Hello~! I know I haven't updated some of my stories in a while, but I WILL be updating soon. I have been obsessing over Sengoku BASARA for a while now, so I wrote this ~!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Sengoku BASARA. If I did, Mitsunari would be in theapy, because I love him and because he needs some help.

Watanabe Hotaru crouched on the branch on a tree a few miles from Ueda Castle. The wind blew her hair into her face, causing her to whirl around and hold the end of her katana to the throat of the ninja behind her.

Her eyes widened but then narrowed when she realized who she was looking at. "Why is the ninja of Sanada Yukimura following me?"

Sarutobi Sasuke held his hands up in mock surrender. "Hey, just to let you know, I live here. So, calm down, will 'ya? I came to talk to you about joining us."

Hotaru slowly pulled the katana from his neck but kept it unsheathed. "Joining you? Why?"

Sasuke looked away and scratched his head awkwardly. "Well, there's a war coming, and we can use all the help we can get. I know you're strong, as strong as me probably, and I must do everything to keep my Master safe."

Hotaru stared at him for several minutes before sheathing her sword and turning away from him.

"I understand your need to protect your Master, I really do, Sarutobi Sasuke. However, I do not believe you need my services to defeat Tokugawa Ieyasu. Good day."

Hotaru jumped away from Sasuke, leaving him to sigh and follow after her. Hotaru stopped abruptly, causing Sasuke to crash into her and they fell off the branch and onto the forest floor.

Hotaru glared at Sasuke from underneath him. He just grinned and stared down at her.

"I didn't think we'd be in this position so early." He teased.

Watanabe scowled and shoved him off of her. "Why are you still following me, Sarutobi?"

The Sanada ninja grinned and sat with his arms behind him. "I'm not gonna leave you alone until you say you'll join us. You have no Master, no objective. Here I am, trying to give you both, yet you still refuse."

"I have no need for either of those things. I have managed so for many years." Hotaru responded from her spot across from the other ninja.

Sasuke sighed and fell on his back, looking up at the trees above him. "You know, I've been with the Sanada family my whole life, so I can honestly say that I don't understand why you need to go without a Master."

Hotaru stared at him before heaving a long sigh from behind her mask. She threw a rock at Sasuke and said, "Why do you want my help? I'm sure there are others who are stronger than I am."

Sasuke picked up the rock and stared down at it. "You know, I'm not so sure myself. Maybe it's fate. Or, I just randomly picked you."

Hotaru glared at him for a minute then stood. Sasuke's eyes followed her as she paced back and for the in front of him, contemplating his offer. Finally, she stopped and faced him.

Watanabe Hotaru held her hand, offering it to Sasuke.

She pulled her mask down and grinned at him. "I accept your offer. I, Watanabe Hotaru, will give my everything to the Takeda Army. Come, Sarutobi Sasuke, show me to your Master."

Sasuke blinked before his face broke out into a grin and he accepted her hand, pulling her into an excited hug when he was standing. Hotaru was as ridged as a board when he did, only standing there when he let go.

Sasuke blinked at her. He had barely realized what she was wearing, and that she was very attractive. She wore a short black, sleeveless yukata with red swirling lines on the front. Her mask was red and she had a red scarf around her neck.

Her dark brown hair was tied in a high ponytail and her thick bangs swept across her forehead, barely stopping above her gold eyes, and on both sides of her face. Bandages went up her arms and stopped at her bicep.

Red and black gloves went over the bandages, stopping at the elbow. She wore black boots and strapped to her back was her katana, but Sasuke knew she carried other concealed weapons.

All in all, her outfit showed off her figure that beat Kausga's ten-fold.

Sasuke grinned again and said, "Come on, we're not too far from the castle."

Hotaru raised an eyebrow but nevertheless raised her mask and ran silently behind him.

Five minutes later, they arrived at the gates of the castle. Sasuke greeted the guards and introduced Hotaru to them. Sasuke made small talk, occasionally looking over his shoulder to see Hotaru looking around her in amazement.

Finally, Sasuke stopped and went to one knee. Hotaru automatically copied his movements with her head bowed.

"Master, I, Sarutobi Sasuke, have returned with good news." Sasuke begun, staring at the shoji screen in front of him.

"Excellent, Sasuke! Lord Shingen will be happy! Come in!" came a muffled voice beyond the door.

Sasuke opened the door and stood, looking down at Hotaru in waiting. Hotaru stood gracefully and walked in, pausing to wait for Sasuke.

He smiled at her and repeated the same action he had at the door, as did Hotaru. In front of her was a man with brow, fluffy hair that had a red ribbon wrapped around it, trailing behind him and showing his ponytail.

He wore a red jacket, his torso bare, and white pants with armor around his waist. Near the bottom of his pants were red flames, looking as if they were coming off his shin guards and sandals.

The man blinked and then grinned with joy. "Hello! I, Sanada Genjiro Yukimura, welcome you to the Takeda Army! You have met my faithful ninja, Sarutobi Sasuke! He is the captain of the Sanada Ten Braves and is doing a wonderful job!"

Sasuke slightly blushed at the compliment and grinned shyly at Hotaru. Hotaru removed her mask and bowed.

"It is an honor to finally meet you, Master Yukimura. I am known as Watanabe Hotaru and, from this moment forward, will be yours to command."

Sasuke blinked in confusion then exclaimed, "Wait, I thought you were only sticking around to help us with the war?! You're gonna stay forever?!"

Hotaru chuckled and sat up, addressing Sasuke. "At first, yes. But now, after meeting Yukimura, I have decided to help the people of Kai. Forever is an exaggeration, Sasuke. No one can live forever. I plan to stick around until I die."

Yukimura laughed and exclaimed, "Tonight we will feast to this joyous surprise! Sasuke, show Hotaru to her quarters."

Sasuke bowed and stood up, walking to the door and paused as Hotaru bid farewell to her new Master. As they were leaving, Sasuke looked at Hotaru. Hotaru felt his gaze on her and turned to smile at him.

Sasuke grinned back and said, "It's gonna be fun to have a ninja around."

Hotaru raised an eyebrow and stopped when Sasuke did. "Are there no other ninjas here?"

"Yeah, there are. But there not as strong as I am, so I can't really train with them, you know?"

Hotaru nodded and replied, "Yes, I do understand."

Sasuke put an arm around her shoulders and opened the door. Hotaru shrugged off his arm and looked around the room. She turned in a small circle, trying to take in everything.

She turned to Sasuke and muttered, "I haven't had a room for a long time." She paused and fell to her knees. Sasuke was about to rush forward when Hotaru put her forearms to the tatami, along with her forehead.

"I give you my gratitude, Sarutobi Sasuke. If not for you, I never would have found a Master or a home. I thank you."

Sasuke walked over to her and bent down. He tugged on her arm until she looked up. Her eyes shined with unshed tears and he smiled softly.

"I should be thanking you. I haven't seen Master that happy ever since Lord Takeda fell ill. So, thank you, Watanabe Hotaru."

Hotaru gave him a closed-eyed smile and let a small tear slide down her face.

They stayed like that for the rest of the night, her silently crying, and him comforting her.