[Senkumo Saga: Book of Blossoming]: Masachika Togashi

That night, after Tsukiakari and all of the Senkumo clan had gone to bed, Bishamon retired to his sacred sanctuary. Strips of moonlight dazzled on the wooden floor and off of the golden bracelets and feather ear-rings of Hachiman, who surprised Bishamon with his unsolicited visit. Hachiman had merely waited for Bishamon, standing by the open, sliding door to the side of the room, listening to the sound of crickets and flowing winds. He smiled as if he owned the place, much to the lighthearted annoyance of Bishamon. 

“You have an awful habit of turning up uninvited, Hachiman. Didn't Amaterasu teach you any manners?” Bishamon quipped.

“Well, a student is always indebted to his master, after all," Hachiman replied with a light chuckle. 

 
“Face it, Hachiman. You just love being in my company.” 

“I admit there may be some truth to that. But I didn't come here merely to be a bother. You've got some new support.”

“Hmm," Bishamon grunted curiously. 

“You may have already met these guys, but nonetheless, they have been very eager to see you again. Like me, they want in on this new nation of yours.” Hachiman explained with a slight grin. 

Bishamon's heavy steps creaked against the wooden floors as he stepped towards the sanctuary entrance. He was greeted by two supposed gods, both of them hiding beneath cloaks of deep black. One of them spoke with a mighty and masculine voice that would be fit for a king, and characteristic of a clap of thunder. 

 
“Bishamon...it's been a while.” 

Bishamon, recognizing the faces of the cloaked gods standing before him, couldn't help but release the soft laughter welling in his chest. 

 
“You two couldn’t have picked a better time to join us," Bishamon proudly stated. “You can remove your hoods, Raijin, Fujin. We have total confidentiality here.”

Raijin and Fujin accepted his hospitality, pulling their hoods off of their heads. Raijin possessed a long head of hair as black a moonless night, decorated by golden hair beads all around. His dark, thick beard stretched towards his sternum, covering most of his mouth and jaw. A bit unlike his brother and partner, Fujin, Raijin had the muscular physique of a champion. Fujin, on the other hand, looked more akin to a monk. His head and face were cleanly shaven, while several prayer bead bracelets decorated his left wrist.

“Raijin and Fujin…” Hachiman began. “Kin of the Storm, revered as the defenders of the country.”

Bishamon crossed his arms. “Defenders?”

“Indeed," Fujin replied. “Just a little over two-hundred years ago, the Mongols set sail for the Land of the Rising Sun. They’re a blight upon the continent of Asia, conquering and spreading like the plague. Amaterasu ordered for us gods to intervene and halt their invasion.”

“So, Fujin and I unleashed a monstrous storm upon them and washed away their fleet. They haven’t tried to sail here ever since," Raijin concluded. “But we aren’t here to talk about ourselves.”

“Of course," Bishamon agreed. “Why exactly have you come to seek my help? You’re the Kin of the Storm, the sworn defenders of the country. You’re both widely feared and respected, so you can’t possibly have a problem acquiring prayers.”

Raijin was quick to correct him. “We care not about the prayers. What we’re after is power.”

“As far as I know, you’ve never been the two to just blindly crave such things," Bishamon replied.

“Then you know very little," Fujin hissed. “My brother and I once dueled tirelessly to claim lordship over the skies. However, we find ourselves with a common goal as of late.”

“And that would be," Bishamon eagerly asked.

Rajin replied bluntly. “To kill Izanami, our mother.”

Bishamon scanned their grave expressions as Hachiman chuckled behind him. He almost didn’t believe the two brothers at first.

“The age-old blood feud still lives on," Hachiman quipped. “The descendants of Izanagi and Izanami are still trying to annihilate each other. It’s one of their lasting legacies, really. What a pity.”

Bishamon knew all about Izanami, the eldest goddess of the pantheon, mother to many of its deities. Izanami gave birth not only to gods, but to the islands of Japan itself. And yet, she was also known as a bitter woman with a heart made of lead. For newer gods like Bishamon, it felt like Izanami was some sort of boogeyman, a frightful concept rather than a living being. Still, knowing all the things his fellow gods have said of her, Bishamon understood their resolve to stop their infamous mother.

“Very well," Bishamon sighed. “Raijin, Fujin, do you understand the gravity of what we’re doing here?”

