Looking back at the previous chapter, I feel dissatisfied with it. I don't know why, it was just too short and no development...boo :(

Thanks for everyone that reviewed!

Okay well here is the next chapter. Also I don't own Samurai Warriors. If I did there would of been more cutscenes between Masamune and Kunoichi XP

Chapter 4: Adjusting

"Even in winter an isolated patch of snow has a special quality."

Andy Goldsworth

"Masamune Date is the young leader of Oshu. He single handily united all of northern Japan and has dreams for prosperity in our land," stated Tama proudly.

Kunoichi nodded politely with Tama's rambling while continuing to help Tama peel the sweet potatoes. Tama was an old maid of the castle, she had served the Date Clan all her life and is fiercely loyal to the Date family. She took an odd doting to Kunoichi, unlike the other servants and soldiers, but Kunoichi appreciated the friendship.

Kunoichi at first felt wary towards the old senile woman, but Tama was kind and talkative. So friendship develop between the two, the only friend she made within the last few weeks serving Date. She knew doing kitchen chores wasn't the most exciting job but after a day of training and drills, she was content in helping the maid instead of joining the barracks with the men. Kunoichi clumsily peeled the potatoes before dropping them in a vat of hot water to boil. Tama would occasionally scold her lack of common sense in the kitchen, but she didn't mind. The woman's company was nice.

"I don't see Masamune Date around these days," started Kunoichi.

"Oh, the Lord is busy discussing with his top generals," interrupted Tama. "It turns out that he wants to march right away and challenge Ieyasu for the right of the land, but clans are skeptical about his plan and others argue that an assault in the spring would be better than going now in the winter."

"What do you think Date should do?"

Tama looked uncomfortable, "I can't say my opinion Miss Kuno, a servant doesn't discuss what men do in battle."

"But you know a lot," persisted Kunoichi, "why is that?"

The woman gave a nervous chuckle. "Gossip goes around, and besides I lived here long enough to hear things."

Kunoichi nodded and started to cut the potatoes. She thought slowly on what Tama mentioned, she knew she had to gain the trust of Date Masamune to join his campaign, but she was still going nowhere. Fuma Kotaro's displeasure last night was also bothersome but she didn't put much mind into it.

"Hey Tama, I'll be going back to the barracks now."

Tama smiled and nodded. "Yes, thank you for the help Miss Kuno."

Masamune Date felt angry, angry at his useless advisers, angry at the incompetent generals, and angry that no one was listening to him.

He knew that everyone feared him because he was the ruler of northern Japan, but everyone feared Tokugawa Ieyasu more. He already heard that the man secured most of the eastern territory and no one was brave or stupid enough to challenge him.

"Curses," muttered Masamune in disgust. He wished he was younger again, back when he was still trying to conquer all of northern Japan. That time he only had the army from Oshu, but the soldiers were loyal and followed his orders with devotion. Now that he was older, life stop becoming a battlefield. It started to involve truces, negotiations, and compromises with other lands.

And the last time Date remembered, dragons do not compromise.

He scoffed at Kunoichi calling him a traitor a few weeks ago. What the hell did she expect? He hated having allies...he could do everything himself just fine.

"Get a grip of yourself," Masamune scolded himself bitterly. "I need allies to achieve my dream..."

"Hey Masamune!" called out a familiar deep voice.

Masamune glanced around to see Magoichi running up to him. Great.

"What do you want Magoichi, can't you see I'm busy?"

"Busy? As in talking to yourself?"

"Never mind. What do you want?" he snapped.

Magoichi only smiled, "I was thinking that you need some fresh air, staying in the castle all day is unlike you. Besides you still haven't met up with her."

"Who?"

Magoichi sighed in exasperation. "The pretty little lady that you recruited."

"Oh. Her." stated Masamune flatly. "I'll use her when the time comes."

"Why don't you meet up with her now?" teased Magoichi. "She's kind of cute..."

Masamune flushed slightly. "Tch, girls are all the same. Besides I have better things to do."

Magoichi shrugged, "suit yourself my Lord." With that Magoichi exited the room. Masamune glanced outside, even though autumn had left and the days were getting shorter, going outside for some fresh air didn't sound that bad.

The barracks stood right outside the Date castle and surrounding it was farmland. Kunoichi stood against the barren farm fields of Oshu, observing the landscape with curiosity. Farmers were finishing the last of their harvests and were getting ready for winter to come. She saw a young couple under the shelter of an old tree nearby. A young Date soldier was holding a village girl in her arms, whispering in her ear as she giggles.

Kunoichi felt a pang of jealousy at the happy couple. She sometimes wishes her life could be more simple, like the two young people in front of her.

A cold breeze came by and she hugged herself tighter. "Yukimura," she whispered, her throat aching slightly, "I need your guidance..."

"Hey!"

Surprised, she turned around to see him standing there.

Date Masamune.

He wasn't wearing his trademark crescent helmet so she didn't recognize him for a second. Only the eye patch gave him away. He still wore his typical armor so maybe that also gave it away.

She gave him a polite bow, but he scoffed at her. "Are you suppose to be some peasant? Where's your old clothes? You know the pink one."

