Power Struggle

"So that's it then?" Kiyomasa asked somberly, "Nothing we say will get you to join us?"

Mitsunari scowled. "You would betray Lord Hideyoshi at a time like this? Fools!"

"Hey Big-Head," Masanori piped in, "This ain't about betrayal, it's about self-preservation. The difference in strength is too obvious here."

"Not to mention, who's in the right," Kiyomasa reminded him, "Think, Mitsunari. Can you really survive the aftermath?"

Mitsunari thought it over carefully, and, to Kiyomasa and Masanori's relief, relented with a shudder.

With his retainers firmly supporting the other side, Hideyoshi had no choice but concede the argument to Nene.


Boating

"What's that one called?" Gracia leaned over, pointing at her latest find.

"You're shaking the boat," Motochika chided before answering, "That's a starfish."

Gracia's eyes sparkled, making Motochika smile. If he had known earlier that Mitsuhide's daughter was so fond of boats, he would have taken her out sooner.

Gracia kept moving about to point out various creatures, causing the small boat to shake heavily despite Motochika's repeated warnings. Suddenly, she leaned out too far and before he could react, the boat tipped over, sending them both into the lake.

Gracia smiled sheepishly. Motochika just chuckled and pat her head.


Medicine

Kanbei knew that he was far too pale and ghostly looking. But no matter how many times he would tell people it was his natural pallor, he would always receive concerned stares and health tips. He learned to ignore it.

He was surprised though when Ieyasu suddenly approached him and gave him a medicine he'd compounded himself. Kanbei didn't even get the chance to say his usual line, for Ieyasu took his leave far too quickly.

He was grateful for the medicine though. It was useless for him, but it proved very effective for the one who actually needed it.


Costume

"What are you wearing?" Keiji stared at Goemon's new outfit with all its ruffles in shock. It looked very tight and restrictive, a far cry from the thief's usual threads. And more interestingly, his cannon had been swapped out for a giant trombone.

"It's the latest fashion among the foreigners," Goemon remarked smugly, eyes firmly on the approaching Okuni.

"Hello boys... Goemon, what are you wearing?" Goemon repeated his explanation far more enthusiastically and eagerly offered her a matching costume he happened to have in her size. To Keiji's surprise, she accepted.

He greatly enjoyed the new play it inspired.


Books

Was there a rule that said strategists had to be comically disorganized? Kanbei always kept his workplace nice and neat but he was evidentally the exception.

Hanbei's room wasn't too bad if he thought about it, but his desk and shelves were overflowing with books, and he never seemed to notice there was no room for more.

Takakage's room was far worse. At least Hanbei had kept his books on shelves. Really, was there even a need for so many books?

"You haven't seen anything yet," Takakage laughed, and invited him to see Motonari's study.

Kanbei didn't doubt Takakage again.


Godmother

Kiyomasa quickly noticed. He didn't say anything, but he nervously wondered how long until Lady Chacha noticed as well. Lady Nene may have been a ninja, but she wasn't very stealthy. If she were caught, there would be a scandal.

Kiyomasa knew why she was there. She wanted to see her dear husband's child—the child that should have been her's—too.

Kiyomasa couldn't comfort her, but he could grant her this one wish.

"Lady Chacha, perhaps you would like a walk in the garden?" The distraction would only last a few moments, but Kiyomasa hoped that would be enough.


Kids

Mitsunari hated him from the outset. Ieyasu wasn't sure what he'd done to earn such strong distrust from the child, but it troubled him.

Ieyasu was always fond of children and he liked to think they were okay with him too. Tadakatsu's young daughter was already promising to protect him in battle, and Mitsunari's two friends, though not actively seeking his company the way they did Hideyoshi's, were courteous enough and liked to hear any stories he would share.

But Mitsunari… as soon as he saw him, he'd scowl and run.

"He's just shy," Nene insisted.

Ieyasu certainly hoped so.


Treasure

Takatora once gave Nagamasa a hand towel. He once saw that his Lord was in need of one after a battle and he happened to have a spare that he'd never used before.

He saw Nagamasa using it a few times after that, and it almost made Takatora's heart swell with pride.

But somehow that hand towel lasted far longer than any of Takatora's ever did. When he finally worked up the nerve to ask about it, Nagamasa laughed and said,

"It was an important gift from an important retainer. Of course, I'd treasure it."

Nagamasa truly was the greatest.


Mirror

Naotora didn't know what Kai wanted to show her in the woods, but she couldn't help but be nervous and suspiciously wonder if it was some kind of cruel trick.

Then Kai revealed a large mirror she had hidden in the trees.

"I come out here whenever I need some reassurance," Kai explained, "So Nao-chin, stand over here and shout "I'm strong!" and "I'm beautiful!" until you truly believe it."

Naotora's first attempts were pathetic tearful stutters. But with Kai's support, it slowly became easier. Naotora hoped to have enough confidence one day to proudly thank Kai for her kindness.


Miss Mystery

Munenori had no idea what sort of can of worms he was opening with his question. He'd only meant to resolve a longstanding, somewhat comical issue he'd been having with Mitsuhide's young daughter and he figured, who better to ask than her guardians.

He didn't expect his question to make Motochika and Koshosho suddenly freeze in their tracks and be overcome with dread.

"You… don't know either?" Munenori guessed with a weary sigh. They shook their heads very slowly.

"Koshosho," Motochika broke the uneasy silence, "Have her write a letter, and pay close attention to how she signs her name."


A/N: Thanks for reading :)

Writing Order: 91, 88, 76, 93, 77, 78, 23, 47, 90, 86

Some Notes:

Costume: If you have never seen Goemon's alternate SW1 costume, do yourself a favor and look up Goemon's alternate SW1 costume! :D

Miss Mystery: Title unapologetically taken from a Detective Conan Opening Song. But um anyway, Gracia didn't convert to Christianity until after Hideyoshi had become Taiko so the girl hiding in boxes and stowing away on her dad's boats should be going by the name Tama. But aside from Hashiba-Toyotomi and Masanori calling Mitsunari "Sakichi" in one battle chatter, Koei doesn't really reference name changes, so Gracia just goes nameless outside of menus. In SW4, there's a small running joke with her wanting Munenori to call her by name... which she never told him, so I ran with that a little ^^"