Chapter Ten─ The Siege of Tsingtao
Before sunrise, five battleships, two battle cruisers and two destroyers lay afloat near the harbor. Loaded with artillery and designed with several heavy guns located around the ship, Japan was prepared for battle. Britain requested their help to seize the city of Tsingtao and strip the Germans of their precious port. Confined in a meeting room in one of the ships, the stench of sweat and salt drenched the air. High ranking Lieutenants, both human and youkai, sat in rows as they faced a board with the lay out of Tsingtao.
"We arrive at Tsingtao in 25 hours," Sesshomaru stated stoically. "Captain Kato*¹, you will lead the Naval Army and distract the German battleships positioned on the north coast. Kagome, you will clear the south coast to ensure the other ships land safely."
On the map, he pointed to the shore of Tsingtao and called out, "Lieutenant Kamio*²."
The human officer immediately stood from his seat and saluted in acknowledgment.
"My soldiers will land first, followed by your lead with the 18th division*³. Lay low in the trenches until my troop infiltrates the German's first line of defense."
Lt. Kamio visibly stiffened and he asked grudgingly, "Do you believe humans are weak enough to need protection from youkai?"
Golden eyes narrowed.
Unable to endure the swelling fear under their General's glare, Lt. Kamio explained, "We are capable of attacking as well."
'Oh boy,' Kagome thought to herself.
"Are you asking for a death sentence for your soldiers, Lt. Kamio?" Hisa's voice sounded from the back of the room. All heads turned towards her as she took her time to stand by Sesshomaru's side.
"If you think humans can speed past bullets raining down from a 200 metre high hill, be my guest," Hisa snorted while watching the Lieutenant sit back down in his seat in defeat.
Kagome studied the battle strategy with a growing frown. Her memory only held broken pieces of information about the Siege of Tsingtao. Would the battle play out as destined to? No, already the battle tactics planned so far were different. Did this mean that history has run off course? The history she had learned in the modern era...did it now amount to nothing?
"Dismissed," Sesshomaru ordered. As officers saluted, the seats began to empty. Just as Kagome was about to leave, she heard Sesshomaru call her name.
"Kagome."
Facing him, she lifted her chin and said sarcastically, "Finally decided to stop ignoring me?"
Ever since the Elders had left, Sesshomaru had avoided her. She had yet to apologize to him, but he wouldn't give her the time or chance to.
Sesshomaru paused and turned to Hisa who still stood by his side. Catching on to his silent message for her to leave, Hisa huffed in disbelief before marching out of the room. With the two alone, he finally said stoically, "You know of something."
A confused sigh slipped past her lips. "Despite the huge change that youkais still exist, I had no way of knowing if History was in sync with what I learned in my era until now."
He felt her gaze at him as he told himself not to look her in the eye. However, the moment he told himself so, golden eyes locked with hers. Her expression was filled with worry. His stoic mask softened, unable to remain cold to her. "What has changed?"
"The battle tactics we will use to seize Tsingtao are different from what I learned," she said while fidgeting with her thumbs.
Disliking her distress, he assured, "Did you expect the Youkai Army to use the same tactics as a human led army in your History textbook? Perhaps the circumstances have changed, but the outcome will not. We will win this battle, Kagome."
Digesting his words, it made much more sense. History has changed, and yet would remain the same. The process in each significant event written in history could alter, but perhaps the outcomes and the event itself will play out as she had learned. The worry on her face cleared up and replaced with a warm smile. Noting Sesshomaru turn to leave, she lightly grasped his sleeve. His gaze returned to her and she paused before saying sincerely, "I'm sorry, Sesshomaru."
Raising a brow, he waited for her to continue. "I was being selfish when I asked you to go find a mate. I was no different than the Elders, and in the process I've hurt you."
His lips remained shut, causing Kagome to blurt out, "I overheard General Hisa say that you were in love with me. I know I shouldn't have believed her, but I sort of freaked out and said those stupid things."
Kagome watched awkwardly as Sesshomaru just stood there staring at her. Beginning to feel the air thin, she clenched her eyes shut in hopes that he would hurry up and say something.
"If it were true, you would have still said it."
Her lashes fluttered open in surprise and caught sight of Sesshomaru's blank expression. Had she heard the confession from Sesshomaru's own lips, would she have said the same thing?
Pause.
Her hesitance told him everything.
Shifting his hands to clench behind his back, her grasp on his sleeve fell away. He needed to get away from her.
Urgently reaching her hand out to stop his distance, she whispered, "Sesshomaru-"
"You do not need to apologize," he snapped with an empty tone. Stalking out of the meeting room, his pace quickened to leave the vessel and return to his ship.
