Written with my dear friend Verto Strife
Sorry guys, i've been really busy with finishing this story that i forgot to update it. My apologies, guys. Thank you to those who have read this so far, by the way, and welcome to those reading for the first time. Your support means the world to me, and encourages me to continue. So read, favorite, review, and most importantly, enjoy :) (Also sorry if any of the characters so far are OOC. Feel free to review or PM any comments or corrections you would like me to make. Thanks guys!)
Chapter 1: The friendship charm
"Yukimura! Look what i found!" Masamune said cheerfully, waving around the little charm around.
"What is it?" Yukimura asked, taking it and looking at it curiously. It was a small bracelet, with little red beads, and an easily breakable string.
"It's a friendship charm, or so i was told. You take one bead, and a bunch of other people take the other beads, and when you say a couple of words, then everyone holding the bracelet will be friends forever! Then one person keeps the bracelet, and everyone who did the charm with them will be friends with them forever!" Masamune explained cheerfully. Yukimura looked amazed at the idea, and looked over the bracelet for any signs of magic.
"Will you do the charm with me, then, Masamune?" Yukimura asked, his face lit up in excitement. "And Kojuro and Sasuke and Ieyasu and everyone can do it with us!" Yukimura's face burst into a wide grin.
"Yeah!" Masamune said happily smiling.
"Let's find Kojuro and Sasuke and everyone!" Yukimura pulled him into the large Date house by his hand. "We'll be friends forever and ever!" Yukimura squealed with joy as his feet made loud thumping against the wood floor. "Kojuro! Sasuke! Motochika! Ieyasu! Where are you guys!" Yukimura yelled into the house. "Masamune, where's Kojuro?" Yukimura turned to him and asked.
"I think he was out with Aladar" Masamune said pointing to the stables.
"I don't know where that is." Yukimura said, looking childishly confused as he pouted a bit at Masamune. "Can you show me the way?" Yukimura asked, looking at Masamune with pleading eyes.
"of course Yuki here follow me" Masamune said pulling Yukimura's hand running to the stables. Yukimura tripped a bit as he tried to keep up with Masamune, who had always been the faster runner of the two. Yukimura looked amazed as they reached the stables, and stopped to look in awe of the huge horses.
"Wow, Masamune! Are all of these your horse's?" Yukimura asked, his jaw dropped a bit as he let go of Masamune's hand to walk up to one of the horses. "You must be a really good rider!" Yukimura praised him happily.
"Yeah I would say I am, hey sometime well go on a ride together" Masamune said as he noticed the familiar brown jacket of his guardian Katakura Kojuro
Yukimura walked up to a small grey foal in the stall next to Aladar's, giggling as his hand was nuzzled. "Hello horsey!" Yukimura giggled, petting the foal.
Masamune looked at Yukimura and smiled running over to the foal. "River, my baby girl" Masamune said happily.
"Hello River! She's so pretty!" Yukimura giggled, reaching to pet River's ears.
"Masamune, you know not to bring human food to River. Hello Yukimura." Kojuro leaned over from Aladar's stall to look down at the two boys.
"What? no I wouldn't right River!" Masamune smiled at River. River snorted and nuzzled Masamune, licking his face for attention.
"I must have been imagining all those candied apple cores i've been finding hidden in the stables then. and the chocolate crumbs in the hay." Kojuro replied, looking at Masamune suspiciously. "You don't want River to get fat, do you?" Kojuro smiled a bit, poking River's stomach.
"no never! she's my princess" Masamune said petting River.
"Well, 'Princess' River has been a bit easier to tire lately. Like she's been getting a few extra meals, from a certain person." Kojuro chuckled leaning down to ruffle both Yukimura's and Masamune's hair. Masamune smiled
"Kojuro! You wanna do a friendship charm with us?" Yukimura asked, giggled as his hair was ruffled.
"What kind of friendship charm?" Kojuro asked, looking at Masamune.
Masamune pulled out the bracelet "this one!"
Kojuro took the bracelet, looking at it. "Are you sure this thing works, kid?" Kojuro asked, looking skeptical. "It looks a little plain to be a charm."
"I'm sure kojuro" Masamune said.
"you remember what i told you about fake charms?" Kojuro asked him, still skeptical. "And that some of them can actually do bad stuff?" Kojuro explained, handing the charm back to Masamune.
