From the Military Notes of Ishida Mitsunari…

A good General is often faced with difficult choices…

Why do none of these books tell you how it feels when you make them?

Every time I send Okatsu into battle, I send part of me with her.

Mitsuhide? To be killed?

Mai's announcement caused a moment of stunned silence. Surely, she had to be exaggerating. Mitsuhide was the sort of person who could escape any situation that he wanted to, and I believed the only reason he was still a captive of Iekane's men was because it suited his purposes to be there. But maybe that was wishful thinking on my part (Mitsuhide drove me crazy, but I wouldn't wish for anything horrible to happen to him. Itchy socks. I wished for him to have to deal with itchy socks. Not torture or death).

"Please, Lady Mai, show me what you saw." Mitsunari eyed the binoculars speculatively, as we all hurried to the top level of the tower. "Does this device work like a telescope?"

"Enough alike, yes." Sasuke took the glasses from Mai and demonstrated for Mitsunari how to use them.

"I don't see anything." Mitsunari turned, with the binoculars still in front of his eyes, and nearly brained Sasuke in the process.

"Over there!" Mai pointed toward the west.

Without asking permission, Aki took the binoculars and peered through them, scanning the horizon in the direction Mai indicated. Apparently, he easily found what Mai had spotted. "They're not making much effort to stay hidden." He handed the glasses to Mitsunari and helped him focus them.

"Well. It's not like they would be expecting to have to avoid binoculars. It's not like they would be expecting this kind of… technology." Although apparently there were far more time travelers in this era, and specifically on top of this tower, than anyone would be expecting.

"This is correct." Mitsunari stared through the binoculars for a long moment. "However, there remains the possibility that he is being used to bait us into an attack."

He turned the binoculars over to me, and it took me only a few seconds to locate where Iekane's men had Mitsuhide securely tied to a tree. Even from this distance it was easy to tell that he'd been severely beaten: both his eyes were black, his lip was split and bloodied… and he didn't appear to be conscious. If that had been part of his plan, then he was a masochist. "No. If they wanted him dead, he would be dead by now."

"How can you be so… calm about this?" Since I was still looking through the binoculars, I didn't know who Mai was addressing, but I suspected she meant me. I also suspected that she meant 'callous.' Or maybe 'unfeminine.'

"Not being calm wouldn't help." I passed the binoculars over to Sasuke, who had yet check out the situation.

"Perhaps the intention is to ransom him, although that would suggest they have someone to ransom him too." Mitsunari tapped his hands on the railing. "Most likely though, they want us to try to rescue him, and they are purposefully making it appear to be easy." He was going into that zen strategy mode again. "Perhaps we should give them what they want… but not what they expect."

The moon rose in the sky as our teams prepared to act. Once again, Mitsunari had divided us into groups. The majority of our forces, led by Sasuke, scattered unto the night, prepared to hassle Iekane's men with booby traps, small fires, and even a fake haunting by a zombie (Sasuke's idea), all intended to scatter Iekane's forces and at least draw out some of the mercenaries guarding Mitsuhide.

Meanwhile, Aki led a four-person extraction team that approached the area from the opposite direction. After the expected protest from Toshiie and a less expected one from Mitsunari, I had won the argument to be included on this team. The plan was one that Aki and I had used before, and therefore I could execute it smoothly. Though I was still furious about the 'Professor Yamaoka deception,' I could put that aside for the sake of this mission. Mitsunari wanted to come along too, but even he admitted that stealth was not his forte. Instead, he assigned two of Susumu's men – Endo and Daisuke- as extra muscle to protect us if necessary.

"Please, do not make it necessary," Mitsunari had said to Aki.

Soon after the first group left, Aki's team set out. I paused and glanced up at the tower, where I knew Mitsunari was watching of the binoculars. I gave him a very brief wave… the sort of wave a little girl ballerina might give to her parents in the audience of a school play.

"Katsu." Aki sounded impatient. I hurried to catch up with him.

Mitsuhide was being held about five kilometers away, which would take us nearly an hour to walk since we were taking care not to be seen or make too much noise. Mindful of that, and the listening presence of Susumu's men, I knew it would be a bad idea to discuss the whole Professor Yamaoka thing with him at any length.

And yet I was too curious not to ask. "Why didn't you tell me? You had to have known from my clothes, where I had come from."

"I thought you would adjust faster and easier if you believed there was no way to return," He then put his fingers to his lips. We weren't close enough to where Mitsuhide was being held to be heard, so clearly he simply wanted to avoid talking about it. But. Details.

