Lotus of Pride

Chapter 1

It is the period of the warring states. The era of competing warlords. Many of these warlords have clashed blades ruthlessly, all aiming to conquer the Land of the Rising Sun. Among them, Oda Nobunaga was only a small step away from seizing total power. But was taken down at his palace in Honnou-ji, by the betrayal of his most trusted vassal Akechi Mitsuhide. Thirteen days later, Mitsuhide himself was defeated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and the world once more descended into conflict. Toyotomi Hideyoshi toppled warlord after warlord, becoming a force to reckon with. Before his might, many warlords were cowed into silence, and few dared to openly oppose him. Then, the Toyotomi army headed east to swallow Houjou whole. As if to defy Toyotomi's unstoppable onslaught, a single man marched towards Houjou Ujimasa's stronghold, Odawara Castle. Lord of Oushuu, Date Masamune. And behind him was a shadow -lurking over the one eyed dragon. Following him to victory.

While the men marched up a different path from their leader, Masamune and his right-eyeKatakura Kojuro rode their way to the monkey king. Plotting ideas as to where or what should be done while partying with Hideyoshi. The Dragon was in a particular mood, he flaunted his pride as he rode up the rural side. The dirt picking up as the two men made way for Odawara. As Masamune took in a deep breath, a strong scent took him by surprise. He turned his head to the right, and smirked at the sight of her : Long hair that ties into a bun. Her fringes bouncing as she ran along with the horses. Her beautiful grey eyes reminding him the snowy skies, or a storm cloud. She wore a blue suit that seemed tighter at the waist. Her shirt collar was open and her swords secured her hips. The woman looked over at him and she winked.

"Yo...!" He greeted. " Got any news for me?"

"Aside from the invasion on Odawara Castle, and Toyotomi's men closing in on victory..." She informed. Looking up at the sky and then back at her lord. "Nothing special."

Masamune nodded. Kojuro flanked her other side.

"I do.." Both men looked back at the woman. "I do think that there is trouble within the Toyotomi army."

"What kind of trouble?" Kojuro asked. The woman looked up at him.

"Betrayal. If I remember things correctly, someone has plans that are going to crash into Hideyoshi's - and he won't take it lightly."

Masamune grunted, "The only one who's plans are gonna crash into Toyotomi's in mine! If anyone doesn't like it, what would they do about it?"

Natsumi sighed. She remembered what it was about Masamune that made her fall in love with him. In a certain sense - he saved her, not just from Hideyoshi, but from herself. She found something that she wanted to protect. And that was Masamune-sama -and their son. Date Tadamune. How she yearned to hold him now.

By the time they got close to Odawara, the three froze. Holding his hand out to stop the two. Kojuro looked on as did Natsumi, when she saw the person blocking them - her body shifted. It was a woman with white hair and a purple tint to her lips. She wore white armor and that bore the Toyotomi crest. Masamune narrowed his eye and watched the woman slowly tread closer. He hated when people stood in his way. Kojuro looked over at Natsumi, who, wore her metal gloves and ran out into the field. Connecting blows with the woman. The impact was visible , showing a light red color and a purple colored aura that cracked the earth. The woman blew punches after punches, Natsumi blocked the upcoming fists and made a couple punches of her own. Most of them making purchase to the woman's face and body. The woman rolled out, before finally growing into a low crouch. Glaring cold purple eyes at Natsumi - who met hers with the look of a bloodthirsty Dragon, stalking her.

"Natsu-hime. The Lotus of Dragons." The woman says, spitting of blood. She wiped her mouth and snarled.

"Kanni-chan.." She says. Masamune watched as his wife took arms against this mysterious woman. Another friend of Natsumi's; he'd thought. But the way she fought her, it said something different. It reminded him of Sanada Yukimura, but with more fire. Masamune could see the way Natsumi's body was postioned. She was going to kill that woman. This was a death match. Natsumi looked over her shoulder at Masamune, "Go to Odawara. I got it from here."