#Mitsuhide Akechi || Lost in Translation

[cirilla-fiona-riannon]

Kicho's Main Story Chapter 7 Part 1

These translations are not intended as a replacement for the game. Please support cybird by buying their stories. JP SPOILERS under the cut. Expect mistakes

A few days later.

Mai: “Okay! I’m done!”

I snipped the thread and unfolded the garment I had just finished sewing.

(I didn’t have enough time, but it turned out pretty good.)

(All that’s left to do is to add some minor touches and do a final check. I think I can make it in time.)

Although the work is not yet complete, a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction fills my soul, bringing a smile to my lips.

(I hope he’ll be happy with the rest.)

The last time I spoke with Kicho was a few days ago when he told me about his past.

After that, he briefly summarized the story.

He met a professor at Honnoji Temple, where he learned about the wormhole and was finally able to return to the Sengoku era after three years.

The place he returned to was the same as mine on the night of the Honnoji Incident.

After telling me all that, he laid down on the bed, exhausted, and told me to get out of his room.

(Since then, we’ve been so busy that we haven’t seen each other.)

(Well, I’m sure we’ll see each other tomorrow.)

(Anyway, I gotta do what I gotta do now!)

I lightly slapped my cheeks with both hands and started working again.

Mai: “Ouch!”

I lost my focus for a moment as I pricked my finger with the needle.

(I’ve been doing this for at least two hours straight.)

(I feel like my eyes are starting to hurt from all the work I've been doing.)

Mai: "*sigh* I think I'll take a break."

I put the needle back and stretched as far as I could, when一

Subordinate's voice: "Excuse me."

Mai: "Yes, is something wrong?"

Subordinate's voice: "I heard there's a package addressed to you. Do you know anything about it?"

(Delivery?)

???: "Hello. Sarutobi Delivery at your service."

(Yes!)

Mai: "Yes, I asked for more fabric. Let him in."

Subordinate's voice: "I see. You can come in then."

With permission to enter, the door opened, and a familiar face appeared.

Sasuke: "Hi, Miss. Thank you for your patronage."

Mai: "No, not at all."

Mai: "Thank you for coming at just the right time. I really need it."

While talking casually, I listened for any noises on the other side of the door and signaled Sasuke with my fingers as soon as the footsteps moved away.

Sasuke: "Mai, it's been a few weeks."

Mai: "Yeah. How have you been?"

Sasuke: "As you can see. No matter what kind of mission I'm on, my health comes first, so I pay attention to that."

Sasuke: "Proper sleep, diet, exercise, and makibishi (metal spikes) are crucial."

Mai: "Does the last one have anything to do with health?"

Sasuke: "Of course, just having these things makes a huge difference in how I feel. How about you?"

Mai: "Hehe, I'm okay."

Mai: "By the way, the fact that you came like this today means..."

Sasuke: “Just as you expect. I have a message from Mitsuhide for you.”

Mai: “I see, so you got to meet him safely. Thank you for doing this.”

Sasuke: “You’re welcome.”

Sasuke: “This may sound personal, but I’m grateful I got to talk to Mitsuhide Akechi in person. So don’t worry about it.”

(His eyes are twinkling.)

(Sasuke is really tough in this way.)

Sasuke: “Let’s get down to business.”

Sasuke: “Mai, you need to get out of this place.”

Mai: “Huh?”

Fuku: “This way.”

Mai: “Yeah, thanks for showing me the way.”

I was on my way to Kicho’s room after catching Fuku as he tried to escape.

Fuku: “Kicho.”

Mai: “It’s gonna be okay. Let’s go back to your room first.”

(Her chirping is somewhat listless. Maybe it’s because she hasn’t been able to spend much time with Kicho.)

(Well, it’s normal to miss the person you love. I miss him too.)

(Wait, what the hell am I thinking?)

I need to concentrate and drive the feelings that keep popping up in my heart.

(I should never feel lonely.)

(After all, I will be his enemy soon.)

------------Flashback------------

Sasuke: “Mai, you need to get out of this place.”

Mai: “Huh?”

Sasuke: “Mitsuhide told me that things had changed while you were here.”

Sasuke: “I think it’s true because it was consistent with the information I had gotten from Kasugayama.”

Mai: “What do you mean by ‘things’?”

Sasuke: “Recently, the rebellions suddenly calmed down.”

Sasuke: “There are almost no skirmishes happening, and Japan is eerily quiet right now.”

Mai: “That can’t be a good thing, right?”

Mai: “Is someone else behind it?”

Sasuke: “Yeah. There must be something going on.”

Sasuke: “It looks like the Oda forces intend to capture Kicho before he can attack them.”

Mai: “Capture!?”

(Capturing Kicho?)

Sasuke: “Mai, are you okay?”

Mai: “Yes, of course.”

He looked at me worriedly, seeing my reaction, and I nodded, pretending that nothing was wrong.

Sasuke: “Anyway, you’ll be in danger if you stay here.”

Sasuke: “We don’t know what might happen, and he might take you as a hostage.”

Sasuke: "They'll execute the plan tomorrow night. You need to escape with Mitsuhide."

Mai: "Tomorrow? That's just too sudden."

Sasuke: "Yeah, but it's much better than taking our time to make a plan."

Sasuke: "You, of all people, should know better that we're dealing with the enemy here. It's better to move before he senses we're on to him."

Mai: "Okay."

---------Flashback Ends---------

(Midnight, huh?)

(Normally, I would be in my room after work, but tomorrow...)

Mai: "I hope the party will be a success."

The same day, time of the boar (9-11 p.m.)

Motonari: “So, everything is pretty much as planned.”

Kicho: “I see. No problems here, either. We’re moving forward with the plans I previously told you about.”

Kicho: “The first ship will arrive tomorrow morning to unload.”

Motonari: “Yeah, I know. If they leave right away, they can make it in time.”

Motonari: “But you’re right. We should have had that thing if we’re going to stock that many.”

Kicho: “What are you talking about?”

Motonari: “Air transportation. Well, I’m sure a ship can carry more than a bird (plane) can.”

Motonari: “Or is there some other way to get around in this world that I don’t know about?”

Kicho: “There is no point explaining it to you. In any case, it’s not possible in this era.”

Motonari: “This era, huh?”

Kicho: “Why are you suddenly saying this? You weren’t interested before.”

Motonari: “Yeah, not one bit.”

Motonari: “You’re always talking nonsense like you’ve really seen it with your own eyes, but...”

Motonari cut off his words and lit the cigar he had taken out. Then, as the tip of the cigar lit up with the same color as his eyes, a thin wisp of smoke rose.

Motonari: “Lately, you’ve stopped talking about this nonsense.”

Motonari: “You’re acting strange today, too.”

Kicho: “..............”

Kicho said nothing and pushed the ashtray quietly toward Motonari, who sighed and blew out the smoke.

Motonari: “I’m telling you, the only reason I’m working with you is that we have the same goals.”

Motonari: “If you ever start acting weird, you know what will happen, right?”

Kicho: “Of course. I’ve come this far. I have no intention of twisting the cause I’ve set forward.”

Kicho: “Besides, I’m no different from you. If you were in my way, I would have taken care of you long ago.”

Motonari: “Ha! Sure.”

With a satisfied grin, Motonari pushed his cigar into the ashtray and stood up.

Motonari: “That’s the end of this pain in the ass talk. I’ll still be your partner for now.”

Motonari: “Let’s watch the grand march in the same hell.”

Kicho: “Yeah.”

After Motonari left, Kicho remained alone in the room and stared at the ashtray.

The remaining cigar was no longer lit and only slightly charred at the tip, but when shaken by the slightest breeze, it started burning red again.

At the same time, in Sakai.

Messenger: "These are the instructions from Lord Nobunaga."

Mitsuhide: "I understand."

Messenger: "Well, I'll be going now."

As the messenger quickly left into the night, a man appeared in his place.

Sasuke: "Mitsuhide, good evening."

Sasuke: "I told Mai about what you said."

Mitsuhide: "I see. Sorry for the trouble."

Mitsuhide: "By the way, why are you dressed like a ninja?"

Sasuke: "Because I'm a ninja. I received an order from the top to return home, so I have to leave this town."

Mitsuhide: "I see. But still, I never thought she knew someone from Kasugayama."

Sasuke: "No matter where we are, we're still friends and from the same hometown."

Mitsuhide: "Same hometown, huh?"

Sasuke: "Yes. I can't go into details, though."

Mitsuhide: "Did you know you can get information using torture?"

Sasuke: "My apologies."

Mitsuhide: "I'm kidding. If anyone can make up for that girl's ambiguity, so be it."

Sasuke: "Mitsuhide. Please take care of Mai."

Mitsuhide: "Yeah, you don't have to tell me. That's what I'm here for."

The Next Day

I was cleaning the area around the entrance in the early afternoon.

Mai: "Hmm. What should I do?"

Sweeping over the cobblestones with my broom, I glanced at the upstairs window.

(I wonder if Kicho is in his room today.)

(I want to deliver it after cleaning this, but I might annoy him if I give it to him out of the blue.)

Last night, after much worrying, I managed to complete the outfit.

However, I still couldn’t decide how to give it to him.

(No, maybe I’m not worried about giving him the clothes. Maybe I’m afraid of meeting him.)

(Because today...)

Kicho’s subordinate: “Hey, Lady Mai!”

Mai: “Y-Yes!”

I turned around to see Kicho’s men beckoning me through the entrance of the trading post.

Kicho’s subordinate: “Lord Kicho wants to see you.”

Mai: “Ehh!?”

Mai: “E-Excuse me.”

Kicho: “You’re here.”

He was standing by the window when I entered the room.

He then looked at me and shifted his gaze to the package I was carrying.

Kicho: “What’s that?”

Mai: “Um, I made you this outfit.”

Kicho: “Outfit?”

Mai: “Yup. A foreign style outfit for today’s party.”

Mai: “Oh, but don't worry. I’m not forcing you to wear it.”

I quickly said this and put it on the desk.

(I don’t have much time to prepare myself for this, but I think it’s better than not giving it to him.)

Kicho: “I see. You beat me to it.”

Mai: “Beat you to it?”

He walked towards the corner of the room and removed the cloth, hanging on to something, revealing a magnificent dress.

Mai: “Wow! It’s beautiful.”

Kicho: “I called you here to give you this.”

Kicho: “Since it’s a party, you can dress up to your heart’s content tonight.”

Mai: “Are you sure you want me to join the party?”

Kicho: “I’m not forcing you to do this, but I need a companion tonight. That’s why I’m inviting you.”

(Is that?)

My heart beats faster as I get the meaning of his words.

(I’m not gonna change my mind now, but I want to be with him as much as possible.)

Mai: “Are you sure about this?”

Kicho: “Do you want me to say no?”

Mai: “No.”

Kicho: “Me neither. I don’t want you to say that to me.”

Kicho: “So much so that I cut off your escape route first with this dress.”

(Kicho...)

Mai: “Then, by all means, please.”

Kicho prepared not only the dress but also the shoes and hair accessories.

Just as I returned to my room and finished putting it all on, someone knocked on my door.

Kicho’s voice: “Mai, I’m coming in.”

Mai: “Sure.”

(Wow...)

I blinked a few times when I saw him enter the room.

Kicho: “How is it?”

Mai: “You look really cool.”

(I designed it myself, but it’s more powerful than I ever imagined.)

Mai: “The colors are perfect for you. It’s really nice.”

Kicho: “I was asking about your dress. It looks like I didn't say it properly.”

Mai: “What?”

Kicho: “First of all, let me thank you. I guess you went out of your way to prepare this for me, even though you have other work to do.”

Kicho: “I could tell how good you are when I put the sleeves on. You’re very meticulous in your work.”

Mai: “Thank you. I’m glad to hear you say so.”

(It’s been a while since I’ve had someone wear and be happy with the clothes I made.)

(I’m really happy.)

