Thank you Zeeofgreeneyes, Charmkeeper, Bantal Empuk, CloverD, Frin and Iiko for your reviews.

Not sure if this is needed but here's the age for the main characters in this fic:

Kurogane - 28

Yasha - 29

Fai - 25

Ashura - 20

This is my first venture into action scenes, so please be forgiving but do let me know if there's anymore to be improved on. I know my characters are always a little out of character so I apologised to all Kuro/Fay fans if that has disrupted the pleasure of you guys reading this fic. I welcome reviews of any type, especially constructive criticism. Of course, words of praises are good for the ego too...no?

Chapter 2

Kurogane ran after the figure in the dark, he's fast...he thought. Not samurai…shinobi…Ishida's? The darkness was crippling his sight but his senses were well trained and the subtle moonlight helped illuminate the ground in front of him. Kurogane noticed that they have gone quite some distance into the woods. An ambush? Hn…is that your plan Kagekatsu? To divert me from my men…are you so desperate to be rid of me that you need the shinobi to do your dirty work? He watched as the figure jumped effortlessly from tree to tree without the slightest disturbances to the branches that he landed on and Kurogane took another deep breath as he pushed forward on the steep, uneven terrain and stopped as he reached another clearing.

"Stop running, I'm not that much of a fool to chase you all the way." He called out as he concentrated his sight on the shinobi who had disappeared into the foliage of another cedar tree. Kurogane shifted his sights and listened for any sounds that might give away the numbers of shinobis that are hiding, there was a possibility that he hadn't been chasing the same one. He didn't have to wait long before a shimmer of metal flew past him and it was swiftly followed by a dozen more of it, the pointed angles of the weapon telling him that it was their trademark shurikens. He barely have time to avoid them…this is no good, they are everywhere! I have no advantage on the ground in the open! Kurogane thought and stepped into the shadows provided by a cluster of trees. He has to think fast, he has no arrows nor does he have the chance to outrun them, he will have to find a way to get them down in the open to fight. This is it then…I've got to use it. His technique wasn't perfected yet and the arrow that was still stuck in his flesh hurts but he will at least have them on the ground if he does it.

He took a deep breath as he directed his ki upwards to his upper body and felt the familiar warm fuzziness of the power that was being garnered from the essence of his being, it grew stronger as the energy gathered flow smoothly downwards to his right arm, he called out as he raised the katana upwards and brought it in a graceful but deadly arc and let loose the ki and it came forth in waves of energy that causes the surrounding air to ripple and contort. The force was not to be undermine by the wielder, for in it's wake it left a stretch of trees that were left decimated, split open in the middle and the shinobis hidden in the foliage were all now fully exposed under the moonlight.

Surprised, the veiled attackers looked at each other as they recovered from their initiate shock. They have never seen anyone use their ken ki in such a way, it was a complete show of power and his ability to control and manipulate such a huge resource of ki, they realized he was no simple samurai that could be taken down by their sneaky methods nor would he be deceived into continuing a wild goose chase.

Kurogane looked at them and let his lips curl into a tiny smirk. Fools, and now you'll have to pay for your mistake. He unsheathed his wakizashi hanging his hip and savor the sound of metal singing as it was unsheathed and positioned himself, his stance graceful and sleek as he held the wakizashi in his left hand above his head with the tip pointed at an angle and the katana with its blade facing outwards and watched as the shinobis surrounding him got ready to attack.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Yasha glanced into the direction that Kurogane had gone off as his men from his 5th troop charged downhill, meeting the enemy headlong in a fierce war cry and he wondered where that stupid man was heading off to when all his men were still here fighting.

Well, that explains why he was here…doesn't it?

"Sanada, bring the 1st and 4th troops round to the left and attack from there. Isamu, you'll bring the 2nd and 3rd troops to the right. We'll corner them from both sides, Asano's will maintain their front." Yasha commandeered, it should be easy enough to subdue Kagekatsu's men for they were all scattered right now trying to fight Asano's men but Ishida's men were another matter. They were still spreading out in formation, letting Kagekatsu's men take the worst blows from them. Ishida no doubt was very shrewd and despicable. Only he can get so lowly as to use people as if they really were lifeless chess pieces. He stayed atop the crest of the slope looking at the progress of the battle, the darkness of the night obscured the scene but the few burning fires and the moonlight was enough to let him know clearly what was going on.

As with Kurogane, he hope all will end soon, the cries of the injured and the bloody smell of warfare is getting unbearable. They were not as lusty for blood as others had perceived them to be, they too have their love ones, friends and a life apart from the intrigues between the daimyos of the Imperial Court. His own army had just ended a short battle against the Kobayakawa family and had won because the Kobayakawa's were not very committed to the fight and also because Ieyasu had managed to get his spies to persuade Kobayakawa to switch alliances.

