The Prince : Kounan Army (4)

Sendoh sighed heavily as he entered the tent. He just got back from scouting the area around the camp. The soldiers' morale is low. They had been guarding the border for almost six months now, and the men needed a break. Even he needed a break. Sendoh then took off his helmet and put it on the table. The map of the border between Kutou and Kounan is sprawled on the table. He studied the map. Kutou and Kounan were separated by a mountain range up north and a river at the east of Kutou.

"Hey, what're you doing?"

"Minami-kun. I am just looking at this map. Just making sure we have covered all the important areas."

"You should give yourself a break. I'm sure Jun and his men will do their duties well. It's his expertise. You know how Jun is." Minami invited himself in by taking a seat opposite Sendoh. Sendoh gave him one of his easy smiles.

"I trust Jun. I know he's doing his duty. I just felt the need to make sure everything's all right." The smile faded away. " This few days, everything just doesn't feel right. I just can't point it out."

"Akira, are you all right?" Minami squinted his eyes. "Don't tell me you're as good as Old Taoka now?" The smile came back to Sendoh.

"What if I am? Will you still be my friend? Don't forget that you are related to him."

"Ah, Akira. I know I am related to him. But I'm sure you know how it is between us. He never liked me much. And vice versa. I don't know how he managed to keep his commission. That question must be answered by one of your relatives." Minami pointed a playful finger at him. Sendoh laughed.

" I tried, Minami. I tried. I already asked Fujima. You know where he stands regarding Taoka. But the Empress insisted on keeping Taoka. The Emperor to seems to favour Taoka. I wonder what's the influence that Taoka got on my uncle." Sendoh explained.

"I wonder what's he doing here anyway. He might look tough but he's not a soldier. He's always with the general this few days since he was here. The general won't say anything to me. I think he has some plans which I might not like. You must remember a day a few years ago when he suddenly came to the academy and make a mess out of things." Minami recalled gravely.

"Yes. Fujima said the same thing when I told him about it. I'm going over to Fujima's camp tonight. I have some things that needed to be brought to his attention."

"Why don't you tell Prince Fujima about Taoka. I'm sure he would want to know." Minami suggested.

"I plan to. Why don't you join me. I think you haven't seen him for quite a time." Sendoh eyed his friend concernedly.

"No, I don't think so. I'm supervising the transporting of provisions tomorrow." He answered though his eyes dared not meet Sendoh's.

"If you say so. Next week you must go with me. Fujima's been asking about you."

"Of course I'll go if the prince wants me there." If he ever wants me there.

"I know he does." Replied Sendoh. Minami forced a small laugh just to end the night cheerfully.

"I guess I'll go back to my tent now. It's very late."

"Yeah. Good night, Minami. Before you go, have you seen Sawakita?" Sendoh inquired.

"No, I haven't seen him today. Why?"

"It's nothing I guess. So, good night then."

"Good night, Akira."

Sendoh was awaken by a blast and the brightness of a fierce fire pierced through his tent and made him squint his eyes. An attack? Sendoh rushed to get dressed and reached for his sword that he put beside him on the bed. Outside, everything was in chaos. Other tents were burning and he saw his men with an arrow or a spear through their heart. Sendoh frantically scanned the whole area. Everything was in disorder. Of course his men would be like this if they were facing a surprise attack.

"Sendoh!" he heard Minami called him. The brunette was already bleeding on the forehead. "It's Sawakita. Kutou army tracked them here."

"How is it possible?" Sendoh asked, confused. If it weren't for his belt that won't just buckle, he would already get involved in the battle.

"They attacked Kutou camp. It's under Taoka's order. I'll go to the right flank. You lead the front line." Minami suggested. His relationship with his captain allowed him to do that. Minami ran as soon as he got an affirmative nod from Sendoh.

Sendoh ran on and begin giving orders to his men. Though inferior to the stronger forces of the renowned Kutou army, Kounan army are well trained. They managed to chase the Kutous until they reached the river. Sendoh was fighting two of Kutou soldiers on the bridge when he felt an arrow struck his left shoulder. He groaned in pain as his opponent took the opportunity and pushed him into the fierce roaring river. The last thing that Sendoh remembered was the chill of the water when his head hit it and how his body was swept by the current.

Koshino put down his heavy basket of herbs before scooping water with his hands. He drank just enough to wet his throat for he still had a long way to go. His uncle were supposed to come and picked him up. He was a bit worried about his uncle being late. The river is much too close with the border. It is the border. He'd be dead if the army saw him there.It doesn't matter if they're Kutou's or Kounan's. They'd just kill him. The Kounan army would accuse him of trying to get into Kounan illegally, and the Kutou would accuse him as a spy. Though not thoroughly learned about the policy of Kutou, he knew enough that he wouldn't even survive if any soldier sees him. Kutou and Kounan have such strained relationship, always suspecting one another of every existing evil on the face of the earth.

Koshino looked up as he heard hooves. He saw his uncle riding towards him alone. Koshino was puzzled. His cousin Saeko was supposed to be with him. Koshino picked up his basket and heaved it towards the bank of the river as his uncle got nearer.

"Aki-chan. You have to ride with me today." His uncle told him.

"Why uncle? Where's my horse?" Koshino asked.

"We found a wounded man upstream. We had to use your horse to carry him. He's unconscious. Saeko already took him home. Come on, we'll need you to help." Koshino nodded as he climbed on to the horse. Then, off they go to the peaceful village of Saitama.

A/N: I'm sorry for this confusion.

(You'll know what I mean if you have read The Prince before.)