"The Fall of the Azai"!

WHERE WE LEFT OFF:

Nothing special is happening really, Mitsunari was heading to Oichi's section when there was an ambush near the fork in the trail and Mitsunari's archer was wounded. Now Mitsunari has killed the main captain but his men are valiant and refuse to retreat.
Mitsunari also realizes that the main camp is already under attack and so he has to hurry and kill these men, and this time limit has made him mentally unstable and some sort of fighting blood thirsty demon of a personality has taken over our monotonous friend...just so you know

THE STORY:

He could see it so clearly, the creases of concern that marked every one of their foreheads, the rust on their spears, every rip in their clothes as he dashed towards them at an amazing speed. His chest heaved with heavy breaths full of anticipation. The lust for their blood had consumed him, the desire to fight had finally taken over...this is the side he never wanted anyone to see. There was this deep and dark roar that was building in his throat as he watched the men turn their backs in slow motion to run away...Pfffft the cowards.

Mitsunari lashed out upon reaching the front line, his muscles twisting and flexing as he spun on his heel and broke out his open valor, slicing through the very air which then passed through the men like a warm blade against butter. It was the flower petal scene all over again as the dark blood rained down upon him like the cherry blossoms shedding their light petals as the seasons grew harsh and cold. There were cries for back up and cries of pain, there were cries of mercy and cries as a few indignant men tried to escape. By the end of this massacre over fifty lay dead and none had been spared. Mitsunari was drenched and his hair was matted and quickly drying in the sun while the blood on him steamed and let off its thick scent. One mighty roar and he quickly cleaned off his valor before taking one look to where Oichi was and then dashing off in the opposite direction towards the camp.

The Main camp was at the lower left part of the territory and Oichi's placement was an off setting past the walls of Odani Castle itself, located in a small peasant area where soldiers and enemy contact were surprisingly low. Mitsunari had made it to the camp just in time. The main captains that had been given positions to leave with the Oda (namely Hideyoshi and a lesser officer) were battling against two of the Asakura-Azai and their numbers had fallen drastically. Hideyoshi was trying to get out orders in between strikes to bring backup but there were none who could get away fast enough. There must have been over eighty that had flooded the gates and were now running rampant, and Mitsunari immediately jumped into action.

Having lost his horse to take care of the injured Kikyo, Mitsunari jumped upon a small gelding and set off to trample those weaker foot soldiers that were too scared to dodge him. It was then that right when he was about to run through a large group that stood in formation against him that a bomb blast sent the group flying and Mitsunari turned quickly to see who had done it. He didn't remember there being any burrowers on his team.

"You need some help?" a woman finally asked and Mitsunari spotted her in a tree overlooking the camp. He had since jumped from his horse and was having a bout with a spearman who dare not try and get in a strike but continue to block him. "Who are you?" he finally managed to utter through his grunts and physical attempts at slaying the young soldier.
"A friend...Nazia to be exact. I'm your new aid." she called out, and she dished out another bomb that saved Hideyoshi from a group of lesser samurai, but it also nearly gave him a heart attack, "A fire ninja by trade."

'Where do they get these women? Why are they always women?!' Mitsunari questioned as a range blow to the head finally ended the spearman, "Well that's all well and good...but you're not much help from up in a tree." and thus Nazia giggled and jumped down into the camp. Her stupid move was landing in the middle of a group of enemy Sumo aids, her smart move was in spinning like a graceful dancer and sending out tiny sparks which caught the Sumo's sweat soaked, ratty clothes which instantly set them aflame. She had obviously been to battle before.

Mitsunari saved all other conversation, going to Hideyoshi's side where they battled head on against the long armed captains and their fancy spears of justice. "You've got a lot of nerve busting in here..." Hideyoshi would yell. As if he could really tell the Azai what to do! Good 'ol Hideyoshi, always so big-headed.
"You're plan will never work." said the first captain. His companion had already fallen to Hideyoshi, "What makes you think we would secure our Castle only on the inside. The Azai are on the move, so even if you kill me here...your advances are in vain."

