let's do the time warp again [semi-open?]

[nayotake]

WHO: Kaguya, Yukimura, and anyone Yukimura recruits to drag back on a trip to the past with him?
WHAT: Going back to Ueda Castle to fix a screw-up.
WHERE: Main camp, to start, then back in time to Ueda.
WARNING(S): nothing yet!



[The main camp is starting to get more full, although there were still plenty of faces missing - but every new arrival is good for morale, even the ones nobody likes, really, because they at least represent a unity of cause that can bring even the most bitter of enemies together, and - maybe Kaguya is just being sentimental, but she at least finds the idea of Shu and Wei, Eastern and Western armies, Dong Zhuo and anybody being able to find common cause to be somewhat inspiring.

Every new arrival also means leads to a few more, as everyone wants to know what they can do to find missing comrades or save dead ones, and so she's been busy - but there's no time to rest, and with everyone else doing everything they can, it's not as though she can do any less.

She's been back from her last trip for a little while now, though, and she's savoring the few moments of downtime before the next inevitable mission.]

Comments

[ex_onslaught851]

[At the moment, Yukimura is barely aware of where they were or how he’d managed to make it out of Ueda Castle alive. He was still numb with shock, everything else taking a long time to sink in. Kunoichi had helped him to camp, put a blanket around his shoulders and tried to make him eat something, but it was taking him a long time to come back to his senses.

How long he stayed like that for he wasn’t certain, but he was only dragged out of his thoughts when he heard mention of a mystic – a woman that was helping them go back in time, someone that wanted to help them save their friends and comrades. They needed all the help that they could get, someone whispered, but Yukimura wasn’t listening to the details anymore.

He was stuck on going back in time. He had to find out if it was the truth – if she really had that power. And if so… if that was the case, then maybe, just maybe he could go back and save Saitou. It was enough for him to drag himself to his feet, slowly making his way through the camp to see if he could find her. It didn’t matter that he was exhausted from the battle, sleep could wait. Right now, everything else could.]

Kaguya-dono…?

[His voice sounds hesitant. As much as he wants to believe in her powers, he’ll have to see it for himself first.]

[nayotake]

[They haven't yet properly spoken, but she recognizes him; Kaguya more than anyone has good reason to make certain she knows who every person that passes through the camp is, and so she's applied herself to remembering every name and every face.

She'd thought to leave introductions until he'd at least managed to get some sleep. He looks like hell. But then, in that state, she can't imagine that he's approached her for only small talk.]

Yukimura-sama, isn't it?

[ex_onslaught851]

Yes. I apologise for introducing myself so suddenly only to make a request of you right afterwards, but I hope that you can forgive me for that.

[There was time to become better acquainted later, or so he thought. Right now his mind was stuck on only one thing – seeing if it was possible to go back and help Saitou and the others. It was a ray of hope that he’d been in desperate need of for a while now, and so he was prepared to take hold of it with both hands. Or, you know. As much as one could.]

I wished to know… Is it true that there is a way to go back in time and save our comrades?

[hisloyalninja]

Why did those demons go and attack Ueda Castle? Why is Ueda Castle even here in the first place? You can take us back in time to save the soldiers that were lost in battle?

[Kunoichi had many questions, and Kaguya seemed like she was the person who had the answers. Pardon her sudden bombard or questions, Kaguchin. She just wants to know what's going on, and how she can help out her lord and his fallen army.]

[nayotake]

[Completely pardoned, Kunoichi - and in fact, Kaguya stops to give her a nod as well when she pops up alongside Yukimura, before starting in on the answers.

And pssssh, like she'd fail to forgive Yukimura for worrying about a friend?]

Ueda Castle is not the only place here you will recognize. Orochi's magic has...compressed different times together, if that is at all comprehensible. Many castles and battlegrounds from your time will be found here, but they may not be in the same places you remember them.

[But the important question is obviously the one they both asked.]

It is true that I can take you back to save your comrades, as long as at least one of you was present for the battle you wish to return to.

