All's Fair In Love & War- Motonari Ch. 5
Chapter 5
After spending most of the night searching the port town, Mitsuhide and I met back up and headed back to Azuchi Castle. A small fire had broken out in the aftermath of the explosion, but it had been contained, thankfully keeping the damage to the tenshu.
With the morning light, it definitely did look worse than it had last night, but I had still seen worse. “Everyone is gathered and waiting for you guys.” Ranmaru said as soon as we approached the front entrance.
“Council room is intact, I take it?” I asked.
“Yes, the damage is just the tenshu.” Ranmaru answered.
We all headed into the council room together. I couldn’t help but to discreetly look over the castle as we walked. I wanted to assure myself that it was indeed mostly intact. “Mitsuhide, Ava, were you two able to find anything?” Nobunaga asked as soon as we stepped inside the chamber.
We made our way over to our seats. “We were able to determine that there was indeed a large foreign weapon.” I said. “It was carted off by a group from the forest outside of Azuchi, but there were two more footprints that walked off from the rest.”
“But then they met back up in a port city.” Mitsuhide said. “It appears we have two masterminds behind this attack and we believe they escaped onto a ship. The port records of the ships docked there weren’t very conclusive. Though I think the most likely candidate was the Mouri vessels that had been docked there.”
“But we signed a treaty with the Mouri.” Hideyoshi said. “The ink has barely dried.”
Nobunaga seemed to be internalizing all of this information. “Treaties and alliances are broken all of the time.” He declared. “But also a treaty could have all been part of their plan from the beginning.”
“Lull us into a false sense of security.” Masamune agreed.
Yup. That sounds like Motonari. I thought to myself.
“Mitsuhide, I want you to go and investigate further.” Nobunaga declared. “See if you can find anything to indicate that it was the Mouri.”
Mitsuhide nodded. “As my lord wishes.” He was then bowing and slipping out to begin his mission.
“Hideyoshi, report on the damage.” Nobunaga ordered.
Hideyoshi nodded. “The damage was contained to the tenshu and seeing as there was no further attack, it is clear that was their target.” He declared. “Thankfully we were aware of the attack and you weren’t in your room, my lord.”
“If killing Nobunaga was their goal.” I spoke up. Motonari had known that the Oda knew of the attack. He knew they would be contacting me soon.
“What else could they gain from blowing up the tenshu?” Hideyoshi asked.
“She is right.” Nobunaga declared. “The tenshu is a symbol.”
“Yes and a perfect one to attack if you are wanting to shake the faith of the people in their lord to protect them.” I added.
Hideyoshi nodded. “But why…”
“To cause panic.” I said. “If you want to defeat a powerful daimyo, and especially someone as powerful as Nobunaga, you have to make the people want someone else in power. A scared and desperate people are a dangerous thing.”
“Words of wisdom your father taught you.” Nobunaga said, looking at me.
I nodded. “I am guessing he also shared them with you, since you recognize them as his.”
“You know of the meetings your father and I used to have?” Nobunaga asked.
“Of course. Why do you think I agreed to the alliance?” I replied.
Nobunaga chuckled.
“Is this really a time to be laughing?” Hideyoshi asked. “If this is their goal, then they are trying to undo everything you’ve accomplished, my lord.”
“This is the perfect time to laugh.” Nobunaga said, exuding all the confidence in the world. “This means we are closer to my goal of unification than ever and this is their last desperate attempt to stop us.”
There was more discussion and plans being made. We had to get the people of Azuchi back into their homes and back to business as usual as quickly as possible, We also had to get builders in quickly to start on the reconstruction of the tenshu. From there, we were casting out nets of spies to keep an eye on all Oda and allied territories to be sure of no rebellions. We had to keep the people’s faith in Nobunaga and the rest of us intact.
Once we had finished our discussions, Nobunaga was dismissing all of us. Though before I walked out, he called to me. “Ava.”
I turned to him. “Did you need me for something, Nobunaga?” I asked.
“I noticed your other retainer, Sato isn’t here.” He commented.
