Death cloaked the land wherever the Devil King set his eyes. It followed him, slavishly devoted, the corpses of the defeated left to rot like a gruesome offering to the man that saw himself as worthy of worship. His rule was made of cruelty for its own sake, a crushing fist choking life and light out of the heart of even the most hopeful and resilient man, dampening the spirit of the Land of the Rising Sun, cloaking it in a darkness so deep that would snuff out hope itself.
And still some did not see it.
How could they not when crossing the scorched fields, the land soaked with blood, the air thick with ash? When the armies of the Devil King were clawing at their doors and the battlefields stretched from their borders to the horizon?
Saki watched, hidden in the shadows of the inner wall of Azai's residence, as Sarutobi left Omi, his face set in a disappointed expression visible for a moment as he perched on a nearby tree, collecting his thoughts, getting his bearings before vanishing, barely a whisper of shadow marking his path.
Azai was blinded by pride, his own honour and just a hint of love for the sister of a Devil. "There is no hope for a man so rigid on his views or path" her sensei used to say when the students discussed the scenarios he challenged them with. Assassinations, combat, defence, attacks, information dealing, sabotage, infiltration… every angle had its place and so many ways to be dealt with. Some insisted in using only the tried and true strategies when flexibility was a valued skill. They learned fast after that first mistake.
The shinobi was sure the man was nothing more than an expendable and pliable pawn to Oda. Anyone like him, well… The right words, the right push and pull and his own code would force his demise. The ninja clans were not the only ones who knew how to play that game and Oda had proven that his sense of honour was placed somewhere between malleable and non-existent. He had launched several attacks on the Iga and Koga clans, decimating their hidden villages and persecuting survivors and innocents alike, weakening the ninja as whole seeing those were the older families…
The presence of Kai's ninja could only mean Takeda Shingen was using the same plan the Maeda wanderer presented to Date. Unite and surround Oda. Or die alone and betrayed. And like Maeda's his plea was being ignored or denied. Who thought of it first was unimportant but the plan itself was proof of how desperate the ones who did see what Oda was doing were growing. To forge alliances between warring clans and trust them at their backs… It was almost unheard of.
The fear, the possibility of defeat would only grow as long the men that allied themselves with the Devil King of Owari chose to remain blind and bound.
She shadowed away, moving back. There was nothing that she could do for or in Omi. And there was no point in doing what she hadn't been ordered to do, now was there? At least when it didn't benefit the ones whom she served.
As she sidestepped the borders of Kai, knowing Sarutobi would already have arrived, moving stealthily to avoid his shinobi patrollers, the shadow of Kasuga passed by, returning to her own master.
Saki stopped for a moment, looking around, leaning against the tree, perched on a branch.
The renegade paid no attention to the surroundings, her expression determined, her mind on the destination, the environs forgotten. The Dragon's Shadow shook her head slowly. Easy to kill, that one. Sloppy work. Any ninja should have been aware that there was another so close, especially one whose protection was solely dependent on her master's life. Saki was making no effort to hide, even. But the bimbo's presence meant the truce between Takeda and Uesugi had evolved into something more. Cooperation at least, if not an outright alliance.
The shinobi moved once more, abandoning the borders, storing the new titbit of information, tracking the army, finding the camp, the lights from the fire bright enough to locate them with ease, a soft glow over the canopy, away from the roads. She stepped out of the shadows slowly at the entrance, saluting the sentinels, bantering playfully with them, reassuring that there was no threat that she had seen in the way back, before crossing the threshold. This time it was a more composed war encampment, the fabric panels, Oshu's symbol woven into them, surrounding the area for extra privacy and protection, dimming the glow of the lit the fire and torches, the scent of the burning wood, men and horses overpowering the forest. They usually sacrificed the tents for mobility and the weather was warm.
The men were satisfied to see their Boss on the move once more, to be able to fight, with a clear path to blaze through, slipping easily into their warring preparations, checking and rechecking supplies, weapons and armour.