“Hachiman more or less explained the purpose of this clan. He told us you’re building a new nation,” Raijin said. “Out of all the forms of government you could’ve possibly chosen, why did you choose stratocracy?”

Bishamon smirked, his eyes glimmering with confidence. “To reinvent the social contract between a people and its government.”

Fujin’s brows arched in confusion. “Contract?”

“Try to imagine what this world was like before the emergence of governments and states,” 

Bishamon began. “It was Man unleashed. It was a world marred by conflicts sparked by passion and greed, until humans realized that cooperation and mutual benefit were the keys to survival. It was out of that understanding that the concept of government was born. The government would secure the safety of its people through law and order, and in exchange, the people would have to sacrifice some of their freedoms to abide by those laws and contribute their wealth and labor so the government could function.

“That exchange is the basis of the contract. However, a law is little more than a diary entry without the power to enforce it. A state is toothless without a military. For years, states have either recruited or conscripted thousands of young souls to carry out their will and enforce their laws, to fight their wars and defend their soil. Don’t you see? The military is the true power of the state. It’s the symbol of its legitimacy.

“In this country, the contract has become lopsided. The commoner is overburdened by taxes because his government wants him to remain just that; a commoner. If he becomes anything more, he’ll abandon his life of labor and harvest. Society at large will lose the resources born from his toils. That is the freedom the commoner sacrifices to his government. A soldier, on the other hand, sacrifices not only his life, but his soul.

“In this age of cooperation, it is not natural for one to want to kill their own countrymen. And yet, the soldier is ordered to do it all too often. His convictions, his moral compass, are all overridden by the orders handed to him by his state. Good or evil, kind or unjust, an order is absolute. Kings and lords have taken advantage of this since the dawn of civilization. They know that the soldier ultimately possesses no agency. He is the state personified.

“Well, what do you think would happen if the military and the state were one and the same? That’s what I intend to find out. I believe that the reason why states have always parasitized the humanity and individuation of its subjects is because the state is inherently dependent on humans themselves as a resource. It cannot fund itself, nor protect itself. It holds no legitimacy without the means to defend itself.

“But this clan is doing all of that. It can make its own money, accrue its own resources, and defend itself. We’re building a country where liberty and wealth need not be sacrificed so the state can survive. The people and the military will be thralls of the state no more.”

Raijin and Fujin were both left speechless. Never before had they considered what such a nation would look like, nor how it would change the very fabric of what it meant to be a sovereign country. Bishamon’s cause was one of the most noble they had ever heard of. He labored and toiled to create the Senkumo clan, an inkling of a nation, all to strive towards a future where the humanity of the soldier and common man would not be harvested by avaricious heads of state.

They immediately saw a reflection of Earth’s progression with government in Heaven’s own pantheon. How many gods were on the verge of cycling out? How many of their lives were deliberately thrown away so that the state could persist? All too often, both in Heaven and on Earth, humanity and individuation were sacrificed to oil the rusted gears of civilization.

“It seems you’ve really thought this through,” Fujin commended. “I have to wonder, why does all of this matter to you personally? No god has ever taken such an interest in the affairs of humans and civilization.”

Raijin chuckled. “I see. That’s why. In order for Bishamon to build a nation where gods can survive, he needs to attract worshipers. What greater incentive is there for humans than a life without the boot of the government pressed against their necks?”

Bishamon nodded. “You catch on fast, Raijin. You’re right. In order to build a new nation for gods, one must build an ideal nation for their worshipers. The tides of Earth affect the winds of Heaven and vice versa. You cannot rule one realm without being favored in the other.”

“Do you understand it now,” Hachiman asked. “This isn’t just some social club. You two are going to be part of a revolution. Get as powerful as you want, but be sure to actually pull your weight.”

“I understand you have goals of your own, but it is extremely important that you leave Izanami alone for now,” Bishamon said. “I have plans for Heaven myself. When the time comes, we’ll make our move in unison.”

Raijin reached out his hand. “Very well. We’ll help you out.”

Bishamon smiled as he firmly shook Raijin’s hand. He glanced over at Fujin, who gave him a nod in agreement.

“Thank you for your support, you two. You’re officially part of the revolution,” Bishamon declared.

