Odani Castle, Omi~

"Are! This is getting annoying! " Hanbei was pouting angrily as he looked out of the window. Hideyoshi's bright yellow helmet was glinting brightly in the sunlight as the monkey was skipping towards Odani's gates.

"There's already been 3 visits! What should I do? Chisa! Hide me!" He bounced over to Chisa who almost fell back from surprise before frowning in concentration. "Don't worry Hanbei! He's probably a nice guy if he keeps on coming to visit you!"

"Aww but then I'll have to work hard! I just want to take naps all day!" He grumbled as he played with his hat and stuck his tongue out. "Haha you two are getting along so well." Nagamasa and Oichi entered the room holding each other's hands. "Hey! Nagamasa! Tell Hideyoshi to stop coming! It's annoying!" Hanbei pouted and fixed his hat. "Well.." Nagamasa's eyes had a twinkle as he spoke to his old friend "You don't want to meet a monkey clad in gold? That's a shame!" He laughed as he clasped Oichi's hand and prepared to walk out "I'll have to chase him away them!"

"Nagamasa..." Oichi stared at his face lovingly for a few seconds, before remembering what she wanted to say "I think something's wrong with Hanbei"

Everyone turned to see Hanbei shaking silently, his hat pulled down over his eyes. "Eeek! Hanbei! What's wrong?Don't tell me you're scared of monkeys?" Chisa wailed frantically and ran around Hanbei in a panic before falling over. "Oh my, calm down Chisa." Oichi kindly helped her up while Hanbei jumped up, his eyes twinkling brightly as he ran up to Nagamasa "Whoooa? Is that what he looks like?" Hanbei's eyes lit up with delight as he clapped his hands over his mouth and smiled " I think I want to meet this guy!"

~x~x~x~x~

"Greetings Lord Takenaka.." Hideyoshi bowed politely in front of Hanbei, before his eyes widened in alarm. Piled next to Hanbei were bunches of bananas while Chisa sat watching with interest. "..err..." He glanced up at Hanbei whose face darkened with emotion as he shook silently. "Hanbei? Eeek! What's wrong now?" Chisa flailed her hands around before Hanbei sighed and gave her a pat on the head. "*sigh* I'm ok Chisa...*sigh*" He turned to Hideyoshi and crossed his arms childishly. "Nagamasa is a liar! He said there was a cool monkey coming! That's why..." he clenched his fists with anger before gesturing to the bananas "Chisa and I spent all morning picking bananas! Grr! I'm angry!" He stuck his tongue out and pouted stubbornly.

"Eh..well." Hideyoshi rubbed his head before replying " I only wanted to come ask you to come join the Oda. Please Lord Hanbei, your talents would greatly benefit all of us."

"Hah." Hanbei rubbed his head lazily "Look, I hate Nobunaga, I only cooperated with him at Inaba because he had the manpower. I'm not interested in working for him."

"Well, how about working for me?" Hideyoshi spread his arms wide "My dream is to build a world where everyone is happy and peaceful. With you helping me, this can become reality."

"No!" They turned to see Chisa pouting angrily, her arms crossed "Nagamasa also has that dream too! Just stay here Hanbei!" She tugged his arms and looked at him with puppy dog eyes. "are,are. Don't worry, we'll still see each other." Hanbei chuckled and petted her before looking at Hideyoshi "If I joined you...perhaps my foolish dreams will be realised. Ok!" He giggled and clapped his hands "I'll be joining you! But I'm not doing anything for Nobunaga ok?"

"Sure thing! My thanks!" An excited Hideyoshi bowed down before asking nervously "uh...I don't have to eat all those bananas do I?"

~Sagami~

"Guh! Where the hell is Odawara Castle!" Masamune crashed angrily through the forest in his futile attempt to search for the castle. "..calm down Masamune.." sighed Kojuro Katakura as he followed "It's your fault for claiming your memory was more reliable than the map.."

"Imbecile!" Masamune kicked at a fallen tree in rage and pointed his gun at Kojuro "I'll do as I please!" "...yeah..yeah..whatever you say.." Kojuro shrugged and muttered something to himself before his jaw dropped in alarm. "Holy...BEHIND YOU!"
"Huh? What?"

"GROOARR!" A loud roaring sound from behind him quickly alerted him to the presence of a huge black bear. "Guh!" He rolled over away from the bear and quickly pulled out his pistol. "Dammit, imbecile! How dare you scare me like that!" He unlocked the safety and prepared to pull the trigger. "STOP!" Kai charged out of the trees and stood with her arms spread out in front of the bear "DON'T HURT FLUFFY!"

