her and since we have been at war, it made since to join up before I do anything drastic.” Risa took a seat on a stump, while I sit next to her struggling to keep my balance.
She grabbed me arm and the firm grip was something I never felt since I ran away, she looked into my eyes, and our lips lock. The emotions were overflowing and the shifting of our bodies balanced us out on that stump, feeling her chest, I felt the cold hitting both of us, and I stopped before my hand could open up the first layer clothing.
“Risa, I love you but you have to be strict on me, I know may not be the best but please be a teacher than my friend.” I bowed out before leaving her on that stump. Risa as a warrior was strong and aggressive but her womanhood was still intact with compassion and love, which was the thing I loved about her.
I never considered to feel her body as I how I felt it, it was quite fragile and soft, it was more surprising that right when I managed to peek, I feared the worst and left it at that. I closed my eyes and tried to not think of her for the night but it was continually on repeat in my mind.
Risa, I want to say I love you but I know why I can't but I want you to be strong and yet weak at the same time, please Risa be yourself and Eri I wish she could feel better by next week when we invade Osaka.
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Chapter 8
My own thoughts were keeping me up for the night and knowing Risa was feet away didn't help the face that I want to hide the feeling I have for her. She was up like me but she had the moonlight to guide her reading and she would look at me often. I want to say it aloud but Konno and Fujimoto were by her and I had to keep it in until I felt the tear run down my face in frustration. Risa suddenly stood up and walked toward me and sat by me, before I could utter a word, she put her head by me.
“Ai, I have been meditating and I could feel your aura glowing while you were trying to sleep.” She smiled but I felt something else was more to the story. She took out the dagger and I looked at the clean blade, it was cleaned by a professional, and looking to her she nodded.
“Why did you clean my dagger?” I asked her and she left her hand on my face.
“I realized through meditation I found you leading the army to Osaka and I would be your subordinate.” My eyes widened and when I was ready to let go my fear, she kissed me on the forehead.
“I cannot be a captain, this is impossible, you have to be leading the army, not me, not me.” Then our lips locked and our tongues intertwined in the moment and we both pulled back for a breath.
“It is too late, Yossie has told me that she wants me to give you my army and we can be co-captains for now.” I sat up and I looked at her clothing which was loose. I grabbed the collar and opened up the clothing to my eyes and I saw the wrapping of her chest.
“Tomorrow we have to do it to both Eri and you, so this is my only time to expose your chest before it gets wrapped up.” She ripped open the kimono and her eyes glowed in her perverted state.
As we both looked at my flesh, I felt the cold air pass through the naked flesh and I let her touch them for a moment but I closed it up before we could go anymore further.
“I am sorry, I know you mean well but we can't do this but I want to say that I love you and I have been emotionally drained from your presence.” She nodded and her cold hands went on my face again.
“You are not the only one who was drained, I have had feelings for you since we met but the fact was the beauty you have. Many people would want to marry you, but knowing you internally I want to become your friend and maybe even closer. However you know why we cannot take this anymore further and you have passed the test for being a warrior, so here is your sword and hopefully you will successfully go through the process.” She walked back to her area and lied down to sleep.
Right when my eyelids were heavy enough to close, the footsteps were coming closer, and I got the bow and arrow from the other side of the room. I drew back the arrow and watch it fly through the open window, the arrow hit him and fell over by the general's house. The lights got turned on and Yossie in her open kimono rushed out and take a glance at the man. She signaled me out and I ran up to see the guy I'd hit, it was a spy, and I carried my new sword for extra protection.
“Ai, finish it off.” He left his head out with Tsuji and Kago holding him down. As I lifted the sword, the guy started to mutter out words while he was crying his prayer. I closed my eyes and uttered my prayer before his head came off his shoulder.
“Let him die in peace.” I cleanly cut off his head from his shoulders and his body was dragged to a ravine and tossed his dead body.
“Do want the head?” Yossie asked.
“Can we leave it on a post? I don't want to stare at it.” Everybody laughed.
“Well that is your job because you finished him off.” Yossie walked back to the house with the other commanders and I found a used post that had a skull and I knocked it off to put the fresh head on the pike.
“Good job, Ai you are very skilled.” Koharu slapped my back and went back to the hut.
All I could think was for my first kill, it was quite exciting but my archery skills were weak because of my aunty being a famed male archer before being caught impersonating a samurai but she taught me to be fearless and let it go. Thank you Aunty Fumiko for your wisdom and let you pass on to heaven as a great person of history. As I prayed, Risa came from behind with her hands on my chest.
“I am so jealous that yours are unbinded.” She smiled and I punched her in the chest and it seemed the punch managed to cause damage. We head back to the hut and I could sleep after killing my first person.
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With time, I have been thinking more about this fic and it may seem confusing and really extended on the training so keep up with more updates within the week
Chapter 9
I woke up the next morning and Yossie was standing over me, she kicked me at first but my body wasn't responding to the assault.
“Ai, get up, we have to do the ceremony today for you and Eri.” Yossie was sounding more fierce than usual and I just lazily got myself up and followed her to the house where Eri was standing with her light coat on.
“Eri! How have you been?” My eyes were big as melons see her not in pain.
“I actually was starting my cycle and the doctors told me to but a hot towel on the area and drank tea.” Eri was back to her usual self and Yossie started to comb my hair while Rika was combing Eri's
Once they had our hair in a bunch, they wrapped hemp around the hair and we were looking toward the wall while Yossie was requesting for the knife.
“Everybody, these two warriors have finished their training as swordsmen and skilled archers, so with this knife I shall cut off the first lock of hair.” Yossie hacked into the hair and it was pulling on my scalp, I wanted to scream but I gritted my teeth to resist the pain. It felt like eternity how Yossie was just ripping my hair from the head and when it couldn't feel any worst, she finished the process. She showed it out to the crowd and they all cheered, I was offered my lock of hair, and bowed to the crowd.
“Now, we have to form the topknot but I need to trim the hair to make nice.” Rika took me to the side as Eri was next to take on the torture of the hair cutting.
“Yossie is quite strong and is quite brutal doing this ceremony.” I looked at Rika and she was ready to trim the hair that was still left from the ceremony.
“Well, she wants to assure that all her warriors are strong and can tolerate pain, she can only command you to commit seppuku but she praises everyone who does fight and get wounded.” Rika started to trim my hair while Eri did a yell to resign to the pain.
“Eri will be great but she was still weak from her sickness and she will be with me for the campaign to resolve a land dispute.” I nodded and Rika was creating my top knot as she needed to pull more of my hair to make it perfect.
“Is it true that Niigaki had been replaced by me?” Rika started to laugh and I felt uncomfortable waiting for the answer.
“Yossie had been looking for a commander to guide the first line of defense and your friend told her that it would be better to attack from the right but Yossie had told her that if she didn't follow she would lose her head. Niigaki resigned and she gave it to you as a gift for your hard work.” Rika finished it and I wanted to yell at Yossie but I remembered that Risa was fine with the move but she was the one who trained me and under her watch I could kill the spy.
I watched Eri come in with tears in her eyes but she smiled to hide the pain she went through and Yossie took me aside and put her hands on my shoulders.
“As you know, Niigaki was removed as captain for our next campaign and I honored her decision as she didn't want to fight me head on against my plan. She is a great commander but she hasn't surveyed the land and I told her of all the locations on the battle field. In addition, I think she is in love with you and I can't let that happen among the troops but it has made me think of what she was talking about. I will take the flank plan and attack them from the blind side, Niigaki will help you guide the soldiers to the East.” Yossie let go of my shoulders and I saw Risa waving to me outside of the tent.