"But this is real kojuro I know it" Masamune complained
"How do you know?" Kojuro asked, his eyebrow raised.
"I just do plus what harm could this be?" masamune said crossing his arms.
"Alright. I'm in no mood for arguing anyway." Kojuro sighed, leading Aladar into River's stall.
"yay! Now we have to find Sasuke, and Motochika, and Ieyasu!" Yukimura cheered.
"I think they were out in the training field." Kojuro offered helpfully.
"Thank you, Kojuro! Come on Masamune! Let's find them!" Yukimura pulled Masamune along out of the stable towards the training field. "Sasuke!" Yukimura yelled happily, nearly tackling Sasuke off the fence where he was watching Ieyasu & Motochika fight each other. "Hey squirt." Sasuke laughed, pulling Yukimura into a hug. Ieyasu & Motochika noticed the noise, and ran over to Masamune happily. Masamune , Ieyasu & Motochika all doing some kind of secret handshake they had made up. Yukimura looked a little envious of how close the three were, and Sasuke held up his hand for a high five, which Yukimura gladly took.
"What'cha doing down here, little boy blue?" Motochika teased Masamune.
"Me and Yuki, were wondering if you guys wanted to use this charm thing with us" Masamune said "cause you know friend help friend figure out how to wear a jacket" Masamune teased back at Motochika. "And friends help friends figure out how to put handlebars on their horse." Motochika laughed.
"Hey River is gonna look awesome when she goes out on to the battlefield with them, don't you think so Ieyasu?!" masamune said looking at Ieyasu.
Ieyasu laughed "Of course Masamune"
"What she's gonna look like is a giant goal with you in the middle with a sign saying 'hit me' " Motochika laughed.
"with kojuro's help it will be a taught" Masamune said back happily
"If you say so, shortie." Motochika teased, putting his hand on Masamune's head and emphasizing the height difference. Ieyasu laughing at the expression on Masamune's face. "I am not that short it's just because your older Moto tea cup" Masamune stuck out his tongue at his friend.
"Don't worry! at least you're taller than Ieyasu." Motochika shrugged, using Masamune's head as an armrest.
Ieyasu sighed at the two as Masamune smiled happily.
"Oh you guys crack me up." Motochika laughed, patting Masamune's back a little roughly. "Next thing we know Masamune here's going to be putting exhaust pipes on poor River."
Ieyasu shook his head "I hope he doesn't take that idea Motochika" Ieyasu looked at Masamune with a grin
"It's Masamune, of course he's going to take that idea. Only he'd be crazy enough to take it." Motochika laughed.
Ieyasu laughed along "You're right about that Motochika"
"Guy's i'm still here ya know" Masamune spoke up
"Sorry, you're so short we couldn't see you." Motochika teased.
"Oh really hows this for short!" Masamune said tackling Motochika who was caught off guard and fell down laughing.
"You two be careful" Ieyasu laughed.
"Oh come on, Ieyasu! We've done far worse than this!" Motochika laughed.
Masamune shused Motochika "Kojuro's here I don't want to get in trouble" Masamune whined.
"Does he know what you did to Aladar?" Motochika grinned.
"shus he doesn't and he doesn't need to know as he would ground me" Masamune said looking worriedly over to kojuro. Motochika laughed and easily pushed Masamune off of him as he got up off the ground. "Hey Kojuro! Did you know Masamune was the one who shaved Aladar's-" Ieyasu cut him off quickly, putting a hand over his mouth as his last words were muffled.
Masamune smiled cheerfully at Ieyasu "Thanks ieyasu" Ieyasu smiled back as he pulled his hand back from Motochika, who looked at the two in shock. "Ieyasu! Since when did you turn against me for Masamune?!" Motochika asked, putting a hand over his chest.
"He didn't turn on you he is just kind enough not to get me in trouble with kojuro Motochika" Masamune sighed with relief.
"Friend help each other get out and in of trouble" Ieyasu laughed.
"Come on Masamune, just take your punishment like a man!" Motochika rolled his eye at Masamune, crossing his arms.
"It was your idea anyway's Motochika you would be in as much trouble as I would" Masamune said back
"Yeah, but i know how to run away." Motochika rolled his eye.
"You mean tactically retreat." Ieyasu laughed.
