Authors Thought:
Hello dear readers, sorry for the delay in this chapter, don't worry it's not because of writer's block or anything, more so because I've been all over the place, having written out chapters for the 2nd arc of this story which I plan to be the final, while finish writing the rest of this first arc and not to mention some of the next volume. So yea, been writing craze lately, but hopefully, I can get back to a regular schedule soon.
Enough of my babbling, do enjoy this chapter, while my thanks go out to you who are constantly reading as always my big motivation.
Till the next Authors thought, have great rest of your weekend!
The soft crunching of soft earth was a constant noise with the rising of a dust cloud following, as a small host of hooves trample down the dirt road, which was surrounded on each side by dense woods. The party traveling down the road was in no real hurry, while most were ready for a dismount as they had been on the road for a week traveling to this important meeting, with saddle soars starting to tell for them, but they made no open complaint about it for now.
Black and grey armor were the colors of the guards in their full samurai gear, the colors of the Nishizumi clan. As Lord Mashiko was leading this party to a meeting with the Kawahara's Daimyo, Tashiro Kawahara. To hopefully cool the fires of the border incident, when a Nishizumi patrol encounter Tashiro's son's patrol and got into a scuffle, leading to said son being injured. Now Mashiko had to do everything in his power to avoid war, to do all in his power to obtain peace, as after long years of fighting had taught him the price of war that his clan could no longer afford to pay anymore.
Riding at the head of the party, Lord Mashiko was in full armor dress, though without his helmet. His long black hair was secure neatly, with two katana's at his hip, a source of pride for any samurai to carry two, speaking of their prestige. Though the lord care little for prestige, only caring to bring the matter to close peacefully, with unneeded bloodshed that could be avoided.
Looking back, Lord Mashiko took in the sight of his party, mostly guards and close samurai to protect him. Most of the party was also arm to the teeth, with katanas, spears, and bows. A few were also bringing Matchlock guns, though they were cumbersome and completely unreliable on horseback. Yet having some extra firepower never hurt, especially with the tension being set around the meeting that might call on them.
The only other party members in the group who weren't house guards were Mashiko's daughter Nakano dress in her blue kimino with white snowflakes sewn into it with her black hakama pants, her long gorgeous black hair tied up in a high ponytail, with graceful pale skin. Almost the spitting image of her mother.
Also coming along was Mashiko's advisor Hachiro Morikawa, the old swordmaster who had fought alongside Tora Nishizumi, Mashiko's father, while also fighting along Mashiko himself in recent wars. Though he was getting a little old to be doing that sort of thing, now instructing recruits in the way of the swords as the Nishizumi army was being rebuilt.
Though Hachiro was needed greatly in this delicate affair, if Mashiko needed some wisdom, Nakano, his daughter, was another story. He understood that his daughter was coming along because she wanted to be part of this, while also hoping to avoid war as much as her father. Yet, Nakano seem to be drawn to this danger that Mashiko wanted nothing more than to have her avoid.
It was far too late for that now since she was no longer the sweet little girl he once remember. She was a warrior, whether he like it or not, her hands splash with the blood of her enemies, though it was only in defense of the innocent. Yet it was not hard to see how the killing was affecting her, she smile less and less some days, while it seem sometimes she tried to force it out, to which Mashiko could easily see. Though she seem to have a very soft spot for the Mashiko's late sisters children, who she always play with and mentor.
Mashiko shook his head while he rode on because, with him, he always held Toshikasu and Shoda at arm's length. They were good boys, but Toshikasu was too needy for glory, too impulsive to hold the role of a Daimyo for he would think with his sword before his words. Shoda was more mild manner, but was too unsure of himself, while he sometimes just went along with his older brother's whim, never able to talk him down, which was troubling if the elder brother needed someone to tell him right from wrong.
Both of them were of Mashiko's blood, but he had no intention to allow them into positions of power within the Nishizumi clan, for they might gain favor with the council of elders and samurai who might call for one of them to lead their clan. While Nakano was still the heir but needed a son to gain the right to rule until her son came of age.
That was if she ever drop the blade, to take her duties to the family to which she seem to want to avoid for her own whims.
"Father," a voice call out.
Mashiko turn over his left shoulder to see Nakano had pushed her horse to the front of the column to ride by his side, too lost in his thoughts Mashiko hadn't noticed she was there. While Nakano wore a worried face for him, making the proud father mentally wince, since he hated to be look on like something that needed to be cared for, like delicate flower, instead of the powerful he was. The lord that had been raised by Tora Nishizumi with iron and fury being his daily lessons.
"Yes Nakano, what do you need?" Mashiko ask with a little irritation in his voice.
"Its….I….," Nakano struggles to speak.
That made Mashiko raise an eyebrow, then spoke. "Just speak openly."
"I fear we are in danger," Nakano said, her voice a whisper so as not to catch the attention of the others in the party.
"Danger? What kind of danger?" Mashiko said, growing tense at how serious she was.
Nakano turn her eyes away from her father, looking at the woods surrounding them on both sides, seeming to try and find the danger she was so worried about. Mashiko himself did it as well, looking to the trees, in quiet alarm for any threat to him and his party. Yet there was nothing, just the sound of the constant crunching of hooves on the dirt path.