The next day, all of the troops on base were summoned to Bishamon's room in the early of the morning. Most of them hadn't even washed their faces yet, it was so early. Still, they all knelt before Bishamon. The hundreds of red cloud symbols printed on the backs of their kimonos all pointed towards the ceiling as they knelt.

Tsukiakari lifted her head from that uncomfortable position in the front row just to get a peek at Bishamon's face. His silence built an impenetrable tension across the room. The air was so dead and devoid of sound that the only thing Tsukiakari could hear was the staccato of her own heartbeat. It felt like so much as a sneeze in the midst of such heavy quietude would result in the death penalty. 

“Tsukiakari," Bishamon called out, his voice like a boom of thunder in the deep silence.

“Yes," she promptly responded. 

“Raise your head.” 

Tsukiakari did exactly that, not even blinking as she stared Bishamon in the eyes. She could feel the nervous breaths of all the other Senkumo members beside and behind her, as if their hundreds of heartbeats droned within the room. 

“I have come to a decision regarding our newly established base. You, Tsukiakari...shall become the Commanding Lord of this new base.” 

Though they kept their heads down and their lips sealed, the fellow members of the clan were silently shocked. Those words pierced Tsukiakari through her heart. 

“Me? The Commanding Lord," she repeated in disbelief.

“Of course, this will be a drastic change in responsibility. You’ll have your own Senkumo base, with only one worship room dedicated to me. Recruitment, collection of funds, supplying of troops, and the handling of contracts will fall on you. However, I’m certain your army will provide you a great deal of help as you grow accustomed to being the Commanding Lord. And if you need my help, I’ll be glad to assist. Do you accept this position?” 

Tsukiakari could feel the excited glares of Taeko, Mayumi, and Ebina biting against her cheeks.

“I accept, Lord Bishamon," she shouted proudly, bowing her head.

“I’m greatly pleased to hear it. Henceforth, you shall be a lord of your own. The garrison currently occupying this base shall depart with Tsukiakari. I think you’re all going to like having a bigger, better base," Bishamon said with a smile. “Raise your heads, comrades! Be at ease! Tsukiakari Senkumo will command you from here on out.”

Given permission to relax, the room immediately began to fill with excited squeals and cheers of joy. As soon as Tsukiakari stood up, she was bombarded with hugs from Mayumi and the others. After ten years in the fold, Tsukiakari was now her own lord, free to reign in her own base.

Being assigned as the Commanding Lord was a tall task. Bishamon had some of his men build up the basic facilities of the base over the next four weeks. Barracks for the troops, a storehouse for food, training fields, a storehouse for weaponry and armor, stables, watch towers, personal quarters for Tsukiakari, a proper war room, and a medical ward. The facilities were there, but it was up to her to get the manpower that would manage all of them. 

With but a handful of troops and some starting supplies from Bishamon, Tsukiakari sat down with Ebina, Taeko, and Mayumi in her basic and unfinished war room. Such a name might’ve elicited feelings of grandeur, of a great hall seating many great military minds, all of them meticulously planning out their strategy. But alas, this war room wasn’t all that big. Although relatively large when compared to the space of other facilities, the war room was about two and half bedrooms big, consisting of four sliding doors leading to the patio, which then led down to the large, unfinished courtyard. 

The courtyard only consisted of sun-beaten soil, with not a hint of green grown out yet. Stone walkways divided the empty flowerbeds, each walkway leading to a different facility. 

Tsukiakari’s men were hard at work on that clear, sweaty day, finishing up construction on the watch towers and planting seeds in the flowerbeds among other tasks. Though, men, was just a general term for her troops. A sizable portion of Tsukiakari’s garrison were young women in their early teens and twenties, most of them handling on-base duties while others were intended to work as combat medics in the field bases and camps. 

The sliding doors of the war room were wide open, letting the girls have a view of their base in the works and catch whatever gentle breeze the air was kind enough to relieve them with. The girls all sat around the tea table in the center of the room, putting all the pieces together.
“How does it feel to be the Commanding Lord? Has it sunk in yet," Mayumi cheerfully asked, a single bead of sweat dripping down her cheek. 

Tsukiakari sighed as she thought of everything that had been added to her plate. “It has. That’s why I’m starting to think I should’ve rejected the position! I can’t believe how hard it is to actually manage all of this!”

