Author: Nami-chan.

Pairing : :DateSana, MotoMoto, KoSasu, IeMitsu, and some other I won't spoil

Disclaimers : I think we all would like to have the on right Sengoku Basara, but it's not my case

revision anc beta : Fantasia di Tempesta

Dragon Tales Book Two

Part 11

Autumn rain had finally returned to the sky above Kai, hiding the sun behind its thick clouds. Small streams of rain cleansed the last traces of the bloody battle that took place two days ago. The most visible traces could be erased, but the worst ones were already deeply rooted into the most formidable warrior's heart.

Yukimura's hazel eyes seemed to have lost a bit of life as they riveted on Shingen's slumbering body. The young man seemed to be lost in thought, contemplating upon his fallen lord.

It was just like last time, right?

Just like the time Shingen had collapsed from exhaustion after facing the Oda forces' siege. It was the only time Yukimura saw his lord weak and knocked down.

Shingen seemed so small and fragile like a child, all the charisma of his stature hidden by the cover that sheltered him.

No one had the heart to tell the tired young tiger that this time, it was much worse.

He refused to eat or even sleep and vaguely responded with only short and concise answer when asked. If that hadn't been the case, Sasuke would have been helpless, because he knew that if his figurative little brother fell into the abyss again, he would be unable to make Yukimura snap out of it.

Fortunately,Yukimura sometimes went out of the room out of modesty and respect for his lord when the servants washed his body.

It was during one of those rare moments that Sasuke found him.

Sitting on the engawa, his back straight, Yukimura was contemplating the falling rain while it's droplets dripped along the tiles and fell into the pond in front of him. The ninja had to admit that he found the sight… soothing, at least.

It was hard for him to see Yukimura in such state, especially since he knew that he couldn't understand what his friend might be going through.

Still, this wasn't going to prevent him from trying and bring his Yukimura back.

He put a plate full of hot dangos between them when he sat beside Yukimura.

"This is for you. You haven't eaten for two days. I know that sweets aren't the best and the most nutritious thing but at least you would have something in your stomach." he tried.

His heart clenched when he saw that Yukimura didn't even bother to look at the plate when he answered.

"No, thank you. I'm not hungry."

Sasuke let out a sigh. He wasn't good at comforting or to find the right words that could soothe the other's pain, especially since Yukimura had never been as devastated as he was now. He always had been was the most vigorous and person he knew.

Usually, this kind of problem would be solved with a dango and a well-timed tease. Then Yukimura would react quickly as always, pursuing him throughout the castle, shouting at him and smashing half the ornaments along the way... before he was stopped by Shingen's fists.

Yukimura wasn't this thing, this... amorphous and lifeless being.

Now Yukimura was nothing more than the shadow of his former self.

In fact, even if it hurt him to say or think so, Sasuke knew that only one other person who could motivate Yukimura now. But if he had to believe the rumors, that person would no longer be able to help him again.

The reddish-brown haired ninja had to roll up his sleeves and do what that person would have done, even if it meant giving an electric shock to Yukimura.

This time, he couldn't rely on others. The war was about to fall on Kai and the other generals wouldn't wait for his young master to return by himself.

Sasuke stopped himself, his conscience pushing him to carefully think about what he could say to make Yukimura react first of all. The only thing that came back again and again was something that the youngest needed to know as a warlord but that could make him plunge deeper into the darkness...

"There is something important you need to know... well, you must have heard the rumors anyway. Nowadays, people only talk about it."

It was a risk worth taking.

"It's not the truth."

Sasuke blinked, surprised to be interrupted by a frank and overly direct answer. Was his friend in denial?

"We can't be so sure, I would check myself but-"

"Date Masamune cannot be defeated so easily. I know that the rumors are false, we can be sure of that."

The gleam of persistence Sasuke saw in Yukimura's eyes reignited his flame of hope. He had hit the nail on the head when he thought that this subject would draw a reaction from the young tiger.

And when he thought about it, Yukimura's right.

If he knew any man who could clung to life more than anyone, it was Date Masamune.

