Tail Of The Crescent Moon

A special somebody would like that word

You know it's true XD

My head is killing me. That dart must have took a lot out of me. My vision is a bit blurry but, I'm starting to realize that this is the keep that I fought the ninja in or Odawara castle. I'm in what appears to be a small house. Also I'm not in my normal clothes. I'm wearing robes and my right arm is banged up. However my sword is nearby so I'm not completely helpless. My chain of thought is broken when I hear footsteps. I think there coming to my room. I try to reach for my sword but, as soon as I got to it a hand grabs my wrist.

"That would not be a wise decision." my kidnapper says

I try to shake loose but the grip only tightens on my wrist. Wow, this is really tight.

"Let me go." I demanded only to be brought face to face with my kidnapper and it was a very familiar face.

"Kotaro what are you doing here?" I say in surprise to realize he is my kidnapper. "Why did you kidnap me?"

Kotaro Fuma, leader of the Fuma ninja clan. They're loyal to the Hojo Clan. Why? I have no idea. Kotaro has always been a bit of a loose cannon. On the battlefield, he kind of does whatever he wants. He attacks when he feels like it and he shows up in the most random of places for no reason at all. But the most irritating thing of all is Lord Ujiyasu lets him do this. Still, whenever Lord Ujiyasu tasks him with something, Kotaro does do it, so it isn't all bad.

"I wanted you for my own personal pleasure" He told me with lust in his eyes. "Here no one with no one with bother us."

"Kotaro..." is all I manage to say while trying to hide my blushing face.

"Just kidding." he says laughing at my flustered appearance. He comes closer and lowers himself so we are face to face. "You have been out for almost day." Kotaro tells me with that usually never-changing the serious expression on his face.

"Judging from that dumbfounded look upon for face. I guess you have no idea I'm talking about. So why don't enlighten you about how you got here." Kotaro says to me almost look Ujiyasu would give me.

So after I passed out from the dart. Kotaro came to rescue me. He made quick work of the enemy ninja. However one tried to take my limp body and tried to escape to Echigo the land the Uesugi now own. Kotaro killed him and brought me to this small house to treat my wounds. This house is abandoned yet still in pretty good condition. After he treated me as band of heavy thunderstorms came in that made the land temporarily impassable my horseback and Kotaro can't teleport me there so we are for the time being stuck here.

"Kotaro thank you for saving me" I tell him bowing my head in gratitude. "But if you don't mind me asked why did you save me?" I never really trusted Kotaro. I have heard rumors that Kotaro loyalty to the Hojo was from a pact he made with Ujiyasu. Others say it was because demons brought him to the Hojo to curse us. I just wanted to know his true intentions are.

Kotaro puts a hand on my head "Ujiyasu would be sad if you died and I admit having you around does make life less boring." He says with a smile.

That's such a Kotaro answer. Vague and over my head. I bet he said that to bug me. He really enjoys bugging me. Just then one of the fuma ninja appears

"Lord Kotaro, the Takeda forces have returned to Kai safely." the ninja said

Kotaro waved the ninja off. The battle…..

"Kotaro did we win the battle against the Uesugi?" I ask a bit concerned

"The Hojo are still standing because Kenshin retreated." Kotaro told me

I knew Kenshin was a coward at heart. I wonder how he ever got the nickname Dragon of Echigo anyway.

"So how come he ran away with his tail between his legs?" I ask "Did he run out of wine to drink"

"Shingen Takeda died yesterday afternoon." Kotaro bluntly stated.

Those words shook me up a bit.

"When word reached both camps Ujiyasu and Kenshin agreed to put their battle on hold for the moment so the can properly pay respects and mourn the fallen Tiger of Kai." Kotaro continued. "The Takeda forces aiding us in the battle quickly returned home."

So Yukimura left before I could see him off. I spent the rest of the day deep in thought. Although my time with Kotaro was kind of nice. He was not at all like a pictured him being. After another day in the house. The rain had let up and the roads began to get better and we returned to Odawara castle.