“Okay face me and open your coat, we need to bind your chest.” Rika opened it up and started to wrap the cloth around it.
I felt the warm cloth hit my skin and my body went into shock. However the fragrance was relaxing and the effects was enjoying the material wrapping around my nude body. Rika wrapped me tightly and it finished the transition from commoner to warrior. As I walked around to adjust the wrapping, I noticed Eri was just starting the wrapping ceremony and she seemed excited to become a warrior.
“”Takahashi, you will have to talk to Niigaki in the other room after you get fitted for your uniform.” Yossie notified me before the preparation of the next battle.
I got fitted quickly and walked over to the tent where Konno and Ogawa were waiting for us to arrive. One of the slaves had prepared tea for all of us and walked away with her serving dish.
“Niigaki, Takahashi, have a seat.” Konno requested and we both did with a big map with the four of us planning out the siege.
“Okay, your forces will leave before sunrise and we will meet on the outskirts of the village.” Konno used her figures to show us the path but I had one burning question in my mind.
“Who is the family we have to battle?” I asked.
“The Hirayama clan, they have been sending people to ravage the village a week before you guys came here and the head told us to prepare for battle tomorrow.” Ogawa explained and Konno seemed angry that she told me of the information. Both started to argue and I turned to Niigaki for her advice.
“They always fight but they make a good duo on the battlefield but Konno is afraid that you will defect because she doesn't believe your story.” Niigaki smiled and the other two turned back to the planning.
“Sorry, we don't usually say who the family is but I forgot you are new so it was necessary to let you in on the information.” She apologized and we went onto what our resources are and what the soldiers might have to bring in case of conflict.
The whole meeting lasted until nightfall and Niigaki and I went back to our camp to at least get some sleep before battle but we noticed Rika and Yossie fighting in the main house and we ran over to the house to see a slave on the floor convulsing.
All the captains huddled around the slave and dragged her to the side while the soldiers were holding the two back from each other. I couldn't catch what they were saying but looking at the slave I turned her over and patted her back until the object came out. It was a bone from the stew they were eating and I saw it before walking up to Yossie and show it to her.
“Takahashi, how dare you do that to me?” I turned around and helped the slave up to gather her breath and Yossie calmed down to notice she was choking.
“Yossie, I was trying to tell you that she was choking.” Rika pleaded and commanded everyone to go back and it was the end of the night of action.
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Gomen for the rush of updates as this story is sort of my passion as of now so I hope people do enjoy the reading and if there is anything you want to ask about certain parts please do so
Chapter 10
After the incident, the slave followed me back to the hut and she was boiling some tea while I was trying to attempt to sleep but the smell kept me up and said a prayer before drinking the tea.
“How is it, Takahashi-sama?” The slave asked while cleaning up the utensils.
“It is really good, thank you for it.” As I bowed toward her, I noticed the face structure was not of Japanese- descent but it was close and I approached her.
“What is wrong Takahashi-sama?” She asked and uttered the only Chinese word I knew since one of my friends was a person from China who gave me porcelain items.
“You know Chinese? I was wondering if anyone could speak the language.” She seemed happy but I calmed her down.
“They can't know that you are Chinese, so quiet down and we can talk like this without interrupting anybody.” She nodded and we went into a separate room to talk to her about her traveling in Japan.
“Takahashi-sama, I was never slave but a nice man sold me off to the traders and I arrived in Japan with the clothing on my back until Master Yossie rescued me from the people in the village a mile away. They were nice people but they were suffering because the lord commanded for a 10% increase in taxes and my previous was angered by and had a duel but was cut down by his retainers when he was given the opportunity to kill him. However, Yossie killed the lord and his five sub-ordinates and she told all of us that the slaves were hers but she only decided to keep me because I had knowledge of tea from my father.” I nodded and began to wonder with such elegance how did Yossie knew about her tea skills.
“Yossie's first command was to make her tea for her and her friend, Rika, I boiled the water until I could see steam coming from the pot and as I poured it Yossie walked toward me to observe my way of making tea and she was amazed by my knowledge of tea, although not being from her originally, she asked that I would receive meals personally if I accepted to do the job but Rika told her about my hygiene and retracted the offer. I was angry at Rika so I went after her and she caught my neck when I was eating and it got stuck. If it wasn't for you I would have been dead.” I gave her permission to drink tea and she poured one for herself, we sat there looking at the stars and all I could think about Niigaki and she being the black sheep among the commanders although Konno and Ogawa supported her from their appearance today.
Then the sliding door opened up with all of them woozy from drinking and Niigaki bowed in with two cups of sake for me and her. Yossie looked at the slave and just nodded when she was with me but Yossie commanded me to stand up and I went outside to talk to her.
“Takahashi, why is the slave with you?” I swallowed my fear and before I could say anything, she stood up in front of me.
“She saw me running away but she told me to stay with her and maybe consider a different view of me being in Japan for the first time.” She took a step back and Yossie looked surprised.
“You are not from here, you are from China?” She took a sip before sitting down to realize her shock.
“Yes and thank you for saving me, master.” She bowed down to Yossie and kneel down to her.
“What ever your name is, I want to say that you are not my slave because I have you as a prize but as a member of our family, you are one of us, and you should appreciate that more.”
“What about Rika?” She asked and Yossie put a hand on her shoulder.
“Don't worry, she really wanted you be here for a while but your response made her angry and it was my fault for doing that you.” Yossie bowed down and walked away with the other commanders leaving Niigaki, I and the slave.
I picked up the cup of sake and swallowed it in a whole gulp, the alcohol was hitting me hard and I decided to follow it with some hot tea and my body could feel less of the effects, while Niigaki was still woozy from her last drink and the slave sipped from her cup.
“By the way, what do they call you?” I asked and my face just inches away from hers.
“My name is Jun and that was the name given to me when I arrived in Nagasaki about six months ago.” Jun still sipping on the tea watched Niigaki and I just tickle each other for the rest of the night and I went on the attack and caught Jun in the crossfire of the battle. All three of us were enjoying a final drink to the final night before battle and I felt excited yet depressed about the deaths. However, it wasn't stopping me from fighting and that is all I could hope for.
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Again, from my boredom, and rush of updates I present the next chapter
Chapter 11
Niigaki had left after two drinks with us back to the quarters, Jun and I talked about how life was before we met. I told her of killing my master and running away to the countryside, where I found Eri and met Niigaki in the forest. I saw Jun as my confidant and somehow her face so pure and rounded was tarnished by people who only saw her as work. Jun just looked at the moonlight which presented us with the light needed to talk to each other, the winds were too strong to keep candles lit, so we sat there in the dark talking about everybody.
“Takahashi-san, I know of all the people in the army and from what Yossie has been scheming, you might be going on a suicide mission.” Jun fiddled with her cup as we both stared at the full moon.
All I could think was to trust in Niigaki but seeing how she dislikes Yossie, I understood why she did it, however it was influencing my thoughts that if Yossie were killed in battle my dream would come true, but Fujimoto and Konno were the leaders of the factions and that could only have led to what was next in the pattern.
“Jun, I knew that when I first entered here with Eri, if we weren't ready we would have been slaughtered by the clans out there who hate Yossie. They took us in and gave us our needs, so in return we must fight whoever our enemies are without disobeying orders.” As I said that, Jun started to massage my shoulders.
“Takahashi-san, you seem to be wise and honest about your feelings but it has to be hidden from Yossie because she is ruthless and she is out for the people who crossed her during her life.” Jun had gone from my shoulders to my waist and she had put her arms around me. I could only close my eyes and dream of the better life, then my mind drifted before Jun gently shook me to go back to the quarters.
