Hello. It's late at night and all, so let's make this quick. Here's a new story about kids who shouldn't get sucked into fandoms. By ShimoRyu and I. 8) Enjoy.

ShimoRyu: *Points at comment above* What she said! :)


Prologue: 1579, Unknown castle, Battle of the Ox and the Lion

"Wars always had the most peculiar of reasons…"

The fields of the ruined area inside the Hojo's land were a warzone of terror on September 18th, around the time that marked the death- and symbolization- of some of Humanity's greatest doubts. A battle unlike any other was taking place on the vast lands of Ujiyasu's pride. It was, put simply, a fight created to protect these hard-won miles of territory that he was so known for. With all of the blood and life it took to come out victorious, it was still a wonder of the mind that no one could clearly remember the day… and the age that three demons stormed the land.

Through the façade of lightly blossoming cherry trees, a peculiar war was taking place, one of a ferocity that could match Lucifer's own rage. If you could look closely upon that day, catch a glimpse of the fighting and the terror, you would see the very land gouged out through swords and bodies rapidly returning to their everlasting graves. Trampled beauty laid strewn upon the ground, as common as the crimson stain that seemed to color the entire earth. Destruction as far as the eye could see. It was a fury that was palatable by any other, and it was making its presence known in the hearts of the brave samurai, the thousands or so that were fighting for one reason.

Simply because their lords told them to.

Though it was a common way in this time period, and almost necessary- whenever one army made to get new troops, additions to an ever growing chess board, the other always made sure to follow suit. Sacrifice your life for the good of your people. Lest they be captured by an enemy force. Never stopping for breath, the warlords that loved their people dearly would morn as that small boy marched out into the fog…

This would continue for several weeks, months, till one decided to improve another area, to which the opponent would view the same.

It took a while to realize that they wouldn't win if they kept this up, And the one to note this out was Hōjō Ujiyasu. Also known as the Lion of Sagami to some, and to others, a rather foolish figure. Whatever way you look at the son of Ujitsuna, you should know that he didn't dole out mercy as he used to. Not since 1531.

Don't look at me like that.

Deep in a peculiar castle that overlooked this so called city, the two Warlords were sitting. One offering the other a ridiculous peace offering of courtesy, lined with threats that would make any normal man balk in fear. The structure itself was irrelevant in stature, but purely refined to a rich taste. Pillows adorned with silver trim and only the purest of velvets. Silk and linens draping over all of the rather large windows in a never ending sea of purple. A family crest in the shape of an Ox's head, amongst a tide of gold and precious stone. Obviously someone put quite a bit of effort into maintaining a skeleton of a dead animal.

Obviously.

Even though they sat, the air was anything but peaceful. Have you ever seen the angered side of a bird? If you haven't, I personally consider your kind lucky. Furious beaks are quite painful to witness. And the tension was stabbing both of them in the gut with it's marled beak.

"As I said again, if you'd just surrender, there would be so many lives saved… on your side, of course." The voice had an arrogant tint to it, expected of the opponent of this so called Lion. The ox, after all, had the strength of his horns to plot the cat's downfall. "Is the land really worth it all, the lives of your men, your best friend…" A moment's pause, and a grin splattered across the pale expanse of skin, at Ujiyasu's expense. "Your daughter?"

Of course. Of course the enemy would reduce and ridicule himself to ridiculous threats that would turn the tide of war as they knew it. Though it was not unexpected. Ringo Satsujinja was not known for his humble mind or charming voice. Instead of improving the vast poverty of his lovely land, the man spent his wealth and intellect on the trivial matters of the world. In fact, you might say that … the only thing holding him aloft, would be his Father's inheritance. And we all know… that the dead's possessions will not last an eternity.

"Still your tongue for a moment, my friend." Ujiyasu displayed disgust with this word, as if he suddenly ate something sour. A surprised look came to the Ebony-framed face of Satsujinja. "And I shall give you the answer you seek. You can threaten me with any word of the mind, with any torture of my family… but unfortunately for you, I doubt we would care. Unlike your people, I can tell you right now- There won't be a single soul in the village for you today, we'll all be out on the battlefield protecting the city we know and hold dear."

