Here's the next chapter! Excited for SW4 but really disappointed with the outfits for Okuni, Goemon, Musashi and Kojiro. Like I was expecting new outfits but that's just me... But hope it gets released in Australia and I can't wait for DW8XL either.
Assassin master ezio 91: Thanks! Glad you liked those bits.
Ina-Hina: Aww thanks! Hahahaha, of course I'll keep making fatty evil! Kunoichi has always and will always be awesome. It's like SW law. I'm pretty sure everyone wants to murder Ieyasu. Masamune wasn't being very nice but thanks for reviewing!
Nene jumped into the sky, avoiding another cannon blast from Goemon. 'That naughty boy needs a timeout! He's scaring the residents! Oh, Goemon's gonna get a spanking!' Though Nene, her face scrunched up in a furious expression.
Goemon had to admit that while furious Nene looked scary, she still looked cute. Especially in that get-up. Nene trailed Goemon's eyes and her eyes lit up in rage, kicking him over she gave him a big spank.
"Ow! I'm sorry Nene! I won't ever do that again! I promise!" Cried Goemon as landed on his face, Nene humpfed as she remembered when he used to be in the army. The naughty thief had been kicked out, he had been thieving and o Hideyori's orders, at least that's what everyone assumed, was going to be boiled alive.
Goemon had managed to escape and he had been lost to the Toyotomi and they all eventually just forgot about him. All except one, Nene still had been a little disappointed by his loss and regretted being so harsh.
But all of that was forgotten in the midst of battle as Nene vanished briefly, reappearing with her foot connecting with Goemon's jaw. Flashes of yellow indicated Nene's appearances and disappearances and poor Goemon was unable to keep up with her.
Severely injured, Goemon collapsed to his knees. Suffering multiple cuts, he had been bruised and battered and definitely looked the part. Nene's eyes softened as she walked closer, intending to put him out of his misery.
However, that wasn't the case as Goemon fired off his cannon and Nene only just flipped over it. Landing, weapons ready she glared. 'Some children just don't accept their punishment without making a fuss.' She claimed to herself.
Before Nene could make any action Goemon jumped high up in the air and landed on his butt, creating a shock wave and creating enough momentum to bounce back up and do an uppercut with his flail.
Nene was unable to strike back as Goemon swung his flail around three times, each time it struck Nene with more power the the previous hit. Humming, Goemon continued his assault on Nene.
Goemon paused breifly, to fire up his cannon and Nene knew that this was her final chance. If that hit her it would be all over, thinking quickly, Nene ducked under the blast which soared over her head and she was thankful for her ninja abilities.
Jumping up to Goemon's height, she stabbed both of her weapons into his chest. It was quickly stained red as she pulled her weapons out and the dying Goemon struggle to stand up futilely as he fell to his knees.
His face portrayed sadness and the former ninja, now thief realized that all along Kotaro had been setting him up for failure. No matter he outcome of this battle, Kotaro would of still done away with him.
"Ugh...what's one thief in the grand scheme of things...?" Those were his final words and he realized with regret that they could very well also come out of Kotaro's mouth once he heard of his demise. His eyes closed and everything became black before it all faded away into nothing.
Nene let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, tears threatening to escape from her eyes as she tried to pull herself together. "Rest in peace, Goemon Ishikawa."
However, she closed her eyes and imagined what the others were doing. She hoped they were ok but deep down she knew that they could possibly suffer the same fate as Goemon. Flashes of them appeared in her mind.
Musashi was currently engaged in a fight with two enemy officers, he wasn't sure which one but they were relying on dirty handed tactics to defeat him. But Musashi was not going to ever let himself fall in battle to those who didn't fight honorably.
Wandering around like a headless chicken was Kai, she had been given no specific orders and was told to defend. Normally, there would be an onslaught of troops but there wasn't any today and she wasn't as safe as she assumed as a certain ladies'man was lying in wait, ready to strike.
Yukimura was like a dear caught in headlights, unable to move as Kanbei finished the countdown for his demise. The Sanada wondered if he would be able to survive the torrent of bullets that would surely arrive very soon.
Kunoichi let off an attack, bouncing on her toes as she vanished and reappeared a few feet away. Jumping high up into the sky and as she came down she disappeared and teleported underneath Kotaro before kicking him into the air. Maybe she did actually have a chance.
