Under the bright rays of the scorching sun, a valley of countless rolling hills shaped like waves of a
ragging sea, and long green grass that swayed smoothly to a gentle breeze. The green hills continue
their slow dance with the wind and sun, heedless of thousands of savage cries that echoed between the
hills.
In the center of the valley, where a river streaks across like a serpent, masses of men wearing armor
of either white or red pound their weapons on each other. With water up to their knees, they strike
their spear or sword at their opponent while staring at him in the eye . They either watched in victory as
their enemy died, or stare up in defeat at their enemy standing over them.
Today, the battle between the red armies of Kai and the white of Usegi had finally begun to decide
once and for all who the honorable winner will be.
Standing on a hill overlooking the battle at a safe distance, a girl with a long, golden braid watches
silently with a small frown. She wore a green jacket with tight white pants, and black boots that went
up to her knees. Her hands were bare of the gloves she used to wear; finding them too hot to wear on a
summer's day.
Sora, the one the land of the warring states called the Crufix, wasn't happy at all as her silver eyes
watched the bloody battle continue. After six months of peace, Takada of Kai and war god Kenshin of
Usegi have once again continued their fight.
Sora was now eighteen, and she defeated the Devil King when she was seventeen, with the help of
three of her Pieces. She hoped that by defeating Oda Nobunga, everyone would settle for peace. Sadly,
Sora had to remind herself that the people she called friends were warlords; they fought for glory and
conquest, and strived for supremacy of Japan.
As Sora intently watched, she noticed two groups of riders on a hill below her galloping toward each
other. She instantly recognized their blue and red colors, and gasped at the two men who lead their
cavalries: The One Eyed Dragon of Oshu, Date Masumune, and the Tiger Cub of Kai, Yukimura Sanada.
During her quest to find the seven Pieces of the Crufix, Sora had crossed paths with these generals
and they turned out to be her Pieces ,along with Sasuke Sarotobi; a ninja from Kai. Since then, she
befriended them, and often visited them in their territories whenever she grew tired of her journeys.
Now, her two friends are opponents to each other on the battlefield. As Sora watched them dismount
from their horses, she knew a fight between them was inevitable. Ever since the young men laid eyes on
each other, they have admired each other's skills and became worthy opponents.
Sora noticed the men were smiling at each other; apparently happy to see each other again. Date was
the first to speak.
" It's been awhile , Yukimura.'' The handsome, one eyed warlord greeted, "you doin' okay?"
Yukimura replied with strong voice full of energy, "Lord Date Masumune! Today is the day I defeat
you!"
Date snorted with a grin, " I like your enthusiasm, but that's never going to happen! "
The warriors took their stances while drawing their wicked weapons.
Sora didn't like this. She didn't want her guardians to fight each other and get hurt. Sora herself is not
human, and she descended from the sky eighteen years ago in the form of a disk. The disk had spilt into
seven pieces from its main core and scattered across the land to find certain individuals to serve as their
hosts.
As of now, Sora's mission is to find her lost pieces to prevent a horrible disaster that is said to come, or
create one. Sora was uncertain.
There were four more pieces to find.
Date's cry interrupted her thoughts, "Let's get this party started!"
The challenge had begun. Sora didn't turn her gaze to avoid watching the fight. She kept her eyes
glued on her guardians; following every quick movement. If she couldn't do anything to stop
them, then it was her duty to the watch the battle to the end. She just hope, nay prayed, that they
wouldn't kill each other.
As the warriors' blades clashed in a flurry of flashes, Sora heard a strange drone behind her. Curious,
she turned to the noise and spotted a long black line on the horizon that was getting thicker by the
minute. She focused her eyes on the queer line, and gasped in horror.
It was a thick line of soldiers.
With no time to waste, she ran down the hill to the fighting generals. When she got to the bottom, she
waved her arms at Date and Yukimura but neither of them noticed her. Sora then tried getting Kojuro's
attention who was silently watching the fight as the two cavalries cheered for their leaders.
Kojuro saw something moving wildly at the corner of his eye to see Sora waving her arms at him with a
distressed look. He knew instantly that something was wrong.
" My Lord Date!" he shouted, " Sora needs to speak with you!"
At the mention of her name, Date and Yukimura ceased and backed away from each other to stare at
Sora.
