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tentoriwrites · 7 years ago

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Choose Your Own Adventure Prologue: Uesugi, Date, Takeda

It was early evening as I sat in the central cloister of the teahouse. There was a garden there with a huge cherry tree. The last of the wispy blossoms were hanging from the branches, a stray petal wafting lazily to the ground from time to time. On the mossy ground, leaning against the tree trunk, a moment of reprieve from the busy day found me. I rubbed my fingers over the rough bark of the roots I had nestled myself between. It wouldn’t be long before I would have to get dressed again… With my head carefully resting against the trunk, I looked up at the sky. Brief glimpses of the moon and stars through the branches, still thin of foliage, illuminated the darkening space. I reached my hand up slowly trying to grab hold of the moon, trying to catch it so it would carry me away. I sang a melancholy song I made up a long time ago, when I was young and foolish enough to hope. A prayer to the moon for it to take me away. My song was interrupted by the sliding open of a door directly in front of me.

“I was certain it was coming from here…” A man’s voice said as he came to the edge of the veranda. He was a stunning picture illuminated by the pale moon light filtering through the branches overhead. Had my wish actually come true? Had the Lord of the Moon come to take me away? Surely, he was far too beautiful to be a mere mortal. “This place is absolutely beautiful…” He sighed with a smile as he looked around. Then he caught sight of me amongst the roots and quirked is head to the side. I tried to hide the fact I had been outright staring at him but looking as casual as possible. “You must be the goddess presiding over this garden…” He commented as he crouched down, surely watching my cheeks turn a shade of pink through my white makeup.

“Forgive me, Milord. I am simply an entertainer.” I replied as I got to my feet and bowed deeply to him.

“I’ve never been entertained by a goddess before…” I slowly raised up to see his serenely smiling face. Mine was burning so hot I thought it might catch fire. No one has ever complimented me so directly or openly. “My name is Uesugi Kenshin. May I have yours, my Goddess?” I looked at him wide-eyed. So he was not the Moon come to take me away after all. And yet, I was not as disappointed about this as I thought I might.

“Mejiro is what they call me, Milord Uesugi. Forgive me, I was not expecting you just yet. Please allow me to change into something more appropriate.” My speech sped up as I started to leave. “I’ll have your room prepared right away as well.”

“My room is already prepared.” His gentle voice replied and I stopped to look at him. He just gestured around him with a broad sweep of his hands. “And I doubt any clothes made by mortal men could make a goddess more beautiful than you are now…” I was utterly confounded by this man. I can generally tell flattery for the sake of being flirtatious but that didn’t seem to be what he was doing at all.

“If that is what you wish, Milord…” I replied with a weary smile and a bow. I joined him on the veranda before spotting some people in the room behind him.

“Whoa! She really is pretty, Lord Kenshin!” A young samurai beamed with utmost enthusiasm as soon as he saw me. I just looked at him utterly stunned for his directness.

“Will you ever learn not to just blurt out whatever comes to mind?” A mother hen-ish samurai sighed, rubbing one of his temples as he spoke. Beyond him a hostess was standing in the hall looking at me petrified.

“I’m sorry he just heard you from the other hall and came over.” She explained in a frantic whisper as I approached her.

“Please let them know the change of rooms for Lord Uesugi. We will need the food and drinks brought here now.” I replied with a smile, putting her at ease. She nodded and left. “Forgive me, Milords it will be just a few minutes for the food and drinks.” One of the men looked utterly exasperated by the whole ordeal as I set about lighting the braziers and lanterns.

“You really shouldn’t indulge him. If a room was already prepared you should take us to it.” He sighed rubbing his temples.

“But this room has such a beautiful view. Besides, I found the goddess of a great cherry tree. Surely it was fate that brought us together.” Lord Kenshin went on as everyone made themselves comfortable. “Do you believe in fate?” He asked looking directly at me.

“I believe in the Fate of tragedy if nothing else.” I replied honestly before I could stop myself. I quickly covered in the face of his curious look. “We live in a tragic time, Milord. I am no less aware of that, safe in the walls of this place.” I gestured around me with a small wave of my hands. He smiled sanguinely, a smile so genuine that it threatened to break me then and there.

