Sengoku Period 1583

A ray of sunlight peek through the small gap in the sliding door to the room that was shrouded by the darkness, wanting to keep the daylight out. Trying to keep its occupant in dreamland, even as the day was becoming brighter as the sun rose ever higher. Yet, even with the day promising to be pleasant and inviting, the event that was about to take place was going to be anything but pleasant.

That unpleasantness coming on was what made the sleeping form's dream state very distorted. As Nakano, sleeping on her shiki futon was tossing in her sleep. Her dream was one of something of constant screaming, the clash of steel, and the high pitch pleas for help. Over and over, it washes over her dream like a beating drum, with her standing in the midst of this chaos seeming unable to escape it, unable to fathom how to end it. All she could do was stand and watch this madness unfold, till suddenly the screaming stop, the sound of clashing steel dissipated and only left were pitiful moans of those left behind.

At that moment, words spoke loudly, which Nakano recognize as her own voice that spoke in a tone so cold, it sent a shiver up her spine.

I am a Nishizumi, I am a warrior! There is only one path for me that leads to the end! With my victory or my death! There is no other way!

The other voice spoke back, a voice she recognize as well. A voice that once was so caring and gentle with her, but now was equally cold.

So be it warrior, for I am a Nishizumi as well, only strength and victory matters, so let us see who has the right with the old way…

Then the blades cross with one another, parry, slash, sidestep, lower cut, sidestep, parry…..a misstep…

Then blood splash across Nakano's face, as her blade finally found its perfect strike, leaving her foe at her mercy, as they fell to the floor…

Words filled with deep sadness spoke to her now…one last final word before they left this world…

I….I….I am proud of you….

The voice said, then they pull a small blade out, to begin the ancient ritual…one to keeps one's honor at the end…

Nakano raise the blade once more to make the final strike and give this opponent the honor they so seek, but stop, as for when Nakano look at the defeated foe…it shock her…

For she was looking back at herself, staring at Nakano with a weary smile, blood leaking from her mouth…

Losing all will, Nakano felt her blade drop on the floor, its clatter echo loudly in this dark space, while Nakano fell to her knees, still staring at her dying self. Then her dying self spoke once more, to let Nakano know the words that needed to be sew on her heart for all time, if she wanted to save her clan and her family's future.

You…you…are a…Nish…Nishizumi….victory is all that matters….

At…at…at…whatev…whatever cost…

For all roads lead to the end…let it end in victory…for that…is what will set you free…

Suddenly Nakano rose up from her futon with a shout, her heart beating so hard, she thought it pop out from her chest. The feeling of sweat running down her face became evident, as she brought a hand up to cover her face and try to steady her breathing. Her other hand grip the sheets tightly, as a way to tell herself this was reality, not a dream anymore. Slowly but surely, Nakano began to calm down, feeling her breathing come to a soft rhythm.

Letting her hand drop from her face, Nakano took one last deep breath, then exhale, as finally, she was calm. Yet the nightmare she had had was troubling, the voices, the clash of steel, and worse of all-seeing herself dying. She didn't know what it all meant, which only added to her worries, when today was the very day she was heading off to war. Even as a warrior, she dreaded the fact she was going to battle, while also leading soldiers. Their lives would be in her hands, and if they die, it would be because of her decisions, hers and hers alone.

Yet isn't this what I wanted, to lift the burden as much as I can from my father's shoulders

Nakano thought, now looking to the small light, peeking through the slightly ajar door to her room. It told her the day was in full bloom, and there was no stopping it. Only forward was her direction, to meet this day, with the future days going to prove to be tough, but she was a Nishizumi. Nakano's only path was forward, through any challenge, this was the way she was going to honor her family as a warrior who was built on the sword and unwavering conviction.

Suddenly the sound of feet shuffling down the hallway got Nakano's attention. As someone came to the front of the sliding door, but didn't open it right away, as that would be inappropriate to do so, especially to a royal member of the clan.

"My lady, are you awake?" a voice call out, which Nakano knew must have been a maid.

"Yes," was all Nakano said.

"May I enter?" the maid ask.

"You may."

The sliding door was open slowly, with the maid walking in which let in the bright sun, which made Nakano raise her hands to guard her face from the beaming sunlight that now lit up her room. While also warming her body, making her dread the heat of the summer day, while also having to march out of the castle and town in full gear, but that was just a small price to pay, when it came to protection for a warrior going into battle which she would endure, just like her men would.

The maid came to Nakano now, leaning down on her knees to look over her lady, noting the sweat running down Nakano's face and disheveled look. A look of concern flash over the maid's face, yet quickly got to her duties to her lady, with a soft cloth in hand, she began wiping the sweat from her lady's face gently. Next, the maid fix up Nakano's kimono, doing her best to get her decent for the bath she was about to receive before she rode out.

"The bath is ready, my lady," the maid said, standing up and bowing.

"Thank you," Nakano said, standing up now. "Is my gear ready as well?"

"Yes, my lady. It has been set out for you, do you need help dressing in it? We have train some of the maids to help get it on," the maid asked.

"No, a true samurai dresses themselves for battle," Nakano said, then left her room without another word.

