How are you all? Sorry for the late update! I hope that you guys had a nice week! There's nothing really much for me to say, so a nice short intro today! Onto the chappie! Shina/Yue/Whatever you want to call her has more of an easily irritable personality, I just wanted to do that to start my development of character.
I closed my exhausted eyes in hopes that I could get some rest. It was quite the headache, having four old people talk like a bunch of fools. They were really nice, yet I did not know what they were talking about. Perhaps I am the fool here. They were chattering and yammering on and on about battle strategies and arguing about which army was the best and such. Being with them made me feel warm and comfortable, and I was very glad to have them let me join on occasion, even though it was a little hard to understand from time to time.
"What do you think of this, Shina? Oh whatever, I sense you are very bored by our blabbering. Here's something," Ujiyasu said, waving his hand around to shoo me away. I could not lie, I was very bored watching the old men scribble on a piece of paper for the last hour. They sat on cushions, and situated themselves around a large, low cut, mahogany table, just low enough for them to be able to sit and write comfortably. "Why don't you go play with Shingen's little associates? I hear they are quite friendly... Outside of battle, that is."
I scoff, for I had no interest in some petty soldiers! What a dent in my pride! Well, if I had any. "I do not want to lower myself to 'hang out' with a mere foot soldier and a irritating fly," I said, with my face scowling at the suggestion. And I have met them before, and as I said, one was some honor freak, while the other was some love struck puppy, with a hint of annoyance! The latter was also quite irritating, like a fly. "In fact, I would much rather have myself to keep as company." I look up to see Ujiyasu grinning, it made me quite confused. "Is there something amusing I have said?! What is up with that grin on your face?!" He pointed behind me.
I turn to see a female shinobi, her face displayed anger and an intent to murder. While the other, a male cladded in red, stared at me with giant puppy eyes. An idiot, in other words. Hmm, I don't remember the shinobi to be quite so short, and I didn't expect the red cladded one to be so buff. I guess it HAS been a while since I've seen these imbeciles. I open my mouth to speak, but the flighty one beat me to it first. And she had quite a bit to spit at me.
"Who are you calling 'irritating fly'?!" She called, particularly to me. Her excruciatingly high voice instantly made me want to kill myself, I cannot imagine having to spend one minute with her, let alone a day. I slapped my hand onto my face, I knew today was going to be one of those days. Lately, due to people like Ms. Fly and Captain Oblivious, I have been feeling more... Ah, what was that word I heard the ladies of town use one time? Cranky, was it? Well, whatever it is, I feel a humongous amount of stress and anger being dumped on me, for no specific reason. "Well, you're... You're a dumb butt!"
An awkward silence swept over the room like a storm cloud.
Then the red one stepped up. "I'm very sorry about Kunoichi here, I am Yukimura Sanada, proud warrior of the Takeda cavalry!" I stand up and start clapping with emphasis. I smirk. The two give me a very confused look. I walk around them and out the sliding doors, for I have had just enough of this nonsense.
"Good," I call, and by now I was already down the hall, ready to take my little leave. "Good for you, and I hope your egotistical self gets crushed due to your brashness!" I reached for the outside door and slid it open, and continued my little journey outside. I could tell that the castle and the town were quite a few ways away, yet I still decided to make my way down.
I walked along the narrow path near the mountain side; the path slowly descended down and around a small hill, and on that hill was Motonari's home. A small slip up, and I may never get to see the light of day. More like the white of day now. And yet the cycle keeps going and going. This small cycle, my thinking scheme, it tumbles thoughts and worries again and again, it is only a matter of time until I think of the thought again. I look to my right, it was the only side I could really watch, for my right was nothing but a thick wall of trees.
To my right was farmers of all sizes, a small, plump lady stood in the mucky waters, planting the little sprouts, awaiting for them to mature next summer. But in this kind of weather? The water must be freezing. It saddens me to see such desperate measures to be taken. A young boy, no older than five years of age, helps the small lady by carrying a load of weeds back down a small path, struggling to keep his balance. I look at the sky. It is already dusk, and I worry that the family may work until night. The other farmers began to leave their sections.
Yet, I leave them be, because I know whenever I try, I only hurt others. I want to help. Whenever I open my colorblind eyes, I only destroy everything, turning all into an array of darkness. I do not know why, but it tugs my heart if it happens. Sometimes I may not feel it, and in my dreams, I sense a horrid feeling of torment and regret. Where does it all come from? There are times when I see specific people, I feel this feeling of remorse and loss. Or at least, that's what I believe they are to be. I know the feelings of sadness and anger very well, yet the happy ones, joy, relief, and excitement, I can no longer feel.
