A/N: Here comes the 2nd Battle of Kizugawaguchi! For this battle's flow, I'll take much from Takakage's "Wisdom and Grace.", but not fully from there. Different from the SW4-II Version, Takakage won't engage Hanbei in battle since Hanbei was in very ill condition.
RosyMiranto18: Thanks for the point out, I'll going to fix that. Yeah I was probably too tired at that time that I mistyped.
Scarlet 'n Blossom:
Munekatsu: T...Thank You! Actually it was all Takakage-sama's strategy, I was only executing the plots.
Takakage: But you did execute it perfectly. You have earned my respect!
Munekatsu: (*Bowing down*) T...Thank You, Takakage-sama
Oh, and thanks for the guide from RosyMiranto18, I would like to put some of his plot ideas and his OCs to honor him. That goes for a new Disclaimer.
Disclaimer: Samurai Warriors and its characters belonged to KOEI, Aki Kimura and Natsuko Kimura belong to RosyMiranto18, Suzu Shiraishi (appeared on latter chapters) belong to Scarlet 'n Blossom, and other OC's (Hana, Nagachika, and Izumi) belong to me.
Here goes the 11th Chapter
Chapter 11- 2nd Battle of Kizugawaguchi
-A few hours prior Oda's fleet departure-
"This iron-clad boats looks infallible enough. I am really sure we can defeat the Mōri with these boats." Yoshitaka thought.
"E...Excuse me." Yoshitaka turned to see a young man approaching him. "What are you doing here?"
"P...Pardon me of my negligence. The name's Aki Kimura, I'm one of the designers of these boats. It's an honor to see you." The man introduced himself.
"Oh, so you're the designer of this boat?" Yoshitaka asked. "I have to admit it, but this boat looks strong and infallible, you had done a great job."
"T...Thank You, my lord. By the way, did you want to test it so we could analyze its performance?" Aki asked.
"Nah, it's okay. We have no time for that, because our lord's waiting."
"Alright then. But to ensure this boat's safety and to analyze its weakness, I think I should join this battle myself." Aki offered.
"Well, I can't resist a reinforcement, but I just hope you won't perform badly on this battle."
"I promise I won't."
-Back to the battle-
Munekatsu and the other Mōri reinforcement forces finally arrived at the battlefield.
"That situation...is not good." Hiroie sighed.
"I know. We might have no chance against the iron-clads. Let me think of a way, but for now, lets just rescue as much peasants and our forces as we can." Takakage said. "Remember not to be far out and control yourself."
Hana flinched. Her father was advising those words towards everyone but she obviously know that actually that words are meant for her.
"Munekatsu, I want you and Hiroie to hide here for some time, I'm working on something. Hana and Nagachika, you can engage the enemy which is surrounding the peasants and our trapped officers. Once again don't be too far out." Takakage ordered.
"Okay." Nagachika bowed.
"I suppose I can count on you to defend our ship here, Terumoto." Takakage said to his nephew.
"Don't worry, uncle. I will do my best!" Terumoto replied.
"I myself will plan on something. I'm going to go with my daughter and my son-in-law to assist them while thinking of a plan." Takakage said. "Okay then, may this battle prove that we can still hold out even on this chaos."
With that, every reinforcements did what Takakage had ordered.
On the other side of the camp.
"My lord, Enemy reinforcements led by Terumoto Mōri had arrived." A messenger said.
"Hmm, so finally the Mōri main force had shown their puny existence." Yoshitaka smirked. "Okay, Aki Kimura, I hope you can help me with this reinforcements?"
"You can count on me." Aki replied.
As Aki was ready to leave, another messenger was running inside the camp.
"My lord, Allied reinforcements led by Ranmaru-sama is approaching."
"Good, this will end well." Yoshitaka said. "For now, let's put out our plan."
The Mōri reinforcements had just arrived.
From the first ship. Hana and Nagachika ran towards the broken Central Formation
"It doesn't look good. We need to hurry." Hana said.
"Slow down, Hana. You don't want to suffer the same like in Tatarahama, don't you?" Nagachika asked.
"It's okay, Nagachika. It's impossible to put ambush on this way. We should've just agree with her and go as quick as we can." Takakage said.
"A...All right, Takakage-sama."
The three quickened their pace. A few minutes later two figures stopped them.
"Heh! So finally the Mōri reinforcements had just arrived. This might prove an interesting battle." One of the man said.
Takakage just calmly smiled. "And I expect the same from the great Toshiie Maeda of Oda. However, how about if you battled these two instead, because I have no time to waste for our peasants."
Hana and Nagachika took out their weapons, ready for battle.