“It is such a tragedy for a bird to be stuck in a cage…” He mused as he reached his blithe fingers out and caressed my cheek gently.

“Milord! We have been over this! It is not appropriate to just touch people whenever you want!” The rather mother hen type of samurai fussed as he grabbed Lord Kenshin’s hand and yanked it away.

“I just wanted to make sure she was real! You never let me have any fun Kanetsugu…” He pouted as he sat down on the veranda. I couldn’t help but laugh at this odd sort of dynamic between them.

“Milord Kanetsugu.” I commented happily as I moved about the room positioning cushions for everyone. “I have had the privilege of serving a great many people. Not all of them so kind as your Lord Uesugi.” I added as everyone settled themselves around the table.

“Seems you already learned flattery will get you everywhere with Lord Kenshin…” A samurai with silvery hair scoffed playfully from his seat.

“That isn’t entirely true Kageie…” Lord Kenshin more or less whined. Before anyone else could say anything one of the hostesses announced the drinks and food were ready. They brought everything in followed by the Lord Proprietor. He shot me a look, a look I knew all too well. He was quite good at hiding the malice in his eyes but I knew it was there and what it meant. I unconsciously stiffened as he bowed deeply, apologetically to Lord Kenshin.

“Please forgive me, Milord. It seems one of my entertainers does not know how to present herself to someone such as yourself.” He got up and yanked me to my feet by the arm. “Allow me to bring someone with more respect for your station…” He started to yank me out of the room when someone grabbed my wrist.

“If it’s all the same to you, I asked the little cherry goddess to stay just as she was…” I followed his hand up to his face. He was smiling all the same but there was something completely different about how he was looking at my lord… Something akin to malice behind the ethereal depths of his eyes. It sent a chill down my spine and I quickly shot my glance to my lord. He begrudgingly let go of my arm and looked as congenially as ever at Lord Kenshin.

“If that is what you would like, Milord.” He bowed again and took his leave just as two more hostesses brought my koto in and sat it on the floor. Once my Lord was well out of ear shot, Lord Kenshin let go of my wrist, the ice gone from behind his eyes once more.

“An even greater tragedy that foolish men exist who would delight in trampling the flowers in the garden… Too blind to see their true beauty.” He commented as he took me by the arm and settled me at the koto. I tried to fix my troubled expression with a smile.

“It is as you say, Milord. But, all things are destined to die the moment they are born.” I put on my happiest smile to dispel the tension in the room. “Enough with such heavy thoughts! Have you any requests, Milords?” They were some of the most jovial people I had ever met… Poor Lord Kanetsugu tried so hard to keep them in line. Despite his best efforts, by the end of the night I was teaching Lord Kenshin how to do fan dances. As graceful as he seemed, he was not much for this kind of dance. He fell down laughing, causing the whole room to burst along with him, myself included. That was when Lord Kanetsugu decided it was time for them to leave.

“Thank you for the wonderful evening, our lovely sakura goddess.” Lord Kenshin bemused as he stood to leave.

“The pleasure has been all mine, Lord Kenshin.” I answered with a bow, hiding the blush on my cheeks. “But I promise you, I am no goddess…” I added with a sigh. He’s the one that seems not of this world…

“Perhaps you have just forgotten what you once were.” His suggestion hung on the air as he turned to walk away. As if on some kind of cue, a stiff wind blew down through the garden throwing the last of the cherry petals over the floor around me. I gasped, staring at his back as he walked away. I shook my head smiling in self-deprecation for letting my imagination get away from me... again… I turned to go back out to the veranda.

“If gods do exist, surely they have forsaken me…” I whispered looking back up at the moon. “They certainly pay me no mind…”

“Then the gods are all fools…” A voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I spun around to see Lord Kenshin standing behind me, a pristine cherry blossom in his hand. He gently pushed it into my hair, all the while wearing an ethereal smile. I just stood there stunned as he spoke again. “If your wings are ever strong enough to fly you to Kasugayama, I’ll be sure there’s a tree for you to roost in.” I started to get lost in his eyes a moment as he leaned down to speak so only I would hear. “If I don’t come back steal you from the cherry tree, that is…” My heart throbbed as I watched him walk away. How foolish of me to have hoped he would return…

“I have been overlooking your behavior somewhat considering how much money you earn for me…” The Lord Proprietor growled as he dragged me up the stairs toward my room by the collar. “I will NOT tolerate this kind of behavior when you KNOW we have important guests…” He hissed in my ear before throwing me through the open door of my room.

