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'insert text' Thoughts

Lightning of the Heart Rekindles the Fire of Love

Chapter 2: Siege of Odawara Castle pt. 1: a Flame Ignites with a Tiny Spark

It had been a few years since the battle of Kyushu and now Hideyoshi Toyotomi was now close to conquering the whole land and unifying it under his rule alone. At this point only two forces still stood in his way for unification, one being the Date of Oshu, lead by Masamune Date, and the Hojo, at this point lead by Ujimasa Hojo. Hideyoshi had decided to attack the Hojo first and began to set up camp a safe distance from the castle of the Hojo, Odawara Castle.

Hideyoshi had his retainers and main generals with him in one of the main areas of the camp. It was in this moment that the two warriors would set eyes on each other for the first time. The generals and retainers were lined up on the left and right of Hideyoshi creating an aisle for anyone to come down, while Hideyoshi himself sat in the middle. On the left side was none other than Yukimura Sanada while on the right was Ginchiyo Tachibana. As fate would have it they both were sitting right across from one another. While they were sitting there it was on the off chance that they looked into each others eyes, even if it was by accident; however it was that look that startled them both.

'Those eyes, she seems bothered by something.' Thought Yukimura.

'His eyes, I've seen that look before…on my father…after mother died.' Thought Ginchiyo.

It was then that a solider wearing yellow armor rushed down the aisle, after bowing down he said…

"Masamune Date is here to see you, my lord"

"Is he now? Send him in…" said Hideyoshi as he sat and waited. The solider quickly sped off for his mission. A few moments passed and then the camp went silent as they heard the cloth ruffling. It was then that a man with green and black armor appeared. His right eye was covered by an eye patch and he wore a helmet with a thin yellow crescent attached to the forehead. At his sides was a sword on his left with a pair of pistols on both of his sides. This was none other than Masamune Date, Lord of Oshu. There were mixed thoughts through out the line as Masamune passed.

'Masamune, has he come to yield as well?' thought one Sakon Shima.

'This kid could be killed at any second, but he shows no signs of fear….he's good.' Thought Keiji…he also had a smirk on his face for he saw the startled reaction both Ginchiyo and Yukimura when they saw each other. 'Hehe, I think Yukimura might be in for a surprise if the two of them start talking.'

Other thoughts had gone through the minds of the other generals and retainers present, but after Masamune had passed both Yukimura and Ginchiyo had again caught each others eyes. For some reason they both seemed intrigued by each other. Nene saw this and she had a small smile on the inside regardless of the serious look she now wore on the outside as she watched Masamune come towards her husband.

'Hmmm…from the look of things it might be possible for those two to make something happen. I've heard that Yukimura is a nice kid; I think they would suit each other well. Ginchiyo, I hope you got a good look at him, he might be the one to help you get your heart moving again.' Thought Nene.

When Masamune had reached a certain distance from Hideyoshi, he bowed down with his head down and said.

"My apologies…for being late."

Hideyoshi reacted almost immediately, Masamune thought for a few moments that a sword was brought towards his neck, he panicked for a few moments before he looked up and saw Hideyoshi standing there with his paper fan pointed at him.

"I would take your head….but it's worth more where it is now."

"Yes…yes sir…" said Masamune as he bowed in full to Hideyoshi to show his new loyalty.

"So, let's go and make our enemies beg us for peace!" yelled Hideyoshi as he raised his paper fan. The group shouted out hearing Hideyoshi's proclamation.

After the meeting, many of the soldiers began practicing in anticipation of what was to come. While Hideyoshi started to plan with his strategists. Meanwhile, Mitsunari Ishida and Kanetsugu Naoe began to walk through the camp while they held a conversation.

"Now that Masamune has surrendered to us, all that remains of our enemies are the Hojo here at Odawara castle. Masamune probably surrendered to us due to the fact that we vastly out numbered him…though he may just be biding his time until he has the numbers to out match us. To prevent him from outnumbering us we have to continue to build our numbers where ever possible. But that way we'll end up with us controlling the land. But what happens next?" asks Mitsunari Ishida as he discusses the current situation.

"You'll never understand that if you think only of numbers." Said Kanetsugu.

