Pyrrhic Victory
(Umi)
Umi finished making sure her armour and Naginata were ready before she stood up and turned to face Kotori who was busy holding Saki as she had changed.
Umi walked up to Kotori and took her niece and her arms "You be good now; Lady Kotori will take good care of you till I'm back; don't worry I'll be fine; I'll be back before you know it." Umi whispered as she placed a kiss on her niece's head "Do take care of her won't you Lady Kotori."
"Of course." Kotori said as Umi handed Saki back, as she was handed back Saki made a disapproving cry like she didn't want to be parted from Umi "Shh, Shh, Umi will be fine." Kotori cooed trying to calm the little Sonoda down "She promised to look after you and she never breaks a promise."
'Except one.' Umi's honour voice in her head.
"Kotori?" came Hanayo's voice "It's time to go."
"Ok, I'll be right along." Kotori replied, "Go on, we'll be fine." Kotori said with a smile though Umi could feel the sadness and worry behind the smile.
Umi returned a positive smile as best she could just as she reached the door Kotori shouted after her "Umi?" Umi turned to face Kotori "Good luck." Kotori said with a slight shake in her voice, which Saki must have sensed to as she let out a whine.
"Thank you." Umi said though she felt a strong tug in her heart, she wanted to do what she would have done in the past which was hug Kotori and give her a goodbye kiss that signified her silent promise to come back safe 'You can't do that.' Umi gave a silent nod and then exited the chamber and went to join Eli.
After a short walk she reached the main courtyard where Eli was waiting for her with a horse.
"You ready?" Eli asked as Umi mounted her horse.
"Yes, Lady Eli, shall we get going?"
The two silently rode out the main gate, once at the bottom of the incline to the main gate Eli tapped Umi on the shoulder.
Eli glanced behind her "Are you sure you do want to give them a wave?"
Umi turned and saw Kotori was standing at the gate with Hanayo, Kotori raised her hand and gave a small wave, Umi returned the wave with a heaviness in heart as she watched Kotori walk back into the castle again.
"Hey, you ok?"
"Sorry Lady Eli, it's just the last time I waved at her like this…"
"Hey, you'll both be fine." Eli smiled.
"Yeah, Kiyo-chin will keep an eye Saki and Kotori, Nya." Rin said as rode up to the pair.
"Lady Rin, are you joining us?" Umi asked surprised.
"Wow, Honoka was right it is weird hearing you call us that." Rin said sadly "And yes I am, Lady Minami wanted a representative with you at least, besides I'm not about to let you two go alone."
"Are you're sure Rin?" Eli asked to which Rin nodded with a smile "Well happy to have the company." Eli said as she led them to the head of the army. In front of the encampment to the west of the castle was a small wood which then led to an open field.
Once at the head with Umi and Rin Eli shouted out to the army "Soldiers, advance!" and the army started to move slowly through the woods, just as Umi began to enter the woods she could feel eyes on her from the fort and gave the castle a last glance.
(Kotori – in the castle)
From where she stood on the battlements, she could see the army moving out slowly and Umi stop to look at the fort before riding off to the open field beyond the wood.
"Kotori don't worry she'll be fine." Hanayo said stood next to the ashen girl.
"That's what I thought the last time I saw her ride off." Kotori mused.
"It won't be the same." Tsubasa said as she came up next to the pair "The last time she rode out of sight, you can still see her if you go to the top battlements, so it will be different this time."
"I guess." Kotori said with a sigh as she walked to the top battlements.
(Umi)
As she came to end of the trees Umi could see Dia's troops marching up to the castle mustered in battle formation, clearly trying to intimidate the castle little knowing what was coming out the tress at them.
First Umi, Eli and Rin cleared through the trees as Umi pulled her face cloth up over her face, the enemy stopped as the three exited clearly a little confused possibly thinking the three were going to offer a surrender, only for that confusion to turn to shock and horror as the rest of the army to emerge from the trees, ten times their strength, with the high ground advantage too.
Umi could see the lines wavering and could see the commanders trying to keep the troops in order as well 'I hope this works.' Umi thought as she saw the faces of the troops, she didn't hold any hatred for them or most of the lords and whatever they thought about her, she still felt a heaviness for having to fight people she once lived with and fought besides.
Once the two armies were set Eli drew her sword over her head and circled it above her head before sheaving it, then out the trees Umi could hear a pair of horses slowly ride out from the trees and a small commotion come from the troops behind her.
Umi turned and saw Nozomi riding up to the trio in her purple armour Maki by her side, Umi had seen Nozomi in her full armour before now, but it was still a striking sight and why people considered her a Kitsune, added to her purple armour was pair of white fox-like ears and nine white fox-like tails, Umi had to admit she was surprised and not a little shocked by the sight and judging from the looks on the enemies faces they were just as shocked.