“I was shopping on my day off! I was never told someone had requested me.” I protested indignantly as I got to my feet.

“Since when has anyone HAD to request you?” He whipped back equally indignant. “You are mine and when I say you’re working, you’re working.”

“So, you’re saying I can never leave this place because on a whim you might make me work? I am no slave, no piece of property.” I glared at him fiercely and he came right up to me. I knew what he was going to do. I side-stepped a punch he was about to throw into my gut and leveled him with one sweep of my foot. “You seem to forget, I had samurai brothers…” I looked up at Yuzuke, my “chaperone.” “Get him out of here…” Yuzuke helped the Lord Proprietor to his feet.

“This isn’t over…” He growled making a move towards me again. I smacked him as hard as I could upside the face.

“It is if you want me ready in time to greet these guests of yours…” I hissed as Yuzuke started to pull him away.

“She has a point, Boss…” He soothed as the Lord Proprietor wrenched his arm free.

“Later…” He hissed as I turned my back to him and the door slammed shut.

“Let’s get you dressed, little songbird…” Mistress Yuki soothed as she ran her hand across my cheek. “You’ve not forgotten your lessons…” She went on with a satisfied smile. I put my hand on top of hers and smiled.

“I had an excellent teacher.” She smiled a bit broader before moving her hands down to my obi.

“Don’t forget, there are other lessons I can teach you, if you’re ever interested…” She whispered playfully as she untied my obi with one hand and run her long, blithe fingers into the front of my kimono, below my obi, with the other.

“Later…” I replied in a hoarse whisper as I blushed and looked away. “If you’re still here later.”

“Of course, little songbird…” She was still teasing me as she worked the obi loose. With Mistress Yuki’s help, it took no time at all for me to get ready. We had done this together countless times before. The older I got, the more she teased me about how beautiful I had gotten and how she’d love to put more on my body than a kimono… I was no longer able to determine if she was teasing me or if she was serious…

“Off you go now…” She gave me a nudge down the hall causing me to trip a little. “Don’t forget, when all else fails, show a bit of neck…” She winked at me and I shook my head in exasperation. It was only then I realized, no one told me who was on the other side of the doors. I looked back and Mistress Yuki quickly, she was leaning against a pillar. “Date…” She whispered and I nodded.

“Excuse me, Lord Date?” I asked quietly.

“Please come in.” A smooth, dignified voice called. I pushed the door open and the first thing I heard as a gasp.

“Wow! This place has some of the prettiest girls around!” A jovial voice added from the young samurai across the room.

“Yes, they certainly are something to behold. But that doesn’t mean you need to be so forward about it.” That smooth voice chided from an older man. The third person in the room said nothing.

“Thank you for such kind words, Milord. You honor me.” I bowed to the young samurai before settling myself in the room.

“Word is that you are quite the singer.” The older samurai went on after introductions had been made. “Thank you for seeing us on such short notice.”

“The honor is mine, Milord Katakura.”

“Truthfully, I have heard rumors that you are equally talented in poetry.” He went in with a hint of intrigue.

“If we are being truthful, then my best game is shiritori.” I conceded which, seemed to delight him all the more. So, three of us started the game. Failure to produce a word immediately resulted in a drink. Poor Lord Shigezane had become far too drunk to play quite early on. Lord Katakura put up a valiant effort but we eventually called it a tie, both of us having drank more than our fair share of sake. Only after Lord Kojuro’s desire for a game had been satisfied, did I notice Lord Masamune had hardly drank anything and ate almost nothing. I poured him a cup out of courtesy. I took a sip from my own cup before asking if they had any requests for songs. Only after I had taken a drink did Lord Masamune finally drink something. AH HA! So that’s the problem… I knew I couldn’t just come right out and say anything so I started suggesting that Lord Shigezane eat to make sure he didn’t get a hangover. I would take a nibble of everything I suggested to emphasize how good it tasted. Finally, Lord Masamune was eating! Now I finally felt like I could call this day a success…

While Lord Masamune picked I started to play the koto and sing. I had no way of knowing if he liked it or not. Lord Masamune only seemed to have one expression, or rather a lack of one… At the end of the night I had been unable to elicit any reaction at all out of him. I sighed inwardly knowing the Lord Proprietor was already mad so Lord Masamune’s displeasure would just make things worse.

