Chapter 9: The Final Battle. - Kojuro

The battles raged on across Japan. Kenshin and Mitsunari's forces fought on near equal footing at Satsuma while the Takeda army had just started to take advantage of the battlefield against the army led by Ieyasu Tokugawa. Kojuro charged into Odawara cutting down Toyotomi soldiers as he moved through the sea of soldiers looking for Masamune. He was able to catch a glimpse of bright red hair from where Karia stood her ground in the middle of the battlefield.

"How are things here?" Kojuro asked as he swung down from his horse and joined Karia's side. Karia cut down a group of three soldiers while dodging a spear attack from a fourth.

"Not so great. The Toyotomi main force is strong. With Hideyoshi at their back these men fight like they're invincible," Karia responded.

"Where is Lord Masamune?"

"Up ahead, he's fighting the giant as we speak."

"I'm going to join him. If we can take down Hideyoshi the moral of the Toyotomi will suffer massively. Without him these men are nothing."

Karia nodded and Kojuro pushed forward. He lashed out left and right with his katana, sparks of lightning leaping out around him as he made his path to where Masamune and Hideyoshi fought.

When he finally arrived Masamune was in a deadlock with his swords pushing back against Hideyoshi's massive fist. Kojuro noticed that Masamune's helmet was missing and he saw blood painted down the side of his head. Seeing that his lord was almost at his limits Kojuro rushed forward, his sword clashing with Masamune's. Kojuro's added strength was enough to help Mamune push the giant back enough to prepare another attack.

"Hanbei Takenaka is dead I take it?" Masamune asked as they both moved to the sides to avoid a punch from Hideyoshi.

"Yes, he's dead."

"Is Aname back fighting with Karia?"

"No. I left her in a small village a few miles back. Hanbei had a small escort with him Ōand she was injured again. I left her to rest."

"Good idea. She's pretty good at getting herself in trouble these days."

"I could the same about you Lord Masamune."

Masamune laughed as he jumped up to aim a blow at Hideyoshi's head. Kojuro took Masamune's distraction as an opportunity to take a swing at the back of Hideyoshi's leg where his armor didn't cover. Kojuro successfully made a deep cut in Hideyoshi's leg causing him to stumble and fall down on one knee. Masamune who had been aiming for the giant's head missed when Hideyoshi stumbled and his dragon claws skidded off the man's pauldrons.

Kojuro continued his assault by turning and cutting along the back of Hideyoshi's other leg. Masamune then took his chance with the giant down to end this battle once and for all. Masamune charged forward with one sword drawn and struck Hideyoshi with a piercing stab, lightning sparking out from his blade in all directions. The sword managed to break through Hideyoshi's chestplate and embedded itself into his chest. Hideyoshi collapsed with a ground shaking thud and the battle at Odawara came to a drastic turning point for the remaining Toyotomi army.

With the seemingly invincible leader defeated the Toyotomi men retreated swiftly. Their moral had been shattered and a sense of hopelessness and fear set them running. As the battlefield cleared out Masamune and Kojuro joined Karia and the rest of the Date army. The victory of the Date army was a quiet one as the men gathered their weapons and their horses. They were all tired and worn out from fighting through the strength of the Toyotomi and so the celebrations would have to wait. The war was not completely won after all.

"We need to spread the news of Hideyoshi's death quickly. Lord Kenshin and Lord Shingen are still fighting, and we need word to get to Lord Motonari so that he will retreat as well," Karia stated as she finished unhooking a piece of armor that had been damaged during the battle.

"Where's the ninja we borrowed from the Takeda?" Masamune asked.

"We can send him tell the old man and the rest of his ninja can spread the word." The ninja appeared before them a moment later as if he knew he had been called for.

"So I am to return to the Takeda army then?" the masked man asked.

"Yeah, let Takeda know that Hideyoshi is dead. Once the word gets out the Toyotomi will retreat and we can all go home," Masamune said. The ninja bowed and went off to fulfill his given task.

"For now, we'll wait and rest a bit. Motonari is still a good ways a way." Kojuro and Karia nodded their agreement. The Date army set up camp attending to the injured and preparing a meal to give them energy for the ride home. Karia had Masamune seated as she addressed the wound on the side of his head and fussed over any other injuries he had gotten during his fight. Kojuro, after resting for a few moments himself moved to saddle his horse.

"Going back to pick up Aname?" Masamune asked from where he was seated in the grass.

"We'll catch up with you on the way back to Ōshū," Kojuro replied.

"Sounds good. If for any reason we find out that Motonari didn't turn tail and run I send word."

"I don't see why he wouldn't retreat. His army was probably only on the move because Hanbei offered him a good deal. Lord Motonari isn't the one to get involved if there's nothing in it for him."

"Agreed."

Kojuro swung himself onto his horse and set off in the direction of the small village he had left Aname in.