He was a child who had survived many assassination attempts orchestrated by his own mother. A child whose father forced him to travel on a dangerous and hostile land, banishing him from a warm home under the pretext of protection. A teenager whose father had immediately sent him to fight when he returned home, anxious to prove to his peers that the child was a worthy king. An adult who always fought for his beliefs - someone who was undeniably strong indeed.

"That dragon's pretty tough, eh?" Sasuke tried to tease.

Against all odds, Yukimura suppressed a shudder and lowered his head, his expression changed. His hands rested on his knees and his leather gloves squeaked while he clenched his fist.

"Sasuke, I'm so lost."

The ninja's primary mission seemed to be a success, he had brought Yukimura to confide to him. But then... what should he say for now?

"I have to avenge my lord... regain Kai's honor and take it back from Ieyasu."

He was still thinking on doing that, even now?

Sasuke stood up, he couldn't let Yukimura go on this path.

He was about to knock some sense into the younger one angrily but his expression made Sasuke took a step back. Yukimura was biting his lower lip, his face contorted and body shaking with contained sobs.

"It's all my fault... I had been so useless when Ieyasu launched his attack. I... I've seen everything but I couldn't do anything."

He paused to take a deep breath, putting his hand over his heart and clenching it tjhrough his vest fabric, "It... it was... as if something was in me, my body escaped me... the things I've done... "

This time he really lifted his gaze on Sasuke, a look that the ninja hadn't seen for so long on that beautiful face. Doubt, fear and despair could be read on it like in an open book.

"I'm afraid," he confessed.

Sasuke flatly refused to hear those words from the young tiger's lips. It was even less Yukimura than the shadow whom he conversed with a few seconds before. The last piece of the puzzle came together in his mind. If he didn't know what to say to Yukimura, why not just do what Date Masamune would have done!?

He seized the red samurai's hand, pulling him out in the rain and dragging him toward the main courtyard.

"So what? You're going to sit there and wait for the other lords to give us the last blow? Wake up Yukimura, Oyakata-sama has entrusted Kai's future to you! Uesugi Kenshin is gathering his troops at Kawanakajima as we speak!" He almost yelled, his voice loud enough to be heard against the rain's incessant noise.

Chilled by the lack of response from Yukimura, Sasuke thought to give up his idea and just hit Yukimura until he gave a satisfying answer just like how Shingen used to do it.

He resorted to simply shook his head instead.

The rain was already reduced to a drizzle as he hurried on, squeezing Yukimura's wrist harder.

"He did it because I was the closest person to him," said Yukimura, who followed him with dropped shoulders, arm swinging in Sasuke's hand.

Sasuke anger rose after that answer. He knew Yukimura was naive, but now he simply refused to see the truth. Doesn't he realized what fate awaited them all if he continued to drown himself in despair? Therefore, it was up to Sasuke to force Yukimura to open his eyes and he would ensure that he opened them wide.

"Look, Yukimura!"

Sasuke pushed Yukimura in the palace's entrance. Slowly, the rain dripped from his hair, flowing on his face as his eyes went over all the gathered soldiers. Sitting, standing in the rain, sheltered, they were so many of them. All were in full battle gear, ready to fight at his side.

"They were there too. They saw what you did and yet they believe in you. They will always support you."

Yukimura froze, facing the audience. One by one the men who were sitting straightened up.

"Do you think they're not afraid? Do you think you're the only one worrying about Oyakata-sama?" Sasuke continued, "Yet they are here before you and they expect you to guide them!"

One of the men at the forefront waited for Sasuke to finish his speech, then stepped forward. In his arms he held draped weapon to protect them from the rain. Presenting the object to Yukimura, he took off the fabric, revealing two red spears, cleaned and polished.

"We are waiting for your orders, Sir," the man stated.

The young general looked at his weapon for a moment. Those weapons had been extending his arm when he killed, wounded, maimed... knowing that never scared him before. He had never shrunk from a battle and knew his role perfectly as a man in this country of war.

His hesitant and shaky hand went towards the weapon. This thing in him... he didn't know what would happen if he lost control again. He didn't want this to happen again.

His gaze went up on the men gathered in front of him, waiting for his response. Their faces were serious and yet, none wore a sign of renunciation, nobody wanted to give up. They were the proud Kai horsemen... And he was one of them. Yukimura was one of these proud men. Yukimura was chosen to be their leader. They chose Yukimura.