But wait...that had been their only plan right? To kill the Reserve and defense captains, then take over the Garrisons and make it to the inside? If that wasn't the big secret and the Azai were still advancing then they were outnumbered and they had not the time for another plan! This battle had been lost before it even started!

That's when Mitsunari snapped. He could see it now, Lady Oichi watching as her brother died before her, murdered in cold blood by the trickster Nagamasa. How that man thought he was so sneaky. Surely Mitsuhide would be gone by then, fooled by the thought that they were going in to have an easy victory. So there they lay, the Lord and his faithful second hand...and never would Mitsunari have the chance to convey his true feelings. "No!" Mitsunari said aloud, "I will not let it be that way!" and before he could control himself, he had lashed out against the captain, taking him by surprised and then the valor had cut his throat, thus he fell face first into the mud and drowned in the strange mixture of earth and liquid iron.
"...Wow..." was all Hideyoshi had to say as the rest of the enemy foot soldiers were retreating, "That was quite something Mitsunari."

"I do not take privilege in such small endeavors..." Mitsunari mumbled as he gazed around camp and found the survivors of their group gathering and awaiting orders. "Hideyoshi, I refuse to stay here, I must go and warn the Oda of the new information that we have obtained and then I must-"
Hideyoshi cut him off, "My friend do not fret. Be on your way for you will hear from me soon enough, I have a plan." and so without another word, Mitsunari had taken another horse and was off to the northeast where the main gate lie and he could catch up to the main group that traveled with the Oda.

Along with him dashed the fire ninja Nazia who whistled cheerfully and seemed oh-so calm considering what could have turned out for the worst. The terrain was changing rapidly in front of Mitsunari's eyes...no longer was it the calm and peaceful hillsides surrounded by trees. Now he was in a more urban setting with lined passageways and roads, giant walls surrounding the houses of the higher class and the like, there was this claustrophobic sense that came along with the scenery and Mitsunari shrugged it off as he approached a murderous scene. It was Oichi and Mitsuhide. They were back to back and losing their strides, Oichi looked exhausted and Mitsuhide had taken a blow to his shoulder, the armor cracked and the skin had been punctured. It was a sad look for a powerful samurai, but Mitsuhide jumped at the opportunity to impress.
The challenger was: Masazumi third in command to Lord Azai (being Nagamasa's father) and he seemed to be boasting with his army of two hundred.

"I've done the calculations and your chances of winning this are zero to one. After I slay the both of you, there will be nothing to stop the Asakura-Azai from taking over as the leading army in ruling Japan! "
" And what could you ever do for Japan?!" Mitsuhide roared as he stuck his blade through three foot men, "You are a blind fool. Philosopher or no, Lord Nobunaga has a vision, a dream of prosperity and happiness for all the people of Japan. Nagamasa is too busy weeping over his wife to even confront us himself!" and Oichi flinched. Mitsunari then stepped in, "And how can you sit there and boast while you aren't even making a move Masazumi? Your strength comes from your men, you are a spineless coward, have you no pride?" and he held up his fan, "Draw your sword...wars cannot be won by clever use of the tongue."

Oichi looked up only having noticed Mitsunari's presence just then and she smiled as she mouthed another thank you before she continued hitting small soldiers in their faces with her little toy. Mitsuhide only laughed as he looked up apologetically and muttered, "So there must be a second time you save me? I am truly sorry for being so impudent..." and then he too got back to what he was doing. Masazumi was furious and his ears burned red with rage as he drew out his blade and charged head on towards Mitsunari, who in the end side-stepped him easily and almost chuckled, "Don't make me laugh."

Masazumi's lunges were wild and careless. This man couldn't stand insults especially with the added on humiliation, thus before long, all his energy had gone into his arms in trying to catch Mitsunari and soon he became slower and slower from exhaustion. Mitsunari took the opportunity, kicking at Masazumi's knees and the old man fell.

