Disclaimer: I do not own Samurai Warriors or any of its characters.
Chapter 4: Siege of Odawara Castle pt. 3: The Winds of Chaos Threaten the Rekindled Flame
Many soldiers of the Toyotomi army had now made their way inside to Odawara castle among them were Ginchiyo Tachibana and Yukimura Sanada. As well as Sakon Shima, Keiji Maeda, Kanetsugu Naoe, Tadakatsu Honda, Masamune Date, Ina, Ieyasu Tokugawa and Yoshihiro Shimazu. The fighting broke out through many sections of the castles interior. Ginchiyo and Yukimura had broken through the crowds and found the stairway leading up to the next floor. They had also found a locked gate.
"This gate leads somewhere important; they wouldn't have locked it unless it had some purpose." Said Ginchiyo.
"Lady Tachibana, I'm glad I found you, reports indicate that this gate can be opened by a mechanism on the second floor." Said a scout that had come up to them.
"Let's go Ginchiyo, we'll find this mechanism and let our allies join us." Said Yukimura.
"Of course, let's go" responded Ginchiyo. 'Yukimura seems to be more spirited than I've seen him as of late. This is a change for the better.'
Yukimura and Ginchiyo hurried upstairs and were immediately met with a strong opposition from many of the troops on the second floor, arrows and bullets firing at them as they started to fight with the lines of melee troops that had encountered them. As Yukimura broke through he started to break up the lines of archers and gunners as he cut through them. Yukimura turned to notice one of the gunners taking aim on Ginchiyo and he quickly dashed forward. Ginchiyo could only turn as she heard Yukimura telling her to watch out. She saw the flash of the gun pointed at her and began to fear that her life would end now.
'No, I can't let myself die…' was her last thought before she heard a loud ricochet of metal on metal as she had just finished bringing her sword up to block. Her eyes went wide as she saw Yukimura falling back into the crowd, taking down a group of soldiers with him. Before he could reload, he looked up to see a purple blur followed by a streak of lightning coming at him.
"This is for Yukimura you bastard!" Ginchiyo yelled as her sword sparking wildly with lightning came down slicing through the body of the gunner as she landed. She then quickly dashed over to Yukimura's body. "Yukimura…Yukimura…get up!"
Yukimura then slowly began to stir…
"Ughh, Ginchiyo?"
"Yukimura, you're alright." Said Ginchiyo as she helped Yukimura up.
"Yeah, thanks to my spear, it deflected the shot but I was off balance so I ended up getting thrown back by the shot." Said Yukimura as he got his bearings back and stood up. Taking his spear he nodded at Ginchiyo and ran forward with her and his troops looking to continue the assault of Odawara Castle.
They rushed through the halls of the castle and defeated many soldiers along the way. As they turned one of the corners they noticed another gate blocking their path. It was then that more scouts had caught up with them.
"Lord Sanada, Lady Tachibana…there is another mechanism that controls this gate. It is down on the first floor though." Said the Scout as he quickly moved to avoid a spear thrust from an enemy soldier. Yukimura quickly dispatched many of the enemies that were still around them as they wondered about the clue they were given.
"Yukimura…We didn't see the other mechanism as we came in. I think it may have been behind the other gate we saw earlier." said Ginchiyo as she looked around them.
"Your right…but where is the mechanism that opens that gate. We haven't found that one yet." Said Yukimura as they were now back to back holding their weapons ready to continue fighting their enemies.
"Perhaps I can help with that one." Said a voice as a group of soldiers were cut down. It was then that Kanetsugu had appeared with his forces. "I believe this contraption held by the tiger statue is what it is that we are searching for."
Kanetsugu was pointing his blade at a mechanism that was being held back by a statue. "If we destroy the statue or move it we can get this thing working."
Yukimura, Ginchiyo, and Kanetsugu all looked at each other and nodded as they drew up their weapons and leaped forward. Kanetsugu lead off by throwing his sutra cards at the statue, using his spiritual power to slice through the base. After that, using their strength, Yukimura sliced through the tiger body, while Ginchiyo sliced through the head her blade glowing with bright electricity. The statue swiftly fell apart and smashed as each piece hit the ground. It was then that Yukimura's soldiers ran in and pushed the levers as a team to open the first gate.
"Yukimura, Lady Tachibana…you two should wait here, I shall rejoin the others and get the other mechanism freed up." Said Kanetsugu as he ordered his troop to move out. As they waited, the soldiers finished off the rest of the opposition that was on the second floor.
