Now that the battle is done, it is time for the second Events of Stage One XDD I experimented in some of the stories like the first one (for flashback) and the second one (for humor XDD). I would appreciate it if you tell me which one was your favorite ^^
Note: The third entry in this chapter took place before the beginning of the SM. I didn't know anything about Masamune's early campaign so I took some liberty in making it. You could skip it if you want since it doesn't have any impact to the plot other than dwelling into Kojuro's ability. That story was also based on the request from Pyromystic, hope I didn't disappoint you TT^TT
Enjoy your reading ^^
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First Meeting
"Masamune ?"
"What ?"
"Do you remember when we first met ?" Kojuro asked. They were on their way back from a victorious battle against the Ashina clan. The journey was a bit silent, and the view was uninteresting, even though Kojuro found everything around them to be either interesting or inspirational. Kojuro is quite good with art and music, however his poetry still needs some practice (as Masamune's cousin, Shigezane Date, bluntly stated: "A child who never even touch a brush could make a better poetry"). However, Masamune never expected Kojuro to asked that question. It does made him somewhat nostalgic though.
"A little, but it is a bit blurry," Masamune reply.
Kojuro chuckled as he pace his horse, Yumetsuki, so that he and Masamune were side by side. "Well, I remember it like it was yesterday. Truth to be told, it is hard not to remember it..."
– – – –
Before he entered the room, a young and inexperienced Kojuro Katakura breathe in and out to calm his nerve. He were the junior page of Terumune Date, but the leader of the clan decided to introduce Kojuro to his future lord, which is his son, Masamune Date. Kojuro had wondered about the decision, but Terumune had told him that Masamune could someday use an attendant who is closer to his age.
After a servant allowed Kojuro to enter, Kojuro went in and politely bow before Terumune. Sitting near Terumune is none other than a young Masamune, only two years younger than Kojuro, whom curiously kept rubbing his right eye.
'He's around my age huh ? I wonder if we would get along well...' Kojuro pondered. He bowed once again at Masamune to introduce himself. "It is a pleasure to meet you, my lord," Kojuro said, "My(1) name is-"
"Dad(2), who is the girl ?"
At Masamune's innocent(?) question, the room went into a state of awkward silence while Kojuro froze, still in bowing position(3). 'G-girl ?' Kojuro thought, 'Some people do said that my face is a bit feminine, but I did not look like a girl !...am I ?'
Terumune seems to be surprised by the question as well. "Masamune, Kojuro is not a girl. And he(4) will be your servant in the future-"
"But I don't want a girl as my servant ! Beside, she(4) is weird," Masamune said. Which is another stab on Kojuro's heart.
'Weird ?' Kojuro thought. Masamune was referring to Kojuro's clothing (a simple kimono and hakama, with white haori and scarf. Not something that would be worn by a girl so Masamune considers it to be "weird") and personal pronouns (since Masamune considers it to be too formal, thus annoying).
'Beside, why do I have to be served with an idiot like her ?" Masamune asked again, and thus throwing another dagger to poor Kojuro's heart.
'I-idiot ?' Kojuro thought. By now, he is almost on the edge of tears(5).
It took a while before the misunderstanding clears up, but in the end, Masamune finally accepts Kojuro as his servant.
– – – –
"Now that I thinkof it, you haven't change much since then," Kojuro stated, "You still utter your opinion without a second thought."
Masamune grumbled to himself. "Why do you even bothering remembering such a trivial event anyway ?"
A moment after that, Masamune noticed something as well. "But, you haven't change as well, Kojuro," he stated, "You are still girly looking idiot !"
Kojuro were wide-eyed at the statement, and he stuttered as Masamune's horse suddenly went into a sprint. Kojuro immediately directs Yumetsuki to catch up with Masamune, protesting as he does so. "I am not girly Masamune, I am not !"
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Of Napping and Sparrows
It was a bright and peaceful day, with clear skies and just enough clouds to provide some shades. There were neither invasion to repel nor battle to be fought, so most officers of the Date used this chance to either improve their skills, hunting, or any other kind of activity. Kojuro choose to inspect the land, and he was pleased to see that they would have a bountiful harvest. Eventually, the pleasant weather made Kojuro sleepy, and he decided to rest under the shade of a tree. He sat, leaning against the tree as he watched the farmer does their works on the field.
