Author: Nami-chan.
Pairing : :DateSana, MotoMoto, KoSasu, IeMitsu, and some other I won't spoil
Disclaimers : I think we all would like to have the on right Sengoku Basara, but it's not my case
Note : After long wait I have finally decided to write this part. You should know that this has been for a long time long in my mind and that the characters of Basara 4 did not exist yet when I thought of it. I don't want to force them into a scenario where they were not included from the start, but ... we'll see. Note 2: Still no beta, but I done my best to advance alone. That being said we can start.
Dragon Tales Book Two
Part 1
The surprisingly bright afternoon sun was barely lightening the large room in which Masamune had been more or less confined by Kojuuro since the beginning of the day. Thus forced to take care of his kingdom matters, the one-eyed dragon could only guess the hustle and bustle that now ruled the Castle of Yonezawa.
Dragon people were preparing to celebrate the twenty-first anniversary of their king. All vassals of the Lord of Oshuu had gathered to honor him at a big party like Masamune knew how to organize them, announcing jubilation and joy. However, he had no rights to participate in the preparations this time Kojuuro enclosing him in this large office full of dusty paper and old documents, where the smell of ink and paper was almost stifling.
Why did he do such a thing? The young dragon didn't know, he wasn't really able to discuss it with him. Well to Kojuuro's credit, delving into his paperwork had focused Masamune attention and it was probably what his right eye had in mind from the start. No one could say no to Kojuuro when he had that look. It was true that Masamune had been nervous for the past two days. In fact since the invitation to celebration he had sent to Kai came back to him with an auburn haired ninja that looked like a monkey, brown eyes flecked with gold lighting up when he handed the reply letter to him.
An answer that didn't satisfy Masamune. A vague answer that didn't ensure if Sanada Yukimura would be at his side this year. This answer just held the possibility that the one he was longing for couldn't be present, and that the young dragon could bring themselves to accept it. The young tiger of Kai hadn't been with him to celebrate Masamune birthday the previous year too and he didn't even celebrate his own birth as it should be, too busy to rebuild the glory of Kai, as he proclaimed.
So, even if they saw each other during a fortuitous friendly visit a few weeks ago it didn't prevent the fact that from all the guests he would receive, Yukimura was the one Masamune wanted to see the most beside him. He had, after all, the place of honor reserved.
"Masamune-sama?" asked Kojuuro voice from behind the closed door.
Taken away from his thinking, Masamune hesitated to answer, if only to get a very small way to make it clear to his right eye that he didn't particularly like being held away from the preparations.
"Right there." He finally answered.
But seriously, Kojuuro could have found a less boring way to occupy him, like letting him access to the dojo to train himself or even better yet letting him help in the kitchen; At least there he could have helped in the preparations... but perhaps, giving it more thought he would have gotten flustered too, thrown everyone out and done everything himself... Masamune could be a really exigent with cooking!
The sliding door opened revealing Kojuuro, the guard who had been instructed to ensure that Masamune wouldn't take a look at the preparations and a guest who saw fit to come several days in advance, Maeda Keiji. Kojuuro was wearing his armor, still wearing his earth colored coat despite the heavy, humid heat, that was unusual in this season. Keiji however, more like Masamune, chose to wear a simple kimono with purple and yellow-orange mix that formed waves, the golden patterns adorning it were those of the Maeda clan, a big flower on his back and smaller ones on the sleeves and at the bottom. Besides, the simple blue kimono worn by Masamune gave him a much more modest look.
Febrile, the young man didn't even wait until the door was fully opened to get himself into the room. He first opened his arms wide as if to attract Masamune into a hug, only the dragon anticipated and stepped aside to dodge. Not losing his smile, Keiji responded holding Masamune shoulder instead.
"What a great idea you had inviting all those who won over Oda! Really Masamune, I look forward to everyone being there, this feast is going to be great, you'll see the surprises we prepared for you." the stars shone in his eyes as he said this. Yumekichi his pet monkey encouraged his master with small enthusiastic shouts from his position on Keiji shoulder.