Yukimura and Ginchiyo looked towards each other and couldn't help but stare at each other. Their minds were rushing with thoughts as they looked at each other. Their eyes kept moving around as they looked for enemies but their eyes always came back to each others.
'Yukimura…your efforts in battle…they remind me of my family's valor and strength. You would have made a fine Tachibana. I can only hope that this battle will end soon…for then I can get to know you more than I have now and perhaps gain retribution for the wronging I have done to you. You are no Shimazu…and I shouldn't have fought with you like you were one.' Thought Ginchiyo as she looked at him.
'Ginchiyo, I know that we have both lost people that are the most important to us. I know you must still be suffering from it. I can only hope that I can help you in what little way I can to help you let go of the pain.' Thought Yukimura as he looked at her.
A few moments later the gate slowly came open and their attention snapped at the rushing forces that were now trying to stand in their way. Picking up their weapons into fighting stance they rushed forward to battle them. Yukimura leaped forward and spun himself, his spear slicing through the vanguard that attacked them first. In front of him, more soldiers were charging until a ball of lighting exploded in front of him as Ginchiyo used her lightning to send many soldiers as she launched her attack from above him. Landing near the impact zone, Ginchiyo smiled back at him before slicing through more soldiers as they came at her. Yukimura not to be out done thrust his spear through a soldier whose slash had been dodged by Ginchiyo. He quickly tossed him aside as he and Ginchiyo continued to fight their way through the many soldiers. They were able to push their way up the stairs and then entered the throne area of Odawara Castle. They were immediately greeted by the elite soldiers of both Ujimasa and Ujinao Hojo, and the two Hojo leaders themselves. Yukimura and Ginchiyo's soldiers began to fight most of the soldiers. Meanwhile, Yukimura had charged Ujimasa and Ginchiyo began doing battle with Ujinao. The two Hojo leaders gave both of them a great challenge their blades clashing against the weapons of Yukimura and Ginchiyo. As they fought, they both continued to cut down soldiers that got in their way. It was starting to get to the both of them as the numbers started to overwhelm as their own soldiers had begun to get cut down.
It was then that the Hojo leaders were shocked to see both Fire and Lightning in the eyes of their opponents. Energy exploded from them knocking both of them and their surrounding soldiers off balance as they heard…
"WITH THIS BLOW…"
"FEEL MY BLADES THUNDER!"
Yukimura's aura surged forth with powerful flames as he began to swing around his spear cutting down all in a twister of flame and steel and as if he were feeding off the power of Ginchiyo…geysers of flame shot out randomly from everywhere he struck. In turn, Ginchiyo had risen from the ground herself surrounded in a powerful aura of thunder and lightning. This aura had taken all who touched it up into its destructive embrace and sent them flying above it only to come back down upon it…and as if fueled by the power that Yukimura had given off…bolts of lighting shot down from above them and struck randomly at any who had not been swept up into her electric aura. As these attacks came to their end, Yukimura and Ginchiyo focused their sights on both Ujinao and Ujimasa. Yukimura struck Ujimasa and then unleashed a flurry of slashes and strikes against him each leaving a searing burn as each attack hit. It was then that Yukimura spun one last time and sent Ujimasa's lifeless body to the ground. At the same time, Ginchiyo had come down and as Ujinao's body had come down into range…she began to carry him through the air by each of her swings. And with one last swipe, a blast of lightning struck Ujinao sending his lifeless body to the ground. With their last burst of energy they came out of their state yelling…
"I SHALL SEAL YOUR FATE!"
"REMBEMBER WHO DEFEATED YOU!"
When they came out of it…the throne area was left in shambles in the wake of their attacks. It was then that they heard the rushing of another army outside of the castle. They rushed to the rails to look at the view. They noticed that large army flying the symbol of the Hojo had appeared and they were marching right towards the main camp.
"Lord Hideyoshi is in danger!" Said Yukimura.
"We must hurry, Yukimura…or the Hojo will kill Lord Hideyoshi." Said Ginchiyo as they started to turn around and make for the exit. As they leaped down the stairs… they noticed that the gate had come down again.
"How did the gate go down?!" yelled Yukimura as he tried slamming against the gate to knock it down.
"Yukimura…I don't think we are alone." Said Ginchiyo as she raised her blade and stood next to Yukimura.