She gave him a funny look. "Why should I wear clothes like that in this weather? Unless you prefer me to wear barely nothing," she smirked.

Masamune flushed for a second, muttering something under his breath while Kunoichi grinned. It was nice to see Masamune on the hot seat this time.

"It's just that you're a vixen," he argued weakly.

She rolled her eyes. "Please if you're a so-called dragon aren't you suppose to fly and have a castle under the sea?"

"That's not the point!" Masamune snapped. By the gods this girl was annoying. But oddly it felt nice talking to her.

She laughed. She felt like she gained her confidence back when she talked with him. Maybe because she stayed long enough at the Date castle to stop feeling intimidated by Masamune or look at him with resentment. Or maybe she just really craved the interactions with someone her age.

"You seem different," he noted, interrupting her thought.

"Huh?"

"When you came into the castle and at Osaka...you acted like the world was against you."

She tensed up, "Masamune, the world was against me. Everyone was and you would be same state if I held a sword to your throat."

Her respond came out cold and her eyes harden again, 'Thank you Masamune for reminding me why I'm here.'

"Was I suppose to throw my arms around you and allow you to join my army like that?" he retorted angrily. "After you almost killed me at Osaka and the fact that you served Sanada for so long, shouldn't I be slightly suspicious?"

"We were battling each other, of course I was trying to kill you!" she spat. "And given with your record of switching alliances I don't think you have the right to talk!"

"Don't talk to your Lord like that, Vixen!"seethed Masamune in anger.

"I can say what I want-" she stopped herself because he had a point. Stammering she bowed to the furious Masamune and started to leave. Walking back to the barracks she heard him call out to her.

"Do you really hate me?"

The wind was starting to pick up again and his words hung in the air, echoing in her mind.
She took a shaky breath, her answer hanging at the tip of her tongue. But she decided to keep on walking back to the barracks.

Why did he feel insulted that she left without an answer? Why did he care to hear her answer?

Date Masamune hated girls. He could never understand them, whether they were the typical village girls or the whores Magoichi had glued to him. They were simply high-pitched annoying creatures. And most of all he can't understand female warriors. He's fought a few, he can't deny they were capable at fighting, but they were always so aggravating.

He recalled the odd Okuni, the Shinto priestess who fought with a damn parasol. She called him a beast when they battled but asked if he'll "visit" her sometime after he defeated her. What the hell was that lady's problem? Then again rumors fly around that she was probably more of a vixen than her occupation suggests.

And now here was Kunoichi. He always disliked her because she was annoying, how she teased her enemies while she kills them. It was if war was a game for her.
Granted, Masamune didn't know why he should care so much about this girl. He should just be satisfy that she was working for him, but her demeanor these last few weeks was different.

She seemed like the empty husk of her former self. He didn't understand, but it bothered him. He hated her cheerful demeanor back when she was with Sanada but he despised her gloomy personality. It wasn't like Yukimura was her Lord anymore, and he didn't care if she had feelings for the dead man. She now served him and he expects her to respect him like all his other men.

But still his felt guilty for some reason over what had happened today. He won't acknowledge it but he wanted to see her smile again. The way she grinned at him when she was teasing him. It felt...nice. He was annoyed, but her smile was contaigous.

"Damn it," muttered Masamune. He glanced back at the empty fields of Oshu. He noticed a young couple cuddling under the tree and his anger picked up again.

"Hey get out of there you lovebirds! Is that you private Obata?" he yelled furiously. "Get back to the barracks you imbecile!"

She sat down miserably at her post that night. No one was around and the soldiers were probably down at the tents eating their dinner.

"Complete arrogant jerk," she muttered angrily. "Thinking he can tell me what to do..." she wiped the tears that fell from her face. "I'm not scared of you..."

She sniffed and sat down. She felt confused at Masamune's behavior, he treated her in a condescending manner but at the same time she was cordial with him. She tolerated him for some reason.

Did she really hate him? No...she told herself she hated Ieyasu not Masamune. But still his presences was a constant reminder of her failure.

She heard footsteps approaching from behind so she spun around, fists balled up to defend herself because Magoichi still had her daggers.

The lamplight from the person gave her away. Tama.

Kunoichi relaxed her stance and gave the old maid a polite bow.

"Miss Kuno," smiled Tama as she handed Kunoichi a bundle. "I brought something for you to eat because serving the Date clan is hard work and you must keep up your energy."

Kunoichi smiled at the old woman, "Tama...thanks but I'm not really hungry."

Tama scoffed, "Miss Kuno, you need to keep up your strength, and beautiful young girl like you needs to eat more, your almost practically a bag of bones!"

Kunoichi thought it was funny that Tama called her "beautiful and a bag of bones," she smiled and took the bundle from Tama's gnarled hands. Opening it she took out some sweet potatoes and an onigiri, rice ball. Tama was still watching so Kunoichi bit into the rice ball first. The salty flavor hit her mouth and she chewed it like an obedient child. She felt her eyes water again at the nostalgic taste and she sniffed.

"Sorry Tama, it's just that I'm feeling not so well today..."