Several Months later

Outside of our lands things have gotten chaotic. After Shingen's death Nobunaga Oda immediately started taking lands one right after another. All those who didn't surrender were to him were killed. Even his own brother-in-law Nagamasa Azai was killed by Nobunaga. Still lord Ujiyasu and Kotaro remain unafraid of the person who now got the nickname Demon King. I on the other hand dread the day his army marches on Odawara.

For the most part nobody tried a siege on Odawara. But to keep the solders from getting rusty we have had small battles with the Kuroda clan east of us.

"Hey lad, get Kotaro for me." Ujiyasu says. "I need him to be present for the war council."

Now that I think about it I never really entered Kotaro chambers in Odawara. Actually I tried to stay away from it. It always feels like the air is different around his personal chambers. Like entering another dimension or something like that.

As I get close to his room I hear crying. The closer I get to his room it gets louder.

"Could it be Kotaro crying?" I thought

I always believed he didn't have tears. He always rants about chaos and death. There is no way there is a heart somewhere I the person that fights in battle just for the trill of it. I get those thoughts out of my head and call for him

"Kotaro you are needed in the main keep" I yell

Kotaro comes out of his room and makes his way upstairs. I notice his room his open. I look around to see the his room looks normal. As I tried to find anything strange hear something caught my attention. I see a note on the ground it looks old. I pick it up and I read it.

(What the note said)

Son, I know someday you will get this. Please try to understand that I'm not leaving you behind because I don't love you but, it's because there it something I need to do and I have to do it alone. I must finish your fathers work. There are things in this life worth dying for and I fear I may lose my life in this attempt. So I may never see you again. You maybe to young to understand this now but someday I hope you will find the strength to forgive me. I love you son. Always and forever.

(End note)

"Lad, Kotaro will kill you if he found out you were in his room." Ujiyasu said as I finish the note.

"Was this note from Kotaro's mother?" I ask

"It was." Ujiyasu said

"What happened to her?" I ask

"That's a conversation we should have upstairs." Ujiyasu said taking me upstairs.

---

That's chapter 2. A special thanks to sun88 (I prefer to call him Reverse-Flash) for being my personal spell and grammar check. Thanks, it really tickles me to know you help me out like you do. Anyways, like with the first chapter, Like it, Love it, and thanks for reading. Chapter 3 is already in the works and should be up sometime tomorrow.

I'll read chapter three when I get home! It sounds Amazing!! Two things on chap two though. You made her seem to know Kotaru when u said things like he ALWAYS liked doing things like that, but right before it time skips you say that he wasn't at all how you imagined him to be incinerating they hadn't actually met before a those two contradict. Also tip, for a better transition with the note you can make it italicizes so the reader can know it's the note, and you wouldn't have to put it in boxes, or you can say straight out "it said:" an there is no need to end it. Both of those are very minor however and your so very talented! Great job!

One year later

Nobunaga Oda's rise to power was almost as quick as his demise. He was killed at Honno-ji temple by his retainer Mitsuhide Akechi. Mitsuhide was aided by friend and ally Motochika Chosokabe. Both Motochika and Mitsuhide were killed by Hideyoshi Hashiba one month later at Yamasaki. Hideyoshi wasted no time eliminating all rivals for the right to become Nobunaga's sucessior. He then defeated army after army until he was the most powerful Damiyo in Japan. After gaining imperial power he took the name of Hideyoshi Toyotomi and built a castle in Osaka. Once the Shimazu clan surrendered the lands of Kyushu only the Date clan and the Hojo remained. The Toyotomi have called all the clans under it's rule to make camp outside of Odawara castle. The Tokugawa, Sanada, Uesugi, Shimazu, Tachibana, Mori and Chosokabe clans have answered the call.

Now to talk about my life. I find myself having reoccurring nightmares about Kotaro. It's like I'm foreseeing his death. The thought of Kotaro dying sends shivers down my spine. To make matters worse Lord Ujiyasu has taken ill and remains in bed. We the mighty Hojo have remained in power for as long as I can remember. Now it seems our days are numbered. On top of all this Hideyoshi has personally requested I come to his camp for negotiation.

"You should go." Kotaro tells me leaning against the wall.

