Disclaimer: I do not own Koihime Musou, Shin Koihime Musou, Rurouni Kenshin or anything that may appear or referred to in this Fanfiction.
Chapter 4 – All for One, One for All
"Hah! Huh! Hah!" The stench of sweat and loud shouts filled the air as thousands of soldiers in yellow armor swung their spears and swords, while the archers readied their bows.
"Switch formations! Faster! The enemy isn't going to wait for you! The lives of your fellow soldiers are at stake when you fail to get in formation fast enough!" A blue-haired woman in white shouted out to the soldiers.
"Shield bearers! You hold the responsibility to protect the front of our formation! What would happen to your comrades if you let the enemy charge through! Spear wielders! You hold the responsibility to repel charges! What would happen to your comrades if you thrust so weakly! Archers! You hold the responsibility of providing cover fire and staunching the rate of the charge of the enemy! What would happen to your comrades if you miss your mark!"
"Hah! Huh! Hah!" The soldiers were emboldened by the speech and sought to train even harder to make the general proud
Then, a rider on top of a white horse rode onto the camp and stopped before the general. The soldiers stopped for a moment to bow down to the newcomer. "Enough, you don't have to bow! Continue with your training!" She shouted towards the soldiers.
"Yes, My Lady!" The soldiers resumed their practice with their weapons.
The rider then addressed the woman in white directly. "Good work. It appears that the soldiers are being trained well, Choun."
"Yes, Hakukei-dono. They are able to change formations more swiftly than before. Formation practice will help us against the Yellow Turbans as they'll convert any disadvantage we may have into a favorable one."
"That is good to hear, but our aspects look grim." Kousansan frowned. "Our spies have reported that the Yellow Turbans are nearly forty thousand strong in the nearby area. Our forces are ten thousand short of that. I've tried to request for reinforcements, but Enshou declined saying that other cities are requiring protection as well."
"That can't be helped, I guess. However, numbers alone do not decide a battle. A good general would be able to help lead the soldiers, and a good tactician would be able to support the soldiers."
"You are correct, however, there aren't those with the capacity to lead an army besides you and myself. That itself is a problem that we must rectify before engaging with the Yellow Turbans. I'll have to think of something soon. You should take a break, Choun. I'll take over from here. "
"That is most appreciative of you, Hakukei-dono. Care not to overwork yourself as well." Choun bowed slightly, bid farewell to Kousonsan, and then she made towards her quarters.
Now that she was on break, she had decided to relax by drinking her favorite wine by the stream as the breeze would be refreshing. Not to mention that she could bring some menma (fermented bamboo shoots) as well. Choun smiled at the thought, and then she visited the local wine dealer. She purchased a gourd worths of wine, and then proceeded to head to the local market to purchase a jar of memna.
She rode out of the city on her horse, reflecting about what Kousonsan had said. "There aren't those with the capacity to lead an army besides you and myself. That itself is a problem that we must rectify before engaging with the Yellow Turbans..."
"What Hakukei-dono said isn't false...we are lacking right now in capable generals and tacticians. That reminds me of Rin and Fu...I wonder how and what they're doing right now..."
Before Choun decided to serve under Kousonsan, she was traveling with her two friends Kakuka and Teiiku. She smiled at how Kakuka often had a major nosebleed with her perverse fantasies, while Teiiku often fell asleep at the most random times. Despite their eccentricities, they were really smart though. Kakuka and Teiiku often devised great plans.
"...We could use someone like Rin and Fu. The Yellow Turbans are getting too strong. Even though I am confident that Hakukei-dono and I can lead our soldiers to victory...there's no telling at what cost though..we either need more generals to lead our soldiers or tacticians to help exploit our enemies' weakness."
Kakuka and Teiiku decided to look for a chance to serve Sousou, whom they heard was searching for talented people for her army. Though, it can also be said that Kakuka was awestruck as she saw Sousou and her army passing through the city they were staying in. Teiiku decided to go along to look after Kakuka, and Choun decided to look for a lord to serve under. The three of them went their separate ways, knowing that they might not meet each other again or that they may end up fighting each other one day.
Choun slowed down and dismounted. She tied the horse to a nearby tree and then made for the stream. She slowed down as she heard voices.
