Foreword

I do not own any part of Girls Und Panzer

Hello dear readers, back again with a volume that I never thought about doing. This came as an idea that I played around with in my mind near the end of Volume 3, as the interludes I had written were very enjoyable, being able to go back in time to before the story to see what life was like for the Nishizumi family.

Now were taking a real long look back to not just them, but some other members of our story, who face struggles before the ReRise. I'll admit this Volume will have some violence in it to forewarn you, though all of it is mostly with OC's I made up.

This volume I hope won't be too long, and can finish it soon, while also starting the next one which the outline is coming together quite nicely.

So first let me bow to you readers for just simply sitting down to read this what if series and thank you for reading from the bottom of my heart.

Now let's get to it

June 19, 1996

The halls of the Nishizumi estate were quiet and dimly lit. As night had fallen on this cool summer evening, leaving behind another beautiful day, with the promise of an even more delightful tomorrow waiting to rise with the dawning of a new day. Yet for a lone figure walking down the well-polished wooden floors of her estate, she could care less about another inviting day or any future days promising peace and tranquility, not when her family was in a state of emergency.

Was the emergency something that threaten to tear her family apart?

Yes...

Though in a way that most would scratch their heads, wondering why this women was in such a quiet panic about her family's future.

For Nayoko Nishizumi, head mistress of the Nishizumi family and the master of their Sensha-do style and school, she knew most wouldn't understand her plight. They wouldn't understand the scourge that now walk around their family home, destroying the very nature of her house. He had swoon Nayoko's daughter, taken her away from what the Nishizumi style was.

Cold.

Ruthless.

Unrelenting.

Unwavering.

And always with victory their main goal, no matter what befell them, for Nishzumi's always advance against any peril that block their path to the top.

20 plus years of breaking her daughter down, 20 plus years of molding her to be the best, 20 plus years of keeping Shiho at arm's length, just as Nayoko's own mother had done to her growing up. Had now all been undone by a man and a night of passion. It even now was a shock to Nayoko, of how easily smitten Shiho was, letting base human desire for another, tear her away from what all Nayoko had done to help her become a legend.

I should have had one more daughter, but my damnable husband left the family. He was a weak willed man any way, luckily Shiho didn't inherit any of his traits

Nayoko thought, as she walk softly down the dimly lit hallway. She wore her black kimono, with a white flower pattern design across it. Her long black hair, that was graying as well, was tied up neatly. Even at the maturing age, she had beauty that most men would take a second glance at.

Finally Nayoko reach her destination, as she stood in front of the large shoji sliding door with a cherry blossom design across the front. She pull the door open, revealing a courtyard that had a small pond in the middle, while small bamboo trees line up around the space as well, with lastly the floor being cover in small rock pebbles.

A feeling of great relief took over the older women, as the very courtyard was illuminated in a soft glow from the moon hanging high in the cloudless night sky. For over fifty years, from childhood till today, Nayoko had seen this same sight time and time again. Never did she tire of it, for it was her greatest stress reliever whenever the demands of the family became too great on her mind, with the need to find a way to cope, and this was her best coping mechanism, a simple garden that exuded stillness and balance.

"Hello old friend," Nayoko said quietly to herself, taking in the sight of the peaceful garden that quickly alleviated her troubles away for a moment.

She then walk close to the edge of the courtyard along the wooden walking path that surrounded the courtyard as well, then settle herself to sit down on her knees. Caring little for getting her kimono dirty, as she trusted the maids to have clean the wooden floor adequately. If not, there would be need to replace those who couldn't do their job competently.

"Yes, we rid ourselves of those who don't perform," Nayoko again spoke quietly to herself, then close her eyes to remember.

As her memories were drawn back to a time long ago, to a time she was a young girl fighting for the right to rule in Panzer Kettō. Though things were different for Nayoko then it was for Shiho when her time came, for the sole reason that Nayoko herself hadn't been born as a main family member, instead she was born to a branch family.

At that time, it was a Nishizumi by the name of Asami, who rule the family. A merciless tanker and women she was, with her brutality making some question her sanity. Yet for whatever doubts about her mental state, there was no denying her tanker skills that won her many battles in the Sensha-do high school circuit, as well as in Panzer Kettō.