The bath was short, as Nakano knew she had to be on the road soon while gathering up the 500 men she needed from the passing forts, as they march north to meet the Shimada clan for battle. The Shimada clan was one she had never heard of before, which made her wonder why Hirotaka wanted to focus his main army on them. Perhaps bad blood, or something to that effect, but Nakano didn't know. It was really none of her concern, all she had to do right now was make sure she led her men well, while also getting as many of them home as she could.

Soon her bath was finished, as Nakano came to a private room where her gear was set out for her. It be the first time she wear armor, as other times on her bandit hunting, she wore a simple kimono and hakama pants, with some light leather armor. Nakano like the freedom of movement, with speed being her ally, yet she was heading to an actual battlefield were arrows, spears, katana's, and musket balls would be looking to end her. Having some protection might just keep her alive, even if it wore her down.

Nakano came up to the table with the gear set out, then sat down on her knees, her hands on her thighs as she began to meditate. To clear her mind for the coming day, to coming battles, and the coming bloodshed. She let her thoughts go to her mother, her brother, the baby brother who was stillborn, praying they would look over her in the coming days. Next, she thought of her nephews, Toshikasu and Shoda, for she was leaving them behind, though this time was different than others.

If Nakano was honest, they both felt like her sons to her, not nephews, though she always kept that to herself, for if her father ever found it, he might become angry. For he still always held the boys at arm's length since Mashiko didn't want to look at them as replacements for his own two sons who were dead. Nakano knew this dark secret well, yet never told anyone of that being her father's reason for being so cross with the boys.

As Nakano's father dealt with running the clan, leaving little time for his daughter. Toshikasu and Shoda were a constant presence, always following Nakano around like two baby cubs, never wanting to be away from their mother tiger wherever she would go, be it sword training or a simple horseback ride around the countryside, they wanted to be with her. While Nakano herself, found it hard not to want to be with them at all times.

Which always made leaving for bandit hunting a difficult time for them, as they would have to accept being separated from one another, but had grown used to the usual time apart. Though this time, she was going somewhere more dangerous, where she might very well not return home from.

Yet, she do all in her power to come home.

Feeling as ready as she ever was going to be, Nakano open her eyes to see her armor lay before her, then rose to begin the process of dressing herself.

She started with her Suneata shin guards, slipping them over and tying them tight.

Next was Hadiate thigh guards, then her Kote sleeves, next her Do cuirass chest armor, and so on till she was full dress in her armor. The black and grey color of the armor being of her clans, with her Kabuto helmet under her arm, to only adorn when she rode out and her one katana was placed at her hip.

Now she was properly dressed, her last thing to do was fix her long black hair into a high ponytail, though she adjust it later when she needed to start riding out.

"Nakano are you in there?" a voice call out.

The voice made Nakano smile as she reply. "Yes, Toshikasu."

"Can I come in?" the young boy ask.

After replying with a yes, the sliding door open, with Toshikasu and his younger brother Shoda both coming in. The boy's at first just stop, looking Nakano up and down, in complete awe of her being fully dressed in armor. Nakano smile at the two, then drop to a knee to be at their height as they got over their awe and came over to her.

"You look like a proper samurai," Toshikasu said, his hand touching Nakano's shoulder piece.

"Yea, the armor makes you look so powerful. It's going to protect you from any harm right?" Shoda said, though the concern in his voice was evident.

"It will protect me, though I must protect myself as well, even as reckless as I am at times," Nakano said to the boys in a joking tone.

Toshikasu gave her an amused look. "I'm not worried, you will put down all in your path, show those Shimada why the Nishizumi clan needs to be fear."

"Yet why must we fight them, they haven't wronged us in any way," Shoda ask.

Now the older brother turns on his younger one. "Shoda, don't question it, were warriors, it's what we do."

"We don't fight for the sake of fighting Toshikasu," Nakano lecture.

"Yet you're going to fight. You're a warrior Nakano if you can't battle, then why be one?" Toshikasu question.

It was a question that gave Nakano some pause, as she knew Toshikasu had a right to question her. All Nakano had done was train to be a warrior, though her sole purpose was always to defend her people, giving her very life if that was necessary. Yet now she was going to battle against someone who had not wrong her, but this was the path in life she had taken. She would fight the Shimada not for glory or prestige, but to protect her clan, though she had to serve a mad young lord to accomplish this, against her will no less.

"You are right Toshikasu, but I go to battle to make sure peace can remain in our land," Nakano said, doing her best to ease their minds while lying somewhat.

"I know you'll do your duty, I'm going to train extra hard while you're gone, so when you come back I can awe you with my sword skill," Toshikasu said excitedly while pretending to hold a katana making wild slashes at imaginary opponents.

"I'll be able to ride on my own when you get back, I've already started my bow training as well, so I'll be able to hit anything that moves, you'll see," Shoda boasted as well.

Nakano nodded to their boast, though there was something in both of their eyes, that they were trying to hide under these boasts. It was fear, the fear of Nakano leaving and not coming back. It was plain as day for Nakano to see it, which only grip her heart thinking about how much she would miss these two.

Reaching out, Nakano brought both boys into a hug, with each gripping her tightly, though it was improper for them to be so emotional about things, the boys could care less, when it came to a woman who had become their surrogate mother over the years. She was their rock and foundation, the only one to look after them as they grew up, to show them the motherly affection they miss when their mother and sister to Mashiko Nishizumi, Kaiyo Nishizumi, who had died of lung disease some years ago leaving the boy's orphan and motherless. Yet Mashiko took them in and Nayoko look after them, with now they dreaded her being taken from them suddenly like thier late mother.