Once we got closer, he held his hand up for us to stop so he could prepare the rest of his disguise. He pulled a bottle of sake out of his pack. This was a gig, we'd done often when we were tracking bandits. Had we? Sometimes it felt like parts of my life with Aki were a dream. But no, not a dream. We'd played out this scenario often.

Aki poured the sake all over himself, while Endo let out a squawk of dismay. Guess he thought we were going to get to drink that. Quietly, Aki went over our orders one final time. "Endo, stay here and keep the escape route clear. While I distract them, Dasuke will rush in and cut Mitsuhide free, and as quietly as possible get him out – carry him if you have to. Katsu, from above, set off the diversion. Stay in the trees unless I tell you otherwise. Got it?"

Yes. of course. Why wouldn't I get it? But I simply nodded. The same order from someone like Mitsuhide might have had me bristling with indignation, but Aki didn't mean to sound patronizing.

I scampered up into the closest tree (I had spent so much time in trees these past two days that I should consider building a nest in one) and made my way to a tree overlooking a cleared area where Iekane had left Mitsuhide tied up, and under guard of at least a dozen men.

Most of the guards seemed to be playing some kind of dicing game, and not paying much attention to Mitsuhide. Then again, it wasn't like Mitsuhide was trying to get their attention anyway. It looked like he was still unconscious. Daisuke would indeed have to carry him out of here.

Then the air was filled with the mellifluous tones of off-key singing as Aki came blundering into view. "Good evening gentlemen. Might a poor beggar trouble you for your dinner?"

All the mercenaries leaped to their feet and reached for their weapons. Ok, this group was armed with swords, not guns, which would make my job a little less dangerous. "Get out, vagrant," the leader said, punctuating the statement with a stream of spit aimed at Aki's feet.

Aki scratched his balls and swayed back and forth. "Here now. No cause for that. I can sing for my supper. Or... would you want to see a magic trick?"

That statement was met with hoots of disbelief, but rather than chasing him off, the mercenaries took bets on how quickly they could figure out how the tricks were being done.

Once the leader gave his go-ahead, Aki made a show of eyeing their stewpot, and rubbing his stomach.

"After you perform, if we liked your show, we might throw some fish for you to catch in your mouth." The leader plopped down on the ground, his back to Mitsuhide.

As soon as all the attention was on Aki, Daisuke crept over, cut Mitsuhide free, and slung him over his shoulder. Before Aki had even finished his first trick, Daisuke already disappeared into the forest.

Aki continued to perform a series of amateurish sleight of hand tricks to buy Daisuke time to get away. The soldiers were more entertained by pointing out his mistakes than the tricks, but eventually one of them turned his head and noticed the actual disappearing act. "What the hell? This prisoner!"

As soon as they all rushed to examine the cut rope, Aki melted into the forest.

Part two of the plan.

I had already prepped an arrow, and let it fly in the direction away from the others, intentionally sending it crackling through the underbrush, making it sound like someone was fleeing. I sent another one at a further distance.

They took the bait. As soon as the men abandoned the camp, I made my way back through the trees, leaving no evidence of my passage.

The plan had been to return individually as soon as each task had been completed. Thus, I was surprised when I climbed down from a tree several hundred meters away from where the mercenaries had been camped, to see Endo waiting for me. "You didn't need to wait."

Endo smiled ruefully. "Lord Ishida made it clear that I was to return with you, or not at all."

That did not sound like something Mitsunari was likely to have said. "He did?"

"He was very polite about it. He said please. 'Please make sure Lady Okatsu returns safely.' It was the way he said it." Endo gave me a respectful bow, then gestured for me to follow him.

No time to argue or even to decide how I felt about that. We crept silently through the forest, doing our best not to disturb the brush around us, stopping only when we heard the telltale sound of a sword fight: clanking metal, men grunting with effort, the whistle of swords slicing through air.

Knowing that the sounds of battle would mask our approach, Endo and I crept closer, in case it was one of our own who needed help. Maybe Iekane's men had caught Dasuke and Mitsuhide?

We broke through the trees to catch the tail end of a swordfight, in time to witness Aki slice through the chest of one of Iekane's men.

Death was instantaneous.

I swallowed quickly, doing my best to stay impassive. I had never seen Aki kill before. We had always taken prisoners and left them with a local Daimyo. I pushed back my nausea and shock. This situation was different. Our team didn't have the means to take and keep prisoners. A quick death was the only solution.

Aki looked at me for a long time. There was something in his expression – regret. Then he simply wiped his sword and replaced it at his side. "There may be more of them. Go back to the tower." Before either of us could respond, he melted off into the shadows.

