Sengoku Basara meets Samurai Warriors: The rise of the Toyotomi

Chapter 9

A/N: Hello everyone! Here comes chapter 9. TRIGGER WARNING: Attempted suicide

Disclaimer: I don't own Samurai Warriors or Sengoku Basara, only this story.

Chapter 9: Uesugi Kagetora

Masamune felt relief for the first time in days, even if he knew it would be short-lived. The Toyotomi had chosen to face Uesugi first and thus he had time to prepare for the incoming attack. Kojouro also had more time to heal. Kenshin would definitely decline the peace offers and Masamune was certain that the Uesugi wouldn't fall without a fight, which bought them enough time to be better prepared. If they were even luckier they could also attack the Uesugi while the Toyotomi did and maybe he could force Kenshin to surrender to him.

This scenario had been in Masamune's mind ever since he learned where the Uesugi were headed. They were saving the Hojo for last and Masamune was considering risking moving to Kanto in order to form an alliance with them. Normally he wouldn't bother with an alliance but he wanted to protect Kai and fight alongside her again. He knew that the Uesugi had bothered the Hojo a lot these past few months and he had wanted to help from the very beginning. Kojouro was the reason he didn't do it and to be fair Ujiyasu Hojo seemed to dislike him, something that probably had to do with Kai's strange behavior around him.

Masamune sighed. He missed Kai, but he knew he should be responsible and act as a ruler and not a love-struck teenager if he wanted a chance with her. He heard familiar footsteps approaching his door and he turned around with a smirk. "Yo, Kojouro."

Kojouro had been allowed to leave the doctor's house a couple of days ago. His shoulder had been fractured from the arrow and the damage was far more serious than it had seemed initially and thus he was forced to stay with the doctor so that they were certain that Kojouro could be left on his own without doing more damage to his shoulder. "Lord Masamune. We need to start making plans."

Masamune smirked. "What do you think of approaching the Hojo?"

Kojouro sighed. Masamune shrugged. "I'm not suggesting it just because of Kai, you know."

"I know.", replied Kojouro. "I don't disagree actually. It's just risky to leave Oshu when our enemy is next door."

Masamune nodded. They had to be fast and the conflict between the Toyotomi and the Uesugi should start first. "Let's start planning it then."

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Motonari was really annoyed. Of course Uesugi Kenshin had told them that they wouldn't surrender, something that he expected, despite his personal belief that this decision was foolish. He had lost the whole day and he did nothing productive much to his annoyance. And he was angry with what had happened with Aya, even though he couldn't really understand why.

"Kenshin and his sister sure know how to drink, huh?", said Motochika who seemed unbothered with their unnecessary stalling.

Motonari glared at him. "We lost precious time and all you can think about is drinking? You're unbelievable, Chosokabe."

Motochika glanced at him. "Watch your tongue, Mori. I'm still mad at you for what you did to my men. If you are angry at your girlfriend, you shouldn't take it out on me."

Motonari stopped midstep and stared at Motochika with a bewildered expression. "What did you just say?!"

Motochika blinked at him and chuckled. "Who would have thought that this would get a reaction out of you…"

"I demand you never say anything like that about my relationship with lady Aya! She is simply interested in the beauty of Aki and I am forced to entertain her curiosity."

"Yeah, whatever…", said Motochika still smirking at him. "I'm still surprised she sees anything in you, you traitorous ass."

Motonari's glare intensified. "For the last time, I simply show her Aki during her visits! There is nothing as scandalous as you describe going on between us!"

"Whatever.", said Motochika. "Why did you dislike Kanetsugu, though? You seemed grumpier around him."

Motonari sighed. "He seems unlikable.", he answered simply, not giving much of an explanation as to why he thought so.

Motochika smirked. "He did seem pretty close with lady Aya.."

Motonari flinched at that and glared at the back of the now laughing man. "You're simply ridiculous, Chosokabe."

"And you're hilarious, Mori."

Motonari was about to retort, but decided against it. They were almost to their camp and they had bigger issues awaiting them. Mitsunari would be furious that it took them so long to get a no for an answer. He disliked the grumpy general, but he had to put up with him and even he had to admit that he was far better than having Kanbei over his head. They approached Mitsunari's tent. Both of them had gotten serious, knowing that Mitsunari wouldn't be pleased that they took so long. They nodded at each other. Motochika sighed and both of them entered, ready to get scolded.

