Warning: Fem!Hanbei

Disclaimer: I do not own Sengoku Basara or any of the characters.

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Chapter 7:

Ishida, the young hotheaded new general. Hearing him still alive relieved her somehow but.. "You can't kill him! The young man means no harm! I know him so well, he is driven by his emotions-" "This doesn't erase the fact that he is a killing machine, he does not kill only soldiers, but unarmed civilians as well , following Toyotomi's steps" Katakura cleared himself out; it was clear there is no turning back on their plan. "If.. if I speak to him, he will stop doing that" Even though Katakura gave her the same unreadable face expression, she pressed more on him "I promise, he will-" "This will never work Takenaka. Even if you beg, they have already decided to slay him" he paused for a moment then added "And what about you going to Tokugawa, have you changed your mind already?" Kaoru was taken back; she had let her emotions taking the good of her. She couldn't decide what to do, stopping Ishida to save him from death, or face the traitor who turned his back against them. After a few moments of calculating the possibilities she answered "No, I did not change my mind" She knew if Ishida finds out about what Ieyasu did he will face him and perhaps this is where she will meet him too.

The next morning, Date's army was getting ready to depart to Kai. Kaoru was a little bit upset since she will still be wearing the women clothes to disguise herself from the angry Samurai eyes. If anyone finds out she is Toyotomi's strategist she will be in a great danger. She watched Katakura as he gave some instructions to the men before he made his way to her "I was thinking of something. I can't let my men knows who you really are or you will be risking your life so I'm not going to call you either Hanbei or Takenaka so-" "Kaoru" She interrupted him, looking at his face "My real name is Kaoru, if this is what you are aiming for" Katakura looked back at her for few moments before nodding and took out a Kaiken*, handing it to her. Kaoru couldn't hide the surprise look on her face as she looked at the dagger then at him "You can't walk around unarmed, you might need it" does this means he trust her not to kill him with this very dagger? Kaoru reached her hand and took the Kaiken, checking it before putting it in her Kimono's pocket.

Some of the soldiers looked at Katakura and Hanbei's direction, starting to gossip "Since that woman arrived, she had been by Katakura-sama's side" one of them said then the other added "I saw her in his room last night! Do you think Suzu-sama knows about it?" "I envy him, but she doesn't seem like an easy one! if I ever have such a beauty with me, I wouldn't care about what my wife think-" "What are you two talking about?!" Samanosuke* showed up from behind them, startling them with his question "I-it is nothing!" one of them laughed nervously but that didn't work on Samanosuke who already heard the whole conversation, glaring at them from behind his small glasses "You dare and speak ill of Katakura-sama?!" "No-no we didn't!" the two of them ran away and Samanosuke sighed before looking at Katakura's direction, he too was wondering who is this woman and from where she came from.

Later when everything was ready, Kaoru looked at the horse they gave her, she can't mount it while wearing a Kimono, if only she has a Hakama*.. Trying not to let that bothers her too much, Kaoru mounted the horse, doing her best to ignore the fact that her legs were exposed all the way up to her thighs to thousands of men, something she wasn't used to. Before she met Hideyoshi she was a decent young woman, and after she met him she dressed up like a man, rarely showing off her skin to anyone, so mounting the horse with such clothes was something new to her. She could feel the eyes on her but she tried to ignore all of them and think about her mission. The first day and the second have passed and on the third day; when they were almost close to Kai, Masamune summoned Kaoru, she walked into the camp they sat up and took seat before the leader and his right hand man. She was glad he summoned her, because she actually wanted to speak with him to go on her own, to Ieyasu "So Onna, I have allowed you to accompany us, now that we are close, what are you planning to do?" Kaoru looked at Oushu's captain, aside from him still being cocky, and speaking with her with such a manner, she couldn't deny how grateful she is for the opportunity he gave her "I can't thank you enough for what you have done to me, you and Katakura-kun. Both of you were nice to me when I gave you a hard time before-" "Hey hey, don't mistook this as kindness" Masamune interrupted her "From my side at least" he added, looking at Katakura, flashing him a grin. He could see the confused look on his partner's face as well as the woman, and then he continued "Since you are my guest, I'll have to make sure you arrive safely to your destination, which means you are not going to Tokugawa alone. Kojuro will accompany you-" "Masamune-sama!" Katakura clearly objected what his leader offered but the grin on Masamune's face didn't fade away "You heard me Kojuro! you have noticed how the guys been looking at her, it will be dangerous if I send any of them with her alone, you are the only one who'd fit for this" hearing all of this upset Kaoru, they were speaking about her as if she wasn't there and had no word in this, it also sounded as if she hadn't traveled or dealt with men before. Is this how they view women? "I appreciate your concern, but there is no need for-" "I'm the leader here" Masamune spoke once again, making both Katakura and her looking at him "Get ready to leave with her Kojuro, pick up some skillful men with you" With that he stood up and left, leaving no room for arguing.

