The Siege of Kaminogo

He stood tying the final pieces of the guards' armor on his body and stood staring at the group in front of him wearing similar pieces of armor. "We look the part, and now we wait for our work to begin." He turned and sat on the roof watching the cloudy sky with a smile. "Even the heavens are on our side for this coming battle."

"Everything is ready, young Hattori, do you think that we'll be in a battle at all?" He shook his head as he looked at the kneeling men in front of him. "If everything goes to plan, we shouldn't have any blood on our blades, but if we start some fires it should be fine." He looked at the ring of campfires start to light up around the city, smiling. "The young lord seems to know how to put on a show at least."

"WE'RE UNDER ATTACK! SOUND THE ALARM!"

He looked down at the street with guards running around holding their sword hilts. He felt his heartbeat in time to the loud ringing of the bells, as they sounded out throughout the city. He sat in thought watching soldiers run throughout the streets, and the sound of people climbing the city walls standing and watching the campfires in the forests around them. He smiled as he saw a figure pass through the streets, heading towards the walls. "He has taken the bait it seems."

Turning he looked at his men. "Its time to move. If the young lord doesn't make some fire, we'll be the ones to start it." He climbed down from the roof and started walking in formation with the others around in. He followed them through the city streets until they stopped in front of the castle gates. He looked at the walls of the castle. "Even when the castle is under attack, the walls still shine in the light." He looked at the others around him in silent thought. "The young lord hasn't started yet, we need to cause a little bit of trouble. Start the fires."

"Yes, young Hattori." He watched as a small group of Iga men left him, and went running down the streets throwing the fire oil bombs that he'd been producing for this night. "I'll have to make more it seems, as fire started to light up the city."

"We should keep moving young Hattori." He turned, nodding at the guard next to him, and held his lantern in front of him as he crossed through the castle gates and into the castle grounds. He looked around admiring the gardens. "Let's hurry, we need to find them, and a few more. We don't have a lot of time before the young lord decides to make a move." He increased his pace with the others as they walked through the castle climbing the wooden stairs, and ignoring everyone that they walked past.

"Guards? Are we safe here in the castle?" He stopped and looked at the two young men staring at them. He smiled, nodding in their direction. "You'll be safe, the guards are here, and also the general."

"Yes. The great general is our father, that's why we ask." He turned smiling at the guards. "If you would like we're going to get the Matsudaira family and take them to a safe place for the general. Would you like to come with us as well?"

"Yes. We'll come with you. We don't want to bring dishonor to our father." He nodded at them, bowing in their direction. "Come, my men will make sure you're safe." He turned looking at the others. "We need to complete the mission the general gave us. Let us grab the Matsudaira family, before moving to safety."

"Yes. Captain." He smiled as he let the generals children lead them to the young lord's family. He stood at the door, before opening it and walking in on them staring through a window. "What is it now? What does the general want to do to us further?" He shook his head. "The general has asked me and my men to move you to a safe location so that you don't get hurt in the midst of battle."

"That's kind of him. Come child lets go."

"I want to see the battle. Can't we stay here?" He looked at the young son. "We can't stay here, they'll aim for the castle, and try and kill everyone inside. It's better if we were outside. There's a safe place where you'll be able to see all the things that happen. Don't look sad, or when your father sees you, he'll think you have forgotten what it means to be a man." He saw the young boy straighten up. "I won't let my father down."

"We're ready." He turned to the young lord's wife, waving at them, to walk with them inside the small square the Iga men had made with their bodies. He carried the lantern in front of them, staring at the large fires outside the castle grounds through passing windows. "They went overboard with the fire I think."

"Not enough fire I think. They should lite more." He looked at the guard next to him. "We have a mission to complete. Let's focus on that, and hope not too many civilians lose their lives tonight."

"You don't need to worry about that. They're the ones that are the best for your network." He nodded with a smile. "Correct. If you see any with potential, let me know, and I'll go seek them out in the future."

"As the captain commands." They crossed through the castle gates, and ran through the streets, as fire roared over their heads. He looked up at the medicinal hall running through its entrance, with the others pushing them through, into the herb garden in the back. He felt the ground shake, turning and saw the castle in the distance turn into flames. He turned to look at the young lord's family and the general's children. "See, we're almost safe."

"Thank you, guard. My father will take note of your great service." He nodded, bowing at their figures. "I'm sure that he will."

"You're finally here, good. The exit is this way." He looked up at the merchant owner and urged the group to follow them through the garden, and to a wall hidden by trees and vines. "It's on the other side of this wall. They're waiting there." He smiled and urged the group to start climbing the wall.

