~Hi everyone~

This chapter would focus on Sasuke's return from Aki. On the way he meets up Shingen and company only to be involve in a weird conversation. After that he spots two Iga ninjas only to be briefly confronted by the male ninja,who one ran off. Worried for the safety of Yukimura and the clan he wants to track them down. Not realizing that the Iga Ninjas are after Aki and others that personally work with Mitsunari.

As you can see I've tried to do my best to make this chapter a bit long, since I orginally had this much shorter.

* Warning to all my sensitive readers, there will be homosexual references in this chapter... making a brief reference to Shingen's sexuality (He was a player for both sides of the field if you get what I mean... ;D)

Just wanted to say that cause I don't want any people to criticize me on the matter (later in the story there will be more graphic homosexual situations with other characters) Just making it easy to make a smooth transition before things start to heat up.

I just to satisfied all types of readers...

I'm a Open minded and tolerable girl wanting to make most pleased while indirectly offending others- a small price to pay to satisfy the majority (I hope) ... =)

Chapter 11: Caught Off Guard

After leaving Aki Castle, Sasuke was getting close to Takeda Castle till he spots Shingen, Nobutomo, and Toramasa along with most of the Takeda troops.

"Shingen-sama." Sasuke said as he join the march of the Takeda Clan.

"Oh there you are Sasuke! How did things go with Lord Yoshitsugu?" Shingen said as he was riding on his two black stallions. While both Nobutomo and Toramasa accompany Shingen greeted Sasuke.

"Read it for yourself, Shingen-sama." Sasuke said as he takes the letter out of his bag and gave it to Nobutomo, he rushed to Shingen's side and gave him the letter. Shingen open the letter, as soon as he started reading a big smile crack his serious ill stricken face.

"Good job Sasuke!" Shingen said joyfully as well as relieved that Yoshitsugu agreed in handing over Aki to Yukimura. It would have caused serious problems if Yoshitsugu didn't.

"Thank you Shingen-sama" Sasuke said after being confirm that Yoshtitsugu accepted the terms of the alliance proposal.

"Shingen-sama may I ask you something?" Sasuke asked.

"Sure! What is it Sasuke?"

"Where are you all heading?" Sasuke said concern for Shingen's health.

"We are going to pay a visit to Kenshin." Shingen responded swiftly.

"Does Dan'na know this, Shingen-sama?" Sasuke said. Feeling that its very unusual for Yukimura to not accompany him.

"Yukimura knows. But he had to stay as company to his adorable fiancée." Shingen explain to Sasuke of Yukimura's absence.

"Should I accompany you?" Sasuke asked.

"There's no need, I have Toramasa and Nobutomo are here with me." Shingen said as he pointed the two out.

"I think it's best that you go and help Yukimura." Shingen reason.

"Why is that Shingen-sama?" Sasuke asked curiously. Shingen merely chuckled,

"The tiger cub is just nervous around his mate!" Shingen laughed. Sasuke was confused by his comment but soon realized that Shingen already brought up the marriage proposal to Aki and Yukimura.

"Shingen-sama how did Dan'na and Aki-san react to the news?" Sasuke asked curiously. He can already imagine Yukimura's.

"Both we're equally shock, but Aki-chan handle the news better than Yukimura. Honestly I was surprised about that. He immediately got all fluster and got very self conscious with Aki-chan." Shingen said with a big smile. Sasuke merely look at Shingen as he couldn't but sigh.

"My I have quite the load to deal with Dan'na about the matter once I come back... It's fine I might as well start to have him prepared." Sasuke said thinking about how he needs to prepare Yukimura starting about marriage life.

"Honestly I personally believe that you might train with him intimately." Toramasa blurted, while Sasuke scratched his hair. All three of the men merely glared at him.

"Toramasa; you really sure said fucked up things." Nobutomo said angrily.

"I'm serious! Shingen-sama, Sasuke and Nobutomo; Yukimura is a ignorant boy! He DOESN'T KNOW ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING about WOMEN. The only woman he knows how to interact well is Yamanote-dono*." Toramasa reason, then Nobutomo pointed the tip of his Uchigatana* blade at Toramasa's throat. Toramasa reacted by gasping in shock while Shingen responded by laughing. Sasuke was completely indifferent about Toramasa's comment. He's right after all; it would very difficult for Yukimura to learn...

"Hey old man, take back what you said of Yukimura-sama." Nobutomo said with a eerie smile.

Knowing Nobutomo, he was ready to punish him. He truly earn the nickname "Raging Bull".

"Come now Nobutomo, Yukimura-sama is really a child in a man's bod-"

"Don't you dare so poorly of Yukimura-sama!" Nobutomo snapped. Sasuke couldn't believe that despite the fact they are always together; they never got along.

"Now now Masters." Sasuke started to speak out to calm both of them." Seeing that Shingen was of no help.