“Jun, I wish I can come back healthy and have tea with you, until that day, I will achieve my duty under her.” I waved at her while she scooted back to the main house.
I was half-drunk and tired and just walking back to the quarters was an adventure and I almost tripped over some small rocks but I kept my balance until I stumbled into the quarters. Niigaki had dragged me to her side of the house and observed me until I feel asleep. Although, just looking into her eyes were only bringing up thoughts of her and I being together. The truth was we were deeply into our friendly relationship that I would commit suicide rather than fight on.
The next morning I woke up to the sight of the first sunlight and I started to put on my suit, Niigaki was already prepared and started her meditation. I knew I was behind but didn't expect to miss out on meditation for the first day of battle. It took a while to get every piece armor on but I finally finished it in time to start on my meditation practice before battle. My mind had become in tuned to concentrating on the forces I might face and then the realization came into my mind.
“Takahashi, are you ready to fight?” Yossie asked.
“Yes, I am ready to fight.” I mounted my horse and rode out with Niigaki and 400 troops out to the East. Yossie and Fujimoto took Abe, Yaguchi, and Kusumi to the Southeast. The last pack had Konno, Tsuji, Kago, and Ogawa to the West.
While riding I saw one of the soldiers falling behind and commanded her to pick up the pace but she laid there and we continued on without her. Niigaki, who was 20 feet in front of me, saw the hill we had to get to and we rode toward the hill when we saw the villagers go for the same hill. I went to the right to get a better angle on the villagers, unfortunately my bow was not taught enough to shoot arrows. I rode off to a big rock and left the rest of my troops with Niigaki. As I got to the rock, I fixed my bow and watched some of the action of the foot soldiers with Niigaki out of sight. The bow was loose but it felt tight enough for me to use and my arrow person forgot to follow me to the rock so I had no arrows to shoot and my short sword was my only defense. I put the bow on my back and charged toward the villagers.
The first one had a pitchfork and went for the horse but I stopped it 10 feet into of his weapon and took out my sword to chop him down. Then, my arrow person came by me but the villagers were starting to attack with their farming weapons. I instructed the person to take my horse outside of the battle lines and prepare for my return, as I was giving out the instructions, one almost took out my helmet but luckily a foot soldier came to protect me. I swung my sword and chopped off the metal ends of the weapons, however they still insisted on charging and I stabbed one on the side of his body. The blood was now flowing down my sword and I began slashing the villagers down one by one until I met up with some resistance when a man three times as heavy as I was swung his club. He took down forty of our soldiers on his way to me and I avoid the first couple swings but one caught me on the shoulder and the pain started to bother me.
“Silly warrior, you cannot defeat me.” he said and I avoid his next blow.
“You think speed can defeat me, think again.” His club came again and I spun out of the way and stuck my dagger into his lower back.
“Damn you warrior, you only made me mad.” Now visibly furious he charged and I sliced his right leg off right above the knee. The blood started to gush and he dropped to the ground crying from the pain, I saw his tears coming from his eyes. I only knew of one thing and the blade pierced his chest and the crying stopped. Once I took the blade from his chest, the rest of the villagers retreated and I looked for Niigaki in the crowd. The fog of the early morning made it hard to find anyone 20 feet in front of me. Then, I hear a horse coming from the East and it came to a stop.
“Takahashi, I am good go back to the rock and we must count the troops.” Her voice called out and I ran back to where I thought the rock was but it took a while to see through the fog and I realized I was running the wrong way toward the enemy but luckily no one was there to go after my head.
“Niigaki, you seem to be in good shape.” I said to her but I started to grimace from the blow I had suffered. The area was starting to get numb and she took off my armor to only discover a bruise.
“Takahashi, why did you take on the strong guy? It was the reason we had our archery gear.” Niigaki becoming concerned as the pain was numbing but I couldn't feel my arm.
“My bow wasn't set and the arrow person ran the wrong way with my horse and I don't know if she will come back with my arrows or my horse.” I had become a sitting duck for Niigaki and the rest of troops.
“Did you count your side?” Niigaki asked.
“I had 48, you?”
“I had 12. So 60 I guess.” Niigaki looked at the scroll she had and wrote down the numbers.
“What are we going to do for now?” I asked Niigaki while she was on the lookout for my horse and arrows.
“We shall wait until Yossie's forces needs us.” Niigaki sat on top of the rock and saw a girl riding her horse toward us.
She arrived with a note from Yossie.
We are going for the heart, back us up when you guys are finished.
Niigaki told me to walk while the soldiers built a sling for me and the rest of the group. About hours later, the horse came back with the arrow person and apologized about her sense of direction. I told her it was alright but she insisted to commit suicide for failing but I told her it was the fog and I couldn't help but to run the wrong way either. After the first day, we killed 145, they killed 60, we had 80 casualties and they had 400 bruised villagers who lost a son by my sword.
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WOOOO~!!! SO many chapters to read. I'm so happy because with this fic drought, yours is about the only story that gets updated more frequently. Arigatou~!! *low bow*
Hmmm, I find that Jun and Ai's relationship could possibly go a step further. But I don't know what your plan is so I will have to wait and see :)
I'm surprised Eri didn't have a bigger role in this few parts since I was expecting her to appear more.
Oh and of course YAY for all the TakaGaki love :wub:
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thank you lil_hamz, I had a lot more time to develop the story and yes a lot of the ideas were developing before everything starts to evolve. Eri will play a role soon, the part was she had a sickness and had to be out of commission for a while. So, hopefully you will like it along the way when everything starts to come together.
Chapter 12
Niigaki and I rode to meet up with Kusumi on the outer side of the battle, she was mentioning of later attacks, and the best way was to hold back on the fighting until the Western troops win over their part of the battle. During the discussion, the West could take the town by themselves if they had more troops but it was clearly that we would have the toughest of the battles but I wasn't sure if the treat was actually oppressed. After the brief meeting we went back to camp and saw the soldiers watching the battles toward the West.
“Captain Takahashi, why are we not helping out the rest of the army?” One soldier asked and she stood there with her head below my waist in a bowing position.
“They said we should watch for the change in plans and we are a defensive regiment to protect the daimyo from escaping.” I told the soldier and she went back to her tent as Niigaki and I watched the battling.
Niigaki seemed more nervous and she hasn't been talking to me often since I met Jun, I would make an opportunity to see what was the problem.
“Niigaki, you seem cold, we should get a blanket.” I suggested but Niigaki turned her back when I was talking.
“Whatever is wrong, please tell me, I never did anything wrong.” I pleaded with her and she came across with her hand, I went down to one knee as I felt the stinging on the slap.
“You almost got killed and watching them battling isn't helping my fears at all.” As she curled up into a ball, I wrapped my arms around her.
“I was worried too, don't say it was only you, I was terrified but I wanted to prove something that I wasn't weak.” I whispered into her ear and I heard her crying.
“Niigaki, I would be there always at the end, if you go, I will go, as long as you are still my teacher, I am still the student.” I bowed deeply to her and she hugged me.
“I am sorry for doing that but I rather take on the challenge than you, so I can prove that I am able to protect myself but you were protecting me too so I shouldn't have complained.” Niigaki went back to the tent as I watched for the signal.
I stood out there until the moon was above my head and I saw the troops take over the south but the west seemed to be at a stalemate. As I waited, my eyes were starting to get heavy and saw a flaming arrow above aimed at the castle, it was a wonderful sight and it hit the castle. The orange flame soon consumed the top of the castle and ordered our troops to wake up and cover the East side of the town. Every soldier got up and ran toward the door to find the villagers running out but we soon took them as prisoners by tying hemp around their legs. Luckily, there was no resistance but a set of seven girls came running out with the general's head.