"Look around you..." Mitsunari commented, and Masazumi obeyed. His eyes widened for all this time that him and Mitsunari had been playing cat and dog, all his men had fallen. A few had made it into the reserves, but the entire Garrison was lost and he had been defeated, "So then..." Mitsunari sighed as if this game had become boring to him, "Any last words before you die?"
And like any pitiful man, Masazumi sat there, finally standing and he pretended to pray. Even then when he tried to strike out, it was a lost cause for his speed was no match for Mitsunari which stepped right by Masazumi and stabbed him right through the back. Masazumi let out a cry for the pain was blinding as his most honorable robes became dark red and smelled of death. "Rrrgh..." he gritted his teeth as he fell to his knees, "We...underestimated their...power-" and then he fell over face first dead, not a single word for forgiveness came from him. The joke is on him...

Meanwhile Mitshude had been standing by enjoying the scene and all he could do was smile as he gave a sarcastic grin to Mitsunari knowing that the pretty boy expected to be praised, "I'll make note of your ability."
"Highly impressive...!" Oichi chimed in, and Mitsunari gave a bow, his sarcasm seeping through every words as he glared at Mitsuhide, "I am honored." and then someone gave a shout, "What is that fool Hideyoshi doing?!"
And everyone then turned around as a familiar voice called out, "Take them...lead the engineers up to the main gate, we're blowin' the whole place apart!"

Hideyoshi ran up with that familiar grin of his, resembling some silly old monkey thief. "Mitsunari, glad to see you're so well...you took out one of their main's I see."
"That isn't the point..." Mitsunari began, "Hideyoshi I told you to stay at the camp-"
"Oh calm yourself I'm still close enough..." Hideyoshi chuckled, "And fear not, for I have found the perfect solution to our problems." and as Mitsunari looked around, he could tell that the other captains (Oichi and Mitsuhide) were at a loss thus he took the time to begin and explain the attack on the main gate earlier. "So we're sending engineers to the main garrison? But wouldn't he already suspect that from us?" Mitsuhide chimed in, almost in alarm as he saw the threat that was against the Oda. Oichi only nodded, "Nagamasa is no fool even though he is young."
"But it is because he is so intelligent that he'll never see this coming!" Hideyoshi laughed. He had obviously completely lost it, "So I'm sending the brigade out with Raemon to center battlefield."

The center battle field was the crossing point between the two sides. Whether you were up against down or left against right, the main clashing always happened at center battlefield and this was where he would send old men and little boys to go and make their way to the main garrison of Odani Castle. "But that would be impossible!" Mitsuhide cried, "It will never work...are you a fool. That's a suicide mission." and even the engineers that had finally caught up were glancing about, their eyes wide with fear and their skin pale as some of them might not make it back alive. Raemon was the last to come behind the older men, her long black hair was tied up and she brandished a longsword in her right hand as she whispered, "Do not worry, they are in my care."

Mitsunari had, had enough of this, "You go on ahead, I have no time to waste her talking all of this over. Hideyoshi is over a higher authority than most of us anyways so who can argue?" and it was true. Before hearing any response, Mitsunari was off again the sun beating hard off his bare back and his fire ninja trialing close behind. Soon there were two new pairs of feet following him back just a ways. Could it really be...? He spun around and right on his heels were Oichi and Mitsuhide Akechi...that was a relief.

"You seem to have a plan." Mitsuhide grinned as he was now right at Mitsunari's side, "Mind if we tag along?" and Mitsunari himself had to smile as the sun rained down on Mitsuhide like a heavenly aura and he had to control the blush that was beginning to set in as he muttered, "Not at all-"

'This is how it should always be...' Mitsunari thought, ' Even in battle, you and I should stand as equals, and run together facing all the dangers head on together. Just you and me...always.'

It wasn't as bad as long as the men went in the direction of northeast. If they strayed far away from center battlefield then they could easily fight a cluster of fifties and eighties enough to then take down reserve captains and defense captains. Though they were still taking up a lot of time. A lot of it was saving the Lady Oichi...but Mitsuhide would not have it that they let her be, since she was the sister of the Oda. The urban area just got more clustered until the three warriors were running along a stone road that was encased in a wooden fencing. The land was heading uphill. The grass was still neatly trimmed along the sides and the air was clean and clear from death. Where were the others?