"You're expecting me to climb those vines and trees to safety?" He nodded at the young lord's wife. "The safe point is just on the other side of this wall. I apologize for making you climb here, but once you get over you'll be safe. We'll be able to keep you safe from any enemy attack."

"Fine. I'll have to thank you. But I don't understand why someone like you and your men are serving the Udono here at all. He's not exactly the best lord, not like my husband. He may be young, but he's a smart man." He looked at the woman with a smile on his face. "Please climb for now, and we can talk later. Your life is in danger until you get to the other side."

He watched as the group climbed up the wall, and he followed them last. He landed on the other side and knelt on the ground with the others at the shadowy figure approaching them in the darkness.

"Wife. Son, I finally see you again. It seems I also see the children of Udono. I hope both of you are unharmed."

He smiled as the light from the lanterns revealed the young lord in his armor looking at the group. "Husband. Is it you?"

"It's me wife. I'm here to take you home with me."

"These guards? Do they serve you?"

"Yes, they do. They've done exceptional tonight. Excellent work Masanari. You and your men should be commended." He stood up looking at the young lord. "We need to move from here, we're still not safe."

"Yes. We shall move back into the forest. My men will be turning this city into ashes." He turned looking at the walls of the beautiful city. "Farewell. I hope many of the civilians will be able to escape."

"Don't worry Masanari, my men will make sure as many civilians will be able to leave this place with their lives. The soldiers from Udono, aren't as lucky." He walked behind the young lord, as they moved further into the forest.

"What about our father? Will you kill him?" He looked at the children, and then at the young lord. "What will he choose?"

"Not at all. You'll see him again, don't worry. His life won't be ended because of me. I still have use for him." He smiled at the young lord. "He's learned a lot during the times he was held, hostage."

"Thank you." He stood staring at the fires over Kaminogo rose high into the night sky. "Masanari. This plan was a success because of you and your men. I have many more missions for you and them to do in the future, as long as you decide to continue to serve me." He bowed at the young lord. "We'll keep serving. However, there's something that we must discuss in private."

"What is it?" He frowned at the group of soldiers around the young lord. "I have words that should only be for your ears."

"Very well. Follow me. Come, wife and son. We have much to discuss since we've been apart for too long."

He looked at the young lord's tent hidden amongst the trees, smiling. "Good use of cover. However, if they used fire arrows, it'd be destroyed in an instant."

"That's why I have several of these tents throughout the forest. Enter, and we can talk freely. Wife, son please wait a few more moments as Masanari and I have something to discuss in private." He followed the young lord into the tent, watching the young lord sit, removing his ornate helmet. "You can speak freely here."

He looked around and listened to the sounds outside the tent. "It seems that there's a spy amongst your troops my lord."

"How do you know that?"

"The general who lorded over this city would disguise himself as a merchant, and I managed to get some information out of him in passing. It seems the Imagawa also wants to unify Japan but under the Imagawa clan flag. He also told me that he knew of your movements as you headed here."

"As we passed through, we didn't see any guards or scouts. We followed the map you gave. So if your words are correct, then someone in this army here is a follower of Imagawa." He nodded. "Its the only thing that makes sense. Don't worry, the Iga men and I will find the spy and use them to our advantage."

"What do you have in mind Masanari?"

"I'll have to be honest."

"That's fine. I rather have honesty, than deceit." He nodded at the young lord. "At the moment your forces are too small, and the land you occupy is tiny, as the Udono general said, stuck between two wolves. You need to build your forces, and build your army."

"How do you propose to do that? We're going to side with Oda, and help him in his plans." He nodded. "Yes, that's the start of it, however, I suggest we also work on making allies, and building a network of information, so we'll know what everyone wants, or where they'll be, so we can use the forces you have efficiently and effectively."

"I like your plan Masanari. This means you want to be the head of this information network, and report to me." He nodded. "That I can. My Iga men and I will be able to gather all the information, and then you can use it to strengthen your position, in Oda's army."

"I'm really glad you're with me Masanari. You have my blessing. We can talk more about this network later. I wish to see my family." He bowed at the young lord, leaving the tent. "He wants to see you both now." He watched as both of them ran into the tent. "I should get this armor off." He looked back towards the forest at the Iga men standing by, walking up to them. "What is our next mission?"

He smiled at them. "Information is our next mission. The information network has been approved. All lords, I want to know everything about them. Let's make this happen."

"Yes, young Hattori."