Toshiie just smirked. "Let's see if Nobutada and I could defeat this two young'ns very quickly, even before you had the chance to look at your back."
"Don't underestimate me!" Hana growled.
"Stop it, Hana. He's ultimately trying to taunt you and might have actually succeed." Nagachika tried to calm his wife.
"Heh, you seemed clever." Toshiie exclaimed. "Alright then, Nobutada, let's just defeat this two already."
"All right, Toshiie-sama."
The two engaged in a fight. Hana was battling Toshiie while Nagachika was battling Nobutada.
-Meanwhile at the central deck-
Takakage had just arrived at the crushed central formation to see his brother was surrounded, along with Magoichi Saika and Takechiyo Murakami.
Motoharu was struggling, but managed to keep his composure intact by defeating some privates who tried to go near them. But since they are surrounded, they couldn't last long, especially with the depleting food and resources on the ship.
"Dang! When will this privates learn to retreat? We can't hold out much longer if it stayed like this."
"Ani-Ue!" A shout emerged from not far from there.
Motoharu turned at the base of the sound and saw multiple privates was knocked onto the air. Focusing on the sight, he could see an orange-clothed blonde attacking the enemy forces.
"Takakage, what took you so long?" the older Mōri siblings shouted.
"Sorry, ani-ue. I should've noticed sooner on this..."
"You know what, we can keep the words for later. Right now we have to find our way out." Motoharu said. "Anyway, thanks for helping us."
"You're welcome, Ani-ue." Takakage replied.
"The Mōri reinforcements are here! Finally, let's turn this battle around!" The Saika leader encouraged his troops.
-Meanwhile-
Hana and Nagachika was still engaging Toshiie and Nobutada in a combat. But it was not long before Hana could land a clean hit to Toshiie, and Nagachika managed to force Nobutada to retreat.
"Should we follow?" Hana asked.
"No, we better rendezvous with your father and the main force and check if everything's still okay." Nagachika replied.
The two quickly made their way to the broken central formation. But as they reached the formation, Nagachika spotted an enemy closing in onto them.
"Hana, you go first. An enemy is nearing us so let me engage him." Nagachika asked.
"But, why don't we defeat him together?"
"Our priority is to make sure our forces are okay. If both of us engage this enemy then who will do the prioritized task?"
Hana pouted, but agreed to go on forward, leaving Nagachika near the central formation. Soon enough, the enemy closing in had just arrived and delivered a thrust from his weapon, in which Nagachika instantly repelled it.
"Hmm, still so young and green. Yet already going to battle." Nagachika said to the opponent.
"Hmph! Pardon me, but Aki Kimura will challenge you to a duel." The opponent claimed.
"Actually, it was quite a foolish act rushing here alone and childishly declaring something like that. But okay, try to claim my head if you could." Nagachika said.
Taunted, Aki charged towards Nagachika, while the latter tried to defend himself. He was stuck on the defensive almost all the time while the young Aki always was on the advantage. His impressive agility had put Nagachika in a restless condition, trying to block all attacks from the younger warrior.
Aki was impressed that he could put himself in an offensive advantage. However, what makes him a bit confused is that Nagachika looked like he hadn't even try to make one attack, and keep defending himself.
"Come on, why did you keep defending yourself? Won't you try to attack me?"
Nagachika just keep calm and didn't even dare to land a hit.
"Heh! No fun! You didn't even want to attack." The younger said. "Seems like I have to retreat, my lord's surely waiting."
With that, Aki left Nagachika and went back to the camp.
Nagachika just keep silent on all of this commotion. "Attacking me, and even without me attacking back, he just retreated? Something must've going on. I better check up on my dear and Takakage-sama."
He quickly rushed into the broken central formation, and managed to find all of them still in a good condition, but eyes froze on a certain direction with a confused look.
"Is something the matter, Takakage-sama?" Nagachika asked as he arrived near his lord and his wife.
"Something's odd, either they went easy on us or they're planning something." Takakage replied, Nagachika instantly looked at the retreating soldiers.
"I could hazard a guess that they were taunting us. Should we give pursuit?" Nagachika asked.
"Well, I know they're up to something. But to make sure, we can divide ourselves into two groups. Some of us will engage the soldiers near the main camp while the others go rescuing the peasants in the east. What do you think?" Takakage asked.
"Let me go rescue the peasants." Nagachika replied.
"I'll be following Naga-san." Hana said, which made her husband blush at the nickname.
"Oh, please, Hana, what kind of nickname is that?" Nagachika pouted, earning a laugh from his lord and his wife.