"in other words run away from the problem with your tail in between your legs. Plus the last time I got in trouble I had to stay inside the castle walls for two weeks and I couldn't have you guys over!" Masamune whined
"he has a point. It was a rather boring two weeks. I had to bother Mitsunari for two weeks just to get my social fill." Ieyasu nodded in agreement.
"Good point. I had to spend that two weeks with Mori of all people." Motochika gave a noise of disgust.
"I was also tutored all throughout the day I didn't get to even play with Yuki" Masamune said sadly "I had absolutely no fun"
"Speaking of Yuki… he just disappeared." Motochika noticed, looking around.
"Along with Sasuke." Ieyasu added.
"Even kojuro!" Masamune said surprised as they were left alone
"Let's go looking for them!" Motochika announced.
Masamune charged forward not looking to see if his best friends were following him.
Ieyasu ran after him, matching his pace as Motochika lagged a bit behind the two.
"A little slow, are we, Chika?" Ieyasu teased.
"Nah! Just giving you two room." Motochika retorted, smirking. "If there's one thing you shorties are good for, it's being fast." Motochika laughed.
"why, Chika, was that a compliment?" Ieyasu gasped, looking at Motochika with surprise.
"Enjoy it. You won't be hearing it again." Motochika mumbled, pushing Ieyasu ahead of him as he caught up.
"Come on slow pokes!" Masamune called back as he had already ran up the hill waving his hand at the two. Ieyasu grinned and sped up to a sprint, hopping up the hill with ease.
"Show off." Motochika muttered, and climbed up the hill, panting a bit and put his arms around both of them and pulled both into a side hug. "Bros forever!" Motochika yelled, laughing.
"You know what Motochika!" Masamune said as he looked over at Ieyasu with a smile
"What shortie?" Motochika smiled
"When we're older we should get matching anchor tattoos" Masamune said
"So our friendship never floats away" Ieyasu laughed
Motochika laughed as he ruffled their hair "Sounds like a plan!"
"Except don't let Chika here do it. He doesn't exactly have… let's say artistic, ability." Ieyasu laughed.
"Then I'll do it. when were older" Masamune smiled.
"Why wait?!" Motochika tightened his hug, and Ieyasu wheezed a bit as he was squashed. "I could do it right here right now if we wanted!"
Masamune wheezed as he was hugged tightly against Motochika but shook his head no really fast. Ieyasu looked like he was actually considering it as he pushed out from Motochika's arm. "Would you really?" Ieyasu asked curiously.
"Sure! Come on, Masamune, it doesn't even hurt!" Motochika released Masamune and used Ieyasu instead as an armrest, who looked barely affected by the weight.
"I would but kojuro would kill me as of now" Masamune sighed
"Kojuro really has you on a leash, shortie, doesn't he?" Motochika looked disappointed.
"He doesn't I just respect him enough to at least wait till i'm actually old enough for one Chika" Masamune said a little embarrassed.
"You can understand being under a bit of restriction, Chika. After all, he's not the only one on a short leash." Ieyasu chuckled.
"Fine, fine. You two win. For now." Motochika sighed, giving into the two's pressure. Ieyasu smiled pridefully.
"It must be great being able to do what you want most of the time Chika" Masamune said still looking around for Yukimura, Kojuro and Sasuke.
"It's just me, the sea, and my organ." Motochika sighed happily. "The perfect combination! I've really been aching to play my since i left the boat. I'm going to be so out of practice!" Motochika whined, his fingers twitching for his instrument.
Ieyasu and Masamune chuckled
"Im sure you'll still have enough skill Chika" Ieyasu smiled
"If they don't twitch off your hand" Masamune joked twitching his hands for emphasis.
"Like you'd understand, Masamune. I've heard you try to play my beauty." Motochika shuddered in horror at the memory of Masamune's handling of his precious organ.
"Now now, Chika, don't embarrass him. He's just lacking in that musical spirit." Ieyasu chuckled. "Maybe organ's just not where his talent lies."
"I am better at horse riding than both of you" Masamune smiled
"You just don't understand how peaceful it is to be alone in a room, with just you and your instrument." Motochika's eyes closed and he smiled at the thought of him and his organ.
"The loveliness of the music bounces off the walls and brings joy to one's heart." Ieyasu added, smiling a bit at the thought of his violin waiting for him in his room.