"How perceptive of you…tell me…do you like magic tricks? Those weren't the real Hojo leaders." Said an eerie voice as a group of ninja's appeared surrounding Yukimura and Ginchiyo. Their soldiers turned around noticing their commander's in danger but they could not get pass the gate. It was then that another ninja…whose skin was a pale blue…and wore a pair of clawed gauntlets appeared before the two warriors. He laugh flowed with evil intent as he stared down the two warriors.
"Who are you, Ninja?" asked Ginchiyo in a commanding voice.
"I am the wind who calls forth chaos…and now…I shall have my fun with you both. Before your blood drips from my claws. If you must have a name…I am Kotaro Fuma." Said Kotaro as he raised his hand and the Ninja's leapt in to strike down the two trapped warriors. Yukimura and Ginchiyo refused to back down as they struck out against the enemy ninjas. Both of them quickly went back to back to avoid being completely surrounded individually. More ninja's continued to try and break them apart…but all were brought down by them. Both of them then turned their attention on the ninja leader, Kotaro.
"You have defeated mere pawns…now you face me." Said Kotaro as he rushed towards the two samurai warriors, the intent to kill fresh in his eyes.
As they prepared to face him, they were shocked as the clawed arms came towards them from a farther distance than the human body should allow. Both Yukimura and Ginchiyo rolled out of the way as the two claws impacted the ground. The arms came at them again and they tried to block and parry with their weapons. It was then that Kotaro slammed his claws into the ground and used his arms to slingshot himself at Ginchiyo. She tried to block but was sent flying into a wall at the impact of Kotaro's body against her own. Afterwards, he charged forward looking to skewer Ginchiyo's stunned body with his claws. However, Yukimura leaped forward and knocked Kotaro away with a strike from the butt of his spear. Yukimura stood in front of Kotaro, placing himself between Kotaro and the recovering Ginchiyo.
"You amuse me boy…do you care for this woman?" said Kotaro with an evil laugh.
"That is my business, Kotaro…now open this gate and let us through." Said Yukimura with a commanding tone.
"I don't think so, Boy. If Hideyoshi unites the land…then I can't have my fun anymore. Peace is so boring…it is the chaos of war that makes for the most exciting times…and I intend to keep it going as long as I can." Said Kotaro as he readied for another charge.
"I cannot allow you to have you way!" said Yukimura as he charged forth. As he came in his spear's reach, he thrust and swung his spear trying to strike the Ninja as he dodged and blocked his blows. Kotaro parried one of his attacks and rushed in and struck Yukimura in his armored chest with his claws, afterwards going into a fast combination that ended with a kick that sent him flying back. Yukimura regained his senses and recovered by flipping himself so he would land up right. Yukimura saw Kotaro charging him he waited and then swung his spear in time to catch Kotaro with a slash. The momentum sent Kotaro sprawling back on to the ground as Yukimura landed. Closing the gap, Yukimura stabbed down at Kotaro looking to finish him. The spear would hit nothing but wood as Kotaro vanished from where he was. He appeared at the stairway as he seemed to land from a jump. His chest had been bloodied from where Yukimura slashed him.
"It appears you have some skill to keep up with me, boy…we shall meet again someday. But know this…even if Hideyoshi wins…it only delays the inevitable." Said Kotaro as he vanished.
Yukimura stood there for a few moments then heard the gate open as he noticed Ginchiyo was up right again and ready to go.
"Are you alright, Ginchiyo?" asked Yukimura.
"I'm fine, Yukimura…I was just stunned by Kotaro's attack. The gate is open now…we must go before it is too late for Lord Hideyoshi." Said Ginchiyo as she started to rush out with Yukimura following close behind.
The rest of the Toyotomi forces had already made their way to the main camp and had begun to intercept the ambushing Hojo. Tadakatsu, Ina and Ieyasu had intercepted from the east and had begun to route the forces. Keiji, Kanetsugu, and Mitsunari had already had their forces intercept from the east and they were quickly routing them. Meanwhile the grounds of Odawara castle were empty save for a few horses. Ginchiyo had found the horse she left behind as she had entered the castle. Yukimura whistled loudly and the rushing hooves of a horse came towards them. Both of them mounted quickly and charged forward after ordering their soldiers to return to the main camp. Both warriors took the western exit from Odawara castle and rushed to the aid of the Toyotomi main camp. The two Samurai rode their horses with great speed towards the main camp. Yukimura yelled to Ginchiyo to follow him, as he led the charge towards the Toyotomi Main camp. Their approach was soon challenged by the Hojo Soldiers they were rapidly approaching. As if they had synchronized, both of them made their horses leap up and the impact knocked the crowd of soldiers who challenged them to their feet stunned from the impact. They continued to rush as fast as they could on their horses. Seeing the Toyotomi main camp ahead, they soon had to maneuver their horses to avoid rifle fire that had begun to be used against them. Using the speed of their horses, Yukimura and Ginchiyo maneuvered through the rifle fire and then cut down the rifle soldiers as they rushed by. It took them a bit longer than they wanted, but they finally broke through the Hojo's line and into the Toyotomi Main Camp. The chaos there was to be expected. Keiji, Sakon, Kanetsugu, Mitsunari, Ieyasu, Ina, Tadakatsu, Yoshihiro, Masamune, Nene, and Hideyoshi were all fighting alongside their soldiers working to quickly rout this last ditch effort to kill Hideyoshi.
