Stripes of Auburn, Eye of Sapphire
23. Masamune
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Summary: The only certainty he can find among all his thoughts is, in merely a little more than a month, Mai Mizusaki has managed to wring her way into the hearts of his men, his associates, and in Masamune’s head. And that such a person, such a bright flame, can probably be found once in a lifetime.
Sounds about right coming from someone who pretty much fell from the sky…
No spoilers
Masamune
The birds announcing the coming of dawn stir him from his sleep, humming contentedly and feeling quite relaxed for the first time in a very long while. When has it been since he had a dreamless sleep? Certainly, it makes it all the better, turning to the side and finding comfort in the warmth of a plushy pillow next to him on his futon.
Huh?
Or rather, not a pillow in fact, but a person.
His eye snaps open wide, first noticing a face under a bundle of long copper hair cradling closer to his chest, tugging weakly at the front of his juban. A soft breath fans against his collarbone before that face hides from sight on the crook of his neck. Masamune shivers at the sensation, yet all the more so as he recognizes that particular scent.
It’s not his tiger rousing him awake, but Mai. Not too different from Shogetsu—in terms of both appearance and personality—although she makes a far better sight to see, first time in the morning.
Worth to mention as well, they’re sprawled over her futon, not his.
A drowsy smile tugs at the corner of his mouth, content and satisfied. What a way to wake up, Masamune can’t help to ponder on. Turns on, the lass was right and he had been missing on a quite pleasant experience.
Skepticism aside, he never bothered to prolong his escapades and affairs until the next morning before, opting on the security of his futon. His nights might be plagued by unwanted nightmares and memories of the past, but that’s an issue he has to deal with alone—such as all his responsibilities and duties as daimyo.
However, waking up with Mai’s warmth all over—feeling her alive—is surely a welcoming change of pace. If asked right away, Masamune’s certain he wouldn’t mind at all making it an indulgent habit.
“Nngh… five more minutes…” She mumbles onto his neck, rubbing her cheek against him, yet not giving any signs of returning to the world of the living anytime soon.
“Minutes? What’s that?” He wonders aloud, voice thick with lack of use. Her reply comes off as more incomprehensible than before, but it’s worth trying. Probably another future custom of hers…
For the moment, he settles with smoothening her hair for a while, relishing in the feeling of her silky locks against his fingers while doing a mental check of his schedule for the day. As in his nature, Masamune can’t keep lazing about for much longer, starting an arduous task of disentangling off her arms.
“You’re the cutest kitten, but I really have to start the day though…” Dropping a lingering kiss atop her head, he finally leaves the futon, partially struggling to not look back in case he might regret it.
Last night’s teasing games left dried remnants of ink practically ruining one of the tatami mats, and so Masamune adds a matching replacement onto his mental list. Procuring another inkstone, there’s one nearby to where a delicately crafted cup holding a single plum blossom lies, curiously at one far corner of the room.
Looks like a gift, but… why does it look like it’s hidden from prying eyes?
And yet, he’s in no place to ask about it, dropping the wonderings as fast as they come, more content with focusing on writing the first letter of the day.
“You bring very good recommendations, lad. I bet you will fit in with the guys in no time,” He smiles contentedly, wrapping up the boy’s letter and setting it aside on his desk.
“Thank you!” The young man, Tadamasa, beams at him as if he’s been given the most heartfelt compliment. “I swear I won’t let you down, my Lord!”
His eagerness somehow warms Masamune’s heart, feeling himself reflected in the boy for a brief moment. Given his education and willingness to serve, surely he’d climb up the ranks with ease and, most likely, give Yojiro a run for his money, although that’s a good thing. In the long run—assuming he’ll be up for it—he might even take over some of Yojiro’s scouts and lessen his hard work.
The boy might be a tad bit too younger to take up arms for his liking, but admittedly, so was he back in the day, leaving little room to complain about. Regardless, as long as Tadamasa is truly sure serving him is his calling in life and is determined to see it through, the truth is he’ll be just as welcomed as anybody.