That was until Nayoko came along at the tender age of 16, evoking her right to duel her older cousin.

It was a brutal duel between their Panzer 3's, but eventually Nayoko, a prodigy in her own right took down Asami for the right to rule the family. Afterwards, Asami went into a mad rage over the loss, and left the family for many years, with no one knowing what happen to her.

From then on Nayoko rule the family name, taking down any challengers with cold efficiency, which was until Asami came back. With a daughter in tow much to Nayoko's surprise, looking to challenge then 16 year old Shiho for the right to the family. It was a shock for sure to see the former family head coming back, after ghosting the family for years. Yet there Asami was, playing at being a sweet mother to a daughter who look poise to regain her mother's honor and the family name.

Though Asami's poor child had no inkling of what her mother really wanted of her, which made her naïve about what she was really fighting for.

The words that girl spoke still befuddle Nayoko till this day, when her and Shiho came together to be given the rights of the duel.

Hi, my name is Konomi, I've always look up to you cousin, I hope we become closer, win or lose this match

Those words from the girl, prove to Nayoko of her limited understanding of what she was fighting for. To this day, the question of why Asami hadn't explain things to her daughter, had remain a mystery. Maybe Asami was trying a lighter approach, hoping to instill loyalty in her daughter by being a sweet mom, so she could rule the family through her daughter if she won the duel. Yet that was just a theory Nayoko entertain then and even to this day, however it was still a mystery.

Ultimately, the fact remain that Shiho did as she was told and destroy the challenger, letting her cousin taste the results of her naïve sentiments.

Afterword, Nayoko had heard from her sources that Asami had thrown her own daughter out onto the streets, proving her sanity was all but lost at this point. Though Nayoko remain quiet about this to the rest of her family, not wanting any of them to take pity and bring the child into their own family. For one day she might want to come back and take revenge on Shiho and her. Nayoko though hope the girl just live a life without the Nishizumi name, but that was a far as she would let her emotions reach in regards to sympathy.

Which was just adding another check on the list of Nayoko's selfish and horrendous acts for the sake of the family.

Bringing her mind back to the present, Nayoko open her eyes to the sky, drinking in the sight of the full moon, as she spoke softly to herself. "My death will be peaceful, my afterlife will be fill with pain, as karma must pay me back for the horrors I committed."

Even with all she had done to her own family, and even worse to her own daughter. Nayoko live with no regrets to this point. She was who she was, there was no time left to change, to have self-revelations, or a change of character.

Nayoko was a Nishizumi, she never took one step back on her path, bending her will to be made of iron. Never letting it break under any weight or pressure that life and family demands threw at her, she never back down from any challenge, never showing any compassion for her enemies, for they would have none for her.

Though the greatest enemy had finally caught up to her and threaten to undo everything Nayoko had so carefully built up.

That enemy was time, which forever was undefeated against all foes.

With Nayoko knowing her time was almost up and also her daughter Shiho who was pulling further and further away from her responsibilities to the family, only added to Nayoko's concerns for the future of their family.

Even with Shiho now being the head instructor of Kuromorimine, there was also sighs that tankery wasn't her main focus. Shiho now was taking to the role of being a playful mother, enjoying pampering her babies, instead of beginning the early training for them to understand the Nishizumi style.

Even worse, her husband Tsueno was doing all he could to influence her to not let their daughters join tankery, or so Nayoko heard from the maids who had been eavesdropping on the young married couple.

It sicken Nayoko to know her own daughter was actually coming around to the idea, of letting her daughters choose their own life. When they were tankers through and through, it wasn't just a family tradition, that's what normal families had. They were Nishizumi's, tankery was in their very blood, before that it had been archery and the sword that guided their family. Yet whatever was the case, warfare was what made them, and it was all about to be undone by Nayoko's daughter for the demands of a man who didn't understand how things were.

Nayoko had try her best to add subtle hints to Shiho to not waver, but more and more, Shiho was distancing herself from her mother. Not that Nayoko could blame her totally, when their own relationship had always been at arm's length, which now Nayoko was the one being held furthest away.

