Friendship
Dedicated to Drake, for whom this was written.
A cold, clean wind blew across the fields of Gifu.
Sakon breathed in the autumn air deeply. For days he'd smelt nothing but the stench of blood and filth, and later that of charred flesh as the thousands of bodies that littered Sekigahara had been burnt. The battlefield had literally turned red with blood. It was nothing new to him, but it was a relief to leave it behind.
Ishida Mitsunari rode at the head of the column. For now, he would return to Sawayama Castle to rest. The eagle-eyed lord looked quietly triumphant, his face betraying little of the weariness from the days of battles, conferences and giving orders. His victory was great; defeating Tokugawa Ieyasu had removed the last obstacle in his path, and he would soon take his place as ruler of Japan. He had brought peace to the land.
Sakon had been instrumental in Mitsunari's rise. He had unceasingly planned and devised his lord's victory. His stratagems had outwitted every one of their enemies. Yet he did not resent the fact that it was Mitsunari, and not him, who would be in power; he had no interest in ruling. He served his lord so that he might one day know a land without conflict. Now, his work was coming to fruition.
How many years had it been since he chose to wander as a masterless ronin? Disillusioned and disgusted by the petty power politics between the daimyo, he had eschewed pledging his loyalty to any master, rejecting even the most generous offers.
Until the day Mitsunari strode into his life, and he had made his choice.
"What I want to buy, is the heart so angered by injustice…"
Ever since that day, he had never once looked back. From conquering Kyushu and the Hojo in the beginning, to crushing those who opposed his lord's claim to power after Hideyoshi's death, he had always known Mitsunari was the man to serve. He didn't care solely for wealth or influence, unlike so many others. He wanted to see a land ruled by the just, and for that, Sakon was proud to serve him.
His thoughts were interrupted by Mitsunari addressing him.
"You've worked hard to make sure we got this far. You'll be well-rewarded when all this fighting is over."
Sakon turned to see a hint of a smile on his lord's face, his mood unusually light. His expression was calm, but his eyes reflected satisfaction. Yet for all the wit and talent that had served Mitsunari so well, Sakon was inwardly amused at how his lord still didn't fully understand him.
He snorted and shook his head. "Give it to someone else, will you? I didn't join you for the money." He straightened up and looked Mitsunari in the eye.
"It was to serve a lord who hated injustice." On a sudden impulse, he grabbed the reins and galloped into the distance.
"Wait!" Mitsunari called out, reaching out a hand instinctively, before he lowered it to the reins once more. He hid a small smile as he gazed at the man whom had, through years of battle, shared experiences and loyalty, become one of his closest companions.
"Allow me to call you… my friend." With that, he urged his horse forward to catch up, the column behind him following.
The thundering sound of hooves faded, as they left the fields of Gifu behind them, the wind still whipping against their skin.
A/N: Eh. My first time writing about Sakon. Hoped I characterized him ok...