There were some worries about the Devil King, fuelled by rumours that she could not control.
They had a vague idea what they were up against but the image was still foggy and those who actually knew what was like to face such a presence were not going to divulge it. Those men could not afford a broken spirit before the blades were even drawn. There had been enough blows on their pride as an army already.
Maeda Keiji had been accepted easily, even if only as an entertaining company. It wasn't hard to see why, as he was quite a nice talkative guy who showed interest in what the men thought that mattered, trying to learn things, show tricks for cooking, gambling, listening to their war stories, flittering from group to group with enthusiasm. Yumekichi pranced around too, chirping, playing. That had started during the ride and did not change in the hours that passed.
There had been a bit of tension early on, as they stopped to water the horses and rest a bit, the result of Katakura-dono's still suspicious demeanour, not that it could be faulted, the rumour about his challenge to Date and a group angry males seeking to protect their shinobi. Apparently no one had authorization to flirt with her or admit she had pretty curves. That was also part of the reason she had left early for scouting even before the camp was completely set. Their bragging was enough. Over-protectiveness was making her miffed and snappy, especially when she actually enjoyed talking to Keiji, finding the time at each stop. His easygoing manner hid more than one gave him credit for and seemed to have none of the issues warriors had towards her profession and flexible views.
The shinobi walked pass them slowly, relaxing a bit now that she was with friends, letting out a sigh.
It was obvious the wanderer had other objectives in mind. He was using the generals, the armies and the situation of the land for his own needs. Or dreams. Given his nature Saki was quite sure he was looking for a way out of the Maeda clan obligations to Oda. His family seemed to be at the heart of the matter but the peace of the rest of the land did not seem too far from his mind. Those were her estimates but she preferred not to share. The Right Eye seemed to expect a simple betrayal.
Katakura-dono and the One-Eyed Dragon sat on foldable benches, a bit away but still part of the collective, talking, their voices hushed. About Oshu, the crops, the army, just a hint of strategy. Their dynamic was once more restored, the tension faded. It was a grand sign of trust to allow someone at one's back, one that could reveal itself to be a foolish, emotional choice. But not there.
"Katakura-dono." She said, her voice even, kept in the same discreet tone they were using. The Right Eye turned his head slightly looking at her, his expression still relaxed, gesturing for her to report. Date leaned forward. Saki did what was expected, voicing her finds, kneeling next to the seats, on the grass, between them so no words escaped the small circle.
"And as we move they decided to make us the vanguard." Saki nodded, confirming Katakura-dono's conclusion after her voice had died down. "It was to be expected." Kojuro stood, placing a hand over Saki's shoulder, companionably, walking away, to make his rounds. He would be retiring soon so the army could begin the ride to Owari at dawn. Most of them were preparing to sleep too. Some were already lying on their mats, finishing up whatever rituals their minds needed. They had three or four more days of riding to do, keeping the current pace, trying not to overwork the horses, pausing in-between. Their greatest asset was mobility and tiring the animals that provided said asset would be foolish.
"Anything happened while I was gone Date-sama?" Saki turned to the One-Eyed Dragon stretching slowly, arms above her head, flexing the claws before lowering them, releasing the weapons slowly from her hands, placing the articulate metal pieces on the ground, flexing her fingers over her knees.
"There was quite a brawl between the guys and lover-boy." There was definitely mischief in that one blue eye as he leaned to share his own information. "Apparently they don't take it too kindly when some outsider gropes our shinobi." Saki tilted her head towards him, rolling her eyes, staring him down for a moment, before her attention shifted as she looked at the guys a bit more closely under the light.
Bruised cheeks, busted lips, a couple of black eyes. She tskd keeping her eyes forward. They displayed them proudly when they realized she was appraising the damage. Some scurried away, gripped by a sudden embarrassment. They did that amongst themselves too but as they knew each other the bruises never quite grew so purple.