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Hayakawa was wondering the castle halls, lost in her thoughts. "Will Saburo be okay? He's such a delicate boy.", she couldn't help but whisper.

"Then you should have stopped him.", said a voice behind her.

Hayakawa didn't flinch. She was used to living with Fuma Kotaro. "I couldn't do that. The decision was made by my father and Saburo in order to protect the Hojo." She then grew serious and stared at Kotaro with determination. "That said… Saburo is family. I'll never abandon him. If he ever needs my help, I intend to go to him, come what may." She thought about her next words carefully. "So please, keep me informed about Saburo's progress. I want to have time to act if necessary."

Kotaro chuckled. He smirked at her in a way that would have made men twice her size run in fear, but Hayakawa stood her ground, knowing that no harm from the dangerous man will come her way. "A request framed by the beautiful tears of a kind and gentle sister. How could I refuse", he said in a mocking tone. Nevrtheless, he disappeared, leaving Hayakawa alone. She knew that he would obey her, despite his attitude.

She sighed. "Don't mock me.", she allowed herself to say after she felt that he was far enough to not hear her.

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Yukimura couldn't believe what happened. Shingen had surrendered in order to save them and he had admitted that he was at fault for challenging the Toyotomi forces. Ieyasu had accepted his surrender and he asked Shingen to say the same things to lord Hideyoshi himself. Yukimura believed that Ieyasu spared them due to his debt to Shingen. Also the man didn't seem like he was interested in unnecessary bloodshed. Ieyasu confused Yukimura as to whether the man should be a simple follower of another conqueror or be the conqueror himself.

Hanzo had sent one of his men to inform lord Hideyoshi and from what Yukimura had figured out, the Toyotomi leader would come to Kai soon to see for himself the result of his subordinate's work. Apparently a similar troop of the Toyotomi army had moved towards Echigo to conquer the Uesugi.

Yukimura felt tired and betrayed. Shingen in his eyes was flawless and there was no way they would have lost. Even if he himself fell in battle, Shingen would manage to win in the end. That's what Yukimura believed… A glance at Kunoichi who was sitting nearby made him face their reality. They were all strong and capable warriors, there was no denying that. Still the enemy had bigger numbers when it came to their strongest soldiers. If only Nobuyuki never married Ina…

He stared at his older brother angry and disappointed. Nobuyuki was helping Sauke tend to his injuries and Yukimura couldn't keep his anger from exploding at the sight, finding it very ironic. "Why are you helping your enemy, Nobuyuki?", he couldn't stop himself from yelling at his brother.

Nobuyuki didn't answer immediately and didn't spare a glance at Yukimura. Ina, who was with him, stared at Yukimura worriedly. "I'm helping a friend.", replied Nobuyuki finally, not looking at his brotkher.

Yukimura knew that it was pointless to yell at the older Sanada, but he was frustrated and he needed to vend his anger to at least one of the people he was angry with. "If he was really your friend, you wouldn't allow your lord to attack him!"

Nobuyuki clenched his fists and finally glared at Yukimura. "What did you want me to do, Yukimura?! Except from what I already did of course! This was not my decision to make and I could only follow orders just like you did! You think that I enjoyed fighting with you in this manner?! I tried to stop lord Shingen from making a fool of himself but I couldn't get through his thick skull and now here we are!"

Yukimura was blinded by rage when Nobuyuki spoke about Shingen this way and he charged towards his brother. He was stopped by and arrow aimed at his face. Lady Ina was standing between him and his brother, glaring daggers at him. "Back off, Yukimura.", she warned.

Yukimura was about to protest, but he felt a hand holding his and squeezing it. He turned to look at Kunoichi, shocked with the pained expression on her face. "Lord Yukimura, please calm down.", she whispered loud enough for him to hear.

Yukimura suddenly realized how absurd he was acting. His behavior was more like something the One-Eyed Dragon would do. He was embarrassing his lord by acting upon his rage. He took deep breaths and squeezed Kunoichi's hands to reassure her that he was calm again. He glared at Nobuyuki one last time, though there was no malice in his eyes. His brother looked away and Ina lowered her bow.

Yukimura sat down and looked at the ground for a moment, while Kunoichi sat next to him. He could feel her eyes on him and he unconsciously held her hand again. Kunoichi blushed a little, but Yukimura didn't acknowledge it. He turned at her and gave her a sad smile. "Thank you, Kunoichi."