Once she was at the head of the army she called out to the enemy army "My name is Nozomi Tojo from the Tojo clan, I wish I parley with you, will you meet with my representative?"
"Bring them forth!" shouted a female voice, Nozomi nodded to Eli whom in turn nodded to Rin and Umi.
"Do either of you know who that voice is?" Eli asked as the trio rode to the centre of the field as two riders went to meet them.
"No, not a clue." Rin replied.
"Yes." Umi sighed "That's Sakura Motonori, Kira's daughter and heir." Umi growled.
"Is she going to be reasonable?" Eli asked.
"I always found Kira the more agreeable of the two, also best you don't mention my real name my ladies."
"So it's back to Tsunami?" Eli asked.
"Yes, Lady Eli." Umi said as the trio met Sakura and Dia.
"Greetings," Eli said, "I'm Eli Ayese, commander of Lady Tojo's army."
"Sakura Motonori," Answered a girl with brown hair "Heir to Kira Motonori, I believe you know my companion," Sakura said glancing at Dia, the dark-haired girl bowed at the trio with a sad look.
"My Ladies." Dia said with a sad look "I hope your well."
"We're good thank you Dia, it's nice to see you despite the circumstances?" Eli sad sadly.
"Indeed." Dia said downcast and Umi felt her hand clench around the reins slightly.
"I have to say you didn't need such a force to bring us this traitor." Sakura continued with a look to Rin.
"We're not here to hand Rin or anyone over." Eli replied as Umi saw Rin's sword hand let go of the reins.
"Then what are you here for, you're trespassing on our land."
"This is the Minami land and we have a treaty with them and we are here to honour that agreement, now withdraw your troops or we will be forced to destroy you."
"I see Lady Minami didn't tell you Lord Minami declared my father the heir and disowned…"
"That's a lie!" Rin shouted, "This is Kotori's land not yours."
Sakura smirked "Whatever you were told by that old lady does not change the fact we now rule this land by right of the late lord Minami, now leave it and I will overlook this minor trespass."
"Sorry, but we don't leave our friends alone, we are staying." Eli replied.
"Then we face an impasse."
"Not quite."
"How so?"
"Lady Tojo wishes to avoid a slaughter, so she requests a duel of champions, what do you say?"
"What are the terms?"
"If we win you leave and pull your troops to the other side of the river."
"Fine." Sakura sighed "Should my champion win, you leave the land for good and hand over all those loyal to the traitors."
"Agreed." Eli said in a low growl "Before the fight, our champion is this Ronin, Tsunami, will that be acceptable to you?" Sakura gave Umi a look over before replying "That's fine, excuse us a moment." Sakura said as she and Dia rode away a bit to allow space for the duel before beginning to talk and Umi got a sinking feeling beginning to grow in her stomach.
As the trio rode back a bit to Rin's anger at Sakura's accusation seemed to bubble up "She's lying, no way Kira was made…"
"We'll deal with it later." Eli cut her off before she could say much more.
Umi kept her eye on Sakura and Dia as Eli and Rin were talking, she saw Dia dismount and walk forward with a downcast look "Dia." Umi let out in a low shocked voice making Eli and Rin turn.
"My Ladies." Dia said with a sad look "I'm sorry."
"Dia, why are you fighting?" Rin asked shocked.
"Ruby." Dia said downcast and Umi felt her heart drop that she would have to fight a friend "Sakura said if I don't fight, she takes the punishment." Dia said looking down before looking back up with a resolute face "If it saves Ruby, I have no choice." Even though her face showed a determined look Umi could see Dia's eyes were sad at her situation.
"I'm sorry." Eli said.
"As am I, could you tell Lady Minami that I had no choice but to do this." Dia asked.
"We will." Eli replied.
"Yeah, we know you are under duress." Rin added.
"Thank you." Dia smiled.
"Lady Eli?" Dia spoke, as Umi silently dismounted wiping a silent tear from her eye.
"We're still friends Dia, just call me Eli."
Umi saw Dia give another small smile before speaking again "Eli, if I fall here will you bury me her?"
"If that's your wish Dia." Eli said quietly.
"Thank you." Dia smiled before she turned to Umi "Shall we get this over with?" Dia asked, Umi silently nodded.
"Should you win, make it quick." Dia requested to Umi before putting her face mask on, Umi nodded again as she gripped her Naginata tight 'Damn you Kira.' Umi cursed in her mind, she'd heard Dia had spoken on her behalf and now her she was having to fight her to the death.
