Battle task 2; Clan 14 Yuudai Kato

An overwhelming sense of dread fills me as I approach the gates of the fortress I call home. Kazuki and Suko along with a couple other men greet me as I near the stables, their faces full of concern and confusion.

"Yuudai-dono, where were you? What is that...wait...who is that on the back of Hoda?"

Suko doesn't wait for his answer but finds it as he removes the cloth covering Ryo's face. His expression changes instantly from concern to horror.

"No! How can this be?"

He stumbles back, nearly falling to the ground. Kazuki is standing as if he is rooted to the ground in disbelief, his face white as a sheet. I can barely hold back the tears as I dismount.

"Tadao captured and tortured him. I didn't make it in time." The words stuck in my throat and I once again choke on my anger. Wave after wave of remorse washes over me as I cover Ryo's face again. Suko walks over and we lift Ryo's body off of Hoda and lay him on the ground. Suko suddenly falls to his knees as tears trickle down to his chin. As I kneel beside him I glance at Kazuki.

"I should have been a better brother. I should have protected him!" Kazuki says as his hand drifts to his wakizashi. He slowly pulls it out and places the blade to his neck. I rush to him and grab the weapon from his hand. Looking into his eyes I see all the dread, pain, and regret that I too am feeling. He hangs his head.

"He wouldn't want this." Despite my efforts, a tear rolls down my face.

If you are watching Ryo-kun, I hope you can see that you are loved.

Kazuki ponders my words, then nods. "You are right."

He puts his wakizashi away as a sigh mixed with a moan escapes his lips. He doesn't get sad easily or often but when he does, it nearly destroys him. When he lifts his head, tears are pressing out of the edges of his eyes but he speaks with a determination.

"I will live in honor of him."

I too have a determination rising in me. I've found my reason to fight; my reason to unite Japan; to end all this useless war and killing; to bring peace to all Japan. For Ryo I will press on. His death will not be in vain.

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With the sun beating down on my head, I enter a small village in order to find my sister and mother. I need to tell them the news of Ryo's death in person. As I round a corner to a side street, I see frightened people running out of a small noodle shop.

Ah! This must be the place.

Upon entering, I see my sister with an exaggerated smile on her face, standing in front of a man whose hand is pinned to a table with a kunai.

"Just because you have a katana doesn't make you a samurai." Sakura rips the man's katana out of his free hand and pulls the kunai out of the other. "Now go, thief, before I shove this kunai down your throat!" As he runs out of the shop holding his bleeding hand I walk over to Sakura.

"Hello Sakura-otouto," I greet her as I bow.

"Yuudai-ani!" Sakura shrieks and runs to me throwing her arms around me. "It has been so long! What has brought you here?" Suddenly, a look of concern crosses her face. "Yuudai-ani. What has happened?"

A tear makes its way down my cheek before I have time to catch it.

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The news hit both my mother and Sakura hard. Sakura sits now with hands folded and eyes swollen from crying. Standing suddenly, she says, "I'm going to join you in battle and don't try to change my mind."

"No, Sakura-otouto. I won't let you! I would never forgive myself if something happened to you too."

She turns on her heel to leave the room. As I grab her arm to stop her, her eyes shoot fire at me and she jerks away from my grasp. Walking over to our mother, who is beside herself in grief, Sakura puts her arms around her.

"And neither would I if my brothers died and I could have done something to help." Turning to me, her cheeks glistening with tears, she says quietly, "Please Yuudai-ani."

I think for a moment about her situation, and how I would feel if I was in her shoes. Honestly I would feel horrible, like I wouldn't even have a reason for living. I Grunt and say, "Go get your things."

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It's been two weeks since Sakura joined the ranks but she has already proven herself to be a skilled warrior. Clearly she has kept up on her training the past years. The fact that she is with the Kachi is a point of contention as she sees herself more skilled than they.

Focus, Yuudai, you are in a war meeting.

"The dam has already been damaged from yesterday's storm. We can fulfill my plan by tomorrow morning."

General Yuki finishes his speech and sits back down. Murmurs travel around the circle of men and it seems we are not in agreement. At least we have decided on a target; a large Askura village on our borders. Deciding how to take it is where we disagree.

"General Yuki, I understand the need to attack this village. It's one of the largest trade centers in all of Japan. But are you sure this is the best option? Many men will die and much damage will be done to the village." Suko states.