“Thank you.” A quiet, calm voice said as I bowed to the Date as they left. “It was… a nice night.” I peeked up and saw Lord Masamune’s back as he was leaving.

“Do forgive Lord Masamune, he is a man of few words.” Lord Kojuro offered with a smile. “Perhaps if you are ever in Oshu, you would grace us again.” He added with a bow.

“Yeah! Come see us sometime, Doll!” Lord Shigezane beamed. I breathed a sigh of relief as I shuffled out of the room. Mistress Yuki was waiting for me in the hall.

“Well that went better than expected…” She mused as we wandered up to my room.

“Yes, but I’m already exhausted and I still have to deal with him.” I lamented as I started to get changed.

“Oh… I wouldn’t worry about him. He seems to have expelled all his energy on something. I don’t suppose he’ll be waking up any time soon.” She had a coy look on her face and I knew she had something to do with it.

“Mistress Yuki… Why, out of all the girls, have you taken such a liking to me?” I asked the same question I had asked her for years but never got a straight answer to.

“Because out of all the girls here…” She began in her sultry voice as she pulled the kimono from my shoulders. “You being here is the most tragic.”

“Ah yes, well the Fate of Tragedy is even more fond of me than you.” I sighed as I changed into my bedclothes.

“You could have come with me and escaped all this…” She went on as she stopped me from pulling my clothes on all the way. She traced an old faded scar on my back with a cold, slender finger.

“You know I could never…” I stopped myself in mid-thought. “I just don’t have it in me to kill someone in cold blood…” I went on deciding that was the more convincing argument than I don’t think I could seduce a man. She’d have a real field day with that. She started to laugh quietly and I knew she was smirking. Surely she had already seen through me.

“If you not being able to seduce a man is the problem, you should know that voice of yours is as silver as my hair…” She teased before something cold on my back sent me jumping in shock. “Relax, it’s a balm for the scars. It will make them less pronounced.”

“Oh… Thank you…” I replied as I eased back down in a sitting position. “Mistress Yuki…”

“Yes, little songbird?” She has called me that since the day I met her a decade ago.

“Why do you do this for me? I can’t repay you…” I often asked this question but I never got a straight answer to it either. It was usually, “I have to have a reason?” That would be the end of it.

“If I had to give you an answer…” She wrapped her arms around my waist and rested her head on my shoulder. “I have my own reasons… Let’s just leave it at that…”

“You’re never going to give me a straight answer, are you?” I grumbled as I shrugged her off my shoulders.

“Maybe one day, when you’re ready for the answer!” She teased with a wink.

“I’m not sure why I even bothered but, at least I got a different answer this time…” I chuckled a little as I got up to get dressed again.

“You should get a good night’s sleep. You’ll be going on a trip in a few days.” She handed me a letter.

“You read my mail?” I asked incredulously as I took the letter. She just looked at me coyly and smiled.

“You get the best love letters! I was hoping for more juicy poetry lines for my romances.” She replied with a smirk. “You really should answer some of those letters or you’ll get a reputation you know.”

“Oh, and what kind of reputation is that?” She was distracting me far too much to read right now. “As a stuck-up woman?”

“As only liking women…” She whispered as she leaned in and traced my lips with her finger tip. I looked at her wide-eyed and blushing.

“Mistress Yuki…” I whispered averting my eyes. She was entirely too pleased by my reaction.

“What’s the matter, little songbird? Cat got your tongue?” She mused as she pulled away, dragging her finger across my lips one last time for embarrassingly good measure. When I looked back at her to poke fun at her terrible pun I noticed something. For the first time, there was some other expression than her usual playfulness. I couldn’t quite figure out what was different about her expression though… “You should read that letter, I’ll start packing for you.”