"Boy's I will come home, ok?" Nakano whisper, still holding them close.

"You promise?" Shoda ask, though bit muffle as he spoke into her shoulder.

"Yea, you have to promise," Toshikasu added in.

That made Nakano chuckle. "Yes I promise, I will come home to both of you, and we're going to be together once again."

A sudden cough got the trio's attention, making them turn back to the door to see Mashiko standing there, along with Hachiro who had a bundle in his hands. Nakano took in the sight of her father, seeing he was using a cane to walk, as result of the arrow that pierce his thigh. Luckily it hadn't gotten infected, with a doctor provided by the Kawahara clan extracting it and allowing the Nishizumi lord to heal properly, though he was another week away before he could walk on his own power.

"Boy's we need a word with Nakano alone," Mashiko said, his voice hard and commanding.

Both Toshikasu and Shoda extracted themselves from the hug regretfully, they look at Nakano deeply once more. The trio talk with their eyes, speaking to how deeply they care for each other, then the boys bow to her, then Hachiro and Mashiko, with them finally leaving the room.

Standing to full height, Nakano spoke to her mentor and father. "I am ready."

"You look ready," Hachiro said, then came forward with a bundle in hand, with Mashiko coming alongside him.

"The armor suits you," Mashiko said, though Nakano could tell from his voice that he still wasn't please that he had to send his daughter to war.

"Thank you father, I will fight honorably in the name of our clan," Nakano said with a small bow to him.

Though that statement seem to not make the Nishizumi lord happy at all. "All you must do is quickly end this conflict, and then come home."

"Yes father, I will do as you command," Nakano said, feeling sadness grip her heart, knowing her father still disapprove of her going to war, even after everything that happen he did his best to argue against the Kawahara lord, but to no avail and sigh the agreement to their alliance with Nayoko leading the Nishizumi force.

"Before you leave, we have a gift for you," Hachiro said trying to ease the tension between the two.

"A gift?" Nakano ask.

"Yes," Mashiko now said, nodding to Hachiro to give the bundle to Nakano, to which he did.

Nakano took the bundle carefully, then slowly unravel it revealing the bundle to be a katana and one she knew quite well. For this katana belong to her brother, she could tell by the engravings on the black saya which were in kanji.

Three kanji words were etched into along the saya: Duty, Strength, Family.

A sudden flash of Nakano's late brother Kojiro's face came to her, on the day he show her the blade, that smiths had finally finish forging for him before he went to war. Telling her this would be the katana that would be used to save people, end the years of needless bloodshed, and unite Japan. Nakano as only a little girl then completely believe that her brother would have achieved that dream, but fate had been cruel and taken him from them.

Sliding her fingers along the saya slowly as if it was made of glass, Nakano look at her father. "I thought this was lost after…after…after Kojiro died."

"It was all that I found of him after the battle, as it had washed up onto the bank of the river as we search for him the aftermath. I kept it secretly as his only living memory, but it seems appropriate now to give it to you," Mashiko said, his tone sadden at again the thought of his lost son.

"By carrying it into battle, you will be carrying a piece of your brother as well. He will watch over you," Hachiro said with encouragement.

"While also being a symbol to your men that you carrying two swords," Mashiko added, knowing of the importance of prestige for samurai to have earned the right to carry two swords.

"Thank you," Nakano said, then bow to them both. "I will carry me and my brother's sword with honor into battle."

"Just remember your training, and you will be quite alright," Hachiro said with a warm smile.

"As I am sure she will, Hachiro, I need a moment alone with my daughter," Mashiko said.

The old swordmaster bow to his lord, then gave Nakano another encouraging nod, speaking to the trust he had in her to come back from this war. Again their eyes met and spoke to each other, with Hachiro knowing her training, tenacity, and experience would see her through this turbulent time. For that, the old man had no doubt of, with now his duty was to look after the boys and keep them out of trouble while their surrogate mother was away a difficult task, but one Hachiro would take on for the sake of his favorite pupil.

Quickly Hachiro shuffle out of the room, leaving father and daughter to speak once more before they were to be parted, and for how long, they both didn't know.

"Father, I know you don't approve of me being a warrior, even after everything that has happened. Yet I will bring this conflict to a close quickly," Nakano said, thinking it was best to air out the worries openly.

"It's not that, after what I saw that day on the bridge, I know your path as a warrior is the one that is yours. Even now it boggles my mind that you can deflect arrows," Mashiko said with a smile, knowing there was no more fighting this path his daughter travel.

Nakano blush, hearing her father praise and accept her role as a warrior suddenly which surprise her when he seem still against it. "It's not something I can do easily, it's more of a feeling is all."

"Kage no hon'nō?" Mashiko question.

"You know of it?" Nakano ask with a sidelong glance.

The Nishizumi lord just nodded his head. "Hachiro told me about it when we return to the castle, telling me that is the reason you're so in tune with sword and bow. That you can feel danger, face it head-on, and come out on top. He said this was the reason your bandit hunting is so successful, while you also knew the horror that was about to happen that day with the Kawahara clan."

