Darling of the Chosokabe, Pride of the Date
Chapter 1
Alone in his study, a thin man with long black hair tied into a topknot sat with his shamisen across his lap. His long bangs, going grey far more quickly than he cared to admit, fell over his face as he looked down at the instrument. The old shamisen was battle scarred and the finish was dull, but he was not going to throw it away. No, not this precious gift from his only remaining daughter.
As if summoned by his thoughts, his daughter's voice drifted into the room from behind a closed door. Her voice and words were cool and formal, telling him that she was not alone.
"My lord, there is a messenger from Toyotoshi Hideyoshi. He wishes to speak with you."
Chosokabe Motochika frowned as he looked up from his shamisen and sighed softly. He already knew what was coming, and he knew his reply…and what was to follow…and what it would mean for his darling girl. He would have to send her away…
"Let him in."
The door slid open and two kneeling forms bowed until their foreheads touched the tatami, then straightened. One was a brown haired man with dark eyes that spoke of mischief and wore polished golden armor, but his weapons had been abandoned with a servant at the enterance. The other was a girl of about seventeen who wore a sky blue robe with a water pattern and an obi of a darker brocade with a similar pattern. Her hair was long and black, reaching the back of her knees and tied with a thin green band. Her pale oval face was unpainted, unlike many ladies of her father's court, but she was considered one of the beauties of Shukoku, if not the most respected. Her free-spirited ways coupled with her quick and sharp tongue often put many women off. She looked up and gave a tiny smile and bowed again before closing the door behind the brown haired man.
Motochika nodded to the newcomer and motioned for him to be seated across from him. The man sat and looked at the ruler of the small island for a moment before introducing himself.
"My name is Maeda Toshiie, and serve under Tyotomi Hideyoshi. My lord wants you to give him the island for his use. If you do, your men can fight for him, and your women can be protected by our army."
Motochika sighed and watched as the messenger, he couldn't be much older than his girl, waited patiently for his response. Well, no use putting it off any more…
"No. Your lord is welcome to try to take it from me if he can, but I will not see my people under the rule of a tyrant. You may go. My daughter will show you out."
The messenger frowned in irritation, but made no argument. He could see that there was no changing the older man's mind. Standing, he bowed and walked away, opened the door and left.
Motochika heard his daughter's voice as she walked away with the messenger. Yes, he would have to send her away. Perhaps he would send her to her grandmother's home with armed guards… He sat with his thoughts for a time, trying to decide the best course of action. His sons would fight with him, of course, his daughter would fight him when he told her to go though… Then he heard a soft tap on the edge of the door and his daughter's soft voice again.
"Father?"
"Did he leave?"
The door slid open and his daughter entered, her small flute in her hand. He had paid for her to have singing, flute and dance lessons while he taught her to play shamisen along with her writing tutors and she had grown into an accomplished musician and poet. He watched her as she arranged herself close to him, smiling when she brushed a stubborn tendril of hair out of her eyes.
"Yes. He's gone. He spoke to the men who were with him. He said that Toyotomi would easily take us over. We're going to fight him then?"
"Koito…"
"We'll beat them. Nobody pushes us around."
"Koito, listen to me."
Koito's lips pressed together tightly and she looked up at him, her eyes telling him that she understood what was coming. He noted this and got ready for the argument that was coming.
"I can't have you here for this battle. I am going to send you to your grandmother's home with some of our best men until I know you are safe. I can't fight and protect you at the same time. Neither can your brothers."
"I don't need to be protected! I can fight! Morichika and Nobuchika have been teaching me since I was nine years old! Let me fight under you and I'll prove it."
Motochika closed his eyes and tried to think of a good reason for refusing to let her fight. He had a few women in his ranks, and he knew that a few other rulers had them as well, but he couldn't let her go into danger. No, he couldn't lose her…
"You are going to your grandmother's home in three days."
"That's not fair!"
Motochika stood and glared down at his favorite child, willing his eyes to be hard and cold.
"I have indulged you too often. I have always let you have whatever you wanted, and you have become spoiled as a result. I have an escort already chosen for you. You will pack and you will go."
Koito blinked in surprise, stunned. Yes, she knew that she was spoiled by her beloved father, but she had always obeyed him. Now she wanted to fight to defend her home, just as he did, and he refused?! She knew from her brothers that she was called among all people, not just the women of the court, as 'Darling Chosokabe' and the 'Pet Princess' but thought that perhaps if she were to fight, morale would be even better than it was to be already… then another thought came to her.
If she were to be taken or killed, the enemy would use her to their advantage. With a sigh, she looked dwn at her flute and whispered the expected 'yes Father' and waited for her father to sit again. After a moment, she lifted her flute and smiled slightly at him.
"Shall I play for you?"
Motochika nodded and closed his eyes, falling deep into thought as she played softly. Slowly, an idea formed in her mind. Yes, she would obey her father, but she would also prove herself to her family. A smile spread over her face as she played on, her father's eyes still closed.
I will show them that the Pet Princess has teeth.