Welcome to chapter 3, everyone! This is the fifth episode of the first season, one I had major trouble writing about. I do not quite like how it turned out, but maybe I'm just being overly critical with myself again. Again, R&R, give me feedback, advice, anything at all, I'd really appreciate it. Love you!

Big "Thank you"s to FallenWings8Tears for favoriting and leaving a review, and to Kakashi's hoe for following. ^^

Disclaimer: My OTPs will never be canon... *sniff*


Chapter 3: Battle at Nagashino

The Date Army was still on its way to where Oda was, though they kept up a good pace.

"Masamune-sama!" A grunt was the only response Kojuro got. "About this Maeda Vagabond, I'm still not sure I trust him..."

"What, you think he's luring us into the Devil King's clutches?"

"It is not inconceivable," Kojuro admitted. "He may not be tied down to his house, but he still claims the family name. Maeda Toshiie supports Oda and in turn, I hear he was just given the lands of Kaga." Masamune huffed.

"Whatever. As long as he doesn't get in my way." For if he does, I'm going to kill him.


At Nagashino, the combined forces of Takeda and Uesugi were confronted with the Tokugawa army, undoubtedly not in the mood for small talk about taking Oda's head. Exchanging a quick glance with his rival, Shingen spurred his two horses he was standing on, to go forward.

"Yukimura," he called out.

"Oyakata-sama!"

"You're with me." Making the young Cub follow his lords example.

"Ieyasu-sama!" A soldier of the Tokugawa army called. "It's Takeda Shingen, he is headed this way."

"What?" Surprised, Ieyasu stood up from his stool, looking up the hill to confirm what he had been told. "Shingen-kou…"

Though looking ready to fight them off, the foot soldiers let the enemy general and his student through. That didn't stop them from murmuring amongst themselves, however. Eventually, they stopped and dismounted. After looking around, Shingen set down his axe, causing a giant wind to form and whirl around him and the earth to shake. Only then did he advance on the lord of Mikawa. Yukimura was more than ready to follow, but…

"Halt!" Ieyasu stopped him. The soldiers around him had gripped their weapons stronger, ready to attack any given moment, though Ieyasu's order had stopped them from attacking. Yukimura also froze.

"Your spears, Yukimura." Shingen gazed at him intently. "You will not need them." Moments later, said spears found themselves stuck in the earth, out of reach of their master, who was now allowed to have an audience with the general of the Tokugawa army. Kenshin stayed at the front of their combined forces and watched from a safe distance as this actions unwound themselves.

"It has been too long, Takechiyo," Shingen stated.

"Ah, Shingen-kou, you're looking as well as ever. I'm glad."

"Hn," he grunted in acknowledgement.

"Ieyasu-dono, I'm Sanada Genjiro Yukimura. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Yukimura stated and bowed his head, though it was more of a nod, his eyes never leaving Ieyasu's figure.

"I've heard tales of your many valorous deeds. You have no need to worry, I would not be so uncouth as to attack you and Shingen-kou while you're both unarmed," Ieyasu said, handing his own spear to one of his retainers behind him, his eyes never straying from the people in front of him, as well. "Forgive my silence in our correspondence. But for us to meet in such a manner, especially here, on the field of battle-…"

"I believe," Shingen interrupted. "Rather, in know in my heart you are merely waiting for the right moment. For I also know you must suffer the humiliation of your customary alliance with Oda in silence."

"Indeed. For now, I must endure. But someday, I shall surpass even you, Shingen-kou. This world… This era will be forged by these hands!" He balled his left hand to a fist for to emphasize his words. The slight narrowing of Shingen's eyes did not go unnoticed. "But the time is not yet right to embark on my great endeavors. 'Tis why I have allied myself with the opponent I least wish to face on the battlefield."

"Your time will never come, Takechiyo." Ieyasu looked up at Shingen with shock and surprise. "Before you can even think to seize the country, you will surely be used and crushed by Oda." Ieyasu's face reclaimed its calm and collected expression as he formulated his response.

"Taking up arms like this is unlike you Shingen-kou. And such rash behavior is ill-befitting of the War God of Echigo. Brute force will only bring you failure."

"This is not a time when patience will reveal a path to survival! We must pour all our resources before it is too late! If we leave Oda unchecked, fighting over land will be the least of our concerns! For what good is land in a world where not even a blade of grass will grow?" Shingen tried to convince him. "Takechiyo, live your life unfettered from the fear of death. Join with us against Oda!" Silence followed his words as a breeze passed through the camp.

