Leave Your Head Here!!

“I see.” He understands now, whoever escapes dies in a grisly death by shadow and arrows. A cruel tactic that is effective to ensure nobody leaves alive. Guess he hoped Yoichi won’t screw it up then. But as thee commander failed to regroup it was indeed an opening. Since Toyohisa saw him first, Yukimura will get his, someday.

“He’s yours for the taking.” Patience is indeed a virtue for him. He never found any worth on that one to him, anyway. He watches the poor man dies in the other’s hand.

“Heh...”

Oh well. Toyohisa thought as he got into a stance as he is ready to launch himself into the crowd with his feet. He inhales and then he lets out a battler cry which startles the ready-to-flee soldiers. As Toyohisa sprints, the bewildered and scared soldiers unwittingly made a path for him.

 A path straight to their commander.  Toyohisa jumps and use one of the soldiers’ helemts as a stepping stone to get into the air higher. Within his sights, it’s the commander staring at him wide-eyed with a opened mouth. He still had that expression once the Shimazu samurai dives in and swings his sword once the blade made contact with his skin. 

Well it was a good thing that Unohana had studied her homework thanks to some historical sources from the World of the Living. She never knew why he had to do that but could it something to test her if she knew these men in their historic times. She will play along.

As she closes her eyes and focusing on thinking to the answers, now she answers.

“The Fool of Owari, Demon King of the Sixth Heaven. Nobunaga Oda.” She isn’t going to lie of how impressive his accomplishments is. “You have done a lot of things in your time. Things that changed the country since it was in a brink of chaos.” She already answered his guess but her eyes are focused outside. There are two elves running towards them.

“It seems that they need something. I will go to them.” This will be a demonstration that she can heal them with no ease.

Toyohisa listen to Unohana’s answer.  It is correct. All of it. It’s true that Nobunaga did a lot of things since the country is in the brink of chaos. Then again, the country is already in chaos during their time. 

“Good. Though I rather not be called Fool of Owari, mind you, despite what others think.” Nobuanga waved his hand.

There is a snort.

“Oi! Toyo, you got something to say???” Nobunaga asked as he heard that snort from the crimson samurai, “I highly doubt this woman, Unohana here knows about you and your clan from the boonies.”

Toyohisa narrows his eyes, “What do you said?!” 

Though his reaction goes unnoticed, she’s grinning ear to ear yet again, showing her glee to her request being accepted. However, the thoughts of meeting his family, the Shimazu clan– now that was going to be interesting. 

“Good! Can’t wait!” Eyes shine with readiness to get going. A good drink and food was definitely needed after today. Naps in forests were nice as well, and sleeping near the water was too, but she needed comfort. Soft beds and warm blankets; how long has it even been since she’s slept at an inn? Well, at least Toyohisa was kind enough to accept her, so she could rest her bones in the way meant to. It meant getting to know the red samurai better too. His company’s been pleasant, and poking fun at him is just too entertaining.

“Not long at all.” She replies while hands move to clasp behind her back. “It doesn’t take me long to get around, but I usually take my time to get from one place to another. They’re not going anywhere anyways, so what’s the rush?” With a brief shrug of her shoulders, she unclasps her hands and lets them hang at her sides. 

“Speaking of traveling, have you ever been outside of Japan? It’s a big world out there; I figured if you haven’t, you could join me in the future to do broaden your horizons a little.” Just a simple thought, not a request.

How long has it been since he, of all people in his clan brought a guest? Mostly likely never. A woman like Xiu to be exact. Warriors from other clans visit Satsuma seeking alliances or observe what they’re planning which is common in this era. But this is a new thing. Right now, he felt the need to complete the list of tasks so Xiu’s stay can be comfortable and as enjoyable as possible. 

Beds, clothing, a prepared bath, food and other things....

Walking upon the path, Shimazu Toyohisa is on his way to report back to Nobunaga. He really doesn't want to deal with him right now. But then...he sees someone buried in their book.

"Emily? What are you doing out here? Are you just reading for the time being?" Toyohisa smiles at the girl, wondering how she is faring so far.

“Anything related to first aid, conventional, herbal healing and such. I also use Minazuki in its ‘Shikai’ form to heal people or anyone through its digestive system. You will witness it soon enough.” The only reason she isn’t drawing her sword is might use its Shikai accidentally, which Unohana prevents to. Let along fighting by chances unless if she had no other choice. 

She might have to use someone’s weapon as well as she even pats the hilt of it as well. It is a thing for shinigami like her. As she heard his question if he was ahead of her time, it is a confirmation coming from her.