"Well, as much as I want to continue this humorous moment, I'm afraid we won't have much time. So I guess I'll be engaging the enemies near their camp with ani-ue, while you two go rescue the peasant in the east. Understood?"
"Yes, and please be safe, Father." Hana replied.
And the two finally parted ways and did their objectives.
-On Nagachika and Hana's side-
The couple spotted a lot of peasants being surrounded, and a garrison which looked empty.
"Hmm...an empty garrison. Should we attack it?" Hana asked.
Nagachika facepalmed. "Still haven't learned from your experience haven't you?"
"What?"
"I mean, an empty garrison on the battlefield filled with a lot of enemies, what do you expect?"
Hana was confused, but after processing the idea she finally came into a conclusion. "Oh, right, ambush." She frowned, seeming hurt on reminiscing the hurtful memories.
"S...Sorry, Hana-dono. I don't mean to make you think of the horrible experience again." Nagachika apologized. "I just wanted to make sure I don't lose you again with the same cause."
Hana smiled, feeling so refreshed on Nagachika's care and worries. "Thank you so much."
She faced her husband, cupping his cheek and put a little peck on his lips, for how many times, only God knows.
10 years, and they're still as lovey-dovey as a just-married. (Well, but if they're on a serious disagreement, don't ask me how bad it will be).
They parted, blush remained on their cheeks.
"I'm amazed to say, you can even be this clingy even on a battlefield." Nagachika smiled.
"Nothing's wrong with that, right?" Hana said. "Anyway, what should we do with this garrison?"
Nagachika thought for a moment, before an idea loomed on his mind. "I think I'll try this."
-A few moments later-
"Are you sure this is a great idea?" Hana asked. "Are they stupid enough for this?"
"It's worth a try. Heck...this is not testing their intelligence, but only to cause doubts in the ambush parties." Nagachika said. "Come with me."
The couple ran onto the garrison gate, and stopped in front of it.
"Hey, you, ambush parties, we already knew your positions, we've got company here ready to take you on. Your ambush fails." Nagachika shouted.
The empty garrison was suddenly filled with the ambush party, only to find out there are only two people on the gate.
"Suck it, we've been tricked. We should've stayed calm and let them enter the garrison." Tsuneoki Ikeda, one of the ambush party officers, growled.
While the ambush parties were discovering themselves and attacked the couple, some of the Mōri forces began to realize on the commotion.
"And I thought that garrison is empty. Looks like our youngsters had did well enough. But against that numbers they won't last long. Come on, help them!"
The remaining main Mōri forces, led by Ekei Ankokuji made their way to assist Hana and Nagachika, earning a gratitude from the couple.
-Meanwhile near the Oda main camp-
Takakage was continuously slaying the attacking privates, in which he quickly regretted since he always wanted minimum casualties.
Well you can't blame him right now. This is an emergency as the Mōri was getting beaten up pretty badly and needed time to retreat.
However a curiousity reached his mind. Why did the Oda forces stayed nearing their main camp?
"Ani-ue" Takakage asked.
"Yes, Takakage."
"Do you think something is not right? Why did they stayed on their camp like this instead of continuing their attack on us?" Takakage said.
"Don't know, you're the mind so you can figure it yourself, while I'm just a muscle warrior." Motoharu grinned.
"Oh please, ani-ue." Takakage mumbled.
Only a few seconds after that, a collision was heard and the grounds started to quake. Takakage looked back to see two ironclad vessels have breached the formation again, this time nearing the camp.
"There we go! Now, take out those Mōri reinforcements!" A pale-skinned strategist of Oda ordered.
"Yes, Master Kanbei. Let's go, everyone!"
The Oda reinforcements now charged towards the Oda main camp and east side, where the Mōri reinforcements are located. Some of them proceeded into the Mōri reinforcement ship.
Not long after that, the sound of cannons could be heard. Takakage looked again to see Mōri's main central ship had sunk.
"So this is their game. We have no choice. Ani-ue, help our retreat by taking care of the reinforcements. I'll rendezvous with Hana and Nagachika to help the peasants."
"All right. Take care, Takakage. Don't let me down."
Hearing the words triggered a memory in Takakage's mind. Those words are very familiar with him, someday, he had heard it.
Of course he did, that was almost, well, 30 years before, and yet it still resonates in his heart, like it won't leave his heart forever.
-Flashback-
"So, it's time, huh?" a young female said to Takakage.
"Yeah, I know. I actually might have foreseen this to happen. Sad, I know, if only I could find a way so that none of us would be hurt." Takakage replied.
The female said nothing. She tried to avert his gaze but found it to no avail, his gaze was almost like...a magnet for her. Her turquoise eyes was showing a pool of emotion.
