Gun shots fired through the air. Swords clashed ripping through flesh and bone on the battlefield. Battle cries filled the air as thick as smoke piercing the ears of every man fighting for their country.

Magoichi Saica's heart raced caught in the heated battle before her and her army.

A group of silver-clad soldiers fired at her from a distance. She dodged them with perfect technique and crouched down pulling out her shotgun and gunned them down with one hit each.

She glanced across the battlefield and saw a general in trouble.

"Tch!" She pulled out a revolver and shot the enemy down. The general looked up wielding his own shotgun sweat pouring down his face.

"M-Magoichi!"

She stared with all seriousness. "Get a move on. There are plenty of men here. We've still got a ways to go." An enemy soldier charged at Magoichi and without missing a beat she fired at him sending him off his feet. The commander gulped noticing that she didn't even break her gaze with him.

"Sir!" He bowed obediently and turned away. He shouted to his brigade and moved out.

She ran past many men fending off the attacking foes. She heard a brisk whinny and looked to her right. There stood a tall black steed riderless in all this mess.

"Perfect." Quickly she mounted the majestic animal and rode north where she knew she would certainly find Mitsunari Ishida.

The dark king hurriedly struck down the Saica men standing in his way. He sheathed his sword angrily.

"I grow tired of cutting down all of these fools." Mitsunari turned to his adviser hovering on his palanquin.

Yoshitsugu exhaled: Mitsunari never seemed to be 'happy' these days. He looked up and saw the Saica leader traveling on horseback, her red hair flowing with the horses movements.

"It seems you won't be kept waiting too long, Mitsunari." He said in the slow droll tone he always used.

"What?!" Mitsunari whipped around and watched Magoichi's horse slow down to a trot before him.

"I am Magoichi Saica of the Saica faction." She raised her revolver firing into the air once.

Mitsunari stared up at her as her horse reared up. Her blazing dark eyes pierced down into his own, a frown that could rival his own on her face.

"Magoichi Saica. I did not think you would make it here." He held his sword ready to fight.

"You should not doubt the Saica faction. We are a strong, proud people." She dismounted the horse coming around to face Mitsunari at eye level.

Mitsunari bowed his head looking away and slowly back up Magoichi's body to meet her gaze.

"I have come to make an alliance with you, as repulsive as the thought is, it is in both our best interests. Ieyasu must be stopped. I will not allow the likes of Tokugawa to clip the Saica's wings."

Mitsunari frowned.

"I also know all about your little lover's quarrel with Ieyasu... I am willing to work with you, but know this- my people follow my orders, not yours." She folded her arms with an attitude.

"Your boldness astounds me. It isn't wise to be so proud."

"Well, if that isn't the pot calling the kettle black." She retorted.

Magochi Saica's eyes widened at the sudden feeling of cold metal against her neck. Mitsunari was closer now, the cold blade of his odachi resting ever so slightly against the skin of her neck.

"If you even think about betraying me... I will slice you up. Careful with that tongue of yours." Magoichi analyzed the heat of Mitsunari's gaze. There was not a trace of sympathy or compassion in those eyes.

Mitsunari pulled his sword away. Magoichi raised her revolver to the skies and shot out three blasts and shouted out the announcement of the Saica and Ishida alliance.

Mitsunari frowned at her and walked towards Yoshitsugu.

"Do not fall behind. It would be most inconvenient."

Magoichi smirked lightly and followed with her own men in tow.

Mitsunari sat down with Yoshitsugu. He surveyed the camp that his and the Saica army had set up for the night. The men seemed to be getting along well with the sudden alliance.

He sipped on some tea made from water from a spring near by.

"Yoshitsugu." Mitsunari said authoritatively.

"Yes, my lord?"

"Tomorrow we will be heading east..." He trailed off seeing the Saica faction leader standing a few tents down.

"Yes..? Of course sir. Why bring up this matter?"

"..." Mitsunari watched her pop some dry beans from a bag into her mouth. She glanced over feeling Mitsunari's eyes on her. He quickly looked down into his tea cup.

"My lord?" Yoshitsugu smirked beneath all his bandages.

"Nevermind. I'm going to get some rest." Mitsunari sat his cup down and walked to his own tent for the night.

Yoshitsugu floated away. "How very...amusing."

Magoichi rose early the next morning and spoke to a few of her generals. She had heard no word from the Ishida forces and sent one general to check on their status.

"Um..lord Mitsunari. My lord was wondering what the formation is for today?" The Saica's second general asked a bit nervous.

Mitsunari looked up from talking with Yoshitsugu. "Can you not see that I am busy?!Tell her to come here immediately!" He snapped. "Idiot...!"