Masamune sighed "No im just not that great in music as you two"
"That's why you have to learn! The three of us can't be complete if two of us play music and the third just sits there!" Ieyasu whined.
"well i don't think I have the patience to learn, you'll see i'll find something we all can do!" Masamune said with a smile.
"You've got the potential! You weren't doing that badly with my violin!" Ieyasu countered, shaking his head in argument. "Maybe your talent lies in stringed instruments!"
"An organ is a string instrument as well, Im just better off being the dancer to the music" Masamune said dancing around them laughing
" Well at least you can dance, so you're not completely artistically hopeless." Motochika laughed.
"kojuro says that with actual training i will be a pretty good swordsman, with my swift feet and timing" masamune said excitedly.
"Doesn't change that you look a bit feminine prancing around like that." Motochika snickered, while Ieyasu shushed him.
"Only because i'm not as big and brawny as you but I'll get stronger just you watch Chika" Masamune glanced at chika before walking over to a tree.
"Oh i'll watch. And i'll laugh when i see you 10 years later all scrawny and lean." Motochika chuckled, sitting down and watching Masamune.
"Nothing wrong with that, Chika. Better to have some muscle than none at all. Besides, short people live longer." Ieyasu patted Motochika on the head.
Masamune quickly climbed the tree and looked out "I don't see them anywhere outside, I mean you would think yuki, and Sasuke would stand out" masamune called back down as he continued to look
"Maybe cause Sasuke's a ninja?" Motochika offered, as Ieyasu pulled out his weapon and stabbed it into the ground, using it to stand on.
"They probably went inside, you two." Ieyasu called, hopping down.
"well let's go see!" Masamune said jumping from branch to branch and making his way down.
"Finally. It's hot out here in summer. I don't know how you land lovers can stand it!" Motochika whined, getting up.
"us 'land lovers' are used to it." Ieyasu chuckled, pushing Motochika ahead of him on the hill. "It's like asking how do we land lovers live without water all around us."
"Point taken." Motochika shrugged, running down the hill.
"Hey guys!" Yukimura ran up with Mori and Mitsunari, grinning as he held tightly onto the bracelet. "We've been looking all over for you!"
Ieyasu smiled at Yukimura and the other two waving happily. Masamune ran down and tackled Yukimura
"Yuki don't ever just randomly abandon us god you scared us" Masamune growled
"Yo mitsunari, how's it been!" Motochika shouted down toward Mitsunari avoiding Mori.
Mitsunari ignored Motochika as he waved at Ieyasu
Motochika gave a bit of an offended look as Ieyasu waved back happily.
Mori scoffed as he looked away from the group of boys.
"Yo Mori eel what's been up on your side of the pond" Motochika asked trying to be as polite as he could to Mori
Mori gave a disgusted look at Motochika before shooing him off.
"Well I think that's all of us huh?" Masamune said getting off of Yukimura helpping Yukimura up.
"Looks like it! Now get a room, you two." Motochika chuckled, walking over and squashing Masamune and Yukimura together.
Yukimura pushed Masamune away as Masamune sighe and had a slight blush on his face.
"Motochika I think that's enough" Mitsunari said looking at the two young boys.
Motochika held a hand to his chest and gasped " He talked to me! You ignored me, and now you decide to talk to me?!" Motochika said dramatically.
there was a slight scoff and rolling of the eyes from Mori who sat in the shade but looked up at the sky. Ieyasu smiled "He may not seem all that approachable but he is quite nice" Ieyasu chuckled putting a hand on Mitsunari's shoulder
"You know, for a god of the sun, Mori eel, you do tend to sit in the shade a lot." Motochika teased.
"And for a pirate you are way too friendly" Mori scoffed back.
"Bah! You've been listening to those land lover tales of us. No pirate really acts like that!" Motochika scoffed, still smirking.
Mori rolled his eyes as he ignored Motochika.
"Come one guys to make this work we all have to touch the charm!" Masamune spoke up excitedly holding up the charm.
"I didn't agree to being friends with him." Mori pointed accusingly at Motochika, who rolled his eyes.
"Mori. Shut up and go with it." Motochika scoffed, standing next to Masamune.
"Motochika, such foul language" Said a mortified Yukimura standing on the other side of Masamune
"That's not even the worst of it. You can ask Masamune about my foul language skills later, if you like" Motochika chuckled.