Turning back to Nakano, Mashiko spoke in a quiet tone. "There is no danger daughter."
"I know it's there," Nakano said back, turning to look at her father earnestly.
As much as he wanted to believe her, Mashiko couldn't just go on the whims of his daughter, especially when his guards were already on edge as it was with this meeting. If he started to make calls to tighten security that would only add to the anxiety of things right now, not something Mashiko could afford to happen.
Steeling his resolve, he look at Nakano seriously. "Whatever danger your feeling keep it to yourself."
"But, I-," Nakano wanted to argue.
"No, we need to keep things to be relaxed for now. This meeting with the Kawahara clan is important to keep the peace, you must understand that," Mashiko lecture.
Nakano scrunch her face up, having her father talk to her like she didn't comprehend what they were trying to do, as she spoke. "I recognize that father, but something about all of this feels wrong. We haven't been at war with the Kawahara clan for some time, and you fought side by side with them, why trouble now?"
A soft sigh came from Mashiko, as he too had some troubling doubts about the border trouble. "Lord Tashiro and I may have fought under the same banner of the Oda clan, but when I left the campaign after…after your brother's death, Tashiro never forgave me for that, since the Kawahara stood by Nobunaga till the end."
That made Nakano lower her head, knowing her father was revisiting a touchy spot in his past. Even to this day, Nakano knew her father had never even forgiven himself for abandoning the war for the unification of Japan, especially now when Nobunaga had been kill, which only added to his guilt that he wasn't there to protect the very lord meant to end the bloodshed that had grip Japan for so long.
"Father, that is exactly why all this seems strange. How do we know if the Kawahara clan aren't just using this as an excuse to draw you away and into the open," Nakano said.
Her father just eye his daughter over for a moment, then spoke. "Because, for whatever past grievances our clans have had, honor is something we both respect. We don't play dirty to win, that isn't how lords conduct themselves. I thought as a warrior you would understand this."
The small verbal jab made Nakano bristle to hear her father talk so down to her, as again he seem to think his daughter had no understanding of the path of being a warrior. Even with all the good she had done up to this point, Nakano was still to be a lady, to marry, and help further her family's future. She was not to be a warrior, to which her father would make his subtle attempts to stop her path, even if she had shown to be skilled.
"Will speak no more of this," Masahiko said, feeling a headache coming on as the verbal sparring with his daughter was taxing on him. "Please, leave me to ride alone."
"As you wish, father," Nakano said, then gave the reigns a slight pull to make the horse ease up its pace.
Soon Nakano was just watching her father's back, as he sway in the saddle. Seeming to leave her behind, like the day he left to fight with her brother for the Oda clan. Yet back then, there was hope for the long years of bloodshed in Japan to stop, compared to now, where it seemed they were heading off to fight another foe, with nothing but spent lives being its reward, not peace.
"Best not let that get to you," a voice call to her.
Nakano turn to her right to see her swordmaster and friend, old man Hachiro Morikawa, riding alongside her now. His long white hair seem to shine with the sun, while he wore his white kimono and black hakama pants, along with his katana at his hip. Even at his age, he rode with an air of man still in his youth, with great enthusiasm as well.
Smiling a bit, Nakano replies. "If only it was that easy, his resentment of my choice in life is always there."
"Yes, though there is little you can change about that, you are who you are Nakano. Now, how about you tell me this danger you are dreading," Hachiro ask.
"I…I don't know, it's like my mind won't stop screaming. I'm trying to brush it off, but it's gnawing at me," Nakano explain.
Unlike his lord, Hachiro took this seriously, understanding Nakano's ability to sense danger before it happen. Something he had seen when he show her the way of the sword, though this same instinct Hachiro knew made Nakano able to sense a threat that wasn't even in front of her.
"Do you believe there is something amiss about to happen with this meeting?" Hachiro spoke softly, not wanting to cause alarm with the guards to what they were discussing.
"Maybe and maybe not, there's too much mystery surrounding what happen in that border skirmish," Nakano said apprehensively.
Hachiro nodded at that. "Very true, our goal right now should be to keep a cool head, but vigilant eyes."
"Do you believe the Kawahara clan will want war?" Nakano ask.
The old swordmaster turn his face to the road, watching his lord ride at the front of the column, then turn back to Nakano to speak. "I believe your father will everything to prevent this from happening."
"Even putting his own life on the line?" Nakano challenge.
"If that is his will, then yes," Hachiro said casually.
That made Nakano balk, then reply. "How can you say that? If a duel was to take place to sate honor, why must my father do it? Why not have one of our samurai act as champion?"
A sad smile cross Hachiro's mouth. "It's the same thing your brother Kojiro would have done for the family if he were alive today. When it comes to duel of honor, Nishizumi's always put themselves at the front, just like Tora Nishizumi your grandfather, it is your families way."
Hearing her late brother's name made Nakano clamp up. As she knew how committed her brother was to the family when he was alive. There were so many times he tell her when they play under the sakura tree back at the castle, that he would become Japan's most feared samurai, not because he wanted great honors for besting others with the sword, instead he wanted to bring peace to the land, just like their father always lecture them on why he fought.
Peace.