"I can't go." I plead to him.

"Go" Ujiyasu says trying to sit up.

"Fine I'll go." I surrendered

Kotaro motions for me to leave so he can talk to Ujiyasu privately. I follow Kotaro's wish and leave. I close to door behind me.

"Why would they make me do this?" I thought

I leave to grounds of the Hojo to meet Yukimura and his kunoichi. Both of them his stern looks on their faces.

"Follow me to lord Hideyoshi's camp." Yukimura tells me.

He whispers something to the kunoichi and she hurries off. After riding of a moment we reach the Toyotomi camp. Yukimura dismounts and help me off my horse. We walk to a tent. Yukimura opens it and motions for me to enter. I do so and find Hideyoshi waiting for me. He's shorter then I thought he'd be. He really does resemble a monkey. His robes are golden with many decorations. I heard he lives a very lavish lifestyle.

"Glad you could accept my invitation Lady Kai." Hideyoshi said

I simply bow my head.

"You are much more beautiful in person." He tells me.

"Thank you." I said holding back a blush.

Hideyoshi does a backflip in excitement. He really is a monkey.

"Lady Kai join the Toyotomi and I promise you will be treated will the love a women like yourself deserves." Hideyoshi tells me.

"I'm sorry I must reuse" I tell him

"Whatever you want you can have it." Hideyoshi says

"Aren't you married?" I ask raising an eyebrow

"What Nene doesn't know won't hurt her." Hideyoshi said with a grin that give my shivers. "What is it you wish?"

"My only wish is to serve the Hojo." I say

He grips me by my shoulders and slams me against a tree. He locks eyes with me and I see the fury in his eyes. Then he calms down.

"Is that so?" Hideyoshi asks

"As long as there is one Hojo alive I will never join you." I tell him unwavering.

"Then every Hojo will die and you have one to blame but yourself for their deaths." Hideyoshi says

He can be really scary when he wants to be. The look Hideyoshi is giving me reminds me of Nobunaga.

"I will have you and I will have you now." Hideyoshi says

As he moves in to kiss me a kunai gets in between us. I look in the direction the kunai was thrown from to see Kotaro. Hideyoshi separates from me and Koatro shields me from Hideyoshi.

"How bout we play a game monkey." Kotaro says "Loser forfeits his head."

"Aren't you a little tall to be a ninja" Hideyoshi questioned. "There are more fitting jobs for oafs like yourself. Beasts of burden, for example"

"Says the man to puny to be a ruler." Kotaro states "I will bury you in bedlam. Then see where your learning gets you."

Hideyoshi reaches for his staff and attacks Kotaro. Kotaro evades all of Hideyoshi's attacks. Kotaro then disarms Hideyoshi off his staff and Hideyoshi falls to his kness pleading for his life. Kotaro raises his arm to deal a fatal blow only to be stabed in both sides by Yukimura's kunoichi and Nene. Hideyoshi then gets up with smile.

"Did you really think it would be that easy." Hideyoshi says

I just watched this all unfold around me. I screamed at my body to move but, it just stayed in place. I watch as the two kunochi's hold Kotaro down and Hideyoshi get face to face with him. Hideyoshi slapped him.

"I know Ujiyasu is dying to him to surrender." Hideyoshi tells Kotaro

"Sure, I'll ask him when I give him your head you can hear his answer for yourself" Kotaro replied "Fire in the hole"

Then the ground to shake and a series of explosions happened across the camp. Out of nowhere this muscular guy appears. Striking an extremely over the top pose.

"Goemon Ishikawa king of thieves at your service." He says

Hideyoshi makes his escape from the camp that has no been set ablaze. Kotaro then breaks free of the Kunoichi's grip and rushes over to me.

"We have to go now." Kotaro says

All I do is sit there and give him blank look. It's like I can hear him but, I can't repond. My body still refuses answer my commands.

"Odawara is falling to the Toyotomi" Kotaro yells at me. "We have to go."

Then I rise up, grab a nearby sword and the three of us hurry to Odawara. I see the castle is coming apart.

"Goemon secure an escape route." Kotaro says "Save anybody you can and take then to Imasho village."