"Maeda". Kojuuro interrupted before the vagabond said too much, carried away by his enthusiasm
"Tch!" Masamune did, crossing his arms over his chest. His gaze fell on Kojuuro, an elegant eyebrow rising. "I expected no less, I don't give my trust anyone, you see?"
"And so is my honor to be worthy of that trust, Masamune-sama." Kojuuro smirked. He had supposed that his master would be more cranky and would resent him after spending the day locked in his office.
Masamune just couldn't stay mad against someone who knew him so well, it was wasting energy. Masamune just denied the good that being in the quiet did to him.
"If you're here I guess my 'detention' is finally over, it's about time." Masamune sighed wearily, running a hand through his hair.
"Chika and Nari will be here soon! Come, we are going to greet them!" Keiji launched before Kojuuro could open his mouth, obviously very excited.
Without warning, he grabbed Masamune wrist and dragged him through the castle corridors, quickening his pace. Knowing full well that was a waste of time to protest when it was Keiji, Masamune merely matched on his pace and calmly withdraw his wrist from the vagabond hand.
Keiji quickly occupied the void that separated them with words, which Masamune was pretending to listen, holding back the urge to loudly yawn at what he thought of the incessant speech.
"What a pity that Yasu can't be there... As he joined Hideyoshi." Keiji paused pronouncing that name, which brought the blue dragon attention on what he had to say, Masamune turned to him and raised a questioning eyebrow. After all, he hadn't really seen since Ieyasu they had defeated the demon and to be honest what the young boy was doing now was the least of his worries. Keiji swept his question away with a wave of his hand. "Oh, it's just that ... my uncle Toshie his thinking about joining Toyotomi too ... I shouldn't worry you with that...family matters." he replied with a wide grin.
Toyotomi, eh? The one who gained in power while everyone else was recovering from the wounds inflicted on them by the Oda. It seemed like everyone had let him do as he pleased so far, but who knows, now that Oshuu was no longer dependent on food aid from its neighbors... it would only make it easier for Masamune, that Toyotomi continues annexing provinces, the dragon would just have to defeat only him instead of running across the country to the march on the capital.
The blue dragon shrugged and resumed his progress. This doesn't look like Keiji to hide things and his smile was obviously false, but Masamune didn't have the slightest desire to force the vagabond to speak if he didn't wanted to do it himself. Keiji had immediately resumed his speech, speaking now of the early snow storm that paralyzed the Echigo mountains.
Masamune almost sighed with relief when the vagabond finally went silent when they came in front of the main gate .
The Oshu men were busy dismantling horse and carriage while others drove the freshly arrived horses at the stables. At the center of all this commotion, the voices of two men caught in a dispute elevated.
"I should never had made this journey with you! A waste of time and energy." the smaller brown-haired man crossed his arms over his chest and turned his back on his interlocutor.
"But Mori, my ship is faster than yours." The larger of the two raised his hands in an peace attempt.
"You know very well about what I'm talking stupid pirate! Couldn't you think about finding a present for Masamune before we leave? We'd arrived two days earlier if you hadn't made this detour." roared the smallest, gesturing with his hands as if to hit the other.
Finding no answer to this charge, the largest ran a hand through his white hair. "Why yelling at me for such a trivial thing? Admit it you nevertheless found yourself more than a little content for some alone time with me."
The little chestnut haired quickly turned, a murderous glint in his brown eyes. "You're a moron and ignorant without a once of manners, I should have disposed of you when I had the opportunity to do it, I don't know why I put up with you until now." he hissed.
His body shaking with the effort he made to keep himself from laughing, Keiji decided he had seen enough and it was time to let them know of his and Masamune presence. He raised his hand and waved happily.
"Motochika! Motonari! " He called out.
The two men finally turned toward them. "Nice of you, coming all this way." Masamune had a grin taking shape, amused by the scene. It had been a while since he hadn't seen both Setoshi rivals together and it was entertaining as always. Despite Mori complaints , both seemed to have had a good trip, their clothes weren't wrinkled or dirty, they both were wearing some piece of armor and it was so like them. Always cautious when they would definitely had protected each other... well, that Mori would protects Chosokabe ... Masamune was only in half certain.