Masamune sighed as he looked around to see kojuro and Sasuke coming up to the group talking about something.
"Mori you and Mitsunari get along great so as long as you have one friend here doesn't that count" Yukimura said with a smile towards Mori
"You mistake friends for 'allies in hatred', kitty." Motochika chuckled.
Yukimura looked down at his failed attempt to try and help the tension go down. as Ieyasu patted his shoulder "Good try Yukimura" Ieyasu smiled at Yukimura who smiled back happily.
"Hey, He hasn't failed completely. There's you and Mitsunari, you, me, and Masamune, Masamune and Yukimura. It's just Mori over there who's being the stick in the mud." Motochika shrugged. "Pun intended, Mori."
"Can we just get this charm to work guys!" shouted an impatient Masamune.
"Mori, get your ass off the grass and come and do the charm thing." Motochika whined.
Mori scoffed and walked over by Mitsunari leaving space in between him and Motochika.
"There we go almost everyone. Kojuro hurry up!" Whined Masamune. Kojuro kept his slow pace and stepped over next to Motochika, Sasuke right behind him as he squeezed between mori and Kojuro.
"Yes everyone has a hold on the charm right?" Masamune smiled looking happy. There was a synchronized 'yes' from around the circle, as everyone got a tight grip on the bracelet. Masamune sighed and looked at everyone. as he started to say whatever charm it was to make the bracelet work.
"Okay, everyone repeat what i said in your head." Masamune ordered. A couple of eyes went shut as everyone repeated the words in their head.
"Everyone said it?" Masamune said after a minute. Everyone nodded, and Masamune took the bracelet and handed it to Yukimura.
"From now on Yukimura, you're what holds us together." Masamune announced. "Think you can do that?"
"S-sure." Yukimura nodded excitedly, slipping the bracelet on.
"Good. Alright! That was it! You all have to get along now!" Masamune announced to the group, a couple of annoyed groans from some of them.
"It's not that hard" Yukimura said happily
Kojuro laughed "Alright who wants to go in and have a snack and a drink?" Kojuro asked the group of boys.
There were a couple of nods, and a 'yes, please' from Ieyasu, as the circle broke apart. Masamune and Yukimura chatting as they followed along, Ieyasu and Mitsunari talking about something as Mori and Motochika were forced to bring up the rear of the group being Motochika trying to make conversation as Mori ignored him. Sasuke was whistling cheerfully up ahead with Kojuro, as Kojuro and him had 'adult talk'. Essentially Sasuke would say something perverted, and Kojuro would blush and smack him. Masamune saw the castle gates and ran up ahead dragging Yukimura along with him as he wanted to be the host and open the gates for his friends. Sasuke started wobbling a bit, and looking a bit confused as he got closer to the gate. "The hell… is anyone else feeling… weird?" Sasuke said, swaying as if he were going to fall any minute.
not to long after Sasuke's comment did Yukimura fall Masamune catching him.
"A little" Yukimura said weakly
"Are you okay Yuki?" Masamune looked worried at Yukimura
Mitsunari leaned against Ieyasu as he raised his hand in agreement. Mori holding a hand up to his head and mumbling "I am feeling a bit off as well" Motochika put a hand to Mori's shoulder, holding him up as he looked him over for sickness. Masamune looked at Kojuro a worry on his face. Kojuro's eyes rolled into his head as he fell hard on the ground.
"Kojuro!" Masamune screamed as he sat Yukimura down and rushed to kojuro. Motochika started to sway too, gripping the gate as he slid to the ground, his eye slowly sliding shut. Mitsunari passed out on Ieyasu who started to sway as well.
"Oh no this couldn't be. An evil spirit like kojuro said, could it?" Masamune said looking around worriedly as his vision started to get blurry as well. Ieyasu fell forward with Mitsunari.
"Ieyasu!" Masamune shouted as he tried to stand up only to end up falling back on the ground. Yukimura was struggling to get up, his arms shaking as he fell back on his side, staring at Masamune with pleading eyes. Unable to fight any longer, Yukimura gave in, and his eyes fell closed.
Masamune looked at Yukimura and reached out for Yukimura's hand just barely reaching his hand before he couldn't fight the sleepiness and fell to the ground. 'What… is… going… on...' Masamune struggled to fight as he unwillingly fell asleep.