“Yes. Way ahead indeed.” Pretty sure she was indeed since she was Yachiru before reformed but now back to reality as she awaits if something’s bad about to happen or not.

“Is that so? Interesting. Very interesting! I think it’s good to have a doctor in our midst.” Nobunaga nodded. “That said, if you’re way ahead in our time. I figure you had a good idea of who we are in the past. Or rather in history, don’t you?”

Oh, here we go. Toyohisa crossed his arms. Nobunaga always brags about his status to anyone whose from the future. He always said that he wants to scare any person in the future from their world just for the fun of it. He can’t believe he’s going to do right this now. 

“Fair enough.” As he did await for the enemy commander to show up, Yukimura was already on the same house where Toyohisa stood. Knowing Nobunaga’s tactical genius, the Sanada man believed in it and he noticed the stench of feces and manure, literally many things else, now he sees a rain of arrows coming right at them.

The sound of confusion, anguish and death were all together. Imagine one of those arrows hit and things will not end well. It always ends worse. Morale from the Orte forces were plummeted instantly as he sees the other surviving soldiers running away for their lives.

“Should we chase them?” He only looked at those running soldiers that were lucky. Pursuit can be a good idea unless the ones at the forest sides were well concealed.

He awaits next.

“Nobunaga said not to. Yoichi will take care of them, he said.” Toyohisa informs him while looking for an opening. And then finally, Toyohisa grins.

 “Yurimura, would you like to do the honors or should I?” He asked when he points at the Commander trying to regin the soldiers in but fails. Because of that the retreat and the raining arrows decrease their numbers, leaving a opening for two samurais.

“Don’t underestimate them because they’re small as it comes with different sizes. I have my reasons why i kill them.” Bernard should give them insights of how goblins do behave, attack and literally many more than he can imagine. After all, his village was destroyed by the goblins, leaving many dead including his older sister.

“Those things the woman said was right, but they’re more hellbent. They kidnap women and taking them to their nest, using them to breed more of their kin until their captives die. These goblins are adept in ambushes.” He had explained about their motives. Goblins are a threat as well if one isn’t careful. “Goblins always hide in the shadows and attack in numbers where they overwhelm their victim.” By that, sometimes they mutilate their target if its a male but if its a female, it was better to leave it vague and unmentioned as Senna doesn’t want to remember that tragic thing happened to her childhood friend.

“There are Hobgoblins of different types. There are Champions and there are Lords that lead the goblins. Some of them even can use magic as well. You will meet those things soon enough.” He had told them what were the other goblin types, now hoping the Octobrists and the Drifters understand that they were a biggest threat as well other than Ends and Orte.

Toyohisa listens to Bernard when he went into depth about these ‘goblins’, they sound worst than Oni and any youkai he ever heard of. He couldn’t believe that Bernard had such creatures in his world. Still....

“That’s.....” Olmine  is surprised by the information that Bernard gave. The creatures that he described are similar to the goblins in this world. “correct.” She has no other words but that. “Though I didn’t know there is label called Champions or Lords. But like you said, there are hobogoblins of different types. Big ones, ones who can use magic and ones who are slightly...more humaniod.” Olmine said. 

“So what you’re saying is that these goblins are dangerous rats if left unchecked and will become a bigger problem for us in the future unless we get rid of them, is that’s what you’re getting at, hm?” Nobunga seems mused by this information. “If that’s the case, then I think hunting down goblins would be a good idea as a good pastime. I figure the enemy would send these goblins as a first wave or use in a way for something like that. What do you think, Toyo?”

“It’s as you said, Nobunaga. Though I never fought a goblin. Only...humans like the Orte and the Ends’ soldiers....well...what I don’t know what they are when they tried to ambush when we took over..” 

Oh, she was very aware of this country being at war. Did her previous words really make it seem like she disliked war? She wasn’t trying to make it seem as such, but she can rephrase that part later if she happens to remember.

His answer to taking her out brought a happy smile to her face. To her, hunting at night didn’t seem dangerous at all– due to reasons, but then she wouldn’t be able to get the red samurai to pay for her. However, before she made her choice, she bounds away from Toyohisa and near the river once more to pick up a bloody bag. “Don’t forget this, by the way.” It was that bag of heads he had with him earlier. “Can’t have animals developing a taste for human flesh, can we?” She smirked temporarily as she walked back over to hand the bag to him.

“I can eat anything– almost anything, actually. I love fish and dango’s pretty good too. Japanese cuisine’s delicious in general!” She prides with a single hop and a skip away from him before giving a turn in his direction. 