A sudden soft pattering of feet could be heard back inside the hall, with Nayoko picking up on it, as she call out to the person coming to her. "What is it?"

"Eep!" The maid said in quiet astonishment, being surprise her head mistress had heard her, while she still was staring at the courtyard.

With a huff of annoyance, Nayoko look over her left shoulder from her sitting position, with an equally annoy face as she spoke. "Out with it, you're bothering me."

The maid quickly bow in apology, then rose up to say. "My lady, may I approach to speak?"

Nayoko nodded in consent, then the maid came close. Leaning down, she whisper into Nayoko's ear, letting her know of what the maid had seen earlier. When she was done, the maid back away, while keeping her head down and eye's closed.

While Nayoko let her fist clinch in her lap, as a silent rage took over her as she spoke through clinch teeth. "Is my daughter a tigress or a lusty bunny? It's beginning difficult to tell the difference with her."

The statement made the maid blush, but kept silent, not wanting to be the subject of her mistress's rage, which she knew would be controlled, but terrible if directed at you.

"Damn her and damn that man," Nayoko said, feeling the loss of her state of relaxation at the news.

The maid had just inform her that Shiho and Tsueno had snuck out, heading behind the estate into the forested area. It didn't take a genius to know they were going to fornicate, worse they were probably using the cabin that was built out there to do it. This was not something that was new, in fact it was becoming common place for them, sneaking out to enjoy the pleasures of the flesh, most likely getting a kick out of thinking they were being sneaky and fooling Nayoko.

Though the only fools were them, as Nayoko knew everything.

"Should I call the guards to bring them back?" The timid maid ask.

"No, let them be, Shiho's usefulness is at an end anyway. Besides, she is going to learn soon enough her husband isn't a man of honor as she thinks he is," Nayoko said, turning her head to take in the sight of the garden once more for a moment, before finally deciding to stand up.

"My lady?" The maid ask, feeling as if she was missing something.

"It is none of your concern, are Miho and Maho in their room?" Nayoko ask.

The maid fidgeted a bit, then spoke with trepidation dripping from her voice. "Yes my lady, but Miss Shiho has instru…instructed…us…to…to..."

"My daughter instructed you to not let me near them when she is gone, is what you want to tell me?" Nayoko said, while looking at the young girl with a quiet ferocity.

"Ye…ye…yes," the maid said, her hands shaking at her sides, now unable to look her headmistress in her eyes, finding the wooden floor beneath her much more calming.

Though that calmness the maid was hoping to find, was quickly snatch away. As Nayoko grab the girl by the ear and drag her close, while the maid yelp in pain, while touching the area, though she didn't make much of an effort of trying to extract herself from her mistress's strong grip on her.

"Look at me," Nayoko said with calm rage, as she brought the maids face up to hers.

With tears brimming her eyes, the maid did as she was instructed, looking into those dark brown eyes that held hers in check.

"Who is the master of this house?" Nayoko ask.

"Yo…yo…you," the maid said, her voice broken from the fear and pain.

"Then I may go where I please? See who I please?" Nayoko challenge.

"Yes…yes…yes…yes my la…lady," the maid stutter out.

"Then I'm going to see my granddaughters, is that understood?" Nayoko said, her voice leaving no room to fight back.

The maid nodded her head, as she spoke. "Yes my lady, I'm sorry for stepping out of line."

"It's good you know your place, now go to bed. If Shiho ask why you weren't at your post, you can say I threaten you," Nayoko said, while giving the girl an out, then let go of the maid's ear.

The batter maid step back, even with the throbbing pain in her ear, she bow gracefully as she spoke through tears. "Thank you my lady, have a good night."

Then she left, as Nayoko shook her head. Shiho's influence was spreading to the maids, making them think they could have a spine against the master of the house, but the head mistress rule through fear and intimidation. She counted on those traits to make sure they stay in line, at least for now.

Letting go of her frustrations for the moment, Nayoko headed back inside. Then walk down the hallways again, heading for her granddaughters room. She soon arrive, but was a bit surprise to see a maid standing by the sliding door, looking like a sentry guard. Nayoko mentally curse as well seeing who the maid was, knowing she was going to have a problem with this one, compare to the rank and file.