"…Alas, I cannot." Yukimura looked at Ieyasu with the emotion of sadness etched on his face, aware of what would follow after this conversation. "Whether I die or remain, it is all the same to me. Oda has charged me with protecting the east and I will not betray that alliance."

"If that is so…" Shingen was clearly disappointed.

"Once I have given my word, even if it is to the Devil King Oda, who commits all manners of atrocities, even knowing I may face his betrayal, I will never betray a solemn oath! On my honor…as a Mikawa warrior!" Letting his words sink in, he stretched out his arm for his spear, never looking away from whom he has thusly declared an adversary. Spear in hand, Ieyasu stepped forward, between the Kai warriors, to his army. "All units, engage!" He was rewarded with loud cries of agreement and anticipation. Not turning to the Tiger of Kai, who was also presenting his back to the Mikawa lord. "In truth, I have been waiting for this moment," Ieyasu admitted, watching his people run to the enemy army to fight them for supremacy. "I cannot be the one to initiate, but I may engage any ogressmis(?). If I win this battle, it will surely lay the foundation of my power and eventually challenge Oda."

"As you are now… Do you think you're capable of that?"

"Watch me and find out." Shingen closed his eyes, accepting that he could not sway Ieyasu.

"Yukimura. We're finished here." With that, he turned to leave.

"Oyakata-sama, showing one's back to one's enemy…" Yukimura tried to say as he looked back at Ieyasu in case he would try something funny, but found his words stuck in his throat. There stood Ieyasu, proud master of Mikawa, his head lowered to them, an internal battle evident on face.

"Ieyasu-dono…"


From the distance, Kenshin had watched the exchange and concluded that Shingen and his Cub had failed to persuade the enemy general.

"In these turbulent times 'right' and 'wrong' have all but lost their meanings," Kenshin claimed. "But so long as the people need leadership and protection, the path of the 'right' must still be taken! Both armies, advance, move swiftly and annihilate the enemy!" War cries responded to his speech, as the Tokugawa troupes closed in on them and they, too, led by Kenshin himself, ran in to meet them.


At the Tokugawa encampment, Shingen and Yukimura had recollected their weapons and mounted their horses.

"Yukimura, you and I will strike at Tokugawa from behind," Shingen stated.

"Oyakata-sama…was a pincer attack always your plan if Ieyasu-dono could not be won over?"

"It did not want it this way. But Takechiyo most certainly had to realize I would not withdraw unless he ordered a charge. Which he could only attempt with the so-called invincible Honda Tadakatsu at his back."

"Honda Tadakatsu…?"

"Or perhaps," Shingen mused. "He has some other gamble yet to reveal…"

"Right, just by sheer numbers, fighting us head-on would seem to be…reckless."

"Then we proceed with care. Onward!" And thus, he rode on, into the battle, with Yukimura right behind him.

The battle was already churning hot, with The War God and Kasuga in the midst of it, when Yukimura and Shingen joined in on the fun. Jumping from his horse's back in a grand manner, with several turns and twists successfully surrounding himself with his crimson flames, he announced his arrival.

"Perfect. Spear. Of conquest!" He shouted, assuming a new stance with each word. "Sanada Yukimura…is here!" Not hesitating any further than that, he blazed through the foot soldiers and made them fly through the air from the sheer force of his flames. Though Shingen was not one to be left behind by his student. Finding himself surrounded by enemy soldiers, he just had to swing his giant axe in a half circular motion to create a giant whirlwind, which lifted any soldier too close to it, up and tossed him around in such a wild manner, they would surely have problems walking in a straight line should they ever come down.

"All units, move from Fish Scale to Crane Wings formation! Take the main encampment!" Kenshin ordered as he galloped through the lines and immediately the cavalry stormed past him to then split in front of the closed formation of enemy soldiers. One group ran to the left, the other to the right, surrounding their target with no escape.

Yukimura had watched it happen from where he was, still engaged with another unit, until he was distracted as he saw a man running to the side of a fallen one, both from the Tokugawa and obviously good friends. Tears in his eyes, the man ran at him crying "For Ieyasu-sama!" in despair, only to drop dead, revealing Sasuke standing there, his left arm still outstretched from throwing his weapon.

"What's gotten into you, Danna?! This isn't your first battle! Did meeting Ieyasu down your fighting spirit?" Sasuke demanded to know as he retrieved his giant throwing star.

