Pyromystic: Tidak usah penasaran lagi, silakan anda nikmati XDD moga2 ngak mengecewakan TT^TT

Mocca-Marocchi: Err... not exactly per se. Masamune joins the battle as "mercenary", as does Kojuro. They don't have their army to back them up. You can know about this better if you visit the page (or the simpler method, play the game nuked). And unfortunately, the battle is in the next chap... and it's far from finished TT^TT

Here it is, the second chap of the Story Mode XDD

I kinda expected the low review =_= but I won't let this stop me !

This next chap consist of several short stories (in the case of this chap, 3), and every one of them related to the overall story. There would be some stories that were placed out of chronological order, but it would somewhat easy to spot... I think. Forgive me if any character were OOC, for it could be either accidental, unintended, for lack of better "research", or in purpose. Thus if you want to complain, show me the evidence and how should the character act (you could do it in the review or in PM).

I guess that is all, enjoy ^^

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Of Mercenary and Ear Pulling

While the others were preparing for tomorrow's battle, Magoichi's unit already finished with their preparation. The mercenary looks forward for the upcoming battle, hoping that it would finally snapped Masamune out of his griefs, but also because he heard that there is a "beautiful female general" amongst the Tokugawa ranks. While other people would be interested in knowing her strength and skill, Magoichi ignored those "boring stuff" and instead wondering if she could be his new- I mean, another girlfriend. His flirtatious habit with the ladies have earned him some irks from both the ladies (usually what caused them to rejects him) and the men (mostly because he is flirting with their girlfriend), but that doesn't stop him from trying his luck with the girls. In fact, many people thought that what Hideyoshi and him had in common is their behavior around women, though Hideyoshi had Nene to keep him in line.

As the mercenary took a stroll down the castle hall, he wondered how will the female general looks like. Rumor has it, she is the daughter of Tadakatsu Honda, and Magoichi hoped she inherited her mother's look. While he was busy with his daydreaming, a certain man just had a meeting with the lord of the castle, Masayuki Sanada, and is currently heading to the courtyard. Their path crossed in the hallway, and Magoichi was quite surprised to see the other.

"Magoichi-dono, it's a pleasure to meet you once more," Kojuro said with a smile. However, the smile was somewhat... "unsettling", to say the least.

"W-well, it's quite unexpected to see you here Kojuro-san-"

Before Magoichi could finished his sentence, Kojuro already closed the distance between them and pinched the mercenary's ear. What follows is a loud "OWW!" followed by several little "oww" from Magoichi as Kojuro pulled his ear and twisted it while lowering him down, essentially forcing Magoichi to kneel.

"Ow! What did I do ?" Magoichi asked.

Kojuro's expression were calm, if not deadpan, as he stated his reasons. "I can tolerate your presence on our clan despite the fact that you are a bad influence because I thought Masamune could use some new friend from outside the clan-"

"Bad influence ?" Magoichi protested, but Kojuro ignored him.

"-And I can tolerate your flirting to the women of our clan, including Megohime, because I know you didn't mean it seriously," Kojuro stated, only to twist Magoichi's ear even more.

"YOW! Something tells me that you are not okay with it !"

Kojuro's expression turns into a glare so cold that Magoichi sworn he saw a blizzard around the sparrow's figure. "But what I can't understand is why do you brought Masamune along with you even when you know that this are not his battle ?" Kojuro said, "What do you think would happen if Masamune got killed ?"

As of now, Magoichi is bending at an awkward angle, and he was grateful that no one else was around. This embarrassing scene could cost him his luck with the ladies, and that it a fate worse than death. "Okay, okay !" Magoichi exclaimed, "I just thought that all Masamune needs is just a way to vent up all of his stress ! That's why I invited him to join me ! And for the record, he decided to join anyway !"

With that, Kojuro finally release Magoichi's ear, and the latter wondered if it would suddenly came off at any moment. Kojuro simply waited for Magoichi to stood up before he said. "Okay then, I will let this one go..." before Magoichi could sighed a breath of relieve, Kojuro point one finger, "But, if any harms befall Masamune on this battle..."

Magoichi gulped. "I will face Megohime's and the clan's wrath, am I ?"

While the irk of a clan is "unpleasant" enough, it is not enough when compared to Megohime's wrath. Even Masamune were not willing to be at the receiving end of it. However, the outcome apparently came with a third option.

"Nope, you will be at the receiving end of my fury," Kojuro said before he flashed a smile, "I'll make sure you live long enough through the punishment to reflect on your mistake."

Magoichi was left speechless while Kojuro continues on to the courtyard. Eventually, the Saika mercenary scratched his head as he sighed. "Masamune were right... he is quite troublesome," Magoichi said, "I'm glad he's on my side..."

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Of Samurai and Peasant

While observing the Hojo-Tokugawa armies movement from outside the town, Kojuro and Yukimura stopped by a field. Kojuro knelt beside it to inspect the rice. It was not ripe for harvest. "What a shame, these crops would have been enough to feed the town for more than a year," Kojuro lamented.