"Sesshomaru-sama," Shin called out and stumbled to chase after him.
Golden eyes glimpsed behind him before briefly closing them. "Stay," he demanded.
A silent understanding was exchanged. Shin would stay to protect her.
He halted in his steps and bowed as Sesshomaru walked on without turning back.
##
Thick layers of fog hovered above the water. Vibrations of the ocean's heart stirred in warning. A storm was brewing. Breathing in the fresh clean scent, Kagome then released a heavy hearted sigh.
"We have breached German territory," Shin reported.
Gazing wearily towards the moon, she whispered, "There's no turning back."
"You are worried," Shin stated slightly surprised. It was hard to believe that the Miko who was infamous for several significant battles appeared...worried.
An empty chuckle rang as Kagome knew just what Shin's comment meant. She explained,"No matter how dangerous my missions were, I never minded throwing myself in without calculating the risks. But this time, I am responsible for the lives of 300 men on this ship."
Turning to look towards Shin, her expression revealed the grievance of what was to come. "Shin, I do not want to lose a single soldier."
"That is not possible, Miko-sama," Shin said honestly.
"That is why you will leave me to my worries," she replied with dread. Her head lowered, staring at the radar for the hundredth time to check for any incoming ships.
"Nice job, Kagome. We managed to pass those German ships without them knowing! I can already see the coast mountains of Tsingtao!" Kouta, a soldier she just befriended, yelled from below deck. Shin scanned the outline shadow of the mountain within the fog. However, catching sight of Kagome's pale face, he stiffened.
"Shin...that is not a mountain."
Snapping his attention towards the radar, a green spot glowed on the same spot the so called 'mountain' was located at. Kagome slammed for the alarm, followed by the echoing sound of sirens. Footsteps scurried across the deck as artilleries were being loaded. The hollers of men dictating orders flooded the ears. Slowly, the fog began to clear giving Kagome a full look at the armed German battleship.
Their opponents were equipped with only the best machine guns. She suppressed the lurching need to puke. She would stay strong. She had to.
"Fire!"
A blast of mixed shades of red launched from her ship. Beautiful, yet deadly.
##
The distant echo of explosions reached the shores of Tsingtao, signaling the beginning of a battle. Rows of large paddle boats hit the shorelines. The waves were stomped on as youkai soldiers landed on solid ground. Black boots drenched in salt water quickened their pace ahead.
"You have 5 minutes to get past the first line!" Sesshomaru ordered in time before a shower of explosions began. Easily dodging the bullets aimed for him, he searched for any youkai aura on the German side.
'None,' he thought as his eyes slightly narrowed in suspicion. Noting the first line up ahead, he watched the fear in the opponents eyes as they scrambled to point their machine guns at him. Swiftly leaping into the air, he landed in their trenches. Fear-stricken soldiers held their guns at him, but was quickly snapped in half with his poison whip.
The desperate retreating forms of enemy soldiers slowly disappeared. Sesshomaru stood before the empty pit, the first line was safely secured. The light splatters of rain drops caught his attention. Raising his eyes towards the sky, a loom of dark clouds indicated the incoming storm.
"Regroup." Immediately, all the youkai soldiers gathered despite their wounds.
Hisa was the first to speak up, "The 18th division should be here soon. If we keep up this pace, we can win this battle by the afternoon."
Sesshomaru ignored the many nods and agreements to Hisa's statement. "No. We stay until the storm clears up."
"Sesshomar-" Hisa blurted in bewilderment.
"Senses are dulled in the rain," his stern response ended the discussion. Hisa finally noticed the heavy pouring rain and kept her mouth shut. Flickering her fingers in the air, several soldiers marched away to scout the trenches they would stay in for a few hours.
Eyes closed and arms folded, Sesshomaru stood stiff. The faint sound of explosions could be heard with his demonic hearing if he concentrated.
"A lot of damage is being done," Hisa interrupted. She stared at his face that concealed all evidence of emotion. Knowing that only the Miko could move him, she said, "But we don't know if the damage is from the German's ships...or ours."
Though nothing changed from his face, Hisa caught his frame tense.
##
Equal damage had been done. She had set aflame a quarter of the opponents ship, but they continued to kill her soldiers responsible for shooting. Each time they were replaced, it took only a few explosions before blood was spilled. Sorrow eating away at her heart, Kagome searched for a way out of this unending battle. Her eyes noted the shadow below a towering mountains.
"Get me under those mountains," Kagome said to the ship's Captain. The engine vibrated while the direction of the ship turned. As planned, Kagome saw the German ship following after them. The mountains soon loomed above them, causing a shadow to conceal their location. The opposing ship ceased their gun shots for they could not aim for a ship that was hidden in the darkness.