Mayumi’s smile seemed to be born of pity than amusement.

“That’s why we’re here, you big dummy," Taeko teased. “Let’s just calm down and figure this out, all rightt? Maybe it would work best if you played to our strengths.” 

“You’re right, you’re right," Tsukiakari sighed. “Okay then, let’s start with you Ebina. What do you think you should be doing here now that we have our own base?”

“Well, since I’ve been assigned on most infiltration missions, I think I should be the head of a Shinobi unit," Ebina reasoned. “I can handle the training of our own Shinobi as long as I have the facilities necessary. Equipment should be inexpensive as well. Farming tools is all we need.” 

“Ah, that’s true," Mayumi added. “Gekko, we can get an edge on our foes if we have a Shinobi unit sending out and gathering information. You could also use them for assassinations, infiltrations, theft, and the more underhanded tasks that our standard troops can’t tend to.”

“All right,” Tsukiakari said with a sigh of relief. “I’ll allocate some funds for the construction of a Shinobi unit. As for our equipment...”

Mayumi shot up a raised hand in excitement, a pearly white grin decorating her face. 

“Looks like you have an idea, Mayumi?” Tsukiakari asked rhetorically.

“I have a few connections we can use to supply our troops with weapons and armor! It’ll be standard gear, but if we can forge deeper relationships with the various families vying for power in the country, we can pay them to forge higher quality, standardized equipment. Let me handle the clan’s transactions, Gekko. I can take care of weapon dealing, accounting for the clan’s money, and resource allocation.” 

“All right, if you think you’re up for it. You’re pretty well organized, so I think it’s actually a good fit.” Tsukiakari agreed.

“If I may,” Taeko interjected, “I’d like to tend to the training of our standard troops. Also, Gekko, it’s good to have the girls work as medics in the field, but we should have a medical staff stationed here at the mansion. I’d like to head the medical staff as well. It’ll be useful if our troops get sick, return injured, or...well, dead.” 

“All right," Tsukiakari exhaled. “So…Ebina will handle the Shinobi unit, Mayumi will handle resource allocation, Taeko will handle standard training, and a medical team should be stationed here at home. Got it. That makes everything a hell of a lot easier, guys. I appreciate you jumping into action like this.” 

“No problem, Gekko," Mayumi cheered.

“Anyone else think it’s kind of weird how cheap this land was to buy," Ebina asked. “I get the clan has a lot of money right now, but still…”

“Bishamon told me the price of land took a nosedive once the war broke out," Taeko explained. “Apparently, even property prices in Kyoto got flattened because of it.”

“Well, I’m not surprised. The city was almost completely leveled," Mayumi added.

“Is that…a good thing," Tsukiakari asked, a foreigner to the ways of property value.

“Right now, it is. For us," Taeko said.

The four of them turned their heads towards a group of long haired, little girls that had been standing outside of the war room for a while, all six of the little munchkins running off as soon as Tsukiakari saw them. Everyone else continued to work their butts off to make the new mansion a proper home. 

“The troops all look up to you now, Gekko, but especially the young girls," Taeko explained. “Despite not being allowed in combat, they’re determined to help the clan grow. Keep that in mind, all right?” 

Being looked up to by all her troops was something Tsukiakari still had to get used to. She was their beating heart, the soul of the army. They were able to fight because they believed in her. However, this bond of faith seemed to grow more intimate now that she had her own base. It was like she had suddenly become everyone’s big sister.

“Well then, everyone, let’s get to work. We’ve got a clan to build," Tsukiakari rallied. 

Just as Bishamon said, the clan saw an influx of disillusioned warriors, ambitious peasants, and orphaned children seeking to join the ranks of an army without a daimyo. An army led by the virtuous will of a goddess was the perfect place for such people. Tsukiakari allowed for recruitment to take place even while the base’s facilities were still under construction. Taeko handled the recruitment screenings, using the medical team to check each and every person for illnesses and physical conditions that may need to be treated. Then, she and Tsukiakari would interview them in the war room.

The following few days were all about recruitment. On yet another searing, sun-beaten day, Tsukiakari and Taeko sat side-by-side on the tatami mats, fanning their sweat-covered faces with paper folding fans as they interviewed one potential recruit after the other. Next up were two young women in their mid-teens, sisters with matching bob hairstyles and the same, bratty attitude. The two even wore identical, black lace chokers around their necks, staring intently at their interviewers with their incandescent eyes of green.