“Oh… um… thank you.” I quickly read the letter then looked at her in total disbelief. “Lord Nagamasa and Lady Oichi were serious about having me entertain them…” I muttered as my hand fell to my lap, the letter slipping from my hands. It fluttered listlessly across the floor, landing next to Mistress Yuki.

“This is a tremendous opportunity. If you can get a new patron like Nagamasa…” Mistress Yuki’s voice trailed off, her implication already fully acknowledged by my brain. It is what I had already been thinking. “So, you had better do your best!” She added with a sly grin.

The day before I was supposed to leave, I had one final client to see before setting off. I could hear people bustling around the streets through my opened window. I looked down at the street, people watching as best I could from where my window was on the building. “Is this your luggage?” Yuzuke called and I got down off my toes.

“Yes, has someone come for it already?” I asked confused as he hefted my wooden chest onto his shoulder.

“Or Lord is leaving with your Father tonight.” Was all he said before leaving the room, sliding the door shut.

“If Father is leaving tonight… Who is taking me to…” I let out a long, labored sigh. “Yuzuke… so I have a warden at all times…” I groaned angrily as I collapsed to my knees with a huff.

As I prepared to go, Mistess Yuki dropped by my room once again. She had her usual smile but I could tell from her stance that something was a foot. “What’s wrong?” I asked as I put on my makeup.

“That brother of mine wandered off and got lost again. I really should go find him…” She sighed speaking as if the whole affair bored her.

“The youngest one?” She never told me their names, or how old they were but I few she had two brothers.

“No, the oldest one…” She sighed again as she idly twisted a piece of hair in her fingers.

“That is unusual, is it not?” My eye brows arched as I turned to look at her. “You don’t think…” She pressed a finger to her lips and winked at me. Oh right… I’m not supposed to know… “I’m just saying… You said he had that illness a while back…” I went on to cover. “He could be laid up somewhere.”

“That is possible I suppose. No one knows what goes on in his head though.” She replied sauntering up to me slowly. She worked her fingers into my hair pulling it back in long smooth strokes. “You know, I probably won’t see you again for a quite some time.” There was no hint of emotion in her voice as she focused on my hair.

“I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone but I can’t imagine it would be very long.” I commented thoughtfully.

“My brother ran off so he wouldn’t be stuck with the youngest.” She replied tersely as she gave my hair a particularly rough tug. I winced and immediately grabbed at her hand. “Sorry, little Songbird.” She soothed and kissed my hand softly.

“Why would he run off because of your other brother? Can you tell me?” I wondered out of genuine concern. She rolled her eyes but I could tell her annoyance was with the situation and not me.

“He’s a handful and now someone has to train him in the family profession since he’ll come of age soon.” She muttered tugging my hair roughly again.

“Owe! I know I said I like it a little rough but we’ve discussed hair pulling!” I yelped out a joke trying to soothe her mood. She dropped my hair instantly and her cold fingers slipped easily into my loosened kimono.

“Do we now?” Her voice was sultry and sweet in my ear as she pressed against my back.

“It was a joke to make you less irritated!” I yelped out again as her hands ventured places I would have rather she not touch right now. The color of my cheeks seeping through my unfinished makeup.

“You should know better than to make jokes like that…” She whispered and her lips brushed my ear with each syllable she uttered. “That silver voice of yours has a way with people you know…”

“I think it’s more you’re a cat looking for a meal…” I joked again as she slid her hands out slowly, grazing over my skin causing me to shiver. She scoffed at my joke and I caught a genuine smile out of the corner of my eye. She smiled into my neck before kissing it.

“Songbird’s are hardly big enough to consider a snack…” She mused before sliding her hand over the cloth covering my chest. She gave my breast a firm squeeze causing me to jump a little, cheeks a vibrant red now. “Why would I settle for mochi when I can have daifuku?” She mused Before working her fingers into my hair again. I couldn’t help but pout a little at her clear jab at the difference in size between us. That was really cruel...

“Oh, and you’re interested in what as a meal? Tigers?” I joked again dispelling the slight sting of her teasing.

“As it just so happens, yes. And one of those tigers is on his way here...” She answered in a more matter of fact tone than I could ever talk about such things. “You have been requested to entertain Takeda Shingen, the Tiger of Kai.”