They will have to place their faith in Ieyasu's ingenuity and foresight and he was also renowned for his strategies in open field battles. If this battle is won, Ieyasu will be the shogun and their stronghold in court will be secured and the long awaited peace will take over the decades of civil war Japan has been going through. Already, Ieyasu has successfully thwarted Ishida's surprised attack last few months ago when he thought Ieyasu was drawn away from the Regent's Council in Osaka to defend his eastern domains but due to the capacious network of spies that Ieyasu owns, he was duly informed of whatever Ishida had planned with the other daimyos and thus was in time to turn the tables on Ishida.

Yasha looked in the direction where Kurogane had gone off again and wondered what was taking him so long to return to the battlefield, was he facing some pesky pests? Normally, he'll be charging the field like a man possess, taking down as many man as he could in the shortest possible time just so to prove he is the best fighter around. Maybe that pompous ass needs some help this time round…he thought as he got his second in commend, Kisho over with a signal from his hand.

"Yes?" Kisho answered as he trotted closer to his lord.

"Go get that idiot, he's been lost in the bushes for too long."

"Hn, I'm sure he can handle whatever's in there with him." Kisho huffed with disdain, the thought of even offering assistance to the man who so despise his lord was definitely not his highlight of the day or night for that matter and since when does the man needs help?

"You've got to provide an opportunity for that guy to be grateful somehow…?" Yasha answered as he noted Kisho's scorn. Kisho's lips twitched a little to his lord's respond and he rode off into the direction that Kurogane had gone off to.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Shigure turned and glanced behind him when he felt Fai shifted, no doubt the young man must be wondering what fate awaits him now that he has turned into a prisoner. His soft features with his mesmerizing azure eyes beseeching whoever it was who have him captured to be merciful to him. Not that Shigure would do anything. Honor and integrity has been ingrained into him since he was a child, he would not harm an innocent or an enemy unarmed.

"Are you alright?" He asks gently and wondered why this man makes him feel that he should be handled with delicately.

"Please let me go, I assure you that I'm no threat to anyone. I'm neither his warrior nor his adviser. I hold no place of importance in his court." Fai tried in his most pleading and alluring tone as he placed his hand on Shigure's shoulder and gave him his most distressed look with a slight pout.

"Whether you are of importance or not remain to be seen and if you're of no importance, you would not be here and do not think of doing what you are thinking, I've a wife." Shigure said with a stern tone and he felt Fai's hand dropped away.

"I'm not a whore…" Fai said as he leaned back and placed his hands behind him on the saddle and sighed loudly "What does your lord want from me? If it's information, I have nothing to give."

"He's curious as to why you are here with Kagekatsu…most of your people resides in the palace instead of coming to the battlefield and often hold high positions in their own lands. Do you hold a place in court in your country?" Shigure asked, his voice softening again as he looked at Fai's expression, his brows slightly pinched together, showing uncertainty and Shigure could barely hear what Fai said next.

"I'm a drifter in my lands…Judging from my behavior, what more do you think I am? If I did not flee, who knows what those men will do to me?"

"Where were you trying to run off to? You know very well there's a war going on ?" Shigure asks as he watched Fai's face changed and a resplendent smile replaced his worried look, though he didn't quite understand the smile that came so quickly, he understood he was still very much a stranger and was most probably not privy to look at his innermost fears.

"I don't know, I was just looking for a temporary refuge. The forest looks safe enough…"

"Boy! A fragile creature like you would definitely not survive these treacherous woods!" Shigure said as he let out boisterous laugh. He very much doubted that Fai would survive an encounter with those wolves or boars that roam the forest floors in the night without any weapons and if it's not wild animals he have to deal with, it would be any samurai that has wandered off the battlefield. Which would most likely result in even more devastating consequences?

Fai didn't answer but stayed silent for the rest of the way as Shigure's horse sped towards the camp. He was slightly thrown off by the gentle giant's behavior, here they are caught in the middle of one of the most important and decisive battles for the future of Japan and yet he could still engage in a casual conversation with the enemy's bed-warmer. The gentle giant eases his feelings of anxiety towards their intimidating lord…yet the gesture of Asano tearing off his kimono to stop the flow of his blood from the wound on his face was somewhat confusing. The man didn't really seem suited for such acts of tenderness.

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"Haruuji!"

"Yes, Ashura."

"Why didn't you call for me? Aniki will not be pleased about this!"

"Are you only worried about your brother's temper? You'll do better here since you could barely hold your ground with a sword." Haruuji taunted as he turned a knowing glance at Ashura's direction before returning to the task at hand.

"Incase you didn't notice, no one has ever beaten aniki in our clan and they are still out there fighting." Ashura snapped back as he tossed a swath of black silky hair back behind his shoulder and glare at Haruuji with eyes the shade of midnight blue.