As I reflect on my feelings, I realize again that I love doing this.

(Even after coming to the Sengoku period, I’m still me.)

Mai: “Right. Let me thank you too.”

Mai: “Thank you for the beautiful dress. It fits me perfectly and is very comfortable.”

The dress, like those worn by fairytale princesses, was elegantly colored in white, and the hem was made of a generous layer of fabric that, even with the slightest movement, fluffed up.

The waistline was also tight, making me straighten up my back unconsciously.

Kicho: “I’m glad you like it. Now, let’s move on to the finishing touches.”

Mai: “Huh? Finishing touches?”

He placed a wooden box on the table he had brought from his room, opened the lid, and I saw some cosmetic kit inside.

(What on earth?)

Kicho: “Sit on the chair over there.”

Mai: “Okay.”

I sat down, and he stared at me while carefully taking out the makeup kit one at a time and placing it carefully on my skin.

Mai: “You know how to put on makeup?”

Kicho: “Yes, my sister taught me.”

Kicho: “Not only makeup but also how to dress, behave, and everything else so that I can live as a woman.”

Mai: “Your sister really cared about you.”

Kicho: “I wonder about that.”

Mai: “You’re very gentle with your hands. I can tell that you’re taking good care of me right now.”

Kicho: “I see. Well, it’s only natural.”

His long fingertips lifted my chin.

Kicho: “I cherish you. I can assure you that much.”

Mai: “............”

Previous╏Kicho's POV╏Next

[koorinohebi]

@virusvirtue

"the fuck is Pocky day?" (izo @ omi)

“The King orders you to bring her her favorite thing to-- ah, and they’re gone...”

---

Maybe that was an unreasonable request. Kiomi had an idea for what she wanted to get, cherries in particular, but with neither of them knowing that little fact, maybe it was a little bit unfair, and the reason why they were taking so long to get back.

Today was the day when the magus swallowed her pride and decided to just give Takechi some slack-- giving him a chance to prove that he’s a little better than what she took him for on account that it had been requested of her... and who was she to deny the heart-felt plea of the one person that she couldn’t seem to say no to? So yes, she had to make good on her promise. However, to be frank. Now that she was in the process of spending time with him and Mitsuhide, Takechi wasn’t all that bad. He was surprisingly gentle and agreeable, based on the orders that he gave when he played King. They were a little more reasonable than Mitsuhide’s... but every command so far was executable enough for her not to hold a grudge on either of them. Still, to think that the three of them could actually just enjoy the day without getting in each other’s throats. It wasn’t bad. It wasn’t a bad way to spend their day off at all.

“Ah, but they sure are taking long.” She muttered to herself, as she grabbed a box of pocky, opened it and indulged herself with a stick or two; all the while laying down on the bed and staring at the ceiling. Chocolate biscuits were nice every once in a while, and today was Pocky Day so she had quite a bit on her even after setting up a small table of the celebrated treats for both children and adults to partake in.

“I’m back! Do you know how hard it was to find these?”

“I have returned, my lord. Do you know how hard it was to find him?”

Eh? What? Him? What????

Sitting right back up in mid munch, Kiomi sees that one servant actually got the King’s command correct while the other, well--

I said eat Ruler, eat! This is because you ran off without letting me finish!

Is this no good, Master?

With her brow twitching, the girl relented from answering Takechi via their telepathic link and instead declared Mitsuhide the winner of the round for bringing in her favorite thing to eat, which were cherries. Now, it wasn’t like Ruler brought something unsatisfactory, in fact it was too good, but she kind of felt bad that the confused looking servant got roped in on their shenanigans.

“I’m sorry that Ruler had to drag you in like this, Izo. But since you’re already here, do you want to play with us?” She asked, while receiving the handful of berries from Mitsuhide while Takechi prepared the lots to be drawn for the next round. “We’re currently playing King’s Game, but if you stick around for a bit longer, we’ll be playing some card games next.” She said, pointing over to the table that housed a pack of cards.

“Last round for King’s Game then?” The Ruler confirmed to which both Kiomi and Caster nodded their heads. Bringing the pieces of paper over, the three of them drew their respective pieces and once again-- “You guys suck. I’m running out of orders to give you.” The girl ended up as the King. “Well, that just means fate is giving me a chance to win over Caster.” And with a visible wrinkle of the brow, the Akechi motioned for him to bring it on, clearly accepting the challenge.

But what to make them do? Folding her arms over her chest, the magus thought for a moment. It was really difficult when she’s been giving orders consecutively. “Hmn...” It was then that her eyes strayed over to her discarded box of pocky, and thus an idea came to mind. “Well, since today is Pocky day, you two go play the Pocky game.”

“The fuck is Pocky day?” She heard Izo ask, along with the other two asking what the Pocky game was.

Turning to Izo, she began. “Well, Pocky Day is-- it’s not exactly a festival or anything grand, but it’s a day where most people throw a party just to eat, play, and share this with each other.” Grabbing a hold of her box of pocky, she showed it to the Hitokiri. “This is pocky. It’s basically a snack that’s coated in chocolate. But it also does come in various flavors. And as for what the pocky game is,” This time she looked over to where Takechi and Mitsuhide were, so that she could explain the mechanics to them.

“The basic gist is that first one to get to the center wins.” And when she mentioned the center, they simply lofted a brow at her. “What do you mean center?” Caster asks.

“Center. Center. What is so hard to understand, Jubei?” To demonstrate, Kiomi took a piece of the pocky and waved Takechi over. “Bite this end, please.” She said, to which the Ruler complied obediently. “So Mitsuhide, you bite this other end and first one to get to the center without breaking it wins. If you break it, you lose.”

“...” There was a momentary stretch of silence after the whole thing was explained.

“WHY DO WE HAVE TO DO THIS STUPID GAME?!”

“WHY DO I HAVE TO BE THE ONE TO PLAY THIS PREPOSTEROUS GAME WITH HIM?”

“Because you both suck at drawing lots and lost the chance to be king, now play. Besides, didn't you say you were going to beat Caster this time around? Now get to it.” And this just felt like the most awful scenario for the heroic spirits that had to go through with the order. If they didn’t the penalty was a shot of liquor and both servants didn’t want to take the shot. While neither of them knew that this was each other’s weakness, they didn’t want it exposed. So the choice--- there was no choice. So begrudgingly, each of them took to the end of the pocky and began nibbling, the most careful and tension filled nibbling that Kiomi has ever seen...that she didn’t have the heart to look any longer otherwise she’d burst into both laughter and tears.

Taking a piece of the pocky herself, Kiomi glanced at the assassin’s way briefly. I wonder if I could... Well, Kiomi herself has never played the game before, often just content sharing the snacks. But today, she somehow felt like she too, wanted to try it. She pursed her lips a little before finally breaking the silence to try and get the manslayer’s attention.

“Betcha I can beat you in that game, Izo.” She waved her piece of pocky then, challenging him nonchalantly as she tried appealing to the servant’s gambling streak and competitiveness. “If you win, not only will I give you the best sake in my collection, I’ll also sponsor your gambling for a month.” And if she won, well... she didn’t really think that far ahead yet, but she’ll just think about that later. “What say you, Saber? Care to play a round with me?”

[koorinohebi]

a joint effort (by which I mean I just provided the images) by me and @hasmataharidoneanythingwrong

[gobureis]

Samurai Warriors 5

A pig-headed person’s reason: Oda Nobunaga x Akechi Mitsuhide event (translation)

There aren’t necessarily spoilers for SW5′s main story but it’s a background to something that’s used in the story.

---

Nobunaga: Mitsuhide, I know you’re obstinate and pig-headed but stop being so obsessive about introducing yourself on the battlefield. It’s useless.

Mitsuhide: Sorry, but I refuse. This is something I’m not giving up.

Nobunaga: Why? The Genpei* warriors have this kind of etiquette, but in the present world there is no reason to introduce yourself.

Nobunaga: Isn’t it better to cut down your opponents quickly without intentionally letting them guard themselves?

Mitsuhide: I’m not being obsessive about etiquette. I simply want to tell my opponent my name.

Nobunaha: Oooh?

Mitsuhide: Those who lost their lives without knowing who killed them, don’t even know who they should resent. It’s piteous.

Nobunaga: It’s a reason I don’t quite understand, but I got that that’s something you won’t give up on. Do what you want.

---

*samurai from the Kamakura period [Genpei = Minamoto + Taira]

[stealinghero]

Any headcanons on the pasts of some of the characters? Like there is the historical stuff but like, there isn't a ton of information that I could find on certain characters like Magoichi (cuz woman lol) and Kasuga (cuz never existed) and Kojuro (since multiple people carried the name I guess?). Anyway, any headcanons on anyone would be fun if you want to add any additional people :)

Ohh, general headcanons are always great!! I’ll just write down what comes to mind! I tried to include their past if possible. (Edit: I won’t tag this post with very individual, because there are simply too many!)

It’s under a cut because this will be freaking HUGE!!

Akechi Mitsuhide:

- he opted for his scythes because his wrists aren’t strong enough for fighting with a sword. he usually uses long weapons and likes the aesthetic of a scythe, cutting down people like corn because they are just as “worthless”.

- his hair colour is an effect of an genetic dysfunction and has been white/grey from his early childhood on.

- he is allergic to peaches.

- his past is a mystery and he will rather die than tell anyone about it (he acutally had a great upbringing with lots of love, but when his mother was killed, he changed)

Chosokabe Motochika:

- has a pet parrot and loves it to bits. Actually it’s a family he cares for and raises on his own.

- his normally black hair is bleached and styled to make him look more like a demon, he once saw a sailor do this with a face paint of a skeleton. Young Motochika was so impressed (and afraid) that he copied the style. On special occasions he still paints his face like a skull.

- he can juggle but not stand on one leg.

- if he gets a partner, his crew has to approve them first before he considers dating

- he fled from home because of all the responsibilities and made his crew his family. That’s why he’s the big brother and not their father figure, he still detsts his own father.

Date Masamune:

- he is afraid of chicken. Nothing too serious but he will never hold one or be close to one if he can opt out. As a kid he got pecked bloody by a swarm of them and he never got over it

- he loves to prank Kojuro and will get hit and scolded for it. Still he does it, especially if Kojuro is stressed to make him laugh.

- he doesn’t like the most types of sweets and dislikes honey. But he can bite into a lemon and keep a straight face.

- he upholds traditions and visits the shrines of his province on a regular basis. The priests know not to bother him with bad omens as he might be traditional but not really religious.

- he has a knack for learning languages and can imitate most dialects of Japan.

Fuma Kotaro:

- he is the funniest guy alive!! This man can tell the best jokes and keep a straight face while doing so.

- he has a small family that he loves to bits. Whatever his parents want from him, he will do it.

- he was raised strict (outside) and very beloved (inside), making it easy for him to think outside of the box. He follows orders on his own terms and this is what makes him dangerous.

- his upbringing is his guideline for leading his men. He will acknowledge those who follow his orders and will punsh those who don’t. He’s always fair and tries to find the best result for all included

Honda Tadakatsu:

- he can speak if he wants. But often he thinks his opinion is too insignificant to make public so he remains silent.

- to be honest: he is the best singer. He has a nice deep voice and will often hum or sing melancholic songs.

- he trains up to 20 hours per day to keep his body and soul at its peak condition. His training consists of lifting weights, sparring with sword and bare hands, meditation, reflection of his past flaws.

- he is a bit vain and loves to hear even the mightiest warlords praise him, so he gives his all to maintain his status

- he isn’t too fond of Ieyasu’s way of thinking of friendship and peace as he is a man of war. But he would never defy Ieyasu.

Ishida Mitsunari:

- grew up as an orphan and was taken in by Toyotomi’s family. That’s the reason he’s loyal to Hideyoshi. He sees him as a brother (even if Mitsunari doesn’t think himself as a Toyotomi)

- he uses a tachi because his shoulders aren’t the strongest although he has a good core strength. He needs the length to deliver fast and heavy strikes using the momentum of his sword.