Reluctantly, Katakura picked up ten of the men to come along with him and Kaoru. he didn't like the idea of not being with Masamune at such a time, Ishida Mitsunari sounds like a dangerous man and he feared his captain will be reckless once he encounter him. He couldn't stop this uneasy feeling. He departed with Kaoru, leaving Masamune with his four trusted men. Yoshinao, Samanosuke, Bunshichirou, and Magobei*. as well as Masamune's cousin Shigezane, who promised he will not leave Masamune's side at all.

In the evening, they had to camp to let the horses rest for a while, Kaoru sat under one of the trees, looking up at the full moon, such a calm night.. Will it be the same tomorrow? She wondered but Katakura's voice brought her out of her thoughts when he offered her a drink. She thanked him and took it as he sat on the other side of the tree. Katakura looked up at the moon as well, ever since they left Masamune, he couldn't stop thinking about Ishida, he knows a little about the man but Hanbei definitely knows more, which perhaps will help him to think of wherever he should go with her or go back to aid his lord.

"This.. Ishida Mitsunari" Katakura tore the silence between them, getting Kaoru's attention who turned her head slightly toward him as he spoke "Tell me more about him" his request was quite expectable but not in this way, she expected him to demand her to tell him about Ishida, not asking her in this way "What do you want to know about him?" "Everything, start off from when did he join Toyotomi's army or where did you met him" Kaoru smiled a little at this memory, looking down at her drink in her hands "He was only four when he joined us" This made Katakura raise his eyebrows but she quickly added "Not as a soldier yet, but as a person" He nodded and asked "You were Toyotomi's strategist at that time?" Kaoru shook her head "No, I was.. nothing at that time" Katakura doesn't know much about her personal life even when she was working for Toyotomi, he doesn't know what or from which family she came from "If its too much, you don't have to speak about it" but again she shook her head "No, it doesn't matter, I could tell you whatever you want. this is the least I could do right now" Katakura paused for few moments, looking at the woman's face then asked "Then let me hear it all, how did you meet Toyotomi, why did you choose to live as a man and became someone else?" She expected him to ask this question too but she is willing to tell him everything, in the end she only have few days or months to live, it doesn't matter if he know about her past "The one who introduced me to Hideyoshi was Maeda Keiji" Kojuro kept on looking at her face as she spoke, she closed her eyes and took a breath then said "I was.. His lover back then when I met Hideyoshi for the first time. Keiji helped me to run away from my abusive step-mother and we both traveled to Osaka where we met Hideyoshi and his wife Nene. I was only 18 back then" she couldn't bring herself to look at Katakura's face, she know he is a very traditional man and what she did was something he will never approve, but she is not telling him this to judge her. Katakura kept a calm face as he listening to her story, he was quite surprised to hear her knowing Keiji in this way, but it doesn't surprise him at all, knowing the man's personality.