Their opponents were vulnerable.
Radiantly reflected in the moonlight, the German ship struggled to retreat; now knowing their mistake. Nothing but the sound of crashing waves filled the air. There was no particular reason to hesitate from shooting the retreating ship now that they were in her grasp, but her instinct told her to wait. Kagome clenched her hand around the telephone line.
In franticness, the German ship turned to reveal it's most weakest spot.
Another mistake noted.
"Fire!" Thunder struck in sync with the explosion. Merciless amounts of shooting continued until a mass of smoke blinded the entire ship. Strong wind whirled to reveal the ship still a float. The damage was assessed and though the ship did not sink as she hoped, the opponent ship Captain was dead. A loud cheer traveled across her entire ship, while Kagome couldn't resist a smile in victory.
##
The wood that held up the trenches disappeared from the eye as mud covered the place. Heavy rain flooded the trenches and caused of a mini mudslide. Wires were held up by human soldiers to sustain the wireless phone connection. Appearing nonchalant in a drenched uniform, Sesshomaru ignored the waterdrops that trailed down his face. The phone to his ear, the Lieutenant on the other line reported the current victory over several enemy ships. Unconsciously, his tension relaxed.
The softening sound of waterdrops soon echoed in the air. The first ray of sunshine stemmed from the east. It was time.
Hisa approached him with the intention to notify the clear up of rain. However, before she could utter a word, he intervened, "Ready the men."
The faster they reached the final defense line, the faster the battle ended. The quicker the Germans surrendered Tsingtao, the less chance of Kagome encountering another attack at sea.
Soldiers lined up in rows with their weapons in hand. Sesshomaru knew the rain would only cease for a few hours. "We continue to the final defense line. This battle ends by midnight."
A roar of agreement rumbled in the air. Vibrations of footsteps scrambled up the slippery trenches. As soldiers charged onto the No Man's Land*⁴, the sound of man made weapons began.
##
"Reinforcements should have arrived hours ago." Kagome's patience was tested as she gazed down at the rows of injured men below deck. Their swift victory came along with consequences. The number of soldiers injured were in the majority. If they encountered another attack, she knew her ship was not able to put up a good fight. Once again glaring at the phone line for the fifth time, she wondered why Captain Kato was taking so long in sending her the reinforcements he promised.
'Midnight,' her thoughts echoed in assurance. She was notified that Sesshomaru had promised to end this battle by midnight. Whether her reinforcements came before or after, she would stay strong to protect her men until then.
The sun rose just above the ocean, indicating the afternoon.
Suddenly a green dot blinked on the radar. Fear coiled against her chest before slamming a hand on the alarm. As sirens alerted of the incoming danger, Kagome yelled, "Get the injured men inside the ship!"
Soldiers immediately obeyed their commander and began to move the injured.
"Captain, give me some time." Nodding at Kagome's instructions, the Captain drove their ship to retreat. However, Kagome noted the radar indicate the enemy ship approaching quickly.
"How?" Kagome whispered to herself. Grabbing the nearby binoculars, she pushed open the control room door and made her way to the back deck. Shin closely followed her tail. She brought the binoculars to her eyes and saw a smaller built ship. A torpedo boat meant for speed and shooting down larger battle cruisers. No doubt the ship trailing them was a German one. Ripping her eyes away, her hand fisted and slammed onto the railing. With a fast ship, she had no chance of retreat nor did it give her the time necessary to load the artillery.
They were vulnerable and the Germans knew it.
Adrenaline pumped through her veins, causing a flicker of forgotten memory to come to life.
Japan's losses in the Siege of Tsingtao: 1 Battle Cruiser and 1 Destroyer sunk. She remembered reading the information from her history textbook.
"Perhaps the circumstances have changed, but the outcome will not." Sesshomaru's words rang true. It all made sense. 'The Germans have sunken my reinforcement and my battle cruiser will be the one to sink.'
A blinding blaze of fire enveloped her vision before falling into complete darkness.
##
Silent footsteps exited from the negotiation room to finalize treaty documents. Crossing the empty halls of the Tsingtao embassy, Golden eyes landed on a figure leaned against the exit doors.
"Couldn't wait for my troops to join ya?" A hint of frustration laced the hanyou's voice. As promised, by midnight Japan had seized the final defense line and forced German soldiers to surrender Tsingtao. An hour later, the British Army arrived to the scene only to be disappointed that the battle had ended.
Sesshomaru didn't bother correcting Inuyasha that his tardiness was to blame. "Hn."
Inuyasha scanned his brother's untainted nor torn uniform and inwardly shivered. How was that even possible?