A reassuring hand landed on his shoulder.

"I could stop you once, I would do it again. I'm staying with you. Oyakata-sama still owes me several months' salary." Sasuke joked, cutting the tension in Yukimura.

Almost breaking a smile after that remark, Yukimura quickly seized his spears, making them spin to remember their weight between his fingers. The red general pointed their blade toward the sky.

"All of you! Lend me your strength!" He cried, his lungs working with his effort.

"General Sanada!" Repeated the men together. "For our general! For Kai!"

"Ten-ha-zessou!" Yukimura shouted his catchphrase, accompanied by more clamor.

"To Kawanakajima!"

This time the soldiers cried together with Yukimura.

In a few minutes the courtyard was empty and Sasuke stood back a few moments. His gold freckled eyes turned towards the pavilion that housed Shingen. The anger had yet to left his body even though his face didn't show it. He had managed to motivate Yukimura this time, but how long would the young tiger withstand such treatment?

"Damn, why must you make suffer again? Was the demon who possessed him also part of your plan to make Yukimura the perfect general?"

He would have liked Shingen's answer right now. If it wasn't for the respect he had for the old man and the debt he had to him for having saved and protected his little brother, Sasuke would have confronted Shingen directly. An almost stupid thought crossed the ninja's mind. A thought which told him that it might be time for him too to grow up too.

Oooooooooooooooooooooo

Something was pulling Keiji's hair.

Instead of waking up, the wanderer merely turned his head to the other side, muttering, "Not now, Yumekichi. I'm still sleepy."

But he forgot to count on the little monkey's perseverance. The little one continued to pull adding small cries to his gestures.

Because of his little furry friend's insistence, Keiji decided to wake up, although slowly, taking his time. One eye opened, then the second. He sat up on his chair, his neck still a little sore due to the uncomfortable position in which he had slept. He was rubbing it when he heard, "Your monkey don't really understand when spoken to. I told him to let you sleep a little more."

Keiji failed to threw himself at his friend's neck. He was so happy to see him finally awake.

"Motochika!" He yelped instead.

The joy gave way to confusion when he noticed he had fallen asleep with his head on the pirate's bed. The aforementioned pirate was still in bed since the wanderer's chest prevented him from getting up.

"When did you wake up?" Keiji asked, a little ashamed for falling asleep when he had fought so hard to look after his friend.

"Just a few minutes ago," Motochika replied, rubbing his temples. "I still have a headache."

The urge to squeeze the pirate in his arms, just to make sure he was not dreaming was so strong that Keiji crossed his arms over his chest to prevent himself. Showing disrespect to Shikoku lord was his last wish.

"I'll warn the crew!" the vagabond suddenly remembered that the others would be happy to learn that their captain was back amongst the living.

"Keiji," Motochika stopped him in his gesture.

The young brown haired man sighed. He should have known what Motochika would ask for first. There are two important things in the pirate captain's life, the first being his men. Obviously, he woke up in his cabin so it meant that the crew was doing well. The second was another lord he had loved for so many years... and no matter how much he mentally prepared himself, that didn't stop the Maeda vagabond to fear the answer he was about to give.

Keiji let out an heavier sigh, falling back on the chair he had barely left during the last hours.

"How long have I slept?" Motochika asked, surprising Keiji who was apprehending something else entirely.

"Uh, about forty-eight hours." the younger replied.

"Dammit, it's been too long," Motochika claimed suddenly.

He didn't finish his sentence as he tried to stand up. Using Keiji's broad shoulder as support, he put one foot on the ground. The wanderer hastened to help him and released him only when the pirate seemed stable on both feet.

Motochika walked towards the door, slightly staggering, but regaining his balance as the numbness in his members faded.

"Motochika, wait!" Keiji yelled as he tried to stop him.

Grunting and cursing, the pirate ignored the wanderer. Knowing that his friend was not alright, Keiji grabbed Motochika's shoulder and forced him to sit back down on the bed.