"No, nothing of the sort!"

"That is the pain of taking a life," Shingen explained out of nowhere.

"Oyakata-sama!"

"Our foes are like us. They too have people they hold in their hearts, futures they hope for!" Concentrating back on the situation at hand and the soldiers coming at them, he turned to said soldiers to unleash another whirlwind. "But the Oda faction does not!" Looking back at Yukimura again, he added "Our opponents are still men, Yukimura. As you wield your spears, do not ever forget that."

"Hai!" Sasuke stepped up to stand next to Shingen.

"Oyakata-sama, instead of attacking Asakura, Oda is sending his army here," he reported.

"Then this battle may yet be decisive…" Shingen concluded. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind came up that was not caused by the Tiger of Kai. In the distance, they could hear a hopeful "Tadakatsu!" cry and moments later, a giant of a man stood on the field, Ieyasu proudly standing on his right hand.

Led by Kenshin's first student Naoe Kenatsugu, an assault on the giant was attempt, but he easily fought them off single-handedly, even merely swatting Kanetsugu into the trees like he was some insect.

"Tadakatsu, don't tell anyone this, but you're almost too good for me!" Ieyasu laughed as he swung his hands up and cross them behind his head. Then a movement to his right caught his attention. Blue-yellow banners and wild hairstyles…

"That's…the One-Eyed Dragon of Ôshu!"


Said army had also recognized what was happening.

"Tokugawa is moving to block Takeda and Uesugi's path," Kojuro analyzed as they rode past the battle.

"It's just a skirmish. Once we knock off the Devil King, we double back and clean up," Masamune stated. "Then we get Shinano, too." We can't afford to be caught up in some meaningless battle. Taking her back is priority, no matter what anyone else thinks of it!

"Even the Tiger of Kai couldn't convince him…" Keiji realized with the shadow of frustration on his face. Neither the Dragon nor his Right Eye answered as they had something else on their mind. And that something forced them to an abrupt stop. The Azai army. Masamune whistled, despite his inner rage.

"You've got some kinda nerve, trying to block my way." Go before I make you! The smile he had previously managed to get up, vanished. "Who are you and where're you from?"

"Hear me well, I am Azai Bizen no Kami Nagamasa! I will not allow you to take one step further!" Nagamasa shouted, waving his arm around in an important looking demeanor, though it did nothing to impress his opponent this time.

"Azai Nagamasa…" Masamune vaguely remembered that name.

"In the name of justice, I shall cleanse the world of your sins!"

"Azai Nagamasa, the Devil King's brother-in-law," Kojuro started. "Perhaps Oda sent him here." Masamune huffed annoyed.

No wonder I thought I knew that name. Though I doubt he has any answers for me.

Behind him, Keiji scouted the area, shielding his eyes from the sunlight with his hands.

"Where are you watching from…Devil King?" Keiji mumbled under his breath as he suddenly saw a steep mountain with some dead trees on it. The mountain itself seemed to omit a ominous atmosphere. Not hesitating any further, Keiji spurred his steed to the mountain, ignoring the calls of Masamune's retainers. Kojuro had watched it as well. Following the direction of his path, he found the mountain as well and gasped.

A giant cloud had gathered and on the tip of the mountain stood Nobunaga, his red cape doing nothing to hide his presence, more like taunting them for not being able to reach him. All over Nagashino, other participants had noticed his malicious presence as well.

"Kenshin-sama, look!" Kasuga called.

"Keiji…"

"That bastard," Kojuro murmured, having realized Keiji's true intentions. "Maeda Keiji finished setting the stage, now he's returning to his own side. I believe Oda intents to crush us, Takeda and Uesugi here in Nagashino."

"Sounds like fun," Masamune said through his gritted teeth. He was so close! "Wilder the party the better, right?" Thrusting his sword up, Nagamasa appealed to his army.

"Soldiers of justice, follow me! Annihilate the forces of evil!" With passionate war cries they stormed in at the Date army.

"Masamune-sama, leave their soldiers to us!" Kojuro demanded. Go and retrieve our Foresight, he thought.

"Thanks, Kojuro. I'm sure you've got this. Ha!" With that, he raced towards Nagamasa to put a quick end to this with the cheers of his boys at his back. "Let's make this cool." And they both jumped from the backs of their horses and clashed swords in midair. Trying to make it quick, Masamune put all his speed into it, but Nagamasa responded in kind, resulting in only the sparks of their clashing blades being visible to the common eye. In fact, they had been so fast, they had crossed blades several times before coming back to the ground both unharmed. In the background, they could hear both of their armies clashing as well.

