This story is based in the beginnings of the Tokugawa Bakufu period and Kurogane's role here is based on one of the Commanders/Vassels under Tokugawa Ieyasu, Asano Yukinaga, the age portrayed here by Kurogane is of great difference from the real age of Yukinaga in those times so I must apologise for the liberties taken in twisting Japan's grand ancient war history.
Fay is a "favored escort" of Portugese descend and is kept by one of the Regents under Ishida Mitsunari's Army, Uesugi Kagekatsu and is captured by Kurogane during the Battle of the Sekigahara. Due to the time period this story is based in, I will be spelling Fay's name as Fei since it sounds more 'Japanese' that way.
The Ashura portrayed here is not Fay's king but the one who loves Yasha-ou. He is portrayed in this story as the loyal and faithful adopted brother of Asano Kurogane. Yasha remains his love interest...and is Kurogane's reluctant ally.
Prologue
"Get the page to prepare my horse, I'm riding out!" Kurogane commendered as he watched another wave of his samurais taken down by the Western Army, he simply could not sit and watch passively at such incompetence that would very well cost this battle's victory. He cannot risk losing the trust of Ieyasu, he cannnot lose the honor of his family's crest.
"Asano - dono!" his Chief Advisor, Haruuji cried out in panic "I'm sure there is no need for you to endanger your life by entering the battlefield."
"I'll kill you myself for saying such words of cowardice! You of all people should know better!" he spat out, dark rage emitting from his aura.
Immediately, Haruuji knelt down and bowed his head to the ground, his hands pressed to the dirt underneath above his head
"I do not mean that, Asano - dono! Your life is precious to us and your leadership at this point means more then your sword on the battlefield...we need your..."
"Enough! There's no time to waste right now! Ashura will command in my stead!" with that Kurogane grabbed both of his treasured katanas and swung onto the horse awaiting outside his tent and galloped off into the midst of clanging swords and hollering war cries.
Haruuji could only look on at his lord's disappearing outline against the smoky fog...his heart heavy with the thought of sending Ashura - dono, like his brother, Ashura is also highly intelligent but wasn't well read to strategies of war, he has a great dislike for warfare instead he was more well versed in the writings of Heikus and calligraphy writing. He hastily grabbed a brush and scribble a few lines before getting the page boy to deliver the letter...Masanori Yasha would be the only choice now. He only hoped his lord will not be angered by his outright defiance against his direct orders.
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Kagekatsu stood behind his last few remaining lines of defence and contemplated the scenerio down infront of him, his and Asano's are the only few remaining forces left fighting...both sides have been holding on for months by now and food supplies as well as manpower and weapons were depleting rapidly. The end that would mark one's defeat and victory will not be far off, he is worried that his army might not hold up against Asano's. He had seen how they fought and for every one samurai of Asano's taken down, it has costed him four. Even Hidemoto's army of 15,000 men could not instill fear in Asano's army of 7000, their battle only lasted three days and Hidemoto's army was left broken and trampled, in the end, the great Mori Hidemoto has defected to Tokugawa's side along with a few other daimyo. Such disgrace would not be his...
Fei sat quietly on the makeshift bed and looked on warily through the entrance, he wondered if he could make an escape in this chaotic hell he had been brought to. Even if he managed to escape, would he be able to avoid the enemy? He was sure no one would overlook him out there due to his exotic looks, his lord's decision to bring him here was beyond him. His eyes scanned the entrance of his tent and once he saw the guards leave their post, he followed nochalently, quietly slipping past the guards surrounding the camp fires and the walked towards the wounded laying all about, their groans and cries of pain made him cringe involuntarily. It was almost dusk, the darkness of the night that was silently spreading across the sky reminded him that he was still alive and kicking and that thought disturbed him greatly, made him felt useless. He wondered where was his lord and how was the battle preceeding?
He was deep in his thoughts when he heard a loud war cry, deep and primative before the hooves of dozens of horses went flying past his head...he looked up startled and fall back on his behind as he tried to scurried out of the way of those dangerous hooves, as the last of it went past him, he stood up amidst the settling dust realising too late that he had just encountered the fearless army that his lord was talking about as he saw the crest of the Asano's on the samurais armors...
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Yasha glanced up from his scrolls and looked at the panting young man holding out the crumpled piece of rice paper to him and raise one of his brows. Finally, he thought.
"Masanori - dono, my lord seeks for your assistance."
"Your lord or Haruuji?"
"Hummm..." Syaoran looked at the ground before him, surely he was not expected to reply to that, Yasha knows fully well that Asano - dono would never willingly asks for his help.
"You are the page of the great Asano Kurogane, surely you can speak better then this?" he teased as he reached out for the piece of paper and got the answer when he saw Haruuji's slanting calligraphy. Trust the man to make the right decision for that impulsive and arrogant brother of Ashura, he has no idea how they tolerate that man, for apart for being known for his bloodlust on the battlefield, he was also well known for his tempers. Petty judgement aside, he has more pressing matters to attend to right now.
"Sanada, prepare the men. We're called for by Asano!"
Well...I know I should not be starting on another long fic before finishing my current one...but the plot keeps nigging in my head...so...please kindly read and review. This won't be updated as fast as my other fic "Guarded" since it's my baby project, it will get the priority. Thanks once again for reading!