R&R please! The more I know people are actually reading this, the more will I have to keep on writing this story. ^_^

Those were times of peace. The cherry blossoms have started to display their tones quietly. Yet even so announcing the arrival of a new season. It was easy to see the good mood and tranquility on the faces of all inhabitants from the province, once the harsh winter was finally over.

Peace... Such relative word.

Thought to himself Uesugi Kenshin. Beams of light invaded his quarters in a soft, rich spectrum of colors. The daimyo enjoyed a cup of tea while reading short stories and poetry, he specially liked those with romantic content. Somehow ironical, since the man would not be able to live a love story of his own. Kenshin was a monk and vowed chastity in honor of Bishamonten several years before. He stood up as he was done with the tea, and guessed that going out for a walk would do him some good. Thus he could testify the early spring by himself.

Upon leaving the Kasugayama castle, the very same where he was born, he seems imperturbable. From subordinates and commoners he got nothing but brief looks. Generally speaking, Kenshin was pleasant and made sure to greet everyone, but that day he refrained from all of it. He walked just enough to get away from the castle and until only the sound of the breeze within the blossoms could be heard. They emanated a sweet fragrance. The monk watched the fields for a while, many blossoms had not yet bloomed. He plucked the rosier blossom in sight and looked through it. Then he settled and sat under one of the threes, and sighed.

Kasuga...

Kenshin thought how he would like to caress the ninja's golden locks and decorate them with the blossom he had on his palm. Lately the beautiful woman was all over the monk's thoughts. She was gifted with not only a extraordinary beauty, but also fierce fighting skills. But that wasn't all that caught the attention of the daimyo. Kasuga showed him a side of her that very few men had the privilege of testifying. Behind her strong and threatening mask lived a sweet, kind-hearted woman.

Her benevolence, her smile, her...

He shook his head, interrupting his reveries. Kenshin and Kasuga spent a good amount of time together even when outside the battlefield. He was very fond of reciting poems to the ninja, teaching her what he knew and talking about most various subjects. The blonde has fallen in love with Kenshin at first sight, but the monk also nurtured feelings for the beautiful woman. Until then, he remained faithful to Bishamonten... But thinking clearly has become increasingly harder with her around. Lustful desires arose from within the man's heart more and more often. It was clear that Kenshin was worried. He would meditate longer than usual, have consecutive nights spent in vigil and kept and would remain distant from all. Including Kasuga, in a way.

A rustle has broken the silence, showing to be the gallop of a horse. Soon emerged on the horizon one of the Uesugi clan subordinates, mounted. While approaching the still sitting daimyo, the man made a brief salute and reported:

"Kenshin-sama, lord Maeda is in the castle. He came to pay a visit to you, sir."

"Keiji? Huh." The monk answered, slighty puzzled "Return and let him know that I'm on my way."

Immediately the courier headed back, and so did Kenshin shortly after. It did not take long until the daimyo arrived at the front gate. From where he was at, he could already hear the screechy sound of Kasuga and Keiji arguing. The guards opened the gate, and he slowly walked toward the duo.

"Idiot!" Kasuga cried "Don't talk nosense!"

"Hey, Kenshin!" Keiji waved from a distance, smiling "Here!"

Kenshin got closer and greeted Keiji, smiling back. Kasuga bowed briefly to her lord, flushing a little.

"It is good to see you, Keiji. What brings you to Echigo this time?"

"I wanted to check up on you. And on Kasuga-chan too, right?" He winked at the blonde, provoking her. She frowned in response. "And before you ask, I didn't come by empty-handed." He smiled and pointed at a richly ornate jug tied to his waist. "I brought this beauty right here! I'm sure you'll love it."

The monk chuckled softly.

"Please, come in."

Kenshin entered the castle, followed by the ninja and the samurai. They got to a large hall, and Kasuga immediately slid the doors open, revealing the sight of a garden with a small hot spring pound and with a forest view behind the castle walls. They sat by the door and engaged in conversation while the blonde went to fetch the pottery for serving them.

"The guards said you went out when I got here." Keiji shrugged "Hope it's not a bad time."

"Not at all, friend. I was merely getting some fresh air. How are things in Kyoto?"

"Same old. I still owe you a painting, didn't forget that!" The samurai grinned and scratched his scalp. "What about you, anything new?"

"Not really, Keiji. Which somehow can be considered a good thing. Echigo is prosperous and at peace."

Kenshin smiled slightly, but his blue eyes were cold and distant. The samurai artist had some sensibility and he could tell something was wrong with the daimyo. Yet he kept it to himself, nodding back. Moments later, the ninja arrives with the cups.

"Hey, Kasuga-chan... Only two cups?"

Keiji asked and she shrugged.

"No way, you will drink with us! I insist."

She looked hesitant at Kenshin expecting some sort of approval.

"Join us, Tsurugi."

Obediently, the blonde left and let the two alone for a while longer. Upon returning she served the men and got served by Keiji. The monk tasted his first sip and so did the samurai while watching him in anticiption. The daimyo sighed in approval.

"You are absolutely right, Keiji. This here, is fantastic."

Kasuga drank silently while the other two made small talk. In the course of the afternoon, Kenshin watched the mountainous landscape, and even though he talked to his friend, his answers were shorter and less frequent than usual. He seemed more interested on enjoying the warmth of his drink per se, as if he depended on its torpor to be there. The ninja also did not seem to scold at Keiji for anything, nor got angry with the wanderer at any time. Even more surprising, Kenshin and Kasuga barely exchanged glances or talked to each other. It was plain to the samurai that something was wrong. Keiji couldn't simply let things at that current state. Already slightly drunk, he tried to draw the woman's attention:

"You know what, Kasuga-chan... I heard an odd rumor these days!" He scoffed "Outrageous, really! Some have been saying around the capital that one of the Ten Braves from the young tiger of Kai, Sanada Yukimura..."

Once he heard the name of Takeda's pupil, Kenshin seemed interested on what the man had to say and the blonde got stiff like a rock. She obviously knew what that was about. She clenched her fists as her face started to blush, feeling something between shame and anger.

"The ninja Sarutobi Sasuke was going to get married with the number one beauty of Echigo, the ninja retainer of the Uesugi clan!" He laughed "Can you believe that?!"

The monk raised his brows, slightly surprised by the story. Kasuga replied, outraged:

"Pure fallacy! That jerk... He is spreading that! Kenshin-sama! I... would not leave you, my lord, ever!"

The monk calmly finished his drink and beckoned the ninja for a refill.

"I believe in you... However, part of the rumor is truthful. Indeed..."

Kenshin slowly stood up and showed his back to Keiji and the now insecure ninja, gazing at his cup and then at the already setting sun on the horizon.

"Echigo's most beautiful woman is you, Kasuga."

"K-Kenshin-sama..."

The blonde muttered shyly and Keiji grinned pleased. Apparently everything went as expected, to the samurai. Though only the sunset testified the bitter sorrow in the fate cursing blue eyes. Kenshin grieved. Grieved for a woman who will never be fully happy by his side. And grieved for himself, who because of his own choices has lost forever what later he would realize to be the most precious person of his world.