A/N: Whoa! How long have I been in Hiatus already? Can't believe I almost had no time for this story! I'm sorry for abandoning you all.
At the previous chapter, The first part of Komaki-Nagakute is taking place, starting from the Battle of Haguro, where Nagayoshi was ambushed by the impeding Tokugawa Army while trying to take Kiyosu Castle for his own.
In this section, the battle will progress onto Mikawa, Iwasaki Castle and Hakusanmori, and you may guess where this will end?
Anyway, as for the review:
RosyMiranto18:
Okay, when I got the time I'll be checking Tv Tropes!
Anyway, I agree for Natsuko being better at teasing. However, there's no tease, only an "accident" happening when our main couple just wanted to spend more "romantic time", and that included the sudden...ehem...you know...
Looks like somebody is too innocent...
Whew, that area of reference was too much for me. But I'll be taking on your advices. Anyway, would you mind if you PM me about the 'unexpected guest' so I can insert him/her for the next chapters.
And, I'll do my best! Thanks for the Review!
Scarlet 'n Blossom:
O...Okay, calm down, Suzu...
Actually, you don't have to be so downhearted on your English. Just do your best to learn more! Anyway, isn't there the Indonesian version for the wiki? Or there isn't?
I'll do my best! You did your best too with the story, 'kay?
Thanks for the review!
Now, let's continue with the chapter!
Chapter 21: Battle of Komaki-Nagakute 2
-A certain place, a few miles from Komakiyama Castle-
"My lord, we have just taken the needed supplies from the desired places." One of Tokugawa's subordinates reported.
"Alright, what did you get?"
"Some high-quality wood from the nearest forest, big amount of stones, some grain and food, we've got a few amount of gold also from the nearest mine. This might add enough supply for another three weeks, my lord." the subordinate replied.
"Alright, you can go and take a rest. We're going tomorrow as planned." Ieyasu ordered, followed by a bow from the subordinate.
-Shinogi (now Kasugai)-
The forces of Hideyoshi was on their way to Okazaki Castle. Apparently Tsuneoki Ikeda had informed the force that Ieyasu was in Komaki Castle and recommended Hideyoshi to attack. As ambitious as ever, Hideyoshi was elated and prepared his troops, including the forces of Nagayoshi Mori, Tsuneoki Ikeda and, surprisingly, the young Hidetsugu Hashiba.
Everyone was drunk in the look-like chance of the current condition of the battle. However, one man seemed a bit nervous about the decision.
-Nagachika's PoV-
To think of it, Tsuneoki-sama's idea of assaulting the commander was indeed one recklessness. That's almost directing a sheep to a wolf's den. I myself would agree if and only if our enemy is weak or didn't stand a chance against us.
However, this is the great Ieyasu Tokugawa we're talking about. Tales and folklores had described a lot about him and his experience-strengthened genius mind. To think that he will fall into a sudden charge like this, it might not be like him at all. I know something's planned on Ieyasu's side.
"So, you think so too?"
I turned towards the source of the voice near me. Judging from the deepness and somehow anger-and-rage-infused sound like that...well, if it isn't our duck-bottom-style-haired Takatora Toudou.
"Hm, I wonder if you're a psychic, Takatora-san, because you just guessed what's inside my head right now."
"Spare me the sarcasm, Nagachika." Takatora replied. "To be honest, this battle was already been desperate for us if not for our big numbers. Going straight to Ieyasu was indeed a suicide."
-3rd Person's PoV-
"The plan of attacking Ieyasu was indeed a suicide, if that's our only plan." Suddenly a voice emanated from the two gentlemen's side. The two gentlemen turned to see one of Hideyoshi's officer: Tsuneoki Ikeda.
"T...Tsuneoki-sama." Nagachika bowed.
"Raise your head, Nomi-san." Tsuneoki said. "Anyway, glad to find both of you already here, since Ishida is going to explain on our full plan. Come to the meeting room right now, your wives had been waiting for you."
"O...Okay." Nagachika replied, while Takatora said nothing, eyes still sulking as usual.
-Meeting Room-
"Thank you for coming, Nagachika-san and Takatora-san. You surely take your time." Mitsunari said with a sarcastic look, which of course, annoyed a certain moody figure in the group.
"What did you say, Ishida?"
"Being late is one proof that one's unworthy of their duties, imbecile."
"You little..."
"Hold on...hold on...why did it come like this? At least we came uninjured and ready." Nagachika said. "Besides, we've just came here directly after Tsuneoki-sama ordered us to..."
"Doesn't change the fact that you're late, imbecile number 2..."
"On whose time did you consider this as late? Even if we do..."
"Now...now...both of you could take a seat, if you please." Hideyoshi said from his seat. "Mitsunari, instead of spraying them with rude comments, why don't you start explaining to us about the plan?"
"Alright, Hideyoshi-sama," Mitsunari replied in a disgruntled voice. Apparently Nagachika had taken a seat beside Hana and Takatora beside Suzu, with Natsuko and Chie between the two wives.