Tama looked at Kunoichi with her failing eyes, "Miss Kuno, it's alright if you feel sad, you can cry if you want."

"Who said I was going to cry?" she laughed bitterly.

Sniffing, Kunoichi swallowed the rice, choking slightly and wiping her mouth. She sat down on the guard post and allowed the tears to fall.

She felt Tama sat down next to her. Her lamp flickered and Kunoichi glanced at the flames. Tama sighed. "Do you miss home?"

"I wish I knew where home was..." Kunoichi sniffed. "I feel so helpless Tama, I don't think I know what to do anymore. You wouldn't understand, but I really miss him!"

"Was he a soldier?" Tama asked.

Kunoichi nodded. "Tama, he was the best samurai I ever met," she whispered.

Tama nodded, "I once was your age Miss Kuno and I loved someone too. He died long ago in the war, leaving me with only my newborn son. My son...he had long left this world too because of war." Kunoichi looked at Tama, feeling guilty for some reason.

"I bear no grudge towards anyone, because it is war. The only thing I hate is how long this war has been going. A hundred years of battling, I wish...that your children can be born in a time where there is peace."

Kunoichi flushed at Tama's last statement, "I wish too...if I live long enough to have children..."

Tama gave a wistful smile, "Miss Kuno, I know nothing about you, but you are of child bearing age...but I suppose since you are a female warrior it's different for you."

Kunoichi didn't say anything at Tama's comment, only closing her eyes. "Tama, what do you know of Sanada Yukimura?"

Tama looked surprised at her change of subject, "I don't know much about him, I just heard that he was killed at Osaka, a battle Lord Masamune participated in...and that he was a great warrior..."

"Sanada Yukimura," stated Kunoichi calmly as she open her eyes, "was the type of warrior to appear in only a hundred years. He was admired by both his allies and enemies. He fought bravely at his final battle at Osaka. He defended the castle, serving as commander of Toyotomi Hideyori, the son of the late Hideyoshi and his wife Yodo."

Tama was listening, so Kunoichi took a deep breath and continued.

"Toyotomi Hideyori was what remained of the once great Toyotomi clan. There was a desperate battle at Osaka. Tokugawa versus Toyotomi forces.
There, Yukimura made his last stand...in the end he was killed, and the morale of the army dropped...their greatest fighter had died..."

"Hideyori tried to flee by boat, but it was too late," said Kunoichi bitterly. "So he killed himself...his eight year old son was then beheaded, thus ending the Toyotomi's clan future."

A silence hung in the air and Kunoichi realize that she was crying again. "Yukimura...he was so young. He was kind and beautiful...he died for honor but at what cost? He was always suffering behind that facade, under his smile his eyes held pain...he was tired. Tired of fighting the battles, but in the end I wasn't able to do anything!"

Kunoichi broke down, sobbing her heart out. It's been too long since she cried like this. She felt Tama hugged her, the woman's scent of salt and old herbs felt oddly comforting as Kunoichi buried her head against Tama's bosom.

She felt weak, but she realize how nice it was to cry on someone's shoulder then alone.

The next day, Kunoichi decided to walk outside to the fields again. It was early in the cold morning with frost forming around the dead grass, giving the fields a white frosted look. She blew her breath, watching the smoke escape her mouth and inhaling in the cold air.

She fiddled with the red cloth tied at her wrist. "I will always be a Sanada ninja in my heart Yukimura. But now I must work for Date Masamune, he's just as arrogant to his men as he is to his enemies, and I don't like him... But it doesn't matter because, Ieyasu's head will be in the end of your spear sooner or later..."

Something caught her eye and she glanced up. Snow.

It was snowing. She stared at awe as the white stuff drifted down. Ice crystal flakes fell from the cloudy sky landing in the ground and her hair.
She had to smile for some reason. As much as she dislikes winter, snow was a pretty sight. She giggled like a child, surprised at her own voice. She felt giddy for some reason at the sight of snow. Her days were spent too long being sad that she almost forgot how to laugh again.

Grinning like an idiot, she bolted down the fields with her feet crunching on the white stuff. Laughing she laid down on the cold ground, gasping in the fresh winter air. She must of looked silly doing this, but she didn't care. She closed her eyes, sighing at the emotional rush.

"I wouldn't mind if time stopped like this. With me lying in the fields and snow falling around me as it got colder. I wouldn't mind if time stopped now because I never been this happy in a long time."

Authors' Rant:

I realize that I have issues with past and present tense in terms of grammar. :/

Had you ever been so sad and depressed for such a long time that afterwards you feel giddy or euphoric? That was certainly for me at one point. I don't know if I'm weird that way be when I've been sad for a long time, I feel happy over the slightest thing, like winter break or relatives coming over. Because we can't be sad all the time.

I think this is a good part to end off, sorry if it's too short again -_- I wish I can just jump to the relationship, but it wouldn't be entirely plausible for her to get over Yukimura's death too quickly. But it seems like Kunoichi is able to smile again at least. Or would that even last? 0_o

Anyways thanks for reading and please review! ^-^ I'll try to update as soon as possible! Got to study though :(

-Wuchen