"First, you must tell me about this outbreak you went through when the Saika attacked us. If you're sick I have the right-"

"Motonari needs me, I can't let him down!" The pirate launched suddenly.

Keiji bit his lip, his eyes turning away. So it turned out that Motochika had only one thing in mind all along.

"Listen to me," Keiji began. It was important that he has the pirate's full attention at the moment but Motochika seemed to want only one thing from Keiji - to be left alone.

"We've looked everywhere! We have searched the entire area after the battle and we couldn't find any trace of him…."

"That's bullshit!"

In a fit of rage, Motochika pushed Keiji away. However, the wanderer who had the same imposing stature than him had no great difficulty to restrain him. Their small fight knocked Keiji's chair and it fell with a loud thud. Almost immediately, the cabin door opened.

"Aniki!" Several pirates came in screaming as they rushed to their captain.

They forced Keiji to let go of Motochika, instead supporting the weakened oni.

"He is alive, Keiji ... I feel his presence, he is alive," Motochika's remaining blue eye fixated on the wanderer, enlightening the certainty of his assertion. He tried to get rid of his crew members because he wanted to walk out the door on his own.

"Aniki, you should rest…," one of the men began, his guttural voice making Keiji grimace.

"He is all right…," Motochika continued, it was almost as if he was delirious, a strange smile stretching on his lips. "He's fine. He isn't in danger... I can feel it."

Following this last sentence, he seemed to calm down, stopping himself. One of the pirates had rushed to him with a wooden box in hand. A box Keiji had seen once when the first mate had brought it to give Motochika medicines after his last attack.

"Calm down assholes... it's not Orochi." Motochika said, pushing them away.

Running a hand over his face, he sighed and rested on the bed.

"We have no time to look for him anyway, the important thing is that he is alright," the pirate went on.

Everyone could see his heart breaking to accept this fact.

Keiji, who had witnessed the whole scene in total confusion, was beginning to understand what the one-eyed pirate was babbling about.

"Motonari? If he is alright, that's what matters the most. But then, how about you? You don't seem to be doing well at all, Motochika," the vagabond rebuked, his little monkey joined him to support his actions.

"It's nothing. An exorcist, no, Ieyasu can help me for sure." He tried to reassure the other.

"So it seems that you'll have a hard time finding him because he is hiding quite well. This damn kid just killed my contractor," a female voice echoed in the cabin.

All eyes turned to the newcomer.

It was a beautiful woman who held herself well. Her light auburn hair stopped at her shoulders in a feminine hairstyle. She had a severe and strong air around her beautifully shaped face and almond eyes, a black choker adorned her neck. She was wearing brown pants and high boots that stopped at the knees. Her belt was made up of half red skirt with golden floral pattern which covered one of her legs and a blue sash overlooking her hips. Part of her white and firm stomach was naked, her torso covered only by a black bustier with the same floral pattern as the skirt but in blue that highlighted his ample chest while her shoulders were hidden under a bolero. Fingerless gloves covered her forearms, but what stood out the most - sans her charismatic aura and presence - was the gun holster that was attached to her right leg. How many weapon could she had on it? Keiji count five of them from his view point.

To make a comment on it, Keiji should try to close his mouth first. Something strong had struck his heart.

"Saika Magoichi," whispered one of the pirates, stunned.

"Ah, Sayaka! It's been a while," Motochika smirked.

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooo

What Motonari perceived first when he woke up was how dry his throat was. Before being able to open his eyes, he coughed, bringing his hand to his sore throat. Then, he tried to rise from his lying position.

His gaze found the glass placed right next to him and he hastened to swallow the contents, letting the liquid soothe his pain.

Once the pain forgotten, Motonari began to understand that he wasn't in Motochika's cabin. The walls around him were made of stone, not wood. The floor was covered with a red and fluffy carpet which he found pleasant under his bare feet.

That was when he noticed that he wasn't wearing anything that may belong to him. He tugged at the fabric of the black dress that covered him to the ankle, wincing at the lack of color and taste.

He tried to call someone, but his voice came out as a hoarse growl.

Understanding where he was and what he was doing become a priority. He tried to find someone, his steps leading him into the hallway. A long corridor with high and arched ceilings, lit by candelabras and adorned with strange paintings. Motonari squinted his eyes trying to see them better, but he must have received a blow to his head because his sight remained cloudy.