As this maid was none other than Kikuyo Idegami, a recent hire from Shiho herself to be a maid, and was also a crew member for Shiho since her first year at Kuromorimine and the two fought together till they graduated from the academy, winning the Victory Flag together every year.

Nayoko remember also this young women had also not competed in Sensha-do at the college level, instead enjoying the simple life as a college student. Getting married to a nice man as well, though tragedy struck when she found out she couldn't bear children, leading to her marriage to falling apart, as a deep depression took hold of the girl.

Yet Shiho, after learning of this misfortune, took her old crew member in as a housemaid, to which the young women took to happily, since she was looking over Miho and Maho, and enjoy the pleasures of having a mom like role with them, even if they weren't her children.

Though this also in turn gave Shiho a very loyal maid, much to Nayoko's annoyance.

"Miss Nishizumi, you are looking lovely this evening," Kikuyo began, as Nayoko came up to her, as the maid block the sliding door to the baby's room.

"So are you, being the most beautiful of our little flock," Nayoko praise back, though her words were empty, wishing to forgo pleasantries.

Kikuyo bow to her head mistress, then spoke as she rose up. "Is there something I can help you with, my lady?"

"No, please step aside, I'm going to see my granddaughters," Nayoko reply with a little irritation in her voice.

"I'm sorry my lady, but the girls are sleeping. They need their rest," Kikuyo said, her voice calm and unwavering.

Nayoko size the maid up, knowing this one wasn't going to cower as easy as the last one. A part of her could admire this young women's loyalty to Shiho, even if it irk her to no end. It would mean Shiho would have someone to trust when she eventually took over the family, which could be a lonely place without a devoted and dependable subordinate nearby.

Yet Nayoko was still the head mistress, and she wouldn't be deny or have her authority challenge by a simple maid.

"You seem to not understand I wasn't making a request," Nayoko said, giving the women a cold look.

"Again I'm sorry my lady," Kikuyo said with another bow. "Shiho ask they must not be disturb while they sleep."

A dark chuckle follow the statement from Nayoko, then look the maid over with a coy smile. "Shiho is not the head of this family. You can try to appease her as much as you like, but my orders are absolute here. Now move aside, or will see how loyal you are when you're fired and Shiho can't do a thing to stop me."

To Kikuyo's credit, she didn't waver. "Again, I apologize for my rudeness, but the girls need their rest. Fired or not, I will look after them and stand guard here."

Well now, a spine on this one. I like that, too bad I'll have to show her what defiance gets her, but at least I know my granddaughters will have a stalwart defender in the future

"No allow me to apologize for what I'm about to do," Nayoko said after voicing her thoughts in her mind, while bowing to Kikuyo.

With a perplex look crossing her face, Kikuyo watch the head mistress of the Nishizumi family bow to her. It was a shock for sure to see this women of iron apologize, making Kikuyo more apprehensive then before, when Nayoko was simply trying to intimidate her. Slowly Nayoko rose her head up, then look directly into Kikuyo's eyes, never breaking contact.

It happen in a flash, the sound of flesh smacking flesh. The horrendous clap of it echoing throughout the hallway. As Nayoko lay the back of her hand right across Kikuyo's face with such force, the young women fell to the ground. Quickly Kikuyo brought a hand up to touch the spot that stung from the slap, though tears didn't fall from her eyes, and look up to Nayoko standing over her with a look of pure loathing.

"Let that be a lesson for you. For you are nothing but a maid here, meant to serve our family. Shiho may have hired you, but I rule here. We won't be having this lesson again shall we?" Nayoko said, looking over the maid to see if she wanted to resist some more.

Kikuyo pull herself to her feet on unsteady legs, the right side of her face showing an ugly shade of red. Yet the maid look back at her headmistress with a determine look, not breaking eye contact for a moment at all, though she had learn the price of defiance, that had erase some of her fighting spirit.

"Yes my lady, we will not be having this lesson again," Kikuyo said, her voice sounding defeated.

"Good, when Shiho returns from her nightly activities, tell her I hit you. She will try to put me in my place, if that makes you feel better," Nayoko said.