"Guh...F-fluffy?" Masamune gasped in shock and dropped his gun as he backed away towards Kojuro "What..in...the..world...Imbecile! Identify yourself!"

"Teehee! I'm the daughter of Lord Narita and a retainer for Lord Ujiyasu Hojo." Kai smiled and winked at him as she petted Fluffy softly, "Princess Kai, the delicate maiden!"

"N-no way..." Masamune crouched down slowly as he picked up his gun and shook his head in denial "..Lord Narita's child..was.. actually a woman?"

~x~x~x~x~

"Teeheee!" Sumire staggered towards the clearing, holding her stomach while tears streamed down her eyes. "Teheee! M-maiden? AHAHAHAHA!What do you mean by that Kai? AHAHAHAHAHA! Haahh..." She pointed a finger at Fluffy and Kai "I can barely tell the difference between you two! Teehee!" she fell down onto the ground shaking with laughter.

"Grrr! Hey!" Kai snarled angrily at Sumire who giggled and skipped away from her before petting Fluffy. "Hey there Kai! My! You look so lovely today!" She smirked as Kai, red-faced with anger snapped a huge branch off a tree and prepared to beat Sumire with it. "Ahahaha! Such strength! Well done Bear Princess!"

"Guh..HEY!" Kai threw the branch to the ground where it fell with a huge thud; rocking the forest before delicately examining her nails ."I don't know what you're talking about! Teehee! You funny thing!"

"..." Kojuro blinked with bemusement at the strange, if not comical scene in front of him. "IMBECILE!" Masamune angrily shot his gun in the air to attract their attention before pointing to them "Don't ignore me! Tell me how to get to Odawara!"

"bwahaha haaah...teehee! I'll take you there! Come with me!" Apparently recovering from her laughing fit, Sumire bounced towards the Date duo and extended a hand "Teeheee! I'll take a bag of manju as payment! Come on!"

Masamune raised an eyebrow before turning the other way "No way!" he snapped. "Why should I?" He looked over at Kojuro who shrugged his shoulders and back at Sumire who frowned at him. " Aww! you owe me! From last time!" She placed her hands on her hips before a devious plan formed in her head. "*sniffle*" She bowed her head and covered her face as she began sobbing "*sniff* d-don't tell me...you're not sorry for what you did to me last time?*sob*Y-you're *sob* horrible..uwaaaah! I had to endure such shame!"

"..Masamune..what did you do now?" Kojuro raised an eyebrow in alarm, while Kai crossed her arms and glared at him "WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?" She cracked her knuckles and looked at him angrily. "...rgh.." Masamune ground his teeth before snarling with anger "Hey! Imbecile! Don't get the wrong idea. SHE was the one who started it. I only did the same thing to her as payback!" As everyone else gave him a withering look and Sumire remained sobbing, he grit his teeth in defeat before exploding. "F-FINE! I'll give you manju..so much that you'll die from overeating! IMBECILE!" he huffed in rage before pointing to her "GO! LEAD ME TO ODAWARA! I HAVE BUSINESS WITH UJIYASU HOJO!"

~x~x~x~x~

"Sumi?" Kai placed her hands on her hips and looked curiously at her friend. "so..fun... It's so much fun teasing him!." Sumire's face had a strange expression as she covered her cheeks bashfully "Masamune's so funny! I like him!"

"You're weird Sumi, he's so rude and uncultured and stubborn and-"

"IMBECILE! GET GOING!"

"You see?"

~Kiyosu Castle~

"Waaah! I'm sick of all this! I hate this! Graaah!" After losing 34 times to Ieyasu Tokugawa while playing shogi, Hideyoshi finally lost it. "I'm sick of playing against you! You're too good for me!" Hideyoshi sulked angrily and threw the pieces to the ground in anger before flipping the table and shogi board. "Argh! " he proceeded to stomp on the board in a fit of anger while sobbing loudly like a child. "lord Ieyasu, for someone of your numerous talents to be good at shogi is simply unfair!" he crossed his arms angrily and sat pouting in the corner with his nose turned up in the air.

Across the room. Mitsunari, Kiyomasa, Masanori, Reira and Shira looked down with embarrassment. "guh..why is he like this..." Mitsunari muttered quietly between clenched teeth and aimed a glare at Ieyasu.