"When he introduced you to Toyotomi, were he planning to rule the world at that time" He asked "No, Hideyoshi was a kindhearted man, all what he cared about is his wife and his lord Oda Nobunaga. Hideyoshi was the one who brought the young Ishida with him after Azai clan was defeated. I was living with him and his wife at that time since Keiji.. Was always traveling" it was clear she was hurt by this memory but Kojuro wanted to know more "Tell me about it" with a nod she started to tell him the whole story.

.:: 15 Years ago ::.

*~*~Kaoru's P.O.V.~*~*

It was a hot August morning but what made this day a special one is the news we got about Azai's clan defeat, which means Hideyoshi will be home. I was looking forward for this day, whenever Hideyoshi is around the house become lively. Keiji used to give me the same feeling but.. Not anymore.

That night when Hideyoshi arrived home, a young boy was standing next to him; I wondered who this boy was but Nene asked him before I did. Hideyoshi told us he is the son of some retainer working for Azai. His name is Ishida Mitsunari and since he was too young; Hideyoshi decided to take him in, and perhaps will adopt him later. "Aww little one, are you hungry? Come with me, I'll give you something to eat" Nene offered and took the boy with her, she looked so happy, willing to take care of the boy. I could see the happiness in Hideyoshi's eyes as he looking at his wife. Sometimes I envied her for having such a loving husband like him while I.. "Have you heard from Keiji?" Hideyoshi's question made my heart skip a beat. I couldn't say anything but I managed to smile a little and shook my head. I was hoping he'd tell me he saw Keiji or at least heard something about him "I see, I'll go to Kaga tomorrow and ask his family about him" "You don't have to" I had to protest "You just came back from a war, you need to rest" but Hideyoshi refused that, telling me that he is worried about his friend's whereabouts since we hadn't heard about him for months now.

The next day, Hideyoshi departed to Kaga, leaving the young boy in the care of his wife. But Ishida was not the kind of boys who'd run around and play, he was too quiet to the point you'd think he has some issue, but none of us said anything, after all he had lost his parents, and suddenly moved to someone else's home. It might take a while for him to adapt to this new life.

Every day was the same except for one day when I was out shipping for dinner. Ishida was supposed to be playing outside with the neighbor's kids as usual, but to my surprise I found the young boy standing outside, completely wet. I hurried to him and crouched down, looking at his face. He was crying and shaking. When I asked him what happened, the only respond I got 'They don't want me to play with them' I didn't know what to do, Nene wasn't home so I had to deal with this alone. I took Ishida inside to bath him and change his clothes then something caught my attention. There was a bruise on his arm and even on his back. I wasn't sure if Nene had seen them because they don't look new. I turned the young boy to look at his face and asked him from where he got those bruises. Again, I got no answer from him so I had no choice but to bath him without asking so many questions.

It hurt me; it hurt me to see such a young fragile boy abused like this. This accident made me remember how my step-mother used to abuse me, I thought I have forgotten about that part of my life but after seeing him like this, it all came back. I didn't know I was crying until I felt a small hand touching my cheek "Gomen ne*" My eyes softened when he apologized to me and without thinking I wrapped my arms around him and hugged his small form, not caring if I'm going to wet my clothes.

That evening, when Nene returned home, I told her about what happened. She didn't look surprised at all and told me she had seen those bruises before, thinking he might have got them from playing outside or something. I couldn't believe what I just heard from her. For a moment I thought she might be the one who caused him those bruises but knowing Nene, she wouldn't do such a think so I immediately brushed that thought away. I couldn't stop thinking about what happened today even when I went to sleep, suddenly I heard someone opening my door, only to see Ishida standing there. I sat up, looking at his troubled face and asked him what wrong with him, he then told me he wasn't able to sleep and his next words made me smile "Can I sleep here?" he said. I couldn't reject the young boy and send him to his room. The happiness was clear on his face when I told him to come in and sleep next to me. After that day, we became closer. Ishida started little by little speaking to me about what bothers him, what he need and what he wants to become.

