Enter the Storm: 3

Masashi Takeda stood at a table covered with a map of the local area, around him were several other Samurai in armor, his lieutenants. The spy barged in and bowed low before the Samurai leader, "Mr. Masashi, we have found the Kuga heir. Kuga Natsuki is hiding in a small town called Fuuka just south of here. We believe the military has recieved word of this as well." Takeda nodded, "I expected them to be well informed. I also expect they think they are a step ahead of us. Mr. Omura, how many units do we have?" The said Omura looked down at a sheet of paper, "Just over one thousand, general."

Takeda looked thoughtfully at the map, "We don't need that many. The military will move in first, try to beat us to her. If we let them make the first move, we can strike them in the back, use only a percentage of our force and drive them out of the village." Mr. Omura appeared concerned, "We risk them damaging her before we get there." Takeda smiled, "She's a Kuga, she'll be fine."

Natsuki faded out of consciousness, the pain in her chest subsided and before she knew what had happened she was lying in a garden surrounded by a hedge maze. When she stood, she noticed she was in a white gazebo and flowers bloomed from the hedges around her. She approached one and held it in her hand, it's petals a soft and silky white. She squeezed it and heard a soft voice behind her, "You shouldn't do that. Those flowers don't live long, and they are trying to look pretty until they die." She turned and faced Shizuru who was dressed in Samurai armor with a sword drawn. She drew her own sword, "Have you come to kill me?" She shook her head, "I'm here to save you."

She growled and charged, her knuckles white, her eyes burned. Shizuru never moved, never flinched. Even as Natsuki's blade struck her through the chest, she only wrapped her arms around Natsuki in a hug. Natsuki held her as she fell to her knees, "Why? Why didn't you fight me?" Shizuru smiled, "I'm willing to accept your pain, I want to help you carry your burden." Natsuki teared up, "Why?" Shizuru's smile never faded, "Isn't it enough that I do?"

Natsuki awoke on the floor of Mai's restaurant, the sounds of battle outside. Midori was standing inside the front door firing into the military lines that were quickly dissolving as the Samurai pushed them out of town. Mai was nearby, still fuming about the damage to her restaurant. Natsuki sat up and Mai turned her head, "Where's Shizuru?" Mai moved her head toward the door, "Standing over there."

Natsuki winced as she stood and stumbled quickly to the door. Shizuru stood just inside the door watching the ensuing battle, Natsuki stood beside her. Shizuru turned her head, "You shouldn't be up." Natsuki ignored her, "What's going on outside?" Shizuru pointed towards the significant players, "A group of Samurai ambushed the military and are driving them out of town. They seem to be lead by that man." Natsuki followed Shizuru's point, "Masashi Takeda, he was a friend to my father. He must be here to save me." She didn't notice Shizuru's sad expression, "I see."

A group of soldiers lined up and fired, knocking Takeda off his horse. Natsuki ran out and charged the line. Shizuru called after her but she ignored her, drawing her sword and killing the first man. She stood between Takeda and the soldiers, Takeda stood and drew his own sword. He noticed the sword that Natsuki carried, Duran, the Wolf's Blade. The symbol of the Kuga clan. Natsuki struck and lopped the head off another soldier, while Takeda blocked a bayonet strike against her.

Natsuki swung at another man but flinched as she pulled at her wound and fell to one knee. Takeda grabbed her arm and took a bullet to his armor, knocking him and her to the ground. One of the soldiers went to stab Natsuki, but was run through by a naginata blade. Shizuru threw the man down and brandished the blade at another man. Takeda looked up and his eyes widened, Kiyohime, the Mourning Blade. This day is full of surprises.

Shizuru called after Natsuki, but knew it was futile to stop her. Midori was reloading and noticed Shizuru worrying, "Are you going after her?" Shizuru shook her head, "I can't do anything out there." Midori finished reloading and fired a shot, "You should still try. Stand beside her." Shizuru shook her head, "I don't have a weapon."

Dr. Sagisawa ran in the front door, holding Shizuru's naginata. "Quite the storm has descended on our little town." Midori fired another shot and Shizuru looked at Youko, "Why do you have my naginata?" Youko shrugged, "I don't know, I was running by your store and it had fallen into the street, so I grabbed it and ran here." Shizuru snatched her weapon from the doctor and ran out the door, Midori smiled at Youko, "Thanks."

Natsuki got back to her feet with help from Takeda while Shizuru held off several soldiers with her naginata. Her, Shizuru and Takeda stood back to back to back fending off the remaining soldiers, pushing them out of the city and into the wilderness. The streets were littered with bodies on both sides, the Samurai started gathering their own, several townsmen started disposing of the soldiers.

Natsuki and Takeda sheathed their swords, several men in Samurai armor ran up to them and removed their helmets, falling to one knee. "General, the enemy has retreated, the village is ours." Takeda turned in time to see Natsuki fall backwards into Shizuru's arms, fully succumbing to her wound. Shizuru pulled back her kimono and saw the bandages red, she lifted Natsuki into her arms and ran towards the restaurant shouting for the doctor. The Samurai showed looks of concern, "Was that?" Takeda sighed, "Yes, the wielder of Duran, Kuga Natsuki."

Takeda waited outside the operating room to hear word of Natsuki's fate. After several minutes, and a bit of commotion, Shizuru stepped out of the room and walked past Takeda who stood to follow her. "Excuse me, Ms..." Shizuru stopped and faced him speaking in a tired tone, "Fujino Shizuru. You are the Samurai general, Masashi Takeda?" Takeda nodded and held out a hand, which Shizuru grasped, "Any word on Ms. Kuga's status?" Shizuru turned to leave and Takeda followed, "She's stable, her wound bound. I tried to help but the good doctor told me I was in the way and she thought it best if I left."

They left the infirmary and walked down the street. "You wield Kiyohime, like your grandfather." Shizuru didn't respond. "It is an impressive weapon, and you are quite skilled with it." Shizuru looked straight ahead, "That weapon has brought my family nothing but grief, if you want it I will gladly give it to you." Takeda shook his head, "You would so easily give up your birthright, Kiyohime has been in your family for generations." Shizuru stopped in the middle of the street, "What do I care about them? They are dead, I am not." Takeda gave her a questioning look, "Then what do you care about, Ms. Fujino?" She spoke without thinking, "Natsuki." Shizuru said nothing else as she entered her store and closed the door behind her, weary of the day and the conversation.