“State your names, please," Taeko asked sternly.

“I’m Chiya Otonougi and she’s my sister, Yachi Otonougi.” one of them explained. “You can just call us the Otonougi twins.”

They certainly came off a little differently than most of the other potential recruits. They answered far more directly and boldly, as if the questions being asked of them were just a waste of time.

"So then, do you have any skills that would be of use to the Senkumo clan," Tsukiakari asked.

Yachi recoiled in disgusted shock. "Seriously? Is she seriously asking if we have any valuable skills?"

"Skill is in our very name. It's the nou character in Otonougi," Chiya added in a snobbish tone. "Thought you would've figured that out just by hearing it."

Yachi covered her mouth as she gasped. "Maybe they're both lordless and witless, Sis."

"Oh heavens, what a tragedy,” Chiya said with a sarcastic tear-wipe.

"A tragedy indeed. But, to answer your question, Chiya and I are both quite versed in the art of equestrianism and animal breeding," Yachi said.

"Indeed. Our family owned horses in Kyoto and often sold them to the shogunate. They made an absolute living off of the trade and taught us how to do it as well," Chiya added.

"A killing, Chiya. We made a killing."

"A living, a killing. Same difference, Yachi."

Wowed by their sisterly chemistry, Tsukiakari discreetly whispered into Taeko's ear to clarify a small issue. "Equestrianism?"

"Meaning they know how to ride horses professionally," Taeko elucidated.

"Oohhh..," Tsukiakari sang.

Taeko questioned them further. "So then, say we needed a message delivered or an area scouted ahead of time. Are you saying you could ride the horses and perform those tasks?”

"Absolutely," Chiya confidently proclaimed.

"And you can help breed more fine horses for us," Taeko continued.

"Horses, chickens, any commonly domesticated mammal, really," Yachi clarified. "From there, my sister and I can also prepare horse's milk, as well as eggs for consumption."

"Impressive..," Tsukiakari remarked. “You two are in. Welcome aboard.”

With the Otonougi twins in, Taeko and Tsukiakari interviewed the next recruit, a rather senile old man with a cane, devoid of any hair on his head.

“All right, state your name please,” Taeko said.

"Shu! Shu Rogingyu! Gimme a sword, I'll slay the Hosokawa bastards that ruined my home! I won't stop until they're all dead, until the rivers run red with their blood! I'll even take the whole army by myself! I won't rest! I won't hesitate!"

"Okay, I've think we've heard enough," Taeko quickly interrupted.

Not everyone was really all that useful to them.

Then came a young girl in her mid-teens, blessed with chestnut-colored hair of shoulder length and dazzling, hazel eyes. She wore a bloodied bandage around her upper arm, having been treated for a previous injury.

"State your name, please," Taeko said.

"Ayadachi! My name is Ayadachi," she responded with a sweet tone of voice, unlike the Otonougi twins.

"And what skills do you possess that you think would be beneficial to the Senkumo clan, Ayadachi," Taeko continued.

"Well, I'm primarily skilled in medicine. I can handle basic treatment of ill patients with the cold, flu, food poisoning, pneumonia, and arthritis, among other afflictions. I can also treat non-critical injuries by myself, be it in a proper medical ward or on the field."

"A field medic," Tsukiakari curiously asked.

"Yes, if that's what you call it. I'm also good with children! I'm a good teacher, and I've noticed you have a lot of young ones here. I can teach them to read, write, handle basic duties around base, and even get them started in medicine."

"You sound like a very well rounded person for such a young age," Taeko remarked. "Why do you wish to join the Senkumo clan?"

Ayadachi hesitated, her fingers curling into her palm. "The Yamana clan exiled my father and I from Kozuke Province under suspicion he aided the Hosokawa war effort against them. My mother was from the Hosokawa clan and had ties to some of their generals. They thought my family was giving them information that affected the battles in Kyoto. I haven't seen my mother since, and my father fought with the Hosokawa to protect me from the wrath of the Yamana. He never came back home. So, with the city in ruins, I didn't have any choice but to leave. I heard of the Senkumo clan through word of mouth. Some villagers said you were a military force without a daimyo, free from any influence of the warring clans. I suppose I thought I would be safer here than anywhere else, and that I could help people while I was at it."