When my thoughts begin to drift, I roll my ankles in a way that I have never experienced, and it brings much more pain than I had anticipated. I tumble down the hill and land in the water, now it answers my question about how cold the water felt. I hit the bottom of the patties hard, and now my back is numb from the pain and the chilliness. I float up, to see two faces nearly shoved up against mine. The two farmers.
"My, my, that quite the stumble you took there, dear," I could hear the heavy accent she put on, perhaps a western accent? We were in the west, but it sounded like it belonged to Kyushu. No, but then again, Kyushu's accent sounds a lot like a accent from Shinano. Experience has told me that much. "Here, come inside, we shall change your clothes, no?"
I had finished changing into some rather nice clothes, though they were a bit on the poor quality side, they were still warm, comfortable, and even soft to the touch. They were a dull grey, but they were still well suited for commoners.
"May I ask, if it does not offend you," I spoke, catching the lady's attention. I stared straight into her creamy grey eyes. They must be a medium color, not too dark, but not light either. "Why are you working in this kind of weather? In fact, aren't these clothes meant for a special occasion? They feel a little... On the special side." She looks down. Her eyes turn glassy. The little boy next to her looks at his mother worryingly. It was easier to read children's faces, that was for sure.
"Those clothes... They belonged to my husband. He was a soldier... For the Oda army, until he was killed a few years back. We work because we no longer have the support from my husband's efforts," I looked away, staring at the worn mats that laid across the splintered floor boards. "But do not worry, he is in a much better place now." I stand to bow, though I had a little difficulty, my ankle was twisted and throbbing as a result. "My, there's no need for that, young lady!" I grab my pack and fish in there for a few coins. My other pack was stuffed with first aid and emergency items, while the other had a handful of money and food. Which I have thrown out already. The coins nearly fell out of my hands.
"Please, open your hands, both of you. I feel bad enough for having to burden you with my troubles, and hearing this... It is something I regret, considering I am one of the higher ranked officers within the Oda army." I see the shock in their eyes, and they have done what they were told. I stuffed the coins into each of their hands, closing them with my own, gripping them tightly. "Think of this as a fee, a fee for my dues." They looked at me, smiling and thanking me. I feel a mysterious warmth inside. "No need to thank me."
"Oh my, this is more money than I can ever wish to make!" This was a interesting remark, considering I could make this in a single battle. It WAS only a few coins. Amazing what people could go through. I hear the door open, and a familiar voice which made me slap my hand onto my face again. I knew if one idiot came, the other would have followed. I looked around the corner of the dark corridors, and I caught a glimpse of a scarf. "Ah, Lord Yukimura, you are here again?" I watched where they had gone, and I quickly ran for the door. "Hey, miss, where-"
"This is not the time and place for a person like me," I said, dashing for the door like I was competing for a race. However, a large, red piece of armor popped out of nowhere, and I bashed straight into someone's back. "What the- Ack!" I knew it straight then and there. For what trouble I was going to be in. I see Yukimura turn around, and he has a gentle smile directed at me. "What is so amusing? Is there something on my face?" I see his face change to a look filled with awe.
"Uh, no," he said, stuttering and fidgeting in his spot. "I'm sorry if I offended you... We were looking for you for quite some time," he looked around the hallway. "But we didn't expect you to be here. Why are you at my aunt's home?" Aunt? I thought his family came from the east... That explains the heavy accent. But why...? "My aunt moved here from all the chaos... But it seems like the chaos has spread here as well... Especially with Nobunaga's army knocking at their doorstep. I only hope for their safety." He answered, as if he knew what was on my head. I insist that it's just a coincidence. I bet he's not smart enough to figure out what was on my mind.
"I... See. Well, for your burning curiosity, I took a small tumble down the hill earlier." I see the burning passion dwindle down in his eyes and they were filled with a gentle look instead. "But there is no need for your concern. I am completely fine!" I thrust up my arm, but I cannot raise it all the way, for there is a pain in my shoulder. He chuckles and calls for his shinobi. "Oh gods, I hope I do not have to face the two of you for the rest of my life because of this." He looks a bit hurt.
"Ha! Here's the little stinking girl who thought she was good enough to be on her own!" I scoff. "And yet you took a little tumble down the hill! Nyahahaha!" I look down. "Don't you have something to say to both me and Yuki?" Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Yukimura give Kunoichi a disappointed look.