The man's armor clattered with his shaking. "S-sir!" He scampered away like a frightened rabbit.

Mitsunari huffed annoyed but he was curious about his new ally especially it's female commander.

Magoichi walked with a gait that demanded attention. She put her hands on her hips coming to stand in front of Mitsunari.

Mitsunari frowned. "Finally. What took you so long?"

"Good morning to you too. Should I expect such a callused greeting every morning?" Magoichi scoffed.

"Tch..." Mitsunari rolled his eyes and continued his talking about course of action with the approaching battle with Muneshige.

Mitsunari insisted upon leading their armies eastward. Magoichi quickly caught up on horse back as well and rode along side Mitsunari proudly regardless of his loathing attitude towards her.

" stay out of my way, woman. This man plans on allying with me as well. I will be deciding if he is a capable man."

"..." She stayed silent. She glanced over at Mitsunari examining his taut jaw, his lips curled in a scowl. She wondered if his facial expression ever changed.

Once they reached Muneshige, Magoichi watched from the side lines as Mitsunari fought the heavily armored man. He truly was tough, this Muneshige.

"A warrior with two chainsaws... interesting." Magoichi mused to herself. Mitsunari got tossed back through the dirt creating a long crater in the battle arena that Mitsunari and Muneshige fought on.

Muneshige fought with passion.

"Mitsunari, you should hurry up and convert to Xavism! Become a follower of Xavi!" Lightning flickered around Muneshige's body and it disappeared as he continued. "Although.. I really don't care for it much..."

"You damned fool!" Mitsunari said angrily. He wiped the dirt from his face. "I will not allow such a petty man to enter into the western army!"

Magoichi shook her head and stepped in. "Hold on, boys." She looked at Mitsunari. "What about Muneshige Tachibana is not worthy of our alliance? He is a very strong and capable man. Surely you can see that for yourself."

"Our alliance?" Mitsunari growled. "This is my alliance with Muneshige! Now stand aside!"

Magoichi grinned. "You are allying with Muneshige, then?"

Angered by the Saica commander, Mitsunari growled. Muneshige looked hopeful at the two bickering before him. Mitsunari looked back between the blue armored warrior and the gun slinging woman before him.

"Do not try and sway me, woman!"

Saica folded her arms ignoring Mitsunari's degrading tone.

He glanced over at Yoshitsugu and knew he had to accept Muneshige to strengthen his army like they had talked about earlier in the day.

"...Yes. I will forge this alliance." He said dully. Muneshige sighed with a grin and lowered his saws.

"Great! I can finally leave this place! Screw Xavism!My name is Muneshige, not Gallop!"

Mitsunari glared at Magoichi. "We will talk later, Saica." He said threateningly.

Magoichi followed him and their new partner back to the army.

They traveled by horse back until the sun began to set. Magoichi helped set up camp with Mitsunari's men. She could feel a cold presence around her and looked up seeing Mitsunari's form looming over her. She quickly tied the last rope to the post for the tent and looked up.

"Come. Let us talk." Mitsunari said in a monotone voice before he walked away. Magoichi stood and followed. Mitsunari could try as much as he liked, but she was not intimidated by him.

"I'm not one of your soldiers you can just order around, you know." Magoichi said pointedly. She kept a short distance from the purple clad man. He didn't acknowledge her until they were down by an open view spring over the hill the camp sat upon.

Mitsunari finally turned to her. "You may be a commander, but you are my ally. I expect you to follow any orders I give you."

She laughed. "You must be delusional. You are lucky to have my crows at your back. I control what they do, do not misunderstand that."

"Tch..." He clenched his fist. "Why must you be so..so..."

"Difficult?" She suggested.

"YES!" He shouted coming closer.

Magoichi looked over to a tall tree nearby hearing cicadas singing in a rhythmic pattern. The sun had already set and the world was a dark blue. The both of them had neglected to bring a torch. They were not far from camp but it was far enough that one would have been handy right about now.

"Mitsunari, every man is free to think for himself...or have you forgotten that in your short days as governor over Hideyoshi's claims?"

"Don't you say his name so carelessly! He was-"

Mitsunari was caught off guard by Magoichi Saica's soft lips touching his own. Her fist wadded up the front of his jacket lapel and she kissed him adamantly. She pulled back a little still holding on to his jacket. She could make out his facial features now that they were close enough. Mitsunari's jaw was slack in shock.

The red head grinned tapping his jaw shut and pulled away.

"I think it's about time I got back to camp. It's awfully dark down here. Who knows what could happen." She said playfully with her back to Mitsunari.

He stood there speechless and watched her walk away. For once Mitsunari had nothing to shoot back at the gun slinging woman.