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Chapter 7 fanart of my fanfic :3
I was so excited to finally enter the Dark World of my fanfic ^-^
I have some arts of these chapters because I have such a vivid image of how each scenario looks like in my head, I'll guess I'll be posting with each chap or something
Stripes of Auburn, Eye of Sapphire
23. Masamune
Read on Ao3 | Read on FFN | Masterlist
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.
Stripes of Auburn, Eye of Sapphire - Chapter 4
Rating: Mature Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply, Graphic Depictions Of Violence Categories: F/M, Multi Fandom: Ikemen Sengoku: Romances Across Time, イケメン戦国 時をかける恋 | Ikemen Sengoku: Toki o Kakeru Koi (Visual Novel) Relationship: Date Masamune/MC, Takeda Shingen/MC, Takeda Shingen/MC/Date Masamune, Sarutobi Sasuke & MC Characters: Date Masamune, Takeda Shingen, Oda Nobunaga, Sarutobi Sasuke, Sanada Yukimura, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Original Female Character(s) Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Canon-Typical Violence, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Tragedy, Love Triangles, Sexual Content, Not an ounce of innocence in MC, Heavy spoilers for Masa and Shingen’s route
Her annoyance tones down several levels at the sound of genuine laughter, coming from the second man accompanying Hideyoshi. It’s musical and warm but just so, exactly like… spring, too tempting to join in the mirth. That, and as well as turning it impossible for Mai not to turn her eyes to the source, briefly abandoning her desperate search for Sasuke.
And for some reason, her heart seems to do a dramatic double flip when she finds it.
“So… you’re Mai? A stalwart lass, indeed,” The first detail she notices in him are some incredible eyes—or best to say, eye in singular, an eyepatch sadly covering the other—gleaming in hues of sapphire blue, almost taking her breath away with its enrapturing beauty.
If he hasn’t already with that heartwarming laughter, that is.
Ao3 | FFN
Stripes of Auburn, Eye of Sapphire
22. Mai
Read on Ao3 | Read on FFN | Masterlist
Summary: “I wasn’t the only isolated case of smallpox, back in the day. But I’ve been lucky to only lose an eye from it, that’s for sure…”
The harsh truth from the reality they live in weighs heavily on her. Masamune speaks as if somewhat detached from the horrible fact he lost his bride, of all people. However, to some extent she comes to understand a commander and head of a clan like him must have spent his entire life getting acquainted with death. May it be due to war, a disease, or just birth, the prospect of losing a loved one must be just that inevitable for people in that era.
Perhaps that’s why he goes by living life to the fullest, not missing a single moment.
Spoilers: Masamune’s route Warning for slight sexual themes.
Mai
“I came for a tryst.”
What? Did she hear him right? It wouldn’t be surprising otherwise, considering the very loud way her heartbeat begins to throb in her ears.
When at first Masamune had partially trapped her against the wall of her room, then he makes sure to let her know the new attempt isn’t going to end up as the former. Leaning an elbow beside her head, he cradles her cheek with his other hand, drawing Mai’s face up to meet his.
She’d previously thought she’d heard a purr, and turns out, it’d come from her all along. “Taking things a little faster, now?”
“What can I say, I do like turning up the speed on things,” His smirk widens, turning wicked and impossibly more alluring, “And you don’t seem to have any troubles catching up with me so far…”
Ever so temptingly and locking her in place with his gaze only, he slowly pulls the tie on her hair loose, her long copper locks falling over her shoulders like droplets. Somehow he manages to make such a simple gesture so erotic her breath catches, muscles going taut with anticipation.
“I left Kojuro in charge of Shogetsu for tonight. I thought you’d appreciate that,”
“I’m pretty sure I still see a large, imprudent kit in front of me,” Mai can’t help the small banter, visibly shivering at the feeling of his index finger sliding down the column of her throat.
Is she truly ready for a ‘tryst’ with ancient Japan’s most casual kisser, though?
Nah, he’s not really serious though.
With that in mind, her former hesitation takes a turn into a more playful mood, feeling up for indulging him in a little teasing game. And so, tiptoeing just slightly and holding onto his shoulders, she drops an open-mouthed kiss on Masamune’s cheekbone, right below his eyepatch. That side of his face feels a tad bit rougher to the touch, but it doesn’t make him any less attractive; in fact, rather the opposite.
“Tempting, but I think I’ll pass…” She breathes close to his ear, feeling more than glimpsing the way he worries his lower lip and sighs, low and deep.
“You keep saying that, kitten. It breaks my heart,” Leaning back, he fakes a pout while casually tucking a loose strand behind her ear. “I was kidding, though. Actually, I have a request for you,” Without further ado, Masamune properly enters her room, unfurling a large piece of blank paper on her desk—precisely in the same place when a certain letter was, mere moments ago.
The sight brings her back to the former source of her concerns, scratching the back of her head in an uneasy manner. Should she bring the Shingen Takeda subject up with Masamune? Truth be told, he doesn’t truly seem like the appropriate guy to confide such delicate topic on, all the more considering Shingen is technically his enemy by proxy, given Masamune’s alliance with Nobunaga.
It’s probably better if I meet with this envoy first, and then decide on what to do from then on, though. Besides, tonight doesn’t look like a good night to bring up something like that.
“Is something the matter?”
“Oh, no. It’s just… what gorgeous handmade paper!” Mai quickly brings up an excuse, “I guess since we are in the 16th century I can’t say its antique, but still!”
He quirks a brow, snorting, “Somehow that makes me feel old…”
“Haha, don’t be silly. But what’s it for?”
“I’d like you to draw me a picture,” Masamune says simply, “Something like what I saw in your sketchbook. I want to use it as a hanging scroll.”
A little confused, she tilts her head. What? He’s not meaning one of my clothing designs? That’s not really art, though. And come to think of it, he hasn’t yet returned the dress design he’d snatched from her sketchbook. “Why would you want that from me? I can’t really do calligraphy or landscapes…”
“Because I like your art. I can see the effort in it.” He replies in such a straightforward, matter-of-factly way it kind of stuns her for a moment. “It’s flawed in a rough, energetic way that makes it beautiful.”
Is he talking about her designs or himself just then? “Um, Masamune, they’re rough because they’re rough sketches…”
He shrugs, “I still think they’re impressive, and clearly something I haven’t seen before in my life,” His face softens, dropping a hand on her shoulder, “I really do appreciate the way you draw, Mai.”
The genuine, easygoing smile narrowing his face touches her heart, but most of it, his complete sincerity. It’s not just a vague praise, Masamune truly does mean every word he says.
“Thank you for that…” She can’t help beaming at him, a nice and warm feeling settling in, “Is that all you needed from me, though?”
“Yeah. And don’t worry if you mess up. I can always bring more paper,”
Plopping down on the floor beside her, Masamune’s eye is bright and vivid, and her cheeks start to hurt with how hard she smiles back at him. In reality, he’s the first person who’d thought of her drawings as actual art, and that mention alone makes her all the more joyful inside.
After looking down at the piece of blank paper before her, Mai summons the resolve to start. This will be my first time drawing a hanging scroll. I thought the pressure would block me, but I’m actually inspired!
Taking the closest brush and preparing some ink, first she settles for starting with a female figure, opting to figuring the rest out as she goes. It’s been some time ever since she doodled anything—a little more than a month, in fact—but doing something as menial as sitting down and draw something puts her more at ease than most things in the world.
Glancing fleetingly at him from time to time, Masamune remains quiet, resting a hand behind him and slipping into a relaxed position as he watches her draw. The metallic, golden crescent moon hanging on his belt and the curved patterns of his kimono catch her eye, bringing some inspiration from his ever so present moon theme.
It gets to be so easy for her mind to prone on thoughts of him lately, but she can’t truly help it. What are his favorite colors? Which patterns would suit him best? The first thing that comes to mind is that Masamune Date reminds her of a spring season—fresh, vivid, pleasantly warm and lively. The most colorful time of the year and, to some extent, the most positive in her opinion.
Struck with a nice idea, Mai continues her design in peaceful, companionable silence. “Hey, you. Still awake?” She says softly after a while.
“Mm-hm…” It’s a pretty relaxed response coming from a wordy guy like him.
Lifting her brush, she gives him a good once over look, but he doesn’t look sleepy at all. However, he seems to be not quite here or there, watching her undisturbed yet most likely with his mind elsewhere.
It makes her smile regardless, content to have that comfortable moment between them. “Just so you know, I’m really happy you chose me for this. It means a lot you coming to me with this request.”
“Really, now?” A sort of realization dawns on his face just then, his eye widening, “Well, I’m glad.” Hesitantly, Masamune gives her the sweetest smile she’s so far seen in him, looking very much like a picture himself.
Man, if only I could frame that look on his face, so I could watch it every morning…
A soft, longing sigh appears to escape him, crawling closer. “I really do love seeing you smile, kitten…” Quite smoothly, he slips his arm around her, and her world suddenly shifts.
Huh? They’d moved so gently it takes her a moment to register she’s on the floor and Masamune’s over her. Out of the corner of her eye, Mai can see the brush rolling across the floor, ink trailing over the mat.
“Mai…” His fingers turn her face back up to his all too easily, warm breath fanning her lips. There’s something so incredibly tender in the way he stares at her, as if admiring a work of art.
The sight becomes impossible to resist, tilting her head up and dusting his lips with a fleeting kiss, barely touching. His hand travels up to cradle the back of her head, holding her so carefully, so lovingly, her heart feels like about to burst.
His chestnut bangs fall loosely over his face, close enough they tickle her cheek. “Just look at me…”
I am looking at you. You’re gorgeous, as always, and—
That train of thought doesn’t go further than that as Masamune returns to brush his mouth against hers; softly, seeming to take his precious time into savoring the texture of her lips, thoroughly enjoying the feeling of her.
She can’t remember the last time she’d been kissed like that, if ever—the sort of kiss one could only see in the movies. That perfect and blissful kind, the one that comes former to a declaration of—
Tensing, only slowly she pries herself out of the moment. “I… think there’s been a misunderstanding.”
Masamune’s eye flutters open, looking somewhat drowsy. “You think so? On whose part?”
“Perhaps on both,” Her voice comes off hoarse, and that makes him laugh, not minding as much and bringing his lips to her neck, breath hot in her ear.
When he nips at her earlobe, her treacherous body lets her know it doesn’t think there’s a misunderstanding at all, acting on its own accord and reflexively grinding against his thigh. His hair is incredibly soft as it brushes against the crook of her neck, prompting her to wind her hands through his locks.
Damn, damn! What are we doing?
Catching the collar of her juban in his teeth, Masamune pulls it down wolfishly, baring her skin down to her collarbone. A particular well placed nip sends her eyes rolling backwards, a groan escaping her.
You’re a flirt, and this isn’t going to mean anything, and we have to stop before it does. Because it’s going to get worse if we don’t…
“Masamune…” A hand sneaks its way up her thigh ever so teasingly. Come on, you’re not 15 anymore, keep it together! “P-please, let’s hold up.”
To her relief, he does so right away, “For what?”
Looking up at her, Mai has a moment to think straight. “I was still in the middle of drawing your picture for one. Now there’s ink all over the floor.”
“Well, that’s a problem.” Not making a big deal about it, Masamune moves away to lay beside the futon, watching her with clear amusement.
“I mean it, though,” Even when toying with a strand of her hair, instant regret courses though her, missing his passionate touch the very moment she’s reprieved of it. No. no, I need to focus. “Look, I think you’re mistaken about something, Masamune. You and I aren’t a couple, or an item, or a ‘thing’.”
Those alluring fingers of his stop midway. “I… don’t know what any of that means.” He deadpans.
She straightens up a little. “We’re not dating? We’re not lovers? I mean, as nice and fun this is, I’m not quite okay with sleeping with you on the spur of the moment.”
“… Who’s saying anything about sleep?” What? Oh no. Oh, no, no. Cultural AND language barrier alert!
“Okay, what I mean by that is, uh, bedding me. The sleeping part comes afterwards.” Mai struggles to make her point as best as she can, hoping it’s enough, “And those other things? That’s someone you might be ‘sleeping with’.”
Oddly so, Masamune keeps shooting her a confused look. “Why would you do that, though? I have my own futon if I want to rest…”
“What?” That takes her aback, not quite getting where he’s going. “You’re not trying to say you never—“
But just then, “… Hey, Mai, it’s the middle of the night. Keep it down.”
Her face goes white as a ghost. And things just got worse! It’s Hideyoshi! He wouldn’t barge in, would he? He’d better not!