"Not bad for a warm-up," Masamune teased, reassuming his stance. "Boss of Ôshu, Date Masamune" His blue lightening engulfed him as he charged. "Full speed ahead!" When both generals clashed, one could not have been capable of telling the difference to a bomb exploding. Shingen had seen it even from his own battlefield.

"Azai Nagamasa…so he serves as Oda's vanguard."


Back at the mountain, Mitsuhide stood to Nobunaga's left, while Nohime and Ranmaru were to the Devil's right, and explained the turn of events he had successfully brought upon. Oichi stood a couple of feet behind them, soldiers keeping her in place should she try to run. Further behind them laid the dragon, already creating new pools of blood, with several spears pierced into its body, pinning it down.

"Behold, Nobunaga-kou, as he is passionately loyal, Azai-dono attempts to repel the One-Eyed Dragon for you, his beloved brother-in-law."

"Nagamasa-sama…" Oichi whispered.

"Mitsuhide," Nobunaga started. "The arquebus core that was going to Ieyasu, where are they at?"

"I assigned them as rear support for Azai. I felt it was necessary precaution against Date's mobility." Not saying anything, Nobunaga refocused on watching the battle unfold.


Meanwhile, Yukimura had fought his way through to Ieyasu and Tadakatsu.

"Honda Tadakatsu-dono, greatest warrior in all the lands, I presume. Stand firm! You face Sanada Yukimura! Let us have a clean fight!" And with no further ado, Yukimura moved to attack. Tadakatsu parried the blow with his own spear and then tried to hit him, but found his giant spear blocked by Yukimura's, though he was continuedly pushed further back until he finally found a good footing. "I WILL NOT YIIIIEEEELD!" And then, he threw off the spear's way, away from him.

"He stopped Tadakatsu's attack?!" Ieyasu said disbelieving his own eyes. Starting the engine on his back, Tadakatsu threw Yukimura high into the air, before flying after him, striking his spear at him, apparently believing Yukimura wouldn't be able to parry since he had no ground to stand on, nor dodge. But The Tiger Cub used his own spear's to get away from his opponents' by parrying the strike in a way that would catapult him out of harms way. Safely landing on the ground with Tadakatsu behind him, he found Sasuke standing right before him, ready to attack, which he did the second his master was aware of his presence, the throwing star just barely missing the Cub's head. Though the star uselessly flew off from the giant's armor, Shingen was not far behind to try his hand on the mightiest warrior in the lands himself. Upon crossing blades, both Shingen and Tadakatsu found themselves stuck. Neither could move away, without risking his own safety, their strength equal.

"Oyakata-sama, I shall take him one-on-one!"

"He is not one who could be defeated alone," Shingen uttered between clenched teeth just as they sunk into a crater as the earth could not stand their display of power. Then, somehow, they separated and Yukimura immediately attacked. Only to then find his spear's stuck. One in a crook of the armor, the other in the giant's right hand.

"Hold your ground, Tadakatsu!" Ieyasu cheered, having completely forgotten about the battle. From behind Tadakatsu, Sasuke emerged seemingly out of nowhere throwing his star at him again. With Tadakatsu distracted for but a second, Yukimura could quickly retrieve his spear from the armor and spinning it around wildly to gain momentum, he jumped high up and charged. The spear pierced the armor close to the flying engine and not retrieving it in time, the pole broke, leaving the sharp end stuck in the armor. Sparks shot up from the engine and Tadakatsu shook. Overlooking the battlefield, Ieyasu could see that they would not be able to keep their ground for much longer, especially with Tadakatsu's worsening battle.


"Kizan Juumonji!" Masamune neutralized the attack with a ball of blue lightning, throwing up dust and hindering his sight considerably. But the same had to go for Azai. That's why Masamune waited till the dust had somewhat settled until he spoke up.

"Alright, you earned a full fury" He drew his six swords, lightning dancing over them. "Of my Dragon Claws!" Gripping his sword tighter, Nagamasa responded.

"I would die before I surrender."


As if she heard his words, Oichi gasped. But it wasn't his words that had shocked her. To her, it was far more frightening to see the Oda arquebus core creeping up on her husband.

"Akechi-sama," she started, realization dawning on her. "You wouldn't order the arquebus core to attack from where they are?" Though it was phrased as a statement, it sounded more like a question than anything else. Mitsuhide grinned back at her.

