It took a week to garner 100 hits, that number has doubled this week, thank you very much, muchas gracias, arigato gomenasai
As a reward for reading my rather amatuerish story, there is a sale on Espada coats, hurry while supplies last,
Alright! Break the camp! We march to battle!
Disclamier: I do not own Bleach
Chapter 3:
The Last Night of Peace
Audience chamber, Byakurai
"Alright, anyone have any suggestions?" asked Isshin, the noise of the blizzard could be heard in the chamber, on the floor lied a map of Karakura province which was a large stretch of flatland divided by rivers, with mountains marking its borders.
So far, the generals still had not decided on a clear strategy
"Isshin-sama" Love spoke "Aizen's army outnumbers us two-to-one and he possesses an advantage in firepower, therefore I believe we should strengthen Byakurai's defenses and hold out for a siege"
"I agree" said Kensei "We can hold off the Sosuke forces in the castle and wait until Kuchiki-sama's troops arrive to reinforce our position"
"Excuse me you two" Kenpachi interjected "But you weren't at Rukongai, nor have you seen their artillery, with all those cannons Aizen has, we'll be lucky to last a week if we hole up." he then pointed to a valley on the map divided by two rivers, "We should let the Sosuke army cross the Enmyouji river, at the same time we take up position from the opposite Suihebi river and trap Aizen between the river valley"
"Oh gee, that sure took a lot of work to think Kenpachi" Kensei retorted sarcastically "Without any cover to screen our movement, Aizen will see us coming a mile away."
"Well I ain't seeing you coming up with any bright ideas!"
"Are you looking for a fight Kenpachi?" arguments and shouting soon resounded the hall
"Enough!" Isshin shouted, immediately the voices went silent, order restored he continued "Aizen could be marching right now as I speak, time is precious and should not be wasted in debate over strategy all night." turning to Urahara who had his hand raised "Now, I believe Urahara-san has a suggestion?"
"Thank you, Isshin-sama," Urahara cleared his breath, "Well, looks like this council is already having problems just figuring out a battle plan, Love suggests preparing for a siege, Kenpachi to take the offensive, both do have their good points, we dig in and hold out until the Kuchiki arrive, or attack and destroy the Aizen in a decisive battle, now comes the bad news, if we dig in Tousen will probably blast us out with his cannons, we fight in the open, Aizen mows us down with his rifle brigades, so question of the day, can we perhaps, combine the best of both worlds?"
The council went abuzz at the possible means of Urahara's strategy, "I'm all ears, tell us" said Isshin, Urahara pointed at the map the mountains bordering Karakura,
"Here's the Omi mountains, there are several valleys by which Aizen's men needs to cross in order to enter the plains, now the closest route through Omi is through the valley of Heijigara, we encamp at that pass and see if we can bottleneck the Aizen army, another good thing, the mountainous terrain should prevent Tousen from moving his artillery into a good firing position, and if all that goes to hell, we can at least buy some time until Kuchiki-sama arrives with the reinforcements." Finished with his explanation he concluded "Alright, now what do you guys think?"
"Hmm, not a bad idea Urahara-san" exclamied Shinji "We can fight an open battle and at the same time, fall back on defense, I vote on Urahara's plan"
"I agree as well" said Unohana
"Third"
All the generals gave a consent of approval "Isshin-sama" asked Tessai "Your final decision on this?"
Isshin closed his eyes for a moment, than stood up from his seat "Alert the officers! We march for Heiji tomorrow!"
"Hai!" the council bowed and then left for their quarters.
"Urahara, may I see you for just a moment"
"Uhh, sure thing Isshin, what's up?"
"I need to show you something"
Inner Keep, Byakurai
"So, what is it you want me to see?"
"Well Urahara, prepare to be shocked"
The two men were in the basement floor of the keep, here stored all of the Kurosaki treasures which was behind a locked door.
"Now before I show you, this conversation never happened"
"Relax, my lips are sealed"
"Okay, here it is" Isshin shoved the key into the lock, a series of wheels and mechanical instruments opened the door in process,
The heavy iron doors revealed a large sword, sheated in a black case, bandages covering the hilts
"Amida Buddha," gasped Urahara "That's..."
"Yup, that my friend, is Zangetsu"
"Holy, I-i-i mean" Urahara stammered a bit, at a loss of words
"Urahara, listen well, this will be my last battle with Aizen, if I die he'll go after my family next, should that happen, I want you take my wife, the kids, and the sword with you to Kyoto, hide them well"
"Isshin-sama! You really shouldn't be talking about-"
"Urahara!" he snapped "I gave you a duty to fulfill, if you are unwilling than I'll find-
"Wait!" Urahara exclamied "I'm sorry, it's just, I want to know, why come you kept this sword a secret from all of us?"