There were many stories like hers. Stories of loss, revenge, and pain were a common thread among many of the recruits, especially the younger ones. Most of them wanted to escape that violence and seek safety within the Senkumo clan. They were willing to become soldiers, for they felt that fighting under the wing of a war goddess was a far better way to die than to be thrown into battle by a callous war lord, or executed by a paranoid general.

"All right, you're in,” Tsukiakari said. "You can prove your skills by helping our medical staff treat some of the new recruits here. You'd better live up to everything you've told us, Ayadachi."

"Of course! Thank you so much!" Ayadachi cheered with her head bowed and eyes filled with tears.

Constant, never-ending days like these led to the swelling of the Senkumo ranks. In just a year, the Senkumo clan went from a thousand members to numbering in the tens of thousands. At long last, they were a force to be reckoned with.

In a year’s time, the endlessly escalating conflicts in the Kaga Province finally fanned into a fiery tempest. After several failed attempts at revolting against their lord, the Ikko-ikki finally amassed a force powerful enough to rule the province. All they needed was the perfect moment, the perfect opportunity to take over.

Just as Bishamon had predicted, the violent revolts and collapse of societal order spread throughout the whole country. Kaga was not the only place where these revolts were occurring. Basing their entire economy off of war, the Senkumo clan took part in these conflicts one at a time. When it came to handling Kaga, Tsukiakari first decided to visit the monk Rennyo again.

 If anyone could properly inform her about the Ikko-ikki’s recent moves, it was him.
Tsukiakari found herself leaning against Rennyo's wall as they met inside of his beach home during a sunny, spring day. This time, the meeting was on much friendlier terms. Dazzling specs of dust danced inside of the sunbeams that shined through his windows and onto the tatami mats.

The air was suffused with the fragrance of burning incense, which Rennyo lit in Bishamon's honor as he sat at his desk, writing more of his pastoral letters. Tsukiakari, with the beautiful, spring sunlight hitting her cheek, listened closely to every word Rennyo had to say.

“Rensu. He was an adviser of mine until recently. Masachika had been able to squash the Kaga ikki these past few years, but Rensu's recent actions have been putting a strain on Masachika's grip on the region.” Rennyo explained.

“What's the extent of your advisor’s involvement?” Tsukiakari questioned.

“He seems to be their de-facto commander, so to speak. He's secured funding and military assistance for the Kaga ikki from the disaffected daimyo and nobles. He used his position as my adviser to tell the Kaga ikki that I condoned these violent rebellions, something I could not forgive. So, I had him excommunicated. But, as you can guess...” 

“That wasn’t nearly enough to stop him, was it,” Tsukiakari surmised.

Rennyo sighed from the sheer weight of the situation anchoring his mind. “Yes, I'm afraid so. Lord Ashikaga Yoshihisa wants me to do more to cease these rebellions, but he doesn't understand that I do not control them in the first place, nor have I ever condoned them. This violent branch of Pure Land Buddhism has become its own prominent force, and I am ultimately powerless in stopping it.” 

“I think I get it. You can’t do anything, so you want me to stop this and other catastrophic revolts?” Tsukiakari surmised.

“That is my wish, yes,” Rennyo said.

Tsukiakari stood up straight and put her sandals back on, stopping only for a moment to utter her last words to Rennyo before leaving. 

“Monshu Rennyo...when you pray to a god, you must be heedful. When you make a wish upon a god of war, you must be deathly circumspect. You might just get what you wish for.” 

 
Rennyo said nothing as he sat frozen by her words, as if he was trying to unravel their meaning then and there. Tsukiakari walked out, shut the door, and left Rennyo's house with a plan to end the conflict already in mind. 

After traveling back to her base, she took a walk through the torii gates that led her to the courtyard, where she could hear the collective shouts from the children in training. Taeko instructed the columns of panting boys and girls dressed in peasant robes with a loud, thunderous voice. Every time she would speak, it seemed like a flock of birds would fly out of the tree-covered mountain just behind the mansion, and drift away into the cool, hazy sky. 

“Attention,” Taeko shouted.

“Yes, Captain,” they all responded back.

