Hey guys! okay this is a story of a character i made up that was in the choshu clan during the bakumatsu (...is..that even a word...meh) juat imagine battousa in the mix somewhere. (he could be the boy by the well or something). anyhoo enjoy, and tell me what you think ;)

In Times of War

It was time to make our move; fellow Choshu warriors congest the inns secluded courtyard waiting…waiting with baited breaths for that single command that will inevitably seal our fate. The summer night's humidity only makes the tension in the atmosphere thicker, more oppressive. A boy appearing to be no older than fifteen stands by the old wooden well, his hair styled in a typical samurai topknot, his unrestricting gi and hakama crimson, perhaps an omen of things to come. I can tell by his disposition that he is a farmer's son, like many of the men in this clan. We are a different breed of samurai, for we are born from the injustice and short sightedness of the Tokugawa shogunate. We are a rebellion, attempting to pave the way to revolution and bring the Emperor back into power in the hope of ending this already two hundred and sixty five year old feudalistic reign; a new era is dawning and it shall be forged with steel blades and bloodshed.

The hiss of a shoji screen draws the attention of those gathered, causing the low murmur of the men to cease; even the cicadas are hushed by this new presence. A man of average height and build steps forth from the inn, yet there is nothing average about this man. Clad in an ash gray kimono and black haori, he possesses an evident regality. Kogoro Katsura, the leader of the Choshu clan is silhouetted by the inns lantern light, engendering a feeling of the ethereal. Grim lines appear on his face as he addresses us.

"Men, you all know why you are here this night. It is time Tokugawa Yoshinobu's rule comes to an end. The Shogun is not only a threat to our clan's future, but to Japans future as well. He is opposed to modernization; refusing to seek knowledge throughout the world to strengthen the foundations of our nation. Tokugawa is blinded by the West's threat to his power. Our newly created alliance with the Satsuma clan has strengthened our resistance; our threat to the Shognate shall be noticed too late. As we speak the main heads of the Shinsengumi faction are meeting in a location discovered recently by our spy network. We shall strike down the wolves of Mibu when they are most vulnerable. Our cause shall then be known!"

With a wave of his hand, Kogoro Katsura fervently watched the men spill forth from the gate and dash into the inky depths of the night. I too run on silent feet through the maze like streets and dank alleyways of Kyoto. The cobblestone paving is still moist from the evening rain. It is fortunate that the night is darker than usual, helping ensure our invisibility; it seems that the moon and stars seek refuge behind the thick blanket of clouds as if they sense the ominous happenings below.

The adrenaline flowing through my veins has hyposensitized my awareness; my grip on my katana's tattered hilt tightens unconsciously as I scan the gloomy streets for any threats. The soft tinkling sounds of wind chimes from the many residences I pass is a sign that the wind is picking up; a storm is brewing. The gong from the local Buddhist temple resonates in the distance signaling that it is the hour of the rat; the Shinsengumi should be well into their meeting by now. As I pick up my pace I pray to Kami to lend me strength for this upcoming fight, the strength to deliver death swiftly to the enemy.

Nearing the outskirts of Kyoto I head towards the Yasaka Ashiginu Onsen; an unusual location for a meeting. I suppose no one would suspect the commanders of the Shinsingumi factions to assemble at a local hot spring. There are only a few of my fellow clansmen that have arrived so far, lurking by the shadow cast wall in wait for the others to appear. Joining my doshi I press my self against the walls rough surface; the touch of the cool stone against my heated flesh is somewhat soothing. One by one more Choshu members materialize from the darkness, like phantoms of the night. The surrounding Sakura trees limbs creek and groan as the wind howls, breaking the eerie silence.

"Kenji."

I scan the shadows to identify the person who whispered my name. Hiro, a seasoned samurai with silver flecked hair and rough calloused hands beckons me closer. As I move towards his direction he gestures to a few other men as well.

"Kenji, I want you to take these seven men with you and position yourselves at the east perimeter of the onsen. I have already dispatched sixteen others to the south and west. We will have the enemy surrounded."

Hiro's slate gray eyes narrow while scrutinizing our features as we nod in understanding. In the distance thunder rumbles; after a few moments he continued to address us in his low baritone.

"When the temple gong sounds at the hour of the ox; attack."

"Hai's" are vocalized in a whispered chorus before we dart towards the eastern perimeter at the border of the bamboo forest. While running over soft soil and treading through the more vegetated areas I cannot help but repeat the Choshu clan code over and over in my mind.

"Duty is weightier than a mountain, while death is lighter than a feather. Obedience, courage, honor and respect will not waver in the face of danger"

It is a code we are taught to live by and I shall not let fear grip my soul and deter me from my goal; I am a samurai, to die in battle is to die honorably.

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Meanings:

Shinsingumi - Samurai group loyal to Tokugawa

Shoji - sliding door

Hour of the rat - between 11pm and 1am

Hour of the ox - between 1am and 3am

Kami - God

Doshi - Comrades

Onsen - Hotspring

Sakura - Cherry Blossom

Hai - yes

Okay, i might add battousai into the next chappie.

thanks for reading ;P