Masamune appears very skeptical of that, however. “I think we should hide.”
“You too?” Apparently, Masamune’s first instinct is to grab the futon cover in a rush, bringing her with it. Clutching her close to his chest, he lies down and throws the cover over both of them.
There’s no way Hideyoshi’s going to fall for this!
Pressed tight against him, she can’t see anything but hears the door slide open. “Mai? Did you already fall asleep?”
Dozens of unmentionable things to say cross her mind at that, putting an effort into biting the inside of her cheek to keep as quiet as possible. Masamune, I’m going to kill you AND Hideyoshi if he finds us!
An awfully tense moment goes by, and Mai looks up into his face, watching her partner in crime putting a finger against his lips—still amused to no end. Staring at him in awe, it’s hard to believe how her evening went from a lonely and almost depressing one, to so many gears up as that.
Every moment with him seems to feel like a whole new exciting experience to unfold. I feel like such a kid. Honestly, though, this is fun.
Pressing herself a little closer to Masamune, she can’t help giving him a conspiratorial smile. The only air around them is their breaths, making both their faces flushed. “He’ll never stop lecturing if he sees us…” He mouths.
“Shut it—!“ They whisper to each other, their quiet breathing heating the air even more, noses touching. And yet, every moment she spends staring into Masamune’s eye—the brightest light around—the more their bodies seem to mold around one another, something more than just mere heat growing below the covers of her futon.
Hideyoshi, hurry up and go already!
After a long, tense moment, Hideyoshi sighs. “I guess she was sleeping? She makes a lot of noise in her sleep. Her breathing sounds a little labored too. Maybe I’ll ask Ieyasu if there’s a sleep aid for her.”
Masamune purses his lips, starting to snicker. “Don’t you dare—“ She warns him with gritted teeth.
He shakes in her arms, trying his best to restrain himself. “I can’t help it…“
“Suck it up!” An eternity later, they finally hear the door shut close and the sound of footsteps retreating back down the hall. Mai is the first to take a peek from below the covers. “Is he gone?”
A quite disheveled chestnut head makes his appearance as well. “Looks like it.” As the two of them leave the futon, Masamune can’t seem to hold back his laughter any longer. “Hah—hahaha!”
“Don’t laugh, you’ll draw him back!”
It doesn’t seem easy at all for him to contain his fit now that it’s started, but at least he tries to muffle it by sticking his face into her pillow, dropping unceremoniously onto his back. “You can be expecting some medicine for your labored breathing soon.”
She snorts, “If it’s from Ieyasu it’ll probably taste really bitter!”
“Still, I’m impressed with Hideyoshi’s mind. ‘Mai, you’re talking too loud… in your sleep!’” A small snicker escapes her at his attempt imitating his voice, “I kind of feel for his wife, to be honest…”
Soon, Mai can’t hold her laughter in either, plopping down on the futon once again next to Masamune. “Wow! I can’t remember the last time I did anything like that, if ever. I’m exhausted.” Turning on their sides and facing each other, his gorgeous eye is full of mirth, and she’s certain she must be looking the very same as him.
“Me too. All that good energy spent on nothing.”
“If you hadn’t started this, we wouldn’t have had to hide. That’ll teach you to interrupt people when they’re drawing…”
He quirks a brow, “In my defense, you were smiling so cutely, I just couldn’t resist,” As if to make a point, he shoots her a toothy grin, not bothering to wait any longer and cradling her close once again.
To be completely honest, there’s something about their undeniable chemistry that makes it somewhat hard to understand. Mai hadn’t had that instant connection with anyone before, and regardless of how they’re both admittedly playing around and basking in the moment, she can’t deny that inescapable feeling of being drawn to Masamune.
It’s as if they’re bound by invisible strings. It would be silly to call it fate, yet it’s hard to describe it otherwise.
Climbing down from their mirth, Masamune idly traces soothing circles on her lower back, sharing a blissful moment of peace and quiet. She sighs contentedly at his ministrations, burying her face in the crook of his neck, breathing on his masculine scent.
An endearing chuckle escapes him. “You look tired, but not tired enough to poke your cheeks, kitten.”
“You endless tease…” She snaps her teeth in a mock show of threatening to bite his approaching finger, managing to crawl even further into his arms. “Want to stay the night?”
“… Is that the way in the future to propose ‘sleeping together’?”
At that, it takes her a moment to register what she just said, her growing slumbering mind seeming to have made the decisions for her. Turns out, though, it’s a near impossible effort to let him go back to his manor at that point, so she doesn’t regret her words quite as much.
“In fact, I meant actual sleeping,” That train of thought brings her back to a former comment, turning up to search into his gorgeous blue eye. “Riddle me curious, though, but why do I get the feeling you never, um, spent the night cuddling up with anyone before?”
Propping himself on his elbow, he snorts. “I think I know where you’re going with that, and no, I didn’t,” He says, “I don’t know your future time customs, but in here, only wives and concubines are there to warm up a man’s bed,”
“Oh, right. But now that you mention it, how are you still single?” She can’t help but wonder. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m just guessing a guy like you surely must have had a lot of prospects…”
“Hah, not really.” He shakes his head, “But I do appreciate the sentiment, kitten,” He adds up sultrily.
“Seriously?” Maybe she’s biased—Who am I kidding, I totally am—but she finds that hard to believe, “Huh, I just figured, as the head of a clan, taking a wife would be a sort of a priority to you,”
“Well, I do was set up to be wed once, with a pretty lady from a northern clan,” Masamune goes on, relaxing further into her futon, “My cousin Shigezane married her sister, though, so the clan got into my fief in the end,”
“And why didn’t you?” As far as she knew about, Masamune seems to be to some extent the highest figure in the northern provinces, “Wasn’t a good match or something like that?”
“Quite the opposite. My bride and I were childhood friends actually,” As lenient as he seems to be with talking about it, his smile doesn’t look truly sincere then.
“So? May I ask what happened?”
Something in the way his gaze wavers just slightly makes her suspect there’s more to it. Is it he doesn’t want to allow himself having a partner? Or is it just him not looking forward to leaving another widow to mourn in the world, considering his job?
“Well, Mego died.”
She breathes, eyes widening in shock. “What?” He lays that out so simply and in a straightforward manner, for a moment she can’t bring herself to believe him. But he has no reason to make up a lie, “I’m… I’m so sorry, Masamune.”
“What for? It’s not your fault,” He pats her hand in reassurance, looking painfully honest. “I wasn’t the only isolated case of smallpox, back in the day. But I’ve been lucky to only lose an eye from it, that’s for sure…”
The harsh truth from the reality they live in weighs heavily on her. Masamune speaks as if somewhat detached from the horrible fact he lost his bride, of all people. However, to some extent she comes to understand a commander and head of a clan like him must have spent his entire life getting acquainted with death. May it be due to war, a disease, or just birth, the prospect of losing a loved one must be just that inevitable for people in that era.
Perhaps that’s why he goes by living life to the fullest, not missing a single moment. Oh, Masamune. And here I thought my life sucked. My troubles seem so small and pointless in comparison to all he must have gone through.
Struck with a sudden urge to just touch him, Mai reaches out and takes his hand in hers, “I wouldn’t call it just luck, though. I think, above that, it was your strong will what got you through,” Now aware of his admitted weakness, she puts an effort into smiling her most genuine smile, “I really like that about you…”
His face softens, taking the effect she’d been looking forward to, “Aside from my good looks, right?”
“What do you think?” Shooting him a sultry look, she opts onto changing the mood, “But you know what? Considering you just admitted you never experienced the pleasure of cuddling up, allow me to show you what you’ve been missing,”
“You’ve got my attention, kitten…”
She’d be a fool to think she’s only leaning forward and kissing him for other reasons aside of an all-consuming need to do so. Truth is, she wants him as close as humanly possible, craving for the warmth of his lips like a thirsty man in the desert.
If Masamune believes it’s selfish of her, he doesn’t seem to mind at all, eagerly following and going down atop the futon together in a messy bundle of arms and legs. “Now, lay down, tiger,” She advises after they part for breath.
Straddling him, Mai then proceeds to slowly and gently disrobe him, all the time under the scrutiny of his very intense gaze. His black cape goes off first, then the white belt holding his hakama in place, and so until he’s just down to his under kimono, leaving both in a matching state of dressing.
A teasing hand snakes up her thigh, and as tempted as she is to turn things more spicy, miraculously she finds the strength to refrain herself just so, dropping at Masamune’s side on the pillow. “Hey, I said just sleeping, remember?”
“Alright, alright…” Faking a pout, he seems rather more curious to see where she’s getting at than anything else, his eye fluttering close as her hands thread into his locks.
Turning off the lantern, the moonlight coming from the slit of the doors to her veranda haloes Masamune’s figure in breathtaking silver hues; his eye, half-lidded, still staring at her, seeming to enjoy her ministrations on his hair. Her fingers find the tie of his eyepatch, and after waiting for his explicit approval, the cloth goes off as well, dropped next to his pair of katana and rest of his clothing at the side of the futon.
Still massaging his scalp in soothing strokes, he hums contentedly. “Mmh, this is nice,” He manages to use whatever strength is left in him to pull her flush against his torso, legs tangling together under the covers.
Soon, his hums turn into quiet breaths, finally falling into a slumber, leaving Mai to bask upon the adorable view. All her worries appear to not matter as much anymore then, preferring to watch over him, not minding for what may come tomorrow.
For now, the world resumes to just the two of them, cuddled in each other’s arms. And she can only hope for the night to never end.
Stripes of Auburn, Eye of Sapphire
21. Mai
Read on Ao3 | Read on FFN | Masterlist
Summary: A quiet moment goes by, and then she feels it; that strange, inescapable force drawing her to him and that gorgeous sapphire blue eye, the air around them changing drastically with a simple look from his part. Masamune’s face softens, a heated gleam on his gaze, and her laughter falters, a wheeze leaving her instead, tongue darting out to lick her suddenly dry lips.
It’s useless to ignore the giddy feeling for much longer, or denying it altogether. At that point, Mai’s pretty much aware of what that spark between them is.
She’s crushing on Masamune Date, and dangerously hard.
Mai
“Remember: You’re the one with the reins. It’s you who gets to decide the way,”
It’s a particularly cold morning, but the entire exercise along with—if kind of secretly—wearing another layer of kimono under her hakama has helped to not feel the chilly wind seeping into her bones. Mai can’t say the same for the slight yet persistent soreness in her thighs, though, and doesn’t want to imagine how people even manage to sit on those hard saddles in lighter clothing.
While it’s been somewhat convenient she’s always been prone to exercise, there’s only so much of an edge to have in her current situation, toned legs or not.
“Y-yes…”
Kojuro catches her eyes nearby, in a well-timed moment to make a subtle gesture for her to straighten her back. Complying right away, he shoots her a thumbs up and a smile before returning to his task of sharpening his katana.
“Eyes up ahead, lass,” Masamune reminds her with a wave of his hand, standing beside the black mare she’s borrowed for her lessons, “You have to be confident when you’re up there, no matter what. He’ll know if you hesitate, and that’s where you’ll end up losing control,”
Turns out, taking riding lessons with one of the most reckless commanders around has been nothing like what she expected up to be, and Masamune is, in fact, a nice teacher. Strict and technical when it needs to be, he’s so far managed to guide her through without truly imposing any of his wild ways on her, letting her be in charge instead.
In that particular case, practice does make perfect though, and so she rides up around a set of trees once again, each time faster than before for good measure. Trotting down the hill, Masamune’s there waiting for her return—hands on his hips, eye squinting, and a satisfied grin plastered all over his face. The wind rustles his chestnut locks aside, and her secure grip on the reins loosens a little bit, her lips quirking up into a smile of her own, heart racing in tune with the hooves of her horse.
Oh, she could very much get used to that sight.
“Well done, kitten. Not bad at all for your first time…” He closes up the distance between them, yet purposefully doesn’t help her hop down the saddle, waiting for her to do it on her own accord—another little detail she appreciates.
Once with her feet safely on the ground, Mai handles the reins to him. “I wouldn’t have done it as well without your help. You’re surprisingly a very good teacher, Masamune.”
“’Surprisingly’? Why would you think otherwise?” Quirking a curious brow, he doesn’t sound precisely hurt.
“Come on, given how wildly you ride, I was kind of expecting you’d be a pain on me…” She shrugs nonchalantly.
He can’t seem to help the easy laugh that comes at that. “At this point, I don’t know if I should be hurt by your low expectations of me,” Walking together, the two of them meet up with Masamune’s retainer. “What say you, Kojuro? Am I as awful as the lass implies so?”