When Kojuro closed his eyes, it doesn't take very long before he eventually falls asleep. Kojuro breathe more slowly when he naps, so much that one can barely heard it and often thought that he was dead. That had led to more than one unfortunate (but hilarious for some others) events. As Kojuro slept, a pair of sparrows flew above him. They descended and hover around Kojuro, before they left. Some times later, they came back with some twigs in their beak...
… later that day.
"Masamune... Megohime-dono... could one of you please stop laughing for a moment and help me ?"
Kojuro's plea was in vain because Masamune was too busy laughing, and even Megohime couldn't help but to giggle. Kojuro was grateful because Magoichi had left for a while, because the mercenary won't be anymore helpful than Masamune and Megohime. Once again, Kojuro rue the day when he decided to take a nap outside his own room. Because this time, a pair of sparrows had decided to build a nest on top of his head.
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The Sparrow's First Flight
"What, retreat ? You came all this way just to tell us to retreat ?"
Bowing respectfully before the entire Ashina officers that has invade their lands, Date retainer Kojuro Katakura had asked them to retreat, a peaceful solution to end the current skirmish. An unexpected storm had cost the Date forces under Kojuro their supplies, and the nearby village can't do much to help them. All they could give was the water they obtained from the river, and while it quench their thirst, Kojuro's men is low on morale due to being outnumbered and no supplies.
"My men are exhausted, and the locals are low on supplies. It would be wise to end this battle peacefully to prevent further bloodshed," Kojuro stated. The Ashina officers all laughed, for they find the idea of retreating before an army that is in the verge of defeat. Also, the Date retainer before them is a rookie that was unheard of till now, leading them to believe that Kojuro is a coward who can't fight. "No wonder Ouchi Sadatsuna defected to us!(6) The Date are filled with pathetic loser, especially that one-eyed fool," one of the officer stated, causing more laughter to erupt, "Keep your pathetic demands to yourself! We will take that land from your incapable hand!"
Kojuro bowed once more. "Please reconsider my lord," he pleaded, "For if we fought, both sides would lose many of their men."
Kojuro's plea falls on deaf ears, and the Ashina clan morale is all time high. They prepares for the final attack as Kojuro returns to the main camp...
– – –
"That idiot... this is his first battle and he ask them to surrender ?"
"Because of him, the Ashina morale rise rapidly. They would surely stomped us to dust."
"What should we do ? Surviving this battle is impossible, let alone winning it..."
Those were some of the complains amongst the Date officers after Kojuro returned. Some of the retainers have the same complain, but nevertheless they held on and decided to follow Kojuro's command, albeit bitterly. Kojuro Katakura was sent here in order to test his skills, and Shigezane Date accompanies him. Their initial plan was to hold out until Masamune arrives with the main army, but a sudden storm occurred last night, and the damages it brought caught both sides unprepared. Even so, the Ashina forces still have enough supplies from their reinforcement, and their numbers were now larger than the Date. Even worse, the storm slowed Masamune's advance, and Shigezane worries that their main army will came long after they were gone.
Now the front line officers is in chaos as they discussed their next move. Some claimed that they should retreat, costing the Date a piece of their land in the process, while others claim that they should fight to the last man. Finally, Shigezane himself proposed a night attack to catch the Ashina off-guard. Even so, the decision ultimately falls on Kojuro. As everyone looked at him in anticipation, Shigezane felt a bit unnerved by Kojuro's serene behavior. Kojuro studies the map in front of him, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings. After a tense moment, a sentry came and announces the arrival of the village elder. At that moment, Kojuro rise up and gave his reply that shocks everyone there. "Let them come," Kojuro said.
All of the retainers were at lost for words as Kojuro left the tent to meet the village elder. After he does, nearly every one of them had lost hopes for Kojuro, convinced that he is leading them to death. Including Shigezane.
– – –
Not a week past before the Ashina finishes their preparation for an attack, and they could care less about the main force of the Date, whom were still days away from arriving. Low on morale, the Date nevertheless went to meet their opponent on the battlefield. This time, Kojuro walks beside his horse, Yumetsuki, instead of riding him. No one could tell what's the sparrow is thinking, but most of them could care less, for this could be the final battle they participate in.
The two enemy come face-to-face with only a shallow stream separating them. The river is waist deep, but the Ashina had cavalries. That depth is of no concern for them. As they prepares for battle, Kojuro asked one of the archer to fire a signal arrows to start the battle. The use of traditional ritual of starting a battle baffles everyone, but it was shrugged moments later.
"At least he is polite enough to tell us when he is ready to die," the leader of the Ashina army stated before he brought down his sword, "Charge!"