"Shogi may not be your strong suit Hideyoshi, but is not your renown as a warrior not sufficient enough?" Ieyasu smiled kindly in an effort to cheer up the depressed Monkey, who was now crossing his arms and facing the corner with a pout. "Hmph! I don't like you Ieyasu! I'm not talking to you!"

"hmm...interesting" Nobunaga appeared suddenly, changing the entire atmosphere in the room. Hideyoshi stopped his tantrum and sat up politely in the seiza position, while his students straightened their backs and pretended to be deeply interested in the shogi board.

~x~x~x~x~

"I would like to play a little game. However, you have little time to consider your moves. Which of you will play with me?" His eyes darted slowly around the room. Everyone in the room gulped in unison and avoided any form of eye contact in fear of being his opponent. Except Reira.

"Hmph! I , Reira Kannagi shall trounce you!" A defiant Reira stood up and pointed a finger at an amused Nobunaga. "You're going down!" She jerked her thumb downwards before smiling confidently. "Ah, thank you Reira! I am in your debt! Have at it!" Ieyasu over-enthusiastically ushered Reira to the shogi board and set up all the pieces before giving her a pat on the shoulder.

Everyone else let out a sigh of relief as Nobunaga smirked and sat down. With an obviously relieved Ieyasu cheering loudly in the background and everyone else praying she survived, the two began to face off. However, due to the restrictions on time, Reira began making many careless errors. "...tsk..' She spent too much time fretting over small mistakes and began to rush."$%^&$%" She began chewing her thumb in frustration as she began to lose focus.

"Hey! Calm down Reira!" Kiyomasa shouted out some encouragement and gave her a thumbs up."Stay calm and you'll win! Keep at it"

"...!" A hugely flustered Reira shot a glare at him "I-I d-didn't need your h-help!I know that! "

Though Nobunaga committed errors, he continued placidly, capturing pieces as he went. "Hmm hmmm.." he hummed lightly as he carelessly moved his pieces around, all the while capturing more of Reira's and driving her into a corner. "Urgh...tsk..." Nobunaga tapped the board lightly and smirked at Reira; all her pieces except for the king had been captured. She scowled and chewed her lip in frustration before hanging her head in defeat. "Uwaah!"She stomped away in rage and sat seething with anger next to Kiyomasa.

"Muahaha.. this was most interesting.." Nobunaga calmly began picking up the pieces and resetting the board. "On the field of battle, as in life, there is little time for deliberation. Though our losses may mount, we still must not yield."

"I see! Now, why don't you try facing me this time?" Hideyoshi seemed to have found some hope as he challenged Nobunaga.

"B-but lord Hideyoshi..he has beaten even us..even Reira's brave attempt was thwarted.." Ieyasu shook in fear while Reira angrily threw a shoe towards Masanori. "Tch. Why' d he remind me..."
"OY! What's the idea?" Masanori snarled angrily and threw the geta back at her "Calm down you two." Kiyomasa separated the glaring two before turning to Hideyoshi." Are you sure my lord?"

Before anyone could do a thing ,Hideyoshi shot them a mischievous wink "I shall give him a taste of his own medicine! Watch me!"

Hideyoshi took his pawn from in front of his rook and threw it onto the floor with a flourish "I don't think I'll be needing this!" Nobunaga laughed thinly as the match began. Incredibly, the unskilled Hideyoshi took charge of the match. Soon he emerged the victor."Yeah! Oh yeah! I won! I won!" Over ecstatic with his victory, over Nobunaga no less, he began dancing around the room randomly hugging the nearest person. "Mitsunari! I won!" Monkey gave Mitsunari a hug; resulting in the tsundere to cough and shove his mentor away, before shaking with revulsion. "Shira! Aren't you proud! I won! I won!" He gave her a bear hug, causing her to squeak with alarm and try wriggle free.

"Hah! Mitsunari would only accept hugs from Shira!" Reira cackled loudly as she smirked at the two who both reacted differently. Mitsunari choked and turned around to strangle her while Shira lowered her head and covered her face.

"Hmm..of course! By removing the pawn from before the rook, it can be deployed immediately!" Yoshitsugu was quietly analysing the game with Nobunaga and Ieyasu "...ingenious!"

"In a real battle, one may not alter the enemy's formation, but he may do as he likes with his own." Having regained his sanity, Hideyoshi smiled proudly and began explaining " There are many other paths to the same destination. Such is life."