"Forgive my bluntness, my lady. That won't make me feel better," Kikuyo said in a solemn tone.

Nayoko let out a devilish smile. "Good, it shouldn't make you feel better. I have great expectations for you in the future, when it comes to defending my granddaughters."

That made Kikuyo balk at the statement, having just been hit, yet now being praise for doing what she did.

Nayoko continue, not caring for the maid's reaction. "Now run along and don't disturb me."

Knowing there was nothing more she could do, Kikuyo bow to her headmistress, then shuffle down the hallway, bruised and defeated. Ashamed she couldn't do the job for Shiho as a maid and more importantly a friend.

Nayoko watch after her for a moment longer, then decided to enter the room. Pulling slowly on the sliding door, she enter making sure to shut it quietly behind her. The room was shrouded in darkness, save for the moonlight beaming through the side window. The light shown down on two cribs near the back wall of the room, each holding the future of the Nishizumi family.

Walking over the tatami mat flooring with quiet steps, coming up to the cribs, she pick the one on her left first. Coming over to it, she look down to the baby it held, which was a 2 year old Maho, who was sleeping peacefully. She had Shiho's dark brown hair that was growing in long. For Nayoko, it felt like she was looking at Shiho as a baby once more, the resemblance very close.

"My little cub, how your mother has ruin your potential. For that I am sorry my dear," Nayoko said sadly.

The reason for her statement, was because Shiho herself had pamper the girl to much to this point. Bringing her up without the ideals of the Nishizumi style at the forefront, even if Maho was a baby, there was never a better time to begin the training of their family's style.

However, Shiho had forgo this, letting her child be surrounded by warmth and sweet words, not absorbing the iron lectures that had shape Shiho herself when she was the same age as Maho. Now it didn't matter if Maho grew up to be a great tanker, for one day the cracks would begin to show in her character, to the point that she would be doing nothing but going through the motions of what it meant to be a Nishizumi, not actually want to be one.

With a shake of the head, Nayoko left the crib, heading over to the other child, her one hope to save the family.

Coming up to the other crib, she peer down to see another baby sleeping peacefully. This little one had only slight resemblances to her mother and sister, the big difference with her having light brown hair that was short at the moment. This was Miho Nishizumi, only 1 year old, but had so much potential, that Nayoko was sure Shiho didn't even realize.

"Hello there, my little Tigress," Nayoko said, with a rare tone of happiness.

Leaning down into the crib, Nayoko ran the back of her knuckle over the cheek of her granddaughter. It still surprise Nayoko that she would find some great enjoyment in this, when she never did it to Shiho as a baby. Yet, something about this little one, always brought some happiness out of Nayoko, which she had long thought lost when she was just a child, becoming cold and ruthless for the sake of the family, but for some reason Miho's presence always brought something like this out of Nayoko, that she had long since stop trying to understand.

Just as Nayoko had finish running her knuckle over her granddaughters cheek, did little Miho begin to stir. First she stretch out, the small arms flailing aimlessly, next her eyes slowly open, with a big yawn coming out next. With the waking procedures over, little Miho's light brown eyes began to look around the room, which quickly lock onto Nayoko standing over her crib.

A small happy gurgle escape little Miho's mouth upon seeing her grandmother.

"Well good evening little one, awake now are we?" Nayoko said, letting a small smile cross her face.

Little Miho gurgle happily again, letting out a toothy smile at Nayoko, while her small arms seem to reach out to her grandmother.

Honoring her granddaughter's request, Nayoko reach down to pick Miho up. Then held her up against her upper body. Miho's hands instantly grip her grandmother's kimono tightly, making Nayoko smile at the baby as she snuggle into her, relishing in the contact that seem to ease her old heart, again making her wonder why it was only Miho who could accomplish this.

"Are you comfortable?" Nayoko said in a soft tone, as she kiss the top of Miho's head, another thing she never did to Shiho as a baby, but again this little cub seem to bring out of Nayoko.

A small gurgle from little Miho seem to say yes.

"Good, let's go for a little walk shall we," Nayoko said, then left the room, while quietly closing the sliding door softly behind her.