"You shouldn't be fighting over matters of Dan'na. Master Toramasa is to an extent speaking the truth; therefore, Master Nobutomo you shouldn't assume that he's insulting Dan'na." Sasuke spoke out using both men merely looking at him.

Nobutomo places his blade back on its sheath.

"Both of you guys shouldn't worry about Yukimura. Besides Yukimura and Sasuke can make a Shudo* pact. So then Sasuke, you will be Yukimura's nenja*."

Shingen's odd comment made all three men along with other troops that heard him were completely silent. Sasuke unsure in how he should respond to Shingen.

"Shingen-sama, I'm not that much older than Dan'na." Sasuke reason, explaining that he could not be a nenja. Shingen looked at him and started to laugh;

"You do have a point, Sasuke..." Shingen as he mans a gesture to all the men to commence the march once again. "But you could if you want to..."

"I rather pass on that. I can't teach Dan'na everything. Even I have my limits." Sasuke admitted. He wouldn't want to personally teach Yukimura about the ways of taming his 'dragon' or how to pleasure him... crossing that line he's personally not comfortable with.

"Hahahaaha!" Shingen laugh while both Nobutomo and Toramasa were equally disturb by the topic. Shingen started to calm down as the other men passed down the road.

"Now sorry for taking your time Sasuke, I believe that you are tired... It's best to continue our separate ways for now." Shingen waved farewell while Toramasa led the troops and Nobutomo waited for him.

"Farewell Shingen-sama." Sasuke bowed. Before Sasuke could leave Shingen spoke out as he was leaving,

"Sasuke you could at least try." Nobutomo merely gasp but immediately restrained himself as Shingen brought the subject again.

"Shingen- sama I prefer that it not be the case." Sasuke repeated his answer to Shingen. It seems that every time Shingen is ill (or drunk) he always speaks of such lewd things. Shingen's laughter was the last thing Sasuke heard when he left.

As dawn arrived in the west Sasuke was getting close to Takeda Castle but he sees a person traveling on a white horse down the road. before Sasuke walk out of the branches he spotted two ninjas on the other side observing the traveler. He immediately notice a voluptuous woman along with a much slender woman; both wearing dark blue clothing.

"They aren't from around these parts..." Sasuke thought as he raised a shirking knowing full well that those two are spies. But he didn't understood why they were following the unknown This is the first time where he regrets that he hasn't allowed the other Koga ninjas to accompany him.

Before he could confront then he felt the blade piercing the tree that nearly got his face; alarm and shock that he didn't since the attacker he immediately jump and landed on the ground.

He then notice the blanket of mist cover the ground. Sasuke look around and couldn't feel the presence of the other ninja from he Iga ninja appeared. The Iga ninja face was covered in a black mask.

"What's your purpose of entering in Takeda Territory?" Sasuke question the ninja.

"..." Not giving a response the slender ninja attacked Sasuke again and this time Sasuke is not bothering to hold back as he unleash the second shuriken and strike at his attacker's face; revealing thin pink lips and translucent skin and striking platinum eyes that oddly seem to illuminate.

Sasuke's attacker backed away immediately glaring at him and even showing his fangs as if he was a wolf,

"You'll pay you wretched damn Koga..." The ninja hissed huskily, which surprised Sasuke. He assume by looking at the Iga Ninja that it was a woman.

"So you can talk. Now tell what business do you have here?!" Sasuke warn as the two reach at the tips of large trees of the forest. The male ninja took of the mask revealing his face; he really did look like a woman. Yet seeing the man's face fully exposed face, Sasuke could see the ninja's masculine face.

The male ninja merely glared at him and said nothing and abruptly vanish. Then he abruptly appeared close to him. He blew powder at him causing Sasuke to fall.

"Fuck!" Sasuke thought immediately as he realizes that the damn Iga used metsubushi* powder. Luckily he grab one of the branches; breaking his fall. His eyes terribly sting.

He attempted to climb up on the branch and waited for a period of time. Sasuke endure the great irritation for a short time; he was able to see again. It seem that the sun was already rising again and the ninja has left a long time ago. Worried for Yukimura and Aki he rushed to Takeda Castle.

It was already early morning as he enters the Castle; nothing seems to be out of the ordinary and he sees Yukimura awake and training. It was odd; maybe something did happen.

"Danna!" Sasuke as he stands by his master's side.

"Sasuke!" Yukimura said excitedly; happy to see him. He's been waiting for him ever since Aki left. Though it only been a few hours, he was worried of how Sasuke would react; especially worried about Shingen's reaction

.

"Why are you up so early?!" Sasuke shouted, "Forgive Danna, but did anything unusual happen at all?"

"Nothing happen, and the reason why I was up is that I allowed Aki-dono to leave." Yukimura said casually.

"So Sasuke how your trip? Did you get me some dang-" Yukimura started to ask a series of questions but was interrupted by Sasuke,

"When did Aki-san leave?" Sasuke barked, fearing for Aki's safety. Yukimura confused by Sasuke's odd behavior; he still oblige and thought about it. He realized he didn't know when, so he decided to guess.