She smiled back at him with a sad smile of her own. "I'm always there for you, lord Yukimura."

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Mitsuunari was furious. They had lost a whole day because the two idiots he had sent over to Kenshin's castle couldn't get an answer early enough. He needed to unleash his anger onto something or rather someone. He found Ginchiyo Tachibana discussing with her husband and he only needed to step to her direction and shoot her a glare to make her understand what he wanted. Ginchiyo excused herself and followed him to a clearing. They both immediately got into their battle stances and for two hours they engaged themselves in quite the sparring match. In the end, they both sat down completely exhausted. "What is the reason for your rage this time?", asked Ginchiyo.

"Unecessary stalling.", he replied without sparing her a glance. When they had managed to set their camp, he had been pretty angry with his men and he had taken Ginchiyo's offer to have her as his sparring partner. He decided that he enjoyed the woman's company, because she was serious like him and wouldn't indulge in the ridiculousness that the others carried with them. "You seemed angry as well.", he commented finally looking at her.

Ginchiyo sighed. "Sometimes Muneshige's way of speaking gets on my nerves. He uses too many metaphors and he tries to be poetic and I just want to be straight to the point. I needed this sparring session as well."

Mitsunari nodded. Curiosity got the better of him after a while and he decided to ask a question he wouldn't dare ask in the presence of others. "Do you care for him?"

Ginchiyo stared at him surprised. "Of course I do." She looked down, obviously embarrassed. "I know that sometimes I am harsh at him, but I do love him."

It seemed hard for her to admit that and Mitsunari decided not to press her any longer. "I see. Marriage seems even more complicated now, but if you must know, I prefer your relationship compared to every other around here."

Ginchiyo smiled at him. "Thanks, I guess. What about you, lord Ishida? Have you decided to marry someone?"

Mitsunari frowned. "I don't see any point in it. Marriage isn going to help me with lord Hideyoshi's cause and there in no one interesting enough out there to make me ignore that duty."

Ginchiyo nodded in understanding. "That's what I used to say before Muneshige asked my hand to marriage. I was shocked and denied him the first five times, but he managed to earn a spot into my heart somehow. You might find someone yourself, but from what I can tell from my own experience, they would have to fight to win a place in your heart." She stood up and turned to leave. "Goodnight, lord Ishida. Don't worry, everything will work out in the end"

Mitsunari stared at her retreating form and thought about what she had said. He sighed. He didn't care about marriage, but he did wish that their current predicament would work out in the end.

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Shingen stared at Ieyasu with a serious expression. The younger samurai did the same. He had made a mistake and he had underestimated the enemy's strength, because he still considered Ieyasu to be the same person he was three years ago. He felt like a fool, because he knew that it was foolish to underestimate an enemy. Truth be told, he knew it was pride that had guided him in his decision to oppose the Toyotomi. Shingen knew he was getting old and that there would be no chance to for him to actually unite the land himself. He hoped that Yukimura would do that in his place and he believed with all his heart in the strength of his young general. Another mistake he had made was forcing Yukimura into this. He shouldn't have been forced to fight Nobuyuki and he hated himself for the pain his foolishness had caused the two brothers. He also thought that once again he had been unfair to the older Sanada. Nobuyuki was no fool and he was pretty realistic. There were times that he had considered training Nobuyuki as his successor, but Nobuyuki wasn't after the land. He only wanted to create a family of his own and live a considerably peaceful life and Shingen couldn't blame him for that.

"Lord Hideyoshi will probably join us in a few days.", said Ieyasu suddenly.

Shingen nodded. He looked at Ieyasu and bowed his head slightly. "I apologize for the mess I personally caused. And I have to tell you, I'm proud of you, Takechiyo."

Ieyasu's eyes widened momentarily before he regained his composure. "Thank you, lord Shingen."

Shingen was indeed proud. He couldn't help saying what he really thought. "One day, you will be the one ruling this land." And with that he left Ieyasu wide eyed and gaping. Shingen rose up and left the young man alone. He should find Nobuyuki and apologize to him as well.

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"Saburo, go to Kenshin. Those are the terms of our peace with the Uesugi. Do it for the people of the Hojo."