“We got his head and now we need a stick to declare victory.” Two of them found a pitchfork and sunk his head into it while the others danced in celebration.
“Why are doing that? We did the job of attacking not you guys.” I said to them but Niigaki held me back.
“They are our allies from the north, they were sent to kill the main guy, since the daimyo fled before the battle, they went for the general instead.” Niigaki explained and just watching them dance around the defeated general's head it was a nauseous feeling. Moments later a messenger arrived that Yossie had finished the Southern border and were going back to main camp.
“Okay, we are going back home.” Niigaki announced as we were read y to depart.
We rode back and going back as the victors was quite a feeling until we saw two helmets in Rika's hand. We all paused and got off our horses to see the bodies. It was Kago and Tsuji, both had been pierced by arrows and they had their eyes closed with their arms crossed.
“What happened?” I asked and Konno put a hand on my shoulder.
“They were looking for another way to penetrate to the town and the sharpshooters caught them on the ground and they were hit quickly.” Konno shook her head and I just took a breath to suck up the realities I gave my prayer and headed home. I just had the thought to not be perfect but I need to protect myself at all costs, Eri walked in and she was told to come on the next journey. I hugged her before lying down on the floor again thinking about the battles we went through.
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Chapter 13
The loss of Tsuji and Kago made our win bittersweet, we defeated a rival but lost many along the way, bringing the bodies back was terrifying. The one body I brought back, I couldn't help but to vomit, and I never wanted to see another body brought back that way.
“Captain, you seem a little queezy, need some water?” Yossie asked and I deferred.
“Don't worry, you'll get used to with this smell and the deaths like if it was normal.” Yossie added before blessing all of them to the bonfire.
“They will be free up there, their souls with the smoke will carry them to heavens where they will be blessed by the gods and their ancestors to fight a good war.” Konno and Fujimoto started their prayers and I prayed for them for their safe departure.
After the fire had died out, we all went to the temple to pray to the Buddha for our safe campaign and offer him food for thanks. I started to look around to see if anyone was mourning and I saw a young lady with her face in her hands and I walked up to her to give her a hug. She put her arms around me and mumbled her regrets but it was too late for that now and I have to move onto the next day. It was quite emotional and heartwarming for people to mourn but every person was in a solemn mood until Rika finished the meal for all of us.
“Takahashi, you may understand this but after every campaign we feast and we give our offerings to the dead before eating and that keeps us protected from the wrath of ghosts.” Yossie stood up and walked out of the temple where everyone followed her to the main dining room.
I was approached by Ogawa and Kusumi before entering the dining area and they instructed me on the meal of how to properly do everything and I was expected to follow to not anger the ancestors. First I walked in and left my sword by the door and bowed to Yossie. Then, I followed the soldiers to the smaller room to get our hands cleansed by the priest. After, I sat down to see the rice gruel in front of us, I bowed down to the bowl and chanted our gratefulness for the meal. Finally, we drank the special tea brewed for winning the battle and opening our domain to another city before attack Osaka.
“Takahashi-sama, congratulations on your win.” Jun was behind me and seeing her smile made everything feel better after all the killing. However, Eri was in the corner with her head down staring at the gruel, I walked up to her and gave her a hug.
“Takahashi, why are you giving me a hug for?” Eri asked.
“Because you would have done great in battle but too bad for your illness.” I grinned and Eri smiled back before eating the food. I was looking around and saw seven younger ladies being pigs and harassing the other warriors and they were quite disrespectful to Rika.
“You seven are a disgrace to the clan, finish up your meal, and get out of here.” Yossie commanded.
“Yossie, we got the ruler's head and this is how you thank us? Fine you guys can have your party, we can just leave.” The leader said and all of them threw their bowls out of the window which angered Yossie even more.
“They always think that they can be part of us but we don't chop heads off or cause ruckus in a town.” Yossie shaking her head and watch them leave the area. The party continued until all were full and we bowed out of the room to go to our separate huts.
I walk in to see Jun kneeling in the hut and she stands up with her hand out. I took her hand and she dragged me in, with our faces inches apart. My heart started to beat faster and our lips met, her soft lips, and passionate stroking of my back only grew the intensity of the kiss. She pulled back and walked out of the hut, then Eri walked in with her patented smile as she was spy on us from the outside window.
“Ai, you playboy, getting two girls to kiss you, maybe I will be next.” I push her away as Risa walked in frozen from Eri's words. Before I could say anything she ran outside into the windy night and I chased her down by the tree stump where we first had our kiss.
“Takahashi, why would you kiss a slave? I thought you liked me.” Niigaki sobbing and took her hands and held on tight.
“Jun was just playing Niigaki, she knows I like you but she likes me too as a confidant and you have to understand that.” Niigaki pulled back her hands and fell backwards into my waiting arms. I looked into eyes and saw the fear in them and shook my head.
“Niigaki, what we have is special, I wouldn't throw that away for the world, Jun was happy I came back alive but I still have those feelings when I am with you. I may not show it but its true for you and that is what you have to believe in.” Niigaki put her hands down and put her head on my shoulders.
“Don't worry, I will have these feelings as long as you can feel the same way for me.” Niigaki nodded and we walked back with our hands clasped together and Niigaki's head on my shoulder as the moon was bright. However, Jun knew about the romance between me and Niigaki and she was actually with Eri before we were ready to come back and set it up on me. I learned of this when Eri and Jun were in another room laughing about the incident and that made me furious. I walked in with my sword drawn to both people who were bright red from the sake they just drank and the blade was inches from their faces.
“Sorry, Takahashi, Eri made me do it.” Jun bowed and I switched my concentration to Eri.
“Sorry, boss Jun was concerned so I told her about you and Niigaki and what if we could set them up to expose the truth and it happened.” I put my sword away and nodded.
“Next time don't do it because I like Niigaki a lot as a mate and Jun you are a good listener but that is what I like to use you for and maybe as a good friend.” Jun nodded and Niigaki and I went back to our hut and continued our session from before.
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Gah! Eri! Jun! I'm so confused and suspicious of what the true intentions of these two are. Despite liking Eri in real life, the Kame in the fic frightens me a little. I don't know why ^^;
Yabaii~~ W are dead @@ who will be next?
I don't want TakaGaki to break up! Please keep them together? *pleading*
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Well I think I could keep them for a long while but eventually one will die. Eri is not horrible but she hasn't seen the battles upfront so you can see why she has been playing around more.
Chapter 14
After a night of continuous mating with each other, we were awaken with the sound of a horn blaring with the sunrise. Niigaki woke me up and with her usual grin on her she touched my lips again with hers again before standing up and seeing the rest of warriors spectating our actions from the night.
“Takahashi and Niigaki are cute when they snuggle with each other.” Eri laughed with her usual non-serious tone.
“Kamei, are you jealous?” I asked with a grin on my face and Eri walks to the ceremony just starting.
After the burning of the bodies, they decided on new commanders within the troops and two stepped up to cut their hair and wrap themselves up for battle. Michishige cried when her hair was chopped and the other one stood tall and praised the general.
“Who is her?” I asked Niigaki.
“Tanaka, she was the leader of rebel army who were defeated in the South but Yossie who was battling the same army had joined up with them at the verge of defeat. Reina swore her alliance to Yossie and was 2nd in command to Tsuji and Kago.” Niigaki explained and she knew about the history when she was dragged into the town.
Niigaki remembered that Tanaka was meditating and Yossie walked in to observe her new soldier and she was quiet for five hours until she smelled the gruel. She killed one of the chickens and plucked out all its feathers before cutting of its head. Yossie was furious and was ready to slash off her head but Fujimoto saw the potential in her and she took her under her wing.