In that very morning, Ishida was watching me training, watching all the moves Keiji and Hideyoshi taught me then he blurt out "I want to train too" that request caught my attention and when I asked him why he wants to be trained he said "To protect you when I grow up!" his answer surprised me, it reminded me so much of Keiji, but he looked so serious So I smiled at him and asked "Do you really want to learn how to use the Katana?" he nodded to me then it was decided. I couldn't say I was a great trainer but I was able to teach him the basics. He was eager to learn more. Months have passed, Ishida was a fast learner and he enjoyed our everyday training. When we learned Hideyoshi will be home soon, the young boy looked so excited, wanting to show Hideyoshi what I taught him but the annoyed look on Hideyoshi's face when he arrived made him change his mind. Nene asked Hideyoshi if there is something wrong but he asked her to take Ishida outside and leave him and me alone. My heart dropped upon that request, I feared the worse, he had gone to ask about Keiji, the least thing I got from his look is.. Death, could Keiji be dead? But what I heard from him was far worse.

"Toshii-dono said Keiji is traveling to meet up the generals for alliance" Hideyoshi paused, gritting his teeth in anger; I couldn't quite get what made him so angry so I asked "Alliance? What for?" his next words shocked me "To go up against Nobunaga-sama" the room filled with silence, I couldn't say anything, a moment ago I was relieved to hear Keiji is alive but now.. I think him being dead would be a better news than this "Why would he go against-" "That fool!" Hideyoshi said in anger and stood up "If he opposes me and Nobunaga-sama, I won't tolerate with him" That day, I knew things won't be the same again.

I hadn't seen Keiji since then, and when Nobunaga fell, Hideyoshi was so devastated. It hurt me to see him like that, mourning his Lord. The only one who I blamed was keiji, if only he didn't go around like a fool, asking the generals, nothing of this would have happened. One day Hideyoshi said he wanted to be stronger, wished to be stronger. In this state he reminded me of who I was before. Then I gave him my first advice "If you want to be stronger, you should abandoned anything you are attached to" I wasn't sure he was going to take this advice or not. Keiji arrived later in the same month. And after some explanation from Keiji, Hideyoshi accepted his point of view of what he had done, but I couldn't agree with that. He and Keiji resumed their life as if nothing had happened but it wasn't the same for me. The thing between me and Keiji had died. Only few days later, a certain event made Hideyoshi changed his view of life. You can't go on in this world if you don't have strength. He finally took my advice and got rid of something dear to him, his wife Nene. This was the first step for him to reach his goal which was finishing what Oda had started; he wanted to unify Japan as what his Lord wished for. I followed him and Keiji oppose him.

Hideyoshi turned to me whenever he seek for an advice, and he once told me, If only I was a man, he'd never hesitate to make me his adviser. This made me take my next step and abandoned my womanhood, I chopped my long hair and dressed up like a man but my face was not very convincing so wearing a mask managed to draft the eyes off my face features.

When Hideyoshi started to gather his own army, the first one who joined up, seeking for more training was the young Tokugawa Ieyasu. When he joined us, it gave Ishida a chance to train more. By that time he was nine years old. He was still the same quiet boy. He and Hideyoshi were the only ones who know about my true identify but the rest know me as Hanbei. Year after year, Ishida trained harder and harder. I remember that night clearly, when he was fifteen, he told me he will become a powerful samurai to protect me and Hideyoshi with his own life. I was flattered that he was still up for his promise and adding up Hideyoshi with me, it made me so happy. I knew he will be a fine man and will serve Hideyoshi right.

Sadly, and because of my bad calculation his first and last mission was a failure. I sent him in the far north to attack Takeda along with Uesagi's army from rear as a general. This was his and Ieyasu's first official mission after a heavy training but.. You know the rest.

