Author's Games: Samurai

Sponsorship Battle Task: Takeda verses Rokaku

Clan 4: Jyubei Takeda

The shouts and screams of the warriors carried on through the night as Jyubei stood at the anterior side and swept his gaze through each and every one of them. They numbered a couple thousand, which was a very meager amount compared to their foes, but they would be sufficient enough to take out the Rokkaku clan. This was the first time Jyubei was leading a military campaign in his quest to gain more territory for his clan so they could at least overcome the famine that had been sweeping through their lands.

"Many of you here are experienced fighters who served under my father while there are some of you who are new to battle and are anxious to experience the joy of cutting through an opponent for the first time," Jyubei stated. "Many of you will die, which is unavoidable, but I can tell you that you will all receive deaths befitting of warriors."

The warriors all went wild as Jyubei raised his katana in front of him with Josuke and Toshiro by his side. He started to walk around his troops, inspecting each of them. The Takeda clan were able to hire archers and swordsmen. Jyubei then came upon a nervous looking boy of about 16. The light of the full moon gave his armor a silvery tint.

"You must be have just become a samurai,huh?" Jyubei asked him. The boy just nodded.

"Well, you are about to get your first taste of battle tonight and I assure you, it will be exhilarating,"Jyubei grinned. "There might be a chance that you might get killed in action, but remember Bushido. All men must die, but you can make that death either honorable or shameful."

Josuke tapped his brother's shoulder.

"Yeah?"Jyubei whirled around.

"Oboro's back," Josuke sounded giddy. " She managed to convince the Uchida to join our cause."

Jyuebi's heart leapt in joy. It wouldn't take much to get the Uchida to side with them. Besides, after the death of their leader, they could hardly survive the famine and needed an alliance to make it through winter. In addition, they would have the Uchida's much needed horsemen on their side.

"Tell her to rendezvous with us at the bridge to Rokkaku," Jyubei told Josuke. In no time, Josuke went to relay his words to their sister.

Under the pale moonlight, they began their march through the wet grassland. Jyubei glanced around the grasslands which were illuminated by the white light of the moon. His eyes fell on the sakura petals that lined up the path ahead of them. It reminded him of what his father used to tell them every time they went out to the fields to gaze at the sakura trees. Nothing lasts forever so it is best to savor every moment.

"Oni-san!"

Jyubei was jolted out of his thoughts by his sister's voice which had carried through the wind . He was greeted by dozens of horsemen in the armor of the Uchida clan. Standing in front of the column was Oboro, who was wearing some light armor, and Uchida Matamune, his late wife's younger brother.

" Jyubei-kun , I see we meet again," Matamune grinned.

" Likewise," Jyubei returned the grin. " I wish we could chat under more convenient circumstances, but right now I am itching for battle."

" As am I," Toshiro chimed in from behind Jyubei.

" What are we waiting for? Let's go and give those Rokkaku a taste of our blades!" Jyubei grinned madly.

"Guys, wait!" Oboro objected. " We can't rush into battle like this! How do we know we aren't running into an ambush?"

" Where is the fun in waiting around?" Jyubei rolled his eyes. " The best part about battle is to run into the action and get a taste of adrenaline rush!"