She constantly was worried about this day. She knew this day would come but , like Takakage, she had nothing she can do to stop it.
Why?
Why do they have to part for possibly forever like this?
Why didn't her father realize that actually there is a better way on alliance.
The Hōjō can just retain their alliance with the Mōri, she had put faith on them, especially on the youngest son of the Mōri clan head at that time.
"Hayakawa-dono" Takakage called her, trying to lock his gaze with hers, in which she always tried to avert, trying to hide her tears.
He, too, was nothing different from her.
He was really surprised that his father didn't want to prolong the alliance with the Hōjō.
He had promised a few days ago, that she would be Hayakawa-dono's guardian angel, to protect her from physical and emotional harm.
Yet only a few days after, he had broken his promise by hurting her feelings.
Yes, it was not his decision to leave, but still, he was feeling guilty.
How can he earn a trust from anyone if he couldn't even keep a promise for just a few days.
Then, all of those meant nothing.
All of the affections, all of the presents, all of the protection, all of his feelings.
Heck, even that time where they were...too bad, illegitimately yet innocently, become one, resulting on something they haven't known yet.
All of them are for nothing
Nothing.
Tears dotted in his eyes, guiltily charging himself as a promise breaker. Yet he still tried to earn a gaze from the one he promised to dearly loved.
"You can hate me if you want. I'm nothing but a promise-breaker. I promise to be your angel, yet I'm becoming the devil myself. I was trying not to let you suffer harm, yet I harmed you. I..."
Hayakawa silenced him with her finger, and hugged him tight, tears now began to flow.
"That was all not your fault. You haven't broken your promise. Fate might have another plan for us." She said before looking at her beloved. "Don't...ever...beat yourself up again, Takakage. You're smart, caring, and handsome. Yet you always pretended the opposite. You need to open up more, be honest with your feelings, and please, don't ever take all of everyone's burden for yourself. You don't deserve a beating for something you didn't do."
"Hayakawa-dono..." Takakage whispered.
"I know you should have left now. Your family is waiting." Hayakawa calmly said, trying to fight back the tears trying to flow out of her turquoise eyes.
"I...I know we will see each other again, someday. So, can you please remember me?" Takakage asked.
Hayakawa said nothing. Instead she pulled his head closer and planted a goodbye kiss, hopefully not a real one, as they hope to see each other again someday.
"I will, Takakage. Please take care, don't let me down." Hayakawa said as she parted, following Takakage to the port where they will see at each other for probably the last time.
"See you soon, Lady Hayakawa of the Hōjō"
-End Flashback-
"Hey, why did you suddenly become red?" Motoharu said. "Ohh, probably the thought of a certain lady was back within your mind?"
"Shut up, ani-ue, we got a mission to do." Takakage replied.
"That came for someone who suddenly daydreamt on a battlefield." Motoharu grinned.
"Can you just shut up and do our mission? The peasants are in danger!" Takakage snapped.
"O...Okay, leave it to me." Motoharu said.
-Meanwhile at the eastern side-
"Cannons? Dammit" Nagachika muttered as he spotted cannon fires emerging towards the battlefield. "Hana, forget these ambushers, we have to rescue the peasants." Nagachika said.
"B...But..."
"Nagachika-sama's right." Ekei said. "Leave this ambushers to me, you have to go. The peasants are really in trouble."
"A...All right."
"Hana! Nagachika!" The group turned to see Takakage running towards them. "Are you alright?"
"W...We're fine." Hana replied.
"Good, how about you, Ekei-sama?"
"Nothing too bad, actually." The Mōri retainer said. But looking at the sheer amount of ambushers, Takakage had no choice but to assist him.
"Hana, Nagachika. Go rescue the peasants. I'll help Ekei to hold off these ambushers." Takakage said.
"On it, father!"
The couple ran onto the eastern side, to the side of the peasants. At first they were relieved to see the peasants are still okay, although with little amount of enemy soldiers surrounding them. But their relief was suddenly cut out as they saw reinforcements coming from the retreat point.
"Go, destroy those Mōri crap." The young leader of Oda, Ranmaru Mori ordered.
The reinforcements did as Ranmaru said. But what makes the couple enraged was that the soldiers keep slaying not only the Mōri soldiers, but also the peasants.
"Gosh! Another reinforcements? When will this finally end?" Hana replied. "And what the hell do they think they are doing?"
"It seems that we have no choice but to defeat them, and quickly before the peasants are defeated!" Nagachika said.
"I'll deal with the young boy, can you deal with the rest?" Hana offered.