Not appearing truly intimidated by the question, Kojuro briefly stares at the pair with an impassive expression. “I think… you reap what you sow,” A very small quirk of his lips give away his amusement, but he’s quick in adding, “Milord.”
The baffled look Masamune gives him paired up with Kojuro’s shameless deadpan gets to be too hilarious all in a sudden. Before she can refrain herself, she’s bursting in laughter, loud and free, tears brimming her eyes. It doesn’t take much longer until the men join her, snickering in spite of themselves.
It’s been little more than a month since her arrival, but she’s seen some of the staff shooting odd looks and subtle frowns at the Date crew. Regardless, Mai is more inclined to agree with the female attendants of Azuchi, and admit the northerners are one of the most interesting people in town. It could be thanks to the undeniable charisma from the daimyo of Oshu, sure thing, yet there’s something very amicable from others like Kojuro or Yojiro, it becomes way too easy to be at ease around them.
To her eyes, they could pretty much fit into the ‘bad boys’ trope; funny, ruggedly hot, risky, and with a heart of gold. If you happen to be on their good side, that is.
“I see how it is…” Masamune stares at her in bemusement, although there’s an odd twitch in his brows as he does so, squinting his eye a little—almost as if he can’t seem to look away from her for some crazy reason.
A quiet moment goes by, and then she feels it; that strange, inescapable force drawing her to him and that gorgeous sapphire blue eye, the air around them changing drastically with a simple look from his part. Masamune’s face softens, a heated gleam on his gaze, and her laughter falters, a wheeze leaving her instead, tongue darting out to lick her suddenly dry lips.
It’s useless to ignore the giddy feeling for much longer, or denying it altogether. At that point, Mai’s pretty much aware of what that spark between them is.
She’s crushing on Masamune Date, and dangerously hard.
They must have been staring at each other like dorks for quite a while, for when she comes to realize it, Kojuro’s surprisingly—and strangely convenient—nowhere to be seen. Mai presumes he’s no fool to not have noticed the peculiar turn of her relationship with Masamune as of late. Although considering how close those two seem to be, pretty much like family, the thought of Kojuro appearing to be fine and even somewhat approving with having her hanging around with his Lord is one of the nicest things she’s had ever since she arrived in that time period.
However, Masamune’s quick into making all her thoughts drift only to him once again, closing the remaining space between them and tilting her chin up with an index finger. Meeting his eye, it’s so much she can do to prevent her knees going weak at the sight of his very alluring smirk, robbing her of words.
Not like she’s in need of any either way. Her eyes flutter close reflexively as his palm cups her cheek and leans in for the kill, stealing a content sigh right from her lips as Masamune kisses her sweetly.
Oh, boy. What am I ever going to do with you?
In all honesty, Masamune’s lips could be the subject of poetry, and it’s most likely their undeniable chemistry what makes those moments feel so right. And yet, regardless of how impossibly better their kisses are turning out to be, there’s a little, familiar ominous voice still whispering within her mind.
‘You shouldn’t get used to this’. ‘It’s bound to end, and you know it’. ‘It’s better to quit it soon before it’s too late’.
She doesn’t quite reach his shoulders before they come apart, a sort of sadness tugging at her. Whether she likes it or not, the voice of her dark thoughts isn’t outright lying, and there’s no real guarantee of how much those… indulging moments between them would last. For all it takes, he would even be opting on messing around with another staff member the next week and that’s it.
“What was that for?” It’s all Mai can voice out from the awful pile of running thoughts.
“No true reason. That smile of yours is hard to resist, kitten…” He says, softly wiping her tears of mirth with his thumb, “Well, there’s that, and also my way to tell Mitsuhide to stop creeping on us!” He raises his voice and speaks past his shoulder, although doesn’t bother fully turning.
Just then, a flash of white saunters the hallways, a very characteristic snicker reaching the two of them, all but giving a certain someone away as he walks past without even saying hello.
“Oh, dear,” Mai can’t help going red as a tomato, feeling like a kid being caught in mischief, “For how long has he been there?”
“Does it matter?” Masamune shrugs, appearing not winded up to care, “Besides, it’s not like it’s the first time he does it, right?”
“What?” For some reason, that comment makes her panic, “Wait. What do you mean by that?”
He quirks a brow at her skepticism, “I mean, he was also at the castle gates, the other night,” When Mai’s eyes almost bulge out of their sockets, he tilts his head, looking confused, “I was sure you’ve seen him before I did. Wait… so it wasn’t why you kissed me back there out of the blue?”
“No! Why in hell would I do that!?” She exclaims, “I-I was just playing around!”
She’s certain she couldn’t be looking any more mortified than she is then, but frustratingly so, Masamune seems to be quite the opposite at the sudden outcome, even almost pleasantly surprised. Apparently, it’s his turn to burst into laughter, most likely at the current look of her face, and she smacks him on the arm for that. “Hahaha—hey! What was that for?”
“Mitsuhide just saw us and you’re not even a little bit bothered by that?”
“Why would I be? It’s his job to know all that happens, in and out the castle walls,” He says matter-of-factly, winding an arm around her shoulders all too nonchalantly, guiding her inside.
When he puts it like that, it’s hard to complain about that simple fact. Regardless, even when Masamune seems to be sort of accustomed to it, the mere idea of being stalked around can’t help making her very uneasy, still feeling like being caught in something she shouldn’t.
Reaching the hallways, he pats her head before letting her go, about to walk on their separate ways; Mai, onto Ieyasu’s manor for her scheduled medicine lessons, and Masamune most likely to Nobunaga’s tenshu. “Don’t get too uptight by someone like that sly fox, alright?” He advises, shooting her a warm smile before turning to leave. “Oh, and say hi to Ieyasu for me,”
“Yeah, I will…” Mai mumbles, speaking to the wooden floor and for some reason growing moody, her thoughts becoming a huge mess.
Mitsuhide’s far from being the main source of my troubles. You are, Masamune. Ugh, what the hell is going on with me?
Leaning against the wall, she sighs deeply, taking a moment to recollect herself and summon the will to go on the current tasks for the day. Or that is, until rather out of the blue, Masamune turns on his heels and pokes out his head past the corner of the hallway, dropping a sudden peck on her cheek.
She startles, completely caught by surprise, flustering in an instant. “That’s a better look on you, kitten,”
However, before she can come up with something to say, Masamune’s already gone, leaving her with a rather different sort of mess.
“Please, get that beast out of my sights. And its owner too, for the matter…”
For the first time, she gets to witness Ieyasu seeming to break from his ever deadpan composure, growing alarmed at the sight of an unruly tiger prowling about on the hallway, fast approaching to his place. It’s when he scrambles for a wooden sword nearby when Mai takes his words to heart.
“I’m sorry, Ieyasu. Shogetsu’s been following me around a lot lately,” Packing up her notes in a rush, Mai tries keeping the cub from prodding further inside, putting some effort into barricading the door, “I don’t think he means any harm, though. He’s just lonely and looking for someone to play with,”
“You think I care?” The blonde scoffs, keeping a watchful eye on the door to his study. “Whatever. Neither that thing nor Masamune are getting close to Wasabi. Especially Masamune,”
“Haha, come on, Ieyasu. You say that as if Masamune would cook your pet—“
“He totally would. You’re a fool if you believe otherwise.” He says so seriously, it robs her of whatever possible retort, making her stammer just slightly.
To some extent and judging by the harsh tone of his voice, Mai notices Ieyasu isn’t deeming her a fool only for that. Rather, he says that as if implying she doesn’t know anything about Masamune or his intentions. However, with a purring cub curling around her ankles, it’s all too easy to lose the energy to prod into his true thoughts, forcing an apologetic smile on her face.
“Thanks for today’s lessons. We’ll be out of your hair now,” She says curtly, not waiting for a farewell and hopping Shogetsu in her free arm.
The rest of the day goes by in low spirits, missing out on the chance of meeting any of the commanders stationed in the castle due to a late war council summoned by Nobunaga. Midway to the evening, she’s walking back to her room, quite ready to get on wrapping up the remaining of her studies and call it a day. Feeling a tad bit sore from sitting on a saddle almost all morning, her focus goes on slipping on the comfiest clothes she can find, rolling her shoulders and popping her joints in anticipation.
Or that is, until she slides the door open, a sense of wariness coursing through.
Someone’s been here.
The room isn’t in any particular mess—quite the contrary, in fact—yet it’s easy to tell given the small slit on the balcony doors, and more precisely, the new contents carefully placed on her desk. Reflexively, one hand slides into the folds of her kimono, feeling the cold metal of her folded fan and taking reassurance in that before warily stepping inside.
In the end and after turning on the lamp, there’s nothing truly suspicious—just a small wooden cup with a single flower inside, adding up a letter below. Nonetheless, it’s all too easy to figure out who the sender is with the sight of the plum blossom alone.
“Oh, my. Have I been stealing your time? How rude of me! Perhaps I can make it up to you with this small token?”
Her blood runs cold all in a sudden. How in hells and heavens did she happen to have forgotten already? How could she have been so stupid to do so, actually?
With shaking fingers and a heavy heart, she finally gathers enough guts to read the letter.
“The owner of my heart deserves so much more than a simple flower, even more so when its beauty pales before hers. Yet I hope this humble token brightens your evening, as the mere thought of your smile brightens mine, beautiful Jewel of Azuchi.
Have you considered my offer? If so, an envoy of mine will meet you soon.
I’m eagerly looking forward to our fourth meeting.”
Biting her lower lip hard enough to draw blood, all she can think of doing is tucking the paper into her purse in a rush, and bring the wooden cup to a more sheltered place when it wouldn’t catch attention. Turns out, horseback riding and medicine aren’t precisely all she has learned throughout the day, and if a certain kitsune happens to find out the sworn enemy of the Oda, Shingen Takeda, is still attempting to contact her, he most likely wouldn’t be as lenient as he’s so far being.
Before her brain finally falls into overdrive, Mai changes into sleeping clothes at the speed of light, practically jumping under the false safety of the futon covers, muscles taut with sheer anxiety.
Until a man’s voice from the other side of the door makes her breath hitch. It couldn’t be—
“Lady Mai, are you asleep?”
On one hand, she could be calling for help, and yet on the other, the closest residence from hers happens to be no other than Mitsuhide’s, of all inconvenient people. “N-no, I’m still up. Who’s this?”
“Oh? You don’t recognize me?”
A huge wave of relief courses through her at the amused tone. Well, now I do, and the fact you’re trying to hide it. Dropping her fans away, she then moves to open the door.
“Haha, very funny, Mas—wha—!” Abruptly, her visitor rushes inside and grabs her by the hand, drawing her his way and quickly sliding the door close. Mai stammers back at the sudden intrusion, partially trapped between him and the wall, looking up and meeting Masamune’s intense eye. “What are you doing here this late at night? Weren’t you at the council?”
“Would you believe it was a test?” He narrows his eye, “Were you thinking about your safety before opening the door?”
“I don’t know. I opened it for you, and you’re the least safe person here.” She says matter-of-factly, stabbing an index finger against his chest, “Plus, you’re not very good at faking your voice, ‘lass’.”
He seems to be willing to admit defeat in that regard, letting her go with a chuckle. “So, what’s up? As much as I appreciate the visit, you didn’t just come over only to check my security measures, did you?”
At that, a familiar carnivorous smile makes way across his lips, eyeing her hungrily, as a predator would when claiming a prey.
“No. I came for a tryst.”
A-N: I've been struggling a bit with this part, but in the end decided to cut it off here because... I want to leave spicy scenes inside a single chapter. (!!!!) So yeah, I'd say the continuation of this is interesting *eyes emoji* Happy Valentine's day y'all! Thank you so much for sticking around and your support, it means a damn lot to me ♥ ♥
Stripes of Auburn, Eye of Sapphire
17. Mai
Read on Ao3 | Read on FFN | Masterlist
Summary: “My Lord, a report! We were misled!” Presumably a Maeda scout—judging by the colors of his armor—reaches Nobunaga’s mare, looking pale and positively frightened, “This wasn’t a skirmish between the territories! A cavalry armed in red has been spotted at the front lines!”
The man falters for a heartbeat, seeming like struggling to deliver the grimmest news of his entire life, barely able to meet his Lord’s eyes. “It’s… it’s Takeda’s Akazonae!”
Spoiler alert! - Shingen's route
Mai
“Oomph—! Ouch!”