A proud and valiant voice ranged out "Rinrin is right. Even if you were not the Messenger of Heaven, your kind heart, strength, and talent are real enough. And don't forget that you can rely on us three."
Choun was shocked to hear that. "Did she mention the Messenger of Heaven? The one that Kanro-sama foretold that would come down from Heavens and bring peace to the country?"
Choun made her way through the brush and behold three females and one male. One of the girls had long flowing pinkish hair. Her smile was as bright as the sun. Another girl had long, sparking black hair and stood with dignity and pride. The last girl wasn't afraid to show her emotion out freely. However, Choun was intrigued by the tall, brown-haired man who seem to be wearing clothes that radiate the light...like he was someone from Heaven.
"...I'm sorry to have eavesdropped, but did one of you say that you are the Messenger of Heaven...?"
The black-haired girl and short girl raised their spear towards Choun, while the other look apprehensive and placed her hand on her sword sheath.
The man also raised his bamboo sword, then asked, " And who may you be...?"
"Ara...I suppose I should introduce myself first before asking you so rudely. My family name is Chou and my first name is Un."
While Kazuto looked surprised, Aisha did not yet lower her weapon. Aisha could sense that this Choun person was a skilled fighter and that her aura is on par with Rinrin, Kazuto, and hers. "And what do you want with us?"
"It's okay Aisha, I don't think she's not an enemy." Kazuto motioned for her to lower her weapon down. Aisha hesitantly obliged, while Kazuto addressed Choun. "First, I have to ask you to confirm it. Your name is Choun Shiryu?"
Choun looked shocked at Kazuto's words. "That is correct...however, how did you know my common name? I don't believe I mentioned it to you."
Touka just smiled. "Maybe it's because Goshujin-sama is the Messenger of Heaven. Goshujin-sama seems to know a lot more than we realize." Aisha and Rinrin nodded in agreement as an earlier example of how Kazuto somehow knew that Touka and Kousansan were classmates.
"You are the Messenger of Heaven that Kanro-sama prophesied about?" Choun asked for confirmation. It's true that his clothes look different from any that I've seen, not to mention that he knew my common name without me telling him. If he is the Messenger of Heaven, then he may be able to help Hakukei-dono...
"Of course, we found onii-chan right where the star in the sky fell, nanoda!"
"You mean that star shooting across the sky a few days ago?" Choun looked with understanding.
"Yes, the three of us followed the star's path and found Goshujin-sama." Aisha explained.
"I'm not too sure about being the Messenger of Heaven, Choun-san, but it is true that I'm not originally from this world. Do you have business with me, Choun-san?"
"In a way, you can say that. I was merely off to drink some wine at my favorite spot until I heard voices." Choun raised her gourd of wine. "Rest assured, I only heard nothing else, but that one of you may be the Messenger of Heaven, and it piped my interest."
"I see. In any case, we should introduce ourselves. My family name is Ryu, and my first name is Bi. Nice to meet you, Choun-dono." Touka bowed slightly.
"My family name is Kan, my name is U." Aisha kowtowed.
"Rinrin is Chohi nanoda! Nice to meet you, Choun-oneechan!"
"And my name is Hongo Kazuto."
Choun poured from her gourd into a cup and drank slowly. " How interesting. So tell me, what are you four planning to do?"
"We were planning to meet with Kousonsan-san since one of my companions was a former classmate of her." Kazuto looked at Touka, and she nodded in acknowledgment.
"Is this either coincidence...or maybe fate. I'm currently serving under Hakukei-dono. Would you like me to introduce all of you to her?"
"Really?" Touka and the others looked surprised, but Kazuto grinned slightly. So the world hasn't changed too much from what I do know. Choun Shiryu served under Kousonsan before he decided to become Ryubi's vassal.
"That would be great, but is it okay to trust us this easily? We could've been lying."
Choun refilled her cup. "That is true. However, I have traveled for the most of my life and met many different people, yet I have never met such a unique group . Hongo-dono, your stance indicates you have received training in martial arts, while your aura that you emit from your charisma is more pure than other men I have seen. I can see similar auras for Ryubi-dono, Kanu-dono, and Chohi-dono and sense no deceit either. Not to mention that you wear clothes that I have not seen before and you appeared to know my common name. That is why I trust all of you right now."
