Kousuke Gassan stood at the head of a platoon of soldiers, his hand on the bokuto at his side. A physical giant, he was an imposing figure on the battlefield. Now, though, he awaited the return of his main army, apprehensive at the length of time they had been gone. As he watched, he noticed a lone soldier scrambling up the path, his armor bloodied.
“What happened?! How did you get this way,” Kousuke asked, worried.
“Ma…Masamune himself came out and fought. When we saw him…we panicked,” the young man murmured before passing on.
“I see,” Kousuke said, now feeling defeated. It was understandable that his men had panicked. The dokuganryū was fearsome enough to cause even himself to flee. He sighed raised his hand to call for the retreat of his troops when a strong hand clapped onto his left shoulder, followed by a gentle one on his right.
“Oy…you’re not thinking of giving up, are you Kousuke,” the owner of the strong hand, Magoichi Saika said, the perpetual smirk on his face. “I signed up ‘cause I was impressed with your perseverance, but if you’re just gonna give up now that we’ve come so far…”
The owner of the gentle hand smiled and shrugged.
“Mago-kun’s right, Kou-dono. You can’t give up now! Remember, Masa-bozu killed Miyuki-chan! I for one won’t stand by as my lord’s wife’s soul isn’t avenged!” she declared loudly, her childish voice ringing. Kisame was an old friend of his who had gone to fight for Keiji, but after he had left, he found Kisame following him. She was young, but deadly.
Kousuke couldn’t help but smile as his friends stood by his side. He had amassed the whole army on his own, after Miyuki had been killed a month ago during the resistance of the lords. He and Miyuki had gone home to adoration from the villagers, but soon…Masamune retaliated against the two of them, burning the village to the ground, erecting a castle, and worst of all…murdering his wife.
“Magoichi…” Magoichi perked. “How long would it take you to take out Masamune?”
Magoichi thought for a second, then replied, “If you distract the main unit, about two hours.”
Kousuke nodded and signaled to his army, all of whom began preparing to march.
“You have one hour. That’s about all we’ll be able to do. Now go.”
Magoichi nodded, and then led his musketeer unit around behind the army. When he was out of sight, Kousuke motioned for his army to follow down the hill. It was going to be a tough fight…
1 hour later…
“You barbarians! Do you know who I am, you imbeciles!?”
Masamune looked up at Kousuke, who was seated on his new throne. Kousuke glared down at him, furious with the kid tyrant.
“Yes. You are the murderer who killed my wife. When we returned home after fighting with Keiji, you came and killed my wife! Then you drove me off! You b*****d…I should cut your head off and boil it!”
Masamune laughed, but the laugh was quickly cut off as a blade swept down upon his neck, held by Kisame. He turned to look at the girl, and blanched at the vicious look on her face.
“Never…laugh at Kou-dono. AGAIN.” She growled.
Masamune swallowed hard, then whipped his head forward and yelled, “It’s not my fault! It’s war! You knew that the minute you signed up with that idiot Maeda!”
Kousuke stood, his eyes livid.
“You little fool,” he said, his voice icy. He strode down and stood in front of the little warlord, now looking like any normal boy. “I didn’t kill you when I had the chance. And yet you come and slay my wife, banish me from my village, and enslave my people.”
Kousuke grabbed Masamune by the arm and lifted him clear from the floor. The boy thrashed for a second, but Kousuke threw him at the wall. A sickening crunch was heard, then Masamune slid down the wall.
“Get him out of here. Throw him to the dogs for all I care,” he spat as he walked slowly back to the throne. Magoichi nodded and picked the young man up, bearing him from the room. Kisame stood still for a moment, then left. After the two had left, Kousuke fell to his knees, overcome.
“Mi...Miyuki…wh…what have…I become…I’m no better than they are!” he sobbed, a man in ruins.