- he loves math and can calculate even huge sums in his head

- he has a stutter that gets worse when he’s aggravated and it takes a lot of willpower and concentration in order not to show it too much

Kasuga:

- in order to live amogst men a woman has to be tough and Kasuga went through an even harsher training than her male colleagues, making her harder than she looks

- but inside she is a very girlish girl and wants to be a princess. Uesugi is the perfect prince for this daydream and that’s the main reason she stays with him even if she knows she has no chance.

- she is as deadly as any Shinobi and she hates if her colleagues make fun of her because she shows more skin/curves without realizing this is also a form of camouflage to lull the enemy into a relaxed and trusting state.

- she grew up without parents (as most Shinobi do) and has no desire to meet them. She hates them for abandoning her

- she sees Sasuke as an annoying little brother. Other than him she doesn’t have any ties.

Katakura Kojuro:

- at 5 years old he climbed a tree because of a dare and had to be saved by Masamune’s father because he was too afraid to come down. He still has fear of heights and a horse is the highest he can get without being anxious.

- in his youth he broke every bone in his body at least once. Often there were multiple fractures at once. He was lanky and clumsy until his early 20s and people loved to compare him to a newborn foal, some old people still call him like that, embarrassing him

- he has a good medical knowledge and might have become a doctor if not for his duty. he still is the number one in caring for Masamune and only if he deems it impossible, he will call for a real doctor. Without knowing this, people tend to think Masamune’s wounds heal by themselves and he only needs assistance when near death.

- he is an open book to read if there are strong emotions. Normally everyone at court knows how he feels by just looking at him. if needed he has a really good pokerface, but doesn’t use it very often. He simply doesn’t care.

- his nickname at court (behind his back) is Raba (translating to mule) because he is stubborn and a workaholic. Some even joke about other similarities between them, but these are the most common.

Maeda Keiji & Toshiie & Matsu: 

- Keiji found his little pet Yumekichi on a market in Kyoto where he was sold with his half-dead mother. Despite Keiji’s efforts to save the mother she died a few days later, but Yumekichi got better and sees Keiji as his family.

- Keiji is afraid of an angry Matsu and opts to run away from her rather than from Toshiie

- he might seem a bit carefree and stupid sometimes and he admits he’s not the brigthest. But he’s smart enough to survive with his lifestyle in this time and is pretty proud of it.

- Toshiie worries a lot about Keiji and wants him home because of this. He couldn’t bear to lose Keiji who he sees more as a brother than a nephew.

- he is alway asking for more food of Matsu because he’s afraid that one day he might not be able to eat her food anymore. It’s like he thinks he can “save” the taste of it in his brain forever.

- In her youth Matsu couldn’t cook. She learned it for Toshiie and is always on the search for new ideas and recipes to surprise him with.

- she has strong motherly feelings for Keiji with results in her scolding him more often than Toshiie despite Keiji being only a bit younger than she is

Matsunaga Hisahide:

- he grew up without his parents caring too much. But they were rich and he from early on learned that money IS power. People can be paid to like you, to kill for you, to die for you.

- there are many legends about his fight with Nobunaga and both of the most common are actually true. Nobunaga let him live, thinking he was “interesting” but only because Hisahide matched his strength and power, almost equalling the Demon King.

- he is stronger than he looks and is prepared for the day when money won’t hold his army down. he’s a skilled fighter with almost every weapon but he dislikes the guns Nobunaga’s so fond of. They have no style, he thinks.

- what is in his possession will remain there. he will defend his collection with everything he has. This man can go toe to toe with the biggest warlords of his time and he’s not afraid to demonstrate his power over a thing he had almost forgotten. It’s HIS and he will kill for it (or make someone do it)

- he is the most intelligent of them and often ruthless, making him an enemy nobody wants to have.

Mori Motonari:

- if he would live in modern times, he would be the bullied nerd with thick rimmed glasses and suspenders

- he grew up in a very protected house without too much care and love, making him self-sufficient. Paired with his intelligence that almost equals that of Matsunaga, he is a terrible foe if there wasn’t a huge mistake in his plans: emotions.

- he struggles to keep his army in check simply because he can’t lie like a Matsunaga or Oda. he will tell his soldiers bluntly that they are worthless to him when they are defeated. Strangely this statement makes him a good leader who will risk much to gain much. His men follow him because they most often are rewarded for their wounds or lost comrades.

- he has a problem with emotions and doesn’t understand sarcasm. That’s a reason why he hates Motochika so much. But this makes him honest to a fault, too. if someone asks his opinion he will answer truthfully, sometimes making this person change plans.

Oda Nobunaga & Oichi:

- those two are the most identical siblings after twins, even if it might seem different on the outside.

- Nobunaga cares for his sister and doesn’t want her hurt and Oichi is more of an evil mastermind than she appears to be.

- from early on those two spent lots of time together, playing pranks on the retainers and their own family. They grew up in an actually caring family making people wonder sometimes how they became like this when they had grown up.

- the motives are most often pride and an arrogance/belief everything should be theirs. Even the “little princess” Oichi defended her dolls with claws and teeth if she had to.

- while the Lady Oichi hides her true ambition she sometimes is jealous of her brother who shows them to everyone and succeeding with it. She hates him for being a man whereas she’s just a woman to be played as he wants.

- he had many options to marry his sister to but he chose not the best one but the one that would care the most for her. He would never admit that.

- they both have emotions and those are very strong but most of the times they are not controlled or even guided and most often end in bloodshed.

Otani Yoshitsugu:

- with his childhood a miserable time for him because of his disease (leprosy) he hid himself behind books, learning about the world, the history of it and other useful things

- he isn’t the smartest but one of the most versatile to use his resources, making him flexible in any given situation

- he is a great strategist with his vast knowledge and by being able to get in someone’s thinking, he is able to differ his strategy for any opponent. He has a great work of spies and often knows how a lord will act

- he loves being outside in the sun. His bandages are a hindrance to him but he doesn’t dare to take them off. He likes to sit in the sun for hours, reading.

Saika Magoichi:

- she grew up in the same village as Motochika, knowing him since childhood

- as an orphan living on the streets, she tried her best to find something close to a family. She reufed Motochika’s offer to join his crew, wanting to be independent

- she never trained enough to fight with a sword but can use a Tanto quite skillfully. When she heard about guns, she begged Motochika to get her two. Since then she was fascinated by those things.

- while she actually used one of the guns, she completely disassembled the other, learning all about the mechanics involved. by now she can not only build them but also has her own mixture of gunpowder thats’s a bit more explosive than the usual.

- she was officially invited to have a talk with Nobunaga and they remained friends until he died. They exchanged various types of guns and Nobunaga even invited her to join his army as an advisor because of her extensive knowledge of firearms.

Sanada Yukimura:

- his allround emotion is determination and happiness, often getting on the nerves of people around him with his seemingly undisturbed energy. This is only a facade he keeps up in order not to think too much about things he can’t change.

- he admires Kojuro as a man he can never be and often tries to talk to him about his views on the world, hoping to learn a lot from it that would allow him to grow not only as a soldier but as a man

- despite the differences of rank and class, he thinks of Sasuke as his brother and is closer to him than to his actual brother Nobuyuki

- he is not afraid to admit his faults and does his best to learn how to be better. But sometimes it frustrated him not being able to be a good person in his own eyes

Sarutobi Sasuke:

- contrary to his beloved legend of being raised by monkeys, he grew up as an orphan in a village of Shinobi until he was 10.

- he hasn’t many people he really trusts but is relieved if he can rely on Kasuga or Takeda (sometimes even Sanada)

- he loves to spend his free time fishing and is quite good at spearfishing.

- he wants to stay mysterious and doesn’t share much of his own history but his body is almost without a scar while his name is often whispered with fear, showing what kind of fighter he is

- he doesn’t talk much about himself mainl because ther is nothing to talk about. He sees himself as a bit boring and his life is filled with his duties. Sometimes he envies Kojuro but has to admit he would’ve strangled Masamune years ago.

Takeda Shingen:

- he resents his own father and wanted to be a better father to Yukimura, thus their strange relationship despite being Lord and General.

- he likes tigers and had at least one as pet throughout his life, spanning the same tiger family over generations.

- he’s very conflicted about his rivalry with Kenshin. He respects the man as a fellow warrior and even wants Yukimura to be a bit like him, but deep down he never got over the fact that Uesugi killed his younger brother. he doesn’t know what he should do and this is why he stays the same: fighting with him without too many emotions.

- he is fond of horses and is a skillful breeder. His horses are very renowned as the best warhorses. He wants to survive this in the future to remind the following generations of him being a gentle animal friend and not only the warlord (even if he is very proud of his victories)

Takenaka Hanbei:

- in his childhood and youth he was a normal kid, growing up in a normal family. He was never the best or the worst but he got bored of it as soon as he heard of the “adventures” of Nobunaga.

- he always was a quick thinker, not overly intelligent but flexible and in this way outwitted whole armies, gaining him a name and reputation to use for his rise to the top.

- he never wanted to be a warlord. He swore himself that he would be the best adviser/strategist because he thought he would be worth more like this in any fight for survival. Every warlord needs an advisor, right?

- his loyalty for Toyotomi is mostly an act. He hates brutes without brains as it is intelligence that wins a war and not strength alone. This is a reason he respects people like Motonari or Kojuro.

Tokugawa Ieyasu:

- as a kid he lived with dangerous surroundings. One wrong word could mean war and Ieyasu was right between the conflicted sides, making him yearn for bonds and friends he could trust.

- normally he is outgoing but he often still sees the world as black and white, making it hard to discuss things with him in a calm manner. Luckily he tends to flare up quickly and also come down as fast, being his old self

- behind his smiles there is a machine working day and night. he has his goals and will not rest before getting there, sometimes making it hard for people to follow him. He doesn’t understand that fact and tends to think they are against him, resulting in various consequences

- he wants friends he can trust but he will never trust somebody. he did it in the past and he was left down by these friends, making his walls harder and thicker to get through

- his personality would be somewhere between a tantrum throwing child in the sweets aisle and a ruthless dictator, solely depending on his mood.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi:

- with his past an open secret he has no remorse in being like he is, seeing no other option anyway.

- being a ruthless warlord doesn’t mean being without emotions and he still cares a lot for his army. He knows a few soldiers by name and will often wander around the camp, asking here and there if everything is alright or something is needed.

- he doesn’t have friends anymore and the friendliest he can get with someone is by calling them “advisor”, even if he’s not bound to listen to their words. he doesn’t trust anyone around him and this makes him successful in leading an army, not trusting the enemy will make the same mistake twice or behave “as always”.

- he doesn’t know if he should kill Matsunaga for changing him or be thankful. He normally tries to stay away from him as far as possible. He might even command his army to take a detour to avoid Hisahide’s territory.

Uesugi Kenshin:

- he loves to fuck with people’s thoughts to make them think they are smarter/more powerful/faster than him, only for him to strike them down as easy as he can. This is the truth behind his title and his favourite saying about it is: “I can be an generous god. Or a cruel one. It depends solely on you.”

- there are no feelings involved, not with Kasuga, not with Shingen. He simply enjoys his power over them, using them as he likes to amuse himself. At least this is when he’s not defending his territory. Then he will be ruthless and strike quick, not caring much about alliances or promises.

- despite being like that he truly stands up for what he believes, only because he thinks whatever he believes is the right thing. he doesn’t care much about any other viewpoints and can be called stubborn at it.

- yet he has a certain respect for every living thing, even if some humans are seen as cockroaches by him. he would never start a war without reason and even then he acknowledges every death and every wound, making him a beloved leader by his men.

[koorinohebi]

@kiicho

“That she’s still breathing, wouldn’t you think that’s enough gratitude on my part?” There was a snarl to his words. After all, wasn’t he the one who had the track record of killing those that he served?