“But I’ll eat anywhere you think’s good.” This was fun. She’s been out and about with people before, but there was just something about Toyohisa. To her, he had that…charismatic feel, reminding her of old companions; it felt…somewhat nostalgic. 

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to repay you,” she continued. “Especially if you let me– oh I dunno, room in your home for a night or two.” She sends in an innocent gaze through lashes…only ephemerally before adding with a pout, gently pinned brows, and a briefly dismissive hands waving  in front of her. “Not for anything…perverted, if that’s what you’re thinkin’!” Hands lower but one is placed on her chest. “I just need a place to stay. I rather not make the trip back to China too soon, y’know.”

“Right.” He almost forgot about that which isn’t like him. He nods and takes the bloody bag, then have slung over his shoulder on his back. “Thank you.” He tells Xiu. After asking what she would like to eat. It’s good to hear that Xiu likes fish. “Good! Then I know a good tavern that serves such good food.” Toyohisa nodded. 

He has to admit, Xiu is strange for a woman. Yet, it feels refreshing to meet someone like her.  it made him curious, he hopes he can know her better once they get to the tavern.

“I don’t need your repayment. My loss is part of the condition due to our battle therefore I must honor it. So no need for that.” Toyohisa shakes his head with a small smile. But then suddenly, she said something that made him widen his widen eyes and swirled his head at her in disbelief. Stay at his home for a night? Did she just said that? He heard that, right? If he has to, how is he going to explain this to his relatives, his uncle especially?! They keep whispering about him as they worried that he is focusing on the next battle and not other things. They worried that he’s not looking for a woman and- Not for anything…perverted, if that’s what you’re thinkin’!”

“O-of course! I will let my housemaids know so they can prepare a room for you then!” Gah! Pull yourself together, Toyohisa! Why in the hell did you think that?! Don’t be ridiculous! Toyohisa rubs his temple for a moment. He swears to God that his cousins, his uncle and vassals won’t question on why in the world did he brought a woman to the house. 

Unohana’s first to see different beings than the normal human, arrancar or quincy. This is a new sight for her to see as they do what they’re usually do in daily lives in this world. The castle ruins must be a place where the fellow drifter stays. There could be more as she wasn’t alone.

Minazuki stays in the sheaths, for now since she’s about to meet the other present here.

“Hello. I am Retsu Unohana, former captain of Squad 4 of the Gotei 13.” A bow of courtesy, similar to how Japanese do to introducing themselves. “I am on your side as i have met the man in white in a corridor full of doors.”

“Hah! That man send a woman here?!” A middle-aged man wearing a eyepatch leans in on his seat. He looks curious and amused by this. “I wondered when we get a woman on our side.” He chuckles. 

“Lady Unohana states that she’s a warrior and a medic on the field, Nobunaga.” Toyohisa tells him firmly. 

Silence. Even as the red samurai sounded off his name, they weren’t responding. Ike’s ears were tuned towards the trees around them, and picks up the sound of whispers. “Sounds like they’re discussing something between each other…” He spoke in a hushed tone. Xiu may not of been in this world for as long as Toyohisa and the others, but she knows their actions, through conversation with the elves mostly. The Drifters, from their first fight against the Orte to save the elves, to rescuing the dwarves, to the capture of the capital, they’ve made a name for themselves. 

Dismounting from the front of the carriage, Xiu advances past the horses before speaking. “There’s no reason to hide! It’s me, Feng Xiu, and–” Hushes become more clear on the wind; they spoke in surprise. 

She’s back?! Xiu’s come back!  Is it really her? She must of found the Drifters!

With several pig and kobold heads poking out at a time to peek from the shadows, a few were brave enough to approach, their bodies shaped like kobolds until they began to shift in plain sight. From their previous forms, they revert to sickly, pale and skinny folk wearing tattered like clothing and bare feet. Eyes held no pupils, and each head of hair was colored either silver or gray. Despite how they looked, they were obviously in high spirits to meet the one who defended them from the Orte before, and though their overlapping glee was getting a bit overwhelming, Xiu was happy nonetheless to see the people who saved her life. 

“It’s good to see you all again! I found the Drifters, but don’t worry. They’re all good.” With a grin, she hoped for their approval in them being with her. Maybe introducing them would help. “The red guy’s Toyohisa, from what you heard already. The others are: Yoichi, Ike the wolf man, Brougher the dwarf, and Nikora. Toyo and Yoichi are Drifters like me, and we all just wanna talk.”