"This does not look good." observed Mitsuhide as he slowed his running to a smaller stride, " Where are the dead guards? The enemy...where have they gone? The Oda should have been here!"
"Could they already be inside?" Oichi asked, "This is the only entrance I know of...the gate is up ahead, but there should be a mass of people protecting his space. And my brother would always come straight here."

"It is iffy but even still, we have to pretend that they are alright and perhaps on their way." Mitsunari sighed, shaking his head, "We have wasted too much time to just stand around in wait. We know not of Nagamasa's strategy and so we must make haste."
"You're such a demanding man..." Mitsuhide grumbled, "Who do you think you're ordering around here!"
"I never asked you to follow me!" Mitsunari shot back before dashing off again- Nazia, his fire ninja giggling at the dumbfounded and embarrassed Mitsuhide and she muttered, "Burn!" before running on along the properly placed stones, winding up the large hillside.

It wasn't long until the group was confronted with a defense captain, his squad was a little bit bigger than the others but it was still smaller than others. And as boasting right of his supposed strength, there was a key tied around his neck, that would in turn open up the main gate which was covered in moss and looked old enough that one could just blow and it would topple over without that much effort. The thought made Mitsunari sick because right at this moment there were men dying in centerfield just to get to this very area, What had Hideyoshi been thinking and why?

Mitsunari drew his valor again and just walked up to the captain, a pretty stupid gesture seeing how his guard was closing in, but they did not attack either, they just stared, they were only looking. What was this man doing? "So I only need this key?" Mitsunari asked. The man replied with a quick, "Hai." and then drew his spear. And Mitsunari just turned his back and began walking away. "Fool, what are you doing?!" Mitsuhide cried as Mitsunari walked past them. He came to his fire ninja and whispered something to her which she then nodded and went into a giggle fit. Mitsunari stood in the open area between the gate and the level ground finally and he whistled. It took a few minutes before a galloping was heard and up came his Pale Cloud, which he mounted as it came rushing past him and he stood on the saddle and cried, "Now!"

Nazia smiled, "Right-o!" as she threw a small bomb which blew the defense guard and his men in all directions depending on their stance, as Mitsunari galloped to the right, catching the Defense guard by the throat and grabbing the key. He came to the lock and hurriedly pushed it into place and used his valor to cut the lock off its hinges once it clicked open, and the gate began to creak open.

Pushing his Pale cloud against the wood, it opened widely for him and then he galloped through, only to be met with bullets and arrows, something he had not expected. He was caught up in a rain of ammo as he dashed about and took in his surroundings. In Odani there were multiple garden squares, like a maze. certain ones lead to the main camp where Nagamasa was, and then the others led to mere reserves of an area that had nothing to do with anything, but each of these areas were occupied by two lines of gun men, and one set of archers, and a couple lines of trained spearmen, and then the rest of the majority were just extra foot soldiers. So this is why defense was so low on the outside.

Even now as Mitsuhide and Oichi were finishing off the defense captain and his men, Mitsunari was winding around in a large circle, trampling as many soldiers as he could, he had to get to the main sector and now; he had to finish off Nagamasa, because if the Azai army was placed in the right part of the battle field, then a bottom trail could easily set him upon their main camp, and Hideyoshi was too interested in his engineers. Through the bullets and through the arrows he galloped on, stomping on anyone who got in his way. Bodies were crushed beneath him and yet he rode on, through tiny streams, through lines of trees and small plots of sand and flowers, it mattered not to him. Occasionally a reserve captain would stall him with their wooden shields and he would have to dismount, but there was no one really worth his time. All captains has been dispatched to areas throughout the map and there was no one in this place who was even skilled enough to wound/kill him. Rage burned in him again as the time ticked past and he found himself killing without meaning, crying, "Out of my way!" or "You're too slow, stop wasting my time!" It was chaos.