In fact, it was all that the world ever seemed to have remembered about him.

The greatest atrocity and treason of the time, one that shocked the entirety of Japan-- the general’s treachery, Mitsuhide Akechi turning against the great Demon King, Oda Nobunaga.

So for Kiomi to still be alive, wasn’t that the best show of respect for someone like him? “That you stand there with feelings of respect for her, I’d say it’s you who owe me. So perhaps it is I who you should show gratitude to.”

A taunt for insolent banter, it was acceptable. However, there were certain sentiments that he could allow to pass. The general's judgment wasn’t clouded. He wasn’t wrong, how could he be when he was sure that the Lord he killed was a fake. It’s not as if he hadn’t searched for her; for the Nobunaga that he knew. He couldn’t find her anywhere. During the times when he was away and Nobunaga was in the company of that blasted Monkey, who was to say that he hadn’t pulled a fast one of the warlord. For all that he knew, Hideyoshi was the real cause of the his Nobunaga’s disappearance.

“And what if she was 6ft under before I could find her? Or leagues beneath a lake? There’s more than one reason why a person disappears, more than one reason why someone is replaced. If I had found her during my mortal life, then I wouldn’t be here now, scraping through any and all miracle, no matter the cost, just to bring her back.”

It wasn’t a lie. Everything that he lived for couldn’t be reduced to such a thing. He would not allow it.

koorinohebi​:

@kiicho

“Protected?”

He snarled. That was probably the most laughable thing that he had heard. He was Akechi Mitsuhide, Oda Nobunaga’s most faithful general and retainer, he didn’t need protecting, specially not one that came from a child.

“That useless girl’s simply doing her job as a magus and providing me with a means to achieve my goal. That you think she’s protecting me, means that she must be doing something correct.”

Still, Kicho’s words have always been sharp as blades, hitting where he didn’t need them to hit. The accusations that she made, he refused to accept them. Frightened? Why would he be? And of who? Of what? He refused the very thought of rejection coming from the Nobunaga that he came to know and respect. Which was why he understood that the Lady Oda that he killed was a fake. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have favored someone else.

But again with that Monkey! She just had to drag his name into the conversation. Angry, he felt so angry at the very thought of that usurping ape– taking what didn’t belong to him so effortlessly. EVERYTHING was his fault!

“SHUT UP, SHUT UP! I DIDN’T LOSE ANYTHING TO THAT MONKEY! EVERYTHING HE TOUCHED BECAME DISFIGURED THAT EVEN YOU COULDN’T TELL WHAT’S REAL AND WHAT WASN’T! YOU WERE DECEIVED JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. I KILLED THAT LADY NOBUNAGA BECAUSE YOU WERE ALL BEING LED BY A LIE.”

“ My respect for her keeps you alive. Were it not for that, I would have taken you back to hell, even if it had to be with me. So, instead of insulting her, why don’t you do something useful and express gratitude instead ?” She laces her voice with as much venom as possible, attempting to keep it from trembling from anger. 

  … And the ‘ goal ’. If it’s anything like what had transpired in their mortal life, even Kichō shudders at the thought of it being achieved. Where did it go wrong ? When did everything get so murky ? Everything he says to her sounds absurd, but he says it with so much conviction that were she an easily swayed fool, she would have been convinced of it too.

  Her lungs take in a deep breath ; she must be calm. She has a question that’s been sitting on her tongue since he dove into this intense display.

“ So … if that Nobunaga-sama was a fake, then where was the real one after you killed her ? Did you ever find her afterwards in our mortal lives ?” 

“ No, right ? Because there was never a real or fake one. There was just one real one and the figment of your imagination that your …. prospective created for you. ” She’d dare to slander them as obsessions but held back. “ When are you going to wake up and realize you led your own self by a lie ?” 

[ikesenhell]

We Shadows

This is Chapter 10 of I See Starlight. You can find all other IkeSen works of mine here. NOTE: SPOILERS FOR TO HONOR AND PROTECT. If you have not read it, please go back and do so before proceeding. Warning: This starts with some bad bad feels/major character *non traumatic* death. You’ve been warned. It’s also kind of inevitable for a fic that spans a certain amount of time. Also: blood, minor horror elements.

By the time their son was born, the Nine knew Shingen was on his way out of the world. His health never recovered after the Invasion. He’d been reduced to leaning on his pregnant fiancee, Rose, as much as his cane. Even when he kept the smile on his lips, they all saw how much pain he was in--so after Hideyoshi and Mitsuhide and she had their turn with him, they let Shingen and Rose settle into the bedroom with them and hold the baby.

“Look at him,” Shingen crooned, patting the boy’s nose with his fingertip. “A good man, I’m sure. Look at his eyes. That’s the gaze of a fighter. He’ll do great things.”

Scarcely an hour later, he was on his deathbed--and then, gone. 

Where Yuki cried openly at the funeral, Kenshin was stoic and impassive as ice, only the tight clench of his hand around his second wife’s hand betraying him. Sasuke Sarutobi was appointed to the empty slot a week later. It was a good fit. The former bodyguard was quiet and polite enough to evade faux pas, but strong enough to win over Kenshin’s utilitarian facade, and the wheels of time moved on. 

They sold the little one room townhouse for a larger one. Rose even moved in with them, for a time, until her own son was born: Shingen Takeda. He was a redhead like his father. 

As for their own child, Gin Toyotomi-Akechi (they’d gotten into a bit of an argument about whether or not to name him ‘Nobunaga’, which was shut down when she pointed out that ‘Nobunaga Toyotomi-Akechi’ was a mouthful) grew like a weed. He was five when she became pregnant again with Saburo, their second son. And--last of all, when Gin was already fifteen and Saburo ten--Kaito Nobunaga Toyotomi-Akechi (they relented) was born, an eerie echo of both his fathers. 

“I think you had yourself a chimera child,” Ieyasu remarked, doing a check up on the two year old. He was a frequent sight at the house; his four children, Masamune’s daughter, and the junior Yukimura and Shingen (and Shingen’s half-sister) were forever emerging in the front lawn and begging to play. “That’s rare.”

“What is that, exactly?” Hideyoshi hovered anxiously. “It’s nothing, I hope?”

Masamune grinned. “Hideyoshi, you’re gonna go grey faster if you worry like that.”

Ieyasu brushed him off with a scowl. “We aren’t certain. The best theory we have so far is that it started as twins, but the eggs merged together.”

Kaito stared at Ieyasu with huge gold eyes. “Does that mean I’m a cabbage?”

“A what?” Ieyasu softened at the child. 

“A cabbage! Shingen said that cabbages are people who eat other people--”

“That’s a cannibal, a cabbage is a vegetable.” The blonde corrected gently. “And no. You’re not. Also, someone needs to talk to that child.”

They were in their late thirties and early fourties now, and Mitsuhide wondered where he’d ever gotten so lucky.

Their house filled with the chaos of three growing boys and a million different machines, all prototypes of their mother’s. The Nine kept them all busy, but god if he didn’t give everything in him to their family. He nestled alongside her on the porch, his knees stacked with hers and the gentle brush of her thumb insistent over his knuckles.

She chuckled softly, resting her head onto his shoulder. “Can you ‘see’ Hideyoshi out there?”

“No. I think he’s beyond my sight. What’s happening?”

“Mmmm.” He knew that sound. She pulled in closer to him, the hum of her arousal nearly vibrating off her skin. He loved how attractive they were to her still. He never doubted, not for a moment, that she was as in love with the two of them now as she’d ever been. “He’s wrestling the boys. Gin kind of has him in a headlock, and Saburo is trying to pull his arms down. He’s holding on to Kaito to keep him from getting hurt. You know how he is.”

He chuckled and wound his fingers between hers. “I do. Do you want me to call him inside with us?”

“Oh?” She played coy, but he heard the tease. “Whatever for, love?”

“I don’t need my eyes to read you. I think we could all be doing a bit of wrestling ourselves.”

The giggle was music to his ears. He nuzzled his nose into her neck and listened to her laugh, her hands running through his shoulder length hair. God. He was so, so, so very lucky. He wished that all would have the same fortune he had. 

“What’s going on here?” Hideyoshi emerged panting.

“Nothing much--currently. We could rectify that, if you get Gin to watch the other two and grant us three some time alone.”

“Oh--Oh!” He heard Hideyoshi’s blush. “Ahem. Uh. Yeah. Absolutely. Hang on, I’ll--I’ll be right behind you two.”

“Oh, I know you will be.”

“Mitsuhide.” 

He restrained a genuine laugh and followed her inside. 

---

Eighteen years after the incident at the Well, it finally opened to them. 

Yukimura and Masamune inspected it first before returning to the others. Even then they didn’t exactly provide a report. “Hideyoshi?”

“Yeah?” He answered uncertainly. 

“Could your wife come with us?”

“No.” All those ancient fears of whatever lay under the city reared their ugly head. “Absolutely not.”

“Hide--”

“No!”

“I promise it’s wo--”

Mitsuhide clamped a hand over Hideyoshi’s shoulder. “Why?”

“There’s... shit, I don’t know how to explain this. Yuki?”

The other man squinted at Masamune as if he had three heads. “What makes you think I’m better at this? It looks up her alley is all. It’s not dangerous or anything--we’re pretty sure.”

“Pretty sure?” Hideyoshi barely kept his tongue in check. Fortunately, Mitsuhide intervened. 

“That’s fine, so long as we go with her.”

---

She, Hideyoshi, Mitsuhide, Yukimura and Sasuke all descended beneath the well one at a time. Hideyoshi squinted down the long, damp pathway each way, crinkling his nose. “When was this made?”

“Judging by the stonework? I’d say that this was a construction contemporary with the oldest of our structures in the City.” Sasuke cleared his throat. “Approximately the same time, I’d imagine.”

“Thanks for the translation, Encyclopedia.” Yukimura scoffed, rolling his eyes at his best friend. “Come on. Follow me.”

Further and further into the dark they crept. Yukimura lit a lamp, but it cast a feeble glow. Hideyoshi wrapped his wife protectively beside him (and she cast him an amused stare but allowed it regardless), and finally they found the item in question: another lamp, with a single fraying wire beside it. 

“Here.” Yuki tapped his flame to it, and--

SsnnnnnsnAP! A ghastly sizzling sparked off the tip of the wire and crackled along. Bit by bit, the hallway before them burst into life, weak lamps struggling in the dim yellow glow. She gasped with shock. 

“What happened?” Mitsuhide asked. 

“Uh--” She hesitated. “Apparently the residents down here figured out how to formulate some kind of electric lighting system. It is bad, but it works.”

“Fascinating.”

“The lighting appears to be wired in afterward.” Sasuke shoved his glasses up his nose. “Interesting.”

“Right.” Yuki coughed. “Well, it only stays on for so long. The lights get dimmer and then start going out, and we’d really like to clear this place once and for all. I don’t suppose you can figure out a way to fix it?”

“Fix it?” She echoed, her eyes lighting up. “I’d love to. This would be incredible to study.”

“Are you sure...?” Hideyoshi cautioned. An uncertain fear lurked in his throat. “Especially given the past of it...”

“I know. I won’t be down here alone.” She smiled and pet his hands. “Don’t worry, my dear. I’ll be just fine.”

---

The month passed slowly. Bit by bit, she restructured and rewired the lamps, changing out their filaments, discovering their secrets, illuminating the lost pathways under the city with greater clarity. Sasuke, for his part, did his best to research its uses and came up blank. 

“Damn,” Kenshin muttered, rapping his fingers across the table. “Ishida would have been very useful for this.”

“I know,” Nobunaga agreed. His black hair was shot with silver now. “But it is what it is.”

Hideyoshi visited down there as often as he could. She was delighted; he saw it in the way she handled the artifacts, prodded them for information and learned what the ancients knew. He almost warmed to it too, except for--

On one of his days off, he was in the kitchen, getting ready to come visit her in the well, when his front door slammed open.