For that peace her brother so wanted, that her father always promise would happen, now Kojiro was dead having tried to obtain it and at present Nakano's own father was about to try and obtain peace for their clan with the Kawahara clan. Though the trepidation that this would end in the same horrid way with Kojiro, but this time with her father, made Nakano unable to sleep peacefully for nights, as nightmares began to take root.
"Do you think I could stand in his place?" Nakano boldly ask.
That made Hachiro raise an eyebrow, though there wasn't much surprise from him about her asking such a thing. If anything he might encourage this sort of push forward, but he also understood the Kawahara clan would never accept a duel with a woman involved, as they would see that as a shame on their honor and their clan's honor. Though Hachiro was open-minded, due to Nakano's ability, yet more so because of her dedication to training that was above any student he taught, Hachiro knew other clans would never take her seriously.
However, that had its advantages as well, being underestimated.
"I wish that could be the case, Nakano. Yet no clan would accept a duel with you, even if I know how great of a warrior you are, others will only see you for what you are," Hachiro said with sad tone.
"A woman," was all Nakano responded in silent anger.
"Yes, but a warrior as well, as one day I know you will show everyone. Hopefully, this danger you are feeling turns out to be nothing and we can all go home," Hachiro said.
"Yes master, hopefully, this is nothing," Nakano said back.
"Though I won't completely push your concern to the side," Hachiro said with a warm smile.
Turning to him in her saddle, Nakano gave him a sidelong look. "What do you mean?"
Instead of answering her, Hachiro turn around to speak. "Okabe, come here please."
Okabe, the samurai who was Nakano's personal guard, who had been riding at the back of the column, now navigated his horse to the swordmaster. When he caught up to the pair, he rode alongside Hachiro, then bow to the older man who he deeply respected, since Hachiro too had been his teacher in the way of the sword, making him a great warrior out of him in the end, as well as a leader.
As he rose from his bow, Okabe spoke. "How may I be of service?"
A teasing smirk cross Hachiro's face, as always Okabe was a serious man, though competent in his duties, he was a hard man to make chuckle. Always was his mind of doing his duty to the Nishizumi family, as Okabe's father, Tsukasa, had done as well, serving Tora and then Mashiko. Okabe's father had died of natural causes some years ago, with Okabe taking up his father's sword and swearing allegiance to the Nishizumi clan till his dying day.
"Do calm down, I just wanted a chat," Hachiro said, with still his teasing smirk.
"Oh, sorry. What did you want to talk about?" Okabe ask.
"Nakano here, senses danger around us. What do you think?" Hachiro ask.
Okabe now turn his head back and forth, looking at the edge of the woods that surrounded each side of the road. Looking for any threats, as they were near the border with the Kawahara clan, which had made Okabe defensive already, as his job was to protect Nakano at all cost, as difficult of a venture that was at times.
Turning to look back at Hachiro, Okabe spoke. "We should be on high alert then."
That made Hachiro nod his head in approval, then spoke. "So you believe in our dear Nakano's instincts."
"Undoubtedly sir, she has more than once thwarted bandit ambushes when we track them down, her skill and instincts are next to none," Okabe said, again very serious about making sure he shows his dedication to the family he serve.
Hearing him talk so highly of her, made Nakano blush, who turn to protest to her teacher. "Hachiro, why did you make him say that?"
Hachiro just let out a hearty chuckle, then spoke. "To tease you, of course, you do have the best reactions."
Nakano pouted, as this was just like her teacher to tease her sometimes.
"I didn't mean to cause any offense," Okabe said, again being too serious for his own good.
Turning to him with a coy smile, Hachiro spoke. "Oh no, you just let an old man have some fun. Now, I want you and the guards assigned to Nakano on high alert. This meeting could go wrong, so I need you to be the first to jump in to defend Nakano and get her out of trouble."
Nakano scrunch her face up at the comment, as she spoke. "I don't need protection, I will handle any threat myself."
"Oh no my dear," Hachiro said, turning to look at Nakano. "You need someone to protect you from yourself."
"Huh?" Nakano said back.
"You have a tendency to thrown yourself into the fire, am I right?" Hachiro challenge in a light tone.
"No, not really," Nakano said back.
"Oh, Okabe is this true. Speak plainly or you will offend me," Hachiro said, knowing he was making a point to his former pupil.
Okabe struggle with his words for a moment then spoke. "Miss Nakano is a warrior unlike any other I've met, yet she does have a problem with doing things on her own."
"Mmmm," Hachiro hum, turning to Nakano who was giving Okabe the hardest look she could.
"I know you mean well Miss Nakano, but your life is not something to play around with. That battle with Yukimura, you could have been kill or…or…or...worse," Okabe not even wanting to speak the words.
"Yet we topple those bandits in the end while saving the women you wanted to leave their fates, to be playthings for those monsters," Nakano shot back.
That made Okabe flinch since he still remember arguing with Nakano about saving the women who had been kidnap when they found the village Yukimura burn down. Okabe had wanted to keep Nakano safe from harm, knowing they were outnumbered by the bandits judging from the footprints they left behind.
Yet Nakano was more than ready to challenge them, by herself even. To which she did, while Okabe and the other men bury the dead on her orders, only to discover when they were done that she had used that moment to slip away from them. Okabe then track her the best he could till he found her, but only by the sounds of the clashing of swords as Nakano took on the whole bandit group alone.