Everyone knew of the warlord's spurring words, and how he held truth to his promises. The loyalty of his troops carried on into the very grave. Heavens spoke his name with pride. Not a human in his land would ask for mercy from the enemy. Their faith in their warlord was too vast, too great.

It. DISGUSTED. Ringo. Disgusted him to the point where he vowed to exterminate them all. Starting with their famed military.

The battle started with a threat similar to this…


In the year 1579, The Sengoku Wars began to hit their climax. Warlords vying for power sought to claim the land, all believing in their own reasons as well as morals. However some of these Lords were content to protect their own lands. One such lord was Hōjō Ujiyasu, the ruler of Odawara Castle. However, this was not to last, for there was soon to come a visitor. A visitor who may just bring him out of his peace and into the war-torn world of the Sengoku Era…


"You're going to REGRET the moment you rejected my offer, Hojo." The larger man growled whilst simultaneously leaning dangerously close to his face. It took a quick word to spur on the Ox. One little misstep would send the place careening with screams and caked with blood. And that error had been played, discarded on the ground.

What did this man just say to him? Reject? He REJECTED him?

Instead of an answer, Ujiyasu rose off of the well-placed mat and backed up from the garrish man. He left without another word. Insult to injury, not even the slightest inch of respect. A bow was not in order for him. He refused to even acknowledge this man before him, because he was not deserving of it.

No matter, Ringo's frown turned into a hard edged grin. He had several troops outside of Odawara castle right as Ujiyasu walked out of his castle. Plenty of warriors, ready and willing to risk their lives to murder all peasants who stood in their way.

It was only a matter of time….. A matter of time…


-1579, Odawara Castle, Defeat-

"You. Don't. UNDERSTAND. We're. Here. To- hey!"

Kotaro harshly slid his hand against the young mage's staff, creating a metallic sound that caused this… this Intruder, to step back quickly. The one girl who was trying to invade his lord's castle…. Well, it was more than One girl actually. There were two, but the darker looking bloke had run off. Another Ninja, but the Winds of Chaos… HE need not worry about those trivial matters… anyway, The one girl who was trying to invade the castle gave the man a determined look.

They would be dead before the sun rose again. Especially this braver one in front of him.

What sort of nonsense was she sputtering on, now? An Oni? Surely the screams from within were terrifying (Just the way he liked it), but that did not give grounds for a Warrior to spout fairy tale nonsense.

This was war. Something only he was to joke around with. Something that was to spill blood, ruin cities. This was not a nightmare. It was just another part of life, another part of the game. And one who wanted to get out of the game would have to hide away until the war was over. There wasn't an actual way to stop it.

A single Oni? Sure. An army? Maybe. But… THE Oni? Along with an army?

Not likely. And Kotaro would know.

"No, I'm serious." The small human was speaking again… how cute. Speaking over the screams of the warriors inside. "There is an Honest ARMY approaching the walls from behind. And if you don't let us in to help you STOP it, you guys are going to be in a LOT of trouble." Her words were so fast behind that Kitsune mask, that they blurred together into a slurry of a barely intelligible sentence.

"I don't believe you. You couldn't come up with a better lie, little pup?"

"It's not a lie!" The stranger yelled once more to deaf ears. But her eyes gazed on above the wall. Hoping to get over that tall fortification that acted as a beacon of hope to so many others. Hoping to prevent it from turning into a horrible graveyard and prison for those inside. Hoping to-

"WE HAVE CLAIMED ODAWARA!"

Oh, no….

Kotaro paused in his constant defensive stance at the hopeless look the girl gave him, It was just so… sad, for whatever reason, to hear those words. The stranger had dropped her staff at the deadly call. As if dropping a heavy weight that she had hoped to carry. And the Ninja, oh he was confused. Who in their right mind would play such a foolish joke like this?

When she fell to her knees, something was terribly wrong.

He turned around to find it not a joke. A certain figure's head welded to the spear of a pike, struck to the air in a symbol of defiance. It was held by a tyrant of a creature that could be classified as Humanoid. But Humans did not have a lack of morals. Humans did not play around with such a serious issue. They would have the sense to act civil.

And Humans surely wouldn't be holding the decapitated head of Hojo Ujiyasu, now, would they?

The one who held the staff was the personification of destruction, sure to damn us all.