“Is that so?” I wasn’t really interested in who I served or what their position was in the world. It was all the same to me. Figure out what they liked, put the mask on, get through another day.

“You’ll have a hard time with him if you’re not willing to bend that moral virtue of yours a little bit.” Her voice was teasing but I could tell she was trying to veil meaning in her words. “If you can make it with him, you’d have no real excuse not to come with me…” She punctuated the last sentence by shoving a hair pin through the restrained tresses. I sat in deep contemplation for a few moments as she finished my hair.

“So you’re saying I’ll need to seduce him a little?” I finally asked quietly.

“Let’s just say you will need to dance a fine line in order to keep him interested but not give him the wrong impression of you.” Was the only explanation she cared to give. “He has quite the reputation for being a charmer. If you can charm him instead…” She went on as she got to her feet again. She stopped at the door and I turned to bid her good-bye. The ice cold look in her eyes sent a chill down my spine. “One of Takeda’s retainers keeps a ninja in his employ. If he is with them, avoid him at all costs… Remember what I told you about ninja…” She was completely serious, more serious than I had heard her in a long time.

“I remember…” I whispered rather mechanically.

“That’s a good girl! Have fun!” She winked at me before disappearing.

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, it seemed I would have normal night entertaining one of our high-profile guests. They had already requested me, they were in their proper room, and they were precisely on time. I announced myself cheerfully and a resonant, confident voice bid me enter. It was immediately apparent who Takeda Shingen was. This man, with is hair like a sky a blaze with the setting sun all at once made me want to crawl away from his presence and yet not want to move.

“You are the singer I’ve heard so much about.” He beamed as soon as I entered the room.

“I am honored my reputation has spread so far, Milord.” I answered with a bow. “It is my honor to entertain you tonight.” I added for good measure. I quickly scanned the room noting the two other figures there.

“This is Sanada Yukimura and his friend Saizo.” Lord Shingen commented as I bowed to them. I couldn’t help but notice Lord Yukimura was blushing fiercely. Lord Shingen seemed to realize what I was wondering about. “Don’t mind Yukimura, he’s just shy around girls. Especially if he finds them attractive.”

“Milord Shingen…” Lord Yukimura whined as his blush spread from his cheeks to the whole of his face.

“It’s nothing to be ashamed of, Yukimura. She’s a beautiful young woman!” Lord Shingen laughed, his whole body shaking. There it was… Just what I expected based on how Mistress Yuki spoke. Flattery for the sake of flattery. I smiled and hid my face behind my sleeve.

“Milord!” I gasped with fake embarrassment. “Surely you are not speaking of me.” I turned away from him and back to Lord Yukimura. “You’ve no reason to be shy around me, Milord.” I smiled brightly at him as I lowered my sleeve which, only made his cheeks more red. Ok… good to know, don’t look at him too much…

“Just get the little lord enough sake and he’s clay in your hands…” A man with silver hair replied rather bored as he lounged lazily on some cushions.

“We certainly do not lack in sake!” I beamed taking a flask and cup. I filled the cup and offered it to Lord Shingen before doing likewise for Lord Yukimura. He reached out apprehensively to take the cup, cheeks a shade of red akin to a perfectly ripe apple. His fingers slipped but I managed to catch the cup immediately placing it back in his hands. “I’m very sorry, Milord.” I apologized, taking the blame to make him feel less nervous.

“Oh no it was all my fault.” He made a hasty apology before taking an even hastier drink. I poured a cup for Saizo but when I went to hand it to him something struck me. His face looked utterly disinterested but there was ice behind his copper colored eyes. The last time I saw that look was when Mistress Yuki met me for the first time. She had been trying to size me up. Surely he saw that little exchange with Lord Yukimura and now he was suspicious.

“Mistress Yuki asked me to say hello to you, Master Saizo.” I remarked after he had taken the cup. “She was regretful she had to leave before you arrived.”

“Is that so?” His answer was ambiguous at best but Lord Shingen chuckle heartily.

“Yes. Something about a wayward brother…” Sorry Mistress Yuki, not sorry! This is for that jab about the size of my chest!