"Consolidating a beneficial alliance for Aki is never an unwelcome thing." Motonari stated, crossing his arms over his chest as he joined other young men.
"A feast like this one, no way I'm missing it." Motochika added, his arm landing on Masamune shoulder.
"You haven't changed since last time." Keiji intervened. By far he was the one that seemed most pleased by the meeting.
Motochika chuckled, grabbing Motonari waist, he pulled him against his hip, not caring of the other surprised yelp. "Yeah, who would have thought that we would still be together, right sweetheart ?"
Motonari seemed deeply outraged that Motochika dared use that nickname in public, he opened his mouth once and then close it, vibrating with rage against the pirate.
Keiji couldn't help but comment. "Yeah, Motochika is a treasure hunter. I thought that once he got what he wanted he would soon grew tired of it, but no, you do look like a perfect match."
Motonari face turned pale and against all odds he didn't got angry, merely looking away, when he obviously was burning inside wanting to shut Keiji up. In contrast, Motochika ocean orbs became threatening.
"And the one who says that is the only one who isn't able to keep a partner, or even to find one that I know of." Motochika let out.
Keiji frowned and blinked rapidly, not understanding what he said that angered the pirate. He only told the truth, right?
"Calm down," Masamune interjected before having to handle a fight in the main courtyard. "No one here cares whether you are a couple or not." he said nonchalantly.
Although Motonari didn't liked his boorish way to present it, Masamune had a point. He would just need time to accept that without Motochika feeling compelled to bent over him and give him a little kiss full of tenderness, as if to be forgiven for what he had inflicted him on their journey from Seto.
"Yup, I can finally act like a lover with you." he said.
It was only after Motonari strongly repelled Motochika , hurling insults and threats of emasculation if the pirate dared continue such behavior in public and Motochika begun to loudly protest starting a new animated exchange under Keiji laughter, Masamune regretted having them as guests.
Still, he thought, with some sake ... and the atmosphere of the party ... after all, the vagabond was right, there must be a reason why the two were still together.
"Anyway, I hope you are ready because it'll be a hell of a party!" Masamune said, a sparkle quickly shinning in his blue eye.
Three smiles, a large, a smirk and a hidden one were his answer. The exchange between Keiji and Motochika resumed without delay, conversation in which Motonari seemed more or less included.
Letting them go before him, the blue dragon sighed wearily to himself ... only one person could ensure him the full success of the evening. But would he came after all?
Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
The castle gardens had been prepared to receive the party. In the torches light, a wooden platform had been arranged in order to elevate Masamune and his guests of honor, those who participated in the final battle against the king of the underworld, as Oda was nicknamed now. In front of this platform, blankets and carpets bearing the clan colors had been put. They were supposed to host the lords and dignitaries who swore loyalty to the Date family, dispersing them on both side of the garden. The smell of earth and grass pleasantly mixed with the smell of food and the scent diffused by censers.
Although Masamune would have preferred to party with his soldiers, feeling much closer to them, the protocol for such an event required them to be sidelined, so they were separated by long flags hung between trees, bearing the emblem of the clan, a bamboo crown surrounding the two kissing sparrows. At least the dragon king could still hear their laughter and joyful clamor. He couldn't doubt that they were treating with great respect the cohort accompanying Motonari and Motochika.
Both men sat at his left with Keiji, Kojuuro and desperately empty seat at his right. The two lords of the south had put on something more comfortable for the evening. Motochika wore a sapphire kimono decorated with light blue wave pattern, his purple belt was the only thing that bore his clan symbol. Motonari had an emerald kimono with a huge symbol of his clan painted gold in his back.
A flutist played a catchy melody punctuated by a drum, while the diverse conversation emitted a soft humming noise in the background.
The blue dragon was right when he thought that sake would help Motonari, the little fox was now almost sitting on Motochika lap, a satisfied smile on his face and willingly conversing with Keiji which usually annoyed him to the highest extent. It was nice ...Masamune loved that kind of atmosphere. He had been right to put his trust on Kojuuro, the chosen musicians did him honor, the dishes served were worthy of the king's that he was ... and the alcohol had the bitter sweet taste of that particular grand cru he liked. There was only one fly in the ointment, Masamune thought looking at the empty spot next to him.