Twenty pounds of a very eager tiger landing on her chest prompt her awake, making her wince and grumble in some pain. The discomfort doesn’t last for long, as Shogetsu proceeds to brush his wet nose across her cheek, licking the side of her face he can reach as if to make up for his rough treatment. What a way to wake up, huh.
“Good morning to you too, big boy…” Her groans turn into giggles when the cub’s whiskers tickle her neck, squirming involuntarily and making a mess out of her already disheveled futon. “Ahahaha! Alright, alright, Shogetsu. I think I know what you want,”
It’s been three days since the tiger started making a habit of visiting her room, whether at night to curl up at the feet of her futon or to be the first to bid her good morning; hence why the second time she’d opted out to place a bowl of water next to her balcony window. She’d have to ask Masamune what he’s feeding the boy with eventually, if he keeps intending to stick to her company, although Mai hasn’t seen even a glimpse of Shogetsu’s owner since their last ‘date’ of some sorts.
The thought makes her snort in a mix of disbelief and longing. I had a date with Masamune Date. Mom would be cackling and squealing like a fangirl at that. Truthfully, it’s just a silly thought she indulges herself with—and she’s fully aware he doesn’t even know what a date is for the matter—but regardless, she’d be lying if she isn’t looking forward to having another.
That, and seeing him again, that is.
Subsequently to their return from the north, her writing and reading lessons with Mitsunari and Ieyasu had come to a halt due to their busy schedule, the former with rearranging and assigning the castle defenses, and Ieyasu with his late investigation of Shingen and Kenshin’s rumors. Masamune got caught up in work as well, leaving her to spend her days tending on her chatelaine duties and the company of an unruly tiger while studying.
“You want… a belly rub! Raaaah!” Feigning a fearsome display of claws, Mai pounces on the cub and attacks his soft belly with rubs and tickles. Shogetsu coos and paws at her quick hands, more than delighted with finally getting her utmost attention.
They’re so into it she almost misses the knocking on her door. “Just a second!” Throwing on another layer of clothing for modesty and hastily tying her hair, she then gives the signal for the visitor to come inside. Her brows quirk in surprise, although isn’t particularly displeased at the newcomer, “Oh, Mitsuhide, it’s you. Hello.”
Despite being pristinely dressed as usual, his face can’t hide some wear and tear on it, leading her to assume he didn’t have any beauty sleep. “I see you’re with company already. Why am I not surprised?” He smirks after nodding in greeting.
“You mean Shogetsu? It’s alright, we’re just having a tickle fight.” Throwing a blue strip of cloth for the little tiger to focus and play with, Mai prompts herself to her feet and shakes the balcony windows open.
Mitsuhide snickers amusedly. “It’s clear you have an affinity to creatures like them. Admittedly, you do look pretty much like a tigress yourself,” He doesn’t follow her to the veranda, though, shooting her a meaningful look behind those appealing long lashes of his. “It shouldn’t be baffling if your kind seems to look out for you…”
The jab is subtle, yet regardless she catches up to it, her breath hitching. This isn’t about Shogetsu. “W-what do you mean?” She speaks across her shoulder, hoping he can’t see how pale and terrified she goes.
“Oh, I believe you know that, Princess…” Her eyes blow wide, a cold shiver of fear running down her spine. A heartbeat goes, then two, before she gathers her wits to turn around and properly face the slyest of warlords among the Oda. “If anything, the look in your pretty face just confirmed so. I’m afraid you’re painfully easy to read,”
Mitsuhide feigns a mortified face, but the sharp gleam crossing his golden gaze all but gives away the enjoyment he seems to find in prodding people.
Mai bites her lower lip hard enough to draw blood, a hand raking through her hair. She should have known better than to pretend around such a dangerous schemer like Mitsuhide, or even hiding from him. They’ve met in the middle of the street after all, it’s all too easy to assume someone may have spotted them talking and words caught up to him.
How screwed up I am, now? He’s come to take me to the dungeons, isn’t it?
“I… then I’m sure you already know it’s not what it looked like.” The best she can do is apply some reasoning in her defense, aware that persuasion is hardly a good approach as of then. Her hands begin to tremble, nails digging painfully in her palms, “You’ve got to believe me, Mitsuhide, he followed me and—“
Mitsuhide seems to notice something else in her face, then, judging by how the obvious amusement suddenly disappears from his, bringing a hand before her so to ask for silence. “Why, there’s no need for you to explain yourself, Mai.”
Soon, it becomes a silent battle of glances; from her, to figure out her fate, and Mitsuhide, appearing to be trying to read her thoughts. “How can you say that?” Mai says, near baffled, “We just brought a daimyo to custody after just exchanging some letters with the enemy. And you’ve seen me talking to one of them, face to face. It’s pretty clear to me I’m in big trouble,”
A thin silver eyebrow quirk up as if pondering on it, “That is a solid reasoning,” He appears inclined to agree, nodding thoughtfully, “Regardless, I still consider your involvement as hardly relevant in the current moment. The matter is being addressed properly, so you have nothing to fear,” His thin lips spread wide in a mischievous smile, “… yet.”
“That is… not reassuring at all…” She blinks in disbelief, tension still coiling deep in her gut, “So why are you here, then?”
The visitor hides his hands into the sleeves of his white kimono, “Firstly, to inform Lord Nobunaga is requesting your presence at the audience chambers. And secondly, to ask you a question,” For the first time in their interaction, Mitsuhide finally turns serious, “Does this man you’ve encountered has introduced himself as the Tiger of Kai, Shingen Takeda?”
“Um, he…” She stammers for a moment, revisiting her talk with the handsome man in her mind for the tenth time, coming to a sudden realization. “Actually… no, he didn’t.”
“You’re saying you assumed him to be Takeda?” At his skeptical look, she finally understands where he’s going.
But no, that can’t be right. “Yeah, and still believe it was him but, well… he didn’t outright confirm that to my face, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“I see. Then why are you so concerned, I wonder?” At his nonchalant shrug, Mai can’t possibly tell whether he’s trying to be reassuring or not, “For all it takes you might have seen a ghost or a body double,”
She turns pensive at the remark. As much as she can get people’s skepticism towards someone apparently believed to be dead, there are far too many rumors going about for somebody as Mitsuhide to just turn a blind eye on. While he may be in the right for her irrelevancy on the matter—Shingen could positively be miles away from Azuchi by now, and their meeting is hardly of any use to the Oda—and that everyone’s currently working to find the truth, it all leads her to presume one thing.
“You don’t believe he’s alive, right?”
Leaning forward and getting to her eye level, he lands a hand on her shoulder, “Only one thing is for certain, Princess, and that is, no one comes back from the dead.” A quite charming smirk crosses Mitsuhide’s face, and she honestly doesn’t know what to think of it.
Or rather, she feels more lost and confused than before. For all intents and purposes, the man doesn’t truly look like the culprit behind the Honno-ji incident and remains to be one of—if not the only—Nobunaga’s most trustworthy warlords around. Yet still, what is there with Mitsuhide Akechi? What makes him so reliable to the Oda forces?
Does she even want to know?
Straightening up, his intense golden gaze is quite a lot to bare, “Regardless, I withhold my final judgment for now,” With remarkable gallantry, he outstretches an arm to her, “Now, shall we? The lords are awaiting us,”
The meeting is already settled by the time they arrive, having walking without much as for a bare casual conversation to the audience chambers. To Mai’s surprise and partial worry, there’s no sign of Masamune or Ieyasu around, and no one in the room looks like they’re expecting them anytime soon.
Once the two of them take a seat, Mitsunari begins with his report.
“More skirmishes have arisen in Shinano, making it the third episode in less than a month. I’m afraid the situation is escalating to the threat of a full revolt on the province,” The strategist hands a stack of papers to Nobunaga, presumably to certify his statements, “We must act soon, or else we won’t be able to contain this much further,”
Nobunaga listens intently before turning to his vassal. “Have you got any word from Lady Yoshiko, Hideyoshi?”
He nods, but his face remains stern. “My wife is safe for now, in Owari,” The small addition prompts Mai’s attention, growing curious. Didn’t know Hideyoshi had a wife. Wow, I know next to nothing about these guys, aren’t I? “She’s let me know we can call upon the Maeda for assistance.”
“Very well, then.” Nobunaga fixes a look on Mitsuhide afterwards, appearing to be sharing something unbeknownst to the rest of them, but it doesn’t take much before he comes to a decision. “I tire of this pointless rebellion. I shall go and put an end to these skirmishes myself,” He declares, stopping his vassal the very moment he readies to, most likely, voice his concerns. “Hideyoshi, you may gather your troops and go with me. And Mitsunari, write Toshiie and request him to prepare his forces as well. We are traveling shortly.”
Just then, that fearsome crimson gaze lands on Mai, and it takes a lot for her not to flinch—it’s a look that definitely doesn’t bode well for her, as far as she’s come to know the Lord of Azuchi. Please, let it be good. I’ll do anything, just—
“I’d need my lucky token to bring me good fortune. Pack up, Princess. I’m taking you with me.”
How much has my lifespan been shortened by now? This is a nightmare.
Shaken to the core, rattled, and fighting her shock, she clings to Nobunaga for dear life as he rides into battle. If she once thought riding with Masamune was a pain, Mai can clearly see how sorely wrong she was right then.
“Why did you even bring me here!?” She doesn’t even have a single piece of armor on her, and he better not bring up the lucky charm repetitive tape, or else.
“I thought a fireball like you would enjoy a good battle,” Nobunaga says matter-of-factly.
“You were so wrong! This is horrible!” Every whizzing arrow passing by seems to be about to pierce her; every angry roar and cry of pain echoing in her ears. “I told you I hate war!”
“What you hate or like is of no matter. You are mine, my lucky charm, and I will bring you where I like.” His statements sound just as defiant and elated as the look on his face—crimson eyes blazing, a toothy, wicked grin all over.
And if we were in the present, I’m pretty sure I could bring you to court for that!
Mai certainly wishes she could. She’d much rather be there than in the middle of that killing field. “Oh gods, look out!”
A soldier darts his horse before them as an enemy spear impales his shoulder. “Agh! L-Lord Nobunaga, please, get back!”
“I do not take commands.” Her whole body shakes as Nobunaga wheels his steed and brutally cuts down the spearman. Mai’s pretty sure she screamed at that. “You there! Fight the pain and stay on your horse or you’ll die. Now retreat back to camp and have that wound taken care of.”
“Yes my Lord. As soon as the blood is stanched I will be back at your side!” Blood oozes through his fingers as he clutches his wound, the pale-faced soldier riding in the direction of camp.
They’re just going to patch him up and send him back out? “What could be possibly worth this?”
She wasn’t expecting to get a response, and yet. “Indeed. This is too much effort for a minor conflict in what should be an uncontested province…”
“What do you mean? This isn’t how this was supposed to go?”
It’s then when a messenger comes trotting through the front lines, shouting in a panic at Nobunaga. “My Lord, a report! We were misled!” Presumably a Maeda scout—judging by the colors of his armor—reaches Nobunaga’s mare, looking pale and positively frightened, “This wasn’t a skirmish between the territories! A cavalry armed in red has been spotted at the front lines!”
The man falters for a heartbeat, seeming like struggling to deliver the grimmest news of his entire life, barely able to meet his Lord’s eyes. “It’s… it’s Takeda’s Akazonae!”
Nobunaga stays very still, gaze flickering with many emotions Mai can’t truly figure out what is what—surprise, expectation, unadulterated ire, and a glimmer of relief, even.
“… There you are, Shingen.” His acknowledgment comes with a growl, and she can’t help glancing warily at the soldiers who’d heard the message, meeting slack-jawed expressions all around. “We’re going after him.”
Oh, no. Oh, damn—whoa!
All in a sudden, Nobunaga kicks his horse, flying toward the front lines of the battle, his pacing eager and more reckless than what she got sort of used to with Masamune’s wild riding. Hundreds of men move across the field on both sides in a blur of reds, blacks and whites, but once her eyes catch a glimpse of a particular person, there’s no way she can tear her gaze away from them.
“Give the signal! Let the world know!”
At the sight, there’s no doubt he really has earned the name of a tiger, his presence even more fierce and grandiose than the former times she’s met him, roaring with a force that could make any lesser man shake their very soul.
“The Takeda forces have returned!”
The aforementioned Akazonae army, clad head to toe in crimson red armor, gives a unified cry that makes the very ground tremble. Riding at their head on an ebony horse, wielding a massive greatsword, is the tall flirt from Azuchi, and the most handsome man she’s ever seen in her life.
“It turns out the rumors were true. The Tiger of Kai lives,” An amused Nobunaga seems to talk more to himself than to her.