"Taisho-sama!" a voice interrupted the silent reunion between brothers. Captain Kato hastfully approached and informed, "I sent a ship to search for Lieutenant Kagome, since I couldn't reach her through the communication lines..."
Pause.
Grievance was clearly evident on the Captain's face as he said, "My men reported seeing the tip of the ship before disappearing into the ocean."
The glint of life dulled within golden eyes.
"Did you surveillance the area for any survivors? Where there survivors? Is Kagome safe?" Inuyasha blurted out.
Haunting eyes gazed at Captain Kato's lowered head and knew the answer. Logic spewed torturous thoughts. Past midnight, it was near impossible to find anything in the dark. Come dawn, it would be too late.
"It is i-impossible to-o see anything i-in the d-da-dark!" the human Captain reasoned with the hanyou. Desperate to be saved from the wrath of the British General, Captain Kato looked to Sesshomaru expecting his General to understand.
Death was inevitable in battle.
The dead were meant to stay dead.
And yet...
"Get me a boat."
Not her.
"Taisho-sama?" The confused Captain voiced.
Please, not her.
"I will search for survivors myself."
Expecting his instructions to be obeyed, Sesshomaru headed towards the harbor. In the distance, he heard Inuyasha dispatch several of his own search teams as well.
On the exterior, one may call him a great General, for he would spend much effort and time over a hopeless rescue mission. Yet, no one knew the echoes of his thoughts.
'I will search for her myself.'
Hidden past the stoic mask lay a dying heart.
##
'Cold.' A chill ran down her spin, the first sensation to cause her heavy eyes to open. Pitch black greeted her and she felt her lifeless body flow in sync with the waves. Kagome finally noted the arm securely wrapped around her waist and kept her from falling off the only piece of float.
"Shin," her voice rasped, knowing her savior without seeing. Struggling against her body's will to fall unconscious again, Kagome scanned the surrounding. They had drifted deep into the Ocean. Land was no longer visible. Her breath hitched as a searing pain spread against her temple.
"The explosion caused your head to collide against the railing before falling into the Ocean," Shin explained.
Remembering the events, the growing heartache outmatched the headache. She knew, even though she fell unconscious before the battle had ended. Her ship had sunk...along with her men. A tortured sob ripped past her lips as hot tears trailed down her ice cold face.
She knew Shin probably abandoned the battle in order to save her from drowning. He should have left her. She did not deserve to live when her men were dragged underwater.
Cries echoed in the silent scape of the Ocean.
Where time could no longer be measured, she shed tears for the dead.
Then, as if the Ocean wished to soothe the selfless Miko, a ball of light illuminated. Her eyes focused on the glow that slowly neared. However, sensing Shin's tension build, dread filled her stomach. Soon the engine sound of a boat rumbled. And the moment the light was identified as a flashlight, the sound of a gun being loaded was heard.
Lavender pink gazed at the gun pointed straight above her and narrowed her eyes.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" A voice she could recognize anywhere spoke.
"Yamamoto," she snarled. He stood proudly disguised in a German high ranking officer's uniform. She could barely see his eyes narrow when Shin decided to tighten his grasp around her.
"Kill the youkai off, then bring the girl up."
Unwilling to survive at the cost of another life, Kagome moved in the way of the gun aimed at Shin. "You'll have to kill me first."
The soldier hesitated, causing Yamamoto to say in open disgust, "Get them both up."
"But, it is a youkai!" A soldier retorted.
"He will be useful in containing the Miko willingly," Kagome overheard. As the gun retreated from her direction, arms pulled her up from the chilling water onto the boat. She stuck close to Shin to maintain a fearless front. Yet, the malicious glint in Yamamoto's gaze tested her courage.
He wanted her alive.
1- Captain Kato: His full name is Sadakichi Katō. He was an actual historical figure that commanded the navy army in the Siege of Tsingtao.
2- Lieutenant General Kaimo: His full name is Mitsuomi Kamio. He was acknowledged as a great General in the Imperial Japanese Army, who commanded the Allied land forced during the Siege of Tsingtao.
3- 18th Division: They are an infantry division in the Imperial Japanese Army. You could say this division had a huge number of soldiers.
4- No Man's Land: A land that is unoccupied or is under dispute between two enemy trenches. Neither side wishes to move openly or to seize due to fear of being attack by the enemy in the process. In this case, this land is not so much feared since youkais can simply speed across.
Author's Note: Yamamoto appears once more, but what is he after this time? I hope you enjoyed the twist to the Siege of Tsingtao that actually occurred during 1914. Any thoughts in particular for this chapter?
Thank you for reading,
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