"Hmph. Fine. Well, I'm sorry." When no one spoke a word, I looked up and saw the two give me an astonished look. "Yeesh, what is with people giving me the most predictable looks? I have some sort of pride you know, I am not made of rudeness." I kneel and begin to rise, and when Yukimura processed what I was saying, he helped me up. "Thank you. Let me introduce myself again. I am Shina, a ronin, but then again, we have met before. Though you may not remember me."
"Ah, Yukimura, you have met this young lady before? And what are you all doing in the hall? Please, do make your way to the living room." The plump lady joined our little meeting and pointed down the hall, in the direction away the door I was lunging for. We followed her.
Afterwards, the middle-aged lady decided to stick me and Kunoichi into a decent sized bedroom, which I thought was a bad decision on her part. Kunoichi would not stop watching me, even as I pace around, and I completely ignored her.
"Do you like Lord Yukimura?" She whispered suddenly. I pause in my path. I turned to give her a glare, but her eyes blinked with honesty and something I could not see for sure. Damn these colorblind eyes.
"Like? What do you mean, simpleton?" I sat down onto my futon, and I positioned myself to face her. I had let down my waist-long hair, and I opened the front pocket of one of my packs, and I grabbed a comb. Seeing her questioning gaze, I elaborated. "Well, I think he is a good warrior, definitely better than a mere foot soldier." She gives me a confused look. People have been giving me that look a lot lately.
"That's... Not really what I meant."
"Then what did you mean? I cannot see another way than the way I had answered," I told her, as I was losing my patience.
"I mean do you... You know, love him?" Ugh. Love. I have heard it used many times by the chatty and energetic girls on the streets. 'I just absolutely LOVE the way he stretches,' or 'I can't wait to meet the love of my life!', and other frivolous remarks. I have read it in books as well, and they honestly sound like some sort of twisted sexual assault gone wrong. Like if I wanted to stab someone, but then I suddenly stabbed my victim and I said sorry to them. They sound like they are hurting them and they want to, but then they just start apologizing. "I can see that you do not know what I mean. Well, that's alright... I guess. I must apologize however," she spoke, staring out into the dark skies outside.
"Apologize? For what?"
"I shouldn't have treated you that way... I thought you were going to hurt Lord Yukimura... So I panicked." That is understandable. I cannot blame her, I would have done the same for Lord Nobunaga. However, there was a nagging feeling in my stomach that told me it wasn't just because of that.
"You were afraid that I would have taken him away, isn't that right?" I smirked when her face changed from solemn to a shocked face. "As if I would do that. I do not act without reason, so you should fine, rest assured."
"Thank you," she said, her eyes softening. "You know, you aren't as bad as I thought you would be," I roll my eyes. What does that mean? Ah well, let's not linger on that thought. "I think I would make great friends with someone like you!" I feel that she isn't as bad as I thought as well. She seems less annoying when I am talking to her face to face. Like a comrade. Understanding, but does not overstep her boundary when I am not happy.
"I guess you are the same. Have you heard of Tokugawa's ninja?" I said, my thoughts wavering around. Since she was a shinobi herself, I thought she would have known about the pesky ninja. She gives me a snarky look. My lips spread slightly.
"Yes! He is so annoying! He was supposed to be my sworn rival, but he had gone and gotten himself another rival! Some red-headed freak from Ujiyasu's army! Grr, and he always interrupts Lord Yukimura and Lord Shingen's plans! It is so annoying to get rid of him!" I continue listening, perhaps her running mouth may be useful for when I need information. An advantage. We continue into the night, and we fell asleep, awaiting the next day. She could be apart of my 'family'... What did they call it? A 'sister', no?
So? Was that any better? I'm trying to develop the character and plot slowly, and I need to know if it is moving a bit too slow for your likings... I really tried writing this chappie, I tried to get it out as soon as I could, and I'm really enjoying this so far! I just don't know what the heck happened to people, they kind of just disappeared.
Question of the Day: (Hooray!) If you could, who would you marry in the Dynasty/Samurai Warriors series? For me, I can't decide, there's so many hot people in the series... Gah, they're all so... (Drools) Never mind, but aren't some of them the most handsome and prettiest guys you've ever seen? Tell me why and what you would do to them! (Please exclude your crazy fantasies, I don't want to read how someone like Lu Xun could bend that way...) Please, this time, I want a ton of people answering, so please leave a review!
Until the sun sets again, ~TheCrazyPeople