"It's because of this damn sword that this whole mess started! Can I use its power to win?, yes, but I will not! Win or lose, it means nothing if I lower myself to Aizen's level!" Isshin took a couple of breathes following his rant "My honor will not be comprimised."
"I-i-, understand, my lord" Urahara nodded in agreement
"Even if I fall, as long as my family lives, the Kurosaki clan has a future, so I ask you once more, will you accept this mission?"
Urahara's voice choked up a bit but than he regained his composure "Isshin-sama, I, Urahara Kisuke vow, to protect the Kurosaki clan from all enemies, even at the cost of my life, I accept this burden" he knelt to his knees, and bowed graciously
Isshin, for the first time in months, smiled warmly
"A Daimyo is always valued by the loyalty of his vassals, and I am indeed very lucky to have such friends,"
Urahara bowed in gratitude
"Thank you, Isshin-sama"
Nakasendo Road, Sosuke Main Camp
The blizzard was raging in this area as well, admist the storm, the outlines of an army camp could be seen,
"Aizen-sama," an elderly samurai clad in white armor spoke "Our spies have reported that the Kariya are moving into Karakura, Kuchiki is marshaling his forces in Gifu. The storm however may impede this."
The man at the head of the table leaned his chin on his hands.
"So Isshin's intention is to trap me in a pincer, he doesn't know though, that there is a snake, hidden in his den, its coils slowly, slowly choking his life away," Standing up from his seat "Barragan, inform the others, we march for Karakura at first light" "Hai!"
Stark leaving to carry out his orders left Aizen alone to his thoughts
"Isshin, my old friend, so sorry this had to come to this, but it must be done, for the land to find peace"
"You must depart from this world."
"Forgive me"
Kurosaki family quarters,
"The warrior saw his love, her face glowing from the moonlight, their eyes filled with passion, they realised just how far they had gone, to this moment"
Little Ichigo yawned a little, his eyes starting to drift, Masaki smiling warmly
"Okay Ichigo, time for bed"
"Where's Otou-san? isn't he coming to say good night?"
"I'm sorry, your father is really busy, but you'll see him in the morning"
A voice rang out "No need to wait, I'm right here"
"Otou-san!" Ichigo cried happily as he hugged his father's legs "I knew you'd be here"
"I wouldn't miss wishing you good night, son, than I wouldn't be a good father now would I?" Isshin said as he ruffled Ichigo's hair a little, his voice than change to a serious tone
"Ichigo, I want you to listen, Daddy is going to have to go away for awhile, until I come home your in charge of keeping your sisters safe, got it?"
"Don't worry, I will," said Ichigo "You are coming home right?"
"Hey, since when do I break my promises," replied Isshin, kissing his son on the forehead "I'm counting on you son." Ichigo bowed in reply, than let out another yawn, "Alright, I think your mother want's you in bed now."
"Okay, good night Oka-chan! Otou-san!" Masaki kissed Ichigo as he went off to bed.
Now just the two of them alone, they sat down to face one another
"Ichigo is a fine boy, He'll grow up to be as strong as the girls will be beautiful." said Isshin
"And in part, it is thanks to you" replied Masaki, her smile than became a frown "Isshin, your marching off to battle again soon, aren't you?"
Isshin sighed as he thought of his reply "This will settle my dispute with Aizen, when this is over, one of us will be dead," he stopped for a moment, closing his eyes, than he continued "If I die"
"No!"
"If I die, I have instructed Urahara to escort you to the Capital, there you and the children should be safe from the Sosuke.
"Isshin, please don't say that!" Masaki's eyes soon began to tear
"Masaki, Ichigo, Yuzu and Karin, they'll need their mother to raise them, to care for them, to love them, as long as you are alive, I have no regrets" his hand gently touched Masaki's hair "Whatever the day brings, know that you will always be in my heart, I will forever love you"
Masaki's voice cracked a bit from the emotion "And the same goes for me too" she said, tears falling around her beautiful face
The two stopped for the moment, their eyes staring at one another, finally, in a pure moment of emotion, their lips locked in a passionate kiss,
Whatever storm Fate brings, it cannot break the chains forged by Love, in either Life or Death
There need be no other explanation
Afternote:
Okay, so far so good in this story, sorry my love scene with Isshin and Masaki was rushed, their relationship will go into detail as well in the flashback
Well it's late, and I've got two volumes of Noein to watch before the weekend so
Reviews are welcome,
The Shogun retires to his quarters