"My lady," Okabe said. "I would have had to live with my decision if we left the women to their fate, but I would have been able to live with that because I would know you were safe."
"Our people's safety is what matters in the end," Nakano challenge.
Okabe was quiet for a moment, then spoke. "How do we keep those people safe without a leader?"
The words made Nakano go wide eye, as he subtly acknowledge her as a leader, not something a lot of men would do. Hachiro though, smile in delight, as he had gotten what he wanted from the exchange. Needing someone outside of him telling Nakano about her recklessness, while also making her see she is respected for her leadership, she just needs to be more cautious about how she does things.
"Alright, alright, enough now you two. We're almost there," Hachiro said.
Nakano was silent for a bit, then turn to look at Okabe as she spoke. "I…I never did say thank you for saving my life, Okabe. I value having someone I can draw swords with when I go into battle."
"You honor me, my lady, for I as well am honor to draw swords with you," Okabe said, bowing his head to his lady, again serious about showing his dedication to the family he serve, while also to the women he respected greatly as a warrior.
Well, if there's one thing I can rely on when I am gone, is Nakano will have someone who she can rely on even in her darkest times, gives this old man some hope for the future
Hachiro thought, then the trio and the rest of the party rode on in silence to the meeting point, hoping peace was to be achieved.
XxxxX
Volume 0 Chp 4 Scene 2
The meeting site between the two clans was a modest setting, a river dividing both sides from one another. This had been a place used by both clans for decades to settle disputes by diplomacy or by the sword in years past. A single wooden bridge was the only spot to cross the deep river, which would serve as the meeting point for both sides who made their way to the center of the bridge.
"Lord Tashiro," Mashiko said with a bow, along with Nakano, Hachiro, Okabe, and a couple of guards that had to accompany them, with the rest waiting on the bank of the river.
"Lord Mashiko," Tashiro said with a bow back, along with his own party, his other men also standing on the opposite bank, so not to crowd the bridge.
As Nakano brought her head up, she took in the sight of Kawahara clan Daimyo. He was a well tidy man, with a clean-shaven face, with a scar over his right cheek. His eyes were deep brown, with his hair matching that was long and neatly tied up, though it was showing streaks of gray, telling of his age, though even with his full gear on, was looking quite fit.
"It's been some time since we last saw one another," Mashiko began, delicately trying to ease himself into the talks.
Tashiro eye Mashiko with a quiet disdain then spoke. "Yes, the last time we saw one another, is when you left the Oda clan's service."
"A difficult choice," Mashiko said back.
"Abandoning our leader is not a choice, no matter the cost," Tashiro said, not backing down.
"It's easy to say that when you didn't lose your own son," Mashiko said.
Tashiro just shook his head a little. "For the promise of peace, I would press on to honor his sacrifice, if it had come to that."
"Though it didn't come to that, your son is alive because he wasn't old enough to fight, you were spared from suffering what I had to endure," Mashiko argue.
The tension which was already stifling only got worse as the two lords traded verbal shots, instead of pleasantries. With their guards slowly reaching for their swords, ready to draw and protect their respective lords. Though the bridge was only wide enough for two abreast, they would fight hard in the enclosed space with unbridled ferocity.
"You see father, these Nishizumi's are nothing but an arrogant bunch, we come to settle things peacefully, yet they want to not face their own truths. Must be the reason their men attack me still anger over their own failure of their lord while you remain loyal to the Oda clan," someone call out from the Kawahara party.
Tashiro growl and turn around to his party to speak. "Hirotaka, you will speak only when you are address."
"Yes, sorry father," Hirotaka said back with a bow.
Nakano eye him over, he was a handsome young man, only reaching his 20th name day. With strong chiseled features, his skin slightly tan, large brown eyes, with his long black hair neatly tied up like his father, while wearing full gear as well, with white and brown of his clan's colors. Though Nakano could see he had some bruising over her face, most likely a result of the ambush that happen.
He seem to know he was being looked at, turning his eyes to Nakano. Hirotaka eye her from a distance, then smirk with a devilish smile on his face, which only made Nakano shudder, as it didn't take a genius to know he was eyeing her over with hunger. Which only made the young Nishizumi want to teach him some manners, but kept her cool, especially with the situation as tense as it was.
Tashiro turn back to Mashiko, speaking once more. "Lord Mashiko, I would ask you to forgive my son, he is still a hot-headed youth, who will learn humility one day. Though, I will be remiss not to ask you to look on his face and see the bruising cause by your men."
"I can see that, I would like to ask to speak to my men who attack him," Mashiko said.
"Don't bother, they were given justice for their transgression," Hirotaka said, with a self-satisfied smile on his face.
"Their dead?" Mashiko said incredulously.
"Yes, they pay the price for challe-," Hirotaka began to say.
"Silence!" Tashiro shouted, making his son wince from his father's booming voice.
Tashiro eye his son for a moment longer, then turn back to Mashiko. "Unfortunately yes, your men are dead. It happen during the night, the confusion of the skirmish left no chance to call out for a stop."
Mashiko was silent for a moment, he had hope that his men had been detained at most and could settle this more diligently, but now that they were dead, this would cause some friction with the clans. Especially with his samurai who would be screaming for justice for the death of their comrades, which in turn would only escalate the state of affairs.