General Yuki responds,"The Askura people are honorable. They will not surrender to our forces if we siege them, in fact more will die if we do. As far as the village goes we do not want to take control only destroy it. We do not have enough people to repopulate a village that will most likely be taken back. If we destroy the dam, however, they will be forced to rebuild or move." More murmurs.

"Ok Yuki-kun, I support your plan. I give you the responsibility to see that the dam is destroyed as soon as possible. Do not delay."

"Thank you Lord Yuudai."

"This meeting is over."

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We are in place downstream from the dam. According to Yuki's plan the Askura army will be fighting us as his men destroy the dam. When they finish destroying the dam we will run out of the way of the raging water and leave the Askura forces to be washed away. The only problem is that we will have to wait until the last moment to evacuate and we don't know for sure if the Askura men are foolish enough to be caught in the destructive wave. I snap myself out of my thoughts because they have arrived. The sight of their army, which includes swordsmen, archers, and mounted spearmen, is intimidating especially knowing I only bring swordsmen and archers. They are more skilled and greater in numbers. Although most of my young army have had only two weeks of proper training, I am confident that they have a deep sense of honor and will fight to the last man. I decided to be with the archers for the first volley to honor Ryo. They are close enough now and the time has come.

"Notch!" I notch an arrow in my bow and my men follow suit.

"Draw!" As the enemy comes into closer range I see their horsemen are in front with their swordsmen and archers behind.

This one is for you brother.

"Loose!" A wave of arrows fly through the air and make good on their target.

Perfect.

"Fire at will!"

I drop my bow and run to the frontlines where Suko, Kazuki, and Sakura stand. A look of confident resolve is on their faces but I know they are just as nervous as I am.

"Are you sure our archers know what to do?", Suko says to no one in particular.

Kazuki answers, "They do. General Yuki may be unconventional, but he is an exceptional archer and a wise Sensei."

"Do you really think this will work? Do you think we can win Yuudai-dono?" Sakura questions.

"We do not need to win, we just need to distract them long enough for our men to destroy the dam. As soon as it begins to break we all need to retreat as fast as possible. It won't take long so stay ready. But enough talk our opponent is here."

Many of the archers on both sides are down or dead. As I see the Askura mounted spearmen closing in, I give the signal to form a wall by taking wooden spears we made out of thick tree branches and sticking them in the ground at an angle so the spear end points forward. The horses are not able to stop in time and the front row of horses are impaled by the spears, sending the men flying into the air giving us the advantage.

"Now!", I yell. My archers turn to engage the rest of the mounted horsemen. With the cavalry out of the way, we only have to worry about the swordsmen. My first opponent approaches me.

He is taller than me, strong and wields a katana.

His light armor will make him faster. He also has a satchel on his hip, kunai probably.

I finish my analysis and make my first move. He shuffles to his right to avoid my stab then throws a kunai at my face. Using my forward momentum I roll out of the way just in time. The instant I'm facing forward I swing my sword at his neck which he blocks. I'm still on my knees when he makes his own attempt at my head. Ducking under the swing I jump to my feet back and away. Taking a deep breath I compose myself before striking again. I swipe from my right shoulder to my left hip, a strike which is easily blocked. Using my momentum I turn my right shoulder to my opponent to hide my body. With my other hand I grab my wakizashi and make my move. A swipe with both weapons overwhelms him and he can only block the first attack. Taking a look around I see that my men are managing to hold the cavalry back. The Askura archers have circled around and are now firing from the side. It is sooner than I had planned but I have no choice.

"Archers! Change weapons!."

Obeying the command they charge into battle with katanas. Askura archers halt their fire in fear of hitting their own men, but we are still outmatched. I kill three more men before I hear the sound of wood cracking and splintering.

"Retreat!", I hear Kazuki cry out.

The men stop fighting and run with all their might to get to safety. The Askura army is thrown into a state of chaos as some run toward the village in an attempt to save families while others run away, still others continue to fight.

"Yuudai-dono, you go before us." Suko yells.

"No! We leave together!", I shout.

Then I hear a man's voice coming from the Askura forces. "Yuudai." I look back to see a tall, strong man with long black hair, Shiro Askura. He is standing by the bulging river. He can only stand by helplessly watching as his army and village are swept away in a tidal wave. But he is smiling. "I would watch who I make enemies with if I were you."

My stomach twists at his ease about the situation. I'm stucked here questioning my decision of targets. Despite this however our success feels good. Finally, something went right for the Kato clan. I look to my left and right to see the smiling faces of Sakura, Suko, and Kazuki. Today was a good day.