Before you read this, please read this author's note. If you ignore it, I won't hesitate to sic the fangirls on you.

I conceived, started and planned this story within around an hour of watching the third episode of the first season of Basara and finding the Avatar Creator on Rinmaru games. So although the third season (Which is hereby declared to be non-canon by me) has been and gone, I'd appreciate it if you could put up with my story, even though it starts way back in the first season.

Pretty, pretty please?

Remember, I know fangirls.

Ryota could still remember the day that he first met Lady Hiroto Sayomi. His father was writing a book detailing the Sengoku period in full, and had spent years interviewing practically anyone he could. As the project continued and the list of potential witnesses grew, he began dispatching his children to speak to them, and with three older brothers and one older sister, Ryota could be forgiven for assuming that he would never have to embark on such a task.

He was proven wrong in July, when before setting course for Oshu to speak with the One Eyed Dragon's wife, his father instructed him to go to Mino and follow up on an suggestion from the Shogun's spymaster who had told him the previous year that his wife would most likely want to give her story as well. So with no small amount of grumbling on his part, Ryota packed his bags and set out with his guide immediately, hoping that whatever tale the woman could tell him wouldn't be too boring to sit through.

When they arrived, they were greeted at the gate by a young woman, who although matching Lady Hiroto's description was clearly too young to be her. Indeed, the guards who let them in greeted her as 'Momo', which aside from being a clear nickname, also identified her as the spymaster's daughter, who Ryota's father had called Kotori in his notes.

"I should warn you," She murmured as she led him through the halls of her home, looking into each room for her mother, "Mother wasn't that pleased to hear that Father had pointed you in her direction."

"My father's project is very ambitious." Ryota admitted, trying not to give away his own thoughts on it. Evidently his tone was enough though, because Kotori smiled in a very strained manner, her eyes finally lighting up when she came across an open door. Bidding Ryota to stay back a little, she entered, speaking calmly as she did, although soothing some kind of beast. "Mother? The writer's son has arrived."

"I'll tell you what I told your father, I don't want to speak to him."

"Mother, he's travelled all the way from-"

"Then give him some dinner and leave me in peace. In an hour your siblings finish with the tutor and I want to get this letter finished before then."

There was silence for a couple of seconds, steps indicating Kotori moving from the door, and then a gasp of disbelief, "Mother!"

"He set a writer on me."

"You're threatening to have him castrated!"

"No, I'm threatening to castrate him myself. There is a difference." Hearing those words made all blood depart Ryota's cheeks, and when Kotori finally stomped out, her own flushed; she took one look at him and made for the kitchen, yelling for two cups of tea when they were in audible distance.

Cradling their cups as they sat on the decking, Kotori finally sighed, "She's not usually like that."

Nodding, Ryota settled his eyes on the garden, trying to find any form of serenity in the large pond he could see. Several leaves floated idly on the surface, their cupped shapes indicating that they were being used as boats, and that whichever child had chosen the smallest was in the lead. Breaking into his thoughts, Kotori continued her defence of her mother, "Since hearing that someone was writing a book about the war's, and interviewing her friends, it's been like walking on china. If my father was here, he'd know what to do."

"If your father was here, he'd be losing a key piece of his anatomy." Ryota teased, enjoying the giggles it brought out of her.

"Perhaps. But she loves him too much to actually go through with it." Tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, Kotori nibbled on her lip, finally placing her cup down and getting to her feet, "Come on, I have a plan, one that has to work."

Once again finding himself outside of Lady Sayomi's study, Ryota tucked his arms behind him and bounced on the balls of his feet, straining his eats trying to pick up the conversation inside. However this time, Kotori had closed the door behind her, and even if it had been open, it was doubtful he'd have been able to hear over the giggles of the room's other occupants.

Finally though, the door slid open, and the boy he'd caught a glimpse of before the door had closed peeked out at him, finally breaking into a toothy grin, "Mama said you can come in if you want."