"If it's any consolation, I have had them buried with full honors, while I have brought their swords to be given back," Lord Tashiro said, then motion for one of his men to step forward.
A Kawahara samurai step forward, carrying a bundle wrap in fine silk, carrying 6 katanas of the fallen warriors of the Nishizumi clan. Stepping before Mashiko, the Kawahara got on a knee and held the bundle to the Nishizumi lord, to which the lord took the bundle with sadness in his eyes. As he care for every warrior under his leadership, losing even one was heartbreaking, but something he was used to, especially after the many years of fighting he had done losing many men under his command.
Looking at the bundle for a moment longer, he then turn around to nod to Nakano. She came forward to take the bundle with delicate hands, but as she did, Lord Tashiro eye the young women coming forward. Taking in her beauty, as he had heard of Mashiko's daughter, who was rumor to be a warrior fighting to keep their lands safe. Some rumors painted her as a whirlwind of death, cutting down bandits in their hundreds, yet seeing her up close, all he saw was a beautiful flower blooming with the sun.
"Are you Nakano Nishizumi, my lady?" Tashiro had to ask.
Nakano, with the bundle of swords in her hand, look to the Kawahara lord, then bow gracefully to him, then spoke. "I am, my lord. The eldest daughter of the Nishizumi clan, a pleasure to meet you."
"They say you kill a hundred men, is that true?" Tashiro had to ask.
As Nakano raise her head, she spoke with a gentle smile, trying her best to be graceful. "I'm sorry to say, rumors have inflated things beyond reality."
"Though you are a warrior?" Tashiro kept pressing.
Now Nakano seem to hesitate, wondering what the lord was trying to get out of her. Turning her eyes to her father, Mashiko just nodded to his daughter to answer, with Nakano nodding back then turn to speak to the Kawahara lord.
"I am a warrior," Nakano said with confidence.
"Just a warrior who's never face a real battlefield," Tashiro said, his eyes judging the young Nishizumi.
Nakano though didn't break eye contact with the Kawahara lord, as she spoke. "No my lord, I haven't seen a real battlefield much to my regret."
"Hm, be grateful you will never see one hopefully in your lifetime, I don't think you like what you find," Tashiro lecture then turn to Mashiko to speak. "I can see she has those same fierce eyes your son had, though I rather this young one find peace in her time."
"As would I, though thi-," Mashiko began to say.
"You need not worry about her finding peace father, that woman there just carries a sword at her hip playing at being a warrior," Hirotaka said, now seeing his moment to enact his plan.
"You dare insult my lady," Okabe said, stepping forward, though Nakano held a hand out to stop her bodyguard, as she eye Hirotaka intensely.
"A lady? Do you allow a lady to defend your lands when it should be a man's job," Hirotaka said, doing his best to antagonize the Nishizumi's.
Though before anyone could retort, the Kawahara lord, stomps over to his son. Not bothering with using words to quell his hotheaded son. Instead, Tashiro laid the back of his gauntlet across his son's face, the sound of the metal on the flesh was horrid clap, which added another bruise to the young man's face, while the force brought him to his knees, with blood dripping down his cheek that had split open from the hit.
"You damn son of mine, have I not raise you to know respect? You speak so plainly of others arrogance when you are the one who is worst in this regard," Tashiro said through clenched teeth.
Even on his knees, with fresh blood running down his cheek, Tashiro just began to chuckle, which only made his father shake his head. As he had done his best for years to discipline Hirotaka, but always the boy would scoff at any beating. Time and time again, Hirotaka just enjoy the power that was granted to him that only his birth into the clan allow him to have, for he had never earned any of it.
Seeing enough, Tashiro look at his men. "Take him away, this disgraceful son of mine."
Though the order from the lord was heard, then Kawahara men never move, making Tashiro eye them incredulously. Thinking he hadn't been heard, he spoke once more. "I said take him away."
Again the Kawahara men made no move to comply with their lord's words.
With now Hirotaka's chuckling becoming louder, as the young man stood to full height. He then grin at his father, with the blood running down his cheek, though it did not faze him in the least, for now, his plan was to come full circle.
"The only disgrace is you father," Hirotaka said boldly.
Tashiro said nothing back at first, as his eyes just stare at his son with quiet rage, as this was no way to talk to your lord. Even if he was his son, Tashiro had no tolerance for his authority to be challenge, which went tenfold for the samurai who serve him, who were also seeming to challenge his authority, why this was happening was beyond him.
"You dare speak to your father like that, shall I remind you once more that is not how you talk to a lord?" Tashiro challenge.
"To a former lord," Hirotaka said back with a small smile.
Watching this from afar, Nakano's mind was screaming, as the instinctual need for self-preservation took over. Something was about to happen and Nakano couldn't just sit around and wonder what it was, as the tension was no longer on the deaths of her comrades, but between the Kawahara lord and his son, which put Nakano and her party in the crossfire to which she needed to do something before it was too late.
"Okabe, we need to pull back and get off this bridge," Nakano whisper to her bodyguard.
"Are you sure?" Okabe whispers back.
"I am, something is about to happen and we're right in the middle of it," Nakano warn, looking back to him, then look back to the Kawahara infighting.
