Disclaimer: I do not own any of the character from Sengoku Basara. The following is a fictional work for entertainment.

Foreword:

Hello readers I hope you are enjoying the story so far. I hope people like it so far as well ^_^. I know it may not seem like it's going far but I needed to lay down a beginning story first before I can move into the more fluffy stuff. The reason for this is I wanted this story to have a lot more depth into it. If the scenes seem too long or too descriptive please review and let me know! :D

Masamune and Yukimura stood there staring the ever growing distance between the and them and the mysterious duo. Then, like a branch suddenly detaching itself from it's trunk both Masamune and Yukimura snapped out of their trance, rushing back into the reality of the situation that just befell them.

"Shit." Masamune cursed, clenching his fists in frustration. How could he, the feared and respected one eyed dragon be defeated by the mere likes of a woman? It made me him angry and frustrated beyond belief and yet, he had felt something he had felt before only slightly different. He had to fight her again. Not only to work out what it was that stirred him so but to reclaim his dignity as the Big boss of Oshu.

"Masamune, we must go after them. We can't let them get away with Lady Hikari!" exclaimed Yukimura. He was ablaze with mixed emotions himself after the encounter with the kitsune twins. He didn't know how it was possible that he, the young tiger of Kai, could be so swayed by the mere look of a woman. He placed a hand to his chest where the feelings stirred. He needed to find out what all this meant, but for now his duty was to retrieve Lady Hikari. He would uphold his promise with all of his might as was expected of the young tiger of Kai. Both the one eyed dragon and the tiger of Kai, started down the path before them in hot pursuit of the cunning kitsune hime twins. Sasuke, observing the heightened tension between the two warriors, chose that moment to report in with Yukimura using his ninja prowess to appear right in front of them blocking their way.

"Master Yukimura, I have important information regarding the kitsune hime twins to report."

"Huh?" Masamune exclaimed in his usual tone when he was curious about something. Yukimura simply nodded to show his readying to receive Sasuke's intel.

"The two woman you just fought are known as the kitsune hime twins as you might already know. But they are no enemies of ours, they are in fact the disciples of Lady Hikari herself. This intel comes from from Lord Shingen who was informed by Lady Hikari of their identity in their private discussions. Their appearance here was no mere coincidence or act of deviousness but rather a mission to retrieve and protect their master. I'd advise you to not pursue them. They will see to her needs and she will be protected without a doubt from further attack." Sasuke reported. He began to scratch the side of his face characteristically when he would voice a personal opinion. "I know you both want to run after them and get a sense of closure from your encounter but now is not the time. We need to report back to Lord Shingen. Leave them to me. Besides if you meet them again whose to say you wont stand there love struck again?" Sasuke teased as he watched the two men slightly lower their heads in embarrassment of their childish mistakes. Sasuke then let out a hearty laugh.