Tsukiakari stood in the distance, just watching her. Taeko’s hair was tied up into a neat bun, wearing a lightweight, leather chest piece decorated with the Senkumo crest on the front. Leather faulds dangled around her hips like an armored skirt as she paced back and forth, making sure all of her underlings could hear her loud and clear. 

“What have I told you about your blades? Your swords are your life! They are your death! They're your beginnings and your ends! Every day, we do what, Hayashi?” 

A boy in his early teens called out from the columns. “We clean and cherish our blades, Captain!” 

“Then why was your sword stained today,” Taeko questioned.

“Because...” 

“Because why, Hayashi?”

“Because I failed to clean and cherish my blade, Captain”

“That's what I thought, you lazy cretin! If you don't cherish your swords, I will not cherish you! Hayashi, Echizen, Kobe, Rin, Kotomi, Ieyasu, all of your swords were stained today! It is disgraceful! The next time I see your blades in such pitiful condition, I will kill you with them myself! May as well make it easy on the enemy, right? They've been killing idiots like you since they were children! Is that what you want?” 

“No, Captain,” they responded collectively.

“Then fix it,” Taeko roared.

“Yes, Captain!”

Taeko helped handle most of the training in the mansion. She was incredibly strict and demanding of the troops, and with good reason. Taeko couldn’t have anyone who was too weak or unwilling to uplift the cause of the Senkumo clan.

Continuing her walk through the courtyard and into the garden, Tsukiakari crossed the small, wooden bridge across the little pond that housed all sorts of colorful fish and sprouting lotus flowers. The cool of the thick, lavender leaves of the wisteria trees provided shade on warm days, leading the way to the cascading hills of beautifully cut grass across from the female quarters. 

As she crossed the bridge, Mayumi bumped into her from the path to her right.
Mayumi was covered in cold sweat, holding six scrolls in her arms as she gasped in startled surprise. Over the years, she had actually gotten just a bit taller than Tsukiakari, and kept her brown hair at breast's length. 

“Gekko! You scared me to death," Mayumi exclaimed with a startled pant.

“What? You walked into me!” Tsukiakari retaliated.

“You’re right! I'm sorry! It was my fault!” Mayumi lamented.

“Geez…Hmm? Are those scrolls from the weapons shipment today?”

“Ah, yes! They came in while you were visiting Rennyo!” 

The two walked and talked through the gardens. Mayumi handed Tsukiakari one of the scrolls to check for herself. Within it was a list of the contents of the shipment, their quantities, manufacturing source, cost, and substitution disclosures if any. 

“Good armor is by far the most expensive thing these days..," Tsukiakari groaned.

“Well, we are getting them fitted for people of all ages," Mayumi reasoned. “The Ashikaga clan was kind enough to give us a discount on the swords and archery equipment, though. The Senkumo base in the west also confirmed they got their shipment of horses. Cavalry will be of utmost importance since more and more daimyo are throwing themselves into these conflicts.” 

“Excellent. I was right to trust you with handling our supplies, Mayumi.” 

“The pleasure is all mines, Gekko! Anyway, what did Rennyo want?” 

“Divine assistance. The revolts are damaging his relationship with Shogun Yoshihisa, so he wants me to put an end to the Kaga rebellion. It's actually a blessing that our weapons and supplies came when they did. We’ll be removing the problem with the weapons Yoshihisa just gave us.” 

“So that means we're moving out, huh?” 

“Yeah, it does. I want you to stay here for this one," Tsukiakari commanded. 

“Awww...you're worried I'll die or something," Mayumi gushed. 

“Lies! Lies and slander," Tsukiakari exclaimed. 

 
Mayumi gave a cheeky smile. “See, even when you've got such a serious position, you're still the old Gekko we met so many years ago. Really, you don't have to worry. Taeko, Ebina, and I can take care of ourselves in battle. Come on, how long have we been together?” 

“You're right...my apologies. I'm under-utilizing your potential in the field. I'll...I'll stop being so protective.” 

Mayumi giggled as she patted Tsukiakari’s back. “Well, I'm gonna go stash these scrolls. You're probably looking for Ebina now, right? She's in the war room waiting for you!” 

“Of course, she's always so punctual. Thanks, Mayumi. I...I love you," Tsukiakari embarrassingly shouted for everyone to hear. 