I had a feeling this would be brought up. After all Sato was one of my closest and most trusted vassals and friends. I knew from the beginning I would have to explain her absence. It was lucky that I had become quite skilled at deceiving when needed. “She is currently tending to another matter for me.” I replied. “There are rumors around one of my port towns of an old enemy showing up and causing problems. I needed her to investigate.”
“I see.” Nobunaga replied. “Do you think you can handle your own enemies as well as mine?”
“Of course.” I answered. “I am great at multitasking. Besides, I will always have my fair share of enemies. Many people do not like answering to a woman and questioned my father’s choice to make me his heir. Not to mention the territories I recently conquered… though I would suspect this is something you already expected to happen once we agreed to this alliance.”
Nobunaga grinned at me. “You are your father’s daughter indeed. As shrewd as he was.”
“Thank you.” I replied. “I only hope to be half as good as he was.”
“You just might be even better.” Nobunaga replied.
“That is a high bar to set.” I said, though I had to admit a part of me was beaming on the inside…even though I doubt my father would have ever ended up in this deal that I was in with Motonari.
After finishing up my discussion with Nobunaga, I headed to my guest room and pulled the paper Motonari had given me from inside of my robes. I memorized the map with ease before holding it to the candle flame to burn.
I decided to settle in for a bit of rest before I would head out to help with seeing the people of Azuchi back to their homes. While doing that I guessed I would slip away to meet with Motonari. Until I heard from Sato, I just had to go along with his plan. I just hoped that he wouldn’t do something that made me want to stab him during the meeting.
Two hours later…
I was helping families get back into their homes and merchants back into their shops. I was making sure to keep steadily working towards the area where Motonari’s map led me. By the time I had reached the destination, I saw that the residents of the home had already returned…though it wasn’t a home.
“That…oh of course he would pick a fucking brothel.” I muttered to myself as I glared at the business facade.
One of the girls who worked at the establishment smiled at me. “Oh, you’re that lady warlord we’ve heard so much about.” She said. “Do you fancy time with other girls?”
“We are happy to serve all paying customers.” Another woman, she must have been the owner of the brothel, spoke up, as she came out to join. “We have plenty of girls for whatever your tastes are.”
“Sorry, but I am interested in something different.” I replied. “I was supposed to be meeting someone here.”
“Oh, you must be meeting Shojumaru.” The woman said, her eyes brightening. “He said he was expecting someone, though he didn’t say who.”
Shojumaru was the name Motonari had as a child before his coming of age ceremony. Apparently he decided to use that as his alias now. “Yes.” I replied.
“Of course, this way.” The madame said, gesturing for me to follow her.
I followed her inside as she led me through the halls and up the stairs. “Is Shojumaru staying here?” I asked.
“No. He just comes in and uses our rooms for business. He’ll pay some of the girls for whoever he’s meeting usually, though. You know for negotiation.” The madame answered.
“I see.” I replied. I had to admit that was honestly brilliant. I also couldn’t imagine Motonari actually using a brothel for its intended purpose. He loathed touching others so that would rule out sex…I mean I guess there are ways around the touching if you’re just wanting to take care of the need for release.
“You have nothing to worry about dear.” The woman said. “And I should have known that the woman who would have captured Shojumaru’s heart would be a remarkable woman. I had no idea his lover would be a female warlord…”
The madame’s words pulled me from my own thoughts. “Excuse me? What?”
The madame smiled at me. “No need to be shy dear, especially here. Shojumaru told us he was expecting his lover.” She replied as she stopped in front of a door. “He’s right through here.”
The door was then sliding open and Motonari was standing in the doorway. He wore a friendly smile on his face, one I recognized as a facade in an instant. “There’s my lady love.” He greeted me, his voice sounding completely different. I had been dealing with the real Motonari for so long I forgot about his merchant persona, Shojumaru. His gloved hand shot out and grabbed onto my sleeve, careful not to actually touch me. “Come on in, my lady.” He said, tugging and I stumbled forward in my dumbfounded state.
The madame was giggling. “You two enjoy yourselves.” She said, waving as she walked away.