"There was no way to know Lord Tashiro's his own son would kill him without a second thought and all for power as well," Nakano said, the memory of it still haunting her.

"Yes, to see Lord Tashiro's own son butcher him like that. As if he were nothing but an obstacle, was truly horrifying to see, but we have no choice but follow his mad son's warpath," Mashiko said, feeling dejected he could not stand up to this threat to his clan like he did so many times before, with now having to subject themselves to another's will or face destruction in the end.

"For now, one day will rise above this and take down the Kawahara clan," Nakano said, resolute to break these chains that enslave her clan now.

"If only it were that easy my daughter. Even after this war with the Shimada is over, we don't have the manpower to keep fighting, our samurai are all but gone, and our people are being butchered by bandits," Mashiko said.

Nakano shook her head, not ready to give in. "I know the path to regain our freedom will be long, but we will gain it one day, by our own hands. We are Nishizumi's, we never waver to any challenge."

Hearing his daughter's passion, made Mashiko's heart beat with pride as he spoke. "You sound so much like your brother, he always believe in our clans might no matter the odds. Now you believe as he did, which makes me very happy."

Feeling happiness at her father's praise, made Nakano smile. "I believe we will overcome this, but only together, I know we've been at odds sometimes over the years, but I believe in your strength father, that has been my strength these difficult years."

"As you have been my strength, my dear Nakano," Mashiko said back, his pride evident in his eyes, done with fighting the warrior spirit his daughter had, now accepting it.

"Now go, you have a long ride to meet up with Kawahara army," Mashiko said, wanting to not let things get too emotional.

"Yes father, I shall return from this campaign with full honors," Nakano said with a bow, then began to leave the room.

As she was opening the sliding door, her father call out to her. "Nakano, I have given it some thought to giving Toshikasu the right to be my heir."

"You have?" Nakano said, turning back to him.

"Yes, though I expect you to be the voice of reason if I decided on that path," Mashiko said with smile.

Nakano felt giddy, that she could leave behind the burden of taking over the family, not be forced into a political marriage. While she could remain a warrior till her lands were safe and guide Toshikasu on the right path to being a ruler. Things were looking brighter and brighter, with all Nakano having to do in her mind was make sure that the future could be obtained by her own hands.

"Yes father, I will do as you command and see he learns some humility," Nakano said, then left the room to head to war that she hope was short.

XxxxX

A Month Later

The summer night air had taken over for the day, leaving behind the unusually warm weather for a more inviting coolness that grip the air. Giving great reprieve for the army of the Kawahara clan's men, who had been marching since dawn, having fought a small skirmish with the Shimada clan's army, who had once again fallen back from their obvious larger force. Which gave the Kawahara army great morale boost to them winning a quick war against any obvious weaker force.

Because of this minor victory, the men were in fine spirits, as they lay down by their campfires. Joking to one another about how effortless the whole campaign had been going, some were boasting of the prizes they had taken from villages that they raided. Though strangely enough, most villages they march through were abandoned, with almost all their food gone, yet thankfully they had left behind stores of sake and other alcohol to which the men took great pleasure, with their leader Hirotaka Kawahara, letting them do as they please, which only had an effect of loosening discipline in the ranks.

Most were still uneasy about the young man now taking over the clan, more so because he had killed his own father to gain the role of Daimyo in the clan. The only reason there hadn't been outright infighting over the sudden killing of their lord from the Kawahara samurai, was because they had grown discontent by their isolationist policy of their lord, wanting to wage battle like any true samurai. Another reason was for their former lords not wanting to avenge Nobunaga's death, which had stunted the drive for the unification of Japan many of them had truly believe in when they fought with the Oda clan.

Yet now they were waging war on an old adversary of theirs in the Shimada clan of the north, with the two clans fighting off and on again for some time. Now they were bringing their whole force of some 30,000 men against what the scouts reported as nothing more than 8,000 Shimada warriors. It was laughable for the men around the campfires who took great pleasure to know they outmatch their foes by a large margin, with only one battle needed to finally take down the Shimada clan for good.

With this easy victory in sight, most of the men forgot about their minor worry about their new young lord, as they were being allowed to battle as warriors once more. Some began to say that they were going to eventually be the ones to unite Japan, continuing Nobunaga's dream, to finally end the fighting across the entire nation. Though others could care less out the dream in the ranks, since most were taking advantage of the spoils of this war to enrich their lives, so they could live comfortably once this was all over, and be ready for the next war that wouldn't be far behind.

Around a certain campfire, some Kawahara men were drinking some fine wine they had taken from a village earlier that day while enjoying some succulent meat they had just finish cooking over the fire, they even had a little salt to throw it to enhance the flavor of the meat much to their delight. The two luxuries together wash away their troubles of day's long march in the heat, with now being their time to sit and relax. They like many were in good spirits as they talk with one another about their future victories and more importantly prizes they could gain for themselves.

"Can you believe how cowardly the Shimada clan are? Retreat after retreat, no stomach for the fight, while they even abandon some of their fortresses," one of the Kawahara Ashigaru men said, or simply the term for common footmen in the army.

"I know right, thought they were supposed to be some great warriors or something, yet their fighting prowess is just a myth," another man said.