Lying on the ground in a less then graceful position was Okuni, the dancer was actually struggling against Aya and as much as she didn't like it, she knew she was having difficulties. "If I get anymore dirty I'm going to make you regret even looking at me for the rest of your short life!" Huffed Okuni angrily, her only response was an amused chuckle.
Keiji was having the opposite problem that Okuni was having, he didn't want to hurt Kanetsugu as Keiji knew deep down that this wasn't the final, glorious battle and he wanted Kanetsugu to at least live into that battle, Keiji felt bad for his friend but he did have to admit that he was having fun!
Masanori was in a blind rage, occasionally snapping out only to snap back in when Masamune opened his big mouth. 'How can a guy that small have a mouth so big?' Masanori thought to himself, scratching his head as Masamune blinked in confusion for the sudden stop of attacks on him.
Muneshige was surrounded by enemies and it was getting hard to ward them off, thanks to his injury, and he considered the possibility of his demise. He shook it off, not wanting to think about things like that. It would only make him more slack if he thought he was dying.
Ginchiyo looked over her shoulder and saw her husband in peril, she turned and ran only to be stopped by a barrage of arrows that landed in front of her. Ina was still wantitng to fight and as much as Ginchiyo wanted to help her love she knew that she needed to take down Ina first.
Kiyomasa fought his way through the troops, they had surrounded Hideyori and he knew that Hideyori would soon die if he didn't put a stop to them. It was an under-handed tactic and Kiyomasa didn't like it one bit but it was war and anything could and would happen.
Masanori struggled against Masamune's assault. He couldn't believe he had been so foolish! Masamune fired with a single gun, shooting three bullets simultaneously in front of him and followed it up with a slash. 'Hurry up and die already.' Thought Masamune angrily.
Stumbling, Masanori couldn't regain his balance and fell down. Masamune sneered over him and Masanori found himself getting angry and he knew that once he got angry any kind of thinking went out the window.
Whatever that meant, he had heard Kiyomasa tell him that once. His oblivious nature came back to him once Masamune insulted him again. Jumping to his feet, he pushed Masamune to the ground and he started laughing when Masamune landed on his face.
Acting purely on his rage, like usual, Masanori unleashed a torrent of attacks on Masamune. Performing a fierce kick, he then lunged forward for a grab. Connecting, he slammed Masamune face flat onto the ground and finished by plunging one end of his club onto his downed opponent.
Masanori launched his enemy into the air with an uppercut and started spinning his club to juggle Masamune in the air. He finished his atttack with a final spin that sent Masamune to the ground one more. 'Maybe this dragon can't fly!' Masanori joked, referring to Masamune's nickname and the fact he's fallen onto the ground three times.
Preparing to launch another attack, Masanori was surprised when he felt a searing pain in his left leg. It took him a few seconds to realize that he had just been shot and before he could react, Masamune shot him again and then for final measures pushed his sabre though Masanori's chest.
"Oof, that was a good hit." Mumbled Masanori as the Toyotomi loyalist collapsed, immobile. "Ha! That was truly pathetic, imbeciles like you have no chance against me!" Spat Masamune as he walked away, not casting another glance at the body of Masanori.
Elsewhere, Nene and Kiyomasa both felt a jolt in their body and an immense pain and it felt like a part of them had died. "Masanori...?" They both uttered from different locations simultaneously and they both feared the worst for their dear friend/child.
Kai couldn't believe all this was happening, she felt useless. Everyone around her was doing something and all she was doing was standing there. Not knowing what to do, she walked around and she walked for what seemed like eternity.
Finally coming near the Sanada Ward, she could sense something was wrong. Barging in, she saw the peril that Yukimura was in and without even thinking she charged in there and tackled Yukimura out of the way, saving him from the hail of bullets that arrived a millisecond after they got out of the way.
Rolling to her feet, she helped him up and they stood back to back. "Link your arms with mine." Yukimura stated, Kai face showed her confusion but she did as he said without questioning. After they had linked up, he began to spin. Kai was in the air and everything was going so quickly but she realized from what she could see that her whip was cutting through all of the riflemen.
