Oni: Tale of Four Warriors

Chapter 18: Calm before the storm

As the villagers begins to hide inside their shack, the remaining Samurai stands guarding the wall and the gate. Yuriko and Saori walks around the fortress and checks on every villagers they find. Koji approaches the old man as he sees the commotion near the fortress main gate, The old man looks at Koji and sigh before he says "I'm sorry about earlier my lord. My nerves got the best of me when you, Lady Yuriko and your friend sneaks in to the village. We were so tensed as we thought you were one of the Kurosawa." Koji smiles and pats the old man's shoulder, saying that he understand the situation. The old man then looks at the gate as one of the Kurosawa general approaches, the old man then says "My name is Hachi. I used to serve the Kagesama as their war general. But now? This is too crazy even for me... Now their general is approaching, it is likely that they want to declare their attack. Can you do me a favor of taking my place for me, my lord?" Koji smirks and nods as he looks at the gate.

Before Koji can instruct the guard to open the gate, Miyamoto clears his throat from behind. Koji turns and chuckles as he sees Miyamoto,the  determination in Miyamoto's face as he joins Koji with Tesso right behind him. Miyamoto's eyes fixed on the gate as he talks to Koji "Tesso and I will join you in this. I too, have a few word for the Kurosawa." Koji nods firmly and tells the guard to opens the gate. Some of the Kagesama Samurai fleet back reluctantly, clearly afraid of the Kurosawa presence. Koji in the middle, Tesso in the left and Miyamoto on right marches on the drawbridge of the Kagesama fort, and stops short, keeping a safe distance between them and the Kurosawa general with the other two of Kurosawa guard. The general smiles and talks in a loud tone "Greetings again people of Kagesama. I'm not sure if we have met, so I'll introduce myself. I am General Kurosawa Kobe, general of the Kurosawa clan and also known to be a better swordsman than Takayuki himself. I am here to give all of you a last chance to keep your life, surrender! Or we will attack by next sunrise." Kobe giggles

Koji glares at them and say "I am Masaharu-. " Miyamoto cuts Koji off with a scoff and says "I'd like to see you coward try... I promise you this, once you starts to attack, you will never again see the light of day again, Kobe..." Koji calms down and steps back a little while Tesso taps Koji's back and whispers his question of why Koji let Miyamoto talks his thought. Koji smiles at Tesso and says "Because I like where this is going." Kobe glares at Miyamoto and spits on the bridge as he steps forward and ask "And who are you? Peasant..." Miyamoto glares and keeps his eyes sharp on Kobe before he answers "I am Ogawa Miyamoto... Last warrior of the Ogawa clan, and I can promise you Kobe. Set your foot closer, and I'll make sure my blade will cut right through you..." Kobe smiles and nods before he says "Okay then Ogawa scum, see you then. We will attack at Dawn!" The Kurosawa falls back to their camp, Miyamoto let out a long breath he didn't realize he was holding. Koji smiles and brushes Miyamoto's back and says "I'm proud of you Miyamoto, keep this up and you will soon be one of us..." Miyamoto scoffs and turns to walk back into the fort with the others.

Hours after the meetings, Miyamoto finds Yuriko in the fortress supply shack. He smiles and approaches but stops himself as he sees Yuriko sitting on the ground with her face buries in her palm. Miyamoto sigh and turns to walk out but stops as Yuriko speaks so softly "Do you think we can win?" Miyamoto turns his head around slightly and sees Yuriko half sobbing, her eyes is red and damp with tears and her voice is shaky and rattled. Miyamoto sigh and keeps his head down as he answers "We cannot lose hope, Yuriko... You taught me the way of the Samurai, back at the yacht-." Yuriko cuts him off and says "That was not the same!" She continue her cries. Miyamoto turns back and drops on his knee with a hand place on her shoulder. Yuriko tries to speak between her sobs "One of the villagers even told me, that we are as good as dead. They should have just defies Lord Norio and joins in with the Kurosawa... I feels so helpless, Miyamoto" Yuriko's tears glisten on her palm, her eyes is as swole as it can get from crying. Miyamoto looks down before he reaches into Yuriko's pouch, grabs her Kagesama headband and ties it on his head. Yuriko looks up confused as Miyamoto smile and says "Just leave it to me, Yuriko... I shall represent and bring back the honor of Kagesama..." Yuriko grits her teeth, cries as she slowly reach and hugs Miyamoto.