The young kitsune felt weak and his head seemed to play the drums of an obon matsuri. He used the stone wall for guidance, leaning on it. He cleared his throat to try to call once again.

"Is there someone here?" This time his voice sounded clearer, echoing in the empty hallway.

The lord of Aki met with no response so he continued to advance, going deeper into the corridor.

Gradually, the images of the last battle surfaced in his mind. He remembered the thundering noise of the canons and grimaced, thinking of the pain that one of these made him feel. He also remembered that his back hit a rock when he was thrown out of the ship deck, just before the sun was blocked by the waves. He remembered the burning taste of salt as sea water began to invade his lungs...

Maybe... he was dead and reached the underworld?

The clear sound of a flute reached him. The flute sound was followed by another instrument he didn't recognize, the sound of it powerful and metallic.

Was that music?

A chorus resonated through the stone walls. What was that song, anyway?

Motonari hurried on, following his ears. The kitsune only stopped when he entered an open courtyard. Before him, men dressed in the same black dress as he was, danced and sang, holding what Motonari recognized as western musical instruments in their hands. It was called trumpets, if his memory served him right.

Their movements were coordinated in a merry hubbub, and then the music stopped abruptly, bringing the small brunet out of his contemplation.

"No! No, Muneshige! You make everything go wrong!"

If he hadn't already had a migraine, Motonari couldn't doubt for a second that that voice, pretty high pitched for a male voice, would have given him one.

He looked around for the person who owned that voice, finding a young blond boy facing a wide and tall bearded man.

Their clothes were even stranger than the dresses worn by the musicians. The blond had a typical European getup. He wore a black yellow-rimmed hat that covered his head, save for his bangs, the lower half of his hair and his neck. Black shoes, embellished with tights in the same black color and shorts with yellow stripe, white shirt with short sleeves covered by a red jacket and black collar bearing the emblems of the order of worship to which he belonged.

The tall man with the wide brown beard sported a more familiar outfit. He wore traditional samurai armor in light orange and blue tones, the shoulders-guards and helmet only exacerbated his large stature.

There was something reassuring in this bear-like man.

Suddenly, the blond boy struck the man with his book. It was a thick and heavy tome that inflicted quite a pain.

"Incapable!" The boy screamed at him.

His quick gesture bought a smell to the kitsune's sensitive nose. Only someone with demon blood as he and Motochika could easily recognize another person with mixed blood, and the boy was one of them.

"Nekomata…," Motonari blurted out before he could stop himself.

Soon, all eyes were turned towards him. Still feeling a little dizzy, the brunet tried to retreat and hide in the corridor. But with surprising agility, the blond bounced and landed in front of him, running a merry dance.

"Our drowned guest woke up, thank goodness to Xavi!" He said.

He took Motonari's hand in his, his white silk gloves making the contact nicer than the brunet would have thought.

"Xavi~!" The cult member sang together.

"Do not fear us, dear friend," the boy said, plunging his golden eyes onto Motonari's. "Xavi has brought you to us, you'll never be alone anymore," he finished.

Motonari didn't know why, but the blond's words touched his heart directly. He could only follow him when he pulled him to the garden center.

The lord of Aki was instantly dazzled by an huge golden statue that reflected the sun on his face, illuminating him with its splendor.

"Our lord seems to have big plans for you!" The blond stated, still using the same chiming tone.

"Master Sorin," the tall bearded man tried to interrupt him, "Won't he need more rest first?"

Sorin glared at Muneshige, saying, "We don't expect a message from Xavi, it is him who comes to us."

"Xavi," Motonari repeated, enthralled by the statue's solar radiance.

It was several foot tall and equally wide, clad entirely in gold, resembling a man. He was wearing the same robe as the cult member but had more ornaments. The depiction of Xavi was bald on the top of his skull and his smile was framed by a beard that seemed to project love and kindness to all who beheld the statue.

"Starting today, your name will be Sunday!" Sorin launched, overjoyed.

TBC

Thank you for reading, and for your support. Until next chapter.