Rinrin's and Touka's eyes widened with admiration at Choun's explanation, while Aisha gained respect as she realized that Choun was a lot more experienced than she was.
"That sounded amazing, Choun-neechan!"
"It's nothing special. Plus, if you are all as capable as I think you are, then it's possible that we'll need your help soon."
"Our help? Do you mean the Yellow Turbans?"
"That is correct. Hakukei-dono and I have been preparing our soldiers to deal with a large force of Yellow Turbans nearby. While I'm sure that our army will be able to defeat them, I am afraid that it may end up costing our soldiers too much. We need capable leaders to help organize our troops."
"I see, we were planning to go to Kousonsan-san to see if we could assist in the war effort somehow."
"Ara. Then it will benefit all of us greatly then." Choun smiled, and then took out a small pot. "Now, would you all like to have some menma?"
"Menma?" Everyone asked as they didn't expect it. Kazuto blinked in confusion for a moment. "...A pot of menma...why does that sound so familiar..."
Meanwhile, in the world Kazuto came from, Oikawa sneezed.
"Yes, menma? Why? Have you not tasted menma before?"
"Of course we have, but don't you normally eat menma with rice?" Aisha looked confused.
"Normally? Why? Menma by itself tastes superb, why would you restrict yourself by just eating it rice alone? Not to mention how it satisfy the mouth after drinking good wine." Choun's eyes glimmered, while everyone had giant sweat marks behind their head.
"Isn't it alright, Aisha? It appears you really love menma, Choun-san." Touka smiled.
"Of course. Who doesn't love menma? If anything, it should be a crime to not love menma!"
"Ah ha..." Everyone laughed hesitantly.
After that, Choun led everyone to Kousonsan's palace as promised.
"Ah, Choun, you're back. And I see you brought some visitors. Wait...isn't that you, Touka?" Kousansan stared in disbelief.
"Pairen-chan! It's been a long time! How have you been?" Touka rushed forward to hug Kousonsan.
Kousonsan smiled and returned the hug. "I've been fine! How are you doing? I haven't seen you ever since we graduated from school."
"Ah ha, that's true. I'm doing fine as well. You remember that my hahaue was making straw mats and sandals right? I tried to help her out and I spent most of my days selling them at the market. What about you, Pairen-chan? All I remember is that you were trying to join the Imperial Army."
"Ah, I see. You remembered right, Touka. After we graduated, I volunteered myself into the Imperial Army. I was then sent out to deal with the rebellions up North, and we were successful each time. Eventually, I was promoted and assigned to this area as the magistrate for this region under Enshou's command."
"Pairen-chan is amazing. I can't believe that you are the same person who was always ignored in class."
"Hey, Touka! What about you? You were the one who didn't get most of our sensei's teachings!"
"How mean, Pairen-chan!"
Kousonsan laughed as Touka pouted. "It's nice to see you again. So, what brings you here, Touka?"
"It's quite a long story. I ran into trouble with some Yellow Turbans a few weeks ago, but two brave and strong people saved me from them." Touka motioned for Aisha and Rinrin to introduce them."These two are the ones saved me, and they're really strong."
"My family name Kan, and my first name is U. Please to meet you, Kousonsan-dono." Aisha bowed.
"Rinrin's name is Chohi, Kousonsan-oneechan."
"My family name is Kouson, and my name is San. Nice to meet you two as well. Any friend of Touka is a friend of mine as well."
Touka continued. "Thank you Pairen-chan. Anyway, I introduced them to my hahaue, and she told me that I was one of the heirs to the Imperial Throne. She asked me to fulfill my responsibility to help the people with my nakama's help."
"...You're related to the Imperial Family, Touka?" Kousonsan and Choun looked surprised at the revelation.
"I know how you both feel, I was really shocked too. My hahaue told me that my sword that was passed down in the family is proof that I'm related to the Imperial Family." Touka showed her sword to Kousonsan.