As they came closer to him, Yukimura is training near his tent as he begins to think to himself.

'The days of the samurai have come to an end, and the code of honor that I once held dear has vanished. Times have changed and it is now numbers not honor that will determine the fate of the land. But Keiji said there's something more, something I must discover…something inside me. What could he mean?' It was after this thought that he stopped as he heard Mitsunari and Kanetsugu's conversation.

"Is there something more important?" asked Mitsunari. It was then that Yukimura responded.

"Honor…is that not it?" asked Yukimura. 'I don't even know what I'm talking about.'

"Honor?" said Mitsunari.

"The determination to defend that which people hold dear to their hearts. There is a saying…all for one and one for all and heaven bless the land. If the individual works for the needs of the many and the many for the needs of the few, the land will prosper." Said Kanetsugu as he drew a Kanji on the ground with his blade. 'Is Honor what I'm searching for?'

"Hard to imagine" said Mitsunari.

"Will you not try it?" asked Kanetsugu as he walked to a central point between Mitsunari and Yukimura and held out his sword pointing it upwards to the sky diagonally away from him. "Kanetsugu Naoe"

'Can these men help me find it?' Yukimura asked himself as he hesitated for a few moments before walking up to Kanetsugu and raising his cross spear so the haft connected with Kanetsugu's sword. "Yukimura Sanada"

After a few moments of silence, Mitsunari walked up and laid his folded metal fan between Kanetsugu's sword and Yukimura's cross spear resting it at the point where they meet. "Mitsunari Ishida. I am honored to fight with you."

'For now, I can only continue on, and I shall…in the name of friendship.' Thought Yukimura.

Meanwhile on another side of the main camp, Ginchiyo had begun her practicing as well. Her serrated blade swiping through the air as she practiced her forms preparing for the assault on the castle. After a few moments, Nene appeared near Ginchiyo and called out.

"Ginchiyo, I brought you some rice cakes." She said cheerfully.

Ginchiyo stopped and turned to Nene lowering her sword before sheathing it.

"I, thank you, My Lady." Said Ginchiyo as she walked over to her.

"Oh it's no problem at all, my dear. Now, tell me are you ready to help my Darling, take the castle?" asked Nene.

Ginchiyo took one of the rice cakes and sat down and began to eat it calmly and politely before looking up at the lady ninja and responded…

"Of course…a Tachibana is always ready to take to the battlefield…and is ready to die in service of our family…" that last part had stung Ginchiyo a little, as the memories of her dead husband's last moments came flashing into her mind. Nene noticed this and sighed inside.

'She's still grieving after all this time over her husband's loss…though I suppose I can't blame her.' Thought Nene.

"I'm passing some around to everyone, so enjoy, if you want seconds don't be afraid to ask." Said Nene with a cheerful voice as she skipped out from Ginchiyo's area. Though her demeanor was cheery as always she still worried for Ginchiyo…and hoped that perhaps fate had something planned for the romantic futures of both Yukimura Sanada and Ginchiyo Tachibana. She had heard of Yukimura's tragedy when Keiji talked to her about it. 'Hmm…from what Keiji said…maybe this might actually have some potential, I better go see him. Oh it's been so long since I played matchmaker." She thought as she leaped away to go find Keiji all the while she had a quiet giggle going through her. She knew it wouldn't be long before her darling wanted to go and start this battle between the Toyotomi and the Hojo here at Odawara Castle.

"Oh Keiji!"

Keiji then jumped in surprise of the sudden voice as he fell out of his bed slamming into the ground. "Ow…geez Lady Nene you could be a little less surprising!"

Nene simply giggled at Keiji's reaction as he slowly got up. "Sorry about that, look, I might need a little help with something, or should I say someone...or two someones in this case." She said with a smile.

"If it's for who I think your talking about, perhaps it might not be such a bad idea for those two. So, if were going to do this Lady Nene, what exactly do you have in mind?" asked Keiji as he sat cross legged on the ground waiting what to hear what Nene had in mind.