After what seemed like minutes when it was really only a few seconds, Kai stopped spinning and as she was put down she collapsed, still dizzy. Yukimura immediately rushed to her aid and he thanked her.
Blushing, Kai found herself answering. "It was nothing. I'd do anything for you, er I mean like I'd always help you in battle!" Kai had to admit, she still had a bit of a schoolgirl crush on Yukimura but she knew that would be all it ever was. Besides, Kunoichi would hunt her down if she tried anything.
Unknown to the two of them, Magoichi had aimed his rifle at them. He was all set, pull the trigger and they would die but he couldn't do it. Not today, not in this battle. Calling out to the riflemen, he ordered a retreat.
For now Yukimura and Kai were safe.
It happened so quickly and Kunoichi couldn't keep up with Hanzo or Kotaro, maybe she did get a bit overconfident. She gasped as green energy landed near her feet, luckily she was quick or she would of been a goner.
"Hey!" She shouted, Hanzo merely rolled his eyes. "This isn't a picnic it's a fight." He pointed out and Kunoichi glared as she spun towards him, weapon outstretched. Falling to her knees when she missed, Kunoichi barely had any time to dodge Kotaro's fist.
Missing the one important second, Kunoichi was vaguely aware of Kotaro's fist planting on her face and she was only just aware that she was falling to the ground. It all became black before she even knew it.
"Now that she's out of the way, it's just between me and you." Kotaro stated, as he propelled himself forward, ready to tear out Hanzo's throat. Hanzo flipped over Kotaro and slashed at him with his sickle, hoping to end this quickly.
Kotaro rolled out of the way and tilted his head to avoid the kunai that almost lodged through his skull. Forming a dark sphere of energy, Kotaro threw it at Hanzo. He smirked when it hit and was about to attack again when suddenly, the wind grew wild.
His eyes widened as he spoke, "So it appears Goemon has died. He didn't even get the chance to become useful. But no matter, the winds of chaos had dictated his demise and it was going to happen eventually."
He paused briefly, appearing to be pondering something before speaking again. "I think I'll let you live for now Hanzo. But next time, be aware that nothing will save you from me. Nothing." Kotaro disappeared as red and black energy spiraled around him before dissipating. Hanzo grunted as he looked over at Kunoichi, her chest was rising indicating that she was still alive. "Lucky." Was the word he said before he too vanished into the shadows.
Musashi struggled to attack, flanked on both sides he barely got an opportunity to defend but he kept himself calm. He couldn't allow himself to lose his head or the results of the battle could go either way and he wanted it to go his way.
Taking a deep breath, he swung and it hit. One of the officers went down and the other stood there in disbelief. Taking advantage of his enemy's shock, Musashi struck but he stopped himself from doing further damage to either of them.
Contrary to Kojiro's beliefs, he was not a merciless and killer and allowed those two pathetic warriors to run away in cowardice, stamping his foot he shouted, his voice echoing. "I am Musashi! The greatest swordsman in all of the land, no one can match me!"
No one dared to come and challenge his boast, they were all too afraid.
Okuni managed to take the lead as she spun her umbrella around her and swiftly knocked Aya off her feet, she smirked and sent it forward, still spinning. The force of the umbrella knocked Aya away into Kanetsugu and the two tumbled away.
"This dance is growing boring, why don't we end it Keiji?" She asked coyly, a nice smile was printed on her face as Keiji laughed and he said in response. "Certainly miss Okuni, it would be my pleasure!" The two turned towards Aya and Kanetsugu.
Kanetsugu stepped forward and began pleading with Keiji. "Please, keiji see the futility of your efforts. Live, you need to live!" Keiji yawned, stretched out his arms and took his time to reply. "I could care less if the Toyotomi fail. I just want to have fun." His wild blonde hair bobbed up and down as he started running and launched his spear at the ground in front of Aya.
Screaming, Aya was swept into the ground and before she could do anything, Okuni had attacked and Aya was unable to defend herself and was knocked unconscious as her head hit the ground. Hard.
Kanetsugu wasn't going to lie, he was a bit put off by the sight of Okuni grinning. He looked at Keji and Okuni an then changed his glance to Aya, deciding which one was more important he ran to Aya and picked her up.
"I'm sorry Keiji, I can only hope you see the error of your path and join the side of..." He trailed off, knowing that he himself might not be following the path of honor and love. Shaking those thoughts away, he had to leave.
