Author's Games: Samurai

Battle Task 3: Yuudai Kato attacking Ren Sanada

Clan 14: Yuudai Kato

"I am beginning to get mixed feelings about the Sanada clan." Kazuki states dully.

"Hai, I agree." I respond. "It's like the gods want us to cross swords."

Walking into enemy territory was a mistake on my part. I had been trying to reach an allied clan when harsh weather made us take another route. We were walking into what I thought was unoccupied land. It wasn't long before we came across a mass of men in a clearing, and with much debate, I decided to jump on the chance for prisoners. But we had a major problem. I only had part of my army with me.

"We can't afford to lose many more men Yuudai-dono." Says Kazuki.

I take a deep breath to calm my nerves. After the first hard frost came most of the sick died. Since no merchants came into the villages, the disease didn't spread very far. It didn't take long for most traces of the sick to dissipate.

"We are lucky to have survived at all." He adds.

"Hai we are. Still, I cannot just back away from this fight. For I am afraid that if I show my back to these people, I will receive a knife to the back."

"I agree. They are probably still angry at us for taking their castle."

I just nod in response.

"Yuudai."

"Yes Kazuki-kun?"

"These people are not the real enemy, you know that. I do not wish to fight them."

"I know Kazuki."

Soon Nobunaga, I will come for you. Soon.

Word of Nobunaga's rampage has spread throughout all of Nihon. He has killed far too many to be ignored any longer. My father always told us stories of Nobunaga's father's adventures and successes. My father said he served him as a Shogun and became good friends with him. I guess monsters will befriend monsters.

"Lord Yuudai. We have successfully surrounded the enemy. Just give the order and we will attack."

One of my own Shogun runs to my side and bows. Slightly shaking my head, I come back into reality. I adjust my obi around my waist and before nodding.

"You may proceed with the attack."

He bows ones more and leaves. It took all that was in my power to not think of him as Suko. I had him and Sakura stay at the castle. Despite their apparent disapproval they complied. A breeze chills my face with the cold spring air. I breathe, in and out.

I wish you were here Ryo.

All at once, my men start sprinting towards the Sanada forces. A few men pass me before I gather my nerves to advance, Kazuki still at my side. The sound of armor clanking as well as feet stomping atop of nearly melted snow fills my ears. From this distance the Sanada clan's force looks small but in reality it is probably the same size as my own. Out of the corner of my eye I see Kazuki pull out his katana, which he named Sasha after his wife.

We get within two-hundred yards from them, one-hundred fifty yards. With each step brings a mixture between content and dred. It is no secret that I do not want to fight.

But this is war right?

The answer is that death is a part of war, but war is not a part of life. It is true that war is a product of greed or anger. I am done with all this fighting and blood. I want peace, before I lose more of my family. It's only after we get a hundred feet from our enemy that I hear it. Every man turns around to stare at a massive army. At first I figure that it is more units from the Sanada clan, then he spoke.