"I heard they have a proud warrior history, having fought against large number clans and came out on top, shouldn't we be worried," the youngest of the band said, a boy that had just reach his 16th name day.

"Heh, like you know anything of history, your just some poor farmer boy who only knows how to plant rice fields," one the group tease the young boy.

"Ah, leave the boy alone. What do the rank and file care about history, or this clan's honor, or anything. We get pay to fight, get some spoils, some women, and then go home."

"What about the ending all the years of fighting, isn't that what we are really trying to achieve," the young boy ask.

The group of Kawahara men all stop their drinking and eating to stare at the boy, then began to laugh heartily, making the young boy balk to think he had missed out on the joke. Soon enough the chuckling all die down, as the group focus on the young boy, with one wanting to teach him the error of his thinking.

"I'll let you in on a little secret boy," one of the men said, though in a soft tone, as he was going to educate the youngest of their group.

Quickly the boy snap to attention, wanting to learn from his veterans.

"This bloody cycle we are in isn't going to stop, it's been this way for a hundreds of years, with every unifier falling short of this impossible goal they all want to achieve, while the rest of us our ground under the wheels of their ambition," the older man said.

Reflecting on the words, the boy could understand them somewhat.

"So don't get all uppity about unification or even our own lords dream. Hopefully he just has his fill of beating on smaller clans, till the point were strong enough that no one wants to challenge the Kawahara clan, so you can go back to your farm and enjoy the rest of your life in peace," again the man lecture.

"Oh…ok," the boy said, though still the fire of his dream to be part of unification effort was still there, having been mystified by the stories of the exploits of this great achievement that many wanted to achieve, but would keep it to himself for now.

"Hey look, isn't that those Nishizumi clan warriors?" a man from the group said.

As one the Kawahara clan footmen all turn to see the legendary warriors themselves. They march through the camp, first, their mounted Samurai clad in their all black and grey armor, looking quite menacing with their face mask as well on. Behind them, their footmen walk as well, with most noticing they were given more armor than usually accolade to common Ashigaru solider, with shoulder guards, gauntlets, and heavy cuirass chest guard.

They walk with an air of discipline about them, seeming to not even notice the Kawahara soldiers all eyeing them up as they march by. Most of the Kawahara soldiers had contempt for them, as the Nishizumi warriors had been fighting separately from the main body, having fought in small skirmishes as well with the Shimada clan in flanking movements to keep the main army secure from any surprise attacks. Each time there was nothing by quick and decisive victories from them. Yet they also heard the Nishizumi warriors didn't raid villages, just simply march past them leaving no harm to the homes of people that weren't fast enough to getaway.

To the Kawahara men, they saw this as them being too good to even enjoy in simple pleasures of war as if they were better than them. Which only added growing tensions with the Nishizumi's as the campaign wore on.

Though the Kawahara men care very little for their allies, with most just wondering why the Nishizumi's brought so few men as well, having heard they number at least 500 at most. While others wonder just as much as to why they hadn't just conquered the Nishizumi clan since they were depleted of manpower, but the Kawahara lord had claimed that their combined strength would win the day, though most could care less as long as there was no trouble to be had and the Nishizumi's just did their part in the end.

"Hey take a look at that," one of the men said.

"Is that her? The Nishizumi's lords daughter, didn't think the rumors were true of her fighting on the front lines," one the group said.

"And a beauty at that."

"Yea no kidding."

"I heard she's kill a hundred men," the boy in the group said.

"I heard its more than that, has to be a rumor though," one the men said.

"If it's true, had to be a nice last image to see her killing you," one of the men joke.

"I rather bed her and let that be the image I remember," one of the med said with a devilish smile.

The men around the campfire began to chuckle as their curiosity of the Nishizumi warriors was at an end, as they started to settle back down to get back to eating and drinking, though the boy in the group continue to watch the Nishizumi clan warriors. Compare to his own clan, the Nishizumi's seem discipline and well drill. Their armor seem to be more than the common footmen and samurai would wear, making them look like iron demons.

He had also been grip by the tales of their clan warrior past as well, having heard it from his own father when he told it to him. They had forged a path by the blade, and only by the blade had built their clan. They encompass all that a warrior should be in the young boy's mind, wishing quietly that he could fight under them, but that was just a dream now.

"Boy, quit staring and get some drink in you. We got another long march tomorrow and maybe a battle, enjoy the peace tonight," one of the men call out.

"Oh, sorry," the boy said, then settle back down with his comrades, though he hope for chance to see how deadly the Nishizumi clan was one day.

XxxxX

"Those immoral men have no right to speak of my lady in such a way," Okabe said, his anger evident on his face after hearing some of the Kawahara men talk of his leader in a vulgar manner.

"Don't mind Okabe, I've long since care about what they say," Nonaka said, riding deeper into the camp, going to speak with the Kawahara Daimyo who she wish to speak some of her concerns to about the state of affairs with this campaign, that in her mind was going to smoothly.

"My lady, they talk of you like you're a prize, not a warrior," Okabe said, with some of Nishizumi samurai riding with him voicing the same thing. Which made Nonaka smile to hear them speak so highly of her.

In their short month of fighting under Nonaka's command, she had more than earn their trust. As their small band of 500 men had been pressing hard since the start of the campaign, fighting a series of skirmishes with the Shimada forces, with time and time again beating them with tactics they weren't use to using.