Motonari slid the door closed behind her and released my sleeve as soon as we were out of sight. He turned to me, his usual smug grin on his face, his eyes showing his amusement. “Ya should see yer face right now, m’lady.”
I quickly shook myself from my shocked expression. “What the actual fuck?” I asked him.
“What? Just making sure my little spy has the best cover.” Motonari replied.
I glared at him. “You disgust me.”
“Ya just keep sweet talkin’ me there.” He said, moving to take a seat at one of the tables in the room. “Well, come on have a seat and fill me in. How’d it look in the daylight?”
I let out a huff of anger as I moved to sit across from him. I fixed him with a hard glare. “I’ve still seen and done worse.” I replied.
“Nobunaga quakin’ in his boots yet?”
“No. You really think a little hole in his castle is enough to shake a man like Nobunaga?”
Motonari chuckled. “What about the rest o’ ‘em?”
“Everyone is ready to fight.” I answered. “Once an investigation is completed…which they already suspect the Mouri, even if they don’t outright suspect you…since you know you’re still playing dead and all.”
Motonari chuckled. “All by design, though I imagine they’ll be puttin’ the pieces together soon.” He replied. “You better not o’ suggested it though.”
“No.” I replied. “I’m not stupid.”
Motonari grinned. “Never said ya were, pequena princesa.” He replied. “Ya just make sure ya let me know when they get wind that I’m not dead.”
“Once again, I’m not stupid.”
Motonari chuckled. “Ya look like you got somethin’ ya wanna say.”
“Who are you working with?” I asked. “I was with Mitsuhide on tracking last night. I saw two sets of footprints. I knew one was your boots. I know the others didn’t belong to any of your crew.”
Motonari grinned. “Just a fellow merchant who knows where ta find things.” He replied. “Maybe one day I’ll let ya meet ‘im.”
“I find it odd that you would work with anyone.” I said. “Given that you trust no one.”
“Our goals align, but the minute that changes, I’m blowin’ a hole in his head.” Motonari replied with a shrug.
“I should have known.” I replied. “But what are your goals? Stop Nobunaga and take over yourselves?”
“Hell nah.” Motonari replied. “I don’t want that shit.”
“Then what do you want?” I asked. I thought perhaps if I could understand Motonari and his plan, I could find a way to stop him.
“Just Nobunaga’s head.” Motonari answered. “And fer the world to be as it should.”
“And how is that?” I asked. “You already said you don’t want to be in charge. WHO should be in charge? Your no name partner?”
“Hell no to him neither.” Motonari replied, glaring at me. “No one should be. Ya get someone in charge o’ everything all they wanna do is look after themselves. They say everyone will be equal, but they don’t mean that. They mean everyone is equal except them. They’re at the top and above it all.”
As Motonari ranted, I couldn’t help but to feel like this felt…personal to him. He was so revolted by the idea of anyone ruling over everyone…though it seemed more like he didn’t want anyone ruling over HIM. I didn’t know what exactly happened to make him that way… but given these times and things I had been through myself…I could see how that had happened.
“What?” Motonari asked, glaring at me.
“Nothing.” I replied. “Just thinking what a sad broken person you are.”
Motonari glared at me as he stood up and towered over me. “Don’t you be thinkin’ ya can try and win any favors by tryin’ ta sympathize with me or thinkin’ ya know me!” He growled. “You stay the hell outta my life and just do what I tell ya to.”
Part of me wanted to back down from the venom in his voice…the murder in those red eyes, but I backed down to no one. I jumped to my feet, putting my face in his, causing him to back up ever so slightly. “Listen here, I’m not trying to do anything and I sure as hell am not trying to sympathize with some asshole like you.” I growled right back.
“Whatever.” Motonari replied. “Unless ya got anything else ta report, get the hell out.”
“Gladly.” I replied, turning my back on him and walking towards the door.
“Don’t ferget ta come back tomorrow. Remember, every day.” Motonari called.
“Fuck you!” I called as I lifted my hand to flip him the bird over my shoulder. I didn’t know if this was even an offensive gesture yet or not, but it made me feel better. Ugh…why did he have to be such an ass?!