Kojuro Listened to her, he didn't expected her to tell him the full story in details, especially her personal life. He couldn't help but to feel a tiny bit of sympathy for this woman, she had been through a lot while she can settle down and live like a normal woman. "If you meet Ishida Mitsunari, do you think he will give up on his revenge? You just said he promised to protect you and Toyotomi with his life, a man wouldn't change his word—" "He is not a man yet!" Kaoru interrupted him "He is still young! What could a nineteen years old young man do? This all must be a rumor" Kojuro was taken back especially when she grabbed his arm and looked at his face, she was too close for his liking "You don't have to promise me, but consider what I just told you" Kaoru looked at Katakura's eyes for few moments before excusing herself and stood up, leaving the man to think about what she said. To him she sounded as if she was Ishida's mother, there was no doubt she has such a feeling for him since she took care of him when he was young but this doesn't conceal the fact that this young man is a danger for every one of them, if what he heard about him was true.

"Very interesting" A familiar voice came from above him. Katakura looked up to see Sasuki lounging on the tree branch. "You again" Koujiro couldn't hide his annoyance from the ninja's presents and the said Ninja grinned "Don't get me wrong again! I was wondering where you are heading to when you left Masamuni-dono and I couldn't help myself when starting to tell you that story" he jumped off the tree, and stood before Katakura who was still frowning "This must be a trap, don't tell me you believed this story of her?" "Why not?" Sasuke blinked his eyes "A—h, I don't know?" he scratched the back of his head and Katakura sighed "We are going to meet Tokugawa, after that I'm returning to Kai" Sasuki raised an eyebrow at that then grinned "Alright then, I'm going to scout ahead of you"

The next day, Sasuke jumped from tree to tree. Everything looked calm and normal. At some point of his scouting he spotted a certain blonde hair Ninja. And as usual he startled her when he showed up "Come on kasuga! When are you going to learn how to act like a ninja!" he pouted at her which irritated her "Sarutobi! Stop following me!" "I just happened to be around!" Kasuga huffed and looked away. "So, anything unusual around?" he asked "Nothing, except for Keiji and Shikoku's pirate Chosocabe motochika, they seems to be heading to Yamato" "Yamato?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow, what they want from that ruined place, and it seems Kasuga heard his thoughts "Keiji said they are going to save a woman who's taken a hostage in that place" she shrugged "and who is this woman?" "Why should I ask?" she snapped at Sasuke who sighed and shook his head, only a moment later Kasuga spoke again "I heard a name though, when he was speaking to Motochika, he said something about this woman, I believe her name was Kaoru?" Sasuke's eyes widened in surprise. could it be the same woman? Toyotomi's strategist? It could be because in the story he heard, she had mentioned Keiji.

"Come on! Let's go and meet up with them" he gave Kasuga one of their flying tools so they could catch up with Keiji quickly. It sure didn't take long before they found him and Motochika.

"Kasuga-chan!" Keiji grinned when he saw the ninja again "would you like to have dinner with us "I'm not here for this, maeda Keiji" He blinked his eyes at her then looked up at Sasuke as he showed up "I think the woman you are looking for is not there anymore" Sasuke started, gaining Keiji's and Motochika's attention "What do you mean.. Sasuke?" Keiji carefully asked, he feared the worse "She is with Date clan, I believe she is heading to Tokugawa in Hida. For revenge" "Date clan? Tokugawa? Revenge? What are you talking about?" Keiji was so confused but Sasuke told him everything he heard and saw.

"It is her indeed.." Motochika said but Keiji was quiet for a while, thinking of what to do. Then he finally said "Motochika, lets go to Hida"

If they move now, they might reach Hida tomorrow in the evening; they had to stop her before she meets Ieyasu. But they were a little bit late because Kaoru was already standing before Tokugawa's gate.

TBC

Translations:

Kaiken: A dagger, usually carried by women.

Samanosuke: One of Date's army, the one with the glasses in the Anime.

Yoshinao: One of Date's army, the one with big hair in the Anime.

Magobei: One of Date's army, the chubby one in the Anime.

Bunshichirou: One of Date's army, the one who has a mole under his left eye in the Anime.

Hakama: Type of traditional Japanese clothing, originally worn only by men, but women could wear them in some occasions, horse riding is one of them.

Gomen ne: I'm sorry.