Rendezvous
-"Oh my kendo!"- Nobunaga/Kasane
"She doubts you and you don't like that. But everyone doubts you." Toukichirou said. Kazusanosuke wrote on paper the characters for the flower 'shiragiku'. Toukichirou in his confusion wondered why he write down a flower. His lord was not a man who was interested in flowers.
His lord met his gaze. He saw the monkey's confusion. He sighed before explaining. "It means truth. My mother used to make wreaths of them in the garden. She gave them to my father." Toukichirou nodded. He still did not know what it had to do with the 'time-traveler girl'.
"Do you fancy the Little Missy?" He asked. Normally he would have teased Nobunga but his face was serious. His lord had to think about his reputation. He had a betrothed, however, the Little Missy was awfully cute in his opinion though.
"She's terrifying. I thought her to be some crazed foreigner." Toukichirou knew his lord evaded the question. But it was understood. His lord was not a man that would tell the world of his feelings and thoughts. Sometimes, Toukichirou wondered who the unfortunate ones were the peasants or the nobles. Both were caged. But he wondered why they were caged. Nothing held them, just assumptions and words, chains did not hold them.
"I will take my leave then. Please do protect the Little Missy! It's bad when girls get hurt." He expected to get kicked but no blows came. He smiled sadly wishing to have his lord return to his abusive self but the young man only gazed at the lantern in his chamber.
If she knew he was in here watching her sleep would she be angry with him? He had never seen her angry before, he had seen her upset and distraught but never angry. He was sure she had misunderstood his position and emotions several times. She was rude but it was refreshing. Women around him were usually quiet, even Nouhime was meek sometimes. But Kasane was loud and full of youth. If she was male he was sure she would be remarkable.
"I'm coming home." She whispered in her sleep. He was not too close to her but he could hear that. She often said things in her sleep. He sometimes wanted to touch her, move her bangs from her face but if he did he knew he would cross a line.
He did not know whether she was interested in him. She seemed to love her sword and her family left behind.
"M'Lord?" He does not panic. It would be bad if he did.
"Yes, girl." He answers.
" What are you doing here?" she sits up. He is surprised at her calm. He then realizes that her brothers probably watched her sleep or maybe she lacks self-preservation.
"You're dreaming." He says. Kasane shakes her heads and gently slaps his face.
"I dream about school and kendo." She answers tiredly. He chuckles.
"You really aren't from this time period." He comments. She stares at him, her eyes are droopy.
"Yeah, why are you hear?" She asks again.
Nobunaga gets up and stares down at her. 'She is so small.' He thinks.
He turns his back to her. Before he leaves he answers her question.
"I was just checking on you, Kusanagi Kasane. You're one of my soldiers after all."
Kasane isn't satisfied with his answer and sticks out her tongue at his retreating form.
When the shoji door is closed, she blushes and pulls the sheets over her head.
"Oh my kendo!" She whispers.