The changelings who approached earlier exchanged looks of light skepticism before one came closer with a gesturing hand. “Anything for our savior, but–” His hand lowers with a soft frown, “…if this is about…joining a side…” He trails off, and talks amongst one another pick back up. With a frown of her own forming, Xiu looks to Toyohisa before looking back to the changelings.

“T-That’s…why we’re here, but for now, let’s not talk about that. Can you take us to the village?” Maybe Aert was there. This chance to try and recruit the race that spared her from dying of sickness, gives the chance to repay the changeling who took the most time out of his day just to care for her. 

“Of course, but be warned: the presence of your friends may overwhelm everyone. We’ve heard the stories of the Drifters, but–” One of the other changelings had spoke up but cuts himself off with a hang of his head. 

“It’s okay. I’ve heard things too, but I promise they’re not going to hurt any of you guys.” A boost of confidence is what they needed, and Xiu was happy to give it to them. With that, the changelings would start to break apart, and back to their previous positions, except for one, who would lead them to the village. Staying on foot, Xiu gestured Toyohisa to control the carriage while she walked with the changeling. 

It wasn’t too far, but upon arriving, it was shadowed like the rest of the forest, with logged homes scattered about, like a simple little village. 

“By the way you’ve got patrols hiding away, I’m thinking things haven’t been well?”

“No…but we’re standing, even though it’s barely. You may not remember me, but my name is Tuc, and you can park your carriage near our stables to the west.” He points in the direction it was in. 

“It’s nice to meet you, Tuc.” She smiled softly. “I’m sorry it’s been rough, and I wish I was around to help…” Was it the Orte again, or the Ends…? “Oh! How’s Aert? I didn’t see him back with the others.” Tuc halts with a saddened grimace upon turning to her. 

“Aert…h-he was killed…along with others. He always wondered if you were doing well, what with him having been the one who took care of you… I’m sorry.” Xiu’s face was quick to change into a more somber look. Lids close with a lower of her head, a drop in her chest upon hearing the news. 

“It’s fine… War’s never kind…”

A moment of silence. She’ll have to see if she could visit his grave if he was given a burial. 

“…I-I take you wish to talk still?? Is it…a-about picking a side…?”

“I see. So they must of discussing on what to do.” Toyohisa replied as he heard Ike said about picking their conversation. When Xiu dismount from her carriage, Toyohisa is not worried, well, he is concerned but he recalled that Xiu met them before meeting him and the rest of the Drifters. Ike listens to their conversation when Xiu announced herself to the changelings. “Looks like they do know her.” Ike tells Nikora. Then figures beginning to approach the carriage, Nikora became startled when she sees kodlod and pigs but then she realizes that the Changeling can change their forms into someone else. Ike looks apprehensive as the Changelings approached since they look like the Drifters’ enemies. 

But then the Changelings revert to their orignal forms. Pale, skinny and they look sickly although this is what they look like. Their is gray and silver as they have no pupils. These beings wear tattered clothing. To Yoichi, he heard of people using disguise to get inilfrate enemy’s lines but nothing like this where people change their shape and face so quickly and so effective like it’s a reflex. Yoichi lowers his bow and arrow as Xiu introduces him and the rest to the Changelings. 

“Hello.” Toyohisa nods to them respectfully. After all, these are friends of Xiu. Still, they must already know what’s going on, of course. The war between the ends and Drifters.  Toyohisa smiles when Xiu tells the changelings to ensure them they won’t mean any harm. Toyohisa kept slient. For now, he is following Xiu’s lead.

One of the changelings named Tuc informs Xiu to park their carriage in the west. “Will do.” Toyohisa responded. He listened to their conversation regarding until he heard that Xiu’s friends, Aer she said is killed in battle. He closes his eyes as he can imagine Xiu felt hearing that. 

Once Toyohisa park the carriage near the stables on their west side. He goes to over Xiu’s side regarding the state of business they need to address with Tuc and the changelings. 

“Eh?” Toyohisa is bleeding. Which is not new for him since he always charge head-on regardless of the danger even if it means his death. He felt someone is carrying him, “Xiu?” He asks. “Ugh...” 

Wonderful, he says. Xiu couldn’t help but chuckle at that. “You make it sound like I don’t like hearing my skills being called amazing.” It was either that word, incredible, sometimes beautiful– usually the words she would hear, but then there were people who didn’t agree with what she could do, which was fine on her part. There were going to be mortals who couldn’t handle her type of powers. “Then stick to wonderful!” She grinned momentarily.