"Ah, I remember this sword since you were always carrying it around with you back when we studied together. Now that I look closely..." Kousonsan unsheathed the sword and examined it closely. The sword itself was very well crafted and well decorated enough. She then spotted a seal engraved on the sword's blade. "This...is the proof...that's the Imperial Family's seal."
Kousonsan returned the sword back to Touka. "Yes. The three of us then set forth to see what we can do. Then we heard the divination of Kanro-sama and decided to search for the Messenger of Heaven."
"The Messenger of Heaven? You mean the one that Kanro-sama prophesied about?" Kousansan was deep in thought until she suddenly realized something. "You mean that bright star in the sky was the Messenger of Heaven?"
"The very same one. All of us saw the star's path and believed it to be the sign that Kanro-sama was talking about. We managed to find him, defending himself from three bandits." Touka looked at Kazuto, beckoning him to come forth. "This is the Messenger of Heaven, and the one that the three of us decided to be our Goshujin-sama."
Kousonsan looked surprised at the brown-haired man. Now she was able to observe him more closely, she noticed that his clothes seem to shine and radiate with light. He stood tall, and his aura was strangely comforting and kind.
Kazuto bowed. "Greetings Kousonsan-san. My name is Hongo Kazuto."
Kousansan smiled. "Nice to meet you, Messenger of Heaven. As I said before, any friend of Touka's is a friend of mine. You can call me by my true name, Pairen."
"Is it alright? I don't want to be presumptuous?"
"Don't worry about it, Goshujin-sama. Pairen-chan is really kind. All of us decided to travel to meet you and we met Choun-san on the way here while we were taking a break."
Pairen looked at Choun for confirmation and received a nod.
"I see. Anyway, you haven't explained why you came to see me yet."
Kazuto began to explain. "With the Yellow Turbans rising in power, Touka and the others decided to volunteer to help repel them. It was me that suggested that we should meet you Pairen since I believe we would be able to help each other."
"Wait a second...you suggested that they should meet me? How did you know that Touka and I were related in the first place?"
"Ara...I find it strange too that you appeared to know me as well from before, Hongo-dono." Choun added.
"That's because Goshujin-sama is the Messenger of Heaven!" Touka proudly declared.
"...That's still a strange reason, even if he is the Messenger of Heaven."
"...Strange...why?" Touka looked confused.
Kazuto grinned slightly at Touka's experssion and decided to clear the misunderstanding. "I don't know to explain it well, but I'll try. Even though Touka, Aisha, and Rinrin believe me to be the Messenger of Heaven, I don't think of myself as someone that great. It is true that I am from a different world from this...you can probably say that I came from the future. I don't know how I got here, and I probably would have been lost or dead by now if I never met them before."
"Goshujin-sama, you're being too modest...when we first met you, you were able to fight off three armed bandits with just your hands and your bamboo sword. I'm sure you're a lot more capable than you think you are."
Kazuto rubbed the back of head and gave an hesitant smile, while Pairen and Choun looked impressed and confused at the same time. "...The future? Then you...know what might happen in future then?"
Kazuto was quiet for a moment. "...Yes and no. It is true that I do know of some events that may happen in the future. However...I do not know whether will they come to pass or not...as there are things in this world that I did not quite expect." Like for all the great warriors and leaders of this world to be girls...not that I'm complaining about that...
"I see. So you're basically saying that you aren't too confident in your knowledge of the future?"
Kazuto nodded. "It's as you say. While it's possible for me to get helpful hints, we shouldn't rely too much on my knowledge of the future. I'm sorry for not being more helpful"
"Don't worry, onii-chan. You have helped us in more ways than one already nanoda!"
"Rinrin is correct. Without your guidance, we probably would have not known where to go." Aisha remarked.
"Well, in any case, I do have to say that your timing is good." Or perhaps it's fate. "I'm not sure if Choun told you, but we are planning to engage a large force of Yellow Turbans. I'm afraid to say that our forces are outnumbered by around ten thousand and reinforcements won't be coming any time soon. We could use some help leading the soldiers."
"From what I can see, Kanu-dono and Chohi-dono are capable fighters and have experience in skirmishes. Am I correct?" Choun asked.