Nonaka use the speed of her horse arches to unsettle her foes, firing and then retreating. Repeating the process that annoy her foe, who then charge recklessly to drive off the Nishizumi horse arches, then launch her footmen into flank attacks while her mounted Samurai charge down the middle. Twice this tactic had work, leading to relatively bloodless victories, but the last skirmish they had met the Shimada who had caught on to the tactic and counter it with their own horse archers, becoming a strange battle as both sides disregarded their swords and rode around firing their bows at one another, try to knock each other out of the saddle with precision, with Nonaka in the thick of it.

In the end, the Nishizumi horse archery prove to be more than the Shimada's could handle and eventually fell back, though the skirmish prove to show their enemy was someone who adjusted quickly.

That last skirmish had cost her 60 men dead and wounded. Making Nonaka sadden to lose men under her command, while having to adjust to her emotions to pray for them, but move on as there were more battles to wage against a foe who was performing strangely by retreating constantly but never meeting them in open battle, especially now with their main castle so close at hand.

Returning her mind to the present, Nonaka reply to her guardian. "If that is how they see me, then know the prize they receive is nothing but steel from me."

The joke seem to ease the men, as the chuckle knowing full well that would be the case when it came to anyone messing with their leader or outright not respecting her warrior abilities.

Finally, the party made it to the center of the camp, where a large tent had been erected with the Kawahara clan's flag waving in the air, displaying their emblem. It was here that Nonaka call for a dismount, though order her men to keep ready to move along, since she didn't want to camp here, but set up elsewhere knowing the Kawahara men might antagonize them which might lead to trouble, while she didn't feel safe sleeping with those she still views as enemies even now.

Coming up to the entrance, Nonaka was let in by the guards, with Okabe staying behind to make sure their men were kept in line. Inside the tent was warm, making Nonaka bask in it for the moment. The tent was filled with tapestries and fine silk seats, there were some other Kawahara samurai milling about, though there were also some captive women taken from the villages they had raided and were not quick enough to escape the invading army.

Looking at them made Nonaka sick, even if she hadn't done any harm to them, she wasn't helping them either. Unlike those women she had save from Yukimura and his men, here she had to turn a blind eye, but for only for the sake of her clan who could not resist the might of the Kawahara clan, while they also had a pact in place. Honor made them follow it, as vile as it felt to do such a thing.

Walking on, Nonaka found the Kawahara lord at a table with his top lieutenants, drinking sake with great fervor that was matched by the entire Kawahara army just outside these tents. A mental shake of the head from Nonaka who couldn't believe they were drinking so heavily the night before a possible battle the next day, to which she had to remind the Kawahara lord of before it was too late for the army.

"Ahhh, Lady Nishizumi has come to grace us with her presence," Hirotaka Kawahara said, his voice slur a bit from his intake of alcohol.

Even as much as it disgusted her, Nonaka stop to bow to the Kawahara lord, then rose to speak. "Lord Kawahara, I've come to report."

"Oh, oh, yes report away. Report what my men have been telling me for the past month, that the Shimada clan is in full retreat, their main castle is only a day's march away, the spoils of their land are bountiful, and victory is insight," Hirotaka boasted, which made his men cheer in the tent, while frightening the capture women around them.

He's drunk, on the eve of a possible battle soon

Nonaka thought with disgust, then spoke openly. "My lord, I have to lay my concerns to you."

"Concerns? What concerns?" Hirotaka said back, seeming bored by the talk.

"Your men are drinking too much," Nonaka started.

A shrug from Hirotaka follow the response. "They have been marching all month, let them enjoy themselves a bit, especially with victory so near."

"Yes, they are enjoying themselves off the drink you have stolen from the Shimada's people's home," Nonaka argue.

A round of laughs rose up at the statement from the Kawahara men, as Hirotaka spoke first. "My lady, we are simply enjoying their hospitality. As you know the Shimada's and Kawahara have been at odds for years."

"Though it is you who invade their land," Nonaka stated, having vaguely learned of the history between the two clans from some of the Kawahara men.

Hearing the accusation sent Hirotaka into a rage, as he raise his fist and slam it into the table, making silence rain throughout the tent. His handsome features became contorted with rage, veins popping out, his teeth clench so hard that Nonaka thought they might break, while he eye her losing all of his usual coyness, replace by pure rage.

"You think you know our history, it was the Shimada's who were supposed to marry their daughter off to me, to bring peace. Yet when I came to marry her, she refuse to ever be my wife, saying I was nothing but a brute," Hirotaka said, his fist clenching ever harder.

That's what all this about, a marriage gone sour, this is what we are sacrificing my men for

With the truth laid bare to Nonaka, she wish for anything but to leave this tent and take her men home. Yet she was honor bond, and as a warrior and a daughter of the great Mashiko Nishizumi, she couldn't do that or disgrace her family. Duty to that family would keep her in place, which felt no better than a cage at this point.

Taking a deep breath, Nonaka turn to her training as a lady. "My apologies my lord, I had not known that was the reason."

The anger from the young Kawahara lord slowly receded. "You are forgiven, it was private disaster for our clan. My father told me to forget it and move on, but I could never let that disgrace go, while now they will pay. Will put the whole family to the sword if we must and be done with them."

