Challenging Falls (Open)

[Yamabara Shou]

The Senga water fall not far north from centre of Kofu, was one the most beautiful parts of the Arakawa River, that Shou knew of. It was a great place to stop for a rest, on the trip back home. Riding his horse to the riverside he dismounted, and let the animal drink from the river. Looking up at the falls was calming, and Shou moved over to a nearby tree to rest underneath it. Gazing up at the picture of peace, momentarily forgetting the violent nature of the lands in recent days.

Relaxing under the tree for some time, he knew he couldn't waste too much time here however, but decided he might as well make use of the time. Eventually getting up from where he was resting, he went back over to his horse, and led it over to the tree. Tying to the tree he gave the animal enough slack in order to reach the riverside still if it decided to drink. Unloading one of the bags, off the horse, he slung it over his back and tied it in place.

The extra weight would add to the effort needed as he jogged slightly up river to where the falls where. Looking up the cliff side of the falls, reaching out he started to try and climb the side of the falls. The first couple meters were pretty simple but as the climb went on, he realise just how big a task he had chosen for a bit of training. Maybe he shouldn't have brought the bag with him; the extra weight was slowing him down.

His arms started to tire and the closer he got to the top, the more he thought the moisture on the rocks from the falls was a bad thing.

However by the time he realised just how bad it was he was closer to the top then the bottom, I didn't want to risk running out of energy before reaching the top. Pushing himself onwards, he eventually reached the top collapsing on top the rocks at the top of the falls, legs still dangling off the edge, regretting have push himself too much. Next time he decided to train, he stick to running, it was safer.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

"Hey there, partner."

Takehiro was at the top of the waterfall, sitting on the grass next to it. He had a rice cake in his hands, and he was chowing down heartily. Originally, he'd just been enjoying the scenery, which was a GREAT break in these times. Annnd out of nowhere comes a dude from the bottom of the waterfall like he was some newbie ninja or some shit.

"Rice cake?" He extended a small offering to the man. Couldn't hurt, right?

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou looked up from his position on the cliff side, when he heard a voice talking to him. He was surprised to see someone else at the falls. Though it was along the river so if some was nearby and need to resupply with water it was a smart location to come to. Pulling himself from the edge of the cliff, and onto more solid ground, he got to his feet and brushed off his clothes. 

Walking over and sitting down next to the other man. "Thank you, it isn't common you see random generosity in these times." Shou thank the man accepting the rice cake. "though then again it isn't common to random see someone decide to climb a water full either, so who am I to comment." Shou added taking a bite from the rice cake. He hadn't eaten for hours, he had been planning to do so after he got back down from the cliff, but after climbing it going back down quickly didn't seem like a smart idea, while his legs and arms felt like they were made of water. 

[Amakusa Takehiro]

The mercenary just laughed, handing over the rice cake. Company could be kind of nice, and generosity was just something Takehiro was used to. Now this man, he didn't really seem like waterfall climbing was his thing, but hey, to each their own.

"What is common anymore besides war, eh?" Another chuckle. Oh, there was serious truth to that. "Sooo let me guess... hiding from the wife?"

[Yamabara Shou]

Death and destruction came to mind, at the other man's comment but that was just a by product of war. So they could be considered the same thing.  "Funny, I'm not married haven't even considered the idea really. To focused on my work, and war times don't seem like the time for courtship." Shou said with a laugh. "What about you, if that is the first reason that comes to your mind, is it because it's yours, or you just like taking in the falls like me?" Shou asked finishing off the rice quicker then was probably polite, but having started eating something his body suddenly realised just how long the trip back to Kofu so far had been.

Turning out to look back out over the falls Shou wondered to himself if there was another way round to get back down, he didn't want to leave his horse tied up for too long out here. If someone else was out here, then it was possible there was a third and unlike this one he could be thief rather then a generosity man. That would be his luck balancing out.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

"Really?" The mercenary nodded, considering the idea. "Funny, I'd always considered the opposite. If I'm going to die in these times, I'd like to do so happily. War is profitable and all, but I'd like to end the times with a woman by my side, maybe a few kids." The thought was nice, despite being so unrealistic. Tak was a fighter, through and through. Chances of him being involved with a family, well... they were low, disappointingly.