"It is true." Aisha and Rinrin nodded. "Our village was ransacked by a group of Yellow Turbans. While Rinrin and I did not encounter the main force, we had to fight small skirmishes with the remaining stragglers in order to protect the surviving villagers."
"Then, Kanu-dono, Chohi-dono, and I will be at the front of the battlefield to lead the troops. Ryubi-dono, you said you were taught by the same teacher as Hakukei-dono, correct?"
"That's correct." Touka and Pairen nodded.
"Touka, you'll help me send orders to our troops. We'll need to be able to relay orders to change formations efficiently."
"Hai, Pairen-chan!"
Choun then looked at Kazuto critically. "Hongo-dono also appears to be a capable fighter as well, but...it does not look like you have ever experienced war before."
Kazuto stared at his feet "You are correct. While I was trained from a young age to use a sword in my family's style, I have never fought a serious battle before...it was just sparring at the very most."
"Then it's probably better if you stayed in the back lines if that's the case. Inexperience may get you killed."
"No, I'll have to selfishly refuse on that."
"But Goshujin-sama -"
Kazuto cut Aisha off with a raised hand, and then raised his head and his eyes were brimming with determination. "Even if it sounds stupid, I cannot stand back in safety while my friends fight their hardest. I would disgrace the name of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu if I do that. Furthermore, as my responsibility as the Messenger of Heaven, it would not look as good if I was not on the front lines."
Kazuto then looked at Touka, Aisha, and Rinrin. His expression softened as he saw that their faces were worried. "I told you all before, didn't I? That I'll help you all in any way that I can. All three of you pledged yourself to me, and now I must conduct myself as a Lord should. My presence as the Messenger of Heaven on the front lines will embolden the soldiers' morale."
Choun nodded at Kazuto's words. "Hongo-dono has a point. If words get out that Messenger of Heaven himself fought with the soldiers, then our army will have faith in themselves and that the Heavens are with them."
"Also, the Yellow Turbans themselves will lose confidence if they had to fight against one that was said to be blessed by the Heavens." Pairen added. "We need all the advantages we can get right now."
"As you say Goshujin-sama, we won't oppose your decision."
"It'll be alright, I'll fight enough to protect you all, nanoda!"
"Thanks Rinrin." Kazuto patted the girl's head, causing the little girl to actually purr.
"Oooh, I want a pat on my head too!" Touka jumped up.
"Hai, hai..." Kazuto used his spare hand to pat Touka's head, and then looked at Aisha, who looked conflicted. "Do you want one too?"
Aisha looked flustered and turned bright red. "Wha...what are you saying, Goshujin-sama...there's no way that I could possibly want something like that...?"
"Aisha, you don't have to be so shy about it, nanoda! Just ask Onii-chan!"
"Haha, Aisha-chan is getting so bright red."
"Shut up, Rinrin and Touka-sama!"
"Ahem." Pairen coughed slightly, while Choun looked amused at the spectacle. "I guess we should go rest right now...we have a lot to do tomorrow. I'm sure you all are hungry as well, right?"
Everyone agreed to that since it was an exhausting day for all of them. After having dinner, each of them retired to their quarters. Kazuto sat on the edge of his bed, closed his eyes trying to take in the day's events. Then suddenly, there was a slight knock at the door.
"Goshujin-sama, are you still awake?" Kazuto opened his eyes and told Touka to come in. Touka sat next to Kazuto. For a long time, nothing but crickets could be heard.
I'm alone with a girl in my room and I can't seem to think of anything to say. I wonder what would Oikawa think this...he'd probably laugh at me. Kazuto laughed, breaking the awkward silence.
"Goshujin-sama?"
"No, it's nothing much Touka. Just reflecting back on my life before I came to this world."
"How was your world compared to over here, Goshujin-sama?"
"...I guess I should start with what I usually did. In my world, or rather in my country, most teenagers would attend school since they were five years old, while their parents would work to earn a living. I can't say that there wasn't any problems, but for the most part, it was a peaceful place where the most you had to worry about was finding what you want to do in life."
"That sounds like a nice world, Goshujin-sama. It would be nice if peace came to this country as well...perhaps that is why the Heavens decided you should come here. If we can bring forth the peace that you envision, it'll be a better place for the people."