Tanaka came out the tent and stuck out her sword at Ogawa and Kusumi, Konno defended them with her sword. All the soldiers create a circle around the two leaders. Yossie ran out and broke up the fight with her sword, both turned away from each other and the split had become evident that Tanaka was the bad apple in the group. Niigaki took me to the side.
“Beware of Tanaka, she is quite a hot head, and she will attack without warning.” Niigaki warned me and Tanaka came behind me.
“You are a rookie, eh. You got lucky killing their bodyguard, if I was there I would kill more and have no remorse on the townspeople.” Reina bragged with her weapon still in the sheath. As she walked away, I knew she could kill our whole army if it wasn't for Yossie and that is the shield we need for now.
The evening was a party for the two new commanders and I walked up to Michishige to see her with her smiling face, She tried to hide the disappointment of her new do but visibly it was hurting her inside that her hair was gone.
“Michishige, congratulations on your promotion.” I gave her a drink and she held it dainty and she bowed in appreciation.
It was much quieter than my coronation and Tanaka being a bad drunk was ruining the atmosphere and we all watch her swing her sword around to scare off the others. I knew that she could snap at any time so I took Niigaki out of the party and joined Eri and Jun in the tea room.
“Welcome, is Tanaka causing trouble to you guys?” Jun laughed off the joke and we were offered tea with the snacks Jun made for all of us.
“Tanaka is a quite woman but she is too hot-tempered to control her feelings but I heard that her last mate was killed by her enemy and she dispatched him in under a minute.” Jun poured us another cup of tea and told us of the stories that were going around the camp.
“I wonder if she will find someone so she can be controlled.” Eri asked and we all drank our tea in unison.
“One day she will and it will be good for all of us.” I added and finished out bowl before walking back to our hut and seeing Tanaka in the corner.
“Am I a bad person for being brutal? I develop it because of my best friend who was killed by the leader. I saw her head fall off her body and he was dead when I realized the blade was in my hand. Is it bad that I did that?” Tanaka was letting all her feelings out and I rubbed her back.
“Tanaka, you are a good person but a bad event caused you to become this way, you should treat all like you want to be treated, and I think you can be a better person.” I hugged her and let her sleep in my arms to see her cute face only made me feel welcomed here.
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More updates...
Chapter 15
Tanaka was quite swordswoman, she was agile and fearless, her sword slashed through the dummies like a hot knife through ice. Her expression never show the guilt of killing and I was impressed that she would smile after slashing through the straw dummy.
“Oi, Takahashi get over here, I want to teach you proper sword play.” Tanaka called over the inexperienced captain over to find a sword on the ground.
I picked up the sword and notice the weight was much heavier than I thought and Tanaka giggled as I was trying to lift it. I was seriously struggling to keep it up and trying to wield the heavy sword and then after a grunt I took off the dummy's head. Everyone applauded and I wiped the sweat after the attempt and grinned as I dropped the sword and tumbled over in exhaustion.
“Takahashi, you are funny after one swing you caught the dummy's head and just fall over, you need to train with your sword work. Get up, I am going to help you.” She looked at Niigaki and Niigaki walked away from the stare.
Niigaki walked toward Kamei and practiced her archery while I was with Tanaka working on my sword work, I picked up the lighter sword, and sparred with Tanaka. Everytime we locked swords she would wink and slash right at me. I finally dodged one of her attacks and caught her side, I was mere inches from injuring her, and Tanaka seemed amused at my move.
“Takahashi, you are quite a warrior, you look too cute to be a warrior in this army, why come here?” I explained that I was an outlaw for killing my master and I ran from the capital to meet up with Niigaki and met Yossie when Eri and I had to hide from her troubles.
“Wow, you guys are outlaws? Seriously I thought I was bad but you guys are quite good at being bad.” Tanaka laughed loudly as Eri came back with her archery gear.
“You look quite cute when you pout.” Kamei came by and pinched her cheeks as Tanaka pushed her hands away.
“You are not cute at all.” Kamei's smile went to a pout and Tanaka stood up and hugged her.
“You are mean.”
“Well, you are cute when you pout too, how was your archery lesson?” Niigaki came from behind and rubbed my midsection with her smirk on her face.
I left Kamei and Tanaka alone and turned around to see Niigaki grinning like she had something to show me but she was not revealing her secret. I tickled her until she exposed her arrow that was made from silver, I looked at it and saw the name Abe on it.
“The Goto family is great with making arrows, how did you get it?” Right after I asked the question, over the hill I saw Yossie with a taller woman and a shorter women. The setting sun was a perfect scene seeing the three women walking toward us.
“Listen everyone, a monk and an arrow maker will join us for dinner, please be nice and they will pray for us in our next battle.” Yossie explained and the shorter woman walked toward Niigaki and bowed to Niigaki and I, she had a beautiful smile and nice dimples.
“My name is Goto Maki, call me Gomaki.” She extended her hand toward me and I shook it with a firm grip.
“I am Takahashi, this is Niigaki, the one who looks like a cat is Tanaka, and the one next to her is Kamei.” I pointed toward the people and the taller one came by in her uniform and bowed toward all of us.
“I am Iida, I am a priest in Osaka, I heard about your army's mission and I couldn't help to pray for your safety.” We bowed back and we walked back to the main house with some hot gruel on the table and the soldiers eating their meal.
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Chapter 16
The arrow maker and the priest I realized were schoolmates until they went their separate ways because of their parents' wishes but they exchanged letters with each other talking about their lives and how they view the world differently. It was clear that the view maybe clear as a blue lake but the dirt is still brown and does not reveal its true self to the world. Both had different attitudes about Yossie but were clearly behind us in fighting the war as long as we could stay together.
“Niigaki, they seem to like Yossie but they see Yossie as a hero and as a barbarian for leading us to fighting.” I pulled out my words slowly as anyone could overhear us.
“Takahashi, people like that don't see the reason behind our war, it was meant to persecute the men who took lands by force.” Tanaka slowly eating her gruel as she was not concentrating on our conversation.
“Tanaka, you always think about the killing but you are as weak as our soldiers' will.” Michishige spoke up and Tanaka ignored the comment by finishing up her bowl and walking out of the main house.
Every person saw Tanaka walk out, it was courteous to thank the cook but by going straight, it was disrespectful, and Yossie bolted out of her sitting stance.
“Takahashi, watch this, Yossie is going to rip her apart again.” Ogawa mumbled as she was stuffing her mouth with the hot food.
I watched outside as Tanaka was watching every word come out of Yossie's mouth and all she did was nod as she understood the situation but something was wrong, I felt the cold air passing through, and I wanted to take her to Jun immediately. However, Yossie approached me before I could make my move.
“Tanaka, is not normal, she has her own agenda, and she may cross you so be careful what you do with her on your daily training.” Yossie pat my shoulder and held onto her arm.
“Yossie, I think she has been lost for all this time and maybe she wanted to have a person to talk to that had a heart, can I at least try?” I pleaded my Yossie as Kusumi and Ogawa were passing by and Abe and Yaguchi had been instructing them about their planning.
“Takahashi, you cannot win the battle, she is too hard to mold, she is fearless and can take out multiple people, why soften her up?” Ogawa nonchalantly suggested and I grabbed her by the collar.
“If I fail, then we leave it be but this is something that she doesn't have to use anger to win, she can balance her ability and knowledge to win battles without the bloodshed.” I pushed her back and Kusumi caught her as they both left after my speech.