The plate of rice cakes at Takehiro's side was pushed to be between himself and this man. It was a gesture that he could help himself, and the mercenary would not complain. "I figure I'd enjoy a change of scenery. The blood and battle was getting to be overwhelming."

[Yamabara Shou]

The idea made some sense, that if you were doomed to die you might die with someone, rather alone. But the idea of surviving was what put him off the idea. "I've seen a lot of dead, but normally through the aftermath and not on the battlefield. I'm worried that at the end of the day, I'll be alive and those I care about will be the ones to have died." Shou said, mental adding 'Again' to the end of the statement. "Maybe I'm the coward people have called me in the past, but maybe If I live I'd rather be alive and lonely then alive and grief stricken." Shou tried to justify himself to the stranger, even though he didn't really have to.

"Seen a lot of battles then? So close to Kofu, you certainly don't dress like the Takeda soldier that I know." Shou said having noticed, and so far out from the city by himself didn't really scream soldier.  Even with the way he spoke of battle he sounded like an old one. 

[Amakusa Takehiro]

"No faith in being able to protect what you love?" It was a feeling he was not familiar with. He'd never lost anything important to him, though he'd taken a lot from others in battle. He'd torn families apart. He knew he had what it took to protect what was his, though he never really lost much in his life.

"I'm a mercenary, friend. Formerly Hojo. The battles I've seen... there have been far too many, let me tell you. And after so much battle, sitting by the water and speaking with a stranger is nice. Fighting for as long as I have, settling down with a family has come to be a dream unattainable. Especially for a Lordless man such as myself, no real home to call my own."

[Yamabara Shou]

The man word stung a little, and Shou hung his head and stared at the ground. "Not at this time no, I'd know put my life on the line to try.I'd put myself in harms in a heart beat, and probably get cut down in a instant, against man of true mettle." Shou muttered more reassuring himself then for the ears of the other man. "Though I wonder, if home is what you long for, why turn to become a mercenary?" Shou asked, "If it your dream when not aim for it, find a land you and people you want to protect, you sound as if your capable." Shou added. 

"Forget it, don't want to sound like I'm telling you what to do, when apart from serving my lord in the way I can. I don't even know what I truly want." Shou said as  he looked from the ground up at the sky and let out a heavy sigh. "Anyway let avoid these dark topic of unattained dreams, in such a peaceful moment. I am Yamabara Shou." He said slapping a hand to his chest, and a informal nod of a bow.  

[Amakusa Takehiro]

"Why settle in the territory of a daimyo who'll make me fight a battle that's not mine? That's hardly any more of a home, I'd think. It's likely I'll aim for it, in the future, when I'm strong enough to protect a people, not just myself. And that day will come, surely."

Maybe he had a dream of creating a faction all his own, fighting under the banner of Amakusa, and no one else's. Or, maybe, his dream was just to settle on a piece of land, and guarantee a safe life for all those who lived on it. Maybe both were possible.

"Well met, Shou. I am Amakusa Takehiro, and I'm sure we'll be hearing each other's names quite often, haha."

[Yamabara Shou]

'The fight will come to you one way or another' Shou thought to himself bitterly. 'Hopefully you survive it.' He added mentally, thinking that maybe if the man did, and once Lord Shingen had united the land this man would be able to attained his dream. Because as dreams go, it was a pretty good one. "Well met as well." Shou return the sentiment. "Well if we do, I'm sure it would be for different reasons." Shou added with a laugh. 

Pulling his bag of his back back, Shou dug inside it and eventually pulled out a small bottle. Flicking a small knife into his hand to open it. "I was going to treat myself, when I got home. But to peace and fulfilment of dreams." Shou said holding up the bottle before downing some of the Yamanashi wine. "And thank for the rice cake." Shou said with another laugh and holding out the bottle. It was better to have opened the bottle to drink it in company, then use it relax alone after finally getting home. He hoped that Amakusa didn't mind the local wines.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

The man pulled out some wine, and it was a gesture Takehiro did not dislike, that much was certain. Any wine was good wine, unless it was bad wine, but the wine from this region was generally pretty good. "And thank you for the drink, friend!" Takehiro heartily downed a good portion of the drink before handing it back to his new companion, clearly satisfied.