"As you wish my lady," Okabe nodded to, then turn around slowly, to motion for some of the men to get to protect lord Mashiko, before the situation exploded.
Though Mashiko didn't move from his spot. "Stand your ground."
Nakano spoke to her father. "We need to get off this bridge, before we are caught in the crossfire."
"No one leaves, we stay or our honor will be besmirch," Mashiko said, his commanding voice putting an end to any suggestions. As Nakano turn back to watch the battle between father and son, wondering if they had walk into a trap all along.
Back with the Kawahara father and son, they still eye each other, with the words said earlier leaving a quiet intensity to the situation. With Tashiro seeming to stand alone, as the Kawahara samurai who owe their fealty to him, were standing behind Hirotaka with no question in their eyes of who they were supporting and who they were betraying.
"So it's come to this, you wish to challenge your father," Tashiro said, his hand moving to his hip to draw his katana.
"Challenge?" Hirotaka question with a smile. "Why yes, I will challenge an old man who wishes to see his clan fight for peace, instead of glory."
"Glory? Only you can speak of such things as someone who's never seen the field of battle, obtaining peace is the only chance to save our nation from destroying itself," Tashiro said.
The Kawahara lord's son just shook his head, the disappointment obvious on his face. "The way of peace is no way for a warrior, only the strong can rule, and one day will be strong enough to rule all of Japan. For I have large ambitions to become the Shogun, while you're just content with being another's tool for power."
"You insolent son of mine, I shall show you the price of your betrayal," the Kawahara lord said, drawing his blade to duel with his son, hoping only to injure him.
Though Hirotaka simply just smile at his father, as if he knew everything that was about to happen as he spoke. "I am sorry father, but I have little time to waste on you, so let's end this quickly, do tell mother I send my regards, while I will make sure to take care of my sister for the betterment of our family."
Before any more words could be shared, Hirotaka unsheathe his blade and came at his father. Both father and son cross blades, trading parries and swings, their metal ringing in the air, while both Nishizumi and Kawahara parties watch on as they battle. With Mashiko wanting to intervene, but honor held him back, knowing this was a Kawahara clan issue they needed to resolve themselves, if he intervene it would lead to war.
Even as a very experienced warrior Lord Tashiro was, time was his enemy, with his age slowing his once greatly rely on reactions, now muddle and unable to keep up with his son. Hirotaka was taking great pleasure battering his father down to nothing, after years of the Kawahara lord always looking at Hirotaka as a failure. Now he would do everything in his power to take what was his, and what was his by right, to be the lord of the Kawahara clan.
"Your breathing quite heavy father," Hirotaka challenge, with a smug look on his face.
Tashiro made no response, as he focus on parring another blow away. Then came forward with a side swing at his son's arm, hoping to slice him only enough to make Hirotaka drop his sword, but the young man dance backward from the swing, with Tashiro overreaching his thrust. With a small opening and his opponent off balance, Hirotaka brought down an overhead swing making his father back up parrying it, and the other side swings away.
As the fighting between father and son continue, they began to progress down the small bridge towards Mashiko and his party, with their Nishizumi warriors placing themselves before their lord protectively, but were smartly keeping their hands on their hilts and not drawing their katana's for fears of escalating the matter. Nakano herself was also placed close to the front, wanting to protect her father, but also wanted to stop the Kawahara father and son as well.
"We should do something," Nakano said in a whisper.
"We can't, my lady," Okabe said next to her, with a hand ready to grab his charge if she wanted to jump into the fray.
Though any chance to intervene was soon lost, as Hirotaka cooly slip a wild strike by his tired father, then press his blade forward into Tashiro's stomach with such force, the blade came all the way through his Do chest armor and out his back. The Kawahara lord let out a deathly gasp, seeming surprised by the fact he was dying. Quickly Hirotaka pulls his blade out, with his father falling to his knees, in pain and defeat. Then with no final words being shared between them, Hirotaka swung his blade across his father's throat and ended the contest for good.
"I have proven my right to rule, my warriors!" Hirotaka yell out, his blade coated with his father's blood hanging in the air.
"HOOOOUUUAHHHHHH!" The Kawahara warriors on the bridge, and others milling about on the opposite bank roar as one, as they value strength above anything, and this young lord had proven his in their minds.
Though Mashiko could no longer stay silent. "You murder, you kill your own father just to rule."
That made Hirotaka smile, looking to the Nishizumi lord who was still protected by his men. "Say's the son of a man who won his own position by killing the lord he served."
The statement made Mashiko growl, as he knew the young man was somewhat right, as Tora Nishizumi had challenge the lord his family served for the right to rule. A story told to Mashiko over and over, because it was what it had taken for the Nishizumi clan to come to power, by showing strength.
"That may be true, but we don't kill our own kin for power," Mashiko shot back.
"Oh give it time, I'm sure your own family one day will do the same, we all must do what we must to win, honor be damn how we achieve it," Hirotaka said with a chuckle like he was lecturing a child on such matters and not addressing a lord.
Before Mashiko could say anymore, Hachiro, his advisor step in to whisper. "My lord, we are in a bad spot right now. This young man is now in a bloodthirsty state, we might be best not antagonizing a fight, we don't have enough men to protect you and your daughter."
"Then how should we proceed? Our men are dead, and now I have a sneaking suspicion this boy had more to do with it than he let on," Mashiko shot back in a whisper.