“Takahashi, you have my permission, but no weapons, you must not bring your weapons to where you guys go, understand?” I nodded and Yossie walked back to the conversation, while I thanked Rika before meeting with Tanaka who was staring up at the sky.
“Takahashi! Why are you here? Did Yossie tell you to talk to me?” I shook my head and let her head rest on my shoulder.
“Tanaka, I don't know what angry is, I have been frustrated at my whole life, I met a nice man, he raped me, and I killed him. It makes me wonder why I do this for, I am here because I am here and not for anything else. You have a lifetime to understand what it means to be angry but you need to learn that passion can only carry you so far before you see the light and that means you are dead.” Niigaki and Kamei were sitting two feet away from me as Tanaka was seeing the message.
“What can I do?” She asks and I point toward the tea house where a lady had entered.
“Tea? I never do tea, and never will do the ceremony.” Tanaka crossed her arms and cutely pouted.
“Just come with me, you will see what I mean.” I grabbed her hands and she seemed to hold back but Kamei and Niigaki encouraged her to stand up.
Reina slowly stood up and resisted to follow me but she knew that she could trust me and I bowed to Jun in the room. Reina looked and saw all the art in the room, her jaw dropped as she looked at the color with the candlelight.
“Takahashi-sama, you seem to have an extra guest, let her enjoy the tea while I make more for everyone.” Jun disappeared from the room, we all sat around the warm fire, as we waited for Jun to return with more tea.
“Tanaka go take the first sip.” I saw her pick up the cup and slowly sipped it from the cup, she closed her eyes, and put it down fast.
Tanaka smirked at first then grinned as she approved of the tea and Niigaki and Kamei finished up the rest while I joined Jun to make the tea but I noticed the scar on her hand when she placed the tea plate by Kamei.
“What happened?” I asked and she hid it away from me.
“Nothing it is just a burn from the pot, don't worry, it is all good, Takahashi-sama.” She nodded and joined us for tea and snacks.
I knew what it looked like, it was a broken bowl piece that sliced her hand and it must have been Rika since I had not seen it before. But, I didn't dwell on it as it wasn't my concern and we enjoyed the tea and snacks while we learned about Tanaka's life in detail.
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This is interesting. Btw. I am back with my new fiction :D
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I don't get it. I notice flaws all over the place and yet I'm compelled to keep reading. What is this?
I don't mean to sound insulting, but reading through it there things that were amiss. It feels like you make some situations unnecessarily curt. You go into great detail with certain parts, but you kind of barely graze over others. This isn't a short story, so I was surprised at the rapid development of intimate relationships. I expected Reina's emotional transition to be much more gradual. I'm glad to see you've cut down on the amount of dialogue, it was kind of worrying in the first chapter :nervous I find some of the language confusing, as in it doesn't always really fit the situation.
I read from beginning through to where you're up to now and I've really noticed improvements throughout. The development of characters and events has become a lot more intricate and detailed. Many of the bones I had to pick at the beginning are becoming lesser in number. The only things that I'm sort of at odds with are the cutting off of events and the predictability of the plot. There are situations where I can really feel the tension growing and emotions are about to rise, then it just kind of gets resolved suddenly by one character accepting everything. Conversely, I understand that emotions flare sometimes, like with Yossie suddenly unleashing on her soldiers, etc., but try cutting down on them a little, don't get indulgent :P The plot looks pretty straightforward - Captain dies resulting in Ai's sudden change of character that will probably be resolved in response to some complication involving other characters, I'd assume Rika and/or Yossie. Then there'll be Yossie's death = chaos, soldiers go apeshit, division of powers ensue, Ai comes to save the day. I don't know, I hope there's a twist somewhere.
Despite my complaints, I have to say that this is really addictive. I was afraid that I might just get bored a few chapters in and stop reading, but it was really hard to stop. It's 3PM and I haven't had breakfast or lunch thanks to you, kuro, so I'm going to fill my stomach. I look forward to the upcoming chapters :)
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^ It is actually done on purpose, the story concentrates on Ai and she is in sorts between her own past and how she is right now, I wanted to have a lack of intimate relationships but that became hard because Ai is still fragile and not yet hardened. The Reina development was one of those that she was being exposed everytime she is with Ai so Reina is battle tested but like a good chocolate candy you find a soft center. Now for the predictability, yes it will happen, but its like asking who will lead the way? That is the main question to the fic and I wanted to work toward that question, that is the goal. The answer is there but how she gets to that power that is the story to itself, also the working in of historical facts is hard, then again it is more truth than fantasy. I only hope I can get more into the battles and internal conflict, that will be the big part of the next chapters
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Chapter 17
“My life has been a rough road, I was born to a poor family, and my father was a drunk while my mother was beaten senseless by him. I grew angry everyday as the boys always had sticks and poke me where ever they want as their masters just saw them as playing.” We got another cup and listen intently to her story
“One time in front of my father, I snapped, I grabbed the stick and swung wildly toward the boy's head. It started to gush out blood and his father came to seek his son but his first reaction was to slap him across the face as he stopped crying. My father apologized and left me hanging upside down for hours until I lost consciousness, all I remembered was waking up to see my nude body on the street with bruises. I soon realized that I was sold off to pay off his debts but as a thirteen year old, I was scared.” Tanaka picked up her bowl to sip but she put down her bowl as she was broken.
“It was horrible the first day and everything was just gruesome, I spent that whole day finding a way to clean myself but I was dirty on the outside and within. The next day, I got the man's sword and cleanly cut off his head, the next person in line saw me with his head on my lap. He ran as I acquired the fee and ran far away to Yossie.” I nodded as we were solemnly looking at Tanaka.
“Was she your teacher?” Jun asked as she poured another hot cup to Kamei.
“She was actually training me hard and I knew she saw potential as I nicked the wood deep, she took me to the side, and forbid me to fight with a sword until I learned how to control my emotions but it never came as I slashed through the lots of people and they couldn't stop me.” Tanaka got herself to calm down a bit for some tea.
As I looked at Tanaka, she was unbalanced, but she had been torn and I couldn't blame her for being reckless, she defined herself as a warrior and she finally worked her way up and it was paying off to teach others to be better fighters. She was the best to fight but the unpredictability was Yossie's big concern and if I was control her own emotions by breaking her down maybe it was an opportunity gain more respect.
“It's getting late, you guys need to rest, I will be back tomorrow for more tea, see you later.” Jun bowed out as we stretched out to get to our camps.
As we dispersed ourselves from the hall, something felt wrong, and my hunch was correct as a troop of people crashed their horse into the rations house. I grabbed the first bow and arrow to patiently wait out the next move as the person was struggling to gain his composure. Yossie walked out and she saw the guy with a sword swung toward her and shot my arrow into his shoulder. He screamed in pain as Kamei shot the next one and started to convulses on the ground. Yossie pointed her sword and won the weekend for everybody.
“Nice shot Kamei.” She smiled and went back downstairs to see the action closer.
As I watched from the top window, Yossie took out the two arrows and stabbed him to finish the job. She gave me approval before I would walk down to see her. I felt more comfortable about killing but not the one to finish people off. It had become apparent that I was more afraid than ever as I am skilled at archery but not with swords, which meant not killing people before they live for another fight.
“Takahashi, good job, it was a spy, he wanted to find a way to bulldoze right through but thanks to all we got a member with no original skills.” Yossie joked as I had become the hero again.
“Yossie, Kamei made a shot too, to disable him.” I added as to promote Kamei but it was to no avail.
“All of you, go to bed, we need everyone to be back at peace before anything more happens.” Yossie scolded us as we scurried to our houses.