His mumbles sound far away from her, feeling all but drawn to Shingen’s figure, somewhat partially doubting her vision. Or that is until his silver-grey eyes meet hers across the battlefield, tongue shaking out to water his lips and smiling delightfully.
Hello? We’re in the middle of a bloodbath! What is he doing?
It’s impossible not to recognize that narrow-eyed, flirtatious look—there’s magic there, something very difficult to attribute to another person but him. It feels as if he’s teasingly dangling the keys to her memories on his fingers, whispering ‘Did you miss me?’
“Mmh, smoke from Honno-ji and a woman alone at night. Perhaps you’re a ghost? Though you’re certainly the most beautiful ghost I’ve ever seen.”
“And you’re not a ghost. Not now that I see you in the daylight, that is clear.”
“I see you miss me already? Don’t worry, I do too. I’m trusting you to take good care of my heart in the meantime… Princess,”
While she couldn’t possibly have forgotten him, it’s also obvious Shingen remembered her the entire time—or has done his homework quite too well. He even predicted they’d meet up a third time. Or did he somehow know…?
“Don’t get distracted or you’ll lose your balance. Now hold on,” Nobunaga returns to a state of ruthless and cold detachment. He glances over his visibly shaken army and shouts in a voice of command, “Keep in formation! We still outnumber them. Do not cower before a ghost. We’ll send Takeda back to hell!”
His words rally the soldiers, and they face the Takeda forces fearlessly once more. The spirit of an entire army shifting at the words of one person; that’s a lot of power to hold.
The mention of a ghost makes her ponder; Sasuke said Shingen being alive was one of the differences in their timeline—deeming it an alternate one, in which history already changed its course—but he didn’t precisely go into details. Even Mitsuhide, within his odd ways, practically confirmed that to the world everyone considered him dead. So, how did he ‘die’? And why did he appear just then, apparently years later?
“Nobunaga, why did you think Shingen was dead?” As far as from what recalls from the history books, Shingen died before him in her timeline, but that’s about all she knows.
Making it brief due to the current circumstances, Nobunaga tells her of his war with the Takeda clan and how in the midst of a battle, they’d heard Shingen succumbed to illness. His army fell apart, alongside with all the gains they’d made in battle, and their clan was destroyed by the Oda.
“… But he was alive this whole time and he was the one stirring up tension in your territories?”
“It appears so. Mitsuhide will know more of it. I suppose after he recovered, he took his time looking for the right moment to get his revenge.” Nobunaga says, “Shingen’s not the only ghost though. He’s come back with another. Look, Mai.”
She looks where Nobunaga points. In the sea of red, a white shadow blitzes through like a bolt of lightning; the man—if indeed he is one and not a force of nature—followed by a squad of his own. “You are the elite of the Uesugi forces! Don’t let the Akazonae show you up! Unleash your ferocity on the enemy!”
“Kenshin Uesugi, the Dragon of Echigo. He too was said to have died.” Despite the introduction, Mai finds him quite easier to recognize—he was with Shingen the night of the Honno-ji incident. “Not only is he still alive, but he also formed an alliance with his rival, of all people.”
Something about the intone of how he says that prompts her attention to Nobunaga. He doesn’t sound particularly surprised at this outcome.
Quirking a curious brow, she dares asking, “Did you know somehow any of them would be here?”
“Hideyoshi’s wife let out something odd in her last letter. And a report from Toshiie Maeda, one of my generals, got me inclined to believe this skirmish wasn’t just a simple commotion between the villagers. Something as big as this was brewing on,” Nobunaga admits with a thoughtful frown, “Shingen is a master of espionage. It was no accident that I got that information.”
The comment confuses her—so, if she’s getting it right, that means Shingen purposefully let Nobunaga know he’d be coming out of hiding? “But if you two are enemies, why would he let you get that info?”
“To draw me out, of course. Only in that way can they declare to the world they are once more ready for battle.” He says matter-of-factly, “That’s why they caused these minor conflicts in my territory, as well as probably rallying their former retainers like the daimyo you and Masamune dealt with: To chip away at my influence bit by bit.” He builds on his answer as he rides, directing his army all the while, “All that was left was to choose the perfect moment to rise from the abyss and show themselves in the light.”
In conclusion, Shingen’s goal has been to, most likely, stir trouble in Nobunaga’s territories and hope for the people to rebel against him, joining his cause instead. That’s an incredibly intricate plan, I’ve got to give him that. She can’t help glancing at Shingen ahead with sheer curiosity, her intuition telling her he’d been the sole architect of that scheme.
And suddenly so, she realizes his already herculean figure becomes taller and taller, dangerously approaching him. “You’re not honestly thinking about fighting the two of them directly!?” Ignoring the obvious disadvantages of two against one, Takeda and Uesugi are the commanders of the enemy forces.
But Nobunaga ignores her question, once more kicking his horse into a run. Feeling her balance unceremoniously ripped from her again, she flinches, squeezing him harder to find some purchase. Men fall to Nobunaga’s deadly blade and the trampling hooves of his horse, more weapons than Mai can even count flying towards the two of them. Either Shingen or Kenshin seems to notice Nobunaga and her approaching at first, but then again, almost everyone is on horseback.
… Or they had been, until then, when she hears a horrible scream—Kenshin barbarically cutting a soldier down before her eyes, alighting from his horse with paradoxical elegance. What is he doing? Doesn’t that put him at a disadvantage?
“This battle bores me.” She hears him saying flatly, “Here, I’m giving myself a handicap. Now, will someone put up a fight?”
Nobunaga watches Kenshin’s act of madness with amusement, “So, it’s true what they say about Kenshin’s lust for battle.”
More like he’s lusting for a sword in his chest! He’s putting himself at risk because he’s bored!?
“Shingen, your battles are dull and they take too long. I might just kill you for bringing me into this snore fest…”
“You know what they say about men who snore, Kenshin!” Far ahead, Shingen smiles wryly before smoothly vaulting off his horse. “I think I’m keeping you from showing off and stealing all the fun for yourself.” Back to back with his apparent ally, Shingen hefts his odachi, nearly as tall as himself.
Yet somehow and to her awed eyes, when he wields it, he seems even taller, even greater. “Anyone interested in losing their lives today? Then step right up.”
“Any idiots can go and get killed by Shingen. I want to fight the skilled and the brave.”
An Oda soldier reacts vigorously, “Take them down and take home glory! Attack!”
Another armored man clad in red steps up. “Protect our lord!”
“Don’t step on my account!” Shingen commands, “Concentrate on your own enemies.” His velvety voice carries over the loud rush of wind that comes with each swing of his monster of a sword.
He’s… I’ll admit it. He’s kind of wow. Shingen could bring down three soldiers with one well-calculated strike, swords and men falling to the ground before him. Behind him, Kenshin’s blade flashes, leaving dead men in his wake.
“The tiger and the dragon. Their fangs are sharp as ever,” Nobunaga’s crimson eyes seem to be drawn to every strike of Shingen and Kenshin’s swords, just as hers are. “Their alliance may prove to be more trouble than I thought.”
One of Nobunaga’s men come riding towards the two of them, shouting, “My Lord, you must fall back! It’s too dangerous here!”
That, naturally, draws Shingen’s attention, but those smoky grey eyes pass right over Nobunaga. They stop on her, holding her shocked gaze—and if eyes could whisper, they would say ‘Hey cutie’. With all the confidence in the world, Shingen then winks at her, her heart sputtering and stopping for a beat.
… He just… winked at me…
“Shingen, three at a time? Stop being wasteful and save some for me,”
“I would, but you know of my terrible affliction. I have to show off in front of a beautiful woman,”
“… A woman? There’s a woman here?” Kenshin’s gaze cuts through the crowd with the same ruthlessness as his sword, spotting her. That’s not a wink, that’s a death glare. As soon as it comes, it melts away as Kenshin’s eyes widen in a kind of shock, staring at her for a second like he couldn’t believe what he’s seeing.
Then, those heterochromatic eyes notice Nobunaga and Kenshin grows spine-chillingly pleased. “Nobunaga… you’ve come out.”
“Kenshin, I shall be your opponent,” The mere statement all but screams trouble—she really, really doesn’t want to be on Nobunaga’s horse while he fights that killer in a duel.
Can I, uh, call a cab?
However, the so soul-stirring duel doesn’t happen as all in a sudden, Shingen steps up to his ally. “Let’s call it quits, Kenshin. We’ve done enough for today,” He seems to decide in a very nonchalant manner. “Remember, we’re not here to kill Nobunaga. Not yet.” Surprisingly, Shingen’s calming voice is the song to soothe Kenshin’s savagery.
The blonde warrior still shoots him a fierce glare, though, “I’m not leaving when the ultimate prey has just offered himself up to me.”
“Fair enough. But are you really going to enjoy killing a man when his woman is there, clinging to his back?” Shingen points out, “I thought you liked fighting your opponents when they’re in the best possible condition?”
“… Why must you ruin everything, Shingen?” Kenshin’s fine features twist into a spiteful scowl. “I’m disappointed, Nobunaga. You’ve become the kind of corrupt noble who dallies with his concubine on the battlefield? Perhaps a good head wound will straighten you out. Or better yet, kill you.”
Nobunaga scoffs, “And maybe next time you come back from hell, you can do so with more sense than bloodlust.”
Shingen doesn’t let his ally catch on his bait, “Easy now, Kenshin. We’ll kill him in time. But the stage isn’t set yet.” There’s a coldness in Shingen’s expression that doesn’t quite leave as he turns to Mai, “I’m sorry to frighten you with this display, Princess-Chatelaine of Azuchi.”
Princess-Chatelaine? So, he really has done his homework.
“We’ve met three times now: By inevitability, whim, and finally fate.” His smoky grey eyes pierce into her very soul, “Are you anticipating our fourth meeting as much as I am?” Every word he draws out feels hypnotizing—like a flute to a snake, moved and drawn by the mere movement of those impossibly alluring lips. “My offer is sadly running out of time…”
“… Wh-what do you even mean by that?” She has so many questions, but as ridiculously tongue-tied as she is, it’s all she can do but gape, incredulous and entranced.
“Good questions. Can I take it you’re excited to hear the answers at our next meeting? Great! It’s a promise!” Mai keeps gawking at that too familiar and dangerously enchanting smile, her heart pounding too hard.
Shingen is Nobunaga’s enemy, all in all hers as well, given her status. Nonetheless, the idea of seeing him again is almost too thrilling, the sheer anticipation coursing through her not helping at all. Probably not in the middle of a battlefield, pretty please.
“So, the Tiger turns tail to flee like a coward for the second time.” Nobunaga taunts him with a devilish smirk.
“Keep your filthy mouth shut.” Shingen’s lighthearted enthusiasm vanishes at Nobunaga’s provocation, his eyes turning dark and deadly cold—and suddenly Mai doesn’t feel like looking at them anymore. “I’ll be back, Nobunaga, for your head. Best use it while it’s still connected.” His and Kenshin’s vassals guide their horses to their commanders, the two men mounting up. “We’re pulling out, Kenshin.”
“… This was a disappointment. The next fight better not be, Nobunaga.” The odd retreat makes her confused. Why would they give up in the middle of a battle? Or did they really come with the mere purpose of revealing themselves?
It seems kind of silly, but the honest truth is the further away they get, the better she can breathe, Shingen’s magic spell losing its grip on her. To a great extent, she’s genuinely glad it didn’t come down to a true fight, the current result being grim enough to her eyes.
Nobunaga keeps his gaze fixed on the vanishing figures of his two rivals for a very long time, even when their armies break away and withdraw with their leaders. “Did Takeda know about the flying column I had in wait?”
“What? Flying column?”
“The detachment of troops from Toshiie I kept in reserve. In an extended battle, they would have given me the advantage.” So, Nobunaga had his own strategy all along, “It’s all too easy to bait the God of War, but Takeda’s harder to trap.” More challenged than disappointed, he returns to giving orders, “Do not pursue them. No doubt their garrison is empty. They had no intention of staging a prolonged conflict in the first place. Send out scouts to confirm they’ve withdrawn and once they have, we’ll do as well.”
Mai had no idea such a violent battle could come to an end so abruptly. However, the repercussions are far from over—soldiers groaning and bleeding as far as her eyes can reach; some men most likely never getting up again. So many casualties for a battle that lasted only a few hours, for a cause that’s not even their own. How many more would die if they kept fighting?
Is there anything she could do to help or, at least, turn the situation to a more positive light?