"I must say, you Takeda fellows sure know how to be friendly. If I had to pick a side, no doubt about it so far, 'tis likely I'd pick yours." But alas, it did not come to that.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou took back the Wine when it was passed and down and couple of gulps as he listened to Amakusa. Shou was glad to hear that the man thought highly of the Takeda, and wondered who else among that Takeda the man had met to make him think that way. "Well as a mercenary maybe you will if only for a short spell. And maybe you'll fight against us. But for now, it neither, and just because you aren't an ally doesn't make you a enemies." Shou said with another gulp of drink. 

"Either way, we all follow are own paths." He said offering the bottle again. If the man accept he would wait until it was offer back and the force the stopper back inside the top as best he could before returning it to his bag, wrapping the top in some of the random cloth inside his bag just in case the stopper wasn't completely tight. He might as well save some of the bottle for later. Plus he didn't want let himself drink himself drunk, before having to make the trip back to his horse and home.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

"If the fates had it so we would fight, it would not be without a good cause." A decisive nod before he took one last drink of the wine, handing it to the man after so he could put it away. He really did not dislike the Takeda. Yukimura was a good person, and this guy was as well. If only he fought for the same thing they did, maybe he would find himself aligned with them. But alas, it was not so likely.

"Have you never wondered about raising your own banner?" Takehiro rose a hand toward the sun, as if reaching for it. "Having men fight under your Mon, willing to risk their life for you? How heavy of a burden do you think that really is?"

[Yamabara Shou]

'Never' the word flashed in his mind instantly in his mind when Amakusa, mention raising his own banner. It would be too heavy a burden to carry as Amakusa put it. Shou wondered why the man was asking, was he planning to do so. A force led by a mercenary, could such a thing happen, could such a thing work? "No I haven't thought of it. I'm a courir a message carrier. The only experince I've had leading men, is in mock battles, training exercises. And even then my success I willing to put down to luck, and solid nature of the men I was working with." Shou revealed.

"If I think I'm not capable of protecting people, and wouldn't want to lead them. That's a burden I'm not sure I could cope with. Why do you think your up to the task? To be asking that is?" Shou inquired to Amakusa's motive of the question. 

[Amakusa Takehiro]

"Then you do not dream big enough, friend."

It only made sense to Takehiro. Even if men were loyal, there was no doubt at least an itch in the back of their mind that said "I want to lead." It didn't even need to be an entire faction, just a small unit of men, or an entire company. The mercenary himself had bigger dreams than both of those, however; dreams as ambitious of those of the Oda or Takeda. Though, he had not the means to pursue them.

"I feel like I could protect people. And even if I can't now, I can only get stronger from here. And, let's say I just get tired of fighting for coin - I don't agree with the ideals of any of the current daimyo, so would it not make sense to become one myself? Lead an army whose single goal is to put an end to the warfare?"

[Yamabara Shou]

"A noble goal. I would love the wars to end, but raising a force to try and make dream to might just create more conflict." Shou pointed out the slight flaw in the plan. "Well unless you were able to raise a force capable of crushing the armies all the Daimyo. Which may work but the amount of destruction you'd have to cause along the way. Could lead to the suffering of thousands." Shou continued looking up at the sky regrettfully at the idea.

"Talks of peace have broken, and conflict is just breeding more and more. But chisel me up a pessimist I am one." Shou admitted to the other man. He knew he was. He was loyal to the Takeda, but even then he didn't see Lord Shingen bringing peace in the immediate future. Maybe lord Shingen had a plan to end the conflict and maybe he didn't.  either way he would remain loyal to the Takeda, unless someone proved to be able to end the strife of the world.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

Maybe the man did have a point, but that was just assuming Takehiro didn't know what he was going for. You couldn't raise an army in the name of peace. It was contradictory. If you played your cards right though, anyone could rule the land.

"I understand how it sounds. "let's fight for peace!" Yeah, no, not what I'm getting at. Think about it, though - a single daimyo could raise an army powerful enough to crush those whose lands make up his borders. Instead of fight, they form an alliances, letting the daimyo keep all their land, but under a single banner. That army has now exponentially grown, and has already become a force to reckon with, and the cycle would just continue."

That was a large part of his plan, if he were to follow his dream. Occupy a territory, raise an army, and negotiate peace, surrender, or an alliance with the neighboring daimyo.