Is this how a future leader wanting unification should act, it be a dark day if he ever became shogun

Nonaka again thought depressingly, knowing this was who she had to follow into battle, then spoke. "If I may voice some other concerns as well."

Hirotaka wave his hand for her to proceed.

"Our supply lines are also stretch out, while the enemy has taken all food with them, leaving us little to forage for," Nonaka said.

"Oh yes, the food. We need not worry, there will be plenty when we reach their main castle," Hirotaka said casually.

"What about th-," Nonaka wanted to keep pressing.

"Enough! Leave the military planning to men, you and your soliders are to do nothing but fight when you need to, that will be all Lady Nishizumi, good night," Hirotaka said, his tone telling her it was final.

Fury grip Nakano, knowing there was no fighting this anymore. She kept her decorum, and bow to the Kawahara lord who seem to care little for her presence as he went back to boasting to his men about the coming victory. Then Nakano left the tent quietly, again looking to the captive women as she left, being forced to serve drinks and sit on some men's laps. Again she was powerless to do anything about it, but push on, though that sickening feeling stay with her.

Leaving the tent now, Nakano felt completely dejected. Her small achievements of guarding the flank of the whole Kawahara army were completely disregarded, like they were nothing of worth noticing, especially when she had such a small band of men. Though quickly Nakano shook of this self-loathing, as she had to hope this campaign could end in a few days.

As she walk to her men, something in Nakano's mind began to ring, a feeling of danger. That same feeling she had when her and her father met with the Kawahara clan over the border dispute, knowing something was off. Which prove right in the end, when the Kawahara ambush them and force them into this alliance.

Looking throughout the camp, Nonaka look for the danger, but there was nothing but tents, jolly men, and camp fires. Maybe the danger was one of the Kawahara men? Though that maybe be overthinking things, even they wouldn't choose now to turn on the Nishizumi, not when a big battle had to be taking place soon. Yet the for whatever comforting thoughts Nakano try to give herself to calm down, the feeling of danger wouldn't go away.

"My lady," Okabe call out, walking up to her now.

"Okabe," was all Nakano said.

A raise eyebrow from the man follow the simple saying of his name, as Okabe over the years guarding Nakano understood when his lady was in distress over something, with so few words too.

"What is the matter, my lady?" Okabe ask.

"Its…its…it be might nothing. Yet I don't want us making camp here, will set out some distance from the Kawahara camp," Nakano order.

"Are you sure? We be expose in the open with our small band," Okabe said.

Nakano look around once more, then turn her eye's back to Okabe. "Were in danger being in here, I don't trust the Kawahara. Will make camp some distance from them, along the river. Do you remember the small path through the woods we took here?"

"Yes, why?" Okabe ask.

"If something happens, it's the fastest way for our men to retreat," Nakano said quietly.

"Retreat, my lady?" Okabe said aghast.

"Yes, we must be prepare for anything. Double the sentries as well, I want no surprises," Nakano said.

Okabe clip his feet together and bow to his lady and commander. "My lady, it will be done."

Then the proud second in command walks off, snapping off orders efficiently. For he believe in his commander and would follow her lead to whatever end. Hopefully, they could bring this to an end and go home. There he would feel better about Nakano's safety, though he value her warrior's skill that was beyond what words could describe, he could not forget that all it took was one stray swing or arrow, that would end her without hesitation. If she were to die, it be too much for him to endure.

Nakano watch her second in command go about his duty, while she turn to look at the sky, the bright moon was in full bloom over them. Yet its beauty did not ease her restless heart, as she knew danger was near, but maybe that means a battle would happen tomorrow, to which Nakano would do all she could to lead her men to victory.

Then she look down, to her two swords at her hip, one was her brothers, to which she touch the hilt, feeling as if his spirit was with her at this moment. Easing her heart to which he had done many times when he was alive.

Nakano then mentally recall the words of her clan, to make harden her resolve for the coming fight.

For I am a Nishizumi, and victory is all that matters to me….

XxxxX

For I am a Shimada, and duty to my family is all that matters to me…

Thought pass through the mind of a young woman only reaching her 18th name day, wearing her samurai armor that was of all light grey color. She was quite a beauty with her pale skin, her long light brown hair that look almost like silver tied into a neat bun, with light brown eyes that added to her loveliness.

The colors of her armor were of her clan, the Shimada clan, a proud clan that now was facing its darkest hour. With Kawahara army breaking the peace to invade their lands with an army that dwarf their own, which was why their lord Naohiro Shimada had not engaged them in an open battle, instead use their small unit tactics to keep the large army at bay.

The young women look down from the forested hill she had taken position to observe the enemy army currently camp down below. The fires of their camp seem to go on for miles, which only made her more nervous for what they were about to attempt after a month of lulling the Kawahara into a sense of drunkenness of their coming victory.

"Akina, you need not worry so much," a voice call out.

The women turn to the voice, the voice of her brother. The moon's rays peer through the trees illuminating him to her. He wore the same armor as her, with his helmet tuck under his arm.

Her brother's name was Tetsuzan Shimada, a handsome man reaching his 25th name day. His skin pale, which match his sisters complexation, with their light blonde hair that was almost silver like, while also bundle up, something all Shimada's share in their blood line, with light brown eyes.