“Hideyoshi!” Ieyasu screamed. 

He was already halfway to his sword. “What happened?!”

“Just--just come on!”

They sprinted toward the alleyway. Masamune staggered out of the narrow opening first, what looked like grease coating his hands. Next came Nobunaga and Kenshin, both of their arms supporting her between them. Hideyoshi grabbed hold of her and checked every inch of her, blacking his hands with the viscous liquid sticking to his skin. 

“Are you alright--are you--what happened--?”

Mitsuhide emerged last of all, his mouth grim set, the black substance streaking down his face and through his ghost-white hair. Over his shoulder he dragged a figure so bloody and ragged he barely recognized him: Yukimura. 

---

It was a while before Yukimura stabilized and she was coherent enough to explain what happened. Mitsuhide, for his part, knew nothing. All he understood was they were under attack and then--and then Yukimura crumpled, and he couldn’t see but he knew well enough that his wife was down there, so he just threw all of his magical arts in a massive cone and hoped it did the trick. Presumably it had. The longer they scrubbed away the tar-like substance, the more obvious it was that it wasn’t just any liquid. 

“I think,” she managed shakily, “I think that was abandoned for a reason.”

Kenshin settled in by her knee. Hideyoshi almost snapped, but reason held firm and he just rubbed her arms, stilling her. “What happened?”

“So--” She inhaled deep, stabilizing breaths. “We got to the underground palace. It has--it’s really beautiful, you know? Really beautiful. Obsidian walls, fantastic carvings--Um, anyway--” Another breath. “I was up in the rigging, changing out some of the lighting, and then there were... shadows.”

“Shadows?” Kenshin echoed. “Of something?”

“No. Just... just shadows. Nothing else.”

Sasuke paused. “This... might be crazy, but do you think the lower levels were both lit and abandoned because this was known?”

“Rabid, killing shadows?” Nobunaga questioned. “This isn’t like anything we’ve heard of before.”

“I can take a look into the Royal Collection for any mentions.”

“Please do.”

“So--so what, then?” Hideyoshi managed shakily. “So we just close it back up then, right? Can it not live in the light, whatever it is?”

He knew before they said anything that it was a foolish hope. She pinched her nose between her fingers and inhaled. 

“I don’t know, honey,” she answered. “I don’t know. There was plenty of light when they attacked.”

“Then we have a potential threat on our hands.” Kenshin swept coolly up from his chair. “If light kept it at bay this long, we will have to discover a way to intensify it. Can you do that, Princess?”

“I can definitely try and figure something out.”

“No!” Hideyoshi snapped. “No! She might’ve died! Yukimura nearly died!”

“I agree,” Mitsuhide added, “This could’ve gone very poorly--”

But the flash of Kenshin and Nobunaga’s eyes stilled them both. It didn’t need to be said. The unspoken reminder of the Invasion swirled between them, and the ghastly silence settled uncomfortably. 

“I can figure something out,” she started again, more firmly this time. “Because if it gets out, my children are here. I can figure out some kind of a machine.”

[ikemenfics]

If you're taking requests for ikemen sengoku atm I was wondering if you could do an AU piece where Nobunaga is struck down in battle and Masamune takes up his mantle. And it's just like an emotional angst fest all around.

Word Count: 962

Note: Due to the fact that a lot of things would have to have been very different for this to have flown...many liberties were taken.  Thank you for the request, sorry it took so long.  It came out shorter than I intended...I”m not sure i write war stories that well..haha...Still, I hope you enjoy this.  Or get feels.  

Masamune gazed over the field, all around him were fallen soldiers.  He clenched his teeth as he blocked another blow.  His eye searched the field for his lord and leader, finding him nowhere.  Blood ran down his face and he knew he’d taken a glancing blow to his head.  He’d have to find Ieyasu for treatment after they camped for the night.  

He reared his horse, clearing a small path, giving out commands to his warriors.  All gave an affirmative and Masamune’s spirit calmed for a moment.  His soldiers, at least, were staying strong.  But where was Nobunaga?

“Masamune-sama!”  His eye found a messenger approaching.  The messenger kneeled and Masamune had to keep from barking at him.  This was no time for kneeling and bowing, “What is it?”  His voice was rough from battle cries and giving orders, but it seemed to reach the young lad all the same.  “

“Nobunaga-sama has fallen!”  Masamune’s eye blinked in shock.  He couldn’t believe his ears.  The man that was going to unify his men under a single banner.  The man that was going to ensure no domain would suffer unnecessary hardship under another.  The man that made people tremble at the very mention of his name….Had fallen?  Masamune shook his head to clear it.  He needed to act quickly before morale was lost and his soldiers with it.  He thanked the messenger, sounding the order to retreat.  It took a long while, the enemy chasing them, but eventually, all his soldiers had withdrawn, allowing Masamune to recover from the blow of losing his liege.

His army had settled for camp, Masamune wondering where the other warlords were.  Eventually, the banners of Akechi could be seen.  Masamune smiled, of course the fox would make it out alive, he was a slick one.  With the Akechi bannermen were the banners of the Oda.  They had joined with Akechi when Nobunaga fell, Masamune assumed.  While he waited for Mitsuhide to make camp alongside him, he waited for more.  

Eventually, the Toyotomi banner arrived, but it was Mitsunari leading the men, not Hideyoshi.  Masamune’s face grew grimmer as more soldiers piled in.  This was not boding well for the Oda forces.  Finally, the Tokugawa banner could be seen, their number few.  Camps were made, injured soldiers tended, and leaders were finally able to meet.

Masamune, Mitsuhide, and Mitsunari all met.  Mitsunari reported that though Ieyasu had returned to the camp, he had fallen from exhausted and couldn’t be roused.   They all stood around the warmap that Mitsuhide had provided, each face looking more haggard than when they had entered this battle.

“Has his body been recovered?”  Mitsuhide nodded, affirming that the enemy had not yet won Nobunaga’s head for their trophies.  That was, at least, a small victory.  Masamune looked to Mitsunari, “We need a new battle plan.  We cannot walk away from this defeated.  Not after all he has done for us.”  Mitsunari nodded, immediately placing marks on the map, a battle strategy already in the works in the head of the young strategist.

“We have no choice but to try for a pincer…” Mitsunari was explaining, “we can’t let the other side know just how many of our number were felled in protecting Nobunaga-sama.”  Now wasn’t the time to mourn, all faces looking serious and determined at the table.  The strategy was laid out, they would move at dawn.

They had taken rest during the night, the next morning had brought news that Ieyasu still had not awakened and none could rouse  him.  Masamune sighed, realizing that the battle was probably going to have to fall to him for leadership.  His lips twitched in a smile, “Looks like your nightmare’s come to life, eh?”  He said to the not present Ieyasu.  He mounted his horse, rallied his troops, checking the other lords that were left, and rode into battle.

They had succeeded in driving the enemy out, just barely.  Masamune had ordered the retreating army be tracked down.  This war could not afford to have this army recoup and come back stronger, not while the falling of Nobunaga was still so fresh in the minds of so many.  The commander’s head had been retrieved, Masamune taking little glory in the achievement.  

The battle finally over, the men could breathe for a moment.  Masamune walked towards the tent of the trio that had been left.  Mitsuhide looked pale and Masamune wondered how grievous an injury his comrade had suffered.  The fox showed nothing but a wan smile.  In a tent sat Mitsunari, guarding the body of their great lord.  Mitsuhide and Masamune entered together, all of them taking time to stare at the freshly cleaned body of Oda Nobunaga, the man that was to unify Japan.

“It’s said,” Mitsuhide broke the silence, “that he had no death poem written, just the words ‘so be it’.”  Masamune nodded and for a moment longer, no one spoke again.  Masamune reached, undoing the helmet that graced his lord’s head, holding it under his arm.  

“What do you plan to do?”

“There is no poem to survive him.  But his words won’t be forgotten,” said the One-Eyed Dragon as he left the tent.  He commanded a small, but sturdy effigy be built.  He and his army will stay behind until the monument was built.  Watching the construction, he found he was joined by Mitsunari and Mitsuhide, the latter looking more fit though cradling his obviously injured arm close.  Placing the helm on the top of the small monument, Masamune carved into the bottom stone,

ぜひにおよばず

Oda Nobunaga’s last words at the Honnoji incident were “zehi ni oyobazu...“ which translates to, “so be it...” or “so it goes...”  Essentially, a “que sera sera” type quote.  Thank you, again, for the request.  

[clearui]

戦刻ナイトブラッド / Sengoku Night Blood [Oda Nobunaga’s 2☆ Card Story - The Best Reward

*DO NOT POST THIS TRANSLATION ELSEWHERE!!*

2☆ 最高のご褒美

The Best Reward 1

Oda Nobunaga "The battle this time has finally been resolved. Everyone, you've done a great job. I shall give your reward to each one of you.

Oda Nobunaga "Just say whatever you wish for."

Shibata Katsuie "Hmm...... Food...... I guess not. I also have my katana sharpened recently."

Niwa Nagahide "It's not a thing, but I want a vacation......"

Akechi Mitsuhide "For me, there is a book of warring arts imported from overseas......"

Mori Ranmaru "Umm......! I only want one thing from Nobunaga-sama, if possible for you to praise my humble self!"

Mitsuhide ・ Katsuie ・ Nagahide "!?"

Oda Nobunaga "You want a praise......?"

Mori Ranmaru "Is it impossible......?"

Shibata Katsuie "......That sounds nice."

Niwa Nagahide "Yeah, I'm interested."

Akechi Mitsuhide "......Please, me too......"

Oda Nobunaga "You all...... do you really want something like that?"

Ranmaru ・ Mitsuhide ・ Katsuie ・ Nagahide "Yes!!"

Oda Nobunaga "I, I see......"

Oda Nobunaga "Do you really want something like that? It is fine to ask for expensive things even a long vacation, you understand?"

Mori Ranmaru "No, I, no matter what, really want a praise from Nobunaga-sama!"

Mori Ranmaru "You said that we have one wish for anything we want, right!?"

Oda Nobunaga "Y, yeah. If that increase your morale, it is easy......"

Oda Nobunaga "Well, I shall give words of reward to each one of you."

  The Best Reward 2

Oda Nobunaga "Now, then I shall give your words of reward. Come forward one by one.

Mori Ranmaru "Yes!!"

Oda Nobunaga "Ranmaru. Besides taking care of everyone on daily basis, you've also done well assisting them.

Oda Nobunaga "I am grateful of the kindness of yours.

Oda Nobunaga "You are still young. If you gather more experience from now on, it would not be long to see the difference of ability."

Mori Ranmaru "......! No-Nobunaga-sama......!"

Oda Nobunaga "Mitsuhide. You are always calm, and always do your tasks properly."

Oda Nobunaga "I consider you as the person I can rest easy and trust to take care of the missions."

Oda Nobunaga "From now on, pledge your loyalty to me. There are still many things I will be asking you to do."

Akechi Mitsuhide "S, such words are wasted on me......!"

Oda Nobunaga "Katsuie. You might not be as useful aside in the battles, but your presence raises the morale of our soldiers."

Oda Nobunaga "There are not many who has the talent in that field. From now on, I will still be counting on you."

Oda Nobunaga "It is not an exaggeration to say that my army is supported by you. Be careful from injuries, and keep serving us."

Shibata Katsuie "......Gugh......!"

Oda Nobunaga "Nagahide. You are my most loyal vassal. You have never betrayed my expectation--"

Oda Nobunaga "Having someone I can rest easy with like you, there are not many."

Oda Nobunaga "Also, I expect great things from your to handle anything dexterously.

Niwa Nagahide "Yes...... I am thankful for such words......"

Oda Nobunaga "......That is all. Are you fine with this?"

Mori Ranmaru "Yes......! Thank you very much, Nobunaga-sama!"

  The Best Reward 3

Oda Nobunaga "Are you all fine with this? What a weird taste you have."