“That’s good to know. Though first consider introducing yourself to the rest of my men. Some are not that easy to keep up with,” Chuckling amicably, Masamune settles into a more relaxed position, hoping to cut with all stiffening formalities. “I have to ask, though. Got any other news from my cousin? Something he hasn’t said on his letters, perhaps?”
“Well, I’m afraid I haven’t seen Lord Shigezane since his departure to Oshu. But considering my father is settling there to oversee the construction as we speak, I might get news soon enough—“
The lad is cut short by a sudden yet polite knock on the door. “Masamune?” A familiar voice calls somewhat shyly from the other side, “Is now a good time?”
His eye shoots to the entrance, smile widening. “Is that you, Mai? Come in!”
As the shoji door slides open, she comes inside with a happy and somewhat eager step on her feet, carrying a small bundle of rolled up parchments. But the kitten’s grin falters at the sight of Masamune’s companion. “Oh, I wasn’t told you had a guest,” She worries her lip, seemingly worried about having interrupted something, “You want me to come back later?”
“It’s alright. I’m basically done with the lad here,” Clapping his knees, he stands up, and Tadamasa does the same as in cue, “You’ve got something urgent for me?”
“Not really. Just bring a note from Nobunaga and, um,” She trails off, a slight blush creeping up her face, “… Taking up your offer to having lunch together,”
Right, he indeed left her a note beside her futon asking her to have lunch as well as bring some examples of her designs along with. It’s not like Masamune had forgotten already, but hadn’t considered the morning would go out that fast. “And I’m glad you did! Thanks,” Approaching her with confidence, he tucks Nobunaga’s note in his breast pocket, not even needing to take a look to know it’s merely a scheduled war council.
A polite cough prompts his eye away from keeping roaming all over the lass. “May I ask, Lord Masamune, who is this?” It appears Tadamasa has also been eyeing her curiously.
Wrapping an arm around her shoulders—if only to tease the lad a little—they face him. “This is Mai. She’s both a Princess of the Oda and chatelaine of this Castle,” Then, Masamune points his chin towards the boy’s direction, “Mai, let me introduce you to Tadamasa. He’s just come into service with me,”
The kid’s eyes blow wide at the mention of her role, bowing to the lass in a sort of clumsy manner. “M-my Lady, I’m honored to meet you!”
“Haha, please, there’s no need to do that,” She grins at him, appearing touched, “And the pleasure is mine, Tadamasa.”
Masamune slides his hand down her arm, somewhat reluctant to keep her off his grasp—an odd feeling, although nice all the same. “He’s the son of a northern daimyo I know. I took him in as a favor, but I think I bit off more than I can chew with this lad.”
“Lord Masamune, that’s mean! I’ve been begging my father to let me serve you.” The boy’s bright eyes lit up as he looks at him, and the lass chuckles at that.
“Huh. Looks like I’m adored.” The comment makes him laugh wryly, prompting the rest to follow. “Alright, let me show you around town later after lunch. For now, introduce yourself to the others and wait for me by the gate.”
“A tour from Lord Masamune? I’m honored!”
Patience is admittedly not his forte, but he manages to wait just so until his new scout scurries past the door to wrap his arms around Mai’s waist. She quirks a brow, skeptical though amused nonetheless.
“Wow. Couldn’t wait to get handsy, did you?” Her pretty mouth kind of complaints but her body shows no signs of wanting him to back down. Quite the opposite, in fact, as he tilts his head to drop a fleeting kiss upon her cheek and she leans onto him.
“Just my way to thank you for last night,” He whispers close to the shell of her ear before leaning back, “It’s been some time since I slept so fine.”
“No need to thank me. I didn’t know you’d make up for such a good pillow,” She pokes the tip of his nose, a playful gleam crossing her amber eyes, that gorgeous smile of hers back in its right place.
Hells, she can’t possibly be so kissable all the time. She’s easy on the eye, easier on the tongue, and it amazes him how naturally comfortable and nice it is to be around her. Even more so, how she brings his ever constant racing mind to a stop, prompting him to take a much-needed breath. Only Mego—and presently, Kojuro as well—could ground him as much in the past, but he’s sure Mai isn’t even aware what she’s doing.