As she asks herself that question, she sifts through her memories of the battle. Waiting patiently at the end of the line is one particularly pesky memory.
“We’ve met three times now: By inevitability, whim, and finally fate. Are you anticipating our fourth meeting as much as I am? My offer is sadly running out of time…”
What in the world did Shingen mean? What does she even has to consider of his so-called proposal? Is he just expecting her to walk away with him the very moment they meet again?
And, most importantly, what is he capable of doing if she refuses to take his offer?
Odachi: Japanese greatsword.
A-N: HERE COMES MY BOY! HE'S HERE! IT HIMMMMMMMM! Also, this looks like an opportune moment to mention I'm currently running a 30 Days of Shingen on my art blog, because flooding y'all with content from my ravishingly handsome tiger just seems like the best way to start the year :D
Stripes of Auburn, Eye of Sapphire
12. Shingen
Read on Ao3 | Read on FFN | Masterlist
Summary: It’s not the beauty clad in exquisite coral robes what strikes him, but her face. It’s clearer in the daylight, with copper locks turning into all shades of bronze and deep orange where the sunlight reflects them, and a pair of sharp amber irises behind catlike eyes to match her splendor. It’s a picture Shingen couldn’t possibly have forgotten anytime soon.
For it’s, down to the most logical assumption, the face of a ghost.
Spoiler alert! - Shingen’s route.
Shingen
It may be chillier and dryer than how he’s technically used to, yet the weather never has stopped his march—today is of no difference. Besides, something about the cold air seems to make wonders for his health, pumping him with a newfound invigorating energy to face whatever odds come onto his way. In the end, it’s all about taking and giving a little.
However, it’s not the ability to fully enjoy clear air what Shingen Takeda misses the most nowadays.
It’s been some time ever since he placed a foot upon the crowded town of Azuchi, and he’d be a fool not to genuinely appreciate the prosperity on the rise its people appear to partake on in their businesses. Still, it doesn’t soothe his constant wariness and skepticism towards his new surroundings—but those burdens are only his to bear, and that’s a fact.
The truth is, the town is full of innocents; men, women and children who’d ever in their lives branded a sword or fought for the pride of their daimyo, or a greater cause. And honestly, who is he to blame them for the sincere smiles on their faces? The city may be living an ephemeral thriving time, but as long as there’s food on their stomachs and a place to call home, nobody would opt to ask for more.
And yet, not many are aware as he is of how luxurious it truly is to have the latter, though. Most likely, if there’s anything at all Shingen Takeda misses the most, it would be without a doubt his home.
Despite the city lacking the stunning landscapes he’s accustomed to, there are several other marvels and opportunities lurking around every corner—and chances he wouldn’t dare to miss. And so, he lets his intuition lead the way, conscious of it almost never have failed him, and strolls in long strides across one of Azuchi’s main streets; beige haori neatly in place, basking in the caresses of the morning sun upon his face, fleeting and just warm enough as a woman’s shy touch.
A petite beauty crosses his way, a delicate red pin in her dark hair looking quite familiar, and Shingen slows his pacing just slightly to be able to meet the lady’s feline eyes. Her tantalizing sway is telling, but her flirtatious wink and subtle tilt of her head to her right is even more so, barely brushing his arm as she casually strides past him.
Without further need of another clue, Shingen walks some more until turning to another road, leading to the merchant streets. The packed amount of travelers, traders of all sorts and customers allow him to blend in with ease despite his outstanding tall height. He shoots sweet smiles to and fro, idly putting names on faces, distinguishing locals from visitors—and because he may never know when to put it to use, mentally mapping certain tea shops and pleasure houses around the area.
Until he’s blessed with the opportunity he’s been looking forward to, coming straight towards him. And she may be barely a blur for Shingen’s sore eyes, as for making an appearance some streets ahead, yet her very presence—and that of her companion—is all but enough for several heads, if not all of them, to turn her way.
“Is that the Oda Princess?” A passing merchant voices his curiosity.
A girl tries peeking past her mother’s arm around her. “Oh, where is she? Let me take a look!”
“My, she truly is as beautiful as they say…”
Shingen follows the source of everyone’s attention, not daring to resist what it must be such a pleasant sight, a sense of anticipation making him hold his breath. It’s not several moments later until he forcefully rubs one of his eyes, blinking hard against the blinding illusion that approaches his way.
It’s not the beauty clad in exquisite coral robes what strikes him, but her face. It’s clearer in the daylight, with copper locks turning into all shades of bronze and deep orange where the sunlight reflects them, and a pair of sharp amber irises behind catlike eyes to match her splendor. It’s a picture he couldn’t possibly have forgotten anytime soon.
For it’s, down to the most logical assumption, the face of a ghost.
It takes him very precious moments to truly notice the figure accompanying her, realizing it’s no one else than the infamous dokuganryu of Oshu, Masamune Date. Thick auburn brows knit into a frown, finding it somewhat odd for the woman to have such an imposing escort for a guard, regardless of her stature. And yet, Shingen can’t truly blame the evident ogling the people shoot at the two of them, the stark contrast of their appearances alluring enough to catch anyone’s eye.
He wills his feet to get on the move, however, subtly placing some distance between the pair before being accidentally recognized. Luckily for him, Yukimura’s stall lays nearby, his long strides bringing him to his destination in no time at all.
“Oh, my Lord,” Yuki quirks a surprised brow at him as he elegantly takes a seat before his wares, mindful of his haori, “I’d thought you were taking a morning walk. At least I wasn’t expecting you here this early…”
“As a matter of fact, that’s what I was doing, Yuki,” He flashes his young vassal a reassuring smile before darting a fleeting glance past his shoulder, “I had to take a detour, though,”
“Look, it’s Lord Masamune!” A woman nudges her lady friend’s side, happily waving their way. “Oh, is that the beautiful Princess everyone’s talking about?”
“Aaw, they make a lovely couple!” The second woman appears to squeal in delight.
Yukimura appears to get the gist fast enough, and to Shingen’s relief. “Oh, I see…”
As the throng of admirers crawl closer and step aside of the couple’s way, he looms over Yuki’s merchandise table, pretending to be giving a close inspection to a particularly pretty hairpin. His aide opts for taking a step back and further into his stall, subtly shrouding his face among the shadows, the blazing glare he shoots at the Dragon of Oshu only for Shingen’s eyes to see.
An easygoing laughter drifts by, followed by some longing sighs from the female audience, and soon enough the newly appointed Princess of the Oda and her guard are out on their way. Yuki seems to wait until the coast is clear and the street resumes its regular chattering before stepping out of his hiding spot.
“So… that was the mysterious Princess people’s been talking about, huh,” Yuki muses to himself, arms crossed and staring warily at the end of the street. “I don’t know how, but I think I’ve seen her before…”
Shingen quirks a curious brow, “Does she ring a bell to you, Yuki?” He tries prodding, straightening up and following his vassal’s eyes, pondering to himself. If Yuki recalls her face as well, that would certainly confirm some of his suspicions and cut the odds shorter.
He shrugs dismissively, “I… can’t say for sure, my Lord,” As smart as he knows Yukimura Sanada to be, it’s somewhat disappointing seeing him give up on such an intriguing matter just as easily, “What’s with that look, though?”
It’s alright, though. After all, it falls on him to solve the puzzle that is the enigmatic Oda Princess. I can’t bring more burdens onto Yuki than strictly necessary. He’s young and with a full life ahead of him…
Landing a reassuring hand on Yuki’s shoulder, Shingen cracks an easy smile. “I’m inclined to believe we do have some clues of who she truly is,” His smile widens into a full grin as he meets his eyes, brimming with sheer anticipation, “Only one way to find out, don’t you think?”
“… Why is it I don’t like the sound of that?”
Turns out, having his Mitsumono in charge of a thorough investigation of the Oda Princess’ background appears to take more time than Shingen formerly anticipated. Adding up to the delay, his curiosity doesn’t get sated in the least with several of his spies reporting to him with regretful looks in their faces, not seeming to make a dent in their investigation of the strange lady.
The matter at hand gets more concerning as a week and some go by, and he barely has a name to put on the face and a vague story regarding her status. To everyone, Mai Mizusaki appears to be a visitor from the West, assigned as chatelaine of Azuchi Castle and elevated to Princess—the reasons of the latter most likely for her to become Nobunaga’s concubine in the certain future. Or that falls as the most reasonable assumption, given her close ties with the highest members in the Oda forces.
And her being under the constant watch of the very One-Eyed Dragon of Oshu, that as well.
Three days later Shingen makes up his mind, resolving to take the matters upon himself, arranging a meeting with one of his most entrusted Mitsumono in the area. To his relief, she doesn’t disappoint him, arriving on time in a secluded corner he’s saved for the two of them, at the back of an ordinary pleasure house.
Leaning casually against the wall, Shingen leans close to the maid beauty, toying with a loose strand of her dark hair. For whoever prying eyes could be about, he’s just a man wooing a lady, although he won’t ever complain at all for prompting such a lovely sheepish smile with his attentions.
“This may be your lucky day. I’ve heard the chatelaine will be running a last-minute errand for Lord Toyotomi’s vassal,” The maid says in a low voice, only for him to hear, “For what I know about Mitsunari Ishida, it’s most likely just an order for more books,”
“Sounds like it,” Shingen agrees with a disarming smile, indulging himself with the chance of brushing a finger against her soft cheek, relishing in the woman’s inevitable blush, “And do you happen to know where this store she’d be heading is?”
The very alluring smile in her face falters just slightly, not appearing to help to give him an apprehensive glance. “My Lord, I—” She worries her lip, hesitating, but eventually brings a folded paper from the hems of her kimono. “Please, be careful. If you’re spotted in this town…”
Shingen chuckles huskily, shushing her with a thumb over her lips, “Your concern for my sake never ceases to warm my heart,” Without further ado, he subtly saves the paper into his sleeve, leaning back. “But as much as I truly appreciate it, I’d like to ask you to not be, though. I am always careful,” Fixing his eyes on hers, he reassures her with an intent look, proving he genuinely means it.
“Of course. You’re right…” She appears to believe him, and he thanks her with a kiss upon her untouched cheek, fleeting yet meaningful all the same.
The paper the maid handed him ends up being merely a map with straightforward directions to the book merchant stall. And so, he spends the afternoon killing time while languidly strolling through alleys and shortcuts close to the area, basking in the warmth the day brings upon him.
It’s all too easy to spot his target as she makes her appearance, her copper hair and expensive kimono giving her away from the very other end of the street. If anything, her lively mood radiating off her most certainly puts her on the spotlight as well.
Yet regardless of her exquisite glow, a guilt cold as ice tugs at Shingen’s heart all the same. She’s just another innocent on the brink of falling onto the devil’s corruption. Why is the world so cruel to those who don’t deserve it?
Running a subtle expression check and adjusting the small auburn bun at the back of his head, he walks towards the Oda Princess in rushed strides, mindful of keeping his small token hidden from sight at the small of his back. She doesn’t seem to notice him right until almost crashing onto his chest—of which, to be frank, he’d hoped she ended up doing.
To his delight, Shingen still manages to make her fluster. “Excuse me, young lady?” He puts up his best warming voice, in that certain tone which had worked in his advantage so many times before. “Thank you for stopping. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to give chase…”
The amber hue of her gaze looks way more alluring at close view, traveling to his face, prompting a genuinely appreciative smile out of him. But for the matter, she seems clearly troubled with holding the reins of her tongue.
“I-I… was there, um…” She clears her throat but it seems about useless, “… hi.” It’s all the Princess manages to say, amusing him to no end. “Can, um, can I help you?”
“I’m hoping you can,” He smiles sweetly, relishing in the pretty blush creeping up her cheeks, “You see, something fell when you walked by…”
Those amber eyes go wide with worry, her flustering briefly forgotten. “Oh, dear, really!?” As she reaches around her to perform a quick pat check of her kimono, Shingen can’t take much of her misguided concern for any longer, capturing her hand in his free one.
He leans down in attempts to seize that sparkling gaze; youth and wonder and a glimpse of life beckoning him in, igniting something within he’d assumed long gone.
“It was me. I fell in love with you.”
To some extent, it’s not entirely a lie—how he could possibly make that up with that more than evident spark fluttering around them? “You’ve stolen my heart. But don’t worry, I won’t charge you with theft. It clearly wanted to be with you, so you may do with it as you like…” It might even be for the best if she does so, though, but he keeps that thought to himself.
The look in her blushing face is telling, her tongue not seeming to obey anymore, looking stunned and struggling for words. And yet, even when basking in such alluring reactions and predicting her every possible thought, there’s a gleam of something else crossing her eyes—something different and not so easy to read, beckoning him further and prompting his curiosity.