Mori Ranmaru "No, there is no such thing......! To receive a praise from the divine Nobunaga-sama, I am the happiest in Shinga!"

Mori Ranmaru "Hey, everyone also thinks that, right?"

Shibata Katsuie "Uu......uu! Is it a blessing to have such a joyful thing......! Hic!!"

Oda Nobunaga "I, is it something to be cried about......?"

Akechi Mitsuhide "............."

Mori Ranmaru "Mitsuhide-san, Mitsuhide-san? ......Seems my voice can't reach him. He seems to be lost in his own thought."

Oda Nobunaga "Are you all exaggerating too much?"

Niwa Nagahide "No, there's no such thing. We're the most happiest in the world, no, the most happiest...... in the universe......"

Niwa Nagahide "......I, somehow a bit......losing my mind......"

Mori Ranmaru "Please don't passed out, Nagahide-san!!"

Oda Nobunaga (Is it okay to see this having a good effect? Well, as long it raises their morale, it is not bad at all.)

Shibata Katsuie "I......! From now on, I'll do my best to improve!!"

Akechi Mitsuhide "............Me......also......"

Niwa Nagahide "......I too, even it cost me my life......!"

Mori Ranmaru "Nobunaga-sama, we all share the same feeling! From now on, we will do our best to serve you, Nobunaga-sama."

Oda Nobunaga "......Aa. I understand your feelings very well."

Oda Nobunaga "Use your life and follow me. Until it is over, I do not allow you to die."

Oda Nobunaga "Understand!?"

Ranmaru ・ Mitsuhide ・ Katsuie ・ Nagahide "Yes!!"

  *DO NOT POST THIS TRANSLATION ELSEWHERE!!*

Translated by clearui

[koorinohebi]

@nobuverse

Mitsuhide was often quite good at ignoring unwanted threats, notions, side comments, and the like. After all, wasn't that his to dish out and not the other way around?

However, this pretender was threading on his nerves in the most brazen of way-- giving his opinion when no one even asked for it. No matter. It was just Nobukatsu, what could he possibly--

"ME, DEMAND TOO MUCH?! I HAVE DONE NOTHING BUT GIVE, AND NOW YOU ACCUSE ME OF BEING TOO DEMANDING?" Ah, that brat struck a cord. Why was this suddenly his fault? He wasn't the one in the wrong. He had endured so much. He sent his own mother as ransom WHO got killed when his Lady decided that the Hatano had to go. Even if he wanted to take to the battlefront, it was that Monkey at the helm, not him. And these were just things at the top of his head, not including the little slanders that he paid no mind because of how much he respected Nobunaga. And now, this equally treacherous brother of his was spouting this nonsense?

What would they know? What would HE know? Forgiveness? Why would he want something like that. If at all, they were the one who should be apologizing to him.

He clenched his fists, gloved nails digging against the leather. Calm down. Calm down. Calm down.

"I suppose it's natural for you to know a thing or two about hurting the people that you love. Even if you try sucking up to that fake, you're no better than me. We're the same."

"Only, you weren't able to kill Lady Nobunaga, while I was able to finish off the faker who pretended to be her."

“Oh Akechi-kun! I can tell you why nobody accepts you!”

He’s wearing a cheerful smile, addressing him with a joyful tone that’s so over the top, he hopes it’s grating for him to hear.

Then his smile drops, face becoming almost expressionless, with an ice-cold voice to match.

“Because you’re a selfish imbecile who demands too much of the people you claim to serve and love. When those standards aren’t met, you only end up hurting people because you can’t handle that they aren’t exactly the way you want them to be. Then, you avoid the blame. The guilt. Because you’re weak.”

He might have been the most pathetic archer to ever live - the biggest crybaby on the battlefield that always had to rely on other people. But even he would never stoop that low. 

“Sister might claim she forgives you…..but I never will.” 

[koorinohebi]

Bond Levels: Caster - Akechi Mitsuhide

Before anything else, here is a small reminder that my version of Mitsuhide, while mostly canon compliant (for Caster, at least of what we know of him), is still pretty heavily headcanon based. So this interpretation is mine and you are free to not share them at all. Now, going back on topic:

We do know that as bond levels go up, the working relationship between both master and servant also improves. This is true for Mitsuhide too, although, I believe that it stops at a certain level. I feel like raising Caster's bond comes with red flags that are pretty problematic in the long run.

From what I understood before, and something that I do adapt, depending on the master, servants are sometimes reminded of specific people in their lives. For some, it could be someone important that they hold dear; others, previous masters (vaguely), etc. So in Mitsuhide's case, if you are his master, his attitude as bond levels are raised will depend on who you remind him off.

In the chance that you remind him of either Hiroko (wife), Tama (daughter), or Kicho (cousin), he'll be more protective of you as your bond level increases. The things that he was unable to do due to having lost sight of things/abandoning things because of his goal, he will now make up for. So there are times when it'll be a little awkward, because he'd feel ashamed for what he's done, but rest assured that he wont make the same mistakes twice. Or at least, he will endeavor to avoid them so that he'll always have a clear mind and actually protect what's important to him. For these kinds of people Raising bond levels up to 10+ is pretty safe.

In that horrible, horrible chance that you remind him of Hideyoshi, he will kill you right off the bat. That's it. Negotiations are off the table. He will not have you. After all, this the Mitsuhide who feels that a certain monkey has robbed him of everything. It doesn't matter what bond level you take him to, if he so much as identifies you with Hideyoshi, he will kill you.

Now, you reminding him of Nobunaga is a little well. It's a little complicated, because somewhere in his mind, a time will come where you will betray his expectations. Surely, at a decent level (5 -9), he will respect you. He will not always show it, specially not in front of others. He'd make it appear as if you're nothing truly important, but if you're in trouble, he will come to your aid without a doubt. However, come 10 and above, it gets problematic. This is most likely the time when his association of you blurs. Because you do remind him of Nobunaga, your importance outweighs a lot of people. And he is particularly invested in you, that you are practically so close to being the second coming of his dearest lord that he can POSSIBLY do without summoning the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven (but this is his goal, so he will always want it. If you give this to him, he will love you even more). So right now, he is utterly loyal to you, but also rather very delusional. And has certain expectations that he is HOPING and DESIRING that you meet, so nothing BAD befalls you. Wanting you and your attention all to himself is the very basic of having him at bond 10, and he will probably try to kill anyone... including you (killing you @ Bond 15+), if you show ANY favoritism towards anyone else. He simply cant go through that whole Hideyoshi stealing Nobunaga away from him ordeal EVER again.

So basically, that's how it is for this Caster.

[chanoyu-to-wa]

Rikyū Chanoyu Sho, Book 6 (Part 32):  Rikyū’s Hyaku-kai Ki, (1590) Eleventh Month, Fourteenth Day; Midday.

32) The same, Fourteenth Day; Midday [同十四日��晝]¹.

￮ Guests:  Hosokawa Yūsai [細川幽齋]³, Tsuge sakyō [柘左京]³, [Toda minbu dono [戸田民部殿]⁴.]

￮ 4.5-mat [room]⁵.

￮ Sōho-dana (Hotta mizu-koboshi) [宗甫棚 ・ ほつた水こほし]⁶; ◦ Bizen tsubo [備前つほ]⁷; ◦ chaire:  Shiri-bukura [茶入・尻ぶくら]⁸; ◦ Koshima-ya chawan [小嶋や茶わん]⁹; ◦ [shi-hō-kama [四方釜];¹⁰] ◦ [Seto mizusashi [瀬戸水指];¹¹] ◦ [Kokei oshō bokuseki [古溪和尚墨跡]¹².]

￮ Nabe-yaki [なへ焼], tai sashimi [鯛 さしみ], soup (nattō [納豆]), rice¹³.

￮ Kashi:  fu-no-yaki [ふのやき], shiitake [しいたけ]¹⁴.

_________________________

◎ An intimate sort of gathering for three of Rikyū‘s friends (two of whom were also among his disciples).

¹Onaji jū-yokka ・ hiru [同十四日・晝].

    With this gathering the chronology followed in the Rikyū Chanoyu Sho returns to agreement with that found in all of the manuscript sources of the Hyakkai Ki.

²Hosokawa Yūsai [細川幽齋].

     The daimyō and scholar Hosokawa Fujitaka [細川藤孝; 1534 ~ 1610], who was known as Hosokawa Yūsai [細川幽齋] after his semi-retirement*, was originally a champion of the Ashikaga shōgunate, later offering his allegiance to Oda Nobunaga and, subsequently, to Hideyoshi as Nobunaga’s successor†.

    As a literary scholar Hosokawa Fujitaka’s fame is well known; and it was natural, and almost unavoidable, that they would be intimate colleagues during Rikyū’s years of service to Hideyoshi‡. ___________ *After Nobunaga’s seppuku, rather than join Akechi Mitsuhide (to whose daughter Fujitaka’s son was married) as was expected, Hosokawa Fujitaka decided to shave his head and became nyūdō [入道], taking the name Yūsai on this occasion.  (With this act, he surrendered his status as a daimyō to his son.)

†Hosokawa Fujitaka’s refusal to participate in the battle of Yamazaki probably helped to secure the victory for Hideyoshi.  As a result, though Fujitaka was technically retired, he remained active both as a political and cultural advisor to Hideyoshi to the end of his lifetime (for which Hideyoshi rewarded Fujitaka with an income and land in Yamashiro Province in 1586, which he doubled in 1595).

     Nevertheless, Fujitaka supported Tokugawa Ieyasu (perhaps due to a personal dislike for Ishida Mitsunari and his schemes, which resulted in the death of Fujitaka’s son’s wife and granddaughter), for which the family was honored by the Tokugawa bakufu.

‡Which support persisted even after Rikyū’s death:  the reason why it was his son who went to the bank of the Yodo River to “see Rikyū off” was not because of a lack of affection, but so that Fujitaka would be in a position to ward off any attacks (on both Rikyū, and Fujitaka’s own family) from Hideyoshi that this gesture of esteem may have precipitated.

³Tsuge sakyō [柘左京].

    This is Tsuge Tomokazu [柘植與一; 1541 ~ 1609]*, who was also commonly known as Tsuge sakyō [柘植左京] (because he held the post of sakyō-no-suke [左京亮], assistant head of the eastern administrative office).

    He was also a disciple of Rikyū, from whom he learned chanoyu. ___________ *Tsuge [柘], the name Rikyū used, means the Chinese mulberry (Morus bombycis), while Tsuge [柘植] (the name that Tsuge Tomokazu used as his surname) means “to plant a Chinese mulberry.”  His actual family is said to have been either Oda [織田] (and so a relative of Nobunaga), or possibly Tsuda [津田].

⁴Toda minbu dono [戸田民部殿].

    Toda minbu’s name was not included among the list of guests in the Rikyū Chanoyu Sho, though he is mentioned in all of the manuscript sources for this kaiki.

    Toda Katsutaka [戸田勝隆; ? ~ 1594] was the Assistant Vice-minister of Public Affairs (minbu-no-sunaisuke [民部少輔]), and also one of Rikyū's personal disciples.  He is usually included in the list known as Rikyū shichi-tetsu [利休七哲]*.

    Suffixing the title dono [殿] (“lord”) to Toda minbu’s listing in this translation is not intended to give him any special honor above the other guests.  Rather, in the manuscript versions of the kaiki, all three guests were listed in this way.  Since none of the guests in the Rikyū Chanoyu Sho version are provided with titles, however, I simply left the other two entries stand in the form in which they were published.  Since Toda Katsutaka’s name was added from the other sources, I left that entry retain in its original form -- without changing anything in any of the entries to force them to conform with the others. __________ *These individuals -- the names on the list vary from source to source -- were the people whom Hideyoshi permitted to learn the gokushin no futatsu-gumi temae [極眞二つ組手前].