Regardless, the fact only points out she’s definitely someone he should keep close to.
“I suppose that just means we should do it more often, don’t you think?”
Her smile falters to put on a thinking face, “That… can be arranged.” She admits as if they’re talking business, appearing to fight an urge to snort, “But, Masamune?”
“Yeah?” He says, a hint of amusement in his voice as ever so casually he moves them against the wall, pressing their bodies together.
“I clearly recall you said we’d be having lunch—”
He can hardly resist that pretty blush creeping up her face, tilting his head and stealing the rest of her words with a slow, lingering kiss. Her lips curl into a sheepish smile while brushing against his, and Masamune takes a moment to breathe her in, content to feel her warmth.
“Guess I’m in the mood to have a snack first,”
“Uh, I’m afraid I don’t know what to say,” Kojuro worries his lip, looking at him through the corner of his eye.
Masamune narrows his eye at him from across the table they’ve all gathered in, not baffled in the least. “Well, you can start off by giving the lass your measurements,”
“But, my Lord, I can’t possibly—“
As Kojuro trails off and lowers his head, he meets the lass’ gaze, sitting next to him. She slowly arches a brow, and of all the ways she could be taking Kojuro’s rejection to her elaborated designs, the amusement in her face proves she somewhat expected that from him. The two of them exchange a silent conversation, and Masamune goads her forward with another kind of approach.
“You’re saying you don’t like them?” She puts on an utterly devastated face, and for a split moment, even Masamune buys that.
Kojuro falls into her trap all too easily. “What? No, no! Quite the contrary!” He exclaims, trying to prevent her from grabbing the examples spread over the table. “In fact, they all look incredible. And I dare say, I like this one the most,” He points at the most favored design by the three of them—a kimono of black fabric with a pattern of silver and golden clouds on top, completed by a half moon on the back.
“I like it too, and that one really suits you,” Mai nods, approving his choice, “But what’s the problem, then?”
“It’s, uh… unfortunately way out of my budget,”
He appears to squirm in his seat at the lack of a proper response, and none of them say a word for quite a while. That is, until Masamune can’t help it any longer, breaking into such strong laughter his eye begins to sting.
Mai joins in the mirth, shooting Kojuro one of her sweetest smiles, “Fortunately for you,” She says, grabbing his hand, “Masamune and I already arranged on a payment. And honestly, the only thing I need is an excuse to get to work with the seamstresses…”
“And I got tired of seeing my vassal and friend wandering around in his old rags,” Masamune clasps his shoulder and smiles as well, his tone resolute enough to not be taking another negative from his part, “Now be a good lad and give her your measurements, could you?”
And so, the rest of the day goes by without any further issue, with a happy Kojuro heading to the outskirts and meet their scouts in his stead while he takes it upon himself to show Tadamasa around. The Princess, on the other hand, settles with bringing the sketch she owes him to his manor at night—the eager spark in her pretty eyes lingering in his memory as a subtle promise of, most likely, something more than just a late meeting.
Come to think of it—and this, Masamune realizes on his way to war council—there’s something about the lass that it seems to make him truly look forward to their next get-together. Perhaps it’s because every moment spent with her appears to bring out a new and exciting experience all along. Perhaps it’s his undeniable curiosity towards her and, mostly, her odd customs and vision of the world; or it’s her natural charisma what draws him in and keeps him on his toes. Or it could be all of that, for what it’s worth.
Actually, it could be none of that and just that smart mouth of hers; that sweet, gorgeous mouth he’s exceptionally become so ravenous with as of late. But he can’t quite put into words why or what exactly makes him respond so fervently to her—only that he can’t find it in his will to stop.
The only certainty he can find among all his thoughts is, in merely a little more than a month, Mai Mizusaki has managed to wring her way into the hearts of his men, his associates, and in Masamune’s head. And that such a person, such a bright flame, can probably be found once in a lifetime.
Sounds about right coming from someone who pretty much fell from the sky…
Sadly—or fortunately, depending on how to look at it—the voice of an enraged Hideyoshi plucks him out of his deep thoughts as he saunters his way into the audience chamber, shamelessly late for the meeting. But apparently, it’s an interesting meeting for once, as at first sight, Masamune notices his acquaintances gathering up around a petite lady in casual clothes.