The two began to plot and plan to play matchmaker for the two they had in mind. Later on in the day as the sun began to go down, Yukimura made his way outside the camp to a quiet place he had found in the forest near the main camp. He had his cross spear with him and it would allow him a quiet place to train and reflect. He started to go into his normal motions, swinging the spear with honed skill and precision. His mind began to wonder back…back to Nagashino…where his life took its turn for the worse. But before he could delve deeper into his memories he heard a rustling from the bushes and he saw a purple armored figure come out from the brush. Yukimura stood from his alert stance and stood up relaxed with his spear in his left hand.

"Good evening, Lady Tachibana." Said Yukimura.

"Good evening, Sanada-san" said Ginchiyo as she looked at him.

"May I ask, what brings you here this evening, Lady Tachibana?" asked Yukimura.

"I had noticed this spot as we marched into the area. I figured it would be a decent place to have some time away from my soliders. Is that the reason you came here as well?" Said Ginchiyo as she looked at him. Both warriors had their eyes locked on each other.

"Yes, I had noticed it myself, I had come here to train and clear my mind."

"I had ideas for the same, Sanada-san, might I join you and have a spar with you. I had heard you are a skilled Samurai, I would like to test my skill against yours." Said Ginchiyo.

"If that is what you wish for, I would be happy to oblige you, Lady Tachibana." Said Yukimura as he prepared himself with his cross spear at the ready. Ginchiyo drew her serrated blade and dropped into her stance. Yukimura was the first to make a move as he charged forth and took his first swing at Ginchiyo; she blocked and effortlessly started to move with in his reach to attack him. She took a few swipes with him dodging them until he rolled forward dodging another slash. When he stood he quickly went on the offensive thrusting his spear at her. She dodged this initial thrust and then began to block and dodge all of Yukimura's thrusts and swipes. She notice how well he was skilled in his art and began to be reminded of the duels she had with both her father…and her late husband, Muneshige. She began to fight him back in earnest, and even started to push Yukimura back.

'Lady Tachibana's skill it well suits the family she belongs too, I had heard much of the Tachibana clan, and she certainly does it justice.' Thought Yukimura.

'I had heard the rumors of Sanada-san's skill as a samurai, now I can see that the rumors are well founded. Getting through his reach is far more difficult than I would have expected, I've only done so once.' Thought Ginchiyo.

As the battle continued, Ginchiyo eventually found another opening and start to break through, Yukimura's reach. Eventually, the two came to a deadlock, the haft of Yukimura's cross spear and the blade of Ginchiyo's sword locked each other in contest of wills. As their weapons crossed, their eyes locked once again, Ginchiyo could see the fire inside of Yukimura...and she saw something else…a hidden despair, she could see there was a pain in his eyes, like she had seen before in her own father's eyes. As Yukimura looked into her eyes, he could see a raging thunderstorm, this storm was not only of determination and will, but he could feel an anger start to slip into her attacks as she became more and more aggressive. This deadlock and this stare lasted what seemed to be hours for Yukimura and Ginchiyo, neither one wanting to give an inch. Eventually, after a moment more, they both broke the dead lock and began to do battle again. Ginchiyo's attacks becoming more and more aggressive as her face twisted more into a look of rage. As Yukimura noticed this slow change he knew he would have to end this soon or she might do something on accident that she never intended to do. It was then that Yukimura, moved after Ginchiyo's last attack, and he dashed forward tripping up Ginchiyo sending her to the ground with her sword dislodging itself from her grasp as it tumbled away, before Ginchiyo could move she opened her eyes to see the head of the cross spear right in front of her and she looked up to see Yukimura panting. After a moment, Yukimura pulled back his spear and extended his hand. Taking it Ginchiyo was helped to her feet by Yukimura.

"Are you alright? Lady Tachibana?" asked Yukimura.

"Yes, I'm fine, Sanada-san" said Ginchiyo.

"Pardon me asking but is everything okay? You seem disturbed by something." asked Yukimura, as he picked up Ginchiyo's sword. As he walked over to her to give it back she said.

"Everything is alright, Sanada-san…I have to admit you are a wonderful fighter. From what I've heard of your valor, you might have made a fine Tachibana." Said Ginchiyo as she took her blade by the hilt, accidently taking Yukimura's armored hand first, and then pulling it away in embarrassment before taking the hilt itself. As she sheathed it, Yukimura said.

