Yo. Here it is like I said it would be. It's the sister/partner/brother/ whatever you guys call it to the last one. So read and enjoy and review or flame.
Disclaimer-No
The Last Time
It has been three years since the fall of the Saika. Magoichi's body was never found but the Oda proclaimed him dead. His disappearance served as an example for other feudal lords in Japan. Now lords were bending to Nobunaga's desires. His desire to rule Japan has almost become reality. The Hojo and the inhabitants of Kyushu were all that remained in his way.
To prepare for the invasion of Kyushu, Nobunaga and his retainers were scattered on his orders to ensure the preparations and support of the other feudal lords. Hideyoshi Hashiba was dispatched to the East. Ieyasu Tokugawa was deployed to the North. Mitsuhide Akechi was sent to the West. Lastly, Nobutada Oda hurried to the East. These men as well as their own personal troops headed towards their destinations.
On the way, Mitsuhide stopped at the residency of the Hosokawa. He had a feeling that he needed to speak with Gracia before the invasion began. He told his men to set up camp for the night outside the city, in a forest. Then he set out alone for the manor house. It was midday afternoon.
Tadaoki Hosokawa, Gracia's husband and lord of the manor, welcomed Mitsuhide into the manor with open arms. Well, not really, the mood was fairly hostile. It was not unheard of for bigger clans to demand tributes from smaller clans. Then there were the three thousand soldiers outside the land under Tadaoki's control. No lord would be happy in that situation even if neither side desired conflict. Only etiquette and family ties kept Tadaoki from turning Mitsuhide away and Mitsuhide respected that. The marriage was political and for mutual benefit only. There was no real love between any members involved.
"Lord Mitsuhide. What brings you here to my humble abode?" Tadaoki shook Mitsuhide's hand.
"Can't a man stop by to greet his daughter and her husband?" Mitsuhide asked.
"A man could but there is no need to have three thousand or so armed men outside another's territory," Tadaoki said with a bit of rage in his voice.
"I assume you know of the planned assault on Kyushu?" Mitsuhide asked.
"Of course. I sent two thousand of my finest soldiers to Lord Nobunaga just the other day," Tadaoki said not sure where the conversation was heading.
"I was sent to the West to check on other lords and make sure the tributes to Lord Nobunaga arrives on time. On the way, I thought I could see my daughter and how she is coping with her new life," Mitsuhide mused.
Tadaoki looked relieved and said, "Gracia's upstairs in the third room. I will have a servant escort you."
"No need. I remember the layout of the manor from my last visit. I will be fine. Good day Lord Hosokawa," Mitsuhide got up and headed upstairs.
Gracia meanwhile was staring out the window. She was wearing new attire befitting one of her class and stature. She was wearing a white dress that accentuated her figure. Her hair was down with a pink flower hairclip in it. On her wrist though was a small bracelet, red jewel at the center and golden yellow that she had gotten from Magoichi that she refused to throw away. Tadaoki allowed her this small act of selfishness.
Even now, she has not let go of Magoichi. She had refused to believe his death, still believing that one day, he will return to her. After all, he promised her.
"You've grown Gracia," a voice rang out.
Gracia did not turn at the voice though etiquette demanded it of her. She saw no reason to need to show such formality with family though she followed it in Tadaoki's case.
"Father. What brings you here?" Gracias asked, no trace of malice present in her voice. She had long since forgiven her father for letting Magoichi disappear and stopping her. He had acted in her best interest and she can't hate him for it.
"I am getting ready for another war. I thought I would se you on my way," Mitsuhide quietly replied closing the door behind him. He joined Gracia by the window and the two stood in companionable silence watching the peasants outside working the fields.
They began engaging in small talk about various things from the weather and seasons to the various novels and plays they have seen. Eventually, Mitsuhide asked Gracia how she liked her new life here.
"Lord Hosokawa has been kind to me. He understood I was in a difficult time and allowed me my space. Now we are getting along quite well," Gracia said the last line with a small blush. She was still quite innocent though the last battle she was in changed her. Her naivety was replaced by a better understanding of the world and has made her stronger.
"You know. It would make me very happy to know I have a grandson," Mitsuhide said half-joking.
"Perhaps someday you will be a grandfather. You will be an old codger by then though," Gracia chuckled.
"You are just like your mother," Mitsuhide said suddenly.