With quiet steps, Nayoko with Miho in her arms resting against her, walk down the dimly lit hallways of the Nishizumi estate. Their trip wasn't long, as Nayoko brought Miho back to the courtyard that Nayoko had earlier been enjoying by herself, but now she would enjoy it with her granddaughter. While this was a perfect opportunity to continue to groom her granddaughter to her destiny.

After sitting down on her knees again, Nayoko turn Miho over into a cradle hold, so the baby and she could look each other in the eye now, as the bright moon shown down on them.

"Well Miho, let us go through the words, to test you. Make sure to never break eye contact with me," Nayoko order.

Even as just an infant, little Miho's eyes only stay on Nayoko, making the head mistress smile, then began to speak the words.

"You must be like a wolf when it hunts, ever silent and ever watchful for your prey's weakness, and then strike with your pack to encircle them."

Miho continue to look at her grandmother.

"You must be like a tiger, stalking silently with careful steps, your body hidden from your prey, coiled up ready to strike when they least expect it."

The little eyes never broke away still.

"For you are a Nishizumi, you're will is made of iron, your strength is unbreakable, your mind is ever on victory no matter what and your enemies ever fearful of you. Remember that little one, let the words be sewn into your heart."

Once more the little eyes never broke from her grandmother.

"Good, good," Nayoko said in a please tone. "You will truly be a great tanker someday, better than me, your sister, and your mother. Not because of simple talent or strength, that trust me, you have great amounts of. It's because you have a gift that will set you above others."

A little gurgle escape Miho's lips, as if she was asking about this gift.

A soft chuckle escape Nayoko's mouth, then she spoke. "Have you forgotten our earlier lessons? You are the reincarnation of the Nakano Nishizumi, our great family member during the Sengoku period."

Little Miho didn't gurgle at all, instead tilted her head as if curious about what her grandmother was going to say.

"Oh, you are right Miho. I've only preach about Nakano, but never really talk about who she was. More importantly what set her apart, that being the Kage no hon'nō, or Shadow Instinct. This is something not taught or learn, you are born with it. Nakano was born with this and she use it to save our family in our darkest time," Nayoko clarify.

Now a gurgle escape Miho's mouth, with another toothy grin, as if to say she wanted to hear the story.

"Interested are we?" Nayoko said with a small chuckle, then turn serious. "Yet you must know this isn't a happy tale, for it is a tale of how our great family member drown herself in conflict to save our family, while in the end, birthing the true Nishizumi style in the process, but sacrificing part of herself to obtain it. Does this sound like a story you want to hear?"

Miho gurgle once more, her little face becoming as serious as her grandmother.

"Alright, then let's begin, to tell you the story of a women who carried the weight of her family with her bow and sword, a story of a women who drown herself in the excitement of battle, and the very women who was never to waver on the path to the Nishizumi style….the true style that was forge by blood and fury…"

Little Miho said nothing, focusing with hush fervor on her grandmother.

Nayoko let out a proud smile, then spoke in soothing tone as she started again. "Let's start first with how our family came to be. Our clan was raise up by our founder, Tora Nishizumi, during the Sengoku period, a bloodied time, a time of constant wars, and constant calls for unification. Yet nothing but the sword rule the day, with clans rising and falling with the times."

"The name Tora inherited was of his own making, for he was nothing but a son of a samurai, destine to serve another lord at the time. He gain his name after a hunting accident with his father, when a large tiger kill him and all of their guards, leaving the son alone to battle for his life against the beast. Following several harrowing hours in this battle for survival, while being maul badly, was the son able to kill the beast with his father's sword and bow, but was left physically scarred from the ordeal as you can imagine."

A little gurgle escape Miho's mouth, sounding a little frighten by the story.

"Now, now, don't worry. He came out stronger from this, throwing his first name away, while taking up the name Tora, which means tiger, in honor of the beast he fought." Nayoko explain, rubbing Miho's cheek to calm her down.

That seem to do the trick, as Miho let out a happy gurgle, that made Nayoko smile, then went back to telling the story.