"Perhaps. I'll try my best."
Touka looked at Kazuto's face and saw how unsure he looked.. "Goshujin-sama...are you feeling okay? I mean...you're probably not used to this world yet, and we're already making you going to war soon..."
Kazuto gazed out of the window of the room, the moonlight flowing into it. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared. I'm really anxious and nervous about the upcoming battle. I've never done anything remotely like this back in my world."
Kazuto then looked back at Touka and smiled gently. "In a way, it's also a pleasant experience since I got to meet you, Aisha, Rinrin, Choun-san, and Pairen."
Touka blushed slightly under his gaze, then she took Kazuto's hands into her own. She stared into his eyes, and he was able to see himself reflected back in those bright blue eyes. "I won't stop you from entering the front lines., but...just promise me that you'll survive, Goshujin-sama...please."
"I promise, don't worry."
Everyone had worked hard over the next few days. Aisha and Rinrin helped Choun train the soldiers and to familiarize themselves with commanding, while Touka and Pairen looked over the reports that their spies have gathered on the Yellow Turbans.
Kazuto was also busy during this time as he tried to train himself to use a real sword. It wasn't like he hadn't touched a real sword before, his grandfather began letting him use a katana to teach him the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu battoujutsu. However, he remembered the first lesson that his grandfather taught him when using the katana.
"It's heavier than a wooden sword, isn't it Kazuto? Never let yourself forget that heaviness...all warriors in the past associated this heaviness with taking a life. The price of taking a life is very heavy...but that's something that I hope you probably never have to learn."
I guess you were wrong, Grandfather...I'm about to learn how heavy it is...in order to protect those that believe in me. You wouldn't disapprove of that, would you?
Kazuto did a couple of practice swings as a warm-up. Then, he took a stance and tried to perform a technique. "Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu: Ryusousen!" Kazuto's sword arm became almost a blur as a flurry of strikes rained down upon the training dummy, and then straw exploded out of the dummy.
"...The technique is a lot more powerful than I expected with a real sword..." Kazuto murmured. He then stared at the dummy, which was now broken to pieces by Kazuto's technique. "Oh this isn't good...I need to fix it somehow..."
"Don't worry about it, Hongo. They can be easily replaced any time." Kazuto sheathed his sword and turned around to see Pairen and the rest. "I'm more interested in that sword technique though."
"That's an amazing technique. Even I had a little trouble following your sword strikes, Goshujin-sama." Aisha commented.
"You're flattering me too much. I only used that technique before with a wooden sword, so I don't know effective it would be with a real sword."
"Your swordsmanship is something I've never seen before...though, you are the Messenger of Heaven so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Would you mind showing us more techniques?" Choun asked.
"I guess I could, but I can only show you the techniques I can perform with this type of sword. The other techniques rely on a type of sword that came from my country called a katana."
"Oh...? What kind of techniques would those be that would require a different type of sword?"
"Basically, it's something called battoujutsu, which are sword techniques that deal with rapidly unsheathing and sheathing a sword. It's a little hard to do battoujutsu with this sword because with a katana, the sword blade is curved enough so that more force can be used to unsheathe it. I guess I can show you a basic demonstration."
Kazuto set up another straw dummy, then he took another stance, with his feet slightly apart. His left hand was on his sheath, and his right hand was on the hilt. His foot was parallel to his sword as he quickly drew it out, sliced the dummy, and sheathe it.
Everyone was shocked at the speed of his draw, and it was even more shocking to see that the dummy was sliced in half with a clean cut.
"Such speed..." I might have a little trouble trying to avoid that slash if I didn't anticipate it... Choun thought to herself.
"See I told you, Onii-chan that you were more amazing than you think, nanoda!"
"And you said, this is just a basic demonstration?" Pairen asked in disbelief.
"Roughly yes. Ideally with a katana, the unsheathing would be faster and strong enough to slice through armor...in theory...not that I have ever tried to cut through armor before." Kazuto shrugged.
Everyone else dropped their mouth in surprise.
"Ah ha ha ha, how interesting. Hongo-dono, as a warrior myself, I wish to spar with you." Choun couldn't suppress the urge to challenge such a strong opponent.