When Endo and I returned to the tower, Mitsunari was bent over his notebook with that intense focus I recognized so well. He was one with his strategy and likely wouldn't look up even if a bomb went off next to –

He jumped to his feet and hurried to us, and the next thing I knew, he had hugged me again.

A girl could get used to these hugs.

He looked down at me for a long moment, before stepping back, bowing briefly to Endo, and returning to his notebook.

It had all happened so quickly that I could almost pretend it hadn't happened at all, because something about what that hug did to me… I felt off balance and nearly tripped over Hikosane, who was boiling what looked like medical instruments over the fire… oh, right. Mitsuhide.

In the 'nursing area,' the mood was solemn. Toshiie grimly tended to Mitsuhide, who, although conscious, looked to be in even worse shape up close. Mai stood by, her kimono rumpled and shapeless, uselessly wringing her hands. "I've nursed on the battlefield before." She blinked back tears. "But never someone I know as well as Mitsuhide."

"Mouse, you are far too softhearted." Mitsuhide bit off the rest of his comment with a groan. "Whereas you, boy-" he directed that comment at Toshiie, "are not softhearted enough."

Toshiie ignored him and continued bathing his wounds in… "Is that iodine?" He had a whole bag full of anachronisms, didn't he?

"If I'd known I was going to be in a war, I would have brought a gallon. Not to mention a needle and suture thread… are you aware that they don't even stitch wounds here?" He patted a cloth across Mitsuhide's face. "You're lucky you didn't lose an eye. Or your spl-"

Since Toshiie was apt to go on if I didn't stop him, I had no shame about interrupting. "Lord Mitsuhide, were you able to take the message to Kyubei?"

"Formality, Brat? I must look worse than a feel. Stop that." He shot a glare at Toshiie, who had been about to swoop in with more iodine. "Yes. He set off for Azuchi straight away."

Well, that was, at least one piece of good news. Rescue would arrive, as long as we could hold out long enough to greet them.

Mai handed Toshiie a long piece of fabric – oh that had been torn from her obi. "I only wish I could do more to help you. Mitsuhide, you always take on too much."

Mitsuhide gritted his teeth as Tosh wrapped the fabric around his ribs. "Hurry up with that. I imagine they'll eventually follow me back here, unless I go distract them."

"No." I shook my head to emphasize the point. "Aki was in charge of this gig… mission." As if summoned by his name, the man himself slipped into the tower. "He's not some novice."

After stopping to whisper something in Mitsunari's ear, Aki joined our group in the 'medical corner.' He bowed to Mitsuhide. "You look marginally better, friend."

"Have you lost your mind?" He yelled across the room at Mitsunari. "Didn't you at least consider that they were using me as bait? Iekane has known someone was in the forest since you attacked their supply wagons." He slapped Toshiie's hands away from the bandage around his ribs. "Enough, boy. Since your sister and her insane master went to the trouble of saving my life, I'd like to continue breathing."

"Yes, they knew we were out here somewhere." Mitsunari brought Mitsuhide some tea. Mitsuhide viewed it with suspicion, then downed it. "They were getting closer to finding us. This way, they will follow a very specific trail. One that will not be as easy to travel as they expect, and we will be waiting for them."

Since Sasuke was looking particularly triumphant, I asked, "Ground spikes?"

Sasuke tapped his nose. "Indeed. As well as a few other surprises."

With another groan, Mitsuhide got to his feet. "So be it. Let me hear this plan of yours." Hm. That sounded like Mitsuhide was planning to take over. While I supposed that he did outrank Mitsunari considerably, it seemed unfair. Mitsunari had been working tirelessly over the past few days, putting together this team, allocating skills, devising tactics. I was annoyed on his behalf that Mitsuhide seemed poised to assume command.

He caught my look and correctly interpreted it. "I'm not pulling rank. I'm simply looking for places where I can add my own twist to things." He inclined his head to Mitsunari respectfully enough, especially given the state of his injuries. "Mitsunari is a brilliant strategist, but he's rather apt to play by the rules. We're unfortunately, to the point where the opinion of someone more familiar with dirty tactics might be useful."

"I am happy to discuss anything you wish." Mitsunari, at least was unbothered.

"Discuss things sitting down." Toshiie patted the ground. "You need to rest and-"

Mitsuhide just flapped his hand impatiently at him. "Aside from your sister, do you happen to have any relatives in Azuchi? Because you sound far too much like Hideyoshi for my comfort."

Huh. He did at that.

But intense planning would have to wait, as there was a shout from Lady Hana, who was our current lookout. "Signal fire from the other tower. They're coming!"

"Some of them will be delayed by the trenches we dug, but the fastest should be here soon." Mitsunari handed me my bow and arrows. "Okatsu, prepare the archers and wait for the signal."

