The March for Glory (RP)

[Ichiro Kojuri]

Mountain Watch Keep.

It was high noon when the army of the Minor Clan Alliance under Ichiro Kojuri’s command reaches the battlefield. The unified army, consisting of armies from different minor clans, marching together to support Kaneka’s cause of repealing the yobanjin threat in Rokugan.

Ichiro Kojuri, General of the Minor Clan Alliance, dismounted his horse as he survey the ensuing battle ahead.

His analysis was right. They will arrive by midday and the war is still enraging. The direction from which they will be arriving will flank the yobanjin but they will be of considerable distance from the Shogun’s army, to ask aid, if the tide of battle didn’t go to the Minor Clan Alliance’s side.

Ichiro Kojuri wished that his second in command, Kaito was also here, including the elite heavy infantries that was now temporarily under his command. They will find this battle glorious. Kojuri could not risk leaving Shiro Ichiro defenseless. Only Kaito and the heavy infantries have the experience of dealing with any yobanjin incursion. Just in case the yobanjin will take advantage of the current situation.

A few loose yobanjin caught sight of the unified army and scampered. Ichiro Kojuri took note of this for they might report to their leaders and come up with a suitable defense from an impending assault to their flank.

Kojuri gave the signal for the cavalry to charge. The Morito cavalry joined by cavalries from fellow minor clans, thundered across the battlefield with all their ferocity and determination. Seconds later he gave the command for the infantry units to charge. ‘For the empire!’, they all shouted in unison. And it was carnage on both sides.

The first few minutes of battle was a free for all for the Minor Clan Alliance as they caught the yobanjin army clashing the shogun’s forces unawares. But it soon will change as a division of that army diverted its attention toward the clan alliance and another division arriving from the rear. Enclosing the alliance in a pincer movement.

The Minor Clan Alliance’s advantage soon was lost and their ranks slowly dwindle from the overwhelming number of the gaijin threat.

Ichiro Kojuri just hope that Kaneka will find some exploitation from the diversion that the unified army made.

[Komori Yukio]

Ujina Tomatsu was not happy. The two divisions of Hare scouts that had been placed under his command had remained behind, effectively on the gaijin enemy's flank between the position of the Shogun's armies and that of the incoming forces of the various Minor Clans that had joined the northern conflict, including a division of Usagi light infantry. From his vantage point Tomatsu had seen the initial flanking charge of the Minor Clan forces, and the havoc it head wreaked as it attempted to weaken the enemy line between the Shogun's army and what appeared to be the yobanjin command group. He had also seen the Shogun's forces fail to take advantage of the enemy's initial confusion, and that same enemy send divisions of their own to counter the Alliance of Minor Clans on their flank. Now, virtually surrounded, though they fought valiantly and well, the Minor Clan armies, including his Usagi clanmates, were slowly being ground down by the sheer numerical superiority of the barbarians they faced.

What could be done? His own scout divisions were insufficient to breaking up the enemy's flanking forces, and the scout divisions from the other Minor Clans were to far away, being behind the initial avenue of the Minor Clan attack, to reinforce him. How could this apparent crushing defeat be salvaged? Tomatsu sighed. There was only one way...

He turned to the Bat shugenja that had been assigned to him. We need to get two messages out immediately, Komori-san.

Hai, Ujina-sama! What messages and to what forces?

Send one to your brethren among the Badger, Dragonfly, and Ox scout divisions to the rear of our brethren. Let them know that it is imperative that they thin the number of yobanjin to the rear of Kojuri-sama and his forces. The yobanjin must not be allowed to fully encircle them.

Send the second to your kinsman assigned to Kojuri-sama. Let him know that we will light a signal fire. When we do, he must immediately withdraw at least one hundred yards as we will deliver a rain of arrows, and anyone caught in that area will likely be hit. The timing must be precise. If all goes as planned, this should allow the Ox cavalry to make another charge forward allowing our forces to renew their assault as planned.

Finally, if you still have the strength, send word to your kinsman assigned to the Shogun that if advantage is to be gained, now is the time to strike, lest that advantage be lost.

The shugenja looked at him. Apologies Ujina-sama, but what you are proposing... we could well hit our own forces...

Tomatsu held up a hand. I am aware of the possible consequences Komori-san. We are Ujina; we do what we must. If the fortunes do not favor my decision, I will make the three cuts in restitution. Now, you have your orders.

The Bat sighed, bowed his head, and began his prayers...

[Ichiro Kojuri]

ooc: Woohoo! Great job Warai-san! I definitely like it. This story will tie in to part 2. Though I doubt if Kaneka will now take advantage of the situation so we can change part 2 of our story. He's an arrogant man after all.

[Komori Yukio]

ooc: I was hoping to extend this part a little (including something about the Shogun's inaction), though the bit about the rear was meant as a tie in to part 2. Still, this one can go longer without messing up the second part imo. Whoever posts here next should probably do so roughly from the point in time that Tomatsu lights his signal.