Chapter 7: Setting the Plan. 1. - Aname
The Date army had been on the move ever since yesterday morning. Their plans were to be in Kai by later on in the night or by early the next morning. The Takeda were expecting them and they were ready and willing to help in any way they could. Aname was a mile ahead of the army acting as a scout for any possible threats that could be lying in wait. They were nearing the Ōshū—Shimotsuke border where they would stop and take a lunch break at the border checkpoint. Aname drew back so that she was running alongside Masamune.
"I'm going on ahead to the checkpoint if that's alright?"
"Yea that's fine. As soon as you get there I want you to take it easy for a while—"
"Yes sir," Aname interrupted.
Aname arrived at the checkpoint in no time, alerting the guards there of the approaching army. She wasted no time in writing a letter to Shingen Takeda with an update on their travel progress. Aname tied the small letter too the leg of a messenger bird and watched it take off towards the castle of Kai. They were on time and would reach the castle later on in the evening. The Tiger's army would be waiting there for them as well as Sarutobi Sasuke. The Date army had arrived shortly after and immediately set up for lunch. Yoshinao had started on the food while the rest took too their horses; taking off saddles and giving them drinking water.
"Lord Masamune, I have just sent the Tiger of Kai an update on our progress," Aname informed. "Nice work." Rice, bread and a little bit of meat served as their lunch for that afternoon and they wasted no time in getting back on the road. As the sky above them grew darker the Tiger's castle grew in size over the distance they crossed. By the time the sun had fully descended behind the mountains, the castle was a great looming building above them, blocking the moon from view. They were greeted at the front gates by Shingen Takeda, Yukimura Sanada, and Sasuke Sarutobi. "Looks like you're on time One-Eyed Dragon!" Shingen bellowed out happily. "Yea, we're here. I really appreciate the help Old Man Takeda. I'll admit, I don't really know what to do with myself without Kojuro," Masamune said as he dismounted his horse. "So we leave for Odawara first thing in the morning then?" Masamune nodded. "Alright then. Nobushige Oyamada will lead your men too where they will be staying tonight. If you would, please follow me young Masamune." Masamune turned to his men, "Yoshinao, i'm leaving you responsible for the guys until I join you later. Karia, Aname, come with me." The guys followed the Takeda soldier while Shingen lead them into the Takeda War Room. The room was empty save one other general and a map.
"This is my younger brother Nobushige Takeda he will be helping us create a strategy."
"Alright then so what exactly did you have in mind old man?"
"Well we send Aname and Sasuke to meet up with Kenshin. They take his ninja to rescue Kojuro Katakura while Kenshin sets his forces out to Odawara. We will advance in a different direction to attack Hideyoshi from two fronts, one being the weaker and more discreet while ours holds more strenght but we shall be a bit more noticeable to take their eyes off Kenshin and the ninja."
"I like the sound of it. Aname what's your opinion?" Masamune turned to the ninja. "It does sound like a good plan. I wish that we had the time to assemble a bigger army, get more temporary allies, but we simply don't have the enough time. By the time we get Master Katakura we have to attack right then and there. Worst case scenario we get Master Katakura and run for it. We have to keep in mind that we don't know the full extent of Hideyoshi's...or even Hanbei's power. We don't even really know how big the Toyotomi army is."
"We do have one other ally," Sasuke mentioned. "Who?"
"Maeda Keiji. He'll come with Kenshin."
"Alright then. I think it's time to get going. What do you say Sasuke?"
"Let's go."
Aname, Sasuke, and Kasuga were perched in a tree overlooking Odawara. The last report told them that the Date, Takeda, and Uesugi we're almost in position to attack. "He's right down there," Aname pointed to the small opening in on the bottom of the wall. "It's a room below ground level, I also found a good way to sneak in," Aname informed her two companions. "I found something thats not good for us though," Sasuke added grimly.
"What?" Kasuga asked.
"I found out that the Toyotomi are planning a large attack. There is a force led by Mitsunari Ishida heading north for Satsuma to attack the Uesugi, a force led my Motonari Mori is headed up from Nichirin, and a force led by Ieyasu Tokugawa is sent after the Takeda. We've got to let our lords know of this."
Aname and Kasuga stared back wide eyed and speechless. "You and Kasuga go, I'll say and finish our mission," Aname said. "Alright, just be careful okay," Sasuke said. "I will be. I'm this close, nothing will stop me from getting him back now."
Sasuke nodded. "I'd hate to be the person who gets in your way in the next few hours," he laughed. "See ya later," Aname said sneaking off into Odawara castle. "Let's be off then," Sasuke said to Kasuga. "Right, Do you want to go to Date or do you want me to do it?"
"Date's closer to Lord Shingen so i'll do it," Sasuke said. And with that, the plan was finally set into action.