I nodded. Shohime shed her 'dainty Princess' disguise and jumped to obey. Mai hesitated, looking at the arrows with distaste. "I can't kill anyone. I can't."

If she didn't stop freaking out, she was going to be the one killed – possibly by my hand.

But… my job was to rally my troops. Mai was an archer, and therefore my troops. "I know you never expected or wanted to take arms. And if you really can't bring yourself to do this, you can keep cadence."

That was something I could easily have done on my own, but at least then she'd have something to do to keep her mind off panicking. And perhaps once she realized how drastically we needed her, she would change her mind. "Besides… Nobunaga … will probably think that Warrior Mai is really freakin' sexy."

"This isn't a game, Katsuko!" She wrung her hands together.

"It's never been one." Could I slap her? I really wanted to slap her. Even Shohime was wiggling her fingers as if she was trying to prevent an action she would regret later. "Mai. It's your decision, but if you aren't going to help us, then stay out of the way."

All around us, people were preparing for battle. Even Toshiie seemed to have gotten it together, and had a thick branch at his side, ready to defend the injured if the tower was overrun.

Mai looked around, then took a deep breath. And another. "Right. You didn't come out and say it, but Nobunaga needs me. Although I don't know how good I'll be."

I nudged her toward the ladder. "It doesn't matter. The enemy is going to see a sky full of arrows." (Slight exaggeration). "They'll have to take cover either way."

We hurried into place, lining up in a formation along the south end of the tower, and I prepared them to release the arrows on Mai's staggered count, so that the stream of arrows would not be predictable. A steady rainfall of arrows would have been preferable, but we didn't have enough arr-

A movement at my side caught my attention.

"Hiko! What are you doing up here?" Shohime scolded her brother before I could.

He pulled up the binoculars. "I want to know what is happening!"

It wasn't any more dangerous up here than it was on the lower level. And if arrows or bullets started coming at us, I would throw myself on top of him if necessary. There wasn't time to ban him anyway, as there was a bright flash, then a loud bang. A cloud of smoke rose above the trees. "Another munitions explosion?" There hadn't been the same kind of shock wave as the other ones.

Mai turned toward in the direction of the smoke. "Smoke bomb, more likely. Sasuke makes them."

Ah. Handy that. I might have to ask him how to make those when this was all over. Presuming we were all still alive.

In any case, if the smoke was where they were, then that is where we should aim. "Ok, Mai, count us down.

Mai used her best 'outside voice,' to call cadence. "Who runs the world? Girls!"

Queen Bey would be proud of us.

We sent a line of arrows out in the direction of the smoke. Mai continued to 'rap' out her cadences at random intervals. We were doing great… arrows zipping straight and true into the sky, with barely a few misfires littering the ground…. but how long could we keep this up before we ran out of ammunition?

Though Susumu and the other vassals were well armed, and we'd captured a decent store of Iekane's weapons, I knew we would likely run out of arrows before Iekane ran out of men.

Hikosane kept up a running commentary of what he could see through the binoculars. "Sasuke has set off more smoke and I believe about half a dozen men are now trapped in a ditch."

Well. That's something, I thought as I grimly shot off another arrow in the direction of the smoke. At this point, I had no idea if I was hitting anything or not.

As the night went on, we managed to hold back Iekane's troops, thanks to a combination of the terrain, Sasuke's booby traps, and the skills of Susumu's trained vassals who were delaying the invaders at the first tower. And my lovely grrrl-power archers.

But we were almost out of arrows. I had asked Mai to slow down our cadence, but that resulted in allowing a couple of soldiers to slip through - where they had fallen victim to Aki and Mitsuhide (our final line of defense). I wondered if it would be worth trying to quickly run out and retrieve as many that I could find, or… "Hikosane?" The boy was still awake, likely running on adrenaline at this point. "Can you see if any of their supply wagons are close by?"

We needed to hold out the rest of the night. Tomorrow… well, actually this morning, might be the absolute earliest reinforcements would come, but they would all head to Genba to rescue Nobunaga first.

But they would come.

They had to.

"Yes, Okatsu. There is one close by." Hikosane did not sound as excited by that as he should have been.

"What's the problem?" Nothing was ever simple here.

"It is with their cannon. And the cannon is being guarded by a giant!" Hikosane raised his arm over his head.

A real giant? Like Hagrid or Hodor sized? Or someone who simply looked like a giant to Hikosane. I took the binoculars to see for myself.

Oh.

Maybe that wasn't a giant – but – that was a really big dude.

"That was my last arrow." Shohime looked at me for advice. I glanced at the rest of the women, all who seemed to think I would have the answers.