Author's Games: Samurai

Task One Battle Task: Jyubei Takeda verses Sachi Miyoshi

Clan 4: Jyubei Takeda

A chilling breeze swept through the regiment of samurai as they marched on toward their destination: The Miyoshi lands. Jyubei shuddered briefly. This was not only the result of the winter wind, but of the anxiety gnawing at his stomach like some crazy beast.

We must not fail, he thought. We will capture those lands.

The Miyoshi lands were critical for them to capture as they provided a stepping stone to the lands out of reach from the Takeda stronghold. However, things were not looking good for the Takeda military. A windstorm had caught them unawares in their trek and their supplies were dwindling steadily. It turns out that the supplies were not the only thing dwindling. Based on the desertion of about a couple hundred troops, the Takeda military's morale was taking a downhill spiral as well.

" Takeda-dono, can this attack be postponed to another day?"

Jyubei's eyes darted to the side to discern who the speaker was. His friend Toshiro had appeared beside him. Toshiro Matsumoto's normally cheery demeanor was replaced by a slightly depressed-looking one. The winter wind sent his long, dark hair flying into the chilly air.

"No, it cannot!" Jyubei snapped.

"Jyubei! The weather is not our friend today! You do notice that we are all freezing our butts off and if the battle lasts more than a night, our troops or even ourselves would get frostbite!" Toshiro protested.

"Matsumoto-san," Jyubei stared his friend in the eyes. "I give you my word that this siege will be successful before night falls. Besides, if the weather is biting us in the butt, then it will more than likely equal the same effect for the enemy forces."

"Well...if you say so," Matsumoto looked uncertain.

Now that he had mentioned it, Jyubei started to feel a lot colder as they trudged through the snow. Was it even a good idea to continue on to Miyoshi lands? Jyubei shook his head briefly. No, I must not think of such things. I must cast aside all my doubt right now and toughen my resolve otherwise this battle is already lost.

A sudden gust of wind came over the Takeda samurai as they continued their march toward enemy lands. Jyubei couldn't help, but shiver.

"Oni-san," Oboro appeared beside Jyubei. "Why did you not listen to Kagemaru ? He advised us to wait about a week until the storm passes through."

"Oboro,"Jyubei smiled. He had to keep the façade up for moral purposes." This storm is actually a blessing in disguise. It may seem like it is slowing us down, but imagine what it is doing to the enemy."

" The same thing?" Oboro blinked.

"Indeed. In the cover of a snowstorm like this, we can sneak into the enemy stronghold without being noticed and end the battle as quickly as it begins," Jyubei informed his sister.

"Oh, I see," Oboro nods.

"This one may be the kamikaze for us," Jyubei points out. This might be the divine one. Jyubei had the stories as a child of how the kamikazes had spared Japan the wrath of the Mongols. Only this time, it would assist in a Takeda victory.

"Ummm...Oni-san?" his sister asked.

"Yes?" Jyubei raised his brow.

"Please promise me you will be merciful with the Miyoshi," Oboro begged. " Josuke and I were appalled at how low you bent last week when we usurped the Kyoraku lands."