“Spill it out, you wrench!” Hideyoshi exclaims, the flames of anger very clear in his eyes, “Were you intending to poison our Lord? Or perhaps murder him in his sleep?”
However, there’s something about the scene unfolding before his eye that gives Masamune a very bad hunch—one he didn’t have for quite a while.
Before reaching his seat next to Ieyasu, Mitsuhide meets his gaze. “Why, you came in a very appropriate timing, Masamune…” Tilting his chin towards the woman on her hands and knees before Nobunaga, meeting the edge of Hideyoshi’s katana, he prompts him closer, “I believe you’ve met this lovely lady before, isn’t it?”
Skeptical at first, he approaches to get a better look at the presumable offender’s face, recognizing her instantly. Dragged before Lord Nobunaga, it stands one of the maids in charge of the laundry on the castle, a girl who he’s had some conversations in the past and happened to guide around the labyrinthine hallways himself when appeared helplessly lost.
While Masamune can’t truly recall her name—was it Ume?—he admittedly didn’t think much of such a beauty wandering the halls and going on about her life as a humble maid. A rookie mistake from his part.
“So, our beautiful maid turned out to be a kunoichi? Seems I wasn’t so wrong about you after all…”
Kneeling to get on her eye level, she still appears quite pretty, even when beaten up and with dark locks falling messily over her features. “Our time together in the dungeons has revealed me her true identity.” Mitsuhide shoots a sly smirk at the girl, “Turns out, she’s not precisely a regular kunoichi, but one of Shingen Takeda’s Mitsumono, no less.”
Ieyasu clenches his teeth in barely restrained anger, while Masamune just nods appreciatively, “Well, consider me flattered for trying to get to Lord Nobunaga through me,” Hooking a finger under her chin, he prompts her to meet his eye, “But someone as clever as you should have known how silly that was in the first place. Right, Ume? If that’s your name at all…”
The kunoichi smiles sweetly, though in a weak manner. “It’s… good to see you again, Lord Masamune,” It’s all she says back, if genuinely so, for how it seems like.
“Likewise,” He does mean it, regardless of it being seeing eye to eye with a declared enemy. “Now, I know how intimidating Hideyoshi and Mitsuhide can be. What about you talk to me instead?”
Hideyoshi wisely catches on with his idea, sheathing his blade yet keeping his close guard over his Lord. Ieyasu subtly rolls his eyes and Mitsuhide snorts in amusement, but says nothing as the rest of his associates. Nobunaga merely keeps his relaxed stance, overseeing the situation up on the dais as he always does.
Still, aside from the greeting, the stubborn woman doesn’t say a word. Masamune clicks his tongue, “I’ve got to admit, I’m not a patient man…” Sighing in exasperation, he closes his hand over the handle of his short katana, “Why don’t we just get on with it and tell me your business with him? It’s really as easy as that.”
Ever so slowly, a smirk appears on her pale face—one that, once again, makes a very bad feeling settle in his gut. And for what it takes, Masamune doesn’t need further explanation, realization dawning on him with the gesture alone.
“… Who said anything about ‘him’?”
His blood begins to boil, nostrils flaring, seeing red all in a sudden. Rising angrily, he knocks the woman out with a swift strike of the back of his blade, just a tiny bit aware Mitsuhide might surely want her alive and back in the dungeons after all—and so does he, after that reply.
Turning to Nobunaga, the Lord of Azuchi unfolds his arms as their gazes meet, a deep frown narrowing his face, crimson eyes mirroring the wild flames of ire blazing in Masamune’s. Hideyoshi goes ashen, yet soon joins them in their indignation, “How they dare—!”
He doesn’t get to finish his sentence as Nobunaga rises a hand.
“Hideyoshi, Masamune. You are to lead a searching party for the Princess,” He prompts his command, “Bring her back to me and strike down anyone who dares stand in your way.”
Juban: Undergarment. Kunoichi: A branch of female ninja.