[ex_onslaught851]

I was … present when the demons laid siege to Ueda Castle. I wish to go back in time and save my fallen comrades – but we will need to take more reinforcements with us. Is such a thing possible?

[The rest of his questions about how everything works in Orochi’s world can wait for a little while longer. Yukimura is painfully single-minded when he chooses to be, and it seems as though now is one of those times.]

[hisloyalninja]

My troop of ninjas won't be enough for reinforcements. They may be strong, but we're really small in numbers... Kaguya, do you think this Orochi guy may have brought our allies from back home here, too? [Perhaps Kunoichi could scout around for Lord Shingen, or maybe even Kai, if they were somehow brought into this strange world. The more familiar faces, the better, Kunoichi thought. Of course, she'd be more than happy to find new faces too!]

[nayotake]

[She nods.]

Reinforcements will not be a problem, regardless of whether they were present for the battle when it originally transpired or not. As long as I can follow the thread of one person's life back, I can bring as many of you as needed.

[And then she turns to Kunoichi.]

Your allies should also be somewhere in this land, although I can make no promises for how quickly they may be found...or whether they have survived this far. But if we can find anyone who remembers seeing them, we can trace our way back and help them, as well.

[ex_onslaught851]

[The idea that they can go back is almost too much for Yukimura to comprehend. For a long moment he falls silent, unable to believe it. He never would have thought that he’d have this chance, but it’s right here in front of him. The chance to save those close to him, that he’d been powerless to do anything about before-

There was no way that he wasn’t going to take this opportunity.]

How soon can we go back? I wish to do all that I can to save them… I failed the first time. I do not intend to fail again.

LET'S GO SAVE SAITOU

[ex_onslaught851]

[Typical of Yukimura - he hadn't been able to allow himself to rest for even a moment when they got back to camp with the rest of the Resistance army, knowing that they could go back in time. That they could potentially save Saitou since they'd been able to get hold of reinforcements. But would it be enough?

Only time would tell.

Thankfully they're taken back to before it all begins - when the sun hasn't risen yet, and there are people taking turns with guard duty on the walls. Yukimura heads there immediately, not even taking into account the fact that he's absolutely covered in blood, and that alone will no doubt cause many questions.

There's no time to be worrying about that right now.]

Hajime-dono!

i almost copypasted half of my tag in the original thread so it could suddenly change midway...

[iaijutsu]

[Saitou's on the wall, exactly where Yukimura would remember finding him before. Standing in the same place, in the same position, the same tension in his posture -

- but the surprise on his face wasn't there before as he turns to face Yukimura. Since when did Yukimura call him by his first name? Not that he isn't feeling strangely flattered that one of the greatest men of the Sengoku era considers him familiar enough to address him in such a way, but -

- since when was he covered in blood?

...blood. He grits his teeth, swallows, and forces himself to focus on Yukimura's face, not on the stains covering his clothes and his armor.]

Sanada-dono, what happened to you?

BUT THIS IS GOOD TOO. what a cutie.

[ex_onslaught851]

You must forgive me Hajime-dono, but there is no time to explain. Please, just trust me.

[It takes him a moment to catch his breath after that - only now is he realising how exhausted he truly is, but that doesn't mean that he's going to give up. No, he's come all this way - the reinforcements are relying upon him. And maybe if he has enough information for the defenders at Ueda... maybe it will be enough to change the tide of the battle.]

The enemy is headed this way, and we will be completely overwhelmed if we're not careful. We do not have numbers on our side, but we do have reinforcements. If I have calculated correctly, it should be enough--

Ah, but there is also a secret passage out of the castle. One which my ninja managed to find earlier, when she brought more reinforcements here. For now, our best bet may be to escape and seek further counsel from the others.

[... deeeep breath.]

o///o sanada-senpai is noticing me....

[iaijutsu]

[He's ready to protest when he hears the word "escape." It represents a failure, it's not what he was always taught to do and believe in. He's ready to stand his ground, to give his life -

- and then rational thought catches up with him, and reminds him that if the idea of having to turn around and escape now is a blow to him, it can only be infinitely worse for Yukimura.