"Embolden by his success, Tora felt the flame of ambition take him, wanting to do more than serve, which as you know is against the samurai warrior code. This led Tora to use a warrior code of his own making, that would lay the foundations of our family, as he challenge the current lord his family served, Daimyo Kinzo Tanigawa, who was a weak ruler, to a Kettō no kenri, a right of duel."

"Of course the weak lord wanted no part in this, as his rule was never to be challenge by those who serve him. Though to his shock when his own guards and samurai didn't move to kill Tora at his order when the young man challenge him, instead they admire Tora's strength, and would not intervene, as they too were tired of their weak ruler."

"As you can imagine, Daimyo Kinzo Tanigawa was no match for Tora in the following duel, who quickly overwhelm him. Though he gave the weak lord, an honorable death in the end. While now this young Tora became the ruler of this new clan, which inherited the last name Nishizumi for all of Japan to know."

"Tora began the process to raise the small clan he took over, building us to be fearsome and tenacious as the tiger he had battle that day, while he also began to develop the code of the Nishizumi, to always advance, always show strength, to always fire with precision, and to never show fear to your enemy no matter how fearsome they are.

"In a short time, we became the finest archers on horseback in all of Japan, which we prided ourselves in. Sometimes they said by the time are quivers were empty there be no need to draw our swords, for the enemy we riddle with our arrows like a pack of angry hornets who stung those who upset their nest."

"For this brilliant reputation we so enjoy after winning small battles against other clans, many sought to gain our allegiance and fight with them in their wars. Yet we remain isolated from the initial wars of unification, looking to our own land and people, protecting them from the dangers of war. This prove to anger many clans who border us, who saw us as easy pickings for themselves, as they invaded hoping to claim lands and fame for defeating the Nishizumi clan."

A small chuckle escape Nayoko's lips, making Miho again shift her head in wonderment, as Nayoko calm down and spoke again as she look down to her precious granddaughter to continue the story.

"Forgive me, it always makes me chuckle to think how naïve clans were of us back then, lets press on. These clans pay the price for their arrogance, as we show them the dangers of challenging a Nishizumi. Each time we beat them back, leaving them nothing but our arrows in their flesh to take home, along with their wounds from our deadly katanas that they cross steel with. Yet these clans were never dissuaded for long, thinking their numbers would eventually win the day, sending invasion after invasion. Yet whatever befell us, we advance against the foe, never wavering."

"Tora die in 1570, with his son Masahiko Nishizumi taking over the clan. Like his father he was strong as well, while also having a mighty son of age when he came to power, with 1 young daughter as well. Though tragedy struck, when Masahiko join Nobunaga's campaign during the Ishiyama Hongan-ji War. The new lord of the Nishizumi clan, dream as well for a unified Japan unlike his late isolationist father, a Japan not plague by the horrors of constant war, so he join Nobunaga's dream, which would lead to his nightmare in the end."

"As the campaign wore on, Masahiko, his son, and the Nishizumi warriors fought in many sieges and battles, adding to the deadly reputation of the Nishizumi clan. That was until the Battle of Tedorigawa in 1577. Uesugi Kenshin who let the Oda's forces attack across the Tedori River, then open the river floodgates, sending down a strong current that swept many of Oda's men away while drowning them."

"One of those who drown was Masahiko's son, in one instant he lost his only heir, not to swords, bows, spears, or arquebus. Not even given a warriors death. Instead it was drowning in his heavy armor, which drag him down to his demise. After the terrible defeat, Masahiko abandon Nobunaga's dream in his grief state, leading to great shame on the Nishizumi family."

A gurgle from Miho follow the tragic event, making Nayoko once again rub her granddaughters' cheek to calm her down.

"I know, quite terrible to lose a love one so quickly, though I have left many love ones behind. Some by my own hand…."

Nayoko trail off for a moment, staring into the courtyard to the garden, remembering all the women she destroy in Panzer Kettō, all for the sake of power and as well as for a different goal in the end, to find the daughter who was the reincarnation of Nakano, but that had faded into history now.

Little Miho tilted her head looking at her grandmother who was silent now. As if the little one knew her grandmother was having trouble thoughts, one of Miho's small hands grab at Nayoko's finger that had been rubbing the infant's cheek.