"Well, they are not the heir nor are they his brothers…your position in this house require you to perform and gain excellence above all others and you know Masanori's involvement would be the pivoting cause for victory..." Haruuji answered and turned to look at the direction of the battle. "and…surely you must be aware that Masanori's skills are good enough to keep him alive…"

"I wasn't even talking about him!" Ashura huffed and flustered. How Haruuji managed to read his mind was unnerving, not once did he mentioned that lofty bastard and he knew! He really didn't think he was that transparent! "Aniki will not take that comment lightly if he ever hears of it, Haruuji."

Haruuji turned his head to look at the boy. Here at the main camp, Ashura's young and inexperienced mind was still safely shielded from the battle and the visuals of bloodshed, the true horrors of the beast hidden inside every man yet to be unveiled to him. Although hints of the injured and dead had suggested what could be going on out there, he has never been thrown into a battle before and as long as Haruuji remained Asano's adviser, he would see to it that Ashura will never…he shook his head at himself. He was getting too attached to Ashura, his tendency to treat him like his own son hindered Ashura's growth into true manhood, so protective he had been of that boy…

"He may not like it but it's the truth. They may be equal in power but without the other's support, whatever they have been protecting since their alliance will not stand in the face of adversity." Haruuji replied his eyes narrowed and his wrinkled forehead frown as he remembered what had pushed the two families together in the first place.

He was somewhat hearten by Ashura's loyalty to his lord, ever since his appearance in Narazaki castle twelve years ago when he was eight, he had shown remarkable acceptance to the fact that he was a sacrifice in exchange for the safety of his lands and quickly settled down in the Asano's family. Thereafter, his adaptability and eagerness for knowledge impressed Nagamasa, Kurogane's unflappable father who ruled his land with an iron hand and was adopted to be his son instead of remaining a hostage. It was also admirable on Kurogane's part that he embraced Ashura with open arms and made him part of his life without feeling threaten by the boy who could be a potential rival for his father's position. How time has passed and both brothers have grown into fine young man, although Haruuji does worry about the issue of an heir to succeed the two of them since neither has shown any interest in the female species.

Not that it was the time to worry about the sexual orientation of the brothers with the war going on right now…

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Kurogane narrowed his eyes as he skidded to a stop against the trunk of a tree, the dust settling around him. The shinobis were deadlier then they were thought to be, they were sneaky and stealthy with their strange weapons and choking powders. They were definitely not in the constraints of honorable fighting, veiled in darkness without a name, they were only limited in their deaths.

He pushed behind against the tree with his right elbow and propelled himself forward as he straighten his wakizashi and made a false notion as he slashed to his left, distracting the shinobi infront of him and plunged right in with his katana on his right hand when he saw an opening. Black got darker as the blood soaked through the fabric and the shinobi clutched at his wound before crumbling wordlessly to the ground. The remaining shinobis dashed forward towards him again and as metal clashed and blood spilled, one of them pulled out a flare and lit it, the blinding light temporarily blinding them all. Kurogane took this opportunity to strike out at the nearest shinobis and used his katana to dislodge the weapons from their hands and closed the distance as he slashed at them with his wakazashi by the abdomen and drew his katana back and slide sleek metal against soft skin and body tissue, leaving a deep gape at their throat…blood flowing out thick and bubbly as they choke on a mixture of air and crimson metallic liquid.

He knew what the flare was for and he cussed at himself for not being able to end this fight sooner, now he will have to deal with more of them.

"Oi!" The stiff shout of a man could be heard as the pounding sounds of speeding hooves came to a stop.

Kurogane didn't need to turn to know who was behind him, only Kisho has the audacity to address him that way and it was a miracle he had not taken the insolent dog's life. Even his master bothered to use his name. So he did not answer and just waited till he could hear the man's deadly daggers flew past him and lodge themselves in a few of the shinobis vital parts and Kurogane winced inwardly despite himself as he heard the screams let out. He could only imagine what kind of pain one would have to suffer under those wounds, as well as how perverted was the man to aim for that area. Even if anyone survives it, they could definitely forget about having any descendents to carry one their great name.

Both man fought side by side as their animosity towards each other crackle through the air and even with the silence the shinobis realized the rankling that exists between them. Unfortunately, they could not exploit that weakness for the both of them were a deadly combination with Kurogane's lightning fast attacks and Kisho's daggers acting as his cover, the shinobis were all taken down in a blink of an eye.

"You can very well tell Yasha to mind his own fucking business the next time…" Kurogane grinded through his teeth as his crimson eyes glared into dark brown ones. Whoever has dictated that his ass needed saving every time he was caught in a fix? Haven't they realized he was doing fine by himself? If he needed backup, he would have brought his own men along with him! He gave Kisho another dirty look as he sulked and scowled back the way he came from.

"Talk about gratitude for saving one's life…" Kisho drawled as he watched Kurogane disappear into the woods towards the battlefield again.

"Are you going to wait for those damn shinobis to come around?" Kurogane's voice growled out of the darkness…

"Coming…coming…what a drag…" Kisho muttered as he trotted off behind the trail Kurogane had left behind.