Thank you to HydroMaster9910 for their review

Chapter 4:
A re-match

Zhen Shao could only describe the grin on Masamune's face as sheer madness. The young Chinese bodyguard had never seen anyone have as much fun as the One-eyed dragon. It scared her to think that her lord might not survive. Lu Xun gritted his teeth as he pushed all his weight in a dead-lock. It had been the sixth one in their little spat. The sounds of war were still heard, telling both Zhen Shao and Lu Xun that Nobunaga was still alive and kicking. "Had enough?" Masamune laughed, pushing harder against the dead lock.

"Don't get cocky!" Lu Xun snapped back. He swung his foot out, catching Masamune in the knee. The Date lord buckled slightly causing the dead lock to shift in Lu Xun's favor. Masamune growled as his leg hit the floor.

"Hey! No fair!" he whined. Swinging his sword out, Masamune cursed further when Lu Xun jumped from the attack. "That was a cheap shot!" Masamune growled. Lu Xun's eyes narrowed.

"Kidnapping my bodyguard was a cheap shot." Lu Xun hissed. Masamune slowly rose, watching Lu Xun's every move. "How could such a bright warrior end up serving Orochi? It doesn't make sense." Lu Xun whispered, shaking his head sadly. Masamune growled lowly.

"Hey! Lord Orochi will rule this land. Just you wait. You will not win!" He snapped back, charging into battle again. Lu Xun readied himself against the attack. Zhen Shao looked on in fear from her perch, when she caught Lu Xun's eye. Although her lord did not say anything, Zhen Shao knew what he wanted her to do. With a quick nod of her head, the little Wu bodyguard snuck past Tiger and ran to find Nobunaga.

--

Nobunaga looked over the carnage after the battle. Ina, Sun Shang Xiang and a few other Generals had gotten away but the demon king was not to fuss either way. Whether we fight now or in the final battle, they will all soon see the demon's true power. Nobunaga smirked. He clutched the reins of his horse, patting the horse's nose as Hideyoshi walked towards him. "Hideyoshi, what about the casualties?" he questioned.

"Well my lord, there are only a few. However Master Lu Xun is missing." Hideyoshi replied with a quick bow of his head. Nobunaga slowly raised an eyebrow and glanced towards Mitsuhide. The purple claded warrior bowed formally, awaiting his Lord to speak.

"Mitsuhide, have you seen Lu Xun?" Nobunaga frowned over the Chinese name but let it go. He watched in dismay as Mitsuhide shook his head. "How troubling." Nobunaga grumbled. Lu Xun had proved to be an excellent warrior within the short time Nobunaga had known. Suddenly the bushes rustled, making everyone tense. Hideyoshi and Mitsuhide stood in front of Nobunaga, ready to fend off any attack. However a blur of red tumbled out of the bushes and landed at Mitsuhide's feet.

"Zhen...Shao?" Mitsuhide questioned. Sheathing his katana, the demon king's general helped the bodyguard to her feet. "What happened? Where is Master Lu Xun?" Mitsuhide asked quickly. Zhen Shao turned to look straight at Nobunaga, tears welling in her eyes. Hideyoshi suddenly became concerned for the young girl. He quickly placed a hand on her shoulder as if to reassure her, but Zhen Shao ignored him.

"My Lord, Lord Lu Xun has been forced in a fight with Masamune Date. Masamune cornered my lord and he is now fighting for his life." Zhen dropped to one knee before Nobunaga. The Demon King watched her slightly amused. "I beg you to help Lord Lu Xun. Please Lord Nobunaga. He is the only thing I have left of my beloved Wu kingdom." Zhen pleaded. The air was silent.

"Hideyoshi, stay here and keep watch. Mitsuhide, gathering your unit." Nobunaga ordered. Both warriors bowed as their lord turned his attention to Zhen Shao. "You may rise little one. You will take us to Masamune." he ordered. Zhen Shao slowly stood up and nodded her head.

--

Sun Shang Xiang hit the floor, blood running freely down her arm. While some of Orochi's generals sneered and ran past, Ina turned round quickly. "Lady Shang Xiang, please! We must hurry." Ina urged, helping her friend to her feet. Shang Xiang winced from the cut on her arm but smiled at Ina.

"Thank you...Ina." she whispered. Suddenly she realized the group was one short. "Hang on. Where's Masamune?" Shang Xiang questioned, looking back down the path they had come. Ina gritted her teeth at little.

"Silly fool. He must have been taken prisoner." she growled a little. "We have to return and save him." Ina stated. Shang Xiang raised an eyebrow. Personally she would have loved to leave the One-eyed Dragon but the Wu princess had a feeling that Orochi wouldn't be impressed. She gave her friend a quick nod and the two set off, retracing their steps.

--

Lu Xun stumbled back, hitting the floor with a loud thump. He only hoped that Zhen Shao had managed to get to Nobunaga. Masamune stood over Lu Xun's tired form, a cocky smirk on his face. "It's such a shame we have to be enemies. You could have learnt so much from me." Masamune laughed. Lu Xun took in a large gulp of air and raised his head. Masamune was surprised to see that Lu Xun wasn't glaring at him.

"I know. It is a shame we have to be enemies. I wish we could have been friends. We could have taught each other so much about our cultures." Lu Xun replied a somewhat sad smile on his face. Masamune found himself taken back by Lu Xun's little speech. It was as if he had reached down to Masamune's own soul. While the One-eyed dragon seemed a little confused, Lu Xun slowly stood up. "Why should we be enemies? Why don't you join me?"

"Join you? To serve under him. I'd rather poke my other eye out." Masamune spat. Tiger noted how quiet it had gotten. She frowned deeply.

"Lord Nobunaga is not as bad as you think. Surely he is better then serving Orochi?" Silence passed between the two warriors. Tiger edged her way closer to her lord, her ninja short sword in view. "Masamune, please. Think about the land, the people who are also trapped here. Don't you want to make the world a more peacefully place for them?" Lu Xun questioned. Masamune raised his head, staring at Lu Xun. The Wu officer held out his hand. "You know what the answer is. Please, join us."

Masamune growled loudly, slapping Lu Xun's hand away. "No!" He yelled. Suddenly Nobunaga burst through the bushes on top of his horse. Close behind him was Mitsuhide, Zhen Shao and a small unit of soldiers. "Oda Nobunaga. I wondered how long it would take for you to show your face." Masamune hissed. Tiger stood in front of her lord. Nobunaga smirked a little as Zhen Shao rejoined Lu Xun.

"My lord. We must leave." Tiger whispered sharply. Masamune watched as she reached inside her tunic and pulled something into view. Masamune smirked before chuckling. Tiger nodded her head.

"I'd love to stay and chat, but I have things to do." Tiger raised her hand high when Lu Xun stepped forward slightly. Masamune growled. "Don't you take a hint?" he snapped but Lu Xun would not back down.

"Think about my offer! Please! This land cannot be governered by Orochi and Da Ji. The Snake King must be stopped." Lu Xun pleaded again but Masamune shook his head. Tiger slammed a tiny ball on the floor. Smoke shot up into the air, covering their escape. When the smoke disappeared, both Masamune and Tiger were nowhere to be found. Lu Xun gave out a loud sigh and bowed his head. Zhen Shao tugged at his arm a little.

"You did your best my lord." she whispered. Lu Xun glanced at her, a small smile on his face. Zhen Shao returned it but she knew Lu Xun's own smile was not real.

"Thank you Zhen. However, I believe my best isn't good enough."