"Let us retire my lord, I beg of you. Acknowledge this duel and that honor has been suffice," Hachiro pleaded.
That made Mashiko growl, as he knew Hachiro was right, but even if he and Tashiro had been at odds, they had drawn blades together as sword brothers, a bond not many in their life could understand. Watching his own son practically kill him with no hesitation in his eyes, as if Hirotaka never knew him, and was just an obstacle to get out of the way was too much. Mashiko could not fathom his own son if he were alive doing that, or even Nakano for that matter.
A deep breath help the Nishizumi lord calm down, then spoke loudly, restraining his emotions as best he could. "Lord Kawahara, I acknowledge your right to rule."
A proud smile cross Hirotaka's face. "I thank you Lord Mashiko."
"With this business out of the way, may we now break off in peace between our two clans," Mashiko said.
"Certainly," Hirotaka said, then began to turn around to walk back down the bridge to his own men, while he secretly nodded that now was their time.
Mashiko thinking he was safe, motion for his party to make for the opposite end of the bridge and get away as quickly as possible. Nakano look ready to argue, but Mashiko shut her down with a look that brooked no argument, so she kept quiet as she walk away with her party.
"Oh, wait, I do have business with you still my lord," Hirotaka said.
The Nishizumi party as a whole turn around to the new Kawahara lord.
"I need your services, but first I need to show you my resolve," Hirotaka said, then laid down on his belly.
Behind him, the accompanying party of Kawahara soldiers had bows in hand, with arrows already nock. Two were on a knee, with two standing behind them, then as one, they loose their arrows into the Nishizumi party. Four arrows left their bows, and four arrows found homes in the Nishizumi warriors that were bunch together, who bravely use their bodies to shield their lord and lady.
There wasn't much time wasted by the Kawahara men, who quickly nock another volley, and loose into their foe again, with this time a much more devastating effect. As Nishizumi samurai threw their bodies in the way, one arrow slip through the human shield and struck Mashiko in the leg, with the bow cutting through haidate thigh guards and pierce flesh. Mashiko let out a howl of pain, and fell backward, with his men doing their best to catch him.
"Father!" Nakano said, but could not get to him, as Okabe had pushed her down on the bridge floor, doing his best to shield her, not allowing Nakano to stand up.
Nakano turn her eyes forward to see the Kawahara men nocking arrows and were firing at will now. She turn back to her wounded father to see Hachiro now putting his body in the way, the old man ready to give his life as well, which sent Nakano into overdrive, pushing away from Okabe who couldn't stop her.
Now standing to her feet, Nakano drew her blade, and place herself in front of her party to defend them.
Even in his haze of pain, Mashiko saw his daughter standing before the foe about to loose arrows into them, he scream at her. "Nakano get down!"
Though his daughter did no such thing, looking over her shoulder, she smile a bit, as Nakano believe it was her duty now to protect her father, after he so long protected her. Resolute now, she turn her eyes forward to see the Kawahara men only hesitate for a moment to see this woman before them ready to fight, not knowing if they should keep firing.
"Don't stop now, she wants to be a warrior, let her die as one," Hirotaka yell, while still laying on his belly.
One Kawahara archer found his resolve and loose his arrow, which flew true to its foe. Though the result was unlike anything these men on both sides had ever seen, as Nakano cooly brought her blade up to deflect the arrow, her katana catching the steel tip head, making a short ringing sound, while sending the arrow away and into the water below the bridge with a small splash.
For a moment, no one move, all in awe of the young women and what she had done. The Kawahara men, even with more arrows nock, lower them in utter fascination at seeing how effortlessly the women had deflected the arrow, while the Nishizumi men stare in awe, for some of them had thought Nakano's abilities had always been inflated, though with what they just witness made them rethink that.
All the while Mashiko was just as shock as anybody, for he had seen the speed of an arrow on a battlefield, knowing how quickly someone would have to react to deflect it, not to mention to be able to anticipate its flight path. With Hachiro next to him, just smiling, since he already knew Nakano could do this sort of thing, again the Kage no hon'nō, the ability gifted to Nakano was being laid for all to see.
Though initially shock, the Kawahara men began to nock more arrows, then loose them at Nakano in the hope to find the mark. Even with more volume of arrows coming at her, Nakano stood her ground, deflecting each one away with unmatched speed, keeping her remaining party safe from, though the Kawahara men kept loosing arrows which were becoming too many for Nakano to deflect.
One arrow got past her guard, slicing across her right upper arm, which also didn't help when she wasn't wearing any Soda shoulder plates like their samurai were, but only her thin cloth kimono, to which the arrow tore through, with a small cut that follow. Nakano ignore the pain deflecting other arrows, just as Okabe got up and was coming to protect his lady.
"Stop!" Hirotaka order.
His men follow the order, stopping their firing of arrows, as the Kawahara lord stood up. Nakano eye him with her katana in hand, but now with Okabe at her side, his sword drawn and ready to fight. For a moment nothing happened, as Hirotaka eye them up with his usual coy smile, then began to clap.
"Well, well, it seems the rumors about you my lady, have been anything but underwhelming, while the real thing is quite breathtaking," Hirotaka praise.
That made Nakano's face contort into anger. "You will pay for harming my father."