The Ashina forces began their march while the Date hold their ground. Most of them were ready to run, but other were determined to fight as they drew their weapons. However, Shigezane was confused at Kojuro, who barely even touch the hilt of his dual sword. "Kojuro, just what are you planning now ?" Shigezane asked.
Kojuro's only reply was to observed the river upstream. "Any moment now..."
By now, most of the Ashina forces had gone halfway through the stream. Within minutes, they would crossed the river and finishes off the Date. Victory is almost at their hands... but their face of glory turns into that of curiosity and confusion when a rushing voice was heard. Then it turns to fear once the realization sets in...
"It is time to turn the tide of this battle," Kojuro stated, "and swept our enemy of their feet."
As if it was commanded, a sudden flood occurred and immediately turns the shallow stream into a raging river that swept most of the Ashina forces away. However the current then slowed down just enough for the cavalry units to cross... only for their horses to fall when their legs slipped into one of many holes dug across the river bed. Covered with a lid and some stones, these holes were nearly invisible unless one looked at it from up close. Kojuro had timed the events so that both sides began the battle when the sun were at the right angle. The reflections on the water surface masked the traps even further, and now the currents hides the trap from the Ashina army.
The Date were surprised as well, and Shigezane looked at Kojuro in surprise. "What ? But how ?" he asked.
"The villagers had built a dam upstream from here to water their crops. I requested their cooperation to drive away the Ashina by breaking their dam to flood the Ashina and digging several traps to deal with their cavalry," Kojuro stated, "However, breaking the dam would troubles the villagers, so I asked the village elders to visited me in the main camp is he agree on this plan. The signal arrows from earlier was to tell them when to break the dam."
"I see," Shigezane said, "Then why do you asked the Ashina to retreat ?"
Kojuro mounted Yumetsuki, then turned towards Shigezane. "I wish to prevent further bloodshed by asking them to fall back, that way there would be no need to execute this tactic," Kojuro replied, "But if they don't, they will be overconfident enough to charge us with their whole army. Not expecting the flood and traps, their morale should be broken by now."
Indeed, confusion spreads amongst the Ashina ranks, while the Date's morale grows due to this turn of event. Kojuro kept his tactic a secret in case one of their allies decided to betray them by defecting and revealing his plans to the Ashina. Even though he was ridiculed for his inactivity, Kojuro was pleased to see that his plan had worked.
Shigezane chuckled. "Good, I was wondering if you had given up, but it turns out that you are smarter than I thought!"
Kojuro smiled as he shook his head. "It is nothing, anyone with a calm mind could do this."
"Well then, let's finish them off before Masamune got here shall we ?"
Their morale restored, the Date executes a full assault at the disoriented and panicked Ashina. This attack drive them off, scoring a victory for the Date clan. For the next few days, the soldiers and retainers followed Kojuro's every command and directions, resulting in more tactics that successfully repels their enemy long enough for the main force to arrive. From there on, Kojuro Katakura faithfully follows his master on a campaign to unify Oshu under their banner. With the two of them working together, it is only a matter of time before they conquered all of Oshu.
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Aaaanddd~~ that's it for this weeks chap ! Stay tune for the epilogue of Kojuro's Chapter One: the Battle of Ueda Castle !
For Pyromystic: it's no Yi Ling, but I hope you enjoy the third story ^^
1) Kojuro used "Watakushi" (我が) to describe himself, which is the most formal polite forms in Japanese personal pronouns.
2) I didn't know the formal way to call one's father at those time, but I'm pretty sure Masamune is not formal enough...
3) Basically, Kojuro is bowing while in seiza position.
4) Unlike English language, there are no "he" or "she" or any other variation of it in Japanese language unless they specifically mention the gender. If I am wrong, please correct me TT^TT
5) In the past, Kojuro (this story's version) has a sensitive feeling... and easily hurt by a rude remarks.
6) Ouchi Sadatsuna is a Date retainer who defected to the Ashina clan of the Aizu region. It is due to this that Masamune declare war on the Ashina clan.
Take-ni-suzume: Sparrows in bamboo
Mon (紋), also monshō (紋章) are Japanese emblems used to decorate and identify an individual or family.
Genpuku (元服) or genbuku was an historical Japanese coming-of-age ceremony. It is to mark the entry to adult of boys between the ages of 11 and 17 (typically of about age 12). FYI: Hanbei said in the Japanese version of SW3 that he already had his Genpuku two years before Kanbei does.
Don't forget to leave a review ! For this chap and for the other three as well ^^