Those had been Hojo Ujiyasu's parting words. Saburo had been escorted to a room and he had been told to wait for lord Kenshin. Apparently the Uesugi leader had a meeting prior with Toyotomi's forces. Saburo hated this whole situation and he believed that they would probably forget about him completely. Besides, his own family would probably soon forget about him completely. He had hidden a short sword in his coat and he had laid it in front of him. He was staring at it intensely, a part of him telling him to put the thought aside while another telling him that maybe things would be better if he was out of his misery. Kenshin would probably forget about him, considering his new problems, so it wouldn't really matter if he was alive, right?

After a while he stared straight ahead and unsheathed the short sword. He was afraid, but he had made up his mind and there was no going back. He took the seppuku stance and ignored the blade as it pressed slightly on his chest. He only had to push a little harder and he would soon be stabbed and everything would be over quickly.

He raised the sword, ready to do the stabbing motion, completely mechanically. Suddenly a blur of white appeared before his eyes and the sword was pushed away from his hands. He stared in disbelief at the man that he knew as Kenshin Uesugi. "Let me die! I have been tossed aside by my father.", he begged the War God. "I have no home to return to. No reason to live!"

Saburo crawled quickly towards the sword. When his hand was about to make contact with the sword, a heeled boot stepped on it. He flinched and gasped at the sudden pain, holding his hand closely to his chest. He backed away from the sword. Above him had been the witch of the Uesugi, Aya Gozen.

Kenshin approached him with a neutral expression. "You will be my son now. You will live the remainder of your life as Kagetora Uesugi."

Aya kneeled beside him with a gentle smile on her lips. "There's nothing for you to worry about now, my sweet Kagetora." She held his injured hand and he immediately felt relief from the pain. He guessed she was using some form of spell on it to make the pain fade away.

He stared at them in disbelief. They were willing to accept him as Kenshin's adoptive son? He couldn't believe it. He was certain that they would just imprison him in some way and they would barely bother with him. But they wanted to be his family? He felt warmth and he started sobbing. The thought of just tossing away his life like that suddenly seemed absurd. He felt Aya embracing him and for the first time in years, he allowed himself to cry like the child he literally was.

He never realized that Uesugi Kagekatsu was staring at the scene that was unfolding with conflicting emotions.

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(A couple of days later)

"Wow, the rice paddies are shining like gold!", gasped Kai. The Hojos and Kai had gone out in the rice fields to actually relax now that they could. They would soon be forced to take part in worse fights than before.

Ujiyasu was sitting under a tree and watching the youngsters from afar. Hayakawa turned and looked at her father and her smile started fading. Even though he hid it well, giving away Saburo like that had definitely hurt him. Hayakawa started approaching Ujiyasu slowly. She didn't know what she would tell him, but she wanted to talk to him about the whole situation for a while now. Before she managed to reach the tree, Fuma Kotaro appeared beside her. "Are you thinking about Echigo?", he asked in his usual tone.

She turned to look at him, a little surprised at his sudden appearance and mostly to the fact that he knew what was on her mind. What surprised her even more was that he didn't have his usual mocking smirk on his face and he was completely serious. Hayakawa looked away and started combing her hair with her fingers out of nervousness. "How is Saburo?"

Kotaro looked in the direction she was looking at. 'Don't worry. He has found a new family."

Haykawa fought the tears that were threatening to fall from the corners of her eyes. Kotaro stared at her for a moment before he disappeared. Kai called for her to come back and join them and Hayakawa turned at her friend with a forced smile. Kai pulled her hand and guided her where her siblings were.

Ujiyasu looked in the sky, his thoughts on the son he lost or more precisely gave away. He stared at the smoke his pipe produced. "My heart will never turn to stone.", he said softly. Suddenly a strong gust of wind made them all flinch and cover their faces in case dust and dirt was thrown in their faces. Things were changing and Ujiyasu knew that it was not necessarily for the better.

End of Chapter 9

A/N: I can't believe I finally managed to finish this chapter! It was really a hard one to write and with my busy schedule I barely had any time to focus on it. Anyway, I did manage and I will always try to update as soon as possible. Thank you Star-Eyes Pendulum Dragon for reviewing the previous chapter and I would love to see more reviews both form you and from other readers. As to why the Takeda surrendered, I am trying to portray that Shingen is actually getting old and he is starting to make mistakes. Also I didn't want to drag this battle for long since writing battles is not my strongest point especially without visuals to help me. Motonari is definitely getting jealous and we are going to see more of him and Aya soon. The two final scenes along with the Hayakawa and Kotaro one are all from Samurai Warriors 4, The Legend of Kanto. I would love to see everyone's opinion on the new and more "tame" chapter. Till next time!