[Yamabara Shou]

It was some plan, he had to admit. But you had to be able to raise a army to intimidate your neighbours into joining you. That the leader of those neighbouring armies not be arrogant or power hungry to the point where they refused to do so. It was people like that, who normally got to the top. 

"Well that's one way if it worked. Make allies until everyone is part of the same army, so they no longer need to fight." Shou agreed somewhat with the idea. "Now I wouldn't turn around and say I'd join you in the idea, but with that plan if it work, well I'd be on your side in the end at some point anyway." Shou said with a laugh, the idea was amusing one at least. Shou wondered what the world beyond Japan would be like if they suddenly united under one banner. No longer able to sell weapons to the multitude of Daimyo, made the warfare worse. 

[Amakusa Takehiro]

Takehiro himself laughed as well. The man might have misinterpreted him, but that was fine. "Well, that's not to say you should just drop your allegiances to the Takeda and come join a man with no army, friend, certainly," A chuckle would be stifled after a good few seconds. The guy would have to be an idiot to do that, and Takehiro didn't peg him for an idiot.

"It's a dream worth fighting for though, eh? A day when the Takeda and the Uesugi no longer draw their blades against each other, but as allies. A day when the Chosokabe and the Mori sail the seas side by side. It may be far from reality, but it would be a good future, I believe."

[Yamabara Shou]

"You say I don't dream big enough, but maybe you dream too big. However you never know, maybe what the world needs is someone who can dream big." Shou chuckled gesturing with arm out stretched as a expression of size. "Well hopefully in that sort of world, couriers are still needed. I may miss the farms on occasion, but now I've seen more of the lands. I think I'd like to keep a job that's allows me to see more of it." Shou told Amakusa looking out over the top of the waterfall.

The waterfall was just one of the beautiful sights he would never have seen if he had still been a farmer. In the grand scene of things though the Segna falls was just outside his door, compared to some of the places he had been and they only the tip of the spear, compared to the rest of the world. Maybe when the peace came, if it came he'd see beyond the borders of the land.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

"Without the dreamers, where would we be, eh?" The disappointing answer would be, still in a time of peace. All the current daimyo were dreamers and men of power... look what they did to the country. Though, that thought was shoved out of the mercenary's brain, and he stretched a little, taking in the scenery.

"I can't imagine the day couriers are no longer needed. That would mean mail and letters would have to travel through other means, and I can think of no other than by the courier, friend."

A simple reassurance that the man would probably never lose his job. Unless he lost a leg or something... that would be bad.

[Yamabara Shou]

The man had a point, but the demand of delivery of a militaristic nature surely wouldn't exist in a peaceful world. So maybe you'd need less of us, or maybe new needs would come forth that he and those like him could see to.  "Well if you ever need something delivered n those days, I'd be glad to oblige. For a reasonable sum I'm sure." Shou grinned laying baying back and using his bag as a cushion. It wasn't the most comfortable thing to lay on due to the bottle inside but it was slightly padded. 

"plus I could choose what trips I was willing to take, in peacetimes. That would be nice." He mused. "What would you do if peace came. Well if you're plan worked, do you think you could rule justly after peace came? Power does come with the role of Daimyo but so does a load of responsibility." Shou wondered aloud.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

Takehiro nodded. There would be so many pros to living a life of peace, even though it may not be something the mercenary himself could really bear. He was a fighter who would find no use in a land of peace, but with the role of Shogun, he would end up having to deal with assassinations and battles outside of Japan. If it ever got that far, he felt he could handle it.

"If I did not think I could rule justly, I would not have these dreams. I've served under many a cruel daimyo, some as a hired hand, others as a ranking officer in their forces. I like to think I could make living conditions in this country wonderful again, if I had that much power. But, I'm far from that, unfortunately."

[Yamabara Shou]

So yet another unattainable dream, of the man's mind. Well Shou wished him well in the endeavour if he was serious. Though he wondered if such power should rest on just one man. Because who would take over after a leader like that died would they be just also. And what about his subordinate would they act justly in there leaders name or bleed the nation for what they could get away with.

"I guess that you have a greater perspective on the subject then I. I've always lived in the lands of the Takeda and have served in my post for years now." 

Maybe it was blind loyalty on his part, maybe there already another Daimyo out there who's ideal matched his own. But the Takade had come to his home aid when it was needed at his request. It had been too late, but they came to protect the people, he would bet that their were other Daimyo out there who would have not.