“Leave it to Saizo to have a following…” Lord Shingen joked before finishing the last of his sake. “You wouldn’t know it but Saizo there has even more moves than I do.”

“Milord Shingen! I… I don’t think… that’s really… an appropriate thing… to be… talking about…” Lord Yukimura sputtered, the volume of his voice getting quietly while his blush grew deeper and more widespread. I didn’t know someone’s neck could blush… I just giggled as I turned to pour Lord Shingen more sake. When I turned to offer more to Lord Yukimura and Saizo, Saizo was gone. SUCCESS IS MINE!

“Ahh… It seems he was more eager to see Mistress Yuki than he let on.” I mused with a smile. “I suppose that just means more sake for you, Lord Yukimura.” I filled his cup up, although he insisted on leaving it on the floor this time.

“It’s no fun if we’re the only people drinking…” Lord Shingen grinned like a cat eying its prey as he shook a sake bottle in one hand and offered me a cup with the other. I smiled though it wasn’t for him. I have been drinking for money for years, Milord… If you think you’ll win so easily…

“Well… Maybe a cup or two. But I really don’t drink often…” I replied with feigned apprehension, taking the cup from him slowly. He smiled broadly as he cracked open the bottle.

“Get over here, Yukimura. Let me pour for you.” Lord Yukimura shuffled over and settled himself as far away from me as he could while still being in reach for Lord Shingen to fill his cup. All the while, he was mumbling something about how inappropriate it was for one woman to be drinking in alone with two men. Something about how he had to be responsible for my honor… Lord Shingen obviously heard him and chuckled once more.

“Yukimura…” The younger samurai’s gaze snapped up to his Lord. “There’s a guy right outside the door. Relax…”

“Wha???” He looked over at the door.

“That is not to say we suspect either of you capable of ill-action. But…” I knocked my head from side to side slowly. “Not all of those who request me are quite as respectful.” Lord Yukimura’s blush disappeared instantly, replaced by a starkly serious face.

“I promise you, on my honor as a samurai, I will not allow anyone to touch you without your permission so long as I am present.” The absolute earnestness in his sky-blue eyes was shocking and yet… comforting. He absolutely looked like he would kill a man for me if they even looked at me wrong. His utmost respect of me was so stark in contrast to what I was used to. For a moment it made me think of my older brother, Shintaro. I had always thought if I could find a man like Shintaro, I would be the luckiest woman in the world but, I never expected I would ever meet him.

“Th… thank you… Lord Yukimura. That means more to me than I could ever… ever express.” I couldn’t help but be honest in the face of his declaration.

“Enough of that! Drink up you two!” Lord Shingen urged before knocking back his own cup. That is how we passed the evening, drinking with me singing occasionally. Hours went by and Lord Yukimura had consumed more flasks of sake than I could count. Something told me, having a drinking contest with him was a bad idea…

“Laaaaddddyyyy Meeeejiiiiirooooo!” The highly inebriated samurai called to me as he plodded over. He bore a warm and happy smile as he sat his sake flask down.

“I think you’ve had just a bit too much, Yukimura.” Lord Shingen called but he was chuckling. “I’m sorry for him. Let me get him…” He moved to get up.

“Oh no, it’s fine…” I mused as Lord Yukimura settled his head on my lap. His cheeks were tinged pink but I knew now it was from the alcohol.

“He’s not usually this forward with women, even when he’s drunk. But he’s really drunk.” Lord Shingen explained easing back down.

“I would rather it be a happy drunk than an angry one.” I sighed smiling.

“Lady Mejiro! I have a favor to ask.” Lord Yukimura muttered quietly as he looked glassy eyed at the floor.

“What is it, Lord Yukimura.”

“Every great one hassss a name. But my shpear doessssn’t have a… a… name.” He pouted as he spoke. “Would you give my shpear a name?”

“Your spear?” I looked over to Lord Shingen.

“That’s his preferred weapon in battle.” I nodded in understanding.

“Yeash my shpear!” He beamed thrusting a hand into the air, index finger pointing at nothing in particular on the ceiling. “Do you want to see my shpear?”

“You don’t have your spear with you.” Lord Shingen pointed out.

“Shure I dooooo!” He beamed with a fool’s grin as his hand fell back to the floor with a thud.