Nodding at him, Ryota slowly edged past, only looking into the room when the door had been pulled shut behind him. To the side, Kotori and another girl were stood, both clasping their hands nervously. But every inch of Ryota's attention was taken by the figure standing in the doorway across from him, her back facing inwards. Clad in a pitch black kimono and navy obi, Lady Hiroto Sayomi cut a fairly intimidating figure, the effect only increasing as she continued to ignore her guest.

"Don't be scared." A small voice advised. Looking round in surprise, Ryota met the eyes of Kotori's younger sister, who was watching him impassively. "Mama won't hurt you."

"Yumiko." Kotori whispered, nudging her in warning. Shrugging unapologetically, Yumiko continued watching Ryota, her gaze subtly taking his mind away from his true purpose.

All until her mother spoke, "Yumiko, take Isamu along to the kitchens and get yourselves an early dinner. Tell them I'll send for our own when we're hungry."

"Yes Mama." Slipping away from her sister, Yumiko moved past Ryota with a small smile, patting his hand gently. "You'll be alright." Practically in the same second she was gone, taking her brother with her.

Now alone with only Kotori and a woman capable of threatening castration casually, Ryota took a large gulp, unexpectedly earning pity from the woman across from him. Taking a final look at the garden, Lady Sayomi finally acknowledged her guest, stepping closer with every beat of the boy's heart. Watching nervously from the side, Kotori began biting her lip again.

Without even looking at her mother, she could pinpoint the moment that Ryota was finally able to meet her eyes, closing her own sadly when her new friend stiffened. "So, my story can't be all that interesting, if they send a boy to collect it."

"I'm two years away from my ceremony, my Lady." Ryota defended, "My father would have been here, but he had other business in Oshu…" His voice died as Lady Sayomi laughed, but not unkindly.

"I know, my sister in law's letter got here shortly before you did."

Keeping his gaze centred at the scarlet one on him, Ryota tried hard to look away, but found himself unable to, "At your age, I can only wonder if you know anything about the story your father wants from me."

"I know a few things, my Lady."

"Such as?"

"My father's notes say that you were an onna-bugeisha, and that you can provide his book with another side, one that no-one else could give." Realising he was wringing his own hands, Ryota quickly dropped them.

Seemingly unaffected, Lady Sayomi stepped closer to her daughter, placing a hand on her shoulder, letting it be covered by Kotori's. "I suppose in many ways that is true. All of the other Oda officers are dead."

Eyes widening, Ryota realised his throat was drying up, and he was shaking in fright. Still stroking her mother's hand comfortingly, Kotori looked over at him, mouth trying hard to smile. Finally finding his voice again, the boy returned her haphazard expression, "Then, you would be able to give a very different side to the story."

"I suppose I would."

Turning around to face him, Lady Sayomi seemed to release the unease she held over the room, fixing her features into a genuine smile. "Where would you like me to begin?"

"I'll send for tea." Kotori offered, practically skipping out of the room in happiness. Watching her leave, Lady Sayomi indicated Ryota take a seat at her desk, settling opposite him moments later, tucking the letter she had been penning underneath her books with a conspiring wink.

"How about we start where everyone else did?" Ryota offered, pouring a small vial of water over his inkstone as he spoke. "At Okehazama?"

"Very well." From where he'd first placed his brush onto the stone, Ryota froze, glancing up at the much younger voice. But they were alone in the room, Lady Sayomi fixing him with a quizzical look, "Are you alright?"

"I'm…fine." Ryota eventually settled on, priming himself for a lengthy writing session, "So, what happened in the Oda camp before you went for Imagawa's head?"

But even though his eyes were on her lips as she speaks, each word matching perfectly, the only voice Ryota could hear was the younger one. Pushing his unease aside, he quickly settled to write the words as she spoke them, neither of them noticing when Kotori crept back in a tray balanced on her arm.

*Facepalms* I forgot the disclaimer. I DON'T OWN BASARA. IF I DID, THEN SASUKE WOULD'VE BEEN PLAYABLE IN 3!