“As the owner of my heart, would you do me the favor of joining me for some tea?” Shingen’s flirtatious smirk widens into a grin, open and inviting, “I’d like to get to know you better…”
“Uh, er,” She tenses at the idea, growing bashful, glancing away with a guilty expression, “I don’t think I can. I—”
But Shingen had formerly prepared for a possible rejection. “Oh, my. Have I been stealing your time? How rude of me! Perhaps I can make it up to you with this small token?” Gracefully, he procures a pretty flower he’d hidden on his sleeve, daring to lean even closer and delicately tucking it upon the shell of her ear. Its beauty pales before the depths of her amber gaze, however, timidly returning to his face. “And those beautiful eyes are back on me. Tell me what I’ve done to attract them, so I can do it again,”
“Thank you,” The beautiful Princess worries her lip, biting down the shy smile tugging at her lips, “B-but… that’s not what I meant. I believe we’ve met before.”
Thankfully so, Shingen is skilled in the art of keeping a straight face; although he can’t say the same for his heart, skipping a beat, wariness pooling in his gut, “Oh? Have I been visiting your dreams? I’m more than flattered for it,” He chuckles amusedly.
“No, no! I, ugh—“
She drops Shingen’s hand as if his mere touch is messing with her head, winding a nervous hand to her hair. Her eyes flicker back and forth, appearing to try collecting herself somehow. But he’d already glimpsed the troubled look crossing her face and, for some reason, he’s lost for words all in a sudden—his control over their conversation slipping from his grasp.
“Takeda…” She says so low he almost doesn’t hear her, “You’re Shingen Takeda.”
In any case, his body certainly feels his name dropping from her lips, if his mouth going dry and the hammering of his heart is any indication thereof. Strangely so—and for the first time in a long while—their roles appear to reverse, and is Shingen who then has to collect himself to the best of his expertise.
And be extremely careful from there on as well.
However, as inconvenient as it is for having been recognized, at least that clears one of his suspicions towards her. “… And you are not a ghost,” Plain honesty seems to be the best course to take—not that it’ll tell her more than he intends to lean her in, “Not now that I see you in the daylight, that is clear,”
It’s no small feat how, in spite of herself, she’d managed to turn the situation to her advantage; visibly more confident now that they’re somewhat on the clear. And as open and harmless Shingen knows himself to have acted with her, he can only hope she hasn’t changed her mind about him and opted on to try running away then.
To his partial surprise, she actually doesn’t, even turning a concerned look at him. “I don’t mean to intrude, but I have to ask,” She worries her lip once more, glancing around them to make sure there are no prying ears about, “What are you doing in Azuchi? Isn’t this place enemy territory to you?”
The pleased smile tugging at his lips is genuine—turns out, this unknown woman going by the name of Mai Mizusaki is just as sharp as she is beautiful. No stranger to danger, quick to connect the dots, and clearly not as helpless as she appears so; Shingen can’t help to grow more and more intrigued about her. How many secrets does she have up her sleeve?
“Would you believe me if I said I’ve come to find you?” Then again, that’s not truly a lie, and Shingen turns the newfound idea on his mind a couple of times before going for it. “You see, I’ve been meaning to make you an offer…”
“An offer? You mean, an offer to me?” Somehow, the look of sheer disbelief in her face manages to throw him off just so. Could her poise merely be an act? How does a woman of her stature would appear so baffled otherwise?
Although unexpected, that’s not quite a concerning problem, and if must be, he’ll see to make her know how valuable she truly is. “A beauty like you, in many means of the word, is way too wasted in the Oda forces. I want to make you an offer to come with me instead,” Unable to help it, Shingen reaches out to brush his thumb upon her cheek, feeling that spark once again and an ever so fleeting shiver running over her. “You may not be aware of it now, but Nobunaga corrupts everything he touches. However, I can save you from him,”
“Wh-what…?” As for appearing so visibly pleased with his attentions, for a moment it seems she’s having troubles to keep track of their conversation, her copper brows knitting into a frown. “Are you serious?”
“Very much so. In any case, you’ll see it soon enough.” Shingen shrugs dismissively, leaning away completely in spite of himself. “I’ll hold on to your answer for our next encounter. It will give me something else to look forward to,” Shooting a last dashing smile at her, he turns around before coming to regret it. “I’m afraid I must leave you now. I need to find a place to rest tonight, if not in the warm embrace of your dreams…”
While it’s not in Shingen’s nature to leave a woman so visibly disappointed, his duty—and the course of his plan—must come first in this case. “Hold on a moment,” He’d already managed to will his feet to get on the move, and still, the beauty tugs at the sleeve of his kimono, “What’s that about Nobunaga? You can’t just say that and leave me hanging,”
His blood feels like turning into ice, turning back without being able to help it; what is it about what, exactly? The look in her eyes baffles him just slightly, struggling to believe her genuine question. How does a Princess of the Oda appear so oblivious to her daimyo’s history of disgraces?
Who truly is she? What is the mystery behind Mai Mizusaki? And why can’t he figure it out already?
But his time has run out, admittedly out in the open for too long. Sadly so, only time may probably offer the answers he’s looking for.
“I see you miss me already? Don’t worry, I do too,” Shingen works his most charming smile before leaning down and brushing his lips upon the back of her delicate hand, placing a tender kiss there. “I’m trusting you to take good care of my heart in the meantime… Princess,”
Regardless of the result, Shingen walks through town in good spirits after his last encounter, the pristine picture of Mai Mizusaki’s face still lingering in his mind. All in all, it’s quite a lovely way to end the day, and he wouldn’t ask for anything more than the small blessings he’s been given.
With long strides, he enters the market, stopping in front of the sales blanket and spotting two acquaintances inside. “Were you waiting long, Yukimura?” He announces himself with an easygoing smile.
Yukimura snorts, appearing to struggle not to roll his eyes as he brings himself to view, past the shadows of his tent. “Not any longer than I expected to be, Lord Shingen. There are women here, after all. You’d walk faster through a field of ground spikes…”
His example prompts out the interest of their second acquaintance—and lately, one of the closest people in Yuki’s circle. “Should I need to work on a better prototype?” Sasuke wonders, mostly to himself.
Shingen’s young vassal shakes his head in partial amusement, not bothering to come up with a proper reply and turning to him once again. “Soooo,” He begins, giving him a knowing look, “Was it really worthy for you to go through that trouble instead of staying in Kasugayama as intended?”
He chuckles low, only for his acquaintances to hear, before kneeling on the blanket as if a customer would. “And then some, Yuki…” Shingen’s eyes don’t hunger for the baubles and hairpins in the display, however. “My apologies for taking so long. I’ve managed to find her, though,”
Sasuke purses his lips, seeming not to look forward to questioning his actions, although Yukimura does either way. “Her? You mean that mysterious Princess of the Oda?”
“And the same woman we met the night Honno-ji burned,” Shingen admits with a nod, “The one you saved from falling through a cliff…”
“Huh, really?” Yukimura turns pensive, yet not managing to hide his surprise, “So the rumors of her are true, then? She’s Nobunaga’s new mistress or concubine or… whatever?”
Despite Yuki’s more than obvious discontent, Shingen only smiles further. “It’s too bad, isn’t it? She seems too sweet to become a bride of the devil himself…”
For a spare moment, he lets his thoughts wonder—could he steal her away for her own good if she turns out to reject his offer? He would be content with just admiring her from afar, yet nothing’s too certain or kind in these war-torn times as it is.
However, Yukimura stops his train of thought with a groan. “I see that look in your face, milord. You’re playing with fire,” He frowns and glares hard, appearing to be reading his mind.
Sasuke feels like making a precarious comment. “I am partially inclined to agree with Yukimura. It is not wise to believe mere rumors,” The ninja points out with a thoughtful tilt of his head, “A course of action can’t be taken by hypothesis only. You probably would need further proof of these statements…”
Shingen snorts low in amusement, knowing the two youngsters mean well with their particular ways of showing concern. “Frowning like that will ruin your good boyish looks, Yuki,” He teases, looking forward to dismissing their worries towards him just as quick as they came.
“Fine, don’t listen to us. But hear just this, though,” Yuki shows an unusual hesitation to speak his mind, to Shingen’s brief concern, “Regardless of who or whose woman she is, I don’t think she’s the one to involve in this plan of yours. But—” He at least tries to excuse himself, “I know you’ve worked hard on this and thought everything through. So I’ll follow you to the end, no matter what.”
His comment touches Shingen’s heart. “And I thank you, Yuki. For your loyalty, your candor, and your tact… when you remember to show that tact,”
“Oh shut up…” He snorts once again before correcting himself, “—Um, my lord.”
Stripes of Auburn, Eye of Sapphire
8. Mai
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Summary: “Well, never in my life I thought I’d say this, but they say there’s a first time to everything.” In a blunt motion, Masamune pulls his sword away, snorting through his nose in kind of disbelief. “Welcome to Japan of the past, Mai.”
After appearing to assume she poses no further threat, he slides his sword back into its scabbard, and it’s only then when she remembers to breathe again. Her shoulders slump in exhaustion, elbows unable to hold her weight anymore and collapsing on the tatami mat.
“That’s… the worst welcome I ever got in my whole life…”
Mai
“Damn, I should have drawn a map. This castle is huge!”
Just walking alongside Hideyoshi and Mitsunari around the near labyrinthine hallways and insides of Azuchi Castle had taken the whole rest of the day. By the time Mai finally returns to her room, she’s exhausted to the core, already anticipating a fair share of blisters on her feet thanks to those damn sandals the maids have gotten her.
Be as it may—and that also could apply to the choice of footwear and clothing of the period she’s stuck in—it’s only safe to admit she won’t be going close to having everything figured out in a day or two. Either way, it’s not truly something to be bummed out for, given it’s actually tomorrow when she’ll be up to starting her real job as chatelaine.
Oh, well. At least there’s something to look forward to.
Thankfully, Nobunaga’s retainer and his aide had comprehensively leaned her in on her work; in which she’ll be assisting the residents and tending to any possible request, as well as keeping a watchful eye on the youngest warlord around, overseeing that he has an overall healthier lifestyle. While Mitsunari has made his complaints clear to both his superiors and persisted on his opinion for the task being unbefitting of someone of her rank—regardless of just recently being appointed to—in the end, Mai managed to ease the young man and convinced him they could work together just fine.
Kicking herself out of her sandals, she drops unceremoniously onto the futon spread in the middle of her lavish room, tiredly pulling at her obi. Next follows the bothersome task of removing all the regal hair adornments one by one and after, stripping off layer after layer of her Princess-like—and quite literally!—kimono. It’s once she’s extricated herself and is left with her under kimono when Mai feels several pounds lighter, sighing deeply.
“No wonder why women here go around as slow as turtles…” She muses to herself, glimpsing a wardrobe nearby with sleeping robes, but allowing herself a moment before rising and walking over.
The last thought swirls for a while, something she’d noticed even in the short time of her arrival to the Sengoku period. It’s a stark contrast of the modern lifestyle she’s used to, one of which people couldn’t allow themselves a bare moment of reprieve if they intended to not fall back on their day-to-day activities; like rushing to catch a bus, or hurrying to fall in line before losing your spot.
Perhaps there’s more to it—but that’s something Sasuke would be able to answer, not her—but somewhat, it surely has to be the lack of the usual rush what makes her feel as if the whole world currently runs in a sort of slow motion before her eyes. From talking to taking into menial tasks, every movement appears deliberated, measured to the last moment. And as irrelevant as it may be, to Mai it’s a strenuous feeling at its best, not doing any good to her ever anxious mind.
I know I can make it, but if anything, today has taught me just how high a hurdle that’s going to be. Ugh, wish I had something to smoke. Popping her joints, she spots her bag nearby, still lying where she’d set it down in the morning. “So much for getting ready for this job, though. My dream one literally feels 500 years away now…”
Setting her test piece, Bearsace, next to the dim light, she then pulls her sketchbook out, flipping through her old designs mindlessly. The motion gives her a sort of peace of mind, recalling some doodles as attires she’s specifically handmade for a couple of her most precious friends. “Hah, Kaoru will have a field day when I get to tell her—“
Her musings come abruptly to a stop at the sound of someone arriving to her room. “Mai, I’m coming in.” The unexpected visitor has the decency of announcing himself… until said decency all but disappears when the door of her room is practically kicked open.