"Tetsuzan, I'm sorry for being so nervous about this coming battle. Yet seeing their whole army makes me tremble about what should happen if we fail," Akina Shimada said, looking back to the camp from their position.

Coming up to stand by his sister, Tetsuzan took in the sight of the Kawahara army camp, letting out a whistle over how large it was. Though he didn't fear their numbers, not when he knew it was the bastard Hirotaka Kawahara leading them. Rumors had surface that he had kill his own father to become lord, which meant this invasion was for one thing and one thing only.

Vengeance.

Vengeance for the rejection of his marriage to his little sister Akina.

"To think he would wage war over his pride, just couldn't accept that we didn't want him marrying you," Tetsuzan said with a shake of the head.

Akina just clasp her hands together, her face etch with regret. "It's my fault, if I had just accepted the marriage offer, he wouldn't be doing this to our people and our land."

"Don't blame yourself, little sister, I wouldn't have accepted that marriage anyway. The man was nothing but a philander, he would never be faithful to you, and besides, we have been at odds for years. Our chance to end the fighting for good starts now," Tetsuzan said with encouragement.

Akina felt a smile play across her lips, looking to her brother. "Well if that is true, we owe to your strategy."

"Heh, don't try to make me take all the credit. You were the one to draft it to me, then I simply gave it to father. To think my little sister is a master tactician is something to behold," Tetsuzan tease.

A blush follows the statement from Akina, feeling great warmth to receive her brother's praise. "It was nothing really, I simply thought allowing them to enter our territory without a fight while engaging in small skirmishes would buy us time for this moment and lull them into a false sense of security."

"Not to mention the little subtle ploy to leave every sake bottle their men could get their hands on, now their getting drunk tonight thinking victory is all but certain after the long month of campaigning," Tetsuzan said with a wide grin.

"Yes, but if I'm honest, my greatest fear right now is the small band that fights alongside them," Akina said.

"The Nishizumi's?" Tetsuzan question.

A nod from his sister follow, but she remain quiet.

Rubbing the back of his head for a moment, Tetsuzan then responded. "I agree, to think such a legendary clan would join that despicable lord baffles me. Though we never met on the field or share friendly relations with them, I respected their history. They were born to be warriors."

"They have proven their reputation as well. Their small band has defeated our flanking movements every time, they truly fight like tigers," Akina said with equal respect.

"Not to mention they have women who fights for them like we have you. She's said to have kill a hundred men, and the reports from the men she's defeated I think it's true," Tetsuzan said.

"Nakano Nishizumi is her name, I wish I could meet her as friend rather than cross swords with her," Akina said remorsefully.

Her brother shrug at this then spoke. "Fate isn't kind to our wishes. Let us hope if we do meet that she might lay down her arms, but judging from the reputation of the Nishizumi's they fight against all odds to the end. They're a small clan like us, but have had to struggle to survive against all foes."

"Yes, we enjoy peace. We enjoy our family and land, we wish for our people to enjoy this as well, but they have been forge by the sword and I believe they would want to die by it," Anika stated.

A chuckle from Tetsuzan follow this statement. "Want to become a philosopher too, little sister."

"Ah, don't tease me," Akina whine, making her brother chuckle some more.

"No matter, if that is their wish, then we will grant her and her men a warrior's death. For we Shimada's will never waver in the face of any foe," Tetsuzan boasted.

"Yes brother, we shall give our father a great victory, so the Shimada and our people can live in peace, for that is all we desire," Akina said, then turn to walk off, with her brother at her side.

A little deeper into the forest they walk, until they met their men. Their warriors of the Shimada, sitting on their horses, who had wrap cloth around their muzzles to keep them quiet. They number in the 5,000, neatly line up and conceal in the forest, waiting on the order to attack and drive the invaders from their land. Though they could not kill all of them, their goal was to scatter them at best.

Akina and her brother mounted their horses, each clipping their helmets on, though Tetsuzan put on his mask to complete his armor, Akina didn't put one on. For she had a small hope that she see Hirotaka himself when they charge through the camp, and let him see the face of a Shimada and face the fury as well.

Though they wait a little longer, for dawn to arrive, and when it did, the blood of their enemies would water the ground, with a feast for crows following in their wake as the Shimada family show their style that would end the blight to their land, be it Kawahara…or Nishizumi, they all would pay the price for challenging them.

For I am a Shimada, and duty to my family is all that matters to me…

And to destroy all those who would harm us…

That is our style…the Shimada style...

Authors Thought:

Hello again dear readers, as we end this chapter on a cliffhanger as the Shimada's and Nishizumi's are about to come face to face for their first time, well at least in this weird universe I've made up. I've been watching Berserk lately and been drawing on the complexities of that anime to this arc, granted if you know how that goes, I don't plan to be that dark about it, but the great storytelling really inspires me forward with this arc, which is coming to a close with only two chapters left.

Again I didn't want to make this too long, as I've about finish the second arc of this prequel which I'm so excited to get out. Yet let's keep things in the here and now.

Again thank you so much for reading this story of mine that I've crafted. As again, you are all the reason this story keeps chugging along. So again thank you, and enjoy the rest of your day and be well.

Till the next authors thought.