     Because of his fear that people would use this temae inappropriately -- perhaps even treasonously (for example, when serving tea to Hideyoshi’s adopted son and presumed heir, Toyotomi Hidetsugu [豊臣秀次; 1568 ~ 1595 ]) -- and thus inflame ambitions that would prove contrary to Hideyoshi’s own intentions, in 1586 Hideyoshi made Rikyū promise not to initiate anyone into the secrets of this temae without Hideyoshi’s express permission.  Thus, this permission meant that the person in question was deemed absolutely faithful, and the permission itself was seen as a mark of Hideyoshi’s trust.

    The details of the gokushin no futatsu-gumi temae have been visited several times in this blog.  (Rikyū’s sketch illustrating this temae, above, was taken from one of the three known densho that he presented to Nambō Sōkei; the text of which was incorporated into the document known as the Nambō-ate no densho [南坊宛の傳書].  The writing on the sketch reads (above to below, right to left):  fukuro ni irete [袋 入]; temmoku ni fukuro ari [天目ニ袋有]; mizusashi [水さし]; koboshi [コホシ]; hoya-kōro [ホや香炉]; chasen-oki [茶筌置].)

    The gokushin temae promotes the entry into, and maintenance of, what Rikyū called chanoyu-sammai [茶湯三昧] (chanoyu samadhi).  It is thus emotionally empowering -- something that was seen as very dangerous in a society based on subservience and deference to those of a higher social status.  Hideyoshi’s ban seems to have followed the point in his own tea training where Hideyoshi experienced the truth of these things for himself (it is interesting -- and perhaps, significant -- that even when serving tea to the Emperor Ōgimachi [正親町天皇] during the first month of Tenshō 14 [天正十四年], 1586, in his golden tearoom, Hideyoshi chose not to use the gokushin no futatsu-gumi temae; meanwhile, Ōgimachi abdicated later that same year).

    This temae is not part of the curricula (even the secret “higher” one) taught by any of the modern schools -- perhaps for obvious reasons.  (Though it must be added that an actual understanding of what this temae is, and what effects it can produce, seems to have been lost to the modern Japanese tea world, perhaps since the time of Rikyū’s death.)

⁵Yojō-han [四疊半].

⁶Sōho-dana ・ Hotta mizu-koboshi  [宗甫棚 ・ ほつた水こほし]*.

___________ *As I have explained previously, “Hotta mizu-koboshi” seems to be the name that Rikyū inexplicably started using for the mon-sasu mizu-koboshi [紋指水飜] (perhaps because of the unfamiliarity of the names).

    The usual arrangement of the utensils on the Sōho-dana (which necessarily required that Rikyū display a mizusashi and futaoki on the tana as well) is shown below.

⁷Bizen tsubo [備前つほ].

⁸Chaire:  Shiri-bukura [茶入・尻ぶくら].

___________ *The chashaku would have been one that Rikyū made by himself to be used with this chaire on its chaire-bon, such as the ori-tame shown below.

     As has been illustrated previously, during the temae the chashaku would have been placed on the tray on the right side of the chaire.

⁹Koshima-ya chawan [小嶋や茶わん].

¹⁰Shi-hō-kama [四方釜].

¹¹Seto mizusashi [瀬戸水指].

¹²Kokei oshō bokuseki [古溪和尚墨跡].

¹³Nabe-yaki,  tai sashimi,  shiru ・ nattō,  meshi  [なへ焼、 鯛 さしみ、 汁 ・ 納豆、 めし].

     These were the four dishes offered to the guests on their zen:

- nabe-yaki [鍋焼]:  despite what the name might seem to suggest, nabe-yaki is a sort of ni-mono [煮物] course (cooked in a nabe*):  according to early Edo period commentaries, in Rikyū’s day “miso-shiru was placed in the nabe as it was, with [chunks of] tai [鯛] or bora [鯔] (mullet) [or some other kind of fish], along with whatever else was to hand†” -- it seems to have been rather like a miso-flavored fish and vegetable stew;

- tai sashimi [鯛さしみ]‡;

- nattō-jiru [納豆汁]**; and,

- meshi [飯], steamed rice measured into individual portions using a mossō [物相]. ___________ *In this case, usually a shallow pottery vessle with a lid was used, what is called a do-nabe [土鍋] today.  (The do-nabe are made from low-fired ceramic -- similar to modern-day red raku-yaki -- and the clay body is fairly porous.  This means that soup infiltrates into the clay when the do-nabe is used.  The Japanese seem to think that this removes or masks the clay taste, and prefer “seasoned” do-nabe that have been used many times before.  However, since nabe-yaki was a seasonal dish, nabe kept over the summer usually developed a bad smell, and so they were typically replaced each year.)

    While it is common for small, individual do-nabe to be used to actually served the dish today (especially in restaurants), it seems more likely that the nabe-yaki was prepared in a larger do-nabe in the kitchen, and then transferred to individual bowls that were placed on the zen.

†Miso-shiru ni te nabe ni te sono-mama ni mōshi-sōrō nari.  Tai, bora, nani ni te mo tori-awase ha se sōrō [みそ汁にてなべにて其まゝに申候也、たい、ぼら、こち何にても取合はせ候].  From the early Edo period book Ryōri Monogatari [料理物語] (“Tales of Food”), published in 1643.

    Other sources mention adding a thin slice of yuzu [柚子] (citron) and crushed sanshō [山椒] (“Japanese pepper”) as flavorings.

    While udon is frequently a component of modern-day nabe-yaki, noodles were not used in this way in Rikyū’s period.  It is best to visualize nabe-yaki as a ni-mono course, but with miso-shiru rather than clear broth.

‡After slicing part of the fillets as sashimi, the rest of the fish would have been used to prepare the nabe-yaki. Parts of the fish such as the head would add flavor to the soup, even if they were removed before the dish was served -- though, if the tai was rather large, many people preferred to divide the head into a number of similarly sized pieces, and include a piece in each individual serving (since the meat clinging to the skull was prized for being especially tastey).  While modern-day kaiseki etiquette states that none of the dishes should contain inedible parts, so that the guests can return their dishes to the host empty and fairly clean, these rules arose in the Edo period (or, in many of their fussy details, even later -- when women began to supplant men as the primary practitioners of chanoyu early in the 20th century).  In Rikyū’s day -- and especially at a gathering where all the participants were personal friends with each other -- serving a delicious and enjoyable meal would have been considered more important.

**Because of the addition of ground nattō [納豆] (soy beans fermented by the bacteria Bacillus subtilis var. natto, shown above), the flavor, aroma, and texture of nattō-jiru is very different from ordinary miso-shiru.  Thus the two soups could be served together on the same zen without objection.  This soup is very nutritious and fortifying (the list of vitamins and minerals contained in nattō is really astonishing); but the smell is quite strong (and can prove unappetising to people who are not used to it).  Still, nattō-jiru was commonly served as a breakfast food in many households in those days, so most people were not sensitive to the smell.

¹⁴Kashi ・ fu-no-yaki,  shiitake  [菓子 ・ ふのやき、 しいたけ].

    Rikyū‘s most frequently served kashi -- little crêpes filled with sweet red bean-paste, and charcoal-grilled shiitake (garnished only with salt on this occasion).

[theworldaswedontknowit]

Hosokawa Gracia: The Woman who lost Mitsunari his War

But did she? (This post will be getting updates and changes in the future)

Who was Gracia? Well, she was a daughter, a wife, a mother and a Christian.

In terms of her character in Samurai Warriors I think I might have liked her quite a lot in earlier games but her portrayal in Samurai Warriors four just disturbs me. She’s too childlike for me, it doesn’t quite hit the levels of the Qiaos but it’s still disturbing. If they keep her like this then I hope they never, ever add Hosokawa Tadaoki…I’d like to think that they couldn’t add him for any feasible reason. I do like her design but I’m thrown off by her character, I understand they need to make her look younger than Mitsuhide who they’ve really aged down from his fifties to absolutely no more than 30-35 but still. I like her dress though, even if that doesn’t help in her appearing too childlike.

The real Gracia was born Akechi Tama in 1563 – another thing about making her so young, she’s only a few years younger than Mitsunari and the bulk of the cast…for gods sake she’s older than Yukimura and he’s the poster boy. Sorry. I’ll stop. Anyway, she was the 3rd daughter of Akechi Mitsuhide and his wife, Tsumaki Hiroko – who are literally the most romantic couple ever honestly they hurt my feelings.

At sixteen (1579) she was married to Hosokawa Tadaoki and would remain so until her death. There was a gap so to speak, she was kept confined upon her Father’s rebellion but she was released and taken back by Tadaoki at the intervention of HIdeyoshi. The couple had 3 sons and 2 daughters together and are ancestors of the current lineage of the Imperial family.

Gracia’s involvement in Christianity began in the late 1580s and into the 1590s, pursuing it largely while her husband was fighting in Korea. It’s said to have begun because one of her maids was Christian (perhaps drawing a link between her and Konishi? That was the kind of thing he was involved in) and her husband was also friends with Takayama Ukon. This continuous exposure to the faith gained her interest and she was able to (secretly) visit the Osaka Church in 1587 and was eventually baptised “Gracia” or Garasha to better fit Japanese pronunciation.

It’s also important to note that her husband, Hosokawa Tadaoki, was a little bit…crazy? I’m going with crazy. He was known for getting into regular disputes with his father and, according to Gracia, he killed at least one maid. He also would not allow Gracia to leave, hence why she had to visit the church secretly and she was never properly baptised – it was done by a servant girl reading from texts given to her by Jesuits.

Really, the reason we remember her and she is so famous is her death. Yep, one of those. People really like to say that her death is the reason the Mitsunari lost Sekigahara – it cost him allies. There’s an immediate problem with this which I’m going to go into great depth about.

Mitsunari wasn’t at Osaka for at least a week and a half (I might not be remembering that correctly) after Gracia died and if it was his men that were surrounding the Hosokawa mansion then he would be in way too deep. It would be considered a rebellion. It can’t be attributed to his brother either – Masazumi had even less power than Mitsunari and him raising troops was (aside from being out of his power sphere) even worse.

That’s not to say that Mitsunari wasn’t involved, he probably was – it was just the case he didn’t have the power to do it. Therefore, it’s easy to attribute the actual order to the Three Bugyo – although there’s no saying it wasn’t his idea either. The impression that it was Mitsunari (or at least, his soldiers) comes from a recount of the event by one of the maids many years later who names the soldiers as his men, due to translation and changes and all sorts it’s just been whittled down to Mitsunari. On top of this the account was written when “Mitsunari is evil” was big for Tokugawa and politics did what it could to dictate that the now long dead Mitsunari would become a villain forever more.

So, in short he was involved? Probably but it wasn’t him ordering people to do it, at least not directly.

But did it lose him his war? Well…yes, kind of. In a sense that it backfired on him and the Bugyo and whoever came up with the idea.

Because Gracia died she’s typically the only one addressed in English translations but she was definitely not the only hostage. She was just the only one who died. Ikeda Terumasa, Todo Takatora, Arima Toyoji and Kato Yoshiaki’s wives were all kept in the main keep of Osaka while the Sanada wives were kept by Otani Yoshitsugu – makes sense considering Yukimura’s wife was his daughter…sister…relative. They were related in some way either by birth or adoption. The Kuroda women and Kiyomasa’s wife escaped before anything could really go down.

The wives of Western Daimyo weren’t taken hostage in general but the Sanada wives were. I mean, on the other hand that throws into question just how loyal the Sanada were…though Nobuyuki being on Tokugawa’s side was probably enough to cause suspicion. There’s so many questions you can ask about this entire thing if I’m honest. I don’t have a comprehensive list (if one even exists) of the women who were taken hostage.

Regardless of how much they trusted the Sanada, the fact is that it didn’t really do anything. None of the hostage’s respective husbands switched sides. It probably made them more adamant on fighting the Western army and winning, going along the lines of a “Take my lady and I’ll kick your ass” kind of mindset.