“If that’s the spear you’re wanting a name for, you should come up with that on your own…” Lord Shingen huffed out as he laughed. “This is hardly the place to show a young woman that spear…”

“Wh… wha… what are you… talking about, Mi… Milord?” He looked bleary eyed over at Lord Shingen.

“That’s ok, Lord Yukimura, I don’t need to see it to give it a name.” I pressed a finger to my lips and thought a moment. “You are called the soul of the Sanada… and the fire for battle burns bright in you…” He looked up at me expectantly, his eyes only half open from his drunken stupor. “How about Burning Soul?”

“Burning Soul?” He mulled the name over in his head a moment then smiled. “I like it!” He turned back to looking at the floor. I chuckled at how boyish he behaved now and how different it was from when they had arrived.

“Thank you for indulging him but I think it’s time to leave.” Lord Shingen got to his feet and grabbed a now unconscious Lord Yukimura by the arms. A pair of retainers moved to take him out of the room. Lord Shingen then turned back to me, a mischievous look on his face. “You were every bit what the rumors said.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed your evening, Lord Takeda.” I bowed deeply to him.

“If you ever decide you want to serve a real man, come see me in Kai.” He offered but unlike so many others there was not a hint of joking in his voice. He was serious… Taken aback by his forward offer I just stared up at him a moment. The smile returned to his face and he bowed to me. “It has been an honor.”

“The honor was mine…” I replied confounded by his seemingly earnest show of respect. He offered me his hand and helped me to my feet. “Thank you, Milord.” I couldn’t help but look up at his face. He released my hand and pulled me close by the waist.

“If you prefer, I could take you away with me tonight.” He purred in my ear with all the gentleness of spring breeze. “Consider it. If you decide to spread your wings I’m staying at the inn just down the way.” I was trembling slightly in shock and excitement. This was… the most serious anyone had ever seemed about taking me away.

“You’re serious?” I whispered into his chest as he held me. My voice cracked threatening to take my mask along with it.

“Always.” He replied as he slowly pulled away.

“But what if the Lord Proprietor…” He pressed a finger to my lips.

“It is known you’re an Asakura…” He started with a confident grin that bordered on cocky. “The Asakura may be old but no one can match the power of the Takeda. If you come with me, no one will be able to take you back from me.” He went on before taking a step back. “Think it over…” Then he turned on his heel and left. I fell to my knees from nerves and sake. My jumbled thoughts were snapped instantly by an amused chuckle from the doorway. I looked up and saw Mistress Yuki leaning casually against a pillar outside looking at me with a knowing smile. She slowly stepped into the room, her amused smile melting into one of devilish intent.

“Well look at you…” She teased as she bent over and offered me her hand. “Catching the Tiger of Kai by the toe… Or should I say by the…”

“YUKI!” I snapped embarrassed. “Surely that’s not all he wants from me!” I hissed at a much lower volume. “I mean he offered to fight the family if it came to that. That seems a bit extreme if he were only interested in a concubine.”

“Clearly, you’re not familiar with the Tiger of Kai’s reputation…” She mused as she started to pull me out of the room. “Let’s just say I think he could give me a good run… If you catch my meaning.” She winked at me and I started to blush a little. “At the very least I wouldn’t have to use my usual techniques…” She added with a slight shrug. “More importantly, what are you going to do?” She stopped and looked right through me.

“I’m going to perform for Lord Nagamasa and Lady Oichi.” I replied without a moment’s hesitation. “I have no way of knowing what his intentions are. He could very well use me to warm his bed tonight and leave me in the morning.” I started to walk away. “I have no intention of being used in such a manner.”

“But what if he were serious?” She was playing devil’s advocate and I knew it.

“If he were truly serious in his pursuits, he would come for me again.” I replied over my shoulder.

“That’s a good girl…” She mused. “Never chase after a man. Always make him come to you. If he keeps coming back to you, then and only then do you give him that precious heart of yours…” I stopped and looked at her. That was the most bizarre thing she has ever said to me… Easily one of the most useful. But before I could press her on the matter, she disappeared.

Continue?

Yes

#slbp #choose your own adventure #fanfic #fanfiction

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