Gracia's ears perked up at this. She had never known her mother who died during childbirth. None of the servants would tell Gracia bout her mother saying it wasn't their place to speak on behalf of their lord. When he was ready tot ell her, Gracia decided, she would listen.
"She was a beautiful woman, kind and caring. She was not of noble birth actually. She was actually a peasant that I took a fancy to. I took her as a wife at my parents', your grandparents', urging to get an heir. She soon showed that she was an extraordinary woman able to get through obstacles.
"It was from her that you inherited your miko powers. She was very powerful but she focused on channeling the spirits for the sake of healing and comfort, never for war," Mitsuhide spared Gracia a glance at which she turned red.
"Well. I needed to or I wouldn't have been of much help. I was never any good at the healing arts anyway unlike Lady Oichi and-" Gracia tried to defend herself.
Mitsuhide gave her a kind smile and said, "There's no need for you to defend yourself. Your mother would have been proud of how strong you have become. Your mother was never good at using the offensive arts anyway. You must have gotten that from me. Well, she was dangerous with a frying pan in her hand though. I still remember he time she caught me trying to throw away my vegetables and whipped my head with the pan. I think I still have the bump from that incident.
"Now where was I? Oh yes. She went through a lot of trouble and problems marrying me. F she had married someone of her class, she would not have such difficulties. As it was, servants, nobles, and others berated her with hurtful comments and sometimes violence. She took it all though. She was so strong. She never asked me for help or cried to me about her problems. Everyday, when I return, she would welcome me at the front door and asked me if I had a good day. Then she would listen to my problems and comfort me if I needed it.
"At first I thought I was doing her the favor by letting her into the nobility but now that I look back, I realized that I made her life more difficult and she did me the favor by serving as such a strong support," Mitsuhide paused, "I truly loved her with every fiber of my being. But life is never perfect. Nothing good lasts. Fate took her from me but in her place, she birthed me a child, you."
At this point, Gracia was shedding some tears. Mitsuhide put a comforting hand on her shoulder and turned her into his arms, wrapping his arms around her like a father to a child. It had been a long time since they connected with each other.
"Do you hate me? Not just for keeping your mother from you but for Magoichi as well," Mitsuhide asked.
"I can never hate you. You were always protecting me as best that you can. How can I hate you for that?" Gracia sobbed.
"Thank you," Mitsuhide hugged her tightly before ending the embrace, "I need to depart now. The war is beginning anew. I must do preparations."
"Good luck and good bye father," Gracia bowed.
Inclining his head, Mitsuhide left the room. He went to his men standing by and told them to move out. Camp was already made so Mitsuhide decided to stay the night. Hosokawa will be angry but well, Mitsuhide doesn't care. It was nighttime.
Three months later, Nobunaga was killed. Gracia's father Mitsuhide had killed him at Hononji. Now Hosokawa was asked to lend their strength to the Coalition to avenge Nobunaga headed by Hideyoshi Hashiba. Tadaoki sent for Gracia to his side.
"You sent for me Lord Hosokawa?" Gracia politely curtsied.
"Yes. I was asked to join in the fight against your father. If I help them, it will preserve the Hosokawa name for years to come. At the same time, honor and loyalty dictate that I help your father. What should I do?" Tadaoki asked.
Gracia knew that there was o choice for Tadaoki and said to him, "Lord Hosokawa, for all the years you have spent caring and catering to my childishness you have never asked me for anything. At this point, for you to consider my counsel, I am so ever grateful. Yet, this decision is yours and yours alone. I will abide by your decision whatever that may be," Gracia gave Tadaoki a kind smile.
"Do you hate me? You know my decision. I expected you to try everything to sway my decision," Tadaoki asked curiously.
"My father sent me a letter days ago by pigeon. He had instructed me to inform you of the contents when you will make the decision to rise against him," Gracia said. Tadaoki gave a hurt look but motioned for hr to go on.
"In the letter, he said for you to fight him, to not become another Nagamasa Azai. It is for that reason I will respect the decision you make," Gracia said.
"Do you hate me?" Tadaoki asked.
Gracia knew this was coming, "You are the third to ask me that. I will give you the same answer I gave them. No I don't hate you. I owe you too much to hate you. I may resent it greatly but hating you is impossible for me."
Tadaoki sighed before giving Gracia a weary smile, "Thank you, Gracia."
There we go. It seems to me that there are a lot of bad stuff in my fics. Somebody dies or is about to die. Pretty depressing stuff.
Well next time, it is Yoshimoto. I seriously want to finish his before I forget... again.