"Eh? You want to spar with me?" Kazuto blinked in surprised; he didn't expect to fight someone as strong as Choun right away.
"Of course. We'll use wooden swords of course since you are more familiar with them. Will you accept this challenge of mine?"
"I accept. To be honest, I also wanted to fight strong people as well." And that was true, back in Kazuto's world, there were barely anyone that could give him a challenge besides his grandfather and father.
The two of them each took a wooden sword and walked a distance apart from each other. Then they bowed to each other, and then both of them took a stance.
"Good luck, Goshujin-sama! Also, good luck to you too, Choun-dono!" Touka cheered for both of them.
"Ne, who do you think will win?" Pairen asked everyone on the sidelines.
"I'm betting on onii-chan, nanoda!"
"Hmm...that'll be tough to say. While Goshujin-sama is indeed skillful in using a sword, Choun-dono is also not that weak either." Aisha had witnessed Choun's spear techniques during training practice before. It was very elegant, skillful, and powerful. "Even though I would want Goshujin-sama to win, I think it's more likely that Choun-dono will win because she has more battle experience than Goshujin-sama."
Touka tilted her head. "That is true...Goshujin-sama did say that he lacked experience in real battles. But in any case, I think it'll be a good match!"
Kazuto grinned as he felt Choun's battle spirit rise. It reminded me a little of the time he had fought that mysterious pale-haired boy. Choun also was equally excited at the aspect of a good duel.
"Hah!" Both of them raised battle cries as they began their duel.
However...suddenly there was a loud thump. Then another. Then a horn was sounded and the drumming continued. Kazuto and Choun stopped and looked around. Touka and the others jumped to their feet. "...Are those the war drums? Are we under attack?"
"MILADY! MILADY!" A sweat-filled face of a soldier popped into the training area and then bowed before Pairen, trying to catch his breath.
"What is it? Why have the drums rang? Is it the Yellow Turbans?"
"Yes, Milady. Our scouts are spotted their army marching towards us right now!"
"Okay, good work, soldier. Relay the information to every other soldier!" Pairen looked at the others. "It's time...to fight a war."
Everyone was grim-faced, nodding at Pairen's announcement. Kazuto stared off at the sky...noticing how a flock of birds flew off in the distance.
Author's Note:
If you were looking forward for the fight between Choun and Kazuto, then I'm sorry to have disappointed you. I thought that the chapter was getting too long, and I needed to make a conclusion to go on to the next chapter. Maybe in a future chapter! Also, I did not want Kazuto to be able to use the battoujutsu yet, so I'm also sorry if my reasoning why he cannot perform more advanced techniques is on shaky grounds.
If you have any questions about the story or criticisms on the plot, writing, or how I portray a character, please leave me a review or private message so I know about it. Thank you for reading this far.
Note about the characters:
I'll be using the Japanese names and their "True Names" for the most part of the story. I'll only use the Chinese name if only I decide to introduce a character that was not originally from Koihime Musou, and I do not know their Japanese name (But this is highly unlikely...) Also, this does mean that all of the characters haven been introduced yet. I'll update the list with each chapter if a new character is introduced.
Ryubi – Liu Bei – Touka
Kanu – Guan Yu – Aisha
Chohi – Zhang Fei – Rinrin
Sousou – Cao Cao – Karin
Kakouton – Xiahou Dun – Shunran
Kakouen – Xiahou Yuan – Shuuran
Sonsaku – Sun Ce – Sheren
Sonken – Sun Quan – Renfa
Sonshoko – Sun Shangliang - Shaoren
Shuuyu – Zhou Yu – Meiren
Rikuson – Lu Xun – Non
Kannei – Gan Ning – Shishun
Shutai – Zhou Tai – Minmei
Ryomo – Lu Meng – Ashe
Kogai – Huang Gai – Sai
Ryofu – Lu Bu – Ren
Kanro – Guan Lu
Saji – Zuo Ci
Ukitsu – Yu Ji
Kousonsan – Gongsun Zan – Pairen
Choun – Zhao Yun – Sei
Kakuka – Guo Jia – Rin
Teiiku – Cheng Yu - Fu