#2 – Precious

A big, blue sky… Full, white clouds… And a blood, soaked earth.

It was a world in which Date Masamune could never, truly feel comfortable in. Sure, he enjoyed the adrenaline rush of battle; the thrill of a victory, and the rewards of a prosperous domain, but what about any other time? When at night, while he just wanted to lay in bed and not have to think about anything but sleep or about what lay ahead of him the next day? Or in the afternoon, when he just wanted to practice his sword swinging in peace and not worry about when he would have to launch the next attack or take another life?

He never asked to be daimyo… He never asked to be in control of so many lives or to hold the fate of an entire land.

So why not give up? Let someone else take care of it for him? Lose in battle even, just to get out of this cursed responsibility?

But… No… He couldn't… Because he had people to protect. Kojurou, who stayed faithful by his side through thick and thin – his Right Eye; his people, whom all looked up to him and kept their faith in the fact that he would never allow harm to come their way, and above all else, Rin, who would always be around for him to talk with, if not to sexually harass and have a good laugh, something he needed very much of after big campaigns.

Yes, they were the reasons that kept him going. They were the reasons he continued to shed blood every day. They were the reasons he could never face defeat.

He would never be able to bear it if he were to lose any of it.

And if he were never to be able to return to his quiet home where he could relax with the only parent he had ever known and the only woman he could ever trust, he knew that they would never forgive him. They would bear a grudge rivaling each other's against him, and they were the last people he would ever want to be hated by.

Date watched the clouds stretch overhead thoughtfully when a female voice broke into his thoughts worriedly, "Masamune… Are you alright?"

He blinked in surprise at Rin, who watched him with mild concern, and Kojuro, who was watching them both from behind her. After a moment of off-balance he smiled at them and rubbed his single eye wearily, "I'm fine. Just thinking too much; that's all."

"About what?" Rin asked curiously.

He stretched a bit on his back and then rolled onto his side to face the two. He took his time replying; picking instead at a blade of nearby grass. Finally he smirked and said, "I was just wondering when I'd get to see that over-excitable mug of Sanada Yukimura's again. It's been awhile since I've had a good fight"

Rin sighed wearily, as she leaned her cheek onto her palm, "Honestly, you two are just like children… Constantly fighting like that, just when will you two learn to leave each other alone already?"

Masamune shrugged as he murmured thoughtfully, "Perhaps it's because he has something he wants to protect as well as I do…"

"What was that?" Rin asked, not hearing him properly over the sudden breeze that blew past. She brushed a hand over her legs to pin down the folds of her kimono; making sure they didn't float too high off her body.

The one-eyed general smirked and lied, "We'll probably stop fighting when you decide to do a strip dance for me."

Rin's face heated up quickly as she suddenly shouted, "Well that's never going to happen!"

He laughed and pretended to pout with mock sullenness, "I knew it."

Rin huffed and looked away, grumbling something along the lines of 'one-eyed pervert' as Masamune smiled. He glanced over at Kojurou who sat calmly, far enough to not be able to overhear any conversation they might be having but close enough to be at Masamune's side in a flash. He seemed to be enjoying just watching his lord relax for once, and a sort of peaceful expression reflected that as he overlooked the scenery of Oshu.

Masamune chuckled…

Yes…

People like them were the reason why he'd never stop fighting, even at the cost of his life. It was people like them he would never stop loving to be around too… Because they were precious… At least, to him.