Notes: I took the name "Otsu" from the 1954 movie "Samurai". The name "Tachi" comes from a Daimyo {province lord} of the Tachi samurai family in the 16th century. Tsununari comes from the name Hojo Tsununari who was a samurai in the 16th century.                                                  

                                             Otsu's Angst

*in Otsu's Chambers* Otsu had a bad feeling about Kurogane being lord of Kato castle. She felt it's garrison was too small to defend it if Lord Niu would attack. " Mayabe {that's the maiden's name} if Kurogane would die, who would Tachi replace him with? " That would be Shingen Akizuki, my lady" Otsu then dismissed Maiden Mayabe.

o " My lord, Tachi is coming with nine hundred men!" "Why" " We don't

o know yet." " Warn our men!" " Hai {yes in Japanese}" " How could this be?" Kurogane gathered together his garrison of 300 men.

ยท *at Tachi's line of soldiers*  " My lord, Kurogane has gathered his 300 men at the gates of Kato castle" " What?, tell him not to receive me with his men." " Hai" " Does he actually think I am attacking him?"

o " Kurogane! Do not receive his lord with your army. Receive  him properly." Kurogane dismissed all of his men, exept for fifteen of his most trusted Samurai.

o To show he is not attacking, Tachi made his men walk in a straight line one behind the other. " tell Kurogane that I want a counsel."

o  * At the counsel* " Kurogane, I want to attack Niu and Yukisu from here. If we combine our men together, we will have 1,200 soldiers. Then 350 men from Captain Akizuki would make it 1,550 men, and 50 men under Retainer Taketaru would make it 1,600 men!" " 1,600?"  " Yes, General Kurogane." " His lordship has made me a General?" "Yes" " Now Niu has 800 men and Yukisu has 700." " They would probably join together to fight our army with 1,500 men." '" It would be an interesting battle." { Taketaru said that} " It is already dark, and I am tired. I shall rest." " Hai  everyone in the counsel said that}"

o " Murder, Murder!" " What happended?" {Kurogane said it} " A Guard was killed." " The phycsion said it was poison" When Kurogane went back to his chambers, he saw Otsu. " What happened Otsu?" " I poisoned the guard captain's sake."  "What!? You bitch!" "Bitch, why would I be a bitch for trying to protect you?" " Protect me from what?" " Tachi's plot." " What plot?" " Tachi is plotting to kill you." " How dare you, that is insane!" " Insane? Is it I who is insane?"  * Otsu leaves*