"He is a flirt. You're just daring him to be more outrageous." And she recalled he hadn't taken it kindly either in that first meeting. The combination of rage because of the proposal of alliances, the lack of position, the flirting and the reference to the red-light district… that still made her smile. "And they shouldn't cripple themselves before a battle." Even if the battle was a few days away.
Date shrugged, waiting for her to finish cutting the men down to size with a couple of glares, appreciating the show. Both of the men running away or pretending to be busy or preening and the way she was still moving, stretching her legs absentmindedly.
"Maeda claimed to know things about shinobi." Date continued, his voice flowing smoothly in a tone she perceived as playful. And she wasn't liking where that might be headed. Saki glanced at him, carefully while cooling down after the scouting trip, stretching and undulating, displaying her flexibility without a care, making sure she was ready for another night, for the next day, for as long and that campaign lasted.
"Kasuga is the only one he might know besides me." And there was no way she was going to accept a comparison. She crossed her legs, straightening slowly, exhaling slowly, finishing the routine, rubbing her shoulder carefully. It was a bit stiff, still healing under the unbroken skin. "And she is a traitor to the shinobi that's only alive because the War God took a liking to her."
"Saki."
"Date-Sama." She answered wryly in response to his teasing tone, her attention still divided.
"Is it true female shinobi often lie with their hirers?"
Saki stopped moving and breathing entirely, looking at him, eyes suddenly wide, a blush spreading on her cheeks, faintly visible in the dusk created by the torches. Date smirked. That was a new and very interesting expression. It lasted only a couple of seconds but it was enough. She snapped out of the daze and chuckled.
"If it is asked of us. Sometimes its part of the job. Or just because there is a bond between them." She looked away. "Most of the times lying with someone is just a faster way to plant a blade on their back..." Her voice grew quiet as Date touched her cheek, cupping it and turned her face towards him. Saki looked up as his thumb traced her lower lip, over the old scar, feeling the heat from his hand searing her skin. She closed her eyes for a moment with a sigh, lowering her head, brushing a kiss over his thumb.
So she did react to him. Masamune thought with a smile before letting go, enjoying the blush. She was smirking, though, as she looked away, half hiding it, as if amused by his gesture, warmth in those grey eyes. The One-Eyed Dragon looked around, catching Maeda's knowing glance and open smile, seemingly the only one that had noticed the small exchange. Date threw him a challenging look.
The first brawl had been with the guys because he had touched their shinobi in a way they found disrespectful. Saki had found a way to prove herself to them and earned her place amongst them. No one doubted her skills but none forgot that she was a woman. Traditional values clashed with her profession and demeanour and most of the warriors and soldiers chose to ignore the part of her that was causing the issue. In battle she was shinobi, in the camp she was a girl.
The next one would be with the One-Eyed Dragon because he had touched his Shadow.
"One-Eyed Dragon!" Saki opened her eyes, seeing Maeda Keiji approach, spurring his horse to keep up with Date's, smiling at her, for a moment, the gesture almost automatic. Female is present: turn on the charm, as it were.
The ride had been smooth so far and the day was starting bright and pleasant. She was perched on the usual place she used to rest when running grew tiresome, leaning against the Dragon. The shinobi wasn't exactly sure why he insisted in that arrangement but she also saw no need to complain. Gave her time to rest after her latest scouting venture, right before the sunrise. Also horse riding was not one of her finer skills. She could perch on one, jump on one, keep her balance on one, be fancy and acrobatic on one, as a circus performer. But controlling one? She was lucky if the beast didn't start walking backwards as soon as she picked up the reins. Her report was about finished when the wanderer's voice called.
The road was carved in a plain, the mountains distant, the grass green on each side of the path waving softly in the wind. The scent of dew and morning still hung in the air. It was difficult to believe war was brewing south of them if one was unaware of the struggles.
"What's up, lady-killer?" Date didn't bother to look over his shoulder, his voice rising above the thunderous sound of the hooves.