The mazes seemed endless as he traveled on, and eventually he came upon the Oda who was slicing his way through a large group of men that had collected on a bridge passing through to the main sector. This was where the group had been stuck for awhile he could see...for there were bodies everywhere, littering the ground, and yet, as every man fell, five more would come to take his place. The Oda was never one to just push his way through, and even now as he heard the battle horns, he knew that they weren't going to make it. Nagamasa was charging...he was moving!

The tension was too much! And so, in that spur moment, Mitsunari dived into the soldiers and called to Nazia. Every now and again a bomb would blow up near him making it easier for him to move then as people were blown away from the immediate area and off the bridge. His skin was singed in some areas but there was no time, they were all done for if Nagamasa got out, he had ditched his pale cloud so he had nothing but mortal speed on his side and that would be cutting it close.

Again the bombs went off and finally, past the spears that dug into his shoulders and that cut against his sides and torso, he finally broke free and began his mad dash for the gate on the other side of the bridge which was slowly closing. Inch by inch it kept shutting as he ran, and when he finally made it he jumped and rolled, barely making it to the other side; part of his pants ripping as pulled free from the door as it closed near upon him. Now he began to run again into the open stone square and up ahead, there was Nagamasa. And that's where it happened, the men intersected and there was a silence between them.

Mitsunari stood there, bare chested, burnt and bloodied by Nagamasa's own men. Sweat ran down him and the sun beat down on his tired body as he took in heavy breaths, his red hair matted and crusted with mud and other things that had come to him during his travels here. And then there stood Nagamasa, his body gloriously shining in the sun with his bright blue armor trimmed with gold and steel. His lance was of a similar design and was large enough that it engulfed his hand which must have tightened against the hilt of it. He looked up into Mitsunari's eyes and whispered, " You area broken man. "

"I am..." Mitsunari admitted, as he opened his fan and prepared for battle.
"I am a broken man too-" Nagamasa admitted, "But it was love that has broken me and so I cannot say that I am ashamed for it." and Mitsuhide flinched for he too was a man fighting for a love. But his was not as committed, a one sided relationship was not honorable like one of trust and commitment. How did Nagamasa know...how could he see it? "I didn't come here to chat with you on my problems however..." Nagamasa finally said as he stood a ways back and swung his lance over his high pointed helmet, "I fight for honor and for dignity, I fight for Oichi!" and then he pointed his lance forward at Mitsunari's heart, "I won't hold back-" and thus the battle began.

Mitsunari's legs were tired and he jumped forward going completely on the offensive but coming up with nothing but air. For someone so heavily armored, Nagamasa was fast, no wonder he had been Oichi's chosen suitor and a Lord at that. Nagamasa noted that his father was nowhere to be found so he must have run on ahead to the main camp, but none of that mattered because all of this would be over soon. Mitsunari didn't know this, but Mitsuhide and the Oda stood there watching while Oichi was nowhere in sight-him and Nagamasa were neck-to-neck, none of them could get in a hit and each one was swift as the wind itself and so even when they thought they were close together then they might have been ten feet apart in the next second.

Time did not exist as the two danced in this never-ending battle when suddenly, Mitsunari got careless and laid sprawled on the ground after he had been hit in the side, and one of his ribs had shattered. He sat there gagging, the lance pressed against his neck before Nagamasa lifted his weapon high over his head whispering, " I shall end your suffering my friend- " and then he stopped short, gasping as he toppled over to the side of Mitsunari. The sun was blinding as Mitsunari was looking up, but the purple gleam was unmistakable, " Two for two then? " Mitsuhide smiled as he leaned down and picked up Mitsunari and began to carry him along as he muttered, "Shall we kill him now?"

"No." The Oda responded "...leave him and torch the castle. We'll see what is to come of his decision when he awakens." and thus they all made their way to defend the main camp. Thus, this would be the defeat of the Asakura-Azai.

But Mitsunari knew that there was still more to come.

TO BE CONTINUED!