Both Yukimura and Ginchiyo dismounted their horses quickly and joined in the combat. Rifle Fire was loud in the air as was the yelling of all the charging soldiers. Many of the Hojo warriors were falling to the might of the Toyotomi Army in spite of the surprise attack by the Hojo. As they did battle, Yukimura and Ginchiyo had split up and had begun cutting down soldiers in earnest. Yukimura's spear was keeping the soldiers who dared to attack him at distance as he saw the Hojo leader he thought he had defeated before he and Ginchiyo had been ambushed by Kotaro. Seeing Ujimasa, he began to cut his way to him…he wanted this to end, and he thought the death of Ujimasa would bring an end to this. On the other end of the camp, swords clashed as Ginchiyo had began to duel with Ujinao Hojo. As they fought, Ginchiyo and Yukimura cut down all of the soldiers that had accompanied the two Hojo leaders.
Yukimura's Spear and Ujimasa's sword was now holding one another in a dead lock. Both were trying to out power the other…but Yukimura caught Ujimasa off balance and knocked him back before slashing him twice with his spear before impaling him on the head of his spear through his chest. The charging soldiers stopped in shock of what they were seeing. Yukimura had killed Ujimasa Hojo.
Meanwhile, Ginchiyo and Ujinao's battle continued as their swords clashed. However, Ujinao made a mistake as he swung his sword up at her. Ginchiyo caught the blade in the serrated parts of her sword and held it in place, long enough for her to disengage and strike her blade through Ujinao's chest. When this happened with a cry of fury, Ginchiyo's blade exploded out with a blast of electricity leaving a cauterized hole where his chest should be. Pulling her blade back she looked down at the slain Hojo leader.
Everyone had stopped their fighting, and looked at the two fallen Hojo leaders. It was then that the call to retreat was called by any remaining Hojo generals. Hideyoshi smiled as he slammed the end of his staff into the ground.
"My friends, with this, The Hojo have fallen!" called Hideyoshi as she raised his staff to celebrate.
The warriors of the Toyotomi responded with a roar and the raising of their weapons. As they gathered in the Main Camp, Yukimura's Friends had surrounded him, congratulating him on his slaying of Ujimasa, and at the same time Nene had been celebrating and thanking her for defeating Ujinao and cheering that the land was finally united and her husband's Japan could finally be created. Both Yukimura and Ginchiyo had similar thoughts on their mind as they surveyed the end result of their battle.
'At last it's all over…perhaps now I can figure out what Keiji had meant about being able to use my warrior's heart on more than just war. Perhaps I can use this time to get to know Ginchiyo some more. Perhaps she can help me find out what Keiji was talking about.' Thought Yukimura as he looked back to the structure of Odawara castle.
'Victory has been obtained…and now, perhaps, I can move on from this time of war. Perhaps, I can take what Lady Nene has told me…and get to know Yukimura a bit more. For a man he still some how manages to fascinate me, and his valor today has struck my interest even more. I shall take this time of peace to get to know you more, Yukimura Sanada.' Thought Ginchiyo as she looked upon Yukimura from a distance.
With the Battle of Odawara Castle complete, the Toyotomi now had taken complete control of all Japan. Hideyoshi's dream was now in front of him, and in it, Yukimura and Ginchiyo had begun to make plans of their own to use this time of peace. Perhaps time would truly tell if these two could be the answer to each other's wounds.
Okay, first of all let me thank Forgotten Honor for giving me the inspiration to go out and continue this story. I had lost the inspiration for it for a bit and that's why I stopped…but now I have it back and will continue to work this story. Please Read and Review and thank you for sticking with me.
Next Time: Chapter 5: The Rekindled Flame Grows in the Time of Peace.