Cherry Blossom Warrior Chapter 21 5/9

[kuro808]

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

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.

[kuro808]

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.

[badsaints]

Oh a samurai story I see. Are we expecting more bloody scenes?

Why did Risa run away? And something tells me there's more to Eri than what she lets on

[cogi_yoshi]

ooohhhh....a samurai-era fic...that means... A lot of killing!!!ahahaha (but nothing beats Morning Battle at that.. )... Hmmm... Ai's with Eri... but where's Risa? I hope they will run into each other again..

[kuro808]

@ 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

[lil_hamz]

Oooh new fic. And it's MM centric with IshiYoshi for good measure

This settle brings to my mind Sakura Mankai. I don't know why ^^;

I hope there will be some bloody scenes too

[badsaints]

Oh I so want to know the details of their training Eri's thunderthighs could come in handy there

[kuro808]

^ 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.

[kuro808]

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.

[lil_hamz]

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 Risa on a horse is <3

[kuro808]

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...

[kuro808]

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.

[kuro808]

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.

[kuro808]

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.

[kuro808]

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.

[kuro808]

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.

[lil_hamz]

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

[kuro808]

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.

[kuro808]

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.

[lil_hamz]

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*