"Aki-dono left very early in the evening."

"Why?" Sasuke as he started to calm down while walking into the meeting room. Yukimura sits across from him. Yukimura felt a bit nervous; not knowing how to to respond. But he decided it was best to speak the truth.

"It's because I promise her. She has the right to see her father."

"..." Sasuke was confused by his response. "If that was the case, why didn't you accompany her?" Sasuke thought as he decided to point it out.

"I wanted to wait for you." Yukimura responded. He realized that Sasuke isn't aware Shingen's rules.

"SO Sasuke, did you bring any dangos?"

"No. But when Aki-san return?" Sasuke said taking note of how Yukimura address her more formally than before.

"She will in about two weeks."

"Fine... But I have something that we must discuss." Sasuke said, remembering of the two Iga ninja. Yukimura looked intently at Sasuke, waiting. Sasuke started to speak,

"First off Dan'na I would to apologize for not coming earlier. I would have come sooner but on the way I discover two trespassers. "

"Who were they?"

"I know that one was a female, but I didn't had a chance to see her up close but I briefly encounter the male ninja. Judging by his looks and the fact he knew I was a Koga, they are ninjas from the Iga clan." Sasuke said firmly. Personally he wants to duel with the damn male Iga ninja; he didn't even try to fight him at all. But he must have been looking for something or someone..

"Sasuke aren't they rivals with your clan?" Yukimura remarked.

"You're correct Dan'na, personally I have nothing against them. But if I encounter any Iga that gets in your way then they will be enemy. Even if my fellow clansmen get in your way I wouldn't mind fighting against them."

"Do you hold them a personal grudge against the Iga?" Yukimura asked, "If they are then they will become my enemy as well!"

"Not really... But I'm concern with the ninjas; they were following someone." Sasuke said concern. " As for now I'll ask the others to investigate further on the matter."

"Understood!" Yukimura agreed.

"Dan'na all must I say, we must find them. Although I was caught off guard and underestimated the enemy they could be a true threat to our home..." Sasuke said annoyed by the fact that he couldn't have a proper duel with that Iga ninja.

"Is there anything I can do?" Yukimura asked.

"As for now you can interrogate our staff in finding out the identity of the traveler." Sasuke said, Yukimura nodded and both made preparations to summon all staff to the meeting room.

Dragon: If I have any innocent/ dense readers its just another way to say penis...

Yamanote-dono: (1549-1613) Mother of Yukimura and Nobuyuki (aka Yukitsune) Sanda; thus wife of Masayuki Sanada (1647-1611). Making indirect reference that he's a mama's boy. Her personal name is not known well * if anyone could find it I will greatly appreciate it.

Funfact: She is the older sister of Lady Eika (possibly half sister; both have the same father), making Mitsunari Yukimura's uncle.

Uchigatana: Uchi meaning "to strike" and gatana (katana) meaning "sword", so that uchigatana means "sword to strike with". The uchigatana was originally used only by individuals of low status or rank, such as the ashigaru.

Shudo: The term shudō (衆道, abbreviated from wakashudō, the "way of adolescent boys") is also used, especially in older works in Japan. Also term nanshoku (男色, which can also be read as danshoku) is the Japanese reading of the same characters in Chinese, which literally mean "male colors." The character 色(color) still has the meaning of sexual pleasure in China and Japan.

Nenja: Seen as the active, desiring, penetrative partner, while the younger, sexually receptive wakashū was considered to submit to the nenja's attentions out of love, loyalty, and affection, rather than sexual desire. Among the samurai class, adult men were (by definition) not permitted to take the wakashū role; only preadult boys (or, later, lower-class men) were considered legitimate targets of homosexual desire. In some cases, shudō relationships arose between boys of similar ages, but the parties were still divided into nenja and wakashū roles. ~ A reference that Shingen himself was in a pact with one of his generals; Masanobu Kosaka, who historically never got along with his son; Katsuyori. He wants Yukimura and Sasuke follow in his footsteps...

Metsubushi: (Gantsubushi) "eye closers", the name for a variety of implements and techniques used by samurai police and other individuals to temporarily or permanently blind or disorient an opponent in feudal type of metsubushi used by police for blowing powdered pepper or dust into the eyes of a suspect. It is described as being a lacquer or brass box with a wide mouthpiece for blowing on, and a hole or pipe on the other end for directing the powder into the eyes of the person being captured. One type of metsubushi was a powder made up of ashes , ground-up pepper, mud, flour and dirt. For severe damage, it could also include fine-ground glass. It was kept in hollowed-out eggs (happō), bamboo tubes or other small containers. When confronted by an attacker, a person would throw the metsubushi in the attacker's eyes, blinding him, while the victim ran off or hid himself. ~ Saizo had the powder contained at the handle of his blade.

Hope you all kinda like this chapter, we'll go back to Aki's path to Shikoku on the way she get into a dicy situation and will be save by a Angel... Stay tune!