Sorry that I have not been around in a while guys. I've been really busy with work and college so I have not had time to update. I hope that this extra long chapter makes up for my absence.

As usual, I do not own anything from Sengoku Basara. Leo and all other unfamiliar characters in places are mine!

Please REVIEW AND FAV!


Kojūrō walked around the gardens of Lord Shingen's castle. He watched as people moved about; preparing to depart to Oushu. He was certainly thankful to the Tiger of Kai and his cub for what they were doing. It put his mind at ease to know that, at the very least, that the Land of Oushu would be safe from intruders while they searched for Lord Masamune. He frowned as he thought of his young lord. It had been five days since he had been gone and it defiantly showed in the eyes of his men. They were worried and discouraged that they had found no trace of their leader. Kojūrō had tried to keep the morale up, but with no current news it was difficult.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden appearance of the Takeda ninja, Sasuke. The ninja looked at the Date retainer for a moment before he spoke.

"Master Katakura, I have information about Lord Masamune's capture. If you could come to the meeting hall, my Lord will want to hear this as well." The ninja said as he looked at the older man. Kojūrō nodded and followed the ninja to the large meeting hall of the Takeda castle. He walked in and seen that Lord Shingen and Yukimura were already sitting down; waiting for him.

"What do you have to report Sasuke?" Lord Shingen said as he looked at the ninja. Kojūrō could tell that even the Tiger of Kai was anxious to see if his ninja had found anything to help their search for the young lord. Likewise Yukimura was tense, hoping that what Sasuke had to say was good news.

"The group that took Lord Masamune was a small, but elite group of mercenaries called the Ketsueki. They are often hired to kill, capture, or invade lands. I could not find who hired them, but whoever did had enough coin in their pocket, for their services are not cheap. From what I have learned, the Ketsueki are originally from a land across the Great Sea, this is where they take their prisoners until the client comes to give them their payment. That way they are in total control of the situation." Sasuke looked at Lord Shingen, who nodded at his ninja.

"Is there anything else that you know about this group?" He asked the man, who nodded in return.

"Yes…I found out that unless they have been given specific directions to do otherwise, they treat their prisoners with cruel regard; usually breaking the person's will before they reach their hide out." He paused for a moment as he took a breath. "They are highly trained in the ways of torture and often bring their victims to the brink of death."

Kojūrō clenched his fists at Sasuke's report. Not only had these people taken Lord Masamune from the Land of Oushu, but there was also a distinct possibility that he was being tortured as well.

"We have to find out where this land is and save Lord Masamune, before it's too late!" Yukimura said, anger shining in his eyes.

"I agree, but in order to do such a thing, we need a map of the land across the Great Sea as well as a ship to get there." Lord Shingen said aloud.

Kojūrō thought hard, trying to figure out a way of making that work. "Traders might have maps of the other Lands…maybe we can get one to lend us a ship and map." The retainer stated as he scratched his chin. He knew of several traders that could hold such information and they would help out if they were paid to.

Lord Shingen nodded thoughtfully. "That could work…Sasuke go and check around the coastline traders and see if one might be willing to supply the things that we require." Sasuke nodded and disappeared. The war lord looked back at Kojūrō. "Let's hope that we can get to Lord Masamune in time." The retainer nodded back to the war lord.

"Yes, I just hope that Lord Masamune can hold out long enough for us to get there." He replied as he dipped his head. 'Please, Lord Masamune, don't give up…we're coming.'

xxxx

Masamune watched Leo carve a small hole out of the side of the ship using an old piece of metal that he had had on him. The other man had not even given a clue as to what the plan was, only saying to be ready when we the time was right. All Masamune could do now was wait.

As usual, the Daimyo had gotten beaten this morning. His body was so battered that it sort of looked like he had had a whole army stomp on his chest, arms, and face. His good eye was black and blue and nose broken. Several gashes trailed down his arms, chest and legs. He literally looked like a bloody canvas.

Occasionally Leo would stop his work to rest or looked out of the small hole that he had created. Sometimes he would nod to himself or smirk ever so slightly, but most times he kept his head down and continued to work.

There was a loud clank and the sound of scrapping metal. Quickly Leo stuffed a small circular piece of wood into the hole in the hull. The small piece of wood made it look like the rest of the ship from a few feet away.

Leo sat back just as the door leading to the outside opened and the Captain waltz in. Masamune watched out of the corner of his eye as Leo looked down; pretending to be submissive to the cruel man before him. The Captain seemed to buy the pathetic look because he smiled.

"I see that one of the prisoners knows who is in charge here…too bad the other has not." He said as he turned his evil gaze on Masamune. The One-Eyed Dragon glared defiantly at the Captain.

"It's a shame that we were hired to capture you, really. A man of such resolve is a rare sight nowadays, but all I really care about is being paid." He paced between the two cells and stopped again in front of Masamune's. "Tomorrow I will make sure that stubborn will of yours breaks, that way we won't have such a rough time when we hit land." He threw a quarter loaf of bread into Leo's stall before he walked back up the stairs; leaving them alone again.