A look of surprise cross Nayoko's face, as she stare down to her granddaughter. As their eyes lock on one another, Miho let out a toothy heartwarming grin, with a little squeal of delight. For maybe the first time in her life, Nayoko let out a genuine smile, as again Miho and Miho alone seem to be able to make the older women have feelings of happiness, that Nayoko never had with Shiho as a child.

All that matter then was prestige, duty, and family. Everything else was secondary, but that wasn't how Nayoko saw Miho, she saw the little one as her beloved granddaughter, who was going to drag their family from their dark path one day.

"Thank you Miho," Nayoko said in a happy tone. "Alright, let's get back to our story."

After clearing her throat, Nayoko began again, as Miho still held her finger. "Returning home Masahiko drown himself in grief, along with his wife and also their then 12 year old daughter. When rumors of the demise of the Nishizumi clans heir reach others, many surrounding clans now eye the once unbeatable Nishizumi clan as easy prey, looking to take advantage of the grieving house."

"Though Masahiko was not about to let his father's legacy fall under his watch, as he fought back the invaders time and time again, but our land became decimated by the constant warring. Eventually leaving us too thin to guard our people from bandits who roam freely, killing and stealing as they pleased. It was during this time, that Masahiko's wife became pregnant again, with the lord dreaming of holding a son again in his arms and having an heir."

"Yet heartbreak seem to follow Masahiko, some even calling it karma for abandoning Nobunaga. As Masahiko's wife died in childbirth, with a still born son to add to the misery. Masahiko though, soldier on, but his health began to deteriorate. It was in the wake of this tragic event that his daughter decided she needed to do more than just watch her father suffer, while giving up a part of herself in the process to help her family in their time of need, not with words, but with a sword."

A little gurgle from Miho seem to ask who this girl was.

That made Nayoko grin widely at Miho, as she spoke. "Well that would be Nakano Nishizumi, a young girl who left behind the elegant life, to pick up the sword and bow. Training in secret to wield both with deadly efficiency, to which her tutor was the first to realize her gift, the Kage no hon'nō he dub it. As Nakano seem to be able to sense her opponent's moves, as if she shadow their movement, countering them everytime."

"It didn't take long for Nakano to ride out on her own, against her father's wishes of course, to patrol their land and chase troublesome bandits down. She killed her first man at only 16 and for the next two years she hunted them like a tiger, mauling all those who would harm her people. Yet her destiny had other plans than just simply keeping her people safe, for she was the one that would finally take the steps to the true Nishizumi style, but her path would be bloodied and tragic…but no matter what befell her, she advance for she was a true Nishizumi, with victory in the end, was all the matter to her, as the petals of her innocence was lost and born was a warrior…so is this a story you think you can handle my dear?"

Looking down, Nayoko lost her smile. Her face became cold, as she look right into Miho's eyes, looking for any hesitation in her young granddaughter, once again testing her. Even if she was a baby, Nayoko needed to know the resolve of the future leader of the Nishizumi family.

Miho, with her little hand still gripping Nayoko's finger, never let her eye's waver.

"Good, then let's begin truly, for the story of Nakano Nishizumi, a story of a women who drown herself in the excitement of battle, and the very women who was never to waver on the path to the Nishizumi style….the true style that was forge by blood and fury…"

Well there it is, were leaving behind panzers for katanas and bows in this first arc, which has been pretty fun to write about so far. It still boggles my mind, that I can do this sort of thing. Especially when the show itself is about cute girls fighting in tanks, but has left so much stuff to explore, that we can also wonder what the Nishizumi family was like during earlier periods.

I haven't found any information about when the Nishizumi family was created or which era it would have been. Most I found was that they were good horseback archers, I might have miss some research on this which if I did I'm sorry for. I even look back to the manga's but found nothing, so I made up a story about their history from scratch.

Their won't be to many other historical references in this volume besides Nayoko's little family lecture, as I go off on my own in the Sengoku period, as we give Nakano a voice and purpose to save her family in this first arc that I can't wait to get out to all of you.

So till the next Author Thought, thanks for reading! Hope you enjoy!