Niigaki quickly went to sleep as the nights before I tended to meditate about my own life and experiences. It was becoming clear that it was harsh but life is still good. Sleep had avoided me for a while and learning to cope with my own lack of sleep was taking toll on my body as I have gotten more tired. However, the calm, cool winds made it easier to sleep tonight.
The morning came as it was early to wake up and I felt quite sluggish to my lack of sleep the previous night. It was the leader of the seven younger warriors who helped in the last battle but they were more tamed and apologetic for the time being.
“We are sorry for causing a ruckus, we shouldn't have done it and I have been disciplining them for rude behavior. By the way, my name is Saki and captain of the squad.” I shook her hand and she prepared for all their people to join up us as a team again.
They talked to Yossie too and were selected to lead the charge as out next battle was quite exhilarating as we gain an upper hand only in that town. The next move was to strategically place people as Yossie was brought me to pursue your compel the soldiers. The concern was too many eventually they had to split them to do ground work.
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thank you everybody for reading, I am going to throw this out and hope you and many others will comment.
Is it way out of reach to understand the setting? If it is I can explain with your comments so go ahead
Chapter 18
The cold wind has been an omen of battle, if it blows behind us, the ancestors will be behind us, but it was going against us. Konno who was superstitious complained that we should wait and Fujimoto struck her sword to the ground. As I approached the main house, the three walked out and I hid onto the side of another house.
“Konno, you are stupid in trying to hold us back.” Fujimoto stuck her finger into her face and Konno slapped it away.
“I just don't want to be mauled, why don't we wait until the wind change, and waiting could help.” Konno appealed to Yossie and she looked away.
“Fujimoto is right, we need to attack soon, the winds may never change, and opportunity knocks when it comes up, I know you are worried. However, I have to take on Fujimoto's advice and going with the attack, we are going to take our best commanders, and attack them. Send the reserves at sun up and round them up.” Yossie kept her confident attitude, I saw her waking up the other two houses.
I walked back to the living quarters and tried to close my eyes but the wind was too strong to sleep through. Niigaki wrapped her arm around me and snuggled closer.
“Can't sleep?” She asked and her appealing voice with her hand on my hips, I felt the comfort of someone understanding my feelings.
“Yeah, I overheard Yossie and the top commanders, seems we might be left behind.” She wrapped me even harder as I could only think of her health.
“Takahashi, sleep, that is the only thing we can do for now.” Niigaki whispered and I closed my eyes to force myself to sleep for the little while before marching.
The next thing I could remember was waking up with the sun gleaming into my face and suited up for another battle but this time, we got the news of the army suffering heavy casualties. I put everything on as fast as I could and was ready to march west from our location. The swift movement of everybody was the urgency to witness the killings, however I saw something, guns.
“I never seen them before, when they get these weapons?” I observed the black smoke coming the firing of the weapon.
“I have seen it once and they do not play nice so we have to take on what is needed for now before they turned on us, I turned toward Konno.
“Hold up, for a second, we need to find a way to attack them without wounding warriors.” I said to the group and I saw a ledge overlooking the area.
The battle had become gruesome, the bodies were lying all over the lower lands where the opposition were and luckily every commander was still safe. Konno saw the opportunity to attack them now before they find us in the mountains.
I commanded to shoot an arrow onto the opposing side and luckily the sharpshooters hit them in a different area as one fell from the shot to the head. They were in a state of panic as the arrow pierced out of nowhere, they shot off their guns but to no avail we scared them off. Then, the soldier shot Yossie in the shoulder and she fell over while we were celebrating on the ledge.
In my rage of seeing this I shot two more down before they left and I quickly jumped on to check out Yossie on the ground. I passed through the small forest before seeing the path took to get to her but the smell was getting to me. The wind couldn't stop the flow, I had gotten there without realizing where their location was and every soldier stood around the wounded leader.
“Don't worry I will be alright, fight them off, and we retreat for now.” Yossie held onto her shoulder.
“No, we fight on Yossie.” Fujimoto suggested. Yossie shook her head.
“Retreat, I need to make sure we don't walk into a trap.” Yossie commanded.
The soldier realized that they still in the line of fire, quickly they picked up and leaned toward the horses. I waited until one person could lift Yossie back up and finish them but they ran onto other places in the forest, so there were gone for now. Yossie still had a smile and Fujimoto carried her on her horse and rode us out back to the home base, Yossie felt to assure that they will be in better shape than this battle. Hours after taking her back to the medical area, Konno would take over but as she is concerned, Fujimoto would make the decision in battles, to even out their capabilities to other commanders.
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Chapter 19
Couple days passed by and Yossie was in good condition but she had lost feeling in her arm as the wound had caused the infection to spread throughout her arm. She kept smiling as she hid the pain from the wound as the doctor hid the arm from our view. As we walked out of the medical tent, Yossie stopped me before I left with Eri.
“Takahashi, choose your side wisely.” Yossie warned as I tried to think of what she was talking about.
“Why?” I asked as she revealed the arm had become black like charcoal.
“I am not going to live too long, the arrow pierced me deep and they advised to keep the arrowhead in but I told them to take it out as I knew the pain would be torturous.” Yossie sat back up and stared at the deterioration.
“I see, I am not sure who to side with, I want to actually run away if we have internal conflict.” I confessed. Yossie grabbed a stick and whacked me with it.
“Don't give up, you should die with honor, don't run away, if you do, commit suicide and live in shame.” Yossie warned me with her stern voice.
I saw her eyes, the hard stare into my heart, I couldn't let her down, she knew I would become better if I fought on. She dropped the stick and went under the sheet again as the doctor came back with her food, she struggled to get it to her mouth, but she asked for no assistance as she carefully scooped it out of the bowl into her mouth. I turned to head out and she said her final words.
“I will commit seppuku tomorrow, the doctors told me, I will not have my arms back so I am going to tell you to attend the ceremony and choose right away with your friend. I know Niigaki would love that very much.” Yossie continued on with her meal as I exited the tent and looked at the area as it has become quiet.
The night fall as the usual chatter had become silent wondering about their leader, I did not have the guts to admit to knowing what will happen tomorrow, so I ran to the secret area where Jun and I had tea. Surprisingly, Jun was there practicing her tea as she was working to gain her accreditation to become a tea ceremony master. She had everything laid out as she was testing herself on the tools and the preparation for each step.
“Hey Takahashi-sama, here to help?” She asked but I shook my head.
“No, I am no good at this, the last time I spilled it and my master got angry.” Jun went back to her preparation as she was analyzing my demeanor.
“It is about Yossie, right?” Jun asked and I nodded.
“She will be better, just believe in it.” Those words had become my hope but Yossie's word echoed her plan for tomorrow.
“She told me that she will give off her leadership to Konno and Fujimoto, as she will commit seppuku tomorrow.” I calmly mention as she dropped the bowl onto the ground.
“Really? Is she giving up?” Jun wondered as I tell her about the arm's condition.
“I see Takahashi-sama, well I hope I still see you one day, I have to go to Kyoto in three days for my test and if you are in Kyoto anytime soon, please say hi.” I give her a hug and wished her luck as I left the room to go back to the living quarters as Niigaki was being prepared to sleep.
I observed Niigaki as she looked around before slipping under a thin blanket as she wind ominously picked up as to indicate a bad event. Eri was out early as she never liked to have early mornings so she slept right after dinner to get herself enough sleep. The silence was an indicator of the divide as they knew about the situation that was happening tomorrow. Then, a voice whispered into my ear.
“Takahashi, go to sleep, don't worry about Yossie, she will be fine.” Niigaki had scooted toward my bed.
“Hopefully.” I said before slipping under to get some shut eye before the big day tomorrow.
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Gomene for not commenting earlier. I didn't have access to the Internet for more than a week.