Umi took up her stance with the Naginata's blade pointed towards Dia, Umi took a deep breath and she could see Dia do the same as she pointed her sword at Umi, Dia advance slowly towards Umi, Umi herself stood still and waited for Dia to make the first move weighing up her options as Dia approached 'I can't let her win.' Umi reminded herself 'Dia likes thrusts and overhead strikes, this leaves her open to…' Umi couldn't bring herself to finish her thoughts, her mind to much of a muddle and conflicted.
Dia thrust forward and Umi parried the blow and span both herself and Dia around, as Dia turned Umi could see and perfect chance to strike her from behind, but she found herself frozen 'Snap out of it!' Umi said to herself.
Dia finished her turn and tried to strike down, Umi caught the blade and twisted the Naginata so it caught Dia behind the leg with the curved head and force Dia forward, Umi brought the blade up to strike but again she hesitated.
Dia looked confused for a second but swung her sword and jumped back, before going forward and Dia struck down again and again Umi blocked with the shaft the blade landing the same place, this time the blade dug in slightly and chipped a piece out the wood, though only a superficial piece, but the blade carried on and Umi felt a sharp burning on her hand, the blunette jumped back towards Eli and Rin before glancing down at her hand, she saw a cut running over her right hand and blood running from her hand.
"What the hell's wrong with you?" Dia shouted as she slowly advanced towards Umi "Take this seriously or do you have no honour at all!" Umi felt a like she'd just been struck with a hammer at Dia's words, for a moment time stood still to her, she glanced first at Rin and Eli's concerned faces then at the castle in front of her, she could feel a pair of golden eyes watching her as she turned back to Dia.
Umi saw Dia make ready to attack, her sword above her head, the flat of the blade facing Umi, as Dia took a step forward Umi let out a breath 'Forgive me Lady Dia.'
As Dia struck down again, again Umi caught the strike and Umi span herself and Dia around only this time Umi didn't go for Dia's leg, instead she swung the Naginata around and the curved point caught Dia under her armpit, Dia choked a cough before dropping to her knees using her sword to try and stay up right. Umi walked around to face her.
"Who…are…you?" Dia struggled to get out. Umi walked up to her and was glad she and Dia were closer to Eli and Rin then Sakura who had an uninterested look to face.
Umi knelt and pulled her face cloth down to show her face, Umi saw Dia's face turn to one of shock "Umi…but…we heard…you died…how?"
"It was a lie, I'm sorry Lady Dia, I didn't…"
"It's…ok." Dia said taking off her face mask "At least…I died… to a real… warrior, give…this to…Sakura…as proof, so Ruby will…be safe."
"We will Dia." Eli said kneeling next to her.
"I'm sorry…but can I…ask…one more…favour…Ruby…is being held…with Yo, at the…Watanabe castle…please…save…"
"We will." Eli smiled.
"Sorry Ruby." Dia sighed before collapsing forward.
Umi looked at Eli who shook her head silently "I'll take this and tell Sakura." Eli said taking Dia's mask "You and Rin take her back." Umi nodded silently before pulling the mask back up.
As Umi and Rin placed Dia on Umi's horse, she could hear the cheers from the army, but she found nothing to cheer for 'There is no pride in this victory, there is no honour in killing a friend.' She thought "I will save your sister for you Lady Dia." Umi whispered "I promise."
(Yo and Ruby – After the duel, Night-time in the Watanabe castle)
Yo heard Ruby jump up with a scream, Yo turned to look at the girl and saw her hugging herself tight with her head resting on her knees letting out quite sobs.
"Ruby?" Yo said struggling to sit up the pain from the wounds and break to her left leg and made moving difficult, dragging herself up to the twin tailed girl "Ruby…what's wrong?" Yo struggled out.
"Something's wrong with Dia, I know it." Ruby mumbled.
Yo struggled to sit up and hug the girl "I'm sure…she's fine…trust her…" Yo struggled out, her exhaustion growing.
"I just know something's wrong." Ruby struggled to say as she looked at Yo "You should lay down Yo, you need to rest."
"I promised Dia…I'd keep…an eye…on you…and I'm not…about…to break it." Yo smiled "Come on… would…you like me to…lay next…to you…tonight?"
Ruby nodded and Yo laid down, rather thankful she didn't have to sit up anymore as Ruby lay next to her and Yo draped an arm over Dia's sister "I wish Hanamaru and Dia were here." Ruby mumbled.
"Don't worry…Riko will…get here soon…she'll get us out, then…we'll see them all again."
"Promise?"
"Yes…now…get some rest…" Yo struggled 'Be quick Riko, I'm not sure how much longer I can last.' Yo thought as she felt her exhaustion pull her back into sleep.