"We all know that Ieyasu is one of the most prominent and clever figure in our era, so we've found ourselves fighting a very hard battle. That means we have to counter him using all plans we've got." Mitsunari explained. "Judging from the messenger's information and the position of the castles, we could station ourselves at Nagakute. Everyone except the forces of Ikeda could march there. To ensure that the march is safe, I entrust Tsuneoki-san to lead your troops on a hit-and-run tactics on some castles near Nagakute, the first one might be Iwasaki Castle since it was one of the key defenses in Nisshin. To assist Ikeda, we will need also some stealthy tactics, so, Shiraishi-san, if you please.
Suzu was shocked to hear this. Being very agile and stealthy in the previous battles at Shizugatake had earned herself some recognition onto stealth tactics. However, to be entrusted for such an important task, it was a bit too much for her.
"I..." Suzu was still a bit shocked. Her eyes then darted onto the eyes of the man beside her, of course, the reply might be seen like an icy glare since it was already his trademark.
All of a sudden, Suzu felt something touching her shoulders with a tap, and Suzu felt someone's face was nearing her. Already been close for so long, Suzu already knew what happened.
"I trust you, I knew you can do it. Just make sure not to force yourself." Takatora whispered near her ear.
Their faces were so close that some of the officers misunderstood the situation.
"Ahem..."
"Aaa...g...gomenasai!." Suzu replied bashfully.
"So, Shiraishi-san?" Mitsunari asked with a brim annoyance, partly because of the long-waiting, but maybe partly because he was...well...disgusted,
"Ah...if that's it, then I humbly accept the task." Suzu said formally, accepting the task given by the protege of Hideyoshi himself.
"The rest of you will be divided into some groups. Hidetsugu-sama was the heir of Hideyoshi so we can't afford losing him, so we'll assign more people to assist him. I'll assign Kobayakawa-san, Nomi-san and Mori-san to guard Hidetsugu-sama's forces."
Hana, Nagachika and Nagayoshi bowed in acceptance.
"Hori-san's forces, along with Toudou-san and Kimura-san will move onto Nagakute village as advance force. By the time they are going to arrive, Shiraishi-san and Ikeda-san execute the hit-and-run plan on Iwasaki Castle."
Hidemasa and Tsuneoki bowed in acceptance.
"The rest of the group will stay in case Ieyasu attacked any of this group. We'll be acting as reinforcements. Did everyone understand?"
All of the officers of Hideyoshi bowed, signaling the agreement towards the plan.
-Shinogi-
Hidetsugu advanced his forces onto the borders of Shinogi, making him very near to a castle known as Obata Castle. On his back was Nagayoshi, Hana and Nagachika acting as the rear guard.
Hana seemed a bit more carefree, and Nagayoshi also looked like it. However, one other officer looked somehow concerned towards something. Of course, being the closest person to him, Hana knew something is not right
"Nagachika, daijoubu-desuka?" Hana asked full of concern.
"D...Daijoubu."
"Really? You've been like this for quite some time now, starting when we're back at the camp. If you have something in mind, please don't hesitate to speak to me."
"I'm just wondering, if you had lived for this long years and suddenly you found out that someone's actually your family and another one isn't, how do you feel?" Nagachika mumbled
"Are? Can you say it again, Nagachika? I can't hear you clearly."
"E...Eh...betsuni..." Nagachika replied a bit nervously. "A thought from a story I read yesterday just came to mind, that's all."
"I don't recall you read a story yesterday."
"That's because I read it when you're sleeping." Nagachika replied.
"Well, you should introduce me to that story, because somehow it sounds quite depressing yet interesting." Hana said naively.
'I don't need to, because you eventually will experience it yourself'.
-At the same day-
Ieyasu's forces had apparently made their entrance to Obata Castle. A messenger...no...rather a shadowy figure just approached the respectable commander.
"Oh, Hattori, did you find any information regarding the Toyotomi or his underlings."
"Hm..." Hattori just nodded and said nothing. Instead he gave Ieyasu a piece of paper which looks like a letter.
Inside was:
"The farmers of my province had witnessed that Hidetsugu Toyotomi and some of his colleagues had passed them onto the direction of Shinogi.-Hattori."
"Shinogi...hmm..." Ieyasu said. "That's not too far from here, maybe we could chase them tomorrow, we could strike them from behind if we can, but it might be too risky. Anyone got ideas."
Ieyasu's generals were thinking on the solution, before a certain general from Sakakibara clan proposed an idea.
"If it was Shinogi, then we could just intercept them at Hakusanmori near here. That's the most possible way if they wanted to reach us. Judging from the terrain, I think a surprise attack might be good."
"But there are two ways to enter Hakusanmori, if we wanted to use surprise attack, we need to make two ambush parties, is it okay?" Another general from the Sakai clan added.
"Ano...sorry for interrupting." Suddenly a certain woman at their late forties intruded the meeting. "May I ask about who accompanied Hidetsugu on his back, according to what you see?"
Everyone knew the question was directed to none other than Hanzo Hattori, but since he seldom talks, a messenger takes on his place.