Ueda isn't Saitou's home.

So he swallows his protests, and simply nods.]

he'll notice Saitou all night long :3

[ex_onslaught851]

I... I realise that retreat is not preferable, however I believe that it would be for the best at the current time.

However- if you think that we can manage it, please give me your thoughts.

[Because he values Saitou's opinion above all, and he wants to know what he's thinking.]

kyaaaaaaaaa~

[iaijutsu]

[He quickly shakes his head at that, feeling a bit guilty for making what had to be a difficult decision for Yukimura even more difficult.]

No, I - I cannot reasonably disagree.

[ex_onslaught851]

We will be able to return and finish this battle. That I promise you. But first... Please help me evacuate everyone from the castle. We do not have much time-

Tell everyone to assemble in the keep.

[He's just going to ignore the ache in his chest at having to leave the castle in behind; it was nothing close to what he felt when Saitou had died in his arms. This is the easier route to take.]

[iaijutsu]

[Although Saitou is blissfully ignorant of what triggered all of this, there's something about Yukimura's demeanor that he's not sure he has the right words to describe to himself. He seems...shaken, somehow? Surely something connected to the fact that he's covered in blood, although he doesn't seem to be injured, and blood alone is something any warrior wouldn't blink at -

- now isn't the time to ask.

He's not sure if there is a proper time to ask; as much as it bothers him, as much as he wants to know...Saitou has always been very respectful of boundaries.

So he swallows his questions and his protests, again, and nods, moving down from the wall to go assemble the troops - what few of them there are.]

and saving Suo

[koneko_chan]

[Guan Yu found herself in the same position as she had before but this time, this time it would be different. This time she wouldn't draw the attention from the enemy towards her. She couldn't help but think it was one of the reasons why Suo had died in the first place.

Instead, she silently searches the battlefield for him until she found him.]

Guan Suo! We have to get out of here.

[emulates]

M-my lady...? What do you mean?

[There was no way out of here, was there? Guan Suo had somewhat resigned himself to death at this point, even if there was so much more that he'd wanted to accomplish. Now wasn't the time for regrets, however - they'd simply have to do their best with what they had.

Though if he could protect her, that was far preferable than seeing her be hurt by those monsters.]

[koneko_chan]

It's alright, just follow me!

[She takes her free hand to grab onto one of his. Actually, she really had to struggle her urge just to hug him right now, but she could do that later.

She knew the passage where she got out of here now and they could take that. There had been a surprisingly small number of demons there and even if one of the reasons was probably because they cleaned it up so neatly before... it would still be a normal amount. Not the amount she had summoned before.]

[emulates]

W-what do you mean, follow you...? Where are we going?

["Confused" was an understatement to describe how Guan Suo was feeling at the moment, but he decided that it would be better to go along with her. Besides, he trusted her - so surely she knew what she was doing. Even if he didn't really have any idea about what was going on. So he followed along without protest, trying to keep up with her pace.]

[koneko_chan]

Like I said, we have to get out of here!

[She gives him a reassuring smile as she leads him the way. She had even found means for a diversion - the rest was still up to luck, but she was positive it would go better this time around.]

Get your weapon ready. There are some barrels with sake. If we light them with fire it might draw enough attention so that we can escape from here.

[emulates]

I, um- all right. I'll do my best to follow your lead.

[Even though he's not entirely sure that he knows what's going on around here, but she seems fairly sure of what she's doing - enough so to make up for the both of them.]

[koneko_chan]

[She nods firmly and leads him underground. Just a bit of commotion - that was the best they could do for buying time. She takes one from the torches off the wall and leads him towards the barrels.]

Help me roll them over.

[She points to one direction, then towards another.]

We are going to escape there then.

[emulates]

[How could he argue with a means of possible escape? Though Guan Suo did his best not to get his hopes up too quickly-- that would certainly be a recipe for disaster. But there seemed as though there might be the smallest chance...

Nodding, he started to move one of the barrels in the direction that she'd indicated, trying not to waste any time.]