But thinking too much about it would ruin the mood. With a slight sigh Masamune joined the conversation on who between Motonari and Motochika was the best opponent at a shogi game. Although he was a formidable opponent, Motochika rarely had the patience to play seriously, thus when he visited Masamune or vice versa, he instead devoted himself to the practice of arms or showing his new battle creations. As for Motonari, Masamune had seldom been able to beat him ... but he knew someone who could give a headache to the Kitsune, someone that surprised even him, having him as an adversary, someone no one would expect to be so good at this king of game.
Btu suggest to organize a game between these two would require him to mention his name and Masamune knew he hadn't consumed enough alcohol to be able to handle it.
Suddenly, the brown head of his cousin Shigezane slipped between the panels behind the platform. He glanced at Masamune who guessed his smile despite the mask covering the lower part of his face, then he reached for Keiji beckoning him to follow. The vagabond excused himself and followed the other man. The young lord tried to get up to do the same time but Kojuuro hand on his arm restrained him. Masamune turned a skeptical look at his second in command. Kojuuro was hiding something, he was more than convinced now.
The black dragon stood up and clapped his hands to draw the audience attention toward him, the music stopped. Feeling Masamune gaze in his back, Kojuuro spoke, smiling like a child in his heart.
"Tonight we celebrate another year of life offered to our lord and sovereign." Kojuuro began, his voice reasoning in the garden.
Clan members loudly approved while Masamune rolled his eyes. "Seriously, Kojuuro ... what are you trying to say?" He muttered under his breath.
Part of the speech eluded him because of Motochika who gave him a slight nudge drawing his attention to him. The pirate gave him a suggestive eyebrow movement which Masamune replied by frowning his. So, everyone knew something he didn't?
"... so, the first gift offered to our sovereign is an ode to his honor, the beauty of the years that would follow can be represented in this dance!" Kojuuro sat beside Masamune again under the clamor of the hosts.
The one-eyed dragon was about to make a retort to his right eye when the dancer came, advancing toward the center of the guests.
His eyes downcast, he walked to the platform. His bare feet were showing out of his long ceremonial kimono when he stopped on a mat disposed on the floor. The Red bottom edge of his kimono opened to let his peach skinned legs free, baring them until his knee. Gold rings were around his ankles. The upper part of his kimono was cream colored, knotted red straps holding the folds together and wide sleeves covered the the dancer arms, a ceremonial rope encircled his waist with an elegant knot. His long brown locks were left free on his back, gently swaying in the breeze at times, a ring of tissue covered his forehead while two pink Daphne flower adorned the sides of his head. One of Masamune favorite flowers...
Finally, the dancer lifted his face, showing his fine features, his hazel eyes framed by long lashes were painted a pink motif. They met Masamune gaze and his also painted lips seemed to tremble. Stage fright without a doubt, this young man had the eyes of the leaders of Dragon people pointed at him after all.
Masamune gasp escaped him before he had time to stop himself. "Yukimura!"
Ooooooooooooooooo
Far away from here, the sun was declining on a plain devastated even long time after the passage of the lord of the underworld. From the top of the tower of a castle, a lord watched the sunset. A large man, of impressive size bearing a closed and hard face, his reddish eyes cast toward the horizon, his light brown almost ash blond hair were held up hight on his head tied by a tight red sting. An evening kimono covered his broad shoulders. On a table behind him, a map of the land of the rising sun rested.
Nobody could guess what this man was thinking about right now.
"You hear their voices, is it not? Searching for them would make it stop, I suppose. Do you they could grant your dearest wishes as the writings say , Why not show me what would happen next? I'm curious to see it, really. "
That voice. That of an middle aged man reasoned from the shadow, it was venom and curiosity mixed at the same time, his smile could practically be heard.
"Hmm ... maybe." the giant replied.
TBC
First chapter of a new saga. I want to know what you thought of this chapter (if there are still people who read DateSana here), So ? intrigued? Want to know more ?