Ok, now on with the story. I've always been rather fasinated with arrows so reading how you incorporated was great :)
I wonder if Reina will find someone who can tame her and whom she will become less aggressive for.
Wahh now with more people hurt, how will things change?
I love all those subtle actions that TakaGaki share. My love for them has been reignited :)
Thanks for posting so regularly! I'll be looking forward to the next chapter ^^
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^ thnx for commenting, sorry to hear about your situation
Chapter 20
We woke to the sound of horns as Yossie ascended to the stage in her white coat as she laid the dagger down in front of her. Fujimoto and Konno were standing right by her side as Fujimoto took out the long sword with the sun fading behind the clouds. The Niigaki and I stood in front of the army as we both were farther away from the view of the ritual. Tanaka and Kamei stood next to each other as the other three were to the side with their army watching Yossie slowly swallowed her last breath before opening up her coat.
Rika was in shock when she heard about the decision and she stayed at the main house while the ceremony was going on. She grabbed the dagger with her good arm and mumbled a prayer before stabbing herself with the sharp weapon and Fujimoto slicing the head off clean. We all turned and prayed for Yossie path to heaven as they cleaned up the area of the former leader.
The whole day was somber as the noise had died to a silence among the warriors and they mourned for a bit going to the makeshift temple to worship Yossie one last time. I decided to talk to Rika after the ceremony but she was still in her room and I knocked on the door to see how she was feeling but the door flew as I saw her body on the floor with blood coming from her midsection. She was non-responsive and I carried to the medical tent but it was too late as she lost too much blood from the wound.
It was hard that Yossie decided on not fighting the infection but it had led to her girlfriend to commit suicide too and now the mourning had escalated to an outpouring of regrets and sadness. Niigaki and I traveled outside the camp to get away from the depressed feeling of losing both of them.
We managed to get a bottle of sake before everybody pillaged the house and sat in a nearby tavern to discuss our future. Niigaki felt fine about the deaths but just looking at the soldiers becoming weak was a bad sign and realizing that they were in need of strong leadership, it could lead to the internal conflict but it was solving that without violence that would become the problem. The alcohol helped us to think deeply but both of us were inebriated and just watching the the dancers perform to the music.
It had only become a distraction to the problem but both of us were just thinking about the what ifs and finished the bottle before walking back to the living quarters. I saw Reina praying in the temple and walked toward her.
“Tanaka, why are you praying?” My breath smelling like alcohol as Reina avoided me.
“Wait up, why?” Tanaka turned as to say something but went back to the living quarters.
I pondered the reasoning but I was not in the mood to answer the question and I could only think about Yossie and how much she helped me to become better as a person and a warrior. I built the courage to fight and finish it at the end however it was difficult to contend with the standards but it was worth my time to do.
So, I walked up to the makeshift temple and thanked both of them for teaching me the values of being a warrior and becoming a better woman by acknowledging my mistakes and working on my weaknesses. I never thought that months of preparations only left more of the void to learn but it was now to figure the reality of seeking a power struggle between her two highest commanders. After, I realized the reason why many did cry about Yossie was not only a warrior but was a mother to all the people and she wanted them to learn their own ways to maintain everything when she was gone.
However, the verge of everyone revolting only increased the senses of everyone thinking about the enemies within and the surrounding areas. Niigaki walked up to do a quick prayer and we walked back to see everyone sleeping quietly. So, we laid our heads down to sleep but it was no use as it felt uncomfortable thinking about Yossie not being here any more and it could only mean trouble later.
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I cringed when I read about Fujimoto slicing the head off ^^;
Now that both Yossui and Rika are death, what's gonna happen? Who will be in charge? And will things take another dramatic turn from now?
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^ to answer your question it will be an interesting plot ahead
Chapter 21
The image of the sun appeared in front of us, waking up to realize Fujimoto had burnt the temple and took Yaguchi, Abe, and Kusumi with her. Ogawa was pleading the night before with Fujimoto before the temple went up in flames and her body was left charred in the remains. Konno was first over there and I saw her tears running down her eyes, I felt the anger coming from her, she had her dagger out but Sayu held her back from stabbing herself with the strength she had and nicked herself instead. Konno stood over the remains still with the redness in her eyes and the hand on her sword.
“Takahashi, stay back, she will swing if you get close...” Tanaka warned as she saw the smoke and the events that led up to the divide.
I stood outside the door and watch Konno leave her hand on the sword, she seemed ready to draw it but she stood like a statue. I began to notice that most of the army went with Fujimoto leaving us with a quarter of our army and the seven came around asking for food but we told them to find for us. They went to the next town and came back with a bunch of containers of rice and bags filled with wheat.
“Sorry, we can't get more.” The person bowed toward me but I stopped them before they left.
“Who are you going to fight for?” I asked.
“We fight for Yossie and none of you guys but we hate Fujimoto, she treated us like 2nd-class citizens as we are samurai rank but Yossie killed our master, so we are under her control.” The seven showed their shorter swords and I nodded in understanding.
“How about you fight for us?” They looked at each other and huddled to talk about their decision. Then, they looked at the person by the temple remains.
“Did Fujimoto do that?”
“Yes, she did.” Tanaka replied.
“We are in, by the way, I am Shimizu.” She extended her hand and I shook it. They all went closer to Konno and bowed to her before leaving.
Niigaki and I were staring at Konno until she turned toward us and instructed us to come over. Her face looked worn out and her expression changed to sadness as she put her head on our shoulders. I could only stroke her hair as she was still angry at the act but it was something she felt she had to do for her fallen comrade. She took off her coat and unwrapped the bandage off her. She threw onto her dead friend and put the coat back on, she meant business after that when she dropped her sword onto the ground and we all followed suit.
Her eyes said what was on her mind, she was the strategic person, but she still had skills to negotiate and it was her plan to ask for men in the surrounding area. Luckily, Fujimoto didn't talk to the weaker clans and they were on our side for the time being. She knew that maybe brains could beat strength but rarely it did because Fujimoto had enough training to outflank any army. Konno could only look at her small army and sigh but she instantly put them into training.
Tanaka did weapons training, Niigaki did equestrian training, and I took the rest to do strategic training with the rest of the troops with the seven wild samurai sending us food every week. They were easy to mold but without the real life experience we could only imagine the struggles if we went early to attack them but many people hinted toward us that they were doing the same. Konno could only look at the table and see how far they were from us and the reason behind why she never went to the towns near them to recruit but knowing the area she manage to get herself into, she was getting experienced warriors compared to our peasants. Then, a woman walked up to Sayu and she ran over to me to ask about her joining. She walked over to me and bowed down to me.
“Hello I am from the Yajima clan and I want to help, I brought my small army to help the cause as Fujimoto ruined our town when I was born, she killed my father, but luckily my mother was out of town, and gave birth to me.” The determination from her was giving me the vibe but I asked her to chop the soldier down. She walked over to the dummy and gracefully slashed the dummy in half. Her agility and precision impressed me a lot and Tanaka was shocked to see the face. She went up to Tanaka and bowed deeply to her and gave her a hug, somehow I figured they had a history and it was a master/pupil relationship when I talked to her again. Sayu took over the cooking and cleaning duties made us gruel every day with care but the weird flavors made us drink tea more and appreciate it more.
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Oooh so now the Yajima clan is involved too? :cool1: With more people fighting that means the casualties number will increase. dizzy:
For some reason I'm anticipating a really big fight. :mon scare: Possibly one that will end everything?
But something tells me you have more events happening before that stage is reached right? :gmon butt: <-- Lol I just wanted to use this emoticon cuz it was too cute