"Thank you, Lady Tachibana, I had heard the tales of your Father and I must say, you gave me a very humbling complement just now."

"Ginchiyo…"

"Huh?"

"I find you interesting Sanada-san; please feel free to call me Ginchiyo." She said to him with a warm smile on her face. She then blushed faintly realizing the kind of smile she just had, it was the first time in a long time since her last fight on Kyushu that she had smiled like that.

"If you are willing to grant me that, then please feel free to call me Yukimura."

"Alright then Yukimura, perhaps we should rest here for a bit, it might do us some good after such a hard fought battle." Said Ginchiyo as she sat down and looked up to the sky. It was then that Yukimura sat down next to her and did the same, both in their minds asking their departed loved ones to watch over them as they prepare to face the Hojo at Odawara Castle.

As they rested there they both ended up laying back on the ground, and then accidentally their heads turned towards the other at the same time and then they each blushed lightly as their eyes met again.

'Her anger, it's as if it had completely left her just now. I can only wonder, what it was that caused it in the first place.' Wondered Yukimura.

'For a moment, when we were talking and looking at each other, his eyes started to look whole again…as if an important piece of him were found…but it's almost the same again. Then again, that sadness of something missing, I know it all too well.' Thought Ginchiyo as she looked up to the stars in the night sky.

Eventually both Yukimura and Ginchiyo walked back to camp together, each of them discussing important things that each other thought about. How they fight, what do they believe in, and other things like that, but it wasn't until that they reached the topic of why do you fight, that both of them stopped. A dead silence held over them both as they made their way to the Toyotomi camp.

'Why do I fight? Well that's easy, right now, I fight in the name of Friendship…but is there something more to fight for? For a while I had thought that I had found a solution…but now after meeting Ginchiyo, like this…now, I'm not sure if Friendship is all I should fight for. As I fought her, I started to get taken in by her beauty. It was incredible to watch her battle me, and her face…when she smiled it reminded me of her smile. And for a moment, I felt like everything had come into place. But does that mean that I like, Ginchiyo…the same way as I did Kunoichi?' He thought.

'Why do I fight? That is a simple question, I fight for the honor and glory of the Tachibana clan. But, after meeting Yukimura and thinking about it for a while. I had began to relive the anger that I had fought Yoshihiro with, it was almost the same as when I fought him. Was I beginning to see my husband's killer as I fought Yukimura? Oh no, I can't believe what I've done I have wronged him by doing this, I shouldn't have fought a man such as Yukimura Sanada with the same malice that I hold against Yoshihiro Shimazu. That man may be my ally here in the Toyotomi camp, but I will never call him 'My' ally. But Yukimura, he seems different, it's like there's something different about Yukimura that I have never seen in anyone. His skill is incredible, his moves flawless, and his eyes….they burned with such vigor and valor and somehow….I smiled…for the first time since Muneshige's death…I smiled…' Thought Ginchiyo as they walked into the camp.

They both bowed to each other and they had told the other that they had hoped to see one another again, and they wished each other a safe return from Odawara Castle, in case seeing each other might be impossible….

While they left however, Keiji poked his head out from behind a tent and the head of Nene also appeared above him. When they came out of their hiding spots they both whistled and decided to enact any ideas they might have had until after Odawara castle…that is if they couldn't make it so that their positions at the battle could work to their favor. Keiji put his fists on his sides as Nene laid on top of his shoulders

"Well, well, looks like they've got the jump on our plans." Said Keiji.

"Maybe but we better just keep an eye out just in case." Said Nene as they both looked to Odawara Castle.

As the battle drew closer, the meeting between Yukimura and Ginchiyo had finally come to pass, and both Keiji and Nene could only hope that the worst would not happen, to either Yukimura or Ginchiyo. The battle drew near and soon, Yukimura and Ginchiyo would be thrown into their first battle together.

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Alright Chapter two is done. I hope everyone enjoyed it and I'll update as soon as I possibly can. Again, please read and review, and I look forward to reading the reviews. Well until next time, Ja ne!!

Next Chapter: Siege of Odawara Castle pt. 2, The Siege Begins