" should listen to Monkey once in a while' Nobunaga laughed heartily as he drew out his sword; sliced Hideyoshi's king in half and walked calmly out of the room.

"Lord Hideyoshi...I'm glad I'm alive." For once the tough yakuza queen Reira looked terrified as she gripped Kiyomasa's hand and stared at the king pieces.

~Koriyama Castle~

Aya Gozen had come to visit Motonari and Aki. While there, she decided to challenge Aki to a game of shogi.

"..." Trembling with nervousness, Aki began sweating bullets as Aya smiled gently at her. Unfortunately, the glint in her eyes seemed to suggest a cat toying with a mouse.

Summoning up her courage, Aki decided to do something she would normally never dare to do. "L-lady Aya! O-over there! I-it's Lord Kenshin!" She pointed towards the direction behind Aya, causing the woman to turn around in surprise. "Ara! Kenshin is here?

As soon as Aya looked the other way, Aki quickly moved her pieces and breathed a sigh of relief. Across the room, Motonari gave her a wink before it faded to a look of fear. He quickly pulled a book out and pretended to be deeply absorbed in his reading."..." A shivering Aki looked down at the board to see a small knife had stabbed the piece firmly.

It had been skewered tightly between Aki's index and middle finger." Ara,ara" Aya spoke slowly and quietly, however the deadly ice in her voice threatened to freeze the entire room. Motonari stealthily tried to sneak out the door but froze in place when Aya shot a frosty glare at him. "*Gulp*" He swallowed in fear before meekly going back and sitting down.

"Now. A short lesson for you." Aya's lips curled into a deadly smile. "It is important to break free from the cage of rules sometimes. That, is the special privilege of youth. Or..should I say, the only privilege of youth." She glanced over at Motonari who gulped and looked away before continuing " Nevertheless, when defeated, one must have the resolve to bear the rightful burden. I'm sure the dead man over there agrees with me"

"Ahaha! Yes! I am technically dead, so you can't do anything to me Lady Aya." Motonari rubbed his head awkwardly as he laughed. "Teehee." Aya's quiet laughter cut through as she lifted up her staff. "Ara,ara, you don't look so dead to me. I'll help finish the job."

As Aya raised her staff and smiled gently at Aki, everything blacked out. From that point on, Aki and Motonari's recollections were vague.

~Kiyosu Castle~

"Hmph hrah!" Ieyasu was practising his form with a wooden sword in the castle gardens. Mid-yawn, Takeshi opened a sleepy eye and sat watching the tanuki train. "...huwaah.." He stood up and stretched leisurely before noticing another wooden sword lying on the ground.
'..." He shrugged and picked it up, swinging it a few times for fun. "I haven't practised like this for ages... reminds me of...back then..."

"If you grip the sword too tightly with your right arm, your swordsmanship will suffer. " Ieyasu walked behind Takeshi and began repositioning his arms as he engaged him in a lesson. "Lead straight ahead with your left and the right will follow. "

"...!" Jolted out of his daydreams, Takeshi stared blankly for a few seconds before realising what he was doing. "...ah.." He stared at the wooden practice sword in his hands and at Ieyasu's stern expression before nodding. "..I see.."

"Your form is excellent, I must say.." Ieyasu nodded with approval as he picked up his sword and began training separately. " I heard from Hideyoshi that you are a mercenary? It must be a lonely path, perhaps you should take up his offer and join him?

"..mmm.." Mid-swing, Takeshi stopped and yawned before leaning against the sword "...I'm not alone though..."His left hand fiddled with the hair ornament around his neck as he closed his eyes. "...I work...with..my sister..."

"Ah, I see. Your sister must be quite skilled as well." Ieyasu put his sword down and sat down heavily onto the ground as he poured a cup of water. "In this desperate world, women too, must pick up their swords and fight. The women here are no exception." He sighed as he traced his hands over the worn edge of the sword. "Someday, I want to see a land at peace, so that weapons are useless. I have faith Lord Nobunaga will achieve this vision."

"..." Takeshi sat down next to him and leant back against a pillar. "...who knows?...Nobunaga...seems..lacking..." he stifled another yawn as he shifted into a more comfortable position "...he can't...truly..understand people...that's what I think...!" Takeshi's eyes suddenly widened as he clenched his fists..."What is this feeling? For some reason I feel so uneasy..."He shook his head a few times before returning to sleep. However, in his sleep he was waving his sword around while murmuring something about killing someone.