"Well, we don't need to keep the One-Eyed Dragon pinned down since our scaled friend here" Indicating to the dragon with his eyes. "Refused to tell us anything about him, we cannot risk him to grow powerful enough to launch an attack. We don't have ties to keep him down nor can we form an alliance with him. And without information on his weaknesses it would be dangerous to keep him alive, especially since he has more than enough reason to attack."

"But Nagamasa-sama would be-…" Her pleas fell on deaf ears.


Not so far away from the Oda faction anymore, Keiji was gaining ground on them, but so was Kenshin who had followed Keiji.

"Keiji, wait!" And still in full gallop, he actually made his horse jump over Keiji's, before coming to an abrupt stop, forcing Keiji to do the same since there was no way to go around him on the narrow mountain trail. "I see it now. This was your plan from the start! Unite the Eastern Generals to hold the Devil King in check and with all of us busy, you'd use the Maeda name to try and talk some sense into him! Unfortunately, your preparations are lacking."

"I'll never know unless I try," Keiji grinned. "Before this gets anymore out of hand, I-…"

"And the Devil King's response is quite obvious," Kenshin interrupted. "You put far too much faith in the good in people."

"Come on, the Devil King wasn't always a devil, was he?"

"Sadly, in this world, there are some who are truly born evil." His right hand wandered to his sword. "As your friend, I cannot allow you to go to your death." The grin that had previously graced Keiji's features had vanished.


Oichi ran to her brother, or at least tried to before crossed spears blocked her path. Falling toher knees, she pled.

"Nii-sama, please stop them! Please spare Nagamasa-sama!" First, there was no response from her brother. Then…

"Mitsuhide," He called, drawing the name out as only could. "This time…you've gone too far." And he turned around, walking away from the cliff.

"You have my apologies, Nobunaga-kou." Nobunaga went past Oichi, not even sparing her a glance.

"Nii-sama, please!" She tried, but he didn't even stop as he walked closer to the dragon.

"Oichi-sama" Turning at the sound of her name, she found Mitsuhide inches away from her face, his head dipped to the side in a sickening way. A smile evident as always "Go now, while there is still time." The next thing she knew, she sat behind Mitsuhide on his horse as they galloped the steep mountain down to the battle, drawing the attention of Kenshin and Keiji.


Oblivious to all of this, Nagamasa and Masamune were still going at it.

"Tenken Resshouken!" Masamune was thrown back into the air. Believing the fight to be over, Nagamasa was just about to relax and calm down from this fight, when…

"Wow, you're pretty good." Masamune had simply dodged with a somersault. Nagamasa's eyes widened when he saw the cross-lightning bolt coming his way, having not expected further resistance. He couldn't move out of the way in time, so instead he used the shield on his left arm to protect himself. Though he did not end up injured, his shield had taken major damage und the force of the attack left him gasping for breath and a little sunken in. Shaking the now useless shield away, he regained a proper stand.

"My righteous will…is un…yielding!"

You idiot.

"I go…where the beacon of honor guides me! Even if I should lose all my limbs." Somewhere in the back of his mind, Masamune was aware of Kojuro coming up behind him. "I. Will. Not. Falter!" preparing for his next attack, he shouted "Mugon Sokusatsu!"

"Nagamasa-sama!" Freezing, he turned to see his wife running towards him.

"Ichi!" And she fell down. Looking up she shouted at him.

"Nagamasa-sama, RUN!" And glancing behind her, Nagamasa spotted Mitsuhide standing with lots of Oda soldiers armed with firearms. Mitsuhide chuckled.

"Now then, let's see all of you dance for me." He raised his scythe to point it at them, thus giving the arquebus core their signal. Oichi got back on her feet and turned to them, trying to get them not to shoot. But it was too late.

Bullets shot through the air, piercing armor and flesh. Nagamasa's. Masamune stood still as the bullets flew past him, even as one scratched his helmet.

"Masamune-sama!" Kojuro shouted, trying to reach him to get him to safety. All movements ceased on the battlefield as the shots echoed across.

Nagamasa thrust his sword in the earth to somehow keep himself upright as he reached for Oichi, who now stood frozen, looking at her husband with an disturbingly neutral face.

"Ichi…" Another round of bullets hit him, this time succeeding in making him fall. Still, Oichi did not move, shock and disbelief only slightly distinguishable on her face, even as her beloved husband, Nagamasa, hit the ground.