Okuni and Keiji watched him depart. "In war there is no such thing as justice, love or honor. Everything is cruel, deceitful and involves death. People are destined to die, with or without war. Yet, as long as they draw breath, people will always fight." Those were the words spoken by Okuni as she turned away, glancing behind her shoulder to see if Keiji was following.
Ginchiyo hurriedly striked Ina, never missing and never giving Ina the chance to retaliate. The only thing on her mind was the safety of her husband, Ina was crumbling against her. "Lady Tachibana, you are most impressive."Praised Ina.
Ignoring the praise Ginchiyo sent a ball of lightning forward, it hit and shocked Ina, giving Ginchiyo the oppurtunity to slash with her sword. The electricity shock through Ina's body and she shook violently, collapsing to the ground and breathing heavily.
"I must concede." Ina heaved and Ginchiyo sprinted to help Muneshige. The other Tachibana was struggling and barely managed to hold off the enemy attacks, "Ginchiyo!" He called out but before he could take a step forward, something hit his chest.
Looking down, his hands were shaking and he saw a circle of red form. Muneshige Tachibana had been shot, falling to his knees he looked and saw Magoichi, his killer. "Ginchiyo... Forgive me..." The words were wuiet and Ginchiyo could barely hear them as she grabbed his body, it was growing limp.
Tears in her eyes, she begged him. "No, Muneshige please... Don't leave me... Don't you dare leave me..." Muneshige smiled and raised his hand to caress her cheek, it never reached as his eyes closed and the world around him faded to nothingness.
"No...No...No..." Repeated Ginchiyo, her head buried in his chest. She couldn't believe it and for the first time in her life, she allowed herself to be vulnerable and appear weak. Unable to comprehend the situation, she begged him to be alive and for it to be only a dream.
But deep down, she knew she was lying to herself. Her husband had died and he had left her, "Muneshige... I need you... I swear I will avenge your death. The Tokugawa will fear the Tachibana!" She whispered in a rage, her eyes clouded with hate and her soul heavy.
Her heart felt like it had broken into a million bits as the glassy, lifeless eyes of Muneshige stared into the sky. Her body shook, whether it was from rage or because of her sobbing was unknown but Ginchiyo stared into the sky and let out a horrible sound, one of pure rage and tragedy.
Breaking into sobs once more, she collapsed to the ground and hugged the Earth. Her pleading and begging had stopped, she was not a naive woman and she knew nothing would ever bring him back to her and she missed his touch, the touch she would never ever feel again. In fact, she had already forgotten eh comfort and sanctuary like feeling it gave her and she hated herself for that.
Kiyomasa quickly killed all of the troops and ran all over the place, he stopped in his tracks when he saw Ginchiyo sobbing on the ground. He knew better then to try and comfort her. It was a sad sight but he had to find Masanori, he couldn't allow him to be dead.
It was implausible, it just couldn't happen and as he ran all over the place he tripped over something, glaring at what he tripped over his gaze turned into one of disbelief and then one twisted with rage and sadness.
Before he even had time to think, he already knew he was in denial. Preparing for CPR on Masanori, he pushed down on his chest, hoping and thinking that Masanori would magically come back to life and say something stupid.
One push turned to ten, ten turned to thirty an thirty turned to a hundred and it went on like that, he had lost track of time and the clouds rolled in and it started to rain. "Please, Masanori, you bumbling idiot wake up already. You can't be dead. You just can't, there is no way you can leave me like Mitsunari did. Think of Lady Nene." He begged and cried but to no avail.
Masanori's body hadn't moved and inch and Kiyomasa noted how peaceful it looked, immobile with no sign of life. It appeared to be come kind of eternal sleep and as much as he wanted to deny it, he knew Masanori had fallen into an eternal sleep and he would never, ever wake up.
Standing up, shaking, Kiyomasa broke down into tears as he stared up into the sky.
"WHY?!" He roared into the heavens.
The only response he got was even heavier rain.
It seemed to be telling him that his best friend was dead, Kiyomasa didn't and couldn't believe it. he was a wreck and collapsed to the ground, defeated and utterly beaten. His eyes were watery and he banged his head against the ground. "Why...? Why..."