What came next after her explanation was a question: did she dislike war? Somehow, it took her back. That kind of question was….weird. Not bad, and she wasn’t about to tease the samurai for asking her something like that. Her gaze averts up in thought while crossing her arms, as silence ensued ephemerally.

“Mmm….not…really, but…I do at the same time.” She answered slowly. The question sounded easy to answer at first, but it turned out it was a little difficult when she thought about it. Her vision shifts to the side for a moment before landing on Toyohisa, arms uncrossing. “I’m not really the best one to ask. I guess…when you’ve lived for as long as I’ve been, you’ll see tons of fighting, a lot of bloodshed– I’ve got to fight and learn experiences from other people on what their views of war are. I’ve seen people fight to survive and others die; human friends who died in battle and friends who got to live their lives until they died of old age or something. I really don’t know what else to say except, war just happens, and I can’t see ways around it. If I feel like fighting, I’ll fight, but if not, then I’m in hiding or just watching…I guess.” She waves her hand dismissively with an annoyed expression at thinking too much on it. Shouldn’t have been hard to answer at all…  

“I-It’s hard to explain really. Animals at least know how to run when they have to, but people are stubborn, and that’s just it.”  ‘They wanted me to learn different… Did you think I was that bad, you stupid ol’ lizards?’

With her hand lowering and giving a light shake of the head, she starts to laugh some while sauntering over to Toyohisa.

“All in all though, whether I fight or not, I’m still protectin’. I’m not someone who abandons her friends, no matter who or what they are.” She turns face towards the foxes, who began to make chirps and barks. It seemed they were ready to leave. She smiled and waved a hand at them as a see you later sort of gesture before they went bounding off back into the wild. With that, she was back to looking at Toyohisa and places a hand on his shoulder.

“So…I’ve got questions for you too, Mr. Samurai, but I think it’s about time I get something in my stomach.” Once again, she flashes her signature grin at him. “How about taking me to get something good to eat and treating me?? Oh, or you could hunt me a meal~. You did lose after all~~.” A teasing wink, and a pat on the shoulder was given before walking past him, but she only took two steps past him before stopping to look over her shoulder at him. “Unless you’ve got things to do, then I’ll just come along for the hell of it. That okay?”

“I didn’t say that!” Toyohisa frowned, crossing his arms as he retorted. “What I meant was...that you probably get that a lot! So....” Toyohisa has no words to add to that. “Yes! Wonderful fits it perfectly.” He puffs his chest out. “I’ll stick with that!” 

As for asking what she thinks about war. The reason for asking that is because her powers can be valuable asset to any warlord but having a woman such as Xiu on the battlefield? It’s unthinkable. Using someone is not shameful but disgraceful and dishonorable. Any warrior would think twice or rather cut her down. The thought of it made Toyohisa grit his teeth at that thought.  “You don’t??” Toyohisa blinked in surprise. Then she said she does at the same time. Does that mean...she has to defend herself against all that bloodshed. Toyohisa listened to her further which made him slightly widen his eyes at this. So she did fought. Or rather she experience war by the sound of it as if she lived a long time.

“I see. The way you explain makes it sounds you don’t like war which is understandable. This country always in war. Either with its neighborhoods or with other countries. Soon, this land will be unified, hopefully....” If Toyohisa were to be honest, he did enjoy war. He lives for the thrill on the battlefield, hoping to find worthy opponents and bring glory to his clan, the Shimazu. Yet at the same time, he did understand why people didn’t like war or rather he understood what people are protecting. Of course, he wants to protect the Shimazu clan, its head and their  homeland of Satsuma. 

Toyohisa blinked when he heard that Xiu’s request. Huh? Food? 

“Huh? Food!?” Toyohisa exclaimed. Treating her to a meal? He could do that. But what happens if people ask silly questions. But he did lose so he has to honor his loss and of course, Xiu’s request. “Ugh....very well. What would you like to eat? But, I’m not hunting! Because...right now, it’s getting dark which is unwise and foolish! So....I know a place that serves a good meal.” 

Yukimura did also his part as whenever he saw an Orte Soldier, he merely slashes and stabs them on the exposed necks with his spear. This was nothing to him as he was an experienced warrior of his time. Morale on the enemy side were disoriented due to the attack the Drifters had caused. He was serious and shows no remorse to them.

It didn’t took them long enough to eliminate them. Now at the rendezvous point on where they supposed to meet.

“They’re all dead on my side. Now, what’s the next objective?” He knew it’s not over yet. There’s many things to do around here.

It looks like we gave time to Nobunaga and the elves to entrapped them since they brought them time to build a wooden fence and going to unleash their deadly rain on the Orte soliders.