Then me and Kotaro fight our way to the main keep. Only to find the bloodied corpse of Ujiyasu laying there and a ninja with a bloody sickle standing over him.

"Fuma you are too late." the ninja says

"Hanzo that was unnessasary" Kotaro flatly states

"My masters orders" Hanzo replied

"He was dying already and you knew he have mere days before he passed." Kotaro yelled "You will pay."

"No we will not fight here" Hanzo said rasing his hand. "If you truly wish to settle this meet me at the site of the Ikko-Ikki temple of Hongan-ji or better said Osaka castle."

"Agreed" Kotaro told him

I couldn't belive what I heard. It's like my nightmares are coming true. Kotaro going to Osaka castle. If my dreams are correct Kotaro will meet his death at that castle.

"When the moon is full and the tide shifts we will finish this." Hanzo said before fading away.

Kotaro brought me to safety as Odawara castle was taken by the Toyotomi.

The die has been cast

The sound of cannon fire catches Nene and I off guard. Why would there be cannons here in the forest? I'm not that close to Osaka Castle. At least not yet. I turn my attention back to Nene. I move to strike her, but she counters me and knocks me down. I admit, I haven't trained as much since moving in with the Sanada clan. But I won't give up. I have to see him again, I must. I get back up and face her. She's too skilled for somebody like me. Maybe if I get into her head, I'd might stand a better chance.

"So, does Lord Hideyoshi appreciate what you do for him? I asked as we clashed swords once more.

"Well of course he does, he loves me." Nene said.

"Then why does he play with his courtesans so much?" I asked taking the offensive. "I know if I was his wife, I would feel hurt. I would feel like I wasn't good enough. Hurts doesn't it, Nene. Good enough for the battlefield, but not the bedroom."

"Shut up." Nene yelled. "I'm the only woman in his life."

I could see the rage building up in her eyes. She's starting to get sloppy. Her strikes are more wild. I kick her back and swing my sword get a bit of her cheek. First blood. In the back of my mind, I feel kind of bad. She's such a nice lady, but all is fair in love and war. No pun intended.

"Come on Nene, Lord Hideyoshi isn't a one woman man." I said seeing how far I could push before she loses it. "Lord Ujiyasu told me tales of the monkey back when he served Nobunaga. If what he says is true, you aren't even his first wife. I'll even let you in on a secret, your husband asked me to join his harem. I guess he likes his woman young and judging from your appearance, you best days are behind you."

"I'm going to kill you." Nene said jumping back.

She put her daggers in one hand. She started doing hand signs. From what I've seen with Kotaro, that can't be good. I won't let finish. I move to attack her, but a giant cloud of smoke appears. When the dust settles, there are 10 Nene clones. Maybe I pushed her just a bit too far.

"Do you have anything left to say?" The Nene clones said in unison. "There going to be your last words so make them count."

Suddenly, a cannonball drops in front of me.

"Try picking on someone your own size." Someone said.

Then some huge musclebound guy drops down from out of nowhere. He has a cannon on his back and is carrying a club. Nene and her clones are in shock.

"Who are you?" The Nene clones asked.

"Ah, you don't me." He said. "The name is Goemon Ishikawa, the king of thieves. Surely you heard the name before, haven't you?"

He strikes a pose. This guy is out there.

"Nope, not really." The Nene clones said.

Goemon turns to me.

"Well, I know you must have." Goemon said with hopeful eyes. "You hang out with Kotaro. Kotaro, Hanzo, and I are the cream of the crop when it comes to being a ninja. So I know Kotaro said something about me."

"Now that I think about it, he did mention a big oaf that used to hang out with Hanzo." I told him.

"I'll take it." Goemon said striking another pose.

"Excuse me, but this is between us and her." The Nene clones said. "This doesn't concern you. So get lost."

"Actually, now it is my concern." Goemon said. "If you mess with her, you mess with me. She wants to save Kotaro from what seems like imminent death. Kotaro saved me once, I never returned the favor. Now I can. If you want her, you will have to go through me."

"It will take more than you to stop us." The Nene clones said.