Mayumi stopped in her tracks as Tsukiakari blushed uncontrollably. She looked like she wanted to die after blurting something like that out so callously. 

“Wow, you really are soft at heart, aren't you," Mayumi asked with a chuckle. 

 
“Ah! What is with me? Any other soldier, I can handle, but when it's any one of you three, I just…” 

“Shhh. I think I can speak for all of us on this. We love you too, Gekko.” Mayumi proclaimed.
That fear she once expressed to Taeko came back as the flames of war grew hotter. As such, controlling her urge to keep them out of combat was difficult. The only person who ever went out in the fields was Ebina, and even then, it was for espionage purposes. Bishamon had fallen out of contact with Inari, so they couldn't use her for the time being.

Tsukiakari's footsteps alerted Ebina as she sat on the floor, waiting for her lord to return. Ebina promptly stood up and bowed to Tsukiakari as she entered the war room. Like Taeko's, her white hair was tied up in a bun, though not nearly as inhumanly neat. A lightweight, black leather vest covered her chest, stomach, back, and shoulders, while leather bands protected parts of her arms. The white hilt of her katana protruded into view from behind her back. 

 
“Welcome back, Tsukiakari. I've returned from my mission in Kaga," Ebina flatly declared. 

 
“Well then, you deserve a warm 'Welcome back' as well! I'm happy you're here, Ebina. Please, ease up. We're alone here.” 

Ebina sat back down in front of the short, rounded table in the center of the room.

“I've received maps and documents from the Togashi clan defectors," Ebina began. “They said Masachika plans to return to Kaga to reinforce the region against the Ikko-ikki. Among those documents is a map of Masachika's castle.” 

 
“Is that so," Tsukiakari asked with widened eyes. “Open them.” 

Ebina laid the maps out on the table for Tsukiakari to meticulously inspect. All of the major roads, residential roads, even some of the back-alleys were documented. Several roads leading into cities from the countryside, as well as government outposts in and around the more populated areas of the region, were drawn and labeled accurately. 

“Before leaving, we were able to confirm the positions of several of the outposts listed here, as well as the route to Masachika's castle.” Ebina explained.

“Beautifully done, Ebina," Tsukiakari complimented.

“Tsukiakari, have you decided what you wanted to do with this? Who will we be fighting against?” 

 
Tsukiakari stood and leaned against the opened, sliding door, scanning the gardens and misty mountains with her crimson eyes as she finalized her decision. 

 
“We're going to exterminate the Togashi clan and kill Masachika," Tsukiakari boldly proclaimed. 

Ebina bowed her head without so much as an inquiry behind her logic. She was almost too loyal for her own good. 

“I understand,” Ebina said with humble obedience. 

“Hey, come on...don't do that to me,” Tsukiakari laughed.

“Do what?”

“Aren't you curious why I chose to fight with the Kaga ikki instead of against them? You're my friend, Ebina. You don't have to just go along with my orders without at least knowing why you're doing them. I don't ever want you marching into battle without a clue as to what I'm plotting.” 

Ebina's cheeks flushed with a rosy color as Tsukiakari smiled at her. Though everyone was getting older, Tsukiakari looked as though she hadn’t aged a day past twenty.

“Very well then. So, Tsukiakari...what exactly is your thought process behind this? I figured we'd fight the Togashi clan since you ordered me to go on this mission...but I don't understand why.” 

“It's not complicated at all, dear. Several Ikko-ikki rebellions have occurred in that region under Masachika's rule, right? Sure, all of them failed, but they've been growing more and more threatening to the Togashi clan. Killing the rebels will do nothing. Killing Masachika and the Togashi clan however, will certainly bring about a change. Once Masachika is gone, the Ikko-ikki will place the leader they want in the seat of power. That leader and his passionately religious population are going to owe us some serious favors. We do this for them, they promise to pray to Shinto deities alongside Buddhist ones, just as Rennyo allowed.”

“Understood! I'll share this information with Taeko and Mayumi," Ebina eagerly saluted.
With all of the necessary information gathered, the Senkumo clan was nearly ready to enter their biggest battle since Kyoto. The war goddess steeled her heart and expunged her worries from her mind. She cleared her thoughts, focusing only on one man; Masachika Togashi.