"If I'm not mistaken, Hidetsugu's forces was backed up by three little groups: Two male and one female. The female was holding a two-sided spear while for the males: The smaller one used a kind of bow and arrowhead spear while the bigger one used a kind of spear."
The woman thought for a moment.
'Hakusanmori is a very large area, but the paths towards them are small, especially the west path. If we focused on the southern path, which is bigger and more vulnerable, then probably we could hold them off...but if there's a chance that they used the western path, what would we do...'
Suddenly, a realization hit him. The messenger did say that one of them is using a bow and an arrowhead spear. And there's a female in the group. There's only one officer the woman knew that used that weapon set.
'If this guy is the same guy as what I think he is, then...'
A risky idea formed in her mind.
"We should focus the surprise attack on the southern path. Ujizane and I will guard the western path."
The group was definitely shocked about this extremely risky idea.
"A...Are you insane, Hayakawa-dono? Ujizane said.
"No, it's going to be okay. Trust me."
"Alright then, but to make sure we didn't lose any allies, I'll assign some reinforcements to help you in case you need help on the western path." Ieyasu said. 'Though, with those confidence, I bet Hayakawa-dono knew about this people guarding Hidetsugu.'
"Sakakibara and the members of Niwa clan. Your order is to pursue Hidetsugu from the back. Hayakawa-dono and Ujizane-sama will guard the western path. Ina will act as their reinforcement, along with Tadatsugu Sakai and Masahira Honda. The rest of you could position yourself at the southern path of Hakusanmori in hiding. Everyone clear?"
The group bowed and made their way towards their camp.
"We're going to start tomorrow. Start preparing yourself!"
-Iwasaki Castle-
"Sir, the forces of Hidemasa Hori had just entered the village of Nagakute area. We should start the hit-and-run now!"
"Alright then." Tsuneoki replied, before turning to his colleague, "Shiraishi-san, you ready?"
"H...Hai!"
"Don't make it sound like you're not ready. Don't worry, I'm sure Toudou-san will trust you more in the future if you succeeded."
Suzu just blushed a bit when the Ikeda clan member mentioned the name of her husband, which had put his trust onto her. Somehow her lips formed a smile and a look of determination was visible on her eyes after hearing such words.
"Thank you, Ikeda-sama."
"Alright, that's the spirit. Now let's go!"
Suzu moved forward stealthily, taking down the outer guards of Iwasaki Castle, while Tsuneoki charged forward, trying to cause as much damage as he can on Iwasaki Castle..
The hit-and-run on Iwasaki Castle looked like a success, until one shot changed its course. An arquebus managed to hit Tsuneoki's horse and Tsuneoki was shot off his horse.
"To think, that I'll fall on this castle..."
Tsuneoki's mind went berserk, and after finding another horse, he charged forward to the castle, trying to take it instead of causing damage onto it. Suzu, who watched the commotion, was suddenly thrown into confusion.
"What? Isn't this supposed to be a hit-and-run?"
A confused Suzu was suddenly attacked from many sides, and she struggled to make herself an exit...
-Hakusanmori-
"Alright, let's continue our march!"
Apparently, the forces of Hidetsugu had camped for one day at Shinogi, and by Hidetsugu's decision, the group continued their march towards Hakusanmori.
And just as planned, as they reach the paths of Hakusanmori, Ieyasu's forces began to spring an ambush, and Hidetsugu was forced to pull back, however... on their back...
"T...That was..." Nagachika thought in horror as he knew that they were trapped.
A losing battle was unavoidable. Many of Hidetsugu's forces were destroyed, but as the battle progresses, Nagachika had found something interesting.
"Is that...a path?"
"What are you thinking of, Nagachika? We need to withdraw right now..."
"I wanted to agree, but I think I may try to face this risk. Hana, Hidetsugu, Nagayoshi, and the others should withdraw as quickly as possible. I'll be charging from that path.
"You're insane! You can't go there alone. I'll help you!" Hana offered.
"Me too!" Nagayoshi said.
"No, our real task is to protect Hidetsugu-sama! We'll be acting as bait so you could escape. I could accept Hana to help me, but I can't accept more or otherwise Hidetsugu was going to be open for another ambush. Can you please excuse us, Hidetsugu-sama, Nagayoshi-sama?"
"I guess we had no choice..." Hidetsugu said. "But you're a talented officer of Hideyoshi. Please make it back safely!"
"We will!"
And so Hidetsugu and Nagayoshi fought their way back to the camp, while Hana and Nagachika took the western path and tried to enter Hakusanmori.
Only to be stopped by another ambush waiting for them, and Nagachika's eyes went wide in an unbelievable shock as he realized on who the ambush party leader was.
"It's been a long time, Hana, Nagachika..."
A/N: And here...is the turning point of the story.
The next chapter will be the continuation of Battle of Komaki-Nagakute until the end of the battle. The next update again will be slow due to Thesis and many other things to do, especially I've got finals this week :-((.
Please R&R! Constructive Reviews and Critics are appreciated while flames are prohibited. Sorry for the crappy continuation since I made this on a train back to the area where my campus stood.
See you soon!
Kage