Back to Gracia, she died on 17th July 1600 at the age of 37. While Japanese sources dictate that she died by her own hand, this is largely ignored as Christianity does not allow this. It’s more likely that she died at the hands of a retainer on her own (or possibly Tadaoki’s) orders after ordering her servants and others to leave. The mansion was burnt down, the retainer who had killed her – Ogasawara Shousai – committing suicide after lighting it on fire.

Hosokawa Gracia had made herself into Sekigahara’s martyr. She may well not have lost Mitsunari his war (which was hardly just his war) but she certainly lost him centuries of any kind word being said.

[koorinohebi]

@soulsbetrayed

So Tama’s here.

He didn’t exactly know why his feet led him there, but there was surely a strange sensation of anxiousness that was washing over his senses. For the most part, Mitsuhide had been a calm man who processed things as carefully as he could, even if the result ended in something less than anyone could have expected. So imagine him feeling all this tension now, and for the simple reason that word of his daughter being around reached him. What am I even going to say to her? He wondered, standing by the corridor and waiting for the lad’s return. Part of him wanted to turn back, but he was so deeply rooted in place that all he could do was fold his arms and expect the worst.

More than him, what would she say? About everything that had happened in the past... thinking on it, being the daughter of a traitor must have been hard for her. Did he fail her as a father, he probably did. Goddamnit, if it wasn’t for that monkey, things probably wouldn’t have ended the way that it did. Maybe I should leave, return another day... But he remained nonetheless. Despite his apprehensions, that desire to see Tama won over without a doubt.

“Esteemed sister, we have a visitor.” “Who is it?”

“A man who says he’s your father Akechi Mitsuhide, my lady.”

The sage bolts up at the uchigatana’s words looking at him with a surprised expression. “Lead him here if you will.” she comments. “And Jizou you have met my father long ago but will he recognize you in your new found body…” she trails off assuming their guest was indeed her beloved father. Seeing the ghostly  tsukumogami leave she sighs quietly trying to compose herself.

@koorinohebi​

[miminorenai]

Ikemen Sengoku Kenshin Uesugi Preview

Note: I’m sorry for any wrong and off translation since I’m a learner, please advice and correct me for any mistakes *bow*

Previews:

Profiles Nobunaga Oda Masamune Date Yukimura Sanada Hideyoshi Toyotomi Ieyasu Tokugawa Shingen Takeda Kenshin Uesugi Mitsuhide Akechi Mitsunari Ishida Sasuke Sarutobi Kennyo

『 謙信との恋のあらすじ 』`Kenshin to no koi no arasuji’

Summary of Love with Kenshin

Misogyny (dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women) God of War who met with a sorrowful past. The fate of captured by his sick love/attachment is ripening while in prison. [I understood why I was born and blessed with battle wisdom. It is for the sake of protecting you from the whole world.] When pure love overcomes repeated tragedies.....two person wrapped up in happiness so much as painful.

Kenshin [ My live and death is in war. I have no spare times for the likes of women. ]

It was the misogyny general enemy who came and help me who is entangled and involved with *rōnin.

*wandering samurai without a master to serve

Kenshin [ Have self-awareness, your life is fleeting/transient/momentary. ]

Kenshin [ A creature called ‘woman’ who does not possess any means and defenses to go against war, will easily be scattered and fall in this turbulent times. ]

A part of sorrow and grief hidden in the freezing beautiful heterochromia eyes. Before I know it, my heart is attracted.

ME TOO MC

MC [ .....Kenshin-sama gives a hunch of cold at first impression/meeting, but somewhat you are (actually) kind and possessing strong sense of duty, aren’t you? ]

Kenshin [ Someone is saying a boring nonsense/joke. ]

Little by little I know Kenshin’s real face. I don’t have in me to reveal my identity as the manager of Oda Army as it is.

In the severe battlefield, we met again by chance.

Kenshin [ If I kill all of those guys, as a result, will it become atonement/redemption of Sasuke’s life? ]

(Kenshin-sama is strong, but somewhat he’s dangerous too.)

(This person.....I cannot leave him alone.)

Getting close to the mind that lost its equilibrium, a spark snapped/flipped and came together.....it was an unknown feeling.

But, the truth that has been shoved is cruel as well.

Kenshin [ You and Mitsunari Ishida, no.....what kind of relationship you have with Oda Army? ]

Torn up unconsciousness passes by one another feeling, making us hurt each other (feeling).

I am captured in entirely luxury prison, decorated by Kenshin’s hand himself.

He’s cold okay during this time, and scary too T_T And the yandereness is starting fufufufu

MC [ Is that something inconvenience/trouble for Kenshin-sama when other people can watch over me.....? ]

Kenshin [ I don’t know. Just imagining it will give me no more than discomfort and unpleasant feelings. ]

The ripening (feeling) while in prison, and the dangerous heat/passion between two person.

Shingen [ Kenshin keeps women away from him because of some past events/happenings. ]

The sad past ruining Kenshin gradually becoming clear.

Kenshin [ Such a weak resistance. So pitiful, aren’t you, Mimi? ]

Kenshin [ I don’t have any intention to set you free and let you escape. From now on too, forever. ]

While the sick love is baring its fangs, the two person cannot help it other than seeking each other out.

Kenshin [ In order to make you mine, I think to the extent of wanting to lock you up/imprison you/confine you myself. ]

THANK GOD YOU ARE NOT DOING IT FOR LOVE

Kenshin [ I’m nearly drowning in love so much that my brakes of reason does not working in this way. ]

While in unrest happiness, I am bewildered by the excessive love, so much that I cannot breathe.

(I want to heal Kenshin-sama’s wound over time.)

Despite in hesitation/bewilderment, we swear on living and staying together closely, but it was a fleeting relationship.

Kenshin [ We cannot meet each other, touch each other, never again. ] 

Kenshin [ As for me, I’m living and dying for Mimi’s sake. ]

It is the promise of the two person that day that saves the broken heart.

Mimi [ Whenever Kenshin-sama is feeling painful, I will hug you tightly as many as possible in this way. ]

Kenshin [ Mimi.....Thank you. ]

(.....Ah. Only with this word, everything I worried about was rewarded.)

Kenshin [ As long as you are by my side, I can stay without being afraid being by myself. ]

Therefore, I’ll continue loving you. Even if that is the end of this world.....

Kenshin 

「愛している……お前がいなければ息もできないほどに `Ai shite iru…… omae ga inakereba ikimodekinai hodo ni' I love you.....as much as I cannot breathe without you staying by my side. ]

The heart that believes repaint the past, making a future as yet to be seen.

Stronger and kinder than anyone, being embraced in your arms -

[little-lady-mimi]

Prequel Prologue - Meeting you: Chance Encounter Season

前日譚・序章 ・君と出逢う季節

Zenjitsutan・Joshō・Kimi to deau kisetsu

TENKA AU EVENT

Prologue - Meeting You: Chance Encounter Season 2nd Chapter - Blossoming Love in Turbulent Times

That unknown past to be newly spun in the prequel...... Time is rolled back and returned, sending someone to a fate Even so, the fate somehow happened to come across and the two person feelings connected once more Although the two fates in which the encounter season is different, but they are being tied again Now, the curtain of the beginning tale opens--

[ 前編 . Zenpen . 1st Part ]

Connection: An interesting person?

Saburou (Oda Nobunaga)

Although you are starting to feel pleasant and enjoyable in spending time with [Saburou-san] who you meet by chance in Kyoto, he will depart from Kyoto soon. In the middle of feeling lonely, [Oda Nobunaga] summons/calls for you. Without understanding the reason, you still go out of your time to have an audience with Oda Nobunaga. However, by no means, the one who appears (in front of you) is [Saburou-san].

Genji (Kirigakure Saizo)

You meet [Genji], Yugiri’s young master/owner as a helper/assistant. That fleeting gentleness of him attracts you, but witnessing a scene of *tsujigiri changes your peaceful everyday life completely. Somehow, as a source who knows that, you have your own suspicion. As you continue to be invited as helper, you cannot help from being curious even if you are being suspiciously doubtful.

*Note: killing a passerby in order to test a new sword

Katakura Kojuro

You lost your job in Oshu, where you were working away from home (a migrant?) and while you are at lost, you have fate meeting encounter with a man named [Kojuro] from Katakura family who offers his help. Although there are not much good impression at first, that thought changes gradually as both of you spend time together. Meanwhile, all of a sudden, an arrangement put you to work as maid in Kojuro’s residence.

Inuchiyo (Maeda Toshiie)

Right after your reunion with Inuchiyo, your childhood friend, he changes into a cold person. As if there is no trace of good relationship around the time both of you are very young, you are being refused and rejected. However, Inuchiyo comes to help you as you are involved in an incident. While you are confused and cannot understand the present Inuchiyo, it has been decided that he would stay at Kyoto for a while.

Kagetora (Uesugi Kenshin)

In order to help your relatives, along the way towards Echigo, you encounter kidnapping and being taken to Hojo Castle. However, several days later, the castle falls at the hand of [Nagao Kagetora]. Again, in the middle of escaping to Echigo, you were found by a warlord with cold eyes…and the one who rescues you is that person, [Nagao Kagetora].

Harunobu (Takeda Shingen)

In order to help your small restaurant which suffers from financial difficulties, you go towards the area of Kai to work. However, the place you’ve been taken to work is to become the concubine of [Takeda Nobutora], Kai’s Lord!? While you are at lost, the chance meeting with red-haired man named [Harunobu] - helps you getting out from dilemma and so, your new life in Kai, begins. 

[ 後編 . Kohen . 2nd Part ]

Akechi Mitsuhide

With a copy of book as a start, you meet an elegance man, [Mitsuhide] by chance. Two person shorten their distance by common topics. However, suddenly, you are informed about a crime you done without reasons/causes (she’s actually innocent). Even if you are being prisoned, Mitsuhide who does not give up on you thinks of something. Due to his action, you manage to leave prison and work as a cook.

Genjirou (Sanada Yukimura)

You go to the shrine at the back of hill to perform your offering. Suddenly, a voice could be heard from inside the shrine. Looking into it, there was an injured samurai named [Genjirou]. Even if you feel he is likely to be dangerous especially he does not open his heart to you, you still take care of him. [Genjirou] who gradually recovering, starts to open his heart for you and decides to place himself in the city of Kyoto.

Tojirou (Date Masamune)

Since your relative is collapsed, you come to Oshu to help at the small restaurant. Then, by chance, you meet a reserve young man, [Tojirou] there. Each time both of you are meeting, he shows you various facial expression. One day, that truth of him as the next head of Date Clan, [Date Masamune] is known to you.

Tokichirou (Toyotomi Hideyoshi)

You work for a daimyo, Matsushita at his residence. One day, you meet again with [Tokichirou], the guy who chases thief at town some while ago. However, you are bewildered by his attitude that is very different unlike before. One day, right after Tokichirou starting to show various facial expression somehow, an occasion leads you to live along with Tokichirou and the other 2 guys under an order.

Matsudaira Motoyasu (Tokugawa Ieyasu)

Sunpu. You who was supposed to work for Imagawa Yoshimoto encounters Imagawa Clan’s hostage, [Matsudaira Motoyasu]. Though he’s enduring harsh treatment, Motoyasu constantly keeps smiling. While you are looking after him, gradually, you come to think that you want to touch the innermost depths of his heart.

Sakichi (Ishida Mitsunari)

While working at Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s residence, by chance, you encounter [Sakichi], who spends his every day being indifferent and does not allowed anyone to come close to him other than Hideyoshi. He is someone who cannot get through by common sense and his honest and straight trait always come to strike. While you are touching that undecorated honesty, your heart starts to stir up.

ALL 12 DONE!

I already make translation for the first 6 lords of 2nd chapter, so we just need to wait for second batch to come out tomorrow (there’s already new Saizo cg slot in tenka), then I’ll post them in one shot~