"It is, but it is a necessary move to ensure the survival of the Sanada," Yukimura said.

Kojuro stood up, patting his clothes to get rid of the dust. "I know, however you mustn't forget about the people as well. After all, without them we won't last for more than a week. Give or take three days."

Yukimura blinked. "Why is that ?"

"There is no country without it's people, and there is no leader without his land," Kojuro began, "The peasant earn our protection in exchange for taxes, and the samurai, such as us, needs the food they gave to us."

Kojuro turned at Yukimura. "Therefore, one must remember to to treat those of inferior class, for they play an important role, whether it is minor or not. Failed to do that and... well, let's just say that their ruling days won't last long."

"I see," Yukimura said, "Now I know why your men called you 'Kagetsuna the wise', not just because of your brilliance in the battlefield, but your wisdom in politics as well."

Kojuro chuckled. "Magoichi and Masamune must have told you about my nickname," he stated, "But I hardly deserves that tittle. After all, I myself still needs to learn more about the world around me..."

"Yukimura-sama !"

Kojuro and Yukimura turned around to see Kunoichi waving at them from the town's gate. "Come on ! Dinner's ready ! You better come quick before they eat it all !" Kunoichi said before she disappeared behind the walls. Kojuro and Yukimura looked at each other before they walked back to the castle. "Do you think there would be anything left for us ?" Kojuro asked.

Yukimura shook his head. "No, Keiji-dono have a large appetite, and most of our men is a big eater as well, especially my brother."

"Then why are we still walking ?" Kojuro said. With that, both men sprint towards the castle, hoping that there's still some grain of rice left for them.

…. but there's nothing left when they get there.

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The Promise under the Moonlight

On the night before the decisive battle, Ueda castle falls into silence. Most of the warriors had went to sleep in order to preserve their strength for tomorrow's battle with the exception of those who stood guard. Kojuro, who is a light-sleeper to begin with, decided to admire the tranquil night. Sitting on the walkway facing the courtyard, Kojuro closed his eyes in concentration as he played his flute. The notes he played is calm and graceful, fitting perfectly with the midnight atmosphere. Branches of the willow tree in the garden sway from the gentle breeze. Moonlight shone through the leaves and branches, and carps on the pond swam around the moon's reflection. The melody of Kojuro's flute drifted into the night under the stars above.

As he played, Kojuro barely notices Masamune coming towards him. The youth stopped beside Kojuro, waiting for the latter to notice him. Kojuro does, and he stop playing while still keeping his eyes closed. "Couldn't sleep ?" Kojuro asked.

"Not in the mood," Masamune replied before he sat beside Kojuro.

"Lack of sleep won't do you any good for tomorrow's battle."

"Speak for yourself, you're the one playing flute in the middle of the night."

The two spent a moment in silence observing their surroundings. Crickets could be heard chirping not far away from where they were. Eventually, Masamune broke the silence with a question. "Kojuro, why are you really here ? You must have other reason to follow me here..."

Kojuro was momentarily taken aback by the question, but his surprise doesn't last for long. Kojuro looked at the moon above, having a reminiscence of the day he made his promise. 'On that day, the moon shone just as brightly as it is now...'

– – – –

Observing the moon outside, Terumune Date, father of Masamune Date, stood just outside his chamber while Kojuro remains seated in seiza position behind him. The older man sighed. "Kojuro, you should have realized by now that Masamune is just as ambitious as the other warlords such as Nobunaga Oda, and have a dream that is beyond the imagination of the common folk," Terumune stated.

Kojuro nodded, even though Terumune had his back on him. "Yes I have. In fact, that's the reason why he got along well with Magoichi-dono."

Terumune chuckled. "Indeed, he is lucky to have friends such as you and the others. However, I can't be with him forever. Masamune is ambitious, but I don't know whether he knew what his ambition is."

Kojuro bowed at Terumune. "There is no need to worry, my lord. I promise that I will support Masamune, all the while keeping true to my ideals. And when his ambition is realized, we shall celebrate with a feast under the cherry blossoms."

"If it's your words, then I believe that it will came true,"Terumune smiled, "I'll be looking forward to that."

– – – –

Unfortunately, Terumune didn't survive to see that day. But that doesn't deter Kojuro from fulfilling his promise to the late Terumune Date. No matter what's the obstacle that stands in their way or wherever he is, Kojuro will not break any one of his words. Even if it means opposing his master.

"I made a promise to a departed friend, and I intent on keeping it," Kojuro reply.

"Another promise huh ? I hope you didn't make one that you couldn't keep," Masamune said, "So, what is it about anyway ?"

Kojuro smiled. "I'll tell you all about it," Kojuro stood up, "When we return to Oshu."

Masamune is not to pleased with the answer, and continue to follow Kojuro. The sparrow however, is stubborn, and wouldn't give a proper answer to Masamune. Eventually, Masamune gave up, and the two of them returns to their respective room to conserve their energy for the upcoming battle.

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That is all for this week, I'll see you next time ^^

Don't forget to leave a review XDD