"Right about now Uesugi's forces should be passing through Shinano and heading for Kai." Keiji said, looking towards the horizon, the hard ride upsetting Yumekichi's balance. He was leaning forward to give the horse a bit of boost, less resistance to catch up with Date's.
"Are they planning a rematch of the Kawanakajima battle?" Saki chuckled. As if he didn't know. After all she had just reported the same thing. He was toying with Maeda, wanting to extract a bit more. To figure him out, as it were.
"Nah. They'll meet up with Takeda and invade Owari using us as their spearhead." He glanced at them once more, smiling bashfully. "Don't think badly of me. But even if I hadn't spurred you on, you would have…" He was both apologising and justifying his actions. So there were some regrets in there for what he had to do. Or what he wanted to do.
"Kojuro's already seen through all that." Kojuro was riding alongside them now, his face stoic, his horse keeping the pace easily. Saki threw him a smile answered with a nod.
"I'm not decorative." She added, making clear where the information that had cemented to Right Eye conclusions had originated. Date chuckled against her back, glancing over for the first time since the conversation had started, a smirk growing in his lips.
"I don't care if there is a force of millions at my heels. I will be the one taking the Devil king's head «you see»." He straightened proudly, looking forward once more. "Then I'll sweep through and conquer the country. We'll end up crushing Takeda and Uesugi at our backs first." His voice quieted as his mind travelled. "Though I would have liked to save the fun with him for the end." Saki smiled and reached back, her claws patting his thigh, metal against metal, clinking.
"Even if it isn't the last battle it will be intense." She murmured against his covered ear, smiling.
The horses were being watered when the gigantic falcon arrived.
There was some alarm as its shadow passed, quickly fading once they realized what it was. It didn't screech or swoop down on any of the men, circling around as if waiting for something. Saki recognized the method and the movements that could only be derived from training, approaching an open area slowly raising her wrist into the air, whistling a sharp note, identifying herself to the bird, allowing it to dive and perch on it, sliding her clawed fingers over its proud neck, smoothing the feathers gently as his own claws surrounded her wrist carefully, without injuring it, before slipping out the message from its holder.
One of Sarutobi's birds, then. Saki examined the falcon for a long moment after glancing at the papers, seeing the symbol of Kai in the seal. He was easy to identify as a shinobi's tool but the colour of the feathers around the neck and chest were distinctive in all of Sasuke's pets.
There were more discreet ways to pass messages between shinobi. He must have wanted this delivery seen by her faction.
She shook the piece of paper open with a sharp movement. The letter was encrypted but it was an easy code, one that didn't belong to any clan but was still private enough for quick notes and lesser information. Some employers were schooled in it too, for an added layer of security to their orders and dealings. She frowned as the message became clear.
A move of her wrist sent the bird away, crossing the clear sky once more, turning towards his master quickly and sharply, still silent like a ghost. That was what unnerved most people about ninja-trained animals. They were as silent as their shrouded masters. She looked around for a moment, waiting.
Katakura-dono approached slowly, looking towards the direction the bird had disappeared into, noticing the message in her hand.
"Can you share?" He asked cautiously. Loyalty to the shinobi secrecy still came first. It was good of him to understand that about her contract. The Three Oaths she owed to both her loyalties.
"Sarutobi wants to meet. From the wording I believe Kasuga will also be there." She gave him the letter. The Right Eye looked at it for a moment, frowning, not recognizing the code. Saki grimaced. Something else she needed to add to her list of tasks to help Oshu and its leader. "Is there anything you'd like to transmit or keep secret?"
"I trust you know what to do." The second in command appraised. Saki smiled, pleased, tilting her head, lowering it in a respectful bow afterwards, shadowing away.
There were traps in the meeting ground Sarutobi Sasuke had pinpointed as the place where they would meet. Thin wires, invisible through tricks of light and shadow, linked to mild explosives were placed around. It was a simple trap and a quick security system for a gathering. Just in case a message was intercepted.