"I'm sorry there is no need to feel so embarrassed. After all they are no ordinary women, they are two of the strongest women in the land of the rising sun. I am sure you will be able to settle it out with them at another time. For now, we have much more pressing issues to deal with. A new enemy has shown their presence here with no banner or purpose apart from their clear intent on the capture of Lady Hikari." Sasuke scratched the back of his head. He had no idea who was behind this, but he had a feeling that this was just merely the beginning. With the pressing issue both warriors headed on home. But both felt a sense of uncertainty and a deep yearning for closure for the events that had just transpired.

~~~Kitsune hime twins ~~~

"What in the HELL was that Aki!" demanded a furious Mego. She was pissed. Never in all their years as partners had she seen her best friend just stand there! Like an invisible rope had bound both Aki and the tiger of Kai and all they could do is just stare at each other. It was unforgivable! You never let the enemy get the best of you! It was one of the most basic lessons of any training in fighting. They had safely arrived home from the battle in time to get Hikari the urgent medical attention she was in need of. Mego had been surprised they were no followed but that was the least of her worries at the time. It was just a relief to have Aneue safe from harm. but still the matter of Aki's behavior needed to be settled. Mego stomped around the room flailing her hands about as she began a long rant about how reckless Aki was and how she could have jeopardized the mission. Tsukiyo lay quietly at the door of the room listening intently at her companion who was all worked up. As for Aki, all she heard was blah, blah, blah and the blur of Mego pacing profusely around the room in and out of her vision. She couldn't help it. She just couldn't get the image of the dashing Sanada Yukimura out of her head. Those big muscles that seemed like they had been chiseled into his body that could make any girl swoon, the ruffle of his hair that reflected his wild tiger side not to mention it was downright sexy, his graceful and carefully persecuted speech that showed his high birth and those chestnut brown eyes of his that shone brightly, reflecting his pure soul, pride, courage and honour. Aki let out a long exaggerated sigh. Depending on the answer Hikari received, she might yet be able to see him again and get to know him more personally. And then maybe... Aki's face grew bright red in embarrassment at the thought of Sanada Yukimura, the young tiger of Kai falling in love with her. Mego stopped abruptly at the sound of Aki's sigh.

"Are you even LISTENING?" retorted Mego. Despite this Aki wasn't paying any attention to her at all. How odd thought Mego. She approached Aki more closely and waved her hand in front of Aki's face.

"Moshi moshi?" she asked and AKk suddenly jumped at the sound of to the question coming back to reality.

"I'm sorry Mego I must have zoned out. You were saying?" Aki looked at her still in a daze.

"Oh forget it. If words won't get through to you then I don't have a choice. I will see what you're thinking and whats in your heart with my swords!" she challenged and withdrew her swords making empty words full of meaning. Aki looked at her friend. She knew she was just deeply concerned about what came over her but the thought of a fight got her riled up. She giggled to herself, it had been too long since they had done this.

"Challenge accepted. It's been too long anyway since we really battled it out hasn't it? " she said in a clearly excited tone. She couldn't deny she missed her usual brawls with Mego. Recently they'd been more busy with their lady lessons then training. No matter what, whenever they wanted to know what weighed heavy on the others mind and heart they only need exchange blows and everything came clear. The secret code between close warriors. Aki picked up her spear and swung it to face Mego.

"You're on. But I won't go easy on you Okami-chan." she smirked using her childhood nickname for extra tease.

"I wouldn't have it any other way Amai-chan" Mego grinned back, soul beginning to burn at the thought of the battle before her.

Both Mego and Aki exited the main house to an open paddock next to the castle and stood 20 paces away from each other. The wind blew softly letting the strands of their hair gently blow and casting a calm over the battlefield. Taking this moment of serenity, both girls inhaled deeply in sync before drawing their weapons and stepping into their fighting stance. This scene had played over many times in their life, from when they were just learning to wield weapons as adolescents, to the present day. Mego felt a sense of nostalgia as it occurred to her at that moment, this may be the last time they fight together for a long time. Aki stared from across the gap with a flare in her eyes, she knew she had to tell her best friend how she felt and she had to get her to understand her feelings. It saddened her though, knowing she had found something her dear friend had yet to discover. "I must show her how it feels to be in love" she thought to herself. Mego moved her back leg slightly back grinding the dirt that lay underneath signifying the start of the battle. One more blow of the wind and within a flash both girls charged forward crying out their war cries as the first clash of sword on spear were heard through the area. They stood there locked in combat. Mego's two sword crossed stopping Aki's spear. Both weapons trembling at the sheer force both fighters were exerting. Aki and Mego stared each other down, communicating through their actions and body language. As quickly as they had charged at each both they jumped apart to breathe. As they panted they continued to stare at each other, and the fire in their hearts began to sore as they both summoned their fighting aura's.

"This fight is more serious than any others before it. I will not LOSE!" Mego yelled as her aura swelled taking on a light blue appearance.

Feeling the swell of Mego's spirit Aki could only respond with her own bright red aura bursting into full force. With these two powerful aura's blazing, any wildlife within a hundred meter radius promptly left from the imbalance such force brought.

"Bring it on Mego!" Aki roared as she ran towards Mego. Mego in return met her in the middle releasing a flurry of blows at Aki. Aki feinted through the attacks and responded with her own furious flurry of attacks. Mego and Aki continued this, parrying, dodging and feinting the others onslaught as if it were a rehearsed dance. The sound of clashing steel rang and the sparks of connecting steel flew all ways as the two continued their fight bearing their very soul to each other. Splitting apart again, they started to have more labored breathing. "Time to step it up a notch" they both thought as they changed their stance to show their change of tactics. Within seconds the wind started to pick up as Mego summoned the power of wind by twirling her blades in her hands. Aki on the other hand began to summon the power of fire using her spear to control it in flowing motions. They cried out as they rushed in at full speed and headstrong at each other as wind and fire clashed together.

"Winged tornado" Mego roared.

"Wheel of fire" Aki howled

When the two attacks collided the result was both beautiful and catastrophic. Through their sheer power they had managed to create an enormous fire whirl but in its making, both girls had been able to come to realize each other. Having been flung back due to the blast both girls picked themselves up and faced the problem blazing in front of them.

"Mego we may have gone a bit far." Aki said in an uncanny calm voice.

" Mother of... Aki we have to stop that or it's going to burn down the entire castle and maybe even the village." Mego exclaimed, showing her fear of the situation through her voice.

"If Aneue sees this were both going to get our buts kicked!" Mego cried as they both flinched at the mental image the statement brought about.

"We need to strip it of it's oxygen supply Mego." Aki ordered looking straight at Mego showing her faith in her through her eyes. She knew she was the only one that could do this.

"Alright no sweat!" Mego yelled as she charged up to the fire whirl and began to create a vacuum effect with her swords sucking all the air and sequentially the oxygen from and around the fire whirl. It wasn't long before the danger was averted and an exhausted Mego collapsed onto the ground. She was beat from the amount of energy she had exhorted.

"Aki?" Mego asked.

"Yes Mego?" Aki replied

"I understand now how you feel. When you know for sure he is the man you think he is, lets have another battle." Aki nodded in agreement as she lay next to Mego on the ground.

"I promise I will. This is not the end Mego. It's the beginning for us." Aki proclaimed. With that she got up and started making her way back to the castle.

"So did you enjoy the display?" Asked Hikari to the man who had watched the entire fight unfold.

"Yes I did Lady Hikari, I didn't realise how much those two had grown up since I last saw them. They've become quite the fighters and quite the beautiful young ladies." He replied giddily as he smiled his golden smile.

"I never thought to have you here so soon, Maeda Keiji." exclaimed Lady Hikari.

Author note:

moshi moshi = Hello. (Usually used when answering the phone but can be used in this context.)

Okami-chan = Wolfie

Amai-chan = Softie. (Usually amai is treated as meaning sweet. But it also is used to mean soft)