A shriek is caught in her mouth, staring wide-eyed to none other than Masamune Date, the blue of his eye gleaming wildly, even in the dim light of her place. “Ma-Lord Masamune…?” She corrects herself quickly, her instincts advising for being as formal as she could manage, “It’s late at night, was there something you—“ All of a sudden, the glint of metal flashes before her eyes, “S-sword!?”
A long, drawn out ‘shiiiink’ resonates in her ears, her breath hitching in fright. Even when her natural reflexes prompt Mai to bring her forearm to her face, the sleeve of her under kimono presses onto the border of the blade, but the motion goes fast enough to bring the very sharp tip of the sword pointing at her neck. What the heck!? Why is he pointing a sword at me!? And what in hell he’s looking so smug about!?
With utmost care, she tries pushing the blade away as inoffensively as she can, but Masamune doesn’t relent, pinning her in place with his single eye. “I have a question for you…” His characteristic haughty smirk fades away, the lamplight dancing over his warlike features. A shadow ghosts over his gaze, igniting it further, somewhat attesting he’s been in this situation many times over.
What in the seven hells did I do?
She leans further on her back, struggling to stand some ground, “A-and just what do you think you’re doing!?” Yet his blade follows all the same, barely pressing onto her throat.
“I think I’m making myself perfectly clear.” Clear that he’s totally crazy, yeah! But she doesn’t even dare saying her thoughts aloud; his blazing glare reflecting in the polished gleam of his sword, almost feeling as if he’s trying to look straight into her soul. “I heard you claim coming from 500 years in the future. Now, is that a made-up story or not?”
At first, Mai blinks in disbelief; as far as it goes, she’s aware she’s promised Sasuke not mentioning a word about it again to anyone. Regardless, that shouldn’t count at all in the frightening situation she’s suddenly into, with a fucking sword threatening to slice her throat open, no less.
But what if he doesn’t believe her and guts her either way?
Well, only one way to know. Here goes nothing…
“It’s true,” She breathes at first, heart trying to hammer its way out of her chest, swallowing hard and doing her best to sound more believable. “It’s really true!”
Masamune studies her meticulously for a time stopping moment, the grip on his blade firm and unfaltering. She gulps again, hands curling into fists at her sides, feeling herself becoming smaller and smaller within each second passing.
But then, like the moon revealing itself past a cloudy sky, a crescent smile slowly appears on his mouth, the fierce look in his eye all but fading with the next blink.
“I see…” She can practically see the gears running in his mind, but can’t even bring herself to breathe, less to speak a single word. “Well, never in my life I thought I’d say this, but they say there’s a first time to everything.” In a blunt motion, Masamune pulls his sword away, snorting through his nose in kind of disbelief. “Welcome to Japan of the past, Mai.”
After appearing to assume she poses no further threat, he slides his sword back into its scabbard, and it’s only then when she remembers to breathe again. Her shoulders slump in exhaustion, elbows unable to hold her weight anymore and collapsing on the tatami mat.
“That’s… the worst welcome I ever got in my whole life…” She croaks, feeling sluggish as a noodle, bringing her trembling hands to her face as the brunt of the situation begins settling in.
Masamune’s low chuckle reverberates on the room. “I knew there was something rather unique about you,” He says amusedly, “Having you here will really make—huh?” His ponderings come to a sudden stop and she feels him approaching carefully, kneeling next to her on the mat. “Are you alright?”
Peeking past her fingers, Mai gets a glimpse of him, staring back at her in genuine confusion. Not long after, she realizes her cheeks and palms are wet with tears, the stressful moment appearing to have gotten the worst of her.
It’s easier to lash out at him. “Why, of course not! You scared the fucking hell out of me!” She sobs, quickly rubbing her face and save some dignity on herself. “Did you just need to point a sword at me to know that!?”
A sort of realization comes onto Masamune, scratching the back of his head in an awkward manner. “Ah, well. Yeah, sorry about that. Get yourself in my place for a moment, though,” He tries to reason, “Your story seemed so farfetched I needed to be sure you were telling the truth,” He says matter-of-factly, sneering just slightly, “Hard to lie with a blade at your throat…”
“You could have just asked, you know…” To be quite honest, she’s not truly mad at his approach—all things considered, and mostly his solid reasoning, pretty much according to the current culture—but rather stunned.
Sure, she wouldn’t absolutely have prodded him the way he did, were she in his place; but facts are, resorting to violence may most likely be the only thing these people know to do. And she couldn’t possibly blame Masamune for that. At the end of the day, it’s safe to say that shocking scene has been only a product of cultural differences.
That doesn’t take away the fact Masamune must probably be crazier than the lot of them, though.
“Alright, my turn for the questions,” Mai decides after recovering some of her composure, “Does this mean I get to live, right?” She gestures vaguely between the two of them, “And… you really believe me? Just like that?”
At her skeptical tone, he breaks into his now characteristic musical laughter, relieving the mood furthermore. “Really, how could I not?” He retorts, shooting her an obvious look, “Of all the possible stories you could have made up, yours is the most absurd I’ve heard in my whole life. No person would have come up with such a crazy tale, so that can only mean one thing…”
“The way you say it, to me can only mean you think I’m crazy,” She quirks a brow, uncertain.
“Nah,” He shakes his head, “Your body language also told me you’re telling the truth. And looking as terrified as you just were to a sword can add up to the fact it’s probably the first time you’ve ever been threatened like this.”
As crazy as he may act, he’s making a lot of sense. Huh.
Masamune shrugs nonchalantly before dropping onto his back on the mat next to her, turning on his side and supporting his head with a fist. Thankfully, he seems to be aware of her need of a personal space but is not as compliant as to leave her alone on her misery.
“So, tell me lass, what’s life in the future like?”
The bluntly straightforward way he makes that question takes her aback, stammering a little, not prepared at all to another prodding from his part. His mouth curls into an innocent grin, staring attentively and all but looking like a child getting ready to hear his favorite telltale.
“… Uh, what?” As much as a part of her craves for a more casual conversation and settling into a sense of normalcy, she’s not quite certain how… appropriate answering that would be. “Um, I don’t know about that,”
Last time they met, Sasuke worried a lot about keeping his historical impact at a minimum, and as far as fictional stories went regarding that specific subject, there’s always been one basic ‘rule’, if any, and that’s been trying to keep any possible influence whatsoever to interfere with the natural course of events. Otherwise, chaos unfolds and ‘history as its known changes forever’.
Ugh, but what do I know, really? Last week I was traveling to Kyoto for my final interview, and now I suddenly am a sort of time-traveler having a conversation with a legendary samurai and daimyo of 500 years in the past.
“Don’t know about what?” Masamune wonders, quirking a brow. “I just want to know, is it better or worse than it is now?”
“You mean to ask if the country is still at war?” She ponders about it for a moment. How much harm would it be to let him in on that, in all honesty? What could truly change for a person to have knowledge of events several generations after their own? And once again, only one way to know…
“Um, well, wars and fighting are not lost to mankind, even in my time. There are still multiple conflicts around the globe, but about our country most specifically, um, well… we’re not.” Masamune’s face softens just slightly, somehow goading her on, “In fact, if you must know, Japan has been at peace for the last 70 years, all things considered.”
The mention of the word ‘peace’ appears to strike a chord deep within him, his gaze dropping elsewhere. A long current of emotions seem to cross his sapphire eye—from a sense of utter disbelief to a fierce spark of pride, to a wave of unadulterated joy; almost too much for Mai to take them all in.
“… Really? That’s… wow, that’s definitely something,” For all intents and purposes, he seems to have been rendered speechless, his entire face brightening in awe. “No, not just something, it’s incredible, lass!”
The sight of Masamune grinning from ear to ear, the dim light of her lamp haloing his wild chestnut mane, makes her heart skip several beats. However, it’s the intensity of his eye what somehow draws her in—an inner fire within, burning so bright like a torch, a sense of determination coursing through.
For some reason, though, it ends up being too much and she can’t look at him for much longer, a slight blush creeping on her cheeks, shyly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “You think so?” Her mouth feels dry all in a sudden, clearing her throat awkwardly. “I mean, on second thought, that’s a big deal, sure…”
Ugh, what am I thinking? It sure is. These guys only know about war and violence. Something like that must surely sound like a game changer to them…
Thankfully so, Masamune doesn’t let her fret too much about it, something else catching his attention. “Huh? What’s that?” Following his gaze, Mai notices he’s catch sight of her sketchbook—open and thrown onto the mat next to her after his abrupt entrance. “Are those paintings?”
“Yeah, that’s my sketchbook. It’s what I use for making clothes,” She brings it onto her lap, busing herself with flattening a crumpled page, somewhat feeling self-conscious. “I’m a, uh, you could say seamstress of some sorts. This is full of my rough designs,”
The comment makes him turn to her, then onto her sketchbook. “Hold on a moment. Are you saying you drew these?” To her surprise, he looks nearly shocked by that fact alone. “Let me see that!”
Her odd stammering doesn’t seem to come to a stop anytime soon, and Masamune opts to just snatch it from her hands. The too eager and childish-like look on his face slowly shifts into sheer curiosity and rapt concentration, flipping through the pages, studying her sketches intently as he had studied her not so long ago. Mai feels herself growing apprehensive, not truly liking the tight knitting of his brows, bracing herself to bolt out the bare second he makes whatever threatening move.
No, really. If he points his sword at me again, I swear to the gods, I’m so out of here. Jumping through the window sounds pretty tempting…
But her jaw drops to the floor when their eyes meet and she finds Masamune literally beaming at her. “You’re really talented, lass!” Wait, what? Did she hear him right? “Sure, some of these are odd, even more than what I’ve seen the Westerners wear, but they’ve got a lot of appeal. And the color, wow, you really got a good eye for it.”
Mai gapes at him for the whole course of a minute, snapping her mouth shut once she becomes self-aware. “I… thank you?”
“I’m serious. No craftsman in our time would be able to come up with something as innovative as this.” Masamune insists, nodding eagerly. “I like your style a lot, you’re really special!” It’s truly unexpected for him to like them that much, but she can tell by the appreciating look on his face he’s not really saying those things to impress her. “You know, I’m taking this one!”
… And just like that, he rips a page out of her sketchbook, the genuine smile on his lips never faltering.
The noise of paper ripped out echoes all around the room, her eyes almost bulging out of her sockets. “Hey! W-what? Y-you’re just taking it?”
“It’s not like you’re losing anything,” Masamune says with a shrug, folding it and tucking it into his kimono. Well, actually I am! I’m specifically losing one of my designs to you! “Alright, sorry to bust in on you like that again. Get some sleep now! Tomorrow’s a big day!” Before she can say anything else, he removes himself from the tatami mat, patting her head as a gesture of farewell.
And then he’s gone, the sound of his steps fading as he disappears past the hallways of the castle. I. Just… What?
Several minutes go by with a stunned Mai left staring at her door in complete disbelief. What in all hells and heavens just happened? He comes into my room, threatens me, welcomes me, compliments me, then takes my stuff!
Looking down at her sketchbook, abandoned and open at the feet of her futon, she notices at least he put on the effort of tearing the page cleanly along the perforated line. As much as she doesn’t truly feel upset by losing one of her sketches, she slightly regrets not having taken a look at what he precisely took away.
This isn’t the young upstart I remember from all the samurai dramas. Or maybe he is, but this one is just, just… wild!
Hurricane Masamune has just left her in shambles, that’s for sure. But to point out one thing, he actually complimented her. It shouldn’t be a big deal and yet, it’s somewhat weird. The interviewer for the design job she’s applied to not long ago—that is, without counting the current 500-year slip—had also been impressed with her, but on a sort of dry, professional level; not just that effusively.
Well, I surely must be going crazy, but having Masamune praise my work actually felt nice. Is it the eyepatch or what? Anything sounds good coming from a man with an eyepatch, right?
The moon sets on its peak and she opts for slipping into her futon, still contemplating the crazy turn of events that was the entire day, staring idly at the roof with Bearsace tucked in on her side. All in a sudden, her life has taken a flip of 180 degrees; from being named a ‘Princess from afar’ to having a new job, to… a full section of its own entitled Masamune Date—the first person who’d looked at her work with complete, unrestrained admiration.
It’s really hard for her to have a single consistent thought of him at this point; they have barely met after all. And sure, his compliments and easygoing demeanor aren’t enough to make up for holding her at sword point, but for one, it’s not difficult to understand where he was trying to get at with the whole display. Seems reasonable he even did that, to some extent.
With that thought and the memory of his handsome face smirking down at her, she’s able to relax again and slowly drift off to sleep.