Aname had been propped against the doorframe at the front of the small house she had been waiting at. The sun hung low in the sky as dusk approached. It had been yesterday that Kojuro had left to join the fight at Odawara and she couldn't help but worry about how the battle was going. Her thoughts had shifted between her worry for the battle and feel of Kojuro's lips on hers before he left.

It's strange how you can develop such strong feelings for a person in such a short time, she thought to herself.

I wonder how strongly he feels?

She leaned her head against the wooden frame and looked down the little dirt street that went down the center of the small village. The wound on her back was barely noticeable to her any more. All that was left of it was a dull ache and a long scar. The wound on her side still had a sharp pain but the local salve the old woman who had been taking care of her used when she dressed the wound had helped dull the pain and keep away any infections.

"It's getting late dear. Why don't you come back inside and rest. I'm sure your companion will return soon enough," the old woman suggested as she joined Aname at the doorway.

"You're right," Aname agreed. She let the woman help her up and she went back inside to the room she was borrowing to try and sleep. Gently she laid down and closed her eyes letting her mind wander to Kojuro's kiss once more before falling asleep.

Early in the morning Aname was awoken by the sound of soft hoofbeats as a horse trotted down the village street. Aname rose slowly, minding her injury as she walked to the sliding door to see who had arrived. Just as she had suspected she slid the door open to see Kojuro tying the reins to one of the wooden post on the side of the house. The sky was still dark and she could tell by the way he moved as he walked towards her that he was exhausted.

"Welcome back," Aname said quietly, not wanting to disturb her host.

"How is you injury?" Kojuro asked.

"It's healing nicely. It still hurts of course but it will be fine in a few days."

Aname reached out and took his hand and lead him into the house. Once back in her borrowed room Kojuro sat down and leaned back against the wall.

"How did things go at Odawara?" Aname asked.

"It was a tiring fight for the men. Hideyoshi is dead and his army has fled. Masamune and the army should be heading back to Ōshū in a few hours."

"You sound pretty tired yourself. Why don't you sleep for a little bit and we can talk more in a few hours," Aname suggested. Kojuro nodded and shrugged off his brown leather surcoat and took off his chestplate and gloves.

Kojuro started to lean his head back against the wall to sleep when Aname pulled at his shoulder.

"That can't be comfortable after being on horseback all night." She said as she patted her lap.

"Lay down and rest. You deserve it."

Kojuro didn't argue and laid down with his head on her lap. The second his eyelids were closed he was asleep. Aname ran her fingers through his hair and found herself amused by how comfortable they were with each other. She could not deny that she loved him.

A few hours later into the late morning the old woman came into the room to check on her guest. She found her asleep against the wall with her companion asleep as well. The old woman smiled to herself and left the room, deciding to let them sleep a little while longer.

Aname found herself waking to smell of food this time as she opened her eyes and brought her hand up to rub the sleep from them. Kojuro was still asleep and she heard the sliding door open as the old woman came in with two bowls of food for them. Kojuro shifted and Aname watched his eyes open. He sat up at looked around to see the old woman smiling at the two of them.

"I hope the two of you are hungry," she said as she set the bowls down in front of them.

"Thank you for your help," Kojuro said as he picked up his bowl.

"Don't worry about it. I've enjoyed helping you. It's brought a little excitement into an old woman's life," she chuckled. They ate their breakfast in peace and quiet enjoying the calm morning.

"It will almost seem strange returning home. There's been so much fighting and travelling in the past few days I don't think I'll know what to do with myself in my spare time," Aname said jokingly.

"With Lord Masamune's relationship with the Takeda I'm sure things won't be peaceful for too long." Aname agreed. It seemed as though her Lord couldn't resist a fight with the spear wielding boy of the Takeda army.

"I'm sure Lord Masamune's constant quarreling with Yukimura won't last forever. The two of them will have to settle down eventually. They'll be old men before they know it," Aname said smiling at the thought of the two fierce warriors as old men.

Kojuro like the thought of settling down. He wasn't going to get any younger himself and he wanted a son to be able to pass the Katakura name down to. He looked at the woman beside him. They had become so close in the little time they had known each other. He remembered the feeling he had as he sat that room below Odawara castle thinking that she was dead. It was unbearable to think he had lost her so soon. She had a presence he couldn't ignore. She was bright and fierce but also gentle and graceful.

Aname noticed that Kojuro had been staring at her for a while now. He looked deep in thought and she wondered what he was thinking about so intently.

"What's on your mind Kojuro?" she asked him, rousing him from his thoughts.

"When we get back to Ōshū, will you marry me?"

That is the final chapter for this story. I do have plans for a part 2 to this story. It will take me a little bit to get the first chapter up but I promise I will try as hard as I can since I made you all wait so long for me to finish this one. Thank you for everyone who's been patient with me and I hope you all liked the ending! :D