Ok. I'm gonna try this fic again. Should be better than the other one: I'm gonna kick the rivalry between Sage and Ryo up a notch, among other things.

For those of you who are new to this fic, welcome! It promises to be exciting, with never a dull moment!

On a general note, I am using the Japanese names for our boys, due to time frame. I hope this doesn't bother anyone too much… And speaking of names, I don't think any of the Warlords will be mentioned, but just in case they are, please note that this is before they became warlords. In other words, their real names will be used. Since I don't think these are as well known as our boys' names are, I have listed them here:

Koma Toshitada = Shuten (Anubis in the English version)

Sasaki Kujuurou = Anubis (that's Cale)

Kuroda Jirougorou = Rajura (Dais)

Yamanouchi Naotoki = Naaza (Sekmet).

All set? Good! On with the fic!

Feudal Honor

A Ronin Warriors Fanfiction by ~Chibi Washuu

Ichi

Ama-terasu, the Sun Goddess, wore her most brilliant kimono as she retired. She cast her gleaming robes across the land, staining the white walls of Sendai Castle a brilliant red. A north breeze promised that the night be clear, the air crisp and cool. Inside the castle, samurai, slaves, and others were scurrying like ants in an anthill, some going to their posts for the first watch of the night, others carrying messages or food to the great One-Eyed Dragon himself.

And Ryo watched.

For two nights and two days, the young ninja had been watching over the castle and its workings from his perch at the top of one of the cliffs to the south of the castle. Without sleep he had set about memorizing the pattern of the comings and goings of Sendai's great fortress, day and night. Now, on his third night, when Ama-terasu's younger brother, Tsuki-yumi, the Moon God, hid his face from the earth, he would be done with it. Turning his head toward the east, Ryo gazed across the river and out over the city of Sendai, rosy from the sun's dying light. Masamune-sama certainly had a commanding view. It was a shame he would not live to enjoy it longer.

~

"The One-Eyed Dragon?" The old man nodded, and Ryo puzzled this for a while. "Who asks this of us?"

"He would not give his name, but I would recognize him anywhere by the cross-shaped scar: it is Sasaki Kujuurou."

The younger man narrowed his bright blue eyes. "What does he want with the Date?"

"The Dragon is a difficult target, but it is not he Kujuurou-sama is after." The old man leveled his gaze with the other man, no longer a child of at 17. "He wants Sendai. He wants to attack the city, but with the Dragon there, he has no way of winning."

Ryo lifted an eyebrow. "Masamune-sama has a son, does he not?"

"Dead. And his grandson is not old enough to be welcomed as the new daimyo. Or so Kujuurou-sama has told me." The old man stood stiffly and turned to return to camp. "He is offering one thousand koku for our services."

~

The price had been too good to pass up… he would have to have been a fool to pass it up. And so Ryo was here, in Sendai, readying it for Kujuurou. The sun had dropped below the horizon, but still continued to paint the sky with brilliant red-oranges, mild yellows and soft lavender-pinks that faded to darkness as one's gaze wandered toward the east. It was time to move. It would be well past nightfall when he reached the castle.

* * *

Date Seiji sighed as he stood on the East Wall battlement. Guard duty. The grandson of the great Date Masamune himself, the greatest swordsman in all Sendai, was stuck on guard duty. His punishment. He pursed his lips as he paced the battlement like a caged tiger, feeling his anger rolling off of him in waves. There was no reason why he had to stay. He turned to go when suddenly a soft breeze wafted by him, caressing his face and playing with his unusually blonde hair. He took a deep breath, allowing his gray eyes to fall gently closed. The breeze held a coolness that calmed Seiji's raging spirit and restless soul, with a kiss of freshness from the forest. Seiji breathed another sigh, feeling his body relax and his mind clear. He opened his eyes and looked up to see the first stars had already come out. The night promised to be a beautiful one, and a calm, cool summer's night would be good for his meditation. He brought his gaze down to the castle grounds and smiled a little as he watched everyone prepare for the night. It was peaceful here; nothing could touch the serenity of this land and these people. The castle was secure. Besides, who would be foolish enough to attack with his grandfather here? The former general commanded the castle as he did soldiers in battle, efficiently, and properly. Nothing could go wrong as long as Masamune-sama was alive and well. This thought brought a small smile to Seiji's lips and he turned to resume his watch.

Yes, I know it's short! I'm sorry! But anyway, what do you think? Reviews are greatly appreciated!!!