"Oh, my dear, I won't be doing any of that," Hirotaka said, then motion to one of his men.
The Kawahara samurai nodded, then pull an arrow out, known as a whistling arrow. He lean back and fire the arrow into the air, which let out a high pitch whistle that echo loudly across the area. Nakano was shocked, as the rest of the party, then heard the sound of clanking armor behind them. All eyes of the remaining Nishizumi party all turn behind them, back down the bridge towards the forest they had come from.
Coming out of these very woods, was a large host of Kawahara footmen, with their clan's banners, attach to their backs, spears in their hands. They flooded out of the woods, seeming to number in their hundreds, now completely outmatching the remaining few Nishizumi warriors, who were now trapped on the bridge, with no way to escape and at their foe's mercy. While those who had remained on the bank, huddle close with swords drawn ready to die to protect their lord.
"Well you see you have no way out, was kind of a surprise you didn't bring more men to this meeting, but I'll take my advantages where I can get them," Hirotaka said, as his own men on the bridge gather at his sides to guard him.
Being helped to his feet by his men, Lord Mashiko spoke. "Nakano, to me."
His daughter look back, then nodded, while carefully retreating to what was left of their party with Okabe in front of her, being careful not to step on their fallen comrade's bodies. Once they all gathered up, Mashiko took a deep breath, knowing he had no control over this situation now but would press on.
"Lord Kawahara, what is it you want?" Mashiko said, through clenched teeth, doing his best to ignore the pain in his leg.
Hirotaka nodded happily like this was all he wanted to hear as he spoke. "I want you to provide your best warriors for a campaign I am to lead soon."
"We don't have many soldiers to send, not to mention we have a host of bandits infesting our land," Mashiko argue.
"I understand, that's why I want no more than five hundred. They will attack a weaken part of the enemy so my main thrust can achieve victory," Hirotaka said casually.
That made Mashiko balk at what seem like a simple request, but understood what he was asking. "You mean to ask for my soldiers to be a sacrifice."
"Oh no, Lord Nishizumi. I mean to use the reputation of your clan to draw eyes away, all of Japan know of your mastery of the sword and horseback archery," Hirotaka said back.
"Why not just kill us? What is your aim in all of this?" Nakano ask.
That made Mashiko turn to his daughter. "Silence."
Though Nakano flinch at how harsh her father's tone was, Hirotaka just chuckle, enjoying every moment of this.
"A good question," Hirotaka said as he calm down. "I don't see the point to needless bloodshed, especially with grand warriors like you. Better for us to work together to achieve our dream. This little show of force earlier was just to make sure you know I'm willing to do what I must to win."
"Your dream that is," Mashiko shot back.
"My dream can help your land, if we conquer other clans, I will allocate warriors to you. Help you deal with this bandit problem of yours or I can kill you all here, ravage your land, and be done with it. Make your choice I have things to do," Hirotaka said.
Mashiko now ponder on what to do. He could easily just agree to this, to subject his warriors to follow this mad young man, who seem ready to use them as he saw fit for the sake of not dying here and leaving their lands to be ravaged by the Kawahara. The other problem being his own people might question his leadership more than he already was being subjected to scrutiny. To see the proud Nishizumi clan bend to another's will when they have been independent for so long.
Yet I have no choice, I must do what is best for the people and my family
"Alright, I will provide you warriors for this campaign," Mashiko said, his pride being crush.
"Father," Nakano said in a quiet tone, completely baffle he would capitulate.
"Silence, I will not have you die here or anyone else," Mashiko shot back silently.
Hirotaka for his part just felt great pleasure that everything was coming together as he plan, though he was going to add in a little something for good measure, as he spoke. "Good will get this agreement in writing, though I want your daughter to lead these men."
"That's out of the question, I will have one of my loyal samurai take the role," Mashiko said hotly.
"Oh, that wasn't a request. After what I just witness, I need good warriors on the battlefield, especially who we are going up against, only be fair, as I hear they use female warriors as well," Hirotaka said.
"I won't bend to this, my daughter will not be part of this war of yours," Mashiko argue.
"Well…guess negotiations have broken down," Hirotaka said, raising his hand, waiting to order his men to slaughter the last of the true Nishizumi's.
"Wait!" Nakano said, sheathing her blade, while coming forward, with her father complaining all the way, yet she ignore them.
"Oh?" Hirotaka said with a knowing smile.
Nakano walk till they were only a short ways apart, then spoke. "I will fight for you, as the last child of Mashiko Nishizumi, especially when he is in a injure state. My sword is yours, my lord."
"Good, good," Hirotaka said, knowing the girl had just laid claim to lead in her father's place.
"Nakano! Do not disobey me! You will not fight!" Mashiko roar, his men trying to keep him from moving, so as not to make the arrow in his leg move around.
I'm sorry father, forgive me, for I must do my duty that my brother would have done for you, for I am a Nishizumi
Nakano thought, then look to the young Kawahara lord once more. "May I ask who we are waging war against?"
"Why yes, my lady. A clan that has been a torn in mine clans side for decades, who are ready to finally fall before the might of your combine forces, the Shimada clan," Hirotaka said with a devilish smile, as the future was bright, as he finally achieve his first goal to wipe out this little clan from history for good.