"He's not alone." A familiar voice said.

The kunoichi drops down with daggers of her own.

"Follow the northwestern path, it's the fastest way." Kunoichi whispers to me. "The big guy and I will handle this."

"Thank you." I said starting to back away.

Goemon swung his club around and started slamming it on the ground.

"Come one, come all, one way ticket to the afterlife right here." Goemon yelled. "I, Goemon Ishikawa, the king of thieves, will not let you pass."

"You are so embarrassing." The kunoichi said rubbing her head.

I got on my horse and ride off. I follow kunochi's directions and take the northwestern path. I kick my horse's sides to pick up speed. I can't see the moon anymore, I don't have any more time to waste. Lightning flashes across the sky. The rain pours down, but my face is already wet.

"Please don't be dead." I said out loud.

I don't care anymore. I don't care if they hear me. Let the world know. I love Kotaro Fuma. I have been always referred to as boy, or an animal, or a some kind of beast because I liked to fight and wanted to help defend my home. He never treated me any differently. In some way, I felt a connection to him. He's weird too, in his own little ways. I lost lord Ujiyasu, I won't lose him too.

"Don't you die on me." I said outloud. "I'm coming, just hold on."

My horse falls over. I get up and start running. I can see Osaka Castle. I'm almost there. I see Toyotomi and Tokugawa troops surrounding the aera.

"Move." I shouted getting by.

Inside of the circle is Kotaro, standing over Hanzo with his gauntlet at his throat. Hideyoshi, Ieyasu, Tadakatsu, and Ina are all there standing. Just what is going on here? Why are they just watching?

"Hanzo, I guess this is the last chapter of our story." Kotaro said.

"I guess so." Hanzo said.

Kotaro raises his arm.

"Hold it, you defeated Hanzo in fair combat, kill him and I will retailate." Ieyasu said.

"That won't be necessary, Ieyasu." Hideyoshi said.

"What do you mean?" Ieyasu asked.

"Reguardless of the outcome, the Fuma ninja will die." Hideyoshi said. "I was hoping your ninja would get the job done, but he failed. You had your chance. The ninja will die by Toyotomi hands. Archers, prepare to fire."

"Wait, please." I yelled running closer to Kotaro.

"Stop." Kotaro said putting his hand up. "Stay back."

I stop in my tracks.

"I didn't come here to kill Hanzo." Kotaro said. "If I wanted to kill Hanzo, I would done it years ago. Beating him was more of closure. I was really looking for a place to die."

Kotaro looked me.

"I didn't want you to see me die." Kotaro said. "I made a promise to look after Ujiyasu. I fulfilled my promise and stood by his side till the end. I have no more reason to live. The winds of chaos no longer call my name. The land is united and there is peace. Almost. There will be peace when the final threat is eliminated."

"Don't do this." I said. "You have me. Think about me. I know it's selfish, but I don't want to say goodbye. Please stay for me, I love you."

"Kai, forgive me." Kotaro said before leaping into the air.

"Fire." Hideyoshi said.

"NOOOOO." I screamed.

Kotaro will shot down by arrows. He came crashing down to the ground. I fall to my knees. One by one they all leave me alone with Kotaro's body as the rain pours down. A small puppy nudges me. I look at it.

"Hey there." I said.

The puppy nudges me again. Then it runs away. Weird. A couple of seconds later it comes back and nudges me for a third time. I think it wants me to follow it. So I get up and follow it. I'm being led to the forest and to a pack of wolves. Kotaro's wolves.

"At least I still have you guys." I said petting a wolf. "Kotaro would never let me pet you guys. Well now he's not here to stop me."

Suddenly someone grabs my hand and there he is.

"Who says I'm not?" Kotaro said.

My jaw hits the floor.

"But, I just saw you die." I said.

"I've been through worse." Kotaro said.

I punch him in the stomach.

"Don't ever do that to me again." I told him.

Kotaro smiles.

"It's going to be easy adjusting to times of peace." Kotaro said.

"I'll help you through it." I said extending my hand.

He takes it and we disappear together as the sun comes out.

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Author's Note: That's it. I hope you enjoyed it