Date groaned in annoyance, "What is it Sora!? I'm kind of busy right now!"
Sora pointed to the hills beyond her urgently. Date and Yukimura looked, but still wore puzzled looks.
" I don't see anything." Said Yukimura.
" What are you trying to tell us, Sora?" Date said with a serious tone, knowing Sora wouldn't act like this
if it was nothing.
Sora gritted her teeth in frustration and was going to mouth her message when everyone stared at the
hill behind her with horror on their faces.
Sora whirled around to see a long line of solemn foot soldiers standing on the hills; all clad in red and
black armor. But Sora's, and everyone else's, attention was drawn to an impossibly giant man standing
in front of the army. The beast of a man wore heavy black armor, and had dark grey hair. His face was
frozen in an solemn expression, and his red eyes glared at everyone below like burning fire.
Beside him was a normal sized man in a white general's suit; his short, wavy hair the same color. He
wore a purple mask around his mysterious, violet eyes. He was incredibly handsome, but too pretty for
a man.
Sora noticed more black soldiers down the line of the hills and followed the line until it was a circle
around the whole valley. They're trapped, and at a disadvantage.
The soldiers down at the river have stopped as well to stare at the huge man in surprise and fear.
The valley grew tense at this new army, and everyone wondered if this army was here to fight as well.
As always the first to jump into action, Date broke the silence as he growled, " Who the hell is this
gorilla?" as he glowered with his blue eye at the muscled man.
The man opened his mouth to speak, and his voice came out as a boom like thunder.
" Warlords of Kai, Usegi and Ohsu! I 'am General Toyotomi Hideyoshi! I've come to demand your oaths
to me!"
Everyone was taken aback by the announcement.
" Nanni!?" cried Yukimura.
Toyotomi continued, " Japan has become weak! Our country needs to have the strong govern it with
power! We can achieve this if all Warlords join me on this crusade to a new era of strength!"
Date fingered his swords and said as he glared at the army, " And if we refuse?"
The masked man beside Toyotomi said in a light, civilized voice, " We will let you rethink your decision,
but if you do not comply, we will destroy you all."
Sora knew that was coming; Date on the other hand…
" Why you…!" Date shouted, " I'm not taking orders from anybody!"
He suddenly charged across the field and leaped into the air at Toyotomi. Date swung all six of his
Dragon claws at the giant, but Toyotomi effortlessly smashed his giant fist at Date and sent him flying
back to the ground.
Stunned and panicked, Sora was about to ran to Date when Toyotomi bellowed, " I also have a
message for the Crufix!"
Sora halted to turn her gaze back to Toyotomi with a shocked look.
He said, staring at her, " I know you are the Crufix. Many have talked about your appearance. Crufix, I
ask the same from you. But your alliance is more important than any other. With you at my side, we
could make this country strong. Power united with Power! Consider my proposition; you are given
plenty of time to decide. "
Sora made a small frown at Toyotomi, but she began thinking over his words.
The white haired man spoke, " As for the rest of you, make your decision in short time. We came here
today to show you our power, to educate you that if you go against us, death will be your fate. We will
leave for now, but we expect you to make your oaths at My Lord's castle."
The masked man ordered the armies to start their march back. As the soldiers retreated, Toyotomi
glared at everyone below a little longer before turning his giant back to be the last to leave.
Sora ran to Date who was still laying down and kneeled beside him to inspect for any serious injuries.
Kojuro was immediately there.
" Are you alright, Lord Date!?" Kojuro exclaimed in stress.
Date groaned as he sat up with Sora helping him, " Damn, that monkey had one hell of a punch."
Sora and Kojuro tried helping Date get to his feet but he wouldn't have any of it and swapped their
hands from him as he stalked to Yukimura.
" Yukimura, we can finish our fight another time. Right now, I need to speak with your lord. "
Yukimura nodded, " I agree. We must hold council. We should head back to Kai, Sora!"
Sora felt Date's hand grip her shoulder as he said with a grin, " I couldn't agree with you anymore,
Yukimura, but Sora is riding with me. I haven't seen her in a while. Any objections?"
Yukimura reddened and studdered, " I-If the Lady Sora wishes so. "
" Of course she does." Date coolly said.
Sora silently sighed. Boys will be boys.