"Sure, stay safe, though."
Hana charged at the enemy reinforcements, directly towards Ranmaru while slashing the ones on her way, until she arrived near him.
"Boy, you looked like a girl on those outfits." Hana said in awe.
"Shut up!"
"You are the one who should shut up! Why do you attack those peasants? What have they done to you?" Hana asked furiously.
"They're on our Lord's way. That's why as our Lord's retainer, we have to slay our obstacles."
"Really? Even almost everyone haven't even held a sword to counter you all! They're just trying to live their life peacefully."
"No time for this useless bickering. Since you are in my way then I'm afraid I should slay you as well." Ranmaru said, holding his sword.
"Try it if you can."
-Meanwhile-
After the ambushers were defeated, Takakage decided to follow his daughter, but soon a figure stopped him in his way.
"Y...You are..."
"Kanbei Kuroda, Nobunaga's strategist." Kanbei replied. "And you're that famous Takakage Kobayakawa, the mind of Mōri."
"What exactly do you want?"
"Listen, kind words are not enough to bring this land into peace." Kanbei said.
"But I believe unification is impossible without them!" Takakage snapped.
"Stubborn, aren't you? Now you're trying to save your own allies and those peasants, while risking yourself. You're brave, yet naive and foolish."
"While doing nothing would also achieve nothing. I will save the people and my allies, even though my life is the price." Takakage said.
"It's no use battling here. I'll be waiting at you on the main camp."
"Hey...wait." Takakage tried to stop the pale strategist, but to no avail.
"What is he planning?"
-Back to the couple-
Ranmaru was finally taken down. Apparently Hana was able to land a hit with her spear.
"Y...You, I won't forget this." Ranmaru said.
"Ranmaru, I presume? I liked your lord's idea to bring peace. But that doesn't mean you have to slay all of those on your way, even the ones without any threat." Hana replied, her voice was not filled with anger anymore.
"B...But?"
"Imagine if you are on their side. What will you feel?"
Ranmaru just keep silent. "I know what you're been thinking and trying to do to me. But my devotion to Lord Nobunaga is eternal, and I will always follow him no matter what." Ranmaru said before retreating.
Hana just looked at the retreating boy, sad that he had become merciless, as she had feared.
"Hana, are you alright?"
Hana turned back to see Nagachika and the peasants approaching her.
"Yeah, don't worry. Now you all can retreat from here. Hana said as she continued to guard the retreat point.
The peasants did as Hana said and left the battlefield.
"Okay, now with they're retreating, it's time for us to go back to the camp and retreat with the others." Nagachika said.
"Er, as much as I want to defeat the commander, but it seems we have no choice." Hana replied. "Let's go!"
Meanwhile, Takakage had just arrived at the southeastern side, to the peasant's retreat point, but looking that everyone had just retreated, he made his way back to the camp.
-In Hideyoshi's Ship-
"The people keep retreating one after another. Maybe the Mōri will also flee, and the battle will just end already?"
"I won't allow that!" Mitsuhide suddenly exclaimed. "Everyone, chase those retreating enemies!"
The Oda forces began a pursuit against the Mōri forces, unaware of another scheme Takakage had pulled off.
"Now, ambush parties, go infiltrate Mitsuhide's ironclad ship!"
From the Mōri camp, Munekatsu, Hiroie and their allies sprung out from their hiding and charged Mitsuhide's ironclad ship, startling the long-haired warrior.
"W...What? So they've been waiting for this?" Mitsuhide said. "I can't believe they tricked us again."
The Mōri ambush party attacked Mitsuhide, and forced him to retreat, gaining control of the iron ship.
"Now, cover our retreat by using the ship!" Terumoto said from the main camp.
The ones infiltrating the ship began taking control of the ship, which was almost sunk due to its weightshift. Of course, this is because of the overweighting on one side.
From the Oda camp, Aki looked at the almost-sunken ship, and learned about its weakness.
As the battle continues, almost everyone, including Hana, Nagachika, Takakage, Motoharu, and any other warriors from Mōri had boarded the reinforcement ships and the remaining sailable ships, and went back to Aki. Motoharu and Hiroie followed behind them using the iron clad they seized.
A/N: There goes the second battle of Kizugawa, and shoot out to RosyMiranto18 for the appearance of his OC: Kimura Aki on this chapter! Although I'm sorry if he is OOC.
The next chapter will be just a filler. Don't expect a very long chapter for the next one.
Oh well, and since I have no idea on Invasion of Iyo, I skipped that one. And so the next battle is probably one of the most important for the Mōri and Oda. I know you know what it is!
Please R&R!