Once he was gone, Leo grabbed the loaf and pushed it threw the bars to Masamune. "Here…you need it more than I do." Masamune painfully made his way over to Leo. Grabbing the bread he took a bite as he watched Leo start to work again.

"When is your plan going to be able to work?" He asked as he swallowed. Leo looked at him for a moment before going back to his task.

"Later on today…for this to work we need to be as close as possible to Dragon Tooth Bay. The ship has to pass very close to it to go through the straight between my Land and theirs. That is when we'll strike." Leo stated as he sighed.

"I don't know how much help I can be at the moment…" Masamune murmured as he looked himself over.

"Don't worry about it…we are getting off this ship, together. I'm not going to leave you behind." Leo said firmly as he leaned against the hull. Masamune nodded, thankful for the stranger's words.

"So what do we do now?" Masamune asked.

"We wait."

xxxx

Kojūrō stood silently as he watched supplies being loaded onto the ship called 'The Hawk Wing'. It was a foreign trading ship that had made many trips over the Great Sea. It's captain, Samuel Davis, had agreed to aid them in their quest to find the young Lord of Oushu.

"It's great weather for sailing…don't you agree?" A loud and boisterous voice sounded to the retainer's right. Samuel stood next to him and smiled widely. The Captain was a larger man, consisting of nearly all muscle; he was actually bigger than Lord Shingen. Although he had a rough exterior, Samuel was a friendly and welcoming man.

"Yes it is." Kojūrō replied to the jolly man, allow the ghost of a smile to appear on his face. He simply could not keep his face stern when this man was beside him, his attitude was contagious.

"Oh, but the Great Sea is wild, she is. Can be calm one moment and rough the next but have no worries young warrior…'The Hawk Wing' can make it through. Built strong she is, strong and fast." The man drabbled on; boasting about the ship like it was his child. Of course, to a Captain, it probably was.

"That is good to hear…when do you think we'll be able to leave?" Kojūrō asked as he looked at the captain.

"In a few moments the cargo should be loaded and then we can set sail…that is, if you and your group is ready?" Samuel responded as he watched the last of his shipment being loaded. Kojūrō looked over at the rescue party. It consisted of Yukimura, Lord Shingen, and Sasuke. Most of Lord Masamune's retainers had been left in Oushu and Kai to keep the Lands safe. Lord Kenshin from Uesugi had sent troops to both areas to help reinforce boarders as well as sending his own ninja, Kasuga, to scout in case of trouble. Kojūrō was thankful of the past alliances that the Land of Oushu had made with these two Lands because it was now proving to be a valuable decision. If they had not joined with the Land of Kai and Uesugi during the campaign against Nobunaga; then this rescue could not have been possible.

"I believe we are ready." He stated as he looked back at the Captain.

The Captain smiled wider, if that were possible, and smacked Kojūrō on the back with his hand. "Then let's shove off! We be across this Great Sea before yah know it!"

xxxx

Masamune and Leo sat quietly for a few hours, listening to the crew above them. Leo seemed totally at ease with what was going to happen despite the fact that this was their only shot.

"Let's see if we are close enough shall we?" Leo muttered aloud as he pried the wood piece from the hole. After a quick look, Leo turned his head to Masamune and smiled.

"Get ready Masamune…it's time for the party to begin." He said as he stood. He started patting the sides of his ragged jacket before he dug out a small cylinder-like object from a small pocket. "Good things these guys are dumber than snot…didn't even check my jacket." He said as he placed the object into the whole he had created.

"What is that?" Masamune could not help but ask.

"Oh just a tiny surprise for them…now back yourself up to the door of your cell so we can get this show on the road." Leo stated with a wicked grin. Masamune did as Leo asked and backed himself up as far as he could go. He watched curiously as Leo sparked a small fire onto the piece of wood from earlier. It was only when he watched Leo touch the burning wood to the strange object in the hole did he realize what Leo had planned.

'It's a Bomb…' Masamune thought as he Leo rushed back to the front of his cell, seconds before the hull of the ship was blown up. Pieces of wood and metal scattered everywhere as a huge hole was taken out of the side of the ship. As soon as the bomb went off Leo rushed forward and made his way over to Masamune's, now broken, cell.

"Come on…we're going to have to go for a swim…Once we reach the shore we'll be safe. Let's GO!" He yelled as he grabbed a hold of Masamune and dragged him forward to the opening. Just before they leaped into the ocean, the Captain burst through the door.

"NO! YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!" He screamed, as almost blazing red.

"See yah Captain…and thank you for the lovely ride!" Leo called before he threw Masamune and himself into the sea, hearing the Captain bellow above them as they did.

Masamune barely had enough time to gulp some air before they plunged into the salty waters. Masamune, still weak and disoriented, struggled to get to the surface, but found himself sinking ever downward. He tried to kick forward, but the surge pushed him down. He could no longer feel Leo beside him as his lungs screamed for air. Slowly his vision started to black out.

'This is it…I'm going to die. I'm sorry…Kojūrō…I guess that this was my last party.' He thought absently as he finally lost complete consciousness.


Author's Note: Is Masamune going to die? What about Kojūrō? Find out next time!