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

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

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.]

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[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.]

[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?

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?

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.]

[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.

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.]

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!]

[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.

[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.

Don't worry, my lord - you have me with you! I'll be by your side every step of the way! ... And that guy you were holding when I found you? He must be really important to you, right?

-- I'll do my best to save him, too!

...time will wait for us, Yukimura-sama. Are you certain you do not wish to rest first?

[Because dude, you look like death warmed over.]

Rest? I...

[To be honest, the thought of resting hadn't even occurred to him - a side effect of his tunnel vision. Silent for a moment, he did at least take the time to consider the advice.]

I understand, but I do not think that I can wait any longer, knowing that my men need me.

[Kunoichi's words surprise him, and he shoots her a confused look.]

Important to me...? [That was putting it lightly, but he was never good at expressing any of that.]

You seemed so sad to have him in your arms, my lord - I figured he was someone really close to you. [She knew that look of sadness. That was the same look she had when she learned that he wasn't returning home from Osaka.] But don't worry, my lord! I'll protect the both of you! After all, I am the best ninja in all Japan~.

Edited ([ I keep derping, orz. ]) 2012-11-11 07:47 (UTC)

In that case, I am glad to take you whenever you have assembled your forces.

Close to me... Even I cannot deny a claim like that.

[Even if he's only starting to realise the depth of that himself. What is the saying...? "You don't know what you've got until it's gone"? Yukimura had figured that out the hard way.]

Kunoichi, thank you. I do not know what I would do without you by my side.

[After all, she was the one that had saved him in the first place. She was always helping him out of tough spots.]

I suppose we had best go and prepare ourselves for battle, then.

Is there anything else I can do for you, my lord?

[Kaguya simply nods in response to Yukimura. It's his decision who to bring, and how many - he was there, and he'd know best.

Whenever he's ready, so is she.]

... All that we really need now is to see who does not mind coming with us. Then we can head back.

[Even if the thought was still hard to wrap his mind around.]

[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!

[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?

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.]

[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.]

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.]

[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.

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.]

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