battlefield

"We really should make a battle plan..." Nagahide said in a meeting with Harumi and Hidemasa. The enemy had been stationed outside the castle for a few days now and people were getting restless. Harumi had heard from a lot of people that they were willing to fight, something that was really admirable in her opinion.

"Yes, but I only want to use it if it's absolutely necessary." Harumi sighted. It was good that considering everything the moral of the people was still high, she didn't want to risk their lives for nothing.

"No of course, but we need a plan for the worst case scenario." Hidemasa said.

"Yes." Harumi mumbled while looking at a map. "I know it isn't ideal, but we can only have two devisions. Both of you will be leading them." She continued. "I would like to lead one devision myself, but I don't have enough fighting skills, so I want to assemble a small platoon what I will lead and disarm the heavy weaponry."

"Oke, It is indeed not ideal, but I think we can make it work." Hidemasa said with a stern look on his face, deep in thought. It took them a long time to find the best course of action, were they to go to battle. Luckily, the two warlords promised her that they would only put the plan in motion after she gave the green light.

Harumi was making her rounds while she was accompanied by Lin-chan when an advisor came running up to her.

"Lady...Nodime...Sama." The elderly man said out of breath while making a sloppy bow. "The Togashi clan are readying themselves to attack!" The man continued. Without a word Harumi sprinted away to the courtyard. A lot of people already heard the news and were trying to find someone in charge. As soon as Harumi came in the courtyard, Hidemasa walked up to her. He made a small bow and took her to one of the watch towers. They had a clean view of the enemies camp. Harumi could easily distinguish all the soldiers putting on their armor and readying themselves for battle.

"Okay, get everyone ready, we will attack them." Harumi said with a sly smile. Hidemasa gave her a shocked look. He didn't think the lady of the castle would actually go to battle, but only try to defend the castle itself.

"Why now?" He asked slightly confused.

"Well, if our suspicions are correct, the Togashi clan and Kyoano clan are working together. Something changed so the Togashi clan has run out of time and needs to take the castle now. That means Nobunaga had won the battle and is on his way back." She explained while walking away from the castle wall to prepare herself for battle. Hidemasa made another bow before he left to assemble everybody for an attack.

"I'll go get Masa-kun and Rike-chan to help you put your armor on Nohime." Lin-chan said when they were alone again. Lin-chan had followed her up the tower and had also seen the enemy. Harumi could tell that her maid was scared, but was trying her best to be brave. She made a mental note to thank all her maids afterwards for all the help and support they had been.

"Thank you." She said in a soft voice, trying to take some of the anxiety away for Lin-chan."I'll be in Nobunaga's room." Lin-chan made a bow and hurried of while Harumi continued her way to Nobunaga's room. Once she was finally alone she dropped the facade. She was so extremely scared. She had no idea what to do. She just wanted to go home. She tried to get her mind of off things and tried to drink something but her hands were shaking so much she couldn't even hold the cup. Before she new it her maids came barging in. She tried to give them a confident look but failed miserably.

"It will be alright." Masa-kun said while petting her head.

"Will it?" Harumi asked in a squeaky voice. She noticed that her heart began to beat faster and faster, just like her breathing.

"Calm down, Nohime. Everything will go according to plan." Lin-chan said while holding her hands. Harumi had to struggle to not have a hyperventilation attack. Due to the sweet words and gentle touched of her maids she made it trough and became a bit calmer. After her breathing was back to normal they started to put the armor on her. They took her normal kimono away and swapped it for a more sturdy one with slimmer arms and a looser skirt so she could move more freely. They also helped her get in some pants. This was the first time in a while she wore pant again. In her own time she almost always wore pants. Her school uniform had a skirt of course, but other than that she only had one dress. She didn't like to wear dresses and skirts because she always had to pay attention how she was sitting and stuff like that. Since she came to the past she had only wore kimono's that were very uncomfortable. To wear pants again for a change was actually really nice. After they had helped her put on some clothes, they helped her with the armor. They put her in some sort of chain mail that was extremely heavy. On top of that they also strapped a breast plate and arm protectors on her. A belt with a sword and a pistol made the ensemble complete. Harumi was ready to go and fight.