"Hrmm?" Ieyasu looked up curiously at the now sleeping mercenary "what an odd young man..."

~Owari~

"Whoaa! It's so amazing Ama!" Gracia ran around excitedly as she and Amaya walked through the town.

"Oh! Mago!Mago!" Gracia exclaimed happily and ran towards Magoichi who was talking to Yukina. "Gah! H-hey! Why are you here?" Magoichi groaned as he saw Gracia bouncing towards him. "Look here kid, I don't have time to babysit you...huh? Who's this girl?" He pointed towards Amaya who was frowning at him. To be more accurate, the man who was with him.

"Well, if it isn't Amaya." Sakon Shima grinned wryly and repositioned the cleaver he was fond of carrying on his shoulder. "Still studying under Mitsuhide?"

"Yes. Still wandering around aimlessly, Sakon?" Amaya responded to his question with another before turning to Gracia; who was busy tugging Magoichi's sleeve like a child. "Gracia...who is this man? And how did you come to know him?" Amaya looked suspiciously at Magoichi who shrugged and tried to swat her away. "Kid, stop calling me Mago! Seriously, what am I? your grandson? Sheesh..I don't have time for you! Well, I saved her by chance once, now she's clinging to me like a useless puppy."

"Oh. I see." Amaya nodded calmly and bowed her head "Thanks for taking care of her. ..?" She felt someone's intense stare and turned to see the tall girl next to Magoichi studying her with a calculating expression. ".." Yukina's eyes had a strange gleam. "Yes! This girl seems fine, definitely girlfriend material... Now I need to try set them up together..."

"Hey don't go getting any strange ideas now..." Magoichi raised an eyebrow at Yukina who looked back at him innocently. "What? I'm not doing anything!"

"Maan..Look." He jerked a finger at Amaya "She's too thin and err..lacking. Totally not my type."

"..." Amaya glanced down at her rather flat chest and began muttering something incomprehensible to herself. "Heh..I can sense one who is close to death!" Motochika Chosokabe leapt out suddenly from the river and strode up to the group. Still dripping wet, he calmly ignored the stares of curious passer-bys and waved his shamisen casually.

"Oh! Uncle Motochika!" Gracia clapped her hands cheerfully and waved as Motochika approached them.

"You must be the one who wishes for death..." Motochika stared at Magoichi who held his hands up in shock. "Hey what do you mean by that? I never did anything wrong to her..at least..I don't think I did?"

"Hehee! Ama might kill you if she gets angry you know!" Gracia giggled as Amaya quickly pushed her katana back into it's sheathe. "No. Gracia...I wouldn't kill a stranger over something as petty as that." She cracked a smile before laughing "Although I have no qualms against perverts and the like.."

"Magoichi...you... "*sigh* Looks like Magoichi's going to be single for that much longer..geez..he needs a girlfriend." Yukina sighed and began dragging him away by the collar "Hey guys, sorry about my cousin. He's a bit of a flirt..to some people...anyway, we'll be going now. See ya!" She left with a smile while dragging a stunned Magoichi. "Heh. Interesting." Sakon chuckled to himself before repositioning his cleaver and walking after them.

~x~x~x~x~

"Ah. Motochika." Amaya nodded towards him before shaking her head "Did you jump into the river again?" She smiled lightly with amusement; Motochika had an odd habit of jumping into rivers and sometimes even fish ponds.

"Of course, it's my way of rebelling against society!" He gave his shamisen a strum before bowing to the two of them. "Give my regards to Mitsuhide alright? I was just passing through!" He gave them a nod and jumped into the river. "..there he goes again..." Amaya and Gracia stared off as their eccentric friend drifted slowly away from them.

Heyyoos~~ How was this chapter? Takeshi has a special Imouto-sensor, hence he can detect when Sumire's in danger or when his precious little imouto likes someone oho! lol! Teehee! Be prepared for something special next chapter! When it's up...school work is starting to pile up...so I'm drowning...slowly...*sniffles*not to mention horrible, horrible final exams are lurking around the corner *screams* Sometimes I think being a NEET is so much easier...*sighs* Please check out the other fic I put up! Pwease? And the fics written by TheCrazyPeople and Ayyarin ! Don't forget!

I'll give you all a special keyword for next chapter! (something new) HANAMI! And sake! Now have fun! Be excited! Teehee~~