Saki avoided the trapped branches with ease, knowing the best perches from training and experience, refraining from the use of shadow skills in the last meters before the elder tree whose thick branches would support the three of them. She remembered the scorched trees back in the dojo, the ever-changing wiring of the training grounds, the mix of poison, explosives, arrows, shuriken, breakaway branches, pits, other shinobi… It was one of the training grounds that kept one on the razor's edge from start to finish.
Sarutobi was there with his trademark smug smile, leaning against the trunk, making no effort to disguise himself in nature or shadow. Saki walked towards him, sitting nearby on the branch, legs dangling, breathing deeply while looking around, searching the other possible precautions one could take.
There was a sudden explosion, followed by a shriek. Both shinobi exchanged a look and a sigh of embarrassment.
Kasuga arrived with an angry expression and a very much ruined stealth effort. Her agility was still a mark or a shinobi but the rest… Seemed incomplete, weakened.
"What is the idea Sarutobi? I…" She stopped her rant, eyes drawn to Saki, her expression growing wary. "You… I saw you when Oda killed Imagawa…" She snapped out of the thoughtfulness brought by the surprise of seeing other, kunai slipping into her hand, threateningly. "Who are you?"
"I'm the One-Eyed Dragon's shinobi. Name's Saki." Saki didn't bother to stand up, just glancing at the renegade before shifting her attention to Sasuke. "So you are indeed together."
"What are you saying… of all the nerve to imply that him and I… that I would…" Kasuga blurted out, suddenly outraged, staring down Sasuke. Saki snorted, keeping the laugh in. Sasuke smiled, reaching up, crossing his arms above his head, failing to look sheepish. Kasuga then realized what the other kunoichi meant. Her face grew a bit red, looking away suddenly as she tried to regain her composure. "The alliance."
"You are together?" Saki turned her attention to Kai's ninja, crossing her legs, leaning back, balancing on her arms, her meaning and demeanour changing slightly.
"I did try to convince her to join my forces." Sarutobi preened a bit, smiling openly at Kasuga.
"And Uesugi?" Saki leaned forward once more, resting her elbows on her legs, chuckling.
"Well… Fuma is out of a job is he not?" Sasuke waved the concern away as Kasuga fidgeted irritably.
"How's Sanada?"
"A message from your Dragon?"
"Curiosity on my part."
"Eager for a fight."
"Has he recovered from our little play?"
"I gave him another lead to chase." He glanced at Kasuga for a moment who was still looking at them like they were not quite right in the head.
"Why are you two doing this? We have to return fast so just… just stop that." Saki lowered her eyes with a smirk and Sasuke stretched, walking on the branch.
"You're an evil, evil man. I'm in awe." Saki stood slowly in reaction. "What did you want to say?"
"Kai and Echigo propose a temporary alliance with Oshu." Sasuke announced solemnly. "The wanderer contacted Kai and told us about the One-Eyed Dragon's move."
"I was instructed to say no. Oshu marches on alone. If you want to follow us so be it. But we'll win and the One-Eyed Dragon will claim Oda's head." Saki smiled widely, more a baring of her teeth than an actual sign of joy, a challenge. "It is a bit on the dramatic side but there it is." She looked away with a smirk, joining her hands in front of her body, the claws clinking softly before lowering her head slightly. "Now… I'll leave you two lovebirds alone." Saki vanished before Kasuga had time to blast out her outrage, accompanied by Sasuke's light chuckle.
There was unrest on the borders of Omi and Echizen. The rumour reached her before returning to the army and she thought it would be productive to verify even though it somewhat was related with her earlier qualms about interference. But it was a matter of information.
Azai's army was moving, the warlord accompanied by his wife, his intent clear, honour whipping him towards action: cut the path of the army that marched towards the land of his allies, one whose numbers raised thick dust as they rode and carried Oda's symbol under a skull. The shinobi watched from the shadows of the trees that edged the plain as Azai Nagamasa rode towards the opposing army, demanding explanations, straining her ear to catch every word greedily even as she kept herself safe.
Saki paled as she recognized the other man, the white haired freak that presented himself as Akechi Mitsuhide, the sun gleaming on his scythes, laughing at Azai's devotion to justice, his words twisted and bitter, reaching the kunoichi easily despite the softness of his tone, yet all of them seemed to be right, resonating with Azai's principles. He knew how to apply the spurs to the man.
Both armies were stopped before engaging.
Azai's Defenders of Justice went back, dismissed, some comrades glancing worriedly at their leader, perhaps not as blind as him.
The others followed Akechi as he took Azai and his wife, grim banners held high, closing around the man in white and his dark-haired wife.
Akechi Mitsuhide was most likely leading them to Oda.
Saki slipped away, stifling a foreboding shiver that seemed to accompany any dealing involving the Demon King and his minions, bringing more of the information she had collected to the forefront of her mind. It still didn't seem like something she could follow or interfere in.
Takeda and Uesugi rode together towards the plains of Nagashino where Tokugawa Ieyasu awaited them, his forces too small to actually put a fight against the united might of the Tiger of Kai and Echigo's War God. It was odd but there could be other shades and prisms in Tokugawa's strategy. Sneak attacks, reinforcements waiting for their order, a trapped field… and Honda Tadakatsu, of course. But she was not part of either of the opposing force's ninja so there was really no need for her to speculate. It was just another piece of information for her hoard.
For now there seemed to be no impediment in Date's army charge toward Owari but with Oda that could change abruptly… Sugitani Zenjubo from the Koga had failed to kill Oda with two bullets, sniped from the shadow. He had been tortured and killed. Manabe Rokuro had failed to kill Oda, discovered mid-attempt, taking his own life to protect the secrets of clan and master. Ishikawa Goemon had failed to poison Oda although he had been successful in escaping his clutches. A four person Iga riffle squad had attempted to take revenge for their clan's persecution... How could they have missed the heavily armoured man in a red cloak was a mystery to Saki… the point was the shinobi were full of hatred for the warlord, their methods were thwarted by the Devil King and the nuke-nin who served and trained Oda's loyal ninja forces, and had learned to take none of his actions lightly, something that was just dawning on the Generals' minds.
"Say One-Eyed Dragon, who's the guy you were talking about the other day?" Keiji approached once more, prickled by boredom and curiosity. Saki watched, jumping from branch to branch. The road was carved deeply between the trees, flowing straight in the shade. "There's somebody you want to fight after you've defeated the Devil King?"
"Yeah you could say that." Date hesitated a bit on his answer, focusing his thoughts. The shinobi moved, continuing in her path.
"You had a good look about you." Keiji said with a chortle. The dreamy glance of a warrior longing for a worthy, challenging adversary. Saki though. She knew that look. She chuckled looking forward again. Date hummed in question, tilting his head back. "When you were thinking of that guy" There was an inquisitive expression in Date's eye when the ninja glanced again, checking where the conversation was headed. Keiji shrugged and his gaze sharpened, seeing the rivalry clearly reflected in that glance, merging it with the former. "That's the difference between warring and fighting." The wandered said, smiling, understanding. If he knew Uesugi Kenshin as well as it was rumoured Maeda Keiji had a good base for comparison as the rivalry between the Tiger of Kai and Echigo's War God was legendary in the warring states.
Date hummed in agreement, amused.
Katakura-dono glared as his horse sped by Keiji's. Yumekichi hissed at him as the wanderer looked away with a smug smile. Bringing Sanada Yukimura into the conversation was a bit of a gamble. It could make the One-Eyed Dragon happy with thoughts of battle, angry with frustration or get him on the prowl for conflict. Which could make Katakura-dono's words hard to take and complicated any kind of strategy and forethought he tried to impart.
But they were headed to a battle.
Maybe the One-Eyed Dragon could use the boost either of those emotions brought him.
Nuke-nin – 抜け 忍 – Fallen or rogue ninja;